Bro. Lessing And His Masonic Conversations.

to a very small section of the Masonic public , that they have escaped the notice to which they are justly entitled . It is greatly to be regretted that such works are not sought after and placed in the safe keeping of the Grand Lodge authorities , for the p leasure and profit of the Craft at large . It seems sad that the library should be ,

comparatively speaking , in a Avilderness . 11 ns , however , is perhaps extraneous to the matter Ave have in hand at the present time . Although Avhen we are dealing with the Masonic literature of a century ago , the thought of such a " consummation devoutly to be Avished " , very naturally forces itself on the mind .

At the conclusion of Conversation Four , we leave Falk and Ernest on the point of mixing in the society of the guests of the former , and Ernest , in the company of his friend , will now see how Freemasons act beyond the circle of the lodge , in contiguity Avith those not actually

belonging to the Order . The remarks I shall have to make on Conversation Five are of that nature , that it will be most convenient to reserve them for a separate portion of the commentary , that portion of the inquiry involving questions of an historical and philogical

character , likely to provoke controversy , and certainly affording a field for courting discussion in Avhich , some other of my brethren may desire to take part . Indeed , the bold statement of Bro . Lessing demands a thorough and careful examination at the hands of Alasonic historians , being so much nearer to the time of the revival of

Speculative Masonry , he may have had access to documents no longer in existence , and thence ol high importance to the Craft at large . 1 therefore close my present paper at this

point , and shall proceed to give it all the consideration in the next portion of these comments , promising only that I have myself formed no pre-coneeived notion on the topic of Conversation Five . CRYPTONYMLS .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

GRAND LODGE . ( To the Editor if the Freemason . J DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — I have just learned that a persistency is being kept up by a member ofthe Grand Lodge , in bringing forward motions quite ttllra viers of all Masonic Law . It has always been recognised in

all countries under every jurisdiction throughout the world , that equality is a landmark of F ' reemasonry and therefore unchangeable , so that in bringing forward a motion in Grand Lodge , it cannot be to rule one or two members of the fraternity , and exclude all others , this , to say the least of it ,

would be unfair . Surely the Grand Master and the permanant office-bearers of Grand Lodge can rule , and govern their officials , without bringing forward a special motion or Bye-laws to that effect . I trust that members in the country

districts , Avhen coming up to Grand Lodge at next quarterly communication , on the 5 th J une , Avill take time to consider the question and will give their vote in support of justice . ¦ V COUNTRY WORSHIPI-I ' MASTER .

PRACTICAL FREEMASONRY . To tlie Editor of the . Freemason . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — Your correspondent , H . B . H ., appears to be greatly hurt by my former letter , written as it Avas at a time of great mental depression , and under peculiar circumstances , it may have contained

some expressions ot acerbity , which I should very much regret , I considered , that , as a member of the Craft , I was at liberty to point out , Avhat appears to me , a fault in our social Masonic system , and which opinion is certainly shared by many

other brethren . I may be wrong , but it is most ungenerous of H . B . H . to brand me as a bad Mason , for doing what I conscientiously believed was right , or to charge me with a wish to traduce an order which I consider the noblest

human institution in existence , but yet human , and necessarily fallible . I never thought it was not the duty of a Mason to help , aid , and assist a brother in such a laudable undertaking as seeking employment

Original Correspondence.

on the sound policy , " prevention is better than cure , " and think that if influential brethren would consider the point , it would prevent many a drain on that magnificent testimony of Masonic worth , the Benevolent Fund .

Bro . H . B . H . has never experienced what it is to look for the wherewithal to sustain life , and although his letter proves him to be a true Mason , and prompted by a desire to defend Masonry , he must recollect that even scripture tells us that

the best men do not always succeed , for " The wicked flourish as a green bay tree . " Trusting that Bro . H . B . H . will at least do me the justice of having written in the interest of the

order , and accepting his offer of assistance most gratefully . I am dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , AN UNEMPLOYED P . M .

( To the Editor of lite Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — I this day chanced to see a copy of your paper , and in it a letter signed H . B . H ., who complains that " P . M . Unemployed " has cast a slur

on our order . 1 do not know the grounds of complaint made by " P . M . Unemployed" but as regards obtaining assistance , 1 could point out one instance which occured to myself the years ago , I was laid on a bed of sickness , but unlike " P . M .

Unemployed" I do not blame our order , but my peculiar circumstances at the time . At the present time I am , as 1 was then , in the midst of hundreds of Masons , many of whom I have no doubt could help me into employment , but I am

amongst strangers ( at Birmingham ) and thousands of miles from my mother lodge . For five years 1 have struggled hard against poverty , sickness , and death , and at the present moment 1 have got-as low , if not lower , than any Mason

ever has been . Tins may sound strange , but it is true , 1 have never asked for assistance from Masons—save in the one instance mentioned above , but seeing H . B . H . ' s letter , and truly brotherly offer to " P . M . Unemployed " ( though not wishing to impose on H . B . H . ) I am

tempted to try if some brother who can , Avill help me out of the slough into whicli 1 have fallen . I will in a letter send all particulars as to my circumstances , and I am confident that any Mason who hears my story will , if he can , assist . S . W . UNEMin . oYEI ) .

A letter addressed , S . AV ., Post office , till called for , Birmingham , will find me . Birmingham , May 28 th , 1 S 72 .

LODGE BENEVOLENT FUNDS . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — AVill you allow me , through the medium of your paper , to enquire from those of your subscribers , who have a benevolent fund attached to

their lodges , what is the best plan of organising such a fund ? and also , what are the most successful arrangements for its management ? I shall be grateful to any such brother AVIIO will kindly forward me a copy of their Bye-laws , and will thankfull y acknowledge the same .

Fraternally yours , H . B . HODGES , P . M . 403 . AVatton cottage , Hertford , Flerts , . May 27 , 1872

GRAND CONCLAVE . ( To the Editor q , the Freemason . ) SIR , AND BROTHER , — I have been looking in vain for some account of the proceedings of the Grand Conclave of Knights Templar , whicli was held at the Cannon

street Hotel , on the ioth May . The Freemason is now the recognised organ , as I take it , of Freemasonry in the United Kingdom , and we naturally expect to find in it reports of all the Grand Bodies connected with it , either in the

Craft , the A . and A . Rite , or the Chivalric Orders . 1 am quite well aware that many Templars disclaim the intimate connection of their order with the Craft—but so long as Royal

Arch Masons are alone eligible for promotion to the ranks of the Knights Templar—so long must the order of the Temple and Hospital be considered a Masonic body . Can you not prevail upon the powers that be to furnish you , though

Original Correspondence.

late , with some account of the doings on the ioth ult ., for the benefit ofthe 120 Encampmentsundcr the banner of Sir Kni ght AVilliam Stuart . Yours fraternally , Ax EMINENT COMMANDER .

Consecration Of A Mark Lodge At Maryport.

CONSECRATION OF A MARK LODGE AT MARYPORT .

A very interesting ceremony in connection with Mark' Masonry took place on Thursday ' the 22 nd ult ., at Maryport . A number of the Craft brethren there have long been anxious to have a Mark Lodge in connection with the English Grand Lodge , and through the

perseverance and labours of a few , their efforts have been crowned with success , and the AVhitwell Lodge of Mark Master Masons has been established under very favourable auspices . The brethren assembled at . the Freemasons" Hall , when the effective and interesting ceremonv of

the consecration of the new lodge Avas gone through very finely b y WAV . Bro . Binckes . G . S ., Grand Lodge Alark Alasters , of England . P . G . S . Bro . Binckes then invested Bro . Nicholson , as the first W . M . in his usual imnressive

maimer , alter whicli the lohowmg brethren were ballotted for , elected , and advanced to the degree of Mark Alaster Mason . Eros . James Gardiner , Robert Brown . J oseph Abbot , Thos . Aloore , Quintin Aloore , G . M . Tickle , the Rev . AV . Beeby , G . Rule , David Hell , Joseph Carter

W . G . AVallis , and Price . The AV . Ai . then appointed his officers as follows -. — Bros . P . de Collin . S . AV . ; J . R . Tickle , l . AV . : AV . G . AVallis , AI . O . ; James Gardiner , " S . O . ; AV . H . Tickle , J . O . ; G . AI . Tickle , Reg . of Marks ;

John Adair , Treas . ; J ohn Lawson , Sec . ; Geo Rule , S . D . ; R . Brown , J . D . ; Rev . W . Beedy Chaplain : Quintin Moore , I . G . ; and R . Ala < Bride , Tyler . At the conclusion of the business , the brc thren sat down to an excellent and well

lirepared dinner , served by Bro . mine host of the Senhouse Arms , lo which due just ice was done . On the removal of the cloth , the chair was taken by Bro . Nicholson , AV . AI ., and the vice-chair by Bro . P . de . Collin , S . AV ., under whose presidency a few hours were very Alasonieallv spent .

. 'Amongst the visiting brethren present were WAV . Bro . F . Binckes , G . S . ; VV . Bios . G Btisher , W . AL 60 ; G . G . Hayward , P . M . 60 and Bros . Johnston , P . M . 60 ; and AIcAIeehan I . G . 60 . A' . AV . Bro . Binckes spoke at SOUK

length and with great weight on the subject of Alark Alasonry , and was listened to with much attention by the brethren . Bros . Btisher and Porter also made a number of practical remarks , and were much applauded .

Song and speech varied the proceedings , and the brethren at Maryport cannot but look with , satisfaction at the first Mark Alaster Alasons ' meeting in connection with the Grand Lodge of England , held at Alary-port , graced as it was especially by the presence of Aery Worshi p ful Bro , Binckes , Grand Secretary of England .

THE TRANQUILITY AND CONI-I DEXCE CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION . —At a meeting ofthe membersof theabove society thefollowing brethren were elected as oliicers for the year , viz . : —Bros . E . Gottheil , P . AL 14 / , President ; Harlield , P . M . 185 , V . P . ; Bloomfield , AV . AI . 1 S . 5 , Treasurer ; Constable , J . D . 185 , Secretary . A committee

of twelve was also chosen , Avhose business it will be to adjudicate upon any matter of dispute , and whose decision will be final . The officers immediately entered upon their duties , and two Life Governorships were balloted for . The successful members were Bros . Dukes , of Lodge 15 , and Dare of 185 . The next ballot will take place on the fourth AVednesday in June next .

HOLLOWAY ' S 1 ' ILLS . —Reflect that many men and many means had formerly fruitlessly had eudcavouiel tocomba ' the most common complaints : wheieas now it is well known to all persons who suffer from bilious headaches , disordered stomach , biliousness or flatulency , these fill , never fail them as the safest , ben , and quickest mode oi obtaining ease , without weakening or irritating the

nervousystem . Molloway ' s Pills are especially useful in cleaung away any excess of bile , which usually pioduce-i leva--nausea , distension , diarrhoea or colic , unless remedial measures be adopted without delay . In asthma , bronchitis , and congestion of the lungs , they may be . relied upon foi removing danger ; and , by regulating the circulation thev prevent relapses . ADVT .