Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed b y our correspondents but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , What we seem to want is an authoritative ruling to settle the question at issue , viz ., What is really meant by " Confirmation of Minutes " ?

We are evidently agreed that , according to law and custom , all minutes of proceedings of a private lodge have to be read and put for confirmation , and rule 130 of the Book of Constitutions , directs , in the case only of minutes of the annual election meeting , that this must be done at the next regular meeting , the object being , as I interpret the rule , to ensure the accurate writing of the position relating to the election of Master , and the confirmation thereof , before his

installation . Of course if , upon reading the minutes , a dispute were to arise as to who was actually elected Master , which the brethren present were unable to settle , the portion referred to could not be confirmed and , consequently , the election would have to be proceeded with again at the following regular meeting , but to rescind a minute , the correctness of which is unquestioned , would be a very different matter .

Again , upon the reading of the minute of election of Master , a fatal objection might be raised to its confirmation , owing to discovery of the illegality of such election , because he was disqualified for the post , not having served for one year the office of Master or Warden of a regular lodge ; or , being at the time in arrear with the payment of his dues , he was , therefore , according to a bye-law of the lodge ,

ineligible for the office j or , being Master of another lodge , because he had failed to obtain the necessary dispensation to hold a second Mastership at the same time . It may also be held that the brethren would be unable to confirm the minutes if the Master elect had since died , or become incapacitated , or declined to accept the office .

But slow progress would be made with the business transactions of commercial and other companies and institutions , if votes and resolutions passed at one board meeting could be nullified at the next , and if the same process could be repeated , from time to time , preventing a definite conclusion being arrived at , on any given subject , interminably , but that is what it comes to , in relation to the most important items of lodge business , if the dictum set forth in your " Masonic Notes " of to-day be correct .

You commence by expressing " very little doubt" as to the meaning and intent of Rule 130 , thus implying that there is some doubt about it in your mind , and you go on to show that your conclusions are inferential only , and yet you are so inconsistent as to state also , most emphatically , that such " meaning and intent" is " as plain as a pikestaff . "

However " absurd " my arguments may be , I regret that I can see nothing in yours to shake it ; and I may add , in support of my views , that I have consulted several experienced P . Ms , who take consideraole interest in lodge affairs , all of whom are absolutely in accord with me , and , therefore , I think it is but

a reasonable deduction to make that the law laid down for our guidance on this subject is , like many Acts of Parliament , certainly not as complete and clear as it might be , and that , at any rate until undeniable proof is forthcoming that one of us is right , the contrary opinion of the other is entitled to some little respect . — Yours fraternally ,

E . PRINCE 68 , 'Wokingham-road , Reading . 24 th November .

INITIATION OF CANDIDATES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I was pleased to see the letter of " Indignant " in your last issue though , of course , I regret the necessity he felt there was to write you on such a subject . I am sorry to say that I believe the practice he condemns is not confined to certain London lodges ; there are Provincial lodges which lay themselves open

to initiate all and sundry who may come to them . I know , at least , one instance in which such a lodge was known as "The Refuge for the Destitute , " and it admitted without compunction , men whose candidature as members of the Craft had been refused in their own towns . The Constitutions , as you point out in your leading Article , are quite clear as to the responsibility of lodges in such a matter , but , unfortunately , too many of our lodges regard quantity and not quality as the measure of Masonic success , and their members point to the piling up of funds ,

consequent on the too-ready admission of initiates as a proof of their superiority over lodges which , acting up to the spirit and letter of the Constitutions , draw an effective line and , consequently , have but a small balance at their bankers . I rejoice that you have " lent your assistance " in compliance with " Indignant ' s " request , but I fear that if lodges get into a habit of caielessness as to the reputability of candidates , neither editorial injunction nor private Mason's reproach will have much effect upon them . —Yours fraternally , PAST MASTER .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1132 ] CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES . The question as to the precise meaning and object of confirmation of minutes will often be raised in the future , as in the past , until the Grand Lodge has authoritatively decided the various points involved . I think "Masonic Jurisprudence , " in his interesting and suggestive articles concerning the " Book of Constitutions " in actual practice , has wisely refrained from taking a very positive view of the matter beyond what is actually laid down in the regulations . I wish

much that our gifted brother the Grand Registrar ( the V . W . Bro . John Strachan , Q . C . ) , would take the matter in hand , and see it through Grand Lodge , it tvould cooler a great boon on many Masters and other brethren who desire a really practical and complete , settlement of the question , similar to the decision arriv'l at by the Grand Lodge of Scotland , unless when otherwise provided for , viz .: " 39 . Confirmation of minutes of Grand Lodge implies that the res gestu : of a previous meeting have been correctly recoided , and not that the question

discussed and disposed of at such former meeting can be opened up at the succeeding one when the minutes are read . " I believe the same rule or usage prevails in the sister Grand Lodge of Ireland . It may be asked that , as this is called " a common sense view of the matter , " why not follow it V The misfortune is that the Grand Lodge has several times nun-confirmed its minutes that have been correctly recorded , and hence the W . M . ol a lodge might fairly agi'ce to allow a motion to be put

Masonic Notes And Queries.

to his lodge to non-confirm a portion of the minutes that are correctl y recorded , because of an alteration of views since the last meeting , or because a larger number of brethren have attended at the second meeting than at the first , and either likely to upset the decision of the previous assembly , or wish , at all events , to consider it again . Hence I believe , to remove all doubt and difficult y , the Grand Lodge should decide the point , and thus remove the present uncertainty . The question , however , of the confirmation or otherwise of ordinary minutes is not in the running in respect to the minute of the election of the

W . M . I agree with the Editor of the Freemason as to this , and disagree with Bro . E . Prince . The Book of Constitutions provides most explicitly for this , as in fact the true election of the W . M . ( or the complete election ) does not take place until the minute of such selection or election is confirmed , and the [ rule makes arrangements in the event of the minute being non-confirmed—{ sec No . 131 , Edit . 1896 ) . What we want , however , is a ruling of the Grand Registrar or the Grand Lodge as to what confirmation means and involves of ordinary minutes not expressly provided for by Grand Lodge . W . J . HUGHAN .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

De Grey and Ripon Lodge , No . 1161 . The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on Wednesday , the 21 st ult . The following brethren were present : Bros . Walter Cockerham , W . M . ; John T . C . Blackie , S . W . ; Samuel Richards , J . W . ; O . M . Jones , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Schofield , I . P . M ., Sec . ; J . Brownhill , S . D . ; A . E . Bentley , J . D . ; J . R . Fletcher , Tyler j Buckley Carr , P . M ., D . C , P . P . G . D . C . ; J . Irlam , P . M . ;

E . Zoebell , P . M . ; William Arnold , Samuel Rains , John Wm . Whalley , Chas . G Balls , Geo . J . Critchley , E . A . Harrison , Chas . F . Norbery , J . Thrutchley , I . M Moss , P . M ., P . P . D . G . S . B . ; and H . Massingham , P . M . Visitors : Bros . j . W Thompson , P . M . 1534 , P . P . G . S . B . ; X . Bentley , 2156 ; R . W . Nuttall , 165 ; and A Gresly , 852 .

lhe lodge having been opened , the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The ballot was then taken for Mr . Samuel William Hartley , which proving unanimous in his favour , he was initiated by Bro . E . Zoebell , P . M ., in a very able manner . The working tools were presented by Bro . S . Richards , P . M ., and the ancient charge was delivered by Bro . J . T . C . Blackie , S . W . The traditional history was rendered by Bro . J . Irlam , P . M ., in his usual brilliant style , to Bros . Harrison , Thrutchley , and Arnold , after which the lodge was closed . The brethren adjourned to the festive board , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and responded to .

The following brethren contributed to the harmony of the evening : Bros . Richards , Brownhill , Bentley , Arnold , Norbury , Thrutchley , Thompson , Nuttall , and Hartley .

Herschel Lodge , No . 1394 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . G . E . HARRIS . The installation meeting of this well-known and important lodge took place at Slough on the 20 th ult ., and was very well attended by the members and a large number of visitors , including the W . Ms , of the Windsor Castle , Wycombe , Marlow , and Ellington Lodges , and the D . P . G . M , and the Prov . G . Sec .

The lodfze was opened , and the minutes read and confirmed . The W . M . elect , Bro . George E . Harris , was then presented by the D . C ., and installed into the chair by Bro . Shuard . _ The new W . M . afterwards appointed and invested his officers , and addressed them in suitable terms as to their respective duties . The delivery of the customary addresses was very ably and impressively rendered by Bro . Shuard , the Installing Officer , and he is to be congratulated on the exemplary manner in which he carried out the installation ceremony . __The W . M . then presented , on behalf of the lodge , a handsome gold jewel , in lecognition of his valuable services during his two years of

leadership of the lodge , in addition to his Past Master ' s jewel which he had last year . Bro . Shuard , in reply , tendered his thanks for the jewel , and should ever prize it as an evidence of the goodwill and fellowship from his brethre n in the lodge . Other business followed , and the lodge was closed . The brethren then adjourned to Bro . Vallis's , where they found a superb banquet awaiting them , to which ample justice was done . At the conclusion of the repast , the W . M ., Bro . George E . Harris , proposed the first toast , viz ., " The Queen and the Craft , " which is always received with the greatest enthusiasm at these meetings , and accorded musical honours .

" The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and the rest of the G . Officers , Present and Past" having been duly honoured , was responded to in suitable terms by the Dep . Prov . G . Master , who referred to the loss the lodge had sustained through the resignation of Bro . Barrett , after holding the office of Secretary for 17 years . The W . M . then proposed the toast of "The R . W . the Prov . G . Master and the rest of the Prov . G . Officers , Present and Past , " and said he regretted to inform the brethren that the Prov . G . Master was unavoidably detained in town , and he was desired

to express his lordship s apologies to the brethren for his absence , which was universally regretted by the brethren , as he is , undoubtedly , the most respected and popular Prov . G . Master the province ever had . The I . P . M . next gave the toast of "The VV . M . " in very flattering terms , and referred to his good working in the lodge that evening and also to his work as Secretary to the lodge of instruction . They knew how he could do the ritual and his genial manner and friendship to them all would make him a great success as W . M .

The VV . M ., who was enthusiastically received , thanked the I . P . M . for his kind words , and said he wished he deserved half the good things said of him , but he hoped with the assistance and support of the I . P . M . and the Past Masters of the lodge thit he should be able to maintain and uphold the efficiency of the lodge . The VV . M . proposed the toast of " The I . P . M ., " and said that during his two years

of office , his working of the ritual had given the greatest satisfaction to the members , and that he had the honour of passing a very distinguished brother , and had also had the honour of enteitaining the ofiicers of Prov . Grand Lodge during his term of office , and was rewarded with Provincial honours , and that he vacated the chair with the esteem of all .

The W . M ., on rising to respond was received with acclamation , and in very earnest terms thanked them for their hearty reception , and said his two years of office would be indelibly imprinted on his memory , as two very happy years in his Masonic career , he had met with the greatest kindness and support from the officers and brethren , and begged to thank them most heartily for their hearty good wishes . " The Visitors' " toast was most ably given by the new Secretary of the lodge , and responded to by several eminent brethren .

The VV . M . proposed the toast of " The Past Masters and Founders of the Lodge " in suitable terms , which was duly honoured and responded to . The VV . M . proposed the toast of "The Officers , " which was received with the greatest enthusiasm , and ivas responded tnby the S . W . in a very neat little speech . The Tyler ' s toast was then given . Before the members dispersed they exoressed themselves as having had a most enjoyable evening . It was regrettei that several of the brethren from the most distant parts ol the county had to leave early to citch their trains .

Eccleston Lodge , No . 1624 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . E . J . BADDERLY . A very successful meeting was held at the Criterion , Piccadilly-circus , on'the 21 st ult ., when the following members w ; re present : Bros . \ V . E . Lane , W . M . ; E ; J > Hadderly , W . M . elect ; W . J . Hellyar . 1 " . Coulthard , P . M ., Treas . ; W . T . Smith , P . M ., Sec . ; A . VV . Deacon , E . VV . Wilcox , W . Chilcott . J . C . Kruse , Geo . Lane , I . P . M . ; K . Bottle , P . M . ; A . Bignold , P . M . ; F . Arnold , P . M . ; W . B . Pugh , P . M . ; and many others . Visitors : Bros . J . Lawson , P . M . 1607 ; H . Scott , 17 66 ; A . Cunnington , P . M . 176 G ; G . Cunnington , P . M . 1 O 07 ; T . B . Callam , 173 J Ft 0 '