Correspondence.

Correspondence .

( We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by nnr correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

KNIGHT TEMPLARY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I have read with very great interest Bro . Whytehead's remarks on the Kni g ht Templary section of the new Masonic History , especially the paragraph

dealing with the ritual question , which I sincerely hope may , at no very distant date , be re-opened and thoroughly discussed , and I trust altered and modified by the Convent-General . Nothing could be more incongruous than the mixing up of Masonic forms and ceremonies vvith those of

Knight Templary , and nowhere does this incongruity show itself more glaringly than in the opening and closing of the preceptory . The title of sir kni ght is scarcely less meaningless than the direction given to " ground arms , " a noisy military manoeuvre entirely unknown to our sainted predecessors , and utterly out of

harmony with the circumstances which are supposed to necessitate this unique proceeding . I wonder whether many or any of our worthy modern sir kni ghts have ever thought of the symbolism attaching to , or the why and wherefore of the shape of their sword manubrium . Even in the columns of the Freemason

I cannot further discuss these anomalies , but the Degree (!) is the one I like most outside of Craft Freemasonry , and I regret that ceremonies which ought to be solemn , imposing , and educating , are marredintheattempt to mix up in harmonious elements . Bro . Whytehead and the York fratres gave a year or

two since , in the Ancient Merchants Hall , an illustration of what Templar ritual ought to be , and although there were a few points which I did not quite agree with , yet they certainly presented us with a ceremony more in accord with the principles , spirit , and teachings of the ancient foundation than our own modernised

hybrid jumble , and I wish the illustration could be repeated in the presence of the dignitaries of the Convent-General , when , I feel sure a change for the better would be the result . As a loyal and deeply interested member of the Order , in whicb I have taken perhaps

more than my fair share of work , I write in no captious spirit , but with a sincere desire to see those doctrines which we profess to uphold and teach , expressed in words and observances which are in harmony witb , or , at least , do not detract from , the lofty ideal which the novice is encouraged to aspire to . —Yours fraternall y , C . D . HILL DRURY , M . D ., P . E . P ., Prov . Sub-Marshal .

HONORARY MEMBERS . Tothe Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Is a P . M . of another lodge who happens just now to be elected honorary member with all the privileges of a full subscribing member of a lodge here eligible for the chair of W . M . of the latter lodge , though

not a full subscribing brother to said lodge ' : There is nothing /> ro or con . concerning such an incident in the by-laws of that lodge , and I am at a loss to find anything bearing on it in the Book of our E . C . As a reader of the Fra-iituwii , I shall thank you very much to enlighten me on this subject in your next issue as briefly as possible . —Yours fraternally ,

OMEGA . Malta , March 22 nd . [ An honorary member is not ipso facto a member of the lodge at all , and cannot therefore hold office . He cannot even speak therein . His name cannot appear in the annual returns , and Grand Lodge , not

recognising his position , of course lays down no laws as to his election , lt would clearly be impossible to include in the Constitutions regulations on a subject not recognised by it . The Constitutions legislate entirely for subscribing members , whereas honorary members are actually not members at all . —liu . F . if . i

SUSPENSION . To the Editor of thc "Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , In the official report of thn meeting of Grand Lodge on the 2 nd September last I find it stated , in the account uf the proceedings on the appeal of Lodge

La C . esaree that the representatives of the lodge , " -. ailliuut Masonic cluttiing , '' were conducted into Grand Lodge , i . e . Can you or some competent brother inform me b y what authority brethren conducting an appeal against the suspension oi a lodge are admitted into Grand

Lodge without being properly clothed . Doubtless the proceedings were controlled by high authority , but , with the greatest deference , I submit that the deprivation of Masonic clothing , " , 1 painfully humiliating circumstance "—as it has been termedwas unjustifiable .

I have before now stated my entire agreement with the legal opinion of Sir Frederick Pollock , quoted by Oliver , Masonic Jurisprudence , iililion 1 H 7 . / , page JJJ , " that the parties under sentence of suspension , may , pending the appeal , exercise their Alasonic ri ghts and privileges until the final decision on their respective appeals has pronounced them either innocent or

Correspondence.

guilty .... and it is the essence of an appeal that it should stay execution of the judgment appealed against . " But without pressing this , the legal opinion of a great legal luminary , I would point out that Grand Lodge so recently as March , 1 SS 5 , expressly decided in favour of the interpretation of the Board of General

Purposes " that the suspension of a lodge means the suspension of its warrant , during which time the lodge cannot meet or perform any of its Masonic functions . The suspension of any particular brother involves an entire incapacity on his part to exercise any rights or duties as a Mason , or to participate in any Masonic privileges during the period such suspension continues in force . "

In moving the adoption of the report , the V . W . President of the Board , Bro . Fenn , in a most cogent and lucid manner , pointed out the reasons why the Board thought that the previous interpretation , viz ., that suspension of a lodge was the suspension of all its members , which interpretation they did not ahvays follow , was unjust , and he stated that ' the Board had therefore considered that it would be far better to

interpret the suspension of a lodge as the suspension of its warrant , thereby preventing the lodge meeting or performing any Masonic functions , while those brethren on whose wrong doing the lodge had been suspended mig ht be dealt with individually , according to their respective desserts . " V . W . Bro . Fenn ' s arguments were so conclusive that the motion was carried nem . con .

With this decision of Grand Lodge before us , it seems clear that in the case of La C-esaree , which was an appeal against a sentence of suspension passed " on the lodge , " the lodge only was suspended , and not the individual brethren who appeared in Grand Lodge . If

by " Alasonic clothing" only the insignia of office in the suspended lodge be meant , there may be some question ; but if the report means more than this , I cannot see how the deprivation could be legal . —Yours fraternally , LEX SCRIPTA .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

97 8 ] "THE NEW ATLANTIS . " Can Bro . Yarker or any other brother inform me whether there is any cheap edition of this work or where I can get a copy r 1 have unfortunately no good public library within reach . LEX SCRIPTA .

Reviews.

Reviews .

ELLIS AND ELVEV'S GENERAL CATALOGUE OF BOOKS AND MSS . Part 1 of this grand catalogue can now be had from this firm , 29 , New Bond-street , for 12 stamps . There are over I IOD articles , many being choice and rare . Under alchemy , antiquities , architecture , astrology , bibliography ,

caligraphy , catalogues and chiromancy , the Masonic and occult student will find many interesting and curious pieces , and the series when completed ( 3 s . Od ., in advance ) bids fair to be one of the most important volumes of the kind issued of late years .

THE PROBLEM OF IMMORTAL ! l'Y . By EM . MA . NLEI Pl'lAYEI ., D . D . This extraordinary volume , published in French , in two parts , iSyo-i , is now , thanks to the conscientious labours of Mv Frederick Ash Freer , to be had in an excellent English translation , the character of which cannot hc improved upon , so that the original has in no wise suffered

through the medium of another minu . Ihe work is issued in demy Svo . and runs to over Goo pp . of closely printed matter , the usefulness of the line tome being considerably increased by a carefully prepared index . " Le Problem . De L'lrmnortal . te , " thus treated by Dr . Petavel , has greatly exercised the thoughts and affected the aspirations of all races and tribes of mankind from "time immemorial , "

and beyond question far transcends in importance any other study whatever . The question of future existence , and the condition of such , especially as affected by conduct in this life , and future rewards and punishments , have formed the basis and superstructure to a great extent , not only of Freemasonry in modern days , particularly in relation to the Hnutrs Grades , but also as a study and a problem , were

the chief points sought to be elucidated hv the old Rosicrucians and occult bodies of all kinds , mystic and otherwise , so far hack as wc have any light and knowledge . It is , however , to the Volume of the Sacred Law , that we have to turn , and therein only do we obtain authoritative and complete information . Dr . Petavel views the great subject from all standpoints— scientifically , philosophically ,

judicially , patistrically and theoretically , and then I / nally cites the evidence in the New Testament in proof of his special views , about which here we can say nothing , save to point out that the author accepts the rapidly increasing doctrine that man is not naturally immortal , but only conditionally so . In this respect , he and his numerous confreres

differ from the ancient beliefs , as generally accepted ; but as 110 end of evidence is supplied to guide the enquirer , and the volume is as strong polemically , as it i . s constructively and Biblically , it cannot tail to prove a real boon to all Truth Seekers . It may be ordered through any bookseller , from Elliot Stock , for ios .

The Ilargreave jewels which have been the cause of so much painful interest for several months pist were disposed of by auction by Messrs . Christie , Manson , and Co ., at the Matt , King-street , on Monday , The attendance was very large , the majority of those present being ladies . 'The jewels were sold in two lots , the earrings realising £ 0 ( , o , and the set of pearl pendants £ 41 ( 1 , the total being / . io ; 0 .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

., _~^„ •¦>*¦ ps ^& gBe 3 gyfc £ __^

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Peace and Harmony Lodge ( No . . o ) . _ This old lodge met at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queenstreet , on the 25 th ult . Amongst those present were Bros H . Slade , P . G . Stwd ., P . P . G . O ., W . M . _ VV . H . Kempster ' M . D ., P . M ., G . S .. S . W . ; R . Clowes , P . M ., P . P . G . W ' G . Std . Br ., J . W . ; H . Young , P . M ., P . G . S ., Treas . ' - F . Binckes , P . M ., P . G . S ., P . G . S . B ., Sec . ; Capt . T . C

Walls , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., S . D . ; Masters , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., J . D . ; W . H . Kempster , jun ., I . G . ; H . J . Lardner P . M ., P . P . G . D . C , D . C ; Chancellor , P . M ., P . G . S . J osling , P . M ., P . G . S . ; andE . Rogers , P . P . G . D ., P . G . S ., I . P . M . Amongst the visitors were Bros . Debenham , VV . M . 1479 , and Henry Higgins , P . M . 13 S 1 . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read

and confirmed , Bro . Ford was impressively passed to the Second Degree . A Committee having been elected to carry out the arrangements of the annual summer outing , the lodge recommended the petition of the promoters of a new lodge , to be called the Sir Walter Raleigh . Apologies for non-attendance were received from numerous members . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet .

Upon the removal of the cloth the customary toasts received full justice . Bro . Dr . Kempster , G . Stwd ., responded on behalf of " The Grand Officers ; " Bros . Debenham and Higgins for " The Visitors ; " Bros . Rogers and Chancellor for " The Past Masters ; " Bros . Young and Binckes for "The Treasurer and Secretary ; " and Bros . Walls and Masters for " The Officers . " The proceedings terminated at an early hour .

United Pilgrims Lodge ( No . 507 ) .--The installation meeting of this highly successful and flourishing lodge took place at the Bridge House Hotel , on Thursday , the 24 th ult . There were present Bros . J . Ellson , W . M . j C . Thomas , S . W . and W . M . elect ; C H . Stone , J . VV . C . W . Peters , P . M ., Sec ; R . B . Gilson , S . D . ; J . A . Laing , J . D . ; G . W . Beste , I . G . ; . J . Terry , P . M ., Stwd .

G . Harrison , Tyler ; T . J . Noakes , P . M . ; H . E . Cockell , P . M . ; W . G . Joyce , P . M . ; J . Watts , P . M . ; T . H , Dixcee , C . H . Gold , Wm . Lipscomb , G . W . Terry , P . C . Low , G . W . Comfort , Hy . Bowles , W . Giggins , and Geo . Casson . The visitors were Bros . C . Shewell , 28 ; J . B , Evans , W . M . 172 ; F . Greene , 1 GS 7 ; W . B . Segrave , S . W . 1-72 ; J . T . Caverly , I . G . 16 S 5 ; J . Axford , P . M ,

Sgo and 1 S 03 ; E . bidden , 172 ; J . Shelton , I . G . 1558 ; H , Pynegar , S 90 ; J . Richards , 75 ; F . Heywood , SC 2 ; J . H . Laing , 231 ; C E . Osman , S 20 ; VV . Robin , 1350 ; H . W . Chambers , S 22 ; H . Bunn ; Harry Wood , J . W . 101 ; Aubrey M . Ohren , W . M . 452 ; J . Harrison , Sio ; A . Harrison , Sio ; G . A . Pickering , Syo ; H . T . Bing , P . M , l . W . 1223 ; P . B . Skelton , 1 C 91 ; J . I Mustart , 174 ; J . VV .. 10 G 2 : VV . G . Hunter , P . M . 452 ; W . J . Nutting , I . P . M .

231 ; E . Hay , 1793 ; R . J . Stonham , 204 . 6 ; W . Burford , Schartau , 1549 ; P . P . G . Org . Middx . ; Thos . Grummant , P . M . 1559 ; Walter Martin , P . M . S 79 ; S . Ainsworth , 569 ; and N . Sherwood , P . M . 231 . 'The minutes of the previous meeting were read and conlirmed . The ballot having been taken for Mr . Low , which proved unanimous , he was afterwards initiated in a most

perfect manner by the W . M ., who gave . the charge . Bro . C . Thomas , S . W . and W . M . elect , was presented by Hro . W . G . Joyce , P . M ., to the VV . M . to receive at his hands the benefit of installation , which ceremony was performed in an excellent manner , and the new VV . M . afterwards invested his officers as follows : Bros . C . II . Stone , S . VV . ; 1 * . li . Gilson , LW . ; C . VV . Peters , P . M ., Sec ; J . A .

Laing , S . D . ; G . VV . Beste , J . D . ; lly . Bowles , I . G . j J . Watts , P . M ., D . C . ; R . S . Terry , P . M ., and W . Giggins , Stewards ; and C . Harrison , Tyler . Letters of regret for non-attendance were read from Bros . Sharman and Grellett through business engagements , and wishing the W . M . a happy and successful year of office . The lodge being closed , the brethren adjourned to an

excellentbanquet , which was much enjoyed . On the removal of the cloth the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given in a commendable way by the W . M ., and received by the brethren most loyally . " The Pro G . M ., Dep . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Ofiicers , Present and Past , " was given in complimentary termsand responded to most cordially .

, The toast of "The W . M . " was given by Bro . Ellson , I . P . M ., in such terms which called forth the heartiest response from the brethren , stating the diffidence which he seemed to have in accepting the high compliment of W . M . conferred by the brethren , and Bro . Ellson remarked what brother was there who did not experience the same amount of diffidence the first time in filling the Master ' s chair ? He

was sure of this—the VV . M . would perform his duties ably and well , and would prove a credit to the lodge . In reply , Bro . Thomas , W . M ., stated that he was gratefu ' to the brethren for their very kind indulgence in bestowing such a compliment upon him . Hc would endeavour to do his duty , and with such an excellent array of officers he was confident thc lodge would not suffer , but that their heartiest

support would be tfiven . lie would not prolong his rep ty . as there was such an excellent programme of music to we carried out , hut he would most heartily thank the brethren and trust he should prove the words of Bro . Ellson " to he a credit to the lodge . " , 'The next loast was that of " 'The Installing Master , uro . Ellson , " who the Worshipful Master remarked was deserving of the highest praise , for none could have carried ou lllj ^ Ul 111— lll £ . l- _ l _ [ I 1 UIJV , I'J . .. _ ..- _ .. _ . _ .. _ . . the

his duties in a more creditable way . His work for pa year had never been excelled in the lodge , and to show tn esteem of the brethren he had the greatest possible p icas" 1 in presenting the Past Master ' s jewel which had been unan - mously voted , trusting that he might be spared for man . years to wear it , and adorn the ludge by his presence . 'The toast was received with acclamation . ¦ Bro . Ellson replied in a highly intellectual speech , eui gising tbe grand principles upon which the Order is { out * - -