The Lodge Of Benevolence.

of the case , many grants are made , which for the purpose of real aid , mig ht as well not be made at all . We all know how difficult it is to resist the claims of those who ask for assistance , and still more in a great sodality like ours , how unwilling we all are , humanly speaking , to seem

to interfere with or oppose the applications of those needy brethren of ours , who appeal so forcibly alike to our sentiments and our sympathies . We believe , that these charitable gifts of ours are as well administered as can possibly be the case , under the auspices of a fluctuating

board , and without any bye-laws of instruction and regulation . At present everything is necessarily left to the feeling of a meeting of kindly hearted brethren , most anxious to do right , most " g lad to distribute , " but naturally easil y led away by the aspect of poverty , often in a

most distressing form , and of destitution in its piteous appeals for active succour and relief . We have at the head of the lodge one of our ablest and most worthy brethren , Bro , Clabon . Bros . Joshua Nunn and J . Brett are well known , as active and most intelligent officers , and we have an elected body of Masters and Past Masters , which ,

supp lemented by the Present and Past Grand Officers , and all actual W . M . ' s , is about as good a tribunal as any one can wish to appear before . But it may be a question whether the time has not come to remove the sense of uncertainty and the appearance of mutability as to the principles of relief by the ] appointment annually in Grand Lodge of a definite and distinct number of brethren to

constitute the Board of Benevolence . We quite feel the force of an old objection , urged too successfully on Grand Lodge by ourselves in former days , of centralization , of the limitation cf interest , of the tendency to " cliqueism , " and the like , which may be raised , and we

do not feel at all sure , that the Craft at large is prepared , as we once contended , to give up its " only open board . " But we are inclined to think that a distinct board , without ex-officio members , would work better than the present system , and having

changed our opinion , we think it right to say so , though we are not insensible to the strength of the objection to the reform , which once had great and overpowering influence with ourselves . We fancy , however , that if a board of forty members , twenty from the metropolis , and

twenty from the provinces , together with the President and two Vice-Presidents , was annuall y elected , we should eventually get to a uniform system of grant and procedure . But we speak with some hesitation , as we are well aware of the essential difficulties of the case , and the

strong opinion which exists in many minds , in which we once strongly shared , on the subject , alike in general and in particular . Feeling , however , that a good deal may be said on both sides , we shall be very happy if these imperfect

notions of ours will be taken up by some of our leading brethren , and if they will favour our readers , in our columns , with the result of their own matured experience , and their own honest convictions , on a matter so deeply interesting to us all alike .

The Agenda Paper For Grand Lodge.

THE AGENDA PAPER FOR GRAND LODGE .

The Agenda Paper , which we publish in another column , has been issued , and the brethren will observe two notices of motion , which come upon us all a little by surprise . The one is by our Rev . and esteemed Bro . Hatch to build a new Masonic Temple ; the other is to found a wing to the new Alexandra Orphanage . With

regard to both and each , we fear that ours must be the papal reply , " non possumus . " We have just emerged from debt for the last new buildings to the Board of Benevolence , and £ 1000 has just been invested for the first time for the Board of General Purposes to replace gradually the large amount expended on Freemasons' Hall . To recommence new

and extensive building operations is , we fancy , not likely to be entertained by Grand Lodge , neither does it appeal to any need or feeling of the hour . We have granted £€ 4 , 000 to perpetuate the memory nationally and Masonically , of our beloved Grand Master ' s return , but such a fresh proposal

The Agenda Paper For Grand Lodge.

appears to us , with all deference to our respected brother , somewhat unreasonable and extravagant . To Bro . Mallam ' s motion great objections equally will be entertained . The Alexandra Orphanage is not a Masonic Institution , and to build a

Masonic wing in another Institution not under control of Grand Lodge , is alike a most unprecedented , and we must add , with ail due deference to Bro . Mallam , a somewhat unpractical proposal . We may fairly leave both motions to the common sense of Grand Lodge .

The Funds Of Grand Lodge.

THE FUNDS OF GRAND LODGE .

It will be seen by the Agenda Paper , that financially Grand Lodge is doing well . At the last audit a balance of £ ycoo , in round numbers , remained in the hands of the Grand Treasurer ,

excluding £ 171 15 s . for wages and petty cash in the hands of our worthy Grand Secretary . When Bro . R . P . Harding ' s report of the receipts and disbursements for 1876 is printed , we will call attention to it in our pages .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do net hold ourselves responsible for , or even AS approving oCcheopinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . ]

THE EXCLUSION OF THE HEBREWS FROM FREEMASONRY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you have the kindness to correct an error

under the above heading in your last week's issue . It should read that I have received from four more non-Jewish lodges in Devon similar resolutions . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , S . LYON , W . M . 1474 , Birmingham .

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — As a member of one of the so-called " Jewish Lodges , " I beg most strenuously to protest against making the consideration of the above a " Jewish question , " as appears to be the case in many of the arguments used , it

is purely a " Masonic , " not a " Jewish" question , the whole Craft being interested in deciding if Masonry is to be universal in its benefits to men of every country , sect , and opinion , or only confined to a particular sect , however important and influential it may be . Fraternally yours , S . E . ABRAHAM . P . M . 188 , 1017 .

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — You report in your paper of the 24 th , " a Conclave of the Alpass Encampment" was held on the 31 st January .

I write to know whether the members arc not premature in assuming the old titles of E . C ., P . E . C ., 1 st and 2 nd Captains , & c , until the proceedings of the late Great Priory are confirmed . I remain , yours fraternally , A PAST AND PRESENT OmcEn .

A GOOD CASE . Dear Bro . Kenning , — I am anxious to call the attention of your readers to the following case , which , I think , deserves the fraternal consideration of many of us . It is the petition of a little girl , the daughter of an English soldier , to be placed on the list of successful

candidates at the next election of the Girls' School in April . The following is the case : — Kathleen Isabella A . Collins , aged eight and a half years , daughter of Bro . Edward Collins , who was initiated into Masonry 20 th February , 18 45 , in Lodge Harmony , 641 , working at Cawnpore in the East Indies , passed and raised in same lodge . Joined Lodge Firm Hope , 506 ,

on arriving in Mcerut late in 1846 . Was exalted in the Royal Arch Chapter attached to Lodge Firm Hope on 27 th March , 1847 . Bro . Collins was one of three who applied for , and obtained a new warrant , founded Lodge " Zetland , " assisted in working it at Meerur , as J . W . On arriving in Umballa in 1851 , he joined Lodge Charity , and the Chapter of Firm Hope attached thereto , in

which he remained a working and subscribing member until the end of 1854 , when ill-health compelled him to return to England . He belonged to the honorary degrees of Ark and Mark , M . M ., Super Excellent , and the Red Cross Knights of Babylon , and held office in all of them . Bro . Collins served in the 17 th Lancers eleven and a half years at home , and thirteen years in the nth Lancers

in the East , the latter twelve years as Troop Sergt .-Major , and was present with his regiment in all its campaigns and battles , commencing in the year 184 . 3 , up to the annexation of the Punjab to the British Dominions , in the East , in 1849 , returning to Umballa early in 1851 . Bro . Collins is in possession of four war medals , the latter one

for meritorious services in the field . He is now in failing health , and old age fast approaching , and on his slender income he finds it impossible to educate and support his little girl , whose mother died two years since . I shall be most happy , in conjunction with other distinguished brethren , whose names appear on the card , to

Original Correspondence.

receive proxies from any who sympathize with a soldier ' s child . I am , yours most fraternally , A . F . A . WOODFORD . ! 0 , Upper Porehester-st ., Hyde Park-sq ., W ,

MASONIC QUERIES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your impression of the 17 th ult ., " Rather Doubtful" asks whether a brother created F . C . and appointed I . G . at the same lodge meeting is in accordance with the rules of the Craft ? And the reply , " We think not—ED ., " being rather doubtful also , may I be permitted

to inform " Rather Doubtful" that in the rules of the Craft there is nothing against such an appointment . Fraternally yours , POSIT I VE . [ There is no law on the subject , but the rule of the Craft undoubtedly is , and " Mos est lex , " that all officers of a lodge must be Master Masons , and for this reason a Fellow Craft Inner Guard could not officiate in the Third Degree . If " Positive " is correct , an Entered Apprentice might be appointed the same evening an officer of the lodge . —ED . ]

To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Your correspondent , Bro . Magnus Ohren , on the above , says : — " Questions are often put to you , asking for information " " But it is not right to take up your space to ask questions which are perfectly clear , and admit of no doubt whatever . " "Thus " W . N .

C . N . " asks why he and other P . P . Grand Stewards are not allowed to wear the red apron and collar after their year of office . " Your correspondent's memory seems to fail him . "W . M . C . N . " had nothing whatever to do with the red apron and collar . His was the T square upside down on the Master and P . M . ' s apron , & c .

Dear Mr . Editor , does it take longer time to circulate the Freemason about London than with us , your country cousins ? If Bro . M . O . ' s reply was meant for "P . P . Grand Steward and P . M . " of the 10 th Feb ., that was answered by "Another P . P . Grand Steward" of the 17 th Feb . ( compare both ) , with a little addition about " Grand Steward " by Bro .

M . O ., and that only ot what " I am told . " With your permission I will repeat the lesson given at the commencement of Bro . M . O . ' s letter— " But it is not right to take up your space , " when the subject was already disposed of , unless some new light could be thrown upon it . What will "W . M . C . N . " say when he finds his tau changed not into a goose , but into a red apron and collar ?

Yours fraternally , R . W . O . Will the following be of any service to " A . T ., " it is prior to 1784 ? In the General Regulations of the F . and A . Masons , revised , approved of , and ordered to be published by the Grand Lodge , Jany . 28 , 1767 . Blayney , Grand Master . The Registrar of the Grand Lodge : —

Art . VI . On March 17 , 17 . 30-1 , the Grand Lodge ( to cure some irregularities ) ordered that none but , the Grand Master , his Deputy , Wardens , Treasurer , Secretary Swordbearer ( who are the only Grand Officers ) , shall wear their jewels in gold , pendent to blue ribbons about their necks , and white leather aprons , with blue silk , which sort of

aprons may be also worn by former Grand OfKoers . Under the head of " the Masters and Wardens of particular lodges : "Art . II . Masters , Wardens , and the members of particular lodges , if they choose to line their white leather aprons , are to do it with white silk , and the officers are to wear their jewels pendant to white only . R . W . O .

To the Editor or the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — You have entirely mistaken my queries that appear in your impression of the 24 th . What I wish to know is , whether the W . M . addresses the brethren on a motion before or after the proposer replies ? The reason for this question is , that there seems a diversity of opinion on this subject . Some brethren

contend that the W . M . should make his remarks ( not as a member , but as a chairman ) before the proposer replies ; others state , that in their judgment the chairman is the last speaker before the vote , the proposer must reply ( if he so desires ) before the chairman makes his remarks . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , QUERIST . [ In our opinion , the W . M . can sum up after the proposer has spoken , in reply , if he so thinks fit . —En . ]

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In answer to the second paragraph cf " A . T . 's" enquiry in your issue of 24 th ult ., Dr . Oliver , in his work on " Masonic Jurisprudence , " says : "The ordinance of our Grand Lodge enjoining uniformity of costume was introduced at the Union in 1813 . It provides that the

Masonic apron shall be no other than a plain white lambskin , from fourteen to sixteen inches wide , twelve to fourteen inches deep , square at the bottom , with white strings . That of an Apprentice is to be entirely without ornament ; the Fellow Craft is allowed the addition of two sky blue rosettes at the bottom ; and the Master Mason a sky blue lining , and edging one inch and a half deep ,

an additional rosette on the fall or flap , and silver tassels . " Previously to this there appears to have been but a general direction that the clothing was to be " composed of the old colours , blue , purple , and crimson . " Hence the various costumes before 1813 , as each combined these colours according to his individual taste . Yours faithfully and fraternally , ROLT . II ASHLAR .