Original Correspondence.

own day , therefore modern sciences , inventions , and appliances may receive pardon from our worshippers of antiquity ; and if a French Freemason added to thc schools of architecture , prior to 1717 , the principles of morality and religion to be studied hand-in-hand with the use of the square , level and

plumb—if he taught in those barbarous times duty to God , our neighbour , and ourselves—and even the bounden duties which are due to king and country , at a time when might was right—and if succeeding Masons continued those lessons , and considered them useful and proper adjuncts to the previously bare mechanical instruction—I hope he

may be forgiven for not being bom sooner ; and therefore not being able at an earlier date than 1717 to put such lessons into practice . Most who have studied the history of Freemasonry are satisfied that its antiquity is beyond any written or printed history , but no one will attempt to prove that it has always existed in the identical form now

use The purity and intelligence of the " vessel " through which this oral instructor has been transmitted to us , must have moulded it in some degree to suit the circumstances or peculiarities of the times ; and the freedom , protection , or opposition

offered it by the state or country through which it travelled , would undoubtedly have some impression on its outward form at least ; it would be wonderful then , if at this clay , the ceremonial were proved to be the same as it was even in 1717 . We still believe the Bible an inspired book ,

although it has passed through no end of phases and translations ; the writer is also of opinion that the original and vital elements of Freemasonry may still be traced in it by thc diligent student , and the most superficial observer can see that it combines such moral , intellectual , and religious lessons , and

exercises those with more apparent force on its adherents than can be done by any other modern or ancient institution . It would be well , if brethren who are sceptical about everything where tradition is concernedif they would read up for themselves from every

available source in order to strengthen our traditions , rather than rush into print with every little flybite that troubles them , We might then have better lodge instructors , and better scholars , triflingtechnicalitiesaboutdates . andlittle quibbles about etiquette often stand in the way of better studies . Let us

hope that this little story about 1717 may not be allowed to turn a rock of offence ; the writers on both sides are equal to better things , and I am sure the Brotherhood are quite satisfied with the Order , its age , its past good services , and present capabilities , and are not squeamish about dates . I am , yours truly , ROY .

THE LEGEND OF JOSUHA . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In reply to Bro . Buchan ' s remarks at page 261 , allow me to express my regret for my quoting Hebrew more than it pleased our brother to see in your paper . To every quotation I have always given the correct

translation , and I should only be glad if our brother could point out to your readers that such has not been the case . Had I been an Englishman , I will admit , I might have brought the subject before your readers more plainer in expressing my views , but , unfortunately , such is not the case . I beg the

indulgence of your readers ; 1 will not trespass on your valuable pages about personal remarks , but it becomes a duty to every brother to examine the truth of subjects brought before their notice to thc best of their ability . Bro . Buchan says , " that he has no reason to

suppose that the sun really stood still at thc supposed command of Joshua , and tlie verses 12 , 13 , and 14 ofthe 10 th chapter of Joshua are simply an interpolation put in by some Scribe . " Can he prove that to us ? It is true that Pritleaux in his " Historical Connection of thc Old and New Testament ( vol . I

page 299 ) , " mentions some passages in the Bible , " Ezra added in several places throughout thc book what appeared necessary for the illustrating , connecting , or completing of tbcm ; " and as he truly says , " these additions do not detract anything from the

divine authority of the whole , because they were all inserted by the direction of the same Holy Spirit which dictated all the rest . " But what reason can our brother give us that those three verses in tlie tenth chapter of Joshua should be added to connect . with the former or with the latter verses ? With

regard to thc Book of Jasher , I really think that the explanations we find in Jarchi ' s , Kimchi ' s , Rabbi Levi-ben-Gershom's , and some othcrancicnt Jewish writers , to be the best we can have ; and all explain the Book of Jasher as to be the Book of Genesis ,

as I have said page 248 of your paper . I should recommend Bro . Buchan or any other brother to refer to them ; and it will save me for thc present of quoting the Hebrew , and it will save Bro . Buchan the trouble to find fault with the English version in 2 Samuel i . 18 , of which he says they " simply

mislead . " From the above commentators we can learn ( as even it appears to me in the English Bible , see 2 Samuel i ., iS ) that the Lamentation of David commences verse 19 th , the 18 th is not included in the song , and " Behold it is written in thc Book of Jasher , " refers to the teaching of Judah the use of the bow , as prophesied by Jacob . The English

put the words " the use of " in italics as an explanation shows that those words are not exactly in the original , and I should like to hear from our brother how those words " mislead . " "We are not writing in your pages , as Bro . Buchan says , " to show our abilities "—neither for gain ; but as Masons we thank God that we have a valuable paper

like this amongst us to enable us to discourse scriptural passages used amongst Masons , and it will please me to read the remarks of any . brother as well as to write myself . But Bro . Buchan ' s remarks will not keep me back if a subject is brought before your readers , and I have something to say

what I read in commentatones . We write to the truth . Hoping you will excuse the length of this letter , as under the circumstances Bro . Buchan brought such grave charges against me , I shall thank you to publish this in your next . Yours fraternally , D . STOLZ .

GRAND OFFICERS . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The appointment of Grand Officers being the M . W . Grand Master's special prerogative , I think it is scarcely fair for us to criticise his appointments in a public journal , as he , doubtless , has good reasons

for making the selections he has done . But with regard to the point raised by " Amphibious" in your last issue , I think the object would be better and more fairly attained by tlie formation of the London district ( probably with some modifications ) into something which shall be analogous to a

province , so that the brethren residing therein may have an opportunity of obtaing honours equivalent to provincial rank in their own district ; or the London district might be divided and added to the provinces adjacent . Either of these schemes would

then have the much-desired honours of the Grand Lodge to be awarded , according to the judgment ofthe M . W . G . M ., without preference to any particular province or district , to eminent and distinguished Masons , who have laboured diligently and zealously in the service ofthe Craft . J . DANIEL MOORE , P . M ., P . Z ., __ c .

( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR , — "Amphibious" ( whose communication appeared in your last impression upon this subject ) admits himself to be but a provincial initiate , and as such we can excuse his remarks , feeling assured that it can be but a want of more

Masonic knowledge that leads him to be so apparently jealous of Provincial Grand brethren being appointed Grand Lodge officers . Thc management of thc Masonic Charities , no doubt , devolves on Masons resident in or near London , consequent upon the situation of the institutions ; but "

Amphibious " appears to ignore ( or he is not acquainted with the fact ) that the Provincial Grand Officers are ever zealously at work to provide funds , and do so to a large extent , to maintain the Masonic Institutions . I would have " Amphibious " remember

that Masonic distinction can only be attained by merit , and as thc rulers of the Craft are selected from those " who arc most capable to impart instruction , " he may rely upon it that " the powers that be " are in a position to be the best judges who arc most worthy to receive Grand Lodge

honours . Yours fraternally , A LOVER OF JUSTICE .

LODGE OF ST . JOHN , MELROSE , SCOTLAND . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In a letter to you , appearing at page 260 , Bro . W . P . Buchan seems astonished that I should venture to mention a fact ,

" that anything coming from him in regard to thc Lodge of St . John , Melrose , are merely words ofhis own . " I repeat this statement , and give the explanation . The lodge St . John , Melrose , never authorised Bio . W . P . Buchan to make any statement in regard to tlie position of thc lodge , its history or its

proceedings . His writings regirding it , are merely as gratuitous i ; iformxtio : i of his own . Bro . XV . P . Buchan may have had many conversations with the Secretary ofthe lodge , but any sayings of the Secretary is not of the lodge . Further , the Secretary never did anything but merely show Bro . W .

P . Buchan a little attention and a few books belonging to the lodge , and not them all . 1 venture to say , ancl 1 leave it to the Craft universal to determine , that Bro . W . P . Buchan ' s remarks are un-Masonic . He says , my remarks are " purely imaginary , " at the same time not mentioning them . I

defy Bro . W . P . Buchan to point out a single remark that I have ever yet made in all my Masonic writings that are " purely imaginary . " His word that they are purely imaginary , cannot be expected to determine the question . When he points out to me that any remark I have made is " purely imaginary , " supported by good and valid evidence I will then consider it . I remain , yours fraternally , CHALMERS I . PATON .

LABOUR AND REFRESHMENT . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have read the remarks of Bro . J . H . C . upon this subject at page 236 , but I iail to see that he has at all improved the situation . He shows us a " cloud of smoke , " in

which the W . M . is seen "hurrying through the toasts at race-horse speed , " which although a fit picture perhaps of a common tap-room , is hardly the proper concomitant of a Masons' lodge . He says that this takes place after the lodge is closed , now I would ask what he would think of the minister ,

elders , and a number ofthe members of the church , adjourning into the vestry after the afternoon service was finished , and then and there bringing out the bottle , with the order to " pass it round . " No doubt J . H . C . would say that this was a disgrace to the church and all concerned . But what , I ask ,

is , or should be , a Masons Lodge ? It is not the Mason ' s church ? Why then desecrate it by transforming it into a paltry temple of Bacchus ! Have ye no houses to eat and to drink in , that ye buy and sell in your lodge ? Ye can go and hear a sermon or a lecture , without the company of " General

Whisky . " But why is it that when ye go to your lodge it is drink before you go in , drink when you arein , and drink after you come out ? In short drink , drink , drink seems to be dancing before your eyes all the time that any Masonic ceremony is going on . This drink in connection , at least , with Scottish

Masonry has become so well-known , that the ex pression " drunken Masons" is quite common . And what are the fruits of this drinking system ? I say most assuredly that it has caused , and is causing , the ruin of thousands of our brethren ; more , it is causing the rapid deterioration of Scottish

Masonry . The upper classes in Glasgow , e . g ., holding entirely aloof from us . Another point is , that when this baneful drinking system is continued , it prevents the entry of everything that would tend to elevate the lodge , and truly instruct thc brethren . Further , it hangs like a dead weight upon every

scheme which would bring true honour upon and mark the real progress of the Craft ; for , as to the money and energy required , the one is spent upon the drink , while the other passes off with its fumes . I have seen " General Whisky " insult a whole lodge , even when it was on labour . I have heard oaths

in a Masonic lodge , which I would be ashamed to whisper in the most crowded street . But "General Whisky" and " Corporal Swearing , " are old and boon companions . It is only a few days since a brother observed to me , " When I see certain brethren getting so far on ,

I get them sent home in a cab I" Another remark , " They are an awful lot that lodge that came to us lately , after the lodge was closed at eleven , they went into the kitchen , or adjacent , and sat there drinking away till two in thc morning , and it was only after considerable remonstrance that we got

them out at last ; these sort of goings on are a disgrace to Masonry . " So wc see that the glass or two in the lodge , at the so-called " refreshment , " only whets thc appetite of many for a regular fill-up before they go home . Sure thc intimation , made a few weeks ago in THE FREEMASON , that a lodge

was to be started in Edinburgh , in which no refreshment was ever to appear points a lesson ; it forces us to ask , why is this ? And the answer must be , that " refreshment" has proved a great evil . I know that some of your best and most talented

correspondents think with mc on this matter , and when I pray that this refreshment , which has proved such a curse to our Order , may soon be swept away , they are ready to say—Amen . I am , yours fraternally ,

LEO . ANTIOUITY OF FREEMASONRY .

( To the Editor of Ihe Freemason . ) The following paragraph appeared in the Edinburgh Evening Courant newspaper , on April 18 th , 1 S 70 : —

" TIM- " ANTIQUITY OF FREEMASONRY . "' Freemasonry , ' wrote a brother' in last ' s week ' s FREEMASON , was in a flourishing condition in the year 1136 in the northern part of Great Uritain . This truly woiiileiTul piece of Masonic assertion has elicited the

following challenge : — ' I William Paton 1 ' iichan , Master Mason of lh _ Lo Ige of Glasgow , St . John , No . 3 bis , Grand Steward Grand Lodge of Scotland , & c ., hereby and forthwith challenge brothers Chalmers Izctt Paton , ' Montra , ' . . and all other Master Masons througliout ^ Great Britain , as well as the world at large , to prove the