Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) SIR AND BROTHER , —At our lodge ( Phoanix St . Ann , 1235 ) , held on the 26 th October , the

distress and losses of our Masonic brethren at Chicago were deeply deplored . We entered into a subscription for their relief , and have , through myself as Prov . G . C . of Derbyshire , made the general wish known , that , under this awful calamity , something should be done for them in

addition to what we are sure will be done by Grand Lodge . Would you kindly forward this good cause in every way you can , according to Masonic usage . Believe me . Sir and Brother .

Your constant reader , AUGUSTUS A . BAGSHAWE . Wormhill Vicarage , Buxton , Oct . 30 , 1871 .

" FREEMASONRY & UNITARIANISM . " ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER ,- —We are strictly enjoined , in order to prevent dissension , to refrain from religious discussion in connection with Freemasonry . In the spirit of that injunction ,

permit me to suggest that you should avoid the insertion of such articles as that which appeared in the last number of your journal asserting an identity of religious opinion between a sect known as " Unitarians " and Freemasons . Such an

announcement in a journal read by many non-Masons , is not only calculated to create unfounded alarm , but also to give grave offence to the majority of Freemasons who see in our

ceremonies and symbols , especially in those of the R . A ., a signification of a totally opposite nature . Yours , fraternally , THO . FENN . 14 , Bedford-square , W . C .

[ We cordially endorse our correspondent ' s remarks . With Unitarianism , as a religious dogma , the teachings of Freemasonry have

nothing whatever to do , and had we believed that Bro . Buchan meant to assert an identity between them , his objectional observations would not have been inserted . —ED . F ]

THE PURPLE IN WEST LANCASHIRE . ( To t / w Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I was present at

the last meeting of the Prov . Grand Lodge of West Lancashire , and I have read the letters , under the above heading , in your last issue .

Bro . Turner ' s friends acted without due consideration of the importance of the subject they they took in hand . I influenced at least seven votes in favour of Bro . Armstrong ; but if Bro . Turner's proposer had stated the reasons why they brought him out , those votes would most

assuredly have been given in favour of the principle , and against Bro . Armstrong . Prior to the next annual meeting let the friends

of candidates for the Prov . G . Treasurership send a circular to each lodge in the province , and success will be sure . Fraternally yours , ANOTHER P . M .

( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) SIR , —The two letters on this subject in your last issue evidently do not emanate from the

same source , therefore I would reply to "A P . M . & P . Z ., " and say that if there were any deficiency of " brotherly love , peace and harmony " at the late Prov . G . L . meeting , it was not caused by

the very gentlemanly conduct of the unsuccessful candidate for the P . G . Treasurership , who polled seventy votes ( including his own , and all obtained without canvassing his friends for months previous to the meeting ) , his conduct being all that could possibly be desired—but how the galled jade did wince !

Your correspondent has strong grounds for -eeling aggrieved at the conduct of the Prov . G .

Original Correspondence.

officers in voting "to a man" for Bro . Armstrong . True they have votes as P . M . ' s of their respective lodges , but it is well known that the wearing of the purple entirely deprives a brother of all power of discrimination and the ability to see anything good in those who do not wear it .

How the P . G . officers could vote against Bro . Turner is a mystery . Had they but known , as I do , his extreme worthiness and modesty ( and none of his pledged supporters left the room rather than vote against his competitor ) matters might have been very different .

If an Armstrong is to be put in competition for , and appointed to , the only elective office in the P . G . Lodge , against such a man as Brother Turner , it is quite evident to the meanest intellect that " a change in the manner of appointing the other Prov . G . officers is very necessary , " and those in high places ought to take note of it at

once . Only look , brethren , at what the able and enthusiastic Bro . Turner has done for Masonry in the last 20 years , and you will agree with me , that he , of all men , should be our R . W . Prov . G . M . ; and be will be , if the case is property represented in London . Then , the current of

Masonry in this province will be Turner'd into a ( Lowe ) channel , which it has not been Hughes'd to of late , and no brother shall be Goepel'd to take the purple against his own wish and that of the Prov . G . Master , as is frequently the case at present . Yours , & c , DI . CRAN . KIN .

Compliment To Retiring Volunteer Brethren.

COMPLIMENT to RETIRING VOLUNTEER BRETHREN .

On Saturday evening , the 21 st of October , a complimentary dinner was given by the noncommissioned officers and sappers of the 1 st Lancashire Engineer Volunteers at the . George Hotel , Dale-street , Liverpool , to Bros . Major R . B . Mulliner and Capt . Henry Newman , on their

retirement from the corps . The chair was occupied by Colour-Sergt . Handley , and amongst the guests were Lieut .-Col . Ellison , Major Bousfield , Capts . Ward , Barry , Boggs , and Owens , Viscount d'Aragon , Bros . G . Dyke , Richard Morley , J . T . Macbeth . W . Chappie , J . B . MacKenzie , & c .

In the course of the evening , beautifullyilluminated and handsomely-framed addresses were presented to Bros . Mulliner and Newman , which contained expressions of profound regret

for the loss which the corps was about to sustain by the retirement of two such efficient and zealous officers , a cordial recognition of their services , and assurances of high esteem and and affectionate lemembrance .

The Chairman , in presenting the addresses , said both gentlemen had been about eight years in the corps . Major Mulliner was a most excellent officer , and the members of the corps had a deep sense of his kindness and generosity towards them . Captain Newman was also an

officer of great ability , and had endeared himself , not only to the members of E company , which he commanded , but to every man in the regiment . During his connection with the corps , he had attended , on an average , upwards of fifty drills a year , and they all felt pride and pleasure when he was on parade .

Lieut .-Colonel Ellison also expressed regret at losing their services , and saiil nothing would give him greater pleasure than if both gentlemen would cancel their resignations and resume their red coats .

Major Mulliner and Capt . Newman returned thanks in feeling terms , and expressed their gratitude , not only for the addresses , but for the invariable kindness they had received from everyone during their connection with the 1 st L . E . V .

It was stateil during the evening that both gentlemen would remain honorary members of the corps . A number of toasts were proposed , and a pleasant evening was greatly enlivened by a number of songs and recitations .

BopTS of the Period at BLAKF . Y ' , Lime-street , Liverpool ( under the Alexandra Theatre ) . —[ Advt . j

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Durham.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF DURHAM .

This Provincial Grand Lodge met at the Borough Hall , Stockton-on-Tees . ' It was the largest gathering of the Fraternity which has for some time been in this province , and the reception given by the Stockton

brethren far exceeded that of any previous meeting . The spacious hall being especially adapted for such a demonstration , and the introduction of the vocal music , we believe for the first time since the lodge was

held in this town six years ago , together with the presence of a Provincial Grand Organist at the instrument—a thing of rare occurreuce of late—all tended to increase the pleasure of the brethren who had

travelled from all parts of the country to hear of the success of the Craft in the province , dispense their funds to charitable objects , and discuss questions for the good of Freemasonry in general .

The Fund Committee met at the Borough Hall at twelve , under the presidency of Bro . Joseph Dodds , M . P . They recommended grants to local petitioners amounting to

£ 25 , 2 5 guineas to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ' , and the like amount to the Girls' School , also £ 25 to the Royal Benevolent Institution for aged Freemasons , and the same sum to the Widows'

Institution . The Provincial Lodge was opened in due form at half-past two , Bro . John Fawcett , R . W . P . G . M ., in the chair , Bro . Jos . Dodds , as S . G . W ., and Bro . James Groves , J . G . W .

On the dais wc observed : Bros , the Rev . G . P . Wilkinson , Rev . Edmund Hutchinson , Rev . John Cundell , Rev . G . R . Bulman , Rev . Chas . Dale Trotter , Victor Williamson , P . G . W . Eng . ; A . Knowles , Wm . Best , J . E .

MacNay , A . Farmer , J . P . Morrell , C . J ackson , M . Cadle , Wm . Nelson , J . G . Thompson , John Settle , II . Thompson , C . Willman , G . J . Wilson , H . Faber , H . Groves , Thos . Nelson , Stokoc , John Morrell , B . Bolton ,

& c , & c . The minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge , held at Bishop Auckland last year , were read and confirmed . The Treasurer ' s accounts were read , showing the balance

in the Treasurer ' s hands to be ^ 544 . After paying the before-mentioned grants , it was recommended , as heretofore , to fund £ 150 in Consols , thus bringing that fund up to

^ 2 , 000 , which is invested at 3 or 3 J per cent . The adoption of the accounts beingmoved and seconded , the roll of lodges was called , when very gratifying reports were presented .

Apologies were tendered for the absence of the Earl of Durham , W . M ., of the Lambton Lodge , and Earl Vane , W . M ., of the

rawcett Lodge . The re-election of the Treasurer was moved by Bro . Joseph Dodds , and seconded by Bro . G . J . AVilson .

The R . W . P . G . M . then appointed and invested his officers for the following year : Bro . Sir Hcdworth Williamson , D . P . G . M ., who was prevented being present through having to attend an important meeting at

Newcastle ; Bros . Dodd , S . G . W . ; C . Rowlandson , J . G . W . ; 0 . D . Trotter , P . G . Chap . ; Cooke , S . G . C . ; Watson , J . G . D . ; Joseph Morrell , P . G . Supt . of Works ; Skelton , P . G . S . B . ; John Trotter , P . G . Reg . ; Walker ,

P . G . Org . ; Dixon , P . G . Purst . Stewards—Bros . Pearson , Phoenix Lodge ; Ilebbron , Granby Lodge ; Wells , Fawcett Lodge ; Cross , Williamson Lodge ; Dickinson , St . Bede ' s Lodge ; Railton , Barnard Lodge .

The lodge was then closed in due form , and many of the brethren adjourned to dinner at the Freemasons' Hall .