Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

" AUDI ALTERAM PARTEM . " To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother After perusing your leader headed "A Fair Subject for Inquiry , " in your issue of the 27 th instant , I can readily comprehend the feeling of amazement

you experienced when first reading the account of certain circumstances said to have transpired in the Central Division of South Africa ; but I do think the feeling of indignation might have been restrained until you were able to ascertain from the District Grand Master at Kimberley if the facts , as submitted to you , were correct and fairly stated .

I fully acknowledge and appreciate the salutary advantages of Masonic criticism , but I would submit that it is hardly fair criticism , even while you claim to " pass no judgment , " to assume , before the other side is heard , that " it will be very difficult for the English Grand Lodge Officer to offer a satisfactory explanation of his conduct . "

For a period of over 20 years I have known Bro . R . M . Roberts , as P . M . of an English lodge , P . Z . of an English chapter , and P . D . G Officer of the former D . G . Lodge of Griqualand West , being zealous in Masonic work and careful of the prestige of the Craft , of which he has so long been a member , and I am most unwilling to believe that he will be unable to give a satisfactory reason for any action he may have taken in his District .

I am naturally jealous for the reputation of my brethren in South Africa , and I believe also in the charity that " thinketh no evil" until the evil is clearly proved , and I trust you will accept this letter in the same fraternal spirit in which it is written and share in my hope and belief that no acts of the officer in question will ever have to be described in the words which conclude your leader . —Yours fraternally , GEO . RICHARDS , West Brighton , D . G . M . Transvaal , South Afr ' . ca . 29 th November .

HOME OF ST . BARNABAS . To the Editor of the "Freemason " Dear Sir and Brother , I have had several inquiries about the proposed provision of poor and disabled Masonic Clergy in connection with the Home of St . Barnabas . Kindly let me answer them . There is no intention of starting a new Masonic

Institution , but in connection with what will certainly be the great beneficent institution of the Church , as it is the only one of the kind in England , two small houses , will be built , and set apart for Clergymen who are Masons . I may also say that , through a printer ' s error , it was stated in the appeal made to the Craft , that the inmates must have been Chaplains of their lodges . This is a mistake . All Clergy who are brethren are eligible .

Surely , at this Christmas season of rejoicing , many of the brethren will be found to help this good work . 1 have been sadly disappointed with the result of my appeal tothe Craft , not ^ 40 received as yet ; and positively we have s ? ved from the workhouse , and are now supporting permanently two brothers of excellent character , who are both poor and sick , one dying of an incurable disease .

While large sums are subscribed for purposes outside Freemasonry , it seems to me strange that an appeal from a brother of 42 years' standing , who has always been an active , and , I think I may say , a useful Mason , should not be responded to in a more liberal way . The Craft may be sure that if there was not a great need for thoir help I would not ask for it . —Yours fraternally , W . HENRY COOPER , P . M .,

P . D . G . Chap . Canterbury , N . Z ., P . P . G . Chap . Sussex Hume of St . Barnabas , East Grimstcad , ist December .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Rose of Denmark Lodge , No . 975 . The installation meeting of this well-known lodge took place at the Horns , Kennington Park , on the lyth ult ., when there were present Bros . VVm . M . Boud , VV . M . ; VVm . J . luby , S . VV ., VV . M . elect ; VV . Bishop , J . W . ; J . B . Brown , Treas . ; T . Toten Willcox , P . M ., Sec ; j . Miller , S . D . ; W . Gulliford , J . D . ; H . C . Parker , I . G . ; W . Funge , P . M . ; G . Bugler , E . Clarke , P . M . ; VV . R . Williams , P . M . ; C . M . Campbell , P . M . ; E . Ayling , P . M . ; Geo . White , P . M . ; G . H . Parker , II . P . Nelson , E . Tribe , F . Harper , J . Hill , S . Judd , J . Davis , II . H . Friend , Mark

Marsh , II . J . Godfrey , G . J . Ayling , Jno . Gilbert , P . M ., Tyler ; and others . Amongst the numerous visitors were Bros . Chas . J . Digby , P . M . yjj and 2032 ; J . OTIara , 1 G 5 O ; Thos . Grant , P . M . 1 G 5 G and 2318 ; E . A . S ' . urgess , 538 ; R . Hicks , 704 ; ] arvis Maples , P . M . 144 ; H . E . Baldwin , P . M . 1 O 32 and 1 ^ 49 , P . P . G . S . B . Middx . ; VV . Tucker , P . M . 79 ., ; J . Featherstone , P . M . 1 O 5 G ; E . Conquest , S . W . S 9 ; S . E . Marsh , Sec . 1254 ; J . Barnard , 117 S ; T . G . Hodges , I . P . M . 1023 ; S . Bately , 1 O 9 ; F . H . Barker , 1539 ; J . Murray , W . M . I (» ; T . Mills , Thos . E . Comins , 720 ; J . Tickle , P . M . 1 mo ; W . J . Lancaster , Linnett , VV . M . 1 G 23 ; and R . T . West , 1744 .

The ledge having been opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and ccr . firmtd , the Worshipful Master Bro . Boud , raised Bro . E . Tribe to the Third Degne , Bro . Boud ' s working of the ritual being excellent . The Worshipful Mastcr elect , Bro . VVm . J . Juby , was thin presented and installed into the chair by Bro . VVm . Boud in a most able and praiseworthy manner . The new W . M . invested his iflicers , giving a kind and appropiiate word to each officer . 'Ihe following brethren are lhe oflicers for the ensuing year : Bros . VV . Bishop , S . W . ; J . Miller , J . W . ; W .

P . M ., 'Treas . ; T . Toten Willcox , P . M ., Sec . ; VV . Gulliford , S . D . ; H . C . Parker , J . D . ; J . A . Terry , I . G . ; W . Evans and E . Ayling , P . M ., D . Cs . T . B . Barnicott , F . C . Harper , G . J . Ayling , and C . M . Campbell , P . M ., Stwds . ; Mark Marsh , Org . ; and J . Gilbert , P . M ., Tyler ( his 30 'h year of ollice in the lodge . ) The delivery of the customary addresses was ably given by the outgoing Master , Bro . Boud , and he deseives the highest praise for the efficient way he carried out the whole of the installation ceremony . The VV . M . Bro . Juby , then initiated Messrs . Arthur Alderton and Arthur

, Dulley in a manner that should leave a lasting impression upon the initiates , so well was it dene . 'The VV . M . presented , on behalf of the lodge , a Past Master ' s jewel to Bro . Wm . M . Buud , which , he stated , he did with extreme pleasure , as it could not be bestowed on one more worthy to wear it . He had well filled the chair , and had taken a great interest in the lodge , which had prospered under hii efforts , and the members very much appreciated his efficient services , both as Master and Installing Master . In brief ,

but eloquent tcims , Bro . Boud acknowledged the jewel . It bore the following inscription : " Prestnltd by the members ol the Rose of Denmark Lodge , No . ( 175 , to Bro . VV . M . Bond , P . M ., as a sincere mark of esteem for the admirable and conscientious manner in which he performed the duties of W . M . during his year of ollice , i . Si / j-7 . " ( ither business followed , after which the lodge was closed , and the brethren ] adjourned to banquet .

lhe W . M . gave the usual loyal and Masonic toasts in eloquent and original terms , which wtre duly honoured . Bro . VV . M . Boud , I . P . M ., proposed "The Worshipful Master , Bro . Juby . " He

Craft Masonry.

said the toast was one that was received in every lodge with acclamation , and no words of his were necessary to commend it , except to add that he could recommend the W . M . in many capacities . They were all pleased with his excellent working that night , and they looked forward in the near future of seeing him perform the other two Degrees , because he was well able to do everything appertaining to the ritual . The toast was drunk with much enthusiasm , and Bro . Juby , W . M ., on rising to respond , had a hearty reception . He said that he fully appreciated their kindness to him and for the way the toast had been received and

proposed in such glowing terms by the I . P . M ., Bro . Boud , and he hoped to get as near as possible to what had been said of him . When he accepted the high office of Master he did not forget what he had undertaken , and that when one took office in Masonry they should make a little sacrifice . lie had given as much time as he could to the Craft , but he was amply repaid by the position he had then the great honour to hold . His predecessor was one of the very best , and if he could follow well in his footsteps he would be gratified . He had had kind promises of support from all the Past Masters , for which he was very thankful , and if he might ask the lay members for their assistance

it would complete his happiness . He regretted the absence of Bro . Noble , P . M ., and Bro . Bugler through illness , as they had introduced him into Freemasonry , but he hoped they would soon be restored to health . He hoped during his year of office to have a ladies' night atvd a summer outing , which he hoped would be as great a success as thc last , The W . M . gave " The Installing Master , Bro . Boud . " He said that everyone who had known him and had followed his Masonic career was satisfied that he was a great example as a Mason and an ideal W . M . Bro . Boud had filled every oflice in the lodge most efficiently , and his great services were much appreciated by the members , and would never be Forgotten .

Bro . Boud . I . P . M ., who was well received , stated that as Master ot the Rose of Denmark Lodge he had done his very best , and might he congratulate himself and the members on his past year of office ? He made special reference to the ladies' night in February last and the summer outing , which were both great successes—at least , so the ladies said—and he hoped that such entertainments might be continued in the future . He honoured the jewel which had been presented to him that evening , and should always treasure it . He had received every kindness from them all , and he thanked his officers during the time he occupied the chair for their great assistance .

"The Initiates " was next given by the W . M ., who remarked that it was one of the most important toasts ot the evening . They must admit that new blood was always necessary . He had the honour of having two initiates at his installation , and he thought they would be sterling Masons and prove an acquisition to the lodge . The initiates had seen only a little that evening ; but they had more to learn , and later on they would appreciate the great things in Freemasonry . They were both very old friends of his , and they were also known to many of the members .

Bro . A . Alderton responded . He said it was an honour to have been proposed by the W . M ., who appeared to be much respected in the lodge , and he was honoured to be an iniliate in the Diamond Jubilee year of her Majesty . There were many there of greater eloquence , but he was of tender heart and felt quite unequal to express in words the joy he felt in being amongst them as a Mason . The ceremony of his initiation was solemn , but beautiful , and he could hardly realise yet what he had gone through . He appreciated the great obligation he had undertaken , and he hoped to do everything that was expected of an initiate . He was glad to have been initiated with his friend , but now Bro . Dulley , and he trusted to do honour to the W . M ., and that he would never regret proposing him as a member of the lodge .

Bro . Arthur Dulley also acknowledged the toast . He stated that following the other initiate he hardly knew what he could say , but after what he had gone through he was thankful that he was still alive . ( Great laughter . ) The W . M . had been kind enough to propose his health , but what he had undergone at the banqueting table would , he thought , impair it . He was , however , gratified to have been elected a member of such a grand Order . In proposing the toast of " The Visitors " the W . M . observed that they were always welcome , and 26 had honoured them with their presence , and he hoped they had enjoyed

the working in the lodge and what had followed . Many of th : m wire experienced and distinguished Masons , and he hoped to see them again . The hour being then late would not permit him to call upon them all to respond , but he joined the names of Bros . Linnett , W . M . 1 O 23 ; J . Murray , VV . M . iCy ; TI . E . Baldwin , P . M . ; C . J . Digby , P . M . ; VV . J . Lancaster , and R . T . West , with the toast . Bro . Linnett said that he was pleased to have the opportunity of responding . He

had been there several times , but that was the first occasion he had attenijd as W . M . of his lodge . The working was excellent and the visitors had been well received and entertained , and they hoped it would not be the last time they would be asked to come . The W . M . was well able to carry out the duties of his office , and when the time came for him to vacate the chair he thought it would be the unanimous opinion of all that he was a perfect Master .

Bro . J . Murray , VV . M . 1 C 9 , stated that he and _ the VV . M . had attended lodges of instruction together and he felt certain that when his t ; rm of office expired the lodge would bc in the same happy and prosperous state as it then was . Bro . H . E . Baldwin , P . M ., said that it was his first visit to the lodge , but he had thoroughly enjoyed himself . He was Preceptor of the Burgoyne Lodge of Instruction , where he had seen the working of the VV . M ., who was perfect in the ritual , and his working that evening was the best he had seen in his 20 years' experience as a member of the Craft . The I . P . M . had also done his work well , and he was glad to bear

testimony that they were an up-to-date lodge . Bro . L . J . Digby , P . M ., slated that he did not know why he had been called upon to respond to the toast , because there were many there far more eminent and better able to do so . He was pleased lo be there , but he had been reminded that evening that it was 13 years ago since he last visited the lodge , which was on the occasion of the installation of his friend , Bro . VV . R . Williams , P . M . He was especially gratified to have

witnessed the installation of Bro . Juby , and he felt sure the members had not only done an honour to Bro . Juby , but to themselves , in electing him as VV . M ., and he would adapt himself to any duty he might be called upon to perform , and he wished him a very happy and prosperous year of office . The two initiates he had known for many years , and he was very glad to meet them as Masons , and he thought they would be shining lights in the Craft .

Bro . VV . J . Lancaster said that coupling his name with the toast reflected on the judgment of the VV . M ., because he was only one of the rank and file . However , if there were not good privates , they could not have good officers , as in Misonry , officers came from privates . lie concluded an excellent speech in a humorous strain , which elicited much laughter .

Bro . R . 1 . West also acknowledged the toast . In giving " The Past Masters , " the VV . M . stated that hc looked upon them as the very backbone of the lodge , and they were all good workers . He irtf ntioned each by name , setting out at length their qualifications and what they had done for the lodge , and he associated with the toast the names of Bros . C . M . Camobell , P . M .. and G White , P . M .

In response Bro . C . M . Campbell , P . M ., stated that thc Past Masters would only be too happy to assist the W . M . and those who would follow him . Bro . Geo . VVhite also responded , remarking that although the Past Misters were ever willing to do anything to promote the interests of the I idge , they had never hid a VV . M . who required any assistance from the body of which he was one . The officers

invested that day were all good , and hc hoped that he and the other Past M isters would be spared to see them installed into the chair of the Rose of Denmark Lodge . Bro . VV . R . Williams , P . M ., said that if time permitted he could dwell at length oi the many virtues of the W . M ., but he would content himself by observing that he had no doubt that the working during the next 12 months would be , -is it al . vays was in the bdge , excellent .

The other toasts were " The 'Treasurer and Secretary , " and "The Ollieers , " and the W . M . having tendered his best thanks , on behalf of the lodge , to the musical brethren for their splendid entertainment , the Tyler ' s toast ended a most enjoyable and memorable evening , for which the W . M . is to be congratulated . One of the features of thc evening was the excellent musical entertainment of thc Cclia Quartette , a very talented body , under the direction of Bro . W . Hiles Smith , which gave great satisfaction . Bro . TI . H . Heap , R . A . M ., was an able accompanist .

We regret to announce the sudden death ol Bro . Juby , W . M ., whose installation is recorded above , on the 30 th ult ., at the age of 52 . Bro . Juby was initiated in the Rose of Denmark Lodge , and served all thc offices of importance . He wis well-known and highly esteemed in Putney , being a member of the Vestry and Burial Board , and Master of St . Mary's Parochial Schools . The funeral takes place to-day ( Friday ) in the Putney Lower Common Cemetery .