Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of ihe opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . 1

STAFFORDSHIRE MASONIC BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION . To Ihe Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — 1 am almost afraid that the report 1 forward [ in another column ] may bejrather late , but still I shall be much

pleased to have it inserted in your next issue , if possible Our association has now been established six and a half years , and the success it has met with may , if reported in your valuable paper , be the means of similar ones being formed . When we established it we numbered five members , and our anticipations led us to hope we might

ultimately reach fifty members , and we now number over three hundred , and we are still increasing , and we are now making from fifty to sixty life subscribers per annum to the various Charities in London ; besides which we are now partially educating thiiteen children at home vvith their mothers , who we cannot hope to get into the schools in

London . This we do from a separate fund , called the Benevolent Fund , which is nearly all subscribed by the lodges and chapters of the province . As Vice-President , I shall be pleased at any time to give any information as to our method and rules to any brethren who are anxious to form a similar association . Yours fraternally , T . TAYLOR .

WASHINGTON . To Ihe Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Permit me to say that in 1859 , when President of thc Mess Committee of Her Majesty ' s 4 6 th Regiment of Foot , then stationed at Mooltan , in the Punjab , I had

charge of an old Bible , part of the property < f the officers of the regiment , in which it was recorded that it was the identical book on which Washington was made a Mason . I understood that there was formerly a lodge in the regiment ; that all thc lodge paraphernalia had been captured in the American war , but restored to the regiment

by the commander of the enemy ' s forces ; that they were again captured by the French in the West Indies , and that this Bible only escaped . Some years ago , when the 46 th Regiment was stationed a » Everton , this Bible was carried in a Masonic

procession in Liverpool , and much veneration paid to it on account of its reputed connection with Washington . An old officer of thc regiment has written an account of the Bible , and I believe that a copy is in thc library of the A . and A . R ., at Golden Square . Yours fraternally , CHAS . J . BURGESS .

MASONIC TOKENS , BY BRO . HUGHAN . To thc Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In the Masonic Magazine for January , 1877 ( the New Year number ) I have , as you know , an article on Masonic Tokens , with several capital illustrations . Would you kindly have it reprinted in the Ficcmason , as a fitting

supplement to thc correspondence on the subject , which occurred some months since . I am quite certain it would interest many of your leaders . Fraternally yours , WM . J AMES HUGHAN . [ We should like to do so much , but at present the overwhelming mass of current MssDnic news forbids us the hope of doing so . —En . ]

THE GRAND MASONIC INSTALLATION PICTURE . To the Editor of ike " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Doubtless thc subscribers to the grand historical and Masonic picture now in preparation by our esteemed Bro . Harty , W . M . 1201 , will be satisfied , as I am , with

the' explanation as to thc delay afforded by the artist anu engraver , but inasmuch as some of thc subscribers will not see the Freemason , and as several even of your readers might overlook the letters from Bro . Harty on the subject , may I suggest that he either sends a marked copy of the Freemason , or a reprint of the letters in question , to every

subscriber , so that all may know why the picture cannot be finished as early as was originally intended and promised . We arc all anxious to see it , but are ready to make all allowances for a work of such magnitude . Fraternally yours , WM . TAMES HUGHAN , P . G . D .

THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION AND THE PROVINCE OF DEVON . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Observing in your issue of thc 23 rd ult . a letter from Bro . Charles Godtschalk , relative to some remarks

that had been made at a meeting of the Committee of thc Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution concerning the support given by our Provincial Grand Master and the Province of Devon to that noble institution , I can fully bear out the letter of Bro . Godtschalk , that the Freemasons of Devon , as well as its esteemed

Provincial Master , are alive to the wants of our aged brethren . I will just state what the Sun Lodge , No . iod , Exmouth , has done . At thc festival in 1873 , Bro . W . II . Peters attended from this lodge as Steward , subscribing £ 10 himself ; two other subscriptions of £ 10 each were

entered on his list . The Sun Lodge being an annual subscriber of £ 1 to thc Male Fund , and £ 1 to the Female Fund , remitted this year £ 5 to the Male Fund as a first instalment for a governorship , and £ 1 to the Female Fund . In 1874 the second instalment of £ C was paid , and the annual subscription of £ 1 to each fund . I likewise for-

Original Correspondence.

warded the sum of £ 39 as subscriptions from members and friends of thc Sun Lodge , one brother—A .- B . Webber —paying £ 3 in addition for a life governorship . -In 187 , 1 ; the lodge subscription of £ 2 was paid . I 11 T 87 G I forwarded £ 18 from members and friends , and the usual £ 2 from the lodge , thus making together in four years the sum of £ 104 , for which we had an annuitant two quarters ,

£ 18 , and thc widows , nine quarters , £ 40 10 s ., together £ 5 8 10 s . The present year 1 S 77 we' shall follow in the same Way , for at our installation on the 10 th instant we intend to subscribe for another life govermrship , after which the Sun Lodge will have three life governors to the Male and Female Fund , and three life govt mors to the

Male Fund only amongst its members , which I think must show that although the Freemasons of Devon dtaw largely , they are also liberal supporters of thc Institution . I am , Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , ALFRED A . CARTER , P . M . and Secretary 106 . Exmouth , Jan . 1 , 1877 .

KNIGHTS TEMPLAR . To thc Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Now that the Grand Conclave , after deep thought and consideration , have decided that they are a Masonic body , or , as I take it , an imitation got up by Masons who have been practising an imposture for above a century ,

I should like to ask the energetic body who have obtained this decision what they have to do with the Order of Malta , who have a branch here ? I merely ask the brethren , as an historical student , to consider the anomalous position in which they are placed , for I wish no quarrel with the Order since they have abrogated the un-Masonic and triply unjust Tripartite Treaty . J YARKEII .

FREEMASONRY IN AMERICA . 7 o thc Editor of the " Northern Echo . " Dear Sir , — I notice that some rcmaiks which I made at the Druids' dinner the other evening , relative to Freemasonry in America , have been commented upon by a correspondent in your paper , and , as I also hear , by other

Freemasons of this town . I wish , therefore , to repeat what I said on that occasion , viz ., that I have no wish to say a word against any kindred society , besides which I had no opportunity whatever of judging how far certain accusations brought forward by those with whom I conversed were capable of proof , hut what 1 wished to show was that such a society as that of the Druids would keep itself

above suspicion by having nothing whatever to do with politics or any matters foreign to thc legitimate business of a friendly society . As I before remarked , I know not what faults may be fairly attributed to American Freemasons , but I think no one will doubt but that in this country they are worthy of all respect , and perform their important duties in a manner most creditable to themselves as a body ; and , although those who accuse them

appear sincere in their own views , it is highly probable a want of knowledge leads to incorrect assumptions . In conclusion , I desire to apologize to the Freemasons if 1 have said anything tending to annoy them , and thanking you in advance for giving me space for this letter . 1 remain , yours truly , HENRY FELL PEASE . Brinkburn , Darlington , Dec . 28 th , 1 S 76 .

Masonic Jurisprudence—No, 1. Election Of W.M.

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE—No , 1 . ELECTION OF W . M .

WILLIAM J AMES HIGIIAN . The election of W . M ' s . of lodges is so often conducted contrary to thc Book of Constitutions that 1 have taken that subject as No . 1 of the series on Masonic Jurisprudence .

Nominations are clearly illegal , although very many byelaws provide accordingly . The laws of thc Grand Lodge are quite clear and distinct respecting the mode of procedure , namely , that the Master is to be elected at the one meeting and ( provided the minutes be confirmed in respect thereof ) installed at the next assembly of the lodge ,

according to the bye-laws of the lodge . Nominations of Masters are never alluded to in any way , and for the sufficient reason that they are not only unnecessary , but positively opposed to the instructions laid down for our guidance . I know of several lodges , whose bye-laws provide for the nomination of a Master ( say ) in November ,

the election in December , and the installation at the third meeting , making thus three meetings before the installation has been completed . Now , as all the Past Masters and Past Wardens , as well as the W . M . and Wardens , are eligible for election as Master , evidently to nominate one or more brethren at the

meeting ( say ) in November , and in December to proceed only to ballot for those so nominated , to the exclusion of all , others , is illegal , because in direct opposition to thc laws of the Grand Lodge , which plainly declare that all are equally eligible . 1 have the highest authority for stating that the

nomination of brethren for the office of W . M . before thc meeting of the lodge at which the election of W . M . is to take place , and then at such period of election only submitting the names of the nominated brethren for election , is illegal . At the time of election ' every member of the lodge has

a right to vote for any brother who is duly qualified to serve the office of Master in that lodge . Every member of the lodge who is a P . M . or Past Warden who has served the office of Warden for one year in an English lodge , is eligible for thc office of Master . I fraternally invite the attention of Provincial Grand

Masonic Jurisprudence—No, 1. Election Of W.M.

Masters , and Provincial Grand Secretaries especially ,. to this important subject , as should the nominations be persisted in after any member of a lodge has given notice of their illegality , it will be competent for such brother or brethren to object to the election of the W . M .

so nominated , and undoubtedly his protest would be supported at head-quarters . The bye-laws being approved by a Prov . Grand Master cannot set aside the rights conferred by thc Book of Constitutions in any respect whatever . I suggest the following as the method of election , so as to secure simplicity and certainty .

ELECTION OF W . M . The W . M . shall be elected on the regular lodge night in . The mode of electing the W . M . shall be as follows : —The Secretary shall supply every member present qualified to vote with a printed or written list of all the brethren eligible for the office of Master . Each member so qualified shall place a X or other distinctive

mark opposite the name of the brother for whom he desires to vote , and drop thc paper ( when folded ) in the balloting box , and the member having the greatest number of votes shall be declared duly elected . An absolute majoiity of those voting is not essential , the first ballot being final unless the votes are equal , when should the presiding officer decline to give a casting vote the ballot must le asrain taken .

Staffordshire Masonic Charitable Association.

STAFFORDSHIRE MASONIC CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION .

The sixth annual meeting of this association was held on Dec . 12 th at the Queen ' s Motel , Hanley , under the presidency of the R . W . P . G . M ., Bro . the Earl of Shrewsbury . The majority of the lodges in the provinces were represented , and this was regarded by the Committee as

an indication that the brethren are zealous in support of thc Masonic Charities , nearly half the brethren in the province being subscribers to one or other of the excellent institutions supported by the Order . A ballot was taken for twenty-five subscriberships , in accordance with rule , and some routine business followed . The dinner was of the " Queen ' s" type , the R . W . P . G . M . presiding .

After the loyal observances , " Thc Staffordshire Masonic Charitable Association " was given 3 nd warmly honoured . Bro . F . Derry ( Handsworth ) , in proposing " The Masonic Charities , " met the argument for Masonic charities stopping at home , the support of that argument being that thc general Masonic charities were expensively managed . By the frequency of this accusation ,

he had been led to make close Inquiry . He had heard it said that 60 and even 70 per cent , had been expended in managerial cost , but , after inquiry , he did not hesitate to contradict the charge of excessive managerial expenditure . He had taken steps to ascertain the exact per ccntage of cost of management as compared with the total income , and he was pleased to be able to assure the

brethren that the Benevolent Institution , which was divided into two parts—one for old men , the other for old women —only cost five and a fraction per cent , for management , and when it was recollected that there was a " must " in connection with thc payment of certain officers , he regarded that as by no means an extravagant rate . Then , again , in the Girls' School , the rate was 8 or 8 J per cent .

Before complaining , brethren should obtain data , anil make allowance for thc circumstance that there was no funded property to rely on . As to thc schools , he could challenge comparison with similar institutions . In the Girls' School , thc cost for lodging , clothing , maintenance , and superior education was only £ 3 6 per head per annum . The cost per head per annum in the Boys' School was something

higher—the total cost being about £ 43 per head . His hope was that the brethren would take more interest in their institutions , so that they might be sure—as they would be—that every penny was advantageously expended . Bro . Thomas Taylor ( Hanley ) asked permission to supplement the remarks of the proposer of the toast by referring to the class of education in the Masonic schools . His

own knowledge of this—derived from personal observation was that the education was superior . English , French , Italian , German , and music were taught , and it had been a positive treat to him at one festival to listen to the music contributed by boys of the school . Bro . Bromley ( Hanley ) responded . Bro . Hales ( Hanley ) , proposing " The Vice-President ? , " said there was a feeling in the minds of many that £ 43 per head was a higher rale than generally

they could afford to expend on the education of their own children . He associated with the toast the name of one who had displayed much of patience and energy on behalf of the Masonic Charities—Bro . Taylor . Bro . Taylor responded , assuring Ihe company that he was proud of the success that had followed his efforts . Bro . Marsh , P . P . S . G . W ., proposed " Thc Committee , " which was acknowledged by Bro . Huet , of Manchester .

The Masonic Institutions.

THE MASONIC INSTITUTIONS .

During thc year just closed the total receipts of the three Masonic Charitable Institutions amounted to £ 39 , 333 7 s . 6 d . Of this sum £ 15 , 359 5 s . 4 d . was received by the Boys' School ; £ 12 , 540 15 s . ji . by the Benevolent Institution ; and £ 11 , 435 *> s - 7 < " . by the Girls' School . These

are thc largest totals ever yet reached , and the aggregate amount exceeds that of former years by some £ 7 , 000 . Great efforts arc being made by the Secretaries of the Institutions to obtain in the present year even a larger total , and they come before the Craft with an excellent plea that

the claims on their Institutions are daily increasing . The Benevolent Institution in the past year paid £ 8 , 972 in annuities to aged Masons and widows ; the Boys' School maintains , clothes , and educates 189 boys ; and the Girls ' School 162 girls . These figures , however , do not represent a fixed maximum , but are constantly increasing .