Original Correspondence.

it would be to "Freemasonry if "the uninstructed world who are not Masons" could only recognize this virtue more highly developed in its members ? I trust you will soon favour your readers with another leader on the same subject , so that the Craft may be stimulated to the practice of "that virtue , which may justly be denominated the distinguished characteristic of a

Freemason ' s heart ; " or to put it in the excellent terms of your leading article , " our higher spiritual practice of brotherly love . " Doubtless you have often seen instances where this principle has been violated , and treated as though it was a mere figment in our ceremonies , and never intended to be carried out in every-day life .

A few more racy articles on this subject from your able pen , would , I am sure , have a very healthy influence on such as forget that " brotherly love" is the first of the three grand principles on which Freemasonry is founded , and might prompt them to maintain in its fullest splendour this grand feature of our Order , " brotherly love . " Truly and fraternally , J . C .

THE STATUS OF SCOTCH MASONRY . To Ihe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I observe in your issue of the 23 rd ult ., a letter from a correspondent signed J ., on the subject of improving the status of Scotch Masonry . I may say that I have long studied this matter during the seven or eight years that I

have had charge of a province , both as P . D . G . M . in charge and actual P . G . M . I will pass over the kind remarks he ( J . ) has made on my proposed scheme of a Scottish Masonic Benevolent Institution , and proceed to the question at issue , viz ., improving the status of Scotch Masonry . Let me state the case briefly , ist . One argument raised by non-masons against our Order ( applicable equally to

all Countries , and not Scotland alone ) is the fact of banquets , or , as they call them , Symposiums in Lodges ; in fact I know several worthy men who have given up the itlea of becoming Masons on this plea . Non-masons-, being ignorant of our real habits and teaching , may , by observing the practices of badly-worked lodges ( many of which , alas , must exist ) , lay down what is in their eyes an infallible

dictum , that such is the custom in every lotige . But is it so ? The quiet banquets always concluded by a certain hour , so common in England , ami the orderly and well-conducted resort for refreshment in Scotch lodges—do they come under this category ? Emphatically , No ! But allowing this to keep off detractors of our Order , and taking the habits of the present day into consideration ,

could not all good working lodges establish the following principle?— " that every lodge , where practicable , should have their own lodge-room , ami eschew hotels ami inns as places of meeting ; that there should be , if possible , only two , or at most , four banquets in the year , and to compensate for this omission that the lodge or united lodges , say two or three together , should give a ball once a year ,

at a suitable period , where the wives , sisters , and daughters of Masons and their friends could equally enjoy themselves , or any other entertainment that may seem more apropos . " This would give enjoyment to many , please " the sex , " and render them favourable to the Craft . On every other occasion , save as aforesaid , let the meetings of the several lodges be for business alone .

Especially let lodges of instruction for younger members be held at least four times ( as many more as possible ) during the year , under the presidency of an expert P . M . 2 nd . What is the next allegation against the Craft ( in Scotlantl especially )? It is the numbers of professional Masonic beggars who scour the United Kingdom professing t > be Masons under the Scotch Constitution . This , I am sorry

to say , is a fact , as I have not only heard this allegation in England , but have seen it myself ! It will be asked , then , how this occurs : Simply thus , the system in Scotland , as regards the funds of lodges , is to depend on the number of Intrants that they enroll per annum—an annual subscription is rare . This is the root of the evil . Our Brother J . wishes to raise , or rather Grantl Lodge

to raise the minimum of entrance fees , to preclude unworthy members . This can only be done to a very limited extent ; we must not preclude the poorer brother of good character from the benefits of Masonry—he would be no burden ; but we must place our lodges on such a safe footing that they will no longer have to depend on entrance fees ; we must exercise a careful survey of the characters

and lives of candidates for admission . This can be done by fixing a minimum and maximum scale of entrance fees , and a minimum and maximum of annual subscription , which should in all cases cover the annual excuses of the lodge . The lodge , thus practically self-supporting , could give more time to discipline and character among its members , or proposed members , as

laid down in the Constitutions ( Chap , xx ., sec . iv ., page 47 ) , in the following rule : " that no lotige shall receive or initiate an Intrant for less than twenty-one shillings , exclusive of Grand Lodge dues of registration ( being 5 s . 6 d . ) of sum specified in Chap , xv ., sec . i ., neither shall payment of said sums or any part thereof be remitted or deferred on any pretence . " The utmost that could be laid

clown as a minimum is 31 s . Gd ., if we regard the poor equally with the rich . Taking this view of the case , I woultl ask whether our joint aim , viz ., improving the status of Scotch Masonry , could not be carried out as follows : let the minimum for Intrants be fixed at 31 s . 6 d . and the maximum at £ t , 5 s .,

giving the mean of £ 3 3 s ., a very practical sum , suitable to most people ' s pocket ; but at the same time to make it compulsory for all lodges to have an annual subscription from its members , with a maximum of , say , £ 2 2 s ., anil a minimum of 5 s ., so as to suit all lodges ami till classes , and to enable the several lodges to defray their ordinary business expenses without using their Intrant's fees at all ,

Original Correspondence.

This money would then be available for Charitable Institutions , and for building and renting suitable lodge-rooms . Lodges simply and solely existing on Intrant ' s fees , cannot really enquire into the characters of their proposed candidates , they therefore have foisted on them unthinking and careless brethren , who cause want of discipline and misrule .

Let the Grand Lodge formally , itself , and through its Provincial Grand Lodges , truly and firmly carry out the existing rules of the Constitutions as to character of Intrants , the duration of a fortnight at least between every degree ( Chap , xx ., sec . vi . ) . Let said section be strengthened by leaving the granting of dispensations to the Grand Lotige or Grantl Committee , Provincial G . M . anil D . P . G . M .,

and these only to be granted under very special circumstances . By doing this , and passing a compulsory minimum and maximum scale of annual subscription , a marked improvement would appear in Scotch Masonry . I myself have witnessed a vast improvement of late years , but much more remains to be done . Reverting to the above

proposal of devoting Intrants' fees to charitable ami other purposes , I would advise all lodges to appoint a charity steward , whose duty it would be to collect all general lodge and individual donations , and give the proceeds as directed by the lodge in open lodge assemblies . All lodges would , of course , have their own system of charity , they might set apart , say 2 s . fill ., on every Intrant ,

and is . or more on every annual subscription for the said charitable purposes . This is a point that must rest with lodges , and could not , on any pretence , be rendered compulsory . Peace ami harmony woultl thus rule our lodges , brotherly love would be more thoroughly carried out , charity woultl be practised , the general status would be

raised , while yet the order would be open to the poorest as well as the richest of the country . 3 rd . If you would still permit me space , I would mention one point more , viz ., that no R . W . M . should hold office more than one year , or two at most , consecutively . It should be the object of every Intrant , by time and ability , to reach the chair of his Mother Lodge . With this object in

view , he would stutly more deeply our impressive ceremonies , as well as the hide'en mysteries of the Craft , he woultl endeavour , by his life ami actions , to prove to the world at large the real benefits of being a Mason , not only in name but in deed . All , t is true , cannot aspire to the highest posts in a lotige ; memory , or rather want of memory , and other natural failings , may disqualify the

aspirants from the chair of R . W . M ., but unless , by his own fault , he can fill other offices in the lodge , not even excepting the Warden ' s Chairs . The new R . W . M ., moreover , on succeeding to his chair , woultl find a number of worthy and experienced P . M . ' s who have passed the chair to support him by their aid and advice , and enable him to act with more confidence , knowing , that wherein he might feel himself wanting , one or

other would ever be present at his side . Brethren of the Craft in Scotland , think over these several points ; it rests entirely among yourselves , and when fully convinced , support with all your power any propositions that may now or hereafter he proposed . I am , sir and brother , yours , fraternally , GEO . R . HAHHIOTT , P . G . M . Wigtown and Kirkudbright ,

To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir anil Brother , — I can see , in p . 17 of Freemason , that the Scottish Masonic Institution is only to establish schools for boys and girls of aged , deceased , and distressed Freemasons of good character . Woultl it not have been better to have included boys and girls of all aged ,

deceased , and distressed l ' reemasons ? Although that the trees be not gootl , if they were grafted into the branches good fruit might be gathered from them , and more would be the rejoicing over one lost sheep found than over the ninety and nine who might be of good character , that •never went astray . It is not easy to reatl gootl characters . Z , GLASGOW PROVINCE .

7 " the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir ami Brother , — Your able article on the status of a P . M ., on his rejoining the lodge in which he was installed , seems to mc clearly to point to the fact that he should be placed next to the l . P . M . Is not this in opposition to the conclusion of "Jelf , "

who thinks that a P . M . on rejoining the lodge in which he was installed , " rejoins as one of those strange P . M . 's referred to hy Bro . Tebbs , who have no seniority with respect to the P . M . ' s of the lotige itself ?" Would it not also be more equitable , and more in harmony with our usage , to place the rejoining P . M . next the I . P . M ., and thus recognise his past services to the lodge , while giving precedence to the P . M . ' s who have continued

their subscriptions ? To elucidate another point bearing on the same subject . Allow mc to ask , for the information of some who dispute the fact , if it is necessary for Grand Lodge membership that a P . M . continue his subscription to the lotige in which he was installed , or whether membership in any English lodge will enable him to retain his status in Grand Lodge ? Yours truly and fraternally , LC .

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE . To the Editor if the Freemason . Dear Sir ami Brother , — The subject of Masonic Jurisprudence has occupied ' considerable attention lately in your columns , and promises to be on the increase . Now it appears to me , that without derogating from the propriety of discussion in

Original Correspondence.

all matters relative to Masonic law , that the root of the matter lies as yet untouched , and that any conclusion which may be arrived at upon a given subject , is liable to be re-opened the following week and decided in a precisely opposite manner , and with as much authority , or as little as that preceding it ; in other words , there is no such thiiia as Masonic law , beyond the meagre pittance provided in the Book of Constitutions .

But thirty pages are devoted to the regulations of lodges and their members , and the wording is often such as " to admit of a variety of significations and is in some instances absolutely contradictory . When we consider the thousands , nay , we may say the millions , " who range themselves under our banner , " it certainly does seem unaccountable that there should he 110

authorized code of laws for the guidance of a societ y of such magnitude . The very excellent work on the subject by Dr . Oliver is often quoted , and is perhaps the most exhaustive treatise we have , but it is unrecognized by Grantl Lotige , ami there , fore liable at any moment to be set aside , if convenient to do so .

Now that wc are shortly to inaugurate a fresh epoch in Freemasonry in the installation of a new Grand Master , would it not be an appropriate opportunity for a general Masonic conclave , consisting of delegates from each provincial and district Grand Lodge under the E . C . to take into consideration the preparation of such a code of laws which should he at once comprehensive and worthy of the

noble Order to which we belong ? Surely it is high time that something should be done in this behalf , as the hours wasted , both in and out of the lodge-room , in discussing questions which have been decided a dozen times , as the columns of your journal amply testify , to say nothing of the fact that the decisions are utterly valueless when made . There are many points which" will present themselves to

the mmds of brethren , the importance of which arc manifest , wholly omitted in the Book of Constitutions , which call most strongly for legislation . 1 should be glad if some of our enthusiastic brethren woultl give the subject their attention ; they may depend on the hearty co-operation of all true brethren who have the cause of the Craft at heart , anil , among the rest , of Yours fraternally ,

January 25 th . 1875 . JADU . To the Editor of Ihe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Walter Hill , P . M . 41 ; , E . C . Duncdin , on Mark Master and Excellent Master degrees of Masonry , is well worthy to be considered by English Royal Arch Masons . Scotch Royal Arch Companions have often had to do what

they unwillingly do do to prevent English Companions from being made honorary members in a Scclch Chapter , for the want of not having attained to that degree of E . Master . The English Chapters should have their Charters for Royal Arch to include all the degrees , the same as the Scotch have theirs . The English and Irish might meet the Scotch in that way , as they should- meet them , ami

leave off working the Past Master and Chair degrees from the Royal Arch . The first three degrees ought not to lit mixed up with any other , hut to remain as the Charters now are , and all others in one Charter all included with the Royal Arch . The Fellow-Craft Mark has nothing whatever to do with the Mark of a Mark Master : both art decidedly different Marks ; besides , the first three degrees do not require anything from the M . M ., but the Arch

cannot he completed without what has to be carried 111 the Mark Master degree . Therefore the degrees should be made to work on one Charter for Royal Arch Chapters . No Mark Master , getting the degree in a Chapter in Scotland , is justified , if he accepts of a Mark Master made in a R . A . E . The least that English Royal Arch Companions should do is to include into their Chapters the working o ! the Excellent degrees . No . 2 ., Z . G . P .

To Ihe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — " The Master only can govern the lodge " is your dictum last week . Surely this is wrong ? The Book of Constitutions says : — " If no P . M . of the lodge be present , then the S . W ., or , in his absence , the J . W .,

shall rule the lodge . " In addition to which , the Wardens , on investiture , art sometimes informed that , under certain circumstances they may succcd to higher tluties . I think also , that , in the case of a vacancy in the S . W . ' s chair , the J . W . may be promoted without running

the risk of being disqualified for the Master ' s chair . 11 " Book of Constitutions says the qualification shall behaving served as Warden for one year ; six months' olliei as J . W ., and six months as S . W ., with no interval be tween , woultl seem to be sufficient . Yours fraternally , jEi . r .

FASHIONABLE MAHHIAOE . — An aristocratic company , confined to relatives and intimate friends , met yesterday morning at St . George ' s Church , Hanover-square , t " witness the solemnization of the marriage of Bro . 1 !"' Right Hon . the Earl of Onslow and the Hon . l'loi-erc ' Gardner , eldest daughter of Lord and Lady Gardner . Th ' Bishop of Winchester officiated , assisted by the Rector ' '

St . George ' s , the Rev . Henry llow . trth , and the Rev . - ' Bowles , Rector of Clandon . The Earl of Onslow w" ' accompanied by his friend , Lord Eliot , as best iw " The bride , who was given away by her father , was accoinpanied to the altar by six bridesmaids ' , the Hon . Ever * ' Gardner , sister of the bride ; Miss Cochrane , Miss Edid Onslow , Miss Midleton , Miss Leighton , and Miss Guilds Lcighton .