Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " D » ar Sir and Brother , Will you afford me space to offer a suggestion which , if adopted , would materially benefit the funds of this Institution . A lodge has just voted 100 guineas to commemorate the Diamond Festival of her Majesty ' s reign .

If each lodge would this year vote a sum with the like object it would greatly assist the Committee to place an additional number of Annuitants on the funds in May next , and thereby reduce the large list of candidates now seeking election ( 11 S with 19 vacancies only ) and be the means of bringing comfort to many who are at the present moment in great distress .

I hope I may have the pleasure of receiving many sums , and will gratefully acknowledge the same . —J am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , JAMES TERRY , Secretary . 4 , Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , February 4 th .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Clapton Lodge , No . 1365 . The regular meeting of this well-known City lodge was held at the Great Eastern Hotel , Liverpool-streeet , on the 21 st ult ., when there were present Bros . Arthur H . Church , W . M . ; J . D . Geddes , I . P . M . ; F . C . Lintott , S . W . ; W . Banks , J . W . ; W . D . Chuich , P . M ., Sec . . T . T . Gething , S . D . ; F . Orfeur , J . D . ; Henry C . Muckley , LG . ; E . Schilling , Stwd . ; E . S . White , Org . ; W . Finch , P . M . ; D . CampbellP . M . ; C . E . LukerP . M . ; W . H . Caton , P . M . ; C . G . Diamond , E .

, , Stanger , F . Brown , E . J . Brooks , H . C . Amendt , A . W . Diamond , P . Becker , J . Vincent , E . J . H . Livett , E . Wildash , Harry Green . C . R . Campbell , F . C . Minter , J . H . Shipman , W . D . Seaton , H . J . Dyer , Stephen T . Green , J . E . Zoers , H . A . Zoers , D . G . Zoers , T . W . Vaughan , and E . Mallett , acting Tyler . Visitors : Bros . James Spicer , P . M . 1269 ; H . A . Jagar , P . M . 453 ; A . Ritchie , J . W . 173 ; J . J . C . Linton , J . D . 2411 ; A . Eddie , J . W . 742 ; J . Howson , LG . 1446 ; and R . T . West , 1744 . After the usual routine business , the Worshipful Master , Bro . Arthur H . Church ,

passed Bros . E . Stanger and Fredk . Brown to the Second Degree , and afterwards initiated Messrs . S . T . Green , J . E . Zoers , H . D . Zoers and D . G . Zoers . The ceremonies in both Degrees were worked by the W . M . in a very able and efficient manner , which it would be difficult to excel , and the way he gave the Ancient Charge stamped him as a master of the art . Bro . E . Mallett was unanimously elected Tyler , and he was subsequently invested . In eloquent terms Bro . W . D . Church , P . M ., advocated

the case of Bro . James Veiy , the late Tyler of the lodge—who was initiated in the High Cross Lodge , No . 754 , of which he was a subscribing member for 37 years—a candidate at the next election of the Old People , and he urged the brethren to support it , remarking that they could not have too many workers in that very deserving case . Two gentlemen were proposed for initiation at the next meeting in March , and after other business the lodge was closed .

The brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , for which Bro . H . C Amendt was responsible , and it was well served under the superintendence of Bro . P . Becker . ln brief , but eloquent terms , the W . M ., Bro . A . H . Church , gave the customary loyal and Masonic toasts , which were duly honoured . The I . P . M ., Bro . J . D . Geddes , proposed * ' The Health of the Worshipful Master . " He said the only time he had to rise was when he had to submit the toast , and he felt he could not give it in adequate terms after the W . M . ' s grand working that evening .

His then having four initiates was a record in the lodge , and the way he was performing his duties was deserving of the highest praise . They were all proud of him ; he was strong , courteous , and a credit to himself and the lodge , and he would ask them all , even the Secretary ( his lather ) , to join him in the toast . Bro . A . H . Church , W . M ., responded . He said that , having to act as Organist that night , and jumping about from one end of the room to the other , his thoughts were not concentrated . He sincerely thanked them for the way he had been received and the way they were supporting him by bringing him initiates and joining members .

ln submitting the toast of "The Imtiates , " the W . M . stated that unless they imported fresh blcod the lodge would stagnate . He was honoured with the large number of four initiates that evening , and they all appeared to be good fellows . He should never forget when he was initiated , but he was somewhat disappointed , as he thought he had a fearful ordeal to go through . When the initiates knew more , they would better appreciate the beautiful ritual , and he urged them to attend lodges of instruction in order to qualify themselves for the chair , and it would be very gratifying to him if he was spared to see all his initiates installed Worshipful Master of that , their mother lodge . .

, , , , . . In response , Bro . S . T . Green said he thanked them for the kind way the toast had been received . He was indeed pleased with the honour they had conferred upon him by making him a Freemason , and it had long been his desire to join the Craft . The Worshipful Master ' s remarks in the beautiful ceremony he should never forget , and he hoped to prove a worthy member of the lodge . Bro . j . E . Zoers said : I thank you very much for initiating me , that's all . Bro . fl . A . Zoers observed that he was pleased he was now one of them , and he

thanked his proposer and seconder for having introduced him to the lodge . Bro . D . G . Zoers said it was a great pleasure to him to have the pri / ilege of responding to the toast of the initiates . Masonry appeared to be a powerful body . Enthusiasm was instilled in him that evening , and he was honoured to be a member of the Craft . He was very sorry he failed during the progress of the ceremony , but his feelings overcame him , and they must forgive him , and he hoped in the future to become more intimate with the beauties of Masonry .

The W . M . proposed " The Visitors , " whom he cordially welcomed , making special mention of Bros . A . Eddie , J . W . 742 ; J . Howson , I . G . 144 6 ; H . A . Jagar , P . M . 453 ; andR . T . West . Bro . A . Eddie said he regretted he was the first called upon to respond because there were others far belter able to acknowledge the toas ' .. It was a great pleasure to witness the superb working and it was a record for three brothers of one family to be initiated at the same time . The officers were of the best and the Secretary would keep the W . M . in good trim and vice versa . He had enjoyed their hospitality and if asked to come again he should certainly not refuse .

Bros . J . Howson , H . A . Jagar , J . Spicer , P . M ., and R . T . West , also respinded , bearing testimony to the excellent working and the way the visitors had been received and entertained . ln giving " The I . P . M . and the Past Masters , " the W . M . remarked that they were the rock upon which a Master rested , and he associated with ths toast the name of Bro . J . D . Geddes , I . P . M . Bro . Geddes responded , and said he was at the top of the class of the so called old fossils and he was proud of his position . He was initiated in ths lodge , and the little he did while he was in the chair he did with all his heart .

Bro . W . Finch , P . M ., said it was a great pleasure to the Past Masters to see what the W . M . —who was a very young man—could do , and it did no ' : often fall to the lot of a W . M . to initiate four at one time He was a great credit to the lodge and his father . Bros . C . E . Luker , P . M ., and W . H . Caton , P . M ., also acknowlelged the toast in very appropriate terms . In proposing "The Treasurer and Secretary , " theW . M . state ! that the Treasurer ,

Craft Masonry.

Bro . W . Blackburn , P . M ., who had been very ill , was not there , and at the last meeting he thought they would never have the pleasure of seeing him again , but the Great Architect had spared him , and he was now much better . Then , as to the Secretary , Bro . W . D . Church , P . M ., they knew he was a good officer , and if he might say so , it would be impossible to find a better , and he had arranged all the details of that evening without troubling him ( the W . M . ) Bro . W . D . Church , P . M ., Sec , responded , and said that the Treasurer , Bro . Blackburn , was with them in heart , and he hoped at the next meeting he would be there

fully restored to health . He was a right good fellow , and a splendid Mason , and they had missed him very much . The W . M . sometimes sat upon him as Secretary , but he did not mind , as he did what was in his opioion the best for the Iodge , but , of course , he had to bow to the rule of the W . M ., still , he was very proud of him , as he was the first initiate , and he had the great honour of installing him as W . M . The lodge was then over So in strength , and they were still growing with members of the right sort , and they were particular as to whom they receive d as initial es . He was pleased to be the Secretary of such an important Iodge , and to have the confidence of the members .

The W . M . gave "The Officers , " and said they were all goo d , which no one could deny , and he was proud of his staff . The S . W ., Bro . F . C . Lintott , held a similar office in another lodge , and he was competent to go into the chair at once , as also was the J . W ., Bro . W . Banks , who was a tower of strength , and he coupled . their names and that of Bro . G . Schilling with the toast . Bro . F . C . Lintott said that if when the time came it fell to his privilege to be elected Worshipful Master , it would be a great honour to him to occupy the chair of that —his mother—lodge .

Bro . W . Banks , J . W ., stated that after the kind words of the W . M . it urged one to go forward , but he was certainly not the tower the W . M . would make them believe he was ; anyway he would do his best , and follow , if possible , the splendid men and Masons who had gone before him . Bro . Schilling also acknowledged the toast , and said that as a very young officer he would do his utmost for the lodge , and he hoped to bring in some initiates and a few joining members .

As a last word the W . M . said that he felt he must refer to the case of Bro . Very , and he earnestly hoped the members would do their utmost to get him elected at the next election for the Old People , and they would never regret their efforts . During the evening a telegram was received from the Treasurer , Bro . Blackburn , with hearty good wishes and kind remembrances to the W . M . and brethren . The Tyler ' s toast ended a happy evening .

During the proceedings Bros . Banks , Becker , Livett , Orfeur , Luker , A . H . Church , and Harry Greene vocally entertained the brethren , but to the last-named a word of praise is due for the artistic rendering of his songs , which were much appreciated . It was rather hard on the W . M . to have to preside at the pianoforte , but he did so with his usual ability .

Audley Lodge , No . 1896 . The installation meeting of this Iodge took place on Tuesday , the 26 th ult ., in the Assembly Room , Town Hall , Newport , Salop . The outgoing W . M ., Bro . W . Bromfield , assisted by Bros . J . Ashmore , P . G . S . B . ; T . Collins , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W . ; and W . J . Massey , P . A . G . P ., impressively performed the ceremony of installing the S . W ., Bro . Charles William Smallman , as W . M ., who afterwards invested his officers as follows : Bros . W . Bromfield , I . P . M . ; F . Finnis , S . W .: A . Featherstone , I . W . ; I .

Stanley Till , Chap . ; J . Bodenham , P . M ., P . A . G . D . C . Eng ., P . P . G . W ., Treas . j J . Smart , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., Sec . and Org . ; H . Percy Smith , P . M ., P . S . G . D . Staffs , S . D . ; E . F . Bennion , J . D . and Almoner ; T . Collins , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., D . C . ; J . B . Ball , I . G . ; G . I . Muirhead , P . M ., P . P . G . Reg ., Charity Rep ., and A . Featherstone , Stwds . ; and W . M . Sillitoe , Tyler . There was a small attendance in consequence of the extremely bad weather , snow having fallen heavily on the Monday and Tuesday . In addition to those mentioned

above , there were also present Bros . G . W . Walker , P . P . S . G . W . and Prov . G . Sec . Staffs ; H . G . A . Elliott , P . P . G . Reg . Shropshire ; and R . Williams , P . P . J . G . D . The handsome purple banner recently presented to the lodge by Bro . Williams was used on the occasion . By order of the lodge , a silver plate bearing the following inscription was attached to the pole : "Audley Lodge ( No . 1 S 9 G ) . Presented by W . Bro . Richard Williams , P . P . G . J . D . " Bro . Bodenham incidentally mentioned that in the 15 years of its existence the lodge and its members had contributed over £ 600 to the Charities .

A banquet of a recherche' character was afterwards provided by Mr . Granger at the Royal Victoria Hotel . The usual Masonic toasts were given and heartily received . The enjoyment was greatly enhanced by the songs , sketches , ' and ^ recitations ably given by Bros . I . Ashmore , E . F . Bennion , A . Featherstone , and H . Percy Smith .

Savage Club Lodge , No . 2190 . The installation meeting of this celebrated professional lodge was held on Tuesday evening at Freemasons' Hall , and was presided over by Bro . C . L . Carson , W . M . A large and distinguished company of brethren supported him , included in the list being Bros . Thomas Fenn , P . G . W . ; Sir John B . Monckton , P . G . W . ; R . Loveland Liveland , P . B . G . P . ; Archdeacon Stevens , G . C . ; J . H . Matthews , P . B . B ., P . D . G . D . C ; Sir J . R . Somers Vine , C . M . G ., P . M ., P . G . D ., Treas . ; F . West , P . G . D . ; E .

Letchworth , G . Sec ; J . Lewis Thomas , P . A . G . D . C ; Ebbetts , P . M ., P . G . S . ; J . D . Langton , D . G . D . C . ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; W . Lake , A . G . Sec ; Lennox Browne , P . D . G . D . C ; Col . C . H . Marshall , P . D . D . G . M . Punjaub ; C . F . Matier , P . G . Std . Br . ; R . Tucker , P . P . G . D . C . Berks ; T . A . Bullock , P . G . S . B . ; E . St . Clair , A . G . D . C ; F . Forty , P . G . D . ; W . F . Bromley , P . P . G . T . Notts ; A . Turner , P . P . G . S . of W . Bucks ; R . B . Sharpe , P . P . G . D . C . Bucks ; J . E . Bowen , Prov . G . Sec . Bucks ; L . S . McManus , P . G . S . ; J . Gibbs , P . P . G . T . West Yorks ; Passmore

Edwards , Ihomas Catling , P . M . ; J . Northcott , P . M . ; S . Rosenthal , P . M . ; W . J . Fisher , P , M . ; Walter Lestocq , James Catling , H . Lloyd , John Lobb , Geo . Conquest , Imre Kiralfy , J . A . Harrison , W . M . 2488 ; S . Johnson , W . M . 1319 ; E . E . Peacock , P . M . 1928 ; Barton Jones , W . M . 452 ; Oscar Barrett , P . M . 2127 ; A . Grace , W . M . 2521 ; H . Don White , W . M . 1 G 01 ; O . A . Fry , W . M . 2430 ; A . J . Cove , I . P . M . 1351 ; Patrick Rose-Innes , P . M . 2150 ; W . Bohm , P . M . 92 ; and H . Massey , P . M . C 19 and 1928 .

Bro . Carson , W . M ., installed Bro . Harry Nicholls , P . M . 2127 , S . W ., and W . M . elect , as W . M . of the lodge , and was himself invested as f . P . M . The other officers were : Bros . Harold Burke , S . VV . ; Eugene Barnett , J . W . ; Sir J . R . Somers Vine , C . M . G ., P . M ., Treasurer ; W . J . Fisher , P . M ., Secretary ; Charles Townley , S . D . ; W . L . Barrett , J . D . ; Wilton Jones , l . G . ; W . H . Denny , D . of C . ; W . Nicholl , Org . ; E . E . Peacock , P . M . 1928 , W . Rowley , E . Jones , and H . de Mosenthal , Stwds .

'Ihe brethren subsequently partook of a choice banquet at Freemasons' Tavern . The usual toasts followed , Bro . R . Morley , S . D . 2598 , acting as toastmaster . Bro . Harry Nicholls , W . M ., in giving the toast of "The Queen and the Craft , " said , The time has soon arrived , when , as loyal subjects and meliibers of the Savage Club Lodge , it is our duty to drink the health of Her Most Gracious Majesty Oueen Victoria ,

and upon this most interesting portion of her life and reign . I am sure this toast will be received with more than usual enthusiasm . Of her qualities as a lady , her gifts as sovereign of this country , I need not speak . Queen Victoria needs no favourable notice from me ( laughter ) . She is in brief , Queen other country , the mother of her people . I give you , brethren , "The Queen and the Craft . "

Bro . Harry Nicholls , W . M ., then said : Brethren , the next toast is one which I am sure you will receive with no less enthusiasm than the last , inasmuch as it is " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . " It is , of course , with the usual enthusiasm you will receive it as loyal subjects , and particularly so because the Prince of VVales is an honorary member of the Savage Club itself as well as of the lodge , and because he is a patron of all those liberal arts and sciences which are represented in the club .

Bro . Thomas Catling , P . M ., proposed "The M . W . Pro G . M , R . W . Dep . G . M . and the Grand Officers , Present and Past . " The Grand O . lkers had always shown tie utmost kindness and regard for the brethren of the Savage Club Lodge . Bro . Sir John Monckton , P . G . W ., responded . Bro . C . L . Carson , I . P . M ., proposed "The W . M ., " and in doing so said there was at that moment an anxious throng at the Adelphi Theatre waiting to see a celebrated actor . The W . M . of the Savage Club Lodge was a celebrated actor . He ( Bro . Carson ) was not advertising him ; a long and beautiful speech he had prepared for him but he had to cut it short . He thought all the brethren knew Harry Nicholls as a man