Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

A THANK-OFFERING FOR LEIGH CHURCH . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , It may be interesting to note that Bro . William Beecroft , P . M Southern Star Lodge , No . 1158 ; P . M . St . Clement Lodge , No , 2442 ( Leigh-on-Sea ); and P . A . P . of the Province of Essex , presented a beautiful stained glass

window , which was unveiled on the 27 th ult . at the Cliff Town Church , Southendon-Sea , the subject being " The Miraculous Draught of Fishes , " the inscription beneath reading thus : " Presented by Mr . and Mrs . Beecroft ; a thankoffering to Almighty God for the mercies and blessings of a lifetime . " The work was executed by Mr . Mayer , of Munich . Sunnylawn , Leigh-on-Sea .

SOME NATIONAL AIRS AND THEIR ASSOCIATIONS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The writer of your article—see Freemason of June 29 th—speaking of a story of Janiewici ; in 1799 , says * . " The story is doubtless the product of a lively imagination , for cabby , though , perhaps , familiar with the convival strains , would hardly have associated them with the name of Marlborough . "

Possibly I But I doubt— It may interest your writer to know that , as a child , long before I knew " the convivial strains , " I knew , as a nursery song , the tune to the words " Marlbrook she went to the barber , " & c . When was the tune adapted to the " convivial strains ? " —Yours fraternally , S . R . B . June 30 th .

Reviews.

Reviews .

Tho Century Bible—Saint John—Edited by the Rev . J . A . McClymont D . D . ( Edin . ) . Edinburgh : T . C . and E . C . Jack , and all booksellers . 1901 . — This is the third volume of this remarkable series , those of " . Matthew" and " Luke" completing the trio so far issued . " Romans " will be the next . Everything is done to illustrate the fact of the Books of the N . T . being separate and independent compositions , rather than the single Volume as popularly accepted , and even in the order of publication , the usual arrang ement is not respected .

Typographically the pages are so managed as to considerably assist the reader , both as respects the side titles , and the different ki nds of type , according to editorial requirements , the result being most happy and suggestive . The Introduction by the Rev . Dr . Clymont , as well as the pithy and learned notes to the Revised Version ( The "Authorized " also being given ) arc simply invaluable , and as the tasty little volume can be had for a florin , the expense is so trilling , that the publishers deserve the heartiest support for the opportune issue of " The Century Bible . "

The Government and Old Age Pensions , by F . D . Perrott ( the Telephone Company Borough Printing Works , Regent-street , Smethwick ) , Price , 6 d . In this little pamphlet the author discusses the subject of Old Age Pensions in a practical manner and throws considerable light on various aspects of the subject . With regard to the political opinions enunciated it would not , of course , be fitting for a journal such as this to express any opinion .

The Freemason , words and song written and composed by Bro . T . Wilson Parry , M . A ., of the Dorothy Vernon Lodge , No . 2129 , and dedicated by permission to H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , K . G ., M . W . Grand Master ( Bros . George Kenning and Son , Great Queen-strcct ) . Price , is . Cd . nett . Our readers will find this song far superior to the usual vogue of Craft songs . The words are ot true poetic se ntiment and cadence , and thc music is deserving of equal praise .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1137 ] — CERTIFICATES OF A . D . 1790 . My pcod friend , Bro . C . Bamfylde Warre , the Honorary Secretary of the Masonic Library and Museum of Brighton , has sent me two old certificates to examine , which have just been presented to this very useful and ever ir . cieasing Society by Uro . H . Webb . The first concerns the Rojal Aroh , and the Super Excellent , and the other the K . T . ; it being the custom then , as it still is in the U . S . A ., to use the prefix Sir for the Knighthood .

CO "We the Revd . High Priest , Koyal Arch Captain , & c , & c , & c , of a Royal Arch Excellent Encampment , held in the Town of Kinsale , under the Sanction of Bczaleel regular warranted Select Lodge No 31 on the Registry of Ireland .

" Do hereby Certny that the Bearer hereof , our trusty and wellbeloved Brother J AMES HENDEKSON , a Past Master of our said Lodge No . 31 , was by us Install'd and Initiated into the Sublime Secrets of Rov Ai . A KCH Super Excellent Masonry , he having with due Honor to the Royal Craft , justly supported the mysterious and amazing Tryals of

skill and valour attending his admission into our Loouicanii ENCAMPMENT . And we therefore recommend him as a faithfull , just , honest , and worthy Brother ROYAL AKCH SUI-EU EXCELLENT MASON . Given under our Hands ar . d Seal of our Lodge and Encampment in Kinsale thi « 16 th day of March , 1790 . "

It is signed by the " R . H . P ., U . A . C ., F . G . M ., S . G . M ., T . G . M ., " and " Edward Bitty , G . S . " The seal , of red wax , is suspended from a wide ribbon of the same colour . The seal is a crest ( arm holding a Trowel ) with No . 31 under lhe bar , around being the name I 5 I **/ . ALKKI . SKLKCT LODGE ni * KINSALE . It is wholly written on parchment , some 12 inches by rt' . inches ; the calligraphy running the wide way . The other Certificate , same size and seal , only the latter is of black wax , an d ribbon also is black , runs as follows :

Masonic Notes And Queries.

"IN THE NAME OF THE MOST HOLY AND UNDIVIDED TRINITY We Chiefs of the Enlightened Men of the most Antient and Early General Assembly of Knights Templars held in the Town of Kinsale under the BEZALEEI , regular Warranted Select Lodge No . 31 , on the Registry of Ireland ,

'Do hereby Certify that our well beloved Brother Sir James Henderson ( the Bearer hereof ) was by us Initiated into the Degree of a KNIGHT TEMPLAR And that he performed all his Works amongst us to entire satisfaction of all the Brethren , therelore we recommend him to all the Knights Templars of the Universe IN FAITH AND TESTIMONY whereof we have hereunto put our Hands and Seal of our Assembl y this 16 th Day of March , in the year of our Lord 1790 . "

The document is signed by the G . M ., G . Cr ., G . Cn ., and the G . S ., the names being the first three officers of the chapter and the Secretary . Of course , 50 years older , or even 20 , would make these souvenirs of the past much more valuable but even though late as 1 790 they are interesting , and make a welcome addition to the important collection at Brighton , the able Secretary of which is always open for any such presentations , and the courteous and warm acknowledgments which are sure to follow would be likely to lead to still more gifts . W . J . HUGHAN .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Middlesex

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF MIDDLESEX

The annual meeting of this Provincial Grand Mark Lodge was held at the Ship and Turtle Tavern , Leadenhall-street , E . G ., on the 24 th ult ., when Bro . Sir Reginald Hanson , P . G . W ., Prov . G . Master , presided , supported by the following : Bros , the Earl of Euston , Pro G . Master ; Sir John Braddick Monckton , P . G . W ., Dep . Prov . G . Master ; Canon Brownrigg , Prov . G . Master Bucks ; the Rev .

W . Russell Finlay , P . G . Chap . ; W . M . Stiles , P . G . Treas . ; C . F . Matier P . G . W ., G . Sec . ; Clement Godson , G . S . O . ; Colonel Wyndham Hart , P . G . S . B J . E . Lane , G . S . O . ; Major-General Astley Terry , P . G . S . B . ; Major C . ] ' Knightley , P . G . S . B ., Prov . G . Sec ; James Linzell , Prov . J . G . W . ; Alfred Clark , Prov . G . O . ; N . Sherwood , Prov . G . O . ; E . 13 . I'Anson , Prov . S . G . D James Hill , Prov . J . G . D . ; Henry Longman , Prov . G . L of W .: H . Clark , Prov ! G . I . G . ; E . B . Preston , P . D . G . D . of C . Bengal ; G . Corderoy ; P . P . G . O . ; F . G

Ivey , P . P . G . D . ; J . M . Small , P . P . G . Reg . of Marks ; \ V . Metcalf , P . P . G . D . . W . Bailey , P . P . G . Std . Br . ; J . C . F . Tower , P . P . G . W . ; James Irvine , P . P . G . W . ; R . A . B . Preston , P . G . D . of C ; Spencer W . Morris , P . G . Std . Br . H . N . Roberts , P . G . S . ; E . Nash , G . S . B . ; A . Smith , P . G . D . ; G . H . Lewis , J . W . 494 ; B . Stocker , I . P . M . 236 ; W . Mial Green , I / O . - ? ; C . D . Hoblyn

W . M . 3 ; Forster , S . D . 3 ; J . H . Roach , P . M . Old Kent ( T . L ); A . D Hemming , I . P . M . 181 ; G . S . Aspinall , S . O . 181 ; J . W . Gibb , 350 ; C . Jacob , 494 ; W . Potter , 494 ; B . Johnson , 350 ; J . W . Ryan , j . S . Graham , S . A . Weeden , S . O . 236 ; Major R . S . Ellis , S . D . 494 ; C . Hansell , 504 ; F . W . Mitchell , S . W . 181 ; and many others .

Prov . Grand Lodge was opened by the Prov . Grand Master , and , after having been saluted , the Pro Grand Master then entered the lodge , and was received in due form . The minutes having been confirmed , the report of tha Audit Committee , showing a balance of £ 36 15 s . 2 . 1 ., was received , adopted , and ordered to be entered on the minutes .

Bro . C . D . HOBLYN , P . S . G . W . designate , prop osed the re-election of Bro . M . Stiles as Prov . G . Treasurer , and the no mination having been seconded by Bro . E . NASH , P . J . G . W . designate , was carried unanimously . The roll of lodges was called , 173 alone not being represented . The following were appointed as Prov . Grand Officers for the year :

Bro . Sir John Monckton , 448 ... ... Dep . Prov . G . M . „ E . D . Hoblyn , 3 ... ... ... p rov . S . G . W . „ Edw rd Nash , 504 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ Dr . Warren , 2 S 4 ... ... ... p v . G . M . O . „ A . O . Hemming , 1 S 1 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . O . „ Edwin Styles , 357 ... ... ... Prov . G . J . O . ,, Russell Finlav , 448 ... ... ... Prov . ( "J . Chun .

„ W . M . Stiles , 494 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . „ F . S . Toogood , 357 ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ C . J . Knightley , 2 S 4 ... ... ... Prov . G . Sec . „ James Hill , 181 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ Walter Potter , 494 ... ... ... l > rov . J . G . D . „ Henry Clark , 359 ... ... ... Prov . G . L of W .

„ W . A . Scurrah , 494 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ 13 . Stocker , 236 ... ... ... p rov . G . S . B . „ B . Johnson , 350 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . ,, G . S . Aspinall , iS 1 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ G . Gange , 284 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ F . G . Mitchell ... ... ... Prov . G . Tyler .

On the proposal of Hro . Rev . RUSSELI . FINLAY , seconded by Bro . W . PoTTiiR , the following were elected on the Committee of General Purposes : B-os . W . A . Scurrah , P . S . G . D ., P . P . G . W . ; Fitzroy Tower , P . A . G . D . C , P . P . G . W . ; J . Irvine , P . A . G . D . C , P . P . G . W . ; and Spencer W . Morris , P . G . Std . Br .. P . P . G . W .

Letters of regret fcr non-attendance were read from many distinguished brethren . Th Prov . Grand Lodge was then closed . Tie Prov . G . Master afterwards presided at a banquet , at the conclusion of which the following loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed : " The King" and "The M . W . Grand Master , H . R . H . the Duki of

Connaught . " The PROV . G . MASTER , in proposing " The Pro Grand Master , Dep . Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " said he felt greatly pleased at the presence of the Pro Grand Master in the lodge and at the banquet table , and he earnestly hoped that he ( the Pro Gran Master ) was satisfied wilh the way in which he found the affairs of the pro vince .

He very mucii appreciated his kindness in coming again amongst them , and he could assure him that whatever the province coul J do to promote the welfare of Mark Masonry would be done with the greatest of p leasure , and he took this opportunity of congratulating the Pro Grand Master upoii _ the honour conferred upon him by thc King , that of being appointed A . D . C W his Majesty .

Bro . the liarl of EUSTON , Pro G . Master , returned thanks , and said he was certain he was speaking the feelings of every Grand Ollicer present ( and there was , he was pleased to see , a large number ) when he slid they wished every success and prosperity to thc Prov . G . Lodge of Middlesex-It was a great pleasure to him personally to be present and congratulate his friend the Prov . G . Master upon having such a splendid attendance both m