Masonic Relics.

times some arrangement cannot be made between the Grand Lodge and the old Melrose body , so as to prevent any Masonic scandal , and the working of unrecognised parties . Trusting that this communication may tend to this desirable result . I remain , Yours fraternally , G . H . W .

believed tbat such an absurd and truly unmasonic regulation existed in any Masonic work . At our installation we state that " we admit that no innovation can be made in Freemasonry , & c , " and yet we find in the Book of

Constitutions itself , the most glaring , absurd , inconsistent , and suicidal innovation that could well be conceived ( Regulation No . i , on the " Rights of Visiting Brethren . " ) Glaring , because no Mason could read it and fail to see its absurdity ; absurd , because directly opposed to the noblest

principles of Freemasonry ; inconsistent , because it forbids us to do that which our oaths and obligations compel , and our hearts prompt us to do ; suicidal , inasmuch as it saps the very vitals of our institution , makes local that which

should be universal , prevents the development of those virtues taught by St . John the Baptist and St . John the Evangelist , and virtually deprives Masons of the greatest benefits and most beautiful privileges of the Order ,

I challenge any Freemason to prove that the regulation in question is either Masonic , just , or sensible . What can be the use of signs , grips , and words , if we are not to admit to our lodges any but those who are " perfectly known ? " How

is it possible for a stranger in a strange province or county to be " perfectly known ? " Five thousand years ago the " word " alone was deemed sufficient to travel into a " far country with . We hear nothing of diplomas and the " perfectly known " business in those days .

You state that every W . M . is bound to see the regulations enforced , and yet you assert that , according to your own experience , 99 out of every 100 lodges do not enforce it . Surely something must be radically wrong ? Either the regulation should be struck out of the Book

of Constitutions , or it should be enforced by every lodge . On this side the Tweed we are allowed more latitude . It is not often that any proof is required , and still more seldom that a diploma is required to be shown . I have visited over

twenty lodges in and around Glasgow , and never was tested , and then not half tested , but once , and on no occasion have I been asked to produce my diploma . I care but little for documentary evidence myself . That could be forged . But when a Mason can prove himself" good and

true " and pass himself on all points , I know he has been taught . Strangers such as these , and those only who can prove themselves , will be admitted in any lodge over which I may have control , no matter from whence they hail . I am , Sir , fraternally yours , THOMAS STRATFORD , R . W . M ., of Lodge

Glasgow Melrose St . John ' s , No . 1 , and member of 106 , New York and 441 , Glasgow . Glasgow , Jan . 20 th 1874 .

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUPION FOR BOYS . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I beg to remark that the appointment of a non-Mason as Instructor at our Institution , the Boys' School , is an encroachment on our rights , and calls loudly for protest from the Craft .

A great many non-Masons are not only prejudiced against the Craft , but even enemies to it . Not wishing to detract in the least from the merit of the nominee , I do think that on principle he ought to be dismissed . We have many valuab / e and worth / brethren who would be

RIGHTS OF VISITING BRETHREN . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , I have never read the Book of Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of England , nor could I , on less reliable authority than your article of last week , on the above subject , have

Masonic Relics.

happy to assume a post , which ought to have been duly advertised for the benefit of the proper candidates : Yours fraternally , . G .

Opening Of A Masonic Hall. At Seaham Harbour.

OPENING OF A MASONIC HALL . AT SEAHAM HARBOUR .

On Tuesday night , 6 th January , the opening of the new Masonic Hall was inaugurated by a most successful ball . The Fawcett Lodge of Freemasons was consecrated on the 27 th of March , 1856 , now nearly 18 years ago , and ever since that time the brethren have held their

meetings at the Lord Seaham Inn . For the last four or five years , however , owing to tbe large increase in the number of members , the want of more commodious premises has been much felt . The members of the lodge , therefore , resolved to form themselves into a limited liability

company , and have erected a handsome and substantial building on the North Road , adjoining the Sea View Villas . With his usual liberality , the Most Noble the Marquess of Londonderry , P . M . of the lodge , and Fast Grand Warden of England , has come forward in a most handsome

manner , and greatly assisted the undertaking . Geo . Elliott , Esq ., M . P ., W . M . of the Avon Lodge , has also lent considerable aid . The building , which has just been opened , is in the Italian style of architecture , designed by Bro . Wm . Forster , W . M ., Architect , having a frontage

of 60 feet , with four pilasters , with cement and white glazed brick dressings , carved and moulded archiraves round the windows , the whole surmounted with cornice , pediment , and balustrading . The interior of the building consists ofon the ground floor—a large club-room ,

billiardroom , cellar , lavatories , residence for tbe attendants , & c . On the upper floor , the lodge room , forty feet long by twenty-two feet wide and seventeen feet hig h , with preparing and refreshment rooms . In rear of the building is a plot of ground which it is intended to

use as a quoit ground , and for other out-door amusements . The ball on Tuesday night was , as we have said , a great success . The lodge room was used for dancing , the club-room for refreshments , the billiard-room for card tables , and the smoking-roomTor the ladies' cloak-room .

The ball-room was very tastefully decorated with banners , evergreens , mottos , and green-house plants , the latter being most effectively placed no very beautiful brackets in leather work , the work of , and kindly contributed b y Bro . Shepherd , and Miss Watson , The ball was opened at nine

o ' clock by the W . M . and Miss Shepherd . Bro . H . B . Wright , officiated as M . C , assisted by Bros . Shepherd , Armstrong , and Wells . Dancing was kept up with great spirit till a late hour . Mr . Wetherall's band was in attendance , and refreshments of a first-class character were

supplied by Mrs . Taylor , of the King ' s Arm Inn . On Wednesday nig ht a juvenile party was given to the children of those present on the previous night , which afforded the rising generation an opportunity of enjoying themselves . This being the first regular meeting of this

lodge held at the New Masonic Hall , after having been opened by the above-named ball , under the presidency of the W . M ., Bro , Forster , who was well supported by his officers , and a numerous attendance , the lodge was opened in due form , and the minutes of the

last general lodge and emergency having been read and confirmed , the following gentlemen were balloted for and approved of , Mr . Jonathan Pearson and Mr . Jas . Clare , as candidates for intiation , also Bros . Henry Tomkinson , Robert Robertson , Frederick Maddison , Andrew Wickie .

and Gerald Bernard were admitted as joining members , " The candidates for initiation not being present , Bro . Scofield , a candidate for the F . C . degree , was then questioned respecting his knowledge of the former degree , which proved satisfactorv , he was

entrusted with the test of merit , and retired . The lodge was then opened on the square , and Bro . Scorfield was passed to the second degree . The lodge was then lowered to the first degree , when two brethren were proposed as joining members , afterwards a vote [ of thanks was passed with acclamation to Bro . ] W . A . Dawber ,

Opening Of A Masonic Hall. At Seaham Harbour.

of Hull , for his handsome present of a set of candlesticks , supplied from , the establishment of Bro . George Kenning , of London . The lodge was then closed with solemn prayer , and in harmony , and the brethren afterwards retired for refreshment .

Bro. Constable's " Draw."

BRO . CONSTABLE'S " DRAW . "

The novel process of securing subscriptions in aid of the Masonic Benevolent Institution for the Aged , projected by Bro . John Constable , produced its first fruits on Wednesday , the 21 st inst . The proceeds of the sale of 2000 shilling tickets were divided into ten life governorships of the institution . These were drawn forth in

the presence of a number of brethren at the Confidence Lodge of Instruction , held at the Railway Tavern , London-street , E . G ., immediately after the usual business had been

disposed of . Curiously enough , five of those who had purchased tickets at the last moment in the lodge room , held successful numbers . The following are the names of those who have been fortunate : —

No . 5 , Bro . W . Lane , Freemason ' s Hall . „ 14 , „ J . G . B ., 70 , Church-street , Greenwich . » 433 > » Fitzgerald . „ 478 , „ R . Limpus , 41 , Queen-square . „ 1127 , „ £ . Gottheil , 120 , Mile End-rd .

, 1 * 37 » » D . Posener , 11 , Mansell-st ., E . „ 1704 , „ S . E- Moss , Lodge 185 . „ 16 92 , „ Jabez Garret , 79 ^ Watling-st . ,, 1889 , „ John Greenburgh , Surrey side , Ellesmere Park , Eccles , near Manchester .

„ 199 8 , „ Hollands , Leadenhall-st . The ' example set by Bro . Constable in this matter seems well worthy of consideration ; although " praised by some and blamed by others . " He had faith in his idea and pursued his course unflinchingly . With untiring industry and perseverance he brought his task to '• a successful conclusion .

Owing to the prevailing excitement , the meeting separated without according a vote of thanks to Bro . Constable , but gratitude is evidently due to that brother from all who subcribed , for the trouble he has taken in this matter , and especially so from those , who by his

means have attained to the honour and privilege of being Life Governors of tbe institution . They at any rate should always be prepared to aid , as is in their power , in any future attempt which may probably be made by him or others in the

same direction . For it must be borne in mind that however charitably disposed men are , it generally requires some energetic spirit to keep the sentiment of benevolence from becoming dormant , and guide and direct . in into its proper channel .

Masonic Bibliography.

MASONIC BIBLIOGRAPHY .

The book reported by Bro . W . J . Hughan in your paper of the 24 th , is not , I think , correctl y nor fully described . In a very carefully compiled catalogue of books on Freemasonry and other kindred subjects , in my possession , it is thus given : — " Cleland ( William ) . The way of

things by words , and to words by things ; being a sketch of an attempt at the retrieval of the ancient Celtic or Primitive Language of Europe ; to which is added a succinct account of the Sanscrit , or learned language of the Brahmins j

also two essays , the one on the origin of the musicial waits at Christmas , the other on the Real Secret of the Freemasons , 8 vo . pp . 130 , London , 177 6 . J OHN HOGG .

HOLLOWAY ' OINTMENT AND PILLS . —Disease in some shape is ever rife amongst mankind j impurity of the blood , or irregularity of function , is constantly giving rise to despondency , debility , or distempers . In the abovenamed remedies the community can have , at a little cost , the safe and certain means ot preventing or checking , and curing , both outward ailments and inward maladies

Amply , plainly printed , and very intelligible directions accompany every package of both ointment and pills , which only require attentive study to enable any invalid to be his or her own medical adviser . The earlici these powerful remedies are employed after discovery of the disease , the more rapid will be their action in expelling from the system all noxious matter , and restoring health , — ADVT .