Original Correspondence.

ssion of his former rank . Rule 25 , page 66 B . C ., reads thus : — " Each lodge shall annually mnkc a return to tire Grand Secretary of thc Masters , Wardens , and Prist Masters of the lodge , and of all members who claim to be entitled to attend the Grand Lodge as Past Masters , having served the office of Master in some other lodge , and spi cify ing the lodge in which each of them has served the

office of Master . " Obviously the above arc Vast Masters whose rights of membership in G . L . have lapsed through not contributing . It would also appear that on such brethren becoming affiliated to another lodge , they are to be returned as Past Masters , in support of their claim to attend Grand Lodge ; otherwise , if they were contributing members sf the lodge wherein they served as Master , they

would also be members of Grand Lodge , and entitled to attend as such , and consequently the rast sentence of the above rule would be unnecessary , viz ., " and no brother shall be permitted to attend the Grand Lodge unless his name shall appear in such return . " There is nothing here about his " again serving as Master of a lodge . " Then , as to the usages and customs of the Order , would

anyone dream of refusing admission to a well-known Past Master to participate in the ceremony of installation , simply on the ground of his r . ot being a sub 5 ciibing member ? Further , it has been already determined that such an one is eligible to the hig hest office in the Royal Arch . Therefore , the new statute of the Knights Templar is nothing more than an embodiment of the spirit and

intention of the Antient Law of Craft Masonry as regards Past Masters . To wit , every Master who has executed that office for one year shall be a Past Master for life , and shall be a member of Grand Lodge , " and have a light of voting in the great body , or Parliament , cf the Order , " so long as he continues to subscribe to some lodge , " Nay , he

may cease to do so for any Ier gth of time , " but so scion as his name becomes placed on the roll of a regular lodge his rights and franchise revive . " I remain , yours fraternally , HENRY INCIIIAH , P . M . Batley , Dec . 20 th , : 87 s . P . Z . 258 ; H . 1214 .

[ Onr correspondent is entirely wrong . If i , e will look at law 18 , section 1 , Book of Constitutions , he will see that any P . M . ceasing to subscribe for twelve month * -, forfeits his privileges , and cannot regain his scat in Grand Lodge until he is again installed Master of a lodge , and is , in fact , again a subscribing member . There is no clearer

or better known law in Masonry , and we wonder much that Bro . Ingham should be so oblivious of thc Book of Constitutions . Section 25 , p . 69 , applies to another state of affairs , and presupposes that none of the P . M . 's have lost their privileges . If these privileges are forfeited they can only be regained in one way—re-installation . —Kn ]

GRAND LODGE OF ALL ENGLAND . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — In reply to Bro . Ilughan , will you permit me to say that he is perfectly right , and that lam wrong in speaking of my lodge as holding its warrant from the Grand Lodge of All England . I was led into the error by a reference in Mackey's Lexicon , stating that in past times there were

" two Grand Masters in England who assumed distinctive titles , the Grand Master of the North being called Grand Master of All England , while he who presided in the South was called Grand Master of England . " My ledge has a date previous to thc year 1 S 00 , and its jewel is of the same date . The warrant is from thc Yoik Grand Lodge . I should be glad to read Bro . Hughan ' s "Memorials of the Union " if he wil ! kindly let me know 11 here it is to be obtained . W . M .

THE COST OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE . To 1 / ie £ ili ( ov nf ( Ire Freemason . Dear'Sir and Brother , — At page 573 , December 18 th , of your columns , and in the report of a lecture by the Rev . Mr . Agnew , delivered at Auckland , New Zealand , I find the reverend lecturer stating that the cost of Solomon's Temple amounted

to no less a sum than nine hundred and forty-three millions of pounds sterling ! Where our learned brother got that p iece of information I know not , unless , indeed , he is a bit of a spiritualist , ancl the ghn . it or spirit of Hiram Abiff's e'erk of works being in a jocular mood sent it to him . As to his other statement , that "The true origin if Masonry lay in the Temple of Solomon , " I fear it will

also have to be taken cum trrano sahs . Turning to page 596 , December 25 th , I find another brother under no less formidable a cognomen than "A Provincial P . M ., " gravely informing " such of \ cur readers as may not be aware of it , that St . Alban formed the first Grand Lodge in Britain iu A . D . 287 , 3111 ! King Athelstane granted a charter to Freemasons in 926 , the same year in

which Prince Edwin formed a Grand Lodge at York . " As his authority for these wonderful assertions , " A P . P . M . " mentions the " Freemason . " Now as a constant reader of , and pretty frequent contributor to , the pages of the " Freemason , " I was not aware of this before , and I greatly fear that our no doubt worthy brother is drawing rather largely upon his imagination , and that he has ( ailed to read the

columns of the " Freemason ' . ' with due discrimination between quoted fictions and publi s hed facts . Before " A Provincial P . M . " rushes into print again , talking nonsense , I would respectfully hint that it might do him no harm to get a little better posted up in the subject hy sending Bro . Kenning a little of his spare cash , who ,

in return , would send him some reliable information in such works as those by Findel , Hughan , and Lyon . Perhaps , also , our brother might do worse than send up his name as a subscriber to the New Encyclopaedia . Yours fraternally , W . P . Been AN . Glasgow , December , 29 , 18 ?; .

Original Correspondence.

CAN A TYLER VOTE : 'iridic Editor of lhc Frrt . tr . ason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Thc letter signed by Bro . Kenneth R . H . Mackenzie , which appeared in \ xur issue of January 1 st , 18 7 ( 1 , strrtes in lhc third page that ther Grand Secretary informs him ,

" The Grand Tyler is ( scarcely ) considered a Grand Officer , and , from his situation ancl ' . duties , whether as Grant ! Tyler , or Tvlcr of a private lodge , ii is impossible for him to lake- part in discussions , and , if be cannot do this , his vote , even if it were conceded to him as such , would not be of much avail . "

I cannot understand why " scarcel y " is used ; the Grand T yler is , or is not , a Grand Officer ; firstly , if he be not a ( i > and Officer , why does Grand Lodge permit him to wear Grand Lodge clothing ? secondly , if he be not a Grand Officer , why is the title " Grand " Tyler given to him in the Book of Constitutions , page 41 ? thirdly , if Ire be net a Grand Officer , why is the print Of the jewel to be worn

by him in the Book of Constitutions ? fourthl y , it he le not a Grand Officer , why are his duties as Grand T yler laid clown in the Book erf Constitutions ? ( vide page 41 . ) The Grand Tyler ( and all other Tylers ) retains bis membership , and all privileges of Grand Lodge , as a P . M . and a subscribing member of a lodge ( vide Book of Constitutions , page 18 , par . 1 , also page 37 , par . 1 , last

four Plies ); consequently be has his vote , and 1 should think , rig ht of discussion , the same as any other member , but it would not be quite in good taste for any paid officer rf Grand Lodge , to enter into discussion in Grand Lodge . Tylers are not balloted for , therefore they are not members of the parlicu ' ar lodge they tile , indeed , if I understand

( he Book of Constitutions , no brother can possibly be a member of a lodge unless Ire has been regularly balloted for , ( vide Book of Constitutions , pajje 83 , par . 1 . ) except an initiate , and then only provided he express his wish ( to be a member ) on thc day of his initiation , ( vide Bock of Constitutions , page ( is , par . 13 . ) I fear our worthy Bro . Mackenzie must have

misunderstood the Grand Secretary , and 1 should like to sec an official answer to the qucsli- n , as it must necessarily affect a great number of brethren acting as T ylers , and the Grand Tyler in particular , as they cannot possibly > nter into the matter with good taste . 1 am , dear Sir and Brother , vours fraternally .

J ANIKS WEAVKII , P . P . G . Org ., Midx ., P . M . 862 and 1 . 319 , & c . [ We have reason to believe , tbat Bro . Mackenzie is in error in attributing the opinicn he has quoted to our worthy Grand Secretary . The opinion he c \ pressed has up official weight , and must be considered ns Bro . Mackensie's individual deliverance on the maltter . —F . n . l

PROPER I'SE OF NAMES . To Ihe Editor of the Fnrma . m 11 . Dear Sir niid Brother , — The remarkable " | i . rper " issuing from the head quarters of the " Order of the Temple , " ancl published in the " Freemason " of the 25 th ult ., after remarking that " it is strange to find men persistently advocating

the perpetuation of an historical ein r , ' ' gees on Instate that " the equivalent designation of the Hospitallers was Commander and their estates were called Commanderies , where as those of thc Templars were termed Preceptories . " The Charter of Philip and Mary , wbich restoied in England the Order of St . John of Jerusalem , contains the following passage— " Ac clilectos nobis Ricardum Shellev

Turcupuler Turcupulcrium commendse scu praceptoritc de Slcbichc et Halston , commendatorem sen prarccptorem , Petrum Felices de la Nuca ballivatum de Aquilr ' t ballivum , Cuthbcrtuni Laithrn de Newland , Edwardum Browne de Templum-Bruer , Thomam Thorntll de Willoughton , Jacobum Shelly de Temple-Combe , et Oliverum Starkey tic Qucnyngton , ctinm Commendatores scu Prtcceptores

cjusdem Hospitnlis ordinavit et prarfecit . " A feilio copy in my possession of ' ' English Houses of the Knights Hospitalars of St . John of Jerusalem , " published in 181 7 , by Longman ancl Co . and Joseph Harding , gives a list oi 53 preceptories of the Hospitallers , and Re - ferences are adduced in support of the notice of almost every preceptory . I will quote one or two : —

" Transcripta ortnrum et aliorum instrumentorum Ballivtc de Sauudford orclinata ct coadunata tempore lralris , Robert ! le Escrop tunc ( Scil . A . D . 1274 ) pisccrptnris ibid cont fol . 113 MSS . in Bibl . Bodl . Oxon . Wood 10 . " " Rentale , \ c , per sacramentium tenentium et residentium infra dominica Pia-ceptoria ; de Saumpford , 14 Feb ., 1512 ; fol . MS . in Bibl . Corp . Chiisti . Oxon . "

Again , de tenis in Com . Ebor . ad Pneceptoriam de Ribstane . " And , " Quod licarius de Thoip juxta Stow debet pcrciperedc Pra-ceptorede Willoughton quinque Marcas annualim . " ( Claus 16 , Edw . IL , M . 10 . ) And , "the latter term ( preceptories ) was in use by both Orders . " ( Templars and Hospitalars ) .

Let me add a modern instance . The Sandilands , Lords of Saint John of Torphichen , arc , I believe , to this day hereditary Preceptois of Torphichen of the Order of St . John of Jerusalem , by virtue of letters from Queen Mary , to whom Sir James Sandilands , Knight of Malta , in 15 ( 14 handed over ce-rtain property of that Order . Without here going into the question of the promulgation of error by those who , in their desire to advocate

unsound doctrine , adopted the view that they " might call themselves Masonic or not , as they pleased , " 1 ask your readeis to consider whether it be the authors of the " paper " of November , 18 75 , or those who object to their proceedings , who " persistently advocate the perpetuation of an historical error . " I am , dear Sir and Brother , fraternally jours , I CHAS . J . BURGESS .

Consecration Of The Lodge Of Emerald Hill, Victoria, Australia.

CONSECRATION OF THE LODGE OF EMERALD HILL , VICTORIA , AUSTRALIA .

On Monday , 2 j ; tb October , 18 75 , thc most important ceremony ever held in thc district took place at the George Hotel , Coveiitry-strcet , 011 the occasion of the consecration and erection of the- Lodge of Emerald Hill , under the Grand Lodge of Scotland . The ceremony and its surroundings

will always be remembered with pleasure by all who had the honour of being present . The bretbien signing the petition were all well-known ar . d respected in the Craft , and from the very favourable start the new lodge has made it promises to be second to none in the colony . Worshipful Provincial Substitute Grand Master , Bro . De Gruchy ( in the absence of Bro . A . K . Smith , Provincial Grand

Master , through illness ) , opened the Provincial Grand Lodge of Scotland , assisted by that veteran ancl enthusiastic officer , Bro . li . VV . Lowry , nnd the Rev . J . Stobbs , V . W . Provincial Grand Chaplain . The following Grand Officers were also present : —Bros . Joseph Cahill , W . P . G . S . VV . ; E . Parnell , W . P . G . | . W . ; C . R . Martin , P . G . S . D . ; D . Nicholson , P . G . J . D . ; VV . Elms , P . G . Treas .: G . F .

Martin , P . G . Bard ; D . A . McNicoll , P . G . I . G . ; William Gane , P . G . Director of Ceremonies ; John Robertson , C . F . Erichson , and II . Kelson , P . G . Stewards ; VV . St . John Caws , P . G . Organist , aud ethers , by whom the solemn ceremony of consecration was very ably performed . There were about thirty Installed Masters present , representing the most important lodges in the province . In courtesy to

their neighbours , the VV . M ., Bro . A . Hart , with the P . M . 's and officers of the Yarra Yarra Lodge , held in the same town , were also invited and were present . The impressive ceremony was considerably enhanced by a grand organ , and the vocal efforts of several musical brethren , under the

direction of Bro . Thomas Ford . After the dispensation hail been read and some remarks made by the V . W . P . G . Chaplain , the ofiicers and members of the new lodge were presented , and after the following beautiful Masonic hymn had been rendered by the choir , the Provincial Grand Lodge was closed : —

10 Heaven s high Architect all praise , A'l praise , all gratitude be given ; Who deign'd the human soul to raise , By mystic secrets sprung from Heav ' n . Great Architect , receive our praise , And hear when we our voices raise ; To thank Thcc for thy gracious care , And for the love all Masons share .

To Thee we , look with thankful heart , Rejoicing that ' tis eVn our part ; In humble faith to seek to grow , And do Thy will while here below . May all our acts Thy glory prove , May we be worthy of Thy love ; Be it , O God , our constant aim , To live in honour of Thy name .

Time may Fieemasonry extend With 'I hee , O Lord , its greatest friend ; And fostered by Thy mighty hand , Built on a rock ' . for ever stand . "The Lodge of Emerald Hill" was then declared open

and Bro . Robert Patterson Negus was presented and dul y installed as the first R . W . M . of the lodge—the ceremony being performed in Bro . Lowry ' s well-known impressive manner , after which the following brethren were installed as the first efficcrs of the lodge : —Bros . Joseph

Cahill , VV . D . M . ; D . McNicholl , W . S . M . ; Wm . Marshall , W . S . VV . ; Thomas Ford , W . J . VV . ; J . H . Horner , Treas . j A . L . Crone , Sec . ; J . Robertson , S . D . ; C . Dungey , J . D . ; Wm . Smitham , I . G . ; L . Levy , T yler . The whole of the ceremony of consecration and installation was exceedingly striking and effective , and many will remember it as the inauguration of a lodge which is sure to prosper . The

Provincial Grand Officers then retired , and after the names of a number of candidates bad been submitted , the lodge was closed in due form . The brethren , numbering nearly sixty , then adjourned while ihe installation banquet was being laid on the tables . The following is a list of the loasts , which were proposed in telling terms , and responded to with the greatest loyalty : — " ' 1 he Queen and Craft , "

"The Tluee Worshipful Grand Masters" ( H R . H . the Prince of Wales , Duke of Abercorn , and Sir M . K . S . Stewart ) , " The District and Provincial Grand Masters , under England and Ireland , and llieir officers ; " " R . W . P . G . M ., of the Scotch Constitution and their Officers , " coupled with the name of Bro . De Gruchy ; "The R . W . M ., Bro . R . P . Negus . " Thc proposer of this toast

eulogised the services rendered by Bro . Negus , in every degree of Masonry , which was fully endorsed by all presert , I the toast being most enthusiastically received . In repl y Bro . Negus remarked that he considered that it was a great honour in being installed first Master of the new lodge , % vhich , with the assistance of the efficient staff of officers he had been fortunate in obtaining ,

he intended making a pcifect lodge , one which may be looked upon as a model with respect to the working . The next toast was that of " Thc Installing Master . " Every one present was aware of the interest Bro . 11 . VV . Lowry had always evinced towards Masonry , and his readiness at all times to further its interests in every possible way . Bro . Lowry replied in a few feeling and appropriate remarks . 'Ilie "Visitors" was next given and heartily

responded to , Bro . W . Small , P . M . 714 , E . C , making a very happy and telling speech on their behalf . "Our Musical Brethren" followed , land Bro . Exon , P . M . 714 , E . G ., replied . In doing so , he spoke of the advantage to thc ceremony , when music was properly rendered by a choir . From the number of musical brethren residing in the district , and who at the present time give one of the metropolitan lodges the benefit of their services , a very complete choir might be formed in the new lodge , thus