Original Correspondence.

—" ~ " THE MACE FUND . fWe are g lad to publish the following , wishing the good . L f the appeal all success . —ED . ] object or ^ vv EdUor gf . the „ Freemason n Dear Sir and Brother , — _ We have much pleasure in announcing that our , behalf of the above fund has been so far successppeai u Ehrf ci

a HTQ / V . in , „ of ., „„ ., v f l as to have enabled Mr . Mace to study at Queen ' s College , Cambridge , during the last six months . Me has passed his preliminary examination , and will be fficiently prepared by a few months further study to S " itergo his final examination prior to presenting himself f 0 r ordination . thus farthc brethren will

We feel that , having gone , ot allow the fund to lack support for so worthy an object " assisting one of our Masonic boys , who , having carried % tlie silver medal and Maybury prize at our school , Pursued his studies , at his own expense , after his day ' s work was done , in the evening classes at King ' s College , London and there , by hard work , gained the Divinity

, ori / . e , several first-class ceitificates , and the associateship of that college . We feel , therefore , justified in asking for further subscriptions , which we hope to receive soon , as the fund at present is entirely exhausted . We are , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , W . PORTLOCK DADSON ,, Treasurer .

FREDERICK BINCKES , Sec . R . M . I . B . MISUSE OF MASONIC EMBLEMS . To the Editor nf the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Allow me to call the attention of the Craft , ttiroufc h the columns of your excellent journal , to the

increasing use , or rather misuse , ' of the venerated emblems , of our Order . On bill-heads , business cards , signboards of public houses , Sec , Sec , are to be found Masonic emblem , simply for the purpose of tr ^ de . This I believe to be against the spirit of our Constitution . The harm done in this way would not , perhaps , be so gr-at , were it not

that a great many persons who are not Masons make use of these signs without , of course , having any right whatever to do so . This I know as a fact , several cases having come under my notice lately . But , I think , the greatest misuse which has been made of our well-known symbols , is that to which I now call your special attention .

There is a medical pamphlet called thc "Golden Casket , " or " Guide to Health " ( issued by a firm of gentlemen , the name of one of whom recalls the shutting up , hy thc police , of an anatomical museum some time ago ) , distributed about the streets of Li . ndoi . On the front page of this most offensive pamphlet arc to be found the usual

Masonic emblems , doubtless with a view to drawing some poor un . vary brother into their meshes . Really , this parading of our ancient and venerated symbols is fast becoming a crying evil , and , in my humble opinion , some steps should at once be taken to put an

end to it . I am not the only person who has remarked this growing evil , and , has noted the harm it does , by lowering , in the opinion of outsiders , and even of members , cur gtaiul and glorious Order . Vours fraternally . C . F ., Lodge of Asaph , No . 131-9 .

THE EXCLUSION OF THE HEBREWS . To Ihe Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — As the letter of Bro . Findel confirmed my letter to you in the Freemason of the 28 th of April in its whole substance , I think I am justified , for the sake of fair

play , to hope that you will give me thc satisfaction of men . tinning in your next issue that my statements were throughout correct . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , J . STRAUSS , Chaplain of Harmony , 600 .

BRO . CONSTABLE'S DRAWING , ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

To the Editor of thc Freemason . Bear Sir and Brother , — As you kindly inserted a letter from me some time ago , inviting our fiiends to assist in raising the " One Thousand Pound ' s Fund , " on which my friend , Bro . Constable , has set his mind , will you not add to the favour

tyi 'ny stating that unless all the counterparts arc returned on or before Wednesday , the 13 th inst ., they will be too late for the drawing , which will take place that evening , as announced on the tickets . I am most anxious as to lhls , because several of my friends have not yet made a return of the tick'ts sold , and the counterparts should be

'" ' cast by thc 11 til inst ., to allow of time for registrat ion . It ; 3 a work 0 f considerable magnitude , and 1 am "lighted there is every prospect of such a grand total list a A . 1000 being realized . 1 understand that the result of the draw will be adverted m thc Freemason . >"" rs fraternall y , WM . J AMES HUGHAN . P . G . D .

AN ERRATUM . ~ To the Editor of the " Freemason . " IJrar Sir and Brother , — ( Jf ,, fhc communication respecting the Grand Lodge I'M U "I ' rwas fror " our good Bro . James Horner Neilson ,

/ , ' ,. „ Ifln , is H . Bilson , as it is erroneously stated in the ' ^" "" of 2 nd June . on i ] i ' |) ' a ' ^ typographical errors in my article s ''qu , ruv \ G , Lo ,, S ° f Kcnt > but mostly of little con-V' / ie r ' ^ he scnt ( - ' nce as to Recorders should read Keep . /"'" . ^ S'slrars ( i . e ., of Kent ) were termed Record J- « until 18 39 , the word now being intended fortm-e . Y " » " fraternall y , W . J . HUGHAN .

Original Correspondence.

THE RIGHT OF VISITING . We have been requested to publish the following Correspondence : ¦ — [ COPY . ] Meridian Lodge No . 1469 , E . G ., Cradock , South Africa ,

November 25 th , 1876 . The Grand Secretary , Freemasons' Hall , London . Very W orshipful Sir and Brother , I beg respectfully to draw your attention to a bye-law of this lod ge in its relation to the Constitution . Article " Visitors . "

The bye-law is as follows : — " No brother residing in Cradock shall be allowed to visit the lodge more than once without becoming a joining member "—and is confirmed by the Acting D . G . Master under date Capetown , August , 1874 . A respectable Mason residing in this town , who is a subscribing member of a lodge in another district ,

presented himself as a visitor at our last regular meeting , being the second occasion on which he had visited the lodge . The question arising whether , under the above bye-law , this visiting brother could be admitted , the W . M ., Bro . W . Stoner Leigh , held that , notwithstanding the bye-law , under the Constitution , Article Visitors , Sections 2 and 3 , the lod ge could not refuse to admit him . That

as Section 2 ( page 89 ) declares " it is within the power ' of the lodge ' to refuse admission to any brother of known bad character , " the obverse of the proposition must be maintained , that "it is not within the power ofthe lodge to refuse admission to a visitor who is not of known bad character , " presuming him , of course , to be otherwise

properly credentialled . And that as Section 3 states , " A brother who is not a subscribing member to a lodge shall not be permitted to visit any lodge in the town or place where he resides more than once during his secession from the Craft , " the obverse must also be held good that a brother , who is a subscribing member to a lodge , shall be permitted to visit any lodge in the town or place where

' Tha W . M ., while fully approving of the intentions of the bye-law referred to , one of which was to prevent residents in Cradock from passing by the lodge in their own districts , and applying to lodges at a distance , where they might not be so well known , or where the fees might be less , ruled that though this bye-law had been confirmed by the Acting D . G . Master , yet , being in opposition to the

Constitutions , it must give way , and is , in fact , of no effect whatever in the case of a brother who has not seceded from the Craft . The visiting brother in question was accordingly admitted . I am now instructed by the W . M . to lay this ruling before you , so that , if right , it may be confirmed , and that the lodge may be properly truided for thc future .

Should thc bye-law be maintained , a possible issue presents itself . The visiting brother referred to might apply for admission as a joining member , and , in case he were rejected , he would be virtually debarred from Masonic communication with his brethren , though a recognised member of the Craft—a heavy penalty to pay for the error in judgment that he probably committed when he

became a Mason in applying to a lodge at a distance for admission and not to the lodge in his own town . I am , Very Worshipful Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , ( Signed ) THOMAS R . SMALLMAN , Secretary .

P . S . —The question appearing to be of some general importance , as involving the right of visitors , on which the Book of Constitutions is not very explicit , I am also directed to request your permission to publish your reply in some Masonic journal for the benefit of the Craft . ( Signed ) J . R . S ., Sec .

Meridian Lodge , No . 1469 , E . C . Cradock , South Africa , November 29 th , 1876 . Thc Grand Secretary , Freemasons' Hall , London . Very Worshipful Sir and Brother , —

Referring to my letter of the 25 th inst . ( per this mail ) , ' the S . W . of this lodge being of opinion that the ruling of the W . M , Bro . Leigh , in the case referred to , was incorrect , thc W . M . has requested him to put in writing his reason for dissenting from such ruling , and holding that the bye-law in question is not opposed to the

Constitutions , or Ancient Landmarks of the Order , and , therefore , not inoperative ; and has instru : ted me to forward the same , that you may be more fully informed in thc matter . I am , Very Worshipful Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , ( Signed ) , THOMAS R . SMALLMAN , Secretary .

Cradock , 28 th November , 1876 . MINUTE . A brother from Albany Lodge , No . 589 , having applied for admission , for a second time , as a visitor to the Meridian Lodge , No . 14 C 9 , ard the W . M . having ruled that the lodge was bound to admit such brother , unless it could be shown that he was of known bad character , or had seceded from the Craft' ( vide Constitutions , Art . Visitors , Sec .

2 and 3 ) , I expressed my dissent from the ruling of the W . M . upon the following grounds , viz .: — 1 . The bye-law of the Meridian Lodge , No . 1469 , which expressly provides " no brother residing in Cradock shall be allowed to visit the lodge more than once , without becoming a joining member " is expedient and requisite in this town , where there is only one lodge , and some resident Masons not subscribers to it . 2 . That , in my opinion , there is nothing in the Con-

Original Correspondence.

stitutions , either in the article " Visitors " or in any other , to prevent the lodge passing such a bye-law . 3 . That the lodge having passed the bye-law , which was duly confirmed by the acting D . G . Master , is bound to enforce it until regularly altered or amended . The argument of the W . M ., that as Sec . 3 of the article " Visitors " prohibits a lodge admitting as a visitor more

than once a brother who has seceded from the Craft , therefore , the obverse rule must obtain , and that a lodge is bound to admit every visitor who is in good standing with the Craft , is not , in my opinion , a correct reading of the section , and , however genuine or politic such a construction of the section may be , I cannot see how it can be held to debar a lodge from passing a bye-law to the

contrary , as has beeu done by thc Meridian Lodge . Apart from the question of Bye-law 19 , and supposing it had not been passed , I am by no means prepared to admit that a lodge is bound to receive a visiting brother as often as he may wish to visit it ; it may do so as a matter of courtesy to the brother himself , or to the lodge from vvhich he hails , but ir is at the option of the lodge , I think ,

to receive him or not . In the case above referred to I must respectfully , but firmly , dissent from the ruling of the W . M ., and express my opinion that by Sec . 5 , of article " Private Lodges , " he is bound to observe and enforce Bye-law 19 . ( Signed ) J . E . GREEN , S . W . Meridian Lodge , No . 1469 .

Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C , ist March , 1877 . Dear Sir and Brother , — I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 25 th November , and the dissent of the S . W . of the 28 th November from the ruling of the W . M . of the Meridian Lodge , No . 1469 , relative to the admission of

visitors . I considered the question of sufficient importance to induce me to obtain the opinion of the Grand Registrar before answering it , and his opinion is to tht following effect : — " In my opinion the bye-law is bad , and must be rescinded . All Masons , whilst subscribing members of

lodges , have a right to attend a meeting of a lodge , unless their presence therein would disturb the harmony of the proceedings of the lodge . " The Book of Constitutions points out that it is in the power of the lodge to exclude persons of known bad character from entering a lodge . I think , however , that the right of denying admission to visitors is not limited to

persons of known bad character . On the contrary , in my opinion , if any Mason should present himself as a visitor to a lodge , and any member of that lodge should object to his admission on personal grounds , such as those pointed out in the ceremony ol initiation , I think the W . M . would be justified in refusing him admission . In the absence of any such objection , I think ' any bye-law which

enacts a general right to exclude is bad , and must be held to be null and void . In this particular case , the ruling of the W . M . should , in my view , be upheld . " You will be pleased to understand that the right of visitors does not extend to partaking of the refreshments of the lodge , unless invited to do so , but simply to its

working . I hope the opinion of the Grand Registrar , as above copied , will set the matter at rest . Yours fraternally , ( Signed ) J HERVEY , G . S . Thomas R . Smallman , Esq ., Secretary No . 146 9 , Cradock .

SCHOOL OF DRAMATIC ART . —The pupils of this institution gave two successful entertainments , on Saturday and Monday evenings , at Ripon House . The piece chosen for representation was W . S . Gilbert ' s , " Pygmalion and Galatea . " Miss E . Welshman as Galatea acted with great refinement , Mr . A . F . Lewis (

Pygmalion ) wasalso very successful . Mr . Ettison , who played Chrysos , thc Art Crilic , has all the elements of an excellent low comedian , and Miss Lee acted Daphne with great dramatic power . Miss Ricardo was excellent in parts . The performance altogether went smoothly , and there was throughout evidence of careful study and good training .

The late Southwark Conference created a demand for Compressed Tea beyond all expectations . Eminent Analysts declare it is only when tea is in its pure and native state tbat it will yield to pressure under hydraulic power . Thc London and Provincial Press unhesitatingly assert that if you want a cup of tea in perfection it must be brewed from tea that has been

Compressed . Economists advocate the use of Compressed Tea , and say if you want to get double the value out of your tea use it Compressed . Testimonials in thousands speak highly of the increased value and advantages in using the finely selected teas of the Compressed Tea Company ( Limited ) . Families arc making constant applications for the smallest wholesale quantity supplied , and say , " We

are compelled to send to the warehouse for Compressed Tea ; because thc tradesmen in our locality appear to know nothing of it ; and as one pound weight of Compressed Tea goes as far as two pounds weight of loose tea , we hope you will supply us . " Sold in handsome cabinets—lib . 2 s . Cd ., albs , ts ., 4 lbs . 10 s . —got up specially for the Easter trade as samples , carriage free to any part

of the kingdom . Works and Warehouse , 3 6 , Southwarkstreet , London . Arrangements have been completed whereby Tea dealers can have theie own blended anj selected teas Compressed at a nominal cost per pound for compressing . All applications for Agencies for the sale of Compressed Tea , or from traders desirous of opening up wholesale depots for the sale of Compressed Tea throughout the kingdom , must be addressed to the Secretary