Original Correspondence.

have become dormant . No Provincial Grand Master ever gives in a report , either written or verbal , of the condition of Freemasonry in his province . No question is ever asked whether the laws of Grand Lodge , Cap . 12 , Section 4 , has been carried out , and every lodge in the province visited . Grand Lodge Laws , Cap . 12 , Section 14 , enacts that if a Provincial Grand Lodge becomes dormant the

lodges in the district come under the immediate superintendence of Grand Lodge and Grand Committee . The Provincial Grand , Lodge of Berwickshire has been dormant for four or five years by the death of the Provincial Grand Master , and was practically dormant for four years before his death in consequence of bad health , and with these facts before them Gtand Lodge and Grand Committee

pay no more attention to Berwickshire than if it were a province in Timbuctoo . In fact , Grand Lodge laws are no more attended to than if they were an old song , and they appear * to be obeyed only when u thcy cannot be broken . In conclusion , if I have made any mistake in consequence of the darkness in which everybody and everything

is kept , I shall be happy to acknowledge and apologise to any one who may Seel aggrieved , but . I must have facts , and not mere assertions . I am , yours fraternally , ADAM THOMSON , S . P . G . M . Peebles and Selkirkshire , and Proxy Master for and R . W . M . of St . John ' s Lodge , Galashiels .

ADMISSION OF CANDIDATES . To Ihe Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Your correspondent , " West York , " simply refers to a custom which has been in operation in many parts of England for years , but which cannot claim to be even a check upon the evils complained of .

For instance , a gentleman applies to be admitted in West Yorkshire , and gives his address near Manchester . In order to have any effect , the circular referred to by "West York" would have to be sent to each of the thirty lodges in Manchester and suburbs , whereas , if a central committee were established , and copies of all the circulars calling the meetings of the lodges in the district sent to

them , they would be able to afford the information required at once , i . e ., supposing the would-be candidate had been rejected in any of those lodges . What we want , is some system to prevent such occurrences as the one referred to by " Somerset " in your issue ot a fortnight since .

Until there is some remedy " black sheep " will no doubt creep in amongst us , and by their nefarious practices bring the Order into disrepute . Yours fraternally , EAST LANCASHIRE . Manchester , 29 th Nov ., 1876 .

THE HOYAL INSTALLATION ENGRAVING . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — As many arc aware I have taken a special interest in the forthcoming " historical steel engraving ol the installation of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., as M . W . G . M ., " believing that in Bro . Edward James Harty ,

S . W . 1201 , we have an artist who will do justice to the subject , and who will produce a picture of the greatest Masonic event of this century in connection with Freemasonry in Great Britain . I have had the pleasure of sending many subscribers to the artist , at least , pleasure until lately . Within the last few weeks many are becoming most solicitous to seethe engraving . and have been in communication with me as to its

advent , a great many times , so much so that 1 felt it desirable to write to Bro . Harty for an explanation of the delay in its issue , and as doubtless the same anxiety is felt by many more of your readers I herewith give a few extracts from his reply of the ist December : — " I assure you that nothing that 1 could compass to insure it being brought out soonei has been left undone by me . Even as it is , no engraving that has ever yet been produced will have been accomplished anything like so quick as this will have been . ..

. . When 1 know that popular engravings with not one half the amount of labour will have taken a year longer than this will have done , I feel that I shall be absolved when it is published , as I am now positive it will be before the second anniversary . " Shortly a letter from the engraver and a communication from the artist will be sent to every subscriber ,

explanatory of the matter , which will be a step in the right direction , for evidently it is considered by many that an engraving of this character does not take the time it really does to insure perfection . Bro . Harty has all to lose by the delay , and the subscribers all to gain , as nothing short of real poitraits of the hundreds of biethren who attended the grand and Royal installation will satisfy the

aitist and engraver , no matter at what cost . I find there are still some twenty-five spaces open for portraits , and those in parts of the picture of consequence , so that it is desirable brethren who have not yet subscribed should lose no time in communicating with the artist , or , at all events , sending their cartes , as it

really rests with the Cralt whether all the faces shall represent brethren , or purely imaginative pictures . After April of next year the prices will be increased one third . Let this be noted . Yours fraternally , W . J . HIOIIAN , P . G . D .

THE UNITED ORDERS OF THE TEMPLE AND HOSPITAL . To the Editor if the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Allow me . ' to call the attention of my brother Knights I ' cmplar to the interesting and valuable address ot the

Original Correspondence.

Great Prior of Canada , Colonel McLeod Moore , which appears in this month's " Masonic Magazine . " Colonel Moore is one of our greatest authorities on Templar history ( albeit we may not entirely agree with his views as to the Protestant Knights of Malta ) , and as convent general meets on Friday next , the 8 th inst ., specially to

discuss certain matters treated of in his address , I venture to think it should be widely read by those who propose to go back to the beaten paths . Yours fraternally , EMiiA HOLMES , P . E . C ., Dec . 4 th , 1 S 7 6 , Past Grand Provost , Sec

THE MASONIC BROTHERHOOD . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In the " Rock" of November 25 th , there appeared from a writer styling himself "A Mason " the subjoined

letter attacking Freemasonry . I enclose the letter and a copy of my reply to it , which I sent to the " Rock . " I am , dear Sir and Brother , youis fraternally , M . KEITH FHITH . Temple , Dec . 5 th .

THE MASONIC BROTHERHOOD . Sir , —I notice an enquiry in your columns in reference to some of the rules of the above society . I have belonged to that brotherhood for a quarter of a century , and I have no hesitation in saying that its tenets and its practices have a very deleterious influence upon society at large , and that it exerts a very bad influence over the Christian

character ; and indeed 1 have come long since to the conclusion that it is very antagonistic to ! the spread of religion . I have observed that in many localities where Freemasonry rapidly advances spiritual religion invariably declines . I know of many instances where it has ruined individuals , and I cannot see how a thoroughly religious man can remain in the society . Its practices are in many

instances a mere travesty of the doctrines of Christianity , whilst in others it is a caricature . The only man who seems to understand Masonry appears to be the Pope , and this is the only thing in which I agree with him . He anathematizes them annually I believe . It has long been a marvel to me why clergymen can associate in such

gatherings , characterized as they are by feasting and revelry . It is one of the things which are a great hindrance to the advancement of true spiruual religion , and needs showing up in its true character . Its show and finery attract young men of the world , as the coats of many colours do the young clerics—but both are a delusion and a snare . A MASON .

To the Editor if the "Rock : " Sir , —May 1 so far trespass on your courtesy as to ask for the insertion of this letter in reply to your correspondent of Nov . 2 sth , and in answer to your own enquiries respecting Freemasonry ? 1 hope and believe that your readers will not accept the unsupported assertions and wild charges of your correspondent against an ancient and illustrious

Order . Freemasonry , I say , in answer to your enquiries , is an institution founded upon and teaching the purest principles of morality , and has well been said to be " great in the eyes of the generous , good , and honest , nothing to the narrowminded , the wicked , the faithless , everything to the wise and virtuous , nothing to the ambitous , covetous , and false . " " Love as brethren , " irrespective of the

narrowing distinctions of race , nation , or creed , is a cardinal point of Masonic doctrine . And it is well known that no other institution in the world can boast with truth , as Freemasonry can , and does , of affording a common basis—a neutral ground—where the Christian of all sects , the Jew , the Mahommedan , the Buddhist , the Brahmin , and the Parsce—in fact , all creeds , all nations , which acknowledge

the existence of a Supreme Being—meet in love , brotherhood , and harmony . Freemasonry is not opposed to Christianity in any sense ; on the contrary , all the moral doctrines of the Order are in unison with that creed . This world-wide fraternity , however , professes universality , and having men of all creeds and climes under its

banner , cannot , without causing dissension , teach any distinctive form of religion , and therefore in noway identifies itself with any religious sect . Whilst individual Freemasons hold their own religious views , the Order as a whole , professing no preference for any one creed , desires toleration for all . If your correspondent has ever been at a Masonic lodge of instruction he certainly did not hear

any doctrine taught there which ( to use his own words ) would have " a deleterious influence upon society at large . " On the contrary , Freemasons are taught to be regular and just in the performance of their civil , moral , and religious duties . Your correspondent either knows nothing of Alasonic teaching , which he so boldly condemns , " in which case he writes about that of which he knows nothing , and

consequently writes nonsense ; " or , knowing the glorious tenets of Masonry , he has deliberately and wilfully chosen to misrepresent them . I wish he had a small share even of a great virtue prominently and earnestly taught by the Craft to all its members—1 mean charity—for if he had , 1 think he would have displayed bis "Christian character" and " spiritual religion " in a more truly Christian manner than

by " unchristianising thousands of his fellow men , simply because they are Freemasons , forgetting that men of the most undoubted piety , and most faithful members of the church , have gladly joined , and still belong to our maligned Order " ( Sec " Defence of Freemasonry , " by the Rev . A .

F . A . Woodford , M . A ., Past Grand Chaplain ) . Is it likely such men would remain amongst us if Freemasonry wcre really the pernicious institution your correspondent alleges it to be ? And if they are present at Masonic banquets , can it be supposed that they would continue to attend those social gatherings if they deemed them un -

Original Correspondence.

worthy of their sacred calling , Vand derogatory to their holy profession ? 1 admit that Pecksniff , Mawworm , Stiggins , et id genus oninc , are not likely to view with favour Masonic breadth of thought , and hatred of hypocrisy . Good men in all ages , however , have found Freemasonry walking hand in hand with " pure religion and undefined . " I conclusion , I challenge your correspondent to prove that

Freemasonry has ever ruined any individual , as he asserts , and that spiritual religion has declined as a consequence of the rapid advance of Freemasonry in any locality . That he may have known cases of men who have perverted and misused the great opportunities for good afforded them by Freemasonry I am prepared to admit , but the logic , or the fairness , of condemning all Freemasons on that account I most strenuously deny . Because

your correspondent writes in no very Christian spirit of his fellow men I might just as well denounce Christianity . And it is strange ( your correspondent ' s charges for a moment being assumed to be true ) that he should have been , before making this discovery of the character of Masonry , a Mason ! ( save the mark !) for a quarter of a century . I am , Sir , yours faithfully , Temple , Dec . 4 th , 1 S 76 . A MASTER MASON .

THE " MASONIC MAGAZINE . " Dear Bro . Kenning , As . I think that the following words from my valued friend , and kind "collaborateur" Bro . W . J . Hughan , will be acceptable to yourself and many of our readers , I think well to transcribe them from a letter of his of date December 4 th .

Yours very fraternally , THE EDITOR " MASONIC MAGAZINE . " " I am delighted with the ' Masonic Magazine' for De cember , as it is the most readable and interesting ' Christmas number' we have had . Surely the

contents must please all the subscribers , and incite them to increase its circulation , for the paper will practically be what they determine , the character and extent being mainly regulated by the . list of subscribers . Success to your efforts for 1877 , and I shall be ready to assist , as I have been from the beginning . "

THE LATE BRO . GEORGE DAWSON . To the Editor if the" Freema s on . ' Dear Sir and Brother , — It will add perhaps to the general regret which will be felt by all Masons at the sudden and premature death of our Bro . George Dawson that he was Senioi Warden designate of the Alma Mater Lodge , just about

to be consecrated in Birmingham , of which I am the first W . M . I had the pleasure of initiating him into Freemasonry in the Warden Lodge some sixteen years ago , and though , as far as I know , the present office was the first to which he had aspired , he always preserved his

interest in and appreciation for the grand Masonic system . The warrant of the Alma Mater Lodge will have a permanent though a melancholy interest for a wide circle in and out of Masonry . I am , dear Sir and Bro ., fraternally yours , W . K . R . BEDIOIU ) , P . G . C .

Mark Grand Lodge.

MARK GRAND LODGE .

The half-yearly communication of Grand Lodge of Mark Masters ot England and Wales and the colonies and dependencies of the British Crown , was held on Tuesday evening at Freemasons' Tavern . The Most Worshipful the Grand Master of the degree , the Right Hon . the

Earl of Limerick , presided , and the Grand Lodge was formed in the following manner : —Col . J . T . Davy , D . G . M . ; Genl . Brownrigg , S . W . ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , J . W . ; Rev . Dr . Brette , Chaplain ; Magnus Ohren , G . M . O . ; Major Barlow , G . S . O . ; Charles Lacey , G . J . O . ; T .

W . Coffin , S . D . ; T . W : Faulkner , Std . B . ; Austin , I . G . ; F . Davison , Treas . ; H . C . Le vandcr , Reg . ; S . Rosenthal , D . C ; F . H Cozens , G . Org . The following brethren were also present ; V . W . Bro . Fred . Binckes , P . G . J . W ., G

Sec . ; W . Bros . Josiah Austin , G . S . D . ; J . E . Curteis , G . J . D . ; Robert W . Edis , G . Supt . of Wks . ; T . W . Coffin , P . G . Swd . Br ., as G . Swd . -Br . ; J . J . Fast , G . I . G . ; H . W . Binckes , G . Asst . Sec . > G . T . Speight , G . Tyler ; C . Pulman , G . S . j W . Watkins , P . G . S . W . Monmouthshire ;

George Kenning , P . M . No . 1 ; Thomas Meggy , P . G . M . O . ; Rev . C . J . Martyn , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . A . Bruce Frazer , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . D . J . Drakeford , P . G . Chap . ; Rev . C . "W . Spencer Stanhope , P . G . Chap . ; Thos . Hargreaves , P . G . D . ; George Neall , P . G . Ins . Wks . ; Thos . Cubitt , P . G .

D . C ; J . H . Spencer , P . G . I . G . ; T . S . Mortlock , P . G . Std . Br . ; G . Glover , Henry Massey ( "Freemason" ) , G . Yaxley , P . G . Std . ; Thos . Piatt , P . Prov . G . Treas . Cheshire and North Wales : and a large attendance of brethren

representing the Old Kent , Bon Accord , Minerva , 12 ; St . Mark ' s , 1 ; St . Andrew ' s , 63 ; Keystone , 109 ; St . Cuthbert ' s , 13 ^; Panmure , 139 . Bro . Binckes , Grand Secretary , first read the minutes of last Grand Lodge , which were put