Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

ORDER OF THE TEMPLE . To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — A letter , signed F . H . Newman , Past G . Hospitaller , & c , inserted in your columns of the 3 rd inst ., leads me to the conclusion that thc writer is unfavourably impressed with the natural

desire to restore to its proper status the United Order of the Temple and Hospital . I believe he is not a little mistaken in sup posing that it is wished entirely to disconnect that body from Freemasonry . Without further reference to the History of the Old Crusaders .

and the succession of the heads of that order , I think I am right in saying , briefly , that all the Crusader Knights were Freemasons , and that the latter position was either a qualification for the former , or was esteemed at that time a concurrent necessity . In this sense we are still " Masonic "

Knights Templar , and there is no reason why we should repudiate the connection , which would be kicking away the ladder by which we have risen , and thus depriving others of a similar means of ascent . It has been recently observed , the Pope had something to do with establishing the Order ,

( true ) and the Pope dissolved ! That is quite another matter . Did he ! Could he 1 Has he not excommunicated the whole Craft of Freemasons , as well as those whom he pleases to call heretics . Much obliged to him ; but we remain hi statu at / o , as far as he his concerned ,

and not much the worse for his Holiness ' s anathemas , indeed the Craft seems to thrive , in spite , if not in consequence of them . It is not , however , certain that Freemasonry was originally a qualification for a Crusader ; it seems more probable that it might have been a

concurrent step , a collateral advantage . And why not r Are there not hosts of Freemasons amongst our own officers and soldiers : and is our army therefore necessarily Masonic ? The foregoing seems to indicate that I believe in the pure andlineal succession of the Order . I do : but still

I would not disconnect it from F .-eemasonry , because the 11 . A . degree is , to a certain extent , a guarantee of the eligibility of a candidate ; not conclusive , however , for the authorities have wisely provided other securities against indiscriminate admission , and I should be pleased to

see them go further , and require a social qualification . 1 trust that your correspondent may be induced to reconsider his views , in regard to the intentions of the supreme authorities of the Order , which views 1 confess 1 was , at one time , disposed myself to entertain , until I became , as I

believe , better informed on the subject . I believe him , however , to be actuated by thoroughly conscientious motives , thus open to conviction , and not by that jealousy which prompts another correspondent to " fear that the impetus given to the order by the recent

proceedings at Willis s Rooms , will tend still further to enhance its popularity , '' etc . The Order is honoured by the patronage of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen ; it is presided over by the future sovereign of our

native country ; let us shew our gratitude by our loyalty , and endeavour to perpetuate , without dissensions , those sacred and noble principles which have been handed down to us by our

illustrious ancestors . 1 am , dear Sir , Yours fraternally , DtVOXIKNSIS .

PROVINCIAL GKW'D LODGES . ' I ' II the Edit ir 01 '' the Fue mason . Dear Sir and Brother , — On there , ru-al of the co-respondc-nce relating to the hoi I u ; uf 1 MI •ti 14 of the Provincial Grand Lock . ... ^ ' - ¦ = ¦ - = - ... .. t Truro , an idea occured to i-ie inn . naJer Bro . 11 .

nor Bro . Hughan are quite correct in their opinions in respect to that meeting . Hy the Hook of Constitutions , page 4 ^ , we are told that the Prov . G . M . is appointed by patent granted by the MAY . G . M . and that by

such patent he is invested with a rank and power , in his particular district , similar to that possessed by the M . W . G . M . He shall be installed at the first Provincial Grand Lodge which he may hold after his appointment .

Original Correspondence.

On reading on we find that he is empowered to appoint a Deputy , two Wardens , two Deacons , Sec . At page 50 , it is stated after remunerating the qualifications for the office of D . Prov . G . M . that he shall simpl y be authorised by patent to hold office during pleasure .

There is nothing in the Book of Constitutions about any further installation or investiture of the D . Prov . G . M ., but the Wardens and other officers , not holding their offices by patent from the Prov . G . M ., are to be invested in the Prov . Grand Lodge . Now , my opinion of the whole

matter is , that , as the Book of Constitutions states that the Prov . Grand Lodge ceases to exist on the death , resignation , suspension , or renewal of the Prov . G . Master , until a brother is appointed or empowered to perform the functions of Prov . Grand Master , by whose authority the Prov . Grand

Lodge may be again be established . The Province , masonically speaking , never ceases to exist , because it is , as it was , subject to the authority of the M . W . G . M ., and that the Grand Master takes the province under his protection and authority , until he appoints by patent a Prov .

G . Master , and that the officers of the Prov . G . Lodge only cease to exist , or to hold any power , or to act as a lodge , until their re-appointment and investiture by the Prov . G . M ., or , acting as him , by his Deputy , appointed by patent , and of course duly registered in London . I believe that

the Deputy Provincial Grand Master had full power to hold the lodge , and that all business or a town councillor , or a parson , the laws relating to such appointments are nothing to do with Masonry , and we as Masons have nothing to do with them .

With regard to Bro . Rogers I hold that the same reasoning does not , most decidedly apply ; he was duly appointed by patent from the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe as Prov . G . Master for Cornwall , by patent from the M . W . G . M ., to act as his Deputy Prov . G . Master , and had fulfilled

all the requirements of the Book of Constitutions , and had registered his patent , a matter of the greatest importance . His appointment needed neither investment in lodge , or installation ; the Book of Constitutions says nothing about that . And in answer to Bro . Hughan ' s last question I

am of opinion that the Provincial Grand Lodge transacted at that lodge , was masonically speaking in strict conformity with the Hook of Constitutions ; but had the Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall been held by the Prov . G . M ., or by

his deputy , on his authority , he , the Rt . Hon . the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe was bound b y Masonic law to have been installed on that occasion , and that to my mind was the only error committed at the meetinp-.

W nh regard to the instances mentioned in support of his opinion by " Bro . H , " as regards Earl Percy , and the Mark Lodge , as Craft Masonry in England does not recognise the Mark degree , ( and the more the pity ) that circumstance does not apply , and although the W . M . elect of

a Craft Lodge cannot act until his installation , his I . P . M . or P . M . can , in that instance does not appl y in his favour , and as for the multiplication of such instances as the appointment of a J . P ., acquired a legal existence , when it was resuscitated by the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , acting under the only authority which the Hook of

Constitutions provides , by appointment and patent of the Prov . G . M ., who had received his patent from the Most Hon . the Marquess of Ripon , M . W . G . M . of England , Fraternally and faithfully yours , IlcKiHiur BUSY lionises . P . M ., P . Z , P . P . S . G . W ., Herts .

GRAND ORIENT OK GREECE . To the Editor if The l-rceiitasiin . We hail with the greatest satisfaction , and with feelings akin to those of the astronomer when some new planet comes within the field cf his view , to add another link in the great chain of the Solar System . We hail with the greatest

satisfaction the use of the Grand Orient of Greece , and at once recognise in the establishment of this new National Lodge , under the presidency of H . I . H . the Prince Rhodocanakis , well supported by the Prince . vlavrocordalo , a name so familiar to us all , and M . Rothschild , even more so from his family connection with England ,

Original Correspondence.

the dawn of a new era for Greece , when the present disturbed elements of social life , gradually harmonised under the mild and yet powerful moral influence of the noble Craft , will inevitably subside into the current of civilised progress , with its concomitant circumstances of greater security

for life and property , and the restoration of peace and prosperity to the long-oppressed , or at any rate , uncared for mass of the people , whose personal endowments , despite their adverse political destiny , have always commanded the admiration of other more fortunate European States .

In the remarkable report , containing many valuable particulars respecting the foundation of the Grand Lodge of Greece , it is worthy of especial note , with what consummate ability and tact , the First Grand Master succeeded in reconciliating differences and overcoming successive obstacles , that might well have disheartened

one less ardent in pressing to its consummation the realisation of a generous and patriotic scheme for the social amelioration of his country . Turning then to the rules for the Government of the New Grand Lodge , we at once perceive the happy adaptation of many of thosein force amongst ourselves , to local differences ; while , at the same time there are several enactments contained

in this official report , which deserve the careful consideration of the Masonic body in England , as defining more broadly and ) -et not the less precisely and even minutely , the various duties attached to the executive of the governing body .

A like success has attended the coeval establishment of the Supreme Grand Council 33 ° in Greece by the same Prince , and which the G . M . has very judiciously brought into close union with the Grand Lodge , although not

necessarily so . The ultimate result of this remarkable movement we cannot doubt , and we have good reason for believing that the present Grand Master will in due course be succeeded in that office by His Majesty the King of the Hellenes .

Consecration Of The Hyde Park Lodge (No. 1425.)

CONSECRATION OF THE HYDE PARK LODGE ( No . 1425 . )

This new lodge was consecrated at " The Westbourne , " 1 , Craven-road , W ., on Saturday , the 26 th day of April , by the V . W . Bro : John Hervey , Grand Secretary , assisted by Bro . John Savage , P . G . D ., as S . W . ; Bro . John Terry ,

P . P . G . S . B . Herts , as J . W ; Rev . Bro . Heaton as Chaplain , and Bro . John Weightman , P . P . G ; Deacon Berks and Bucks , as I . G . The musical arrangements were under the able direction of Bro . Henry Parker , P . G . O . Middlesex .

The ceremony was worked in a most impressive manner , and in the addresses from thc Presiding Officer and the Chaplain , some excellent advice was given , of which we are sure that the brethren will take heed .

The lodge being resumed in the second degree , a Board of Installed Masters was formed , and Bro . A . H . Longhurst , P . M . 780 , was presented by Bro . Crittenden , sen ., P . G . R . Kent , and was placed in the chair of K . S ., according to ancient custom , and thc brethren being admitted , saluted him in due form .

The Worshipful Master then proceeded to appoint and invest his officers , viz ., Bro . Henry 11 . Tathano , S . W . ; Bro . A . Beasley , J . W . ; Bro . W . Langridge , Treasurer ; Bro . G . Read , P . M ., Hon . Sec ; Bro . J . H . Landon , S . D . ; Bro . W . F . Savage , J . D . ; Bro . Sydenham J . Knott ,

I . G . ; H-o . F . E . Moore , D . C . ; and Bro . Daley , T . The other founders present were Bros . Thomas Vine , G . If . Browing , Samuel Headon , John Headon , S . Morgan , John Crittenden , jun ., Thns . Allen , S . Jones , R . C . Rickett , Robert Clarke , Thos . Colson , H . Eccles , ane Hy . [ no . Alexander .

Ihe lodge was then closed , tint ! the brethren adjourned from labour to refreshment . The visitors present were , in addition to those already mentioned , Bros . A . C . Alais , P . M . 834 ; L . Bryett , W . M . 8 34 ; J . Trotman , S . W . 834 ;

C . Barker , J . W . 8 34 ; W . T . Wrighton , 23 ; E . G . Woodward , 382 ; Chas . H . Payne , P . M 27 ; John Walker , P . M . 2 ^ t John Bond , S . D . 88 9 ; J ohn T . Brown , W . M . 1101 ; J . Price , J . W . 50 ; G . Moxon , J . W . 209 ; G . Alexander , S . W . ry ¦ L .