Correspondence.

Correspondence .

VVe do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . J

CHRISTMAS MASONIC TREAT TO THE AGED OF CLECKHEATON . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sit and Brother , Having spent Christmas in the Spen Valley , I had an opportunity of witnessing a most interesting gathering of aged people in the Town Hall , Cleckheaton , where they were entertained by the members of the two Freemasons '

lodges in the town—particulars of which may be gathered from the report , which I have cut from the Cleckheaton Guardian of December 27 th , 1 S 95 , and which , I think , will interest many Freemasons , if you can find space to insert it in your columns . On enquiry , I ascertained that this was the 20 th annual meeting of the old people . My object in calling attention to this interesting gathering is to point out how much pleasure may be afforded to the aged poor

and gratification to themselves by the unselfishness of Freemasons . The newspaper report from the Cleckheaton Guardian omits reference to the very pleasant informal dance which the brethren and their families enjoyed after the old folks had retired . If so much gratification can be given by two lodges in a small country town , what might be done in the same direction by the wealthy lodges in large towns whose members regularly spend large sums in costly balls?—Yours fraternally , EX-SECRETARY P . M .

HOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . Freemasons' Repository ; New York Dispatch ; Sunday Times ; Craftsman ; New Zealand Craftsman : Indian Masonic Review ; C 1 n . 1 di . 1 n Craftsman ; JMoilatt ' s Pupil Teachers' Course , Part II . ; Masonic Tidings ; Toronto Freemason ; Masonic Chronicle ; Voice of Masonrv ; and Kansas Freemason .

New Masonic Hall At Penzance.

NEW MASONIC HALL AT PENZANCE .

The Mount Sinai Lodge have long outgrown their present abode at the Penzance Public Buildings , and will , on Wednesday next , betake themselves to the commodious premises hitherto known as the Prince's Hall , and more recently as the Billiard Club . Prince ' s Hall is a substantial erection , with massive cut granite front , graced with Ionic pillars , which was the predecessor of our more modern pretentious concert rooms , and some of the old

inhabitants can , doubtless , call to mind many an interesting and memorable scene there . Now , however , it is to be given over entirely to the mystic ceremonies of Freemasonry , and to this end extensive alterations have been made . The fine front has been cleaned down and renovated , the interior remodelled , and new floors and staircases introduced . The ground-floor has been transformed into an anteroom , and will also serve , perhaps , for the social functions of the Brotherhood .

Naturally , considerable taste , judgement , and expense have been bestowed on the lodge room , and fittingly so for an Order which has as one of its fundamental objects the veneration of " The Great Architect of the Universe . " The room is 42-ft . by 26-ft . and 19-feet high , and has been most beautifully decorated , the main scheme being blue . There is a frieze filled in with watchwords and emblems of Masonry , over the W . M . ' s throne being " Wisdom , " the Senior Warden ' s ,

"Strength , '' the Junior Warden's , "Beauty , " andonthe north wall , "Benevolence . " The ceiling is a cleverly painted representation of the constellations , and over the W . M . 's seat are the sun , moon , and stars , with the motto—sit lux ct lux fuit are depicted . The walls are divided into large panels , and there is a dado of panelled lincrusta malton picked out in colours . Three noble windows provide light , and these will be filled with handsome stained glass , the two centre panes

being illuminated with emblems of Masonry ; and the artificial light will be supplied Ly neat gas brackets , havi % g patent incandescent burners . A very noble throne has been provided for the Worshipful Master , the canopy being supported by massive granite pillars , and the whole is beautifully embellished . On the topfloor ate a chapter room of the Royal Arch Masons ( containing some fine antique chairs belonging to the chapter ) , ah ante-room , and a well-fitted lavatory . The Penzance brethren will have a house second to no other lodge in Cornwall .

St. John's Card.*

ST . JOHN'S CARD . *

There is little more to be said respecting this quaint and admirablydrawn card than lhat it contains a representation of " the children of Lamech discussing the Arts , and that underneath the illustration there is an expression of " Hearty Good Wishes" on the part of the W . M . and officers to the members of both the Inner and Outer , or Correspondence

Circles of the Lodge . The card is accompanied by a letter from Bro . E . Macbean , W . M ., in which this sentiment is expressed at greater length . In addition there is a complete roll of the members of both Circles , those forming the Correspondence beingarranged in sub-divisions , comprising " Governing Bodies "; "Lodges and Chapters on the roll of the Grand Lodgeof

England "; "Lodges , & c , not under the Grand Lodge of England "; " Brethren " —in alphabetical order with dates of their admission appended ; those admitted on the Sth November being given in a separate list . These ate followed by lists ( 1 ) of the staled meetings during the present year ; ( 2 ) deceased members ; ( 3 ) Local Secretaries . To crown all these will be found .

firstly , a Directory and then a table explanatory of the Abbreviations used in the roll . It is a useful compilation—especially for purposes of reference , while at the same time it serves to convey to the Craft generally and in a matter the most convincing , some idea of the amazing degree of popularity

to which , in the brief period of 10 years , Lodge Quatuor Coronati has attained . We trust that future " St . John ' s Cards , " with their accompanying lists , will demonstrate as clearly as this does , the respect in which the lodge is held and the appreciation which is felt by all classes of Freemasons for thc admirable manner in which its duties are carried out .

* St . John ' s Card of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , No . 207 G , London , 27 th December , 1895 . Margate : Printed [ at " . Keble ' s . Gazette" ofiice , 1 S 05 .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Doyle ' s Lodge of Fellowship , No . 84 . Friday , the 27 th ult ., being the Festival of St . John the Evangelist , the members of this ledge assembled , according to ancient custom , in the Masonic Hall , Guern ey , to install their new Master for the ensuing year . Bro . T . C . Royle , P . M ., had been selected by the brethren at their last meeting , and he was placed in the chair in the presence of the P . G . M . and his Deputy , the installation ceremony being mist

impressively performed by Bro . T . J . Mitchell , I . P . M . The newly-installed W . M . invested his officer ? as follows : Bros . R . Quinn , S . W . ; J . P . Yroves , J . W . j Rev . E . T . Jesse , Chap , j J . T . Laine , P . M ., Treas . ; Haighton Wilkins , P . M ., Sec . ; Charles Jones , S . D . ; H . K . Ramsden , J . D . j T . P . Hamel , P . M ., D . C . j T . Elliott , Org . j and R . Cheyne , I . G . When the lodge was closed , the brethren repaired to Gardner ' s Royal Hotel for the annual banquet .

It may please many Shropshire brethren to learn that the present W . M . was W . M of Salopian Lodge of Charity , No . 117 , in 1 SS 5 .

All Souls Lodge , No . 170 . The annual festival of the above lodge was held on Friday , the 27 th ultimo , at the Masonic Hall , Weymouth , when Bro . F . W . Hetley , S . W ., was installed W . M . in the presence of a large number of brethren , including the Dep . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Colonel Brymer , M . P . j Bro . R . G . Thornton , P . G . Treas . j and the principal Past Masters of the lodge .

The ceremony of installation was very ably performed by the retiring W . M ., Bro . J . Howard Bowen . The W . M . invested his officers as follows : Bros . J . Howard Bowen , I . P . M . j J . E . Crickmay , S . W . j J . T . Whetham , jun ., J . W . j the Rev . J . A . Miller , Chap , j J . A . Sherren , Treas . j B . Morris , Sec . j D . H . Williams , S . D . j E . M . Griffin , J . D . j W . B . Morgan , D . C . j Nelson Bowes . Org . j E . W . Chave , I . G . j A . Graham and E . H . Wiseman , Stewards j Zillwood Milledge , re-appointed Charity Steward j and Bro . J . Piddington , Tyler .

At the close of the ceremony , the annual banquet took place , when the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given . The following telegram was sent to the New Yo -k World : — " All Souls Lodge , 170 , Weymouth , St . John ' s Day . To the Masons of America : Let brotherly love continue . —F . VV . HETLEY , Worshipful Master . "

Joppa Lodge , No . 188 . The installation meeting of this centenary lodge wis held on the Gth inst ., at Freemasons' Tavern , when the programme of business was so heavy that it occupied the brethren for nearly five hours . Bro . M . Siegenberg , W . M ., presided , and , besides his officers , was supported by Bros . B . Weigel , P . M . j L . Wall , P . M . ; W . Gardner , P . M . ; I . Botiboi , P . M . ; H . Lazarus , P . M . j L . A . Dodson , P . M . j H . Garrard ,

P . M . j and A . Cohen , P . M . j a large number of lay brethren of the lodge , and visitors : Bros . Nawson , 1439 ; Hart , 1349 ; Lusty , 1259 J Linton , 2411 ; Young , 1601 ; Dancyger , 205 ; Green , 16 95 ; H . Massey , P . M . 192 S and 619 j Asher I . Myers , P . M . iSs ; Saunders , 15 O 7 ; Phillips , 704 ; Salamon , 1017 ; Genrith , iSS ; Harman , 7 G 4 ; Streven , 1 G 02 ; Gabb , 902 ; Dodd , 1194 ; Castello , 227 ; Lazarus , 1 S 5 ; Neville , 17 G 7 ; Hillier , 13 G 6 ; Bird , 19 G 3 ; Anatdjah ; Clark , 16 GS ; James , 185 ; Lillepool , 1744 ; J . Genese , 1540 ; and Mead , 1772 .

The W . M . raised Bro . Craig to the Third Degree , passed Bros . Kozminski and Israel to the Second Degree , and initiated Mr . Simon Weissberg . Bro . Harry Lazarus , P . M ., installed Bro . the Rev . Samson J . Roco as W . M . for the ensuing year , and Bro . M . Siegenberg was invested as I . P . M . ; Bros . Ernest Davy , as S . W . ; Onkes , as J . W . ; Lyon , as Treas . ; Lewis Lazarus , P . M , as Sec ; Rosenberg , as S . D . ; Emanuel , as J . D . j Rosenbaum , as I . G . ; Edwards and Cohen , as Stewards ; A . Dodson , P . M ., as D . C . ; and Ives , P . M ., as Tyler .

A banquet followed the working of the lodge , and for the entertainment of the brethren a splendid programme of music was provided , in which Bro . Maurice Moscovitz , Miss Fanny Goldhil ) , Mr . Jack De Solla , Miss Adelaide Genese , Mr . Charles De Solla , Miss Daisy De Solla , and Mr . Mark Hyam took part , under the direction of Bro . Henri De Solla , but the hour was so far advanced that the proposal of toasts had to be compressed within a short compass .

Bro . Siegenberg , I . P . M ., in proposing "The Health of the W . M ., " said it was a very easy task after the enthusiastic manner in which Bro . Roco ' s name had been received . He ( Bro . Siegenberg ) had on one or two occasions expressed his own feelings as to what sort of a W . M . the brethren would have in 1896 , and the lodge not only ought to be proud but was proud to have selected such an eminent brother to preside over the brethren lor the year . Bro . Roco did not come among them as one who was not known j he came there as a minister of religion—it was no matter of what religion

he was minister so long as he was a gcod man . 1 here were probably brethren of every denomination present , but they always respected an honest and honourable good man . Bro . Rcco came before them with a very gcod career , not only a good private career , but a good Masonic career , and a career of 27 yrars in this country , during which he had done a large amount of gcod in his religious circles and in his ministerial duties , and he had gained the appreciation of every one with whom he _ had had any dealings . To the poor and afflicted he need not say there was no better friend than Bro .

Roco , and if he was called upon to say a friendly or kindly word of any one he was always ready to do all in his power . As far as his Masonic career went , he would be second to none who had occupied the chair of the Joppa Lodge . He was thoroughly efficient in his duties ; he knew the work of a Masonic lodge ; he would take great interest in it , and had attended lodges of instruction , and was perfect in the ritual of Freemasonry . That was saying a great deal of a W . M . It was for all these solid and substantial reasons he ( Bro . Siegenberg ) submitted that toast to the brethren in entire conlidence .

Bro . S . J . Roco , VV . M ., in acknowledging the toast , assured the brethren that he was almost at a loss to find words to do so when Bro . Siegenberg had proposed it so ably and nicely , and the brethren had accepted it so cordially and kindly . Although that was the first time he had occupied the high position of W . M . of any lodge , he was fully sensible of the importance of the position and of the great duties attached to it . He thereiore claimed the brethren's kind indulgence . He was sure they would not think him exaggerating , particularly the Fast Masters , it they remembered the first evening

they were in the position he found himself in at that moment . It had always been his greatest desire and ambition ever since he became a Freemason to become Worshipful Master , and it was therefore his duty to offer his thanks—his sincerest thanks to the Great Architect of the Universe , who had spared him to see the time come which he desired . The brethren he , too , thanked for the confidence they had placed in him . He could only say he would endeavour in every possible way to give them that satisfaction they might , perhaps , expect from the W . M ., and as

far as the ri ' . ual was concerned , he had only to go to one place where hc had been as regularly as possible—the Joppa Lodge of Instruction—intl there , under the able tuition bf Bro . Dancyger , not only himself , but every Freemason , was welcome who was in search of Masonic knowledge . The hour being so late , he did not think it would be just to detain the brethren further than to assure the P . Ms ., visitors , and brethren that he was delighted to see them all , and he tru : . ed that when they met to instal his successor they would receive him ( Bro . Roco ) wilh the same sympathy and kindness of

heart as Ihey die ! that evening . That evening was only a trial ; they did not know whit he would do during the year . They were all only mortals ; they did not know what the day or the morrow might bring forth ; but as far as lay in his power , he would do everything to please them , to promote the welfare of the lodge and of Masonry in general . Bro . S . J . Roco , W . M ., next said : Ihe toast he had then the pleasure to submit to the brethren was one to which they would give a very hearty reception , because it had been so well deserved and so fully earned—the toastot " The I . P . M ., Bro . Siegenberg , "

who had occupied the chair 12 months , and who left it that night with the esteem of the brethren . The brethren would all sympathise with him ( Bro . Roco ) and give Bro . Hegenberg their best and heartiest wishes for his welfare alter the very able and elcquent manner in which he had discharged his duties as Mister of the Lodgeof Joppa . ' 1 hose who had been in Ihe habit of attending the lodge regularly had found Bro . Siegenbeig a most earnett worker , who knew the ritual well ; and , to go fuither tha . that , he was most sincere , conscientious , and straightforward in the discharge of the duties hc had taken upon himself . No man could ever act more conscientiously and