Correspondence.

Correspondence .

Wc 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 limitsfree discussion .

GRAND MASTERS' LODGE , No . t . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In view of the ever increasing number of new lodges , it may not be uninteresting to some of your readers to peruse the subjoined tabular statement showing the number of years the present members of the Grand Masters' Lodge , No . i , have been attached to it .

It will be seen that in addition to the many old members of the lodge , ranging in Masonic service from 10 to 45 years , we have a constant supply of eligible recruits to enable us to continue the uninterrupted prosperity of our distinguished lodge . I remember the late Grand Secretary , Colonel Shadwell Clerke ( a member of the lodge ) , telling me that he did not ' consider the average Masonic life to exceed eight or nine years ; the Gran d Masters' Lodge may therefore , I think , pride itself on having established a record .

Our present muster roll consists of 82 members , and the following list shows their relative seniority :

1 Member 45 Years . 2 Members 15 Years . 1 ., 39 .. S > , U ,, 2 „ 3 S „ 3 ., ! 3 ,, 1 „ 34 .. 4 > , i ° » 1 „ 32 1 . 6 >¦ 9 ,.

2 „ 30 „ 3 .. 8 » 2 „ 29 ,, 4 6 » 2 ,, 24 ,, 3 ii 5 ii 3 u 2-t ,, 5 ,, 3 » -

„ 21 „ 9 „ - „ 2 „ 20 „ 3 » * » 3 „ 19 ,. 2 „ Current year . 7 >¦ ' 8 .. 5 " 7 ¦> S 2 I am , Sir and Brother , yours very fraternally ,

CHARLES BELTON , P . M ., P . Dep . G . D . C , Honorary Secretary . 4 th June .

BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I was one of the unsuccessful candidates at the Board of General Purposes at Grand Lodge on the ist inst ., and should like to state through your columns that by some error the asterisk placed against the names of the members

of the late Board in my case was omitted . This , as you must know , is a serious matter in the voting , as so many voters , " especially country brethren , " not knowing any of the candidates vote for members of the late Board , some vote for the whole of the candidates who have the asterisk against their name ; I used to do so myself when I did not know who to go for . I consider its omission cost me my seat ; surely some one should have discovered the mistake ere the voting cards were distributed .

I beg to return my sincere thanks to those brethren who came long distances , and to some expense and trouble to vote for me . Thanking you in anticipation for inserting this letter . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , faithfully and fraternally yours , EDWIN STYLES , P . M ., P . Z . 704 .

Consecration Of The Addington Lodge, No. 2683.

CONSECRATION OF THE ADDINGTON LODGE , No . 2683 .

The above lodge—the latest addition to the Province of Buckinghamshire—was consecrated on the 19 th ult ., at the Bridge House Hotel , Kton , Bro . the Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , Deputy P . G . M . Bucks , being Consecrating Officer , ably assisted by Bros . J . E . Bowen , P . A . G . D . C , Prov . G . Sec , as S . W . ; J . Hathersley , Prov . J . G . W ., as J . W . ; and J . C . V . Tower , P . P . S . G . D ., as D . C .

lhe founders were Bros . W . Pottinger , P . M . 2262 , J . D . 2581 ;; James O Dea , P . M . H 7 Sand 25 S 9 ; J . J . Wright , P . M . 1981 ; W . G . Cannon , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; J . T . Jones , 1446 ; W . J . Waterman , 25 S 9 ; G . Jameson , 22 C 2 ; W . H . Holliday , F . J . F . Allshom , G . Cannon , C . Benedict , J . D . 2262 ; A . Platel , E . Colvin , H . Hicks , W . M . Reid , H . V . Lloyd , W . M . 22 G 2 ; E . J . Hall , R . H . Cheesman , and W . J . Millington , 2246 .

lhe Consecrating Master did his work efficiently and well and at the close of the consecration installed Bro . Pottinger , P . M ., into the chair of K . S ., who was pleased to invest the following brethren as oflicers : Bros . O'Dea , P . M ., S . W . ; Wright , P . M ., J . W . ; Cannon , P . M ., Treas . ; J . T . Jones , Sec . ; Waterman , Org . ; J ameson , S . D . ; Holliday , J . D . ; Allshom , I . G . ; G . Cannon , D . C ; and Benedict and Platel , Stwds . The whole of the furniture , tools , kc , were new and presented a grand tpcctacle .

lhe visitors were Bros . Page , P . M . 771 and 26 71 ; Rcols , P . M . 25 S 9 ; W . Malham , P . M . 1539 ; G . Malham , P . M . i . * r , 9 ; H . VV . Humphreys , 1 ( 38 ; J . Vouldon , P . M . 54 S ; W . Youldon , P . M . 1 ( 138 ; J . A . Dawes , P . M . 2022 ; Roberts , P . M . 79 ; Clemon , P . M . 22 ( 12 ; Moorman , P . M . 191 S ; Bond , P . M . Min ; Pickering ,

1 . * " •"• ' ¦; li . Mitchell , 14 | 6 ; Vernon , 1539 ; lilms , P . M . 1 339 ; Wood , 19 . S 1 ; J . Cannon , 22 ( 12 ; Wagner , 1 S 29 ; Mullens , 22 O 2 ; Sar . dcr , 771 ; Mold , 13 S 1 ; II . W . Mitchell , njS ;; Lerwill , 15 ; Taylor , 1 ( 182 ; Newlon , 19 ( 13 ; Dunham , 23110 ; Wilson , 1324 ; Atkin , 134 S and 23 S 9 ; Pain , 241 ( 1 ; Sf . ( juin , 22 O 4 ; Holland , 1 , 548 ; and Koumaine , who enjoyed a most sumptuous banquet . Those brethren who responded spoke in the highest praise of the whole of the ceremony .

Dedication Of Masonic Buildings At Rotherham.

DEDICATION OF MASONIC BUILDINGS AT ROTHERHAM .

On the and inst . the members of the Phcenix Lodge , No . 904 , dedicated their new lodge room in High-street , Rotherham . The new home , which it is hoped will be a permanent one , consists of a comfortable suite of rooms in the new block of buildings erected on a site which previously belonged to the Corporation and adjoined the old Bank in ] High-street , having been purchased by the local authority in the negotiations for street improvements . The new buildings

have , on the ground floor , shops , and leading from the centre one , with an additional entrance up the arcade , which forms the main entrance of the hall , is a cafe ' , the appointments of which are to be on a scale of great comfort and refinement . The hall has on each side dressing rooms , and is suitable for theatrical entertainments as well as for balls and concerts . The floor is of polished oak , and running on one side about half way up , and leading out of the

supper room is a wide balcony or corridor . On account of the diversity of purposes for which the building is to be used it was impossible to hold a Masonic consecration , and it had therefore been decided to hold a dedication ceremony of the rooms which are devoted solely to Masonic purposes . This ceremony was performed on the 2 nd instant in the presence of a representative gathering of

West Yorkshire brethren , the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , Bro . J . Cooper Malcolm , P . G . D ., assisted by the officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge . Particularly interesting parts of the ceremony were the unlocking of the door of the lodge room with a silver key , suitably inscribed , which Bro . Malcolm was pleased to accept as a memento of the occasion .

A short address was delivered by Bro . WATSON , P . P . G . W . and hon . librarian , on the "History and Progress of the PhfEnix Lodge . " A banquet was held after the ceremony and served in the large supper room , covers being laid for 70 . The toast list was short and speeches were numerous . Bro . Ensor Drury was warmly received , and , on referring to the Masonic

Charities , Bro . BLACKBURN , Vice-Chairman of thc VVest Yorkshire Charity Committee , provoked enthusiasm by his report of the splendid effort made by West Yorkshire in connection with the Centenary Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , which will be held to-day ( Friday ) , under the presidency of thc Prince of Wales , the subscriptions for this one province amounting to £ s ° 00-

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Lodge of Honour and Generosity , No . 165 . The installation meeting of this ancient and distinguished Iodge—which was constituted in 1767—was held at the Inns of Court Hotel , Lincoln ' s-Inn-Fields , on the 24 th ultimo , when there were present Bros . Frank E . Rosher , W . M . ; A . P . Crabb , S . W ., VV . M . elect ; F . H . Rosher , J . VV . j Jno . Woodhouse , J . D . ; Godfrey Sykes , I . G . j J . W . II . Thompson , P . M ., Treas . j H . Times , P . M ., Sec . ; J . R . Drake , P . M . ; A . Hayne ; the Kev . H . G . Rosher , M . A . ; VV . de B . Herbert , B . A . ; W . Marcus

Thompson , A . Spencer Ellam , C . J . Andrews , H . Bearman , Leo Norman , H . W Clarkson , J . W . Ellis , Chas . Olden , F . G . S . ; and R . H . Goddard , Tyler . The visitors werc Bros . E . Letchworth , G . Sec . j Jno . Robbins , D . D ., P . G . Chap ., the Archdeacon of London ; F . West , P . G . D . ; J . D . Langton , P . D . G . D . C . ; Sir Joseph Dimsdale , P . G . Treas ., * J . K . Jarrett , } 6 ( N . B . ); H . Wharton Wells , W . M . 94 6 ; W . A . Piggott , P . M . 16 70 j G . Walker j F . J . Terry Horsey , I . P . M . 1 S 61 ; O . B . Cuvilge , 1 ; D . Tudor , 17 G ; Douglas Gordon , IGQI ; I . Edwards , 14 * 17 ; VV . Van Praagh ,

P . M . 1491 ; VV . H . Herbert , 173 ; J . F . Beck , 1 S 53 , tioG ; VV . Grant , 2231 ; A . R . Upjohn , 2033 ; Geo . Hallett ; J . R . Clipperton , P . G . S . B . ; J . H . Wainwright , P . M . 8 ( New York ); Frank H . Callingham , J . D . 176 9 ; H . S . Simmons , 2488 ; J . II . Ford , 202 S ; Reginald Groome , 1929 ; G . E . Williams , Lovett King , Chas . Bertram , 1614 ; II . Gough ; and R . T . VVest , 1 744 . After the customary opening formalities and the reading of the minutes , the report of the Audit Committee was received and adopted , and it was unanimously resolved that

a second bar be added to the Past Master ' s jewel of Bro . G . E . Wainwright with a suitable inscription in recognition of the ability with which hc had discharged the duties of Secretary for the past four years . The VV . M ., Bro . Frank E . Rosher , then raised Bro . Charles Olden to the Third Degree . The VV . M . ' s working of the ritual was carried out in a manner that was perfect . Bro . E . Letchworth , G . Sec , then occupied the chair and installed Bro . Alfred P . Crabb as VV . M . The newly-installed Master appointed and invested his ollicers and addressed suitable and appropriate words to

each . They were Bros . F . Howard Rosher , S . VV . ; J . Woodhouse , J . VV . ; Rev . II . G . Rosher , M . A ., Chap ., * J . VV . Howard Thompson , P . M ., Treas . ; Henry Times , P . M ., Sec ; Godfrey Sykes , S . D . j VV . de B . Herbert , LL . B ., J . D . j VV . Marcus Thompson , LG . ; A . Spencer Ellam , Stwd . ; H . VV . Clarkson , Org . ; and R . H . Goddard , Tyler . The usual addresses were given by Bro . E . Letchworth , G . Sec , in a most eloquent and impressive manner , and it is hardly necessary to record that he carried out thc installation ceremony in his inimitable style . At the close of the addresses the

VV . M . rose and said that his next duty was a very important one , viz ., to present a Past Master's'jewel to liro . F . E . Rosher , I . P . M ., as a very small return for his eminent services to the lodge . In acknowledging the jewel , Uro . Frank E . Rosher , LP . M ., stated thit h ; should ever appreciate it . Might he mention , that after the great traditions of the lodge , the oflice of Master was not a sinecure , but he hoped he had given satisfaction during his very happy year of oflice , and the kindness , which he should never forget , he had received from them all . In eloquent and pathetic term ; , B : o . J . W . H >* ard

Thompson , P . M ., referred tothe death of Bro . Robert Collier Driver , P . M ., P . G . D ., the father of the lodge , and its Secretary for 37 years , and it wis uninimiuly resol / ed that a letter of condolence be sent to the family of the late brother . The Secretary stated that letters of regret had been received , through illness and other causes , from the following : Bros . Chas . Belton , P . M ., P . D . G . D . C ; Edwd . Terry , P . G . Treas . ; Chas . Warner , the Eirl of Euston , Lawrence Kellie , Gerald Loder , M . P . ; Sir Simeon Stuart ,

Bart . ; Henry Neville , A . G . D . C . ; Thos . Fenn , P . G . W . ; Col Sir Kdward Gourley , M . P . ; Walter F . Orriss , James Fernandez , Alderman Sir Walter Wilkin , VV . Ginz , P . G . Org . ; VV . S . I ' enley , and W . R . McConnell , O . C . A gentleman was proposed for initiation at the meeting , when the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to a banquet . The usual loyal toasts having been proposed by the VVorshipful Master and" duly honoured ,

Bro . J . VV . Howard Thompson , P . M ., at the request of the VV . M ., proposed "The Grand Ollicers , Present and Past , " and said it was an easy task , because it was their good fortune to have two members of the lodge who were Grand Ollicers , viz ., Bros . Richard Eve , P . G . T ., and Charles Belton , P . D . G . D . of C , and hc was sorry that they were not able to he present , and the lodge had lost several members by death who were Grand Ollicers . They were honoured that evening with the presence of Bros , the Arch-. 1 „ c r 1 ~ . cr :- I i . li :. — -. i _ i . » r » -f » . it . r __ L > - LI "_ ,. a r C-.-. deacoof London Sir h Dimsdale 'i RobbinsPG

_ , ,, n ; Josep , P . G .. ; Dr . Jno . , .. Cup . ; E . Letchworth , G . Sec . ; Fred West , P . G . D . ; J . R . Clipperton , P . G . S B . ; and J . D . Langton , P . I ) . ( j . D . G . The Grand Secretary had performed the installation ceremony in a manner that was perfect , and , on behalf of the members , he tendered him his very lust thanks for his services that evening . The wearers of the blue asked the Grand Ollicers to accept thtir best wishes , and they were indebted to them for their attendance . He associated with the toast the name of the Archdeacon of L-andon .

The Archdeacon of London responded in a very humorous speech , which elicited roars of laughter , and remarked that the Grand Ollicer ; . would long remember lh ; ir visit and the way they had been received and entertained . In giving ' * lhe W . M ., Bro . Alfred P . Crabb , " Bro . F . E . Rosher , I . P . M ., stated that a most pleasant duty fell to him to submit the toast of the evening , bat he felt some diflidence because he was not able to do it justice . The Past Masters who had gone before him had always installed their successors and as he had not done so he felt souie *