Correspondence.

Correspondence .

GRAND LODGE CERTIFICATES . To the Editor of thc "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , A commendable custom prevails in many lodges for a member to sign and receive his Grand Lodge ceitificate in open lodge , . the tact being duly recorded in thc lodge minutes . It is now very well

known that such a conrse is not essential , but that such a certificate may be sent to a member through the post and signed by him anywhere . There is , however , but little doubt that a young Mason , whose Grand Lodge certificate had been signed and delivered to him with a lit tie formality in open lodge , would attach to it a far greater sentimental value than if he simply received it

through the post . Recently a young Mason , upon whom tbe Third Degree had been conferred in September last , directly afterwards removed to a distant part of the country , by reason of ill-health . The Secretary of his lodge , in due course , forwarded by post the Grand Lodge certificate to the brother , with a request that he would take

it to a lodge in thc town where be was residing , and there sign it at one of the regular meetings . The brother accordingly , in due course , presented himself at a lodge , and . after having duly satisfied the Tyler and one of the Past Masters of his title , was admitted . At the second rising of the W . M . the visitor ' s request was presented that he might be permitted to sign his certificate

in open Iodge , in accordance with the ; request of the Secretary of his lodge , two of the Past Masters at once somewhat abruptly interposed an objection that the members knew nothing of the visiting brother , nor had the lodge anything to do with his certificate . The matter accordingl y dropped . Tbe feelings of the brother concerned can be better imagined than

described . Several present thought thai but scant courtesy had been shown to a visiting brother , and that he might very well have been allowed to have signed his certificate as requested . I should like to be informed by any of your readers if there is any canon of Masonic jurisprudence that would have been transgressed had such a course been adopted and the visitor ' s request complied with . —Yours fraternally , EX-SECRETARY .

Reviews.

Reviews .

PROVINCIAL CALENDARS . "PROVINCE OK WEST YORKSHIRE , iS y . s . " - — Although not very elaborate in appearance , this compilation is one of considerable importance and value , giving as it docs a complete roll ot the Masomc bodies in West Yorkshire , numbers , names , places of meetings , number of members , and da \ s of meetings throughout the year , as also the

hours and other particulars . There are j fi lodges thus individually described , having t * jg- * thc-r 3725 members ; 40 Royal Arch chapters , with i 2 yS companions ; 12 Marl ; lodges , with 3 S 7 members ; iu Knights Templar preceptories , and 22 G knights and four Rose Croix chapters , and other societies . There is also a calendar for the year . lt is an excellent compilation .

" MASONIC A LMANAC , PROVINCE HI * SUSSEX , i % s . —This directory is always ably edited , and contains much inter * sting matter . Sussex is noted for its excellent reports by the Prov . Grand Secretary , and this publication contains several of these as to finance , & c . Thc statistics are very full as to thc 30 lodges , and embrace many points rarely touched upon by provincial authorities . The members

number 13 S 4 , being almost thc same as in 1 . S 1 J 3 , when they werc 13 S 2 . The almanac appears to be paid fur pro ratio by the lodges , and does nut average 15 s . to each , so it is a boon in every way . A list of extinct lodges , revised by Bro . John Lane from his " Mas-nic Kecoids , 171710 1 Nil 1 , " adds much to the interest of ihis publication , ai . d fur this year there are " Masonic Memoranda , " which should be carefully studied by the Masters and Secretaries in tbe province .

"MASONIC C II . I-. KIIIK AMI LIEELIURY lor thc Piovince ol Middlesex , I . SIJ , ** . " This vciy handy guide isedited hy Bros . Howard II . Room and William II . Lee , the I'rov . G . Sec . and Scribe JC . n-s-ieclivcly . Statistically and generally , this annual is as it should be , and thc infoiillation is ably condensed and ai tanged . There are 40 lodges , with 13 * 52 members , and 14 rhapteis , with 2 G 7 companions ,

the figures being very much the same fcr several years . 1 'lic nine Mark Lodges arc also duly noted . The " Masonic Notes , & c , " compiled from tbe Book of Constitutions , iS : o , are most valuable aids , and cannot fail to prove very useful tothe brethren . If attended to as they deserve , much labour should be spared the courteous olhciaW , who have much to do in such a large province , even il all do their duty in a satisfactory manner .

"PROVINCE OF D UMFRIESSHIRE — FREEMASONS ' DIRECTORY , 1 S 95 . "—This neat little annual is in its second year of welcome service , and is carefully edited by Bro . James Smith , tbe Masonic historian of Dumfries . ' 1 he oldest warranted lodge is No . 53 , of A . D . 1750 , but it

had a prior existence , as those know who have the excellent history of this old lodge by Bro . Smith , who is now writing that of No . 63 . We feel assured lhat these bandy wee Masonic Guides will prove of great advantage locally , especially if compiled by competent brethren , as in this

case . ' FREEMASONS' CALENDAR AND 1 ' IRECJOKY IORTHIPROVINCE OF LINCOLNSHIRE , iNe ,.- ; * . " * -This is an old friend in a new dress , and will be heartily welcomed by the brethren in Lincolnshire , as il is compiled by liro . li . Vickers , the zealous Provincial Giand Seirctaiy , and i ; i « ued in a handy size for hcqiient con ; ultation . It date-

Reviews.

from ist July annually , but did not reach us until January , or it would have he-en included in the list of such publications in the Christinas / - '/ re / . v . / . ve / -, 1804 . Ihc guide is publi ^ htd by authority uf the Provincial Grand Lodge , as agreed to at Bourne , on 31 st May last . The varied information is ably condensed and arranged , and , doubtless , as the years roll around , this neatly printed Directory will be enlarged . The " Calendar of Lodges , 180 , 4-35 , " is most useful , ancl will be faundso helpful as to abundantly justify the labour b 2-. t 0-. ve-d un its preparation .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

iiMp ^ s ci ^^ aoi -I — -- — - - ^ ~~" Z ~„ Tr ^ t ^^< i ^ S ¥ ^ ' * iy ^ i ' i > iiO ^ r- * .- ^* rs- "" r ^ s-wm < 0 P jLM * -m . wat 3 nJ = & iE 2 i 2 L —^ ilaKa . I ' ^ .-rlUf . S'fcnH-ra-V . < T » -a , .,. .- , ; -- ,-, ; , ¦>•¦ - // ' !•

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Joppa Lodge ( No . 1 S 8 } . —The brethren of thc Joppa Lodge , together with a gathering of between 20 and 3 y visitors , had the pleasure of witnessing , on Monday evening , at the installation meeting of the lodge , at Freemasons' Tavern , an extraordinary exhibition of the ability with which a foreigner can master tbe intricacies of the English language , liro . B . Weigel , the Master of the lodge ,

who has now made England his home , and is very proud of it , had before him three ceremonies as the work of the evening—three initiations , a raising , and the installation of W . M . The programme being found too heavy foe the limited time , tbe candidate for raising kindly consented to forego his right , but Bro . Weipel performed the initiation twice , and afterwards installed his successor , and the style in which he did the whole of the work showed that he not

only knew the ritual verbatim , but thoroughly appreciated the language he employed . On more than one occasion during the evening did the members and the visitors bestow upon him praises for his accomplishments , and a vote of thanks , proposed by Bro . II . Lazarus , P . M ., and seconded by the new Master , Bro . M . Seigenberg , W . M ., was unanimously ordered to be entered on the minutes of the lodge . The meeting was called for four p . m ., and the banquet was

arranged for seven . While the lodge was in session there were present , amongst many other brethren , the following , viz .: Bros . B . Weigel , W . M . ; M . Seigenberg , S . W . ; Rev . S . J . Roco , j . W . ; A . G . Dodson , P . M . ; II . Garrard , P . M . ; 11 . Lazarus , P . M . ; 1 . Botibol , P . M . ; J . S . Lyon , Treas . ; L . Lazauis , P . M ., Sec ; and Visitors : Bros . J . Gaskell , P . M . ; S . Dancyger , P . M . 205 ; S . C . KaulTman , P . M . i 7 ( * 'i : Orlton Cooper , P . M . 211 ; Louis Herman ,

220 ; N . S . Lyon , 1 S 8 ; James Speller , P . M . 1 ( 77 , 225 G , P . P . G . I ) . Essex ; VV . R . " Plaford , VV . M . 1 O 0 S ; L . Levy , VV . M . 1 S 5 ; L . M . Myers , 135 ; II . Massey , 160 , P . M . inland iy .: S ; I . Myers , 1 S 5 ; John Nash , 1 W 1 S ; li . Solomon , 1017 ; ] ames Bunker , 1158 ; George Hall , 1571 ; Dr . L . Harnett , 4 ;; II . Wolff , 2374 ; J . li . Dodson , SGo ; W . S . I . j on . 185 ; \ V . II . Caton , P . M . 1305 ; VV . L . Liffaur , 205 ; lames Lewis , Jo **; A . 11 . Toye , 1278 ; S . Andpell ,

1 S 8 ; A . Kaullman , 170 ( 1 ; and J . Seigenberg , 212 . Uro . Speight , W . M ., after the reception of the balancesheet of the lodge-, and the report of the lienerolent Fund , initiated Messrs . Robert Hugh Taylor , Louis Joseph , and James William Ferry , and afierwards installed liro . M . Seigenberg as VVorshipful Ma ' ster for the ensuing 12 months . liro . li . Weigel was invested as I . P . M . Ihe ollicers of the lodge invested were : Bros , the Rev . S . | .

Roco , S . W . j Davy , J . VV . ; j . S . I . von , licas . ; Lewis Lazarus , P . M ., Sec ; A . G . Hudson , P . M ., D . C ; Onl-uii , S . D . ; Rosenberg , J . D . ; Whyl , I . G . ; Babr , and Rosenbaun . Stwds . ; ancl Jonn Ives , P . M ., lyler . The brethren sat doivn to banquet at half-past eight , when a glanrc at the programme proved that thc proceedings could nut possibly be concluded al an early hour . J here was a selection ol music under the direction of Bro .

II . Prenton , with seven other performers—Misses Constance Adair , Ella Cleugh , Bessie Gri-cnhill , Bro . Gurney Russell , Mr . Sadleur Brown , Mr . Aithur Major , and Mr . Jack Dandy . The VV . M ., when tbe banquet , an excellent one , was disposed ol , stated that tbe speeches would lie short , in view of such a musical entertainment , and this rule was adhered tu except in one or two instances , but the meeting

was not bmught to a close at midnight . " , Bro . B . Weigel , P . M ., in proposing the toast of "The Worshipful Master , " slid he was periectly sure every member ( f the lodge and every visitor would receive it wilh great u-juicing ; tbey would agree with him that they bad a biuthei in the chair who thoroughly deseived that human" . Bru . Seigenbeig would do justice to the position , and they would all Income * '' awake , " the tuh- uf the song

next on the lisl , to tbe prospeiiiy of the | oppa Lodge . Bio . Seigenberg would employ his best energies in assisting the * progress of the old Joppa Lodge . Bro . Seigenbeig , VV . M , iu acknowledging the luasl , whicli was must wdimly icceivctl , said be lelt his position that night very acutely indeed . I le would not say he had fought haul for it , lor hc bad always met with the greatest amount of kindness from the brclhreii of that lodge , i . ut

it bad been bis ambition to become Master of one ol the " sister" lodges . I le hoped onc day to become VV . M . ol another lodge , but , of course , he must have patience loi that . Hc could only tell the brethren that his chief aim was to carry out Freemasonry in its truest sense , and in the manner that it should be carried out—not in name only , a Freemason because a man happened to be initiated , but a Freemason at heart—a conscientious man , whose bosom

was expanded by Charity—lhat was the propel * position of a Freemason whicli he liked to take , and that was the sort of man whose hand he liked to take . The brethren might depend upon -it that while he was VV . M . he should do all in his power for the benefit of the Joppi Lodge , and that lie should also do all in his power for the benefit of Freemasonry in general if it lay in bis power . He could onlj in which

thank the biethien fur lhe very generous way they had received him , and be hoped lie should have the pleasure uf seeing many of the brethren then present who did nut happen lobe members of tbe loilae among Ilium una future occasion . While thanking liro . Weigel very much for his kind expiessions , he would ask him with the * gicatcst amount ol : im eiily tudu all in hispowei to assiat liim dining Ina year i-l * ollice . lie- was a juurig Mason , and natuially

Craft Masonry.

wanted a P . M . lo assist him , ancl he was sure be should not lind the performance of his duties a very hard task il Bro . Weigel stood at his side . Bra . M . Seigenberg , VV . M ., next proposed " The Initiates , " to which each initiate separately replied . liro . M . Seigenberg , W . M .. then g * ave "The Health ol the lnstalling " Master , Bro . li . Wei , 'el , LP . M ., " a toast which , he said , would be received with the greatest amount

of enthusiasm , and did not need many words to rec . immend it , for the brethren had all heard Bro . Weigel in thi Iodge go through the ceremony of installing him in the chair . They bad often heard of old experienced Past Masters of the lodge who had installed their successors in a style second to none . Bro . Weigel since his installation had proved himself a man and a Freemason ; he had performed the duties of a VV . M . as every Master should do who

undertook the responsibility ; he knew how to initiate a candidate , how to pass one , and how to raise one . There was a great deal to be said of him . It was extraordinary that not having an English tongue he should become so perfect in the ritual . They all wished him good health , long life , and prosperity , and hoped that he would be associated with this lodge many years as a Past Master . They could show their gratification only in a small way for the services he had given to thc

lodge , by presenting him with a Past Mister ' s jewel , which be ( liro . Seigenberg ) now did as a token of the esteem and regard of the brethren . It was not the intrins c value of the jewel , because that did not show in any shape or form the esteem in which they held him . The longer he was with them the more they would learn to respect him . The brethren at the conclusion of his year of ollice understood him better than they did at the beginning .

Bro . B . Weigel , I . P . M ., replying , said that in thanking the VV . M . for the manner he had proposed his health and the kind remarks he made , and the brethren for the kind way they had received them , he could only say that it would be a memory to him for all the rest of his life . It was a very kind remark for a brother Past Master to make —and he had no doubt others with him—that when he ( Bro . Weigel ) came to this country ( he felt perfectly sure the

brethren would bslieve him ) he did not bring more than half a million with him , and yet without having any friends , relations , or anything , except his artistic work , that he learned and had with him , he could have aspired to be this clay a Past Master of the oldest Lodge of Israel in England . It would be most likely a great folly for a man to try . And yet with perseverance , hard work , and trustiness in his friends he had arrived at that position . Not that like the

Worshipful Master he aspired to it ; to a certain extent he was forced into taking that position , and he had no doubt thc brethren—lhe Past Masters in particulartaught him bow to do it . lt was surely a great position for a loreigner to aspire to , and he was glad to say he had reached it , and had passed it . Bro . VVeigal having referred to a song which had just been sung and gesticulated , " She was in ' my class , " observed that it could not be said of him

and the English that he was not in their class . The jewel that was given to him by the lodge , and added to in value by tbe brethren individually , they would understand that to a man of his profession such things were almostnil , and they would see he was not very boastful . Still , that was a jewel that he considered he gained on the battlefield in Masonry . Being 35 years a Mason , he could say he stood among the brethren without a blemish on his character ,

that he had always acted m Masonry and out of Masonry as a man ought to act to another . He learned by the Masonic lecture to be meek , humble , and resigned ; hc never tried to create discord , he always tried to create harmony among brethren and friends ; and he should love that jewel , and trusted his children would love it , and he hoped to leave it respected , and that it would recollect him

when he died , lie believed that when a man had done his little at the age of sixty years , and had brought himself to that position , as be might mention again , as a foreigner , as hc had been installed in lhe chair of K . S ., he hoped hc should always live among the brethren , and that they would look on him and on that jewel , not as a gift ol value , lull as it was a gift of honour to him , and that hc should live to wear it .

Bro . Lewis Lazarus , P . M . and Sec , responding tothe toast ol "The Joppa Lodge Benevolent Fund , " said that originally , and up to now , thc lodge had shown a very good example . This was the lirst lodge that constituted its own Benevolent Fund , an example which had now been emulated by other lodges , lhe lodge lianevolcnt Fund took a very large amount of burden from the Grand Lodge Fund of Benevolence . It had been , and was entirely supported

by members of the lodge , lt had done in its time , and it continued to do , an immense amount of good to members who , when they were imtiited in the lodge , least expected that they would have to be applicants to the lund , anil when they had applied to it they had bad that which had s ; t thein up iu business , and started them afresh , auu ^ they had found themselves again at the banquet table . This lund tieing supported by members

ol the lodge only , must naturally b _ - a source ol credit not only to the Lodge of Joppa , but to the whole of the Oak . It was only dining the last couple of months he received a communication hum a hiuther asking tor tiuformalion as to lonning a benevolent luuil to hu attached to a lodge . That brother had that eve g tuld him lhat no doubt sum ; good would come of it . 1 ' ui tue benefit of the initiates , he would

say Ihis lund was dispensed hy members ol the lodge , but not by every member ; however , there was an opportunity tu have a linger in the pie by making a donation ol live figures Irom half a guinea upwards . It was his idea and desire that in a short time , when the annual election of representatives on the fund came round , that there would be no necessity for such a cours ; . Bio . Lazarus then read a list of donations to the fund to tbe amount of 10 or u

guineas . The toasts of " The Visitors , " "The Pdst Masters , " " 1 he Treasurer and Secretary , " and ' * lhe Ollicers" lollowed , the Tyler ' s toast concluding the evening , which had derived great assistance in its success by the energy and attention of Bro . A . G . Dodson , D . C .

Lion and Lamb Lodge ( No . lya ) . —Anemcr . gency meeting of this lodge was held on the 3 rd inst ., at the Cannon-street Hotel , when there were present Bios . | ds . Smith , VV . M . ; T . VV . Fisher , S . VV . ; R . Sarson , J . VV . ; Kev . 1 . Selby llemey , Chap . ; T . Cohu , I ' reas . ; II . ' efcTje , Sec ; A . J . Holmes , S . U . ; Chas . Gallon , J . D . ; J . M . Mowci , D . C ; VV . Baker , LG . ; E . Chatlerton , Uig . ; C . Cuucliuian , Tyler ; F . Hughes , P . M . ; G . Gujiies , P . M . ; Simmonds , Clarke , Kgt-leton , Stokes ,