The Position And Prerogatives Of Provincial Grand Lodges.

nor even Grand Lodge itself , on Lord Zetland dictum , possesses any rights as regards thc Boys ' School which subscribers have not ! For all sums -riven , votes have been allowed , and even Grand Lodge itself we hold can only inquire into the proper appropriation of its annual vote . If the

Province of West Yorkshire , which no doubt in times past has done great things for the school , and we are inclined to believe will still energetically support it , has any grievances , real or imaginary to ventilate " , it must do so before the Quarterly Court , or at a General Committee

meeting , or a special meeting of the institution-If West Yorkshire really believes in the wonder ' ful report of its own committee , the appointment of which originally was unconstitutional , and we are quite sure would never have been allowed to take place in Lord Ripon ' s time , it must by its

financial members , who aro lite governors , either move a direct vote of want of confidence in the executive , or for a special committee ol enquiry , in the way pointed out by the rules and bye-laws of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ! We leave out of the question the actual lrgality of

the committee itself according to the resolution of the Provincial Grand Lodgeof West Yorkshire , holden at Sheffield , though we are inclined to believe its whole proceedings are practically null and void owing to its absolutely illegal formation . A letter on the subject appears in our columns elsewhere , and if it be correct in its statement

it raises a most serious question as to the legality of the committee " ab initio . " But this by the way . Let West Yorkshire manfully make those allegations where they can be fully answered , and in the mean time in the interest o l Freemasonry , of fair play , of gentlemanly feeling , and brotherly love , let these libellous pamphlets be suppressed by the pre-pcr provincial authority .

Kenning's Masonic Cyclopædia.

KENNING'S MASONIC CYCLOP ? DIA .

We call attention to the circular in another column relative to this forthcoming work , as well as to a quasi specimen pagt \ By this it will appear that this work will be published July ist this year , and that the subscription list will close

June ist . The goodly list of subscribers we publish showsthatthere is an increasing interest in our Order for purely aiehseological Masonic works , and we feel sure , that such publications will tend more than anything else to advance Masonic studies and correct Masonic errors .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

We congratulate the Craft most sincerel y on thu result of the lirst great Masonic charitable gathering fur 1 C 76 , under our most popular

Deputy Grand Master Lord Skelmersdale . The amount reached £ 9174 ios . 6 c \ ., of this over , £ 1500 came from Lord Skelmersdale ' s own province . We sincerely congratulate Bro . Terry . We shall recur to the subject in our next .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

|\ Vc do not hold •ni-j-eivesie- ^ ponMble for , or even . " is approi-ln * , ; ' •' the opinion * , expressed by tnircorrc ' -ponilen' . f-, but we wish , in a spirit ol" fair play to till , to perini * . —within certain necessary H ' li ' lM—frc-iliscus = io-i . — li ** . ] Tn lh < - Editor of Ike fVn ¦ .-V-:. Dr . ar Sir and limber . —

As all Sliutms arc , r-r ought to be , fond cf the Indies , I suppose you will have no objection to allow me to make use of your paper as a medium to expose the vcry gicat grievance , miller which they suffer , and which causes many an angry word and unkind thought iu homes where love only should dwell . If wc attend to the duties ol the institution to which wc belong wc are compelled to

iiesert our firesides of an evening , and leave our wives and 'laughters many weary hours , especially thc former , aiii . iou-. ly awaiting our return . Being a convivial body , we seldom meet without a social glass , and generally a M'pper or banejuct . Now this is nil very well ; but surely w < - owe something to our better halves to refjuite Ihem for the . r patience ; we shtiuld make some return , and not keep

. * •i . the good things to ourselves . We are ready enough to l't-t 1 ur hands in our pockets for on extra feed for ourj-clvcs , or indeed to help in a case of distress , but wc quite * forge * : that our wives are as fond of thc good things of the world as we arc , antl would doubly appreciate any pleasure we could give them , especially when shared with their

husbands . Therefore 1 say let us drop this very selfish manner j'f keeping all thc enjoyments to ourselves , and give them a ball , a pic-nic , or a garden party now and then , and I am sure we should find one and ali of us with happier hearths " 'iid kindlier words to greet us ; and last , not least , we . should find thc funds of our several institutions increase

Original Correspondence.

immensely , the more thought , care , and consideration we bestowed on those nearest and dearest to us . I will heartily make one to place these small matters on a right footing , and my name can be obtained from you . Believe mc , yours fraternally , SlNCEltlTY .

WAS THE INVESTIGATION COMMITTEE OF WEST YORKSHIRE LEGALLY APPOIN f'ED ? To the Editor of th . ; Freemason . Dear Sir antl Brother , — It appears to mc that the so-called Investigation Committee which has recently made its report at Leeds is altogether an illegal body , antl has no proper or

constitutional existence . The oiiginal resolution of the Provincial Grantl Lodge of West Yorkshire , at Sheffield , was that the Provincial Grand Lodge apptiint a Committee of twelve , six from Charity Committee , and six from Provincial Grand Officers , if 1 remember right , or from thc Provincial Grand Lodge generally . It matters not which .

But this committee of 12 has been practically appointed bv thc D-paty Provincial Grand Master , in the name of tlie P . G . M . lid says in his pamphlel that it was " understood " in Provincial Grand Lodge that the Provincial Grantl Master should appoint . But an understanding is not a resolution and I beg to exuress my opinion , that according to all

Masonic usage , this nominated committcci-t a non-Iawfully app lintcd body , without any constitutional - . intho . ity , without cvfn a rightful basis . Consequently all its acts are valueless , and it has no power to meet or make a report , and its report ought never to have been adopted by Provincial Grand Lodge . I notice another p ** int in thc printed minutes which

appear in thc pamphlcr . Thc committee is represented as passing a res . diitioa to remunerate the Secretary for his services . The committee has no such power except by way of recommendation , the Provincial Grand Lodge being thc sole judge of what is ft-r the " honour and dignby of the

Provincial Grand Lodge , " and any payments made without thc sanction of Provincii ! Giand Lotlge arc ipso facto illegal ami unwarranted . I hope somebody will clear up all this " Embroglio . " and please many others as well as yours fraternally and obediently , 1 ' Aiit PLAY .

MASTER MASONS' JEWELS . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — A short time ago a correspondence took place through thc medium of your valuable paper upon a jewel called the " five-pointed star . " Thc opinio -v , of some brethren hcltl that it was a " crrrcct jewel" for a M . M . to wear in a Craft lodge-, should he feel inclined to do so :

others that it was " incurred ** - " Now which side is light in their liens ? The subject subsided without ihe point being finally settled one way or the other , thus leaving an open doubt upon thc minds of hundreds of the brethren who would not like t *« wear an "incorrect" jewel , but who would have no hesitation to wear is if " correct . " A few days ago a catalogue from one of the Masonic depots came into my bands , and amongst thc items appears the following . —

J KWKLS IOR M . \ sn ; it MASONS , £ s . d . Crystal Squire and Compass-cs o 13 6 Silver „ ,, „ o iH 6 Will you kintllv inform me if this jewel is one which

a Master Mason may correctly append to his brcar-t , and wear in 1 lis Craft lodge , or whether then ' , is the same * doubt atUched to the jewel ot thc " square antl compasses" as the " five-pointed star , " or whether " there U " or " is not " a jewel attached to or appertaining to the Sublime Degree of

a M . M . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , A M . isTnn MASON * . [ We have already expressed our humble opinion that according to the Book of Constitutions a jewel appertaining lo the Master Mason Degree can lawfully be worn in lodge . —En . ]

THE MASONIC CIIAKITIKS . To fie Editor of I hc FrcTmnsoii . Dear Sir and Biothcr , — Wc are being repeatedly reminded that although the subscriptions to our Charities amount to a total to be piond of , yet they are not sufficient to give immediate relief to every deserving ease . The thought has jusl

occurred to me lhat as we have several talented brethren amongst us , would nut some of them volunteer-io give a benefit for the Masonic Charities ? If this was done I think an entertainment could be arranged which would again fill thc Albert Hall . I have no doubt lhat if stirnc influential brother or brethren would take ihe matter up that such gentlemen as Bro . F . Burgr . * - * of thc Moore antl

Burgess minstrels , and other noted professionals , would heartily give it their support , and a further attraction might be added by getting permission for the Masonic brethren who may attend to wear their Masonic clothing . Having given thc subject vent , I trust that other brethren will take the matter up , or suggest some either plan for increasing thc funds of our charitable institutions . P-M .

14-BYE-LAWS . To the Editor oj ' lhe Freemason , Dear Sir and Brother , — A certain Koyal Arch Chapter , in England , has amongst it ' s bye-laws thc following : — "That no companion shall be proposed to become a member of the chapter , unless hc be at thc time of his proposition a mem-

Original Correspondence.

ber of the lodge ( to which this chapter is attached ) , and when any brother shall be admitted a member of the lodge , he shall , if he be at thc time of his admission a Royal Arch Mason , he considered a member of thc chapter without further proposition or ballot . "' Another bye-law provides that the resignation in the lodge shall , to all intents and purposes , carry resignation

m the chapter . " Is not such a bye-law , as first quoted , a violation of thc regulation of Grand Chapter , No . 22 , p . p . it ) and 20 which enacts that , " candidates for admission into a chapter must be duly proposed , approved , and ballotted for ; and no one shall be admitted , if , on thc ballot , there appear more than two negatives . " Therefore , Grand Chapter

says , " there shall be a ballot . " A private chapter says . " it is unnecessary . " This same chapter says , " That al ! donations , profit , or income accruing to this chapter , shall , after paying all fees and expenses , be paid to the Treasurer of the lodge , to be carried to thc funds of the said lodge . " How fai is this with unison wilh Giand Chapter regulations , No . 12 , ( p .

18 ) . " Thc cash or Treasurer ' s accounts of the chapter shall be kept distinct and separate from that of the lodge to which thc chapter is attached . Of course this regulation does not say what shall be done with the balance or profit of a private chapter ; but would it not be more in accordance with the spirit of Grand Chapter for a private chapter to transfer its balance by a

regular open vote , from time to time , ss it may be so dis- * posed . Grand Chapter clearly means a chapter to be distinct from the lodge , yet this particular chapter mixes them and binds its bye-laws with those of the lodge . Rather singular to say , the printed copy ol Ihcse bye-laws does not indicate that they were ever officially " approved . " Thc lodge ( referred to ) issues its summonses per

halfpenny post—open at ends—for inspection . Post Office officials arc in duty bound to examine ( more or less ) such packets . Is not this publishing with a vengence ?—notwithstanding Grand Lodge Constitutions , ( art 3 , p . 80 ) , which never anticipated such a publication . Another remark , and I am done , throughout the book by-law is rendered bye-law . Docs not tl-i-e suggest the

whole production to belong to thc fossil age ? Possibly . this gives re clue , I shoultl like your opinion . Kindly give it , and eiliigc . " Q y . " P . S . "Happy thoaghr , " rr / byelaw at a Spelling Bee , FI-ATCR . [ We agree with our " Frater . " Thc bye-law is unconstitutiona 1 . With regard to by or bye-law , doctors differ .. —ED . 1

AFFILIATION . To thc Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir , and Brother , — In the case of a brother hol- 'ing a ccitificatc from thc Grand Lodge of Scotland , ( but having been initiated ,

pissed , and raised in a single night , on irregularity still practiced in some Scotch Lodges ) wishing to be affiliated to an English lodge , dues the article in the Constitutions referring to this irregularity debar him from being affiliated . Yogrs fraternally , E STINT n' HIRAM .

ComirnTioss of a paragraph m the * " I'rccmascn , " of December 18 th , 1875 , under the heading of the "Urban Club . " The name of the owner of St . John ' s Gale is Sir Edmund Lr-chmerc , not Sir Edmund laehmcre . He has no "Steward" there , but pending some airangcmcnts

being now made for letting thc tavern , thc business is managed by Mr . Gay . Sir Edmund Lcchmcre is not " Master cf thc Knights of St . Joht , " nor is there any such office . Thc Duke of Manchester is thc head of thc Order , under thc title of Lord Prior .

Consecration Of The New Cross Lodge, No. 1559.

CONSECRATION OF THE NEW CROSS LODGE , No . 1559 .

On thc pleasant High-road between London and the fields which innicate the entrance of thc sojourner into the " Garden of England" a new lodge , named after the locality iu which it is situated , was consecrated on the 2 nd inst . by our Bro . James Terry , who exercised to the utmost

that precision of ritual for which he has been now for many years famous . The home of thc new lodge is not at a tavern , but at a hall , and , with the advantages of a lodge meeting at a hall , those who were present at this garnering had , as might be expected , a few inconveniences arising from dining in a hostless hall—for landlords have made themselves so nccessarv , lhat many people feel like

lost sheep without them . Ihe hall is called thc "New Cross Public Hall , " and is on the Upper Lcwisham-road , New Cross , near to the spot to which thc thirsty legions of the Roman Emperor traced the raven in its morning flight , and gave ihe newly-found stream which now flows mudtiily by the name of "Thc Ravensbourne . " The new hall itself is a fine place , but the little hall which was

cansccratcd to the purposes of a lodge is dwaifed in comparison , and was quite unadorned , so that the handsome furniture from Bro . G . Kenning was welcomed by the eye as . 1 necessary garniture to the apartment , filled as it was , too , by officers of many Provincial Grand Lodges , who had come to do honour to the new birth , and thc rich colours of thc clothing needed the solid workmanship of the lodge furniture to break thc contrast between the jewelled

brethren and the unfinished walls of the room . The first new officer designate was Bro . VV . B . Woodman , who was to have been S . W ., but with great spirit took the fust Mastership , when Bro . Thiellay , the present W . M . of the Prudent Brethren , found his election to thc chair in his brother lodge would preclude his occupying the chair at New Cross . Bro . Thiellay took the position of S . W . designate , thus giving an example , showing that rulers in the Craft can become tlie ruled . The J . W . designate was