Original Correspondencs.

Original Correspondencs .

T . The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Corresponden ts . ~\ UNIFORMITY OF RITUAL AND CEREMONY .

( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) DEAR Sin AND BROTHER , —It must be a matter of congratulation to all lovers of Masonry pure and undefiled , to see the interest you are taking in the question of uniformity , for it has long been a subject of regret to those who boast that Masonry is spread over the

globe , and that we are able to recognise a Continental or American Mason when we meet him in company as readily as a Bro . of our own Lodge , to find that even in Lodges in one town there is such a marked diversity in the ceremonies , and snch variations in the ritual . Though' this state of things is lamentable it is

not to be wondered at ; our forms and ceremonies having been handed down by tradition , like all else human , areliable to change . The imperfect recollection of one good man may lead to very serious errors , and there is no better mode of correcting them than a conference of bright skilled Past Masters ; the

suggestion of uniformity m your last impression is good , but I would venture to push it a little further , for though I do not go quite to the length that he does as to the divergence of work in the Scotch Lodges , there is quite enough there , and also in Ireland , as well as in England and Wales , to call for

immediate steps to remedy it . I would therefore suggest that when the Grand Lodge shall sanction a Conference for this purpose , they should invite the sister Grand Lodges to co-operate with them in this noble work , and thus make it a truly Masonic revision . AVe inust not , as English Masons , think that we

possess all the lig ht , and that which shone at Kilwinmg centuries ago has been quite obscured by the mist of ages . It has been my good fortune to listen to what I humbly conceive to be pure Masonry , and to see impressive ceremonies very effectively rendered in the lantl of Burns , and this revision to be effective , should have light from every source from which it is attainable .

As a member of lodges in England and Scotland , and as a Companion under both English and Scotch Constitutions , 1 know that as English Masons we have much to impart to onr brethren , yet we have also something to learn ; and the benefit of a United Conference would bc reciprocal . "Should Grand Lodge , as I trust it will , take up this subject , the Grand

Chapter should do the same , for in the Royal Arch there is more diversity , both of ritual and ceremony , than there is in Craft working . Should this controversy in the pages of THE FREEMASON * have the effect of inducing the Grand Lodge , to take up this important question , it will have conferred an inestimable boon on the Craft , that will be appreciated by more than Yours fraternally , London , May 31 st , 1809 . UN IT US .

Allegorical Sculptures In Medleval Churches.

ALLEGORICAL SCULPTURES IN MEDLEVAL CHURCHES .

( 7 b the Editor of the Freemason . ) DEAR SIK AND HKOTHKU ,- —At page ' . ) of THE ¦ FREEMASON * for April 21 th , I called our Bro . " Cryptonynius" in question regarding his remarks upon the nbovc subject . He now , at page ii of May 22 nd , returns to the subject in answer to me , and quotes

Bro . Findel as his authority . Now I agree with " Cryptonymus" that Rro Fin-lcl ' s history is about the best yet out , and it is valuable not only for what it contains , but , for what it suggests ; however , I differ from Bro . Findel upon several matters , as to which more again . And I have still to assert that the

Masons did not put these curious sculptures referred to where they are , " in defiance , " but that they were allegorical , or were done with consent , sometimesbut not that I am aware of—tacit , at other times to order . Even in Scotland , where , until the Reformation , Catholicism was so strong , we find these

-curious scul ptures ; yet who would dare to try and prove that Scottish masons cut these " in defiance , " Bay in cither thc thirteenth or fourteenth centuries ? No ; the life or liberty of thu workman who did so would not he worth many hour ' s purchase . The fact 'is , by the end of the fifteenth century , even the

" oatliolic clergy were quite capable of iloinj- such things , cither in ridicule or as practical jokes , although at first they were strictly allegorical . About 1511 , when Luther went to Rome , he was rather astonished at the way the churchmen went on . He performed the services in a decent maimer , but that did not suit

the others , who said , ' * I'iissa ! passa I" ( hat is , " Haste you , haste , now do be done with it ! " It ¦ was the fadiion of the Papal Court to attack Christianity , and no man could pass for a well-bred person who did not hold some wrong , or heretical notion on the doctrines of the Chnrch . Luther was one day at dinner with several prelates , and among other ludicrous stories which they told in the monk ' s hear-

Allegorical Sculptures In Medleval Churches.

ing , they related with laughter and glorification , how , in saying Mass at the altar , instead of the sacramental words which were to transubstantiate the bread and the wine into the Saviour ' s body and blood , they pronounced over the bread and wine the following words in derision : " Pauls eset panis manebis , viiiiim es et vinum manebis" ( bread thou art and bread

thou shalt remain ; wine thou art , and wine thou shalt remain ) . " Then , " continued they , ' we raise the ostensory and all the people worship I " I need not , as I could , 'multiply such examples ; therefore , I think that it is unnecessary for me to add that the masons did not execute the curious sculptures we are speaking of " in defiance . ' ' 1 am , yours fraternally , LEO .

FREEMASONS AS ARBITRATORS . ( To the Editor of the Freonason . ) SIR , —No man , be he Freemason or not , can shut his eyes to the incalculable mischief brought about by strikes , both to employers and employed ; and I think the suggestion of calling in a lodge , or deputation of a lodare , to act as arbitrators , is worthy a place in your

paper . Freemasons as a body are both universally known and respected , and would , no doubt , act impartially between capital and labour . Yours fraternally , R . W . BANCROFT .

ROYAL ARCH MASONRY . ( To the Editor of the Freemason . ) SIR , —In your interesting paper ofthe oth inst ., Isee an article on Freemasonry by the " Son of Salathiel , ' ' wherein , to substantiate the origin of Freemasonry , he tells us of certain revelations made to Enoch , son ot

Jared , by God Almighty , who appeared to him twice in a dream . Asan admirer of Freemasonry and a lover of truth , I have searched all biblical traditions and commentaries , but have failed in my diligent search to find any such mention , lam sure that the Craft in

general and your humble correspondent in particular , will feel grateful to tin-. " Son of Salathiel , " or any one else who will show from whence that idea has sprung . Hoping you will give space to the above in your next , by so doing you will greatly oblige , Yours thankfully and fraternally , * G . It . HOLLANDER , Bute Lodge , 9 G 0 .

THE PRINCE OF WALES AND MASONRY , ( To the Editor ofthe Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —With all due loyalty and expedient subjection to rulers with regard to social and political matters , I would , nevcrtheli ss , call in question the equity of promoting to the high dignity of P . G . M ., any personage who had not

obtained that honour by passing through the trodden curriculum . The Prince of Wales has been thus promoted . Being a mere junior in Masonry , he has not had time to tread his upward way per force of merit , so that , his passing to such an elevated stage is a leap which can only be made where justice and truth are

practically contemned , and where rank or some other corrupt consideration rides the high horse over them . Are not the laws and rules of the highest fraternity in the world coincident with attributes divine — synonymous with those of the Grand Master of the universe Himself ? They are . The pillars and

columns of the building rest ever on 11 is eternal foundations ; therefore , in principle unerring and exact . But peccancy is in the midst of us , and our brilliant panoply lias become tarnished . The builders are fallible , and their plummet is not true . A fellowcreature , whom the accident of birth has made more

fortunate than most others , is permitted to take a lengthened leap—de jure , but not de facto—to one of Truth ' s distant towers , without traversing his weary , noble way with others . Excuses , such as — compliment to royalty , present prestige , future patronage , & e ., are but exponents of corrupt allowances . Ah ,

Masonry ! thy tenets are beautiful , but thy votaries are vacillating and wayward . Grand Lodge , which is the nucleus of thy temple hero below , is not , itself , beyond the influence of current temptation ; its columns lack perpendicularity , and some of its stones are unhewn—not chiselled—after the fashion of its

own dictates , nor formed in the approved style of perfection ' s level . Yours truly , A . C .

THE CHAIR DEGREE . ( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND Bi : OTH Kit , — From his remarks in page 4 of THIS FHKKI-ASON for 29 th ult ., I judged that Bro . "Ammi" is now off * ' the chair degree , ' and on lo the " status" of the Lodge of Glasgow , St .

John , which " status " ( Xo . ? , bis ) he says is " usurped , " having been based—so he says—" on a charter since declared to be a forgery , " therefore any finding based upon the said St . John ' s Lodge ( tills to the ground . If Bro . " Ammi ' s" assertion bc true—which I think

Allegorical Sculptures In Medleval Churches.

not—this is a serious matter ; however I shall inquire into it , and see if the Lodge of Glasgow St John attained its present " status" in virtue of its supposed connection with the pretended Malcolm Charter ( which I admit to be a " forgery " ) , or on account ol

other documents or evidence of antiquity . I therefore pray the brethren to suspend their judgement till next week , when I hope to be able to state the facts of the case , whatever they may be . I am , yours fraternally , LEO .

H.R.H. The Prince Of Wales.

H . R . H . THE PRINCE OF WALES .

It is reported that His ltoyal Highness the Prince of Wales will be affiliated to the English Craft in the Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 259 , in the course of next week ; and , further , that preparations are being made for the Prince ' s exaltation to the ltoyal Arch degree at an early date .

French Masonic Literature.

FRENCH MASONIC LITERATURE .

" Le Monde Maconniq'ie , " May 1869 . The publication of our esteemed contemporary for May has been delayed in consequence of thc elections to the French Chamber of Deputies . The following is a brief i-ynopsis of its contents : There is a long article on the proposition of

Bro . Ducarre , to increase the fees payable to the Grand Orient by the Parisian lodges . Our brethren at Marseilles have , to their great credit , inaugurated adult schools , and the opening ceremony took place on the 1 st May , when Bro . J . B . B >* ochier , President , of the Schools Committee

delivered a discourse upon the principles of the Masonic Institution , and the absolute necessity cf primary instruction for the young of both rjexes . We also learn that Bro . Cesar Bartholon , ¦ of the Lodge Belisaire , Orient d'Alger , pronounced a line oration on " Morals . "

The installation meeting of the Grand Orient of Belgium was held on the 17 th April . There is also au interesting account of the funeral ol Bro . Vasselin , Venerable de la Triple Unite , Orient de Fecamp , whose eulogy was delivered

by Bro . . Cazav-ni , editor ot the Journal du Havre . There is a touching letter from the widow of the deceased , forwaiding to the lodge the Masonic papers and brochures of her late husband . Reviews of new French works close tho * ' Monde Maconnique " for May .

Beadon Chapter , No. 619.

BEADON CHAPTER , No . 619 .

A convocation of this Chapter was held at the Greyhound , Dulwich , on Thursday , the 10 th iust ., under the presidency of Comps . A . Avery , A . P . Leonard , aud J . W . Avery , the three Principals ,

assisted by Comps . F . Walters , P . Z . and S . E . ; H . Massey , S . N ., ancl other Companions , including Comp . II . G . Buss , P . Z . 177 , a visitor . The success of this Chapter since its consecration by Comp . R . W . Little in August last , has been very

gratifying , and under such able management it will doubtless havo a long career of prosperity . We were glad to notice that our old friend and excellent Companion , Frederick Walters was able to attend

to bis duties on tins occasion , although he is still scarcely recovered from a severe illness . The Craft could ill spare the services of such a hard-working Mason , who is worth a hundred of the drones in the hive .

The Brett Testimonial.

THE BRETT TESTIMONIAL .

Brethren holding subscription cards for the above fund are requested to forward them either to Bro . H . G Buss ( Treasurer ) , 127 , Oflbrd-road . Islington , N ., or to the Hon . Secretaries , Bros . R . XV . Little , 7 , Gilbert-road , Keniiiiigton , S . E ., and R . Tanner , 18 , North-street , Westminster , S . AV .

WE are happy to announce that Bro . W . J . Hughan ' s forthcoming work on the "Constitutions of Freemasonry , " is to be dedicated , b y permission , to the Right Honourable the Earl of Zetland , Most Worshipful Grand Master of England .

THE design of nature is tor the preservation of life in man to the full extent of permitted existence . Should circumstance or chance cause damage , nature w ill work at repair , and may be assisted by art ; but should nature be overcome , art is of noavail . Lifo is the gift of God . — Ellis .