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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
wish to be advanced . The entrance fees generally are moderate , but in the choice of canelidates the utmost care is taken . A candidate has always to wait twelve months before he is ballotted for , and during this time he is watched by all the brethren of the lodge , whc . sc business it is to make themselves acquainted with his character , habits , and morals , before the ballot takes place . After
he has become an apprentice he has again to wait at least twelve months before he is passeel into the second degree , and mostly a still longer time before he can be raised to the third degree . There is but little scope for office-hunting , the Worshipful Master and the officers being mostly re-elected year after year until they themselves tender their resignation . The total number of the German lodges is estimated at
about 310 , but these lodges contain larger numbers anil are altogether more lasting in their existence than is the case in England , and it is a rare occurrence in Germany for a brother to leave his lodge , and to resign , unless forced by external circumstances . I remain , dear sir and brother , yours fraternally , KARI . BEIIGMAN , J . W . of Pilgrim , No . 228 ( Working in the German language ) .
THE INSTALLATION OF THE GRAND MASTER . To Ihe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Permit mc to offer a suggestion and to ask a question in relation to the unprecedented ceremony about to take place in connection with the installation of our Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . Is the rule
to be absolute that none but Past Masters can be present on this auspicious occasion , and if so , why ? To shut out Master Masons would he unjust and dishonourable ; at least , such is my opinion . It is scarcely within the realm of every Master Mason to become a Past Master , then why should this exclusiveness be exercised . I of myself know a little multitude of full-grown Master
Masons who are quite as worthy to appear in the presence of His Royal Highness as any Past Master , and no argument or reason presents itself to me that they should be " disbarred " this privilege . It would be unjust to close thc door upon Master Masons of ten years standing , or any Master Mason . This body of Freemasons arc the backbone and sinew of
our most noble brotherhood . Master Masons , as a rule , are men of the right stamp—charitable—and numbers of them arc Past Stewards , and many are Governors of our charities , and •yet ( withal , not Past Masters . I , for one , think these brethren should have the immunity of being present . -I hold that it would be a lasting slur upon this , the greater and stronger body of Freemasons , shoulil they
be excluded , simply because they have not passed the chair , and never having had thc opportunity . If the rule is absolute , which I think might be relaxed if the feeling was made known at head-quarters , with all decorum and courtesy , and as the ceremony of installation will partake of the character of a levee , being in the presence of royalty , nay more , the heir to the throne of
England ' s empire is to be enthroned our Grand Master . Let me suggest that if exclusiveness is to be the barrier of Master Masons being present , make Court dress a law of necessity , and if , upon this authority , Master Masons can appear , we should have a large addition to the grand gathering , and they would help to raise , as well as help to swell , the honour on this unique occasion . There are
numberless Master Masons gentlemen in the full acceptance of thc word who are not Past Masters . I would earnestly press this matter and should thank you to offer a means whereby Master Masons can become eligible . This installation will be a red-letter day in England's history , thc fame of which is already sounding abroad ,
not only Masomcally , but as a protest against the puny and silly anathemas of an intolerant and lugubrious priesthood , whom England ' s eldest son and pride will tolerate—all and every honour to him for his manliness in taking upon himself this great office in the very face of this unmeaning party . Hearty good wishes , sincerely and fraternally yours ,
" NON Nouis SEI ) OMNIBUS . " and March , 1875 .
THEjRIGHT OF VISITING LODGES . To the Editor if the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I was greatly surprised to see in your issue of Saturday last , a kind of half admission hy " Busy Bee , " that a stranger had no right of entrance to a Masonic Lodge , unless personally known , recommended , and
vouched for hy one of thc brethren present , and a halfhearted kind of defence of the same , lest some expelled member , or some clever cowan , obtained adniittnnce to our lodge-rooms . Bosh ! Thc same might be said about the issue of bank notes , on the ground that a forgeil one might be uttered , or another presented from a bank which had failed to meet its liabilities . In the one case , so long
as a man stands before you , to all external appearance a just and upright man and a Mason , you are to receive him as such , until the contrary be proved ; and in the other case , I think he would be a very clever cowan indeed who could pass himself off as a Mason at my lodge . My contention , sir , is , that the spirit of Masonry , its scope , its object , and its purpose ( with other noble aims ) , is lo unite man to man more and more : instead of giving
pain , to be the medium of joy and gladness ; to be the channel by which men ot divers notions and languages may meet on thc square for the purpose of giving and receiving information , and to render every kind oflice which justice or mercy may require ; to ennoble a man wherever he may be , either in his own land or in a far-off country , in the crowded city or the secluded village ; to exclaim with pride and satisfaction , " I am a Master Mason ; try
Original Correspondence.
me anel prove me , " anil being found in all points a true man and no spy , he shall meet with that friendly grip which none but Masons know , and shall find friendl y steps which shall be ever ready , even through dangers and difficulties , to meet with such an one , in forming a column for mutual support and defence . I care nothing for the strained interpretation of page 89
of the Constitutions . To mc it appears perfectly clear , that it is the easiest thing possible for one of the brethren present to step out , try , and prove the strange brother ; finding him right , he vouches for him , anel introduces him to the lodge , where I have always known him to be most cordially received . If this be not so , what is the good of all our secret signs , our tokens , our grips , and our
words ? If I , before being admitted as a Mason , have to be known , vouched for , and recommended , then there is no need for all these elaborate precautions . Our lodges , being scattered over the surface of thc whole habitable globe , to me is nought ; since , presenting myself at a strange lodge , I am met with the words , " depart from me ,
I know you not . " Are these brotherly love , relief , and truth ? Is this the result of making ourselves known by signs , tokens , and perfect points of entrance . Fraternally yours , J OSEPH PARKER , W . M . 346 . Clayton-lc-Dalc , March ist ., 1875 .
j ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROGRESS . —No . III . To the Editor if thc Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , I am much interested in the series of articles entitled " Arcrueological Progress , " and hope several more are yet to follow from your facile pen , and many other students of Masonic history have been similarly gratified to note their character .
As to the " Johaninte teaching , I am quite certain that your statement is correct , viz ., " It is quite clear , historically , that the Johannite teaching of Freemasonry , as suggested by Dr . Oliver , is , if not actually of the 18 th century , at any rate not earlier than the 1 ; th . In fact , I go farther , and declare it is my belief that the Festivals of St . John the Baptist and St . John thc Evangelist were not common
to the Craft until thc last century . In other words , these 1 Saints' were not the adopted Saints of Freemasonry until after the Revival of 1717 . " You allude to the lodge at Alnwick , of which . 1 gave a long account in the Freemason of January 21 st , 1 S 71 . The "Orders" of Sept . 29 th , 1 7 , provided for thc Two Wardens being chosen on the " Feast of St . Michael the
Archangel , " and Apprentices were only to be " accepted " ( after having served seven years ) at that Feast . A few years later , the Festival of St . John the Evangelist was selected for the anniversary . You say truly " Of St . John the Baptist wc find no trace " until the last century . In the Ordinacio Cementariorum , circa , A . U . 1370 , ( " Fabric Rolls of York Munster , " ) will be found some
curious laws to regulate " ye loge , " " yemaystyrmasoun , " and " all ye masouns . " Though it is true we are not so well off in England as respects lodge records as in Scotland , yet we have thc foregoing preserved , which is of considerable value , especially as it is of the fourteenth century , and a lodge record or code of regulations withal .
Then there is thc entry in Elias Ashmole's Diary of Oct . 16 th , 1646 , of his reception , with Colonel Mainwaring , at Warrington , and the names of thc brethren who attended the lodge . Also the visit of that well known antiquary at a lodge in London at Mason ' s Hall , March 10 th , 1682 .
There are also other references which will occur to you , and which arc worth being collected and presented in one of your articles of the series , exhibiting the records and accounts of lodge meetings , tic , in England , prior lo 1717 . Fraternally yours , WILLIAM J AMES HCGIIAN- . Truro , 27 th Feb ., 1875 .
THE FREEMASONS' LIFEBOAT SUPPORT FUND . To the Editor if the Freemason . Dear Sir anel Brother , — The gratuitous services rendered by you in the lifeboat movement , induces me to ask a space in your next edition for this letter , that will enable me to explain the reason thc above movement fell through . I think it would
be found in the last report that appeared in your colums , Hro . A . E . Harris and myself were confined to our homes from illness , which prevented our attending the meeting ; it was afterwards intimated to me by Bro . Harris , that his professional engagements , combined with the occasional indisposition , would prevent his attendance in future . Unfortunately a continuous affliction of rheumatic gout
prevented my attending to business ; since then , finding that a support movement could not be effected without thc continual assistance of a committee , I made enquiries of Mr . R . Lewis , the Secretary of the National Lifel oat Institution , if the sum of £ 500 could be realised by subscriptions , whether it would he accepted by that committee as a permanent endowment for the " Freemasons'
Lifeboat . " 1 received a letter of thanks to the Freemasons for their kinel consideration eif the institution , anel that thc sum specified woulel be accepted with pleasure . I wrote to several members upon the subje'et , but being confined to my bed for many months , was unable to form a committee . From the columns of your contemporary 1 find a rival movement has been started , and Bro . Constable has given notice to Grand Lodge that he woulel apply for a
grant of £ 100 to endow the Freemasons' lifeboat , he having the sum of £ 3 3 s . in hand , I delayed writing until the result of the application was known , but find it was not made , I visited my lodge last meeting to ascertain the feeling of the members . As to forming a committee for the purpose of realising the amount required , I am pleased to stale I shall be supported . Knowing how heavily the pockets of the brotherhood are taxed , I would suggest a very easy mode of collecting the amount ; it would
Original Correspondence.
require the co-operation of W . M . ' s and P . Z . 's , that they would , one night during their year of office , seek a subscription of sixpence each from every member present . Taking the average of thirty members at each meeting , 100 lodges and chapters , would produce £ 7 ;; o , but supposing only half that number assembled , a Fancy Fair , by gifts from the wives , sisters and daughters of Masons
would enable us to carry out the object . I shall he glad to receive the opinions of the brotherhood through your columns , or by post , to me , with names of those who will assist on committee , as a meeting will be called immediatel y after the next meeting of the Faith Lodge , that officers may be elected , my accounts audited ,
and the money deposited in the London and Westminster Bank , in thc names of the President , Treasurer , and Hon . Secretary , and a banker ' s receipt produced at each meeting , as was formerly carried out by Yours fraternally , Soi . o . vox DAVIS , Faith , 141 .
MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — " Busy Bee" says that the oldest P . M . of a lodge rejoining it after an absence of a year or more becomes the youngest . The Book of Constitutions does not say so . I rely on the latter authority . " Magnus Ohren " says that
the Book of Constitutions docs not empower lodges to apply their funds to any other than Masonic charities or purposes , but it empowers lodges to make bye-laws , and by these bye-laws lodges may be so empowered . I never , during the forty years that I have been a Mason , saw such powers contained in any bye-laws , and if there are no such bye .
laws , how then , Bro . Magnus Ohren ? If you will kindly give these few remarks a place in your next paper , 1 will not again trouble you on these subjects . Your ever faithful brother , As OLD P . M ., OSE , etc .
OUR MASONIC CHARITIES . To the Editor of Ihe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — You have , on many occasions , advocated the cause of our Charities in your valuable paper . That I have ventured to say a few words on this particular subject , as the plan of support falls very short of a proper
development , which should exist in such a body of Freemasons as we possess . I fear it will require a more able pen than mine , and a stronger argument than I can place on paper , to create a change in our system , but still I hope to solicit some stronger power on my side to advocate the cause of our Charities , whereby they may be supported by a large majority of its members instead of a very small
minority . It does appear to mc somewhat strange that the Charity Committees should continue , year after year , to appeal to the large-heartedncss of J ; hc few , instead of developing a scheme for the easier method of obtaining that support for our charities they so justly deserve . I shall now offer several suggestions for the further
consideration of our members . ist . Every brother , giving a donation of five guineas , and collecting fifteen more , shall be entitled to the Charity Jewel . 2 nd . That collecting-cards be prepared by the Secretary of each Institution , leaving sufficient r . jrare hetween the lines for every subscriber to write his name and address
and the sum subscribed . All cards to he forwarded to the W . M . of the lodge , who is to take charge of all monies collected , and to forward the same to the Secretary of the Institution . No second card to be issued to any lodge until the first is returned and cash received at head quarters . 3 rd . That thc Committees of the Charities should make
an alteration 111 the annual fees payable to the Institutions to meet the more advanced times . There are now 1524 lodges under the Grand Lodge of England , and I feel sure if some such plan was adopted , there would be no difficulty in obtaining twelve annual subscribers of One Guinea in every lodge under our Constitution . That would produce the large sum of £ 19 , 202 . This sum divided by three
would give £ 0 , 400 to each Institution . Each subscriber of One Guinea to have an equal interest of voting power in each Institution as to candidates to be elected . 1 would also most respectfully call the attention of the committees to the following facts : — Cheap fares has produced a greater travelling public , with larger dividends to the shareholders . Cheap postage
a much larger revenue for Government . And I would ask , why should not thc annual subscription to our Masonic Charities be reduced from Three Guineas to One per annum , which , I firmly believe , would have the same beneficial results for the charities , as the above facts prove .
It is evident to everyone with half an eye to business , that three guineas given annually to have an equal interest hi our charities , is not a popular feeling in thc Craft , or wc should have a larger number of annual subscribers on our lists . Dear sir and brother , I remain , yours fraternally , P . M .
FREEMASONRY IN CONSTANTINOPLE . To Ihe Editor of Ihe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — It was with interest that I read your account of Freemasonry in Constantinople and also with some regret ,
seeing that it only mentioned the Leinster Lodge when referring to the banquet , which appears rather one-sided , . but 1 , as Secretary 01 the Leinster Lodge and a subscriber to the Freemason , cannot think of letting this go by unnoticed . In the first place , when the officers of the Leinster
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
wish to be advanced . The entrance fees generally are moderate , but in the choice of canelidates the utmost care is taken . A candidate has always to wait twelve months before he is ballotted for , and during this time he is watched by all the brethren of the lodge , whc . sc business it is to make themselves acquainted with his character , habits , and morals , before the ballot takes place . After
he has become an apprentice he has again to wait at least twelve months before he is passeel into the second degree , and mostly a still longer time before he can be raised to the third degree . There is but little scope for office-hunting , the Worshipful Master and the officers being mostly re-elected year after year until they themselves tender their resignation . The total number of the German lodges is estimated at
about 310 , but these lodges contain larger numbers anil are altogether more lasting in their existence than is the case in England , and it is a rare occurrence in Germany for a brother to leave his lodge , and to resign , unless forced by external circumstances . I remain , dear sir and brother , yours fraternally , KARI . BEIIGMAN , J . W . of Pilgrim , No . 228 ( Working in the German language ) .
THE INSTALLATION OF THE GRAND MASTER . To Ihe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Permit mc to offer a suggestion and to ask a question in relation to the unprecedented ceremony about to take place in connection with the installation of our Grand Master , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . Is the rule
to be absolute that none but Past Masters can be present on this auspicious occasion , and if so , why ? To shut out Master Masons would he unjust and dishonourable ; at least , such is my opinion . It is scarcely within the realm of every Master Mason to become a Past Master , then why should this exclusiveness be exercised . I of myself know a little multitude of full-grown Master
Masons who are quite as worthy to appear in the presence of His Royal Highness as any Past Master , and no argument or reason presents itself to me that they should be " disbarred " this privilege . It would be unjust to close thc door upon Master Masons of ten years standing , or any Master Mason . This body of Freemasons arc the backbone and sinew of
our most noble brotherhood . Master Masons , as a rule , are men of the right stamp—charitable—and numbers of them arc Past Stewards , and many are Governors of our charities , and •yet ( withal , not Past Masters . I , for one , think these brethren should have the immunity of being present . -I hold that it would be a lasting slur upon this , the greater and stronger body of Freemasons , shoulil they
be excluded , simply because they have not passed the chair , and never having had thc opportunity . If the rule is absolute , which I think might be relaxed if the feeling was made known at head-quarters , with all decorum and courtesy , and as the ceremony of installation will partake of the character of a levee , being in the presence of royalty , nay more , the heir to the throne of
England ' s empire is to be enthroned our Grand Master . Let me suggest that if exclusiveness is to be the barrier of Master Masons being present , make Court dress a law of necessity , and if , upon this authority , Master Masons can appear , we should have a large addition to the grand gathering , and they would help to raise , as well as help to swell , the honour on this unique occasion . There are
numberless Master Masons gentlemen in the full acceptance of thc word who are not Past Masters . I would earnestly press this matter and should thank you to offer a means whereby Master Masons can become eligible . This installation will be a red-letter day in England's history , thc fame of which is already sounding abroad ,
not only Masomcally , but as a protest against the puny and silly anathemas of an intolerant and lugubrious priesthood , whom England ' s eldest son and pride will tolerate—all and every honour to him for his manliness in taking upon himself this great office in the very face of this unmeaning party . Hearty good wishes , sincerely and fraternally yours ,
" NON Nouis SEI ) OMNIBUS . " and March , 1875 .
THEjRIGHT OF VISITING LODGES . To the Editor if the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I was greatly surprised to see in your issue of Saturday last , a kind of half admission hy " Busy Bee , " that a stranger had no right of entrance to a Masonic Lodge , unless personally known , recommended , and
vouched for hy one of thc brethren present , and a halfhearted kind of defence of the same , lest some expelled member , or some clever cowan , obtained adniittnnce to our lodge-rooms . Bosh ! Thc same might be said about the issue of bank notes , on the ground that a forgeil one might be uttered , or another presented from a bank which had failed to meet its liabilities . In the one case , so long
as a man stands before you , to all external appearance a just and upright man and a Mason , you are to receive him as such , until the contrary be proved ; and in the other case , I think he would be a very clever cowan indeed who could pass himself off as a Mason at my lodge . My contention , sir , is , that the spirit of Masonry , its scope , its object , and its purpose ( with other noble aims ) , is lo unite man to man more and more : instead of giving
pain , to be the medium of joy and gladness ; to be the channel by which men ot divers notions and languages may meet on thc square for the purpose of giving and receiving information , and to render every kind oflice which justice or mercy may require ; to ennoble a man wherever he may be , either in his own land or in a far-off country , in the crowded city or the secluded village ; to exclaim with pride and satisfaction , " I am a Master Mason ; try
Original Correspondence.
me anel prove me , " anil being found in all points a true man and no spy , he shall meet with that friendly grip which none but Masons know , and shall find friendl y steps which shall be ever ready , even through dangers and difficulties , to meet with such an one , in forming a column for mutual support and defence . I care nothing for the strained interpretation of page 89
of the Constitutions . To mc it appears perfectly clear , that it is the easiest thing possible for one of the brethren present to step out , try , and prove the strange brother ; finding him right , he vouches for him , anel introduces him to the lodge , where I have always known him to be most cordially received . If this be not so , what is the good of all our secret signs , our tokens , our grips , and our
words ? If I , before being admitted as a Mason , have to be known , vouched for , and recommended , then there is no need for all these elaborate precautions . Our lodges , being scattered over the surface of thc whole habitable globe , to me is nought ; since , presenting myself at a strange lodge , I am met with the words , " depart from me ,
I know you not . " Are these brotherly love , relief , and truth ? Is this the result of making ourselves known by signs , tokens , and perfect points of entrance . Fraternally yours , J OSEPH PARKER , W . M . 346 . Clayton-lc-Dalc , March ist ., 1875 .
j ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROGRESS . —No . III . To the Editor if thc Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , I am much interested in the series of articles entitled " Arcrueological Progress , " and hope several more are yet to follow from your facile pen , and many other students of Masonic history have been similarly gratified to note their character .
As to the " Johaninte teaching , I am quite certain that your statement is correct , viz ., " It is quite clear , historically , that the Johannite teaching of Freemasonry , as suggested by Dr . Oliver , is , if not actually of the 18 th century , at any rate not earlier than the 1 ; th . In fact , I go farther , and declare it is my belief that the Festivals of St . John the Baptist and St . John thc Evangelist were not common
to the Craft until thc last century . In other words , these 1 Saints' were not the adopted Saints of Freemasonry until after the Revival of 1717 . " You allude to the lodge at Alnwick , of which . 1 gave a long account in the Freemason of January 21 st , 1 S 71 . The "Orders" of Sept . 29 th , 1 7 , provided for thc Two Wardens being chosen on the " Feast of St . Michael the
Archangel , " and Apprentices were only to be " accepted " ( after having served seven years ) at that Feast . A few years later , the Festival of St . John the Evangelist was selected for the anniversary . You say truly " Of St . John the Baptist wc find no trace " until the last century . In the Ordinacio Cementariorum , circa , A . U . 1370 , ( " Fabric Rolls of York Munster , " ) will be found some
curious laws to regulate " ye loge , " " yemaystyrmasoun , " and " all ye masouns . " Though it is true we are not so well off in England as respects lodge records as in Scotland , yet we have thc foregoing preserved , which is of considerable value , especially as it is of the fourteenth century , and a lodge record or code of regulations withal .
Then there is thc entry in Elias Ashmole's Diary of Oct . 16 th , 1646 , of his reception , with Colonel Mainwaring , at Warrington , and the names of thc brethren who attended the lodge . Also the visit of that well known antiquary at a lodge in London at Mason ' s Hall , March 10 th , 1682 .
There are also other references which will occur to you , and which arc worth being collected and presented in one of your articles of the series , exhibiting the records and accounts of lodge meetings , tic , in England , prior lo 1717 . Fraternally yours , WILLIAM J AMES HCGIIAN- . Truro , 27 th Feb ., 1875 .
THE FREEMASONS' LIFEBOAT SUPPORT FUND . To the Editor if the Freemason . Dear Sir anel Brother , — The gratuitous services rendered by you in the lifeboat movement , induces me to ask a space in your next edition for this letter , that will enable me to explain the reason thc above movement fell through . I think it would
be found in the last report that appeared in your colums , Hro . A . E . Harris and myself were confined to our homes from illness , which prevented our attending the meeting ; it was afterwards intimated to me by Bro . Harris , that his professional engagements , combined with the occasional indisposition , would prevent his attendance in future . Unfortunately a continuous affliction of rheumatic gout
prevented my attending to business ; since then , finding that a support movement could not be effected without thc continual assistance of a committee , I made enquiries of Mr . R . Lewis , the Secretary of the National Lifel oat Institution , if the sum of £ 500 could be realised by subscriptions , whether it would he accepted by that committee as a permanent endowment for the " Freemasons'
Lifeboat . " 1 received a letter of thanks to the Freemasons for their kinel consideration eif the institution , anel that thc sum specified woulel be accepted with pleasure . I wrote to several members upon the subje'et , but being confined to my bed for many months , was unable to form a committee . From the columns of your contemporary 1 find a rival movement has been started , and Bro . Constable has given notice to Grand Lodge that he woulel apply for a
grant of £ 100 to endow the Freemasons' lifeboat , he having the sum of £ 3 3 s . in hand , I delayed writing until the result of the application was known , but find it was not made , I visited my lodge last meeting to ascertain the feeling of the members . As to forming a committee for the purpose of realising the amount required , I am pleased to stale I shall be supported . Knowing how heavily the pockets of the brotherhood are taxed , I would suggest a very easy mode of collecting the amount ; it would
Original Correspondence.
require the co-operation of W . M . ' s and P . Z . 's , that they would , one night during their year of office , seek a subscription of sixpence each from every member present . Taking the average of thirty members at each meeting , 100 lodges and chapters , would produce £ 7 ;; o , but supposing only half that number assembled , a Fancy Fair , by gifts from the wives , sisters and daughters of Masons
would enable us to carry out the object . I shall he glad to receive the opinions of the brotherhood through your columns , or by post , to me , with names of those who will assist on committee , as a meeting will be called immediatel y after the next meeting of the Faith Lodge , that officers may be elected , my accounts audited ,
and the money deposited in the London and Westminster Bank , in thc names of the President , Treasurer , and Hon . Secretary , and a banker ' s receipt produced at each meeting , as was formerly carried out by Yours fraternally , Soi . o . vox DAVIS , Faith , 141 .
MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — " Busy Bee" says that the oldest P . M . of a lodge rejoining it after an absence of a year or more becomes the youngest . The Book of Constitutions does not say so . I rely on the latter authority . " Magnus Ohren " says that
the Book of Constitutions docs not empower lodges to apply their funds to any other than Masonic charities or purposes , but it empowers lodges to make bye-laws , and by these bye-laws lodges may be so empowered . I never , during the forty years that I have been a Mason , saw such powers contained in any bye-laws , and if there are no such bye .
laws , how then , Bro . Magnus Ohren ? If you will kindly give these few remarks a place in your next paper , 1 will not again trouble you on these subjects . Your ever faithful brother , As OLD P . M ., OSE , etc .
OUR MASONIC CHARITIES . To the Editor of Ihe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — You have , on many occasions , advocated the cause of our Charities in your valuable paper . That I have ventured to say a few words on this particular subject , as the plan of support falls very short of a proper
development , which should exist in such a body of Freemasons as we possess . I fear it will require a more able pen than mine , and a stronger argument than I can place on paper , to create a change in our system , but still I hope to solicit some stronger power on my side to advocate the cause of our Charities , whereby they may be supported by a large majority of its members instead of a very small
minority . It does appear to mc somewhat strange that the Charity Committees should continue , year after year , to appeal to the large-heartedncss of J ; hc few , instead of developing a scheme for the easier method of obtaining that support for our charities they so justly deserve . I shall now offer several suggestions for the further
consideration of our members . ist . Every brother , giving a donation of five guineas , and collecting fifteen more , shall be entitled to the Charity Jewel . 2 nd . That collecting-cards be prepared by the Secretary of each Institution , leaving sufficient r . jrare hetween the lines for every subscriber to write his name and address
and the sum subscribed . All cards to he forwarded to the W . M . of the lodge , who is to take charge of all monies collected , and to forward the same to the Secretary of the Institution . No second card to be issued to any lodge until the first is returned and cash received at head quarters . 3 rd . That thc Committees of the Charities should make
an alteration 111 the annual fees payable to the Institutions to meet the more advanced times . There are now 1524 lodges under the Grand Lodge of England , and I feel sure if some such plan was adopted , there would be no difficulty in obtaining twelve annual subscribers of One Guinea in every lodge under our Constitution . That would produce the large sum of £ 19 , 202 . This sum divided by three
would give £ 0 , 400 to each Institution . Each subscriber of One Guinea to have an equal interest of voting power in each Institution as to candidates to be elected . 1 would also most respectfully call the attention of the committees to the following facts : — Cheap fares has produced a greater travelling public , with larger dividends to the shareholders . Cheap postage
a much larger revenue for Government . And I would ask , why should not thc annual subscription to our Masonic Charities be reduced from Three Guineas to One per annum , which , I firmly believe , would have the same beneficial results for the charities , as the above facts prove .
It is evident to everyone with half an eye to business , that three guineas given annually to have an equal interest hi our charities , is not a popular feeling in thc Craft , or wc should have a larger number of annual subscribers on our lists . Dear sir and brother , I remain , yours fraternally , P . M .
FREEMASONRY IN CONSTANTINOPLE . To Ihe Editor of Ihe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — It was with interest that I read your account of Freemasonry in Constantinople and also with some regret ,
seeing that it only mentioned the Leinster Lodge when referring to the banquet , which appears rather one-sided , . but 1 , as Secretary 01 the Leinster Lodge and a subscriber to the Freemason , cannot think of letting this go by unnoticed . In the first place , when the officers of the Leinster