To Correspondents.

To Correspondents .

J . S . —We have stated the reason for not continuing the correspondence on the question . The following communications and reports stand over : — Bro . Joshua Nunn ' s commnnication . Temple Lodge , No . 53 8 . Vernon Lodge , No . 1802 .

Gilbert Greenhall , No . 123 . Duke of Connaught Lodge of Instruction , No . 1324 . CORRESPONDENCE : P . M . 1768 , 421 , & c . John Yarker , P . M ., P . Z ., & c . Kenneth R . H . Mackenzie .

BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . "The Masonic Herald , " "The Masonic Record of Western India , " " Jewish Chronicle , " " Baroda Administration in 1874 , " "Hull Packet , " " Norwich Argus , " " Royal Cornwall Gazette , " " Die Baiihutte , " " ( Alliance News , " " Broad Arrow , " " The Seciet of a Good Memory , "

" Shanghai Mercury , " " Leicester Advertiser , " " Sunday Times , " " Croydon Guardian , " " Die New Yorker Bundes Presse , " " Liberal Freemason , " " Der Long Islander , " " Canadian Craftsman , " " The Egyptian Gazette , " " The Watchmaker , Jeweller , and Silversmiths' Journal , " "The Masonic Newspaper , " "The Pennsylvania Freemasons ' Hall , Philadelphia , 1802 . "

Births, Marriages, And Deaths.

Births , Marriages , and Deaths .

[ The charge is 2 s . 6 d . for announcements not exceeding Four Lines under this heading . ]

BIRTHS . DoNouGiiMORB . —On the 26 th ult ., at Knocklofly , Clonmel , Ireland , the Countess of Donoughmorc , of a daughter . FIMNEV . —On the 20 th ult ., at Ramleh , Egypt , thc wife of James Finney , of a son .

MARRIAGE . SEARSON—HAMBUN . —On the 8 th inst ., at St . Peter ' s Church , Brighton , Fred . Searson , of Irnham , Lincolnshire , to Annie Elizabeth , only daughter of Ebenczcr Hamblin , King ' s-road , Brighton .

DEATHS . COOTE . —On the 6 th inst , Bro . Charles Coote , aged 72 years . HALL . —On the 7 th inst ., suddenly , Bro . W . H . Hall , of the St . Clement Dane ' s Lodge .

Permanent Enlargement Of The "Freemason."

PERMANENT ENLARGEMENT OF THE " FREEMASON . "

Owing to constant pressure on the columns of the Freemason , and to the urgent necessity of " supplements , " whether of four or even eight pages , the Publisher has determined on and afte April 3 rd permanently to enlarge it to Twenty

Pages , except during the period of the Masonic recess , when Sixteen pages will probably suffice for the current hebdomadal news and reports . In addition to this change , the Publisher intends to print the Freemason , on and after April 3 rd ,

•with entirely New Type , to use Better Paper , and to give a Coloured Wrapper , like the one recently made use of , which has been much appreciated by his numerous readers . Under these circumstances , the Publisher has

also necessarily determined to increase the price of the Freemason to Threepence , but to deliver it post-free to subscribers , and feels convinced , from the experience of the past and present , that he

may rely m the future on the same cheerful patronage and the same unflinching support , which have cheered his earnest efforts to place in the hands and before the minds of his readers a

readable , an intelligent , a respectable Masonic paper , a true reflection in its " outcome " of the real principles and right practice of Freemasonry . All present subscribers will receive to the close of the time of their paid subscription the Freemason at the present price .

All subscribers from the 3 rd of April can have the Freemason posted to them post-free at the following rates : — United Ki _ g ( i <__ . C _»^?„ U . £ ffi ^; 13 s . 15 s ! 6 d . 17 s . [ 6 d .

Kenning's Masonic Cyclopædia.

KENNING'S MASONIC CYCLOP ? DIA .

It having been forcibly represented to Bro . George Kenning that the present price of his " Masonic Cyclopa : dia " has acted as a " deterrent" to many of the Craft , and that a lower amount might induce many brethren to purchase so compendious and complete a work of Masonic reference , he has determined , in order to meet these representations and extend the study of Masonic Literature

to make a considerable sacrifice as well as a liberal offer to the Cosmopolitan Craft . If he can receive the names of 2000 brethren at 5 s . 6 d . each , he will issue , early in May , the " Masonic Cyclopa : dia , " in a plain cloth binding , and post free to all such subscribers . The subscription list will remain open until May 1 st .

As this is a bon _ fide offer it will not be repeated , for the advantage to the subscribers is so great as not to require futher remarks . Bro . Kenning has still copies of the 10 s , 6 d . issue on hand in the original binding . A circular will , in proper course , be sent to all the lodges , and names may be transmitted forthwith to Bro . W . Lake , 108 , Fleet-street , London ,

E . C . If the applications for thc new issue should render it necessary , the book may be delivered even before May .

The Freemason.

THE FREEMASON .

SATURDAY , MAR . 13 , 1880 .

ONE very important point arising out of the proceedings at our last Grand Lodge was the ruling by the Pro G . M ., on the interpellation of Bro . R . J . Simpson , that Bro . McKay was perfectly in order in his motion to " non-confirm " that

portion of the minutes of the preceding Quarterly Communication in regard to Bro . James Stevens' resolution . By this decision the right of " non-confirmation" by Grand Lodge is happily upheld .

* * WE are aware that two views exist , and always have existed , as to the " vexata queestio" of confirmation of minutes . One is the simple confirmation and non-confirmation view , the other

may fairly be termed the " correctly entered " view . It is just possible in this and many other matters some anomalies exist , but , on the whole , we feel quite convinced ourselves that "confirmation and non-confirmation " are purely

Masonic technicalities , and are to be dealt with as such , and it is useless to bring forward " analogies " from other institutions . We fancy Bro . Fenn could , if he thought fit , give us numberless precedents , where Grand Lodge has firmly

and distinctly upheld its own prerogatives in this respect , and though difficulties may be alleged as to the practical use of their power , yet we feel equally sure that there is a law of common sense which supplies the solution of many seeming dilemmas .

* * WE said in our last issue that , in our opinion , Bro . Clabon exercised a wise discretion in withdrawing his proposals . Despite his interesting statement and the earnest remarks of Bro . Jabez

Hogg , we still venture to think that as long as our Book of Constitutions remains as it is , the meaning of the word " charity " is limited to the uses propounded in that particular section . If Bro . Jabez Hogg ' s amiable views are correct ,

there is hardly any possible Masonic charitable object for which the Board of Benevolence could not vote money . But , remembering that the benevolence capitation payment is a compulsory one , when we look to the official verbiage

employed , we must , we think , see at once that its appropriation is limited to the purposes of " charity , " and to charity in the sense of relief

to destitution and suffering , as verified by lodge recommendation , personal misfortune , the pressing necessities of home , colonial , or foreign Masons .

* * WE cannot agree with the proposition that the accumulations of the Fund of Benevolence are not to be touched . They are the surplus funds

of years , when the Board upheld a much lower standard of giving , and are clearly intended to be used , if need be , by the Board , which is empowered by the Book of Constitutions , subject

The Freemason.

' ¦ - ' ————_——— - _—— ^ - ~__ - to the approval of Grand Lodge , in sums » ceeding a certain amount to lay down the pr * per limits of granting relief or withholding charity . Neither can we agree that we ar S too

" making large grants . " We are convinced from personal observation , that great attention is paid to each case , much discrimination evinced a conscientious meting out of charity markedly prevalent , and though sometimes the grants to be

appear large , per se , larger certainly than used to be the case , as some of us remember well , yet we do not see , we confess , that they are in excess of the rightful claims of the applicants on the one hand , or the means of the Board on the other .

* _ WE listened to some fallacies the other evening in Grand Lodge , to which we feel bound to advert in a friendly and fraternal spirit . Assuredl y the argument , that because a brother has

subscribed very largely indeed to the Charities , ( all honour to him ) , therefore , that is a reason why he should receive Grand Office must be an utter falacy , for it would practically undermine our whole system and teaching , in that it would

make Grand Office a class privilege , would confirm the theory of benefit order , would obliterate long years of Masonic service , and would sweep away the great truth of Masonic equality . Its whole premise rests upon a " petitio principii . "

Whatatever worship the " Diva Pecunia " may have in the world , we have no such idol , happily , in our Masonic lodges . But as the opinion of Grand Lodge has been so unmistakeably expressed on the matter , we say no more on the subject .

* IT should not be forgotten that it is not always the brother who gives the most who really does the most for pure charity . Paradox as it may seem to be , it is , nevertheless , the fact ,

that many a brother who is not a rich man does actually more by his comparatively limited exertions , because it is a greater sacrifice to him , than even to the most must munificent millionaire . All our brethren will admit

the most liberal gifts of some good brethren to our Masonic Charities , and wish that all our wealthy brethren will "go and do likewise . " But wc

repeat what we have often said before , that our Masonic Order is not a very wealthy body in its totality . We have many opulent brethren , but the majority are , " bread winners " of limited incomes .

* * WE note with pleasure the account of some recent proceedings at Canterbury to which we

call attention . If any Kentish brother can obtain for us Bro . Mangan ' s address we shall be glad to publish it in the Freemason . It is a pity that a " good thing " should be lost .

* * THE thanks of Grand Lodge were voted to Bro . Buchanan , of the Lion Lodge , 312 , Whitby , for the presentation of a roll of the Constitutions to Grand Lodge . Of its age nothing is said . Bro .

Hughan alludes to another transcript of 384 8 Sloane , which had belonged to Bro . Tunnah , late Prov , G . S . for E . Lancashire . What an accumulation of MS . Masonic Constitutions we now behold since attention was first called to the subject some twenty years or more ago ,

* * WE understand that at the last Grand Lodrc printed slips were distributed to this effect , " Is the office of Grand Treasurer to be permanent : No . Therefore vote for . " We

have not the least idea what brother or brethren could be guilty of such impertinence to Grand Lodge . Such a proceeding deserves the greatest reprehension by all who wish to uphold the high and gentlemanly character of Grand Lodge , and

we beg respectfully to call the attention of out authorities to the subject , so as to prevent such a " nuisance " in the future . It puts one in mind of the three tailors in Tooley-street . We believe that the brother whose name was mentioned knew nothing of such unbefiitting proceedings