Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to ail , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

THE QUESTION OF DEGREES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Having read Bro . W . J . Hughan's article and your comments of the the 23 rd ult ., with regard to " The Question of Degrees , " I would call your attention to a lecture given by Bro . Dr . A . Churchward , P . M . and P . '/ ,., in the South Norwood Lodge , in the early part of this year , in which he brings forward undoubted

proof that " there were several Degrees in Freemasonry , " many thousands of years ago . I understand that Bro . Dr . A . Churchward , who devoted , at least , 10 or 12 years to the subject of "Antiquity of Freemasonry , " is about to publish the same with proofs , and that the Freemason will have the first refusal of publishing the same " with all rights reserved . " Having- been present at the above lecture , I can safely say that no Mason has hitherto brought forward the subject with such proofs in such a scientific form , and it was certainly most intensely interesting to those who take an interest in our past history . —Yours fraternally ,

M . M 206 , Selhurst-road , South Norwood , S . E ., November 2 nd .

THE ENTERED APPRENTICE'S SONG . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Some of our musical brethren may be glad to have an additional verse to the Entered Apprentice ' s song for the purpose of impressing thc

newlymade Masons with the auspiciousness of the momenl when they entered the Craft . I therefore offer them the following for use during the remainder of this year : We must make it quite clear In this sixtieth year ,

Since our Queen on the Throne took her place on , That the brother to-night Who first saw the light Is a Queen ' s Diamond Jubilee Mason . Yours fraternally , W . M . Justicia , 2563

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1108 ] The Templar Correspondence of the Grand Commandery of Illinois has just been published , and makes a handsome and entertaining volume . It is written by our good friend and brother General John Corson Smith , of Chicago , in his usual happy and genial style . Under Michigan , reference is made to the bust of Carrara marble presented to Frater Hugh McCurdy , Past Grand Master of

Knights Templars of the United States . The honour was well-deserved , and the gift was handed to the beloved recipient by General Smith , on behalf of the Committee appointed by the Grand Encampment . The orator was at his best—I refer to our General—and in his reply " our Hugh" was most appreciative . The special feature of this annual is a charming sketch , entitled "My winter in the Tropics , " by our General . It is lavishly illustrated , most pleasantly written , and has

a Masonic flavour from first to last all its own . Many of the opinions advanced by the Author in the ordinary portion of his report should have careful attention , especially his recommendation that brethren to become members of the K . T . Commandery , shall be subscribers to lodge and R . A . chapter , and to continue such membership in the K . T ., must mean membership at the same time of lodge

and chapter . There are many advantages to accrue from such a regulation , but I doubt its being generally acceptable . It might , however , be a sine ijud noiiior joining at the first , if not as respects continuation . The perusal of the volume has becn a source of much pleasure and instruction to me , as General Smith's writings always are .

W . J . HUGHAN 1109 ]

The "Masonic Token" for October 15 th , 1897 , edited by my esteemed friend , Stephen Berry ( Grand Secretary of Maine ) , is practically Masonic History " in a nutshell , " though , as respects size , it is only a quarto sheet of eight pages , and published quarterly . It is , however , brimful of information , in condensed paragraphs , and the news is carefully selected and ably arranged by a veteran Editor and Publisher . Bro . Berry is great on statistics , and his Templar

Tables arc a feature of his Reports . His estimate of Knights Templar for the U . S . A . is duly detailed in this number , and includes particulars of 1006 subordinate Commanderies in 43 Grand Commanderies and the Grand Encampment , returning the enormous number of 112 , 891 members , of whom 6424 were knighted during the year . For Canada , the'iigures are respectively , 36 , 1548 , and 216 ; England and Wales are given as 117 preceptories , and 23 GG members ;

Scotland has 21 , with 525 knights ; and , Ireland , 43 and 9 GS ; also Victorii , a ) with 76 members . The grand total being 1227 subordinates , with overnS . ooo knights . An extraordinary number , and particularly as respects the United States--, In thc same Paper are what is known as " Drummond ' s Lodge Statistics , 1 N 97 . " The Table is by the Hon . Judge Drummond , P . G . M ., and concerns 57 Grand Lodges in the U . S . A and Canada . The membership of actual subscribers is given as 804 , 706 . W . J . HUGHAN .

Reviews.

Reviews .

MH . BKKTKAM DOIIKI . L , of 77 , Charing Cross-road , W . C , is now publishing in numbers the continuation of his " Catalogue of Books printed for private circulation . " Paits I . to 111 ., containing Nos . 1 to 12 , can still be had , price one shilling each . These tun to over 200 pages , it is anticipated that this remarkable work will be completed in some seven numbers , at threepence each . The collection has been made by Mr . Dobcll extending over a penod of many years , and each lot is duly priced , and most interestingly t ' ticiibtd , the bibliographical information being of a most valuable character .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Hemming Lodge , No . 1512 . A meet ! rg of this lodge was held at the Greyhound Hotel , Hampton Court , on the 21 st ult . Amcng those present were Bros . VV . Fisher , P . M ., P . P . G . Treas ., as VV . M ., in the absence , through a domestic affliction , of Bro . W . Hopkins ; P . Cronin , S . W . ; C . Wheatley , J . W . j J . C . Jessett , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., Treas . ; Major T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., P . G . Std . fir ., Sec ; H . Gale , S . D . ; C . F . Davis , J . D . ; W . Spearing , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B . ; H . Wheatley , P . M .. P . P . A . G . D . C , Stwd . ; G . Ransford , P . M ., P . P . G . S . B ., D . C . ; and E . H . Trotter , P . M ., P . A . G . P . Middx .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and conlirmed , Bros . Croxcn ard Barber were raised to the Third Degree . The ballot having been taken on behalf of Mr . Alfred O . Hemming , he was duly initiated by the acting W . M . in an impressive manner . A vote of condolence was passed to the widow and family of the late Bro . Tom Tagg , a founder of the lodge , as well as the widely-known retreat Tagg ' s Island Hotel , on the upper Thames . The widow of a deceased brother was relieved from the funds of the lodge . The name of a candidate for initiation having been handed

in , apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros . W . Hopkias , W . M . ; G . J . Tagg , I . P . M . ; J . W . Clarke , P . M ., P . G . P . Middx . ; H . Bright , A . Z . Schulze , and others . The lodge was then closed . A dinner followed . Bro . H . Wheatley responded en behalf of " The Provincial Grand Officers . " In proposing the toast of " The Initiate , " the acting W . M . mentioned the interest

ing circumstance that Bro . Hemming was the grandson of the distinguished Mason and clergyman after whom the lodge was named . The toast was most warmly received . In his reply , the initiate said he had long desired to become a Mason , but it was quite recently that he had heard of a lodge bearing his family name . His grandfather was a P . G . Chaplain of England , and Chaplain to King William the Fourth . He hoped in time to fill the chair ot the Hemming Lodge , and he felt delighted in being allowed to enter its portals .

Bros . George Ransford responded on behalf of " The Past Masters , " and Bros . J C . Jessett , P . Cronin , and C . Wheatley , for " The Officers . " The proceedings then terminated .

Royal Kensington Lodge , No . 1627 . The installation meeting of this lodge , held at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queenslreit , on the 5 th instant , attracted a goodly number of members and visitors . " Bro . Hern mann , the retiring Master , is succeeded in the chair by Bro . Isidor Ehrmann—of the well-known champagne house of Ehrmann Freres—who was initiated in the lodge a few years ago , and has worked steadily through the various offices . The members present included Bros . O . Heinemann , W . M . ; Isidor Ehrmann , W . M . elect ; F . Walker , J . VV . ; J . B . Stevens , P . M ., Treas . ; H . P . Hay , P . M ., Sec ; E . N .

Glaeser , S . D . ; F . M . Prince , J . D . ; F . H . Jarvis , P . M . ; E . Daoust , P . M . ; J . P . Leith , P . M ., P . G . D . ; C . F . Bennewitz , P . M . ; M . Ehrmann , and others . Visitors : Bros . J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B . ; J . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; F . H . Westcott , 1563 ; C . Wright , P . M . 1460 ; H . C . T . Hunt , S . D . 134 ; A . Rumsey , P . M . 1194 ; Walter Dennis , VV . M . 9 ; H . Lewis , 2473 ; C . J . Coombs , W . M . 7 S 0 ; C . H . Bull , P . M . 179 6 ; H . Webb , 16 S 1 ; H . G . Walker , j . W . 1 G 14 ; S . Very , 714 ( New York ); I . E . Hill , S . W . 1460 ; S . E . Firminger , l . G . 1559 ; C . Woodrow , P . M . 170 S ; VV . H . Cannon , S 5 S ; W . W . Lee , P . P . G . D . Middx . ; and others .

Lodge was opened , the minutes conlirmed , and the Auditors' report adopted . Messrs . F . VV . Sawyer , H . J . Palmer , and A . Tabor were then duly initiated . Bro . Isidor Ehrmann was next presented for installation by Bro . Jarvis , P . M ., and was installed into the chair by Bro . Bennewitz , P . M . Ths following officers ware invested : Bros . F . Walker , S . W . j E . N . Glaeser . J . W . ; J . B . Stevens , P . M ., Treas . ; H . P . Hay , P . M ., Sec . ; F . M . Prince , S . D . ; A . J . Wilson , J . D . ; M . Ehrmann , I . G . ; E . Delacoste , P . M ., D . C ; C . J . Butler , Stwd . ; and Potter , P . M ., Tyl : r . Bro

Heinemann , I . P . M ., was presented by the W . M . witha Past Master ' s jewel as a token of respect and esteem , which was suitably acknowledged . L-jtters of regret for nonattendance were announced , and the lodge was closed . A banquet was afterwards held in the Crown R 00 m , Freemasons' Tavern , under the presidency of the W . M ., when the usual toasts were acknowledged . Bro . J . Percy Leith , P . G . D ., replied on behalf of "The Grand Officers , " and said that those distinguished brethren did their utmost to me ric the approval of thc Craft by

payin ? due attention to all matters for ths welfare and success of the Craft . Bro . O . Heinemann , I . P . M ., proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " and expressed his confidence that in Bro . I . Ehrmann they had a Master who would do credit as a ruler of the Craft , and carry out the traditions of the R ) yal Kensington Lodge . Bro . Isidor Ehrmann , W . M ., in response , said -. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the very kind way in which you have received the toist of my health . Our

I . P . M . has told us that he has full confidence in my capacity for upholding the traditions of the Royal Kensington Lodge . I can assure you , brethren , that it is my firm intention to uphold the traditions of this lodge to the very best and the very utmost of my power , and may its success long continue and its sun never set . I thank the I . P . M . for the very kind manner in which he has proposed my health , and you , brethren , for the enthusiastic manner in which you have drunk it .

_ In giving "The Initiates , " theW . M . said he would not forget the motto with which he started—that of brevity—and would simply say he believed the three initiates would be valuable acquisitions to the lodge , and were most excellent Masons in embryo . Bros . Sawyer , Tabor , and Palmer replied , expressing gratification at their reception and their admiration for the ceremony through which they had passed . The W . M . next submitted " The Masonic Charities , " remarking that he wished he possessed eloquence sufficient to tell , them of the good work done by the three Institutions . He would call upon Bros . Terry and McLeod to reply , who would tell the brethren what was being done in the present and what would be done in the future .

Bro . J . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I ., acknowledged the compliment paid him , and also the pleasure of seeing yet another Master installed in the chair of this lodge . Referring to the Boys' School Centenary Festival , he desired that they should have the greatest festival known , but whilst they were thinking of the young of both sexes , they should not forget the aged of both sexes , who also deserved their sympathy . The sum ° i £ ' (> i 5 00 paid in annuities was no inconsiderable sum to be raised , leaving the working expenses out , and these were payable in advance , being handed over within three weeks

after the election . The Institution was doing an incalculable amount of good , and they must remember that aged people were not like young children , who were more able to take care of themsevesas time passed . Children were frequently adopted byfrisnds , but it was a rare thing to hear of an old man or widow being adopted also . Bro . J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec R . M . I . B ., responded . They had now 279 boys on the books of the School , and a great number seeking admission , for whom they wanted extended premises . It had been decided , after full discussion , to remove , and

that step was a wise one , and they were happy in the knowledge that they Were bsing supported , and had been supported , in past years to enable that scheme to bs brought forward . They hoped it would be satisfactory to all who had the success of the Institution at heart . He did not know which way the support of that lodge would go during the coming year ; but he was content to leave that to the W . M ., who would , if hc thought fit , support the M . W . G . M . He should be delighted if the W . M . saw lit to do

what hc could for cither of the Institutions , for all were worthy of support , and he trusted none would suffer from any special effort given to one or other of the Institutions . The Girls' School celebrated its Centenary , and the others suffered , and for the greater success of thc Benevolent Institution , the Boys' and Girls' Schools suffered , and it was possible that in the coming year the " glamour " of the Boys' School which had been referred to , might cause the others to suffsr . After that he hoped they might go on evenly and peaceably .

Bro . W . Dennis , W . M . y , replying for " The Visitors , " said it would ill become him after the example of the W . M . to make any lengthy remarks . He woull briefly but sincerely thank them for the manner in which the toast had b ; en received . They read in the UoDk of Constitutions that it was the duty of a VV . M . to avail himself of every opportunity of visiting other lodges . The conduct of this lodge in extending such a hospitable reception made it easy for brethren of other lodges to conform to that particular law laid down for their guidance . Bros . Wright , P . M . 14 O 0 , and Woodrow , P . M ., also replied .