Provincial Grand Lodge Of Armagh.

ing something like the realisation of a "happy family . " The meeting was called for a noble purpose , and that seems likely to be inaugurated and carried out with an enthusiasm and cordiality worthy of the noble name of Freemasonry . The Provincial Grand Lodge was opened by

Bro . Maxwell C . Close , Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , who was supported by an imposing array of P . G . officers , and many of the W . M ' s ., P . M ' s ., Wardens , and brethren of his province . The chief business of the meeting was the proposal to erect a new

Masonic Hall in Armagh , and the universal feeling of the brethren was unanimously in favour of the scheme being carried out without delay . Plans for the new building were submitted , and a committee was appointed to report on the subject to the Grand Lodge at its meeting in

Clones , in February next . At five o ' clock about seventy of the brethren again assembled in the Tontine , and sat down to a splendid banquet , prepared by Bro . Bright . The room was tastefully decerated with evergreens , interspersed with various Masonic emblems ; and as the brethren marched in from the ante-room

two-and-two , wearing their regalia , while Bro . Marks discoursed music on the harmonium , the sight was grand indeed , so much so , that one of the oldest Masons present—indeed , we should say , the oldest—informed us that he did not remember such a splendid gathering of Craft for

forty years previous . The R . W . Prov . G . M ., Bro . Maxwell C . Close , presided . The dinner , which was of a recherche character , and served up in Bro . Bright ' s usual elegant style , was done ample justice to , after which the R . W . P . G . M . rose and proposed the usual loyal

toasts . "The Queen , " air— " National Anthem , ' was warmly received . In proposing the toast of Bro . " H . R . H . Prince of Wales , Past G . M ., " the R . W . P . G . M . observed that the Prince had always shown his attachment to Alasonry by the cordial and generous support he had invariably given to the interests of the Craft . Air— " God bless the

Prince of Wales . " The toast was received with Masonic salute and cheers . The next toast was " The Most Worshipful the Grand Master of Ireland , " was received very heartily with Masonic salute and cheers .

A part song , specially written for the occasion by Bro . G . H . Smith , Lodge 3 c ) , and set to music with quartette arrangement by Bro . T . O . Marks , Mus . Bac , P . G . O ., Armagh , entitled "The Grand Old Lights of Masonry , " was

beautifully rendered by Bros . Clements , Nelson , and Marks , and enthusiastically applauded . An encore was demanded and complied with . The R . W . P . G . M . requested that , as the harmony and music were so good , Bros . Smith and Marks

should have the song published at the expense of the Grand Lodge , which they agreed to do . By special permission , obtained by Bro . C . F . Tranter , S . W . 623 , we subjoin a copy of the words of the song , which is dedicated to the Duke of Leinster , M . W . G . M . of Ireland .

THE GRAND OLD LIGHTS OF MASONRY . I . The grand old lights of Masonry Still guide us on our way , — Though rugged be the path we tread And gloomy be our day ; So still we hail with welcome shout

That good old charter cry , And drink to Leinster ' s honoured name With glass uplifted high . For we are all true Masons ,

Good Masons every one , Gathered here for pleasure When our work is done . Here ' s to our good Grand Master—long may he live . II .

For many a year he still has been Our sure and trusty friend—For many a year we wish him spared Our ancient Craft to tend ;

With him we 11 work in 'peace and Move , In 'harmony ' be blended ; And sorrow deep shall fill cur breasts Whene ' er his days are ended . For we are , & c ;

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Armagh.

III ; As Masons then we proudly claim The Duke as " one of ours "Long may he lead a happy life 'Mid Carton ' s lovely flowers :

And when Acacia branch is reared , Where cold his ashes lie , May he have joined that Lodge above Where brethren never die .

For we are , & c . " The Most Worshipful the Grand Masters of England and Scotland" was next given . Glee" Lady of Beauty . "

Bro . Nicholson proposed " The Right Worshipful the Provincial Grand Lodge . " Trio" Life ' s a Bumper . " The toast was enthusiastically received .

The R . W . Prov . G . M ., in acknowledging the toast , observed that he had to return thanks for the hearty co-operation he had always received from the brethren and officers who had charge of the administration of the affairs of the Craft . It

was a great pleasure to him to be present there that evening , and to see such a muster of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Armagh . He hoped that it would be an annual meeting , as he believed social re-union helped to foster good fellowship and kindly sympathies between one another .

( Applause . ) '¦ : "The Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge , " and " Our Visiting Brethren , " having been given and responded to , the company separated at an early hour , all seeming to have thoroughly enjoyed the proceedings of the evening .

We may mention that the musical portion of the proceedings , which consisted of glees and songs , was admirably rendered by Bros . Clements , Nelson , and Marks . Bro . Wood ' s name had also appeared in the programme ; but

the death of a near relative obliged him to be absent . The appreciation of the audience was conveyed to those who had so kindly given their services , by the toast of their health being warmly received .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

SURREPTITIOUS CRAFT RITUALS .

To the Editor of The Freemason ; Dear Sir and Brother , — The authors of the surreptitious ritual are not Masons , except in name . The real truth about the matter being that their father was a Mason , who had thrown together certain notes

for his own guidance , as I have ascertained . His manuscript became the property of his widow , and was offered to but not purchased by the Wakefield Lodge . The brothers afterwards published it , I wrote to you as soon as your leader on it appeared , but you did not think it desirable

to publish my letter . Of course the Craft would , disavow such a publication , and Masonry need not fear such presumed exposures . Masonry does not depend upon ritual , or other publications would long since have been hunted down , and done away with .

The object of these men is only to trade upon the credulity of the masses ; but I trust my warning may be felt useful "when I say that secret societies , however harmless , should take greater care as to whom they admit into the ir ranks .

I am , dear Sir and Brother , KENNETH R . H . MACKENZIE , Known as " Cryptonimus . "

FRUGALITY AND PHILANTHROPY .

To tits Editor of the . Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , ' — The letter of Bro . H . B . Pledges under the above heading , which appeared in your last issue , contains an imputation upon the members

of our honourable fraternity , ascribed as emanating from our universally esteemed Bro . W Hughan , which in my humble estimation ought not to be permitted to be passed unchallenged . Thebrethren are charged with using the lodge funds for the purposes of conviviality and are

Original Correspondence.

advised to " gratify their tastes in eating and drinking out of their own pockets . " Now , with all due respect to Bros . Hughan and Hodges , I cannot admit , and strongly protest against , such a charge , and deem that advice gratuitous , and even ( however unintentionally ) offensive .

The bye-laws of every lodge regulate the annual subscriptions in proportion to the number and quality of banquets or suppers the members shall be annually entitled to , and such lodges who deprecate conviviality fix their charges so as to procure only a sufficiency to defray current

expenses . This being the case , how can the charge of employing the lodge funds in " eating and drinking" be sustained . Fully recognising the benevolent feelings which prompted Bro . Hodges to pen his remarks , I cannot help

accusing him of having permitted his sympathies to override his better judgment , and cause him to make or endorse a statement which cannot in any sense be said to be within ihe boundaries of truth .

We may safely assume that every brother in the Craft , with scarcely an exception , would cordially assist in any scheme having for its object the augmentation of the Grand Lodge Benevolent Fund , to enable its administrators to extend their operations , but the vast majority

would certainly object , and justly too , to any attempt to deprive them of such enjoyments they think proper to subscribe to . The prevalent mania for curtailing the amusements of people , and the princip les which are sought to be enforced to make man solemn

whether they like it ornot , should notbeallowed to creep in amongst us . God knows , most of us are worked hard enough , and enjoy but scant opportunities for holiday making , therefore I should be sorry to see the end of those rare occasions which tended to enliven the drooping spirit , and under

whose influence many friendships have been formed and cemented—aye , and through the medium of which , many charitable contributions are procured . It would be out of place , in this communication , to discuss the question as to whether , in any case , money so spent in

conviviality , could not be better employed in charitable gifts ; that is a matter which each individual must determine . I only wished to protest against an unfounded accusation , and point out that those brethren who deiight in the pleasant social gathering which takes place after the business of the lodge is over , and whose health

and appetite permit them to enjoy the viands and delicacies which are then provided for them , do not squander the subscriptions appertaining to their lodge , but actually and truly pay for their own pleasures " out of their own pocket . " Yours fraternally , E . GOTTHEIL , P . M ., P . Z .

HONORARY MEMBERS . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir , and Brother , — Will you or any of your numerous correspondents please to inform me in your next or future issue , in what relation do honorary members of lodges stand with regard to

balloting for candidates for admission , they not being subscibing members of the lodge , or in other words " have they the power of voting on such occasions " if not subscribers , AN ENWUIRER , Duke of Lancaster Lodge , 131 , 3 , West Lancashire * ,

BRO . BIGG AND THE MIDDLESEX LODGE . To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , I am a perfect stranger ( so far as btthren in the Craft can be strangers to each othif )

to both the Golden Rule and the Middles * Lodge , and have never had the advantage of enjoying the hospitality of either , therefore vy endeavour on my part to procure an explanaion which may have the effect of restoring harntmy

between Bros . Bigg and Salmon , must be perfectly , ( which is as much as to say ) fraternally impartial . May I then ask two questions , replies to which I cannot gather from Bro . Bigg ' s eloquent address as reported in your columns , but upon