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Article Original Correspondence. ← Page 3 of 3 Article Original Correspondence. Page 3 of 3 Article SUPREME GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF SCOTLAND. Page 1 of 1 Article METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS. Page 1 of 2 →
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Original Correspondence.
the contrary , I think that Masonic as well as other bodies , and charities , are no doubt much benefitted by the social ideas that generally reign supreme after a well ordered banquet ; but alas how seldom with us is that opportunity taken advantage of to press forward the claims of
charity , and that societies stand as much in need of them in moderation as the human frame does with a regular allowance of feeding . My objection is that in too many instances the dinner table is too much considered , and the charity vote postponed or altogether put on one side .
The suggestion Bro . Gottheil makes , that the Grand Lodge should make it compulsory upon every member to subscribe will hardly do , seeing that it would in the first place do away with the voluntary character of our contributions , would also have a tendency to confine all subscriptions
to the minimum amount laid down by such enactment , and would also in time make us an insurance society , for seeing that every one was compelled to subscribe , so in time it would come to pass that every one would expect a share in the benefits . What we really want to do , is to
make certain that the claims' of our charities are brought under the immediate notice of every brother , and to educate our members until they all annually or at other intervals contribute in proportion to their means . The personal subscriptions of members ought
not to diminish the subscriptions of lodges and chapters in their corporate capacity , and I do not think they would , as the members being more alive to the charities would more readily initiate or support votes towards them . Every lodge and ciiapter ( as Bro . Binckes justly remarks ) ought
lo make an annual contribution to each of the charities . Educate the members into giving out of their own purses , and they will soon take care that regular votes are made from the common purse . Seeing that the machinery at present in
existence does not succeed in bringing our charities sufficiently under notice , what can be devised to supplement it ? It is excellent as far as it goes , but it falls vary far short . The circulars and appeals are even in too many cases never either read or announced from the dais of the lodge .
One of the W . M . ' s is careless about it , and each succeeding | W . M . too frequently copies his careless example . Let us take our present organization of provinces ,, lodges , and chapters , and consider each separately .
Could there not be established in each province a special charity board , consisting of , as ex-officio members , the Provincial Grand Officers for the year , and one or more representatives from each lodge . The P . G . M ., and the M . P . G . M . would take , honorary rank as
president and vice-president respectively , the board selecting themselves a working chairman , and as in too many provinces it would be too great a tax upon the time of the P . G . S . were the extra labour of the Secretaryship of this board placed upon him , a separate Secretary , would in many
cases be deemed advisable . This board should meet quarterly , or at any rate not less than once every half-year . The business might be defined to consist of receiving reports from the Charity Committees of each lodge , advising and pressing these committees to do their work ; they might
also initiate - movements by which permanent scholarships might be obtained , and to them also might be delegated the local claims for relief , and they might also report to the London committee upon the claims of any one in their locality wishing to be placed upon the lists of
candidates . Where the province is large this board might double itself into district committees , reporting to and acting under the whole board for the province . Take this province for instance—Seaham , Sunderland , Shields and Jarrow might form one district ; Durham ,
Bishop Auckland , Chester-le-street , and Gateshead might form a second , while Hartlepool , Stockton , Darlington and Barnard Castle might form a third . From these provincial boards an amply
number of stewards would always be found ready to respond to the call on the anniversary of each institution . As subsidiary to this Provincial Board a special charity committee might be appointed in each
Original Correspondence.
lodge consisting say of the W . M ., the two Wardens and two Charity Stewards , the latter of whom might be specially charged with the duty of collecting subscriptions and appealing to each individual member at least once a year . This committee might depute any one of their
number to be present at the meetings of the Provincial Charity Board . Chapters might be dealt with in the same way as lodges . I have already occupied so much of your space , that , I will but add one or two more sentences
and close , leaving details and other matters to some one else , or to a future time . The committee of each charity , would , I anticipate , be perfectly ready to supply to each member sufficient number of copies of an appeal , so thatjthe Lodge Charity Stewards could forward
one to each member . I cannot help further remarking that in the opinion of many the movement made last year by which the sum necessary to qualify a lodge or chapter as vice-president , governor , or subscriber , was doubled , and was a move in the
wrong direction . The old arrangements by which these bodies got a perpetual rank and vote , for the same amount that an individual donor only received a life interest , manifestly needed alteration , but it would probably have been better , instead of altering the amount , to
have limited the duration of the rank and voting power to 20 or 25 years , instead of giving the votes or vote in perpetuity . With Bro . Binckes and others , I trust , the subject will not be allowed to drop , but that the brethren will come nobly forward and assist . If
once in form , no difficulty will be found in keeping the machine in motion , and the time would soon come when our present institutions would be fully employed , when there would be few remnants to carry forward at each election . And then many claims which are exceedingly
stronger ( but are not now brought , because on account of the numbers alread y on the lists the chances are hopeless ) would receive due consideration . The claims would be necessarily more numerous , but we should have increased funds to satisfy them : and when the present
institutions were taxed to the uttermost , money would be forthcoming to found branch institutions in different parts of the country . Faithfully and fraternally yours ; J . H . COATES , W . M . 949 . 24 , Holmeside , Sunderland . March 9 th , 18 74 .
MASONIC RELICS . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I think " An English , French , and Scottish Mason " cannot have carefully read my former letter on this subject , as he would not say "they are calculated to mislead the unwary , " as on page 78 , I use these words , " An
unrecognised assembly working without a charter or other authority from the Grand Lodge of Scotland , " subsequently I say , when speaking of the old lodge at Melrose , " This lodge has always maintained its independence , not acknowledging the Grand Lodge of Scotland , but it is only recently that she has sanctioned the erecting of daughter lodges . "
This , in my opinion is the pith of the case . I do not question the legality of the old lodge , I know and respect as brother Masons , gentlemen who first saw Masonic light within her bosom , but these legitimate sons join with me in questioning her right to charter fresh lodges . 1 am
at one with an " English , French , and Scottish Mason , " in thinking it would be better for the Grand Lodge to try to bring about a brotherly union , and concluded my letter on page 79 , by expressing a wish that such an arrangement should be made . I still hope that this slight controversy may
stir up both parties to find out an amicable mode of settling the dispute and by granting extra privileges to the Old Melrose Lodge , as was clone in the case of the Mother Kilwinning , induce that old and respected lodge to enjoy the advantages of union and universal instead of partial recognition . 1 remain , yours fraternally , G . W . W .
Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter Of Scotland.
SUPREME GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF SCOTLAND .
The Quarterly Communication of the Supreme Chapter was held in the Freemasons' Hall , George-street , on Wednesday , the 4 th inst . Present : —M . E . Comp . Wm . Hay , P . Z . No . 4 , Grand Superintendent of Works , acting Grand Z . ; Dr . J . T . Loth , P . Z . No . 38 , acting Grand
H . ; Dr . J . Middleton , Z . No . 5 6 , acting Grand J . ; L . Mackersy , W . S ., Grand Scribe E . ; W . Mann , S . S . C . Grand Scribe N . ; John Laurie , Grand Secretary , G . L ., S . P . Z . No . 72 , acting Grand Sojourner ; Alex . Mitchell , H . No . 1 , 2 nd Grand Sojourner ; S . Georgiates , P . Z . No .
107 , acting 3 rd Grand Sojourner ; and a good attendance of the companions . The Supreme Chapter having been opened in due form , the minutes of Supreme Chapter and Committee were read and confirmed . The following Proxy Commission was read
and sustained , viz ., from Chapter Homer , Symrna , No . 132 , in favour of Comp . J . W . Winchester , LL . D . Presents from ( 1 ) the Grand Chapter of Texas , U . S ., and ( 2 ) the Grand Chapter of Columbia ,
U . S ., consisting of the published proceedings of these grand bodies , were laid on the table , and the thanks of the Supreme Chapter voted thereto . The nomination of Grand Office-bearers for the ensuing year was then made as follows , viz .:
—Sir Michael R . S . Stewart , Bart ., First Grand Principal ; the Right Hon . the Earl of Rosslyn , Past First Grand Principal ; Samuel Somerville , of Ampherlaw , M . D ., Deputy Grand Principal ; the Right Hon . the Earl of Kellie , Second Grand Principal ; the Hon . and Rev . A . C .
Bauhe Hamilton , Third Grand Principal ; Lindsay Mackersy , W . S ., Grand Scribe E . ; William Mann , S . S . C , Grand Scribe N- ; Alex . Mitchell , Grand Treasurer ; Alex . Hay , Grand Recorder ; Henry Inglis , of Torsonce , Grand Chancellor ; George F . Russell Colt , of Gartsherrie , First Grand Sojourner ;
Lauderdale Maitland , of Eccles , Second Grand Sojourner ; Major W . H . Ramsay of Garton , Third Grand Sojourner ; Ths Right Hon . Lord Rosehill , Grand Sword Bearer ; William Hay , Grand Superintendent of Works ; Alexander Wilson , First Grand Standard Bearer ; Captain Charles Hunter , Second Grand Standard Bearer ; James Baillie , Grand Janitor .
The arrangements for the annual festival were remitted to the Supreme Committee . Petitions for charters to —( 1 ) Adamant Chapter , Bakley , Cape of Good Hope No . i <{ i ; and ( 2 ) Port of Leith Chapter , Leith , No . 152 , were remitted to the Supreme Committee , with
powers to grant the same when certain formalities were complied with . Report on Mark degree . —The Supreme Committee reported that the Grand Chapter of Ireland by letter declined to recognise the Grand Mark Lodge of England in respect that the same
is not recognised by the Grand Lodge of England , and for this and other reasons set forth in an elaborate report by the Committee , the Supreme Chapter also refuses recognition . Supreme Chapter was then after closed in duo form .
Metropolitan Masonic Meetings.
METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS .
For the Week ending Friday , March , 20 , 1874 .
The Editor will be glad to have notice from Secretaries of Lodges and Chapters of any change in place or time of meeting .
Saturday , March 14 . Lodge 108 , London , Ship antl Turtle , Leadcnhall-st . „ 173 , Phcenix , Freemasons' Hall . „ 176 , Caveac , Westminster Palace Hotel . ,, 1361 , United Service , Greyhound Hotel , „ 1423 , Era , King ' s Arms Hotel , Hampton Court , ( Emergency . ) ,, 1426 , The Great City , City Terminus Hotel ,
Cannon-st . „ 1457 , Bagshaw , Bald Faced Stag , Buckhurst-hill . Chap . 766 , William Preston , City Terminus Hotel , Cannonst ., at 3 ( Consecration ) . Mark Lodge 144 , Grosvenor , Caledonian Hotel , Adelphi .
Manchester Lodgeof Instruction ( 179 ) 1 Yorkshire Grey , 77 , London-street , I'itzroy-square , at 8 ; Bro . II . Ash , Preceptor . Lily Lodge of Instruction ( 820 ) , Greyhound Hotel , Richmond , Surrey . Star Lodge of Instruction ( 1275 ) , Marquis of Granby , New Cross-road , at 7 ; Bro . C . G . Dilley , Preceptor .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
the contrary , I think that Masonic as well as other bodies , and charities , are no doubt much benefitted by the social ideas that generally reign supreme after a well ordered banquet ; but alas how seldom with us is that opportunity taken advantage of to press forward the claims of
charity , and that societies stand as much in need of them in moderation as the human frame does with a regular allowance of feeding . My objection is that in too many instances the dinner table is too much considered , and the charity vote postponed or altogether put on one side .
The suggestion Bro . Gottheil makes , that the Grand Lodge should make it compulsory upon every member to subscribe will hardly do , seeing that it would in the first place do away with the voluntary character of our contributions , would also have a tendency to confine all subscriptions
to the minimum amount laid down by such enactment , and would also in time make us an insurance society , for seeing that every one was compelled to subscribe , so in time it would come to pass that every one would expect a share in the benefits . What we really want to do , is to
make certain that the claims' of our charities are brought under the immediate notice of every brother , and to educate our members until they all annually or at other intervals contribute in proportion to their means . The personal subscriptions of members ought
not to diminish the subscriptions of lodges and chapters in their corporate capacity , and I do not think they would , as the members being more alive to the charities would more readily initiate or support votes towards them . Every lodge and ciiapter ( as Bro . Binckes justly remarks ) ought
lo make an annual contribution to each of the charities . Educate the members into giving out of their own purses , and they will soon take care that regular votes are made from the common purse . Seeing that the machinery at present in
existence does not succeed in bringing our charities sufficiently under notice , what can be devised to supplement it ? It is excellent as far as it goes , but it falls vary far short . The circulars and appeals are even in too many cases never either read or announced from the dais of the lodge .
One of the W . M . ' s is careless about it , and each succeeding | W . M . too frequently copies his careless example . Let us take our present organization of provinces ,, lodges , and chapters , and consider each separately .
Could there not be established in each province a special charity board , consisting of , as ex-officio members , the Provincial Grand Officers for the year , and one or more representatives from each lodge . The P . G . M ., and the M . P . G . M . would take , honorary rank as
president and vice-president respectively , the board selecting themselves a working chairman , and as in too many provinces it would be too great a tax upon the time of the P . G . S . were the extra labour of the Secretaryship of this board placed upon him , a separate Secretary , would in many
cases be deemed advisable . This board should meet quarterly , or at any rate not less than once every half-year . The business might be defined to consist of receiving reports from the Charity Committees of each lodge , advising and pressing these committees to do their work ; they might
also initiate - movements by which permanent scholarships might be obtained , and to them also might be delegated the local claims for relief , and they might also report to the London committee upon the claims of any one in their locality wishing to be placed upon the lists of
candidates . Where the province is large this board might double itself into district committees , reporting to and acting under the whole board for the province . Take this province for instance—Seaham , Sunderland , Shields and Jarrow might form one district ; Durham ,
Bishop Auckland , Chester-le-street , and Gateshead might form a second , while Hartlepool , Stockton , Darlington and Barnard Castle might form a third . From these provincial boards an amply
number of stewards would always be found ready to respond to the call on the anniversary of each institution . As subsidiary to this Provincial Board a special charity committee might be appointed in each
Original Correspondence.
lodge consisting say of the W . M ., the two Wardens and two Charity Stewards , the latter of whom might be specially charged with the duty of collecting subscriptions and appealing to each individual member at least once a year . This committee might depute any one of their
number to be present at the meetings of the Provincial Charity Board . Chapters might be dealt with in the same way as lodges . I have already occupied so much of your space , that , I will but add one or two more sentences
and close , leaving details and other matters to some one else , or to a future time . The committee of each charity , would , I anticipate , be perfectly ready to supply to each member sufficient number of copies of an appeal , so thatjthe Lodge Charity Stewards could forward
one to each member . I cannot help further remarking that in the opinion of many the movement made last year by which the sum necessary to qualify a lodge or chapter as vice-president , governor , or subscriber , was doubled , and was a move in the
wrong direction . The old arrangements by which these bodies got a perpetual rank and vote , for the same amount that an individual donor only received a life interest , manifestly needed alteration , but it would probably have been better , instead of altering the amount , to
have limited the duration of the rank and voting power to 20 or 25 years , instead of giving the votes or vote in perpetuity . With Bro . Binckes and others , I trust , the subject will not be allowed to drop , but that the brethren will come nobly forward and assist . If
once in form , no difficulty will be found in keeping the machine in motion , and the time would soon come when our present institutions would be fully employed , when there would be few remnants to carry forward at each election . And then many claims which are exceedingly
stronger ( but are not now brought , because on account of the numbers alread y on the lists the chances are hopeless ) would receive due consideration . The claims would be necessarily more numerous , but we should have increased funds to satisfy them : and when the present
institutions were taxed to the uttermost , money would be forthcoming to found branch institutions in different parts of the country . Faithfully and fraternally yours ; J . H . COATES , W . M . 949 . 24 , Holmeside , Sunderland . March 9 th , 18 74 .
MASONIC RELICS . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I think " An English , French , and Scottish Mason " cannot have carefully read my former letter on this subject , as he would not say "they are calculated to mislead the unwary , " as on page 78 , I use these words , " An
unrecognised assembly working without a charter or other authority from the Grand Lodge of Scotland , " subsequently I say , when speaking of the old lodge at Melrose , " This lodge has always maintained its independence , not acknowledging the Grand Lodge of Scotland , but it is only recently that she has sanctioned the erecting of daughter lodges . "
This , in my opinion is the pith of the case . I do not question the legality of the old lodge , I know and respect as brother Masons , gentlemen who first saw Masonic light within her bosom , but these legitimate sons join with me in questioning her right to charter fresh lodges . 1 am
at one with an " English , French , and Scottish Mason , " in thinking it would be better for the Grand Lodge to try to bring about a brotherly union , and concluded my letter on page 79 , by expressing a wish that such an arrangement should be made . I still hope that this slight controversy may
stir up both parties to find out an amicable mode of settling the dispute and by granting extra privileges to the Old Melrose Lodge , as was clone in the case of the Mother Kilwinning , induce that old and respected lodge to enjoy the advantages of union and universal instead of partial recognition . 1 remain , yours fraternally , G . W . W .
Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter Of Scotland.
SUPREME GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF SCOTLAND .
The Quarterly Communication of the Supreme Chapter was held in the Freemasons' Hall , George-street , on Wednesday , the 4 th inst . Present : —M . E . Comp . Wm . Hay , P . Z . No . 4 , Grand Superintendent of Works , acting Grand Z . ; Dr . J . T . Loth , P . Z . No . 38 , acting Grand
H . ; Dr . J . Middleton , Z . No . 5 6 , acting Grand J . ; L . Mackersy , W . S ., Grand Scribe E . ; W . Mann , S . S . C . Grand Scribe N . ; John Laurie , Grand Secretary , G . L ., S . P . Z . No . 72 , acting Grand Sojourner ; Alex . Mitchell , H . No . 1 , 2 nd Grand Sojourner ; S . Georgiates , P . Z . No .
107 , acting 3 rd Grand Sojourner ; and a good attendance of the companions . The Supreme Chapter having been opened in due form , the minutes of Supreme Chapter and Committee were read and confirmed . The following Proxy Commission was read
and sustained , viz ., from Chapter Homer , Symrna , No . 132 , in favour of Comp . J . W . Winchester , LL . D . Presents from ( 1 ) the Grand Chapter of Texas , U . S ., and ( 2 ) the Grand Chapter of Columbia ,
U . S ., consisting of the published proceedings of these grand bodies , were laid on the table , and the thanks of the Supreme Chapter voted thereto . The nomination of Grand Office-bearers for the ensuing year was then made as follows , viz .:
—Sir Michael R . S . Stewart , Bart ., First Grand Principal ; the Right Hon . the Earl of Rosslyn , Past First Grand Principal ; Samuel Somerville , of Ampherlaw , M . D ., Deputy Grand Principal ; the Right Hon . the Earl of Kellie , Second Grand Principal ; the Hon . and Rev . A . C .
Bauhe Hamilton , Third Grand Principal ; Lindsay Mackersy , W . S ., Grand Scribe E . ; William Mann , S . S . C , Grand Scribe N- ; Alex . Mitchell , Grand Treasurer ; Alex . Hay , Grand Recorder ; Henry Inglis , of Torsonce , Grand Chancellor ; George F . Russell Colt , of Gartsherrie , First Grand Sojourner ;
Lauderdale Maitland , of Eccles , Second Grand Sojourner ; Major W . H . Ramsay of Garton , Third Grand Sojourner ; Ths Right Hon . Lord Rosehill , Grand Sword Bearer ; William Hay , Grand Superintendent of Works ; Alexander Wilson , First Grand Standard Bearer ; Captain Charles Hunter , Second Grand Standard Bearer ; James Baillie , Grand Janitor .
The arrangements for the annual festival were remitted to the Supreme Committee . Petitions for charters to —( 1 ) Adamant Chapter , Bakley , Cape of Good Hope No . i <{ i ; and ( 2 ) Port of Leith Chapter , Leith , No . 152 , were remitted to the Supreme Committee , with
powers to grant the same when certain formalities were complied with . Report on Mark degree . —The Supreme Committee reported that the Grand Chapter of Ireland by letter declined to recognise the Grand Mark Lodge of England in respect that the same
is not recognised by the Grand Lodge of England , and for this and other reasons set forth in an elaborate report by the Committee , the Supreme Chapter also refuses recognition . Supreme Chapter was then after closed in duo form .
Metropolitan Masonic Meetings.
METROPOLITAN MASONIC MEETINGS .
For the Week ending Friday , March , 20 , 1874 .
The Editor will be glad to have notice from Secretaries of Lodges and Chapters of any change in place or time of meeting .
Saturday , March 14 . Lodge 108 , London , Ship antl Turtle , Leadcnhall-st . „ 173 , Phcenix , Freemasons' Hall . „ 176 , Caveac , Westminster Palace Hotel . ,, 1361 , United Service , Greyhound Hotel , „ 1423 , Era , King ' s Arms Hotel , Hampton Court , ( Emergency . ) ,, 1426 , The Great City , City Terminus Hotel ,
Cannon-st . „ 1457 , Bagshaw , Bald Faced Stag , Buckhurst-hill . Chap . 766 , William Preston , City Terminus Hotel , Cannonst ., at 3 ( Consecration ) . Mark Lodge 144 , Grosvenor , Caledonian Hotel , Adelphi .
Manchester Lodgeof Instruction ( 179 ) 1 Yorkshire Grey , 77 , London-street , I'itzroy-square , at 8 ; Bro . II . Ash , Preceptor . Lily Lodge of Instruction ( 820 ) , Greyhound Hotel , Richmond , Surrey . Star Lodge of Instruction ( 1275 ) , Marquis of Granby , New Cross-road , at 7 ; Bro . C . G . Dilley , Preceptor .