Original Correspondence.

frequently witheld , the fiat of the W . M . being often made an abuse of the power entrusted to the ruler of a lodge , under express conditions , which are but seldom observed . See Sections 1 S 3-4-5 of the Book of Constitutions as to these remarks . Hence , an abuse of the ballot in another sense than that which is the subject of this letter , arises in that the voting takes place in a perfunctory manner ,

and without that careful preliminary enquiry which is enjoined . In every case , in order that the laws and regulations of the Order should be properly observed , except in those of special emergency as provided , the candidate for initiation should be proposed at a regular lodge meeting , balloted for at the ensuing meeting , and if then accepted receive his admission on the meeting subsequent to the

ballot . That is certainly the meaning of the authoritative regulations . But custom has rendered the practice of entering the candidate immediately on his acceptance a usual one , and presumably that custom will be continued . So let it be ; but in either case the proposal I now submit would be equally beneficial . Let each lodge appoint certain brethren other than the

proposer and seconder of the candidate to name a date of meeting at which they might receive , in strict Masonic confidence , intimation from any member that the application for admission would be opposed ( reasons for opposition being , if desired , witheld ) and immediately after such meeting report the result to the W . M ., who might thereupon exercise his own judgment as to the placing the name

of the proposed candidate on the summons for the ensuing regular meeting , and it should be understood that the confidence placed in the committee ot enquiry should not be broken without ! incurring the odium of committing a Masonic offence . The bye-laws of a lodge might provide for such or some such arrangement without express injunction from Grand Lodge , although subject to its approval , and the

confidence of the members generally in regard to the propriety of accepting the candidate would be increased . On the other hand it would doubtless prove a stumbling block in the way of those who , interfering with the secrecy of the ballot by expressing their intention beforehand to reject whomsoever might be proposed , whether good , bad , or indifferent , lay themselves open to Masonic penalties

which should be in all such cases strictly enforced . I am much obliged to you for the suggestion that I should " devote a little leisure to a study of the ballot and its working from a statistical point of view , " an operation which I fancy is far outside the capacity of a vast majority of members of our Order . It is no concern of mine to prove how beneficially it has been used in hundreds , nay

thousands , of instances . What should most concern us is the proof of even a single instance , amongst many , of its scandalous abuse , and the means whereby a recurrence of such practices as all earnest Freemasons possessing one spark of irentlemanly feeling must thoroughly condemn ,

should be prevented . M y next "leisure " may be utilized by further reference to this subject , and probably by further suggestions j meanwhile I should like to learn what other brethren may have to say about it . —With fraternal regards , yours faithfully , JAMES STEVENS , Clapham , May Sth . P . M ., P . Z .

PAST MASTERS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear'Sir and Brother , Until "Lex Scripta " finds it convenient to reply to my remarks in your issue of 1 st inst ., I think I may assume I have fairly met him on the strongest points he had to adduce , and that with the able assistance of Bro . E . T . Buddenthe point is proved beyond doubt that a Past

, Master , as a Past Master , is not " An officer of a lodge , " and from the ancient laws quoted by Bro . Budden , there never was a time when he was considered as an officer . This being admitted , then I say that Art . 307 only provides collars for " Officers of private lodges , "_ and therefore it is in my humble opinion necessary and desirable to add a new law as susreested in my letter in your issue of ioth ult .,

but if Grand Lodge will not agree to the silver cord as a distinctive mark of Past rank , I for one do not feel disposed to vex my soul over the matter , but finding it necessary to have a collar to obtain admission to Grand Lodge I want to be legally provided with one , and having once got it I shall claim the right to wear it in Grand Lodge or any subordinate lodge in the Constitution as Art . 2 S 8 , until

Grand Lodge inserts the words " Past Masters " in Arts . 307 and 30 S , and even after that I purpose contesting further the point as to a Past Master being in any way a lodge representative unless he voluntary accepts the delegation as an addition to his other privileges . The Grand Officeis and Provincial and District Grand Officers Present and Past have taken especially good care

of themselves in the dispensing of distinctive regalia and insignia , but Provincial and District Grand Officers perhaps will again read Art . 300 , giving special attention to the last clause , and say where will they find a blue covering collar for their purple and gold if they deprive me of one as a P . M . ? In the Grand Lodge their Provincial or District rank does not count , it is the Past Master , the Master or

Warden ' s collar which must admit them or they too will have to bide outside the portals ! True their purple collar will carry them anywhere else , and this is what 1 desire to claim for a Past Master ' s collar . Some of your numerous readers may say , " who ever heard of anything to the contrary ? What would such a brother say if he attended a Masonic

function , say a consecration and installation with his collar and was told in a Board of Installed Masters that he " must either take that collar off or retire ; " would hc consider he was courteously dealt with ? and being ruled by the Master on Art . 30 S to be a lodge officer , would he feel disposed to acquiesce without appeal ? Our Worshipful Brother has stated that it was a gross breach

of Masonic etiquette to wear a collar in any lodge of which the visiting Past Master was not a subscribing brother ! Since when has it become so gross an offence for a Past Master to wear a collar out of his own lodge ? The present article 3 SS is a facsimile of article 1 , page 11 S of the late Book of Constitutions , with the exception of the

words under any pretence ( why they are omitted I don't know , as the rule seems to mc to read quite as strong without them ) , there is no permissory license implified to dispense with proper clothing anywhere , either in Grand or subordinate lodge ; but 30 S comes in as a new law , and says it shall not be proper clothing for " officers " outside their own lodge , except when represenfitag their lodges in Grand Lodge or their Provincial or District Grand Lodges , and

Original Correspondence.

"Lex Scripta" says "Past Masters are Officers , " I say they are not . Who is right ? Bro . Budden seems to consider the question as one already thoroughly well thrashed out , and is now perfectly right , so that only our youthful and verdant accessions would have the temerity to rush on the subject again , but I hope Bro . Budden will kindly pardon the verdency of my now over twenty-one years' Masonic experience , and my possibly

hopeless attempt to have an error , or omission , or what seems to me to be one corrected , if I claim to differ from him on this point . I really do not consider the point at all clear as it stands , but as it is not convenient for me to attend personally in Grand Lodge in order to get the authoritative ruling of Grand Lodge , the only course I have

open to me is to ask the favour of you , Bro . Editor , to bring the question under the notice of those whocan conveniently attend , and may feel inclined to adopt the means necessary to have the point arranged , with sincere apologies for again venturing to trespass on your space , I remain . yours very fraternally , P . M .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

CTratt jlasonrg . ROYAL JUBILEE LODGE ( No . 72 ) . —The usual meeting of this excellent and flourishing lodge was held on Monday evening , the 3 rd inst ., at Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street . There were present Bros . G . Jenkins , W . M . ; C . R . Williams , S . W . ; M . E . Stokes , J . W . ; F . Dunn , Treas . ; Darch , P . M ., Sec . ; Abrahams , P . M ., S . D . ; Braund , J . D . ; Russell , I . G . j Kinkee , Org . ; Bate , P . M . ; Turner , I . P . M . ; Hines , Roads , Weekley , Morris , Horton , Trew , Lewcock , Marshall , Williams , Lloyd , Koolmar , Reid , Rooke , Simmonds , Cottercll , Randall , F . H . Williams , and Tidy . The visitors were Bros . Tayben , 724 ; Cornish , 1319 ; Thwaites , 177 ; Ellis , 127 s ; Davis ; Turnbull , P . M . 1275 ; Brinton , I . P . M . 1329 ; Parker , 1 S 53 ; King , 1275 ; Cohen , J . D . 165 S ; Raffle , D . C . ISSIJ Hill , P . M . 165 S ; and Rev . Townsend , 333 ( I . C . )

Lodge having been opened in due form , the minutes of the preceding lodge meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Tidy was afterwards passed to the Second Degree . Following this a vast amount of business associated with , the Order in general , and this lodge in particular , was considered , and disposed of eventually . The lodge being closed in due form , the W . M . then invited the brethren to dine with him in the banqueting room .

Grace having been said by the Chaplain , Bro . Townsend , the brethren sat down to a sumptuous repast . On the removal of the cloth , the W . M . proposed the loyal toasts , which he introduced by making some exceedingly apposite and eloquent observations . These toasts having been pledged right heartily , he then gave ia suitable terms "The M . W . Pro Grand Master , the Earl of Carnarvon , the Deputy Grand Master , the Earl of

Lathom , and the Rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " which elicited fraternal respect . The I . P . M ., Bro . Turner , then proposed "The Health of the W . M ., " whom he congratulated on being once more among them . At the previous meeting they had to regret his absence owing to severe indisposition . It had , however , pleased the great Architect of the Universe to restore him to health and his wonted activity , for which thev were all

grateful . He had performed once more the duties of his office that evening most ably , and therefore , no doubt , the toast would receive due honour at their hands by evoking a truly fraternal response , which , in fact , it did unreservedly . The Worshipful Master , who was evidently affected by the tender expressions of the brethren , thanked them for their sympathies , and remarked that it had been the cause of sorrow on his part that his indisposition had prevented

him from attending to the duties of his office for a season . There were , however , those connected with the lodge—far more able than himself—to discharge the duties for him , which had been done . He was thankful for his restoration to health to Him from whom blessings , even in affliction , proceeded , and to the lodge also for their fraternal solicitude concerning him during his enforced absence . He then proceeded to propose "The Health of the I . P . M .,

Bro . Turner , ' upon whom he passed a warm eulogium , which was acknowledged by that brother in excellent terms , both as regarded the lodge and the W . M . The next toast was that of " The Visitors . " The W . M ., who proposed it , remarked that the lodge was at all times pleased to receive as guests brethren from other lod ges . In fact , the Royal Jubilee Lodge had been characterised as one at which a very large number of visitors was always

present . They would receive a hearty welcome whenever they came . He would call on Bros . Hill , Brinton , Turnbull , and Townsend to respond to the toast on behalf of themselves and their brethren who accompanied them . The brethren thus called on . ' acknowledged the compliment at some length . The W . M . next proposed "The Health of thc P . M . 's of the Lodge , " whom he was pleased to see around him . All

of them had made their mark in the Craft , as the success which had attended that lodge proved beyond question . The toast was responded to by Bros . Bate , Darch , Dunn , Hine , and Turner . The latter brother stated that there had been a Iodge of instruction opened recently at 1 , Bell-yard , Fleet-street , in connection with that lodge , which was open on Wednesday evenings at eight o ' clock . Bro . Walker , a P . M . of that lodge , was the Preceptor . From the success

that had already attended it , no doubt it would be well supported . He would urge upon the junior officers to avail themselves of the privilege now placed within their reach , and which was a desideratum . Bro . Williams , S . W ., said that no one appreciated lodges cf instruction more than himself , inasmuch as he had had abundant opportunities of ascertaining the good

results accruing to those who attended thereat . But inasmuch as 75 per cent , of the members of the lodge resided south of the Thames , he feared that the benefit derivable would be somewhat restricted in consequence . He hoped that all would make themselves proficient in the several duties assigned to them without loss of time . The W . M . then proposed "The Health of the Officers of the Lodge , " to whom he was much indebted , as indeed

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

they all were . No Master of a Iodge could discharge his duties acceptably unless well supported by competent officers . He had such officers around him . They had in the person of Bro . F . Dunn an excellent Treasurer , who was most careful that the funds of the lodge should be economised , and that the disbursements did not exceed the receipts . He confessed that their worthy Treasnrer had from

time to time stayed his ( the W . M . ' s ) hand when he was about to expend money ; therefore a most wholesome check had been put upon him when inconsiderately he had thoughr / . of "launching out" into expenditure . As regarded Bro Darch , their worthy and zealous Secretary , they all knew that his labours were unceasing , and most efficient moreover . He ( the W . M ) could assert , without fear of

contradiction , that no other lodge possessed a more able or attentive Treasurer and Secretary than did the lodge over which at that moment he presided . No doubt they remembered that it wasj at a former meeting of the lodge that Bros . Dunn and Williams , their esteemed S . W ., brought under notice the case of a brother who resided at Oxford . That brother had been reduced in circumstances

owing to causes over which he had no control , ar . d , in addition , sicknessof amost distressing character had supervened . The appeal was considered , and Bro . Williams , at much personal inconvenience , as soon _ as practicable proceeded to Oxford and personally investigated the matter . This had proved that only facts had been reported to them . Bro . Williams was not a man who , on visiting a case of such a

character , would say , " Be ye fed , be ye clothed , " but who would administer substantial relief kindly and without delay . This , it had come to their knowledge , had been effactually done . The lodge had that evening resolved to supplement the relief already bestowed by forwording a sum of money which would place their suffering brother beyond the pale of immediate want . That was as far as they could help , he was sorry to add . The restoration of

their brother to health was a matter far beyond their power ; but it was reposed in the hands of Him who does all things well for those who confide in His mercies under all circumstances . The toast was responded to by the officers in exceedingly good speeches . Several other toasts were proposed , and at a late hour thc Tyler's toast concluded the proceedings , Bros . Cohen , Williams , jun ., Braund , Horton , and several others contributed much to the pleasures of thc evening .

GALLERY LODGE ( No . 1928 ) . —The usual meeting of this lodge was held on Saturday , the Sth inst ., at the Brixton Hall , Brixton . There were present Bros . C . F . Pardon , W . M . ; W . Mackenzie Duckworth , I . P . M . ; Thos . Minstrell , P . M . ; VV . O . Goldsmith , S . W . ; J . C . D . Duckworth , J . W . ; H . Massey , P . M ., Treas . ; R . J . Albery , Sec . ; Dr . Griffiths , S . D . ; Herbert Wright , J . D . ;

W . J . Perkins , I . G ; W . Peachey , Org . ; Basil Cooke , Stwd . ; G . Welsh , George Babington , W . S . Seabrook , Chas . Williams , W . Macdonald , Chas . Lock , C . K . Moore , W . J . Fisher , F . Saunders , J . C Manning , W . E . Barling , W . Potts , H . G . Saunderson , T . McDonald Rendle , John Allan , Fred H . Gale , and P . Bruce . Visitors : Bros . T . O . Harding , P . M . S 50 ; 1 . Hechsher , Hamberg Lodge ; M .

Vizetelly , 1297 ; Thomas Hunter , 114 ; and Frederick Cundy , 5 SS . The lodge being dul y opened , Bros . Jas . Henniker , Heaton , M . P ., and W . E . Barling were unanimously elected joining members . Subsequently Bros . George Babington and Iohn Allen were raised to the Sublime

Degree of M . M . Bros . Rendle , Saunderson , and Chas . Lock were afterwards passed to the Second Degree . Thc working of the Worshipful Master was splendid , and gave great satisfaction to the brethren . Bro . Pardon is one of the best working Masons turned out by Bro . Stacey , the respected and much esteemed Preceptor of the Metropolitan Lodge of Instruction , held at the Portugal ,

Fleetstreet . The lodge having been closed , the brethren sat down to a substantial supper . The usual Masonic toasts were given in due course , and the proceedings were enlivened by some capital songs by Bros . Cundy , Potts , Kendall , Manning , Gale , and Lock . Bro . Vizetelly also gave two of his inimitable recitations , and altogether a most enjoyable evening was spent .

THE ABBEY LODGE ( No . 2030 ) . —The installation meeting of this lodge was held at the Town Hall , Westminster , on Monday , the loth inst ., when there was a large and distinguished array of brethren present to witness the installation of Bro . F . Seager Hunt , M . P ., W . M . elect . The chair was occupied by Bro . W . H . Baker , W . M ., and amongst the members present were the following : Bros . F .

Seager Hunt , S . W . ; W . Sugg , J . W . ; W . Burdett-Coutts , M . P ., I . P . M . ; J . F . Rogers , P . M ., Treas . ; J . E . Shand , P . M ., Sec ; J . Gibson , S . D . ; H . R . Baker , J . D . ; R . E . H . Goffin , D . C ; H . M . Dunstan , I . G . ; H . W . Schartau , Org . j C . E . Piper , Stwd . ; G . R . Wheeler , Stwd . ; Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . C , Chap . ; R . T . Pigott , D . C . L ., P . G . D . C . ; and the following visitors : —

Bros . Francis Byng ; F . Binckes , P . G . Stwd ., Sec . Royal Masonic Institution for Boys ; C . Greenwood , jun ., P . G . Sec . Surrey ; W . C . Page , P . M . 1475 ; A . Clifford , P . M . 1017 ; J . W . King , W . M . 1 S 1 ; J . Stephens , P . M . 1425 ; J . J . Thomas , S . D . 753 ; C . R . Wicken , W . M . 733 ; E . Wallace , P . M . 907 ; VV . Mitchell , P . M . 1558 ; A . Edwards , S . W . 1328 ; G . W . Jenkins , W . M . 72 ; A . T .

Hayes , J . W . 1425 ; D . D . Langton , W . M . 2096 ; W . Herbage . P . P . G . K . Essex , P . M . 177 ; J . J . Wooley , P . M . 15 ; C . Wellard , P . M . 1319 ; F . J . Wray , P . M . 1257 ; H . Holson , W . M . 1604 ; H . Carman , S . W . 54 S ; G . M . E . Hamilton , W . M . 144 G ; G . A . Garrett , P . M . 136 O ; G . Boulton , P . M . 1604 ; J . Kay , W . M . 742 ; C . Dovey , P . M 176 ; W . Shurman , W . M . 1471 ; J . L . Baker , P . M .

1305 ; li . li . Cox , S . D . 15 O 3 ; J . J . Pope , P . M . 1305 . w . S . Whitaker , P . M . 1572 ; J . T . Pilditch , P . M . 1420 ; \ y C . Wigley , W . M . 1348 ; ] . Russell , W . M . 1572 , R Burldow , P . M . S 60 ; S . Godden , P . M . SC 2 ; F . Hodson P . M . S 60 ; W . Richards , W . M . 1 S 53 ; H . W . Davie ! P . M . 173 ; D . P . Holness , P . M . 1471 ; H . Hunt , P . M . Worrell

1537 i VV . , P . M . 7 CG ; J . Oakham , P . M . iSci : E . Walker , W . M . I 7 G 6 ; VV . H . Hall , VV . M . 704- H Henton , P . M . 1559 ; U . Haslett , P . M . 145 ; T . Butt , P . M . 700 ; T . Griffiths , P . M . 144 G ; G . Draper , P . M . 1305 ; W . VV . Lee , 1 S 97 ; and many others . The lodge having been dul y opened , the minutes of thc March meeting were read and confirmed , after which Bros