Freemasonry In America.

bound to us by so many friendly links of mutual sympathies and common interests , is indeed very remarkable . We shall not be exaggerating when we say that the Order numbers in America just now , considerably over half-a-million of subscribing members , probably between 600 , 000

and 700 , 000 , including the Knights Templar , And all who have any knowledge of the * subject , or peruse carefully the records of Masonic proceedings in the United States , must be well aware how very " thorough " is the Masonic work there done and carried out under each of

their many Grand Lodges . Freemasons in England who do not measure their words , who speak " ore rotundo , " whose knowledge is only " skin deep " at the best , often talk superciliously of American shortcomings and defects . Now the truth is , that though there may be a certain

amount of difference in the practical workings of the Anglican and American systems , though there are admitted divergencies of Grand Lodge regulations , and of Masonic jurisprudence , especially , in consequence of so many conflicting jurisdictions , yet , the genuine principles of

Freemasonry are both proclaimed in the letter , and fulfilled in the spirit by the numerous and respectable brotherhood in America . In all parts of Masonic America , for instance , orphanages are being founded and supported , and the amount granted in relief to Masonic distress generally ,

and to individual cases when fully before our English mind , will assuredly startle us not a little . Let us take one illustration from many that could be adduced . In the last report of the Grand Lodge of California , the Board of Relief had , it is stated , in eighteen years expended

seventy-five thousand dollars— £ 15 , 000 in round numbers in English money—and procured labour and work for several hundred Masons and others not members of any lodge in St . Francisco . There are in California alone 19 8 lodges and 10 , 725 subscribing members . In 1850 , there were

only 11 Lodges in California and Oregon . With these few yet striking facts alone before us , need we have any doubt that , whatever may be the calls upon them , American Masonic charity and brotherly goodwill are fully equal to the task of coping with them , and making due provision

for them , one and all ? We might give many other instances if space permitted , but we hope , before long , to receive an exhaustive statement of all the American Masonic charities . Our brethren in the United States deserve , it appears to us , always the highest sympathy and commendation . To

them Freemasonry is something more than a name or a form , or the " knife and fork degree . " It is indeed , as far as we are able to understand their present position , teaching , and labours , something very serious , and something very real . They have'long surmounted a most cruel and

shameless persecution . Their lodges arc spreading through the old States and the new States of their mighty Government , and , we believe , in no country in the world are the genuine principles of Freemasonry better realised or more faithfull y practised . To them the Freemason tenders once

again its friendl y greetings of sympathetic brotherhood ; and we are always delighted to be able to report in our well-filled pages those evidences of Masonic growth and of Masonic duty , which mark in such vivid colours the onward progress of our American confraternity .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ Wc do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of the opinions expressed by our corrcspondiMits , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —lio . 1

THE INSTALLATION OF THE GRAND MASTER . To the Editor of Ihe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Nothing ought to be wanting to give eclat to the approaching festival . The Freemasons' Hall is manifestly inadequate for the occasion , and no more fitting place can he chosen ( for many reasons ) than the Albert Hall .

When at Boulogne last September , a conversation between a Roman Catholic Priest and a layman was overheard by my wife , the subject of it being , as the priest said , the " glorious" conversion of the late G . M ., and the " deadly blow which had been inflicted upon that ungodly , irreligious Order of Freemasons . " The priest said , with reference to

the move taken to secure the I ' riuce of Wales , that the Roman Catholics laughed at the idea , and that it was more than he dared do to comply with the presumptuous demands of these excommunicated . The result , ! "calculate , " has surprised the weak nerves of _ this gentleman , who can now plainly see that while

Original Correspondence.

" No Italian priest shall take tithe or toll in our dominions , " their power over the will and conscience of England ' s future hope is nil and nowhere . Not less galling must be the fact of the head of the Craft in Ireland being the Queen ' s representative , tantamount , almost , to the Sovereign herself . But all this should stir us up to put a bright face upon

the matter , and cheering as the prospects of Freemasonry may be now , to show to the opponents of our noble , and essentially religious Craft , that a still brighter future is in store for the devotees of the strangely maligned Order . Without hurling defiance at the papacy , we may surely worthily celebrate the great moral victory that we have achieved over the plotting of our deadliest foe—a foe that

neither by word nor deed have we done aught to offend or injure . Let therefore the forthcoming ceremonial be shorn of none of the importance which most fairly belongs to it , hut let all Masons , members of Grand Lodge , as loyal and faithful adherents to our Sovereign Lady and her successors , have full and ample opportunity of displaying that joy

which animates them individually and collectively . It will be a day long to be remembered by the Craft—the " St . Crispians" of Masonry , if I may be allowed a similitude , which , in fact , is scarcely one at all . However , it will answer the purpose , as it will be a day never to be forgotten by the youngest , as well as the oldest , who may be spared ami permitted to take part in it .

I aw , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours Fraternally , WM . Wir . GiNTON

To Ihe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — All Freemasons must congratulate themselves on the fact of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales becoming the Grand Master of England . Greatly do I think it has added to the dignity and standing of our Order , and 1 would suggest a special jewel ( perhaps a small Prince ol Wales ' s Feathers ) might he worn by those Worshipful

Masters holding office at the time of the Installation of His Royal Highness , in commemoration of this felicitous event . Perhaps some Worshipful Master of standing would organize a plan to memorialize the Grand Lodge for permission to add such a well prized jewel to their regalia . I am , sir , yours obediently and fraternally , " BninnF . rir . i . n . "

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — It is curious to observe the different opinions on the point raised by M . S ., and which was of sufficient importance to become the subject . of a leading article in your impression of iqth ult .

The various complexions this matter is capable of taking may be mainly attributed to the wording of the Book of Constitutions , by which its "spirit" is certainly not indicated , but really contradictory . Take page 18 , where it distinctly states that Masters , Past Masters , and Wardens of private lodges are members of Grand Lodge . Then comes ' the clause about the rights and privileges

of an Installed Master , who , " having for twelve months ceased to subscribe to any lodge , shall no longer continue a membci of the Grand Lodge , nor can he regain that privilege until again installed Master of a lodge . " According to this , if the P . M . in question were to rejoin his lodge , and happen to be appointed as Warden by the then W . M ., he could not , during the whole of his Wardenship ,

attend Grand Lodge . This is the inconsistency to which I referred in my letter , alluded to by Bro . Magnus Ohren in your last impression . Under such circumstances , it is quite clear that the P . M . ' s rank and lights would be regained , his rank as P . M ., and his rights as Senior P . M .,

and a member of Grand Lodge . Why should he have to wait till again installed as W . M . ? His Wardenship alone gives him a vote in Grand Lodge . Hoping to see Bro . Magnus Ohren , or any other able writer , surmount this difficulty , I am , yours fraternally , E . F .

To Ihe Editor <»/ the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I should like an opinion on the following case : — The election for Mastership is contested by two or more eligible brethren , all l . M . ' s , one of whom , Bro . A , is the retiring W . M . Bro . B is elected by one vote , and on arriving at the lodge after the election , is acquainted with the fact , and immediately "declines to be installed . " Bro .

C . rises to remonstrate , and reminds Brc . B . of a certain clause in the Charge to an Entered Apprentice , concerning " votes and resolutions , " whereupon Bro . B . says he will leave the matter in the hands of the brethren ( as Bro . C . ' s remarks have gone home lo him ) , and retires . In the meantime , Bro . A . proceeds to a fresh election , and is himself elected . Who is the W . M . elect ? Yours fraternally , E . F .

THE DEGREES OF MARK MASTER AND EXCELLENT MASTER . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — With your kind permission 1 shall address you on a subject on which , in the colonies at least ( and I think Kmay also say in England ) , there seems to be not only a

division of opinion , but a large amount of fogginess in the minds of many of the Craft , viz ., the true position of the degrees of Mark Master , and Most Excellent Master . I ' am writing as an English Mason , and by some of my zealous brethren , it may be said at once , " You have nothing to do with these degrees , " the Grand Lodge of England not acknowledging them , but intelligent Masons of the present day , with all due deference to that august

Original Correspondence.

body , recognise the value of them , and not only the value hut , in order to perfect the ritual of Craft Masonry , the actual necessity or them . I have read from time to time in the pages of your valuable journal many opinions ancnt the Mark Degree uttered by brighter Masons than myself , such as Bros . Yarker , Hughan , Paton , etc ., and being struck by a remark of

Bro . Emra Holmes at page 39 8 , in a July number of the Freemason , in which he is reported to have shown " where the continuity was broken in the third degree , and where it was taken up in the Royal Arch . " I confess I cannot understand how the continuity could be shown without the aid of the degrees mentioned . The position of the Mark Degree has been , and is , a

vexed question with Masonic students . Bro . 1 arker , indeed , gives it as his opinion that it is of modern date and spurious character , but with all respect to my learned brother 1 think he may , with equal justice , say the same of the third degree , yet who will question its position in any rite , or what would Masonry be without it ? The question of the before-mentioned degrees at the present , should not

be as to their antiquity but their suitability to supply a vacuity in the present English rite , which sadly mars its structure and seeks to mystify the ordinary or less enquiring mind of the R . A . Are they founded on Masonic principle ? And are they within the landmarks of what may be termed operative-speculative Masonry ? Such being the case , their suitability cannot be denied , and

their true position seems to me undoubtedly between the M . M . and R . A . Degrees . The strangest part of the present question is that these degrees should be incorporated with R . A . Chapters There may be grounds of argument for excluding them altogether ( although I admit of none ) , but the inconsistency of associating them with R . A . Chapters , passeth

understanding . Every brother must know the events they illustrate arc supposed to have occurred at the first or S . T ., and from their tcnour must be used in the crowning acts of that work , or altogether ignored , therefore why our Scotch brethren and others discard them in the lodge and introduce them in the chapter , among events occurring after the return from Babylon , is to me a puzzle .

Speaking broadly then , I think an English Mason holding under Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter , and also under Grand Mark Lodge ( for the two degrees mentioned ) is in better standing as to perfection of rite , than a Mason holding under any other constitution that 1 know of . Many worthy Masons in the colonies regret that the Grand Lodge of England fails to recognise these degrees as " pure

and antient Masonry , " neither can they understand the why or wherefore , seeing they were included in the ancient York rite , which some of the most eminent in our fraternity consider as " the mother of all ancient rites . " Is it not carrying conservatism to excess to sacrifice a principle to a const : ' . uilonal clause of doubtful import ? Craft ' Masonry , as worked in lodges under Grand Lodge of England

is incomplete , but should not be allowed to remain so . If the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland knew what a blessing it would be lo colonial brethren to assimilate their rites ( I believe they have assimilated their working ) , I think , in justice to us , they would do so . If the present differences existed in any other society than that of Masons , the consequences , I am afraid , would be serious dissension .

As it is , it sometimes threatens to estrange brethren of the two constitutions , who are over-zealous in their attachments . To make Scottish Masonry consistent , the Mark and Excellent Master must be controlled by Grand Lodge instead of Grand Chapter , and that English Masonry may be perfected , it is necessary that Grand Lodge should recognise these degrees , in the only position that can be

assigned to them , viz : following the M . M . The present system is most detrimental to the Eng . R . A . in the colonies , for the reason that in towns , where chapters are held under both Constitutions ( and there are many ) , English Masons prefer becoming members of Scotch chapters , as they obtain two extra degrees for the same money , and no matter where they locate , there is no difficulty in visiting . This ,

however , is not so much the case 111 places where there happens to be an English Mark Lodge . As a rule , then , our brethren prefer passing through the Mark Lodge on the way to the English chapter , although it is more expensive . The present Grand Mark Masters' Lodge of England and Wales , deserves the hearty support of every English Mason , for the manner in which it has surmounted every difficulty

in the attainment of its present position , but here also inconsistency must be complained of , or it is likely 1 never should have troubled you in re the prevent question , indeed the last sanctioned working is to m $ mind utterly contradictory . It is evident the position of the degree is assumed lobe beyond the M . M ., ns the lodge is presided over by A ., not in his capacity as " Chief Overseer , " but as " Master

of the Work , " chosen to succeed H . A . B ., as also it being imperative that the candidate shall be a M . M ., yet the first prominent action brings us back to what should be an extension of the F . C ., namely the choosing anil registration of the Mark . If the lodge is open in a degree superior to the M . M ., how can it consistently resolve itself into a F . C . lodge , and confer on a Craftsman a reward of merit for

labours the result of which they know nothing of . It must he conceded the status of Mark Man can only concern a F . C . lodge , and therefore a Mark Masters' Lodge should assume the candidate to have received his Mark as before noted . The registration in a M . M . M . lodge is no doubt a necessity , but the choosing should find no place in it . Several other remarks I should like to make on the mode

of working , but I am afraid f have already trespassed too much on your space , my only excuse being that these matters are of interest to brethren in the colonies , and we are anxious to hear the opinion of brighter Masons than ourselves . Yours Fraternally , WAI . TF . II II 11 . 1 ., P . M . 40 E . C , Dunedin , New Zealand , Oct . 1874 . ^