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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00504
' -pHEATRE ROYAL , DRURY LANE C I N D E K E L L A . GRAND CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME BY E . L . B LANCHARD , WITH ALL Till ; BEST FEATURES OK OLD-FASHIONED PANTOMIME AND ALL THE SPLENDOUR ot- MODERN S PECTACLE .
Ad00505
BRO . ROBERT RAYNHAM , ORPHEUS LODGE , No . 1706 , PROFESSOR OF SINGING AND ITALIAN , Is open to accept Engagements , and provide VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL ARTISTES FOR MASONIC BANOUETS . CONSECRATIONS , INSTALLATIONS , & c . Address .-St . PAUL'S CATHEDRAL , E . C .
Ad00506
BRO . TOM LAWLER Begs respectfully to announce that he will return to town in February , when he will resume the management of MUSICAL PARTIES FOR BANQUETS , CONCERTS , cvx . SPECIAL A RRANGEMENTS WITH MASONIC LODGES . Until further notice , address , Office of the Freemason , Queen-street , W . C .
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
P . M . has not complied with our rule by sending his name . The following communications have been received , but arc not inserted in this issue owing to want of space : — St . Andrew ' s Lodge , No . 231 . Jordan Lodge , No . 1402 . Loyal Welsh Lodge of Instruction .
HOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . "Die Hamiiittc , " "Masonic World , " "Jewish Chronicle , " " Plain Facts about Arkansas , 1 he licm , " " Clli / cn , " " Broad Arrow , "" Victorian Masonic Journal , " " Hull racket , " " Royal Cornwall G . i / . ctic , " " Kast i \ n ' g inn Handbook , " " Allen ' s Indian M . iil , " " Court Circular , " " New York Sunday limes , " " Orient " ;|} ml . ipest \ " I ' uhlic Ledger Almanack" ( rhiiadelphin ' , "The 'I'ricyilini ! Journal , " " Montreal Gn / clle , " " Kc » stone , " " Municipal Review , " " Koiijjh Ashlar . "
The Freemason
THE Freemason
SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 16 , ttScfj ,. » © riginal flTorrespon & cnce .
[ V \ edo not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by ourcorrcspondentishut we wish in aai irit of fair I'M ) in all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free dlscu- ton ] ...
THE ELECTION OF GRAND TREASURER . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , 1 have most sincerely to apolgise to you and to your readers , which I humbly do to-day , for having drawn down upon you and them that alarming outpour of long-ivindcil and excited correspondence which your columns last week display , by my most unfortunate but
well-intentioned letter . But I felt then , as I feel still , that toBio . While ' s objurgatory epistle , in the previous week ' s Freemason , some rtpl y was needful , unltss , indeed , we were to allow a few brethren banded together to dictate to the Masonic Press as well as to Grand Lodge . Whether the form i . iy letter took was the best adapted for reply to Bro . While matters nuthingj 1 wrote it in sincerity , and I see nothing in it to alter or to explain .
For , if my readers did really peruse it , they will remember that the gist of it was this , as clearly put as possible , that the circular inveighed against was ( or "defence , " not " deliancc , " was but in truth the inevitable outcome of the publicity given in the Freemason to the proceedings of a peculiar and private meeting , which adopted certain resolutions anent the Grand Treasurership , as well as to the openly-avowed success of a private canvass going on ever
since , so successful as to render opposition hopeless and the return of their candidate secure . And not only this , but a mi st worthy brother is openly givenout as a selecttd candidate for ISS . Objecting to such overhand and unprccendented proceedings , 300 brethren ( many more by this time ) , all of Masonic standing and distinguished services to our Order , signed the circular complained of , and I , for one . am
inclined to think their conduct both Masonic and patriotic in the highest degree , tending to uphold the prestige and dignity of Grand Lodge , and to safeguard the inestimable privilegesboth of free discussion and aggregational selection . For thus very simply and moderately stating my views there is hardly any form of invective and insinuation which has not been hurled against me , even by professed Masonic writers , and I am informed that in a non-Masonic paper I
am accused by a writer , whose frequent announcements create great amusement , whether he be a member of our Order or not , of " vulgarity . " I think I am able to see where the " shoe pinches ; " but as I am one of those who deem it better to " wash our dirty linen at home , " I incline to the Spanish proverb , that in
such a fishy state of affairs " silence is golden . " I again apologise to you heartily for the suffering indicted on many of your readers through the "boredom of twaddle " which my unhappy letter brought out , and I , for one , leave the matter to be settled eventually , without fear and with fullest confidence , by the * ' wisdom of Grand Lodge . "Very fraternally yours , OBSTA PR 1 NCIPIIS .
The Freemason
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , If any further argument were needed against the novel proposal to change the Grand Treasurer every year , it is , I think , supplied by the tone and character of some of the correspondence on the subject , which during the past few weeks has filled several columns of your paper . What
matters it to the Craft whether Bro . Marshall's candidature for the office was determined on before or after the " good dinner" to which reference has been made , or whether or not Bro . Marshall himself was the munificent provider of the feast ? Under the provisions ' of our Constitution , Grand Lodge possesses the undoubted right , if it sees fit , to change its
Treasurer every year . Although the office is one of great dignity , and its holder takes precedence of all the executive officers of Grand Lodge , it is competent for any member of Grand Lodge to propose any Master Mason for the office , without the slightest regard to his fitness for the position . The supporters of Bro . Marshall , with the entire body of the Craft to choose from , have selected him as the brother
who , in their opinion , possesses most eminently the special qualifications essential to support the dignity of , and reflect credit on , that high oflice . As the worthy candidate is unknown to me I am not prepared to question the propriety of their choice . It does , however , occur to me that if Uro . Marshall is possessed of those charitable instincts with which he is credited , it must be most repugnant to his feelings to have
his charitable achievements paraded as they have been by his supporters . I further note that in regard to his other . Masonic achievements his supporters are altogether silent . One of your correspondent ; -, has seen fit , with , what I venture to think , questionable taste , to compare the charitable contributions to our Masonic Institutions of our present Grand Treasurer with those of the brother seeking
to supersede him . I know I should be grossly outraging Bro . Allcroft ' s feelings were I to follow your correspondent ' s example and publicly proclaim those manifold acts of princely though unostentatious charity and munificence which have characterised his private life no less than his public career . I will draw no unworthy comparisons . What I desire to point out is that it cannot be for the
inteicstsof the Craft wc all profess to love so well that year by year there should be a repetition of what , from a Masonic view , cannot be regarded otherwise than a most unseemly controversy and discussion . If the Craft , as a body , seriously believe that it will be for the advantage of our Order that there should be a constant change of Grand Treasurer , let us adopt some
machinery by which the voice ot the Craft can be adequately expressed . It is true that in theory Grand Lodge represents the Craft , but to what extent docs it really represent the views of the 20 , 000 Masons who , it may roughly be estimated , arc entitled to attend its meetings ? If Grand Lodge was to consist of delegates from all lodges under its jurisdiction , and wc had a building capable of accommodating
them , there would be little dilliculty in ascertaining the will of the Craft in regard to any candidate for the oflice of Grand Treasurer , or the same object could be obtained by addressing voting papers to the various lodges . _ But so long as the existing state of things continues , it is in the power of any clique , 300 strong , to secure the return of their nominee , provided they can obtain possession of the seats
in the building in which Grand Lodge meets . Reference has been made by some of your correspondents , in terms not too respectful , to a circular to which am attached the names of many of the oldest and most honoured members of the Craft , brethren to whom we have
a right to look for counsel and advice , and whose position and services justly entitle them to the most respectful consideration . It is , I fear , ominous for the future wcllbeing of our Order when a communication such as that to which I have referred is treated by members of the Craft with ridicule and contempt . —Yours fraternally ,
A PAST PROVINGIAL GRAND OFFICER .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Bro . Would not the withdrawal of the objectionable circular respecting the Grand Trcasureship tend to smooth matters down anil thus restore the harmony and peace that have been so unwarrantably destroyed . Surely the unauthorised originator of it will not deem it beneath his
dignity to follow in the footsteps of our M . W . G . M ., who being badly advised with respect to an alteration in the status of Grand Chaplains , and finding the change was contrary to the almost universal wish , immediately rescinded the order . Were my suggestion adopted the present Grand Treasurer would retire from office at the end of that year for which he was elected , and in doing so would keep
faith with his electors , whilst at the same time the signatories to the circular would be relieved from a false position . Why should a brother of such eminence be made a tool to carry out the mistakes of a misinformed brother ? Twenty years ago it might have gained its point , but it will not do tor the enlightened Masons of the year of grace 1 SS 4 . In looking through the circular one is much struck at the absence of the names of those who were asked to sign ; I
most heartily congratulate them on their independence in having refused to sign away their rights and privileges . It will be as well for those Grand Officers from whom this circular emanated if , in future , before issuing others akin to it , they will deign to look down from their exalted position and ascertain by doing so whether or not their action is in accordance with the wishes of the majority , and likely to be productive of good or evil . —Apologising for the length of this letter , yours fraternally , ONE OF THE PRESENT GRAND TREASURER'S SUPPORTERS .
PROVINCIAL HONOURS . To the Editor of the " F ' reemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — 1 quite agree with the letter written by "Companion" with reference to provincial honours , and which appeared in your issue of the 2 nd inst . 'There is no doubt that these honours are frequently obtained by influence
rather than being conferred according to " merit and ability . " I think it a very good suggestion that every lodge should recommend one of their number for Provincial Grand Honours , but I would stipulate that no one should be eligible until he had made himself proficient and was able to open and close a lodge in the Three Degrees , and initiate , pass , and raise a candidate without assistance
The Freemason
and in a satisfactory manner . Were this maife a " sine qua non " and perfectly carried out , it would doubtless stimulate brethren to study their work more and make them anxious to do it in a creditable manner instead of " slubbering" over it as I fe * r it sometimes is . Trusting that this matter may be taken up in the prop .-r quartt-r , — I am , yours fraternall y , MAS TER MASON . South Lowestoft , Feb . Sth .
To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — So far back as August , IS ; Q , I addressed myself , through the columns of one of your contemporaries , to the brethren of West Yorkshire on this subject . I am very pleased to see brethren in other provinces are interesting themselves and expressing their opinion upon provincial appointments .
Having written so fully on previous occasions , I will not occupy much of your valuable space on the present . IE "Justice" will watch the appointments and let the brethren hear , through your columns , of honours being conferred without merit , it may eventually have a good effect . Last year the appointments made in West Yorkshire gave fait
satisfaction , but why a Prov . G . D . of C . should be reappointed is to me a mystery which I am trying to solve . I cannot see any merit in it . The Annual Provincial Meeting will be held in this town , and I am informed wc may expect some startling events on that occasi jn , of which I intend you to hear .
It " Senior P . M . " should see this and deem my letter of 10 th May , 1 SS 2 , worthy an answer , or wil I enlighten me on the manner of these appointments , I shall be oblig . d . Query : Can our Deputy Prov . G . M ., remembering his remarks at Dewsbury respecting " canvassing for position " in Craft Lodges , make his o . vn action coincide with the
remarks there made . I allude to his signing the recommendation for Bro . Allcroft ' s re-election as Giand Treasurer . I look upon the signing of that recommendation by our D . P . G . M . as a direct canvass for , and also to influence the votes of brethren of this Province . With fraternal regards , I am , Dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully , Hudderslield , nth Feb . JUNIOR P . M .
THE MASONIC CHARITIES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Your urgent and conclusive articles in the Freemason must have been read with great interest by all membcrs of the Craft . If not considered too presumptuous o me , I would suggest that every lodge throughout England
should have a whip round for the particular charity whose annual festival is to be celebrated at the lodge meeting next before each of these great festivals , in order that every Freemason may participate according to his means to swell the benefactions there rehearsed , after the fashion of the Hospital Sundays . The . : s a standing rule in the York
Lodge , 23 O , that the charity boxes shall go round the table in their banqueting room after every lodge , whni the brethren retire from labour to refreshment , and the re-ult is highly beneficial to the Girls' and Hoys' Schools . Without being irksome to the brethren , I fancy the average sum collected is at least £ 10 , and in no way interferes with the ordinary lodge contributions . —Yours fraternally , THOS . SIMPSON CAMIDGE , P . P . G . D Wilis , and N . and E . Yorkshire .
THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your issue of 2 nd inst . you mercilessly , but kindly , come down on Scottish Freemasonry , in more particularly referring to the want of a Benevolent Fund worthy the name . While I am not to be held as admitting the
accuracy of all your statements on the subject—some slnw of defence could surely be made , and that without trying to throw mud at one ' s opponent—I admit with sorrow that Scotland has for many years been a di-grace to the Masonic Craft in the matter of charity . Il is difficult to explain why this state of matters should have continued so lom ; . Since the appointment of our present Secretary we have been
engaged in placing our affairs on a sound financial basis and oaving money to pay creditors , in whose hands we have been lor many years . You have long been fortunate in those at the head of affairs , we have been the reverse . For at least a generation our Grand Lodge would seem to have been looked on as a mine from which those who had the opportunity should take as much as they could escape with .
One dchnqu * nt improved upon another till at last our late Secretary ( to change the metaphor ) completely killed the goose that laycd the golden eggs , and only when the dead body was found was it discovered how our means had been squandered and our funds made away with . Then , but not till then , did the Scottish Craft as a body awake to a sense of what was due to itself by those in charge of its
purse . A rough estimate has been made of the amount lest to us by various peculations , but it amounts to so many tens of thousands that I am afraid I would be considered as romancing by stating the sum . For the last good few years wc could do nothing more than spend a paltry £ 400 or so annually in charity because wc had to be just before we were generous . Now we can look the
world in the face—we owe nothing , and , besides our buildings , have over jf 1000 in cash at our credit . So soon as this desirable state was found to be approaching many of us set ourselves to the consideration of that charity by which alone the Craft can expect to fliuiish and to occupy its proper position among the greatest of the institutions of the country . On Thursday last the usual
Quarterly Communication was held—the first since our last debt was extinguished—and at that meeting ( which was a large one , Fiecmasons' Hall being crowded ) , Major Crumble , Grand Junior Warden , proposed a remit , seconded by Bro . Alexander Hay , Past Grand Jeweller , to Grand Committee to prepare a scln-me for the extension of our present Benevolent fund , embracing annuities to necessitous and
deserving members and their widows , and the education of their orphan children . Bro . Crombic ' s proposals were very favourably received and the remit unanimously made . Your leaderette came so very opportunely that it was believed by some to have been inspired . The 7 th inst . then is the turning point ( for good ) in
Scottish Freemasonry . Let me , however , state that wc do not propose to build schools or asylums , for wc think that in Scotland we can accomplish what we wish with more comfort to the recipients by other means , and at the same lime more economically . We can never , of course , distribute such a princely amount annually as your great Masonic
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00504
' -pHEATRE ROYAL , DRURY LANE C I N D E K E L L A . GRAND CHRISTMAS PANTOMIME BY E . L . B LANCHARD , WITH ALL Till ; BEST FEATURES OK OLD-FASHIONED PANTOMIME AND ALL THE SPLENDOUR ot- MODERN S PECTACLE .
Ad00505
BRO . ROBERT RAYNHAM , ORPHEUS LODGE , No . 1706 , PROFESSOR OF SINGING AND ITALIAN , Is open to accept Engagements , and provide VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL ARTISTES FOR MASONIC BANOUETS . CONSECRATIONS , INSTALLATIONS , & c . Address .-St . PAUL'S CATHEDRAL , E . C .
Ad00506
BRO . TOM LAWLER Begs respectfully to announce that he will return to town in February , when he will resume the management of MUSICAL PARTIES FOR BANQUETS , CONCERTS , cvx . SPECIAL A RRANGEMENTS WITH MASONIC LODGES . Until further notice , address , Office of the Freemason , Queen-street , W . C .
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
P . M . has not complied with our rule by sending his name . The following communications have been received , but arc not inserted in this issue owing to want of space : — St . Andrew ' s Lodge , No . 231 . Jordan Lodge , No . 1402 . Loyal Welsh Lodge of Instruction .
HOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . "Die Hamiiittc , " "Masonic World , " "Jewish Chronicle , " " Plain Facts about Arkansas , 1 he licm , " " Clli / cn , " " Broad Arrow , "" Victorian Masonic Journal , " " Hull racket , " " Royal Cornwall G . i / . ctic , " " Kast i \ n ' g inn Handbook , " " Allen ' s Indian M . iil , " " Court Circular , " " New York Sunday limes , " " Orient " ;|} ml . ipest \ " I ' uhlic Ledger Almanack" ( rhiiadelphin ' , "The 'I'ricyilini ! Journal , " " Montreal Gn / clle , " " Kc » stone , " " Municipal Review , " " Koiijjh Ashlar . "
The Freemason
THE Freemason
SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 16 , ttScfj ,. » © riginal flTorrespon & cnce .
[ V \ edo not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by ourcorrcspondentishut we wish in aai irit of fair I'M ) in all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free dlscu- ton ] ...
THE ELECTION OF GRAND TREASURER . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , 1 have most sincerely to apolgise to you and to your readers , which I humbly do to-day , for having drawn down upon you and them that alarming outpour of long-ivindcil and excited correspondence which your columns last week display , by my most unfortunate but
well-intentioned letter . But I felt then , as I feel still , that toBio . While ' s objurgatory epistle , in the previous week ' s Freemason , some rtpl y was needful , unltss , indeed , we were to allow a few brethren banded together to dictate to the Masonic Press as well as to Grand Lodge . Whether the form i . iy letter took was the best adapted for reply to Bro . While matters nuthingj 1 wrote it in sincerity , and I see nothing in it to alter or to explain .
For , if my readers did really peruse it , they will remember that the gist of it was this , as clearly put as possible , that the circular inveighed against was ( or "defence , " not " deliancc , " was but in truth the inevitable outcome of the publicity given in the Freemason to the proceedings of a peculiar and private meeting , which adopted certain resolutions anent the Grand Treasurership , as well as to the openly-avowed success of a private canvass going on ever
since , so successful as to render opposition hopeless and the return of their candidate secure . And not only this , but a mi st worthy brother is openly givenout as a selecttd candidate for ISS . Objecting to such overhand and unprccendented proceedings , 300 brethren ( many more by this time ) , all of Masonic standing and distinguished services to our Order , signed the circular complained of , and I , for one . am
inclined to think their conduct both Masonic and patriotic in the highest degree , tending to uphold the prestige and dignity of Grand Lodge , and to safeguard the inestimable privilegesboth of free discussion and aggregational selection . For thus very simply and moderately stating my views there is hardly any form of invective and insinuation which has not been hurled against me , even by professed Masonic writers , and I am informed that in a non-Masonic paper I
am accused by a writer , whose frequent announcements create great amusement , whether he be a member of our Order or not , of " vulgarity . " I think I am able to see where the " shoe pinches ; " but as I am one of those who deem it better to " wash our dirty linen at home , " I incline to the Spanish proverb , that in
such a fishy state of affairs " silence is golden . " I again apologise to you heartily for the suffering indicted on many of your readers through the "boredom of twaddle " which my unhappy letter brought out , and I , for one , leave the matter to be settled eventually , without fear and with fullest confidence , by the * ' wisdom of Grand Lodge . "Very fraternally yours , OBSTA PR 1 NCIPIIS .
The Freemason
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , If any further argument were needed against the novel proposal to change the Grand Treasurer every year , it is , I think , supplied by the tone and character of some of the correspondence on the subject , which during the past few weeks has filled several columns of your paper . What
matters it to the Craft whether Bro . Marshall's candidature for the office was determined on before or after the " good dinner" to which reference has been made , or whether or not Bro . Marshall himself was the munificent provider of the feast ? Under the provisions ' of our Constitution , Grand Lodge possesses the undoubted right , if it sees fit , to change its
Treasurer every year . Although the office is one of great dignity , and its holder takes precedence of all the executive officers of Grand Lodge , it is competent for any member of Grand Lodge to propose any Master Mason for the office , without the slightest regard to his fitness for the position . The supporters of Bro . Marshall , with the entire body of the Craft to choose from , have selected him as the brother
who , in their opinion , possesses most eminently the special qualifications essential to support the dignity of , and reflect credit on , that high oflice . As the worthy candidate is unknown to me I am not prepared to question the propriety of their choice . It does , however , occur to me that if Uro . Marshall is possessed of those charitable instincts with which he is credited , it must be most repugnant to his feelings to have
his charitable achievements paraded as they have been by his supporters . I further note that in regard to his other . Masonic achievements his supporters are altogether silent . One of your correspondent ; -, has seen fit , with , what I venture to think , questionable taste , to compare the charitable contributions to our Masonic Institutions of our present Grand Treasurer with those of the brother seeking
to supersede him . I know I should be grossly outraging Bro . Allcroft ' s feelings were I to follow your correspondent ' s example and publicly proclaim those manifold acts of princely though unostentatious charity and munificence which have characterised his private life no less than his public career . I will draw no unworthy comparisons . What I desire to point out is that it cannot be for the
inteicstsof the Craft wc all profess to love so well that year by year there should be a repetition of what , from a Masonic view , cannot be regarded otherwise than a most unseemly controversy and discussion . If the Craft , as a body , seriously believe that it will be for the advantage of our Order that there should be a constant change of Grand Treasurer , let us adopt some
machinery by which the voice ot the Craft can be adequately expressed . It is true that in theory Grand Lodge represents the Craft , but to what extent docs it really represent the views of the 20 , 000 Masons who , it may roughly be estimated , arc entitled to attend its meetings ? If Grand Lodge was to consist of delegates from all lodges under its jurisdiction , and wc had a building capable of accommodating
them , there would be little dilliculty in ascertaining the will of the Craft in regard to any candidate for the oflice of Grand Treasurer , or the same object could be obtained by addressing voting papers to the various lodges . _ But so long as the existing state of things continues , it is in the power of any clique , 300 strong , to secure the return of their nominee , provided they can obtain possession of the seats
in the building in which Grand Lodge meets . Reference has been made by some of your correspondents , in terms not too respectful , to a circular to which am attached the names of many of the oldest and most honoured members of the Craft , brethren to whom we have
a right to look for counsel and advice , and whose position and services justly entitle them to the most respectful consideration . It is , I fear , ominous for the future wcllbeing of our Order when a communication such as that to which I have referred is treated by members of the Craft with ridicule and contempt . —Yours fraternally ,
A PAST PROVINGIAL GRAND OFFICER .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Bro . Would not the withdrawal of the objectionable circular respecting the Grand Trcasureship tend to smooth matters down anil thus restore the harmony and peace that have been so unwarrantably destroyed . Surely the unauthorised originator of it will not deem it beneath his
dignity to follow in the footsteps of our M . W . G . M ., who being badly advised with respect to an alteration in the status of Grand Chaplains , and finding the change was contrary to the almost universal wish , immediately rescinded the order . Were my suggestion adopted the present Grand Treasurer would retire from office at the end of that year for which he was elected , and in doing so would keep
faith with his electors , whilst at the same time the signatories to the circular would be relieved from a false position . Why should a brother of such eminence be made a tool to carry out the mistakes of a misinformed brother ? Twenty years ago it might have gained its point , but it will not do tor the enlightened Masons of the year of grace 1 SS 4 . In looking through the circular one is much struck at the absence of the names of those who were asked to sign ; I
most heartily congratulate them on their independence in having refused to sign away their rights and privileges . It will be as well for those Grand Officers from whom this circular emanated if , in future , before issuing others akin to it , they will deign to look down from their exalted position and ascertain by doing so whether or not their action is in accordance with the wishes of the majority , and likely to be productive of good or evil . —Apologising for the length of this letter , yours fraternally , ONE OF THE PRESENT GRAND TREASURER'S SUPPORTERS .
PROVINCIAL HONOURS . To the Editor of the " F ' reemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — 1 quite agree with the letter written by "Companion" with reference to provincial honours , and which appeared in your issue of the 2 nd inst . 'There is no doubt that these honours are frequently obtained by influence
rather than being conferred according to " merit and ability . " I think it a very good suggestion that every lodge should recommend one of their number for Provincial Grand Honours , but I would stipulate that no one should be eligible until he had made himself proficient and was able to open and close a lodge in the Three Degrees , and initiate , pass , and raise a candidate without assistance
The Freemason
and in a satisfactory manner . Were this maife a " sine qua non " and perfectly carried out , it would doubtless stimulate brethren to study their work more and make them anxious to do it in a creditable manner instead of " slubbering" over it as I fe * r it sometimes is . Trusting that this matter may be taken up in the prop .-r quartt-r , — I am , yours fraternall y , MAS TER MASON . South Lowestoft , Feb . Sth .
To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — So far back as August , IS ; Q , I addressed myself , through the columns of one of your contemporaries , to the brethren of West Yorkshire on this subject . I am very pleased to see brethren in other provinces are interesting themselves and expressing their opinion upon provincial appointments .
Having written so fully on previous occasions , I will not occupy much of your valuable space on the present . IE "Justice" will watch the appointments and let the brethren hear , through your columns , of honours being conferred without merit , it may eventually have a good effect . Last year the appointments made in West Yorkshire gave fait
satisfaction , but why a Prov . G . D . of C . should be reappointed is to me a mystery which I am trying to solve . I cannot see any merit in it . The Annual Provincial Meeting will be held in this town , and I am informed wc may expect some startling events on that occasi jn , of which I intend you to hear .
It " Senior P . M . " should see this and deem my letter of 10 th May , 1 SS 2 , worthy an answer , or wil I enlighten me on the manner of these appointments , I shall be oblig . d . Query : Can our Deputy Prov . G . M ., remembering his remarks at Dewsbury respecting " canvassing for position " in Craft Lodges , make his o . vn action coincide with the
remarks there made . I allude to his signing the recommendation for Bro . Allcroft ' s re-election as Giand Treasurer . I look upon the signing of that recommendation by our D . P . G . M . as a direct canvass for , and also to influence the votes of brethren of this Province . With fraternal regards , I am , Dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully , Hudderslield , nth Feb . JUNIOR P . M .
THE MASONIC CHARITIES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Your urgent and conclusive articles in the Freemason must have been read with great interest by all membcrs of the Craft . If not considered too presumptuous o me , I would suggest that every lodge throughout England
should have a whip round for the particular charity whose annual festival is to be celebrated at the lodge meeting next before each of these great festivals , in order that every Freemason may participate according to his means to swell the benefactions there rehearsed , after the fashion of the Hospital Sundays . The . : s a standing rule in the York
Lodge , 23 O , that the charity boxes shall go round the table in their banqueting room after every lodge , whni the brethren retire from labour to refreshment , and the re-ult is highly beneficial to the Girls' and Hoys' Schools . Without being irksome to the brethren , I fancy the average sum collected is at least £ 10 , and in no way interferes with the ordinary lodge contributions . —Yours fraternally , THOS . SIMPSON CAMIDGE , P . P . G . D Wilis , and N . and E . Yorkshire .
THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your issue of 2 nd inst . you mercilessly , but kindly , come down on Scottish Freemasonry , in more particularly referring to the want of a Benevolent Fund worthy the name . While I am not to be held as admitting the
accuracy of all your statements on the subject—some slnw of defence could surely be made , and that without trying to throw mud at one ' s opponent—I admit with sorrow that Scotland has for many years been a di-grace to the Masonic Craft in the matter of charity . Il is difficult to explain why this state of matters should have continued so lom ; . Since the appointment of our present Secretary we have been
engaged in placing our affairs on a sound financial basis and oaving money to pay creditors , in whose hands we have been lor many years . You have long been fortunate in those at the head of affairs , we have been the reverse . For at least a generation our Grand Lodge would seem to have been looked on as a mine from which those who had the opportunity should take as much as they could escape with .
One dchnqu * nt improved upon another till at last our late Secretary ( to change the metaphor ) completely killed the goose that laycd the golden eggs , and only when the dead body was found was it discovered how our means had been squandered and our funds made away with . Then , but not till then , did the Scottish Craft as a body awake to a sense of what was due to itself by those in charge of its
purse . A rough estimate has been made of the amount lest to us by various peculations , but it amounts to so many tens of thousands that I am afraid I would be considered as romancing by stating the sum . For the last good few years wc could do nothing more than spend a paltry £ 400 or so annually in charity because wc had to be just before we were generous . Now we can look the
world in the face—we owe nothing , and , besides our buildings , have over jf 1000 in cash at our credit . So soon as this desirable state was found to be approaching many of us set ourselves to the consideration of that charity by which alone the Craft can expect to fliuiish and to occupy its proper position among the greatest of the institutions of the country . On Thursday last the usual
Quarterly Communication was held—the first since our last debt was extinguished—and at that meeting ( which was a large one , Fiecmasons' Hall being crowded ) , Major Crumble , Grand Junior Warden , proposed a remit , seconded by Bro . Alexander Hay , Past Grand Jeweller , to Grand Committee to prepare a scln-me for the extension of our present Benevolent fund , embracing annuities to necessitous and
deserving members and their widows , and the education of their orphan children . Bro . Crombic ' s proposals were very favourably received and the remit unanimously made . Your leaderette came so very opportunely that it was believed by some to have been inspired . The 7 th inst . then is the turning point ( for good ) in
Scottish Freemasonry . Let me , however , state that wc do not propose to build schools or asylums , for wc think that in Scotland we can accomplish what we wish with more comfort to the recipients by other means , and at the same lime more economically . We can never , of course , distribute such a princely amount annually as your great Masonic