Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by oui correspondents hut we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—C ^ ee discussion .

THE COLONIES , & c . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In the Freemason Christmas Number , under the heading of " The

Colonies , & c , " appears the following : " We are also glad to record that three lodges have been added to the roll of the District Grand Lodge of South Africa ( E . D . ) , one of them being named after Bro . Field-Marshal Lord Roberts , and the other after her Majesty ' s High Commissioner for South Africa—Sir Alfred Milner . "

May I be permitted to state that the Lord Roberts Lodge , No . 2827 , is at Somerset Strand , and the Alfred Milner Lodge , No . 2833 , at Muizenberg , both being in the District of South Africa ( Western Division ) . We know wisdom comes from the East , may the West be allowed a portion , of strength . —Yours fraternally , JOHN ROBERTS , D . S . G . W . S . A . ( W . D . ) . P . O . Box 321 , Capetown , January 21 st . SOME MASONS' NOTIONS OF CHARITY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother I have read with some dismay the letter of a " Poor Brother" in which an " exalted brother" is said to have enunciated the principle that it is un-Masonic to apply to a member of the Craft for assistance in obtaining a livelihood . This , to my mind , is so utterly opposed to the scheme of Freemasonry that I cannot refrain from making a few observations .

On becoming a Freemason I was instructed that it conferred " inestimable privileges . " What are these privileges ? I interpreted it to mean the duty and pleasure of assisting a brother in distressed circumstances , and to the best of my humble power I have endeavoured to carry out that principle . It has often been my fortune to be applied to by brothers in search of employment , and I have always thought it my first duty , having proved

them and found them worthy , to do all in my power to secure them work , and even to assist them pecuniarily if necessary . One may certainly be imposed upon , but I hold the opinion that it is better to be imposed upon seven times than to run the risk of failing to succour and help one deserving brother . If I have improperly understood and applied the principles

of the Craft , I shall be glad to be set right ; and I would also impress the following sentence ( which occurs in a certain Masonic address ) upon those who may put a different construction on their duties and privileges : " by befriending and relieving with unhesitating cordiality , to the best of our ability , any brother who may seek our assistance . " ( I quote from memory . ) Apologising for trespassing on your space . —I am , dear Sir , yours fraternally

GEO . A . BEVAN , l . P . M . 2498 , Germiston , South Africa . 51 , Torrington-square , W . C , nth February .

A QUERY . To thc Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother . Can any of your correspondents give a reason why the level is placed on the apron of a W . M . and P . M . otherwise than to distinguish his rank ? —Yours fraternally , P . M .

Scotland.

Scotland .

GRAND LODGE .

The quarterly meeting of thc Grand Lodge of Scotland was held on Thursday , " the 7 th instant , in Edinburgh . The Grand Lodge being in mouinirg , the Freemasons' Hall , in which the meeting was held , was suitably draped with black and purple ; the office bearers and members were in mourning , while the regalia and other trappings were draped with

crape . The throne of Grand Lodge was occupied by the Hon . James Hozier , M . P ., Most Worshipful Grand Master , who , in pathetic terms , referred to the death of her Gracious Majesty the Queen—the Queen of Queens—and asked the authority of Grand Lodge to sign the iollowing address of sympathy and loyalty , which was granted in sympathetic silence

Unto the King's Most Excellent Majesty . May it please your Majesty , We , Your Majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects , The Honourable James Hozier , M . P ., Grand Master Mason of Scotland ; The Right Honourable Alexander , Lord Saltoun , Past Grand Master ; John Graham of Broadstone , Grand Master Depute ; The Honourable Chirles Maule Ramsay , Substitute

Grand Master ; and the remanent office-bearers and members of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Scotland , for ourselves and on behalf of the whole Fraternity ol Scottish Freemasons at home , in India , in the Colonies , and in Foreign Parts , beg leave , . vith our most humble duty and in profound sorrow , to offer to Your Majesty our respectful sympathy in the grievous loss , sustained by Your Majesty and by the whole Empire , in the death of our late Sovereign Lady Her Majesty Oueen Victoria of blessed and glorious memory .

We beg leave , at the same time , humbly to assure Your Majesty , the Royal Patron of our Scottish Craft , of our unalterable devotion to Your Majesty ' s throne , and to Your Majesty's person . And we most earnestly pray that the blessing of the Almighty may ever rest upon Your Majesty , upon Her Majesty Queen Alexandra , and upon every member of your Royal House .

Given under our hand and seal in full Grand Lodge assembled at Edinburgh , this seventh day of February , 1901 . J AMES HOZIKK , Grand Master Mason . DAVID RICIU , Grand Secretary . To this was added the seal of Grand Lodge .

Scotland.

The reading of the address was followed with prayer offered up by Bro Rev . Percy M . Herford , G . Chaplain . The Grand Organist played appropriate music . The entire assembly remained standing during the solemn ceremony . The office-bearers of Grand Lodge present supporting the M . W . G . M .

included Bros . John Graham , of Broadstone , Depute G . M . ; the Hon , Charles Maule Ramsav , S . G . M . ; A . A . Spiers , of Elderslie , S . G . W . ; W . Munro Denholm , J . G . W . ; David Reid , G . Sec . ; J . Carruthers , S . G . D . ; W . Phillips , J . G . D . j A . Skirving , I . A ., G . Architect ; A . Brown , G , Jeweller ; W . Scott , J . Gunn , and others .

The GRAND MASTER read a letter from H . R . H . Prince Leopold Friedrich , ^ Prince of Prussia , Protector of the Grand Lodges of Germany , thanking Grand Lodge for the honour conferred on him in being enrolled an honorary member of the Grand Lodge . The Prov . G . M . of Newfoundland , Bro . James Gordon , was introduced and welcomed to Grand Lodge .

Bro . Edward A . Chisholm was unanimously elected to the position of Grand Treasurer , vacated by the election of Bro . David Reid to Grand Secretaryship , and Bro . Chisholm was duly installed by the Grand Master . Petitions for new lodges—one in the Upper Ward of Lanark , to be called Hozier Lodge : one for Gwalla , Leonora ; one in Northern Western

Australia ; and one in Gingin , Queensland—were granted . It was resolved that the rule limiting the holding of office in Grand Lodge to one year should not apply to Prov . Grand Lodges , and that the Chaplains of Grand Lodge shall be known in future as " Senior " and "Junior . "

The election of members to Grand Committee resulted as follows , the numbers following names being the vote recorded for each : Bros . Captain G . B . Wishart , 313 ; James Cadwell , 296 ; Colonel Wilson Macadam , 239 ; W . Officer , 258 ; James Grierson , 244 ; George Crawford , 242 ; Alex . Bruce , 231 j Robert Bathgate , 229 ; Miles M'Innes , 221 ; John Sprunt .

220 ; Dr . D . C . A . M'Allum and William Phillips , 205 ; J . A . S . Kerr , 203 ; Andrew Fergus , 196 ; John Walker , 194 ; C . C . Nisbet , 191 ; James Smith , iSS ; A . A . Murray , 1 S 6 ; and James Jack , 183 . The election of the first 16 is for three years , Bros . Smith and Murray for two years , and Bro . Jack one year . At the conclusion of the business , the members of Grand Lodge sang the National Anthem— " God Save the King . "

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Forfarshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF FORFARSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Lodge was held in the Forfar and Kincardine Masonic Hall , Meadow-street , Dundee , on the Cth instant , Bro . James Berry , Prov . Grand Master , presiding . Most of the principal office bearers of Provincial Grand Lodge were in attendance , and a large number of brethren from the various lodges throughout the province were present . The jewels worn by the office bearers were draped ,

while the other brethren wore appropriate signs of mourning . Amongst those present were Bros . D . Reid , Grand Sec ; Hon . C . M . Ramsay , Prov . Depute Master ; Rev . Dr . Colin Campbell , Grand Chaplain ; A . Armit and R . Paisley , Prov . G . Chaps . ; ex-Provost Anderson , Prov . G , Sec . ; A . C . Anderson , Prov . Asst . G . Sec . ; and ex-Bailie Herald , Prov . Grand Treasurer .

The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened in due form , the Dead March from " Saul" was played on the organ by Bro . John Burrows , Prov . G . Director of Music . Bro . BERRY subsequently referred to the death of the Queen , and it was remitted to himself and the Provincial Grand Secretary iu frame a minute expressive of the sincere sorrow of the brethren at the loss sustained by the

nation—the expression of condolence to be engrossed in the minutes of the Provincial Grand Lodge . Bro . Berry also offered congratulations to King Edward VII . on his accession to the throne . They had proof from his Majesty ' s words—if such had been required—that the example of his beloved mother would be his Majesty ' s constant guide througn life . They all hoped that happiness and prosperity would attend his Majesty ' s reign . ( Applause . )

bro . BERRY reported that the province was in an exceedingly healthy condition , alike in regard to finances and the number of candidates seeking admission to the privileges of the Order . They had 18 annuitants , and trie total amount received last year for annuities was £ i 9 ° - That was largely in excess of the average for Scotland , but he couid truthfully say that no case unless of a deserving nature had been submitted to the Annuity

Board . The same remark applied to the grants given by the Monthly Board . In regard to the number of entrants in the province , these had largely exceeded former years , while in all the lodges thc benevolent funds were increasing . Bro . Berry referred to the Masonic functions which had taken place in the province during the past year , specially remarking that the Friockheim Lodge had now come into the possession of one of the prettiest Masonic lodges in Forfarshire . ( Applause . )

Bro . HERALD reported on the financial condition of the province , stating that this was most satisfactory . He proposed that the former contributions to Provincial Grand Lodge for entrants should be continued , namely , is . to to the Benevolent Fund , and 2 s . 6 d . to the General Fund . This was agreed to . The next business was the election of office bearers .

Bro . TARBAT thought the time had come when a fairer distribution of the oflice bearers should be made throughout the province . Many of the lodges were not represented at all , while others had two or three representatives among the officials of Grand Lodge .

Bro . BERRY said that was the fault of the lodges themselves . AH the lodges were asked to be present , and it was his wish , as well as that of the other office bearers , that there should be a full representation from all quarters , so that the Provincial Grand Lodge would have proper support when they were away from home .

The subject was then dropped , and the election of office bearers proceeded with . In the list of commissioned office bearers two changes were made , as follows , namely : Bro . J . G . Sprunt , vice Bro . Major P . W . Anderson , Substitute Master ; and Rev . R . Paisley , vice Bro . Stewart Galloway . The elective offices were filled as follows :