Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for thc opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wisb , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion .

QUALIFICATION FOR MASTER'S CHAIR . Tothe Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Referring to thc letters on this subject in your two last issues , may 1 be permitted to state that eight or nine years ago , the late Grand Secretary of England ( Col . Shadwell-Clerke ) was asked the same query on behalf of a then

English lodge in Melbourne , Victoria . His reply was to the effect that , if a brother was not present to be invested as Warden , on the day of installation of the Master , lie could not claim to have served the office of Warden for the space of one year when the next Mastcr was installed . This decision was accepted , and , 1 believe , generally acted upon throughout the colony so soon as it became known . —Yours fraternally ,

W . F . LAMONBY . April 13 th .

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In your otherwise full and accurate report of the proceedings at the General Court , held on the 9 th instant , there arc two slight mistakes . The two resolutions submitted by me for consideration were not , as suggested , the same ,

but were quite distinct . By thc first 1 sought to preserve what I considered were the rights and powers of the General Court , viz ., to add names to the list of candidates recommended to the Court by the General Committee as eligible to be placed on the list for election . I regret to say a majority of the brethren who voted did not agree with the opinion 1 had formed , but , as no arguments were brought forward in answer to mine , I should like to ask these brethren or any

brother who has made a study of the laws , what is the use ot making a recommendation to the governing body ot the Institution ( sec Law 52 ) unless it is for their approval or disapproval r By the second resolution , omitting the latter portion of it , which I withdrew , 1 sought to establish the old and , to me , sound princip le— " once a Mason always a Mason . " I did not withdraw this resolution because the Chairman ruled it out of order , terming it a " motion of censure . "

The point raised was purely a " point of law " as to the right construction to be placed upon the laws of the Institution . I asked the Court to express an opinion that , in rejecting two cases on the ground " that the fathers had ceased subscribing to a lodge before thc candidates were born " the General Committee'had exceeded the powers given them by the laws of the Institution . Can this properly bc called

censure V But if so , was the Chairman rig ht in ruling that thc General Committee were above censure ? The R . W . Bro . T . T . Bucknill , Q . C , M . P ., Deputy Grand Registrar , has had thc point raised by the resolution before him in a case submitted tor his opinion on behalf of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , and thc following extract from his opinion will no doubt interest your readers :

"I am of opinion that the Council of the Institution has wrongly exercised their discretion in rejecting the petition in this case , if , as I gather from the case laid before me , their sole reason is . that thc candidate was born 21 years after the father had ceased to be a subscribing member . " " By the 2 nd Law of the Institution it is declared that ( he object of the Institution is to benefit the sons of Freemasons who from circumstances arising from the death , illness , or misfortune of their fathers are requiring the benefits of the Institution . "

" 10 reject a candidate on the alleged ground is to exoude a class which may be most deserving of thc benefits , and if it had been intended to confine the eligibility of candidates to those whose fathers had , whilst living , continued to be subscribers to some lodge , when by poverty , perhaps such an expenditure would have been unjustifiable , it would probably have been so stated in the laws . "

Comparison of the laws of the two Institutions will , I submit , show that on the point raised they are on all fours , but this view your readers are aware is not shared by W . Bro . Frank Richardson . There may be a difference between common law and equity , but 1 thir . k common law in this case is common sense and that equity will be found to agree .

If the Deputy Grand Registrar is wrong in his opinion , it would appear to be " Equity " that a Mason ceases to be a Mason on ceasing to subscribe to a lodge , and that , if he marries after ceasing so to subscribe , any daughter bom to him afterwards is born " out of Masonry , " and is not eligible as a candidate for election to the Institution , not being the daughter of a Freemason as prescribed by Law 2 . 1 ask if this is common sense . The Deputy Grand Registrar is of opinion that it is not thc Law .

Emboldened by this opinion , 1 brought the second resolution before the Court , and , having regard to what I conceive to be the importance of the question , I venture to hope the Subscribers of the Institution will , pending the view " Equity " takes of the mailer being ascertained , study the question fur themselves

in order fully to understand the wide issues involved . —1 am , Dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , STANLEY J . ATTENBOROUGH . iS , Piccadilly , London , W ., April 14 th .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"CAT . w . ot . ri-: OF BOOKS IN TIIK LIHRAUV , FREEMASONS' HAI . L , LONUON , itSS , compiled by order uf Grand Lodge ist June , itt . sy . Together with a . Supplementary Catalogue of Bocks and Manuscripts curtaining the additions made from June , 11 : S . S , lo December , il- ' oj , compiled by Henry Sadler , Grand Tyler and Siib-Libraiian , and printed by cider of the Library Committee . "—Some idea of the progress that has been made in strengthening the Grand Ludge Library will be gathered from the fact that whereas the original catalogue , which was printed by Bro . George Kenning , London , ifi and i < ~ 'A , Great < lueen-ttreet , Lincoln's Inn Fields , W . C , in iS . S . 'i , fills only . | S pages ,

the Supplementary ' Catalogue , which is printed by M . C . Peck and Sun , 10 , Market Place , Hull , and lias just been issued , extends over y . | pages . The compilation of this Supplement has , in the natural course of things , devolved on the . Sub-Librarian , Iiro . Henry Sadler , who has done his woik wilh that admirable method and precision by which all that has emanated from his pen is charactei istic . The brother who visits the lihiaiy for the purpose uf study will have no difficulty in discovering what he wants , whether he looks lor it under the name of tbe author or under it : ; title ; whether it is publihl ' . cd as a separate work in one or more volumes , or is one uf a number uf books or

prm | lilels which , for lhe tat < e of convenience , have been bound up together in one volume . Nor , having traced in the catalogue the work or work :, lie is desirous of con-Lulling will he experience any greater difficulty in laying his hand on them , the letters and numeral ., which pieeede each entiy indicating tbe case and shell on which each is tu lie fcur . d . To have accomplished a ( ask of such a laborious chaiacter so well rcllects the greatest credit orr Bru . Sadler , wlio ., c labour in arranging jucb a mass oi details will find its reward in the grateful appreciation of eveiy Masonic student who may have occasion to visit the Library at Freemasons' Hall .

Reviews.

"Im ; SOUTH AFRICAN FREEMASONS' ANNUAL DIRECTORY , 1 S 9 C . " Third year of issue . Revised and corrected to date . By Francis T . R . Griesbach , iS " , P M Pur . Gr . Inspector . Printed and Published for the Proprietor by VV . A . Richards and Sons , _ Castle-street , Cape Town . —There can be no question that Bro . Griesbach in compiling this directory , deserves well of thebrethren under the various Constitutions established in South . Africa . In spite of the difficulties he seems to have experienced in obtaining his information , he has succeeded in bringing a mass of details relating to the ledges , chapters , etc ., their constitution , ollieers , members , dates , and nlnmc . J }

meeting , whicli does credit to his industry and persistence . From what he tells us in his Preface , his applications for particulars appear to have fared indifferentl y in their transmission by the post , or else the Secretaries , Scribes , and others to whom they were addressed must be blind to the advantages of having such an annual published . Thus hc tells us that only one reply resulted from a circular and two reminders addressed to each of the lodges , & c , in Port Elizabeth . The same result followed from the circulars addressed to those in King William's Town , while in the case of East London , i . S Circulars , that is , "three lots of six each , " elicited no renl ,,

whatever . Still , in spite of these and other difficulties , and the great increase in the number of Masonic bodies since the previous year , there are fewer cases in which " No Return " has had to be inserted than in either of the previous issues . As for the manner in which Bro . Griesbach has arranged his materials , his plan has been to take the various towns in alphabetical order , in which Freemasonry has established itself in one or more of its different branches , and under each of these towns is grouped together the various bodies meeting there , furnishing in respect of each body—where he has been able to obtain them—the names of the officers and members , and also the constitutim *

they severally belong to , with the dates and places of meeting , date of warrant of Constitution , & c , & c . This plan , undoubtedly , has the merit of simplicity , but for ourselves we would have preferred seeing the different Constitutions treated in separate sections and in each section the lodges , chapters , and other bodies grouped together , each under their District Grand Lodge , Chapter , Priory , & c . Thus , as regards the English Constitution , for example , we should have preferred seeing it arranged in six subdivisions , one for each of the five District Grand Lodges , and the sixth for lodges under no District Grand lodge ; each District havinsr its Craft , Arch , Mark , Templar , Rose Croix , & c , Masciry grouped together in prooer order . Bv this olan . it umnl . i

have been possible to ascertain the strength or weakness of each branch of Masonry in each District , whereas this is entirely out cf the question according to the plan which as we have said , Bro . GriesL ^ ch has adopted . No doubt it would involve great expense and labour if Bro . Griesbach should endeavour to rearrange his Directory in accordance with the plan we have suggested , and therefore we must content ourselves with expressing the hope that in future ye-rs lis may succeed in making his annual still more complete . He has worked hard to make it a success , and well deserves , and we hope will receive , the support of all sections of the Craft in South Africa .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Egyptian Lodge , No . 27 . The election meeting of this very old-established and distinguished lodge was held on thc , ; id inst ., at Anderton's Ilotel , Fleet-street . Bro . H . J . Macfarlane , W . M ., presided , supported by Bros . D . Niven , S . W . ; C . J . Cuthbertson , P . M ., Treas . ; C . | . Fallot , S . D . ; C . K . Kemp , J . D . ; D . H . l acobs , P . M ., and F . Linfoot , Stewards ; C . B . Todd , P . M . ; Isaac Scarth , P . M . ; R . Douglas-Smith , P . M . ; A . T . Webster , P . M . ; A . E . Todd , P . M . ; J . Whiffen , W . A . Pattison , J . E . Waters , A . Symmons , A . Porter , G . J . Newton , J . Symmons , H . C . Todd , A . Janssen , J . Bangs , R . Winn , and R . Putter , P . M ., Tyler . Visitors : Bros . 1 . I lands , ' W . M . 115 S , and R . T . West

» 7-J 4- The lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed , the W . M ., Bro . Macfarlane , raised Bro . A . Janssen , and afterwards passed Bro . J . K . Waters , the working being carried out in an earnest and faultless manner , Bros . D . Niven , S . W ., was unanimously elected W . AL ; C . J . Cuthbertson , P . M ., reelected Treasurer ; and ti . Potter , P . M ., again appointed Tyler . Bro . Niven stated

that he appreciated the great honour of being elected the Mastcr of such an important lodge , and , although he resided in Scotland , he would make a point of attending all thc meetings during his year of office , and it would be his utmost endeavour to carry out the duties lo the best of his ability . Bro . C . J . Cuthbertson said that it was indeed a great honour to be re-elected Treasurer , and he thanked thc members for the compliment and the confidence that they reposed in him .

A Past Master ' s jewel was voted to Bro . Macfarlane for his excellent services , and , two gentlemen having been proposed for initiation at the next meeting , the lodge was closed , and thc brethren adjourned to a substantial banquet , which was well served under the personal superintendence of Bro . A . Clemow . . In giving the usual loyal , and Masonic toasts , thc W . M . set thc example of short

speeches . - . Bro . C . B . Todd , P . M ., in the absence of the I . P . M ., Bro . F . Brendel , proposed " The Health of the Worshipful Master . " lie said that it was many years since he had the pleasure of submitting such a toast . The VV . M . was a good workman of the ritual , and they had all enjoyed his excellent performance that evening , and there was not the slightest doubt that he had been one of the very best of Worshipful Masters in the annals of the Egyptian Lodge . The toast was drunk with acclamation , and

Bro . Ii . J . Macfarlane , VV . M ., who was well received , responded . In thanking the members for their cordial reception , he said he had had a very pleasant year ot ollice , and received kindness from them all . II his successor received the same treatment he would have a good time , but hc hoped he would not forget the ladies during his reign . He trusted that the oflicers the new VV . M . would appoint would give him good support and be constant in attendance . Although he ( llro . Macfarlane ) was going out of the chair , he should not lose his interest in the lodge , as it would be a pleasure to him to corrtinue to do his utmost to promote its welfare .

Thc VV . M . gave "The VV . M . elect , " and said that Bro . Niven was a' good fellow and one of the best of friends . lie had attended several times from Scotland to do jus duty as S . VV . He was expressing the sentiments of all the members in wishing I" ™ every happiness during his year of ollice , and the lodge must and would prosper under his genial presidency . The toast was drunk wilh the greatest enthusiasm . In response , Bio . Niven stated that the VV . M . had been too laudatory in his remarks , but he was glad the little he had done for the lodge was appreciated . He was hunuured by being elected VV . M ., and he was not afraid of any hard work in the ritual ; the more he had the better he would like it .

In « iving " The Visitors , " the W . M . observed that ihey were pleased to see them , and lie hoped they would come again . . . Iiro . J . Hands , VV . M . 11 j . S , responded , remaikiiig lhat visitors always had kmu treatment there , and the ludge was well known for excellent working . Iiro . R . T . West also acknowledged the toast .

'the W . M . proposed "The Past Masters and Ollieers , " and thanked his ollieers for their seivices . lie mentioned each by name , with a kind word for all , not foigett'i'tj Bru . Jacobs , one of the " fathers . " Ihey could not do without him , and if ever Inresigned his ollice it would be a great loss lo the lodge . He also referred to the ab Masters , making special mention of Bro . Chas . Todd , P . M ., and he coupled his name and those uf liros . jaobs , P . Af ., and A . Ii . Todd , P . M ., with the toast .

Bro . 1 ) . II . Jacobs ^ P . M ,, in response , said that many years had passeJ s , nc . , first became connecied with the loilge . lt was an honour for his name to be associate with the toast , as it showed him that be was appreciated , lie bad always taken a us ' I interest in the loilge , and should continue to do so so long as he had health ; but , lime bad , be thought , anived for him to hand over his ollice to some one youniJC a more competent , as he had now been in ollice for 2 > j successive years . lie thanked VV . M . fur hi . kind words in reference to himself , and hoped the G . A . O . T . U . would spa ' bim a lew nioic years .

Ilio . Chas . Todd , P . M ., said that he hal been a member of the ludge for 16 ye »^ lie Jiould never 1 . 11 gel the night he was initiated and the day he was installed "' j ' , ' They bad always bad such excellent Worshipful Masters that the Past Masters had " » or nothing to du .