Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions etoress ^ d by our correspo udents but we wish , in a spirit ot fair play to alt , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

LODGE No . i . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , It is interesting to find , judging from the experience of Lodge No . I , that the new lodges do not all ' ect the stability of the old ones .

From a lodge'like No . I we naturally look for light and leading , and I have been wondering on what authority Bro . Belton describes himself as " Honorary " Secretary . The Book of Constitutions , Rule 129 , gives amongst the regular officers " A Secretary , " but I do not see that he is called Honorary , and if the term is a correct one , why should it not be applied to the Treasurer or other officers ?—Yours faithfully and fraternally , P . M . AND SECRETARY . June 13 th .

. THE BOARD OF GENERAL PURPOSES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Your correspondent in the last issue of the Freemason no doubt had a little grievance in the omission of the asterisk from his name in the list of candidates for the Board of General Purposes , but I venture to think it is largely

stretching a point to assume that he lost his election thereby . If it be a fact that brethren , " especially country brethren , " to quote your correspondent ' s quotation , go in and vote blindly for an asterisk , or even for a candidate , only because he had been elected on a previous occasion , it does not speak well for the electorate who should cast their votes for a brother whom they positively know will do credit to their choice .

Bro . Styles is an estimable Mason and well-known to the Craft as an efficient member of the late Board . I had the pleasure of voting for him at the last meeting of Grand Lodge , and I hope on the next occasion he will be successful , but if so , I venture to think he will owe little to the insertion or omission of an asterisk . —I am , youis fraternally , P . M .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1122 . ] — CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES . I am very pleased with the editorial on the above subject , and hope that the matter will receive all the attention its importance deserves . It appears to mc that Bro . C . F . Matier , as the Mark Grand Secretary , replied , so far as he was competent , to the query submitted , and it now is for the " Board " to consider

and report on the question to the Marx Grand Lodge that the members may decide . The Grand Lodge of England has H « H-confirmed a portion of the minutes of a previous meeting , and hence , it appears to mc , that the members of lodges may also do the same , even if the record be correct as such . Confirmation , Masonically , would seem to mean agreement with the business transacted at thc previous meeting , as well as approval of the accuracy of the minutes . W . J . HUGHAN .

1123 ] The confirmation of minutes is necessary , and the mere statement lhat they are a correct record of what took place is not sufficient , for the minutes may contain matter improper to be written , and the business transicted may be contrary to the Constitutions and in no wise agreeable to the general opinion of the members of the lodge . C . H . W .

Reviews.

Reviews .

" ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE OK OLD AND RARE BOOKS FOR SALE AT PRICES AFFIXED / ' —( London : Pickering and Chatto , 60 , Haymarket , St . James ' s , S . W . )—This very interesting series has now reached Part ) . ( Phiz to Sporting Works ) , and is fully equal to the previous issues . Several of the illustrations are gems , and most faithful reproductions of the curious and scarce originals , and the Bibliographical Notes are of no little value and importance . Each Part consists of O 4 pages at one shilling , and , if the venture meets with the success it deserves , the spirited Publishers will be well rewarded for their enterprise .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Furnival Lodge , No . 2558 . This flourishing lodge , founded in 1 S 95 , kept its third anniversary festival at the Masonic Hall , Surrey-street , Sheffield , on Wednesday , the Sth inst . The De Furnival family , as we have previously pointed out , were of great repute in Hallanishire in the 14 th century , and Sheffield to this day recognises obligation to this noble house . The lodge has hitherto well maintained its reputation in thc Masonic world , and in one

impoitant particular , as we shall subsequently show , has this year proved iiself worthy indeed to hold the honoured name it bears . Interest in the progress of the Furnival Lodge and sympathy with its proceedings were evidenced by the fact that on a beautiful evening in June , when the country outside the smoke of Sheffield presented almost irresistible attraction , upwards of 70 brethren assembled within the four walls of the Surrey-street Masonic Hall to participate in or to witness the installation ceremony and festivities .

The Worshipful Master , Iiro . the Rev . George Ford , M . A ., took the chair and opened the lodge at five o ' clock , Hc was supported by Bros . Claude Barker , S . W ., W . M . elect > Walter Fearnehough , J . W . ; Chas . Stokes , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., Treas . j R . P . Fisher , Sec . ; Walter Sissons , Asst . Sec . ; A . Davidson , S . D . ; II . Cawood , J . D . j Ernest Beck , D . C . j 11 . J . Taylor , A . D . C . ; VV . J . Maidment , Org . ; ILE . Schnetzler , l . G . ; C . Robinson , Stwd . ; and Thos . Leighton , Tyler . Other members of the lodge present were liros . C . Dolman , W . II . Croft , F . Dallaway , J . E . Brooks , J . K . Fletcher , K . A . Sampson , Dr . II . Coward , G . II . Hunt , A . Hastings , W . Cawood , J . Appleyard , and ¦' . Turner . There was a strong gathering of visitors , amongst whom were the following : liros . Ensor Dtury , 2 . / ., P . G . D . Eng . ; II . J . Garnett , P . P . G . S . B . ; V . E . S . Dearden ,

Craft Masonry.

2263 , Prov . G . D . ; II . J . Atkins , 197 and 17 C 4 , P . P . G . W . ; Col . J . E . Bingham , 295 , P . P . G . W . ; H . G . E . Green , ioig , Prov . G . Sec . ; J . Matthewman , 1019 , P . P . A . G . Sec ; W . Gunstone , W . M . i-, g ; C . E . Maleham , W . M . 29 G ; T . Firth , W . M . 1239 ; S . Suckley , W . M . 1779 ; F . W . Johnson , W . M . 2263 ; C . F . Bennett , W . M . 226 S ; T . E . Parker , P . M . 1239 ; A . E . Mager , P . M . nS 6 ; R . P . Shiell , P . M . 34 ; E . S . Tozer , P . M . 22 GS ; j . J . Parker , P . M . 22 * 8 ; E . Dickenson , P . M . 139 ; Dr . | .

Stokes , I . P . M . 137 ; W . Davies , P . M . 5 S 1 ; A . W . Chadburn , I . P . M . 1779 ; W . Cole , S . W . 1239 ; G . Glossop , S . D . 226 S ; A . M . Wilson , J . D . 29 ; C . F . Shepherd , Sec . 2355 ; H . Johnson , 1239 ; W . Ryland , 2491 ; J . Atkinson , 249 ; G . Gibson , 231 : 5 ; E . Marples , 1779 ; R . R . Neill , 296 ; F . Herbert , 1547 ; W . Foxon , 2491 ; R . Honey , 22 G 3 ; W . Froggatt , 1239 ; L . E . Colley , 1779 ; VV . H . Eyre , 2373 ; and W . Watts , 1230 .

The lodge was opened , and the minutes read and conlirmed , with the usual promptitude , and after progressing to the Second Degree , the installation ceremony was at once proceeded with . The W . M . elect , Bro . Claude Barker , S . W ., was presented by " Bro . C . Stokes , P . M ., P . P . G . D ., first VV . M . of the lodge . The retiring VV . VL , Bro . Rev . G . Ford , undertook and ably carried through the entire ceremony . It was not as elaborate as we have sometimes witnessed it in Sheffield , nor was it relieved by interludes of music as is sometimes customary , especially in the VVhite Rose of York Lodge ; but it was done pomptly and reverently , and yet in a workmanlike manner . Following

the usual custom in Sheffield—a custom , by the way , we have not observed to obtain elsewhere—the other lodges of the city were pressed into the service by a selection from the Worshipful Masters or Past Misters being invited to present the working tools in the various Degrees . In the Third Degree this was done by Bro . Edward Tozer , P . M . 226 S ; in the Second by Bro . C . F . Bennett , VV . M . 22 GS ; and in the first by Bro . C . H . Maleham , W . M . 29 G . The Board comprised 26 Installed Masters . The officers were most impressively addressed in turn , on appointment , by the W . M ., after which they were invested as follows : Bros . Rev . G . Ford ,

I . P . M . ; VV . Fearnehough , S . W . ; R . P . Fisher , J . W . j C . Stokes , P . M ., Treas . ; Walter Sissons , Sec . ; A . Davidson , Asst . Sec . ; H . Cawood , S . D . ; E . Beck , J . D . ; B . J . Taylor , D . of C . ; A . Hastings , Org . ; Albert Senior , l . G . ; C . Robinson and . W . Croft , Stwds . ; and Thomas Leighton , Tyler . The delivery of the addresses to the VV . M ., Wardens , and brethren by the Installing Master closed the ceremony . The W . M . being now in full power , at once proceeded with the remaining business , the first item of which he explained was the election of a brother to represent them upon the Charity Committee of the Province . For his own part , he had no hesitation in

suggesting that Bro . Chas . Stokes , their present most able Charity Representative , should be continued in that office . He was a founder of tbe lodge , its first VV . M ., and as an advocate in the cause of Masonic Charity , could not , as his record for this year showed , be surpassed . He therefore proposed that Bro . C . Stokes be cordially thanked for his past services , and requested to continue in his office . This was seconded by Bro . VV . Fearnehough , S . W ., and carried with acclamation . Other routine business followed , after which the Secretary announced letters regretting inability to bs present from Bros , the Prov . Grand Master , the Right Hon . VV . Lawies Jackson , M . P . ; the Deputy Prov .

Grand Mastcr , J . C . Malcolm , P . G . D . ; Henry Smith , Past Deputy Prov . G . M ., P . G . U . ; VV . C . Lupton , P . P . G . W ., Chairman of West Yorkshire Charity Committee ; W . H . Brittain , J . P ., P . M . 139 , P . G . S . B . ; Geo . Franklin , Prov . J . G . W ., Lord Mayor of Sheffield ; C . F . Longden , Prov . G . Treas . ; Rev . R . Williams , P . P . G . Chap . ; C . A . Hahn , W . M . 2491 ; Martin Cole , VV . M . 13 SC ; G . E . Webster , P . M . 226 S ; A . E . Bingham , P . M . ; J . Rogers , P . M . ; Bradley , Robinson , Foster , Dewsnape , and others . The usual questions were asked , ' * Hearty good wishes" were given and received , and the lodge was closed .

_ The dinner , which was served in the hall below , fully maintained the reputation which the Surrey-street management Ins so well deserved . Upwards of 70 sat down . The floral decorations were beautifully arranged , and the waitresses neatly capped and gowned spared no pains to contribute to the comfort and enjoyment of the guests . 'The toasts were ten in number and followed the accustomed routine . In proposing "The Queen , " the VV . M . took the opportunity of pointing out the immense progress commercial , scientific , educational , and social , which the country had made during the reign of her Gracious Majesty , and called upon the brethren to testify their loyalty by honouring the toast as in all Masonic gatherings was customary .

1 his , it is useless to say , was done , Bro . VV . Foxon delighting his brethren by singing thc solo in the National Anthem . " The M . W . the Grand Master , the M . W . the Pro Grand Master , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was next given from the chair . Second only to the Oueen , the Prince of VVales , thc W . M . declared , enjoyed the greatest popularity amongst Englishmen , and he ventured to assert that it was not by any means his high position only which ensured him that esteem but it was to his sterling qualities as a in in he owed it . How he contrived to carry out the manifold duties which his station entailed was difficult to understand , and yet amid all his cares hc could find time to

devote a considerable amount of interest to Freemasonry . The Craft owed him much gratitude and his value as head of the Order was a factor the importance of which could hardly be overestimated . As to the Pro G . Master and other officers he could not say much , but this much he might , nay , confidently would assert , viz ., that if the Grand Officers in their various positions might be judged by the two which Sieffiild wis proud to possess ; if Bros . Ensor Drury and VV . II . Brtttain were representative of what the Grand Officers really were , then he ( the VV . M . ) was thoroughly satisfied both as to their ability and value and gladly left the honour and reputation of Grand Lodge in hands so able and distinguished .

In his reply , Bro . Ensor Drury pointed out that advancement to higher honour entailed increased duty and more extended responsibility . He trusted that whatever the duty or however great tbe tesponsibility he would be able tosust lin to the full the rcputatioa of Grand Lodge and dwelt upon the consolation which he and others similarly situated lelt , when they found how kindly and affectionately the brethren received them in their various lodge visits . He thanked the W . M . for giving him the opportunity of expressing his feelings on these points .

In proposing "The Prov . G . Mastcr for West Yorkshire , the Deputy Prov . G . Mastcr , and the oliicers of Prov . G . Lodge , Present and Past , " the W . M . said that amongst many things for which they owed gratitude to their M . W . G . M . the Prince of VVales , not the smallest was his appointment of Bro . W . L . Jackson as Masonic head of this Province . A better man could not have been found and now that he had become so well known amongst them it would be unnecessary to dilate upon his virtues , they had seen them equally with himself . In his conduct of affairs and his intercourse with the brethren Bro . Jackson had succeeded in endearing himself to them all . Then he had

been fortunate in his selection of a Deputy . Bro . Malcolm , whose absence that evening like that of several others he might name , was much regretted , had spared no effort to make himself known in Sheffield as well as all over the province . He believed that he and the Prov . G . Officers worked very hard for the good of the Craft ; that they were always ready to tender assistance or counsel , and that not only Furnival Lodge but the brethren generally , had confidence in thc ability of the Prov . G . Lodge , and thanked each and all of its members for what they were doing and had done in the interest of the Order . Amongst them that night they had many Prov . G . Officers . He thanked them fcr their presence at this , to him , most important meeting .

Bro . TI . G . E . Green , Prov . G . Sec , being called upon , said in reply , how encouraging it was to find the brethren so heartily responding to the toast of the Prov . G . Officers . He , with them , regretted the absence of their chief . He wis present , however , he need scarcely remind them , two months ago and partook of the hospitality of their Lord Mayor . That day would be long remembered . Turning to the great event of the week , Bro . Green spoke of the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales and how the latter at the Albert Hall graciously distributed the prizes to the boys of their Masonic School . As to the festival and what it would bring forth there was no doubt West Yorkshire would do its share , ln the province contributions had come in freely but

Sheffield bore the palm . In no town or city in the Riding had a sain so hands jme be n raised as in Shellield . The number of Stewards , without counting the ladies , was 07 , and the amount subscribed nearly ^ 900 . Of the eight lodges , VVentivorth , No . 1239 , took Iirst place with 17 Stewards and 200 guineas . ' Tne youngest lodge came next , viz-, Furnival , which notwithstanding that it has but 29 members on its roll , yet through the cnergeticaction of its Charity member , Bro . Chas . Stokes , showed 16 Stewards and the handsome sum of close upon £ 200 . What the total subscriptions of West Yorkshire would realise he could not say , but they were in hopes to raise more not only than they themselves had subscribed before , but also to exceed the total of any other province at any previous festival . * This would , of course , miterially increase the votinj power . '