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  • Nov. 18, 1876
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    Article THE GRAND LODGE OF ROME, AND BRO. J. C. PARKINSON, P.G.D. ← Page 2 of 2
    Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1
    Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1
    Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 1
Page 8

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The Grand Lodge Of Rome, And Bro. J. C. Parkinson, P.G.D.

Jesus Christ are incredible , its ambition is to see men fall down in adoration before it , to obtain which adoration it promises everything . It has promised Rome , and it has there obtained a temple , and now it is adored there by those who refuse to believe in thc Great Architect of

Nature , who bend the knee before Satan , and represent it as a spirit ascending to heaven . But it is precisely in heaven that our hopes reside , and thence will come to us the victory" Where Michael ,

His vengeance wreaked upon the rebel proud . * La Francmaconnerie dans sa ve ' ritable signification , par . Ed . Eckert , tome . II ., page ' 275 . tEnciclica di Pio Nono O-ui pluribus del 9 th N ovembre , 1846 . JDe Camille , Storia della Setta Anticristiana , vol . If . page 3 8 .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

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

A POINT OF LAW . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In reading the paragraph , " A Point of Law , " in your last issue , it reminded me of the accompanying copy of a charter that was sent by order of His Grace Henry Duke of Beaufort , Grand Master , in April , 1 760 , to every

lodge under the immediate government of the G . M ., together with two printed notes , one implying an assent , and the other a dissent , in order to have one of them signed by the Master and Wardens , and witnessed by the Secretary . In consequence of such proceedings there were sent to the G . Sec . the approbation of one hundred and sixtyeight lodges , and the disapprobation of only forty-three .

Is the enclosed charter the bill that was brought into Parliament in 1771 , by the Hon . Charles Dillon , Deputy G . Master , but on the second reading of the bill , Mr . Onslow opposed it , when thc Hon . C . Dillon moved to postpone the consideration of it . Was it ever brought afterwards before Parliament , as Mr . Dillon moved to postpone the consideration of it sine die . Yours fraternally , R . W . O . J'COPV OF THE CHARTER OF INCORPORATION OF FREE

AND ACCEPTED MASONS . " George the Third , by the Grace of God , of Great Britain , France , and Ireland , King , Defender of the Faith , to all to whom these presents shall come , greeting , whereas the society of Free and Accepted Masons have for ages held frequent meetings within this realm , and have ever demeaned themselves with dutv and lovaltv to us and our

predecessors , with reverence and obedience to the laws , and kindness and goodwill to their fellow-subjects : And whereas , the said society appears to have been originally instituted for humane and beneficent purposes , and have distributed from time to time to all without distinction , who have had the single claim of wretchedness , sums to a great amount , collected by voluntary contribution among

themselves . And whereas , our entirely beloved , & c , & c , & c . Members of thc society of Free and Accepted Masons , under the Constitution of England , in behalf of themselves and many others of the said society , by their petition humbly presented to us , have most humbly besought us to grant our most gracious letters patent to incorporate the said society , and make them a body politic and

corporate for ever . Now know ye , that we out of our princely regard to a body of men , associated for such laudable purposes , willing to manifest to thc world our entire approbation of their past conduct , and desirous to enable them to answer more effectually the humane ends of their Institution , of our especial grace , certain knowledge , and mere motion ,

have ordained , given , and granted , and by these presents for us , our heirs , and successors , do ordain , give , and grant , that for the future there shall be a perpetual society , which shall be called by the name of the Society ol Free and Accepted AJasons of England . And we do hereby declare , that thc said society , shall ' consist of Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , Grand Wardens , Past Grand

Officers , Provincial Grand Masters , Grand Treasurer , Grand Secretary , Grand Sword Bearer , twelve Stewards , and of the Masters and Wardens of the several subordinate lodges , who , together with those already numerated , compose the Grand Lodge , who , by the name of the Society of Free and Accepted Masons of England , shall forever hereafter be a body politic and corporate in deed and in

law , and that , by the same name , they and their successors shall have perpetual succession ; and that they and their successors , by that name , shall and may forever hereafter be enabled , and rendered capable , and have power ( notwithstanding the Statute of Mortmain ) to purchase , have , take , acquire , receive , possess , enjoy , and hold to them and their successors , manors , messuages , lands , rents ,

tenements , goods , and chattels , annuities , and hereditaments , of whatsoever nature or kind , in free and perpetuity , or for terms of life or years , or . otherwise . And we hereby give and grant unto the said society and their successors , by the name aforesaid , our special license , full power , and lawful authority , to hold and enjoy lands and hereditaments which may hereafter be devised , granted , or sold to

the said society ; and also , to purchase , hold , receive , and possess , in Mortmain , in perpetuity or otherwise , to , or fot the use of , or in trust for them and their successors , for the use and benefit of the said corporation , from any person or persons , bodies politic or corporate , their heirs and successors respectively , such manors , lands , tenements , rents , hereditaments , as they shall think fit to purchase , 01

Original Correspondence.

shall be given , granted , devised , or conveyed to them by deed , or otherwise , not exceeding the yearly value of Over and above charges and reprizes , so far as they are not restrained , by law ; and also , tosell , grant , demise , exchange , and dispose of any of the same manors , messuages , lands , and tenements , | whereof or wherein they shall have an estate of inheritance for life or lives , or years as

aforesaid . And we further grant , that the said society and their successors , by the name aforesaid , may and shall by the said name of the Society of Free and Accepted Masons of England , be able to sue and to be sued , plead and be impleaded , answer and be answered unto , defend and be defended , in all courts and pleas whatsoever , of us , our heirs and successors , before any of our judges and justices ,

and other officers of us , our heirs and successors , in all and singular actions , suits , plaints , causes , matters , demands , and things whatsoever , and to act and to do in all matters and things relating to the said corporation in as ample a manner and form as any other , our liege subjects being persons able and capable in the law , or any other body politic or corporate , in this of our kingdom of Great

Britain , called England , lawfully may , or can act or do ; and that the said corporation for ever shall , and may have , and use a common seal , for the cause and business of them and their successors , and that it shall and may be lawful for them and their successors , to change , break , alter , and make new the said seal from time to time as they shall think fit . And we do hereby give and grant unto the said

society a coat of arms , that is to say , and for the better execution of this our grant , we do nominate , constitute , and appoint our right trusty and dearly beloved cousin and councillor , Henry , Duke of Beaufort , to be First Grand Master , our trusty and well beloved the Honourable Charles Dillon to be the First Deputy Grand Master , each of them respectively to be and continue in their several and respective

offices of Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , & c , & c , & c , until the Feast of St . John the Evangelist , which shall happen next after the expiration of one year from the day of the date of these presents , and from thence until other fit and able persons be chosen into the said offices in their respective rooms . Provided always , that all the persons so appointed , or hereafter to be appointed , members of the

Grand Lodge , shall , in all things , aid , advise , and assist in conducting the business , and in all matters relating to the regulations and government of the said society of Free and Accepted Masons of England . And we do give and grant unto the said Grand Master , or his dcputy , his or their successor or successors , for the time being , full power and authority , by virtue of these our letters patent , to issue

warrants for the constituting of subordinate lodges ; and thc said lodges warranted as aforesaid , shall be , and they are hereby declared to be , legal and regular . And furthermore , wc give and grant to the said society that they shall and may hold meetings of themselves , for the better management of their funds , and the application of them to proper purposes , and the transaction of all other business

relating to the society , when , and as often as it shall be necessary in any place within the City of London , or ten miles thereof . And it shall be lawful for the said society from time to time , to nominate and chusc once in every year , one fit and able person to be Grand Master , and one other to be Grand Treasurer of the said society : thc other officers to be appointed in thc manner and form heretofore

established by thc long and uninterrupted usage of the society to continue severally until the Feast of St . John the Evangelist next , after thc expiration of one year from the time of their respective elections or appointments ( if they shall so long live , or not be removed for some just or reasonable cause ) , and from thence till another be chosen . And in case the Grand Master , Deputy

Grand Master , tic , tic , tic , or any of them shall die , secede , or be removed from any of the said offices respectively , then and in such case it shall be lawful to choose or appoint ( according to ancient usage ) a fit and able person to fill up such office as shall become vacant . And the person or persons so chosen or appointed shall continue to thc expiration o [ the year for which their

predecessor in such office had | bcen chosen or appointed . And if it shall happen that thc election ot the Grand Master , and Grand Treasurer , and appointment of the other Grand Oflicers , cannot be perfected on the Feast of St . John the Evangelist , we do hereby grant that the Grand Master may lawfully assign or appoint any other day as near as may be after the Feast

of St . John thc KvangelUt , for the perfecting such election or elections , which shall always be in thc manner and form heretofore observed by the said society , and for the nomination and appointment of such officers as by the ancient usage of the said society are not elective , and so from day to day till thc said elections and appointments shall be completed . And we further give and grant to the said

society , that the Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , and constituent members of the Grand Lodge for the time being , shall and may , from time to time , assemble together in such convenient place in London , or within ten miles thereof , as thc Grand Master or Deputy Grand Master ( by the Grand Master ' s authority ) shall appoint by summons or other notice , which he is by these

presents empowered and required timely to issue for that purpose to all th < - said members ; and that they being so met shall have full power to make , constitute , and ordain such statutes , bye-laws , and ordinances as shall appear to them to be good , and necessary , and expedient for the government , order , and regulation of the said society , and every member thereof : which statutes , bye-laws , and

ordinances , not being repugnant to the laws of this realm , shall and may be effectually observed and kept ; and lo do all other things concerning the government , estate , and revenues of the said society . Provided , nevertheless , and our will is , that no bye-law , statute , or ordinance , so to be made by this corporation , shall be binding upon the said society , until the same shall have been read over and

Original Correspondence.

approved of by the majority of the society assembled together for that purpose . In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent . Witness ourself , at Westminster .

THE HERVEY LODGE . To Ihe Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I was much surprised to see that a lodge has actually sued a brother for his fees in one of the County

Courts , and I do not see that the letter of the W . M . of 1260 , published in your paper of the nth Nov ., at all improves the position . Non-payment of fees for degrees is a matter so very easily settled that a case of such arrears occurring should never exist .

Let me suggest to Lodge 1260 the passing of a bye-law to this effect , that no degrees are given until thc Treasurer reports the fees are in his hands . My father in Masonry , on healing the work of the evening included any degrees , used to turn to the Treasurer and ask if all the fees were in for the degrees it was proposed to give that evening . If his reply was in the negative , he used at once to say , "That being thc case , I regret I am unable to give Bro .

the degree he is desirous of taking , it being against the bye-laws of our lodge . " The result was , that with the application for initiation , or for any higher degree , came the requisite fees ; and if that was carried out in all lodges we should hear no more of suits for Masonic fees being instituted in County Courts , to the great scandal of thc Craft in general . Yours fraternally , D . G . M . Bath , 13 th Nov ., 1876 .

THE ADMISSION OF CANDIDATES . To Ihe Editor if the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — " East Lancashire"' in your last week's issue , hits a blot in cur system of admitting members . I would name a case somewhat different , although perhaps more strikingly irregular , as it has reference to country candidates

being admitted into London lodges . A case in point : —A resident of some years standing in this town was anxious to become a Freemason , but neither the lodge meeting here , or the one at Highbridge , some six miles distant , were disposed to receive him . Well , what does he do ? Why run up to London , gets proposed , elected , and initiated into a lodge meeting at Freemasons' Hall ( the

Phoenix , I believe , ) returns home , and snaps his fingers at the Craft , and enters as a visitor a lodge that would not initiate him . Under such a system is it to be wondered at , if black sheep get within the fold ?

I think it is a subject that calls for thc interference of Grand Lodge by some law being enacted whereby the possibility of such a scandal should be rendered impossible . Yours fraternally , SOMERSET . Bridgwater , 13 th Nov . 1876 .

MASONIC CHARITY . To the Editor of the " Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , — Your repoit of thc meeting of the Royal Maso . iic Benevolent Institution in the "Freemason" ofthe nth inst ., induces me * o write to you . Masonic charity , whether real or ostentatious , is now so general and so well known that the outside world are taking unfair advantage of it .

The hand of every true Mason is ever ready to obey the generous promptings of his heart in beneficence , whether the needy case be that of a brother or of a stranger ; but St . Paul , who doubtless was a Freemason , and who loved to inculcate the true Masonic principles of fear towards God , honour to the King , love to the brotherhood , especially to those of the household of faith , and teach us that

our love must be first shown to the brotherhood . We may agree as to the beginning of the brotherhood , and differ as to the extent and the limit of it . I conceive that every one duly initiated into Masonry is our brother , and that his nearest and dearest relatives , in the person of his wife , his . child , or his dependent sister ought to be , and are thc first objects of every Mason ' s care . This puts the

wife , & c , of every non-Mason beyond the pale of Masonic charity as such . I am , therefore , pleased that the " overwhelming majority " decided to withold relief from the widow of a non-Mason , though once the widow of a Mason . By this act they have shown negatively their love of the brethren , and have told the outer world that Mason's charity is guided by justice and discretion , that they prefer not to give thc children's meat to strangers .

There is , Sir , a case similar to the above now in the enjoyment of the most valuable of our charities . The son of a deceased Mason , whose widow is again married to a non-Mason , and is in pretty good circumstances , is now receiving all the benefits that our noble institution at Wood Green affords . The second marriage of the mother was arranged before

the election of the boy , and actually took place , as I am informed , between the election and the admission of the boy to thc school . By the second marriage the boy ' s status as the orphan of a Freemason was done away with , and he became legally the son of another man not one of our fraternity . To admit him to the school without payment is to extend Masonic charity beyond its leg itimate

limits to the prejudice of some other orphan boy . The fact ought to be , and probably is , known to the House Committee and to the Charity Committee of this province . I desire that it may be more extensively known by means of your valuable paper , and shall behappy if y" * u can afford me a little space . I am , Sir , yours fraternally ) ... WEST Y ORK .

“The Freemason: 1876-11-18, Page 8” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 24 May 2022, masonicperiodicals.org/periodicals/fvl/issues/fvl_18111876/page/8/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
CONTENTS. Article 1
REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS. Article 1
Royal Arch. Article 4
Untitled Article 4
Mark Masonry. Article 4
Ancient and Accepted Rite. Article 4
Scotland. Article 4
Multum in Parbo; or Masonic Notes and Queries. Article 5
NOTICE. Article 6
IMPORTANT NOTICE. Article 6
TO ADVERTISERS. Article 6
THE "FREEMASON." Article 6
THE "MASONIC MAGAZINE." Article 6
Answers to Correspondents. Article 6
Births, Marriages, and Deaths. Article 6
Untitled Article 6
A MASONIC PRESS. Article 6
ENGLISH AND FRENCH FREEMASONRY. Article 7
THE " COSMOPOLITAN MASONIC CALENDAR " FOR 1877. Article 7
THE GRAND LODGE OF ROME, AND BRO. J. C. PARKINSON, P.G.D. Article 7
Original Correspondence. Article 8
CONSECRATION OF ST. ANDREW'S LODGE, No. 1631, GORLESTON. Article 9
Reviews. Article 9
MASONIC DEMONSTRATION AT DRYBRIDGE. Article 9
IRELAND. Article 9
Masonic and General Tidings. Article 10
MASONIC MEETINGS IN WEST LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE. Article 10
MASONIC MEETINGS IN GLASGOW AND WEST OF SCOTLAND. Article 10
MASONIC MEETINGS IN EDINBURGH AND VICINITY. Article 10
Untitled Ad 10
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

The Grand Lodge Of Rome, And Bro. J. C. Parkinson, P.G.D.

Jesus Christ are incredible , its ambition is to see men fall down in adoration before it , to obtain which adoration it promises everything . It has promised Rome , and it has there obtained a temple , and now it is adored there by those who refuse to believe in thc Great Architect of

Nature , who bend the knee before Satan , and represent it as a spirit ascending to heaven . But it is precisely in heaven that our hopes reside , and thence will come to us the victory" Where Michael ,

His vengeance wreaked upon the rebel proud . * La Francmaconnerie dans sa ve ' ritable signification , par . Ed . Eckert , tome . II ., page ' 275 . tEnciclica di Pio Nono O-ui pluribus del 9 th N ovembre , 1846 . JDe Camille , Storia della Setta Anticristiana , vol . If . page 3 8 .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

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

A POINT OF LAW . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In reading the paragraph , " A Point of Law , " in your last issue , it reminded me of the accompanying copy of a charter that was sent by order of His Grace Henry Duke of Beaufort , Grand Master , in April , 1 760 , to every

lodge under the immediate government of the G . M ., together with two printed notes , one implying an assent , and the other a dissent , in order to have one of them signed by the Master and Wardens , and witnessed by the Secretary . In consequence of such proceedings there were sent to the G . Sec . the approbation of one hundred and sixtyeight lodges , and the disapprobation of only forty-three .

Is the enclosed charter the bill that was brought into Parliament in 1771 , by the Hon . Charles Dillon , Deputy G . Master , but on the second reading of the bill , Mr . Onslow opposed it , when thc Hon . C . Dillon moved to postpone the consideration of it . Was it ever brought afterwards before Parliament , as Mr . Dillon moved to postpone the consideration of it sine die . Yours fraternally , R . W . O . J'COPV OF THE CHARTER OF INCORPORATION OF FREE

AND ACCEPTED MASONS . " George the Third , by the Grace of God , of Great Britain , France , and Ireland , King , Defender of the Faith , to all to whom these presents shall come , greeting , whereas the society of Free and Accepted Masons have for ages held frequent meetings within this realm , and have ever demeaned themselves with dutv and lovaltv to us and our

predecessors , with reverence and obedience to the laws , and kindness and goodwill to their fellow-subjects : And whereas , the said society appears to have been originally instituted for humane and beneficent purposes , and have distributed from time to time to all without distinction , who have had the single claim of wretchedness , sums to a great amount , collected by voluntary contribution among

themselves . And whereas , our entirely beloved , & c , & c , & c . Members of thc society of Free and Accepted Masons , under the Constitution of England , in behalf of themselves and many others of the said society , by their petition humbly presented to us , have most humbly besought us to grant our most gracious letters patent to incorporate the said society , and make them a body politic and

corporate for ever . Now know ye , that we out of our princely regard to a body of men , associated for such laudable purposes , willing to manifest to thc world our entire approbation of their past conduct , and desirous to enable them to answer more effectually the humane ends of their Institution , of our especial grace , certain knowledge , and mere motion ,

have ordained , given , and granted , and by these presents for us , our heirs , and successors , do ordain , give , and grant , that for the future there shall be a perpetual society , which shall be called by the name of the Society ol Free and Accepted AJasons of England . And we do hereby declare , that thc said society , shall ' consist of Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , Grand Wardens , Past Grand

Officers , Provincial Grand Masters , Grand Treasurer , Grand Secretary , Grand Sword Bearer , twelve Stewards , and of the Masters and Wardens of the several subordinate lodges , who , together with those already numerated , compose the Grand Lodge , who , by the name of the Society of Free and Accepted Masons of England , shall forever hereafter be a body politic and corporate in deed and in

law , and that , by the same name , they and their successors shall have perpetual succession ; and that they and their successors , by that name , shall and may forever hereafter be enabled , and rendered capable , and have power ( notwithstanding the Statute of Mortmain ) to purchase , have , take , acquire , receive , possess , enjoy , and hold to them and their successors , manors , messuages , lands , rents ,

tenements , goods , and chattels , annuities , and hereditaments , of whatsoever nature or kind , in free and perpetuity , or for terms of life or years , or . otherwise . And we hereby give and grant unto the said society and their successors , by the name aforesaid , our special license , full power , and lawful authority , to hold and enjoy lands and hereditaments which may hereafter be devised , granted , or sold to

the said society ; and also , to purchase , hold , receive , and possess , in Mortmain , in perpetuity or otherwise , to , or fot the use of , or in trust for them and their successors , for the use and benefit of the said corporation , from any person or persons , bodies politic or corporate , their heirs and successors respectively , such manors , lands , tenements , rents , hereditaments , as they shall think fit to purchase , 01

Original Correspondence.

shall be given , granted , devised , or conveyed to them by deed , or otherwise , not exceeding the yearly value of Over and above charges and reprizes , so far as they are not restrained , by law ; and also , tosell , grant , demise , exchange , and dispose of any of the same manors , messuages , lands , and tenements , | whereof or wherein they shall have an estate of inheritance for life or lives , or years as

aforesaid . And we further grant , that the said society and their successors , by the name aforesaid , may and shall by the said name of the Society of Free and Accepted Masons of England , be able to sue and to be sued , plead and be impleaded , answer and be answered unto , defend and be defended , in all courts and pleas whatsoever , of us , our heirs and successors , before any of our judges and justices ,

and other officers of us , our heirs and successors , in all and singular actions , suits , plaints , causes , matters , demands , and things whatsoever , and to act and to do in all matters and things relating to the said corporation in as ample a manner and form as any other , our liege subjects being persons able and capable in the law , or any other body politic or corporate , in this of our kingdom of Great

Britain , called England , lawfully may , or can act or do ; and that the said corporation for ever shall , and may have , and use a common seal , for the cause and business of them and their successors , and that it shall and may be lawful for them and their successors , to change , break , alter , and make new the said seal from time to time as they shall think fit . And we do hereby give and grant unto the said

society a coat of arms , that is to say , and for the better execution of this our grant , we do nominate , constitute , and appoint our right trusty and dearly beloved cousin and councillor , Henry , Duke of Beaufort , to be First Grand Master , our trusty and well beloved the Honourable Charles Dillon to be the First Deputy Grand Master , each of them respectively to be and continue in their several and respective

offices of Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , & c , & c , & c , until the Feast of St . John the Evangelist , which shall happen next after the expiration of one year from the day of the date of these presents , and from thence until other fit and able persons be chosen into the said offices in their respective rooms . Provided always , that all the persons so appointed , or hereafter to be appointed , members of the

Grand Lodge , shall , in all things , aid , advise , and assist in conducting the business , and in all matters relating to the regulations and government of the said society of Free and Accepted Masons of England . And we do give and grant unto the said Grand Master , or his dcputy , his or their successor or successors , for the time being , full power and authority , by virtue of these our letters patent , to issue

warrants for the constituting of subordinate lodges ; and thc said lodges warranted as aforesaid , shall be , and they are hereby declared to be , legal and regular . And furthermore , wc give and grant to the said society that they shall and may hold meetings of themselves , for the better management of their funds , and the application of them to proper purposes , and the transaction of all other business

relating to the society , when , and as often as it shall be necessary in any place within the City of London , or ten miles thereof . And it shall be lawful for the said society from time to time , to nominate and chusc once in every year , one fit and able person to be Grand Master , and one other to be Grand Treasurer of the said society : thc other officers to be appointed in thc manner and form heretofore

established by thc long and uninterrupted usage of the society to continue severally until the Feast of St . John the Evangelist next , after thc expiration of one year from the time of their respective elections or appointments ( if they shall so long live , or not be removed for some just or reasonable cause ) , and from thence till another be chosen . And in case the Grand Master , Deputy

Grand Master , tic , tic , tic , or any of them shall die , secede , or be removed from any of the said offices respectively , then and in such case it shall be lawful to choose or appoint ( according to ancient usage ) a fit and able person to fill up such office as shall become vacant . And the person or persons so chosen or appointed shall continue to thc expiration o [ the year for which their

predecessor in such office had | bcen chosen or appointed . And if it shall happen that thc election ot the Grand Master , and Grand Treasurer , and appointment of the other Grand Oflicers , cannot be perfected on the Feast of St . John the Evangelist , we do hereby grant that the Grand Master may lawfully assign or appoint any other day as near as may be after the Feast

of St . John thc KvangelUt , for the perfecting such election or elections , which shall always be in thc manner and form heretofore observed by the said society , and for the nomination and appointment of such officers as by the ancient usage of the said society are not elective , and so from day to day till thc said elections and appointments shall be completed . And we further give and grant to the said

society , that the Grand Master , Deputy Grand Master , and constituent members of the Grand Lodge for the time being , shall and may , from time to time , assemble together in such convenient place in London , or within ten miles thereof , as thc Grand Master or Deputy Grand Master ( by the Grand Master ' s authority ) shall appoint by summons or other notice , which he is by these

presents empowered and required timely to issue for that purpose to all th < - said members ; and that they being so met shall have full power to make , constitute , and ordain such statutes , bye-laws , and ordinances as shall appear to them to be good , and necessary , and expedient for the government , order , and regulation of the said society , and every member thereof : which statutes , bye-laws , and

ordinances , not being repugnant to the laws of this realm , shall and may be effectually observed and kept ; and lo do all other things concerning the government , estate , and revenues of the said society . Provided , nevertheless , and our will is , that no bye-law , statute , or ordinance , so to be made by this corporation , shall be binding upon the said society , until the same shall have been read over and

Original Correspondence.

approved of by the majority of the society assembled together for that purpose . In witness whereof we have caused these our letters to be made patent . Witness ourself , at Westminster .

THE HERVEY LODGE . To Ihe Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I was much surprised to see that a lodge has actually sued a brother for his fees in one of the County

Courts , and I do not see that the letter of the W . M . of 1260 , published in your paper of the nth Nov ., at all improves the position . Non-payment of fees for degrees is a matter so very easily settled that a case of such arrears occurring should never exist .

Let me suggest to Lodge 1260 the passing of a bye-law to this effect , that no degrees are given until thc Treasurer reports the fees are in his hands . My father in Masonry , on healing the work of the evening included any degrees , used to turn to the Treasurer and ask if all the fees were in for the degrees it was proposed to give that evening . If his reply was in the negative , he used at once to say , "That being thc case , I regret I am unable to give Bro .

the degree he is desirous of taking , it being against the bye-laws of our lodge . " The result was , that with the application for initiation , or for any higher degree , came the requisite fees ; and if that was carried out in all lodges we should hear no more of suits for Masonic fees being instituted in County Courts , to the great scandal of thc Craft in general . Yours fraternally , D . G . M . Bath , 13 th Nov ., 1876 .

THE ADMISSION OF CANDIDATES . To Ihe Editor if the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — " East Lancashire"' in your last week's issue , hits a blot in cur system of admitting members . I would name a case somewhat different , although perhaps more strikingly irregular , as it has reference to country candidates

being admitted into London lodges . A case in point : —A resident of some years standing in this town was anxious to become a Freemason , but neither the lodge meeting here , or the one at Highbridge , some six miles distant , were disposed to receive him . Well , what does he do ? Why run up to London , gets proposed , elected , and initiated into a lodge meeting at Freemasons' Hall ( the

Phoenix , I believe , ) returns home , and snaps his fingers at the Craft , and enters as a visitor a lodge that would not initiate him . Under such a system is it to be wondered at , if black sheep get within the fold ?

I think it is a subject that calls for thc interference of Grand Lodge by some law being enacted whereby the possibility of such a scandal should be rendered impossible . Yours fraternally , SOMERSET . Bridgwater , 13 th Nov . 1876 .

MASONIC CHARITY . To the Editor of the " Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , — Your repoit of thc meeting of the Royal Maso . iic Benevolent Institution in the "Freemason" ofthe nth inst ., induces me * o write to you . Masonic charity , whether real or ostentatious , is now so general and so well known that the outside world are taking unfair advantage of it .

The hand of every true Mason is ever ready to obey the generous promptings of his heart in beneficence , whether the needy case be that of a brother or of a stranger ; but St . Paul , who doubtless was a Freemason , and who loved to inculcate the true Masonic principles of fear towards God , honour to the King , love to the brotherhood , especially to those of the household of faith , and teach us that

our love must be first shown to the brotherhood . We may agree as to the beginning of the brotherhood , and differ as to the extent and the limit of it . I conceive that every one duly initiated into Masonry is our brother , and that his nearest and dearest relatives , in the person of his wife , his . child , or his dependent sister ought to be , and are thc first objects of every Mason ' s care . This puts the

wife , & c , of every non-Mason beyond the pale of Masonic charity as such . I am , therefore , pleased that the " overwhelming majority " decided to withold relief from the widow of a non-Mason , though once the widow of a Mason . By this act they have shown negatively their love of the brethren , and have told the outer world that Mason's charity is guided by justice and discretion , that they prefer not to give thc children's meat to strangers .

There is , Sir , a case similar to the above now in the enjoyment of the most valuable of our charities . The son of a deceased Mason , whose widow is again married to a non-Mason , and is in pretty good circumstances , is now receiving all the benefits that our noble institution at Wood Green affords . The second marriage of the mother was arranged before

the election of the boy , and actually took place , as I am informed , between the election and the admission of the boy to thc school . By the second marriage the boy ' s status as the orphan of a Freemason was done away with , and he became legally the son of another man not one of our fraternity . To admit him to the school without payment is to extend Masonic charity beyond its leg itimate

limits to the prejudice of some other orphan boy . The fact ought to be , and probably is , known to the House Committee and to the Charity Committee of this province . I desire that it may be more extensively known by means of your valuable paper , and shall behappy if y" * u can afford me a little space . I am , Sir , yours fraternally ) ... WEST Y ORK .

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