Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do net Inld oursc . \ cs responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

CHRISTIANITY AND FREEMASONRY . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , My attention has been drawn to your issue of the 29 th ult ., giving a Copy of a Letter which appeared in the Church Times on the 14 th ult ., headed" Christianity and Freemasonry , and signed , " Offeiriad . "

First . —1 wish the writer had subscribed his own name , ( Why didn ' t he ?) and not hidden himself under a nom-de-plume . However , if the Masons are on the open plain , they will not hesitate to reply to their foe sheltering behind the walls of ignorance and bigotry . Second . —Throughout this letter I am speaking only of Freemasons recognising as their head and centre " The Grand Lodge of England . "

Personally , although a Churchman , I am opposed to " a gathering of Clerical and Lay Freemasons to be included in the informal function of the Church Congress , " simply because Freemasonry recognises all branches of the Christian Church , and wishes them all " Godspeed , " but does not specially and exclusively attach itself to the Church of England .

I have been a Freemason 32 or 33 years , several times Master of my own lodge here . Freemasonry is based on a belief in One God , Architect and Ruler of the Universe , physical and moral , Judge of all men , rewarding' or punishing , as His Divine Laws are kept , or broken , and teaches us to look to God the Father , in whose House we may all gather , as an Eternal Home , when we pass from this world ; there is nothing in its teaching contrary to , or subversive of , a free recognition of the Divinity of Christ and His mission— " The Redemption of Mankind , Body and Soul . "

The teachings ot Freemasonry include the exercise of every moral and social virtue , and there is nothing stands out so prominent , nothing that is pressed more earnestly upon its members than the exercise of that Charity described by St . Paul , in the 13 th chapter of his 1 st Epistle to the Corinthians . A true Mason to be faithful to his obligations , and to carry out the principles his Masonry teaches must live within the four corners of the TEN Commandments , and in the Spirit of the Lord ' s Prayer—has " Offeiriad" anything better to teach us than that ?

Freemasonry never made a man faithless to his obligations , or weak in the discharge of any of his duties as a Christian , whether a Churchman or a Nonconformist , but exactly the reverse , its whole tendency having a strong bearing to awaken him to a sense of faithfully discharging all his spiritual duties in the particular Church to which he has attached himself .

The Ritual of Freemasonry in its sublimity and solemnity stands second only to the best parts of the Liturgy of the Church of England , and no man can be a genuine disciple of Christ without benefiting all that come in contact with him , so no man can be a genuine Freemason without exercising a similar influence . I have written and delivered Lectures in Masonic Lodges on " The Religion of Freemasonry "— "The Architect and Ruler of the Universe , " and on "Some of the Characters of the Old Testament , " and I venture to say that such subjects were not considered out of place in a Masonic Lodge .

The sneers , ridicule , and suspicions contained in "Offeiriad ' s letter are the birth of arrogance and ignorance , and the statement is absolutely false , that " All English Churchmen would surely do well to refuse to countenance Freemasonry in the slightest degree " —for this reason—there is nothing in Freemasonry antagonistic to the interests of the Church of England , so long as her teachers practice and preach the Gospel as revealed in the New Testament . —1 am , yours faithfully and fraternally ,

MARK SCOTT , P . M ., Saint Germain's Lodge , 566 , Seiby , September 13 th . and P . P . G . W . N . and E . Yorkshire . "MISS DAVIS'S PENSION . " To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother ,

Allow me to thank you for kindly inserting in your issue of the 5 th instant the copy of the resolution passed by the W . M . and brethren of St . James Lodge , 44 S ; nay , more , I thank you for so prominently drawing the attention of the brethren throughout the country to the subject by your remarks in " Masonic Notes . "

I am afraid that you , and those who think with you , do not appreciate what we are driving at . Kindly try to understand that we are not attacking Miss Davis personally ; but a start must be made somewhere in attacking " abuses , " and as this is the latest " abuse "—as we think—we , as a lodge , consider it a suitable time to make a protest against such illegal acts . It is the principle we ace attacking , not individuals . The money is su ! 5 scribed for charitable purposes , and not for pensions .

Are you aware , Sir , that more than 50 per cent , of the brethren in this country do not enjoy an income equal to the pension to be paid to Miss Davis , and yet these men carry out the tenets of Freemasonry by subscribing their five or 10 guineas , as occasion may require ; but they do not subscribe it for pensions ? If pensions must be given , quite right ; but , have a separate fund . The names of the eminent brethren given by you are held in high esteem and respected by all

good Masons ; but , whatever their rank or station , it does not necessarily follow that all their actions are to be passed without question . You quoted about a judge . Let me draw your attention to a little parable in the Bible— "The widow ' s mite " —and , having read that , do you not think that , in our humble way , we have a perfect right to form our own opinions , on the information given to us , and act accordingly ? If these eminent brethren know a thousand times more than we do ,

why does the Secretary not let all the Subscribers have all and full information ? You speak as though we are completely alone in this matter . Allow me to inform you and your readers that we have the support of brethren from all parts of the county , as testified by letters sent to W . Bro . Shoebridge , and if you will inquire into the proceedings of the West Yorkshire Charity Committee meeting to be held on Saturday next , you will , no doubt , hear of . 'omething that will set you and others thinking .

In conclusion , allow me to say that the W . M . and brethren of 448 are not ashamed of , and do not regret , having taken their present action , feeling certain that if the majority of Subscribers will only take the trouble to make inquiries and ihink for themselves , that we shall be thanked for what we have done . —With fraternal greetings , believe me , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully ,

W . S . MILLIGAN , W . M . St . James Lodge , 4 iS . Bank Ftundry , SowerLy Bridge , September 14 th .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Peveril of the Peak Lodge , No . 654 . We had the pleasure of visiting this lodge , which held its regular meeting at New Mills on the 9 th inst ., and observed very great alterations for the benefitand accommoda . tion of Freemasons in the district . It appeirs some time ago it became very appa ^ " indeed that the premises they previously held their meetings at ware quite inaU qmtg for the purpose , and it occurred to several , and , at the suggestion of Bro . Richard Thornley , P . M ., an old and enthusiastic mermVr of the lodge , that a scheme could be carried out to have private rooms of their own ; this matter he went thoroughly into

with the result that a most charminj Masonic temple and club combined now exists which has cost altogether no less a sum than ^ Soo . The lodge room itself is wl ' l arranged for the purpose , with sufficient ante-rooms . There is also a fine billiard room and dining rcom . with all other offices , and we are pleased to record that at the end of the first year of its existence the affairs were so carefully managed that it was a financial success , and so pleased were the brethren with the efforti of Bro . R . Thornley , P . M ., lhat they presented him with a most handsome gold Past Master ' s jewel as a memento for his perseverance and the successful issue of the undertaking . On the above-mentioned date there was a large gathering of brethren present .

The lodge was opened by the W . M ., Bro . C . Higginbottom , supported b y his officers , he also performed the ceremony of raising . During the evening , Bro . C . F , Johnson , P . M ., P . S . G . D ., presented the lodge with a very fine piano . This handsome present was accepted by the W . M . on behalf of the brethren . The following brethren were present : Bros . Chas , Higginbottom , W . M . ; 1 . A Nichol , I . P . M . ; Wm . Wild , J . W . ; J . H . Jackson , Treas . ; J . R . Hill , S . D . ; T \

J . Clarke , J . D . ; J . J . Jackson , Organist ; Charles Hudson and II . Higginbottom , Stwds . ; Sam . Taylor , P . M . ; Sam . Whitehead , P . M . ; J . Hawthorn , John Hibbert , Fred . Garside , Thos . Stott , J . T . Gee , G . H . Higginbottom , J . Smith , and Wrn . Pott ' Visitors : Bros . Robt . E . Walker , P . M . ; C . C . W . Ferguson , P . M . ; Jos . Lingard P . M . ; J . Bell , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; E . Whittaker , J . Whittaker , A . Schofield , and G . S . Smith , P . M ., P . P . G . Org . E . Lanes .

St . John and St . Paul Lodge , No . 615 . The pretty lodge room of the Belvedere Masonic Association , the new habitat of His lodge , recently removed from Erith , was , on Tuesday , the ist inst ., crowded with the members of the above excellent lodge and visitors from the provincial and Woolwich and Plumstead district , to witness and assist at the installation of its esteemed W . M .

elect , Bio . Jonah Turton . Brp . Turton has steadily risen from inside the door to his present proud position by patient industry and a perfect knowledge of our sublime ritual , and his Mastership is hailed by his legion of Masonic friends with a pleasurable satisfaction that is intensely evident of his popularity , and of the esteem and respect in which he is universally held .

I he lodge was opened b y the W . M ., Bro . W . H . Keeble , and the usual lojge business having been accomplished , Bro . Turton , S . W . and W . M . elect , was presented to the W . M . to receive at his hands the benefits of installatiDn , and with the usual ceremony Bro . Turton was installed and saluted . He appointed and invested his officers as follows-Bros . Keeble , I . P . M . ; G . W . Kendall , S . W . ; C . S . Hithersay , J . W . ; W . Solkhon , Treas . ; J . D . Brooks , Sec . ; W S . Hithersay , S . D . ; E . ] . Vallon , J . D . ; W . Francis , I . G . ; G . H . Letton , P . M ., D . C : W . L . Doddrell , P . M ., P . P . G . P .,

E . Tinker , and F . Mayall , Stwds . ; J . H . Owen and R . Orchard , A . D . Cs . j and VV . Lardner , Tyler . Bro . Keeble then recited the addresses admirably and was rewirded for his excellent working by a cordial vote of thanks , a copy of which it was unanimously resolved should be inscribed on the minutes of the lodge , he was also presented with a handsome and valuable Past Master ' s jewel as a token of the esteem of the brethren and for valuable services rendered the lodge during his year of office , for which he returned thanks . Bro . H . King , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., was elected to represent the lodge on

the Provincial Charity Committee , and it was resolved " that he be presented at the next meeting of the lodge with a Past Secretary's jewel for services rendered the lodge as Secretary during the past five years , " for which he returned his best thanks . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the large dining hall and partook of an excellent banquet , admirably served by Bro . George Williams , of the Cambridge Hotel , Woolwich Dockyard Station , and among the other brethren present were Bros . C Watkins , P . M ., C . G . Godwin , P . M ., A . C and W . T . Doddrell , P . Ms .,

G . Vincer , R . West , James David , H . J . Jones , A . Knowles , C . Leonard , F . Giywood , G . Chamberlain , J . Thornhill , J . Holloway , J . Holland , and T . Drew , all of the lodge j H . J . Butler , P . M . 913 , P . P . G . Reg . ; R . Beeby , P . P . G . Treasurer Middlesex ; G . Martin , W . M . S 20 ; G . B . Davies , P . M . 13 ; E . Morris , P . M . 17 S 9 and 913 ; C . H . Clapham , P . M . 913 ; J . Farrier , P . M . 829 and 913 ; W . H . Turton , J . W . 13 ; JWheatley , S . D . 2399 ; W . Rake , 45 ; L . Knoblanch , 392 ; and C Jolly , P . M . and Sec . 1472 , and W . M . 21 S 4 .

The usual loyal and Grand Lodge toasts were put by the W . M . and loyally responded to . In giving the toast of "The Right Hon . Earl Amherst , R . W . P . G . M . of Kent , " the W . M . regretted that it had never yet fallen to his lot to meet their esteemed Provincial Grand Master , a pleasure and honour he , howevc , soon hoped to have , but those who had seen and served under their Grand Master had spoken of him as one of l

the grandest of Masons and most genial of gentlemen . It was rather an unusua thing to find one brother ' s name coupled with two such important toasts as those in which their Grand Master ' s name appeared ; it was , as they were aware , the case in his ( Earl Amherst ' s ) name , and they , as Masons of the Province of Kent , were proud of it . They were proud to have to associate his lordship's name with the toast of the Deputy Grand Master of England , but prouder still , if it were possible to be so , to have his name not only in their toastbut in their heartsas their Prov . Grand Mister .

, , _ The toast was drunk with enthusiasm , the remarks of the W . M . anent Bro . the Earl of Amherst being received with bursts of cheering . . The next toast was that of " W . Bro . J . Smith Eastes , D . P . G . M ., and the rest ot the Prov . Grand Officers , Present and Past , " and , in giving it , the W . M . said that in asking them to drink the toast he asked them to drink it in sympathy with their respected

Bro . Eastes , whose health just at present prevented him from attending that meeting They all knew how ill Bro . Eastes had been , and what the loss of such a splenUm Mason would be to the province , and he felt that it was only a right and prjp * r thing for them to send from that lodge a letter to Bro . Eastes of sympathy with him in his illness . He atked them to drink the toast heartily , and wish their good Bro . k « te rc' . urned health and long life and happiness . , „ lU . U'll ^ u iiLnnti auu » " * 'S » l' ^ «» i »\* .. app . i . ^ oo . t al

The toast and withes of the W . M . was diunk and heartily re-echoed by present . .. Bro . Doddrell said he had the lodge and the brethren to thank for his position in the province . At the late annual provincial meeting their Prov . Grand Master , in reie ling to his position as Deputy Giand Master of England and Grand Master of '" , •'„ ' vince of Kent , said he was somewhat in the position of the successful candid ite return' ° j thanks for his election , waen he sa'd " You are the fellows that put me there , ana Uicllltva lui ma citi-kiuu , w . tuu lie sau luu die mc U . UUW 3 lliai yuL lilt . n » w . ~ , ,

seemed to him ( Bro . Doddrellj that he could say the same to them— "It is you «™ have put me there . " He esteemed his position as a P . P . G . Officer highly , and thann them for the toast . rS Bro . Butter , in the course of an eloquent speech , said it was now almost 'O . ^ £ go that he first had the honour of re < . pondinj to the toast of the Prov . Grand Uimof the Province of Kent , so that they must know that any remarks he mig ht now m must be rather stale but there goodly number of brethren present to w must lamer isiaic out incic guuuiy uuiuuer ui urctnren

; as were a , , ue , as were u pica * - " -, — ^ his remarks might cjnie fresher than they would to the brethren of his own loug > y would at once assure them that he felt it a great honour to have his nam : coup led : in . way with Masonry in the Province of Kent , or in any manner associated wl jy , ffls names as those ot their beloved Provincial Grand Master and Bro . Eastes . » - , jj ( extremely ( . leased to be' present with them on that occasion , and directly he receivi : ^ invi ' .-Jtinn hi . rlf »! f . rmirtp . l r . i mil all hit . 1 n »»« nn nnp si Ip nnrl archill | K . H-. Cltne esp- , ,

to see a high honour paid to a gor > d man , one who he might siy wai an cxc ^ , tna ' gjod man , and nothing had given him so much pleasure for som ; time past 2 s na . | , eir uay been given him through seeing their esteem : d W . M , installed as Mist er ° , , j , o l . d , ; e . 'They would soon lin 1 out that they had that day placed one at their " * mJIi , was not only an exceihnt Mason , but a just , up : ight , genial , and courteous gen ¦ ^ jr one win would do honour to their choice , and bring prosperity and ha'rnony an ' lodge , lie spoke highly of the excellent woik done by the Installing OIW ¦> cordially thanked them for their hospitality and the proceedings of the day .