Original Correspondence.

out the prosecution of a single enquiry as to whether their conduct in public and private circles justified the brethren in receiving them into the fold . 1 have again and again protested against this negliy . , ; , * , and highly discreditable system , and have expostulate . ! with young and inexperienced members , for having proposed parties of whose antecedents they had known positively nothing . To

propose anyone without having received every assurance of his respectability , tic , from a lengthened personal acquaintance , and from those with whom he has been intimately connected , is an offence , which cannot be too generally opposed and condemned . I have , whenever an opportunity has presented itself , persistently impressed brethren with the expediency of exercising great caution

m their selection of a candidate , and the responsibility assumed by proposers and seconders . Too many of us know full well what discredit has been cast upon the fraternity by some , whose sole ambition is to further their own mercenary designs , and to attend regularly at the banquetting table . These men know nothing about the principles upon which the Institution is based , nor do

they understand how to establish their viva voce statement , that they are connected with the brotherhood , beyond the production of a Grand Lodge Certificate . Truly this is a sad theme upon which to reflect . Let every brother , I say , be determined to exclude from the Craft such men , who are certain to do incalculable harm . Let the Master officers and members of every lodge feel it an imperative

duty to enquire personally into all propositions . By this means , I am convinced , improper persons would be effectually disbarred from passing through our portals . " When bad men combine , the good must associate ; else they will fall , one by one , an unpitied sacrifice , in a contemptible struggle . " In the bye-laws of the lodge , of which I am Master

and founder , is the following clause , which is rigidly observed by the members , who , I am happy to state , entertain the same feelings and views as myself , in regard to the question under discussion : " That a Committee , consisting of the Officers and Past Mastc-rs of the Lodge , shall be appointed to enquire into all propositions for membership , full particulars being

forwarded by the Secretary to each member of the Committee j and should there be any objection to a candidate , the W . M . shall communicate the same to the proposers , one of whom must be present to answer any question , which may arise , previous to the Ballot being taken . " Need I say more ? I will , however , add that I sincerely trust that the observations I have been urged to make , may be considered in the same spirit in which

they have been dictated , and that henceforth those who are received into the Order are such persons as may be readily admitted to our family circle . On a future occasion I may have something to say in respect to the holding of lodges at public houses , if you , Sir , will kindly accord me space . I am , dear sir and brother , truly and fraternally yours ,

London , St . Valentine ' s Eve , 1875 . C . S . To Ihe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I have read the letter of " A Sincere Mason " in last week's impression with feelings of sorrow , as I am afraid the charges made are but too true ; and , like him , am at a loss to understand why Freemasonry should in

the slightest degree be connected with public-houses . Its beautiful ritual certainly demands a more befitting place for its rehearsal ' than can be found in the atmosphere of taverns generally . For every moment spent in the attainment cannot but be fraught with good results . At the same time I cannot dismiss from my mind the fear that a man is apt to

become worse instead of better ( at least , his condemnation will be greater ) , by becoming acquainted with solemn and sacred things , to the letter of which so much importance is attached , ' if the spirit of the same is lightly thought of or disregarded . Considering' how churches , lecture-halls , theatres , 6 cc , fill when made sufficiently attractive without the aid of

drink and smoke , surely for the short space of two hours a Lodge of Instruction could be made interesting enough without either . I should very much like to hear the general opinion of the brethren on this important subject , it having been intimated to me that it would be impossible to secure an attendance if drinking and smoking were prohibited during

" labour . " But believing , as I do , that it would be a glorious epoch in the annals of Freemasonry , when with one unanimous vote it is resolved to hold public-house meetings no more for ever , they have no cause to fear their numbers falling off on that account . I remain , yours fraternally , I . W . HAHI-EB .

THE STATUS OF REJOINING PAST MASTERS . To Ihe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you kindly allow mc to ask " Busy Bee " if he knows of a book called " The Constitution , " and , if so , if he ever read it ? Why I ask this question is because he says in his letter in your last number— " I submit that a

brother holding that position ( a P . M . ) would , ou joining , or on re-joining a lodge , take his seat below any P . M . then tubscribing to it . " 1 , as a Mason of 40 years standing , beg to say that I agree with him as to a P . M . joining a strange lodge , but on rejoining his mother lodge the case

is very different . If he be the oldest P . M . when he resigns , on his rejoining he retakes his old place as the senior P . M ., and I'll defy "Busy Bee" to prove the contrary by the Book of Constitutions , which contain our laws—and from them we cannot take one word , or add one word thereto . If l ) e will refer to the above book , he will see that a P . M .

Original Correspondence.

loses his membership with Grand . Lodge , by leaving his lodge for twelve months , and nothing more , and I will defy " Busy Bee" or any other of your correspondents to prove the contrary . If he can nnd will refer mc to the page of the above book where such a rule can be found , I shall be very much obliged . Your faithful brother , AN OLD P . M ., ONE & c . February isth , 187 s .

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE . To Ihe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — As to the government of the lodge . Some years ago I had occasion to have some correspondence with an expert brother on this subject , which seems to me to be conclusive . See page 76 , chap , r , of the Constitutions , Edition , 1867 : — "No Master-elect shall assume the

Master ' s chair until he shall have been regularly installed , though he may in the interim rule the lodge . " Again , page 78 , chap . 6 : — " If the Master shall die , Xc . In the Master ' s absence , the Immediate Past Master , 6 ic , shall lake Ihe chair , and if no Past Master be present , the S . W ., J . W ., shall rule the lodge . " But my correspondent says they have no power to take the chair . Yours truly and fraternally , BETA .

PRIZE ESSAY . To Ihe Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brothtr , — From time immemorial , it has been handed down from our predecessors that Freemasonry is the most moral institution that ever existed . We have also been informed , by some of our divines , that it is also the hand-maid to

religion . With such excellent tenets put before the public , some thousands are annuall y tempted to join our ranks . Yet , at the present time , we do not register on our books more than *; o , ooo , with a male population of some 16 , 000 , 000 of inhabitants . I heard one of the Grand Officers say some few years since , that the average duration of membership was seven

years . It therefore does appear strange to myself and many more , that we should initiate so many into our mysteries , and so soon loose them—there must be something morally wrong . Then what is it which prevents the growth of the most moral institution and the handmaid to religion ? I would , therefore , humbly suggest to the powers that

are , that Grand Lodge should offer a premium of £ 150 or £ 200 for the best essay on the prevailing sin of the Craft , and the best remedy against the evil now existing of the short duration of membership in our lodges . 1 think 1 could venture to say it would be the best investment Grand Lodge has made for many years . Dear sir and brother , I remain , yours fraternally , P . M .

THE RIGHT OF VISITING LODGES . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I have always thought that a brother could enter any lodge as a stranger on proving himself to be of the Craft , and thus be a visitor for the evening . But it seems I have been in error on this point .

On the 12 th inst . I presented myself at the Domatic Lodge , No . 177 , held in Anderton ' s Hotel , Fleet-street , and after half an hour ' s delay was courteously (?) informed by the principal officers that I was in the way and had better retire—not being vouched for by a brother . It is true that on leaving my residence I omitted to carry my certificate in my pocket . But every Freemason

knows that the production of a certificate under such circumstances avails nothing . At any rate , I was not allowed to enter the lodge . I am , sir , yours truly and fraternally , WIM - L . An \ K ,. R . A ., K . T ., M . M ., 30 K . H . 12 , Manley Terrace , Kcnnington-Park , S . E . 15 th February , 1875 .

THE BENEVOLENT FESTIVAL . To the Editur of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brolhcr , — I notice in the Freemason of last week , in speaking of the different lists presented for the Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and Widows , you say Lincolnshire is at the head , through the exertions of Bro .

Chadwick . I think there is some error . I alone am the representative Steward for the Province of Lincolnshire , and am at a loss to know who the brother alluded to is . Believe me , fraternally yours , WM . PIGOTT , P . M ., P . G . Steward . Brigg , 15 th Feb ., 1875 . [ The name " Chadwick" was a misprint for " Sutcliffe . "—En . ]

Surrey Masonic Hall Company (Limited).

SURREY MASONIC HALL COMPANY ( LIMITED ) .

The secend annual general meeting of the shareholders was held oiijThursday , the 4 th inst ., in the new hall , now being erected by this company in the Camberwell Newroad . Mr . W . Ramsey , who was unanimously elected to the

chair , submitted to the shareholders present the director ' s report , and statement of liabilities and assets of the company , which , after being duly discussed and commented upon by the shareholders , were unanimously adopted . Messrs . Ramsey and Pinder were unanimously re-elected

Directors of the company , as also Mr . H . A . Dubois as Auditor . A vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman and directors of the company , and also the various officers . The meeting was afterwards made special , in pursuance

Surrey Masonic Hall Company (Limited).

of the notice given , for the purpose of enabling the directors to raise a loan , and a resolution was passed , empowering them to raise such loan . There being no other business to be transacted , the proceedings were formally closed . There was a very good attendance of those that were interested in the good work , and the shareholders present were urged to use their influence amongst their Masonic

brethren and others , so that the remaining capital of the company might be placed . Those present then proceeded to examine the building as far as completed , and expressed themselves highly pleased with it , complimenting Mr . Oliver , the Builder , and Mr Clark , the Architect , very highly upon the soundness cf their work . The hall is progressing very fast , and when

finished will be found to be quite as handsome a building as any on the southern side of the river ; and we trust , before long , we shall have the pleasure of publishing its formal opening for Masonic and other purposes . Applications for the remaining unallotted shares ( which are £ 5 each ) may still be made to the Secretary of the company , Mr . E . Sillifant , of 1 , Gresham Buildings ,

Basinghall-street , E . C ., and we hope that those who have the interest of the Craft at heart , and especially the removal of the meeting of lodges , chapters , & c , from public houses and hotels , to private rooms , for which this building has been primarily erected , will support this company in their laudable undertaking , by applying for the remaining shares unissued , without delay .

Consecration Of The Era Lodge Of Mark Master Masons (No. 176).

CONSECRATION OF THE ERA LODGE OF MARK MASTER MASONS ( No . 176 ) .

On Friday , February 5 th , at the Bridge House Hotel , Borough , Fligh-street , Southwark , the " Era" was added to the list of Mark Lodges meeting in London . Bro . Robert Wentworth Little , as P . M . ( Secretary of the Girls' School ) , the Officer appointed to perform the

ceremony of consecration , opened the lodge . He appointed as his Officers , 11 . C . Levander , P . M . as S . W . ; T . J . Sabine , P . M . as J . W . ; F . Walters , P . M . as M . C ; and other Past Grand Officers to the min * . * offices . The Rov . P . M . Holden officiated as Chaplain . The ceremony of consecration was beautifully and impressively rendered .

T he lodge having been consecrated , Bro . H . C . Levander , P . M ., took the chair , and in an excellent manner installed Bro . John Thomas Moss , W . M . Designate , as the W . M . He appointed as his Officers ( after the ballot had been taken for the Treasurer ) , Bros . II . A . Dubois , S . W . ; [ . Baxter Langley , J . W . ; T . H . Miller , P . M ., Treasurer ; F . Walters , P . G . P ., P . M ., Secretary ; II . 1 . Green , M . O .: T .

Hortoti , S . O . * , W . Hammond , J . O . ; W . Bell , R . of M . ; Rev . P . M . Holden , Chaplain ; J . Hammond , S . D . ; A . F . Loos , J . D . ; J . Johnson , I . G . ; W . Y . Laing , P . M ., Tyler . Bros . J . Wallis , 1326 ; D . D . Weinhausen , 142 . 1 ; W . Munday , 1423 ; andj . Johnson , 1423 , were regularly advanced to the ancient and honourable degree of Mark Master Masons .

Votes of thanks were given to Bros . R . W . Little , II . C . Levander , and T . J . Sabine , also honorary memberships of the lodge , for their kindness in consecrating the lodge . Bro . R . W . Little acknowledged the votes in a suitable speech .

Many propositions were received from candidates for advancement . Apologies were given for those candidates who were absent . The lodge was then closed . A good banquet followed . ' The visitors included Bros . Sugg ( Bon Accord ) , and very many others besides those mentioned in the report .

Masonic Festivities.

Masonic Festivities .

MASONIC BALL AT BARROW . The third annual Masonic ball of the brethren in and around Barrow in aid of the Masonic charities took place ' in the Town Hall , Barrow , on the evening of Wednesday , the 27 th ult ., and proved in every respect of the most successful character . The fashionable assembly was under the distinguished patronage of the following Masonic

leaders : —Bros , the Right Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , the Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master for West Lancashire ; the Right Hon . the Marquis of Hartington , M . P ., the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master for Derbyshire ; the Hon . F . A . Stanley , M . P ., Deputy Provincial Grand Master for West Lancashire ; Sir James Ramsden , P . M . 1021 , P . Prov . G . S . W . ; His Worship the

Mayor of Barrow , J . T . Smith , P . M . 1021 ; Alexander Stoddard , P . M . 32 , P . G . S . W . ; George Remington , P . M . ' 99 . S , P . G . J . W . ; H . W . Schneider , P . M ., and P . Prov . G . J . W . ; H . Cook , P . M . 119 , and 1021 , P . Prov . G . R . ; Aymer Ainslie , W . M . 995 ; and the officers and brethren of the neighbouring lodges , and of the Holy Royal Arch Chapter , No , 905 , The general arrangements , which

were most satisfactory , were carried out by the committee . The brethren appeared in full dress Masonic clothing , with the jewels and insignia of their respective offices , and as the ball room was decorated in the most artistic manner , the effect was one of the most striking and animated

nature . The work of decoration was , in a large measure , carried out by the ball committee above named , and the artistic manner in which they performed their labour of love , reflected the highest credit upon their taste and zeal . The prevailing colours were blue and white—Masonic colours—with a sufficient admixture of other tints to avoid

monotony . The platform was extended from the stage as far as the first principal , a distance of about twelve feet , and this elongated stage afforded ample space for the refreshment buffet and supper-room . These were separated from the ball-room by a tastefully-arranged screen of alternate narrow folds of marine-blue and white drapery . In front of the screen the shields of Bros . Lord Skclmers-