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Original Correspondence.
cal . The Grand Lodge of England might as well seek exclusive jurisdiction in Craft Masonry in these depctirlencies . Yours fraternally , A . 33 . [ We hive had to suppress some passages in this letter in order to conform to cur safe Masonic canon of nonpersonality . We say this with all deference to our esteemed correspondent . —En . F . M . ]
THE INHABITANTS LODGE , GIBRALTAR . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your report of the centenary meeting of the Inhabitants Lodge , No . 133 , on the 13 th inst ., the W . M . states " It had , like many other ! oe ! gfs , its ups and downs , particularly as it was always more or less a military lodge ,
whose members were constantly going to other parts oi the world . " Having been Master of this lodge at its resuscitation , on Ihe xetli February , 18 3 8 , I desire to explain that an examination of its archives conclusively proved to the then members that it had become dormant , through a rigid adherence to the puip-se of its original institution , viz ., to
serve as a lodge for " inhabiiants" only . It is a little singular that thc two oldest Gibraltar lodges should , in thc course of their century of existence , have completely changed positions . No . 113 , St . John , originally a military lodge ( attached to thc 2 nd Battalion Royal Artillery ) , is , or was , exclusively a lodge for "inhabitants , " whilst No . 133 , Inhabitants Lodge , revived , after sixteen or
seventeen years' dormancy , by brethren of the garrison in 1858 , appears now to be , in all but name , a" mil . tary "lod ge . The title of "Inhabitants " lodge seems to have existed at Gibraltar for at least 13 years before the establishment of the lodge now hearing that name , as in the list of English Lodges ( Modern's ) for 1763 , appears " No . 283 , Lodge of Inhabitants , Gibraltar , July 12 th , 1762 . " Yours fraternally , R . F . Goui . i ) , P . M . li * .
THE GENESIS OF SPECULATIVE FREEMASONRY . ( Continued . ) To the Editor of Ihe " Freemason . " Dear Sir anel Brother , — There is a well-known story in my profession , of . 1 young advocate who was rebuked by the presiding judge on a trial at nisi prius with the reminder , " Mr .
So-andso , you have already advance-el that proposition four times , " to which the una ' . ashed speaker icjoined , " And 1 am afraid 1 must repeat it nine times more , my lord , for there aic twelve gen lie-me-: i on the jury , and your lordship makes thirteen . " If 1 sreni tedious in reiterating thc formulary of the point I am discussing I can only plead that in an argument whie-li must necessarily be somewhat involved , I
cannot hope to make myself clear without constantly bringing h-fore myself and my readers—focussing , so to speak—the proposition under consideration . And I am at present simjrly din-cling my mind to this one . sole subject of S ' , « -cii ' atiiin . Can it be with plausibility contended that some some esoteric organisation analogous to speculative Freemasonry , and employing substantially thc same
marks if recognition which we now use , has existed fr < im the eailii'st historical limes ? Because if we can demonstrate even the possibility—I need not say the probabilityof the correctness of this hypothesis we have—as I have endeavoured to show in my previous letters—advanced a long way in proving the sodality of speculative Freemasonry . The course cf the argument must
necesauly be intricate . It is indispensable to clear the ground from time to time—to take stcc ' i—to see where we are ; and , pursuing this process , 1 now beg my readers to divest their minds of what I ' may term square anil compass notions . I am at present considering the condition of society in a period in the history of mankind when these mechanical aids lo material and moral accuracy
were not devised . I am back 111 the antediluvian days , and boldly trying to grapple with thc not improbably wild speculation whether what we call Freemasonry existed before operative Mas . nry was thought of , long befoie the incidents of the U-geiul . ; upon which the ritual of modern Freemasonry is based occurred . If I chance to get "heavily to giass" in my excogitations I trust I have sufficient pluck
lefl in me to try to " come up smiling , " but I do not think that I need be very . apprehensive of mishap , considering how rarefully I have tried in my previous letters to guard myself against niisappre-hcnsion j how sedulously I endeavour to preserve the tentative attitude , anil how nervously cautious I am of committing- myself to the expression of any decided opinion .
At Westminster Hail , when the judges are "down" upon the advocate arguing , those learned luminaries assume to jio ' mt out the iliiTituhirs in his way by saying , "Mr . So-and-So , 1 invite your attention to this ; " or , " I would draw that to your notice—it seems to tell against you " — " You may feel it necessary to deal with it , " etc ., etc Of course I cannot be blind to the objection that
maythat must—be made to my theorising , " How could certain marks explained by and traditionall y derived from certain historical transactions have been employed before those transactions themselves occurred ? " "I press you with this , " I fancy I hear the objector explain . Now I might evade this crux by retorting that 1 contend nothing , that I advance nothing , that I commit myself to no view ,
bul I take that position to he assumed , and so I can say that to throw in a few reflections which may 1 liable investigating brethren to form their own opinions in the enquiry is ihe sole object of these epistles . 1 pledge myself however to the attempt ; , t a later stage of the enquiry to
grapple with this difficulty . There is no doubt that writers like Anderson and Preston , adopting what I have ventured to call the prosaic theory ol the Genesis of . Masonry , authors whose views have been endorsed b y the reverend and learned compiler of Bro . Kcnning ' sJ exhaustive ) Cyclnnredia , ' have done a vast
Original Correspondence.
amount of good in clearing away what I may term the mythological rubbish which at one time rather hampere d and impeded , than fostered , the healihy growth ofthe plant . Such speculations as that the legend of thc Third Degree sprung from the tragedy of the first martyr , that Enoch and Mcthusalch wire Free masons such as wc know Freemasons now that Noah , in buildinrr the ark ,
cmployed the square and compass acconling to Masonic line and rule , that the same patriarch in planting the vine had something to do in originating the convivial practices which , in latter times , have sometimes been known as the Fourth Degree , that Lot ( who , like Noah , certainly seems to have been not altogether unfamiliar with this phase of our working , as it is commonly attributed to us ) derived from
his pursuit of Masonry the attribute that constituted his righteousness , that Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob were brethren in the modern sense of the term , that the occult knowledge possessed by Moses and Aaron was derived from the mystic teaching of the Craft—all this and much more nonsense like it , promulgated from time to time by the unregulated enthusiasm of fanatics , may be ruthlessly
brushed away and yet the question may remain for legitimate argument—is speculative Freemasonry in its modern form a continuation of the system that f'om the very earliest limes preserved the rccagnition of an abstract personal Deity from that tendency to concrete worship which wc call idolatry , and which history teaches us worked and still works mischief , and mischief only , wherever it was or is followed ?
It will be very readily conceded by every one of my readers that the first great step in the civilisation of mankind is made when man ceases to wander as a nomad and becomes a member of a settled community . To aspire to possess " A local habitation and a name "—to use thc exquisite expression of our greatest poet—marks the OIK broad line that indicates the commencement of the
separation of the savage from thc civilised man . But perhaps a greater stride is taken when the process of thought in the mind of a responsible and presumably intelligent being has so far advanced that the thinker is capable of adding abstract to concrete conceptions . Examples of what I mean are around us all . In training the infant rninil , a pun-ess 'villi which most of us
are familiar , reflect how very , very difficult it is to impart to a child the recognition of an abstract proposition . I will not now say anything about instructing youth in the appreciation of the omivpoUncc and omniscience of a personal but invisible Deity , or the agency of an actual although equally invisible impersonation of the evil principle , but the difficulty is also met with in mere
material matters . For inst nice , the teacher thinks , and rightly think " , that he has made a gnat advance when hc perceives that he has induced in the mind of thc pupil the ability of ahstrart conception of the power of numbers—those general principles of induction , oul of which thereafter may grow the more refiner ! abstractions which lead to the logical triumphs of algebra
and the higher branches of the mathematics . Take again ideas of space anil lime . Mow much is conceive '' , anil justifiably conceived , to have been attained when some rudimentary idea of itinmtesimilily or infinitude appears to be grasped by the dawning intelligence Leaving the field of physical science , in the loftier region of ethics what a vast development of intellectual power do we at once recognise when abstract notions of morality as opposed to
profligacy , of truth as ihe antithesis oi falsehood , o ! honour as the antonym of shame , of purity in contrast with corruption , of viitue , as irreconcileable with vice , are perceived to he familiar intellectual images ineffaceably impressed upon the infant mind . Apply this illustration to the infancy of the entire race of man , and reflect Ihat an even greater advance in that contrasting progress which has been well expressed by the ! Laureate j , i thc noble
words" For 1 hold the grey barbarian lower than the Christian child " —is made when there first dawns upon the intelligence of the rude and savage wanderer some faint conception of an All Controlling Power that , wholly differing from his wooden fetish 01 his stone deity , is , although iuvisible , omnipicsent , althr , ughimpalpable , omnipotent , although
unknowable , omniscient . When that supreme step in intellectual advancement has been taken , there is no retrogression . The individual's moral nature is changed , there is a new birth of the soul of the man in the newl y found direction of the mental faculties . Races appear to recede , to fall back upoa idolatry , to look longingly behind them as did Lot's wife , nay , even like her , to halt in the flight from
abomination . Whole masse * of people appear to crave once more for the flesh pots they have abandoned , entire nations appear to relapc into the hiresics they have solemnly disavowed . The records of holy writ seem full of such apparent backslioiigs . But as we stand upon the sea shore and mark the incoming tide , the waves advancing and apparently receelitig , although the individual
breakers appear each one to leave a line of foam behind whore it first marked thc sand , the general advance , the aggregate progress of the flood surely , steadily goes on . "The individual withers , but the world grows more and more , " and so in the savage breast a new era is commenced and irrcradicably marked , when perception and recognition
of an abstract personal Deity is substituted for the superstitious awe of a tangible , material , concrete , idol , blindly adored , timorously propitiated , or despairingly objurgated as a god . 1 pn pose in my next letter , to examine how far this proposition as to the concurrent growth of religion and
civilisation , the soundness of which I conceive will not be disputed , can be s-upposeil to have any bearing on the more asthetic theories of thc genesis of speculative Freemasonry , I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , S . P ., P . M . 902 and 1401 .
Lodge Of Benevolence.
LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .
promoting the interests of our Masonic Charities . Happening to be in London on thc day of the last Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge , I took thc opportunity of attending on the occasion . It is seldom that such an opportunity occurs to me , and I must say I experienced mingled feelings of pleasure and pain as I listened to the proceedings—pleasure at the very able and
Dear Sir and Brother , — In confirmation of thc view expressed in Bro . Gould's letter inserted in your colums 1 f last week , allow me to add the expression cf my ovrn concurrence , as a P . M . who has not taken an altogether inactive part in To the Editor of the "Freemason . "
exhaustive manner in which the noble Chairman who presided brought fonvard thc important question of the future relations of English Mas > nry with French Masonry , having regard to the repudiation by the Grand Orient of one of the cardinal landmarks of our Order ; pleasure , also , at the cordial unanimity with which the very large assemblage of brethren pre sent received and endorsed the
recommendations of the Committee ; pleasure , too , at thc loyal unanimity which characterised the re-election of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as G . M . But pain and disappointment at the partial , and unfair , and overbearing manner in which the question of the re-constitution of the Lodge of Benevolence was treated . It was evidently a foregone conclusion in the minds of
the large majority of the members present that the proposed re-constitution of the lodge or board was to be negatived , and its free discussion put down by clamour . I arrived and took my seat in thc Hall early , and long before thc proceedings commenced I noticed that the conversation among the brethren near me turned upon this question , and they appeared all of one mind in denouncing
the proposed change , and in a determination not to entertain it . I particularly noticed one stout elderly brother , a P . M . of a London lodge , and a foreigner , who addressed nic shortly before the opening of the G . L ., asking what I thought about this proposal for "disfranchising the P . M . 's " and taking away their ancient privileges . I replied that I had no strong opinion , but was prepared to hear both
sides of the question argued , and then form a judgement . For this , however , certainly no fair opportunity was given . Thc clamour to " Vote , vote , " which arose before the question was half d-scussed—the interruptions and noise with which speakers were greeted who were not in accord with the party—must have disgusted many . None
were more noisy and energetic than my eldeily neighbour , who , although he must , judging from his command of the language , have been many years in England , had obviously not been long enough to acquire that national characteristic on which we justly pride ourselves—the English man's love of fair play , and of the justice which hears both sides .
The provincial element of the question was never even approached in the discussion . There was no chance of getting a hearing for it . But is the proceedings closed I could not refrain from asking myself the question whether the brethren of the provinces , who contribute two-thirds of thc money dispensed by this Lodge of Hcntvoler . ee , would not prefer its constitution . iii the manner so ably expounded
by Bros . Clabon and Monckton , to that which exposes its operations to the unreasoning- impulses cf general assemblies , such as I witnessed on the occasion referred to . I answered this , question unhesitatingly niystU , and I could not help thinking that thc judgment of the whole Craft should be ascertained in a manner somewhat more free from metropolitan prejudices than by the vote in
Grand Lodge , where the provinces are practically unrepresented . The calm , thoughtful , judicial treatment of the question by Bros . Clabon and Moncktan impressed me much more than the fervid vehemence of Bro . Binckes ; and , giving
each side credit for earnest feeling and honest and noble motives in their respective convictions , why should not their respective arguments be collected and pul before each lodge throughout the realm for individual consideration and answer ? I am , yours very fraternally , P . M . YORKSHIRE .
GRAMMAR IN THE GRAND CHAPTER OFFICE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I am struck with the curious construction of thc letter which , as appears from your last week ' s columns , has been sent from the Grand Scribe E ' s Office to a chapter in Cornwall in answer to an enquiry . Surely there has been
some mis-printing or mis-copying in connection with it . Thc Grand Scribe E . is made to say that " The Scribe N . oran Assistant Sojourner " are " elegible , rx-c . Why not say " is , " as the disjunctive is used ? And a later passage is equally bad grammar . It says . — " Either of the Scribes and thc three Sojourners arc all equally eligible . " This is radicall y bail English . The plural or the singular number should be used in both limbs
ofthe nominative . It should read " The two Scribes and the three Sojourners are " or else " Either of the two Scribes or any of the three Sojourners is . " Grammar is one of the studies promoted by our Order . Is it too great a liberty to suggest that it should be well looked after at our head quarters ? Yours fraternally , CRITIC
A 3 UERY . To Ihe Editor of Ihe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Would you please give mc your opinion through the medium of your paper of the following case which has occurred in this province : —A person from a town in which there is aregular constituted lodge is proposed and seconded
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Original Correspondence.
cal . The Grand Lodge of England might as well seek exclusive jurisdiction in Craft Masonry in these depctirlencies . Yours fraternally , A . 33 . [ We hive had to suppress some passages in this letter in order to conform to cur safe Masonic canon of nonpersonality . We say this with all deference to our esteemed correspondent . —En . F . M . ]
THE INHABITANTS LODGE , GIBRALTAR . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your report of the centenary meeting of the Inhabitants Lodge , No . 133 , on the 13 th inst ., the W . M . states " It had , like many other ! oe ! gfs , its ups and downs , particularly as it was always more or less a military lodge ,
whose members were constantly going to other parts oi the world . " Having been Master of this lodge at its resuscitation , on Ihe xetli February , 18 3 8 , I desire to explain that an examination of its archives conclusively proved to the then members that it had become dormant , through a rigid adherence to the puip-se of its original institution , viz ., to
serve as a lodge for " inhabiiants" only . It is a little singular that thc two oldest Gibraltar lodges should , in thc course of their century of existence , have completely changed positions . No . 113 , St . John , originally a military lodge ( attached to thc 2 nd Battalion Royal Artillery ) , is , or was , exclusively a lodge for "inhabitants , " whilst No . 133 , Inhabitants Lodge , revived , after sixteen or
seventeen years' dormancy , by brethren of the garrison in 1858 , appears now to be , in all but name , a" mil . tary "lod ge . The title of "Inhabitants " lodge seems to have existed at Gibraltar for at least 13 years before the establishment of the lodge now hearing that name , as in the list of English Lodges ( Modern's ) for 1763 , appears " No . 283 , Lodge of Inhabitants , Gibraltar , July 12 th , 1762 . " Yours fraternally , R . F . Goui . i ) , P . M . li * .
THE GENESIS OF SPECULATIVE FREEMASONRY . ( Continued . ) To the Editor of Ihe " Freemason . " Dear Sir anel Brother , — There is a well-known story in my profession , of . 1 young advocate who was rebuked by the presiding judge on a trial at nisi prius with the reminder , " Mr .
So-andso , you have already advance-el that proposition four times , " to which the una ' . ashed speaker icjoined , " And 1 am afraid 1 must repeat it nine times more , my lord , for there aic twelve gen lie-me-: i on the jury , and your lordship makes thirteen . " If 1 sreni tedious in reiterating thc formulary of the point I am discussing I can only plead that in an argument whie-li must necessarily be somewhat involved , I
cannot hope to make myself clear without constantly bringing h-fore myself and my readers—focussing , so to speak—the proposition under consideration . And I am at present simjrly din-cling my mind to this one . sole subject of S ' , « -cii ' atiiin . Can it be with plausibility contended that some some esoteric organisation analogous to speculative Freemasonry , and employing substantially thc same
marks if recognition which we now use , has existed fr < im the eailii'st historical limes ? Because if we can demonstrate even the possibility—I need not say the probabilityof the correctness of this hypothesis we have—as I have endeavoured to show in my previous letters—advanced a long way in proving the sodality of speculative Freemasonry . The course cf the argument must
necesauly be intricate . It is indispensable to clear the ground from time to time—to take stcc ' i—to see where we are ; and , pursuing this process , 1 now beg my readers to divest their minds of what I ' may term square anil compass notions . I am at present considering the condition of society in a period in the history of mankind when these mechanical aids lo material and moral accuracy
were not devised . I am back 111 the antediluvian days , and boldly trying to grapple with thc not improbably wild speculation whether what we call Freemasonry existed before operative Mas . nry was thought of , long befoie the incidents of the U-geiul . ; upon which the ritual of modern Freemasonry is based occurred . If I chance to get "heavily to giass" in my excogitations I trust I have sufficient pluck
lefl in me to try to " come up smiling , " but I do not think that I need be very . apprehensive of mishap , considering how rarefully I have tried in my previous letters to guard myself against niisappre-hcnsion j how sedulously I endeavour to preserve the tentative attitude , anil how nervously cautious I am of committing- myself to the expression of any decided opinion .
At Westminster Hail , when the judges are "down" upon the advocate arguing , those learned luminaries assume to jio ' mt out the iliiTituhirs in his way by saying , "Mr . So-and-So , 1 invite your attention to this ; " or , " I would draw that to your notice—it seems to tell against you " — " You may feel it necessary to deal with it , " etc ., etc Of course I cannot be blind to the objection that
maythat must—be made to my theorising , " How could certain marks explained by and traditionall y derived from certain historical transactions have been employed before those transactions themselves occurred ? " "I press you with this , " I fancy I hear the objector explain . Now I might evade this crux by retorting that 1 contend nothing , that I advance nothing , that I commit myself to no view ,
bul I take that position to he assumed , and so I can say that to throw in a few reflections which may 1 liable investigating brethren to form their own opinions in the enquiry is ihe sole object of these epistles . 1 pledge myself however to the attempt ; , t a later stage of the enquiry to
grapple with this difficulty . There is no doubt that writers like Anderson and Preston , adopting what I have ventured to call the prosaic theory ol the Genesis of . Masonry , authors whose views have been endorsed b y the reverend and learned compiler of Bro . Kcnning ' sJ exhaustive ) Cyclnnredia , ' have done a vast
Original Correspondence.
amount of good in clearing away what I may term the mythological rubbish which at one time rather hampere d and impeded , than fostered , the healihy growth ofthe plant . Such speculations as that the legend of thc Third Degree sprung from the tragedy of the first martyr , that Enoch and Mcthusalch wire Free masons such as wc know Freemasons now that Noah , in buildinrr the ark ,
cmployed the square and compass acconling to Masonic line and rule , that the same patriarch in planting the vine had something to do in originating the convivial practices which , in latter times , have sometimes been known as the Fourth Degree , that Lot ( who , like Noah , certainly seems to have been not altogether unfamiliar with this phase of our working , as it is commonly attributed to us ) derived from
his pursuit of Masonry the attribute that constituted his righteousness , that Abraham , Isaac , and Jacob were brethren in the modern sense of the term , that the occult knowledge possessed by Moses and Aaron was derived from the mystic teaching of the Craft—all this and much more nonsense like it , promulgated from time to time by the unregulated enthusiasm of fanatics , may be ruthlessly
brushed away and yet the question may remain for legitimate argument—is speculative Freemasonry in its modern form a continuation of the system that f'om the very earliest limes preserved the rccagnition of an abstract personal Deity from that tendency to concrete worship which wc call idolatry , and which history teaches us worked and still works mischief , and mischief only , wherever it was or is followed ?
It will be very readily conceded by every one of my readers that the first great step in the civilisation of mankind is made when man ceases to wander as a nomad and becomes a member of a settled community . To aspire to possess " A local habitation and a name "—to use thc exquisite expression of our greatest poet—marks the OIK broad line that indicates the commencement of the
separation of the savage from thc civilised man . But perhaps a greater stride is taken when the process of thought in the mind of a responsible and presumably intelligent being has so far advanced that the thinker is capable of adding abstract to concrete conceptions . Examples of what I mean are around us all . In training the infant rninil , a pun-ess 'villi which most of us
are familiar , reflect how very , very difficult it is to impart to a child the recognition of an abstract proposition . I will not now say anything about instructing youth in the appreciation of the omivpoUncc and omniscience of a personal but invisible Deity , or the agency of an actual although equally invisible impersonation of the evil principle , but the difficulty is also met with in mere
material matters . For inst nice , the teacher thinks , and rightly think " , that he has made a gnat advance when hc perceives that he has induced in the mind of thc pupil the ability of ahstrart conception of the power of numbers—those general principles of induction , oul of which thereafter may grow the more refiner ! abstractions which lead to the logical triumphs of algebra
and the higher branches of the mathematics . Take again ideas of space anil lime . Mow much is conceive '' , anil justifiably conceived , to have been attained when some rudimentary idea of itinmtesimilily or infinitude appears to be grasped by the dawning intelligence Leaving the field of physical science , in the loftier region of ethics what a vast development of intellectual power do we at once recognise when abstract notions of morality as opposed to
profligacy , of truth as ihe antithesis oi falsehood , o ! honour as the antonym of shame , of purity in contrast with corruption , of viitue , as irreconcileable with vice , are perceived to he familiar intellectual images ineffaceably impressed upon the infant mind . Apply this illustration to the infancy of the entire race of man , and reflect Ihat an even greater advance in that contrasting progress which has been well expressed by the ! Laureate j , i thc noble
words" For 1 hold the grey barbarian lower than the Christian child " —is made when there first dawns upon the intelligence of the rude and savage wanderer some faint conception of an All Controlling Power that , wholly differing from his wooden fetish 01 his stone deity , is , although iuvisible , omnipicsent , althr , ughimpalpable , omnipotent , although
unknowable , omniscient . When that supreme step in intellectual advancement has been taken , there is no retrogression . The individual's moral nature is changed , there is a new birth of the soul of the man in the newl y found direction of the mental faculties . Races appear to recede , to fall back upoa idolatry , to look longingly behind them as did Lot's wife , nay , even like her , to halt in the flight from
abomination . Whole masse * of people appear to crave once more for the flesh pots they have abandoned , entire nations appear to relapc into the hiresics they have solemnly disavowed . The records of holy writ seem full of such apparent backslioiigs . But as we stand upon the sea shore and mark the incoming tide , the waves advancing and apparently receelitig , although the individual
breakers appear each one to leave a line of foam behind whore it first marked thc sand , the general advance , the aggregate progress of the flood surely , steadily goes on . "The individual withers , but the world grows more and more , " and so in the savage breast a new era is commenced and irrcradicably marked , when perception and recognition
of an abstract personal Deity is substituted for the superstitious awe of a tangible , material , concrete , idol , blindly adored , timorously propitiated , or despairingly objurgated as a god . 1 pn pose in my next letter , to examine how far this proposition as to the concurrent growth of religion and
civilisation , the soundness of which I conceive will not be disputed , can be s-upposeil to have any bearing on the more asthetic theories of thc genesis of speculative Freemasonry , I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , S . P ., P . M . 902 and 1401 .
Lodge Of Benevolence.
LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .
promoting the interests of our Masonic Charities . Happening to be in London on thc day of the last Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge , I took thc opportunity of attending on the occasion . It is seldom that such an opportunity occurs to me , and I must say I experienced mingled feelings of pleasure and pain as I listened to the proceedings—pleasure at the very able and
Dear Sir and Brother , — In confirmation of thc view expressed in Bro . Gould's letter inserted in your colums 1 f last week , allow me to add the expression cf my ovrn concurrence , as a P . M . who has not taken an altogether inactive part in To the Editor of the "Freemason . "
exhaustive manner in which the noble Chairman who presided brought fonvard thc important question of the future relations of English Mas > nry with French Masonry , having regard to the repudiation by the Grand Orient of one of the cardinal landmarks of our Order ; pleasure , also , at the cordial unanimity with which the very large assemblage of brethren pre sent received and endorsed the
recommendations of the Committee ; pleasure , too , at thc loyal unanimity which characterised the re-election of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales as G . M . But pain and disappointment at the partial , and unfair , and overbearing manner in which the question of the re-constitution of the Lodge of Benevolence was treated . It was evidently a foregone conclusion in the minds of
the large majority of the members present that the proposed re-constitution of the lodge or board was to be negatived , and its free discussion put down by clamour . I arrived and took my seat in thc Hall early , and long before thc proceedings commenced I noticed that the conversation among the brethren near me turned upon this question , and they appeared all of one mind in denouncing
the proposed change , and in a determination not to entertain it . I particularly noticed one stout elderly brother , a P . M . of a London lodge , and a foreigner , who addressed nic shortly before the opening of the G . L ., asking what I thought about this proposal for "disfranchising the P . M . 's " and taking away their ancient privileges . I replied that I had no strong opinion , but was prepared to hear both
sides of the question argued , and then form a judgement . For this , however , certainly no fair opportunity was given . Thc clamour to " Vote , vote , " which arose before the question was half d-scussed—the interruptions and noise with which speakers were greeted who were not in accord with the party—must have disgusted many . None
were more noisy and energetic than my eldeily neighbour , who , although he must , judging from his command of the language , have been many years in England , had obviously not been long enough to acquire that national characteristic on which we justly pride ourselves—the English man's love of fair play , and of the justice which hears both sides .
The provincial element of the question was never even approached in the discussion . There was no chance of getting a hearing for it . But is the proceedings closed I could not refrain from asking myself the question whether the brethren of the provinces , who contribute two-thirds of thc money dispensed by this Lodge of Hcntvoler . ee , would not prefer its constitution . iii the manner so ably expounded
by Bros . Clabon and Monckton , to that which exposes its operations to the unreasoning- impulses cf general assemblies , such as I witnessed on the occasion referred to . I answered this , question unhesitatingly niystU , and I could not help thinking that thc judgment of the whole Craft should be ascertained in a manner somewhat more free from metropolitan prejudices than by the vote in
Grand Lodge , where the provinces are practically unrepresented . The calm , thoughtful , judicial treatment of the question by Bros . Clabon and Moncktan impressed me much more than the fervid vehemence of Bro . Binckes ; and , giving
each side credit for earnest feeling and honest and noble motives in their respective convictions , why should not their respective arguments be collected and pul before each lodge throughout the realm for individual consideration and answer ? I am , yours very fraternally , P . M . YORKSHIRE .
GRAMMAR IN THE GRAND CHAPTER OFFICE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I am struck with the curious construction of thc letter which , as appears from your last week ' s columns , has been sent from the Grand Scribe E ' s Office to a chapter in Cornwall in answer to an enquiry . Surely there has been
some mis-printing or mis-copying in connection with it . Thc Grand Scribe E . is made to say that " The Scribe N . oran Assistant Sojourner " are " elegible , rx-c . Why not say " is , " as the disjunctive is used ? And a later passage is equally bad grammar . It says . — " Either of the Scribes and thc three Sojourners arc all equally eligible . " This is radicall y bail English . The plural or the singular number should be used in both limbs
ofthe nominative . It should read " The two Scribes and the three Sojourners are " or else " Either of the two Scribes or any of the three Sojourners is . " Grammar is one of the studies promoted by our Order . Is it too great a liberty to suggest that it should be well looked after at our head quarters ? Yours fraternally , CRITIC
A 3 UERY . To Ihe Editor of Ihe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Would you please give mc your opinion through the medium of your paper of the following case which has occurred in this province : —A person from a town in which there is aregular constituted lodge is proposed and seconded