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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Communique.
No 1607 , Bro . C . J . Perceval , £ 12 $ 4 s- ; Sincerity , No . 174 , -Bro- C . H . Webb , £ 121 8 s . ; Prosperity , No . 65 , Bro . C . Daniel , £ 121 ; Corinthian , No . 1382 , Bro . J . Delves , £ 119 6 s . ; West Smithfield , No . 1623 , _ Bro . G . H . Step hens , £ 11 $ , Crusaders , No . 1677 , Sr 0 -
J . Hunter , ^ 1 x 4 ; Canonbury , No . 657 , Bro . r . H . Ward , pfi' 3 / S . ; Yarborough Chap ter , No . 5 ^ 4 , Comp . J . Berry , £ 10 , 5 , ; Southwark Lodge , No . 8 / 9 , Bro . Albert Emler , Piot . The other returns , though all more or less good , do not come up to three figures , and ,
following our rule , we do not particularize them . The return on the whole is a very remarkable one , though we cannot but express our unfeigned regret that from No . 1700 only eleven lodges in the metropoh' s and two in the provinces have made returns to this excellent Charity . Still ,
the metropolis has " done its duty , and we may fairly add , indeed greatly advanced the cause of what after all constitutes the true grace , reality , value , and glory of Freemasonry , —namely , charity . In the provinces N . and E . Yorkshire heads the list with its very goodly
contribution of £ 855 ; Sussex follows with £ 600 ; and at a little interval W . Yorkshire , always active , with £ 371 ; Middlesex is close behind with £ 356 6 s . ; and Herts succeeds with £ 236 9 s . ; Kent is closely followed by Oxfordshire with £ 23 1 18 s . 6 d . ; and
Oxfordshire is again pressed by Dorsetshire with £ 230 JJS . ; Hertfordshire we next note is not far off" with £ 218 8 s . 6 d . ; and Berks and Bucks come forward with , £ 21 , 5 3 s . 6 d . ; Devonshire now appears with £ 191 13 s . ; and E . Lancashire remits C 57 fos - ' : Derbyshire
succeeds with £ 132 3 s . ; and Northampton sends U P £ 1 } 5 IOS . ; while Hants comes with £ 100 12 s . Thus the provinces , with 102 Stewards , send up £ 4735 in round numbers . As we observed last week , this " grand total " may be slightly modified one way or the other
bv the missing returns , but we think not materially . As it is , the return of £ 12 , 000 is a most auspicious commencement for Masonic Charity 1880 , and wetrust that Bro . Hedges may have to announce equally striking figures on April 16 th .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[\ V « do not bold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , tbe opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish if , a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within cerrain necessary limits—free discussion . 3
THE IRISH FAMINE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I think Bro . Monckton ' s appeal to lodges in England to assist above should meet with a hearty response . The sympathy shown would tell more than many speeches .
I may say that at our last lodge meeting , viz ., in January , we collected from brethren then present and transmitted our mite to the L- > rd Mayor , which has been duly acknowledged . Wishing the movement every success , lam , dear Sir and Brother , fraternally yours , SECRETARY 5 16 .
EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — A repoit of the ordinary meetings of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement so very rarely appears , that , on this account , your notice of the lodge held on the 7 th inst . has caused surprise to some of the regular attendants .
In the paragraph in question I was mentioned as having been elected W . M . lor the 14 th inst ., and a few brethren , from what I have heard , seem to be under the impression that possibly I may have been the writer . That their minds may be quite disabused , permit me to state , through your columns , that I neither wrote the paragraph or was in any way directly or indirectly connected with
the communication . I am far too young a member of the lodge ( wherein I have received much instruction , very patiently and cour . teously imparted ) to presume to commit to print an account of any of its proceedings . I am , yours faithfully and fraternally ,
T . W . OCKENDEN . Hampton , Feb . 16 th .
GRAND LODGE OF IRELAND . To the Editor of the "Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , — Jn reply to " Ne Quid Nimis , " it is not nec ; ssary to enter on the question of the eligibility or otherwise of
the brother finally elected Secretary on the ground of his being " a pensioner , " & c . That is entirely a question of expediency . It must , however , be a mistake or a misstatement to say that the Grand Lodge ot Ireland " would , J ^ hojdJhe _ jcgmer _ jjOjnjna ^^ as , under the Irish Con- ;
Original Correspondence.
stitution , a brother may hold the two offices of Secretary and Treasurer , but cannot hold the position of either J . W ., S . W „ W . M ., and Secretary at the same time . The first nomination , therefore , apart altogether from the accompanying circumstances , was illegal . J . H . W ., P . M .
ROYAL MASONIC PUPILS' ASSISTANCE FUND . To the Editor of the . " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I note the letter of " M . P . " in your last week ' s issue , and should like a small space to make a few remarks thereon . When the " Fund " was first proposed I thought it objectionable for the same reasons as " M . P ., " and
declined to have anything to do with it . I considered that it would not only interfere with the support of the existing Schools , but that it would militate against that feeling of independence which should be instilled into the mind of every pupil to feel that there was any fund on which to fall back in case of failure , to say nothing of the creation of more Secretaryships and administrative expenses .
Whilst inXondon last week , however , I had some conversation with one of the principal promoters of the fund , and then , to my surprise , found that the " plalform " had been entirely changed , and that the fund was intended only for the purpose of enabling the female pupils after leaving school to obtain situations , and chiefly to be expended on grants in aid to parents and guardians of
children who are unsuccessful in obtaining admission to the Schools themselves . This , I think , quite alters the aspect of the movement . As the father of several sons and daughters , I should not feel myself at all called upnn to aid in pushing forward into the already overcrowded learned professions pupils from the Masonic Schools ( most of whom , I strongly
susptct , are educated much above their position in society ) , to the detriment of the prospects of my own children , but I can quite see the force of a fund to aid in giving suitable educations to orphans who fail to secure admission to our Schools , and whose friends arc not in a position to support them . Then , as to helping our " finished " girl pupils to obtain
suitable situations , this I think most impoitant , for I very much fear that if enquiry were made we should not find all our girls turning out as well as we could wish—not by a very long way . Many of the pupils , had their parents lived , or had they been brought up amongst their friends , mig ht have obtained suitable situations in factories , workshops , offices , or as domestic servants , but at our Schools
they receive the education and imbibe the ideas of gentlewomen , and are then launched upon the world , too grand in their notions to take anything less than the post of a governess ; and so through lack , either of some good influence or of employment of any kind , they become a prey to designing persons , and disappear in the whirlpool of immorality in our modern Babylon .
It was on the clear understanding that these were the real objects of the " Assistance Fund " that 1 consented to have my name added to the long list of supporters , and I think that probably many others may , on the same understanding , Ieel inclined to help a movement from which at present they hold aloof . I am , yours fraternally ,
T . B . WHYTEHEAD , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . N . and E . Yotks . York , Feb . iGth .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — The best reply we can offer to your correspondent " M . P . " is to inform him that the first meeting of the Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund will be htld on Wednesday , the 10 th March , at 3 p . m . H . R . H . Prince Leopold has kindly consented to preside on that
occasion , and the Right Hon . the Earl of Roslyn will take the vice-chair . At that meeting preliminary details will be discussed . It is impossible for us to decide what shall or shall not be done with the moneys subscribed to the fund , but we may add that it is proposed to assist
unsuccessful candidates for the benefits of the three existing Charities , provided sufficient funds can be secured . All these matters , however , must be left in the hands of the subscribers . We shall be pleased to see "M . P . " at the meeting , as also any other brethren who may feel interested in the movement .
We remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , DICK RADCLYFFE , 7 Se ( . retaries W . W . MORGAN , jun ., S *>« " *» " « . P . S . We may add that we have just received permission from the Board of General Purposes to use the " Zetland " room at Freemasona' Hall for the meeting .
ROYAL ARCH REGULATIONS . To the Editor oj the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — "P . P . G . D . C . " asks my authority for stating that " a Provincial Grand Officer cannot wear his Royal Arch collar and jewel in a Craft lodge . " I reply , the absence of authority to do so , in the Book of Constitutions . I have
for years bad to refer to , and study , both Books of Regulations , for Craft and for Royal Arch ; I know of no such authority , and I say again that the collar and jewel of a Principal , or Past Principal , of a Royal Arch chapter is not " proper clothing " in a Craft lodge . The " medal" of the Order may be worn on the left breast , appended by a narrow
ribbon . If any brother or companion can point cut any paragraph in the Book of Constitutions giving authority to wear a Principal ' s collar in Craft lodge , let us have the benefit of his perspicacity . Yours fraternally , MAGNUS OHREN , P . M . and P . Z . of 33 and 432 , P . P . G . J . W . Surrey .
Original Correspondence.
THOMAS MACKLIN . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your issue of last Saturday I notice the question , " Who was Thomas Macklin ? " Possibly the accompanying copy of the bye-laws of the Royal Gloucester Lodge , No . 130 , may be of use in throwing some light on the subject .
You will see that a Bro . T . Macklin was W . M . cf this lodge no less than sixteen times from 1784 to 1804 . During a part of that time the lodge worked under two warrants ( ancient and modern ) , and elected the W . M . twice in each year , keeping festivals of the two St . Johns . There is a very fine oil painting ( life size ) o' Bro . Macklin now hanging on the walls of our Masonic Hall . Yours fraternally , R . SHARPE , Feb . 16 . P . M . and Treas . 130 .
To the Hditor of the " Fretmason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Whether the above brother was a shining light of the " Ancients " in the northern counties I know not j but that he must have been a notable brother in Southampton can scarcc ) y be disputed , as he seems to have been elected W . M . of the Royal Gloucester Lodge , No .
130 , no less than seventeen times . The Royal Gloucester Lodge possesses an Atholl warrant , dated 22 nd April , 1772 , 3 s well as a modern warrant , dated r 7 q , 2 . In olden times the W . M . and Wardens were elected
twice a year , every St . John ' s Day . Bro . T . Macklin's name appears as W . M . in 1784 , J . W . in 1785 , W . M . in 1785 , 1786 , 1787 , 1788 ( twice ) , 1790 , 91 , 93 , 95 , 9 6 , 97 , 9 S , 99 , 1800 , 1804 , and 1806 . His portrait is on our walls , full length , life size , painted by Tobias Young . Yours fraternally , T . E . LE FEUVRE , P . M . 130 . Southampton , 16 th Feb .
AN IMPORTANT FIND . Dear Bro . Kenning , — A brother of our Order has called my attention to a M . S . Consiitution " in my possession for a number of years , " which is dated 1610 , is written on parchment , and
professes to be " newlye translated" by two brethren whose names are given . I shall be able next week I hope to give a fuller account of it ; in the meantime I notify the fact to your readers and to all Masonic students , as they will see at once the importance of the "find . " Yours fraternally , A . F . A . WOODFORD .
COMP . SMALLPEICIi'S MOTION IN GRAND CHAPTER . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I have read with much interest your report of this discussion , but I fail to see how Clause 5 ( the one in question ) can be brought to bear upon private chapters ,
as , to my mind , it refers to Grand Chapter only . Most of the speakers grounded their arguments upon the assumption that the universal custom is for tbe Principals ro declare the chapter open ; such may be case in London , but in the north of England this custom does not prevail . In the province to which I belong the usual way adopted
is as follows : The Principals form a " conclave ; " they go through ceitain formalities preparatory to taking their respective chairs . When they have done so , S . N . is admitted , and tests every one on entering j the various offices are filled , then , when all companions have been admitted , certain questions are asked , in order to satisfy the M . E . Z . that the chapter is properly formed , after which it is
declared open . Our reasons for adopting this course are , firstly—In the Book of Regulations , Clause 50 , it distinctly states that a chapter shall consist of certain officers j and , as we consider everything in Freemasonry ought to be perfect , we do not see how a chapter can be declared open for Masonic business until it is " complete" and all the subordinate
offices represented ; secondly , it is necessary to adopt the latter portion of the ceremony in order to prevent the admission of unqualified persons . Great laxity is frequently allowed where such precautions are not used . I have lately seen laid before a Committee at least a dozen different workings . In some the ritual I have just named is used , in others partially so , and I am informed
that in many places the companions are admitted at the very first . I am not one to suggest or propose any alterations which would in the least degree affect our principles and tenets , but I would ask every member of the Grand Chapter to consider , in the event of all companions being admitted at the opening , how much or how little they would hear or see beyond what they had already been taught .
Like Comp . Arnold , my experience teaches me that if such were the case the working in that part of our ceremony would be improved . 1 think Comp . Fenn ' s suggestion , that some one should be appointed to search the records in order to see whether there are any reasons given for the exclusion of members from the opening , is well worthy of adoption . I am , yours fraternally , P . Z .
CONFIRMING MINUTES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — My letter , as published in your issue of the 7 th inst ., contained several very palpable printer ' s mistakes , for which , doubtless , my hurried writing was largely to blame . I only think it necessary to correct one , namely , that by which I was made to sign myself as " W . M . ( in-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Communique.
No 1607 , Bro . C . J . Perceval , £ 12 $ 4 s- ; Sincerity , No . 174 , -Bro- C . H . Webb , £ 121 8 s . ; Prosperity , No . 65 , Bro . C . Daniel , £ 121 ; Corinthian , No . 1382 , Bro . J . Delves , £ 119 6 s . ; West Smithfield , No . 1623 , _ Bro . G . H . Step hens , £ 11 $ , Crusaders , No . 1677 , Sr 0 -
J . Hunter , ^ 1 x 4 ; Canonbury , No . 657 , Bro . r . H . Ward , pfi' 3 / S . ; Yarborough Chap ter , No . 5 ^ 4 , Comp . J . Berry , £ 10 , 5 , ; Southwark Lodge , No . 8 / 9 , Bro . Albert Emler , Piot . The other returns , though all more or less good , do not come up to three figures , and ,
following our rule , we do not particularize them . The return on the whole is a very remarkable one , though we cannot but express our unfeigned regret that from No . 1700 only eleven lodges in the metropoh' s and two in the provinces have made returns to this excellent Charity . Still ,
the metropolis has " done its duty , and we may fairly add , indeed greatly advanced the cause of what after all constitutes the true grace , reality , value , and glory of Freemasonry , —namely , charity . In the provinces N . and E . Yorkshire heads the list with its very goodly
contribution of £ 855 ; Sussex follows with £ 600 ; and at a little interval W . Yorkshire , always active , with £ 371 ; Middlesex is close behind with £ 356 6 s . ; and Herts succeeds with £ 236 9 s . ; Kent is closely followed by Oxfordshire with £ 23 1 18 s . 6 d . ; and
Oxfordshire is again pressed by Dorsetshire with £ 230 JJS . ; Hertfordshire we next note is not far off" with £ 218 8 s . 6 d . ; and Berks and Bucks come forward with , £ 21 , 5 3 s . 6 d . ; Devonshire now appears with £ 191 13 s . ; and E . Lancashire remits C 57 fos - ' : Derbyshire
succeeds with £ 132 3 s . ; and Northampton sends U P £ 1 } 5 IOS . ; while Hants comes with £ 100 12 s . Thus the provinces , with 102 Stewards , send up £ 4735 in round numbers . As we observed last week , this " grand total " may be slightly modified one way or the other
bv the missing returns , but we think not materially . As it is , the return of £ 12 , 000 is a most auspicious commencement for Masonic Charity 1880 , and wetrust that Bro . Hedges may have to announce equally striking figures on April 16 th .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[\ V « do not bold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , tbe opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish if , a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within cerrain necessary limits—free discussion . 3
THE IRISH FAMINE . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I think Bro . Monckton ' s appeal to lodges in England to assist above should meet with a hearty response . The sympathy shown would tell more than many speeches .
I may say that at our last lodge meeting , viz ., in January , we collected from brethren then present and transmitted our mite to the L- > rd Mayor , which has been duly acknowledged . Wishing the movement every success , lam , dear Sir and Brother , fraternally yours , SECRETARY 5 16 .
EMULATION LODGE OF IMPROVEMENT . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — A repoit of the ordinary meetings of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement so very rarely appears , that , on this account , your notice of the lodge held on the 7 th inst . has caused surprise to some of the regular attendants .
In the paragraph in question I was mentioned as having been elected W . M . lor the 14 th inst ., and a few brethren , from what I have heard , seem to be under the impression that possibly I may have been the writer . That their minds may be quite disabused , permit me to state , through your columns , that I neither wrote the paragraph or was in any way directly or indirectly connected with
the communication . I am far too young a member of the lodge ( wherein I have received much instruction , very patiently and cour . teously imparted ) to presume to commit to print an account of any of its proceedings . I am , yours faithfully and fraternally ,
T . W . OCKENDEN . Hampton , Feb . 16 th .
GRAND LODGE OF IRELAND . To the Editor of the "Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , — Jn reply to " Ne Quid Nimis , " it is not nec ; ssary to enter on the question of the eligibility or otherwise of
the brother finally elected Secretary on the ground of his being " a pensioner , " & c . That is entirely a question of expediency . It must , however , be a mistake or a misstatement to say that the Grand Lodge ot Ireland " would , J ^ hojdJhe _ jcgmer _ jjOjnjna ^^ as , under the Irish Con- ;
Original Correspondence.
stitution , a brother may hold the two offices of Secretary and Treasurer , but cannot hold the position of either J . W ., S . W „ W . M ., and Secretary at the same time . The first nomination , therefore , apart altogether from the accompanying circumstances , was illegal . J . H . W ., P . M .
ROYAL MASONIC PUPILS' ASSISTANCE FUND . To the Editor of the . " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I note the letter of " M . P . " in your last week ' s issue , and should like a small space to make a few remarks thereon . When the " Fund " was first proposed I thought it objectionable for the same reasons as " M . P ., " and
declined to have anything to do with it . I considered that it would not only interfere with the support of the existing Schools , but that it would militate against that feeling of independence which should be instilled into the mind of every pupil to feel that there was any fund on which to fall back in case of failure , to say nothing of the creation of more Secretaryships and administrative expenses .
Whilst inXondon last week , however , I had some conversation with one of the principal promoters of the fund , and then , to my surprise , found that the " plalform " had been entirely changed , and that the fund was intended only for the purpose of enabling the female pupils after leaving school to obtain situations , and chiefly to be expended on grants in aid to parents and guardians of
children who are unsuccessful in obtaining admission to the Schools themselves . This , I think , quite alters the aspect of the movement . As the father of several sons and daughters , I should not feel myself at all called upnn to aid in pushing forward into the already overcrowded learned professions pupils from the Masonic Schools ( most of whom , I strongly
susptct , are educated much above their position in society ) , to the detriment of the prospects of my own children , but I can quite see the force of a fund to aid in giving suitable educations to orphans who fail to secure admission to our Schools , and whose friends arc not in a position to support them . Then , as to helping our " finished " girl pupils to obtain
suitable situations , this I think most impoitant , for I very much fear that if enquiry were made we should not find all our girls turning out as well as we could wish—not by a very long way . Many of the pupils , had their parents lived , or had they been brought up amongst their friends , mig ht have obtained suitable situations in factories , workshops , offices , or as domestic servants , but at our Schools
they receive the education and imbibe the ideas of gentlewomen , and are then launched upon the world , too grand in their notions to take anything less than the post of a governess ; and so through lack , either of some good influence or of employment of any kind , they become a prey to designing persons , and disappear in the whirlpool of immorality in our modern Babylon .
It was on the clear understanding that these were the real objects of the " Assistance Fund " that 1 consented to have my name added to the long list of supporters , and I think that probably many others may , on the same understanding , Ieel inclined to help a movement from which at present they hold aloof . I am , yours fraternally ,
T . B . WHYTEHEAD , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . N . and E . Yotks . York , Feb . iGth .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — The best reply we can offer to your correspondent " M . P . " is to inform him that the first meeting of the Royal Masonic Pupils' Assistance Fund will be htld on Wednesday , the 10 th March , at 3 p . m . H . R . H . Prince Leopold has kindly consented to preside on that
occasion , and the Right Hon . the Earl of Roslyn will take the vice-chair . At that meeting preliminary details will be discussed . It is impossible for us to decide what shall or shall not be done with the moneys subscribed to the fund , but we may add that it is proposed to assist
unsuccessful candidates for the benefits of the three existing Charities , provided sufficient funds can be secured . All these matters , however , must be left in the hands of the subscribers . We shall be pleased to see "M . P . " at the meeting , as also any other brethren who may feel interested in the movement .
We remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , DICK RADCLYFFE , 7 Se ( . retaries W . W . MORGAN , jun ., S *>« " *» " « . P . S . We may add that we have just received permission from the Board of General Purposes to use the " Zetland " room at Freemasona' Hall for the meeting .
ROYAL ARCH REGULATIONS . To the Editor oj the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — "P . P . G . D . C . " asks my authority for stating that " a Provincial Grand Officer cannot wear his Royal Arch collar and jewel in a Craft lodge . " I reply , the absence of authority to do so , in the Book of Constitutions . I have
for years bad to refer to , and study , both Books of Regulations , for Craft and for Royal Arch ; I know of no such authority , and I say again that the collar and jewel of a Principal , or Past Principal , of a Royal Arch chapter is not " proper clothing " in a Craft lodge . The " medal" of the Order may be worn on the left breast , appended by a narrow
ribbon . If any brother or companion can point cut any paragraph in the Book of Constitutions giving authority to wear a Principal ' s collar in Craft lodge , let us have the benefit of his perspicacity . Yours fraternally , MAGNUS OHREN , P . M . and P . Z . of 33 and 432 , P . P . G . J . W . Surrey .
Original Correspondence.
THOMAS MACKLIN . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your issue of last Saturday I notice the question , " Who was Thomas Macklin ? " Possibly the accompanying copy of the bye-laws of the Royal Gloucester Lodge , No . 130 , may be of use in throwing some light on the subject .
You will see that a Bro . T . Macklin was W . M . cf this lodge no less than sixteen times from 1784 to 1804 . During a part of that time the lodge worked under two warrants ( ancient and modern ) , and elected the W . M . twice in each year , keeping festivals of the two St . Johns . There is a very fine oil painting ( life size ) o' Bro . Macklin now hanging on the walls of our Masonic Hall . Yours fraternally , R . SHARPE , Feb . 16 . P . M . and Treas . 130 .
To the Hditor of the " Fretmason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Whether the above brother was a shining light of the " Ancients " in the northern counties I know not j but that he must have been a notable brother in Southampton can scarcc ) y be disputed , as he seems to have been elected W . M . of the Royal Gloucester Lodge , No .
130 , no less than seventeen times . The Royal Gloucester Lodge possesses an Atholl warrant , dated 22 nd April , 1772 , 3 s well as a modern warrant , dated r 7 q , 2 . In olden times the W . M . and Wardens were elected
twice a year , every St . John ' s Day . Bro . T . Macklin's name appears as W . M . in 1784 , J . W . in 1785 , W . M . in 1785 , 1786 , 1787 , 1788 ( twice ) , 1790 , 91 , 93 , 95 , 9 6 , 97 , 9 S , 99 , 1800 , 1804 , and 1806 . His portrait is on our walls , full length , life size , painted by Tobias Young . Yours fraternally , T . E . LE FEUVRE , P . M . 130 . Southampton , 16 th Feb .
AN IMPORTANT FIND . Dear Bro . Kenning , — A brother of our Order has called my attention to a M . S . Consiitution " in my possession for a number of years , " which is dated 1610 , is written on parchment , and
professes to be " newlye translated" by two brethren whose names are given . I shall be able next week I hope to give a fuller account of it ; in the meantime I notify the fact to your readers and to all Masonic students , as they will see at once the importance of the "find . " Yours fraternally , A . F . A . WOODFORD .
COMP . SMALLPEICIi'S MOTION IN GRAND CHAPTER . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I have read with much interest your report of this discussion , but I fail to see how Clause 5 ( the one in question ) can be brought to bear upon private chapters ,
as , to my mind , it refers to Grand Chapter only . Most of the speakers grounded their arguments upon the assumption that the universal custom is for tbe Principals ro declare the chapter open ; such may be case in London , but in the north of England this custom does not prevail . In the province to which I belong the usual way adopted
is as follows : The Principals form a " conclave ; " they go through ceitain formalities preparatory to taking their respective chairs . When they have done so , S . N . is admitted , and tests every one on entering j the various offices are filled , then , when all companions have been admitted , certain questions are asked , in order to satisfy the M . E . Z . that the chapter is properly formed , after which it is
declared open . Our reasons for adopting this course are , firstly—In the Book of Regulations , Clause 50 , it distinctly states that a chapter shall consist of certain officers j and , as we consider everything in Freemasonry ought to be perfect , we do not see how a chapter can be declared open for Masonic business until it is " complete" and all the subordinate
offices represented ; secondly , it is necessary to adopt the latter portion of the ceremony in order to prevent the admission of unqualified persons . Great laxity is frequently allowed where such precautions are not used . I have lately seen laid before a Committee at least a dozen different workings . In some the ritual I have just named is used , in others partially so , and I am informed
that in many places the companions are admitted at the very first . I am not one to suggest or propose any alterations which would in the least degree affect our principles and tenets , but I would ask every member of the Grand Chapter to consider , in the event of all companions being admitted at the opening , how much or how little they would hear or see beyond what they had already been taught .
Like Comp . Arnold , my experience teaches me that if such were the case the working in that part of our ceremony would be improved . 1 think Comp . Fenn ' s suggestion , that some one should be appointed to search the records in order to see whether there are any reasons given for the exclusion of members from the opening , is well worthy of adoption . I am , yours fraternally , P . Z .
CONFIRMING MINUTES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — My letter , as published in your issue of the 7 th inst ., contained several very palpable printer ' s mistakes , for which , doubtless , my hurried writing was largely to blame . I only think it necessary to correct one , namely , that by which I was made to sign myself as " W . M . ( in-