Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

VISITING BRETHREN . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I have often read with delig ht through your columns valuable and important opinions given on

several Masonic points by the learned and distinguished Masonic author , Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . G . D . of England , and my purpose for asking space in your columns is to invite his opinion on the circumstance I shall now state .

A gentleman , on visiting England hurriedly , on the eve of his departure gets initiated into the mysteries of Freemasonry , and leaves the next day without having received a certificate from the lodge . On his arriving in the West Indies he is examined by two Past Masters , who , being satisfied that he has received the First

Degree , invite him to lodge , and after the minutes are confirmed , the W . M . is informed by these brethren that the visiting brother is without the door , and they accordingly vouch that he is an E . A ., and pray that he be admitted . The W . M . rules that he cannot be admitted by their vouching for him , but that examiners

appointed by the lodge should then examine him , and that no visitor can enter lodge unless this were done . Is that so ? Are his views correct ? and was it necessary for a second examination ? What is understood by the word vouch ? It is said that you can only vouch for a brother vvhen you have worked in lodge

together . The W . M . gives as his opinion— " That even if the brother vvere examined by those delegated by the lodge , he would not be entitled to be admitted , as he could not produce his certificate . " In this case it vvas impossible for him to do so . Is he right on this point '**

What is the meaning and full interpretation of Rule 150 in the Book of Constitutions when viewed alongside the Ancient Charges ? Hoping that our respected good brother , as also yourself , will throw light on the subject , and thus kindly oblige yours fraternally , A STUDENT . Antigua , West Indies , February 25 th .

LODGE RECORDS . To the Editor of the "Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , Tsvo errata are noticeable in my letter which you vvere good enough to insert last week . The concluding sentence of the third paragraph should read" Two or three blank pages might be left for the

addition of names by those vvho would like to keep their copies up to date ; " while the final sentence in the fourth paragraph should read— "A warrant , being on thick vellum , " & c . I nosv venture to advance one or tsvo more small hints , having for their purpose the maintenance of the history of a lodge and for ensuring

precision . For a young lodge I would suggest a guard book , in vvhich to keep a complete file of summonses issued , and I would also advocate thefilingof all letters received , together vvith pressed copies of all letters issued . Many letters may at the time of receipt appear to be of no consequence , which may be found useful as

reference in after years . Instances not unfrequently occur in the case of initiates or of newly joining members of some items of information being wanting which involves , as a result , correspondence which might be avoided . I

have found the following form useful , and possibly some lodge Secretaries mi ght like to adopt it . It should be handed to the Secretary by the proposer of a candidate , whether for initiation or for joining , immediately after making his proposition , and a stock of printed forms kept by the Secretary for general convenience : —

Lodge , No . •, E . C . Name , Age Profession Address Proposed by Seconded by Date Additional information in the of rtGaiuonai lniormauon in tne 01

required case a . required case a joining member , vvho must produce a clearance certificate from his last lodge under Art . 213 of the Constitutions . Name of F " ormer Lodge Number of ,, „ Constitution of ,,

Referring to clearance certificates , I vvould remark that a lodge Secretary should not wait to be asked for it . Rule 213 seems to me very clear on this point , the words being " Whenever a member of any lodge shall resign , " & c , " or whenever , at a subsequent time , he

may require it , he shall be furnished with a certificate stating the circumstances under svhich he left the lodge , " and then the law goes on most clearly to recite that a ballot for a brother applying to a lodge for admission as a joining member must not be taken until such a certificate has been produced , while the pre-

Correspondence.

ceding Article ( No . 212 ) imposes a penalty on the infraction of the law by making " any lodge failing to make due enquiry , liable to pay the arrears , if any , owing by such brother to the lodge from which he has been excluded . " That cases of difficulty , owing to a non-observance of this just and wholesome provision , frequently occur can scarcely be denied , a brother

desirous , say , of joining a London lodge and hailing from a lodge in India or distant colonies , when unarmed vvith this necessary document , being either admitted on trust or compelled to wait for tsvo or three months before his ballot can be taken . I vvould therefore suggest that the fact of issue of such a certificate ( of which printed forms might by kept in stock ) should always be noted in the lodge minutes . y " H . D . S . March ifith .

Reviews.

Reviews .

FREEMASONS' CALENDAR , LEICESTERSHIRE AND RUTLAND , 1891 . Bro . B . A . Smith , M . A ., LL . M ., & c , is again the editor of this handsomely got up and capitally arranged Masonic guide for one of the most active provinces in England . In order to do more justice to local matters ,

the editor has wisely eliminated particulars concerning adjoining provinces , the additional information being of considerable interest and utility . The portrait for this year is of the late Col . William Millican , J . P ., P . M . 523 , Leicester , whose labours on behalf of his beloved Fraternity well deserve such an acknosvledgment .

There are 12 lodges , as before , having 649 members ( 54 to each ) , exhibiting an advance of 41 from the last return . The five Royal Arch chapters have 185 members ( being an advance of 11 ) , and there are : i Mark lodges in the province , svhich , hosvever , includes Northamptonshire and Derbyshire . Of these there are

four in Leicestershire vvith 146 members . Other excellent features of the Calendar we have previously mentioned , but sve may say again that the editing is most carefully done , the result being one of the best directories for any province , either as respects variety of information or arrangement of the numerous details . It is

singular that the grand total of votes for the Central Masonic Charities remains exactly as last year , though they vary individually . The totalis given at 1583 . The Secretary of the Charity Committee is the respected editor of the Calendar , in succession to Bro . Miles J . Walker , who has left the province .

HOW TO SELECT A LIFE OFFICE . This remarkable and most useful work is in a second edition , and certainly deserves a large circulation , as the author , Mr . G . M . Dent , F . S . S ., is thoroughly master of his subject . The main portion of the pamp hlet remains unaltered , though here and there we can

detect a few alterations , which are manifest improvements . The tables , which are the chief attraction to us , are brought down to the year 18 91 , and are both suggestive and valuable . We wonder Mr . Dent does not give to the world a sketch of all the insurance

societies doing business in this country , vvith their names , dates of origin , financial position , & c , for we are persuaded in his hands the work would be a great success . Twelve stamps to the author , Southport , will secure a copy of this able treatise .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft flDasonry

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . The Abbey Lodge ( No . 2030 ) . —A meeting svas held at the Town Hall , Westminster , on Monday , the yth inst ., svhen there svere present Bros . VV . Mainsvaring Dunstan , AV . M . j Charles Christmas Piper , S . VV . - F . J . Smith , J . AV . j R . E . H . Goffin , I . P . M . j J . E . Shand ,

P . M . 156 3 ( founder ) , Secretary j T . Bull , P . M . 145 , as S . D . j W . Hambling , J . D . j J . Bartlett , Org . j ] . Hayler , I . G . j AV . Walkley , Tyler j F . Seager Hunt , M . P ., P . M . j Rev . R . J . Simpson , M . A ., P . G . Chap ., Chaplain ; and about soother members . Visitors : Bro . Doggett , VV . M . elect 2272 , and several others .

1 he inclement and snosvy blizzard kept many asvay . The First , Second , and Third ceremonies svere performed , there being candidates for each Degree . Bro . Piper , S . W ., svas unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year . Bro J . Gibson , P . M ., Treas ., svas re-elected Treasurer , in his absence through an accident j Bro . Walkley , P . M ., Tyler . The Audit Committee svas appointed , and a Past Master ' s

jewel svas voted to the outgoing W . M . Lodge svas closed until Monday , May 11 , vvhen the installation meeting takes place . About 70 brethren then dined in the Council Chamber of the Tosvn HaU , the dinner being served by Messrs . Ring and Brymer . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts svere duly proposed and honoured , the brethren separating after an enjoyable meeting .

Argonauts ' Lodge ( No . 2243 ) . —The installation meeting svas held on the 9 th inst . at Cromsvell Hall , Putney , S . W . Present : Bros . J . F . Savory , W . M . ; G . D . Lister , S . W . ; T . W . Willis , J . W . j Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., Treasurer ,- Gordon Smith , Secretary ; E . T . Smith , S . D . j H . H . Woodroffe , J . D . j Eugene Moneuuis , P . M ., D . C . j P . S . Smith , I . G . j C . AV . Mapleton ,

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

Stsvd . j F . G . Mitchell , Tyler j H . J . Hill , J . A . Drake Smith , Lieut .-Col . H . B . Adcock , A . Thorn , C . Val Hunter G . Baker , AV . Theobald . H . M . AVatt , W . Cosvard , Percy A . N . Thorn , and Alfred AVilliams , P . M . 14 , P . G . S . Visitors : Bros . W . J . Ebbetts , W . M . 14 , G . Stesvard W . Rogers , P . M . 91 , P . G . S . ; W . E . Sampson , S . AV ., C . W . Stephens , J . W ., E . St . Clair , P . M . 2060 , S . D ., and E . Richardson , J . D ., all of 14 , - J . Houghton , P . M .

2032 j A . M . Hutchinson , J . Gracie , W . R . Garrett , J . Budd , J . Turle Lee , F . Beavan , and E . Dalzell . The lodge vvas opened , and the minutes of the previous regular meeting and of the lodge of emergency on the gth ult . svere read and confirmed . Bros . J . F . Stillwell L . R . C ., 1 S 7 , and John Whaley , Vesta and L . R . C ., P . M . 172 , having been elected joining members , the

Treasurer ' s accounts and the report of the Audit Committee , svhich shosved the lodge to be in a very satisfactory financial condition , svere read and adopted . Bro . Gordon Smith , W . M . elect , having- been presented for installation , svas duly installed as W . M ., and aftersvards appointed and invested his officers as follosvs : Bros . G . D . Lister , S . W . ; T . W . Willis , J . W . ; Frank Richardson , Treas . j I . F .

Savory , Sec . j E . T . Smith , S . D . j H . H . Woodroffe , J . D . j P . S . Smith , I . G . j E . Monteuuis , D . C . J C . W . Mapleton , Steward , - and F . G . Mitchell , Tyler . A Past Master ' s jesvel svas presented to Bro . J . F . Savory , I . P . M ., vvho returned thanks in appropriate terms . The W . M . having volunteered his services , svas elected as Stesvard at the next Festival of the R . M . I . G . Letters of regret for

non-attendance svere read from Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec . j J . H . Matthews , P . D . G . D . C . j and others . All business being concluded , the lodge vvas closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet , where the usual toasts were duly honoured . Bro . VV . J . Ebbetts , G . Steward , returned thanks for

"The Grand Officers , " and Bro . AV . Rogers , P . M . gt , P . G . S ., for " The Visitors . " Music svas performed under the direction of Bro . Coward , assisted by Bros . Cosvard , J . Turle Lee , F . Beavan , and E . Dalzell , and the brethren , after a very pleasant evening , separated at a late hour .

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

BEAMINSTER . Beaminster Manor Lodge ( No . 1367 ) . — The 121 st regular meeting- of the members of this lodge took place on the 3 rd inst . at the White Hart Hotel , on vvhich occasion the attendance , vvhich vvas small , included Bros . H . Maunder , W . M . j C . Toleman , I . P . M . j R . R . Samson , S . W . j C . G . Purkis , P . M ., P . J . G . D ., Or- ** - ., acting * J . W . j O . M . Beament , Sec . j J . Andrews , P . M .,

P . J . G . W ., Treas ., acting S . D . ; AV . Oxley , J . D . j R . Toleman , P . M ., P . P . G . Purst ., D . C , acting I . G . j and J . Keech , Tyler . The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the former meeting were read and confirmed . A letter from the family of the late Bro . Evans , in acknowledgment of the vote of condolence passed at the last lodge , vvas read . Nothing further offering , the lodge vvas closed , after vvhich the customary adjournment took place .

BISLEY . Bisley Lodge ( No . 2317 ) . —The first regular meeting of this lodge since the installation vvas held in the National Schools on Thursday , the 5 th inst . The W . M ., Bro . E . H . Gale-Crowdy , presided , and svas supported by Bros . Rev . J . Cater , P . G . Chap ., I . P . M . j J . B . S . Lancaster , P . M ., S . AV . j Major G . Collins , J . W . j J . Hoey , P . M ., Treas . j C . Pulman , P . M ., Sec . j C . F . Passmore ,

S . D . j J . AVebb , J . D . j and W . Carpenter , I . G . The minutes of the previous meeting vvere read and confirmed , and some brethren changed places in consequence of the retirement , through removal to a distance , of Bro . T . Ritken . Two propositions for initiation svere received , and after some discussion on matters of detail in the internal svorking of the lod ge , it svas closed . The brethren partook of supper , supplied in Bro . Loder's customary tasty and liberal style .

CROYDON . George Price Lodge ( No . 2096 ) . —A regular meeting- of this Iod ge svas held on Saturday , the 14 th inst ., at the Greyhound Hotel . The offices svere filled by the follosving brethren : Bros . W . G . Goode , W . M . j Haywood , acting S . VV . j Redpath , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D ., acting-I . W . ;

H . M . Hobbs , P . M ., P . P . J . G . W ., Treas .,- J . D . Langton , P . M ., P . P . J . G . AV ., Sec . j J . H . Price , acting S . D . ; F . C . Leaver , J . D . j and Wayte , I . G . The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the last meeting svere confirmed . A ballot svas taken for a candidate for initiation , Mr . Satis Chandra Mookerjee , and for tsvo brethren as joining members , Bros . A . j . Fuller and

J . T . Fielder , and the ballot proved unanimously in favour of the election of these . Bro . Ballard svas raised to the Degree of a M . M ., and Mr . S . A . Mookerjee vvas initiated into Freemasonry . The Secretary announced that the revised by-laws had been approved by the M . AV . G . M . ancl by Bro . F . West , the D . P . G . M . in charge . The lodge svas aftersvards closed , and the brethren sat dosvn to dinner .

The usual Masonic toasts svere given by the AV . M ., and the evening vvas enlivened by the singing of Bros . Redpath , F . C . Leaver , J . S . Fraser , and others . Bro . F . Cambridge , P . P . G . Org ., presided at the piano .

DIDSBURY . Doric Lodge ( No . 2 , 359 ) . —The regular meeting of this prosperous lodge svas held on Saturday , the 14 * instant . The lod ge svas opened by the W . M ., and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed . A ballot svas taken for Messrs . Wm . Sharpies and AVm . Laurisch , both of svhich proved favourable . They were subsequently initiated by the AV . M . Bro . Morgan was

raised , the ceremony being performed by Bro . Arthur Jefferis , P . P . G . D . of C . There svas a large gathering of brethren and visitors , including the following : Bros . Geo . S . Smith , P . M ., W . M . j Clare Edgar Towell , S . VV . ; Arthur H . Jefferis , P . P . G . D . East Lanes ., Treas . ; Edsvd . Lesvis Littler , I ' reas . 1730 , P . P . G . P ., Sec . , * E . A . Myers . S . D . j A . K . Boothroyd , J . D . j Fredk . Stretch , D . C j J . M . Veal , I . G . j Wilmot Holt , Org-. j John Walker , Stwd . ; Hy . W . Jack , R . Fitton , lames Sharp ies