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ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION FOR AGED FREEMASONS AND WIDOWS OF FREEMASONS , CROYDON . Patron and President : HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE OF WALES , K . G ., Sc ., M . W . G . M . THE ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL Of this Institution will take place On TUESDAY , 21 st FEBRUARY , 18 S 2 , AT FREEMASONS' TAVERN , GREAT QUEEN ST ., LONDON , Upon which occasion LIEUT .-COLONEL J . A . LLOVD-PH 1 LIPPS , R . W . PROV . G . M . FOR SOUTH WALES ( Western Division ) , has been pleased to signify his intention of presiding . Brethren axp earnestly invited to accept the Office of Steward upon this occasion , and they will greatly oblige by forwarding their Names and Masonic Rank , as soon as convenient , to the Secretary , who will gladly give any information required . - JAMES TERRY , Prov . G . S . W . Norths and Hunts , Secretary . 4 , Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C .

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"jyTASONIC HALL , CROYDON . HAREWOOD HOUSE , 105 , HIGH STREET . This Hall has every requirement for Masonic purposes . It contains a large Organ , blown by hydraulic power , and has an excellent cellar for Lodges to keep their own wines . The following Lodges are held there , viz . —Frederick , 452 ; Addiscombc , 155 G ; Mozart , 1929 ; Croydon Mark , iyS ; Frederick Chapter . For terms , Sc , address—JOHN RHODES , P . M .. P . P . G . O . Surrey ; P . P . G . M . O . Middx . and Surrey .

To Correspondents.

To Correspondents .

LETTER fo HOUSE COMMITTEE , BOYS' SCHOOL . — With regard to a copy of a letter sent to all members of the House Committee of thc Boys' School , we must decline to publish it unless the name of thc writer is sent to us in confidence .

ANSWERS TO QUERIES . No PROV . GRAND CHAPLAIN . —Our correspondent informs us in reply to the letter from " An Old Provincial Chaplain , " that the Rev . Madder was duly appointed Prov . Grand Chaplain for the Province of Derbyshire , and invested with the other officers , vice Rev . A . A . Bagshawe , retired , but that he had omitted to transcribe it from the notes he made at the meeting .

BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . "The Jewish Chronicle , " "The Hull Packet , " "The Citizen , " "The Broad Arrow , " "The Independent , " "The West London Advertiser , " "La Chaine d'Union , ' "A Ride to Khiva , " " Allen's Indian Mail , " " The Freemason " ( Sydney ) , "The Freemasons' Monthly , " "La Escuadra , " "The Keystone , " " El Taller . "

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THEFREEMASON. SATURDAY , DECEMBER 24 , 1 SS 1 . »_

To Our Readers.

TO OUR READERS .

As a rule , it is unnecessary for a journal which has been established sa long as the Freemason to draw attention to , much less lay stress upon , the fact of its being about to enter on a new volume . An existence of over a round

dozen of years is satisfactory evidence that a journal which has endured so long has striven earnestly to fulfil its duties , has missed no opportunities of introducing improvements where possible , and , in short , has succeeded in winning the appreciation of that body in the maintenance

and promotion of whose interests it has laboured so assiduously . But there arc occasions when thia wise reticence about one's past career and future prospects and intentions may be departed from . A journal is not likely to bc appreciated

thc less because , while observing tho ancient landmarks , it recognises there are other fields of labour in which it may profitably employ itself . The Freemason , as its name implies , is before all things an organ of Masonic opinion , and the longer it lives the more sensible does it become of the

important interests it has charged itself with upholding . But a Masonic journal need not be exclusively Masonic . Of course it must rigorously exclude from its columns whatever relates to religion and politics , in a sectarian or party sense , but it is not called upon to ignore the

events that are passing from day to day . We arc convinced the large and evcr-increa * -ing * fcody of our constituents will enjoy their week ' s Masonic pabulum as much as ever , although it may bc supplemented occasionally by a column

or two of general or othei intelligentc of interest . On the contrary , thc experiences of the last year or two prove to our satisfaction that with itspageof " Masonic and Gcners Tidings , " thc column it devotes to " Archaeological Re-

To Our Readers.

search , " its "Reviews , " and its occasional references to non-Masonic subjects , the Freemason is more popular than when it almost exclusively treated of the doings of thc Craft . It is not many weeks since we offered some few remarks

of a somewhat similar tendency , and as wc are about entering on a New Year it has occurred to us to take our friends behind the scenes and show them , in outline at least , thc programme we have drawn up for 1 SS 2 . As a matter of course the Craft claims , and will receive ,

the chief share of our attention . Whatever questions affecting its interest may arise will be dealt with in the same spirit of independence , but with the same fraternal consideration for thc opinions of others as in the years that arc passed . Brethren arc invited , and will have

everj' latitude giver , them , within reasonable limits , for expressing their views , whether they may happen to be in consonance with , or in opposition to , our own . Our reports will be as ample , as accurate , and as recent as possible . More space will be given lo Masonic Memoranda and

Queries . Another feature during 1 SS 2 will bc the publication in the first week of every month of a Calendar of remarkable events that have occurred in thc History of Freemasonry , so that the whole series of twelve months wil be contained in our volume for 1 SS 2 , which , when complete ,

will present a list for the whole year of all the most memorable events in the History of the Craft , arranged for thc days of their actual or stated occurrence . We need make no excuse for repeating our announcement of a few weeks since , to the effect that it is our

intention lo give greater prominence lo literary notices 111 our columns . VVe are aware of ro special reason against this ; indeed , Masons are quite as much interested as other folk in learning what is going in the world of letters , and will be the belter , or at all events as well

pleased lo obtain this information through the medium of our columns as from other sources . Thus , with our Masonic Chronology , with our Reviews and General Tidings , our further reports of Masonic doings , and thc greater space

that will be set apart to arcruclogical studies , we shall spare no trouble to make the Freemason more attractive to the brethren as well as interesting to the general readers ; and , when the year iSS ; is numbered with the past , may we find that we have earned thc approbation of all .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ Wc 1 I 0 not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by ourcorrespondents , but we wish ill a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . )

THE RITUAL QUESTION . To the Editor of thc "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Permit me a short space in your valuable paper in reply to "Cestrian" and "Masonic Custom . " To both I may say that the two cases originally the cause of this

controversy were simply these : The W . M . ' s were absent , and in each case a P . M . ( whether I . P . M . or otherwise , 1 consider immaterial ) presiding called upon a Warden to leave his chair , and stand at the W . M . ' s pedestal , and perform certain ceremonies , either of initiation , passing , or raising . In the first case , some years ago , Ihe then Grand

Secretary , who had been written to , condemned the practice altogether . In the second , and more recent case , wc arc told that the Graud Registrar ruled in Grand Lodge , iu 1 S 77 , that . it was legal for a W . M . to call upon any brother to perform a ceremony or ceremonies . Now I respectfully submit that this ruling of the respected Grand Registrar

does not hear upon cither of the cases mentioned by me , inasmuch as he says a W . M . may do so-and-so , but he has never given the opinion , I believe , that a P . M . may da so . This , then , is my contention , lhat if a W . M ., being supreme , can delegate a brother to perform certain ceremonies ( as pronounced legal by the Grand Registrai ) a

P . M . being a delegate . of the W . M . cannot agaunlelegate thc work to another . In the two cases quoted by me , lei it be clearly understood that a P . M . is , in the absence ot the W . M . in the chair , and there were present other P . M . ' s who were capable and willing to do the work . Certainly , my first

contention was that the beautiful ceremonies of our Order could only legally be performed from thc W . M . 's chair , but I trust I may always bow to the decisions of those in authority , and therefore this point I wave , feeling perfectly satisfied ( and justified ) in having elicited various opinions upon thc point , so far disagreeing with your correspondent , " Masonic Custom , " who says it is " much ado about

nothing . " Hitherto in this province , ! am glad lobe able lo sa } -, that the instances have been exceedingly rare where a W . M . has called upon a Warden to perform ceremonies , as it is easily ascertained through our instiuction lodges whether a Warden is capable or not in one of the most itnpottant duties devolving upon a W . M . in the chair .

Original Correspondence.

Apologising for occupying so much of your space , I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours truly and fraternally , JOHN CHADWICK , Prov . G . Sec . East Lancashire .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I do not consider that thc discussion has , as yet , touched upon the real principles involved in the question as to whether thc S . W . of a lodge can , or cannot , initiate persons into Freemasonry .

As far as I can judge , the question hangs upon the authority of a lodge to make Masons , and the qualifications necessary in a candidate for thc office of Master . A private lodge can only make Masons by virtue of its warrant from the Grand Lodge , and this warrant reads thus : " Empowering them in thc said lodge , when duly

congregated , to make , pass , and raise Freemasons , according to the ancient custom of the Craft , in all ages and nations throughout the known world . " Is it an ancient custom for the S . W . of a lodge to initiate persons into the Order ? Can it be said to be now a modern one ? I have been a

Mason many years , but until thc ceremony in question was performed in a lodge in this town , I had never heard of such a thing , nor can I lind any other experienced brother who has done so . And , unless it is ruled that it is an ancient custom , I do not see how the practice can be upheld . If the practice is not an ancient custom , it is contrary to

the obligation taken by a W . M ; elect before he is installed , and which obligation is in accordance -with Clause 2 in the Book of Constitutions , under the head of " Masters and Wardens . " I observe that "Cestrian " says that it forms no part of written or unwritten law that a W . M . should bc able to

perform ceremonies ! Is it not " necessary in every candidate for thc office of Master that he bc well skilled in the ancient charges , regulations , and landmarks of the Order , and able and willing to undertake the management of the work ' : " If it is not necessary that he should be able to perform the ceremonies , why should he undertake " not

to administer , or cause to be administered , any rite or ceremony contrary to , or subversive of , our ancient Constitution ? " Does not the training a brother receives whilst serving in the various subordinate offices of the lodge tend to qualify him to fill thc chair by giving him a thorough knowledge of the duties of the respective offices ?

Lastly , is not one of the lessons taught us by thc P . M . 's jewel , that having served in thc various subordinate offices of the lodge , a P . M . should be conversant with them , and at all times be ready to discharge any duty or perform any ceremony in the lodge , and thus exemplify in himself the character of a perfect Mason ? Yours fraternally , OLDHAM .

MASONIC REPORTING . To thc Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Allow me to express my gratification at what I hope to be a new departure in Masonic reporting , as exemplified in your report of the Provincial Grand Lodge of

Leicestershire and Rutland . 'loo often it appears to bc considered that chief point of interest to the general reader must be the exact words used by Bro . A . in returning thanks for the toast of his own health , " so kindly proposed by Ilro . B ., and so heartily received by the brethren . "

I have written on this point before , contending that wc , as Masons , care much more for the actual work , history , and position of the province , or lodge , as regards the number of members , amount of support to the Charities , the work of ils Committees , Sc , Sc . Those of us who frequently attend Masonic banquets

know only too well thc dreary round of toasts and " mutual , admiration" speeflies to desire lo sec them reproduced weekly to the exclusion of more practically interesting matter . In writing thus let me not be supposed to reflect on the specchmakers , for , unfortunately , I am often obliged lo be one , and know well the great difficulty of saying anything new or interesting in response to a call so frequently

made . Will our good brethren who take so much trouble in sending reports consider what I have said , and not be offended at my criticism : I feel convinced that the Masonic papers would bc more interesting and secure more readers if my suggestions were acted upon . Fraternally yours , D . P . G . M .

CURIOUS BYE-LAWS . To the Editor ofthe "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — You were kind enough to publish two letters of mine iu your issue of the 10 th inst ., under thc usual head

of correspondence . They were both signed " Vera Pro Gratiis , " and I quite thought I should have seen sonic reply in the Freemason received this morning . As I am still anxious to know what steps could bc taken under the circumstances named , I should esteem ita favour if some toricspoiidcnt tuuld give mc the desired

information . Apologising for thus troubling you , I am , dear Sir and Brother , your truly and fraternally , December 17 th . VERA PRO GRATIIS .