Original Correspondence.

and officers have forfeited their claim to our support and confidence . I have had a considerable exper i ence now , as manager of the votes for our " great Masonic charities , " on behalf of the Province of Cornwall , and have been Steward several times for our annual festivals , as well as honorary collector for years for these institutions in my province ,

and so am entitled to give an opinion on thc subject , especially as few—if any—take a more lively interest in their prosperity . ij | Now the result , so to speak , of my labours on behalf of these institutions , has been most satisfactory , ( a ) for not a single candidate who was unworthy of aid has been admitted from our province , ( b ) the expenses attending their

election during the last ten years have not amounted to over three pounds per annum ( and frequently even less ) , ( c ) not five pounds have been spent in printing , ( d ) the n : cessary work of the elections has not been done in anyway by the mothers of the children , or thc candidates seeking admission , ( e ) and in most cases the candidates adopted have been elected on the first application .

During this period I have received the greatest assistance from the Secretaries of the several institutions , who have during office hours and at other times been ever ready to counsel and to promote all matters affecting the interest of the institutions , and their many attentions will always be gratefully remembered by my province and myself . Every question I have had to as ask to the

conduct of these institutions , financially , scholastically , and domestically , have been most satisfactorily answered , and all who have partaken of their substantial benefits , or are still so doing , have spoken in the highest terms of thc management generally . As to the mode of election , so far as the provinces generally are concerned , there cannot be a better one , and

in fact not another so good , according to my experience , for it is impossible for any other system in the ordinary way to have so many safeguards against imposition . i . A Committee appointed by the " Prov . G . L . in open Prov . G . L . assembled , " investigates the claims of candidates and selects the most eligible . 2 . The lodge adopting the candidate

by its members certifies to the worthiness of the candidate . 3 . The Committee of the institution , after all the many preliminaries have been attended to , accepts the applicant for the list of candidates . 4 . The Quarterly Courts , if satisfactory , agree to the same , and then ( 5 ) the appeal to the subscribers has to be made , and the election terminates the matter . I have never yet secured

a candidate by the votes of our province alone , and I mention this to show that others than ourselves have had to do with the election of our candidates . Now , can there be more precautions used than those noted as at work in the Provincial Grand Lodges generally ? I leave out oi the question many other pre-requisites , such as the period of subscription to a lodge , the certificates of the " minester of religion " and the Grand Secretary , registers of birth ,

marriage , & c , and press the question home to the subscribers , for wc believe that our Institutions are worthy of support , and should receive the hearty co-operation of all lovers of the Craft . I believe also that our three festivals this year will be a great success . Yours fraternally , WILLIAM J AMES HUGHAN , P . G . D . P . Pro ? . G . Sec . of Cornwall , Vice-Patron , R . M . I . for Boys , & c .

A SUGGESTION . To the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , It has occurreel to me that there must be a large number of Masons in the metropolitan lodges who are not volunteers . Do any of the brethren think it desirable , and possible ,

to form a volunteer corps in the metropolis to be composed exclusively of Masons ? If considered desirable , and any brethren of influence and energy will take the question up , and bring it before Grand Lodge , I think good would result .

A circular addressed from Grand Lodge to the various suburban and metropolitan lodges , asking for a return of the names of members who would join such a corps , would readily test thc question as to the probability of success of such an undertaking . Yours faithfully and fraternally , F .

A QUESTION OF LAW . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The following query has cropped up . Its solution in the Freemason will be esteemed a favour . A candidate is proposed in open lodge in regular form for initiation , and a minute of the fact entered on the rough minutes , and in

due course should be placed on the agenda paper for the next lodge meeting . In the meantime , the W . M . ( for good reasons perhaps , in his opinion ) instructs the Secretary to take no further notice of the proposition , and the result is , it is not inserted in the agenda paper for the succeeding meeting , and as a consequence the lodge is precluded from taking action in the matter , and no record of

the transaction appears in the minutes . The contention is that the W . M . has no right thus to act , but that the proposition having been accepted by the lodge in accordance with the " Book of Constitutions , " it rests with the lodge , and not the W . M ., to say what course shall be pursued with it . The W . M . rules in opposition to this view , and

ignores the right of the lodge to take action on it . The question is , which is the correct view ? Yours fraternally , A MEMBER OF THE LODGE . Thc following is a copy of a Bye-law of the lodge : — "The Secretary shall keep the books of the lodge , and ac-. uiately enter the proceedings of each lodge in the minute

Original Correspondence.

book , issue summonses to each member at least seven days previous to each lodge meeting , stating the business to be then transacted , and the name , profession , and residence of each candidate . " fit is quite clear to us that the W . M . has acted " ultra

vires . " The proposer and seconder can demand that the name be entered on the agenda paper , and submitted to the ballot . The W . M . can then state his reasons to the lodge , if he think well , but in our opinion he has no authority " proprio motu" to reject a candidate and prevent a regular motion being submitted to the lodge . —ED . ]

Consecration Of The Urmston Lodge, No. 1730.

CONSECRATION OF THE URMSTON LODGE , No . 1730 .

Masonry in Manchester and its vicinity in an extremely flourishing condition and is rapidly extending . Whilst the city itself is in the Province of East Lancashire , many of the residential suburbs are included in the western elivision of the county Palatine , and it is not

surprising that business men should desire to establish lodges " for the convenience of their several dwellings , " near to their houses . The village of Urmston , some four miles from Manchester , has become , thanks to the recentlyopened " Cheshire Line" route to Liverpool , a popular place of residence , and the strength of Masonry in the neighbourhood is evinced by the fact that the lodge

consecrated on Wednesday , tbe 10 th inst ., commences with upwards of forty joining members , and eight candidates for initiation . Bro . Lord Skelmersdale , R . W . P . G . M . of West Lancashire , had Intended to perform the ceremony , but the necessity of attendance upon his parliamentary duties obliged him to delegate Bro . Horace S . Alpass , P . G . Secretary , to occupy his throne . The Consecrating Master

had the valuable assistance of Bro . the Rev . J . Rees Jenkins , W . M . 216 , acting P . G . Chaplain ; Johnson , P . G . J . D . as S . W . ; Bowden , P . P . G . S . B . as J . W . ; and . ] R . Goepel , P . P . G . D . C , as Secretary . The beautiful ceremony of consecration has scarcely ever been more impressively performed , the whole of the P . G . Officers doing the work in the best possible manner . In the course of

his inaugural address Bro . Alpass , referring to the publicity given in the newspapers to the subject of Alasonic charities , said he somewhat deprecated the diffusion of such information , inasmuch as he feared that unworthy persons sometimes gained admission into Freemasonry , attracted in a great measure by the magnitude of the sums announced in the public prii . ts as having been subscribed

by brethren of the Craft , and he urged the greatest poss' - ble amount of care in the proposal of candidates . Alluding to the ballot as the means of preventing the admission of undesirable candidates , Bro . Alpass , whilst admitling the undoubted right of "black-balling , " strongly recommended the members of the new lodge to avoid it as much as possible , and pointed out that a far more desirable course

was to mention to the Worshipful Master privately that there was likely to be opposition , so that he could recommend the proposer to withdraw the name . The acting P . G . Chaplain delivered the following charge : — Brethren—We regret very much the absence of the Prov . Grand Chaplain to-day , and still more regret that his absence is caused by severe illness , and I am sure

you will cordially join with me . in the expression of hope that it will please the Great Architect of the Universe to restore to our brother again , and that soon , the blessings of health . We are assembled here to day for the important work of establishing and consecrating a new centre whence will be disseminated more widely in this district those principles of love and charity which form at once the

foundation and keystone of the Masonic structure , and this duty ; being about to be entrusted , to some extent , to new hands , guided by brethren of some experience in the Craft , it were not amiss , 1 think , if I briefly examined the first princip les of our Order , and if I as representing the Prov . Grand Chaplain gave some few words of counsel as to these moral duties

for the proper discharge of which we as Freemasons are all responsible . We are instructed in the first degree that Freemasonry is founded upon the purest principles of piety and virtue , civil , social , religious and moral . We are led to understand by this that the good Mason must be a true and loyal subject , paying due obedience to all lawfully constituted authorities , and

supporting them on every occasion when properly discharging their official duties ; that nothing shall be powerful enough to weaken our family affections , or diaw us away from the proper discharge of those domestic duties which render English homes the national pride of our people . That not only must we be not revilers of religion , but , whatever thc faith we hold , lovers of our brethren and

faithful servants and worshippers of the Architect and Ruler of the Universe , who must be worshipped in spirit and in truth . Although no true religion can impose on us absolute withdrawal from the world , and from the many good and beautiful things that the Most High has given us for our use . yet all true relig ion and therefore Freemasonry , and even nature herself , teach us to be

temperate and discreet in the use of those pleasures which are so enticing to us in our present state , and which when used to excess tend to lead us into practices which would place us outside the pale of these which may be called moral , but by a prudent well-regulated course of discipline to preserve our mental and corporeal faculties in their fullest vigour , that we may be able to utilise them to the greatest possible extent , to

the honour and glory of our God , and the best welfare of our fellow-creatures . These , the very first principles of our Order , are calculated to fix upon our minds , by continued repetition , the high duties which are laid upon us children of the Most High , as citizens of the world , as heads of our respective families , and as individuals , and are intended to strengthen us in our purpose of discharging those duties with the most unremitting care and attention . Thus it is ,

Consecration Of The Urmston Lodge, No. 1730.

that we should bear ourselves in our conduct with the world , lest we bring discredit upon this most honourable fraternity , and bring a stain upon this heritage which has been handed to us pure and unsullied . We should also be careful as to our own conduct within lodge . There are those essential rules laid down for our guidance in the ancient charges of the First Degree , to which we should

always pay the strictest attention and obedience ; but there is one consideration to which in conclusion I must bring under your notice . It is nowhere referred to in the charges and addresses which are used in conferring the several degrees , but their truest beauty is not realised , nor their highest object attained , unless we think continually of the various lessons they inculate , and allow them to have a

proper influence to regulate our lives and actions according to the Masonic line and rule ; so that as time rolls on , and the things of time pass away from our grasp , we may , on entering the dark , deep valley of the shadow of death , look forward with a reasonable hope that , on rising from the tomb of transgression we may shine like stars in that grand lodge alove , where the world's Great Architect lives

and reigns for evermore . After the consecration Bro . W . Goodacre , P . M . 104 and 1558 , P . P . G . P . Cheshire , was installed as W . M ., and invested the following Officers . Bros . George Barber , S . W . ; J . R . England , J . W . ; Thos . Royle Higginson , Treas . ; C . F . Allison , Sec . T . A . Crompton , S . D . ; M . A . B . Wheeler , J . D . ; J . Wasnidge , Steward , the

remaini ng ofheers being unavoidably absent . A mongst the visiting brethren present we took thc nam es of the following : —Bros . H . S . Alpass , P . G . Sec ; Rev J . Rees Jenkins , W . M . 216 ; W . Bowden , P . P . G . S . B . j H . Galloway , 62 , P . G . Registrar ; J . Skeaf , P . G ' . Organist ; R . Baker , P . G . D . C , ( Cheshire ) ; J . R . Goepel , P . M . 155 , 82 ? , P . P . G . D . C . ; W . G . Vines , P . M . 220 , P . G . D . C . ; H .

W . Johnstone , P . G . J . D . ; J . H . Shillitoe , P . M . 317 ; P . G . D . C . ( East Lane ); Thomas Newton , S . W . 287 ; T . A . Compton , J . W . 1588 ; C F . Allison , 162 ; John , W . Wasnidge , 933 ; C . J . Bosustow , 16 3 ; G . G . Wcolton , M . M . 1565 ; Thos . Sumner , 31 J ; Thos . Lajcock , P . M . 678 ; G . W . Wilson , 1009 ; ' G . F . Smith , S . W . 1009 ; M . A . B . Wheeler , 44 ; J . Hancock , P . M . 992 ; Geo .

Barber , Sec . 1588 ; W . Sykes , P . M . 104 , 1588 . ; Thos . Ball , 1213 ; W ' . Alccck , W . M . 1045 ; J . B . ' Seel , 1147 ; J . R . England , 287 ; J . R . Higginson , 1588 ; S . Davis , W . M . 1052 ; W . H . Clegg , 1083 ; W . H . Wakefield , P . M . 104 , P . M . 1588 ,- J . Andrew , P . J . W . 268 , 1213 ; D . Edwards , P . M . 1052 ; Thos Fiddes , 54 ; W . Donba--and , W . M . 317 ; S . S . Faulkner , 1588 ; W . H . Pike , 663 , is 88 ; H . Swift , 1588 , and ethers .

Thc brethren afterwards partook of a most excellent banquet , and in the course of the evening the customary loyal and Masonic toasts were duly proposed and responded to . This lodge will hold its regular meetings at the Lord Nelson Hotel , Urmston , on the last Monday in every month .

Lodge Of Benevolence.

LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .

The Lodge of Benevolence met on Wednesday , at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B ., Senior Vice-President , was in the President's chair ; Bro . James Brett , P . G . P ., Junior Vice-President , in the Senior Vice-President ' s chair ; Bro . C . A . Cottebrnnc , P . G . P ., in the Junior Vice-President's chair . There were also present Bros .

John Hervey , Grand Secretary ; H . G . Buss , Assist . Grand Secretary ; W . Dodd , and S . Rawson , P . D . G . M ., for China ; James Mason , P . P . S . B . ; Joseph Smith , P . G . P . ; H . C . Levander , C . P . Cobham , H . Garrod , John Constable , Edwd , Cox , E . F . Storr , Charles Atkins , H . Massey , ( Fretmason ) ; H . Phythian , M . D . Loewenstark , F . Woodward , J . M . Case , Charles Greenwood , Col . Somerville Burney , Dr . Waterwortb , John Sharland , William Stephens ,

Herbert Dicketts , and Obed Roberts . Grants to the amount of £ 365 made at last Lodge of Benevolence , were first confirmed , and the brethren then proceeded with the new cases , of which there were twentyfive on the list . Of these there were two cases deferred , and the remainder were relieved as follows : —one ( £ 50 ); four £ 40 ( 160 ); tight £ 2 o ( £ i 6 o ); one £ 15 ( £ 15 ); five £ 1 ° ( £ 5 ° ) ' f ° "r £ s ( £ 20 ) * . and one £ 3 ( £ 3 ) . Lodge was closed after having sat three homs .

The Henrr Muggeridge Testimonial.

THE HENRR MUGGERIDGE TESTIMONIAL .

The committee have the pleasure to announce subscriptions amounting to £ 215 , and beg respectfully to request intending subscribers to forward ( at an early date ) their subscriptions to the fund , as the time is approaching when it will be advisable to close thc list .

the committee feel that if the brethren will communicate this well eleserved testimonial movement among their friends , many will be anxious to contribute . Any sums forwarded to the Hon . Sec , Bro . Francis Fellows , Cleveland Villa , 19 , Montague-road East , Dalston , E ., will be received with thanks and immediately acknowledged .

" HONOUR TO WHOM HONOUR IS DUE . "—We omitted to add to the notice of the election of Bro . Hughan , P . G . D ., as honorary member of the Franklin Lodge , Philadelphia , U . S . A ., that a similar compliment was paid our zealour Bro . James H . Neilson , P . M . 620 , Dublin , P . S . G . W . of Egypt , & c . We congratulate him as wc did

our Bro . Hughan , on such a recognition of Masonic worth from that famous lodge . The Baroness Burdett Coutts has become one of the lady Patrons , and has giien £ 10 to the Provident Surgical Appliance Society , 37 , Great Ormond-street Bloomsbury . V . " .