Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents b « t we wi « h , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

IN THE MASTER'S ABSENCE—BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS 141 . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Being a regular reader of the Freemason , perhaps you will afford me a small space in your columns to enable me to call attention to the provisions

of Rule Hi-Book of Constitutions ( 18 96 ed . ) , as to the occupation of the W . M . ' s chair in the lodge in the absence of the Master ; I am aware that this subject has Deen ventillated in the columns of the Freemason , either by reports of the meetings of Grand Lodge or otherwise , during the last few years , still , the practice enjoined by Rule 141 is by no means generally known , owing to the W . Ms , of lodges not making themselves sufficiently well-acquainted with the Book of Constitutions .

In the Freemason of February 19 th , I find on page Sg a report of a very interesting meeting of the Mirfield Lodge , No . 1102 , when a highly esteemed and very worthy Mason , Bro . John Barker , P . P . G . Supt . of Works , presided , and in the presence of an influential body of Prov . G . Officers and other visitors , enjoyed the proud privilege of initiating his son into the mysteries of ancient Freemasonry ; all this was as it should be ; the point , however , to which I call attention is the statement in the report referred to , "that as the W . M . of the lodge through the

exigencies of business was absent in Russia and unable , therefore , to attend personally to his Masonic duties , he had deputed Bro . Barker—the oldest Past Master of the lodge—to act in his stead during his enforced absence . ' From the report I observe that the I . P . M . was present , and I have not the least doubt but the arrangement for Bro . Barker to preside had the I . P . M . ' s entire concurrence ,

especially as the occasion was of so interesting a nature as the initiation of his son . It will be seen , however , that the report states " that the W . M . hid deputed Bro . Barker to act in his stead during his enforced absence which may possibly extend over two or more meetings ; this , according to my views , is unconstitutional , and , moreover , deprives the I . P . M . of his undoubted privilege of presiding in the absence of the Master as provided by Rule 141 .

Doubtless there are many W . Ms , of lodges , ignorant of the Constitutions , who erroneously hold views similar to the W . M . of the Mirfield Lodge , that they can appoint any P . M . they choose to preside over the lodge in their absence . I remember a case in point which occurred two or three years since , when the W . M . of a lodge who was leaving for a continental tour extending over three or four months , deputed two of his friends amongst the Past Masters to preside at the two regular meetings of the lodge that would be held in his absence , and by letter

infoimed the I . P . M . that he had arranged for the occupation of the chair at the first of the meetings referred to . The I . P . M ., who was familiar with Rule 141 , naturally felt somewhat annoyed at such an arrangement having been made without any previous communication with him , and he absented himself from the meeting in question , so a 3 to allow of the W . M . ' s wishes being carried out . On the second occasion he was present , and saw another nominee of the W . M . proceed to the

chair , the I . P . M . thereupon called attention to the Rule referred to , whereupon the brother , an experienced P . M ., who had been deputed by the W . M . to preside , at once recognised the position , and gave way ; but the I . P . M ., having so far asserted his right to preside , courteously waived it in favour of the brother whom the W . M . had appointed to preside . Had the W . M . referred to been conversant with Hie Constitutions , such Sin incident as just referred to would not have happened . — Yours fraternally ,

EX-SECRETARY P . M .

FREEMASONRY AND SECRETS . Tb the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , The interest displayed in Bro . Klein ' s " Discovery" is a most Significant sign of the times . It demonstrates that Masonry as a body is devoting more and more attention to occultism—understanding by that term not cut and dried ritualism and ceremonies , but investigation of the hidden forces of nature ,

and practical cultivation of the marvellous powers latent in man . It is useless to ignore the fact that popular opinion has hitherto regarded Freemasonry as little , if anything , more than a social institution , the predominant feature of which is the banquet . But I believe the time has come when Masonry will emphasise the other side of its character , and wield an enormous influence in the practical cultivation of the individual , as well as in the promotion of brotherly feeling and kindliness of heart . Masonry as a science and an art stands on a pinnacle above

all other sciences and arts , for it deals directly with self-knowledge and self-development . It must gather into the hollow of its hand all the knowledge amassed by the Psychical Research Society , Spiritualism , Theosophy , Sic . It must also sift the wheat from the chaff . A new era of enlightenment is dawning on the race , and the vast organisation of Freemasonry is bound to wield an ever-increasing influence . —Yours fraternally , ARTHUR LOVELL , 1425 , 5 , Portman-street , Portman-square , W .

THE NEW BOYS' SCHOOL . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Through an unfortunate printer ' s blunder the word " errors " was printed as " wages . " I meant , of course , that an independent surveyor would be responsible for the accuracy of his quantities , while the architect , being the employer ' s agent , would not be , and any mistakes must be set right by meisurement . —Yiurs fraternally ,

FAIR PLAY . BLACKPOOL MASONIC HALL ( LIMITED ) . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir , We purpose building at Blackpool a Masonic Hall , and I shall be

much obliged if any of your readers who know of any good Masonic hall , would kindly give me any hints that they may think wouli be of service to us in getting out our plans . Possibly some of your readers may have plans or tracings they could spare for a short time , and for the loan of which I should be extremely obliged .

If you would kindly make my wants known in your next issue I should be glad , and with thanks in anticipation . —I beg to remain , yours faithfully , THOMAS SANKEY , Secretary , Adelaide-street , Blackpool , February 23 rd .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

1119 ] BRO . SADLER'S LECTURE . I have been very interested in reading the racy Address by Bro . Henry Sadler to the members of the Robert Burns Lodge , No . 25 , London . It is well for such an excellent authority to give an accurate account of the origin of the two Grand Lodges that so long were rivals in England , but united in December , 1813 , especially as there are still brethren who speak and write about the union of the two Grand Lodges

of London and York , whereas the Bodies in question were both of London . Bro . Sadler has done very good work in relation to the " Ancients , " and so also as to the R . W . Bro . Thomas Dunckerley , his " Masonic Facts and Fictions , " and his Life of the latter worthy having made his name respected as a writer far and wide . I wish now he would relieve me of one duty that presses , and yet it seems quite impossible for me under existing circumstances to discharge , and that is to write the History of the Royal Arch Degree in connection with the "Moderns "

especially ( but also with the "Ancients "/ , and the early transactions of the United Grand Chapter of England from 1817 . He could do it well , and has peculiar facilities for such a much-needed work . I think with him that the year 1739 , referred to by the Committee of Charity , meant 1730 , but did they not follow the lead of the " Book of Constitutions " of 1784 and a paragraph in an earlier work ( the Grand Lodge Calendar ) ? I think they did , and hence the original error of 1739 has been generally copied from then to now . W . J . HUG 1 IAN .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"MASONIC CALENDAR AND DIRECTORY FOR THE PROVINCE OF SURREY , 1 S 9 S . "—( London : Printed by Jas . Truscott and Son . )—This excellent annual , very complete as to details , capitally arranged and well printed , is a credit to all concerned . The province may congratulate itself on having one of the best Directories published in England , in fact one of the best possible . There are several new features in this issu : of a most useful character , and the particulars concerning the province are so numerous and some so curious that the compilation is of interest to all students of the Craft . There are two portraits in this year . One of the Earl of Onslow , G . C . M . G ., Prov .

G . M ., and the other is a good likeness of Bro . Frederick West , P . G . D ., D . Prov . G . M ., the latter also having a page devoted to his Masonic career , evidently written by one who appreciates his sterling Masonic qualities . The province now numbers 43 lodges , who return 1610 members , being an average of 3 S to each lodge , thus exhibiting an increase on all previous reports . The nearer the Provinces are to the Metropolis , as a rule , the less the average , and vice versa . The Royal Family and Freemasonry , Masonic Calendar , statistics of lodges in the province for the past four years , Past and Present

Officers of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Surrey ( 1772-1 S 97 ) , statistics of chapters in the province for the past four years ( 17 chapters with 315 companions ) , & c , are all interesting compilations , as also " Masonic Memoranda . " The editors have also wisely inserted by-laws of the Provincial Grand Lodge , and of the Provincial Grand Chapter , so that this calendar is a multiim inparvo and a real handy guide for the province .

There are nine Mark lodges , hut only returning a total of 171 members , so that son : of these should be able to offer inducements as to office for aspiring brethren , who elsewhere have no hope of reaching the chair in a score of years . The Knights Tenplar number one preceptory , and the Rose Croix one chapter , so that these Degrees do not at present enjoy so much prosperity , as it is anticipated they will further on . Oyer 203 pages makes this a record issue .

"PROVINCE OF DUMFRIESSHIRE FREEMASONS' DIRECTORY . "—( Dumfries : J . Maxwell and Son . )—Our good brother , James Smith , is again the efficient editor of this handy wee publication , in the fifth year of issue , and never more valuable than now . There are 11 lodges in the province , some of a most interesting character , the Records of which have been made known to us in Bro . James Smith's monographs , of which we

hope there are more to follow , and that very soon . No . 53 has existing Records from 1 CS 7 ; No . 63 , from 1753 ; No . 63 , from 1789 ( chartered in 1755 ); No . 107 , from 1747 : and No . 140 , from 177 6 . Bro . James Smith , P . M ., & :., Grand Steward of Scotland , is the Masonic Historian of this Province , and so these and other particulars are quite in his line , as also the list of dormant lodges in Dumfriesshire . It ought to take well in the county and prove a most useful companion for consultation .

Annual Festival Of The Grand Master's (Mark) Lodge Of Instruction.

ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE GRAND MASTER'S ( MARK ) LODGE OF INSTRUCTION .

SERIOUS ILLNESS OF BRO . TAMBURINI . PRESENTATION TO BRO . WILLIAM VINCENT . The annual festival of the Grand Master ' s Lodge of Instruction in the Mark Degree was held on Wednesday evening , the 16 th instant , at Mark Masons' Hall , Bro . J . Reynolds Green , G . D ., Preceptor of the lodge , presiding . There was a

large attendance of brethren . The different offices were filled as follows : Bros-J . Reynolds Green , G . D ., W . M . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., G . Sec , I . P . M . ; HThomson Lyon , P . 1 L , P . G . Stwd ., S . W . j E . M . Money , P . M ., P . G . Stwd ., J . W . ' John Smith , P . M ., P . G . Stwd ., M . O . j J . T . Rowe , P . M ., S . O . ; W . Featherstonhaugh , P . M ., Prov . G . D . Surrey , J . O . ; Rev . V . P . Wyatt , P . M ., P . G . C ., Chap . ;

C . F . Matier , P . G . W ., G . Sec , Treas . ; G . E . Thomas , P . M ., Prov . G . O . Middx . R . of M . ; John Smith , P . M ., P . G . Stwd ., Sec .,- G . E . Smith , S . W ., S . D . ; AClarke , J . D . ; W . Vincent , P . A . G . D . C , D . C . ; Henry R . Rose , F . R . A . M ., P . GOrg ., Org . ; W . Briggs , J . W . 406 , I . G . ; and E . J . Mills , P . A . G . I . G ., G . Tyler , Tyler .

The ceremony of advancement was admirably performed , and afterwards Bro . John Smith , P . M ., P . G . Stwd ., Sec , gave the Lecture of the Degree in the finest style . From the opening of the lodge a gloom was cast over the meeting by the announcement that Bro . J . S . Tamburini , who was to have taken the office of unior Overseer , was suddenly stricken down the previous Sunday with paralysis , and had remained unconscious ever since .

Before the proceedings were closed , therefore , a vote of sympathy and condolence with him and his family was , on the motion of Bro . C . F . MATIK ' P . G . W ., G . Sec , seconded by Bro . THOMSON LYON , P . M ., P . G . Stwd ., unanimously passed .

In the course of the evening a handsome present ition , consisting of a silver tea and coffee service , and a silver , was presented to Bro . William Vincent , the Preceptor for 11 years of the lodge of instruction , on his retiring from that ofli ; e-On each article , the set being comprised of five pieces , was engraved on the obverse a keystone with the Hebrew character , a triangle in the centre and inside this , Bro . Vincent's mark " WV . "