Correspondence.

Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair ptay to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . 1

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I see by the advertisement in your issue of today that it is proposed next Saturday to ask the

Quarterly Court to adopt an amended set of by-laws prepared by the Provisional Committee , and that a copy of the proposed by-laws can be seen at the offices of the Institution .

The only information we are given as to the character of the proposed alterations is that they are not " to be contrary to the spirit of the fundamental principles upon which the Institution is founded . " Now , I have the greatest respect for and confidence in the Provisional Committee , but I am bound to say I

think this is a pretty heavy draft upon our confidence . It is impossible for me to come up to town on purpose to inspect this draft , much as I should wish to do so , and I fear I shall be unable to attend the Quarterly Court , and I think I am not rash in believing that the majority of provincial subscribers are in the same

position . I cannot but think that if the alterations proposed are of any importance , the general body of subscribers should have a little longer opportunity of considering the proposals and making suggestions . It is a difficult matter to propose non-confirmation three months afterwards ; but if , as I gather from the

notice , it is to be an entire reconstruction of the laws , I must say it seems a great straining of Law 34 to propose sweeping changes under the shortest notice allowed for the alteration of any existing law . It is true the notice says the changes are not to be contrary to the fundamental principles of the

Institution , and this seems to follow the wording of the proviso in Law 34 , which says : " That no Quarterly Court shall have power to cancel or alter the ' fundamental principle of the Institution ; that its benefits shall be extended to the sons of brethren of every religious denomination . ' " If the notice of Bro . Glass read " principle , " instead

of " principles , " it leaves a scope for an utter and entire change of every law governing the management of the Institution , and if anything approaching changes of such a sort be intended , I would ask that at next Saturday ' s meeting the proposals be merely announced and notice given of intention to move at the next Quarterly Court , so as to give a reasonable time for consideration . —Yours fraternally ,

A PROVINCIAL SUBSCRIBER 19 th July .

MASONIC MOURNING . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I am not a G . Officer , I am a P . P . G . Officer . As to the mourning , Secretaries of private lodges may , perhaps , be pardoned for thinking that " Grand Officers" means , or includes , "Prov . G . Officers , "

but I observe in the announcement in your columns today , of the holding of the Prov . G . Lodge of Surrey , that Provincial G . Officers are to wear a rosette at the point of the collar . I think if the worthy and distinguished brother whom Surrey is so fortunate in having as Prov . G . Sec , will refer to the order for mourning

issued by command of his Royal Hi ghness the M . W . G . M ., he will observe that these rosettes are to be worn by Grand Officers . This is a general ( Masonic ) mourning , and qua Grand Lodge , we Provincial Grand Officers are only of the " Masters , Past Masters , and Master Masons . "Et voila tout .

It is very funny to note the personal vagaries of Masons in mourning ; some have rosettes of three , some of one inch , and others of intermediate diameter—( what is the correct size : )—and I saw one brother the other day with the emblem of his Provincial Grand

Office on his apron completely hidden under a magnificent rosette . He evidently thought " badge" meant " emblem , " and having ( I presume ) tried ( unsuccessfully ) to crowd the three rosettes on to it , solved the problem by thus adopting the triune method . —Faithfully and fraternally yours , H . S . T . July 19 th .

PHILADELPHIA MASONIC PILGRIMAGE . To the Editor of the "Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , May I add to the notice given in your last issue that Bro . MacCalla , Grand Master of Pennsylvania , will probably be accompanied by Bros ,

Lamberton , Past G . M . of Pennsylvania ; Hornor , Past G . M . of Louisiana ; and Mann , Grand Master of New Jersey . It may further interest your readers to learn that as Bros . MacCalla and Hornor are members of our

Correspondence Circle , Lodge Quatuor Coronati , No . 2076 , will hold a meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Thursday , the 4 th September , at 5 p . m ., for their reception , that Bro . MacCalla will read a Paper on "American Freemasonry , " and that all four of the distinguished brethren mentioned above will attend ,

Correspondence.

besides probably many other prominent American brethren . Lodge Quatuor Coronati will , as always , be glad to welcome any Mason who may desire to attend on this or any other occasion , but , in order to make one

provision and avoid any confusion , I would ask visitors for this once to kindly drop me a notice of their intention so to do . —Yours very fraternally , G . W . SPETH , P . M ., Sec . Quatuor Coronati . Streatham House , Margate .

MUSIC IN LODGES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In your issue of the 12 th inst ., among the " Masonic Notes , " one runs thus : " Bro . Lovegrove

writes in reference to the correspondence that has appeared in our columns respecting music in lodges , advising that a reference be made to the Grand Secretary as to whether hymn singing during Masonic ceremonies is permissible at all , which seems very good advice . "

I think that there is no need to trouble the Grand Secretary upon the subject . The following account of the consecration of a lodge by the Grand Secretary himself should satisfy all inquirers as to " hymn singing during Masonic ceremonies , " On November 15 th , 188 9 , the Centurion Lodge of

Manchester was consecrated by the Very Worshipful Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , P . G . D ., G . S ., assisted by V . W . Bro . F . A . Philbrick , G . Reg ., as S . W ., V . W . Bro . Thomas Fenn , President Board of General Purposes , as J . W ., and Wor . Bro . Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as Dir . of Cers . The Right Worshipful Bro .

Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , P . G . W ., Prov . G . Master of East Lancashire , was W . M . designate on the programme now before me . No 4 is hymn "Hail ! Eternal , by whose aid ; No . 13 , anthem , "Behold how good and joyful .... "; Nos . 15 , 17 , 24 , and 25 , " chant ( omnes ) " " So Mote it be " No . 19 , " Before the first

circuit , the first verse of the hymn When once of old in Israel . " Before the second and third circuits severally , the second and third verses of this hymn were sung . Then in two places come musical responses , "Glory be to God on High ; " No . 21 , anthem , " Holy , holy , holy , LordGodAlmighty ; " No . 27 , anthem

of four verses , " I have surely built Thee a house to dwell in . " Thus we have two hymns , three anthems , and six musical responses ( " Glory be to God on High" and , "So Mote it be . " ) Now , surely after this example of a musical Masonic service , brethren

need have no doubt or misgiving as to " hymn singing during Masonic ceremonies" being permissible ; and if right and proper during the consecration of a lodge , it is equally right as accompanying any and all of the ceremonies of the lodge .

My memory extends to nearly 50 years in Freemasonry ; during this long period of time I have visited lodges in many different provinces in England , and I have heard times without number " psalms and hymns and spiritual songs " during the several ceremonies , and to my knowledge the " permissibility" of the

practice has never before been questioned . Bro . W . M . Spark , the composer and compiler of "•The Freemason's Liber Musicus , " could have had no doubt as to the perfect propriety of vocal as well as of instrumental music as accompaniments of our ceremonies . The practice is old to my knowledge , it is truly

reverential and devotional ; the hymns , & c , are well selected and appropriate ; they add materially to the solemnity , and the impressiveness of the several ceremonies ; and last , and not least , they afford to the whole ot the brethren present the opportunity of joining—as they do generally—with heart and voice in those compositions .

One hears occasionally of some action " It was worse than a crime—it was a blunder . " This exactly describes that which would be the general feeling among the members of our Order generally if any authoritative pronouncement were made adverse to the good old custom of "hymn singing during Masonic ceremonies . " —Yours fraternally , AN OLD PAST MASTER .

The Recent Boys' School Festival.

THE RECENT BOYS' SCHOOL FESTIVAL .

The following additions have been received since our report of last week , namely : Lodge LONDON . £ s . d . 1329 Bro . G . W . Marsden , new list ... 21 o o PROVINCES .

SUFFOLK . 1224 Bro . C . W . Lord , additional ... 10 10 o ( raising his list to £ 62 , and the total from the Province to ^ 268 16 s . )

£ 3 10 o Previous additions ... ... ^ , " 405 0 6 Total announced ... ... , £ 9253 2 o Present Total £ 9669 12 6

We are glad to hear that the Duke of St . Albans , Prov . Grand Master of Nottinghamshire , is in much better health than he was at the beginning of the year . His grace , accompanied by the Duchess of St . Albans , left London on Saturday last for Southampton to join his yacht .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft fIDasonrp .

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS .

Anglo-American Lodge ( No . 2191 ) . —A meeting of this flourishing lodge was held at the Criterion , Piccadilly , on Tuesday , the 15 th inst ., when the members again availed themselves of the opportunity of extending a hearty fraternal welcome to distinguished visitors from America . A large number of Grand Officers and other brethren accepted invitations to meet the M . W . Grand Master

of the State of New York , and the result was a brilliant success . As will be seen below , the American visitors had a splendid opportunity afforded them of witnessing the working of the ceremonies , as the three Degrees were performed respectively by Bros . Kedge , I . P . M ., Colonel Shadwell Clerke , Grand Secretary , and T . Fenn , President Bd . of G . P . Lodge was opened by Bro . Theodore H . Tilton ,

P . D . G . M . 7 th Masonic District , New York City , W . M ., supported by Bros . F . Kedge , I . P . M . ; J . J . Woolley , S . W . ; W . Hancock , J . W . ; Rev . J . S . Brownrigg , P . G . C ., Chap . ; I . B . Cumming , Treas . ; George Reynolds , Sec . ; Colonel Shadwell H . Clerke , G . Sec ; Thos . Fenn , P . B . G . P . ; J . Skinner , J . D . ; Dr . J . J . Wedgwood , I . G . ; Arthur Harris , D . C ; F . Jackson , Stwd . ; J . B . Grieve , Stwd . ; Major

Francis W . Frigout ; Dr . 1 . Zacharie , P . G . M . California ; Brackstonc Baker , P . M ., P . G . D . ; A . Clark , P . M . ; and many other members . The visitors present were Bros , the Hon . J . W . Vrooman , G . M . State of New York ; F . A . Burnham , Chief Commissioner Masonic Appeals Grand Lodge of New York ; E . B . Harper , New York ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; H . D . Sandeman , P . D . G . M .

Bengal ; Capt . N . G . Philips , P . G . D . ; ] . W . Woodall , P . G . Treas . ; Aubrey Saunders , P . D . G . M . Madras ; J . Lewis Thomas , P . A . G . D . C . ; F . A . Philbrick , O . C ., G . Reg . ; Rev . R . W . M . Pope , P . G . IChap . ; G . Cooper , P . G . D . ; Gen . F . W . Laurie , P . G . M . Nova Scotia ; C . Belton , P . D . G . D . C . ; C . F . Matier , P . G . Std . Br . ; J . P . Jardine , P . M . 20 C ; G . H . Clark , | W . M . 1227 ; T . C . Seary , iyS ; Admiral Sir E . Ingleh ' eld , K . C . B ., P . M .

2127 ; R . Dawson , W . M . Go ( I . C . ); E . D . Jones , W . M . 402 ; W . H . Hayward , P . M . 5 69 ; W . E . Chapman , W . M . 2194 ; J . S . Cumberland , P . P . G . W . North and EastYorks ; J . T . Griffin ; G . Bokenham , 19 G 2 ; S . H . Brock , gg , Kansas , U . S . A . ; E . Speirs , 1 S 05 ; H . Juler , 2033 ; W . W . Morgan , P . M . 211 ; R . H . Goffin , P . P . G . D . of C . Surrey ; Peter Parsons , P . M ., Treas . 749 ; W . E . Fenn , P . M . 53 S ; Lennox Browne , Prov . S . G . W . Essex

and W . W . Lee , 1 S 97 . The minutes were read and confirmed , after which Mr . W . G . L . Harvey , B . A ., was unanimously approved by ballot as a candidate for initiation , and Bros . H . Frederic , 2190 ; A . G . Wulff , 1361 ; and A . Crawley , 1361 , were unanimously elected joining members . The American visitors , viz ., Bros , the Hon . John W . Vroomon , G . M . New

York ; F . A . Burnham , Chief Commissioner Masonic Appeals , Grand Lodge of New York ; and E . B . Harper , Trustee ( Hall and Asylum ) Grand Lodge of New York , were duly received and saluted , the W . M . warmly welcoming them on their first visit to the Anglo-American Lodge . The working was then proceeded with , and Mr . W . G . L . Harvey , B . A ., was initiated by the I . P . M ., Bro . F . Kedge .

The Grand Secretary then passed Bros . A . H . P . Snow , A . Bowie , M . D ., and G . A . M . Bowles to the Second Degree , and gave the lecture on the tracing board , after which Bro . G . T . Atkinson was raised to the Sublime Degreeof a M . M . by Bro . T . Fenn , President Board of General Purposes . On the motion of the W . M ., seconded by Bro . Baker , P . M ., the American visitors and Bro . Gen . Laurie , P . G . M .

Nova Scotia , were unanimously elected honorary members , and were each presented with the jewel of the lodge . Bro . the Hon . J . W . Vrooman , Grand Master of New York , in acknowledging the compliment , said it would be their endeavour not only that night , but throughout their lives , so to wear their jewels as to cause no regret by the members of the lodge for their action that evening .

A Committee was elected , on the proposition of Bro . Baker , I . P . M ., to consider the revision of the by-laws . A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke and T . Fenn for their kind assistance , and the lodge was formally closed . After a recherche repast , admirably served under the personal superintendence of Bro . Bertini , the usual toasts

appropriate to the occasion were duly given . "TheOueenand the Craft" and "H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., ' ? having been honoured , the W . M . proposed " The Grand Officers , " and said they all knew the great interest taken by the members of that body in the subordinate lodges . They were honoured that evening by the presence of a large number of Grand Officers , including

Bros . Hugh D . Sandeman , F . A , Philbrick , and Rev . R . W . M . Pope , whose names he coupled with the toast . It was with great regret that he had to omit one of the most prominent officers—the Earl of Carnarvon—whose lamented death they -were mourning . Bro . Hugh D . Sandeman , P . D . G . M . Bengal , in reply , said that as he was to be followed by two very eloquent

speakers he should say very little . He spoke selfishly , but still at the same time he believed he expressed the sentiments of all the Grand Officers who had enjoyed with him their generous hospitality , in saying he thanked them most sincerely for having given him the opportunity of being present . He thanked them for having given the Grand Officers the privilege and honour of making the

acquaintance of the Grand Master of New York , also of meeting again the P . G . M . of Nova Scotia , with whom many had been intimate , and who was regarded as one of themselves . He had also to return thanks for the opportunity afforded of seeing the three Degrees , and also for the splendid hospitality , which they had enjoyed most thoroughly . With

reference to the toast of "The Queen , " he believed there was no part of the world where the sentiment was more honoured and respected than in America , and last year at a large and influential meeting of Masons in Brussels the toast was received with such enthusiasm that he thought the very hall would come down . Bro . the Rev . R . W . M . Pope , P . G . Chap ., said it was with