Letter From A Brother In England To A Brother In Scotland.

merly the Craft was of no use to him , but now that he is going abroad , it would be of the utmost use . How then does he find admission when he swears that he does not seek admission from any mercenary or other unworthy motive ?

In fact , we regret to say that many men deliberately lie on their entrance into Freemasonry , and many present , by their silence , become abettors of the lie . All this , mark you , in the name of God and of truth !

We might prolong this subject further and at greater length were our purpose mere writing for effect . We have no such thought . We simply wish to point out the plague spots upon our system which call for redress , certain that

the common sense of the brethren will bring about a reform . Still we cannot conceal from ourselves that the cause of Freemasonry is injured by the falsehoods and unnecessary pretences of Freemasons , ' and that brethren , from

the hour of theirmitiation , are led into lax notions of truth and honour with regard to the Craft , which bear fruit in after years , in indifference to the strict letter of the law and an insensibility to the purer and less salient doctrines of

the Order . This is not their fault ; it is the fault of a system bolstered up for the interested ends of a paltry ignoble few . What , then , is necessary for the remedy of these abuses is a thorough investigation into the

past lives and characters of all candidates . Mundane Clubs demand this , and so should Masonry . The candidate should possess a fair education , and be capable of understanding the various points of the ritual . A certain time

should pass between his proposition as a candidate and his reception , and also in the after degrees . We should say three months in each case . The fees of admission should also be

raised , and an annual test of membership demanded . This we will treat of afterwards . Above all , Freemasonry should do her duty by her candidates , and much of the ritual should be overhauled and revised .

We insert the above , but sincerely trust that the picture of Scottish Freemasonry therein delineated is overdrawn in many respects . There cannot be a doubt , however , that greater care should be exercised in the choice of candidates by some ofthe lodges in Scotland . —ED . I .

Consecration Of The Granite Lodge, No. 1328.

CONSECRATION OF THE GRANITE LODGE , No . 1328 .

On Saturday last , another lodge was added to the already voluminous roll of the Grand Lodge of England , and from the high character of its

promoters , we anticipate a very prosperous career for the new lodge , which is aptly named the " Granite . " W . Bro . James Brett , Grand Pursuivant , was the officer deputed by the Grand Master to perform the important duties of

Consecrating Master , and it is needless to add that he executed his work to thc admiration and delight of all present . Bro . Brett was well seconded by Bro . R . Wentworth Little , the Provincial Grand Secretary for Middlesex , who officiated as D . C ,

and we would particularly desire to urge tlie necessity of having an efficient brother to act in this capacity at every consecration . At four o ' clock precisely , the brethren were marshalled in the ante-room to the Zetland Chamber ,

Freemasons' Hall , by the D . C , in the following order . The visiting brethren , juniors first ; the Founders of the new lodge according to rank , the Wardens pro tem ., the D . C , the Consecrating Master , and the Grand Tyler .

The brethren then entered the lodge-room in procession , and marched slowly round while solemn music was played , and we may here state that the musical arrangements were directed by Bro . G . T . Carter , P . M ., 382 , who was assisted by Bros . W . Coward , Montem Smith , C S . Jekyll , and Chaplin Henry .

The Presiding Officer then took the chair , and appointed as Wardens , pro . tem ., Bros . H . G . Buss , P . M . 27 , Prov . G . Treas . Middlesex , and C . A . Cottebrune , P . M ., 733 , 957 and 1257 . Bro . R Walters , P . M . 73 , W . M . 1309 , was requested to act as Inner Guard .

Consecration Of The Granite Lodge, No. 1328.

The lodge was opened in the three degrees , and the Presiding Officer addressed the brethren on the nature of the meeting . The introductory prayer followed . The D . C . addressed the Presiding Officer , who replied , and the brethren ofthe new lodge were then ¦ arranged in order . The Acting Secretary read the petition and warrant ,

and the Presiding Officer enquired of the brethren if they approved ofthe officers named in the petition and warrant . The brethren signified their approval in Masonic form . The Presiding Officer then proceeded to constitute the brethren into a regular lodge in ancient form , after which he delivered an oration on the nature and

principles ofthe institution . An anthem ( 133 rd Psalm ) succeeded . ' The Dedication Prayei ( first portion ) , was then offered up . Omnes , Chant , " So mote it be . " Sanclus , " Glory be to Thee , 0 Lord . " All the brethren turned to the East , while the Presiding Officer gave the

Invocation . Onines , Chant , "So mote it be . " The D . C . read 2 Chron ., ii ., 1 to 16 . The lodge board was then uncovered , and the Master and Wardens , pro tem ., carried the elements of consecration three times round the lodge ( solemn music playing during the procession ) , halting in

the East at each perambulation . Anthem , " Glory be to God on High * Peace on Earth , Goodwill towards men . " The D . C . took the censer three times round the lodge ( solemn music during his progress ) halting in the East . The

Dedication Prayer ( second portion ) followed . All the brethren chanted , " So mote it be . " The Presiding Officer then constituted the lodge . All the brethren chanted , "So mote it be . " An anthem , " Glory to God in the highest . " The Patriarchal Benediction closed the

consecration . The lodge was then resumed in the second degree . Bro . John Kirk , the W . M .-designate , was then presented for installation to Bro . Brett by the D . C , and the usual ceremony was proceeded with until the Board of Installed Masters was formed , when Bro . Kirk was duly inducted into the chair of K . S . The brethren were re-admitted

and saluted the new Master in the several degrees . After the presentation of the warrant , Boyce ' s fine anthem , " I have surely built Thee an house " was very effectively sung by the choir . The officers were then appointed and invested as follows , each with a suitable address from Bro . Brett : —

Bro . John Batstone , S . W . „ Charles Sendey , J . W . „ George Hackford , ( P . M . ) Treas ( elected . ) „ George de Maid , Secretary .

„ F . Julian Marshall , S . D . „ Benjamin . Cooke , J . D . „ Charles Dickinson , I . G . „ J . Woodstock , Tyler . Bro . Brett concluded the ceremony of installation with the addresses to the W . M ., the Wardens and the brethren generally , and sat down ,

on the completion of his arduous task , amidst the unanimous applause of his hearers . It was then proposed by Bro . Dickinson , I . G ., seconded by Bro . J . L . Thomas , P . M ., and carried neminc contradiccnte , that a vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes of the lodge , to Bro . James Brett , G . P ., for the able manner in which he has conducted the consecration and the

installation . It was also proposed by Bro . J . Batstone , S . W ., seconded by Bro . C . Sendey , J . W ., and enthusiastically agreed to , that the following

brethren should become honorary members of the lodge . Bros . J . Brett , G . P . ; R . Wentworth Little , P . G . Sec ., & c . ; C A . Cottebrune , P . M . 733 , 957 , 1257 ; and H . G . Buss , P . G . Treas . Middlesex , P . M . 975 .

The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet , which was held in the Morning-room , Freemasons' Tavern , and comprised every delicacy , with an abundance of the choicest fruits and rarest wines . Grace was sung by the musical brethren , after which the usual

attention was paid to the good tilings of this life , the W . M . not forgetting to drink prosperity to the numerous visitors , who heartily responded by wishing every success to the Granite Lodge , and its estimable Master . The cloth having been removed , Bro . Kirk

Consecration Of The Granite Lodge, No. 1328.

gave the health of " Her Majesty , " coupling with it " The Ancient Craft . " ( National Anthem , all upstanding . ) The Earl De Grey and Ripon ' s health followed , and was greeted with continued applause . An equally warm reception awaited the announcement of the next toast , " M . W .

Bros , the Prince of Wales and Earl of Zetland , Past Grand Masters . " Bro . Brett , G . Purst ., responded for the Earl of Carnarvon , D . G . M ., ancl the rest ofthe Grand Officers , in his usual happy vein . Sonc , " Oh , Firm as Oak , " by Bro . Hemy .

The health of the W . M . was then proposed , and elicited unanimous demonstrations of respect and affection . Bro . Kirk replied , and expressed his sense of the honour conferred on him as the first W . M .

of the Granite Lodge , and he assured the brethren that he and all the members were actuated with the same determination to make it a glorious success . ( Cheers ) . Song , " The Woodpecker , " by Bro . Montem Smith .

The health of the " Visitors was next given , and cordially received . Bros . Wright and Glass ably responded . For the "P . M . 's , " Bros . J . L . Thomas and R . Wentworth Little were called upon to return thanks , and both enunciated in appropriate terms

their delight at witnessing such an auspicious event as the inauguration of the Granite Lodge . In reply to the toast of " The Officers , " each brother in rotation , from the Senior Warden to the Inner Guard , expressed their satisfaction at the positions they severally held , and their desire

to further , by every means in their power , the comfort and welfare of the lodge . Song , " Maid of Athens , " by Bro . Carter . Bros . " Hackford and De Maid acknowledged the toast of the " Treasurer and Secretary , " and the former brother in a really neat and felicitous

speech , made some very appropriate allusions to the name of the lodge , and hoped it would endure as permanently as the stone after which it was named . After the Tyler ' s toast the brethren separated . Besides those already mentioned , the following

songs and glees were sung during the evening -. — "ByCelia ' s Arbour , " "Maying , " "The Three Chafers , " " The Wolf , " " Three Hundred Years Ago , " and " Mynheer Van Dunck , " and the brethren were so pleased with the musical entertainment that there were several encores .

The following is a correct list of those present : — Bros . J ohn Kirk , John Batstone , Charles Sendey , George Hackford , P . M ., George De Maid , F . Julian Marshall , B . Cooke , C . Dickinson , James L . Thomas , P . M ., Alfred T . Taffs , P . M ., William W . Kell , John Oliver , John Phillips , William Rose , and M .

Jennings , Promoters ; James Brett , G . P . ; R . Wentworth Little , P . G . Sec . Middlesex , P . M . 975 ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . M . 733 , 957 , 1257 ; H . G . Buss , P . G . Treas . Middlesex , P . M . 27 * , Frederick Walters , W . M . 1309 ; H . Wright , W . M . 179 ; J . Johnson , P . M . 447 , P . S . W . Port Natal , 738 ; John Glass , P . M . 354 ; D . W . Pearce , P . M . 657 ; W . H . Warr , P . M . 23

P . G . Steward ; R . B . Newsom , P . M . 1223 ; C . B . Payne , P . M . 27 ; George Loe , W . M .-elect , 1303 George Kenning , S . W . 192 ; W . Dodd , S . W . 1194 ; H . Sadler , J . W . 147 ; C . Parker Ward , J . W . 1257 ; G . A . Ibbetson , I . G . 231 ; John Elliott 186 , Joseph Pigot 753 , Ab . Jessup 913 , John McDougall 9 i 2 , Septimus Baker 913 , Henry C . Stuart 201 , K . G . Bailey 231 , and M . Edwards , I . G . 1293 .

Lodge Of Benevolence.

LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , the 24 th inst ., W . Bro . Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B ., presided as W . M ., assisted by W . Bros . J . Brett , G . P ., and J . Coutts , A . G . P ., as Wardens . Bros .

Hervey , Hogg , J . Smith , Binckes , Cottebrune , Gale , Saunders , West Smith , Buss , Little , Coulton , Rosenthal , Lambert , Gurney , and many other brethren were also present . The Board of Masters was first held , after which sixteen petitions were considered , of which eleven were relieved , or recommended for

relief , to the extent of , £ 430 , the remainder being deferred or dismissed . The largest grant ever made at the Lodge of Benevolence , viz ., £ 250 was voted on this occasion , in aid of a brother whose services to the Craft in days gone by , were of a herculean and manifold character .