Masonic Correspondence.

a weak cause by scurrilous repartee . In the first place , few subjects are worth the exposure of this ceaseless weakness of us . all alike . We admit that often it is very difficult , " currente calamo , " to restrain the burst of honest indignation , or the full force of effective retort . We

feel that there are cases where the perverse disputant , the incompetent critic , or the thoroughly unmasonic scribe deserves famous old Wilson ' s " Ambrosian " treatment . And , no doubt , we will now add , such is the infirmity of the ftesh , such the " lapsus calami , " that even the most

Joblike of men , of editors , and of writers , may be induced warmly perhaps to expose the ignorance of the impertinent , to ridicule the presumption of the impostor , or to silence the virulence of the malignant . But yet , on the whole , it is , we feel , better for us as mortals , and especially as Masons ,

to cultivate the gentler graces of forbearance , and calmness , and consideration . Now and then " stern duty " calls us to speak out plainly , and p lainly , no doubt , it is better for us to speak , and alike clearly and unmistakeably at the same time . But nothing is " gained , we feel , by violence of

language , while * everything is secured by moderation of expression . ' " A soft answer , " our old Grand Master told us , " turneth away wrath , " and still most true it is that the reply of geniality , or the turn of harmless chaff , or the half serious , half jocose rejoinder , has more effect

than lines of reiterated violence , and the hopeless effusions of excited vulgarity . We therefore recommend to all our correspondents to improve their style , and " amend their vocabulary , " all , we mean , who may think themselves aggrieved

and " write in haste to repent at leisure . " Somebody has said , that almost every man commits himself when he rushes into print , and we all know how some of the ablest of their kind look very small in the columns of a daily journal .

As Freemasons we are bound to show to others that we really believe in what we profess , and that * we wish to practise what we talk about so eloquently at times ; and nothing does Freemasonry so much harm , or is such a

stumblingblock in the way of the enlarged spread of Masonic journalism , as that unkindly spirit which , do vyh * Jt you will , creeps into our tolerant pages , together with those personal littlenesses which so often mark the bustling philanthrojiist , and the zealous Freemason .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Glasgow.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF GLASGOW .

We are very glad to note the . resolution unanimously agreed to by this important Scottish province , namely , to call the attention of their Grand Lodge , to the systematic violation of ' its own laws , in the common granting more than one degree in one night . We are quite

convinced that if the Grand Lodge of Scotland will deal with the matter at once much good will arise to Scottish Freemasonry in every respect . If the Scottish Grand Lodge would place its law on the subject in exact accordance with that of the English Grand Lodge , which has worked so

well , a step would be taken in advance , towards that identity of Masonic legislation , which we hope to see one day , sooner or later attained , between the two Grand Lodges . May we press upon our good Scottish brethren the advisability of one or two other like , and we have reason to

believe , needed reforms ? Surely the time has come to raise both the initiation and joining fee , to require an annual subscription , and to establish a capitation payment towards a Fund of Benevolence . We say nothing of the question of proxy Masters , because there are evidently two

sides to the question , and we hardly feel ourselves competent to express a decided opinion on the subject . But if the three ] changes we venture to advocate , and the improvement suggested by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Glasgow , be carried into effect , we confess we should think , the prospects of Scottish

Freemasonry would look brighter for the future . We fear that if the Grand Lodge continues to maintain its " status quo , " without any attempt to advance , or improve , or reform , it may have ere long to deal with a financial difficulty , and such a dilemma mi ght be a severe strain on Scottish Freemasonry . We write , as we feel , in all sincere good will , and hearty sympathy for

Provincial Grand Lodge Of Glasgow.

our brethren , and " Scotch Cousins " across the border . Knovv ing how many brethren of mo ral worth , social position , and Masonic excellence and intellectual calibre , are to be found in the ranks of Scottish Freemasonry , we desiderate only the safe development and the peaceful- progress of

the good old Order to which they belong . The valuable labours and ori ginal researches of Bro . D . M . Lyon have lately cast a new light on the past annals of our Scottish brotherhood , and we trust , by a judicious reform of evident anomalies ,

by a strengthening of weak points , incontestably in their Masonic system , theirs may be a pleasant and prosperous present state of Masonic life and activity , and a still increasing future of Masonic usefulness and Masonic reality .

Narrow Escape Of Bro. Sir Michael Shaw Stewart.

NARROW ESCAPE OF BRO . SIR MICHAEL SHAW STEWART .

Intelligence has been received of the narrow escape from drowning , in the Bay of Biscay , of Bro . Sir Michael Shaw Stewart , Bart ., of Ardgowan , Lord Lieutenant of the county of Renfrew , and Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason of Scotland . About ten days ago Sir Michael left

England in his steam yacht Chevalier , intending to spend the winter in the Mediterranean with the Lady Octavia and other members of his family . While passing through the Bay of Biscay , the yacht was caught in a fearful gale , and the sea running very high carried away the

yacht ' s bulwarks , stove her bow , and swept the decks of boats and every moveable . The tiny vessel continued to labour fearfully for some time , when eventually the steering gear gave way , and she was for a length of time left

perfectly helpless , indeed , those on board expected every moment the . vessel would founder . After great exertions , however , the yacht was put about and reached Plymouth towards the end of Igst week , in a very crippled state . Sir Michael will now proceed overland to-the Mediterranean ,

The Cheque Bank.

THE CHEQUE BANK .

We are sorry to note in the money article of the " Times , " always we may add worth reading , that there is a proposal to wind up the affairs of this very useful institution . We regret such a resolution and such a result for many reasons . We believe that the Cheque Bank has been found

most hel pful in the transmission of small sums , and for the payment of small accounts , and we believe that its undoubted value has been more and more appreciated by business firms , as time has passed on . We are assured by the head of a large firm of some hundred employes , that he

uses it and finds its daily utility in a variety of ways , and as we understand it has surmounted its preliminary difficulties of establishment and confidence . We cannot but express our regret that such should be the decision , as the " Times " tells us , of a persevering minority . Is there no avoidance of such a resolution ? . Is there no

resuscitation of the bank on another footing , and with other shareholders ? It seems to us to involve a question of much personal interest and convenience to many business firms , and if we are correct in our assumptions we certainly cannot but express our regretful feelings that the convenience of the many should be sacrificed to the claims of the few .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

( We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but wc wish , ' in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —E » . ]

THE MARK . DEGREE . To tht Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — " An enquiring M . M . " may be interested to learn that he will not effect the object he seeks by taking the English Mark Degree . In America before he can visit a R . A . Chapter , he must have taken the three degrees

of Mark Master , Past Master , and Most Excellent Maste ( as I havedone ) ; and , if lam not much mistaken , he mus have taken the Past Master ' s Degree , as well as that of the Mark , before he can enter a Scotch Royal Arch Chapter . His remarks on the subject of " the English Masonic laws wanting mending- on this point" are , I should conceive , the ideas of a very young Mason ; probably when

Original Correspondence.

he is older , and when he has studied the subject , he will see cause to change his opinions . Yours fraternally , P . J .

JOINING ; MEMBERS . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Would you kindly in your next impression inform me and several brethren , whose vehicle I am , what is the status of a Past Master , or > ny other brother , holding thc rank of a Warden , or who may have held that

rank , when he joins a new lodge . Instances have frequently occurred in newly formed and other lodges where Past Masters and others who have held office have joined with the desire of taking office should an opportunity present itself , and after attending the lodge regularly and paying their subscriptions punctually , and possibly also rendering assistance as subordinate officers , they have

been passed over by junior members . Upon them very naturally protesting , they have been told that initiates had priority of claim , although possibly they may have only been initiated into the Craft as many months as those they supplanted had been years . Fortunately diese disagreeable cases do not always occur , but when they do they invariably create disappointment and dissatisfaction .

I do not think that there is anything said about this matter in the Book of Constitutions , but there ought to be some recognized usage on the subject . Many good old Masons are deterred from becoming joining members of young lodges where their experience and abilities might be of great service , because of the uncertainty of their ever becoming principal officers ; and being working Masons

they do not care about subscribing to lodges for the sole purpose of becoming partakers , of the jileasures of the Fourth Degree . In conclusion I will furnish an example which ' came under my personal knowledge . An I . P . M . upon the request of several mempers joined a new lodge which was greatly in need of expeiienced brethren , and in the course of time he attained the rank of S . D ., and

believed he was steadily and legitimately progressing towards the chair , but imagine his disappointment when the S . W ., upon being elected W . M ., appointed the J . D . to the J . W . chair , but considerately allowed him to retain his position of S . D . Upon his demanding an explanation , he was quietly informed by the W . M . that the J . D . being an initiate of the lodge was entitled to reach the chair first .

The young Mason thus honoured was 1 believe qualified in every respect for the Wartlen ' s chair , but as lie had only been a Mason a very short time , and owed his prominent position in the lodge to a chapter of accidents , it appeared so great an injustice to the S . D ., who had worked so energetically and zealously to further its

interests , that he immediately resigned , although the members of the lodge , with one or two exceptions , were unanimously of opinion that the W . M . had displayed too great a partiality , and did all they could to induce him to remain . By kindly affording any information on this question you will greatly oblige Yours truly and fraternally , AN ENQUIHER .

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE AND MASONIC JEWELS . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — In to-day ' s " Freemason " a M . M ., Bristol , asks for " the strict Masonic law " respecting the legality of a S . W ., in the absence of the W . M ., initiating a candidate ,

I do not presume to be able to give it , but Dr . Oliver , in his work on Masonic jurisprudence , when writing of the " Powers of a Warden , " says : — " The Constitutions provide , ' in the Master ' s absence the I . P . M ., or , if he be absent , thc S . P . M . of the lodge present shall take the chair . And if no past Master of the lodge be present , then the Senior Warden , or in his absence the Junior Warden , shall

rule the lodge . '" By this law it is clearly intended that during thc temporary or permanent absence of the Master , as the case may be , the Senior Warden may summon the lodge , but not rule it if there be a P . M . present . In such a case the S . W ., although competent to rule the lodge , ought not to assume the Master ' s chair , in which he has not been

installed , but to occupy a seat in front or to the right of it , in accordance with the practice of Grand Lodge , as a token of his incompetency to perform the highest rites of the Craft , because the chair is for installed Masons only , and no initiations can be legally performed from any other place in the lodge . If these premises be correct , it follows , as a matter of course , that , being a mere locum tenens , he has

no power to initiate , pass , or raise—for the terms " rule a lodge " do not embrace the privilege of admitting candidates . In a case of extreme emergency , however , the conferring of degrees by a Warden , in the absence of any P . M . or actual Master , would not be held absolutely illegal , though highly undesirable . Respecting Masonic jewels , I have a letter before me ,

dated 2 . 3 rd June , 1875 ,. from our worthy and respected Grand Secretary , Bro . Hervey , in which he says : —I am not aware of any jewels authorised to be worn , save the Charity Jewel , especially sanctioned by the Grand Master , and such jewels of jiast officers as arc named in the Book of Constitutions . A lodge cannot adopt a distinctive jewel without the express authority of the Grand Master ,

and very few lodges , I should think scarcely half-a-dozen , enjoy that privilege , The indiscriminate wearing of jewels is not permitted , and if it were , would lead to much abuse . " Dr . Oliver admits , in the work referred to above , that "there is some difficulty in understanding the question of honorary

jewels , " but after a perusal of Bro . Hervey ' s letter , I should imagine that difficulty would exist no longer . Seeing a brother ' s breast bedizened with a multiplicity of jewels is anything but pleasing to the eye , or satisfactory to the judgment of the truly zealous Mason , because it appears to fix attention on the trappings of the Craft , and prevent"