Original Correspondence.

one , and a province is not too large for its operations . Apologising for the length of this letter , I remain , sir and brother , your ' s fraternally , J BODENHAM ,

P . M . 726 , P . G . Treas . Staffordshire . Edgemont , Newport , Salop . 17 th March , 1874 .

To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Now that this matter is fairly started I should like to re-iterate what I so strongly advocated some years ago in the " Masonic Mirror , " viz ., that the joint Secretaries of our Three

Charities should unite and devise a handsome , effective , but inexpensive jewel , at a cost to them of about 30 s ., and induce all lodges who vote from their funds a sum of money for a jewel for their retiring Master , to let the amount go to the

Charity or Charities the brother may select , either as a Life Subscriber or Governor , and let the Secretary or Secretaries record the fact upon the said jewel which they should hand to the lodge for presentation to the recipient .

It must be good business to give 30 s . to bring in £ 5 5 s - It is cruel waste of money to spend £ 5 , £ 10 , or £ 15 , and upwards in a jewel to the brother , ever so deserving , because at his death no one else can wear it , and the breaking-up price is

hardly as many shillings , and no one is benefitted but a jeweller . Adopt the above plan , and our Charities reap the benefit . I cannot but remark that 1 think it is decidedly wrong to vote lodge funds away for decorating and rewarding an } brother . If he has distinguished himself and is

worthy of a testimonial , let the brethren personally subscribe for it , which renders the gift doubly valuable , and reserve the lodge balance for its true source , charity . Ten W . M . ' s of a lodge each taking a £ 5 5 s . jewel in ten years is equal to a Vice Presidency .

Again I would suggest to our Secretaries to seriously consider the propriety of easing the bin - den imposed upon a Steward— £ ios . for him self and £ 3 or £ 4 for incidental expenses , about £ 14 , is a large amount to hand out at once , and

I am frt e to confess keep some out , and others also . Many cannot allord so large a sum , having others to think of at home . I would suggest that if the amount must remain at the same figure , could it not be divided into instalments , and so ease the

payment . I fancy a smaller qualification would increase the number of Stewards . Charity begins at home , and a brother has no right to serve as Steward , which I fear is sometimes done for the sake of

keeping up appearances . I can fully endorse Bro . J . H . Coate ' s remarks upon the fatal step of doubling the amount to qualify a lodge or chapter as life subscriber . Being connected with a young lodge , and also a chapter , which could have voted their £ 5 5 s ., but cannot vote £ io ios ., and so the Treasurers hold the cash instead of the Charities . Yours fraternally P . M .

Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution.

CHESHIRE EDUCATIONAL MASONIC INSTITUTION .

O .. . £ tU ATor ^ h , * K * i aiinunl rwcotiinr ot tile General Committee of the above institution was held at No . 9 , Hamilton-street , Birkenhead , by kind permission of the Zetland Lod ge , 537 ; Bro . G . H . Wilson , W . M ., 537 , vice-president , in the chair . There were also present the

following Life Governors . — E . G . Willoughby , P . P . J . G . W . ; R . Gracie , W . M . 4475 W . L . Hunt , P . M . 425 ; J . Dennis , W . M . 721 ; J . Beech , P . M . 361 ; F . K . Stevenson , P . G . Assist . S . ; Edward Harbord , P . G ., Std . B . ; J . B . Piatt , P . P . G . J . W . ; James Hepworth , W . M . 1106 ; T . Stafford , S . W . 1 , 166 , & c .

After the transaction of some formal business the annual report was presented as follows : — " . Charity never faileth , and though individual energy may flag , yet the combined efforts of the Masonic body exemplifying in a foicible manner how much that virtue is appreciated and practised by the brethren . Much has been said against the precept and practice of Masonry , and

Cheshire Educational Masonic Institution.

the subject of education is one , that at the present time , causes much angry dispute , but your committee are willing to pursue their quiet way without desiring either eulogium or disparagement , and they confidently appeal to the following facts as evidence of the good work they are

doing in the province of Cheshire . During the last year nineteen children have received the benefit of scholastic instruction , three of whom cease to be recipients at the end of this year , four have , in accordance with the rules , had means furnished towards their advancement into

business or professional avocation , and there are now five additional candidates for education and two for advancement . " The year began with a balance in hand of £ 1 . 731 2 S . 9 d ., £ 1 , 500 of which was safely invested , and ends with a total of £ 1 , 995 5 - Ioa

-The expenses have been kept within bounds with the most scrupulous care , but the more the value of the institution becomes known the greater are the claims on its funds , and increased support is much required to enable the committee to meet all the demands upon them .

" The Committee desire to record with much p leasure the fact that the Provincial Grand Chapter , which has so recently been established in Cheshire , had made a donation of £ 10 ios . to the funds , with a fraternal intimation that when their finances will allow a still larger grant shall

be made . " The amateur performance in Birkenhead , referred to in the last report , when the accounts had not been fully audited , have now been made up , and shew a balance in favour of the Institution ofsBiA 1 . 9 s . jod .

" Brethren , cannot you individually do anything to aid in the great work ? Masters of Lodges , do you feel you do your duty to the best of your ability and opportunity , in bringing this charity before the members of your respective lodges ? Let conscience answer .

"The Committee cannot close their report without recording their sense of the value of the constant attention and unremitting energy displayed by their esteemed Secretaries and Treasurer : and feel sure that all the subscribers will agree in a cordial vote of thanks . " May the G . A . O . T . U . bless every effort made

to advance the good of mankind . —So mote it be . " The report and the accounts , as audited , were duly passed , and the candidates for education and for advancement were recommended to the Court of Governors for adoption . A cordial vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the proceedings .

Freemasonry In Australia.

FREEMASONRY IN AUSTRALIA .

On Monday , 29 th December , at high noon , the ' . installation of P . M ., Bro . H . M . Joseph , as Worshipful Master of the Mountain Lodge of Bombala , No . 920 ( E . C ) , took place ; the

installing brethren being P . M . W . H . Dudley , A . A . MacKeachie , ( who rode 35 miles to be present ) , and the late W . M ., J . H . Morgan . After the installation Bros . Henry C . Hogarth was invested with the badge of S . W . ; Francis

Jesse , as J . W . ; J . E . Bennett , as S . D . ; EmiJ Jonas , JD . ; E . Sutton , as Inner Guard ; and J . Holy head , as Tyler . Bro . P . M . W . H . Dudley , had been elected Secretary , and John Steward Scott , Treasurer . When the lodge had

opened in the first degree , three candidates were initiated , Messrs . George Crighton , Stevenson , and W . M . Cooke . After the lodge had closed , the brethren assembled again at 7 p . m ., and sat down to a splendid banquet ,

prepared in the lodge-room by Mrs . Solomon , widow of the late Bro . Maurice Solomon . The Worshipful Master , H . M . Joseph , occupied the chair , supported on his right by Bro . P . M . Mac-Keachie and Morgan , and on the left by the

three newly initiated brethren , the vice-Chairmen being Bros . Hogarth , S . W . 3 and F . Jesse , J . W . After the usual loyal and Masonic toasts had been given , Bro . ( Tyler ) Holyhead , went round with the charity box , after proposing our

poor and distressed brethren , which was nobly responded to . by all brethren present . The brethren adjourned to the smoking-room well pleased with their entertainment . There is a glorious future now before this lodge , six candidates were

Freemasonry In Australia.

proposed at the last lodge meeting , on the 6 th January , and a great many influential gentlemen in the district , we believe , intend to join , so there is every prospect of the Mountain Lodge of Bombala , under the new regime , being the best

lodge throughout the country towns of New South Wales . Bombala is situated 350 miles from Sydney , New South Wales , and Melbourne ( Victoria ) , about equidistant between each colony .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . ALFRED DAY . We regret to announce the death of Bro ,. Alfred Day , which took p lace at his residence ,. " The Hollies" Garrett-road , Tooting . The state of Bro . Day ' s health had for some time past : caused much anxiety to his friends ; hopes were however entertained of his recovery , but unfavour-

able symptoms manifested themselves a few daysbefore his death , which took place on the 3 rd inst . Our late Brother was well known in the City Road , where he had been engaged in business as an auctioneer , estate agent , ike , for several years , and was highly respected for his integrity and business habits .

As a Freemason tew surpassed him in the - ardour and sincerity in which he maintained and carried out the Grand Principles on which our Order is founded , or subscribed more liberally to our Masonic Charities . Bro . Day , was a P . Z . of the Yarborough Chapter , 554 , Prov . G . Purst ..

of Essex , W . M . of Chigwell Lodge , 453 , Founder , P . M ., and Treasurer of Finsbury Lodge , 86 i r P . M . of the Prosperity Lodge , 65 , and P . M . of " the Temple Lodge IOT , He was ever ready torender the helping hand by purse or advice when sought .

The funeral of our departed brother took place on Tuesday , the 19 th inst , at Abney Park Cemetery . The solemn service was most impressively performed by the Rev . J . E .. Tunnar , of the Wimbledon Common Congregational Chapel , whereof our deceased brother

was a member , the rev . gentleman made a shortv and earnest appeal to those present to prepare for that great change which will overtake all , sothat when the last trumpet shall sound , they might be ranked amongst the justified made perfect The funeral cortege consisted of the

hearseand four mourning' coaches , each drawn b y four horses , and several private carriages following ; . the entire funeral arrangements were executed under the care and personal superintendance of Bro . Sinclair , 81 , City-road . At the grave ,, where nearly one hundred persons had assembled ,

we noticed Bro . R . S . Hart , W . M ., with most of the officers and brethren of the Finsbury Lodge , 861 ; Bro . Main , P . M ., and Bro . Sinclair , Treasurer of the New Concord Lodge , 813 ; Bro . Storey , W . M . of the Cornwalhs Lodge , 1107 ;

Bro . J . Owens , W . M . 1366 , and many other friends and brethren , all met to pay their last tribute of respect to their late lamented and much esteemed triend and brother , whose memory will long be cherished by a large circle of Masonic and other friends with affectionate regard .

BRO . H . T . KELLY . We regret also to have to announce the death of Bro . Henry Kelly , of Foord's Hotel , Filey . He died on Wednesday , the J ith inst ., aged 48 , very greatly respected . His funeral , which took place on the following Sunday , was

largely attended by the brethren of the Craft , and also by the Foresters , of which body he was an esteemed member . There was also a very numerous attendance of neighbours and friends to pay him their last tribute of respect .

"CAUSE , COURSE AND CONSESUENCES or NEGLECTED M ALADIES . "—Between the stomach and kidneys , there exists a close and intimate relation , whicl' is demonstrated by the wasting which occurs in all diseases afflicting the kidneys . Disordered stomach is often the first symptom of real irregularity . Holloway ' s .-emedies used at that juncture , cut short many a serious and fatal attack .

Mhey . act with wonderful efficacy in every organ of secretion , but especially do they regulate the stomach , liver , and kidneys , by restoring their healthy functions and casting out every obstruction or impurity . It is necessary for the Ointment to be well rubbed over the affected parts twice daily ; when absorbed it much augments the purifying and salutary influence of the Pills . ADVT .