The History Of Freemasonry.

the " society " to which he belonged has yet o be verified . It has been suggested that the " society" or lodge , was the precursor of the Anti quity Lodge , but this , though a most inoenious surmise , is so far only a surmise . We have said enoug h to demonstrate the importance

of further enquiry , before we can pronounce definitely on many points of Masonic archaeology , the " vexata qu ? estio " of the grades or degrees amono * others , for Instance . The whole 17 th century English Freemasonry is practically still

a " terra incognita " to us , and until we can throw a little more light upon it than we now possess it appears impossible to us to express any dogmatic opinion , or to come to a clear conclusion on many points upon which much has been written and said , but very little is known .

Discussion On The Ballot.

DISCUSSION ON THE BALLOT .

In answer to a brother who raises one or two important questions , we beg to say that the object of the ballot being clearly to ensure both freedom and secrecy of voting , all discussion in open lodge on the result of a ballot is , in our op inion , highly irregular , and ought to be stopped

at once by the W . M . In many lodges , one of the bye-laws specially , forbids any discussion or disclosure , or attempted violation of the secrecy of the ballot , and such law ought to be , we think , in all lodge b } e-laws . An enforced ballot is a very difficult question , as it is quite clear to

us , that no bye-law of a private lodge can compel all the members to vote by ballot , " nolentes volentes , " as any brother , we apprehend , has a rig ht to decline to vote on some ground or reason sufficient and good to himself . There is no law possible , if not laid down by the Book of Constitutions , which can force a member to vote .

But equally the very object of the ballot is done away with if any discussion is allowed upon it . We do not say that no circumstances will justify a discussion , but they must be , and are , happily , very rare indeed . We shall be glad to publish any temperate letter on the subject , as the matter is a very important one , in our opinion , for the best interests of lodges .

Death Of Bro. W. Romaine Callender, M.P.

DEATH OF BRO . W . ROMAINE CALLENDER , M . P .

We regret to learn of the death of Bro . VV Romaine Callender , which sad event took place on Saturday last , at St . Leonards , where our popular and much-respected brother had been for some weeks , in the hope of regaining his health . Bro . Callender was a Past Grand Deacon , and

Deputy Provincial Grand Master for East Lancashire- was also Deputy Grand Mark Master Mason for the Grand Mark Lodge of England , Intendant General Red Cross for the province of South Lancashire , and a member of the 31 ° . Bro . Callender , who was in his -Jtst year , was

returned for Manchester at the general election of 1874 , when he was second on the poll , with 19 , 649 votes , 314 over the number given for Sir Thomas Bazley , M . P ., and 920 more than were recorded for Mr . Jacob Uright , whose seat he

secured . The deceased gentleman was one of the most active promoters of the revival of Conservatism in Lancashire , and entertained Mr . Disraeli and the late Viscountess Benconsneld when the present Premier visited Manchester in April , 1872 .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving oitlicopinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain ncre-fs ^ ry limits—free discussion . —liD . l

BROS . TEW AND PERROT . To Ihe Editor of ihe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — In reply to the questions put by " Fairplay " in your paper of 22 nd inst ., 1 state , 1 . I know nothing more ofthe Report of the "Boys ' School Investigation Committee of the . Province of West

1 orkshire" than is recorded in the report of the ' proceedings of the General Committee of Saturday , 1 st inst ., given in your issue of the 8 th inst . 2 . I have not been examined , neither has any " member cf the House Committee , " nor , so far as 1 am aware , has " any brother who knows anything- really about the School at all . " It is true 1 received on 10 th January a letter signed " J .

Original Correspondence.

Quartcrman , Secretary of the W . Y . Committee , " with a paper signed by nine brethren , "Life Governors of the Boys' School and members of thc Committee of Investigation appointed by P . G . L . of W . Y ., " asking for explanations under four heads . This communication I answered to the effe-ct that I was precluded by the resolution of the Gene-ral Committee from recognising thc—so

called" West Yorkshire Committee of Investigation ; " and that Bro . Quartcriiian not being n contributor to our funds , I could not admit his right to demand information which would have been readily at his service had he been qualified to ask for it . I am , dear Sir and brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , FiiEm-RicK BINCKES , Secretary R . M . I . B .

MASONIC CONGRESS AT LAUSANNE . To the Editor of Ihe Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I do not know if your attention was directed lo the congress of deputies of all Masonic Grand Lodges , which was held in the month of September last year in Lausanne , in Switzerland , during three weeks . It

published a manifesto against so many elefamatory attacks which ignorant outsiders , and particularly Catholics and Jesuits , used to divulge from their hotbed of Rome . I found the manifesto in the " Augsberger Allgemeinc- Zeitung , " and having translated it from German into English , I beg to send it to you for publication in your valuable " Frecniason , " if you have not done so already . I do this

somewhat tardily , but I received the above mentioned newspaper only lately from Germany . At the same time I hope you will excuse if my English , is not quite right ; being only two years in England and never having spoken English before , perhaps you will set it right . The manifesto says thus : "At thc moment the congress examines most diligently and attentively the old Institutions of the

Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite , and wishes to preserve with piety anil esteem the wise laws of this rite * , at the moment the congress liberates Freemasonry of all its superfluous fetters , and wills that Freemasonry shall be permeated by the spirit of freedom which enlivens our age ; at thc moment the congress unites the Freemasons of the whole globe in a union which is based fundamentally never

to be shaken—in such a moment the congress cannot separate without having answered by a plain and convincing manifesto to the calumnies and condemnations which were divulged against Freemasonry . Therefore the congress publishes officially the principles of Freemasonry proposed , accepted and represented by the congress as follows : —Freemasonry proclaims , as it has always

done since its first origin , the existence of a creative being calle-d by the name of thc Great Architect of the Universe ; it sets no limits to the investigation of truth ; it guarantees all who join it this freedom , but it wants this freedom also for itself from all . Freemasonry , therefore , is attainable by men of every nation , rank , and confession ; it forbids in all its lodges every political and religious discussion ; it

admits as member every free and honest man , and does not even care whatever his religious or political views may be ; its goal is to fight against all intolerance , and it is a school for life founded on reciprocity . the programme of which is the following : — " To obey the laws of thc country , to live according to the laws of honour , to exercise justice , to love one ' s neighbour and to work incessantly for the welfare of mankind . "

I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours , J . T . STIIAUSS , Member of the Harmony , 600 , Bradford .

BRO . BURGESS AND THE MARK . DEGREE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I learn from Bro . Binekes's letter in the " Freemason " of Jan . 22 that my claim to be re-installed in the Mark Degree was not suppressed from the knowledge of the Mark Grand Lodge held on the 30 th November last .

Why Bro . Binckes has withheld this information from me until now I am at a loss to conceive ; but the facts remain . 1 St . That the Mark Grand Secretary's letter to me , dated the 3 rd December , made no mention of my claim having been before Grand Lodge on the 30 th November . 2 nd . That the printed agenda paper of business for that elay , sent to me by Bio . Bi . ickes on 3 rd December , contains

no reference to my claim as part of the business for consideration . 3 rd . That the published report of proceedings of 30 th Novembe-r likewise contains no such reference . 4 th . That Bro . Binckes in his correspondence with me since , -jrJ December has neither directly nor indirectly informed me that my claim had come before Mark Grand Lodge . A day or two ago I casually met a brother who was

present on 30 th November , and then for the first time I learned pr ' uately that I was mistaken in supposing that my letter had been suppressed . I had written to you to state this , but as my communication was evidently too late to appear in that day's " Freemason , " I did not send it on . I fail to understand why my claim should have been referred to the Genera ' . Board . It was Mark Grand Lodge

which cxpelle'd me , and to the same body I addressed my appeal for re-installation . The claim should , I contend , have been then and there adjudicated on . To transfer its consideration to another body is not a fair way of dealing with it , because if a wrong has been done , proper manly feeling should actuate a desire to make immediate reparation , instead of continuing thc wrong for another

six months . The General Board ( to whom my letter was not addressed ) now charges me with making in it accusations against " absent Mark Masters . " Absent from what ? The persons to whom I referred are members of Mark Grand Lodge , and it was their duty under the Constitutions to be present at its meeting . This new charge is the more remarkable because thc pith of my claim for restoration is

Original Correspondence.

that , contrary to Article 13 of the Constitutions , I have been expelled in my absence , and without any opportunity of a hearing having been afforded to me . Thc principles of the Temple seem to have obliterated all sense of fair play from " thc rulers and executive " of the Mark Degree of Freemasonry ; and it becomes doubtful whether it is worth while to fight for restoration to a body which has so evidently lost all self-respect and independdenrp .

Faithfully yours , CHAS . J . ' BURGESS . ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Noticing the appeal of Bro . Fellowes for the Institution of Aged Masons and Widows , and the result of thc appeal up to the present moment does not at all

surprise me * . Everybody knows we are a rich and influential body , and can carry out any scheme for charity wc once commence to the perfect satisfaction of the Craft . Bro . Fellowes has a good and large heart undoubtedly , but I consider our institutions and charities ought to depend on the Craft alone , and not to make appeals to outsiders . I say outsiders—Masons' wives , mothers , and

daughters—do not confine the subscription list to themselves , but make applications among their friends . This is not what we want—anything started like the appeal of Bro . Fellowes . I am not surpiiscd at its non-success , I know that Masons feel some pride that the excellent charities are supported by Masons only ; we have done it , we can do it , and wc will do it again , if the members of the

family cf a brother desire to contribute to any of charities they can do it through him . True Masons' widows and children feel the benefit of our institutions , but being outside of the Craft they do not feel so strong , perhaps , on the point , knowing as they do how well the charities are supported by thc brethren , and been so well conducted hitherto .

The brethren ought to rejoice at " the institutions being supported by the Craft alone , and with feelings of pride support them . Every appeal to the Craft has been nobly answered , and will be again to any motion brought forward in the proper course of business , and I consider the efforts of a single brother ( noble and generous they may be ) ought to be done through his lodge without appealing outside himself . Supposing there are six vacancies and

30 to fill them , we can do it , if it is thought proper by the officers to bring it forward fur the benefit of the Craft . We can do anything if properly brought before us . I think Bro . Fellowes will agree with me that we are strong , rich , numerous , and powerful enough to support our institutions and charities , without appealing to any but Masons themselves , all thc more glory to us . —Yours most faithfully and fraternally , A MASTER MASON .

Prov. Grand Lodge Of East Lancashire.

PROV . GRAND LODGE OF EAST LANCASHIRE .

A special meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge was held in Freemasons' Hall , Manchester , on Tuesday , 18 th of January , for the purpose of comfirming the following resolutions passed at the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge , held at Heywood on the 3 rd November , 1875 ,

.: — 1 . " That an institution to bj called ' The East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational and Benevolent Institution ' be and is hereby established in this Province . " 2 . " That the bye-laws and regulations now presented by the committee be anil are hereby adopted as

the bye-laws and regulations of the said institution . " There was a numerous attendance of the brethren , amongst others present being Bros . Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , R . W . Prov . G . Master ; J . L . Hine , P . Prov . G . Warden , as Dep . Prov . G . Master ; J . T . Dugdale , Prov . S . G . Warden ; C . IT . Coates , Ptov . ' jj G . Warden ; T . G . Parker , P . Prov . G . Warden ; Thus . Glaister , P .

Piov . G . Warden ; C . R . N . Beswickc-Royds , P . Prov . G . Warden ; Jno . W . Maclure , P . Prov . G . Warden ; James A . Birch , P . Prov . G . Warden ; Jno . G . Smith , P . Prov . G . Warden ; Rev . F . A . Cave-Brownc-Cave , Prov . G . Chaplain ; Rev . C . J . Bowen , P . Prov . G . Chaplain ; Samuel Statham , Prov . G . Treas . ; John Barker , P . Prov . G . Treas . ; Charles Heywood , P .

Prov . G . Reg . ; John Tunnah , Prov . G . Sec . ; Peter Royle , M . D ., Prov . S . G . Deacon ; G . P . Brockbank , P . Prov . G . D . ; Herod Turner , P . Prov . G . D . ; W . H . Prince , P . Prov . G . D . ; Jno . S . Veevers , P . Prov . G . D . ; Isaac W . Petty , P . Prov . G . D . ; Thos . Croxton , P . Prov . G . D . ; Thos . Rose , P . Prov . G . Supt . of Works ;

Thos . Entwisle , P . Piov . G . Supt . of Works ; Robt . Whittaker , P . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Thos . Grime , Assist . Prov . G . D . C ; C . M . Jones , P . Assist . Prov . G . D . C . ; Thos . Taylor , Prov . G . Swd . Bearer ; Henry Maiden , P . Prov . G . Swd . Bearer ; Wm . Barlow , P . Prov . G . Swd . Bearer ; J . W . Taylor , P . Prov . G . Orgt . ; and others .

' 1 he Piovincial Grand Lodge was opened in due form , after which , on the proposition of the R . W . Prov . G . Master , the resolutions as above stated were unanimously confirmed . The Provincial Grand Lodge was then duly closed , and the first general meeting of the new institution was held under the presidency of the R . W . Provincial Grand Master .

The objects of the institution are the education and advancement in life of children of indigent or deceased Freemasons of the Province of East Lancashire , and to afford relief or assistance , where considered desirable , in aid of Freemasons and their families in the said province , ant ! generally to promote the cause of Masonic charity . The constitution of the society consists of a President ( the Rev . Prov . G . Master , for the time being ) , Trustees , Patrons