English Freemasonry.

ful peaceful and progressive , but sternly opposed alike to iconoclastic absurdities and to revolutionary changes . It has ever inculcated rever-, ence of God , and love for man , fealty to the throne , and obedience to the laws . It has advocated unceasingly the obligations of citizenship ,

an d the feelings of patriotism , while it has surrounded home life and social duties with all those attractions which lend grace and dignity to this human and gregarious existence of ours . It has never faltered in urging the claims of . suffering and sorrow , of poverty and distress , in

up holding the sanctity of toleration , in proclaiming the brotherhood of man ! It is this combination , alike sympathetic and yet fraternal , sensible and yet emotional , which has so endeared the Craft to its children , and has so served to commend it to the minds of the educated and

intellectual , the student and the statesman , the man of business and the man of the world , the most elevated in earthly rank and the toiling bread winners of the great middle class . And , as the old saying runs , " the proof of the pudding is in the eating , " we in England , nay ,

Freemasons generally , fully recognise , with some few exceptions , the reality of the position and work of English Freemasonry . At this very rrioment our lodges are increasing rapidly , some say too rapidly , and our one only danger lies in our very numbers , in thab large admission of

members which is now taking place . But with caution and care even this difficulty and peril may be overcome , and we have , ourselves no fear , but that like others in times past , these symptoms of evil will yet be overmastered for good . It is with legitimate pride , that as English

Freemasons , we may note the onward progress of our ancient and useful Craft . Its works of charity are deepening and extending , material well-being is apparently only an incentive to increased well doing , and never at any period of our history was there , we believe , a more

faithful realization amongst our brethren generally , both of the excellences and claims , the duties and demands , of Freemasonry . So long as we keep firmly to the great landmarks of our Order , so long as we uphold its genuine principles , and

. preserve its wholesome enactments—so long as we practise what we preach , and carry out what we profess — so tang will our English Craft , humanly speaking , endure , alike useful and beneficial for ourselves and

for mankind . But the highest prosperity and the greatest numbers will not save us from the inevitable re-action which ever follows close upon the great tide of human affairs and institutions , if ever we forget our duties in our privileges ; if ever we lose sight of the truth , that

talking is one thing , doing another ; if ever we look lightly at the sure an J solemn fact , that Freemasonry , like everything else of earth , is on ts trial , and can only be judged , and will only be judged by its " facta , " not by its " verba , " by the fruits it evidences , by the work it performs .

The Province Of West Lancashire.

THE PROVINCE OF WEST LANCASHIRE .

A meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of this distinguished province took place at Liverpool on April loth , 200 brethren being present , under the distinguished presidency of our amiable and popular D . G . M ., Lord Skelmersdale , also Prov . G . M . Among the other business

was the proposition to grant & S 100 towards the "Sedilia" of the cathedral of Chester , now under process of restoration . For some reasons this resolution was opposed , apparently on the ground that it was a denominational vote . So , no doubt , in one sense , it was ; but yet it was a

vote which appealed alike to the S } mpathies of the members of the Provincial Grand Lodge as Freemasons , and also as lovers of art , fnd promoters of aesthetic improvements . For in England we Speculative Freemasons must never forget that we are the descendants of those

who built those very glorious fanes , on which time ' s destroying hand has fallen , and which pious care would preserve , and loving religion would seek to renovate ? nd restore . The remarks of Bro . Alpass , ' 1 AT . Secretary , are deserving of much attention , not only from his long services to our Order , but his perfect ac-

The Province Of West Lancashire.

quaintance with the teaching and temper of Freemasonry . It is a fact that , as a rule , the Clergy of the Church of England are more favourable to Freemasonry than almost any other religious body . And long may this friendly "Concordat " continue , long may this entente cordiale prevail ,

None are more careful than we are to uphold the non-political and non-controversial character of Freemasonry , but when a proposal comes to endeavour to assist a good work , like the restoration of Chester Cathedral , not only do we hold it is perfectly fair to act as Freemasons to do so ,

but we are not infringing on our avowed neutrality when we show our good will towards a great denominational body , from which we have as a rule , always received so much friendly consideration , and from which to-day out of every 100 of our Chaplain brethren 99 actually

are recruited for our fraternal ranks . We are glad to see that West Lancashire makes so distinct a move , supported by so large a majority , in favour of the religious building art , and the good work of Church Restoration , as though we do not deny that there is at first sight a little

difficulty in the case , apparently , oa the strict grounds of denominational neutrality , yet we also feel assured that it is only in the appearance and not in the reality . Bro . Allpass ' s argument is , we think , a very fair one , " ad Latomos , " and practically unanswerable : and we are pleased to note for the information of our readers how

good sense and kindly feeling and sound practical judgment dominate , fortunately for us all , for the most part , the meetings of our ancient and benevolent Craft .

The Grand Festival.

THE GRAND FESTIVAL .

We publish in another column a report of the Grand Festival , but , as it is too late for our notice this week , shall recur to it in our next .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ Wc do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving cftheopinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —ED . ]

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE . To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Can you , or any of your numerous readers who are versed in the laws and customs of our Order , give me a reply to the following queries : —

1 . Has a definite decision ever been given as to whether a Warden who has not served a complete aud current year as such ( i . e . from one annual installation to the following one ) but who has served for upwards of twelve months in two periods , is qualified for the chair ? In the only English work on Masonic Jurisprudence that I am acquainted

with—Dr . Oliver ' s—it is laid down that such a one would not be qualified , and that the twelve months' service must be continuous . 2 . Are Wardens , who served as such under the sister constitutions ( Irish or Scotch ) , eligible to be elected to the chair of an English lodge ?

3 . In the case of a lodge losing its W . M . by death , removal , or otherwise , and also losing one or both of its Wardens from either of the above causes , or by { resignation , is the I . P . M ., who is ruling the lodge , competent to appoint another brother as Warden ? and if so , would the Warden so appointed count the time as qualifying ,

supposing broken periods do count ? 1 am of opinion that , under these circumstances , the l . P . M . cannot appoint a fresh Warden , except pro tcm . at each meeting , he not being the actual Master of the lodge . 4 . When appointing a brother to the office of Warden at a meeting other than the installation meeting , is it suf « ficient to say , " Brother so and so , take the Warden ' s

chair , " and for the said brother to put on the collar and take liis seat ? or should not the W . M . formally appoint , invest , and instal the Warden , such to be entered on thc minutes of thc meeting ? A reply to the foregoing will oblige , Yours truly and fraternally , ENQUIIIIVH . 2 ? rd April , 1 S 76 .

Dear Sir and Brother , — Will you kindly allow me to ask Bro . W . J . Hughan to be kind enough to point out the authority of the " P . G . M . to appoint a brother not officially a member of thc P . G . L . owing to his being neither a Master , Past

MEMBERSHIP OK A PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE . To the Editor of the Freemason .

Master , nor Warden of a lodge in the province ( though a contributing Master Mason therein ) is conferred by the Book of Constitutions . " I find that "brethren of eminence and ability , who have rendered service to the Craft , may , by a vote of the Grand Lodge , duly confirmed , be constituted members of Grand Lodge , with such rank and distinction as may be thought proper . "

Original Correspondence.

The Craft in general ought to be thankful to Bro . Hughan for his contributions to the " Freemason . " I have a P . G . L . balance sheet , in which the Deputy G . M . is styled R . W . D . P . G . M ,, and the P . G . Officers from the P . G . S . W . to the P . G . S . are styled V . W . both included . If Prov . Grand Lodge is in error , no wonderfor members of private lodges to be wrong . Yours fraternally , R . W . O .

THE INSTALLATION PICTURE . To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — In consequence of my absence from town whilst superintending the engraving I was not aware that my advertisement had been inadvertently ( en my part ) omitted from , your issue . In re-insetting it will you kindly permit me again

to call the attention of those brethren who have not yet forwarded their portraits for insertion in the engraving to at once favour me with same . I find , on close examination , that we can insert about 300 more , in addition to those now in hand ( nearly 700 ) , and 1 am quite sure that the excellence and fidelity of the portraits already engraved will ensure the utmost satisfaction . Surely it is not too much to ask 1000 brethren out of the 8000 present ,

to assist me in producing such a memento as will make the great event of double interest to our Royal Grand Master . Permit me also to add that it is of the utmost importance that no delay should take place in complying with my wish . I am , dear Sir and Brother , fraternally yours , EUWD . J . HARTV . 213 , Regent-st ., W ., 25 th April , 1876 .

REGALIA . To the Edito ) of Iht Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — While reading the article by " Ad Rem " on the above in your last he touched a cord that I often wished some one to pull . The 3 rd paraeraph . " How is it that ( say ) ninety-nine

out of every hundred Past Masters wear a gold or gilt jewel when the Constitutions distinctly say it shall be in silver , & c . ?" .... Oy . Are the jewels worn by the ninety-nine , referred to above , those that the P . M . ' s attach to their coat collars on the left breast ? If so , are they in reality jewels , according to the Book of Constitutions , any m . irj .. 1111 those

which are attached to the watch chain , & c , by many a brother . By thc reading of the Constitutions , p . 122 , I presume that a Past Master ' s jewel is to be worn pendant to a collar of light blue ribbon four inches broad , or as in p . 124 , where the emblem of their office is in silver or white in the centre of the apron . Yours fraternally , R . W'O .

"WHAT NEXT , INDEED ?" To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — Under the caption "WhatNext , Indeed , " an article appeared in your issue of the 1 ith March , and I have to request permission to make a few remarks thereon . You seem to apprehend disaster to the aged frame of Past

Master Dobbin , and in fancy hear him exclaim , " What ! admit women to an installation—it ' s scandalous—never heard of such a thing in my life before—it will ruin Freemasonry altogether , & c , & c , & c . " What dreadful forebodings are concealed under the three et ceteras my imagination fails to conceive , but doubtless , despite of such , Freemasonry will still live , and I sincerely

hope that the worthy Past Master may survive long enough to meet thc lady fiiends of Montgomery Lodge at their centennial in 1925 . And you , too , most worthy " Freemason , " cannot understand how ladies could be present at an installation , but presume some means are found for squaring the matter so as to be in accord with Masonic ritual . Squaring Masonic ritual is either a vile pun or a very

slang expression , unworthy of place in your well edited columns—excuse me . If your Masonic library does not contain a copy of Ahiman Rezon and Freemason ' s Guide , " by David Sickles , 33 ° , Sec-Gen . of the Superintending Council , Northern

Jurisdiction , and which is dedicated to John W . Simons , Past Grand Master of Masons and Knights Templar of New York , Grand Treasurer of the Grand Encampment of thc United States , Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of New York , and Sovereign Grand Inspector-General , & c , make haste and obtain a copy This book is our standard

in all matters of ceremony . The directions for " The Installation of the Officers of a Lodge " arc accompanied by the following notes . 1 . " A private examination is understood to precede the installation of the Master . " 2 . " If the installation is performed in a public place , this as well as other private ceremonies are omitted . "

In paint of fact nothing Masonic is done before " Cowans , " be they male or female , with the exception of " The Grand Honours . " I will endeavour very soon to write out the entire ceremony for your guidance and instruction , and possibly inform you of a similar proceeding in a lodge in Great Britain , so that you may see there is precedent for our action .

I sympathi / . e with 3 ro . Simmons , who you say is ill love , and am sure if such be the case he does endorse your opinion as to the extent of welcome to be given— " within due limits "—to well disposed gentle and graceful sisters , but this I know , that the admission of sweethearts , wives ,

daughters , and sisters to great educational and benevolent festivals , to special soirees , to orgtnized banquets , and to agreeable re-unions ( balls , lprei mt ) will never do hal so much gcod in removing t 1 impression , prevalen among women , that Freemaso : ;; is hut another nam for conviviality , as listening to . nguagc such as the fo