Correspondence.

MASONIC RECORDS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Will you permit me to state in your columns , in reply to numerous enquiries , that the publication of the second edition of " Masonic Records" is being proceeded with as fast as possible , part of the copy

being already in the printers' hands . At the same time I would desire to impress on some of my correspondents from whom I have been waiting replies for some time , that it will facilitate the work if they will kindly forward whatever information they can ( however small ) as early as possible . —Yours fraternally ,

JNO . LANE Bannercross , Torquay , Sept . 24 th , 1894 .

MASONIC UNITY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Looking back at the events of the past 25 years there can be no doubt that Freemasonry has been making vast progress over the whole of the world , but pari progressa with this progress there is a tendency

towards schism and disunion . The fact of there being three great rival Constitutions in the United Kingdom itself familiarises the minds of brethren in distant countries with the idea of independence , as is witnessed by recent events in New Zealand and Australia . The brethren at home are scarcely aware of the practical effect of the different Constitutions . In Great Britain

and Ireland each Constitution has its well-defined limits , and one Constitution does not encroach on the jurisdiction of the other . Abroad , however , it is necessarily different . Brethren come from different parts of the United Kingdom and bring their Masonry with tbem , and so in course of time the sister Constitutions dovetail , as it were , with each other . Though

for the most part there is an outward harmony , there is an inward feeling , not merely of emulation , but of actual rivalry . At banquets where members of the different Constitutions are present this harmony is always alluded to , and even boasted of , but it is so strongly insisted upon that it often conveys the impression of the woman who protests too much regarding

her virtue . Here , in India , during a long residence , I have had many opportunities of observing this feeling . Originally made an English Mason nearly 30 years ago , for some time I had no opportunities of practising Masonry at all , and was then thrown into contact with a Scotch lodge , where eventually I succeeded to the chair , and what I have thus been able to see of the

inner feeling at work , both in Hyderabad and Bombay , where the two Constitutions ( English and Scotch ) work side by side , confirms me in the opinion that the rivalry is not altogether a healthy one . In the Colonies , as in New Zealand and Australia , the fact of independent Constitutions existing side by side seems to lead to the ideaof further independence , and of the erection of Grand

Lodges which do not submit to any of three original ones of the United Kingdom . This is what appears to have very generally taken place in America , and the result may be that a hundred years hence Freemasonry instead of being a bond of union will consist of a series of rival Constitutions , more or less at war with each other .

Would it not be possible to remedy this state of things , and to devise a plan under which Free-Masonry throughout the United Kingdom and its dependencies could be brought under one governing body ' : There is , I think one man in England who could do this , and one man only , and that is H . R . H . the Prince of Wales . The future sovereign of the

United Kingdom , he is the only man fitted to be the ruler of united Freemasonry , since his exalted position removes him from any sphere of jealousy . Nor would the change be a violent one . Nothing need be altered in the executive of the various Grand Lodges . They would continue as they are , but would in their turn become subordinate to a Supreme Grand Lodge or

Council . The various workings could remain the same , though it would certainly be of advantage to have one authorised ritual . The differences now are small , but in course of time they may become more marked . One good effect which such a system would have would be to place all Masons on a similar footing . In many English lodges it is at present the fashion to

affect nut to recognise a Scotch Master , and there was recently a lodge founded in North India for the purpose of Masonic research , in which the qualification for membership was restricted to Masons who had passed the English chair only . For this purpose it might perhaps be necessary to make some change in the Scotch system , under which all Master Masons are

eligible for the chair , even though they have not served as Wardens . This rule , however , is often a very beneficial one , as it occasionally happens , especially in stations out of England , where the residents are liable to be suddenly changed , that in a small lodge there is no Past Warden available . Points of this kind , however , are matters of detail which could easily be settled .

Another point of greater difficulty to arrange would be what to do with the two Grand Lodges holding a coterminous jurisdiction . For instance , in Bombay , there is an English District Grand Master ( H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught ) with jurisdiction over the

Bombay Presidency , and the Grand Master of all Scotch Freemasonry throughout India , having jurisdiction over the whole country . As the oriental proverb says , there is not room for two swords in one scabbard , and the lodges would have to be placed under one or the other of the Grand Masters . But this I believe to

Correspondence.

be also a matter capable of arrangement , and when we bear in mind that Freemasonry , especially in Western India , is making rapid strides , there is plenty of room for a territorial division with the District Grand Lodges , the jurisdiction of each of which would be quite large

enough to occupy the attention of a Grand Lodge . Such is my idea and I venture to propose it in the Freemason , because there is no other Masonic journal which is in the position of being able to reach so many readers , and of gauging the opinions of Masons in every quarter of the Globe . —Yours fraternally , J . D . B . GRIBBLE . Hyderabad , Deccan .

A QUERY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . ' Dear Sir and Brother , Is there any authority for the following : " A brother holding Provincial Grand rank , who ceases to

be a subscriber to any lodge in the province loses such rank , and if he again joins a lodge in the province is not entitled to wear Provincial Grand clothing until he receives a new Provincial appointment . "—Yours fraternally , R . G . V . 25 th September .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

IRCiPORT ^ E ^^^ H ^ JgiJBTWflgffl ^ l

METROPOLITAN MEETINGS . Farringdon Without Lodge ( No . 1745 ) . — The first meeting of this lodge after the summer recess was held at the Viaduct Hotel , Holborn , on the 24 th instant . Among those present were Bros . Herbert Herbert , W . M . ; C . Bachhoffner , S . W . ; J . Evans , J . D ., as J . W .: H . J . Lardner , P . M ., P . P . G . D . C . Surrey , Treas . ; W . H .

Jackson , P . M ., Sec ; W . R . Witt , D . C ; K . M . Lott , Mus . DDC , P . G . Org . Eng ., Org . ; J . W . Hinton , Mus . PJ- , M . A ., P . G . Org . Middx ., Asst . Org . ; G . J . Cawtho n .-, Stwd . ; N . P . Lardner , l . P . M . ; Capt . T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . P . G . W ., P . G . Stwd ., G . Std . Br . Eng . J . Stru ; nell , P . M . ; J . Young , P . M . ; T . Simpson , P . M . ; G . Herbert , P . M . ; Nelson Prower , M . A ., P . M . ;

and E . Mallett , P . M . 1623 , Tvler . Among the visitors were Bros . Cohen , P . M . 1 S 5 ; Cohen , P . M . 18 S ; E . Burritt Lane , Mus Bac , P . M . 2033 ; and the Rev . R . C . Fillingham , M . A ., 2490 . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . J . H . Lite , C . C ., was passed to the Second Degree . The ballot was taken on behalf of Mr . Albert

Edward Cook , and it bei . ig unanimous , he was duly initiated . Bro . N . P . Lardner , I . P . M ., performed both ceremonies in a most satisfactory manner . Bro . Montague Benson Jones , 30 , was elected a joining member . Upon the motion of the Treasurer , the joining fee was increased to five guineas . Apologies for non-attendance were received fiom Bros . W . H . Woodhill . J . W . ; J . M . Murphy ,

S . D . ; J . D . Webb , I . G . ; E . Schultz , P . M . ; and many others . Previously to the lodge being closed , Bro . S . Weingott , C . C ., 15 , was proposed as a joining member . A banquet followed . The speeches were brief . Among the most notable were those of Bros . T . Simpson , P . M . ; N . Prower , P . M . ;

E . B . Lane , and the Rev . R . C . Fillingham . Some excellent instrumental and vocal music was furnished by Bros . Dr . Lott , Dr . Hinton , G . Herbert , E . B . Lane , and J . Young . Bro . the Rev . R . C . Fillingham's humorous recitation , " My Cherry Stones , " afforded much amusement .

Walthamstow Lodge ( No . 2472 ) . —The September meeting of the above lodge was held on Saturday , the 22 nd inst ., at Bro . F . 1 . Hallows' Chequers Hotel , High-street , Walthamstow . At five o ' clock p . m ., the hour for which the brethren were summoned to attend , it was inconvenient . for the Worshipful Master , Bro . W . Harris , P . M . 1662 , to be present , and his place was taken temporarily

by Bro . William Shurmur , P . M . Ihe number ot brethren present showed the interest taken by all the members in the welfare of the lodge . Among the Past Masters of other lodges who are members of this lodge were Bros , Wildash , N . Fortescue , McGowan , ar . d G . H . Baker ( Treas . ) . Bro . McGowan was Senior Warden , and Bro . N . Fortescue took the chair of Junior Warden for Bro , William Gower , who

was attending the dedication of a Masonic Temple at Christiana , by King Oscar of Sweden . Among the visitors were : Bros . Charles Thompson , I . G . 2192 ; K . M . Yeoman , 2467 ; II . Massey , iGo , P . M . Gigand 1928 ; H . W . Lofts , 177 ; G . 11 . Pizey , 2374 ; Henry Muscat , l . P . M . 1632 ; A . J . Scott , 1613 ; W . S . Hooper , 1987 ; J . R . Friend , 2574 ; and Georee VV . Fry , W . M . 50 . Bro . William Shurmur

raised Bros . Frank and Lionel Budd , and Henry Osborne to the Third Degree , and at the close of this long ceremony Bro . VV . Harris , the W . M ., arrived , and performed the remaining business , initiating Messrs . Lewis Fowler Pool and Sidney Vincent Harris . The fact ot the Junior Warden ' s attendance at Christiana was communicated to the Worshipful Master and brethren by Bro . S . Herbert ,

the Secretary , who read a telegram from Bro . Gower to that effect , and the Norwegian and Swedish brethren were congratulated on having established a Masonic Temple . After the closing of the lodge , the brethren adjourned to a choice banquet provided by Bro . F . I . Hallows , and afterwards honoured the usual toasts . There was some excellent music and singing between

these compliments , and the brethren were indebted to Mrs . Friend , the wife of Bro . J . R . Fiisnd , for some of the best of this part of the entertainment . Bro . W . Shurmur , P . M ., in proposing "The Hea ' th of the VV . M ., " said there was no brother more zealous in promoting the success of the Walthamstow Lodge than Bro . William Harris , there was also no one more anxious to promote the comfort and pleasure of the brethren . All

Craft Masonry.

the brethren would agree in congratulating Bro . Harris on his _ rendering of the ceremony of initiation that evening , which was as pleasing to the brethren initiated as to tne other members of the lodge . Bro . W . Harris , W . M ., in replying to the toast , which was most cordially received , said he felt himself hardly worthy of Bro . Shurmiir ' s kind words , for he felt he had many shortcomings ; but he threw himself on the

indulgence of the brethren . He was not perfectly satisfied with his performance that evening , for he had done the ceremony much better in times past . However , it was a great pleasure to him to have initiated Bros . Pooi and Harris , who he knew to be good men of Walthamstow , and he thanked Bro . Cunningham for introducing them . He ( Bro . Harris ) had the welfare of the lodge at heart , and he wished he had more time to bestow upon it . Perhaps in

the future he might be differently situated . He thanked the brethren heartily for their kindness , and then immediately proceeded to propose " The Health of Past Masters Shurmur and Wildash . " He could say nothing fresh about Bro . Shurmur ; they all knew his value ; they knew what a sincere Freemason and man he was . It was an honour to know him personally , and he felt deeply indebted to Bro . Shurmur , who was always ready to come to any Mason ' s

assistance , as he had come to his assistance that evening , when other engagements prevented him ( Bro . Harris ) attending at the opening of the lodge . The brethren felt very proud that Bro . Shurmur was connected with that lodge . It was practically through him that the lodge came to be consecrated . They hoped he would be spared rn iny years to be associated with them . Bro . Shurmur was really the promoter of Freemasonry in Essex ; it had made

wonderful bounds in the county , and in the Walthamstow district in particular , since Bro . Shurmurtook it up . The Walthamstow Lodge sprangfrom the Walthamstow Lodge of Instruction , which was the topic of the hour with the Freemasons of London . Bro . Shurmur was the Preceptor of the lodge from which they got the best of instruction . Bro . Shurmur was the cause of there being such good Freemasons in that part of Essex . As to Bro . Wildash he was a good ,

zealous Mason . He had not had to do much work in that lodge , ot which he acted from the first year as Immediate Past Master , but in another lodge he had done a good amount of effectual work , having been the means of sending large sums of money to the Masonic Charities . Bro . Wildash had in his lodge a very successful year of office , There were but few meetings he did not attend . He took an active part in the welfare of Walthamstow ; was

Chairman ot the Local Board ; devoted a great deal of his time —which was very valuable—to it ; in fact , in every good work in the town they found the name of John Henry Wildash present . In saying this , he hoped his few remarks would be taken as thoroughly sincere . Bro . W . Shurmur , P . M ., who was the first to respond , having thanked Bro . Harris and the brethren for their recognition of his services , said he very much sympathised

with Bro . Harris in his inability to be present at the opening of the lodge , but he knew a very pressing emergency was the cause . Bro . Harris ' s disappointment was somewhat lessened by the knowledge that the ceremony of raising would not be performed in a slipshod way . He ( Bro . Shurmur ) had done his best , and if he had given the brethren pleasure he was thoroughly rewarded . 1 . It was always a pleasure to him to do anything he could to

further the interest of the Walthamstow or any other lodge with which he was associated . Bro . Harris had alluded to the fact that he ( Bro . Shurmur ) was Preceptor of the lodge of instruction . That being the case , the brethren would naturally expect him to do the ceremonies in an intelligent manner . From the great attention the brethren gave while the ceremonies were being performed it was but fair to infer they appreciated the work . In

conclusion he could assure them that his services would be always most readily given . , Bro . Wildash , P . M ., also thanked Bro . Harris for the nice things he had said , but one of his remarks was not altogether correct—that he ( Bro ; Wildash ) had done a great deal for Freemasonry . Now , he did not wish to take on his shoulders any honours he did not deserve . He did not believe there ever was a worse Master than himself ,

speaking from a working point of view . He was proud to say he was a working man , and it had been said to him , Don't you overdo it , old boy ; take it easy . " When he was a Worshipful Master he did very little ; he was always present after the ceremony , and some brethren used to-say he made a very good chairman at the festive board ; but no one said he did the work thoroughly well . One good thing was he knew his weakness , and that he could not

remember the whole ritual . However , he understood the Charity side , and he set himself to it . They founded a 1 u w ° lent - Puni > and sent U P a sum of £ 800 or £ 900 to the Masonic Charities . He was happy to say he was President of the Fund , and he believed that where they got £ 500 or £ 600 in the days he spoke of , they could get as many thousands now .

« £ [ i - ' . 1 > 00 ' and S > V > Har »? replied to the toast of The Initiates , " which met with a very cordial reception ; the toast of "The Visitors" was responded to by the visiting brethren . The Treasurer and Secretary each responded to the joint toast proposed and drunk in recognition of ; their services ; Bro . McGowan replied for "The Officers ; " and the Tyler ' s toast wound up an exceedingly pleasant evening .

Provincial Meetings.

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS .

BRADFORD . . Acacia Lodge ( No . 2321 ) . —The election meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the 6 th instant , when Bro . J . 1 . Last , W . M ., presided , and there were also present : Bros . John Niven , l . P . M . ; C . H . Ellis . S . W .

s . Kobinson , J . W . ; Joseph Wilson , P . M ., P . P . G . Std . Br ., Chap . ; ij . A . Bailey , P . M ., Treas . ; E . P . Peterson , A •^ - •' £ ec > ' John Morton > S-L > . ; J- «•Fearnley , J . D . ; A . fc . Harris , I . G . ; A . Swaine , Org . ; H . Holmes . Tyler ; Geo . Althorp , P . M ., P . P G . P . ; S . A . Auty , P . M ., Charity Representative ; John Haigh , P . M . ; R . S . Hird

, J . W . Bland , Wm . Docksey , J . S . Hedley , Wm . Walker , R . B . Nichols , H . Bowler , T . H . Bedford , andR . I . Markham . Visiters : Bros . G . H . Hodgson , P . M . 301 i J ?'„ . l ! # ' ,, P > M > 387 ; VV . F . Tomlinson , P . M . 3 'M ' P . P . O . J . C . ; James Wright , P . M . Coo , P . P . G . P . ; Josepn Matthewman , P . M . 1019 , Prov . A . G . Sec ; H . Sutherst , P . M . 101 S ; John Haley , l . P . M . 1034 ; John Akam . S . VV .