Masonic Notes.

in these " Notes , " and which formed the subject of our article last week , should be carefully reviewed , and in such a manner that the smallest possible amount of harm may be inflicted on any lodge or brethren .

On the other hand , we have received a letter from a correspondent of ours in Tasmania , in which , after announcing to us the formation , in a regular and constitutional manner of the Grand Lodge of Tasmania , he goes on to say that in the case of the " Tasmanian

Union Lodge , No . 53 6 ( E . G . ) , there is a very small but very active minority , amounting to about 5 per cent , of the total number of members on the lodge , who are still opposed to the new order of things . " He adds later on with reference to the Grand Registrar's ruling

— "These few active opponents now contest this ruling , and I am informed have written to the Grand Secretary of England to order the warrant of Lodge 536 to be handed over to them , for the purpose of having a solitary lodge under the English Constitution in

territory now otherwise occupied , and together with the warrant to claim all the furniture and other assets , including , of course , moneys in banks , & c , as belonging to- the five who represent 53 6 . " Here , if our opinion

is correct , that these five members are only claiming a rig ht which the law relating to the "Surrender of Warrants" confers upon them , we have an illustration of the opposite kind of hardship to the one referred to above .

* * * The Madras " Masonic Review" advises Tylers to be very careful in examining the premises of their various

lodges . Several ladies who have read the article by Bro . Whymper on " Ladies and Freemasonry" have made up their minds to emulate the example of Mrs . Aldworth .

* * * The Masonic contributor to the Glasgow Evening News say that " Grand Secretary Bro . D . Murray Lyon has arranged an opening and closing ceremony for deliberative bodies such as Grand Lodges

and Provincial Grand Lodges . It is already in use among those who recognise the difference between a lodge meeting for the purpose of working Degrees and one for legislation . In the absence of

regularly-installed officers , the ceremony at present practised in Grand Lodge and Provincial Grand Lodges is not always gone through with smoothness . The introduction of a shorter form would be welcomed , and cannot come too soon . "

* # * The Grand Lodge of British Columbia has on its roll 10 lodges and a total of 587 subscribing members , the latter being an increase of 30 over the year 1889 . Its investments amount to upwards of § 4700 , while

the value of its lodge funds and property is set down as $ 41 , 907 . Bro . John S . Chute , of New Westminster , is M . W . Grand Master , and Bro . Henry Brown , of Victoria , is Grand Secretary . The Right Reverend Bro . the Rev . A . W . Sillitoe , D . D ., Bishop

of New Westminster , is Grand Chaplain , and to judge from the intelligence which reaches us from time to time , takes a very great interest in the Grand Lodge of this distant British possession . We dare say that as

British Columbia becomes more numerously populated , this Grand Lodge , which which is now on a modest scale as regards members and lodges will become far more numerous .

* * * The 93 rd annual convocation of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of New York was held in Albany in the early days of February last , when Comp . Richard H . Parker , G . H . P ., had the

satisfaction of presiding at a numerous gathering of Grand Officers , Present and Past , and members , there being 17 8 chapters represented , and only eight unrepresented . The reports show that the number of chapters on the roll is 186 , with a total of subscribing

members numbering 15 , 646 . The receipts and expenditure were nearly on a level , the latter amounting to the larger sum , but the invested property amounts

to upwards of $ 3700 . The Grand High Priest for the current year is Comp . William J . McDonald , while Comp . Christopher G . Fox remains at his post of Grand Secretary .

7 P VP TVThe New York Dispatch thus speaks of Bro . Ross Robertson , the newly-elected Grand Master of Canada : " Bro . Robertson is the proprietor and publisher of the Evening Telegram , a paper which has a larger city

circulation than any other Toronto daily , and which is said to yield larger cash returns . But if Bro . Robertson has acquired wealth rapidly , he has also expended it liberally . He has been a generous contributor to the charitable institutions of his city , and has for several

Masonic Notes.

seasons borne the chief expense of maintaining summer houses on the island , as it is termed , for sick children and overworked sewing girls , thus showing that he is actuated by a spirit which is at once truly humane and truly Christian . In the cause of Masonry he has been a most zealous and enthusiastic worker .

He has devoted considerable time and labour to historical research , and has obtained copies of minutes and other documents from almost every old lodge in the province for the purpose of gaining thorough

information in regard to the establishment and progress of Freemasonry in Western Canada . He has prepared a very interesting lecture on the subject , which he has delivered in almost every city and town in Ontario , as well as to a number of rural lodges . "

Correspondence.

Correspondence .

[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in a spirit of fair play to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]

LODGES OF EMERGENCY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear- Sir and Brother , I have lately heard the , to me , novel contention that under Art . 185 , the proposition of a candidate for initiation on emergency need not be in writing ; the argument being that the word " may " before " transmit in writing" gives an option in the matter , and that any

two brethren may verbally state to the W . M . their wish for a brother to be initiated on emergency and he may comply . This view is so startling to me that I should much like to know if any of your readers can give me any instance of a W . M . having ever acted on it , and what view the authorities have taken if it has come before them .

It seems to me that a careful reading of 184 and 185 together can leave no doubt that the proposition must be in writing and must state the cause of the emergency . Art . 184 lays down a stringent , a . very stringent rule , following course may be pursued . Any two members Art . 185 relaxes it a little— " In cases of emergency , the

may transmit in writing .... and the circumstances which cause the emergency . " Can it be seriously contended for a moment that the words " may transmit in writing " can be altogether ignored ? But if there were any doubt upon the point , if it could be said or thought that strict compliance with all

the letter of the law were immaterial , the words that follow are most important , "and if , in his opinion , the emergency be real , the Master shall ( 11 ) notify the proposition . " He lias no option in the matter , beyond that he may postpone the ballot til ! his next regular lodge if he do not call an emergency ; he is only

allowed " to satisfy himself of the reality of the emergency , and then he must notify the proposition . " This is rather strongly trenching on the W . M . ' s prerogative , and more stringent than the provision in the Const , of 1873 , "and the Master , if it be proper , shall notify . " Then , before the ballot is taken , he shall " read the

proposition , and state to the lodge the cause of the emergency , which shall be recorded in the minutes . " How can he read it if it be not in writing . I take it to be clear that the proposition must be in writing , must contain every particular required by Art . 185 , must be signed by two members , and should be copied in the minutes .

The only thing that makes me feel the sli ghtest hesitation as to my being right is that I can see no other side to the question . If any of your readers take an opposite view it would be a kindness if they would state their reasons .

Another question I have latel y heard raised as to which I feel more doubt is whether the conferring of a Second or Third Degree on a brother who is eligible is permissible at a lodge of emergency if no notice of intention to do so has been expressl y given on the summons . Art 166 states " the business to be

transacted at such lodge of emergency shall be expressed in the summons , and no other business shall be entered upon . " Would the conferring of a Degree on a brother who was eligible be " other business ¦> " Ordinary lodge business , such as money matters , reports of Committees , propositions , & c , would clearl y be out of order ; but the contention is that there is a difference between

lodge business and lodge work . That the former should only be done at a regular lodge when the brethren may be expected to have made their arrangements to attend , or otherwise that they shall have due notice to enable them to attend , but the conferring of Degrees is lodge work , which it is entirely in the discretion

of the W . M . to take at any time when the lodge is open , and no one can be aggrieved by the want of express notice and cessante rations cessat lex . Ot course , if notice be dul y given on the summons , any business can be taken , unless such as is expressly forbidden either by the Constitutions ( e . g ., the confirmation of the minutes of the last regular lodge ) or by the

lodge by-laws . If Degrees are business within Art . 166 , would it be legal to put upon the summons for an emergency the general clause I have been somewhat struck with in regular lodge summonses I have lately seen— "To initiate , pass , and raise those eligible ?" The opinions of some of your correspondents well read in Masonic law will be thankfully received . —Yours fraternally , LEX SCRIPTA .

Correspondence.

RE-NUMBERING OF LODGES . To the Editor of the "Freemason , " Dear Sir and Brother , Will you allow me space in your valuable paper to make a few observations on the above subject , referred to in an article by one of your contemporaries , on Saturday , the 23 rd instant .

Lodges were re-numbered in 1814 , 1832 , and in 1863 , and many of us well remember the great inconvenience experienced on the last occasion , when it was found necessary to give in the Calendar the old and the new numbers side by side to enable brethren to trace even their own lodges . I therefore think this alteration of

numbers should not be made without absolute necessity . In the agenda for Grand Lodge on Wednesday , the 3 rd September , there are two applications for the establishment and recognition of Grand Lodges in New Zealand and in Tasmania , which , if granted , will reduce our numbers by 30 to 40 ; then Queensland ,

with a similar number of lodges , will probably and also shortly desire to form a Grand Lodge , still further reducing our numbers , it therefore appears to me a very inopportune moment for this process of renumbering . I shall be glad of your opinion , and of others more experienced than—yours truly , HENRY SMITH , P . M . 3 8 7 .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

912 ] " WESTMINSTER JOURNAL , " A . D . 1742 . Dr . Begemann , of Rostock , has sent me the following particulars in support of my views as to the text of the " exposure " in the above journal . He is particularly well informed on such points , having made an

exhaustive examination of all these curious books , which were printed from A . D . 1723 . He states that "The Mystery of Free Masons" is quite the same , to my view , with that of the Daily Journal , August 15 th , 1730 , reprinted in several copies under the same title . One is in the British Museum , Theology , 1892 d .,

under No . 22 x ., " The Mystery of Free Masons , taken from a Manuscript found amongst the Papers of a deceas'd Brother , one page with coppers , Printed for and sold by Andrew White . " Another copy is the Gild Hall Paper , which I saw when in London , the title is " The Puerile Signs and Wonders of a

Free-Mason ; with their Ways of Admittance and Entrance , being found in the Cabinet of MS ., a Brother Deceas'd , the 6 th of August , 1730 . Likewise their Oath , and by what Means they know a Brother , & c . " " The Mistery of Free-Masonry , " one leaf , Printed in the year 1730 . All of them contain the same mistake as to the place

of the Wardens , putting them in the "East . " The Daily Journal is the original , the others being reprints thereof . The copy of Bro . Carson ' s is the same as the " White " reprint in the British Museum . The piece was also reprinted in the Daily Journal , 1 Sth August , 1 730 ; in Reed ' s Weekly Journal , or British

Gazetteer , 22 nd August , 1730 . A separate reprint on a single sheet is to be found in Vol . IV . Newspapers in the British Museum , 1730 ; also in America in the " Pennsylvania Gazette , " December Sth , 1730 . In May , 188 7 , this catechism was reprinted with some remarks of mine in the " Kneph . " Those interested in these curious , and certainly important , enquiries will find my

communication respecting the reprint of General Lawrence ' s copy of the " Westminster Journal" for May Sth , 1742 , in the Freemason , June 14 th , 1890 . The error as to the Wardens being in the East , instead of the West , as was the early usage , enables us to fix the ori ginal of a goodly number of these prints from the third decade of last century . W . J . HUGHAN .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

PROVINCIAL MEETINGS . Craft HDaaonrp .

CHINGFORD . Bl'OOke Lodge ( No . 2005 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held at the Royal Forest Hotel on Friday , the 15 th inst ., Bro . Alfred G . Hayman , W . M ., occupied the chair , supported by Bros . S . G . Vaughan , I . P . M . ; Sadler Wood , P . M ., P . P . G . Stwd . Middlesex ; Wm . Williams , P . M . ; J . Van Essen , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ;

J . R . Johnson , P . M . 1320 , Sec . ; Wallis , S . W . ; B . Hoddinott , B . A ., J . W . ; W . Herbage , P . P . G . R ., Treas . ; C . J . Dale , P . G . Org ., Org . ; J . J . Knight , S . D . ; Johnson , I . G . j G . H . Finch , P . P . J . G . W ., Stwd . j H . H . Goddard , Tyler ; Slater , Woodcock , Lorrimer , Crump , Bailey , Bullen , Frigout , Strugnell , C . G . Hayman , and many others . It was announced that Bro . Railing , P . A . G . D . C .

England , P . G . Sec , was present , and he was duly saluted by the brethren . The minutes having been read and confirmed , Bro . Lorrimer was balloted for and approved as a joining member , and three candidates were then raised by the W . M . After other business the lodge was closed . 'Ihe banquet , which was served in first-rate style , was immediately discussed , after which the W . M . gave the usual loyal and Grand Lodge toasts .