Correspondence.

P . S , I find I have overlooked the glaring error in fact committed by the editor of the Era , who states , that those whom he is pleased to charge with - " . factiousness / ' in the course they have pursued in Grand Lodge , are in number about 'twenty . " Is this mis-statement wilful ? To an unprejudiced person it must have been evident that on the late occasion , deducting those who are indebted the Grand Master for the honours they wear , nearly , if not quite , two-thirds of the Brethren present would have supported the amendment either of Bro . Portal or myself , had they been put . —F . B .

colonies , and has given cause for complaint in almost every province of England ? We are quite really to accept the responsibility . To the Brethren who may be disposed to speak harshly of men whose opinions differ from their own I would say—abuse is a poor substitute for argument , and do not be ready to impute motives of an unworthy character to Brethren who feel themselves necessitated to adopt a line of policy in the propriety of which you cannot concur . For myself I

disclaim the intention or wish to give offence to any one , and repudiate the idea of disrespect towards any wdiose acts I may not approve , but whose position and office I acknowledge and esteem , and to whom I owe my allegiance . These sentiments I believe actuate the mind of every Brother , without exception , who coincides in the views I have here so hastily expressed . Whatever may be the result of the present agitation , I sincerely hope that the issue may be favourable

to the prosperity of the institution , and that all things may yet work together for good and to the promotion of the interests of the Order of which I may perhaps be an unworthy member , but whose welfare I fearlessly assert no one has more at heart than , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully and Fraternally , November 2 U 7 i , 1856 . Frederick Binckes , W , M . No . 11 .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRItOR . Dear Sir and Brother , —Permit me , though but a humble P . M ., to congratulate you on your remarks in the November number , and more particularly as to giving the Brethren information of the business done at Grand Lodge . For my part , I should treat with due respect the opinions of Brethren who have , so to speak , " done the state some service , " yet I would not allow the fustian or bombast of a Grand Officer to swerve me from what I conceive to be the interest of the

Craft at large . Speak to any Mason of the affairs of Grand Lodge , and you will find that all agree that we want a change ; but who is to bell the cat seems the question ' (¦ I say , " Render unto Ca ^ . ir the things that are Caesar ' s , " but do not try to throw dust in our eyes , hy telling us we are removing the land-marks of the Order whenever we desire improvement in Masonic affairs . Of one thing I feel sure , -that as long as the almighty dollar is the only key to the purple of Grand Lodge , many Masons , who have both time and judgment , must remain in

static quo . I his is the reason that our affairs are neglected ; hence the trouble and the un-Masonic conduct seen in our Canadian affairs . I wish I could convince Brethren that past service is no excuse for present inefficiency ; if I could do that , f should have some hope of cleansing the Augean stable . If Masonry is to be anything , it must be progressive ; and they are its best friends who say so in plain and unmistakable language ; the days are past , at least we hope so , when the substance and shadow were held to be the same . It is not only in working the ceremonies at the Lodge that we are called upon to do good ( Masonically

speaking ) , but by spreading that brotherly love which , if rightly understood , would make each man a brother and a friend . I know some Brethren who will say , look around and you will see that Masonry has done much good ; it has smoothed the pillow of many an aged head ; it has poured oil into the wounds of many who otherwise would have been left to perish ; it has clothed the naked and fed the hungry : I admit that all this is true ; yet , I say , there is room-for the further development of the Masonic element—charity , j mean that charity