Correspondence.

but also by the fact being known among the immediate brethren in the vicinity , the members of a lodge do contrive to bestow a distinctive character upon their lodge . It is a common occurrence when talking of a certain lodge to observe , — " Oh ! that ' s such and such a lodge ; nearly all the members are so and so . " This , however , is a very different matter from excluding a brother from the chair , in order to maintain the distinctive character of the lodge .

The manner in which to render a lodge distinctive , although on Masonic grounds such a course is to be reprobated , is to render it generally understood that members of only particular professions or businesses will be cordially welcomed as accessions to the lodge . As every existing member of the lodge will be aware of its statusit is a very simple matter to confer that

, character upon it . It is evident also that every lodge , in consequence of the differences existing in point of wealth , education , social rank and position of the members of the fraternity , must iu some degree be distinctive , or , in other words , exclusive . But , where I disagree with Bro . Anderson isthat he attempts to

, support the distinctive character of the lodge at the expense of a member of it . This is exceedingly unfair . Whatever distinctiveness may exist between the members of a lodge and outsiders , there should be none between the members themselves . This is

dividing a lodge against itself , and we have the highest authority for knowing what the result will be . In another passage of his letter it is impossible to fail to perceive that the writer contradicts himself . He first asserts that it was never stated at the

meeting that "Bro . Baird was the richer of the two . " This statement , he says , was " simply untrue , " and yet , a little farther on in his letter , he admits that there was " a rejoinder from another brother to the effect that pounds , shillings , and pence seemed to be the test of fitness for office . " In this blunt assertion it would be difficult to discover anything but a most

convincing corroboration of the fact mentioned in the report . Had no remark been made respecting the individual monetary qualifications of the two candidates , it is impossible that the" rejoinder " could have taken place . It is in itself incontestiblc evidence of the truth of the statement . I do not assert that tho

words used in the report are verbatim et literatim , but this is not of material consequence . It is quite clear from Bro . Anderson ' s letter , that , in the main , questions of a totally Anti-Masonic nature did arise in the warmth of discussion , and that it was altogether forgotten that Masonic promotion does not demand a maximum

but a minimum of merit . Because one member , by virtue of natural gifts and other causes , will make a more brilliant officer than another , he is not to be promoted over the head of his less talented brother , provided the latter is competent to faithfully and accuratelperform his dutiesLet them each

y . have their turn . These anomalies are all due to the utter absence of all "Masonic discipline . " Petty jealousies , private piques , aud miserable individual quarrels are fast spreading their blighting influence over an institution which monarchs and kings have delighted to honour .

With regard to the last paragraph of the letter in question , I rejoice to witness that Bro . Anderson is ready to defend any brother who has been "" called over the coals " for Anti-Masonic conduct . At the

Correspondence.

same time , as the writer of one of the letters alluded to , I think it would be as well for Bro . Anderson tc adhere to the warning I have given him at the commencement of the present communication . Let Bro , Slack defend himself . He is surely able to take up

the cudgels in his own behalf , ancl , at any rate , it is rather the " eleventh hour" for anyone else to do it for him . Yours fraternally , ¦ ¦ nsjij London , 30 th January , 1 SG 9 . CEUX .

Masonic Lifeboat Fund.

MASONIC LIFEBOAT FUND .

TO THE EDITOU 01 ? THE EJIEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC M-Iil-OE , Dear Sir and Brother , —Will you kindly allow me , through the medium of your valuable journal , to respectfully suggest to the Committee of the Masonic Lifeboat Fund , a plan that I think would materially further the cause they have in hand . My proposal is : That subscrition lists be printed

p and sent to the Worshipful Masters of all lodges under the English Constitution , with a request that the same may be brought prominently before the brethren , and , when filled up , returned , with the amount of the subscriptions , to the Treasurer of the Fund .

I have no doubt Bro . J . Hervey , Grand Secretary , would kindly enclose such lists iu the next general communications from the Grand Lodge , in which case the distribution would be complete and the expense trifling in the extreme . Before closing-, I may add one of our brethren has

kindly consented to give lectures in each town of this island in aid of the Fund , and , at our next meeting , I will bring the matter before the lodge and do all in my power to aid so laudable au undertaking . Yours fraternally , * ELWOOD TIBBETS , 18 ° , W . M . 1242 . Douglas , Isle of Man , 25 th January , I 860 .

A Masonic Scandal.

A MASONIC SCANDAL .

TO THE EDITOK OF THE FEEEMASONi MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEnOIt , Dear Sir and Brother , —I annex excerpts from the Times and the Daily JS ews , which are reports of a transaction which will tend to bring discredit upon the honesty of a large and influential section of the Craft . Might I suggest that the brethren implicated in this disgraceful business had better have washed

their dirty linen at home , or considered tho costbefore building a tower ? From the Times of January 2 . " IN THE 3 IATTEII OE THE ITASONIO UNION COUP ANT ( LIMITED ) . " This was ' s petition by a creditor to the amount of

iGS 3 Lis . 2 d . for au order for winding up this company , which was formed in 1863 for the purpose of ' affording to Masons the accommodation required by various degrees in connexion with the Order . ' With a view to _ . this object premises were stated in the prospectus to have been taken in Bedford-row , and a new hail

ancl rooms , including spacious banquettiug halls , built , ' suitable for the proper performance of the ceremonies of the Royal , Religious , and Military Order of Knights Templar , the Rose Croix , and other high grades of Masonry , and for the Mark degree . ' Tho prospectus contained a long list of ' patrons , ' whose titles and addresses suggested the clays of Le Beau Dunois or Brian de Bois Guilbert . and the conflicts of the Crusaders and _ Saracen .. under