Correspondence.

who arc not otherwise accessible , of ivhich you are evidently quite aware . Your remarks have embraced punctuality of attendance at Lodge meetings , conduct while in our solemn assemblies , knowledge of our rites and ceremonies together witii the means of recognition—and collaterally other important points . Doubtless you have marked out for yourself a course of subjects ivhich

must as a matter of necessity embrace one , that , as regards the opinions formed of us by the external world , our claim to respect , and the consistency between our professions ancl our practices , is of the utmost importance ; for until our members are keenly and sensitively alive to it , we really deserve and must expect to be subjected to the scorn and contempt of such as can prove the failure of our system to induce correct thoughts and habits on tlie

part of its professors . The sceptic on points of Christian doctrine , who may nevertheless comport himself in accordance with the moral law , will tell us that he declines to join our fraternity because he practises all that we enjoin , and observes no additional advantageous fruits from our teaching : the religious fanatic , who looks upon a good life as the consequence only of an attachment to some favourite and particular ism , to the profession of some

especial faith , will regard our " peculiar system of morality" as a delusion , and point to individual instances as a corroboration of his assertion , not indeed without some reason , unless he can be silenced by refusal on our part to acknowledge and to cooperate with those who clearly evince their unworthiness to participate in our privileges ; unless he can see that , if not disowned , they are at least kept down in subordinate positionsWhenon the

con-. , trary , he finds them occupying places of authority , he may fairly conclude that the society does not act up to its professions , and is careless of its reputation as it may be judged by the standard of individual members .

_ You observe in your last number , " The candidate for admission into Masonry may be considered to be in a state of mental darkness respecting our secret rites , signs , tokens , & c , and the beautiful system of morality peculiar to them . But as he passes through the ceremony of his initiation the scales fall from his eyes ,, a new world of moral grandeur is opened out to him , and a heavenly light dawns upon his mind . " Such is in truth the

theory , and such ought to be the result , in any well regulated mind which is capable of receiving moral impressions , but the case I have mentioned shows that exceptions are possible , though I would fain hope that they are rare . It appears to me a solemn duty on the part of every member of a Lodge to express in the most forcible manner his disapprobation , and to endeavour by gentle means when possibleto put a stop to all impurities ivhich

, sap the foundations of society , and are hostile to the public welfare , especially to the interest of Freemasonry . A brother in any position of authority , whose private conduct will not bear scrutiny , does more mischief to the Craft than can be repaired by the consistency of a thousand of its members , or than by any statement of our real views , as given in the published charge to a candidate at the close of his initiation .

A quotation of a few lines will not be inapposite in this place . " Happily , in most districts , to be a Mason is deemed honourable- , it is to be feared that there are some few ivhere it is at the least equivocal . The same care ought to be taken in the election of a Master of a Lodge , indeed in promotion to any office . If a man known to be in authority , leads a discreditable life , those who belong not to us will not hesitate to point him out with the finger of

scorn , as receiving the approval of a so called moral institution , and they will not unreasonably stigmatize the whole body as sanctioning his vices , ancl accounting them venial by his appointment to rule over it . "

¦ Uiese are delicate subjects , I am aivarc , but it is maintained that any open and serious derelictions of the kind are too damaging to our cause to be lightly passed over , or disregarded as bein » - isolated cases , which cannot seriously affect the interests of the society . They are difficult to deal with , and no offensive step should be taken until every kind and charitable effort has been made to check the evil , and remove the stigma ; but if unsuccessful , the of action becomes less Lod

duty no imperative on a ge ivhich contains a member who so offends against the laws of G-od , against public morality and decorum , as well as against the sacredness of his Masonic obligations . In conclusion , though you , sir , in confidence know my name and address , ancl also my Masonic character and antecedents , I think it wellin of this kindto furnish information

, a case , no publicl y which may fix what has been saicl on any person or localit y . It may be received or applied in any case where necessity exists . Yours obediently , March 26 th , 18 G 0 . P . M .

The Grand Steavards' Lodge.

THE GRAND STEAVARDS' LODGE .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AST ) MASONIC MIRROR DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Allow me to congratulate you personally for the great success achieved by the Grand Stewards' Lodge on their last public night . To Bro . Hewlett and yourself this resuscitation , this rattling together of the dry bones , is mainly due , and I think it may now be said that the Grand Stewards' Lodge bids fair to take its ancient position in the Craft as the fountain

and source of the most correct and legitimate system of working . The testimony of Bros . S . B . Wilson and John Savage to the value of the labours of the Grand Stewards' Lodge , now sets at rest the question of its standing first of all Lodges of Instruction . And the suggestion that Bro . Wigginton threw out at the refreshment table , to the effect that the Grand Stewards' Loclge should be induced to hold meetings in some of the large towns in the

provinces , though very valuable , seems to me very difficult of execution . This much , however , is certain , the Grand Stewards' Lodgo must never again retrograde ; it has shewn unmistakable signs of vitality , and in its new strength of purpose must

" Awake , arise , or be for ever fallen . ' The supremacy of the Lodge being now assured , it becomes a question how the lead is to be maintained ; and as I doubt not suggestions to this end will meet with your consideration , I will propose to you those which have occurred to me . In the first place there are numbers of well known Masons who would value , beyond anything that coulcl be offered to them , some

public recognition of their ability as working Masons ; and if the Grand Stewards' Lodge would take upon themselves to reward such individuals , twice yearly , the honour ivould be eagerly sought , as few could attain it . My plan is , therefore , that tho Grand Stewards' Lodge should apply to the M . W . G . M . for leave to confer a jewel—which might be worn at all Lodges—on the most proficient working Masonand that the jewel should be one

, of simple appearance , bearing an inscription , such as , " Presented to Bro . ¦— , by the Grand Stewards' Lodge , for his eminence as a working Mason . March ( or December ) 18— . " Or , supposing you ivould take a wider field in the object of Masonic knowledge , I would still keep to the plan of the jewel , but , as the Prestonian lecture is now one of the shams of the age , I would suggest that the jewel be given for the best essay on some

point or points of Masonic ritual or history which the Grand Stewards' Lodge should select , and that the essays sent in should be subject to the decision of a committee , appointed by the Lodge , ivhose award should be final . And the successful competitor should read his production on a night chosen by the Loclge , ivhose W . M . should , at its close , then present him with a jewel bearing an inscription similar to the formerbut with the difference of

, substituting " prize essay" for " eminence as a working Mason . " Trusting 3 'ou will excuse the crudity with which the above is put forward , which is prompted by a desire of seeing the Grand Stewards' Lodge retain the hold they have once more established among Craftsmen , I am , clear Sir and brother , yours truly ancl fraternally , FIAT LUX .

Cursory Remarks Of Freemasonry.

CURSORY REMARKS OF FREEMASONRY .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS MASAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER ,- —I beg to congratulate you on your timely and instructive " Cursory Remarks on Freemasonry , " and also to inform you that they have already done a vast deal ol good . They arc working quietly , but certainty ; and a desire has taken hold of many a young Mason for a further insight into the mysteries of our beloved Order since their appearance . I trust

you will continue them for some weeks to come , and when completed , I feel convinced that Grand Lodge would confer an incalculable benefit on Freemasonry by having them reprinted , in pamphlet form , and distributed liberally amongst the Craft . The cost would be trifling when compared to the immense advantage accruing from their careful perusal . Trusting that my suggestion will meet the approval of Grand Lodge , I have the honour to remain , j'ours fraternally , Skibbereeu , Cork , March 29 / A , 1 SC 0 . J . W . P .

Province Of Devon.

PROVINCE OF DEVON .

TO THE EDITOR OP TIIE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR SIR AKD BROTHER , —The following appeared in a Plymouth daily paper , The Western Mornint / News , last week : — "The Rev . J . Huyshe , Deputy Provincial Grand Master for Devon and Cornwall , accompanied by tho Provincial . Grand Secretary , is expected in Plymouth to-day ( Wednesday ) , The Provincial Officer will