Masonic Halls.

for some time past , there appear to have been no observations in the MAGAZIXE made either by yourself or your correspondents , Ai-ith a view to enforce the importance of the subject as one seriously affecting our efficiency , character , and the more extensive promulgation of our principles . One of the Dissenting congregations in St . Helier is

erecting a handsome chapel , and is , therefore , about to vacate the smaller one ivhich it has hitherto used . The situation of the latter is quiet , central , and the space ample to afford all the accommodation we want , namely , a hall about 40 ft . long by 30 Avide , two rooms of somewhat smaller dimensions , and several others suitable for preparing the candidates , committees , and other purposes . An offer of this property

was made to the lodge on the folloAving terms : — £ 200 in cash , and £ 200 in what is here called rentes fone teres , that is , an irredeemable mortgage to that amount at 5 per cent , interest . Nearly the whole of the purchase-money is in hand from former subscriptions . The payment of £ 10 per annum , by way of interest is less than is at the present time paid for the use of a room once a month ; therefore about

this there can be no difficulty , especially as we shall probably obtain more than that sum annually by affording accommodation to other lodges . The expense of the necessary alterations and fittings is estimated at £ 150 , which may possibly be increased to £ 200 . This sum is offered to us as a loan at the usual interest , to be paid off as soon as the circumstances of the lodge will permit . I am

sure yoxi will agree Avith us in the opinion that the proposition is one Avhich the brethren have done well to accept ; and it is sincerely to be desired that no unforeseen obstacle may arise to prevent its fulfilment . Even if such should be the case , a fresh impetus is given to the movement , which must ei'entually have a favourable result hi some form or other . The plans have been drawn gratuitously bBro

up y . Le Sueur , of which , with his permission , I shall hope to be able to send you copies when all final arrangements shall have been completed ; this , however , cannot be until Midsummer next , at which period the present tenants ivill vacate the buildino-.

Although formerly , in England , Dissenting congregations , who disapproved not only of the teaching , but also of the outward ceremonies and ecclesiastical structures of tho Church of England , went into the opposite extreme by making their places of ivorship as plain and almost unsightly as possible , consisting for the most part simply of four Avails and a roof , the increasing ivealth and

importance of such bodies , more ambitious vieivs , and perhaps it may also be added , better and more cultivated , taste , have of late years tended to rub off the marks of unenviable distinction , and have led to the erection of edifices of greater size , more exalted pretensions , and distinguished as works of architectural beauty ; and a similar spirit has even induced , the Society of Friends to abandon their quaint restrictions

as to dress . The hint given in the present case by the purchase of one abandoned chapel may perhaps direct the attention of the Masonic body to the matter , and may be useful to many lodges , since iu most instances the space thus afforded would be found ample , the terms moderate , and the cost of the required alterations quite within reasonable bounds . A similar case occurred at ham

Birming a year or two ago , ivhen the Athol Lodge obtained possession of a building formerly used as a JOAA ' S ' Synagogue . Permit me UOAV to call attention to another matter connected with Lodge La Cesaree , Avhich will be found i-ecorded in the report of its proceedings . Ifc ivill be hi your recollection that , within the last tiventy months , two aged and brethren °

respected have been interred in a grave belon ° --ing to the lodge with ei * ery mark of Masonic honour . It has now been deemed desirable to purchase two contiguous vaults for future use , aud over the Avhole to erect a monument characteristic of our Order . The original idea of this emanated from Bro . Binet , and has been ably carried out by Bro . Le Sueur . As it isI apprehendperfectluni

, , y que , I hopo in a day or two to send you a draAving which has been promised by the architect ; and I beg at the same time to suggest that , if you deem ifc worthy of a ivoodcufc for isnertion in your columns , it may prove the precursor of

Masonic Halls.

similar erections elsewhere , varying , however , according to circumstances , such as taste , material , inscriptions , costbness , & c . The description appended to the design will , I trust , render it ] 3 erfectly intelligible . Yours faithfully and fraternally , Jersey , Bee . 1 , 1860 . H . H . TO THE EDITOR OS TEE EHEEJIASOIfS JUGAZIjyE A 2 iO M 1 SOSIC JUZESOB .

DEAE SIE AXD BEOTHEE , —In reading your MAGAZINE of November 24 th , my attention was called to a letter from "Progress , " and one I should think the greater part of the Brighton Masons must agree with . It certainly does seem strange that iu a town like Brighton , where Masonry is said to flourish , and the Prov . Grand Officers are so particular everything should be done according to our ancient

landmarks , that no report should have been brought up for so long a space of time . I have not a doubt , that , shortly , we shall find , although at present the committee appear to be in a dormant state , they will in the end give such an account as ivill please '"' Progress " and the Craft in general . I am , yours fraternally , Brighton , December 4 , 1860 . OB SEE YER .

Lodge Heraldry.

LODGE HERALDRY .

TO TEE EDITOE OE TEE JEEEUAS 053 UA & AZISE AXD JCASOS'IC KIEEOIt . _ DEAE SIE ASD BEOTHEE , —The worthy Mason who first hit the blot upon the scutcheon of the Oakley Lodge , in noticing my letter on the subject of Arms of Lodges , reaffirms _ ( Avith a sort of implied contradiction ) his opinion , that it is undesirable for a private lodge to adopt the arms of one of its members . I do not think that I have said

anything to justify such an assumption , though it might be argued on the other hand that lodges might as well be distinguished by the personal arms of founders and benefactors , as colleges , episcopal sees , corporations , & c , which ive know by frequent experience have adopted such bearings as their insignia . My own impression is , that , though the arms of a private lodge may have , aud should have , reference to some local and

personal circumstances peculiar to that lodge , they should be so varied as not to be an exact copy of any existing escutcheon . But your correspondent is assuredly guilty of a non sequitur when he proceeds to reiterate that the coat of arms of Grand Lodge comprises in itself the ivhole of Masonic Heraldry ; in fact , that , because private arms are inadmissible , our lodge rooms are to bo decorated Avith au escutcheon of a city company , impaling the symbols of the four Evangelists , the Avhole shield , with its erroneously depicted

supporters , forming the strangest medley of things sacred and profane ever invented , and affording a direct precedent for the appropriation of ordinary coats of arms to Masonic purposes . And , after all , it rests ivith him to show that no other arms can be laivfully used by lodges . Where is the laiv ? Let us take the case I haA * e already epioted , that of the Hoive Lodge , Avhose members haA * e assumed an armorial sealAvho is

; to forbid them to use it ? and on what clause or section of the Book of Constitutions is such prohibition to be founded ? _ I fear our worthy brother is somewhat antiquated in his notions , and would have the banners and furniture of our lodges ornamented in a style savouring of the tame inelegance of days gone by . He forgets that Masonry is a progressive scienceand that something better in the

, Avay of decoration is demanded b y the improved taste of the age , than the formal and frigid scrolls and inscriptions which have long ago been consigned to the limits of teetotal societies and third-class stonecutters' yards . That the Craft , ivhich numbers among its members so many of literary and artistic eminence , should be backward in the adoption of all befitting marks of distinctionsanctioned bancient

, y usage , seems to me a downright impossibility : and that a judicious use of heraldry is au important part of this progressii * e course is the firm opinion of Yours fraternally , A PAST PROY . GRAND OFFICER OF WARWICKSHIRE .