Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents

EREEMASONRY AND CHRISTIANITY .

TO TUB EDITOR OP THE EREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . Dear Sir and Brother , —Being desirous of becoming acquainted with the relation of Ereemasonry to man as man , in the universal and individual sense of the term ; and as the quotation in Bro . Dnalxo ' s letter does not in the smallest degree to me to

appear uphold his views with regard to the necessity of having a creed in connexion with Masonry consisting of a belief in the immortality of the soul , and especially the eternal reward or punishment of the same in a future state , I shall be exceedingly obliged to Bro . Dnalxo , or any other brother who will inform

me , whether this is all the authority which may be brought forward to support his views ? Being a lover of Masonry as a " pure Theism " or " system of morality , " I beg to remain , Yours fraternally , W . Y . P .

Bro. Melville's Discoveries.

BRO . MELVILLE'S DISCOVERIES .

TO THE EDITOR 01 ? THE EREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . Dear Sir and Brother , —It has been kindly suggested by some writer in your Magazine that my discoveries should be examined by Masonic archaeologists . I am perfectly willing , indeed most desirous , that the discoveries should be examined by any

respectable intelligent Masons ; and , consequently , would be glad to have such jurists as the eminent hrethren who organized the Archaeological Institute ; but , constituted as that society now is , it would be impossible for me to expound the mysteries before the members . In my first paper , I stated that , of

course no member of the Archaeological Society will presume to give publicity to the " part or parts , point or points , mystery or mysteries of the Order . " I cannot reveal the knowledge Avithout divulging the parts and points , and therefore the object of the Institute could not be effected—inasmuch as the purport of the society is to hear , read , and discuss papers and communications , and to publish the acquired

information in your Magazine and afterwards in "The Transactions of the Masonic Archaeological Institute . " Had my object been to publish the Masonic knowledge , I could have done so in Australia ; then my visit to England would not have been required , and I should not have encountered the opposition of the grandees of the Order in London .

In Australia I was taught that there formerly were mysteries connected with Masonry which were not to be divulged under no less a penalty than death . In England these mysteries are lost . I believe—nay , I am certain—that I have discovered them ; and , as a Mason , I am decidedly of opinion that I should be

doing wrong were I to publish them before they have been thoroughly examined and rejected by the Order . The late Dr . Oliver was a good man and a learned Mason , and 20 years back he declared my discoveries to he wonderful . There are men who think highly of Dr . Oliver ' s Masonic knowledge' and yet these very men , without knowing what my discoveries are ,

denounce me for seeking to bring them under the consideration of the brethren . According to your last publication , Bros . Bird and Dnalxo had an interview with me ; it was satisfactory to them . As Masons , however , they wisely abstain

giving a public judgment on the important subject ; they , therefore , judiciously desire the confirmation of others , and , with true Masonic brotherly feeling , are organizing a class in Devonport for the express purpose of fully testing the wonderful knowledge . The decision of the class will benefit mankind . Yours fraternally , HENEX MELVILLE .

TO TUB EBITOU OE THE ESimSASONS' JSM 1 A . ZI 51 E AND ^ SASOKIC XIIR & OB . Dear Sir and Brother , —It is with much satisfaction that I see by a letter from " Dnalxo , " in your impression of the 26 th ult ., page 507 , that he considers the alleged discoveries of Bro . Melville are worthy of a careful analysis .

It has struck me as very remarkable , that amongst those who have taken a prominent part in this Masonic correspondence , not one appeared anxious calmly to inquire and impartially to judge whether these said discoveries had any foundation , but were content to fire off shots from a distanceandwhen

, , challenged to come near and look and learn , some remained silent , ancl one who had spoken loudest , declined , sheltering himself behind a few miles of railway travelling , showing pretty clearly that a slight personal inconvenience was more important to him than any extra liht in Ereemasonry could be . This

g drives me to think that some of these enthusiastic brethren are afraid they might find the truth to be a trifle above the standard they work by . I am not personally acquainted either with Bro .

Melville or any of those who have ridiculed his discoveries , but I read his letters in the Magazine , and learn he has devoted a great many years to the matter , aud I cannot but arrive at the conclusion that there is an earnestness about Bro . Melville and a desire to benefit Ereemasonry ; then , I say , by all means let the subject be calmly looked iuto with an honest

desire to arrive at the truth , and not with a preconceived intention to condemn as ridiculous ; and after this is done let us all know the result . If the so-called discoveries are but the imagination of a disordered brain , let them be consigned to the contempt and oblivion they are worthy of ; butif

, there really is truth in them , let those who have certainly judged and condemned them without trial , learn to be " cautious . " I shall anxiously look for some report of this very interesting test in due course ; and , as the meetings are to be held iu DevonshireI hope our illustrious

, Bro . Huyshe , the G . M . of this province , may be one of those who will attend . Yours fraternally , EXCELSIOE .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRB 02 . Dear Sir and Brother , —I have just returned from an Australian voyage , and so been out of the active influence of Ereemasonry many months . I have only just now read the Magazines which have accumulated during my absence . Judge of my surprise at finding