Masonic N0tes And Queries.

INNOVATIONS OE AMERICAN EREEMASONRY . We may judge of the innovations which have been introduced into Freemasonry iu America , by the following extracts from an editorial iu a Masonic journal . Let each member examine the membership of his lodge , and he will find that we are not far wrong . To please the majoritythereforenot onlbrings the

, , y most profit , but a degree of fame , ephemeral it is true , hut answers every purpose for the time being . Ignorance of Masonic history and law , and the traditions of the Order is more wide spread than is generally supposed . * * A most intelligent Craftsman , who has time ancl agaiu raised his voice in solemn and earnest

warning against innovations of all kinds , writes to ns as follows : — " If these . eontinued encroachments upon Masonry be not checked , and determined resistance to every species of innovations be uot resolutely persisted in , Ancient York Masonry may finally become anything cut reputable . Your strictures on ' Sisters '

Lodges , and Masonic Baptism' are not half severe enough . How any enlighteued Mason can presume to mix up such contemptible mummery with Masonry , it is not possible to conceive . If Masons wish to flirt and trifle with the wives , daughters , or sisters of other

brethren , let them choose some other place than the lodge room , in which to gratify such favourite propensities . The lodge is a sacred place , and Freemasonry was not instituted for the purpose of being converted into a cloak to screen iniquity ' " Eight , brother , we must do our duty in endeavouring to prevent the destruction of the Temple of Freemasonry . Others

may , for gain or popularity , raise tlie wanton hand or defile its portals , so that ivithin its courts ivill no longer be heard the sweet tones of brotherly love , and the heart's aspirations to the Universal Father , but neither gaiu nor fame can cause neither you nor ns to be untrue to our obligationsnor countenance

, the wrong . * * We are determined to do our duty regardless of consequences . We will not pander to the contracted views of any member of the fraternity , nor of any number of them . According to our obligations , aud our sense of right and duty , we are determined to wage war against all innovations

in the body of Masonry , agaiust the introduction of all new tests aud false teachings , all the new isms and rights , both male and female , agaiust all sectarian or political sentiments , sought to be embodied in the work of Masonry . —Ex . Ex .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

IFhe Editor is nol responsible for ihe opinions expressed by Correspondents . LODGE No . 600 . SO THE EDlTOIt OF THE FEE EJIASO .. 3 ' MAGAZINE ___ . _> SI . 1 S 0 _ . IC ailRHOB . PEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —You have again published some charitable tables connected with Lod

ge No . GOO . A brother , signing himself " Investigator , " again denies their accuracy . I neither know the lodge or the brother , but I think it is a pity these tables should be printed if they are untrue , aud I think it equall y pitiable " Investigator" should attack them if they are true .

This is the second year similar tables have been inserted in the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE , and the i charge against them re-iterated . It appears to me an

easy question to solve , Are they true or false ? and I think it imperatively demands that a decision should be arrived at one way or the other . The obvious plan would be for the Master , Wardens , and Auditors of Lodge No . 600 , to state " We have examined the tables referred toand pronounce

, them to be correct , " or , on the other baud , to give a denial to them by some such form as " We bave had no jiroofs given us that such sums of money are in existeuce or have been disbursed , " and let them each sign whichever of these two statements is the cor"rect one .

For the good of Freemasonry in general , and Lodge !>< o . 600 in particular , something- of this kind must he done , for the truth will be sure to prevail , and come out , sooner or later . The subject is one , if divested of all Masonic revelancethat a jury would treat as au imposition if

, the tables are proved to be imaginary , or as a libel on the Treasurer and his lodge if the charge of falsity . it , is proved worthless . This matter no longer belongs to Lodge No . 600 and " Investigator , " it is now a Craft scandal , and every brother is interested in demanding that a plain

affirmative or negative of the truth of the tables should be given by the officers of Lodge No . 600 , so that if they are , as it is to be hoped , found to be correct , " Investigator" must be compelled to apologize , under his own proper name , and as publicly as he has twice brought the charge ; orif they are the

worth-, less things asserted , then the officers of Lodge No . 600 must as publicly disown them , and leave its Treasurer to meet the' ridicule he has himself provoked . Yours fraternally , COMMON SENSE .

TO THE EDITOE OF THE FKEESTASOXS' HAGAZIITE A _ fD a _ ASO _ fIC HIREOtt . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —When I noticed the publication of the tables of Lodge 600 , I must confess I trembled for fear that we were on the eve of another paper war , which , if I recollect rightly , ended last year without giving us any information . I did hope we should never more see those tablesorif

, , so , that they would carry with them their own explanation . When they reappeared iu your paper , I trusted they would be allowed to pass unnoticed ; but , alas ! your former correspondent , " Investigator " denounces them in unmistakeable terms , and makes them appear so spurious that we mustin common

, candour , ask this lodge either to defend their position , or keep their doings within their own circle in future . I do not care personally whether they are real or fictitious , or whether the Institution ' s are on solid earth or in the clouds ; but I want us to have peace , and I must say a responsibility rests on this lodge for

having provoked another breach of courtesy . It is no small matter to be branded as guilty of " a mockery , a delusion , and a snare , " and to my mind , either this lodge or its assailant have a good deal to answer for . Let the Treasurer make his ease clear , or keep his peculiar notions to himself , seeing that

nobody else can understand him , and they are capable of such interpretations as make them appear devoid of truthfulness . Apologising for troubling you to insert this in the name of all that is good and useful in our Order . I am truly yours , PEACE .