D.P.G.M.

D . P . G . M .

TO THE EDITOR OP THE FRBEMASOHS * MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR , Dear Sir and Brother , —I am hardly surprised at such an unconstitutional proceeding at Grand Lodge as an objection to the constitutional costume of a D . P . G . M . He has a right to wear his costume on all Masonic occasions , and it is his official duty to wear it in the presence of his superior , the M . W . G . M . It is a gross breach of etiquette to appear before him otherwise clothed .

As this is the case , and as the D . P . G . M . must he qualified as W . M . of a lodge , the usual practice of requiring him and the Grand Wardens to put a blue collar over the purple collar is anomalous and absurd , although he is a member of Grand Lodge aa a P . M . With regard to the suggestion that the Deputies

should be appointed by the M . W . G . M . on the R . W . P . G . M . ' srecommendation , itis desirable there should be some clear recognition . Practically it is so already , for the P . G . M . is a personal nominee of the M . W . G . M ., and is not likely to appoint anyone distasteful ; the patent of the D . P . G . M ., on which he has to pay a

fee , is registered at Grand Lodge , and iu some cases the appointment of the D . P . G . M . is made with the full cognizance of Grand Lodge authorities . The Deputies consist of four classes , in fact . 1 st . Deputies with full powers of the D . 'G . Masters for the colonies and foreign parts . These Deputies

perform all the duties of wide districts , including nearly all the functions of the M . W . G . M . himself . 2 nd . Deputies of D . G . Masters , acting only in the absence of the D . G . M . Both these classes under the amended constitution hold , on the resignation or decease of the D . G . M ., the new office of Acting D . G . M . 3 rd . Deputies of P . G . M ., having patents for administering the province . 4 th . Deputies of P . G . Masters , acting only in the absence of the P . G . M .

There are great differences between the prerogatives of some of these functionaries and of those who are merely nominated by a P . G . M . and siit at his side for once at a P . G . Lodge meeting ; but there is not one of these functionaries who does not hold a more exalted prerogative than any W . M . or P . M . So far from the D . P . G . M . ' s meeting with any

respect at Grand Lodge , they have been treated with purposed insolence . It has been the practice for years to address them as R . W . or V . W . ( and , indeed , when ruling the P , G . Lodge R . W . is applicable to them ) ; but a special circular was a few years ago issued from G . L . to deprive them of this courtesy , stating that R . W . was a title of Grand Wardens and V . W . of Grand Secretaries .

There is a ground for a P . G . D . being called upon to put on a blue collar in attending Grand Lodge , bua none for calling a D . P . G . M . or P . G . W . to do so . The relative rank of D . G . M . cannot be lower than the R . W . rank of Grand Warden .

It may not be necessary to recognise all Past Deputies , but surely a certain specified service , as Acting G . M ., as full Deputy , or as simple Deputy , should secure permanent relative rank , instead of a casual Grand Sword Bearership . Yours fraternally , ANOTHEE D . P . G . M .

Mark Masonry In The Provinces.

MARK MASONRY IN THE PROVINCES .

TO THE EDITOE OE THE EEEEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MrEEOE . Dear Sir and Brother , —One of the questions of your correspondent " Alpha" ( page 252 ) , was fully answered at the Provincial meetings of the Mark and Chapter for Devon , held on the 23 rd ult ., reports of which appeared in your last number . Eirsbin the Mark meeting exception was

, taken to the substance of a resolution passed at a previous meeting , and also that it was carried hy a majority of Mark Masons that wero present , and had no right to vote . On this the Prov . G . Master desired all who were not members of the

Prov . G . Lodge to withdraw , and that past aud present Grand Officers , Past Masters , and Masters , and Wardens of lodges alone had right to vote . The withdrawal of the members was not enforced , on the understanding that they were not to vote . Again , at the chapter held the same afternoon , the desirability of sending circulars to all Royal Arch

companions , was warmly discussed ; those who argued against its adoption urging that if companions were invited to be present it would be contrary to the constitutions , and that they could not participate in the business of the chapter , of which they were not membersand therefore it would be wrong to invite

, them to be present . This view of the question was held hy the Prov . G . Superintendent ( R . A ., ) the Rev . John Huyshe , who gave his decision that if Royal Arch companions were present it was only by courtesy , and that as none were blinder than those who would not

see , he declined to see any companions who were not members , unless they thrust themselves into his notice , and that none but past and present Grand Officers , Past Z . '' s , and present Principals , were entitled to be present' and vote ; and on the question being put to him subsequently , he replied—and officers of the

Prov . G . Chapter . I am inclined to agree with him in his decision , provided he does not appoint to office a companion who is not a member of the chapter . I think the question of " Alpha " has thus received an answer from a very great authority in Masonry . Yours fraternally , VINCENT BIED , P . M ., & c .

Masonic Relief In The Provinces.

MASONIC RELIEF IN THE PROVINCES .

TO THE EDITOE OP THE EEEEMASONs' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEEOR . Dear Sir and Brother , — " One who has sat in Robert-Burns' Chair in Tarbolton , St . James ' s , ( No . 135 , S . C . ) , has , strange to say , entirely misconceived the whole tenor and purport of my letter on this subject ( p . 212-13 ante ) , which was not intended , as he infers , to raise any invidious distinction between rich and

poor , either Masonically or otherwise , and I thought I had sufficiently guarded against the chance of any such misconstruction , but to be simply a statement of facts respecting an evil in Masonry , of which I think even your correspondent cannot deny the existence . I will not yield to himor to " any other man" in

, , respect for " honest poverty , " nor will I deny that " a Mason who has been admitted into the Order for 30 s ., may not become as good a Mason as he who has paid 30 guineas , " but is not your correspondent , in his idea of equality , rather too much inclined to adopt