Correspondence.

upon the conviction that tbe erection of a building upon the scale of magnificence and splendour ' contemplated Avill cost a sum far exceeding any present estimates ; that the true interests of the Fraternity throughout the State do not demand the prosecution of such an enterprise ; - that if the work is proceeded

with it will entail serious burdens for many years to come upon the lodges ; that the calls for charities in our immediate vicinities demand our first attention ; that we cannot conscientiously suffer our means to be diverted from that course to erect a magnificent

temple in the city of New York , in vrhich the large mass of the Fraternity will have little or no interest . And should your views harmonise with those of our lodge , as . above expressed , we Avould ask your co-operation in securing the action of the Grand Lodge in favour

of the second resolution above named . Fraternally yours , E . W . SEYMOUR , F . L JONES , HA . ") rl - ,, BEEBE , G . S . LEONAED , F . O . CABLE j Oommtlte .

The Keystone ( Philadelphia ) asks " Why is that so large a body of educated men as the Order of Freemasons should refrain from reading Masonic literature ? ' There is no objection certainly to readinginstructive matter . Properly considered subjects having a Masonic interest are naturally supposed to

have some attractions for the thoughtful Mason . Why is it then that so large a number of Freemasons take no Masonic periodical . They would secure some pleasure in perusing one , their families would like to see one , and the pride of the fraternity would be

satisfied in knowing that the Masons had a paper equal to that of any other society . We think that a moment ' s reflection will induce a largo number of our brethren to accept these vieAvs and accede to their propriety . "

From the Illustrisle Zeitung of March 5 th , 1870 , Ave learn that the Freemasons of Germany have taken an active part in the work of the society established in Bremen , in 1 SG 5 , for the saving of shipwrecked persons on the German coast . The lodge in Bremerhafen and a Masonic association in Oppenheiin on the

Rhine have been especially active in this work . A number of wives of Masons in Rheinhessen issued a call to participate in this humane enterprise in 1866 , which was met by a hearty response . Iu token of their appreciation of this effort , the directors of the

society above mentioned named a new boat stationed at Newharlingershyl , " Frauenlot" ( praise to the women ) , the name , also , of the renowned singer of Mayence . In the Iberian Peninsula Freemasonry makes constant progress . In Portugal there are now 15 lodges ,

and in Spain ( where the increase in the Order has been more recent ); there are three lodges , and a fourth ( the second in Madrid ) is about to be formed . There have been in the United States of America

for some years past several orders , Avhich in form and object resemble Freemasonry , while in many respects they are far removed from it , and are in no way associated or allied with it . One of these is called the Order of Harugari . It has two objects— -one to give

assistance in case of sickness or death , the other to sustain , and if possible increase , the use of the German language . It was founded in 1847 in New York , has now about two hundred lodges in thirteen States of the Unionnumbers about 16 , 000 members , and

, has a capital of more than 200 , 000 dols . Another Order is called the Sons of Hermann , established in 1840 also by Germans , in New York" , on the model of the well-known Odd Fellows' Order in the United States . It aims at tbe physical and mental

improvement of its members ; its motto is " Friendship , Love , Fidelity , and Faithfulness . " In 1 SGS it had sixtythree lodges , and over 5 , 000 members ; the assistance given in the same year , amounted to more than 13 , 000 dols .

New Lodges should he very slow to add to their membership . It is presumed that the cliartcr members are all good and true men , and if thoy add no other kind afterwards , the prosperity and usefulness of the lodge will he assured . But if one defective ashlar is

admitted , it will create trouble and discord over afterwards , and greatly impede tho growth , while it disturbs the harmony of the lodge . Is is q . a ' o easy to get one in—it is very difficult to get vhi uf him . if found unworthy . Hence it is far boUa " to make

haste slowly" at first . Examine every block with extreme care , measure and test the fii : ; ic . ; : j ia every possible way , and never receive it until you are fully satisfied it is "just such as is needed for the use of the temple . " - —Masonic Review .

The 24 brethren of Lodge Bonaparte at Paris who resigned their membership at the last meeting , have asked and obtained permission to establish a new lodge under the name of Lodge l'Eeole , Lodge Bonaparte making no objection to the application . It will

be remembered that the majority of the members voted for a change of name , believing it had an improper political significance ; but it Avas found that if a minority of seven members desired no alteration , it could not be accomplished . This has caused the division .