Father Suffield And Freemasonry.

he himself , in common with so large a number of virtuous , honourable , and loyal English Freemasons , is ignorant of , and untainted by , the inner and essential spirit and tendency of Freemasonry , which Avas long and carefully investigated by the Church , guided by information received from all parts of the World .

Sixty years ago Professor Eobison , of Edinburgh , a Protestant , called attention to the same fact , in his " Proofs of a Conspiracy against all Established Eeligions and Governments . " I have the honour to remain ,

Tour obedient servant , E . EODOLPH SUFFIELD , O . S . D . Eaglan Hotel , West Hartlepool , Jan . 29 . Mr . Editor—I am obliged to Father Suffield for

, his courteous rejoinder ; but he must not think me harsh when I state that I consider he has completely failed to prove his case . To refer me to a few of the works written in depreciation of Freemasonry , really amounts to nothing . I am well aware that there is not a crime under the sun which has not been

charged against us . I might , with at least equal consistency , refer Father Suffield to a few of the noble defences written by wise and good men in all parts of the civilised world , in behalf of an institution , the remote origin of which is mere matter of conjecture with the most learned Masons , but which has ever

possessed so much vitality as to defy all the slanders and persecutions which it has had to undergorising more triumphant than ever after every trial . Surely my own intimate knowledge of Freemasonry is worth more to me than all the treatises that have ever been published for or against itWhen I can

. speak of my own knowledge , why should I go to . this book or to that to convince me ? I have the charity to hope that , if Father Suffield had but a tithe of my knowledge of the Craft , he would never more say

one unkind word about it . If I were to refer the reverend gentleman to some books which boldly asserted that the Hartlepools were a thousand miles from the sea , would there be the least chance of convincing himthat these two toAvns are not built on the shore ? It is just as impossible to convince any one who trul

y understands our beautiful system of morality , " veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols , " that its object and its effect on society generally can be otherwise than to promote " peace on earth , goodwill to men . " I speak from my own knowledge ; Father Suffield from what he has been told b

y others . Such of your readers as know little or nothing of Freemasonry , can judge at once which of us is most likely to have been deceived . During the sixty years which have elapsed since the professor named by my antagonist proclaimed to the world the imaginary " wicked conspiracy " of the Freemasons ,

my " brothers of the mystic tie " have given the best of all possible answers that can be given to the slander , by their upright actions proving their just intentions . If Father Suffield can produce , of his own knowledge , any circumstance to even appear to justify the charge he has made against us , I am ready with pen or tongue to defend that beloved institution of which I have the honour to he one of the numerous members . But , to make a charge " as one

speaking with authority , " and then to refer me to charges made by others , is not to prove his case . I am , Sir , yours truly , GEORGE M . TWEDDELL - Stokesley , Torkshire , Feb . 5 , 1868 .

M.W. Bro . Robertmorris.

M . W . BRO . ROBERTMORRIS .

TO THE EDITOR OE THE EREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIO MIEEOE . Dear Sir and Brother , —M . W . Bro . Eoberfc Morris , having announced his intention of proceeding direct to Constantinople and the East , I have written toleading Masons in Constantinople aud Smyrna to make his visit known . We have some distinguished

American Masons in the East , but as we have many foreigners to Avhom Bro . Morris may not be known , I trust my communications on his behalf may beacceptable . Tours faithfully and fraternally , HXDB CLAEKE , D . D . G . M . Turkey . 32 , St . George ' s-square , S . W ., Feb . 6 th .

Masonic Lifeboat.

MASONIC LIFEBOAT .

TO THE EDITOR OE THE EREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIO MIEEOE . Dear Sir and Brother , —The Skiddaw Lodge have notified to me that they have voted three guineas to the Lifeboat Fund , which you will please announce . I notice in the Manchester papers that the Sundayschool children have presented a lifeboat to the

institution , and it was drawn through the streets of Manchester on Saturday last—thus showing that even children can give one , whereas we Masons arescarce able to supply the needful for ours . Tours fraternally , A . WOODHOUSETreas . to the Fund

, , W . M ., 412 ; Steward , 310 ; P . G . S . [ Our esteemed brother ' s remarks look like truth ; -. the way in which the subscriptions come in justify his remarks . —ED . JT . lf . ]

Lodge Music.

LODGE MUSIC .

As a very useful supplement to the "Music for the Lodge , " ' by Bro . AV . P . Buchan , which we had occasion some little'timeback to favourably notice in these pages , Bro . T . Haltet , of 177 , Buchanan-street , Glasgow , Senior AVarden of the Lodge St . Mark ( No . 102 ) , on the roll of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , has composed and arranged the following " Music for

consecration , " consisting of a Sanctus and Anthem . AA ~ e gladly publish Bro . Halket ' s contribution towards standard music , the more especially so , as in Bro . Buehan's " Music for Consecration" is not included , and Bro . Halket ' s contribution before us now supplies that want in the shape of a very appropriate supplement .

There can bono doubt that additional impressiveness is given to the working of lodge ceremonies by the introduction of appropriate and judiciously selected music ; aud we hail , therefore , with pleasure the evidence of the study and attention this subject is receiving .