Masonic Jottings.—No. 45.

particular Freemasonry being Christianity , and its Religion as a universal Freemasonry being natural Religion . AN ABSURD NOTION . A Correspondent is mistaken . It is not the Past

Provincial Grand Master for Kent , but Bro . Hughan who , somewhere in our Periodical , calls the notion that there was . no Speculative Masonry before 1717 , an absurd notion * A TRUE FREEMASONY .

Every Freemasonry in which there is the belief in the Great Architect of the Universe and in a future State of reAvards and punishment , is a true Freemasonry . RELIGION , FREEMASONRY .

Meditation upon God , and contemplation of his glorious works , is a part of our Religion Avhich is a necessary ingredient in our Freemasonry .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

A PAST PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER AND ARCHITECTURE . Bro . B . G . C . —It is strange that you should look for accuracy , or any other quality befitting literary discussion in the author of the communication to which you have drawn my attention . * * * I not only have not perpetuallbut I have not even

y , ¦ onee " praised German Architecture at the expense of English . "t—A PAST PEOVIITCIAI , GTBAHD MASTEB . THE BIBLE . '' Having been for twenty-four years ( "Dee . 1 , 1866 ) a member of the English Fraternity , and being fully acquainted Avith its working and its princilesand

p , knowing also what I do of some parts of foreign Freemasonry , I feel justified in raising a warning voice against any proposal to tamper with what has been both its distinguishing feature and its safe-guard . Thousands of able , of learned , of tolerant minds , have been attracted to an order which has not been

ashamed to begin and end its ceremonies , its labours , and its formula with the Bible ; and any such exclusion of the Bible , as some advocate , would not only entail an entire remodelling of every portion of our Ritual , but would as certainly drive from our ranks thousands whom we never could replace . ''—From a bundle of Masonic Excerpts . —CHAELES PUETON COOPJEE .

ECLECTIC MASONRY . This was an order or rite established at Frankfort , in Germany , in the year 1783 , by Baron de Knigge for the purpose , if possible , of abolishing the haute grades , oy philosophical degrees , which had , at that period , increased to an excessive number . This " Eclectic Masonry " acknowledged the three symbolic

Masonic Notes And Queries.

degrees only as the true ritual , but permitted each lodge to select at its option any of the higher degrees , provided they did not interfere with the uniformity of the first three . The founder of the rite hoped by this system of diffusion to weaken the importance , aud at length totally to destroy the existence of these high degrees . But he failed in this expectation ; and while these high degrees are still flourishing , there are not a dozen lodges of the Eclectic rite now in operation in Europe . —Maclcey .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is-not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondence

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE . * TO TIIE EDITOE OV THE PHEE 3 TASOXS' MAGAZINE AND HASOHTC MHIEOH . Sir . —As the time is fast approaching when the new law , authorising the appointment of a permament—or more correctly speaking , an annual Presidentwill come into operationI mayas one who

, , , took a deep interest in the adoption of the proposi tion , be permitted to indicate the names of two or three brethren who , in my humble opinion , would fill the chair satisfactorily , and , doubtless , the choice will be made from amongst those who have from time to time occupied the post .

First and foremost I would name Bro . J . Newton Tomkins , P . G . D . He has frequently filled the chair with great courtesy , evinced a thorough knowledge of the laws governing the Board , and invariable correctness in his rulings . He is incomparably the best Chairman of the Board has had during my long

attendance . The second , I would name is Bro . James Mason , P . G . S . B , who has occasionally presided at the Board , and with a full appreciation of the duties , has fulfilled them in a highly satisfactory manner . He would make a good Chairman .

The third I shall name is Bro . Moxon Clabon , P . G . D ., who is a man of great general ability and thorough business habits . He also has occupied the chair of the Board , and has given proof of his qualifications for the office . He , too , would make a good Chairman . The appointment of any one of . the three brethren

named would be satisfactory , though the first would be the best , if that brother can be induced to accept the nomination . Having attended the Board of Benevolence , more or less frequently , for upwards of twenty-five years , and constantlfor the last ten or twelve yearsI am

very y , enabled to form a sound opinion on the subject , and that must plead my apology , if apology he needed , for penning these lines . I am well acquainted with all the laws of the Board of Benevolence , and I write without any bias or prejudice , having the highest respect for each of the three brethren whom I have

named . I remain , yours fraternally , Jomr SAVAGE , P . G . D . 10 th November , 1870 .