Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

Whe Editor is not responsible far the opinions expressed by Correspondents . SUSPENSION OF LODGE OFFICERS . 'SO THE EDITOR OE THE EKEEltASONS' MAGAZINE A ? TD 3 IASO > -IC 3 II ? . EOE . DEAE SIE AND BEOTHEE , —I observe in vour last -numberdated Sept . 7 tha long and rather rambling

, , letter from Bro . Thomas M . Campbell , complaining of the proceedings of the Provincial Grand Lodge here . He states that the J . W . of the Lodgo Clyde . ( No . 408 ) , which had been suspended by Provincial Grand Lodge , was debarred from voting ,-as no official intimation of the removal of said suspension had

been sent from Grand Lodge . Bro . Campbell says that he considers it was nofc necessary for the Provincial Grand Lodge to have this official intimation , as one of the Provincial Grand Lodge office-bearers was present at Grand Lodge , and heard tho case -decidedand couldthereforetell Provincial Grand

, , , Lodge what he saw and heard there ; but , surely , Bro . Campbell could not call that an official intimation ? Bro . Campbell again affirms that it was fche duty of our Prov . G . Sec . to have written to Grand Lodge anent this , and considers that he clenches his argument hy adding , " The Grand Lodge is not bound to

instruct of said removal except through the Grand Lodge reporter , " but I consider that word except makes all the difference . I would infer from Bro . Campbell's own quotation , that Grand Lodge is bound to instruct through Grand Lodge reporter . Bro . Campbell again says"you describe it as being

, . a nice point of Masonic law . " Under the circumstances , I consider that there is nothing wrong in that expression , as I affirm it was a point of Masonic law , and a uoint to stand bv , too , when necessarv . But Bro .

Campbell adds , " pray who was there that knew anything of Masonic law ? " Now I must say that the brother who dares to apply that observation to the whole body of brethren at a meeting of a Provincial Grand Lodge , would require to be extra well posted up himself , and as a specimen of Bro . Campbell's

knowledge of Masonic law , I need not go further to show his ignorance , than by using his owu words . He says , " On a former occasion , the D . Prov . G . M . in his Masonic wisdom ( Heaven save the mark ) refused to allow the S . W . of said lodge to sit in the Provincial Grand Lodge , although the office-bearers suspended

had complied with cap . xxi ., sec . 9 , of Grand Lodge laws , which says ' that should any brother be suspended or expelled from any lodge holding of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , without appealing against such sentence within one month thereafter , he shall be deemed to have lost his Masonic privilegesand

, shall not be permitted to appear either in Grand Lodge or in any daughter lodges , until such judgment has been recalled . ' This law proves that no brother has lost his Masonic privileges provided ho appeals within the given time . " Now it so happens that the rule Bro . Campbell quotes above is not for

the regulation of the Provincial Grand Lodge ; but for the regulation of the daughter lodges and their members . The rule which the Provincial Grand Lodge can take its stand on is cap . xiii ., sec . 4 , which says .- — " The Provincial Grand Lodge shall hear and determine all subjects of Masonic complaint or irregularity

respecting lodges or brethren within the district , and may proceed to admonition or fine , or even suspension until the party thinking himself aggrieved bring the matter before the Grand Lodge or Grand Committee . " Bro . Campbell seems to be displeased with the Provincial Grand Lodge here altogether . For my

own part , so far as I can judge from several years ' connection with it , I consider it to be one of the most active centres of Masonic influence in Scotland , and although our D . Prov . G . M . may not be perfect , it will not be easy to get another who will attend all the meetings so regularly as he has clone .

Yours fraternally , A MEITBEK OE PEOV . G . L . Glasgow , Sept . 9 th , 18 G 7 .

SUPERINTENDENCE OF LODGES .

TO THE EDlTOa OS THE ESIEEMASOSS' MAGAZISE AXD MASOHIC JIIEEOE . DEAE SIE AND BEOTHEE , —Your correspondent " li . H ., " in his letter on the subject of the circulation of the Magazine , which appeared in your last week ' s issue , -refers to a suggestion previously urged by him , viz ., "the appointment and regular payment by Grand Lodgeof skilled Masonswho should

, , travel about , inspect lodges , and make formal reports to some body having authority , & c . " Now I fully concur in the desirability of a systematic inspection of lodges , but [ think ifc might be done without throwing the expense of regular payment upon Grand Lodge . I am quite sure that there are many brethren

of skill , both in and out of the London district , who would willingly undertake the duties referred to , on being refunded their actual expenditure for travelling , & c . Supposing , for the purpose of exercising supervision over tho lodges in the London district , the Grand Master created a new office in Grand Lodge , and appointed a " Grand Inspector of Lodges , " taking- precedence next after the Grand Registrar , would there be anv difficultv in findin-j brethren both

able and willing to accept the office and perforin its duties ? I think nofc . In the provinces the matter might be very readily arranged , there are many offices in Provincial Grand Lodges which have no practical duties assigned them . The Prov . G . Registrar , whose duties are really most important , is too often a mere

cipher , or a retired working officer , who takes the office as a kind of brevet rank , and expects to be allowed to retire on his laurels , whilst his duties are performed by the Prov . G . Secretary . Now what is to prevent the task being assigned to him , of superintending and visiting the lodges in his province

, being allowed his actual expenses ? The office should be more or less a-permanent one , so that , if a business man , he might visit , say half a dozen lodges only in a year ( some provinces have not more ) , and make his report annually at the meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge . The lodges should be visited indiscriminately ,

and the fact , that " a chiel was amang them takin ' notes , " would put all the lodges in the province on the alert , and create a spirit of emulation . Yours fraternally , H . B . WHITE . Warrington , lGfch Sept ., 1867 .