The Office Of Secretary.

correctness , and assistance . There appears a peculiar appropriateness in such an arrangement , inasmuch as such a member must have already contributed largely to the pecuniary resources ; and because , by his previous experience in the first chair of the Lodge , he is more especially competent to render aid to each AV . M . as he rises to that high position , and may relieve him from much anxiety .

I am induced to make these remarks by several occurrences that have come under my notice , and which have caused much unpleasantness , in the hope that in other instances they may be avoided by . the adoption of one of these suggestions , if the reasons given for them appear sufficiently weighty to warrant any Lodge in acting on the recommendation . Yours faithfully and fraternally , June loth , 1859 . II . IL , P . M . and Past Prov . S . G . AV .

Masonic Literature.

MASONIC LITERATURE .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR SIR AXD BROTHER , —Bro . F . Binckes ' s motion for the furtherance of obtaining good Masonic literature , comes on . for discussion this day week . An opportunity will then be afforded for all parties to show their zeal for Masonry , in preference to quarrelling ; and to assist that brother in carrying out this great and laudable undertaking to place the Craft in possession of

a literature in some degree worthy of it , and which at the present time ( all due respect being accorded to Dr . Oliver and others ) , it does not possess . AVe really want to know somewhat of the real working of Masonry in the ages more immediately preceding our own ; as also the precise time when speculative Masonry commenced . This I think may he accomplished by the publication of MSS . said to exist within the archives of the British MuseumBodleian Libraryand other places . What should hinder us now

, , , in the time of our strength , attaining a literature conveying instruction , . which it is the legitimate province of history to accomplish ? AA e do not want the fancies of Dr . Oliver , however pleasing and ingenious ; we want something more , and which wc have every reason to believe is contained in the documents above alluded to . This would enable us to form a more correct judgment of the past than at the present time it is in our power to

do . Why should we m the nineteenth century be backward ( progress being a mark of the ' age ) , when men of education and research are joining our ranks—let us provide for them volumes suitable for an advanced state of education , and more consonant with the forward state of criticism , which is at once the pride and boast of the days in which we live . As regards the general history of bygone ages , we see the light which has been shed upon it by the publication of so many great books upon state matters and

what not . These have been drawn forth from their hiding places , and made the property of the present generation—illustrative of the past—prophetic of the future—who can say wdiat stores of similar matter connected with Masonry—who can tell how much reall y important light can be thrown upon its past history by the publication of these papers V I do hope the brethren will join together in carrying out this scheme—a scheme upon which no difference ought to exist , but every unity to prevail . A plan has been mooted of forming a Masonic library ; what could be better adapted to