Correspondence.

of one , who whilst exercising his office as a minister of the Most High with tenderness , implanted with the most tender regard those essential qualifications in the hearts of all who profess or call themselves Christians —reverence and humility . The church was what under other circumstances would have been characterised as brilliantly illuminated , but

now of a very mournful character , and the cortege led by the choristers in surplices , accompanied by Mr . Giles , the surgeon-attendant , the Chaplain , the Eev . Eoivland Hill , passed through double Hues of Ereemasous , who closed in double file , the procession entered the church in solemn array , and at the grave the Freemasons paid a just tribute to the departed gentleman and brother , by

gently dropping over him sprigs of the plant recognised in the ceremonies of the fraternity . The whole district for miles around was pervaded by a general gloom , and for a very long time the charities dispensed by the late good and excellent brother , will be remembered by many who may not probabl y find so . generous and liberal a successor . In truth it may he

said of him , " He has lived respected and has died regretted . " It was an honour to be known by him—it was a delight to render him comfort of any kind . The church has lost a high dignitary , the Masonic fraternity has lost one of its brightest ornaments . I am , dear Sir and brother , yours fraternally , E . S . COSSENS , ?!<

The Province Of Kent.

THE PROVINCE OF KENT .

TO THE EDITOK OF THE EEEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC JIIKEOK . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In the rough draught of a letter , printed on page 79 of your present volume , there is an error , arising from the insertion of a word where , in the manuscript , a blank was designedly left , which I am desirous of pointing out . The passage "Many brothers in toxcn , I am persuaded , possess the numbers

of the MAGAZINE for August and October , 1860 , " should stand thus : — " Many brothers iu * * * * I am- persuaded , possess the numbers of the MAGAZINE for August and October , 1860 . " The asterisks are meant to represent -the town in which the brother resided to whom my letter was addressed . The members of the lodge held in that town are numerousand reputed wealthy ; and they not

, -uiiseldom afford to the world evidence of their being such ; and amongst them , I conclude , must be many who subscribed to the FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE , and possess its past numbers . I will take this opportunity of stating that it would grieve BIB much to learn that my conclusion was wrong . An extensive circulation of the MAGAZINE in the Provinces

is , in my judgment , necessary for the full prosperit ) ' of the Graft . In a lodge , such as I have described , there ought to be many brothers , by purse and example , promoting that circulation . Tours fraternally , CHAELES PUETON COOPEE . Chateau Frampas , 12 th August . 1863 ,

The Province Of Cornwall.

THE PROVINCE OF CORNWALL .

TO THE EDITOK OE THE EEEEMASONs' MAGAZINE AMD MASONIC MICUOB . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —As a Mason of some standing , anxious to assist in carrying out with zeal , earnestness , and such ability as I may possess , the great principles of the Order , and especially those of charity , fraternal feeling , and respect for the opinions of others , I cannot but imagine that many , actuated by the same motives , must , like myself , have read with much surprise and concern , a report in your last number of a sermon preached at Truro , on the occasion of the meeting of the

Provincial Grand Lodge of Cornwall , by a Mason , a Past Grand Chaplain of two Provinces , to a body of Masons . I can hardly conceive a case of greater inconsistency and breach of propriety , as well as an infraction of our leading tenets and practices , than to make a church , lent for such a purpose , the arena for a most uncharitable attack on a Bishop , who at least has shown that'he knows

how to bear meekly and patiently the obloquy that has been heaped upon him , and for the discussion of a subject respecting which mens' minds are at present much divided . For , to say nothing of the assertion ( by the Bishop ) that a large body of the clergy hold , privately , if not publicly , opinions similar to his own , on most , if not all of the topics on which he has written , a very largo

proportion of the laity do undoubtedly sympathise with him in his doubts , and still more in the persecution he has had to endure . The days are happily past when the right of private judgment on the part of the people can be controlled by their " spiritual pastors and masters , " the education of the two classes being to so great an extent equalised . It appears to me that an opportunity of

delivering a discourse to the Craft should be used only in such manner as to cement the ties of brotherhood , by setting forth the beauties of our Order , the grand objects it has in view , the means of reconciling it with Christianity , the power it has to control the unruly minds and affections of its votaries , and the desirability of regarding with leniency the failings or mistakes of

othersIn-. stead of this , the reverend brother referred to has taken advantage of his position , to ester at great length into a question tending to produce dissension and animosity , to anathematize and abuse a Bishop of the Church to which he himself belongs ; nor is his manner of doing this less objectionable than his matter ; for , if I mistake

not , he renders his conduct still more open to objection , by imputing to him " the avowed advocacy of deistical or rationalistic opinions , " a charge which I imagine the Bishop of Natal would repudiate with the greatest indignation , did he think it worth his -while to notice every attack upon him . Be that as it may , I hold that subjects of tho class alluded to are such as ought to be carefully

avoided at all times in societies of Masons , especially when assembled for the purpose of carrying out our peculiar ceremonies , and this is in accordance with our ancient charge , the enforcement of which is as obligatory on a Chaplain as on an Entered Apprentice , wherein ic is said , '' your obedience must be proved by abstaining from every topic of political or reliious discussion . " Had I

g , as a Mason , been present , I should certainly have quitted the church as soon as I discovered the nature of the address , and I cannot but hope the brethren , at least to some extent , participated in this feeling , since among the list of toasts at the subsequent banquet , one in honour of the preacher is not mentioned , a- very unusual omissionwhich it may be presumed was intentional after such

, an act of impropriety , and so complete a breach of Masonic discipline . I shall be much disappointed if others more able and influential than myself do not take up this matter in your columns or elsewhere , with all the force which the occasion demands * Meanwhile , as an individual deeply interested in the welfare of the Order , I cannot rest content without a protest , as public as that

which calls it forth , not against the Chaplain ' s opinions , for with these I have nothing to do , every one being free to form his own , but against their promulgation with feelings of bitterness , on a special occasion when every word ought to breathe a spirit of peace , good-will , and harmony . I am , dear Sir and brother , yours fraternally , P . M . AND W . M . Jersey , August 11 th , 1863 .