Correspondence.

" Fair Play , " " Fiat Justitia , " or " Veritas , " they , as well as myself , may remain incognito for what the Masonic world cares . I will not argue for "Investigator ; " he seems to me to know his ground ; nor will I bandy words with the other correspondents who have apparently been put forth as scouts ; but I call on the W . M . of the Lodge of

Harmony to vindicate tho character of his lodge , to be true to his obligation , to rightly value his responsibility , and to uphold his rights , or to acknowledge the imposition . In such a case—a truce to charitable forbearance—let us call things by their right names , and when found right or wrong , let us stand by or disown them . If the Lodge of Harmony has such " institutions " as was shown in

the tables , and they are established on a firm basis , why not boldly say so ? If it distributes sums of money as set forth in those tables , what so easy as to say how this is done , lleally it is a simple matter ; but if by any quibble it refuses to do this , now it is doubted , let it

not wonder that the Masonic world should judge it harshly , or even that some should consign it to the " Friendly Societies . " For my own part , I will suspend ray judgment a reasonable time to allow of explanation , and I trust others will do the same ; but we must insist on having plain and pointed answers to the questions seriatim , or we shall have no alternative but to conclude

that the allegations set forth are true , and judge the lodge accordingly . I would seriously advise " Investigator " to maintain his incognito , in order to avoid personalities , than which nothing is so much to be deprecated in discussion—it is enough that you know the lodge has a fair antagonist . I have not penned this in answer to but solel

anyone , y to bring the subject back to its starting point , viz ., the tables of Lodge No . 600 , and the questions of " Investigator . " Let us confine ourselves strictly to these till they are solved . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , October 20 th , 1863 . P . M .

TO THE EDITOK OF THE FKEEITASONS' 3 rAf _ v _ Z _ in . AND MASONIC MIEEOIt , DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I trust we shall be spared such intemperate letters as appeared in your last impression , from " Fiat Justitia . " Surely the brother will blush when he sees it in print , or I ivould give little for his " charitable forbearance . " Such remarks as are contained in his last paragraph are not only in bad taste ,

but betray a morbid state of mind , or a laxity of morals ; and I am glad , for the credit of his lodge , that his name was not appended to such a production . I have carefully , and I trust impartially , examined the case as regards Lodge No . 600 and " Investigator , " and I feel bound to say that the latter is only exercising that fair and generally acknowledged privilege of all writers

on public subjects , in public prints , in assuming an incognito . Free discussion , a free press , and custom , with daily experience , all allow a latitude , ivhich , I maintain , " Investigator" has not trangressed ; but in any case a lodge like No . 600 ought to be in a position to answer all and every question , however or by whomsoever askedin ivhich the truthfulness and the honour of the

, is concerned ; to lose time by formalities is , iu such a lodge case , to lose position , character , and sympathy , —in short , is to subject the lodge to universal opprobrium . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , MONITOR .

TO THE EDITOH OF TIIE FltEEMASOXS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIWtOK . DEAU SIR AND BROTHER , —Tho letter of "Fiat Justitia , " in your last MAGAZINE , demands notice only from its contradictory character . The writer ivould lead one to suppose that he was taking up a defence of Lodge No . 600 , while his argument seems to be , "when you have a bad case , vilify your opponent ; " even a little defence of the lodge would have been far more satisfactory .

Correspondence.

He denounces , in unmeasured terms , your former correspondent , "Investigator , " for shielding himself behind an incognito , and after indulging in gross abuse of this he adopts the very course he condemns , signing himself "Fiat Justitia . " A much more congenial term would have been , " Inconsistency . " If this writer be not an Israelite , I ivould recommend him to read a precept about

a mote aud abeam in the eye , which he appears not to have learnt . Another brother advises the same correspondent , though with far more prudence , to come out in his true colours , to throw oft' the mask , to exercise fair play , and likewise , to prove / its inconsistency , signs " Veritas . " How very easy it is to advise a course to others we would not willingladopt ourselves 1 Were

y all correspondents required to affix their names to their articles , how few would be in the field ; you would , at least , be spared this letter . Now , with respect to the question as regards Lodge 600 , whether " Investigator " may indulge these inconsistent brethren or not , is of noconsequence to the point . If he does , the whole thing may merge into a personal quarrel , ivhich would be

noadvantage to any one . This seems to be what Bro .. Ward is aiming at . Under any circumstances , the lodge is under a reproach of which it must either clear itself or stand convicted of imposing on you and the brethren by wilful misstatements . When I look at the tables through the unanswered questions of "Investigator , " ' the impression on my mind is very condemnatory

to-Lodge 600 ; and although " Fiat Justitia" may beg of us to suspend our judgment to an indefinite period , we shall require strong and convincing proofs of the existence of ' the " Lodge Charities , " and the distribution of the funds ; and I am sure I . speak the sentiments of the brethren generally , for all whom I have heard on the subject agreethat Bro . Ward ' s letter blinked the questionbut surel

; y Bro . Ward is not the whole lodge . It is to be hoped thereare some members of that lodge who would demand that such serious charges should either be refuted , or thetables abandoned . I am , fraternally yours , BETA . Oct . 21 , 1863 .

On The Christianity Of Masonry.

ON THE CHRISTIANITY OF MASONRY .

TO THE EDITOK OE TIIE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIKKOE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER ,- —Allow me to congratulateyou on the able and interesting letter , which you printed in your last number , signed " Rosa Crucis , " relating tothis subject . It is quite refreshing to see , so important a question so well and yet so temperately handled , and in such a-

true Masonic spirit . Whoever the writer may be , I , as not agreeing with him , may be permitted to tender tohim my sincere thanks for the eloquent communication he has made , and the improving discussion he has begun . I quite go with him in his statement as to the amount of evidence of what may be termed Christianised Masomw before tbe Union ; but I think he underrates

theainount of evidence equally forthcoming of a simultaneous Universal Masonic teaching . The truth is , I believe , that both these systems were working , so to speak , side by side , and were neverthelessin harmonious co-operation and agreement . It is most certain that , before the Union , you find a considerable amount of what "Eosa Crucis" calls

" Christian character" in Masonic treatises , charges , sermons , and orations ; but , when you come closely to look into the matter , you find also an equal amount of Universal teaching . Whatever motives may have induced our zealous and learned brethren , at tho last formal revision of our ritual , to keep our working formularies so close within the limits of the Universal system as they undoubtedly have done , there is much , very much to be said on their side of the question .