Masonic Notes And Queries.

GENERAL MELLINET . General Mellinet , M . W . G . M . of France , has resigned the post he so long held as Commander-in-Chief of the National Guard of Paris . —A .

Apathy In Our Order.

APATHY IN OUR ORDER .

COREESPONDENCE .

The TEditor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents

TO THE EDITOH OI ? THE -. KEEMASO-fS' _ J _ l . GA ____ f __ AM } _ IASOSTC MIIiliOB . Dear Sir and Brother , —Your correspondent of last week , A J . W ., appears to have strangely mistaken one or two of my opinions , as I think he will find on reperusal of my letter on August 28 th . I , as well as A J . W ., strongly recommend all brethren to continue subscribers to a lodgeeven

, though they may feel that they have been sli ghted , or under a cloud for a time , or annoyed at some of its proceedings , as I said in my former communication . Such is my own present position ; and though others , to whom I referred , have adopted a different course by seceding , I have uniformly expressed my

disapprobation of it , and am now carrying my views into practice , by attending regularly , but avoiding taking any part in the proceedings , so as not to give ground for complaint , but watching and waiting , in full assurance that a time will come when all misunderstandings will be cleared up , and when any little services which I can render will be appreciated .

Again , A . J . W . is mistaken in supposing that I wrote as a disappointed man who had not obtained the promotion he thought he deserved . No , Sir , I thought of the interests of others , not of myself ; and , with a view to satisfy your correspondent on this point , I beg to state that I was initiated in 1847 ,

occupied the chair of "W . M . in 1850 , in the same year was appointed Pursuivant in Prov . G . Lodge , obtained higher offices in succession , till I filled the chair of Prov . G . S . W . in 1858 , and was presented with the appropriate jewel . Further , I have repeatedly said openly that no offer of Prov . rank in the district in

which I now reside would be accepted by me , for several reasons , one of which is that I should by acceptance prevent some worthy brother from obtaining the honour due to him . It may be as well to add that I have filled the first chair in another Craft lodge , in two Royal Arch chapters , and in two Mark

lodges in different districts , without wishing , seeking , or obtaining provincial rank in either , though in one department I have held a high position in Grand lodge . If Bro . A J . "IV . knew me , I think he would acquit me of any unworthy motives such as he has attributed

tome . I am quite satisfied with the honours I have gained , and devote much time to Masonry , in the hope of benefitting our charitable institutions , of doin g good to the Craft in general , and of assisting others by my teaching to qualify themnelves for distinction btheir skill in working and by carrying out

, y Masonic principles . On the appointments to provincial office , I see no season from the observations of A J . W ., to alter my news formed after a long experience .

Apathy In Our Order.

I owe you an apology , Mr . Editor , for troubling T you with remarks on personal matters , which , if my name were appended , I should withhold ; but I feel it a duty to myself to correct the impressions which : have been formed so erroneously . Yours fraternally .. Sept . 20 th , 1869 . P . M .

MASONIC DISCIPLINE . TO THE EDITOE OF TEE JREEJIASOHS' MAGAZINE A-. D MASONIC MIEEOE . Dear Sir and Brother , —It has been said that children are very quick in noticing inconsistencies in their parentsand it occurs to me that members of

, lodges are equally observant of irregularities in the ceremonies of Masonry . I myself do not for a moment claim to be exempt from errors in working , but as a young Mason , while conscious of my own defects , I am fully aware of that which may be frequently wanting to render a Masonic rite

thoroughly intelligible , and g ive it that solemn dignity it should possess . It is very difficult to find a lodge with officers who all do their'work perfectly ; too often the reverse is the case , and one brother , usually a P . M ., assists , in the general working , though in reality he does the

work of the lodge . Of course I do not mean to assert that this pitiable state of things is the general rule , hut it is nevertheless too often the case , and can only be remedied by instruction and assiduity . But there is . one thing which is to my mind inexcusable , aud this is the

manner in which some lodges admit visiting brethren . I have several times been to visit lodges as a perfect stranger , and have not been asked for my " credentials , " and perhaps only undergone part of the examination in one degree only . Now , it is all very well for a not over-cautious brother to say , " Oh ! they would see that you were up to it , " and so forth ; but I maintain that a thorough examination of both certificate and its owner should

take p lace before admitting a visitor within the sacred walls of a lodge , whether the applicant be a Grand Officer , Provincial Grand Officer , or merely a Master Mason , unknown personally to the lodge . Too much credence is placed in exterior , though , of course , any amount of " brass "would not avail a cowan . Still , if a thing is worth doing , it is worth doing well , and I think that as much attention is due to the ceremony

outside as inside the door of the lodge . I venture to make these few remarks through the medium of your valuable paper , as it will be admitted that care and consistency are most requisite in all matters connected with Freemasonry ; while , on theother hand , if the comparatively small ceremony of admitting a stranger be slurred overit tendsin my

, , opinion , to render the officers careless of those important duties which require such order and decorum within the entrance . Yours fraternally , A YOUNG P . M .

MACNIVEJT ASH C _ un _ i . o _ f , of Edinburgh , have introduced ' , their pens to our establishment , and we can safely say tbey are without exception the very best we have tried . Tbe" Waverly " ' barrel being especially a favourite , and with confidence we can recommend them to our numerous readers .