Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed htj Correspondents . ELECTION OF PAST MASTEES TO THE BOAED OP BENEVOLENCE . 10 THE EDITOR OS TIIE EREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAE SIE AND BEOTHEE , —At the meeting of the

Board of Masters , last evening , the annual of electing twelve Past Masters to serve for the ensuingyear at the Board of Benevolence was duly listed , — and no doubt the self-elect ( for such they virtually are ) will be regularly posted at the ensuing Grand

Lodge . What I complain of is , that sufficient encouragement is not given to the younger brethren who are desirous of being useful to the Craft . Although we cannot too highly appreciate , or bo too gratefulfor

, the self-denying and most useful sendees of the eminent brethren who habitually constitute this Board , it is on the face of it a monopoly . I would suggest that a rule should be laid down to the effect that at least six of the immediate Past

Blasters who have been most regular in their attendance should be elected , and that any brother AA'ho has served three years consecutively should not be re-eligible until after a lapse of tAvo years . By this means Masters of lodges would take more interest in

the proceedings , and have an inducement to a regular ¦ attendance . Tours fraternally , II . B . London , Nov . 24 , 1864 .

Honorary Members.

HONORARY MEMBERS .

TO THE EDITOR OP TIIE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAE SIE AND BEOTHEE ,- —I would esteem it a favour if you will favour me with your opinion on the following circumstances : — During the year 18 G 2 , a brother in holy orders was regularly proposed in open lodge as an honorary

member of my lodge ; his name was inserted in the summons for the next regular meeting , at ivhieh he was regularly balloted for and accepted ; since which time , Grand Lodge dues , and quarterage to the Board of Benevolence , have been regularly paid

on account of this brother , as a member of the lodge , ancl he has exercised all the rights and privileges as such , by speaking , voting , balloting , lecturing , & c . When the W . M . for 1863 was installed as Worshipful Master , he appointed his officers , ancl amongst

them he appointed the Per . brother " Chaplain of the lodge , " and the W . M . for 1864 re-appointed him . This office he has held therefore about two years . I am HOAV the duly elected Worshipful Master of the lodge for the ensuing year , and , ivhen installed , I shall have to appoint my officers .

I have it in my intention to offer the " post of Senior Warden" of my lodge to the Eev . brother , conceiving it to be "for the good of Masonry in general and of this lodge in particular , " bearing in mind the ancient charges that " all preferment among

Masons is grounded upon real worth and personal merit only ; " and I think that I am justified in my choice , and so do many of my Past Blasters ; the zeal of our Eev . brother for the welfare of the Craft

being patent to the brotherhood at large . Still some captious member might be discontented , or question our Eev . brother ' s right to promotion , on the ground that he is only an "honorary" member . The " Constitutions" do not appear to be very clear ,

or rather not to have contemplated any difference between " paying , " that is , " subscribing" and " nonpaying "—that is , " honorary" members ; but accords them all equal privileges , provided Grand Lodge dues and all fees to the Pund of Benevolence are paid .

Indeed , common sense , ancl usages of common law , coincide in dictating that , unless precluded or restrained by some positive by-laiv or regulation , " honorary" members must have , and do have , and may exercise , all the rights and privileges of other

members ; or else , wherein would consist the honour of " honorary" membership ? In Masonry , especially , it ivould place the " honorary" member in a lower scale than " visitors , " who have no right to vote or speak ; or than a " serving" brother who is initiated

without fees , and Avho , though he cannot vote or speak , . is yet entitled to the benefit of our public charities , provided alivays Grand Lodge dues and quarterage to the Board or Pund of Benevolence have been paid for him . Such being my views , I

question whether I am not doing wrong in trespassing so long on your valuable time and attention ; but that " reverence for all lawful constituted authorities "

" which ought ever to characterise all Masons , " more especially young Masters of lodges , prompts me to solicit the opinion of an authority so well and widely known for impartiality and uprightness as your journal , as to ivhether I am right in the view I take of the subject , which I here reiterate : — "That an

'honorary' member of a lodge , duly proposed and regularly balloted for and accepted as such , in open lodge , is entitled to all the rights and privileges of a ' subscribing' brother of the same Masonic rank , provided that all Grand Lodge dues and fees , or

quarterage to the Board of Benevolence and General Purposes , have been paid . " Tour answer in the affirmative will , of course , imply that I have the right , if I deem it expedient , to appoint the Eev . brother S . W . of the lodge after I am installed its Master .

Another point would be , perhaps , can a brother , with the consent of the W . M ., transfer from his " honorary" membership to " subscribing" member <