Correspondence.

to instruct others , hut Ave have no distinct authority . that our teaching is correct , and when Ave visit other ¦ districts our methods are disputed . Until some such general plan can he entered upon , the utilisation of the office of Grand Registrar in each province , as recommended hy Bro . White ,

presents a good substitute , and may be adopted in any district where the Avant of accuracy is felt , without reference to the whole country . The only introductory steps necessary AVOUIC ! be a provision for travelling expenses out of the provincial funds , the ; appointment of a brother who has sufficient leisure

for the purpose , and such enthusiasm in the cause as would induce him to obtain the requisite knowledge , ritualistic and constitutional , and to continue in office for some years in succession . Then the question arises , How is he to obtain it , ancl from Avhat source ?

and , as there are several sources , all claiming to be right , when one has heen determined upon , the uniformity would he obtained only within the particular province , since in other districts a different ¦ authority may be adopted . Thus , I think it is clear that the proposal of Bro . White only partially meets

the case , but is good so far as it goes , and has an advantage , inasmuch as it can he carried out at a cost not only less , but distributed over the provinces instead of being provided for by Grand Lodge . General legislation on the subject should emanate from the highest authority , Avhich may then require

the provinces to act upon it on a uniform p lan . Experience leads me to believe that I shall never attain the end I seek , at least under existing Masonic rule . All I can hope for , in lajdng the matter before your readers , is to direct attention to the

subjectand thus to induce some to take every opportunity in their power to improve and maintain the standard of working . To me it is quite incomprehensible how any brother can say , as he is required to do before installation as W . M ., that he is " able and willing to undertake the management of the Avork , " unless at

the time he makes the assertion he is acquainted with the ritual of the three degrees , to say nothing of the lectures , with which every W . M . ought to be acquainted . The engagement is distinct , and does not admit of present ignorance , with intentions to become

qualified at a future period , Avhich are often not fulfilled . Yours fraternally , II . H .

THE MASONIC CHARITIES . 1 10 TEE EDITOR OF THE EKEEJIASOlfS' MAGAZINE AT / CD MASOJIC 3 IIEE 0 K . DEAE SIR AND BEOTHEE , —Several months ago I had much pleasure in attending as a visitor at a meeting of a Provincial Grand Lodge , which was hi ghly satisfactory and successful in many respects ,

so conducted externally as to win the approval and respect of many of the inhabitants of the town in which it was held , who are not generally favourable to our Craft . A report of the proceedings was forwarded , ancl obtained insertion in your columns about the end of May or beginning of Juneand it

, Avas hoped that one portion of them would attract attention , and produce some comments . Such , however , has not been the case , ancl , therefore , it is desirable UOAV to draAV the attention of vour readers

more directly to the subject , because the course pursued appears to me to militate seriously against our Masonic Charities , and , in fact , to change their character by rendering their privileges purchasable . It is a practice in the piwince referred to , and it is said in others also , to collect the votes for the

admission of children or annuitants from subscribing individuals or lodges , and to place them in the hands of one brother—in this case the Prov . G . M . —who then proceeds to sell them , the money so obtained being forwarded for the purchase of life governorships , Avhich are awarded to the lodges from which

the largest contributions of votes are obtained . If I remember rightly , the sum received in this instance was about £ 20 . The province' is a small one , and , therefore may' be considered as a fair average . Votes of admission for children and annuitants are taken tAvice a year . It will be seen , therefore , that if the plan were universally adopted , £ 40 multiplied by

<&> , the number oi proA'inces m Jingianci , to say nothing of the colonies , Avould y ield annually a sum of £ 1 , 680 , Avhich would , I think , be misappropriated . It must be admitted that to this extent the funds of the Charities Avould benefit by this plan , but it appears to me not legitimately , for , if the practice were commonthere Avould be little chance of

pro-, curing admission for those who most need it—the poor and distressed—but only for such as can afford , either hy themselves or their friends , to purchase votes , thus defeating the intention of the founders and supporters of our really valuable institutions . Should the views noAV expressed meet with general

approbation , it may be desirable to check an evil which Avill probably extend , by appending a new law to those by Avhich the Charities are regulated , declaring that any votes Avhich can be proved to be obtained by purchase shall be null and void at all elections . Yours fraternally , H . H .

NATURAL RELIGION . TO THE EDITOK OE THE EKEEMASOJfS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC JIIBEOE . DEAR SIE AND BEOTHEE , —I have been much surprised on several occasions to see the expression "Natural Religion ' ' made use of in your Magazine , and that by so eminent and learned a brother as Bro .

C . P . Cooper . Last week I find the phrase occurring twice in the columns devoted to " Masonic Notes and Queries . " Now , I feel that it is somewhat presumptuous on my part to take excej ) tion to the Masonic opinions of so experienced a brother , but I feel compelled to do so in defence of the vital interest of Masonry . Not only do I deny any possible connection betAveen the so-called " natural religion ''