Correspondence.

Ereemasonry , hut I unhesitatingly aA er that there is no such thing in existence as " natural religion . " No man ever acquired a religion , however erroneous , except h / revelation—in some few cases , in days of old , direct from the G . A . O . T . U ., in ordinary cases , from his fellow-man . Religion is no part of a man ' s endowments and the oft-quoted line" From Nature

, up to Nature ' s God , " is altogether a mistake , if applied with the intention of showing that man can , by a study of nature , be led to a belief in God without previous revelation . If your learned correspondent can adduce a single instance of a human being having been brought to the knowledge of a

Deity by natural instinct , I will admit that I am wrong and he is right . We have abundant evidence of the existence of natural irreligion , and nowhere more so than amongst the criminal class in civilised communities . I doubt whether it would' not be far more difficult to find , amongst a tribe of the most

barbarous aborigines of Australia or America , an individual who had never heard of a creative and overruling Being , than amongst the loAvest class of population of the metropolis of England . Personally , I hold the belief that no religion is consistent with true Masonry except Christianity ; and it is with deep

gratificarion that I find that our late lamented Bro . Dr . Oliver in his preface to his latest Avork maintains the same view . I hope Bro . Cooper Avill re-consider the matter , and find some more appropriate name for the state of mind which he has hitherto denominated "natural reli gion . " Yours fraternally , IL B . WHITE .

MASONIC LIFE BOAT . TO THE EDITOK OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEROl ! . DEAE SIR AND BROTHER , — Scarcely a month passes Avithout a celebration on the occasion of the presentation of a lifeboat . The last Avas the Licensed

Victuallers' lifeboat . There is no Masonic lifeboat . Surely some of our many master mariners lodges might look to this . A half-crown subscription from each of our lodges Avould supply the Freemasons ' lifeboat . Yours fraternally ,

D . D . G . M . MASONIC LEGACIES . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER —It is a strange thing

, that , although the Society of Freemasons is an incorporated body , it receives no legacies , and is , I suppose , the only charitable institution in London which does not . Legacies constitute , indeed , a mode of increasing charitable funds Avhich greatly augment their investments aud promote their

efficiency . I believe , however , that I am right in saying that our Fund of Benevolence is not indebted to such a source of contribution . There are many of our members Avho have in their wills left legacies to benevolent institutions ; and I can only recommend to them the Society of Freemasons and our Schools and Charities .

As the charitable societies place a form of bequest in their lists , so mig ht Ave have a form of bequest in the " Book of Constitutions" and other publications . Yours fraternally , HXDE CLARKE .

FREEMASONS' TAVERN COMPANY . TO THE EDITOE OP THE EREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , — In the " Money Market Review " is an article on the Tavern Company by a shareholder . If the shareholders in this

Company are not Masons , it is likely to bring upon us another scandal by disputes among its shareholders about the profits on suppers and the heeltaps of champagne bottles . The end must come when we shall be liberated from taverns and tavern-keepers on our premises .

It is strange we cannot do what provincial and foreign lodges can do , and Avhat many societies of gentlemen in London accomplish . Yours fraternally , CUEIOSUS .

SUPERINTENDENCE OE LODGES . TO THE EDITOK OE THE EREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEEOB . DEAR SIB AND BEOTHEE , —In your impression of the 21 st inst . I notice a leeter from Bro . White on the subject of "Superintendence of Lodges" in

, which there is the following remark : — " The Prov . G . Registrar , Avhose duties are really most important , is too often a mere cypher , " & c . HaA'ing been recently appointecl to that offiee , I shall be much obliged if some of your correspondents will point out Avhat duties devolve upon the Prov . G . Reg ., Avhere

such duties are defined , ancl whence the authority . Yours fraternally , A PROV . G . REG .

SUPERINTENDENCE OF LODGES . TO THE EDITOR OP THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIEEOE . DEAR SIE AND BROTHER , —I am very glad indeed to see _ that this subject is being agitated . I have made it

a practice to visit lodges in different parts of the kingdom , as often as opportunities offered , and I am sure that such superintendence as is suggested is greatly _ needed . I have not noticed the former suggestions of your correspondent "II . H ., " but , in your number for the 15 th of June lastI strongl

, y urged it myself under the head of "Pickings up , Jottings doAA'n , ancl Suggestions done in the rough . " My object in writing UOAV is to express my entire approval of Bro . H . B . White ' s suggestion as to the modus operandi , because of its practicability . I trust the matter will be taken bthe Grand Lod of

up y ges the provinces , ancl more especially by the Registrars of such Grand Lodgos . Yours fraternally , VERBUM SAP .