Correspondence.

After haA'ing A'isited more Masonic Lodges than any other young man of my age in the United States , ivhich has been my privilege to do since I haA'e been a pupil of Bro . Bob Morris , I draw this conclusion—that the time is not liir distant ivhen the brother AVIIO docs not think enough of Masonry to study it until he has familiarized himself with its ceremonies and lectures , besides haA'ing some knowledge of its principles , ivill not be admitted to

the American Lodges , and thus be denied any participation in our social enjoyments . Let us attain this position , and the Masonic Lodge ivill be as Bro . Morris describes it in one of his famous addresses , "a school Avhere all hearts are bent upon the acquisition of knowledge . " But I must close , and if I have assumed more than my due in asking a place for this feeble letter , I trust it ivill be accredited to the very great zeal of a young ancl devoted Mason . In the bonds of fraternal love , I remain , respectfully yours , 2 bth July , 1359 . EI . ISUA D . COOKE , S . P . P . S ., 32

TO THE EDITOE OE THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND 3 IASONIC MIIUIOK . SIR AXD BEOTHEE , —Spare mc a small portion of your valuable columns to correct an erroneous impression into ivhich Bro . Cole seems to have fallen , respecting the necessity for the existence of a Lodge at Milford . I knoiv Bro . Cole , and although he is but a comparatively

young member ofthe Craft , I can bear testimony to his Masonic acquirements in the ivorking of a Lodge ; but I am sure he ivill excuse me if I remind him that there is much more than that necessary to entitle any one to give an opinion on such an important subject . It requires a lengthened Misonic experiencea far more lengthened one than can as yet liave fallen to his Jot —to say Avhether a Loclge is necessary at thisthator the other

, , place in the proi'ince , or not . Milford is a port of importance ; vessels of all nations are constantly to be met Avith , floating upon its peaceful Avaters , and Avith but ordinary care ancl attention I know of no place lvhere a Lodge is likely to lie more prosperous . I am one of the oldest Masons in the country , the founder of the Milford aud the Pembroke Dock Lodges , of both of Avhich I am the Senior Past Master ; not a public meeting of the fraternity has

occurred during the last thirty years that I . have not directed , nor an arrangement made upon ivhich I have not been consulted . I mention this to show the active co-operation I have so long given ancl am still affording to the Masonic business of the district , ancl to prove my great experience in its details , ivhich it cannot be denied must qualify me better than himself to giA'c an opinion . I therefore unhesitatingly assert that Milford is one of the best

places possible for holding a Lodge , and Avould my olcl and esteemed friends at that town and nei ghbourhood but emulate their former zeal , its prosperity ivould ei-cr be such as to convince even Bro . Cole ofthe correctness of my judgment . I am , Sir ancl Brother , yours very obediently , Pembroke Dock , AV . THOMAS , 20 rt July , 1859 . Prov . G . Dir . of Cers .

MASONIC MISSIONS .

MASONIC HALLS .

TO THE EDITOU 01 > ' THE 1 'llEEMASOXS' MAUAZlNl' AND MASONIC iMIlUlOK . DEAR Sni AXD BI : OTHER , —There arc few things more discouraging to an active man ivho is bent on doing good , and seeks means and opportunities of benefiting those around him , than to find that he cannot induce others to think as he does , or at least to display the same energy that he is disposed to exert for the furtherance of his favourite projects . He may be crotchety and

unreasonable , and in that case it is Aviso on the part of others to abstain from participation in his schemes . It is far otherwise , however , ivhen the desideratum Avhich he is anxious to supply is generall y acknoAvlcdgcd ; ivhen it is not a question as to Avbat is desirable , but of ivill and poiver to accomplish it ; and when apathy and indolence arc the only obstacles to such hearty cooperation as would effectually remove all difficulties .

Comparatively few are influenced by motives of pure philanthropry , the larger proportion of mankind needing some stimulus ofthe nature of self-interest , and even that is frequently inell ' ective unless it be of a strictly personal nature , appertaining to individuals rather than to bodies of men , and thus its useful operation is of course greatly restricted . These remarks niay be applied ivith more or less force to the exertions of yourself " and others on behalf of Masonic I falls , for though undoubtedlv a feelmu ; in favour of them is -rraduallv beinir

Correspondence.

excited , comparativel y little has yet been done , and those ivho are favourably disposed arc easil y daunted by the pecuniary and other difficulties ivhich arise . The obstacles are of various kinds and degrees . Often want of funds is p leaded as an excuse . Others act on the laisser : faire system , and feci that ivhat has done for their predecessors is good enough for them . Some young Masons , animated by a laudable zeal , and anxious to remedy the evils of

the present system , bestir themselves , but have to encounter jealousy on tbe part , of the old members , AVIIO claim a sort , of prescriptive right to rule . There are some even , ivho , though it is confidently hoped that their number is very limited , openly acknoivledge their opinion that the banquet is Freemasonry . In many cases , location for many years has led to an identification between a hotel and a Lod ' ; and it is difficult to take auy step

ge which may give offence to a kind host AVIIO has perhaps in time past been the means of keeping the Lodge together through periods of depression and neglect—removal Avould therefore be an act of ingratitude . A case of this kind occurs to my mind , where long connexion and past services deservedly hai-e great weight ; in this instance , tiveh * e years ago a Past Master of the Lodge offered to present new furniture to the extent of £ 100 whenever

, its preservation should be secured by the provision of a suitable room restricted to Masonic purposes ; yet to this moment nothing has been done from the causes just assigned , and it is probably noiv too late to claim the performance of the promise . The preceding observations are prompted by a scheme to which you have kindly lent the aid of your pen and your columns , for

the erection of a Masonic temple by tbe members of Lodge La Cesaree , in Jersey , in Avhich I take an interest , but to which I do not . belong . Difficulties of the various kinds alluded to must and will arise , and though , as you have predicted in your notice of the report ivhich Avas presented on the subject , there can be no doubt of ultimate success , the task ivill require all the energy that can be devoted to it . It Avas part of the plan for raising the necessary

funds , to issue circulars to ei * ery Lodge in England and AVales , stating the circumstances , and soliciting a trifle from each to place a few stones in the building . AVhat success will attend this appeal remains yet to be seen . Some of the younger brethren , ivhose practical knoivledge of Freemasonry is limited to their own sphere , and ivho fondly hope that all clseivhcre are animated by the same zeal as themselvesare sanguine as to the result , Others of more

, experience shake their heads , regret that they are compelled to conic to a different conclusion , are willing that the experiment should be tried , but ncA'crthelcss are by no means hopeful of this part of the scheme . The circulars having been issued seA'eral weeks ago , have noiv reached the various Lodges in the country ; this may therefore be deemed a favourable period to call the attention of such members ofthe Craft as have an opportunity of

reading the Magazine to the subject , and respectfully to solicit their co-operation , even if only to the extent of a sovereign , or less , in order to evince their sympathy with a Lodge which is determined on a vigorous effort for independence , willing also to assist in fighting tlie battle against the hotel influence , aud to make considerable sacrifices in the cause .

It ivould be unreasonable to expect tbe simultaneous erection of Masonic Halls all over the country . In some districts the step has been taken . Surely the victory there achieved , the experience of the ease and comfort thus obtained , should lead to synipathy aiul aid to others who desire to tread in their steps . They must , by the occupation of a building essentially their own , be free from many expenses to ivhich they ivere formerly liable , and thus he in possession of reserve funds , which may , to a small extent , at least , be applicable to render some assistance to their less fortunate brethren .

Allusion has been made to the necessity for exciting a personal interest , and proving that the use of a separate and distinct Masonic building is good policy as a matter of economy , independentlA * of higher motives . It can easily be sh OAVII that this exists , and that in the end a pecuniary benefit will arise from a judicious temporary outlay . In some localities there may be no possibility , from a limitation of Lodges in the nei ghbourhood , or other local

causes , of erecting a hall for sonic years to come . In such instances , it is their interest to assist others more favourably situated in this respect , in order that AVIICH their own time should come , they may confidently rely on similar aid . It may perhaps be estimated that on an average the sum of \ i » 900 Avill be requisite for the erection of a Masonic temple . In populous towns , Avith several Lodges , it ivould amount to more , because they would require larger rooms , accommodation for holding Lo ' clges of Instruction or committee meetings , at one and the same time , and they would probably aim at greater conveniences in other respects :