Correspondence.

as a Mason , he resolutely set about the enterprizc—there is no doubt that the honourable and profitable work may be accomplished . Admit , then , that au individual is to be found among the large number of those who acknowledge the supremacy of the united Grand Lodge of England , and who are perfectly qualified to do honor to the Craft by their knowledge , prudence , and ability—it is still obvious that he ought to possess some particular views and feelings , as regards this delicate and extensive subject , which might not be requsite in any other literary work .

It is hardly necessary to say that he must be sincerely attached to the institution and regard it in a serious light , as a theme which demands the exercise of all his faculties ; and with respect to those who do not participate in the knowledge that he has gleaned from the many sources within his reach ; he must divest himself entirely of the spirit which breathes in Horace ' s bitter line , " Odi profaiium vulgus , et aroeo , " and , on the contrary , he must remember that his mission is especially to enlighten and conciliate those who in technical

language but not in " the vulgar tongue , " are styled the profane in contradistinction to the initiated . He must be inclined to win the good will even of those who affect to despise what they cannot comprehend by raising the veil of mystery , where admission behind it is allowable ; and firmly interposing it only when he is sure that it is impossible to withdraw it consistently with truth and safety . But even in this latter case he should be ready to shew that it would not be common justice to the Craft that matters in which the public have no concern should be indiscriminately divulged .

He knows too well the prejudices which are entertained , more or less , in all grades of Society , against every species of exclusive combination ; but he knows also , that the best mode of removing these prejudices is to demonstrate that there is no solid foundation for them ; and such as are in themselves groundless and absurd he may justly disregard . On the other hand , our expositor would have a comparatively easy task ; for it is a greatthough common errorto speak of Freemasonry

, , as being in every respect a secret society . With regard to one great division of our assumed obligations , we have our published Book of Constitutions , which regulates the mode of conducting business in and out of Lodge , and many of the practices of the Society in its internal management . To this is prefixed an abridgement of the ancient eharges which is well worthy the perusal of any sensible

philanthropist . If it can be believed and proved , that there is much in our proceedings which need not be secret , then thus much may at any rate be made public in such a manner as to convey whatever benefit might accrue to the possessor of the knowledge , while on those privileges and habits which are essential and peculiar to our craft , the seal of secresy might remain unbroken , without any injustice to those who are not qualified to receive a communication of them . We come now to the last and main point to be considered—that , in fact , which has called forth the preceding suggestions . Taking it

for granted that there is no inordinate love of secresy pervading the great body of Masons ; and admitting that a considerable portion of that which is at present but little known concerning them , is of a nature capable of disclosure to the public without forfeiture of faith on the one side , and with some benefit to the other , or perhaps to both parties , is it prudent and expedient that this disclosure should be made by an irresponsible individual , or by an authorized committee of Grand Lodge ? That this question hasto a certain extentbeen mooted in Grand

, , Lodge , when it was moved , "That the Board of General Purposes be desired to draw up a statement of the Principles of the Order , " is my excuse for troubling you with these remarks , for it is impossible , I apprehend , that any sincere friend to the Society , wishing to promote its welfare and extend its usefulness , can be otherwise than very anxious at the result of a discussion in which the character and operations of the Fraternity are deeply involved . I am aware that the motion to which I have alluded was negatived at the time ; but I cannot

help inferring from all that passed on the occasion , that a question of such vital importance will not be allowed to rest without further deliberation on its merits ; and that this will bo adopted without reference to the immediate subject of complaint , which incidentally produced it on the late occasion . It seems not improbable that the necessity for a more strict investigation , and lucid exposition of our Craft , and its principles , besides these , which are generally recognised of" BrotherlLoveReliefand Truth" he brought under

y , , , may the consideration of G . L ., not as a matter of defence , but of social duty . In anticipation of such an event , I have taken the liberty , as a looker-on of requesting a place in your columns , if they be not better filled with more pressing demands on the attention of your readers . There is no doubt whatever that the proposal already made for a specific purpose was dictated by a wise and liberal , and therefore

truly Masonic , desire , to relieve the Fraternity , in this and other countries from much undeserved opprobrium ; and to render less formidable the opposition of its avowed and somewhat inconsistent enemies , as well as to meet some of the difficulties which its best friends occasionally experience in its defence . I , for one , most willingly express my belief that the cause of Masonry is much indebted to those Brethren who have raised the question of the general expediency of some such measure ; however , G . L . may , in its collective wisdomsee cause to postpone , or to

dis-, approve of any act which must necessarily commit the Society to the responsibility which may attend a publication by an appointed committee of its members . Having , I fear , trespassed too long upon you , " I will conclude for the present by signing myself , Yours , very fraternally , P . G . M .

To the Editor of the " Masonic Observer and 67 . L . Chronicle . " Sir and Brother , —It is neither my wish nor intention to stir up the embers of discord , which , happily for all , seem to be fast mouldering away ; but I conceive that there is no reason why this feeling should debar mo from comment or remark upon facts and circumstances as they arise . I proceed , therefore , to notice two instances of misinterpretation of our laws and constitutions which occurred during the sitting of the last Grand Lodge , viz .: Bro . Dobie ' s ruling as to the

necessity of notice being given at the Board of Masters , of an amendment to a recommendation of the Board of Benevolence , and Bro . Roxburgh's objections to , Bro . Rev . G . E . Portal ' s motion , relative to the alteration of the days of meeting of the former Board , on the ground that it would interfere with the granting of relief to the applicants of the latter Board , in so far as the last meeting of the Quarter was concerned , as that would take place after the Board of Masters , to which of necessity the proceedings of the Board of Benevolence have to bo referred . With regard to Bro . Dobie ' s viewsit was shown

, by several speakers that no such notice was required , and that the practice was to omit it , though occasionally such notice had been given ; while Bro . Roxburgh ' s objections were satisfactorily answered by Bros . Binckes and Savage , who proved that they were much of the character of Don Quixote ' s imaginary opponents , and existed entirely in the W . Bro . Dobie's imagination . Thus two authorities—one Grand Beg . in esse , the other Grand Beg . in posse—whose opinions have in pastand may on

futureocca-, , sions influence decisions on important matters , clearly manifested their ignorance of these constitutions , to which they so love to appeal for the purpose of stopping discussion on disputed and difficult points . Commending these facts to the consideration of the Craft , I am , Sir and Brother , yours fraternally ,

TRUE BLUE . To the Editor of " The Masonic Observer . " DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The various topics affecting the interests and well-being of the Craftand the questions which from

, , time to time , are brought under discussion in G . L ., are so admirably treated in your pages , that it is not without apprehension I venture to intrude upon the notice of your readers . The only reason—I would say , the justification— -for my doing so is a natural anxiety lest , amid the heartfelt gratitude experienced by all at the results of the last G . L ., it should for one moment be forgotten to what instrumentality such results are mainly to be attributed . I am not about to review the history of Canada ' s wrongs—it

would be ungenerous now to do so . I am not about to detail the efforts that have been made to ensure orders—such a course would be unwise now that relief is promised . On the other hand , it would , I conceive , be a false delicacy to ignore the one or the other . The M . W . G . M . did not hesitate in G . L . to speak of them in the handsomest manner , and in a truly Masonic spirit admitted the former , and acknowledged the latter ; and , in my humble judgment , no act of his lordship ' s Masonic career ever became him better , or reflected more credit upon him , than this . I do not for one moment question the truth of the noble Earl ' s assertion , that in the decision he had arrived at with regard to the claims of our Canadian Brethren , he had not succumbed to pressure ; but 1 think