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® Ij £ JEastfixk Jiiar , THURSDAY , * ^^^^^ g FEB . 14 , 1889 .

Edited by W . BRO . JAMES STEVENS , " P . M ., P . Z ., & c , & c .

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Our Publishers request us to call the attention of present and intending foreign subscribers to this journal to the terms of subscription above-named . In many instances the remittances have not covered the amount of postage required beyond the price of the natifir . and thev are consectuentlv unable to determine the nrecise

wishes of several who have favoured them with their orders , and whom they desire to thank for their support . A simple solution of the difficulty would be the calculation of the yearly or half-yearly cost of the paper itself without postage , and the addition thereto of the usual newspaper rate of postage from England to place of required delivery . —Ed . M . S .

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

* # * We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions e & prcssed by our Correspondents . THE BENEVOLENT FUND .

To tlie Editor of THE MASONIC STAR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER . I have recently seen a tabular statement showing income and expenditure of the Board of Benevolence from 1880 up to last year . Thereby it appears that the income in 1880 was £ 9 , 270 , whilst that in 1888 was £ 10 . 051 . I find , on reference , that in 1880 there were

about 1880 lodges on the register of the Grand Lodge of England , whilst the number last year had increased to something over 2220 . Putting these figures side by side , I am at a loss to understand how it is that an addition of 3 < f 0 lodges only results in an increase of £ 780 in the Benevolent Fund ; in other words , how is it that about 46 s . each per annum per lodge is derived from those established since

3880 , whilst about £ 5 each is the subscription of those in existence prior to that date . Moreover , during the present decade , I am given to understand that not only has this large addition to the number of our lodges been made , but that , as a general rule , they have had most material additions to their lists of members , in many cases lodges being twice and three times as strong numerically as they were eight or nine years ago .

I hope you will not consider me stupid or intrusive because I venture to set this question before you , but it appears to me that there must be some blundering somewhere , as 4 ( is . represents only an average of eight or nine members per Lodge , an anything but flourishing condition , and one which hardly justifies existence as a lodge at all . Yours fraternally , VERITAS .

To the Editor of THE MASONIC STAR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , In your issues for January 24 th and 31 st appear letters on the above subject asking for guidance . To the letter of January 24 th was appended an editorial note , "We will answer this next week . " I have examined your columns in vain , and can only conclude the matter must have been overlooked . I know a large number of brethren who are deeplv interested in this question and who have

very decided opinions upon it . They are at the same time very anxious to do only that which is right , if only they can find proper authority . It would appear that the only authority forthcoming is that of the D . P . G . M ., or P . G . Secty . who seem to think that they have only to say " You must not do this , " or " You must not do that , " and all is supposed to be settled . It has been said that Grand

BOARD OF INSTALLED MASTERS .

Original Correspondence.

Lodge has given a decision on this matter ; if so . let that decision be pointed out , and many brethren who now uphold the opening oi a Board of Installed Masters will dutifully submit . In my own Lodge a Board has been regularlv opened since the Lodge was first

started , now nearly 80 years ago . If you can point out any authority for the observance or non-observance of this mode of working you will earn the gratitude of many Brethren . Yours fraternallv . Feb . Sth , 1889 . P . M .. P . Z . ( W . Lane . )

To the Editor ofTwE MASONIC STAR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER . Not being a constant reader of the Freemason , I have only just had _ my attention drawn to an article of the 26 th ult .. " Our Institutions and the Critics . " I think it a great pity that the writer did not do for himself what he considers the said critics are

"in honour bound to do , " before " condemning what he does not know . " For " had he inquired of the Secretary or Mr . Collector " he could have been told that in 1883 or 1884 certain members of the Committee of Management brought to light the very fact that he denies , viz ., that the sums received for commission by the collector were not at all in accordance with the original " clearly defined conditions , " and that one of the officials was called before

the committee and censured . They also objected to certain other matters which they conscienciously believed ( and still retain the same opinion ) ought not to be . The consequence was that the next year none of those members were re-elected , so they could not continue to carry out their desire of " wanting to know , you know !"' Not wishing to enter upon any matter I am unable to clearly prove , I sign myself . Yours fraternally . Feb . 8 th , 1888 . G . L . MOORE " , ' P . M . mo .

To the Editor of THE MASONIC STAR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , Something must be done , and quickly , if the three great charities of the order are to be maintained . I hear a great deal about them ; and that I have their- true interest at heart may be shown by the fact that I am Life Governor of all and have -been

five times a Steward . 1 . As regards the Benevolent Institution I consider that the secretarial expenses are absurd , one brother at £ 400 per annum , with two assistants at £ 100 and £ 80 respectively ought to manage the office and collect the subscriptions . Both the schools should be managed with greater economv .

2 . Why should the secretaries of the institutions be styled Honorary Secretary of the Festivals . ' Surely that event is an important part of the work for which they are well paid . 3 . The Life Governors should be informed how many boys have run away from the school at Wood Green in consequence of excessive and unnecessary thrashing , of which the boys cannot complain as

all letters are read , and they have no fathers to take out a summons for assault as would be the case in an ordinary school . 4 . Whether it would not be well to have advice from some eminent architect , such as the present Grand Superintendent of Works , so as to secure more artistic taste in the buildings . Additions and alterations have from time to time been made to both schools by able surveyors , but not one . I think , is a member of

the Royal Institute of British Architects . The increase of lodges , especially in the London district and surrounding provinces , has brought in so many who should never have been admitted into masonry . The increase of candidates for the charities must be rapid , and it appears to me that our institutions require careful management if they are to adequately meet the wants of the near future

I have tried to avoid personalities , but am convinced that something must be done , and quickly , if the three noble institutions are to be maintained in a state of efficiency . Yours & c , Lux .

SANDGATE LODGE AND SOLDIER MASONS . To the Editor of THE MASONIC STAR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , This lodge was formed in 1873 . and received great assistance from the 99 th Regiment , then stationed at Shorncliffe . The first W . M . and S . W . were officers of that regiment , and many of the

THE MASONIC CHARITIES .

joining members belonged to the garrison . Since then there has been ever the greatest goodwill between the civil and military element . Six or seven W . M . 's have been connected with the service ; several have filled the Warden ' s chairs , but have left before the election of W . M . The exigencies of the service doubtless places military Masons under certain disadvantages , but I

deny that there is so unmasonic a wish on the part of civilians as a wish to deprive them of their just dues , and in the Sandgate lodge the civilians are so intimately connected with military that it would be unnatural to do so . Our esteemed tyler , himself a retired warrior , is at once evidence of the goodwill with which his comrades would be welcomed .

I must correct " Punjabi " m his statement that the J . W . has been initiated during the last few months . The brother referred to is the vicar of Sandgate ; he was initiated in a metropolitan lodge , and became a joining member last year , receiving the appointment ol chaplain . Since then the W . M . wisely selected him as J . W . foi the good of masonry generally , and of this lodge in particular .

It is to be regretted that your correspondent should endeavour to create a grievance , and I trust that you will not advocate class lodges , but rather advise " Punjabi " to remember how desirable it is that friendly intercourse and brotherly love should be cemented by the association of soldier and civilian Masons in one lodge . I remain yours fraternally , P . M . 1436 .