Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

MASONIC SEEMONS . To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR S IR AND BROTHER , —Your correspondent MASTER MASON is somewhat severe on the Parsons , but none too much so , it may be urged , ' if the subject is regarded wholly from a Masonic point of view—of course in thus expressing myself I refer to cases where they are asked and consent to preach " Masonic Sermons . " If we are to consider this subject as purely Masonic , and I think one is

justified in doing so under the special conditions of the case , matters of controversy should be as rigidly excluded from the pulpit when a Masonic Sermon is being preached as in a Lodge , and the same equally applies in the other case pointed out by your correspondent—when grace is said at the banquet table . I , too , have heard Brethren use expressions in giving grace which , as your correspondent mentions , are not in accordance with the

sentiments of our Jewish Brethren . I think these divergencies are purely the result of thoughtlessness , and perhaps a word or two to Clerical Brethren when asking them to preach would have the desired effect of stopping such references . It may bo that most Ministers when asked for the first time to officiate Masonically would be obliged to more experienced Craftsman for a hint in the direction referred to . Yours , & c , ON THE ROAD .

A NEW SITE FOE THE BOYS SCHOOL . To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I can by no means agree with your correspondent G . P . W . in his opposition to the removal of the Boys School from Wood Green , where it may simply be said to have outgrown itself . I can remember the neighbourhood in which our School is situated for the past thirty-five years , and it must be conceded that whereas it was a suitable

spot when the ground was purchased it no longer remains a desirable site for such an Institution as the Boys School has grown to . I fully agree that removal would entail a very heavy outlay but I consider a judicious removal would lead to a permanent saving , and that too to such an extent as would soon go far to reimburse the initial outlay . By all means let us co-operate with the executive of tho Institution if a removal is con temp ated as part of the Centenary celebration . Yours , & c , LIFE GOVERNOR .

Three Degrees In One Night.

THREE DEGREES IN ONE NIGHT

AT a meeting of the Grand Committee of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , held on the 30 th May last , the following excerpt from a communication which had been addressed to Grand Lodge was read , and Grand Secretary reported that many similar remonstrances had , from time to time , reached him : — " Pietermaritzburg , Natal , February 1895 .

" The Lodge St . Andrew , No . 701 , begs respectfully to call the attention of Grand Lodge t & the fact of the number of young Masons who come out to the Colonies with little or no knowledge of Masonry , and more than one Brother has utterly failed to pass a simple examination , even though holding a diploma from the Grand Lodge of Scotland . The fault seems to rest with

a great number of the Lodges in Scotland allowing candidates to take the three degrees in one evening . This is a great injustice to Masonry , and it is felt nowhere so much as in the Colonies . We trust the Grand Lodge will see its way to inquire into the matter , for if the present state of affairs is allowed to continue , the honour and credit of Masonry will be greatly imperilled . "

It was resolved to refer the letter from Natal to the Committee on revision of the Constitution , with the recommendation to consider the propriety of having an alteration made on

the rule giving permission to confer more than one degree in one night . Further—Grand Secretary to endeavour to discover the particular Lodges to which the Natal communication refers , and to correspond with them on the subject of complaint .

The Mason who cannot wholly divest himself of all party feeling before crossing the threshold of a Masonic Lodge might as well carry in with him the pestilence . Brethren should always remember that there is more danger from within the Lodges than without . Masters of Lodges cannot be too strict in rebukinsthfi

slightest political allusion in the Lodges , whether at labour or refreshment . These principles should extend further . We should , on all occasions , lend our influence and example in

assuaging the bitterness of party spirit in the community around us , and thus do something to carry out the advice laid down for us by our immoital Brother in his farewell address to his countrymen . — " Bloomington Freemason . "

The Honours Of Official Positions.

THE HONOURS OF OFFICIAL POSITIONS .

CONCLUDING the article we reprinted last week , our contemporary , the " Masonic Advocate , " remarked : Of course what we have said concerning the office of Grand Master applies with equal force to the first Officer in all Masonic bodies . There is not the same importance attached to securing

the right man for the place that existed in the earlier days of Masonry , when the office sought the man and not man the office . A lawful ambition for the highest honours in Masonry is not only all right , but praiseworthy , and it should be 3 hown by an

exhibition of those qualities that will grace the position , and not by electioneering for it . The Mason who resorts to political methods to secure official position should receive no encouragement from those who desire to maintain the time-honoured institution according to ancient usage and landmarks .

Some Duties Of Lodge Members.

SOME DUTIES OF LODGE MEMBERS .

THE aim of an army is conquest ; the aim of Freemasonry is conquest . conquest of evil and the establishment of right and truth . The private soldier is not a passive instrument , he is always at work , learning , studying , practising , so as to aid in the aim of conquest , and rise in the ranks . Did

you or I join Freemasonry with the idea of being passive , to do nothing , to simply bo benefitted by the active endeavours of others ? A thousand times no . I do not pay my Lodge fees to do nothing ; to sink my individuality , or to simply attend Lodge , but rather to identify myself with a living and acting organisation , and to live and act in conjunction therewith , doing my

part in the ranks or wherever I may be placed , helping on the grand work under the noble banner . The cause of the decadence of many communities is that so many of its individual integral parts are satisfied , to have no aim or opinion , and to allow others to think and act for them . Societies often fail because the rank and file are careless whom they put in

authority , hence weak laws and poor results . Every Lodge member is a part of this great fabric , and as such , ought to identify himself by , in some way or other , pushing on the work ; for we must remember that if Freemasonry were composed simply of Officers , its sustaining power would be lacking , and if the rank and file members of Lodges grow lukewarm

and lose interest in the working of the Craft and its progress , then worse than stagnation will take place—there will be desertions from the active ranks , and a retrogressive movement set in . The ambition of Officers should not lead them to overlook the necessity of keeping the rank and file inspired , for this is a positive essential . Extract from Essay on Masonic ambition by Bro . I . C . Bowring , Sydney , in " Masonry . "

Examination Of Visitors.

EXAMINATION OF VISITORS .

FOR a young W . M . to , unsolicited , attempt to teach an experienced old P . M ., or to advise a Lodge how to manage its work , is what we may term in plain English " a piece of impertinence . " A W . M ., when visiting asked the Tyler to examine him , stating that he was a W . M . The Tyler assented , and the Visitor went so far as to prove himself a F . O ., but

positively declined to be proved as a M . M ., either by giving the 5 P . of F . or any words . He excused himself by stating that his instructor , whom he dubbed as " the Freemason of the Colonies , possessed of more extensive Masonic knowledge than any other Mason , " had instructed him never to give the proofs asked for . At the supper table the Visitor alluded to the matter

for the " good of the Craft , " and as a " lesson to young Masons to follow in his footsteps and thus never go astray . " Unfortunately he either did not know the ritual , or for want of proper punctuation ( which we presume is his fault ) , his mode of giving tbe words was altogether wrong . He contended they must " only be given in a whisper in open Lodge , unless by order of tho

W . M . " In Victoria we are instructed , that " it is in this position , and this only , and then only in a whisper ( except in open Lodge ) , that the word is given , " and that is what the Tyler required ; he did not ask for the word to be

shouted out , but to be given him with the 5 P . of F . We would also remind the Visitor that all W . Ms ., and indeed all Brethren , should be careful of one great Masonic word , caution , and not speak about the Degree of M . M . at the supper table when E . As . and F . Cs . are present . — " Masonry . "

It is announced that Thursday , 12 th September , is fixed for the installation of Bro . A . F . Godson , M . P ., as Prov . Grand Master for Worcestershire , in the place of the late Sir Edmund

H . Lechmere , Bart ., M . P . The ceremony will be performed at Worcester by the Et . Hon . the Earl of Lathom Pro Graud Master .

No additional grants can be made from the Scotch Grand Lodge Annuity Fund until July of next year . The number at present in receipt of annuities from this source is 105 , the annual amount payable being £ 1 , 090 .