Red Cross Of Rome And Constantine.

prosperity to the Inverurie No . 9 , and long life to her first Sovereign . ( Cheers . ) Sir Knt . Kelt M . P . S . thanked Bro . Wheeler and tho rest of the visitors for their kind wishes . He waa not a speaker , but he hoped to prove himself a worker in the cause , ancl if the Couolave did not prosper , it should not be for want of any help he could give it . The Croupier , iu very felicitions terms , proposed the health of Colonel

Robertson , the United States Consul at Leith , who had come to grace their meeting , ancl who had displayed all that enthusiasm that dis . tinguishes our Masonio brethren on tho other side of tho Atlantic . Colonel Robertson expressed the pleasure it had given him to be present to witness the opening of a new Conclave of the Order , as he

was sure the Order only wanted to be known to be more widely appreciated . The visiting brethren were here obliged to leave , to get to their respective trains ; but tho Dundee brethren continued for some time longer , to enjoy the Feast of Reason and the Flow of Soul .

Correspondence

CORRESPONDENCE

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

LONDON ORGANISATION FOE , VOTING PURPOSES .

To the Editor of TnE F REEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAII SHI AND BiioiiiEit , —I noticed , some time since , a report in your columns of a meeting of the Tredegar Lodge of Instruction , at which it was suggested that London Lodges should combiuo together for voting purposes , as is the practice in many Provinces . I think the scheme is iu the first place objectionablo on general grounds , bnt

especially because it omits all consideration of the merits of the different candidates . This , of course , applies equally to Provincial organisations of a similar character as to this proposed London one . In the next place , I consider the suggestion is impracticable . I do not see how even the most influential brethren will induce all Loudon to combino together for this or other purposes . Different Lodges are

likely to be actuated by different views , and I fancy it will be found that in many cases theso different views are irreconcilable . More good is likely to be done if brethren interested in the success of a candidate will follow the example of Bros . Stevens ancl Barnes . Assuming they are satisfied , on inquiry , that a case is worth supporting ,

let them find out who the men are they will have to work with them , and if thoy think them capable , and that there is a fair chance of auoceediug , lot them set to work mig ht ancl main , aud I do not think they will bo less fortunate than the two worthy brethren whoso names I have cited . Yours fraternally , GltEY FUIAB .

Secret Societies

SECRET SOCIETIES

A FEW years since the question was fully discussed in this country whether the existence of a secret society should be tolerated in a republican government ; ancl when thoso who belonged to such societies were found not to yield to the force of the arguments adduced , tho learned legislators of several states concocted and enacted certain sage laws , the object of which was to destroy all societies of this character . This was one of those chapters of human

history which all men should read , both in its inception ancl results . It was , by no means , our first trial . We had beforo been " excommunicated by tho Pope , because wo wero antimonarchial—assailed by somo Protestant sectaries , because we were anti-republicans—and proscribed by Tom Paine , becanso we were too religious . " Having previously escaped unscathed from this amusing variety of attack , we

" waited patiently , " agreeable to our principles , to see what we were to be shown next . And we have not been disappointed in our expectations . Masonry remains precisely where it was ; but how has been the result as to secret socities in general ? Odd Fellowship—a society scarcely known twenty years ago—took new life , and that three linked chain now numbers its tens of thousands , and compotes , in the

cause of humanity , with tho " old handmaid" —Sons of Temperance , and Brothers of Temperance , and Rechabites , uow display publicl y their collars and thoir rosettes , ancl hardly drink cold water together tvithout the word , the sign , or the grip . Surely that old argument against secret societies has produced strange results , and in its effects is a good specimen of the old apothegm for interpreting

dreamsalways " to explain them by the rule of contrary . In short , secret societies seem to have increased in a geometrical ratio under the influence of argument , and that increase is the natural and failcommentary upon the merits of the discussion . And then , those sage pieces of legislation—almost equal in wisdom to thoso against the Quakers , and Baptists , and witches of Massachusetts—where aro they ,

and where are the convictions under them ? Echo answers ' * where . " They stand already as " obsolete ideas" upon the statute books , no very honourable memorials of the spirit which inspired them . Masonry meddles not with tho government , the politics , or the religion of the world . The very first instruction she imparts reads thus . — " In the State you are to be a quiet and peaceable subject

true to your government and just to your country ;— -you are not to countenance disloyalty or rebellion , but Submit with patience to legal authority , aud conform with cheerfulness to the government of the country in which yon live . " Without this principle it is self-evident that Masonry could not have existed , in its universal character , for many centuries past even in enlig htened Europe , — Hebrew Leader ,

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Price 2 s Qd , Crown Si'o , chili , gill .

MASONIC PORTRAITS

RBPBINXBD PBOU "THE FBEEUASON a CHBONICLE . ' The Volume contains the following : — 1 . OUR LITERARY BBOTHEE . 17 . Tna CHRISTIAN MINISTER . 2 . A DISTINGUISHED MASON . 18 . Tna MYSTIC . 3 . THE MAN op ENEBGY . 19 . A MODEL MASOX . ¦ J . FATKBB TIME . 20 . A CHIP raou JOPPA . 5 . A COBNEB STONE . 31 . A PILLAR OP MASONBY .

6 . THE CBAPTSUA . II . 23 . BAYABD . 7 . THE GOWNSMAN . 23 . A BIGHT HAND MAX . 8 . AN EASTEBif STAB . 21 . OUR CITIZEN BBOTHEB . 9 . THE KNIGHT EBBANT , 25 . AN ABIE PBEOEPTOB . 10 . THE OOTOGENABIAN . 26 . AN ANCIENT BBITON . 11 . A ZEALOUS OSBICEK . 27 . THB ABTIST .

12 . THE SOLDIEB . 28 . THE FATHHR OP THB LODGE . 13 . FBOU UNDER THE CBOWH . 29 . A SHINING LIGHT . 11 . OUR HEBCULBS . 30 . AN AUT STUDENT . 15 . A MERCHANT PRINCE :. 31 . THE MARINES . 16 . THE CHURCHMAN . ,, 32 . A SOLDIER O ? Foait / NB . 33 . "OLD MUG . "

OPINIONS OF THE PBESS . " A series of articles , biographical , clescriptivo , and eulogistic , of somo of tho principal Masonic worthies of the clay . They aro woll written , and though personal , by no means offensive , or intrusivo into privato life , and in Masonic society will be welcomed as an interesting series of word paintings of members of tho Craft . —Standard . " We do not remember to havo read any similar scries of sketches which surpass this in merit . " —Land and Water . "Admirably written , being free from what aro too often observed in

composition—inelegant language and prolixity . '' —Sunday Times . "' J . G . ' writes with a considerable amount of freedom , never hesitating to 'hit off' a weakness when ho finds it publicly displayed by a 'distinguished brother ; ' at tho samo timo he ncvor loses sight of a good trait when it ia displayed , either in connexion with the Craft or in tho service of the public out of doors . The sketches are lively reading . "—City Press . " This is a neat book . The Portraits consist of a series of ' word picturos '

of eminent English Masons . It styles Bro . W . J . Hughan ' Knight Errant , ' and sketches thirty-two others under equally uuiquo titles . We commend tho book as worthy of a place in every Masonic library . "—Voice of Masonry . "Evinces much literary ability , and is a valuable addition to the fow works wo have in Masonic biography . "—Philadelphia Keystone . " The book ought to be iu every well arranged Masonic Library . "—New York Courier .

Good sonsibly written articles . The writer prefaces each of his sketches with some pithy common sense remarks . " —Cushel Gazette . " Cleverly and agreeably sketched , and the work altogether forms a valuable addition to Masonic literature . " —Hyde News . "Very amusing , ancl beyond doubt , faithful portraits of tho worthies who

unconsciously sat for them . "—Deal , Waliuer and Sandwich Mercury . "Tho members of tho Craft will tako it as an acceptable addition to their biographical literature , " —Monmouthshire Chronicle . " Thoy are written iu a fair and genial tone , thoroughly Masonic . "—Leigh Chronicle .

" Should have a very largo sn \ o . "—Kingsbridge Gazette . " These sketches aro drawn with sparkling ability . "—Banffshire Seporter . "Wo must sincerely congratulate the author on the success of his endeavour to aim at faithful portraiture , while thero is au ontiro absence of what might give offence to the most sensitive mind . "—Folkestone Express . "A very acceptable contribution to tho history of the Order . The volume has our warmest commendation . " —Kelso Courier .

" Drawn with no little humour , and embellished with many a cleft stroke of good naturcd satire . —Figaro . " The inquiring Brother who may wish to know something of the strength and beauty of tho principles of Masonry , will find a pleasure in scanning the characteristic pictures in this book . "—The Brighouse News . " We value the work , and heartily thank Bro . Morgan for our copy . "Masonic Jewel .

" The portraits consist of a scries of what we call' pen and ink sketches' of brethren prominent in all the noble undertakings of English Masonry . . . . Prominent among his brethren wo find Bru . Fred . Binckes , 0 Our Hercules , ' whose herculean efforts in behalf of thoso blessed institutions , the charities of English Masons , have a world-wide reputation , which will live long after the zealous Craftsman has been , ' laid away to rest . ' " ~ New York Square . " The style of the author is pleasing , and tho quality of his productions

highly complimentay to his ability as a writer . " —Masonic Advocate . " There is a piquancy in the ready off-hand dash that lends much zest to the subject , and bars it from studied rhetorical expression . " —Hebrew Leader . " There can bo no doubt that the writer has produced a series of Portraits which will bo a source of amusement and pleasure to Masons throughout tho world . "—Surrey Comet . " Will be found very interesting and pleasant reading , especially to the Masonic world . "—Burnet Press .

" Calculated to raise the Order—if that bo possible—in the estimation of it members , if not of the outer world . "—Trowbridge and North Wilts Advertiser . " Written in a spirited , racy style , and conveying , in as clear a manner as possible , a ' counterfeit presentment' of some of the rulers of tho Craft . "Essex Standard ,

London ; W . W . MOKGAIY . By Order of all Booksellers , or will be sent , free by post , direct from the Office , 67 Barbican .

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THE FREEMASON'S CHRONICLE .

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