Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

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

CHUECH SEEVICES ,

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHEONICLE . DEAB SIB AND BROTHER , —The criticisms you have lately offered in regard to the attendance of Brethren , clothed in Masonic regalia > at spebial services in different Churches , has formed a topic of discussion among the Masons of this district , and I think I may say the general opinion , so far as

we ¦ are concerned , is that you are too severe in your general condemnation , < although I am not sure , if you had been duly represented by " counsel " at our' meetings but'that-you would have been able to convert some of our less decided members to your way . of thinking , and so have won a verdict in our ' midst .

I' may . tell- you there are few of us who approve of the outside parade or show associated with these Church Services , but on the other hand we cannot shut' our eyes to tbe benefits which accrue to-most deserving charity funds , and you must admit that very much is allowable in the sacred cause of benevolence that would not be tolerated ' without it . That is the one strong point in favour of the public appearance of Freemasons at Church , and until some other means can be devised to do the same amount of good without the displays- ; I think yon will have to admit that-they are justifiable ; We'should , however , like to hear other arguments pro and con . Yours fraternally , DISCUSSION SECRETARY .

True Conception Of Masonry.

TRUE CONCEPTION OF MASONRY .

HOW . infinitely removed from the true conception of the Masonic essence are those who see or expect in Masonry nothing but a society for ameliorations and benefits ? These are temporal concerns ; material objects sought according to convenience and circumstances . Par be it from our thought to

detract , by remotest insinuation or inference , from the merit of those institutions which men have organised for mutual benefit ; They , are' praiseworthy ; they are useful ; they relieve distress and shelter against poverty , and want . But they are neither a substitute nor an equivalent for Freemasonry . They are as far

removed from it as the image of some partial superstition is removed from the Infinite One . Masonry is more than " a beautiful system of morality . " No definition can lay down its scope or measure its extent . Its soul is truth ; its mission , the Brotherhood of man ; a vague generality , perhaps , to the

superficial mind , but a well defined substance to the thoughtful and the earnest . Ordinary morality , uprightness of life , charitable impulse , these are the common attributes of all good men , be they Masons or no . But Freemasonry combines them into higher uses and nobler purposes . It teaches not only morality

but also equality ; not only charity , but also toleration ; the fraternity , not of Masons only , as such , buo the fraternity of the human race . When we speak of the " universality of Masonry , " we assume something more than a mere historic or geographical fact . We do not mean only that Masonry can and does flourish everywhere ; but that , in its essence , is universal ; in its nature ,

benevolent ; m its objects , ideal ; striving to fit man for a condition of perfect moral and social communism , where geography traces no boundaries and history erects no boastful monuments ; where we are content to forget and forgive , remembering only the points of fellowship , our fears , our hopes , our common struggle , and our common destiny . — " Keystone . "

"A Sprig Of Acacia"

"A SPRIG OF ACACIA "

THE Brethren of Waltham Cross and district have suffered a severe loss in the death of Bro . George Holdsworth , who died on Friday , 6 th inst ., at the age of 51 years . Our deceased Brother was a Past Master of the King Harold Lodge , No . 1327 , filling the chair thereof in 1887 ; he was one of the founders , and appointed acting I . P . M . at the consecration , of the James Terry

Lodge , No . 2372 ; and had won distincton in his Province of Hertfordshire , where he enjoyed the rank of past Grand Pursuivant . He was a staunch supporter of the Institutions , not only subscribing liberally in his own name , but also securing the inclusion of some of his children among the list of " Life " supporters . The funeral took place at Cheshunt Cemetery , on

Tuesday , and was very numerously attended by Brethren and other friends of the deceased , who , it may fairly be said , was one of the most popular and most generally respected men of his district . Wreaths were sent—among others—by the two Lodges ol which our Brother was a member . We tender our sympathy to the members of our late Brother ' s family in the great loss which has befallen them .

New Hall At Belfast.

NEW HALL AT BELFAST .

ON Saturday , 10 th ult . * the foundation-stones we ' re laid" of a Masonic hall , preparations for the ^ Buildibg oP which * li & ve been commenced on the Crumlin Eoad , Belfast . A * suitable ' site has been-secured' ^ or the new hall ; the position being central and the ground of sufficient ex-terittb a ccdmmodate a commodious structure . The ceremony was performed in accordance with the

impressive rites of the Order , and was assisted at by a numerous ana representative assemblage of the-city Lodgesj members * of which wore the Craft regalia , among those present being the Deputy Grand Master of Ireland Bro . J . Creed Meredith , LL . D . Shortly after- three o ' clock a procession was formed and

marched three times round the site of the proposed building , afterwards forming' a hollow" square , inside of which stood the Grand Officers , the Provincial Grand Officers , and office-bearers . The procession was arrahgecf by Bro .-RV-B . Andrews P . P . G . S . B . Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies .

Bro ! the Eev . Canon Crozier _ P . G . C . announced theode commencing " Genius of Masonry ! -descend , " arid it was Sung bythe Brethren to the- air " Old Hundredth . " Canon Crozier

afterwards offered the prayer ., Bro . J . Greed Meredith , LL . D ., Deputy Grand'Master having ' been presented with-the square ; ilevel . -and plumb'rule-: proceeded to lay the first stoneiin the manner prescribed by the regulations .. Bro . Eev . E . ' J . Clarke P . G . C . offered the invocation . The second '

stone was ' laid by ' Bro . Thomas'Valentine ,- J ; P . * , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and the remaining ones by Bro . * E . Jl < Hilton > . J . P ., Provincial Grand Secretary *; Bro . ^ Colonel J-. M . M'Calmont , M . P ., Most Worshipful ' Sovereign of ' Prince Grand * EoSe'Croix Chapter , Nb : 6 , Belfast' ; and Brb ; George * Andrews ' , J > . P ., P . M ; 7- and 156 .

x The Deputy Grand Master'read the usual address , and the Masonic Anthem having been sung , Bro . the' Eev . B . 3 . Clarke pronounced' the benediction ^ which brought the interesting , ceremony to a- 'close .-

Bro . J . C . Meredith subsequently , delivered a few observations , in the course of which he said : —Since coming to the' city ' in' connection with the very pleasing function which had' beeri * - performed that day he had been met'with the greatest possible * show of kindness on the part of everyone there belonging to the

Order of Freemasonry . He therefore took the opportunity now afforded him of thanking them for the * very'kind reception which theyhad given him .- He-could assure them that he : had * takenpart in the ceremony that day with most profound feelings . Itwas to him a happy sight to see such a large assembly of

Brethren , and he hoped his elder Brethren would-notr think he was casting . any slur upon them when he said he was delighted to see among them such a large number of young men . They , were a great acquisition to their Order , which was one that had ' existed from time immemorial , and in respect of it he had much

pleasure in reiterating the words of the Prince of Wales , who , in speaking of its composition , said there was no more loyal and upright body of men in Her Majesty ' s dominions than those belonging to the Masonic body . There was not one of them who did not from the bottom of his heart venerate and respect their

noble Sovereign , who had been graciously spared to reign for so many years over their great empire . ' Every man there that day ' had an interest in the well-being of the Sovereign and Her Boyal ! house , and it was to them a very proud thing indeed—a thing of which they were proud and ought to feel proud—that the head

of their Masonic Order was the Heir Apparent to the Throne of ' England . They had taken part in the laying of the foundation- ' stones of the new hall which no doubt would eventually become another centre added to the many which at present existed where Masons could assemble and carry oh their solemn rites , and *

where they would teach to those yet to come amongst them the great principles that bound them together . The great funda--mental principles of their Order were the love and fear of God , which would' be' - enjoined' upon all coming after theiri' to' folio wV They could not have- any amongst 1 them ' who > had ! not

aiconscientious fear of God : The next duty was to , honour , their Sovereign , which he knew would be done by alf Masons ! " Then there ' came' the closer * tie which bound them together—the love ' of the Brotherhood . They , knew that that love-m ' ade them- 'dd ' their duty to their Brother whilst alive . but it made-them do

; more , it made' them remember those that had ' been dependent upon him' and whom he left behiud ; That-ceremony ' which * they * - ' had taken part in that day-was but symbolic of something-higher : and nobler . He hoped it would speak to them of their

relationto God and to one another , as all things connected with Masonry were calculated to teach . He thanked- 'them again-for'the hearty ' way they had received him amongst them , and for the * honour they had conferred upon him in assigning . to him so prominent a " part at that ceremony .

The procession was then reformed-, and marched to * a 'marquee ' at Albertville , Crumlin Eoad , where luncheon was- provided-fpr the company .