Masonic Pilgrims At Winchester.

On Saturday the party was enlarged by many members of the Correspondence Circle of the Quatuor Coronati , which covers the whole world of Masonry , and many Brethren from Winchester , Southampton , ancl other parts of tho county . Thoso

present either during the " pilgrimage' to the graud works of ancient Masons , or at the " refreshment" which followed the pleasant labour of the day , included the Provincial Grand Master of Hants and the Isle of Wight Bro . W . W . B . Beach , M . P ., and his Deputy Bro . J . E . Le Feuvre P . G . D .

At the Cathedral the party were met by the Very Bev . the Dean , Dr . Stephens , under whose intelligent guidance the visitors were shown through the magnificent fane . At the College , one of England ' s best memorials of the great Craftsman William of W ^ keham , Mr . Kirby , J . P ., welcomed and guided the Brethren ,

and at St . Cross every facility was afforded for an inspection of the ancient Church and Hospital by the Master , the Bev . W . G . Andrewes ; whilst at the County Hall and other points of interest in and about the city Mr . T . Stopher and Mr . W . H . Jacob were intelligent and , be it said , reverential exponents .

In the evening the Visiting Brethren were entertained on behalf of the Province to a banquet at the Guildhall , at which the Provincial Grand Master presided , supported on his right by Bro . Gould , and on his left by the D . P . G . M ., Bros . Bernard Harfield and Bramsdon occupying the vice-chairs . A recherche

cold repast was served by Bro . Chappie , after which the Prov . Grand Master , claiming there was no body of men more loyal than Masons , proposed the Queen and the Craft , which met a hearty response . He then proposed the M . W . the Grand Master H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , mentioning His Royal Highness was

that day taking part in a Masonic ceremony in London , at which he ought to have supported him , though he was sure his absence would be excused when it was known that he was presiding over a meeting in his own Province to welcome so distinguished a Lodge as the Quatuor Coronati .

Dr . Chetwode Crawley ( Grand Lodge of Ireland ) , in an interesting speech , proposed the Provincial Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and the Officers of Grand Lodge present and past . The Provincial Grand Master , in returning thanks , said he

was glad to receive a body of Freemasons whose fame extended to the uttermost parts of the earth . The Quatuor Coronati Lodge had done much to promote the interests of the Order and to elucidate its history . They were deserving of the warmest thanks for what they had done . He hoped they would be

encouraged to continue-their labours , and that that encouragement would be strengthened by the appreciation the Province of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight had shown of what they had done , and further , that when they returned to their homes they

would feel that in the ancient city of Winchester they had found something worthy of their attention . He concluded by proposing the Quatuor Coronati Lodge , coupled with the name of Bro . Gould , to whose labours in connection with Masonic literature he bore eloquent testimony .

Bro . Gould made an appreciative response , specially referring to the respect entertained for Bro . Beach in the Grand Lodge of England , and thanking the Province of which he was the head for the welcome extended to the Quatuor Coronati , to the character of whose work he referred at some length . The next toast was the Provincial Grand Master and tho

Deputy Provincial Grand Master , for which Bro . Le Feuvre ( who had assumed the chair , the Provincial Grand Master having to leave to catch the up train ) responded . The speaker highly commended the objects of the Lodge , of which he said Sir Charles Warren , who first made himself known to fame in

connection with the Palestine Restoration . Fund , was the first Master ; and he was followed by the Brother on his right , Bro . Gould , with whose elaborate History of Freemasonry many of those present were no doubt acquainted . Then the Lodge had also upon its roll of members such men as Mr . W . H . Rylands

Sir Walter Besant , Mr . Hughan , Admiral Markham , Professor Lewis , Mr . Lane , Sir Henry Butford Hancock , and many others . It was established in 1886 , and in 1887 , as he saw by the St . John ' s card for that year , which he had in his hand , the Correspondence Circle numbered 177 , and a hope was expressed

it would in course of time incorporate at least ten to fifteen hundred Brothers . The progress since made was proved by the fact that the Lodge at the last returns included thirty governing bodies , 137 English Lodges , of which fourteen belonged to Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , fifty-six foreign and colonial

Lodges , twelve other associations , and 3 , 596 Brethren , or a total of 1 , 831 , which he was informed now reached 2 , 000 . Ihe library catalogue in 1887 showed 200 numbers ; there were now 3 , 122 . He referred in detail to the work of the Lodge , and spoke of tbe desirability of enlarging to a still greater extent the

Correspondence Circle . Commenting on the proposal of Bro . Woodv \ ard that the Masons of England should contribute to the fund for the restoration of St . Paul ' s Cathedral , on tho ground that Sir Christopher Wren was a Provincial Grand Master of flic Order , he said the latter assertion was not an historical fact .

Masonic Pilgrims At Winchester.

Let Masons contribute to the fund by all means , but not on false premises . Bro . Le Feuvre then gave " Our Colonial Brethren , " for which

Dr . Hartley ( South Africa ) responded in an interesting speech pointing out that the difficulties Brethren in the colonies experienced were hardly known in the mother country , where tho facilities for travel were so easy .

Judge Jackson ( Bengal ) and the Rev . W . W . Rider ( Oraucr Free States ) also responded . ° Bro . Speth Secretary of the Quatuor Coronati Lod » e also mado an interesting speech .

Tho proceedings of the evening were made additionally pleasurable by the interpretation of a musical programme , nuder the direction of Bro . Searle . Several quartettes were rendered in exquisite style , unaccompanied , by Mr . Gardiner and Brothers Searle , Doody , and King . —" Hampshire Independent . "

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 SERMONS . , To the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I often think when I read the so-called Masonic Sermons of reverend Brethren that they wholly lack the spirit of Freemasonry that should guide them in their utterances . Of course very great excuses must be mado for them , as they probably regard their position

as Christian ministers as of far more paramount importance than their association with Freemasonry , and I do not blame them for so doing , hut they very often appear to entirely overlook the fact that religious as well as political discussions are particularly out of place in connection with Freemasonry .

I hold it is , comparatively speaking , an easy matter to preach a Masonio sermon in a Christian place of worship without introducing religious discussions , or saying anything that a Jew , a Protestant , or , in fact , any Mason could find fault with . Preachers of Masonic sermons should remember that Freemasonry is cosmopolitan , and probably one of its most

important features is that men of all and every religions may meet under its auspices , with no fear of differing on questions of dogma , but very many of them do not recognise this , or , at least they do not preach on that basis , with the result that a large proportion of what aro termed Masonic sermons are wholly opposed to one of the first principles of the Order—Fraternity .

As an instance , let me refer you to the sermon reported in your last issue as preached before tho Provincial Grand Lodge of Kent—an excellent discourse , no doubt , from a Christian churchman's point of view , but where is its Masonic character ? Is it in any way suitable for delivery in open Lodge—and Masonic sermons should certainly possess this qualification—in the presence of Hebrew or the many other Brethren who do not agree with

all the religious views of the Protestant Church ? I can hardly believe anyone arguing it is satisfactory as a "Masonic" sermon , nor would one in twenty of such productions pass under such conditions . Why is this so ? I regard it as the outcome of thoughtlessness on the part of our preachers , who should so frame their Masonic remarks as to allow of their being repeated to Freemasons in all parts of the world , no matter what their religion may be .

For tho same rr ason I have frequently heard clerical Brethren called to order when asked to give Masonic grace at the banquet table , whero they have introduced a foimula which by no means coincided with the views of Jewish members present . I think the universality of Freemasonry so desirable a feature to be maintained in its integrity that I hope you will give me the advantage of expressing my views . Yours , & c . MASTER MASON .

A NEW SITE FOR THE BOYS SCHOOL . To the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I was very pleased indeed to read in your last issue the announcement that the Prince of Wales had promised bis special patronage for the Centenary Festival of the Boys School , and I hope the result of his interest in the good work will be equally satisfactory in the case of that Institution as it was with the Girls School , when he presided at the Centenary of that Charity .

I was also glad to see your suggestion that a scheme oi removal to the country should form a part of the Centenary celebration . No doubt thafc would be a great undertaking , but there is a good time yet in which to act , and if tho Committee of the School would at once set to work drawing up a preliminary programme , the Lodges and Brethren cf England would know

exactly what they were working for , and would perhaps be able to bring even this stupendous task to a successful issue -without interfering with the ordinary flow of subscriptions to the Institutions , for I hope any special support secured for the Boys Centenary will not be detrimental to the ordinary funds .

As you have associated with this question that of an increase in t _* salary of the Head Master , I take the opportunity of doing the same , and freely express my opinion that the salary and allowances already g \ , should be sufficient for what the Craft requires at present . In saying this I am sorry to even appear antagonistic to the present chief at Wood Green . I should be delighted to hear he had a handsome addition to his income , but the Masons of England ought not to be asked to provide it . Yours , & c , ON THE R OAD .