Duties Of Recommendation.

ia that he should neither ask nor persuade a friend to sign a petition for initiation and membership . Freemasonry requires that every applicant should seek the Craft of his own volition . This is the unique characteristie 0 f our Fraternity , distinguishing it from all

others . Probably the Brother who is most tempted to infringe this rule is a Worshipful Master , especially an ambitious one , who desires to " break the record " of all wflvious Masters in his Lodge . It is to be feared that

such a one too frequently importunes his intimate friends to seek admission to the Craft . The result is always injurious to Freemasonry . Men are led to seek admission from selfish motives , or merely to gratify a friend . Seeking to gratify an idle curiosity never made a good

Mason . If Freemasonry should ever become , in the profane sense , popular , its high character will be greatly imperilled . Every applicant shonld be a man of good moral character , of reputable standing in society , physically

sound , and of sufficient means to amply provide for himself and family . An impecunious man is nofc fit material for Masonry . No one should join it to better hia fortunes . A shady character is but rotten material for the spiritual Temp le . A man without comfortable means of support

may speedily become a charge on the Craft . Every recommender should personally know that the app licant he recommends seeks the Craft voluntarily , is uprig ht and of good report , has satisfactory visible means of support , and will possibly add to , or certainly not subtract from , the character of Freemasonry .

Brethren , lay hands suddenly on no material for our sp iritual Temple . Ask no profane to become a Mason . Never bo a recommender who cannot recommend . Never

sign an applicant's petition out of compliment to the first recommender . All this is plain Masonic duty , and he who departs from ifc inflicts an injury , ifc may be of great magnitude , upon the Fraternity which honoured him by making him a Mason . —Keystone .

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 .

Be ELECTION OF GRAND TREASURER . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have had many inquiries from London and Provincial Brethren , asking if I have a Committee in London , or Hon . Secretaries to assist my candidature for the above office P and I have always replied , as I do now , that I have no such

Committee , nor have I an Hon . Secretary ; bnt it it true that some kind Brethren in the Provinces , on their own account , * ra doing what they can on my behalf . When I consented to be nominated I determined not to have a Committee , bat to rely entirely on the Brethren to support me if

tbey considered me worthy , rather than spend money on Committees & o . to secure my election . Should I be elected I shall value tho honour more than I can

express in a letter ; if , on tbe other hand , my Brother and opponent receives tbe majority of votes of tbe Brethren , I have no right to complain . I am , unfortunately , here for my healtb , bnt I hope to be in Grand Lodge on Wednesday , 2 nd March .

Yonrs fraternally , J . 8 . CUMBERLAND Brighton , 23 rd February 1892 .

THE SHADWELL CLERKE FUND . To the Fidi ' or of the FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Although no reference to the matter has yet appeared in yonr popular jonrnal , you , as well as the general body of Masons , are doubtless aware of the circular letter addressed to the various Lodges , respecting a proposed fund for the widow of

the late respected Grand Secretary . Now , while recognising the popularity of Colonel Clerks , and his gre- * t and valuable services to the Craft , I cannot help thinking that ibis proposal , emanating from several Grand Officers , in a most il Lad vised proceeding . In the

newspapers of 18 th iiiNtant , appeared i lin pat ticnlara of tbe deceased ' s will , wherein the personality is stated to be £ 12 , 252 , besides estates in county Galway and elsewhere , so that ihe widow appears to be left in comfortable circumstances . Colonel Gierke received a subatantial salary for the performance of his duties as Grand Secretary ,

Correspondence.

and was altogether in a better position than at least two-thirds of his brethren , and in my humble judgment it forms a dangerous precedent for Grand Officera to promulgate such a scheme under the circumstances .

I may further remark that having visited several Lodges where the circular has been read I have noticed a general feeling of astonishment , not altogether unmixed with ] indignation , at the course adopted .

I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours faithfully , W . M .

LET US BUILD TEMPLES . EAST — WEST — SOUTH — NORTH .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR S IR AND B ROTHER , —The principal object of Masonic and Brotherly societies is , has been , and always should be , " Charity . " To be able to extend this holy duty we should all , ns a body , do our best . It is true that good men , when satisfied themselves , considerately think of their poor fellow . oreatnres , and give heartily as

far as their means go ; bnt np to this day it has been impossible to satisfy all demands . The reason why we cannot give to all that need ia because onr funds are limited . By means of votes some are lucky to receive the benefits . Oat of 110 applicants , let us say only ten can be assisted ; tbe other thirty , perhaps as deserving , simply have to wait until the fundi have been restored . There are

many means to increase the funds—for instance : by paying higher fees , or by voluntary contributions , or by less feasting ; but why need we tax our brethren ? this would be unnecessary if we were able to "build Temples . " The benefits whioh would accrue from snch buildings aro numerous . Festivities are generally held at hotels , where the charges are governed by the so-called hotel charges .

Brethren , have none of you gone into the details of an hotel bill ? If you have , surely you most have found that at home you could produce the same oheer , or better , at far less than half such cost . If wines , cigars and suppers could be produced at less than half what is now paid for them , the other half could go into the Charity-box , —if we had a Temple , and would come to the aid of our deserving and

needy brethren . 2 . A candidate is proposed ; his name is written on a board , visible to all who come to the Temple , for two calendar months ; nofc only the members of one Lodge are able to see this name , but members of other Lodges thafc meet there . The character of such new candidate wonld be tested by a great number of the Craft , and mistakes could

not happen so often as now . 3 . Tbe furniture would be the property of the Craft , and not lent or hired as ii is in hotels . Perhaps every Freemason would have a home for himself , and wonld be proud of such a home . 4 . An approved Steward , who knows the management of wines and spirits ; a good cook , able to produce frugal meals , and all this under

the supervision of a Committee , is what is wanted to provide a selected and unsurpassable cheer , with satisfaction to all of the brethren . Cook and Steward could live on the premises , and some able , if not fortunate brother , would heartily seize such an opportunity for a living . 5 . On the Continent , in many Lodges , the members get their wines ,

spirits , & c , out of their vaults and from the stock laid down at less than " store" prices ; but for our members who deal in such articles this would not meet their views if adopted in English Lodges . 6 . Again , Lodges of Instruction could be held at the Temple , without being disturbed as at present . Most of such meetings are held at public-houses , where in one part rough language is fche rale , while

in the other hymns are sung and Masonio prayers are used . Are these fit places for Masonio meetings ? 7 . A Temple can be built at a very moderate expense , about £ 6000 ; surely if this amount could be offered in shares of £ 2 each no brother , if it were in his power , would refuse to take one ; conseqaently no difficulty would be incurred in raising such sum ; whereas ,

on the other side the benefits are so great that in less than four years all tbe shares could be repaid . If average hotel charges are £ 150 per annum , and twelve Lodges meefc , a surplus of £ 900 every year from banquets alone would be the result . Moreover , by profits out of Instruction Lodge meetings , and contributions from special banquets , with balls , & c , a higher fee could be gained until all the shares

were redeemed and the Temple free . 8 . Then comes reaping , —for the Charities ; and many poor and deserving brethren would live to bless and commend this Institution . Yours faithfully and fraternally , PHILIP FELSENTHAL , 1524 .. Walthamstow , February 1892 .

At a meeting of the Walthamstow Lodge of Instruction , No . 2192 , held on 22 nd inst ., it was resolved that on and after the 29 th init . tho Lodge should meefc afc " Field Home , " High Street , Walthamstow , every Monday evening at 8 o ' clock .

HoLiowAi ' s OINTMENT AND FILM . —Sudden changes of temperature sorely try all persons prcmo to rheumatism , sciatica , tic doloreux , and many maladies scarcely less painful , though of shorter duration . Ou the first attack of stiffness or suffering in any muscle , joint , or nerve , rccouwe should immediately be had to fomenting the disease with hot brine and rubbing in this

remarkable Ointment , which will assuage the uneasiness of tho part , subdue inflammation , and reduce the swelling . The Pills , simultaneously taken , will rectify constitutional disturbances and renew the strength . No remedy heretofore discovered has proved so effective aa the Ointment aud Pills for removing gouty , rheumatic , and scrofulous attacks , which affect all ages , and are commonly called hereditary .