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 , no ' t necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith ,. We cannot imdertahe to return rejected communications .

LODGES OF INSTRUCTION . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICIIE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —At an installation meeting I recently attended , the subject of Lodges of Instruction was incidentally referred to , the Worshipful Master observing that frequently when those useful "Nurseries" were established in connection with their Lodges

tbe members were expected to attend , and that if they did not a certain slight was imported to them . But , as he pointed out , many Lodges whose meetings are held in the City are made up of brethren resident in outlying districts , and it was difficult as well as expensive for them to attend frequently , as they might desire . There ia no

doubt considerable truth in this , and no better instance could be given of it than in the Lodge referred to ( United Mariners , No . 30 ) whore regular meetings nre held at the Guildhall Tavern , City . The brethren composing this excellent Lodgo are drawn from East , North , and South of London , and even beyond the area of the metropolis , and

tbe Lodge of Instruction being held at Peckham it would be extremely inconvenient for the brethren to attend the weekly meetings of the latter , although it is one of the best worked Lodges of Instruction South of the Thames . Tbe Worshipfnl Master , in his speech on the subject , said it was advisable for all Masonic students to attach

themselves to Lodges of Instrnction near to their own homes , and in this I heartily agree , providing they can find that instruction which is beneficial and the surroundings are congenial to their tastes . But at any rate there should be a little practical support and assistance given to Lodges of Instruction by mother Lodges , and as a rule I believe

such is the case . In other respects Lodges of Instrnction are useful in bringing together members of various sections of the Craft who , bnt for such means of intercourse , might probably have remained strangers to each other , and this is a most desirable feature of the " schools , " so to speak , in which intelligent and earnest Masons seek to graduate . Yours faithfully , MARINER .

The Benevolent Institution.

THE BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

To the minor of the FREEMASON s CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Your remarks recently on the prospects of candidates at the coming elections were elaborated in eloquent terms by Bro . Terry , the active Secretary of the above Institution , at a Lodge banquet I attended the other night , and his statements

fully bore out your observations that " the all-important question of tho moment" is whether it will be possible for the committee to increase the number of female annuitants . There is very little time now left in which to answer this question , seeing that the Festival is so near at hand , and if anything is to be done to avert the ugly

crisis which threatens the Institution , the effort must be " short ; sharp , and decisive . " I am not one of those who are always lamenting tho inability to meet all tho demands of charity , for in every benevolent institution—and their name is legion—we hear the same old story , that the hands of the executive are cramped for want

of tho necessary funds to assist all the cases which aro presented to them as deserving of assistance . But in the case of our Old Folks ' Asylum at Croydon , the circumstances are exceptional , and it seems to me that Brother Terry , taking the "tip , " if I may be allowed to use such an expression , from yonr leading article last week , struck

the right nail on the head when , whilst rejoicing at the prosperity of the other two Institutions , he said "the very reverse of thepicture presents itself when you mention the Old People . " It is undoubtedly a matter to be deplored that there should be no less than 127 applicants for the bounty of the Craffc , and that of these no fewer

than 81 are widows , for whom not a single vacancy is yet open . On the male side there are 46 candidates , for whom there are only a dozen vacancies , which is bad enongh in all conscience ; but when we consider the greater number of poor helpless widows standing on the threshold of our charity , without the slightest ray of hope of

obtaining tbe aid of which they stand in such urgent need , the " picture " is a very gloomy ono indeed . Of course there is no knowing beforehand what the result of the forthcoming Festival may be , but Brother Terry tells us straightly that unless a greater success is achieved next month than has ever

been known before , the committee will not bo able to elect one widow out of the list of 81 who aro seeking admission . Such a crisis in the history of the Institution has never taken place . It will be recollected that last year there was a large list of candidates , and the committee decided to place 15 extra candidates on the funds .

The year before thafc eight additional vacancies were created , and in the year next preceding there were ten . Yet although the executive have striven to cope with the increasing difficulties that have presented themselves , the cry is " still they come . " It is often urged that the constantly growing demands upon the various

Charities of the Craft are in a great measure the result of the vast increase in the nnmber of Lodges since the accession to office of our illustrious Grand Master . But this argument scarcely tells , so far

as the Benevolent Institution is concerned , because those who are seeking to participate in the advantages of this Charity must have been initiated years previous to thafc event , otherwise they would not be eligible for admission on fche Old Folks' List . A man might be

The Benevolent Institution.

initiated to-day , aud die to-morrow , and his child would be eligible to apply for the benefits of tbe Craft , though of course hia chances would be infinitesimal , ' but tbe advantages of the Benevolent Institution are not so cheaply purchased . If it were so Freemasonry would speedily degenerate into a friendly society , which we must all

hope and trust it never will become . It must not be thought thafc any man who can command sufficient money to defray hia initiation expenses is eligible for admission into Freemasonry . He must ba known to his proposer and seconder as a man of sound judgment and strict integrity—one whom he would not hesitate to admit to his own

family circle ; and Lodgea which act up to this rule need never fear what their ultimate success may be . Men actuated by such principles are bound together by one tie of brotherhood , and when distress overtakes any of them the rest should hasten with largeness of heart to alleviate the misfortune of the bereaved widow and

orphans . Bro . Terry has often pointed out in my hearing , thafc the boys and girls of the future must be , and will be , educated ; bufc ifc becomes a different matter with the aged of both sexes when they are going down the hill of life more rapidly than they ascended it . It may bo that when these aged and indigent ones appeal to the bounty

of the Craft they are unknown to those who are not old enongh fco remember their early connection wifch the Order . They are too proud to seek the help of the poor-house , and it may be thafc" ha widow suddenly remembers her husband was a Mason . She applies to tho Institution , which does its best to step in and enable her to

close her days in calmful peace and repose . The Craffc haa enabled many a poor man and widow to bless the Great Architect of the Universe that they ever belonged to Freemasonry ; and this thought should stimulate all the brethren to do what they can to support the three Institutions of which we are so justly proud . One remark of

Bro . Terry ' s always " tells , and that is when he points oufc that whereas children may be , and often are , taken care of and educated by relatives , it is a rare occurence indeed to hear of an old man or widow being adopted . I remember the same earnest advocate of this Institution once exclaiming facetiously " whoever heard of a man

adopting his mother-in-law t It is therefore necessary thafc tho most strenuous efforts shonld be made to strengthen the hands of tha Committee at the coming Festival , so that some afc least of tho deserving ones now nnder notice may be enabled to close their Uvea in calm repose and in brotherly love with all mankind .

It has beeu pointed out that there is no time to lose if suoh a desirable object is to be effected ; and I hope thafc all who may read these lines may be stirred into increased activity by the urgency of fche case which is presented , and which is without ; precedent in the annals of the Benevolent Institution .

I I remain , | Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , ECHO . 22 nd January 1885 .

Masons Attending Church.

MASONS ATTENDING CHURCH .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICXE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I was present recently afc the meeting of a young Lodge , at which the subject was mentioned of the desirableness or otherwise of Masonic Lodges attending divine service at stated intervals , and especially ou tho days of installation meetings .

Now , whilst in no way wishing to say anything disrespectful towards the clergy or ministers of religion , or those whose conscientious scruples might suggest such a parade , I question the advisability of copying the example of certain friendly societies and rural clubs of inaugurating their festivities by attending the parish church . I am

not sure that such demonstrations would be legal under the Book of Constitutions , or whether it would not require a special dispensation for tbe purpose . Perhaps some of your correspondents can enlighten me on these points . I looked to your report recently to see if any reference was made

to the suggestion , made no doubt with good intentions by a worthy brother , but I suppose you did not consider ifc of sufficient public interest . But if you will allow me to point oufc one matter which appears to me rather lndicaous , you may perhaps recollect that the brother who suggested that Masons should attend church in a body ,

caid he had spoken to the vicar with that view , and that the reverend gentleman was " quite willing" thafc they should do so . No doubt ; but without any disparagement of the vicar , I fail to see any magnanimity in his " willingness " to do so . In all probability he would be more pleased than " willing , " inasmuch as , besides the

well-known liberality of Freemasons on sach occasions , the display would draw a large congregation to the church , and thus a very convenient opportunity would be afforded of securingasubstantial offertory for some object outside the Craft . I would not object to thafc either , but in many instances which I recollect of Masons attending church

it has been at the request and not the sanction of the clergyman , wbo sought aid from the Masonic body to some charitable object and that aid , in such cases , is always most cheerfully and liberally responded to . You will seo the analogy between the two cases . It is no favour

that Masons should attend divine service at any church , because they could do so without the sanction—I presume—of the officiating minister . But , on tho other hand , when the brethren respond to an appeal from the minister to attend church , and thus excite additional

outside sympathy with the cause of charity , it is a different matter , and quite within the bounds of those grand principles which are tho foundation of Freemasonry . Thanking you to insert this letter , believe me to remain , Yours fraternally , CHISWICK .