Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitsfree discussion .

ASHTON DISTRICT MARK LODGE AND THE GRAND LODGE OF M . M . M . OF ENGLAND . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , 1 have waited some months before making any public statement in

rcopect to the attack made on the Mark Master Masons Lodge of the Ashton District by some prominent members of the Grand Lodge of M . M . M . of England inorderthat the feelingand excitement mightcalm down and the indignation abate , or become less acute , that had been produced by the arbitrary action and expression of strong and indiscreet language of the latter , which , to say the least , might have been more accurately and happily chosen .

It has been my endeavour all through " to pour oil on the troubled waters , " and thereby so far as possible prevent the widening of the breach of discord unfortunately produced by the ever zeal and indiscretion of those who assumed authority and pronounced judgment without hearing and studying the facts of the case and deciding on the merits . Perhaps it would be better at this stage tc explain the peculiar position in

which I am placed , which is unique in consequence of being a Past Officer in both the Ashton District Mark and the Prov . Grand Lodge of M . M . M . of Lancashire , but still more exceptional , as I have been charged by some and credited by others as being the cause of the whole action and the originator of all the trouble , in consequence of . 'correspondence from me published in the Ma ; onic Journal during the early months of 189 S .

Those who read that correspondence will have obse rved that the spirit evinced then was favourable to the union of the two lodges , for all along I have advocated amalgamation or affiliation , and have no doubt the Provincial Grand Secretaries of both Cheshire and Lancashire will bc convinced ofthe same from conversations we have had . However , notwithstanding all this , in consequence of remarks that have reached me , both directly and indirectly , it is but right ( in selfdefence ) I should explain more fully the consistency of my position , in order that I may retain the confidence of my brethren and friends throughout England , and more especially in Lancashire and Cheshire .

I was originally advanced in the M . M . M . Lodge of the Ashton District , and having been enjoined previously in the Symbolic and other Degrees to endeavour to establish union and a good understanding among all Orders and Degrees of Freemasonry , and to render aid to brethren in difficulties and distress , I naturally came to the assistance of the Grand Lodge of M . M . M . of England , for in the following year , being canvassed to join the " Royal M irk , " in consequence of the lodge at Ashton-under-Lyne being weak in members , & c , several inducements

being suggested ; in conjunction with a number of others connected with the Ashton District Mark I joined the Skelmersdale Lodge , wherein many of us took office , passed through the different chairs and were rewarded with Provincial Rank , the lodge of late years being equipped with efficient officers capable of discharging all ceremonial work , whereas formerly assistance had to be imported . For the general information of Alasons I desire to appe . id a copy of my certificate from the Grand Lodge of M . M . M . of England and Wales , & c .

" H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , K . G ., & c , & c , Grand Master . " Be it known that our brother Thomas D . Foremin ( Originally Advanced under the Ashton-iiiider-Lyne Constitution ) , who hath signed his name in the Margin hereof , was regularly admitted as n joining Mark Master on the 28 th da v of Deer ., 1 S 87 , in the Skelmersdale Lodge , No . 141 , Ashton-under-Lyne , and that he is registered in the books of the Grand Lodge accordingly . All lawful and worthy Mark Masters throughout the globe are therefore prayed and enjoined to receive him as a brother , Ac . ( Signed ) " FKKDKUICK BINCKES , Grand Secretary . "

There is no mention or suggestion here of either " Spurious or Clandestine Lodge" yet in February last the General Board of Grand Lodge , through their Secretary , Bro . C . F . Matier , wrote the Secretary of the Ashton District Lodge a curt , arbitrary and unnecessarily provocative letter not characterised by much brotherly expression , to which the Ashton District Secretary replied explaining ancl defending the position and respectfully asked , " What they wished them to do and what they had to suggest ? " the only reply wis , "They had nothing to

add to the former letter , " and hence the correspondence was abruptly closed . What transpired afterwards is best known to the General Hoard . However , either in ignorance of facts and the real merits of the case , or from unrelia ble and wrong information , an unjustifiable attack was made at a meeting of Grand Lodge when Bro . R . Loveland-Loveiand and others used many strong expressions which would have been better unsaid , some of the savoury epithets being scarcely characteristic of the great Brotherhood of Masons , for this old lodge although

designated " Spurious and Clandestine , " has had an honourable existence of over 100 years , and has had in the past , as well as at present , many honourable and distinguished adherents . Amongst the officers is his Worship the Mayor of Ashtonunder-Lyne , whilst an ex-Mayor is Treasurer , its membership comprising aldermen , borough and district councillors , magistrates , professional men , manufacturers , merchants , & c , many holding high and important positions in society , and in connection with the State and the church .

Thc statements made use of in Grand Lodge , although inexpedient , were not so injurious to the Masonic cmse as whit afterwards occurred in the provinces , for the Hon . Alande Tatton Egerton , Prov . Grand Mister of Cheshire , evidently unacquainted with facts , reiterated the formsr statements of Grand Lodge at the annual meeting of Prov . Grand Lodge at Stockport , the remarks , unfortunately , got into the public press and were copied and criticised by the evening and weekly papers in such a manner that I regret considerable injury has been done to the cause of Masonry and its prestige lowered in the district .

Another questionable procedure—to crush ths Ashton District Lodge through thc Craft lodges of the neighbourhood - was a puerile attempt to make a fuss , which , in the minds of more enlightened brethren , wis only "a storm in a teacup , " and has created a feeling in the district not conducive to the general interests of Freemasonry , and decidedly detrimental and injurious to all the higher Degrees ; however , 1 entertain the hope and belief that time will efface the present prejudice . It is believed the Craft lodges will emerge unscathed from

this high sounding enquiry ; indued , nothing had been done by any of the lodges beyond permitting the use ol rooms with a portion of their furniture , a custom which had existed for at least 60 years , and a procedure which has been regularly granted by Craft lodges to Knights Templar , the Allied and other Degrees , and even to the " Koyal Mark " itself , all of which Degrees are not recognised by the Constitutions ol the Craft any more than that of the " Ashton District Mark . "

Had Lro . K . Loveland-Loveland been aware of the history and facts connected with the constitution and administration of the Ashton District Lodge , and that its Secretary had written a _ . king the Hoard of the Royal Mark , " what they wished thtm to do , and what they had to suggest r " it is scarcely likely he would have made such sweeping assertions ; as afterwards , when 11 copy oi a letter addressed to the Genera ) Board was sent to him , he courteously replied in

Correspondence.

a gentlemanly manner , and evinced a Masonic spirit by brotherly expressions of conciliation and consideration much in contrast with the former statements , which tended " to sour the milk of human kindness . " It is to be regretted that others to whom a copy was sent did not adopt a similar course , as it would have cleared the way for general conciliation ; for many of the Mark brethren have been so annoyed at the slanders and untrue statements that they will not be reconciled to Masonry until the epithets of " spurious and clandestine " are withdrawn .

Feeling I have trespassed too far on your space , I conclude , but , with your permission may make some suggestions on a future occasion relative to union , a purpose which all have , or ought to have , in view . I believe a fair , patient , and considerate treatment , with withdrawal of the offensive epithets , would layabasis on which an amicable arrangement for union could be promoted and effected , honourable alike to all parties . —Yours fraternally ,

THOMAS D . FOREMAN , P . P . J . G . W . Lanes Denton , 28 th August .

THE MARK DEGREE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I have been away from home since 4 th July , and have only just seen the Sth of July number . In reply to my good friend , Bro . W . J . Hughan , f may

remind him that the statement was made on the authority of another brother , and I explained that , in consequence of the death of that brother , I could give no further particulars . I am very glad to find , however , that it has brought forth a letter from such an authority as Bro . W . J . Hughan , which sets that matter in its proper light , and will be useful to all Mark Masons . —Yours faithfully ,

MAGNUS OHREN Burleigh , 4 , Garlies-road , Forest Hill , S . E ., August 25 th .

THE TYLER . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I have just read your admirable article ( communicated ) upon the above subject , and I fully endorse everything said by the writer therein . I am a Mason of 50 years' standing , and I do , and always have , contended that sufficient attention is not given to this important appointment , more especially by new lodges .

First impressions in Masonry go a long way , and it is all important that the initiate should be impressed , not alone by th-j actual ceremony , but from the moment that he places himself in the hands of the Tyler for preparation . I would be no party to the election of any Tyler who is not a Past Master in the Craft . How gratifying it is to see such a brother taken under the wings of the

lodge , loved , respected , and honoured , as one who has in his time borne the " heat and burden of the day , " now filling the honourable and responsible position of Tyler as a means of livelihood . Can you compare thc services of such an one with the modern waiter type of Tyler , too frequently to be met with nowadays , without a soul above tips , and who probably has never been in a lodge during its working half a dozen times in his life ?

There is no excuse for appointing such brothers to such an important office , because good Past Master Tylers are to be got . Should one not be known to the Founders of a new Iodge , or the Officers of an old one , let them write to Bro . Sadler , the Tyler of Grand Lodge ( whose courtesy is proverbial ) , and he will , I am sure , gladly give them the benefit of his personal experience .

I am sorry to know that some Secretaries now deprive the Tyler of the privilege you refer to of supplying the Masonic clothing to newly-made brethren . Is not . this , to say the least , somewhat paltry and mean when we compare the social position of the two ? —Yours fraternally , J . G ., P . M . and P . Z .

FROM FAR FIJI . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and-Brother , With reference to your Leader in Freemason of June 3 rd , just to hand , I would submit the following opinion , which , I think , is held by many

brethren abroad besides myself . It seems to me but right that brethren in " Masonic clothing" should be prohibited from exhibiting themselves in public places , particularly in churches , where , no doubt , they distract a great deal of attention from worthier objects to themselves , and I think this undesirable , even if , through their presence , a little more money is collected .

In pioccssions through the streets the Masons in full regalia attracts the same kind of attention , curiosity and comments from the loiter classes as on other occasions is given to Lord Mayor shows , circus troops , & c , and such Masonic processions are certainly undesirable as they are unnecessary , besides being humiliating to many brethren .

•On the whole , the members of a lodge should not be asked to do anything of this kind which it is at all likely some of them seriously object to . A man has a right to become a Mason and work as such without the outside world being aware of the fact : but I am afraid his prospects of advance in some lodges may be seriously affected , if he declines to take part in Masonic church or street shows . 1 would certainly not lend my presence to such , nor , if I could prevent it , allow the members of my lodge doing so , not even for the sake of Charity , though I would take good cire the latter did not suffer on that account .

To wear Masonic clothing at balls or concerts—if given by regular lodgesis a different thing altogether . Such entertainments can hardly be considered " public , " the guests are relations or special friends of members of the lodge , they have some idea of what Masonry is , many of them are future candidates , or , at any rate , fit to bc admitted into our society should they desire it , and there is an indisputable advantage in demonstrating to them in a visible manner that the best and highest honoured men in the room wear the insignia of our Order .

Whether ladies should be admitted to Masonic entertainments or not is a matter ol opinion , but if they are , it is certainly the duty of the brethren to appear tothe best outward advantage , that is , in full Masonic clothing . I am afraid tne ladies would otherwise suffer as great a disappointment as it would be for them to attend a military entertainment where all the oliicers appeared in evening dress instead of in uniform .

I hc circular from Grand Lodge seems to me a hard blow at Masons in general ; no doubt indifferent members do injure the Crait by exhibiting themselves in Masonic clothing , but it is also a fact that the immensely greater number of good and true Masons raise the dignity of our Order and inspire desire in others to follow them .