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 .

CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Will you Cillow me , before the meeting of Grand Lodge and Grand Mark Lodge next week , to refer to the question , already discussed in your columns , of what is meant by the " confirmation " of the minutes of a private lodge ?—a question which was raised in Grand Mark Lodge last May , and which is known to have been under the consideration both of the Craft and the Mark authorities .

The question is—Whether "confirmation" of the minutes , after they have been read out by the Secretary , means that the lodge considers them a proper record of the business transacted at the last regular meeting and at any intervening emergency meetings that may have taken place ? Or whether it means ( at any rate , as to such portions of the minutes as relate to resolutions ) that the lodge ratifies the resolutions which , unless so ratified , would not be deemed valid ?

It must be noticed that in the first of the two alternative interpretations something more is required than that the record presented by the Secretary should be an accurate one . The minutes are confirmed , as being in the opinion of the lodge , a proper record , omitting nothing which it is necessary to insert , and containing nothing which ought not to be inserted . In the second alternative , " confirmation , " as regards the record of mere facts ( e . g ., the attendance of members and visitors ) , can only have the same force as in the first ; but , as regards resolutions to be carried out in the future , it means ratification , and , therefore , implies that a lodge cannot pass a valid resolution without holding , at least , two meetings , the latter of which must be a regular one .

In the Craft Constitutions , Rule 172 , . which deals with the minutes of private lodges ,-directs that a Minute-book be kept , and that there be entered in it ( besides certain particulars as to new members , & c ) , "Minutes of all such transitions of the lodge as are proper to be written . " The rule concludes by providing that " the minutes can only be confirmed at a subsequent regular meeting of the lodge . " In Mark Masonry the corresponding Rule ( No . 126 ) is substantially the same , except that it concludes thus -.

" N . B . —Minutes can be confirmed only at the ' next' [ not' at a subsequent ] regular meeting of the Lodge . " Neither of the Rules defines the word " confirmed , " or answers to the question before us . It has , however , been argued from a passage which occurs both in Rule 130 of the Craft , and in Rule 99 of the Mark Constitutions ( Rules which regulate the election of the Master ) , that to confirm must be taken in the sense „ r . ^\(„ : „ r . la

v . . iijiiig . The passage is as follows : "At the next regular meeting the first business after the opening of the Lodge shall be the reading of the minutes of the preceding meeting , and if they be confirmed , so far at least as relates to the election of Master , he shall be deemed to be elected and shall be duly installed in the chair . . . . "

It appears , no doubt , from this provision that the final validity of the election of the Master is dependent on the confirmation of the minutes relating to that election . But the election is a resolution of the lodge arrived at by ballot , and if no resolution were valid until the minute recording it was confirmed , the above special provision would be superfluous , as the election could practically be annulled by non-confirmation of the minutes relating to it . What grounds are there for extending this exceptional rule to other transactions ? It can hardly be contended , for example , that the election of a joining member is not good immediately after his ballot , but must wait for ratification till the minutes are read at the next regular meeting .

Passing from written laws to custom and practice , I am aware that in Grand Lodge decisions come to at one meeting have been reversed at the next by means of non-confirmation of some particular minute . This is an indirect way of doing what might as well be done directly , and involves a kind of useless legal fiction , but with the ample notice that is given of Grand Lodge business beforehand it becomes a mere question of form and leads to no real inconvenience .

In private lodges thc practice on this point , as on others , is probably not uniform , but in the majority of cases , I believe , confirmation is not taken to mean ratification except with reference to the election of the Master . The lodge bylaws usually prescribe what notice is to be given before a motion can be made , and can rarely be altered themselves unless the alteration is carried at two consecutive meetings , so that undue haste and snap votes are guarded against . There

may be an interval of four or five months between one regular meeting and another , and it would be a grave inconvenience if every vote of money or other resolution had to wait for subsequent confirmation before it cpuld be carried into effect . Moreover , the attendance of members when a lodge first opens and the minutes are read is often very thin , and to allow previous decisions to be reversed , without notice , by non-confirmation of minutes , would , in many instances , put the wishes of a lull lodire at the mercy of a small minority .

If precedents outside Masonry are sought for , we find that almost universally —at municipal councils , boards of directors , committees of charities , and other bodies that habitually meet to transact business—minutes are regarded solely as records , and are confirmed or amended as such . When it is wished to rescind a resolution passed at the preceding meeting , the minute is not challenged , but amotion for rescission has to be made . When it is wished , for the sake of riper deliberation , that resolutions on certain subjects shall be passed at successive meetings before becoming finally valid , the by-laws or articles by which the conduct of the body is governed are made to say so expressly .

I venture to hope that this question may be set at rest in both Craft and Mark lodges by some authoritative expression of opinion , in accordance with common sense , practical convenience , and almost universal custom . —I am , dear Sir and Brother , faithfully and fraternally yours , REGINALD J . MURE , J . G . D . August 31 st .

QUALIFICATION OF PAST PRINCIPALS . To the Editor ot the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I am surprised that an " old P . M . EZ . ' should ask the question in your last issue as Rule 2 is so clear . The companion in question has ceased to subscribe for the year , and therefore has ceased to be a member ot the Grand Chapter .

The rule does not refer to the H . and J . as they attend Grand Chapter during their term of ofiice ( as the Wardens attend the Grand Lodge ) , and are not permanent members of the Grand Chapter as are all First Principals after the expiration of their term of office while tluy continue to subscribe to some chapter .

Correspondence.

I remember a provincial case ; a companion had left the province for two years , and on rejoining and again taking Prov . G . Office , he was required to pay another fee of honour as if he had never held provincial office . —Yours fraternally , HENRY LOVEGROVE . P . G . Std . Br .

IS FREEMASONRY A RELIGION ? To the Editor of the "Freemason " Dear Sir and Brother , Those who attempt to find fault with the Craft frequently bring forward the statement that it is not Christianity ; but it must appear to all thinking men that if the Craft fell into line with the Church or any of the modern sects , it would cease to be cosmopiltan , and we should not see men of all creeds working together for the common good .

Belief in a Supreme Being is all that is required , and is sufficient for the purpose , and those who have this faith , and live in accordance with Masonic precepts , can outside Freemasonry belong to any religious body . Bro . LovelFs suggestions are good . More life should be put into the work of lodges of instruction ; Preceptors are too fond of " parrot-like " and often ungrammatical rendering of the ritual . —Yours fraternally , PAST GRAND OFFICER .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

i 126 ] — BRO . DR . BENJAMIN FRANKLIN . Johann Georg Von Zimmerman , in his deservedly popular booh on " Solitude , " thus faithfully delineated our gifted brother ' s charactar as an author . " The pen of Franklin renders the roost abstract principles easy and familiar . He conveys his instructions in pleasing narrations , lively adventures , or humorous observations ; and while his manner wins upon the heart by the friendly interest

he appears to take in the concerns of mankind , his matter instils into the mind the soundest principles of morals and good policy . He makes Fancy the handmaid to Reason in her reasearches into science , and penetrates the understanding through the medium of the affections . A secret charm prevades every part of his works . He rivets the attention by the strength of his observations , and relieves it by the variety of pleasing images with which he embellishes his subjects . The

perspicuity of his style , and the equally easy and eloquent turn of his periods , give life and energy to his thoughts ; and , while the reader feels his heart bounding with delight , he finds his mind impregnated with instruction . These high advantages resulted entirely from his having studied the world , and gained an accurate knowledge of mankind . " It is pleasing to find an able literary contemporary in so distant a land doing such honour to our illustrious brother . GEORGE MARKHAM TWEDDELL . Stokesley .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Liverpool Dramatic Lodge , No . 1609 . Resuming " labour " after " refreshment" in the shape of a two months' holiday , the brethren connected with this prominent lodge in the Province of West Lancashire , met at the Masonic Hall , Hope-street , Liverpool , on the 23 rd ult ., for the transaction of business of a highly important nature . The agenda comprised the conferring of the Three Degrees , the election of W . M ., Treasurer , Auditors , and Committees which are necessary to the good eovernment of the lodge . Bro . H . Round ,

W . M ., was in his place as the chief of the lodge , and he was supported by a strong array of Past Masters and officers , amongst these being Bros . Harris Fineberg , I . P . M . ; W . W . Sandbrook , P . M .. P . P . G . D . ; G . D . Clarance , P . M . ; Harry Heard . P . M . ; J . B . M'Kenzie , P . M ., P . P . S . G . D . ; Dr . Limrick , P . M . ; Lewis Peake , P . M ., P . P . A . G . D . C ; W . Cattrall , P . M . ; Eustace Baxter , S . W . ; Dr . A . G . Goodwin , J . W . ; W . Savage , P . P . G . Treas ., Treas . ; J . W . Armstrong , Sec . ; W . H . Dalton , S . D . ; G . Hargrave , I . G . ; H . C . Arnold , Creswick Boydell , and H . A . Johnson , Stewards ;

and J . Wiatt , Tyler . The members present were Bros . Henry Bruce , Henry A . Nelson , A . Weber , J . J . Hewson , P . H . Boggis , L . Murphy , H . G . Robinson , Frank Turner , G . Basnett , W . O . Conlan , H . F . Parr , M . G . Hurst , and others . There was also a good representation of visitors from various parts of the world , one brother hailing from Old Calabar . The lodge having been opened , Messrs . Henry Jennion and Frank Lynne were impressively initiated by the W . M . ; two brethren were passed to the F . C . Degree , by Bro . G . D . Clarence ; and Bro . H . Round , W . M ., most effectively concluded his year's

labour in the chair by raising two brethren to the M . M . Degree . Subsequently the unanimous and cordial vote of the brethren was given to Bro . Baxter , S . W ., on his election as Worshipful Master for the coming year—a fitting recognition of valuable services , the " highest honour" in the power of the brethren to confer on any member being feelingly acknowledged by the W . M . elect . A like unanimity and cordiality was shown in the re-election of Bro . Savage , P . Prov . G . Treas ., to the important and onerous office of Treasurer of the Dramatic , an office which he has filled with a faithfulness

and zeal which has brought the lodge into a financial position of soundless which has not been exceeded during its 22 years' existence . Bros . J . Cantor , P . M ., P . P . G . O ., and W . W . Sandbrook . P . M ., P . P . G . D ., were appointed Auditors ; the W . M ., S . W ., J . W ., and Bros . Cantor , P . M . ; Peake , P . M . ; and Heard , P . M ., members of the Committee of the Fund of Benevolence ; Bros . J . B . Mackenzie , L . Pealce , and H . Heard to serve on the Masonic Hall Committee ; and Bros . H . Round , Peake , ana

Heard were selected as the Committee of Inquiry as to proposed candidates , & c After the transaction of further business , the brethren adjourned to banquet , which was succeeded by various special toasts , incluJing that of " The Retiring Worship ful Master , " received with " three times three ; " and a capital musical and variety programme , given by Bros . C . Aspinall , Eaton Batty , W . Savage , W . W . Sanderson , H . Heard , J . J . Hewson , H . C . Arnold , and W . Hudson .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

THE SAINT BERNARD COMMANDERY , No . 3 ' u .

Chicago is making- elaborate arrangements for the _ 7 th Triennial Encampment of Knights Ttmplar , October ioth to 13 th next . "It is taken for granted that this commandery , which , for more than a

score of years , has attended all the Triennials with as large a delegation a any commandery visiting the conclaves , and with equipment as to tra hotel accommodations , music , drill corps , and everything the very be ' will as loyally and generously come to the front for Pittsburg h , do . duty faithfully , and add new triumph s and glory to the record of St . Bern