Correspondence.

Correspondence .

V ' e do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , j but we wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits— I free discussion . f

THE LODGE CHARTER OR WARRANT . To the Editor of the " Freemasatu " Dear Sir and Brother , In his first letter Bro . Last asked two questions ( i ) , " Is the presence of the lodge warrant in the lodge room necessary to a valid communication ' i "

and ( 2 ) " Is the work done or business transacted in the absence of the Charter or Warrant irregular or illegal ? " To both these questions I reply " Yes , " because , according td the Book of Constitutions , it is an essential requisite to the legality or regularity of a lodge that not only must it possess a warrant or constitution , but that such warrant must be present at all its meetings .

No lodge can meet without a Warrant or Constitution , " and the Master " shall produce it at every meeting of the lodge . " There are , as we are well aware , numerous lodges meeting in Freemasons ' Hall , for instance , and we will assume they all possess proper warrants . But

these lodges may not always meet in the same room , and if the warrant should perchance be suspended on the wall of one room in that building , and the lodge be meeting in another room under the same roof without the warrant , such a meeting would be clearly irregular and its proceedings invalid , " simply by reason of the absence of the warrant from the place of meeting . "

With the law so definitely expressed as it is in Rule 125 , I can arrive at no other conclusion than that it is " absolutely essential " that the warrant should be present and produced at every meeting of the lodge . It is unnecessary to attempt to harmonise the practice of our Grand Lodge with that of any other Grand Lodge , whether foreign or colonial . We English

Masons are bound by our own laws , and every Installed Master has solemnly pledged himself to obey and enforce them . If there is any such practice obtaining in London or elsewhere as that indicated by Bro . Last , surely the executive of Grand Lodge ought to be made acquainted with the fact , with a view to the termination of such irregularities .

Bro . Last may do the Craft good service in this matter by addressing his questions to the Grand Secretary or to the Board of General Purposes , so that an authoritative decision might be obtained , which he could publish for the benefit of the Craft at large . —Yours fraternally ,

JNO . LANE . Torquay , October Sth .

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Your correspondents seem to consider that there is great laxity in the London district with regard to the production of the warrant at lodge meetings . My experience has been extensive , and I have always taken care to have the warrant in the room at the lodge meeting . I remember on one occasion sending 10 miles for it because it had been by accident left at home .

I have heard of a lease being used to represent it , but the story may be on a par with that told of a commissioner who caused an affidavit to be sworn on the law list , not having a Testament at hand . —Yours fraternally , HENRY LOVEGROVE .

THE ROYAL ARCH WORKING . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Since 25 years that I have been an active worker in the Royal Arch , it always has been a puzzle to me why the " Alcph and the Lamcth is said to mean " Word . " For years I have inquired , and consulted many Hebrew

scholars and eminent Rabbis , and every one was of the same opinion as myself , that such a meaning word is not to be found in the whole of the Hebrew language . 1 have lately come across one of the best of the Hebrew Encyclop-edias , and there found , plain enough , the " Aleph" and the " Lanieth" translated means " Omnipotent . " This must appear to every Royal Arch Mason more correct , and must read much nicer , and with more sense .

1 shall be thankful if you will kindly find a small space for this letter ; perhaps a more enlightened Brother might give a better explanation . Thanking you in anticipation . —Yours fraternally ,

MAURICE SPIEGEL , P . Z , Lincoln House , 37 , Brondesbury Road , Kilburn , N . W .

RORKE OR ROOKE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " * Dear Sir and Brother , In an old History of Freemasonry , called " MultaPaucis , " George Rooke , Esq ., is mentioned as Grand Warden in 1732 . The following is the full extract :

'Grand Assembly 1732 . " Present , "Anthony Brown , Viscount Montague , Grand . Master ; Thomas Batson , Ear ; ., Deputy Grand Master ; George Rooke , Esq . and James Moor Smith , Esq ., Grand Wardens . " Grand Secretary , Treasurer , and Sword Bearer , with the former Grand Officers , and members of all the lodges . "

As many of your readers are doubtless aware " Multa Paucis " professes to trace the History of Masonry back to Adam , and gives a list of the Grand Assemblies down to 1763 . —Yours fraternally ,

WILLIAM FORRESTER . Staplchurst , October nth .

Complimentary Dinner To Bro. W. Sparks, Sec. No. 2765.

COMPLIMENTARY DINNER TO BRO . W . SPARKS , SEC . No . 2765 .

A complimentary dinner was given at the Cafu Florence , Rupeit-street , W ., on Wednesday , the Sth inst ., by the founders of the Playgoers' Lodge , No . 2765 , to their Secretary , Bro . W . Sparks , the W . M ., Bro . Guy Repton , presiding , the other brethren present being liros . G . Powell , J . H . Gaskin , G . J . Farrington , Grimshaw , Schroder , Goldstein , Kemp , R . H . Jones , Moss , Cohen , Hiscocks , W . Warner , and T . Pcscod .

Occasion was also taken to present Bro . S parks with a silver inkstand as a token of his co-founders' appreciation of his voluntary labours . The presentation was made by the W . M . in felicitous terms , and Bro . W . STAKKS suitably responded . The gathering proved a very successful one . Bro . WAK . NKK suggested they might make it an annual event .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Robert Burns Lodge , No . 25 . A meeting of the above lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , on Monday , the 3 rd instant , when there were present Bros . W . Baddeley , W . M . ; J . Jacobs , S . W . ; A . Pinnington , J . W . ; J . W . Hervey , Sec : F . V . Romilly , S . D . ; Sydney Davies , J . D .,- T . Hawkins , P . M ., D . C . ; F . Holden , I . G . ; G . Harding , Tyler ; H . L . Davies , l . P . M . ; T . J . Wilson , P . M . ; T . J . Robins , P . M . ; F . J . Deaton , P . M . ; T . B . Fullwood , P . M . ; W . C . Maynard , P . M . ; W . C . Elsdon , A . Osborn , M . Wolff , T . Carter , T . Abrahams , W . Schroeder , and others . Visitors : Bros . J . Boulton , P . G . C . ; Rev . Beresford-Potter , and J . Bowden .

The lodge having been opened , and the minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Mr . John Wilson , which proving unanimous , he was duly initiated into Freemasonry by the W . M . according to ancient custom , the charge being also delivered . The communication from Grand Lodge in reference to Peruvian matters was read in open lodge and ordered to be entered on the minutes . A vote of £ 5 5 s . was then passed by the brethren to be placed on the list of the W . M . for the Boys' Institution . The lodge being closed , the brethren adjourned to the Freemasons' Tavern to an excellent banquet . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and cordially received .

The W . M ., in proposing the toast of " The Grand Officers , " specially referred to the fact that the Grand Officers devoted a large amount of time to attending the numerous Committees , a fact quite lost sight off by the lay brethren . On the toast of "The Initiate " being proposed , the W . M . observed he had known the newly-made brother for 20 years and felt sure he would be an honour to the lodge ; to which the candidate responded in a brief and appropriate reply .

The proceedings were brought to a close after a very enjoyable evening by the brethren joining a circle and singing " Auld Lang Syne , " the regular custom of the lodge .

Lion and Lamb Lodge , No . 192 . A meeting was held on Thursday , the Gth inst ., at Cannon-street Hotel . Present : Bros . Wm . Baker , W . M . ; J . G . Robeson , S . W . ; Thos . Stokes , J . W . ; Thos . Cohu , P . M ., Treas . ; Hy . Legge , P . M ., Sec . ; A . Fergusson , S . D . ; . J . C . Peach , J . D . ; Jas . Smith , P . M ., D . C ; A . J . Rippin , I . G .: R . F . Roche , Stwd . ; Couchman , Tyler ; C . Garton , l . P . M . ; F . Hughes , P . M . ; Geo . Abbott , P . M . ; Blaxtan

, Williams , ^ Lloyd , Farr , Doody , Mower , Wetton , Lockett , Collins , Dixon , Welch , Taylor , Fishleigh , Covvderoy , Hipwell , and Crawshaw . Visitors : Bros . Stubington , 1347 ; March , 11 S 5 ; Hill , 1373 ; Brough , 1343 ; and Davy , 1385 . The lodge was opened and the minutes read and confirmed . Bro . Blaxtan was passed to the Degree of F . C . Mr . Richard Cowderoy having been balloted for , was duly initiated . A candidate was proposed for next meeting , and the lodge was closed .

St . George ' s Lodge , No . 242 . The monthly meeting of this lodge was held in the Masonic Rooms , Doncaster , on Friday , the 7 th inst . Present : Bros . George Smith , W . M . ; F . H . Buckland , l . P . M . ; T . W . Turner , S . W . ; F . Duff , J . VV . ; J . W . Hainsworth , Sec . ; H . Foster , S . D . ; C . Reasbeck , J . D . ; A . W . Fretwell , D . C . ; W . C . Wright , I . G . ; J . Mason , Tyler ; J . Hurst , A . Bridge , J . F . Hanson , J . G . Fretwell , and others . Bros . G . Eland , W . M . 2259 ; and J . Constable , Sec . 2259 , P . P . G . S . B . ; were visitors . _ The lodge having been opened , Mr . F . King received a unanimous ballot , and will be initiated at the next regular meeting .

The lodge was closed and the [ brethren partook of light refreshment in , the anteroom , when the toast of " The Visitors " was duly honoured .

The Great City Lodge , No . 1426 . The installation meeting lof this very prosperous ' JLondon lodge was held at the Cannon-street Hotel , on Saturday , the Sth instant , when there were present Bros . G . Mackenzie Fraser , W . M . ; J . H . Guyton , P . M ., S . W ., W . M . elect ; R . J . Simpson , P . G . C , Chap . ; W . F . Kibble , P . M ., acting J . W . ; R . Fendick , P . M ., Treas .: k £ - 9- ? "X ' - * ! > J , ec- ; Jas . Boyton , S . D . ; F . G . Joy , J . D . ; G . W . Blackie , P . M ., D . C . ; S . W . Newcomb , Org . ; Wm . Parton , I . G . ; Thos . Halliwell ,

Stwd . ; R . F . Potter , P . M ., Tyler ; Robert Brookman , P . M . ; F . E . Bailey , P . M . ; J . Seex , P . M . ; N . B . Headon , P . M . ; Robert Greening , P . M . ; J . T . Keene , P . M . ; H . E . Maynard , R . Simpson , H . VV . Gissing , T . W . Gale , J . H . Hartland , T . H . Fiddy , P . M . S 07 ; W . Featherstone , J . Phillips , VV . G . P . Smith , J . H . Gissing , P . Thompson , and VV . Edwards . The visitors were Bros . Hamon le Strange , P . G . D . ; J . Berry , J . VV . S 07 ; D . McLaren , 4 6 S ( S . C ); H . J . Huggett , 2 G 6 ; A . Davis , J . W . 1194 ; A . R . Hipwell , 192 ; A . G . Swan , 141 ; W . J . Rayner , 13 G 2 ; F . lnskipp , P . M . 1997 ; A . J . McNaughton , S . W . 26 SG ; I'redk . Chas . Forward , 16 93 ; J . Chubb , 170 G ; Percy Coward , 771 ; J . Ortner , 1044 ; Arthur Wilson , 145 ; and Chas . Hy . Stone , P . M . 507 and J . W . 1641 .

The minutes of the last lodge meeting were read and conlirmed . A ballot was taken for Messrs . J . R . Gissing , Wm . G . Piper Smith and John Phillips , which proved unanimous , and they were duly initiated into Freemasonry . Bro . Thomas Hy . Fiddy , P . M . S 07 , was elected a joining member . Bro . G . W . Blackie , P . M ., D . C , next presented Bro . J . H . Guyton , S . W ., W . M . elect , to Bro . G . M . Fraser , W . M ., to receive at his hands the benefit of installation , which was ably carried out in a Board of 17 Installed Masters . The new W . M . was inducted into the chair by Bro . F . E . Bailey , P . M . Bro . J . H . Guyton invested his ollicers as follows : Bros . G . M . Fraser , I . P . M . ; Rhys Thomas , S . W ., who was absent through illness , Robert Brookman , P . M .. beinir

invested for him ; Jas . Boyton , J . W . ; R . J . Simpson , P . G . C , Chap . ; R . Fendick , P . M ., Treas . ; J . K . Gvvyn , P . M ., Sec . ; F . G . Joy , S . D . ; VV . Parton , J . D . ; T . O . Halliwell , I . G . ; H . E . Maynard , D . C . ; S . VV . Newcomb , Org . ; F . W . A . Parker and Robert Simpson , Stewards ; and R . Potter , P . M ., Tyler . The address to the W . M . was ably delivered by Bro . G . M . Fraser , and those to the Wardens and the Brethren by Bro . F . E . Bailey , P . M ., in an able manner . Two propositions were handed in fjr initiation , which is a happy augury . The report of the Audit Committee was presented , which showed a substantial balance in favour of the lodge . Also the Silver Jubilee Committee presented their report .

1 he business of thc lodge ended , the brethren adjourned to an excellent banquet , after which the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were presented in becoming terms , the W . M . remarking of H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., what esteem he was held in by the brethren , and his kindly disposition towards the noble Charitable Institutions . The toasts were drunk most loyally . The toast of "The Pro G . M ., Deputy G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " received a most cordial response . The W . M . coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Hamon le Strange , P . G . D ., who has been appointed Prov . G . M . of Norfolk .

The toast was drunk enthusiastically . In reply , Bro . Lc Strange , in an exhaustive speech , said there was much appropriateness in the songs with the various toasts . For himself he would siy that the M . W . G . M . had done admirably in the choice of his Grand Ollicers . There could be none better than the Pro G . M . thc Earl of Lathom , who presided over 100 lodges as Prov . G . Master of W . Lancashire , and Earl Amherst , D . G . M ., who was also Prov . G . Master of Kent , and presided over a very large number ol lodges in that province . Both had done yeoman service , paying thc minutest attention to their duties , and beinir looked up to and

respected by the members of the Craft . The same might be said ot the other Grand Ofiicers as regards their duties . The provincial brethren laboured under a greater disadvantage than the London brethren in attending Grand Lodge , but all who were entitled and could attend appreciated the work of the ofiicers in Grand Lodge . He was grateful for thc honour accorded him to reply for the Grand Ollicers , and said how pleased he was to see the W . M . installed in a London lodge , for he knew how ably he worked , and in entrusting him with the g * vel , it could not be placed in worthier hands . On behalf of the Grand Officers , he heartily thanked them .

Bro . G . M . Fraser , I . P . M ., in proposing the toast of " The W . M ., " stated it was very important , and one that would be received with acclamation . The VV . M . was highly esteemed as a man and loved as a brother , and during the many years he had