Correspondence.

Correspondence .

[ A \ e 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 limits—free discussion . ] PROV . S . G . W . OR PROV . G . S . W . ?

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Bro . "A . H ., No . 39 , " will find , on referring to the Book of Constitutions ( 321 x 10 . Edition , pp . 138-9 ) that S . G . W . is correct . The titles are there authoritatively given as " Senior Grand Warden " and " Junior

Grand Warden " at full length . This , moreover , is not a custom of modern origin , but has been the established usage since the formation of the premier Grand Lodge . The " Constitutions " of 1723 ( p . 149 et seq . ) frequently describe these officers as "the Senior G . Warden" and "the Junior G . Warden . "

A similar practice also prevailed in the Grand Lodge of the " Ancients , " whose warrants vvere not only signed by the Grand Master and the Deputy Grand . Master , but also by the " S . G . W . " and "J . G . W . " for the time being , the initial letters being in many cases printed on the warrant . —Yours fraternally , JNO . LANE .

PROV . S . G . W . OR PROV . G . S . W . —WHICH IS RIGHT ?—NEITHER 1

To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , We have officers of " Grand" Lodge and " Provincial-Grand " Lodges , and I have often wondered that so few have recognised that " Provincial-Grand " is a compound adjective , and that , therefore , to follow Grand Lodge by simply substituting the compound for

the simple adjective is the only correct method . " We begin right—Dep . G . M ., substitute " P .-G . " for " G ., " and we have ( as is invariable ) Dep . P . G . M . Directly , however , we get to the Wardens vve have a change , which is kept up afterwards , instead of continuing to follow Grand Lodge . Follow Grand Lodge as above directed—S . G . W ., S . P .-G . W . ; J . G . W ., J . .-G . W . ; so with the Deacons . Again , D . G . D . C ,

D . P .-G . D . C ; A . G . D . C , A . P .-G . D . G . ; A . G . Sec , A . P .-G . Sec , & c . ; following this also with Past Officers —P . D . P .-G . M . ; P . S . ( or J . ) P .-G . W . ; P . S . ( or J . ) P .-G . D . ; P . D . ( or A . ) P .-G . D . C , and so on . This style ( i ) creates uniformity in Provincial-Grand Lodges with Grand Lodge ; ( it ) prevents confusion , P . G . S . W . may be intended to mean Past Grand or Prov .-G . S . Warden , or Past Grand or Prov . G . Supt .

of Works , and so on ; ( Hi ) S . G . W ., or P . S . G . W ., or S . P .-G . W ., or P . S . P .-G . W . / cannot be mistaken each for the other nor for G . S . W . or P .-G . S . W ., even vvith the omission of the " of" ( although of course it should always be written G . S . of W . or P .-G . S . of W . ) , vvhich is not infrequently the case and , thus cannot sign as "S . G . W . " or "S . P .-G . W . "

We start , as I have above pointed out , correctly , let us then go on correctly . —Faithfully and fraternally yours , P . S . P .-G . W . June 13 th .

VISITORS AT LODGES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , In his letter on the subject of visitors your correspondent " AVest Yorkshire " has touched upon a subject of considerable importance . It is not so much the question of difference between town and country visiting as the broad subject of visiting generally that

requires consideration . As Freemasons we are justly proud of the universality of our Order , but ' the visiting system in vogue here seems to offer a barrier to the strange brother who , in passing through town or country , might be desirous of attending a lodge in session , for he would feel that to a great extent he would be trespassing unless he received a formal invitation .

Take for instance that case of an American brother , duly qualified and provided with credentials , who may be passing through London ; he may ascertain of a lodge meeting to be held at a convenient time , present himself , gain admission , and be invited ( either in the name of the lodge or by some kind-hearted brother ) to

remain to the banquet . He would be well treated and made to feel happy under the fraternal good feeling which is so characteristic of our little gatherings " after labour , " but if he afterwards learned that he vvas to all intents and purposes " an unbidden guest at

the feast" his feelings can readily be imagined . He has been taught that as a Freemason he is entitled to visit working lodges wherever he may be , but he now discovers an obstacle which to him is as surprising as it is novel .

I have no desire to utter one word against the pleasant social feature of our meetings for refreshment , but some reform in the system seems necessary , so that a visiting brother may feel free to attend our lodges without putting himself in a false position . — Yours fraternally , A LONDON P . M .

w Bros . Lord Halsbury ( Lord Chancellor ) , Lord George Hamilton , and Sir Michael Hicks-Beach , Bart ., attended the Cabinet Council held at the Foreign Office on Saturday last .

Masonic Notes And Queries.

Masonic Notes and Queries .

942 ] "ANCIENTS" AND IRELAND . The " Committee on Masonic Jurisprudence " of the " Prince Hall Grand Lodge " ( Negro Freemasons ) published a "letter from Lewis Hayden , of Boston , U . S . A ., A . D . 1874 . " In it he says " We shall show that all those in London , or in America , who claimed to be

Ancient York Masons , vvere and are but rebels , as they never had a legitimate descent from the Grand Lodge of England , or the Grand Lodge at York . " The same writer also quotes from Rebold's " General History of Freemasonry" as to the "Ancients , " or "Atholl

Masons . " " These schismatic lodges , composed in great part of Irish Masons , who accused the Grand Lodge of altering the rituals and introducing innovations , and of Masons vvho had been expelled in 1751 , constituted a rival power to the Grand Lodge . "

CH 1 SHOLM . 943 ] ORIGIN OF THE "ANCIENTS . "

In a pamphlet containing the " Testimony taken in London before a Commission appointed by the Supreme Court of the State of New York , in the suit now pending in that Court , brought against the Grand Lodge of Nesv York , " & c , 1855 , thereareaseries of "directinterrogatories to be adminstered to William H . White , " then Grand Secretary of England . To the 15 th

interrogatory Bro . White replied " that the creation of a rival Grand Lodge ( orig inally styled a ' Grand Committee ' ) first took p lace in the year 1752 , first assuming the title of a ' Grand Lodge' in December , 1753 . " In the 16 th his reply was that to the best of his " historical , traditional , and other knowledge , the year 1765 was the earliest date at vvhich Past Masters vvere admitted as

voting members * of any Grand Lodge in the world . " This , he declared in the 12 th , occurred with the " Ancients ; " the original Grand Lodge to 1 S 13 never giving such rank to Past Masters . Bro . W . Farnfield , Assistant Grand Sec , also made an affidavit , that he had failed to find any record in the transactions of the "Ancient" or " Atholl" Grand Lodge from January

ist , 1780 , to 5 th December , 1782 , " of the entry of any vote or proceeding authorising a warrant for a Provincial Grand Lodge to be held in New York , or authorising such Provincial Grand Lodge . " Notwithstanding this declaration , a svarrant tans duly granted to No . 219 Provincial Grand Lodge , New York , by the "Ancients" on 5 th September , 1781 , as testified b y other official registers . CHISHOLM .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

Craft HDasonry . METROPOLITAN MEETINGS .

Cornish Lodge ( No . 2369 ) .. —At the regular meeting of this lodge held on Saturday , the 13 th inst ., at Mark Masons' Hall , there svere present Bro . N . J . AVest , W . M ., in the chair , Bros . Roberts , J . W . ; William Lake , Treasurer ; Greensvood , Secretary ; St . Aubyn , S . D . ; Burgess , J . D . ; Rasvle , I . G . ; Barrett , D . C . ; Bullen , Stwd . ; George , acting as I . P . M . ; Clarke ,

acting as S . W . ; E . W . Carus Wilson , Belgrave Ninnis , Thomas , James , Widger , I ' yrrel , Hockin , Williams , Hasvken , Johnson , Brailey , Geard , Davey , Moody , Redman , and Pool . Also the following visitors : Bros . Core , 1 7 SJ ; Cornish , 11 ( S . C ); Adamson , 1076 ; Mann , 1452 ; Turton , 913 ; Briant , 101 ; Atkinson , 164 S ; and R . St . Stephens .

Ihe follosving vvere unanimously elected * . Bro . F . W . Pool , P . M . 450 ( as a joining member ) , Bros . E . F . AVhitley , P . M . 1529 , I . P . M . 331 , and Chas . Truscott ( as Cornsvall members ) , and Mr . George James Lory , Major AV . C . E . Serjeant , and Professor Penberthy as initiates . The initiation ceremony svas performed by the W . M . in his usual finished style , Bro . Ninnis delivering the charge . Bro . W .

Henry Hockin svas then passed to the Second Degree . Bros . S . T . James , R . W . Davey , and J . Thomas svere next raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M ., Bro . George giving the traditional history . The ballot for AV . M . for the ensuing year resulted in the unanimous election of Bro . John Roberts , J . AV ., and Bro . William Lake svas unanimously re-elected Treasurer . It svas resolved that a Past Master ' s jesvel

should be presented to Bro . N . J . West in recognition of his valuable and enthusiastic services as AV . M . during the past year . It vvas resolved that the congratulations of the lodge be offered to the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , I . P . M ., on his elevation to the rank of Deputy Grand Master of England . Notices of proposals for five initiates and one Cornsvall member svere given . Apologies for absence svere read from

Bros . Hensvood Thomas , S . W . ; Dr . Curnosv , and Professor Shuttlevvorth . The brethren adjourned to the drawing room of the Freemasons' Tavern , and a most enjoyable evening svas spent under the genial ssvay of the VV . M ., svho had provided a musical party for the entertainment of the brethren . The success of the lodge has exceeded all anticipations .

Columbia Lodge ( No . 2397 ) . —This new lodge , founded for the purpose of still further cementing the ties betsveen English and American Masons , held its regular meeting at the Cafe Royal , Regent-street , on Thursday , the nth instant . There vvas a goodly number of members present , among whom vvere Bros . Adolphus Clark , AV . M . ; Brackstone Baker , P . G . D . ; Alf . Cooke , J . W . ; J . B . Cumming , Treas . ; W . J . Spratling , Sec . ; * Savc as to new lasvs .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

E . Jessurun , I . G . j and others . Bros . Lennox Brosvne P . S . G . AV . Essex , and H . Lambert , P . LG . W . Essex , svere among the visitors , as svere also Bros . Crump and Crasvley of the Anglo-American Lodge . ' Bro . Johnson svas passed to the Degree of F . C . The bylasvs of the lodge submitted and passed at the last meetingwere again read and confirmed . Bro . Brackstone Baker

being unable to stay to the banquet , favoured the lod ge with his views as to the conduct of its business , and the bri ght future in store for a lodge connecting the old world with the nesv . Bro . Baker , vvith tsvo other members , vvas elected upon the Permanent Committee in order that the lod ge might have the benefit of his long and valued experience in laying down the plans upon which it vvas proposed to svork .

The banquet svhich follosved svas enlivened svith the usual toasts , and some characteristic English and American humorous and other songs , svhose performance gave great delight .

« PROVINCIAL MEETINGS . CHA PEL-EN-LE-FRITH . High Peak Lodge ( No . 1952 ) . —The annual festival and installation meeting svas held on Monday , the Sth inst ., in the National Schools , vvhen there vvas a large gathering of the Craft from Bakesvell , Buxton , and other places . Bro . W . S . Anderson , S . W ., vvas duly installed VV . M . by Bro . J . St . Leger , W . M ., assisted by Bros Hallam , P . M ., Boycott , P . M ., Whitehead , P . M ., and

Lingood , P . M . Aftersvards the W . M . appointed and invested his officers as follows : Bros . J . St . Leger , I . P . M J . W . Broadhurst , S . W . j Rev . W . P . Stamper , J . W . ; f Whitehead , Sec ; R . H . Hyde , Treas . ; E . Walker , S . D W . AVard , J . D . j J . B . Boycott , D . C ; J . W . Hick , I . G . j W . Lingood , Org . ; and R . Longden , Tyler . ln the evening dinner vvas served in the Tosvn Hall , prepared by Mr . G . Muller , Railsvay Hotel , Buxton . Aftersvards the usual toast list svas gone through .

CHESTER . Clarence Lodge ( No . 2386 ) . —An emergency meeting of this lodge vvas held on Thursday , the 4 th inst ., at the Masonic Hall , Queen-street , when there svere present Bros . W . H . Finchett , W . M . ; T . Litherland , S . W . ; Staff Quartermaster-Sergeant G . McFarlane , Sec , acting J . W . j Sergeant-Major R . H . McKay , S . D . ;

Major C . W . Randle Ford , acting J . D . ; Isaac Matthesvs-Jones , P . M ., D . C . j R . Cariss , I . G . ; Quartermaster-Sergeant Fred . Fox , Org . j Quartermaster-Sergeant F . Cameron and Sergeant J . Osborne , Stsvds . j S . Smith , Tyler j F . W . Pilcher , C . P . Jones , Sergeant-Major J . Thomas , Sergeant-Major J . Russell , D . Clements , Colour-Sergeant 1 . Mellor , F . R . Price , 1 . W . Evason , H .

J . Price , Staff-Sergeant C . Allfree , F . Coveney , Sergeant D . Rose , W . Peers , A . C . H . Davies , J . L . Jones , and C . Edsvards . Visitors : Bros . J . Mills , P . M ., Treasurer , F . Lipsham , Geo . Tinkler , Dr . R . G . Burgess , and A . E . Caldecutt , of 425 ; E . Rush , W-M ., G . F . Adams , J . AV ., T . M . Atkinson , and R . Gregg , of 721 ; Sergeant A . G . Meinhold , S 03 ; H . Little , W . M . 1674 , P . P . G .

Stsvd . North Wales ; Quartermaster-Sergeant G . Gibson , 1783 ; and R . G : een , 1 S 17 . The lodge was opened by the W . M ., and Bros . F . R . Price and Lieut .-Col . J . Spence vvere balloted for and elected as joining members . Mr . C . Edsvards vvas . balloted for and duly initiated , Bro . Capt . Cooper , J . W ., explaining the svorking tools . Bros . D . Clements and C . P . Jones svere

duly admitted and passed to the Degree of F . C , the working tools being explained by Bro . T . Litherland , the S . AV . Bro . Staff-Sergeant Alfree svas then duly admitted and raised to the Sublime Degree of M . M ., the tracing board and the svorking tools being explained by the W . M . in his most impressive manner . One candidate svas proposed for initiation . The W . M . proposed a vote of condolence

and sympathy vvith the widow and family of the late Bro . J . Bennett , vvho had died very suddenly only a fesv days previously . This vvas carried in silence . " Hearty good svishes" svere expressed by brethren representing the follosving lodges : Prov . Grand Lodge of North Wales , 4251 721 , S 93 , 16 74 , 17 S 9 , 1 S 17 . There being no further business , the lodge svas closetl ,

and the brethren adjourned to the banquet room , svhere a dinner asvaited them . Considerably over 30 brethren sat dosvn , and after the usual toasts of "The Oueen and Craft , " "The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prmce of Wales , " and " The Grand Officers , " "The Prov . G . M . and Prov . G . Officers" vvas

proposed by the Worshipful Master , and coupled svith the name of Bro . J . Matthesvs-Jones , svho responded in suitable terms . He referred to the good work that vvas being carried out by the Grand and the Provincial Grand Lodges . He also spoke in very eulogistic terms of the good vyork began by the W . M . of the Clarence , and of the hig h-position the lodge had already attained in the province both for excellence of work and Charity . . , 01

Bro . Matthesvs-Jones then proposed "The W . M . uu . Clarence Lodge , " and referred to the great p leasure with svhich he proposed this toast , knowing Bro . Finchett as he did , and spoke further in very flattering terms of Bro . Finchett ' s svork and charitable disposition . The toast was drunk svith acclamation . .. Bro . Finchett , the AV . M ., in replying , after thanking Uiv .

Matthesvs-Jones and thebrethren , referred to his worK ' , V " said that the sad loss which Masonry generally and n personally had sustained in the sudden death of thc lar Bro . Bennett had entirely unnerved him , and so prevente him from speaking at length . ,., TheW . M . proposed "The Initiates , " and spoke ot tie great pleasure he had of initiating Bro . Edwards , whom had knosvn from childhood . ,

Bro . Edwards replied in a fesv appropriate words , anu The AV . M . proposed "The Past Masters , " and couple " the name of Bro . J . Matthews-Jones vvith the toast . Bro . J . Matthews-Jones responded in a fesv re ' £ . C " eluding svith a reference to the Secretary , Bro . *' - \ " | by svhom he called a most persistent beggar , and conclui ^ promising a subscription to the list of the W . M ., who represent the lodge at the Festival of the Royal Mas . "

Institution for Boys on the 24 th June . v . tf , e Bro . McFarlane , Sec , svho svas acting as J . W •> t enforced absence of Bro . Capt . Cooper , proposed tn ( j of " The Visitors , " and svelcomed them to the ' 0 ° f ^ ti , e svas proud to receive them , and coupled the toast names of several brethren .