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 .

"A UNIQUE WORK OF CHARITY . " To the Editor ot the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Kindly allow me to call the attention of the Craft to the advertisement in this number of the Freemason making an appeal on behalf of the Home of St . Barnabas . I would especially ask the help and sympathy of all my clerical

brethren . It was at first proposed to issue a general appeal to all the lodges in England the beginning of this year , but fearing anyone might think such an appeal likely to withdraw the smallest subscription from H . R . H . the Prince of Wales ' s Hospital Fund , it was determined to wait until all lodges were canvassed for subscriptions to that fund and had had ample time for sending in their contributions . I am well aware that objections are always made by some few

brethren to help being given to any institution other than the purely Masonic Charities . Surely this is rot in accordance with the broad spirit of Charity inculcated by the principles of our noble Order , and I confidently appeal to my brethren to support a brother who has devoted 40 years of his life to the extension of the Craft in different parts of the world . From many years of experience , I can assure your readers that the small provision now sought to be made for our

clerical brethren will be a great boon to many who shrink from applying to a lodge or one of our Charites for support . A few years ago , before this Home of St . Barnabas was started , I , with the help of a few brethren , kept a poor and most deserving Masonic clergyman out of the workhouse , and provided for him till his death . There are many clergymen , too , who have not been able from poverty to keep up their subscriptions to a lodge , and so are not eligible for help from our Charities . —Yours fraternally ,

W . HENRY COOPER , P . M ., & c , Sic . Home of St . Barnabas , East Grinstead . 19 th October .

CLEARANCE CERTIFICATES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir ard Brother How frequently we hear of a Clearance Certificate when a brother resigns his lodge , but how very few have ever seen one . I should be very pleased if some brother coald inform me where a copy of such certificate can be obtained . —Yours fraternally , D . C .

Reviews.

Reviews .

"A PRIMER OF THE BIBLE , by W . H . Bennett , M . A ., Sometime Fellow of St . John's College . Camb ., " & c , & c . ( Methuen and Co ., 36 , Essex-street , London , W . C ., _ 1 S 97 ) . —This handy and ably arranged volume is evidently the work of an enthusiastic Biblical scholar and expert , who is thoroughly " at home " with his subject and has spared no pains to present a digest , in brief , of the present condition of Biblical criticism , for the assistance and information of students , who have passed the

preliminary stages of this important enquiry , and who need just such an accurate and condensed account of the history of the Old and New Testaments , written in a clear and intelligible manner , and forming a guideto further researches and more extended studies . The particulars as to the Jehovistic and Elohistic documents or books , cannot fail to be of great interest to Royal Arch Masons , in particular , and the information supplied concerning the dates and character of the pre-Christian Apocrypha

will be welcomed by members of some of the "Higher Degrees . " Professor Bennett does not hesitate to express his opinions most decidedly , though not a few are far advanced compared with those prevalent some so years ago , but the work is not so much destructive in its tendency as constructive concerning the periods of composition and authority , so that the reverent reader will find that if he has some theories to give up there will be no lack of compensation , and may rise from a perusal of the Primer with a stronger faith than ever in the unitv of the Bible . Everv care

appears to have been exercised in the preparation of this much-needed Biblical Guide , and it should have a large circulation . ' * Cranmer ' s Bible , " however , is not a happy title for the famous " Great Bible " of 1539 , familiar to all of us in the Psalter of the Prayer Book , as the Archbishop's was in no sense a Translation of any portion of that Version . The work extends to considerably over 200 pages and yet is only published at half-a-crtnan , so the price is much below that usually asked for such Treatises .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Islington Lodge , No . 1471 . A very successful opening meeting was held on Thursday , the 14 th instant , at the Cock Tavern , Highbury . It was attended by Bro ? . | . A . Blount , W . M . ; D . C . Ritchie , I . P . M . ; E . J . Harrison , S . W . ; C . Isler , J . W . ; S . Napper , P . M ., Treas . ; E . Blinkhorn , P . M ., Sec ; C Horst , S . D . ; W . Tavlor , J . D . ; J . Amand , acting

I . G . ; C M . Coxon , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Herts , D . C . ; E . H . Bury . Org . ; Couchman , Tyler ; H . B . Harding , P . M . ; R . Loomes , P . M . ; A . Cox , P . M . ; T . E . Newman , F . G . Bury . D . C . Attwater , G . Yexley , E . Yexley , J . R . White , J . H . Thurman , E . A . Wagstaff , G . A . Hopkins , T . A . Spotswood , A . Henning , L . Danielsson , W . F . Reberts , F . Simmonds , Fullbrook , Krische , Jauncey , and W . A . Goring . Bro . W . Hancock , P . M . 2101 , was a visitor .

The business before the meeting was to ballot for and initiate Mr . Edward J . Bury , which ceremony was ably performed by Bro . E . Blinkhorn , P . M ., by request of the friends of the candidate and by consent of the W . M . Three candidates for initiation were proposed and seconded , and , after reading the communications , the lodge was closed .

The after-dinner proceedings were of the usual harmonious character . Bro . Newman , as musical director , had arranged an interesting programme , songs being given by Bros . Attwater , Fullbrook , Isler , E . H . Bury , W . F . Roberts , and E . J . Bury , who also accompanied during the evening . The Tyler ' s toast and " Auld lang syne " terminated the proceedings .

Penge Lodge , No . 1815 . The installation of this lodge took place at Clarence Hall , Anerlsy , onth : i ^ 'h inst ., when Bro . Albert Edward Pridmore , was installed W . M . by Bro . Herbert Owen Budd , I . P . M ., in a very able manner . The following were appointed ollicers for the year , viz ., Bros . Geo . T . Crockfcrd , S . W . ; Wm . Pesleett , J . W . ; Henry Todd , Treas . ; J . B . Crowe , Sec ; Wm . Atkinson , S . O . ; Chas . G . jonjs , J . D . ; P . Belts , P . M ., D . C ; B . W . Eyde , I . G . ; F . K . Claike . Stwd . ; and E . L . Partridge , P . M ., Tiler ; who were all addiessed very eloquently by the W . M . There ] were present a large number of visitors , amongst whom were several illustrious Masons .

The business of thelodge being ended , the brethren adjourned to the banquet , which proved a great success . The several toasts were duly honoured in true Masonic fashion , and the brethren ¦ were treated to a varied entertainment which gave great satisfaction .

Craft Masonry.

St . Ambrose Lodge , No . 1891 . PRESENTATION TO BRO . PHILIP PETHICK PERRY , P . M ., TREAS . A regular meeting of the above lodge was held at St . James ' s Hall , Piccadilly . W ., on Tuesday , the 12 th inst ., when there were present Bros . W . Ham , W . M . ; G . B . Spicer , S . W . ; Ivor Davis , J . W . ; P . P . Perry , P . M ., Treas . ; W . F . Bates , P . M ., Sec ; G . May , S . D . ; W . F . Morrington , J . D . ; A . E . Gadd , I . G . ; L . Lichtwitz , P . M . ; F . W . Buxton , P . M ., P . S . G . W . Berks ; I . C . Conway , P . M . ; E . J . Rix ,

T . Percy Buxton , F . Whicher , H . J . Thwaites , H . D . Poulter , S . J . Ling . F . Buck , F . Leeks , W . M . Cutcheon , H . W . Roach , H . Smith , Geo . Thatcher , A . Strutt , W . A . Hudson , H . K . Whiting , I . Burke , W . H . Page-Nash , G . Gelardi , H . Hudson , and H . Evenden , P . M ., Tyler . Visitors : Bros . H . Saunion , P . M . 1423 ; T . A . Markland , W . M . 144 ; A . Schott , 1634 ; and E . T . Polkinghorne , of the George Washington Lodge , No . S 2 , States of Connecticut , U . S . A .

The minutes of the previous meeting having been confirmed , Bro . H . D . Poulter was raised to the Third Degree . Messrs . H . K . Whiting and J . W . Burke were then initiated into the mysteries and privileges of ancient Freemasonry . Bro . G . B . Spicer , S . W ., was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year ; Bro . P . P . Perry , re-elected Treas . ; Bro . H . Evenden , Tyler ; and Bros . Whiting , Burke , and Strutt , Auditors . After the regular Masonic business of the lodge was completed , one of the most pleasing and interesting events in the annals of the lodge transpired . The

Worshipful Master rose and said : Brethren , —A most pleasing duty devolves on me to-night . 7 am honoured by being the medium of presenting a very handsome testimonial to a very distinguished brother of our lodge from our Masonic brethren across the sea . I have been for some months in communication with the brethren of the Forest City Lodge , Cleveland , Ohio , the outcome of which has been my receivin JT this splendid embossed and illuminated testimonial , and in a subsequent letter receiving a valuable cheque , asking me to procure a suitable frame in which to enshrine it . This

matter has been kept a profound secret , and , in presenting this to our brother , I am quite certain we shall take him and you , my brethren , unawares . The brother so marked out for this high honour this evening is our dear Bro . Past Master Perry , whose personal worth and charming manner has—as is evident from this signal token of regard from America—secured to himself hosts of friends among our brother cousins on the opposite side of the Atlantic . Those who , like myself and our Cleveland brothers , have been privileged intimately to know our Bro . Perry , are best conversant with his true

worth , and can understand , as only we ourselves can , the spring that prompts this splendid offering . Bro . Perry , most of you know , is no ordinary man or Mason ; he has served his country in important capacities . I first knew him when placed among London ' s distinguished citizens , who showed their sense of his quality by electing him member of the Borough of Fulham as their representative on the Metropolitan Board of Works—now the London County Council—and it is their misfortune that Bro . Perry is not at the present moment the representative in Parliament of that important borough , a position in the imperial assembly his abilities and qualifications eminently qualify him

to fill . I can assure you many thousands in Fulham possess grateful recollections for what he did as Fulham ' s representative . I have now only to ask our distinguished brother's acceptance of this signal mark of esteem from our brothers in Ohio , and I but echo the sentiments of this lodge , when I say we feel grateful to our American brothers for delighting to honour a pillar of our lodge . We feel , also , we participate with him in this honour , and our deep gratitude goes out to the Masons of Forest City in that after a lapse of 20 years ( since he took leave of them ) , his memory is still green and cherished even now , as this splendid emblem bears high witness . The resolution which I have now the pleasure of presenting you , reads as follows :

" HALL OF FOREST CITV LODGE , F . AND A . M . " The following preamble and resolution was presented by Bro . Abner Royce , Cleve land , 0 ., March 3 rd , 1 S 97 . " To the W . M ., Wardens , and Brethren , " Forest City Lodge , No . 3 S 8 , F . and A . M . " Whereas , —At a stated communication of th s Lodge , held March Sth , A . D ., 1 S 59 , A . L ., 5 S 60 , a petition for Affiliation , accompanied by a dimit from Yeatman Lodge , No . 162 ,

Cincinnati , O ., and signed by Bro . Philip P . Perry , was received , and referred to a Committee of investigation , consisting of Bros . L . C Mathews , A . C Hogan , and Frank Wright . At the next stated communication , the Committee reported favourably , and Bro . Perry was duly elected a member of Forest City Lodge . For his faithful attendance and zeal , he was rewarded on December 12 th , 1870 , by being elected to the office of Junior Deacon , which office he filled to the satisfaction of the lodge until May , 1 S 71 , when he returned to his native city , London , England , and afterwards affiliated with St . Ambrose Lodge ,

1 S 91 , F . and A . M . of London , England , whose members soon recognised his Masonic skill and devotion by electing him to office , culminated in his being elected to the high office of Worshipful Master , in which he was installed December 7 th , 1 SS 9 , and after serving one year with great credit to himself and pleasure to his lodge , he was elected Treasurer , which office he continues to hold . Therefore be it resolved that Worshipful Bro . Phillip P . Perry for his faithful devotion to our beloved Order be mide and enrolled an Honorary Member of Forest City Lodge , No . 3 SS , F . and A . M ., at Cleveland ,

Ohio , U . S . A . And be it further resolved that the Secretary be instructed to send an engrossed copy of this Preamble and Resolution , under seal of the lodge , to Bro . Perry , through St . Ambrose Lodge , No . iSgi , London , Eugland . March 17 th , Resolution carried unanimously , —S . S . WEST , Sec . "GEO . W . LLOVD , W . M . "EDSON B . BANDER , S . W . "EDWARD DAVID , J . W . "

Bro . Perry , who was deeply affected , replied as follows : Worshipful Mister , — you truly said you were about to take myself and the brethren unawares , the secret has been kept most Masonically . I had not the slightest idea when I cuns to the lodge this evening that the brethren of my old lodge , the Forest City , entertained such an exalted opinion of my Masonic ability or that I was to be the recipient of so handsome a present . It is now 26 years since I returned to England and it has been a source of great regret

to me that I have from various causes been unable to enjoy the privilege of meeting any of the brethren of Forest City Lodge . Words fail me to adequitely express in a fitting manner my appreciation of the generous and kindly feilings which prompted them to confer so great an honour upon me . I thank them most heartily and you also , Worshipful Master , for the kind expression you have mid ; use of in carrying out the wishes of our American brethren , and also members of St . Ambrose Lod » e for the uniform kindness they have always shown me .

The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to dinner , after which the usual loyal Masonic toists ware duly honoured . An excellent programme of music and recitations was rendered undir the direction of Bro . H . J . Thwaites , Bros . J . Thatcher , VV . M . Cutcheon , H . J . Thwaites , E . J . Rix , and others contributing the harmony . Bro . F . Percy Buxton ably presided at the piano .

Willesden Lodge , No . 2489 . This successful lodge held its installation meeting by dispensation at the Trocadero Restaurant , on Monday , the iSth inst ., when there was a good attendance and a most enjoyable evening was the result . The ceremonies of raising and installation as worked by Bro . Bartley Denniss were keenly enjoyed . The newly-installed W . M , Bro . C J . Marrian , is an enthusiastic and hard working Mason and no small measure of the present success of the lodge is due to his indefatigable work as Secretary during , and since , its

formation . The brethren in attendance included Bros . E . R . Bartley Denniss , P . P . G . W . Middx ., W . M . ; C Butler , P . M . ; C . J . Marrian , S . W . ; F . W . Marrian , J . W . ; F . W . Chant Hobrow , Treas . ; W . Grant Greig , Sec . ; J . J . Hanbury , S . D . ; R . E . II . Fisher , J . D . ; W . Webster , I . G . ; E . B . Lemon and Stanley Gibbs , Stwds . ; O . C . Robson , P . M . ; W . Wellsman , P . M ., D . C ; Stanley Machin , and Sydney Gibbs . Visitors : Bros . F . Murison , J . 1228 ; R . Morgan Olcott , 454 ; Kane , U . S . A . ; C

Cowley , 23 ( 11 ; II . A . Miles , 63 ; J . Harvey , 2361 ; J . A . Adams , J . D . 2361 ; B . II . Darnes , S . D . 1982 ; F . Levy , S . D . 12 O 1 ; C J . Rith , jun ., 65 ; H . D . Maclure , P . M . 17 O ; II . C . Borradaile , P . M . J 343 ; H . Machin , S . W . 231 ; R . T . Wreathall , 254 S C . Pinkhans , 23 G 1 ; E . Prendergast , P . M . 5 G 9 ; H . Wellsman , P . M . 15 S 9 ; T . H . Carlton Levick , J . D . 209 S ; R . W . Ball , J . W . 23 G 1 ; Capt . W . 11 . Glynn Smith , P . M . 1 C 91 , P . P . G . Reg . Middx . ; A . W . Buckingham , 2310 ; F . S . Long , P . M . 404 , P . P . G . D . Herts ; A . B . Crisp , isSu ; VV . W . Lee , P . P . G . D . ; and ethers .

The lodge was opened , the dispensation read , and the minutes confirmed . A candidate was then raised to the Third Degree and the full traditional history given . Bro . C J . Marrian was next presented as W . M . elect , and was impressively and ably instilled