Correspondence.

Correspondence .

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

MASOJffC JURISPRUDENCE . ( CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES ) . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " .. . Dear Sir and Brother I ' am pleased tbat my letter of ioth inst . has opened up a discussion on this important point , as it may thus be the means of eliciting , through your columns , some definite instruction on the subject .

As I read it , the Article in the Freemason of 27 th ult ., was intended , primarily , to explain the modus operandi of private lodges , and I quite concur in the views set forth from its commencement to the end of the 13 th paragraph , with the proviso , however , that Rules 74 and 251 of the Book of Constitutions refer only to Grand Lodge procedure and are not meant to apply to that of private lodges , as your correspondent infers , but that if , when the minutes of private lodges are

read , the three questions mentioned in the third paragraph of such Articles are answered in the affirmative by the . members present , the whole of such minutes become confirmed at once , as a matter of course , as no exception can then be taken to any vote or resolution which has been duly passed and properly recorded , and I do not think it signifies which of the two phrases quoted in paragraph 16 is used by the W . M . " when putting the Minutes , " they being , to my mind , synonymous .

It is something to have obtained the admission of " Masonic Jurisprudence " under head three of his letter in your issue of to-day , but I should still like him to be good enough to quote the " various places in the B . C . " where the " three classes of questions , & c , " are mentioned in such a manner as to lead to his conclusions in relation to private lodge business . With regard to head four of the same letter , I contend that there is no need for assumption , . because , even with the little light we possess on the subject , there should be no doubt about the mode of procedure in private lodges in dealing with the matter under discussion .

In reply to Bro . Charles E . Ward's strictures , in his letter of the 10 th instant , I beg to assure him that my criticism was made after a full consideration of the points to which he calls attention , and he must excuse me for observing that his quotation " re confirmation of election of W . M ., " is so incomplete that he has ( I daresay unintentionally ) quite distorted my remarks . I agree with Bro . Ward ' s opinion respecting the election of a candidate , and claim that it supports my argument , which includes the theory that every minute , when correctly written , records an " unalterable fact , " let the subject of it be what it may .

I also agree with him that it is usually provided in lodges that no alteration in the by-laws can be binding until confirmed at the next regular lodge meeting ; but it is further enacted , in Rule 162 Book of Constitutions , that no such alteration can be valid until it has been approved by the Grand Master , as well as in the case of a provincial lodge by the Provincial Grand Master previously , and this only is where , in my judgment , the power of rescinding comes in .

If I am wrong in the views I have expressed , I shall be only too glad to be set right by some indisputable authority , and it seems to me that the most satisfactory means would be the addition of a rule in the Book of Constitutions , defining exactly what the confirmation of minutes really consists of , and , if the various descriptions of lodge business should be treated differently , it would be well for them to be carefully classified accordingly in the suggested new rule . —Vours fraternally

, E . PRINCE 68 , Wokingham-road , Reading , 17 th November .

INITIATION OF CANDIDATES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , Certain London lodges are initiating men from the country without first making enquiry as to their character , ttc , in the town in which they reside , and whether they would be considered fit and proper persons to be admitted to a lodge in their own town . This is causing great uneasiness , and members are refusing to meet these so-called " back door" Masons (?) in open lodge . Cannot something be done to stop it ? Please lend your assistance . —Yours fraternally , INDIGNANT .

November 13 th . A MESSAGE . Tothe Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I should be glad if you will allow me to give a message through your valuable paper to my readers of "The Temple Rebuilt" and " The Reve lation of the Schechinah , " published by you for me in 1886 and 18 S 7 , which is only that

The Old Testament is the Ritual , and the Nero Testament is the Doctrine , because it is the key of all antinomies . —Yours fraternally , V 1 NC 1 T , QUI SE V 1 NC 1 T .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

Jordan Lodge , No . 319-INSTALLATION OF BRO . JOHN GLANVILLE TURLE , L . D . S . Bro . John G ' anville Turle , L . D . S ., was installed VV . M . of the above lodge at Torquay on Monday last . Ihe meeting was held in the handsome Masonic Hall belonging to the lodge , and Bro . John Taylor , J . P ., P . M ., P . A . G . D . C . of Eng ., the Sndelatigable Secretary , was the Installing Master , who did the ceremony most effectively . Bro . Turle was presented by Bro . F . J . W . Crowe , the retiring VV . M ., who wan warmly congratulated on his well-deserved appointment as I rov . J . G . W . ot Devon , and saluted accordingly . The Wardens appointed are Bros . J . D . Beer and Iohn Glanfield , and the Overseers are Bros . W . Eliot Thomas , Charles Hill , and A . G .

Thomas . Bro . S . Wills , P . M ., & c , was re-elected the Treasurer , much to the satisfaction of the members , and Bro . John Taylor has again accepted the olhce of Secietary , for it is to him mainly the brethren will look for guidance now that they have lost the seivices of Ihe lamented Bro . John Lane , who was the first W . M ., and then the Secretary . The R . W . Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . G . W . of England , & c „ who attended , expressed his good wishes for the continued success of the loJge under Bro . Tuile ' s Masteiship , and ptaised the perfect manner in which the installation ceremony had been rendered .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Duke of Edinburgh Lodge , No . 1259 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . C . W . CHANDLER . The installation meeting was held at the Three Nuns Hotel , Aldgate , on Tuesdav , the Gth inst . The officers present were Bros . F . Adams , P . M ., acting W . M . ; C . W . Chandler , S . W . ; J . H . Wilson , J . W . ; T . Sweeting , S . D . ; D . Gower , J . D .,- D . G . Lusty , I . G . ; R . T . Court , A . D . C . ; Wakefield and C . R . Warde , Stwds . ; Geo . Parrett , P . M ., Sec .: C . Wakefield , P . M ., Treas . ; and a very numerous assemblage

of brethren . The visitors included Bros . J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B . ; C . Nelson , P . I . G . W . Middx . ; H . Wagstaff , P . M . 212 ; W . Long , P . M . 700 ; T . Sheppard , P . P . G . D . Middx . ; E . Brindley , P . M . 1382 ; W . T . Legg , P . M . SoS ; F . Neale , P . M . 19 S 1 ; S . W . Timson , P . M . 7 S 1 ; W . H . Grigg , 2664 ; MacScanes , 7 S 1 ; Stone , 22 S 4 ; F . P . P . Steel , 2512 ; Faulconbridge , S . D . 13 S 2 ; J . Levy , P . M . 205 ; A . F . Holland , 1326 ; S . Cooper , 1 S 61 ; J . Frampton , 1901 ; W . Parsons , 1421 ; G . Chivers , 65 ; G . E . Bullock , 1524 ; and others .

The lodge having been opened , the minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed , after which Bros . Arnold and Holmes were passed to the Second Degree . Bro . F . Adams , P . M ., then installed Bro . C . W . Chandler as W . M . in a manner worthy of such a veteran in Freemasonry . The officers invested with collars by the W . M . were Bros . J . H . Wilson , S . W . ; T . Sweeting , J . W . ; D . Gower , S . D . ; D . G . Lusty , J . D . ; R . J . Court , I . G . ; C . Wakefield , A . D . C . ; and Warde , Johnson , and Lewthwaite , Stewards . It must not be overlooked ( that Bro . Wakefield , P . M ., was again

the Treasurer , Bro . George Parrett , P . M ., the Secretary , and Bro . R . O . Hinderivell , LP . M . The balance sheet having been presented by the Auditors ( Bros . J . Coote , P . M . ; J . Johnson , H . Woolley , and C . R . Warde ) , was adopted by the members and ordered to be entered on the minutes . On the proposition of Bro . J . Coote , P . M ., seconded by Bro . J . R . Omer , P . M ., the sum of 60 guineas was voted to the Charities , viz ., 20 guineas to the Old People , 20 guineas to the Girls , and 20 guineas to the Bovs . After further lodge business , an adjournment was made to the Queen ' s Hal !

banqueting loom , where dinner was served by Bro . G . H . Roberts ( a member of the lodge ) , in a manner worthy of the best traditions of the proprietor of the Three Nuns . 1 he toasts of " The Oueen and the Craft , " " The M . W . G . M ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , " "The Giano Officers , Present and Past , " "The Worshipful Master , " "The I . P . M ., " who , by the way , received his collar and jewel at the banqueting table , and " The Installing Master , Bro . F . Adams , " were in their turn duly honoured and in

necessary cases suitably responded to . ' •The Masonic Charities , " always well received by " the Duke's , " was responded to by Bros . J . Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I ., and J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . I . B ., in their most happy vein . The remaining toasts haying been dealt with , the Tyler ' s toast brought a most enjoyable and successful meeting to a close .

The musical arrangements , although prepared by Bro . T . F . Noakes , Organist of the lodge , who was prevented through illness from being present , were successfully carried out by Bro . Kipps , who officiated as director and accompanyist .

Great Northern Lodge , No . 1287 . The regular meeting of this excellent lodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , Great Queen-street , W . C , on Thursday , the 15 th inst . After the ordinary work ofthe lodge had been disposed of , the following episode occurred : Bro . Samuel Webb , P . M ., Treas . —in accordance with his notice of motion—proposed " That the sum of 25 guineas be taken from the funds of the bdge for the purpose of procuring a small testimonial for presentation to our highly-esteemed Bro . Wm . Cleghorn , P . M ., P . Z ., & o , in

recognition of his valuable services as Secretary of the lodge during the last 11 years . Bro . Webb , in the ceurse of his remarks , said he was sure the brethren did not expect him to make a lengthy speech on the subject , and he did not consider it at all necessary , for he knew Bro . Cleghorn was not the man to appreciate a lot of fulsome encomiums , and he ( Bro . Webb ) could not paint the lily were he to try . Besides , nearly all the brethren of the lodge were fully acquainted with the merits of Bro . Cleghorn , although he ( Bro . Webb ) thought perhapr he was more cognisant with his honest and straightforward qualities than any other member of the lodge . Anyway , he was quite certain that a

better or more faithful Secretary could not be found in the Craft , saying nothing about his great abilities as Preceptor . He felt sure the brethren would agree with him that that small acknowledgment was the least they could do to mark their high appreciation of his character and services to the lodge . The motion was seconded by Bro , T . Owen , P . M ., supported by Bros . E . B . Homewood , W . M . ; Reed , P . M . ; Davis , P . M . ; Cane , P . M . ; Kempton , P . M . ; Paul , P . M . ; the Senior and Junior Wardens ; and other brethren , and carried with acclamation . The presentation will be made at the regular meeting in January next .

Earl of Carnarvon Lodge , No . 1642 . INSTALLATION OF BRO . GEORGE DAVIS , P . M . This important ledge held its installation meeting at Ladbroke Hall , Notting Hill , on Thursday , the Sth instsnt . There were present Bros . W . H . Handover , W . M . ; J . French , LP . M . ; Geo . Davis , P . M ., S . W ., W . M . elect ; S . Ransom , J . VV . ; T . H . Parkhouse , P . M ., Treas . ; Reuben C . Green , P . M ., Sec . , * S . K . Bennett , S . D . ; H . Armfield , J . D . ; C . A . Sanger , Org . ; E . M . Lander , P . M ., D . of C . ; George Passingham , E . W . Beard , and Frederick King ; Stwds . ; J . T . Lackland , Tyler ;

Leslie Standring , J . S . Atkins , P . M . ; E . M . Royes , H . G . Handover , R . VV . Warder , H . A . O'Scheof , George W . Passingham , J . Anderson , Edward Lee , I . P . Williams , William G . Perring , William Alexander Thomson , Asst . D . of C . ; F . W . Nicholls , Herbert L . Jones , Tilney Rising , B . A . ; A . K . Thomson , M . D . ; Walter C . Elms , H . E . Manfield , and Albert E . Owers . Visitors : Bros . Alfred Dowsing , 119 G ; J . B . Walker , W . M . 2317 ; VVm . Middlewick , P . P . A . G . D . C . Middx . ; Geo . Inglish , P . M . 901 ; Lewis Beale , W . M . 17 C 7 : U . B . Neville , P . M .

17 G 7 ; Jubal Webb , P . M . 55 ; A . England , 1219 ; A . E . Goodchild , 901 ; E . R . Armlield , 27 GG ; J . Gillingham , P . M . 123 S ; F . L . Chandler , 1 G 56 , P . P . G . P . Middx .,-T . VV . Heath , P . M . 1767 ; Prof . F . W . Driver , M . A ., P . M . 45 ; W . J . Millington , P . M . 224 G ; VV . R . Hack , P . M . 1 G 5 G ; VV . H . Armfield , LP . M . 224 G ; and others . The lodge was opened , and the minutes were read and confirmed . The Report ot the Audit Committee was received , adopted , and ordered to be entered on the minutes . The W . M . elect , Bro . Geo . Davis , P . M ., was presented by the D . of C , Bro . E . M .

Lander , P . M ., to the Installing Master , Bro . H . Foskett , P . M ., who obligated him . A Board of Installed Masters was then formed , and the Master elect bciig an Installed Master was simply placed in the chair of W . M . by the Installing Master . The W . M . then appointed and invested his ollicers as follows : Bros . W . H . Handover , I . P . M . ; H . Holmes , P . M ., P . D . G . Herts , S . VV . ; T . K . Bennett , J . VV . ; T . H . Paikhouse , P . M ., Treas . ; J . M . Huish , P . M ., Sec ; H . Armfield , S . D . ; VV . A . Thomas , J . D . ; E . M . Lander , P . M ., D . of C . ; Fredk . King , LG . ; H . L . ] oncS

and J . P . Williams , Stwds . ; C . A . Sanger , Org . ; J . 1 * . Lackland , Tyler . There was a very pretty episode in connection with the investiture of ollicers which we are pleased to mention . When it was the turn for the Secretary to be invested , Bro . Reuben Green , who had for so many years acted in that capacity , and was so highly esteemed by all his brethren for the able and efficient manner in which he discharged his Secietaiial duties , resigned his post , placing the je * el of his office inthehandsof the W . M . He stated that the pressure of business compelled him to do so ; he begged

to oiler Bro . Huish as bis successor , ietling fully assured that he would most effectively carry out the duties of Secretary to the satisfaction of the W . M . and the brethren , the VV . M . stated that it was with eitrcme regret he accepted the resignation of Bro . Reuben Green ; he felt he had no alternative , but begged to assure his worthy brother how much he personally valued his services , and how highly they had been valued by the lodge . The , W . M . then appointed a worthy successor , Bro . J . M . Huish P . M , as for

Secretary . The Installing Master gave the three addresses . Ballot was taken Messrs . Henry Ernest Manfield and Albert Ernest Owers . It proved unanimous in each case ; the candidates were initiated by the VV . M . The correspondence hiving been read , and "Hearty good wishes" interchanged , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to the banquet hall . After an excellent banquet , the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given .