Correspondence.

Correspondence .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wiah , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limitstree discussion .

THE QUESTION OF DEGREES . To the Editor of the "Freemason ? Dear Sir and Brother , The letter of " M . M . " has whetted our Masonic appetite . By all means , let us have the lecture of Bro . Dr . Churchward , with the " undoubted proof that there were several Degrees in Freemasonry many thousands of years "go . "

If this is really the case , it is evident that , although many of us have been studying the antiquity of Freemasonry more than io or 12 years twice told , we don't know where we are . Oh ! let us have the light without delay . The terrible darkness of our long-continued ignorance is becoming appalling . —Yours fraternally ,

VAGRANT MASONS . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " De ? r Sir and Brother , Please warn your readers against a man who states he was a member of No . 3 Lodge " Scone and Perth " ( S . C . ) , and has lately been discharged from the Brighton Hospital where he underwent an operation . He has no Grand

Lodge certificate , but shows a certificate of his having been an in-patient of the Royal Sussex Hospital from June to August , 1 S 97 , purporting to be signed by Edward F . Maynard , House Surgeon . Dr . Maynard has no recollection of the man , and during the period mentioned had no in-patients . The Secretary of " Scone and Perth " wires me that the name given is not on the roll of his lodge . I declined to help this man until I had obtained confirmation of his story , but

requested him to call the following evening which he promised to do . Needless to say he has not since been near me . —Yours faithfully and fraternally , J . G . BLACK , P . M . and Sec . 1564 . Woking , November 22 nd .

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Whittington Lodge , No- 862 . The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Monday evening , the 15 th inst ., at Freemasons' Hall , under the presidency of Bro . Jarvis , W . M . The lodge was consecrated in iSCi . and its ori gin , as explained by Bro . James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I ., was the old Whittington Club , then in the Strand , of which he and several other of the original members of the lodge were a constituent part . The brother first asked to be W . M . was Bro . Louis Alexander , P . M . iSS , whose place of business was

where part of the Law Courts Branch of the Bank of England now stands . Bro . Alexander declined . The Mastership was then offered to him ( Bro . Terry ) , but he also declined . It was next offered to the late Bro . D . Thompson , a solicitor , of Gray ' s Innsquare . He accepted it , and became the first W . M . of the lodge . If he ( Bro . Terry ) had consented he would now have been the first senior Past Master . Bro . Robert Wentworth Little , who was in the Grand Secretary ' s office , and afterwards was Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , was for many years Secretary of the lodge , but since his death that office has been held until the present time by Bro . James Weaver . The lodge has been a strong supporter of the Masonic Charities , but , as was

mentioned by Bro . J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . LB ., in responding for the Boys' School to the toast of " The Masonic Charities " on Monday , it has not given so much encouragement to that Institution as it has to the other two Charities . However , the new W . M ., Bro . Henry Kemp , is taking the Stewardshi p for the Boys' School Centenary , and will thus roll away the reproach implied in the information afforded . The brethren who attended Monday ' s meeting were Bros . Jarvis , W . M . ; H . Kemp , S . W . ; Walter Tyler , J . W . ; Sampson Godden , P . M ., Treas . ; J . Weaver , P . M ., Sec . ; A . Clarkson , S . D . ; F . J . Hester , J . D . ; Frank Hey wood , I . G . ; James T . Southgate , D . C . ; W . H . Godden , Stwd . ; James Irvine , P . M . ; Henry Brockhurst ,

P . M . ; G . H . Wavell , P . M . ; T . J . Collis , P . M . ; C . E . Packer , P . M . ; A . V . H . Pauncefort , P . M . ; Jabez Williams , J . McClelland , T . C . Bond , R . W . C . Palmer , A . T . Chamberlain , P . Greenwood Hartley , R . Spencer , Percy J . Driver , W . G . Butler , A . J . Hollebone , G . W . Rawson , P . P . S . G . W . ; W . Reynolds , S . H . Bradford , T . W . Lowe , W . G . West , A . J . Curtiss , H . Williamson , George Geen , George Palmer , F . Guanziroli , Percy Day , A . J . Taylor , and N . T . Rosenberg . The visitors were Bros . John Pocket , 1 S 0 ; C Herbert Wojd , P . M . 1149 , P . P . G . D . Surrey ; W . F . Coates , J . D . 103 ; George Proctor , J . D . 1531 ; P .

Dodd , J . W . 1420 ; j . H . Kirby , 2579 ; W . Marston Clark , late 255 ; J . Harrison , 62 } Walter Lawley , P . M . 234 S j George J . Tagg , P . M . 1512 ; H . Massey , P . M . Oiy and 1928 ; John K . Gwyn , P . M . 1426 ; Frederick W . Berry , J . W . 211 ; T . J . Debley , P . M . 1 S 0 ; Robert Gregory , J . W . 21 GS ; John Nash , S . W . 21 GS ; Albert Rischenhcim , 2579 ; James W . Hawkins , 248 SJ Joseph Curtis , P . M . 22 S ; James Terry , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . B . I . ; Col . T . Davies Sewell , P . M . 1 S 27 , P . G . Stwd .

VV . 11 . Hooper , P . M . 1 O 70 ; J . W . Robinson , P . M . 1500 ; J . C . Ostenstock , P . M . 11 S 5 ; J . Wesney Ward , 7 GG ; Major T . C . Wallis , P . G . Std . Br . ; H . Wnitney , P . M . SGi ; J . Hill , 975 ; E . A . Rice , W . M . 1320 ; S . N . C . Rumball , P . M . 1 G 23 ; Peicy Switchin , 1 G 58 ; H . Salter , P . M . 8 G 1 ; W . A . Weeks , 15 S 5 ; W . Bo . ven , 1744 ; Oscar Barrett , W . M . 2127 ; Allen Groom , 1 G 91 ; VV . M . Stiles , P . G . Treas . ; J . M . McLeod , P . G . S . B ., Sec . R . M . LB . ; Ronald Marshall , 2493 ; Gearge Harvey , 23 G 1 ; A . Marshall , J . D . 2499 ; and A . Burnell Burnell .

After the lodge had been opened , the minutes read and onfirmed , and the Auditors ' report received and adopted , Bro . Bradford wis elected Trustee of th ; Bin iv-ilcit Fund , and the W . M . initiated Mr . Dee . Afterwards he installed in splendid style , Bro . Kemp , as W . M . for the ensuing 12 months , Bro . A . V . H . Pauncefort , acting as D . C . during the ceremonies . Bro . jarvis was invested as I . P . M . The other brethren invested as officers for the year were Bros . VV . C . Tyler , S . W . ; A . Clarkson , I . W . ; James Weaver , P . M ., & c , Sec . ; S . Gudden , P . M ., Treas . L . F . ; J . Irvine

, P . M ., Treas . B . F . ; T . J . Hester , S . D . ; F . Hey wood , J . D . } A . V . 11 . Pauncefort , P . M ., Org . ; J . T . Southgate , I . G . ; W . H . Godden , D . C . ; A . J . Curtis , A . D . C ; F . W . Lowe , Stwd . ; and J . Gilbert , Tyler . When the addresses had been delivered by Bro . Jarvis , I . P . M ., Bro . II . Kemp , W . M ., as the Secretary , announced that he had received a circular from the Benevolent Institution in which Bro . Terry asked tor a Stewaid for his next festival , enquired whether any brother would represent the lodge un that occasion , he ( the W . M . ) going up for the Boys' Centenary . Bro . A . J . Curtis , A . D . C , said he should be happy to be Steward for the festival .

After some other business had been transacted , the lodge was closed , and the brethren adjourned to Freemasons' Tavern to banquet . The customary toasts followed , and a good musical entertainment wau given between the speeches . Ihe peiformers , who were under the direction of Btu . A . II . V . Pauntcloit , P . M ., were Mrs . R . Rapkin ( ne ' e Kemp ) , who took the pianoforte . Miss Kemp , Miss Ilanis , Miss Clarkson , and Bios . Pauncefort , Bond , McClelland , S . H . Bradford , Percy Day , A . T . Chamberlain , John Porter , West , Hartley , and R . Marshall . Bros . W . M . Stiles , P . G . Treas ., and Major T . C Walls , P . G . Std . Br ., responded to the toast of " The Grand Officers . "

Craft Masonry.

Bro . Jarvis , I . P . M ., in proposing the toast of " The W . M ., " said those brethren who were members of the Whittington Lodge knew how Bro . Kemp had for the last six or seven years filled all the different offices of the lodge . He might say that Bro . Kemp had done that with great credit to himself and satisfaction to all the brethren . When he said that it would be clear that no additional words of his were needed to recommend to the brethren the hearty reception of the toast .

Bro . Henry Kemp , W . M ., in acknowledging the toast , said he had to thank the brethren for the cordial reception they had given to the words of the I . P . M . and to him as Master of the lodge . He had also to thank the Grand Officers for their kind allusions to him , and also Bro . Jarvis for the remarks he had made to his ( Bro . Kemp ' s ) years of office in the Whittington Lodge . He could assure the brethren that he should do the best he could in the chair to give satisfaction to the brethren and bring credit tc himself .

Bro . Henry Kemp , W . M ., in giving the toast of " The I . P . M ., " which was heartily received , said he was quite sure the way Bro . Jarvis did his work endeared him to every member of the lodge . His style of work reflected the greatest possible credit on himself . It showed the stuff the Past Masters of the Whittington Lodge were made of . The brethren were deeply indebted to Bro . larvis also for the way in which he had

that evening performed the ceremony of installation ; it had conferred glory on the Whittington Lodge . He now presented Bro . Jarvis , in the name of the brethren , with a very handsome Past Master ' s jewel as a compliment for the services he had rendered during the past year to the Whittington Lodge . He trusted that for many years Bro . Jarvis would live to wear it as a landmark of Freemasonry , and that he would remember that night as a glorious night he had had in the Whittington Lodge .

Bro . Jarvis , I . P . M ., responded . He thanked the W . M . for the very kind and flattering manner in which he had proposed that toast . The reception by the brethren also called for . his thanks . He had told the brethren before that the ceremonies of Freemasonry were no trouble to him } they were a labour of love } and if during his year of office he had given the brethren satisfaction , as well as that evening by his rendering of the installation ceremony , he was more than repaid . But allow him to thank them for the jewel , this very handsome mark of their approval . Believe him that night was the

proudest moment of his life—to think that he had the good wishes of so many real and earnest Masons . He trusted the G . A . O . T . U . would grant him many years of health and strength to be among the brethren . He told those who were coming forward to the chair as well as the W . M . that if he could at any time be of service to them no matter in what office he might be he should be ready with the greatest pleasure to perform any work . Bro . Dee responded to the toast of "The Initiate " in a dozen words .

Bro . Henry Kemp , W . M ., in giving the toast of "The Masonic Charities , " said he was going up for the Boys , and Bro . Curtis for the Benevolent Institution . Next year probably another brother would go up for the Girls . All three Charities had been well supported by the Whittington Lodge . Bros . Terry and McLeod responded . Bros . Col . T . Davies Sewell , P . G . S ., Oscar Barrett , and others responded to the toast of " The Visitors , " and the other toasts followed before the meeting was brought to a close with the Tyler ' s toast .

Dobie Lodge , No . 889 . There was a good attendance of members at the meeting of this lodge , which was held on Wednesday , the 17 th inst ., at Kingston Hotel , Kingston-on-Thames , under the presidency of Bro . George R . Scott , W . M . The lodge having been opened , Bros . Gillum and Wetton were raised to the Degree of M . M ., and Mr . W . Sudlow Herrick was initiated . Bro . Tyler , Prov . G . Sec , was present during the working period , and before leaving the lodge expressed the pleasure it had given him to see the excellent working of the W . M . and his officers . The death of Bro . Sydney Hope , one of the

junior members of the lodge , was reported by the Secretary . An arrangement of white blooms and violets in Masonic form had been sent to be laid on the coffin , and the lodge was well represented at the first part of the funeral service , which was read in Kingston Parish Church before the body was taken to Reading for interment . A vote of condolence to Bro . William Hope and the widow and mother of the deceased was passed , and several of the brethren expressed regret at losing one before whom there was such a bright prospect in every way . The lodge was then closed .

Islington Lodge , No . 1471 . A regular meeting was held on Thursday , the nth inst ., at the Cock Tavern , Highbury , which was attended by Bros . J . A . Blount , W . 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 . Taylor , J . D . } F . W . White , I . G . } C . M . Coxon , P . M ., P . P . G . D . Herts , D . C . } J . Amand , Steward } E . H . Bury , Org . j G . Couchman , Tyler } H . Cox , | P . M ., P . P . S . G . W . Herts ; D . C . Ritchie , I . P . M . } A . Cox , P . M . } H . B . Harding , P . M . }

A . Henning , W . F . Roberts , L . Daniellson , J . Jauncey , J . Johnson , E . J . Bury , T . E . Newman , C . Weber , A . Krische , D . C . Attwater , R . Blunden , F . Simmonds , W . J . Barnes , G . Fullbrook , W . Goring , E . H . Yexley , J . R . White , G . A . Hopkins , E . A . Wagstaff , T . Spotswood , and others . Visitors : Bros . W . H . Caton , P . M . 136 s , and T . L . Dennett , Org . 45 .

The minutes of the last meeting having been confirmed , Bro . E . J . Bury was passed to the Degree of F . C A favourable ballot having been taken on behalf Jof Messrs . C . G . Spencer , John F . Wahlors , and A . Buckland , they were duly initiated , the ceremony in this case being performed by Bro . A . Cox , P . M . The lodge was then closed . After dinner the usual entertainment was given , Bros . Roberts , Henning , Attwater , Isler , Bury , Fullbrook , and Dennett assisting , and a pleasant evening was spent .

Eccleston Lodge , No . 1624 . There was a good attendance of members and visitors at the installation meeting of this lodge , held at the Criterion , Piccadilly-circus , on the 17 th inst . The newly-installed W . M ., Bro . William Smith , has been a member of the lodge for the past 13 years , has worked industriously through the various offices , and has won the esteem and regard of all the members . The members in attendance were Bros . T . Salter , W . M . ; William Smith , S . W ., W . M . elect ; G . Lane , J . W . ; W . Lane , S . D . ; W . Hellyar . P . M ., 1 G . ; E . Badderly , J . Whalen , J . Craigen , J . Leigh , Org . ; A . Deacon , E . Nice , W . B . Pugh , I . P . M . ; C Taylor , P . M . ; R . Bottle , P . M . ; T . CoultharJ , P . M . ; A ,

W . Bignold , P . M . ; G . Weston , P . M . ; J . C Flatteley , P . M . ; F . Arnold , P . M . ; andothers . Victors : Bros . J . Wade , W . M . SGo ; G . W . Perry , P . M . 144 G : T . Prior , P . M . 765 ; J . Biggs , 1474 ; G . W . Evans , I . G . 2444 } G . M . E . Hamilton , P . M . 144 G ; W . II . Butler , D . C 1 GS 7 ; R . S . Cooke , 2550 } H . G . Holland , W . M . 2593 ; J . W . Simeons , S . D . 193 } R . S . Gillespie , 1 GS 5 ; J . Lawson , 1 D 07 ; C . Woodrow , P . M . 170 S ; G . Samuel , P . M . 170 S ; G . W . Troer , P . M . 720 ; C Burningham , 22 u 2 ; George Scarman , 12 S 7 ; G . E . White , SGa ; F . Leonard , 907 ; R . Hasscll , 1 G 24 ; W . Weeden , 2030 ; J . A . Battersley , 1767 ; H . Tull , 742 ; A . W . Jones , S . D . 2 Grti ; J . Sparton , 2030 ; ' W . W . Lee , P . P . G . D . Middx . ; andothers .

Lodge was opened and the minutes confirmed , after which Bro . F . Arnild , P . M , assumed the chair and installed Bro . William Smith as W . M . in an able and impressive manner . The W . M . then invested the following officers in excellent style : Bros . T . Salter , I . P . M . ; G . Lane , S . W . ; W . Lane , J . W . ; T . Coulthard , P . M ., Treas . ; R . Bottle , P . M ., Sec . ; E . Badderly , S . D . ; vV . Hellyar , J . D . ; J . Whalen , I . G . ; A . Bignold , P . M ., D . C . ; J . Craigen , A . D . C ; J . Leigh , Org . ; A . Deacon and E . Nice , Stwds . ; and Shepherd , Tyler . Messrs . A . C . Hayward and Chas . Longworth

were next initiated into Freemisonry by the W . M ., whose fUent rendering of the rituil was much appreciated . It was suggested that a headstone should be erected on the grave of the late Secretary of the lodge—Bro . Beckham—lnd during the evening about / Jc , was subscribed lor this purpose . The death of another member of the lodge —Bro . II . Norman—was repotted , and a wreath ordered to be sent . Other business was transacted , and the lodge was closed . The banquet was followci by the usual toasts .

" Ihe Health of the W . M . " was proposed by Bro . T . Salter , I . P . M .. who said the toa ^ t was one that would go home lo their hearts , and would be received in the way it deceived . They knew the many duties ol the W . M . during the coming year would be lioiucwhat arduous ; but Bro . Smith was a brother cipable of performing those duties in a manner satislactory to the lodge , with efficiency , and would serve as an excellent example to the members . They had had a good opportunity of knowing of what the W . M . was capable by his work as Warden . He ( the I . P . M . ) had to thank Bro . Smith for the manner in which the lodge had been conducted in his absence , which had proved him to be a worthy brother and one who would do justice to the lodge .