Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed hy Correspondents . JERSEY . TO THE EDITOR OF THE EREEiTASO & 'S 3 IAGAZIUE AEXED 3 IASONIC MIRROR . DEAE SIB AND BEOTHEE , —Such of your readers as peruse the report , sent herewith , of the last meeting of Lodge La Cesareewill perceive a very significant factto which I

, , desire to call attention , not with the view of offering any suggestions , but because ifc is well worthy of the consideration of those in authority in the Craft . A brother , of no mean social rank , as an English barrister , an advocate in the Royal Coui-t of Jersey , and a member of the local legislature as deputy for St . Helier , who formerly took an active part in the proceedings of this lodge , has seceded in

favour of a lodge working under an Irish warrant , being influenced in his decision fco a considerable extent , by a conviction that the discipline of the Grand Lodge of thafc country is more conducive to justice and good order than that of the Grand Lodge of England . I am not in a position to state that such is my own impression , and certainly I shall require very good proof ere I can be persuaded to follow

his example ; but circumstances that have lately occurred here , especially so far as they have been brought without effect before the notice of some of the authorities at head quarters , will doubtless , as tending to diminish confidence , lead some of us to impure more particularly , and to institute a comparison , which , in one instance , at least , has not terminated in a result favourable to that branch of the Craft

with which we are connected . Permit me thus briefly to allude to the fact , reserving a more extended consideration of it till a future occasion , when the steps now in progress in reference to the state of this province shall have produced a definite decision from the highest authority , that is the Grand Lodge of England , for in the Booh of Constitutions it is stated that " The Grand Lodge has also the inherent

power of investigating , regulating , and deciding all matters relative to the Craft , or to particular lodges , or to individual brothers . Avhich it may exercise either of itself or by such delegated authority as , in its wisdom and discretion , it may appoint . " Should the existing state of things here , and the measures already adopted be confirmed , it is feared that the effect will be the withdrawal from connection with

English Freemasonry , if not from the Craft entirely , of some whose character and conduct have contributed greatly to its well-being and to its influence for good , hi this district . So unfortunate a result will proceed from a conviction that the means afc the disposal of the members are not adequate for efficiently carrying out the real objects and high principles of the Orderand for awarding honour and rank only to

, such as prove themselves deserving , and who have the confidence of those over whom thoy rule . While writing , I may add thafc I have to day been to see the Masonic monument referred to iu the report of No . 860 , of which you gave a wood-cut several months ago . It certainly is unique in character and design , and in harmony with the distinctive features of Freemasonry ; it is a credit

to the lodge , both in object and execution , an ornament to the cemetery , and a puzzle to fche " uninstruefced world who are not Masons . " The architect and the sculptor have well performed their respective parts , and deserve the thanks of the brethren , afc whose instance ifc has been erected . If wo may be allowed to criticise , we think thafc a more elevated and conspicuous spot might have been selected , and that it

would have been better if the triangular shaft had been carried twelve or fifteen inches higher . Tours faithfully and fraternally , Jersey , September 27 fch , 1861 . H . H .

The Sermon At Gloucester.

THE SERMON AT GLOUCESTER .

TO THE EDITOE OE- THE FREEMASONS' 1 IACAZISE AUD MASOUIC JtlHEOU . _ SIB , BEOTHEE . —I read wifch pleasure fche report given m the last number of your MAGAZINE , of the proceedings at Gloucester , ou the occasion of laying the foundation stone of the monument to the brave Bishop Hooper , who was imprisoned by the members of his own church , and burnt at the stake b y those of another ; aud I was particularly pleased with the sketch you give ofthe sermon preached on

The Sermon At Gloucester.

the occasion by our Rev . Bro . S . Roberts . But would ngfc the omission of any allusion , for or against Essays and Revieics have been more in keeping with Masonry , as we have brothers amongst us who approve , and others who condemn the publication of that volume . I am not here about to enter to into the merits or demerits of that work ; but I think we cannot be too guardedwhen met together

, as Masons , not to introduce anything of a political or sectarian character . If this note should have the effect of making other brethren more cautious ifcs object will be accomplished . I am , dear sir and brother , yours very fraternally , September 30 th , 1861 . P . P .

"Degrees" In Freemasonry.

"DEGREES" IN FREEMASONRY .

TO THE EDITOE OF THE FEEEHASOXS' HAGAZIEtfE AXD . MASONIC 3 IIRROR . DEAE SIE . —Thanks for your remarks hi the latter portion of your answer to tbe " Freemason ' s Wife . " We who have been in the Craft for years ,- who entered it with a genuine " desire for knowledge , " and to render ourselves more extensively useful to our fellow-men ; and who have found , to our great grief , that wo could not attain to that standard

of excellence to which we had pictured to ourselves an average amount of perseverance and labour would place us ( through fche ignorance of those to whom we entrusted our " education " ); appreciate your rcmarlc-s . We find in them , the heart answering to heart . We almost cease to repine at our "happy ignorance , " in the hope of the coming rays of light 1 Your first answer to " our lady " was an answer

to the outer world of 1861 , this second is a reply to our inner selves . That such organisation of " discreet- and learned" brethren as you Suggest is " devoutly to be wished , " no one will deny . The study ofthe liberal arts and sciences ( occult aud natural ) systematically followed out , is the reform in our ancient Craft , which is secretly longed for by every wellintentioned member of our Order ; and I sincerely trust ifc

will be at once and energetically adopted . What is fco hinder a " college of preceptors" ( a modern term !) a " board of professors , " or what you may like to call them , being formed , who may add initials to their name with some grace , and confer "Degrees" on brethren according to merit ; and also award jewels which may then be worn wifch honest pride , as indicating something beyond the £ s . d . by which

they are now only to bo valued ? These are the "higher grades" to which a goodly number of your readers aspire , or I am " much mistaken , " and which would be followed more than the " purple" or provincial honours ( to which , nevertheless , they should lead , by rigid ) and which would elevate our honourable society in the eyes of all men , to the position which , by such means , ifc would most surely

attain . Yours , A PAST PEOVINCIAE . An occasional month ' s residence " at college , " to read up and pass examinations—attend lectures , and receive licenses to " preach , " both to the outer world who arc not Masons , and fco the mystic few—would indeed be esteemed a happy time , aud be a rich treat ; and , moreover , be without apprehension of a " breach of faith" from a " Treasury Minute 1 " Sepfc . 28 fch , 1861 .

The Benefits Of Freemasonry.

THE BENEFITS OF FREEMASONRY .

TO THE EDITOR OE TIIE EREEHASOEMS EJIACUZnfE A 2 JD EMASOEKTC illRROE . DEAE SIE AND BEOTHEE , —Individually I thank you much for your able article in this month ' s MAGAZINE , being a reply to a Freemason ' s Wife's letter . You may depend Sir your remarks will go home in the neighbourhood whence the Freemason ' s Wife writes . Your remarks upon the subject should not be shut up in

a magazine , but should be printed separately , so thafc every lodge may take sufficient to supply ifcs members , as I consider every Freemason ' s wife should have the sister ' s letter and your reply , for I know in this province many Freemasons in name who know nothing of the matters referred to in your answer . The Hewlett Fund , to which you refer , amounted to £ 3 , 372 10 s . 6 d ,- —3 per cent , consols . I remain , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , Chelmsford , 2 nd October , 1861 . _ .. J . B . B .