Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions expressed by Correspondents . LODGE AVORKING . TO THE EDITOR OF TUT . FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DflAB SIR AXD BROTHER , —In your answer to "Beta , " of the 5 th instant , you hold that , in the absence of tho AV . M . or a P . M ., under the English Constitution , a

Warden not being an installed Master can perform the ceremonies . If I understand the Constitution rightly , it is the bounden duty of the immediate P . M . to take the chair in the absence or incompetency of the AV . M . If both be absent , then the senior P . M . of the loclge present . ( See the latter part of Rule YI . p . 72 , Constitution 1855 . )

The AVardeus can rule and superintend , or summons the lodge , but not take the chair to perform tbe ceremonies if they have not been duly installed into the Past Master ' s degree . See Rule I . p . 71 , wherein it is strictly laid down that " No Master Elect shall assume the Master ' s chair until he shall have been regularly installed . " Wardens not Past Masters cannot give the degree , but they may rule the lodge .

As regards the explanation of the working tools and dolivery of charges in the different degrees by Wardens in open lodge , are they nob a portion of the duty of the W . M . ; and only to be delivered from the chair , or by a P . M . ? There are so many new-fangled movements introduced into the working of lodges in this neighbourhood , and important matters omitted , which causes great

confusion and discussions respecting which is right and which is wrong ; and gives rise to the question , Are the ancient landmarks to bo maintained , or let it be called modern , and leave off our important word ancient ? There are many other matters of importance in the working of lodges which ought to be noticed , but I will not trouble you at present .

By your replying to the above in your next publication you will much oblige , Yours truly and fraternally , P . M . [ AVe have maturely considered all the points alluded to by our correspondent , ancl adhere to our opinion that , in the absence of tbe AA . M . or a P . M ., a AVarden may perform the duties of the chair , sitting to tho right of the pedestal . As to the delivery of addresses by the Wardens , we see no impropriety in their doing so if called on by the AV . M . to assist him . —ED . ]

Colonial Boards Of General Purposes.

COLONIAL BOARDS OF GENERAL PURPOSES .

TO THE IDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC UIKHOE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have been asked to answer the following , extracted from a letter received by last mail , from a correspondent at Sydney , N . S . AV ., viz .: — "Would you allow me to ask of your assistance in Masonic ruling . Our District Grand Lodge has not a board constituted as clause 8 Grand Lod

Conper , ge stitutions . I gave notice in the . . District Grand Lodge for the appointment of such board , and there were a number of the brethren who thought that the clause had no reference to us , being in a colony ; and in fact , as I understood from some , the Grand Lodge rules were no guide for a District Grand Lodge . If you would please give me your opinion , or some authority to enable me to establish

the board in proper form , I shall be extremely thankful , as well as the other question . "—( Signed ) D . E . You will kindly favour me by answering the foregoing , and oblige , Yours fraternally , R . SPENCER . Masonic Depot , 26 , Great Queen-street . [ The clause referred to is only for the guidance of the

Grand Lodge of England ; and , desirable as it might be to have Boards of General Purposes in large colonial districts , the Book of Constitutions gives no authorit y for their formation . ]

The Boys' School.

THE BOYS' SCHOOL .

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Allow me to call your attention to the new arrangement to be adopted at the next election to the Masonic Institution for Boys . I am sure it is a mistake to limit a subscriber to one vote , when there are eight hoys to be elected out of twenty-six applicants . I wish to vote for two of the applicants , or to make the case stronger for the eight . How can I do this ? Yours fraternally , MASONIC .

Masonic Charity.

MASONIC CHARITY .

TO THE EDITOR OF TIIE FREEMASONS * MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The balance-sheet of Lodge-No . 600 being now public property , it must be open forany one to demand an explanation of its various items ,, or to make such remarks as its extraordinary charactermay merit . AVhen Lodge No . 600 takes " the unprecedented course of blowing its trumpet in your columns ,

and of saying to the Masonic world , " take a pattern from our model lodge—look at the array of charity we can boast of—follow our new system—add to your funds under any pretence , aud confine your favours to yourown locality "—it naturally excites a , feeling of investigation to see how far these new-fangled notions are consistent with Freemasonry , and whether instead of

Masoniccharity there is only " sounding brass , or a tinklingcymhal . " Let Lodge No . 600 explain under what known regulation it divides its funds as in Table No . 1 , and . say if it has a by-law for tbis purpose , or if a simplevote of its lodge can dispose of the whole in any way it chooses—whether , in fact , the division has any existence but on paper , and the funds could not be used for any , all , or none of the " institutions ; " in short , if

tho whole table ( excepting the sum total ) is not a myth . Again , let Lodge No . 600 explain Table No . 2 , by saying if the amounts voted for each year under theheading "institutions connected with the lodge , " are-¦ used for the purposes named , or what part of such sums has been so applied , and if the remainder goes back to > the general fund .

Again , let Lodge No . 600 explain why the real Masonic-Institutions are not named in its balance-sheet—why the poor , the lame , the deaf , the blind , the widow and orphan of the general brotherhood meet with no succour or support from its funds , or why local claims should subvert Masonic obligations , or why Lodge No . 600-should not be enrolled under the Friendly Society's Act .

Again , let Lodge No . 600 explain as to its membershow many are foreign and non-resident ; what is theaverage attendance of its own members at lodge meetings ; bow often Provincial Grand Lodge has been held under its banner , and the dates ; how many of its members have held provincial office , and the dates ; also if it has a chapter , and what is its condition . Again , let Lodge No . 600 explain if any of its membersare returned as " subscribins members , " without the

payment of any subscription by such members , for the purpose of enabling them , if need be , to become recipients of the real Benevolent or Annuity Funds , and their children inmates of the schools ; and if any of its members so returned have taken advantage of that arrangement . Lodge No . 600 need not explain tho addendas to its

balance-sheet , which boasts of a sum paid in the namo of the lodge , though not out of the lodge funds , to the distressed operatives , and which looks , along with tho subscriptions to the local institutions , so like a bait to catch popularity and members that ib is better let alone . AVhen these explanations are forthcoming , we may bo able to draw such conclusions as shall lace Lodge No .

p 600 in its proper position as a Freemasons' lodge , and see what claims it has to rank as such . I am , yours truly and fraternally , INVESTIGATOR .