Correspondence.

religion , he means one thing and I mean another . He appears to use the term as a general denomination for all believers who are not Christians , Jews , Parsees , or Mahommedans . I use the word "believers " because I assume that every man who has any religion at all must believe in God . My former

Tetter was founded on the strict and literal meaning of the expression , which I construe as meaning a religion which a man holds by nature , in short , an instinctive religion , and it is the existence of religion by instinct that I unhesitatingly deny . Have we not the hihest authoritfor stating that "man b

g y y nature knew not God ? " Bro . Cooper , in alluding to a passage iu my letter to the effect that " no man ever acquired a religion , however erroneous , except by revelation , " has assumed that I intended to allude exclusively to divine revelation . Such was not my intention . I used the term

in contradistinction to natural or instinctive acquirement , and what I intended to imply was the knowledge of religion which a man obtains by communication from parents , guardians , teachers , or companions . I cannot conclude this letter without thanking Bro . Cooper for his kind allusion to my former communication . Yours fraternally , H . B . "WHITE .

THE BOYS' SCHOOL . TO THE EDITOR OE THE EKEBMASONS' MAGAZINE AHD MASONIC MIREOE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —A most distressing case presents itself at the forthcoming election . It is that of the son of a Vice-President , who seeks election on the foundation of the school .

The number of Vice-Presidents is 180 , and each is entitled to ten votes . Of these ISO about fifty are lodge officials , most of whose votes may be regarded as pledged for local purposes . There remains 130 Vice-Presidents on whom the case of their brother and colleague makes a strong claim . If each will give his ten votes this time

, it will secure the election ; 1 , 200 votes are safe . Yours fraternally , A LIFE GOVERNOR , BOX ' SCHOOL . ELECTION OF OFFICE-BEAEEES . TO THE EDITOE OE TEE EBEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR

. DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In answer to your correspondent " Elihoenai , " regarding the election of office-bearers in a Scotch Eoyal Arch Chapter—1 st ., It is not lawful to elect office-bearers unless the chapter be opened , and then seven Eoyal Arch Masons must be present exclusive of the Janitor 2 ndIt is

; , quite incompetent to elect an office-bearer in his absence , after receiving a verbal message declining re-election . Yours fraternally , Aitiii .

LOOSENESS IN MASONEY . TO THE EDITOE OE THE EBEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AXD MASONIC MIRROB . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I have read with surprise the letter of a Scotch P . M ., aud must say I think Masonry is carried on very loosely by the lod the Border

ges over . I will relate a very recent instance of looseness of a different kind . The other day I was applied to for relief from a man describing

himself as having been initiated in the St . Stephen's Lodge ( No . 145 ) , Edinboro ' . I asked for his certificate , which he produced , and I found it dated August , 1867 . "How is this , " I asked , "that your certificate bears so recent a date , and you are now applying for relief ? " "Oh , " he said , "I was

initiated some years ago , but never applied for it . I have been living some time at Portsmouth , and , heing ill , I wrote to the W . M ., stating who were the officers of the lodge at the time I was initiated , and they sent it me . " On examining him , I found he could ive me no information respecting his third degree .

g Now , what I would ask is this— " Is not this loose system of Masonry the very cause of so many begging impostors ? " It clearly appears he did not apply for his certificate until he required it for begging purposes , and which was then sent him by merely writing for it from a place where the identity could not be proved .

Again , he told me all he paid for his initiation was two guineas . Is this correct ? If so , thank goodness I am not a Scotch but an English Mason . Yours fraternally , P . M .

SUPEBINTENDENCE OF LODGES . TO THE EDITOE OE THE EBEEMASOXS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIBEOR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Glad , indeed , am I to find the subject named at the head of this note exciting the interest its importance demands . . I full

y sympathise with the views of Bros . Hughan and H . B . "White , and personally shall endeavour to do my duty . Yours fraternally , ANOTHEE PHOV . G . R .

"TO "WHOM IS HONOUE DUE ?" TO THE EDITOR OF THE FBBEMASONs' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIBEOB . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I was exceedingly grieved on reading the letter bearing the above title in your last number . As you very properlremark

y the M . E . Z . in question manifested " very bad taste , " and I will advisedly add un-Masonio feeling . Excellent Comp . Banister will , I am sure , participate in this view , for a more amiable brother does not live . It will happen I suppose that we shall occasionally meet with brethren well skilled in the letterhut

, totally ignorant of the spirit of our noble Order . May their number decrease . Yours fraternally , E . A . C .

GOLD EING OF AN OEDEE OF KNIGHTHOOD . TO THE EDITOE OE THE EBEBMASOXs' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC HIBBOB . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In answer to "J . C . " regarding a gold ring of an Order of Knighthood , the

ring undoubtedly belongs to the Order of Militia Templi . A ring similar to it was worn by knights holding diplomas from the Grand Master , the only difference being that the cross is worn on the stone outside , with the letters P D > fr E P , and V D S A inside . Perhaps some other correspondent will state his views . Yours fraternally . X T .