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% \ lt JEasnnix ^ tar . ^^^^^THURSDAY , JUNE 13 , 1889 . Edited by W . BRO . JAMES STEVENS , P . M ., P . Z ., Ac , & c .

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All other commnnications , letters , & c , to be addressed " Editor of THE M ASONIC STAR . 59 . Moor Lane . Fore Street , London , E . C . " Publishing Offices ' . 123 to 125 , FLEET STEEET , E . G . I , In Masonic Cloth Cover—Now Ready —Price 3 s . 6 d . VOLUME

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

Without In any way holding ourselves responsible for , or even approving of tho opinions expressed , \ vc freely throw open our columns for the proper discussion of all matters of a general character relating to Freemasonry . Correspondents must he ns brief as possible , must write plainly , only use one side of the paper , and cannot expect the return of rejected contributions . Every contribution must bo accompanied with thn name of the writer , not necessarily for publication , hut as a guarantee of good faith .

To the Editor of THE MASONIC STAB . DEAR S IB AND B ROTHER , At the present time , when we have so much to cause anxiety to the donors or subscribers to our General Craft Charities ( Girls , Boys , and Aged ) , it is very refreshing to contemplate the great good that is being done in a very quiet unostentatious way by the

" THE MARK BENEVOLENT FUND . "

organisation known as the ' -Mark Benevolent Fund , " which I notice is about to celebrate its Twenty-first Anniversary Festival at the Freemasons' Tavern , on the 24 th July next , under the presidency of Bro . Sir Lionel E . Darrell , Bavt . Some of the more striking advantages of this Institution are that the entire cash donated , is applied to the relief and educational

purposes for which it is contributed , and not sunk in expensive building speculations , nor wasted on secretaries nor collectors , the entire expenses for printing , postages and secretary ' s or office expenses ( which includes everything ) , being only about four per cent , on gross receipts . The boys and girls placed under the care of this benevolence are

educated under home influence at such school as the parents or guardians select , at a cost of not exceeding £ 12 per head . They may be elected on the charity even during the life and health of both parents , if the parents are not in a position to afford a proper education for deserving children ; or a grant may be made to enable a child to complete his or her education at a suitable or approved

grammar school or training institution . And further , a grant of iL ") per year is made to every child towards clothing . The advantages of this home training cannot be too highly commended , as at this stage children are so susceptible ; if sent from home , habits may very readily be contracted that may be very detrimental to them in after life , besides placing them upon a much

higher social footing than their less fortunate (?) brothers and sisters , and . if girls , making them comparatively useless to a poor and struggling mother ; for having been so long in contact with influences which they never could have in their respective homes , they have to undergo the unpleasant process of climbing down to the family level upon their return home .

The conditions of eligibility for the ANNUITY FUND are most considerately drafted , and yet in such careful terms as to prevent the funds being squandered on such candidates as do not require or deserve such assistance . A Benevolent Fund is also in active operation , for the purpose of

granting present , prompt and liberal relief to the distressed brother or widow , which is widely recognised as only second to our Grand Craft Lodge Fund of Benevolence . I would respectfully urge Mark Master Masons , especially at the present time , to bear this admirable charity in mind , and give liberally at the forthcoming festival .

Original Correspondence.

All necessary information can be had at the office , 8 A , Red Lion Square , from the indefatigable secretary , Bro . C . F . Matier . Others , also , who are not Mark Masons , but who are disposed to contribute to a charity having the lowest possible outlay for office expenses , and no other expenses whatever , all the executive duties

being done voluntarily . Hoping you will excuse me for troubling you at this time when your space must be so fully occupied , Yours very fraternally , "LIFE GOVERNOR" M . B . F .

To the Fditor of Tns MASONIC STAR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , 1 thought I had done with correspondence on Masonic subjects , but the enquiring epoch has evidently arrived . I see a letter in your issue of January 24 th last , signed ' AV . M ., " anent a Board of Installed Masters , to which you promised an

answer " next week . " Unfortunately , I missed the answer , and cannot find the paper ; but I should just like to ask how is it possible for "Grand Lodge , " being partly composed of Wardens , to issue any order anent the constitution or formation of a Board of Installed Masters 1 Neither could the matter be discussed therein , unless all below the rank of Installed Master were ordered to

retire , when , of course , it would no longer be a Grand Lodge , as per Constitutions , nor can I see any power given to the Board of General Purposes in the Bk . of C , in re ritual . There is difference of opinion as to the mode , formula , and ritual in this province , and possibly in others , but who is competent to decide ?

THE BOARD OF INSTALLED MASTERS .

Some years ago I had the opinion of Bro . Fenn on the subject , but when I put the further question as to the proper time and mode of presenting the AV . M . Elect to a Board of Installed Masters , the opinions got muddled ! I was on one occasion present at a somewhat amusing attempt to solve the difficulty . The W . M . Elect of a lodge invited his P . M . ' s and W . M . to assist in selecting officers , & c , and to partake of his

hospitality . After assembling he was asked to retire . The W . M . declared the brethren assembled a duly constituted Board of I . M ., and the Senior P . M . retired and brought in the W . M . Elect ( our own host ) , and presented him as the chosen of his brethren ; he was congratulated , asked to be seated ( at his own board ) , and ( he dinner proceeded . That was certainly one way out of part of the difficulty . Yours fraternally , June 7 th , 1880 . W . NICHOLL , P . M . 317 , P . P . G . T ., E . L .

To the Fditor of THE MASONIC STAR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , In your issue of 30 th May " A . M . Prestwich " asks : — " Is it the proper thing for a W . M . of a Lodge to vacate the chair when he delegates to a P . M . the working of an initiation , passing or raising ?" A few years since a similar question arose in a Lodge in this

Province , and was referred to a Grand Lodge Officer of high rank and standing . His reply , which was communicated to the various Lodges in the Province , was to this effect : — " That although it is permissible for the W . M . to delegate any P . M . to conduct or assist in the working of a degree , he ( the AV . M . ) must not vacate the chair , unless he also quits the Lodge-room , in which case , Rule 141 , Constitutions , comes into force , excepting where the I . P . M . or any senior P . M . waive

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS .

their claim to occupy the chair . The above does not , of course apply to Rules 142 and 143 . Yours fraternally . Falmouth , 9 th June , ISS'J . P . M . 75 .

THE BOYS' SCHOOL .

To the Fditor ((/" THE MASONIC STAR . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER . I was very sorry to notice at the meeting on Thursday last that the assembled brethren were so much against the veteran secretary , while Dr . Morris escaped . Surely if Bro . Binckes is to be blamed for taking too much upon himself , the head master

deserves something more than blame for the way in which the domestic arrangements have been carried out , as it was clearly his duty to attend to other matters beyond the mere teaching ; and I shall not be satisfied , nor will many others , unless Dr . Morris resigns . The report states that he has been severe , which is letting him off very lightly ; but beyond that it is evident that many of the

matters touched upon by the report should have been reported by him to the House Committee . I cannot say a word in defence of the House and Finance Coittmittcs and their gross neglect of duty ; both bodies must be entirely replaced by brethren who will do the work in a proper manner , and not think so much of the social charms of the Boys '

School Dinner Club . The secretaries of our institutions have been made too much of , and they have been too well paid . Bro . Binckes should retire on a pension , of say , £ 400 per annum , and the new secretary should receive £ 300 per annum , a sufficient salary for a post which requires no special knowledge .

Another committee of eminent masons should at once commence an enquiry into the management and working of the other two charities , as it appears to me that the Girls' School costs too much per child compared with other institutions . Festivals for several years past have been so successful that w «

have lost our heads , and unless a reserve fund is formed , 1 can foresee the utter collapse of all three charities at no distant date . One thing must not be forgotten . AVe have elected the boys , and it is necessary , apart from all other considerations , that the comirg Festival of the Boys' School shall proiuce ample funds for carry ing