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Articles/Ads
Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Ad Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article To Correspondents. Page 1 of 1 Article Untitled Page 1 of 1 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 2 Article Original Correspondence. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00603
GRAND LODGE OF THE PROVINCE OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT . THE R . W . BRO . VV . VV . B . BEACH , M . P ., P . G . MASTER . THE W . BRO . W . HICKMAN , D . P . G . MASTER . A SPECIAL GRAND LODGE Of this Province will be held , by command of the R . W . P . G . Master , at the MASONIC HALL , ALBION PLACE , SOUTHAMPTON , On Monday , the 28 th day of August next , at C . 30 p . m ., and be close tiled punctually at 7 p . m . For the purpose of giving a welcome to those brethren who may be visiting the Province on the occasion of the British Association Meeting . Owing to the limited space at the disposal of the P . G . Lodge , the attendance of the brethren of this Province must necessarily be restricted to actual Members of P . G . Lodge , viz : — Worshipful Masters , Past Masters and Wardens . This regulation will not apply to visitors . By command of the R . W . P . G . Master , J . E . LE FEUVRE , P . M ., Provincial Grand Secretary . Southampton , nth August , 5 SS 2 .
Ad00604
FALCON LODGE , No . 1416 , Thirsk . The VV . M ., Wardens , and Brethren of this Lodge are desirous of finding EMPLOYMENT for a Brother who has had large commercial experience , but , through adverse circumstances , has been unfortunate in business . Any communication likely to lead to such result will be thankfully acknowledged by the Secretary , Bro . F . R . Hansell , The Crescent , Thirsk , Yorks .
Ad00605
ROYAL ARCH . — A Pensioned Quarter-Master-Sergeant seeks a SITUATION as Messenger , Time , Gate , or Lodge Keeper , or other light Employment in bank , firm , public or private institution , or Place of Trust . Excellent testimonials . —Address , W . Moore , 4 G , Parchment-street , Winchester , Hants .
Ad00606
ROYAL SEA BATHING INFIRMARY , MARGATE . ESTABLISHED 1791 . THE ONLY ONE EXCLUSIVELY FOR SCORFULOUS POOR . COL . CREATON , TREASURER . JOHN M . CLABON , ESQ ., HON . SECRETARY . This Hospital requires aid . An extra liberal diet table is of necessity required on account of the exhausting nature of this terrible disease . Donors of £ 10 ios ., Annual Subscribers of £ 1 is ., can recommend patients . 250 beds . Average number of Inpatients per year , 750 , and of applicants over 1000 . Bankers , the Bank of England j Coutts and Co . ; and Cobb and Co ., Margate . Offices : No . 30 , Charim * Cross , VV . JOHN THOMAS WALKER , Secretary .
Ad00607
DREADNOUGHT SEAMEN'S HOSPITAL , Greenwich , S . E ., and DISPENSARY , Well-street , London Docks , E ., for Sailors of all Nations . No admission ticket or voting papers of any sort required , but both are entirely free to the whole maritime world , irrespective of race , creed , or nationality . Since establishmentupwardsof 225 , 000 have been relieved from no less than forty-two different countries , and the number of patients during 1 SS 1 , was 7132 , as compared with 4245 , the average of the preceding ten years . Qualification of a governor one guinea annually , or a donation of ten guineas . New annual subscriptions or contributions will be thankfully received by the bankers , Messrs . Williams , Deacon and Co ., 20 , Birchin-lanc , E . C , or by the Secretary at the Hospital . Funds are urgently needed for this truly Cosmopolitan Charity , which is supported by voluntary contributions . VV . T . EVANS , Secretary .
Ad00608
VILLA RESIDENCES , to be Let or Sold ( charming ) , rents from £ 3 $ to £ 55 per annum ; seven , eight , nine , and ten rooms ; close to two Metropolitan District Railway stations and main road , 'bus route to City ; each fitted with gas , bells , bath-room , hot and cold water , Venetian blinds , and every modern convenience ; gravel soil and good drainage . —Apply to Messrs . Gibbs and Flew ( Limited ) , The Cedars Estate Office , West Kensinr / ton . Station . VV .
Ad00609
lyyr I D L A N D RAILWAY . TOURIST ARRANGEMENTS , 1882 . TOURIST TICKETS will be issued from May ist to the 31 st October , 1 S 82 . For Particulars , see Time Tables and Programmes issued by the Company . Derby , June , 1 SS 2 . JOHN NOBLE , General Manager .
Ad00610
TO ADVERTISERS . T IIK FREF . JI . VSOX lias a large circulation in all parts of ( he Globe , In it thc ollicial Reports of the ; Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland arc published with the specia sanction , of the respective Grand Masters , and it contains a complete record of Masonic worK in this country , our Indian Empire , and the Colonies . Thc vast accession to the ranks of the Order during the past few years , and the increasing interest manifested in its doings , has given the Freemason a position and influence which few journals can lay claim to , and thc proprietor can assert with confidence that announcements appearing in its columns challenge the attention a very large and influential body of readers . Advertisements Cor thc current week ' s issue arc received up to Six o ' clock , on Wednesday evening .
Ad00611
TO OUR READERS . THE FREEMASON is published every Friday morning , price 3 d ., and contains thc fullest and latest information relating to Freemasonry in every degree . Subscriptions , including Postage : — United States , ,,..,,,. . Canada , the Continent , India , China , Ceylon , United Kingdom . Australia , New Arabia ,, & c . Zealand & c . 13 s . 15 s . 6 d . 17 s . 6 d . Remittances may be maele in Stamps , but Post ( DHice Orders of Cheques are preferred , thc former payable to GEORGE K ENXINH , Chief Office , [ . onion , the latter crossed London Joint Stock Bank .
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
A P . M . SUBSCRIBER . —VVe think not ; as none but M . M . ' s can be present , except by permission of the Provincial Grand Master . There is a difference , of course , as regards the banquet and as regards the lodge meeting .
BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . "The West London Advertiser , " "The Broad Arrow , " "Allen ' s Indian Mail , " "The Citizen , " "The Royal Cornwall Gazette , " "The Hull Packet , " " The Forty-first Half-yearly Communication of the District Grand Lodge of Ancient , Free and Accepted Masons of Bombay , " " The
Jewish Chronicle , " " The Freemasons' Repository , " " The Voice of Masonry , " "The Court Circular , " " La Chaine d'Union , "The Masonic Advocate , " "Thc National Baptist , " "Le Monde Maconnique , " "There is Dust in John ' s Eyes , " " The Canadian Craftsman , " " Keystone , " " La Escuadra , " "John Bunyan and the Gipsies . "
Ar00612
^ g ^ gg ^ sor ^ a :. ^ T ^ , ^ < vA srh ^ - ^^ AASP ] SATURDAY , AUGUST 19 , 1882 .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ Wc elo not hold ourselves responsible tor , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by ourcorrespondents , but we wish in a spirit of fairplay to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]
THE STATUS OF P . M . ' s . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — 1 rejoice to see that my humble letter has drawn such clear and able letters from Bro . Budden and " H . H . " I do not see that they have answered my queries , nor have
they at all weakened my contention that the status of P . M . ' s was obscurely treated in the Book of Constitutions ; indeed , they both admit it : the question still remains , What is a P . M . ' s status who has given up his two previous lodges and is suspended in a third ? 1 admit it was an extreme case , purposely so put . Bro . " H . H . " seems to have had very
hard treatment , but ignorance as regards his right claims as a legitimate P . M . does not affect my point . Bro . Budden points out the twelve months' grace , and no doubt he is right , but yet my main contention remains unaffected , that after all the year ' s office as VV . M . is the one qualifying test of a P . M . of a lodge . Yours fraternally , M . M .
To the Editor of the "brcemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I am glad to notice that tny letter in the Freemason of the 5 th inst . has called forth two letters on this subject , and trust the controversy may be continued in a fraternal spirit , and have the effect desired , viz ., of
inducing the members of Grand Lodge on the occasion of revising the Book of Constitutions to definitely settle and determine the status of Past Masters in the lodges which they may join . 1 agree with your ] correspondent , Bro . E . T . Budden , that the status of a Past Alaster in relation to Grand
Lodge , Provincial Grand Lodge , and the lodge in which he has been Master , is laid down in the present Constitutions , but these are not the points raised . True , Bro . Budden contends that a P . M . joining a lodge has not rendered the same services to that lodge as to the lodge in which he served as W . M . Granted it may be so , or it may
not be so , as in my own case , where I flatter myself my services to my second lodge are far superior to those I rendered to the lodge in which I served as W . M ., being the result of long experience , and yet only by courtesy can I occupy the chair , as I have on many occasions , at installation meetings and in conferring Degrees when no other
competent brother was present . In this case , whatever services I may render to the lodge I have joined entitle me to no precedence as a P . M ., unless I actually serve as W . M . therein . My contention is simply this , If a lodge chooses to accept me as a joining member , they accept me with all the
privileges and status I then enjoy . I am pleased to find your correspondent " H . H . " is in unison with me on this question . His experience is an excellent illustration of the presentdefectivesystem . Yours fraternally , P . PROV . G . DEACON August 14 th . East Lancashire .
Original Correspondence.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your issue of the 12 th inst ., two brethren have made remarks upon my letter of the 22 nd ult . " P . G . O . " says that there is not room for 250 I can only say that I enquired of the Secretary and the Grand Treasurer
and that my statements were not contradicted . Before the purchase of Lyncombe House there were 225 in the Institution , and thc new purchase was estimated to hold twentyfive more . With regard to " Vice-President , " if he reads my letter again he will find that I did not state that a girl was about to be permitted by purchase without petition
but that the Grand Registrar had given it as his opinion that a purchase could be admitted without a petition ; that is the point upon which he and I disagree . It may be only a hair-splitting difference between the " petition " and "application , " but the latter term should contain all the minutiae of information contained in the
former before the applicant should be eligible to be received on the strength of the Institution . Individually , I am opposed , to purchase altogether , as I am confident the Schools were never intended for those who were able to pay for their children ' s or protegee ' s education , but for those who were unable to do so . Yours fraternally , P . M . 1607 .
MONEY OR ABILITY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir ^ and Brother , — Just one word in conclusion , to preclude misunderstanding . Asa member of many of the learned and literary institutes , also of several benefit societies , I have some
knowledge of their aims ; and it is far from my desire to see Freemasonry converted into a mere benefit society , giving " quid pro quo" to members , nor into a " dilettanti " quasi learned debating club . "A Provincial Brother" has " skirmished all round " the " point" of mydetter . With compliments , yours & c ,
C . PFOUNDES . ( The writer of the article in the " Masonic Monthly " for August , " Far Eastern Ancient Rites and Mysteries . " )
R . M . B . L To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I would beg to call the attention of brethren who arc members of Grand Lodge that the next meeting thereof will be September the Gth , and that the
confirmation of Bro . Raynham Stewart's motion for an increased grant of £ Soo per annum , towards the maintenance of Aged Freemasons and their Widows , will be brought before them . It may be as well once more to explain the reason for this extra grant . Many years ago , —1854 I thinkwhen the members of the lodges had not reached four
figures—about Soo—the Grand Lodge agreed to give £ Soo a year towards the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , on condition that three votes were given to every lodge annually . Now that the lodges are nearly 2000 , and each lodge is entitled to its three votes , two men and one widow , so that whereas for the XSoo formerly about 2400 votes
were given , now nearly 6000 are given for the same money , and the Institution very naturally complains that there is not a fair " quid pro quo . " This proposition was carried in December , 18 S 1 , but that portion of the minutes was not confirmed in the following meeting in March , in order to give time for ascertaining
whether the fund from which it was proposed to take the money was in a position to afford that amount , although the Grand Secretary had just read thc financial statement , and the Auditors' report lay on the table . Last June , the enquiries having been made , and it being proved that the Board of General Purposes had a surplus revenue
of about £ 4000 , the proposition was again carried . I earnestly trust , therefore , that the brethren will show their zeal for the cause by deeds , and follow up with the ratification of that which has already been twice carried , and not suffer any further delay in the matter . Yours fraternally , P . M . 1607 . August iGth .
A QUERY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Can you favour me with address of Secretary of " Masonic Benefit Society " mentioned by Dr . Oliver in " Illustrations of Masonry , " page 267 ? Also , can you give me any particulars other than stated there ? Yours respectfully , SSOR .
IHE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF VICTORIA IRISH CONSTITUTION . To thc Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , —
In my first Masonic budget from Australia , I think I stated that Bro . the Hon W . J . Clarke , the newlyappointed Provincial Grand Master of Victoria , under the Irish Constitution , had not been installed and obligated . 1 now find that Bro . Clarke , prior to his departure for Eng-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Ad00603
GRAND LODGE OF THE PROVINCE OF HAMPSHIRE AND THE ISLE OF WIGHT . THE R . W . BRO . VV . VV . B . BEACH , M . P ., P . G . MASTER . THE W . BRO . W . HICKMAN , D . P . G . MASTER . A SPECIAL GRAND LODGE Of this Province will be held , by command of the R . W . P . G . Master , at the MASONIC HALL , ALBION PLACE , SOUTHAMPTON , On Monday , the 28 th day of August next , at C . 30 p . m ., and be close tiled punctually at 7 p . m . For the purpose of giving a welcome to those brethren who may be visiting the Province on the occasion of the British Association Meeting . Owing to the limited space at the disposal of the P . G . Lodge , the attendance of the brethren of this Province must necessarily be restricted to actual Members of P . G . Lodge , viz : — Worshipful Masters , Past Masters and Wardens . This regulation will not apply to visitors . By command of the R . W . P . G . Master , J . E . LE FEUVRE , P . M ., Provincial Grand Secretary . Southampton , nth August , 5 SS 2 .
Ad00604
FALCON LODGE , No . 1416 , Thirsk . The VV . M ., Wardens , and Brethren of this Lodge are desirous of finding EMPLOYMENT for a Brother who has had large commercial experience , but , through adverse circumstances , has been unfortunate in business . Any communication likely to lead to such result will be thankfully acknowledged by the Secretary , Bro . F . R . Hansell , The Crescent , Thirsk , Yorks .
Ad00605
ROYAL ARCH . — A Pensioned Quarter-Master-Sergeant seeks a SITUATION as Messenger , Time , Gate , or Lodge Keeper , or other light Employment in bank , firm , public or private institution , or Place of Trust . Excellent testimonials . —Address , W . Moore , 4 G , Parchment-street , Winchester , Hants .
Ad00606
ROYAL SEA BATHING INFIRMARY , MARGATE . ESTABLISHED 1791 . THE ONLY ONE EXCLUSIVELY FOR SCORFULOUS POOR . COL . CREATON , TREASURER . JOHN M . CLABON , ESQ ., HON . SECRETARY . This Hospital requires aid . An extra liberal diet table is of necessity required on account of the exhausting nature of this terrible disease . Donors of £ 10 ios ., Annual Subscribers of £ 1 is ., can recommend patients . 250 beds . Average number of Inpatients per year , 750 , and of applicants over 1000 . Bankers , the Bank of England j Coutts and Co . ; and Cobb and Co ., Margate . Offices : No . 30 , Charim * Cross , VV . JOHN THOMAS WALKER , Secretary .
Ad00607
DREADNOUGHT SEAMEN'S HOSPITAL , Greenwich , S . E ., and DISPENSARY , Well-street , London Docks , E ., for Sailors of all Nations . No admission ticket or voting papers of any sort required , but both are entirely free to the whole maritime world , irrespective of race , creed , or nationality . Since establishmentupwardsof 225 , 000 have been relieved from no less than forty-two different countries , and the number of patients during 1 SS 1 , was 7132 , as compared with 4245 , the average of the preceding ten years . Qualification of a governor one guinea annually , or a donation of ten guineas . New annual subscriptions or contributions will be thankfully received by the bankers , Messrs . Williams , Deacon and Co ., 20 , Birchin-lanc , E . C , or by the Secretary at the Hospital . Funds are urgently needed for this truly Cosmopolitan Charity , which is supported by voluntary contributions . VV . T . EVANS , Secretary .
Ad00608
VILLA RESIDENCES , to be Let or Sold ( charming ) , rents from £ 3 $ to £ 55 per annum ; seven , eight , nine , and ten rooms ; close to two Metropolitan District Railway stations and main road , 'bus route to City ; each fitted with gas , bells , bath-room , hot and cold water , Venetian blinds , and every modern convenience ; gravel soil and good drainage . —Apply to Messrs . Gibbs and Flew ( Limited ) , The Cedars Estate Office , West Kensinr / ton . Station . VV .
Ad00609
lyyr I D L A N D RAILWAY . TOURIST ARRANGEMENTS , 1882 . TOURIST TICKETS will be issued from May ist to the 31 st October , 1 S 82 . For Particulars , see Time Tables and Programmes issued by the Company . Derby , June , 1 SS 2 . JOHN NOBLE , General Manager .
Ad00610
TO ADVERTISERS . T IIK FREF . JI . VSOX lias a large circulation in all parts of ( he Globe , In it thc ollicial Reports of the ; Grand Lodges of England , Ireland , and Scotland arc published with the specia sanction , of the respective Grand Masters , and it contains a complete record of Masonic worK in this country , our Indian Empire , and the Colonies . Thc vast accession to the ranks of the Order during the past few years , and the increasing interest manifested in its doings , has given the Freemason a position and influence which few journals can lay claim to , and thc proprietor can assert with confidence that announcements appearing in its columns challenge the attention a very large and influential body of readers . Advertisements Cor thc current week ' s issue arc received up to Six o ' clock , on Wednesday evening .
Ad00611
TO OUR READERS . THE FREEMASON is published every Friday morning , price 3 d ., and contains thc fullest and latest information relating to Freemasonry in every degree . Subscriptions , including Postage : — United States , ,,..,,,. . Canada , the Continent , India , China , Ceylon , United Kingdom . Australia , New Arabia ,, & c . Zealand & c . 13 s . 15 s . 6 d . 17 s . 6 d . Remittances may be maele in Stamps , but Post ( DHice Orders of Cheques are preferred , thc former payable to GEORGE K ENXINH , Chief Office , [ . onion , the latter crossed London Joint Stock Bank .
To Correspondents.
To Correspondents .
A P . M . SUBSCRIBER . —VVe think not ; as none but M . M . ' s can be present , except by permission of the Provincial Grand Master . There is a difference , of course , as regards the banquet and as regards the lodge meeting .
BOOKS , & c , RECEIVED . "The West London Advertiser , " "The Broad Arrow , " "Allen ' s Indian Mail , " "The Citizen , " "The Royal Cornwall Gazette , " "The Hull Packet , " " The Forty-first Half-yearly Communication of the District Grand Lodge of Ancient , Free and Accepted Masons of Bombay , " " The
Jewish Chronicle , " " The Freemasons' Repository , " " The Voice of Masonry , " "The Court Circular , " " La Chaine d'Union , "The Masonic Advocate , " "Thc National Baptist , " "Le Monde Maconnique , " "There is Dust in John ' s Eyes , " " The Canadian Craftsman , " " Keystone , " " La Escuadra , " "John Bunyan and the Gipsies . "
Ar00612
^ g ^ gg ^ sor ^ a :. ^ T ^ , ^ < vA srh ^ - ^^ AASP ] SATURDAY , AUGUST 19 , 1882 .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ Wc elo not hold ourselves responsible tor , or even approving of , the opinions expressed by ourcorrespondents , but we wish in a spirit of fairplay to all to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . ]
THE STATUS OF P . M . ' s . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — 1 rejoice to see that my humble letter has drawn such clear and able letters from Bro . Budden and " H . H . " I do not see that they have answered my queries , nor have
they at all weakened my contention that the status of P . M . ' s was obscurely treated in the Book of Constitutions ; indeed , they both admit it : the question still remains , What is a P . M . ' s status who has given up his two previous lodges and is suspended in a third ? 1 admit it was an extreme case , purposely so put . Bro . " H . H . " seems to have had very
hard treatment , but ignorance as regards his right claims as a legitimate P . M . does not affect my point . Bro . Budden points out the twelve months' grace , and no doubt he is right , but yet my main contention remains unaffected , that after all the year ' s office as VV . M . is the one qualifying test of a P . M . of a lodge . Yours fraternally , M . M .
To the Editor of the "brcemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , I am glad to notice that tny letter in the Freemason of the 5 th inst . has called forth two letters on this subject , and trust the controversy may be continued in a fraternal spirit , and have the effect desired , viz ., of
inducing the members of Grand Lodge on the occasion of revising the Book of Constitutions to definitely settle and determine the status of Past Masters in the lodges which they may join . 1 agree with your ] correspondent , Bro . E . T . Budden , that the status of a Past Alaster in relation to Grand
Lodge , Provincial Grand Lodge , and the lodge in which he has been Master , is laid down in the present Constitutions , but these are not the points raised . True , Bro . Budden contends that a P . M . joining a lodge has not rendered the same services to that lodge as to the lodge in which he served as W . M . Granted it may be so , or it may
not be so , as in my own case , where I flatter myself my services to my second lodge are far superior to those I rendered to the lodge in which I served as W . M ., being the result of long experience , and yet only by courtesy can I occupy the chair , as I have on many occasions , at installation meetings and in conferring Degrees when no other
competent brother was present . In this case , whatever services I may render to the lodge I have joined entitle me to no precedence as a P . M ., unless I actually serve as W . M . therein . My contention is simply this , If a lodge chooses to accept me as a joining member , they accept me with all the
privileges and status I then enjoy . I am pleased to find your correspondent " H . H . " is in unison with me on this question . His experience is an excellent illustration of the presentdefectivesystem . Yours fraternally , P . PROV . G . DEACON August 14 th . East Lancashire .
Original Correspondence.
ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your issue of the 12 th inst ., two brethren have made remarks upon my letter of the 22 nd ult . " P . G . O . " says that there is not room for 250 I can only say that I enquired of the Secretary and the Grand Treasurer
and that my statements were not contradicted . Before the purchase of Lyncombe House there were 225 in the Institution , and thc new purchase was estimated to hold twentyfive more . With regard to " Vice-President , " if he reads my letter again he will find that I did not state that a girl was about to be permitted by purchase without petition
but that the Grand Registrar had given it as his opinion that a purchase could be admitted without a petition ; that is the point upon which he and I disagree . It may be only a hair-splitting difference between the " petition " and "application , " but the latter term should contain all the minutiae of information contained in the
former before the applicant should be eligible to be received on the strength of the Institution . Individually , I am opposed , to purchase altogether , as I am confident the Schools were never intended for those who were able to pay for their children ' s or protegee ' s education , but for those who were unable to do so . Yours fraternally , P . M . 1607 .
MONEY OR ABILITY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir ^ and Brother , — Just one word in conclusion , to preclude misunderstanding . Asa member of many of the learned and literary institutes , also of several benefit societies , I have some
knowledge of their aims ; and it is far from my desire to see Freemasonry converted into a mere benefit society , giving " quid pro quo" to members , nor into a " dilettanti " quasi learned debating club . "A Provincial Brother" has " skirmished all round " the " point" of mydetter . With compliments , yours & c ,
C . PFOUNDES . ( The writer of the article in the " Masonic Monthly " for August , " Far Eastern Ancient Rites and Mysteries . " )
R . M . B . L To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I would beg to call the attention of brethren who arc members of Grand Lodge that the next meeting thereof will be September the Gth , and that the
confirmation of Bro . Raynham Stewart's motion for an increased grant of £ Soo per annum , towards the maintenance of Aged Freemasons and their Widows , will be brought before them . It may be as well once more to explain the reason for this extra grant . Many years ago , —1854 I thinkwhen the members of the lodges had not reached four
figures—about Soo—the Grand Lodge agreed to give £ Soo a year towards the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , on condition that three votes were given to every lodge annually . Now that the lodges are nearly 2000 , and each lodge is entitled to its three votes , two men and one widow , so that whereas for the XSoo formerly about 2400 votes
were given , now nearly 6000 are given for the same money , and the Institution very naturally complains that there is not a fair " quid pro quo . " This proposition was carried in December , 18 S 1 , but that portion of the minutes was not confirmed in the following meeting in March , in order to give time for ascertaining
whether the fund from which it was proposed to take the money was in a position to afford that amount , although the Grand Secretary had just read thc financial statement , and the Auditors' report lay on the table . Last June , the enquiries having been made , and it being proved that the Board of General Purposes had a surplus revenue
of about £ 4000 , the proposition was again carried . I earnestly trust , therefore , that the brethren will show their zeal for the cause by deeds , and follow up with the ratification of that which has already been twice carried , and not suffer any further delay in the matter . Yours fraternally , P . M . 1607 . August iGth .
A QUERY . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Can you favour me with address of Secretary of " Masonic Benefit Society " mentioned by Dr . Oliver in " Illustrations of Masonry , " page 267 ? Also , can you give me any particulars other than stated there ? Yours respectfully , SSOR .
IHE PROVINCIAL GRAND MASTER OF VICTORIA IRISH CONSTITUTION . To thc Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , —
In my first Masonic budget from Australia , I think I stated that Bro . the Hon W . J . Clarke , the newlyappointed Provincial Grand Master of Victoria , under the Irish Constitution , had not been installed and obligated . 1 now find that Bro . Clarke , prior to his departure for Eng-