Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

-25 « Editor it not responsible for the opinions expressed , by Correspondents . THE BOYS' SCHOOL .

- S & IHS BBITOB , 0 " ? IEE SEEEIUSOXS' MAGAZISB AUD MASOJJ-IC MIBBOB . DEAE SIE AND BI-OTHEE , —I was glad to see the letter of a " Country P . M ., " and trust it may call Attention to this important question . As charity stewards are few and far between in tbe provinces ,

there , of course , must be some thousands of Masons who are never even asked to contribute towards the four great Masonic charities . To show what can he done even by shillings only , I met an energetic brother recently who had collected 1000 shillings for

, the Boys' School at the coming festival . Many of four readers would not , I am sure , refuse me a jjer-sonal application for so small a sum to such a noble cause . The liberality of the Craft to "travelling brethren" convinces me that there is a mine of wealth

- jet untouched for the Masonic charities . Surely the ( education and care of our " orphan Lewises " have far stronger claim than the appeal of those who have , in most instances , been the cause of their own misfortune . Allow me , therefore , to appeal to the sympathies of those who have never yet subscribed to

< fche Eoyal Masonic Boys' School , and ask for the 'Small sum of twelve postage stamps from each . All -SFIII be " thankfully received and faithfully applied , " and , if necessary , acknowledged in your colums , with . your permission . I will also keep the total amount < 26 eeived from this source as a separate item in my

4 ist at the coming festival . I may also state that 'Bro . Moody , Sec . 979 , the obliging manager of the i > ook stall , Crewe Eailway Station , has a collecting / card from me , and will be happy to receive any small -sums from the many hundred brethren who will be

• passing through the station between now and March 14 th . The lodge 979 , -vhieh I represent , is only three years old , and situated in not the most wealthy < or fashionable part of Cheshire . "We cannot , therefore , do much of ourselves , but I sincerely trust that

the success of this ajjpeal will equal at least our OAVU endeavonra . If I devote the total amount received in postages to the liquidation of the debt on the new imilding , I hope I shall give satisfaction to erery donor .

Trusting that you will pardon my intrusion on j-oor space , I am , dear Sir and Brother , Tours truly and fraternally , "War . JOHN BULLOCK , P . M . and W . M . 979 , Steward for the Boys' School , 1866 . 'CSarlton Villa . Crewe , Peb . 13 th , 1866 .

Charity Stewards.

CHARITY STEWARDS .

10 THE EDITOR OF THE JEEEJUSOH-S' JIAGAZKfE A 5 TD "tASO ! TtC ItlBSOEV DEAE SIE AND BEOTHEE , —I am anxious to correct without delay one error in the comparative analysis of qualifications in the three Masonic Charities , contained intheletter of " Another Country

P . M . " in your publication of Saturday last . Your correspondent states , " In the Boys' the ten guineas must be paid in one sum . " On whose or what authority this statement is put forth I am at a loss to imagine . It must be obvious that as we have a

permanent five guineas qualification , it may be increased a , i pleasure . The addition of a second five guineas paid at any time—no matter how long subsequent to the first , constitutes a Life G-overnorship with all the rights and privileges thereto belonging . The same

facility is now afforded with reference to the Vice-Presidentship , all sums of not less than fire guineas , no matter when paid , accumulate for that qualification , which is gained the moment the sum of fifty guineas is accomplished .

I leave the question of accumulation of qualifications in the three Charities to be discussed by others , merely ohserving that experience proves the popularity and success of the regulations in operation in this institution , aud I trust they may never undergo any attempts at alteration .

The Charity jewel is the badge as it were of au " order of merit , " founded by the late Duke of Sussex when Grand Master , to beAvorn only by those brethren who had served the office of Steward at the anniversary festival of each of the Schools , qiudifying at the same time as Life Governor . This institution

has in some instances been lost sight of , but inquiry will prove the correctness of my statement . The festivals in behalf of the third Charity , that of aged Ereemasons aud their widows , have been organised since the establishment of the " order of merit , " and

some few years since a regulation was adopted in Grand Lodge , that every brother serving the office of Steward at the anniversary festival of the latter institution , who had previously served the Stewardship of the tAvo older Charities , might wear a distinctive bar recording such service on the ribbon of the Charity jewel .

This I trust will satisfactory answer the queries of your correspondent on this point . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , PEEDEEICK BINGEIES . Secretary Eoyal Masonic Institution for Boys .

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How good and beautiful would it be , if our tastes , impulses , and inclinations Avere so . pure that we might live freely and naturally , as the birds or tbe flowers , trusting without misgiving to our spontaneous sympathies and movements .