Original Correspondence.

Volume were excluded , the whole fabric of our institution mustfall to the ground , and I hope that Bro . Buchan will reflect before he rushes into print , as if he had done so I am sure he couldnot have penned the letter referred to . I am , Sir and Brother ,

CONSISTENCY . THE PROV . GRAND MASTER-DESIGNATE FOR EAST LANCASHIRE .

( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The following thoroughly practical address was delivered at the Bull Inn , Preston , on Wednesday , November 18 th , 1829 , at a meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of West Lancashire , by our late lamented Grand Master , Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie , Esq ., M . P .,

Now that his worthy son has been designated to succeed the late venerable and venerated Stephen Blair , it will be read with some interest . Yours fraternally , Warrington , July 1870 . JOHN BOWES . Right Worshipful , and Worshipful Oflicers , and Brethren , —It is with unfeigned pleasure that I again meet

ray Masomc brethren in Provincial Grand Lodge , and I cannot allow the opportunity which it presents to me to pass , without making a few observations to you , which I trust will tend to the general good and prosperity of Freemasonry . Speaking as I am to officers of lodges , it is needless for me to state , that to you are entrusted much of the interests of Freemasonry ; and I should be unworthy of

the dignified station I have the honour to hold 111 the Fraternity , did I not , at all times , attempt to discharge the duties imposed upon me by that station in the manner I believe to be the most creditable to myself , as well as the most conducive to the respectability ancl the welfare of the Craft . Did I address myself to brethren just initiated into the sublime mysteries ofthe Order , it would , perhaps ,

be incumbent upon me to give some instruction in the knowledge of our art ; but speaking as I now am , to those who fill high and important stations in the Fraternity—to Worshipful Masters , Past Masters , Senior and Junior Wardens of lodges—this would be a work of supererogation . We all know that the most pure and genuine piety and virtue are taught by our emblems , and

in our mysteries ; and knowing this , it will be well if we endeavour to act up to our profession . I shall , therefore , draw your attention toja few practical observations , which , I think , if you attend to , will be of service to you all . I . I am afraid that the laws laid down for our guidance and instruction in the Book of Constitutions are not always acted up to in the manner they should be , if they are not

even , at times , entirely evaded . Now , I need not surely remark , that a breach of the laws of any society must be very detrimental and injurious to its general prosperity ; but in an institution established like Freemasonry , more especially so . You are all aware , that at the initiation of every member of the institution , he is charged to peruse the Book of Constitutions : but of what use is this

recommendation , unless those who recommend this to him first set the example . As a means of obtaining this desirable end , the making every brother acquainted with the rules and regulations of his Order , I would recommend the Worshipful Master of each lodge , or some brother deputed by him , to read a portion of the Book of Constitutions on every lodge night : and I will answer , that

the benefit which will accrue from this regulation will be soon seen and felt by every lodge . 2 . I have heard that some lodges have been guilty of initiating persons into the Order , after knowing that they had been rejected by other lodges . This is a breach of all discipline , and as far as my influence lies , I shall discountenance such most un- !\ Iasonic conduct . We must

remember that Freemasonry is universal , and that a person who is unworthy to be initiated in one lodge , must , by parity of reasoning , be also unworthy to be admitted in another . The breach of Masonic discipline to which I am alluding , has been , I am afraid , committed with open eyes ; the initiating lodges well knowing that thc persons alluded to had been previously rejected by other lodges ,

and , therefore , are left without excuse for their irregularity . Here , however , it may be asked , is then a person not to be initiated into the Order by a lodge , who has been rejected by another , when the members of thc former are convinced that those of the latter have rejected him through misinformation as to his character , or whatever otherreason there may be , when he has been well recommended to

them , and when such members are convinced that he has been incorrectly rejected ? I answer , most undoubtedly , No I except under the following case : I suppose ( for thc sake of thc argument ) a person wishes to be initiated in the lodge of A , but who has been previously rejected in the lodge of B ; he is well recommended , and the lodge of A are convinced ( let us call the supposed person Mr . C . D . )

that Mr . C . D . has been improperly rejected by thc lodge of B , as he is a person of " sound judgment , good morals , " & c . Thc question , then , is this ( it is a stronger case than is likely to happen ) : Is such an individual to be rejected by the lodge of A ? I will give you my opinion ofthe most correct manner of proceeding in such a case . The W . M . ofthe lodge of A , should write to the W . M . ofthe lodge

of B , informing him , that Mr . C . D . has been " well and worthily recommended to their lodge as a fit and proper person to be initiated into Freemasonry ; " but understanding that he had been rejected by the lodge of B , certainly unadvisedly and ignorantly , he wished to know if thc said

lodge , upon thc receipt of his communication , would object to his initiation in the lodge of A . Should the lodge of B object , I then think it would be the duty ofthe lodge of A , to apply to the Provincial Grand Lodge for guidance and instruction how to proceed . Because it would be injurious to the character ofthe institution , that any "just

Original Correspondence.

and upright man should be improperly stopped from becoming a member of the Order . What I complain of , is this : that persons have been initiated into the Order by one lodge , with the full knowledge of their having been rejected by another , without the smallest communication having been made to the aggrieved lodge . 3 . I have also heard that it is customary for some

lodges to grant certificates to brethren , for the purpose of allowing them to itinerate from lodge to lodge . Now this is in manifold opposition to the laws ofthe society , as contained in the Book of Constitutions , pages 6 4 and 97 . If a brother be brought to distress , '' through unavoidable misfortune , " there are many better ways of relieving him than by granting him a certificate . By means of an

application to the Grand Lodge , which never yet rejected the application of the unfortunate , or by a subscription among the more fortunate of the Fraternity , who will not , I am persuaded , forget the peculiar period of their own initiation into Freemasonry , and refuse to assist their poor and unhappy brother . Because , if they did so , they would be unworthy of the name of a Mason . But to encourage

itinerating , is not only against the Constitutions of the Order , as well as prejudicial to the interests of the Fraternity , but is also an encouragement to the idle , dissolute , and the immoral , to try and obtain initiation into Freemasonry , for the purpose of encouraging their vicious propensities and habits , and of making a gain of it . 4 . I have heard it also mentioned ( although some time

since ) , that sometimes , at Masonic funerals , the solemnity and decency which should be regarded at so awful a season , when the body of a brother is about to be consigned to its kindred earth , is not always observed . Now , how any one can make , or wish to make , an idle pageantry of the solemn ceremonies , as practised by the Order at that trying moment , or utter with levity the solemn words used in

any of our sublime mysteries , is to me most astonishing . I trust , however , that this is but of very rare occurrence , and I shall notice it no further , otherwise than by remarking , that solemn music , and not light and merry airs , should accompany the body of a brother "to the house appointed for all the living ; " ancl that , after the solemnities of the interment , it would be more respectful to the

memory of our deceased friend , to retire to our several homes , rather than to spend the remainder of the day , perhaps of the night , in intemperance . 5 . I wish to draw your attention , in the next place , to the subject of " Bye-laws " of lodges . You will easily remember that , more than twelve months since , a memorandum was inserted in the quarterly communication from

the Grand Lodge , ordering every lodge to send forthwith a copy of their Bye-laws to the Grand Lodge ; and stating , that until they wereapprovedofbyit , they could not be valid . This was nothing more than a repetition of a section ofthe Book of Constitutions . I hope that every lodge in the division ofthe county has obeyed the order . If any have not , I trust they will immediately correct their negligence .

The necessity of Bye-laws is more essential to the sociability and regularity of a lodge ; for instance , what authority has any lodge to charge more than £ 3 13 s . fid . ( the least sum fixed by the Book of Constitutions ) , for the initiatory fee of a candidate into the Order , without a Byelaw sanctioning it ? ancl then , as I have just observed , it is of no force unless it has received the approval ofthe Grand

Lodge . The same thing may be said of lodge seals , they are of no use whatever ; it is irregular to use them , until the impressions have been sent fo , and they have received the approval of , thc Grand Lodge . 6 . Another observation I have to make , is this : You all know , that the profound wisdom of the Order has directed that all religious ancl political discussion shall be

excluded from our meetings ; though , at the same time , Freemasonry inculcates the strictest obedience to the laws of any country in which we may reside . Now , it is against the laws of our own , which I think , some lodges offend , when they hold their meetings on Sundays . Our meetings are usually held at inns ; now you know that some of such places are ordered to be closed at a particular hour

of the night on Sunday , as well as on certain hours during the day time . Do we not , then offend against the laws of our country when we hold our meetings on a Sunday ? And granted that our meetings bc conducted with sobriety and temperance , yet , by holding them on the above mentioned clay , do we not give reason to those ignorant ofthe purpose and design of Freemasonry , to speak needlessly

ill of it ? Upon this point I speak delicately , but I wish you to give it your most serious consideration . 7 . I think the practice is irregular in those lodges , who allow initiated members to pay their fee , due at their initiation at many payments . This custom appears to me to bc at variance with the law contained in the Book of Constitutions , and I wish to see it , if so , done away with .

8 . Lastly : I am sorry to hear that certain members belonging to a lodge have left it , without assigning any reason for their withdrawal ; and I am more especially grieved to learn that such brethren have left it , without discharging certain debts which the said lodge had against them . I trust that such will see their very un-Masonic conduct , will do that which is right ; if not for their own

characters , nevertheless , for thc welfare and respectability of Freemasonry . In making the foregoing observations to you , brethren , you must not think that I am finding unnecessary fault . You must all be aware , that it is my duty to notice any irregularities I may know of , because if such be not noticed , how can they bc amended ? There would , indeed , bc no reason to blame at all , jif lodges would keep up to

the Masonic rule , of "admitting worthy men , and worthy men alone , " to the privileges of the Order . A "little leaven , leavcneth the whole lump ; " and it is astonishing what one unworthy member may do lo injure the Order . But , at the same time that I make these observations , I am happy to hear of the general prosperity of the Fraternity so far as I am concerned . 1 rejoice at hearing that , since we last met , many respectable and worthy individuals have joined the Fraternity—a sure sign that it is

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appreciated as it ought . I trust that what I have said ( as I have done so with the utmost candour , and the most fraternal feeling ) , will be received with that cordiality , ancl acted upon with that readiness , which recommendations , coming from your Prov . G . Master ( however unworthily he may fill the station ) should merit . I thank

you for your attendance here to-day . I trust we may meet for many years to come ; and that every revolving one may find us increasing not only in numbers , but in merit , worth and respectability : practising more earnestly the sublime lessons in our Order , " brotherly love , relief , and truth : " and honouring all men , loving the brotherhood , fearing God , and honouring the king ,

Jottings From Masonic Journals.

Jottings from Masonic Journals .

—*—THE Rappel Maqonnique , of Brussels , contains a long account of the reception of the delegates of the Belgian Lodge , "True Friends of Union and Progress , " by the Lodge of Union ancl Perseverance , of Paris , under the

auspices of the Grand Orient of France . The most kindly sentiments were interchanged at this imposing Masonic demonstration , at which 300 brethren assisted , and eloquent speeches were delivered by Bros . Fontainas , Venerable of the Belgian Lodge , Abelin of Beyrouth , Massol , Losibatieres , Colfavru and others .

FROMthesamejouriial , andalsofromthe ^ lf ( ir ( 7 ««/>/ Weekblad , of Amsterdam , we learn that the contemplated Romish processions in honour ofthe Massacre of the Jews in 1370 ! have been indefinitely postponed , owing to the antagonistic attitude of thc Belgian Freemasons , who denounced the atrocious _ character of the proposed celebration in fitting terms .

THE National Grai ; d Lodge of Germany at Berlin , celebrated its centenary on last St . John ' s Day . GENERAL MELLINET , the late Grand Master of France , has issued a circular letter to the French lodges , thanking them for their past confidence . THE Chaine D'Union of Paris , publishes a report of the half-yearly fete of the Supreme Grand Council , 33 * ,

of rrance . Two lodges , one at Boulogne , and one at Nantes , have been inaugurated under this Rite since December 1869 . THE Grand Lodge " Royal York , " of Prussia , has declined to enter into relation with the Sanctuary of

" Patriarchs en Egypt ( Rite of Memphis ) , of which Prince Halim Pacha is the Grand Master , on the ground that it does not recognise that spurious Rite . —How is Halim Pacha ' s connection with this barefaced imposture to be explained , he being already District Grand Master of Egypt under England ?

A NEW Masonic Temple has been inaugurated at Seville , for the use of the Lodges Tolerancia y Fraternided ( Toleration and Fraternity ) , and Caridad e Igueldad ( Charity and Equality ) . Representatives from other lodges in Seville , Carthagena , and Lisbon assisted . THE Monde Maqonnique states , that a new lodge has just been opened at Szegedin , in Hungary , by Bro .

Reemann , a Mason well-known in Austria and Hungary . THE meetings ofthe Masonic Society , " Humanitas , " are held regularly twice a month at Vienna , in the hall of the Academy of Commerce . ON the 3 rd July , M . Jules Simon , the well-known French Deputy , was initiated in the Lodge " Le Reveil Maconnique , " at Boulogne-sur-Scine . A great number

of brethren attended to do honour to the occasion . Arago and Laferriere , an advocate , were received at the previous sconce . Fuiig-Ki , an attache of the Chinese Embassy , was expected for initiation , but had to leave Paris for the day . When the ballot was taken several visitors claimed the right to vote , it being usual in lodges under the Grand Orient to allow all present to vote , whether members or

not . 1 his curious rule docs not exist in lodges under the Supreme Grand Council 33 , to which " Le Reviel Maconnique " belongs . Bro . Pelletan , also a well-known Deputy , defined Freemasonry in his speech as follows : — " It is not a church , it is not a philosophic seat , it is a school mutual , fraternal , and universal . " Allusions were made , in feeling term *; , to the recent death of Armand Barbis , the political agitator , whom Emmanuel

Arago himself had defended before thc Court of Peers in 1 S 39 . THE Lodge " Faro del Progreso , " of Barcelona , has gone into mourning for the death of Barbes . TtiEEditorsof the Freemasons' Magazine , and the Masonic Monthly , both of Boston , U . S . A ., express their thanks to Bro . John Hervey , Grand Secretary of England , for copies of Grand Lodge proceedings received .

THE BLOOD PURIFIER . —Old Dr . Jacob Townsend ' s Sarsaparilla . Other Medical Testimony . —In speaking of the "Blood Purifier , " old Dr . JacobTownscnd ' s Sarsaparilla , G . C . Kcrnott , M . D ., L . S . A . Lond , says : "I strongly recommend it in cutaneous diseases and all impurities of the blood . " March 24 , 1 S 69 . —In a letter to the proprietors , June 6 , 1869 , Dr . Irvine , of Irvine ' s-town ,

says : " I have been in thc habit of ordering your Sarsaparilla for my patients with the best results . Send me six quarts and six mammoth bottles . "—For all skin diseases , for purifying the system of mercurial poisons , and building up the broken constitution it is the only safe and certain remedy . In bottles 2 s . Gd ., 4 s ., 4 s . 6 < 1 ., 7 s . 6 d ., us .

Sold by all Druggists . Pills and Ointment each in boxes , Is i '/ zm ., 2 s . git ., 4 s . Cd . Testimonials also from tlie Hon . the Dean of Lismorc ; General William Gilbert , of he Indian Army ; ordered also by Apothecaries' Hall , London . Caution—Get the red and blue wrappers , with the old Doctor ' s head in the centre . No other cenuine . -Advt .