The Resolution Of Grand Lodge On The French Question.

THE RESOLUTION OF GRAND LODGE ON THE FRENCH QUESTION .

rpHE conduct of Grand Lodge in reference to the X altered Constitutions of the Grand Orient of France has been worthy of its high position . It is impossible tho charge of having acted over-hastily can bo brought against it . It was only in the middle of September of last year that the Annual Assembly of the Grand Orient adopted tbe

resolution which has caused so much discussion , and we feel , wo may add , so much regret among Craftsmen . At the Quarterly Communication of our Grand Lodge in December last , on the motion of the Pro Grand Master , duly seconded , it was resolved to appoint a Committee to

investigate the circumstances , find meantime to admit as visitors into our Lodges all French brethren , whoso certificates bore date prior to the loth September , the clay when the amendment of its Constitutions was adopted-by tho Grand Orient . This Committee , which included some

of the ablest of onr Masonic luminaries , has been conducting this inquiry ever since , and the result is a report embodying a series of resolutions , which was submitted to Grand Lodge on Wednesday , and was adopted unanimously . The resolutions are four in number . The first

expresses the profound regret with which Grand Lodge views the change adopted by the Grand Orient of Franco in removing from their Constitutions the principle of a belief in the Great Architect of the Universe—a step directly opposed to the principles and practice of all true Masons

from the past to the present time . Tho second declares that , while this Lodge is prepared to recognise as brethren the members of any foreign Grand Lodge whose proceedings are conducted in accordance with tho ancient

landmarks of the Order , " of which belief in the Great Architect is the most important , " it cannot recognise " as true and genuine brothers any persons initiated in Lodges where that belief is denied or ignored . " The third resolution cautions Masters of all Lodges in union with the

Grand Lodge of England against admitting any foreign brother as a visitor unless duly vouched for , or producing a certificate that he was initiated iu a Lodge professing belief in the Great Architect of tho Universe ; and failing that , that ho shall not be admitted except on his own statement that he acknowleclp-es this belief as an essential

landmark of the Order . The fourth and last merely declares that these resolutions shall be forwarded to the Masters of all Lodges in England , Ireland , Scotland , and the Colonies , holding under Warrants of Grand Lodge England , with directions that they be read in open Lodge at the first

meeting after their receipt . In moving these resolutions , the Pro Grand Master pointed out that they must be accepted in their entirety , as each was a corollary to that which preceded it , so that the whole must stand or fall together . Ho also pointed out , that while Grand Lodge

had no desire to interfere with other Masonic jurisdictions , it was bound to express its opinions , and also to give effect to them ; and he did not think they wero exacting too much from foreign brethren in requesting them to make the declaration as prescribed by the third resolution . This , he thought ,

was the very least they could do , holding , as they did , by this ancient and most important landmark . The resolutions , as we have said , were carried , nnd so far the Question is at

rest . As our Grand Lodge held no official communication with the Grand Orient of France , as was the case with the Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland , there could be , of course , no formal severance of official relations . The posi-

The Resolution Of Grand Lodge On The French Question.

tion in which English and French Freemasons stand to each other under tho altered circumstances is , that only those French brethren who were initiated under the former Constitutions of the Grand Orient , or who aro willing to declare their belief in tho Great Architect , will bo

eligible to be received as visitors into our English Lodges ; and as a matter of course onl y those who deny such belief will be shut out . This is certainly , as the Earl of Carnarvon put it , the minimum which it was our duty to do , nor can it be denied that the resolutions have been framed in

the most liberal and fraternal spirit . There is one point , however , on which we think there should havo been some expression of opinion . We mean the conduct of English brethren who may think of visiting French Lodges . We cannot bo expected to know by intuition whether tho

Lodge we may propose to enter accepts this particular landmark . We may stir up anything but a fraternal spirit among tho members if we ask the question , in order to satisfy ourselves that we are not mixing with those whom our Grand Lodge has formally declared it cannot recognise

as true and genuine " brethren . Something , in our judgment , should have been laid down for tho guidance of English brethren in such cases , which it is obviously possible may arise sooner or later . If English brethren are free

to enter all French Lodges , both those which accept and those which reject the principles of belief in the Great Architect , what good can como of excluding one section of French brethren from visitiner ours ? If Enerlish Masons

are not likely to suffer any contamination by mingling with all classes of French brethren , they are not likely to suffer by the reception at homo of a few chance visitors . Wo admit these resolutions are in the light of an official protest against the altered Constitutions of the Grand

Orient of Franco , and to that extent they are meant to uphold what wc believe to be the true spirit of Freemasonry ; but in order to be complete they should , as far as possible , regulate the conduct of English Masons in visiting as well as receiving French Masons . We havo heard there aro

between seventy and eighty French Lodges which protest against tho change . Are we to visit these only , and , if so , through whom shall we be able to learn theirstyles and titles ? We have no wish to be thought hypercritical , or to be actuated by a carping spirit , but these are certainly points

on which some information should be vouchsafed us . Otherwise we shall go about blindly , and perhaps be guilty of somo act in direct opposition to our own most cherished

views on I ) reomasonry . It is rather surprising * that this should have escaped the logical mind of our Pro Grand Master and the rest of the Committee . We repeat , we are not anxious to widen the breach between the two Grand bodies , but in a question of this kind we should be able to rely on something more than our own discretion .

Integrity Lodge, No. 163.

INTEGRITY LODGE , No . 163 .

THE Balance Sheet of this Lodge for the past year , and the particulars of its donations to different Masonic aud other Institutions , with the privileges enjoyed in consequence , indicate a singularly healthy condition of affairs . The receipts shoAV a total of £ 4-62 Os Id , comprising

balance from previous account , £ 148 9 s 8 cl ; Initiation and Joining Fees and Subscriptions , & c , £ ' 306 15 s ; Interest and Dividend , £ 6 15 s 5 d . The expenditure presents a total of £ 315 15 s Gd , comprising St . John ' s Festival Expenses , £ 28 IDs ; Steward ' s Account , & c , £ 67 ; Rent ,