The Grand Orient Of France Before The Craft Universal.

dispel that stamp of being suspect to all , and to win , if possible , now and then the good grace of both Government and Church . Surely , ifc cannot be said that tho present circumstances of our Asro of liberty of association , of thought and of action , exact now from us tho obligation of doing what did , as it were , compulsorily , tho brethren onr predecessors .

This point , we think , is ono which calls the attention of those of onr modern Masonic writers who have undertaken tho laudable task of clearing tho History of the Society from false legendary snecnlations , inadmissible theories , and consistencies , fanciful laws of tradition , covered with the cabalistic word of " landmarks , " all

into which our Order has been dragged for so long by mystical dreamers , and that , too , to tho great detriment of the character of real gravity of an Association that is oue of tho most useful aud beneficent to mankind . Meanwhile , tho Grand Orient thinks that the proper time of Appeal has come . For much stress is being laid in some countries npon its

having boon charged and sentenced by some Powers as a cointemner of Masonic law ; and , in consequence , admission is boing refused to Masons whose only fault is to belong to its Jurisdiction . Thoy are in somo places , looked upon as totally deprived , ipso fact--, , of all Masonic rights , and , as downright atheists , unworthy of being associated with . And , in many cases they have been simpl y

sent back , from tho door of English Lodges , bytho 1 yler , without any further examination or formality . Complaints have been sent to tho Grancl Orieut , from various parts of tho world , and many of them havo been accompanied by application for Charter to create Lodges in those places where French Masons aro not to be recognised at all . In the Bulletin of May last , is published a

letter from tho D . P . G . Secretary of Victoria , in answer to a French Mason ' s remarks upon tho vexations refusal of admission which ho met with in that Province . That letter speaks for itself . Thero is no doubt that the grievance demands tho prompt consideration of the parties interested . The Resolutions of G . L . of England fall short , in application , of the

intention of their authors ; the third one is not acted upon , probably owing to its complex tenor , and tho difficulty of producing a certificate stating that the applicant has been initiated in , or belongs to a Lodge " professing belief in the Great Architect of the Universe . " No French Lodge will ever issue such a certificate . Besides , as has been already remarked , it is evident that if English Brethren aro free

to enter all French Lodges , as thoy do , without auy distinction , there cau be no reason whatever to exclude a section of French brethren , which is nndistiugnishablo besides , from being admitted into English Lodges . French Masons must all bo declined admission or all admitted . The Grand Orient , faithful to its principles of tolerance , has hitherto

done everything not tobc compelled to yield to the provocation of widening the broach between itself and the Powers that have passed their sentence n « nir > s » it . Thongh empowered by tho General Assembly to jonstitnto Lodges in all territories , except those wherein exists a G . Lodgi ? in friendly terms with tho G . Orient , the Council of tho Order hate yet refrained from entertniuiti * applications from all territories . Indeed iv . has- depended upon tho Council that at least three Lodges iu

London v .-ero not . now working under the jurisdiction of the Grand Orient . Irs only aim has been to ollow time to show how mistaken ant" mischievous was the action taken against it . Willing to coop ' " rate ii cio-i measure calculated to draw into closer union all the Brotherhood , i ¦ ' o \ v asks the other Powers : — What b to bo rionc , in I rue Mnsn ; ic spirit ? Weil , to put the question only , is to solve it . M . B . PARIS . 30 th Seotember 1 S 79 .

Red Cross Of Rome And Constantine

RED CROSS OF ROME AND CONSTANTINE

liiboracum Conclave , JSfo . 137 . — The regnhir meeting ol this t / onciavo was held at York , on Thursday , when the following brethren were present—111 . Sir hut . T . B . Whytehead P . S ., lut . Gem Unat . us M . P . S ., E . Urikut J . S ., Cumberland V . E ., Sir Ruts . T . Humphries as S . G ., Geo . Simpson J . G ., M . Millington Prefect , A . T . B . Turner Recorder , L . Murphy Jl . P ., VV . P . Husband Herald , J .

Waro , S . i 1 ' . Boustielcl , H . Jncksoit , c ; e . Bro . J . J . Wilkes , of tho Restoration Lodge , No . Ill , Di-t'lington . having been elected , was duly installed a Knight of the O . 'der . A draft code of bye-laws was submitted and agreed upou . Pro . W . 1 ' . Dyson , of the Eboracum Lodge , . No . 1 ( UJ , wat , proposed anc secoa . cd . us a candidate . Several letters

tt apoiuf , y tor nun-attend ; , nee were read , unci the Conclave was cuseu . J tie sanctuary of St . Pete ' and Commandery of tit . John vvtiB ii . terwhi . a successively opened , aud tuciau decrees , cuntuvi-uii upon on Km . M nkeii . Th > -members subsequently met at rolicsumunt .

William Preston Lodge of Instruction , Wo . 766 . — A inetiting was huitt ou Fri lay , 3 rd inst ., at the Featuors Tavern , Upper Geoigt-sticec , W . Present : —Bros . S . Godden W . M ., W . Hul S . W ., E . Acmir J . W ., . ' . Koauurd Treas ., J . 0 . Hayes Asst . ace , Gave b . D ., Eastun J . D ., 1 assiugb , \ m I . G ., Rudderforth Preceptor , aud a numerous attendance of uiomoers . Lodge was opened iu dm form , and the minutes were read an I confirmed . The W . M . lenoaraeci

the ceremony of luit . ation , Bro . Tubbel as candidate . Bro . Goodyear answered the queationj for pa : sing , and , vaa entrusted . Lodge was opened iu the s . e oucl and thittl degrees , md closed down to the first . Bro . Hill wa .- ; elected W . M . tor the ensuing Friday . Bro . Ruuderforth has late y engaged in imsiuess t , iul claims much ot tin . time that he has hi : herto devotee , to this . jod ge ; consequently , a short time since , he i . itimated to the membci I he should retuctantlv be compelled to resign the post he had held aa Preceptor of tho

Red Cross Of Rome And Constantine

Lodgo of Instruction . Many of tho members , bearing in mind tho devotion Bro . Rudderforth hacl always shown to promote their comfort , deemed this a fitting time to make some slight recognition of the estimation in which they hold him . Accordingly , Bro . Godden , addressing Bro . Ruddorforth , said : It was with pleasure and regret ho rose to perform a duty—regret that ho hacl to

undertake ifc afc so early a period , aa he had looked forward to being associated with Bro . Rudderforth as their Preceptor for many years , and he should have preferred that to somo moro competent brother should havo been entrusted tho presentation he was about to make . From the foundation of the William Preston Lodge of Instruction Bro . Rudderforth had exerted himself most strenuously to mako

ifc successful , aud had had to contend with mauy difficulties . After recounting what had been achieved , Bro . Godden proceeded to the task he had undertaken , and thafc was to formally present Bro . Rudderforth with a substantial gold watch , which had been subscribed for by the members . This handsome gift was accompanied by an address , beautifully framed , which read as follows : —

TO BliO . W . H . G . llVltDKKFOlVtU . Dear Sir and Brother , —Having received , with regret , your resignation of thePreceptorship of the above Lodge , wo , the members undersigned , express our sorrow that circumstances havo necessitated your ( we trust only temporary ) withdrawal from a position which , from tho formation of tho Lodge to tho present time , yon have held with

so much credit to yourself and benefit to us . Our gratitude for tho valuable Masonic instruction we havo received at your hands , and for the kindly consideration ancl untiring energy which you havo always shown in imparting it , we cannot hero fully express . As a slight token of our recognition of your Masonic worth , and the

assistance yon havo rendered whilst working with and for us , wo beg your acceptance of the present which accompanies this expression of our personal regard and esteem . Wishing you the success in your future career that yon havo achieved as Preceptor of this Lodge , Wo are , Dear Sir and Brother ,

1 ours fraternally , Signed by the subscribers to the testimonial . Bro . Rudderforth , on rising to respond , said ho was at a loss for words to speak the sentiments of his mind , in thanking tho brethren for their unexpected gifts . When ho joined other brethren in establishing this Lodge of Instruction , ho little anticipated ifc would

ever become so great a sneeess . Taking pattern by what ho hud seen done elsewhere , he , with many of these ho now saw around him , went to work . At first they met with mauy discouragements , bufc eventually their weed fell npon good ground , and reflected credit upou their husbandry . Bro . Ruddorforth then explained how circumstances hacl necessitated his tendering his resignation ,

bnt ho trusted ho might long continue his association wifch the members , by attending the Lodgo as frequently as circumstances would permit . Ho urged upon his hearers to mako their efforts unitedly ; to pull well together ; by that means they would ensure success . Ho spoko of the limited space they possessed for accommodating large gatherings , and drew

comparison with many City Lodges of Instruction . He thanked tho brethren for consulting his wishes as to what form this gift should take . He hoped ho should live sufficiently long to wear out , net only the caso in which the watch was luuuleu to him , but to test the ; timekeeping capacity of the works after they hud done service for many , niiinv yours . Our brother then related a characteristic anecdote

respecting watches that had boon presented by two comrades , tho ouo to the other . It appeared some dispute arose , when tho accuracy of the time each marked was questioned ; high words ensued , and tho quarrel resulted in both watches being thrown overboard , —the otic to keep the other company . He hoped the watch so kiudly presented to him that night would keep above water so long as he could hold np his bead , and that his sous—who be should like to see join tho

Craft at as early a stage in their career as was possible—would ever value it as an heirloom . Bro . Rudderforth concluded by again thanking all most heartily . Tho Secretary to tho Committee , Bro . Hayes , who had exerted himself most energetically in . discharging the duties that devolved upou him in arranging for this testimonial , next had his services duly acknowledged , after which Lodge waa closed .

Eoyal Commemoration Lodge of Instruction , No , 1585 . —This new Lodge of instruction was opened on Monday evening , tho Gfch instant , at tho Railway Hotel , High-street , Putney , under rei-y favourable auspices . Bvo . J . W . Robinson F . M . ot Royal Commemoration Lodgo was electee ) as tho first W . M ., ancl lie choso tor his Officers Bros . John Noble J . W . 975 S . W ., John Feutherstouo

iUSti J . W ., George Bugler 975 S . D ., J . 0 . Had ford J . D . 1120 J . D ., and Joseph Wright P . M . 1585 , 1158 , etc ., I . G . Bro . Geo . A . Watkins Treas . 1585 was elected Treasurer of tho New Lodge , and Bro . C . E . Goldriug Macdonald Lodge 121 G Secretary . After verifying tho authority of Royal Commemoration Lodge to open aud work the Lodge of Instruction under their warrant , and some other formal

business was transacted , the ceremony of the first degree was rehearsed by tho W . M ., assisted by Bro . Hurry John Carter 1585 , who is the Preceptor to the new Lodge . Subsequently a number of brethren were elected members . Amongst those present were Bros . P . M . Wm . Piatt 114 and 2 J , P . M . J . G . Carter 1014 , P . M . William Carter 141 , It . W . Forge S . W . 17 !) : ) , John Frost Sec . 1014 , J . J . Hol-. and S . D ., 1011 , If . Wildey Wright J . D . 1828 , A . T . Trehearuo 1-111 ,

Frederick Reed 1120 , Isaac Kerby 975 , George Simmons 975 , Edward Ayling 975 , Alfred Weston 1585 , C . . 1 ) . Blackford 15 G : ? , Henry Langley - ' 28 , and John Phillips 190 . Tho formation of the Lodgo has been most actively promoted by Bro . J . Featherstono J . W . of tho evening , to whom a vote of thanks was accorded iu acknowledgment of the tiouble ho had taken . The meetings will be held every Monday evening from eight to ten at tho Railway Hotel , opposite the station , Pntnev .