The So-Called German Question.

THE SO-CALLED GERMAN QUESTION .

LAST week the demands on our space were such thai we could only indicate in one brief sentence the fate of Bro . Simpson ' s resolutions in Grand Lodge . These , it will be in the recollection of our readers , were three in number . The first was merely to the effect that certain

petitions to Grand Lodge on this question , to the number of three should be received . The second offered for tho consideration of the Grand Lodge of the Three Globes in Berlin certain recommendations , having for their object the removal from its Constitutions of what may be most

fittingly described as the Jewish disabilities . In the last , it was respectfully submitted that the Grand Master should bring these two resolutions formally under the notice of the Berlin Grand Lodge in the manner His Royal Highness might consider most expedient . Their fate we stated

briefly . The first was accepted ; the second and last were withdrawn . The speech which Rev . Bro . Simpson delivered in support of his motion was of a temperate character , while at the same time he had no difficult y in proving to Grand Lodge that the Berlin Grand Lodge was

not acting in accordance with the true principles of Freemasonry . What he said was well said and to the point , and Bro , Hutton , who seconded him , albeit the remarks he made were few in number , was equally prominent . The opposition was led by Lord Tenterden , who was supported

by Bro . Erasmus Wilson and the Grand Registrar , and the Pro Grand Master closed the debate by suggesting that the first of the propositions should be accepted , and the other two withdrawn . This course was , as we have said , adopted , and so the matter stands for the present .

We cannot but admit that the reasons advanced b y Bro . Simpson ' s opponents were of a weighty character . Lord Tenterden showed that during the whole period of its existence , from 1740 till now , the Lodge of the Three Globes had been a Christian Lodge . At different times the

question of revising their Constitutions had been discussed , and the general feeling had always been in favour of retaining them unaltered . Bro . Bent pointed out that Swedish Freemasonry was on the same footing as this particular branch of German Freemasonry . The Pro Grand

Master admitted that , so far as his individual opinion was concerned , he regretted the course which the Grand Lodge of the Three Globes had followed ; but he pointed out that we could not take up the same position with regard to it as we had thought it wise to take up towards the Grand Orient

of France . That body had made a startling innovation , but the Grand Lodge of the Three Globes was adhering to its old landmarks . But ho cited the statements made by

Lord Tenterden , which , he ventured to say , were new to most of those present , as evidence that the subject was not fully understood in this country . There was always time for them to consider and reflect on what should be

done , and so avoid placing themselves in a dilemma . He acknowledged that he was in doubt whether they were not exceeding their authority in making such

recommendations to the German Grand Lodge , and if such were the case , they might find themselves in a position which would cause them very great regret . Moreover , the Grand Master—if it were agreed that he

should be requested to convey these resolutions , and it turned ont that they could not be sustained by argument —would be in a predicament which it would be painful for him to occupy , and from which he would have some difficulty in extricating himself . He therefore put it to

The So-Called German Question.

Grand Lodge whether , having waited so long , they might not wait a little longer , and he added that ho had faith in the wisdom and expediency of this counsel , to which , he was sure , no exception could be taken . We admit there is much cogency in this reasoning .

In the first place , while Ave havo no hesitation in declaring , as we have done already on more than one occasion , that it is not in accordance with tho spirit of Masonry to exclude any person merely for his religious opinions , wo must admit that the manner of proceeding , as

suggested by Bro . Simpsen , was very unlikely to bring out the desired end . We can imagine tho resolution passed by Grand Lodge and submitted to the Emperor of Germany , as

head of the Berlin Grand Lodge , by our Grand Master ; and there is little doubt that , to put the matter in a somewhat familiar way , we should be given to understand that we were interfering with the internal regulations of an

independent Masonic body with which we had no concern whatever . And what then ? It cannot be denied that it is with Freemasonry as it is with Christianity . There is a common basis on which the systems as practised in different countries rest , but there are points of greater or less

value on which we are all agreed to differ , and this is the one point as between the G . L . of the Three Globes and the United Grand Lodge of England , on which thoy are at issue . We say that men of all creeds are eligible for admission into the ranks of the Fraternity . They say it is onl y

those who belong to this or that denomination of Christians , none others being admissible . It may also be urged against us that within the limits of our government we virtuall y sanction this spirit of exclusiveness , for are there not on the roll of our Grand Lodge various Lodges which virtually

exclude all but those who follow this or that profession or calling ? If , then , you allow this in your own jurisdiction , how in justice can you call upon another Grand Lodge to remove those disabilities which it has imposed for so many , many years ? This , we say , is what might be advanced

against us in the event of such a recommendation as Bro . Simpson suggested being forwarded ; and such a course of argument would necessarily place our Grand Master in a very painful predicament . But though we think the manner in which it was proposed to submit this question

is open to strong objection , and though we fully recognise that the matter is not one which calls for hasty and ill-considered action , we still think that something should bo done to obtain , if possible , a just recognition by the Grand Lodge of the three Globes of the universality of

Freemasonry ; and wo know of no other body which has so much right to press the question in a becoming manner on the notice of our German brethren than the Lodge of England , which , as we pointed out in a former article , is , beyond all doubt , the Mother Grand Lodge of well nigh all the other

Grand Lodges in existence , and was certainly the first in order of time as regards organisation . Thus any proposition that emanated from our Grand Lodge would be certaiu to carry weight with it , and would doubtless receive that attention which it deserved . As regards the comparison between the case of the G . Orient of France and that of

the Berlin Grand Lodge , with all deference to the opinion of the Pro Grand Master , we think this part of his argument is weak . The former has just made a startling innovation in its declaration of tho Principles of Freemasonry in the

direction of a too lax inclusiveness ; the latter has throughout erred in its notions of true Masonic principles in the direction of exclusiveness ; and , albeit the step which the one has just taken may be more damaging in its consequences , there will be many ready to charge us with