Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Bro. B. Penchinat's Address At The Close Of The General Assembly Of The G.O. Of France.
BRO . B . PENCHINAT'S ADDRESS AT THE CLOSE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE G . O . OF FRANCE .
TRANSLATED FROM le Monde Muronnique . BRETHREN " : each time it has been permitted me to take part in the proceedings of the General Assembly of ihe Grand Orient , I have been penetrated with the feeling that it would be difficult to exact of the members who
compose it a better spirit . In the discussion , more or less animated , but always serious , of the questions set down on the various orders of the day , each one brings to it , so to speak , the distinctive marks of his OAVU character and temperament . Yet , in spite of divergencies of opinion , and
though it is Avell ni gh inevitable , there should be , as in every case , triumphant majorities and defeated minorities , the spirit of brotherhood , of conciliation and reciprocal affection is never absent in our Masonic relations .
Whatever may be the results of our ballots , Ave never fail to extend to each other and grasp cordially , and without distinction , the right hand of fellowship . What is the cause , Avhat the reason of this mutual tolerance of which we
feel so proud , of this touching harmony , Avhich nothing disturbs ? It is that we all , within these walls , have but one object in view , it is that all of us are in pursuit of one and the same ideal , the noblest that can be proposed to our energies as men ; it is that , Avhile it is possible Ave may
differ in opinion as to the means by which we hope to attain our purpose , it is impossible Ave should have but one and the same end to attain . Tou know , as I do , what this aim , this ideal , this purpose is ; it is the greatness of our beloved Masonry . As regards this , struggles and disputes are out
of the question . We are of one mind ; our hearts beat in unison , and that love of self , Avhich Ave meet with every-Avhere in the profane Avorld , is powerless to make headway in face of our firm faith , our profound convictions , our inextinguishable love for this grand work of justice and
truth . Our union on this basis is indissoluble , and hence our debates leave behind them no trace of bitterness , no memory of unworthy language , of Avounded feelings , or of injured self-respect , and when the hour of separation is at
hand , we leave behind us no angry nor rancorous feelings , for we all know that each brother has fulfilled his duty in the conscientious performance of what he believed to be good and useful , and for the common weal .
At the opening of this long and laborious session , you nominated Bro . de Saint Jean to preside over yonr labours . It was a just tribute of respect to one Avhose whole Masonic career has been one of perpetual devotion to our cause ; it was a testimony of recognition for those numerous services he
has rendered , and is Avilling to render , and I trust he Avill permit me , on behalf of thebrethren present , to express to him our gratitude . We rel y implicitly on him , and are firmly persuaded that , in all circumstances , he -will know how to protect the sacred interests of that Masonry Avhich is so dear to our hearts .
I shall not enter into details upon all the questionsyou have settled . Your votes inspired by the single desire to see our Order prosperous , to improve our regulations , and to bring our constitution into perfect harmony Avith the progress of society , will , I trust , be attended with happy results . It is
when Ave come to put them in force that Ave shall learn their value ; it is the practical application of the changes Ave have made that will prove Avhether we have been labouring under a delusion , or if our Avork has been beneficial . I earnestly hope that our labours may have been profitable ,
and that our conditions of life , as regards our Lodges , may improve day-by-day . Perfection is not of this Avorld , but human institutions are capable of being perfected , and it is with this perfectibility that we busy ourselves Avhenever we meet within these walls . But there is one of your
decisions on which I shall permit myself to dwell . The Council of the Order , Avhich ordinarily leaves to the Lodges within its jurisdiction the initiative in respect of all bills Avhich have for object the amendment and improvement of the constitution , has this year submitted for your
consideration a plan , to which it appears to have attached the greatest importance , and by the terms of which it claimed for itself the right to deal summarily Avith Venerables and
Orators who may have been guilty of violating the Constitution . From the general purport of the proposal it is easy to see , and none of you can have been mistaken—that among the Masonic crimes of which a President of a Lodge
Bro. B. Penchinat's Address At The Close Of The General Assembly Of The G.O. Of France.
ov an Orator is likely to be guilty , the scheme had specially :: i view the case in Avhich they mig ht have permitted political or religious controversies in the Lodsre : and in order to rono . tr mm-o effective the authority of I ho Council , which always in such cases has the ritrht to stop them in
pursuing a lino of conduct so much to be deplored , by suspending them from office , demanded the poAver of Avithdrawing them from their common rights , and from a trial before the ordinary tribunal , Avith a view to making them amenable to a still higher jurisdiction . Yon know the
result , and I have no intention of re-opening the question , but as regards the causes which brought forward this grave question , I have the right to tell you Avhat I think . For the last two or three years , and especially Avithin the last feAV months , Freemasonry has been assailed Avith the
greatest violence ; it has been denounced , calumniated , turned into ridicule , or represented as an element of disorder and revolution . We might say Avith truth that a great fiat has been issued , for there is not one of our opponents that has not thought it his duty to mingle his
voice in this grand concert of imprecations and anathemas . Have Ave done aught that could justify , even in the slightest degree , this campaign so rudely undertaken against us . I have searched in vain , and I neither see nor know of anything , Avhether as regards the Lodges or the Grand
Orient of France , of a nature to account for this deluge of invectives , or these denunciations before the civil power of our Order . Freemasonry has never deviated from the path it has marked out for itself . It has always maintained that it was unworthy of it to engage in the
struggles of party , and regulating its actions m accordance with its principles , it has always confined itself Avithin the loft y and serene sphere of a generous philosophy , the ruling spirit of Avhich is love of humanity . By all means let Masons iri their character of citizens have this or that
conviction , let them enrol themselves under this or that banner , and give expression to their views in their private assemblies , or by their Avritings , —Avhat matters it ? They are citizens , they are free , it is their right . But when they meet in the Lodge as Masons , then it is important the
Masonic constitutions should be scrupulously observed , that Masonic principles should be rigorously acted upon ; in a Avord , that only Masonic questions should bo discussed and determined . It is at the very time , Avhen this ambiguous charge has been designedly urged against as in public b y
means of the press , and which consists in confounding the moral being of the Lodge with the political or private conduct of some of its members , that Ave are represented as conspirators , unceasingly sapping the foundations of societ y , plotting the overthrow of all civil and religious authority ,
and seeking in our Lodges , under the mask of a cold and passionless course of inquiry , the means for perpetrating the most horrible crimes . Nothing is further removed from the truth ; deceit and injury are the weapons of those Avho are embarked in an unholy cause . Silence should be
our only ansAver , were there not the risk that these l ying assertions atlength find credit , and get propagated ; and thus Ave should become the victims of this terrible conspiracy against an institution , the noblest , the most honourable , the most Avorthy of consideration , esteem , and respect . At
Basle , Ave protested Avith all the force of Avhich Ave Avere capable against these calumnies ; and Ave shall protest always . - But , my Brethren , side by side Avith these protestations Avhich issue , in spite of ourselves , from our indignant souls , Ave have a certain line of conduct to follow ,
if Ave would pass , Avith any chance of safety , the crisis that is before us , and permit me to explain this duty to you in a feAv Avords : as citizens , moderation , prudence , respect for
established laAvs , and confidence in the future ; as Masons , passive obedience to the Constitution Ave have sworn to uphold , and the most scrupulous regard for our statutes and regulations .
It Avas Avith a vieAV to put doAvn any possible violation of Masonic law , a violation Avhich under present circumstances would prove so dangerous , not only to the Lodge that mi ght have committed , but also to the whole Order , that the Council demanded of you that it should be armed Avith
sufficient powers . Yv ell , in thanking that body for its solicitude , let us here solemnly bind ourselves to prove , by our acts , that its fears Avere groundless , that not one among us , nay , not one , is tempted to foolishly compromise the
sacred interests of our beloved Masonry , and never , be the circumstances what they may , to expose ourselves to the accusations of our adversaries by deviating from our strict line of duty , or from the obligation Ave have contracted .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Bro. B. Penchinat's Address At The Close Of The General Assembly Of The G.O. Of France.
BRO . B . PENCHINAT'S ADDRESS AT THE CLOSE OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE G . O . OF FRANCE .
TRANSLATED FROM le Monde Muronnique . BRETHREN " : each time it has been permitted me to take part in the proceedings of the General Assembly of ihe Grand Orient , I have been penetrated with the feeling that it would be difficult to exact of the members who
compose it a better spirit . In the discussion , more or less animated , but always serious , of the questions set down on the various orders of the day , each one brings to it , so to speak , the distinctive marks of his OAVU character and temperament . Yet , in spite of divergencies of opinion , and
though it is Avell ni gh inevitable , there should be , as in every case , triumphant majorities and defeated minorities , the spirit of brotherhood , of conciliation and reciprocal affection is never absent in our Masonic relations .
Whatever may be the results of our ballots , Ave never fail to extend to each other and grasp cordially , and without distinction , the right hand of fellowship . What is the cause , Avhat the reason of this mutual tolerance of which we
feel so proud , of this touching harmony , Avhich nothing disturbs ? It is that we all , within these walls , have but one object in view , it is that all of us are in pursuit of one and the same ideal , the noblest that can be proposed to our energies as men ; it is that , Avhile it is possible Ave may
differ in opinion as to the means by which we hope to attain our purpose , it is impossible Ave should have but one and the same end to attain . Tou know , as I do , what this aim , this ideal , this purpose is ; it is the greatness of our beloved Masonry . As regards this , struggles and disputes are out
of the question . We are of one mind ; our hearts beat in unison , and that love of self , Avhich Ave meet with every-Avhere in the profane Avorld , is powerless to make headway in face of our firm faith , our profound convictions , our inextinguishable love for this grand work of justice and
truth . Our union on this basis is indissoluble , and hence our debates leave behind them no trace of bitterness , no memory of unworthy language , of Avounded feelings , or of injured self-respect , and when the hour of separation is at
hand , we leave behind us no angry nor rancorous feelings , for we all know that each brother has fulfilled his duty in the conscientious performance of what he believed to be good and useful , and for the common weal .
At the opening of this long and laborious session , you nominated Bro . de Saint Jean to preside over yonr labours . It was a just tribute of respect to one Avhose whole Masonic career has been one of perpetual devotion to our cause ; it was a testimony of recognition for those numerous services he
has rendered , and is Avilling to render , and I trust he Avill permit me , on behalf of thebrethren present , to express to him our gratitude . We rel y implicitly on him , and are firmly persuaded that , in all circumstances , he -will know how to protect the sacred interests of that Masonry Avhich is so dear to our hearts .
I shall not enter into details upon all the questionsyou have settled . Your votes inspired by the single desire to see our Order prosperous , to improve our regulations , and to bring our constitution into perfect harmony Avith the progress of society , will , I trust , be attended with happy results . It is
when Ave come to put them in force that Ave shall learn their value ; it is the practical application of the changes Ave have made that will prove Avhether we have been labouring under a delusion , or if our Avork has been beneficial . I earnestly hope that our labours may have been profitable ,
and that our conditions of life , as regards our Lodges , may improve day-by-day . Perfection is not of this Avorld , but human institutions are capable of being perfected , and it is with this perfectibility that we busy ourselves Avhenever we meet within these walls . But there is one of your
decisions on which I shall permit myself to dwell . The Council of the Order , Avhich ordinarily leaves to the Lodges within its jurisdiction the initiative in respect of all bills Avhich have for object the amendment and improvement of the constitution , has this year submitted for your
consideration a plan , to which it appears to have attached the greatest importance , and by the terms of which it claimed for itself the right to deal summarily Avith Venerables and
Orators who may have been guilty of violating the Constitution . From the general purport of the proposal it is easy to see , and none of you can have been mistaken—that among the Masonic crimes of which a President of a Lodge
Bro. B. Penchinat's Address At The Close Of The General Assembly Of The G.O. Of France.
ov an Orator is likely to be guilty , the scheme had specially :: i view the case in Avhich they mig ht have permitted political or religious controversies in the Lodsre : and in order to rono . tr mm-o effective the authority of I ho Council , which always in such cases has the ritrht to stop them in
pursuing a lino of conduct so much to be deplored , by suspending them from office , demanded the poAver of Avithdrawing them from their common rights , and from a trial before the ordinary tribunal , Avith a view to making them amenable to a still higher jurisdiction . Yon know the
result , and I have no intention of re-opening the question , but as regards the causes which brought forward this grave question , I have the right to tell you Avhat I think . For the last two or three years , and especially Avithin the last feAV months , Freemasonry has been assailed Avith the
greatest violence ; it has been denounced , calumniated , turned into ridicule , or represented as an element of disorder and revolution . We might say Avith truth that a great fiat has been issued , for there is not one of our opponents that has not thought it his duty to mingle his
voice in this grand concert of imprecations and anathemas . Have Ave done aught that could justify , even in the slightest degree , this campaign so rudely undertaken against us . I have searched in vain , and I neither see nor know of anything , Avhether as regards the Lodges or the Grand
Orient of France , of a nature to account for this deluge of invectives , or these denunciations before the civil power of our Order . Freemasonry has never deviated from the path it has marked out for itself . It has always maintained that it was unworthy of it to engage in the
struggles of party , and regulating its actions m accordance with its principles , it has always confined itself Avithin the loft y and serene sphere of a generous philosophy , the ruling spirit of Avhich is love of humanity . By all means let Masons iri their character of citizens have this or that
conviction , let them enrol themselves under this or that banner , and give expression to their views in their private assemblies , or by their Avritings , —Avhat matters it ? They are citizens , they are free , it is their right . But when they meet in the Lodge as Masons , then it is important the
Masonic constitutions should be scrupulously observed , that Masonic principles should be rigorously acted upon ; in a Avord , that only Masonic questions should bo discussed and determined . It is at the very time , Avhen this ambiguous charge has been designedly urged against as in public b y
means of the press , and which consists in confounding the moral being of the Lodge with the political or private conduct of some of its members , that Ave are represented as conspirators , unceasingly sapping the foundations of societ y , plotting the overthrow of all civil and religious authority ,
and seeking in our Lodges , under the mask of a cold and passionless course of inquiry , the means for perpetrating the most horrible crimes . Nothing is further removed from the truth ; deceit and injury are the weapons of those Avho are embarked in an unholy cause . Silence should be
our only ansAver , were there not the risk that these l ying assertions atlength find credit , and get propagated ; and thus Ave should become the victims of this terrible conspiracy against an institution , the noblest , the most honourable , the most Avorthy of consideration , esteem , and respect . At
Basle , Ave protested Avith all the force of Avhich Ave Avere capable against these calumnies ; and Ave shall protest always . - But , my Brethren , side by side Avith these protestations Avhich issue , in spite of ourselves , from our indignant souls , Ave have a certain line of conduct to follow ,
if Ave would pass , Avith any chance of safety , the crisis that is before us , and permit me to explain this duty to you in a feAv Avords : as citizens , moderation , prudence , respect for
established laAvs , and confidence in the future ; as Masons , passive obedience to the Constitution Ave have sworn to uphold , and the most scrupulous regard for our statutes and regulations .
It Avas Avith a vieAV to put doAvn any possible violation of Masonic law , a violation Avhich under present circumstances would prove so dangerous , not only to the Lodge that mi ght have committed , but also to the whole Order , that the Council demanded of you that it should be armed Avith
sufficient powers . Yv ell , in thanking that body for its solicitude , let us here solemnly bind ourselves to prove , by our acts , that its fears Avere groundless , that not one among us , nay , not one , is tempted to foolishly compromise the
sacred interests of our beloved Masonry , and never , be the circumstances what they may , to expose ourselves to the accusations of our adversaries by deviating from our strict line of duty , or from the obligation Ave have contracted .