French Views On English Ideas Of Freemasonry.

otherwise . A man may or may not believe in the existence of God and the Immortality of the Soul , aud whether he does so believe or not is held to be of no account , in respect of his eligibility as a candidate for reception into Masonry . We believe that it is in accordance with the old landmarks

of our Order that a candidate for initiation should make a solemn declaration beforehand of his belief in God . This is all we require of him in this one particular . We do not call upon him to declare the nature of that belief ; iu other words , we do not ask if he is a Christian or a Jew , a

Mahommcdan or a Parsee . A simple declaration that he is a theist suffices , ancl once he is admitted into the Fraternity , he will have reason to dread any offence against his religious convictions , for religious , as well as political discussions , are forbidden in our Lodges . Our Paris

correspondent of last week remarks : " Vainly we look into the first pages of the Book of Constitutions for an affirmation of doctrine or declaration of Faith , comprising tho belief in God and the immortality of the soul , as initial principles of Freemasonry . True it is that we find something of the kind in the Charees of the three

degrees . " Our correspondent must pardon us if we differ with him on this very material point . Our " Book of Constitutions " contains , first , a summary of the Ancient Charges and Regulations to be read at the installation of a

Worshipful Master ; secondly , the Charges of a Freemason , & c , & c , " for the use of Lodges ; " and " to be read at the making of new brethren ; " and thirdly , " the Regulations for the Government of the Craft . " Thus our "Book of

Constitutions " contains in effect , a declaration of Masonic principles and the regulations for the government of the Craft arranged separately , but nevertheless to be considered as one book . A candidate on signing the declaration that , inter alia , he will cheerfully conform to all the

antient usages and established customs of the Order , accepts the Charges as Avell as the Regulations , and we have a right to believe that a person about to offer himself as a candidate for initiation will be at the pains of inquiring what manner of society it is he is anxious to join . A man

who offers to become a Freemason will either already understand that he will not be called upon to say or do anything against his conscience , or he will learn this of his proposers . Our Constitutions—that is , our principles and our laws , may be known without difficulty , for are they not published

openly to all the world ? Thus , there is no secrecy as to the initial principles to which a candidate will be invited to subscribe . There is , of course , the risk in England , and doubtless in other countries , that a freethinker , provided he is not notoriously such , may find his way into one of our

Lodges ; but this simply means that some men there are who have no conscience , and will do or say anything iu order to gain some particular end . It is sufficient that he has consented to accept the pre-requisite conditions on which he is admitted . We cannot ensure that his acceptance is

a real one . But these are matters on winch we need not dwell . We began by pointing out that our French brethren do not yet recognise the grounds on which we in the United Kingdom object to the recent proceedings of their Grand Orient . It is not because tbey are bent on banishing all

discussion of religious , as of political , questions from their Lodges . It is not because Ave object to tbe admission of men of all religious opinions . It is because in our judgment

they have destroyed the first and most important of our ancient landmarks , and are now prepared to extend to the atheist the privileges they have hitherto granted only to theists .

We have received copy of an appeal made by the Lodge "Light of the Balkans " ( Le Lucie dei Balcani ) Orient of Belgrade , in the jurisdiction of the Grand Orient of Italy , on behalf of those unfortunate poor and distressed Servians who are now suffering so grievousl y from the terrible calamities of war . The members of the Lodsre have used their

utmost efforts , but the misery is too great to be grappled with by so small a body , and this appeal , which is signed and countersigned by Dr . Marco Pollack , Venerable ( W . M . ) of the Lodge , Cornelius de Draskoczi Treasurer , and Nathan Leuchtag Secretary , respectively , is addressed to

members of all Masonic Lodges throughout the world . Even the smallest donations in money , clothes , or hospital stores will be gratefully received ancl acknowledged in the

official organ of the Grand Orient of Italy . We willingly give publicity to this appeal , ancl sincerely hope it may be fruitful of good in alleviating the distresses of the poor Serbs .

French Views On English Ideas Of Freemasonry.

Wo acknowledge , with fraternal thanks , receipt of the Irish Freemasons' Calendar and Directory for 1878 , " published under the sanction of the Right Worshipful the Grand Lodge of Ireland . " It contains a correct list of all

the Lodges , Chapters , and Preceptorics on the registry of Ireland , and also a list of the present members of the Prince Grand Rose Croix Chapters and higher degrees . Tho other Masonic information it contains is similar

to what we find in our own Grand Lodge Calendar , and relates to Grand Officers , Provincial Grand Officers , distribution of Lodges in the Provinces , days of meetings , & c , & c , with nominal lists of members of tho Board of General Purposes , & c , & c . It is very neatly—we may

say handsomely—got up , and reflects great credit on thoso to whom the work of compilation has been entrusted . We repeat our thanks to tho Deputy Grand Secretary for his fraternal courtesy in forwarding to us this copy , with all

the more heartiness that it will enable us to show our appreciation of the gift by giving - greater publicity in these columns to Masonic doings in Ireland . If our Irish brethren will but kindly furnish us with moi-e intelligence , we shall be enabled to mako our columns move interesting and more acceptable than wo have reason to believe thoy now are .

Like the Lancaster Calendar , which we noticed last week , the Eboracum Masonic Calendar for 1878 will be found very serviceable to tho brethren living in the ancient city of York . It is called " Eboracum , " because the compiler , Bro . Whytehead , is W . M . of the Eboracum Lodge , No .

1611 , and none will doubt the propriety of the name seeing that the city of York was known anciently as " Eboracum . " This little Calendar contains the days of meeting for the Lodges , R . A . Chapter , Mark Lodge , K . T . Preceptory , and Red Cross Chapter , of which the city boasts . Then follow

the Officers of the Prov . G . Lodge N . and E . Yorkshire , and the Lodges under its jurisdiction ; those of the Prov . Grand Chapter and the Chapters under it ; the Mark Lodges , Rose Croix Chapters and other Masonic bodies in the N . and E . Ridings , together with the Craft Lodges in the W . Riding

which are situated near York . The Charges in tho three degrees , the explanation of tho working tools in each , and the " Entered Apprentice " song are appended . It should be added that this almanack is published by the compiler at his own expense , and gratuitously distributed by him among Craftsmen .

The second annual Masonic Ball at Rugby was held under the auspices of the Lodge of Rectitude , No . 502 , on Tuesday , the 15 th inst ., in the large room of the Town Hall , which had been beautifully decorated for the occasion . The scene was a very animated one . The

number of visitors was 1 G 0 , ancl not only wero there the brethren in their Masonic clothing , but a goodly number of officers in their regimentals were present in addition , and these , with the gay dresses of the fair sex , made the ball one of the most brilliant that could well be

imagined . The supper was excellent , ancl the wines of good quality . The Duke of Rutland ' s band played a choice selection of music , and dancing was kept up with

great zest till the small hours of the morning . The whole of the arrangements were under the direction of Bro . Henry Bennett , and he is to be congratulated on the success which attendee ! his efforts .

The Fourth Annual Ball of the Finsbury Park Lodge , No . 1288 , was held at the Myddelton Hall , Islington , on Tuesday . The Stewards were Bros . T . Goode , J . W . Simmonds , B . Jackson , C . J . G . Wood , F . Goode , S . Price , R . Hollyman , VV . Fysh , and Cook . Bro . F . S .

Rothschild was Hon . Secretary , and Bro . T . Goode Treasurer to the Committee . Upon Bro . T . Meekham devolved the arduous duties of M . C . ; not that on a festive occasion like

this the duties are so very arduous , but the office is one requiring firmness and tact , ancl Bro . Meekham displayed these to advantage . There was a 1 arge attendance , ancl everything passed off most satisfactorily .

A Convocation of the Provincial Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Berks ancl Bucks will be held at the Masonic Hall , Windsor , at 12 o ' clock noon , on Tuesday , the 29 th inst ., for the appointment of Provincial Grand Officers , ancl the despatch of other business . The banquet will be served at the Windsor Castle Hotel , at 1 o ' clock .