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Article UNITED GRAND LODGE. Page 1 of 1 Article FRENCH FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
United Grand Lodge.
UNITED GRAND LODGE .
There is a very general agreement of opinion among the brethren that considering the amazing increase which has taken place of late years in the number of lodges on the roll of United Grand Lodge , the officers whom it is in the power of the Grand Master to appoint annually are too few , and that the time has come for the creation of additional offices . Such a
proposition was recommended for adoption by the Board of General Purposes in September last , but objection was successfully taken to one of the appointments proposed to be created , and the President of the Board—Bro . THOMAS FENN—conceiving that , when the first of the recommendations had been rejected , it was not in his power to proceed with the rest , withdrew the
scheme altogether , in order that he might take further counsel on the subject with the Pro Grand Master . That counsel has since been taken , and a modified form of the original proposition will be submitted to Grand Lodge at its Quarterly Communication on Wednesday next , the 7 th instant . It will be in the recollection of our readers that the original scheme included ,
so far as Grand Lodge is concerned , thc appointment of six new officers , namely , a Grand Chancellor , with rank and precedence next after the Wardens ; four additional Grand Deacons ; and a Deputy Grand Sword Bearer . The new scheme likewise provides for thc appointment of six new officers , namely , a Deputy Grand Registrar , with rink and precedence next
after the Grand Registrar ; two additional Grand Deacons ; two additional Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies ; and a Deputy Grand Sword Bearer . As regards Provinces and Districts , the September resolution recommended that in Provinces and Districts containing 50 lodges and upwards , there should be appointed two additional Provincial and District
Grand Deacons ; in those of 75 lodges and upwards , four additional Provincial and District Grand Deacons ; and in those of 100 lodges and upwards , a Provincial and District Grand Chancellor , four additional Provincial and District Grand Deacons , and a Provincial and District Deputy Grand Sword Bearer . The new scheme recommends that in Provinces and
Districts having 40 lodges and upwards , there should be appointed two additional Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies ; in those of 70 lodges and upwards , two additional Provincial and District Grand Deacons , and two additional Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies ; and in those of 100 lodges and upwards , a Provincial and District Deputy Grand Registrar ,
two additional Provincial and District Grand Deacons , two additional Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies , and a Provincial and District Deputy Grand Sword Bearer . On the whole , we consider the modified scheme is a decided improvement on the original , firstly , because it involves no material disturbance of the existing order of precedence ; and secondly ,
because as regards that portion of it which relates to the Provinces and Districts , there will be more of them entitled to participate in the benefits proposed to be conferred . Under the September proposal no Districts received additional offices , and only the following among the Provinces , namely , the two I . ancashires , with over 100 lodges ; West
Yorkshire , with 75 lodges and upwards ; and Devonshire and Kent , with 50 lodges and upwards . Under the new scheme there will benefited the two Lancashires and West Yorkshire as before , and Cheshire , Devonshire , Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , Kent , and Middlesex among the Provinces , and Bengal and Queensland among the Districts , all these having
¦ '•> lodges and upwards on their respective rolls . Moreover , as regards the new legal officer , we greatly prefer thc present to the former proposal , but though we ourselves suggested the appointment of one or more Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies—who would be useful on State occasions , w'hen the brethren assemble in greater numbers than usual , as well as
ornamental—we consider the old scheme , with its four additional Deacons and a deputy Sword Bearer , better than the present one . After all , however , iny difference of opinion that may exist on this point is ol comparatively ¦• tile moment . The main object of the resolution being to augment thc
"umber of appointments at the disposal of the Grand Master , and the "uthorities having gracefully consulted the wishes of the brethren in respect of the new legal officer , we are strongly in favour of the acceptance of the Present scheme in its entirety .
French Freemasonry.
FRENCH FREEMASONRY .
The following is a translation of an article which appeared in Le Coitrrier de Londres et de VEurope , and which , as it enables us to form some idea of the present degraded condition of Freemasonry in France , cannot fail to prove of interest , albeit of a painful character , to our readers :
" ' Preemasonry is founded on a belief in the existence of God and the immortality of the soul . ' Such have been from time immemorial the terms of the first Article of the Masonic Constitutions ; but 15 years
since , the Grand Orient of France suppressed this profession of faith , which the Freemasons of all other countries have unanimously maintained , and still maintain , as the fundamental principle of our Society . As in adopting this grave resolution , the assembly of the Grand Orient declared
that it did so in the name of Liberty of Conscience , it might reasonably have been assumed that every Freemason would be at liberty to believe as he liked , but any such assumption would be utterl y wrong . Individual
beliefs are absolutely condemned , and are merely permitted to efface themselves in favour of the political credo imposed by the Rue Cadet . ' War to religion ! ' are the opening words of the new formula , and M . BI . ATII - * , a former Radical Deputy , has been able to declare , without a smile , and
without extorting a smile from others , that the morality of Freemasonry is far and away superior to the morality of Christianity . ' It is Christian morality , ' says this illustrious unknown , ' which , by preaching contempt for mere earthly enjoyments , and as a consequence for cleanliness , has brought upon us the present visitation of cholera .
" Is it then surprising that , when such childish nonsence as this is warml y applauded , the Grand Orient of France should have adopted what , from a political point of view , must be regarded as a series of important resolutions . Thus , for the future , all Freemasons , and especially those who belong to any political society , will be required to demand and vote without delay for
thc separation of Church and State , the suppression of the Budget of Public Worship , and the withdrawal of the Embassy accredited to the Vatican . Those Deputies who are Freemasons , and who , in obedience no doubt to the dictates of expediency and patriotism , have hitherto favoured
the postponement of these reforms , have been severely censured . Their one remaining duty is to be on their best behaviour , for the officials at the Rue Cadet have an abiding faith in their own infallibility , and are quite prepared in case of need to pass sentence of excommunication on those who disobey their edicts .
" The obedience they exact is absolute , and there is no such thing as pardon . Be it said , however , to the credit of a minority , which is respectable in point of numbers , that the new programme is very far from having extorted unanimous approval . Several members of the council of the Order have gone so far as to tender their resignations , while the
representative of thc lodge at Rheims has not hesitated to declare that it would cease to continue its obedience to the Grand Orient if , contrary to the constitutions of Freemasonry , the latter should adopt resolutions that were purely political . Of this declaration which bears on the face of it the stamp of sound sense and truth , naturally no notice whatever has been
taken , for the Grand Orient has openly declared itself to be bea political body , a medium for the diffusion of extreme radical opinions , and very soon we shall find it has passed from the domain of theory to that of practice . " We have grave doubts as to the legality of such an association , though we have no intention of invoking the aid of the State authorities to suppress
it . On the contrary , in that spirit of tolerance which does not characterise its members , we reckon on the wisdom and steady perseverance of the minority , as well as upon Time itself , to witness the return of the Grand Orient of France to the healthy principles of the old Masonic Constitution . Ever since it has devoted itself to politics , it has done nothing but trample
under foot that liberty of conscience which it should be the lirst to respect . Instead of maintaining peace and harmony within and without its portals , as was its bounden duty , it has done nothing but stir up political animosities throughout the country , and has caused the lodges in other countries to close their doors against its members . This is enough , indeed more than enough ,
and it now remains for men of moderation and sense , like the representative of thc lodge at Rheims , to make strenuous efforts 10 induce the Grand Orient to renounce absolutely its false position as a political body , and return to those noble principles which are the basis of true Freemasonry—to wit . Brotherly I . ove , Relief , and Truth . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
United Grand Lodge.
UNITED GRAND LODGE .
There is a very general agreement of opinion among the brethren that considering the amazing increase which has taken place of late years in the number of lodges on the roll of United Grand Lodge , the officers whom it is in the power of the Grand Master to appoint annually are too few , and that the time has come for the creation of additional offices . Such a
proposition was recommended for adoption by the Board of General Purposes in September last , but objection was successfully taken to one of the appointments proposed to be created , and the President of the Board—Bro . THOMAS FENN—conceiving that , when the first of the recommendations had been rejected , it was not in his power to proceed with the rest , withdrew the
scheme altogether , in order that he might take further counsel on the subject with the Pro Grand Master . That counsel has since been taken , and a modified form of the original proposition will be submitted to Grand Lodge at its Quarterly Communication on Wednesday next , the 7 th instant . It will be in the recollection of our readers that the original scheme included ,
so far as Grand Lodge is concerned , thc appointment of six new officers , namely , a Grand Chancellor , with rank and precedence next after the Wardens ; four additional Grand Deacons ; and a Deputy Grand Sword Bearer . The new scheme likewise provides for thc appointment of six new officers , namely , a Deputy Grand Registrar , with rink and precedence next
after the Grand Registrar ; two additional Grand Deacons ; two additional Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies ; and a Deputy Grand Sword Bearer . As regards Provinces and Districts , the September resolution recommended that in Provinces and Districts containing 50 lodges and upwards , there should be appointed two additional Provincial and District
Grand Deacons ; in those of 75 lodges and upwards , four additional Provincial and District Grand Deacons ; and in those of 100 lodges and upwards , a Provincial and District Grand Chancellor , four additional Provincial and District Grand Deacons , and a Provincial and District Deputy Grand Sword Bearer . The new scheme recommends that in Provinces and
Districts having 40 lodges and upwards , there should be appointed two additional Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies ; in those of 70 lodges and upwards , two additional Provincial and District Grand Deacons , and two additional Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies ; and in those of 100 lodges and upwards , a Provincial and District Deputy Grand Registrar ,
two additional Provincial and District Grand Deacons , two additional Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies , and a Provincial and District Deputy Grand Sword Bearer . On the whole , we consider the modified scheme is a decided improvement on the original , firstly , because it involves no material disturbance of the existing order of precedence ; and secondly ,
because as regards that portion of it which relates to the Provinces and Districts , there will be more of them entitled to participate in the benefits proposed to be conferred . Under the September proposal no Districts received additional offices , and only the following among the Provinces , namely , the two I . ancashires , with over 100 lodges ; West
Yorkshire , with 75 lodges and upwards ; and Devonshire and Kent , with 50 lodges and upwards . Under the new scheme there will benefited the two Lancashires and West Yorkshire as before , and Cheshire , Devonshire , Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , Kent , and Middlesex among the Provinces , and Bengal and Queensland among the Districts , all these having
¦ '•> lodges and upwards on their respective rolls . Moreover , as regards the new legal officer , we greatly prefer thc present to the former proposal , but though we ourselves suggested the appointment of one or more Assistant Grand Directors of Ceremonies—who would be useful on State occasions , w'hen the brethren assemble in greater numbers than usual , as well as
ornamental—we consider the old scheme , with its four additional Deacons and a deputy Sword Bearer , better than the present one . After all , however , iny difference of opinion that may exist on this point is ol comparatively ¦• tile moment . The main object of the resolution being to augment thc
"umber of appointments at the disposal of the Grand Master , and the "uthorities having gracefully consulted the wishes of the brethren in respect of the new legal officer , we are strongly in favour of the acceptance of the Present scheme in its entirety .
French Freemasonry.
FRENCH FREEMASONRY .
The following is a translation of an article which appeared in Le Coitrrier de Londres et de VEurope , and which , as it enables us to form some idea of the present degraded condition of Freemasonry in France , cannot fail to prove of interest , albeit of a painful character , to our readers :
" ' Preemasonry is founded on a belief in the existence of God and the immortality of the soul . ' Such have been from time immemorial the terms of the first Article of the Masonic Constitutions ; but 15 years
since , the Grand Orient of France suppressed this profession of faith , which the Freemasons of all other countries have unanimously maintained , and still maintain , as the fundamental principle of our Society . As in adopting this grave resolution , the assembly of the Grand Orient declared
that it did so in the name of Liberty of Conscience , it might reasonably have been assumed that every Freemason would be at liberty to believe as he liked , but any such assumption would be utterl y wrong . Individual
beliefs are absolutely condemned , and are merely permitted to efface themselves in favour of the political credo imposed by the Rue Cadet . ' War to religion ! ' are the opening words of the new formula , and M . BI . ATII - * , a former Radical Deputy , has been able to declare , without a smile , and
without extorting a smile from others , that the morality of Freemasonry is far and away superior to the morality of Christianity . ' It is Christian morality , ' says this illustrious unknown , ' which , by preaching contempt for mere earthly enjoyments , and as a consequence for cleanliness , has brought upon us the present visitation of cholera .
" Is it then surprising that , when such childish nonsence as this is warml y applauded , the Grand Orient of France should have adopted what , from a political point of view , must be regarded as a series of important resolutions . Thus , for the future , all Freemasons , and especially those who belong to any political society , will be required to demand and vote without delay for
thc separation of Church and State , the suppression of the Budget of Public Worship , and the withdrawal of the Embassy accredited to the Vatican . Those Deputies who are Freemasons , and who , in obedience no doubt to the dictates of expediency and patriotism , have hitherto favoured
the postponement of these reforms , have been severely censured . Their one remaining duty is to be on their best behaviour , for the officials at the Rue Cadet have an abiding faith in their own infallibility , and are quite prepared in case of need to pass sentence of excommunication on those who disobey their edicts .
" The obedience they exact is absolute , and there is no such thing as pardon . Be it said , however , to the credit of a minority , which is respectable in point of numbers , that the new programme is very far from having extorted unanimous approval . Several members of the council of the Order have gone so far as to tender their resignations , while the
representative of thc lodge at Rheims has not hesitated to declare that it would cease to continue its obedience to the Grand Orient if , contrary to the constitutions of Freemasonry , the latter should adopt resolutions that were purely political . Of this declaration which bears on the face of it the stamp of sound sense and truth , naturally no notice whatever has been
taken , for the Grand Orient has openly declared itself to be bea political body , a medium for the diffusion of extreme radical opinions , and very soon we shall find it has passed from the domain of theory to that of practice . " We have grave doubts as to the legality of such an association , though we have no intention of invoking the aid of the State authorities to suppress
it . On the contrary , in that spirit of tolerance which does not characterise its members , we reckon on the wisdom and steady perseverance of the minority , as well as upon Time itself , to witness the return of the Grand Orient of France to the healthy principles of the old Masonic Constitution . Ever since it has devoted itself to politics , it has done nothing but trample
under foot that liberty of conscience which it should be the lirst to respect . Instead of maintaining peace and harmony within and without its portals , as was its bounden duty , it has done nothing but stir up political animosities throughout the country , and has caused the lodges in other countries to close their doors against its members . This is enough , indeed more than enough ,
and it now remains for men of moderation and sense , like the representative of thc lodge at Rheims , to make strenuous efforts 10 induce the Grand Orient to renounce absolutely its false position as a political body , and return to those noble principles which are the basis of true Freemasonry—to wit . Brotherly I . ove , Relief , and Truth . "