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United Grand Lodge.
this conclusion . He wished to add another word with reference to the certificates of French Masons . All the French certificates that hc had seen had upon them " Au Nom du Grand Architect de l'Univers . " Where certificates with that upon them were presented , there could be no difficulty as to the date at which a French Mason was admitted to the Order . Certificates given after thc recent decision of
the Grand Orient would of course not bear the words hc had referred to . Thc Earl of Carnarvon said the answer to these questions were of course extremely simple . The document mentioned by Bro . Symonds would he laid before the committee ; that was one of the points which they would have to arrange about . With regard to the certificates
the only safe course would be to observe the actual date in figures upon the certificate , and not anything which was part of thc form . His own belief was that during the short time the committee would be sitting inquiring into this matter , it was extremely unlikely that a French Mason whose certificate was issued subsequent to the recent action of Grand Orient would present himself to an
English lodge . His Lordship then put the motion , which was carried unanimously . The Earl of Carnarvon : Brethren , I wish before reading the names of the members of the committee , just for the information of the Grand Lodge , to mention that the date on which this declaration of the Grand Orient of France
was passed , was the 13 th September , of this year . I will now proceed to read the names of the proposed committee . They have been drawn up with all care , but it is impossible that they can approximate in number those brethren I see before me . But in those names Grand Lodge will find that they are representative of the brethren , and that they will approach this subject with
that amount of fairness and impartiality and calmess of Judgment on thc question on which all calmness should be applied . The committee I propose will consist of eleven members—myself , Lord Skelmersdale , Lord Leigh , Lord Tenterden , Lord Donoughmore , Bros . Mclntyrc , Havers , Monckton , Martyn , Levander , and Gould . Bro . the Rev . J . Edmund Cox thought the committee
was admirably constituted as a whole ; but there were officers of Grand Lodge that might have been selected ; he referred to the Grand Chaplains . No one could be more interested in the question than they ; and he thought one or two of those brethren might be added to the committee . He would propose that the two Grand Chaplains be added . Bro . C . W . Hutton , P . G . D ., seconded the amendment .
Bro . the Rev . John Robbins , D . D ., P . M . 1635 , thought it the height of unfairness that any Grand Chaplain should be on the committee . As a clergyman of the Church of England he objected . Another Rev . Bro ., P . G . C . ol Lord Carnarvon ' s province , begged to second the remark of Bro . Robbins . It woultl be a most unfortunate thing that clerical brethren should
be on the committee to consider this question . Bro . the Rev . C . W . Arnold , G . C , quite agreed with what hid just been said . This was not a matter for a Grand Chaplain to interfere with in the slightest elegrce , because he consideredjit was one of the great principles upon which Freemasonry rested . Freemasonry was founded upsn the Volume of the Sacred Law ; and no brother coultl be
initiated unless he was initiated upon that volume . He thought it far better that thc Grand Chaplains should be exonerated from any such duty as serving on the committee . ( Applause ) . Bro . thc Rev . R . J . Lampour : —I must say that the Grand Chaplains at all events would be quite as competent to judge of the matter as any other brethren of the
Order . I feel that if they were appointed they would be as able to give as good an opinion as any brother . I don ' t sec why Grand Chaplains should be applauded for giving way on this occasion , or , because a brother suggests a Chaplain should be appointed on the committee the voice of Grand Lodge should be against him on that account . I think equality should be observed in this as in all other
cases ; -nnd Grand Chaplains are equally competent to judge on this question as on others . The Earl of Carnarvon : I think the general sense ol Grand Lodge has been very fairly expressed . It is quite clear on the one hand that they value and greatly appreciate our Grand Chaplains . On the other hand we think it would be unfortunate to place them on this committee
in such numbers as would imply a preponderating weight on a vote put to them , and , therefore , as far as I consider , thc Grand Lodge sanctions this committee , which I believe fairly represents the feeling of Grand Lodge . I say in fairness , because I never like the idea of any misapprehension on any question that may arise . I ought to make Grand Lodge understand—which I am not quite sure they
• do at this moment—that Bro . Martyn , whom it is proposed to put on this committee , is a Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and a . very distinguished Mason ( hear , hear ) . Still he is a Past Grand Chaplain , and I do not think Grand Lodge would for a moment hold that they ought to disqualify him ( hear , hear ) . The question ,
therefore , I have now to put to you is this " That these names constitute the committee . " The motion was carried mem . con . Grand Secretary read the following letter from the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of New Brunswick : — Very Worshipful Sir and Brother , —
At the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of New Brunswick , held at thc City of St . John , on the 27 th Sept . inst ., it was unanimously resolved that the fraternal sympathy and condolence of the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Free and Honorable Fraternity of Accepted Masons of New Brunswick be transmitted to Grand Lodge of England consequent on the death of the Earl of Shrewsbury , Prov . G . M . Staffordshire , and an eminent brother of the fraternity , under whose fostering care the
United Grand Lodge.
noble charities of the Craft had increased , and whose memory is revered by his brethren in all quarters of the globe . By order of the Grand Lodge , WM . F . BUNTING , G . S . This letter was ordered to be received and entered on
the minutes . Bro . A . B . Cook rose to nominate the M . W . G . M . for the ensuing year . He said : —M . W . Pro Grand Master . I rise for the purpose of proposing the nomination of His Royal Hig hness the Prince of Wales for Grand Master for the ensuing year . This is a nomination which I feel sure will be acceptable to every member of the Craft , and
which will require very few words from mc to ensure it a cordial reception . It may be a matter of some regret to all of us that the numerous calls upon his time which our Koyal Grand Master has , prevents his coming among us more frequently than he does ; but I am sure you feel that although he is not present with us , still the well-being of the Craft is at all times in his thoughts . I think this
year we have had very good proofs of this , for whenever there is something of more than ordinary importance the Most Worshipful Grand Master has in his own name put a notice of motion on the paper on the subject . I really do not think that I need detain you any longer on the subject . I simply express the wish and the unanimous feeling ot every member of the Order , who desire to show
His Roy-il Highness how much his services are at all times regarded by the Craft . 1 beg , therefore , to nominate His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales as Grand Master of Freemasons for the ensuing year . ( Applause . ) The Earl of Carnarvon then appointed Bro . J . M . Clabon , P . G . D ., President of the Board of Benevolence , and announced that Bro . Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B ., hatl
been duly elected . Senior Vice-President , and Bro . James Brett , P . G . P ., Junior Vice-President . The election of twelve P . M ' s . to serve on the Lodge of Benevolence was then proceeded with , and scrutineers were appointed . The following brethren were elected : Bros . C . Atkins , P . M . 27 ; H . Bartlett , P . M . 147 ; C . P .
Cobham , P . M . 957 ; J . Constable , P-M . 185 ; H . Dicketts , P . M . 25 ; H . Garrod , P . M . 749 ; C . F . " Hogard , P . M . 205 ; H . C . Levander , P . M . 142 ; W . Mann , P . M . 186 ; O . Robert--, P . M . 188 ; G . Smith , P . M . 21 . The grants recommended by the Lotlge of Benevolence , as given in the Freemason last week were afterwards confirmed , and the report of the Bond of General Purposes
was adopted . After thc appeals had been decided Bro . the Rev . Robert J . Simpson , P . G . Chaplain , moved : — 1 . That the 300 petitions now presented to Grand Lodge on what is commonly called "The German e-uestion " be received .
2 . That whereas it appears from the Book of Constitutions of the Grand National Lodge of the Prussian States ( called The Three Globes , held at Berlin ) that those only who profess the Christian faith are eligible to become members of the Craft in any Lodge within its jurisdiction , this Grand Lodge , in the interests of Masonry , would respectfully suggest to the Grand Lodge aforesaid a reconsideration of the following section of the Book of Constitutions : —
Page 50 , Section 16 5 , Clause 1 . In the jurisdiction of the Great National Mother Lodge ( of The Three Globes ) only those may be proposed for acceptance into Freemasonry who acknowledge Christian belief ( Christlichcn Glauben ) without distinction of sect .
Pagej 1 , Section 167 . It is necessary for the candidate to state , & c . Clause 3 . —His religion ( Creed ) . Clause 9—Whether he has tried hitherto to fulfil his duties as a Christian citizen , and whether he will continue to do so .
p age 57 . Clause 197 . Every brother who wishes to join a lodge of our Constitution must be of Christian faith , and able to give his honourable discharge from his former Lodge by a written discharge therefrom , & c , & c , & c , with a view to widening the basis on which German Masonry now stands , and bringing it into more complete
and fraternal harmony with Freemasonry throughout the world . 3 . That in order to give effect to the foregoing resolutions the M . W . Giand Master be respectfully requested to communicate them to the Grand Lotlge of Germany in any manner His Royal Highness may deem most expedient .
Bro . thc Rev . Robert Simpson , P . G . Chaplain , said that he should be saved a good deal of trouble , and b e saving a good deal of patience of Grand Lodge , by at once stating that many of the arguments which had been advanced so forcibly and eloquently upon a kindred question by the Pro . Grand Master , applied to the question which he had now the honour to lay before the brethren .
This was an age of extremes , and truth , as the great Greek philosopher said of the virtues , generally lay in the mean between those extremes . It was a significant and very remarkable fact that on the very same night should be discussed in Grand Lodge , two departures from the ancient landmarks of Freemasonry in exactly opposite directions , the one taking from that Masonry which we believed to
exist within it , and the other attempting to contract its principles by excluding a large body of men . In 1841 Bro . Behrend , who was initiated in the Lodge of Joppa , went to Germany and presented himself at a German lodge . He was refused admission on the ground that he was not
a Christian . Subsequently Bro . Faudel , well known as a Past Grand Officer of the Grand Lodge of England , and another brother , who was present to-night ( Bro . Hutton ) taking a very great interest in this question , went to Germany and knocked at the door in order to gain admittance . They were met by the question " are you a Christian , " and
United Grand Lodge.
they declined to answer . Lord Zetland when the matter was brought before him said thatif thc German lodges refused to recognise an English certificate presented by whomsoever it might be , provided he was a good and worthy man , he ( the Grand Master ) , should feel called on to withdraw his representative fiom the Grantl Lodge of Berlin , and however pleased he might be to see the Chevalier who was
here as a visitor to Grand Lodge , under such circumstances he could not receive him in his representative capacity . In consequence of that action was taken in Germany , and in the year 1872 , a letter was read by Grand Lodge of England upon the subject from the Royal York Lodge of Friendship , and of the three Grand Lodges of Germany , to the effect that revision of the Book of Constitutions of
those lodges having taken place nine years before , a new revision was made in thc present year , and the t'uestion of the initiation of Jews was again deliberated . The Secretary of those lodges said he was happy to announce that thc Royal York Lodge was now receiving Jews . Thc letter concluded in very fraternal terms . Now they coultl not believe that Masons of the other two Grand Lodges
of Germany would be so utterly different in principle and temperament as not to consider a subject which was favourably considered by thc other lodges . He would therefore say that in consequence of representations made to him within the last ten or twelve months that he ventured to anticipate those remarks which might be made , by saying that he did not propose to
interfere with , or dictate to thc Grand Lodges of Germany , but that it was desirable to hold out the right hand of fellowship in Germany to those to whom we had held it We had a right to believe that Masonry was not like the nations , unhappily divided , but that it boasted to be one brotherhood throughout the world . If we were to take the analogy of a single family to which Freemasonry
should belong—could it be an interference if a brother suggested in the kindest and most courteous manner that such antl such a thing was likely to create a family feud ? He coultl not for a moment conceive how it could be supposed if Masons were true Mason ' s that such an intervention could be constructed into an interference . In addition to that hc might say we had one
of thc great Grantl Lodges of Germany setting this example , and he doubted not that many Masons connected with the Grand Lodge , as well as with other Grand Lodges , would hail this measure as a means by which their hands would be strengthened , antl instead of looking upon it as an interference would regard it as giving power to their great cause . In Germany
there was a large number of persons of the Jewish faith—' good respectable citizens , held in high esteem by their friends , and also in England they were held in high esteem , and many of them held some of the most elevated positions in the land . If that was the case it was not only an indignity to Jewish subjects to be excluded from lodges , but it was a matter of great regret to those who were of thc
same race and religion in this land to feel that they were excluded from the privilege abroad which as men and as Masons these brethren possessed here Hc could not but feel as it thc old definition of sympathy was correct — that if one member suffered all the members sufferetl with it ; and if one member rejoiced all the members rejoiced , it ought to
apply to brethren of Freemasonry throughout thc world . He would put a case—a brother went to Germany to reside , and wished to become a joining member of a German lodge . Hc was told that hc could not be a joining member , but might be a subscribing member , or a visitor without the power to vote . In that case he was only tolerated , not taken by the hantl as a brother standing upon
regular ground . If he ( Bro . Simpson ) was in such a position he should not trouble lodges of Germany much with his presence . It was perfectly true that the Grand Lodge of England certificate might be now received in Germany , but it was equally true that it did not admit even those Masons who held it to equal privileges of the Masons of Germany ; and in the two jurisdictions to which he
hatl alluded men were not permitted to be initiated who did not hold the Christian faith . They had heard much that evening of what Freemasonry was or ought to be , and if he had learncel anything of Freemasonry in time past he had always believed that looking on the one side and the other that the five great landmarks were alone to be held in belief in the great God and the
Architect of the Universe ; belief in the immortality of thc Soul ; antl . on the other morality and the practice of charity ; and he believed as a beam of light between both worlds and the mighty power of prayer . Anything short of this , and anything beyond this was not genuine Freemasonry , and therefore he thought all had a right to appeal to the Grand Orient of France to take measures in
reference to what they had done ; and he thought we were equally learned , though in a different direction , to act in a much milder and kinder way in regard to the step which excluded thousands of worthy and good men from thc Order . If there was one section of men connected with Freemasonry more than another with whom he ventured to say wc should have strong sympathy it was the men
of that ancient race who had engraved their history upon the annals of time , whose ; old writings were an ornament to literature , whose great names sprang from mighty kings ; whose traditions and associations were such that belore them those of modern elays " paled them in effectual fires ; " above all , these men , whose writings , whose associations , whose words were continually
associated , and mdissolubly entwined with the traditions , symbols , ritual and literature of Freemasonry , that these men should not be excluded from any privilege of Freemasonry in any part of the world . Bro . C . W . Hutton in seconding the motion said , that in 1846 Bro . Faudel and he when this question was mooted , and the present Emperor of Germany was Master of the German Grand Lodges , put the matter to the test by going
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
United Grand Lodge.
this conclusion . He wished to add another word with reference to the certificates of French Masons . All the French certificates that hc had seen had upon them " Au Nom du Grand Architect de l'Univers . " Where certificates with that upon them were presented , there could be no difficulty as to the date at which a French Mason was admitted to the Order . Certificates given after thc recent decision of
the Grand Orient would of course not bear the words hc had referred to . Thc Earl of Carnarvon said the answer to these questions were of course extremely simple . The document mentioned by Bro . Symonds would he laid before the committee ; that was one of the points which they would have to arrange about . With regard to the certificates
the only safe course would be to observe the actual date in figures upon the certificate , and not anything which was part of thc form . His own belief was that during the short time the committee would be sitting inquiring into this matter , it was extremely unlikely that a French Mason whose certificate was issued subsequent to the recent action of Grand Orient would present himself to an
English lodge . His Lordship then put the motion , which was carried unanimously . The Earl of Carnarvon : Brethren , I wish before reading the names of the members of the committee , just for the information of the Grand Lodge , to mention that the date on which this declaration of the Grand Orient of France
was passed , was the 13 th September , of this year . I will now proceed to read the names of the proposed committee . They have been drawn up with all care , but it is impossible that they can approximate in number those brethren I see before me . But in those names Grand Lodge will find that they are representative of the brethren , and that they will approach this subject with
that amount of fairness and impartiality and calmess of Judgment on thc question on which all calmness should be applied . The committee I propose will consist of eleven members—myself , Lord Skelmersdale , Lord Leigh , Lord Tenterden , Lord Donoughmore , Bros . Mclntyrc , Havers , Monckton , Martyn , Levander , and Gould . Bro . the Rev . J . Edmund Cox thought the committee
was admirably constituted as a whole ; but there were officers of Grand Lodge that might have been selected ; he referred to the Grand Chaplains . No one could be more interested in the question than they ; and he thought one or two of those brethren might be added to the committee . He would propose that the two Grand Chaplains be added . Bro . C . W . Hutton , P . G . D ., seconded the amendment .
Bro . the Rev . John Robbins , D . D ., P . M . 1635 , thought it the height of unfairness that any Grand Chaplain should be on the committee . As a clergyman of the Church of England he objected . Another Rev . Bro ., P . G . C . ol Lord Carnarvon ' s province , begged to second the remark of Bro . Robbins . It woultl be a most unfortunate thing that clerical brethren should
be on the committee to consider this question . Bro . the Rev . C . W . Arnold , G . C , quite agreed with what hid just been said . This was not a matter for a Grand Chaplain to interfere with in the slightest elegrce , because he consideredjit was one of the great principles upon which Freemasonry rested . Freemasonry was founded upsn the Volume of the Sacred Law ; and no brother coultl be
initiated unless he was initiated upon that volume . He thought it far better that thc Grand Chaplains should be exonerated from any such duty as serving on the committee . ( Applause ) . Bro . thc Rev . R . J . Lampour : —I must say that the Grand Chaplains at all events would be quite as competent to judge of the matter as any other brethren of the
Order . I feel that if they were appointed they would be as able to give as good an opinion as any brother . I don ' t sec why Grand Chaplains should be applauded for giving way on this occasion , or , because a brother suggests a Chaplain should be appointed on the committee the voice of Grand Lodge should be against him on that account . I think equality should be observed in this as in all other
cases ; -nnd Grand Chaplains are equally competent to judge on this question as on others . The Earl of Carnarvon : I think the general sense ol Grand Lodge has been very fairly expressed . It is quite clear on the one hand that they value and greatly appreciate our Grand Chaplains . On the other hand we think it would be unfortunate to place them on this committee
in such numbers as would imply a preponderating weight on a vote put to them , and , therefore , as far as I consider , thc Grand Lodge sanctions this committee , which I believe fairly represents the feeling of Grand Lodge . I say in fairness , because I never like the idea of any misapprehension on any question that may arise . I ought to make Grand Lodge understand—which I am not quite sure they
• do at this moment—that Bro . Martyn , whom it is proposed to put on this committee , is a Deputy Provincial Grand Master , and a . very distinguished Mason ( hear , hear ) . Still he is a Past Grand Chaplain , and I do not think Grand Lodge would for a moment hold that they ought to disqualify him ( hear , hear ) . The question ,
therefore , I have now to put to you is this " That these names constitute the committee . " The motion was carried mem . con . Grand Secretary read the following letter from the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of New Brunswick : — Very Worshipful Sir and Brother , —
At the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of New Brunswick , held at thc City of St . John , on the 27 th Sept . inst ., it was unanimously resolved that the fraternal sympathy and condolence of the Grand Lodge of the Ancient Free and Honorable Fraternity of Accepted Masons of New Brunswick be transmitted to Grand Lodge of England consequent on the death of the Earl of Shrewsbury , Prov . G . M . Staffordshire , and an eminent brother of the fraternity , under whose fostering care the
United Grand Lodge.
noble charities of the Craft had increased , and whose memory is revered by his brethren in all quarters of the globe . By order of the Grand Lodge , WM . F . BUNTING , G . S . This letter was ordered to be received and entered on
the minutes . Bro . A . B . Cook rose to nominate the M . W . G . M . for the ensuing year . He said : —M . W . Pro Grand Master . I rise for the purpose of proposing the nomination of His Royal Hig hness the Prince of Wales for Grand Master for the ensuing year . This is a nomination which I feel sure will be acceptable to every member of the Craft , and
which will require very few words from mc to ensure it a cordial reception . It may be a matter of some regret to all of us that the numerous calls upon his time which our Koyal Grand Master has , prevents his coming among us more frequently than he does ; but I am sure you feel that although he is not present with us , still the well-being of the Craft is at all times in his thoughts . I think this
year we have had very good proofs of this , for whenever there is something of more than ordinary importance the Most Worshipful Grand Master has in his own name put a notice of motion on the paper on the subject . I really do not think that I need detain you any longer on the subject . I simply express the wish and the unanimous feeling ot every member of the Order , who desire to show
His Roy-il Highness how much his services are at all times regarded by the Craft . 1 beg , therefore , to nominate His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales as Grand Master of Freemasons for the ensuing year . ( Applause . ) The Earl of Carnarvon then appointed Bro . J . M . Clabon , P . G . D ., President of the Board of Benevolence , and announced that Bro . Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B ., hatl
been duly elected . Senior Vice-President , and Bro . James Brett , P . G . P ., Junior Vice-President . The election of twelve P . M ' s . to serve on the Lodge of Benevolence was then proceeded with , and scrutineers were appointed . The following brethren were elected : Bros . C . Atkins , P . M . 27 ; H . Bartlett , P . M . 147 ; C . P .
Cobham , P . M . 957 ; J . Constable , P-M . 185 ; H . Dicketts , P . M . 25 ; H . Garrod , P . M . 749 ; C . F . " Hogard , P . M . 205 ; H . C . Levander , P . M . 142 ; W . Mann , P . M . 186 ; O . Robert--, P . M . 188 ; G . Smith , P . M . 21 . The grants recommended by the Lotlge of Benevolence , as given in the Freemason last week were afterwards confirmed , and the report of the Bond of General Purposes
was adopted . After thc appeals had been decided Bro . the Rev . Robert J . Simpson , P . G . Chaplain , moved : — 1 . That the 300 petitions now presented to Grand Lodge on what is commonly called "The German e-uestion " be received .
2 . That whereas it appears from the Book of Constitutions of the Grand National Lodge of the Prussian States ( called The Three Globes , held at Berlin ) that those only who profess the Christian faith are eligible to become members of the Craft in any Lodge within its jurisdiction , this Grand Lodge , in the interests of Masonry , would respectfully suggest to the Grand Lodge aforesaid a reconsideration of the following section of the Book of Constitutions : —
Page 50 , Section 16 5 , Clause 1 . In the jurisdiction of the Great National Mother Lodge ( of The Three Globes ) only those may be proposed for acceptance into Freemasonry who acknowledge Christian belief ( Christlichcn Glauben ) without distinction of sect .
Pagej 1 , Section 167 . It is necessary for the candidate to state , & c . Clause 3 . —His religion ( Creed ) . Clause 9—Whether he has tried hitherto to fulfil his duties as a Christian citizen , and whether he will continue to do so .
p age 57 . Clause 197 . Every brother who wishes to join a lodge of our Constitution must be of Christian faith , and able to give his honourable discharge from his former Lodge by a written discharge therefrom , & c , & c , & c , with a view to widening the basis on which German Masonry now stands , and bringing it into more complete
and fraternal harmony with Freemasonry throughout the world . 3 . That in order to give effect to the foregoing resolutions the M . W . Giand Master be respectfully requested to communicate them to the Grand Lotlge of Germany in any manner His Royal Highness may deem most expedient .
Bro . thc Rev . Robert Simpson , P . G . Chaplain , said that he should be saved a good deal of trouble , and b e saving a good deal of patience of Grand Lodge , by at once stating that many of the arguments which had been advanced so forcibly and eloquently upon a kindred question by the Pro . Grand Master , applied to the question which he had now the honour to lay before the brethren .
This was an age of extremes , and truth , as the great Greek philosopher said of the virtues , generally lay in the mean between those extremes . It was a significant and very remarkable fact that on the very same night should be discussed in Grand Lodge , two departures from the ancient landmarks of Freemasonry in exactly opposite directions , the one taking from that Masonry which we believed to
exist within it , and the other attempting to contract its principles by excluding a large body of men . In 1841 Bro . Behrend , who was initiated in the Lodge of Joppa , went to Germany and presented himself at a German lodge . He was refused admission on the ground that he was not
a Christian . Subsequently Bro . Faudel , well known as a Past Grand Officer of the Grand Lodge of England , and another brother , who was present to-night ( Bro . Hutton ) taking a very great interest in this question , went to Germany and knocked at the door in order to gain admittance . They were met by the question " are you a Christian , " and
United Grand Lodge.
they declined to answer . Lord Zetland when the matter was brought before him said thatif thc German lodges refused to recognise an English certificate presented by whomsoever it might be , provided he was a good and worthy man , he ( the Grand Master ) , should feel called on to withdraw his representative fiom the Grantl Lodge of Berlin , and however pleased he might be to see the Chevalier who was
here as a visitor to Grand Lodge , under such circumstances he could not receive him in his representative capacity . In consequence of that action was taken in Germany , and in the year 1872 , a letter was read by Grand Lodge of England upon the subject from the Royal York Lodge of Friendship , and of the three Grand Lodges of Germany , to the effect that revision of the Book of Constitutions of
those lodges having taken place nine years before , a new revision was made in thc present year , and the t'uestion of the initiation of Jews was again deliberated . The Secretary of those lodges said he was happy to announce that thc Royal York Lodge was now receiving Jews . Thc letter concluded in very fraternal terms . Now they coultl not believe that Masons of the other two Grand Lodges
of Germany would be so utterly different in principle and temperament as not to consider a subject which was favourably considered by thc other lodges . He would therefore say that in consequence of representations made to him within the last ten or twelve months that he ventured to anticipate those remarks which might be made , by saying that he did not propose to
interfere with , or dictate to thc Grand Lodges of Germany , but that it was desirable to hold out the right hand of fellowship in Germany to those to whom we had held it We had a right to believe that Masonry was not like the nations , unhappily divided , but that it boasted to be one brotherhood throughout the world . If we were to take the analogy of a single family to which Freemasonry
should belong—could it be an interference if a brother suggested in the kindest and most courteous manner that such antl such a thing was likely to create a family feud ? He coultl not for a moment conceive how it could be supposed if Masons were true Mason ' s that such an intervention could be constructed into an interference . In addition to that hc might say we had one
of thc great Grantl Lodges of Germany setting this example , and he doubted not that many Masons connected with the Grand Lodge , as well as with other Grand Lodges , would hail this measure as a means by which their hands would be strengthened , antl instead of looking upon it as an interference would regard it as giving power to their great cause . In Germany
there was a large number of persons of the Jewish faith—' good respectable citizens , held in high esteem by their friends , and also in England they were held in high esteem , and many of them held some of the most elevated positions in the land . If that was the case it was not only an indignity to Jewish subjects to be excluded from lodges , but it was a matter of great regret to those who were of thc
same race and religion in this land to feel that they were excluded from the privilege abroad which as men and as Masons these brethren possessed here Hc could not but feel as it thc old definition of sympathy was correct — that if one member suffered all the members sufferetl with it ; and if one member rejoiced all the members rejoiced , it ought to
apply to brethren of Freemasonry throughout thc world . He would put a case—a brother went to Germany to reside , and wished to become a joining member of a German lodge . Hc was told that hc could not be a joining member , but might be a subscribing member , or a visitor without the power to vote . In that case he was only tolerated , not taken by the hantl as a brother standing upon
regular ground . If he ( Bro . Simpson ) was in such a position he should not trouble lodges of Germany much with his presence . It was perfectly true that the Grand Lodge of England certificate might be now received in Germany , but it was equally true that it did not admit even those Masons who held it to equal privileges of the Masons of Germany ; and in the two jurisdictions to which he
hatl alluded men were not permitted to be initiated who did not hold the Christian faith . They had heard much that evening of what Freemasonry was or ought to be , and if he had learncel anything of Freemasonry in time past he had always believed that looking on the one side and the other that the five great landmarks were alone to be held in belief in the great God and the
Architect of the Universe ; belief in the immortality of thc Soul ; antl . on the other morality and the practice of charity ; and he believed as a beam of light between both worlds and the mighty power of prayer . Anything short of this , and anything beyond this was not genuine Freemasonry , and therefore he thought all had a right to appeal to the Grand Orient of France to take measures in
reference to what they had done ; and he thought we were equally learned , though in a different direction , to act in a much milder and kinder way in regard to the step which excluded thousands of worthy and good men from thc Order . If there was one section of men connected with Freemasonry more than another with whom he ventured to say wc should have strong sympathy it was the men
of that ancient race who had engraved their history upon the annals of time , whose ; old writings were an ornament to literature , whose great names sprang from mighty kings ; whose traditions and associations were such that belore them those of modern elays " paled them in effectual fires ; " above all , these men , whose writings , whose associations , whose words were continually
associated , and mdissolubly entwined with the traditions , symbols , ritual and literature of Freemasonry , that these men should not be excluded from any privilege of Freemasonry in any part of the world . Bro . C . W . Hutton in seconding the motion said , that in 1846 Bro . Faudel and he when this question was mooted , and the present Emperor of Germany was Master of the German Grand Lodges , put the matter to the test by going