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Contents.
CONTENTS .
United Grand Lodge i 2 * i REPORTS or M ASONIC MEETINGS : — Craft Masonry " ° Instruction ' -f Koval Arch * ; 9 Knights Templar > * ° Ancientand Accepted Rite 3 °
A Worthy Tribute » 3 ° Loyal Society of Ancient Britons > o ° Reviews ' 3 Masonic Notes and Queries * i Notes on Art , & c ^ 3-The Quarterly Communication JS ! Our Ritual ' 3 * Peace * *** - * 33 The Suspension of Messrs . Willis , Pereival , & Co 133
C ORRESPONDENCE : — Freemasonry in Jamaica—Thc Now theory 133 The : Exclusion ofthe Hebrews 134 Swedenborgian Rite 134 Bro . Burger's Lecture 134 The Installation Engraving 134 A Query 134 Coincidence or Design—Which ? 134
Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 134 Presentation to Bro . Binckes ; 135 Masonic and General Tidings 136 The Bible—Its Masonic Authority 136 H . R . H . Prince Leopold ' . 136 Public Amusements 137 Red Cross ot Constantine 137 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 137 Advertisements i , ii , iii , iv , v , vi , vii , 138
United Grand Lodge.
UNITED GRAND LODGE .
The Cluarterly Communication of Grand Lodge of English Freemasons was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall . The Earl of Carnarvon , M . W . Pro Grand Master , presided , ' and among the other brethren present , who numbered in all about 700 , were : —Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M . Lord Sherborne , as Past G . M . ; F . B .
Alston , S . G . W . ; Lord Tenterden , J . G . W . ; W . W . B . Beach , Prov . G . M . Hants and Isle of Wight ; John Havers , P . G . W . ; JE . J . Mclntyre , Q . C , G . R . ; J . B . Monckton , President of the Board of General Purposes ; Captain N . G . Philips , S . G . D . ; Sir M . Costa , P . G . W . ; Peter de L . Long , S . G . D . ; Captain Piatt , P . G . W . ; Dr . Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; Thos . Fenn , P . G . D ., as G . D . C . ; J . M . Case ,
P . G . D . ; Le Gendre N . Starkie , P . G . W . ; Col . Creaton , P . G . D . ; James Glaisher , P . G . D . ; R . W . Hollon , P . G . S . B . ; Brackstone Baker , P . G . D . ; James Mason , P . G . S . B . ; Victor Williamson , P . G . W . ; S . C . Hadley , P . G . D . ; C . W . C . Hutton , P . G . D . ; J . A . Rucker , P . G . D . ; Joseph Smith , P . G . P . ; John Coutts , P . G . P . ; Benj . Head , P . G . D . ; W . F . Nettleship , P . G . S . B . ; Robt . Grey , P . G . D . ; H . Browse ,
P . G . D . ; Robt . W . Wheeler , P . G . D . ; Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D . ; John T . Collins , P . G . W . ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; A . f . D . " Filer , P . G . S . B . ; Montague Guest , P . G . M . Dorset ; Co ! . Burdett , Prov . G . M . Middlesex ; Geo . Toller , G . S . B . ; Hon . Richard Giddy , G . M . Griqualand ; Rev . C . W . Arnold , G . C ; Rev . J . E . Cox , D . D ., as Asst . G . C . ; S . Rawson , P . G . D . M . China ; C . E . Willing , G . Org . ; James
Brett , P . G . P . ; ] . M . Clabon , P . G . D . ; Thos . Cubitt , P . G . P . ; Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . C . ; Hyde Pullen , P . G . S . B . ; C . Hutton Gregory , P . G . D . ; Hugh D . Sandeman , P . G . D . M . Bengal ; F . P . Cockerel ! , G . Sup . Works ; John Boyd , P . G . P . ; F . Robinson , as Asst . G . D . C . ; John Hervey , G . S . ; H . G . Buss . Asst . G . Sec . ; C . A . Murton , P . G . D . ; II . Murray , P . D . G . M . China ; E . S . Sncll , P . G . D . ; E . P .
Albert , P . G . P . ; Rev . C J . Martyn , P . G . C ; Rev . C . R . Davey , P . G . C . ; E . E . Wendt , Grand Secretary for German Correspondence ; C . Locock Webb , Q . C . ; II . J . P . Dumas , P . A . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Joshua Nunn , P . P . G . S . B . ; C . C . Dumas , P . A . G . D . C ; Henry Tombs , J . G . D . ; Edward Morris , J . G . D . ; S . G . Foxall , G . P . ; A . W . Adair , P . Prov . G . M . Somerset '; W . Hickman ,
P . G . A . D . C . ; Sir F . M . Williams , P . G . W . ; John M . Wike , P . G . D . ; Rev . W . K . R . Bedford , P . G . C ; Thos . Birchall , P . G . D . ; Wm . T . Howe , Asst . G . P . H . C Levander , 1 ; Brawn , 16 ; Leggett , 17 ; Rev . Dr . Ernest Brette , 2 ; A . J . Altman , 3 ; Cowan , 11 ; H . A . Dubois , 8 ; E . J . Harty , 9 ; Jas . Stevens , 24 ; H . Garrod , 10 ; H . Legge , 1 J ; Dr . Ramsey , 6 ; Macrae Moir , 7 ; J . M . Tay ,
lor , 19 ; E . Mallett , 21 j A . A . Pendlebury , 20 ; W . Dodd , 22 ; W . H . Lce , 18 ; S . Rosenthal ! , 13 ; Atkinson , 23 ; H . Gompertz , 12 ; Erasmus Wilson , 5 ; Fred Binckes , 14 j Rev . T . Cochrane , ioj George Kenning , H . Massey ( Freemason ) . James Lewis Thomas , G . W . Middlx . ; R . F . Gould , P . M . 92 . There were 84 Grand Officers present . Grand Lodge having been opened in solemn form ,
Grand Secretary read thc minutes of last Quarterly Communication of 5 th December , 1877 , which were then passed and confirmed . Grand Secretary afterwards read thc regulations for the government of Grand Lodge during the time of public business . The Earl of Carnarvon . —Brethren , the next order that stands on the list is one in my name for the grant ot
£ ioo , to be paid out of thc Fund of General Purposes , for the assistance of the members of the Igualdad Lodge , No . 6 53 , in the Island of Curacoa , in the West Indies , who have suffered from the hurricane which occurred there on the 23 rd September , 18 77 . There are some enquiries which it seems desirable to make in consequence of circumstances that have arisen since this motion was put on the notice paper , and therefore I think it will be desirable if I postpone the consideration of this motion to the next
Communication . I now proceed to the very important motion that stands in my name , the repoit of the Committee appointed to enquire into the action of the Grand Orient of France . The Committee have met , and they have considered , and they have reported unanimously : and before
1 make any statement to Grand Lodge on thc subject , I will request the Grand Secretary to be good enough to read that report to the Grand Lodge . Grand Secretary then read the following report : " Thc Committee appointed at thc last Grand Lodge , on the
United Grand Lodge.
15 th December , 1877 , to consider the recent action of thc Grand Orient of France , beg to report that Grand Lodge of England has received information that the Grand Orient of France has resolved , by a considerable majority , to rescind the first and second paragraphs of its Book of Constitutions , as follows : The laws , as they formerly stood , read thus : ' Freemasonry is an institution
essentially philanthropic , philosophic , and progressive ; it has for its objects enquiry after truth , the study of universal morality , science , and arts , and the practice of benevolence . Its principles arc thc existence of God , the immortality cf thc soul , and human solidarity . It regards the liberty of conscience the common right of every man , and excludes no person on account of his
belief . Its motto is Liberty , Equality , and Fraternity . As they now stand , they are as follows : — ' Freemasonry is an institution essentially philanthropic , philosophic , ar . d progressive , has for its objects the enquiry after truth , the study of universal morality , sciences , and arts , and the practice of benevolence . Its principles are absolute liberty of conscience and human solidarity , it excludes no
person on acount of his belief ; its motto is Liberty , Equality , and Fraternity . '" The Earl of Carnarvon : —Brethren , that is the preamble , so to speak , of the report of this Committee . The report proceeds ii the following terms . As I wish to comment very slightly upon them , I will take the words up where thc Grand Secretary has left them , and read to you the
remainder of this report : — "The Committee have carefully considered this action on the part of the Grand Orient of France , and having regard to the circumstances of the case they have unanimously agreed to recommend the following resolutions for the adoption of Grand Lodge : — First , that this Grand Lodge views with profound regret the step taken by the Grand Orient of France in thus
removing from its Constitutions those paragraphs which assert the belief in the existence of the G A . O . T . U ., because such an alteration is opposed to the traditions , practice , and feelings of all true and genuine Masons , from the earliest to the present time . Secondly , that this Grand Lodge , whilst always anxious to receive in the most fraternal spirit the brethen of any foreign Grand Lodge
whose proceedings are conducted according to the ancient landmarks of the Order , in which a belief in the G . A . O . T . U . is the first and most important , cannot recognise as true and genuine brethren any initiated in lodges which thus deny or ignore that belief . Thirdly , that in view of the foregoing resolutions the W . M . ' s of all lodges held under the Grand Lodge of England be directed not to admit any
foreign brother as a visitor unless first he is duly vouched for , or unless his certificate shows that he has been initiated according to the ancient rites and ceremonies in a lodge professing belief in the G . A . O . T . U ., and secondly that he shall not be admitted unless he himself shall acknowledge that this belief is an essential landmark of the Order . Fourthly , that a copy of the foregoing resolutions
be transmitted to thc Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland , and to each Grand Lodge with which this Grand Lodge is in communication , and to the W . M . of all lodges held under thc Grand Lodge of England . " Now , brethren , on the last occasion it was my duty to address you at considerable length upen this subject . I do not propose to re-traverse that ground . What I then said I
doubt not is in your recollection , and I remember at all events myself that thc feeling of Grand Lodge was so unmistakeably clear and unanimous , that I should be simply wasting time were I to repeat what I then said . At the same time it is but right I should call your attention in a very few words to each of these four resolutions which the Committee have recommended . The first resolution
professes thc profound regret with which Grand Lodge has heard of the alteration made by the Grand Orient in their Constitution . With respect to this I believe there can be but one feeling and one voice in this Grand Lodge . The second resolution follows as a natural corollary from the first . It states that wc cannot recognise those who have taken part or action in this matter , in that sense . It
declares emphatically that there is no iliminution of paternal feeling on our part , and it , implies that there is no wish on our part to interfere in the jurisdiction of any foreign Grand Lodge , but that , holding the belief in the existence of thc Great Architect of the Universe to be one of those principles that lie at thc very root of Freemasonry , we cannot overlook a distinct abnegation of that principle ,
and those who do so regard and deny it cannot be recognised formally by us . And I apprehend to that second resolution there can be no objection in this Grand Lodge . Well , if so , the third resolution is but the practical embodiment of those two previous theoretical resolutions . It became the duty of the Committee to consider how effect was to be given to the opinion of Grand Lodge . It was
not for Grand Lodge to content itself with a mere idle barren statement of opinion—that would be unworthy of such a body ; it would also have been unjust to those members of the Craft and to those numerous lodges in this country that look upon this Grand Lodge as the central parliament of English Freemasonry for guidance in an essential question of this kind , and therefore , it is , I ho
Idit was the view of the Committee and it is my view—that it is the duty of this Grand Lodge not to flinch from the duty , however disagreeable it may be , of prescribing and specifying the practical mode iu which effect should be given to that statement of opinion . And what is thc course that Committee have recommended ? They recommend that when a foreign brother presents himself to a lodge
for admission he shall bc required either to produce his certificate , as he now docs , or be vouched for . So far there is no change in the existing facts , but we go a step further , and say that either that certificate shall bear on its face the evidence that he has been initiated in a lodge in which the belief in the existence of the Supreme Architect of the Universe was required , or else that some bystander of credible authority shall vouch for him that he was so
United Grand Lodge.
initiated . That is the first condition , and it is a necessary condition , if you intend your statement of opinion to be a practical one . But the Committee went one step further , and they held that under the extremely anomalous and difficult circumstances which have been created by the action of the Grand Orient of France , that inasmuch as the majority of lodges have been in existence before that
alteration was made , and that it may be tbat the visitor who comes may either be one who was initiated previous to that change or subsequent to that change , they felt that there was no way out of thc difficulty , after long discussion , except to require him to pledge his word that the belief in the existence of the G . A . O . T . U . was a . fundamental principle of the Order . And I think no one
can hold that this is an overstrained vie ' w , or a severe test to apply to any foreign brother . It is undoubtedl y a practical one , but it seems to me that it is almost the minimum which it ivas our duty to require . Brethren , remember it is not enough that we could not deny thc existence of thc G . A . O . T . U ., but inasmuch as it is a landmark of the Order , a fundamental principle , we have a right to
require that that belief should be affirmed . If indeed this question had never arisen by the ill-advised action of the Grand Orient of France we might have dispensed with that duty . If schism come , the responsibility on those that introduce that schism icsts with them ; we have simply to guard the ancient landmarks of the Order , and , as we have received them , to see that they go down
from our hands uninjured and unimpaired . It is impossible for us , as it seems to me , therefore , to be silent , and painful as it may be to us to take this step in opposition to another great Masonic authority in a foreign country , still I hold that Grand Lodge must have the courage of its own undoubted opinion in this matter , that they must not shrink from declaring that which they believe to be not
only a truth , but the fundamental truth , lying at the very root of Freemasonry , that which we have professed through the whole length and breadth of the land , in every lodge , from generation to generation ; and whilst we disclaim , one and all , any intention of interfering with the internal jurisdiction of a foreign power , whilst vve declare our readiness to meet our foreign brethren in the same
Masonic spirit in which we have met them in times past , boldly and unequivocally to assert that nothing will ever induce us to violate or to mutilate that which is a fundamental principle ofthe Order . Brethren , I have nothing further to say on this subject , except to remind you that the fourth resolution involves an order for transmission of these instructions to every Master of every lodge , for them to give
effect to . I have now gone through the resolutions of the Committee seriatim . I apprehend from the feeling of Grand Lodge that I may put these resolutions as a whole to you , because Grand Lodge will sec that taken singly they would mean nothing ; they all hang together , they must stand or they must fall together . I therefore propose , gathering as 1
do that there is a unanimous feeling in the lodge to put these resolutions as a whole , and I trust that it will be in the power of Grand Lodge to vote them unanimously—I therefore propose that these resolutions be now adopted . Lord Sherborne : M . W . Pro G . M . and brethren , after the resolutions which you have heard read , and after the very able manner in which they have been commented upon by
our Pro G . M ., I think every one must be now perfectly conversant with the subject . It would be idle , therefore , for me to take up the time of Grand Lodge any further than formally to second the motion of the M . W . Pro G . M ., that these resolutions be taken as a whole . Bro . H . Greene rose to speak * , but was met with unanimous cries of " Vote , vote . "
Lord Carnarvon : Brethren , as Bro . Greene rises probably to second the proposition under the misapprehension that there was no immediate seconder , I would ask Grand Lodge to hear what he has to say . Bro . H . Greene : Most W . Pro G . M ., I entirely agree with the spirit of thc resolutions which you have submitted to Grand Lodge . I venture , only in a very humble
way indeed , to express my opinion that the last portion of the resolutions scarcely goes far enough . I would submit in the greatest spirit of humility in this Grand Lodge , that in addition to the resolutions to be transmitted to the W . M . ' s of lodges there should be an instruction that , in order to give effect to it , it should be read at the first meeting of the lodge , after that lodge has received it ; and
I do not think it could be properly objected to if that were adopted . It were just possible that a Master of a lodge might not attach that importance to the resolutions in his , own individual capacity which we as members of Grand Lodge do . And therefore , M . W . Pro G . M ., I would
venture most humbly , as I say , to suggest that it should bean instruction to the W . M . of each lodge to read these resolutions at the very first meeting of his lodge after he has received those resolutions . Bro . S . Poynter . —M . W . Pro G . M ., lam very happy to second that resolution .
Bro . Mclntyre , G . R . —M . W . Pro G . M ., that is a rider to the resolution . The Earl of Carnarvon . —Brethren : I can have no objection to this addition , so I will see if it be the wish of Grand Lodge that it should bc made . It will therefore form a lider to the resolutions . I will not read those resolutions again , as you have heard them already , but I
will say that with the addition of that rider which has just been moved and seconded . Is it your pleasure to agree to thc resolutions in this report ? The motion was then carried unanimously . The Earl oE Carnarvon : —Thc next business is the election
of the M . W . G . M . Bro . Arthur B . Cook , Dep . Master , No . 259 : —M . W . Pro Grand Master , in accordance with the nomination which I had the honour to make on the last occasion in Grand Lodge , I now move that H . R . H . the 'Vince of Wales bc elected Grand Master for thc ensuing year .
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Contents.
CONTENTS .
United Grand Lodge i 2 * i REPORTS or M ASONIC MEETINGS : — Craft Masonry " ° Instruction ' -f Koval Arch * ; 9 Knights Templar > * ° Ancientand Accepted Rite 3 °
A Worthy Tribute » 3 ° Loyal Society of Ancient Britons > o ° Reviews ' 3 Masonic Notes and Queries * i Notes on Art , & c ^ 3-The Quarterly Communication JS ! Our Ritual ' 3 * Peace * *** - * 33 The Suspension of Messrs . Willis , Pereival , & Co 133
C ORRESPONDENCE : — Freemasonry in Jamaica—Thc Now theory 133 The : Exclusion ofthe Hebrews 134 Swedenborgian Rite 134 Bro . Burger's Lecture 134 The Installation Engraving 134 A Query 134 Coincidence or Design—Which ? 134
Royal Masonic Institution for Boys 134 Presentation to Bro . Binckes ; 135 Masonic and General Tidings 136 The Bible—Its Masonic Authority 136 H . R . H . Prince Leopold ' . 136 Public Amusements 137 Red Cross ot Constantine 137 Lodge Meetings for Next Week 137 Advertisements i , ii , iii , iv , v , vi , vii , 138
United Grand Lodge.
UNITED GRAND LODGE .
The Cluarterly Communication of Grand Lodge of English Freemasons was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall . The Earl of Carnarvon , M . W . Pro Grand Master , presided , ' and among the other brethren present , who numbered in all about 700 , were : —Lord Skelmersdale , D . G . M . Lord Sherborne , as Past G . M . ; F . B .
Alston , S . G . W . ; Lord Tenterden , J . G . W . ; W . W . B . Beach , Prov . G . M . Hants and Isle of Wight ; John Havers , P . G . W . ; JE . J . Mclntyre , Q . C , G . R . ; J . B . Monckton , President of the Board of General Purposes ; Captain N . G . Philips , S . G . D . ; Sir M . Costa , P . G . W . ; Peter de L . Long , S . G . D . ; Captain Piatt , P . G . W . ; Dr . Jabez Hogg , P . G . D . ; Thos . Fenn , P . G . D ., as G . D . C . ; J . M . Case ,
P . G . D . ; Le Gendre N . Starkie , P . G . W . ; Col . Creaton , P . G . D . ; James Glaisher , P . G . D . ; R . W . Hollon , P . G . S . B . ; Brackstone Baker , P . G . D . ; James Mason , P . G . S . B . ; Victor Williamson , P . G . W . ; S . C . Hadley , P . G . D . ; C . W . C . Hutton , P . G . D . ; J . A . Rucker , P . G . D . ; Joseph Smith , P . G . P . ; John Coutts , P . G . P . ; Benj . Head , P . G . D . ; W . F . Nettleship , P . G . S . B . ; Robt . Grey , P . G . D . ; H . Browse ,
P . G . D . ; Robt . W . Wheeler , P . G . D . ; Raynham W . Stewart , P . G . D . ; John T . Collins , P . G . W . ; C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; A . f . D . " Filer , P . G . S . B . ; Montague Guest , P . G . M . Dorset ; Co ! . Burdett , Prov . G . M . Middlesex ; Geo . Toller , G . S . B . ; Hon . Richard Giddy , G . M . Griqualand ; Rev . C . W . Arnold , G . C ; Rev . J . E . Cox , D . D ., as Asst . G . C . ; S . Rawson , P . G . D . M . China ; C . E . Willing , G . Org . ; James
Brett , P . G . P . ; ] . M . Clabon , P . G . D . ; Thos . Cubitt , P . G . P . ; Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . C . ; Hyde Pullen , P . G . S . B . ; C . Hutton Gregory , P . G . D . ; Hugh D . Sandeman , P . G . D . M . Bengal ; F . P . Cockerel ! , G . Sup . Works ; John Boyd , P . G . P . ; F . Robinson , as Asst . G . D . C . ; John Hervey , G . S . ; H . G . Buss . Asst . G . Sec . ; C . A . Murton , P . G . D . ; II . Murray , P . D . G . M . China ; E . S . Sncll , P . G . D . ; E . P .
Albert , P . G . P . ; Rev . C J . Martyn , P . G . C ; Rev . C . R . Davey , P . G . C . ; E . E . Wendt , Grand Secretary for German Correspondence ; C . Locock Webb , Q . C . ; II . J . P . Dumas , P . A . G . Dir . of Cers . ; Joshua Nunn , P . P . G . S . B . ; C . C . Dumas , P . A . G . D . C ; Henry Tombs , J . G . D . ; Edward Morris , J . G . D . ; S . G . Foxall , G . P . ; A . W . Adair , P . Prov . G . M . Somerset '; W . Hickman ,
P . G . A . D . C . ; Sir F . M . Williams , P . G . W . ; John M . Wike , P . G . D . ; Rev . W . K . R . Bedford , P . G . C ; Thos . Birchall , P . G . D . ; Wm . T . Howe , Asst . G . P . H . C Levander , 1 ; Brawn , 16 ; Leggett , 17 ; Rev . Dr . Ernest Brette , 2 ; A . J . Altman , 3 ; Cowan , 11 ; H . A . Dubois , 8 ; E . J . Harty , 9 ; Jas . Stevens , 24 ; H . Garrod , 10 ; H . Legge , 1 J ; Dr . Ramsey , 6 ; Macrae Moir , 7 ; J . M . Tay ,
lor , 19 ; E . Mallett , 21 j A . A . Pendlebury , 20 ; W . Dodd , 22 ; W . H . Lce , 18 ; S . Rosenthal ! , 13 ; Atkinson , 23 ; H . Gompertz , 12 ; Erasmus Wilson , 5 ; Fred Binckes , 14 j Rev . T . Cochrane , ioj George Kenning , H . Massey ( Freemason ) . James Lewis Thomas , G . W . Middlx . ; R . F . Gould , P . M . 92 . There were 84 Grand Officers present . Grand Lodge having been opened in solemn form ,
Grand Secretary read thc minutes of last Quarterly Communication of 5 th December , 1877 , which were then passed and confirmed . Grand Secretary afterwards read thc regulations for the government of Grand Lodge during the time of public business . The Earl of Carnarvon . —Brethren , the next order that stands on the list is one in my name for the grant ot
£ ioo , to be paid out of thc Fund of General Purposes , for the assistance of the members of the Igualdad Lodge , No . 6 53 , in the Island of Curacoa , in the West Indies , who have suffered from the hurricane which occurred there on the 23 rd September , 18 77 . There are some enquiries which it seems desirable to make in consequence of circumstances that have arisen since this motion was put on the notice paper , and therefore I think it will be desirable if I postpone the consideration of this motion to the next
Communication . I now proceed to the very important motion that stands in my name , the repoit of the Committee appointed to enquire into the action of the Grand Orient of France . The Committee have met , and they have considered , and they have reported unanimously : and before
1 make any statement to Grand Lodge on thc subject , I will request the Grand Secretary to be good enough to read that report to the Grand Lodge . Grand Secretary then read the following report : " Thc Committee appointed at thc last Grand Lodge , on the
United Grand Lodge.
15 th December , 1877 , to consider the recent action of thc Grand Orient of France , beg to report that Grand Lodge of England has received information that the Grand Orient of France has resolved , by a considerable majority , to rescind the first and second paragraphs of its Book of Constitutions , as follows : The laws , as they formerly stood , read thus : ' Freemasonry is an institution
essentially philanthropic , philosophic , and progressive ; it has for its objects enquiry after truth , the study of universal morality , science , and arts , and the practice of benevolence . Its principles arc thc existence of God , the immortality cf thc soul , and human solidarity . It regards the liberty of conscience the common right of every man , and excludes no person on account of his
belief . Its motto is Liberty , Equality , and Fraternity . As they now stand , they are as follows : — ' Freemasonry is an institution essentially philanthropic , philosophic , ar . d progressive , has for its objects the enquiry after truth , the study of universal morality , sciences , and arts , and the practice of benevolence . Its principles are absolute liberty of conscience and human solidarity , it excludes no
person on acount of his belief ; its motto is Liberty , Equality , and Fraternity . '" The Earl of Carnarvon : —Brethren , that is the preamble , so to speak , of the report of this Committee . The report proceeds ii the following terms . As I wish to comment very slightly upon them , I will take the words up where thc Grand Secretary has left them , and read to you the
remainder of this report : — "The Committee have carefully considered this action on the part of the Grand Orient of France , and having regard to the circumstances of the case they have unanimously agreed to recommend the following resolutions for the adoption of Grand Lodge : — First , that this Grand Lodge views with profound regret the step taken by the Grand Orient of France in thus
removing from its Constitutions those paragraphs which assert the belief in the existence of the G A . O . T . U ., because such an alteration is opposed to the traditions , practice , and feelings of all true and genuine Masons , from the earliest to the present time . Secondly , that this Grand Lodge , whilst always anxious to receive in the most fraternal spirit the brethen of any foreign Grand Lodge
whose proceedings are conducted according to the ancient landmarks of the Order , in which a belief in the G . A . O . T . U . is the first and most important , cannot recognise as true and genuine brethren any initiated in lodges which thus deny or ignore that belief . Thirdly , that in view of the foregoing resolutions the W . M . ' s of all lodges held under the Grand Lodge of England be directed not to admit any
foreign brother as a visitor unless first he is duly vouched for , or unless his certificate shows that he has been initiated according to the ancient rites and ceremonies in a lodge professing belief in the G . A . O . T . U ., and secondly that he shall not be admitted unless he himself shall acknowledge that this belief is an essential landmark of the Order . Fourthly , that a copy of the foregoing resolutions
be transmitted to thc Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland , and to each Grand Lodge with which this Grand Lodge is in communication , and to the W . M . of all lodges held under thc Grand Lodge of England . " Now , brethren , on the last occasion it was my duty to address you at considerable length upen this subject . I do not propose to re-traverse that ground . What I then said I
doubt not is in your recollection , and I remember at all events myself that thc feeling of Grand Lodge was so unmistakeably clear and unanimous , that I should be simply wasting time were I to repeat what I then said . At the same time it is but right I should call your attention in a very few words to each of these four resolutions which the Committee have recommended . The first resolution
professes thc profound regret with which Grand Lodge has heard of the alteration made by the Grand Orient in their Constitution . With respect to this I believe there can be but one feeling and one voice in this Grand Lodge . The second resolution follows as a natural corollary from the first . It states that wc cannot recognise those who have taken part or action in this matter , in that sense . It
declares emphatically that there is no iliminution of paternal feeling on our part , and it , implies that there is no wish on our part to interfere in the jurisdiction of any foreign Grand Lodge , but that , holding the belief in the existence of thc Great Architect of the Universe to be one of those principles that lie at thc very root of Freemasonry , we cannot overlook a distinct abnegation of that principle ,
and those who do so regard and deny it cannot be recognised formally by us . And I apprehend to that second resolution there can be no objection in this Grand Lodge . Well , if so , the third resolution is but the practical embodiment of those two previous theoretical resolutions . It became the duty of the Committee to consider how effect was to be given to the opinion of Grand Lodge . It was
not for Grand Lodge to content itself with a mere idle barren statement of opinion—that would be unworthy of such a body ; it would also have been unjust to those members of the Craft and to those numerous lodges in this country that look upon this Grand Lodge as the central parliament of English Freemasonry for guidance in an essential question of this kind , and therefore , it is , I ho
Idit was the view of the Committee and it is my view—that it is the duty of this Grand Lodge not to flinch from the duty , however disagreeable it may be , of prescribing and specifying the practical mode iu which effect should be given to that statement of opinion . And what is thc course that Committee have recommended ? They recommend that when a foreign brother presents himself to a lodge
for admission he shall bc required either to produce his certificate , as he now docs , or be vouched for . So far there is no change in the existing facts , but we go a step further , and say that either that certificate shall bear on its face the evidence that he has been initiated in a lodge in which the belief in the existence of the Supreme Architect of the Universe was required , or else that some bystander of credible authority shall vouch for him that he was so
United Grand Lodge.
initiated . That is the first condition , and it is a necessary condition , if you intend your statement of opinion to be a practical one . But the Committee went one step further , and they held that under the extremely anomalous and difficult circumstances which have been created by the action of the Grand Orient of France , that inasmuch as the majority of lodges have been in existence before that
alteration was made , and that it may be tbat the visitor who comes may either be one who was initiated previous to that change or subsequent to that change , they felt that there was no way out of thc difficulty , after long discussion , except to require him to pledge his word that the belief in the existence of the G . A . O . T . U . was a . fundamental principle of the Order . And I think no one
can hold that this is an overstrained vie ' w , or a severe test to apply to any foreign brother . It is undoubtedl y a practical one , but it seems to me that it is almost the minimum which it ivas our duty to require . Brethren , remember it is not enough that we could not deny thc existence of thc G . A . O . T . U ., but inasmuch as it is a landmark of the Order , a fundamental principle , we have a right to
require that that belief should be affirmed . If indeed this question had never arisen by the ill-advised action of the Grand Orient of France we might have dispensed with that duty . If schism come , the responsibility on those that introduce that schism icsts with them ; we have simply to guard the ancient landmarks of the Order , and , as we have received them , to see that they go down
from our hands uninjured and unimpaired . It is impossible for us , as it seems to me , therefore , to be silent , and painful as it may be to us to take this step in opposition to another great Masonic authority in a foreign country , still I hold that Grand Lodge must have the courage of its own undoubted opinion in this matter , that they must not shrink from declaring that which they believe to be not
only a truth , but the fundamental truth , lying at the very root of Freemasonry , that which we have professed through the whole length and breadth of the land , in every lodge , from generation to generation ; and whilst we disclaim , one and all , any intention of interfering with the internal jurisdiction of a foreign power , whilst vve declare our readiness to meet our foreign brethren in the same
Masonic spirit in which we have met them in times past , boldly and unequivocally to assert that nothing will ever induce us to violate or to mutilate that which is a fundamental principle ofthe Order . Brethren , I have nothing further to say on this subject , except to remind you that the fourth resolution involves an order for transmission of these instructions to every Master of every lodge , for them to give
effect to . I have now gone through the resolutions of the Committee seriatim . I apprehend from the feeling of Grand Lodge that I may put these resolutions as a whole to you , because Grand Lodge will sec that taken singly they would mean nothing ; they all hang together , they must stand or they must fall together . I therefore propose , gathering as 1
do that there is a unanimous feeling in the lodge to put these resolutions as a whole , and I trust that it will be in the power of Grand Lodge to vote them unanimously—I therefore propose that these resolutions be now adopted . Lord Sherborne : M . W . Pro G . M . and brethren , after the resolutions which you have heard read , and after the very able manner in which they have been commented upon by
our Pro G . M ., I think every one must be now perfectly conversant with the subject . It would be idle , therefore , for me to take up the time of Grand Lodge any further than formally to second the motion of the M . W . Pro G . M ., that these resolutions be taken as a whole . Bro . H . Greene rose to speak * , but was met with unanimous cries of " Vote , vote . "
Lord Carnarvon : Brethren , as Bro . Greene rises probably to second the proposition under the misapprehension that there was no immediate seconder , I would ask Grand Lodge to hear what he has to say . Bro . H . Greene : Most W . Pro G . M ., I entirely agree with the spirit of thc resolutions which you have submitted to Grand Lodge . I venture , only in a very humble
way indeed , to express my opinion that the last portion of the resolutions scarcely goes far enough . I would submit in the greatest spirit of humility in this Grand Lodge , that in addition to the resolutions to be transmitted to the W . M . ' s of lodges there should be an instruction that , in order to give effect to it , it should be read at the first meeting of the lodge , after that lodge has received it ; and
I do not think it could be properly objected to if that were adopted . It were just possible that a Master of a lodge might not attach that importance to the resolutions in his , own individual capacity which we as members of Grand Lodge do . And therefore , M . W . Pro G . M ., I would
venture most humbly , as I say , to suggest that it should bean instruction to the W . M . of each lodge to read these resolutions at the very first meeting of his lodge after he has received those resolutions . Bro . S . Poynter . —M . W . Pro G . M ., lam very happy to second that resolution .
Bro . Mclntyre , G . R . —M . W . Pro G . M ., that is a rider to the resolution . The Earl of Carnarvon . —Brethren : I can have no objection to this addition , so I will see if it be the wish of Grand Lodge that it should bc made . It will therefore form a lider to the resolutions . I will not read those resolutions again , as you have heard them already , but I
will say that with the addition of that rider which has just been moved and seconded . Is it your pleasure to agree to thc resolutions in this report ? The motion was then carried unanimously . The Earl oE Carnarvon : —Thc next business is the election
of the M . W . G . M . Bro . Arthur B . Cook , Dep . Master , No . 259 : —M . W . Pro Grand Master , in accordance with the nomination which I had the honour to make on the last occasion in Grand Lodge , I now move that H . R . H . the 'Vince of Wales bc elected Grand Master for thc ensuing year .