Obituary.

procession was a very large one . The body was taken to Bellefontaihe cemetery and placed in a vault , where it is to remain for ten days , when it will be brought East , and finally interred in Wilmington , Delaware .

BRO . JOSEPH SAMUEL PULLIN . We regret to announce the death of Bro . Joseph Samuel Pullin , one of thc oldest members of the Etonian Lodge of St . John , No . 209 , which took place at Old Windsor on the 19 th ult . Bro . Pullin was initiated in the Etonian Lodge in 1856 , elected to the chair in 1 S 60 , during the

three following years he filled the office of Secretary , and from 1864 to 1875 , inclusive , that of Treasurer . Bro . Pullin during his lifetime , by his general urbanity and kindness , made many friends . In the lodge his- - death will cause a gap which cannot easily be filled , he being essentially one of those truly Masonic men whose absence the brethren will sincerely deplore .

' A Feast Of Unreason.

' A FEAST OF UNREASON .

Wc have received the official transactions of tbe Grand Orient of France , at its Annual Assembly in September last , and feel it is a duly to call attention to the treatment of a most important question , that the Masons of this continent may be enabled to judge how much claim the Grand Orient really has to be considered and treated as a

Masonic organisation . The first section of the French Constitution contains these words : — " Freemasonry is based on the existence of God and the Immortality of the Soul , " than which nothing could be more strictly and literally true . It is clearer and more direct than the language employed in the Ancient Charges published with the first English Constitution , and

still regarded as declaring the foundation of the principles of the Craft , thus : " A Mason is obliged by his tenure to obey the moral law ; and if he rightly understands the art be will never be a stupid atheist , nor an irreligious libertine . But though in ancient times Masons were charged in every country to be of the religion of that country or nation ,

what ever it was , yet ' tis now thought more expedient only obtain that religion in which all men agree , leaving their particular opinions to themselves ; that is , to be good men and true , or men of honour or honesty , by whatever denominations or persuasions they may be distinguished ; whereby Masonry became the centre of union , and the means ol conciliating true friendship among

persons that must have remained at a perpetual distance . " Of which , it may be explained that thc words " irreligious libertine " mean what our modern euphuists call a Freethinker , or , in plain English , one who scouts at the existence of God , and hence at all religion , so that it is a law frequently enunciated in our lodges that " No atheist can be made a Mason . " On this point there can

be no compromise . A candidate may affect any religious belief he chooses , and v . e have nothing to say , but he must answer affirmatively the question , " Do you believe in the existence of God , the Almighty and ever living , " or we cannot admit him . When , therefore , any body of men departs from this , the original plan of Freemasonry , it steps at once beyond

the pale , and ceases to he Masonic , 111 fact , whatever it may call itself . Starting from this point , the reader will be able to appreciate the action of the French Orient , to which we now proceed to call attention . A proposition was presented to the body to strike from the Constitution the words quoted above . It was referred to a committee , which re-ported in

favour of indefinite postponement . Upon this a lengthy debate ensued , and as the speakers were requested to furnish copies ol their argument , in writing , to thc Secretaiy , we are justified in believing that they arc fairly reported in the volume before us . We cannot of course , give these arguments in extenso , but we select a few paragraphs to show thc avowed belief of the speakers . The first one

said : " I recognise the fact that Masonry is neither Deism , Atheism , nor even Positivism . As an institution affirming and practising human unity , it is a stranger to every dogma or religious creed whatever . Its only basis is absolute respect for liberty 0 / conscience . In matters of fact it neither affirms nor denies anything , hence our doors open with equal facility to the Protestant

and the Catholic ; the Mussulman and the Christian ; the Atheist and thc Deist . " A speaker on the other side remarked : " I am in favour of absolute liberty of conscience . You cannot change thc fact that an immense majority of the Masons , spread over the surface of thc globe , believe in the Great Architect of thc Universe and in thc immortality of the soul ; yet this

m no wise affects the liberty of conscience , since it is provided in paragraph 3 that Masonry regards the liberty of conscience as the personal light of every man , and excludes no man for his belief . Let me relate a fact recently occurring in a lodge . A candidate , with excellent recommendations , was unanimously accepted . Before his final admission , however , he was asked ,

among other things , whether he ever prayed , and upon his answer , that in moments of suffering he had addressed his prayers to the Supreme Being , twentyseven black balls were cast against him , and initiation was refused ! And yet our lodges will admit a candidate who believes in nothing . " Another insisted that the contradiction of requiring belief in God , and at the same time according peifcct liberty of conscience , must

be cured by striking out one or the ctlicr , and as a belief in God is a form of religion ( Deism ) , and Masonry cannot be the champion of one form more than another , the first should be stricken . And so of others . Finally the Vote was taken , when sixty-five voted in favour of indefinite postponement , and one hundred and ten for accepting the proposed amendment and sending it to the subordinates for discussion preparatory to final action next year .

' A Feast Of Unreason.

This , of course , is not such action as would justify any one in saying that French Masonry has become Atheistic , nor that the amendment will be finally adopted , but it does demonstrate that in thc French lodges an Atheist can be initiated , which , as has been seen , they justify under the plea of perfect liberty of conscience . As will also have been seen , Masonry proper limits this liberty , and it does so on the ground that to one that has no

belief in God conscience is an idle term , having no fixed standard and no boundary but such as the individual himself may fix . ¦ The conclusion is inevitable that the Grand Orient of France is not a Masonic organisation , and that its adepts do not receive at its hands what it has not given , Ancient Craft Masonry , and that the sooner Masons everywhere disentangle themselves from its alliance the better it will be for them and for the institution . New York Dispatch .

Masonic And General Tidings.

Masonic and General Tidings .

We are informed that Bro . H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught has been appointed Great Prior cf the Order of the . Temple ( Ireland ) , in the place of the Marquis of Conyngham . His installation will take place shortly in the Masonic Hall , Molcsworth-strcct , Dublin . HENRY MUGGERIDGE LODGE ( NO . 1679 ) . — The consecration of this lodge , which bears the name oi

the esteemed Preceptor of the Stability Lodge of Instruction , and late collector for the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , will take place on Saturday , the 19 th intt ., at thc Prince George , Paik-road , Dalston . The ceremony of consecration and installation will be worked by Bro . John Hervey , P . G . D ., Grand Secretary , and Bro . H . G . Buss , Assistant Grand Secretary . Thc officers designate arc

Bros . Henry Muggeridge , W . M . ; Frank Fellows , S . W . ; and E . F . Storr . J . W . The musical arrangements wil ! be under the direction of Bro . George Bilby . The dedication and consecration of the Newton Lodge , No . 1601 , will take place on Tuesday week , the

24 th inst ., at the Town Hall , Newark-upon-Trent . The ceremonies , commencing at 2 o ' clock , will be performed by V . W . Bro . John Hervey , P . G . D ., Grand Secretary , assisted by P . G . ancl P . P . G . Officers of the Province of Nottinghamshire . The W . M . designate is Bro . Wm . Newton , P . M ., and P . P . G . Registrar .

The Prince of Wales , the Duke of Connaught , Princess Louise" , the Marquis of Lome , thc Lord Mayor , the Dukes of Westminster and Sutherland , and a numerous company were present at the Grosvenor Gallery , on Wednesday evening . The gallery was decorated with the choicest exotic plants , and lit up with crimson coloured lamps !

ROYAL LITERARV FUND . —The eighty-eighth anniversary dinner took place at Willis ' s Rooms , on Wednesday evening , the Earl of Derby ( president ) , being in the chair . The installation of Bro . Montague John Guest as R . W . Provincial Grand Master for the Province of Dorset , will take place this ( Saturday ) afternoon , under the

presidency of Bro . thc lit . Hon . Lord Skelmersdale , R . W . Deputy Grand Master . The Provincial Grand Lodge will assemble at the Masonic Hall , Wimborne . Minster , at 2 p . m . precisely . Among thc distinguished brethren who are expected to be present we may me-nlion I lis Gr . ice the Duke of St . Albans , R . W . Prov . Grand Master Lincolnshire-, Lord Holmesdale , R . W . P . G . M . Kent ; Lord

Methuen , R . W . P . G . M . Wilts . ; Sir George Elliot , R . W . Prov . G . M . South Wales , E . Division ; Lord Donoughmore , Past Grand Warden ; Loid H . Thynne ; John Hervey , Grand Secretary ; Samuel Tomkins , Grand Treas . ; Wilhelm Kuhe , P . G . O ., and Sir Albert Woods . A full report of the proceedings will appear in our next . The foundation-stone of the first bnilding

to be erected specially for thc purposes ol the National Penny Bank , will be laid in Great Easterx-strcet , Shore-ditch , on Tuesday next , at 5 o ' clock , by Bro . the Right Hon . the Lord Mayor . A report ofthe Besconsfield Lodge , No . 1662 , will be given in our next . The South-Eastern Railway intends to run

( in connection with thc Granville ) during thc whole of the summer season the special train to Ramsgate . lt will leave Charing-cross and Cannon-street every Friday , and do the journey in thc short time of a little over one hour ai . d a half . The Inverboyndie Distillery , near Banff , has been burnt to the ground , damage being done to the

amount of £ 9000 . The Times is requested to contradict the rumour of the sudden death of Mrs . Bravo , which appeared in a provincial paper last Friday , and was copied into a London evening contemporary on Saturday . The word " Bankrupt " is derived from two Italian ones , banco rotto , broken bench ; because bankers

and merchants used formerly to count thc ir money and write bills of exchange on benches in the street , and when a banker or merchant lost his credit , and was unable to pay his debts , his bench was broken . —City Press . MACE FUND . —Bro . W . Portlock Dadson ' s letter on this subject reached us , unfortunately , loo late for insertion in this weeks' issue . The communication shall appear in our next number .

The Volunteer Inter-Regimental match was shot off on Wednesday , from teams selected from upwards of sixty corps throughout thc United Kingdom . In each case thc shooting took place ut the three ranges of 200 , 500 , and 600 yards , Wimbledon targets . It will be some time before thc complete returns are obtained in order to ascertain the final results .

Freemasonry In The United States.

FREEMASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES .

CENTENNIAL OF THE GRAND LODGE OF MASSACHUSETTS . This anniversary occasion was suitably observed on Thursday , March 8 th , by our Massachusetts brethren ,

and a large number of invited guests . Massachusetts Freemasonry dates from 1733 , when Henry Price was made Provincial Grand Master . In 176 9 the Grand Lodge of Scotland commissioned Joseph Warren to be Grand Master of New England , and afterwards increased his authority to cover the whole of North America . In

1777 , alter the Revolution had progressed too far to admit of any compromise between the colonies and the mother country , the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts declared itself independent , and frcm that time forward has exercised all the rights and privileges of a sovereign Grand Body . Il was the anniversary of such new departure made a

hundred years ago that was celebrated on the March Sth . A select re-union and banquet , at which about 300 Masons were present ; an address by Grand Master Everett , and an historical oration by Past Grand Master Charles L . Woodbury , constituttd the order of the day . The exercises were of great interest and most suitable to thc day and the dignity of Freemasonry .

GRAND LODGE OF TEXAS . The proceedings of this Grand Body with accompanying papers make a volume of almost 300 pages , for Texas , like California , gives in print the number of its entire membership , and in a jurisdiction of some 400 lodges these names of themselves take a good deal of room . The

Report on Correspondence , from the pen of the R . W . Bro . Gushing , is brief and to thc point . Considerable space is given to Ontario , the matter being of more than ordinary interest , as Texas had given its recognition to the Grand Lodge of Ontario soon after the formation of the last

named body . After presenting the case , with the arguments relied on by the opposing parties , the committee came to the conclusion that the Grand Lodge of Ontario has no legal Masonic existence , and recommend a resolution annulling the act of recognition of the Grand Lodge of Ontario , passed by the Grand Lodge of Texas in 1875 .

GRAND CHAPTER OF RHODE ISLAND . On the 13 th March the seventy-ninth Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter of Rhode Island , was held . Grand High Priest Wardwell presided with grace and dignity . His address was brief and to the point , setting forth his official acts for the year , and giving a general

account of Royal Arch Masonry in this jurisdiction . A considerable amount of business was transacted , including the adoption of a new Constitution , the merits of which were fully discussed . M . E . Comp . W . T . C . Wardwell received the compliment of an unanimous re-election

to the office of Grand High Priest , and thc other officers were chosen with a substantial unanimity . M . W . Nicholas Van SJyck , Grand Master of Masons , administered the official obligation and installed Comp . Wardwell into his high oflice , after which the other officers were duly installed by the Grand High Priest .

Metropolitan Ma.Sonic Meetings.

METROPOLITAN MA . SONIC MEETINGS .

For thc Week ending Friday , May t 8 , 1877 . The Editor will be glad to receive notice from Secretaries of Craft Lodges , Royal Arch Chapters , Mark Lodges Preceptories , Conclaves , & c , of any change in place or

time of meeting . SATURDAY , MAY 12 . Lodge 173 , Phoenix , F . M . H . „ 17 6 , Caveac , Albion Tav ., Aldersgate-st . „ 1528 , Granite , F . M H . „ 13 61 , United Service , Greyhound Hot ., Richmond . Chap . i ' 293 , Burdett , Mitre Hot ., Hampton-court .

LODGES OF INSTHUCTION . Lily , Greyhound , Richmond . Manchester , 77 , London-st ., Fitzroy-sq . Star , Marquis of Granby , New Cross-rd . Eccleston , Grosvenor Club , Ebury-square , S . W .

MONDAY , MAY 14 . Lodge 5 , St . George ' s and Corner Stone , F . M . H . „ 13 6 , Good Report , Cannon-street Hot . „ 193 , Confidence , Anderton ' s Hot ., Fleet-st . „ 9 S 7 , Leigh , F . M . H . „ 1366 , Highgate , Gatehouse Hot ., Highgate . ,, 1571 , Leopold , Woolpack Tav ., Bermondsey-st . Chap . 720 , Panmure , Horns Tav ., Kennington . Rose Croix , Holy Sanctuary , 33 , Golden-sq .

LODGES OF INSTRUCTION . Prince Leopold , Lord Stanley Tav ., Kingsland . Strong Man , Jerusalem Tav ., St . John ' s Gate . Sincerity , Railway Tav ., Fenchurch-st . Station . Camden , Stanhope Arms , Up . James-st ., Camden 1 o « Eastern , Royal Hot ., Mile-end-road ¦