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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemason.
said that " Craft Lodges " cannot legally , in our op inion , exist under warrants from the A . and A . Rite , and we see no reason to change our opinion . We think that as regards the system of procedure of the A . and A . Rite in Great Britain and America , there can be no possible complaint . We wish other and similar jurisdictions were as wise and prudent .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving © f , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in m spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary Jimits—free discussion J
BOYAL MASONIC PUPILS' ASSISTANCE FUND . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In again drawing attention to the subject of the " Royal Pupils' Fund , " permit me to say that my reason for so doing is because I believe that the present Institutions of the Craft will suffer if the formation of the new
fund is persisted in by its energetic Secretaries . Of course , it is quite true that a like result was prognosticated of the Royal Masonic Benevolent' Institution , but cases are very different . The latter was to supply a long felt want , whereas the " Royal Pupils' Fund " is to add considerably to the aid already granted , and will tend to create a body of Masonic beneficiares beyond thc age that we should
be , as a society , in any way responsible for them . Let those who are so anxious—as they say—for indigent and deceased Freemasons ' children evidence their practical good sense by increasing the funds of the two Institutions , and thus enable the Committee to arrange for more candidates to be elected . Argue as wc like , to raise a special fund , distinct'from the present institutions , to aid the children in
after life , more than the laws of such Institutions provide for , after tlieij hare teen well clothed , fed , and educated , and may receive grants to assist them in apprenticeship , & c , up to £ 20 each , is to overdo our charity for the few admitted in each year at thc expense of the much larger numler excluded . To my mind , the most fitting thing to do is to increase the number elected in each year rather than to do still more for those who are the fortunate candidates , and
I am surprised to find Masonc like Bro . Binckes and other well-known advocates of our Institutions lending their names to this new movement , which in no way adds to the funds of the present Institutions , but in all probability will lessen their incomes in years to come . I take it that this new fund is not , as Bro . Sir Henry Edwards , Prov . G . M . of West Yorkshire , puts it , to aid candidates not elected , but to help those who have left the Institutions . M . P .
JURISPRUDENCE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your issue of the 23 rd December , 1876 , there appeared a letter from " An English Mason " enquiring " whether a P . M . under the I . C . who had never been a member of an English lodge , could sit in an English lodge
open and conduct the proceeding ! , or , if asked to do so , has a right to accept . " To this you replied , " Not if he has not been a regulaily Installed Master ; if he has been , yes , if asked by the W . M . " This does not appear to be the opinion of all , for the question as to whether a Scotch P . SI . can confer a Degree in an English lodge has been before two District Grand
Masters under the E . C . ( both , I believe , members of the legal profession ) , and each have decided differently—the one that a Scotch Past Master can do all and sundry in an English lodge that a P . M . under the E . C . can do ; the other that none but Masters or Past Masters under the E . C . can do these things in an English lodge ( vide Masonic Record for W . I . for August and September , 1870 ) .
I have also heard that it has been ruled by one D . G . M . that a Warden cf an English lodge ( the lodge in which the said Warden was initiated ) , who is also Past Master of a Scotch lodge , is not eligible to temporarily occupy the E . chair of his English lodge when he happens to be ruling it in the absence of the VV . M ., and consequently he cannot confer a Degree if required , I may remark that there are
no English Past Masters in the lodge . There appears to be no known ruling by the Grand Lodge of England to meet these cases , and they are decided very much according as the sympathies , or perhaps prejudice , of the D . G . M . for thc time being may direct . It is urged by those who object to a Scotch Master or Past Masters occupying the E . C . in an English lodge , that
the Scotch Constitutions do not require them to have served as Warden to qualify for the oflice of Master ; but in fact a large number of Masters of Scotch lodges do pass one of the Warden ' s chairs before reaching the East . Moreover , the same objection cannot be urged in the case of Irish Masters or Past Masters . The question is an important one and should be treated
tn a broad and liberal spirit , and not with narrow-minded prejudice . It is important because in our colonics there arc lodges of the three Constitutions working si ! e by side , and it seems desirable , and also expedient , that thc utmost harmony and good feeling should exist between all members of the Craft to ensure a hearty co-operation in carrying out the noble works of our Order , and this , I opine , can
hardly be obtained by intimating to a Master or Past Master of a sister Constitution when he joins or visits an English lodge that hc has no status as a W . M . or P . M ., and is only acknowledged as such as an act of courtesy—he is on sufferance as it were , and it is open to any W . M . to refuse a seat on the dais , or any other honour usually accorded a Past Master , and which is considered due to that
Original Correspondence.
rank in the Craft . Indeed I know of a case of this kind . Now , it often happens in aaut-of-the-way places in the colonies and in India that the W . M . is unavoidably absent from several meetings , there may be no P . M . of the E . C . in the lodge , and no work can be done , as of course the Wardens cannot confer Degrees * , but suppose there is a Past Master of either the Irish or Scotch Constitution a
member of that lodge , it would certainly seem expedient that he should be able to carry on the work , otherwise the lodge would suffer ; indeed , I believe many lodges have had to go into abeyance for want of a Past Master . Of course in such a case the Warden should summon the lodge and rule it , seeing that the ceremonies were conducted according to the English form .
The Supreme Grand Chapter of England ( R . A . ) has recognised regularly installed Masters of foreign Constitutions by declaring them eligible to be elected to a Principal ' s chair in an English chapter ( paragraph 52 , Regulations for the Order of R . A . Masons , E . G ., edition of 1875 ) , and I have no doubt the Grand Lodge of England would do so , if it has not done so already ; that is to say ,
recognise their rank and status and their competency to perfoim the various ceremonies of our Order . This recognition need not involve membership of Grand Lodge or P . G . Lodge , nor elig ibility for election to the Eastern chair ( unless qualified by service as Warden of an English lodge ) , as each of these privileges demand special requirements . Now if these points are kept distinct it seems to me and to
many others that there would be no difficulty in according to Masters and Past Masters of the Irish or Scotch Constitution that recognition to which their rank in the Craft seems to entitle them , and to deny which seems inconsistent with the practice of admitting Masons made by these foreign Masters to membership in English lodges ; moreover , it would seem to be in accordance with the
universality of Masonr / that the rank and position of a regularly installed Master or P . M . of either the English , Scotch , or Irish Constitution should be recognised and acknowledged in all lodges working under the three Constitutions throughout the world ; to decide otherwise seems very like exclusiveness .
I shall be glad if you will inform me if there is any ruling by the Grand Lodge of England on this point , and if not , perhaps you will kindly inform mc what the custom in England is . Apologising for taking up so much of your valuable time , 1 am , dear Sir and Brother , yours truly and fraternally , ENO . UIREU .
ERRATA . To the Editor nf the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Let me call attention to two mistakes in my little review of " Who Took Shcm ' s Common ? "
" Forum " should read " power , " " " should read" in , " " novel" should also be put within inverted commas , and a comma should come after " about it . " Most spell it " euphonious , " but I am willing to leave that an open question . Yours fraternally , THE WRITER OF THE ARTICLE .
FREEMASONRY IN FRANCE . Dear Bro . Kenning , — As I think you rightly wish your readers to be acquainted with all matters of Cosmopolitan interest , and not merely those affecting our own " tight little island , " with your kind permission , I venture to send you a few lines anent French Masonry .
The "ghost" of change , insubordination , misrule , and revolution , which from the sad days of the " Commune " has haunted French Freemasonry , is not yet laid , either by the exorcisms of Monsigneur Dupanloup or thc more " positive " dogmata of Bto . Littre . The Rite Ecossais is now going through a crisis , very trying , and , in my opinion , very unfair to its rulers , who deserve
the sympathy of all loyal English Masons . A section of that body larger or smaller matters nothing , as I care nothing for numbers when opposed to principles , being only Master Masons , dissatisfied with the preponderance of the 33 ° in the Administrative Council , as was necessary , and , indeed , imperative , from the very idea and constitution of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , after much "tall
talk " and a good deal of personal attack , has formed itself into a "Grand Lodge Symbolique Independante , " an independent symbolical Grand Lodge . This is , of course , a spurious Grand Lodge , a schismatic body , and has not , I venture to believe , the slightest chance of recognition in Great Britain , America , or Canada . It is , in fact , a meeting against authority , and a most objectionable and
un-Masonic proceeding , on any theory you like to adopt . The Grand Council of the Order has acted with vigour in the emergency , as the subjoined extract shows , and which I translate lower down : " Le Supreme Conseil , informe par de nombrcux imprime ' s , distribues de tous cotes , qu'un groupe , compose principalement de Macons justement radio ' s de la
Maconnerie Ecossaise , usurpe le litre de ' Rite Ecossais Ancien Acceptc , ' et a etabli un centre Maconnique irrdgulier sous le litre de ' Grande Loge Symbolique Independante ;'—Apres en avoir dolibere;—D & rete : Art . ier . Tout Macon appartenant ou ayant appartenu au Rite Ecossais Ancien Accepte sous l'Obedicnce du Supreme Conseil de France , qui fait ou fera partie , soil de cette pre ' tendue Grande Loge
Symbolique independante , soil des LL . qui y ont adhere ' ou y adhe ' reront , est et sera , par se seul fait , dechu de ses droits Maeonniques et radio des controles du Rite . —Art . 2 . Ill est interdit aux Atel . de l'Obedience , sous peine de suspension ou de mise en sommeil , de affillier ces Magons irre ' guliers ou de les admettre a leurs travaux . —Art . 3 . Le Gr . Secretaire Gr . Chancelier est charge' de 1 ' exe ' cution et de la notification du present ddcret aux Atel . du Rite , aux
Original Correspondence.
Supremes Conseils confederes , ainsi qu'k toutes les Obediences regulieres reconnues . —Vu et approuve * : Le Souv . Gr . Commandeur Gr . Maitre , Ad . Cre ' mieux , 33 . —Pour extrait : Le Gr . Chancelier du Rite , G . GuiffreyJ 43 . " The Supreme Council , informed by numerous publications , distributed on all sides , that a group , principally composed of Masons justly excluded from " Scottish
Masonry , " have usurped the name of the " Rite Ecossais , " and have established an irregular Masonic centre under the appellation of " Grand Loge Symbolique , " after deliberation , has decreed : Art . 1 . —Every Mason belonging , or having bt longed , to the " Ancient Scottish Rite , " under the obedience of the Supreme Council of France , who forms , or shall form , part of this pretended Grand Lodge , & c , or
the lodges which adhere to it , or shall adhere to it , is , and shall be by this act alone , is fallen from his Masonic rights , and is excluded from authority in the Rite . Art 2 . —lt is forbidden to the lodges of the obedience , on pain of suspension or of being placed in " slumber , " to affiliate these irreguhr Masons , or to admit them to their meetings . Art 3 . —The Grand Secretary and Grand Chancellor is
charged with the execution and with the notification of this present decree to the lodges of the Rite , to the Supreme confederated Councils , as well as to all " regular recognised " obediences . Seen and approved : The Sovereign Grand Commander Grand JMaster , A . Cre ' mieux , G . Guiffrey . I note that the Lodges 135 , Les Hospitallers de Saint Ouen , and 187 , Union and Bienfaisance , have been dissolved .
The following brethren—Rochette , Master of Lodge 147 ; Clement , Master of Lodge 19 ; Rouget , Master of the Fidele Amitie , and Braun , Master of Lodge 166 , have been excluded from the Rite Ecossais . All this is very disheartening to those who hope to see " better days " for French Freemasonry in all respects . Yours fraternal ! v , MASK . ELYNE .
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — As a somewhat old Mason , I am every day rather surprised at the new crochets which are started by some of our brethren whose admission into our Order rather savours of ignorance than of sound judgment . For years
past I have been labouring under a belief—perhaps it was only an unfounded one—that , until a resolution passed in one lodge was confirmed by another , it ceased to have any effect , and was not binding upon any one to conform to it ,- that it was , in fact , but a declaration on one side what should be done by the ether , and until that confirmation was agreed to the former resolut '< on had no force
whatever , and , comparing small things with greater ones , until a bill that had passed both branches of the legislature had received the Royal assent , it was only , or hardly , worth the paper on which it was printed . It seems now that this is all a mistake , and all that is required or expected in the confirmation of the minutes of one lodge by a subsequent one is a declaration or certificate that the minutes
of a former one have been properly recorded . Was evei such a position taken as this , for the Grand Lodge of England to be called upon , seriously and solemnly , to declare by a resolution that the Grand Secretary had done his duty , and that the minutes of the last lodge had been duly and properly recorded ? Such a theory must startle many English Freemasons , when it is well known that in many
cases , where improper influence has been brought to bear , that the election of a Master carried at one lodge has been negatived by the votes of another , that the minutes as regarded the election of the Master have not been confirmed , and the lodge has at once proceeded to a fresh election . I am not aware wbat may be the practice in Scotland , but this I look upon as common sense , and no possible value
could attach to the confirmation of minutes in a lodge it it rested merely on an assertion that the Secretary had done his duty . With respect to the matter which has elicited this extraordinary opinion from the W . M . of Lodge 30 , 2 , of the Scotch Constitution , I am , until set right by a high authority , of opinion that if the next Grand Lodge
chooses not to confirm the minutes with regard to Bro . Stevens' Committee for uniformity , & c , that it has a perfect and legitimate right to do so , and thus get rid of , in limine , a profitless inquiry into some theoretical crotchet that has no vitality whatever . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours truly and fraternally , Q .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Companion , — The principle of confirmation which includes the power of rejection or non-confirmation has been recognised in every act of Grand Lodge . It has always been the practice to confirm or reject at one meeting resolutions that have been passed at the preceding meeting . In a body such as the Grand Lodge , which consists of
about 15 , 000 members , of whom there are rarely more than 300 present , and where , consequently , a majority of votes can easily be obtained by a combination for the purpose , the practice , which has always existed , of subjecting every resolution to re-consideration is obviously necessary as a safeguard against hasty legislation . In 1861 Lord Zetland explained , as follows , the rule with respect to motions for the non-confirmation of the
minutes : — " Although it is competent for a brother to move the omission of any part of the minutes of a previous Grand Lodge when they were put for confirmation , it was not competent to move the separation or division of a resolution . A resolution passed at one Grand Lodge must at a subsequent Quarterly Communication be accepted or rejected in its entirety ; either the whole must be confirmed or the -whole rejected , "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freemason.
said that " Craft Lodges " cannot legally , in our op inion , exist under warrants from the A . and A . Rite , and we see no reason to change our opinion . We think that as regards the system of procedure of the A . and A . Rite in Great Britain and America , there can be no possible complaint . We wish other and similar jurisdictions were as wise and prudent .
Original Correspondence.
Original Correspondence .
[ We do not hold ourselves responsible for , or even approving © f , the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wish in m spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary Jimits—free discussion J
BOYAL MASONIC PUPILS' ASSISTANCE FUND . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In again drawing attention to the subject of the " Royal Pupils' Fund , " permit me to say that my reason for so doing is because I believe that the present Institutions of the Craft will suffer if the formation of the new
fund is persisted in by its energetic Secretaries . Of course , it is quite true that a like result was prognosticated of the Royal Masonic Benevolent' Institution , but cases are very different . The latter was to supply a long felt want , whereas the " Royal Pupils' Fund " is to add considerably to the aid already granted , and will tend to create a body of Masonic beneficiares beyond thc age that we should
be , as a society , in any way responsible for them . Let those who are so anxious—as they say—for indigent and deceased Freemasons ' children evidence their practical good sense by increasing the funds of the two Institutions , and thus enable the Committee to arrange for more candidates to be elected . Argue as wc like , to raise a special fund , distinct'from the present institutions , to aid the children in
after life , more than the laws of such Institutions provide for , after tlieij hare teen well clothed , fed , and educated , and may receive grants to assist them in apprenticeship , & c , up to £ 20 each , is to overdo our charity for the few admitted in each year at thc expense of the much larger numler excluded . To my mind , the most fitting thing to do is to increase the number elected in each year rather than to do still more for those who are the fortunate candidates , and
I am surprised to find Masonc like Bro . Binckes and other well-known advocates of our Institutions lending their names to this new movement , which in no way adds to the funds of the present Institutions , but in all probability will lessen their incomes in years to come . I take it that this new fund is not , as Bro . Sir Henry Edwards , Prov . G . M . of West Yorkshire , puts it , to aid candidates not elected , but to help those who have left the Institutions . M . P .
JURISPRUDENCE . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — In your issue of the 23 rd December , 1876 , there appeared a letter from " An English Mason " enquiring " whether a P . M . under the I . C . who had never been a member of an English lodge , could sit in an English lodge
open and conduct the proceeding ! , or , if asked to do so , has a right to accept . " To this you replied , " Not if he has not been a regulaily Installed Master ; if he has been , yes , if asked by the W . M . " This does not appear to be the opinion of all , for the question as to whether a Scotch P . SI . can confer a Degree in an English lodge has been before two District Grand
Masters under the E . C . ( both , I believe , members of the legal profession ) , and each have decided differently—the one that a Scotch Past Master can do all and sundry in an English lodge that a P . M . under the E . C . can do ; the other that none but Masters or Past Masters under the E . C . can do these things in an English lodge ( vide Masonic Record for W . I . for August and September , 1870 ) .
I have also heard that it has been ruled by one D . G . M . that a Warden cf an English lodge ( the lodge in which the said Warden was initiated ) , who is also Past Master of a Scotch lodge , is not eligible to temporarily occupy the E . chair of his English lodge when he happens to be ruling it in the absence of the VV . M ., and consequently he cannot confer a Degree if required , I may remark that there are
no English Past Masters in the lodge . There appears to be no known ruling by the Grand Lodge of England to meet these cases , and they are decided very much according as the sympathies , or perhaps prejudice , of the D . G . M . for thc time being may direct . It is urged by those who object to a Scotch Master or Past Masters occupying the E . C . in an English lodge , that
the Scotch Constitutions do not require them to have served as Warden to qualify for the oflice of Master ; but in fact a large number of Masters of Scotch lodges do pass one of the Warden ' s chairs before reaching the East . Moreover , the same objection cannot be urged in the case of Irish Masters or Past Masters . The question is an important one and should be treated
tn a broad and liberal spirit , and not with narrow-minded prejudice . It is important because in our colonics there arc lodges of the three Constitutions working si ! e by side , and it seems desirable , and also expedient , that thc utmost harmony and good feeling should exist between all members of the Craft to ensure a hearty co-operation in carrying out the noble works of our Order , and this , I opine , can
hardly be obtained by intimating to a Master or Past Master of a sister Constitution when he joins or visits an English lodge that hc has no status as a W . M . or P . M ., and is only acknowledged as such as an act of courtesy—he is on sufferance as it were , and it is open to any W . M . to refuse a seat on the dais , or any other honour usually accorded a Past Master , and which is considered due to that
Original Correspondence.
rank in the Craft . Indeed I know of a case of this kind . Now , it often happens in aaut-of-the-way places in the colonies and in India that the W . M . is unavoidably absent from several meetings , there may be no P . M . of the E . C . in the lodge , and no work can be done , as of course the Wardens cannot confer Degrees * , but suppose there is a Past Master of either the Irish or Scotch Constitution a
member of that lodge , it would certainly seem expedient that he should be able to carry on the work , otherwise the lodge would suffer ; indeed , I believe many lodges have had to go into abeyance for want of a Past Master . Of course in such a case the Warden should summon the lodge and rule it , seeing that the ceremonies were conducted according to the English form .
The Supreme Grand Chapter of England ( R . A . ) has recognised regularly installed Masters of foreign Constitutions by declaring them eligible to be elected to a Principal ' s chair in an English chapter ( paragraph 52 , Regulations for the Order of R . A . Masons , E . G ., edition of 1875 ) , and I have no doubt the Grand Lodge of England would do so , if it has not done so already ; that is to say ,
recognise their rank and status and their competency to perfoim the various ceremonies of our Order . This recognition need not involve membership of Grand Lodge or P . G . Lodge , nor elig ibility for election to the Eastern chair ( unless qualified by service as Warden of an English lodge ) , as each of these privileges demand special requirements . Now if these points are kept distinct it seems to me and to
many others that there would be no difficulty in according to Masters and Past Masters of the Irish or Scotch Constitution that recognition to which their rank in the Craft seems to entitle them , and to deny which seems inconsistent with the practice of admitting Masons made by these foreign Masters to membership in English lodges ; moreover , it would seem to be in accordance with the
universality of Masonr / that the rank and position of a regularly installed Master or P . M . of either the English , Scotch , or Irish Constitution should be recognised and acknowledged in all lodges working under the three Constitutions throughout the world ; to decide otherwise seems very like exclusiveness .
I shall be glad if you will inform me if there is any ruling by the Grand Lodge of England on this point , and if not , perhaps you will kindly inform mc what the custom in England is . Apologising for taking up so much of your valuable time , 1 am , dear Sir and Brother , yours truly and fraternally , ENO . UIREU .
ERRATA . To the Editor nf the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — Let me call attention to two mistakes in my little review of " Who Took Shcm ' s Common ? "
" Forum " should read " power , " " " should read" in , " " novel" should also be put within inverted commas , and a comma should come after " about it . " Most spell it " euphonious , " but I am willing to leave that an open question . Yours fraternally , THE WRITER OF THE ARTICLE .
FREEMASONRY IN FRANCE . Dear Bro . Kenning , — As I think you rightly wish your readers to be acquainted with all matters of Cosmopolitan interest , and not merely those affecting our own " tight little island , " with your kind permission , I venture to send you a few lines anent French Masonry .
The "ghost" of change , insubordination , misrule , and revolution , which from the sad days of the " Commune " has haunted French Freemasonry , is not yet laid , either by the exorcisms of Monsigneur Dupanloup or thc more " positive " dogmata of Bto . Littre . The Rite Ecossais is now going through a crisis , very trying , and , in my opinion , very unfair to its rulers , who deserve
the sympathy of all loyal English Masons . A section of that body larger or smaller matters nothing , as I care nothing for numbers when opposed to principles , being only Master Masons , dissatisfied with the preponderance of the 33 ° in the Administrative Council , as was necessary , and , indeed , imperative , from the very idea and constitution of the Ancient and Accepted Rite , after much "tall
talk " and a good deal of personal attack , has formed itself into a "Grand Lodge Symbolique Independante , " an independent symbolical Grand Lodge . This is , of course , a spurious Grand Lodge , a schismatic body , and has not , I venture to believe , the slightest chance of recognition in Great Britain , America , or Canada . It is , in fact , a meeting against authority , and a most objectionable and
un-Masonic proceeding , on any theory you like to adopt . The Grand Council of the Order has acted with vigour in the emergency , as the subjoined extract shows , and which I translate lower down : " Le Supreme Conseil , informe par de nombrcux imprime ' s , distribues de tous cotes , qu'un groupe , compose principalement de Macons justement radio ' s de la
Maconnerie Ecossaise , usurpe le litre de ' Rite Ecossais Ancien Acceptc , ' et a etabli un centre Maconnique irrdgulier sous le litre de ' Grande Loge Symbolique Independante ;'—Apres en avoir dolibere;—D & rete : Art . ier . Tout Macon appartenant ou ayant appartenu au Rite Ecossais Ancien Accepte sous l'Obedicnce du Supreme Conseil de France , qui fait ou fera partie , soil de cette pre ' tendue Grande Loge
Symbolique independante , soil des LL . qui y ont adhere ' ou y adhe ' reront , est et sera , par se seul fait , dechu de ses droits Maeonniques et radio des controles du Rite . —Art . 2 . Ill est interdit aux Atel . de l'Obedience , sous peine de suspension ou de mise en sommeil , de affillier ces Magons irre ' guliers ou de les admettre a leurs travaux . —Art . 3 . Le Gr . Secretaire Gr . Chancelier est charge' de 1 ' exe ' cution et de la notification du present ddcret aux Atel . du Rite , aux
Original Correspondence.
Supremes Conseils confederes , ainsi qu'k toutes les Obediences regulieres reconnues . —Vu et approuve * : Le Souv . Gr . Commandeur Gr . Maitre , Ad . Cre ' mieux , 33 . —Pour extrait : Le Gr . Chancelier du Rite , G . GuiffreyJ 43 . " The Supreme Council , informed by numerous publications , distributed on all sides , that a group , principally composed of Masons justly excluded from " Scottish
Masonry , " have usurped the name of the " Rite Ecossais , " and have established an irregular Masonic centre under the appellation of " Grand Loge Symbolique , " after deliberation , has decreed : Art . 1 . —Every Mason belonging , or having bt longed , to the " Ancient Scottish Rite , " under the obedience of the Supreme Council of France , who forms , or shall form , part of this pretended Grand Lodge , & c , or
the lodges which adhere to it , or shall adhere to it , is , and shall be by this act alone , is fallen from his Masonic rights , and is excluded from authority in the Rite . Art 2 . —lt is forbidden to the lodges of the obedience , on pain of suspension or of being placed in " slumber , " to affiliate these irreguhr Masons , or to admit them to their meetings . Art 3 . —The Grand Secretary and Grand Chancellor is
charged with the execution and with the notification of this present decree to the lodges of the Rite , to the Supreme confederated Councils , as well as to all " regular recognised " obediences . Seen and approved : The Sovereign Grand Commander Grand JMaster , A . Cre ' mieux , G . Guiffrey . I note that the Lodges 135 , Les Hospitallers de Saint Ouen , and 187 , Union and Bienfaisance , have been dissolved .
The following brethren—Rochette , Master of Lodge 147 ; Clement , Master of Lodge 19 ; Rouget , Master of the Fidele Amitie , and Braun , Master of Lodge 166 , have been excluded from the Rite Ecossais . All this is very disheartening to those who hope to see " better days " for French Freemasonry in all respects . Yours fraternal ! v , MASK . ELYNE .
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — As a somewhat old Mason , I am every day rather surprised at the new crochets which are started by some of our brethren whose admission into our Order rather savours of ignorance than of sound judgment . For years
past I have been labouring under a belief—perhaps it was only an unfounded one—that , until a resolution passed in one lodge was confirmed by another , it ceased to have any effect , and was not binding upon any one to conform to it ,- that it was , in fact , but a declaration on one side what should be done by the ether , and until that confirmation was agreed to the former resolut '< on had no force
whatever , and , comparing small things with greater ones , until a bill that had passed both branches of the legislature had received the Royal assent , it was only , or hardly , worth the paper on which it was printed . It seems now that this is all a mistake , and all that is required or expected in the confirmation of the minutes of one lodge by a subsequent one is a declaration or certificate that the minutes
of a former one have been properly recorded . Was evei such a position taken as this , for the Grand Lodge of England to be called upon , seriously and solemnly , to declare by a resolution that the Grand Secretary had done his duty , and that the minutes of the last lodge had been duly and properly recorded ? Such a theory must startle many English Freemasons , when it is well known that in many
cases , where improper influence has been brought to bear , that the election of a Master carried at one lodge has been negatived by the votes of another , that the minutes as regarded the election of the Master have not been confirmed , and the lodge has at once proceeded to a fresh election . I am not aware wbat may be the practice in Scotland , but this I look upon as common sense , and no possible value
could attach to the confirmation of minutes in a lodge it it rested merely on an assertion that the Secretary had done his duty . With respect to the matter which has elicited this extraordinary opinion from the W . M . of Lodge 30 , 2 , of the Scotch Constitution , I am , until set right by a high authority , of opinion that if the next Grand Lodge
chooses not to confirm the minutes with regard to Bro . Stevens' Committee for uniformity , & c , that it has a perfect and legitimate right to do so , and thus get rid of , in limine , a profitless inquiry into some theoretical crotchet that has no vitality whatever . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours truly and fraternally , Q .
To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Companion , — The principle of confirmation which includes the power of rejection or non-confirmation has been recognised in every act of Grand Lodge . It has always been the practice to confirm or reject at one meeting resolutions that have been passed at the preceding meeting . In a body such as the Grand Lodge , which consists of
about 15 , 000 members , of whom there are rarely more than 300 present , and where , consequently , a majority of votes can easily be obtained by a combination for the purpose , the practice , which has always existed , of subjecting every resolution to re-consideration is obviously necessary as a safeguard against hasty legislation . In 1861 Lord Zetland explained , as follows , the rule with respect to motions for the non-confirmation of the
minutes : — " Although it is competent for a brother to move the omission of any part of the minutes of a previous Grand Lodge when they were put for confirmation , it was not competent to move the separation or division of a resolution . A resolution passed at one Grand Lodge must at a subsequent Quarterly Communication be accepted or rejected in its entirety ; either the whole must be confirmed or the -whole rejected , "