Original Correspondence.

mcnt of the fact . I did not , however , do this in the way in which I arr reported in your columns . I did not say that " Swedish Freemasonry was on the same looting as Geinian Freemasonry , " but , on the continiy , I said that whereas in Gtimany , as Lord Tenterden had just pointed out , the Christian qualification was an exceptional characteristic of cciinin Idle is , in Sweden it is thc universal feature of

all the ledges . Jews are not admitted as candidates fi-r initiation in any Svuilish lodge ; but Jewish brethren , holding the ctitificates cf any other Grand Lodge in the vvoild , would l : e received as visitors and made welcome . This beins ; the case , I think it would have been simply

impossible fir the Grand Loilge of England to request its Royal Grand Master to inteilere in the case of Germany , and to ignoie tbe stronger case of Sweden , in the Grand Lodge of which country he himself still holds a very high p lace , ami lo whose Constitutions His ltoyal Highness still owes allegiance .

The fact oi the mailer is this . Freemasonry in Sweden knows but cue sv stem , viz ., that of a Grand Lodge which is the governing body of all thc degrees which are , or can be , woikeil in lhat country . It is not , as in England , Ihe Grand Lodge only of the Crafi , or Fiist Three Degrees , but recognises the Knight Templar as well as the Master Mason . 1 am myself a Cartfcn of thc Order of the Temple ,

i . e ., a member if the highest degree known in Swedish Masonry ; if I were a layman , I should bc " Knight Commander . " It is their Ninth Degree ; what is looked upon as the Tenih is net a working degree , but a sort of brevet rank , or honoiary distinction , conferred in a chapter of the Eighth Degree . This Eighth Degree is that of Knight Templar , and il is marked by a handsome gold ling worn

on the middle finger cf the right hand . Thc King of Sweden always wears this ring ; and the Swedish deputation at thc installation in the Albert Hall noticed that Ihe Prince of Wales wore it on that occasion . Now , the privilege of wearing this ring is an object cf laudable ambition to every Swede who joins the Masonic body ; no Swede ever dreams of becoming a Mason to stop shoit at the

Third Degree ; he looks forward to the Eighth , and to be known all over Scandinavia as a Knight Templar by his ring . Consequently it may be understood that Ihe Jews resident in . Sweden would look upon the Freemasonry of the country , of which Knight Templary is so essential and prominent a feature , as net an object for their ambition or desire . Before closing this letter , will you allow me to ask a

question ? What will the English Templars say to nic when I present myself at their encampments as a visitor ? Will they give a brotherl y recognition to one who holds thc same Swedish rank as their own Grand Master , whom they admitted to that hi gh position on ( as I believe ) the qualification of his Masonic rank in Sweden ? Faill fully and fiaternally yours , R . P . BENT , P . G . C , Late Chaplain at Gothenburg , Sweden .

7 b the Editor nj the " Freemason . " Dear Sir anil Brother , — While thanking Bio . thc Rev . R . J . . Simpson , P . G . Chaplain , right brotherly for his excellent advocacy in behalf of the motions he brought foith at the last meeting of G . L ., permit me , as originator of this " German Question . " to make a few remarks .

Whatever may be the origin . il constitution of the G . L . of the ' 1 hice Globes , if it is not in accordance with the principles of true Freemasonry it is net a rig htand lawful system . That it is not in accordance with the principles of true Freemasonry will be acknowledged by every Freemason who has in his heart the words of the first chapter of our

Book of Constitutions , namely : " Let a man ' s religion or mode of worship be what it may , he is not excluded from the Order . " The question therefore arises , can G . L . of England admit an official representative of the G . L . of the Three Globes , or any other G . L . which is as unlawful as that ? ( compare Lt ril Zetland ' s declaration as reported in Bro .

Simpson ' s speech in the Freemason of Sth Dec , page 528 , 3 rd column . ) It cannct admit such a one until thc Book of Constitutions o ( that G . L . of the Three Globes is revised according to the principles of true Freemasonry . That it can be revised , is shown very clearly indeed by thc revision of the Book of Constitutions made by the G . L . of Royal York of Friendship , when a similar obnoxious clause

tu that in question was repealed . While admiring thc wisdom of our M . W . Pro G . M ., the Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon , not to " hurry to a decision that evening , " I hope that G . L . will at its next meeting cany the motions Iwo and three of Bro . Simpson , as it has done with motion one . Yours fraternally , S . STRAUSS , Chaplain of Harmony , 600 .

THE GRAND ORIENT AND THE GRAND LODGES OF SCOTLAND AND IRELAND . To the Editor of the "Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I have been favoured from the Grand Orient of France with two letters ( copies ) one addressed to the Hon , Bro . Hyde Claike , London , and thc other to the 111 . Bro ., E .

Borough , Dublin , and as I think that they are important documents respecting thc action lately taken by the Grand Orient of France , I have translated them , and beg you to insert them in your next publication . Yours fraternally , J . T . Lorn , 33 ° . P . M . and G . St . — Representative of the Grand Orient of France at the Grand Lodge of Scotland .

Original Correspondence.

A . L . G . D . G . A . D . I . 'Univ . GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE . O . de Paris , 14 th November , 1877 . Dear Sir and Brother , — I hasten to reply to your letter of the 10 th inst . The Grand Orient of France have not abolished the Masonic formula , " To the glory of the Great Architect of thc

Universe , " as you appear to believe , still less have they made profession of Atheism . In their General Assembly of September , 1877 , they purely and simply proclaimed absolute liberty of conscience asa ri ght belonging toevcry man ; and out of respect for this liberty they expunged from their constitution a dogmatic formula , which seemed to a great majority of their members to be in

contradiction with liberty of conscience itself . I see by your letter , and by the resolution of the Grand Lodge cf Ireland of which you apprise me-, that this modification of thci . Constitution by the Grand Orient of France has unfcvlunaUly been misunderstood and badl y interpreted abroad . I believe il would be otherwise if they would give themselves thc trouble to take cognizance of the

discussions upon tins question , which took place in our Gencral Assemblies of September 18 76 and 1 S 77 . * From the elate of foundation until 18 49 , the Grand Orient of France had thrived and prospered without formulating in their code any dogmatic creed . They , in common with the founders of the Order , understood that Fieemasonry should remain , in every stale-, a neutral

ground , to which men ol all opinions could bc admitted , and should there be respected , and em which all honourable men , without distinction of nationalities , reli gions , races , or colour , could shake hands . In 18 49 , under the influence of peculiar circumstances , which I have neither to vindicate nor qualify in this letter , the Grand Orienlof Fiance- departed , at least in

appearance , from this broad basis of ideas and principles ; they then inscribed , foi the first time , in their fundamental law , a dogmatic affirmation , which , since thai period , has never ciased to cause confusion in their ranks . In 18 77 , in the- plenlituile of their rights , and after a profound sluiiy of the question , being desirous of putting an curt to so regrettable a state of affairs , they returned to

then * onginal starting point . By proclaiming absolute liberty of * conscience tiny placed themselves in accoril with the original laws of Masonry , with modem ideas , Willi progress ; -they showei ' . themselves humane and tolelant in the face of inhumanity and intolerance , that is all . Will the Grand Lodgeof Ireland anil the Great Mason it Powers of the Globe attrii ute to them as a crime this

return to the pure sources of the inslitution ? I e ! o not think so , I cannot believe it , because I suppose them just and intelligent and animated b y fraternal sentiments ; and if I were charged to . ippr . il to them , before all I should addn-ss myself to the Grand Lodge t . f Ireland , for , better than any other , they should know the value of liberty of conscience and have the highest appreciation of it .

such , dear Sir and brother , are the reflections which your letter suggests to me . However incomplete they may be , I am sure they will suffice to put you on your guard against the errois disseminated respecting the latest labours of the Grand Orient of France , and you will shortly receive the official repent of these labours , by which alone you can form a sound judgment on the

question . Acc-pt , dear Sir and Brother , ihe assurance of the sent ! nie-nts with which I have the honour to remain , Yours fraternall y ( Signed ) TIIF . VENOT , Chief Secretary To the Hon . Bro . H yde Clarke , London .

A . L . G . D . G . A . D . I . 'Univ . GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE . Cabinet of the President , Council of thc Order , O . of Paris , 28 th November , 1877 . Sir and Very Illustrious Brother , — We have received the ; letter informing us that you resign the representation of the Grand Orient of France at the Giand Lodge of Ireland . Your

determination , it seems , is based upon the circumstances that the Grand Lodge of Ireland have decided , not only to break ff all connection with the Grand Orient of France , but also that they should address a circular to the lodges of their jurisdiction , inviting them to refuse our Freemasons admission tn their lodges . It would appear that this decision , which has not been notified to us , was taken in

consee-uencc of certain mollifications made in our statutes by tbe last General Assembly of the Grand Orient of France . While formally accepting your resignation , Sir and Very Illustrious brother , we cannot refrain from expressing our surprise and regret at the precipitation wherewith the Grand Lodge oi Ireland have acted in this matter ,

without even ha-, nig sought official information respecting the considerations which gave rise to the vote of out last General Assembly . In those proceedings , permit me to observe , there is a forgeifulncss of the sentiments of Masonic fraternity , which , we are persuaded , will strike you , as it has done us , and in any ca-e it is painful for us to note such an act of intolerance on the part of a Masonic power with

which the Grand Orient of France have for so long a period maintained fraternal relations . In this letter I shall not endeavour to demonstrate , to you how much the Grand Lodge of Ireland have been mistaken in their construction of the vote of our last Assembly . That is a duty which I hold in reserve until such time as the Grand Orient of

France shall have received notice of the regrettable elecis on you mention . Let it suffice for me to affirm that , in modifying an article of their statutes the Grand Orient of France by no means intended to make profession either of atheism or of materialism , as would seem to be understood . No alteration has been made either in the principles or in thc practice of Masonry ;

Original Correspondence.

and French Freemasonry remains what it has always been , a fraternal and tolerant brotherhood which respects the relig ious faith and political convictions of its adepts , anil leaves in twese delicate questions to each one the liberty of his conscience . Labouring , as it docs , with a view to the moral and intellectual perfecting 0 f men and to their well-being , it requires of those who desire

lo be admitted to its fold those sentiments of honesty and love of good which permit of their co-operating usefull y in its work of piogress and civilisation . We think , Sir and Very Illustrious Brother , that these are ihe true precepts inculcated by Freemasonry , and we should bc much surprised if they did not dwell in the hearts of all Freemasons of every land , to whatsover rite

they may belong . Ii : conclusion , Sir nnd Very Illustrious Brother , we express our most sincere wish lhat the misunderstanding which conslrainci you to resign your office of repiescntatiie of Grand Orient oi Fiance may disappear , and that we may once more be permitted to entrust you with that mission to thc Grand Lodge of Ireland .

Accept , Sir anil Very Illustrious Brother , thc assurance , LVC , eVC . ( signed ) DE ST . J . The President of the Council of the Order , For exact copy ( Signed ) TIIF . VENOT . Chief Secretary , To thc Very 111 . Bro . Edward Borough , Dublin .

* Bulletin of the Grand Orient of I * ranee , October , No ., 18 7 6 , pages 3 J 3 to 409 , and September No ., 1877 , pages 2 . 5 '

250-TH E COSMO . To the Editor of the " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — A pamphlet entitled "A Masonic Mistake" has come into my hands- , and induced mc to write a few lines to you . It appears lo me that such a communication , which apparently intended as a " trade circular , " is

neither very courteous nor very amiable , and is entirely inconsistent wilh the true principles and real teaching of Freemasonry . It is , in fact , a deliberate attack"from some interested individual on your publisher , and his useful and valuable Cosmopolitan Calendar . Even supposing that such hostile critici--m is justified , I

think it right to say this . Every one knows that in a compilation of such magnitude as the " Cosmopolitan " eirors of various kinds must creep in , even with the best iitentioiis in the woild , ar . il with the utmost rare of comparison and compilation . I note , for insiancc , that even in our excellent Grand Lodge Calendar , published uniler official authority , there are no less than twenty-three errors

in the days of meeting of eighty-six lodges , and nine errors of thc same kind in regard to thirty-five chapters . So far as regards this province very few chapters meet more than four times a year , but the "Calendar" does not mention thc months of meeting . I have carefully compared the dates given in Grand Lodge " Calendar , " as " corrected from the books of the " Grand Lodge and

Grand Chapter , " with the small Calendar compiled by thc Prov . Grand Secretary of East l . anca-hire , ihe dates of which I have verified in many instances . This I think proves how v cry difficult it is to arrive at entire accuracy in detail . I also observe that Grand Chapter is said to have voted a sum of money to the sufferers from the fire at St . John ,

New Brunswick , in 1 S 79 . Of course it will be said that this is a mere mistake of the printer's devil . But don't you keep one at the cilice of the Freemason ? And cannot you throw the blame of any errors or omissions in the " Cosmopolitan " on his guilty shouldeis ? Were it not for the "Cosmo , " how could I learn anything about the Mark , thc K . T ., the Rose Croix , or any of the higher degrees , for some of which I hold a great veneration ,

the meetings which 1 am always anxious to be present at , in the course of one's wanderings ? Your "Cosmo" has rarely misled me , cither in England or on the Continent , and 1 must bear my record 10 its value as being what it prolesscs to be , in addition to its giving the greatest amount of information for the money , and as quite reliable , in every way . I am , dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , SEX ion DEACON .

THE "NATIONAL REFORMER . " 7 b the Editor ofthe " Freemason . " Dear Sir and Brother , — I see in the National Reformer , a letter addressed to His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales respecting the Grand Orient of France and the Grand Lodge of England . Thc only answer which the epistle requires is ,

I think— "A Mason is obliged , by his tenure , to obey the moral law ; and if he rightly understand the art he will never be a stupid atheist , nor an irreligious libertine . He , of all men , should best understand that God seeth not as man sceth . Let a man's religion or mode of worship be what it mav , he is not excluded from the Order , provided

he believe in the glorious Architect of Heaven and Earth anil practise the sacred duties of morality . " I am , yours fraternally , AN ENGLISH MASON . P . S . —English Masons are not unprepared for the fight , as threatened somewhat in the National Reformer .

The London Freemason has been enlarged to twenty pages—weekly . This is one of the best , if not thc best , Masonic periodical of the day . There is an immense amount of reading matter in its pages , and the leading articles are ably written . We are indebted to the Freemason lor items of English Masonic rews . —The Canadian Craftsman , Nov . 15 th , 1877 .