France.

FRANCE .

( Communique . ) The General Assembly of the " Grand Orient of France " for the session of 18 7 S , began its work on Monday , 9 th of September , at half-past nine a . m ., at the" Temple Maconnique , " rue Cadet , 16 , a Paris . Provisional President , Bro . De St . Jean , President of the

" Conseil de l'Ordrc . " This first sitting hail , for its object , the organization of the Assembly and the formation of Bureaux . 170 W . M ' s or delegates answered the call of the roll . The second sitting took place the same day at 2 o'clock . The Assembly was constituted , and the " Bureaux " were formed . President pro . tern ., Bro . De St . Jean . The order" of the day inn thus : —

Nomination of the President . Proclamation of the members of the " Conseil de l'Ordrt , " whose mandate had expired and were subject to re-election . Nomination of commissions to report upon the proposition sent to all subordinate lodges , respecting a modification of the art . 41 of the Constitution . 19 G presidents of lodges or delegates were present . The ballot for President of the Assembly gives as result —1 ; 7 voters , out of which

Bro . De St . Jean received ... ... ... 131 „ Le Die , from _ Rouen , received ... ... 31 ,, Cousin received ... ... ... 3 „ Andrient , from Lyons , received ... 1 „ Valentin received ... 1 ,, Ltcomtc ,, ... ... ... 1 Deau 1

. . .. ... ... ... „ ,, ... ... ... » Bella „ 1 Lost Votes ... ... ... ... ... 7 Bro . De St . Jean is proclaimed President of the As sembly of the Grand Orient of France . The members of the " Conseil de l'Ordre " to be re

elected or replaced are : —Bros . Breimond , from Aix ; Bruand , from Btsancon ; Dou < 5 , from BanlieucjDu Hamel , Paris ; Roehc , ( Rocheford-sur-mer ); Poulle , from Amiens ; Andre Rousselle , from Paris ; Wyrouboff , from Paris ; Doctor Collineau , from Paris ; Andrient , from Lyons ; Lagache , from Boulopnc-sur-Mcr . The Committee on Finance was conferred on the

following : Bros . Grain , Didier , Chevalon , Neumark , Didot , Marichal , Blanpain , David , Lassalc , ! . : Borgne . The following brothers were elected Committee for the revision of the Ait . 41 of the Constitution : —Lauth , W . M . of Alsace-Lorraine ; L . Hubert , Editor " Chaine de Union ; " Doctor le Die ( alias Grimaud in the "Monde Macoijnitrur ) " from Rouen ; Laffon , from Pefiquan ;

Corbicres ( Protestant Ministir ) , Agen ; Neumark , from Reims ; Pirin , from Paris ; Gouvcrriit , from Paris . The silting of the loth of September began at half-past 20 ' chck , p . m ., President , Bro . dc Saint Jean . livo . Ncumaik , reporter of the Commission for the Revision of Art 41 of the Constitution , presented his report .

The former Art . 41 says , Le Grand Orient nc constitue pas d'Ateliers dans Irs pays on il cxiste une Puissance Maconnique irgiiljere . " The proposition nvide is to add : " en relations fratcrn'lhs avee lui . " Bio . Neumark expU ' ms the reas-ms that have engaged light members out i . f nine ( one being aforesaid ) to propose

to the Assembly the ad prion of that modification . If I understood li g ' ntly this report , the culminating point of the considerations enforced by Bro . Neumark , ran thus : — "There is a growing tendency towards a transformation in Masonry . From b-ing universal , it tends to become m ire and more national ( English , German , etc ., etc . ) .

The modification introduced in the Article 1 of the Constitution , by the Cnuvcnl of 1877 , h is caused several Masonic Powers tn break with us . Their lodges have been shut against every French visiting Mason . The Grxnd Orient of France has shown during a long time a great spirit of moderation , of conciliation , but without obtaining satisfaction .

It lias its dignity to sustain , therefore , be the consequences what thiy may , it must put itself in a position to fight against those hostile powers . The Grand Orient of France must have the power and the right to create French Masonic centres wherever the resident French Masons may congregate , in every country where the Masonic temples are shut against them .

They try to checkmate the Grand Orient of France , because it has taken the lead in the way of progress , by proclaiming , in Masonry , the liberty of conscience . France is accustomed to these fights , to these resistances . The French Mason must not recoil . " Hrn . Hubert , Clxiine < P ( jnUn , spoke on behalf of the minority—This is a brief analysis of his remarks : He

said he would he short i'i his considerations , wishing tn avoid any froissernciit but , at first , he must observe that in presence of the spirit of appaissemenr , that some a lew months back ucmed to prevail in the foreign Masonic powers towards French Masonry , it would be prudent , it would be wise , it would be necessary to avoid repeating in a new incisure anything that other Masonic powers

might consider ns an act of war , a threat striking directly at such or such Masonic jurisdiction . In the present cise , the Grand Lodge of England would feel toucheil dircctle and deliberately by said article thus modified . Consequently , Bro . Hubert mil the minority that he repti'i . eiits oppose d themselves energetically to the said

modifications , and his \ i-le will he against the adoption r . f the said propi silieii . However , he would be ready to rally himself , in a spirit i . | conciliation , of com-.-ill , of " appai .-siiuent" to the total tuppiosioii of ait . 41 , considering the state of mind of the icsinl niunbcis , thai tupprcssion , without striking ut any

France.

particular Masonic power , would spare the susceptibilities and respect the rights of every one , since that would be the proclamation of " common right" the primordial right which can not be denied to any . Bro . Neumark , in the name of the majority , is opposed to this amendment . Bro . Jouault ( from Reims ) answered with a great

deal of logic against the modification to the art 41 , and with considerations powerful alike moral and practical . He gives an explanation of the tendencies and the importance est English and German Masonry , which strength and material power formed the reasons for maintaining the art 4 . 1 , without addition . But there is nothing to be done against a " parti prbs

d'avance . " There is no use to conceal the fact that the great majority of the Grand Orient de France is drawn irresistibly towards a maelstrom of reform which may transform that association into something entirely different from Masonry . Thus , after hearing two or three vehement ora' . ors , whose speeches we will not relate , not wishing to throw

oil upon the fire , the Grand Orient de France , after favourable conclusions from its Orator in office ( Bro . Jean from Albi , ) adopted , by a large majority , the article 41 , modified . Bros , de Loucellcs , Jouault , Roche , Hubert , and a few others , voted against such adoption . An incident followed the adoption of art . 4 r , which is a

new proof of the resolution already formed by the advanced group of the Grand Orient to run on to the full end of these innovations . A propos of the few reflections of the Freemason , in answer to the Bauhiitte , on the conduct of the Bros . De Saint Jean , Marichal , and Hubert , after the revision of Art . 1 st of the Constitution , remaining however in the Grand Orient , a brother made in interpellation to the President of the

" Conseil de l'Ordre " to know what were the intentions both of the President and of the " Conseil de l'Ordre , " about the revision of the rituals , so as to put them in harmony with the new Article first of the Constitution . Out tolerant brethren , great lovers of liberty of conscience for themselves , and noboby else , are tired to see the circulars of the Grand-Orient of France , and the convocation letters of a few lodges , headed by that noxious formula , A . L . G .

D . G . A . d'L . U . This gives sleepless nights to these unfortunate " Freethinkers . " I will not relate to you , out of respect for your readers , the liotous scenes , the various interpellations , the motions more or less insane , that succeeded the explanations of the Bros . De Saint Jean , and Hubert , explanations that should

have reassured all . But they warded scandal , ani especially they wanted to prove , without any possible denial , that it was the atheistical free-thought which ruled supreme in he Grand Orient of Fiance . The assembly voted a resolution , enjoining to the President , to the " Conseil dc l'Ordrc , " that they must put

before the General Assembly at its first meeting of 1879 , the reformed rituals . Following this vote , passed as wc have said by a large majority , Bro . De Saint Jean , deposing on the altar with much calm and dignity his insignia of President du Counseil de l'Ordre , and after taking leave with a grand and noble language , gave in his " demission " of President of the Grand Orient and of member of the " Conseil dc

l'Ordrc , " and notwithstanding all entreaty retired . After the departure of Bro . De Saint Jean , the assembly voted that it did not accept the resignation of Bro . De Saint Jean , and also voted Hint a committee , forme I of all the Officers of the Grand Orient , should go and visit him , in order that he might withdraw his resignation . The " Conseil de l'Ordre " will do the same thing . We shall sec tr-morrow what has become of these

missions . But if Bro . De Saint Jean consents to preside again , he will shelter under his name the most intolerant and absolute positivism , theonly true ruling power now in the Grand Orient of France .

SECOND LETTKVI . I resume my narr . vive of the Grand Orient of France ' s conventual doings . Silting of the 1 tin of September . What I surmised took place ; Bro . de St . Jean , yielding to the entreaties of the committees sent to him by the Assembly and the " Conseil de l'Ordrc , " has withdrawn

his resignation , anil remains , ( Poor fellow , I am sorry for him ) , President of the Grand Orient , and member of the " Conseil de l'Ordre . " This is an act of weakness , hard to explain , for facts arc to-day exactly what they were yesterday . And the best proof I can give for this is , that before Bro . de St . Jean was introduced anew , the very same group

of Venerables and Delegates who caused the tempest of yesterday have presenicei a new demand of interpellation to the effect of obtaining both from the General Assembly and the " Conseil de l'Ordre " a declaration that the actual reduction of Article 1 st of the Constitution edicts the absolute obligation for the Grand Orient of France and its subordinate lodges to suppress entirely the formula ,

A . L . G . D . G . A . D . l . 'U . A new hurricane was beginning at the hearing of that motion , and Bro . de St . Jean would have been introduced in the midst of this whirlwind , when Bro . Caubet , sciinx breakers ahead , and tinder-tanding all the dangers and inconveniences of tl" : situation , brought forward all his

inllticnce as a brother acting and thinking in peneet harmony with saiel group , but wishing to make "ft coup sur . " " My lielhrcn , says the editor of the Mantle Mactmnii / uc you kueiw 1 tic- ; you are well aware that 1 have been one of those that fought the more pertinaciously to obtain the modification of Act 1 st of the Constitution . 1 will not

France.

disown myself . I must tell you that I am one of the two brothers that have been appointed by the ' Conseil dc l'Ordre' to revise the rituals , ( pretty work it shall be , to be sure ! A . V . ) , be quiet , you may feel sure that wc will amend them so as to render them in perfect conformity with our new constitutional law : then , ' pray , wait a little !" The majority then consented to desist , though it was done

with a visible reluctance . They well understood it was only a question of time . Yes , dear brother editor , nothing will henceforth hinder the Grand Orient of France from surrendering body and soul , ( have they got a soul ?) , to positivism .

They may try some time yet to dissimulate , but it will only be tactics—that ' s all . Now , the prsitivists have stormed the Grand Orient of France , and they rule supreme . They will not recede . Bro . De St . Jean was then introduced , and re-took the presidcntal chair . A FOREIGN VISITOR .

Consecration Of The Leopold Lodge, No. 1760.

CONSECRATION OF THE LEOPOLD LODGE , No . 1760 .

On Thursday week there was a goodly muster of the brethren of the mystic tie at Scarbro' on the occasion of the consecration of the Leopold Lodge , No . 1760 . The ceremony was announced to take place at noon , and at that hour a large number of Masons were assembled in the

rooms of the Old Globe Lodge , 200 , where the Leopold Lodge has found a welcome home . A procession of Stewards and Provincial Grand Officers was formed in the ante-room , and entered during the playing of a march by the Organist , and a lodge was opened by V . W . Bro . John Pearson Bell , Deputy Provincial Grand Master , the Wardens' chairs being occupied respectivel y by Bros .

T . Sissons , P . M ., P . P . S . Registrar , and George Balmford , P . M ., P . P . G . O . The usual preliminaries having been duly observed , the D . P . G . M . proceeded with the ceremony of consecration , which was conducted with full choral accompaniments , Bro . J . Woodall , P . M . 200 , P . P . S . G . Warden , acting as Director of Ceremonies . The W . M . Designate , Bro . G . H . Walshaw , P . M . 200 ,

and P . P . G . D . C , was then placed in the chair , and saluted in ancient form , and he then proceeded to appoint and invest the following officers : —Bros . T . J . Gilbert , S . W . ; J . Verity , J . W . ; It . H . Peacock , Treasurer ; W . Fraser , Secretary ; A . S . Kirk , S . D . ; J . Knaggs , J . D . ; E . H . Hackers , I . G . ; G . Dixon , Organist ; G . Simpson , Tyler . The D . P . G . M . then gave a very eloquent address on

the aims and objects of Freemasonry , exhorting the brethren to diligence in their duties , and in aiding the charities . He also alluded to the fact that Scarborough was one of the earliest centres of Freemasonry in Yorkshire , the Old Globe Lodge having been constituted 111 J 1771 . The W . M . then announced that their Royal Bro . Prince Leopold had accepted honorary membership of the lodge , and the

D . P . G . M . ( Dr . Bel !) and Bro . M . C . Peck , Provincial Grand Secretary , were elected honorary members . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a banquet at the Royal Hotel , at which Bro . Walshaw presided , supporteel by the D . P . G . M . and a number of Past Grand Officers and brethren . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and a pleasant

evening was passed , many 01 those present subsequentl y aeljourning to the Grand Hotel , where the annual Masonic ball in aitl of the charities was held uneler very distinguished Masonic patronage . The musical arrangements at the ceremonies were very excellent , the principal instrumentalists being Br"S . B . Shaw and C . H . Hunt , and the leading vocalists Bros . G . H . Walshaw and J . E .

Wilkinson . The following is as complete a list as could be procured of the brethren present : —J . P . Bell , D . P . G . M . ; Charles E . Camidge , P . G . Chaplain ; J . Parkinson , P . P G . Chaplain ; M . C . Peck , P . G . Secretary ; T . Sissons , P . M . i ^; , P . P . G . Regr . ; H . Blanc , P . G . D . C . ; G . Balmford , P . M . 236 , P . P . G . O . ; C . H . Hunt , P . G . Organist ; A .

Fraser , P . M . 1298 , P . G . S . B . ; A . Fncour , P . M . 1298 , P . G . S . D . ; N . H . Delamerc , P . P . G . S . D . ; J . Ward , P . G . Pursuivant ; G . II . Walshaw , P . M . 200 , P . P . G . S . D . ; R . H . Peacock , P . M . 200 ; W . Garbutt , P . M . 200 ; H . A . Williamson , P . M . 200 ; F . Foster , P . M . 1248 ; W . Roberts , P . M . 298 ; W . H . Prince , P . M . 298 ; G . Taylor , P . M . 1 248 ; A . W . Tomlinson , W . M . 200 ; R . Powley , P . M .

200 ; T . B . Whytehead , W . M . ifin ; H . J . Morton . 1248 ; G . Padley , 1248 ; R . Boreman , 200 ; W . G , Smyt ' i , 312 ; H . Fairfax , 190 ; J . If . Hackett , 200 ; J . H . MiUsUme , 1605 ; J . W . Harrison , 1021 ; James Hoisfall , 178 , G . Chambers , 555 ; W . B . Richarelson , 200 ; T . Westlake ; J . F . Littlewood , 139 ; J . D . Sissons , ' 39 J VV . Fraser , 200 ; G . Dixon , 116 ( 1 ; J . J . Davidson ,

1248 ; J . Marny , 1248 ; G . C . Pritchard , 1319 ; A . S . Kirk , 304 ; B . Shaw ; M . Robinson ; J . Knaggs , 200 ; V . Fowler , 200 ; W . Mceke ; S . Middleton , 200 ; J . Wanless ; J . Webster ; E . H . Hackers , 200 ; A . M . Labarthe , 12118 ; G . Verity , 200 ; J . Simpson , 200 ; E . Walker , 784 ; W . DcMcilhac , [ 248 ; A . T . B . Turner , 1611 ; J . E .

Wil-Vinson , Jtiit ; T . P . Currier ( Henry Price Lodge , New York ); T . Crier , 157 , & c . The weather was unfortunately stormy , which , combined with the fact that Thursday is market day at Scarbro' , preventeil the . -attendance of many , and the P . G . Secretary read several letters of apology from brethren who were unab ' ie to be present . —Yorkshire Post .

The following reports and other communications unavoidably s ' . atid over : Prov . Grand Lodge of Cheshire ; Prov . G . Loefigc of Dorset ; Consecration of the Eleanor Cross Lodge , No . 1 7 66 ; The Piatt Memorial ; The Madras District ; Lod ges 726 , 1044 , 10 37 , 1273 , 1357 , 13 O 1 , 1642 , ; Chapter , 72- ; Mark Lodge , 229 ; letters by Box , D . R . and W . H . ; lhe , u , . athof LauyTatUm .