The New Constitutions Of The French Masons.

vcnfcitious aids to promote fraternity and good feeling which now exists betAveen the Craft in England , and their brethren in France . Masonry is far above , and vastly beyond the necessity of such a stimulus to duty ; and we shall endeavour to extend and strengthen that fraternal feeling , in the existence of which Ave rejoice , by publishing , as often as circumstances permit , any intelligence Avhich may come to hand affecting the

welfare of the Lodges holding under the Grand Orient of France . If in most cases , it is the demand AA'hich creates the supply ; Ave trust that in this instance the supply will increase the demand ; ancl that from month to month the interest felt by our readers , in the progress made by the brethren in France , will gradually deepen and extend .

A convention , or species of constituent assembly was held in Paris a short time since , which revised the constitutions , investigated the finances of the Order , and discussed various propositions affecting the " welfare of the Craft . This convention has changed materially in some points the aspect of French Masonry , altering the constitutions regulating the administrations of Lodge funds , assessment of the Lodges , and the placing the general government

of the Order , including the high grades , under the Grand Master , a council of 21 , and a Legislative Assembly of delagates from the Lodges , meeting yearly to form the States General of the Order in France . Knowing the interest taken by the brethren in every thing affecting the good of the Order Ave make no apology for translating the official version of the Eevised Constitutions agreed to by the conventionand sanctioned and

, signed by the M . W . Prince Lucien Murat , the G . M . Although it occupies considerable space , its intrinsic excellencies and importance are such that it amply deserves the space devoted to it . The following is a translation of that document : —

OP MASONRY AND MASONSThe Order of Freemasons has for its object benevolence , the study of universal morality , ancl tbe practice of every virtue . It has for its basis : the existence of God , the immortality of the soul , and tbe love of the human family . It is composed of free men , AVIIO , submissive to the laws , unite with each other in a Societ y regulated by statutes , general and particular . Freemasonry does not occupy itself either with the diversitof reliions which scattered

y g are throughout the world , or with the various constitutions of the States . It nevertheless respects the religious creed of the political sympathies of each of its members . Moreover , in its reunions , all discussion on these subjects is expressly interdicted . Masonry ever conserves its ancient motto , Liberty , Equality , and Fraternity ; but it reminds its members , working as they do with moral , ancl not with material implements , that one of their primary duties , as Masons and as citizensis to respect and observe the laws of the countries which they

, inhabit . Masonry considers the obligation to labour as one of the most imperious laws of humanity ,- it imposes duties on each of its members , and consequently proscribes voluntary inaction . The number of Masons is illimitable ; they congregate in assemblies which are designated by the generic term Ateliers . The number of Ateliers is proportioned to the population of the localities in which they are established . The Masonic Lodge of France , and of the French possessions , are united to each other by a central authoritythe composition and prerogatives of which are defined in

, the present constitution . No one can be admitted to participate in the labours of Masonry , who cannot justify his claims to be a Mason conformably to the regulations hereinafter stated . Masonic Lodges ancl assemblies shall be held in accordance Avith those ancient mysteries , ancl emblematical forms , the description and meaning of