The International Masonic Gathering.

Grand Orient of France , the whole of the American Masons are standing with the English Masons side by side and shoulder to shoulder , advocating those noble principles which , as our Pro . Grand Master has so well stated , are not only the distinguishing characteristic , but the eternal heritage of Freemasonry . I remember a story which ? think is a very good one , and which illustrates our position as English and American Freemasons , and which some of us may call to mind , appeared in the pages of

Blackwood some years ago , in a most graphic account by the late Admiral Sherard Osborn . It was at the time our fleet attacked the ports in the Peiho River , under a very gallant officer , Admiral Hope . The shells were flying , and some of our gun-boats were in flames , ancl though the American sailors were told to remain perfectly neutral , yet they were to be seen leaving the vessel to hel p the English blue jackets to put out the fire . But , as the American Commodore said , " Blood is thicker than water . " That ,

Sir , I believe to be the principle you wish to inculcate to-night , that " blood is thicker than water . " The American Masons are bound together by pleasant ties of amity , affection , and goodwill with us . Tes , Sir , I believe that in the kindly and glorious principles of Freemasonry we have found a bond of union which shall cement our two great countries more ancl more . A poet said in very beautiful words , which I take the liberty of adapting to the present occasion , ancl which I think we shall all heartily agree too , —

"Their sons and ours have Walked abreast as kinsfolk and as friends , As men who seek the same high goal and choose the same high ends ; Their sons and ours have sought to teach the world to keep in awe Tho cloudless face of liberty , the level gaze of law . " I venture , then , Sir , as a Freemason , ancl as deeply interested in the spread ancl maintenance of the prestige ancl character of " The Masonic Press all over the World" to express

, a fervent hope that this auspicious gathering may be a symbol of that peace ancl friendship and goodwill that will ever bind England and America together ; that our rivalry henceforward will only be , which country shall most try to advance the welfare of the people , the dignity of the law , ancl the preservation of good order and society on the great principles of toleration , justice , ancl truth ; which of us shall best succeed with united energies in promoting the civilization and the pacification of mankind .

Bro . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C ., P . G . D ., proposed " Anglo-Saxon Masonry . " He said : Shane ! Brethren , at this hour of the evening , ancl after the very eloquent remarks that you have just listened to , it would ill become me to detain you long hi proposing the toast that has been assigned to me . " Anglo-Saxon Masonry " is one which needs nothing in au assemblage of Masons to commend itself . Our very presence here to-night is a

testimony that Masonry among the great English speaking nations of the world is not the mere curious theories , nor the mere secret assembly that some would suppose ; it is not the mere " dead letter " of an obsolete ritual ; but it is a living haven in the hearts of men . And if I may borrow from the eloquent words that fell from one of the American officers , the progress , the grand progress , that Masonry has made in the great countries on the other side of the Atlantic , which , though severed from us , we are proud

in the old country to feel sprang from our loins , I cannot but feel that Masonry in its highest and its best sense is an institution that flourishes best in a land of freedom , among a people enlightened and free , who , having won ancl achieved liberty of conscience ancl action ancl thought , know ancl respect those great guarantees for the exercise and the perpetuation of their liberties , of which Masonry is one of the greatest , if not the chief . We hear much on this side of the worldof not merely Masonry that is practised

, within these isles , but of the difficulties those who adhere to our order in foreign countries are subjected to ; but I thiuk you will agree hi the truth of this remark , that wherever there exists the truest freedom there Masonry best takes its root , there it spreads its branches widest , there its fruit is the fairest . A gathering like this must make us all who participate in it not only feel grateful to him who has given us the opportunity for thus assembling and testifying our regard , not only of thanking him for