Freemasonry In Germany.

tliey may knoAV exactly Avhat they have to do and hoAV they have to do it ; for without that Ave lose the proper cooperation of most members , and our association continues in a helpless condition , painful for every man of character .

Let us , then , animate our forms and accomp lish Avork long waiting for us ; but let us disdain a IIOIIOAV agitation , and devote ourselves only to serious and laborious efforts at reform . My brethren , if Ave would proceed at these

our conventions in a very practical maimer , Ave ought to adopt the three rules Avhich the councils of the Church took for their guidance in their deliberations and resolutions— -viz ., ( 1 ) The councils decide only on such questions as , according to the circumstances of the time , have to be settled ; ( 2 ) they confine themselves in their decisions to

Avhat is necessary ; and ( b ) they endeavour to decide not by majority but unanimously . Let us Freemasons learn a lesson from our adversaries , and not leave them in the exclusive enjoyment of any advantage , neither that of a

more vigorous organisation nor that of a more expeditious management of business . What , let me ask IIOAV , belongs , under present circumstances , to the necessary conditions ; Avhat has primarily to be decided and determined

in order everywhere to establish a sound state of things in the lodges ? A profound German AA'ill probably answer that the desire so often and lone' since

expressed and universally acknoAvleclgecl as just , of raising our demands on the social , moral , and intellectual culture of the candidates , should at length meet with due consideration . It is only by taking this measure that the foundation

° i a further well-insured development wdl be laid . On going over any volume of our periodicals one always meets Avith articles occupying themselves Avith the errors committed in the receptions and lifting the voice of

darning . We do not , in regard , to those _ errors , any longer make new experiences , but UBAV generations of brethren go on making the old , bad

experiences over again Avithout any remedy appearing ; as Avith the receptions , so it is with many other things among us , and this interminable revolution , hi Avhat may be fitly termed a

vicious circle , is a striking proof of our dilettantism . If it were asked why , then , the Grand Lodges do not interfere , I would answer by putting another question , viz ., why do not the individual lodges , or the brethren themselves , put

their shoulders to the wheel , so as to bring about a reform ? We must not expect everything from our rulers , but take matters in hand ourselves , by proposing the necessary laAA s , and making such arrangements as will enable us to carry out the existing regulations in the right spirit . It is , as is well

kiioAvn , a foible of the German national character to expect all salvation from above ; this foible has , produced in many lodges a system of tutelage—a system Avhich is Avholly opposed to the spirit of the Craft , and AvithdraAvs from

it many efficient individuals ; for Avho Avould Avish to remain in a lodge where he is much less free than in ordinary life ! My beloved brethren , by Avay of adding a rider to the proposition made in our part to the Grand Lodge League ,

touching the publication of a manual for the instruction of candidates , I beg to move that you Avould order a compilation to be made of all those suggestions and experiences Avhich have in recent times appeared in our periodical press relative to the proposal and examination of candidates . The articles referred to

emanate , I believe , without exception , from experienced ancl zealous brethren , ancl Avill , if systematically arranged , afford a summary of all the essential points , such as is easily impressed on the memory of the reader . I Avould

further move that the compulation in question , after having passed the revision of the committee and received their approbation , be printed at the expense of the society , so that it may be rendered accessible to very many brethren . But , in order to insure the most extensive distribution , I would