The Masonic Miiror,

centuries , ¦ . -. she commits herself now to a strife in which I venture to say she will prove ultimately unsuccessful . ( "Loud applause . ) In other countries and in other ages—nay , even in this very day , there are countries in Europe where the R , oman Catholic Church has exercised its sway with no moderate influence—in Spain , for instance , —where the name of Freemason is altogether unknown , or it is clouded by big'otry , and is regarded as a synonym for atheist . I have myself

heard the name Freemason , ancient and honourable as it is , calumniated , traduced , misrepresented , and loaded with reproaches too monstrous for me to allude to . ( Sensation . ) As it is now , so was it also in former times with those societies which reflected somewhat of our own organization and our own principles ; They also suffered in the same way . So also did our own great Order at one time ; but our predecessors never wavered for a moment in their allegiance ; they steadily npheld the principles of the Order ; and , in one firm and unbroken phalanx , they

gallantly fought their fight , and at length the victory Was theirs . Their successors here , and our Brethren in foreign lands , must cling fast to our principles , with the constancy and fidelity of their forefathers , and then they will meet with a like reward . ( Applause . ) Sir , as to these persecutions I shall not go into details , as many of the facts relating to them have already appeared in the publications which are issued amongst the members of the Order . It will be in the recollection of most of the Brethren in this room , that in Belgium , Malta , the

Mauritius , China , and several other parts of the world / Roman Catholic . Freemasons have undergone very severe persecutions , and have been interdicted almost from civil as well as from religious privileges . ( Hear , hear , and cries of no , no . ) They have been refused the rites of marriage and of burial . ( Applause . ) And if that is not being deprived of civil and religious privileges , I don't know what is . ( Renewed applause . ) Lately , the Grand Master of the Grand Orient of France , a country which has sympathized warmly " with Masonic principles , addressed a

communication on this subject to the authorities in this country , entreating their advice and co-operation . I have heard also a report—though I for one have not given credence to it , nor shall I belieye it unless I hear it officially and authoritatively declared to be a fact by some one who is competent to speak upon the subject , and I shall await with interest the denial . I have heard it also stated that that despatch remained unanswered and unacknowledged for a period often months , ( Oh , oh ! and loud cries of shame . ) I leave it to those who are

competent to give an answer , to say whether this is true or false ; and no one will more unfeignedly rejoice than I shall , if that denial can truly and authoritatively be made . ( Hear , hear , and cheers . ) The remedy I propose is simply this : that a statement of the principles of onr Order be drawn up with the greatest possible care and despatch , showing the basis of our society in every age . Let that

statement clearly show , that if there be one great principle which has been the mainspring of our Order , that principle has been religion . ( Protracted applause . ) And that if there be any practice which has been rigidly adhered to , it has been that of non-intervention in political and religious matters . ( Tremendous and protracted applause from all parts of the room . ) The noble Earl explained that it was to a Committee of the Board of General Purposes that he wished to refer the

question of drawing up a memorial . Bro . Aria seconded the motion , and in so doing called attention to the recent events which have taken place in the kingdom of Hanover , where the monarch has taken the head of the Craft , and the Brethren have declared that it is a Christian system , and that Jews cannot be admitted as members of the Order . ( Hear , hear . ) This was a question which was eminently deserving of their attentive consideration . ( Hear , hear , and loud cheers . ) A similar attempt to limit their Order had been made in Prussia ; but eventually it was abandoned .

The Grand Lodge of England did act , on that occasion , in a manner worthy of it , and protested against such a restriction on the paH of the Prussian Brethren . Ho hoped this motion would be so altered as to apply it not alone to Roman Catholics , but to all foreign countries , especially to thofie Protestant lands where Preemasonry , instead of being universal , was to be restricted to the professors of Christianity alone . The Earl of Carnarvon said lie had , of course , no objection to alter the word ;