Reformed Masonic Order Of Memphis.

some of its members have had the honour of being victims of their attachment and fidelity to the principles of Freemasonry . You say that we are a secret society , and that we have no connection whatever with the English Masonry : facts will answer for us . Our meetings are open to all Masons , and our Lodge is constantly visited by brothers from every country . Our banquets have been honoured with the presence of several brother Officers , Masters , Past Masters and AVorshipful Masters of different English Lod

ges ; and more than once have we been congratulated for the maimer in which are conducted our proceedings . Our minute book can prove the truth of this statement—and whenever any member of our Order has visited a Lodge , in England , France , America , c \ -c , every where he has met with the same kind of reception which our Lodges give to their visitors , and we feel proud to say that we have received repeated proofs ol the good feelings which the most honourable Lodges in Paris entertain for us . Now , can you mention a single fact showing that the Grand Lodge of the Philadelphes ever forgot the duties of Freemasonry , a single instance of our having been deaf to the appeal of a brother in distress ? Did we ever , indiscriminately , initiate any person unworthy of becoming a member of our honourable body ? It is desirable , on this last uoint . that all vonr

Lodges were as particular as w-e . always have been . AVhat can you reproach us with ? Is it with our having wished that Masonry should not be the exclusive privilege of the high classes , with having endeavoured to render the initiation accessible to the working man , by lowering the too heavy fees which the English Lodges impose upon their members ? But no ; you cannot address us with such a reproach , for that were forgetting the true spirit and object of Freemasonry . In conclusion , w-e are happy to say that our efforts have been successful ; and perhaps it is on account of our success

that we are attacked to-day : for surely nobody would bring an action against the dead . Our Order has sown the word of truth , and the four winds have carried it throughout the world , a grain of the seed was carried as far as your Australian colonies , and our Lodges of England , France , and Belgium , have a sister at Ballarat . Such are , sir and brother , the observations which we have to make in behalf of Masonry in general , and the Reformed Order of Memphis in particular . AVe trust they will convince that we are not what stated

you you us to be , an illegal and secret society , established for political purposes , but a Masonic body regularly established , and jointly working with all other Masonic orders , for the propagation of the spirit of brotherhood amongst men . AVe could enter into further details , hut we are afraid of intruding upon the patience of your renders , for we hope you will insert this letter iu your next number . The link of brotherhood which unites us leaves us no d ' oublrnr- ^ about it . 40 \

^ S ^ AVe remain , Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , Kv c >< \ \ BEXOIT , AV . M , ft ! , " ^ VoV \ J . OimcA , J . AV . V \ ' , - ? 4 V 7 J . BAIAGIIE , Orator . \ o \ VV Vor . ioruTir , Grand ExpeiH ^' fjrpjj ^ X A . J . Tiruarr , ixfl , TreaBmrs ^^ LJ ^ fi . JOURDAIN ' , Secretary . Loudon , May 1 M , 1859 .

P . S . We arc willing to exhibit ( he proofs of everything we have stated . [ AVe publish the above in a spirit of fairness , which we trust ever actuates