An Analysis Of Ancient And Modern Freemasonry.

this resolution , " that it is not m the power of any man or body of men to make any alteration or innovation in the body of Masonry without the consent first obtained of the Grand Lodge . " Aud on the 25 th November , 1723 , the Grand Lodge ,

in ample form , resolved , " that any Grand Lodge , duly met , has a power to amend or explain any of the printed regulations in the Book of Constitutions , while they break not in upon the antient rule of the Fraternity . " ( Page 175 Constitutions ,

A . D . 1738 . ) These " ancient landmarks " are referred to by more Masons who know not what thev are than

by those who do ; and beyond mere generalises we are unable to discover much light on the matter . How can we ? What are " ancient landmarks ? " Some consider , with the late accomplished Mason , Bro . S . B . Wilson , that the "

universal language , and the universal laws of Freemasonry , are landmarks . " So we think ; but even then how difficult it is to decide as to what

really is the universal language . Means of recognition differ , unfortunately , in our time , although they should be the universal language . The universal laws we take to mean such , as women not to be admitted into our Order ; a belief in God

essential to membership ; and such like . It is a very interesting work to trace the alterations and additions made to the rituals from time to time , as also to watch the gradual unfolding of that Society which has become so cosmopolitan in its character .

Of course we are entering on sacred ground to say much of the ritual question ; and hence shall simply confine our remarks to elucidating a few points of importance . Dr . James Anderson , in the second edition of

Constitutions , A . D . 1718 , states that " most regular societies have had , and will have , their own secrets ; and , to be sure , the Freemasons always had theirs ; which they never divulged in manuscript , and therefore cannot be expected in print . "

( Page 9 . ) Notwithstanding this statement , an expert brother , by the true light , can find much to instruct and interest him relating to the early Masonic ceremonies or rituals of the Craft .

The work in vogue , under the sanction of Dr . Desaguliers and others , explained that lodges were under St . John " because he was the baptiser and forerunner of our Saviour—the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world . " Under Bro . Dunckerley the 0 . B . was taken " In the presence of God , and this right worshipful and

An Analysis Of Ancient And Modern Freemasonry.

holy lodge dedicated to God and Holy St . John , " and during the latter part of the last century it was declared ' That our beauty is such as adorns all our actions , is hewn out of the rock which is Christ , raised upright with the plumbline of the

Gospel , and squared and levelled to the horizontal of God ' s will in the holy Lodge of St . John , and as such becomes the Temple whose maker and builder is God . " Still the Grand Lodge made no distinction on the score of religious faith , beyond

the point on which all men agree ; " so it is not sectarian in any way , and what is more , a wide latitude is given to Masters during initiation , and the usual 0 . B . can be varied to suit the religious faith of the candidate . H . R . H . the Duke of

Sussex , late Grand Master , in an address to Grand Lodge , December , 1819 , gave it as his opinion and rule " that so long as the Master af any lodge observed the landmarks of the Craft , he was at liberty to give the lectures in the language best

suited to the character of the lodge over which he presides . " { To be continued . )

(No. Iii).—A Visit To A French Lodge.

( No . III ) . —A VISIT TO A FRENCH LODGE .

In two previous papers we have referred to Le Grand-Orient de France , and to lies Ateliers du Grand-Orient , and have endeavoured to explain , the respective functions of the officers of French lodges . We now propose to state what passed

under our notice during a Masonic visit to La Logo do Parfaite Union , at Rennes in Britanny . Before going to Rennes we went to St- Malo , having heard an excellent accouut of the brethren there , and hoping to be able to see tho

working of the Logo de Bienfaisancc , established in that city . We were fortunate in being accompanied to both places by our respected Bro . P . L . M . Nicolle , of Doyle's Lodge of Fellowship , Guernsey , an excellent Mason , and whose thorough

acquaintance with the French language in all its idioms proved of essential service . We were also much indebted to the Right Worshipful the Deputy Grand Master for the Province of Guernsey ( Bro . Gallienne ) for introductions to the leading brethren

in St . Malo and Rennes ; and here we may remark that the enthusiasm with which Bro . Gallienne ' s name was received whenever mentioned among the brethren in France struck us as very remarkable , and a beautiful illustration of the fact that