Freemasonry In China.

FREEMASONRY IN CHINA .

ZONDOTX , SATURDAY , AUGUST 4 , 1866 .

The following correspondence between tlie D . Prov . G . M . of China , E . C , and the D . D . G . M . Massachusetts , Constitution U . S . A . . , will explain itself , and cannot fail to be interesting to on ? readers .

The correspondent who has favoured us with the above , has also forwarded a full account of the laying the foundation stone of the New Trinity Church , Shanghae . Summons to attend the Provincial Grand Lodge

of China . Shanghae , May 15 th , 1866 . Dear Sir and Brother , —You are summoned to attend a meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of China to be holden at the Masonic Hall ,

Shanghai , on Thursday , the 24 th of May , at Halfpast Three o'clock , p . m ., punctually . By order of the D , Prov . G . M ., C . E . ENDICOTT , Acting P . G . Assist . Sec . To Bro .

This summons will serve as a pass to the Hall . Business . To confirm the minutes of the last meeting , held at Hong Kong , on the 13 th January , 1866 . To consider a recommendation to the several lodges concerning the passage of a bye-law in

reinitiation of candidates . To lay the foundation stone of the New Trinity Church , by request of H . B . M . ' s Consul and the trustees and treasurers . Correspondence between the D . P . G . M . and the D . D . G . M . Massachusetts , Constitution U . S . A . Letter No . 1 .

R . W . Charles E . Parker , D . Provincial G . M . of Masons in China , under the M . W . G . Lodge of England . Dear Sir and Brother , —I beg to lay before you , as representative at Shanghae of the M . W . G .

Lodge of England , a few suggestions . As peace and harmony are the support of all institutions , more particularly this of ours , it is highly desirable that the lodges in Shanghae , though working under different jurisdictions ,

should constitute one great family , and that they should , as far as possible , avoid all possibility of disagreement or unpleasantness .

I see nothing to disturb the amicable and fraternal relations at present existing among the lodges there , except the difference in the manner of accepting or rejecting candidates for the degrees . In the lodges working' under an

American Master , upon each application a committee is appointed to inquire into the fitness of the candidates , and report to the lodge . When an application has been committed , the applicant has no power to withdraw his application , and

must be either accepted or rejected ; and in case of rejection , the rejection be communicated to the other lodges . In the lodges working under English charters no committee of investigation is appointed , and the candidate may , and frequently

does , withdraw his application before ballot , in which case there is no rejection which can be communicated to the other lodges . It is evident that , under the present practice , our lodge may innocently receive a candidate who has been refused admission by another , and that thus the Fraternity may be injured by the

introduction of an unworthy member , and the harmony of the lodges may be disturbed . It is obviously quite ] 30 ssible that a candidate who has been refused admission may within a few months be found at the door of the lodge by which he was

refused , asking admission as a visitor from another lodge . Under the American charters a candidate is required to declare in his application to what lodges , if any , he has previously applied , but , of course , a bad man might make a false declaration .

Having indicated what seems to me a danger , I shall leave to you the task of pointing out the means of avoiding it , should you agree with me in my estimate of it , assuring you of my hearty cooperation in any measure calculated to preserve

the harmony of the Fraternity . I am , Right Worshipful Sir , Truly and fraternally yours , ( Signed ) J . B . EAMES , D . D . G . Master of Masons in China , under the . M . W . G . Lodge of Massachusetts .

Letter No . 2 . Provincial Grand Lodge of China , Shanghae , May 11 th , 1866 , R . W . Bro . J . B . Eames , D . D . G . Master of Freemasons in China , M . G ., U . S . A . SHANGHAE . R . W . Dear Sir and Brother , —I have to acknow-