Freemasonry In China.

he should shortly bring forward would meet with the approbation of the membeis , as besides other results , it would be a public expression given to the representative of American Freemasonry in China , of a wish that everything should be done

on our part to conduce to harmony and good will between the various lodges of the different nationalities . He then proposed the following resolution , which he stated had been by him communicated already to P . G . M ., and had met with his

entire approval . The resolution , which was seconded by the Acting P . J . G . W ., and carried nnanimously , was as follows : —¦ " That in accordance with the correspondence which had just been read between the D . P . G . M ., E . C , and the R . W . Bro . J . B . Eames , D . D . G . M .

of Freemasonry in China , Massachusetts Constitution , U . S . A ., and with a view to perpetuating between the lodges working under different Constitutions that harmony and good feeling which at present exists , the three lodges working under

the English Constitution , namely , the Royal Sussex Lodge ( No . 501 ) , Anthem Lodge of China ( No . 570 ) , and Tuscan Lodge ( No . 1027 ) be recommended to pass a by-law that in future no candidate shall be initiated until after lie had

solemnly declared that he has never applied elsewhere for the degrees in Shanghae , or if it be found that application elsewhere has been made concerning the cause of rejection or withdrawal of name , and the result of such inquiries communicated to the brethren of the lodge for their action upon the same /'

, The acting P . G . M . then requested the P . G . Assist . Sec . to take due notice of what had been done , saying further that he would shortly hand him a draft of a letter which it would be necessary to send to the several lodges on the subject .

The acting P . G . M . then said he had received a letter from the P . G . M . dated Hong Kong , May 16 th , 1866 , a portion of which was relative to a subject in which many of the Masonic bodies here

are interested ' , it relating to a point of usage , the decision of which was continually called for from the W . M . ' s of lodges , and that he would read the extract for their information : — "I know the Royal Order of Harodim very

well , and respect it highly as an ancient ancl honourable emendation from symbolic and ineffable Masonry , but its decorations are utterly inadmissible in any English lodge or chapter , and you must refuse admission to any brother

attempting to wear them in your P . Grand Lodge , no matter what Grand Lodge he may hail from . " Visiting brethren may wear whatever aprons and sashes they please , provided that the same belong to some Craft Lod ge , but no jewels or

other articles appertaining to any degrees but the three first , P . M . and the R . A . Bear in mind that the Earl of Zetland once dismissed a P . G . M . for wearing Harodim jewels in his P . G . Lodge . " The Acting P . G . W . stated that this opinion

given by the P . G . M ., needed no further remark from himself , to insure its observance among the brethren who had or might become aware of it . The Acting P . G . M . then said that the next business on the summons was to proceed to lay

the foundation stone of the new Trinity Church in accordance with his assent to do so , at the request of H . B . M . 's Consul and the trustees of the said church and that the procession would now be formed , composed of the Provincial Grand Lodge , visitors , and the several bodies who were waiting below , viz ., the three English lodges , as well as

the Ancient Landmark and Cosmopolitan lodges , who had readily . accepted the invitation of the Provincial Grand Lodge to be present at the ceremony , and also certain visiting brethren . The Provincial Grand Lodge then proceeded in

proper order to the street below , and having joined the aforesaid Masonic bodies , the procession moved to the Trinity Church , where a portion of the evening service of the Established Church of Englond was read , and a sermon from the text in the

Book of Nehemiah , chap , ii ., v . 18 , " Let us rise up and build / ' was delivered by Rev . Bro . C . H . Butcher , Prov . G . Chap . The benediction having been given , the procession reformed and proceeded to the site of the new Trinity Church , where the

ceremony of laying the foundation stone was performed . A full report of the route of the procession , and of the ceremony is attached hereto , in extract cut from the North Ohina Herald ,, of the 26 th May , 1866 , which is correct in every

particular . The ceremony having been concluded , the Masonic bodies and the Provincial Grand Lodge returned to the Masonic building , and the Provincial Grand Lodge resumed labour in the Hall .

The acting P . G . M . said he desired to return his sincere thanks to the different brethren who had acted as P . G . officers for their attendance , and he wished particularly to thank Bro . C . M . Donaldson , acting P . G . Dir . of Cers ., and Bro .