Address To Our Readers.

ADDRESS TO OUR READERS .

THE FREEMASONS'MAGAZINE

AND MASONIC MIRROR .

IT becomes once more our duty , at the close of the twenty-fourth volume of the present series of the FEEEMASONS' MAGAZINE , to give a brief review of the Masonic events of the past six months . In our last Address we had occasion to deplore the disastrous war then raging between two of the greatest powers in Europe . Thanks , perhaps , to the modern improvements in implements of warfare , the war was of comparatively short duration ; although , also in consequence of the same

improvements , the results in killed and wounded have been no less than if , as in former times , the the war had lasted years instead of months . Scarcely had Europe time to rejoice at the probable conclusion of these cruel devastations , when internecine troubles broke out amongst our French neig hbours , which fratricidal struggle was carried on with a brutal ferocity that quite eclipsed all the efforts of the foreign foe , whose acts seemed

humanein comparison . In both struggles , French Masonry , as a body , maintained its character with , dignity , in its endeavours at peace-making , and in indiscriminate assistance to the sick and wounded of both sides . Although , we had to record on the part of a section of the French Brethren , acts " which , threatened seriously to compromise the character and dignity of the Grand Orient of France , it was a source

of the greatest gratification to us to be able to authoritatively announce , on more than one occasion , on the part of the Grand Orient of France , a renunciation of any connection , as a body , with the ridiculous and unmasonic proceedings of a comparatively few brethren . The visit of our M . W . Grand Master to the United States of America , on an important mission , which though of a political nature , was , as stated by him , of a truly Masonic character

1 fcs chief object—that of establishing and cementing friendly relations between the two great branches of the Anglo-Saxon race . This is the first time that the the American Masons have had the opportunity of welcoming in their midst a Grand Master of English Masons , and right royally did they perform their part . The Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia , the smallest , we believe , of the forty-two Grand Lodges into which the United

States Masons are divided feel their honour . Leading Masons from all parts of the countrywere invited , and a large number were present at the reception and subsequent banquet . It would not be too much to say that the enthusiastic reception of our Grand Master , as a Mason , lent additional weight to his well-known character as an able statesman and diplomatist , and that Masonry thus may claim a share in the happy work of settling differences , which in other and less judicious hands , might have lead to a serious rupture between the nations concerned .

It is gratifying to record that in recognition of his services on this occasion , Her Majesty has graciously raised our M . W . Grand Master to the rank of Marquis , under the title of Marquis of Ripon . In the higher degrees of Masonry we regretfully record that dissensions have occurred , which , have led to suspensions and expulsions .