Freemasonry In The Danubian Principalities.

FREEMASONRY IN THE DANUBIAN PRINCIPALITIES .

LONDON , SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 10 , I 860 .

Amongst the Masonic authorities to which we have been indebted for the founding of fresh Masonic lodges in newly-discovered or semicivilised countries during the last four of five years ., a prominent place is occupied by the

Grand Orient of France . Indeed , the latter , following in the track of the Grand Lodges of England , Scotland , and Hamburg , seems to have chosen for its motto the words of Ovid that were applied to Industry by the originator of the first International Exhibition—¦

" Bissociata locis conooi-di pace ligavit . " The last issue of the official Bulletin of the Grand Orient of France informs us that two more lodges in partibus have been erected under its auspices in Moldavia and Valachia ; and as we

hail the establishment of a Masonic lodge in any one of those rising countries as a further landmark of the progress of civilisation , we have no doubt our readers will be glad to peruse the following account of the proceedings incident to

the inauguration of these lodges : — The consecration of the temple of the first of these lodges , Les Disciples de Pythagore , in the east of Galatz , Moldavia , took place on the 26 th of October last . The ceremony was conducted by

Bro . Oarence , 32 ° , of the Lodge Les Sages d'Heliopolis , of Bukarest , deputed by the Grand Orient , and supported by Bros . Deal , 18 ° , and Achille Zerlendi , W . M . of the Ibraila Lodge , of Bukarest .

Bro . Carence addressed the brethren , and congratulated the founders for their zeal and devotion to the cause ; he exhorted them to persevere in the path they had thrown open , in these words : " Let us be faithful to the motto we have

chosen—Silence and devotion . So long as there remains a human being to instruct , a distress to appease , a heart to console , our task will not be accomplished . Let us not forget that we owe complete devotion to our ancient Institution , submission to

Masonic and civil laws , and sincere worship to the Author of all things . These are the solid foundations on which the building must rest that we are erecting to the glory of the Great Architect of the Universe . Let us pray Him to preserve these principles amongst all Masons , and spread

on future generations the noble seed of Masonic spirit . " After Bro . Oarence , Bro . D . S . Rodocanacchi , W . M delivered an address , of which the following is the substance : —

" From the very moment when first we joined the Graft , we have been able to observe its beneficent influence on individuals and society at large . We know how much it inclines the heart towards

brotherly love , piety , and charity , how much it softens the manners , how much it raises the human soul and intellect , and implants in man ' s mind that consciousness of dutv , without which no one can be an exemplary man and a good citizen .

" Brethren , it is incumbent upon us to apply and extend this influence to the best of our ability amongst men , as a civilising agent , and to struggle against egotism which , in this age , is so very apt to get hold of man ' s heart , and lead to

the precipice of dissolving society that cannot , in my opinion , be firmly held together by interest alone , without being guided and supported by a great leading moral idea . "

An allocution , delivered after this by Bro . F . S . Rodocanacchi , Orator , was received with enthusiastic applause . The inauguration of the second lodge , called Le Phare Hospitaller , took place at Ibraila ,

Yalachia , on the 28 th of October last , under the charter granted by the Grand Orient of France , dated 25 th September , 1865 . Bro . Oarence also conducted this ceremony , supported by Bros . Deal and D . S . Rodocanacchi , of Galatz . Bro .

Oarence delivered an address to the same effect as he did two days previous , at Galatz , and Bro . Achille Zerlendi , W . M ., followed . We subjoin the substance of Bro . Zerlendi ' s address .

" I am heartily delighted to see you all assembled here to assist at the consecration of our lodge . It is , unfortunately , but too true that we have encountered many difficulties that have been thrown in our way by the malevolent machinations

of our adversaries , who tried to injure our institution by spreading deprecating rumours ; but the sanctity of our work has triumphed at last .

" However , this triumph should not cause us to forget our duties , but , on the contrary , we should evince still more zeal and alacrity to compel our antagonists to respect us and attain the object which every true Mason - should never cease to