What Masons Cannot Do In England.

' Foreigners are disappointed at finding there is no craft creed here , nor propaganda to spread light , and dissipate darkness . We think this is best done , primarily , by the influence of the Craft and its doctrines in re-enforcing social obligations and moral duties , and next by leaving each citizen to give effect

to these princip les according to his own conscience . The Educational Act is indeed a test . Had any Craft decision been taken , whatever was its direction , it must have come into collision with tbe consciences of individual members , and with that of many

members of the community at large . This is avoided , while Masonry profits by the advance in public enlightenment , and the further assurance of public progress . Masonry here rests , to a great extent , on the moral assent of the community , and it promotes the general welfare by the maintenance and diffusion , among its individual members , of great principles .

Notes On American Freemasonry.

NOTES ON AMERICAN FREEMASONRY .

( Continued from page 448 . ) LOUISIANA . The Grand Master , in his address , as to the question of chief interest iu that jurisdiction says - . —

"It has become my painful duty to bring to yonr notice the action of the Grand Orient cf France , with Avhom we have for many years been upon the most friendl y and brotherly terms of esteem and regard . The Grand Orient of France

has aided and assisted this Grand Lodge in times of trouble and anxiety , by her firm adherence to constitutional law and Masonic justice . In the month of December , I received from the office of the Grand Orient , through the post office , an official bulletin containing a decree which certainl y

surprised me . It has , Avith a strange perversion , and unaccountable want of consistency , recognized a clandestine body in this city , calling itself fcho Supreme Council of the Sovereign and Independent State of Louisana , a body which has been

declared by herself totally unworthy , and which has been repudiated , by a large portion of the Masonic world , and even the few prominent and respectable men who once sided with them , have long since deserted and repudiated them , and so

IOAV has its sunk iu respectability that its Great Hig h Priest and founder has severed his connection , and no longer acknowledges them in their attempts at demoralization . It is now composed of a feAV designing men , and a mass of ignorant

Notes On American Freemasonry.

and degraded people for whom they care not except the use they make of them to gratif y their OAvn bad purposes . The decree of the Grand Orient is followed b y a report from a committee , which seems to have prompted its action . The

report is a strange jumble of misrepresentations , and makes but one correct statement , and that is the disgraceful history of the bod y which she now

recognizes . " It will become your painful duty to take notice of this action of the Grand Orient of France , and make such decree as in your wisdom may be found expedient and necessary to sustain the dignity of

this Grand Lodge and maintain its authority over Craft Masonry in this jurisdiction . There can be no divided authority . Upou one princi ple we are all agreed , and while we have life Ave will sustain it . The Grand Lodge of Louisiana will never

submit to a divided jurisdiction , and in this position she will be sustained by every Grand Lodo-e in North America , for all are interested alike in sustaining each other . This priuci ple once abandoned , the power of Masonry for good is gone . Discord

and confusion will reign supreme , and the sun of Masonry will set in a sea of darkness . " Number of Lodges , 138 ; number of meetings held in all the Lodges during the year , 2586 : number of members , 6 , 099 ; Initiated , 602 ; Passed , 518 ; Raised , 490 ; Died , 142 .

MARIE . The Grand Master , iu his address , refers to the fact that another year -will complete a half-century of the existence of that Grand body , and recommends that the epoch be marked by Masonic

recognition . He advises "that the office of D . D . Grand Master be dispensed with , and pay the Grand Master a salary ; require him to devote his time to the interests of the Grand Lodge , and subordinates , and to visit , if possible , each one

of the latter during tbe year . " We think this proposed amendment to the Constitution would not have the effect intended by Grand Master Murray , that it is an innovation upon the landmarks of Masonry ; that the office of

Grand Master of Masons would be shorn of much of its honours , should it be set up to be bid for as a thing of barter and trade , or to be electioneered for as a thing of profit . Our brethren of Maine may adopt this suggestion , but Ave hope in Pennsylvania the office of Grand Master will