Masonic Sayings And Doings Abroad.

His mercy , and hope for happiness and immortality . These are the commandments of Masonry ; are they satisfactory ? Should there be any who wish to know more without passing through the guarded gates of knowledge , we will say to them , as was said to Esdras

of old , " Number me the things that are yet to come , gather me together the drops that are scattered , make me the flowers green again that are withered , open me the places that are closed , and bring me forth the winds that are to them shut up , show me the image of a voice , and then I will declare the things thou labourest to know . "

The National Grand Lodge of Germany celebrated the festival of the Centenary of its existence as a Grand Lodge , on the anniversary of its foundation . The Grand Lodges of Germany , the Grand Lodges of England , Belgium , Holland , Sweden , and Denmark took part in the festival , and evinced the liveliest

sympathy in the preparations for its success . The work at the chief Festival on St . John's Day was conducted by the Crown Prince himself , as Grand Master . His Majesty the King , as Grand Master of the United North German Lodges , forwarded to the National

Grand Lodge his heartiest congratulations . On behalf of all German Grand Lodges , the Grand Lodge of the Three Globes , Grand Lodge of Eoyal York of Friendship , the Grand Lodges of Hamburg , Darmstadt , and Frankfort ( Eclectic Alliance ) ,

congratulations were presented by special deputations of some of the principal Grand Lodge Officers . England , Holland , and Belgium were represented by addresses forwarded through brethren specially appointed to

deliver them . Of a particularly friendly and fraternal character were the declarations of the Swedish and Danish Grand Lodges , both of which have their ritual and general working identical with those of the National Grand Lodge of Germany ; the King of Sweden and

Prince Oscar , the Grand Master and Pro Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Sweden , having specially earned the gratitude of the founders of the Jubilee by forwarding some very important records , of great value in connection with

the Craft and early Freemasonry in Germany . An interchange of the most grateful and friendly sentiments followed between the the National Grand Lodges of Germauy and of Sweden ; the presentation of these documents , to Avhich the M . W . Bro . the

Crown Prince , on the part of the Germans , and V . W . Bro . Count Salza , the Swedish Ambassador , as special representative of the King and Grand Lodge of Sweden , gave the liyefiest expression . For all the numerous members of the

deputations from German Grand and daughter Lodges , this celebration will remain an imperishable event , indelibly imprinted on the memory , not only from the imposing character of the entire jubilee , but more particularly from the long and earnest closing address of His Eoyal Highness who gave , in

language of the deepest feeling , some powerful idea , on the subject of Freemasonry , and especially as to the use to be made of the rich materials in possession of the National Grand Lodge . The brethren of every rank and position

acknowledged the address of the Prince with the most enthusiastic honours . After the due closing of Grand Lodge , the brethren of different stations were appropriately entertained by the officers and members of private lodges , as well as

by the officers of Grand Lodge ; and the festival hascreated an earnest and lively diversion in the every day life and affairs of the capital .

The Masonic Picnic of the Grand Lodge of New York was held on the 5 th of October last . We refer to this event chiefly for the purpose of introducing to our readers the admirable speech of the Grand Master , as follows : — " I have been called upon by the brethren to

explain to the assemblage before me what this institution of Masonry is . To do that would require a far more active brain than I possess . While admitting that , I Avould say that there is not another heart that beats more actively toward Masonry than mine , or

Avhich is truer in its responses to the principles which I stand before you to represent . What Masonry is ,, has been told to the world in a thousand beds of sickness visited , the thousand bereaved Avaited upon , in the eyes without number that have been lighted up , the oppressed that have been aided , the tearful

eye that has watched , the sympathetic hand that has been extended—all that has been done , Avhich is not known to any other Order . This answer has been so often given , that it is an idle story to repeat it What , then , is this institution of Masonry ? One of the charities of the world—a charity , because we call

ourselves brethren , not because we bestow that charity as a duty : We give every one his due , with one heart for the good of all , in the name of One above all . We have no sectarian or political differences : we meet , not because it is a graDd political necessity

to ameliorite the condition of the poor , but because we call ourselves Masons and brothers . Masonry is an union of all peoples , of all citizens , no matter whom they are . On the peaceful plain , or on the unhappy , crimson-dyed battle-fields of EuropeeveryAvhere Masonry is recognized . Amid the here-