Reform In Masonry.

tend so much to guard the lodges from such aberra " tions as a Reform in Masonry that would put a stop to the ^ latter by giving a greater autonomy to the individual lodges and putting certain restrictions on some of the degrees . Our friend in your country is therefore mistaken iu that

surmising we countenance destructive tendencies . With very few exceptions we in Germany are quite as jealous of the independence of the lodge ' s and the purity of Masonry . We neither covet the protectorate of persons in high places , nor do we seek popularity with the masses ; we welcome with an open heart all free men of good reputation from all strata of society who are willing to appear amongst us as equals among equals , men among men .

We do not side with any one party in our native country , but as " citizens of the world" we offer our hand to every good man who engages to advance " light , love , and life " in and round us , in thought , word , and action , without , however , assuming the office of inquisitors into his socialpoliticaland

, , religious opinions , for the just man does not want liberty of conscience for himself alone , but grants it to all . Suum caique . To every one his own . After what I have said , we certainly agree in this , that Freemasonry lays upon ^ us the duty of giving assiduous guardians of the public weal to the communitconscientious

y ; fathers to the family ; good citizens to the state , and raising for the chain of the human family useful links untainted with political , religious , ancl social prejudices , thoroughly imbued with the knowledge of their duties and rights—men to all intents and purposes . We , therefore , like all good brethren , protes ' t against the undue application of Masonry to objects foreign to its essence . —SonderzwecJcen .

The question arises , What is the character of the proposed reform ? By "Reform in Masonry" or , to speak more correctly , reform in the constitution of lodges ( Logenthtm ) , we do not understand a reversion of the fundamental laws of Masonry based on nature

and morals , hut the removal of such forms as clash with the modern state of civilisation and the modification of such parts of the law as are liable to him in the _ mental development of our Fraternity . We are decidedly of opinion that any changes of this kind should be well and dulconsidered beforehandand

y , all innovations bear a close affinity to those institutions already in existence . We are well aware that our English brethren , as a general rule , are averse to innovations , but frequent confidential and fraternal

communications with brethren of your nation have convinced us that in some quarters certain improvements are looked upon as urgently needed . Just as our English friends do not think of repelling all progress in steam engines aud machinery , for mere love of a time-honoured state of things , they should not in Masonic affairs adhere with so much tenacity

to the existing state , but endeavour to put our Fraternity on a level with the present condition of civilisation , the more so as the unity in principle could not hy any means be affected thereby . I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , A GERMAN MASON IN TURKEY . Constantinople , July , 1866 .

Ar01202

THE MASONIC MIRROR . % ® All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury-street Strand , London , W . C .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

EoTAi OAK LODGE ( SO . S 71 ) . —In consequence of the large amount of work on the list * , and tho long time before the next regular meeting would be clue , an emergency lodgo was held rn Friday , tho 3 rd inst ., at the Eoyal Oak Tavern , High-street , Deptford , Bro . G . Ellis ' s . Bro . H . A . Collington , WM ., presided , and the following brethren were present , viz ., Bros . W . Andrews , S . W . ; W . Jeffery , as J . W . ; F . Walters , P . M ., Sec . ; J . Hawker , S . D . ; E . J . B . Bumpstead . as J . D . ; J .

W . T . Barrett , as I . G . ; G . Ellis , G . S . Ditton , G . L . Tilhrook , D . Whiifen , F . Carter , and many others . Amongst a large number of visitors were , Bros . E . Harris , P . M . and Treas . 78 ; W . Noak , S . W . 1-10 ; E . J . B . Bumpstead , W . M . 543 , & c . The minutes of tho previous meeting were read and unanimously confirmed . Two gentlemen were ballotted for and declared to be unanimously elected . Bros . G . EUis and G . S . Ditton being candidates for passingwere interrogatedtrustedand

, , , withdrew . Tho lodge was opened in the second degree . Bros . Ellis and Ditton were re-admitted , aud passed to the second degree . The lodge was closed in the second degree , only one candidate for initiation ( Mr . Carter ) being present , he was regularly initiated into ancient Freemasonry . The sum of five guineas was paid from the Charity Fund to the Boys' School , according to a previous vote of the lodge . Bro . E . Harris , P . M ., Treas . 73 , and Collector for the Boys' School , acknowledged

the donation in a suitable speech , and brought forward the claims of that charity in an efficient manner . Bro . F . Walters , P . M ., Sec , appealed to the brethren to come forward at the festival , and send a Steward from the lodge to represent them on that occasion . He expects to receive a name at the next lodge meeting . The WM ., Bro . Collington rendered all the working in his usual efficient manner . The lodge was closed until tlie next regular meeting in October . Tlie usual toasts then followed . " Tlie Queen and the Craft , " " The Right Honourable the Earl of Zetland , Most Worshipful Grand Master , " " The Earl De Grey and Papon , Deputy Grand Master , and the rest

of tlie Grand Officers . " "The newly-initiated Brother" was then given , the W . M . informing the brethren that he had known Mr . Carter all his life , and although our newly-madebrother had been all round the world , yet he had selected this lodge to be made a Mason in . He having a desire to be made , had applied to him , his oldest and nearest friend , and he felt proud and happy in making him a Mason , and he felt sure he would like tho Order tlie more he became acquainted with

it . He would never regret having joined it . He therefore called upon them to drink his health . Bro . Carter in reply , thanked the W . M . for his kindness in proposing his health , and the brethren for responding to it in s-uch a spontaneous manner-He would observe he had bra \ twice vowiid the word , and had seen from the outside ihe doings of Masonry in Tasmania , JSTew Zealand and Australia and he always felt he would like to become a member . He feared at one time he miht not be fit

g to belong to such an excellent Order . But when he saw his old friend Bvo . Collington , W . M ., and consulted him his fears subsided and lie felt glad and happy to become a member and hoped he might prove himself an efficient one . He again thanked them for the kind manner he had been received amongst them . The W . M . then gave " The Visitors , " assuring then that the Royal Oak Lodge was ahvays proud and happy to see them , for although such a young lodge , yet they were

always honoured by having a goodly number of visitors present . Bro . D . Harris , P . M ., and Treas . 73 , responded on behalf of himself and the other visitors , thanking the W . M . for the kind manner he had proposed their health , assuring them he always felt proud and happy to visit them as often as he could conveniently do so . He had been amongst them before on more than one occasion ( thanks to the very many kind and pressing invitations he had received from their worthy Secretary , Bro . F . Walters ,

whom he had known for many years In Masonry , having seen him initiated ) and he ahvays attended , whenever he could do so with convenience . He then gave some valuable information respecting the Boys' School and ended by returning thanks for