Freemasonry In France.

be made to the railway companies for a reduction of fares in the case of brethren appointed as delegates of a lodge , aud while travelling on Masonic business . The lodge also suggested application to the postal administration for a free transmission of

the correspondence ofthe Master of a lodge , whether to the brethren of his lodge , to other lodges , or to the Grand Orient .

These ideas , although entertained by sentiments of a legitimate economy , in the opinion of the G . Orient , could not be consistently urged , as Masonry should stand on its own ground , and not ask assistance from institutions established for

public utility . Propositions came from several lodges , requesting that the Grand Orient should declare that brethren should be at liberty to take the capitular degrees in any chapter they choose , the practice

being hitherto to confine them them to the chapter attached to the lodge of which they are members . The proposition was carried . Propositions were also adopted defining the rights of lodges as to the reception of visitors , many lodges believing that they had the right to refuse to receive as visitors brethren who had

visited there times unless they affiliated themselves . It was decided that this was not the case , and that regular Masons could at any time assist in the work . The other proposition was that a lodge should have the right to refuse to receive , as

a visitor , a regular member of another lodge when it is within their knowledge that the brother is not . worthy of being a Mason , aud to whom the lodge would have refused initiation .

The Grand Orient considered it necessary to remind the authors of this proposition of the general principles of right and justice , for the constitutions provide that no Mason can be deprived of his rights , but by virtue of a judgment . If then

a Mason , known to be unworthy , demand entrance into the lodge , it is the duty of the lodge possessing that knowledge to bringan accusation against the brother before the lodge to which he belongs , so that , if such is the case , he may be declared

unworthy . In the absence of such a judgment , neither a Mason or a lodge should attempt to usurp the functions of regular justice . Several brethren sent in propositions that the sign of distress should be communicated to Entered Apprentices . * An objection was raised , upon the ground that

the proposed alteration in the practice would lessen the desire of the initiates to acquire the degree of Master , in which the Council concurred . The amendment was not carried . A proposition was adopted , providing that the

high degrees should be represented in the annual meeting of the Council of the Grand Orient by active members of the respective degrees . This regulation applies to all degrees from the 18 ° to the 30 ° , owing allegiance to the Grand Orient in Paris ,

the provinces , or French Possessions . Ab the meeting of the Council on the 11 th April , the proceedings of the previous meeting were read and confirmed .

Bro . Caubert reported upon the case of Lodge la Parfote Harmonie , Orient of Toulouse , and from the tenour of his report , it appears that " perfect barinony" has not prevailed in the lodge bearing this name for the past two years . He says , Masonry in

Toulouse has been greatly troubled , four Venerables having given in their resignations , and one lodge has been closed . Amongst the causes that led to _ this state of things , he cited : —The election of Bro . Martin as Venerable , on which

occasion a brother voted who was not regularly initiated , not having . reached the age of eighteen at the time of his admission . The vote of this

brother gave the majority to Bro . Martin , complaints were then brought against Bro . Soulie , and his father also for having proposed him . At this stage , several brethren considered themselves authorised to suspend the labours of the lodge , and

the most complete confusion prevailed in its affairs . It was therefore proposed and unanimously agreed to , that the Grand Orient should annul the election , and invite Bro . Muller , the previous Master to convoke the lodge for new elec

tions , and preside over the work till the installation of the Master ; to command the lodge to pursue the charges against the offending brethren ; and to call the attention of the lodge to the decision of the Council in its affairs in June , 1368 .

Bro . Galibert presented a report upon the state of Masonry in one of the most distant of the French possessions , viz ., at Mahe , in the East Indies . It appears that eighteen brethren , most of whom first saw the lig ht in the Mauritius , have

requested to be recognised as a lodge of the French Rite , under the title of " La Reunion Sincere . " The application was regular , and as the W . M . designate , Bro . Pascal de Giovani was known