Freemasonry In France.

may arise from causes that are incidental either to faults committed by the tradesman himself , or to circumstances beyond his control . In the first case , he is guilty of either misdemeanour or felony , the law considering him as either a simple

or a fraudulent bankrupt , according * to the gravity of the facts , and he lays himself open to punishment of greater or less severity . In the second case , he is but unfortunate ; the law considers him a " simple bankrupt" ( failli simple ) , and though , eo ipso , deprived of his civic rights , he is not liable to be indicted and convicted .

Thus , the civil law establishes a very judicious distinction between these various kinds of bankruptcy ; the Masonic law , on the contrary , recognises no distinctions Avhatever . It is true that it starts from the premises , that common probity is

not a sufficient qualification for a man to become a Mason ; but though the character of Freemasonry dictates a strict observance of this rule , it should not be forgotten that toleration and charity are the finest Masonic virtues .

It is obvious that the practice of civil laAV need not be imbued Avith those principles of charity that pervade the code of Freemasonry ¦ and still , in the question under notice , the former proves far more humane than the latter . This feeling of

humanity is so natural and poAverful , that the whole of the legislation relating to bankruptcy bears the stamp of it , as ifc were . Thus , to quote only a few examples , the laAV of 1807 excludes even the possibility of a composition whenever it

appears from an examination of the books and accounts that the bankruptcy arose from negligence or oversight .

The laAV of 1838 mitigates this legislation by enacting that a composition should be absolutely inadmissible only in case the bankrupts Avere convicted of fraudulent bankruptcy ; and by this means courts of law are sometimes enabled to

show themselves indulgent . Lastly , by the laAV of the 22 nd of August , 1848 , which-was dictated by the true spirit of justice and regard for the situation into which commerce had been put by the revolution of February , it Avas enacted that

compositions might be made with a view to amicable settlements ; and thus , tradesmen Avho had been affected by the events in question could escape actual bankruptcy , and the disabling consequences incidental thereto . It is evident , therefore , that the further Ave advance in the progress of civilisation , the more

Freemasonry In France.

the lawgiver endeavours to mitigate the severe- , punishment with which , bankrupts are visited .. Why should Masonry hesitate to follow up the path : that has been laid clown for it ? Should it nofc rather , on behalf of the Order ,, have preceded ,

civil legislation long since ? From all quarters now resound the most eloquent , pleadings against too severe punishment , and thesecries of anguish uttered by a society that becomesmore and more enlightened , are nothing but a sure

criterion of the refinement of customs and the improvement of man . Does it not devolve on Masonry to place herself at the head of this social movement , the aim and object of which is the progress of mankind ? She ought to take the initiative in all

the grand , the beautiful , the good that is to be done ; last of all she should leave behind her , to denote her passage through every century a

brilliant fsillon lumineuxj as it were , of benevolence and charity . Reserve therefore , Masons , all your severity to the guilty banknrpt ; but if upon mature inquiry you fully ratify yourself of this perfect innocence i

if it be proved that he has been but the victim of a contrary destiny , shut him nofc out , but throwopen to him the doors of your temples . Let him . find there words of consolation , fidelity , assistance ^ , fraternal adA-ice , and once the day of his

rehabilitation has arrived to crown his efforts , he will remember that you have helped him to re-establish , his fortune , his reputation , and credit . His love for the great Masonic family will be all the greater ^ his devotion the more complete for it , and will

have rescued an honest man who might have : become guilty but for the assistance and encouragement you have given him .

The Pope's Allocution And The Principles Of Freemasonry.

THE POPE'S ALLOCUTION AND THE PRINCIPLES OF FREEMASONRY .

The folloAving is from our contemporary , the Masonic Record of Western Indict ,.- — "We publish among our " Selections" the famous " Papal Allocution , " which has had such an extraordinary effect on the good people of Rome ,,

that a day or tAvo after its publication , tAventyeight members Avere initiated in the tAvo secret * lodges Avorking in Rome . His Holiness , after recapitulating all that his , predecessors ( from Clement XII . to Leo XII . ) did .

to crush Freemasonry , makes the following humiliating confession : — "Nevertheless , these efforts of the Apostolic