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Contents . PAGE ShvEESIASONS' MA & AZVNE : — Freemasonry in France 241 243

The Worshipful Master Principles of Masonry 244 Masonic Pic-Nic 245 Masonic Jottings—No . 87 246 Masonic Notes and Queries 247 Summary of Masonic Law 249 Masonic Sayings and Doings Abroad 252 MASONIC MIRROR : —

Masonic Mems 252 Lodge of Benevolence 253 CRAPT LODGE M EETINGS -. — Metropolitan 254 Provincial , 255 ¦ Scotland 255 India 255 257

Royal Arch Ancient and Accepted Rite 257 Mark Masonry 257 Bombay Masonic Widows ' and Orphans Fund 257 Poetry , 259 Reviews 260 Notices to Correspondents 260 List of Lodge , & c , Meetings for ensuing week 2 G 0

Freemasonry In France

FREEMASONRY IN FRANCE

LONDON , SATURDAY , SJEPTMMBEB 23 , 1871

The "Bulletin Officiel du Grand Orient , " having been suspended during the war , has again made its appearance . The following notice appears in the number , dated March to August , 1871 . —

" The work of the Council of the Order having been resumed , the correspondence with the lodges -of the jurisdiction , and the relations with foreign Masonic powers , so long interrupted , have returned to their natural course . The Council Avill , therefore ,

be enabled to issue the Bulletin with that regularity which circumstances have not permitted during the past year . "

The following is a translation of the address of the Grand Master to all lodges and all Masons in his jurisdiction : — - The relations bet \ yeen the lodges , and the Grand ¦ Orient , interrupted during several months by the

unfortunate events by which France has been afflicted , have resumed their wonted course . Correspondence is resumed in all quarters , and the Council of the Order assiduousl y continues its work .- The meetings of a great number of the

lodges are regularly held , and the administration s making preparation for the work of . the Constituent Assembly , to be held on the 4 th of September .

The time has arrived , in my opinion , to examine what has been the true position of Masonry during the war with Prussia , and during the deplorable insurrection of the Commune ; to prove in what manner our institution can relieve the

misfortunes of the country ; and to determine what measures we shall adopt in the work of regeneration , so ably undertaken by a great statesman , under the auspices of right and liberty . The declaration of war with Prussia ., that great

criminal folly of the empire , took us by surprise last yeai ' , a short time after the meeting of the Council of the Order , and just at the time when

the question of the maintenance or suppression of the Grand Mastership was about to be presented for your consideration . You are aware , my very dear brethren , that I am formally pledged to resign the functions of

Grand Master ., of the Order immediately after the meeting of the Constituent Assembly . I have no need to inform you that I shall be faithful to that engagement . I invite you then to well consider this

constitutional question , so that your deputies , impressed with its importance , will be able to come to a decision conformable with the interests of our institution .

It is essential to knoAV Avhat course has been pursued by the lodges during the wai ' , either in Masonic \ vork , or in other services , such as ambulances , aid to the sick and Avounded , subscriptions , patriotic appeals , in short manifestations of all

kinds , in these long months , during which each has been compelled to contribute , according to his ability , to the defence of the country , I hope the result will prove that Masonry is essentially pacific , and that it has borne its share of the

dangers and sacrifices , Avhen the interests of the people have been threatened . If your deputies render to the assembly an account of the exertions of each lodge , we shall unite these recitals of acts of generosity and devotion , so as to form a

record of the acts of Masonry during the war . I am convinced , my brethren , that the publication will redound to the honour of our Order , for long is the list of generous acts which have come , directly , or indirectly , under my oAvn observation .

The honourable part taken by Masons in the defence of the country once established , it will nob be difficult to prove that they have held aloof from