Masonic Jottings From Abroad.

German lodges and the A'arious rituals at present m use . In a third article he considers the question— " What object do the various German lodges propose to themselves , " and ansAvers , that the principles , regulations , and objects of the nine Grand Lodges are as various as their rituals , and he proceeds to point these out in brief paragraphs . Space will not permit us to follow him into

a variety of interesting details , and we must condense his observations greatly . 1 . The object of Freemasonry recognised by the Hamburg Lodge is the " ennobling of man . " The domain of Freemasonry is the " purely human , " that is , whatever is recognised by all men as good , and true , and

beautiful . . The Masons united for this object , are a strong league spread over the Avhole earth , whose members regard each other as brethren , and hence the Grand Lodge recognises in the Masonie bond but one brotherhood , no orders . 2 . The "National Mother Lodge of the three Spheres "

, explains the Masonie Order as a union Avhose object it is , to advance by sound doctrine " Religion , Morality , and Humanity , " ancl to teach and practice the " Wisdom of Life . " Their efforts are directed to man as man . Politics and ecclesiastical matters are excluded from their interference . Alike removed from

mysticism and infidelity , the Mason must conduct himself as a real God-fearing man , but still be patient toAvards the religious belief of others . The Mason must be a pattern to his fellow-citizens , not only in public life , but in private , as a citizen , a husband , and a father . Neither ranksta'tionnor wealth avail in Masonrybut

, , , the esteem of the brethren . Hence he labom-s with honest industr } ' toAvards his OAVU elevation . 3 . The Grand Lodge of Hanover recognises as its fundamental principle , that the Masonic tie aims at

affecting for the brethren and , through them , for all mankind , the highest possible moral and spiritual perfection , and with this the highest degree of happiness . The means of reaching this end , it declares to be the secret of Freemasonry . 4 . The Eclectic Masonic League , sets forth as its object : to practicecarry outand gradually perfect

, , ancient Freemasonry through furthering humanity , and by afaithful adherence to the ancient landmarks of the English Book of Constitutions , of the year 1723 . Six of the constitutions are quoted by Bro . Dr . Ranch , but are too Avell known to need repeating here . 5 . Some of the articles of the Grand National Lodge

of the Freemasons of Germany , may not be so Avell known howeA'er , and may be cited in an abridged form . They are eleven in number , but the first five are common , more or less , to every lodge . The sixth declares , that the most excellent duties of a Mason are as follows : " A tender love towards all mankind , especially towards a

brother , even be he the remotest stranger ; a spotless and honest behaA'iour ; a determined warfare against the enemies of virtue ; the conscientious endeavour to build up a spiritual Solomon ' s temple , through the three times three ; and , the unreserved maintenance of the general laws , customs and usages of the Order , for ever . " The

seventh asserts— " Hnity is the surest tie of the Order , and its throne is built on upri ghtness . A Mason ' s word and assertion must beheld more than holy amongst ns , and hitherto they have never been broken . Hence a Mason ' s word and promise is prized more highly , if that be possiblethan the word and promise of an honest

, man . " The ei g hth article ought to be assuring to all rulers : — " When a Mason is aware that ei'il intentions are harboured toivards authorities , it is his duty , as soon he has proof of the same , to advertise it to the master of his lodge , -who will acquant the grand Master of the

country with all the facts so that he may communicate with the government of the country . " We should hi ghly object to this article , were w e not assured "that a Mason ' s prudence is equal to his patriotism and honour . " The ninth article , again , would place the poAver of doing great political and domestic mischief in tbe hands of all but a prudent and honest man—" when the brother cannot

communicate with the Grand Master of his lodge , he must communicate directly with the government , and afterwards inform his Grand Master by words or in writing what he has done . " The tenth article prescribes : — "that Master , Brethren , and Apprentices , when they have the opportunity of being alone AA'ith their Masters

and brethren , must always occupy themselves with the work brought before them , and so become acquainted with it ; it is thus imposed upon them to be prudent and never taken by surprise . " The spirit of the eleventh article is , that an apprentice ought to be Avell instructed before he takes upon himself to meddle in high matters .

We come noAV to—¦ 6 . The Grand Lodge "Royal York , " Avhose first ancl hi ghest aim is declared to he to quicken , to nourish , and to extend , remote from all political ancl confessional tendencies , according to the fundamental rules of Christianity , end through the means of Masonry , pure religion , noble and high sentiments , internal rectitude , patriotism , veneration , obedience and love towards rulers , confidence , union , brotherly love , and every other virtue . The

maintenance and spread of Freemasonry is its second object . 7 . The Saxony Loclges bind themselves to labour , through common endeavour , for the good of Freemasonry . Hence they make themselves independent of the onesidedness of systems , as -well of all influence of forei gn lodges ; put forwardas the guide for Freemasonry

, , useful truths and regulations , for common acceptation , and advocate one lodge policy , and one Grand Lodge . The league ordains , by its statutes , the greatest possible freedom of opinion , as well to individual brothers as to individual loclges . Entire Freemasonry , in the Saxon leagueis limited to the degrees of the CraftApprentices

, , , FelloAvs ancl Masters . It recognises no higher degrees as essential or necessary ; bnt it permits them . 8 . According to the ori ginal agreement of the Grand Mother Lodge of the Freemasons " of the Sun , " the active principle is made to depend on the confidence of brothers in one another ; but the laws determine the

rights of individual members , as ivell as those of the whole society . The Grancl Lodge , in order to carry out its beneficent objects , requires certain means , but care is taken against favouritism and profane uses of the means . 9 . The Masonic League of " Concord " recognises as an irrevocable principle : "the labouring for the elevation

of its members and the happiness of all mankind , remote from every political or confessional tendency , ancl according to the principles of Christianity , and particularly of christian morals . "

Such are the princi ples and aims of the nine Grand German Lodges , differing now and then in the letter , but according in spirit and intention , and embodying nothing , certainly , which a mason should fear to acknoAvledge , or AA'hich a government should fear to find as the spring of action of any section of its subjects . We are not here making ourselves the apologists of

eontinential brethren . They are strong enough ancl sagacious enough to take their OAVU part ; but , at the same time , it is Avell that English brothers should be aAvare of their aims and principles . We may have occasion to refer to the German Lodges again , through the aid of Bro . Dr . Ranch ' s articles . In Masonic Literature , we may mention the appearance