Negro Lodges.

Massachusetts ; and , therefore , waiving the question of colour , it could never have been recognised , by them or any other Masonic body , as a lawful lodge . It never was so recognised ; nor has there ever been , during the whole period of its existence ,

any recognition of its acts , or intercourse had Avith its members , by any Grand Lodge , or other Masonic body in this country . Such is very briefly the origin of lodges of coloured Masons in America . Frequent attempts

have been made to induce the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to acknowledge the lodge in this city , on the ground that it emanated from legal authority ; but they have always been resisted , and all intercourse Avith it prohibited ; not solely , and perhaps not principally , because it Avas composed

of coloured men , but , primarily , because it was instituted in violation of the laAV of Masonic jurisdiction ; and , secondly , because its charter Avas , more than half acentury ago , revoked and annulled by the GrandLodge from which it emanated .

But there is one VIBAV of this subject which it may be useful to consider , before it is too much embarrassed by prejudice or unavailing vituperation . " Negro lodges" exist among us to a much greater extent than is generally supposed . * They

claim to be Masonic associations ; but of this we have no means of judging . If they be so , they are clandestine and irregular , and with them the Masons of this country , whether North or South , can hold no intercourse or communication . But it does not follow from this that it is either

Avise , or prudent , or just , that Ave should denounce , proscribe , or revile them . We may regret their existence , or that they had not organised under some other name ; but as they have not seen fit to do so , Ave cannot help ourselves , and must

accept the fact as it is . From Avhat Ave have been able to learn from their printed documents—from their periodicals , the by-laws of their lodges , and the published addresses of their more intelligent members—Ave are led to believe that they are a

moral and benevolent association , and that they are doing much to relieve the necessities , to improve the social condition , and elevate the intellectual status of their OAVU people . If this be so , the purpose of their association is a commendable

one , and they Avill receive , at least from that part of the community Avho care little for Masonic relations , the encouragement Avhich in their changed condition they so much need , and which is so essential to their personal welfare and

usefulness . And , as from the peculiar nature of the case , whatever may be the character of their organisations , whether guasi-Masonic or otherwise , they can neither interfere Avith or impose upon our lodges , or in any other Avay become troublesome to us , Ave , as Masons , need not be

very sensitive on account of their existence among us . They will take care of themselves ; and our true policy is to alloAV them to do so without interference from us . Supposing- them to be irregular Masons , there is a Avide distinction

between their lodges and similar clandestine bodies which are from time to time springing into existence under the patronage of men less honest in their purposes , though of whiter skins . In the latter case a fraud is practised upon the credulous ,

and , if opportunity offer , an imposition upon the lawful lodges of the country . In the former case , no such fraud is chargeable . They hold out no encouragement to their people that they will ever be recognised as Masons anyAvhere beyond them

own circle ; and it would be a mark of greater stupidity than their worst enemies g ive them credit for , if they should attempt to pass themselves off as Masons among those of a different class , in this country at least . Whatever might

be the effect should any of them emigrate to Hayti , or other of the West India Islands , or England , or wherever else the colour of the skin is not a disqualification for admission to a Masonic lodge—supposing them to know enough of Masonry to pass the required examination—it is