Masonic Jurisprudence.

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE .

Wc purpose giving from time to time the decisions of the Masonic ruling bodies throughout the Avorkl , upon questions brought before them affecting the interests of the Order , ancl serving as precedents for the guidance of the Masters of

lodges under the several dispensations . In France , the following are the decisions of the Grand Master upon the several subjects as here enumerated -.

I . Of meetings of the Lodges out of the Lodge-I'oom . —For every meeting out of the lodge room , the lodges should , previously , obtain the authority of the Grand Master of the Order ,- ancl in no case is it permitted them to conceal their Masonic

title . ( Sitting of the 22 nd February , 1 S 5 S . ) II . Of Uic members . suspended hy a Chapter ; ¦ consequences of this Suspension . —A brother suspended by the chapter , for refusing the payment of duos , can he be still a member of any symbolic

body ? The Council , after haA ~ ing heard a report upon this question , is unanimously of opinion that paragraph 0 , of article 199 , of the General Statutes , resolves the question in an absolute

manner . It is thus expressed : " Irregular Masons aro those AYIIO , Avithout satisfactory reasons , have failed to fulfil their pecuniary obligation towards the bodies of which they were members . " Now , no irregular Mason , of any

Tank , can be admitted to a regular lodge , under the penalty of the lodge itself being declared -irregular . ( Article 200 , paragraph 4 . ) ( Session of -September 20 , 1858 . )

III . Of Funeral Ceremonies . —( Interpretation ¦ or 268 fch Article of Statutes . ) ' A Masonic body having inquired if the profane can bo admitted to ; a funeral ceremony , the Council is unanimously of the opinion that the spirit of the 26 th article , of

the General Statures , does not admit the profane to funeral ceremonies . ( Meeting September 20 , 1858 . ) IV . Of Lisolcents . — 4 . recorded insolvent , can lie be initiated in our sublime mysteries ; and in

case lie is already a Mason , can he continue to enjoy the rights and prerogatives attached to this title ? The Council , after having heard a report upon this question , declares that , Avhereas the law of the

2 nd of February excludes from the eiec-torial lists insolvents not reinstated ; Whereas , Article 3 rd , of the decree of the 7 th

Masonic Jurisprudence.

ancl 12 th of August , 1848 , declares the aforesaid persons incapable of performing the functions of jurors ; Whoreas , If profane legislation deprives insolvents thus of their political rights . Masonic

legislation cannot show itself less scrupulous in that Avhich concerns the rights and prerogatives of the members of the Order , especially , when it has declared by a special provision in its constitution , that ordinary honesty does not suffice to become a

Mason ; And Whereas , It is of the highest importance , for the honour of the institution , to preserve this principle intact—¦ Therefore , The Council declares every insolvent unfit to receive or to retain bhe rank of Mason , till after his restoration to solvency . ( Session of the

18 th October , 18-58 . ) The rank of Freemason , as Avell as the rights and prerogatives Avhich are attached to it , is forfeited . -1 st . By a dishonourable action .

2 nd . By the practice of any profession destructi \ r e of social order . 3 rd . By the violation of the oath of fidelity taken at his initiation . No one can be deprived of his position as a

Mason except by virtue of a judgment rendered according to the forms prescribed in the Constitution and the General Statutes . Every Mason has the right of publishing his opinion upon Masonic questions .

Of Powers . —Masonic sovereignty resides in the whole body of Masons , Avith whom Ave are in correspondence . The central Masonic authority , placed under the direction of the Grand Master of French Masomy , bears the title of Grand Orient of France .

The Identity Of Freemasonry.

THE IDENTITY OF FREEMASONRY .

We have to congratulate our contemporary , The National Freemason , upon the continued vigour which distinguishes its articles upon Freemasonry , and the hearty tone which is indicated by its contents generally . When a Monthly Journal , \ A e ha \ 'e had occasion to notice with pleasure the admirable manner

iu which it was conducted , . and Ave are glad to find that now as a Masonic Weekly our transatlantic contemporary maintains the high position Avhicli it has justly earned for itself amongst the current Masonic literature of the clay . We have pleasure in giving place to an article on the subject of tho Identity of Freemasonry , Avhich appeared in a recent issue .