Masonic Sayings And Doings Abroad.

MASONIC SAYINGS AND DOINGS ABROAD .

LONDON , SATVBDAY , AUGUST 29 , 1863 .

GRAND O RIENT OE P _ KAI . CE . — At the annual meeting of the Grand Orient of Trance , it was reported that the finances were in a prosperous condition , notwithstanding many very heavy calls upon them , and that the lodges have made great sacrifices in order to free the Grand Orient from debts which

accrued under the previous Grand Mastership . Amongst other topics it would seem that there is a divided feeling about the state recognition of Ereemasonry , the Grand Master advocating it , and the Grand Orient opposing it . On a division being taken the relative numbers were in favour of the plan 64 ,

against it 123 , majority 59 . There was an election of thirteen brethren as members of the Council of the Order , which was a matter of routine . CENTENARY OE THE LODGE OE PERFECT SILENCE . —The Lodge of Perfect Silence , in the Orient of

Lyons , lately celebrated its centenary with great eclat . The proceedings consisted of the usual lodge ceremonial , an oration by its orator in which , referring to the warrant of constitution , he said it was signed by the Count de Clermont , and countersigned by the Marquis de Bricqueville , in 1762 .

BRUNSWICK .- —A question has arisen in the Lodge Charles , as to the admission of pure deists into Ereemasonry in that lodge , audits members have made a declaration to tbe effect that however eligible in other respects , tbe character of a proposed initiate may be ,

it is necessary that he should at least acknowledge openly the existence of one God . Our contemporary , " Die Bauhiitte , " gives it as an opinion , with ¦ which we cannot agree , that the lodge has no rig ht to enquire if a man is with or without any kind of faith ; his morality and prosperity being the only criterion of his worthiness .

JUBILEE OE A BROTHER . —In the Lodge Prince of Prussia , Solingen , they lately held a special meeting to celebrate the 50 th Masonic anniversary of the initiation of Bro . Muss , one of its members . LEIPZIG-. —The Masonic Debating Club , established

for the purpose of discussing Masonic questions , and the instruction of young brethren , holds its meetings weekly , ancl annually indulges in a commemoration of its foundation . One of these gatherings took place lately , and was attended by many of the German

eclectic brethren , one of whom harangued the meeting on tbe reversed maxim of Descartes "Sum , ergo cogito , " a very happy plan of making a harlequinade of any author ' s ideas . DRESDEN . — -A new lodge , called the Two Brass .

Columns , has been established under the Grand Lodge of Saxony , at Dresden , of which Dr , Kitchenmeister is the first Master . EEEUSING A LEGACY . — -The Grand Orient of Italy have refused to accept a legacy of £ 200 ( 5000 francs ) from the late Bro . Tornabuoni , of the lodge of Osiris ,

of Turin , on the grounds that Ereemasonry being the highest moral society , cannot afford to jeopardise its position , in the estimation of the world , by sharing the estates of any of its deceased brethren with their families , aud thereby raising a prejudice against the

institution . But , the Grand Orient add , they have no objection to receive gifts in the life time of the donor , because such donations are supposed to be offered from self-denying acts and savings which would not be detrimental to a brother or his family .

GARIBALDI . — -This distinguished General and brother has had the very flattering honour conferred upon him , by the Ladge Campidoglio , of being nominated its honorary Master during his lifetime . STATISTICS OE ITALIAN LODGES . —The Grand

Orient of Italy now numbers about sixty lodges on its roll , and seven new ones are just on the point of being added . EOIXIE . —In the States of the Church , Ereemasonry has long been tabooed , but we are led to understand that

in Eome itself there is a lodge called Eabio Massimo , composed of some twenty members , who , well knowing the implacability of those amongst whom they live , suppress their names , and are only known to brethren of tbe other parts of Italy by certain

numbers , thus amongst the new elections for this year , Bro . No . - _!_ has given place to No . 18 , as "W . M ., and No . 5 has been appointed Secretary . FUNERAL OE THE GRAND-MASTER OE BELGIUM . —

The Anns Philanthropes of Brussels have just held a lodge at whicli a grand funeral solemnit y in honour of theM . "W . G . M . Bro . Verhaegen was performed , in the presence of some 200 brethren from the Hague , Amsterdam , Botterdam , Dort , Maestricht , and other places , assembled in remembrance of their deceased

brother ' s eminent qualities and good works . Bro . Yan den Bosch , Master of the lodge Eoyal Union , of Haye , sjioke so warmly and appealed so forcibly to the feelings of the brethren whilst recounting the benefits conferred on the Order b y Bro . Verhaegen ,

that there was scarcely a dry eye to be seen amongst them . The new M . "W " . G . M ., elect , Bro . Van der Schoor bore strong testimony to the worth of the deceased , and an ode was performed by Bro . Bosselet , and afterwards Bro . Van der Schoor was elected and enthroned M . W . G . M . of Bel g ium . Amongst the

distinguished visitors present was Viscount de la Jonquieres , S . G . I . G . xxxiii , Erance , who had been specially invited to assist at this ceremony , both by