Correspondence.

occasional reminder to the English lodges from the Provincial Grand Master , that those under his jurisdiction must abstain from countenancing the refractory brethren by visiting or otherwise , the result probably of his having been from time to time informed that his orders Avere disregarded by many , with whose names he said he Avas vrell acquaintedthough for

, reasons best knoAvn to himself , but beyond my comprehension , he declined to visit them with the punishments he had threatened . This has seemed like unwillingness to carry out his own mandates from a doubt as to their propriety , and unfair towards many , myself among the number , who , anxious to shoAV their

obedience to lawfully constituted authority , have , even when desirous of seeing the working of the Prench Lodge , declined invitations to visit it , and have farther been so scrupulous as not to frequent a lodge under Irish warrant , of Avhich some ot the suspended brethren are members , with the sanction of

the Grand Lodge of Ireland . There has recentl y been unpleasant correspondence in a French Masonic Journal , owing to a supposed slight on the part of a lodge at Eennes to " Les Amis de l'Avenir , " in not having invited them with the Jersey Masons under English warrant , to attend the

annual reunion of the Brittany lodges . One can hardly wonder at this , since the Prench lodge here , though irregular according to English constitution , cannot be called spurious , for those initiated in it are doubtless as genuine Masons as any others . On all these grounds , it is high time , as it appears to me , for some understanding to be entered into on the subject . I confess that I quite agreed with the

suspension of the leaders iu the affair two years ago , nor am I inclined to change my opinion on the subject ; but as the Prench lodge has noAV existed so long , has proved its ability to maintain its position , has initiated many under Prench Avarrant AVIIO are as legitimate Masons as ourselves , but with whom we cannot hold

any intercourse , the time has probably now arrived when it would be wise to make some concession , which I think may be done without any compromise of principle . I do not counsel the admission of members of "Les Amis de l'Avenir" as visitors of English lodgesbut I know that there are many

, under our constitution who think that the restriction laid upon us not to visit the Prench lodge may be advantageously removed . Indeed , some go so far as to say , and not without a fair degree of reason , that whilst fully admitting the power of the Craft Masonic authorities over all actions in connection

with the English lodges , they dispute their right to control the members in whatever they may think ifc right individually to do outside them , or to forbid their visits as free agents to any place to Avhich they may choose to go . Grand Loclge does not recognise Druids , ForestersOdd Fellows & cbut it does not

, , , presume to interfere Avith brethren Avho belong to those societies , though their ceremonies may perhaps be regarded as parodies of the rituals of Freemasonry . There appears to be no reason why the French lodge established in Jersey should be put in a different category from themat least so far affects occasional

, visits to it . The case may be considered similar in some respects to one alluded to in a former communication , where a Provincial Grand Master assumed a right to forbid the wearing of Craft clothing ancl

Correspondence.

jewels in a Mark Masters' Loclge , alleging Low No . 2 , ou page 91 , of the "Book of Constitutions , " as his justification , the validity of Avhich was disputed , on the ground that Grand Lodge has poAver over English Masons only within the lodges under its jurisdiction . "No straining can make the law against wearing badges in publicor appearing as Masons in public

, processions of the Order Avithout special permission , applicable to a meeting of brethren in private , " and any attempt so to construe ifc must seem an arbitrary dictatorial assumption of authority . A consideration of this matter has led to doubts in my mind as to the correctness of the opinions I first held on the

other question , so far as regards the veto on English Masons to visit the French lodge alluded to . Nothing I conceive would be lost by the concession recommended ; surreptitious attendance at the lodge " Les Amis de l'Avenir , " Avhicli , it is said , does take placewould be avoided ; and much good would

, be effected by the removal of bitterness of feeling , inconsistent with the profession of fraternity . If , on the contrary , it be thought rig ht still to impose these restrictions , the original offenders have shown themselves so determined to continue their course , that there appears to be no alternative , after a probation

of two years without any sign of repentance , but for the Grand Lodge of England to proceed to extremities , by expelling from English Masonry all those Avho JiaA-e been so long under suspecsion . Should the English Masonic authorities allow matters to remain in statu- quo , the only inference to be drawn is that

they shrink from carrying out their own principles , which Avould seem to indicate that some radical change in our constitutions is desirable in this respect , as in others to Avhich reference has been made on former occasions—e . g ., the mode of appointment of Provincial Gz-and Masters . Yours fraternally , Sept . 20 , 1865 . P . M .

The F.C. Degree, Illustrated From The New Testament, &C.

THE F . C . DEGREE , ILLUSTRATED FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT , & c .

TO THE EDITOE OF ?___ . PitEEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIR 20 K . DEAE SIB A : SS * BEOTHEE , —The second degree has never received the consideration its real importance demands , nor has the lesson ifc ought to teach heen sufficiently impressed upou the minds of brethren ( says the W . M . to the neAA'ly-passed F . C ) . As in the

former degree you made yourself acquainted Avith the principles of moral truth and virtue , you are now permitted to extend your researches into the hidden mysteries of nature and science . The American ritual adds , — " The Entered Apprentice as the type of unregenerated man , groping in moral and mental

darkness for that light Avhich is to guide his steps , and point out to him the paths Avhich lead to duty , ancl to him who gives to duty its rewards . " The F . C . is intended to typify the struggles of the ardent mind for the attainment of truth ! moral , intellectual truth ! and above all , his divine truth ! the

comprehension of which surpasseth human understanding . But modern Masonic lectures are blind to that important fact that whilst the speedy downfall of Solomon ' s magnificent edifice , the pride and admira- _ tion of the world , points out the utter instability of human undertakings , so does the fate of that kingr