Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A French View Of The Recent Resolutions Of Our Grand Lodge.
A FRENCH VIEW OF THE RECENT RESOLUTIONS OF OUR GRAND LODGE .
IT was to be' expected tbafc the French Masonic Journals ¦ would lose no time in considering the recent action of our Grand Lodge , condemnatory of the radical change made last autumn by the Grand Orient of France in the first
article of its Constitutions . Accordingly , our contemporary le Monde Maeonnique , for the month of April , contains an article from the pen of Bro . Caubet , editor of that journal , and one of the Vice-Presidents of the Council of the Grand
Orient , in which , after noting the resolutions passed at our Quarterly Communication in March , and the most important portion of the speech in which our Pro Grand Master submitted them to Grand Lodge , onrAv-orthy brother
proceeds as follows : " The proposals of the Committee were adopted unanimously , and without discussion , but while they will cause no feeling of surprise among French Masons , they will excite no littlo astonishment in the minds of those who labour under the belief that the Reformation has set
free the minds of men from the trammels of bigotry and has developed a just spirit of liberalism . A while since , and the Romish Church launched its anathemas against Freemasonry , and the Anglican Church has now followed its example . But what is still more extraordinary is the fact ,
that French Masonry is now denounced by the Freemasons of England . True , the latter , devoted as it is to the throne and the altar , has , owing to the force of circumstances , seen developing itself within its bosom a sectarian and exclusive spirit , which to-day is far loss liberal than it was in the
eighteenth century , and that absolute liberty of conscience is directly opposed to its principles . The following remarks will abundantly prove this . Meanwhile , it is necessary to bear in mind that these decisions of the Grand Lodge of England bear the impress of the greatest irresolution , and
consequently that they aro entirely wanting in frankness and perspicuity . For instance , what necessity is there for proclaiming that they are applicable to all foreign visitors , when the sole motive for passing them is the resolution adopted by the Grand Orient of France , and it is clear they are aimed
only at French Masons . Let us note further , that the Grand Lodge of England has never officially recognised French Freemasonry , and that at no period has one of its representatives ever been accredited to our Grand Orient .
Consequently , it had no business to meddle with our affairs ; and , to say the least , it was a most ungraceful act to meddle with them , and recognise onr Grand Orient only for the purpose of denouncing us .
The Grand Lodge delares that it has no intention of interfering with the jurisdiction of a foreign Grand Lodge . But Avhat value can attach to such a declaration , when it
intervenes at the very moment it announces it is not intervening , and when the sole inducement to interfere is , the modification of an article in the French Constitutions , and the suppression of a formula which is not contained in its own .
We shall say nothing as to the singular measures which the English Lodges are invited to adopt in respect of French visiting brethren . We imagine the number of those who will submit to the ordeal of such proposed inquisition—if we except those whom personal interests
may induce to disregard all considerations—will be very restricted . Nor will we say anything as to that respect for tradition which is so often and so carelessly invoked by English Masons , for the simple reason that we have again and again had occasion to express our views on the subject . The traditions of Masonry are essentiall y liberal .
A French View Of The Recent Resolutions Of Our Grand Lodge.
English Masons would assuredly not have denied this m the eighteenth century . The predecessors of those who to-day rule and direct the destinies of English Masonry never had the slightest idea of protesting against tho initiation of Helvetius , of Holbach , of Laland , and of thousands of other freethinkers who have been an honour to
the Society . Never would they have condescended , before admitting them into their Lodges , to demand of them a confession of their faith in God and the immortality of the soul . So far , indeed , from the Grand Lodge of England bavin ? been faithful to tradition , it has just now been
guilty of a grave dereliction of duty in this respect . It has proved itself intolerant and sectarian ; it has entered on a career of retrogression , and has gravely compromised the interests aud dignity of Freemasonry . We do not profess a blind and absolute respect for tradition .
Determined partisans of the cause of progress , wo havo no difficulty in adapting the ideas and usages of tradition to notions which are more enlightened and customs which are more rational ; but for our own satisfaction , and that
of all true Masons , it is necessary that these changes should indicate , in a manner which is unmistakable , a real landmark in the road to progress . Every change which throws us backward , instead of advancing our cause , is to be detested , and will prove fatal to our Institution .
In short , tho Grand Lodge of England has just inflicted the severest blow on the cosmopolitan and universal character of Freemasoury . It has divided our body into two
camps . In one are those who accept entire liberty of conscience , in the other those who subordinate liberty to relig ion . We are iu favour of absolute liberty of conscience , and such is the excellence of our cause that sooner rather
than later we shall overcome all obstacles , and unite all Masons under our banner . Meanwhile we say to those who attack us , to the Grand Lodge of Englaud as well as to the Grand Lodge of Ireland , —Launch your anathemas against us , close your Lodges against us , excommunicate us ,
onr Lodges will none the less be open to all English and Irish Masons ; in fact , to Masons from every part of the world , and to whatever rite they may belong . To the best of our ability Ave will endeavour to repair the Avrong your intolerance has inflicted on our beloved Institution . But
if you imagine for one moment that your menaces AVIII induce us to renounce our trust in liberty of conscience , undeceive yourselves at once , acquit yourselves of so grievous an error . Nothing can possibly weaken our confidence in the value of the principles which actuate us , nothing
can possibly destroy the certainty of our near and approaching triumph , nothing Avill serve to quench our hope of seeing Freemasonry emerge from the present crisis stronger , grander , more worthy of men ' s respect , and above all better adapted to promote the true interests of justice and
humanity . We have the unshaken faith Avhich animated our fathers Avhen on the ruins of the old society of France they proclaimed the rights of man and of the citizen . Our task , however , is easier . Masonry has been diverted from its legitimate scope , and our object is to recall it . Like
our fathers Ave deplore the blindness of those Avho mistrust our labours , but like our fathers also , Ave are determined on considering only the justice of our cause , and Avill be deterred from pursuing our task by no obstacle and no opposition .
A meeting of the Committeo for securing the election of Bro . F . R . W . Hedges to fill the office of Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls Avas held on Wednesday last , Avhen further arrangements were made . "
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A French View Of The Recent Resolutions Of Our Grand Lodge.
A FRENCH VIEW OF THE RECENT RESOLUTIONS OF OUR GRAND LODGE .
IT was to be' expected tbafc the French Masonic Journals ¦ would lose no time in considering the recent action of our Grand Lodge , condemnatory of the radical change made last autumn by the Grand Orient of France in the first
article of its Constitutions . Accordingly , our contemporary le Monde Maeonnique , for the month of April , contains an article from the pen of Bro . Caubet , editor of that journal , and one of the Vice-Presidents of the Council of the Grand
Orient , in which , after noting the resolutions passed at our Quarterly Communication in March , and the most important portion of the speech in which our Pro Grand Master submitted them to Grand Lodge , onrAv-orthy brother
proceeds as follows : " The proposals of the Committee were adopted unanimously , and without discussion , but while they will cause no feeling of surprise among French Masons , they will excite no littlo astonishment in the minds of those who labour under the belief that the Reformation has set
free the minds of men from the trammels of bigotry and has developed a just spirit of liberalism . A while since , and the Romish Church launched its anathemas against Freemasonry , and the Anglican Church has now followed its example . But what is still more extraordinary is the fact ,
that French Masonry is now denounced by the Freemasons of England . True , the latter , devoted as it is to the throne and the altar , has , owing to the force of circumstances , seen developing itself within its bosom a sectarian and exclusive spirit , which to-day is far loss liberal than it was in the
eighteenth century , and that absolute liberty of conscience is directly opposed to its principles . The following remarks will abundantly prove this . Meanwhile , it is necessary to bear in mind that these decisions of the Grand Lodge of England bear the impress of the greatest irresolution , and
consequently that they aro entirely wanting in frankness and perspicuity . For instance , what necessity is there for proclaiming that they are applicable to all foreign visitors , when the sole motive for passing them is the resolution adopted by the Grand Orient of France , and it is clear they are aimed
only at French Masons . Let us note further , that the Grand Lodge of England has never officially recognised French Freemasonry , and that at no period has one of its representatives ever been accredited to our Grand Orient .
Consequently , it had no business to meddle with our affairs ; and , to say the least , it was a most ungraceful act to meddle with them , and recognise onr Grand Orient only for the purpose of denouncing us .
The Grand Lodge delares that it has no intention of interfering with the jurisdiction of a foreign Grand Lodge . But Avhat value can attach to such a declaration , when it
intervenes at the very moment it announces it is not intervening , and when the sole inducement to interfere is , the modification of an article in the French Constitutions , and the suppression of a formula which is not contained in its own .
We shall say nothing as to the singular measures which the English Lodges are invited to adopt in respect of French visiting brethren . We imagine the number of those who will submit to the ordeal of such proposed inquisition—if we except those whom personal interests
may induce to disregard all considerations—will be very restricted . Nor will we say anything as to that respect for tradition which is so often and so carelessly invoked by English Masons , for the simple reason that we have again and again had occasion to express our views on the subject . The traditions of Masonry are essentiall y liberal .
A French View Of The Recent Resolutions Of Our Grand Lodge.
English Masons would assuredly not have denied this m the eighteenth century . The predecessors of those who to-day rule and direct the destinies of English Masonry never had the slightest idea of protesting against tho initiation of Helvetius , of Holbach , of Laland , and of thousands of other freethinkers who have been an honour to
the Society . Never would they have condescended , before admitting them into their Lodges , to demand of them a confession of their faith in God and the immortality of the soul . So far , indeed , from the Grand Lodge of England bavin ? been faithful to tradition , it has just now been
guilty of a grave dereliction of duty in this respect . It has proved itself intolerant and sectarian ; it has entered on a career of retrogression , and has gravely compromised the interests aud dignity of Freemasonry . We do not profess a blind and absolute respect for tradition .
Determined partisans of the cause of progress , wo havo no difficulty in adapting the ideas and usages of tradition to notions which are more enlightened and customs which are more rational ; but for our own satisfaction , and that
of all true Masons , it is necessary that these changes should indicate , in a manner which is unmistakable , a real landmark in the road to progress . Every change which throws us backward , instead of advancing our cause , is to be detested , and will prove fatal to our Institution .
In short , tho Grand Lodge of England has just inflicted the severest blow on the cosmopolitan and universal character of Freemasoury . It has divided our body into two
camps . In one are those who accept entire liberty of conscience , in the other those who subordinate liberty to relig ion . We are iu favour of absolute liberty of conscience , and such is the excellence of our cause that sooner rather
than later we shall overcome all obstacles , and unite all Masons under our banner . Meanwhile we say to those who attack us , to the Grand Lodge of Englaud as well as to the Grand Lodge of Ireland , —Launch your anathemas against us , close your Lodges against us , excommunicate us ,
onr Lodges will none the less be open to all English and Irish Masons ; in fact , to Masons from every part of the world , and to whatever rite they may belong . To the best of our ability Ave will endeavour to repair the Avrong your intolerance has inflicted on our beloved Institution . But
if you imagine for one moment that your menaces AVIII induce us to renounce our trust in liberty of conscience , undeceive yourselves at once , acquit yourselves of so grievous an error . Nothing can possibly weaken our confidence in the value of the principles which actuate us , nothing
can possibly destroy the certainty of our near and approaching triumph , nothing Avill serve to quench our hope of seeing Freemasonry emerge from the present crisis stronger , grander , more worthy of men ' s respect , and above all better adapted to promote the true interests of justice and
humanity . We have the unshaken faith Avhich animated our fathers Avhen on the ruins of the old society of France they proclaimed the rights of man and of the citizen . Our task , however , is easier . Masonry has been diverted from its legitimate scope , and our object is to recall it . Like
our fathers Ave deplore the blindness of those Avho mistrust our labours , but like our fathers also , Ave are determined on considering only the justice of our cause , and Avill be deterred from pursuing our task by no obstacle and no opposition .
A meeting of the Committeo for securing the election of Bro . F . R . W . Hedges to fill the office of Secretary of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls Avas held on Wednesday last , Avhen further arrangements were made . "