Proposed Convention.

PROPOSED CONVENTION .

THE GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE AND THE SCOTCH SYMBOLICAL GRAND LODGE .

WE mentioned , last week , that Le Monde Maconnique for the month of June contained a full sketch of a proposed Convention between , or fusion into one body , of the Grand Orient and Scotch Symbolical G . Lodge . The terms of snch Convention do not appear to commend

themselves to onr contemporary , and it occurs to us likewise that the project is not one of a character to meet with approval from those most intimately concerned in the wellbeing of the Craft in France . There is , however , unfortunately , at the present time , a wide gulf between

Freemasonry , as it is understood in this country , and as it is interpreted in France , and for reasons we have before explained , this gulf is just now impassable . Without , therefore , entering into the merits cf the proposed Convention or fusion , we will give , in full , the views expressed by our

contemporary , by the medium of its able exponent Bro . A . Grimaux . In their English garb they read as follows : — It is not long since that France could boast of three Masonic powers or jurisdictions which lived in harmony one with the other . True , there were clouds which from

time to time arose between two of them , but six months had not passed away ere the temporary differences were entirely forgotten . The brethren and Lodges almost everywhere interchanged visits , worked in unison , and gave practical illustration of their sense of fraternal feeling .

Then appeared on the scene a fourth Masonic power , whose guiding principle was declared to be the fusion of rites and jurisdictions , uniformity in place of diversity , and , in short , a single supreme Masonic authority for the whole of France . Naturally enough , the Grand Orient , having its origin in

mind , and likewise-the goal at which it had been constantly aiming , approved of the principle of union . What necessity , in fact , was there at all for a Rite of Misraim and a Scottish Rite ? An idea , on which for years Le Monde Maconnique had laid the greatest stress , was all of a sudden

revived , and enlisted the sympathies of every one , to wit , that the Lodges of the three degrees should range themselves under the banner of the Grand Orient , and that the latter should hand over to the Supreme Council all control over its other bodies and its rights in connection with the

Hi gh Degrees . This was a simple proposition , easy of execution , and one the success of which could not be doubted . The General Assembly , however , being somewhat

distrnstinl of the Council of the Order , pressed for and obtained a special Committee , charged with full authority to negotiate with the other Masonic powers . The zeal with which the Committee fulfilled its duties

is well known , but in matters of this kind , something wore than zeal is nececsary to ensure success , and the Committee were not slow to discover this . The Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite and the Grand Council General of the rite of Misraim politely refused to enter of the of

^ pon a discussion terms Union ; upon which the Committee , being anxious to repair this double check , and , at all events , to bring about at least a partially successful Result , as a last resort arranged with the representatives of the Grand Lodge ( symbolical ) the terms of the Convention

alread y described . Contrary to general opinion , the Grand Lodge appears from , the very first to have laid down , in respect of this

Proposed Convention.

fusion , conditions in excess of what it had itself set forth in its programme . At least , we are driven to adopt this view from the fact that those acting in the interests of the Grand Orient—whose devotion is justly appreciated , and admits of

no manner of question—did not see their way , save under compulsion , to accept , as a minimum , demands which would most likely give rise to lively disputation in the General Assembly , and which were calculated to prevent the ratification of the Convention .

The first impression which presents itself on studying the terms of the proposed arrangement is , that the twenty Lodges of the symbolical Grand Lodge make it a sine qud non of carrying it out , that , in order to unite with the 276 Lodges of the Grand Orient , the latter shall entirely

subvert its constitution . This assumption will appear perhaps to be exaggerated , and , under any circumstances , not a little singular ; for tbe Lodges of tbe Grand Orient can hardly'be expected to bring themselves to recognise that

up to the present time , they have shown themselves wanting in capacity for self-organisation , and for legislating for their own good . That would be offering a rare opportunity for including the humility of the Christian among the virtues of Freemasonry .

It is said , and with truth , that previous Assemblies of the Grand Orient have already rejected very many of the proposed reforms , and that it is contrary to reason to suppose that the approaching Convention would accept them with enthusiasm . But the brethren and Lodges which called

for these reforms belonged to the jurisdiction , and though it may have been an error , still it was well known that they would submit to the decision of the majority , while still retaining the hope , more than once justified , of bringing

over such majority to their way of thinking . In any case , however , it would have been a protracted bnsiness , and one unworthy of the present progressive age . The new method may fairly claim for itself the merit of originality , and will doubtless commend itself to future minorities .

There is no doubt the Legitimists would have no difficulty in rallying to the support of the Republic if the Presidency were made hereditary , and entrusted to M . Henri de Bourbon . In like manner , the Clerical Party would become forthwith the warmest possible champion of

Republican Government , if the selection of ministers were submitted for the approbation of His Infallible Holiness Pope Leo XIII ., and one can readily see what would be the outcome if such a method were adopted , namely , more

intestine divisions and struggles , and perhaps even more wars ; and the golden age dreamt of by our fathers would once again reign upon the earth . This is all very fine , but it is not practical .

To return , however , to the Convention . The fusion is fixed for the 16 th September next , on which day the representatives of the Symbolical Grand Lodge and those of the Grand Orient of France will formally meet together , and the union will be definitively settled next year when the Constitution has been revised in accordance with the

principles laid down in Article 4 . This no doubt would be complete enough , were it possible to proceed with such rapidity . Bat tho project of Convention offers , at every line , modifications of the Constitution of the Grand Orient .

True , such Constitution is constantly liable to revision , and has frequently been modified , but never without the observance of certain formalities which are the guarantee of the rights of minorities and which protect even the majority itself from ill-advised proposals . Until the law has