Proposed Convention.

been changed , all brethren under the Grand Orient of France owe it the most absolute respect ; the oath they voluntarily take constitutes this a duty , from the consequences of which no one wonld wish to extricate himself . The procedure to bo observed in every proposed

modification of the Constitution is governed by Article 171 of the Statutes , and Chapter 5 of the Constitution . At the meeting last year , some doubts were raised as to the true interpretation of those Articles ; and , after a discussion , in which Bros , de Saint-Jean and Poulle on the one side , and

Bros . Ernest Rousselle and Grimaux on the other side , took part , Bro . Belat , orator of the General Assembly of the Grand Orient , with the approval of the Assembly , fixed the sense and bearing of Article 171 , as formulated in clear and precise terms on the minutes of the session of Thursday , 13 th September .

( 1 ) Submission of motions to the Council without discussion . ( 2 ) Those motions which bear twenty-five signatures to be read to the Assembly and voted upon forthwith without discussion .

( 3 ) Those motions which propose modifications of the Constitution , to be submitted to the Council of the Order without being read . Such is the law , before which all must bow . It is

impossible , therefore , that the Grand Orient of France can ratify this treaty , as is demanded , within the first half of September at the latest , and it is equally impossible for a duly constituted meeting to be held the last day of the session of the Assembly .

• It is no answer to these arguments to say that it is a question of a proposed fusion , and that the final vote will not take place till 1883 . The important feature in this project , from the first time to the last , are the important modifications which are proposed to be made in the

present Constitution . Very many of the reforms are excellent , and we have invariably urged their adoption , though , as invariably , confining ourselves distinctly to strictly legal grounds . If formalities which , though

somewhat tedious , are necessary , must be observed in changing a single article , is it to be endured that such must be dispensed with when it is a question of preparing an entirely new Constitution ?

Even the limited fusion which is now in question is certainly a good one , and we hope it may be effected . But we hold that it can and ought to be carried out without

conditions , and by leaving to a time not very remote the duty of providing those changes in the Constitution which appear to be useful , and which will secure the assent of the great majority of the Lodges .

For the present we shall rest contented with these preliminary observations , but the Project of Convention suggests other objections , to which it will be our duty to call attention in a future article .

Some Of The Uses Of Freemasonry.

SOME OF THE USES OF FREEMASONRY .

IT is an admitted axiom that whenever the bugle-call of charity is heard , the brethren of " ye mystic tie " are to be found in the foremost ranks , illustrating both by precept and practice the grand doctrines of the common brotherhood of man . There are few claims upon human

sympathy in which they do not share , and it is their privilege , as well as their duty , to help forward every scheme which patriotism or benevolence may suggest to alleviate the sufferings of those whose lines have not fallen in pleasant places . But there is a reverse side to the

picture , and it is unfortunately not rare that the influence of the Craft is sought for and obtained for purposes outside their own especial sphere , and by those who are unable to appreciate the generosity which springs from the warmth of Masonic hearts . Philanthropists of every grade

know well that , in the inauguration and carrying out of any useful work , onr Institution is seldom called upon in vain to lend a helping hand ; and the cheerfulness with which the brethren acquiesce is but one more proof of the principles of sympathy and love by which they are actuated . It comes ,

therefore , as a greater rebuff when , after having been stirred to generous impulses , and fired by the effort of others to put tbeir " princip les to the test , " there should be men who would bite the hands of those who feed them , and fling back into their faces aid that was proffered with

Some Of The Uses Of Freemasonry.

the best intentions . Seldom has such a case come under our notice , however , as that which occurred last Saturday ; and . judging from the numerous letters we have received upou the subject , there can be little doubt that a

considerable feeling of disappointment , not to say of indignation , was aroused when it was ascertained that the interesting ceremony of which we gave notice in our last had been unexpectedly , and indefinitely , postponed .

As mentioned in onr last issue , Saturday had been set apart for laying the foundation stone of a " Home for Little Boys , " at Swanley , the scheme being an extension of the great philanthropic work of " clothing , feeding , educating and training to industrial work , homeless and destitute

boys , as well as those in danger of falling into crime , whether orphans or not , who are disqualified , by poverty or other circumstances , for admission into orphan asylums or other institutions . " We took occasion then to explain the beneficent objects of this most excellent form of

charity , and our readers are too familiar with the subject to render any farther dilation on it necessary . Our aim and duty here is to show how the powerful influence of Freemasonry may , and sometimes is , unworthily used by persons who have not the grasp of mind to appreciate it , or

who are unscrupulous aud cavalier in their estimate of favours received . Having said so much , we can only add that , in anticipation of the event to which we refer , the aid of our Most Worshipfnl Grand Master was graciously conceded , his Royal Highness condescending to undertake ,

what it is hardly necessary to say would have been to him , the pleasing duty of laying the corner-stone of tho new building . With that confidence which all who know him would unhesitatingly repose in the Provincial Grand

Master of Kent , the Prince of Wales left to Bro . Viscount Holmesdale the responsibility of making the whole of the arrangements , and we have reason to know that the manner in which the noble lord was supported by the Grand Officers of Kent could not but have redounded

infinitely to the credit of the Province . An escort of the West Kent Yeomanry , nnder the command of Colonel Fitzroy Maclean , was turned out as an escort , and the Earl of Aberdeen and many other distinguished leaders in philanthropic enterprise had kindly signified their intention

of supporting our Most Worshipful Grand Master on the auspicious occasion . Elaborate plans were made for the reception of his Royal Highness and his lovely Consort , who takes so deep an interest in works of this kind , and who had also promised to grace the ceremony with her

presence , and invitations were sent ont broadcast , not only to Masons and their families , but generally , to witness one of the most imposing and interesting ceremonies it is possible to contemplate . It is a trite saying that the sources of pleasure are in anticipation rather than in realisation ;

and so far aa this event is concerned the aphorism was harrowingly true . Never was disappointment so keen , or indignation more justly provoked , than over the " miserable fiasco " which will cling like a wet blanket around the memories of the new " Homes for Little Boys , " at Swanley , if ever they are raised and inhabited .

Flushed with pleasurable anticipations , ticket-holders in the City repaired to the Holborn and Victoria Stations , where they had been informed special trains would be in readiness to convey them to Swanley . There conveyances had been chartered to take them on to Hextable Farm , about

a mile distant ; and luncheon had been set out in a large marquee , at which the Earl of Aberdeen had consented to preside . With such a programme before them , the Visitors were in the highest possible spirits , looking forward to a pleasant trip into the " garden of England , " so lovely at this

time of year , and on such a brilliant day as last Saturday turned out to be . But just as the guests had assembled , and were on the point of embarking on their joyous excur . sion , countenances fell and angry looks were exchanged , when it was found out that the Prince was " not coming , '

the whole affair had fallen through . Why ? and wherefore r was depicted on every face , but the answer came tardily and shamefacedly . " The rain in the morning , " it was said , " had converted the ground into such a swamp that the carriages provided for the conveyance of the guests

would be unable to proceed through it ! " Was ever sucn an abject subterfuge resorted to ? If that was the impression conveyed by telegram to the M . W . G . M ., we have only to ask , Was it true ? We are assured by many of the

brethren who visited the spot , and purposely went over every inch of the ground , that only in a few p laces was there mud , ancle deep , and a few planks thrown over