The History Of Freemasonry In Portugal.

confine itself to these instances of goodwill and friendship to its brethren of South America . It also sought to establish friendly relations and recognition throughout the Masonic world , using its best influence with those numerous Masonic powers

with whom she was intimately associated , and a great measure of success attended her exertions . These circumstances should recorded to the honour ofthe Grand Orient of Lusitania , although the gratitude of the Brazilian brethren must have

been a sweet reward for her noble exertions on their behalf . The lodges under the jurisdiction of the Grand Orient of Lusitania are not sufficiently numerous , nor is the Masonic principle sufficiently

deeprooted in the hearts of the Portuguese nation to induce the people to eagerly enrol themselves under the standard of the Order . However , there

are no less than eighteen lodges under this jurisdiction , situate in Lisbon , Oporto , Coimbra , Acores , besides three in Spain , at Seville , Cadiz , and Madrid . In the noble struggle of emulation each seeks to set an example of regularity

and order in their work , so that a preference can scarcely be given to one over the other . Nevertheless , mention must be made of Lodge " Cosmopolite " almost entirely comprised of foreign brethren , for the greater part Frenchmen .

We speak not only of the perfect order , and the almost despotic sway which is cheerfully submitted to , for this would be au unmerited reproach to the other lodges within the jurisdiction , which maintain au equality in the matter of devotion to

Masonry , perfection in working , and assiduit y in the exercise of all the Masonic virtues . Its glory was concerned in its existence under the rule of the Grand Orient of Lusitania . This is a most

convincing proof of our assertions as to the regularity and upright conduct of the Grand Orient . This lodge formerly yielded submission to one of the other self-constituted Grand bodies in Portugal , but when convinced that the true governing

power was the Grand Orient of Lusitania , it enrolled itself under her banners . The brethren of this lodge , as foreigners , took . no part in the political affairs of the nation , and in seeking Masonry iu its greatest purity , found

it in this jurisdiction . These worthy brothers , although bound by tho ties of fraternal friendship to the Masonic body from which they felt compelled to part , and although , iu their estrangement , they had not

violently severed those ties , sought in the Grand Orient of Lusitania the accomplishment of their ardent desires , bringing them into relation with all the principal Masonic powers in the universe . We repeat with p leasure the remarks of that

worthy Mason , Bro . Francois Lallemant , Master of the lodge at the first meeting under submission to the Grand Orient of Lusitania : — " The Lodge , ' Cosmopolite' which was founded under the jurisdiction of the tc Portuguese Masonic Confederation , " will to day take its place under the banner of the " Grand Orient of Lusitania . "

Iu quitting the Orient to which hitherto she owed obedience , and in which relation its members had contracted many sincere and fraternal friendships , this loclge has not abandoned its principles , but on the contrary , seeks the accomplishment of

its earliest aspirations . With confidence it unites itself with an Orient acknowledged by several foreign Grand Lodges , to the end that the brethren may work the more effectually for the good of Freemasonry . No , Loclge ' Cosmopolite' has

not abandoned its principles . A path has been pointed out to it—a well travelled road—and it considers it a duty to journey in the way that leads it into social intercourse with the whole Masonic

world . Masonry being essentially progressive , tho brethren of Lodge ' Cosmopolite believe they are obeying one of the fundamental laws of the Order , in ranging themselves under the standard ofthe Grand Orient of Lusitania , which cannot

fail ere long to be appreciated and acknowledged by the Masons belonging to the different jurisdictions existing in Portugal . May , one day , our Portuguese Masous form but one united family , under obedience to the same supreme power , the

better to effect the accomplishment of that great edifice of humanity , which should consolidate Masonry , and render it one and indivisible . It may be mentioned that in all the Masonic jurisdictions of Portugal , the Rite Ecossais , and the Rite Francais were worked in connection , the

Grand Master being at the head of both Grand Lodge of the one , and the Supreme Council of the other . From the time that the Grand Orient of Lusitania existed in the midst of Portugal , the

Masonic traditions anterior to this epoch , are very obscure , and of doubtful authenticity . We have endeavoured to relate the history of the Masonic body from the most reliable sources , and we have endeavoured to maintain the most