Constitution Of The Italian Freemasons.

CONSTITUTION OF THE ITALIAN FREEMASONS .

LONDON , SATURDAY , JULY 20 , 18 S 5 .

The Grand Orient of Italy have issued lately the new Constitution as framed by the Council of the Order . We az-e indebted to the Monde Martinique for a reproduction of the chief articles of this constitution , of which we extract the folloAVing , forming the substance of this platform : —

TO THE GLORY OF THE GREAT ARCHITECT OF THE UNIVERSE . UNIVERSAL MASONRY . ITALIAN FAMILY . Science , Liberty , Labour , Fraternity , Joint Responsibility .

Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of the Masonic Institution for Italy . I . —The Order of Freemasons in Italy , founded upon the faculties of reason , being the only standard of the human mind , recognises—in

common Avith all Freemasons sjDi-ead over the surface of the globe—the results of science , which , through liberty and labour , consecrated by equality and guaranteed by the laws of tbe land , form the human family into a society connected by the

bonds of fraternity and joint responsibility . II . —It meets under the invocation of the Great Architect of the Universe , as he reveals himself to the thought , guided by the observation of facts . III . —The Order of Masonry devotes itself to

the study of nature , with a vieAV to be useful to mankind ; its labours tend towards the improvement of the human species , and , consequently , "the infinite progress of the universe . IV . —All members of the Order are bound to

give aid and assistance to each other , and to assiduously co-operate towards the accomplishment of its mission .

They enjoy perfect equality amongst themselves , and recognise the leading authorities only within the limits of their competence , as determined by the Constitutions of the Order . "V I . —A " profane " may be initiated upon the

folloAving conditions : — 1 . He must be more than twenty-one years of age , or eighteen years if he be a Mason ' s son . 2 . There must be no stain on his character ; his past life must be above all reproach and suspicion .

3 . He must be intelligent and Avell-educated . 4 . He must be possessed of sufficient means of subsistence , or belong to a trade or profession

compatible with the duties and character of a Mason . 5 . He must have lived in the province for the space of one year , or be supported in his application by five Masons .

VIII . —There are regular and irregular Masons . Regular Masons are either active , free , or honorary Masons . The active Mason is bound to pay the annual subscription , and to attend the meetings of the

lodge . The free Mason also pays his subscriptions and voluntary contributions , but is exempt of attending at the lodge meetings . The Jwnorary

Mason is an active Mason whose name is recorded , by way of honour , on the " Golden Book" of one or more lodges . Ii-reg-ular Masons are those who have not been received by , or affiliated to , any of the lodges of

the province of the Grand Orient of Italy , or to any of the lodges forming the province of another supreme Masonic authority in relation of friendship with the Masonic community of Italy ; also those Avho have been initiated in any lodge

not regularly constituted . X . —A member of the Craft loses his capacity and rights as a Mason under the following circumstances : —

1 . Voluntarily , by the declaration ( optional to all Masons ) , that he resigns his membership , but continues to faithfully respect the obligations assumed upon his honour on the day of his initiation .

2 . By discontinuing the payment of his annual subscriptions . 3 . By joining a trade or profession , the exercise of which is considered disreputable in society . 4 . By committing an act of dishonesty , by

means of Avhich he renders himself liable to expulsion from the Craft , pursuant to the Masonic laAvs .

5 . By violating Ms oath of fidelity to the obligations he assumes at his initiation . XI . —The Freemasons of the Italian community recognise the bonds of the Scottish Rite , as applied in its formate and ceremonies to the

requirements of the Italian family ; they belong to the Ancient Scottish Rite , as accepted in Italy . XII . —All official acts and announcements to be preceded by the following formula : — A . G . d . G . A . d . U . *