Freemasonry In France.

have met with success . The same principle pervades all society , which is , as ib were , a fascine of individual aspirations . Our fathers have accomplished great things , which imposes upon us respectful veneration for

their memory , but which also commands us to persevere for the fulfilment of their unaccomplished tasks . We possess in our symbols this " chain of union / ' which descends from the dead to the living , to which chain each generation adds another link .

The Assembly of 1870 was inspired with these ideas . When called upon to elect a Grand Master , it asked itself , " Of what utility is the Grand Mastership , and whether the suppression of the office would not be a desirable step in the

right direction , and one easily accomplished ?" No man can doubt the excellence of democratic government for the present age . Our customs are so strongly impregnated with ' the principles of 1789—democracy—that it would be no rash

prediction to say that one day democracy will prevail throughout the whole of Europe ; the only question seems to be the best form which democratic government should assume . Two essential conditions should govern this

study , the liberty of the lodges , and the simplicity of the administration , which should be united into a compact body when acting in

communion . It is necessary that each lodge maintain its independence and its oneness , so as to be enabled to act as varyiug circumstances may render it desirable . It is evident that the same rules would not be available , whether for use in large towns or in rural districts . The eud to be

accomplished will remain the same ; but it will be necessary to travel different roads in order to reach the goal . It must not be considered that I desire to attempt the unity of Masonry . The Grand Orient

of France is a power that none would seek to divide or to destroy . Vi all Jit sons are bound by a fraternal bond , so all lodges under one jurisdiction owe to each other a sympathetic assistance . As sister lodges they all pursue , according to their

peculiar aptitude , the realisation of universal progress , so admirably figured in our beautiful motto , " Liberty , Equality , Fraternity . " The oneness of the lodges will not , therefore , be contested , they are governed by private laws ; and so long as they remain faithful to the

principles of the Masonic constitution , no one has the right to impose upon them any line of conduct or order of work ., As to the general government of Masonry , ib is sustained by an organisation of five delegates ,

elected in each lodge , which unite iu general assembly at the seat of the Grand Orient . If it were possible for this assembly to remain in permanent session , ancl so exercise directly its power , the question which now occupies us would

not be presented , and your representatives would fix their mode of action in the plenitude of their sovereignty ; but the assembly is in session but one week in the year , and it finds itself under the necessity to delegate the exercise of the power

conferred upon it by the universal suffrages of Masons in good standing . The delegation is made : — 1 st , To a Grand Master elected for five years . 2 nd , To a council composed of thirty-three members elected for three years , and renewable at different periods .

The duty devolved upon the legislative assembly of 1870 to elect a Grand Master . The question was raised whether it would not be advisable for various reasons , and for the g-ood of the Order , to suppress the Grand Mastership . In this view the

following resolution was passed : — " The assembly resolves that the Grand Mastership should be suppressed , but not believing itself in possession of the right to effect , of itself , this reformation , requests all the lodges to consider the questionand to name delegates to a constituent

, assembly which will be convoked next year , to revise the constitution , especially on this point . " You will all understand , my very dear brethren , that the question raised by this resolution is of the greatest importance . I have no need to

recommend it to the serious consideration of all the lodges , so that , impressed with your opinions , the delegates composing the assembly of 1871 may come to an intelligent decision ancl one beneficial to the welfare of our Institution .

You have to decide the important question whether it is desirable that the Craft should be governed by a chief elected for five years , or whether it would be preferable to restrain to the fullest extent the delegation of power , and

conferring it for a limited time on the Council of the Order . Personally I am in favour of the suppression of the Grand Mastership ; and it is for having warmly supported this measure in the Assembly that I