Freemasonry in France

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 105, 19 February 1885, Page 3

Freemasonry in France

The decision of the Grand Lodge of Eagland not to admit to their meetings Freemasons belonging to the Grand Orient of France, has recently been under the consideration of the Conseil Supreme of the latter body, and a determination | has been arrived at to tender full j explanations of their position to the j Grand Lodge of England. It will be remembered that the Pope's Encyclical against Freemasonry on the ground of atheism and irreligion was directed against the craft generally. The Grand Lodge of England, however, repudiated the charge so far as they were concerned and proceeded to show their earnestness in the matter by their declaration against the Grand Orient, who it was alleged, by the change in their constitution, had really made iheuiselves an irreligious body The Grand Orient submit that a great injustice lm« been done them by their English brethren, inasmuch as tliey do not intend to be in any sense an irreligious association. Tlie omission from their reformed constitution of words the repetition or acceptance of which would imply a religious test is, they contend, not a declaration against religion, hut simply an attempt to make, the Masonic Temple, what, as they say, it has always been in real Freemasonryopen to everyone without enquiry as to what is his religion or whether he has any. In reference to the recently expressed opinions of the Prince of Wales and Lord Carnarvon that Freemasonry is based upon the bible, the Grand Orient poiuts out that the Mahommedans, Parsees, Buddhists and Jews are Freemahons in great numbers. The fact that the charge in the constitution of the Grand Orient was proposed by one Protestant minister and seconded by another, is instanced as a proof that it w«s not initiated in favor ot irreligion. In the event of the explanations not being accepted by the Grand Lodge of England, it is probable that immediate, action will be taken in the nature of an appeal to English public opinion on the subject. This will probably be done by a puolic meeting. «t which oral explanations will be given, and by official publications on behalf of the Grand Orient.