THE MASONIC SCHISM.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1224, 5 February 1878, Page 3

THE MASONIC SCHISM.

With respect to the action taken by the Grand Orient of France, mentioned in the telegraphic summary of news by the San Francisco mail, the " Pall Mall Gazette" has the following :—" The Earl of Carnarvon, the Pro-Grand Master of the English Freemasons, presided on Wednesday niijht (December sth) at a very large meeting of Grand Lodge members who represent the 1700 lodges ' working* under the English Constitution. After some formal business had been despatched, the Pro-Grand Master called attention to the recent action of the Grand Orient of France, who had struck out from their preliminary declaration words expressing belief in the existenco of God and in the immortality of the soul. There had, his lordBhip said, been much debate upon this point in France itself, and seventy-six lodges had protested against the change. The brethren of these seventy-six lodges had been placed in a very painful position, the position of being separated from the Grand Lodge of their country; and their view of the action of the Grand Orient had received the assent of other Masonic bodies. The Irish Grand Lodge had not hesitated to pass a resolution, uncompromisingly drawn, regretting the act of the French Orient, and dealing with it. In ordinary cases the Grand Lodge would have no right to interfere, but this was a matter which called for notice, as the French Grand Orient could not effect these changes without affecting the whole Masonic body throughout the world. The limits of Freemasonry were very wide, and included Roman Catholics, Protestants — Church of England and Dissenters—the Mussulman, the Calvinists, Lutherans, and Jews, and the whole were bound by the principles of religion, and there could be no such principle without belief in God. In conclusion, ne moved that a committee should be appointed to enquire and report, the oammittee to include Pro-Grand-Master, Lord Skelmersdale, Lord Leigh, Lord Donoughmore, and Lord Tenterden."