English And Foreign Masonry In 1878.

ENGLISH AND FOREIGN MASONRY IN 1878 .

BY THE EDITOR . " \ TTITH a closing year it seems Avell to look around us , and try , as the French say , '' envisage ) - , or , as Ave should perhaps put it , " look it in the face , " — -I mean that Masonry of and about which we talk so much , ancl which , no doubt , Ave do in some measure really value . I fear that I have come to that time of life when I don't think

much of " palabras , " words , and prefer practice to profession , and reality to seemhig . When Ave are young Ave are credulous and confiding ; as Ave groAV old Ave become doubting ancl deprecatory . For one , I am greatly pleased Avith the outlook of that great family of Masonry Avhich "hails " from Great Britain ancl its Colonies and Dependencies , the far American Republicand the Canadas .

, In that vast phalanx of a million of Masons , if there are anomalies here , shortcomings there , draAA'backs and deficiencies to " bring forward " and " make good , " yet , on the Avhole , we can leave 1878 well satisfied , and with high hopes for the future . We are still a compact and comprehensive body , holding fast . to ancient landmarks , abiding by cosmopolitan precedent , and true to our great principles . The spectacle , to my mind , is very fine indeed of a million of Masons proclaiming , in this doubting and

yet dogmatic age , their loyal adherence to their several religious formufo , their " oAvning " before men of T . G . A . 0 . S . IT ., their " Father Avhich is in heaven . " If the recent melancholy occurrences in France and elseAvhere have done much harm , they have also effected one great good—they Lavo throAA'n Anglo-Saxons closer together , brother to brother , shoulder to shoulder , all over the Avorld , and made them feel more ancl more the value of their kindl y brotherhood , ancl the genuine ancl sacred

principles of universal Masonry . Charity is also extending its work ancl claims amongst us in England ; and though trade is at present bad , ancl its future prospects do not as yet look bright , I , for one , do not fear but that 1879 will witness , as did 1878 , of the evidence of true Masonic charity amid our always ready confraternity—that true , charity Avhich seeks to shield the orphan ' s youth ancl dry the widoAv ' s tears—to cheer infirmity , and comfort old age . May our anticipations all be realized , ancl may 1879 Avitness once again hoAV the characteristic , both of our Masonic profession ancl practice , is living , unostentatious , practical , goodly charity .

Abroad , the least said , probably , the soonest mended . The insane proceedings of the Grand Orient of France—for they are positively ancl recklessly insane , ancl without excuse—have lighted a torch of discord , denial , ancl defiance , which seems to be destined to ban , deface , defile all on whom it lights . This torch they seem disposed to throw headlong among all jurisdictions , caring little Avhom it injures , whom it scorches . We do not Avish to-day to go into long details

of a / ait accompli , of follies , if not crimes , masonically perpetrated in ' the name of toleration ancl liberty of conscience , but we feel bound to say this , that we can only hope that 1879 may witness a reaction from these hasty and ill-considered innovations , from changes which threaten to transform Freemasonry in France into a political sect , and to g ive a handle to countless foes ,- exulting over the folly of its members and the childish gullibility of a multitude led like sheep by a feAV darkdangerousand subtle irits .

, , sp We confess we close the old year ancl begin the neAV Avith fears and forebodings for Freemasonry abroad . In England we still have hope as ever , as , like her own white cliffs , she seems to confront the stormy billoAvs , and still to be as ever a beacon light of truth , loyalty , charity , and toleration to all our scattered brethren in the world I