The Present Position Of English Ereemasonry.

tions have for ever otherwise remained at a perpetual distance . And if it be here asked what does Freemasonry do after all for the general welfare of the world ? we may fairly reply , it seeks to educate the young , and to aid the old , it endeavours

to relieve distress and succour misery , with true if discriminating liberality , wliile it would administer on the highest principles of true-hearted charity , extensive relief to its suffering members and those nearest and dearest to them , in the trying hours of their earthly calamity . * It has been indeed objected to Ereemasonry , that it

confines its relief to its own members or their families , and this no doubt is true as a general rule ; but it is not correct to say that Freemasonry never aids those who are not Freemasons , though it mainly directs its charitable endeavours towards

the brethren of its own great " household " and their families . We admit that it is the distinguishing feature of Freemasonry , to hold out evermore a cheerful and liberal assistance to those who make a proper claim on its consideration , and

surely in doing this we are not doing wrong ; instead of being blamed we ought to be praised , that our Order makes all its arrangements and all its organization public and private , subserve the great end of active benevolence . The truth is , that ,

Freemasonry in the position it adopts and the views it propounds , seems often to run counter to the sometimes necessarily narrower views of party interest or denominational zeal . Within its ample limits and under its tolerant rules are

gathered as in times past , ' so to-day , a great Brotherhood of men , which whether on higher or lower grounds accepts its teaching and acknowledges its influence . It may , and perhaps it does , antagonize

The Present Position Of English Ereemasonry.

this view or that view , it may appear too comprehensive to some and too contracted to others , it may be considered too reliious by the Illumine and too little religious by the earnest

denominationalists . But yet some how or other Freemasonry manages to hold its own , and even to flourish the more through opposition and hostility . How far Ereemasonry will endure as Thne moves on amid the altered wants and

conditions of society , Thne itself alone can show ; but sure we are of this that if Freemasonry be only true to its own great principles of universal sympathy and kindly toleration , it will still prove of great value and blessing to mankind , and survive

wdien perhaps other societies crumble to decay . If we may judge from the past , and if we truly understand and realize the present , the principles we have enunciated however feebly , will remain as the distinguishing characteristics of English

Freemasonry ; and as long as they so do , we have not the slightest doubt or the remotest fear , but that our Order will continue to progress and to persevere in its useful , and beneficent , and conciliatory

Mission , for the peaceful proclamation of its great and gracious truths , and for the harmony and happiness of the human race . A . F . A . W .

Freemasonry In Germany.

FREEMASONRY IN GERMANY .

BY BRO . J . G . FINDEL , Editor of the " BaiihiiUe , " and Author of the "History of Freemasonry . " Ereemasonry , notwithstanding its universal tendency and the cosmopolitan character resulting from itmust needs

, have undergone the influence of the different nations among which it took root , so that , imbued with certain national proprieties , the brotherhood of each country shows a particular stamp . Thus , however the tendencyinstitutionsand principles

, , of the Craft are essentially the same in all parts of the world , we may reasonably speak of an English , a French , and a German Freemasonry . As for the latter ,