Freemasonry In Germany.

It was formerly presided over by Bro . Rodolph Seydel , Doctor and Professor of Philosophy at the University of Leipzig , author of some excellent apologetical works on Masonry and on philosophical theology . The actual president is Bro . Charles van DalenDoctorProfessor at

, , the Royal School of Cadets at Berlin , editor of the German Masonic Calendar , while the place of secretary is , since the foundation of the association filled by the author of the present sketch . The publication of annals , a beginning

collection of books , manuscripts , and medals , are slight marks of the activity of the Association in comparison with the reforms to which it gave the first impulse , with the repeal of abuses first pointed out by it , owing to which activity it is to be regarded

as the most powerful agent in furthering true Masonic intelligence and ¦ virtue . Always having in view to give Masonry a form adequate to its essence and to set everywhere to work the great humane principles of the union , the Association claims more severity and

conscientiousness to be observed in the makings , hi order that the lodges may only get members whose moral and intellectual capacities will enable them to promote the purposes of the Royal Art . It investigates the causes which hinder the lodges from thriving , and searches after the conditions

under which they may be raised and led to perfection . It has established a fundamental statute for the whole fraternity which , though not altogether adopted by any Grand Lodge , has not been without influence on the newly revised statutes of

some of them . Endeavouring to supersede unavailing speeches by a Masonry of action , it has set a price on a treatise on the best way of rendering Masonry efficacious . It has desired statistics to be introduced into Masonry , in order to lead the

lodges to know themselves . Being persuaded that developing the faculties of the heart and intellect is the ground-work of all true Masonry as well as of public prosperity and of any sound progress , it has begun materially to assist the associations for the education and instruction of

the people . Moreover in its annual meetings the association has revived hi the fraternity the sensation of unity , and has , even among the dignitaries of some Grand Lodges gained many adherents to its manner of viewing Masonic affairs .

The Berlin Grand Lodges " of the three Globes" and " of Germany" cannot it is true , boast of any progress in this way ; with so much the more readiness we must acknowledge that the third Berlin Grand Lodge , that of "Royal York of Friendship" has abolished the principle

, of exclusiveness contradictory to the universality and the purely humane character of Freemasonry , which principle , equally inconsistent with the spirit of the

time , has been falsely called ( lucus a non luccndo ) the Christian principle . Renouncing henceforth to select their candidates only among the confessors of a certain creed , the lodges belonging to Royal York have oidy now won the unity of sentimentwhich is the only basis

con-, sistent with the Royal Art . The two other Berlin Grand Lodges cannot but follow sooner or later the example of this Grand Lodge , wdiich at the same thne has given proofs of a liberal spirit by revising its constitution in a progressive sense .

In a similar manner the " Eclectic " Grand Lodge at Francfort o / M ., though originally possessed of a good constitution , has revised the same as well as its ritual , both of which , after undergoing the trial

of experience , are some time to be finally redacted . The Grand Lodge " of Concord " at Darmstadt is likewise revising its constitution ; and the Grand Lodge " of the Sun " at Bayreuth , which has placed at its head Bro . Bluntschli , Doctor and Professor at the University of Heidelberg , is with

prudent circumspection establishing its institutions on the basis of its new constitution . The question of the rituals , which for some time had been apprehended to trouble the peace of this Grand Lodge and to give rise to dissensions , has been settled on the last meeting at Heidelberg by granting to every lodge the freedom to use its own accustomed ritual , and by making a

compromise with the Lodge " of the noble Prospect" at Freiburg , the ritual of which differs the most from those of the other lodges . The expression " freedom of rituals , " will sound strangely to the ears of the English and American Masons , whoon the contrary , swear to the

unifor-, mity of the work , looking up to the stereotypic form of the ritual as to an inviolable palladium ; whereas in Germany the symbolical method of instruction is thought an indispensable ingredient of our Craft only in general and concerning the