A French Masonic Address In 1880.

All Freemasons are not sufficiently happily situated to render important services to humanity ; all , nevertheless , can contribute to its well-being . By practising virtue they make their fellow citizens understand what are the charms of union , the power of friendship , the advantages of kindness . They teach to the rich man aud the great of the earth how pleasant it is to be benevolentto solace indigenceto listen to the unhappyto aid him with their

, , , counsels and protection . They would teach all men to sacrifice sometimes their own interests and to devote themselves to the general welfare . It is by this conduct that we are able , in whatever state of life we be , to follow out the views of Freemasonry aud serve humanity .

Behold Freemasonry . It is for you to judge it . If with such principles and such morality we have still bitter enemies , bitter even to delirium , among those whose mission it is to preach peace , concord , and sweet' fraternity , let me hope that you will be our defenders . Permit me to thank you once again for having come to associate yourselves with us at our annual "fete . " It is not of common occurrence to see ladies

amongst us , and , nevertheless , in this assembly you are the fairest ornament of it . All these men whom you see in union here are all " in contract "to do good , and to afford mutual self-help in the practice of Masonic virtues . Freemasons , it is not sufficient for us to ornament ourselves with this name ; we ought always to prove by our acts that we are worth y of it . We have told you what our order is ; you know its rules aud duties ; we relieve you from the obligation of keeping its secret . Tell those who do not know us

, and whom vain prejudices detain at a distance from us , that they can come to us without fear and remorse , and that they will only find in us hearts disposed to honour them . AVe have shown you Freemasonry as a principle , as a rule , as a duty , is that to declare that every Freemason observes his jilighted faith ? Human weakness will answer you for me !

Making every allowance for a good deal that in foreign views and expressions of Masonry grates upon our English ears , and which hardly accords with that more sound and peaceful teaching which we term Masonry in England , there is yet , as it seems to us , much in this discourse that is most true and sound , ably put , and worthy of perusal and admiration . Unfortunately for French Freemasonry , its best teachers have not yet realized its absolute neutralit y on , and avoidance of , all topics which are not purely Masonic .

In England Freemasonry is a friendl y and fraternal body , which , avoiding political questions or religious controversies , and asserting simple faith in God , and recognition of His divine moral law for man ( without which there is no moral law for man at all ) , seeks to " do good unto all men , especially those who are of the household of faith . " Abroad , Freemasonry , where it acknowledges just now God at all , seems to be mingling itself more and more with political struggles , politico-economico chimeras , and socialistic reveries . Being a secret society it professes to discuss affairs of State , and here is its great mistake .