Grand Lodge.

Lodge is that its honours are bestowed logically . The dignities pertaining to it are confined to the most able , tho most enlig htened , and the most charitable members of the craft . To meet a brother Avho wears ihe distinguished insignia of what is called a grand

officer , is to meet and recognised universally by his brethren as their masonic superior . There is nothing njvproaching to a clique amid ths councillors of the the Grand Master . There never has been and never can be , for Masonry is free . The officers assembled

round the chair last Friday , and Avho support it by their presence and contiguity at the ordinary meetings , had all gained their patents of nobility , so to sperk , long before the purple Avas thrust upon them . Their merits Avere widely knoAvn . Let us look

around . There is a brother who has the most perfect knowledge of the ritual , and to Avhom the mystic ceremonies are subjects of anxious thought . Here is another selected for the services he has rendered and the sacrifices he has made . There a mason , who Avas

pointed to by tbe entire order for work done ; here , a genius AVIIO gave time and energies at a period when both were needed , and Avho blushed to find the good he wrought had brought him fame . Intriguing for " the purple , "' partiality inits distribution , favouritism to particular lodges , bostoAval of it to jnivate friends , caprice

injudicious patronage , an overweening fondness for personal flattery— are all impossible , for masonry is free Lord Carnarvon mustlbe struck Avith this verification

of his early dreams . He IOIOAVS , no one better , how equitable have been the laAvs governing the appointment of Grand Officers , IIOAV broad has been their ¦ princi ple , IIOAV catholic their application . Year by year the best men have been picked out from the craft ,

regardless of any earthly consideration saA * e their merit , until the announcement of the names selected for grand officers has come to resemble the publication of a Wranglers' list , or the aAvard of the Moutyon prize . Masonry is free , and no appointments can be

made to its higher posts which have not the constiturional approval of its body politic . Grand Lodge has many things to be proud of . Its power for good , its capacity for usefulness , its high code of honour , its sterling common sense . But its Grand and Bast Grand

Officers arc tho bri ghtest jeAvels in its diadem , as the most cursory examination of their merit proves . If masonry -were not free , and if , which Heaven forfond , favouritism were possible , the Craft has in Lord Carnarvon an eloquent an able apostle of a higher and better state of ihiugs . But Avhile ' '• observation Avith extensive view " selects Grand Officers with the

farseeing discrimination of ( he past , the Masonic body is strengthened by tho knoAvledge that no deserving member can lie overlooked . It is this AA'hich braces

Grand Lodge.

up the private lodges , and makes them homogenous and long . Masonic services , however little the brother rendering them may be known to those in power , invariably lead to recognition from Masonic authority ; and as long as this is the case , so long will

wisdom strength , aud beauty be touchingly represented by the line of purple collars which , on certain well-known evenings , emerge from the club-room and mount the dais .

The Grand Lodge Of Switzerland And The War.

THE GRAND LODGE OF SWITZERLAND AND THE WAR .

We are indebted to the Bro . Henri Gijsi , Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge ' ' Alpina , " and formerly Secretary-General of the City of Zurich , for a copy of an address issued by that Grand Lodge upon the deplorable war between France and Prussia . The

address was unanimously adopted at a Meeting , on the 3 rd September , of Deputies from all the Masonic Lodges in Switzerland . The following is a translation : — Tiie war Avhich has broke out betAveen France ancl

Germany is a calamity for all the people of Europe . The political question having no concern with Freemasonry , Ave abstain from giving any opinion upon the authors of this deplorable conflict . History will summon them before its tribunal , and Avill render to each whatever is due .

Considering the sad event by itself , independently of the cause , or awwed secret , Ave feel it to bo a groat humiliation for our age . Who does not know hoAv precious is a single life in tho eyes of society ; IIOAV death dolorously affects not

only the family and near relations of the deceased , but in certain cases the Avhole country , and even foreign nations .

It seems reserved for tho latter part of the present century to demonstrate the value of human life ; Science by means of patient investigation , seeks the most appropriate means to sustain and prolong the existence of man ; civilisation recoils from inflicting

capital punishment upon criminals condemned according to tho ancient criminal codes , and yet without any attempt at arbitration , tAvo great nations hasten to sacrifice the elite of their soldiers .

However feeble may be our voice , we protest in the name of humanity , against Avar in general ; against this Avar in particular : against this factious hostility betAveen two great races ; ancl against the proceedings by Avhich the governments claim the power to dispose of the fate of their subjects , and the destinies of Europe .