The New York herald., 1869-06-05
MASONIC.

The H. W. ISAAC PHILLIPS from the special COM
mttee appointed to sit during the recess at the
annual Communication of 1865, reported regarding
sectaran illusions in the Masonic ritual The NJ
W. brother prefaced the report with few remarks
explanatory Of the alleged offensive expressions
which were only so to members OF the Jewish per-
suasion, but which are not proper to be written or
printed. The committee had not agreed as to the
matter, and therefore presented a majority and
minority report.
The r. W. Brother MARVIN read the majority report,
which declared that, with all due respect to the re
gious feelings OF their brethren they deemed it mex
pedent TO make any change In the ritual Great ap-
plause followed, but the Grand Master checked the
same. The report was signed by r. w. Brothers c.
A. Marvin, Christopher G. Fox and William r. Mer-
riam.
MINORITY REPORT.
The M. W. ISAAC PHILLIPS read the minority re-
port recommending the Objectionable clauses to be
removed. The report was signed by the NJ. W. bro
ther only, the other members Of the committee not
having signed either report.
The minority report was received and both reports
were then submitted for action.
The W. Brother BENJAMIN De Young. the NJ. W.
Isaac Phillips, the R. W. Brother c. A. Marvin and
the W. J. Solomon spoke TO the resolutions Brother
Marvin only speaking in favor Of the majority re-
port which was ultimately adopted
THE GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE.
The special order OF the day was then called up,
which was the third resolution appended TO the re-
port Of the Committee Correspondence, declaring
all rraternal relations and Masonic relations sus-
pended between the Grand Lodge OF the state OF New
York and the Grand Orient of France.
BROTHER asked to be informed when and how our
Masonic relations had ceased between the Grand
Lodge OF Louisiana and the Grand Orient OF France.
The NJ. W. JOHN w. SIMoNs made lengthy ex-
In In bad fofV,
had waved over Louisiana she ceased TO be under
French jurisdiction, aud neither civilly nor Mason
ity. Attempts at appause.) He also said that in
1854 a Supreme Council had been established in
Louisiana, which began les work at the fourth degree
This body was declared spurious. Now this has
been renewed; but had the so-called juris-
dction confined itself to these degrees all
the first three degrees of Masonry in Louisiana. It
was wrong there, and If SO, it was wrong here and
concerned all Masons. Now we were in the same
position with regard to Hamburg. She claimed TO
establish lodges all over the world, and now had
two lodges In New York which were not recognized
by any Masonic body in the United States.
The GRAND MASTER said the matter lay In nut
sten and was easily disposed OF. The Grand Orient
OF France had seen fit to recognize body which
had invaded sister Jurisdiction. He had written
on the subject fraternal and afectionate letter to
the Grand Master OF the French Grand Orient, Mar
shall Melhuet, but although thirty steamers had
since passed between France and this country, and
although there was a representation OF the Grand
Orient here, no notice had been taken Of his COM
A BROTHER asked that in case the resolution passed
and France then withdrew her recognltion-what
thenl
the GRAND MASTER replied that then the efYect Of
the resolution would cease.
ANOTHER asked II Mason arrived in this country
who had received his Masonic light under the Grand
Orient Of France would we, as Masons, be prof
hlbited from offering him the right hand OF fellow
ship?
Tie GRAND MASTER replied in the negative; but
said that If he still subject to that Grand Orient
he could not be recognized here.
ann nf InnrN ndn nd
lengthy speech In opposition to the resolution, IN
the course OF which he said that We should exhaust
all our statesmanship before resortng TO final de-
clarati0n OF war. He took the ground that France
differed from Hamburg inasmuch us she did not es-
tabllsh subordinate lodges here, and also that the
Grand Orient OF France did not recognize this spu-
rious Grand Council. IT, therefore, the Grand
Master OF the French Orient was the same as our
NJ. w. JAMES GIBsoN--Hc Is not The Grand Orient
has no power; all power Is possessed, then, by the
The W. Brother said he would then pass over
that, and then he proceeded at length TO urge de-
Lodge should not be too hasy in egislating on the
subject.
A PLEASANT INTERRUPTION.
While the ". Brother was proceeding with his
'emarks the Grand Secretary announced the
presence of the Grand Master or Pennsylvania and
he Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge OF
The distinguished visitors were presented by Past
Grand Master ROBERT ID. HOLMES, IN the following
anguage:-
.ure in presenting to you and through YOU TO
ns ana aha the Samuel Prs
Grand Warden OF the d:and Lodge OF that State.
The GRAND MAsTER--Let the distinguished breth-
rem be conducted to our Grand East.
The order having been obeyed the GRAND MASTER
welcomed the brethren IN suitable language. He
said ne remembered the truly fraternal manner In
which the X. W, brother had invited HIM and his
r. W. brethren OF this Grand Lodge to the dedication
of their hall in Philadelphia ana trusted that we
would soon pe enabled TO invite them TO the laying
OF the corner stone OF a Masonic Hall IN New York.
In conclusion the Grand Master gave the right hand
OF fellowship TO the brethren and extended 10 them
a hearty welcome.
X W. Grand Master vAUx responded, cordially
thanking the Grand Lodge for the fraternal welcome
extended him ana his X. W. Brother, the Senior
Grand warden. They came here he said, to wit
tneleglsation OF this great body and 20 learn
Lodge. In conclusion he renewed his cordial thanks
Tor the fraterna and friendly greeting received
from our Grand Lodge.
w. brother CoucH then proceeded with his
speech urging at great length tnat all the resources
OF our craftsmanship should be exhausted before we
should go 70 the extreme measure proposed. In
conclusion ne moved that the subject be recon-
mltted with Instructions 10 report 1T tne June COM
munlcatIOn oi 1870.
~ W. JoHS W. srNoNs said that with que re-
spect TO the w0rshipful brother, he would say that
ne did not know the Grand Orient OF France Now,
he tBrother Simonsl dld know that grand body. IL
was simply a body OF men met together TO do what
the Grand Master told them to do, all power was
possessed by him and his council. lie (Brother
Simons) had written to the Grand Master Of France
In his own language and sent IL by private hand,
and he knew that Grand Master Mellinet had re-
ceIved IL; therefore he knew well what he about
when he recognized this so-called Grand Council.
NJ W. ROBERT -. HOLMES also spoke Ia favor OF the
resolution, ana r. ". Brother PRINCE moved an
amendDIent to the eject that our Grand Master be
requested TO communicate To the Grand Master or
France the regret 1et az his action with regard 10
louisiana and requesting him 10 rescind the same by
Withdrawing the recognition OF the sO-called Grand
Council OF louisiana; and unless he wsuld do 50 in
six months then all fraterna ard Masonic cOmmu.
nication should cease between this Grand Lodge
and the Grand orient of France.
WORTHY BROTHER said that the remedy was "a
bad the disease and hoped the original resolution
would not pass.
M. W. JOHN l.. LEWIS delivered a powerful
speech urging the passage OF the resolution and
saying TO France unless Won withdraw this inya-
sion Of our soil Will not hold Masonic intercourse
with you. fine Grand Master Of New York had been
treated contemptuOusly Dy the Grand Master or
France, and that contempt extended TO hun and to
the whole BODY IN this state and he would resent U.
The question then was, 'Shal We protect our
rghtsy shall we protect our soil from INVASION, or
shall we quietly fold our hands aud cit down under
this nsutFi When Hamburg invaded our son none
stood up for us with rnanness than Louisiana,
anu let stand mp for ner and protest against
the Invasion Of our soil.
Alter some further debates both amendments were