8. If the visiting Brother is not able to give the password, he has to prove by a diploma that he is a member of a Lodge belonging to the Swiss Union.

9. Those Lodges of the Union who neglect to transmit their annual report and the list of their members, or are in arrears to the Lodge Union, will receive the password only after fulfilling their obligations.

10. The password can only be communicated to Brethren belonging to the Lodges of the Union.

SUPREME CONSEIL OF BELGIUM.

THE "Réglement" (regulations) adopted by this Supreme Counseil on the 22d of March, 1862, contains the following:

The "Réglement" contains firstly a Patent of Constitution granted by the Supreme Conseil of France, March 12, 1817, and then the following sections: 1. Who composes the Supreme Conseil; 2. Duties of the Grand officers; 3. ConVocations of the Supreme Conseil; 4. Commission of Administration; 5. Grand Lodge (Grand Lodge centrale) with this Grand Body, according to Article 34, are accredited the representatives of such Grand Lodges who work in the three symbolic degrees only; 6. Petition for Warrants; 7. classes, the decoration and jewel of each is mentioned; the first class is composed of the three symbolic degrees, white apron in the first degree, with the flap (bavette turned up; in the second with the flap turned down; in the Master's degree white apron bound with red, in the centre the letters M. B., blue sash, in the centre a red rosette; jewel; a triple triangle surrounded by a wreath (triple triangle courronné). A certain length of time is prescribed for each degree, which can only be dispensed with in certain cases, of which the Supreme Conseil is the judge; for the first degree 7, for the second 5, for the third 3 months (for the whole 33 degrees 75 months are required); the 19th, 20th, and 21st degrees, and also the 23d, 26th, and 28th, are communicated ("par communication"); the 30th degree can only be taken at the age of 36; the 33 at 40; 9. Daughter Lodges; 10. Petition fees; 11. Jurisprudence; 12. Table Lodges (all held in the E. A. degree); 13. General Regulations, the first of which is that all political and religious discussions and questions are interdicted during labor.

INNOVATIONS.

FROM the examination of the proceedings of some of the Grand Lodges under review, it is but too apparent, that innovations and novelties are gradually creeping into our beloved Order. A desire for change, a morbid anxiety for exciting novelties in the work or established proceedings of the Fraternity,—a wish to make the age-grown forms attractive to the young eye of superficial observation, are gaining a living existence in some jurisdictions. These are foes to Freemasonry. They are of the most pernicious influence. They are secret agencies for evil. They are speculative intrusions, tending to weaken and de

stroy the landmark. We cannot be silent when we observe the efforts that are thus making to loosen the foundations of Freemasonry. In the language of a stern sentinel, standing steadfast to his duty, we cry, "Who goes there?" Unless the answer comes in the traditionary tongue of Ancient Freemasonry, "A Brother, clothed in the vesture of the Craft, unchanged in form or fashion, but as our fathers wore it," we must challenge the stranger.-G. L. Penn. Rep.

GRAND LODGE JURISDICTION.

A GRAND LODGE is the supreme sovereign authority over the geographical territory, and the Lodges located in that territory, which is bounded by the limits of its jurisdiction. The Grand Lodge of France is the sovereign Masonic power over the empire, of France. The Grand Lodge of New York is the supreme Masonic power over the State of New York. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylva nia is the supreme Masonic authority over the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. An individual in the Masonic jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of New York, and within the restricted limits of a subordinate Lodge of that State, can be made a Mason in such Lodge, if he has the necessary and essential prerequisites to admission into the Order of Freemasons. There is neither a Masonic law nor landmark to forbid it. Abstractly this is so. In the absence of either law or landmark to prevent a Lodge from action in the premises, there is, however, a spirit of comity-friendship, brotherly kindness, and respect for the organizations of the Craft, which rises to the dignity of a rule of action, unfavorable to such action, without great care, caution, or deliberation. General consent has elevated into the position and character of a principle, the rule, that the local jurisdiction has the primary claim to confer the rights and benefits of Freemasonry on applicants whose residence is within its limits.

Out of this rule, grows an off-shoot to cover its exceptions. If such applicant, for reasons of which he is the exclusive judge, prefers to leave his residence, the Lodge should be informed of such application by the one to which it is made.

We admit, that these rules are existing only by comity or consent. The best interests of the Order seem to require a line of action to be adopted on the subject. It is not possible to establish by Masonic authority, obligatory legislation, to govern Lodges on this question.

Such legislation would fall harmless before a landmark. A Lodge is potent to do that which it was organized to do. To confer the benefits of Masonry is an inherent right of a Lodge. This is a landmark. A law which should forbid a Lodge to act in obedience to a power and right, created by a landmark, is void.

The rule, therefore, must obtain its controlling force only from general consent. This necessity for the rule is growing yearly more patent. Those Lodges which see this necessity, have seen it, will see it, by common consent adopt this rule. Thus the evils are obviated, which the rule is intended to avoid.-Rep. G. L. Penn.

*By this "general consent" a practice has obtained in this country, equivalent to positive law, and no Grand Lodge would now be countenanced that should authorize, or permit, the initiation in its Lodges of persons from foreign jurisdictions.--Ed.

Obituary.

BROTHER KIMBALL PORTER.

Ar a stated meeting of Ebenezer Lodge, No 33, of F. and A. Masons, held at their hall in Wooster, Ohio July 1st, A. L. 5863, the following proceedings were had:

The committee on resolutions, appointed at the special meeting, held yesterday morning, to make arrangements for the funeral of Bro. Kimball Porter, of Iowa City, made the following report, which was agreed to, and the resolutions there. to appended, unanimously adopted:

To the W. M., Wardens and Brethren of Ebenezer Lodge, No. 33.

Our beloved and lamented Brother Kimball Porter was borne in Lee, Massachusetts, on the 4th day of July, A. D. 1803, and died at Iowa City, Iowa, on the 27th day of June, A. D. 1863, aged 59 years, 11 months and 23 days. Bro. Porter resided in our midst, from 1831, until October 1856, when he removed to Iowa City, where he resided at the time of his death. He was made a Mason in Clinton Lodge, No. 47, at Massillon Ohio, in August 1839; was for many years M. E. H. P. of Wooster Chapter, No. 27, of Royal Arch Masons: and during the years 1843, and 1844, E. Dep. Gr. H. P. of the M. E. Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of this State.

After his removal to Iowa, he was elected R. W. Grand Treasurer of the M. W. Grand Lodge of F. and A. Masons of that State, which office he held for several years; in the year 1860, he was elected and installed M. E. G. H. P. of Royal Arch Masons in said State of Iowa; and, at the time of his death, was E. Com mander of Palestine Commandery, No. 2, of Knights Templars at Iowa City: Many years before his removal to lowa City, he united himself with the Disciple Church, and died, as he lived, a zealous and consistent member thereof. Bro. Porter was truly a Mason and an enlightened, virtuous and patriotic citizen; and in order to embody and give form and permanence to our sentiments we submit for adoption the following:

Resolved. That in the death of Bro. Kimball Porter, the Fraternity has lost a zeal. ous, faithful and accomplished member; the community, a most worthy citizen, and the Church a devoted christian.

Resolved, That so long as memory shall remain, we will cherish in our hearts the recollection of his many virtues, and endeavor to imitate his example.

Resolved, That we condole with the people of Iowa City for the loss, which they with us, have sustained ;-That to the Brethren of the Lodge of which he was a member we say: "This line is laid also upon us-This scythe has cloven us ;"— but under the All Seeing Eye, we shall sprout again-The broken column shall become a perfect pillar-The Acacia shall again put forth its green-God's Wisdom shall be our strength, in a Lodge of Beauty eternal in the Heavens.

Resolved, That to the family of our lamented Brother we say: We indeed sorrow with you, for the husband, the father, the Brother ;-and can only point you to Him who saith: "I am the resurrection and the life. If a man believe in me, though he be dead, yet shall he live."

Resolved, That the Secretary turnish the family of our deceased Brother with a copy of the foregoing report and resolution; and that the papers of this town, the Freemasons' Magazine, and the Masonic Review be requested to publish them.

Respectfully submitted.

MARTIN WALKER,

EUGENE PARDER,
JAMES K. M'Bride,

Committee.

MASONIC CHIT CHAT.

PYTHAGORIAN LODGE, at Marion, in the county of Plymouth, was constituted, and its officers were installed, "according to ancient usage," on the 14th ultimo. The ceremonies were performed by the M. W. Grand Master, assisted by the competent number of Grand Officers, in a very able and satisfactory manner. At the installation of the officers the doors of the Lodge-room were thrown open to the admission of the ladies of the village, and a large number availed themselves of the privilege, and for the first time witnessed a Masonic ceremony. They seemed to be well pleased with what they saw and heard, as the Brethren were by their presence. The Hall has been neatly and safely fitted up, and the members of the Lodge are confident in their ability to sustain it. We wish them all the success and happiness in their new undertaking which they can reasonably hope for and expect to realize.

SUPREME COUNCIL We give in a prece ding page an important Balustre from the Supreme Council of the Southern Jurisdiction, to which we invite the attention of those of our readers who may feel any interest in the subject to which it refers. The attempt to revive a long-since exploded New York spurious organization, and to aid it in setting up its authority in Massachusetts, which has everbeen free from the contamination of spurious Masonry and Masonic schisms, cannot fail to receive the hearty condemnation of every true Mason in the Commonwealth.

PLENTY. The ear of corn is the Masonic symbol of Plenty, and was derived, as nearly all the Masonic symbols have been, from the ancient system of symbolism. According to Mountfaucon, ears of corn always accompanied the image of the goddess Plenty, in the ancient gems and medals, of which he gives several examples. The Hebrew word Shiboleth, signifies an ear of corn.

IGA Royal Arch Mason, who has never been Master of a chartered Lodge, cannot lawfully install the Master of a Lodge. The Blue Lodge cannot distinguish him from any other Master Mason.

OFFICERS OF THE GRAND LODGE OF CALIFORNIA FOR 1863-4. W. C. Belcher, of Marysville, G. Master; G. B. Claiborne, D. G. M.; Louis Cohn, S. G. W.; W. A. Davis, J. G. W.; James Laidley, G. 'Treas.; Alex. G. Abell, of San Francisco, G. Sec.; Rev. Wm. H. Hill, G. Chap.; Rev. T. Starr King, G. Orator; L. C. Owens, As. G. Sec.; James F. Weber, G. Marshal; J. E. Whicher, G. St. Bearer; J. Burkhalter, G. Sw B.; Geo. C. Yount, G. Bible Bearer; Isaac S. Titus, S. G. Dea.; Gilbert Lamphier, J. G. D.; John G. Huff and Isaac S. Locke, G. Stewards; Wm. Horton, G. Organist; Alijah McCall, G. Pursuivant; Joel Noah, G. Tyler. In 1864 the meeting will be in October instead of May.

ZERUBBABEL. The grandson, thongh called by Ezra the son of Salathiel, who was the son of Jeconiah, king of Judah. He was, therefore, of the royal race of David. He was born at Babylon, as the Hebrew signification of his name imports, and returned to Jerusalem in the beginning of the reign of Cyrus, with the sacred vessels of the Temple, which Cyrus had committed to his care, as the chief of the Jews who were in captivity at Babylon. He laid the foundation of the second Temple, and restored the worship of the Lord, and the usual sacrifices. He is represented by the second officer in the Royal Arch degree. The incidents of Zerubbabel's life are also referred to in several other degrees, such as the Knights of the Red Cross, Knight of the East, and Prince of Jerusalem.

GODY'S LADY's Book for August comes to us beautifully arrayed. "Hallowed be thy name," is a find steel engraving by Illman Brothers. The fashion plate of six figures, is colored and beautiful. Then follow eight or ten pages of music, dress patterns, head dresses, &c., from the establishments of Stewart and Brodie, New York. In the literary contents of the number, "Husks," by Marion Harland, is concluded, and there are excellent contributions from numerous other writers. It is altogether a rich and valuable num'ber.

PRACTICAL TEACHINGS OF MASONRY. WE take up from a different point of view a subject, on which we have often written before, but which can never be discussed too fully or frequently, namely, the Practical Teachings of Masonry, as influencing the conduct of its members; and we shall be able to show, not from the evidence of antique research and history, but from the living facts of the age and country in which we are now living and moving," that those teachings, are of a very high, generous, and charitable order.

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Our remarks will follow the course of ideas suggested by certain documents that have lately come into our possession, and by certain events which have occurred in the course of this unhappy war; some of the latter having been previously noticed in our "News" columns, after the evidence of their authenticity had been carefully examined.

The documents referred to more particularly are the " Abstract Report of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania" for the past year; and a letter, which accompanied a Charter and some Jewels forwarded to us, for preservation and eventual restoration, by a Brother in the army at Newburn, N. C.

It will readily be seen that each and all of these documents and facts tend in the fullest degree to corroborate and confirm the lesson we would inculcate, and have often before inculcated, in regard to the Practical Teachings of Masonry.

The Report of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania is much too lengthy a document, and discusses far too many important topics, for us to give