there was action," so we say the beginning of the new era is "the hour of action."

If Freemasonry will continue its work successfully in the new century it must pay attention to the signs of the times and act in workman-like manner. The best place to commence work is within us, and then we must carry our Masonic views into the life which surrounds us. Let us transform our families into lodges, and consider our friendships a likeness of the brotherly chain; and if we promote art and science in our schools and our social surroundings, all must be well. Indeed, the words of Ulrich von Hutten would apply to Freemasonry: "What a pleasure to live in such a century !"

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The speaker was rewarded with deserved applause at the conclusion of his remarks, and a musical entertainment followed. Upon leaving the temple each brother was decorated with a fragrant rose, emblematical of the occasion. collection for the poor was taken up, and the reunion at the festive board held the brethren together for many hours in fraternal conversations.

Two local Lodges within this Grand Orient ("Zu den drei Seraphim" on the 15th day October, 1899, and "Zur Verschwiegenkeit" on the 14th day of January, 1900) solemnized the one hundred and twenty-fifth anniversary of their foundation. Both events were made the occasion of appropriate commemoration.

The legal status of all the German Masonic lodges having been changed by the introduction of the Civil Code, which took effect on January 1, 1900, many questions in consequence thereof have arisen affecting the rights of lodges to hold real estate, mortgages, and other property. A welcome solution of the problem before the lodges was offered by His Majesty the Emperor, who granted to each and every subordinate lodge of the three Prussian jurisdictions the privi lege of a corporation, thus putting it, as regards its material position, on the level of an ordinary business combination.

"Bundesblatt," No. 9 (1839), reprints from the "New Yorker Staats Zeitung" a short essay entitled "Easter Thoughts," from the pen of R.. W.. A. JÄNICKE, the esteemed representative of the "Three Globes " near our Grand Orient; while "Bundesblatt," No. 15, comments upon the fact that the leading German newspaper of New York has seen fit to dispense, under the pretext of lack of space, with the weekly Masonic reports published heretofore in its columns by the same prominent Masonic writer. The real cause, however, seems to be the increasing power of the Catholic Church, which objects to the education of the public mind upon the principles and teachings of Freemasonry. We trust, however, in the interest of German Masonry in this State that other means will be found, without difficulty, to give public vent, as heretofore, to the outflow of BRO. JÄNICKE'S bright and well-trained mind.

Due mention is also made, in the same publication, of the Masonic ceremonies at the bier of our late Grand Lecturer, BRO. GEORGE H. RAYMOND, and the services which he rendered to the Fraternity in his official position.

"Bundesblatt," No. 17 (October 1, 1899), reports the arrangement of the new Masonic library under the auspices of the German Masonic Temple Association, praising its adherence to paragraph No. 2 of its Constitution, "to further all objects within the Masonic scope," the work in question having been done by a special library committee, assisted by the presiding officer, R.'. W.`. E. A. G. INTEMANN.

The movement on foot regarding the unification of all German St. John's Lodges and the creation of a general representative body of German Freemasons,

which originated from the Rhenish-Westphalian Lodge Union (Gauverband) and was heartily supported at first by the governing heads of the "Three Globes," has been differently viewed by the various Grand Bodies constituting the Grand Lodges' Union. It is too early to predict what the outcome of this theoretical, but surely commendable, proposition will be. Only the future will show whether the plan admits of realization. The situation may be judged more clearly after the convention called for "Whitsuntide" of the present year has met as a general Diet of German Freemasons to discuss the feasibility of this important step. In the meantime, whatever unity exists among the German Grand Bodies should not be disturbed for future probabilities, for "in unity alone is strength."

A careful review of the work consummated by the oldest Prussian Grand Lodge develops the fact, that it is still in the lead of its sister jurisdictions, that it holds fast to its former traditions, that it makes haste slowly but surely, and that it represents the tenets of the Masonic Craft in its best form. For this reason we appreciate particularly the bonds of friendship which unite us with our Prussian brethren.

THE GRAND NATIONAL LODGE OF FREEMASONS OF GERMANY (LANDESLOGE), AT BERLIN, W. (Neue Winterfeldtstrasse No. 17).

Protector: BRO. FREDERICK LEOPOLD, Prince of Prussia.

The Wisest Master of the Order (Vicarius Solomonis): Bro. FredERICK LEOPOLD, Prince of Prussia.

Grand Master: BRO. HERM. ZOELINER, Colonel.

Deputy Grand Master: BRO. KARL JOHN EMIL GARTZ, Presiding Judge of the Supreme Court.

Grand Secretary and Archivist: BRO. WILHELM RABE, Major.
Grand Librarian: BRO. G. C. H. F. GRUTZMANN.

The Grand Lodge was founded December 27, 1770, and recognized as such on July 16, 1774. It is sovereign of 110 St. John's Lodges, 28 St. Andrew's Lodges, 7 Chapters, and 3 Provincial Lodges, viz.: Silesia, at Breslau (1776); Lower Saxony, at Hamburg (1777), and Mecklenburg, at Rostock (1890).

Its membership list, under date of June 24, 1899, shows a total of 11,613 Masons in good standing, who manage 149 benevolent institutions.

We have before us, and acknowledge with thanks, the receipt of the printed reports of the regular quarterly sessions during the past Masonic year; also the protocols of the Festive Communication on the birthday of his Majesty the German Emperor, and the General Lodge of Sorrow in memory of the brethren that have entered the Eternal East. We are also indebted to our sister Grand Lodge for a copy of its latest directory, containing the full statistics of this jurisdiction for the Masonic year 1899-1900, carefully computed and properly arranged. They furnish a clear conception of the magnitude of this ancient Grand Orient.

As customary, congratulatory letters were sent on both the occasions

of the birthday of his Majesty the German Emperor and his Royal Highness, BRO. FREDERICK LEOPOLD, Prince of Prussia, the Protector of the Jurisdiction; also at the beginning of the new year. The royal dignitaries acknowledged the congratulations in complimentary terms, expressing at the same time their best wishes for the successful continuance of the Grand Lodges' activity in the precincts of Freemasonry.

The charitable inclinations of the brethren showed themselves, as usual, on many occasions. We mention a donation of 10,000 marks for the acquisition of a new organ to be used in the new Masonic Temple, which is now in process of erection in the western part of Berlin. Further, a legacy of 9,000 marks, made by BRO. WAECHTER, Past Master of the Berlin Lodge "Zum Pilgrim," while BRO. ESSELBACH, in his last will and testament, bequeathed 5,000 marks to his own Lodge, "Zur Beständigkeit," and 1,000 marks to a scholastic institute of the Grand Lodge. That the brethren did not lose sight of wisdom in assisting educational institutions is proved by the fact, that the Grand Lodge made an allowance of 300 marks for the benefit of the German School in Madrid, irrespective of the dispensation of such benevolent deeds, which belonged to the routine of the various charity committees.

At the request of ten brethren residing in Eisenach, a new Lodge, under the name of "Zur Krone der Elizabeth," was chartered and set to work on November 27, 1898, in the presence of Grand Master BRO. ZOELLNER. A well-deserved compliment was paid to the Wisest Past Master of the Order, BRO. ALEXIS SCHMIDT, and BROS. VON WEGNER and SPIELHAGEN, who were elected honorary members of the Grand Lodge Royal York zur Freundschaft," on the occasion of its centennial jubilee.

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The Festive Communication held by the three Prussian Grand Lodges on the birthday of his Majesty, the German Emperor, January 27, 1899, became especially memorable, as it was the last celebration held in the old Temple of the National Grand Lodge, which had seen more than one hundred years of fruitful Masonic work.

The session was opened with prayer by M.. W.. BRO. ZOELLNER, invoking divine blessing upon his Imperial Majesty. After a cantata had been rendered by the assembled brethren, the Grand Master delivered an address giving a short review of the Emperor's career, quoting such of his public speeches as were significant of his character and his devotion to the many duties which his position demanded. The speaker also praised the great interest which the Ruler of the Fatherland took, not only in the political necessities of the government, but also his devotion to art and science, education, jurisprudence, industry, and agriculture, and everything else that had any bearing upon the welfare of his people. He closed with the sincerest wishes for the future well-being of the Imperial Ruler and his family. He was followed by the Grand Chaplain, BRO. SECKT, who delivered a well-set oration, drawing a comparison between SOLOMON and EMPEROR WILLIAM I., which was followed with close attention by everybody present. After a collection had been taken up for the poor and needy, the Grand Master closed the convention with prayer and in ample form.

The General Lodge of Sorrow was held as usual on the ninth day of March, and was presided over by the Deputy Grand Master, BRO. GArtz,

in the absence of the Grand Master, who was prevented by sickness from being present. The proceedings were opened by prayer and the rendering of some appropriate organ recital, whereupon the Presiding Officer addressed the assemblage upon the lesson of the hour, reminding them that life and death are inseparable, and that our work is intended for both life and death. He explained that life was work; that we are God's children, destined to become His image and to return to Him, whenever He calls.

Having paid a glowing tribute to 274 members that had been torn from the chain of this Grand Body, the assembly joined in another choral song, whereupon the Assistant Grand Lecturer, BRO. DIESTEL, delivered a philosophical oration, in which he attacked the scorn of the atheist-that indolent nature made human beings in great numbers like manufactured goods, of little value, in order to destroy the same big number, and that only one in a thousand accidentally would turn out better than the averagewho would last longer-and he also would be annihilated. He proved the fallacy of this proposition in convincing manner, and closed with the following words: "We are near to the light: to the light in which our dead live, a light which overcomes all darkness. All of us who seek the truth are near to that light which, we trust, will shine upon us in full splendor through the love of God after we have finished our earthly career."

The formation of the chain around the Sarcophagus ended the solemn ceremonies.

The Grand National Lodge certainly occupies a foremost rank among the German Grand Bodies, and has extended its sphere of usefulness wherever the occasion presented itself to the far-seeing judgment of its leading brethren.

THE GRAND LODGE OF PRUSSIA, CALLED "ROYAL YORK ZUR FREUNDSCHAFT" (OF FRIENDSHIP), AT BERLIN (N. W. Dorotheenstrasse 27).

Protector: His Royal Highness BRO. FREDERICK, Prince of Prussia. I. Honorary Grand Master: BRO. PRINCE HEINRICH ZU SCHOENAICHCAROLATH.

II. Honorary Grand Master: BRO. JOHN FRIEDRICH AUG. FLOHR, Ph.D. and Professor.*

Grand Master: BRO. ALWIN WAGNER, Ph.D. and Professor, Monbijouplatz No. 11.

*While going to press we are pained to learn of the death of Honorary Grand Master BRO. A. FLOHR, whose truly Masonic character has made him an ideal Grand Officer, greatly esteemed and highly spoken of far beyond the limits of the Fatherland. His name cannot be easily forgotten, and his memory will remain fresh among his many friends and admirers.

As we are without representation near the "Royal York," we take the liberty of extending to our sister Grand Lodge our sincere sympathy in the irreparable loss which it has sustained by the death of BRO. FLOHR.

Deputy Grand Master: BRO. E. Knorr, Colonel.

Grand Secretary and Archivist: BRO. I. G. BERTRAND, Berlin, N. W. Dorotheenstrasse 27.

This Lodge dates back to 1760, and was organized as a Grand Lodge on June 11, 1798. It consists of one provincial Grand Lodge (Silesia, at Breslau), 11 inner Orients, 67 St. John's Lodges, and 11 Masonic circles. Its total membership foots up 6,300 brethren, who control 124 benevolent institutions.

We have not received any direct communications from this jurisdiction, but we are indirectly informed of some important changes which have taken place within this Grand Body since our last report. As stated above, the former Grand Master and First Deputy Grand Master have declined reelection, and the former Second Deputy Grand Master, BRO. ALWIN WAGNER, has been promoted to the Grand East. The former Grand Secretary and Archivist, BRO. HERM. MUMMENTHEY, has also resigned his position, as his business interests required his whole time and attention.

The solemn installation ceremonies took place on September 10 of last year in the presence of the representatives of the other two Prussian Grand Lodges and delegations from other local Berlin Lodges belonging to other German jurisdictions. In recognition of the great services rendered by the retiring Grand Officers, they were elected Honorary Grand Masters, and while this compliment is surely befitting, they nevertheless will be missed by all that are familiar with the history of German Freemasonry during the last twenty-five years, as the names of BROS. PRINCE SCHOENAICHCAROLATH and DR. FLOHR, have become household words in all Masonic gatherings and have been considered as true representatives of the humanitarian principle.

We hope, that a change in the personnel of the Grand Lodge will not lead to a change in its work and principles; but that the liberal spirit and progressive views which have always governed its deliberations will continue to sustain its prominent position and high reputation.

THE GRAND LODGE OF THE ECLECTIC UNION, AT FRANKFORT-ON-THE-MAIN.

Grand Master: BRO. Jos. WERNER, Merchant (firm Werner & Winter), Fichardstr. 5 and 7.

Deputy Grand Masters: BRO. KARL BERNINGER, Merchant, Gr. Sandgasse 4; and BRO. FRIEDRICH AUERBACH, Merchant, Niedenau 50.

Grand Secretary: BRO. EMIL WENZ, M.D., Steinweg 6.
Corresponding Grand Secretary: BRO. WILHelm Lotz.

Grand Archivists: BROS. LUDWIG BANGEL and IGN. CREIZENACH.

Mutual Representatives: Near the Grand Lodge of New York, BRO. FERDINAND GOEBEL, at New York; near the Grand Lodge of the Eclectic Union, BRO. ALEXANDER MARC, M.D., at Wiesbaden.

This Grand Lodge was founded March 18, 1783, and organized as an inde pendent Grand Lodge on January 13, 1823, by renouncing the supremacy of the