CHAPTER II

GRAND LODGES AND GRAND ORIENTS
Tue Grand Lodge of England (1717) recog- nizes and is in fraternal relation with—
The Grand Lodge of Ireland (1730),
The Grand Lodge of Scotland (1736),
14 Foreign Grand Lodges and Grand Orients in the Eastern Hemisphere,
7 Colonial Grand Lodges,
g Grand Lodges in the Dominion of Canada,
50 Grand Lodges in the United States of America, and about 12 other Grand Lodges and Grand Orients in the West Indies, Mexico, Central America and South America; and besides these there are
656 District and other Lodges abroad; —
so that the claim of Freemasonry to be ‘Universal’ would seem to he well supported.
The Grand Orient ot France is not included in the above list, but on December 3, 1913, 7 c
Freemasonry and its Etiquette
the Grand Secretary read to Grand Lodge the following message from the M.W. Grand Master:
‘It is with deep satistaction that I find myself able to signalize the auspicious occa- sion of the Centenary of the Union by an announcement which will, I am convinced, cause true rejoicing throughout the Craft.
‘A body of Freemasons in France, con- fronted by a positive prohibition on the part of the Grand Orient to work in the name of the Great Architect of the Universe have, in fidelity to their Masonic pledges, re- solved to uphold the true principles and tenets of the Craft, and have united several Lodges as the INDEPENDENT AND REGULAR NATIONAL GRAND’ LODGE OF FRANCE AND OF THE FRENCH COLONIES.
‘This new body has approached me with the request that it may be recognized by the Grand Lodge of England, and, having received full assurance that it is pledged to adhere to those principles of Freemasonry which we regard as fundamental and essen- tial, I have joyfully assented to the estab- lishment of fraternal relations and the ex- change of representatives... .
‘We are thus enablei to celebrate the
18
Grand Lodges and Grand Orients
_ ‘hundredth anniversary of that Union which was the foundation of our solidarity and world-wide influence, by the consummation of a wish which bas been ardently cherished -by English I'reemasons for many years past, and we are once more in the happy position of being able to enjoy Masonic intercourse with men of the great French nation.
‘I trust that the bond thus established will strengthen and promote the good understanding which exists outside of the sphere cf Freemasonry.’
It will be interesting to add that the obligations which will be imposed on all Lodges under this French Constitution are
| the following: