Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
From Llorente's History Of The Spanish Inquisition.
firmed in tho idea on hearing tho imprecations which , according to M . Tcnrnou , wero to accompany tho oath of secrecy . "lb appeared from tho depositions of three witnesses that M . Tonrnon was a Freemason . lie was arrested and imprisoned on the 20 th of May . Tho following conversation , which took place in
tho first audience of monition , may be interesting to some reader ? . After asking his name , birth place , and his reason for coming to Spain , and making him swear to speak tho truth , the Inquisitor thus proceeded -. Question " Do you know or suppose why you havo been arrested
by the holy office ? Answer : " I suppose for having said that I was a Freemason . Q . " Why do you suppose so ? A . " Because I havo informed my pupils that I was of that Order ,
and I fear they havo denounced me , for I have perceived lately that they speak to me with au air of mystery , and their questions lead me to believe that thoy think me an heretic . Q . " Did you tell them the truth ? A . " Yes .
Q . " You are then a Freemason ? A . "Yes . Q . " How long have you been so ? A . " For twenty years . Q . " Have you attended the assemblies of Freemasons ?
A . " Yes , in Paris . Q . " Have you attended them in Spain ? A . " No ; I do not know that there are any Lodges in Spain Q . "If there were , should you attend them ? A . "Yes .
Q . ' Aro you a Christian , a Roman Catholic ? A . " Yes , I was baptized in tho Parish of Sfc . Paul , at Paris . Q . " How , as a Christian , can yon daro to attend Masonic assemblies when you kuow , or ought to know , that they are contrary to
religion ? A . " I did nnt know that ; I am ignorant of it at present , because I never saw or hoard anything there which was contrary to religion . Q . " How can you say that , when you know that Freemasons profess indifference in manors of religion , which is contrary to the
article of faith , which teaches nfl that no man can be saved who does not profess the Catholic , Apostolic , and Roman religion ? A . " The Freemasons do not profess that indifference . But it is indifferent if tho person received into the Order be a Catholic or not .
Q . " Then the Freemasons are an anti-reliyious body ? A . " That cannot be ; for the object of the institntion is not to combat or deny the necessity or utility of any religion , but for tho exercise of charity towards the unfortunate of any sect , particularly if ho is a member of tho society .
Q . " One proof of that indifference in tho religious character of Freemasons is , that they do not acknowledge the Holy Trinity , since they only confess one God , whom they call tho Great Architect of the Universe , which agrees with the doctrine of the heretical philosophers , who say there is no true religion but naHral religion , in which the
existenco of God the Creator only is allowed , and tho rest considered as human invention . And as M . Tournon has professed himself to be of the Catholic religion , he is required by the resp -ct he owes to our Saviour Jesus Christ , true God and man , and to His blessed mother the Virgin Mary our Lady , to declare the truth according to his oath
because iu that case he will acquit his conscience , and it will be allowable to treat him with mercy and compassion which the holy office always showed towards sinners who confess ; and if , on the contrary , ho conceals anything , ho will be punished with all the severity of justice , according to the holy canons and the laws of the kingdom .
A . " The mystery of the Holy Trinity is neither maintained nor combated in the Masonic Lodges , neither i 3 the religious system of the natural philosophers approved or rejected ; God is designated as the Great Architect of the Universe , according to tho allegories of
the I < reemasons , which relate to architecture . In order to fulfil my promise of speaking truth , I must repeat that in the Masonic Lodges nothing takes place which concerns any religious system , and that the objects treated of are foreign to religion , under the allegories of architectural works .
Q . " Do you believe , as a Catholic , that it is a sin of superstition to mingle holy and religions things with profane things ? A . "lam not sufficiently acquainted with the particular things which are prohibited as contrary to tho purity of the Christian religion , but I have believed till now that those who confound the
one with the other , either by mistake or a vain belief , are guilty of the sin of superstition ? Q . " Is it true that in the ceremonies which acoompany the reception of a Mason , the crucified image of our Saviour , the corpse of a man , and a skull and other objects of a profane nature are made use of ?
A . "The general statutes of Freemasonry do not ordain these things ; if they are made use of , it must have arisen from a particular custom or from arbitrary regulations of the members of the body who are commissioned to prepare for the reception of candidates , for each Lodge has particular customs and ceremonies .
Q . ' That is not the question ; say , is it true that these ceremonies are observed in Masonio Lodges ? A . " Yes , or no , according to the regulations of those who are charged with the ceremonies of the initiation . Q . " Were they observed when you were initiated ? A . "No .
Q . " What oath is it necessary to take on being received a Freemason ? A . " We swear to observe secrecy . what ?
Q . " On A . " On things which it may be inconvenient to publish Q . " Is thia oath accompanied by execrations ? A . "Yes . Q . ' What are they ?
From Llorente's History Of The Spanish Inquisition.
A . ' ¦ We consent to suffer all the evils which can afllict the body an : l soul if wo violate tho oath . Q . " Of what importance is this oath , since it is believed that such formidable execrations may be used without indeceucy ? A . " That of good order in the Society .
Q . " What passes in these Lodges which it might be inconvenient to publish ? A . " Nothing , if it is looked upon without prejudice ; but as people are generally mistaken in this matter , it is necessary to avoid giving cause for malicious interpretations ; and this would tako place if what passes whon brothers assemble was made pnblio .
Q . " Of what use is the Crucifix if the reception of a Freemason is uot considered as a religions act ? A . " It is presented to penetrate the soul with the most profound respect at the moment that the novice takes the oath . It is not used in every Lodge , and only when particular grades are conferred .
Q . " Why is the skull used ? A . " That the idea of death may inspire horror of perjury . Q . "' Of what use is the corpse ? A . " To complete the allogory of Hiram , architeob of the Temple of Jerusalem , who , it is said , was assassinated by traitors , and to induce
greater detestation of assassination and other offences against neighbours , to whom we ought to be as benevolent brothers . Q . " Is it true that the festival of St . John is celebrated in Lodge ? , and that tho Masons have chosen him for their patron ? A . "Yes .
Q . " What worship 13 rendered him in celebrating his festival ? A "None ; that it may not be mingled with profane things . This celebration is confined to a fraternal repast , after which a discourse is road , exhorting the guests to beneficence towards their fellow creatures , in honour of God , the great architect , creator , and preserver
of the universe . Q . " Is it true that the son , moon , and stars are honoured in the Lodges ? A . "No . Q . " Is it true that their images or symbols are exposeJ ? A . "Yes .
Q . " Why are they so ? A . " In order to eluoidate the allegories of the great , continual and true light which the Lodges receive from tho Great Architect of the World , and these representations belong to the brothers , aud engage them to be charitable . "
Next follows a bluffing caution by the Inquisitor , informing the prisoner that his statements disagree with the evidence furnished by witnesses , and he is exhorted in the name of God and the Holy Virgin to tell the truth . If he
obeys , he would receive compassion and mercy , but if nofc , " lie must be treated with all the severity prescribed against heretics by the holy canons , apostolical bulls , and the laws of tho kingdom , " to which the prisoner replied : —
" I have declared the truth , and if any witnesses have deposed to the contrary they have mistaken the meaning of my words , for I have ne-yer spoken on this subject to any but the workmen in my factory , and then only in the same sense conveyed by my replies . Q . " Not content with being a Freemason you have persuaded
other pereons to be received into the Order , and to embrace the heretical superstitions and pagan errors into which you have fallen ? A . " Ifc is true that I have requested these persons to become Freemasons , because I thought it would be useful to them if they
travelled into foreign countries , where they might meet brothers of their Order who would assist them in any difficulty , but it is not true that I engaged them to adopt my errors contrary to tho Catholic faith , since no such errors are to be found in Freemasonry , which does not concern any points of doctrine .
" lb has been already proved that these errors are not chimerical ; therefore , let M . Tournon consider that he has been a dogmatizing heretic , and that it is necessary that he should acknowledge it with humility , and ask pardon and absolution for the censures
he has incurred ; since , if he persists in his obstinacy he will destroy both his body and soul ; and as this is the first audience of monition , he is advised to reflect on his condition , and prepare for the two audiences which are granted by the compassion and mercy which the holy tribunal always feel for the accused . "
Poor Bro . Tournon was sent back to prison ; the holy tribunal allowed him to choose an advocate , which the prisoner declined , " alleging that the Spanish lawyers were not acquainted with Masonic Lodges , and were as much prejudiced against them as the public . He therefore
thought it better for him to acknowledge that he was wrong , " and expressed a hope that his punishment would be light . Still , however , maintaining that he saw " nothing but beneficence practised and recommended in Masonic Lodges , without denying or combating any article of faith . "
Bro . Tournon was doomed to imprisonment for one year , during which time he had to be very religious , to read one of De Loyla ' s books every day , also catechisms , < v . c , and at
the end of the year he was conducted under an escort to the frontiers of Prance , and ordered " never to return to Spain without permission from the King or- the holy office . " And that all I could learn about Bro . M . Tournou .
BOSTON , U . S ., 19 th April 1889
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
From Llorente's History Of The Spanish Inquisition.
firmed in tho idea on hearing tho imprecations which , according to M . Tcnrnou , wero to accompany tho oath of secrecy . "lb appeared from tho depositions of three witnesses that M . Tonrnon was a Freemason . lie was arrested and imprisoned on the 20 th of May . Tho following conversation , which took place in
tho first audience of monition , may be interesting to some reader ? . After asking his name , birth place , and his reason for coming to Spain , and making him swear to speak tho truth , the Inquisitor thus proceeded -. Question " Do you know or suppose why you havo been arrested
by the holy office ? Answer : " I suppose for having said that I was a Freemason . Q . " Why do you suppose so ? A . " Because I havo informed my pupils that I was of that Order ,
and I fear they havo denounced me , for I have perceived lately that they speak to me with au air of mystery , and their questions lead me to believe that thoy think me an heretic . Q . " Did you tell them the truth ? A . " Yes .
Q . " You are then a Freemason ? A . "Yes . Q . " How long have you been so ? A . " For twenty years . Q . " Have you attended the assemblies of Freemasons ?
A . " Yes , in Paris . Q . " Have you attended them in Spain ? A . " No ; I do not know that there are any Lodges in Spain Q . "If there were , should you attend them ? A . "Yes .
Q . ' Aro you a Christian , a Roman Catholic ? A . " Yes , I was baptized in tho Parish of Sfc . Paul , at Paris . Q . " How , as a Christian , can yon daro to attend Masonic assemblies when you kuow , or ought to know , that they are contrary to
religion ? A . " I did nnt know that ; I am ignorant of it at present , because I never saw or hoard anything there which was contrary to religion . Q . " How can you say that , when you know that Freemasons profess indifference in manors of religion , which is contrary to the
article of faith , which teaches nfl that no man can be saved who does not profess the Catholic , Apostolic , and Roman religion ? A . " The Freemasons do not profess that indifference . But it is indifferent if tho person received into the Order be a Catholic or not .
Q . " Then the Freemasons are an anti-reliyious body ? A . " That cannot be ; for the object of the institntion is not to combat or deny the necessity or utility of any religion , but for tho exercise of charity towards the unfortunate of any sect , particularly if ho is a member of tho society .
Q . " One proof of that indifference in tho religious character of Freemasons is , that they do not acknowledge the Holy Trinity , since they only confess one God , whom they call tho Great Architect of the Universe , which agrees with the doctrine of the heretical philosophers , who say there is no true religion but naHral religion , in which the
existenco of God the Creator only is allowed , and tho rest considered as human invention . And as M . Tournon has professed himself to be of the Catholic religion , he is required by the resp -ct he owes to our Saviour Jesus Christ , true God and man , and to His blessed mother the Virgin Mary our Lady , to declare the truth according to his oath
because iu that case he will acquit his conscience , and it will be allowable to treat him with mercy and compassion which the holy office always showed towards sinners who confess ; and if , on the contrary , ho conceals anything , ho will be punished with all the severity of justice , according to the holy canons and the laws of the kingdom .
A . " The mystery of the Holy Trinity is neither maintained nor combated in the Masonic Lodges , neither i 3 the religious system of the natural philosophers approved or rejected ; God is designated as the Great Architect of the Universe , according to tho allegories of
the I < reemasons , which relate to architecture . In order to fulfil my promise of speaking truth , I must repeat that in the Masonic Lodges nothing takes place which concerns any religious system , and that the objects treated of are foreign to religion , under the allegories of architectural works .
Q . " Do you believe , as a Catholic , that it is a sin of superstition to mingle holy and religions things with profane things ? A . "lam not sufficiently acquainted with the particular things which are prohibited as contrary to tho purity of the Christian religion , but I have believed till now that those who confound the
one with the other , either by mistake or a vain belief , are guilty of the sin of superstition ? Q . " Is it true that in the ceremonies which acoompany the reception of a Mason , the crucified image of our Saviour , the corpse of a man , and a skull and other objects of a profane nature are made use of ?
A . "The general statutes of Freemasonry do not ordain these things ; if they are made use of , it must have arisen from a particular custom or from arbitrary regulations of the members of the body who are commissioned to prepare for the reception of candidates , for each Lodge has particular customs and ceremonies .
Q . ' That is not the question ; say , is it true that these ceremonies are observed in Masonio Lodges ? A . " Yes , or no , according to the regulations of those who are charged with the ceremonies of the initiation . Q . " Were they observed when you were initiated ? A . "No .
Q . " What oath is it necessary to take on being received a Freemason ? A . " We swear to observe secrecy . what ?
Q . " On A . " On things which it may be inconvenient to publish Q . " Is thia oath accompanied by execrations ? A . "Yes . Q . ' What are they ?
From Llorente's History Of The Spanish Inquisition.
A . ' ¦ We consent to suffer all the evils which can afllict the body an : l soul if wo violate tho oath . Q . " Of what importance is this oath , since it is believed that such formidable execrations may be used without indeceucy ? A . " That of good order in the Society .
Q . " What passes in these Lodges which it might be inconvenient to publish ? A . " Nothing , if it is looked upon without prejudice ; but as people are generally mistaken in this matter , it is necessary to avoid giving cause for malicious interpretations ; and this would tako place if what passes whon brothers assemble was made pnblio .
Q . " Of what use is the Crucifix if the reception of a Freemason is uot considered as a religions act ? A . " It is presented to penetrate the soul with the most profound respect at the moment that the novice takes the oath . It is not used in every Lodge , and only when particular grades are conferred .
Q . " Why is the skull used ? A . " That the idea of death may inspire horror of perjury . Q . "' Of what use is the corpse ? A . " To complete the allogory of Hiram , architeob of the Temple of Jerusalem , who , it is said , was assassinated by traitors , and to induce
greater detestation of assassination and other offences against neighbours , to whom we ought to be as benevolent brothers . Q . " Is it true that the festival of St . John is celebrated in Lodge ? , and that tho Masons have chosen him for their patron ? A . "Yes .
Q . " What worship 13 rendered him in celebrating his festival ? A "None ; that it may not be mingled with profane things . This celebration is confined to a fraternal repast , after which a discourse is road , exhorting the guests to beneficence towards their fellow creatures , in honour of God , the great architect , creator , and preserver
of the universe . Q . " Is it true that the son , moon , and stars are honoured in the Lodges ? A . "No . Q . " Is it true that their images or symbols are exposeJ ? A . "Yes .
Q . " Why are they so ? A . " In order to eluoidate the allegories of the great , continual and true light which the Lodges receive from tho Great Architect of the World , and these representations belong to the brothers , aud engage them to be charitable . "
Next follows a bluffing caution by the Inquisitor , informing the prisoner that his statements disagree with the evidence furnished by witnesses , and he is exhorted in the name of God and the Holy Virgin to tell the truth . If he
obeys , he would receive compassion and mercy , but if nofc , " lie must be treated with all the severity prescribed against heretics by the holy canons , apostolical bulls , and the laws of tho kingdom , " to which the prisoner replied : —
" I have declared the truth , and if any witnesses have deposed to the contrary they have mistaken the meaning of my words , for I have ne-yer spoken on this subject to any but the workmen in my factory , and then only in the same sense conveyed by my replies . Q . " Not content with being a Freemason you have persuaded
other pereons to be received into the Order , and to embrace the heretical superstitions and pagan errors into which you have fallen ? A . " Ifc is true that I have requested these persons to become Freemasons , because I thought it would be useful to them if they
travelled into foreign countries , where they might meet brothers of their Order who would assist them in any difficulty , but it is not true that I engaged them to adopt my errors contrary to tho Catholic faith , since no such errors are to be found in Freemasonry , which does not concern any points of doctrine .
" lb has been already proved that these errors are not chimerical ; therefore , let M . Tournon consider that he has been a dogmatizing heretic , and that it is necessary that he should acknowledge it with humility , and ask pardon and absolution for the censures
he has incurred ; since , if he persists in his obstinacy he will destroy both his body and soul ; and as this is the first audience of monition , he is advised to reflect on his condition , and prepare for the two audiences which are granted by the compassion and mercy which the holy tribunal always feel for the accused . "
Poor Bro . Tournon was sent back to prison ; the holy tribunal allowed him to choose an advocate , which the prisoner declined , " alleging that the Spanish lawyers were not acquainted with Masonic Lodges , and were as much prejudiced against them as the public . He therefore
thought it better for him to acknowledge that he was wrong , " and expressed a hope that his punishment would be light . Still , however , maintaining that he saw " nothing but beneficence practised and recommended in Masonic Lodges , without denying or combating any article of faith . "
Bro . Tournon was doomed to imprisonment for one year , during which time he had to be very religious , to read one of De Loyla ' s books every day , also catechisms , < v . c , and at
the end of the year he was conducted under an escort to the frontiers of Prance , and ordered " never to return to Spain without permission from the King or- the holy office . " And that all I could learn about Bro . M . Tournou .
BOSTON , U . S ., 19 th April 1889