Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Bro. Jacob Norton's Plea On Behalf Of The Grand Orient Of France.
me . As regards tho present case , and for the purpose of my argument , I will divide mankind into two sections—the one theistic , which believes in a God , the other atheistic , which does not so believe . Similarly as regards politics , thero aro two divisions—the archical , comprising those who believe in tho necessity for some form of government ; and tho anarchical , or those who are opposed to all
governments . Now , I hardly suppose that any Mason will be so bold as to suggest that an anarchist is a fit and proper person to be admitted into Freemasonry . Were this foe to all government to have his own way , there would be no security for life or property . Every man ' s hand might at any timo bo raised against his neighbour ' s , and so , politically speaking , chaos would have come again . This is nofc
the kind of person whom in a monarchy , an oligarchy , or a democracy , it would be proper to respect for his politics . And why ? Because ho is a " stupid" anarchist , who has not sense enough to see that , though the form may be different in different communities , somo kind of government is absolutely necessary in order to secure the well-being of man . Yet it is quite possible to imagine that such a person as
this " stupid " anarchist might be intellectually a giant , a man of the highest culture , the perfection of morality in its ordinary sense , and of the kindliest disposition . It is further possible to imagine that an eminent member of this infinitesimally small class of persons might be much courted , that thousands would flock to hear him " lecture , " and that ho would "be welcomed in tho best circles wherever" he
" happened to be . " Yet in spite of these things being so , I fail to see what intolerance there is in excluding such a person from a society which is nothing if not archical . Ifc is not tho society which is anxious to enrol him as a member , but he who is anxious to be enrolled in tho society ; and he , the ono solitary case out of a million , has no reason to feel aggrieved if the eccentric opinions he holds on the
subject of government are an insuperable bar to his reception into its bosom . There ia in this matter , as in all things else , a point in respect of which ifc may be said , " Thus far shale thou go , and no farther . " Thus tolerance may be earned to tho extremest verge of prudence , bufc not the fraction of an inch further . So in the case of politics , it is wise and expedient to recognise and respect every form
of government thafc is known to exist ; bufc not so an anarchy , which is not only no form of government at all , but is in direct antagonism with them all—monarchy , oligarchy , and the rest of them . And if my argument is correct so far , I feel that I am justified in applying it to the question of religion in connection with Freemasonry . Men are either theistic or atheistic , but the number of tho latter is
infinitesimally small . Now Masonry is not a religion , but a morality ; at the same time our Constitutions lay it down emphatically—though not in so many words—that it is impossible for any ono to bo truly moral who is an atheist ; just as ifc is impossible for him to be a fit member of society , as an anarchist , who sets at defiance tho very laws Avhich govern and protect ifc . There never has been , is nofc , and never
will be a morality but what has been , is , or will bo based on somo form or other of theism , as there never has been , is nofc , and never will be , a society without somo form of government . Just as it is necessary that every community on the face of the earth , in order to exist as such , must have some kind of government , so must the earth itself and the universe of which it is a part , be governed , and there must bo
a Supremo Being , call him by what name you will , to administer that government . I repeat , then , there can be no morality which is not based on theism ; and this being so , no atheist is eligible to be received into Freemasonry . As regards tho Eoyal Society , the parallelism which Bro . Norton institutes between ifc and Freemasonry will nofc hold good , The latter
as wc all know , is declared to be a system of morality , while the former is a body of learned men who are always engaged in investigating nlwfrnse scientific questions . If Masons met together iu their Lodges inoicly for purposes of sfcudyingand discussing such questions , there would be no necessity for laying down any such laws as we are now
governed by . Moreover , men are eligible as fellows of this Society by reason of their great learning and scientific attainments , with which it will be difficult for Bro . Norton to show that religious belief or unbelief is in any wise connected . But , in my judgment , the question of belief or unbelief in a God cannot be dissociated from Freemasonry , which is a system of morality . And the quintessence of this morality is theism .
I hold the Grand Orient of France has committed a grievous blunder , not in banishing religious discussion from its Lodges , for that it was clearly its duty to do , but in sanctioning the admission of candidates who have in them no sense of religion whatever . I hold with you , Sir , thafc the policy it has just adopted is a suicidal one , and has givenitsenemiesamongtheEomish priesthood what they had not before
—the opportunity of making a just charge against ifc of being a godless society . How will the Grand Orient be able to repel such a charge , when it deliberately permits the belief or unbelief in God ' s existence to be an open question ? Nay , how can ifc venture to proclaim that the object of Freemasonry is the " search after truth , " when it sanctions the admission of those who begin by denying the grandest of all
truths—the existence of God ? Here , if you like , Bro . Norton , is au hypocrisy which outvies the hypocrisy of which you complain . If I have before mo a piece of paper of the colour known as black , and somo one declares it is white , or green , or orange , I reject his statement , for I know ho is speaking an nntruth . How much moro thou must I reject tho statement—and on
the same grounds of absolute knowledge—that thero is EC * God , when I cannot turn myself in any direction without seeing evidences of His existence ? Again , what becomes of my consistency when , on the one hand , I swear to obey the laws of my country , and on tho other hand am ready to vote an atheist into my Lodge . The laws of my country declare tho evidence of an atheist to be
unacceptable in a court of law . They say it is not worthy of belief . Aud yefc Freemasonry , which professes to be a system of morality , is to respect that which tbe law declares to be immoral ! Nor must it be forgotten that this liberty about which people talk so glibly and with such unction has , of necessity , certain limits imposed upon it . No ono is permitted either to think or to act aa he likes , if suglj thgneht . pr
Bro. Jacob Norton's Plea On Behalf Of The Grand Orient Of France.
action is likely to prove detrimental to his neighbour . There is , in fact , a limit to " liberty of conscience" as thero is to liberty of action . So long , of course , as tho free-thinker keeps his free-thinking to himself , ho may think as ho likes , but ho has no greater right to insist that his insane ideas shonld bo respected by the majority than the anarchist of whom I havo spoken . Bro . Norton says tho number
of real atheists is infinitesimally small , and I have no doubt he is quit © right . Tho number of thoso who set at defiance tho laws of reason will always be contemptibly small . Then , say I , it is only the moro imperative wo should keep them outside tho pale of our Society . Why aro we to bo so faithless to our own convictions ? Why must we show such utter disrespect for thafc doctrine which
is held by us , and has been hold through all ages of tho world ' s existence , aud by all nations , except a contemptible few among civilised peoples and the very lowest order of human beings among the uncivilised ? Aro men who respect Government , virtue , wisdom , & c , in tho habit of welcoming amongst them tho enemies of Government , virtue , wisdom , & c ., and shall we Freemasons who respect religion and morality welcome the presence in our midst of those who respect neither ?
No , Sir , in my humble judgment , ifc is tho bonnden duty of every organised body of Freemasons to rigorously exclude from its Lodges tho men who have no religion . It is " the fool" that "hath said in his heart , there is no God "—which was doubtless in Anderson ' s mind when he penned " stupid atheist "—and thero is no room in
Masonpy for fools . Bnt I am writing without due regard for tho space at your disposal . I will , therefore , with your kind permission , reserve any further remarks I may have to make to some future occasion . Fraternally yours , TOLERANCE .
The Asylum For Fatherless Children.
THE ASYLUM FOR FATHERLESS CHILDREN .
To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Will you kindly allow me to ask any of your readers , who may happen to bo subscribers to tho Asylum for Fatherless Children at Eeedham , Surrey , to give me their votes for Arthur Thomas Twitchett , aged 10 J years . He is the son of the late
Mr . William Twitchett , printer , Sudbury , Suffolk , who died from a painful internal disease about two years ago . The applicant is one of four children ( one of whom is a cripple ) all entirely dependent on their mother , who is a most respectable person , and who carries on a
small business as a dressmaker . The case is ono Avell worthy of support , and as in consequence of the boy ' s ago ifc must be his last application , the old proverb , " bit dat qui cito dat , " is perfectly true in this case . I shall be most happy to supply any further information that may bo required .
Bohevo mo , Yours very faithfully and fraternally , CHARLES J . MARTYN , P . G . C . Eector of Melford , Suffolk , Rural Dean , aud D . P . G . M . for Suffolk . M elford Rectory , Suffolk , 31 st Dec . 1877 .
P . S . —I may mention thafc Mrs . Twitchett is a Congregationalist , and that tho case is warmly supported by the Eev . J . Hollior , Congregational Minister at Sudbury , as well as by tho Eector , Canon Molyneux , and several other well known persons in tho neighbourhood , and that I shall be glad to receive any proxies with which I may bo favoured not later than 12 th January .
The German Lodge Question.
THE GERMAN LODGE QUESTION .
lo the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The Lodge of Joppa , about twelve months ago , appointed a committee to inquire into this matter , and to take steps to get some alteration . They invited other Lodges to
join them , and some of thoso invited readily accepted . Then the Montefiore Lodge took the matter in hand , and , to my mind , used much greater energy . I havo since made somo inquiries respecting the action of the Joppa Committee , to Avhich I have received tho following reply : —
"Dear Sir and Brother , —In reply to your inquiries , I beg to inform you that the Lodge of Montefiore , anxious to settle this question as speedily as possible , have taken the matter out of my hands entirely , and have paralyzed my actions for the present ; I am sorry to see their good intentions , time , and labour , wasted , but
it would be wrong on my part in any way to obstruct their proceedings . By correspondence which I have with the hi ghest authorities in this country , as also in Germany , I am fnllv convinced the step taken by them is wrong , and will only ¦•>¦ ¦•. ¦ i « « , ; -nplicate the matter .
" Bo assured , Dear Sir and Brother , I steadily go on in my researches , and as soon as the Montofioro petitions are disposed of , I shall bring the result of my inquiries before tho Committee , and act accordingly . " I remain , Dear Sir and Brother ,
" Fraternally yours , ••MACKICE SPIEGEL . " Now , the Montofioro petitions have , by tho last Quarterly
Communicatiun , been disposed of , and I have written several times to Bro . Spiegel , bnt , as yefc , have had no reply . Several brethren «• ' •, with myself , take great interest in the question , are anxiously wailing lor some information . Yours , & c , . , , B-i DAVIDSON , 66 Leadeuhall . street ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Bro. Jacob Norton's Plea On Behalf Of The Grand Orient Of France.
me . As regards tho present case , and for the purpose of my argument , I will divide mankind into two sections—the one theistic , which believes in a God , the other atheistic , which does not so believe . Similarly as regards politics , thero aro two divisions—the archical , comprising those who believe in tho necessity for some form of government ; and tho anarchical , or those who are opposed to all
governments . Now , I hardly suppose that any Mason will be so bold as to suggest that an anarchist is a fit and proper person to be admitted into Freemasonry . Were this foe to all government to have his own way , there would be no security for life or property . Every man ' s hand might at any timo bo raised against his neighbour ' s , and so , politically speaking , chaos would have come again . This is nofc
the kind of person whom in a monarchy , an oligarchy , or a democracy , it would be proper to respect for his politics . And why ? Because ho is a " stupid" anarchist , who has not sense enough to see that , though the form may be different in different communities , somo kind of government is absolutely necessary in order to secure the well-being of man . Yet it is quite possible to imagine that such a person as
this " stupid " anarchist might be intellectually a giant , a man of the highest culture , the perfection of morality in its ordinary sense , and of the kindliest disposition . It is further possible to imagine that an eminent member of this infinitesimally small class of persons might be much courted , that thousands would flock to hear him " lecture , " and that ho would "be welcomed in tho best circles wherever" he
" happened to be . " Yet in spite of these things being so , I fail to see what intolerance there is in excluding such a person from a society which is nothing if not archical . Ifc is not tho society which is anxious to enrol him as a member , but he who is anxious to be enrolled in tho society ; and he , the ono solitary case out of a million , has no reason to feel aggrieved if the eccentric opinions he holds on the
subject of government are an insuperable bar to his reception into its bosom . There ia in this matter , as in all things else , a point in respect of which ifc may be said , " Thus far shale thou go , and no farther . " Thus tolerance may be earned to tho extremest verge of prudence , bufc not the fraction of an inch further . So in the case of politics , it is wise and expedient to recognise and respect every form
of government thafc is known to exist ; bufc not so an anarchy , which is not only no form of government at all , but is in direct antagonism with them all—monarchy , oligarchy , and the rest of them . And if my argument is correct so far , I feel that I am justified in applying it to the question of religion in connection with Freemasonry . Men are either theistic or atheistic , but the number of tho latter is
infinitesimally small . Now Masonry is not a religion , but a morality ; at the same time our Constitutions lay it down emphatically—though not in so many words—that it is impossible for any ono to bo truly moral who is an atheist ; just as ifc is impossible for him to be a fit member of society , as an anarchist , who sets at defiance tho very laws Avhich govern and protect ifc . There never has been , is nofc , and never
will be a morality but what has been , is , or will bo based on somo form or other of theism , as there never has been , is nofc , and never will be , a society without somo form of government . Just as it is necessary that every community on the face of the earth , in order to exist as such , must have some kind of government , so must the earth itself and the universe of which it is a part , be governed , and there must bo
a Supremo Being , call him by what name you will , to administer that government . I repeat , then , there can be no morality which is not based on theism ; and this being so , no atheist is eligible to be received into Freemasonry . As regards tho Eoyal Society , the parallelism which Bro . Norton institutes between ifc and Freemasonry will nofc hold good , The latter
as wc all know , is declared to be a system of morality , while the former is a body of learned men who are always engaged in investigating nlwfrnse scientific questions . If Masons met together iu their Lodges inoicly for purposes of sfcudyingand discussing such questions , there would be no necessity for laying down any such laws as we are now
governed by . Moreover , men are eligible as fellows of this Society by reason of their great learning and scientific attainments , with which it will be difficult for Bro . Norton to show that religious belief or unbelief is in any wise connected . But , in my judgment , the question of belief or unbelief in a God cannot be dissociated from Freemasonry , which is a system of morality . And the quintessence of this morality is theism .
I hold the Grand Orient of France has committed a grievous blunder , not in banishing religious discussion from its Lodges , for that it was clearly its duty to do , but in sanctioning the admission of candidates who have in them no sense of religion whatever . I hold with you , Sir , thafc the policy it has just adopted is a suicidal one , and has givenitsenemiesamongtheEomish priesthood what they had not before
—the opportunity of making a just charge against ifc of being a godless society . How will the Grand Orient be able to repel such a charge , when it deliberately permits the belief or unbelief in God ' s existence to be an open question ? Nay , how can ifc venture to proclaim that the object of Freemasonry is the " search after truth , " when it sanctions the admission of those who begin by denying the grandest of all
truths—the existence of God ? Here , if you like , Bro . Norton , is au hypocrisy which outvies the hypocrisy of which you complain . If I have before mo a piece of paper of the colour known as black , and somo one declares it is white , or green , or orange , I reject his statement , for I know ho is speaking an nntruth . How much moro thou must I reject tho statement—and on
the same grounds of absolute knowledge—that thero is EC * God , when I cannot turn myself in any direction without seeing evidences of His existence ? Again , what becomes of my consistency when , on the one hand , I swear to obey the laws of my country , and on tho other hand am ready to vote an atheist into my Lodge . The laws of my country declare tho evidence of an atheist to be
unacceptable in a court of law . They say it is not worthy of belief . Aud yefc Freemasonry , which professes to be a system of morality , is to respect that which tbe law declares to be immoral ! Nor must it be forgotten that this liberty about which people talk so glibly and with such unction has , of necessity , certain limits imposed upon it . No ono is permitted either to think or to act aa he likes , if suglj thgneht . pr
Bro. Jacob Norton's Plea On Behalf Of The Grand Orient Of France.
action is likely to prove detrimental to his neighbour . There is , in fact , a limit to " liberty of conscience" as thero is to liberty of action . So long , of course , as tho free-thinker keeps his free-thinking to himself , ho may think as ho likes , but ho has no greater right to insist that his insane ideas shonld bo respected by the majority than the anarchist of whom I havo spoken . Bro . Norton says tho number
of real atheists is infinitesimally small , and I have no doubt he is quit © right . Tho number of thoso who set at defiance tho laws of reason will always be contemptibly small . Then , say I , it is only the moro imperative wo should keep them outside tho pale of our Society . Why aro we to bo so faithless to our own convictions ? Why must we show such utter disrespect for thafc doctrine which
is held by us , and has been hold through all ages of tho world ' s existence , aud by all nations , except a contemptible few among civilised peoples and the very lowest order of human beings among the uncivilised ? Aro men who respect Government , virtue , wisdom , & c , in tho habit of welcoming amongst them tho enemies of Government , virtue , wisdom , & c ., and shall we Freemasons who respect religion and morality welcome the presence in our midst of those who respect neither ?
No , Sir , in my humble judgment , ifc is tho bonnden duty of every organised body of Freemasons to rigorously exclude from its Lodges tho men who have no religion . It is " the fool" that "hath said in his heart , there is no God "—which was doubtless in Anderson ' s mind when he penned " stupid atheist "—and thero is no room in
Masonpy for fools . Bnt I am writing without due regard for tho space at your disposal . I will , therefore , with your kind permission , reserve any further remarks I may have to make to some future occasion . Fraternally yours , TOLERANCE .
The Asylum For Fatherless Children.
THE ASYLUM FOR FATHERLESS CHILDREN .
To the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Will you kindly allow me to ask any of your readers , who may happen to bo subscribers to tho Asylum for Fatherless Children at Eeedham , Surrey , to give me their votes for Arthur Thomas Twitchett , aged 10 J years . He is the son of the late
Mr . William Twitchett , printer , Sudbury , Suffolk , who died from a painful internal disease about two years ago . The applicant is one of four children ( one of whom is a cripple ) all entirely dependent on their mother , who is a most respectable person , and who carries on a
small business as a dressmaker . The case is ono Avell worthy of support , and as in consequence of the boy ' s ago ifc must be his last application , the old proverb , " bit dat qui cito dat , " is perfectly true in this case . I shall be most happy to supply any further information that may bo required .
Bohevo mo , Yours very faithfully and fraternally , CHARLES J . MARTYN , P . G . C . Eector of Melford , Suffolk , Rural Dean , aud D . P . G . M . for Suffolk . M elford Rectory , Suffolk , 31 st Dec . 1877 .
P . S . —I may mention thafc Mrs . Twitchett is a Congregationalist , and that tho case is warmly supported by the Eev . J . Hollior , Congregational Minister at Sudbury , as well as by tho Eector , Canon Molyneux , and several other well known persons in tho neighbourhood , and that I shall be glad to receive any proxies with which I may bo favoured not later than 12 th January .
The German Lodge Question.
THE GERMAN LODGE QUESTION .
lo the Editor of THE FREEMASON ' CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —The Lodge of Joppa , about twelve months ago , appointed a committee to inquire into this matter , and to take steps to get some alteration . They invited other Lodges to
join them , and some of thoso invited readily accepted . Then the Montefiore Lodge took the matter in hand , and , to my mind , used much greater energy . I havo since made somo inquiries respecting the action of the Joppa Committee , to Avhich I have received tho following reply : —
"Dear Sir and Brother , —In reply to your inquiries , I beg to inform you that the Lodge of Montefiore , anxious to settle this question as speedily as possible , have taken the matter out of my hands entirely , and have paralyzed my actions for the present ; I am sorry to see their good intentions , time , and labour , wasted , but
it would be wrong on my part in any way to obstruct their proceedings . By correspondence which I have with the hi ghest authorities in this country , as also in Germany , I am fnllv convinced the step taken by them is wrong , and will only ¦•>¦ ¦•. ¦ i « « , ; -nplicate the matter .
" Bo assured , Dear Sir and Brother , I steadily go on in my researches , and as soon as the Montofioro petitions are disposed of , I shall bring the result of my inquiries before tho Committee , and act accordingly . " I remain , Dear Sir and Brother ,
" Fraternally yours , ••MACKICE SPIEGEL . " Now , the Montofioro petitions have , by tho last Quarterly
Communicatiun , been disposed of , and I have written several times to Bro . Spiegel , bnt , as yefc , have had no reply . Several brethren «• ' •, with myself , take great interest in the question , are anxiously wailing lor some information . Yours , & c , . , , B-i DAVIDSON , 66 Leadeuhall . street ,