Abjuration Of A Grand Master.

ABJURATION OF A GRAND MASTER .

AFTER six months of preparation , Signor Zola , a very eminent member of the Masonic body , and a Grand Master of the Egyptian Lodges , according to the so-called Scottish Rite , abjured the sect in which he had held a leading position for thirty years , and wifch hearty contrition returned to the faith of his childhood and was received by Mgr . Sallua at the Holy Office on Saturday , 18 th April . Grand Master , Grand

Hierophanfc , and Sovereign Grand Commander of Egyptian Masonry , were some of the tifcles which proclaimed M . Zola ( perhaps a relation of the novelist ) a shining light in the Order . He is the second Grand Master who has abandoned the sect , Lord Ripon having been the first . His conversion

is an important one , in consequence of the high position he held in the Order ; and in hopes that it may influence other members of the Freemason body , who , in England especially , have not the remotest ideas of its evil tendencies , we here give the text of his solemn abjuration :

" I , the undersigned , Solutore Avventore Zola , ex-Grand Master and ex-So \ ereign Commandant of the Masonic Order in Egypt and its dependencies , declare that I have been in that sect for thirty years ; and that for the last twelve I directed the Order as an absolute sovereign , so that I had ample time and opportunity to study its origin and tenets and also the end ifc proposes in its laws and doctrines .

" Freemasonry proclaims itself a purely philanthropic , philosophic , and progressive institution , having for its sole objects a search after truth , the study of universal science and art , and the exercise of charity and beneficence . It professes the utmost respect for the religious faith of each of its members ; and affirms that it formally interdicts , in its assemblies or

meetings , any discussion of religious or political matters , or any controversies on such subjects . It declares that it is neither a religious nor a political institution ; but is a temple of justice , humanity , charity , & c . Well , I here solemnly affirm that all these Masonic declarations are absolutely false . The pretended religious liberty in its laws and ritual does not exist . It is not

only a lie , bufc a shameless one . This pretended justice , love of humanity , philanthropy , and charity , have no place whatever in fche real Masonic Temples , nor in the hearts of the leading Freemasons ; for they , with very rare exception , neither know nor practise any such virtues . Truth does nofc

exist in _ reemasonry , or in any of those who fill the highest grades in the Order . In fche sect itself , lying , deceit , and perfidy are fche sovereign rulers ; and those pretended virtues are simply put forward as the mask to blind men of honour and good faith , and to induce them to join a body of persons whose principles they would abhor if they knew what they really were .

" In truth , I hereby declare that Freemasonry is an institution the scope of which is to undermine and destroy every form of religion , and especially tho Catholic faith ; and to try and substitute a diabolical worship and the restoration of humanity to primitive Paganism . " Now that I am thoroughly convinced of this fact , and that I have for

thirty years professed and preached Masonic doctrines , and induced other persons to follow me in this fatal error , I can only express my hearty sorrow and repentance . God having vouchsafed to enlighten me on the subject , I

fully recognise the harm I have done ; and have hastened to send in my resignation of all Masonic rights and dignities ( to the Supreme Council of fche 33 ° ) : and abjure , with the Church , all the sins I have , as a Mason , committed .

I beg pardon of Our Lord for all the scandal given by me during the time I belonged to the sect . I further beg pardon of our Holy Father , Pope Leo XIII ., and of all those to whom I may have been a scandal . ( Signed ) S . A . ZOLA . Rome , 18 th April 1896 . ?— " Tablet . "

The regular meeting of the Upton Lodge , No . 1227 , is to be held on Thursday next , at the Great Eastern Hotel , at 4 o ' clock , when a large amount of work will require the attention of Bro .

E . M . Jeffery W . M ., the three degrees being set down , with no less than eight candidates on the agenda , two for raising , two for passing , and four for initiation .

The installation meeting of the Samson Lodge , No . 1668 , will be held on Tuesday , at the Eegent Masonic Hall , Cafe Eoyal , Eegent Street , when Bro . N . Nersessian will be installed

as Master for the year . The other business on the agenda includes the raising of four Brethren . The Lodge is called for four o ' clock , raisings at 4-15 , installation at 5-30 , and banquet at 7 . We hope to give a report of the proceedings next week .

Freemasonry is something more than a meeting round the social board , said a visitor at a recent meeting . Having knocked about fche world for twenty years and been a Mason for the last six , he could hear testimony to the great advantage it was to a

man as soon as he began to travel . In South Africa his experience was tbat Masonry was a sure passport to immediate help whenever it was wanted , every Mason being ready to do what he could for a Brother , even though he had never met him before . —Ex .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

To the FREEMASON ' S CHBOMICXE . DEAB SIB AND BBOTHEE , —Can you , or any of your readers , give me the exact height of the two great pillars ; for Lewis ' s ritual quotes 17 cubits and a half . In the Scriptures they are quoted : 1 Kings vii , 15 , as 18 cubits ; then

II Chronicles iii , 15 , they are quoted as 35 cubits ; then Jeremiah , Iii . 21 , 22 , 23 there is another quotation of 18 cubits . As I am studying the Lecture of the second tressel or tracing board , a definite statement , especially Masonio , would be of great use to me , and also any explanation of the reason why Lewis ' s ritual should quote 17 ^ .

Is there any rule or regulation for an Officer of a Lodge , when visiting another Lodge , to wear or not to wear his collar of office . In some Lodges in this neighbourhood it is done , in others not . There is a good deal to be said on both sides of the question ; which is right ? Yours , & c , AN OFFICES .

Manchester , 2 nd May 1896 . [ Rule 308 decides the question as to fche collars , and is to the following effect : —" The collars of fche Officers of private Lodges are to be worn only in their own Lodges or when representing their Lodges as Masters , Pasfc Masters or Wardens in the Grand Lodge , or in their Provincial or District Grand Lodges . "—Ed . F . C ]

The Temperance party in Cardiff having opened fcheir new club are now seeking new worlds to conquer , says the " South Wales Daily News . " A correspondent in the" Craftsman "—the attractive monthly of the Masonic fraternity—writes to suggest fche formation of a Temperance Lodge of Freemasons in Cardiff .

This would bring up the number of Cardiff Lodges to seven . " I know , " adds the writer , " there are many -Temperance Brethren in and around this progressive town who have from time to time expressed an opinion that there ought to be one . " The idea is a good one , and were such a Lodge formed the ranks of the Brethren would doubtless be considerably reinforced .

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