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Article ANOTHER ROMISH ATTACK. Page 1 of 1 Article STUDY AMONG MASONS. Page 1 of 2 Article STUDY AMONG MASONS. Page 1 of 2 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Another Romish Attack.
ANOTHER ROMISH ATTACK .
THE current number of the " Civilta Gabfcolica" opens with a violent attack on Freemasonry . The Order is described as " the flesh and bones of Talmudism , " and is said to cherish an insatiable love of money -which is the " auri sacra fames " of Horace , and implacable hatred of Jesus Christ , which is the enmity to the cross of Christ spoken of by St . Paul . The occasion of this
fresh outburst of fanaticism is a speech delivered at Turin last September by Ernesto Nathan , the Grand Master . It was printed for private circulation only , but a copy fell accidentally into the hands of the editors of the " Civilta , " who have not scrupled to publish copious extracts with bitterly hostile comments . The
Grand Master seems to have spoken well . He hit the clergy hard , and they know it . It is not pleasant to be told that under the mantle of the highest ideals they exploit ignorance and superstition with the cuDning of small shopkeepers , that they have wedded religion and the bank , that they have wandered far
from the precepts of the Master who scourged the money changers and merchants out of the temple , and that the spirituality of faith is not sufficient for the propagation of moral truths , the impelling power of which is no longer felt . It is annoying to discover that people are recognising more and more their pernicious influence on
education , that their efforts to imprison the young intelligence m formulae condemned by science and the general conscience can no longer pass unnoticed and unreproved . And it is more disquieting still to find that their control of women is stoutly
challenged . We do not wonder at the irritation of the Eoman reviewer . It may be , however , that he has unwittingly done freedom of thought a service . Some orthodox reader may be led by the passages quoted to put awkward questions to his ecclesiastical directors . — " Christian World . "
Study Among Masons.
STUDY AMONG MASONS .
By Bro . Ermilo G . Canton G . S . Grand Symbolic Diet , Mexico , translated from the " Boletin Masonico , " Mexico , by Bro . Eli Broad IT is a principle beyond all discussion that man generally should not abandon even for an instant the cultivation of his intelligence ; because enriching it with new knowledge , enlightening his reason and endeavouring to penetrate whatever
presents itself as obscure and incomprehensible is how he can elevate himself within the sphere in which his existence gyrates and direct himself with more security in the path of his destiny . If this is on all points necessary for man generally , as we have just stated , it is more so for those who belong to the sublime institution of free men . It is well known that universal
Masonry in its immense collectiveness does not reduce its misson and its labours only and exclusively to dilate the field of fraternity , nor to wipe with the donation of chanty the tears of those who suffer ; its sphere of action embraces more extensive limits , because the moral good is extended infinitely and under forms also infinite it can exercise its action in the whole of humanity .
Masonry , by the principles that form its essence , by the tendencies that it encourages , and by the results it proposes , embraces the whole of nature ; its mission of peace , of love , and of fraternity conduces it to study all the problems that present themselves to man and to the societies , always with the end of
finding the truth , because without the knowledge of that divine light its labours would be . infecund and the spirit of good that animates it would not find the formula to make its influence dominate in a positive and permanent manner . Masonry from this point of view has all the character of a sociological and
moral science of the most important that exist in the world , hence that it exacts from its adepts knowledge and studies that will permit them to render it valuable aid in the realisation of its thought , which soars , without doubts or vacillation , to the possible perfection of the human being upon earth . To do so , the
Mason must know and put into activity all the means that may be susceptible to give such a beautiful result within the greatest advance of the human spirit . He must investigate everything ; science , nature , the laws of life and its transformation , social life in its diverse phases , all the phenomena that are relationed to man considered either as the superior being of the zoological
scale or the spiritual entity bathed in the great light of its Creator ; the Mason , finally , to complete his work , must understand clearly which is the high destiny of man and conduce him to its summit within space and time . The enterprise is certainly vast ; but what could better correspond to the cohesion and harmony of a body of men of good will , who love peace , and abhor war and social anarchy ?
There was an epoch when the Masonic design was limited to the construction of material edifices , that is , to writing on stones the book of civilisation ; but that magnificent field was elevated to another more difficult , greater , and more glorious—to building the moral edifice of human perfection , and such is to-
Study Among Masons.
day its constant task after having confronted all the difficulties and dangers that it met by the way . It is sufficient to note the height of such a purpose to understand at once that Masonry demands capable , intelligent and virtuous craftsmen to reach the end it proposes . Ignorance can badly reconcile with the labour that is confided to each of the workers . And it is logical that it
should happen thus , because the performance of a great mission imposes the necessary condition that the missioner shall be equal to it . We know perfectly well why it is in the order of human things that not all the members of a great body can be distinguished by wisdom and the knowledge of life , of nature , and
of the high end of the societies ; but this circumstance has never been at variance with the study of all that is unknown and it is not an idle recommendation , much less an imprudent one , to manifest the importance and transcendency . which study contains for those who are honoured with the title of Freemasons , of Sons of Light , or workers of supreme goodness .
From the moment that material work is passed to another purely moral , such as it has been verified by the sons of universal fraternity , they have entered fully into the region and domain of philosophy . The Mason , in that new order of his labours , has ascended to a superior scale , and is compelled to know—in the same manner as the mariner—who by a certain course steers a
ship across the immensity of the seas—which is the infinite road humanity should follow to reach that glorious end , illuminating the pathway with the torch of truth , which his arms should hold up high . The Mason , therefore , has been converted into a philosopher , and the same way as in ancient times it resulted that the philosophers were those who opened new courses to
thought and to the activity of the human race ; who possessed the divine secret of conducting societies in the line of progress and science ; who , in one word and in eternal honour of their labours , initiated the series of conquests with which the spirit of humanity is extolled at the present time : the Masonic philosopher is the one charged in the present age to continue that glorious
task . It is on this account that Masonry has a special seal that distinguishes it from all other associations of men ; it is for that reason that without intervening in any religious belief and accepting them all as a tribute to the Supreme Artificer of the worlds , it possesses the holy religion par excellence ; without professing a decided political opinion and remaining apart from
all the struggles and passions connected therewith it is the possesser of the only principle capable of making the felicity of the people : that of fraternity ; it is for that reason , finally , that Masonry embraces . the problem of life ; from the microscopical grain of dust to the worlds in space ; from the infusoria to man ; from physical nature to moral nature . Its sole touches the earth , and its head is enveloped in the clearness of the heavens .
Looking in a reflexive manner on such a field which frightens by its immensity and the duties and sacrifices it imposes upon those who by their free and spontaneous will have desired to exercise in it their energies , reason with its living brightness persuades us that study is the most important factor called into requisition in the arduous labour of Masonry . A certainly grave
evil corrodes among us nearly our courage ; it is that of indifference as regards reading , which is the food with which our intelligence is nurtured . Thus , books , like periodical publications which contain the intellectual sap of those who have consecrated their lives to thought , are born , live with difficulty and die within an asphyxiated atmosphere as thought their light were not an
element necessary to the existence of a rational being . This is the manifestation of a moral phenomenon that acknowledges a notion not only little clear but negative with respect to the immense benefit which study showers on the intelligence of man . We have such profound convictions on this latter point that we feel a great moral pain to see how the book and the periodical ,
those true elements of human redemption , are disdained in such terms that they are looked upon not only as useless , but as injurious objects ; and moral , social or material advancement cannot exist in any country where this happens . What ? Perchance are matters and material necessities—those satisfactions which only reach the organism and the senses—the
only oues that . require the continuous anxiety of man ? This Latin aphorism , which contains a truth that our eyes contemplate each moment , demolishes with one blow only such a belief sustained against the plan of the Sublime Artificer : Mens Agitat Molem— " Not only on bread does man live ; but of all the words of truth . "
Dealing with our Brother Masons , we would like them not to be indifferent and disdainful with the works that surge from the spirit ; because by act each one of them , being as they are combatants of light , are apostles and workers of all the progress of humanity , and sustainers of all the energies that tend to do
good , it is clear that study should be the fount where their spirits should drink fortitude to check at all hours and in all places the impetuous attacks of ignorance and superstition which are wont to manifest themselves with great boldness and pride , like the ear of corn without grain which maintains itself for the same
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Another Romish Attack.
ANOTHER ROMISH ATTACK .
THE current number of the " Civilta Gabfcolica" opens with a violent attack on Freemasonry . The Order is described as " the flesh and bones of Talmudism , " and is said to cherish an insatiable love of money -which is the " auri sacra fames " of Horace , and implacable hatred of Jesus Christ , which is the enmity to the cross of Christ spoken of by St . Paul . The occasion of this
fresh outburst of fanaticism is a speech delivered at Turin last September by Ernesto Nathan , the Grand Master . It was printed for private circulation only , but a copy fell accidentally into the hands of the editors of the " Civilta , " who have not scrupled to publish copious extracts with bitterly hostile comments . The
Grand Master seems to have spoken well . He hit the clergy hard , and they know it . It is not pleasant to be told that under the mantle of the highest ideals they exploit ignorance and superstition with the cuDning of small shopkeepers , that they have wedded religion and the bank , that they have wandered far
from the precepts of the Master who scourged the money changers and merchants out of the temple , and that the spirituality of faith is not sufficient for the propagation of moral truths , the impelling power of which is no longer felt . It is annoying to discover that people are recognising more and more their pernicious influence on
education , that their efforts to imprison the young intelligence m formulae condemned by science and the general conscience can no longer pass unnoticed and unreproved . And it is more disquieting still to find that their control of women is stoutly
challenged . We do not wonder at the irritation of the Eoman reviewer . It may be , however , that he has unwittingly done freedom of thought a service . Some orthodox reader may be led by the passages quoted to put awkward questions to his ecclesiastical directors . — " Christian World . "
Study Among Masons.
STUDY AMONG MASONS .
By Bro . Ermilo G . Canton G . S . Grand Symbolic Diet , Mexico , translated from the " Boletin Masonico , " Mexico , by Bro . Eli Broad IT is a principle beyond all discussion that man generally should not abandon even for an instant the cultivation of his intelligence ; because enriching it with new knowledge , enlightening his reason and endeavouring to penetrate whatever
presents itself as obscure and incomprehensible is how he can elevate himself within the sphere in which his existence gyrates and direct himself with more security in the path of his destiny . If this is on all points necessary for man generally , as we have just stated , it is more so for those who belong to the sublime institution of free men . It is well known that universal
Masonry in its immense collectiveness does not reduce its misson and its labours only and exclusively to dilate the field of fraternity , nor to wipe with the donation of chanty the tears of those who suffer ; its sphere of action embraces more extensive limits , because the moral good is extended infinitely and under forms also infinite it can exercise its action in the whole of humanity .
Masonry , by the principles that form its essence , by the tendencies that it encourages , and by the results it proposes , embraces the whole of nature ; its mission of peace , of love , and of fraternity conduces it to study all the problems that present themselves to man and to the societies , always with the end of
finding the truth , because without the knowledge of that divine light its labours would be . infecund and the spirit of good that animates it would not find the formula to make its influence dominate in a positive and permanent manner . Masonry from this point of view has all the character of a sociological and
moral science of the most important that exist in the world , hence that it exacts from its adepts knowledge and studies that will permit them to render it valuable aid in the realisation of its thought , which soars , without doubts or vacillation , to the possible perfection of the human being upon earth . To do so , the
Mason must know and put into activity all the means that may be susceptible to give such a beautiful result within the greatest advance of the human spirit . He must investigate everything ; science , nature , the laws of life and its transformation , social life in its diverse phases , all the phenomena that are relationed to man considered either as the superior being of the zoological
scale or the spiritual entity bathed in the great light of its Creator ; the Mason , finally , to complete his work , must understand clearly which is the high destiny of man and conduce him to its summit within space and time . The enterprise is certainly vast ; but what could better correspond to the cohesion and harmony of a body of men of good will , who love peace , and abhor war and social anarchy ?
There was an epoch when the Masonic design was limited to the construction of material edifices , that is , to writing on stones the book of civilisation ; but that magnificent field was elevated to another more difficult , greater , and more glorious—to building the moral edifice of human perfection , and such is to-
Study Among Masons.
day its constant task after having confronted all the difficulties and dangers that it met by the way . It is sufficient to note the height of such a purpose to understand at once that Masonry demands capable , intelligent and virtuous craftsmen to reach the end it proposes . Ignorance can badly reconcile with the labour that is confided to each of the workers . And it is logical that it
should happen thus , because the performance of a great mission imposes the necessary condition that the missioner shall be equal to it . We know perfectly well why it is in the order of human things that not all the members of a great body can be distinguished by wisdom and the knowledge of life , of nature , and
of the high end of the societies ; but this circumstance has never been at variance with the study of all that is unknown and it is not an idle recommendation , much less an imprudent one , to manifest the importance and transcendency . which study contains for those who are honoured with the title of Freemasons , of Sons of Light , or workers of supreme goodness .
From the moment that material work is passed to another purely moral , such as it has been verified by the sons of universal fraternity , they have entered fully into the region and domain of philosophy . The Mason , in that new order of his labours , has ascended to a superior scale , and is compelled to know—in the same manner as the mariner—who by a certain course steers a
ship across the immensity of the seas—which is the infinite road humanity should follow to reach that glorious end , illuminating the pathway with the torch of truth , which his arms should hold up high . The Mason , therefore , has been converted into a philosopher , and the same way as in ancient times it resulted that the philosophers were those who opened new courses to
thought and to the activity of the human race ; who possessed the divine secret of conducting societies in the line of progress and science ; who , in one word and in eternal honour of their labours , initiated the series of conquests with which the spirit of humanity is extolled at the present time : the Masonic philosopher is the one charged in the present age to continue that glorious
task . It is on this account that Masonry has a special seal that distinguishes it from all other associations of men ; it is for that reason that without intervening in any religious belief and accepting them all as a tribute to the Supreme Artificer of the worlds , it possesses the holy religion par excellence ; without professing a decided political opinion and remaining apart from
all the struggles and passions connected therewith it is the possesser of the only principle capable of making the felicity of the people : that of fraternity ; it is for that reason , finally , that Masonry embraces . the problem of life ; from the microscopical grain of dust to the worlds in space ; from the infusoria to man ; from physical nature to moral nature . Its sole touches the earth , and its head is enveloped in the clearness of the heavens .
Looking in a reflexive manner on such a field which frightens by its immensity and the duties and sacrifices it imposes upon those who by their free and spontaneous will have desired to exercise in it their energies , reason with its living brightness persuades us that study is the most important factor called into requisition in the arduous labour of Masonry . A certainly grave
evil corrodes among us nearly our courage ; it is that of indifference as regards reading , which is the food with which our intelligence is nurtured . Thus , books , like periodical publications which contain the intellectual sap of those who have consecrated their lives to thought , are born , live with difficulty and die within an asphyxiated atmosphere as thought their light were not an
element necessary to the existence of a rational being . This is the manifestation of a moral phenomenon that acknowledges a notion not only little clear but negative with respect to the immense benefit which study showers on the intelligence of man . We have such profound convictions on this latter point that we feel a great moral pain to see how the book and the periodical ,
those true elements of human redemption , are disdained in such terms that they are looked upon not only as useless , but as injurious objects ; and moral , social or material advancement cannot exist in any country where this happens . What ? Perchance are matters and material necessities—those satisfactions which only reach the organism and the senses—the
only oues that . require the continuous anxiety of man ? This Latin aphorism , which contains a truth that our eyes contemplate each moment , demolishes with one blow only such a belief sustained against the plan of the Sublime Artificer : Mens Agitat Molem— " Not only on bread does man live ; but of all the words of truth . "
Dealing with our Brother Masons , we would like them not to be indifferent and disdainful with the works that surge from the spirit ; because by act each one of them , being as they are combatants of light , are apostles and workers of all the progress of humanity , and sustainers of all the energies that tend to do
good , it is clear that study should be the fount where their spirits should drink fortitude to check at all hours and in all places the impetuous attacks of ignorance and superstition which are wont to manifest themselves with great boldness and pride , like the ear of corn without grain which maintains itself for the same