The Pope's Anti-Masonry.

THE POPE'S ANTI-MASONRY .

OF all the subjects touched upon by Loo XIII in tho remarkable encyclical just issued ( and which , if wo aro to credit tlie reports that reach lis . from Rome concerning the health of the venerable Pontiff , is destined to be his last ) there is probably none more calculated to interest the American people than that which

refers to Freemasonry . The Pope once again condemns the Craft " as defying God , " as " assailing Christian Institution ? , " as " ridiculing the sacraments as mere superstitions " and as " aiming at the destruction of the popular respect for tire Divii-. e Power . " These denunciations , which have come irom the Vatican at drlfeient intervals during the last three decades , must hound strange and

incomprehensible to the Freemasons of the United States and England . It would be wrong to attribute the animosity of the Roman Catholic Church , however , toward tho Institution to mere bigotry or to clerical tyranny and reaction . It is based on quite different grounds , which can only be explained by calling attention to the radical difference that exists between American and British

Masonry and that of Fiance , Italy and Austria . Were the Brethren of these three countries like those of America , the Church of Home would probably never Lave felt itself impelled tc anathematise the Craft and to object to Roman Catholics becoming affiliated therewith . Indeed , as long as they adhered to the original doctrines oi thc Order , tie Papacy maintained a passive and even friendly attitude toward the Craft , to which many eminent prelates have

belonged . When , in 16-18 , however , continental Masonry began to devote its resources and its activity to politics inst * ad of to works of charity and benevolence , the attitude of the Church oi Rome underwent a change for the woiso , and since the schism has taken place between the Ledges of Frairce , Italy and Austria and those of America and Great Britain , the Vatican has considered it necessary to condemn Masonry and to fight it with all thc means at its command .

Tho cause of the objection of the Kuuan Catholic Chinch to Masonry—and by that I mean continental Masonry—is tho very same as that of the schism between the latter and the American and British Lodges . It is the identification of French and Italian Masonry with atheism—atheism , too , of the most aggressive and militant character . In all the documents and rites cf the Ciaft in

English-speaking countries figure the mystic letters A . \ N . - . G . \ A . \ U ., which means "In the name of the Great Architect of the Universe , " and a profession of belief in tbe Deity constitutes ] : art and parcel of the Initiation of the Brethren of the Older . In the Lodges of France and Italy , however , the use of these symbolical letters has been abciithed , and reference to Ihe Divinity in any

shape or ioim has been strictly forbidden . Stiaigely enough , this elimination of all religious element frtm the Ficnch and Italian Ledges owes its origin to M . Littre , the compiler of the celebrated French dictionary , who subsequently died a fervent and even bigoted Roman Catholic . To him belongs the chief burden of responsibility for a measure that has become an overwhelming

obstacle to the principal aim of Frccmasoniy , which is the establishment of sentiments of Brotherhood and union not only between individuals , but also between nations . Thc moment this action of thc Grand Driert of France and Italy became known decrees weie nt cree Wind ly tlio Masonic Gram Mas tis ol Gicat

Biitain , the lulled Mates , Spain , 1 trtufcar and Imssia , as veil as Sweden , prohibiting the Brethren oi the rrespective nationalities from attending any Ficnch cr Italian Ledge meetings or even from entering into Masonic intercourse with members of the Gallic or Italian rite .

It should , therefore , be thoroughly borne in mind that the anathemas of the Church are directed , not so much against American , English , or even Spanish and Portuguese Masons , but mainly against these of Italy and Fiance . The activity of the Brotherhood in theso last two countries is neither benevolent or

social , but purely political , and its openly avowed object is the overthrow of the Church ar . d the annihilation of every form of religious belief . Among its publicly declared aims—1 quote from I rench and Italian Masonic writings and speeches—arc " the exclusion of every Catholic or religious element Irom all public administrations , from hospitals , schools ; from the councils that govern the destinies of

the country , frcm academical and other corporate Institutions , from committees and families—and exclusion hem ever ) thing everywhere and forever , " and " the abolition in schools of every kind of religious instruction , because the state , which ought to be absolutely Atheistic , has the inalienable right and duty to foiin the heart and spirit of its citizens , " ancl , again , " to lav religion waste

in its foundations ancl in its very sources cf life—namely , in the school and in the family . " 11 re Italian Lodges , moreover , proclaim their determination to secure "the suppression of all religions corporations , the coruscation of all ecclesiastical property , and the abolition of the Papacy , " which the Grand Orient of Rome declares to be " the implacable and ceatJy enemy of Italy . "

If these were meiely empty threats the Vatican could afford to treat them with contempt . But they are quite the reverse , for of the CC 4 members of the Italian Chamber of Deputies there are no less than SCO who are openly avowed Freemasons , and for the

last ten yeais there has always been a Mascmc majority in the Cabinet . Crispi , Doda , Zancrclelli ar . d Lacava all hold high oilice in the Giand Orient of Italy , and the late Prime Minister , Depretis , as well as ihe popular statesman , Ivicotera , were buried with Masonic instead of religious rites . l

In the French Chamber there arc over 200 Masons , ancl most of the prominent statesmen of the last twenty jears , including Gambetta , Grevy , liiaid , Clemerceou , Dcuvicr , Floquet and Ferry , have belonged to the Fraternity . The Grand Orient of France has taken a leading part in the war organised during the last fifteen

years again * t the Roman Catholics und the clergy . " Le clericalism , voila 1 ' ennemi , " is the d < vice of every Lodge in tbe country . The former Grand Master , M . Colfavru , who was on the Beard of Directors of the Panama Company , besides being a salaried employ 6 in thc railroad derailment of Baron Alphonso Rothschild's cilice

The Pope's Anti-Masonry.

has publicly described Freemasonry as the bitterest and most relentless enemy of the Church . As stated above , it was in the latter part of the forties that tire continental Masons first began to devote their attention to politics . This was due to the severity of the various tnonarciiial governments in dealing with persons professing liberalism and radicalism . The men found that it was

only behind the closed doors of Lodges duly "tiled" that they could make their voices heard and give free expression to their political sentiments without peri ! of imprisonment and even worse . Every radical politician in France , Italy and Austria became affiliated to the Order for political purposes only , and while in the Peninsula Masonvv became svnouvnious with Garibaldianism and

Massinism , in France the mere fact of belonging to the Craft was understood to indicate adhcreance to the advanced doctrines of Louis Blanc and of Ledru Rollin . Duiing the Empire , Napoleon III , who was himself a Freemason of tho Italian rite , endeavoured to counteract the increasing tendency of the French Masons to

radicalism and republicanism by getting , first his cousin , Prince Murat , and then the chief of his military household , bluff old Field Marshal Magnan , appointed as Grand Master . But his efforts were doomed to failure , and it was the Masonic element in French politics that contributed more than anything else to thc overthrow of his throne .

Whereas in thc United States , Great Britain , Germany and Scandinavia Masonic interference with politics is discountenanced and condemned , in France auy attf nipt to check this interference would be treated with derision , as tbo Brethren regard themselves , with some degree of justice , as important factors in the creation of the Republic . After the collapse of the Boulanger bubble a few years ago , those of his adlurents who belonged to the Craft were

subjected to severe disciplinary measures by their Lodges , not because they had taken part in apolitical movement , but because thoy had been on tho losing side . In order to appreciate this , let any American Mason consider how he would feel if called to account and punished by his Lodge for having voted with the Farmers ' Alliance or some other factional movement against tho party in office .

In strong contrast with the hostility displayed by the Roman Catholic Church toward Masonry in Italy and France is the tolerant attitude of its clergy toward the Craft in Portugal and Spain . I remember some years ago attending the funeral at Lisbon of Antonio de Aguiar , who at the time of his death held the place of Grand Master of the Older in Portugal . Don Antonio was

an ex-Minister of Public Works , a Senator , the President of the Royal Geographical Society , and had for some years acted as governor and bear leader of the present King . His body lay in state for two days in thc Church of St . Isabelle at Lisbon , arrayed in his Masonic insignia , and among the wreaths and floral emblems deposited at the bier were many bearing Masonic inscriptions . During the whole time that the body remained in church priests

were kneeling in an attitude of prayer beside the coffin . On the day of the funeral , which was attended by representatives of the King and Queen in state carriages , a large cortege of prelates and priests in full canonicals was present . They drove to the cemetery in court carriages . The full services of the Roman Catholic Church were performed at the grave by the clergy , during the course of which the discourses of farewell to tho dead statesman wero

delivered by Deputy Senor Elias on behalf of the Freemasons of Portugal , and by Senor Villareno on behalf of those of Spain Tho latter , by the way , though the most Catholic country on the face of the earth , has as its Masonic Grand Master Senor Sagasta , tho present Prime Minister .

In Sweden and Norway the Grand Mastershi p is held by King Oscar , who occupied that office long before his ascension to the throne , and his sons are all Masons , as are also the sons and grand :- oris of Queen Victoria , whose heir , the Prince of Wales , is Grand Master of the British Masons . In Denmark it is the Crown

Prince who is at the head of the Grand Orient , while the late Emperor Frederick held the Grand Mastership of Prussia ' s Freemasons frcm the year before his marriage until thc time of his death . The present Emperor , although a Mason , has declined to

accept the Grand Mastership in succession to his father , and it is now held by his brother-in-law , Prince Frederick Leopold . Like all the sovereigns who have reigned over Prussia since the time of Frederick the Great , William figures on the roster of tho Order as protector of the Prussian branch of thc Craft .

It is probably owing to this marked interest in the fortunes of thc Craft manifested by royalty in the north of Europe that has led to the large representation of the aristocracy to be found in the Order , while in France and Italy membership of a Lodge is regarded in the light of an admission that one'belongs to the nouvelles couches of society . In Prussia , Scandinavia and particularly in

Great Britain , the Grand Orients are composed almost exclusively of titled personages or of the intimate associates of royalty . The result is that in London and Berlin admission to a good Lodge is as eagerly sought and as difficult to secure as election to an exclusive and fashionable club . — "Ex-Attache , " in "New York Tribune . "

Tours In Switzerland.

TOURS IN SWITZERLAND .

SINCE the Jura-Simplon Railway opened their Agency in Shaftesbury Avenue , a large influx of tourist and holiday makers have availed themselves of the gratuitous information supplied by thc Company , and are enjoying the bracing air of beautiful Switzerland . A tour will be mapped out to suit everybody ' s time and pocket , aud intending visitors will do well to call at

the Jura-Simplon Office before making up their minds where to go . The panoramic splendours of the Swiss Mountains and scenery are never more gorgeous than in August aud September , and there is no country in thc world where hotel keeping is better done and more moderate prices asked .