English Freemasonry.

ENGLISH FREEMASONRY .

THE correspondence under this heading is thus continued in our contemporary , the " Tablet . " We have directed attention to the second of these letters in our editoral . SIB ,- In answer to " F . C . B . " I must respectfully , but firmly , object to one or two well meant , but , to my mind , unwarranted statements . 1 . About my presumed practical inexperience of English Freemasonry , as a Catholic , whereas he implies that he , when a Protastant , had practical

experience of all that English Freemasonry really is . Now I differ from him here . First , as a Catholic priest I assure him that I know more , theoretically and practically , about its real inner workings than he bargains for , and tbat , whether I derive it from proofs " a priori or a posteriori , " I do nofc now intend to state , but I assure him thafc I do know . I know also that the real secrets are kept sedulously by Masonry in this country from the vast majority of its dupes , who are led to take the oath and join its ranks

much in the way your correspondent states , viz ., by assurances as vague as they are general , that there is no secret incompatible with their civil , moral , or religious duties . It may be , and often is , the case that both the one who persuades another to join as well as the one persuaded are in complete ignorance of anything detrimental to any of man ' s duties to God and his neighbour . It is part of the policy of Masonry not to let its dupes in England know too much , to cover over its true character in their eyes with

an outward show of philanthropy , benevolence , brotherhood , and other such expressions ; which , when used by true " Freemasonry as it is , " mean mendacity , humbug , cant , and even blasphemy , for Masonry , in truth , is not the upholder , but the uprooter , of philanthropy , benevolence , brotherhood , & c . Yet it is superlatively diplomatic , and plays its cards well in this country ; it does -not show its true and best cards to its dupes , but to its more

" enlightened" and " more practically experienced" Brethren on the Continent , with whom it forms one compact body with the same end in view . Your correspondent has , I trust , been reading the admirable exposure of Masonry now appearing weekly in one of our well known Catholic contemporaries . If so he will come to the same conclusion as I do as to all Masonry .

Whatever "F . C . B . " may think about my " practical inexperience" of English Freemasonry , I am proud to know that , for the honour of mosfc English membera of the Craft , there is revealed simply nothing about the real character of the secret society they have sworn fealty to . To any attentive reader of your correspondent ' s last letter it will easily occur , as it immediately did to me , that his real knowledge and practical " experience " of English Masonry is not merely extremely qualified , but is practically nil . He is not the only one . Even the post of the Grand Master does not mean

for him who holds it any greater knowledge of the Society beyond the nonsense contained in the "Masonic Ritual . " There is a dark recess into which he dare not , cannot penetrate . All he knows are fche grips and signs , and the so-called great secrets of the degree he belongs to . High posts in the governing body of this Society do nofc bring-to those who fill them a paramount acquaintance wifch the dark secrets , but generally a lesser knowledge than what is possessed by many English Masons that form the mere rank and file .

Regarding the oath , I am glad to see he does not question the accuracy of my quotation , nor the thorough genuineness of the Masonic Ritual from which I quoted . I gather from his letter that with certain assurances of its harmlessness and the honesty of secrets they swear to keep , many Englishmen are induced , as he once was , to take the oath . Now , without questioning for one moment the innocence of motive in taking the oath under these conditions , I cannot see how men can be so

blind as not to see that ( 1 ) they are taking a most sacred oath of fealty to a Society which legally has no status , no right , human or divine , to exact an oath from them . ( 2 ) If the secrets are all good , pious , and straightforward , why so much secrecy , such solemnity , such calling of the Almighty down to witness , such laying one ' s self open to have murder done upon him if he reveals ? Would I as a priest have any right even in a good cause , and with regard to secrets that are perfectly good in se , have any right to ask "F . C . B . "

to swear an oath to keep them , and if he did nofc , could I make hira lay himself completely at my mercy to kill him , or in any way injure him ? If I have no such power , then who has given this right to English Freemasonry '" Christians are taught that oaths may never be taken , unless our own honour or our neighbour's honour , & c , require it , or without just reason . Will he kindly explain what just reason has Freemasonry to exact

an oath or solemn vow , with horrible threats of murder attached to the formula , if the matter that makes up the secret is after all harmless , " not contrary to man's social , religious , and moral duties ? " If so , then why the secrecy , the swearing of an oath , the hempen rope , the drawn sword , and the passing of the thumb across the throat as pointing out in dumb show what will really be done if ' the person reveals ? Perhaps his " practical experience " may enlighten

' Yours truly , NOBBBBT JONES , C . R . L . Sidmouth . Sis , —The letter signed " F . C . B . " in your paper of 10 th October , is the best I have seen regarding the matter of Freemasonry . If we are to know anything for certain about it , we must ask those who have been members . What a shame to be talking of Baptism of Fire for instance , when here's an

ex-Mason who denies its existence . How disgraceful to speak of a Lueiferian temple in Charleston , South Carolina , when Charleston people who should know , don ' c know anything of it 1 How childish to pay so much attention to this bugaboo of a Diana Vaughan ! How sad to find Catholics in America referring one to Italy for Masonic crimes , and Catholics in Italy asseverating

that these occur in the State of New York—the case of Morgan for example . Ask the Masons who have become Catholics . Ask Englishmen and Americans . Other testimony will never do for us . For my part I have been waiting for nearly twenty years to hear what the Marquis of Ripon , who had reached the 33 ° , and was head of all the Masons in England , has to say of his former associates and Brethren .

In apology for his silence , one said to me : " He ' s a gentleman . " But even gentlemen can disclose secrets when there is a sufficient cause , nay , are bound to reveal them . If Freemasonry be half as bad as it is said to be ' the common good requires that it should be unmasked , all promises and so-called gentlemanly codes of honour to the contrary notwithstanding . EDWARD MC SWEBNY . Mount Sfc . Mary ' s College , Maryland , U . S . A .

The Queen's Long Reign.

THE QUEEN'S LONG REIGN .

SOME Freemasons , whose example will probably be followed by others , have decided to commemorate the long reign of her Majesty the Queen by Masonic services in the various churches . What will probably be the firsfc service of this kind will be held at St . Catherine ' s Church , Hatcham , on Sunday , 22 nd inst . A Committee of local Masons has been formed , and

a dispensation obtained to wear Masonic clothing and jewels ( Arch and Craft ) . The preacher will be Bro . the Rev . J . S . Barrass , M . A ., Rector of St . Michael's Bassishaw , Basinghall Street . The collection will be devoted to the Royal Masonic

Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and their Widows , and fco the placing of a suitable memorial in the church . Ifc is stated that at an early date similar services will be held throughout the country . — " Daily News . "

Centenary At Carlisle.

CENTENARY AT CARLISLE .

ON Friday , 6 th inst ., the Union Lodge , No . 310 , which was formed in July 1796 , celebrated their centenary afc Carlisle . The original Warrant establishing the Lodge was signed by the Earl of Moira acting Grand Master .

On Saturday afternoon Colonel Le Gendre "N . Starkie Provincial Grand Master of East Lancashire laid the foundation stone of new Volunteer barracks for the first battalion of the

East Lancashire regiment , at Darwen , with full Masonic honours . There was a great gathering of Volunteers , followed by a reception .

The Annual banquet of the St . John ' s Lodge of Instruction No , 1343 , took place on Wednesday , at Grays , Essex , with remarkable success . We are obliged to hold over the report until next week .

We are compelled to hold over several items of news this week , among other matters reports of different Lodge of Instruction meetings .

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