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Article THE FREEMAN'S JOURNAL AND BISHOP DUPANLOUP'S PAMPHLET. ← Page 2 of 2 Article BOYS' AND GIRLS' SCHOOLS. Page 1 of 1 Article BOYS' AND GIRLS' SCHOOLS. Page 1 of 1
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The Freeman's Journal And Bishop Dupanloup's Pamphlet.
that the society of Masons is always engaged in an unholy war against religion and order . We have frequently pointed out that Freemasonry , while enjoining on its children the most perfect respect for all religions , forbids the discussion of religious questions . It does not say , the
moment you enter the precincts of a Masonic Lodge , you cast aside all religious belief and become an atheist . It lays it clown absolutely there shall be no religions disputations . The reason is obvious . In Masonry , which respects all creeds equally , as in society , the friendly
intercourse of men professing different faiths would be impossible if such discussions were not prohibited . Similarly with subjects political — these are strictly forbidden , and on the same ground . What sort of harmony would
prevail at a meeting composed of monarchists , republicans , imperialists , if it were permitted to discuss the merits of the several forms of government which each professed to admire most . There have been Masons who were also
political agitators , but these kept their politics outside the portals of the Lodge . What they did had no Masonic sanction . It may be that in some foreign countries the Bible has been banished from some Masonic Lodges , the reason for such banishment being that the members of
such Lodges are what are known as free-thinkers . This , however , we regard as a deliberate violation of the first principles of Masonry , and as we should not consider the merits of Christianity properly exemplified in a perjured Christian , so we ask others not to judge of Masonry by
what some Lodges or Brethren may do in open violation of its principles . But the completest evidence , to our mind , of the utter worthlessness of the Bishop ' s denunciation of the Craft , is his promulgation of the theory that there are virtually two systems of Masonry , into the least
important of which only is it that princely and noble brethren are admitted ; the other system , which contains whatever is dangerous to religion and order , being strictly concealed from them . No one who was truly acquainted with our secrets would knowingly advance so monstrous
a proposition . I rue , there are different phases of the Masonic system , but the scope is the same in each . There are Craft and Arch Masonry , Mark Masonry , Templarism , the Ancient and Accepted Rite , the Rites of Misraiin and Memphis , & c . & c . But there is no obstacle to a worthy Brother being elected and initiated into all these various
systems if he have time and leisure to pursue his Masonic or quasi-Masonic studies . It is not a brother ' s rank which keeps him outside the pale of certain systems . It is simply a matter of inclination . If Bishop Dupanloup wishes to know what true Masonry is , let him be initiated . We
dare swear he will find that the worst that can be urged •••n against it is not one ten-millionth part of the tithe of what has been urged against Jesuitism . We shall not then , perhaps , find the Freeman ' s Journal justifying " the continual and uncompromising warfare prosecuted by the
Catholic Church against a secret brotherhood which is shown to be a veritable mystery of iniquity , and the hidden ulcer of modern society . " We are not quite sure we thoroughly understand this description of the brotherhood . Wo imagine it means something disagreeable , and are content to leave it without further inquiry .
Boys' And Girls' Schools.
BOYS' AND GIRLS' SCHOOLS .
WITHIN the last few days there have been held the elections , to fill sundry vacancies in these institutions , and the results will be found elsewhere in our columns . As regards the Girls' School , which we naturally place first in the order of precedence , it is to be noted that
six were elected to a corresponding number of vacancies , there being thirty candidates , Avhile for the Boys' School there were fifty-eight candidates , of whom the ten highest , as regards voles , were chosen . It is further noteworth y
that in the case of the former institution all , and in the case of the latter , eight out of the ten successful candidates were provincials . Whence come the elect is a matter of comparative indifference , bub it is a grand testimony to
the will ns well as to the perfect organisation of the committees which work for the provincial candidates , that in the one case all , and in the other , four-fifths of the chosen few should have been successful . The metropolis is the head-quarters of Masonry , and there naturally we expect
Boys' And Girls' Schools.
to find the greatest amount of energy in connection with everything that is Masonic . But our provincial brethren apparently beat us hollow in the matter of zeal and organisation on behalf of those whose cause they advocate . Verbum pap . We trust this excellent example will have a due
effect on the London brethren , and that when a London candidate is started for either of our institutions they will do their devoirs Masonically as well as manfully . It is
immaterial , of course , as we have said before , whence come the successful ones , but any case that is worthy of being entertained is worthy of the most active and zealous support .
But to pass to other matters . As announced in our advertisement columns of the 2 nd instant , at a Quarterly General Court of the Girls' School , held last Saturday , three propositions , all having the same object in view , were submitted for the consideration of the governing
body . The first of them emanated from Bro . Nunn , and had for object the appropriation , out of the funds of the Institution , of a sum of twenty-five thousand pounds to the purchase of land , and the erection of suitable premises , large enough to accommodate 200 children , instead of
the loO now accommodated . This , though an admirable proposition of its kind , was not adopted . The second proposal was Bro . Rucker ' s , to the effect that the idea of extending the benefits of the Institution , so as to receive an addition of from thirty to fifty pupils , should be referred
to a Select Committee , and that , if necessary , a special general court should be assembled for the purpose of entertaining any proposal the Select Committee might think fit to recommend . Bro . Stewart was the author of the third proposal , that the Infirmary should be utilised for
any further increase , room for the invalid girls being obtained in some convenient house . The court appears to have acted with great wisdom in adopting the second of these three ideas , to wit , that the question should be referred to a Select Committee . The idea that naturally
suggests itself at the outset is that reference to a Select Committee means shelving the question sine die . Not so , however , in the case before us . Each of the three proposals had for object the enlargement of the School .
The only question to be determined was , how best could such enlargement be managed . We cordially endorse the view adopted by the court , not because it was adopted , but because we believe it essential before all things that a
matter of this kind should be thoroughly ventilated . We think it unwise that all the invested funds should be utilised for any purpose , be it never so imperative . It is impossible to fix the expenditure at the outset of this or any other similar project . There may be other plans
better or worse than that of Bro . Nunn ' s , but daily experience teaches us that to fix an absolute hard and fast line in the matter of expenditure is well nigh impossible . Bro . Stewart ' s proposal could only have served the exigencies
of the moment . Thus , as far as our poor opinion goes , there was no alternative but to adopt the suggestion of Bro . Rucker—that a Committee of Inquiry should be constituted to determine as to the most desirable plan to be adopted for the extension of the Institution .
As regards the Boys' School a somewhat similar proposition was made—to the effect , namely , that the benefits of the Institution should be extended . As to the desirability of this proposal there can be no second opinion . The Craft plumes itself—and with great reason—on the aid
it renders to distressed brethren , and the children of deceased or indigent brethren , and the more that can be done in this direction the more it redounds to our credit . The subscription lists of the current year have been beyond
all precedent . The numerical strength of the Craft is daily increasing , and we do not doubt the subscriptions to our Charities will keep pace with our increase in numbers . Yet it behoves us to be discreet in our forward movements .
We must be just to the Craft before we are generous in the fulfilment of our Masonic impulses . We must see our way first to securing a regular and stable progress before we think of embarking in a heavy expenditure . Hence it is that , while we feel that a great extension of the benefits
of our Masonic Charities is quite possible , and assuredly desirable , Ave are equally certain that every progressive movement should he cautiously directed . Apathy is a vice that is not unknown , and it may not always be in our power to record such magnificent contributions to our various Masonic Charities as we have recorded this year .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Freeman's Journal And Bishop Dupanloup's Pamphlet.
that the society of Masons is always engaged in an unholy war against religion and order . We have frequently pointed out that Freemasonry , while enjoining on its children the most perfect respect for all religions , forbids the discussion of religious questions . It does not say , the
moment you enter the precincts of a Masonic Lodge , you cast aside all religious belief and become an atheist . It lays it clown absolutely there shall be no religions disputations . The reason is obvious . In Masonry , which respects all creeds equally , as in society , the friendly
intercourse of men professing different faiths would be impossible if such discussions were not prohibited . Similarly with subjects political — these are strictly forbidden , and on the same ground . What sort of harmony would
prevail at a meeting composed of monarchists , republicans , imperialists , if it were permitted to discuss the merits of the several forms of government which each professed to admire most . There have been Masons who were also
political agitators , but these kept their politics outside the portals of the Lodge . What they did had no Masonic sanction . It may be that in some foreign countries the Bible has been banished from some Masonic Lodges , the reason for such banishment being that the members of
such Lodges are what are known as free-thinkers . This , however , we regard as a deliberate violation of the first principles of Masonry , and as we should not consider the merits of Christianity properly exemplified in a perjured Christian , so we ask others not to judge of Masonry by
what some Lodges or Brethren may do in open violation of its principles . But the completest evidence , to our mind , of the utter worthlessness of the Bishop ' s denunciation of the Craft , is his promulgation of the theory that there are virtually two systems of Masonry , into the least
important of which only is it that princely and noble brethren are admitted ; the other system , which contains whatever is dangerous to religion and order , being strictly concealed from them . No one who was truly acquainted with our secrets would knowingly advance so monstrous
a proposition . I rue , there are different phases of the Masonic system , but the scope is the same in each . There are Craft and Arch Masonry , Mark Masonry , Templarism , the Ancient and Accepted Rite , the Rites of Misraiin and Memphis , & c . & c . But there is no obstacle to a worthy Brother being elected and initiated into all these various
systems if he have time and leisure to pursue his Masonic or quasi-Masonic studies . It is not a brother ' s rank which keeps him outside the pale of certain systems . It is simply a matter of inclination . If Bishop Dupanloup wishes to know what true Masonry is , let him be initiated . We
dare swear he will find that the worst that can be urged •••n against it is not one ten-millionth part of the tithe of what has been urged against Jesuitism . We shall not then , perhaps , find the Freeman ' s Journal justifying " the continual and uncompromising warfare prosecuted by the
Catholic Church against a secret brotherhood which is shown to be a veritable mystery of iniquity , and the hidden ulcer of modern society . " We are not quite sure we thoroughly understand this description of the brotherhood . Wo imagine it means something disagreeable , and are content to leave it without further inquiry .
Boys' And Girls' Schools.
BOYS' AND GIRLS' SCHOOLS .
WITHIN the last few days there have been held the elections , to fill sundry vacancies in these institutions , and the results will be found elsewhere in our columns . As regards the Girls' School , which we naturally place first in the order of precedence , it is to be noted that
six were elected to a corresponding number of vacancies , there being thirty candidates , Avhile for the Boys' School there were fifty-eight candidates , of whom the ten highest , as regards voles , were chosen . It is further noteworth y
that in the case of the former institution all , and in the case of the latter , eight out of the ten successful candidates were provincials . Whence come the elect is a matter of comparative indifference , bub it is a grand testimony to
the will ns well as to the perfect organisation of the committees which work for the provincial candidates , that in the one case all , and in the other , four-fifths of the chosen few should have been successful . The metropolis is the head-quarters of Masonry , and there naturally we expect
Boys' And Girls' Schools.
to find the greatest amount of energy in connection with everything that is Masonic . But our provincial brethren apparently beat us hollow in the matter of zeal and organisation on behalf of those whose cause they advocate . Verbum pap . We trust this excellent example will have a due
effect on the London brethren , and that when a London candidate is started for either of our institutions they will do their devoirs Masonically as well as manfully . It is
immaterial , of course , as we have said before , whence come the successful ones , but any case that is worthy of being entertained is worthy of the most active and zealous support .
But to pass to other matters . As announced in our advertisement columns of the 2 nd instant , at a Quarterly General Court of the Girls' School , held last Saturday , three propositions , all having the same object in view , were submitted for the consideration of the governing
body . The first of them emanated from Bro . Nunn , and had for object the appropriation , out of the funds of the Institution , of a sum of twenty-five thousand pounds to the purchase of land , and the erection of suitable premises , large enough to accommodate 200 children , instead of
the loO now accommodated . This , though an admirable proposition of its kind , was not adopted . The second proposal was Bro . Rucker ' s , to the effect that the idea of extending the benefits of the Institution , so as to receive an addition of from thirty to fifty pupils , should be referred
to a Select Committee , and that , if necessary , a special general court should be assembled for the purpose of entertaining any proposal the Select Committee might think fit to recommend . Bro . Stewart was the author of the third proposal , that the Infirmary should be utilised for
any further increase , room for the invalid girls being obtained in some convenient house . The court appears to have acted with great wisdom in adopting the second of these three ideas , to wit , that the question should be referred to a Select Committee . The idea that naturally
suggests itself at the outset is that reference to a Select Committee means shelving the question sine die . Not so , however , in the case before us . Each of the three proposals had for object the enlargement of the School .
The only question to be determined was , how best could such enlargement be managed . We cordially endorse the view adopted by the court , not because it was adopted , but because we believe it essential before all things that a
matter of this kind should be thoroughly ventilated . We think it unwise that all the invested funds should be utilised for any purpose , be it never so imperative . It is impossible to fix the expenditure at the outset of this or any other similar project . There may be other plans
better or worse than that of Bro . Nunn ' s , but daily experience teaches us that to fix an absolute hard and fast line in the matter of expenditure is well nigh impossible . Bro . Stewart ' s proposal could only have served the exigencies
of the moment . Thus , as far as our poor opinion goes , there was no alternative but to adopt the suggestion of Bro . Rucker—that a Committee of Inquiry should be constituted to determine as to the most desirable plan to be adopted for the extension of the Institution .
As regards the Boys' School a somewhat similar proposition was made—to the effect , namely , that the benefits of the Institution should be extended . As to the desirability of this proposal there can be no second opinion . The Craft plumes itself—and with great reason—on the aid
it renders to distressed brethren , and the children of deceased or indigent brethren , and the more that can be done in this direction the more it redounds to our credit . The subscription lists of the current year have been beyond
all precedent . The numerical strength of the Craft is daily increasing , and we do not doubt the subscriptions to our Charities will keep pace with our increase in numbers . Yet it behoves us to be discreet in our forward movements .
We must be just to the Craft before we are generous in the fulfilment of our Masonic impulses . We must see our way first to securing a regular and stable progress before we think of embarking in a heavy expenditure . Hence it is that , while we feel that a great extension of the benefits
of our Masonic Charities is quite possible , and assuredly desirable , Ave are equally certain that every progressive movement should he cautiously directed . Apathy is a vice that is not unknown , and it may not always be in our power to record such magnificent contributions to our various Masonic Charities as we have recorded this year .