Freemasonry Versus Christianity.

as given in the Rituals generally in use , is almost from the beginning to the end a series of statements having little or no foundation in fact ; and in several of its details it is diametrically opposed to the descriptions in the Bible of the

things alluded to . " Thus it is as Christ said of the Jews , " Ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition " ( Matt . 15 , 6 ) . In the form of Obligation in the Third Degree a clause is inserted with respect to

CHASTITY . * * * * . * * * * * . * * So far so good , but we may well ask is it only to these relatives of a M . M . that this chastity is to be strictly respected ? and what of those who are outside these relationships of Freemasonry altogether !

We need scarcely point out ( the fact being so well known ) that Christianity is not satisfied with including less than the whole female sex under its sheltering arm ( see Acts 15 , 20 ; Eph . 5 , 3 ; 1 Tim . 5 , 1 and 2 ) .

While writing , the above we make no sweeping charge against the morality of Freemasons , believing , as we do , that , many of them are Christians ; at the same time we affirm that , judged from its own standpoint , it is weighed in the balance and found wanting .

We must now proceed to consider the attitude of Free masonry with reference to the consumption of

INTOXICATING DRINKS . It is acknowledged that men " of the older generation could not but be aware of occasional deviations from the strict observance of temperance "—nay , the writer goes much further and says : "At the time mentioned , there is no doubt

that , in some of our Lodges , certain Brethren did , by late hours and by excess at the monthly meetings , bring the Craft into considerable disrepute ; and occasioned on the part of many wives and mothers a strong prejudice against

Freemasonry , and in very many cases a serious objection to their husbands or their sons becoming Freemasons . " The writer then goes on to say , " Happily ,. the prejudice and the cause of if are how things of the past . "

We note , however , in the chapter upon '' The Festive Board , " that at a recent approved anniversary banquet , no less than fifteen toasts are given , all of which are expected to be duly honoured .

As a final answer to all objectors , the writer finds consolation in the fact that " we have even total abstinence Lodges on the Register of Grand Lodge . " We are afraid , however , that these are few and far between .

And we do say emphatically that the Temperance . Party has its strongest foe in the customs sanctioned and supported by Freemasonry , and we are persuaded that the moral tone of Freemasonry will never rise above its social surroundings ;

and the only hope of the Temperance Party for the freedom of this country from the curse of strong drink must be in the consciences and sympathies of Christians as such ( see Eph . 5 , 18 ; 1 Peter 4 , 3 ; Rom . 14 , 21 ) .

Before closing this chapter , there is one other subject we wish to refer to , namely , the habit of

SMOKING . We g ive the following quotation , not only to show that smoking is freely indulged in , but also to show that Freemasonry takes its " cue" from no higher source than the social customs of the world for the time being .

" immediately after the toast of . . . . . permission is given to the Brethren' to smoke ; then , and not till then , cigars and other means and appliances for the enjoyment of the nicotian weed are brought into requisition . " " No apology can be needed for the mention of tobacco

in connection with the symposia of our Order , the habit is so generally , indeed universally , practised at our meetings . Still less need we hesitate to allude to the subject in these days , when , from the lordly club or social gathering in which

princes occasionally disport themselves , down through all grades—to the working men's political or social clubsmoking concerts are , as our American cousins would aptly say , in ' full blast' "

It may be a matter of opinion as to whether weeds grew in the "Garden of Eden , " but we will venture to assert that , if so , they were not smoked , and that nowhere , from Genesis to Revelation , is there any sanction given to the uses here referred to of the narcotic weed .

Medical science also shows unerringly that many baneful influences follow its habitual use , and the general rule is that a small indulgence of this kind soon becomes a habit .

Freemasonry Versus Christianity.

VI . —THE EXCLUSIVE MATERIAL BENEFITS OFFERED BY FREEMASONRY CONTRASTED WITH THE COMMON MATERIAL BENEFITS OFFERED BY CHRISTIANITY . One of the great attractions of Freemasonry is , no doubt , that it offers material advantages to those joining its

Fraternity ; it certainly makes a strong claim upon professional men , for , since he cannot , by the rules of his society or by custom , advertise his business , he must adopt some means to make himself known ; moreover , it is essential that he should receive the confidence of his clients , and that confidence Freemasonry professes to bestow .

It may be said that there is no direct obligation laid upon : a Freemason to trade with , or employ , those of the Craft , although , for all practical purposes , this preference is largely given , as is well known , and that it is sometimes made an obligation is evident from the following quotation :

" No such clause is inserted in either of the two former O . .. s . It should never be used , any more than the form of words which the writer has often heard , pledging the candidate to prefer a M . M . in all his dealings ; but these words , so suggestive of the small shopkeeper , are now seldom used . "

Moreover , we cannot overlook the fact that when a person is received as a Freemason he takes a certain position in Society which he would not otherwise have ; thus , in most municipal functions , a Freemason is invited to take a , part therein from no other reason than because he is a

Freemason ; and we are also aware that nominations for most public offices are largely brought about in Masonic circles of influence . We do not wish to complain of a person receiving the benefit of his associations—we simply point out that it is a wordly advantage received from Freemasonry apart from Christianity .

It may be said , in reply , if Christians are not satisfied , have they not the remedy in their own hands ? What ! by becoming Freemasons ? We answer Never ! for that would be to give up some of our most cherished convictions of the principles of Christianity . But does Christianity seek to

dominate the controlling influences of this world , and was it ever intended to . do so ? We reply that if the kingdoms of this world are to become " the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ " —and they surely shall ! ( Rev . xi , 15)—that then the kingdoms must be governed by Christians as such , and

not by the influence of Freemasonry ; therefore , also , we say that some organisation must arise , probably to be perfected ( as all great reforms have been ) by gradual means ; it may be by such organisations as "the Church Council , "

and more especially by "the Free Church Council , " when this force shall have gained sufficient power to be able to nominate and present for election approved men for all important and representative offices in the municipality and State .

That the sympathies of Jesus Christ were always upon the broadest possible basis is fully proved from such passages as Matt , xiv , 14-21 , Luke x , 25-37 > ' indeed , the whole teaching of the Gospels is opposed to secrecy , class legislation , exclusive rights and privileges .

It may be said that Freemasonry seeks the good of all men , and that in the charge given in the Ceremony of Exaltation the following words are used : — " Let me impress on your minds , and let it be instilled into your hearts , that every human being has an undoubted claim to your kind

offices ; we therefore strictly enjoin you to do good to all , while we more particularly recommend to your care the household of the faithful . " We reply that it is rather late to teach this lesson when a Freemason is supposed to have made all his arrangements to put off this mortal coil ; and

that even in the ceremony of Installation in the Third Degree a very different spirit is taught , where the candidate is made to promise "to respect genuine and true Brethren , and discountenance impostors and all dissenters from the original plan of Freemasonry . "

VII . —THE' CLIMAX OF FREEMASONRY CONTRASTED WITH THE CLIMAX OF CHRISTIANITY . The Final Degree in Freemasonry is that known as " The ceremony of Exaltation in the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch . "

A great deal of traditionary lore is given as to the finding of the true secrets of Freemasonry . It is not necessary to enter into details of the whole

" Ceremony of Exaltation" ; suffice it to say that in our humble opinion it is the most strange admixture of " traditionary lore" and " Bible history" that was ever put together by the brain of man .