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Article THE LATEST DENUNCIATION OF FREEMASONRY. ← Page 2 of 3 Article THE LATEST DENUNCIATION OF FREEMASONRY. Page 2 of 3 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Latest Denunciation Of Freemasonry.
the disabilities of the Jews been removed : Bnt ib does nofc need much study of Masonic history to become awaro of tho fact thafc what tho British Legislature has dono thus tardily , -was dono from the very first by Freemasonry , as ifc has been constituted since 1717 . Tho essentially Christian
character of our old legends was modified in such a manner that Masonry became a platform on which men Avithout distinction of religious faith might meet together , and grasp the hand of good fellowship . If tho Association meant to imply that tho adoption of this liberal platform
has degraded Christianity , it follows inferentially thafc tho only way of remedying the mistake and putting an end to its sad consequences , will bo to return once again to tho old sectarian order of things , and resume tho policy of bigotry and narrow-mindedness , which , in these days , is
considered so dangerous to both the national and international well-being' of communities . Wo do not think there are many people who will agree with this Convention as to the desirability of committing so grave an error . Wo aro sure the policy of retrogression w , ill find no advocates in
this country or in the United States , for both havo derived far too many solid advantages from a policy of progress . As to our oaths and obligations , they aro no more subversive of true religion than oaths of allegiance , or oaths
taken in a court of justice ; and there is this to be said in their favour , that they are always taken voluntarily . No one is even asked , much less forced , to become a Freemason , and hence those who take ou themselves our obligations do so of their own motion .
In the next resolution it is laid down that " Freemasonry is the Lodgo citadel" and if it falls , tho minor secret societies must fall likewise . This may or may not be intended as a compliment to our Society , bnt the proposition as stated involves most decidedly what is known as a
non seqiiitur . Freemasonry stands alone in this respect , that it is not , and never was intended to be , anything like a benefit society , whereas wo believe we aro justified in saying thafc other secret or so-called secret bodies either possess that character or are intended for social enjoyment .
We do nofc doubb there are many who seek admission into our ranks because they think it will be in somo way or other to their advantage , as there are many who profess this or that form of religion without ever troubling themselves to act up to its tenets . This , however , is one of the
misfortunes to which Freemasonry in common with all other hnman institutions is liable . These cases , moreover , are the exceptions which prove the rule in force among us ,
namely , that men who seek to join us do so without ulterior motive , and with no desire to benefit by so doing . We venture to say the benefits of initiation would be withheld from any who were biassed in their wish to come among
us . The third proposition is to the effect that a professed Christian who is a member of one of our Lodges , " thereby practically denies Christ . " We have no desire to enter into anything like argument over a statement snch as
this . We are content with asking this simple question . Does any one really believe that the present Bishops of Meath and Peterborough , a former Archbishop of Canterbury and a former Bishop of Salisbury , to say nothing of the other very Rev . and Rev . gentlemen , who are or have been
Freemasons , are on that account less of Christians than these Rev . members of this " National Christian Association ?" Wo are not disposed to speak harshly of peoplo who , albeit somewhat bigoted , are doubtless privately very good fellows , but were Ave so disposed , we might point out that this
ridiculous proposition carries on the face of ifc its own refution . Ifc Avould be no moro unreasonable to suggest that a Christian baker or licensed victualler Avho sold his goods to the hungry or thirsty Jew " thereby practically denied Christ . "
We will not dwell on the next resolution , Avaming Christians against joining such an association or advising them , if they have done so already , to at once sever their connection Avith it . If a Christian who is a Mason denies Christ , then it follows he should give up his Masonry ; and
others , knowing tho unchristian character of our Society , should hold aloof from us ; and tho samo remarks apply to the Jew or member of any other religious faith who is or is not a Mason . But if the former proposition is untrue ,
then there is no need for him to abandon or avoid us . Nor need AVC lay particular stress on Avhat follows . We say advisedly that Freemasons do nofc " secretly practise religious ceremonies , and secretly inculcate religious teach - ings , " unless paying respect to the Supremo Being , much
The Latest Denunciation Of Freemasonry.
in tho samo way as Avcll-ordered peoplo mvokc a blessing on tho food His bounty has provided , is equivalent to one or other or both of such practices . No . 6 declares that a member of an oath-bound secret association should bo disqualified from holding any office
in a free government . Now wo know , as regards our Society—whatever may bo tho caso Avith other societiesthat a man ' s Masonry has no influence Avhatever on hia politics . In tho great civil war between the Northern and Southern sections of tho United States there wero
Freemasons in both camps . They manfully did their several duties , or Avhat they conscientiously believed to be their duties , and the only influence Avhich Freemasonry exercised was in mitigating the severities and horrors of civil strife . But let us take a caso or tAvo nearer home . Is there a
single Englishman , capable of formulating a reasonable opinion , who thinks tho Earl of Carnarvon was less capable or less likely to fulfil his duties as a Colonial Minister because ho happened to be Pro Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England ? Will the affairs of the Indian Empire
be Avorse conducted by the Marquis of Hartington because ho is the Provincial chief of the Derbyshire Freemasons ? Or will tho honour and integrity of Old England be less safe in the hands of Earl Granville , because years ago , when a student at Oxford , he sought acceptance as a
member of our Fraternity ? We might go on multiplying cases , and ask if the Grand Master of Ireland was , as a Mason , a Jess Avorthy and efficient viceroy of that portion of the United Kingdom ; if his successor , who is an English Mason , was less capable and conscientious ; and if it will make the
slightest difference , socially , politically , and religiously , to the British Empire , that Earl Cowper , the new Ticeroy of Ireland , is also a Freemason ? We will only , however ,
mention the name of one whose memory is and ever "will be held sacred by all citizens of the United States—that of the illustrious , God-fearing patriot , George Washington . ^ Are the reverend and other members of the "National Christian
Association" prepared to say thafc the very man to whom under Providence they OAVO their independence , was disqualified as a Freemason from holding any office whatever in a free government ? Tho truth is , we are non-political in the sense in Avhich we aro a non-religious body . Just as
we accept all candidates regardless of their religious views , and forbid all religious disenssion in our Lodges , so we accept men Avhether they be Whig or Tory , Republican or Democrat , and are as sternly opposed to the consideration in Lodge of political as of religious questions .
Threo principal resolutions remain , but they will not occupy us long . In the first , " all seceding and renouncing Masons " are urged to " make public confession of the secret order whereby they were ensnared ; " and this , they are given to understand , is " a duty " they owe " to society
and God . " Now , as wo have pointed out already , no one is ever " ensnared" by Freemasonry , because no one becomes a member except by his own free , unbiassed will and of his own motion . And then to tell people ifc is " a duty to society and God " — " God " being , of course , of
inferior consequence to " society "—to go ont of their way to commit perjury ! An oath or obligation extorted , as in tho old days of the Inquisition , under fear of death or torture , Avould not , in the estimation of most people , have ' any value ; bufc ifc is something quite different , when
ministers of religion step forward and advise people deliberately to violate an obligation they have contracted of their OAvn free will . The penultimate resolution is somewhat to the same purport , and lays it down that a Mason is relieved from his bond because of its barbarous oaths , in accordance with the dictum of a late Boston minister , and
not only so , but that it is his duty to expose its enormities . Tho last resolution invites the co-operation and prayers of all Christians in order to upset the Lodge system as " corrupting to the Church , and so baneful in its influence ] upon the family relation . " There are nofc a feAV sections and
subdivisions of the Church , to say nothing of the Jews , Mahommedans , Buddhists , & c , and therefore we shouldlike to knoAV , before going further , over which " Church " Freemasonry exercises so baneful and corrupting an influence , and also in what manner it is hurtful to the family
relation . In the case of a society whose leading principles are Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth , those who observe them scrupulously will certainly not do any harm to family
or other relations . We trust the members of this Convention Avill learn something of our principles before they again think of anathematising us . Ifc is our duty to add that in the evening of the same day
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Latest Denunciation Of Freemasonry.
the disabilities of the Jews been removed : Bnt ib does nofc need much study of Masonic history to become awaro of tho fact thafc what tho British Legislature has dono thus tardily , -was dono from the very first by Freemasonry , as ifc has been constituted since 1717 . Tho essentially Christian
character of our old legends was modified in such a manner that Masonry became a platform on which men Avithout distinction of religious faith might meet together , and grasp the hand of good fellowship . If tho Association meant to imply that tho adoption of this liberal platform
has degraded Christianity , it follows inferentially thafc tho only way of remedying the mistake and putting an end to its sad consequences , will bo to return once again to tho old sectarian order of things , and resume tho policy of bigotry and narrow-mindedness , which , in these days , is
considered so dangerous to both the national and international well-being' of communities . Wo do not think there are many people who will agree with this Convention as to the desirability of committing so grave an error . Wo aro sure the policy of retrogression w , ill find no advocates in
this country or in the United States , for both havo derived far too many solid advantages from a policy of progress . As to our oaths and obligations , they aro no more subversive of true religion than oaths of allegiance , or oaths
taken in a court of justice ; and there is this to be said in their favour , that they are always taken voluntarily . No one is even asked , much less forced , to become a Freemason , and hence those who take ou themselves our obligations do so of their own motion .
In the next resolution it is laid down that " Freemasonry is the Lodgo citadel" and if it falls , tho minor secret societies must fall likewise . This may or may not be intended as a compliment to our Society , bnt the proposition as stated involves most decidedly what is known as a
non seqiiitur . Freemasonry stands alone in this respect , that it is not , and never was intended to be , anything like a benefit society , whereas wo believe we aro justified in saying thafc other secret or so-called secret bodies either possess that character or are intended for social enjoyment .
We do nofc doubb there are many who seek admission into our ranks because they think it will be in somo way or other to their advantage , as there are many who profess this or that form of religion without ever troubling themselves to act up to its tenets . This , however , is one of the
misfortunes to which Freemasonry in common with all other hnman institutions is liable . These cases , moreover , are the exceptions which prove the rule in force among us ,
namely , that men who seek to join us do so without ulterior motive , and with no desire to benefit by so doing . We venture to say the benefits of initiation would be withheld from any who were biassed in their wish to come among
us . The third proposition is to the effect that a professed Christian who is a member of one of our Lodges , " thereby practically denies Christ . " We have no desire to enter into anything like argument over a statement snch as
this . We are content with asking this simple question . Does any one really believe that the present Bishops of Meath and Peterborough , a former Archbishop of Canterbury and a former Bishop of Salisbury , to say nothing of the other very Rev . and Rev . gentlemen , who are or have been
Freemasons , are on that account less of Christians than these Rev . members of this " National Christian Association ?" Wo are not disposed to speak harshly of peoplo who , albeit somewhat bigoted , are doubtless privately very good fellows , but were Ave so disposed , we might point out that this
ridiculous proposition carries on the face of ifc its own refution . Ifc Avould be no moro unreasonable to suggest that a Christian baker or licensed victualler Avho sold his goods to the hungry or thirsty Jew " thereby practically denied Christ . "
We will not dwell on the next resolution , Avaming Christians against joining such an association or advising them , if they have done so already , to at once sever their connection Avith it . If a Christian who is a Mason denies Christ , then it follows he should give up his Masonry ; and
others , knowing tho unchristian character of our Society , should hold aloof from us ; and tho samo remarks apply to the Jew or member of any other religious faith who is or is not a Mason . But if the former proposition is untrue ,
then there is no need for him to abandon or avoid us . Nor need AVC lay particular stress on Avhat follows . We say advisedly that Freemasons do nofc " secretly practise religious ceremonies , and secretly inculcate religious teach - ings , " unless paying respect to the Supremo Being , much
The Latest Denunciation Of Freemasonry.
in tho samo way as Avcll-ordered peoplo mvokc a blessing on tho food His bounty has provided , is equivalent to one or other or both of such practices . No . 6 declares that a member of an oath-bound secret association should bo disqualified from holding any office
in a free government . Now wo know , as regards our Society—whatever may bo tho caso Avith other societiesthat a man ' s Masonry has no influence Avhatever on hia politics . In tho great civil war between the Northern and Southern sections of tho United States there wero
Freemasons in both camps . They manfully did their several duties , or Avhat they conscientiously believed to be their duties , and the only influence Avhich Freemasonry exercised was in mitigating the severities and horrors of civil strife . But let us take a caso or tAvo nearer home . Is there a
single Englishman , capable of formulating a reasonable opinion , who thinks tho Earl of Carnarvon was less capable or less likely to fulfil his duties as a Colonial Minister because ho happened to be Pro Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England ? Will the affairs of the Indian Empire
be Avorse conducted by the Marquis of Hartington because ho is the Provincial chief of the Derbyshire Freemasons ? Or will tho honour and integrity of Old England be less safe in the hands of Earl Granville , because years ago , when a student at Oxford , he sought acceptance as a
member of our Fraternity ? We might go on multiplying cases , and ask if the Grand Master of Ireland was , as a Mason , a Jess Avorthy and efficient viceroy of that portion of the United Kingdom ; if his successor , who is an English Mason , was less capable and conscientious ; and if it will make the
slightest difference , socially , politically , and religiously , to the British Empire , that Earl Cowper , the new Ticeroy of Ireland , is also a Freemason ? We will only , however ,
mention the name of one whose memory is and ever "will be held sacred by all citizens of the United States—that of the illustrious , God-fearing patriot , George Washington . ^ Are the reverend and other members of the "National Christian
Association" prepared to say thafc the very man to whom under Providence they OAVO their independence , was disqualified as a Freemason from holding any office whatever in a free government ? Tho truth is , we are non-political in the sense in Avhich we aro a non-religious body . Just as
we accept all candidates regardless of their religious views , and forbid all religious disenssion in our Lodges , so we accept men Avhether they be Whig or Tory , Republican or Democrat , and are as sternly opposed to the consideration in Lodge of political as of religious questions .
Threo principal resolutions remain , but they will not occupy us long . In the first , " all seceding and renouncing Masons " are urged to " make public confession of the secret order whereby they were ensnared ; " and this , they are given to understand , is " a duty " they owe " to society
and God . " Now , as wo have pointed out already , no one is ever " ensnared" by Freemasonry , because no one becomes a member except by his own free , unbiassed will and of his own motion . And then to tell people ifc is " a duty to society and God " — " God " being , of course , of
inferior consequence to " society "—to go ont of their way to commit perjury ! An oath or obligation extorted , as in tho old days of the Inquisition , under fear of death or torture , Avould not , in the estimation of most people , have ' any value ; bufc ifc is something quite different , when
ministers of religion step forward and advise people deliberately to violate an obligation they have contracted of their OAvn free will . The penultimate resolution is somewhat to the same purport , and lays it down that a Mason is relieved from his bond because of its barbarous oaths , in accordance with the dictum of a late Boston minister , and
not only so , but that it is his duty to expose its enormities . Tho last resolution invites the co-operation and prayers of all Christians in order to upset the Lodge system as " corrupting to the Church , and so baneful in its influence ] upon the family relation . " There are nofc a feAV sections and
subdivisions of the Church , to say nothing of the Jews , Mahommedans , Buddhists , & c , and therefore we shouldlike to knoAV , before going further , over which " Church " Freemasonry exercises so baneful and corrupting an influence , and also in what manner it is hurtful to the family
relation . In the case of a society whose leading principles are Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth , those who observe them scrupulously will certainly not do any harm to family
or other relations . We trust the members of this Convention Avill learn something of our principles before they again think of anathematising us . Ifc is our duty to add that in the evening of the same day