Christianity And Freemasonry.

1 means might be found to combat and counteract the designs of these enemies of the Catholic Faith , " aud of " protecting the masses against the errors of a malignant association . " If we may assume that the Holy Father has been correctly informed concerning the aims and objects of tho people who on the Continent call themselves Freemasons , it is absolutely ludicrous to compare such persons with the members of the true Fraternity of Antient Freemasons which still exists in England and America . "

At the same time it is sad to remember that this terrible degeneracy would probably have been averted if the authorities of the Catholic Churoh in France and Italy had not taken up such an unreasonable and unreasoning attitude towards a harmless and well-meaning society . And now we are asked to commit the same great mistake in the Church of England . When we remember the enormous number of persons connected with

English Freemasonry we must feel that this matter is of some importance ; hence I venture to ask you , Sir , to devote a portion of your valuable space to printing the following extracts from the " Summary of the Ancient Charges " which are read to , and imposed upon , every member of the Order before he can become " a Ruler in the Craft . " The italics in the following extract are mine : —

You agree to be a good man and true , and strictly to obey the Moral Law . You are to be a peaceable subject , and cheerfully to conform to the laws of the country in which you reside . You promise not to be concerned in plots or conspiraces against Government , but patiently to submit to the decisions of the Supreme Legislature . . . . You agree to avoid private piques and quarrels , and to guard against intemperance and excess . . . . You promise to respect genuine and true Brethren and to discountenance impostors and all dissenters from the original plan of Freemasonry .

Clearly the persons described by his Holiness the Pope of Rome are not " genuine and true Brethren , " but are " dissenters from the original plan of Freemasonry . " Your correspondents have described us as a " somewhat ludicrous society" with " childish secrets" entrusted " amidst farcical surroundings . " Somewhat hard on us this—is it not ? but better than being a " malignant association . "

My experience in Freemasonry is very considerable , and leads me to believe that its ceremonial and symbolism have a good , rather than a bad effect , judged from the point of view of one who humbly tries to believe and practice all that the Catholic Church teaches . Certainly no Freemason who accepts the "Ancient Charges" can in any way be a " menanca both to Church and State . "

Doubtless the world could get on very well without Masonry , but again , I say , we have to face the fact that a very enormous number of the English speaking-peoples belong to this Society . Is it not unwise for Churchmen to stand aloof ? CATHOLIC .

SIE , —By far the most important question your discussion raises is thisi Is it lawful or expedient for a priest to pledge himself to the rules of a secret society , the objects of which he is ignorant ? By doing so he runs the risk of offending his conscience or perhaps violating his oath . However good the objects of the society may be ( and we are assured by many excellent men that they are ) , still I would ask , Has a priest the right to pledge himself to a society outside the Church , and with whose objects he is unacquainted ?

D . T . GLASSFORD . 4 Malcombe Place , Dorset Square , W . llth September .

Works On Freemasonry.

WORKS ON FREEMASONRY .

THE following letter appeared in last ; week ' s issue of the " Tablet" :

SIB , —Some time ago I asked in your columns for information as to where I could get Leo Taxil ' s and similar works on Freemasonry . Several persons kindly answered my query , sending me lists of books , together with the publishers' addresses . It happens that Catholics abroad are about to hold an Anti-Masonic Congress , with the Pope ' s warm approval . At this Congress some startling revelations , calculated to stir tbe English Press , may be expected . It is a good time to publish the list of authors , and I beg your permission to do so in your widely-read journal .

The following books are by Leo Taxil ; Letouzey and Ane , Editeurs , 17 Rue du Vieux Colombier , Paris : — " La Franc Maconnerie Devoile et Expliquee , " 2 fr . ( popular ) . " Les Freres Trois Points , " 7 fr . ; more detailed , 26 fr . " Les Mysteres de la Franc Maconnerie , " 10 fr . ( large , detailed , and illustrated ) . "Le Culte Du Grand Architect" ( suite aux "Freres Trois Points" ) . "Les Sceurs Magonnes , " 3 fr . 50 c . " Le Vatican et les Francs Magons , " 1 f . ( Papal Encyclicals ) . Same publishers : — "La Franc Magonnerie sous la 3 me . Republique , " 2 vols . " Adrien Leroux ex-33 me , " 7

fr . ; and " Cours de Magonnerie pratique , " 2 vols ., 7 fr . ; Par les Tres Puissant Souverain Grand Commandeur . "La Femme et L'Enfant dans la Franc Magonnerie Universelle , " 8 fr . ; A . C . De La Rive ( Historical ); Delhomme et Briguet , Editeurs , 13 Rue de L'Abbaye , Paris . Same publishers : — " Y a-t-il Des Femmes Dans L'Franc Magonnerie , " Leo Taxil , 3 fr . 50 c . ( early work ) . " Satan et Cie , " par Paul Rosen , Inspecteur-General

du 33 me . " Le Diaole au XIXe Sieclo , " par le Docteur Bataille , 2 vols ., 12 fr . ( important ) . " Revue Mensuelle " ( suite de " Le Diable , " & c ) . Published by A . Pierret , 37 Rue Etienne Marcell , Libraire Antimagonnique , Paris . " L'Antimagon , " bi-inonthly periodical , 5 fr . per annum . " Memoires d ' une Ex-Palladiste , " by Diana Vaughan , monthly periodical , 1 fr . Cmost important ) . " Le 33 e Crispi , " Diana Vaughan . Believe me , yours truly , 3 . I . L . R .

The Dalhousie Lodge of Instruction , No . 860 , will resume its labours on Tuesday next , 29 th inst ., at the " Lord Truro , " Dalston Lane , N . E ., where meetings will be held every Tuesday , at 8 o ' clock . The favour of the attendance of members , together with any Masonic friends , will be esteemed . The Preceptor is Bro . F . Dunstan P . M . 1326 , and the Secretary Bro . William S . Harvey P . M . 1216 . The nearest railway stations are Hackney

Downs ( G . E . E . ) and Hackney or Dalston Junction ( N . L . R . ) .

Reports Of Meetings.

REPORTS OF MEETINGS .

We shall be pleased to receive particulars of Masonic meetings for nsertion in our columns , and where desired will endeavour to send a representative to report Lodge or other proceedings . CBAET : METKOPOLITAN .

CITY OF WESTMINSTER LODGE , No . 1563 . THERE was a large attendance on Thursday , at the Cafe Royal , Regent Street , W ., on the occasion of the regular meeting of this Lodge , which was opened in due form by Bro . A . H . Marks W . M ., who proceeded to submit the minutes of last meeting for confirmation , after which the ballot was taken for Bro . Ullman , as a joining member , and resulted in his favour .

The Lodge was opened in the second degree , and the W . M . vacated the chair in favour of Bro . W . C . Smith I . P . M ., who proceeded to entrust Bros . W . C . Harwood , J . Jackson , and O . Columb , who , having answered the usual questions , were subsequently raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason .

The W . M . resumed his chair , and putting the Lodge in the first degree , examined Bros . M . Goldner , C . Madden , 3 . Henry , S . Day , and R . W . Maney Lake who were regularly admitted as Fellow Crafts . This work was followed by the initiation of Mr . John Andrews , Mr . Percy Hall , and Mr . Bertie Feldman . Great praise is due to the W . M . for his perfect working , and for the impressive manner in which he conferred the ceremonies of initiation and passing , while compliment may also be given to Bro . Smith I . P . M . for his working of the third degree .

A telegram was received and read in open Lodge from Bro . Martell S . W ., regretting his absence on account of serious illness ; sympathy was expressed with him , and , under the circumstances , Bro . Taylor J . W . was elected Worshipful Master for the year . The Treasurer and Tyler were re-elected , and four Brethren appointed to act as Auditors . It was proposed by Bro . Randell Treas ., and seconded by I . P . M . Smith ,

that a Past Master ' s jewel be presented to the Worshipful Master on his retirement from office , which was unanimously agreed to . After the transaction of other business , including the proposition of several new members , the Lodge was closed and the company adjourned to the banquet room , where an excellent repast awaited them , the service and everything connected with the dinner being of the usual excellent character of this famous establishment .

The Brethren present included Bros . A . H . Marks W . M ., John Swift acting S . W ., M . M . Tayler J . W ., E . Gindel S . D ., H . Gulliford J . D ., Edward Rutherford I . G ., W . 0 . Smith Sec , T . H . Beach Assist . Sec , S . M . Randell Treas ., F . Chafford Org ., R . Potter P . M . Tyler , H , J . Homer D . C , H . Fonseca P . M ., J . Jacroon , John Swift , W . Harwood , F . Henry , A . Bacon , J . Townsend , H . Marks , G . Foster , Day , John B . Callaghan , and several others .

Amongst the visitors were Baron R . Lyons , Adelphi Lodge , New York ; W . Cheesman P . M ., James Dixon W . M . 1415 , A . Reed , James Rowe 2191 , E . Bade , A . Ashplant 179 , G . King , 3 . Wynman , and others . After the banquet the Master submitted the usual toasts , specially referring to the record reign of Her Majesty the Queen , in submitting the usual sentiment in her honour .

The health of the Worshipful Master was submitted by Bro . Fonseoa P . M ., who complimented the present ruler of the Lodge on the way in , which he had carried out the duties , and his general success while in the chair . The W . M . responded in brief and suitable terms , first thanking the I . P . M . for the able assistance he had rendered him during the past year , and expressing the hope that his term in the chair would prove a benefit to the Lodge . JHe had endeavoured to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors and had striven to further the unity of the City of Westminster members .

The toast of the I . P . M . was given from the chair , and duly responded to , the speaker referring to the fact that it was the last occasion on which he would have the opportunity of responding in that capacity . The toast of the Initiates brought hearty responses from the newly admitted Brethren , and the joining member also expressed his gratification at joining the Lodge . The visitors were not forgotten , but were heartily welcomed from the chair , and duly acknowledged the toast . Other complimentary remarks followed , the usual list being brought to a conclusion by the Tyler .

An excellent musical programme was provided by Bro . Chafford Org ., and several Brethren favoured the company with some capital songs and recitations . Miss Kemp sang "The Golden Lilies " and "The Carnival . " not only with great taste and feeling , but with great power and effect , showing to a marked degree the evidence of refined training of a naturally sympathetic and melodious voice .

LEWISHAM LODGE , No . 2579 . A MEETING was held at the Ladywell Parish Hall , on Saturday , 12 th inst ., a large number of Brethren and visitors being present . Bro . A . F . Mitchell was unanimously elected as a joining member . Bros . E . C . Cook , S . R . Cook , and R . R . Cook were raised to the degree of Master Mason

and Bros . T . Till and J . Hinds passed to the second degree . Mr . John McLanachan and Mr . Wm . Newby Pennington were unanimously elected and duly initiated by the W . M ., in impressive manner . Bro . C . Lamb was unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year ; Bro . H . Visger was as unanimously re-elected Treasurer ; and Bro . J . S . Gregory as Tyler .

Bro . J . Coote presented , on behalf of Bro . Lusty ( unavoidably absent ) , a handsome banner to the Lodge—for which the donor was accorded a hearty vote of thanks .

On the motion of the W . M .-elect it was resolved that a Past Master's jewel shall be presented to the W . M . Bro . 0 . Sims , for his services . Several new members having been proposed , the Lodge was closed , and the Brethren sat down to dinner , after which the usual Loyal and Masonio toasts were duly honoured .

Bros . H . T . Bridges , H . Visger , H . B . Brooman , S . R . Cook , R . R . Cook , C . Lamb , J . McLanachan , C . W . Wilkes Org ., and E . Hall contributed to the musical programme . This Lodge , which was consecrated last October , now numbers fifty members , twenty-one initiates and eight joining members having been admitted during Bro . C . Sims' year of office ' as Master .