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Article JURISDICTION. ← Page 2 of 2 Article AMUSING, IF NOT INSTRUCTIVE. Page 1 of 1 Article AMUSING, IF NOT INSTRUCTIVE. Page 1 of 1 Article AN EXPLANATION OF THE LETTER G. Page 1 of 1
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Jurisdiction.
think it Avas utterly beneath the dignity of tho Grand Lodge of Scotland to have adopted retaliatory measures by constituting new Lodges . It should have borne in mind that it had consented , at tho time it recognised the Grand Lodge , not to grant warrants for new Lodges in the
territory comprised in that Grand Lodge , and whatever may be the legal aspect of the question , there is little doubt in our minds thafc it Avas morally bound to observe this stipulation , even though Canada may have acquiesced in tho new state of things , and the new G , Lodgo of Quebec ruled as
independent territory Avhafc had formerly been a part of the Canadian jurisdiction . Nor , though Ave are awaro the Grand Lodgo of Quebec attaches little or no importance to the point we are about to refer to , can AVO abstain from noting thafc it is not circumstanced as are other independent
Grand Lodges . A Grand Lodgo of Quebec sounds in our ears veiy much like Avhafc a Grand Lodge of Lancashire , Yorkshire , or Devonshire would do in this country , Avith this difference , that , having regard to the immense extent of British North America , the multiplication of Grand
Lodges within its limits is not open to the same objection as it Avould be in so small a country as England . We have no wish to say anything calculated to Avound the self-respect of the Grand Lodgo of Quebec , bufc AVO think ifc Avould have shown something like magnanimity on her part had she
nofc taken advantage of the omission of all conditions from the recognition of her independence by Scotland , and if Elgin Lodge was desirous of remaining as before it should have graciously acquiesced in the Avish . What Canada had done , that Quebec might do likewise . Canada at the
time of its independence was a far moro important Masonic body than Quebec is noAV . Modesty is not an unbecoming quality in Freemasonry . When a Grand Lodge of nine years old speaks to its neighbours , far and near , Avith all the importance of the premier Grand Lodge of the world , it is
just as Avell to remind it that the ties Avhich connect it Avith the Masonic Avorld are derived from those very Grand Lodges it addresses so arrogantly . Let it govern itself accordingly , and then , perhaps , it will be respected , instead of being , as ifc is now , a fair butt for the ridicule of other Grand Lodges .
Amusing, If Not Instructive.
AMUSING , IF NOT INSTRUCTIVE .
From THE KEYSTONE .
IT'IE'RCE and fiery anti-Masons often amuso us by tho bugbears •thoy raise , with which to frighten themselves and their credulous hearers . They erect a monster , with eyes a-flame , with a mouth resembling the mouth of the Mississippi , with Satanic talons in place of hands , and with no bowels of compassion , and before this figment of their imagination they would fain persuade " the profane " that
Freemasons bow and worship . Wo have before ns two recent issnes of tho Pittsburgh United Presbyterian ( for 31 st October and l-lth November 1878 ) , which contain some of these remarkable statements . Tbe reader will observe , after reading them , that Ave are worse than Mohammedans or Mormons , gamblers or adulterers ; and that we flaunt a black flag , under which we hope to conquer the world . Anti-Masons would ,
if they could , resolve themselves into a Holy Office , an American Inquisition , and revive the days of thumb-screws and racks , so that they might extort falsehoods from the mouths of weak , dying men , and thus apparently justify themselves in their wicked delusions . Think what these ignorant and passion-blind fanatics would do , if they could—they would stop the perennial flow of charity from all of onr
Lodges , Chapters , Councils and Commanderies ; stop the current of fraternal feeling that circulates throughout the Brotherhood ; stop the innocent social joys incident to the hours of Masonic lief reshment ; and all for the purpose simply of justifying their falsely and maliciously preconceived notions of the most humane Fraternity that
has ever blessed the earth , a Fraternity whose First Great Light is the ever-blessed Word of the ono only true and living God ! But lest tho reader think that we exaggerate tho language of these fanatics , AVO will quote a few sentences from the sources above indicatcd . One writer asks :
" Would it not be manly in us ; would it not honour tho Master whom we serve ; and should we not in all probability be more successful in building up his kingdom in the long run , if wo should treat Masonry as wo do other systems of error and forms of wickedness—as Ave do adultery and gambling , TFniversalism and Mormonism ? Freemasonry is an enemy of Christ and his cause . And now
this enemy is entrenching himself throughout the length and breadth of the land , daily leading captive our young men , and the godliest of them , aud flaunting his black flag in front of onr churches and our pulpits . " What an indictment this is ! What Freemason does not qnail . and hang his head , aud strike his breast , after reading it , and cry
out , " unclean , unclean , wretched land-pirate that I am ! Bnt who , " he adds , " will care for tho fatherless and tho widow when I am gone ; and who will pour oil upon the waters of religious controversy , and bind believers in all godly creeds into one blessed family , whose sovereign impulse of action is love ? " and then it occurs to him that , sinner as he is , he ifc not a nineteenth-century Pharisee and hypocrite
Amusing, If Not Instructive.
as his accusers are , aud although he may be unclean , they are altogethcr filthy . Another aspect of Freemasonry is opened up in this indictment , viz : tho terrible despotism of the Lodges , and their cruel and vindictivo persecuting power . The railer from whom wo havo already emoted goes on to say : — "Brethren , yon must allow mo to say that ,
as thero aro very many Masons who aro convinced of the evil , and would renounce it to-day wero thoy not restrained by fear , so , I am persuaded , thero aro many of you who aro convinced of tho evil , but aro restrained from opening your lips on tho subject , and even from making yourselves thoroughly acquainted with it , through tho fear of man . I know it is the caso with somo of vou , as it is with
hundreds and thousands of our members , lho Lodgo is felt and confessed to be a terrible depotism , and a terrible persecuting power . One of your nnmber said to me a year ago , as an excuso for silenco on Masonry , whilst ho freely spoke ont on gambling : ' Gambling is an open enemy . But tho Lodge ia secret . It strikes behind your back . It can kill a man so quietly that ho will never know Avhat
hint him . '" If any one of our readers can coiroborate this wild assertion , wo should be glad to hoar from him . Wo havo been a Mason for many years , and in all our experience , tho law of love has been the only constraining power , in the Lodgo and ont of tho Lodge . Even our misrepresented oaths are Biblical . There is more of the
Bible than thero is of any other book in the world , in Masonry . Tho Mason's God is the God of the Bible , and ho is taught to regard all of his fellow-members as his brethren . Nevertheless , no one is in any manner required to continue to act with Masons as a Masonic body , against his will . Just as wo ask no one to become a Mason , so we prevent no one from quietly , or even boisterously , going out
from among us , and practically being no longer of us . Tho Lodge is no despotism , but , on the contrary , the kindest loving father imaginable . Even when prodigals leave this father ' s house , and go forth , like the renegade Mason who is the author of the passages we have quoted , to waste their substance in riotous living , and como even to feeding swine ( as doubtless ho has done ) , still when they
truly repent , the Lodge , like a lender father , will receive them back again , overlooking their flagrant errors , aud place within their stomachs a piece of the fatted calf , and on their fingers tho ring of forgiveness . Now , mark yon , this libeller writes as " one having anthority , and not as tho Scribes . " He has been a Freemason ! He knows what
ho asserts—at least ho says ho does , which may be another matter . Hear him : — " I am acquainted with Freemasonry , as the great majority of you aro not ; I am acquainted with its ceremonies , rites , oaths , teachings , principles , and practices ; and no ono has the right to question the truthfulness of this assertion . And I do sco in that
institution a sword drawn against tho health , and tho peace , and tho purity , aud prosperity of our churches—nay , against tho churches themselves , and against all tho churches of tho land . It is as unchristian and as anti-Christian as Islamism or Mormonism ; and I do not hesitate to affirm that for a man understandingly to adopt the principles and teachings of Freemasonry , and bo a Christian at
the samo time , is as impossible as for a man to be a Mormon or a Mohammedan and a Christian at the samo time . " We need only reply to this bald libel , that tho thousands of Christian ministers , and tho hundreds of thousands of Christian Church members , who aro also members of tho Masonic Fraternity , give the lie direct to its assertions . Besides , Freemasonry is pro
uouuceably uusectariau , comprehending in its membership Jews as well as Christians , besides other religionists . It is a Brotherhood whoso law is love . It is intended for all Avho acknowledge tho fatherhood of God . This indictment against its tolerancy is a high tribute to its character . In tho world to
come Jews , United Presbyterians , Episcopalians and Itomau Catholics , with many others ( but tho Editor of the United Presbyterian may not be there ) shall all sit together in heavenly places , bnt the only place on earth that thoy now sit together is , in a Masonic Lodge .
An Explanation Of The Letter G.
AN EXPLANATION OF THE LETTER G .
Some years ago a flashily dressed individual made his appearance one evening in the reception room of the Masonic Temple in Boston and intimated his desire to visit the Lodge then in session . It so happened that a well-known Brother was sitting near the door , chatting with tho Tyler , and keeping his weather eye open for impostors , in accordance with a habit he had acquired from many years '
experience in keeping watch over the strong bos of tho Grand Lodge . He greeted the new-comer cordially , and invited him to be seated until a committee shonld come out and examine him . " Oh ! it ' s no matter about that . I ' m all right , " said the applicant , making sundry strango passes with his hands , and curious contortions of his visage . " Oh ! yes , " said Brother Mc , " I ' ve no doubt of that , but I think
they always examine strangers who desire to visit tho Lodge . It ' s a mere matter of form , you know . " " Well , I'm ready for ' cm , " said tho visitor confidently . " Certainly , " said the watchful Brother , " you ' re all right . I should know that at a glance . By tho way , that ' s a vory handsome breastpin you have , " said he , examining with great interest a large gilt letter G ., which the visitor had conspicuously displayed on his shirt bosom .
" Ya-as , that's a Masonic pin , replied tho wearer , puffing out his breast . "Indeed ? Letter G . ? Well , now , what does that mean ?" " Letter G . ! Why , that stands for Gerusalem—a sorter headquarters for us Masons , yon know . " The committee found their work had been performed , and used the letter G . rather freely . They advised tho visitor " to get up and git . " Masonic Newspaper .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Jurisdiction.
think it Avas utterly beneath the dignity of tho Grand Lodge of Scotland to have adopted retaliatory measures by constituting new Lodges . It should have borne in mind that it had consented , at tho time it recognised the Grand Lodge , not to grant warrants for new Lodges in the
territory comprised in that Grand Lodge , and whatever may be the legal aspect of the question , there is little doubt in our minds thafc it Avas morally bound to observe this stipulation , even though Canada may have acquiesced in tho new state of things , and the new G , Lodgo of Quebec ruled as
independent territory Avhafc had formerly been a part of the Canadian jurisdiction . Nor , though Ave are awaro the Grand Lodgo of Quebec attaches little or no importance to the point we are about to refer to , can AVO abstain from noting thafc it is not circumstanced as are other independent
Grand Lodges . A Grand Lodgo of Quebec sounds in our ears veiy much like Avhafc a Grand Lodge of Lancashire , Yorkshire , or Devonshire would do in this country , Avith this difference , that , having regard to the immense extent of British North America , the multiplication of Grand
Lodges within its limits is not open to the same objection as it Avould be in so small a country as England . We have no wish to say anything calculated to Avound the self-respect of the Grand Lodgo of Quebec , bufc AVO think ifc Avould have shown something like magnanimity on her part had she
nofc taken advantage of the omission of all conditions from the recognition of her independence by Scotland , and if Elgin Lodge was desirous of remaining as before it should have graciously acquiesced in the Avish . What Canada had done , that Quebec might do likewise . Canada at the
time of its independence was a far moro important Masonic body than Quebec is noAV . Modesty is not an unbecoming quality in Freemasonry . When a Grand Lodge of nine years old speaks to its neighbours , far and near , Avith all the importance of the premier Grand Lodge of the world , it is
just as Avell to remind it that the ties Avhich connect it Avith the Masonic Avorld are derived from those very Grand Lodges it addresses so arrogantly . Let it govern itself accordingly , and then , perhaps , it will be respected , instead of being , as ifc is now , a fair butt for the ridicule of other Grand Lodges .
Amusing, If Not Instructive.
AMUSING , IF NOT INSTRUCTIVE .
From THE KEYSTONE .
IT'IE'RCE and fiery anti-Masons often amuso us by tho bugbears •thoy raise , with which to frighten themselves and their credulous hearers . They erect a monster , with eyes a-flame , with a mouth resembling the mouth of the Mississippi , with Satanic talons in place of hands , and with no bowels of compassion , and before this figment of their imagination they would fain persuade " the profane " that
Freemasons bow and worship . Wo have before ns two recent issnes of tho Pittsburgh United Presbyterian ( for 31 st October and l-lth November 1878 ) , which contain some of these remarkable statements . Tbe reader will observe , after reading them , that Ave are worse than Mohammedans or Mormons , gamblers or adulterers ; and that we flaunt a black flag , under which we hope to conquer the world . Anti-Masons would ,
if they could , resolve themselves into a Holy Office , an American Inquisition , and revive the days of thumb-screws and racks , so that they might extort falsehoods from the mouths of weak , dying men , and thus apparently justify themselves in their wicked delusions . Think what these ignorant and passion-blind fanatics would do , if they could—they would stop the perennial flow of charity from all of onr
Lodges , Chapters , Councils and Commanderies ; stop the current of fraternal feeling that circulates throughout the Brotherhood ; stop the innocent social joys incident to the hours of Masonic lief reshment ; and all for the purpose simply of justifying their falsely and maliciously preconceived notions of the most humane Fraternity that
has ever blessed the earth , a Fraternity whose First Great Light is the ever-blessed Word of the ono only true and living God ! But lest tho reader think that we exaggerate tho language of these fanatics , AVO will quote a few sentences from the sources above indicatcd . One writer asks :
" Would it not be manly in us ; would it not honour tho Master whom we serve ; and should we not in all probability be more successful in building up his kingdom in the long run , if wo should treat Masonry as wo do other systems of error and forms of wickedness—as Ave do adultery and gambling , TFniversalism and Mormonism ? Freemasonry is an enemy of Christ and his cause . And now
this enemy is entrenching himself throughout the length and breadth of the land , daily leading captive our young men , and the godliest of them , aud flaunting his black flag in front of onr churches and our pulpits . " What an indictment this is ! What Freemason does not qnail . and hang his head , aud strike his breast , after reading it , and cry
out , " unclean , unclean , wretched land-pirate that I am ! Bnt who , " he adds , " will care for tho fatherless and tho widow when I am gone ; and who will pour oil upon the waters of religious controversy , and bind believers in all godly creeds into one blessed family , whose sovereign impulse of action is love ? " and then it occurs to him that , sinner as he is , he ifc not a nineteenth-century Pharisee and hypocrite
Amusing, If Not Instructive.
as his accusers are , aud although he may be unclean , they are altogethcr filthy . Another aspect of Freemasonry is opened up in this indictment , viz : tho terrible despotism of the Lodges , and their cruel and vindictivo persecuting power . The railer from whom wo havo already emoted goes on to say : — "Brethren , yon must allow mo to say that ,
as thero aro very many Masons who aro convinced of the evil , and would renounce it to-day wero thoy not restrained by fear , so , I am persuaded , thero aro many of you who aro convinced of tho evil , but aro restrained from opening your lips on tho subject , and even from making yourselves thoroughly acquainted with it , through tho fear of man . I know it is the caso with somo of vou , as it is with
hundreds and thousands of our members , lho Lodgo is felt and confessed to be a terrible depotism , and a terrible persecuting power . One of your nnmber said to me a year ago , as an excuso for silenco on Masonry , whilst ho freely spoke ont on gambling : ' Gambling is an open enemy . But tho Lodge ia secret . It strikes behind your back . It can kill a man so quietly that ho will never know Avhat
hint him . '" If any one of our readers can coiroborate this wild assertion , wo should be glad to hoar from him . Wo havo been a Mason for many years , and in all our experience , tho law of love has been the only constraining power , in the Lodgo and ont of tho Lodge . Even our misrepresented oaths are Biblical . There is more of the
Bible than thero is of any other book in the world , in Masonry . Tho Mason's God is the God of the Bible , and ho is taught to regard all of his fellow-members as his brethren . Nevertheless , no one is in any manner required to continue to act with Masons as a Masonic body , against his will . Just as wo ask no one to become a Mason , so we prevent no one from quietly , or even boisterously , going out
from among us , and practically being no longer of us . Tho Lodge is no despotism , but , on the contrary , the kindest loving father imaginable . Even when prodigals leave this father ' s house , and go forth , like the renegade Mason who is the author of the passages we have quoted , to waste their substance in riotous living , and como even to feeding swine ( as doubtless ho has done ) , still when they
truly repent , the Lodge , like a lender father , will receive them back again , overlooking their flagrant errors , aud place within their stomachs a piece of the fatted calf , and on their fingers tho ring of forgiveness . Now , mark yon , this libeller writes as " one having anthority , and not as tho Scribes . " He has been a Freemason ! He knows what
ho asserts—at least ho says ho does , which may be another matter . Hear him : — " I am acquainted with Freemasonry , as the great majority of you aro not ; I am acquainted with its ceremonies , rites , oaths , teachings , principles , and practices ; and no ono has the right to question the truthfulness of this assertion . And I do sco in that
institution a sword drawn against tho health , and tho peace , and tho purity , aud prosperity of our churches—nay , against tho churches themselves , and against all tho churches of tho land . It is as unchristian and as anti-Christian as Islamism or Mormonism ; and I do not hesitate to affirm that for a man understandingly to adopt the principles and teachings of Freemasonry , and bo a Christian at
the samo time , is as impossible as for a man to be a Mormon or a Mohammedan and a Christian at the samo time . " We need only reply to this bald libel , that tho thousands of Christian ministers , and tho hundreds of thousands of Christian Church members , who aro also members of tho Masonic Fraternity , give the lie direct to its assertions . Besides , Freemasonry is pro
uouuceably uusectariau , comprehending in its membership Jews as well as Christians , besides other religionists . It is a Brotherhood whoso law is love . It is intended for all Avho acknowledge tho fatherhood of God . This indictment against its tolerancy is a high tribute to its character . In tho world to
come Jews , United Presbyterians , Episcopalians and Itomau Catholics , with many others ( but tho Editor of the United Presbyterian may not be there ) shall all sit together in heavenly places , bnt the only place on earth that thoy now sit together is , in a Masonic Lodge .
An Explanation Of The Letter G.
AN EXPLANATION OF THE LETTER G .
Some years ago a flashily dressed individual made his appearance one evening in the reception room of the Masonic Temple in Boston and intimated his desire to visit the Lodge then in session . It so happened that a well-known Brother was sitting near the door , chatting with tho Tyler , and keeping his weather eye open for impostors , in accordance with a habit he had acquired from many years '
experience in keeping watch over the strong bos of tho Grand Lodge . He greeted the new-comer cordially , and invited him to be seated until a committee shonld come out and examine him . " Oh ! it ' s no matter about that . I ' m all right , " said the applicant , making sundry strango passes with his hands , and curious contortions of his visage . " Oh ! yes , " said Brother Mc , " I ' ve no doubt of that , but I think
they always examine strangers who desire to visit tho Lodge . It ' s a mere matter of form , you know . " " Well , I'm ready for ' cm , " said tho visitor confidently . " Certainly , " said the watchful Brother , " you ' re all right . I should know that at a glance . By tho way , that ' s a vory handsome breastpin you have , " said he , examining with great interest a large gilt letter G ., which the visitor had conspicuously displayed on his shirt bosom .
" Ya-as , that's a Masonic pin , replied tho wearer , puffing out his breast . "Indeed ? Letter G . ? Well , now , what does that mean ?" " Letter G . ! Why , that stands for Gerusalem—a sorter headquarters for us Masons , yon know . " The committee found their work had been performed , and used the letter G . rather freely . They advised tho visitor " to get up and git . " Masonic Newspaper .