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Article JEWISH MASONIC DISABILITIES IN PRUSSIA. Page 1 of 1 Article JEWISH MASONIC DISABILITIES IN PRUSSIA. Page 1 of 1 Article THE COMPREHENSIVENESS OF FREEMASONRY. Page 1 of 2 →
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Jewish Masonic Disabilities In Prussia.
JEWISH MASONIC DISABILITIES IN PRUSSIA .
WE rejoice to hear the movement inaugurated by the Montefiore Lodge , to which we alluded in a recent article , is progressing so satisfactorily . No less than a hundred and twenty Lodges have expressed their readiness to support its efforts to obtain from the three Berlin Grand Lodges that recognition , in practice , as well as in theory , of
the universality of Freemasonry which at present the latter decline to acknowledge . We trust that other Lodges will follow suit , and that when the time comes for the question to be dealt with by our Masonic authorities in this country , those who take the lead will find they have not
only the enthusiastic , but , likewise also , the unanimous support of the English Craft . We are also rejoiced to hear that the movement has the support of the able German
Masonic historian , Bro . Fmdel . This alone is enough to prove that the intellectual section of the Fraternity in Germany is opposed to the narrow-minded exclusiveness of the Berlin Grand Lodges .
It must be apparent to all our readers that no real community of feeling can exist between the Grand Lodge of Freemasons in this country and her sister Grand Lodges in
Prussia , when the former accepts in its entirety , and the latter reject , the admissibility of reputable men of all political and religious faiths into the ranks of Freemasonry . It is one of our fundamental laws that no man shall be
questioned as to his religious or political views . All that is necessary is that he must be a law-abiding man , and one who believes in the existence of a God and a future state . Jews are admittedly loyal to the Government under which they live , be it republican or monarchical . No kind of
government , indeed , has more loyal subjects , while in the matter of religion none are more strictly observant of the principles they profess . They believe in the Creator of the Universe , and are as truly religious , according to the light that is in them , as any other sect . They have suffered in
former days for the tenacity of their faith , as Christians have suffered , and as , indeed , men of all creeds have suffered , and will continue to suffer ; so long , at least , as there are religious differences , and the charity we all profess is not universally practised . In England the principles of
toleration have always been practised among I * reemasons , at least since the constitution of onr Grand Lodge in 1717 , and tbe establishment of a regular system of Masonic Government . A Jew who is known to be a worthy man is , and always has been , and , we may venture to say , always will be ,
admissible into the ranks of Freemasonry . It would no more occur to an . English brother , who was invited to propose a candidate , to inquire what the latter ' s religious belief was , than what his political views were . It would be enough for him to know that the man he was
asked to propose for election was a religious man , as well as loyal to the Government of his country . Above and beyond this , the intending candidate might hold any views he chose , either in religion or politics . Prussia is a great country . It has given birth to many great men , and it is
an enlightened countiy , yet not so enlightened as we are , who are cut off from the rest of Europe by the "silver streak . " Prussians have evidently to understand what toleration really means , that is , the Prussian brotherhood at least ;
and the sooner they make further acquaintance with its character , the better for their own sakes , as well as for the interests of that Freemasonry which they , as we , profess to love so dearly . We do not care to speak harshly of any
Jewish Masonic Disabilities In Prussia.
brethren . We are too sensible of our own imperfections to advocate a policy of reprisal . Yet see we not how it is possible to fulfil our duty properly and conscientiously , and at the same time pass over unnoticed this most flagrant breach
of Masonic law , which our Prussian brethren insist on perpetrating . We feel that when the proper time comes , it will be the duty , albeit a painful one , of the Grand Master to withdraw from all official Masonic intercourse with this
or that one of the Prussian Grand Lodges which practically denies the universality of the Craft . We feel that it will be hia duty to withdraw our representatives , and to order the withdrawal of theirs , till such time as the true Masonio light shall illumine their minds , and induce them to
practise , as well as preach , the true principles of Freemasonry . We shall regret to see any dissension arising between sister Grand Lodges , but it is absurd to expect us to act against our conscience , and accord to our German brethren that recognition which they deliberately withhold from our Jewish brethren .
It is as well , perhaps , we should add a few lines , in order that we may express a hope , that the progress of this move , ment may not be interrupted by anyminor feelingsof jealousy , on the ground that one Lodge is taking a more prominent
part than its fellows . It matters little what Lodge enjoya the honour of having taken the initiative in raising this question publicly . We have a community of interest aa well as of feeling in this matter . We are all equally anxious these Masonic disabilities of the Prussian Jewish Masons
should be removed , and if the Prussian Grand Lodges will not do what they are in duty bound to do , there is hut one course for our Grand Master to follow . What that course is , we have already indicated with sufficient clearness . Masonry and bigotry are as opposite to each other as the two poles .
The Comprehensiveness Of Freemasonry.
THE COMPREHENSIVENESS OF FREEMASONRY .
"TTTE often hear maliciously-disposed people affirm that T Y the equality on which we Freemasons so justly pride ourselves has no existence , except in our own perfervid imagination . We are , it is true , all equally admitted into some of the minor and more harmless mysteries . So far the
same degree of knowledge is vouchsafed to all , and so far , of course , we are all equally bound to observe the obligations imposed upon us at onr admission into the Society . But there is , say they , a Masonry within Freemasonry , into which only
a very select few are admitted . It is these select few , we are told , who are the wire-pullers in every foul conspiracy that is hatched against society and religion . These it is to whose machinations are due the overthrow of kings and emperors ;
the prevalence of atheism and materialism ; the calm , indifference with which the behests of that sacrosanct personage the Pope are regarded by all but a few religious quacks ; and that eternal perdition hereafter which is
reserved for all mankind , or for so much of it at least as refuses to believe that the unholy fanaticism of Christianity is in any way representative of the true principles of religious faith . We have no intention of discussing at this
moment the charges raised against us by our fanatic assailants of the Romish Church . It does not require any very elaborate argument to demonstrate their worthlessness .
To begin with , there is absolutely not a tittle of evidence , either direct or circumstantial , that a single one of them is more than the mere assertion of persons interested in or
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Jewish Masonic Disabilities In Prussia.
JEWISH MASONIC DISABILITIES IN PRUSSIA .
WE rejoice to hear the movement inaugurated by the Montefiore Lodge , to which we alluded in a recent article , is progressing so satisfactorily . No less than a hundred and twenty Lodges have expressed their readiness to support its efforts to obtain from the three Berlin Grand Lodges that recognition , in practice , as well as in theory , of
the universality of Freemasonry which at present the latter decline to acknowledge . We trust that other Lodges will follow suit , and that when the time comes for the question to be dealt with by our Masonic authorities in this country , those who take the lead will find they have not
only the enthusiastic , but , likewise also , the unanimous support of the English Craft . We are also rejoiced to hear that the movement has the support of the able German
Masonic historian , Bro . Fmdel . This alone is enough to prove that the intellectual section of the Fraternity in Germany is opposed to the narrow-minded exclusiveness of the Berlin Grand Lodges .
It must be apparent to all our readers that no real community of feeling can exist between the Grand Lodge of Freemasons in this country and her sister Grand Lodges in
Prussia , when the former accepts in its entirety , and the latter reject , the admissibility of reputable men of all political and religious faiths into the ranks of Freemasonry . It is one of our fundamental laws that no man shall be
questioned as to his religious or political views . All that is necessary is that he must be a law-abiding man , and one who believes in the existence of a God and a future state . Jews are admittedly loyal to the Government under which they live , be it republican or monarchical . No kind of
government , indeed , has more loyal subjects , while in the matter of religion none are more strictly observant of the principles they profess . They believe in the Creator of the Universe , and are as truly religious , according to the light that is in them , as any other sect . They have suffered in
former days for the tenacity of their faith , as Christians have suffered , and as , indeed , men of all creeds have suffered , and will continue to suffer ; so long , at least , as there are religious differences , and the charity we all profess is not universally practised . In England the principles of
toleration have always been practised among I * reemasons , at least since the constitution of onr Grand Lodge in 1717 , and tbe establishment of a regular system of Masonic Government . A Jew who is known to be a worthy man is , and always has been , and , we may venture to say , always will be ,
admissible into the ranks of Freemasonry . It would no more occur to an . English brother , who was invited to propose a candidate , to inquire what the latter ' s religious belief was , than what his political views were . It would be enough for him to know that the man he was
asked to propose for election was a religious man , as well as loyal to the Government of his country . Above and beyond this , the intending candidate might hold any views he chose , either in religion or politics . Prussia is a great country . It has given birth to many great men , and it is
an enlightened countiy , yet not so enlightened as we are , who are cut off from the rest of Europe by the "silver streak . " Prussians have evidently to understand what toleration really means , that is , the Prussian brotherhood at least ;
and the sooner they make further acquaintance with its character , the better for their own sakes , as well as for the interests of that Freemasonry which they , as we , profess to love so dearly . We do not care to speak harshly of any
Jewish Masonic Disabilities In Prussia.
brethren . We are too sensible of our own imperfections to advocate a policy of reprisal . Yet see we not how it is possible to fulfil our duty properly and conscientiously , and at the same time pass over unnoticed this most flagrant breach
of Masonic law , which our Prussian brethren insist on perpetrating . We feel that when the proper time comes , it will be the duty , albeit a painful one , of the Grand Master to withdraw from all official Masonic intercourse with this
or that one of the Prussian Grand Lodges which practically denies the universality of the Craft . We feel that it will be hia duty to withdraw our representatives , and to order the withdrawal of theirs , till such time as the true Masonio light shall illumine their minds , and induce them to
practise , as well as preach , the true principles of Freemasonry . We shall regret to see any dissension arising between sister Grand Lodges , but it is absurd to expect us to act against our conscience , and accord to our German brethren that recognition which they deliberately withhold from our Jewish brethren .
It is as well , perhaps , we should add a few lines , in order that we may express a hope , that the progress of this move , ment may not be interrupted by anyminor feelingsof jealousy , on the ground that one Lodge is taking a more prominent
part than its fellows . It matters little what Lodge enjoya the honour of having taken the initiative in raising this question publicly . We have a community of interest aa well as of feeling in this matter . We are all equally anxious these Masonic disabilities of the Prussian Jewish Masons
should be removed , and if the Prussian Grand Lodges will not do what they are in duty bound to do , there is hut one course for our Grand Master to follow . What that course is , we have already indicated with sufficient clearness . Masonry and bigotry are as opposite to each other as the two poles .
The Comprehensiveness Of Freemasonry.
THE COMPREHENSIVENESS OF FREEMASONRY .
"TTTE often hear maliciously-disposed people affirm that T Y the equality on which we Freemasons so justly pride ourselves has no existence , except in our own perfervid imagination . We are , it is true , all equally admitted into some of the minor and more harmless mysteries . So far the
same degree of knowledge is vouchsafed to all , and so far , of course , we are all equally bound to observe the obligations imposed upon us at onr admission into the Society . But there is , say they , a Masonry within Freemasonry , into which only
a very select few are admitted . It is these select few , we are told , who are the wire-pullers in every foul conspiracy that is hatched against society and religion . These it is to whose machinations are due the overthrow of kings and emperors ;
the prevalence of atheism and materialism ; the calm , indifference with which the behests of that sacrosanct personage the Pope are regarded by all but a few religious quacks ; and that eternal perdition hereafter which is
reserved for all mankind , or for so much of it at least as refuses to believe that the unholy fanaticism of Christianity is in any way representative of the true principles of religious faith . We have no intention of discussing at this
moment the charges raised against us by our fanatic assailants of the Romish Church . It does not require any very elaborate argument to demonstrate their worthlessness .
To begin with , there is absolutely not a tittle of evidence , either direct or circumstantial , that a single one of them is more than the mere assertion of persons interested in or