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Article TO THE EDITOR. Page 1 of 1
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To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
Berlin , 25 th July . IC 44 . DEAR SIB AND BROTHER , —You are no doubt acquainted with the fact that the Prussian Lodges not only refuse at present to initiate Jews into Freemasonry on account of their faith , but decline to admit the members of that Creed as visitors to their Lodges , should any perchance be passing through or sojourning in any of the places where Lodges exist . This exclusive system of Freemasonry has led , as you may
suppose , to many debates upon the subject in , as well as out of the Lodges , many talented and distinguished Brethren having declared themselves favourable to the proposition for their admission . As the present seems a peculiarly proper time for foreign Grand Lodges to notify their opinions , I take the liberty of writing to you upon the subject . It will , perhaps , be as well to mention here , that there exist in Prussia at this time three Grand Lodges unconnected with each other , the Prince of Prussia being
the Protector of the whole , but no meetings take place , consequently , no uniformity can exist , and but little sympathy and friendship . One of the foregoing three Grancl Lodges , named the Royal York of Friendship , finds it desirable to remodel and re-arrange their laws every nine years ; the time has now arrived , and the new code will be submitted on St . John ' s Day , 1845 ; it would be extremely important to the Craft at large , if the Grand Lodge oi England would immediately
communicate to the Royal York at Berlin , its opinion upon the non-admission of cur Jewish Brethren , particularly those of England , who were taught that " Freemasonry is universal , " as it will otherwise be necessary that in future , every Mason shall declare his religious opinions on presenting himself at the door of a Lodge ; the same applies to other countries ; but I understand the Grand Lodges of France , & c . & c , have protested against this unmasonie act , and the opinion of England ' s Lodge is
anxiously waited for . The Royal York of Friendship possessing a representative of England's at their meetings , we hope your Grand Secretary will be requested to instruct him from the Grand Master , the M . W . the Earl of Zetland , upon the subject . I do sincerely hope that something definite will be done by the Grand Lodge upon the subject , as Masonry is becoming a religious instead of social question , and from that to politicalit is but one step . I trespass thus upon your valuable
, time that the English Brethren may , through your influential and widely circulated Review , become acquainted with the subject . I am , dear Sir ancl Brother , Yours , very respectfully and fraternally , ( Signed ) JOSEPH BEHREND .
[ We insert the above letter most cheerfully ; our heart goes with the writer , nor shall our humble efforts be wanting to second his views . Already the subject has found its way to the Grancl Lodge of England , ancl at a most opportune moment , for , on the 4 th of this month , when an address was voted from the Grancl Lodge to the Prince of Prussia , as Protector of the Grand Lodges , it was suggested as an amendment , that some allusion should be made to tbe intolerance of excluding Jewish Brethren . This amendment was withdrawn by consent , in order that the vote might be unanimous—but tbe " VOICE" was heard , and will speak out . —En . F . Q . 11 . ]
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
To The Editor.
TO THE EDITOR .
Berlin , 25 th July . IC 44 . DEAR SIB AND BROTHER , —You are no doubt acquainted with the fact that the Prussian Lodges not only refuse at present to initiate Jews into Freemasonry on account of their faith , but decline to admit the members of that Creed as visitors to their Lodges , should any perchance be passing through or sojourning in any of the places where Lodges exist . This exclusive system of Freemasonry has led , as you may
suppose , to many debates upon the subject in , as well as out of the Lodges , many talented and distinguished Brethren having declared themselves favourable to the proposition for their admission . As the present seems a peculiarly proper time for foreign Grand Lodges to notify their opinions , I take the liberty of writing to you upon the subject . It will , perhaps , be as well to mention here , that there exist in Prussia at this time three Grand Lodges unconnected with each other , the Prince of Prussia being
the Protector of the whole , but no meetings take place , consequently , no uniformity can exist , and but little sympathy and friendship . One of the foregoing three Grancl Lodges , named the Royal York of Friendship , finds it desirable to remodel and re-arrange their laws every nine years ; the time has now arrived , and the new code will be submitted on St . John ' s Day , 1845 ; it would be extremely important to the Craft at large , if the Grand Lodge oi England would immediately
communicate to the Royal York at Berlin , its opinion upon the non-admission of cur Jewish Brethren , particularly those of England , who were taught that " Freemasonry is universal , " as it will otherwise be necessary that in future , every Mason shall declare his religious opinions on presenting himself at the door of a Lodge ; the same applies to other countries ; but I understand the Grand Lodges of France , & c . & c , have protested against this unmasonie act , and the opinion of England ' s Lodge is
anxiously waited for . The Royal York of Friendship possessing a representative of England's at their meetings , we hope your Grand Secretary will be requested to instruct him from the Grand Master , the M . W . the Earl of Zetland , upon the subject . I do sincerely hope that something definite will be done by the Grand Lodge upon the subject , as Masonry is becoming a religious instead of social question , and from that to politicalit is but one step . I trespass thus upon your valuable
, time that the English Brethren may , through your influential and widely circulated Review , become acquainted with the subject . I am , dear Sir ancl Brother , Yours , very respectfully and fraternally , ( Signed ) JOSEPH BEHREND .
[ We insert the above letter most cheerfully ; our heart goes with the writer , nor shall our humble efforts be wanting to second his views . Already the subject has found its way to the Grancl Lodge of England , ancl at a most opportune moment , for , on the 4 th of this month , when an address was voted from the Grancl Lodge to the Prince of Prussia , as Protector of the Grand Lodges , it was suggested as an amendment , that some allusion should be made to tbe intolerance of excluding Jewish Brethren . This amendment was withdrawn by consent , in order that the vote might be unanimous—but tbe " VOICE" was heard , and will speak out . —En . F . Q . 11 . ]