A Plea Ad Miseiucordiam.

and we trust that their past and present most liberal supply of the " pabulum mentis latomicae " may be an augury of their continued interest and kindly communications for the future .

Freemasonry And Roman Catholicism In France.

FREEMASONRY AND ROMAN CATHOLICISM IN FRANCE .

Our attention has been called by a courteous correspondent to an able letter on this subject in the " Journal de Geneve , " and which is dated Paris , October 8 th . We have perused it with much attention , and we think it worthy of note in the " Freemason , " as we are always anxious

to keep our brethren " au courant , '' alike of the Masonic literature of the hour , as well as of the comments and criticisms of the profane , the scientific , the journalistic world of letters and op inions . Having very carefully considered the communication of the correspondent of the

"Journal de Geneve , . we wish to point out , where it is we agree and where it is we differ respectfully from him . We are very sorry that we cannot reproduce the article , as it is all too long for our crowded pages . But we will try and give its general bearing . In the first place , we

venture to think that fhe writer , as foreign Masonic writers often do , overestimates the exact position of Freemasonry , and the actual conflict existing between it and the Roman Catholic Church . He would represent Freemasonry and Roman Catholicism as two hostile camps , the one ,

Freemasonry , representing liberalism , progress , and toleration ; the other , Roman Catholicism , representing intolerance , retrogression , and persecution , This is the gist of the argument of a long letter , exceedingly well written , and ver y carefully elaborated . Now , though in the

abstract the writer ' s position is correct enough , generally stated , and in the concrete also , " par voie du fait , " as the lawyers say , Rome seems to be taking up the untenable and untoward position of unceasing denunciation of Freemasonry everywhere , yet it does not follow that because

Rome does wrong Freemasonry should follow suit . We deny in toto that such is necessaril yand , above all , that such should be—the position of Freemasonry in the matter . To condemn Freemasonry to such a lifelong and sterile contest is to deprive it of any possible means of doing

real good in the world . For because Rome is belligerent , aggressive , minatory , and condemnatory , it is not a case of sequitir that Freemasonry is to meet allocution by oration , anathema by protest , " coup par coup . " In the first place , however abstractedl y it may be true , that owing

to a false position and false appreciation , alike of the facts of history and thc needs of the hour , the Romish Curia is placing the body in a perpetual state of hostility to Freemasonry , it does not result from this as a logical consequence , that such is the true position of Rome , even on

thc question itself . Neither can it be safel y affirmed by any one that because Rome does do so , Freemasonry is therefore to do so and so , in reprisal or return . Two blacks never can make one white , and though Rome does wrong , and is wrong , there is no further reason wh y

Freemasonry should not be right and do right . We therefore do not agree with the position the able writer has assumed , that Freemasonry re presents liberalism in this great cont <; st . Freemasonry is liberal and tolerant , and peaceful and progressive enough it advocates ever the liberty of thought ,

the cultivation of the reason , the sanctity of tb _ individual conscience- but it does not atlvocatc these , principles in opposition to the Church of Rome or any other religious community , but simply because they have been , and are still , and ever will be its own leading principles of

teaching and of action . Freemasonry is right in holding such great and solemn truths , truths most necessary for the safety and happiness , and peaceful progress of mankind , whether in a state ° r as individuals . But because Freemasonry thus asserts its own unceasing sympathy with and interest in the struggles of humanity , the

triumphs of peace , and the welfare alike of the individual citizen and of the body politic , 't does not intend nor wish to mix itself up with the lower struggles of party or to adopt the often debasing war cries of faction and a pseudo liberalism . All is » ot gold that glitters , and all is not

Freemasonry And Roman Catholicism In France.

truly liberal that passes under the name . Like Madame Roland we cau still often say to-day , " Oh Liberty , what crimes are committed in thy name ? " We must demur , therefore , to the main argument , either that Freemasonry is simply in antagonism to the Romish

Church , or that it represents liberalism , or is opposed to illiberalism , or that it is bound to wage a perpetual warfare with the Church of Rome . Freemasonry has nothing to do with the Church of Rome , qua the Church of Rome , or any other religious denomination , and only comes into

contact or collision with it , when that religious body goes out of its way to attack or anathematize a peaceful , loyal , benevolent , and religious association . Freemasonry has nothing either to do with political contests or party cares . It upholds liberty in its fullest sense , but it utterly ignores

the manifestoes of a so-called liberalism , about which it knows nothing , and which , though it assumes loudly enough th . name of liberty , has after all but little to do with it , and may only be but another name for revolution . Freemasonry ,

amid many changes , is still unchanging , and will ever be found ready on its own peaceful and unpolitical princi ples to advocate liberty , toleration , and freedom of conscience in the clearest measure , and to the fullest extent .

The Boys' School.

THE BOYS' SCHOOL .

Our readers , like ourselves , will have perused the last report of the Boys' School General Committee with much interest and approval . By it we learn that a special Committee , consisting of Bros . Col . Ridgway , Dwarber , Dicketts , Diaper , and Motion , has been appointed " to investigate

the management and accounts of this institution , and report thereon to this Committee , " and also " to report specifically on the charge on page 29 of the pamphlet now produced , as to whether there is any ground for the charges brought by

Bro . Tew and Bro . Perrott , that __ ? r 4 t 15 s ., or any part thereof , is not accounted for , as stated in the pamphlet . " We note that a professional accountant is to be called in by the Committee to assist them in the investigation of the accounts , and we think that this unanimous decision ofthe

General Committee will afford the greatest satisfaction to the Craft . We are of opinion that the matter being now " sub judice , " all correspondence should cease on the subject until the Committee lias made its report , and we also feel that

we shall be acting most fully in the spirit of Freemasonry and the interest of the Boys' School if we announce to-day , that after this issue we consider the ^ discussion closed until then , and that we shall admit no more letters on the subject in the interim . We venture also to add that we

feel there is a good deal of force in our worth y Bro . Sutcliffe ' s remarks , which he has incorporated in an advertisement , page 516 , of our last issue , and with him we deeply regret that so many unseemly personalities have been so ostentatiously obtruded on the notice of the Craft .

But then , as Bro . SutchfTe well knows , and our readers are also aware , in all these conflicts of human opinion and interest , it always is characteristic of weakness and want of ballast , to be alike hasty in judgment and personal in incrimination . We cannot , as Freemasons , but sincerely deplore

that on ex parte statements , and on ex parte statements alone , any Masonic body , or member of our tolerant Order , should hastily assume the truth of ill-digested charges and parlizan inculpations . We quite agree with Bro . Sutcliffe that the proper course would have been to go to the

House Committee , not to the public press , to make a statement calmly to that body , and not openly and violentl y attack Bro . Binckes . We are very glad to see that Bro . Col . Ridgway ' s views as regards the real position , whether of

Lodges , of Provincial Grand Lodges , or of Grand Lodge , itself , as regards the educational charities constitutionally , are entirely identical with our own . We await the report of the special Committee , with the fullest assurance of its impartiality and justice .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

By the report of the last monthl y meeting a resolution has been arrived at , which is as

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

follows : — " Every Steward at the anniversary festivals who shall procrue donations or subscriptions to the extent of not less than , £ 5 0 , in addition to his own donation , shall receive two additional votes at each election , and two further

extra votes for every additional sum of not less than £ 50 . " By this resolution it will be seen , if a brother takes in on his list -6 50 in addition to his own donation , he will receive two additional votes at each election , and also two further additional votes fore verv additional sum of not

less than ^ 50 . matter has got to corne before Grand Lodge , we say nothing more in the interim , except that we fully agree with everything that our excellent Bro . John Symonds said so well on the subject , and that we deem the alteration a needful and salutary one in every respect .

Our Kind Critic.

OUR KIND CRITIC .

We had not intended to allude any more to the Boys' School , until the Committee had reported , as we said in a previous article , but a letter of the Rev . Bro . Perrott ' s requires a few words of remark . We had called attention to a great Masonic "laches" on his part and his confrere , in persistently calling Bro . Binckes

" Mr . Binckes , " which we deemed alike unmasonic and improper . We still think so . Bro . Perrott accepts our correction as to the titular description , though without any proper expression of regret at so unmasonic an offence against good taste , and common propriety , but sends us a "Tuquoque . " At school in our days a "Tu

quoque was always visited with condi gn punishment . We do not see its force of application here . Albas Dies was an editorial oversight ; Albi Dies , as the old line says , " sole dies referente siccos , " and as Facciolati

tells us that Dies is masculine and feminine in singular , masculine " tantum , " in the plural ; We do not ourselves , from this little specimen of Bro . Perrott ' s customary style of writing , profess to have any doubt as to where , in the late " fracas" in the school , to use a familiar expression , " the shoe pinched . "

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

j . \ Ve -o not hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but wc wish , in a spirit of fair play to all , to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —lio . l

THE BOYS' SCHOOL . 7 ' o the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — I am desirous to anticipate the shout of exultation wliich I fancy I can hear over the statement of accounts as published in your number of last Saturday when compared with that given in a previous number .

The latter I had prepared for me , and I was not satisfied with it , especially as regards the discrepancy of £ 3 , but anxious to let your readers know that the expenditure could and should be accounted for , I sent it for publication . Subsequently , I went carefully into thc figures myself , and happily arrived at a result equally accurate as satisfactory . That has been submitted to tlie " Special Committee , "

appointed at the last meeting of the General Committee , whose report thereon will be laid before thc next meeting on Saturday , 4 H 1 December . Sly opponents arc welcome to any capital they may make out of this . May it not be regarded as a fortunate coincidence that simultaneously with this organised attack upon the management of our Institution there should be presented tothe

General Committee thc most favourable report by the Audit Committee ever presented since the sale of our funded property in 186 4 ? We now stand before thc Craft with the largest number of boys we have ever had ( 177 , as compared with 80 in 1865—ten years since ) , better fed , better clothed , and , I hope 1 may now say , better educated than they have ever been ; the original building and its

additions paid for ; no debts , with the exception of two or three small unadjusted balances waiting the architect ' s examination and certificate ; and , at last , the commencement of invested capital by the purchase of £ 2000 Consols , carrying over a good balance to meet current expenditure . Surely , a management which has effected thus much is deserving , at least , of indulgent consideration , if not

entitled to unqualified approval . Neither on behalf of the Committee , nor myself , nor of others connected in the administration of the affairs of the Institution , do I make any mere " ad captandum " appeal . We do not fear the strictures of heated partisans , our

reliance being on the wisdom , justice , and impartiality of those who delegated to us thc discharge of our respective functions . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , Fll _ l )__ lCK BlNCKKS . London , icthNov ., 187 *! .