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Article The Relation of Freemasonry to Religion. ← Page 2 of 2 Article Freemasonry in Durham. Page 1 of 1
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The Relation Of Freemasonry To Religion.
Nor dare we , in face of the leaching of the same infallible Guide , assert that thc salvation of the soul is accomplished with reference only to a hereafter . Doubtless , as Freemasons , wc are chiefly concerned with obedience ; but even as Freemasons we await the call ol the
S . W . Wc also as Freemasons believe that the Ever-living is "He that Was , and Is , and Is to come . " Our morality , inspired by what energy soever , is not possible without a yesterday and a to-morrow .
Wc differ in our readings of the partly-revealed , just as an Englishman will differ from a Frenchman , and both will differ from a German , in a matter of idioms . We all agree as to the fact of the life of a whole humanity . But Religion has two forms . There is the form of discipleship , and there is that of Masterhood . As learners we face the Supreme
Master , and worship the King from whom no secrets are hid . As masters we teach , labour , serve , bear one another's burdens , till up the breaches , rebuild the city , bring back the captivity , and " open the door to the children ' . " It is this latter part which we chiefly attempt as Freemasons , although
we must also be students to be really successful . But religion has yet another and a higher form of service , which onlysome Freemasons are able to engage in . This is the theological service . The Essenes , in the more advanced degrees only , were able to prophesy . While causes are
never far away from all of us , only some of us can penetrate mysteries and solve problems . All cannot read the Secret Name ; fewer still know its meaning . Nor need the crude speculations of those who see in part and testify in part , be allowed to mar the beauty of the design upon the Tracing
Board . We know what are our landmarks . We need not study their history while the Builder is waiting for our stone to be perfected . There are hours for spiritual refreshment , and there are hours in which the chisel must be ever at work . We must not receive our novices to " doubtful disputations . "
The lucubrations of the fhcologic stage eventually percolate to the heart of the scientific ; the speculations of to-day is the concrete resultant of to-morrow .
Could Voltaire and Rousseau have seen to-day what we see , Fair France had never received her blood-baptism . Could the Church of their day have known what she knows to-day , she had not despised her visitation . Ethics coined into blessing is doing to-day what authority and dogma have failed to do in the last thousand years . As the Word came
by Micah , so it comes to-day to us . " He hath showed thee , O Man , what is good : and what do the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy , and to walk humbly with thy God . " I know we shall not always see together with regard to
points of human difference . No two patriots ever do . No two members of one family do . Even David and Jonathan did not . These are denominationalisms which are forgotten as we join to lift burdens . The law is over all . Christianity did not destroy the law : it only changed its language into
love . The Great Teacher came to fulfil , to enrich . And nowhere is the impetus of His Personality so effective as in the production of a greater activity in the carrying on of that
part of religion which belongs to Freemasons in session . With a great price , and after a long period of bondage to the monastic taskmaster , did operative Freemasons obtain f henfreedom . They will never allow again the domination of the votaries of a hide-bound theology . The V . of the S . L . has again been laid in the most honourable position as the
only reliable guide to us in our labours , and the manacles of dogma shall no longer be closed upon our free limbs . We have not repudiated religion , nor have we substituted formal moralism for it . Formal religious bodies did repudiate religion , and to-day they are coming back to it , aad to us in
part . We rejoice that so many are realising the loss that is involved by the long suspicion and long separation . We are , as never before , free from all denominationalism ; and yet , as never before , we are able to unite with deuominationalists in charitable and educational work ; and most of us , according
to the bent of our minds , are able to group ourselves in denominations . And all seek to follow that " course of life led in conformity to the belief of a superintending power , and of laws divinely established . " So mote it be !
Freemasonry In Durham.
Freemasonry in Durham .
D URING the past few years Freemasonry in its various grades has made exceedingly satisfactory and encouraging advances in the Province of Durham , and , at the present time there is probably hardly a centre or district of any importance but is represented by a Masonic lodge . With the progress of the principles of Freemasonry
itself , there has been a corresponding advance in the establishment and erection of Masonic Buildings , the latest addition to which is the handsome and commodious new-Masonic Hall , at Hetton-le-Hole , and which forms the permanent home of the Bernard Gilpin Lodge , No . 3076 , of the
Province of Durham . The consecration of the Lodge took place in the presence of Lord Barnard , Provincial Grand Master of Durham , many of the provincial grand officers , and a large assemblage of brethren from various parts of the province , under the most successful auspicesabout twelve
, months since , and it speaks well for the enthusiasm-of its founders and members that within the brief period named the work of erecting suitable Masonic buildings in which to conduct the business of the Lodge should have been carried to a successful issue . Bro . the Rev . W . Bowker , M . A . P . M .
, ( No . 4 8 ) , P . G . C , the first Master of the Lodge , as well as the W . M . elect , Bro . Albert Richardson , P . M . ( No . 2568 ) , P . P . G . Std ., and the other founders are to be heartily congratulated upon the success achieved . The foundation of the Bernard Gilpin Lodge in the important centre of
Hettonle-Hole is peculiarly fitting in view of the fact that it was in this and the ; idjoinini < district "Unit Ihe Apostle of the North , " whoseiname and the traditions of whose virtues are still household words , spent the latter part of his life . A large and striking photographic enlargement of the wellknown " Bernard Gilpin" window in Durham Cathedral ,
depicting the principal events in Gilpin ' s life , will appropriately find a place on the walls of the new lodge room , and is the gift of the W . M , elect , Bro . Albert Richardson , whose practical interest in Masonry in the two Provinces of Durham and Northumberland , in which he has held many important offices , is well known . His election to the Mastership of the
Lodge at this juncture will be exceedingly popular . The site selected for the new Masonic Half is a most convenient one in every respect , being in close proximity to the Helton Railway Station , whilst the electric cars running between there and Sunderland pass the new hall—a combination of ( ravelling facilities which will be found very advantageous to
visiting brethren . Architecturally speaking , no attempt has been made at elaboration so far as the exterior of the new building is concerned , though the general effect , for a modern type of building , is very pleasing . Interiorally , those responsible for the designing of the building—Messrs , Harding ,
Holbrook , and Pegge—have provided two splendid apartments—the lodge-room upstairs and the banqueting hall downstairs—of the most up-to-date character , with master ' s room , and the necessary ante-rooms and other conveniences . Special attention has been paid to lighting and ventilation ,
and the comfort of the brethren generally . The contractors , Messrs . Sparrow & Lamb , have carried out the work in a manner which has given the greatest satisfaction . The formal opening of the new hall took place on the 19 th Dec , when a large gathering of brethren from various parts of
the Durham Province , as well as from Northumberland was present . The opening ceremony was performed by Bro . J J . Candlish , P . S . G . W ., to whom was presented a silver key as a memento of the occasion .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Relation Of Freemasonry To Religion.
Nor dare we , in face of the leaching of the same infallible Guide , assert that thc salvation of the soul is accomplished with reference only to a hereafter . Doubtless , as Freemasons , wc are chiefly concerned with obedience ; but even as Freemasons we await the call ol the
S . W . Wc also as Freemasons believe that the Ever-living is "He that Was , and Is , and Is to come . " Our morality , inspired by what energy soever , is not possible without a yesterday and a to-morrow .
Wc differ in our readings of the partly-revealed , just as an Englishman will differ from a Frenchman , and both will differ from a German , in a matter of idioms . We all agree as to the fact of the life of a whole humanity . But Religion has two forms . There is the form of discipleship , and there is that of Masterhood . As learners we face the Supreme
Master , and worship the King from whom no secrets are hid . As masters we teach , labour , serve , bear one another's burdens , till up the breaches , rebuild the city , bring back the captivity , and " open the door to the children ' . " It is this latter part which we chiefly attempt as Freemasons , although
we must also be students to be really successful . But religion has yet another and a higher form of service , which onlysome Freemasons are able to engage in . This is the theological service . The Essenes , in the more advanced degrees only , were able to prophesy . While causes are
never far away from all of us , only some of us can penetrate mysteries and solve problems . All cannot read the Secret Name ; fewer still know its meaning . Nor need the crude speculations of those who see in part and testify in part , be allowed to mar the beauty of the design upon the Tracing
Board . We know what are our landmarks . We need not study their history while the Builder is waiting for our stone to be perfected . There are hours for spiritual refreshment , and there are hours in which the chisel must be ever at work . We must not receive our novices to " doubtful disputations . "
The lucubrations of the fhcologic stage eventually percolate to the heart of the scientific ; the speculations of to-day is the concrete resultant of to-morrow .
Could Voltaire and Rousseau have seen to-day what we see , Fair France had never received her blood-baptism . Could the Church of their day have known what she knows to-day , she had not despised her visitation . Ethics coined into blessing is doing to-day what authority and dogma have failed to do in the last thousand years . As the Word came
by Micah , so it comes to-day to us . " He hath showed thee , O Man , what is good : and what do the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy , and to walk humbly with thy God . " I know we shall not always see together with regard to
points of human difference . No two patriots ever do . No two members of one family do . Even David and Jonathan did not . These are denominationalisms which are forgotten as we join to lift burdens . The law is over all . Christianity did not destroy the law : it only changed its language into
love . The Great Teacher came to fulfil , to enrich . And nowhere is the impetus of His Personality so effective as in the production of a greater activity in the carrying on of that
part of religion which belongs to Freemasons in session . With a great price , and after a long period of bondage to the monastic taskmaster , did operative Freemasons obtain f henfreedom . They will never allow again the domination of the votaries of a hide-bound theology . The V . of the S . L . has again been laid in the most honourable position as the
only reliable guide to us in our labours , and the manacles of dogma shall no longer be closed upon our free limbs . We have not repudiated religion , nor have we substituted formal moralism for it . Formal religious bodies did repudiate religion , and to-day they are coming back to it , aad to us in
part . We rejoice that so many are realising the loss that is involved by the long suspicion and long separation . We are , as never before , free from all denominationalism ; and yet , as never before , we are able to unite with deuominationalists in charitable and educational work ; and most of us , according
to the bent of our minds , are able to group ourselves in denominations . And all seek to follow that " course of life led in conformity to the belief of a superintending power , and of laws divinely established . " So mote it be !
Freemasonry In Durham.
Freemasonry in Durham .
D URING the past few years Freemasonry in its various grades has made exceedingly satisfactory and encouraging advances in the Province of Durham , and , at the present time there is probably hardly a centre or district of any importance but is represented by a Masonic lodge . With the progress of the principles of Freemasonry
itself , there has been a corresponding advance in the establishment and erection of Masonic Buildings , the latest addition to which is the handsome and commodious new-Masonic Hall , at Hetton-le-Hole , and which forms the permanent home of the Bernard Gilpin Lodge , No . 3076 , of the
Province of Durham . The consecration of the Lodge took place in the presence of Lord Barnard , Provincial Grand Master of Durham , many of the provincial grand officers , and a large assemblage of brethren from various parts of the province , under the most successful auspicesabout twelve
, months since , and it speaks well for the enthusiasm-of its founders and members that within the brief period named the work of erecting suitable Masonic buildings in which to conduct the business of the Lodge should have been carried to a successful issue . Bro . the Rev . W . Bowker , M . A . P . M .
, ( No . 4 8 ) , P . G . C , the first Master of the Lodge , as well as the W . M . elect , Bro . Albert Richardson , P . M . ( No . 2568 ) , P . P . G . Std ., and the other founders are to be heartily congratulated upon the success achieved . The foundation of the Bernard Gilpin Lodge in the important centre of
Hettonle-Hole is peculiarly fitting in view of the fact that it was in this and the ; idjoinini < district "Unit Ihe Apostle of the North , " whoseiname and the traditions of whose virtues are still household words , spent the latter part of his life . A large and striking photographic enlargement of the wellknown " Bernard Gilpin" window in Durham Cathedral ,
depicting the principal events in Gilpin ' s life , will appropriately find a place on the walls of the new lodge room , and is the gift of the W . M , elect , Bro . Albert Richardson , whose practical interest in Masonry in the two Provinces of Durham and Northumberland , in which he has held many important offices , is well known . His election to the Mastership of the
Lodge at this juncture will be exceedingly popular . The site selected for the new Masonic Half is a most convenient one in every respect , being in close proximity to the Helton Railway Station , whilst the electric cars running between there and Sunderland pass the new hall—a combination of ( ravelling facilities which will be found very advantageous to
visiting brethren . Architecturally speaking , no attempt has been made at elaboration so far as the exterior of the new building is concerned , though the general effect , for a modern type of building , is very pleasing . Interiorally , those responsible for the designing of the building—Messrs , Harding ,
Holbrook , and Pegge—have provided two splendid apartments—the lodge-room upstairs and the banqueting hall downstairs—of the most up-to-date character , with master ' s room , and the necessary ante-rooms and other conveniences . Special attention has been paid to lighting and ventilation ,
and the comfort of the brethren generally . The contractors , Messrs . Sparrow & Lamb , have carried out the work in a manner which has given the greatest satisfaction . The formal opening of the new hall took place on the 19 th Dec , when a large gathering of brethren from various parts of
the Durham Province , as well as from Northumberland was present . The opening ceremony was performed by Bro . J J . Candlish , P . S . G . W ., to whom was presented a silver key as a memento of the occasion .