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fear there may be , among the large number of Freemasons in this island , some who are weak enough to allow this popish despotism to get the better of their reason . Indeed , the matter has , even now , assumed a form of such importance as to render necessary the immediate aid of the Grand Lodge of the United
Kingdom . True it is that we are far distant ; nevertheless , Freemasons in the West Indies have , I believe , shown on all occasions due submission to their respective Grand Lodges , and have yielded to no one in supporting the Order , and consequently they hope to receive at the hands of their Grand Lodges , in return , such support as they in their wisdom and power can bestow .
" As a proof of my statements , I herein enclose a paragraph which I have taken from the Port of Spain Gazette , and which I hope will be sufficient to prove that this appeal is not without necessity , and that the Masonic body of this island has been assailed by the clergy of the Church of Rome with persecutions of most foul and envenomed nature .
iC In conclusion , let me earnestly request that you will lay this communication before the Grand Lodge as speedily as you conveniently can , respectfully soliciting their aid and instruction in the matter , as the Craft here most earnestly desire their decision . —I have the honour to be , ¦ " Very Worshipful Sir and Brother , " Yours fraternally , " Dan . Hart , W . M ., No . 585 . "
We forbear long comment upon the sad condition of mind this intolerance manifests in those whose mission- —heaven-born—should be of love and mercy . It were well indeed if this scion of a persecuting church knew something of the spirit and principles of Masonry , as well as of the scandalous dogmas of Liguori , or the virulence of Torquemada . When did we ever hear of any of these tonsured
Boanerges rescuing a Brother from destruction in the din of battle , or of mastering passions , heated by strife , in a moment , to raise a prostrate foe , binding up wounds with the same hand that inflicted them , and tending with fraternal sympathy him who , a moment before , fell beneath the uplifted sword ? If these benighted dogmatists ever read aught beside the sensual productions of Dens , they might study the Masonic virtues of brotherly love , relief , and truth , set forth and
exemplified by many at the storming of the Eedan , and perceive that whilst they are cultivating their prurient tastes in the confessional , Masonry is extending its boundaries of charity and intelligence daily and hourly , yet so that the wideness of its scope does not diminish the concentration of its interests . If these priests cannot imitate , let them beware how they assail us ; it requires but a small exertion on our part to reduce their aggression to its original insignificance .
Meanwhile we trust that our Brethren in foreign lauds will soon discover , notwithstanding the incapacity of Grand Lodge , that the true heart of English Masonry is not dead , though somewhat paralysed , and that it is something more than a patron of festive
hilarity without a reminiscence of its once lofty character . The Lodges in the South and "West , at Malta and in Trinidad , have the means of cure somewhat in their own hands , though not to the supersedure of our active co-operation . The plan we propose may be elaborated from the followin g : —• 1 st . A strong memorial from Grand Lodge , and from individual Lodges of the ITnited Kingdom , should be forthwith addressed to
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Untitled Article
fear there may be , among the large number of Freemasons in this island , some who are weak enough to allow this popish despotism to get the better of their reason . Indeed , the matter has , even now , assumed a form of such importance as to render necessary the immediate aid of the Grand Lodge of the United
Kingdom . True it is that we are far distant ; nevertheless , Freemasons in the West Indies have , I believe , shown on all occasions due submission to their respective Grand Lodges , and have yielded to no one in supporting the Order , and consequently they hope to receive at the hands of their Grand Lodges , in return , such support as they in their wisdom and power can bestow .
" As a proof of my statements , I herein enclose a paragraph which I have taken from the Port of Spain Gazette , and which I hope will be sufficient to prove that this appeal is not without necessity , and that the Masonic body of this island has been assailed by the clergy of the Church of Rome with persecutions of most foul and envenomed nature .
iC In conclusion , let me earnestly request that you will lay this communication before the Grand Lodge as speedily as you conveniently can , respectfully soliciting their aid and instruction in the matter , as the Craft here most earnestly desire their decision . —I have the honour to be , ¦ " Very Worshipful Sir and Brother , " Yours fraternally , " Dan . Hart , W . M ., No . 585 . "
We forbear long comment upon the sad condition of mind this intolerance manifests in those whose mission- —heaven-born—should be of love and mercy . It were well indeed if this scion of a persecuting church knew something of the spirit and principles of Masonry , as well as of the scandalous dogmas of Liguori , or the virulence of Torquemada . When did we ever hear of any of these tonsured
Boanerges rescuing a Brother from destruction in the din of battle , or of mastering passions , heated by strife , in a moment , to raise a prostrate foe , binding up wounds with the same hand that inflicted them , and tending with fraternal sympathy him who , a moment before , fell beneath the uplifted sword ? If these benighted dogmatists ever read aught beside the sensual productions of Dens , they might study the Masonic virtues of brotherly love , relief , and truth , set forth and
exemplified by many at the storming of the Eedan , and perceive that whilst they are cultivating their prurient tastes in the confessional , Masonry is extending its boundaries of charity and intelligence daily and hourly , yet so that the wideness of its scope does not diminish the concentration of its interests . If these priests cannot imitate , let them beware how they assail us ; it requires but a small exertion on our part to reduce their aggression to its original insignificance .
Meanwhile we trust that our Brethren in foreign lauds will soon discover , notwithstanding the incapacity of Grand Lodge , that the true heart of English Masonry is not dead , though somewhat paralysed , and that it is something more than a patron of festive
hilarity without a reminiscence of its once lofty character . The Lodges in the South and "West , at Malta and in Trinidad , have the means of cure somewhat in their own hands , though not to the supersedure of our active co-operation . The plan we propose may be elaborated from the followin g : —• 1 st . A strong memorial from Grand Lodge , and from individual Lodges of the ITnited Kingdom , should be forthwith addressed to