-
Articles/Ads
Article FREEMASONRY VINDICATED. ← Page 4 of 7 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry Vindicated.
object was looked upon alniost as a national one , and the splendid ahd solemn manner in which the occasion was observed , Mdaii effect upon the general public , which would appear almost inexplicable , but for the respect in which we know the Masonic order to be held , whether willingly or otherwise , by the great bulk of those who have not the privilege of
belonging to it . Upon that day , no doubt some few matters might possibly have been better managed than they were , and something here arid there might have been advantageously curtailed or omitted ; and in this latter category we would class a speech b y the well-known historian of the day in which his stock story of u the touching incident in the American war "—the bayonet at the breast—the niueh talked of grip—and other family matters with which the Right Worshipful Brother has perhaps rather too often favoured the Masonic ( an ! general ) public , were given in all their details .
We have said that the population of Edinburgh were delighted with the proceedings of . the day ; there were , however , to be found ( as always was and will be the case ) some supercilious and sour-tempered people who could not let the opportunity pass of finding fault with all that had been done . The Rev . James Wright , conductor of a religious print , entitled the Ark , thinking this a favourable opportunity to hoist himself and his paper out of their original insignificance upon the shoulders of so important and interesting an occasion , favoured his readers with a niost curious literary
production in the shape of " a few remarks" upon Sir A . Alison ' s speech . Now had the reverend critic confined himself to pointing out anything really absurd or incorrect , he would have been entitled to our thanks , and we trust , we , as Masons , shall always be found possessed of sufficient candour to acknowledge and remedy any fault or defect ( if such can be found ) when honestly indicated in a friendly spirit . Mr . Wright does nothing of the kind however . His few remarks" commence with some fulsome
compliments to the u discriminating and philosophical mind" of Sir Archibald , which verge upon toadyism ; and proceed to inform the general public of what no doubt is news ' to them as well as to us—that Masons engage in " most profane ceremonies ? ' He continues in the following powerful and argumentative strain : — " Mason Lodges , by meana of their secrecy , were the societies worked by the
Jesuits and despotic Continental , aye , and British powers , for re-erecting the fabric of Popery on the ruins of the Reformation ; they wore the societies to Avhich Charles 1 . and his two royal brothers resorted , as the most powerful engines of supporting IPopery and absolutism ; and the Lodges of Freemasons were the dens wherein was concocted the terrific plot to overthrow ail the governments and religions of Europe , and which was acted out in the sanguinary revolution of France hy the infidel and bloody literati of that country . "
Whatever may be the reverend gentleman ' s talents for theological disquisition , we fear that his historical information would hardly enable him to obtain a very high number of marks in the new middle class examinations . We trust that the doctrinal and chronological points upon which the readers of the Ark have the benefit of ^ his lucubrations are rather more carefully studied , as a genera ! rule , than appears tohavejbeen the case on the present occasion ; otherwise we fear ibe result will not be any very great increase
to their store of knowledge . Quoth Mr . Wright , u Upon this historic field , of Freemasonry our space forbids us to enter ; " and for this small mercy we trust the readers of the Ark are truly thankful . It is nevertheless a novel view of English history , which makes out Charles II . and James SI . to he u the royal brothers" of Charles I . - and we were not previously aware that the last named monarch supported Popery . A little farther on , we are let into the secret of the source whence our clerical
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry Vindicated.
object was looked upon alniost as a national one , and the splendid ahd solemn manner in which the occasion was observed , Mdaii effect upon the general public , which would appear almost inexplicable , but for the respect in which we know the Masonic order to be held , whether willingly or otherwise , by the great bulk of those who have not the privilege of
belonging to it . Upon that day , no doubt some few matters might possibly have been better managed than they were , and something here arid there might have been advantageously curtailed or omitted ; and in this latter category we would class a speech b y the well-known historian of the day in which his stock story of u the touching incident in the American war "—the bayonet at the breast—the niueh talked of grip—and other family matters with which the Right Worshipful Brother has perhaps rather too often favoured the Masonic ( an ! general ) public , were given in all their details .
We have said that the population of Edinburgh were delighted with the proceedings of . the day ; there were , however , to be found ( as always was and will be the case ) some supercilious and sour-tempered people who could not let the opportunity pass of finding fault with all that had been done . The Rev . James Wright , conductor of a religious print , entitled the Ark , thinking this a favourable opportunity to hoist himself and his paper out of their original insignificance upon the shoulders of so important and interesting an occasion , favoured his readers with a niost curious literary
production in the shape of " a few remarks" upon Sir A . Alison ' s speech . Now had the reverend critic confined himself to pointing out anything really absurd or incorrect , he would have been entitled to our thanks , and we trust , we , as Masons , shall always be found possessed of sufficient candour to acknowledge and remedy any fault or defect ( if such can be found ) when honestly indicated in a friendly spirit . Mr . Wright does nothing of the kind however . His few remarks" commence with some fulsome
compliments to the u discriminating and philosophical mind" of Sir Archibald , which verge upon toadyism ; and proceed to inform the general public of what no doubt is news ' to them as well as to us—that Masons engage in " most profane ceremonies ? ' He continues in the following powerful and argumentative strain : — " Mason Lodges , by meana of their secrecy , were the societies worked by the
Jesuits and despotic Continental , aye , and British powers , for re-erecting the fabric of Popery on the ruins of the Reformation ; they wore the societies to Avhich Charles 1 . and his two royal brothers resorted , as the most powerful engines of supporting IPopery and absolutism ; and the Lodges of Freemasons were the dens wherein was concocted the terrific plot to overthrow ail the governments and religions of Europe , and which was acted out in the sanguinary revolution of France hy the infidel and bloody literati of that country . "
Whatever may be the reverend gentleman ' s talents for theological disquisition , we fear that his historical information would hardly enable him to obtain a very high number of marks in the new middle class examinations . We trust that the doctrinal and chronological points upon which the readers of the Ark have the benefit of ^ his lucubrations are rather more carefully studied , as a genera ! rule , than appears tohavejbeen the case on the present occasion ; otherwise we fear ibe result will not be any very great increase
to their store of knowledge . Quoth Mr . Wright , u Upon this historic field , of Freemasonry our space forbids us to enter ; " and for this small mercy we trust the readers of the Ark are truly thankful . It is nevertheless a novel view of English history , which makes out Charles II . and James SI . to he u the royal brothers" of Charles I . - and we were not previously aware that the last named monarch supported Popery . A little farther on , we are let into the secret of the source whence our clerical