The Pope And Freemasonry.

degrees , they only carried out the original design of the society . Its principles are . based on the purest morality—its ethics are the ethics of Christianity—its doctrines are the doctrines of patriotism and brotherly love , and its sentiments those of the most exalted benevolence . All that

is good , and kind , and charitable , it encourages ; all that is vicious , ancl cruel , ancl oppressive , it reprobates , "It is the boast of our institution ( says Mackey , in his Lexicon , v . Charity ) , that a Mason , destitute ancl Avorthy , may find in every

clime a brother , ancl in every land a home . " I have already said that Masonry has nothing to do AA ith politics , ancl cannot lend itself to any disloyal or unpatriotic designs . The candidate is taught , when first admitted into the Order , " to

be exemplary in the discharge of his civil duties , by never proposing , or at all countenancing , any act that may have a tendency to subvert the peace and good order of society ; by paying due obedience to the laAvs of any state Avhich may for a

time become the place of his residence , or afford him its protection ; and , above all , by never losingsight of the allegiance due to the Sovereign of his native land . "

Ihe following extract from an address delivered more than half a century ago by the Grand Lodge of Ireland Avill speak for itself . It is so very interesting and so very A aluable that I make no apology for quoting it : — " The Grand Lodge of

Ireland , as the constituted authority and guardians of the Craft , deem it incumbent on them to remind the respective lodges of this kingdom , that it is utterly inconsistent Avith the fundamental principles , the ancient charges , ancl the uniform

practice of Freemasons , to permit any discussions or publications on religious or political subjects among them ; because these , of all others , are

known to arouse the worst passions of men , and excite among the kindest brethren the most rancorous and lasting animosities . True Masonry prefers no sect and acknowledges no party . A Mason's religion is the faithful Avorshi p of Gocl

his politics , a strict obedience to the laws of the country in Avhich he resides , and a most cordial ancl unremitting attachment to his Sovereign . Freemasons have sufficient opportunities of expressing their political ancl religious opinions in

other societies and in other capacities , ancl should not , under any pretence AA hatsoever , suffer such topics to invade the sacred retirement of a lodge , 'which is peculiarly appropriated to improve moral

duties , coi-rect human fi-ailties , ancl inculcate social happiness . The Grand Lodge , therefore , in discharge of their duty , ancl actuated by the most anxious solicitude for the prosperity , honour , and unanimity of the Avhole Masonic body of Ireland ,

earnestly exhort ancl require all the lodges of this kingdom to refrain from religious arid political discussions , ancl all publications on such subjects . " Soman Catholics who knoAV anything of Freemasonry are as loud in its praises as other

Christians . Witness the folloAving evidence of Bro . O'Byaa . He says , "Thrice is he armed that has his quarrel just ; ancl for the Masonic Order righteousness forms a panoply against which the shafts of calumny fall blunted . Christianity was

established despite of persecution ; the edict of the tyz-ant and the axe of the executioner were vainly exerted to check its progress , or procure

its annihilation ; ancl Freemasonry , which is Christianity in its purest form , cannot be checked in its onward progress by any ingenuity which malice may exert , or any sophistry which misrepresentation may employ . Unanimity prevails in our

assemblies—religion lends her solemn sanction to our mysteries—philanthropy is inculcated by our precepts—universal charity is enjoined by oiulaAvs , ancl in the Book of Divine Bevelation is inscribed the Constitution of the Order , which ,

resting on such a basis , defies either secret workings or open assault . " I am conscious of many defects in Avhat I may call these fragmentary notes on Freemasonry ; your readers must , hoAvever , bear in mind that I

promised nothing more than to give them a faint idea of Avhat it was like—to tell them enough to convince them that it does not deserve the curses

of the Pope or the denunciation of any other person . In this letter I have purposely given the Avords of others as far as I could , knowing that a A ariety of evidence carries weight with it which no mere unsupported assertions of an individual

could do . I fear that some may think that my idea of Freemasonry being the parent society of all the ancient mysteries is not Avell founded . I admit that I have contented myself with asserting that it was so , Avithout offering much in the way

of proof . I could not have proved the point without entering into such a minute comparison between them as would necessarily have led me to divulge more than I might probably have been justified in doing . At least your readers must admit that there is something in this fact , that the