Pius Ix. Vs. Bible Societies And Freemasonry.

possession of Rome , and the Grand East of the Grand Orient Avas established in the " Holy City : " " Whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad . " The above quotation never possessed the directness and force it will acquire if considered in

connection with the recent order of Pius IX ., Avhich will call before the CEcumenical Council " Bible Societies and Freemasons as objects of especial censure . " If one of but limited experience , unacquainted

with history , and Avithout fame and position , had made so monstrous a proposition , it might be regarded as a foolish attempt to gain notoriety by the sacrafice of what little sense he possessed ; but when it is remembered that the insane enunciation

comes from the aged head of a most powerful and enlightened body , professing Christianity—from one whose ^ life has been continually spent in acquiring and holding spiritual and political sway over millions—Avhose associations have beeu

with men gifted Avith great talents and possessing knowledge equal to the highest order of statesmanship ; whose immediate surroundings have been of such nature as to require constant watchfulness and the unflinching support of political

and military as well as religious adherents ; that he could take so false a step must cause at least astonishment throughout the civilized world . With Roman Catholicism as a religious creed , we have no cause to quarrel . We respect the belief and devotion of Christians , under whatever denominational title they may assemble or

worship . Our church is the broad and ample field the Saviour trod . His teaching and His example furnish our platform , and His golden rules supply all the doctrines that Ave deem necesssary for the guidance of mankind .

Whoever is a believer in Christ is our friend and brother , irrespective of the form and title under which he chooses to pay his homage or perform Avhat he considers his religions obligations . But when any sect of Catholic or Protestant

persuasion attempts to dictate to mankind in matters of state , or purely secular affairs , we claim the right to analyze its motives and denounce them if need be . The time was Avhen priests and ministers of the

gospel were the main instructors , and necessarily the directors of the people , even in worldly affairs —when the reign of caste was deemed acsolutely

Pius Ix. Vs. Bible Societies And Freemasonry.

requisite to the Avell-being of society ; but that time has long since passed away . The temporal power then granted to the clergy has been revoked by the dawning of greater intelligence among the masses . Cheap educational facilities , brought

about by the steam press and electric telegraph have been substituted in their place , and to-day men think for themselves .

The action of his Holiness , in thus throwing down the gauntlet in the face of civilization—in attempting to revive in the 19 th century the obsolete dogmas of the age of darkness , and the direct insult offered to one of the purest and

best of social institutions , cannot fail to produce results Avhich will nearly or quite extinguish the remaining power of his reign in Europe ; Avhile in America it will be the means of lessening respect for him , and of convincing thousands of the great necessity for preserving in Avide separation the affairs of church and State .

Freemasonry had its birth long before Pope Pius IX ., and judging the future by the past , it Avill flourish long after his holiness shall be numbered among his illustrious predecessors . Itsmission has been ever free from political aims ,.

It has kept steadily on in the path of the Good Samaritan , and the fire of Virtue , Truth , and Justice still burn brightly upon its altars . Its ritual has never been forgotten that to Csesar belong the things that are Ctesar's , and to God

the things that are God ' s . As regards the attack upon Bible societies ,. they , like Freemasonry , must abide by their works .. But in both cases Ave incline to the belief that Pius IX ., has aAvakened a storm that he will notlive to allay .

A Profane's Ideas Of Masonry.

A PROFANE'S IDEAS OF MASONRY .

A Gentleman , in writing to his brother , under date of Arlon , Belgium , November 1 st , says : — "We came here on Thursday , the day when the neAvs first came of the capitulation of Metz ; but it was not altogether believed . On Saturday

we Avere at Longwy—one of the very feAV French fortresses which still holds out—just as a peasant arrived who had come from the toAvn . The excitement Avas , as you may imagine , tremendous , and it Avas a most interesting scene to be present at .