Roman Catholicism And Charity.

arises either from gross ignorance , or from a desire on tho part of tho most reverend gentleman to cast a slur upon a body of men who have ever been more remarkable for their devoted loyalty to their sovereign and the laws under which they live , than have even the reverend followers ofthe archbishop in Ireland ; whilst it is notorious that Riband

societies have been exclusively composed o £ members of the Roman Oatholic relig ion , who have been so devoid even of that education whicli the archbishop professes to desire to sec given to his followers , as to become too often the blind tools of demagogues or discontented priests . Freemasonry can scarcely in fairness bo called a secret society ,

though it has certain forms and tokens amongst its members , inasmuch as it is known to exist according to law , and to be founded on the principles of brotherly love , relief , and truth . In England , and in America , indeed , publicity is not even now forbiddenthe debates-in Grand Lodgo are fully publishedancl

every-, , thing of tho slightest interest , even in private Lodges , brought to ' light through the pages of the Freemasons Magazine . As to charity , wo think wc may claim for our Craft the credit of practising it to the full as extensively as any norfcion of Dr . Cullen ' s flock . Indeed we

may ask him where is to be found another body of men voluntaril y banded together who do so much . Wo do endeavour to seek out tho widow and afford her solace and relief , and the children of our distressed brethren aro not left without tho blessings of education . We do not wish to vaunt our charities , but we think that the following facts will be enough to establish in the minds of all reflecting men that

Freemasons are not fairly open to the strictures of Dr . Cullen , or the charge of not being mindful of the duties which they have voluntarily taken upon themselves to perform . In our Girls School AVC maintain , clothe , and educate seventy children , and endeavour to render them useful members of society ; and at the last anniversary festival the collection amounted to one thousand seven hundred and fifty pounds .

In the Roys School there arc educated and clothed seventy boys , without regard to religious creed ( twenty-five of whom arc wholly maintained in a school house recently obtained ) , and at the late festival the subscriptions amounted to ono thousand one hundred and fort y pounds . In tho Royal . Benevolent Institution for Aged Masons and their Widowswc have had on the funds duri the past

, ng year sixty-three ' annuitants ( forty-five men and ei ghteen women ) , and although there have been only six or seven deaths amongst the annuitants during the past year , such lias been tho liberality of the brethren that at fe approaching election in May . next twenty-eiglit jaiiniitante