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  • The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine
  • Oct. 24, 1863
  • Page 8
  • ON THE CHRISTIANITY OF MASONRY.
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The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Oct. 24, 1863: Page 8

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Correspondence.

" Fair Play , " " Fiat Justitia , " or " Veritas , " they , as well as myself , may remain incognito for what the Masonic world cares . I will not argue for "Investigator ; " he seems to me to know his ground ; nor will I bandy words with the other correspondents who have apparently been put forth as scouts ; but I call on the W . M . of the Lodge of

Harmony to vindicate tho character of his lodge , to be true to his obligation , to rightly value his responsibility , and to uphold his rights , or to acknowledge the imposition . In such a case—a truce to charitable forbearance—let us call things by their right names , and when found right or wrong , let us stand by or disown them . If the Lodge of Harmony has such " institutions " as was shown in

the tables , and they are established on a firm basis , why not boldly say so ? If it distributes sums of money as set forth in those tables , what so easy as to say how this is done , lleally it is a simple matter ; but if by any quibble it refuses to do this , now it is doubted , let it

not wonder that the Masonic world should judge it harshly , or even that some should consign it to the " Friendly Societies . " For my own part , I will suspend ray judgment a reasonable time to allow of explanation , and I trust others will do the same ; but we must insist on having plain and pointed answers to the questions seriatim , or we shall have no alternative but to conclude

that the allegations set forth are true , and judge the lodge accordingly . I would seriously advise " Investigator " to maintain his incognito , in order to avoid personalities , than which nothing is so much to be deprecated in discussion—it is enough that you know the lodge has a fair antagonist . I have not penned this in answer to but solel

anyone , y to bring the subject back to its starting point , viz ., the tables of Lodge No . 600 , and the questions of " Investigator . " Let us confine ourselves strictly to these till they are solved . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , October 20 th , 1863 . P . M .

TO THE EDITOK OF THE FKEEITASONS' 3 rAf _ v _ Z _ in . AND MASONIC MIEEOIt , DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I trust we shall be spared such intemperate letters as appeared in your last impression , from " Fiat Justitia . " Surely the brother will blush when he sees it in print , or I ivould give little for his " charitable forbearance . " Such remarks as are contained in his last paragraph are not only in bad taste ,

but betray a morbid state of mind , or a laxity of morals ; and I am glad , for the credit of his lodge , that his name was not appended to such a production . I have carefully , and I trust impartially , examined the case as regards Lodge No . 600 and " Investigator , " and I feel bound to say that the latter is only exercising that fair and generally acknowledged privilege of all writers

on public subjects , in public prints , in assuming an incognito . Free discussion , a free press , and custom , with daily experience , all allow a latitude , ivhich , I maintain , " Investigator" has not trangressed ; but in any case a lodge like No . 600 ought to be in a position to answer all and every question , however or by whomsoever askedin ivhich the truthfulness and the honour of the

, is concerned ; to lose time by formalities is , iu such a lodge case , to lose position , character , and sympathy , —in short , is to subject the lodge to universal opprobrium . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , MONITOR .

TO THE EDITOH OF TIIE FltEEMASOXS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIWtOK . DEAU SIR AND BROTHER , —Tho letter of "Fiat Justitia , " in your last MAGAZINE , demands notice only from its contradictory character . The writer ivould lead one to suppose that he was taking up a defence of Lodge No . 600 , while his argument seems to be , "when you have a bad case , vilify your opponent ; " even a little defence of the lodge would have been far more satisfactory .

Correspondence.

He denounces , in unmeasured terms , your former correspondent , "Investigator , " for shielding himself behind an incognito , and after indulging in gross abuse of this he adopts the very course he condemns , signing himself "Fiat Justitia . " A much more congenial term would have been , " Inconsistency . " If this writer be not an Israelite , I ivould recommend him to read a precept about

a mote aud abeam in the eye , which he appears not to have learnt . Another brother advises the same correspondent , though with far more prudence , to come out in his true colours , to throw oft' the mask , to exercise fair play , and likewise , to prove / its inconsistency , signs " Veritas . " How very easy it is to advise a course to others we would not willingladopt ourselves 1 Were

y all correspondents required to affix their names to their articles , how few would be in the field ; you would , at least , be spared this letter . Now , with respect to the question as regards Lodge 600 , whether " Investigator " may indulge these inconsistent brethren or not , is of noconsequence to the point . If he does , the whole thing may merge into a personal quarrel , ivhich would be

noadvantage to any one . This seems to be what Bro .. Ward is aiming at . Under any circumstances , the lodge is under a reproach of which it must either clear itself or stand convicted of imposing on you and the brethren by wilful misstatements . When I look at the tables through the unanswered questions of "Investigator , " ' the impression on my mind is very condemnatory

to-Lodge 600 ; and although " Fiat Justitia" may beg of us to suspend our judgment to an indefinite period , we shall require strong and convincing proofs of the existence of ' the " Lodge Charities , " and the distribution of the funds ; and I am sure I . speak the sentiments of the brethren generally , for all whom I have heard on the subject agreethat Bro . Ward ' s letter blinked the questionbut surel

; y Bro . Ward is not the whole lodge . It is to be hoped thereare some members of that lodge who would demand that such serious charges should either be refuted , or thetables abandoned . I am , fraternally yours , BETA . Oct . 21 , 1863 .

On The Christianity Of Masonry.

ON THE CHRISTIANITY OF MASONRY .

TO THE EDITOK OE TIIE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIKKOE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER ,- —Allow me to congratulateyou on the able and interesting letter , which you printed in your last number , signed " Rosa Crucis , " relating tothis subject . It is quite refreshing to see , so important a question so well and yet so temperately handled , and in such a-

true Masonic spirit . Whoever the writer may be , I , as not agreeing with him , may be permitted to tender tohim my sincere thanks for the eloquent communication he has made , and the improving discussion he has begun . I quite go with him in his statement as to the amount of evidence of what may be termed Christianised Masomw before tbe Union ; but I think he underrates

theainount of evidence equally forthcoming of a simultaneous Universal Masonic teaching . The truth is , I believe , that both these systems were working , so to speak , side by side , and were neverthelessin harmonious co-operation and agreement . It is most certain that , before the Union , you find a considerable amount of what "Eosa Crucis" calls

" Christian character" in Masonic treatises , charges , sermons , and orations ; but , when you come closely to look into the matter , you find also an equal amount of Universal teaching . Whatever motives may have induced our zealous and learned brethren , at tho last formal revision of our ritual , to keep our working formularies so close within the limits of the Universal system as they undoubtedly have done , there is much , very much to be said on their side of the question .

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1863-10-24, Page 8” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 9 May 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_24101863/page/8/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
GRAND LODGE PROPERTY. Article 1
FREEMASONRY ILLUSTRATED AND APPLIED. Article 1
MATTER FOR THE HISTORY OF THE REVIVAL OF GOTHIC ARCHITECTURE. Article 4
Untitled Article 4
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. Article 5
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 7
ON THE CHRISTIANITY OF MASONRY. Article 8
Untitled Article 9
THE MASONIC MIRROR. Article 9
METROPOLITAN. Article 10
PROVINCIAL. Article 10
ROYAL ARCH. Article 14
ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE. Article 15
INDIA. Article 15
AUSTRALIA. Article 16
CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. Article 17
THE WEEK. Article 18
TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 20
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Correspondence.

" Fair Play , " " Fiat Justitia , " or " Veritas , " they , as well as myself , may remain incognito for what the Masonic world cares . I will not argue for "Investigator ; " he seems to me to know his ground ; nor will I bandy words with the other correspondents who have apparently been put forth as scouts ; but I call on the W . M . of the Lodge of

Harmony to vindicate tho character of his lodge , to be true to his obligation , to rightly value his responsibility , and to uphold his rights , or to acknowledge the imposition . In such a case—a truce to charitable forbearance—let us call things by their right names , and when found right or wrong , let us stand by or disown them . If the Lodge of Harmony has such " institutions " as was shown in

the tables , and they are established on a firm basis , why not boldly say so ? If it distributes sums of money as set forth in those tables , what so easy as to say how this is done , lleally it is a simple matter ; but if by any quibble it refuses to do this , now it is doubted , let it

not wonder that the Masonic world should judge it harshly , or even that some should consign it to the " Friendly Societies . " For my own part , I will suspend ray judgment a reasonable time to allow of explanation , and I trust others will do the same ; but we must insist on having plain and pointed answers to the questions seriatim , or we shall have no alternative but to conclude

that the allegations set forth are true , and judge the lodge accordingly . I would seriously advise " Investigator " to maintain his incognito , in order to avoid personalities , than which nothing is so much to be deprecated in discussion—it is enough that you know the lodge has a fair antagonist . I have not penned this in answer to but solel

anyone , y to bring the subject back to its starting point , viz ., the tables of Lodge No . 600 , and the questions of " Investigator . " Let us confine ourselves strictly to these till they are solved . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , October 20 th , 1863 . P . M .

TO THE EDITOK OF THE FKEEITASONS' 3 rAf _ v _ Z _ in . AND MASONIC MIEEOIt , DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I trust we shall be spared such intemperate letters as appeared in your last impression , from " Fiat Justitia . " Surely the brother will blush when he sees it in print , or I ivould give little for his " charitable forbearance . " Such remarks as are contained in his last paragraph are not only in bad taste ,

but betray a morbid state of mind , or a laxity of morals ; and I am glad , for the credit of his lodge , that his name was not appended to such a production . I have carefully , and I trust impartially , examined the case as regards Lodge No . 600 and " Investigator , " and I feel bound to say that the latter is only exercising that fair and generally acknowledged privilege of all writers

on public subjects , in public prints , in assuming an incognito . Free discussion , a free press , and custom , with daily experience , all allow a latitude , ivhich , I maintain , " Investigator" has not trangressed ; but in any case a lodge like No . 600 ought to be in a position to answer all and every question , however or by whomsoever askedin ivhich the truthfulness and the honour of the

, is concerned ; to lose time by formalities is , iu such a lodge case , to lose position , character , and sympathy , —in short , is to subject the lodge to universal opprobrium . I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , MONITOR .

TO THE EDITOH OF TIIE FltEEMASOXS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIWtOK . DEAU SIR AND BROTHER , —Tho letter of "Fiat Justitia , " in your last MAGAZINE , demands notice only from its contradictory character . The writer ivould lead one to suppose that he was taking up a defence of Lodge No . 600 , while his argument seems to be , "when you have a bad case , vilify your opponent ; " even a little defence of the lodge would have been far more satisfactory .

Correspondence.

He denounces , in unmeasured terms , your former correspondent , "Investigator , " for shielding himself behind an incognito , and after indulging in gross abuse of this he adopts the very course he condemns , signing himself "Fiat Justitia . " A much more congenial term would have been , " Inconsistency . " If this writer be not an Israelite , I ivould recommend him to read a precept about

a mote aud abeam in the eye , which he appears not to have learnt . Another brother advises the same correspondent , though with far more prudence , to come out in his true colours , to throw oft' the mask , to exercise fair play , and likewise , to prove / its inconsistency , signs " Veritas . " How very easy it is to advise a course to others we would not willingladopt ourselves 1 Were

y all correspondents required to affix their names to their articles , how few would be in the field ; you would , at least , be spared this letter . Now , with respect to the question as regards Lodge 600 , whether " Investigator " may indulge these inconsistent brethren or not , is of noconsequence to the point . If he does , the whole thing may merge into a personal quarrel , ivhich would be

noadvantage to any one . This seems to be what Bro .. Ward is aiming at . Under any circumstances , the lodge is under a reproach of which it must either clear itself or stand convicted of imposing on you and the brethren by wilful misstatements . When I look at the tables through the unanswered questions of "Investigator , " ' the impression on my mind is very condemnatory

to-Lodge 600 ; and although " Fiat Justitia" may beg of us to suspend our judgment to an indefinite period , we shall require strong and convincing proofs of the existence of ' the " Lodge Charities , " and the distribution of the funds ; and I am sure I . speak the sentiments of the brethren generally , for all whom I have heard on the subject agreethat Bro . Ward ' s letter blinked the questionbut surel

; y Bro . Ward is not the whole lodge . It is to be hoped thereare some members of that lodge who would demand that such serious charges should either be refuted , or thetables abandoned . I am , fraternally yours , BETA . Oct . 21 , 1863 .

On The Christianity Of Masonry.

ON THE CHRISTIANITY OF MASONRY .

TO THE EDITOK OE TIIE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIKKOE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER ,- —Allow me to congratulateyou on the able and interesting letter , which you printed in your last number , signed " Rosa Crucis , " relating tothis subject . It is quite refreshing to see , so important a question so well and yet so temperately handled , and in such a-

true Masonic spirit . Whoever the writer may be , I , as not agreeing with him , may be permitted to tender tohim my sincere thanks for the eloquent communication he has made , and the improving discussion he has begun . I quite go with him in his statement as to the amount of evidence of what may be termed Christianised Masomw before tbe Union ; but I think he underrates

theainount of evidence equally forthcoming of a simultaneous Universal Masonic teaching . The truth is , I believe , that both these systems were working , so to speak , side by side , and were neverthelessin harmonious co-operation and agreement . It is most certain that , before the Union , you find a considerable amount of what "Eosa Crucis" calls

" Christian character" in Masonic treatises , charges , sermons , and orations ; but , when you come closely to look into the matter , you find also an equal amount of Universal teaching . Whatever motives may have induced our zealous and learned brethren , at tho last formal revision of our ritual , to keep our working formularies so close within the limits of the Universal system as they undoubtedly have done , there is much , very much to be said on their side of the question .

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