Freemasonry And Its Opponents.

FREEMASONRY AND ITS OPPONENTS .

Our rhythmical cuant says , — " The Avorld is in pain Our secrets to gain . " and true as this was some hundred and forty years since , it is no less a fact of the present day . Attacks on the Order from the pulpit , and in the

pamphlet form , are rather rife just now , but it would ill become us to be the advertising mediums of such outbursts , and for that reason we decline specifying the exact localities from which these kinds of hostility

emanate . The pulpit rave 3 at us as godless wine bibbers , publicans , and sinners , or take different ground and say , like Lord Burleigh ' s shake of the head , " there's nothing in it . " Freemasons are nothing more than a set of boon companions—a jolly club—and dressed up dolls .

The pamphlets harp on the old string of the undesirability of secret societies . This much is English , but abroad there is something of the same spirit moving . The religious orders are full of invective against us . France has its holy Carmelite friar who pours on our

society the full measure of his ecclesiastical hatred . In Italy we are just begun to be tolerated , but woe to the unhajmy Freemason who dares to venture into the States of the Church , the terrors of his OAVU gridiron would be mere child ' s play to the awful frizzling imprisonment and torture he would there

undergo . Ultramontane priests and politicians are only too anxious to do as the boys about our streets used to shout , " catch ' em alive , oh !" Noble pamphleteers , counts and viscounts , have rushed into the arena of discussion , hurling thick octavos at our head on secret societies . At

present we have not been lectured at . No prim member of tha Academy has yet thought it worth Ins while to read a paper on " the Aviles and intractability of the Freemasons . " How i 3 thi 3 renewed vigour against us to be accounted for ? Does it come round in cycles and , like

history , repeat itself ? or are Freemasons , every quarter of a century or so , fair game to aim a shot at , Avhen it is dangerous to write , or express , an honest opinion on public events ? Inanother quarter of the Globe—America—brothers

are in arms against brothers , and to slaughter , burn , sink , and destroy , appear to be the watchwords of that at present unhappy land . Freemasonry , for a time only it is to be hoped , has hidden in some cave far apart from such scenes of deadly strife , and

all the world over people are canvassing the merits and demerits of our institution with more than common pertinacity and interest . What can cause this unwonted excitement about us

just now ? The answer is clear to every brother under our happy constitution . ^ Vhen all the world is seeking a change , dynasties crumbling , thrones overturning , heresies multiplying , sciences expanding , and all human nature panting for liberty and freedom—a summum bonum , or a utopia , such as man ne'er saw ,

Freemasonryexists , flourishes , prospers , combines men of all shades of opinion and is still at peace within itself . It is the mission of a Freemason to be loyal—it is his duty to be religious according to his conscienceit is his pride to be charitable and brotherly—it is his desire to seek out the poor and needy , the old , the

orphan , the stranger , and " He hath an eye for pity and a hand open as day to melting charity . " Freemasonry is older than any empire , kingdom , or other form of government . Its rule is founded on a voluntary bond of good will and affection to each ,

other , and this is the problem which nations , sects , creeds , individuals , and rulers are trying to solve , but alas ! how differently do they view the method of attaining the desired goal . The Freemason knows no patriotism but the good of his country in its largest sense . He knows the

Sovereign obeys the laws , and does not busy himself with changes of policy . His policy is to do good . A Freemason never meddles in controversies about creeds

or faith ; he is too reverent , too tolerant towards the opinions of others to seek to thrust his dogmas into undue prominence . His association teaches him to look upon all men as brothers—all coming from one common stock , and all equally acceptable in the sight of their Maker if they do His willafter the liht that

, g they have . For these reasons then our Craft is attracting special notice at this time . When the entire world seems bent upon one mad holocaust it is natural its prime movers should look with amazement on a section of its inhabitants who plainly , and in silence , pursue

their elected path secure from dissension Avithin , and impervious to it from without . It is not the Masonic secrets we possess for Avhicli the world is longing , but it is the peace , harmony , and good-wijl existing amongst the brotherhood of various races and climes , which is the desideratum of nations

in this time of universal incertitude and trepidation . Secure from harm by its modesty—endeared to thousands by its generosity—beloved by countless numbers who are its disciples—well may Freemasonry present a study to the world , and better Avill those of its citizens become who knock at our door and ask to learn of Freemasonry as it is , and as it ever must

. The problem is an easy one to solve;—love , not force , is the key to win men ' s hearts . Love is the best part of our human nature , and if those who criticise , write , and talk of our society would seek to know how to vanquish us , let them learn to love their fellow men , and so at length become , in heart at least , such as we wish the whole world to be , — " brethren who dwell together in unity , " which is the chief bond of Freemasonry .