Father Suffield And Freemasonry.

masonry , and what the Rev . Mr . Suffield thinks of Freemasonry , and his objections to it as a secret society , and to all secret societies . Really , Sir , the reverend gentleman is very inconsistent ; he ought to know something about that most dangerous of all secret organisations , " The Society of Jesus "—the

Jesuits , in fact . Why , Sir , they stand so hig h in favour with the Holy Father in Rome , and the body is so thoroughly esteemed and venerated by so large a portion of those professing the Roman Catholic religion , that it is surprising that the Rev . Mr . Suffield should attack Freemasonry , which , although

a secret society , is in this country specially recognised and protected by Act of Parliament . Xours fraternally , A TRUE CATHOLIC . Leeds , Feb . 17 , 1 S 6 S .

TO THE EDITOR OF TnE FREEMASONS MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . Dear Sir and Brother , —What is the good purpose to be served by Bro . Tweddell reopening the question "Freemasonry v . Roman Catholicism . " Every educated man knows ivhy bigots amongst jjrofessional teachers of religion and churchmen of all

denominations dislike—nay , hate—Freemasonry , just as they hate any enlightenment or education amongst the people ; but whilst those who are bigots and trade in religion cannot understand why men should think and act for themselves , the educated men , not only amongst those professing the Roman Catholic faith

, but of every creed and religion practised in the civilised countries of Europe , Asia , Africa , and America , have voluntarily sought admission into Freemasonry , and that in tens of thousands , continue to practise in the Order those principles they have been taught by itand whereby they are not only forcibly impressed

, with the important duties they owe to God , to their nei ghbour , and to themselves , but also with their duties as good citizens ; and none are more loyal and law-abiding than Freemasons . I began by asking a question ; Sir , I feel tempted to answer that question myself from my own point

of view ; but I know the amount of intelligence possessed by your readers as a body , so I forbear . Xours fraternally ,

A FREEMASON AND A ROMAN CATHOLIC . Newcastle-on-Tyne , Feb . IS , 1 S 6 S . TO THE EBIIOK OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE AND MASONIC MIRROR . Dear Sir and Brother—The following additional

, correspondence on this controversy appeared last Saturday in the South Durham and Cleveland Mercury In my last communication to the Magazine the compositor has inserted an n more than is needed in the name of Professor Robison , thus making it Robinson . The work I alluded to is entitled , " Proofs of a

Conspiracy against all Religions and Governments in Europe , " was written by Professor Robison , of Edinburgh , consists of 466 pages , and was published at Dublin in 179 S . Professor Robertson ' s Lecture on Freemasonry ^ delivered May 26 th , 1 SG 2 , and to which Father Suffield refers me , I have in my humble

collection of Masonic and anti- Masonic works . The French work , I regret to state , I can only read

through the medium of a translation , and I know of none in my mother tongue . Xours fraternally , G . M . TWEDDELL . Stokesley , Feb . 17 , lSGS .

Dear Sir , —I have read Avith much interest Bro . TAveddell ' s able letters to Father Suffield , defending Freemasonry from that rev . gentleman ' s unwarrantable attack . As a member of the ancient Craft , I can bear testimony to the truth of what Bro . Tweddell advances in favour of the institution , and I can reiterate that , sofar from the brethren of the " mystic tie " being

eitherrevolutionists or revilers of religion , they are in all parts of the Avorld distinguished alike by their loyalty and . adherence to the institutions of their respective countries . I am at the same time well aware that there are many true men belonging the Masonic lodge whom Father Suffield would designate and denounce as Anarchists and Infidels ; but then anathemas of that kind have

always been hurled by Papal authority at the' " devoted heads" of tho great and good ; such has always appeared to me to be the peculiar province of the Catholic Church , and I have no doubt will continue to be until there is freedom of thought throughout the world , which is " a consummation devoutly to be wished . " Look howthe noble and generous hearted Garibaldi , himself a " Brother amongst us , " has been prosecuted and slandered by the same agency : but despite their calumnies ,

"His strengthening famo can nevor cho AVhilo truth or freedom livoth . " I have no desire to enter into a religious controversy with Father Suffield , as we are as wide apart in our theological views as the poles of the earth ; therefore no possible good could accrue from such a course , I , at tho same time , do not for one moment impugn the rev . gentleman ' s sincerity in the views which he holds ; but , as Pope ( himself a good Catholic ) Avrote ,

"For modes of faith let gracoloss zealots fight ; His can't be wrong whoso lifo is in tho right . " I cannot , however , shut my eyes to the fact , that the church to which he belongs exerts a slavish and powerful influence over the minds and consciences of its votaries ; so much so , that , notwithstanding the sublime tenets which Masonry teachesthere are members of the

, Romish persuasion , Avell known to myself , who are Masons , whose lives are in every sense ( save in moral courage ) worthy of imitation , but Avho aro afraid to visit ; a lodge for fear of incurring the displeasure of the church . This is a benighted state of things , but , nevertheless , true . Well may one exclaim with the poet ,

" 0 God of mercy , justico , lovo , and peace , Plow long must wo despair ? when wilt thou inako This part of thy croation liko tho rest' ! Thy univorso is wonderful , and vast , And beautiful , and puro—sustained and kopt By Theo in perfoct harmony for ever ! Then why should man , thy imago , still remain Tho jarring string of thino eternal harp ?

Bright ossonco of all good ! Oh , doigu to giro To human hearts a portion of thy bliss AA'hich thou hast promised in thy written word ! Givo to the nations liberty , and lovo , And plenty of the fruits of thy fair earth , And charity , and knowledge , and a thirst For truth ' s - bright fountains , and a trusting hopo sharoat lastthine

To , , immortality ! " What then is so calculated to hasten the coming of this glorious time , " foretold and sung by prophets hoary , " as the great principles which Masonry teaches , the practising of every moral and social virtue , and the carrying out in our every day intercourse with the world , the divine precepts of " Brotherly love , relief , and truth f