Correspondence.

3 rd . As regards the JBihle question , which has been treated with so much animosity on page 310 of your last volume , I am of opinion that ' itmight be settled to mutual satisfaction in this wise : for' Protestant , Roman Catholic , and Greek orthodox brethren the Bible may be laid on the altar ,

shut , as a symbol of truth at the initiation of Christian candidates ; whilst for Israelites the Old Testament , and for Mahometans the Goran may be laid on the table , so as not to shock susceptibilities . Only the other day a Catholic brother directed my attention to the fact that there Avas little difference between kissing the slipper of the Vicar of Christ or

a book containing the ideas of Christianity ; he OAvned that both proceedings were equally repulsive to him , and that he considered kissing the Bible exactly the same idolatry as kissing the Pope's slipper . Moreover , it is rather objectionable from a sanatory point of view , to kiss a book that has been touched by so many hands and so many lips . That French and

Italian lodges should dispense Avith the Bible is accounted for by the / act that most of their members profess the Roman Catholic persuasion ; but that no danger can possibly arise from the substitution of the General Statute of the Order for the Bible is evidenced by the wholesome development of Masonry in France and other non-Protestant countries . At all events ^ it would appear more logical for a society to lay on its table the rules and regulations on which

its transactions are conducted ; or would it not be wise instead of adhering to the holy book of one particular creed , were our cosmopolitan society today on its altar an anthology of the most sublime moral teachings of all nations and religious communities . I am myself a Protestant , but I confess my sense of justice has often been seriousl y hurt by . things as I

saw them going on in lodges . I fancy we . should not do to others what we Avould not have done to ourselves . This question has not yet been fully decided , even in Germany , which is mostly Protestant , but in most lodges it has been peaceably compromised by laying the closed Bible on the table . Here in the East where religious persuasions are so very manifold ,

the Bible question assumes its Avhole acerbity and becomes a source of ill-feeling to all non-Protestant natives . If we who consider ourselves unprejudiced force upon them the books containing our private religious views , iu a society professing to rest on moral foundations , are we not just such fanatics as the Easterners themselves . " But , " quoth our friend ,

" we tolerate them near us , only they must conform themselves to our vieAvs . " Ancl so you mean to say that they are entitled to nothing but toleration , not to any moral rirjht in mu * lodges ? In this there is -. an inconsistency , the pith of Avhich is , " might before right . " An equality of rights for all does not exist , in spite of square ancl compasses ! I beg to direct your attention to this point in particular . It applies to all lodges that adhere to the " open Bible . "

Lastly , if my contradictor is of opinion that nothing whatever should be changed in the constitution of our _ Fraternity , Avere it but in the mere- form , he denies the fundamental character of all things Masonic and humane . Eternal and invariable are only the laws ruling the material and intellectual phenomena of the life of the Avorld and of man ; but the forms of the material world and the manifestations of mental /&/

Correspondence.

life are undergoing continual changes , and so are the forms of political , religious , and social life ; standstill is death . ' "With this I terminate for the present , dear Sir and Brother . Our motto is " onwards ou the path of progress in all things , " but not with blind

precipitation , but with due regard for the less advanced nations , groups , and classes , ancl with proper respect for the legitimate opinions of all brethren of the globe ; onwards with that energy and perseverance innate to the Teutonic races in spite of the recriminations of those Avho do not understand us , and the applaudations of those Avho are prompted only by

the spirit of innovation . Standing above all parties , we have but one object in view , and that is the advancement of the moral and intellectual power of the Fraternity , to go hand in hand Avith its numerical expansion . Our English brethren may , therefore , heartily join in the aspirations of the German

Reformers . "We are ail endeavouring to uphold the best interests of the Craft , and the safest mode of securing this object consists in a peaceful exchange of opinions and fraternal co-operation . In this spirit I hope the discussion now started will be conducted throughout ; personal feeling and contemptuous disregard of the opinions of others are

entirely foreign to the issue ; they are derogatory to the character of our good cause , and out of place in . the intercourse amongst gentlemen having each other ' s moral Avorth for the sole standard of their mutual appreciation . Animated with these sentiments , I trust that a gradual approximation and amalgamation may readily be brought about amongst the various

parties and camps dividing our Fraternity , and iu this spirit I beg you will accept the salutations of I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , A GEEJIAK MASON IJT TUBKET , Constantinople , August , 1 SG 6 .

Ar01602

THE GEEAT LIGHT OI * MASONEY—THE BIBDE . — Brother , you have the Bible , know you the author ? God Almighty , the great creator , is the author . In reading the plans and designs of T . G . A . O . T . H . you Avill be instructed in your origin and probable destiny ;

you will be made acquanted Avith the relationship that exist between you and the Grand Architect of the Hniyerse ; you will learn in that book the duty you OAve to God , your heavenly father , ancl the duty you owe to your earthly parents . This book , the bright luminary of T . G . A . O . T . H ., the star by Avhich man

can navigate his bark over the ocean of life and steer clear of the dark ancl troubled billows of eternal death ; that star that Avill guide him to the coasts of bliss—to that haven of rest" To that land ol pure delight , Whoro saints immortal d *\* oll "—

to life everlasting and eternal . Oh , glorious bookcontaining God ' s will—God ' s code of laws entire : ; jfiiming the " bounds of vice and virtue "—of life and S-aea ^^\ Brother , reflect on this ! 'RANn \ s \