The Papal Allocution Against Freemasonry.

" Fenianism is , as we have said , only implied incidoKtally . Tho Papal " thunders are more immediately directed against a very different Society ; " and if the Allocution is to have any effect it will somewhat diminish " the satisfaction with which we receive it that it consigns to perdition , " along with the Fenians , all the members of a Society which is as

nume" rous in England as in Ireland , and which spreads its ramifications over " almost every country in the world . This unhappy Society is none other " than that of the Freemasons . ' Among the many machinations , ' says " the Pope , ' by which the enemies of tho Christian name have dared to " assail the Church of GOD , to destroy and sap it by methods alien from

" the truth , must doubtless be reckoned that wicked Association of men " commonly called Masonic' Such an alarming exordium will probably bo ' " as surprising to the Freemasons as to every one else ; but it is only an " appropriate introduction to the vehement denunciations which follow . " Freemasonry is a ' dark Society , the enemy of the Church and of GOD ,

" and dangerous even to the security of kingdoms . ' If Freemasons do " not give up their ' wicked assemblies , ' they must expect to be ' hurried " along into the abyss of eternal ruin . ' They are kindled into an ardent " hatred against the religion of Christ and legitimate authority . They are "the wolves in sheep ' s clothing of whom it is predicted in the Gospel " that they would come to devour the flock . They have lost their reason .

" then * acts are ' impious and criminal , ' and their errors ' monstrous . " The POPES , it appears , have long ago detected their snares and decep" tions , and one after another have resolved ' without losing a moment ' " to ' strike and lacerate with a sentence of excommunication , as with a " sword , this sect breathing crime and attacking civil and sacred life . ' No " less than four Pontiffs appear to have launched their thunders against

" these enemies of all justice and religion , and nothing can exhibit the " intense iniquity of the Society in a stronger light than that it has sur" vived these excommunications , and ' in these disastrous days everywhere " shows itself and lifts its audacious front . ' Tho paternal heart , therefore , " of the present Pope compels him to suppress these wicked men , and " relieve society from such numerous and inveterate evils ; and terrible are

" the punishments which he threatens for this benevolent purpose . In " the first place all the Freemasons are in danger of eternal ruin , and " all the other faithful must refuse them any countenance if they would " avoid sharing their fate . They are to be interdicted from all Christian " Society , for the Pojse assures us that they are the very persons with " whom the Apostle forbids us to eat , or so much as to exchange

saluta" tion . Finally , the Divine aid and that of the VIEGIN and the Apostles " are solemnly invoked , and the POPE concludes by expressing his conviction " that with such assistance he shall succeed in extirpating this abominable " association . E 2