The Comprehensiveness Of Freemasonry.

anxious for our destruction . It is not necessary a man should be a Mason to have thus much knowledge . Our aims and purposes , our constitutions and laws , are published to all the world . If there are those among us who do not abide by our laws , who deviate from the path of duty as

prescribed by our Constitutions , that in no way destroys the purity of Freemasonry . As well might it be said that because some Christians and some Jews have violated , the former the laws of Christianity , and the latter those of Judaism , that Christianity and Judaism are worthless as

religions . These so-called arguments must be applied generally or not at all . If we are to condemn utterly the whole Fraternity of Freemasons for the crimes of a few irreligious or political fanatics who happened to have been members of that body , then must we condemn utterly , the whole system of

Christianity for the crimes of a Ctesar Borgia , of Alexander VI ., the Inquisition , and other Christian persons and societies too numerous to mention . The truth is , we are becoming so influential a body in every country illumined by the sun of reason as well as by that glorious orb of day ,

which is the emblem , as it is the centre , of all life , both human and divine , that certain perverse-minded priests of tho Church of Rome are becoming alarmed for the loss of their own power . None know better than they do that the pretentious system of which they are the professors will be

shattered , in fact , is being shattered to pieces ,-the moment that freedom of consience is accepted of all peoples . It is only by the most unholy terrorism this priesthood has been able to influence the minds of men ; but as the li ght of reason becomes brighter and still more bright , the system

which formerly was so much feared will be laughed to scorn , and the whole fabric of this Pseudo-Christianity will come tumbling to the ground . It is then , for the reason that we are daily increasing in numbers and in influence , that we are almost daily erecting new temples in countries

where none previously existed ; it is because all men acknowledge that our system is admirable , while even those who are careless in the matter are fain to admit that , in its general character as understood by most people , Freemasonry is perfectly innocuous as regards either religion or

morals , that the bigoted section of Roman Catholicism assails us so bitterly . As we advance , so must they inevitably retire . The day of our triumph will be the day of their destruction . We can understand fully the savage determination with which they seek to avoid their

doom . We are ready to concede it is human-natural they should struggle fiercely to this end . Yet none the less will they fail in their efforts , and when we triumph , then whatever form or forms of religious worship may prevail

throughout the world , they will have at least one element in common which in some is wanting now . ' 1 hey will all be animated by the spirit of love—the love of God and of one ' s neighbour . This will , at all events , be something for which the world will be indebted to Freemasonry .

We commenced these remarks with a reference to the

charge so frequently laid against us , that we are a society , into the innermost circle of which only a few choice spirits are admitted . The princes and nobles who are received into Freemasonry are said to be admitted only to a limited knowledge of our system . What is vouchsafed to them is

perfectly harmless . They live , therefore , in the belief that the Fraternity of which they are proud to be members is likewise harmless . Moreover , these princes and nobles are inveigled into our ranks for the express purpose of giving an appearance of respectability to a Society whose real aim is the

destruction of religion and morality . Nothing more clearly exhibits the woful ignorance of our enemies than these assertions . There is no inner circle in Freemasonry . Craft Masonry is the basis of the superstructure , and most intimately associated with this is what is known as Royal Arch

Masonry . In addition , are Templarism and a large number of high and side degrees , all more or less respectable . But these are not recognised in this country as part and parcel of Freemasonry . On the other hand , most of our distinguished Craft Masons are members of these grades . Every

one , indeed , who is so minded and is thought worthy may receive them . It is clear , then , that so far from the greater number of our mysteries being restricted only to a few , they are open to as many as desire initiation , there

being only one degree to which a numerical limit is imposed . But this is of far less importance than the comprehensiveness which is the most striking characteristic of Freemasonry pure and simple . Within its fold are admissible men of all gradations of rank in society , the one condition being that they must be free men , of reputable cha-

The Comprehensiveness Of Freemasonry.

racter . But as one tittle of evidence is worth more than a whole bundle of statements , how authentic soever these may be , we will just mention the names and status of the candidates for admission to the various grades who presented themselves on the 13 th instant in one of our Craft

Lodges , to wit , tho Wanderer ' s Lodge No . 1604 , whichmeets at Freemasons' Hall . On this occasion there were elected as joining members of this Lodge the following , namely , Bros . Will . Francis Mimms , Visitor L . S . B ., late Troop Serjeant Major Sth ( King ' s Roval Irish ) Hussars , Richard

Philips , Pioneer Serjeant Scots Fusilier Guards , and Capt . the Hon . Richard S . G . Stapleton Cotton , a near relative of Viscount Combermere . The following were passed to the second degree , namely , Bros . Capt . Ralph Vivian , Capt . W . S . Montgomery , Captain Lord

Francis C . Gordon Lennox , a son of the Duke of Richmond and Gordon , Lord President of the Council , and Capt . Fred . Lorn Campbell . The following were initiated , namely , Messrs . Richard Bryant , late Regimental Clerk Coldstream Guards , John Holloway , Quartermaster

Sergeant m the same regiment , and George Hendry , late Regimental Clerk , and Henry R . Filcher , late Quartermaster Sergeant , both of the Grenadier Guards . Who will deny that Freemasonry comprehends men of every rank in society , when we find members of the nobility , gentry ,

and commonalty elected members of one and the same Lodge on one and the same occasion ? The select body of conspirators against religion and morality must be very dull fellows indeed if they accord to men of high as well as men of modest birth exactly the same privileges and knowledge of our Masonic rites .

Masons Of Many Degrees

MASONS OF MANY DEGREES

( Prom tho Voice of Masonry . ) NOT unfrequently we hear it stated by members of the Masonio Institution , and , occasionally , see the same idea pat forth in onr Masonic journals , that Masons , who are recipients of what are called the higher degrees of the Order , become careless of their obligations to the Lodge ; neglect to attend its communications ; deprive it of their aid and council , and neglect its interests and

disregard its prosperity . This charge—for it amounts to a chargeis grave , and , if sustained , onght to oall upon those who are amenable to it , the severest reprehension . If not true , it should cease to be made . It ia , probably , one of the multitude of questioni npon both aides of which something may be said and a fair argument exhibited , and yet wo cannot concede the general truth of the

allegation . Were we to make up our opinion on the subject from our own personal experience in the matter , we should at once conclude that the charge is mostly without foundation ; Where we have been connected with the Lodge , it has almost invariably been the case that that body has principally been governed , supported and sustained by officers and members who were in possession of the secrets of the

Chapter , Council and Commandery . In one instance that is recollected there were but two Knights Templars belonging to tho Lodge ; they were decidedly the most prompt in attendance on the meetings of that body of any of the members . If they were not present it was known that there was a good and sufficient reason for their absence . But this was not all . They willingly filled the offices to which they

were called , either permanently or temporarily , and were ready to assist wherever they could bo of service , for , in fact , they were the pillars and supports of the Lodgo ; and no one there thought that they were derelict in their duties towards the " foundation of all true Masonry , "—the first three degrees . In another case that fell under our observation , there were several

Lodges in the place ^ whil © Chapter , Council , Commandety , and tha various degrees of the Scottish Eite were represented by a single organization for each . It was not discovered that those who were members of these so-called higher bodies were lukewarm or careless of the progress and prosperity of the Lodges . On the contrary , one of the Knights Templars served year after year as a Lodge officer ; and

another , a pait officer in the Consistory , discharged the duties of Warden and Master for a series of consecutive terms ; and two others , equally far advanced in the condemned bodies , officiated in the office of Secretary—an office that would certainly not be sought for the honour it would confer . This was in one Lod ^ e . In another , a Fast Commander of the Commandery held the office of Master , and when he succeeded in convincing the brethren that it would be better to

have a new presiding officer , they rewarded him by electing him Secretary—a place which he filled for a number of years—and this was about the way the Lodges were officered . As regards the members not in the chairs , the facts were about coincident with these . It was not often that a special communication of any of the other organisations , if it became necessary after th e Lodge was closed , could not be held without going out of the hall

tor a quorum j and in not very isolated cases a majority of the Lodge members present were , also , members of the so-called higher degrees . These are facts that have come under our own observation , and it is not to be supposed , and will not be contended for a moment , that these are exceptional cases . " All the rest are like these . " The charge wo are considering is usually predicated upon the supposition that those who take tbe higher degrees are so much better