Another Roman Catholic Attack On Freemasonry.

curiosity not only of the Mrs . Caudles , but , it must be confessed , of nearly everybody outside the order at one time or another ; and the only Avay in which it has heretofore been able properly to gratify that curiosity has been for those Avho Avere curious to be admitted into the brotherhood , AA'hich Masonic Avriters claim to haA'e had a being ' ever since symmetry began , ancl harmony displayed her charms . ' This is rather an indefinite period from Avhieh to date its ori gin , and Solomon ' s Temple is considered by the craft , I

belieA'e , to be a landmark more easily ajipreciated and more tangible to swear by . Of the great antiquity of the order there is , hoAA'eA'er , no room for doubt ; ancl its introduction into Britain , Ave ' are told , took place as far back as the year 674 . That an institution AA'hich has existed so long , and AA'hose members are to be found in almost every country under the sun , should haA'e preseiwed its secrets inviolate , can scarcely be credited , yet Freemasons assert that it is so . The book , hoAveA'er , to Avhich I haA'e

referred professes to disclose the AA'hole ceremonial of the order , Avith all the j > ass-AVords , grips , etc ,, connected thereAvith , ancl Avhich , if correct in its descri ption , is likely to bring the craft into no little disrepute . The book has to a non-Mason an air of truth about it ; the author Avrites AA'ith strong feelings on the subject , ancl terrible as some of the oaths are AA'hich he , as a Mason , must haA'e subscribed to , he seems to haA'e no scruple in breaking them , and proclaiming to the world at large AA'hat the secrets of the order are . The author is a citizen of the city of Dublin , AA'here the Avork has recently been published , and his deep-rooted hatred of the system will , no doubt , be attributed by some of my Masonic readers to the fact that he is a Eoman Catholic by religion . Iii his

introduction to the book , our author , speaking of the close brotherhood Avhich , ho asserts , exists betAveen English Freemasonry ancl that of the Continent , says : ' Let England speak for England ; but certain is it that the public and private feeling of high-principled and religious Ireland recoils in horror from the blood-stained , plundering , unprincipled , and blasphemous Freemasonry of the Continent . Owing to the strength and pressure of the Christian-loA'ing element in these countries , British and Irish Freemasons are constantly

compelled , in Avords at least , to disclaim all connection or identity with the craft of the Continent . ' But notwithstanding these disclaimers , he maintains that they are hi truth ail one body , and are animated by one and the same spirit . Not only does he say there is great political clanger from the workings of such a vast body , but there is shoAv ' n to be great social danger , AA'hich he exemplifies in the uniform conduct of Freemasons in all classes aud situations . ' On corporations and poor-laAV mendicity boardsgrand juries

, , railway and bank companies , and public offices , he ( the reader ) will find that system equally uniform , in army , constabulary , laAv courts , elections , etc ., —everywhere justice forgotten and merit overlooked for Masonic fraternal love : and I think he Avill agree Avith me that the Freemason is , a jmblic ancl a private enemy of God ancl man . ' The solution of all this , he thinks , is to be found in the clause repeated in each Masonic oath , 'I swear that I -will never Avrong a brother Mason of a nor suffer him to be

penny , wronged . I will give him timely notice of all danger that threatens him . I AATII not speak any evil nor suffer it to be spoken of a brother Mason behind his back . ' And again , ' I will espouse his cause so far as to extricate him from the same , AA'hether he be right or AA'rong . '"

We omit a great deal of senseless matter , but AA'hat follows will ina' -e Masons laugh : — "The Past Master ' s degree is enacted amidst intentional riotous confusion , the object of this confusion being to convey to the candidate the important lesson nei-er to solicit or accept any office or station to fill AA'hich he does not know himself to be amply qualified . To be made a Mark Master the candidate goes through a less trying ordeal , " but there

seems to be associated with it no little irreverent use of the sacred word , Avhich is brought more and more into requisition as the hi gher degrees are reached , as , for instance , in the conferring of the Most Excellent Master ' s degree , Avhen the 24 th Psalm is read by the Master of the Lodge , the brethren lifting their heads in response to the words , ' Lift up your heads , 0 ye gates , ancl the ICing of glory shall eome in . ' After some more psalm chanting , the pass-word is given to the candidate ; a ' sleight of hand' process , I am told , supplies the lodge ' with the fire that came CIOAVU from heaven , ' which fortu-