The German Masons And The Pope's Allocution.

The first and paramount reason put forward by all popes in justification of their edicts of condemnation is the reproach urged against us , that Freemasonry unites as brethren men of divers persuasions and reli gions sects , and that by this , as

Benedict XIV . has it , " the purity of the Catholic religion is contaminated . " This first and most grave charge of all , brethren , lee us avow it , is true and well founded . If it be a crime in men of divers creeds to assemble ia

peace and harmozzy , and hold friendly and affectionate communications , iz-respective of their religious persuasions , we own and plead guilt } ' to this crime . It is certainly true that our Institution has from its very beginning , and as it progressed , with increased determination professed that there are in all creeds to be found good and honourable

men , well adapted to respect and love each other as brethren . In all times , Freemasonry considered as a crime and violation of humanity the persecution of a man on account of his rehgions dissension ; indeed , every good and true Mason appreciates

much more the man who acts up to his moral duty than he who merely professes the most orthodox tenets . But these doctrines , which for a long time had to be kept secret and harboured in the lodges alone , havebecomepatent , and , inspite of all

admonitions of clerical zealots , they are by this time adopted and adhered to by men of education all over the globe , and embodied in the laws of all civilised nations . Should Masonry be condemned on such grounds , the whole civilised world and all cultivated peoples must needs participate in this damnation .

Thank God , a papal thunderbolt zssumg from such foundation will produce no destructive effects hub it will serve to disclose tlie nocturnal darkness of intolerance that has procreated it—it will show the world how very backward Eome is in the

moral progress of mankind . The second head on which the bull of Benedict XIV . is based is the mystery in which our confederation is encircled ; indeed , the mystery to which we pledge ourselves has at all times evoked

much suspicion , and been a pretext for misinterpretation . But you know Izow many gross misunderstandings it has given rise to , unfortunately not outside the circle of onr brotherhood only . Still , neither the doctrines nor the objects of the

Cvaft are occult , neither its existence—nor are its adherents or then p laces of meeting unknown now-a-days ; the signs of recognition alone must

remain secret , that brethren may the more readily distinguish each other abroad , and the internal labours of the lodge must be private that personal confidence may develop itself more fully , and opinions may be uttered more freely . Tho calm

and personal actiozz of the Confederation on thecharacter and the moral life of its members , necessitates this protection . But is it otherwise izz the Catholic Church ? Is confession public or private ? Are the doors of religious and

monasticorders and authorities thrown open to the public during their proceedings ? Has not every family ,, every circle of intimate friends , every social club and association secrets of its own ? Perhaps , brethz-en , our lodges are somewhat too strict in

this respect , in an age that is very partial to publicity . But surely such timid solicitude can never be branded as a crime that bears within itself its condemnation .

The old Masonic oath , with its commination full ! of grave penalties , was Benedict XIV . 's third motive for the excommunication of Freemasons , and in this also Pius IX . joins his intolerant pi'edecessor . You az-e aware , brethren , that this

formula has been obsolete for a long time past , and iscommunicated to novices merely as an histoz'ical fact belonging to a period that no longer exists . You know that we trust more in the plain word of an honest man than in exasperated oaths , that are DO *

liable to heat up imagination and cool down reason . This third count , therefore , which was never very material , has but an illusnzy existence with us at the present day . As a fourth motive , Benedict XIV . quotes the R . oman law , by which all associations and corporations are declared ille « -al which have not obtained

the previous acquieseeizce of the civil authority .. But this has nothing to do with the right of the Church . Most civilised governments that are alone called upon to decide in this matter have tolerated and opposed no z-estz-ictions on the existence of our

Order , before they ever recognised general liberty of association , which is not impugned by the Roman code of laws .

The fifth motive alleged , viz ., the fact of several Governments having prohibited the Order , will collapse by itself . Whenever prohibitions of Freemasonry are decreed ( and this is done but exceptionally ) , it is the duty of the lodges to dissolve

forthwith , aud prove thereby their obedience to the law of the land . Benedict XIV . alleged as his last motive that