Fenianism And Freemasonry.

every man ( with few exceptions ) whose character will bear the test of scrutiny , and who has the means of paying the fees for admission . This is a sufficient proof that it is not exclusive . It is urged that a Roman Catholic cannot perform , his duties to his priest in the confessional . I am at a loss to know the reason . If the father confessor requires to be informed of every thing

in detail which transpires during the lodge hour , then I can easily understand the difficulty ; but if the confessor seeks to be made acquainted with everything sinful , and sinful things only , then is there no difficulty in the path of a Catholic Freemason . Surely it is no sin to be in possession of a password which will insure your entrance to a lodge , being a member of same ; any more

than it is a sin to possess the password into a garrison of soldiers . It is no sin to salute a superior Masonic officer with a sign , any more than it is to salute an officer of the navy and army . It is no sin to have a regular mode of conferring the different degrees upon Freemasons than in Divinity , law , and physic ! There must be forms and ceremonies in every institution , and the forms and

ceremonies which are enacted in a lodge of Freemasons , are based upon the strictest and purest moral foundation . Political discussions are not permissible ; reli gious opinions do not find expression there , because they are contrary to the laws of Freemasonry . In a word , nothing is permitted which is calculated to disturb the

harmony of the lodge , and is considered foreign to Masonry . AVhether a man worships his Creator in a Protestant church , a Catholic chapel , or in the humblest apartment used for such purposes , it makes not tho least difference to a Freemason ; but there is one thing certain he must do , and that is to acknowledge his God ; without which he njver could enter tho lodge of Freemasons . It will be admitted there are are Freemasons who area disgrace to the order , and I would respectfully submit that there are black sheep in every flock . AVe find this

to be the case m , not only amongst tradesmen and mechanics , but we find them in all the professions without exception . This then is not sufficient to bring condemnation to the order . It would be hard to excommunicate every person engaged in teaching theology , because one or two of its members were known to disgrace themselves . But it is tho secret which is so

tenaciously held by Freemasons which seems to offend so much . I may roughly calculate there are , in the various degrees , fully a thousand secrets , instead of one as is generally supposed . Nothing , however , should be considered in the light of a secret when that secret is obtainable by every man who seeks it , if ho can conform to the regulations of the society to which he aspires . I

have shown very plainly that tho whole of the secrets , as they are called , can be had on application , subject only to the custom as laid clown by the rulers of the Craft . It is no secret that the genuine principles of Masonry are of Divine origin . It is no secret that the system embraces and inculcates Evangelical truth . It is no secret that there is not a duty enjoinednor a

, virtue required , but what is taught iu Speculative Freemasonry . It is no secret that wc feed the hungry and clothe the naked , protect tbe widow and orphan ; and in all things according to our own abilit y do good to the whole human family . And above all , it is not , neither can it be , that a good Mason aims at the appropriate discharge of all his Christian ducies . It is because

Masonry has been misrepresented by the infidels Paine and Carlisle that it should bo condemned . I think other and better authority than this is required . AVhat is Ifasonry ? It is a beautiful system of morality , veiled in allegory , and illustrated by symbols ! Faith , Hope , and Charity are some of its watchwords . AVhat are its objects ? They are numerous , seme of which have been glanced at , It may be with truth asserted that Freemasonry is intended and calculated to make a good man

a better man ; but to get the goodness out of a Freemason , he must of necesity , reflect upon its teachings . If he is a drone , he will bear no share in the formation of honey . There are many men attached to societies who merely pay their subscription and leave the work to others ; and so it is in Freemasonry , and it is amongst those whose thoughts ai'e far from us , who are most

likely to bring discredit upon the order- The man who labors diligently in whatsoever society he may be connected with , will do credit to that society . Some other of the objects may be found , in providing schools for the orphan , clothing and feeding them ; providing a home for the widow , and so forth . AVe have our own Club houses , our Mutual Improvement Societies ; Literary

and Scientific Institutions ; and many others , which have , in their own peculiar manner , modes of imparting information , and affoiding recreation as well as amusement to its members . Every person claims for himself the privilege of belonging to that society which accords with his tastes . It should bo borne in mind , however , that the connection with any society does not ensure

that such person is a benefitter by that connection , it is his own fault , probably , that he does not . Experience of the world teaches us that myriads of persons calling themselves Christians , attend both public and private worship , and most of them are in good favour with their pastor , but this does not prevent the committal of the most heinious crime . Thousands of persons who

are doubtless ( previous to discovery ) believed to be very respectable , and strictly devout when at their religious duties , many of whom , perhaps were considered , previous to this , iu the light of true Christians . With all this before our eyes , will any one have the temerity to assert that his Church has brought him into such a state ? I think we may unhesitatingly declare , that , every church , whether it be catholic or protestant , endeavours to lead its several members to eternal happiness , by its precepts . Clergymen of all

denominations exert themselves unweariedly with the view of pteventing their flock from falling into sin . In order , therefore , to ascertain how far Freemasonry is calculated to lead men into the right path . I will make a few quotations from the Book of " Constitutions , which may be considered an index of the whole . The following prayer is read aloud when a candidate is

about to receive his first degree in Freemasonry : — - " Most holy aud glorious Lord God thou great Architect of heaven and earth , who art the author and giver of all good gifts and graces , and hast promised that when t-yo or three arc gathered together in Thy name Thou wilt be in the midst of them ; in Thy name we assemble and meet togethermost humbl beseeching Thee to

, y bless us in all our undertakings , that we may know and serve Thee aright , aud that all our doings may tend to Thy glory and the salvation , of our souls . And we beseech Thee , 0 Lord God , to bless this our present undertaking , and grant that this candidate for Masonry may dedicate his life to Thy service , and be a good and faithful brother amongst us . " The next , is in reference to

a master , who is chosen to preside over a lodge . 1 st . You are to be a good man and true , and strictly obey the moral law . 2 nd . You are not to be concerned in plots and conspiracies against the state , but you are to be a peaceable subject and cheerfully conform to the laws of the country wherein you reside . 3 rd . You are to respect tlie civil Magistrate , to work diligently , live

creditably , and act honourably by all men . " There is much more in the same strain which is unnecessary to transcribe . The above quotations will be a sufficient answer to "No . 4 '' to be found in Father Laveile ' s letter , which runs thus , "That these societies ( Freemasons ) are no less opposed to-the civil than to the canon law . " Again , in Sec . 9 , Father Lavelle has transcribed the following : —Referring again Nomination to the Freemasons , & c , "Clandestine sects which aim at undermining legitimate princedoms , and at rooting from its