God-less religion, secret world rulers, blah blah blah. On and on they spout, like water from a damaged dam that, inevitably, comes back to flood their own basement. There’s been documented anti-Mason blather since 1698 and I suspect there always will be. But Freemasonry still survives and, at times, flourishes. It will so long as men join together to assist and encourage each other to follow the principles of virtuous living.
Masons can do little about anti-Masons. Some laugh at their foolishness (it’s pretty easy to do). Some counter misconceptions. Masons have been doing that for generations, too. Today, they do it on the web. Before the web, it was done in the popular press. Here’s an article in the New York Times, dated October 23, 1860. It’s about a packed house, both women and “the sterner sex” gathering for the eighth anniversary of Metropolitan Lodge No. 273. It’s entitled Masonic Ovation; ANNIVERSARY OF METROPOLITAN LODGE AN ADDRESS, A POEM AND A CONCERT. Let’s skip past a list of names of a bunch of Knights Templar Commanderies and see what the story has to say:
As the Grand Lodge entered, Dodworth’s Band, which in full force was stationed on the platform, performed a grand march. The members of the Lodge, who were clad in their regalias, took seats on the platform where already were stationed the choir of the Cooper Union ranged near one of CHICKERING's grand pianos. The decorations of the stage were simply a scroll formed of gas jets, with the words, “Sit Lux et Lux Fuit,” suspended midway between the ceiling and the platform, and the banners of the Lodge.
DANIEL GODWIN, Master of the Metropolitan Lodge, presided and made a brief address, greeting and welcoming those who were present. Then an appropriate opening ode was sung by the Choir, the audience rising and uniting in it. Rev. Mr. CORBIT offered prayer, and the prescribed exercises of the evening proceeded. They consisted of an introductory address, by M.W. JOHN W. SIMONS, Grand Master of Masons, State of New-York; an anniversary oration, by Rev. W.P. CORBIT; and an anniversary poem, by Hon. A.J.H. DUGANNE, with a musical interlude between them.
Mr. SIMONS congratulated Masons upon the rapidity of their increase and upon the respectable position which they now hold in the public estimation. He corrected the prevailing notions concerning the gridiron and goat-riding rites of the brotherhood; declared that its objects, much as they had been misrepresented, were to carry out good projects; asserted that where liberty dwells there is the Mason’s country; and reminded maligners that all of good moral character were at liberty to become acquainted with the arcana of the order.
Mr. DUGANNE’s poem was entitled “King Solomon's Temple.” In it he compared Masonry to the castle in the fairy tale, and Truth to the Princess within awaiting the coming of one earnestly seeking her. In diction of great beauty he pursued the allegory into the very penetralia of the charmed palace.
Mr. COBBITT's address was devoted to a controversion of the ideas often held by the uninformed with regard to Masonic principles. The aim of the Order was to unite mankind in one common brotherhood by God’s Holy Word, which was its chart and compass -- its polar star. A Mason was simply a builder -- as God himself was a builder. It had been charged that Masons claimed that Masonry was superior to Christianity. This was not so. Mountains of censure had been placed upon Masonry, because it had failed often to accomplish what Christianity itself had failed to accomplish. The mistake was in judging Christianity by this standard. Masonry claimed to be subordinate to our glorious Christianity. Where the cedar of Lebanon had failed of healing, why should so much be expected of the hyssop on the wall? They did not claim that Masonry was as perfect as the Gospel. Away with all such slanders. It was charged that there were bad men in the Brotherhood. Well, "let him among you that is without sin cast the first stone." They of the Fraternity were not omniscient. No body of men had been more careful in making rules designed to exclude bad men. Let him who knocked at the door look to it that he was worthy. Masonry was founded upon the best principles. He knew that they had bad men among them, and he wept over it as he wept over the shortcomings of backsliders in Christianity. But from the nature of things, while the world lasted there would be hypocrites and evil-doers. Mr. CORBIT combatted the idea that the Fraternity is wholly a secret society, and that, so far forth as it is a secret society, it was unworthy. Mr. CORBIT brought down the house by saying, Now, would you not like to know the Masonic pass-word to-night? Listen -- [deep silence] -- while I tell you -- [rapt attention] -- unit the password that will admit you -- [slowly] to a Masonic [very slowly] lodge-room is _____ [a pin distinctly heard to drop,] never to be spoken outside of a Masonic lodge-room. [Pronged laughter and applause.] The orator expatiated upon what Masonry had accomplished and the particulars in which it carried out the principles of the Christian Religion.
The exercises were closed with another ode and a benediction.
Incidentally, you’ll notice the Times wrote of the “principles” of a particular religion, as opposed to its dogma about how one worships. Perhaps an examination of Matthew 7:12 and I Corinthians 13:13 is in order as these principles should apply to anyone, regardless of how they believe in the Creator.
Let Masons carry on and practice the tenets of the fraternity and not worry too much those who deliberately dwell in the land of misconceptions. Though it does a Mason good to remind himself what the fraternity is about and to let others know, too.
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