PRINCIPLES OF FREEMASONRY

Thames Star, Volume IIII, Issue 1748, 10 August 1874, Page 2

PRINCIPLES OF FREEMASONRY

To the Editor of the Evening Star.

Sib, —Whilst so many anathemas are being hurled against Freemasonry, it will not be inopportune to boldly state that it would be very easy to prove, according to Christ, that Freemasonry is the purest religion in the world. If there is one feature in the teachings of Christ more prominent than another it is sincere brotherhood. He did not qualify the maintenance and exhibition of this virtue: he did not say, You must be perfect, you must hold such and such opinions, and conform to certain external observances, and. then you may recognise one another as brethren. No; he said—" One is your master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren." VThis principle is fully carried out in Freemasonry. It recognises but one God, and all the members are brethren, upon whom are constantly and forcibly enjoined universal benevolence and charity; due consideration for every one's merits, and a tend«r concern for one another's failing. Christ expressly taught that not one of His followers was to be called Father, "For one is our Father, even Gbdj who is in Heaven."* Freemasons never call any of their members Father, however eminent the character, or high qualification, in office of a brother may be. Freemasonry recognises civil authority as such, to the exclusion of all ecclesaistical alliances whatsoever. It enjoins patient submission to legal autkority, and a'cheerful conformity, to the Government under which we live.—l am, sir, .;

A Fbeemason, Whose name is enrolled under the English,

Irish, and Scotch Constitutions