BISHOP LUCK AND, FREEMASONRY.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1636, 30 December 1882, Page 2

BISHOP LUCK AND, FREEMASONRY.

/ s TO THE'j'r.DITOK. , Sir. — Dr Luck, in extolling the virtues of societies such as the H.A.C.8., in** formed his hearers they should have nothing to do with Masonry, as it was a " secret society, and had worked much evil." Now, being rather curious" as to the evil worked, I would feel better satisfied with the right rev. gentleman's orthodoxy if he added, something more in support of his assertions thaii/mere insinuations, insinuations that aie unjust if not narrow-minded, and smacking of that dictation which the Roman Catholic Church knows so well how to assume. Bishop -Luck forgets that he i 3 speaking.) iii the nineteenth century, and that people now-a-duys read' and think for themselves, and their conscience is their own, not their confessor's^- 'Wo have all read Masonic exhortations, and addresses to the brethren at; .Masonic meetings. Can Bishop Luck point out anything contained in such addresses calculated to ]work much evil ? Does his own; or any other Church inculcate more Christian dimity"' amongst* men. ? and does 1 the 1 Bishop's pet society practice pore charity than Masons, either ' collectively or individually? There are Masonic funds'' and Masonic schools for Masons' orphans, Homes for the decrepit and destitute brethren, and scarcely a day parses without witnessing the great good effected by^. Masonry. I would just hke^to aslc an^ 1 i disinterested person whether he would; in the hour of iieed, rather trust a mem- ' her of the H.A.C.8.5., or a Mason. Whose word. is lnost'implicitly to be relied upon ? Masonry is a non-political society, and, it does not interfere with the religions beliefs of its followers. It is more particular ,than any other society extant as to the candidates -it accepts^ and it is more aiitient than the Golden Fleece or „ Roman Eagle. I know that the < Roman 'Catholic Chnrch teaches sbme'.diabdlical yarns about Masonry. I will just instance one (intended, I have no doubt, • for the poor and ignorant of its members) \ which appeared in the Freeman's Journal not, so very long since. A French abbe",' addressing his flock, told them how he gained admission to a Masonic lodge. It occurrecl ( in this way. , 'The,abbe\ had a conversation with a Mason touching the efjftcapy of making ,ths sign of the ' cross, and 'to prov t e its,, power 'jundertook to gain admittance to the lodge , by J its use [only. Then, said- .Mason, I will be [convinced. ( " ti Well! the rev. gentleman goes on to say that on a lodge night he burst into the lodge, much to the amazement of outer and inner guard, and what did v he, , see ? Why, , only His . Majesty ' 'standing ' ih ' the > centre, and > | acting as master of ceremonies ; but, on tlie signj-of -the across being, jmade the prince T^f - f dJrkness 1 retirfed beMwt the contents of the lodge,- Including brethren presetftiwere completely-s mashed up,' and the 'Masoii<>.justi, mentioned Uectfme a convert to the abba's way of thinking. I have no doubt there are 1 inany/meinbera of Bishop iLiWk's.. pet/ society- wihQ read' and fully believed that clip in the Auckland Roman Catholic organ. L^ a? a Mason and Roman Catholic,* felt people will no doubt ask : Why did Bishop' )Ltick> select'Masonryilorjhiscoonf t demnation \ , There are other secret societies -I'fWh'ai} ib'o^ tfeManlsmt aWi ruffians who have lately been devastating ~ ifjelantf'witMHrarifefc, arid! ra^iuO! belong^ Were.tyey r^ea,r,'^r'EdjW i\J is, painful for me to write m, 1 this f Qftain.. bjut^cannyt allo'V &§/ss*&& »%« promulgate such uttev bunkum without aprotest in the^causepf lte^t a^d (bruth^ff > Eam^ftTc.,' , '.,, s~ „ 'f^