Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1869-07-13

to q sectarian brotherhood. 10 have
so changed it would have perhaps
brought persecution upon themselves
Just as the introduction Of such
changes now as would recognize
Christ must insure 'dissensions and
splits and quarrels and combats.
The Masonic Jews would never stand
it, the Asiatics wouldn't, and bar
barians everywhere wouldn't. Be-
sides, were the Masonic ceremonies
to recognize Christ, some would de-
mand that he be recognized as an
orthodox Christ, some as Unitari-
an Christ, some as Catholic, some
as Protestant Christ.
The Bible and ancient Masonry
were bothssborn before Christ, and
therefore neither recognizes Christ
except by implication. Christ add
ed the New Testament to the jew
ish records. And from the seventh
till the twelfth centuries the Frees
masons also made q forward revolu-
ton by adding christianity and sew
eral christian degrees to their cere-
monies. During the crusades when
the barbarous hosts attacked the
christians everywhere and undertook
their determination, Masonry enlist
ed on the christian side and was cred-
tied with being the lion that saved
the lamb #
During these crusades the knights
Templar degrees were added to the
Master and Royal Arch degrees--the,
latter two being of Jewish origin,
but modified by the Saints John, and
Commandery Masonry or the
Knights Templars, being the most
intense patrons of christianity, the
members being pledged to the defense
and support of the christian religion,
even to the sacrifice of their lives and
property. No fraternity in the
world perhaps take upon themselves
so strong an obligation for the sup
port of the religion of Jesus Christ,
at least we know no other sect or
party that pledges life and property
if necessary for the perpetuity of
Christ upon earth. In this matter
we speak from knowledge and from
modern history. And yet we do not
even claim that Knights Tomplar
Masonry is a religious or devotional
institution. But it recognizes Christ
as God in the flesh, and the christian
religion as mans chief hope and an
Choir. 1t holds to the divinity of
Christ and to his perfection as God
in man, to his crucifxion, death,
burial and resurrection for our sal
walton, TO the church militant as our
ark of safety on earth and to an eter>
nal heaven and orthodox hell be-
yond. The entire ceremonies of
Commandery Masonry are ortho.
dox christian, and we have seen
christian ministers weep as children
during the administration to initiates,
| perhaps no ceremony or ordinance
known upon earth being it's equal
for solemnity. aa-f H9. ag So
The constitution of the u. S. does
not recognize God or Christ, and if it
did the people would split upon the
issue as to whether the God and
Christ so recognized by name are of
the Catholic, Protestant, Jewish In,
fdel, Presbyterian, Unitarian or
Chinese persuasion. AS we'll might
a christian step out of the U. S. Union
because our constitution ignores
Christ as for a Christian to walk out
of Masonry because Jesus Christ is
i not recognized. Half our social and
domestic institutions and associations
including debating clubs, temper
ance societies, agricultural fairs, &C.,
do not recognize Christ, yet are be-
lieved by good men to be hand
maids of the great work of human
progress and regeneration, the same
actually essential to christianity.
| No, Masonry is not a religious nor
a devotional institution Very true,
Masons pray, and hold lodge prayers,
but even the wickedest have q right
to pray, however little good it may
do them. practice is an old one in
lodges, and we presume little good or
harm is done by it. Master and
Royal Arch Masonry is not kept up
as religion, but as rite. We have
seen the play of Esther, Mordecai
and Haman, an old Jewish scene
in the bible, and pious people have
been present and wept over poor
Mordecai and the hard fated Israel
Oh, how Mordecai and the queen
prayed for removal of the yoke and
| for Humans exit from rope But
Christ is not recognized in this, and
there is in it no religion or real devo-
ton. 1t is something like open MAJ
sonry-the ceremonies being pleas
| ing and solemn. And what's wrong
about it all? We answer, bad men
see wrong in whatever they happen
to be ignorant about, and such have
lust enough influence to mislead
many good people like our friend
Ill., Do-on+ ~ 1850 -