New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-08-15
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.
The Legality Of COlOred Odd-Fei.
lows and Masons I'm the
United States.
NEW York, AMERICA, July 26, 1914.

New YORK, AMERICA, July 26, 1874.
Worthy b, dhrea:
1t is with great pleasure that the Com
mittee of Management have to announce to
you that the business transacted betwixt us
and you, was duly laid before the represent
atives at the a. M. c., and the fullest eXpla-
nations entered into, which was received by
the representatives in such manner that left
no doubt but the greatest satisfaction was
given to the Order, and which transactions
were ratified by the meeting, thereby con-
frming the grant which you have in posses
sion, and which must remain in full force. 1t
was also resolved by the representatives at
the annual movable committee, that the
committee of management be empowered by
this meeting to make all necessary arrange
ments for tho governing, comfort, happiness,
and satisfaction of you and the brethren
across the Atlantic, and We trust there will
be that congeniality Of feeling betwiXt us
and YOU, that will have the effect anticipated,
and which will shine forth with meridian
splendor, not only in the pleasure OF the
mind, but with an increase OF number I'M
looked for, and each member being partic-
pator of the same feeling.
The committee of management met on the
9th day of July, 1874, on this particular bust
ness, and came TO the following resolutions,
viz:
w
to draw up a code of laws for the government
of Lodges in America, but embracing as many
of our present laws as are workable in that
country, and all others which may be made,
must be approved of by the committee OF
management, England, before carrying into
operation.
Second. That all dispensations issued by
the subcommittee be charged by them e.
each, and pay for each to the committee in
81, ar,I oil nf1a
wanted by the Subcommittee, to be paid for
at the price published in the committee of
arrangements circular. All moneys to be
transmitted three months before each annual
meeting.
Third. That all signs, passwords, cere-
MONIES. &C., be the same as that made use
Of by the order in England.
Fourth. That the strictest attention be
paid to the third resolution, on the grant
made last year, and that regular CORE
spondencc takes place between tie two COM
mittees every three months, and full partic,--
lars given of every Lodge opened by the SUBJ
committee as also all other business trans
actions. And the committee in England will
forward every three months, an account of all
general business transactions of the Order in
England, as a frequent correspondence will
create a goodly feeling, and will have ten
dency of promoting the prosperity OF the
Order. Should there be anything not salts
factory, or anything you can suggest, just
name them, and they will have our imme-
date attention, for it is our ardent desire that
everything for the benefit Of the Order which
can be done, shall have our instant support.
We wish to hear your opinion about accept
ing clearances ofmembers from this country,
and we receiving members with clearances
from you.
Wishing YOU every prosperity and sue
cess, we are your brethren truly in f. L.
and T.
Witness our names and seal of the order.
z. G.. NJ. HIGGINS,
Z. G. NJ, GEORGE ROBINSON,
P. G.. NJ, JOHN HOLRoYD, G. S.,
z. G.. NJ, VIM. NORRIS TAYLOR,
fsEAL.1 G. NJ. GEORGE TERRY,
d. G.. NJ, THOMAS WHITEHEAD,
p. G. NJ, JOHN TAYLOR,
p. G. NJ, JOHN BUCKLEY.
Having given the wording of our warrant,
and the communication received by us from
our brethren in England, whose names are
appended, we must say 4 few things upon the
important instruction offered by NORTH OF
PoTOMAc." Masonry, and its benefit cannot
be lawfully obtained by the negro. 81 deny
this blind assertion as being false and I'M
founded.
First. Upon the ground that the most au-
thentic works on that subject proves that the
Canaanites were in possession of the most
profound arts. We here use the language of
Rev. George Oliver, D. D., NJ. S. E., in his
work entitled, Masonic Library - :" There
they practiced very successfully the specula-
tive sciences, which form constituent part
of Masonry. The celestial bodies were OBJ
tects of their constant investigation. In the
science of Astronomy, Enoch made many i'm
provements, and it is thought that he was
acquainted with the grand period of six hum
dred years." The Ritual says: " 1t is not
the external, but the internal part that con-
stitutes Masonry an institution taking the
broadest ground of the most genuine love,
and gathers in its tender folds charity as a
basis of its grand work" Says Oliver: ''But
If religion be intimately connected with Ma
sonry, and essentially necessary to its exist
snce, then we must look for it under some
uneauivocal and universal FORM" NORTH
OF PoToMAC" says: "By immemorial statute
no man, unless free born, and of free race,
can be made a Mason therefore, from time
immemorial negroes have been excluded
from the fraternity. There is no human
power or authority that can change the
statute founded on the divine Decree"
Suppose then we take or accept the state
ment of ''NoRTH OF POTOMAC," and sup
pose that he be not negro, and put him
down as DelnS thorough Anglo saxon,
We would ask if they were not in slavery{
were they not sold; were not holes bored in
their ears and brands put upon them by
their masters. In proof of this statement,
We will call attention to "Milner's History
of England" headed Glasses Of Society,
page 1877, section lG9.
"The population consisted of two Grand
Divisions, free men and slaves. The free
community was likewise distributed into. two
great classes, the noble and ignoble, (erols
and ceorls,) answering to the gentle and
simple Of subsequent times, the gentry and
yeomen of the present day.
''Sec. ITO. The population includes as its
lowest order, the unfree or absolute Serf, (the
Servi Of Domesday,) who bore the drudgery
of domestic life, or tended the cattle and
swine of their masters. There was the slave
by birth, known by the various names TheOn,
Esns, and Thrael; and the penal slave or
Wits-theow, person who lost his rights as
q member Of the free community, from ina
bility to discharge his obligations as debtor,
or pay the fines incurred for violating the
law.
l. :..c,- ~. q