The New York herald., 1874-10-05
ROMAN CATHOLICISM AND FREE.
MASONRY.
English Explanations of the Church
Treatment OF the Secret Broth crhoOd.

English Explanations of the Church
Treatment OF the secret Brotherhood.
To THE EDITOR OF THE LONDON TINES
Lord Rlpons abjuration Of Freemasonry was
very simple thing. His desire to become Roman
Catholic came to be greater than his desire to re-
main Mason; the two things were not compati-
bic, and he made his choice. But from this choice
we cannot tell whether he has become ultramon
tame or remains liberal. He may have LETT Masonry
grudgngly and unwillingly as sacrifice all the
more painful because he knew 1t demanded
in ignorance and prejudice. or he may have be
come devoted to his lnfaole teacher that
the body TO which he has so long been
Dlameessly attached is suddenly revealed
to him as a monster Your correspon.
dent '.Nemon is a man who talks about
what he does not understand. He makes out that
the one thing for which Freemasonry Is condemned
Is Tor its exactlng solemn oath concerning things
unknown at the time to him VINO takes the oath
a consideration which would condemn every prlvy
councillor, and every priest who engages not TO
reveal the now unknown things which shall be-
come known to him In confession; But ut. II .Nemon
would know that Freemasonry IS condemned by
them on several distinct grounds quote Ball
OF Benedict XIV
J. Because in those societies men any religion and
sect are associated together manesty to the perdition
z he strict and impervous secresy in which things
S. The oath BY which they bind themselves to this
secrecy A. u man might BY pretenee Of bis path
lawful authority when il would inquire whether any
thing Is done at these meetings contrary 10 Church or
These societies forbidden by both civil and
law; the civil Jaw prohibits all colleges and sodaltes
constituted without public Authority or without cencc
of the frince.
g. In many places these clubs have been prescribed by
the la Of secular Princes
Prudent and good men think III OF these clubs and
any who enters them noted by them Tor pravy
anu peryerseness
Benedict therefore, prays kings and princes to
help hlm TO suppress these clubs. Clement Xll,
In 1885, had spoxen OF their oath OF secrecy on the
Bible ana OF their affectation or natural morality
a charge and admission which his more wary sue
cessor, Benedict, omitted. But let us look at
Benedict's own reasons. His first Is one which
equally condemns every mess room or the Eng ism
Army ana Navy, every nall IN every Inn or court,
all partnerships all social correspondence be-
tween Catholics and Protestants. The second
equally condemns synods of Catholic bishops, So
cietieS like the Jesults or any other religious
order, and every meeting OF the primitive Chris
tians, whose prosecutors are thus justified wnen
they prosecuted them as secret societies. The
third lustlhes the English government in eXacting
the last penalty from Garnet and Oldcorne Tor
having omitted to reveal the existence OIL plot OF
when they only knew by confession. The fourth
tries to perpetuate piece OF imperial tyranny
quiet amen from English liberties. The fifth simply
edcts winch it may please absolute monarchs who
happen TO be Catholics 10 make. The sixth seeks
to aoridge the liberty OF every Cathollc whenever
the Pnarisalc conscience OF the Teputed orthodox
takes scandal at his liberty.
The Pope, 1t seems, may prescribe wnat conol-
tions he likes for communion with MIN. Doubt
less he generally acts IN accordance Win the
preludlces oil the multitude OF his Iolowers But
VINO only submit because they think II better on
the whole, 20 remain Catholics than openly 10
violate any or these conditions, however unWise
tney may be. Leo XII. and Plus TX. add nothing
" Benedict, except the testimony OF tne great IN
crease OF these societies and their hostility 10 the
Church. When Popes were so careful 10 weed OUT
all Catholics from this society," could they expect
the resida,~n e~ ANYTHING else bnt anti-C Cath