The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-02
MIN Provincial Grand Master OF Pennsylvania.


with power TO charter new lodges.
On the 5th OF September, 1749, Franklin con-
vened the brethren by virtue Of mis- authority, ana
appointed DR.. Thomas Bond Deputy Grand MAS
ter Joseph Shippen and Philip Syng Grand War
dens, William Plumstead Grand Treasurer and
Daniel Byes Grand Secretary. The following year
Franklin was succeeded as Grand Master by Will
liam Alien, the Recorder OF the city OF Pnlladel-
phia, who was commissioned direct by the Grand
Master OF England.
THE FRIEND OF EDUCATION.
Franklin was we'll known at this period $780,
and later as the friead Of education. It was NOT
apathy and indifference on the part or the COM
munity respecting education that he had 10 con-
tend with alone, but there was an element In tho
population or Philadelphia ana its vicinity that
regarded all measures for the greater diffusion or
knowledge as dangerous innovations on the
established customs of society.
There still exists correspondence between one
Christopher Sorors, German printer In German
town, and Conrad Weiser, In winch the former
complains bitterly OF the efforts OF Franklin and
the Freemasons generally TO establish free schools
He ays:-"Tne people who are promoters OF tho
free schools grand masters and wardens
among the Freemasons-their very pillars"
Masonry embraced IN Its membership at this
time the first men Of the city OF Philadelphia.
FRANKLIN IN LONDON.
In 1854 Franklin was delegate to Congress- bus
shortly thereafter ne was sent to England tho
agent or Pennsylvania and other colonies. The
universities OF Edinburgh ana oxford conferred
on him the degree OF Doctor OF Laws as mark OF
their appreciation. He also, while In England,
visited the Grand Lodge OF England. and the
records show that he was honored with the rank
OF Provincial Grand Master on his visit to that
eody.
RETURNS TO PHILADELPHIA.
Franklia returned to America in 1852, was
elected to the Continental Congress In 1775 and
the following year had the honor OF signing the
Declaration OF Independence. During the whole
OF the Revolution he was continually active in
some civil capacity either at home abroad.
Congress sent MIN, In 1776 Commissioner to the
Court or France, and no diplomat at Versailles
able to perform his duties with greater
ability. Els
RESIDENCE IN FRANCE
was continued until 1885, aud during this time 40
held intimate Masonic intercourse with the Masons
OF that country ana became anlIated, either as
q special or honorary member. with the Grand
Orient Of France. He was also presented by his
French brethren with medal OF which the follow
ing Is a descriptions
Diameter one inch and throe-ffths. DIVERSE
fine bust of Franklin. Reverse Masonic emblems,
the serpents ring, carpenters square and COM
pass in the centre triangle and the sacred
name In Hebrew, &C. Legend-"Leo. Mac. Fran.
Franklin. M. de la L. des Soeurs o. de parnA
67T8.u
FREEMASONRY-RE LIGION-POLITICS
To THE EDTroE OF THE HERALD
Those who are members oil the society OF Free
masons are OF course familiar with tho principles
rules and duties of the order. with its benevolent
objects and It's beautiful ana brotherly observ-
ances and ceremonles but there arc many out
side OF she society who entertain vague i'm
prassons concerning this ancient Order, who
have a feeling Of distrust OF its merits and USE
fulness. largely arising from the secrecy which
surrounds its meetings and Official acts within tho
lodges, although II is well known that there are
other societies who have their special means OF
recognizing and greeting their members Things
which are In themselves harmless, when yelled
from the public gaze are easily warped By fertile
imaginatIons into something terrible. Probably
there cannot be found in the world an equal num-
Der OF men united in society vino lead mora
blameless lives or who are better members OF the
community in which they dwell than the members
OF Masonic lodges wherever Masonry Is known.
Although IL Is not per Sc a religious order, i.s
foundation principles are based upon tho recognl-
ton OF God as the Supreme Ruler OF the Universe
and upon those just laws which are fundamental
In all civilized governments. Not a meeting ever
takes place in which the members arc not re-
minded In some way OF their paramount duty to
our Heavenly Father, and OF their mutual obliga-
tons TO each other TO their fellow men every
where. There are in IL representatives OF nearly
all religions clergymen as well as laymen. who
nud nothing either 10 the constitution or
the action OF the society to initiate against
their particular religious beliefs, because these
are emlnentY and unalterably unsectarian.
Here, in the Masonic lodge. men OF all religions
meet and narmonize as brethren united In one
cause, and that one the cause OF pure benevo-
lencc. NV ere else, IN 50 marked q degree, do
the membo. or various religious denominations
assemble t1Eci ler wi nout the possibility or en-
gagny In Wrangling religious disputes. This. OF
ITSELF should induce all thinking men to reject
upon the great goof which such an institution
must exert In repressing tho spirit or religious
intolerance and encouraging fraternity OF feeling.
In regard TO politics. ITS teue,s absolutely pro-
h!bit the Introduction OF political discussions Its
members elong TO all parties ana all shades OF
parties and political party measures could only
be entertained by the destruction or all the
sacred obligations OF the order. IL would DO
quite as dIfncult 10 give to Freemasonry politi-
cal pasty character as 10 make It OF one sectarian
religion. 1he thing Is utterly impossible.
Mir. John Hinton Carver, In an article which
appears in your sunday edition. dated May 20, re-
fers 10 the anu-Aasonic political party which was
organized about half century ago. In which the
name OF Mr. Thurow Weed who then figured
conspicuously. 4 introduced. TIE writer recoI-
lects perfectly wen many or the incidents OF those
days, and especially the often quoted words, "a
good enough Morgan TIL AFTER the election.n Tho
point now to be no'ed IS this:-That Free
masons could NOT, ana DID not, array them
selves as a political organization. As a body they
remained quiescent under the political persecu-
ton that was then inaugurated In several or tho
States, though IL never extended to all. There
was undoubtedly a great excitement. and anti
Masonry, "a II was called, nourished and for
time was potent 10 elections in many places. THIS
was, perhaps, the greatest trial which Free
masonry, as a benevolent institution, has ever
encountered; yet II could not die. on the con-
trary, when the iniatusLion or the hour had
tassed away 10 resumed It's ancient order or pro-