The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-11-27
God in Masonry.

IN God in Masonry.
John Guthrie, in his address, as GranC
Master, to the Grand Lodge Of Kansas
on the above subject, laid:
In September, 1877, tho Grand Orien
of France eliminated from its constitu
ton the CARDINAL perquisite of Masonry
the BELIEF in God and 1.-the Immortality
of souls. While the grand Lodge will be
always anxious to receive in the most
fraternal spirit the brethren of any tore.
ign Grand Lodge whose proceedings are
conducted sccordingto the Ancient Land.
marks of the order in which q belief in
the Grand Architect is the first and most
important, it cannot recognize as true
and genuine brethren any init;atedLodges
which thus deny, or ignore that belief
On this vital question cannot express
my views better than to adopt the Ian
guage of an ancient Grand Master Of a
sister Jurisdiction: sit is the entrance
into Free7masonrY that should be ospeci-
ally and strictly guarded. The profane
who seeks admission has before him
difficulties to meet. He has no right to
expe It that the way is TO be made easy t.
/ him when the landmarks are set up for
3ANe protection of the brethren. The wis
dom and experience Of ages have sane.
toned aud made unalterable these land
marks, and it is i'm possible that they can
be modified to suit 1.-The within, caprices,
tastes, or imperfectlon Of one who has no
companionshiptswi with the craft The
prosperity of Freemasonary depends on
the strict cheerful obedience to tic land
marks. If they are subordinate to the
wishes or in !. compliance with the inter-
.csts of those. who are not of the Craft, the
foundation of the Fraternity will be no!
stronger than the changing opinions OF
men who have no association with the
Fraternity. This is so absurd that it
ought not to be spoken Of only to show
:he peril and ruin that must come if the
Fundamental principles are dlsregarded.
The world is filled with examples which
such causes have produced, and the pro-
:ection of our Institution from like fate
found in the fact that it rejects absol-
1telyand refuses to follow such exam pies.
During the past year the Grand Lodges
If England, Ireland, Scotland, and Egypt
lave marked this action of the Grand
Orient of France with their disapproval,
md seveled their fraternal relations. So
ar as I have been advised every Grand
lodge that has met in America during
his time has dissolved its relations with
he Grand Orient of France. The North
m and Southern Supreme Councils of the
b : and A. s. Rite have also taken such
W.. 'on. know this Grand Lodge will
and faithfully by the ancient Landmarks
+ the Craft, and l trust it will
axe such action promptly and
Explicitly, but deliberately, as will
indicate the integrity OF the Craft, and
mite the Grand Lodge with every other
over in the Masonic world. No atheist
IN be made a Mason, and it follows that
z'e can have no Fellowship with atheists
nd lrlellgious libertines."
b A committee was appointed on this
art OF the address, who reported series
# preamoles, and the following resolu-
ms, which were adopted.
H Res0!ve0, That the Grand Lodge of
@.ansas views with surprise and profound
.5sret the unwarranted action taken by.
he Grand Orient Of France in eliminat-
~ from her affirmation. of Masonic
scinciples the solemn declaration of Is
ancere belief in God and the immortality
the soul, such action being in direct
OPPOSITION to the fundamental principles
f'reemasonry as taught and believed
nong US, and being in opposition to the
nclenr charges and Landmarks of the
Iaternity. .,~'&y. TIP III. - 60
Reso,ved, That this Grand Lodge, in
$nsequence OF the late action Of the
Fan1 Orient Of France, does hereby re-
.Erm the action heretofore had in the
y -ng OF all Masonic intercourse with
said Grand Orient Of France.
Resolyed. That the Grand Lodge will |
It recognize as true ard lawful Masons I
Y persons hailing from Lodges under |
Grand Orient of France, and all
'dges in this, Jurisdiction are hereby
rected not to admit rs visitors any such |
rsOns. =
In order for. the. uninitiated to fully.
derstAnd the meaning and purport OF
csc resolutions, we will state that in
II the ancient grand lodge Of France,
clared extinct,w was formally replaced by
cody called the Grand Orient of France,
con tinred to- work separately until
ne, 1893, when it was solemnly moor
rated with the Grand Orient, which has
1tnued until the present time, though
mas been placed out OF communication
th many grand lodges from some ex-
ordinary deviations from established
les. .@.ts a+rstr f. gE-e liza !
several months ago the Grand Orient
France solemnly resolved that they
uld no longer recognize the existence |
God in any Ma onic rites Consider
thst Masonry is elninentlya religious
ttution, wholly uncertain Christians
4 Jews being members with equal priv
ges), this reputation OF tie Deity.
b SO extraordinary that the grand
sges of Scotland and England, and
he Of the American lodges, took SINH
u action.
Whether the great harm to the craft
..J'cn the action of the Grand Orient has
~ ~ will generally disrupt the Mason
Brotherhood ia cOpiectura1 The Ori