The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-23
A MASONIC VERDICT.
A BROTHER OF THE MYSTIC TIE Elk.
PEELED FROM A
Missouri Lodge Because He Avowed
Belief in the God OF Nature and Not
the God OF the Acknowledgement AZ
firmed by Judge Givan.

The ~. Louis Republic reports that at last
weeks session OF the Missouri Grand
Lodge Of Masons the following decision
was rendered by Judge Noah Nj. Givan
in the case Of an appeal OF master Mason
against the lodge expelling him. II is one
OF the ablest and most important express
sions OF Masonic opinion in regard to the
attitude Of that order toward the Bible
that has been published for many years,
and will be Of profound interest to Masons
all over the world. In the history Of Mis-
souri, Masonry II is fitting following TO
the action Of the order twelve months ago,
concerning the question Of the member
ship Of saloonkeepers in Masonic lodges
TmE DECISION.
In this case the specifications were: ~,
Threatening 10 stop an entered appren-
tice manning him) from advancing; (2),
denying the divine authority OF the Holy
Bible; 80, nonbclief in the existence OF
Deity.
Tho appellant was acquitted OF the first
specification, but was found guilty OF the
other two and was expelled. lie appeals,
and M the only ground OF appeal states
chat do not consider that the lodge has
any right or authority TO question my re-
ligious belief"
The evidence, including his own state
mcnt TO the lodge at the trial, shows that
he does not believe any part OF the holy
Scriptures or Bible as n revelation from
God; does not believe In the God Of tho
Bible, his belief being, 10 use his own Ian
gnage, 81 believe God IL n supreme being,
and created all things and made un.
changoable laws 10 govern the same, I" and
he gets his ideas Of God from the works
Of nature aud what can sec around me. 7"
when asked II he believed in the same
Deity M when he was made n Mason he
answered. 81 do not" To one OF tho
brethren who was q witness he stated that
nj the time he was made Mason lac be-
lieycd in God and the Bible as firmly M
anybody, but after getting older he found
out better. At the trial he was represent
cd by two brethren rs counsel and one OF
them has furnished your committee with
an elaborate argument In his behalf.
We have given tho case and the argu-
ment that careful consideration which lts
importance demands.
We approach the discussion Of the ques.
| tions involved with u realizing sense OF the
| dclcncy Of the subject. The appellant u
not charged with any oilenso which i'm
plies turpitude or intentional wrong. lie
" not violator OF the laws ol the land
| lie il not n criminal In this land oil ouri
which toloralcs the largest liberty Of con
science. From all that We know ho may
be M good citizen as any Ia the lodge
| Belief Is often matter over which w
have little or no control. When We rcacl
n conclusion on any subject, after cxamin
ing the evidence pro and con, II We ar,
honest In our conclusions we Rro entitled
10 respect m honest men. Any action %
any society in this country which tends e
impair liberty OF conscience or freedom o
thought, is watched with n critical eye
Societies founded ON any belief may, how
ever, require lis members 10 conform I,
| tina, belief without encroachng upon thcs,
| rights. The very essence OF our freedom
II That those who are IN harmony ON AM
given subject may associate themselves To
gc,her aud may exclude irslA hrir MIN
Der those whQ-ar9 not Ia harmony wit
them.
-Nyrcn We, M Masons, are compelled 4
frcpnratc from brother ON account OF hi
honest convictions OF belief, We can but OK
pcricncc feelings Of rcgnpl. We do no
put him away rs q monster, but rather ~
friend whose opinions, honestly formed
have placed him out Of harmony with IN,
symmetry of our cdillcc. II his belief il II
conflict with the fundamental principles O
MWonry, II he cannot promulgato is mos
Important teachings, and especially II III
must, tn be- consistent with his belief, nm
tagunizn it, plaincst prcccpis, howcyc
long hc may have been one in name
However sincere Or good q man lac may h,
hr can not hc a Mason unless he can sub
scribe 10 the principles of the order no
necessary 10 everything Ia dvtnil-but /,
10 fundamental teachings
One ct the iirst nets ui an initiate int
Masonry is To trust In God, not the Co,
ui nature alone, not force in nature, bu
the one true and living God. There coul,
be- no such thing ~ trusting In an un
chnngpablc law Of nature. lie has ud
Nanccd but little further when lac I
taught that the religion oi Masonry con
ssls in an unicignci belief IN the one liy
ing aud true tod, In the very act q
being permitted a. see the beauties ui thI
lodge he v greeted with the word. Go,
said, o., there be- light, etc. The God o
nature dDrs not talk, aud never said "lc
there be- light \ little further ON ho Z
taught to ~ divide his time % 10 xiv,
oIght huurs Of each day TO the service o
Cod and q Distressed brother Again. ON,
ui ihc ltylt duties which, ls q Mason. III
b. charged o. iuculClr, II tu mover mon
ton thp name ui God but with that rover
rntll awe which Is luu from creature {,
hIs creator, to impluc his aid in aIl lnud
able undertaking. lilo Is taught that boz
luv engaging IN an important undertake
iug bee should invoke tie aid and hlcssin,
Of Almighty tod. a. almost every scI
iu his Journey through the various d,gtrG
oi Masonry, lac has met with similar teach
ings.
| lithcsc references in our beautiful ccrc
monies only rclrr to tho Ood of nature, o
90 the God which our brother nov hrlcya
in, thcy would bc meaningless aud foolish
II toe appellant himself hld vuirrlanr,
bio pwsUnt views when hc received tho de-
I rrvUs hr would have elected ITO rctiuf'
Whru thIt opportunity was given him.
Our crvWuny to such q one must be- M
sounding br. and t.uklug c,mhil OuI
teachings with reference 90 tho Holy ii.hl,
NV UH lrH li variance with thp belief Of th,
/ appellant llp WIS early iHurht thIt th,
/ lioly Bible Is dedicated TO tod, bccausn 4
. b. biz IupslimlhlU Qii tn man .s tulc iol
bis hith and practice. The Masonic def
| milton ol a lodge shows the necessity o
Che Holy lhh.w ltis ls follows
"a lodge sacvriHiu number ui Nlsons
duly assembled, With the Holy Hbc
square and compass AMI charter iron
gund lodge, authorizing them 90 mcgtanJ
| work