Omaha daily bee., 1889-09-01
ECHOES FROM THE ANTE-ROON
A Master Mason Takes up the Scot
tish Rite Question.
AREoLETTER DAY FOR THE k.e.e.
Work ana Objects of the Order-A
Serious Question for the Rebekah
Representatives-A New X. of
+. Lodge at Platte Center.

To Ancient Graft Masons of Nebraska.
The persistent attempts to make ancient
craft Masonry in the state of Nebraska SUBJ
servient to the Illegal so-called southern
jurisdiction Scottish rite Masonry, under
the command of Albert Pike, the would be
imperial dictator, to all Masons of ali rites,
does not require the gift of a prophet to fore
Tell the nature OF the awakening that will
result from such coercion IL it continues
much longer. Already quite enough has
transpired in this jurisdiction to serve as a
solemn warning to all loyal ancient craft
Masons, and if our present grand lodge sys-
TEN is to be maintained such attempts must
be met by all lawful resistance.
Pause brethren, and carefully consider the
methods now being pursued by the adherents
of Pike, under the cloak of preserving peace
and harmony among the craft, and ask your
selves its meaning.
Peace and harmony have always prevailed
In this Jurisdiction among the craft of Sym
bolic Masonry up to the issuing of the So
called edict No. /, by John j. Mercer, grand
master of Masons IN the state Of Nebraska,
wherein he attempts TO commit, in his official
capacity, in defiance of the expressed will OF
our grand lodge, the loyal Master Masons of
this grand jurisdiction, who have abso-
lutely no knowledge of the matter
whatever, either by virtue of men,
bership or through Investigation,
to a recognition of an illegitimate so-called
southern jurisdiction of Scottish rite Ma
sonry, presided over by Albert Pike, an ex
rebel general of the defunct so-called
Southern Confederacy-a man who has for
feited his claims to American citizenship and
violated every obligation he has taken in
Masonry.
Let us further dssect this edct. In our
opinion, il i'll becomes the grand master of
this jurisdiction, who now holds the highest
ofdce within our gift, by our voice and votes,
to publicly declare and make known TO the
world that we are false designing fJrgers,
evilly disposed and ll-informed Master
Masons. Now, brethren, we submit to you
that no man can with impunity uniustly dis
parage the character of his fellow-citizens
In this manner without becoming amenable
to the laws enacted for the protection of all
citizens. WHAT kind of Masonry is thisi we
ask. Not ancient craft Masonry, brethren.
II may bo Pixies Masonry; but we, as loyal
ancient craft Masons, most emphatically de-
clare TO the world that this is not in accord
ance with the teachings OF ancient craft
Masonry. There is nothing in the constitu.
ton and ancient charges that inculcates such
q doctrine; one would search the three great
lights of Masonry in vain TO find one syllable
that would warrant such a course; nor dc
the rituals and secret work adopted by ouI
grand lodge contain anything that teaches a
man to villify his brethren, and only he
could SO debase himself who would put on
the garb of Masonry and prostitute his
high prerogatives in a final effort to sustain
and propagate particular Scottish rits
which Is "a relic OF the rebellion, not recog-
nized by our grand lodge as being Masonic
or as being part Of ancient craft Masonry
by such infamous declarations. Nay, more
mot satisfied with publishing such senti
ments In the daily papers from Maine u
Texas, he requires, by edict No. 1, that al
loyal ancient craft Masons under his juris
diction shall be Inundated by reading suct
sentiments at three regular CONSECUTIVE
meetings ana the same shall be posted in th'
Ante-room Of each lodge in the Jurisdiction
And this. brethren, is TO conduce to peac'
and harmonyl What nonsensel What NOR
could be said or done TO create dissension