The morning call., 1893-09-24
MAS SONIC WORSHIP
Lodge Services Viewed by
Clergymen.
NO ALARM IS MANIFESTED.
Proposition That the Free Masons
Shall Hold Regular Religious
Meetings of Their Own.

To that portion of the Masonic frater-
nifty which resides in San Francisco there
seems to belong the credit of originating
an entirely new idea.
Dhigent inquiry fails so tar to discover a
single instance where the Masons have
themselves conducted public religious
services, but the past masters of this city
have such plan under consideration. and
many of the other prominent resident
Masons look upon it with favor.
Whether or not the system of public re-
liGious services under the direct supervi-
sion aud control of the Masonic order will
in any way interfere with the work and
general interests of our established
churches is question which has led to
discussion since it became known that
such project was being seriously consid-
cred. The majority of our Protestant
cergymen who have expressed an opinion
seem TO think that there is little trouble To
be apprehended on that score, and that the
movement may. if carried out on the
proper lines, be productive Of not little
good.
Bishop Nichols EpiscopaD looked at tho
matter in his usual just and impartial way.
He expressed himself as thinking that the
matter would have to be handled very
carefully. 1t would not be good thing to
away from their own churches, but if they
would make it a service for Masons and
others who do not go to church anywhere
else he thought it would be a good idea.
Rev. Charles Q. Brown of the First
Congregational Church of this city does
not think that the regularly settled clergy
men can be expected TO take charge of the
services, since such clergymen have their
own church duties to perform and could
not exchange as Is their custom, since as
d H.
Masonic ceremonies there will be no one
to exchange with. Mr.. Brown said further:
The inevitable result of this movement.
If it be really established, will be the
formation of a new sect and the founda-
lion of new church in the World-the
Masonic"
Being questioned as to the probable
effect of the innovation upon the regular
churches Mr.. Brown replied that he
thought it would do no harm. In his own
church. he said, he had not few Masonic
members, but their regard for church
obligations is such that no outside SER
vice would affect them. In the nature of
the case religious duties and church obl-
cations take precedence over all others,
and faithful members who are also MasOns
take this view. In joining other organiZa-
tions they understand that nothing is to
interfere with their religious duties. Jar
tlcularly their church covenant
Mr. Brown added II am inclined to
think shat if this movement be pressed
Masons will find within their own men,
bershlp very strong element who will
stand for this view and who will oppose
anything that might be in the nature of an
interference with religious covenants"
Rev. Mr.. Hemphill Presbyterian) spoke
very conservativelY. Il have not thought
of the matter and cannot give n clear
opinion" he said. "but l do not think it
can possibly do any harm, or affect church
attendance. save at first, when curiosity
may draw some from their own church
homes. As for my own opinion, / think
San Francisco needs the eXertion of all it's
moral forces in every possible way to
mbat the forces of immortality which
are to be met in this city. say to all who
are doing Gods work in any wav, any,
where. Go on, and God bless yonp"
Rev. DR.. Horatio Stebbins (U1itarian)
thought that it would be good thing if
the Free MaSOns of the city would unite
with the clergymen of every denomination
here and call religious congress- in which
no controversies should be allowed, but
each clergyman should give his views and
explain from his own standpoint religion
and the duties it imposes
III the MaSons carry out their idea" he
said, "tne services inaugurated by them
should be conducted in an earnest and
truly religious spirit, avoiding all tendency
to sensationalism, and then good will come
from them, otherwise it would not
Rev. George Walk of Trinity Episcopal
Church considered it good thing to spread
religious influences in all ways. He
thought that there many clergymen in the
city who were also MasoDs who would be
glad to help in the work. and that it might
be made successful In its own line. The
church bond, he felt, would hold church
members to their own fold, and no harm
would result to any of the regular denomi-
nations, since the people who would at
tend such outside services would be found
fn ha hos h. n Il - IL. 4.
elsewhere.
Several clergymen who did not wish
their names mentioned deplored the promi-
nence given TO the social feature in the
matter, and thought the worship of God
should be the first consideration in Sunday
evening services All concurred, how
ever, that very little if any harm would
come from the new idea, and that it might
do much good in its own way.