St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-01-01
ANSWERS BISHOP MESSMER,
And Declares That the Teach
ings Of Higher De-
greeS
ARE NOT ANTI-CHRISTIAN.
He Challenges the Bishop to
Prove His Assep-
tions.

Grand Chancellor Hilscher, of the
Minnesota Knights of Pythias. has
written reply to the interview pub
lished in the Chicago Tribune yester-
day with Rt. Rev. S. q. Messmer, of
Green Bay, Wis, concerning the decree
of the Roman church putting the ban
on the Odd Fellows and Knights of
Pythias.
Rt. Rev. FIR. Messmer's interview
was in the nature of a justification of
the ban, and he charges that the teach
ings of the higher degrees are anti
Christian. Chancellor Hilscher, in his
letter. which WAS given the press and
Associated Press last night, denies the
charge and challenges Bishop Messmer
to prove the truth of his assertion, say
ing that he owes it to the American
public, the church and the societies
named. The letter follows:
ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 81. 1894. .-Rt.
Rev. S. &. Messmer, Green Bay, Wis.,
Rt. Rev. Sir: Your interview. dated
Green Bay, Wis, Dec. 90, and reported
in the Chicago Tribune, in regard to
the decree Of the Roman church putting
the ban on the Odd Fellows and the
Knights Of PythiaS, is entitled TO Spe-
cial consideration from the fact that
you offer an argument in justification
of the ban. Your argument is stated as
follows: "There never has been any
objection TO Catholics belonging 20 the
lower degrees of any of these secret
societies, as in those degrees men are
only banded together tor mutual benefit
and pleasure. But in the higher de-
grees the principles and teachings of
these societies are distinctly anti-ChriS-
tian. and contrary to the principles of
the Catholic church. Ii the lower
lodges were separated from the higher
circles of these orders. no objection
would be made to them; but, as all are
part of the same organization, they
must all come under the ban"
Your words. right reverend sir, are
clear and explicit. and if your argument
can be sustained. they explain fully the
ban placed on these societies by the
pope. But deny the charge you make
against the order of the Knights of
Pythias, and l publicly challenge you
to prove your assertion. You owe this
to the American public, to your own
church, and, in a special manner to the
societies OIL whom your accusation
falls.
My demands, made with the greatest
respect. are:
l. That you prove that radical diff
ference exists, as to principles and pur-
poses, between the lower and higher
degrees of the Knights of Pythlas-a
difference such as to make the higher
degrees worthy Of condemnation while
the lower are innocent.
2. That you prove i'll those higher de-
grees ''the principles and teachings Of
those societies are distinctly anti-Chris-
tian and contrary 10 the principles Of
the Catholic church."
| may add that, though begging reply
to all these points, hope you will give
especial attention to your charge that
those Hhigher EdegreeS are tanti-Chris-
tlan-a charge which certainly should
not be made lightly.
AS your interview was given to the
public press, 1 consider it my privilege
and duty TO give this reply the same
publicity. Respectfully.
j. f. HMsCHER,
Grand Chancellor X. of =. OF Minne-
sofa.