The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-02-01
WHAT MASONRY IL.
Side Light From Tacoma on the
Howie-Blodgett Controversy.

Tacoma. Jan. 81, 1897.
To the Editor: Ny attention has just
been called TO a letter which appeared in
last Sundays issue OF your paper signed
by Frank J. Blodgett. Thirty-second de-
gree. A & 4. s. R." wherein he at
tempts TO defend Masonry from the at
lacks Of the Rev. W. NJ. HOWE.
/ have not read the address the Rev. W.
NJ HOWE delivered against Masonry.
which. / understand, appeared in your is
sue OF the 9th inst. / have read Mr.
Blodgett's letter. It's perusal compelled
me 70 disagree with him when he says.
Masonry needs no defense" It does
need defense-not from the attacks of its
avowed enemies. but from It's friends.
The discussion OF theological questions in
the public press Is never satisfactory 10 ths
reading public, who may be interested
enough To read the same. for the reason
that one side Of the question or the other.
or both, are too ofteu-almost invariably
championed by misinformed. self-appOint-
ed and self-accredited defenders. I do not
know who appointed or authorized the
Rev. Mr.. HOWE 10 speak against Mason
~ In defense OF Christianity. but I do
know that Mr.. Blodgett has no authority
whatever 20 represent anybody but HIM
self in defending Masonry: and / am of
the opinion that he owes Il, as a duty to
himself. 10 better acquaint himself with
the teachings Of Scottish Rite Masonry
before he again attempts 10 speak in its
behalf
The gentleman who drew my attention
70 Mr.. Biadsett's letter is a Thirty-second
degree Mason. He said; IF that letter
presented the teachings OF Masonry. /
would never enter a Masonic lodge again"
Mr.. Blodgett says In his letter: Mason
~ Is a religion" This statement Is not
true, Masonry IS not religion: and IL Mr..
Blodgett were better acquainted with the
first three degrees in Masonry he would
not have made the statement. The tone
Of his letter from the beginning 10 end.
Is IN Masonic. II is un-Masonic for any
Mason 10 criticise the religious beliefs OF
any man. Scottish Rite Masonry. al
though not a religion. has a kind word FOR
all religions. particularly for the Christian
religion. II Mr.. BlOdgett Is a Thirty-sec-
ond degree Mason he must have taken the
degree knight Rose Croix" Albert Pike.
the apostle Of Scottish Rite Masonry in
this country, says in Morals and Dogma
OF Scottish Rite Masonry
No one Mason has the right TO measure
for another. within the wallis Of a Masonic
Temple, the degree OF veneration which he
shall feel for any ref0rmer. or the founder
of any religion. We teach a belief IN no
particular creed. as we teach unbelief tn
none. Whatever high attributes the found
er or the Christian faith may. In our be-
lief have had or not have had. none can
deny that ne taught and practiced a pure
and elevated morality. even - the risk
and al the ultimate loss Of His lie. he
was not only the benefsctor OF disinter-
ested people. but model for mankind. De
votediy Tie loved The children os Israel To
them lie came and 70 them alone he
preached that gospel. which His disciples
aftsrward carried among foreigners. He
would fain have freed the chosen people
from their spiritual bondage % ignorance
and degradation. As q lover Of all man
kind. LAYING s7own Hls life for the ernanel-
patton Of HIS brethren He shouiS Be 70 all.
20 Christian 20 Jew. and 20 Mohaulmedan.
an object OF gratitude and veneratlon.
That God - good and mereiful. and
loves and sympathszes with the creatures
Tie has made. that His finger Is visible in
al the movements Of the moral. inteIlec-
tuai ard material universe that we are
HIS children. the objects Of Hts patsrnal
care and regard. that al men are err
brothers whose wants We are 20 supply.
their errors rs usrdcn. their opinions 70
tolerate thelr injuries 20 forgive: that man
has an immortal scUli 2 free W.T.. right
- freedom % thought and action: that all
men are equal n Cots sight. that We best
serve God ny humanity. TentIeness. meek
ness Kindness ara the other virtues which
fhe low ear practice IS weu as the lofty.
this SIS she new law ere word fer which
ere world BAD waited and pinea for so
long. and every true Knight o. the Rose
C'ragx wIil revere the memory O. Him vho
taught e.. and look indalgently even On
those who assign 90 FlaEu a charac ter FAR
above HIS own conceptions ~ belief. ever
go tAe extent ~ daerinE FIfn Divine.
Yours truly CHAS. MCtTCH BON.