The Irish standard., 1914-12-26


of the oath taken by the members of
a certain religious order or society.
We desire on behalf of ourselves to
express our deep regret that such an
attack should have been made on the
members of religious body We
disclaim any desire to judge others,
but feel most deeply that the inter.
ests of true religion can never be
served in such way"
SIDNEY T. JAMES,
Secretary.
All Saints Rectory, Seattle.
Los Angeles Investigation.
The following letters need no en-
PLANTATION:
Hon. Paul j. Mccormick,
Court House, Los Angeles.
My Dear Judge: take pleasure in
handing you herewith the findings. of
the committee of Freemasons to whom
you exhibited the ceremonials and
pledges of the Order of knights of Co.
lumbus.
l am very glad that have been able,
in measure, to secure this refutation
of slanderous lie which has been
widely circulated and which has been
disseminated in many cases by we'll
meaning, credulous and deluded per-
sons.
l shall see to it that this report has
wide circulation among Masons and
you may use it in any way you deem
best to bring about an understanding
of the truth among men who, above all
controversies and confessions, desire
right and true.
Yours cordially,
w. R. HERVEY.
October 9, 1914.
We hereby certify that by authority
of the highest officer of the knights of
Columbus in the State of California,
who acted under instructions from the
Supreme officer of the Order in the
United States, we were furnished a
complete copy of all the work, cere-
monies and pledges used by the Order,
and that we carefully read, discussed
and examined the same. We found
that while the Order is in sense
secret association, it is not an oath
bound organization and that its cere-
monies are comprised in four degrees
which are intended to teach and incul
cate principles that lie at the founda.
ton OF every great religion and every
free state. Our examination of these
ceremonials and obligations was made
primarily for the purpose of ascertain
Ing whether or not certain alleged
oath of the Knights of Columbus,
which has been printed and widely cir.
culated. was in fact used by the Order
and whether If 1t was not used, any
oath, obligation or pledge was used
which was or would be offensive to
Professionals Or Masons, or those who
are engaged in circulating document
of peculiar viciousness and wicked.
ness. We find that neither the alleged
oath nor any oath or pledge bearing
the remotest resemblance thereto in
matter, manner, spirit or purpose is
used or forms part of the ceremonies
OF any degree of the Knights of Colum.
bus. The alleged oath is scurrilous,
wicked and libelous and must be the
invention of an impious and venomous
mind. We find that the Order of
knights of Columbus, as shown by it's
rituals, is dedicated to the Catholic re.
ligion, charity and patriotism. There
Is no propaganda proposed or taught
against Professionals or Masons or per.
sons not of Catholic faith. Indeed,
Protestants and Masons are not re.
ferred to directly or indirectly in the
ceremonials and pledges. The cere-
monial Of the Order teaches a high and
noble patriotism, instills love of coun.
try, inculcates reverence for law and
order, urges the conscientious and un.
selfish performance of civic duty and
holds up the Constitution of our coun.
try as the richest and most precious
possession Of Knight of the Order,
We can find nothing in the entire cere.
monials of the Order that to our minds
could be objected to by any person.
MOTLEY HEWES FLINT, 33d De.
gree Past Grand Master of Masons of
California.
DANA REID WELLER, 32d Degree
Past Grand Master of Masons of Cali.
fO-nia.
WM. RHODES HERvEY, 33d De.
gree Past Master and Master of Scot.
fish Right Lodge.
SAMUEL E. BURKE, 32d Degree
Past Master and Inspector of Masonic
District.
Recent Prosecution in Santa Cruz.
California.
The Santa Cruz News, of Santa Cruz
CAL, published the following under
date of October %, 1914:
SOCIALIST EDITOR BOI1Nn
OVER; NO TESTIMONY PRESENT.
ED BY DEFENSE.
III. S. Turner, editor of the World