Freemasonry & Religion
Mehr Licht!
More Light!
Number 66 – April 10, 2006
From “ The Masonic Review” June 1850
Published by J. Ernst 183 Main Street – Cincinnati, Ohio
Freemasonry and Religion
By a Brother who signed his name as P.M.
I am an old Mason, and for many years I have made masonry my study. I have studied its symbols, its rites, its teachings and its appliances for moral influence; and the more I know of this relic of antiquity the more I am pleased with it. It is not, however, a religion nor does it pretend to be. It makes no assumption of that which does not belong to it. It teaches the purest morals, because its teaching is directly from God's word. It enforces the observance of the moral law as revealed in the sacred code; not as the moral law is taught by this or that sect, but as it is taught by God's own word, which is always found upon our altars and open for the inspection of all. There is nothing which legitimately belongs to masonry, either in its rites or symbols, its hieroglyphics or its instructions, but what is pregnant with moral truth, and on a mind truly prepared will leave an impression not easily effaced in future life.
But while masonry is not religion, and should be kept aloof from all sects and parties ; untinctured by the peculiarities of any creed, and worshipping only at the shrine of its own Divinity; yet there is much religion in it. I have no sympathy with that morbid fear, manifested by some well meaning Masons that we are introducing to much religion into masonry, away with such an idea. Religion—pure religion, will injure neither masonry or Masons; and nothing but the rankest infidelity would be alarmed at the revelations of her angel-form. The more religion you infuse into masonry the better: I mean the religion of the Decalogue—the love of God and man. What other motives can prompt to good deeds but this? What other principle of human action is worth a straw, than that drawn from obedience to Jehovah's commandments? The very first injunction of masonry is, that a man shall be good. What is this but to be religious; to' have the heart and life squared by the moral code in our "Great Light." Were all Masons, whether Jews or Gentiles, to obey in spirit and practice, the moral code delivered to Moses, and through him to our ancient brethren, there would be no fear expressed of too much religion in masonry.
More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title, or ‘all 3’ in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.
Fraternally,
Ed Halpaus
More Light!
Number 66 – April 10, 2006
From “ The Masonic Review” June 1850
Published by J. Ernst 183 Main Street – Cincinnati, Ohio
Freemasonry and Religion
By a Brother who signed his name as P.M.
I am an old Mason, and for many years I have made masonry my study. I have studied its symbols, its rites, its teachings and its appliances for moral influence; and the more I know of this relic of antiquity the more I am pleased with it. It is not, however, a religion nor does it pretend to be. It makes no assumption of that which does not belong to it. It teaches the purest morals, because its teaching is directly from God's word. It enforces the observance of the moral law as revealed in the sacred code; not as the moral law is taught by this or that sect, but as it is taught by God's own word, which is always found upon our altars and open for the inspection of all. There is nothing which legitimately belongs to masonry, either in its rites or symbols, its hieroglyphics or its instructions, but what is pregnant with moral truth, and on a mind truly prepared will leave an impression not easily effaced in future life.
But while masonry is not religion, and should be kept aloof from all sects and parties ; untinctured by the peculiarities of any creed, and worshipping only at the shrine of its own Divinity; yet there is much religion in it. I have no sympathy with that morbid fear, manifested by some well meaning Masons that we are introducing to much religion into masonry, away with such an idea. Religion—pure religion, will injure neither masonry or Masons; and nothing but the rankest infidelity would be alarmed at the revelations of her angel-form. The more religion you infuse into masonry the better: I mean the religion of the Decalogue—the love of God and man. What other motives can prompt to good deeds but this? What other principle of human action is worth a straw, than that drawn from obedience to Jehovah's commandments? The very first injunction of masonry is, that a man shall be good. What is this but to be religious; to' have the heart and life squared by the moral code in our "Great Light." Were all Masons, whether Jews or Gentiles, to obey in spirit and practice, the moral code delivered to Moses, and through him to our ancient brethren, there would be no fear expressed of too much religion in masonry.
More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title, or ‘all 3’ in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.
Fraternally,
Ed Halpaus
Labels: Religion