The Use Of The Masonic Press.

matter . We arc Freemasons , and we take a masonic view of things , and what ever others may do to us , we shall not do so unto them , but practising the golden rule

of brotherly consideration and sympathy , shall always be happy , in any way we can , to advance the cause of the Masonic Charities ; For we feel this ' strongly , that there is no medium existing

through which they can be so brought home to the knowledge and minds ofthe brethren so well as in the FREEMASON . AS the FREEMASON has a cosmopolitan circulation , it conveys the reports and

requirements of these excellent institutions all over the world . It is here , in our opinion , that the charities manifest a blot in their practical working . There is not sufficient information of

their progress , proceedings , requirements , and wants communicated habitually to the Order . We have appeals and anniversaries , and lists , and lectures , but what we do not receive is detailed

information . And if some of our good brethren the Secretaries , or the Committees , were not at times " penny-wise and pound-foolish , " we feel

sure that more general interest would be excited , and more general support would be elicited . It is quite clear that the charities will require considerable efforts to maintain their efficiency . and that

they must mainly rely on the generous and general support ofthe Craft to keep up their large returns . And , therefore , instead of raising agitated hands , at ( he enormous amount to be spent on

advertizing of £ 10 , or £ 20 , or £ 30 , if these good officials would only take heart , their own unwearied efforts would find answering sympathy from every corner of the Masonic world . Now ,

our readers must not suppose that , because we say this , we are exercizing the Englishman ' s privilege of grumbling , or that we wish to appear a " Peter Grievous , " or a " Job ' s Comforter " to our brethren . All that we want to

convey to our readers to-day is that the Masonic Press is both a need and an advantage to the age in which we live , and that it is the best channel , after all , for addressing our

great fraternity . We never have appealed for favour , or patronage , or subsidies . We rely on the approval of our fraternity alone to encourage our efforts , and to repay our

sacrifices-So we think it well to put before our brethren , with another closing November , that while we are anxious—most anxious , to give all the information we can to the Craft of things Masonic ,

and especially as regards the Metropolitan Charitable Institutions , we have on our part a Masonic claim on their friendly support , and as we are the only Masonic weekly journal , all

announcements to the Craft and to the public should at any rate , we venture to think , in the first place appear in our columns . In nothing that we have said above do we refer to

our central authorities at Freemasons' Hall . From them we receive everything that kindness can suggest , or goodwill can dictate ; and all who , like ourselves , have from time to time

to transact business with the Grand Secretary , can tell how great are his courtesy and consideration , his patience , and his fraternal

feeling for all who occupy his time , or apply to him for information . No brother has , or ever can have , any cause for complaint as to delay or want of ready courtesy and willing assistance in

The Use Of The Masonic Press.

Masonic matters at Freemasons' Hall . But tha remarks we have previously made , are , we think , both needful and seasonable , and we trust

that the illustrations we have given of our position may be appreciated and acted upon as a fraternal hint , and that the old adage may yet be verified in our case : —Verbum sat sapienti :

Original Correspondence.

Original Correspondence .

[ We do net hold ourselves responsible for , or even as approving of the opinions expressed by our correspondents , but we wislij in a spirit of fair play to aU » to permit—within certain necessary limits—free discussion . —EP . 1

IS THE POPE A FREEMASON ?

To the Editor of The Freemason . Dear Sir and Worthy Brother , — Tn your issue ofthe 31 st ult , I find an article headed " Is the Pope a Freemason ? " in which lam challenged to give some explanation on this point . This point has for a long time been

discussed , and I think ought to be satisfactorily settled once for all , and then , in the words of Dante , dismissed . " Non ti curar dilor , ma guarda e passa . " Well then , on this point , I can only refer to the circular , which I had the pleasure of submitting to your inspection ; the

authenticity of which is unquestionable . It emanates from the G . L . " Anziam Virtuosi " under the jurisdiction of the W . and Worshipful Gr . O . of Palermo , and- has been scattered broadcast . Issuing from such an highly respectable source , it necessarily bears the stamp

of truth , and the certitude that proper and very exact informations have been duly taken . It would be absurd to think its subject matter is mere ideal fancy ! Italian Freemasonry , second to none , has always kept the standard of our noble Order aloft , now constitutes itself its

champion , and in doing so , rebuts the insult and lies cast against us , by one who once belonged to the fraternity . It is the more keenly sensitive to such insults and lies , as in the Order there are many Catholics who arc warm upholders and supporters of the Craft , and none the less good

Catholics . Hence the circular was issued and scattered far and wide with the further aim of suitably replying to the hosts of encyclicals , anathemas , and excommunications . The circular in question , which , being well acquainted with Italian , you read , positively asserts the fact that

Mastai Ferretti , now Pope Pio IX ., was initiated into Freemasonry in Philadelphia when he was Pontifical Nuncio in that city . That he became an ardent partisan of the Order , on whose behalf he laboured zealously , attaining the high rank of Rosa Crucis , and his speeches were full of

admiration and goodwill for the Craft which he declared he would support and defend . He frequented lodges in Madrid and Sinigaglia , and by his zeal and assiduity obtained the support of the Craft . Notwithstanding the attacks against our Order , and principally in Italy , the Craft

increased in number and virtue together with the general progress . It increased , being an opponent to falsehood and based on the sublime principles of religion and virtue . It increased , as , recognising no parties , it enjoins unity of doing good , and all those attacks against it fall

to the ground , as it can firmly and surely repel them , our union being of wisdom , strength and beauty , which no age can obliterate nor malice prejudice , and the more we pursue it the greater will be the progress . The number of Masons reaches the conspicuous figure of 18 , 000 , 000 .

I will conclude these crude remarks by observing that Pio IX . would be highly reprehensible in attacking an institution of which he had no knowledge , knowing , as he undoubtedly does , its real principles and aims , he is doubly to blame , owing to the wilful falsehood he utters .

Still , if Papal Rome persecuted and tortured Gallileo , denying " Epphursi muove '' Freemasonry , as the history of the past and preseut amply show , society too need not wonder if they are endangered , attacked and persecuted by that intolerant and arrogant power . On this

Original Correspondence.

important subject Mr . Gladstone ' s pamphlet exposing the real nature of Papal Rome ' s pretensions and aims deserves the highest enconiums , gratitude , and consideration of every true and good citizen . The circular above

referred to being too long suffice a few extracts , but you may have it , in extenso , should you wish it . I trust this will be so far a sufficient reply and remain , Dear Sir and W . B ., yours fraternally , A . GALLICO .

I will hand you as soon as possible the ancient historical initiation of the E . A . [ Our good brother , Gallico , ' we see ; assumes the

truth of the statement made by the lodge "Luce del Terreus Palermo . " But in . the view of the American report of 1870 we cannot accept such statement at present as correct . —ED . ]

We copy the following from a contem porary : —

To the Editor of the Liverpool Courier . Sir , —May I take the liberty of asking you whether the Pope has not excommunicated himself > A few months since Pio Nono excommunicated all Freemasons throughout the world , he

himself being one at the time . Now , as lie ( the Pope ) is infallible , and therefore cannot •do wrong , he must have excommunicated himself at the same time ; and as no excommunicated

person can be a Roman Catholic , he must have ceased to be a member of tbat Chnrch , and consequently is no longer Pope of Rome . 'Tis very sad , but true . —Yours , & c , ROMEO . 16 th Nov ., 1874 .

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , — At the last General Committee Meeting of the Girls' School , I moved the resolution at foot , which was carried unanimously . I have

given notice of motion of a similar resolution to the General . Committee of the Boys' School for the next meeting , which takes place on Saturday the 5 th day of December next at 4 o ' clock precisely , at the offices , Freemasons '

Hall , when I will thank you to attend and support the resolution , as I understand there will be opposition . I am , yours faithfully and fraternally , A . H . TATTERSHALL .

RESOLUTION . "That all " proxies shall be forwarded direct from the office to the parties to whom they belong , ( i . e . ) to those who are registered in the

office books , except in those cases where the Secretary is authorised to deal with them otherwise , but in such cases where authorities aro given , they must be renewed previous to every election . "

BRO . CONSTABLE'S DRAWING

To the Editor of the Freemason . Dear Sir and Brother , Referring to your notice of the 14 th inst ., under the above heading , I beg to state

that applications for tickets have been more numerous than was anticipated . I have therefore decided not to restrict the number in any way , but continue to issue as the necessity may demand .

At present , 3400 are distributed , and if our brethren will continue their exertions in the laudable effort , this number may be doubled by the time appointed for the drawing . I take this opportunity of thanking you for

your timely notices of my project , and earnestly solicit those brethren who have so generously supported and assisted me to send an early return

ofthe numbers and names for registration , lam , dear Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , J CONSTABLE . 13 , Sise-lane , London , 24 th Nov ., 1874 . o .