A Defence Of Freemasonry
Written and published in London in 1874 by Adolph Frederic Alexander Woodford.
The Publisher has copy-edited this book to improve the formatting, style and accuracy of the text to make it readable. This did not involve changing the substance of the text.
PREFACE:
.....It has seemed to the writer of this pamphlet that the time had fairly arrived when a few humble words might fitly be said in defence of our good old Craft. For at this moment, though without any apparent reason for it, attacks upon its teaching, its constitution, and its practice seem to abound on every side of us, and to proceed from different schools of thought, and from the most antagonistic bodies of men.
.....At home and abroad, in Germany and the United States, in Belgium and Brazil, in France and Italy, in Spain and Portugal, the assailants of Freemasonry are many and virulent, and the language alike of diatribe and depreciation, of incrimination and condemnation, is marked by greater bitterness of tone and temper than at any period since 1717.
.....And yet the banner under which this host of adversaries to Freemasonry is fighting today, is a very motley one indeed!
.....It seems a little absurd, and it would be very amusing were it not so painful a matter, to find, for instance, Roman Catholics, Reformed Presbyterians, Ritualistic Anglicans, and American Baptists all "rowing in the same boat." And still, nevertheless, so it is.
.....The Masonic bystander is no doubt anxious to ascertain how this controversial crew will get on, whether like the happy family they will proceed in harmony and dignity, or whether (which is far more likely) they will soon run aground on a mud bank, and "come to grief," and go to pieces!
.....But be this as it may, in the meantime the attacks on Freemasonry proceed, each succeeding the other in violence of vituperation and acrimony of language, and though I do not say or see that they do Freemasonry or Freemasons much harm in any way, yet it almost appears as if some answer were needed amid this din of controversy, which may encourage our friends and confute our opponents. For the allegations which are made today are precisely the same as those made over and over again before by illogical adversaries, and which, though fully answered, are revived in all the greenness of a fresh growth, and flourish still in the land of the living.
.....One old adversary of Freemasonry is as usual to the fore, the Roman Catholic Church.
....."Semper eadem" is still her motto in respect of her hatred and intolerance as regards Freemasonry.
.....Latterly, too, the jubilant tone of the Roman Catholic press, and also of the Ritualistic press, at our late Grand Master's melancholy secession, and at what they both so poetically term the "De profundis" of Freemasonry, has caused that astute religious body, the Roman Catholic Church, to throw off the mask, and to express itself openly in verbiage and views which must startle as they impress every thoughtful mind.
.....It is quite clear that it is only the want of power which prevents as of old the persecutions and iniquities of the Inquisition.
.....Rome is still unchanged, and above all things in her hatred to Freemasonry, to light, culture, self-education and toleration. So, rightly or wrongly, I have determined "favente" Bro. Kenning to issue a concise but comprehensive résumé of the principal attacks on our order, accompanying it I trust with a not altogether unsuccessful reply.
.....If my defence of Freemasonry shall meet with the countenance and approval of my brethren, I shall be amply rewarded, as after a membership of thirty-two years, I am glad to be able to avow myself as clearly persuaded as ever, even, perhaps, I may say, more than ever, of the intrinsic excellency, and value, and importance, and need of our fraternity in the present condition of society, and of the world.
.....I am also desirous in this pamphlet of protesting, once for all, against that prevalent unfairness of our opponents of basing their unjustifiable condemnation of our peaceable Order, of our tolerant confraternity, of our philanthropic organization, on the "ex parte" statements of the ignorant, on the ridiculous parodies of the apostate, on the accumulated rubbish of unreasoning accusers, and on the mendacious calumnies of a bye-gone age, hashed up anew today, "usque ad
nauseam," by the impugner, the sceptic, the malevolent, and the Jesuit.
.....So, in all of fraternal sincerity and sympathy, in all of loyalty and elevation to our famous order, I say like the old writer, with some needful little adaptation.
1020390018
The Publisher has copy-edited this book to improve the formatting, style and accuracy of the text to make it readable. This did not involve changing the substance of the text.
PREFACE:
.....It has seemed to the writer of this pamphlet that the time had fairly arrived when a few humble words might fitly be said in defence of our good old Craft. For at this moment, though without any apparent reason for it, attacks upon its teaching, its constitution, and its practice seem to abound on every side of us, and to proceed from different schools of thought, and from the most antagonistic bodies of men.
.....At home and abroad, in Germany and the United States, in Belgium and Brazil, in France and Italy, in Spain and Portugal, the assailants of Freemasonry are many and virulent, and the language alike of diatribe and depreciation, of incrimination and condemnation, is marked by greater bitterness of tone and temper than at any period since 1717.
.....And yet the banner under which this host of adversaries to Freemasonry is fighting today, is a very motley one indeed!
.....It seems a little absurd, and it would be very amusing were it not so painful a matter, to find, for instance, Roman Catholics, Reformed Presbyterians, Ritualistic Anglicans, and American Baptists all "rowing in the same boat." And still, nevertheless, so it is.
.....The Masonic bystander is no doubt anxious to ascertain how this controversial crew will get on, whether like the happy family they will proceed in harmony and dignity, or whether (which is far more likely) they will soon run aground on a mud bank, and "come to grief," and go to pieces!
.....But be this as it may, in the meantime the attacks on Freemasonry proceed, each succeeding the other in violence of vituperation and acrimony of language, and though I do not say or see that they do Freemasonry or Freemasons much harm in any way, yet it almost appears as if some answer were needed amid this din of controversy, which may encourage our friends and confute our opponents. For the allegations which are made today are precisely the same as those made over and over again before by illogical adversaries, and which, though fully answered, are revived in all the greenness of a fresh growth, and flourish still in the land of the living.
.....One old adversary of Freemasonry is as usual to the fore, the Roman Catholic Church.
....."Semper eadem" is still her motto in respect of her hatred and intolerance as regards Freemasonry.
.....Latterly, too, the jubilant tone of the Roman Catholic press, and also of the Ritualistic press, at our late Grand Master's melancholy secession, and at what they both so poetically term the "De profundis" of Freemasonry, has caused that astute religious body, the Roman Catholic Church, to throw off the mask, and to express itself openly in verbiage and views which must startle as they impress every thoughtful mind.
.....It is quite clear that it is only the want of power which prevents as of old the persecutions and iniquities of the Inquisition.
.....Rome is still unchanged, and above all things in her hatred to Freemasonry, to light, culture, self-education and toleration. So, rightly or wrongly, I have determined "favente" Bro. Kenning to issue a concise but comprehensive résumé of the principal attacks on our order, accompanying it I trust with a not altogether unsuccessful reply.
.....If my defence of Freemasonry shall meet with the countenance and approval of my brethren, I shall be amply rewarded, as after a membership of thirty-two years, I am glad to be able to avow myself as clearly persuaded as ever, even, perhaps, I may say, more than ever, of the intrinsic excellency, and value, and importance, and need of our fraternity in the present condition of society, and of the world.
.....I am also desirous in this pamphlet of protesting, once for all, against that prevalent unfairness of our opponents of basing their unjustifiable condemnation of our peaceable Order, of our tolerant confraternity, of our philanthropic organization, on the "ex parte" statements of the ignorant, on the ridiculous parodies of the apostate, on the accumulated rubbish of unreasoning accusers, and on the mendacious calumnies of a bye-gone age, hashed up anew today, "usque ad
nauseam," by the impugner, the sceptic, the malevolent, and the Jesuit.
.....So, in all of fraternal sincerity and sympathy, in all of loyalty and elevation to our famous order, I say like the old writer, with some needful little adaptation.
A Defence Of Freemasonry
Written and published in London in 1874 by Adolph Frederic Alexander Woodford.
The Publisher has copy-edited this book to improve the formatting, style and accuracy of the text to make it readable. This did not involve changing the substance of the text.
PREFACE:
.....It has seemed to the writer of this pamphlet that the time had fairly arrived when a few humble words might fitly be said in defence of our good old Craft. For at this moment, though without any apparent reason for it, attacks upon its teaching, its constitution, and its practice seem to abound on every side of us, and to proceed from different schools of thought, and from the most antagonistic bodies of men.
.....At home and abroad, in Germany and the United States, in Belgium and Brazil, in France and Italy, in Spain and Portugal, the assailants of Freemasonry are many and virulent, and the language alike of diatribe and depreciation, of incrimination and condemnation, is marked by greater bitterness of tone and temper than at any period since 1717.
.....And yet the banner under which this host of adversaries to Freemasonry is fighting today, is a very motley one indeed!
.....It seems a little absurd, and it would be very amusing were it not so painful a matter, to find, for instance, Roman Catholics, Reformed Presbyterians, Ritualistic Anglicans, and American Baptists all "rowing in the same boat." And still, nevertheless, so it is.
.....The Masonic bystander is no doubt anxious to ascertain how this controversial crew will get on, whether like the happy family they will proceed in harmony and dignity, or whether (which is far more likely) they will soon run aground on a mud bank, and "come to grief," and go to pieces!
.....But be this as it may, in the meantime the attacks on Freemasonry proceed, each succeeding the other in violence of vituperation and acrimony of language, and though I do not say or see that they do Freemasonry or Freemasons much harm in any way, yet it almost appears as if some answer were needed amid this din of controversy, which may encourage our friends and confute our opponents. For the allegations which are made today are precisely the same as those made over and over again before by illogical adversaries, and which, though fully answered, are revived in all the greenness of a fresh growth, and flourish still in the land of the living.
.....One old adversary of Freemasonry is as usual to the fore, the Roman Catholic Church.
....."Semper eadem" is still her motto in respect of her hatred and intolerance as regards Freemasonry.
.....Latterly, too, the jubilant tone of the Roman Catholic press, and also of the Ritualistic press, at our late Grand Master's melancholy secession, and at what they both so poetically term the "De profundis" of Freemasonry, has caused that astute religious body, the Roman Catholic Church, to throw off the mask, and to express itself openly in verbiage and views which must startle as they impress every thoughtful mind.
.....It is quite clear that it is only the want of power which prevents as of old the persecutions and iniquities of the Inquisition.
.....Rome is still unchanged, and above all things in her hatred to Freemasonry, to light, culture, self-education and toleration. So, rightly or wrongly, I have determined "favente" Bro. Kenning to issue a concise but comprehensive résumé of the principal attacks on our order, accompanying it I trust with a not altogether unsuccessful reply.
.....If my defence of Freemasonry shall meet with the countenance and approval of my brethren, I shall be amply rewarded, as after a membership of thirty-two years, I am glad to be able to avow myself as clearly persuaded as ever, even, perhaps, I may say, more than ever, of the intrinsic excellency, and value, and importance, and need of our fraternity in the present condition of society, and of the world.
.....I am also desirous in this pamphlet of protesting, once for all, against that prevalent unfairness of our opponents of basing their unjustifiable condemnation of our peaceable Order, of our tolerant confraternity, of our philanthropic organization, on the "ex parte" statements of the ignorant, on the ridiculous parodies of the apostate, on the accumulated rubbish of unreasoning accusers, and on the mendacious calumnies of a bye-gone age, hashed up anew today, "usque ad
nauseam," by the impugner, the sceptic, the malevolent, and the Jesuit.
.....So, in all of fraternal sincerity and sympathy, in all of loyalty and elevation to our famous order, I say like the old writer, with some needful little adaptation.
The Publisher has copy-edited this book to improve the formatting, style and accuracy of the text to make it readable. This did not involve changing the substance of the text.
PREFACE:
.....It has seemed to the writer of this pamphlet that the time had fairly arrived when a few humble words might fitly be said in defence of our good old Craft. For at this moment, though without any apparent reason for it, attacks upon its teaching, its constitution, and its practice seem to abound on every side of us, and to proceed from different schools of thought, and from the most antagonistic bodies of men.
.....At home and abroad, in Germany and the United States, in Belgium and Brazil, in France and Italy, in Spain and Portugal, the assailants of Freemasonry are many and virulent, and the language alike of diatribe and depreciation, of incrimination and condemnation, is marked by greater bitterness of tone and temper than at any period since 1717.
.....And yet the banner under which this host of adversaries to Freemasonry is fighting today, is a very motley one indeed!
.....It seems a little absurd, and it would be very amusing were it not so painful a matter, to find, for instance, Roman Catholics, Reformed Presbyterians, Ritualistic Anglicans, and American Baptists all "rowing in the same boat." And still, nevertheless, so it is.
.....The Masonic bystander is no doubt anxious to ascertain how this controversial crew will get on, whether like the happy family they will proceed in harmony and dignity, or whether (which is far more likely) they will soon run aground on a mud bank, and "come to grief," and go to pieces!
.....But be this as it may, in the meantime the attacks on Freemasonry proceed, each succeeding the other in violence of vituperation and acrimony of language, and though I do not say or see that they do Freemasonry or Freemasons much harm in any way, yet it almost appears as if some answer were needed amid this din of controversy, which may encourage our friends and confute our opponents. For the allegations which are made today are precisely the same as those made over and over again before by illogical adversaries, and which, though fully answered, are revived in all the greenness of a fresh growth, and flourish still in the land of the living.
.....One old adversary of Freemasonry is as usual to the fore, the Roman Catholic Church.
....."Semper eadem" is still her motto in respect of her hatred and intolerance as regards Freemasonry.
.....Latterly, too, the jubilant tone of the Roman Catholic press, and also of the Ritualistic press, at our late Grand Master's melancholy secession, and at what they both so poetically term the "De profundis" of Freemasonry, has caused that astute religious body, the Roman Catholic Church, to throw off the mask, and to express itself openly in verbiage and views which must startle as they impress every thoughtful mind.
.....It is quite clear that it is only the want of power which prevents as of old the persecutions and iniquities of the Inquisition.
.....Rome is still unchanged, and above all things in her hatred to Freemasonry, to light, culture, self-education and toleration. So, rightly or wrongly, I have determined "favente" Bro. Kenning to issue a concise but comprehensive résumé of the principal attacks on our order, accompanying it I trust with a not altogether unsuccessful reply.
.....If my defence of Freemasonry shall meet with the countenance and approval of my brethren, I shall be amply rewarded, as after a membership of thirty-two years, I am glad to be able to avow myself as clearly persuaded as ever, even, perhaps, I may say, more than ever, of the intrinsic excellency, and value, and importance, and need of our fraternity in the present condition of society, and of the world.
.....I am also desirous in this pamphlet of protesting, once for all, against that prevalent unfairness of our opponents of basing their unjustifiable condemnation of our peaceable Order, of our tolerant confraternity, of our philanthropic organization, on the "ex parte" statements of the ignorant, on the ridiculous parodies of the apostate, on the accumulated rubbish of unreasoning accusers, and on the mendacious calumnies of a bye-gone age, hashed up anew today, "usque ad
nauseam," by the impugner, the sceptic, the malevolent, and the Jesuit.
.....So, in all of fraternal sincerity and sympathy, in all of loyalty and elevation to our famous order, I say like the old writer, with some needful little adaptation.
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A Defence Of Freemasonry
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Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940012290410 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Digital Text Publishing Company |
| Publication date: | 02/26/2011 |
| Sold by: | Barnes & Noble |
| Format: | eBook |
| File size: | 89 KB |
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