more light #66
Freemasonry And Religion
by Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer
Grand Lodge of A. F. & A. M. of Minnesota
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.
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