Separation Of G. Commandery Of Virginia From The G. Encampment, U.S.

" Whereas . —The Grand Commandery of Virginia has , from the very beginning of her existence to the present time , been , in principle , strongly opposed to the Grand Encampment of the United States , and to every and any other supreme Masonic or Knightly Body having

superior power to State organizations ; and for a great portion ofthe time has been and now is un-Avillingly a member of said Grand Encampment , and has often expressed her desire , by act and resolution , for a permanent , peaceful separation therefrom ; aud Avhereassuch separation can be

, had only in one of three ways : 1 st . By the dissolution of thafc Grand Body . 2 nd . By violent separation or rebellion against Constitutional authority and 3 rd . By her allowing us to wifchdraAv in peace , honour , and recognition ; and whereas , the first of these means is in the distant

future , and perhaps , impossible afc any time ; and the second is fraught with immense inconveniences and great sacrifice in isolation , non-intercourse , malice , and ill-Avill , and Avould not be advisablefor us to use , unless her assumptions of power and acts of aggression , should be too oppressive for

peaceful endurance ; and the third is the only proper and legal means of gaining our desire , and the only feasible plan fco be tried or recommended ; and Avhich , notwithstanding the repeated orders and requests of the Grand Oommandery to her delegates to the Grand Encampment has not been

truly and fairly tried , as her records clearly show ; and Avhereas , it is important to our peace at home , and usefulness abroad , that the oft-expresed desire of permanent separation be gratified , or subjected , and at rest , until some cause should arise , of sufficient oppression or injustice , to warrant open rebellion ; therefore , 1 . " Resolved . —That a committee of three be

appointed by this Grand Commandery to memorialize the Grand Encampment afc its next Assembly in Baltimore , in 1871 , ' most respectfully asking thafc body to alloAV that Grand Commandery , in peace , in honour , and in recognition to withdraw therefrom , and become a free , sovereign , and

independent Grand Encampment . And said Committee shall be hereby instructed to attend that Assembly , and if allowed , to urge our petition ; and if said petition be granted , to aid in draAving up the plan of mutual relation , power , and extent . 2 . That it is the duty of the members of this

Grand Commandery , who are , ex-officio , members of the Grand Encampment , to attend its stated Assemblies , and to take such part in the work of that body , as in their judgment , the interests of Templarism in general , or those of the Grand Commandery in particularmay requireand whafc

, , they may be able to render . 3 . That should the Grand Encampment refuse or decline fco accedeto our request , we shall , nevertheless , ever feel free to hold and declare that

Separation Of G. Commandery Of Virginia From The G. Encampment, U.S.

Ancient Crafb Masonry is , according to the old Constitutions , the real source of all authority for conferring the Orders of Knighthood , and of alloAvingthe formation of Oommanderies to regulate its ritual and control its members in reference to its own laAvs and principles ; and that no

department of Knighthood , has the right to pass any law , or establish any custom , or exercise any authority , or establish any jurisdictional claim , inconsistent or in conflict with those of common Masonic law and usuge . And while Ave Avill be true to the vows of our position , however assigned , yet

we shall ever maintain that the origin of the Grand Encampment , her claims to control the organization of State Grand Commanderies , and some portions of her so-called Constitution , are unmasonic , and that the existence cf such a body is fraught with danger to the true principles of Masonic Knighfcood .

4 . Thafc while we will keep our desire for independence , if not granted , in due bounds , we will ever stand ready aud willing to unite with sister State Commanderies , when they shall be in sufficient number to command a hearing , in forcing , so far we can in a courteous and knightly manner ,

the Grand Encampment to allow a peaceful and honourable Avithdrawal to such Grand Commanderies as desire to maintain ^ separate existence .

Religion And Masonry.

RELIGION AND MASONRY .

" The religious man , of whatever creed , may select Masonry as an instrument with which to do some things which practical religion demands . Bufc Masonry is not religion . Its religious creed is expressed in a single article of faith , common to all religions ; namely , the existence of God so that it may adopt the language of Pope ' s Universal Prayer : —

' Father of all , iu every age , In every clime adored . By saint , by savage , and by sago , Jehovah , Jove , or Lord . ' With this exception , Masonry has nothing in common with religion , except Avorks of charity , and while these may educate our youth and ameliorate the condition

of our kind , they can redeem the depraved . Masonry may teach to subdue the passions , but cannot sanctify them . It may lead the erring to reformation , bufc not to that repentance which needeth not to be repented of . It may throw restraints around a brotherwhich will cause his actions to the

, pass square of virtue ; but it cannot regenerate his nature . Masonry has done , is doing , and long may it continue to do , much good in the world ; but hers are ancillary works . She claims for herself no more than to be the humble handmaiden of religion . And let not her votaries bring her into disrepute by pretensions which

are so obviously unfounded . By arrogating to Masonry all that is effected by religion , we will array against the former all the truly religious , who constitute at present the best element of our fraternity . "From the address of the Grand H . P . of Royal Areh Masons of Canada .