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  • The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine
  • Feb. 25, 1871
  • Page 6
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The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Feb. 25, 1871: Page 6

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    Article SEPARATION OF G. COMMANDERY OF VIRGINIA FROM THE G. ENCAMPMENT, U.S. ← Page 2 of 2
    Article SEPARATION OF G. COMMANDERY OF VIRGINIA FROM THE G. ENCAMPMENT, U.S. Page 2 of 2
    Article RELIGION AND MASONRY. Page 1 of 1
Page 6

Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

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 .

“The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine: 1871-02-25, Page 6” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 11 July 2025, django:8000/periodicals/mmr/issues/mmr_25021871/page/6/.
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Title Category Page
Untitled Article 1
THE FUND OF BENEVOLENCE. Article 1
THE GRAND LODGE OF SCOTLAND, AND THE ST. JOHN'S LODGE MEMORIAL. Article 3
SEPARATION OF G. COMMANDERY OF VIRGINIA FROM THE G. ENCAMPMENT, U.S. Article 5
RELIGION AND MASONRY. Article 6
MASONIC JOTTINGS.—No. 58. Article 7
MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES. Article 7
MASONIC SAYINGS AND DOINGS ABROAD. Article 8
CORRESPONDENCE. Article 10
Untitled Article 11
MASONIC MEMS. Article 11
UNITED GRAND LODGE. Article 11
Craft Masonry. Article 12
PROVINCIAL. Article 14
INDIA. Article 15
MARK MASONRY. Article 17
MASONIC FESTIVITIES. Article 17
THE MISSION OF MASONRY. Article 18
THE HAREM AND SALAMLIK. Article 18
Poetry. Article 19
LIST OF LODGE MEETINGS &c., FOR WEEK ENDING MARCH 4TH, 1871. Article 20
METROPOLITAN LODGES AND CHAPTERS OF INSTRUCTION. Article 20
TO CORRESPONDENTS. Article 20
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

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 .

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