Nebraska Newspapers

    14 THE OMAHA DAILY BEE , SUNDAY , JUNE 15 , 1800-SIXTEBN PAGES.
lERCER'S ' FAMOUS EDICT NO , i
( That an Eminent Masonic JurUt Thinks of
Extraordinary Ordor.
IUDGE OWEN A , BASSETT'S ' OPINION ,
He Snys n Grand Master Hns no
Authority to Dnllne OITerirtei
AjjaliiHt ' ' " ' Hody oT
MiiBonry.
Judge Owen A.'Bnssctt of Sillnn , ICnn , ,
past tfrand master of ICanias Masons , who
Is a Masonic jurist of nntloiml rctmtntlon , in
n rccrnt letter to Mr. Alexander Atkinson of
this city , gave the following views on the
Masonic controversy In Nebrnskn :
SAMNA.Kan. , Juno ! ! . Your letter referring
to the unfortunate controversy existing In
Masonry nntl among Masons In your state ,
which was laid asldo on account of other
pressing duties , is now , at this late d.ito ,
tnltcn up for consideration.
From documents received from you and
others It appears :
First That the subject matter of this con
troversy was brought to the attention of the
grand lodge of NobnwK.i m 1SS9 by two of
thegr.ind masters' reported opinions :
" 1. That twn bodies claiming to bo Masonic ,
of the same grade , cannot lawfully exist In
the same state at the same time.
"a. That the first lawfullv constituted
authority established in a state thereby ob
tains exclvsivo Jurisdiction In su = U territory , \
nnd that any other body"of the same grade or
rite , entering later within such territory is ,
within itself , unlawful.
"That Hits grand lodge expressly declines
to enter upon any discussion of the history ,
use , or legitimacy of any bodies claiming to [
confer what is known as the Scottish rite do-
green or to be committed to the recognition of
nn.v such bodies or to the recognition of any
bed > conferring any degrees over which this
gr.utd lo.lgo has no control , as being Masonic ,
or as beluga part of Ancient Cr.ift Masonry. "
Second That upon these opinions , \ com
mittee , respectable in number , reputable In
exporlrnce , and of approved intelligence ,
voiced the sentiment of the grand lodge in i
thrlr declaration :
"That this grand lodge expressly declines
to cntor upon any discussion of the history ,
use , or legitimacy of any bodies claiming to
confer what Is known as the Scottish rite de
grees or to bo committed to the recognition of
any such body or to the recognition of any
body conferring any degrees over which the
grand loilgo has no control , as being Masonic ,
or as beluga part of Ancient CiMft Masonry. "
Third-That soon after the adoption
of this declaration by the grand
lodge , the grand master ( successor to the ono
who reported the opinion above quoted ) in
disregaid of the action of the tmprcino au-
thoritj In Masonry. Issued his "Etiiot No. 1"
to the Masons of Nebraska :
"Now therefore * * * do
, , wo hereby
oflloially declare and make known to you ,
that the oidy legitimate nnd lawfully con
stituted M.ixoulu authority of the Ancient
nnd Accepted Scottish rite within the stuto of
Nebraska Is that of the southern jurisdir tion
for the United States presided over by liroth-
er Illbcrt I'ike ; th'tt all others not ncUno.vl-
edging allegiance to the said southern Juris
diction are unlawful and clandestine , and
thi'ir creation and maintenance is a menace
to the peace , traiuiuility and harmony of the
craft In this Jurisdiction. "
Fourth That Nebraska Lodge No. 1 com
plied with the billet of the ( 'rand muster in
part by causing it to bo read and posted , but
refused "full therewith"
a compliance by
adopting n series of rcsouliulons , from which
may bo deduced the following conclusions :
1. That submission to the will of the grand
master , in the exercise of his constitutional
rights , powers and prerogatives , is n Masonic
duty , but to disregard his commands , based
upon an assumption of power not within the
Ecopo of his authority , is an Individual right.
2. That Edict No. I was issued in deroga
tion of fundamental Masonic principles and
in violation of thu resolution of the grand
lodge expressly declining to bo committed to
the recognition of any body , conferring any
degrees over which the grand lodge has no
control as being Masonic or as being n part
of Ancient Craft Masonry.
TIII : nuninov.u. , MVSOXIO novniminvr.
The general assemblies of Masons from the
earliest accounts were convened for the pur
pose of promulirnting general resolutions for
the government of the whole body of the craft ,
and those regulations were formulated from
traditional usaircs and customs as well as
fiom the usages and customs cxisitiug ut the
particular period.
At the time of these assemblies Masons
were designated by different appellations ,
vi/.1 Apprentices , follows and masters. Hut
whether there existed moro than one degree
It is unnecessary hero to say , for it will not
bo insisted upon by any person that moro
than three degrees , those of apprentice , fel
low and master , existed prior to the your 1700.
These general assemblies were composed of
the whole body of. the craft , that is all
Masons , of whatever degree , possessed there
in equal rights , and , the tradition is , that a
grand master presided over their delibera
tions who derived his authority by appoint
ment from the king or some other source
which the unwritten account has not dis
closed.
In these early times It is reasonable to sup
pose that the objects and purposes of Ma
sonry were not clearly dollned. or definitely
determined , and the usages and customs were
In a great mcasuio unsettled and divorsllled.
there did not exist that intimate relation nnd
opportunity of interchange of opinion neccs-
fciiry for uniformity in form of government.
If then there existed such an ollleer as
grand master the powers vested in him must
necessarily hnvo boon of a threefold nature ,
legislative , executive and Judicial , and for
the reasons bctoro stated supplemented by
the crude legislation of the times , the princi
ples , objects and government of Masonry were
to a great extent the creations of the grand
master's intellect.
The exercise of these powers for a long
period , perhaps for centuries , are the founda
tion of the grand master's prerogatives , the
rights which uro Inherent and Invested in his
high olllce , and though these powers have
never been fully defined they wore certainly
limited to the apparent necessities of the pe
riod of their growth , and could not have ex
tended to matters not then existing.
III ) ! CONSTITUTIONU , MVUIVIO OOVCHXMf.NT.
It will bo admitted that Masonry existed in
England and Scotland prior to A. D. 1700 , and
In some localities In a partially organized
form ; that the grand lodge of England , the
Premier grand lodge , was organized A. D.
1717 , the grand lodge of all England in A. 1) .
1J5 ( which ceased to exist In 1787) ) j the grand
lodiro of Scotland in A. D. 17I1I1 , and the grand
lodge of Ancient York Masons lu A. I ) . 17JW.
It will bo further mlmltu.nl 'th it nil other
grand lodges have derived their authority for
organisation either directly or Indirectly from
ono or moro of these nbovo named ; that
the grand ledge In England and Scotland
organized , as above stated , were all governed
by the same constitutions , charges and regu
lations , nnd that all others , deriving thuir
authority from thorn , must bo governed by
the same general laws ,
In support of the statement that the grand
lodges named were all governed by the same
constitutions , etc. , wo quote from Anderson's
constitutions , second edition , page 11)3 ) : "Tho
old ledge at York city , mid the lodges of
Scotland , Ireland , Franco and Italy , affecting
independence , uro under their own grand
masters , though they have thu same constitu
tions , chartres , roinitatlons.otc. , for substance
with their brethren of England. "
Uy these constitutions , charges and regula
tions it was ordulnod that no loilgo could bo
established except by the grand masters'
warrant ) and this power ho can uxurclso In
most Jurisdictions only when specially an-
thorl/ed by hls.ia-.iml ledge ) , and under these
general laws the grand lodges became the
supreme governing authority over all the
lodges and Masons , within their respective
Jurisdictions , or of their respective obod-
Iciico ,
It was further ordained that the grand
lodgu should consist of the masters nnd war
dens of all the regular lodges upon record
( that Is upon the register of the grand ledge ) ,
with the grand master at their hcvul , Ills
deputy on his left hand , and the grand war
dens In their proper place * , and the only de
crees recognized by those grand lodge * , and
the only degrees which the lodges w < w au
thorized to ciufer. wore entered apprentice ,
fellow craft and master Mason.
Thu only exception to this rule has been the
recognition by some- grand lodges of thu do- ;
grcca , so cullca , of past master , and royal
arch , the former as n qualification for the
mmtor of n lodge , mid the latter as a com
plimentary part of the third degree , to which
it gave a necessary completion. Other ex-
reptlons may be found , but they have been so
brief In duration that the historian has
deemed them too Inconsequentnl to give them
moro than a pissing notice.
Under this constitutional form of govern
ment the grand lodges have bccomo the su-
prrmo authority In Masonry , and the ten
dency Is to restrict the grand master In the
exercise of these powers which , in earlier
times , had been considered as inherent In his
ofllcfl. To such an extent have
thcso restrictions been Imposed , that ho
must now hesitate to act , unless ho finds
some authority , for his proposed action , In
the Written law prescribing his ofllclal
powers.
SInca the adoption of the constitutions , the
grand master has not boon endowed with any
prerogatives , not existing theretofore ; thcro
has been no enlargement of his powers , ex
cept by direct authority , evidenced by writ
ten regulation. On the other hind. It Is held
by some authorities that the grand master
does not possess any powars , prerogatives ,
and prlvlllgcs , by Immemorial right , and can
not exorcises any but such as are expressly
granted , or clearly Implied by law.
It may bo conceded , nnd It Is without ques
tion , the common law of Misonry , that It Is
the duty of the grand master to exercise a
general supervision , and government over
the craft , during the recaps of the grand
ledge ; but this does not nuthori/o him to
make n new regulation , and define a new offense -
fenso against the body of Masonry. Ills only
duty Is to see that the constitutions , Inwa nnd
regulations , of Freemasonry are observed ,
nnd , that Its ancient landmarks are not In
fringed.
Uy the common law of Masonry , a ledge ,
which shall act with contumacy , to the au
thority of ttio prand master , or of the grand
ledge , or bo willfully disobedient to the con
stitution nnd laws of the grand lodge , or depart -
part from the original plan of Masonry , shall
bo deemed guilty of an ofTonso against the
body of Masonry. When n lodge refuses to
obey an unlawful command of its grand
master , it cannot bo said to act with contu
macy to his authority , for the word "author
ity" Implies lawful action.
Lnws may bo either mandatory or prohlbl-
tory. Under a nrimlntory law. some action
is required , but under a prohibitory law , amore
moro acnuiosc3iic3 is sufficient. The action ,
of the grand ledge of Nebraska , on the reso
lution reported by its committee , was , in its
nature , prohibitory , for it "expressly declined
to enter upan any discussion , etc " Or to bo
committed to the recognition" nnd etc. , nnd
the giiind master was thereby prohlbito.l , bv
implication at least , from doffig that which
the grand ledge had declined to do.
It may bo urged that edict No. 1 was au
thorized by virtue of the adoption
of that portion of the resolu
tion relating to the two opinions
reported by the grand master , wherein the
committee said : "We cordially endorse the
law us recognized nnd promulgated by our
grand master. " This report must bo t'iken
as an entirety , and a transposition of its parts
may moro clearly show the Intention to cor
dially endorse the opinions , mil expressly de
cline to discuss the subject or to bo committed
to any body not of the Ancient Craft.
JL'lllSDICriOV OVKIl VN'CtnST CHUT MVSOVKY.
It may not bo germain to the subject under
consideration to refer , oven indirectly , to the
organi/ations claiming to act under "Scottish
HiU' Constitutions , " but it seems almost im
possible to discuss edict No. 1 without invit
ing attention to some of the claims which are
advanced by these associations , nil should bo
included , whether presided over by Brothers
Pike or Gorgas , by Brothers Palmer or Germ -
m in , by whatever name they may bo called
or known , cspjcially wlvn their claims arc in
derogation of the doctrine of exclusive Juris
diction , by each grand lodge , over the three
degrees of Ancjent Craft Masonry.
Under the plan of organisation and with the
powers hereinbefore stated , and under the
authority of Uio grand lodges hereinbefore
named , Masonry was extended into vurioas
European countries , vi/ . : Ireland , Russia ,
Germany , Denmark and Franco , before the
year 17irJ ( , and up to this time it does not ap
pear that there were any symbolic lodges un
der the government of any other than grand
ledge authority. The doctrlno of Masonic
succession had been practically settled ; Ma
sons could no longer bo made except in lodges
and lodges could not bo created except , by
grand masters' warrant or by the action of a
grand ledge exercised in a constitutional
manner.
' It is well known ( to adopt the words of
Preston ) to the Masons of this country ( Eng
land ) that some men of warm and enthusi
astic imaginations have been disposed to am
plify parts of the institution of Freemasonry ,
ami in their supposed improvements to have
elevated their discoveries into now .degress ,
to which they have added ceremonies , rit
uals and dressed , ill-suited to the native sim
plicity of the order , as it was originally prac
ticed in this country. Hut all these degrees ,
though probably deserving reprehension ,
as improper Innovations on the original
s.y-stoin of Masonry. * * * cannot bo
viewed in any other light than as Innocent
and inoffensive amusements. "
While these remarks of Preston may not
have been directed to what arc known as the
Scottish Kite degrees , they appear to bo ap
plicable to the discoverers who created the
twenty-two degrees , numbered from to SS.
with which was fabricated what was called
"The Kite of Perfection. " These discover
ers , with 1m initiations still warm and en
thusiastic , organised councils of this rite
under the stvlo of "Council of the Princes of
the Koy.il Secret , " and over these thov set
grand councils , which they called "Grand
Uoyal Secret , " and A. D. 170' ) nine commis
sioners from those grand t'ouncils formulated
a constitution , by which among other things ,
they provided fora "Sovereign Grand Coun
cil of the Subllmo Princes of the Hoyal
Secret , "
This constitution comprised thirty-seven
articles , of which article 1 Is evidently In
part a plagiarism of the llr.st and third of the
' of Freemason " in
Charges a , as published
Anderson's constitutions , under the auspices
of the Grand Lodge of England , and article 3
declares , "Tho Koynl Art. or the Association
of Free and Accepted Masons , Is generally
divided into twonty-llvo known decrees ; the
First Is below the Second , the Second below
the Third , nnd so on in succession to the
Twcnty-llfth , which Is the Subllmo und last ,
and governs and commands nil the others
without exception " Thou follows n classi
fied list of the degrees , and the ( list three
mentioned nro of the first class : First , Ap
prentice ; Second , Fellow Gr.ift. and Third ,
Muster , and the last Is Twenty-live , Subllmo
Prince of the Koyal Secret.
This constitution makes frequent allusions
to lodges , and distinguishes thololgos re
ferred to us "Lo.lgo of Perfection , " "Lolgo
of Perfection , or other loilws , " "Syinbollo
Lo Igo , " nnd in article : il it Is wovldo.l "Tho
Princes of Jorusnlom have a right to annul
nnd revoke whatever miv have baaii tran
sacted iu n council of Knights of the Kvit ,
lu lodges of Hoyal Perfection , or In other
lodges of whatavcr degree. " The article
further provides how a Prince of Jerusalem
shall bo rocolvod In n Hiynl lo.lso clnptor or
any other ledge and wh.it his authority Is ,
"whether lu a Ledge of Porfeetion or u
Symbolic ledge , " nnd among the enumerated
powers ho m.iy "exclude any ouo
who obstinately "refines to submit , and
nny ouo who will not of their own accord
pay obedience to the statutes and to the laws
coutalnol In our secret constitution , and
others. "
May it not bo that edict No. 1 was inspired
h.foirticlo ill of this constitution I It may bo
fair to assume Unit ono who has nttnlncd tha
exalted station of the Jttud degree -
groo Is clothed with much
greater authority tlmn that possessed
by ono of the Sixteenth degree ; that this Is
true , Is shown by another clause of the same
article wherein It is provided : "A Prince of
Jerusalem cannot exercise his privileges when
there Is also present a Prince Adopt , Cheva
lier Noachlto , or Sovereign Prlneo of the
Koyal Secret. " If the Prince of Jerusalem
of the Sixteenth do rco could exclude u
Mason from his ledge who will not par obsdl-
cnco to the Scottish rite constitutions , why
may not u Sovereign Prince of the Koyal Se
cret of the Il.'nd degree ( twice ns oxaltud ) ex
clude the ledge from association with Iu
peers , for obstinately refusing to submit to
the same laws I
Hut some of the soph mores In Masonry ,
who claim to understand the subject bettor
than their neighbors , assort that the consti
tutions of 170i nro no longer iu force ; that
they have bten wholly superseded by the con
stitutions of 178 < ) , sometimes called tho"L'itin
constitutions" ( the authorship of which has
been ingeniously attributed to Frederick If ,
of Prussia , without any evidence , or If any ,
of so slight u character that even Us mosj
ardent supporters , by way of apology , can
say no moro than that they have been con
vinced of the factl nnd that m the latter can
bo found no assumption of authority over
symbolic lodgoti , not oven the right of super
vision. Now whether this is true or not ,
must bo determined by an examination of tbo
document , nnd giving a proper constru'tlon '
to all its parts bearing on , or in any way ro
tating to , this particular subject matter.
By article 1 of the Latin constitution It Is
provided : "All the articles of the constitu
tions , statutes and ivgulutloas niaJo In the
year 170J , which tire not
contrary to thcso present ordinances ,
are preserved In force nnd shall
bo observed ; but such ns .shall conflict
herewith , are abrogated nnd are held to ba
expressly repealed. " And by article 4. It Is
further provided : "Tho.supremo counll need
not always exercise Its authority directly
over the degrees below the seventeenth , *
* * but Its right Is Imprescriptible ; nnd
thcso presents do require or every loJgo and ,
council of perfect Masons , of whatever degree -
greo It may bo , that In parsons of theM ! ) °
degree , they do recognize the office of grand
Inspectors general of the order , do respect
their prerogatives , do piy them duo honor ,
do obey them , nnd , tin ally , do faithfully com
ply with all the requirements that may cm-
nuato from them. "
But there Is a preamble to this constitution
which is as much n part of it ns nro the arti
cles quoted , and Is attested In the same man
ner. The Introduction to this preamble Is ,
" \Vo , Frederic , by the grace of Go.l , king of
Prussia , mar/ravo of Brandenburg , etc. ,
supreme grand protector , grand commander ,
universal grind master nnd defender of the
most ancient and honorable society Of An
cient Frco nnd Associated Masons or builders ,
or of the royal nnd military art of working
in stone , or of Freemisonry. * * * As
we hold to ba sure and certain , the conserva
tive and high duties which wo have agreed to
take upon ourselves , with that most ancient
and woHhlpful institution , known In our
ago by the name of "Tho Fraternity of the
FrooArtof Working in Stone , " or of "Tho
Order of Ancient Free nnd Associated Ma
son' , " have caused us , as Is known to all men ,
to protect It with special solicitude.
Wherefore these reisons , and other induce
ments of not less weight , impel us in con
necting together and agglomerating Into ono
body , the art of stone masonry , nil the rites
* * * that are known as "tho An"ient"
* * * 'of ' Princes of the Royal Secret"
or of "Pofectlon" * * * wo do declare
them nil to bo now and henceforth conjoined
and agglomerated Into ono single order. *
* * Let the doctrlno bo Imparted to the
Masons in the : i3rd decree , * * * Let the
first degree bo subordinate to the second ,
that to the third , and so In regular order to
the Subllmo degree the 33rd degreeand
last , which will exercise vigilance
over them , will correct their
errors , nnd govern them. * * * All the
degrees of the rites nbovo aggrega
ted from the first to the
eighteenth , inclusive , will bo placed in the
Degrees of the Rite of Perfection , each ac
cording to its rank , nnd by its analogy and
similitude ) are to compose the first eighteen
degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scot
tish Kite.
It la a general nnd almost universal rule
that the construction given to the law by the
highest Judicial tribunal , of the country of its
enactment , is decisive , nnd the same rule ap
plies with equal force to the decisions of the
supreme authority in Masonic and other like
associations. It is also true that the opinions
of imtvlduals , high in authority , in such as
sociations , bear with them great weight , and
especially when such individuals are of rccog-
nl/ed ability , as students of the purposes and
principles of the association , and the laws of
\\lilch they assume to construe. In the Scofc-
tish Rite Brother Albert Pike , as n student ,
historian , nnd law giver , is pre-eminent , in
fact ho is the embodiment of the Rite , of its
objects , its principles , and its laws , and ho
says in his letter to the Supreme Council of
Peru , under date of February 7 , 1877 ! "Tho
constitutions include the Blue degrees in the
scale , and place them under the government
of the Supreme Council , but they do no more.
In fact it is the preamble only that speaks of
them at all. "
Has Brother Pike over construed article 0
and the preamble taken together ? Does not
the LoJgo of Perfect Masons mentioned In
article ( i comprise all of the degrees of the
"Kite of Perfection" mentioned In the pre
amble ) It it necessary that the Symbolic De
grees should bo referred to by name iu the
constitutions of 17 * ! , to authorize it to bo
said that the constitutions speak of thorn ?
But the three Symbolic Degrees are distinctly
mentioned in the constitutions of 1732 , nnd by
its provisisns Jurisdiction over these degrees
was assumed , and the last clause of the con
stitutions of 17SO. in the following language :
"And to the end that this may bo fixed and
immutable , wo do recommend all our well-
bclovod , valiant and noble Knights and Prince
Masons , to maintain the same , " declares
these constitutions ( including the provisions
of the former constitutions , still rcmiining in
force , and which are as much a part of
the enactment of 178(1 ( ns if its
provisions were set out in exact words )
irropealablo , and. moro than this , they are
declared immutable.
There is another fact which should not bo
omitted in considering this question , the pro
visions of the constitutions of 1703 nro sup
plemented by certain regulations , framed by
the same nine commissioners under the same
celestial vault , and promulgated at the same
time , which provide for the government of
the seven classes Into which th'o rite was di-
viJud , perhaps not altogether In severally ,
but as loJgos , chapters , councils , etc. , and if
it is cl.iinn.l that these regulations were also
abrogated , then there is little in the form of
writto i law for the government of the minor
holies , as nearly allot the provisions of the
coistitutions 1 ist rafcrro I to relate to the
government of anew creation , "tho supreme
council , " a b dv then for the first time
known , composed of ono degree , the 83d , and
nine mambors of a now rank of "Inspector
general " The conclusion reached is that
almost the whole body of the fundamental
law , as It existed in 170) , Is still In force and
forms an Important part of the immutable
rules of action of the "Ancient and Accepted
Scottish Rite. "
EXCLUSIVE OIIAXI ) I.OPQK TEUIUTOltUT , .IITU1S-
There Is probably no material subject
guarded moro Jralouslv by the grand lotljres ,
especially these of North America , than that
of exclusive grand ledge territorial Jurisdic
tion. This rule may b3 suld to bo fundamen
tal , ut least Iu this country , and any attempt"
on the part of any Masonic authority , or any
association claiming to be Masonic , to former
or establish a grand ledge iu any state or or
ganised territory which had previously been
occupied by another llko existing grand body
would bo met with the most earnest protest
which It would bo possible for Masons to
make , oven to the extent of declaring the
work of all these engaged In such an enterprise -
priso as clandestine , than which nothing moro
denunciatory can bo said , from a Masonlo
standpoint , of ono claiming to bo a Mason. Is
there any difference , except In the dogrco of
the offense , between the person who assorts
the right to do an net nnd the ono who
commits it , if the act itself is unlawful ! Does
not ho who subscribes to the law of nn asso
ciation bind himself to its observance !
Ono of the greatest Masonic- jurists ,
of the last half of the nineteenth
century , says : % 'Tho doctrluo of exclusive
grand ledge jurisdiction has grown up in the
United States and been nccoptod hero ns poli
tic and wise In the Interest of harmony and
unity. It does not prevail in Europe and is
not n part of orgnulo Masonlo law , and its
zealots bora have not been content to stop
when they had pushed It to the verge of ab
surdity , " The same expounder of Masonlo
law also "No council
i says : supreme over
, had. or over can have , a just claim to oxclu-
I slvo Jurisdiction over the Symbolic degrcs In
I the country where It exists. Any one or nny
half dozen grand lodges mny establish lodges
, there , and these may , when they please ,
, establish grand lodges for their government ,
nnd the supreme council would bo wholly In
1 wrong to refuse to roeognUo either. " And
further : "Tho supreme council mav tacitly
refrain from establishing lodges at all , for or
without sulllclcut reasons , and If It can do
that It can arco to do It , and the agreement
will bo one of good faith and must bo kept. "
Now the argument upward to bo , that If n
supreme council , under Its claim of Impre
scriptible right to administer the three de
grees of Ancient Craft Masonry , should declare -
clare that necessity required It to reussumo
IU rights ( which Is assorted to have been
waived in favor of the grand lodges , but wns
not entirely coded or relinquished.and ) estab
lish lodges nnd make Masons within a stnto
or territory over which a grand lo.lgo claimed
exclusive territorial Jurisdiction , the net of
such supreme council would be the exercise
of n constitutional right nnd therefore legiti
mate. If this doctrlno can bo subscribed to ,
then Indeed hnvo the grand lodges of this
country "wrought iu valu and spout their
strength for naught. " The vn'orous ' defenses
they have m ido , against all attacks of this
character , shed no lustro on their arms ; the
victories they have won will never bo re
counted in song or preserved in history ; the
laws they hnvo enacted give no credit to
their Intelligence , nnd their law givers nnd
JurlsU may us well have boon cackling geese
and braving asses. Is It not time to about
face , and adopt for a motto , "Ordo ub Clmol"
The most remarkable feature of this
controversy Is tlmt any grand
In the United fjtltos can bo found
to espouse the cnuso of nny associa
tion claiming the right , not only to establish
lodges , within Its tcrllfarlal Jurisdiction , butte
to innko Masons Ihciyln. and hold concurrent
Jurisdiction over Artdent Cntft Masonry. It
is also remarkable , but , to a less degree , that
the highest officer of a grand lo > lge. In this
country , can be found using the authority of
his high pttlco to eotnpal the Masons of his
Jurisdiction , to aid nullMbct any such associa
tion , or where there are two or more such as
sociations claiming to "hold their authority
under the same constitution and regulations ,
to assume to settle the question of legitimacy
between them. An organization , calling Itself
n.suprotr.u council , has.if right to Invade the
Jurisdiction of a grand lodge , but another or
ganization , styling ItMolf also a supreme
council , cannot Invndo the same territory ,
and , if any such second Invasion Is attempted ,
Ancient Craft Masonry will como to the res-
rue of the ilr.st Invader , nnd Jlght IU battles ?
This Is the argument , this is the position , and
the banners of Masonry In certain localities
nro thus being Ignonilnlously trallcs to the
great disgrace hnd scandal of this ancient and
honorable institution.
VNCIIINT AND ACCnpTF.P MVONlir. .
Tradition states that this Institution has
existed from the foundation of the world ;
while perhaps there Is no evidence to support
this statement , history does boar testimony
that It has existed for centuries ; nnd It Is an
undeniable fact that no other association of n
like character has lived so long , Ono grand
master has said of It : "With tradition as
old as man , and a literature older thun mod
ern touguo < , It has withstood the buffets of
time , the opposition of power , and the treason
of false brethren , and today Is stronger nnd
moro widely extended than any other institu
tion upon earth. " From what source has it
derived Its power , to what Is attributable its
length of days , and what uro tno influences
which have placed It first among the associa
tions of men I It has never Interforred with
conscience , nor dictated articles of faith. It
has never required its members to observe
any law or regulation , which could In any
wise conflict with the duties they owe to
their God , to their country , to tholr neigh
bors , and to themselves ; It has ever Inculcated
lessons of friendship , morality , and brotherly
love , and Its exhortations have been
of temperance fortitude , prudence and Jus
tice.
tice.Tho attention of the novitiate at an early
period of his Initiation is invited to that beau
tiful lessen , "Behold how good and how
pleasant It is for brethren to dwell together
in unity , " nnd from stage to stage , as the
symbolism of Masonry is unfolded to him ,
there is 'imprinted on his memory wise and
serious truths , " until ho is finally reminded
of the mortality of his body , and the immor
tality of his soul. From the time ho knocks
for admission to the lodgc.untll he has passed
through the various stages of his initiation
and is informed that he is a master Mason
and a member of the lodge , and entitled to
all the rights nnd benefits thereof , and con
ducted to n seat among his brethren , and
oven thereafter , upon the checkered pave
ment bo is not informed that ho owes any
duty to nny organization or association of
men , except that ho should bo a loyal subject
to the laws of the country in which ho may bo
or reside , nnd should deal Justly and honor
ably with nil , and iu "the exercise of brother
ly love to regard the whole human species ns
ono family the high , the low , the rich , and
the poor ; and as created by ono Almighty
parent , and inhabitants of the same planet ,
are to aid , support nnd protect each other. "
Of the lessons taught in the ledge one , nnd
the most important of all , is that "a Mason is
to bo a good man and true and strictly obey
the moral law. " This is the great aim and
end for which Masonry was instituted , and
for which its existence has been continued ;
and it has always been the rule that a
brother could not be interfered with , in his
social relations , so long as ho maintained an
honorable character and walked in virtue's
paths. In this conncotlon it has ever been
strictly enjoined upon hm ( to observe and preserve -
servo the landmarks of Freemasonry , and bo
at all times obedient to and n supporter of its
general regulations , to which ho pledged him
self In the most solemn manner when ho
sought admission to the lodgo. But it never
was a landmark or a general regulation that
ho should bo restricted from Indulging
in "innocent nnd inoffensis-o amuse
ments , " even to the extent of invent
ing side degrees , and confirming
them upon his too credulous companions , pro
vided ho did not tlierebyjiut his brother to
shame or indulge in an Intemperate expendi
ture of timo. In short , it is no more the in
tention of Masonry to interdict harmless
amusements than it is to throw restrictions
about the pursuit of these objects which tend
to make man know himself.
Whence comes this demind upon grand
masters and grand lodges to comn.und obed
ience to the laws of nn association unknown
to the scheme of Ancient Craft Masonry ? Is
it fundamental to the original plan of Mason
ry , nnd u duty enjoined upon grand masters
by immemorial usage , before grand lodges
were known ? Is it n landmark ? Is it found
in the decrees of the general assemblies of
Masons which were convoked by the patrons
of Masonry in the centuries which have gone
before ? Is it an ancient regulation } Was It
"extracted from the ancient records of lodges
beyond sea , and these of England , Scotland
and Ireland , " in the year 17 d ? Is it ono of
the ancient charges ? Is it a fundamental law
of any grand ledge in the United States of
Nortli America ? Is It found iu any grand
ledge constitution i Has it como from the
master Masons , the members of the lodges
who , for the most part , have no knowledge of
these rites ? Have they t > o instructed their
representatives to the grand lodges ? lias It
como from the masters and wardens of lodges
but few of whom have attained the exalted
station of sublime prince of the royal secret ?
Have they discovered a skeleton in the Ma
sonic closet ? Has it como from the supreme
councils of sovereign grand inspectors gener
al , in acknowledgement of a defenseless posi
tion ? Do they appeal for aid i
The intelligent Masons of this country are
not alarmists : the great majority of them
have no .selllnh purposes to influence them in
this matter. As Masons , they know nothing
about this controversy as affecting Masonry ;
the cloud in the "celestial vault" Is pointed
out but it does not , to them , pretend danger ;
the grand fabric roared by their Mtisoniu
fathers , having withstood the storms of cen
turies , appears to them i inimitable ; they have
examined its foundations and find them laid
deep and stwiug , without evidence of crumb
ling or decay ; they have inspected its super
structure and found it moro firmly cemented ,
and of Increasing strength with each succeed
ing .year , and they feel assured if the doors of
their temples nro ns closely tiled in the future
as they have been In the past against all dis
cordant elements that the fii-es upon their
altars will continue to bum with undlmin-
ished fervency and the light therefrom will
never wane. Fraternally ,
OVE.V A. BISSITT.
I'crfootlon in Artificial Mmln.
ThoPittsburg ( Pa.artificlal ) limb company.
of 1)09 ) Penn avenue , Is fust whining fame and
popularity on Its merits. For lightness , corn-
tort and durability their artificial limbs ex
cel all others. Every member of the firm is
himself a wearer of an Artificial leg. They
know by experience what is needed nnd how
best constructed ; and by constantly improv-
img dofci-ts they have arrived at a high state
of perfection. Their prices nro reasonable
for the superior worlr they produce. Dr. .1.
W. Thompson Is the manager of the company ,
mid has had a long practical experience in this
line.
line.A.
A. J. SIMPSON.
*
k
fihlc spring , .U.ichinent. No horeo motion.
Tlio oldest ntul Inrgost currlngo factory
i'n Omulia Tor line work , using thu colo-
lirulctl spring washer uxlf. Drafts ntul
estimates furnished , i'lno repairing u
specially.
110 and 1111 Dotl-o St. , Onwliii.
WE ? A | f MANHOOD
EL / \ IV Ltti M,7iti5 ,
restored. Ttrl l tird. rurt vnlruril. trtnilierii u.
fti llcon Tr il wut Sne tail imleiJU I I'rU. U.Jil. .
1ICUMUK IS JllIfTE , 110 * US HUlUu fit. , t.T.
DR. CLUCK ,
Eye and Ear.
Darker Illock , 15th and I'cjuarn. Telephone C&
Tin : riaum : " 0. "
The flRura 0 In our dnlca will ronka n long itay.
No trmn or woman now living will over ditto i
Jocumcnt without using ttio Qguro 9. It iUmls
In the third phco In 1890 , nhera U will remain ten
ycnrs nnd then move up to tccond plnca In 1000 ,
where It will rcit fur ono hundred years.
There Is nnothor " 9" which hn nlso come to BUy.
It Is unlike the flgitro 9 In our dntei In the rwpccl
thnt It has already mured up to first place , where
U will permanently remain. It li called the "Ko.
D" High Arm Wlu-clcr > l Wilson Sewing Machine.
The "No. 0" was endorsed for first place by tha
cxpcrU of F.iiropo at tha Purls Exposition of ISbXH
where , after a icvcroconlest with the lending ma
chines of the world , It was awarded the old )
Grand Prize given to family sewing machine * , all
others on exhibit having received lo cr awards
Of gold medals , etc. The French Government
also recognized Itsiupcrlorlty by thodecoratiou ot
Mr. NalhanlcUyheclcr , President of the company ,
with the Cross of the Legion of Honor ,
Tbo "No. 9" is not an old machine Improved
upon , btit is an entirely now machine , and Ilia
Grand Frlzo at Paris was awarded It as the grand *
est advance In sewing machine mechanism of tht
ago. These who buy It can rest assured , there ,
( ore , of having tbo very latest and bctU
WHEELER & WILSON M'F'Q CO. ,
185 nnd 187 Wabnsh Avo. , Chicago
P. E. FLODMAN & CO ,
220 North 10th Stroot.
CALIFORNIA
Till' LAND OF
DISCOVERIES.
CURE TOT\
CATARRH
CALJ
Santa : Abie : and : Cat : R : Cure
Forsulo by Goodman .Urna Co.
FR. J , E. HcftREW ,
THE &FECIALHST.
The Doctor in nneurpnetrd
In the truitmvnt of nil
forms of 1'rlvato Disease * .
No treatment lias ccr hem
more cucccfsfill anil none
had hud stronger cmlurte-
tiiciit. A enrols ( junrantciil In the \ cryoret cnccs
I n fromj ) toCilnvB wlthputtho loea of nn hour's lime.
Tliofo who luno htcn
under hia treatment for
Stricture or iliniciilly In
relieving the hlmlilcr. pronounce It unmet wonder *
fill nicccs. A complete euro In n few elaje without
pnln. Ins'rnnients or loan if time.
Andnlhm.k-
nets of thu
Etxiinlorgiinn
tlmlillty or nervoupnces , In thrlr worst forma uud
most ilreailful result * are absolutely cured.
-r. u . . m. . . . . . . _ T AMI nil KIMAM : ?
DISEASES cured
nt homo without
Instruments. A wonderful remedy. 1IOUHS for
Indies from 2 to 4 ONMT.
and all Dlecnseg of the Skin ,
Illood , llfiiit , l.hir , Kid-
ncjs nnd Illiiddtr cuied.
C'tirrdlnaOtotOdios. The
mt l riipld , clife mid rfTert-
fvc treatment luimui to the
medical profession. Exery trncoof Iho d ben HO re-
motrd from tlm blood : n compute euro guaranteed.
: fl fft fffl I/ff * Kor "nmn"or"noman" , eacli luc
, ( tunip ) . Treatment hy corrc-
Hpoiiclenco Stump for re'ply
1 N K Con Urn AND KniNAii ST.
1 Open from 8 A M to U I1 .M.
Eutrancn on Fnrnam or HUi bt. ,
OMAHA. NEB.
NERVE AND BRAIN TREATMENT.
ID either i , Involuntary Lo .e , ami Hptrrnnorrlia-a
cauixi l > y ortr-t'icrlloA til the brtln , ( dr-rliuia or
overindulgence. Lach box contain * ono month's treat *
merit , llatiot , or U for t\ lent liy mail | > r pat < l.
With tacit urilor ( or U boin , will eml purcntuer
fruarantoe lu refund oiuney If thu Irualnmit faU to
' '
ciiri if 'H'iilvbv
GOPDMAN DHUC1 CO. ,
1110 Farnam Street , Omuhn , Nob.
too
inlut In ll. Uuil l hunt JIiu , bilr
Juu > | * > l , Hicjclet , btftllti u > I ( iilil Tlirj -
li > C'im.rii crd .l.ui.4 ] . | rir u |
I 0 , U dirtllfruia L U fc > t r r' > It *
| lw , niW M.dU.n kL Cfcir-i . flu
110 Mvtd. fend f e. nainp for MW oit-
u. Ui Ii/iui ( utujr la at null.
or TELEPHONE
YOUR ORDERS TO THE
NEBRASKA
Steam Laundry !
Our aim is to excel in all -work , and give satisfaction - *
faction to patrons.
K D HUEST
JLJ J / JL JL > l J B i Jf JL
Successor to Chas. S. Poor. Corner 16th and
Howard Sts. Tel. No. 11.
I Carry a Complete Line of Gentlemen's , Ladies' , Boys' ,
Misses'and Children's High and Low Cut Lawn Tennis Shoos
Which I soil at WHOLESALE only. If you have not placed .your ortlor fe > r fall ,
MR. SHOE DEALER , i xvoulel advise you to sonel it to 1116 without dolayii9 riibhor
( rooela nro nelvancinfif steadily. I am Western Ajjont for the NEW JERSEY"
RUBBER , SII.OE COMPANY , mid glau to say the goods this season have no
superior in style nnd ohniio , and you know they wear well. Call and t > eo mo or
write for discounts , samples nnd p.ico lists.
Z. T. LINDSB.Y ,
1111 Harney Street , Omaha , Neb.
MAX
Jewelers and Silversmiths ,
SIXTEENTH AND FAKNAM STREETS , OMAHA , Nicu.
We invite particular attention to our largo variety of arti
cles appropriate for Wedding Presents at
POPULAR PRICES.
Sollel Sterling Silverware , single pieces or in sots , combinations , to : , , from
$2 up to $500.
Fine Quadruple Sllvor-pl.itoel Ware , In now anil elegant eloslgns , embracing
about everything known to tbe trade in both Hat and hollow w.iro , so low In
Price that wo dare not nama the figures , being only about HALF OUR FORM
ER PRICES.
Lamps , Toilet Sets , Candelabra , pronzo Ornaments , Mirrors , besides the
largest assortment of Clocks to bo found west of Chicago , from $1 up to $ U30.
Handsome Mantel Clocln at $5 , $7.00 , $10 , $16 , etc. , with half-hour btrllto
attachment , cathedral gongs , Ace.
Diamonds , Watches , and Rich Gold Jew
elry at Greatly Reduced Prices.
at Lowest Rates and All Work Fully Warranted.
ARE YOU BUILDING ?
If so call and examine our fine line of art goo Is , comprising
Locks. Knobs , Escutcheons and Hinges , in all finishes and designs.
HIMEBAUGH & TAYLOR ,
14O8 Douglas St. , Omaha.
DEWEY & "STONE ,
FHirnittire Company.
A magnificent display of everything useful and ornamental in tha
furniture maker's art at reasonable prices.
ORIGINAL ,
Stove Repairs and Water Attachments
For all stoves and ranges of any description. Gasoline stoves and
gas burners cleaned and repaired , work guaranteed ,
Itblxrtl'lilUr , Prop , Omaha Stove Repair Works
t. M Lutou , M ,