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Вообще-то я уже исследовал этот вопрос. СБ при Расселе неоднократно упоминает масонов как одну из деноминаций христианского мира, иногда даже негативно.
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SECRET AND BENEFICIAL SOCIETIES.
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DEAR BROTHER:--I would like to have your opinion on the subject of life insurance. They are organizing lodges all around here--United Workmen, Knights of Pythias, Red Men, Masons, Odd Fellows, etc. They are working it just about like sectarianism in the churches. Would like to see an article in the TOWER on the subject.
Yours in the love of the truth, W. E. KILLAM.
OUR REPLY TO THE QUERY.
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In our judgment the majority of "secret societies" are merely beneficiary and have no secret schemes antagonistic to the general public welfare, the secret rites and ceremonies being merely "boys' play," occupying the time and attention of persons who have no greater aims than those which pertain to the present life. We note, however, that several Roman Catholic Societies seem to have schemes connected with the use of fire-arms, and are therefore to be classed as malevolent rather than benevolent.
We note also that the Order of Free Masons, if judged by its past history, has some secret object or scheme, more than fraternity and financial aid in time of sickness or death. And, so far as we can judge, there is a certain amount of profane worship or mummery connected with the rites of this order and some others, which the members do not comprehend, but which, in many cases, serves to satisfy the cravings of the natural mind for worship, and thus hinders it from seeking the worship of God in spirit and in truth--through Christ, the only appointed Mediator and Grand Master.
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A BROTHER, once very deep in Secretism, and who knows that the Editor has had no such experience, writes as follows:--
DEAR BROTHER RUSSELL:--Your remarks under caption of Secret and Beneficial Societies in TOWER, of June 15, '95, seem rather funny to me. You hit the nail very fairly considering that you were hammering so much in the dark. I am glad that you defend the principle of protection as afforded by legitimate or old line companies, life, fire and accident. With you, however, I think their days are numbered. No human business was ever organized with broader and more philanthropic intentions than Insurance, and no business has been so abused and diverted from its real purposes. When Insurance fails (as it has failed) from the effect of selfishness, we can not hope that any human work will succeed.
As to the secret societies, they use a ritual applicable to each different degree, which is fully as reasonable as that of many of the churches, and like those of the churches, it is usually of heathen origin. The worship of the Sun appears prominently in Masonry, and so it does in the service of the Catholic and Episcopal churches. The term "Worshipful," as used in masonry, is now practically obsolete, but was formerly and generally used as a term of respect. I occupied the station of "Worshipful Master" for three years, but I never received the adoration of my fellow mortals, and I certainly never gave it to others. Your suggestion, that it is done ignorantly, is a good suggestion, but it does not apply in that case. Perhaps no man in my state, during the twenty odd years I was a member of the fraternity, gave more careful study to the symbolism of Masonry, its moral teaching, and its jurisprudence.
While masonry does not inculcate the worship of its officers, it does what is worse; for in its essence the symbolism used in the ceremonies are derived from devil worship.
Although no longer unequally yoked with those unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14-17), I do want to say for those who are still in the bondage that they have much excuse. Masonry consists very largely in a series of moral instructions, taught agreeably to ancient usage, by types, symbols and allegorical figures. It is a system, and a very beautiful system--as is very much of Satan's work--when seen from the worldly standpoint.
Your fellow-worker in the best (not the worst) of bonds.
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Another Brother writes:--
"Masonry is not Christianity; and he who is so deluded as to think it is, is led thereby into a labyrinth of grievous errors. I think I know what I am talking about, for I was for seven years 'Master' of a 'Lodge,' and conferred hundreds of degrees. Masonry will not take away sins, or save a soul from death; and it is a grave question whether or not a child of God has any business spending time and money in any worldly institution. There is nothing pure that is earthly, but purity comes down from above."
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The glorious Messiah, whom the Jews identify with "Michael, the great Prince, which standeth for the children of thy people" (Dan. 12:1), the Mohammedans also expect and identify with Mahomet of the past. The Free Masons also expect the same glorious personage and, in their traditions, identify him with Hiram Abiff, the great Master-Mason. This same great Messiah, Michael, the archangel, the antitypical Melchisedec, Priest as well as King, we identify as "the Man Christ Jesus, who gave himself a Ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (I Tim. 2:5,6.)
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When I speak in this way, do not understand me as meaning to countenance a partiality amongst Christians. There is something very broadening in the Bible, and I believe the members of the INTERNATIONAL BIBLE STUDENTS ASSOCIATION are more and more attaining this love which the Lord Jesus wished us to attain. It is not whether, if they are Presbyterians, we should love them as Presbyterians, or if Methodists, we should love them as Methodists, or if Lutherans, we should love them as Lutherans. The Presbyterians love the Presbyterians; the Methodists love the Methodists; the Lutherans love the Lutherans; the Mormons love the Mormons; the Spiritualists love the Spiritualists; the Masons love the Masons; and the Odd Fellows love the Odd Fellows. But in the Church of Christ there are no such lines of distinction. It is not whether a man is a Mason or not a Mason, a Methodist or not a Methodist; it is whether he is the Lord's child. We are to love those who belong to God. If the Father loves him and the Savior loves him, then we too should love him. If I do not love him there is something wrong in my attitude. I am to love what the Father loves, to love what the Savior loves.
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BINDING THE BUNDLES TIGHTER.
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[A Brother who was at one time a prominent Mason, but who has since discontinued his relationship with the Order, believing that he can spend time and money to better advantage as a member of the "Royal Priesthood," sends us the following from the Chicago Inter Ocean of March 7, and adds:--"Every Mason is now in honor bound to remain by the 'Ancient and Honorable Order.' Thank God for his opening, permitting my escape before this. Every Mason who now escapes from this 'bundle' must, in addition to the loss of many agreeable associations, submit to a painful singeing of his honor, so-called, and which will be worse with every day's delay."]
The clipping reads as follows:--
"MASONS ARE DOOMED.
"MAYOR HOPKINS MAKES WAR ON SECRET SOCIETY MEN.--ALL
ARE TO QUIT.--LIST OF THOSE ALREADY DISCHARGED FOR
THIS CAUSE.--EMPLOYES WHO HAVE BEEN TWENTY YEARS IN
SERVICE REQUESTED TO LEAVE.
"In his zeal to fill all places in the City Hall with 'suitable Democratic substitutes' Mayor Hopkins has caused to be discharged a number of Masons of high degree.
"The well-known enmity of the papists toward this society gives color to the statement made yesterday by a prominent Mason, that all who belong to that or any other Protestant order are doomed.
[Then follows the first list of seven prominent Masons, with no doubt appropriate statements of their moral worth, and mental and physical qualifications fitting them for their respective offices.]
"Beyond doubt Mayor Hopkins intends to cut out every member of the society now in the city's employ. Nothing has been done openly, but the quiet tip has gone around that every Mason may expect his discharge.
"The mayor has no reason for discharging members of any secret society, except that they are of necessity Protestant."
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Есть одно интересное упоминание:
Soon we were at the Public Hall. About half an hour was spent as a testimony meeting; then we spoke for an hour or more on the freemasonry of the Bible, etc.
Похоже, они одобрительно относились к некому "библейскому масонству". Вот бы понять, что имелось в виду!?
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Hello. Is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me. Is there anyone home?
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