The Arcana of Freemasonry (1915) - The Masonic Trowel

322 THE ARCANA OF FREEMASONRY
people to an understanding of, and respect
for, the peculiarities of other peoples, and to
prepare a pacific solution of unavoidable
conflicts.
But the activities of Masonic organizations
must be limited in these matters to an educa-
tion of their members in the spirit of Free-
masonry, so that they may spread the idea
of peace as widely as possible. Any other
mode of activity would result in political
tendencies, to which Masonry, by the terms
of its fundamental principles, must remain
foreign. It does not, therefore, belong to
the domain of Masonry to support directly
the modern pacific movement {called
Pacificism). Therefore, this Diet of Grand
Lodges invites the German Grand Lodges,
Lodges, and Masonic Associations,
to abstain
from expressing any opinion in favour of
Pacificism.
The Brethren will
bidden to adhere to
not be individually
"
Pacificism," on
forcon-
dition that they are not, on such occasions,
to be publicly known as Freemasons.
This proposition was opposed by the five non-
Prussian German Grand Lodges. The Prussian
Grand Masters then thought fit to forbid the
Lodges under their several jurisdictions any further