Mystic masonry, or, The symbols of freemasonry and the greater ...

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Introduction.
while using the same glyphs and symboHsm; but
no direct connection has been clearly shown to
exist between these organizations and those of the
present time. But as our pursuit is philosophical
rather than historical, and our appeal rather to
reason than to authority, we need not go into these
matters further than may be necessary as landmarks
in following our philosophical thread.
A distinctively Christian character is now given
to some of the Masonic degrees in Europe and
America. Without the slightest opposition to the
Christian religion, as such, it can readily be shown
that a sectarian bias of any kind is an innovation,
wholly unwarranted, and entirely contrary to the
genius of Masonry. Masonry, on the broad principle
of toleration and brotherhood, can exclude
neither Jew nor Gentile,
Parsee nor Buddhist from
its ample fold. Masonry is chiefly indebted to the
French Jesuits for the distinctively Christian character
of some of its degrees. The templar degrees
are purely sectarian, and can in no sense claim that
universal character which recognizes the fraternity
of all religions, and finds fellowship with all men, as
brothers of one common humanity. No genuine
Mason, imbued with the spirit of liberality, will
treat any religion with derision or contempt, or ex-