200 THE WATCHTOWER & THE MASONS whole soul, and strength toward loving God. Loving one's God and Father naturally implies obedience and personal knowledge of Him. "Do we devote more time and energy toward knowledge about God (theology) than we spend trying to figure out our girlfriend, or English literature, or an economic problem?" This is a question for all Christians. The Christian who loves his God with all his heart, with all his soul, with all his mind, and with all his strength will seek God to the point that he has some definite answers, convictions and an understanding of what is expected of him. Freemasonry, in contrast to this, has believed in a universal brotherhood of all religious thought The Masons have pointed to their rapport with Christianity as proof that Masonry has promoted and has not inhibited Christianity. One Masonic reference states, "It is no part of the functions or purpose of the Masonic organization to provide spiritual ministrations in the way of public worship, and thus usurp the place of the Christian church."1 Anyone attending a Masonic funeral has seen how a Mason who has never professed any Christian in his life can be said to be in glory. Robert A Kessinger, of the Boise, ld. Commandery No.2 writes his view in the Knights Templar. 1988,p.l0, "Masonry is omnipotent and omnipresent. A large membership cannot make her stronger, or a lack thereof make her weaker. She is what she is. And she patiently awaits all seekers of light-even though they are apparently few in number at the present time. When good men desire her, she will rejoicingly raise them up one by one, to the celestial heavens." Yet in spite of this and other disclaimers, many of the most respected Freemasons have declared it is a religion. Lynn Dumenil, describes Freemasonry in Freemasonry and American Culture 1880-1930. On p. 54 she reports, "Masonry's dedication to universality, toleration, and morality was in keeping with the tendencies of liberal Protestantism, which placed less emphasis on creed and NOTES ____________ 1
Trestleboard 10 (Jan. 1896): p. 39-40 reprinted from the
Repository.