THE BUILDER APRIL 1918
FREEMASONRY IN FRANCE
BY BRO. GEORGE W. BAIRD, P. G. M., DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

There are two "Obediences" in France, and three in Germany. They
are as separate and distinct as is the Grand Lodge of the '
District of Columbia and the Negro Grand Lodge of the District of
Columbia, but it is not easy to make all of our people understand
this.

The Grand Orient (1) is the older of the French bodies: The Grand
Lodge of France separated from the Scottish Rite in 1804 but its
Lodges still meet in the same building with the A.A.S.R. and the
personnel in the Rites is almost identical. We have always been on
terms of intimacy with the A.A.S.R. in France and in all South
American countries, and with them the Scottish Rite is often
mentioned as "Universal Masonry," though the writer knows of no
friction between the Scottish Rite and Symbolic Masonry in any part
of the world. Symbolic Lodges have separated from the A.A.S.R. in
order to conform to the English and American system for the purpose
of securing fraternal intercourse.

Formerly (and properly) a Mason who could prove himself, was a
welcome visitor in any Lodge in any part of the world, unless the
jurisdiction from whence he came had been interdicted and any
change from this plan is modern and is an innovation.

The writer was made a Mason in a Lodge in Portugal, in 1867, in the
French Rite, and in the French language. The obligation was taken
on a Holy Bible of the King James edition, the Bible which was
translated out of the original tongues. This Bible is used by
Protestants, Jews and Mohammedans, and being from the original
tongues it is reasonable to believe it has less errors and less
changes than the Douay edition which is translated out of the Latin
vulgate. The personnel of the Lodge that gave us light was made up
of nominal Roman Catholics, about 70 per cent; Jews about 20 per
cent and Protestants about 10 per cent. When asked what our
religion was, we replied "The Constitution of the United States and
the Ten Commandments" which seemed to satisfy the Lodge. They were
liberal, tolerant men.

The Lodge books recorded no living man's name, as in all other
priest-ridden countries each man was required to take a sobriquet,
or a nom-de-guerre as they said, for the reason that it was a penal
offense to be a member of the Masonic Fraternity in Portugal and
when the priests finally did discover the Lodge and caused its
destruction, there was not the name of a living man on any record.
The members went to and from that Lodge singly or in pairs, each
lighting himself up the long flights of stairs with his wax taper
(a rolino).

It is not generally known that the Mohammedans believe in and read
our Bible. Mohammed himself believed in Jesus Christ and all his
followers do. One of the most bigoted sects of Islam is the
"followers of Jesus," and its see is on the north coast of Africa.
The Musselman believes more in the Koran than in the Bible and it
has the advantage or recommendation of containing no words which
would shock the mind of a child. The Koran is in the Arabic, and
there has never been a translation except an English edition, but
neither Arabs, nor Turks nor Egyptians ever read that edition; if
they cannot read Arabic they are dependent on others to read for
them.

In English Lodges a Mohammedan is obligated on the Koran and a
Christian on the Holy Bible. The purpose of the obligation is to
bind the postulant and for this reason he is obligated on what he
believes to be most binding. This is recognized generally, but
where we know only one book of sacred literature we are too apt to
believe there should be no other. We are taught that the Holy Bible
is the divine revelation of the mind and will of God to man but
others differ with us in that, but if we can impose an obligation
that will bind any and all, our principal purpose will have been
accomplished.

Freemasonry has been defined as "a system of morals, veiled in
allegory and illustrated by symbols." It has never been claimed to
be a religion, though the priests call it a "sect." In the Entered
Apprentice degree we are taught that Masonry unites men of every
country, sect and opinion and conciliates true friendship among
those who might have remained at a perpetual distance. This, the
French believe, is the acme of tolerance and they take it
literally. We claim no "apostolic succession" nor do we essay to
administer extreme unction, give absolution nor offer any assurance
of admission to the Holy of Holies above, but we do strive to make
better men of our members.

We have no idea of the slings and arrows hurled constantly at
Masons, in priest-ridden countries until we have been there. The
long years of peace and harmony we have enjoyed have spoiled us and
unfitted us for sympathy with our stricken brethren abroad. Lodges
in Italy and France have been raided. The Lodge was interrupted by
police at Voltaire's funeral. The writer was once detained at
Mentone, on the border between Italy and Monaco, and witnessed the
seizure of a Bible which an English-speaking woman was carrying
into Italy. The guard acting under orders, would not permit it to
be carried into the country, but held the Bible for her until she
should pass out of Italy.

There have come to us from abroad many appeals for a more intimate
fraternalism. An invitation to an International Masonic Congress
was sent to more than two hundred "Masonic Powers" about 1901,
including the Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter, etc., of the District of
Columbia, and the writer moved in Grand Lodge that a delegate be
sent but there was not even a second to the motion, so lightly did
they regard it.

"Masonic Powers" with European Masons means all Masonic
organizations, as Grand Lodges, Grand Chapters, Grand Commanderies,
Consistories, etc., and these invitations went to all the addresses
the Swiss Masonic Bureau could obtain. It was stated it was a
congress, not a conclave; so that the doors were not tiled nor were
the esoteric sections to be discussed as the writer understood it
and as it turned out to be. The proceedings of that Congress were
printed, and to my surprise (and maybe amusement) I found the
following report of what took place at the banquet.

"Dr. Watts, (Washington)--W. President and Brethren: I have the
honor of presenting to this distinguished body of Freemasons in
Congress assembled, greeting from the Most Worshipful Grand Master
and Brethren of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, United
States of America.

"I have to say that the Grand Master is full of sympathy with the
object of the Congress as outlined in the several explanatory
circulars received from Monsieur Paul-Emile Bonjour, the Grand
Secretary.

"Permit me further to say that we are of the opinion that any
movement in keeping with the sublime principles of the Order and
that does not in the least degree conflict with the ancient
landmarks, has our approval and fraternal co-operation.

"Thanking the projectors for their kind invitation to participate
in the deliberations of this present Congress, I beg leave also
personally to express my appreciation for the courteous attention
I have received during the time I have been in the city.

"On behalf of my Grand Lodge we wish the Congress success and
desire that beneficial results may follow its labor-- which shall
prove a blessing to all -- especially the brethren."

Had I not written very soon after this an essay on Negro Masonry
for the International Bulletin (2) the delegates who heard that
very creditable address would have supposed that the Grand Lodge of
the District of Columbia had sent that negro delegate.

The speech of Dr. Watts was in English but the others were in
French. The writer made a full report on the above, which was
printed in the 1902 report of the Grand Lodge of the District of
Columbia and may be found on page 339 et seq.

And now we come to the Grand Lodge of France! Why should we not at
once accord it recognition? It may be asked what French Masons have
done to merit this. Their Masonry was received from England and the
writer believes the French are now working more in accord with the
first constitution of the Grand Lodge of England (Anderson's) than
are many American Lodges, which should be sufficient.

Owing to the espionage of the "Holy Fathers" the French history of
Masonry has been greatly abridged and often suppressed, so that we
have not the volumes to draw on that we would wish but there are
enough for this purpose.

During the War for American Independence, called "The Revolution,"
there existed in Paris a Lodge "Les Neuf Soeurs" of which the
American Commissioner, Benjamin Franklin, John Paul Jones, the
peerless Naval Captain, Houdon, the unmatched sculptor, Voltaire,
the fearless, the great Helvidius and many other eminent men were
members. At that time there were atrocious oppressions of the
people not only by the rich and influential, but by the priests.

In the Lodge Neuf Soeurs there was Elie Dumont, a young lawyer,
with a score of followers who took up the people's cause against
oppression. For a verification we beg leave to invite reference to
Les Memoires Secretes, Vol. XXI, and to Ed. Tachereau, Vol. XXI,
and Besuchet Precis Historique, Vol. II.

One example is that of Jean Calas, a Hugenot who had been sentenced
to punishment "on the wheel" by the tribunal of Toulouse, and he
was thus executed. His offense was that he had assaulted his son
who had been perverted to Romanism. His widow and his children were
despoiled of their property and belongings by confiscation and they
finally took refuge in Geneva and were sheltered by Voltaire. Their
cause was espoused by Voltaire who advocated it by printed
memorials, which he widely distributed. Elie Dumont defended the
Calas family in the French Courts without fee or reward and after
three years of labor, succeeded in having the judgment arrested and
the widow's property returned to her.

In the same tribunal in 1746, a man and his wife named Siren, were
condemned to death for an assault on their son who had been
perverted to Romanism and who had forbidden the son from continuing
his acquaintance with the men who had proselyted him. The rest of
the family took refuge in Geneva and their case was appealed by
Elie Dumont, who, after five years succeeded in having the judgment
reversed, so far as the confiscation went, and the family of Siren
was permitted to return to France and take possession of their
property. We could multiply these examples indefinitely if it were
needed, but it is not.

That Masonic Lodge became the target for Romish persecution and
accusation. It was charged with atheism. Masonry was branded as a
society of atheists in general but Voltaire was the central figure
of their atrocious attack. Dumont and his followers persisted in
the defense of the inherent rights of the people and lighted a fire
of indignation, which kindled in the people a consciousness of
their inherent rights and was closely interwoven in the French
Revolution which followed and which history has so vividly
recorded. Voltaire was obliged to leave Paris to escape
assassination. He took up his home in Ferney, near Geneva in
Switzerland, where he was held in high esteem. Napoleon I, who was
a Mason, had held the Pope of Rome a prisoner and this added to the
anger of the priests who believed and still believe that the Pope
is the "Father of Princes, the ruler of the Christian world and the
Vicar of Jesus Christ" and that there can be no proper government
without his sanction.

If a man goes on the street and cries "mad dog, mad dog," he will
jeopardize the life of every dog in sight, though there may be no
mad dog at all. And if a mob, believing a priest carries the keys
of Heaven and Hell in his girdle, hears his cries and accusations,
they will give respectful and obedient attention to his utterances
without further consideration. This is practically the condition
which existed in Paris when the priests began to denounce
Freemasonry in general, and Voltaire in particular. As they made
Voltaire the central figure of attack it may be proper to examine
his case. Take the twenty-four volumes of Voltaire which have been
printed in English and there cannot be found in them a word to
justify the accusation that he was atheistic. He was without doubt,
a Deist. In the little town of Ferney a chapel was built by
Voltaire for his neighbors to worship in. A marble tablet over the
door has engraved on it these words:

DEO EREXIT VOLTAIRE. MDCCLVIII

which is, "Erected to God, by Voltaire, 1758." When asked why he
dedicated his chapel to God he replied: "In London they erected
their Temple to Saint Paul, in Paris to Saint Genevieve, but I
erect mine to God."

When dying he said "I die worshipping God, loving my friends, not
hating my enemies, but despising superstition." (Vide Appleton's
New American Cyclopedia.) His accusers were the priests and the
same frocked fraternity is still accusing Masonry.

The Anti-Masonic Congress which was convened at Trent in 1896, was
attended by more than 200 Bishops of the Romish Church and many
times that number of priests and zealous laymen. That Congress was

"Called together with the concurrence and favor of Pope Leo XIII
who in a special brief, bestowed his benediction and approval on
its aims and purposes. Twenty-two influential Cardinals, over two
hundred Bishops, the most important clerical associations, the
whole of the clerical press, sent their adhesions to this
Tridentine Council. Over five hundred ecclesiastics from the
highest to the lowest were present and all European States,
England, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal,
Italy, the United States of America, the South American Republics
were more or less numerously and influentially represented."

"General and particular aim: To wage war on Masonry as an
institution; on Masons as individuals; in all countries and places
where the order exists; to wage war on Masonry as a body by
collecting supposed documents and facts; assertions of perjured
Masons as evidence and thus bring to light, or rather coin, by
means of the press or special publications all the misdeeds of the
fatal institution; all the demoralizing influences it exercises;
through obscene or sacrilegious rites, corruption and occult
conspiracies on man and civilization; to wage war on individual
Masons by opposing them in every phase of their existence, in their
individual homes, in their industries, in their commerce, in their
professional avocations, in all their endeavors to participate in
public life, local or general, etc."

A French reporter, Mr. Leo Taxil, had been employed to ferret out
and report on the vagaries of Masonry, and in his report he gave
them an account of a smithery in a cave under the Rock of Gibraltar
where iron tools were fashioned for use in devil worship.

The speeches of the "Holy Fathers" on that occasion were drastic,
atrocious and anything but Christian-like. This Congress was as
late as 1896, and must still be fresh in the memories of Masonic
students. And from it, we draw the lesson that the purpose of those
people has not changed with time. So it is but fair to ask shall we
accept the testimony of these prejudiced, fanatical sorcerers
against the French Freemasons ?

The Grand Orient of France by giving countenance to a spurious body
of Scottish Rite Masons in Louisiana, in 1858, caused
English-speaking Masons, generally to suspend relations with that
Orient, one after another until such time as the Orient should
revoke its sanction of that spurious body. (Vide Report of Grand
Lodge of D. C. for 1870, pages 6 and 7.) It was not an
interdiction, but a tentative suspension of relations which the
Orient was at liberty to automatically heal by the revocation of
its sanction of that spurious A.A.S.R. body of New Orleans.

That spurious body has long since gone out of existence but the
Grand Orient has never made any overtures to the Grand Lodge of
District of Columbia nor any other American Grand Lodge so far as
the writer has been able to discover.

But in 1878, the Report of the Grand Lodge of District of Columbia
(p. 20) says:

"The action of the Grand Orient of France in expunging from its
constitution the necessity for a firm belief in Deity and the
immortality of the soul was called up as unfinished business and on
motion, it was ordered that the resolutions accompanying the report
be considered separately.

"Resolved, That the action of the Grand Orient of France in
ignoring the foundation principles of Masonry--that of a firm
belief in God and in the immortality of the soul--meets with
unqualified disapproval of this Grand Lodge."

This is the last entry we can find in our reports of the Grand
Orient.

Now (as the priests say) "let us consider this beautiful mystery."
It is certainly not an interdiction. There is no intimation of
clandestinism, nor of irregularity nor threat of permanent breaking
off of relations.

We Protestants disapprove of their failure to exact a firm belief
in the existence of God and of the immortality of the soul, more I
think because we are Christians than for any other reason. We
believe even more we teach the "resurrection of the body through
faith in the merits of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah," though the
Jews among us cannot agree with that, but it is there, and it
cannot be found in the Anderson Constitutions, under which the
Grand Lodge of France is working today. We are perhaps
unconsciously, gradually blending our Christian faith with
Freemasonry, while we believe or teach that the latter unites men
of every Nation, sect and opinion and concilates friendship among
those who might otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance.

The writer happens to know that there is a Lodge in Swansea, Wales,
under the obedience of the Grand Orient of France which has the
Bible on its altar on which it obligates. The Deputy Grand Master
of the Grand Orient assured us that they dedicate their Lodges to
the Great Architect of the Universe, and that they permit the
sacred writings to be kept on the altar of any and every Lodge that
wants it. And this they regard as becoming tolerance.

The Grand Lodge of France, however, has never offended us in any
way. It has not been even charged of having committed the
infractions which have strained our relations with the Grand
Orient.

The Grand Lodge of France is a separate, distinct and sovereign
body recognized as such by the Supreme Grand Council from which it
was separated. It is in fraternal amity with many sovereign Grand
Lodges and has never, until now, asked formal recognition of any
American Grand Lodge. At the beginning of this European war the
Grand Lodge of France started a line of auto-ambulances, opened
soup-houses and lunch rooms, and equipped a hospital for the use of
wounded soldiers and for the aid of the indigent and needy of all
nations without regard to "race, creed, or previous condition of
servitude."

We are now sending about 30,000 soldiers a month to Europe, most of
whom go to France; among these are many Masons. They naturally want
to visit and as our relations are strained with the Orient we
should make it possible for them to visit the Lodges of the Grand
Lodge of France.

Personally we have advised our soldier-Masons of the District of
Columbia that they are at liberty to visit the Lodges of the Grand
Lodge of France, but as relations are strained with the Grand
Orient we have advised that its Lodges be not, at present, visited.

(1) Orient means East.
(2) Printed in three languages.

