The Difference.

Cardinal Gibbons says: "We hold that if a man joins a society swearing never in reveal any of its workings no matter how criminal, and to obey the dictates of its officers blindly, he surrenders his personal liberty, becomes a slave to his fellow-man, and cannot partake of the sacraments of the church. On the other hand, if a man joins an organization swearing to keep its working, with the proviso that nothing therein shall be contrary to the laws of the land, his conscience and religious tenets, we hold that his action is perfectly justified."

Now, as any Masonic obligation comes under the latter conditions, as a Mason is taught that nothing is to interfere with his duty to God, his country, his neighbour, or himself, the Cardinal must approve our order as "perfectly justified" to be consistent and true to his own utterances.