ROTARIANS, FREEMASONS AND CATHOLICS

Si,—I do enjoy reading the " Letters" page, mainly because it presents points of view 'entirely new to rue, which tend to modify my conceptions of Catholicism.
My mental reaction is often one of mild astonishment, and I find myself saying, " It is not quite so had as I thought it was," because the view expressed in your review of G. Garrett's book, " the real good old, 'No Popery Stuff,' that I thought had disappeared for good," has not disappeared at all; but is deep down in the sub-conscious mind of all Protestants, and we cannot escape from it.
On the other hand, Catholics suffer (that's the right word), from their unconscious prejudices, which are just as laughable to us Protestants, and the letter on " Rotary and Freemasonry," by " Catholicus," of Dublin, is a case in point.
He says, " Strenuous efforts are being made to increase 'the numbers of Freemasons, and to recruit members among Catholics." This is evidently intended to make the flesh of all good Catholics creep, but the real truth is that we Freemasons are often scared stiff, lest we unwittingly admit a Catholic into our Order, because we are afraid that your priests will absolve the Catholic Mason from his obligations, and then get possession of our secrets. What they will do with those secrets we do not trouble to consider, but we are convinced it would not be for any good purpose.
I can, however, assure " Catholicus " that there is no sinister connection between Masonry and Rotary, as in the first place, Rotary membership is confined to one member for each business or profession, in each circle, which rule is directly opposed to the principles of Freemasonry. This rule in practice results in a feeling of selfrighteousness and intense snobbery in the members of Rotary which is entirely against the ideas of its founder. This snobbery is shared in an increased measure by the wives of Rotarians, and if one lady can tell another lady that her husband is a Rotarian, she feels and is, " one up," on the other poor worm of a woman, whose husband is not a member. All this is very ridiculous of course, but also very human, and accounts for the great popularity of Rotary, which it seems is on the increase in Ireland, as well as in all other countries where humans value a thing according to its rarity, and not by its utility value. Take away the exclusiveness of Rotary and it would die out immediately.
The Rosecrucians, of San Jose, Calif., are a very different proposition, and in my opinion they sail very " close to the wind " in a legal sense. I have read their wonderful booklets and studied their pretentions, but can safely guarantee that they have not, and never have had, the remotest connection with " Freemasonry," not even in what Fr. Clune vaguely calls " atmosphere." Hoping that I have relieved "Catholicus'e fears somewhat.
" LOVERS, tvf URATORI." Isle of Man.
Catenians Present
SIR,—I am glad to see the subject a Rotary brought up in your correspondence, for the true Catholic attitude should be made definite. To me it had always seemed the " thin end of the wedge " of Freemasonry; but I was recently reassured by a Catholic friend, who attended a Rotarian social function and was surprised to feel quite " at home ", since a large number of members present were Catenians! This body, apparently, does not provide for its members instruction in matters of Christian doctrine; but the least spiritually educated among them could hardly believe in a morality divorced from religion. SUSPICIOUS. 'We have made enquiries from informed sources about the position of Rotarians from the Church's point of view. It appears that no kind of pronouncement or anything that could be interpreted as a pronouncemeit has bean ramie so far..--Raven..2