French republican Simon Barnard introduced Charles Bradlaugh to continental Freemasonry and was admitted to the Loge des Philadelpes, founded in London in 1850 by émigrés. Founded as an institution essentially philanthropical, philosophical, and progressive. It’s objective was the amelioration of mankind without distinction of class, colour, or opinion. It’s motto being Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.
The Grand Lodge of England opposed the Philadelphes, as it counted a number of atheists such as Charles Bradlaugh and Austin Holyoake among its members and did not mandate religious observance.
Simon Bernard is best known for his involvement in the 1858 plot of Felice Orsini to assassinate Napoleon III. Following Felice Orsini’s attempt on Napoleon III’s life, the British government tried to put Simon Bernard on trial. The Philadelphians defended both Bernard’s actions and the assassination of tyrants. Simon Bernard was acquitted as he opted for a completely English jury, and his defence council’s rhetoric outweighed the summing-up of the judge, which tended towards a conviction.
Charles Bradlaugh wrote a pamphlet entitled ‘What Freemasonry Is, What Is Has Been and What It Ought To Be.’
The Prince of Wales made a speech n November 1883 as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England declaring that Freemasonry must be religious. This view not shared by Charles Bradlaugh and being a Republican led him to join the Grand Orient of France which had six years earlier removed from its procedures all references to the Grand Architect of the Universe stating:
“Freemasonry has for principles absolute liberty of conscience and human solidarity. It excludes no man for his beliefs.”
The Grand Lodge of England practically excommunicated the Grand Orient of France as a consequence. In the pamphlet he ponders the question which is the truer version of Freemasonry, the British or the Continental? Portaying the British as decadent for its Lodge dinners and social gatherings and obsession with high aristocracy and the Continental as advocates of equality, education and enfranchisement.
The Royalist support was so widely accepted in British masonic circles that they largely escaped the harsh and oppressive acts introduced in 1819.
“In England an advertisement card or signboard showed that the brethren expected commercial preferences. On the Continent the help given was to the fraternal worker for human freedom”
Secret Societies have existed for millenia, in London and elsewhere all competing to best position themselves. Laws are introduced by those in power to prevent losing any but their efforts are often sidestepped and ineffective. The stated aims of the Grand Orient of France chimed with Charles Bradlaugh’s and membership would have certainly eased his journies to the Continent and America.
For those unfamiliar with Freemasonry this Youtube video may be helpful in understanding its development.
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