The Finest Grave in the Graveyard

I recently called at Littleborough, near Rochdale, and inspected the imposing parish church. Most of the gravestones in its yard were laid flat, giving the area a paved feel, though they were slippery in the wet conditions and ill-suited to bear feet. One of the most imposing monuments to still stand freely was one covered with numerous Masonic symbols. The occupant had been a local Lodge Master and his fine tombstone was testimony to his long and respected service to that organisation. He certainly has the grandest tomb in Littleborough- but where is he now? Some might assume he is in heaven, on account of the affection from his fellows when he was buried. Others might list the good works, charitable activities and public esteem his distinguished life afforded. Others might point out his very sincere piety, his regular church attendance, the standard of his personal devotions.

Whatever his church connections, the Lodge he headed never honoured Christ and the true gospel. Wrote Albert Mackey in his Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, about the Masons’ god, who is

"…equally present with the pious Hindu in the temple, the Jew in the synagogue, the Mohammedan in the mosque, and the Christian in the church."

The deity the Masons honour is a universal deity, one to which all religions lead. The God of the Bible, in contrast, can only be approached through Jesus Christ, who alone is the way, the truth and the life. This excludes all from God’s presence who deny Christ, even though they talk of him in gushing and reverent tones. Here is a man with the finest tomb in the churchyard, and as fine a place in hell to match.