Moses Williamson and Caroline Munro were married by Nathaniel Kinsman on 16 December 1885 according to the rights of the Free Church of England in Moor Street, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia.[i]
Christian Israelite Church
Moseswas born on 17 September 1863, in St Kilda[ii]
and named(baptised) in October 1863 into the Christian Israelite Church,
Fitzroy[iii]
The Christian Israelite Church was established in England in the 19th century by John Wroe. It emerged as a millenarian sect within the
broader Christian tradition.
1.
Combination of Christian and Old Testament
Practices:
- The
church emphasizes the Old Testament laws, such as observing dietary
restrictions and celebrating certain feasts (similar to Jewish customs).
- At
the same time, it retains core Christian beliefs, including the
acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Messiah and a focus on New Testament
teachings.
2.
Focus on Prophecy: The church places
significant importance on apocalyptic and messianic prophecies, with Wroe
positioning himself as a prophet. This focus aligns with the Christian
expectation of the Second Coming and some elements of Jewish messianic hopes.
The Church blends aspects of Jewish tradition (e.g.,
observance of Mosaic laws) with Christian theology, forming a unique and
distinct religious framework. It is rooted in the belief that true Christians
must adhere to God's laws as given to the Israelites while also recognizing
Jesus as the fulfillment of those laws.
Melbourne Society of Spiritual Research
Caroline Munro was born on 09 December 1864 and baptised on 25 December 1864
in the Scotch Church, in Mhow, India.[iv]
After coming to Australia Caroline’s mother, Isabella Jennings, became “an
original member of the Melbourne Society of Spiritual Research.”[v]
Melbourne Society of Spiritual Research is centred on
spiritualism, which seeks to explore and understand the nature of the
spirit world. It is less about adhering to dogmatic religious structures and
more about metaphysical inquiry, communication with spirits, and investigating
paranormal phenomena. It aligns with 19th-century spiritualist movements that
valued mediumship, séances, and a belief in life after death. Practices involve
séances, spirit communication, and exploring paranormal phenomena. There is no
formal adherence to laws or sacraments; instead, the focus is on personal
spiritual growth and empirical exploration of the unseen world.
This indicates that Caroline was raised in an environment
where spiritualism—an exploration of the afterlife and metaphysical
phenomena—was prominent
Summary of Differences
|
Aspect |
Christian Israelite Church |
Melbourne Society of Spiritual Research |
|
Foundation |
Christianity with Old Testament emphasis |
Spiritualism and metaphysical inquiry |
|
View of Jesus |
Central as Messiah |
Not emphasized |
|
Scripture |
Bible as authoritative |
Open to diverse spiritual and metaphysical texts |
|
Afterlife |
Heaven and hell through salvation in Christ |
Ongoing spiritual communication after death |
|
Practices |
Biblical laws, sacraments, prophecy |
Séances, mediumship, spirit communication |
|
Mission |
Salvation and moral living |
Exploration of spiritual and paranormal realms |
While the Christian Israelite Church and the Melbourne
Society of Spiritual Research were fundamentally different in theology and
practice, they shared common ground in rejecting mainstream religious norms,
emphasizing personal spiritual experiences, engaging with the supernatural, and
fostering communities for seekers of alternative truths.
Free Church of England
Moses Williamson and Caroline Munro were married by Nathaniel
Kinsman according to the rights of the Free Church of England in Moor Street, Fitzroy,
Victoria, Australia.[vi]
The Rev Nathaniel Kinsman resided in Moore St, Fitzroy and
was registered to conduct marriages.[vii]
An interesting man, he originally a served in the St Mark’s Church, Church of
England in Fitzroy but did not complete his ordination, instead he left the established
church and “founded a church of his own and … carried on simultaneously the
businesses of parson and second hand salesman.”[viii]
Although not a minister in the normal sense he was the head of a Church known by its members as the
"Victorian Free Church" but which he insisted on calling it by its
more formal name "Victorian Free Church of England”.[ix]
“Rev. Mr Kinsman made no attempt to ape
ecclesiastical dignities. … Even when called upon to exercise the matrimonial
functions of his alternative profession, he did not trouble to make any
alteration in his clothing. But, in fact, it was hardly worthwhile for such a
mere matter of everyday business. The auctioneer walked out of his shop into
his private parlor, and by the simple act of crossing the mat was transformed
into the priest. The couples, … seated themselves on the well worn sofa,
sanctified by so many thousands of similar union, and the whole thing was over
in a very few minutes. The parson went back to his shop, and the happy couple
departed to realise the meaning of "Till death us do part."[x]
The choice to marry under Rev. Nathaniel Kinsman of the Free
Church of England, known for accommodating couples from diverse backgrounds
without unnecessary questions, may reflect their desire to avoid religious
conflict, given their markedly
different religious backgrounds.
Freemasonry
Moses became a Freemason in 1888 three years after getting
married.[xi]
Freemasonry's emphasis on tolerance, inclusivity, and respect for diverse
religious perspectives likely fostered an open-minded approach to spiritual and
cultural differences.[xii]
Freemasonry is not tied to a
specific religion[xiii]
and requires only a belief in a Supreme Being. This non-sectarian approach
encourages its members to respect and engage with individuals from varied
religious backgrounds. This would have made it easier for Moses to respect
Caroline’s family's spiritual heritage, even if it differed from his own
upbringing in the Christian Israelite Church.
WikiTree profile for Moses Williamson (1863 - 1933) & Caroline (Munro) Williamson (1864 - 1968)
Blogpost Meta Data
[i] Registry
of Birth, Death and Marriages, Victoria, Australia, Marriage Certificate Moses
Williamson & Caroline Munro 7312/1885
[ii] Birth
Certificate of Moses Williamson child of John Williamson(draper) &
Louisa WALKER, residing in St Kilda, Victoria, born 17 September 1863 in St
Kilda, Victoria, Australia. Victoria State Government, Registry of Births,
Deaths and Marriages Victoria, Australia, Registration number 23188 / 1863.
[iii]
Email correspondence, Lynne Gary (Member of Christian Israelite Church) to
Sandra Williamson, email, Subject line: “John Williamson family” 19 March 2022,
Original in author’s possession.
[iv] Baptism
of Caroline Munro born 09 Dec 1864
and baptised 25 Dec 1864, daughter of Andrew (Qr Master Serjeant 21st
Brigade R.A) & Isabella Munro, residing in Mhow, Parish register Mhow,
Scotch Church, last entry on page 443, for 1864; citing Findmypast, Parish
register from the Presidency of Bengal (database with images); British India
Office Births & Baptisms N-1-110 folio 443
[v] 1937
'Will Spend Christmas Looking Back Over Century', The Argus (Melbourne,
Vic. : 1848 - 1957), 24 December, p. 1. , viewed 23 Dec 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11135449
[vi] Registry
of Birth, Death and Marriages, Victoria, Australia, Marriage Certificate Moses
Williamson & Caroline Munro 7312/1885
[vii] 1908
'MARRIAGE ACTS AMENDMENT.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957),
29 July, p. 6. , viewed 29 Dec 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10176372
[viii]
1898 'OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954),
5 March, p. 13. , viewed 29 Dec 2024,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221138558
[ix] 1898
'OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954),
5 March, p. 13. , viewed 29 Dec 2024,
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221138558
[x] 1898
'OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.', Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954),
5 March, p. 13. , viewed 29 Dec 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221138558
[xi] Library
and Museum of Freemasonry; London, England; Membership entry of Moses
Williamson aged 25, tailor member of the Victoria Lodge, Hawthorn Victoria,
initiated 13 November 1888mFreemasonry Membership Registers; Description:
Membership Registers: Colonial and Foreign I 1788-1919 to Colonial and Foreign
J 1923-2037; Reel Number: 27, Lodge Number 2009, Folio Number 251
[xii] "Freemasonry: A Journey Through Ritual and
Symbol" by Walter L. Wilmshurst, publisher Thames and Hudson,
1991
[xiii]
Royal Craftsman, N.J. ‘Freemasonry and Ts Relation to Religion’. The
Freemason’s Chronicle XXVL, no. 654 (23 July 1887): page1