Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1820-02-15


circumstance which relieves me from
infinite anxiety and embarrassment, as,
were l to make the attempt, | should
fall far below the many worthless who
have occupied the field before me.
Before / touch on other topics, let me
show the unreasonableness of a prejudice
which has always existed, in the minds
OF the world, against the institution. 1t
is no just objection to whole society,
that aaagoorthy Individuals are members
Of ii. Lock into any and every society
of human beings, zUhether religious or
social, and you will find some bad men
there. This grows out of the weakness
and depravity of our nature. One of the
swelve, CHOSEN BY THE SON OF
GOD, was base enough to sell his heav-
enly master. Had these twelve been
selected by men, fear there would have
been more than one Judas.
1t has been often said that the institu-
ton is immoral and wicked. Let me
appeal to your good sense, and to your
Justice. Call to your remembrance the
many individuals whom you have known
or understood to be masons. Have you
found a greater proportion OF virtuous
and honorable men in any other society
Examine their public and private trans
actions; weigh their inflexible integrity,
punctilious honor, magnanimity, human
ity, and your candor will compel you to
answer in the negative. If respectable
number stand SO deservedly high for the
practice of every known virtue, is it not
improbable that such men would stain
their fair names by leaguing with the
wicked Again, you will find many en-
1ightened nasons among the first Of he
roes, sagcs, and patriots. / will give
you instances and as l design using
names as authority, Twill only mention a
few whose claims to superexcellence are
indisputable. OF the modcrns, the
man whose memory will ever live in the
breasts of his countrymen, was jealous
and distinguished patron of the institu-
ton. | mean the INDUSTRIOUS
WASHINGTON. A name engraven
on every heart; known, loved, and re-
vered by every nation. OF the ancients,
the two saints, John the Baptist, and John
the Evangelist, devoted their lives to
free-masonry and religion. Who is
there bold and impious enough to brand
these hallowed names with impurity OF
motive or design? Their memorable
actions repel the imputation. All &C
knowledge them as the worlds best
benefactors, the Son Of Hin, 70ho rules
on high only excepted. AS we'll might
you deny the existence of yonder sun,
as the sanctity of their lives. They have
left behind them character too firm to
be shaken by envy or malevolence; a
character based on the rock of eternal
ages, whence ascends blaze of never
fading glory.
These testimonies will warrant US in |
concluding that free-masonry is not ire
igious or immoral. But it is frequently
demanded of us, if it is uirtuous in
stitution, avhy lock it in secreey from the
suorld !? Why not let all participate p
answer, we do not conceal it from
worthy men who seek it. We only
shield it from the communicating touch
Of the vile. 1t is too pure to mingle
with base materials. Like the finest
metals, you would, by the Infusion of
mean alloy, so corrupt it, that it would
possess but little intrinsic value.
But the ladies fear we do not mean
them we'll, or they would not be exclu-
ded. Our love and regard for the sex,
renders their exclusion necessary. We
are sensible of their worth and our own
weakness. We fear that their beauty
and virtue, would be bone of conten-
ton, and destroy the harmony of our
meetings. Although they are not adj
mitted at our assemblies, they are not
interdicted the masonic benefits. Un-
seen and unknown, we contribute largely
to their peace and happiness. Take
mason's word for it, my fair hearers, we
are not your enemies.
AS none are admitted in we'll gov
crned Lodge, but those whom every
member believes to be worthy, true, and
trusty so none are solicited to join
We are always at liberty to reject; they
never compelled to apply. They must
voluntarily seek us-and if, upon strict
inquiry, they are found worthy of the no.
nor and the trust, we admit them. When
the applicant is presented for our consi-
Iteration, we have but few simple facts
to ascertain to qualify US to decide on his
pretensions. AS our institution has pub
ic veal for its object, and as man can
not be a useful benefactor who wants
one, we require that every candidate be