American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-10-25

away, How happens II tnen that CUT iueuuuon
has created SO much opposition, excited 80 much
jealousy, encountered so much prescription, expe
rienced SO much persecution!
The mysteries which pertain TO this fraternity
have been the source OF much obloquy, and its
entire exclusion of the female sex from its commu
MON, has been considered an unjust and rigorous
rule. In former times tho arts and sciences had
their my s,cries. The intentions OF the former. and
the discoveries Of the latter we're either applied by
individuals TO their own benefit, or thrown into a
common stock for the emolumcnt of select associ,
ATOMS In the early stages Of free masonry, It's 70,
taries applied themselves with great ardor to archi
lecture and geometry This will account Tor the
exclusion of women. Such laborous pursuits were
not adapted TO thier destination in lie and their sta
tion 10 civilized society. A measure then that has
been deemed censure, was the highest euogium
that would be passed the and IN cvnoing tins
distinguished respect, ancient brethren exhibit.
cd that refinement and courtesy which are always
accompanied with just appreciation OF female
excellence and dclicacy. The secrets OF the arts
and sciences which were elected by the researches
and employments Of the fraternity were cherished
for their common benefit but the art OF printing
having thrown open the gates OF knowledge TO all
mankind, and the rights of invention having been
protected by government the utility Of secrecy, SO
far il related TO intellectual improve and the
enjoyment OF its fruits in great degree su.
perseded. The,e arc. however secrets Of impor-
lance to the brotherhood, Hhich are entirely inno-
cent, neither touching the concerns nor affecting
the interests Of the unintiated, nor impugninE the
doctrines Of pure morality nor The precepts Of our
holy religion.
Secret institutions common among the
ancients The Eeusnian, Dionyslan and Pana
thenaan mysteries associations Of the Pythagore.
the Essences and of architects Of ionia
concealed from the uniniliated; and even the wo-
men Of Rome, celebrated the mysteries OF the Bona
Dea IN state OF entire secluslon. The Drulds
lad also their mysteries and our Indians have
Crst Institutions. As secresy may be enjoned with
pure views and for good objects, il also may be
observed, with perncious in,entons and Tor bad
purposes. The doctrines and observances Of chris
taniiy were in the last century redculed and carl
catured BY secret socisty III the vicinity Of Lon
don, composed Of choice spirits Of wickedness: and
under the cloak at mysterious associations, consp
racies have been FORMED against freedom and social
order As nothing OF this kind can be imputed to
free masonry, il ought 10 have been paron2ed in
stead OF being prosecuted; but the suspicious eye
oil tyranny. always on the watch tor victims affect
ed 10 see combinations against legitimate govern
ment. ard The sangalnary hand OF vengeance
soon upiiited asans, In every nation 10 Europe
masonry has passed the ordeal OF persecution. The
lnqusition has stained il with blood. HiGtraohes
have prescribed and interliced i. Despo,sm has
pursued It to distraction ard every where exec pt
IN tins land Of hetts, it has felt the arm Of unjust
and tyrannica power and even here, and ~ this
enlightened age. lana;cism has dared 10 tunlinste
its analhemas
TIE preeerts CT free masonry inculea,e abstrac
ton from religious ana political controversies, and
obedience 10 the sSsioE authorities; and there can
BE- doubt al the good faith and sincerity Of this
Injunction And accordingly the most enlightened
Princes Of Europe. and among others, frederick
the Great Of PRUSSIA. have bsen members Of our
fraternity ami have NOT considered derogatory from
their dignity or dangerous their ascendancr, TO
afford II official protection and personal encourage
mrnt Blu, the ruth Is, that the principles OF free
masonry hostile 10 arbitrary power, All breth
rer a level and OF course are on an equality
with respect 10 natural tights. The natural equai
y oil mankind and the rights Of man, not only
Implied in doctrine, but the form OF our govern
ment Is strictly republican, and like tia, Of the
United States representative and federal. The Off
Gers Ct The private lodges are annually chosen By
The members, and all the hodges are represented in
ihe grand lodge, BY their presiding officers and
past mastets. who elect annually the grand officers
and who, together with the existing and past grand
oHeers constitute the grand lodge. The lodges
sre thus The members, and the grand lodge the head
o. socis,y Which by continuation OF the repre-
sentative aad tsaeia principles constitutes federal
'epuo!ic IS e the government Of free masons.
Il must be obvious then that an institution SO re
Publican in lis elements, liberal in lis principles
50 free in rs partial ana concentrated combinations.
must hsse excus6 The approximations Of arbitrary
power which has eons'aniiv soush, 10 propiua;e il
~ Kindness and condecensan. or L, annihi!ae ii by
ire and saotd-bv Punishment and extinction
The celebrated Phosophsr John Locke was
much struck with manuserptot Henry OH, King
OF England, deposited in he Bodlrian library Il Is
in lbs form OF questions and answers. and 10 the in
srrosa.ory. whether masons are better than Others:
i is answered " some masons are not 50 yr.uous a:
some other men: but in general. they are heue,
th-a they would have been if they had no. beer
masous' This is unques,ionasy correct. Ma
sonty superadls our other obligations, The strong