The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1826-09-14
TO THE MASONIC FRATERNITY,

BRETHREN-Every lodge ought to take
good heed TO the character of those whom
/! they admit into the Society: because, an
accepted Mason is held by all other coun-
tries, as pcH as by ,ts, 10 be a term ,Ohich
implies man Of honor and virtue; one who
has a right TO be adniHed into the company
@gentemen 9ferery description, ond The
highest rank. BY granting man the pri-
yilege of being an accepted Mason, we do
virtually give him letter of recommenda-
ton TO the acquaintance, friendship and
confidence of certain number Of the most
respectable characters tha: are to be found
in every part Of the world. Would IT.
! th~-~r---, ~ s.Sauug uiem wei, 10 abuse
that confidence which they are naturally
led to rcposc in You, by introducing unde-
serving men into their acquaintance and
friendship? | submit to you, whether such
an ample and valuable certificate ought 10
be granted to any, except those alone who,
upon enquiry are found to be men worth
and virtue. Unless great attention be
given TO this particular, not only the Lodge
of admission may itself come to suffer in
point of character, but injustice may be
done to the honor of the craft in general,
and a deceit imposed upon all the brethren,
both here and elsewhere who, trusting to
your attention, give their hand Of fellow
ship to persons who may be unworthy Of
their confidence and friendship, and egen
Of being admitted into their company, and
more particularly into the boSoms Of their
families. This is one Of the possible abu.
ses Of MASONRY, which you ought careful
ly to guard against.
My brethren will, I hope, forgive me,
while, i'll the spirit of sincere friendship,
wish TO remind them, that they ought net
TO consider their admission into MAsoNIc
LoDGE as being destined 20 enlarge the
circle of mere froic and dissipation. Let
them, on tho contrary, view It as laying
them under additional obligations to sub
init to the rules of decency and propriety
and as happy means of forming in them
taste for the delicate and refined moral
pleasures Of the heart.
Above all, let men begin early to rever-
ence TRUTB, which is qualification In
diSpcnsibly necessary TO the existence Of
friendship among brethren Fslsehood is
lnimical to good brotherhood, and every
thing joyous and beneficial to society. 4
deceiLd man is incapable Of being a true
friend or good citizen.
FALsEnoop implies double mindedness.
hypocrisy, trcachery, and all those vices
of the heart whose direct tendency is to
miSiead and deccire the sincere and the I'd.
right, and to SOW strife and discord among
FRIENDs and BRETHREN. AS CANDouR
is essential 70 true Friendship, so The tSdnt Of
Il implies erery hing that rs beautiful TO hs
pleasures aud Interests Of social ilte.
So long as TRurH guards the heart, it
will be the seat Of VIRTUE and steady
Friendship; but if that guard be once dis
missed, the heart is at once laid open to
every species Of dcpravi,y. accordingly,
the first early symptoms ia mean aad Iro,ih.
Tess character, in ,ehieh you can place no
confidence, IS dl,cdys that cfa ,ranf cl regard
10 the sacred iatr Of TRuru.
Let all men, therefore, as they regard
their honor and happiness, in this life. be.
ware of FALsrHoop, and be always sin.
cere in every thing that they bo,h say anl