The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-12-21
From The Providence papers.
LEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATION.

now give synopsis of the testimony already
received
The second witness examined against
was the Rev. Levi Chase of Troy,
Mass.l Mr.. Chase when asked what bust
ness he followed, replied he was mechan-
ic, that now he was the operator of a mill
he had several professions, and had been
ordained a minister of the gospel. He
had been, but did not now consider himself
n mason. He had taken six degrees. the
first at Manchester Lodge, in Coventry, in
the winter of 1876; and the three last
in the Royal Arch Chapter in Warren, in
The year 1922: an oath was administered to
to him in each degree.
He could not repeat the obligation in the
first degree, literally but could The penalty.
The onths re considered correctly given in
Bernard's Light on Masonry, or substantial
ly so. When prepared to receive the oath,
there he described the manner in which he
was prepared to receive the oath. the mas
ter of the lodge informed him, he WIS plac-
ed in proper situation to receive the oath
or obligation, which was not to infringe on
his religions or political sentiments, and
asked him if he was willing to receive it en-
that condition. He answered he was. A
similar assurance was given him on receiv-
ing the two next degrees. He described
tna sdieare between the oaths he had
taken, and those laid down in Bernard A
charge was read to hun after receiving each
OF the three first degrees Of masonry, SINH
lar he thinks to those in Webb's Monitor.
He did not consider the charge binding on
him in every particular. On being asked
which part he did not consider binding, he
replied that "nO institution was ever built
on better principle" That was the only
part he did not consider binding but he
did not protest against it to the lodge, be-
cause he then stood in the situation of a
slave ulluding to the manner in which he
had been prepared He had embraced
christianity and considered that superior to
masonry. When placed atthe altar he was
asked in whom he believed? He answered
in Jesus Christ the son Of God hut he was
checked and ordered to say in God This
impressed his mind that the Lodge wished
TO exclude the religion of the son of God.
He now thinks that Masonry is intended to
exclude the christian religion, because he
does not find the name of Jesus Christ used
in masonic writings. Before taking the
first degree he did not know that any oath
was to he administered to him, had he known
ii he would not have taken the degrees. At
ter taking the three first degrees he did not
expect oaths would he administered in the
higher degrees. When taking the oaths he
had no chances to attend to their meaning al
though he endeavorcd to understand them.
He was not satisfied with the oath in the
first degree, notwithstanding he voluntarily
took the oaths in the other two degrees.
He never complained in or out of the Lodge
while he remained Mason, because he
81. g Lii 4
be inflicted on him, but he never attended
the Lodge after receiving the three first
degrees. In answer to interrogatories he
said he considered his masonic obligations
made it dangerous for him to quit the Lodge
by dissolving his connection with it, for by
complaining, be would have to speak against
the institution and that would he speaking
against its members contrary to his oath,
which bound him not to speak evil Of
brother Mason in or out of Lodge. He
admitted there was nothing in his masonic
obligations that compelled him TO take other
degrees He now considers the declaration
that the oaths would not interfere with his
politics or religion, the oaths themselves,
and the charges equally binding. In con
nection, he considers them explaining
each other. He said that after deliberating,
he considered that his masonic oaths gave
the Lodge right to take his life for re-
vealing the secrets, and that he was hound
by those oaths TO take the life of any Mason
who did reveal the secrets. He seeded
from masonry in 1928, in the fall of the
year. In September, 1897, he went to
Pawtucket and while there saw Elder Dan
iel Greene. He asked the elder, if, in his
opinion, Morgan had been murdered. Mr..
Greene replied, "no doubt he has suffered
his just deserts according to his obligations,
and taking him by both arms, said, sup
pose that he had his Choices That was
what first induced him seriously TO think of
seeding.
During the twelve years he remained
mason, he considered himself masonically
hound TO execute all The oaths, but not NOR
ally or virtually bound to execute such pen
alties. He never knew lodge to COM
bine to support mason for political office.
Masonically his oath would oblige him to
AID mason, or to vote for mason if he
gave the grand hailing sign; but as a free
citizen, he did not consider himself SO
bound. He has never known masons TO
practice to the injury of others on the literal
construction of their oaths.
This is the substanceof Mr.. Chase's depo-
sition. 1t involves mass of absurdty and
contradiction, which in our opinion is total
ly irreconcilable. One thing is certain, the
Reverend gentleman never considered him
self bound by the letter of his masonic OBJ
| legation although he occasionally in his
deposition has made a contrary assertion.
No witness yet examined has considered
himself hound, nor do we believe there is a
mason in the world who considers himssIf
so bound, or a seeding mason, who WILL if
he tells the truth, declare that he ever con-
sidered himself so bound.
FOURTH DAY.
DR.. Benjamin W. Case of Newport who
has gone as high as Secret Master, was
sworn and examined short time, when he
was requested to suspend his statement, TO
accommodate Rev. Daniel Greene of Paw
tucket, an adhering Knight TemplaF, who
wished to be heard IN reference to the
statement made by Rev. Mr.. Chase, Of IL
conversation had with said Greene relative
to the killing of William Morgan. He was
accordingly sworn, and concurred in all the
particulars Of the conversation on his part,
as related by Mr.. Chase, except that por
ton in which he was stated to hive said
that Morgan had suffered his Just deserts
for revealing masonry. This he denied.
Several questions were proposed for the
witness, touching the higher degrees, the
oaths and ceremonies of which he stated he
could not remember.
Nathan Whiting, Esq, counsellor at law,