The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1831-12-14
MASONRY INVESTIGATED.

that purpose on Tuesday week Messrs.
HAZARD, Simmons, Sprague, and Halle were
present, who received the names OF witness
es, and other suggestions from both oppo-
nents and advocates of Masonry. A num-
her of witnesses were in attendance by
whom the oaths of Masonry might be estab-
lishet!, and measures having been taken TO
have the witnesses appear, tue Committee
Adjourned to "Wednesday morning.
The Journal states that the same mem
! hers met on that day, and the investigation
| commenced with the examination ofthe Rev.
Moses Thacher of Wrentham, Mass. which
occupied the whole day. The examination
/ was carefully reduced TO writing and the
| Chairman of the Committee informed the
! witness that the object in reducing the tes-
timony to writing was that it should he
signed by the Deponent. His answer to
every question was read to Mr.. II. as re-
duced to writing by one of the Committee
and received his assent and sanction.
He swore that he had taken seven de-
grees of Masonry, three of them in ST. Johns
lodge in Providence, and four in the Prov
idence Royal Arch Chapter. The three
first in the winter of 1896, and the four last
in the summer of 1927. Before he took the
degrees an oath was administered to him.
in each degree, which was in Substance the
same as those in Allyns ritual. As he re-
i memhered the oa,hs, they varied in some
/ particulars from Alyn's, which variations
| The stnted. He was informed, before taking
| the ouths, that they would not interfere with
| his politics or his religion, and after receiv-
| ang the degrees, he thinks, there were
charges read to him similar to those in
| Webb's Monitor. He was certain that the
charge after the first degree, was read to
little attention to the charge, knowing he
could peruse it at his pleasure. After re-
fleeing on the subject, he considered the
charge binding on him in connection with
his Masonic obligations. He understood
that Webb's Monte. was n standard work
among Masons. He considered that all the
secrets of Masonry were contained in AL
lyn's ritual. On account of his being ciet-
gyman, the degrees were conferred on him
gratutously. He declared that he never
considered himself bound by his Masonic
oaths to favor Mason to the personal or
T pecuniary injury of a fellow citizen who was
| not Mason. While u member Of a Lodge,
he never heard the subject Of higher pun
ishi nent than expulsion discussed, for the vi
olaf ion of Masonic secrets. In st. Adams
Los lge, in Wrentham, the subject of punish
me mt was once discussed by the younger
me MIXERS, the older members said nothing
on the subject No motion was made or
QUO sstion taken.
He never voted for or supported Mason
iol political offence on account of his be-
in a Mason, nor did he ever consider him
sc If so bound TO vote by his masonic ohliga-
Il ems. He has no recollection of ever hear
II e political question discussed in Lodge
o rof a political nomination being there made.
i lie never knew public officer to discharge
person accused Of a crime ON his making
: himself known as q Mason. After deliber-
alton he came to the conclusion that the let
ter of his masonic obligations would inter-
fere with his religion and his politics, and
he considered them so far unlawful, and he
thought he had no moral right to bind him
self under barbarous penalty to keep Sc
crets such as those OF Masonry.
He considered the oaths, If taken literal
ly, would bind judge or juror, who were
| masons, to favor mason accused ofa crime.
He would not allow himself so to be bound
| by any masonic obligation. He had no per-
sonal knowledge of any mason having prac-
tised on the literal construction of his oaths.
| Before taking the oaths, he made no in
| quiry into their import because he had been
informed they would not interfere with his
| politics or his religion.
| We could not but consider, the Rev. Mr.
| Thatcher, as prejudiced witness yet with
all his feelings and prejudces, he has dis
closed nothing to the injury of iree-mason-
ry, and simply because he knew nothing
faulty in it. ...,s
TURKEY. We have conversed with one
IT our intelligent countrymen who has Just
! ;lrrved from ConstantiRople, via Smyrna.
/ 10 me- hot a.
1 tents scene of the utmost desolation-a
1 very few houses only standing, those hav-
! Dg been preserved only by the thickness
! nd lmpenetrab!e nature of their walls
] I he population thus deprived OF shelter, it
is believed, amount to full 10000. The
I T ranks, who inhabited Pera in great num-
| be rs, are now living at Buyukdere, I2 miles
| up the Bosphorus, and in sight of the Black
Sc a. The merchants who have business
in Constantinople are obliged to pass and
rep ass, generally in row boats. Some
Fra INKS live at Therapia, 2 miles from Buy
ukt ere. These villages are both pleasant
ant rents are easily obtained. The de-
str uction of buildings at Pera, has raised
WI Jehouse rents in Constantinople in some
ca ses, to more than double the former pri-
ce g. The numerous fires in Constantine
pl continued to exile alarm, though much
lt is than short time before. One ofthese
sd destroyed quite as many habitatons as
hat Of Pera; but being small and of light
] materials they will soon be replaced
The Turks are very busy during the con-
hagrations: the inhabitants often removing
their effects long before other persons would
| consider them at all exposed and the
troops running to the place with their en-
gines, which are small and imperfect ma
chimes of the manufacture of the country.
The Sultan was always present in person,
even on the slightest alarm, partly to pre-
serve order.
The Sultan perseveres in his exertions to
introduce European improvements into the
country, but finds obstacles must greatly
retard his plan. He always appears in Eu-
ropean costume, and in this is initiated not
only by the troops, but by all the public Of
fcers, as well at Smyrna as at the metropo-
lis. Our countrymen are very popular with
the Turks of all classes. The Boston YES
sci which visited Constantinople two years
since, attracted great attention, and was
visited by multitudes, including many of
the higher classes; and our two ships off
war have been greatly admired. The com.
mon cotton goods which they were for
time furnished with from this country. are
known by the name of " Americanky." and
are hawked about the streets l,y criers
English goods Of similar description hear