Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1831-09-23
w1LM1MGToM Expos1ToR.
Friday, Sept. %, 1894
RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTORS.

OF all the principles which infect the human mind
none are so detestabe, as hypocrisy and dupicity In
no situation in life, those odios principles be so
eminenty displayed, in the ministry Of the Gospel
person who processes to reverence Divine things
and strives to induce others to do So should be e-
tremely chaste and circumspect in all his thoughts,
words and actions lie should present tolmankind, a
practical disqualification Of the beauties of Goodness
in all his actions. He should recoect that this is the
criterion by which thousands disposed to test the
truth OF Divine Reveationl hat system of religion
or morals is valuable, in proportion to the beneficial
influence exercises upon the human character Love
Tor each other good will to all mankind mild dispo-
ston, temperance Justice truth, resignation and all
other kinds of moral excellence, principles which
have been universally admired by the wise and good,
OF every age, name, and cline.
If the above traits of character exhibited in the
life of 1heologan, it inspires confidence in the Cos
pei precepts which he inculcates 1t gives him pow
erful and extensive influence in society. It enables
him to pour balm into the wounded mind; to inspire
hope and cheeruness in the bosom of sorrow and de-
ecton; to administer consolation in the hour of adver
sity, and smooth the bed Of death" How enviable,
how responsible is the situation of that man, who has
it thus in his o1rer to alleviate the burden Of human
life and to ilumine the dark and fearful hour of dis
solution Is this fictitious character we have port
rayed: No, it is realit is genuine Such characters
do adom the biographical page, but how rare. We
have here given faint Descriptions brief outline of
what religious instructor SHOULD be- We will now
examine who, and what some of those "Right Reeve
rends are, who have put on the red flannel drawers,
hood, and CABLE and have been dubbed " Grand
ligous, worshipful and sublime institution, called
s'Masonry." Inthis delineaton, truth and sincerity
shall dictate. EXaggeration would scarcely be within
the limits of possibility We would appeal to the ra
tonat class Of every determinations but more especially
TO these religious congregations, whose Pastors yet
retain membership in the g Masonic Order" From
amongst the many ''hood winked" Diynes, we will
select for present example and instruction, the
'tRight Reverend" gentleman, who wasrecently cleo
ted "Grand Chaplain of the Grand LODGE of Della
ware. Follow him into the pulpit, hear the pathetic
suppcaton to that Being whose attributes consti
tute every kind of perfection, and whose perfection is
infinite Hear him implorc the Great Father of all'
i'll behalf of his congregation, for tic blessings OF e
gon comprising truth, sincerity. soblicy, and every
other species Of virtue Follow this same ''Divne'
into the dark and secret recess of lodge roamsee
him stripped to the last remnant Of decencyfurnish-
cd with pair of s-blindfolded" his left foot
bare, his right in slipper-his left breast and arm
Naked and cablc-tow round his neck" See this nj
oRs and h0ky sDivne,' = thus GENTEELY and sG1EN-
TIFICALLY equipped, kneel dowl--take the most
-horrid oath, under no less penalty, ethan to have
his throat across his tongue torn out by the roots
and his body buried in the rough sands Of the at
low water mark where the tide Gibbs and flows twice
in tgventyfur hours" Oh! what an ndclible stigma
upon the Pulpit!
That "Puph, which in its Legitimate and sober use,
stslal stand recorded while The world shall stand;
's1he most eAectua guard, support and
tournament of virtues cause"
But is it come to thisn VIII Christians submit to
such fragrant imposition VIII they permit the sacred
rites of religion, and those of Masonry to be blended
together? No, never But lnnk at the degraded con-
dition of your ''Pastoi," A PROCESSING MINIS
TER of that Gospel, which breathes sbenevolence
and good will to all mankind'-at the same time
member of that dark institution, of which "dctama-
ton is system, vengeance imperative duty, and
murder a sworn obligation Is this false, or
aggcrated? No, persons who have pr0clamedit false
with their lips have confirmed its truth by their ac.
tions~-and actions always speak louder than words
For the truth of the above, the secession OF tht
Rev MrThatchero OF Massachusetts and his subscqucn
treatment by the BIothcrhood. We could sncerel,
wish, for the spotless reputation OF the 'tminstIy,
that the preceding delneation were fiction. But i
is reality 1t presents us with specimen OF consum
mate dnplcity, record of which shall be monumen
tally transmitted to unborn millions. When Masonr!
shall have been buried in silent oblivion, the wreck
impnSturC and guilt, shall occupy conspicuous place
upon the chart of human events. 1t shall be Beacon
by which future generations can designate the DANCE
rous shoals Of human life.
Christians, do YOU startle at the idea, Of the new
character your 'iPastor'' has assumed in the lodge
room? Let us follow him little further This i
hut the commencement Of his degradation Eacl
subsequent step in Masonry, has its oaths and penal
lies attached which not less revolving TO moral
religious sensibity than the FIRST Thus telow-citi
zens does your Pastor voluntarily promote the unho
cause Of Masonry, by a tenacious adherence to til
fraternity. He will even drink wine out OF a hlmal
scu Tifhc takes some of the higher dcgrees wishing
that the sins of the person. whose SOUL is now his COB
let may be heapcd upon his head IN addition to his OWL
and appear in Judgment against hun, II ever ne shout
violate any of those hiouS and DiUineHke obligation
which he had taken in lodge room. Freemason
are sensible of the sanctty reflected upon the lnsttl
ton, by members who wear the clerical garb ID D.
are cable-towed and hood winked gratis and general
offciate in opening and concluding the sessions Of tn
mystic brotherhood. At the initiation of candidate
the Deacon, Chaplain, or some other PlOUS shepher
of souls, offers up the following pathetic prayer
"Vouchsafe thine aid, Almighty Father of the Uni
verse; to this convention; and grant that this cand
atc for Masonry, may dedicate and devote his life
thy service, and become true and faithful brotle
anong MS! Endue him with competency OF thy D
vine wisdom, that BIZ the secrets If art, he may b
thebcttcr enabled to display the beauties of holiness
to the honour Of thy holy name So mote it be
Amen!' After this prayer, the candidate is initiate
in due form, as previously described.
Is religion mere phantom, or is it reality? II real
ity how dare a Right Reverend to act with sue
ctnt;po, bvnocrsyP VIII he presume to stand in til