Wilmington expositor. (Wilmington, Del.) 1831-18??, 1831-09-02
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all WHICH Il COnSluCICQ W DS bhh
mere sham, to blind the eyes of heweak and
credulous, and that their meetings were only
scenes Of vulgar amusement like other assema
blies of that nature, &c., and that the institu-
ton was altogether inimical to moral virtue
and Christian religion. And l apprehendI
had sufficient evidence to establish these views.
as had knowledge of divers worthy men, who "a
had been members of that institution, swho,
when they felt their minds religiousiy incline
ed, found it their duty and interest to quiz
these associations: SOME of whom assured me,
as their full belief that no man could be
Christian and Freemason at the same timr.
But | had stronger evidence than this, founded
on my own Judgment, wien took full view
of the subject.
For, in the first place, they have Discarded
one half the human family from partaking the
least benefit from the institution, even it it
were possible that any benefit could be derived
from it; by which they also divest themselves
Of all real human feelings, for if they have the
best of the female race for their companions,
lyet they bind themselves by the worst of oaths
never to let them have the least participation OF
any part or share of the pleasures, the profits,
or amusements, that they themselves enjoy in
their secret conclave. Do we want any higher
evidence of its opposition to Christian religion,
and every Christian and moral virtue, all which
must be founded on pure, undehled love? Is
mot this view Of the subject enough, if rightly
considered, to raise Just degree Of adherence
against such an institution, in the mind of eve
Try rational social being? And when we add
thereto, the abominabe oaths that must be ia
ken to introduce one into the society, never to
|divulge the secrets Of Masonry;--and this to
be done without knowing what that secret is,
whether it binds us to band of robbers,
or to rise up when opportunity offers, and dc.
la. 4 ~ -
TRY, and take the power into our own hands,
unite Church and State, and establish an In
iquisition any thing else, either good or bad,
1--WE know not what In this correct view of the
Subject, have been astonished to think how
,Iany men of common sense should have ever
slgiven up TO embark in such an Institution, uns
Iider such degrading conditions ; by which they
. make themselves bound-slaves for live, as they
ldare not come out and tell the truth Of the mat
9 ter, although it might be productive of ever so
-Igreat good, or prevent a real evil; and Moth
e ling but death can deliver them from this bon
Idage, which they have brought upon them
e selves by their own folly. Can such oaths be
c binding on rational creatures, and free agentss
say not. They,are so inconsistent and de-
c rogatory to every species of Justice, mercy, and
4 Inuth, that they destroy themselves. and cam
not be binding on any rational intellectual be-
ding. And what noble act it would be, if the
Y Masonic brethren would unite in the same
!, mind, and make a public declaration Of the
G whole system of Masonry; as nothing has
o made those oaths binding but themselves! As
they are altogether of their own making and
6 creating, SO they can readily do them away,
: and destroy all their binding force. For il
y must be evidently clear to every man of under
standing in this enlightened age, that the insti-
tuition is great nuisance in government like
IOlire. and tenHc 70 chat
Irality and holy religion that can only adorn
such nation as this. Therefore, the sooner
it is done away and abolished, the better for
our beloved country.
N. b. will now inform thee how the pub.
J. lie mind has been misled, and brought to ac-
eil count me Freemason I'll have kinsman, re-
: sident iii the city of New York, by the name
e of Elias Hicks, who, l have been informed is
JIa Master in the Masonic Society, and his let
: tiers have come to me through mistake. Add
I to that, there have some books and papers ac-
= eidentally fallen into my hands, treating on the
: Masonic Order; all which has tended to in
Y crease my aversion to that Order. And having
ii oftentimes, for thirty years or more, been led
: to bear my testimony against the Institution,
R by which have offended some of their mem
beers, and in one instance, Master in that So
F ciety, many years since; and he, to convince
RI me that had borne too hard upon them, sent
q me sermon, preached for them, by an Epis-
!, lcopal minister, on the day of parade, called
ohm the Baptist's Day which sermon tended
still more to increase my aversion thereto.
This sermon answered, showing the contra
ldictory nature of Masonry to the Christian re-
lligon. And having, as above observed, met
with that which gave clue to some of their
works OF darkness, which brought to estab-
. lish my position this put them to silence, and
u led them to observe that must have been a
: Mason, or could not have known so much of
their secrets. But this was entirely mistake;
and have always had such aversion to
. the Order, that have never seen the inside