Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1832-01-12
DECLARA TON.

WHEREAS, it has been frequently as
serted and published to the world, that in
the several degrees of Free-masonry, as
they are conferred in the United States,
the candidate, on his initiation and sub
sequent advancement, binds himself, by
oath, to sustain his masonic brethren in
acts which are at variance with the fun
damental principles of morality, and in
compatible with his duty as good and
faithful citizen; in justice therefore, to
themselves, and with view to establish
truth and expose IMPOSITION, the under
signed, many of us the recipients Of eve
ry degree of Freemasonry, known and
acknowledged in this country, do most
solcmnly deny the existence of any such
obligations in the Masonic Institution, so
far as our knowledge respectively ex-
tends. And we as solemnly aver that,
no person is admitted to the Institution,
without first being made acquainted with
the nature of the obligations, which he
will be required to incur and assume.
FREEMAsoNRY secures its members in
the freedom of thought and of speech, and
permits each and every one to act ac-
cordng to the dictates of his own con-
science in matters ofreligion, and of his
personal preferences i'll matters of politics.
1t neither knows, nor does it assume to
inilict, upon its erring members, however
wide may be their alterations from duty F.,
any penalties or punishments, other than
those of admonition, suspension and ex-
pulsion.
The obligations of the Institution re-
quire of its members strict obedience to
the laws of God and of Man. So far
from being bound by any engagements
inconsistent with the happiness and pros
perity of the Nation, every citizen, who
becomes Mason, is doubly bound to be
true to his COP, to his COUNTRY, s. to his
rELLow-MEN. In the language of the
"Ancient Constitutions" of the Order,
which are printed and open for public i'll
spectiou, and which are used as text
books in all the Lodges, he is required
to keep and obey the Moral Law; to be
a quiet and peaceable citizen; true to
his government and just to his country
Masonry disdains the making of prose-
lytes. She opens the portals of her asy-
lum to those only, who seek admission,
with the recommendation of character
unspotted by immortality and vice. She
simply requires of the candidate, his as
sent to one great fundamental religious
truth-the existence and providence of
God; and practical acknowledgment of
those iniallible doctrines for the govern
ment of life, which are written by the fin
ger of God, on the heart of man.
Entertaining such sentiments as Ma
sons, as Citizens, as Christians, and as
Moral Men, and deeply impressed with
the conviction that the Masonic Insttu-
tion has been, and may continue TO be,
productive of great good to their fellow
men; and having "rcceivcd the laws of
the society, and its accumulated funds,
in sacred trust for charitable uses" the
undersigned can neither renouncc nor a.
bandon it, We most cordially unite
with our brethren of Salem and vicinity,
IN the declaration and hope that "should
the people of this country become so in
fatuated as to deprive Masons of their
civil rights, in violation of their written
constitutions, and the wholesome spirit OF
just laws and free governments, a vast
majority of the Fraternity, will still re-
main firm, con6ding in God and the rec
titude of their intentions, for consolation,
under the trials TO which they may be
exposed. y Here follows a list of the
signatures.
RENARKs.--This declaration of the