The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1831-1858, 1832-01-11
TO THE pUBI.JC.

While the public mind remained in the high
state of excitement, to which thad been car
fled by thepartial ard indammatory representa-
TOPS OF certain offences committed by few
misguided members of The Masonic Institution,
IN sister State il seemed TO the undersigned
Presidents ct Boston and vieiniiy.] I" he exPe-
dent to refrain from public declaration oil
their principles or engagements as masons
But, beliceing the time now to be fully come,
when their fellow citizens will receive with
candcr, il not with satisfaction, a solemn and
uneqnvocal DENIAL Of he allegations, which,
during the last five years, in consequence oil
their conRectioh with the Masonic fraternity,
have been reiterated against them, they respect
fully ask permission TO invite attention to the
subjoined
DECL.aR.ATYOR
Whereas, it has been frequently asserted and
published TO the world, that IN the several de-
grees Of Freemasonry, as they are conferred
in the United States, the candidate. on MS in
itiaiion and subsequent advancement, binds
himseifb by oath to sustain his masonic brethren
IN acts which are at variance with the funda-
mental principles of morality, and incompati.
bic with his duty as good and faithful citizen;
in justice therefore To themselves, and with
view TO establish TRUTH and expose IMPOSITION,
The undersigned recipients Of every degree OF
Freemasonry, known and Acknowledged in this
country, do most socmny deny the existence
OF any such obligations in the Masonic inslitu-
ton, so far as our knowledge respectively ex-
lends. And we soiemnly aver that, no person
is admitted TO the Institution without FIRST be
ing msde acquainted with the nature of the
obligations, which be will be required toincur
and assume.
Freemssonry secures its members in the free
dom of thought and of speech, and permit.
each and every sone TO act according to the die
tates of bis own conscience in matters of re
hgion, and OF his personal preferences in mat
tiers of politics. 1t neither knows. nor does i
assume to infiict, upon its erring member.
however wide may be their alterations from
duty, any penalties or punishments. otbe
than those of admonition suspension and ex
pulsion.
The obligations of the Institution REQUIRE q
ITS members strict obedience 10 the laws o
God and OF man. So far from being bound b,
any engagements inconsistent with the ham;
ness and prosperity of the Nation, everv citi
zen who becomes mascn is doubly bound Il
be true to his Cop, 10 his Country. and 10 hi
.feitsso aen. In the language of the :. Ancien
Constitutions" of the Order, which are printe
and open for public inspection, and which ar
used as text books in all the Lodges, he i
required To keep and obey the MORAL Law
TO DC quiet and moral citizen true to Iii
government, and just to his country"
Masonry, disdains the making of proselyte.
She opens the portals of her asylum to thos
only, who seek admission, with the recommen
dalton OF character unspotted by immoralit
and vice. She simply requires Of the %. nddat
his assent to one great fundamental religion
truth-the existence and providence of God
anda practical acknowledgment of those in
fallible doctrines for the government of life
which are written by the finger of God, on tn.
heart of Man.
Entertaining such sentiments as masons, as
citizens, as Christians, and as moral men, and
deeply Impressed with the conviction that the
Masonic Institution has been and NAV contin-
ne to be. productive of great good to their fel
low men, and having " received the laws Of the
society, and its accumulated funds, in sacred
trust for charitable uses,'' the undersigned can
neither renounce or abandon it. We most cor.
Orally unite with eur brethren of Salem and vi
emily, 10 the declaration and hope that, "should
the people 81 this country become so infatuated
as to deprive Masons Of their civil rights, in vi
oiation of their written constitutions, and the
wholesome spirit of Just laws and free govern.
ments, vast majority of the fraternity, will
still remain firm, con6dng in God and the rec.
titude OF their intentions, for consolation under
the trials TO which they may be exposed"
Here feLlops TIE names of scer -elecsn hun
dred persons