The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-01-10

ic. The list is too lengthy to be pub
iished by us.
TO THE PUBLIC.
While the public mind remained in
the high state of excitement, to which it
had been carried by the partial and in
fammatory representations ofcertain of
fences, committed by few misguided
members Of the Masonic Institution, in
q sister State; it seemed to the UNDER
signed Presidents of Boston and yiclnity)
ID be expedient to refrain, from public
declaration Of their principles or engage
ments, as Masons. But, believing the
time now to be fully come, when their
fellow citizens will receive, with candor,
if not with satisfaction, n solemn and un-
equivocal denial ofthe allegations, which
during the last five years, in consequence
of their connexion with the Masonic Fra
ternity, have been reiterated against them,
they respectfully ask permission to invite
attention to be subjoined
DECLARATION.
Whereas, it has been frequently assert
ed and published to the world, that in
several degrees of Fresmasonry, as they
are conferred in the u. States, the candi-
dSte, on his initiation and subsequent ad-
vancement, binds himself by oath, to
sustain his Masonic brethren in acts,
which are at variance with the funda-
mental principles ofmorality, and incom-
patible with his duty as a good and faith
ful citizen: in justice therefore to them
selves, and with view to establish TRUTH
and expose IMPOSITION, the undersigned,
many of us the recipients of every de-
gree Of Freeinasonary, known and ac-
knowledged in this country, do most sol
emnly deny the existence of any such oh
legations in the Masonic Institution, SO
far as our knowledge respectively extends.
And we 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 re-
guired 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-
cording to tho dictates of his own con-
science in matters Of religion, and of his
personal preferences in matters of poll
tics. 1t neither knows, nor does it as
sumo to infict, upon its erring members,
however wide may be their alterations
from duty, any penalties or punishments,
other than those of admonition, suspen-
sion, and expulsion.
The obligations Of the Institution re-
quire of its members strict obedience
to the laws Of God and Man. So far
, from being bound by any engagements
inconsistent with the happiness and pros
perity of the Nation, every citizen, who
becomes a MASON, is doubly bound to be
true &c his Gop, to his COUNTRY, and to
his FELLOW MEN. In the language of the
"Ancient Constitutions" of the Order,
which are printed ndopen for public in
spection, and which are used as text books
in all the Lodges, he is "required to keep
and obey the moral LAW /; to be quiet
and peaceable citizen true to his govern
ment and just 10 his country"
Masonry disdaips the making Of pros
elytes.-She opens the portals Of her as
ylum to those only, who seek admission,
with the recommendation ofa 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 a practical acknowledgment
Of those infallible doctrines for the gov
ernmem Of life, which are written by the
finger Of God, Oh 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 Institu-
ton has been, and may continne to be,
productive Of great good to their fellow
men and having received the laws of
the society, and its accumulated funds,
in sacred trust for charitable uses" the
undersigned can neither renounce nor a.
bandon II. We most cordially unite with
our brethren Of Salem and vicinity, in the
declaration, and hope that, s'should the
people ofthis country become so infatu-
sted as to deprive Masons of their civil
rights, in violation Of their written con-
stitutions, 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
tifude oftheir intentions, for consolation,
under the trials to which they may be ex-
posed"
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