Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-03-09

possessed in the former, as q price for
the protection which they will thereby
receives only true liberty to be found.
Hence. in civilized life alone. where
the blessings Of enlightened Govern
ments so Profusely fow, are to be found
separate societies, those powerful in
struments for the general good. formed
for the purpose OF uniting more close
iy together. by cords Of interest and
Of love, the whole intellectual ere alton
OF the universal God. These societies.
whether calculated 10 reform the moral
or political world. numerous as they
are. have always had their rigid oppo-
nents, their daring prosecutors. But,
among them all. no kind has been more
basely illuminated. or vilely misrepre-
sented. than those which have been
unfortunate enough TO be termed secre.
societies. /, would seem indeed that
these calumniators. would hunt with
unsparing vengeance every man who
would not make publicly known the
private matters Of his household, or
give publicity TO the confidence Of a
bosom friend.
Brethren, il is not my purpose on
this occasion, to combat the number
less accusations OF the enemies 10 So
cieties Of our character, but my duty
in this discourse. which | wish Ia i'm
press on your minds. and not yours
I. only. but every rejecting individual
in this respectable assemblage, com
pels me- TO notice some Of the most ge-
neral, and which are at the same time,
the most preposterous the most ridic-
ulousl First. say they. fraud and de-
cep:iou alone covet darkness: wisdom
Z and truth. have no need Of il. We
r answer, secresy and mystery arc found
IN every association for public good
The principles which govern US as q
society, are the same that govern every
days transactions. What. | ask, is q
mans household II is a place where
c his soitest and dearest affections aie
conferred. Surrounded by the troubles
and fatigues which 60 hand in hand
with his daily avocations. the thought.
Of his own freside, shut out from the
: contentious Of jarring world. where
b. the smile OF welcome and the soft
= tones Of affections are ever ready &c
; greet him, cheer his responding spirit
: while joyfully be thinks of his home
and dreams sweet as elysian spells
steal over his soul. But, let him pro-
claim aloud to the world. the hourly
transactions OF his little circle Of bliss
Z and the winds Of the morning flee moi
more swiftly than would the lows o.
c his hearth and the endearing sscrednes.
= Of his home. II was the very fact o.
its separation from the curious eyes o
: the world. that gave it its enchantmen
o and felici's. But on the principles o.
$ this leading objection. this strong hole
n Of the enemies OF secret institutions
: unless the affairs Of his dwelling i.
: public, unless the very divinity Of hi,
G domestic happiness is spurned beneath
: his feet, rice and immortality receive 4
$ fostering care in his mansion. How
unjust. how illibersl, how supremely
!. ridiculous We are also told, and
! am sorry TO add, by many OF those who
e profess implicit confidence IN the holy
book Of inspiration, that because al
our light beams not forth 20 the public
gaze, we must necessarily be involved
in total darkness. Will they permit
me to remind them that they are pro
Tossing christiansi Will they for mo-
ment pretend that the sacred volume
= has no mystery which they canLo
solver Surely not. Then, with due
Difference allow me to inquire of them
why do they judge favourably Of an,
thing which they cannot iaihom .
The answer is easily anticipated
b They sec 10 every part Of the bible
\ that their comprehension can reach
3 that the heavenly parent has album.
Z dainty considered the happiness of the
/. creatures formed in his own image
r and they rightly and fairly argue from
2 what they see and know Of those mat
] tiers that It has pleased the great fsihei
: TO involve ~ mystery. BY a simila
D rule, they will try an individual, will
the general correctness Of whose char.
. acier they are acquainted; there may
= be particular acts, the nature Of which
= they may not understand. and yet il
], relation to them the judgment will b.
5 favourable, deciding from what the,
10 do know concerning him. Then,
n think the inquiry is reasonable sn'
4 just, Why will they not Judge secret IN
r situations IN the same way Hayin.
= thus, fellow -clansmen, shown he lalsi
IS " Of the positions on which the enc
J. mics Of societies Of our character. builc
e their objections. shall next procee,
n 10 specify the object Of the institution
Il 10 which we have the honour Of be-
j longing. We would connect men O
= different births snd lineage into on,
}, family--we would join them togethe
J, by the silken cords Of friendship an,
j. love-we would instil by our laws
= Just reverence for ell things sacred
n deeming u our duty 10 assist the unfor
Is tunale 81 all climes and Of oil coun
70 tries. wherever We find the image q
, our great master set. And, by s,ric
J. adherence 10 the most wholesome an
= bene6esntlaws. show forth 10 the vorl
- a 4 = a r.