Holly Springs gazette., 1845-07-26

az the former IN 0erany s''
., EnoIand called forth alike the bitter an
.shemas and denupciations at the Vatican
Roth. however. survived with greater po"
ers for 90 ID. the one ssript OF its unmsan'ng
the other divested Of its opera
tive character. The severance was radi,
cal and final. the publication perfect and
complete. The dawn Of that reformaiion
was the signal Of attack. and the triumph OF
the principles of either entaiied the bitter
malignrty of it's foes. Both relied, howev-'
er, upon the support ola Divine Founder,
and so relying, both have tIiumPhed. The
storm of persecution has swept by, ana
nauQbt is heard bat the low mutterings OF
the exhausted wEirlwind in the distance
Peace is within their bowers. and the pure
principles they teach have deadened, II not
forever sienced the voice of catumny and
detraction.
II may net, Brethren, be pro6tless task
TO examine and refute. upon the present
occa sion, some of the many objections
which have at times been urged against our
Institution. These objections originate not
with the initiated of our order. They fall
from the lips Of those who are confessedly
ignorant of our precepts and wilfully blind
to our practice. Christianity finds her nu-
merous assailants in the same class. Those,
who can apply to themselves the blessed
promises which it proclaims, those, who
are the humble followers of its Divine Au-
thor, never Intentionally attack its truths or
deride it's followers Ii is only to the man
wise in hi s own conceit, too wise to listen to
instruction, that il mist ever look tor de-
traction and persecution. Let US then for
N omen: endeavor to answer the principle
objection WHICH is urged against Va. viz.
the secrecy of our Order. 1 shal! not at
tempt, Brethren. to reiterate the oft repeated
assertion. that all callings and occupations
of men have their mysteries that the me-
chanic has secrets which may be learned
only by long apprenticeship, and which he
is unwilling to impart without the proper
reward, and only to suitable applicants.
will not repeat, that the physician has Sc
crets, derived only from intelligent instruc>
tors, and which he will not com .nunicate to
every impertinent querist who may demand
them. | will not repeat. that even Chris
tianity has its sacred and holy mysteries,
known oUly to the members of the visible
church here, 10 become members Of the In
visible hereafter. No, will not repeat
these excellent and unanswerabIe argu
every Mason, and have been heard, but
never answered by his opponent shall
assume higher and broader grounds, and
shall endeavor to prove thatsecret societies
exist amongst men by the indisputable laws
of necessity. An eminent Philosopher has
truly remarked. that. the ezisscnee Of like in.
stitu'ions or cHssoms amongst alt nations is
an incontroverfibte evidence. that hey o,oea
their origin to natural lavs or necessity.--
Have secret societies existed amongst ali ma
!ions2 Point me. if you can, to the history
Of the nation in which they existed not
Tell me the time in which they were un-
known. Amongst the ignorant and de
based, amongst the intelligent and refined, |
amongst all classes and conditions OF men. |
II all times and under ali circumstan
hey have found supporters and followers.
Turn if you please to Asia. the Continent
irst peopled by man and even in its nv
biological and fabulous history, YOU NAV
discover the MYsrsRIEs. "Ihe rites of
Buddha were celebrated Immediately after
he flood. and the plains of Sainar resound.
ID with the frantic ceilings of the rebel>
lious Cuthite." Brahmanism In India hasti. |
ly seized upon the rites of both and fash.
Ioned them into dread and fearful mvste,
ry. In the gloomy caverns of Elephan.a
and Salsette, the Brahmin practised his
dread rites with a pomp and ceremonv
hat confounded and astoaished mankind |
HIS mysteries consisted OF agrees, and fni.
ttotion was with him period of intense
agony, suffering horror and tiismav - |
Moral and religious instruction was i'm.
parted, and a solemn oath of secrecv w,s
exacted He swore that he would mo, |
shed brother Brahmin's blood. thar ba I
would not wrong or defraud him of h;s |
that he would not be addicted 20
ntemPerance in eating or drinkino and
hat ne would not associate with anu nar
son who had polluted himself with ~.
commission of either of these crimss H.
bath was then sealed with a solemn .hI,,-
Ion. and ne was welcomed INTO the mvs,e-
rlous brotherhood. Thus much s,r ~.
-ltes and lodges ofthe early Rrabm;a
The mysteries of China and its dsnanJ.
lies were essentially The sa ne. The Rudd-
ihe celebrated his rites, and underwent HE
"astdfson in deep caverns, and formed his
procession around his consecrated .lt,rs
ne master delivered TO the candidate ,be
0Aens ana lectures of the order. and inve,,.
q ann with the CORDS and SIGNS sym.
ollcai instruction was impaired and
ons OF moderation virtue and probitv were
aculcated. Before the altar of his lodrra
moking with human sacrifices. the can
iaate was purified with the blood of n.
GLOW man. tie was sworn TO bc ou;l,w
no murder. or theft. or external imnu,'.
p OF lying. or drunkenness. AmpIs,s
'ere given him as sure protection aad
eience against all dangers. and he w,.
len welcomed into the brotherho,d ~ ~