The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1870-03-11
Mistrllaneous.
THE HORRORS OF MASONRY.

II our readers, and especially those
who have ever been initiated into the
mysteries Of Masonry wish to enjoy a
good laugh, let them read the follow
ing chapter which we take the liberty
of extracting from very reliable and
amusing book, entitled "Walks about
Chicago"
The oble, enterprising, and moral
Christians who met in convention in
Chicago, for the purpose ofkicking over
Masonry, have my profound sympa-
thies. Why 1 thus sympathise with
their efforts, shall proceed to relate:
Out in smiling little railway town
there can be seen, to day, the remains
OF man. He now, in his reduced con-
dition, weighs only 230. Had not there
happened to him the fearful event
which am about to narrate, he might
now weigh as much as a ton, or as the
editress of the Agitotor.
1t was two years ago that this citizen
became possessed with the righteous
idea that Masonry is blight, wilt,
blast. After carefully examining the
matter, he felt himself called upon to
undertake crusade against the fllaict-
ing organization. After consulting
with several of his friends he conclud-
cd tojoin the order, get its secrets, and
then annihilate it by revealing them.
Bidding fearful farewell to his low
ing wife, and clasping her in fond, it
might be last, embrace, he started on
his pilgrimage.
Going boldly to lodge room, he
knocked loudly at the door, and was
hidden to enter He went in.
At that precise moment, the air was
rent, and the earth shaken by terrific
burst of thunder. His knees smote to-
| gether, as this meDacing roar tore tbro'
his ear; but he pressed forward, nerved
by high sense of duty.
1t was noon ofthe following day. The
single street of the little village was
lined with anxious faces. Every man,
woman, and child had turned out to
discuss the fate of him who had gone
the night before to discover and reveal
the secrets of Masonry. His frenzied
wife, clasping an infant in either arm,
tearing her disheveled hair with her
hands, ran hither and thither, like a
maniac, in search of her loved and lost.
Since the time Of his departure, he
had not been seen or heard of. 1t was
believed that he had fallen victim tc
the fury of the conspirators whom he
had undertaken to expose.
Gradually the women, and the chill
dren and the men, gathered in front o.
the gloomy pile which was believed to
contain the penetralia in which met the
dread Masonic order. With upturneG
faces, and anxious hearts, they gazed a
its closed shutters, each of which seem
ed the repository of some awful secret
Suddenly the front doors opened ,and
then, propelled by tremendous kick
there shot into the streets horrit
form!
1t was that of the lost husband; bu
oh how changed He was neither ma
ked nor clad, for upon his left foot wa.
a slipper; upon his right, a stocking
around his neck, moose with dang
ling cord!
He came down the steps at heat
long pace. His eyes were bloodshot
and were lighted with glance OF NOR
tai terror. AS he reached the side wall
he recovered himself, and looked wild
ly around.
) Thus he stood for five minutes, ant
then a woman covered her face witt
her apron. an d the other women, FEY
minutes later, TO lowed her example.
Then he gave demoniacal yell, an,
charged through the crowd. Up tn
street.-the tore like maddened bull yell
ing at every jump, as though punches
with red hot iron.
The entire population started in pun
suit. He kept on for three days, an
, then run himselfinto the ground, an
I was captured. He was found to be a
. idiot. He asserted that his name wa
Solomon Abiff, and he wanted an acaci
set out In his ear.
: To day this victim of Masonic cruelt
wanders about, aimless and hopeles
He often takes somebody else's wi
o and children for his own. He is
melancholy wreck and his friends ha,
determined, as uiast resort, to secuI
% !" i,is; consulship to some foreign n
!. tion.
80 Does not this effecting incident prov
"a the nefarious character Of Masonry b
D. yond all dispute?
Some years ago 1 knew of mo
O. foul murder being committed. A MasC
y was arrested for the crime. He w
not convicted.