Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1870-05-12
MAY IL: 1870.
FonelvE THEM, FOX THEY KNOW NOT

FORGIVE THEM, FOR tn EY KNOW NOT
WHAT THEY Do.-A CHICAGO correspon-
dent of the Milwaukee Wisconsin, in
recent letter spoke Of the Congregation
alisls holding memorial services IN Far
well Hall "to celebrate the establish,
ment of religious liberty by the Pilgrim
Fathers. e;c.. e,c. Representatives from
all parts Of the country were present, and
a series of resolutions bearing upon va
rious subjects were adopted, WITH SIN
gle exception, these resolutions were
high toned and manly in their expression
of the sentiments of the convention up
on the great questions Of the day, and
the important work before them as Chris
tan laborers 10 the great field of Pro
gress and Reform. This exception, how
ever, which was mere squib fired at
the Masonic order, impresses an impair
tial observer as ill-timed, in bad taste, and
upiustifable. 1t fixes stain upon the
record of that convention, notwithstan
ing it was promptly condemned to the
fate it merited. We quote the words of
the correspondent:
There was shot fired at Masonry, in
form Of a resolution offered by President
Blanchard, of Wheaton College, which
asked that the Masonic inscription on a
tablet in the National Monument at Ply
mouth be removed. The doctor takes
every occasion to reflect upon the Masonic
Fraternity, but his zeal is hardly reward
ed by any success. and many outside of
that organization hardly approve his
course in attacking an Institution so an
Gent and extensive, which is far more
universal than any religion ever establish
ed at the East. Whatever may be said
of this - time honored Fraternity" we
hardly think resolution adopted by any
local body will stop lis growth or bring
into disrepute principles founded upon
justice, charity, brotherly love, and be
lief in and worship of Deity. After
some sharp talk upon the resolution. the
subject was indefinitely postponed, and
sought a lonely sleep upon the table"
Why, in tho name of truth, do some
professed Christians make war upon
these fraternities, whose aim is to do
good ia the world, to make men better
and society purer. Do men like Mr..
Blanchard find any authority in the Bi-
Die, or in their church creed, 10 warrant
these assaults upon the Masonic frater
nifty, of which the above is only mild
example! Do they deem secret socie-
ties, like Free Masons and Odd Fellows,
to be the work of devils, aud hence their
determined oprosition9 II they can
prove than such is the fact, We can add
the further testimony that Satan has in
stitutcd a system of morality, whose car
dinal principles are among tie beautiful
precepts, moral maxims, and shining
truths Of tie christian faith. Tho fact
is, these would be zaalots are on the
wrong track. Their fancied enemies are
their best friends-most earnest CO labor
ers in Humanity's vineyard.
And VIC trust that there may ever be
found in The various christian denomi
nations, true men enough to silence the
worse than foolish fanaticsm which seems
to possess some of their members. The
blows they aim at others injure no one
but themselves. Founded on eternal
principles these societies will live, flour
ISL, and go on doing good, long after
Death gives DIR. Blanchard more light en-
the subject than he now has, and his for
| gotten works have disappeared in the
deepest waters of Oblivion.