Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-06-10

ANTI-MAsoNIC CONvENTIoN.-The national
convention of Christians opposed to secret soci-
cites was brought to a close yesterday noon,
after a session of few hours devoted to relg-
ious exercises and the passage of the following
resolutions, prepared and offered by the various
committees:
Whereas it is believed that the object of Masons
in joining the lodge is their individual advantage;
and,
Whereas, political advantage is the chief of the
selfish aims which lead men into the lodges and,
Whereas this selfish oath-bound combination
against the equal privileges and preferment of cii
zens cannot be counteracted except by refusing to
aid Masons in their schemes of aggrandzement;
therefore,
Resolved, that we commend to anti-Masonic in
dviduals the exercise of their political as well as
religious influence to take away from their
fellow citizens the temptation arising from the hope
of these unequal advantages by joining or adhering
to the lodge; we recommend that they decline yot-
ing for adhering members of the lodges, and when
political parties present only such adherng candi-
dates, the anti-secret men make their own nomina-
tons, and thus by their votes as well as by their
prayers and their testimony, seek to be delivered
from the ministrations, political otherwise, of all
who adhere to secret orders
Resolved, that we recommend to our friends to
petition their state legislatures for statutory law
giving parties not members of secret societies in
all important suits the right of peremptory chal-
enge of jurors who are members of such societies.
Resolved, that the members of the association,
and all others who favor its objects, who have pub
locations in their possession on the subject of Ma
sonic literature religion, morality, politics, and on
whatever other subject on any branch of Masonic
learning whether Mormon, Odd Fellow, kuklux or
other form of Masonry and who may be willing to
part with the same, be requested to send them to
the secretary of the association, Rev l. A. Hart of
Wheaton, ILL.,, for the purpose OF preserving them
as testimony OF the errors superstit1ons and weak
ness of the present age
Resolved, that in view of the magnitude of the
anti-secret society movement, in the interest of
xyh met in convention. that the national
association recommend the holding of state, county
and local conventions and the organization of state
and local associations, and that especially desire
that the commonwealth of Massachusetts and sister
states act Immediately in this direction.
Resolved, that the hearty thanks of this conVen-
ton due and are hereby rendered by rising vote
to our general agent, H. Blanchard, Esq, for
the able fearless, and faithful manner in which he
hns served our holy cause in the lecture field and
for his noble generosity in relinquishing claims
upon the association amounting to $l5S, and that
we earnestly recommend his continuance in this
important work.
Resolved that as a convention, we extend our
cordial and hearty thanks for the kindness and hos
pitality of our friends in this city, who have re-
ceived to their hearts and homes, and have bid
den us God speed" in the good work in which we
are engaged.
Mr.. S. A. Pratt Of this city spoke briefly of the
evils of masonry as brought to the notice oil
Worcester people.
The committee on enrolment reported that
thirteen different denominations were represent
ed in the convention.
The committee on correspondence reported let
tiers of sympathy received from Hon. Gerrett
Smith, j. G. Stearns, Rev. Nathan Brown, Rev.
DIR. Howard Crosby, Rev. NJ. S. Dickinson, Ezra
A. Cook, Daniel Carpenter, Rev. A. NJ. Milligan
Mr.. Evans, Rev. Abjah Muzzy, and Rev. A. A
Phelps
The committee on finance reported that they
had euhcprintinns NJ L
and that S217 had been received for the expenses
of the convention and sos on the debt of the as
ISOLATION.