, 1880-08-29
Mock MaAQuS.

Ib the Editor Of 1hs EhtcdJo 1ftouHes
CHICAGO, Aug. 2s.-The Scriptures tell us that
we arc not to do evil, that good may come buS
the opti-Masonic Lodge Of the Il. c. ~ seem to
ignore the Apostles reaching altogether They
declare the lodge to be sink Of iniquity, and
vet tnck one on to their AS5oclation-
They SLY Masonry md Masonic work IS OF the
devil. and still they practice it, thus esaaehclng
the truth that the children will do the work OF
their father. They set forth that Masonic oatnS
are blasphemous, and yet proceed TO impose
those plasphemous obligations upon mock can
t'idatee and all this under the 6pecous pretense
Of exposing Masonry. ..o
Their theory is, briefly stated. this: masonry IS
great SIM Is and & Is o1 II n1
the iuiquiry before tho world In order 10 expose
will name this illustrative reform. Now,
submit nit that there are other great sins besides
masonry that need to be exposed, and to whtea
tho above principle will apply just US aptly. II
ticc it for illustrative purposes, why. then. the
enemies Of Masonry have put into my hands
blade that cuts more than one way: ,.,,.r,
Take polygumy. for instance. suppose, WneA
Masonry is done for, tho American Christian AS
socIatton turn its attention in this direction una
tax Har:m on to 1ts trni I - neippamist ard
who, under the mock n1intstr:stfnns OF tt' mrk
elder or priest, shall celebrate dozen mock
marriages with Us ultuy different women lnu
thus brlns out oil the secrets Of Harcn life 50
that we may see the practical WORKINGS ot tns
institution. True. We nnVe nau Hanr eApV7Gs
of MormonisIn, but the people never ST" ~
publicly Illustrated Our buresque retorlneis
IRE logically forced to apply the princ!ple OF
their own elecdon to every vice. ana slu' anu
wrong with which tho earth il flied Ihey may
not relish the country, nor tue CONCLUSIONS ~
which their own logic leads them: hut lnas
matters not There are no way statlons 11ol
switch lines on this route. They condemn a
thing as sin, and then prHctce it TO snow ~ tnat t
others ought to condetnnit- Denonnce 4 tn lnx
"a infnuity and yet embrace It to tllustfntc now
they hare It. Perform in mockery-or preteHo
to-thAt which other men may practice III si!l
certy and truth: Turn to rid1cule t1at Wn1cn
other men hold as sacred; in short distort a!lo
mjsreprescnt everything connected WIN tno
suhjert In most shameless and ridiculous man
ner outraging the feelings OF thousands ent'5eiy
outside the Masonic fraternity. Wnat sAerca
forms of religious worship cannot ne 90 dlstort-
ed as to appear ridiculous It performed IN mock
err bv u burlesdue troop OF ungodlF sinners:
INT I question whether company OF men
couid be found mean enough and low enough TO
1'riesoue tie sucred forms Of aEy church or
socicty Jew or Gentle, Protestant or CathoAlc.
Maso1 or Odd Fellow, II mag except the so
called American Christian fD Association l
speak not to defend Masonry. nor to condemn
npppostrton to Masonry, but In condemnation OF
thf principle of illustrative reform rs practced
ty the buriesque troop at Farwell Hail. And !
si11gost that the Y. II. C. 4. might have made
better use Of their hall than to lease IT to the
lowest order OF variety shows n f. RAvLIa.