The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-01-24
SECRET sOCIErIEs
Reasons Advanced by Clergyman fol
Opposing Them.

The following communication has
been received from a gentleman In this
city:
Editor Astorian.--
The following church bodies are
strictly in opposition to secret societies;
Reformed Presbyterians, United Pres
byterians, Associate Presbyterians, Con.
gregationaliste. Free Methodists Ger
man Baptists; farther, of Lutherans-
Missouri Synod; Ohio Synod; Wiscon.
sin Synod German; Illinois Synod
Minnesota Synod; Swedish Augustana
Synod Norwegian Synod; Hauges Syn
cd, and United Norwegian Church.
Their view is: The secret societies are
against the word Of God: "Be not un-
equally yolSed with unbelievers, for
what fellowship have righteousness and
iniquity? Or what communion have
light with darlxness?9 II Cor. vi IA.
In a. letter Of Daniel Webster dated
Boston, November Goth, 1881, occur the
following remarks on the subject of
Masonry: II have no hesitation in
saying that however unobjectionable
may have been the original objects Of
the institution. or however pure may
be the motives and purposes of the
individual members, and notwithstand-
ing the many great and good men who
have from time to time belonged to
the order yet, nevertheless, 1t is an
Institution which in my judgment is
essentially wrong in the principle of It's
formation; that from its very nature
1t is liable to great abuses; that among
the obligations which are found to be
imposed on its members, there are such
as are entirely incompatible with the
duty Of good citizens; and that all Sc
cret associations. the members Of which
take upon themselves extraordinary OBJ.
legations to one another, and are bound
together by secret oaths are naturally
sources Of jealousy and just alarm tol
others; are especially unfavorabIe toI
harmony and mutual confidence among
men living together under popular in
stitutions and are dangerous to the
general cause Of civil liberty and good
government Under the influence Of
this conviction. 1t is my opinion that
the future administration of all such
oaths, and the formation Of all such
obligations should be prohibited by
law"
William Writ, one Of the ablest law
yers and most eloquent men that ever
lived, for many years attorney general
Of the United States says, speaking Of
the lodges: II view it as at war with
the fundamental principles of the So
cial compact, and a wicked conspiracy
against the laws of God and man, that
ought to be put down."
Wendell Phillips, in letter to Mr.
G. A. Blanchard. dated January 22d,
1874: Dear Sir: wish you success
most heartily In your effort to rouse
the community to the danger Of secret
societies. They are great evil; en-
urely out OF place IN q republic, ana
no patriot should join or uphold them.
Considering the great forces which
threaten the welfare OF the nation in
the next thirty years and how readily
and efficiently they can use any secret
organization, such should not be al
lowed to exist. Yours respectfully,
Wendell Phillips"
Farther, d. L. Moody. Governor John
Hancock. President John Quincy Ad-
ANS. William H. Seward Millard Fill
more. and others, speak against secret
societies.
(The views OF the author Of the above
will not, probably, be shared in by
many In this city. where the he,pingl
hand Of the frafernal organization hasl
80 frequently been extended for thel
relief Of the widow and orphan.) )--Ed. |
The British bark Port Yarrock sailed
from Santa RoaaiIa for Cork. on Julyl
ith last. and up to December 9th nad
not arrived at her designation Mt that
time reinsurance was being paid cn
her,