The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-11
SAY THEY DON'T FIT.
Secret Societies and Duties Of
Ministers.
THEY ARE NOT HEAVEN BORN.
That Il. Secret Societies Are Not-The
Ministerial Monday Meeting Dis
cusses the Subject.

At the ministerial meeting IN the Y Ar.
C. A. pzricrs csterday the ministers were
almost unanimous In expressing the opin-
con that membership fn a secret organza-
ton = Inconsistent with the duties OF
pastor Rev. p. j. Mcdonald. of the Re
formed Presoyt ersan church, made q strong
opening speech against secret societies.
speaking more from principle than sxpe-
Renee. DO they meet the approval OF the
Divine vordr' he asked. Are they heaven
bornr II not, they stand condemned be-
fore the minister" He enumerated three
recognized and dsvsnely instituted divisions
of society: family, church aad state. 70 all
Of which. he said. the lodge was opposed
The secrecy of the institution. he contend
Ell. was opposed 10 truth. and to s1ow the
evils Of a secret organization he quoted
from the Bible passages relating the muir
.ers and crimes committed by secre.
bodies Taking up the oath. he found that
only divine Institutions have the right to
administer IL. and the penalties prescribed
Tn the Masonic oath were. he declared. not
such as should be mentioned in the ears
of men Of God The lodge. as a religion.
he considered idolatry. for IL admits people
OF all beliefs. As an instance OF the ex-
tent 70 which this Is carried. he mentioned
the recent burial of an unconverted China
man In New York with Masonic honors.
As for It's benevolence, he said, IL was only
only so long a. they paid their dues. He
contrasted the benevolence Of the church.
which embraces all who need. regardless
OF who or what they are.
Rev. Daniel Bagiey. who rode the goat
forty-five years ago, made q vigorous de-
Tense of Masonry and was subjected 90
much pleasant banter by the other minis
tiers. He told them that the Holy Bible was
always open In the lodge room surrounded
by a square and COMPASS. The first to
teach duty the second as an emblem TO
show that they were square men, and the
third to circumscr1be and hold WITHIN
bounds the passions. In response 10 witty
sally by Davis, who asked 4 Solomon Were
a Mason, Bagley replied. Yes. sir; before
Solomon was Masonry was. and after
Brother Davis Is. Masonry viii be-"
Rev w. NJ Howie corrected Bagiey on
his dates. placing the foundation of Ma
sonry In lit. He thought IL as ridiculous
70 think that the secret society could aid
n pastor as that Mohammedism or Bud
fissrn could benefit him. Speaking of their
religious system, ne said 1t was a religion
without a Christ. and that no minister N
offering a Masonic prayer could use the
name OF Christ. "No pastor can De good
follower OF Christ and good Mason" he
SAID. .'and l think Brother Bagiey Is not
a good Mason
Rev. M. l.. Larson and Rev. J. ~. Smith
also spoke strongly against the lodge.
Mai. Morton, OF the Salvation Army was
present to make plea for financial aid
for the food and shelter depot. he sad
the work would have to be discontinued
unless Il were put on soma better financial
basis. He offered 10 turn the depot over
70 any OF the churches who might wish
to assume the responsibility OF keeping It
I'D. On motion of Rev. Clark Davis. com
mSttee was appointed TO investigate. and
report next Monday.
The subject for discussion next week VIII
ha ..sho,ild there be an age limit IN the
Young Peoples societies."