Arizona republican., 1904-03-13
AGAINST FRArERNIrlEs
The Position of Rev. hr. Hester O
 Glendale Explained.

Contrary to its long established rule not to permit the disclssion of contro- verted religious questions in its col umns, The Republican prints the sub joined communication from the pastor | of the Methodist church at Glendale, | at the earnest and repeated request | of the author. It is hardly necessary to say that MT. Hester's objections to lodges and beneficiary organizations are not shared by the great majority of the best peoDle-and the wisdom of | the masses is greater than the wis | dom of any individual.
 To the Editor of The Republican, Sir: Noticing an article of recent date in your valuable paper respecting some sentiments advanced by myself in a sermon of last Sunday entitled. Secret Societies. are they right or wrong, are they a curse or a bless ing" I would like for you to kindly quote me in full in this. as some of the many points advanced as it relates more particular to those who are con- cerned vitally in the mind of the speaker. My argument is not so much to those outside the organized church of Jesus Christ who substitute their lodge for their church. as it was to those within the membership of an evangelical denomination. The asso- citation and secret alliance of Chris tians. who are supposed to be govern ed by Christ's teaching with such in- stitutions was the main point at issue. and not merely the privilege of a partial and discriminate distribution of this worlds goods.
 These fraternities rob Christ of his glory.
 We all know that benevolence. or Christian charity. as we see it in its manifold and beautiful forms. is the result of the presence and influence of Christ in the heart and in the world. We fail to see such things in the heather world. Charity belongs to Christianity. It Is the work of Christ. Now. when man gives. and fails to acknowledge Christ in the gift, he has robbed the Son of God of his peculiar glory.
 Let me illustrate: In a certain dis tant city there exists a newspaper that is anti-Christ. anti-religion, anti-ev- erything that is holy. Whenever a case of public suffering comes up his paper opens it's columns for contribu- tions. and the contributions flow in. Two-thirds of the donors are Christian men and women inspired by the love of Christ; but mark you, Christless newspaper gets the glory, and not the Savior. ,.- ildas
 So you can take the benevolence of all these secret fraternities and Christ is not acknowledged or thought of. One-half of the members belong to the church and give because of Christ be- ing in their hearts and lives, but Christ does not get the glory-instead a fra ternity that may be worldly in it's name and spirit, gets the honor and credit.
 All Christian giving when not done in the name of Jesus Christ is robbing the Son of God of His glory.
 The fraternity hurts us in the matter of church attendance.
 According to my observations the more devoted a man is to his loGge or fraternity the less devoted is he to his church. The claims of secret society are only too apt to monopolize his time and energies to the sighting, and oftentimes the neglect. of the house of God. I remember a time when l had great difficulty in getting some of my members to attend an important church meeting. One could not come on Monday night on account of his lodge-a second could not appear on Tuesday because of his fraternity meeting at that hour, and so on through the week. Each one heard a higher call than that of the church, and that higher call was his lodge.
 What would you call this? Is it be- ing rival to the church? Is God grieved at such a spectacle? At one of the churches I once served there was steward who attended one prayer meeting only in the month; the other three Wednesday evenings he was attending the meetings of the diff ferent fraternities to which he be- longed. How did God regard that, do you suppose? The Bible says he is jealous God. Is there not much in such a life as this as to awaken the Divine jealousy and displeasure? By and by this kind of life affects even the Sabbath attendance. The man hardens and becomes careless and in- different, and then we miss him Sab- bath nights. and finally altogether. The influence of the associations and the effect of church depreciation becomes unmistakably manifested.
 When God looks down and sees a church member, who is a fraternity man. falling to come to prayer-meet- ing and the Sunday night service; and yet never failing to be present at the meeting of his lodge, then he is bound to be grieved. ,J lust
 In all of the fraternities and in all the degrees of Masonry under the Knights Templar. the name of Jesus Christ is omitted.
 This to my mind is the gravest fact of all. The Savior's name is not known to them. If you doubt me, get hold of the rituals and read and Seek in vain. Listen to the public prayers Go to the funeral services and listen for the name of Jesus Christ. You will listen in vain. My friends, I don't care to be connected with any order on earth that fails to directly recognize the Son of God. Christ says: He that is ashamed of me, of him will I be ashamed" He that be-