p. 43 | FREEMASONRY by R. F. COTTRELL

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jan 1, 1867

FREEMASONRY.

By R. F. COTTRELL

“An extraordinary celebration of the Freemasons took place at Baltimore recently, the President of the United States appearing in Masonic regalia.”—Sabbath Recorder.

This awakens the memories of the past. The mention of the Freemasons calls to mind what was enacted here in Western New York in 1826, when Morgan was kidnapped, and doubtless murdered, for revealing the secrets of the order.

I remember, too, though many seem to have forgotten it, that while the people were highly excited upon the occasion, and anxiously desiring to ascertain the fate of Morgan, quite a number of lambs, I cannot say how many, were brought forth in different places in this part of the State, having the appearance of a fresh cut across the throat, and the tongue and under jaw entirely wanting. The apparent wound, however, was not real; no blood had been shed in making it; for it was closed over by the skin like a person's lips. Probably thousands saw these lambs while they were fresh. Some of their skins were stuffed and preserved for years. I saw two of these at a museum at the falls of Niagara, on the Canada side, nearly twenty years after. I was not here at the time; but there are many living witnesses who saw them at the time, one of whom is present where I write.

These things were ridiculed by some of the papers of the times. One editor suggested that it would be a greater improvement to have the lambs come a year or two old, well dressed and baked. Thousands called it a hoax, and did not credit it at all. Nevertheless it was true.

I remember, too, of reading Morgan’s book. According to that, when a person joins the Masonic lodge, he is required to take an oath of secrecy, “binding himself under no less penalty than to have his throat cut from ear to ear, his tongue torn out by the root, and his body buried in the rough sands of the sea,” &c.

Place this by the side of the miracle I have related, and what further proof do you want concerning the mysterious fate of Morgan, or what further arguments concerning the “nature and tendency” of speculative Freemasonry? When God speaks, the people ought to remember. But in a few days they seem to forget it. Scarcely does the sound of his voice die away, ere they are dancing around some molten image.

R. F. COTTRELL.