Opposition to Secret Societies.
In accordance with a resolution adopted at a convention held in Aurora, Ill., in the fall of 1867, by persons opposed to secret societies, a call was issued for a “National Convention of Christians opposed to Secret Societies,” and Lafayette Hall, Pittsburg, named as the place for meeting. The Convention assembled in Pittsburg, on Tuesday, May 5th, and the Rev. Dr. G. S. Brown, Pastor of the Third Presbyterian Church of Pittsburg, was chosen President. Nearly an hour was spent in devotional exercises, after which the Convention was permanently organized, and adjourned till next day. In its second day’s session, after half an hour spent in devotional exercises, the following resolution was adopted: “Resolved, That, whatever apprehension we may entertain of the influence of secret temperance organizations, and especially in giving countenance to the principle of secret societies, and in furnishing recruits for Masonic lodges, we are, as a Convention, decidedly and emphatically in favor of the temperance reformation, and utterly opposed to legalizing the traffic in strong drinks as a beverage; and we cordially invite all those engaged in promoting the cause of temperance to take away the veil of secrecy and come into the light, that all temperance men may unite with them in earnest effort to destroy one of the greatest scourges of the land.”
The Rev. Mr. Baird, a Free-Mason of the seventeenth degree, then asserted that the Masonic order was unchristian in its character and teachings, and, upon the conclusion of his remarks, the Convention adjourned until the afternoon. The afternoon session was, after the usual religious exercises, occupied with drafting the constitution and rules of the association. These were embodied in six articles, the first of which states the objects of the association to be the exposure of the evils of secret societies, and especially of Free-Masonry, in order to save the church of Jesus Christ, and redeem justice and the Republican government from corruption. The fourth article provides for an annual meeting of the association, the fifth for local associations of similar character and purpose, and the sixth, for such changes in the constitution as may be found advisable. Charles G. Finney, of Oberlin, Ohio, is now publishing through the N. Y. Independent, a series of very interesting articles on Free-Masonry. Mr. F. was a Master Mason, but retired from the lodge on becoming a Christian, which was previous to the exposure by Morgan.