The Lodge and the Church.
The following array of differences between secret societies and the church of Christ, as led by His Word, which appeared in the November issue of the Christian Cynosure, is worthy of serious consideration: Accepts only those who have money. Receives neither women nor children. Helps only those who have paid. Doubts a man’s word until he swears. Has degrees which form society into castes. Forbids a man to take his wife to the lodge meetings. Requires a man to hide something from his wife. Makes a man leave his family alone on lodge-meeting nights. Persecutes and sometimes kills those who tell of its ritual and secrets. Demands approval before telling what is to be approved. Draws good men into bad company. Calls the Bible “furniture.” Calls conscience the highest rule. Puts the Koran and other books on a level of comparison with the Bible, and declares such to be of equal authority. Prays without the name of Christ. Avoids the confession of Christ, so as not to offend unbelievers. Considers all religions of equal value. Fosters pride by high-sounding titles. Sends the grossest sinners to “the Grand Lodge above.” Says: Every kind of faith is saving. Way of salvation: Good works. Denies the Trinity, atonement, and Christ’s divinity. Advises to go in yoke with unbelievers. Often chooses scoffers to lead devotion. Sits at every meeting in “the seat of the scornful.” Helps the poor as far as possible. Warns against vain oaths. Believes every man until he deceives. Asks a man to take his wife to meeting. Advises married people to hide nothing. Asks a man to take his family with him. Sends out witnesses to proclaim its faith and ceremonies. Demands knowledge before approval. Draws bad men into good company. Calls the Bible “the living Word of God.” Calls the Word of God the highest rule. Puts the Bible above all other books. Prays in the name of Christ. Confesses Christ tho they die for it. Calls Christianity the only true religion. Fosters humility by convincing of sin. Avoids a worldly life, and says: “Blessed are the pure in heart.” Says: None cometh to the Father except through the Son. Way of salvation: Faith in Christ, bearing fruit in virtue. Confesses all these truths. Warns against going in yoke with unbelievers. Chooses believers to lead devotion. Says: Blessed is he that “sitteth not in the seat of the scornful.”