CHARACTER OF FREE MASONRY.
By S. A. Gilley
No. 1.—Can Christians Endorse It? Every institution has its own character, and should be tolerated or condemned, as the character is good or evil. To fix the true character of an institution, we must be acquainted with it; not with some of its features, but with all; for if we know it only in part, while what we know may be good, what we do not know may be an overbalancing evil. An institution, while hiding from public inspection its principles and rules, from whose outworkings alone its true character can be known, has no right to call upon us for endorsement. Such an institution is Free Masonry. Covering with the obligation of secrecy its ruling principles; claiming to have baffled all outside its pale, who would investigate those principles; it turns to ask our signatures to the virtue and glory of its hidden mysteries. We assert that the true vital principles of Masonry cannot be known except from an inside inspection; but, looking at the outer and better side of the institution, we see much to condemn. We wish, by consent of the editor, to call attention to some features of this institution that lie upon the outside in their published writings, and therefore are open for all to examine; and after this may speak of some things we know to lie within, beyond the gaze of “cowans and eaves-droppers,” as masons term outsiders who will investigate for themselves. From our outside review, we learn:— I. FREE MASONRY IS A RELIGION.
1. It has a regular, religious ritual, with scriptural readings, prayers, and burial services, &c. 2. It claims to re-unite, or re-bind, man to God (the literal meaning of religion). This we shall see in our next account. 3. By its leaders and authors, it is claimed to be a religion. We might prove this by a long list of extracts from all their published works, but we only submit a few brief quotations out of many. Mackey’s Lexicon; article, “God”: “Free Masons have always been worshippers of the one true God.” Article, “Prayer,” page 369: “All the ceremonies of our order are prefaced and terminated with prayer, because Masonry is a religious institution.” Article, “Religion,” page 402: “The religion then of Masonry is pure theism.” Morris’ Dictionary, article, “God”: “The essentially religious character of Masonry, is shown under the head, Deity.” Article, “Deity,” page 128: “The idea of an omniscient and omnipotent God, who will punish vice and reward virtue, pervades the entire theory of Masonry.” Steinbrenner’s Origin of Masonry, pages 13 and 14: “Masonry can and will educate the pious man to that higher religion—that religion in which all men can agree.” “Rationale and Ethics of Free Masonry,” by Aug. C. L. Arnold, L. L. D., page 189: “Masonry marches in the same path with Christianity to-day.” Page 197, “Nay, Masonry is Christianity.” To conclude, Salem Town says: “Every good Mason is of necessity truly and emphatically a Christian, and is assured of his election and final salvation.” Continuing this outside examination we learn:— II. FREE MASONRY IS AN ANTI-CHRISTIAN RELIGION.
1. Christ’s name is left out, in all passages where it occurs in the scriptural readings, of their ritual; and also left out of all their prayers. “They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.” How can this omission be reconciled with the words of Christ, (John 14:6): “No man cometh unto the Father, but by me”? 2. They teach, in Masonry, a way to God and heaven; unlike the way taught by Christ and revealed in his word. Dictionary of Symbolical Free Masonry, by Geo. Oliver, D. D., article, Mason: “Guided by these movable jewels of Masonry (Square, Level, and Plumb), he (the Mason) may descend the water of life with joy in the hope of being accepted by the Most High, as a successful candidate for admission into the Grand Lodge above [Heaven].” See also Sickle’s Monitor, page 34; Star in the East, by Geo. Oliver, D. D., pages 6, 7, and 8; Spirit of Masonry, by Wm. Hutchinson, pages 7, 13, 15, and 114. Now claiming to be a religious institution, yet leaving out the name of Christ, and teaching a way to heaven by (masonic) works, what is the character of Masonry, if not anti-Christian? S. A. GILLEY.