CHARACTER OF FREE MASONRY.—NO. 2.
By S. A. Gilley
Not only is the antichristian character of Masonry shown by the studied omission of the name of Christ from its prayers and Scripture readings, but further by the fact that, rejecting him and his plan of salvation, it teaches that men are saved by works. While Heaven is constantly promised to all who faithfully perform their Masonic duties, no other qualification is taught as necessary. As Christians, we avow our belief that the practice of virtue, though demanded of the world, is not, apart from faith in Christ, the means of salvation. Could we keep our personal virtue up to the Bible standard, even then we should have need of “a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Masonry is antichristian in the partial and limited virtue it enjoins, as well as in the dependence placed upon its practice. Any outside observer may see that the Lodge does not regard in its obligations any person or persons beyond its own membership. Is charity taught in Masonry? It is only to be bestowed on a brother, or a brother’s wife, widow, or orphans. Masons in their Masonic character have never been known to teach or practice the universal charity of the gospel. If we regard Masonry as a charitable institution, where are its “Homes,” its “Hospitals,” and “Asylums”? where its schools or other beneficent gifts to the world? Echo answers, Where? Excluding from its fold all who are likely to become objects of charity, it dispenses its bounty only to its faithful, paying adherents, after the manner of a fourth rate insurance company. After investigation, any one will see that thus partial, limited, and selfish is every virtue inculcated in the Lodge. A breach of Christian virtue on any or every point is not a breach of Masonic virtue, unless a Mason or his family is made to suffer by it. Again, Masonry is antichristian because it is founded on falsehood. Denying Christ, it still claims his “forerunner” and “beloved disciple” for its patron saints; it declares King Solomon to have been the first Grand Master, while “holy men of old” were its devoted members. According to Masonic tradition the temple at Jerusalem was built by Masons from plans drawn out on the “Trestle Board” by Hiram Abiff, a Master Mason, and son of a Tyrian widow; while according to Bible history, it was built by workmen employed by Solomon, from plans divinely given to David, and by him to his son. (See 1 Chron. 28:12.) Such are the false claims to antiquity made by the Lodge, when the truth is well established that Free Masonry had its origin in Apple Tree Tavern, London, in 1717. In the Illinois Grand Lodge report for 1874, these claims to great age are admitted to be false; for on page 63 of said report, we read, “The third degree was not manufactured until about the year 1721;” yet in the face of this admission, every Lodge still teaches its dupes, both in and out of the order, the same untruths. We have proceeded thus far in our examination of the character of Masonry without referring the reader to any source for information that does not lie open to the world; the evils we have noticed are those that may be seen by any one from outside the order. In our next we invite your attention while we press through the door, and examine the inside work and the greater evils that are there found.