64. CHRISTIANITY AND FREEMASONRY.
By N. P. S.
Is it in harmony with the Scriptures for Christians to belong to the Freemasons? No, we do not think it is. Jesus said, "I spake openly to the world; . . . and in secret have I said nothing." John 18:20. He tells his disciples that what they had heard in the ear, the private instruction he had given, "that preach ye upon the house tops." Matt. 10:27. God's wondrous blessings are free to all who by faith will appropriate them. God has especial regard for the poor, the weak, the needy, the infirm, but it is this very class that Freemasonry prohibits. At the very best it is but a mutual benefit association with a very high premium for possible benefits. Its extra judicial oaths, with their fearful and unnatural penalties, are contrary to Christianity. In benevolence, and even its acts of honor, are of necessity only to be exercised to those within, or connected by family ties to, the "lodge," while Christianity inculcates doing "good to all," as opportunity offers. That there are sincere believers in Christ who are Freemasons we would not for a moment deny; but to us it seems that they have an erroneous idea of true benevolence as exercised in these secret orders, and they also have a very low conception of the breadth, scope, work, and spirit which ought to be in and actuate the church of Christ. To turn from the church of Christ, from true union with Christ, to any lodge or organization; such as Freemasonry or Odd Fellows, is like turning from the cool-flowing, life-giving waters of the mountain to the brackish waters stored in the broken cisterns of men.