APPENDIX.

Kenunciations of Freemasons.

Extract from the Renunciation of the Rev. David Bernard, of Warsaw, Genesee Co. N. Y.

Ir is with much reluctance I appear before the public in defence of that which is dearer to me than life. Though I value my good name thus highly, I should not attempt a refutation of the foul charges which have been with much pains circulated against me, and appear in the public journals in vindication of my character, were it not for the duty I owe to my family and friends, and above all, to the Church of the living God, of which I have the honor (though unworthy) to be a member and minister. And it is not because I was unable to make every thing appear "clear as the sun," as respects the course I have pursued in forever leaving and renouncing Freemasonry, that I have not done it before. But it is because my brethren and friends advised me to hold still, and because I determined to show my enemies, that all their slander, and hellish machinations, could not overthrow me, though I remained silent: And thanks be to the name of my Master, I have been enabled to pursue such a course as has received the approbation and fellowship of the churchthe answer of a good conscience, and the approving smiles of my God.

es,

It may not be amiss here to observe, that I have taken ten degrees in Speculative Freemasonry, and was the first Royal Arch Mason, with the exception of Wm. Morgan, that ever denounced the institution as corrupt, to my knowledge. This is one reason, no doubt, why the fraternity have been so inveterate against me.

Now to the point, respecting my leaving the institution. Five weeks before the abduction of Morgan, I heard that he was writing masonry. My informant was a Baptist minister of high standing,

and a high mason. He declared to me, that a greater piece of depravity he had never heard of; and furthermore, said repeatedly, that "he was willing to be one to put Morgan out of the way." He said that "God looked upon the institution with such complacency, he would never bring the perpetrators to light," and attempted to justify the deed from the scriptures. He also informed me, that there had been a meeting of the masons at Batavia and Stafford. The above expressions I highly disapproved of at the time, and told him that if Morgan had done wrong, we should not. The above I feel willing to be qualified to, if called upon in any proper manner. From what I learned from the above gentleman, and others, I had no doubt some measures would be taken to stop the printing of masonry, but did not believe the masons would be so abominably wicked and daring as to put Morgan to death.

When I was at the east, 250 miles from Batavia, I heard masons of high standing converse upon the subject of his abduction, which was several weeks before he was taken off. On my way home, I saw Elder John G. Stearns, and he presented me one of his books on masonry, just published. When I reached home I read the work and could find no fault in it. I showed the book to a mason, who immediately purchased it. I learned also, that Morgan was taken off and probably put to death. I began conversing with the masons upon the subject, and they almost universally justified it. I then began not only to give the subject due reflection, and investigation; but to express my abhorrence and utter detestation of the foul and most awful deed. I began also to converse freely on the principles of the institution with masons, and others. About this time a special meeting of the lodge was called in Covington, which I attended, and after the meeting was duly opened and the subject of the abduction brought up, I arose and decidedly disapprobated it, and advised the lodge to do the same. But instead of attending to my advice, they began to question me about what I had said of masonry, and relative to my bringing Stearn's book into town; all of which to the worthy body, appeared criminal. During this meeting, if I may judge, I saw what I call a manifest approbation of the Morgan outrage, in most of the members, and it was a full meeting. At this meeting there were a number of Reverend gentlemen, one of whom said, as nearly as I can recollect: "Cities have their laws, Churches have their laws, masons have their laws, and here is the proper place to try a mason. If Morgan has had his throat cut from ear to ear, and his body buried in the rough sands of the sea, where the tide ebbs and flows once in 24 hours, he cannot complain of not having justice done him." Here he closed, and it was echoed with an Amen! Amen! Amen! One of the members of the church in Covington, said about this time at a private house, that the worst death inflicted on Morgan, would have been no more than just.

The next regular meeting of the lodge I attended; being requested by the Master, at the above named special meeting, and here a scene passed which I shall never forget. If ever a poor mortal was abused, I was. Dr. Daniel White was one of the foremost, in treating me shamefully. Here I did not know what to do; I rather thought there would be warm work, I therefore kept perfectly cool, as I can abundantly prove, and nothing passed my lips but what I am willing

should be repeated a thousand times. I then and there declared some of my then principal objections to Freemasonry. They were not removed. I finally told them to take their own course, such were my views, and if they chose they could expel me. It has been said that I begged them not to do it, but this is false, and I can prove it. I told them I did not ask them to expel me, but they could take their own course. I finally left them, hoping and praying that they would forever disown me, as I did them.

When I left the Church in Covington, they gave me a good letter of recommendation. I also received letters from the 2d Le Roy, 1st York, 1st Middlebury, 2d Elba and Warsaw churches, all of which justified and approved the course I have taken; and I hope I may ever conduct so as to merit their confidence and that of the public. I have ever been ready, and am still, to meet my accusers or any body else, before the churches with which I am connected. I preach to the first church in Middlebury and the church in Warsaw. I hold my standing in the second church in Le Roy, where I united last winter. My reason for uniting with that church is, it was the first in the country that came out from Freemasonry, and as I could not conscientiously walk with those who practised it, I became one of them. I wish to injure no man. I trust I am a friend to all men. But I am a decided enemy to Freemasonry; and it is because, from a thorough investigation of its principles before and since I left it, I fully believe that it is not only the most abominable but also the most dangerous institution that ever was imposed upon man; it is anti-republican and anti-christian. It is somewhat imposing, owing to its borrowed garments, but this renders it more dangerous, for like the wily serpent, it lures but to destroy. Man never invented, hell never devised, wicked men and devils never palmed upon the public a more foolish, corrupt, awful, soul destroying and Heaven daring institution, than Speculative Freemasonry! It may truly be said to be HELL'S MASTER PIECE.

Having thoroughly investigated its ceremonies, its oaths, and its principles, as in the light of eternity, I feel fully warranted in making these statements. The condition on which the oaths are taken, and their evil tendency, being opposed to the glory of God and the best interests of man, render them far from being binding.

I solemnly renounce all fealty to masonry, and do most earnestly beseech my brethren in Christ Jesus, of every name, to come out and bear unequivocal testimony against it. Think, O think, dear Christians, that hundreds and thousands of precious and immortal souls will be lost forever, unless they return and repent, but that the name of the precious Jesus is rejected, your Saviour, your precious and adorable Saviour taken away-the cause of your bleeding Redeemer injured-the hands of the wicked strengthened, and the Almighty God dishonored! And O, let me entreat you in the mercy and bowels of Jesus Christ, to reflect that you have to answer for the blood of those who shall find also, when it shall be forever too late, that masonry is not a Saviour! And while I entreat you, let me warn the wicked. O wicked man, thou shalt surely die--your house is built on the sand-the winds, rains, and floods of Jehovah's wrath will soon beat upon your naked soul in one eternal storm! Though you may expect to mount up as the eagle on your boasted god, you

will find that the Almighty will dash you to pieces like a potter's vessel. Be warned then, be wise and flee from masonry-flee from the wrath to come-flee to the gushing side of Jesus, whose blood you are ever trampling under your feet. He can save you, for he is merciful-he can save you, for he is Almighty. Farewell, dear sinner; if you choose, you can still slander me, still calumniate my character. Recollect when I pray to my Lord I always remember you; though you hate me, I love you; though you blast my reputation, though you kill my body, you cannot kill my soul. This is secure from all your machinations, and will in the blood of Christ triumph forever.

Farewell, dear sinners: But we shall meet again, when the last trump shall sound we shall meet. At the retribution of the great day, we shall meet and hear our final doom, we shall receive our everlasting reward-masonry then, and its adherents will eternally perish, while Christ and his people will reign forever.

DAVID BERNARD.

Renunciation of Rev. Joshua Bradley, Principal of Rock Spring Seminary, Illinois.

In a letter to a friend in New-York.

I was brought into existence and educated in a region where masonry was cherished and respected, and where I never heard any cogent arguments offered against it; I therefore was early inclined to think it an institution worthy of my attention. After I left college in 1799, I became acquainted with many masons, who were amiable, benevolent, influential in society and government; also, some ministers whom I highly esteemed, were members and zealously engaged in recommending its morality, virtues and utility to mankind. All I read, heard, or saw of the progress of this denomination, had a tendency to incline me to join them. In 1814, I visited Newport, R. I., where I was first settled in the ministry. An opportunity was then presented to accomplish my wishes and gratify my curiosity. There I took all the degrees that I ever considered important to myself and others. Some terms in the obligations and the titles of their officers, I never liked, but these were so explained by those who presided, that I finally passed onward, as all had done who had gone this way before me, without much difficulty.

I then considered, and have ever since, that the Knighthood has no affinity to masonry. I never had a thought that masonry was religion; for God in his infinite mercy had brought me by his Holy Spirit to believe in Christ, at the age of about 17 years. That pure religion which I then experienced, has been replete with every thing that I or a world needs in time or eternity. But masonry is a human, and cunningly formed system of deception. Is it not rightly named, "Speculative Freemasonry?" Millions have been drawn within its veil, and led away captive by its false pretensions and exhibitions of

morality, charity and brotherly love. And many may still rejoice for a season in their delusions, despise reproof, and perish without remedy.

While I lived in New England, I saw nothing very alarming in the transactions of masons; but in 1817 I settled in Albany, N. Y., where I formed an extensive acquaintance with the fraternity from all parts of that State, and began to take an active part in their lodges and chapters, till May, 1826. During this period I tried in all laudable ways to enlighten and turn the attention of thousands, to found academies and educate in all the useful arts, the children of poor masons and their orphans-to expel unworthy members, to lay out their large and accumulating funds for the benefit of those to whom they were obligated, and to save themselves from fraud and every species of deception. I was well aware from documents obtained, and from oral information, that the craft were in imminent danger of overwhelming themselves in a sea of difficulties, which would rise and sweep through that State, if not over the Union-bearing on its waves the iniquities of many of the order that might be seen and known by every individual of discernment. I was no prophet, neither the son of a prophet, nor did I need a messenger from the skies to inform me of the future destiny of the fraternity in NewYork, or any other part of the globe, when I knew from history and the revelation from heaven, that the destruction of every society slumbered not, which would foster within its embraces, members, who would spend their funds in riotous courses and every scene of abomination. Many have done this in every country where masonry has been permitted to erect her edifice, and entice to her dark recesses all whom she may devour. Should any consider me advancing upon ground doubtful, and altogether beyond the regions of possibility, I would only ask masons to open their archives and read for themselves. What occasioned the existence of the Lodge of Reconciliation in England? Was it not to bring into union the terrible parties of masons who arrayed themselves against each other, and were trampling upon every particle of reason, and setting at naught every thing worthy of our existence? Who robbed No. 31 of their jewels, implements, charter and every book? Their Deputy Grand Master. What did that lodge write to their Grand Master, who is the king of Great Britain? How did he treat that lodge? English masons know, and some of us in this country have read the letters that were written upon those base transactions. But I will put a few questions that can easily be answered by masons in the State of NewYork. What treasurer of T. Chapter in Albany, squandered $1450 away in a manner too injurious to himself to be described by me? How many hundreds did the same individual receive from country brethren, for charters, which he did not return, nor refund their money? What treasurer of the Grand Chapter put all his property out of his hands, and kept back $5000, which he had received while in office? Who were the representatives of about thirty lodges in and about the city of New-York, who tried all possible arts of deception upon the representatives from the country in Tammany Hall, till midnight, and then seized all the funds, clothing, papers and implements, and retired to St. John's Hall, and there elected officers, contrary to the laws of the Grand Lodge and all usages among masons, or any