rendered them more useful in the world. For men to forsake masonry because they are disgusted with it, and find something more excellent in the Bible, is very different from what it is to forsake it because they are crowded with other important callings. The latter may sometimes be the case, the former is often the case; and is an open avowal of the emptiness of masonry, and of its utter insufficiency to satisfy a pious mind.

What support does masonry afford the people of God? They are favored with divine support, but whence is it derived? "I will pray the Father," said Jesus, " and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you for ever, even the Spirit of truth." This Spirit is the only source of consolation to the afflicted people of God. Take this away and there is nothing to sustain them in the trials of life. Will any person say that this Spirit, the comforter of saints, belongs to masonry? What a poor system of religion is that which has in it no Holy Spirit! What is there here to encourage and support the children of the Saviour, as they pass through great tribulation to the kingdom?

Masonry may afford momentary consolation to a pharisee, or hypocrite, who builds his hope on his own righteousness; but the man who rests his hopes on the merits of Christ crucified, thirsts for something to sustain his heart, far superior to a comfortless system, in which there is no Holy Ghost. If there be something in masonry which God has designed as a peculiar support for his people, masons will be found guilty for locking it up as a secret. Why may not all classes, and both sexes, be admitted to it on God's terms, "without money and without price?" The fact is, there is nothing in masonry which a suffering or a dying man needs; he may endure afflictions, live to the glory of his Maker, and die in complete triumph, without the aid, and without the hopes of masonry.

When a man is called to die, it is the most awful, the most important period of his existence! Then he needs consolation; then he needs something to sustain his sinking spirit, and to scatter light on his dark path. What will become of a poor deluded creature, when called to die with no better hope than that which is inspired by a

religion in which there is no sanctifying Spirit of God, and which expunges from it the very name of "our Lord Jesus Christ ?" On what rock will he then stand? The splendid edifice he has long labored to rear, will fall upon his own head, and bury him beneath its ruins. I would say to such an one, unless you possess a righteousness far superior to that which is derived from masonry, you must be damned. You must be justified by the righteousness of "our Lord Jesus Christ," or perish in your sins. "Kiss the Son lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they who put their trust in him."

"Were

According to masonic writers, if masonry were universally known, it would destroy the institution. "Were the privileges of masonry to be indiscriminately bestowed, the design of the institution would be subverted." these secrets communicated, they would be of no material service to mankind; their appropriate use is to distinguish our brethren of every nation, and kindred, and language.' Are there no other secrets in masonry, than those particular signs, by which masons distinguish each other? What are the degrees and ceremonies in each? They are as profoundly secret to the world as those signs are. If these were communicated to the world, the institution would be subverted, and mankind would receive no benefit from them.

What does Mr. Town say of the degrees, especially of the sixth? "With these views the sixth degree is conferred, where the riches of divine grace are opened in boundless prospect." The manner in which the riches of divine grace are thus unfolded, is a secret to all but masons, as much as any particular sign is. Would it be of no particular service to mankind, were they permitted to draw near and behold the riches of divine grace opened before them in boundless prospect? Is this of any service to masons? Why not of equal service to others?

According to Mr. Bradley, the secrets of masonry are designed to prevent their bestowing charity on any but masons. "The importance of secrecy with us is such, that we may not be deceived in the dispensing of our charities, that we may not be betrayed in the tenderness of our benevolence, or that others usurp the portion which is prepared for those of our family." If a poor sufferer

makes application to masons, tells them he is a mason and entitled to their charity, had he no token to give by which they should recognize him, they might be deceived and betrayed, and bestow their charity on one for whom it was not designed. This shows that masonry is a system of supreme selfishness, and its pretended benevolence the bare love of party.

FREEMASONRY A SYSTEM FRAUGHT WITH DECEPTION AND DETRIMENTAL TO HUMAN HAPPINESS.

Extract from Letters of Rev. Joshua Bradley, a Seceding Mason.

THIS will appear, without any veil to cover its enormity of crime, if you will condescend to examine critically the constitution, by-laws, amendments, resolutions, and transactions of the fraternity, since it was established in America. Let antecedent ages roll, burdened with all kinds of traditions, idolatry and superstition, from which speculative masonic writers and the devotees of the craft have picked here and there an atom, which being melted in their flaming imaginations, and brought forth among stonecutters; they have clothed it, and denominated this mere creature of fancy, SPECULATIVE Freemasonry. Under this name, many of the fraternity in Europe have conjured up more than 50 degrees, and conferred titles upon certain members, taken from all the crowned heads amidst the vast kingdom that have flourished around the globe since Japheth dwelt in the tents of Shem. Restless as the ocean and proud as Lucifer, they have multiplied degrees and flattered their brethren to obtain them. When they had taken three degrees they were greeted as having obtained great information in masonry, and were told that "the ancient landmarks of the order were intrusted to their care." They are now called Master Masons. When individuals have passed the Arch, and obtained the knowledge of a certain mysterious hug, and have been intrusted how to open and close a chapter,

they are pronounced wise, virtuous and highly favored among mortals. A few words of the charge given to a companion, will confirm my assertion and show the imposition of masonry, for it abounds in every degree:

Worthy companion, you are now exalted to the sublime and honorable degree, of a Royal Arch mason. Having attained this degree, you have arrived at the summit and perfection of ancient masonry."

Is this true? Why then are the higher degrees called ancient? Why is the 14th degree called Perfection? I beseech you candidly to examine into the nature and existence of all their multiplied forms of deception, their obscure interpretations, charters, diplomas, dues, continuance of membership, dresses and implements, &c. &c., and seriously inquire what all these labors, consumption of time and property, have benefited millions who have been connected with the order in all its mutations and progress amid civilized nations? A few well organized churches of Christ have done more in instructing the ignorant, in comforting the sick, in feeding the hungry, in clothing the naked, and proclaiming glad tidings to mankind, than the whole hosts of masons have done around the globe, since the commencement of their existence.

that

Masonry in every country has been changing its positions, constitutions, obligations and lectures, and muffling itself in fine robes, smiling and courting certain virtuous characters to form an affinity with it, that others might think favorably of it, and in this way aid in opening wider its jaws to the innocent, and proclaim abroad that the great, the learned and the good were members of this "ancient and honorable fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons." Here permit me to say, without fear of contradiction, those great and good men, of whom masons are continually boasting, never concerned themselves about its financial affairs and intriguing management. Those great men occasionally visited a Grand Lodge or a Grand Chapter, heard an oration on masonry, and then retired and left the transactions of the fraternity to others.Why is this? Because these gentlemen have other avocations, more honorable to themselves and more important to their fellow men, than to spend their time or inter

meddle any longer with the belittling system of masonry. These gentlemen in their younger years may have been masters of lodges, or high priests of chapters; but they are no more fascinated with the low, foolish and degraded work of bringing about of candidates, &c. &c. As many may be offended at my renouncing masonry, and my plainness in stating my conviction of its fallacy, I beg leave to say, that the whole system, so far as I can trace it back, is deceptive and its members who frequent lodges and chapters become discordant and contentious-for they find nothing in masonry to render them happy, and they see many things wrong and find many individuals with whom they cannot hold fellowship, or even walk in procession at the solemnities of a funeral.

At present I will only glance at the fraternity in America. Enough has taken place in our own country, if suitably laid before the public, that would make all men gaze with astonishment, who were not twice dead and buried beneath the lumber of traditions, gathered from the antediluvians and a thousand wayward transgressors of God's holy law.

The first Grand Lodge in America was formed in Boston in July, 1733, and received its charter from England. A war among these brothers in Boston and in England soon commenced, and a second Grand Lodge was formed in Boston in December, 1769, and received its charters from Scotland. Here contention reigned, and calumny blowed loud her trumpet through every street. In September, 1781, a Grand Lodge was formed in the city of New-York, having received its warrant from the Duke of Athol. Only six years after the date of their warrant, the masters and wardens of the several lodges met; having been duly notified, closed their lodge sine die, and then formed a Grand Lodge, independent of the Duke of Athol, and paid him no more tribute. Here all their former obligations were considered void and new ones formed to support the laws and the regulations of the Grand Lodge of the state of New-York. From those days till the present, animosities, fraud, evil speaking, conventions called, divisions made, and every kind of malevolence and even the murder of Morgan justified, and desperadoes supported from masonic funds to unite