exerted, in various branches of the masonic community, its history fully demonstrates; and, although many such charges against the institution in our own country I must think are altogether without foundation; yet we ought not, by any means, to consider ourselves beyond the reach of corruption. The example of the Illuminees, who crept into the lodges of Europe, and converted masonry into an engine, which overturned the religion and government of a whole nation, should surely prove a most solemn admonition to all the members of the fraternity in this infant Republic. A republican government, of all others, affords the fairest opportunity for demagogues and men of corrupt minds, to execute their base designs. It would not be strange, therefore, if such men, who had connected themselves with the masonic institution, should make every possible attempt, by intrigue and deep laid plots, to rob this people of their dearest rights, which our fathers purchased with their blood.

In pursuing the chain of evils, by which the masonic institution has been made a subject of abuse, it is not out of place to take notice of FALSE PRETENSIONS. It is noto

rious to every judicious and candid member of the institution, that Freemasonry has often been made to rear false beacons, and to hold out false colors. Many have seemed to suppose, because they are not allowed to tell what masonry is, so far as its "mysteries" are concerned that they are authorized, and even obliged, to represent it as being what it is not. In order to gratify the curious, and raise their highest expectations, they have represented the peculiarities of the institution to be something, which would strike the peculiar fancies of individuals, or gratify their ruling passions: and so have induced persons to become members from mercenary motives, which has often been the occasion of the greatest degree of disappointment and disgust. Some for example, conversing with an avaricious man, have led him to believe that masonry affords peculiar facilities for the acquisition of wealth. In conversing with an ambitious man, they have represented the institution as pointing out a very safe and easy road to honor and promotion. Men of studious habits have been led to believe, by similar false representations, that

it was one grand and principal object of masonry, to lay open the profoundest mysteries of science and the arts, in the most direct, easy and lucid manner. In like manner have been treated men of different professions. The attorney has been presented with the highest encourage ment of aid in the mazes of the law; and the divine* has been told that masonry throws light upon different incidents recorded in the Bible, and teaches to explain different passages of scripture, which, otherwise, must forever remain in obscurity. Now, to pursue such a course as this, with those who are ignorant of the mysteries of masonry, is not only to act a dishonest part, but must be productive of the most serious and lasting evils. It is easy to see, that when any person is initiated to the order with high expectation of some peculiar advantage, which has been held out to him by false and delusive representations, he must not only be disappointed, but disgusted. If so, his disappointment and disgust may not only lead him to overlook any real merit in the institution, though of a very different kind from what he expected, but will probably drive him to abandon the institution altogether. It ought ever, therefore, to be a maxim with all masons, whenever they say any thing respecting their institution, to "speak the words of truth and soberness." If they cannot converse with others, without making false impressions, and false representations, let them keep silence. It may be presumed, that there is not one mason in ten, if there is one in a hundred, who has not been in some degree disappointed and disgusted in consequence of false expectations, raised by the disingenuous allurements of imprudent members.

In connexion with the last mentioned abuse of the masonic institution, we may add, BOASTING OF ITS GREAT

The writer here speaks from experience. He was repeatedly told, perhaps sincerely, that the masonic society was not only a scientific institution, but that there were many incidents and passages revealed in the Bible, which could be explained only by masonic light. This representation he has since found to be altogether false. Masonry, indeed, alludes to scripture; but I have nowhere found, after the most diligent research, that scripture alludes to masonry ; unless (which is very probable) the sacred writers allude to it prophetically, in describing the scenes of the latter days.

ANTIQUITY AND PRETENDED PATRONS.* It seems to be a natural and rather curious trait in the human character, to value some things merely because they are old, and others merely because they are new. It is always impolitic, however, to claim, for any institution, greater antiquity, than can be fairly made to appear by conclusive evidence, in view of the public. To prize any thing, either because of its real or pretended antiquity, when others are able to see neither internal nor external evidence of the fact, is rather to turn the subject into ridicule, and detract from its real merit, than to sanction its utility by proper means, and give demonstration of its excellence. When masons, therefore, have boasted that their institution is as old as the creation, and that all the renowned men of antiquity have been its patrons, they have betrayed a want of confidence in what ought to constitute its real worth, and which cannot in anywise depend upon its being either old or young. It matters not to me, whether the institution was founded by Solomon, or by John the Baptist, or, what is more probable, by certain mechanics in the sixteenth century; I consider the main question to be, Whether the institution is good or bad; and whether it has maintained or departed from its original design? I can, however, with what little know

*Enthusiastic friends of our institution have done it much injury, and covered it with much ridicule, by stretching its origin beyond the bounds of credibility. Some have given it an antediluvian origin, while others have even represented it as coeval with creation; some have traced it to the Egyptian priests, and others have discovered its vestiges in the mystical societies of Greece and Rome. The erection of Solomon's temple, the retreats of the Druids, and the crusades to the holy land, have been at different times specified as the sources of its existence. The order, harmony, and wonders of creation, the principles of mathematical science, and the productions of architectural skill, have been confounded with Freemasonry. Whenever a great philosopher has enlightened the ancient world, he has been resolved by a species of moral metempsychosis, or intellectual chemistry, into a Freemason; and in all the secret institutions of antiquity, the footsteps of Lodges have been traced by the eye of credulity. Archimides, Pythagoras, Euclid, and Vetruvius, were in all probability not Freemasons; and the love of order, the cultivation of science, the embellishments of taste, and the sublime and beautiful works of art, have certainly existed in ancient, as they now do in modern times, without the agency of Freemasonry.' -Extract from the Masonic Address of Dewitt Clinton, delivered Sept. 29, 1825.

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ledge I have been able to acquire on the subject, see no propriety in celebrating the birth of any ancient patron, whether real or supposed; and, for my own part, I frankly confess, that I have never yet seen one spark of substantial evidence, that either Solomon, or John the Baptist, or John the Evangelist, was a Freemason. I make this declaration as an honest man; and not, by any means, to cast reflections upon those, whose judgment may differ from mine. I am persuaded also, that the annual celebration of John Baptist's nativity has, for years past, been productive of serious evils, by an example of conviviality, not to say intemperance, and an inducement to extravagance, parade and idleness; vices which, more than almost any thing else, have tended to blast the reputation of the order, as a moral and charitable institution. But, supposing masonry can boast of great antiquity, and of renowned patrons; what then? This simple fact can render it, in its present state, and at the present day, neither the better nor the worse. An institution cannot, in reality, be any the more valuable for being old, nor any the less valuable for being new. I cannot consider Louis XVI. any the better for being able to "boast of a long line of dead ancestors," who had reigned before him, and his claiming the prerogative to wear the crown by "the right of blood;" nor Napoleon Bonaparte any the worse, for having placed himself at the head of an intended dynasty. If antiquity is necessary to prove the value of an institution; then the government under which we live, should be undervalued and cried down, merely because it was founded in the close of the eighteenth century; while we sing the praises of the British monarchy, because it has existed for a thousand years. It is laboring in vain, therefore, and spending strength for nought, to attempt demonstrating the merits of Freemasonry, by proclaiming its antiquity, and celebrating the nativity of a supposed ancient patron. It is true, the pageantry of that day may excite the curiosity of idle brains, and give them an itch to become acquainted with the "mysteries" of the order; but members, who become such from idle curiosity, can afford neither honor nor profit to a charitable and moral institution.

The greatest abuse of Freemasonry, which deserves

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notice on this occasion, is, the inclination of some ro MOULD IT INTO A SYSTEM OF RELIGION. All that can be said of masonry, and all that ought to be said of it, in its best and primitive state, is, that it was designed for a moral and charitable institution. Thus far it may go, and no farther. To run it into a system of religion, is an outrage upon the gospel of Christ. A man may as well be a Mahomedan, or a heathen, as adopt any thing for a system of religion, which does not recognize the atonement of Christ. This is the foundation of the Christian's faith, the Christian's hope, and the Christian's salvation. For, "there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we can be saved, but by Jesus Christ." Freemasons may be assured, therefore, that they cannot do their institution a greater injury, nor more effectually disgust and wound the feelings of a Christian community, than to frame it into a system of religion. There is not a Christian on earth but must reject and abandon masonry, so far as it sets itself up as a system of religion, upon which its votaries may be induced to build their hopes of forgiveness and acceptance with God. For, there is not a Christian on earth, but must build his hopes of salvation entirely upon the atonement of the blessed Redeemer. It would be just as consistent to erect the constitution of an agricultural society into a system of religion, as to erect the institution of masonry into a system of religion. I should consider it just as proper to give this sentiment, "Religion and agriculture :—what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder;" as to give the sentiment which was given at a recent anniversary, "Religion and masonry :—what God hath joined together, let not man put asunder."

Here then lies the true secret of that opposition to Freemasonry, which is expressed by some of our most serious and conscientious men in society. They have considered masons as erecting a system of religion, in distinction from, and in opposition to, the religion of the gospel. It must be confessed, also, that they have had their reasons for so thinking. They have heard the re

* Given by Rev. George Taft, Rector of St. Paul's Church, Pawtucket, R. I.-ED.