Opinions on Speculative Masonry

The nature and tendency of the institution are here clearly exhibited, and its principles and practices fully illustrated and exposed. From the fact that most of the writers of the pieces herein contained have been members of the institution, and consequently acquainted with its secret principles and designs; and also from the uniformity of their testimony, we may rely on their statements as correct, and consider their representation of its character as in accordance with truth.

The increasing demands of the public for information on the subject of Masonry, and the persuasion that a work which should present at one view the opinions of the most distinguished writers respecting it, would be useful, and well adapted for distribution, were the causes which led to the publication of the present volume. The compiler indulges the hope that it may subserve the cause of truth, by diffusing light on the subject of Masonry, and by exciting a more general inquiry into the nature of its claims.

Boston, Feb. 22, 1830.

RECOMMENDATION.

THE State Anti-masonic Committee of Massachusetts have examined the Prospectus, and a considerable portion of the Documents proposed to be published by Mr. JAMES C. ODIORNE, in a distinct volume. The work appears to be judiciously selected, well arranged, and ably conducted. A great mass of information, of the most important kind, is brought together in a manner deserving the attention and patronage of the public.

ABNER PHELPS,
Per Order.

CONTENTS.

EARLY HISTORY of FreemasonRY. By Henry Dana Ward, Esq.

THE PRETENSIONS OF FREEMASONRY TO AN ORIGIN IN THE

DAYS OF SOLOMON. Extracted from Letters of Rev. Henry

Jones,

THE ABUSE AND PERVERSION OF THE MASONIC INSTITUTION.
Extract of an Address delivered before Montgomery Lodge
in Medway, Mass. by Rev. Moses Thacher,

CIVIL, SOCIAL, AND POLITICAL INFLUENCE OF MASONRY. EX-
tract of a Letter addressed to the Suffolk Committee in Bos-
ton, by C. P. Sumner, Esq.

FREEMASONRY PRODUCTIVE OF NO PERMANENT MORAL GOOD.

Extracted from writings of Rev. John G. Stearns,

FREEMASONRY A SYSTEM FRAUGHT WITH DECEPTION, AND

DETRIMENTAL TO HUMAN HAPPINESS. By Rev. Joshua

Bradley,

THE TENDENCY OF FREEMASONRY TO INFIDELITY. Extract from

Thacher's Letters to a brother in the Church,

ON THE OATHS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MASONRY.

An Abridg
ment of Rev. Mr. Jones's Letters to Professing Christians,

ON THE VALIDITY OF MASONIC OATHS. By Myron Holley, Esq. 15

VINDICATION OF FREEDOM FROM MASONIC OATHS. From

Ward's Anti-masonic Review,

ON THE PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE OF THE MASONIC INSTITU

TION. Extract of a Letter addressed to the Committee of

the Worcester County Convention, by Pliny Merrick, Esq. 87

OPINION OF HON. C. D. COLDEN, upon tHE CHARACTER AND

TENDENCY OF FREEMASONRY,

REMARKS ON THE CHARACTER OF FREEMASONRY. From the
Address of Rev. Moses Thacher to his Church, on the occa-
sion of his seceding from the Masonic Institution,

CORRESPONDENCE IN RELATION TO THE HISTORICAL EVIDENCE

OF THE EXISTENCE OF FREEMASONRY PRIOR TO THE

LAST CENTURY.-Between the Suffolk Committee and the

Presidents and Professors of Andover Theological Seminary

and Harvard College,