- Blaxp-Boox | CITIZEN'S MANDAL. seePREFACE. . This book is the very cream of years of gleaning and research; a vast mine of valuable information; a great store-house of over- whelming evidences; a regular arsenal of astounding facts; a mag- azine of unanswerable testimony; a wonderful symposium of pub- lic opinion; a tidal wave of expression of surprising magnitude; a whirlwind of independent thought; a perfect cyclone of radical criticisth; a complete documentary compilation, powerful and con- vincing; an all-round exposition of an organized, aggressive and widespread movement; every item a text, and every chapter the out- line for a powerful sermon, speech or lecture. The compiler sur- rounds himself with public opinion as with a wall “of adamant. Cumulative proofs show up the blackest and foulest conspiracy ever in America, to startle the nation like a thunderbolt from aclear sky. It embraces the opinion of more than 100 papers, as found before the public, and men and women high in church and state are thrown on the witness stand. The attitude and expression alone of such an array of powerful newspapers, eminent statesmen, learned divines and noted reformers as are introduced to the reader, would herald any publication and insure a wide hearing on any national theme. Ministers, editors, teachers, lecturers, writers, and students of the American system are not posted until they have studied thor- oughly this remarkable book; they will read its startling chapters again and again. It is especially by the encouragement and co-op- eration of that public spirited patriot and Christian, Elder Rufus Smith, of Wheaton, Ill, that this timely volume is sent on its mis- sion of enlightenment. Influential journals, whole churches, and strong organizations are interested in its successful career and ex- tended circulation. Any chapter is worth many times the price of the book and every citizen should have a copy for constant use and ready reference. Over 200 pages of close print—more matter than many works of twice or thrice the size with larger type, pictures and broad margins. Every book sold will call for a dozen for friends and neighbors; will sell ten to one over any costly dollar print. Live agents wanted in every congregation, public school, college, town and neighborhood. Enquire for the book of your local news dealer, at the book stores, of any train boy, or to receive & copy, paper cover, postpaid, remit forty cents to vos Manuove N. Burien, Avalon, Mo. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1891, by M.N. BUTLER, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. . b4677CHAPTER If. THE BIBLE AND SECRETISM. “And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me write.” Rev. xiv. 13. : Judgment must begin at the house of God, but it don’t end there. The Church will carry a fearful re- sponsibility to the final judgment. The Christian citi- zen and praying voter will give a strict account of his stewardship, and answer alike for sins of omission and commission, For the benefit of religious people and the edification of the professed followers of Christ we have arranged some Scripture that will bear reading and re-reading. CENTRAL THoucuT: ‘Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” . - Comperent Testimony: “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.. All scripture is given by in- spiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for re- proof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly fur- nished unto all good works. Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpre- tation. If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God.” : Secrecy ConpEMNED: “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things, which are re- 3 S46¢4 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. vealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and im secret have I said nothing. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that docth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made mani- fest, that they are wrought in God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid tothem that are lost. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; gonot forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprovethem. For itis a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret, Neither do men light a candle, and put it un- der a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light to all that are inthe house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully ; but by manifestations of the truthcommend-THE BIBLE AND SECRETISM. . 5 .. ing ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. For there is nothing covered, that shall not be re- vealed ; neither hid, that shall not be known. Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the house-tops. O my soul, come not thou into their secret; unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united.” © Ati Wor-LDLy Broruernoop FornippEn: “He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his command- ments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not into the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it and pass away. For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the council of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sittetl in the seat of the scornful. Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unright- eousness? and what communion hath light with dark- ness? and what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with aninfidel? Ye cannot drink ‘the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils; ye cannot be partaker of the Lord’s table and the table of devils. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure. Ab-6 . THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. stain from all appearance of evil. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” Lopez Oatus: “ But above all things, my breth- ren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation, Again, ye have heard that. it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let your communication be Yea, Yea; Nay, Nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the Lord. And if a soul sin, and hear the voice of swearing, and is a witness, whether he hath seen or known of it; if he do not utter it, then he shall bear his iniquity. Or if a soul swear, pronouncing with his lips to do evil, or to do good, whatsoever it be that a man shall pronounce with an oath, and it be hid from him; when he knoweth of it, then he shall be guilty in one of these. And it shall be, when he shall be guilty in one of these things, that he shall confess that he hath sinned in that thing.” Worsurprut Master: ‘No man can serve two masters: for he will hate the one, and love the other;THE BIBLE AND SECRETISM. 7 or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon. Be ye not called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. . My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater con- deinnation.” : TruE AND FatseE Service: “God’s Word pro- hibits the believer from forming alliances with the un- godly in society. Whenever the Christian surrenders himself to the society of the unbelieving world, his heart will be led away from God. This is especially true of thousands of Christian men who have deliberate- ly yoked themselves up with unbelievers in all manner of secret societies, This course of false alliance is doing more mischief to individual Christian men by turning their heart away from God and his service, and to the church by depleting and robbing her of her male mem- bership, chaz any other one enemy of Christ. There never was a time when the cry, ‘Come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord,’ was more needed than now.”—From Dr. George Pentecost’s Bi- ble Studzes, 1889, p. 389. “As to the question of the attitude of Christians to-’ ward the secret orders, two or three things seem to me very plain. One of them is this: that the whole move- ment of things on the line of secrecy is thoroughly an- tagonistic to the movement on the line of Scripture and Christianity.”Rev. Z. P. Goodwin, D. D., pastor- First Congregational Church, Chicago, Lil. : RELEVANT Scriptures: “ This know also, that8 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, in- continent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying “the power thereof; from such turn away. Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking les in hypocrisy ; hav- ing their conscience seared with a hot iron. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares: they set a trap, they catch men. A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers. For the time will come’ when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their cars from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confess- eth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God; and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ 1s come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of an- tichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. For many de-THE BIBLE AND SECRETISM. 9g ceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this con- demnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of God in- to lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. They profess that they know God but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate, Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, this people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.” “But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I re- quire at the watchman’s hand. Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord.” “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trum- pet, and show my people their transgressions, and the house of Jacob their sins. A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by theirs means; and my people love to have it so, and what will ye do in the end thereof? Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement: when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves. And more-10 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. - over I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fal- len in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey; and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he al- so reap. Behold, a whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in fury, even a grievous whirlwind: it shall fall griev- ously upon the head of the wicked. Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure, and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it. And mean men shall be brought down, and the mighty man shal) be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled. Stand now with thine enchantments, and with the multitude of thy sorceries, wherein thou hast la- boured from thy youth; if so be thou shalt be able to profit, if so be thou mayest prevail. Thou art wearied in the multitude of thy counsels, Let now the astrolo- gers, the stargazers, the monthly prognosticators, stand up, and save thee from these things that shall come up- on thee. Wherefore, as I live, saith the Lord God; surely, because thou hast defiled my sanctuary with all thy detestable things, and with all thine abominations, therefore will I diminish thee; neither shall mine eyes spare, neither will I have any pity. Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, andTHE BIBLE AND SECRETISM. Il the waters shall overflow the hiding place. . And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agree- ment with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then ye shall be trodden down by it. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her my people, that ye be not par- takers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues, For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Her priests have vio- lated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between’ the holy and the profane, neither have they shewed difference between the clean and the unclean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their al- tars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire. At that day shall a man look to his maker, and his eyes shall have respect to ‘the Holy One of Israel. And he shall not look to the altars, the work of his hands, neither shall he respect that which his fingers have made, either the groves or the images. Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgress- ions: but I willsave them out of all their dwelling places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God.CHAPTER II. MASONIC RELIGION. In view of the increasing discussion of secret socie- ties and especially of Freemasonry it might be interest- ing to enter into a candid, careful examination of this influential order. And in the beginning we hasten to assure the reader that we do not propose __ pring for- ward the testimony of non-Masons or of anti-Masonic publications. We do not propose to beg the question in any way, manner or shape, and if the reader should have ever been made a Freemason, we ask and hope that for the time being he will forget that fact, and hav- ing divested his mind, if possible of prejudice, will look at the subject from a common-sense standpoint, neither accepting nor rejecting a point or proposition until all the bearings are duly weighed. ‘You are not responsi- ble for the present form, character, religion, and govern- ment of Freemasonry, neither is the writer, because we had nothing whatever to do in originating, molding or shaping the system. However, we do have aright to look at the facts in the case, intelligently draw our con- clusions therefrom, and then to “mark and govern our- selves accordingly,” no man or set of men daring to lawfully molest us or make us afraid. Now it is plain to every one that if anybody really knows what Freemasonry is, Freemasons themselves certainly must know; and if any Masons know, it is not necessarily the embryo, three-degree, pinfeather, Blue Lodge Masons, who perhaps do not know enough to visit a strange lodge without a brother along to vouch 12MASONIC RELIGION. 13 for them, but it is self-evident that if any Masons know what the principles, doctrines and practice of the order are, itis the men who have gone from the “ground-floor” clear through the “pictures,” who have made Free- masonry a life study, who are even now occupying the highest positions of honor and power in the craft, and who have been put forward by the institution to write its great standard publications, including its rituals, its monitors, its manuals, ‘its lexicons, its dictionaries, its digests of Masonic law, together with its works on Ma- sonic jurisprudence, its histories, its guides, its trestle- boards, and many other valuable works issued for the sole benefit of the “Worshipful Fraternity.”. The great Ma- sonic works and documents herein quoted were written by the learned rulers and teachers of Masonry and are protected by the’seal of the United States in copyright. They were written by high Masons, copyrighted by Masons, published by Masons, sold by Masons, sold to Masons, and openly endorsed and used by the Masonic Fraternity all over ‘the land. Not only endorsed and used by well-posted individual Masons, but subordinate and Grand Lodges have officially fathered and are using them. With this understanding, reader, we will meet upon the “level” and part upon the “square.” . Is there not some legitimate method of arriving at a correct knowledge without trespassing on forbidden territory? Let us see. “It is a duty incumbent on every Master of a Lodge, before the ceremony of initiation takes place, to inform the candidate of the purpose and design of the institu- tion ;” etc.—See Webb’s Freemason’s Monitor, p. 19.14 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. Thomas Smith Webb was the first standard Masonic author 1n this country: he is the fathér of American Masonry. Very well, we will see whut this assurance is. “It is the duty of the Master of the Lodge, as one of the precautionary measures of initiation, to explain to the candidate the nature and design of the institution; and while he informs him that it is founded on the pur- est principles of virtue, that it possesses great and inval- uable privileges; and that, in order to secure those priv- ileges to worthy men, and worthy men alone, voluntary pledges of fidelity are required; he will at the same time assure him that nothing will be expectedof him incompatible with his civil, moral or religious duties.” —Sickels’ Freemason’s Monitor, p. 31. Dan Sickels is the great Masonic publisher of New York City and a Secretary General of the Supreme Council. “Masonry includes within its circle almost every branch of polite learning. Under the veil of its mvs- teries is comprehended a regular system cf science. Many of its illustrations, to the confined genius, may appear unimportant; but the man of more enlarged faculties will perceive them to be, in the highest degree, useful and interesting. To please the accomplished scholar and ingenius artist, Masonry is wisely planned; and, in the investigation of its latent doctrines, the phi- losopher and the mathematician may experience equal delight and’ satisfaction."—See Ibid, p. 62, Ahiman Rezon, p. 116. :MASONIC RELIGION. = _ 15 Would it not be difficult to frame a stronger in- vitation to join any order than the above? But the question naturally uppermost in the mind of every Christian student would be, Does Freemasonary teach religion and morality,.or -is it an immoral, irreligious organization? ~ “No Lodge can be regularly opened or closed without religious services of some sort. ”—Webb’s Mon- itor, by Morris, p. 13. Perhaps they simply sing, or chant, or take upa collection. “No Lodge or Masonic assembly can be regular- ly opened or closed without prayer.” ——Webb’s Mon- itor, p. 284. Then it must be pr: ayer. Why do Masons pray? “All the ceremonies of our order are prefaced and terminated with prayer, because Masonry is a religious institution, and because we thereby show our depend- ence on, and our faith and trust in God.”—Mackey’s Lexicon of Freemasonry, p. 369. , That is just the reason every one should pray if they are consistent in the prayer. Albert G, Mackey is the Past General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter of the Masons of the United States. Again we read: “But the order of Freemasonry goes further than did the Ancient Mysteries; while it embodies all that is valuable in the institutions of the past, it embraces within its circle all that is good and true of the present, and thus becomes a conservator as well as a depository of religion, science and art.”—Pierson’s Traditions of Freemasonry, p. 14.16 THE AMERICAN -HAND-BOOK. AL T, C. Pierson is Grand Captain General of the Grand Encampment of the Masons of the: United States, ° : “And, finally, we shall discover that our Rites embrace all the possible circumstances of man— moral, spiritual, and social—and have a meaning high as the heavens, broad as the universe, and profound as eterni- ty.”—Sickels’ Ahiman Rezon — or Freemason’s Guide, Pp. 57: _ This Masonic religion, it seems, is grand and comprehensive. ‘There are many kinds of religion in this world, one true, and many false. “The truth is, that Masonry is undoubtedly a a re- ligious institution—its religion being of that universal kind in which all .men agree,” etc.—See Mackey’s Jurisprudence of Freemasonry, p. 95. Do all men agree in the Christian, the Moham- medan, or the Mormon religion? What are the doc- trines of this religion in which all men agree? “The religious tenets of Masonry are few and simple but fundamental. The candidate must profess a belief in Deity before initiation.’—Webb’s Monitor, p. 284. “The creed of a Mason is brief, unentangled with scholastic subtleties, or with theological difficulties, It is acreed which demands and receives the universal consent of all men, which admits of no doubt, and de- fies schism.”—Mackey’s Lexicon, p. 100. . «A BELIEF IN GoD. This constitutes the sole creed of a Mason—at least, the only creed that he is re- quired to profess.’"—Mackey’s Masonic Ritualist, p. 44.MASONIC RELIGION. - o 17 “Ye believe in God ye do well; the devils also be- lieve and tremble.” Is the Mason obliged to subscribe to this lodge religion? . “Though in ancient times, Masons were charged in every country to be of the religion of that country or nation, whatever it was, yet it is now thought more expedient only to oblige them to that religion in which all men agree, leaving their particular opinions to themselves.”—Mackey’s Jurisprudence, p. 94. Is there no other test ever required? “In our opinion, any further religious test is not necessary ; and to require that a candidate profess a be- lief in the ‘divine authenticity of the Bible,’ or a ‘state of future rewards and punishments,’ is a serious innova- tion into the very body of Masonry.” “It is anti-masonic to require any religious test, other than the candidate should believe in a God, the Creator and Governor of the universe.”—Chase’ s Di- gest of Masonic Law, p. 206. . Every Grand Lodge in America is represented i in this great book of decisions.. But why this is peculiar creed? : “Under the shelter of this wise provision, the Christian and the Jew, the Mohammedan and the Brahmin, are permitted to unite around our common altar, and Masonry becomes, in practice as well as in theory, universal.” —Mackey’s Jurisprudence, p. 95. - This religion is practical and not mere theory. “So. broad is the religion of Masonry, and so carefully are all sectarian tenets excluded from the system, that the Christian, the Jew, and the Moham-18 - THE AMERICAN HANO-BOOK, medan, in all their numberless sects and divisions, may and do harmoniously combine in its moral and intel- lectual work with the Buddhist, the Parsee, the Confucian, and the worshiper of Deity under every form.”—Webb’s Monitor, p. 285. - We read in the Bible of a wide gate anda broad way. What do Masons mean by morality? “Every Mason,” say the old Charges of 1722, “is obliged by his tenure to obey the moral law.” Now, this moral law is not to be considered as confined to the decalogue of Moses, within which narrow limits the ecclesiastical writers technically restrain it, but rather as alluding to what is called the lex nature, or the law of nature.” “This is the ‘moral law,’ to which the old Charge already cited refers, and which it declares to be the law of Masonry. And this was wisely done, for it is evi- dent that no law less universal could have been appro- priately selected for the government of an institution whose prominent characteristic is its universality. The precepts of Jesus could not have been made obligatory on a Jew; a Christian would have denied the sanctions of the Koran; a Mohammedan must have rejected the law of Moses; anda disciple of Zoroaster would have turned from all to the teachings of his Zeud Avesta. The universal law of nature, which the authors of the old Charges have properly called the moral law, because it is, as Conybeare remarks, ‘a perfect collection of all tliose moral doctrines and precepts which have a foundation in the nature and reason of things,’ is therefore the only law suited ‘in every respect’ to be adopted as the“ MASONIC RELIGION. 19 Masonic code.”—Mackey’s Masonic Jurisprudence, 'p. 502 and 503. But hold on, says some one, Masonry is founded on the Bible. Isit? Revealed religion is not natural religion. : “The Jews, the Chinese, the Turks, each reject either the New Testament or the Old, or ‘both, and yet we see no good reason why they should not be made Masons. In fact, Blue Lodge Masonry has nothing whatever to dv with the Bible. It.is not founded on the Bible; if it was, it would not be Ma- sonry, it would be something else.”—Chase’s Digest of Masonic Law, p. 207 and 208, There is nothing obscure or ambiguous ‘about that. Now what is this strange religion? Past Gen- eral Grand High Priest Mackey will tell us. “The religion, then, of Masonry, is pure theism, on which its different members engraft their own pecu- liar opinions; but they are not permitted to introduce them into the lodge, or to connect their truth or false- hood with the truth of Masonry.” —Mackey’s Lexicon, p- 402. - Of course it is not founded on the Bible. It would be hard to find a better name for natural religion. Does Freemasonry propose to set natural religion up against Christianity? Is 1r A SAVING RELIGION? “Masons are called moral builders. In their rituals they declare, emphatically, that a more noble and glo- rious purpose than squaring stones and hewing timbers is. theirs—fitting immortal nature for that spiritual20 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK, building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”—Sickels’ Ahiman Rezon or Freemason’s Guide, p. 71. —— “In the investigation of the true meaning of every Masonic symbol and allegory, we must be governed by the single principle that the whole design of Free- masonry as a speculative science is the investigation of divine truth. Tothis great object everything is sub- sidiary. The Mason is, fromthe moment of his initi- ation as an Entered Apprentice, to the time at which he receives the full fruition of Masonic light, an investi- gator—a laborer in the quarry and the Temple—whose reward is to be Truth, and all the ceremonies and traditions of the Order tend to this ultimate design.”—Mackey’s Manual of the Lodge, p. 88. Is not that about the mission of Christianity and the Church? Does Masonry teach regeneration from sin? “There he stands without our portals, on the threshold of this new Masonic life, in darkness, help- lessness, and ignorance. Having been wandering amid the errors, and covered over with the pollutions of the outer and profane world, he comes inquiringly to our doors, seeking the new birth, and asking a withdrawal of the vail which conceals divine truth from his uniniti- ated sight.” “The world is left behind—the chains of error and ignorance which had previously restrained the candi- date in moral and intellectual captivity are to be broken —the portal of the Temple has been thrown widely open, and Masonry stands before the neophyte in allMASONIC RELIGION, | 21 the glory of its form and beauty, to be fully revealed to him, however, only when the new birth has been completely accomplished. ” “The shock of entrance is, then, the symbol of the disruption of the candidate from the ties of the world, and his introduction into the lifeof Masonry, Itis the symbol of the agonies of the first death and of the throes of the new. birth.”—Mackey’s Masonic Ritual- ist, pp. 22, 23 and 24. How does Masonry, natural religion or pure theism propose to do all this? Is it by and through the atonement? , : , “The common gavel is an instrument made use of by operative masons to break off the corners of rough stones, the better to fit them for the builder’s use; but we, as Free and Accepted Masons, are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of di- vesting our hearts and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of life; thereby fitting our minds, as living stones, for that spiritual building—that house not made with hands—eternal i in the heavens,.”—Sickels’ General Ahiman Rezon or Freemason’s Guide, p. 70. Simply obey the behests and teachings of Mason- ry and all is well. “But in the Third Degree, the veil is removed; we are admitted to the Holy. of Holies; we: view the Cherubim in all their. brightness; and are blessed with a foretaste of heaven, through the resurrection of the dead.”-—Oliver’s Signs and Symbols of Freemasonry, Pp. 41. Pretty thorough work to get a foretaste of heaven.22 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. “We now find man complete in morality and intelligence, with the stay of religion added to ensure him of the protection of the Deity, and guard him against ever going astray. These three degrees thus form a perfect and harmonious whole; nor can we conceive that anything can be suggested more, which the soul of man requires.”—Sickels’ Freemason’s Monitor, pp. 97 and 98. , Once in Masonic grace always there. Complete Salvation. “Master Mason.—The third degree in all the dif- ferent rites. In this, which is the perfection of sym- bolic or ancient craft Masonry, the purest of truths are unveiled amid the most awful ceremonies, None but he who has visited the holy of holies, and traveled the road of peril, can have any conception of the mys- teries unfolded in this degree. Its solemn observances diffuse a sacred awe, and inculcate a lesson of religious truth—and it is not until the neophyte has reached this summit of our ritual, that he can exclaim with joyful accents, in the language of the sage of old, ‘Eureka, Eu- reka,’ I have found at last the long sought treasure. In the language of the learned and zealous Hutchinson, somewhat enlarged in its allusion, ‘the Master Mason represents a man under the doctrine of love, saved from the grave of iniquity; and raised to the faith of salvation,’ ”——Mackey’s Lexicon, p. 295. Wonder if Freemasonry don’t teach sanctification? “AcacianwmA term derived from akakia, ‘inno- cence,’ and signifying a Mason, who, by living in strict obedience to the obligations and precepts of the frater- nity. is free from sin.”—Mackey’s Lexicon, p. 16.MASONIC .RELIGION.: 23 Beat that if you can. Here is the strangest part of all. , “Tt is one of the most beautiful, but at the same time most abstruse, doctrines of the science of Masonic symbolism, that the Mason is ever to be in search of truth, but is never to find it.”—-Mackey’s Manual, p. 93; Ritualist, p. 106; Sickels’ General Ahiman Rezon, p. 169. ; “Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” 2 Tim. iii. 7. Albert Pike, Sovereign Grand Commander’ of the Supreme Council of the Sovereign Grand Inspectorss General thirty-third degree Scottish Rite, says in his béok, “Morals and Dogma,” page 819: “ The Blue de- grees are but the outer court of the Temple. Part of the symbols are displayed there to the initiate, but he is intentionally misled by false interpretations. It ts not intended that he shall understand them, but tt ts intended that he shall imagine that he does under- stand them. Their true explanation ts reserved for the princes of Masonry.” We come now to the most important fact. Curist REJECTED. The words bracketed in the following quotations are entirely omitted in the Masonic Prints. See 2 Thess. iii. 6 and 12. “Now we command you, brethren, [in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,] that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, arid not after the tradition which he received of us.” “Now them that are such, we command and exhort, [by our Lord Jesus Christ,] that with quietness they24 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK, work, ‘and eat their own bread.”—-Webb’s Monitor, p. 120: Macoy’s Monitor, p. 157; Sickels’ Monitor, part 2nd, p. 513 Mackey’s ‘Ritualist, p. 348. See 1 Peter ii. 5 and 6. “Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God [by Jesus Christ]. “Wherefore, also it is contained in the Scriptures, Behold, I lay in Zion, [Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded ] for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste to pass it over.’—Webb’s Monitor, p. 73; Macoy’s Monitor, p. 86; Sickels’ Monitor, pawt 2nd, p. 5; Mackey’s Ritualist, p. 271. See Rev. xxii. 18, 19; Deut. iv. 2, also xii, 32. : Thus briefly have we step by step reviewed the religion of Freemasonry, These learned men do not make Masonry, they simply ‘state what it is, We put no construction on the language. It is plain, positive and authoritative. We simply comment on it as it stands. Masonry cuts the Bible in two to please the Jew, and rejects it altogether to please the Buddhist, Parsee, Turk and Confucian. It being pure theism destroys the trinity. Every section of this book will be a startling chapter in modern history for future generations. This especially should open the eyes and quicken the conscience of all church people to the awful system of false worship operating throughout the length and breadth of our land, The discussion of this lodge -false ‘worship strikes bed-rock on this theMASONIC RELIGION. . 25 greatest question of the hour. Other phases may inter- est the patriot and ordinary student, but this chapter should set every sincere Christian on fire with enthusi- asm and holy zeal for the salvation of American citizens from lodge thralldom. It proves beyond all cavil that Freemasonry is a religion, that it claims to save men, save them completely and keep them saved. Freema- sonry has its odes, chants, prayers and funeral dirges; its stewards, deacons, worshipful masters, priests and most excellent grand high priests; in the higher de- grees, lodges of sorrow are held for the dead, and in- fant baptism is practiced. It is an awful state of af- fairs when a religious organization in this boasted age of civilization and gospel light, rejects the Bible, mu- tilates Scripture quotations. by turning the Lord Jesus Christ out of his own blessed volume, ignores the Medi- ator entirely, and deliberately desecrates and appropri- ates every sacred rite of Christianity and the Church to false worship, with over one-half million zealous dev- otees bowing ‘to its Worshipful-Masters and Most Worshipful Grand Masters. Papal Rome has never denied that Christ has come in the flesh; but this Ma- sonic religion ignores Christ and utterly fails to con- fess that there is or ever was the Christ; and this is plainly ‘the antichrist so clearly described in Holy Writ. Sins ot omission are as black and damning in the citizen and churchman, as are sins of commission. Failing to own Christ as the only Saviour is to stamp the religious pretender as an idolater. For he that climbeth up any other way, the same is a “thief and robber.” To give aid and comfort to rebels © against20 ca © THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. Cee bc AE - God and righteous government is as much an act of treason and disloyalty as to openly march under the rebel flag, To all true men and women, the religious or political “copper-head” is more loathed and despised than the regular enemy. Some reformers style the simple Mason as the open enemy, and the Masonic church members as religious copper-heads, because, as the professed followers of Christ, the latter are actually bowing to avowed antichrist. They are the Judases that cry, “Hail, Master,” and kiss, only to betray him. And these -Masonic church communicants, as a rule, are harder to reach and redeem than the non-professor. But let the reader now study “Masonic Sun Worship” if he would know the practical nature of this abomina- tion that is making Zion desolate.CHAPTER Iit. _ MASONIC SUN WORSHIP. In the last chapter it was seen that Freemasonry is pure theism. It possibly might be of further inter- est to look a little into this natural religion and learn its general character and make-up. 4 *‘One important question, which appears to have been almost wholly neglected by Masonic writers, is: Whether Freemasonry be a servile imitation of certain ceremonies in the ancient idolatrous mysteries, as is as- serted by some writers; or whether it be the great original from which the mysteries themselves were de- rived.”—Oliver’s Signs and Svmbols of Freemasonry, p. 2. . . Dr. Oliver is the greatest English authority on Masonry. “The fact is, that the philosophic system of Free- masonry is exceedingly comprehensive in its character, and bears a close connection with the general literature of all preceding ages. The history of the origin of the institution, and of its rites and ceremonies, will bring the student into a profound investigation of the manners and customs, and the astronomy, the theology, and the mythology of antiquity. The ancient mys- teries present a fertile field for inquiry, and without a very intimate acquaintance with their history and char- acter, it is impossible profitably to value the legendary instructions :of Freemasonry.”—Mackey’s Mystic Tie of Freemasonry, p. 43. Very well. Ifthe Past Grand High Priest, and 27 . .28 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. these other learned men will lead out, we will be very glad to follow. “It is an extraordinary fact, that there is scarcely a single ceremony in Freemasonry, but we find its cor- responding rite in one or other of the idolatrous mysteries; and the coincidence can only be accounted for by supposing that these mysteries were derived from Masonry.”—Oliver’s Signs and Symbols of Freemasonry, p. 76. So then Masonry is the mother of these ancient heathen mysteries, “Learned Masons have been, therefore, always dis- posed to go beyond the mere technicalities and steroty ped phrases of the lectures, and to look in the history and the philosophy of the ancient religions, and the organi- zation of the-ancient mysteries, for a true explanation of most of the symbols of Masonry, and there they have always been enabled to find this true interpretation.”— Mackey’s Masonic Ritualist, pp. 41 and 42. . See Mack- ey’s Manual of the Lodge, p. 37. All right, gentleman, we are at your feet ready to learn. Lead on. “Accepting the symbol, have we lost itssense? Our Rites will be of little value to us if this be thecase. It is our duty, then, to make Freemasonry the object of a profound study. We must consult the past. We must stand by the sarcophagus of the murdered, but restored Osiris, in Egypt, enter the caverns of Phrygia, and hold communion with the Cabiri; penetrate the ‘Collegia Fabrorum’ of ancient Rome, and work in the mystic circles of Sidon.”—Sickels’? General Ahiman Rezon, or Freemason’s Guide, p. 56,MASONIC SUN WORSHIP. 29 Right back to the palmiest days of ancient idolatry. “The identity of the Masonic institution with the Ancient Mysteries is obvious from the striking coinci- dences found to exist between them.”—Pierson’s Tra- ditions of Freemasonry, pp. 13 and 14, oe * «These Mysteries were all religious institutions; but they were Masonic also. Their members were initiated by a solemn ceremonial; they had various progressive degrees, in which the light and truth were gradually diffused; and the recipients were in posses- sion of certain modes of recognition, known only to themselves.”—-Mackey’s Mystic Tie, p. 99. “Hours oF work.—In this selection of the hours of night and darkness for initiation, the usual coinci- dence will be found between the ceremonies of Free- masonry and those of the Ancient Mysteries, showing their evident derivation from a common origin.” “The reason given by the ancients for this selection of night as the time for initiation, is equally applicable to the system of Freemasonry.” : “Death and the resurrection were the doctrines taught in the ancient mysteries; and night and darkness were necessary to add to the sacred awe and reverence which these doctrines ought always to inspire in the rational and contemplative mind. The same doctrines form the very ground-work of Freemasonry, and as the Master Mason, to use the language of. Hutchinson, ‘represents a man saved from the grave of in- iquity and raised to the faith of salvation,’ darkness and night are the appropriate accompaniments to the solemn ceremonies which demonstrate this profession.” Mack- ey’s Lexicon of Freemasonry, pp. 204 and 205.go THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. “And hence, again, darkness, like death, is the symbol of initiation. It was for this reason that all the ancient initiations were performed at night, ‘Whe cele- bration of the Mysteries was always nocturnal, The same custom prevails in Freemasonry, and the explana- tion ig the same, Death and the “resurrection were taught in the mysteries as they are in Freemasonry. The initiation was the lesson of death. The full frui- tion, or autopsy, the reception of light, was the lesson of regeneration or resurrection.” —Mackey’s Symbolism of Freemasonry, pp, 157 and 158. WHY MEET UP sTAIRS?— “Lodge meetings, at the present day, are usually held in upper chambers—prob- ably for the better security which such places afford,”— Sickels’ Freemason’s Monitor, p. 4o. “The reason assigned in the lecture for this assem- bling on high places is the modern, but not the true one. The fact is, that mountains and other high places were almost always considered as holy,” etc.—See Mack- ey’s Manual of the Lodge, p. 44. “Hills and mountains were always considered the peculiar abode of Deity; and hence the Masonic tra- dition, that our ancient brethren held their Lodges most frequently on the highest of hills. The veneration for hills or secret caverns induced the construction of tem- ples for divine worship jn such situations,”—Sickels’ Ahiman Rezon, p. 75. Why East anp West?—“The orientation of Lodges, or their position due east and west, is derived from the universal custom of antiquity. ‘The heathen temples,’ says Dudley, ‘were so constructed that theirMASONIC SUN WORSHIP. 31 length was directed toward the east, and the entrance was by a portico at the western front where the altar stood, so that the votaries, approaching for the perform- ance of religious rites, directed their faces toward the east as the quarter of sunrise.’ ‘The primitive reason of this custom undoubtedly is to be found in the early prevalence of sun worship, and hence the spot where that luminary first made his appearance in the heavens was consecrated, in the minds of his worshipers, asa place entitled to peculiar reverence,”—Mackey’s Ritu- alist, p. 60. — ° Say some, the Temple at Jerusalem was so situated, Well hardly. “On the contrary, the very situation of a lodgeis the exact reverse of that of the Temple. The entrance of the former is at the west, that of the latter was at the east. The most holy place in a lodge is its eastern end, and that of the Temple. was its western ex- tremity.”—Mackey’s Manual, p. 26. Is FREEMASONRY SUN—WoRSHIP?—“The number twelve was celebrated as a mystical number jn the an- cient systems of sun-worship, of which it has already been said that Masonry is a’ philosophical develope ment.”—Mackey’s Manual, p. 100. Not something like sun-worship but a development of sun-worship. The same as described in the viii, of Ezekiel, verses 5 to 18 inclusive. Read it. “It is evident that the sun, either as an object of worship or of symbolization, has always formed an important part of both the mysteries and the system of32 . THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK, Freemasonry.”—Pierson’s Traditions of Freemasonry, p. 87. “The Worshipful Master himself is a represent- ative of the Sun.”—Morris’ Dictionary of Freemason- TY, P- 296. ‘Robert Morris, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, a Grand Inspectors General and the poet Laureate of the Masonic Order. “The master and wardens are symbols of the sun —the Lodge, of the Universe or the World; the point also is the symbol of the same sun, and the surrounding circle of the universe, while the two parallel lines really point, not to two saints, but to the two northern and southern limits of the sun’s course.” —Mackey’s Ritualist, p. 63. “In the ancient mysteries these three pillars repre- sented the great emblematical 7riad of Deity, as with us they refer to the three principal officers of the lodge.”—Pierson’s Traditions, p. 55. ' “The three lights, like the three principal officers, and the three principal supports, refer undoubtedly tothe three stations of the sun—its rising in the east, its meridian in the south, and its setting in the west—and thus the symbolism of the Lodge, as typical of the world, continues to be preserved.”—Mackey’s Manual, p. 51. THE CABLETOW.—“In the mysteries of India, the aspirant was invested with a consecrated sash or girdle, which he was directed to wear next his skin. It was manufactured with many mysterious ceremonies, and said to possess the power of preserving the wearer fromMASONIC SUN WORSHIP. 33 personal danger. It consisted of a cord composed of three times three threads twisted together and fastened at the end with a knot, and was called zexnar. Hence comes our Cabletow.”—Pierson’s Traditions, p. 29. Hoopwink,—“He maintained the same character in the ancient mysteries. Emphatically @ profane, en- veloped in darkness, poor and destitute of spiritual knowledge, and emblematically naked. The material darkness which is produced by the (hoodwink) is an emblem of the darkness of his soul.” —— Pierson’s Traditions, p. 39. THE AprRoN.—“All the ancient statues of the heathen gods which have been discovered in Egypt, Greece, Persia, Hindoostan or America are uniformally decorated with aprons. Hence is deduced the antiquity of this article of apparel.”—Pierson’s Traditions, p. 46. Wuy KNEEL THE CANDIDATE TOWARD THE EAST? —“An oath taken with the face toward the east was deemed more solemn and binding than when taken with the face toward any other cardinal point, Oaths were variously confirmed: by lifting up the hands to heaven, by placing them on the altar, or on a stone, or in the hands of the person administering the oath, etc.; and a most solemn method of confirming an oath was by placing a drawn sword across the throat of the person to whom it was administered, and invoking heaven, earth and sea to witness the ratification.”— Pierson’s Traditions, pp. 34-5. , THE ILLuMINATION.—“The Rite of Illumination is a very ancient ceremony and constituted an im- portant feature in all the mysteries of the early ages.34 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. In the Egyptian, Cabirian, Sidonian, Elusinian, Scandi- navian, and Druidical Rituals, it held a prominent place, and in them all represented the same ideas. It marked the termination of the mystic pilgrimage through gloom and night, and was emblematical of that moral and intellectual light which pours its divine radiance on the mind after it has conquered prejudice, and passion, and ignorance, with which it has so long been struggling.” “Yet this Rite does not commemorate thet event simply as an historical, material fact, but rather because it symbolizes the release of the soul from darkness, and ignorance, and sin—from the chaos and confusion of a sensual and selfish life—and its establishment in the light and glory of virtue and knowledge.”—Sickels’ Ahiman Rezon, p. 64. THE BLAZING STAR.—“The Blazing Star is said by Webb to be commemorative of the star which ap- peared to guide the wise men of the East to the place of our Saviour’s nativity. This, which is one of the ancient interpretations of the symbol, being considered as too sectarian in its character, and unsuitable to the universal religion of Masonry, has been omitted since the meeting of the Grand Lecturers in Baltimore, in 1842."—Mackey’s Manual, p. 50. Thus was eliminated the last remote reference to the Lord Jesus Christ. Freemasonry is as Christless as the tomb of Joseph after the resurrection, or the Mecca of Mohammedism. So bitterly anti-Christian is Masonry that it must needs insult our Christian civilization by doubly dating its official records and lodge documentsMASONIC SUN WORSHIP. 35 from the Christian Era, A. D., to A. L., or the “Year of Light.” But we hasten to examine two more points. Hrram Asir.—‘*A very limited knowledge of the history of primitive worships and mysteries is neces- sary to enable any person to recognize in the Master Mason Hiram, the Osiris of the Egyptians, the Mithras of the Persians, the Bacchus of the Greeks, the Atys of the Phrygians, of which these people celebrated the passion, death and resurrection, as Christians celebrate to-day that of Jesus Christ.”—General History of Free- masonry, by Emmanuel Rebold, Past Deputy of the Masonic Grand Orient of France, p. 392. “One thing, at least, is incapable of refutation; and that is, that we are indebted to the Tyrian Masons for the introduction of the symbol of Hiram Abif. The idea of the symbol, although modified by the Jewish Masons, is not Jewish inits inception. It was evidently borrowed from the pagan mysteries, where Bacchus, Adonis, Proserpine, anda host of other apotheosized beings play the same role that Hiram does in the Masonic mysteries.”—Mackey’s Masonic Symbolism, p. 20. mo “The legend of the third degree has been con- sidered of so much importance that it has been preserved in the symbolism of every Masonic rite. No matter what modification or alterations the general system may have undergone—no matter how much the ingenuity or the imagination of the founders of rites may have per- verted or corrupted other symbols, abolishing the old, and substituting new ones, the legend of the Temple Builder has ever been left untouched, to present itself36 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. in all the integrity of its ancient mythical form.. The idea of the legend was undoubtedly borrowed from the Ancient Mysteries, where the lesson was the same as that now conveyed in the third degree of Masonry.”— Mackey’s Manual, p. 99. “The ceremonial of the Degree of Master Mason is unquestionably the most important, impressive, and instructive portion of the Ritual of Ancient Freema- sonry.” : “That portion of the Rite which is connected with the legend of the Tyrian Artist, is well worthy the deep and earnest study of thoughtful men.” “Against the notion that it is the representation of a scene that actually occurred in the Temple, it may well be urged that, outside of Masonic tradition, there is no proof that an event, such asis related in connection with the Temple-Builder, ever transpired; and, besides, the ceremony is o/der, by more than a thousand years, than the age of Solomon. There are characters im- pressed upon it which cannot be mistaken. It is thor- oughly Egyptian, and is closely allied to the supreme rite of Isianic Mysteries.”—Sickels’ General Ahiman Re- zon, p. 195. ~ THE RITE OF CIRCUMAMBULATION.—“The cir- cumambulation among the Pagan nations was referred to the great doctrine of Sabaism, orsun-worship. Free- masonry alone has preserved the primitive’ meaning, which was a symbolic allusion to the sun as the source of physical light, and the most wonderful work of the Grand Architect of the Universe. The reason assigned for the ceremony in the modern lectures of Webb andMASONIC SUN WORSHIP. + 37 Cross is absolutely beneath criticism. The Lodge rep- resents the world; the three principal officers repre- sent the sun in his three principal positions—at rising, at meridian, and at setting. The circumambulation, therefore, alludes to the apparent course of the solar orb, through those points, around the world.”—Mackey’s Manual of the Lodge, p. 24. : Genera SuMMARY.—This chapter demonstrates that the “pure theism” or “naturai religion” of Free- masonry is practical deism, i. e.,—devilism.” - See 1 Cor. x. 20. What could be more conclusive. Volumes mightbe given showing that pure thezsm is unadulterated sun-worship. And such it will go down to all history. A temple of idolatry within the shadow of almost every church and ‘cathedral; temples of paganism in nightly session, and men bowing in adoration and wor- ship of the Sun, Moon and Stars; incense rising from thousands of altars to Osiris, not amid the twilight of antiquity in Samaria, or Ancient Egypt, but in the United States and in the Nineteenth century, amid the full blaze of Gospel light, and wonderful popular evan- gelization. . The Young Men’s Christian Association, the Chau- tauqua Movement and the Society of Christian Endeav- or are doing all in their power to popularize religion and Bible study, but how long at the present rate, with their vast multitudes of workers, will it take to convert America from idolatry, or overthrow any of the giant evils of the day? And where are the great religious journals, the popular churches and learned doctors of divinity, amid all this revived heathenism? It will bea38 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. standing astonishment to all future generations that such false worship should flourish so long in a nation that is raising vast sums to send missionaries to evangel- ize idolaters in foreign lands. ‘The church, ministry and laity, will carry an awful responsibility to the judgment for their criminal silence and comparative inactivity, at this late hour, amid this mad carnival of pagan idolatry and lodge heathenism. You need not go to India, Africa, or China, or some far away isle of the sea to find heathen to mission- ate among. What America most needs to-day is one grand “Home Missionary Society” to purify our own nation and country of the filthy, obscene worship of old Osiris and Isis, and all the gods of benighted paganism, The man or woman has little moral heroism who must be driven by sheer force of public opinion to espouse and push forward a grand cause. What could be more degrading and demoralizing to true religion and real piety than this Sun-worship? All Christendom should stand as one man against these God-defying, Christ-re- jecting, man-degrading and soul-destroying orders. . Washington (D, C.) Star: “While we are send- ing missionaries to convert the heathen on the other side of the globe, would it not be well to look after the heathen nearer home?” When you have read this chapter with its terrible indictment of the Masonic order, please remember that this is only the beginning of the end, and that the half has not been told. . For years these facts and damaging evidenzes have been accumulating and are now ready for the public.MASONIC SUN WORSHIP. . 39 “Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another genera- tion.” And now a few plain thoughts, and we turn to other most important phases of this question, Many believe with Elder Rufus Smith, that a house divided against itself, nut against the outside world, cannot stand. That the church of Christ should be one in fact, as well as in theory. That sectarianism, schisms, and divisions should and doubtless will dissolve before a riper Christianity. That the “orthodox churches” should lay aside their denominational differences, and come together on common Bible grounds. Then, with more Christ, and less creed, the gospet will become a mighty, irresistible power for the salvation of the world. All of one spirit and of one mind, heart to heart and shoulder to shoulder, unity of purpose, harmony of action, led by the word, and filled with the Holy Ghost, what a splendid army all true believers will form. Not one for Paul, another for Apollos, but all for Jesus. No condoning of evil, no fellowshiping with errdr, no mere ritualistic formalism. A gospel that will separate, and cleanse, and purify. -A living faith, a working devotion, a burning zeal—a Christianity that means something—a religion that can be recognized, seen and felt. Not in long prayers, broad phylacteries, great religious feasts, and gaudy temples like that over which Christ wept. But like that which led Jesus to trial before the high priests, and to a death on the cross; that led Stephen, Peter, Paul, and the early martyrs; that led Luther, Calvin and Wesley; that is now lead-40 . THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. ing reformers as grand as the world ever saw. Reform- ers like Elijah, Josiah, and Hezekiah, who are to destroy the false worship, altars, images, abominations and detestable things in these United States. Great multi- tudes in all the denominations are ready to echo back these sentiments; they have not in their hearts bowed the knee to Baal, or adored idols, and their constant prayer is that the gospel may cover the earth as the waters do the great deep.CHAPTER IV. GOVERNMENT OF FREEMASONRY.. ~ A little common sense is not a bad thing to have around in a discussion like this, and a very little of the article goes a great way in investigating Masonry. We will go at this just like we would at any other business matter, and see how we shall come out. Did we wish to know the religious tenets of the Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, or any other church, would we be likely to pass around and interrogate this brother, that sister, the pious deacon, the learned preacher, or even the aged bishop, who has grown grey expounding the theology of his faith? You, as an intelligent person, answer emphatically :.** No! because they each and all disagree as to many of the definitions of their doctrinal points; therefore, the most reliable mode of procedure is to secure the authorized discipline or catechism of the particular church, read it together, and then we will know for ourselves the doctrine and creed as authoritatively interpreted by the church itself.” Correct. And now suppose we wish to learn what the federal and the state laws are, shall we question the justice of the peace who has just been inaugurated into his important office, or shall we interview those old attorneys who have been quibbling over the interpreta- tion of law since youth? Shall we necessarily appeal to the veteran jurist who has been for lo! these many years on the bench, rendering wise and just decisions? Not a bit of it! That noted judge simply renders his rulings by the statutes, and we as honest, sensible men 4142 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK, can read the general or local statutes, and know defin- itely what are the laws of the land. When a man says that he is a Mormon, Mohammedan, or a Christian, we as intelligent men simply test the matter by placing the person along side the Mormon bible, the Koran, or the Christian Scriptures, as the case may be, and if he meas- ure up, well and good; if not, he is pronounced a hypo- crite. A man who questions the correctness of his own creed is really its worst enemy, because he is practically playing the hypocrite. So, too, in politics, the man who harps loud and long about liberty, democracy and republicanism, while doing homage to despotism and imperialism, is a worse enemy to the American repub- lic than the foreign invader, landing on our shores with musket and cannon. Any anti-American institution, that tends to the destruction of public morals and ‘American principles, must be suppressed, or eventually bring about public discord, anarchy and ruin. Free- masonry must stand or fall by its own testimony, prac- tices and utterances. It has made that record, and we shall proceed with this investigation without fear or favor: THE GOVERNMENT OF THE FRATERNITY. “The mode. of government observed by the Fra- ternity will best explain the importance, and give the truest idea of the nature and design of the Masonic system.”— Webb’s Freemason’s Monitor, p. 3. “The mode of government observed by the frater- nity will give the best idea of the nature and design of the Masonic institution.”—Cickels’ Freemasons’ Moni- ‘tor, p. 10. - :GOVERNMENT OF FREEMASONRY. 43 Very well; it is the Best explanation that we are after, so we will examine into Masonic government. Synopsis or Masonic Law.—“ The system of Masonic law has little of the republican or democratic spirit about it."—Rob Morris, in Webb’s Freemasons’ Monitor, revised edition, p. 195. Well, that is not very encouraging to patriotic men, but perhaps all will be satisfactorily explained as we progress. “We may not call in question the propriety of this organization; if we would be Masons we must yield private judgment. ‘To the law and to the testimony —if any man walk not by this rule it is because there is no light in him, ”—Pierson’s Traditions of Freema- sonry, p. 30. That certainly is not republicanism or democracy, because they are inclined to give a man increased lib- erty and privileges instead of calling for the surrender thereof. But Jet us see how far this surrender of per- sonal liberty is demanded of the Mason. “That this surrender of free-will to Masonic author- ity is absolute, (within the scope of the landmarks of the order,) and perpetual, may be inferred from an examination of the emblem (the shoe or sandal) which is used to enforce this lesson of resignation. The eso- tery of the Masonic rituals gives the fullest assurance of this; ‘once a Mason always a Mason,’ is an apho- rism in our literature conveying an undeniable truth.” Morris’ Dictionary, p. 29. Then the surrender of personal, private judgment and free-will to Freemasonry is complete and binding44 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. for all time. Well said, indeed; for surely that is any- thing except Americanism, as either republicanism or democracy. “A Mason should know how to obey those who are set over him, however inferior they may be in worldly rank or condition.”—Macoy’s Masonic Monitor, p. 14. What is-this authority set over the Freemason to which he has bound himself,and what will be the result of disobedience? . Disobedience and want of respect to Masonic supe- riors is an offense for which the transgressor subjects himself to punishment,”—Mackey’s Masonic Jurispru- dence, p. 511. , Superiors and inferiors—queer government that— Americans are all equals. How severely will an offender be punished? : . DisopEDIENCE.—“ Under the head of Discipline is given a catalogue of fifteen prime classes of un-Ma- sonic acts, of which this is one. It is so subversive of the groundwork of Masonry, in which obedience is most strongly inculcated, that the Mason who disobeys a due summons subjects himself to severe penalties.” — Morris’ Dictionary of Freemasonry, pp. 91, 92. This no doubt was the punishment meted out to Wil- liam Morgan and many others for their disobedience. Who is the representative of Freemasonry, wielding such extraordinary authority? “As a presiding officer, the Master is possessed of extraordinary powers, which belong to the presiding officer of no other association.” —Mackey? 's Masonic Jurisprudence, p. 344.GOVERNMENT OF FREEMASONRY, 45 Indeed! His Majesty must be quite a privileged character, having such wonderful powers that are possessed by no other presiding ofticer. | “The powers and privileges of the Master of a *” lodge are by no means limited in extent.”— Chase’ Ss Digest of Masonic Law, p. 380. Not limited means unlimited, and that is just about as much as an ordinary mortal can comprehend. “The power ofa Master in his lodge is absolute.” —Mackey’s Lexicon of Freemasonry, p. 296. There it is, a system» of absolute masters; and an absolute master cannot exist without abject slavery; one is necessary to the other, so who are the miserable Masonic slaves? Let the reader answer that all-im- portant question. “Hence, we find that the Master’s authori ity in the. lodge is despotic as the Sun in the firmament, which \/ was placed there by the Creator, never to deviate from its accustomed course, till the declaration is promulgat-" ed that time shall be no more.”—Oliver’s Signs and Symbols of Freemasonry, p. 142. : Where, in all the annals of history, ancient or, se modern, describing all the monarchies, despotisms and’ tyrannies from the dawn of creation down to the pres- | ent time, will you find a better description of an irre- | sponsible, absolute despot,’ than the above synopsis of 4 . the power of the Master of a subordinate Masonic + lodge? To whom, or to what, is this Masonic nabob beholden? -“The Master is responsible for his official acts not to his lodge, but to the Grand Lodge, or (which is46 , -THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. the same thing) to the Grand Master for the time be- ing.”—Webb’s Freemasons’ Monitor, p. 271. 0 What is the nature and power of the Grand Lodge? is the next question staring us in the face for * adjustment.- : GRAND LODGES—JURISDICTION oF: “A Grand Lodge is invested with power and authority over all the craft within its jurisdiction. It is the Supreme Court of Appeal in all Masonic cases, and to its de- crees unlimited obedience must be paid, by every lodge and every Mason situated within its control. The government of Grand Lodges is, therefore, completely despotic. While a Grand Lodge exists, its edicts must - be respected and obeyed without examination by its subordinate lodges.”—Mackey’s Lexicon of Freema- ¥ Sonrys p. 183. c ce A Masonic case is one in which either a Mason or . “Masonry i is interested. The Grand Lodge being com- , PLETELY despotic, therefore the Worshipful Master ‘of a subordinate lodge is as much a slave to it as are % «the poor deceived and deluded victims over whom he ie lords it with such pomposity. we “It is true that the rule of the Grand Master is \despotic, and that the Grand Mastership is a despot- 5s ism. . It is true that no despot that ever swayed the sceptre of his authority could be more despotic than the Grand Master, but there are circumstances that ameliorate the despotism of the Masonic Grand Mas- ter.” “The Grand Master is despotic in the power he possesses. He hasno peer,—there is none that has theGOVERNMENT OF FREEMASONRY. 47 right to question his rule. Once in his seat, there is no power that can displace him,—there is no tongue that can ask him, What doest thou? There is no arm that can reach him that has the prerogative of doing him harm. And the propriety of this aosolute rule of the despot is clear.” “The Grand Master looks upon the members of his jurisdiction as a father looks upon his children. Over them he exercises unlimited control. The right is not reserved in the Masonic compact to question his authority, nor to dispute his will.” “Never was there an act contemplated that had in it more of the power of the despot, or the affection of the fondest father. It was an act that plunged the knife of the father into the heart of the child.” “Such a patriarchate as that of the family of Abra- ham, is the brotherhood of Masonry.”—Masonic Grand Lodge Report of Iowa. But suppose, as is often the case, that some con- scientious man who has been inveigled into the order should object and rebel against some mandate or edict of the Grand Lodge that he is fully convinced and per- suaded is not right and proper; will he be coerced into a compliance therewith? “- “The first duty of the reader of this Synopsis, is to obey the edicts of his Grand Lodge. Right or wrong, his very existence as a Mason hangs upon obedience to the powers immediately set above him. Failure in this must infallibly bring down expzdston, which, as a Masonic death, ends all. The one unpardonable crime in a Mason is contumacy, or disobedience.”—W ebb’s Freemasons’ Monitor, p. 196.43 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. What is the one unpardonable crime in a Freema- son? Is it lying, stealing, murder, or a violation of civil law? Nay, verily, but it is simply to disobey AZa- sonic law. That law must be obeyed, right or WRONG. Does this low-down slavery run through every department of Freemasonry, or only in the “Blue Lodge” and not in the higher grades? “The principle of submission and obedience runs through the whole system and constitutes one of the greatest safeguards of our institution. The Mason is obedient to the Master, the Master- and Lodge to the Grand Lodge, and this in its turn to the old landmarks and ancient regulations of the order. ‘Thus is a due degree of subordination kept up, and the institution preserved in its primitive purity.”—Pierson’s Traditions of Freemasorry, p. 30. This is a most galling system of human slavery, a hundred-fold more degrading than ever was African bondage, in that both soul and body are the property of Freemasonry, leaving the individual member a mere machine in the hands of Masonic superiors. Do Masons, deep down in their souls, endorse and revere such a vile system as Freemasonry? The Masonic lodge is held together by obligations. Without the horrible oaths, backed by the awful penalties of death, the authority of the order would be only a rope of sand. Destroy the obligation and you free the Masonic slave. The man who does not consider his lodge oath sacred is not a Mason. ‘Where were you first Prepares! to be made a Mason?” “In my heart.” PREPARATION—BLUE Lopce Masonry.—*¢ If anGOVERNMENT OF FREEMASONY. "49 applicant is not first prepared in his heart, he will never make a Mason, no matter what dramatic exercises he may be put through, or what discipline exerted upon him.— Morris’ Dictionary Sf Freemasonry, DD. 243; 244. What is it that binds a man to this “Invisible Em- pire” or to this secret despotism ? We go to the above named Masonic dictionary for “ more light.” _ CovENANT [BLUE LODGE MASONRY ].—“ The obliga- tions of Masonry are, in the sense of the defiuition, cov- enants, and so are the Constitution and By-Laws.”— Ibid. p. 76. - ‘The complete covenant, then, is the oath that binds the novitiate to the constitution and by-laws, and the consti- tution and by-laws to which he is bound. “ What is it makes you a Mason?” My obligation.” . “Tt is ¢ the obligation which makes the Mason, and the difference between one Mason and another consists simply in the fact that oze keeps his obligations better than another.°—Morris’ Dictionary of Freemasonry, p. 218. Every patriotic American is interested to know what is the nature and form of the Masonic obligation. _ Is it simply a promise or affirmation, or is it construed to be an oath with all the binding force of thesame? Turn- ing again to our friendly dictionary we learn this : “An affirmation is not esteemed equivalent to an oath in Masonry, however it may be in common law, and is not legitimate in the workings of the lodge.”—JZor- ris’ Dictionary of Freemasonry, p. 13. “Upon the question as to whether a candidate who ’50 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. entertains conscientious scruples about swearing, but is willing to affirm, is thereby stopped from taking the de- grees of Masonry; your committee are of opinion that so far as the legal aspect of the matter is concerned, that an affirmation made under the same solemn forms in which an oath is administered, is just as binding on the conscience as an oath, but the decision of the Most Worshipful Grand Master is based upon the ground that our ritual does not permit the substitution of the word ‘affirm’ for the word ‘ swear.’ ”— Zexas Alasonic Grand Lodge Report for 1879. Also Missouri Report, 1880. Now, does Freemasonry consider and teach its devo- tees to consider the so-called Masonic oath equal or su- perior in binding force to the civil oath ? ; CovENANTS. [SEE ALSO DISCIPLINE; OBLIGATION. ] — The Covenant is irrevocable. Even though a Ma- son ‘may be suspended or expelled, though he may withdraw from the Lodge, journey into countries where Masons cannot be found, or become a subject of despotic governments that persecute, or a communicant of big- oted churches that denounce Masonry, he cannot cast off or nullify his Masonic covenant. No law of the land can affect it—no anathema of the church weaken it. It i> irrevocable.” — Webd’s Freemasons’ Monitor, p. 240. This accounts for many strange and mysterious pro- ceedings in our would-be courts of justice and in the churches. NO law of the land (that 1s, civil law,) can even affect this lodge oath or covenant. No anathema of the church (that is, divine law,) can so much as WEAKEN it. Is it any wonder that criminals go scot- free when the sheriff that empanels the jury, enough ofGOVERNMENT OF FREEMASONRY,. 5t the jurors impaneled to bring in a divided verdict, enough witnesses drummed up to make the evidence appear contradictory, the attorneys of the prosecution and of the defense, and the judge on the bench, aré irrevocably bound to the prisoner at the bar as sworn brethren, by an obligation considered paramount to all others, civil or divine? In the Philadelphia Press of Sept. 4, 1891, appearsa despatch, the story of ex-letter carrier O. A. Gardner, who was recently on trial at Minneapolis, Minn., for abstracting money from mail-matter entrusted to him, again attests the truth of Anti-masonic statements made over and over again and confirmed too frequently by the records of the courts. The evidence of Gardner’s guilt seems to have been well established before the trial be- gan, for although he had been acquitted on one charge, he stood indicted on a second one. The defense, by F. F. Davis, Gardner’s attorney, charged that he had been persuaded to confess his guilt by Inspector-General Gould, of Chicago, on the promise that Gould, as a fel- low Mason, would see that he should be acquitted. Gardner himself, the reporter continues, was then put on the stand, and told the story in detail. Gould, he said, had made known to him the fact that both were Freemasons, and urged him to confess on the promise that his acquittal was assured. Gould, he said, went further, and declared that had he known Gardner was a Mason before his arrest, he (Gould)would have warned him. This testimony, continues the report, “made a big sensation,” as Davis (Gardner’s attorney ) is himself a Freemason. ‘In fact,” says the same authority, “the52 . THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. judge, the lawyers on both sides, and most of the jury on the first trial} were Masons.” The Los Angeles (Cal.) Times says: “The skilled practitioner, who has aclient to defend before a jury, will always ascertain whether the accused is a member of any secret organi- zation. An effort is then made to secure one or more jurymen who are members of the order, after which care is taken that the accused prominently displays a badge of the order on his person, where the jury can see it, There are lawyers who boast that they can al- ways save a man: from conviction under such circum- stances, whatever his crime.” We call attention to the proper swearing of lodge men in our courts to make it legally binding on them- Revised Statutes of Missouri, Vol. second, Chap. 1109, Scc. 7115, page 1662, reads: “Officers shall adopt most binding on conscience when: Whenever the court or officer by whom any person is about to be sworn, shall be satisfied that such person has any pecular mode of swearing connected with or in addition to the usual form of administering ouths, which is to him of more solemn and binding obligation, the court or officer shall adopt that mode which shall appear to be most binding on the conscience of the person sworn.” Thus, according to law, no lodge man is legally sworn unless “ duly and truly prepared” and sworn in the peculiar form adopted by the lodge. That is, to swear a Masonic preacher, he should be stripped as a Master Mason, kneeled on his naked knees, and pre- pared just as when taking the Master’s oath, the officer administering about three words at a time, and no Ma-. GOVERNMENT OF FREEMASONRY. 53 son is legally sworn unless in that way. The top of our ambition is to become a justice of the peace. Then we want to swear.a Masonic preacher according to that statute. We will deputize constables enough to divest him of his coat, vest, boots and pants; both drawer-legs will go up above the knees, both sleeves above the el- bow, both breasts be made bare, a rope put three times around his body, and a hoodwink over his eyes, then one Freemason will be sworn according to law. And friends in other states will find this statute allows lodge men to slip out of telling the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, and they do it legally. Look it up. Is there no escape from Masonic thralldom? is the now all- important question. - “ No method is provided for in the Masonic jurispru- dence of modern times by which a member can with- draw himself from the authority of the society, He may resign his membership in the lodge, deny its gov- ernment, even repudiate the ties by which he is bound to the institution, yet that authority remains unbroken A. ¢due summons’ from the lodge or Grand Lodge is obligatory upon him; should.he refuse obedience he will be disgracefully expelled from the society with pub- lic marks of ignominy that can never be erased.” —JZor- vis? Dictionary of Freemasonry, p. 29. What arrogant system is this, that proposes to take a man’s manhood from him by imposing upon him an ob- ligation that defies both the civil as well as the divine law? It even declares vengeance on all who dare to think and act as free men without first consulting the Masonic covenant. No wonder seceded Masons and54 . THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK, © out-spoken non-Masons are abused, vilified, slandered and hounded down by Masonic minions. “ Public marks of ignominy that can never be erased.” The American people will provide a way. Joseph Cook, in his lecture, goes straight to the core of the whole busi- ness. See itin Our Day, Boston, Mass., for August, 1891. These obligations are illegal, unlawful, treason— able, and the remedy is to punish all who impose or in- voke them, Nothing short of this will protect society and government. “ The expulsion of a Mason, while it deprives him of every privilege with which his Masonic attachment endowed him, leaves him bound by every part and point of his Masonic covenant. Of this no act of his own or of the lodge can ever divest him, The tie of Masonry is perpetual.” Webd’s Freemason’s Monitor, p. 257. That certainly 1s a queer government if there ever was one, , The mystery of the whole business is to dis- cover how under the sun a man can be a loyal citizen of any civil government on earth and at the same time uphold this system of secret despotism that boldly and openly defies all governments. “ There is no charge more frequently made against Freemasonry than that of its tendency to revolution and conspiracy, and to political organizations which may affect the peace of Society, or interfere with the rights of government.” —AZackey’s Mystic Tie of Freemason- TY P» 35+ Well does this great Masonic ruler and law-giver speak the truth in the above, for time and again differ- ent governments have been compelled to suppress Free-_ GOVERNMENT OF FREEMASONRY. 55 masonry because of its incompatibility with the peace of society and with the laws of the land in that it harbored criminals and perverted the equitable administration of civil law, - “ There is no duty more forcibly enjoined in Masonry than that of warning a brother of danger impending to his person or interests. To neglect this is a positive violation of obligation, and destroys any person’s claim to be entitled a Mason.” —Aforris’ Dictionary of Free- masonry, D. F25. vo Are Masons obliged to give this warning to affiliates only, or must they always warn and aid one another in- discriminately? * “We are to give aid in imminent peril when Masonic- ally called upon, not lest injustice may be done if we pause to inquire into the question of affiliation, but be- cause the obligation to give this aid, which is reciprocal among all Masons, never has been, and never can be, canceled.”—ALackey’s Masonic Furisprudence, p. 270, Shall the Mason pause to inquire as to ANYTHING when Masonically appealed to for aid? “If a-person appeals to us as a Mason in imminent peril, or such pressing need that we have not time to in- quire into his worthiness, then, lest we might refuse to relieve and aid a worthy brother, we must not stop to inquire as to anything.”—Albert Pike, in Masonic Grand Lodge Report of Arkansas: also Mackey’ s Masonic Furisprudence, p. 270. Ex-Confederate General Albert Pike, who ‘led a brigade of Indian Savages against the flag of his coun- try at the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, where the56 . THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK, i dead and wounded boys in blue were scalped and toma- hawked, and even mutilated in a manner too barbarous and obscene for description, by his followers, and whose rebel hands are dyed crimson by the blood of loyal American citizens, is now the most honored man in Freemasonry. He has since been very appropriately placed at the pinnacle of the system, where he sits su- preme ruler; and to him every Freemason, knowingly or unknowingly, yet nevertheless truly, does honor and homage when he throws a due-guard or sign at a Blue Lodge Master; for “the principle of submission and obedience runs through the wHoLE system,” while in giving the sign he acknowledges himself to be under death-penalty to obey this Masonic superior. Such is Freemasonry, a hot-bed of disloyalty and treason, ac- cording to our deductions thus far. “Treason and rebellion also, because they are alto- gether political offenses, cannot be inquired into by a lodge; and although a Mason may be convicted of either of these acts in the courts of his country, he cannot be Masonically punished; and notwithstanding his treason or rebellion, his relation to the lodge, to use the language of the old Charges, remains indefeasible.”—Mackey’ 8 Masonic Jurisprudence, p. 510. This makes plain why perhaps the blackest- hearted rebel in the land is very appropriately placed at the head of treasonable Masonry in this country. Thus a saint in Freemasonry may be the worst citizen in this gov- ernment. “ The Mason who is at home and the Mason who comes from abroad are considered on an equal footingGOVERNMENT OF FREEMASONRY. 57 as to all Masonic rights; and hence the brother made in Europe is as much a Mason when he comes to America, and is as fully qualified to discharge in America all Masonic functions, without any form of naturalization, as though he had been made in this country. The con- verseis equally true." —M ackey’s Masonic Jurisprudence, Pp. 200. What a remarkable array of Masonic testimony! and yet the half has not been told, as we might go on almost indefinitely showing the foul, treasonable and anti- republican nature, as legibly portrayed under the sys- tematically arranged headings of the great copyrighted standard Masonic publications. The above Masonic quotations are complete sentences and not garbled. The language is so concise and plain that a child can easily analyze each sentence, The quotations are authoritative; Masonic superiors never argue Masonry with subor- dinates. And now we proceed to nail the above syn- opsisof Masonic law and government by hometestimony, We will let every affiliated Freemason in the Missouri Masonic Grand Lodge jurisdiction testify through their Grand Lodge Reports, three copies of which must be filed ‘away year by year in every subordinate lodge throughout the jurisdiction. The members of all sub- ordinate lodges are fully represented in Grand Lodge by the superior officers of the several lodges, as they are delegates thereto, and no document emanates from any Masonic Grand Lodge without its endorsement and approval. We will call our neighbors, and see how cheerfully they accept or reject the testimony of the brightest men in the order: :58 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. . (Part of a report on foreign correspondence rendered by a full committee consisting of Brothers J. P. Little, Jno. Dove, Wm. B. Isaacs, Wm. L. Maule and T. P. August:) : “The conclusion of the report breathes such a pure air of Masonic truths that we incorporate it herewith. It says: ‘Once a Mason, always a Mason—once a Mason, everywhere a Mason. However independenteither as in- dividuals or as lodges, whether Grand or subordinate— and we are each and all truly free and uncontrolled by anything save our ancient laws and constitution—yet no Mason can be a foreigner to another Mason. Weare all equal citizens of one common government, having equal rights, equal privileges and equal duties; and in which government, thank God, the majority does not govern. For our order in its very constitution, strikes at the root of that which is the very basis of popular government. It proclaims and practices, not that the will of the masses is wise and good, and assuch to be obeyed,—not that the ma- jority shall govern—but that the law [i. e., above men- tioned “ancient law”] shall govern, Our tenet is not only that no single man, but that no body of men (how- ever wise or numerous) can change in any degree one single landmark of our ancient institution. Our law is strictly organic; it cannot be changed without being destroyed. You may take a man to pieces, and you may take a watch to pieces, but you can not alter his organs and put him together again as you do the time- keeper. Masonry is the living man, and all other forms of government mere convenient machines, made by clever mechanics, for regulating the affairs of state.GOVERNMENT OF FREEMASONRY. 59 Not only do we know no North, no South, no East and no West, but we know no government save our own. To every government save that of Masonry, . and to each and all alike, we are foreigners; and this form of government is neither pontifical, autocratic, monarchial, republican, democratic nor despotic; it is a government ger se, and that government is Masonic. We have nothing to do with forms of government, forms of religion or forms of social life. We are nation of men only, bound to each other by Masonic ties as citizens of the world, and that world the world of Masonry—brethren to each other all the world over, foreigners to all the world beside.’ “ The above is a Masonic address in a nutshell—it is the compressed essenceof Masonic life.”"—Grand Lodge 1 Report for 1867. “How does that sound. to a loyal American? Free- “¢ymasons therein positively affirm that they are not con- ‘& trolled by“ ANYTHING” save Masonic law; they THANK < Gop” that in their government the “Majority does ., NOT govern;” that Freemasonry “sTRIKES at the very A base” cf free government; that it “proclaims and PRACTICES that the will of the masses should not be obeyed;” that.the United States is a “ mere CONVENI- ENT MACHINE” only: together with many other treas- onable doctrines that the Missouri Masonic Grand Lodge emphatically declares are the “compressed essence of Masonic life.” Later reports all breathe the spirit of double-dyed treason. We would gladly prolong this discussion, but we will briefly consult anotuer Grand Lodge Report or two and rest the case. t cos .? ths) tye ay as Je 5 wt d va das By Coma ‘a60 . * THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. “For ourselves, we deny as Masons that any civil government on earth has the right to divide or curtail Masonic jurisdiction when once established. It can only be done by competent Masonic authority and ia accordance with Masonic usage.”—Grand Lodge Report. , Rebold’s History of Freemasonry, p. 62, says: The Freemason receives not the law, he gives it;” and a late Grand Lodge Report puts on the cap-sheaf by adding: “In all this we must not forget that ‘ Masonry is a law unto itself.’ Its perpetuity is dependent upon the force of its own influences. It never demands affili- ation with any other humanizing agencies. ”—Grand Lodge Report of 1880. The above is gleaned from copyrighted standard Ma- sonic publications now in our possession, The high Masonic standing and character of the officers here mentioned is: fully sustained by Grand Lodge docu- ments reposing on the table before us as we indite these lines. And at this moment there is a grave con- spiracy against civil liberty and popular government in the United States. It is a powerful orzanization of able bodied men, near five hundred thousand strong, banded together by horrible oaths and awful death pen- alties for the perversion, destruction and eventual over- throw of American principles, doctrines and institutions. Every member of this great conspiracy is bound and pledged to life itself to royalty, imperialism and despot- ism. It is an organized government in our Republic. The Constitution of the United States positively pro- hibits titles of nobility, but this daring conspiracy con-GOVERNMENT OF FREEMASONRY. 61 fers almost every title known to the baser monarchies of the Old World. The fundamental law of our land for- bids “cruel. and unusual penalties;” this organized usurper of governmental prerogatives imposes the most appalling and terrifying death penalties. The Federal Constitution declares that the rights of “free speech and free press shall not be abridged ;” this conspiracy puts a padlock on the.mouth and a shackle on the hand of every man who has crossed its corporate threshold, ob- ligating him to perpetual silence as to its diabolical workings and recreant plottings. The right of trial by impartial jury is made almost an impossibility, be- cause of the unauthorized and unlawful oaths adminis- tered by the officiary of this self-constituted absolute despotism. To show the gravity of the situation, it is only necessary to refer to the vast standing army in our midst, armed, officered and equipped, drilling at the dead hour of night, under its Eminent Commanders, Captain Generals, Generalissimos, and Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander, the latter being the no torious rebel general, Albert Pike, who volunteered to lead yelling Indians against his race and color, as well as the flag of his country at the battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas. Every soldier in this foreign army, on Amer- ican soil, has pledged and sworn his life, character and honor, that he will draw his sword at the call and in defense of this foreign government, with ifs Most Wor- shipful Grand Masters, Sublime Princes, Kings, and Grand Kings. These conspirators are neither fools nor children, but men of mature age, who, in their secret councils, call God and their companions in conspiracy to62 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. /, witness their sincerity and willingness to forward the base work in which they are so zealously engaged. Men high in church ard state are secret supporters and abettors. Sworn emissaries are in every state. The treasonable teachings, disloyal character and criminal make-up, as herein stated, is fully substantiated by the civil affidavits and testimony ofa multitude of patriotic cit- izens who have gained a complete and correct knowledge of it all, and “know whereof they speak.” Where is the man who has one drop of patriotic blood coursing through his veins that does not abhor, loathe and hate Freema- sonry asthe arch enemy of free government? And is he not ready, if he be a slave to this system of despot- ism, to declare his independence, and maintain his rights through the pulpit, the press and the polls? Let al! true Americans rally to the American movement that is so rapidly coming up, the object of which is to wrest church and state from the usurpation of oath-bound for- eigners who are openly endorsing and upholding a sys- tem that is treason tothe government. Let us, as Amer- icans, stand for civil and religious liberty before the bristling bayonet or the cannon’s mouth ere we bow the knee to any despot or hail any man as MASTER. God save our country from the further encroachments of secret despotism!CHAPTER V. UNWRITTEN HISTORY. ANTIMASONRY SAVED THE REPUBLIC, At one time this nation was startled by the astound- ing intelligence that a citizen of the United States had been abducted and murdered by a secret society. The Morgan tragedy, of 1826, shook this government from center to circumference. Public indignation meetings were held; legislative enactments were passed, outlaw- ing Freemasonry; governors and other state officers were elected by what is known in history as the Great Anti-Masonic Party. John Quincy Adams, President of the United States, at that time, after observing that dastardly affair from beginning to end, declared: “I am prepared to complete the demonstration before God and man, that the Masonic oaths, obligations and penalties cannot by any possibility be reconciled to the laws of morality, of Christianity, or of the land.” President Fillmore, J. C. Spencer and others, affirmed: “The Ma- sonic fraternity tramples upon our rights, defeats the administration of justice, and bids defiance to every gov- ernment which it cannot control.” Daniel Webster, Secretary of State in the cabinets of Harrison, Tyler and Fillmore, avowed: “All secret associations, the members of which take upon themselves extraordinary obligations to one another, and are bound together by secret oaths, ‘are naturally sources of jealousy and just alarm to others; are especially unfavorable to harmony and mutual confidence among men living together un- 6304 .THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK, der popular institutions, and are dangerous to the gen- eral cause of civil liberty and just government. Under the influence of this conviction it is my opinion that the future administration of all such oaths and the forma- tion of all such obligations should be prohibited by law.” The lodge went down before free discussion in the north, An Iowa Masonic Grand Lodge report chroni- cles the fact that forty-five thousand out of fifty thousand Freemasons in the United States left the lodge neverto re- turn, and that fifteen hundred lodges threw up their char- ters and ceased toexist. Nearly all the old Abolitionists were bitter Antimasons. John Brown left the lodge, ex- posed its secrets, and Masons threatened his life, so that he armed himself against them. Lewis Tappan, private journal, 1814:—Dr. Dixwell gave me lectures on Ma- sonry at his house.” ‘In September left the lodge.” Letter, January 21, 1829:—“I am free to say that I henceforth renounce Freemasonry, considering it a useless and profane institution.” Myron Holley, of New York:—*Such a rebellion Freemasonry has raised. It has violated the dearest rights of nature, and the most sacred enactments of our laws, and this in a spirit manifestly treasonable, for it has done this in pursuance of solemn, deliberate and voluntary obliga- tions to a foreign government,—I mean its own—a gov- ernment far’more alien to that which claims our alle- giance than any which has ever afflicted mankind.” Gerritt Smith in an address, 1870:—“Masonry murdered Morgan. If it could not conceal his murderers, it nev- ertheless protected them. It overrode the laws of the jand and ruled the courts and the ballot-boxes. More-