Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2007 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/americanhandbookOObutlrich }i^mmmmmmm fe«3 MERICAN^ I AND] GITIZEFS MANEAl, BUTLER.. M PRICE, FORTY CENTS. 1^^^ IL '-^ . D 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 criticisih; 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 a clear sky. It embraces the opinion of more than 100 papers, as found before the public, and men and women high in cdiurch and state are thrown on the witness stand. The attitude and expression alone of Kuch 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, 111., 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 a copy, paper cover, postpaid, remit forty cents to Manlovb N. Butler, 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. ~M677 CHAPTER i. THE BIBLE AND SECRETISM. " And I heard a voice from Heaven saying unto me writer Rev, xiv, ij. 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 Thought: "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." Competent 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 Condemned : "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God : but those things which are re- 3 ^84bVy 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 hnn 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 in 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 v/rought in God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. Wherefore if they shall say unto you. Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is 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 in the 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 truth commend- 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 knowno Therefore w^hatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that w^hich 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 assembh% mine honour, be not thou united." All Worldly Brotherhood Forbidden: "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 wricked, 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 sitteth 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 believ^eth with an infidel? 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." Lodge Oaths: " 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." Worshipful Master: "No man can serve two masters: for he will hate the one, and love the other; THE BIBLE AND SECRETISM. *J 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- demnation." True and False 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, than 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 Pentecosfs Bi- ble Studies^ 788p, f, j8p. "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. E. P. Goodwin^ D, Z>., pastor First Congregational Churchy Chicago^ III, Relevant Scriptures: " This know also, that 8 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. in the last clays 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 powder 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 lies 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, heteacheth 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 tyom 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 is 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 SECRETlSM. g 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 their- 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- to 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 w^as 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 shall 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. II 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 peojole, 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 bath 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 will save 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. Ill 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 mfluential order. And in the beginning we hasten to assure the reader that we do not propose bring 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 shapi-ng the system. However, we do have a right 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, it is 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 in this couiitr\': he is the father of American Masonry. Very well, we will see what this assurance is. "It is the duty of the IVfaster of tiie Lodge, as one of the precautionary measures of initiation, to explain to the candidate the nature and desii^nof 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 (o secure tho>c priv- ileges to worthy men, and worthy men aK>ne, voluntary pledges of fidelity are required; he will at the same time assure him that nothing will be expectetlof Wnn 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 withm its circle almost every branch of polite learning. Under tiie veil of its mvs- teries is comprehended a regular system < f 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, ill 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. 1 16. MASONIC RELIGION. l5 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. 1 3. Perhaps they simply sing, or chant, or take up a 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 prayer. 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. Agam 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. l6 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. A. 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, P- 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 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 a creed which demands and receives the universal consent of all men, which admits of no doubt, and de- fies schism," — Mackey's Lexicon, p. loo. "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. 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 in this great book of decisions. But why this 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- l8 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. 2S5. We read in the Bible of a wide gate and a 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/^;. 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 wfith 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 evidences 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, not 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 gospel 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 errOr, 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, Presbyteria-n, 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 tlie 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- ci'ite. 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- Hc 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," — Sickels' 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 of 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 let us see how far this surrender of per- sonal liberty is demanded of the Mason. "That this surrender of free-v/ill to Masonic author- ity is absolute^ (within the scope of the landmarks of the order,) and ferpetuaL^ 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 bubjccts 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? Disobedience. — "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 officer. "The powers and privileges of the Master of a lodge are by no means limited in extent." — Chase's 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 of a 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 authority 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 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 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. Wh^t 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- ^>sonry, p. 1S3. \/' A Masonic case is one in which either a Mason or 'Masonry 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 lords it with such pomposity. ''It is true that the rule of the Grand Master is \despotic, and that the Grand Mastership is a despot- 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 has no 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 n.o 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 exfiilsion^ which, as a Masonic death, ends all. The one unpardonable crime in a Mason is contumacy^ or disobedience." — Webb's Freemasons' Monitor, p. 196. 4b' 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 Ma- sonic law. That law must be obeyed, right or WRONG. Does this low-down slaver}^ run through every department of Freemasonry, or only in the "Blue Lodge" and not m 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 prepared to be made a Mason ? " " In my heart." Preparation — Blue Lodge 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^ Dictio7iary of Freemasonry^ fp, 24jy 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 defiiiition, cov- enants, and so are the Constitution and By-Laws." — Ibid, p. y6. 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." "It is ' the obligation which makes the Mason,' and the difference between one Mason and another consists simply in the fact that one keeps his obligations better than another ^"^ — Morris"* Dictionary of Freemasonry^ p. 21S. 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 the same ? 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." — M'or- ris^ Dictionary of Freemasonry ^ p. ij, " 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 tha^ so far as the legal asj^ect of the matter is concerned, that an affirmation ma.de 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.' " — Texas Masonic Grand Lodge Report for iSyg, Also Alissouri 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." — WchlPs Freemasons'* ^lonitor^p, 240, This accounts for many strange and mysterious pro- ceedings in our would-be court^ of justice and in the churches, NO law of the land (that is, 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. 51 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, ar^ 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, appears a 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 hnn to confess on the promise that his acquittal was assured. Gould, he said, w^ent 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 authorit}/, <'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 savs: "The skilled practitioner, wlio has a client 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 jur3^men 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. 119, Sec. 71 15, 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 oaths, 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 tlie 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." — Mor- ris* Dictionary of Preemasonry^ p, 2g, 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-s])oken 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. vSee it in 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 Afasonry is perpetual." — Wehh'^s Freemason* s Monitor^ f, 2^7. That certainly IS 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." — Mackcy^s Mystic Tie of Frecfnason^ 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 lav/s 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." — Morris* Dictionary of Free- masonry^ f. J2^, 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." — Mackey^s Masonic J urisfrudence^ p. 270. Shall the Mason pause to inquire as to anything when Masonlcally 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 Jurisprudence^ p, 2J0. 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 HAXD-BOOK. dead and "svounded 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 fan " 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's 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. :)/ 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 \n America all Masonic functions, without an}^ form of naturalization, as though he had been made in this country. The con- verse is equally true." — Mackey's Masonic Jurisprudence, p. 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- opsis of Masonic law and government by home testimony. 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 independent either 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. We are 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 v/ise and good, and as such 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 oi- 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 hnn together again as you do the time- keeper. Masonry i& 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 fer 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.' " Tlie above is a Masonic address in a nutshell — it is the compressed essence of Masonic life." — Grand Lodge Report for 1867. 7' How does that sound to a loyal American? Free- .masons therein positively affirm that they are not con- ^v :^^ trolled by" ANYTHING "save Masonic law; they thank >. i^ God" that in their government the "majority does y^ NOT govern;" that Freemasonry "strikes at the very base" of 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 anotlier Grand Lodge Report or two and rest the case. ^3 :/ 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 in accordance with Masonic usage." — Grand Lodge Report. Rebold's History of Freemasonry, p. 63, 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 pos«^ession. The higli 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 organization 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 darnig conspiracy con- GOVERNMENT OF FREEMASONRY. 6l 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 Iciid 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 svvorn his life, character and honor, that he will draw his sword at the call and in defense of this foreign government, with its Most Wor- shi^Dful 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 and 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 of a 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 as the 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 all 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 to the 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 inteUigence 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. PubHc 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 64 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOIT, der popular institutions, and aje 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 never to re- turn, and that fifteen hundred lodges threw up their char- ters and ceased to exist. 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, 1S29: — "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 land and ruled the courts and the ballot-boxes. More- UNWRITTEN HISTORY. 65 over, it is capable of repeating the crimes. Why then should we not dread secret societies, and do what we can to bring them to an end?" James G. Birney, Horace Greeley, the great Republican editor, and many might be cited as avowed Antimasons. Greeley said i "Many persons were brought to trial on account of the murder of Morgan, but no one was judicially found guilty of murder. It was established by seceding Masons that the oaths,* at least in some of the highest degrees — that were administered, and taken by those admitted to Ma- sonic lodges, disqualified them from serving as jurors in any case where a brother Mason of like degree was a party, and his antagonist was not." Harfer'^s Maga zine says: "As the larger portion of the Whig party was merged in the Republican, the dominant party of to-day has a lineal descent from the feeling aroused by the abduction of Morgan from the jail at Canandaigua." Hon. S. C. Pomeroy, for many years a popular Repub- lican Senator, speaking of the border troubles, writes: "Then the Blue Lodges sent out their circulars. I copy from one: — 'We have been heavily taxed in both money and time in fighting the battles of the South in Kansas. Lafay- ette county alone has expended one hundred thousand dollars in maintaining the rights of the South. Come before the cause is lost.' This started Col. Buford with his regiment from South Carolina, and many others. All entered Kansas in the spring of 1856." Freemasonry went south where free sjDcech was largely forbidden, became a southern institution and the 66 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. sworn ally of negro slavery. In its very nature^ with its Worshipful Masters, Kings and Grand Kings, its lodge rooms became the council chambers of treason, and Jefferson Davis, a reputed Royal Arch Mason, led the armies of rebellion, his late declaration tothecontrary notw^ithstanding. Thurlow^ Weed, the president maker, and for fifty years the Warv/ick of American politics, was perhaps the strongest Antimason in America. In i860 he went to the Chicago Convention to secure if possible, the nomination of Seward. Contrary to his expectation Abraham Lincoln was nominated. One delegate afterwards explained their going back on Sew- ard by saying that they did not know till they got to Chicago that this was the "Antimason Bill Seward." The evening before the convention Mr. Philo Carpen- ter heard two Freemasons talking on the sidewalk. "Well," said one, "I suppose we are to have that Anti- mason Seward as our Republican candidate to-morrow morning." "Not a bit of it," replied the other. "The lodge has seen to that. Seward will have a large com- plimentary vote, to satisfy his friends; but he will not receive the nomination and never will be president." The Masons of Cincinnati threatened not to vote for Lincoln because he would not join the lodge. Rumor says that Lincoln had at one time sent in his petition for membership in a Masonic lodge, but before the night for initiation came, he changed his mind (sup- posed to have been from reading a copy of Morgan's expose, loaned him by a neighbor, who heard of his purpose,) and he was ever afterward the bitter and avowed enemy of Overseers, Worshipful Masters, and UNWRITTEN HISTORY. 67 Most Worshipful Grand Masters. Hence he placed at the head of his Cabinet that uncompromising foe of lodgery, William H. Seward, who said, "Before I would place my hand between the hands of other men in a secret lodge, order, class or council, and bending on my knee before them, enter into combination with them for any object, personal or political, good or bad, I would pray to God that that hand and that knee might be paralyzed, and that I might become an object of pity and even the mockery of my fellow men." Charles Francis Adams was United States minister to England under President Lincoln, and at a time when a true patriot was needed there. He declared: ''Every man who takes a Masonic oath forbids himself from divulg- ing any criminal act, unless it might be murder or trea- son, that may be communicated to him under the seal of fraternal bond, even though such concealment were to prove a burden upon his conscience and a violation of his bounden duty to society and to his God." Bitter opposers of Masonry were directing the legislation of the nation during those perilous years. That eminent American statesman, Charles Sumner, in 1854, penned these words: " I find two powers here in Washington in harmony, and both are antagonistical to our free in- stitutions, arid tend to centralization and anarchy — Freemasonry and Slavery; and they must both be de- stroyed if our country is to be the home of the free as our ancestors designed it." Thaddeus Stevens, the Great American Commoner, held: " By Freemasonry trial by jury is transformed into an engine of despotism and Masonic fraud." Henry Wilson, another outspoken 68 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. Antimason, was Chairman of the War Committee, and introduced bills abolishing Slavery in the District of Columbia, for abolishing the black code, and for enroll- ing colored militia. There, too, was Samuel C. Pome- roy, the Old Abolition Senator from Kansas, the man that Freemasonry has tried so hard to smirch and malign. He was at one time a student under William H. Sew- ard, and hence his antipathy to the lodge. He was the first man who had the grit to stand up in Congress and call the late war " The Slaveholders' Rebellion". He moved the first pension and land bounty bill. He moved and carried a bill for a disabled soldiers' home, and pro- cured the passage of a soldiers' relief bill. Although he is under a cloud, mayhap the scapegoat of Colonel York and other Royal Arch Masons, yet he is dealing telling blows at lodge despotism. Wendell Phillips, the silver-tongued orator of Emancipation, wrote to one of our popular American lecturers: *' I wish you suc- cess most heartily in your efforts to arouse the commu- nity to the danger of Secret societies. They are a great evil; entirely out of place in a republic, and no patriot should join or uphold them. Considering the great forces which threaten the welfare of our nation in the next thirty years, and how readily and efficiently they can use any secret organizations, such should not be allowed to exist." J. G. Whittier, the Quaker poet, wrote the songs of freedom, and who but one brought up an Antimason could have conceived such soul stirr- ing measures. He says; "As regards secret societies, I have always kept aloof from them," And again: " I suppose thee knows that the society of Friends do not UNWRITTEN HISTORY. 69 allow any of their members to join secret societies or take any oaths. I wish other sects would take the same ground." George W. Clark, the sweet liberty singer, whose anti-slavery songs so fired the northern heart, has compiled an Antimasonic song book and is going through the land singing against lodge slavery. Gen- eral Grant, the victorious leader of the Union forces to the close of the war, it is said, belonged to no secret society. In his autobiography he says: "All secret, oath-bound political parties are dangerous to any nation, no matter how pure or how patriotic the motives or principles which first bring them together." General Eli H. Murray, private secretary of the late Gen. W. T. Sherman, was asked, "Do you not rank frankness as chief among his virtues?" Gen. Murray said: " Yes, he never had a secret in his life. When any one wanted to make Sherman a confidant, he would exclaim, ' Don't tell me a secret; I'll give it away to the first person I meet. I don't war^t any secrets. Devilment begins with secrets.' The General's life was an open book." Andrew Johnson was a Royal Arch Mason, sworn to the very life to espouse the cause of a companion so far as to extricate him from all difficulty whether right or wrong. How essential then that Lincoln should be removed prior to the trial of Jeff Davis. The intention was to remove Seward, Stanton, and others obnoxious to the treasonable fraternity. The attack on Johnson was only a blind. E. E. Flagg, Wellessly, Mass., speaking of the supposed antagonism of Roman Catholicism and Freemasonry, says: " The papal ori- ^O THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK, gin of the higher degrees, the use made of them in the last century by Jesuit priests, the fact that John Wilkes Booth, who shot Abraham Lincoln was both a Mason and a Catholic, besides a host of other facts that could be adduced; show how false is the claim." Sergeant Boston Corbett, the patriot soldier who shot John Wilkes Booth, the lodge emissary, is an outspoken Antimason, residing near Concordia, Kansas. Hon. Fred. Douglass, the Gladstone of his race, said: "I never would join a secret society ; not even that military concern." "I am opposed to secret societies." And such were the men who stood for liberty and republican government when mad treason was plotting ruin on every hand and loyal blood was flowing in rivulets. The Chicago Daily Tiincs avers: "One statement which has been made in praise of Freemasonry is really ar argument against it — namely that the late war of the rebellion did not interrupt for a moment the cordial relation which existed between northern and southern Masons, either as a body or as individuals. If the ties of Freemasonry are stronger than love for country, and lead men to forgive the crime of rebellion while the rebel still has arms in his hands which he is using to attack the state. Freemasonry is clearly per- nicious and opposed to public policy." Benedict Arnold, the first traitor to our government, learned his patriotism in Hiram Masonic Lodge, No. i, New Haven, Conn. Aaron Burr was a high Mason and plotted his treason in Royal Arch cipher. Gen. Robert Toombs, of Ga., to the day of his death was a zealous afiiliate to the Supreme Council of Scottish UNWRITTEN HISTORY. 7 1 Rite Masonry, and the lodge journals and Masonic bodies are sounding the Masonic virtues of this rebel leader and unrepentant traitor from the rivers to the ends of the earth. The Masonic order officially laid the corner-stone to a monument in honor of that brilliant rebel, Gen. R. E. Lee, at Richmond, Va., in the pres- ence of fifteen thousand ex-confederate soldiers. The very air v^as heavy with Masonry and the old rebel war spirit while doing homage to the leader of the rebel forces. Stephen A. Douglass, " Brick " Pomeroy, Gen. Joseph E. Johnson, and their ilk were Masons. FROM THE CHRISTIAN CYNOSURE AND ITS EDITOR: Tom Corwm in the United States Senate said: " Put one slave-holder with forty-nine non-slave holders, and the one will find means to control the forty-nine in nine cases out of ten." So one Freemason will hang a jury or corrupt a church. A member of the Masonic lodge, formerly a reputable citizen of Oak Park, 111., and a government official in this city, is our authority for the statement that a Free- mason, formerly from Naperville, 111. , was engaged in forming Masonic lodges in both the Union and rebel armies. He had passes which took him within the lines of both, and passed back and forth freely in his nefari- ous business. If Lincoln, Chase and Seward in the Cabinet, and Stevens in Congress, C. F. Adams and Thurlow Weed in England, and Grant in the army had not been Anti- masons, slavery would not have fallen, and the Union y2 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. would have fatally sunk. Putting our war government in anti-lodge hands was a marvelous act of God. When sick once I spent a day in a pleasant home be- tween Galesburg and Knoxville. On the stand near my head lay Rob Morris' Voice of Masonry, I opened ^ number and read an editorial denunciation of our Union soldiers, then fighting to save popular gov- ernment, because they obeyed their officers and dis- obeyed the signs of rebel Masons who were fighting to destroy it. The Voice of Masonry which thus gave "aid and comfort" to treason, is still, in other hands, published in Chicago. I have since conversed with the Secretary of Federal Lodge No. i, D. C. He told me he left the lodge at the opening of the >var because "the lodges all went for secession." The Blue Lodges of Missouri did not even change their names or vary their ritual, but as simple Masons, CO nomine raised, enlisted, and armed the bloody raids on Kansas, and informed Senator Pomeroy that if he would join the Masons they would protect him, but if not, "if he attempted to go up the Kaw river he would be killed." Pike initiated fifty leaders of the Indians in Federal lodge No. I, in Washington and swore and frightened them into obedience before they would fight against the Union, and by such means the lodges of the South became the drill-camps of the rebellion. , Mr. Ferguson who was secretary of Federal lodge No. I , and aided to initiate Pike's Indians, informed the writer that the ten lodg^es of the District all went for UNWRITTEN HISTORY. 73 secession, and Lincoln's assassination was one of the Masonic exploits of that District, Gen. Howard informed the writer that even the butcherly night-riding Ku-klux kept their disguises in the Masonic halls. Brother Butler some time since- sent to the ex-rebel Jeff Davis a circular which mentioned the name of the latter as a Mason. Davis takes the pains to deny the allegation through some Grand Lodge official. The denial of his Masonry by the ex-confederate leader published last week has refreshed the memory of Deacon O. M. Brown, one of the oldest citizens of Oberlin, and among the most reliable of men, who met just at the close of the war, a wealthy slave-holder, Master of Oglethorp lodge near Andersonville prison pen, Georgia, who told him in good faith that Jeff Da- vis was a Freemason, and that he had met him f re- quentl)'^ in the lodge, and at Masonic gatherings. We remember how Mr. Davis has repeatedly and emphatically denied the well-proven incident of his cap- ture. If he never was a Mason any more than he was a rebel, as his own letter indicates, his denial goes for nothing, so that the public may reasonably still believe that he was a Freemason with Toombs and others of the Southern leaders. His own and the denials of the lodge aside, the evidence is in favor of such a conclu- sion. Of course the lodge denies any association with him as they always do with Arnold. In an interview at Richview, 111., W. E. Toomis, for- merly of Vicksburg, Miss., said: "I was personally J74 "THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. acquainted with Jeff Davis, and know him to be a Ma- son. I was standing within six feet of him when he sr.id : 'Fellow Citizens, the North is so hostile that we, in order to sustain our institution (slavery), will in the near future (God hasten the time) have to plunge the dagger up to the hilt in blood.' This was in 1850, the crowd took off their caps and cheered." READ THIS. The mission of the American movement is a higher, nobler, grander one than the Republican ever had. The negro had a Master, but the poor white Masonic slaves have a "Most Worshipful Grand Master." No negro in the darkest days of slavery ever addressed his owner as "Worshipful Massal" To rid our Republic of this deeper, darker, deadlier system is well worthy the persistent, united effort of the Christian, the patriot and the philanthropist. Col, George R. Clark, foun- der of the Pacific Mission, and a Masonic Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, in a late public address said: "I was a 32-degree Mason in Chicago before the fire; I also belonged to the Blue Lodg^e and other interven- ing orders." In his speech he declared : "The third point that addressed itself to me was the unlawful oaths that I was required to take. I saw that these oaths of them- selves W'cre blasphemous. These oaths, some of them, bound people to do unlawfnl acts; unlawful so far as the laws of the country are. concerned, and unlawful so far as the laws of God are concerned. I saw that these UNWRITTEN HISTORY. y^ organizations were harmful. They placed these oaths above the laws. These oaths bind people to unlawful acts without regard to the laws of the country." Edmond Ronayne, a late Chicago Royal Arch Ma- son, in a recently published letter thus boldly challenges and arraigns the Voice of Maso?iry^ and Freemasons of that city, to-wit: "Dare the Voice answer these simple questions? Dare the Rev. Dr. Thomas, or ex- Mayor Cregier, or Henry G. Perry, answer them? How is it, gentlemen? are you, in this evening of the nineteenth century, in these United States, and in the verv face of our grand civilization — are you sworn, and do you swear others when conferring your Masonic de- crees, under such horrible butchery of the body as might justly bring the blush of shame to the cheek of a savage? Have you got these death penalties in the oaths of your lodges? I say you have, and that I have administered them myself in Keystone Lodge, No. 639, in Cashman Lodge, in D. C. Cregier Lodge, and in other lodges in this city, and you dare not deny that you are bound under the most terrible and inhuman death-penalties which it is possible to express in lan- guage. Furthermore, the public are coming to know this; and were it not for the miserable hypocrisy of the preachers you have got among you, your lying legends and pagan humbuggery would to-day be a by-word and a stench in the mouth and nostrils of this American people. But the day of Freemasonry is certainly doomed, notwithstanding its present apparent popular- ity ; and the time will come when every one who passes 76 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. by shall laugh in patriotic derision at your empty pa- rades and your twenty-story monstrosity." The National View^ Washington, D. C, says*. "Reform will come. It may be slow; nevertheless, sooner or later, it will be sure to do its perfect work. More still, it will come in a voice that there will be no mistaking in the aroused conscience of an awakened people ; in the unequivocal manifestation of the public will; in the alarmed sense of public security; in the stern conviction of the outraged moral sentiment of the nation; in the spirit of that sense of justice and patriot- ism which always inspires the American mind, and dominates in the genius and spirit of our free institu- tions. We may have to wait a little, but order will Lome out of confusion. The ideals for which we con- tend will take form, and shape public opinion into coherent, intelligent, demonstrative, successful action. Bear in mind that the age is rife with originalitv, curi- osity, and investigation. The range of ideas and plans of amelioration o'erleaps all ordinary barriers, and men strike out in every direction to fathom the intricate an I the abstruse. The press furnishes immense facilities for their easy communication with the great public, and through it the world is nvarching on to freedom and the general illumination of the human mind. Let it come," CHAPTER VI. GRAND LODGE MASONRY ! EVERY AFFILIATE TESTIFIES. We shall deal almost exclusively v^ith the official reports of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, emanating directly from that body and fully endorsed by it. Not only is the w^hole business backed by every adhering, affiliated member in Missouri, but all regular sister Grand Lodges endorse the Missouri Grand Lodge through their Grand Lodge representatives. These reports contain none of the so-called secrets although got up for the sole use and benefit of the craft, and it should be borne in mind that non-masons have nothing whatever to do in making these statements and declara- tions, and that they are amenable to the law for any- thing that would injure the order or the individual members of the same by falsification or slander. We challenge any adhering Mason from the Most Worshipful Grand Master down to the youngest En- tered Apprentice to show a single quotation that is incorrectly given. The individual members of the order, as well as many of the teachers of its would-be mysteries, are most deplorably ignorant of its nature and principles. Read and study the law: "The great trouble, however, is to get the Craft to read and study the law. In the language of one of my distinguished predeces- sors, ' If the Brethren would read more, and ask less questions, all would be well.' " — Missouri Masonic Grand Lodge Report, 1878. 77 78 THE AMERICAN HAND-BOOK. "Another large share of correspondence is about matters upon which every Worshipful Master of a Lodge should be posted — that is, about things that are plainly written. It is wonderful how many questions are asked about matters that have not only been settled for years, but have been affirmed^ and reaffirmed." —Ibid. 1S81. We always rather excuse affiliates on the score of gross ignorance than dishonesty when they extol the virtuous make-up of Freemasonry. A tree is known by its fruits. Let Freemasonry stand or fall by its own record. Certainly if it is tried by its own volun- tary testimony no member can challenge the fairness or correctness. Practical masonry: "The Social Mission of Masonry, however, is not for the individual only: in the community and in the State, the Craft has work to do." — Grand Lodge Report, 1878. In reading the Address, we struck a mine of thought, richer in practical suggestions, and fruit-bearing truths than anything found in print for years. That this rich deposit of rare gems may rot escape, notice, or be over- looked by our readers, we give it a large heading, PRACTICAL MASONRY. Hear Grand Master Browne, and then reflect and inwardly digest: 'In my adminis- tration it has been aimed to bring your attention to pfactical Masonry — every-day, actual Masonry — that which is feasibte — rather than to please your senses in reciting the beauties and grandeur of theoretical Ma- sonry; for experience has determined that there is a great interval between written theory and real practice, GRAND LODGE MASONRY. 79 and that much of the possible in theory is impossible in practice. Let us ask this question: Of wiiat use is Masonry unless it be made practical ? Why expend time, labor, and money in perpetuating the impracticable? Practical Masonry is the application of its knowledge to the experiences of life, to our surroundings, to our social, business, and civic relations.'" — Ibid. 1880. Also see California- Report, 1879. "Have you not noticed the prominence of Masons in deliberative bodies, in business enterprises, in social and religious affairs? Is not this prominence largely the result of the discipline and training of the Lodge? The qualities which fit men to become leaders in all tiiese enterprises are developed here in a marked de- gree. What higher tribute could be paid our organ- .izing and conserving power than the fact that all secret organizations of high and low degree have borrowed from us. I was struck with this fact even before I was made a Mason." — Missouri Report, 1881. Let us look into this practical business a little. First we will examine its boasted benevolence and charity. "Landmark eighteenth." "Certain qualifications of candidates for initiation are derived from a Land- mark of the order. These are that he shall be a man — shall be unmutilated, free born, and of mature age. That is to say, a woman, a cripple, or a slave, or one born in slavery, is disqualified for initiation into the rites of Masonry." — Mackey's Masonic Jurisprudence, Great Law Book of Masonry.^ pages 31 and 32. "Whenever Freemasonry gets so far down that it resolves its lodges into hospitals for the halt, deaf and 8o THE AMERICAN HAND-BOd^ . blind, and starts out as a humanitarian institution, to throw its mantle of relief over the profane world and bring in beggars and cripples with a drag-net, then it is time for it to throw aside Its standard as a Royal Art and bury its landmarks out of sight." — Mis- souri Masonic Grand Lodge Report for 1867. "Are we, as Masons, what we profess to be? We opine the unknown thousands of money expended every year in displays, hilarities, and convivial indulgences, would do more to dry the tears of the sorrowing and hush the cries of distress, than the hollow profession of charity, 'Be ye warmed and be ye fed'" — Missouri Report, 1878. "The Masonic institution is not a hospital for the reception of persons however excellent their character, who are not hale and sound at the time of the making, and I know of no authority, not even that of a Grand Lodge, which should induce any Grand Master to vio- late one of the most ancient and most settled of all our Landmarks." — Missouri Report, 1878. Also New Jersey Grand Lodge Report, 1S78. "Thousands of our Brethren have but little to leave the loved ones when called hence. Leaving them to the care of the lodges, in the great majority of cases, is to lean upon *a broken reed,' for many of these Lodges never have enough money to bury a Brother. When a widow needs clothes, or orphans cry for bread, all these Lodges can do is to