Prejudice Against Freemasonry.

which declares and repeats to all its candidates and in all its lodges that it can never countenance anything contrary to Morals , Religion , or the State ; ivhich expects and requires the highest reverence to the Supreme Being , obedience to rulers , respect to superiors , kindness to equals , and condescension to inferiors ; I say , that such an institution should be declared , or even suspected to militate with religion , peaceand social orderis matter of astonishment .

, , It must require the prejudices of an ex-Jesuit to draw so strange an inference from such opposing premises , or the faculty of Scotch second light to see things less awry . * Are not Masons , as well as other men , members of civil society , equally interested in preserving its order and peace ? Do they not owe their personal and their associate security to the laws , their protection to the magistrate ?

What possible inducement could they have for endangering that security or forfeiting that protection ? Whatever interferes with the prosperity of any nation , persuasion , or individual , forms no part of the Masonic theme . While the real Mason acts within his sphere he is a friend to every government which affords him protection , and particularly attached to that country wherein he first drew breath .

That is the centre of his circle , the point where his affections are warmest . His philanthropy is by no means incompatible with patriotism ; ancl when he speaks of being free , and of standing on a level with his brethren , he advances no sentiment in militancy with social or political grades ancl dignities .- He admits , and is familiar with , the principle of due subordination . He finds its expediency in his own institution , ancl he knows it is essential to good government and order in the community . " To be free is one of the characteristics

of his profession , but it is that stead y freedom which prudence feels and wisdom dictates , " a freedom which reason honours and virtue sanctions , a freedom from the dominion of passion and the slavery of vice . Appeal we to fact , to the history of all nations , and we shall find that Freemasons have always been peaceable and orderly members of society , f Submissive , even under governments the most intolerant ancl oppressive , they

silently cultivated their benevolent plan , ancl secured it confidence and protection by exhibiting in their conduct its mild , pacific , and charitable tendencies . They excited no factious resistance to established authorities , conspired in . no turbulent ancl seditious schemes , exaggerated no grievances , nor even joined in the clamours of popular discontent . Making it a rule never to speak evil of dignitiesnor interfere with the claims of lawful authorit they

, y , , at all times and in all places supported the character and obtained the praise of liege subjects and good citizens . Recur we to the American history . Were Price , Oxnard , Tomlinson , Gridley , leaders in rebellion P Was Warren a seditions person ? Or does Washington countenance conspiracy against government ? Are not the mem-