Extract From An Address ,

truest and greatest men in nearly all churches , proved to be sincere by their long attachment to the Order , that such lvilful blindness , or malicious prejudice , should find a place in the breast of any sane man . And it seems in vain to refute the calumnies or correct the misapprehension of men who have ears , and will not hear , and eyes , and will not see , but are wrapped in the impenetrable garments of their own uncharitable conceit .

A man convinced against his will Is of the same opinion still . The great shame of this abominable crusade is the attempt to tarnish the fair vestments of Christianity by these ivolves , clothing themselves in the robes of Protestant Christianity , ancl waging war in the name of religion . Pure religion demands not this hatred . Christianity does not approve it , for that is " peace and good will to man . "

The religion ( forgive the expression ) of these fanatics is the very antipode to every thing high ancl holy . They will forge a tyrant ' s chain , revive the inquisition , and fire the fagots around a martyr stake . I visited an old and honoured member of Rocky Mount Lodge last winter . He was a member of the old-side Baptist Church when he was initiated . The Church very promptl y arraigned him for what they supposed was a great crime .

Very much to their surprise he appeared on trial day and demanded the proof of his sin . He denied that he had violated any law of God or command of Christ . The case was continued from time to time on the motion of the prosecutors , until they despaired of a conviction , and sought to persuade the brother to quit the lodge , but to no purpose . He quitted the church and joined another more charitabl y disposed . The pastor of the old church , who

was of all most energetic in his efforts to convict Brother Nix , Avas struck with the devotion of the old man to the Order , and determined to inquire into its history ancl examine its principles . The sequel is that he is to-day an enthusiastic Mason . And such will be the result of every honest investigation . Religion and Masonry have no quarrel to raise and no war to Avage with each other . Neither will Masonry usurp the seat of the Church , but , as its handmaid , she will modestly ask its approving smiles upon her labour of love ancl ivork of oharity .

And now comes a revival of the old political war , long ago buried in oblivion . In 1831 a candidate was run upon the Anti-Masonic ticket , and notwithstanding a thorough canvass was made , ancl the people everywhere appealed to to protect their government from this dangerous organization , yet , when the verdict was rendered it was found that only Vermont had voted , for the Anti-Mason . And now this same " Green Mountain State , " in this good year of 1880 furnished a candidate upon the same ticket . Poor Vermont ! how I

, sympathize for her . What has she done that she should be thus singled out for such terrible affliction ? Perhaps the Grand Representative from that state can account for it , as he is a " Green Mountain Boy , " and a strongbeliever in Special Providence . Phelps , in his speech accepting the doubtful honour of being the candidate of the Anties , said that the only way for the two sections of our country to

harmonize was to unite in a common war on Masonry ! Poor , prejudiced , consumed politician ! Doesn't he know the only real reconciliation that has been made is in Masonry ? Masonry has used her trowel , and the cement of brotherl y love has been carefully spread , and her beautiful temple toivers aloft in the glory of union ancl fraternity . With sorrow I point to two conferences for that prodigy of growth and power which John Wesley planted in

America , and for which his brother Charles so sweetly sang . It is painful to behold that staunch old church , which delighted to honour Calvin ancl Knox , and which boasts of its learning and conservatism , still in twain , with two Assemblies where there should be but one . And the energetic church for which Judson toiled and died has not survived in union . In politics a solid