Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

222 ,REV. MR. STEARSs' INQUIRY'.
CHAFrER XXXVI.
u Among the faithless, faithful only he.—
" Nor number, nor example with him wrought
" To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind,
14 Though single."
IN exhibiting the manner in which Masons havfe taught
religion among the arts to mankind, I have the pleasure
here to introduce to the notice of the reader, " An Inquiry
into the Nature and Tendency of Speculative Free Masonry.
By John G. Stearns, Pastor of the First Baptist Church
in Paris, New-York." This little work, published early in
1826, was not sought by the public until after the abduction
in that same year, awakened attention to the claims
of Free Masonry. It fell into my hands under circumstances
grateful to memory, and at a time when the mind
was agitated and tossed between the manifest disparity of
the promises and the rewards of Masonry; between its
pretensions and the truth; its wise and learned supporters,
and its ridiculous tradition and ceremonies.
Mr. Stearns treats only of the religious pretensions of
Free Masonry, leaving all other claims of the most ancient
and honourable institution to make their own way in the
world; but his work helped greatly to settle my convictions,
to confirm my purposes, to encourage and countenance
this effort.
His manner will be seen in the following extract from his
44 Inquiry,' 1 chap. iv.
" The meekness of Christ does not characterise the masonic
institution. It is not designed for meek-minded men,
but for men of all classes, who are proud, haughty, and ambitious,
and who love the praise of men more than the