THE ARCANE SCHOOLS - Fort Myers Beach Masonic Lodge No. 362

intelligence, which unfits them as a body to work in or adorn the craft; the
impropriety of making them our equals in one place, when from their social
condition and the circumstances which almost everywhere attach to them, we can
not do so in others; their not being, as a general thing, free-born; the impossibility,
or at least the difficulty, of ascertaining, if we once commence, their free birth,
and where the line of intelligence and social elevation commences and ends, or
divides portions of their race; and finally, their not being as a race "persons of
good report," or who can be "well recommended" as subjects for initiation, their
very seldom being persons who have any "trade, estate, office, occupation or
visible way of acquiring an honest livelihood and working in the craft, as becomes
members of this ancient and most honorable fraternity, who ought not only to earn
what is sufficient for themselves and families, but likewise something to spare for
works of charity and for supporting the ancient grandeur and dignity of the royal
craft, eating no man's bread for naught;" and their general positive deficiency of
natural endowments. All which would render it impossible, as a general thing, to
conciliate and continue between them and us good will and private affection or
brotherly love, which cements into one united body the members of this ancient
fraternity.'
"COMMENT. These arguments can not be successfully controverted. We, in the
Southern or slave-holding States, whose experience with the colored race is
greater than that of others, affirm the New York doctrine in every particular.
However occasional instances may be offered to the contrary, they are but the
exceptions to prove the general rule, that the race ought not to amalgamate
socially or physically.
"'ARTICLE II. No person of the negro race shall be examined or admitted as a
visitor of any lodge of Masons under this jurisdiction, if made in an African lodge
in North America. Because all such lodges are clandestine and without legal
authority.'"
Here we have their benevolence unmasked. A depressed social condition is a bar
to admission to this benevolent society. What if the Christian church should adopt
such an article? Is this Christian benevolence? Is it consistent with Christian
morality? Christian ministers, is this the morality you teach and practice? You
profess to teach and practice the precepts of Christ, and join and hold fast to a
society whose law is to exclude men for being in a depressed social position,
whatever their wants, their moral and religious character may be. You boast of
your benevolence and exclude the very class who have most need of sympathy
and benevolence, and are you a professed disciple, and perhaps a professed
minister of Jesus. Shame!
But is this real benevolence, or Gospel morality? No, indeed! It is the very
opposite of Gospel morality or true benevolence. In a recent number of the
National Freemason--I think its date is the 18th of January--it is admitted by the
editor of that great national organ that benevolent institutions have been so much
multiplied that there is now seldom any call upon Masons for charitable
donations. Yes, but who has multiplied these benevolent societies? Surely Masons
have not done this, Christians have done it. And Masonry now seems forced to