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

Now let professed Christians who are Freemasons examine this for themselves.
Do not turn away from examination of this subject.
And here, before I close this article, I beg to be understood that I have no quarrel
with individual Masons. It is with the system that I have to deal. The great mass
of the fraternity are utterly deceived, as I was myself. Very few, comparatively, of
the fraternity are at all acquainted with what is really taught in the higher degrees
as they ascend from one to another. None of them know anything of these degrees
any further than they have taken them, unless they have studied them in the books
as they are revealed. I can not believe that Christian men will remain connected
with this institution, if they will only examine it for themselves and look it
through to the end. I know that young Masons, and those who have only taken the
lower degrees, will be shocked at what I have just quoted from a higher degree. I
was so myself when first I examined the higher degrees. But you will inquire
how, and in what sense, are we who have only taken the lower degrees
responsible for the oaths and teachings of the higher degrees, which we have not
taken. In a future number I shall briefly answer this question. Most Freemasons,
and many who have been Masters of lodges of the lower degrees, are really so
ignorant of what Masonry as a whole is, that when they are told the simple truth
respecting it, they really believe that what you tell them is a lie. I am receiving
letters from this class of Freemasons, accusing me of lying and misrepresentation,
which accusations I charitably ascribe to ignorance. To such I say, Wait,
gentlemen, until you are better informed upon the subject, and you will hold a
different opinion.
I have quoted from Salem Town showing that he claims that Solomon established
the institution by divine authority--that Town claims for it all that is claimed for
Christianity as a saving religion. I might show that others of their standard writers
set up the same claim. Now I am unwilling to believe that these writers are
hypocrites. It must be that they have been imposed upon as I was. They were
ignorant of the origin of Freemasonry. Perhaps this was not strange, especially as
regards Mr. Town; for until within the last half century this matter has not been
searched to the bottom. But certainly there is now no excuse for the ignorant or
dishonest assertions that are so often made by Freemasons. Such pretenses palmed
off, as they now often are, upon those whose occupation or other causes forbid
their examination of the subject, ought to arouse the righteous indignation of
every honest citizen. I say it ought to do so; yes, and it must do so, when we see
our dear young men lured by false pretenses in crowds into this snare of Satan.
They get drawn in and committed, and, as we see, are afraid to be convinced of
their error and become uncandid and will not honestly examine the subject. They
will shun the light when it is offered. Can men be saved in this state of mind?
CHAPTER XVI.
THE ARGUMENT THAT GREAT