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

publishing of Morgan's book, the Baptist denomination, especially, in that part of
the country, had been greatly carried away by Freemasonry. A large proportion of
its eldership and membership were Freemasons. A considerable number of
ministers and members of other branches of the Christian Church had also fallen
into the snare. The murder of Wm. Morgan, and the publication of Masonry
consequent thereupon in the books I have named, broke upon the churches--fast
asleep on this subject--like a clap of thunder from a clear sky. The facts were
such, the revelations were so clear, that the Baptist denomination backed down,
and took the lead in renouncing and denouncing the institution. Their elders and
associated churches, almost universally, passed resolutions disfellowshiping
adhering Masons. The denomination, to a considerable extent, took the same
course. Throughout the Northern States, at that time, I believe it was almost
universally conceded, that persistent Freemasons, who continued to adhere and
co-operate with them, ought not to be admitted to Christian churches. Now, it is
worthy of all consideration and remembrance, that God set the seal of His
approbation upon the action taken by those churches at that time, by pouring out
His Spirit upon them.
Great revivals immediately followed over that whole region. The discussion of the
subject, and the action of the churches took place in 1827-'8 and '9, and in 1830
the greatest revival spread over this region that had ever been known in this or
any other country. They knew Masonry, as we know it, by an examination of
those books in which it had been revealed. We have the same means of knowing
Freemasonry, if we will use them, that those churches and ecclesiastical bodies
had. We have the highest evidence that the nature of the case will admit, that God
approved of their decision and action. In the brief outline that I have given in the
preceding pages, I have endeavored to show truthfully, so far as my space would
allow, what Freemasonry really is, and if it is what these books represent it to be,
it seems to me clear as noonday, that it is an anti-Christian institution. And should
the question be asked, "What shall be done with the great number of professed
Christians who are Freemasons?" I answer, Let them have no more to do with it.
Again, let Christian men labor with them, plead with them, and endeavor to make
them see it to be their duty to abandon it. These oaths should be distinctly read to
them, and they should be asked whether they acknowledge the obligation of these
oaths, and whether they intend to do the things that they have sworn to do. Let it
be distinctly pressed upon their consciences, that all Masons above the first two
degrees have solemnly sworn to conceal each other's crimes, murder and treason
alone excepted, and all above the sixth degree have sworn to conceal each other's
crimes, without an exception. All above the sixth degree have sworn to espouse
each other's cause and to deliver them from any difficulty, whether they are right
or wrong. If they have taken those degrees where they swear to persecute unto
death those who violate their obligations, let them be asked whether they intend to
do any such thing. Let them be distinctly asked whether they intend still to aid and
abet the administration and taking of these oaths, if they still intend to
countenance the false and hypocritical teachings of Masonry, if they mean to
countenance the profanity of their ceremonies, and practice the partiality they
have sworn to practiced. If so, surely they should not be allowed their places in