ANTI-MASONIC TRACT,
NO. 1......CONTAINING
1. The Penalties of Masonry,
2. Mr. John R. Mulford's Renunciation of Freemasonry,
3. Rev. Norman Bentley's Letter.
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"Let your light shine," --
HOLY WRIT.
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TO THE PUBLIC. -- We invite the attention of every candid reader, to a carerul and deliberate perusal of the statements here
made, as they are from undoubted authority and attested to by hundreds of seceding masons; many of whom have published to the world, what their eyes have
seen and their ears have heard in the hitherto mysterious transactions of maonic lodges.
The reader will perceive that in the first step, the candidate binds himself under the awful penalty as seen below, to keep secret he knows not what --
and as he advances, he binds himself under still more unchristian and unnatural oaths, even the very worst that the wickedness and depravity of the
heart of man could invent. We hope the reader of this will not stop, until he has thoroughly investigated the subject, and then ask himself, if he does
not owe it to his God, and to his country, to raise his voice and his hands against such combinations of iniquity.
PENALTIES OF FREE MASONRY.
The entered apprentices penalty -- Is, to have his throat cut across, his tongue taken out by the roots, and body buried in the ocean.
Fellow crafts penalty. -- To have his left breast torn open, his heart and vitals taken from thence and thrown over his left shoulder, and carried into the
valley of Jehosaphat, there to become a prey to the wild beasts of the field and the vultures of the air.
Master Masons Penalty. -- To have his body severed in two in the middle, and divided to the north and south, his bowels burned to ashes in the centre,
and the ashes scattered to the four winds of heaven.
Mark Masters penalty. -- To have his right ear smote off, that he may be forever unable to hear the word; and his right hand chopped off as an imposter.
Past Masters penalty. -- To have his tongue split from tip to root, or cleave to the roof of his mouth, that he might forever hereafter be unable to speak the word.
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Most Excellent Masters penalty. -- To have his breasts torn open, his heart and vitals taken from thence and exposed to rot on the dung-hill.
Royal Arch Mason's penalty. -- To have his skull struck off, and his brains exposed to the scorching rays of a meridian sun.
Knight of the Red Cross' penalty. -- To have his house torn down and the timber thereof set up, and be hanged thereon; and when the last trump shall
blow, that he be forever excluded from the society of all true and courteous knights.
Knight Templars penalty. -- To have his head struck off, and placed on the highest spire in Christendom -- he then drinks wine from a human skull, and
says, may this libation appear as a witness against me, both here and hereafter; and as the sins of the whole world were laid upon the head of the Saviour,
so may all the sins committed by the person whose skull this was, be heaped upon my head in addition to my own, should I ever knowingly or wilfully violate
any obligation heretofore taken, take at this time, or shall at any future period take, in relation to any degree of Masonry or order of Knighthood -- to die the
death of a traitor, by having a spear, or other sharp instrument, thrust in my left side.
Illustrious Knight of the Cross' penalty. -- For the violation of the least matter or particle of any of the here taken obligations, he is to be made the silent
and mute subject of the displeasure of the illustrious order, and have their power and wrath turned on his own head, and to his dishonor and DESTRUCTION;
which, like the nail of Jael, may be the sure end of an unworthy wretch, by piercing his temples with a true sense of his ingratitude; and for a breach of silence
in case of such an unhappy event, that he will die the infamous death of a traitor, by having a spear, or other sharp weapon, thrust into his left side, bearing
testimony even in death of the power of the mark of the Holy Illustrious Cross, before I. H. S. our three Illustrious Counsellors in Heaven.
Extracts from Masonic Oaths, as divulged by the Le Roy Convention,
Feb. 19th, 1828.
From the Royal Arch Mason's Oath.
Furthermore do I promise and swear, that I wiII aid and assist a companion Royal Arch Mason, wherever I
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shall see him engaged in ANY DIFFICULTY, so far as to extricate him from the same, WHETHER HE BE RIGHT OR WRONG. * Furthermore do I promise
and swear, that a companion Royal Arch Mason's secrets, given me in charge as such, and I knowing them to be such, shall remain as secure and inviolable
in my breast as in his own, MURDER AND TREASON NOT EXCEPTED.
"Furthermore, do I promise and swear, that I will vote for a companion Royal Arch Mason, before any other person of equal qualifications."
From the Kight of the Red Cross' Oath
"You further swear, that should you ever know a companion violate any essential part of his obligation, you will use your decided endeavours by the blessing
of God to bring such a person to the strictest and most condign punishment, AGREEABLE TO THE RULES AND USAGES OF OUR ANCIENT FRATERNITY,
and this by pointing him out to the world as an unworthy and VICIOUS VAGABOND, by OPPOSING his INTEREST, by DERANGING HIS BUSINESS, by
transferring his character after him wherever he may go, by exposing him to the contempt of the fraternity and the world, but of our illustrious order more
especially, during his whole natural life."
Part of the Obligation of Knight Templars.
"Furthermore do I promise and swear that I will go the distance of forty miles, even barefoot, and on frosty ground, to SAVE THE LIFE and relieve the distresses
of a worthy knight, should I know that his distresses required it and my abilities permit."
ATTENTION ALL.
Yeomanry of New-England! We ask your candid and heedful attention to the following article, extracted from the Morristown (New-Jersey) Palladium. The
disclosures made in it of the corruption and profligacy of the masonic combination, must fill every breast with indignation
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* This clause of the oath, as I received it, was still more exceptionable: being in the following words, viz. -- "Furthermore do I promise and
swear, that I will protect a companion Royal Arch Mason from danger if in my power, IN ALL CASES WHATEVER, RIGHT OR WRONG."
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and alarm. Shall such things be any longer submitted to in this land of freedom, justice and equality?
A sense of public duty has long engaged us in an examination of the principles, policy and acts of Free Masonry. In advancing, at every step, we found ourselves
surrounded by shades thicker and deeper, of infamy and guilt. The farther we proceeded, the more firmly were we persuaded that we were yet distant from the bottom
of this gulf of iniquity, and that the welfare of society demanded increased efforts. Our discoveries have not all been laid before the people; for in many instances we
have been restrained in our exposures by the false delicacy and ill-judged fears of our informants. Few men will venture to attack openly a society among whom
MURDER is a duty, DEFAMATION a system, and VENGEANCE a sworn obligation.
We here present to the State of New-Jersey, a document of the most commanding interest -- the RENUNCIATION of Mr. John R. Mulford. Mr. Mulford resides
within four miles of this town. He is a member of the Christian church; a farmer and mechanic; independent, virtuous and intelligent, -- no partizan in politics, or
at elections -- no seeker of office; but a modest, retired, and industrious citizen, of unquestioned probity and respectability, whom no interest but that of his country,
and of religion, could have induced to stand forward as he now does, the open accuser of a powerful and vindictive association. Let the following be perused with
deep attention.
TO THE PUBLIC.
In making the following statement of my views and disclosures on the subject of Speculative Freemasonry, I am not conscious of being governed by any
motive except a desire to discharge my duty as a member of civil society, and of the church of Jesus Christ, and also to promote the cause of truth and
justice in our social relations; but above all, the cause of a pure and undefiled religion, as it is taught in the living oracles of God, without the corrupt mixtures
of human invention.
I joined Whippany Lodge, in this county, about thirteen years ago, and took the first three degrees of Masonry, and continued to visit the Lodge about five years --
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then I silently withdrew, and have since had no fellowship with Masonry.
My reasons for thus forsaking the Lodge, and why I feel it my duty publicly, and forever to renounce the order of Free Masonry, are as follows, viz:
That the principles of Masonry inculcate neither religion, morality, truth, nor justice, but the contrary of all these, which I have both experienced and
witnessed. -- While I continued a lodge-going member a Mason told me he did not believe there was any better religion than masonry. This alarmed me;
and I began to look at the institution with a more jealous eye. Since that time, I have seen and felt its pernicious influence in many ways, some of which
I will mention.
I have seen a Grand Jury selected by a Masonic Sheriff, with an express view to prevent an indictment against a brother Mason, and was told by the
foreman of that jury, that had it not been the case of a brother that was coming before them, he should not have been there. I have also seen a Mason
brought up to be tried on an indictment, and observed him make the masonic signal of distress, and another sign to the jury, which latter sign of the hand
drawn across the throat, two of the jurors answered; and these same jurors when out, refused to convict on a clear case of guilt. I have also seen
Masonic signs exchanged between the bar and bench. I have also seen its influence in the choice of public officers, having heard it mentioned in the lodge
that such a brother was to be run for Assembly-man, by which I understood that we (the brethren) were to support him, and he was run and elected. I have
seen three editions of Morgan's Illustrations of Masonry, and to guard the public against deception in so important a matter, I feel it my duty to state that the
first one is a true and genuine exposition of Masonry as I was taught it in the lodge; whereas, the two last have been altered; the one in many particulars,
and the other in pass-words and in changing the signs, no doubt to deceive the people. For these reasons, and many more that I could name, I consider
Masonry as a corrupt and awfully wicked system, and unfit for the society of Christians or honest men; and considering the pretensions it makes of
republicanism, charity, the handmaid of religion, &c. I view it as one of the greatest impositions ever
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practised upon mankind, that of Mahomet not excepted. I am perfectly satisfied from what I have seen, that had the Masons the reins of power in their hands,
or in the hands of men whom they could, as they say, "MANAGE," we should soon be reduced to a state of "hewers of wood and drawers of water," they our
"Grand Masters, Most Worshipful's," &c. and we the people their SLAVES. I would here forewarn all persons, especially the youth from entering the lodge
to find the secrets of masonry, or any thing good; they will only find a scene of folly and wickedness, and purchase this at the expense of both money and credit.
Of this latter class, I have known individuals to enter the lodge with correct morals and steady habits; and in a few years become dissipated and worthless
members of society. Such is its corrupt and corrupting influence.
If such persons wish to know the true secrets of Masonry, and will take the trouble to call on me, I will communicate to them as far as I have gone in this
"mystery of iniquity," " without money and without, price."
As a member therefore, of the church of Christ, and of civil society, I do hereby publicly, "solemnly, and sincerely" renounce Free Masonry forever, and can,
and will hold myself no longer bound by its horrible and bloody oaths.
JOHN R. MULFORD.
Genungtown, Chatham Township,
Morris Co. July 31, 1828.
Thus is laid open a scene of villany at which the mind recedes with disgust. All we have said stands now upon proof, and much more remains yet to be revealed.
Evidence is about to pour in upon all sides, and the inquiry assumes an aspect of solemn and severe dignity, in which the people ought to act in their own name.
It is time that some regular measures were adopted, to annihilate a conspiracy of fraud and falsehood, and rapine, which endangers the property, liberty, life and
character of every man in the community. The religion, the morals, the happiness of society, depend upon an impartial and strict scrutiny. Some course of
procedure should be digested; and in the mean time, we trust no Masonic Judge will attempt to dispense justice from the bench -- no Sheriff presume to summon
a Masonic Juror. If the body politic have a
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rotten limb, better amputate it, than suffer the whole constitution to become putrid.
We cannot now be at any loss to account for those anamolous decisions of the Bench, which have struck the uninitiated with such astonishment and perplexity.
Let us no longer he told of excitement, if by excitement is meant a mere transitory ebullition of feeling. The excitement we have felt and now feel, is deep
indignation against a conspiracy, which, veiling its nefarions purposes under the cloak of mystic and religious ceremonies,has been actively engaged in a
clandestine warfare against the rights, the property, and the characters of their fellow citizens: If this is excitement, it is an excitement which will pervade every
part of the continent; for where are our liberties when we may be doomed to beggary, infamy or imprisonment, by the secret signal of any member of a Lodge?
Where are our laws, when all sense of the obligations of an oath; and the claims of justice, may be banished from the minds of the Judges and Jury, by the
concerted sign of any profligate Mason, exhibited in open court?
Mr. Mulford has exposed himself to every machination of the common adversary. We fear nothing for his personal safety, but his character and his prosperity will
be assailed by a foe whose poisonous arrows fly in the dark; it is our duty, it is our interest, to extend over his head the broad shield of public protection.
The Editors of papers, open to free discussion, are requested to insert the above.
Morristown, N. J. Palladium.
WORTHY OF ATTENTION.
We, invite the serious attention of our readers to the following extracts from the disclosures made by the Convention of FREE MASONS held for that purpose at
Le Roy, N. Y. on the 19th and 20th of February, 1828. Leonard B. Rose, Esq. a veteran of the Revolution, presided at this meeting, which was composed principally
of Christian Ministers and members of the church. We shall publish the doings of this convention in extenso, as soon as we can find room.
"Resolved, That the book written by Capt. Mm. Morgan, and published by Col. D. C. Miller, entitled "Illustrations
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of Masonry," is a fair and full exhibition of the three first degrees of Speculative Free Masonry that we solemnly and unequivocally testify to the above, we
cheerfully subscribe our names. We certify according to the degrees we have taken.
Entered Apprentices. -- Platt S. Beach, Henry Peck, David C. Miller.
Fellow Craft. -- George W. Blodget.
Master Masons. -- Leonard B. Rose, Geo. W. Harris, James Cochrane, Jonathan Foster, Edmund Badger, Orasmus Bowers, Jason Gratton, Jas. Gray,
Benjamin Geoley, Enos Bacheldor, A. F. Hotchkiss, John Tomlinson, Samuel D. Green; Pelatiah Dewey, Adam Richmond, David Snow, Seth M. Gates,
Elijah Gray, Paschal D. Webb; John Aumock, James Taylor, Wm. W. Phelps, B. Bliss.
Mark Master. -- Solomon Southwick.
Royal Arch Masons. Miles P. Sampson, David Bernard.
Knight of the Red Cross. -- Richard Hollister.
Knight Templars and Illustrious Knights of the Cross. -- Anthony Cooley, Cephas A. Smith, Augustus P. Hascall, Hollis Pratt, Herbert A. Reed, James Ballard,
John Hascall."
From the National Oberver.
REV. MR. BENTLEY'S LETTER.
We request the particular attention of our readers to the following communication. We have ascertained to our perfect satisfaction, that Mr. Bentley is a gospel
minister of good standing. He tells a plain, simple tale, and one, of which, with our own experience of masonic violence, we want no other confirmation than Mr.
Bentley's word. We verily believe, that we should have been assassinated on the 4th of July last, could the wretch, who. contemplated the crime, have had
access to our person. He showed his dagger, and swore that he would put two inches of it into our heart before night! But on being informed that a warrant was
about to be issued for his arrest, he made off from Le Roy, where we then were. -- This masonic assassin was the notorious Seymour, well known at Geneva
and Canandaigua, and was, if we do not labor under a mistake, one of the seventeen, who were
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tried for Morgan's abduction, at the latter place, August 22 1827. He left Geneva, as is well known there, with the avowed detennination of taking the life of the
writer of this article; and from confidential communications, in our possession, we have little, if any doubt, that he was officially authorized, from a High Masonic
Source, to commit the bloody deed! He has since died, in a wretched condition, somewhere on the Erie Canal; and his death was probably accelerated by the
horrors of a guilty conscience, having had his hands dipped in the blood of Morgan, and his heart stained with our blood in anticipation -- in which he was frustrated
by that all-wise Providence, to which alone, and not to Masonic forbearance, we repeat it, we owe the preservation of our existence to this day.
With these, and a thousand other facts in our mind's eye, in relation to ourselves, we can readily believe Mr. Bentley's statements, and enter into his feelings. But
we advise him, and all other seceding masons, as well as anti-masons in general, to be of good cheer; the standard of Anti-Masonry is now raised aloft, and though
once defeated, it is not disgraced. It is the standard of Heaven, and cannot be put down by human force. The enemy is gnashing his teeth, at this moment, in the
agony of disappointment for his fancied triumph is but defeat and disgrace in the garb of victory. THIRTY THOUSAND FREEMEN, at least, have sworn that they
will not quietly submit to be governed by a BANDITTI OF RUFFIANS AND ASSASSINS, and they will keep their oath. The day of retribution will come. The ballot
boxes will yet purify the atmosphere of the State and the Union from masonic and political corruption.
Guilford, Chenango Co. Oct. 28, 1828.
SOLOMON SOUTHWICK, ESQ.
Dear Sir -- I make this communication to you with no other apology, than knowing you to be a Christian patriot and a decided anti-mason. I
am a professed minister of the religion of of Jesus, and for the benefit of whom it may concern, I find it my duty to give you a succinct account
of my having been connected with the masonic institution, together, with my secession from it. Although I am an obscure and humble individual,
yet as I before hinted, I am an ordained minister, in regular standing, in a Christian denomination, of which, to say the least, they are noted for
truth and veracity; and what l now write, I write in the presence of God, before whoso impartial throne and judgment seat ere long I must not only
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meet what I now write, but give an account of my state of probation in this lower world.
After I was admitted a student of the Baptist Literary and Theological Seminary, at HamIlton, N. Y. I felt desirous of obtaining a fund of literary
and divine knowledge, which might be something adequate to the sacred functions of a minister of the Lord Jesus. Literary ambition prompted
me to grasp after every thing that bore the shadow of science and during one vacation, the place in which I was visiting, was much excited on the
subject of Masonry. A member of the church had formed a lodge with others, in his own house, which caused considerable conversation among
the members of the church, as well as the members or the immediate communiy. I visited his house for the purpose of conversing with him on the
subject. I was just as ignorant of Masonry, in whole or in part, as the infant who is not able to lisp the name of father. This member told me that
Masonry was a good thing, and that ministers ought to join the institution; or that Masonry was a good thing for ministers; he said that it would
assist them in preaching, and that they. would know more about the bible to understand the mysteries of Masonry. -- I listened like Eve to the
serpent, though I had not the means to refute him that Eve had to refute her seducer, I concluded that if what he said was true I needed Masonry,
and spoke something to that effect. This was sufficient, I was already duped in mind, and accordingly arrangements were made for my admission
as soon as the next vacation, during which time I conversed freely with masons on the subject, and they all represented the institution in such a
favourable light, that not only were all my suspicions allayed, but I wondered that I never had heard nor known any thing about Masonry before.
Masons uniformly declared that their institution was divine, a handmaid to religion, and made known -- both to the ancient and modern world,
knowing nothing to the contrary, I thought it must be so, because they knew, and many good people said so; this was enough to excite my curiosity
to the highest degree, and what almost drove me to enthusiasm, was, that it was said that the masonic institution once contained all the arts and
sciences; but that their benevolence had been so magnanimous, that they had revealed all which was proper for the general good of mankind, and
retained such only as was scientific, moral and religious.
Being a youth of ambition, and desirous of all the information within my reach, according
to the arrangement previously noticed, the next vacation, I think in June, 1825, I was made a Mason, and the next vacation following I took the royal
arch degree in Cherry-valley chapter in the village of Cherry-valley, Otsego, N. Y., but after passing through these seven ancient degrees, and five
more modern, I was sensible that the institution was not what it pretended to be; not only so, but I found myself completely enchained by its oaths
and penalties. I was completely horrorstruck, but dare not reason on the subject, even before my most intimate masonic friends. Instead of facts
and proofs, there were contradictory traditions, which I can make appear from the mysteries of masonry themselves. There was not one single
evidence of its pretented antiquity in all its modus operandi; and as for its religion and morality, the whole of it is wrapt up in the horrible oaths and
barbarous penulties. I remarked to an individual, a mason, that a maspn was in danger, and asked him if he thought those penalties would be inflicted
in case, that any one should transgress? He replied, that there was no danger if we did not violate. So I supposed, and reasoned no further, I do
assure you,
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and the world, that these oaths and penalties were a burden to my conscience, and I ollen felt them so as a Christian and a Minister; and I do believe
that I was wrong in taking them. I am sorry for it; but hope that God has pardoned, at least he bears testimony to my conscience and soul, with an
aprobation which I did not enjoy while a mason. During my theological course in the institution at Hamilton, I had but little to do or think about Masonry.
Soon after my graduation, the abduction and murder of Morgan occurred. The masons of my acquaintance were much excited, and every means were
used to allay suspicion and enquiry among themselves, and if any thing was said, it was that Morgan was a rogue, and undoubtedly was peddling his
books; and if one mason said to another, I fear they have killed Morgan, the other would say, I don't believe it, but suppose he was killed, it is no more
than he deserved. I was tought to believe that all this was right, and that masonry would shine brighter than ever, as soon as the suspicions of the people
and the excitement subsided. Soon after I attended a Lodge in town, and the Morgan affair was the topic of conversation. One mason remarked, that he
had no doubt but that Morgan was dead; that the western masons had executed him, and d__n him, said he, I wish that I had been there, I should have
fixed him very soon! This by the Lodge was received with a bravado and a hearty laugh! But my soul sunk within me. -- I was afraid that the institution
was a bloody one, and designed to be. I got away from the Lodge, and never have entered one since. I now found myself in trouble. What could I do?
"Lord, what would thou have me to do?" was my prayer. I thought thnt there was no release from my obligations as a mason; and its corruption began
to manifest itself, and I shuddered and trembled, when I looked back on the masonic road I had travelled. I felt all that one can conceive one to feel in such
a situation. I then felt it my duty to investigate the subject candidly. Accordingly I read some of the anti-masonic publications of the day, and very soon
masons began to renounce and secede, and hence the door was opened. I read also the words of the apostle Paul, 2 Cor. 4; 1, 2 verses, which I wish all
seceding masons to read. I now felt it my duty to secede from masonry; and this I did first on my knees before God, and he heard me; second to the church
and denomination to which I belonged; and third, to the world, in a written communication dated June 28, 1828. But my secession was first made known to
my people in April, but I was not able to publish it to the world until the above mentioned time. I wish to have my name enrolled on the Iist of those who
signed the declaration of independence, July 4th, 1828. Immediately after my secession, the masons were much alarmed. I was assailed in the street in an
unbecoming manner; they threatened publicly, and to my face. One warned me in a written communication of the vision of Morgan, and said, that I was as
bad as he was, and diserved his fate. The tongue of slander was unloosed and I was a liar, and they could prove it; a perjured wretch, an Atheist and had
never been a mason. A string of calumny, enough to open the eyes of my townsmen, who seeing such proceedings, investigated the subject, and now are
anti-masonic. The masons, fearing the consequences of my secession, breathed vengeance.
I expected to have been butchered in the streets, or torn from my slumbers at midnight, no more to see my family. In the height of feelings produced by my
renunciation, as I was returning home one day, about one and a half miles from home, in the day time, a
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drunken masonic assassin stept before me, and took my horse by the bits, and demanded of me the reason why I renounced masonry? I told him it was none
of his concern, I wished him to loose himself from my horse, and let me proceed, for I was in haste. -- With an eye that flashed like that of the tiger, and a
demoniac frantic rage, holding one hand concealed, in which probably was the weapon of death, he swore I should ploceed no farther. I looked around to see if
anyone would assist, and I saw a number of masons in diflerent places, talking two and two in truly masonic style, and looking on with perfect indifference. I then
thought of danger, and called for help. One would think that somebody would assist in a thick settlement, when help was demanded in earnest, but all was still,
no one appeared to care. I then saw an individual coming towards me who is not a mason. I called for his assistance, and he by force took the enraged assassin
from my horse, who began to vent his rage at the other masons, for some reasons not known to me. I escaped with my life, praised be God: And, dear sir, when
last evening I was reading your address, connectod with your reception of the nomination made by the people of Le Roy for the office of Governor, I could but
shudder, and yet bless God, and say, as you did, that it was not masonic forbearance, but the providence of God, which had protected you and spared you to this
day. None but those who experience it, can tell the trials of a seceding mason; his life, his character, and liberty, and peace, are at stake every moment. A mason
who stood and saw me thus attacked and abused, has since told me in confidence, that this was a design upon my life; and, said he, be careful, for the masons.
suppose that you have violated your oath, and that they are under obligation to inflict the penalties. Indeed this is what they themselves have told me, and, said
one mason to me, I should feel perfectly justified in doing it. O my country! my country! But yet I do not despair; God give help. I do not write this with any ill will
against even my most inveterate enemy; no, I feel to bless, and curse not; but it shows the nature of their institution, and the awful delusion of masons, from which
may God and our country deliver them.
Your, most obedient, NORMAN BENTLEY.
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BOSTON:
Published at the office of the ANTI-MASONIC FREE PRESS,
No. 13, Merchant's Hall.
Price $2 per hundred.....50 cents per dozen.....6 cents single.
==> This publication is the first of an intended series of Tracts shedding light on the hitherto dark and mysterious
subject of Masonry. It is put at a low price in order that all may purchase it.
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