The moral and religious tendencies of Freemasonry

From its origin to the present hour, in all its vicissitudes, Masonry has been the steady, unvarying friend of man. It has gone forth from age to age, the constant messenger of peace and love—never weary—never forgetful of its holy mission—patiently ministering to the relief of want and sorrow, and scattering, with unsparing hand, blessings and benefits to all around. It comforts the mourner. It speaks peace and consolation to the troubled spirit. It carries relief and gladness to the habitation of want and desolation. It dries the tears of widowhood and orphanage. It opens the source of knowledge. It widens the sphere of human happiness. It even seeks to light up the darkness and gloom of the grave, by pointing to the hopes and promises of a better life to come. All this Masonry has done, and is still doing. These are some of its benefits, the happy fruits of its benevolent principles. We speak of them in no spirit of vain-boasting, but to wipe off injurious and unjust imputations. And we ask with confidence, can a system which inculcates such duties, and is productive of each results—duties and results so entirely accordant with the very spirit of the Gospel, be found, by any possibility, in a position of hostility to the Gospel? From every honest and unprejudiced mind, we anticipate a decided negative to this question.

ERASTUS BURR | ADDRESS TO THE BRETHREN | NOTES ON THE ADDRESS TO THE BRETHREN

An address on the moral and religious tendencies of freemasonry, by Erastus Burr. Columbus : C. Scott & Co.'s Steam Press, 1846 "Delivered by Rev. Erastus Burr, Grand Orator, before the Grand Lodge of Ohio, at its annual grand communication, in the city of Columbus, October 22, 1845. page 9. [11p.] Reprinted in The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, Volume 8, Charles Whitlock Moore, ed. Boston : Tuttle & Dennett, 1849. p. 173 ; The mystic tie: or, facts and opinions, illustrative of the character and tendancy of Freemasonry, Albert Gallatin Mackey 10th edition New York: Masonic Publishing and Manufacturing Co., 1867, p. 218. ; The Masonic Advocate by L. Carroll Judson, Philadelphia, self published, 1859 ; Golden Remains of the Early Masonic Writers 1850 p. 80 ; Freemasons Magazine and Masonic Mirror, London : Aug 26, 1871 p. 165.

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