244 ors of religion against continuing to attend on Masonic meetings, they would have exhorted such as are Masons, to a punctual attendance, a strict adherence to their duty as members of the fraternity, and the use of every possible means to correct any errors that might have crept in among them; for although no religious disputations are allowed within the walls of any well regulated lodge or chapter, and there is no contention about the sectarian doctrines of Luther, Calvin, Whitefield, Wesley, or Hopkins, whose private opinions, it is to be feared, too many professing Christians of the present day take for the rule of their faith; yet the precepts of the Holy Scriptures are inculcated and enforced, and every member is. bound to hear, and pay due attention to the admonitions and remonstrances of a brother. eral principles, as well as the partic- || of warning and admonishing professular duties of Masons are so plainly pointed out, that they cannot be misunderstood by any person of the most ordinary capacity? Did they peruse any of the great variety of orations and discourses delivered on the subject by truly pious and respectable clergymen of the fraternity; or did they form their judgments from the vague reports so industriously circulated among the bigoted and superstitious; or from the disorderly conduct of some of the craft, many of whom, perhaps, for their UNMASONIC CONDUCT, have been for years expelled from all communication with the order? We apprehend that the latter is the case; and that this theological body have, with too little consideration, interfered in a subject, with which they are almost, if not entirely unacquainted. We would rather attribute the transaction to an error of the head, than of the heart. We wish to exercise that charity so strongly inculcated in the principles of our order, towards all mankind; and particularly towards those who are selected as teachers of the religion of the blessed Redeemer, to whatever sect or denomination they may be attached. We would further inquire of these gentlemen, if ever they heard of a body of Free Masons warning or admonishing their brethren against becoming members of a Presbyterian, or any other church professing the principles of Christianity? If they can produce a solitary instance, of a FreeMason's attempting to instigate a brother from the solemn obligations he was under to the church? We think these questions must be answered in the negative; and we charitably hope, that had the committee "seriously and dispassionately" deliberated on the subject, and was it possible for them to know the obligations that every Mason is under to the lodge of which he is a member, as well as to every individual of the great family of Masons throughout the world, instead The following well written protest of the three lodges of the city of Pittsburgh, precludes the necessity of any further remarks from us on the subject: FROM THE PITTSBURGH GAZETTE. MASONIC PROTEST. The report of the reverend Synod of Pittsburgh, on the subject of Free Masonry, having been presented to the world through the medium of a public it necessary that the western lodges paper, assumes a shape which renders should take notice of it. And although they have been informed that the report, as now published, was not adopted by the synod, yet, as it seems uncharitable to charge the reverend gentlemen by whom it was communicated, with having given a mutilated account of their proceedings, it must be presumed that the report is entire, and it is fair to consider it as the act of the whole body. It is a document so uncourteous in that it is difficult to say whether astonits manner, and so false in its matter, ishment or contempt is most excited by its perusal; but be this as it may, Masonry, is assured that he will never it comes before the public as the joint be required to do any thing but what production of a body, whose sacred is in perfect consonance with the duties functions claim the respect of the world, || of a Christian and a citizen. But the particularly of the Masonic part, and second and great charge, and the one on this account it merits that considera- which, no doubt, gave rise to the whole tion, to which it would not otherwise report of the reverend synod, is the be entitled. The lodges of the city of presumed looseness of ideas on reliPittsburgh, from the sincere veneration gious subjects, which, it has been the they feel for the order to which they vulgar opinion, is a distinctive trait of belong, and from a sense of duty which Masonry it is triumphantly, and with they owe to themselves, as citizens of characteristic magisterialness asked, the place where the report was framed, "what good moral effects have these have thought it necessary to come out societies ever produced? What youth openly to deny the foul charges which have they ever reclaimed? What have been so wantonly instituted a- Christian has ever improved in piety, gainst them, and to defy their reverend by entering a Masonic lodge, and holdauthors to the proof. The unassuming ing communion with its members ?" and inoffensive spirit of Masonry re- These questions, the reverend synod luctantly intrudes upon the public; did not intend should be answered spebut to submit passively to the unfouud- cifically; they are of that general naed accusation, would be to carry Chris- ture that may well become an unmeantian meekness to a fault. ing rhapsody of declamation, but are unworthy of being introduced into a serious paper, in which fairness and candour ought to predominate. But to come as near to satisfying these interrogatories, as the nature of the case will admit, the lodges will reply, "Go to the destitute widow, and helpless orphan, and ask, if ever they have appealed in vain for those benefits which might render their worldly situation more tolerable; examine the periodical reports of the different grand lodges of the union, and observe how many lectures, how many suspensions, how many expulsions, yearly, take place for different breaches of the moral code." And as for the last portion of the interrogatories, it is boldly answered by another question, "What real Christian ever became a Mason, whose piety was not thereby improved ?" The members of the three lodges of the city of Pittsburgh, always impressed with that respect, which it is the pride and pleasure of the Christian Mason to observe towards the ministers of the Gospel, enter their solemn protest against, and denial of, every portion of the insinuations and charges contained in the late synodical report; and without intending to enter into a regular discussion of the merits of their order, they conceive that they may be excused for cursorily noticing some of the accusations of that most singular production. The first objection is the secrecy of the order. That there are certain mysteries existing among Masons, is most true; but the comment of the reverend synod on this fact, is entirely false and unsupported, and only proves the danger of touching on subjects with which we are unacquainted. Citizens are never invited to become Masons; a member who solicits any individual to join the fraternity, is guilty of a breach of the rules of the order; nor, when an applicant is accepted, is he called upon blindly to promise secresy; the candidate for the lights of It is to be regretted, that the reverend synod, whose members ought to be as charitable as they are zealous, and as well informed as they are de vout, should fall into a vulgar error, on the subject of the religion of Masons; it is true, that they date their origin from a period antecedent to the birth of Christ; it is true that their institution was first organized for the perpetuation of the mechanic arts, and for keeping alive the mild fire of charity and benevolence, from age to age; but it is not true, that the brotherhood arrogate to themselves an exclusive code of ethics; the mission of our blessed Saviour was hailed as the happiest era for the order, and the meek irresistible doctrine of the New Testament has become the ruling light, in the lodges throughout Christendom. Christian Masons, to be sure, do not pretend to interfere with the duties of the clergy: Masonis any thing rather than presumptu ry ous; if it can procure a portion of the good Samaritan's oil to pour upon the external wounds of a fellow-creature, the care of the bruised spirit it leaves to holier hands. The reverend synod again ask in their usual tone, "What Christian, eminent for piety, has not abandoned his intercourse with them ?" In this question there is something more specific, and there is a possibility of answering it, which will be done, not as fully as could be if room were afforded, but sufficiently to remove any doubt from the minds of the reverend synod, if such doubts really exist. The reverend James Milnor,* of NewYork, late grand master of Pennsylvania, continues as devoted to the cause of Masonry, since he has taken orders as a preacher of the gospel, as he was whilst delighting the ears of "a listening senate," or leading in chains the minds of a Philadelphia jury. This gentleman's piety, it is presumed, cannot be doubted, since it is notorious that he forsook a most lucrative practice, and great legal fame, to take up the cross of Christ. But as the reverend synod may think that the conduct of an Episcopalian minister does *The reverend James Milnor is now grand chaplain; and the reverend Henry G. Feltus, a gentleman equally distinguished for his exemplary piety, is deputy grand chaplain to the graud lodge of the state of New-York. Masonic Register. not afford a case in point, a few examples shall be offered from their own persuasion: the late reverend James Ingles, of Baltimore, who was at the head of the church in Maryland, continued firm in the cause of Masonry, to the last hour of his life: the late reverend James Muir, of Alexandria, was not only a warm Mason, but, to the day of his death, was chaplain to Washington lodge, over which Washington long presided; and finally, it being unnecessary to swell the catalogue to greater extent, the late reverend Robert Steele, of this city, was unremitting in his Masonic fervour; and a better Christian and worthier man, it is humbly believed, is not in the ministry. The string of synodical interrogatories and exclamations is closed by the following sentence, in which it is difficult to say whether pride or illiberality is most conspicuous; at all events, it contains a sentiment which was not to have been expected from the committee of a reverend synod, reporting on religious subjects: "How humiliating (exclaims these expounders of the humility and gospel of Christ) and disgusting must it be, to persons of intelligence and taste, to mingle in the close intimacy of brotherhood with those whose society they would spurn on all ordinary occasions." The rev erend synod, whose intelligence, if not taste, the world has ample reason to doubt, are informed, that Masons never "mingle in close intimacy with those whose company they would avoid on any occasion." If a brother has become so lost to decency and decorum as to be an improper companion for a citizen, he is excluded from all communication in a lodge. But if the reverend synod meant to charge the Masons with a want of aristocratic distinctions, the fraternity plead guilty; there is nothing aristocratic in Masonry; the king and the humblest citizen in a lodge meet upon the level, and part upon the square: and although intelligence and taste are high ly estimated by the brotherhood, yet the qualifications of the heart are the grand standard of appreciation. Masonry is modest and meek; and ever keeps in mind the humility of the Son of God, of which so many examples are recorded by the Evangelists: it was instituted for benevolent purposes, and not to establish orders in society. ment was introduced into the columns of a popular journal, and by that means acquired an extensive circulation, the fraternity could not avoid coming forth in self defence; if they had not, the brotherhood abroad would have had ample cause to call them to a strict account, for they must have concluded that their conduct must have been bad indeed, to have given rise to such language as is contained in the report. Whilst the objection to Masonry is confined to the hurtless ridicule of individuals, who affect to sneer at some of the forms and ceremonies of the order, or to general animadversions on the intemperance of a few unfortunate members, the unobtrusive spirit of Masonry submits in silence; it shudders at the iron sound of disputation and argument, where the absence of Masonic light prevents conviction; and if it has failed on many occasions to bring back an erring brother to the paths of virtue, it is also to be lamented, that the reverend clergy themselves frequently fail, although aided by the superior light of the gospel itself. But when the charges assume the imposing attitude of a With one more remark, the lodges of the city of Pittsburgh will close this their protest against the report of the synod of Pittsburgh. The committee most disingenuously insinuate that the secret meetings of the order may be made dangerous to the interests of the government. The folly of this sentiment is too apparent to merit a denial the accusation might be plausible coming from the holy inquisition of Spain, or from the late cabinet of the bigot Ferdinand; they had cause to dread associations of every kind, and it was their interest to keep the minds of the people as much enthralled as their bodies: light was dangerous: but in a free country the suspicion is idle; and more than probable was never entertained by the reverend synod themselves. The first of American patriots were distinguish-synodical report, silence would subed Masons, and their conduct is the best guarantee for the purity of the order generally. Washington was grand master of Virginia, Franklin of Pennsylvania, and Warren of Massachusetts; and whilst history is wearing the wreath of immortality for these patriots, Masonry may be excused, if,|| in the fulness of heart, she exclaim, "They too were brothers !" The lodges of the city of Pittsburgh, in entering the above protest against the intemperate report of the reverend synod, deprecate the idea of arraying themselves against the clergy of any denomination; they view the report as a work of supererogation, calculated to do more harm than good to the cause of religion; and they are certain that the great body of the ministry will mark it with the most decided censure. But when the docu ject them to just suspicion. They Lodges of Pittsburgh. To the editor of the Masonic Register. Observing, in a report prefatory to certain resolutions on the subject of Free Masonry, recommended to be adopted by the synod of Pittsburgh, the following queries; which, from the preceding, and subsequent observations, might easily be mistaken for assertions, clothed in the guise of candour, to give them peculiar freedom and effect; it being, however, more charitable to consider them as indicative of a sincere wish for information, they, together with the few remarks which occurred at the moment, are transmitted for publication, if you deem them worthy a place. 1. "How humiliating and disgusting must it be to persons of intelligence and taste, to mingle in the close intimacy of brotherhood with those whose society they spurn on all ordinary occasions?" In all this we discover no imputation that was not laid to the charge of Christ himself while on earth: he was even accused of being the friend and associate of publicans and sinners; and gave command to all his followers to let their light so shine before men, that others seeing their good works, might glorify God. The Jews of that day felt their pride wounded, that one who was born their king, should proclaim, and treat as brethren, those whom they, on all occasions, were wont to spurn. Hence they became the unwilling instruments of accomplishing, what they vainly strove to prevent, the purposes of divine wisdom. Christian; or what risk the Christian runs by following the example of his Lord and Master. 3. "How many mournful instances of degradation and ruin, both to the bodies and souls of men, may be traced to a communication and intercourse with such characters as too generally compose the lodges of our country?" In this we discover only an uncharitable attack upon a large and respectable portion of the community, embracing many of the first characters in the union; indicative of a want of that humility, which has ever been considered a distinguishing characteristic of the followers of the meek and lowly Jesus; and that unfeigned piety which constitutes the savour of the salt of the earth. 4. "What Christian eminent for piety has not abandoned his intercourse with them ?" Comment is unnecessary, upon what appears equally a sarcasm upon the many professing Christians and eminent divines, who are members of the fraternity; and who are not surpassed by any in the exercise of the Christian graces, and the practice of every moral and social virtue. The true description of that piety for which the enemies of Masonry are eminent, may be most profitably studied in the character of the Spanish inquisition, the See of Rome, and the Bishop of Winchester, who have severally published their bulls, and fulminated their thunders against the fraternity. 2. "At how great a risk does any one, especially an unguarded youth, enter an association, embracing with equal affection, the Pagan, the Turk, and the Christian?" In the Old Testament we are taught that the universe is the handy work of one Supreme Being, and that all men are descendants from one common parent; in the New, as brethren of one common family, (in our devotions) to supplicate our Heavenly Father to be gracious to us, as we are charitable to others. And as Christ is proclaimed the way, the truth, and the light; the light of the world, that lighteth every one that cometh into it; a light shi-ion, or comprehend the wisdom, powning in darkness, though the darkness comprehendeth it not, it is difficult to perceive what risk the Pagan or Turk runs in associating with the 5. "Is such a fellowship at all consistent with communion with the people of God, and with the Father and his Son Jesus Christ?" Without attempting to define the precise meaning of the term people of God, as here used, it may be sufficient to remark that it is beyond the reach of human effort to set boundaries to the domin er, and goodness of Deity; and sad | indeed would be the situation of mortals, was divine grace subject to the control of the caprice, prejudice, su |