Corydon Press, and Anti-Masonic Democrat, Volume 2, Number 10, Corydon, Harrison County, 3 November 1830 — Page 4

CorydonmPrc99f and JlntUMasentc Bemderab-

uhich they are convened, is always that, in which they ore to be received. An oath is taken under 'the strongest possible sanction, is intended to be rifled for the highest purposes, and the form of it is adopted by the supreme authority. Hence, the duties which it prescribes arc of most imperative obligation. When good men join the Masonic Society, and inconsiderately swear to obey its injunclionvvithout knowing ivhat they are, a every Mason does, they imagine, ther e most, of course, bcareservntion in favour of all civil and social duties. But thin is tt"fr: mistake. The first oath, and many others in the eerier, fatally precludes it. It is n Tmrt of the language of the oaths, that the specific engagements contained in them, shall all be performed, "without any mental reservation equivocation, or self-evasion of naiad whatever."And any brother who does not so perform them, voluntarily subjects himself to the penalty of death. What dutie d' the Masonic Oaths impose? The Entered Apprentice swears, 41 will always hiil, ver conceal, and never reveal, any part of the e :retfr of Free Masonry which 1 hare recoved, am about to receive, or may hereafter be instructed; ''n, &c." The Fellow Craft swears, "1 will support the Constitution of the Grand Lodge mid conform to nil the by laws, rules, and regulations of this or nnv. other Lodge of which I mav become a mem-

1 C , ber I will obej all regular signs and summons given, handed, ?ent, or thrown to mr, by the hand of a I'rother Fellow Craft Mason, &c." The Master Ma'on swears, "J will not give the Grand I?;ti(ing,Sigii of Ditro?s, except I am in real distress and hou1d 1 ever nee that ijn given, r the word accompanying it, and the person who gave it appearing to be in distress, I will fly to his relief, at the risk of my life, should there be a g'enter probability of saving bis life than of losing my own I will not speak evil of a Brother Ll tpon neither behind his back, nor before hie face, hut will apprise him of all approaching danger, if in my power a Master Mason's secrets given to me in rharge as such, and 1 knowing them to he such, rhdll remain as secure and inviolable in my breast as in his own. when communicated to oie. murder and tieason excepted, and they t?ft at my own election, &( " The Mark Master swear', lll will support the Constitution of the General Grand Hoyal Arch Chapter of the United States: also, the Grand Itoval Arch Chapter of (his State, &c." The Itoyal Arch Mason swears, 4,i will aid and assist a Companion Royal Arch Mason, when en!?'aged 'n &ny difficulty, nnd ef ouse his cubp, so far its to extricate him from the same, if in my pmver, whether he be right or u rong. I will promote a Companion Royal Arch Mason's political prefer mcnt,itt preference to another of equal qualifier! tion9. A Companion Royal Arch Mason's seorets. given me in charge as such, and I knowing them to be -urh, shall remain as secure and ioviolaMo in idv breast a- in uis own, murder and trea ccc cot excepted, c."

F.rom the first obligation of tue Thrice fllt. trious Knight of the Cross, the Candidate undeV oath receives the following injunctions; "To the end of your life, you will not, in consideration of gain, interest, or honor, nor vf ith good or bad de sign, ever take any, the least step or measure, of be instrumental in any such object, to betray any secret appertaining to the order and degree known among Masons as the Thrice Illustrious Order of the Cross: should you know another torviolat any essential point of this obligation, you will use your most decided endeavors, by the blessing of God, to.briug such person to the strictest and most condign punishment, agreeably to the rules and usages of our Ancient Fraternity, and this by pointing him not to the world as an unwoithy vagabond, by opposing hi interest, by deranging his business, by transferring his character after him wherever he may go, and by exposing him to the contempt of the whole Fraternity, and the world, but of our Illustrious Order more especially, during his whole natural life : nothing herein going to prevent your self, or any other, when olected to the dignity of Thrice Illustrious, from retaining the ritual of (he Otder. Should any Thrice Illustrious Knight, or acting Officer of any Council, which may hvo them in hand, ever require your aid, io any emei gency ,iu defence of the recovery of the said charge, you swear cheerfully to exercise all assistance io his favour, which the nature of the time and placo will 'admit, even to the sacrifice of life, liberty and property , fee." From the second obligations of the come degree, the member receive tbe following injunctions : ''You promise to lead a life as upright and just, in relation to all mankind, as you are capable of; but in matt rs of difference, to prefer the interest of a Companion of the Order, of a corapan ion's friend, for whom he pleads, to any mere man of tho world. You promise never to engage ia mean party strife, nor conspiracies against the government or religion of your country, whereby your reputation may suffer, nor even to associate with dishonorable men, for a moment, except it be to secure the interest of such person, his family, sr friends, to a companion, whose necessities may require this degradation at your hands, &c.y From the third obligation of the same degree, tha member swears, "To put confidence unlimited in overy illustrious Brother of the Cross never to permit any political principles to come counter tq bis, if forbearance and brotherly kindness can op. erate to preveut it to look on his enemies as m enemies, &c." TO B COHTINUBD. F rom the Lockport Courier. HoLDtirji. -This is the most appropriate ap? pellation for that cringing class of creatures, cabled 44 Jack Masons." Let them hereafter be distinguished by it. They actually carry the hod for the Craft, and are so obedient to the cry of "mortf. viort, mor," as are their name sakes who serve the operatives with brick and mortar. They pertenaciously refuse the light, and cry, uvve cannot see." They profess ignorance of aa institution! wfcose e&aeU and eeremoaics cird