ON SECRET SOCIETIES. BY JOHN LAWRENCE. I SPAKE OPENLY TO THE WORLD, AND IN SECRET HAVE I SAID NOTHING......BUT BE NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD......WHAT COMMUNION HATH LIGHT WITH FIFTH EDITION. DAYTON, 0. PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE TRUSTEES OF THE CONFERENCE PRINT- 1855. HS 191 .H3 1855 PREFACE. The continued demand for "Plain Thoughts" makes it necessary that we immediately issue this Fifth Edition, four editions having already been exhausted; and we are fully satisfied, from our own examination and the concurrent opinions of many excellent persons who have read the work, including quite a number of unimpeachable character who have had a long practical connection with leading secret societies, that it exhibits in a clear, truthful and forcible manner, the character and claims of Secret Associations. The subject is discussed lucidly, candidly, and in a spirit so kind and christian, that no person can, with any good reason, be offended at it. It is indeed a book of "plain thoughts," so expressed as to be easily understood. Every important position assumed, is sustained by ample evidence drawn from entirely reliable sources. In all questions of fact respecting any secret order, the standard writings of members of the order in question are adduced. It is a main object of the book to prove that all secret orders are opposed to the spirit of true religion,-are really deistical in character,—and the position which a christian should maintain respecting them, is presented in the clear light of the Divine word. Since the first edition was issued in 1852, quite a number of new secret societies have thrust themselves upon the attention of the public, and have become exceedingly bold and clamorous in urging their claims; and one of them in particular has attempted to assume the management of our government, and to decide in the lodge who shall rule; but the fundamental principles of all these new secret creations, are identical with the principles of the older societies, and the general argument of this work, proves that those principles are unsound, unsafe, unchristian, and necessarily evil, and ought to be discarded by all good men. We copy be low a few NOTICES OF THE RELIGIOUS PRESS, The "New York Evangelist" says "It is a pointed and decisive blow at those undefensible and doubtful associations." The " Oberlin Evangelist" says "It is fearless, outspoken, sensible, and not wanting in thoroughness of discussion. It is addressed to christians, with christian arguments, and manifestly with a desire to do good. * * We advise both the advocates and opponents of secret societies, to get and read the book. hope this book will help forward an earnest, christian discussion of the subject in hand." * * We The Wesleyan Expositor" says :-"We have read this book with much satisfaction. It is what the title imports, Plain Thoughts well and plainly expressed; and cannot fail to do good. We would feel that we were doing a good work in selling it. It ought to have an extensive circulation." Similar notices have appeared in the "Presbyterian of the West," "Christian Press." Golden Rule." 66 Wesleyan." "Presbyterian Advocate," etc., but we have not space to insert them here. THE PUBLISHERS. Contents. Fage QUOTATION FROM ROLLIN ON THIS SUBJECT-MOSHEIM-NEANDER-THE APOSTLE PAUL. FREEMASONRY-ITS CLAIM TO ANTIQUITY-KING SOLOMON SAID TO BE A MASON-JOHN THE BAPTIST AND ST. JOHN THE REVELATOR CLAIMED AS MASONS-THESE CLAIMS FOOLISH AND FALSE PROBABLE TIME WHEN MASONRY ORIGINATED. ODD FELLOW- |