MassachusettsDec1831

DECLARATION OF THE FREEMASONS OF BOSTON AND VICINITY

Presented to the Public December 31, A.D. 1831.

While the public mind remained in the high state of excitement, to which it had been carried by the partial and inflammatory representations of certain offences, committee by a few misguided members of the MASONIC INSTITUTION, in a sister State; it seemed to the undersigned (residents of Boston and vicinity) to be expedient to refrain from a public declaration of their principles or engagements, as MASONS. But believing the time now to be fully come when their fellow citizens will receive, with candor, if not with satisfaction, A SOLEMN AND UNEQUIVOCAL DENIAL OF THE ALLEGATIONS, which, during the last five years, in consequence of their connection with the MASONIC FRATERNITY, have been reiterated against them, they respectfully ask permission to invite attention to the subjoined declaration.

WHEREAS, it has been frequently asserted and published to the world, that in the several degrees of FREEMASONRY, as they are conferred in the United States, the candidate on his initiation and subsequent advancement binds himself, by oath, to sustain his Masonic brethren in acts which are at variance with the fundamental principles of morality, and incompatible with his duty as a good and faithful citizen; in justice, therefore, to themselves, and with a view to establish TRUTH and expose IMPOSITION, the undersigned, many of us the recipients of every degree of FREEMASONRY known and acknowledged in this country, do most SOLEMNLY DENY the existence of any such obligations in the MASONIC INSTITUTION, so far as our knowledge respectively extends. And as we SOLEMNLY AVER that no person is admitted to the Institution, without first being made acquainted with the nature of the obligations which he will be required to incur and assume.

FREEMASONRY secures its members in the freedom of thought and of speech, and permits each and every one to act according to the dictates of his own conscience in matters of religion, and of his personal preferences in matters of politics. It neither knows, nor does it assume to inflict, upon its erring members, however wide may be their aberrations from duty, any penalties or punishments, other than those of ADMONITION, SUSPENSION and EXPULSION.

The obligations of the INstitution require of its members a strict obedience to the laws of GOD and of man. So far from being bound by any engagements inconsistent with the happiness and prosperity of the Nation, every citizen who becomes a Mason is doubly bound to be true to his GOD, to his COUNTRY, and to his FELLOW-MEN. In the language of the "Ancient Constitutions" of the ORder, which are printed and open for public inspection, and which are used as text-books in all the Lodges, he is "required to keep and obey the MORAL LAW; to be a quiet and peaceable citizen; true to his