Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Literary
June 14, 1868
The Daily Phoenix
Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina
What is this article about?
Benjamin Franklin reflects on the secrets of Freemasonry, describing them as signs and tokens that serve as universal testimonials of character, providing support and aid to Masons in distress, softening tyrants, and bridging political and sectarian divides.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
FRANKLIN ON FREEMASONS.
Free Masonry, I admit, has its secrets. It has secrets peculiar to itself, but of what do these principally consist? They consist of signs and tokens, which serve as testimonials of character and qualification, which are conferred after due course of instruction and examination. These are of no small value; they speak a universal language, and are a passport to the support and attention of the world. They cannot be lost so long as memory retains its powers. Let the possessor of them be expatriated, shipwrecked or imprisoned; let him be stripped of everything he has in the world, still these credentials remain, and are available for use as circumstances may require. The good effects which they have produced are established by the incontestable facts of history. They have staid the uplifted hand of the destroyer; they have softened the asperity of the tyrant; they have subdued the rancor of malevolence, and broken down the barriers of political animosity and sectarian alienation. On the battle-field, in the solitudes of the uncultivated forests, or in the busy haunts of the crowded city, they have made men, of the most hostile feelings and most diversified conditions, rush to the aid of each other with special joy and satisfaction that they have been able to afford relief to a brother Mason.
Free Masonry, I admit, has its secrets. It has secrets peculiar to itself, but of what do these principally consist? They consist of signs and tokens, which serve as testimonials of character and qualification, which are conferred after due course of instruction and examination. These are of no small value; they speak a universal language, and are a passport to the support and attention of the world. They cannot be lost so long as memory retains its powers. Let the possessor of them be expatriated, shipwrecked or imprisoned; let him be stripped of everything he has in the world, still these credentials remain, and are available for use as circumstances may require. The good effects which they have produced are established by the incontestable facts of history. They have staid the uplifted hand of the destroyer; they have softened the asperity of the tyrant; they have subdued the rancor of malevolence, and broken down the barriers of political animosity and sectarian alienation. On the battle-field, in the solitudes of the uncultivated forests, or in the busy haunts of the crowded city, they have made men, of the most hostile feelings and most diversified conditions, rush to the aid of each other with special joy and satisfaction that they have been able to afford relief to a brother Mason.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Friendship
Moral Virtue
Political
What keywords are associated?
Freemasonry
Secrets
Signs
Tokens
Brotherhood
Universal Language
Political Animosity
What entities or persons were involved?
Franklin
Literary Details
Title
Franklin On Freemasons.
Author
Franklin
Subject
On The Secrets And Benefits Of Freemasonry
Key Lines
They Consist Of Signs And Tokens, Which Serve As Testimonials Of Character And Qualification, Which Are Conferred After Due Course Of Instruction And Examination.
They Speak A Universal Language, And Are A Passport To The Support And Attention Of The World.
They Have Staid The Uplifted Hand Of The Destroyer; They Have Softened The Asperity Of The Tyrant; They Have Subdued The Rancor Of Malevolence, And Broken Down The Barriers Of Political Animosity And Sectarian Alienation.
On The Battle Field, In The Solitudes Of The Uncultivated Forests, Or In The Busy Haunts Of The Crowded City, They Have Made Men, Of The Most Hostile Feelings And Most Diversified Conditions, Rush To The Aid Of Each Other With Special Joy And Satisfaction That They Have Been Able To Afford Relief To A Brother Mason.