Charles
Finneys Comments on Freemasonry
In The Character, Claims and
Practical Workings of Freemasonry, Finney wrote:
We are now prepared to consider the question of
the relation of Freemasonry to the Church of Christ. On this question I remark:
God holds the church and every branch of it, responsible for its opinion and action in
accordance with the best light, which, in his providence, is afforded them. . . If any
particular branch of the church has better means of information and therefore more light
on moral questions, than another branch, its responsibility is greater, in proportion to
its greater means of information. Such a branch of the church is bound to take a higher
and more advanced position in Christian life and duty, to bear a fuller and lighter
testimony against every form of iniquity, than that required by less favored and less
informed branches of the church. They are not to wait till other branches of the church
have received their light, before they bear a testimony and pursue a course in accordance
with their own degree of information.
While Masonry was a secret, the church had no light, and no responsibility respecting it.
Although individual members of the church were Freemasons, as a body, she knew nothing of
Masonry; therefore she could say nothing. . .
But the state of the case is now greatly changed. Freemasonry is now revealed. It is no
longer a secret to any who wish to be informed..... Now, since these revelations are made,
and both the church and the world are aware of what Masonry really is, God demands, and
the world has a right to expect, that the church will take due action and bear a truthful
testimony in respect to this institution. She can not now innocently hold her peace. The
light has come. Fidelity to God, and to the souls of men, require that the church, which
is the light of the world, should speak out, and should take such action as will plainly
reveal her views of the compatibility or incompatibility of Freemasonry with the Christian
religion. As Gods witnesses, as the pillar and ground of the truth, the church is
bound to give the trumpet no uncertain sound, upon this question, that all men may know,
whether, in her judgment, an intelligent embracing and determinate adhering to Freemasonry
are compatible with a truthful profession of religion.
Every local branch of the Church of Christ is bound to examine this subject, and pronounce
upon this institution, according to the best light they can get. God does not allow
individuals, or churches, to withhold action, and the expression of their opinion, until
other churches are as enlightened as themselves. We are bound to act up to our own light,
and to go as far in advance of others as we have better means of information than they. We
have no right to say to God that we will act according to our own convictions, when others
become so enlightened that our action will be popular and meet their approval.
Again: Those individuals and churches, who have had the best means of information, owe it
to other branches of the church, and to the whole world, to take action and to pronounce
upon the unchristian character of Freemasonry, as the most influential means within their
reach of arousing the whole church and the world to an examination of the character and
claims of Freemasonry. If churches who are known to have examined the subject withhold
their testimony; if they continue to receive persistent and intelligent Freemasons; if
they leave the public to infer that they see nothing in Freemasonry inconsistent with a
creditable profession of the Christian religion, it will justly be inferred by other
branches of the church, and by the world, that there is nothing in it so bad, so dangerous
and unchristian as to call for their examination, action, or testimony. Before the
publishing of Morgans book, the Baptist denomination, especially, in that part of
the country, had been greatly carried away by Freemasonry. A large proportion of its
eldership and membership were Freemasons. A considerable number of ministers and members
of other branches of the Christian Church had also fallen into the snare.
The murder of Wm. Morgan, and the publication of Masonry consequent thereupon in the books
I have named, broke upon the church - fast asleep on this subject - like a clap of thunder
from a clear sky. The facts were such, the revelations were so clear, that the Baptist
denomination backed down, and took the lead in renouncing and denouncing the institution.
Their elders and associated churches, almost universally, passed resolutions
disfellowshipping adhering Masons. The denomination, to a considerable extent, took the
same course.
Throughout the Northern States, at that time, I believe it was almost universally conceded
that persistent Freemasons, who continued to adhere and co-operate with them, ought not to
be admitted to Christian churches. Now it is worthy of all consideration and remembrance,
that God set the seal of His approbation upon the action taken by those churches at that
time, by pouring out His Spirit upon them. Great revivals immediately followed over that
whole region. . .
And should the question be asked, What shall be done with the great number of
professed Christians who are Freemasons? I answer, let them have no more to do with
it. Again, let Christian men labor with them, plead with them, and endeavor to make them
see it to be their duty to abandon it. . . Let them be distinctly asked whether they
intend still to aid and abet the administration and taking of these oaths, if they still
intend to countenance the false and hypocritical teachings of Masonry, if they mean to
countenance the profanity of their ceremonies, and practice the partiality they have sworn
to practice. If so, surely they should not be allowed their places in the church. (Charles
Finney)