Never a Secret Society Member
Clear Statements
Question. Can a man who has made full consecration to the Lord remain a member of a secret society?
Answer. We cannot speak from personal experience, never having been a member of any such society. But if we should even take for granted that they are in no way opposed to the doctrines of Christ, and that they cultivate morality (which is at least questionable), still we should feel that we are out of place in them (Zion’s Watch Tower, August 1883, page 8).
SECRET AND BENEFICIAL SOCIETIES
Request. I would like to have your opinion on the subject of life insurance. They are organizing lodges all around here — United Workmen, Knights of Pythias, Red Men, Masons, Odd Fellows, etc. They are working it just about like sectarianism in the churches. Would like to see an article in the Tower on the subject. — W. E. Killam
Response. In our judgment, the majority of “secret societies” are merely beneficiary and have no secret schemes antagonistic to the general public welfare, the secret rites and ceremonies being ”boys’ play,” occupying the time and attention of persons who have no greater aims than those which pertain to the present life. We note, however, that several Roman Catholic Societies seem to have schemes connected with the use of firearms, and are therefore to be classed as malevolent rather than benevolent.
The Order of Free Masons, if judged by its past history, has some secret object or scheme, more than fraternity and financial aid in time of sickness or death. And so far as we can judge, there is a certain amount of profane worship or mummery connected with the rites of this order and some others, which the members do not comprehend, but which, in many cases, serves to satisfy the cravings of the natural mind for worship, and thus hinders it from seeking the worship of God in spirit and in truth — through Christ, the only appointed Mediator and Grand Master (Zion’s Watch Tower, June 15, 1895, page 144).