Stephen Winsor Renounces Freemasonry - 1829

Stephen Winsor Renounces Freemasonry
Antimasonic Telegraph, April 8, 1829

In calling attention of our readers to the following letter to the editors, from Mr. Stephen Winsor, of Guilford [Chenango Co., NY], absolving himself from all connexion with the masonic fraternity, we have but a single remark to make--and that is this:  As a man, a citizen and a Christian, whose word can be relied on, he is so far above reproach, that nothing short of masonic malice has, we believe, ever ventured to whisper aught against him--and even then has laboured in vain to find materials to do him an injury where he is known, and his probity and uprightness are duly appreciated.

 

Renunciation of Freemasonry

To the editors of the Telegraph:

Ever since the abduction and probable murder of William Morgan, I have been led seriously to meditate on the subject of freemasonry.  About twenty years since, I became a member of the fraternity, and remained so nearly ten years; at which time having, as I verily believe, experienced a change of heart, freemasonry became burdensome to my mind.  I found that religion and freemasonry were at variance with each other and for that reason, I withdrew from the institution.  I have gone no farther than the three first and am convinced from information that religion has no connexion whatever with higher degrees.  Some of the order pretend that masonry is of Divine origin and hold it out as a benefit to mankind.  We are assured from scripture that God has no respect of persons.  If it be a religious institution, why do not persons receive benefit from it before they arrive to the age of twenty-one years!  A minor, at the age of twelve or fourteen years, is in many instances admitted in our courts of justice, under oath, to give evidence in matters of great importance; but freemasons cannot place sufficient confidence in a person to administer an oath to keep their secrets, until he arrives to the age of twenty-one.  There is no scripture to prove that a man can derive advantages from an institution, while at the same time his wife and children are deprived of the benefits thereof. 

 

All men who join the fraternity are bound by the strongest oaths to keep inviolate their secrets, even before they know their import.  If the reader has any hesitation as to the propriety of forswearing, I would refer him to Leviticus V. 3,4,5, where it can be read in plain words.  Under all these circumstances, and a number of others which I have not mentioned, I feel it my duty to publicly renounce all fellowship with the institution of freemasonry.

Stephen Winsor

Guilford, March 18, 1829

[Note:  information about the abduction and presumed murder of William Morgan mentioned above can be found at the following link:  http://www.murderbygaslight.com/2009/12/william-morgan-revenge-of-freemasons.html ]