Freemasonry In Early America

If venturing into business, a Mason was assured a loan simply by giving the proper hand- shake to a Masonic banker. Should a Mason choose politics as a career, he was guaranteed votes of all Masons who had reached the Royal Arch degree (13th degree in Scottish Rite and 7th degree in York Rite), which oath reads:

I will promote a companion Royal Arch Mason’s political preferment in preference to another of equal qualifications.

Once in political office, the Mason must vote the dictates of his Masonic superiors. In the Masonic book, Webb’s Monitor, we read:

Right or wrong his very existence as a Mason hangs upon obedience to the powers immediately set above him. The one unpardonable crime in a Mason is contumacy [insubordination] or disobedience.

Masonic partiality also permits Master Masons to commit criminal acts and find protection among Masons. The Master Mason swears:

A Master Mason’s secrets given to me in charge as such, and I knowing him to be such, shall remain as secure and inviolable in my breast as in his own…murder and treason excepted.

If a Mason is a defendant in court, Masonic partiality extends to the witness stand. In the Masonic Hand Book we read:

You must conceal all the crimes of your brother Masons, except murder and treason, and these only at your own option, and should you be summoned as a witness against a brother Mason, be always sure to shield him. Prevaricate, don’t tell the whole truth in this case, keep his secrets, forget the most important points. It may be perjury to do this, it is true, but you’re keeping your obligations, and remember if you live up to your obligations strictly, you’ll be free from sin.

glad that doesn't happen these days. like in government, say, or banking