In The Farmers Almanac for 1823 published at
Andover, Mass., the following was printed under the heading,
"Character of a Freemason":
The real Freemason is distinguished from the
rest of Mankind by the uniform unrestrained rectitude of his conduct.
Other men are honest in fear of punishment which the law might inflect;
they are religious in expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of the
devil, in the next world. A Freemason would be just if there were no
laws, human or divine except those written in his heart by the finger of
his Creator. In every climate, under every system of religion, he is the
same. He kneels before the Universal Throne of God in gratitude for the
blessings he has received and humble solicitation for his future
protection. He venerates the good men of all religions. He disturbs not
the religion of others. He restrains his passions, because they cannot
be indulged without injuring his neighbor or himself. He gives no
offense, because he does not choose to be offended. He contracts no
debts which he is certain he cannot discharge, because he is honest upon
principal.
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