2.  The Odd-fellows in profanation of holy things go about as far as the Masons.  They employ “the brazen serpent,” “the budded rod of Aaron,” “the Ark of the Covenant,” “the breastplate for the high priest,” and other holy things as emblems of their order, along with, “the shining sun,” “the half moon,” etc.  They have their “Most Worthy Grand Master,” and their “Most Excellent Grand High Priest,” and other officers designated by titles which should be given to God and Christ alone.  Indeed, as it respects emblems and titles, Masonry seems to be the example which other secret associations have followed.  In regard to the profanation of holy things, the difference between most of the secret associations in our land is one merely of degree.  This profanation of the word, name, and titles of God is certainly sinful in itself, and very injurious in its effects.  What kind of ideas of God, and Christ, and heaven must persons have who conceive and think of God under the figure of three triangles; of Christ and his priesthood as symbolized by “the Most Excellent Grand High Priest,” officiating amid the tomfooleries of Masonry and Odd-fellowship; and of heaven as a Grand Lodge-room.  What ideas of the Divine Majesty and Glory must they have who are accustomed to give to the officers of a secret association, and to men who are, perhaps, destitute of faith and holiness, and who may be Jews, Turks, or infidels, as grand titles as the Scriptures give to the God of heaven and the Savior of the world.  Besides it is very improper and sinful to give to mere men the titles and glory which are due to God alone.  We learn that it was precisely for this sin that the Divine displeasure was visited upon king Herod.  On a certain occasion having put on his royal apparel, he sat on his throne and made a public oration.  The people who heard him shouted and said, “It is the voice of a God and not of a man; and immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory; and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost.” (Acts xii:  23.) It was for the same spirit of self-glorification that the king of Babylon was punished with madness and disgrace.  Nebuchadnezzar walked in his palace, and said:  “Is not this great Babylon, which I have built for the house of my kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honor of my majesty?” The same hour he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen; and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles’ feathers, and his nails like birds’ claws. (Dan. iv:  30-33.)

2 [sic].  Another objectionable feature of many secret societies is, that they profane the worship of God.  They claim (at least those which seem to embrace the most numerous membership) to be, in some sense, religious associations.  They maintain forms of worship; their rituals contain prayers to be used at initiations, installations, funerals, consecrations, etc.  They receive into membership, as we