SECRET SOCIETIES.

New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator, Volume V, Issue 344, 15 May 1844, Page 3

SECRET SOCIETIES.

To the system of " secret societies" there

is evidently a considerable degree of prejudice abroad. But the secrecy about these societies is only just so much as prudence requires to preserve them from being imposed upon. Like the genial rays of the golden sun, they spread their beneficial effects throughout the habitable globe, penetrate the darkest glades, gild the topmost heights, and effect that which no other institutions ever attempted — clime and colour. Princes and peasants are paltry distinctions unknown to them, yet do they not sacrifice the conrtesies of civilised life, nor destroy those variations of station requisite o the well Ijeing of society. Long has the world sought to discover

" Why kings should aprons wear; Aud make themselves one with

A free and accepted Mason." And the ingenuity that has been employed to discover the "mystic tie" which binds not Freemasons only, but several other orders of similar character, though differing in a few minor points, cannot be wondered at, when we see these societies' breaking sectarian bonds asunder, bidding defiance to geographical limits, laughing to scorn the artificial and foolish customs pf the world, and binding in one harmonious whole princes and peasants, kings, citizens, and artjzans. Those who have viewed these societies heretofore merely as pag.ants, we would earnestly -request to examine into their principles and practical usefulness. Amidst the sandy deserts of the East, an Arab recognizes a brother of the craft, and the life of Buckingham *is spared. Amidst the trackless waters' of (we think it was) America, the sacreJ obligation which binds these brethren together, was observed, even amongst pirates, and one of- our valuable agricultural settlers owes his life on this occasion, to the interposition of a masonic friend. Nor are the other orders less conspicuous for the benefits they produce. They have gone to the ant and learned wisdom, and to those who butterfly like think only of the present, taking no thought for the winter of old age that will certainly follow the summer of youth, we would say take up your quarters with the ' Odd Fellows," and you will find them good ftllows, or pitch your tent with the sons of •Reehab, and in either case you will have the consciousness of hiving provided for the day of adversity, with a certainty of not leaving the wife of your old age dependent upon strangers. — Communicated.

f The celebrated traveller.