I do not see how
any Christian, most of all a Christian minister, can go into these secret
lodges with unbelievers. They say they can have more influence for good, but I
say that they can have more influence for good by staying out of them and
reproving their evil deeds. You can never reform anything by unequally yoking
yourself to ungodly men. True reformers separate themselves from the world.
But, some say to me, if you talk that way you will drive all the members of
secret societies out of your meetings and out of your churches. But what if I
did? Better men will take their places. Give them the truth anyway, and if they
would rather leave their churches than their lodges, the sooner they get out of
their churches the better. I would rather have ten members who are separated
from the world than a thousand such members! Come out from the lodge. Better
one with God than a thousand without Him! We must walk with God, and if only one
or two go with us, it is all right. Do not let down the standard to suit men
who love their secret lodges or have some darling sin they will not give up!