Stearns, John G. An Inquiry into the Nature and Tendency of Speculative Free-Masonry: with an Appendix. To which are added, Plain Truth: A Dialogue’ and the Author’s Reasons. Utica: Northway & Porter, 1829. Fifth Edition - Revised and Corrected. Published for the Author.
Linen spine with plain blue paper-covered boards, 4 3/4 x 7 1/4 inches, printed paper spine title label, “Ep: Hoyt, Deerfield Mass.” on front paste-down. 1/2” closed tear top of ffep. iii. pp. Recommendations. xvi., 211 pp., foxing, tight. Very good.
Sabin 90896. Walgren 3214. Cummings p. 69. “In all of Stearns’ writings he takes the same stand as many other Anti-Masonic writers, viz: that because Freemasonry is not essentially a Christian institution, it is necessarily anti-Christian.”
Starr S8320.
“In the fall of 1819 I was received as a student in the Literary and Theological Seminary at Hamilton, N.Y. In my examination I was inquired of whether I was a Mason. I answered the affirmative. I was then requested to dispense with Masonry while a member of that school. I replied that I already made up my mind never to have any thing more to do with Masonry.” p. vii.
John Glazier Stearns (1795-1874), b. Ackworth, NH; d. Clinton, NY. Baptist minister, educated at Madison University (now Colgate), was the pastor of several churches in central New York State. Besides this work on Freemasonry, Stearns contributed many theological works to the press.