The Universal Language of Freemasonry - ArchiMeD - Johannes ...

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Chapter 9 - Masonic and Anti-Masonic Literature
depravity of man, and it describes Freemasonry as an evil "sect." Leo XIII.
admonished all Catholic bishops to eliminate this "impure epidemic" ("impuram
haac luem"). 1806 Albert Pike, the Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite for the
Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, made a long public reply four month
after Humanum Genus was delivered. Pike conceived this Bull as "a declaration
of war, and the signal for a crusade." 1807
An example of Masonic reaction towards a Papal Bull (Multiplices inter,
from 1865), in which Masonry was referred to as "this most immoral sect" and
"that perverse society of men," 1808 and in which the Pope threatened the Masons
with excommunication, is the following poem. It is published in the Masonic
Review from 1866, quoted from Punch, and it satirizes the standpoint of the
Vatican in mock-heroic style, employing all the Papal reproaches against the
fraternity:
O Venerable Brothers of our sacrosanct Consistory,
There is a confraternity wrapt up in darkest mystery,
Themselves the men of Masonry and Freedom they denominate:
All freedom save our own we do most utterly abominate.
This good-for-nothing, execrable, pestilent society,
United in the fellowship of error, and impiety,
Extends itself, O shame! the whole world habitable wide over,
Beside that universal realm which we as King preside over.
Of all law, human and divine, the enemies these wretches are.
Tartarean brood, among the corn they, burn them, vilest wretches are
They glory in the practice of all manner of atrocity,
And specially addicted are to guzzling and gulosity.
There is in that proud Capital with River Thames irriguous,
A temple nearly to the Fields of Lincoln's Inn contiguous,
There are they wont to celebrate their orgies with audacity,
Unheard of, gormandizing with incredible voracity.
What shall I say of gridirons when they neophytes initiate?
And what of red-hot pokers in commencing a noviciate?
And what of those most horid [sic] oaths, with ceremonies sinister,
Which they are to each candidate reported to administer?
But what we most detest in them excites our ire professional;
It is that Secret which they keep in spite of the Confessional;
1806 Ibid.
1807 Quoted from CME, p. 55. See also for content of Human Genus.
1808 Moore, The Masonic Review, vol. XXXI from 1866, p. 15/16.