Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

j£?4 ABBE BARRl'EL AMI
Book of Constitutions, and her emblems. It next discussed
her scientific claims in the fellow craft's degree, and
then the faithfulness of her tradition in her sublime degree
of Master Mason; and gave a summary view 6f her contradictions,
and arts, and absurdities within tnVlodges, with
the royal arch for the climax.
A claim trumpeted through her chosen works, and by
her numerous orators, to be the teafcher of religion among
the arts* has attracted our notice, and the manner in which
she has performed that part of her duty through the Grand
Chaplain and the Grand Chapter of New-York, has been
fully examined. What has followed since that, J leave to
the recollection of the reader.
" Is it, therefore, to be supposed that the Free Masonry
ef our country, our lodges, grand lodges, &c. aim at the
diffusion of infidelity ?" I believe no such thing. This age
and country could not bear it. But if the emptiness of Free
Masonry has been in other countries, and in other times,
filled to the brim with all that is hostile to revelation, and to
sound principles, it will be no recommendation to its general
use here ; better throw it away, as a vessel more used to
dishonour, than to honour, whatever it might have been
made for.
Not to multiply words, it is my object in this work
to lay before the public, facts and authorities illustrative
of the nature of Free Masonry, and its capacity for
abuse. My quotations have been, hitherto, almost confined
to the writers who are admirers of Free Masonry.
If, from their statements, the reader is ready to be
provoked with its ridiculous vanity, and excessive ostentation,
he may prepare to be further disgusted with the impiety
and folly which remains to be discovered. It does not
concern the writer what inferences men draw from the character
of these documents. It is his duty to put them in
these pages; let the reader judge. If it seem unfriendly to
the great masonic body of our country, that i«? wrong; I
*