Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

PROFESSOR ROBISOX. ^75
am not unfriendly. Having entered the lodge in pursuit of
light, and finding none, is it unkind, to be instrumental of
sending a ray there ?
" Perhaps the writer is the blind man, who supposes the
rest j^ mankind ta have lost their vision, while he himself
sees clearly ?"
Once it might have been so feared, but times have
changed. Many doubt the excellence of Masonry, who,
not long since, were-partially attached to it, and they will
be. glad to see what will settle their doubts.
Messrs. BarrUel and Robtson wrote at the same era,
without mutual consultation, not having the same sources
of information, pne a French clergyman, the other a Scottish
professor, and both Free Masons. They came, with
manifest reluctance, both to the same conclusion: that
there then existed a conspiracy against all government and
religion; that this was mighty through the false guise it assumed,
and that a principal instrument of its operations
was Free Masonry, especially the higher degrees.
Perhaps these were very foolish men, Messrs. B. and R.r
but surely they were learned men, candid men, lovers of
their country, who had a reverence for truth and religion,
They give the reasons of their opinions; they quote their
authorities, naming the author and page, like honest people
; they both had a wish to rescue British Masonry from
the condemnation and fellowship of continental Masonry,
and appear to be sincerely actuated with the desire of doing
good, by giving their labours to the public.
• Nevertheless, for thirty years last past, their honoured
names, through the influence of Free Masonry, have been
made to stand for every thing that is base; and so far was
even the writer of this article carried away by the flood
of vituperation poured after Barrud and Robison, (it is
with shame, and grief, and indignation, I c6nfess it,) that
their title-pages were fearful to him; that wishing calmly
and candidly to investigate the character of Free Masonry,
he refused, for months, while in the investigation, to call for