Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

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their volumes, lest the purity of truth, in its sources, might
be contaminated with the streams of falsehood; and it was
not until an advanced stage of the inquiry made him bold,
that he ventured to drink at their fountains ; professor Robison's
work never coming into his hands until December,
1827, and the Abbe Banner*, then the first time-for perusal
; and he was astonished to find they show a manifest
tenderness toward Dree Masonry, levelling their shafts
mainly at her abuses in the higher degrees. Then was remembered
the proverb of the spaniel, which no respect for
Free Masonry prevents repeating here.
Oh, H should make one weep to know how the pure motives
of these men have been blackened; how the ardttous
labours of these patriotic men have been calumniated;
how these honourable names h*ve been slandered by honourable
men; these learned names have been traduced by
learned men, and these pious names have been depreciated
by pious men; that the upright have often been constrained
to number them with the offscouring of the earth.
u
And what has persuaded just men to do so foul wickedness?
15
My reader, without malice, it is Free Masonry; it is Free
Masonry who has jaundiced the eyes, has dipped the arrows
in gall, and sent them in flights that have darkened
heaven.
Rejoice over her, ye righteous! Be glad, Barrue) and
lfobison! faithful servants of your generation; let your
hearts exult upon earth; your pure spirits triumph, if martyrs
to the truth, ye have ascended to heaven! Your adversary
is brought low; the sun of Free Masonry declines in
the west, and soon your names shall shine, and shine for
ever, beautiful stars in the firmament of truth I
The reader shall have a taste of their style. In testifying
upon this subject, the Abbe will begin, and he shall speak
for himself! One entire chapter from his work, treating of
the higher degrees of Masonry, will serve to declare his opinion,
and to exhibit his interesting manner and amiable
*