Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

302 ABBE BARRUEL's VIEWS
same time, a very virtuous and religipus man, was much
concerned at seeing me in this opinion. He tried every
means to give irte a better idea of the society in which he
was proud of having filled the most honourable posts. This
was a topic on which we had often conversed; and he
wished much to make me a convert to Masonry. He was,
indeed, almost affronted with me for saying that he was not
initiated into all the mysteries of Masonry, though a Rosicrucian;
or else that this degree had its subdivisions, and
that he was only partially acquainted with them. At length
I convinced him of the fact, by asking the explanation of
some of the masonic hieroglyphics; he owned that he had
asked their meaning, but the explanation of them had been
refused him; yet he had no doubt of their being as innocent
emblems as the, square, the compass, the trowel, and
many others. I knew that he had but one degree more to
take, and the veil would be rent asunder. I proposed, or
rather marked out the means by which he might acquire
that degree; and then, I told him, all illusion as to the real
object of the occult Masons would vanish. He was too
eager for being initiated not tp make a trial of the means I
proposed; but he was convinced that it would prove ineffectual,
and only furnish him with new arms to combat my
unjust prejudices against Masonry. A few days after, I saw
him enter my room, but in such a state of agitation that his
lips could scarcely utter, ' O, my dear friend, my dear
friend—you were in the right—Oh, how much you were in
the right!—Where have I been ? My God! where have I
been V
"I easily understood these exclamations; but the poor
man could scarcely recover himself so as to continue.
He threw himself into a chair, as if he were exhausted, perpetually
repeating, * Where have I been ? Oh, how much
you are in the right!' I earnestly desired him to give me
some particulars with which I was acquainted. * Oh-, how
much you were in the right!' he repeated again; ' but that
is all I can tell you.'—* Oh, unhappy man,' I exclaimed,