Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

OF FREE MASONRV. 303
4 you have then taken that execrable oath, and I am the
person who has exposed you to that rash deed; I sincerely
ask your pardon, but I protest, upon my word, that I never
reflected on that execrable oath, when I suggested the
means by which, you might convince yourself, and learn to
know those detested beings who have so horribly abused
your credulity. I know that it had been better for you to
have been for ever ignorant of that fatal secret, than that
you should learn it at the expense of so horrid an oath. I
really did not reflect on it, or I should never have exposed
you to it -, no, I could not, in conscience.' It was really
true, that I had never reflected on this oath. Without examining
whether such wicked oaths are binding, I feared
being indiscreet. But it had been sufficient for me to have
shown this gentleman that I was acquainted, at least in
part, with these occult mysteries. He saw clearly by my
questions, that he had taught me nothing new by an avowal
which alone proves the very essence of these occult degrees.
" His fortune had been ruined by the revolution ; and he
declared to me, that it would from that moment be retrieved,
provided he accepted of a proposal which had been
made to him. * If I choose,' said he, * to go to London,
Brusselles, Constantinople, or any other town I please, neither
I, my wife, nor my children, will ever want for any
thing/—* Yes,' I replied, 4 but on condition only that you go
there to preach Liberty and Equality ; in sliort, all the horrors
of the Revolution.' * You are right,' replied he, * but
that is all I can say. Oh, my God, where have I been! I
beg you will not question me any farther.'
"This was sufficient for my present purpose; but I
hoped in time to learn further particulars. Nor were my
hopes vain. The following is what I have gathered from
various Masons, who, finding me acquainted with the major
part of their secrets, spoke the more openly to me, till at
length, feeling how much they had been duped by this occult
sect, they would willingly have revealed all its myste-