Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

364 ItLUJUNISM.
N. B. " This explains," says Professor Robison, " the
origin of many anonymous pamphlets which appeared
about this time in Germany, showing that Free Masonry
teas Christianity. They liave, doubtless, been the works
of Spartacus and his partisans among the Eclectic Masons.
Nicholai, the great apostle of infidelity, had given very favourable
reviews of these performances, and having always
shown himself an advocate of such writers as depreciated
Christianity, it was natural for him to take this opportunity
of bringing it still lower in the opinion of the people. Spartacus,
therefore, conceived a high opinion of the importance
of gaining him to the order, and exults exceedingly
in the acquisition, saying, "that he was an unwearied
champion, et quidem contentissimus." [He took the name
of Lucian, the ancient scoffer.] Of this man, Philo says,
u that he spread this Christianity into every corner of Germany."
,
" I have put meaning," says Philo, u to all the dark symbols,
and have prepared two degrees, introducing beautiful
ceremonies, which I have selected from among those of the
ancient communions, combined with those of the Rosaac
Masonry; and now," says he, " it will appear that we are
the only true Christians. We shall now be in a condition
to say a few words to priests and princes. I have so contrived
things, that I would admit even pope? and kings, after
the trials which I have prefixed; and they would be glad
to be of the order."
This Philo-Knigge is the famous Free Mason mentioned
by Professor Robison. (p. 332.) He subdivides the adepts
of Illuniinism into two classes; those who scoff at revelation,
and those who need a revealed religion to fix thenideas.
To explain this he writes to Cato, (that is Zwack,)
in the following terms.
(B. p. 121.) "To unite these two classes of men, to
make them concur and co-operate towards our object, it
was necessary to represent Christianity in such a light, as
to recall the superstitious to reason, and to teach our more