Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

1LLUMINISM. 367
edly he assures them, that the venerable order has no concern
with religion or politics; and makes the novice even
swear to oppose the enemies of civil society. These things
he calls preparatory pious frauds, which are gradually to
be explained away; and then he unfolds, from history, the
origin and fabrication of ail religious lies whatever.
No, it is not art; it is depraved cunning, joined with
inhuman malice; it is the serpent writhing his secret way
to nestle in the open bosom. Free Masonry afforded a
shelter for Weishaupt; she masked his batteries; she covered
his attacks; she divided and distracted his enemies,
the friends of civil government and religion ; she enlisted
his recruits; she disseminated his doctrines..
She did; and if this were all, we might forgive her; but
she has never ceased to do it. Weishaupt is forgotten, but
his doctrines and his disciples live. JUuminism is accursed,
but it costs her pupils nothing to change the name, and retain
the principles. They have done it. The name is
abandoned, as the name of Free Masonry eventually must
be; but the principles find a channel for themselves, and
they will find one in every large community. Falsehood
is their life; yet, to be current, they must appear fair and
true. They, therefore, assume the form least to be feared
or doubted; they attach themselves to morality and piety,
as very important to screen them from suspicion, though
quite in the way of their ulterior designs.
We have no reason to be anxious; we have abundant
reason to be on the alert; and only one rule upon this head
will always serve, i. e. to punish JUuminism under whatever
cloak we find it.