Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

ROBISON'S ELOQUENT AND PATRIOTIC APPEAL. 385
CHAPTER LIX.
« We are aot of the night, nor of. darkneaj; for they that sleep, sleep
in the night, and they that be drunken, are drunken in the night; bat let
m, who are of the day, be sober."—1 Then. chap. v.
THE words of Professor Robison are now to my purpose.
Familiar with the truths of natural science, largely versed
in the knowledge of mankind, acquired by intercourse with
various nations in their polite circles; a favourite Mason in*
the lodges of Britain, France, Germany, and Russia, read
and practised in the higher degrees of the craft, Secretary
of the Royal Institution in Edinburgh, of irreproachable life,
and of a patriotic spirit, his opinion is entitled to great
weight.
(P. 353.) " The above accounts evince, in the most in*
controvertible manner, the dangerous tendency of all mystical
societies, and of all associations who hold secret meetings.
We see that their uniform progress has been from
frivolity and nonsense, to wickedness and sedition. Weishaupt
has been at great pains to show the good effects of
secrecy in the association, and the arguments are valid for
his purpose. But all his arguments are so many dissuasive
advices to every thinking and sober mind. The man who
really wishes to discover an abstruse truth, will place himself,
if possible, in a calm situation, and will by no means
expose himself to the impatient hankering for secrets and
wonders; and be will always fear, that a thing which resolutely
conceals itself cannot bear the light." [i. e.JFree Masonry.]
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