Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

76 FREE MASOXRY A PIOUS FRAUD.
CHAPTER XIII.
Free Masonry's Plea for the Practice of Dissimulation,
" Je ne pdis mo r&oudre a mentir; je no auis pas Cyprian; et je ne aaurois
dire que je lo sub."*—Telemaquc, liv. 3.
HAVING exhibited the preceding pages to the careful inspection
of Masons distinguished for talent, for knowledge,
for love of truth, and for their attachment to Masonry,
they individually return it, without an objection to its accuracy
and fidelity to the truth.
To one I make grateful acknowledgments for suggesting
the erasure of a few expressions unnecessarily condemnatory,
and hope, oh a second perusal of the work, that he
will find not a word justly offensive to the man who hates
every false way. Others noticed certain points, which, at
first, might seem to admit of correction in the facts or inferences
; but they did not insist uppn one after hearing a
word of explanation, or suffering the latter pages to illustrate
the former.
And yet, these gentlemen, though asunder, coincide in
expressing a doubt, whether so extensive, and honourable?
and useful a society, may not better be amended than discarded.
u It has a prodigious influence," they say, " which,
properly directed by virtuous men, will be, as it has been,
productive of much good; when, if abandoned by the
* I cannot determine to lie; I am not a Cyprian; and I know not how
to say that I am.