Free Masonry - The Masonic Trowel

78 FREE MASONEY A PIOUS FRAUD.
She sought for an increase of knowledge. To this good
end she could attain by one act of disobedience. It was
argued:
— * * Will Godinoense his ire «
M For such a petty trespass: and not praise
" Rather your dauntless virtue, whom the pain
41 Of death denounced, (whatever thing death be,)
u Deterred not from achieving what might lead
" To happier life ?"
This plea prevailed then, and furnishes now the only
mode of reasoning by which the astonishing pretensions of
Free Masonry can be endured for a moment All the intelligent
gentlemen, members of the society, know in their
hearts, that the claims of Masonry are enormous, and
without good foundation ; unworthy to be upheld for the
truth's sake, and deserving instant desertion and exposure,
were it not for the benefit they procure to this ancient and
honourable society. They reason as Narbal does with Telemachus.
" Ce mensonge, Telemaque, ri'a rien que ne
soit innocent: les Dieux memes ne peuvent le condamner:
il ne fait aucune mal a personne. Vous poussez trop loin
Pamour de la vertue, et la crainte de blesser la religion. 11 *—
Telemaque^ liv. 3.
If I may be pardoned, this is precisely the strain of reasoning
pursued by the friends of Free Masonry. And in the
words of the same excellent author, 1 reply, u II suffit que le
mensonge soit mensonge pour ne pas etre digne d'un homme
qui parle en presence des Dieux, et qui doit tout a la verity.
Celui qui blesse la v£rite offense les Dieux, et se blesse
* This falsehood, Tetanachus, is quite innocent; the Gods themselves
cannot condemn it; it injures no man; you carry too far the love of virtue*
and the fear of wounding religion.