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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 66

Chapter V. — The Hypocrisy of Freemasonry

page 32

Chapter V.

The Hypocrisy of Freemasonry.

I think it well to devote a special chapter to this subject. It will supply a much-needed explanation. For, how is it that among Masons there is such a general ignorance of the true nature of the body—that even a large number of its own members believe it not only harmless, but even religious, at least remotely?

I hasten to reply that it is because it resorts to the mask and to lies. Hypocrisy, deceit, cunning—hateful words are these; but, in dissecting Masonry, we find them engraved on its heart. Let the reader study all that is told in the chapter on the oaths and ceremonies of praying, Bible-reading, closing meetings "in the name of the Lord," etc., in the light of the proofs I have given of the irreligion of this Association, and he will recognise the most consummate and satanical hypocrisy. The true character of Satan is that of an "angel of darkness," but he sometimes transforms himself into an angel of light. He quotes the Bible also quite flippantly to suit his purpose. And so does Masonry in her Ritual; hence may she say :—

"I clothe my naked villiany
With old odd ends stolen forth from Holy Writ,
And seem a saint when most I play the devil."

—Shakespeare.

But it is especially from Masonic documents and declarations that I propose to present the matter in as clear a light as any person could desire. There is a publication, already quoted from in the preceding chapter, which is of immense utility in revealing the detestably artful system of Freemasonry—I mean that entitled the "Disclosures of a Freemason on his death-bed." The publisher affirms that he vouches for the fact "that this document now submitted to the reader was made over by a dying Freemason to one page 33 of his friends, with permission to make of it whatever use he might see fit." He gives comments upon it, in which he expresses the hope that it may serve to tear the veil from the eyes of more than one erring or misguided brother.

From this source (p.p. 11-14) is culled the following verbatim :— "The teaching of Masonry is very influential, but let us bear in mind that it is never to be suddenly or explicitly unfolded before the eyes of aspirants; for an unfettered mind might draw from it conclusions highly prejudicial to our secret designs. We must know how, as soon as the sacred words Liberty and Equality have been uttered in the hearing of the candidate, to anticipate his thoughts, arrest their course in time, or change their current; for this our symbols and hieroglyphics form a happy expedient, opportunely diverting his mind by directing attention to the manifold nature of the objects presented to his notice. This wise method of proceeding is the result of the sagacious policy of our founder, who was far too deeply versed in the knowledge of the human heart, not to mix the mysterious and bewitching draught which we must continually hold to the lips, and instil it into the soul of every brother, with such consummate skill, that its true nature shall ever remain a secret, and its real properties be hidden under an innocent exterior. Thus, in our truly illustrious Order, the amount of lore imparted must ever be proportioned to the capacity of the recipient; and in order to facilitate the spread of our doctrines, and to render their signification more or less apparent, we divide our neophytes into three different and distinct classes—the first comprising the inquiring minds, the second the impetuous and restless spirits, the third the superstitious and credulous souls." It points out how each class is to be dealt with, and then proceeds : "We must at all times take care not to reveal our real aim precipitately, since weak minds might be dazzled at first by so brilliant and searching a light. From time to time some few rays must be allowed to penetrate the gloom, in order gradually to accustom the eye to that resplendent light, which is destined at some future day to illuminate the whole earth; but we must moderate a glance which, if too piercing, might produce blindness—a result more fatal to them and to our Order than the darkness from which we seek to extricate them." Hypocrisy, cunning, deceit—here they are unmistakeably displayed. I wonder would some of my friends begin to judge in this manner—"Well, it is evident that we are, after all, but Amateur Masons—the merest novices page 34 in the Order; we are to await a gradual revelation of a something at present unknown to us; and, really, what needs cautious, gradual revelation, cannot be good."

But let us peep again into the "Disclosures." Without difficulty we shall discover passages fully suitable. Aye, here is one :—"The explanation of our moral system" (that is, religion) "by means of allegories and of symbols, must be suited to the varying capacities of each individual aspirant; for this reason, we must be very careful not to give them a meaning of such obvious ambiguity as thereby to make our intentions apparent, or in any way tend to diminish the good faith with which the candidate receives the interpretation given to him. It would be foolish to suppose that every brother, immediately upon his admission, throws off once for all the prejudices which up to that time held him enslaved. The atmosphere of the Lodge is not potent enough to impart to him instantaneously the spirit of our Order into which he has been admitted." So it is generally—indeed, a man never descends suddenly to the lowest depths of iniquity, nor loses the religious spirit at once: the way to evil is made up of progressive falls. This society, like its great Grand Master, the Devil, studies the natural aptitude of its victims, and works its wicked work accordingly.

At page 17 of this valuable document may be read these directions :—"In order to guard against the disclosure of the designs of our Society through dissatisfaction on the part of any member, we bind every candidate by oath to the most inviolable secresy, and enforce it by threats of mysterious and terrible punishment; but, independently of the oath, and in addition to it, it is necessary to disguise the integral character of our teaching by means of allegories, and deal out the amount of knowledge to be imparted to each aspirant in a manner proportioned to their respective powers. We must never admit him at random into any particular class, but only into a grade commensurate with such capabilities as he has already given satisfactory proof of possessing." Here is plain language re the Masonic oath. We have it confessed by the Society that its object is the concealment of her designs. And, pray, what designs can those be? Can they be the helping sick brethren, and widows and orphans? To say so would be a libel on man's intelligence. But observe that part of the extract which bears upon our subject—"it is necessary to disguise the integral character of our teaching" before the new aspirant, This may be interpreted thus—"Of vital importance to our body is it page 35 that we do not declare frankly to outsiders, nor to the new candidates, nor even to the members of the lower grades, what is the real, ultimate design of our Society." Then it appertains essentially to the Masonic system or organisation, to conceal, nay, to disguise most studiously. Hence, not merely in the Australias, America, and England, but in Paris, Belgium, Rome—everywhere, there are members kept in blissful ignorance of a vast deal.

But lo! dear reader, here I rub my hands with delegation, for I have come upon a capital passage. Oh, how it serves me! Just read it: "Liberty and equality are the two main advantages towards which our plans must ever tend, the employment of all possible cunning and powers of dissimulation being a matter of course. Hypocrisy must lend us her able assistance. We must continually search and probe vacillating minds, and set them in motion so gently that they may scarcely be aware of the slightest pressure. We must amuse them, carry them along with us, deceive them at the opportune time, make them in love with their own delusions, lull them to sleep in the sweet sense of their new dignity" (as Masons), "and only reveal our designs respecting them when the goal is close at hand, and they, lost in the bewildering maze of an enticing and hopeless labyrinth, have neither the power nor the will to strike out into another path. In the end, clinging closely to the guide who has led them thus far, they will be quite prepared to regard the most startling and extravagant revolution as the simple conclusion that most naturally be expected." Now, it cannot appear exaggeration to say that this language has the semblance of what we might hear from a council of devils. To employ "all possible cunning," "powers of dissimulation," and the most consummate hypocrisy to entrap the innocent or to counteract the dictates of conscience; to deceive and delude by the "sweet sense" of vain pleasure; at length, the moral voice being utterly hushed in the breast of the poor individual, to lead him to startling and extravagant deeds, from the very thought of which he at one time would have quite revolted; is not this the plan of action of the enemy of souls, the devil? And it is evident from the above, that this is precisely the method adopted and actually pursued by Freemasonry in duping its associates, and, in time, utilizing them as tools, if necessary for the furtherance of its ends.

Thankful to this secret document, "The Disclosures," for the excellent aid it has lent me, I will now avail of another Masonic page 36 publication which is quite as explicit in exhibiting the diabolical arts practised by this Society. It is called "Permanent Instruction," and was written over half a century ago as a guide to the higher initiated, who were chosen to conduct the whole movement of the Craft, especialy in Italy. The leaders say: "We wish, in this Instruction, which should be kept concealed from those simply initiated, to give advice to the rulers of the Supreme Vendita" (Council of Vengeance),. "which they, in turn, should inculcate to the brethren by means of Insegnamento or Memorandum" (that is, by clever, insidious teaching). Read the following extract patiently; it will give an idea of the singularly mean tactics recommended to be pursued in Italy :—"Little can be done with old cardinals and with prelates of a decided character. Such incorrigibles must be left to the school of Gonsalvi, and, in magazines of popularity and unpopularity, we must find the means to utilise or ridicule power in their hands. A well-invented report must be spread with tact amongst good Christian families: such a cardinal, for instance, is a miser; such a prelate is licentious; such an official is a Freethinker, an infidel, a Freemason, and so on in the same strain. These things will spread quickly to the cafés, thence to the squares, and one report is sometimes enough to ruin a man. If a prelate or bishop arrive in a province from Rome, to celebrate or officiate at some public function, it is necessary at once to become acquainted with his character, his antecedents, his temperament, his defects—and these latter especially. If he should be our enemy, at once entrap him, entangle him in all the nets and snares you can, give him a character which must horrify the young people and women; describe him as cruel, heartless, and blood-thirsty; relate some atrocious transaction which will easily cause a sensation amongst the people. The foreign newspapers" (such as the Times, Daily News, Telegraph, etc.) "will learn and copy these facts, which they well know how to embellish and colour according to their usual style. For pretence of respect due to truth show or, better still, quote from some respectable fool as having quoted, the number of the journal which has given the names, acts, and doings of these personages. As in England and in France, so also in Italy there will be no lack of writers who well know how to tell lies for the good cause, and have no difficulty in doing so." Now, what do you think of this? Did you conceive that a Society ever existed, does exist, or could exist, that would find it to be conducive page 37 to its end to resort to artifices so detestable? Why, many will find it, I am sure, difficult at least, if not impossible, to believe that this is a true portrait of that Masonry which, to their eyes, is clad in all benevolence and good faith. They are conscious, indeed, that there is much for them to learn in the Craft, since they are mere tyros; yet they are not quite prepared to accept such a character of the grand Order. But, let my reader be assured that Freemasonry is all this mean hypocrite that I represent it. For, the Society that seeks, as I have shown, to eradicate religion, and to revolutionize the world, is full well aware that it has to contend against a deeply-rooted and widely-extended attachment to Christianity and ancient social institutions, and that, therefore, or "as a matter of course," it must proceed first by means of atrocious, base, hellish, lying misrepresentation to blacken or entirely destroy the prestige of the ministers of Christ, hoping thus to cast odium upon the Church herself; and must employ "all possible cunning and powers of dissimulation," and avail of "hypocrisy's able assistance," in order to wean them from authority, and lead them to a fanciful "Universal Liberty."

"Rub off the shining varnish of philosophy and brotherly love, and beneath the brilliant exterior you will find political intrigue, unbelief, and revolution."—Thus wrote a journal twenty years ago, of Freemasonry. Yes, it is requisite to rub off the varnish, to remove the mask, to uplift the veil wherewith this hypocritical Society disguises itself, if we sincerely desire to know its real character.

Out of cases of "practical hypocrisy" on the part of the Craft, I shall select one that is noticed by Michael di Gargano in his pamphlet on Freemasonry, and which is worthy of attention. The scene of the incident was Italy. Melegari, who was Cabinet Minister of the late Victor Emmanuel, and who regarded himself as a veteran in this secret Society, writes to a friend telling him of some of the orders of the Supreme Vendita which seemed to appal him. "They require of us," he says, "things that would make the hair stand on end. Would you believe it? I have just heard from Rome that two of our Association, notorious for their hatred of fanaticism (Christianity), were obliged by order of the supreme head centre to kneel in church, and receive the Paschal Communion! I do not wish to discuss the question of my obedience, but I would like to know whither such monk-playing would lead us?" Melegari could not understand page 38 how persons who did not believe, could go on their knees in a Christian church and hypocritically make the Paschal Communion! Well, he was scarcely such as he described himself, "a veteran" in the body.

But, dear reader, I shall not continue further to sicken you with this subject. You have had sufficient of this loathesome sight of the baseness of the Masonic system. And I have no misgivings as to your entire accordance with me in the sentence by which I terminate this chapter. Like the honest individual, so the legitimate and truly good Association fears not, but loves and courts, the beautiful light of candour and truth; whereas, that which has an illegitimate and villanous purpose must needs hide and disguise its real self: hence, it must be regarded as the offspring of the Spirit of Darkness and Father of Lies, and is in the highest degree condemnable.

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