Proofs of a Conspiracy against all the Religions and Governments of Europe: carried on in the secret meetings of Free Masons, Illuminati, and reading societies.Robison, John
History
Proofs of a Conspiracy against all the Religions and Governments of Europe: carried on in the secret meetings of Free Masons, Illuminati, and reading societies.
Robison, John
Freemasonry -- Early works to 1800; Illuminati -- Early works to 1800
[13] This, by the by, is a very curious and entertaining work, and,
had the whole affair been better known in this country, would have
been a much better antidote against the baneful effects of that
Association than any thing that I can give to the public, being
written with much accuteness and knowledge of the human mind, and
agreeably diversified with anecdote and ironical exhibition of the
affected wisdom and philanthropy of the knavish Founder and his
coadjutors. If the present imperfect and desultory account shall be
found to interest the public, I doubt not but that a translation of
this novel, and some other fanciful performances on the subject,
will be read with entertainment and profit.
No. V. is an important document. It is a letter addressed to the
sworn members of the Union, reminding the beloved fellow-workers
that "the bygone management of the business has been expensive, and
that the XXII. do not mean to make any particular charge for their
own compensation. But that it was necessary that all and each of the
members should know precisely the object of the Association, and the
way which mature consideration had pointed out as the most effectual
method of attaining this object. Then, and not till then, could the
worthy members act by one plan, and consequently with united force.
To accomplish this purpose, one of their number had composed a
Treatise _on Instruction, and the means of promoting it_.[14]" This
work has been revised by the whole number, and may be considered
as the result of their deepest reflection. They say, that it would
be a signal misfortune should this Association, this undertaking,
so important for the happiness of mankind, be cramped in the very
beginning of its brilliant progress. They therefore propose to print
this work, this Holy Scripture of their faith and practice, by
subscription. (They here give a short account of the work.) And they
request the members to encourage the work by subscribing, and by
exerting more than their usual activity in procuring subscriptions,
and in recommending the performance in the newspapers. Four persons
are named as Diocesans, who are to receive the money, which they beg
may be speedily advanced in order to purchase paper, that the work
may be ready for the first fair (Easter 1788.)
[14] _Ueber AUFFKLARUNG und deren Beforderungs-Mittel._ The
only proper translation of this word would be, _clearing up_ or
_enlightening_. _Instruction_ seems the single word that comes
nearest to the precise meaning of _Auffklarung_, but is not
synonymous.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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