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

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ISBN: 9781451004960 出版年：2016 页码：400 John Robison Forgotten Books

Being at a friend's houfe in the country during fome part of the fummer 17951 I there faw a volume ofa German periodical work, called Religions Begehen heiten, i. E. Religious Occurrences: in which there was an account Ofthe various fchifms in the Fraternity of Free Mafons, with frequent allufions to the origin and hiftory of that celebrated afociation. This ac count interei'ted me a good deal, becaufe, in my early life, I had taken fome part in the occupations (ihall I call them) of Free Mafonry; and, having chiefly frequented the Lodges on the Continent, I had learned many doétrines, and feen many ceremonials which have no place in the fimple fyfl'em Of Free Ma fonry which Obtains in this country. I had allo1e marked, that the whole was much more the Objefit Of refieétion and thought than I could remember it to have been among my acquaintances at home. T here, Ihad feen a Mafou Lodge confidered merely as a pre text for pafi'ing an hour or two in a fort ofdecent con viviality, not altogether void Offome rational Occupa tion. I had fometimes heard Ofdiijferences ofdoc trines or of ceremonies, but in terms whieh marked them as mere frivolities. But, on the Continent, I found them matters of ferious concern and debate.