signs of the French lodge, at Portsmouth, I have no reason, nor ever had, to doubt. Their work was to effect the plans of France in our country.' -A member of that lodge boasted that he belonged to a lodge in Europe, in which the French revolution was planned.A gentleman of the first respectability informed me, (with leave to publish it, if I pleased,) that while he was Grand Master of all the lodges of the State, in which he lived, a bundle of papers from the Eastern Continent came, by a natural mistake, into his hands, in which were masonic language, and emblems, altogether above his comprehension. This was before he had heard of the existence of Illuminism. The packet by some means went out of his hands. After he heard of Illuminism, he said he was prepared to believe it, and that it was established in this country!'-In a printed oration, delivered before the grand royal arch chapter of New York, Feb. 2, A. L. 5801, by Rev. John Ernst, Grand Chaplain, are the following words: The deep designs of masons called the Illuminati, who have almost inundated Europe, and are fast gaining ground in America, have clearly demonstrated the abuse which untiled mason lodges have met with, and how they, when not guarded, can be revolutionized and moulded at pleasure!' An acquaintance of mine, a man of name, who with his wife were professors of religion, both informed me, that their son had occasion to reside some years in the capital of a middle State. When he returned, they found, to their great grief, that he had become a gross infidel. He assured them, he had learned this wisdom in a society there, instituted from France, with a view to propagate the sentiments he had imbibed:-That such societies abounded in our land :-That soon gospel ministers would not be supported; and if they existed, the finger of scorn would be pointed at them :-That the Christian religion was all an imposition, and would soon be abolished! A letter was intercepted from a lodge of Illuminees in Virginia, to another in New York, in which were emblems of carnage and death, and things unknown to the lower grades of masonry in our States.-The lodge Wisdom, in Portsmouth, (Va.) was the 2260th descendant from the Grand Orient of Paris. This great number were scattered in twelve different nations, of which America was one. Girtonner, in his Memoirs of the French Revolution, says, 'The active members of the Propagandists (propagators of French masonry) were, in 1791, fifty thousand, with funds then of six millions of dollars. These men were sent over the civilized world. And it was a maxim in their code, that it was better to defer attempts fifty years, than to fail of success by too great precipitancy! Robespierre, in his contention with the Brissotine faction, declared, that revolutionary designs were the object of the diplomatic mission of Genet to this country. Genet's haste and impertinences to effect this design soon, by the wisdom of Washington, occasioned his recall. In an intercepted letter of his successor in this country, this object of French Illuminees, in this nation, was ascertained;-and that the insurrection in the west of Pennsylvania, (to suppress which cost our nation one million of dollars, and the raising of an army of 15,000 men, with Washington at their head,) was the fruit of the secret machinations of these French Illuminees! Washington himself was denounced by this horrid agency, and was declared to be an enemy to

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his country. And the people were called upon, when he left his presidential office, to keep a jubilee on the occasion. Washington, in a letter to a friend, spake of this abuse as being in such indecent terms as could scarcely be applied to a Nero, or to a notorious defaulter! In another letter he says, That the self-created societies that have spread themselves over this nation, have been laboring incessantly to sow the seeds of distrust, jealousy, and discontent, hoping thereby to effect some revolution in the government, is not unknown to you. That they have been the fomenters of the western insurrection, admits of no doubt.' He again says, 'It is doubtful still, whether that party, which has been a curse to this country, may not be able to continue their delusions!' No wonder, then, that this Father of his nation should, in his farewell address, warn his country to beware of all secret societies! Even Bonaparte boasted, We well know our strength in America; and let us do what we will, we can turn all the odium of it on those who favor not our designs.'"

These few extracts I transmit. You may make what use of them you please. I have long since given them to the public.

I am, dear sir, affectionately yours,

ETHAN SMITH.

Now, dear brother, in view of these facts, it is more than evident to my mind, that French Illuminism has been incorporated with American Freemasonry. It does appear, from unquestionable authority, that, as long ago as 1798, "the impious mockery of the sacramental supper had been acted here," in the higher degrees of Freemasonry." This fact accords precisely with Webb's account of the "Ineffable Degrees,' "* in one of which the "Most Perfect" is represented as saying to the novitiate, "Eat of this bread with me, and drink of the same cup." We have substantial evidence also, even from respectable masons, that many of the lower lodges had been moulded to suit the designs of French infidelity, nearly thirty years ago; and that this corruption was, at that time, "fast gaining ground in this country."

Can we, then, foster Freemasonry, even in the three lower degrees, without, either directly or indirectly, aiding the cause of infidelity? Even admitting, that the three lower degrees are as pure as you seem to imagine; still, they are the portal to the labyrinth of Illuminism. This is an avenue, which must be shut, or our country is undone. The lower degrees are, and have been, con

Freemason's Monitor, 1816. p. 276.

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strued into every thing, and any thing, which was calcu lated to promote the designs of infidels; and these designing men have repeatedly "laughed in their sleeve," in view of the farcical ceremonies of the third degree, as cunningly devised, and directly calculated to bring the scriptures into disrepute, and cast contempt upon the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Even on the supposition, therefore, that you and I may not have considered these pernicious doctrines as taught in the lodge-room;" yet the work is so constructed, that others may, and do, construe it into whatever they please. I must confess also, that though I did, for a time, argue with myself, as you do, on this subject; and although I endeavored to persuade myself into the settled conviction, that this was pure morality; yet, after all, when I witnessed the various ceremonies of the several degrees, my conscience has secretly whispered, this is no place for a Christian, and especially for a Christian minister.' These secret whispers, and a scrutinizing observation of the effect, which those ceremonies have upon the fraternity, have led me more critically to examine the subject; which examination has led me to the present result. Reflecting upon the snare, from which I have escaped, I would not be placed back, where I was six months ago, for all the honors and treasures of earth. I have, dear brother, repeatedly seen the smile of mirth playing in the countenance of many a mason, during even, what are called, the most sublime and solemn parts of the work. In reflecting upon past years, also, and the several revivals of religion, which I have had opportunity to witness, I can now recollect but very few, comparatively, who have become hopefully pious, after joining the masonic institution. I understand that the same observation has been made by a clergyman,* who has doubtless had more experience in revivals of religion, than any man now living in our own country. Among professors of religion, too, I think the observation will hold good, that the lodge-going brethren are not generally among the most engaged and active members of the church. I do not say this, by any means, to make invidious comparisons; and I am willing

*Rev. Mr. Nettleton.

to admit that there are exceptions. But I have never known a church member, who gave decisive evidence of piety, who would not spontaneously abandon the lodge, during a revival of religion. Neither have I ever known a professor of religion, however apparently engaged before, but what, in one way or another, gave decisive evidence of religious declension, immediately after joining the masonic institution. I can also recollect of several instances, in which young men had appeared very seriously concerned for the soul and the things of eternity; but who, on being initiated into the mysteries of masonry, immediately banished all serious impressions, and, from that day forward, appeared perfectly careless and secure. I am also constrained to think, that no professor of religion ever found himself improved in moral feeling, in consequence of attending a communication of the lodge; or that he scarcely ever went away, in consequence, with one profitable serious reflection, unless with this, that he had worse than thrown away his precious time, and would better stay away in future. Permit me, also, to ask you, dear brother, (and I wish to do it most tenderly and affectionately,) if you have felt in your heart, generally, that glow of religious warmth, since, as before you became a member of the masonic institution? Have you been as much disposed to attend religious meetings since, as before; or to take a part in those religious meetings, as you frequently did, four or five years ago? Permit me again to ask, if you feel like going from your closet to the lodge, or from the lodge to your closet? Or, if you do, is it with that freedom and holy fervor, which you believe you have felt in years past? These are plain and significant questions; and I doubt not you will answer them to yourself, in the fear of God, and with a reference to the judgment day.

You add, "I am told that Royal Arch masonry has much to do with a Saviour, while he is only darkly prefigured in the three first." Here, I am sure, you are laboring under a sad mistake. I wish to know wherein the Saviour is even darkly prefigured, in any part of the three first degrees. Is it in the mock representation of death and the resurrection? It must be here, if any where; but, for my own part, I should as soon and as

seriously think of looking for the Saviour in one of Shakespear's tragedies. It cannot be. This ceremony is so contrived, that it may be construed to please the Christian, Jew, Deist, Mahomedan, and Pagan idolater.Would these last think of looking for the Saviour here? I have been informed, that a Jew was, for a considerable time, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island. This same Jew, if I mistake not, was actively engaged in forming the General Grand Chapter of the United States. Now, would this Jew, do you imagine, consider Royal Arch masonry as having much to do with the Saviour; or that Jesus of Nazareth was even darkly prefigured" in the third degree? But, supposing your idea to be correct; what is the need of having the Saviour "darkly prefigured," when "the true light" respecting him, has now shone for more than eighteen hundred years? Is there any need of going into the lodge-room to observe what God, in his word and providence, has made so plain? I deny, however, that Royal Arch masonry has any thing to do with the Saviour, except to degrade and rob him of his glory; and this would please the Jew, as well as the Deist. In the Mark Master's degree, those passages of scripture, which, in the Bible are applied exclusively to Christ, as the chief corner stone of his church, masons apply exclusively to a literal stone, which in this degree, is "rejected by the builders" and thrown away among "the rubbish ;" but in the Most Excellent Master's degree, is found again, and becomes the key of the arch, or the head of the corner." Now what does this mean? Is it to exalt or to degrade, the Son of God? Who shall tell us the Jew, or the Deist? Let the

*

*The passages of scripture here cited, are the following:-Ps. cxviii. 22. The stone which the builders refused, is become the head-stone of the corner.

Matth. xxi. 42.-Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, is become the head of the corner? Mark xii. 10.-And have ye not read this scripture, The stone which the builders rejected, is become the head of the corner? Luke xx. 17.-What is this, then, that is written, The stone which the builders rejected, is become the head of the corner?

Acts iv. 11. This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.-[See Webb's Monitor, 1816, p. 78.]