Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Noble Example Of Fidelity In A Free Mason Of Vienna.
NOBLE EXAMPLE OF FIDELITY IN A FREE MASON OF VIENNA .
TO THEPRINTER OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE .
SIR , TOWARD the latter end of the year 1785 , some of the States of . - &• Germany conceived unaccountable prejudices against the FREE MASONS ; and the Emperor himself was induced to subject the society to some very particular restrictions , by a rescript , which , as worthy of preservation 1 shall here translate from the Vienna Gazette of that time :
, " Whereas in all well-regulated states , nothing should , within a certaindescription , be permitted to subsist , without being confined to some particular rule and order , I have thought it necessary to enjoin what follows : The assemblies of men called Free Masons , of whose secret I am-as completely ignorant , as I . have at all times been averse from enquiring into their mysteries , are daily increasing even in the smallest towns : —Such left entirel
meetings , y to the discretion of their members , and subject to 110 land of direction , may occasion many excesses , equally injurious to religion and good morals ; as also induce the superiors , in consequence of a fanatical fellowship , to deviate from the strict path of rectitude , in regard to those who are their dependants , but not initiated into the mysteries of their order , and , in fine , occasion great and needless expences . Alreadhave other
y powers forbid all such assemblies ; already have the members been brought to exemplary punishments , because their secrets were not _ universally known . Although I myself-am very imperfedly in their confidence , it is enough for me to know that some good and benevolent ads have been performed by the masonic lodges , to provide in their favour better than hasbeen done in Other countries ; therefore , although to their constitution
I am a stranger , and to what is transacted at their meetings , these shall , nevertheless , be countenanced under the patronage of the State , as long as they shall do good ; therefore the assemblies of Free Masons shall enjoy a formal toleration , upon their submittino- to such regulations as shall be prescribed by me . " ° Under such circumstances , with the example of some other states before him , who had zeal without knowledge , the conduct of the emperor
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Noble Example Of Fidelity In A Free Mason Of Vienna.
NOBLE EXAMPLE OF FIDELITY IN A FREE MASON OF VIENNA .
TO THEPRINTER OF THE FREEMASONS' MAGAZINE .
SIR , TOWARD the latter end of the year 1785 , some of the States of . - &• Germany conceived unaccountable prejudices against the FREE MASONS ; and the Emperor himself was induced to subject the society to some very particular restrictions , by a rescript , which , as worthy of preservation 1 shall here translate from the Vienna Gazette of that time :
, " Whereas in all well-regulated states , nothing should , within a certaindescription , be permitted to subsist , without being confined to some particular rule and order , I have thought it necessary to enjoin what follows : The assemblies of men called Free Masons , of whose secret I am-as completely ignorant , as I . have at all times been averse from enquiring into their mysteries , are daily increasing even in the smallest towns : —Such left entirel
meetings , y to the discretion of their members , and subject to 110 land of direction , may occasion many excesses , equally injurious to religion and good morals ; as also induce the superiors , in consequence of a fanatical fellowship , to deviate from the strict path of rectitude , in regard to those who are their dependants , but not initiated into the mysteries of their order , and , in fine , occasion great and needless expences . Alreadhave other
y powers forbid all such assemblies ; already have the members been brought to exemplary punishments , because their secrets were not _ universally known . Although I myself-am very imperfedly in their confidence , it is enough for me to know that some good and benevolent ads have been performed by the masonic lodges , to provide in their favour better than hasbeen done in Other countries ; therefore , although to their constitution
I am a stranger , and to what is transacted at their meetings , these shall , nevertheless , be countenanced under the patronage of the State , as long as they shall do good ; therefore the assemblies of Free Masons shall enjoy a formal toleration , upon their submittino- to such regulations as shall be prescribed by me . " ° Under such circumstances , with the example of some other states before him , who had zeal without knowledge , the conduct of the emperor