Part 19 (2/2)

If he is, however, a particularly industrious co-ordinator [_Sammler_], observer, worker, he becomes a Priest.... If there are amongst these [Priests] high speculative intellects, they become Magi. These collect and put in order the higher philosophical system and work at the People's Religion, which the Order will next give to the world. Should these high geniuses also be fit to rule the world, they become Regents. This is the last degree.[553]

Philo (the Baron von Knigge) also throws an interesting light on the religious designs of the Illuminati. In a letter to Cato he explains the necessity of devising a system that will satisfy fanatics and freethinkers alike: ”So as to work on both these cla.s.ses of men and unite them, we must find an explanation to the Christian religion ...

make this the secret of Freemasonry and turn it to our purpose.”[554]

Philo continues:

We say then: Jesus wished to introduce no new religion, but only to restore natural religion and reason to their old rights. Thereby he wished to unite men in a great universal a.s.sociation, and through the spread of a wiser morality, enlightenment, and the combating of all prejudices to make them capable of governing themselves; so the secret meaning of his teaching was to lead men without revolution to universal liberty and equality. There are many pa.s.sages in the Bible which can be made use of and explained, and so all quarrelling between the sects ceases if one can find a reasonable meaning in the teaching of Jesus--be it true or not. As, however, this simple religion was afterwards distorted, so were these teachings imparted to us through Disciplinam Arcani and finally through Freemasonry, and all masonic hieroglyphics can be explained with this object. Spartacus has collected very good data for this and I have myself added to them, ... and so I have got both degrees ready....

Now therefore that people see that we are the only real and true Christians, we can say a word more against priests and princes, but I have so managed that after previous tests I can receive pontiffs and kings in this degree. In the higher Mysteries we must then (_a_) disclose the pious fraud and (_b_) reveal from all writings the origin of all religious lies and their connexion....[555]

So admirably did this ruse succeed that we find Spartacus writing triumphantly:

You cannot imagine what consideration and sensation our Priest's degree is arousing. The most wonderful thing is that great Protestant and reformed theologians who belong to ? [Illuminism]

still believe that the religious teaching imparted in it contains the true and genuine spirit of the Christian religion. Oh! men, of what cannot you be persuaded? I never thought that I should become the founder of a new religion.[556]

It is on the ”illuminized” clergy and professors that Weishaupt counts princ.i.p.ally for the work of the Order.

Through the influence of the Brothers [he writes], the Jesuits have been removed from all professors.h.i.+ps, and the University of Ingoldstadt has been quite cleansed of them....[557]

Thus the way is cleared for Weishaupt's adepts.

The Inst.i.tute of Cadets also comes under the control of the Order:

All the professors are members of the Illuminati, ... so will all the pupils become disciples of Illuminism.[558]

Further:

We have provided our clerical members with good benefices, parishes, posts at Court.

Through our influence Arminius and Cortez have been made professors at Ephesus.

The German schools are quite under [the influence of] ? and now only members have charge of them.

The charitable a.s.sociation is also directed by ?.

Soon we shall draw over to us the whole Bartholomew Inst.i.tute for young clergymen; the preparations have already been made and the prospects are very good, by this means we shall be able to provide the whole of Bavaria with proper priests.[559]

But religion and Freemasonry are not the only means by which Illuminism can be spread.

We must consider [says Weishaupt], how we can begin to work under another form. If only the aim is achieved, it does not matter under what cover it takes place, and a cover is always necessary. For in concealment lies a great part of our strength. For this reason we must always cover ourselves with the name of another society. The lodges that are under Freemasonry are in the meantime the most suitable cloak for our high purpose, because the world is already accustomed to expect nothing great from them which merits attention.... As in the spiritual Orders of the Roman Church, religion was, alas! only a pretence, so must our Order also in a n.o.bler way try to conceal itself behind a learned society or something of the kind.... A society concealed in this manner cannot be worked against. In case of a prosecution or of treason the superiors cannot be discovered.... We shall be shrouded in impenetrable darkness from spies and emissaries of other societies.[560]

In order to give a good appearance to the Order, Weishaupt particularly indicates the necessity for enlisting esteemed and ”respectable”

persons,[561] but above all young men whom he regards as the most likely subjects. ”I cannot use men as they are,” he observes, ”but I must first form them.”[562] Youth naturally lends itself best to this process.

”Seek the society of young people,” Weishaupt writes to Ajax, ”watch them, and if one of them pleases you, lay your hand on him.”[563] ”Seek out young and already skilful people.... Our people must be engaging, enterprising, intriguing, and adroit. Above all the first.”[564]

If possible they should also be good-looking--”beautiful people, _caeteris paribus_....”

<script>