Post by Tamrin on Oct 1, 2008 11:33:30 GMT 10
Although not a masonic reference the earliest reference to secret societies was the Decree XXXVII, columns 763-4, vol. 25 of the "Concilium Avenionense" of 1326, in which the Church attacks secret societies, describing them with such terms as: fraternal assistance, signs, tokens, obligations and election of Masters. [AQC Vol. 106, p. 41.]
The first attack on Freemasonry can be found in a London fly-sheet of 1698, addressed 'to all Godly people', which warned believers that membership of the Craft might endanger their salvation, 'For this devillish sect are Meeters in secret which swere against all without their Following. They are the Anti-Christ which was to come leading them from Fear of God. For how should they meet in secret places and with secret Signs taking care that none observe them to do the Work of God; are not these the Ways of Evil-dom?" [Early Masonic Pamphlets, ed. D. Knoop, G.P. Jones and D. Hamer. Manchester: 1945, p. 34.]
The first attack on Freemasonry can be found in a London fly-sheet of 1698, addressed 'to all Godly people', which warned believers that membership of the Craft might endanger their salvation, 'For this devillish sect are Meeters in secret which swere against all without their Following. They are the Anti-Christ which was to come leading them from Fear of God. For how should they meet in secret places and with secret Signs taking care that none observe them to do the Work of God; are not these the Ways of Evil-dom?" [Early Masonic Pamphlets, ed. D. Knoop, G.P. Jones and D. Hamer. Manchester: 1945, p. 34.]
