n described it,
a conspiracy against crowned heads; and that it is at the present time
the most potent, most secret enemy which checkmates and hinders herself.

It is now further affirmed that behind the Masonry of to-day--here in
England posing as a benefit society, and political or not upon the
Continent, but everywhere disclaiming any connection with a religious
propaganda--there is affirmed to be another Masonry, of which the
ordinary Mason knows nothing, secretly directing the order, and devoted
to the cultus of Lucifer. This organisation, which has sprung up within
recent years, is largely, though not exclusively, recruited from
Masonry; it works through the powerful Masonic apparatus, and, according
to the evidence which has been put in, it has obtained a substantial and
masterful control over the entire Fraternity. It has focussed the raw
material of Masonic hostility towards the Catholic Church; as it is
anti-Christian in religion, so is it revolutionary in politics; and once
more, it is called the Palladian Order.

This exceedingly grave and important accusation, together with its side
issues, has perhaps all the more claim on our consideration because,
apart from actual diabolism, which is in itself so paralysing as almost
to arrest discussion, it conflicts with all that we know or believe
concerning the Masonic constitution. Let me briefly collect the points.
(a) Masonry possesses a secret directing centre--which has been
strenuously denied by the Fraternity. (b) It has a religious mission and
a doctrinal propaganda--which has also been invariably denied. (c) It is
concerned with political objects--which, for the most part, is denied.
(d) It has a transcendental teaching--which is generally denied, and (e)
is concerned largely with transcendental practices and phenomena--which
would be denied absolutely, had the question been seriously raised till
this day. (f) It initiates women--which, except in a very secondary,
occasional, and insignificant manner, is _in toto_ and at all times
denied. The last point is brought within the scope of our inquiry
because the Palladium is an androgyne order.

Now, it will be fairly well known to many who are not within the ranks
of the fraternity that the Grand Lodges of every country are supposed to
be autonomous, and that there has been no previous impeachment of this
fact; that, ostensibly at least, there is no central institution to
which they are answerable in Masonry.