The Final Fate of the Masonic Order

...cloak of Lower German good-naturedness and straightforwardness, which not infrequently degenerated into coarseness, concealed a heart full of the most malicious intrigues, and finally was such a fanatical enthusiast for Naturalism A worldview that rejects supernatural or spiritual explanations, often equated with atheism or radical secularism by the Order’s critics. as could only be found. In addition to these qualities which so recommended him for Illuminatism The specific organizational system and doctrine of the Order of the Illuminati., Bode was also one of the discontented Knights of the Observance High-ranking members of the "Strict Observance," a branch of Masonry that claimed to be the successors of the Knights Templar., and—because his greedy speculation on stipends and high offices had been thwarted by the collapse of the Templar system—had already sought to vent his ill-humor by occasionally spreading rumors that the Jesuits The Society of Jesus; they were a common scapegoat in 18th-century conspiracy theories, often accused by Masons of trying to take over their lodges. had played a hand in it. What a magnificent acquisition, then, in every respect, was this proselyte for the Illuminati!

Bode’s first actions manifested in the relationship of Illuminatism toward Masonry. He exerted influence everywhere that Knigge was unable to reach. He faithfully fulfilled what he had promised the latter; for he brought it about that the Illuminati gained the upper hand in the new system they intended to establish at Wilhelmsbad The site of an international Masonic congress in 1782 where the future direction of European Freemasonry was decided., that Illuminati were appointed to the leadership positions, and that, in general, the lodges of the Strict Observance were fraternized with the Illuminati (*). This followed exactly the alternative plan of his recruiter Knigge, who intended to either subject Masonry to Illuminatism, and...

(*) Supplement p. 219.

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