The Revealed Influence of True Freemasonry on the General Welfare of States

one; so I will, for the sake of better clarity and order, consider our praiseworthy ultimate purpose in the following manner, and immediately prove that our intention actually consists of this:

I therefore turn, without further ado, to the matter itself.

Point I.

To attain wisdom, art original: Kunst; in Masonic literature, this often refers to the "Royal Art" or the specific skills and secret knowledge of the craft., and virtue is thus the first goal for which a true Freemason must strive. But what kind of wisdom do they think we should be concerned with possessing? Perhaps that which is commonly found among the children of the world A common 18th-century expression for those focused on secular, material success rather than spiritual growth., which teaches one to strive for power and wealth, to boast before other men, to hate virtue and love vice, to seek splendor and honor, and for the Lord's sake to endure no shame or persecution? Consequently, serving the world, the flesh, and the devil—that is, Mammon Mammon: A biblical term personifying wealth or greed as an evil influence. and Belial Belial: A Hebrew term used in the Bible to personify wickedness or the devil.—more than God, and valuing them higher than Christ. No! This is not the wisdom for which we strive, which we seek, which we teach, which we endeavor to attain, and in which we glory; rather, it is that which makes us children of God and secures our heavenly inheritance. In short! That which the wisest among the ki-