of the German Union_, in order to rectify several mistakes and
injurious slanders and accusations, thinks it necessary that the
public itself should judge of their object and conduct."--Towards
the end it is said, "and all who have any doubts may apply to
those named below, and are invited to write to them." No names
however are subjoined. In the Appendix to the book it is only said,
"the agent of the German Union," &c. and "persons who wish to be
better informed may write to the agent, under the address, _To the
German Union_--under cover to the shop of Walther, bookseller in
Leipzig."--Here too there are no names, and it does not appear that
any person has chosen to come from behind the curtain[15].
[15] Walther is an eminent bookseller, and carries on the business
of publishing to a great extent, both at Leipzig and other places.
He was the publisher of the most virulent attacks on the King of
Prussia's Edict on Religion, and was brought into much trouble about
the Commentary by Pott which is mentioned above. He also publishes
many of the sceptical and licentious writings which have so much
disturbed the peace of Germany.
There has already been so much said about _Enlightening_, that the
reader must be almost tired of it. He is assured in this performance
that the Illumination proposed by the Union is not that of the
_Wolfenbuttle Fragments_, nor that of HORUS, nor that of _Bahrdt_.
The _Fragments_ and _Horus_ are books which aim directly, and
without any concealment, to destroy the authority of our Scriptures,
either as historical narrations or as revelations of the intentions
of providence and of the future prospects of man. The Theological
writings of _Bahrdt_ are gross perversions, both of the sense of
the text, and of the moral instructions contained in it, and are
perhaps the most exceptionable performances on the subject. They
are stigmatised as absurd, and coarse, and indecent, even by the
writers on the same side; yet the work recommended so often as
containing the elements of that Illumination which the world has to
expect from the Union, not only coincides in its general principles
with these performances, but is almost an abstract of some of
them, particularly of his _Popular Religion_, his _Paraphrase on
the Sermon on the Mount_, and his _Morality of Religion_. We have
also seen that the book on the Liberty of the Press is quoted and
recommended as an elementary book. Nay both the work on Instruction
and that on the Liberty of the Press are now known to be Bahrdt's.
But these principles, exceptionable as they may be, are probably
not the worst of the institution. We see that the _outside_ alone
of the Union is to be shewn to the public. Barthels felicitates the
public that there is no subordination and blind obedience to unknown
Superiors; yet, in the same paragraph, he tells us that there is
a secret plan of operations, that is known only to the Centre and
the Confidential Brethren. The author of _Fuller Information_ says
that he has this plan, and would print it, were he not restrained
by a promise[16]. He gives us enough however to show us that the
higher mysteries of the Union are precisely the same with those
of the Illuminati. Christianity is expressly said to have been a
Mystical Association, and its founder the Grand Master of a Lodge.
The Apostles, Peter, James, John, and Andrew, were the _Elect_, and
Brethren of the Third Degree, and initiated into all the mysteries.
The remaining Apostles were only of the Second Degree; and the
Seventy-two were of the First degree. Into this degree ordinary
Christians may be admitted, and prepared for further advancement.
The great mistery is, that J---- C---- was a _Naturalist_, and
taught the doctrine of a Supreme Mind, the Spectator, but not the
Governer of the World, pretty nearly in the sense of the Stoics.
The Initiated Brethren were to be instructed by reading proper
books. Those particularly recommended are _Basedow's Practical
Knowledge_, _Eberhard's Apology for Socrates_, _Bahrdt's Apology
for Reason_, _Steinbardt's System of Moral Education_, _Meiner's
Ancient Mysteries_, _Bahrdt's Letters on the Bible_, and _Bahrdt's
Completion of the Plan and Aim of J---- C----_. These books are of
the most Antichristian character, and some of them aim at shaking
off all moral obligation whatever.
[16] This I find to be false, and the book a common job.
Along with these religious doctrines, are inculcated the most
dangerous maxims of civil conduct. The despotism that is aimed
at over the minds of men, and the machinations and intrigues for
obtaining possession of places of trust and influence, are equally
alarming; but being perfectly similar to those of the Illuminati, it
is needless to mention them.
The chief intelligence that we get from this author is that the
CENTRE of the Union is at a house in the neighbourhood of Halle.
It is a sort of tavern, in a vineyard immediately without the city.
This was bought by Doctor KARL FRIEDERICH BAHRDT, and fitted up for
the amusement of the University Students. He calls it BAHRDT'S RUHE
(Bahrdt's Repose). The author thinks that this must have been the
work of the Association, because Bahrdt had not a farthing, and was
totally unable for such an undertaking. He may however have been the
contriver of the institution. He has never affirmed or denied this
in explicit terms; nor has he ever said who are the XXII coadjutors.
Wucherer, an eminent bookseller at Vienna, seems to have been one
of the most active hands, and in one year admitted near two hundred
members, among whom is his own shoemaker. He has published some of
the most profligate pamphlets which have yet appeared in Germany.
The publication of the list of members alarmed the nation; persons
were astonished to find themselves in every quarter in the midst
of villains who were plotting against the peace and happiness of
the country, and destroying every sentiment of religion, morality,
or loyalty. Many persons published in the newspapers and literary
journals affirmations and proofs of the false insertion of their
names. Some acknowledged that curiosity had made them enter the
Association, and even continue their correspondence with the Centre,
in order to learn something of what the Fraternity had in view, but
declared that they had never taken any part in its proceedings.
But, at the same time, it is certain that many Reading Societies
had been set up during these transactions, in every quarter of
Germany, and that the ostensible managers were in general of
very suspicious characters, both as to morals and loyalty. The
Union had actually set up a press of their own at Calbe, in the
neighbourhood of Halberstadt. Every day there appeared stronger
proofs of a combination of the Journalists, Reviewers, and even
of the publishers and booksellers, to suppress the writings which
appeared in defence of the civil and ecclesiastical constitutions
of the States of Germany. The extensive literary manufacture of
Germany is carried on in such a manner that it is impossible for any
thing less than the joint operation of the whole federated powers to
prevent this. The spirit of freethinking and innovating in religious
matters had been remarkably prevalent in the dominions of the King
of Prussia, having been much encouraged by the indifference of the
late King. One of the vilest things published on this occasion
was an abominable farce, called the Religion Edict. This was
traced to Bahrdt's Ruhe, and the Doctor was arrested, and all his
papers seized and ransacked. The civil Magistrate was glad of an
opportunity of expiscating the German Union, which common fame had
also traced hither. The correspondence was accordingly examined,
and many discoveries were made, which there was no occasion to
communicate to the public, and the prosecution of the business of
the Union was by this means stopped. But the persons in high office
at Berlin agree in saying that the Association of writers and other
turbulent persons in Germany has been but very faintly hit by this
blow, and is almost as active as ever.
The German Union appears a mean and precipitate Association. The
Centre, the Archives, and the Secretary are contemptible. All the
Archives that were found were the plans and lists of the members and
a parcel of letters of correspondence. The correspondence and other
business was managed by an old man in some very inferior office or
judicatory, who lived at bed and board in Bahrdt's house for about
six shillings a week, having a chest of papers and a writing-desk in
the corner of the common room of the house.
Bahrdt gives a long narration of his concern in she affair, but we
can put little confidence in what he says: yet as we have no better
authority, I shall give a very short abstract of it, as follows:
He said, that he learned Cosmo-political Free Masonry in England,
when he was there getting pupils for his academy--but neglected it
on his return to Germany. Some time after his settlement he was
roused by a visit from a stranger who passed for an Englishman,
but whom he afterwards found to be a Dutch officer--(he gives a
description which bears considerable resemblance to the Prince
or General Salms who gave so much disturbance to the States
General)--He was still more excited by an anonymous letter giving
him an account of a Society which was employed in the instruction
of mankind, and a plan of their mode of operations, nearly the same
with that of No. III. He then set up a Lodge of Free Masonry on
Cosmo-political principles, as a preparation for engaging in this
great plan--he was stopped by the National Lodge, because he had
no patent from it.--This obliged him to work in secret.--He met
with a gentleman in a coffee-house, who entreated him to go on, and
promised him great assistance--this he got from time to time, as he
stood most in need of it, and he now found that he was working in
concert with many powerful though unknown friends, each in his own
circle. The plan of operation of the XXII. was gradually unfolded
to him, and he got solemn promises of being made acquainted with
his colleagues. But he now found, that after he had so essentially
served their noble cause, he was dropped by them in the hour of
danger, and thus was made the sacrifice for the public good. The
last packet which he received was a request from a _Friend to the
Union_ to print two performances sent him, with a promise of 100
dahlers for his trouble. These were the abominable farce called the
Religion Edict, and some Dissertations on that Royal Proclamation.
He then gives an account of his system of Free Masonry, not
very different from Weishaupt's Masonic Christianity--and
concludes with the following abstract of the advantages of the
Union--Advancement of Science--A general interest and concern for
Arts and Learning--Excitement of Talents--Check of Scribbling--Good
Education--Liberty--Equality--Hospitality--Delivery of many from
Misfortunes--Union of the Learned--and at last--perhaps--Amen.
What the meaning of this enigmatical conclusion is we can only
guess--and our conjectures cannot be very favourable.
The narration, of which this is a very short index, is abundantly
entertaining; but the opinion of the most intelligent is, that it is
in a great measure fictitious, and that the contrivance of the Union
is mostly his own. Although it could not be legally proved that he
was the author of the farce, every person in court was convinced
that he was, and indeed it is perfectly in Bahrdt's very singular
manner. This invalidates the whole of his story--and he afterwards
acknowledges the farce (at least by implication) in several
writings, and boasts of it.
For these reasons I have omitted the narration in detail. Some
information, however, which I have received since, seems to confirm
his account, while it diminishes its importance. I now find that the
book called _Fuller Information_ is the performance of a clergyman
called _Schutz_, of the lowest class, and by no means of an eminent
character.--Another performance in the form of a dialogue between
X, Y, and Z, giving nearly the same account, is by Pott, the dear
friend of Bahrdt and of his Union, and author of the Commentary on
the Edict. Schutz got his materials from one Roper, an expelled
student of debauched morals, who subsisted by copying and vending
filthy manuscripts. Bahrdt says, that he found him naked and
starving, and, out of pity, took him into his house, and employed
him as an amanuensis. Roper stole the papers at various times,
taking them with him to Leipzig, whither he went on pretence of
sickness. At last Schutz and he went to Berlin together, and gave
the information on which Bahrdt was put in prison. In short they all
appear to have been equally profligates and traitors to each other,
and exhibit a dreadful, but I hope a useful picture of the influence
of this Illumination which so wonderfully fascinates Germany.
This is all the direct information that I can pick up of the founder
and the proceedings of the German Union. The project is coarse, and
palpably mean, aiming at the dahlers of entry-money and of annual
contribution, and at the publication and profitable sale of Dr.
Bahrdt's books. This circumstance gives it strong features of its
parentage--Philo speaks of Bahrdt in his _Final Declaration_ in
terms of contempt and abhorence. There is nothing ingenious, nothing
new, nothing enticing, in the plans; and the immediate purpose of
indulging the licentious taste of the public comes so frequently
before the eye, that it bears all the marks of that grossness of
mind, precipitancy, and impatient oversight that are to be found
in all the voluminous writings of Dr. Bahrdt. Many in Germany,
however, ascribe the Union to Weishaupt, and say that it is the
Illuminati working in another form. There is no denying that the
principles, and even the manner of proceeding, are the same in
every essential circumstance. Many paragraphs of the declamations
circulated through Germany with the plans, are transcribed verbatim
from Weishaupt's _Corrected system of Illuminatism_. Much of the
work _On Instruction, and the Means for promoting it_, is very
nearly a copy of the same work, blended with slovenly extracts from
some of his own writings--There is the same series of delusions from
the beginning, as in Illuminatism--Free Masonry and Christianity
are compounded--first with marks of respect--then Christianity is
twisted to a purpose foreign from it, but the same with that aimed
at by Weishaupt--then it is thrown away altogether, and Natural
Religion and Atheism substituted for it--For no person will have
a moment's hesitation in saying, that this is the creed of the
author of the books _On Instruction_ and _On the Liberty of the
Press_. Nor can he doubt that the political principles are equally
anarchical with those of the Illuminati.--The endeavours also to get
possession of public offices--of places of education--of the public
mind, by the Reading Societies, and by publications--are so many
transcripts from the Illuminati. Add to this, that Dr. Bahrdt was an
_Illuminatus_--and wrote the _Better than Horus_, at the command of
Weishaupt. Nay, it is well known that Weishaupt was twice or thrice
at Bahrdt's Ruhe during those transactions, and that he zealously
promoted the formation of Reading Societies in several places.--But
I am rather of the opinion that Weishaupt made those visits in order
to keep Dr. Bahrdt within some bounds of decency, and to hinder
him from hurting the cause by his precipitancy, when spurred on by
the want of money. Weishaupt could not work in such an unskilful
manner. But he would be very glad of such help as this coarse
tool could give him--and Bahrdt gave great help; for, when he was
imprisoned and his papers seized, his Archives, as he called them,
shewed that there were many Reading Societies which his project had
drawn together. The Prussian States had above thirty, and the number
of readers was astonishingly great--and it was found, that the
pernicious books had really found their way into every hut. Bahrdt,
by descending a story lower than Weishaupt, has greatly increased
the number of his pupils.
But, although I cannot consider the German Union as a formal revival
of the Order under another name, I must hold those _United_, and the
members of those Reading Societies, as _Illuminati_ and _Minervals_.
I must even consider the Union as a part of Spartacus' work.
The plans of Weishaupt were partly carried into effect in their
different branches--they were pointed out, and the way to carry
them on are distinctly described in the private correspondence of
the Order--It required little genius to attempt them in imitation.
Bahrdt made the attempt, and in part succeeded. Weishaupt's hopes
were well founded--The leaven was not only distributed, but the
management of the fermentation was now understood, and it went on
apace.
It is to be remarked, that nothing was found among Bahrdt's
papers to support the story he writes in his diary--no such
correspondences--but enough for detecting many of these Societies.
Many others however were found unconnected with Bahrdt's Ruhe, not
of better character, either as to Morality or Loyalty, and some of
them considerable and expensive; and many proofs were found of a
combination to force the public to a certain way of thinking, by the
management of the Reviews and Journals. The extensive dealings of
Nicholai of Berlin gave him great weight in the book-making trade,
which in Germany surpasses all our conceptions. The catalogues of
_new_ writings in sheets, which are printed twice a-year for each
of the fairs at Leipzig and Frankfort, would astonish a British
reader by the number. The booksellers meet there, and at one glance
see the whole republic of literature, and, like Roman senators,
decide the sentiments of distant provinces. By thus seeing the whole
together, their speculations are national, and they really have it
in their power to give what turn they please to the literature and
to the sentiments of Germany. Still however they must be induced by
motives. The motive of a merchant is gain, and every object appears
in his eye something by which money may be made. Therefore in a
luxurious and voluptuous nation, licentious and free-thinking books
will abound. The writers suggest and the booksellers think how the
thing will tickle. Yet it must not be inferred, from the prevalence
of such books, that such is the common sense of mankind, and that
the writings are not the corrupters, but the corrupted, or that they
are what they ought to be, because they please the public. We need
only push the matter to an extremity, and its cause appears plain.
Filthy prints will always create a greater crowd before the shop
window than the finest performances of Wollett. Licentious books
will be read with a fluttering eagerness, as long as they are not
universally permitted; and pitiable will be the state of the nation
when their number makes them familiar and no longer captivating.
But although it must be confessed that great encouragement was
given to the sceptical, infidel, and licentious writings in
Germany, we see that it was still necessary to practise seduction.
The _Religionist_ was made to expect some engaging exhibition of
his faith. The _Citizen_ must be told that his civil connections
are respected, and will be improved; and _all_ are told that good
manners or virtue is to be supported. Man is supposed to be, in
very essential circumstances, what he wishes to be, and feels he
ought to be: and he is corrupted by means of falsehood and trick.
The principles by which he is wheedled into wickedness in the first
instance, are therefore such as are really addressed to the general
sentiments of mankind: these therefore should be considered as more
expressive of the public mind than those which he afterwards adopts,
after this artificial education. Therefore Virtue, Patriotism,
Loyalty, Veneration for true and undefiled Religion, are really
acknowledged by those corrupters to be the _prevailing_ sentiments;
and they are good if this prevalence is to be the test of worth. The
mind that is otherwise affected by them, and hypocritically uses
them in order to get hold of the uninitiated, that he may in time
be made to cherish the contrary sentiments, cannot be a good mind,
notwithstanding any pretensions it may make to the love of mankind.
No man, not Weishaupt himself, has made stronger professions of
benevolence, of regard for the happiness of mankind, and of every
thing that is amiable, than Dr. Bahrdt. It may not be useless to
enquire what effect such principles have had on his own mind,
and those of his chief coadjutors. Deceit of every kind is
dishonourable; and the deceit that is professedly employed in the
proceedings of the Union is no exception. No pious fraud _whatever_
must be used, and pure religion must be presented to the view
without all disguise.
"The more fair Virtue's seen, the more she charms.
Safe, plain, and easy, are her artless ways.
With face erect, her eyes look strait before;
For dauntless is her march, her step secure.
Not so, pale Fraud--now here she turns, now there,
Still seeking darker shades, secure in none,
Looks often back, and wheeling round and round,
Sinks headlong in the danger she would shun."
The mean motive of the Protestant Sceptic is as inconsistent with
our notions of honesty as with our notions of honour; and our
suspicions are justly raised of the character of Dr. Bahrdt and
his associates, even although we do not suppose that their aim is
the total abolishing of religion. With propriety therefore may we
make some enquiry about their lives and conduct. Fortunately this
is easy in the present instance. A man that has turned every eye
upon himself can hardly escape observation. But it is not so easy
to get fair information. The peculiar situation of Dr. Bahrdt, and
the cause between him and the public, are of all others the most
productive of mistake, misrepresentation, obloquy, and injustice.
But even here we are fortunate. Many remarkable parts of his life
are established by the most respectable testimony, or by judicial
evidences; and, to make all sure, he has written his own life. I
shall insert nothing here that is not made out by the two last modes
of proof, resting nothing on the first, however respectable the
evidence may be. But I must observe, that his life was also written
by his dear friend Pott, the partner of Walther the bookseller. The
story of this publication is curious, and it is instructive.