"Such an oath creates a state within a state—especially when conspirators multiply their numbers at will, reaching thousands or even hundreds of thousands." Available in English for the first time, this landmark text of the German Enlightenment offers a rare glimpse into the intellectual landscape of 1788. Written by Christoph Martin Wieland, a prominent Freemason of his era, the work sheds light on secret societies, moral dilemmas, and the fragile ideals of the Enlightenment—just on the eve of the French Revolution. Both prophetic and politically relevant, it remains a crucial document for understanding the past and present.