Through the influence of the Brothers [he writes], the Jesuits have been removed from all professorships, and the University of Ingoldstadt has been quite cleansed of them....[557]
Thus the way is cleared for Weishaupt's adepts.
The Institute of Cadets also comes under the control of the Order:
All the professors are members of the Illuminati, ... so will all the pupils become disciples of Illuminism.[558]
Further:
We have provided our clerical members with good benefices, parishes, posts at Court.
Through our influence Arminius and Cortez have been made professors at Ephesus.
The German schools are quite under [the influence of] ⊙ and now only members have charge of them.
The charitable association is also directed by ⊙.
Soon we shall draw over to us the whole Bartholomew Institute for young clergymen; the preparations have already been made and the prospects are very good, by this means we shall be able to provide the whole of Bavaria with proper priests.[559]
But religion and Freemasonry are not the only means by which Illuminism can be spread.
We must consider [says Weishaupt], how we can begin to work under another form. If only the aim is achieved, it does not matter under what cover it takes place, and a cover is always necessary. For in concealment lies a great part of our strength. For this reason we must always cover ourselves with the name of another society. The lodges that are under Freemasonry are in the meantime the most suitable cloak for our high purpose, because the world is already accustomed to expect nothing great from them which merits attention.... As in the spiritual Orders of the Roman Church, religion was, alas! only a pretence, so must our Order also in a nobler way try to conceal itself behind a learned society or something of the kind.... A society concealed in this manner cannot be worked against. In case of a prosecution or of treason the superiors cannot be discovered.... We shall be shrouded in impenetrable darkness from spies and emissaries of other societies.[560]
In order to give a good appearance to the Order, Weishaupt particularly indicates the necessity for enlisting esteemed and "respectable" persons,[561] but above all young men whom he regards as the most likely subjects. "I cannot use men as they are," he observes, "but I must first form them."[562] Youth naturally lends itself best to this process. "Seek the society of young people," Weishaupt writes to Ajax, "watch them, and if one of them pleases you, lay your hand on him."[563] "Seek out young and already skilful people.... Our people must be engaging, enterprising, intriguing, and adroit. Above all the first."[564]
If possible they should also be good-looking--"beautiful people, cæteris paribus...."