HPB-IU v.2 ch.8: Difference between revisions

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tles—at least, those who are said to have produced “miracles” ''at will''{{Footnote mark|*|fn1651}}—had to be acquainted with this science. It ill-behooves a Christian to look with horror or derision upon “magic” gems, amulets, and other talismans against the “evil eye,” which serve as charms to exercise a mysterious influence, either on the possessor, or the person whom the magician desires to control. There are still extant a number of such charmed amulets in public and private collections of antiquities. Illustrations of convex gems, with mysterious legends—the meaning of which baffles all scientific inquiry—are given by many collectors. King shows several such in his {{Style S-Italic|Gnostics,}} and he describes a white carnelian (chalcedony), covered on both sides with interminable legends, to interpret which would ever prove a failure; yes, in every case, perhaps, but that of a Hermetic student or an adept. But we refer the reader to his interesting work, and the talismans described in his plates, to show that even the “Seer of Patmos” himself was well-versed in this kabalistic science of talismans and gems. St. John clearly alludes to the potent “white carnelian”—a gem well-known among adepts, as the “{{Style S-Italic|alba petra}},” or the stone of initiation, on which the word {{Style S-Italic|“prize”}} is generally found engraved, as it was given to the candidate who had successfully passed through all the preliminary trials of a neophyte. The fact is, that no less than the {{Style S-Italic|Book of Job}}, the whole {{Style S-Italic|Revelation}}, is simply an allegorical narrative of the Mysteries and initiation therein of a candidate, who is John himself. No high Mason, well versed in the different degrees, can fail to see it. The numbers {{Style S-Italic|seven}}, {{Style S-Italic|twelve}}, and others are all so many lights thrown over the obscurity of the work. Paracelsus maintained the same some centuries ago. And when we find the “one like unto the Son of man” saying (chap. ii. 17): “{{Style S-Italic|To him that overcometh}}, will I give to eat of the {{Style S-Italic|hidden manna}}, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written”—the word—which {{Style S-Italic|no man knoweth}} saving {{Style S-Italic|he that receiveth it}}, what Master Mason can doubt but it refers to the last head-line of this chapter?

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tity of meaning and purpose with those to be met with in the {{Style S-Italic|Vedas,}} the later works of the Brahmans, and the {{Style S-Italic|Kabala?}}

Magicians, Kabalists, Mystics, Neo-platonists and Theurgists of Alexandria, who so surpassed the Christians in their achievements in the secret science; Brahmans or Samaneans (Shamans) of old; and modern Brahmans, Buddhists, and Lamaists, have all claimed that a certain power attaches to these various names, pertaining to one ineffable Word. We have shown from personal experience how deeply the belief is rooted to this day in the popular mind all over Russia,^{[#fn1697 1697]} that the Word works “miracles” and is at the bottom of every magical feat. Kabalists mysteriously connect {{Style S-Italic|Faith}} with it. So did the apostles, basing their assertions on the words of Jesus, who is made to say: “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed . . . nothing shall be impossible unto you,” and Paul, repeating the words of Moses, tells that “the word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart; that is, the {{Style S-Italic|word of faith”}} ({{Style S-Italic|Romans}} x. 8). But who, except the initiates, can boast of comprehending its full significance?

[#fn1697anc 1697]. See Chap. I., pp. 42, 43, note, of this volume.

371 JESUITS DISGUISED AS TALAPOINS.

have often found themselves in such straits as to be forced to adopt the forlorn alternative of laying the whole on the back of the Devil. And so belittled do the Jesuits feel themselves in the presence of these genuine servants of God, that with an unparalleled cunning, they concluded to act in the case of the Talapoins and Buddhists as Mahomet is said to have acted with the mountain. “And seeing that it would not move toward him, the Prophet moved himself toward the mountain.” Finding that they could not catch the Siamese with the birdlime of their pernicious doctrines in Christian garb, they disguised themselves, and for centuries appeared among the poor, ignorant people as Talapoins, until exposed. They have even voted and adopted a resolution forthwith, which has now all the force of an ancient article of faith. “Naaman, the Syrian,” say the Jesuits of Caen, “did not dissemble his faith when he bowed the knee with the king in the house of Rimmon; {{Style S-Italic|neither do the Fathers of the Society of Jesus dissemble, when they adopt the institute and the habit of the Talapoins of Siam”}} (nec dissimulant Patres S. J. Talapoinorum Siamensium institutum vestemque affectantes.—{{Style S-Italic|Position}} 9, 30 Jan., 1693).

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leaving a few {{Style S-Italic|chosen}} brethren entirely out of question. The frantic denunciations of the Craft by Catholic and Protestant writers appear simply ridiculous, as also the affirmation of the Abbé Barruel that everything “betrays our Freemasons as the descendants of those proscribed Knights” Templars of 1314. The {{Style S-Italic|Memoirs of Jacobinism}} by this Abbé, an eye-witness to the horrors of the first Revolution, is devoted in great measure to the Rosicrucians and other Masonic fraternities. The fact alone that he traces the modern Masons to the Templars, and points them out as secret assassins, trained to political murder, shows how little he knew of them, but how ardently he desired, at the same time, to find in these societies convenient scape-goats for the crimes and sins of another secret society which, since its existence, has harbored more than one dangerous political assassin—the Society of Jesus.

The accusations against Masons have been mostly half guess-work, half-unquenchable malice and predetermined vilification. Nothing conclusive and certain of a criminal character has been directly proven against them. Even their abduction of Morgan has remained a matter of conjecture. The case was used at the time as a political convenience by huckstering politicians. When an unrecognizable corpse was found in Niagara River, one of the chiefs of this unscrupulous class, being informed that the identity was exceedingly questionable, unguardedly exposed the whole plot by saying: “Well, no matter, {{Style S-Italic|he’s a good enough Morgan until after the election!”}} On the other hand, we find the Order of the Jesuits not only permitting, in certain cases, but actually {{Style S-Italic|teaching and inciting to}} “{{Style S-Italic|High treason and Regicide.”^{[#fn1698 1698]}}}

[#fn1698anc 1698]. See “The Principles of the Jesuits, Developed in a Collection of Extracts from their own Authors,” London: J. G. and F. Rivington, St. Paul’s Churchyard, and Waterloo Place, Pall Mall; H. Wix, 41 New Bridge Street, Blackfriars; J. Leslie, Queen Street, etc., 1839. Section xvii., “High Treason and Regicide,” containing thirty-four extracts from the same number of authorities (of the Society of Jesus) upon the question, among others the opinion thereof of the famous {{Style S-Italic|Robert Bellarmine.}} So Emmanuel Sa says: “The rebellion of an ecclesiastic against a king, {{Style S-Italic|is not a crime of high treason, because he is not subject to the king”}} (“Confessarium Aphorismi Verbo Clericus,” Ed. Coloniæ, 1615, Ed. Coll. Sion). “{{Style S-Italic|The people,”}} says John Bridgewater, “{{Style S-Italic|are not only permitted, but they are required and their duty demands,}} that at the mandate of the Vicar of Christ, {{Style S-Italic|who is the sovereign pastor over all nations of the earth,}} the faith which they had previously made with such princes should not be kept” (“Concertatio Ecclesiae Catholicæ in Anglia adversus Calvino Papistas,” Resp. fol. 348).

373 JESUIT FATHER MARIANA APPROVES POISONING.

A series of {{Style S-Italic|Lectures}} upon Freemasonry and its dangers, as delivered in 1862, by James Burton Robertson, Professor of Modern History in the Dublin University, are lying before us. In them the lecturer quotes profusely as his authorities the said Abbé (Barruel, a natural enemy of the Masons, {{Style S-Italic|who cannot be caught at the confessional),}} and Robison, a well-known apostate-Mason of 1798. As usual with every party, whether belonging to the Masonic or anti-Masonic side, the traitor from the opposing camp is welcomed with praise and encouragement, and great care is taken to whitewash him. However convenient for certain political reasons the celebrated Committee of the Anti-Masonic Convention of 1830 (U. S. of America) may have found it to adopt this most Jesuitical proposition of Puffendorf that “oaths oblige not when they are absurd and impertinent,” and that other which teaches that “an oath obliges not if God does not accept it,”^{[#fn1699 1699]} yet no truly honest man would accept such sophistry. We sincerely believe that the better portion of humanity will ever bear in mind that there exists a moral code of honor far more binding than an oath, whether on the {{Style S-Italic|Bible}}, {{Style S-Italic|Koran}}, or {{Style S-Italic|Veda}}. The Essenes never swore on anything at all, but their “ayes” and “nays” were as good and far better than an oath. Besides, it seems surpassingly strange to find nations that call themselves Christian instituting customs in civil and ecclesiastical courts diametrically opposed to the command of their God,^{[#fn1700 1700]} who distinctly forbids any swearing at all, “neither by heaven . . .

[#fn1699anc 1699]. {{Style S-Italic|Puffendorf: “Droit de la Nat.,” book iv., ch. 1.}}

[#fn1700anc 1700]. {{Style S-Italic|“Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, thou shalt not forswear thyself. . . . But I say unto you, swear not at all,” etc. “But let your communication be yea, yea; nay, nay; for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil” (Matthew v. 33, 34, 37).}}

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nor by the earth . . . nor by the head.” It seems to us that to maintain that “an oath obliges not if God does not accept it,” besides being an absurdity—as no man living, whether he be fallible or infallible, can learn anything of God’s secret thoughts—is {{Style S-Italic|anti-Christian}} in the full sense of the word.^{[#fn1701 1701]} The argument is brought forward only because it is convenient and answers the object. Oaths will never be binding till each man will fully understand that humanity is the highest manifestation on earth of the Unseen Supreme Deity, and each man an incarnation of his God; and when the sense of {{Style S-Italic|personal}} responsibility will be so developed in him that he will consider forswearing the greatest possible insult to himself, as well as to humanity. No oath is now binding, unless taken by one who, without any oath at all, would solemnly keep his simple promise of honor. Therefore, to bring forward as authorities such men as Barruel or Robison is simply obtaining the public confidence under false pretenses. It is not the “spirit of {{Style S-Italic|Masonic malice}} whose heart coins slanders like a mint,” but far more that of the Catholic clergy and their champions; and a man who would reconcile the two ideas of honor and perjury, in any case whatever, is not to be trusted himself.

Loud is the claim of the nineteenth century to preëminence in civilization over the ancients, and still more clamorous that of the churches and their sycophants that Christianity has redeemed the world from barbarism and idolatry. How little both are warranted, we have tried to prove in these two volumes. The light of Christianity has only served to show how much more hypocrisy and vice its teachings have begotten in the world since its advent, and how immensely superior were the ancients over us in every point of honor.^{[#fn1702 1702]} The clergy, by teaching the helplessness of man, his utter dependence on Providence, and the doctrine of atonement, have crushed in their faithful followers every atom of self-reliance and self-respect. So true is this, that it is becoming an axiom that the most honorable men are to be found among atheists and the so-called “infidels.” We hear from Hipparchus that in the days of {{Style S-Italic|heathenism}} “the shame and disgrace that justly attended the violation of his oath threw the poor wretch into a fit of madness and despair, so that he cut his throat and perished by his own hands, and his memory was so abhorred after his death that his body lay upon the shore of the island of Samos, and had no other burial than the sands of the sea.”^{[#fn1703 1703]} But in our own

[#fn1701anc 1701]. Barbeyrac, in his notes on Puffendorf, shows that the Peruvians used no oath, but a simple averment before the Inca, and were never found perjuring themselves.

[#fn1702anc 1702]. We beg the reader to remember that we do not mean by Christianity the {{Style S-Italic|teachings of Christ,}} but those of his alleged servants—the clergy.

[#fn1703anc 1703]. Dr. Anderson’s “Defence,” quoted by John Yarker in his “Notes on the Scientific and Religious Mysteries of Antiquity.”

375 DOES FREEMASONRY INHERIT THE SECRET WISDOM?

century we find ninety-six delegates to the United States Anti-Masonic Convention, every one doubtless a member of some Protestant Church, and claiming the respect due to men of honor and gentlemen, offering the most Jesuitical arguments against the validity of a Masonic oath. The Committee, pretending to quote the authority of “the most distinguished guides in the philosophy of morals, and claiming the most ample support of {{Style S-Italic|the inspired^{[#fn1704 1704]}}} . . . who wrote before Freemasonry existed,” resolved that, as an oath was “a transaction between man on one part and the Almighty Judge on the other,” and the Masons were all infidels and “unfit for civil trust,” therefore their oaths had to be considered illegal and not binding.^{[#fn1705 1705]}

[#fn1704anc 1704]. Epiphanius included, we must think, after that, in violation of his oath, he had sent over seventy persons into exile, who belonged to the secret society he betrayed.

[#fn1705anc 1705]. United States Anti-Masonic Convention: “Obligation of Masonic Oaths,” speech delivered by Mr. Hopkins, of New York.

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from the words of one of its highest authorities. John Yarker, Junior, of England; Past Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Greece; Grand Master of the Rite of Swedenborg; also Grand Master of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Masonry, and Heaven only knows what else,^{[#fn1706 1706]} says that Masonry could lose nothing by “the adoption of a higher (not pecuniary) standard of membership and morality, with exclusion from the ‘purple’ of all who {{Style S-Italic|inculcate frauds, sham, historical degrees, and other immoral abuses”}} (page 158). And again, on page 157: “As the Masonic Fraternity is now governed, the Craft is fast becoming the paradise of the {{Style S-Italic|bon vivant;}} of the ‘charitable’ hypocrite, who forgets the version of St. Paul, and decorates his breast with the ‘charity jewel’ (having by this judicious expenditure obtained the ‘purple’ he metes out judgment to other brethren of greater ability and morality but less means); the manufacturer of paltry Masonic tinsel; the rascally merchant who swindles in hundreds, and even thousands, by appealing to the tender consciences of those few who do regard their O. B.’s; and the Masonic ‘Emperors’ and other charlatans who make power or money out of the aristocratic pretensions which they have tacked on to our institution—{{Style S-Italic|ad captandum vulgus.”}}

We have no wish to make a pretence of exposing secrets long since hawked about the world by perjured Masons. Everything vital, whether in symbolical representations, rites, or passwords, as used in modern Freemasonry, is known in the Eastern fraternities; though there seems to be no intercourse or connection between them. If Medea is described by Ovid as having “arm, breast, and knee made bare, left foot slipshod;” and Virgil, speaking of Dido, shows this “Queen herself . . . now resolute on death, having one foot bare, etc.,”^{[#fn1707 1707]} why doubt that there are in the East {{Style S-Italic|real}} “Patriarchs of the sacred Vedas,” explaining the esotericism of pure Hindu theology and Brahmanism quite as thoroughly as European “Patriarchs”?

[#fn1706anc 1706]. John Yarker, Junr.: “Notes on the Scientific and Religious Mysteries of Antiquity; the Gnosis and Secret Schools of the Middle Ages; Modern Rosicrucianism; and the various Rites and Degrees of Free and Accepted Masonry.” London, 1872.

[#fn1707anc 1707]. Ibid., p. 151.

377 IS MASONRY JEHOVISTIC OR PAGAN?

as it seems to us. It is especially valuable at this moment, since it corroborates, in many particulars, what we have said in this work. Thus, we read in it the following:

“We think we have sufficiently established the fact of the connection of Freemasonry with other speculative rites of antiquity, as well as the antiquity and purity of the old English Templar-Rite of {{Style S-Italic|seven degrees,}} and the spurious derivation of many of the other rites therefrom.”^{[#fn1708 1708]}

This confession does not sound like the rejection of a personal God. Could we have had the slightest doubt upon the subject, it would be thoroughly dispelled by the words of General Albert Pike,^{[#fn1709 1709]} perhaps the greatest authority of the day, among American Masons, who raises himself most violently against this innovation. We cannot do better than quote his words:

[#fn1708anc 1708]. John Yarker: “Notes, etc.,” p. 150.

[#fn1709anc 1709]. Proceedings of the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors-General of the Thirty-third and Last Degree, etc., etc. Held at the city of New York, August 15, 1876,” pp. 54, 55 {{Style S-Italic|.}}

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379 IMPERTINENCE OF THE JESUIT WENINGER.

sations against the Church as the enemy of liberty, I tell him that, if ever this country should become a Catholic country, that is, if Catholics should ever be in the majority, and {{Style S-Italic|have the control of political power,}} then he would see the principles of our Constitution carried out to the fullest extent; he would see that these States would be in very deed {{Style S-Italic|United.}} He would behold a people living in peace and harmony; joined in the bonds of one faith, their hearts beating in unison with love of their fatherland, with charity and forbearance toward all, and respecting the rights and consciences even of their slanderers.”

While Americans, including Masons, are now warned to prepare themselves to join the Holy Apostolic and Roman Catholic Church, we are glad to know that there are some as loyal and respected as any in Masonry who support our views. Conspicuous among them is our venerable friend, Mr. Leon Hyneman, P. M., and a member of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. For eight or nine years he was editor of the {{Style S-Italic|Masonic}}

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{{Style S-Italic|Mirror and Keystone,}} and is an author of repute. He assures us personally that for over thirty years he has combated the design to erect into a Masonic dogma, belief in a {{Style S-Italic|personal}} God. In his work, {{Style S-Italic|Ancient York and London Grand Lodges,}} he says (p. 169): “Masonry, instead of unfolding professionally with the intellectual advancement of scientific knowledge and general intelligence, has departed from the original aims of the fraternity, and is apparently inclining towards a sectarian society. That is plainly to be seen . . . in the persistent determination not to expunge the sectarian innovations interpolated in the Ritual. . . . It would appear that the Masonic fraternity of this country are as indifferent to ancient landmarks and usages of Masonry, as the Masons of the past century, under the London Grand Lodge were.” It was this conviction which prompted him, in 1856, when Jacques Etienne Marconis de Negre, Grand Hierophant of the Rite of Memphis, came to America and tendered him the Grand Mastership of the Rite in the United States, and the Ancient and Accepted Rite offered him an Honorary 33d—to refuse both.

381 MASONIC TEMPLARISM HATCHED IN A JESUIT COLLEGE.

“The present Knight Templars of Paris will have it, that they are direct descendants from the ancient Knights, and endeavor to prove this by documents, interior regulations, and secret doctrines. Foraisse says the Fraternity of Freemasons was founded in Egypt, Moses communicating the secret teaching to the Israelites, Jesus to the Apostles, and thence it found its way to the Knight Templars. Such inventions are necessary . . . to the assertion that the Parisian Templars are the offspring of the ancient order. All these asseverations, unsupported by history, were fabricated {{Style S-Italic|in the High Chapter of Clermont}} (Jesuits), and preserved by the Parisian Templars as a legacy left them by those political revolutionists, the Stuarts and the Jesuits.” Hence we find the Bishops Gregoire^{[#fn1710 1710]} and Munter^{[#fn1711 1711]} supporting them.

[#fn1710anc 1710]. “Histoire des sectes religieuses,” vol. ii., pp. 392-428.

[#fn1711anc 1711]. “Notitia codicis græci evangelium Johannis variatum continentis,” Havaniæ, 1828.

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Geoffrey de St. Omer, nominally for the protection of the pilgrims, its true aim was the restoration of the primitive secret worship. The true version of the history of Jesus, and the early Christianity was imparted to Hugh de Payens, by the Grand-Pontiff of the Order of the Temple (of the Nazarene or Johanite sect), one named Theocletes, after which it was learned by some Knights in Palestine, from the higher and more intellectual members of the St. John sect, who were initiated into its mysteries.^{[#fn1712 1712]} Freedom of intellectual thought and the restoration of one and universal religion was their secret object. Sworn to the vow of obedience, poverty, and chastity, they were at first the true Knights of John the Baptist, crying in the wilderness and living on wild honey and locusts. Such is the tradition and the true kabalistic version.

It is a mistake to state that the Order became only later anti-Catholic. It was so from the beginning, and the red cross on the white mantle, the vestment of the Order, had the same significance as with the initiates in every other country. It pointed to the four quarters of the compass, and was the emblem of the universe.^{[#fn1713 1713]} When, later, the Brotherhood was transformed into a Lodge, the Templars had, in order to avoid persecution, to perform their own ceremonies in the greatest secresy, generally in the hall of the chapter, more frequently in isolated caves or country houses built amidst woods, while the ecclesiastical form of worship was carried on publicly in the chapels belonging to the Order.

[#fn1712anc 1712]. This is the reason why unto this day the fanatical and kabalistic members of the Nazarenes of Basra (Persia), have a tradition of the glory, wealth, and power of their “Brothers,” agents, or {{Style S-Italic|messengers}} as they term them in Malta and Europe. There are some few remaining yet, they say, who will sooner or later restore the doctrine of their Prophet Iohanan (St. John), the son of Lord Jordan, and eliminate from the hearts of humanity every other false teaching.

[#fn1713anc 1713]. The two great pagodas of Madura and Benares, are built in the form of a cross, each wing being equal in extent (See Mauri: “Indian Antiquities,” vol. iii., pp. 360-376).

383 THE SPURIOUS ORDER OF MALTA.

trines of alchemy, astrology, magic, kabalistic talismans, and adhered to the secret teachings of their chiefs in the East. “In the last century,” says Findel, “when Freemasonry erroneously supposed herself the daughter of Templarism, great pains were taken to regard the Order of Knights-Templars as innocent. . . . For this purpose not only legends and unrecorded events were fabricated, but pains were taken to repress the truth. The Masonic admirers of the Knights-Templars bought up the whole of the documents of the lawsuit published by Moldenwaher, because they proved the culpability of the Order.”^{[#fn1714 1714]}

“The Knights of St. John of Jerusalem,” writes Commander Gourdin,^{[#fn1715 1715]} “sometimes called the Knights Hospitallers, and the Knights of Malta, were not Freemasons. On the contrary, they seem to have been inimical to Freemasonry, for in 1740, the Grand Master of the Order of Malta caused the Bull of Pope Clement XII. to be published in that island, and forbade the meetings of the Freemasons. On this occasion several Knights and many citizens left the island; and in 1741, the Inquisition persecuted the Freemasons at Malta. The Grand Master proscribed their assemblies under severe penalties, and six Knights were banished from the island in perpetuity for having assisted at a meeting. In fact, unlike the Templars, they had not even a secret form of reception. Reghellini says that he was unable to procure a copy of the secret Ritual of the Knights of Malta. The reason is obvious—there was none!”

[#fn1714anc 1714]. Findel: “History of Freemasonry,” Appendix.

[#fn1715anc 1715]. “A Sketch of the Knight Templars and the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem,” by Richard Woof, F.S.A., Commander of the Order of Masonic Knight Templars.

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This last pseudo-order was constituted at Paris, on the 4th of November, 1804, by virtue of a {{Style S-Italic|forged Constitution,}} and ever since it has “contaminated genuine Freemasonry,” as the highest Masons themselves tell us{{Style S-Italic|. La Charte de transmission}} (tabula aurea Larmenii) presents the outward appearance of such extreme antiquity “that Gregoire confesses that if all the other relics of the Parisian treasury of the Order had not silenced his doubts as to their ancient descent, the sight of this charter would at the very first glance have persuaded him.”^{[#fn1716 1716]} The first Grand Master of this spurious Order was a physician of Paris, Dr. Fahre-Palaprat, who assumed the name of Bernard Raymond.

[#fn1716anc 1716]. Findel: “History of Freemasonry,” Appendix.

385 THE LAST REAL TEMPLAR PRINCE POISONED.

when, after the banishment of several Knights from Malta, in 1740, because they were Freemasons, it was no longer possible to keep up a connection with the Order of St. John, or Knights of Malta, then in the plenitude of their power {{Style S-Italic|under the sovereignty of the Pope.”}}

“And yet,” says Rebold, “notwithstanding the confusion they had created (1736-72), the Jesuits had accomplished but one of their designs, viz.: {{Style S-Italic|denaturalyzing and bringing into disrepute the Masonic Institution.}} Having succeeded, as they believed, in destroying it in one form, they were determined to use it in another. With this determination, they arranged the systems styled ‘Clerkship of the Templars,’ an amalgamation of the different histories, events, and characteristics of the crusades mixed with the reveries of the alchemists. {{Style S-Italic|In this combination Catholicism governed all, and the whole fabrication moved upon wheels, representing the great object for which the Society of Jesus was organized.”^{[#fn1717 1717]}}}

[#fn1717anc 1717]. “General History of Freemasonry,” p. 218.

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origin, are all applied to and all flavor of Christianity. A Mason has to declare his belief in a {{Style S-Italic|personal}} God, Jehovah, and in the Encampment degrees also in Christ, before he can be accepted in the Lodge, while the Johanite Templars believed in the unknown and invisible Principle, whence proceeded the Creative Powers misnamed {{Style S-Italic|gods,}} and held to the Nazarene version of Ben-Panther being the sinful father of Jesus, who thus proclaimed himself “the son of god and of humanity.”^{[#fn1718 1718]} This also accounts for the fearful oaths of the Masons taken {{Style S-Italic|on the Bible,}} and for their lectures servilely agreeing with the Patriarcho-Biblical Chronology. In the American Order of Rose Croix, for instance, when the neophyte approaches the altar, the “Sir Knights are called to order, and the captain of the guard makes his proclamation.” “To the glory of the sublime architect of the universe (Jehovah-Binah?), under the auspices of the Sovereign Sanctuary of {{Style S-Italic|Ancient}} and {{Style S-Italic|Primitive}} Freemasonry,” etc., etc. Then the Knight Orator strikes 1 and tells the neophyte that the antique legends of Masonry date back forty centuries; claiming no greater antiquity for the oldest of them than 622 a.m., at which time he says Noah was born. Under the circumstances this will be regarded as a liberal concession to chronological preferences. After that Masons^{[#fn1719 1719]} are apprised that it was about the year 2188 b.c., that Mizraim led colonies into Egypt, and laid the foundation of the Kingdom of Egypt, which kingdom lasted 1,663 years (!!!). Strange chronology, which, if it piously conforms with that of the {{Style S-Italic|Bible,}} disagrees entirely with that of history. The mythical nine names of the Deity, imported into Egypt, according

[#fn1718anc 1718]. See Gaffarel’s version; Eliphas Levi’s “La Science des Esprits;” Mackenzie’s “Royal Masonic Cyclopædia;” “Sepher Toldos Jeshu;” and other kabalistical and Rabbinical works. The story given is this. A virgin named Mariam, betrothed to a young man of the name of Iohanan, was outraged by another man named Ben Panther or Joseph Panther, says “Sepher Toldos Jeshu.” “Her betrothed, learning of her misfortune, left her, at the same time forgiving her. The child born was Jesus, named Joshua. Adopted by his uncle Rabbi Jehosuah, he was initiated into the secret doctrine by Rabbi Elhanan, a kabalist, and then by the Egyptian priests, who consecrated him High Pontiff of the Universal Secret Doctrine, on account of his great mystic qualities. Upon his return into Judea his learning and powers excited the jealousy of the Rabbis, and they publicly reproached him with his origin and insulted his mother. Hence the words attributed to Jesus at Cana: ‘Woman, what have I to do with thee?’ (See John ii. 4.) His disciples having rebuked him with his unkindness to his mother, Jesus repented, and having learned from them the particulars of the sad story, he declared that “My mother has not sinned, she has not lost her innocence; she is immaculate and yet she is a mother. . . . As for myself I have no father, in this world, I am the Son of God and of humanity”! Sublime words of confidence and trust in the unseen Power, but how fatal to the millions upon millions of men murdered because of these very words being so thoroughly misunderstood!

[#fn1719anc 1719]. We speak of the American Chapter of Rose Croix.

387 THE “WORD” OF ADEPTS NOT POSSESSED BY MASONS.

to the Masons, only in the twenty-second century b.c., are found on monuments reckoned twice as old by the best Egyptologists. Nevertheless we must take at the same time into consideration, that the Masons are themselves ignorant of these names.

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of God engraved on the triangle; and that therefore they have adopted a “substitute” for it. Such also is the case in the Blue Lodge, where the Master, representing King Solomon, agrees with King Hiram that the Word * * * “shall be used as a {{Style S-Italic|substitute}} for the Master’s word, until wiser ages shall discover the true one.” What Senior Deacon, of all the thousands who have assisted in bringing candidates from darkness to light; or what Master who has whispered this mystic “word” into the ears of supposititious Hiram Abiffs, while holding them on the five points of fellowship, has suspected the real meaning of even this substitute, which they impart “at low breath”? How few new-made Master Masons but go away imagining that it has some occult connection with the “marrow in the bone.” What do they know of that mystical personage known to some adepts as the “venerable Mah,” or of the mysterious Eastern Brothers who obey him, whose name is abbreviated in the first syllable of the three which compose the Masonic substitute—The Mah, who lives at this very day in a spot unknown to all but initiates, and the approaches to which are through trackless wildernesses, untrodden by Jesuit or missionary foot, for it is beset by dangers fit to appall the most courageous explorers? And yet, for generations this meaningless jingle of vowels and consonants has been repeated in noviciate ears, as though it possessed even so much potency as would deflect from its course a thistledown floating in the air! Like Christianity, Freemasonry is a corpse from which the spirit long ago fled.

In this connection, place may well be given to a letter from Mr. Charles Sotheran, Corresponding Secretary of the New York Liberal Club, which was received by us on the day after the date it bears. Mr. Sotheran is known as a writer and lecturer on antiquarian, mystical, and other subjects. In Masonry, he has taken so many of the degrees as to be a competent authority as regards the Craft. He is 32 ∴ A. and P. R., and P. R., 94 ∴ Memphis, K. R , K. Kadosh, M. M. 104, Eng., etc. He is also an initiate of the modern English Brotherhood of the Rosie Cross and other secret societies, and Masonic editor of the {{Style S-Italic|New York Advocate.}} Following is the letter, which we place before the Masons as we desire that they should see what one of their own number has to say:

{{Style P-Quote|“New York Press Club, January 11th, 1877.  

“In response to your letter, I willingly furnish the information desired with respect to the antiquity and present condition of Freemasonry. This I do the more cheerfully since we belong to the same secret societies, and you can thus better appreciate the necessity for the reserve which at times I shall be obliged to exhibit. You rightly refer to the fact that Freemasonry, no less than the effete theologies of the day, has its fabulous history to narrate. Clogged up as the Order has been by the rubbish and drift of absurd biblical legends, it is no wonder that its usefulness has been impaired and its }}

389 A HIGH MASON’S STRICTURES UPON MASONRY.

{{Style P-Quote|work as a civilizer hampered. Fortunately the great anti-Masonic excitement that raged in the United States during a portion of this century, forced a considerable band of workers to delve into the true origin of the Craft, and bring about a healthier state of things. The agitation in America also spread to Europe and the literary efforts of Masonic authors on both sides of the Atlantic, such as Rebold, Findel, Hyneman, Mitchell, Mackenzie, Hughan, Yarker and others well-known to the fraternity, is now a matter of history. One effect of their labors has been, in a great measure, to bring the history of Masonry into an open daylight, where even its teachings, jurisprudence, and ritual are no longer secret from those of the ‘profane,’ who have the wit to read as they run.  

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{{Style P-Quote|ferred to as having—‘formed a great lodge, at Crotona, and made many Masons, some of whom travelled into France, and there made many, from whence, in process of time, the art passed into England.’ Sir Christopher Wren, architect of St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, often called the ‘Grand Master of Freemasons,’ was simply the Master or President of the London Operative Masons Company. If such a tissue of fable could interweave itself into the history of the Grand Lodges which now have charge of the first three symbolical degrees, it is hardly astonishing that the same fate should befall nearly all of the High Masonic Degrees which have been aptly termed ‘an incoherent medley of opposite principles.’  

391 SOLOMON’S TEMPLE ONLY AN ALLEGORY.

{{Style P-Quote|such great undertakings in the future, for human, religious, and political improvement. In the last century the Illuminati taught, ‘peace with the cottage, war with the palace,’ throughout the length and breadth of Europe. In the last century the United States was freed from the tyranny of the mother country by the action of the Secret Societies more than is commonly imagined. Washington, Lafayette, Franklin, Jefferson, Hamilton, were Masons. And in the nineteenth century it was Grand Master Garibaldi, 33, who unified Italy, working in accordance with the spirit of the faithful brotherhood, as the Masonic, or rather carbonari, principles of ‘liberty, equality, humanity, independence, unity,’ taught for years by brother Joseph Mazzini.  

“Charles Sotheran.” }}

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In the now popular jargon, “Operative Masons” are understood to be the bricklayers and the handicraftsmen, who composed the Craft down to Sir Christopher Wren’s time; and “Speculative Masons,” all members of the Order, as now understood. The sentence attributed to Jesus, “Thou art Peter . . . upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” disfigured, as it is, by mistranslation and misinterpretation, plainly indicates its real meaning. We have shown the signification of {{Style S-Italic|Pater}} and {{Style S-Italic|Petra,}} with the hierophants—the interpretation traced on the tables of stone of the final initiation, was handed by the initiator to the chosen future interpreter. Having acquainted himself with its mysterious contents, which revealed to him the mysteries of creation, the initiated became a {{Style S-Italic|builder}} himself, for he was made acquainted with the {{Style S-Italic|dodecahedron,}} or the geometrical figure on which the universe was built. To what he had learned in previous initiations of the use of the rule and of architectural principles, was added a cross, the perpendicular and horizontal lines of which were supposed to form the foundation of the spiritual temple, by placing them across the junction, or central primordial point, the element of all existences,^{[#fn1720 1720]} representing the first concrete idea of deity. Henceforth he could, as a Master builder (see 1 {{Style S-Italic|Corinthians,}} iii{{Style S-Italic|.}} 10), erect a temple of wisdom on that rock of {{Style S-Italic|Petra,}} for himself; and having laid a sure foundation, let “another build thereon.”

The Egyptian hierophant was given a square head-dress, which he had to wear always, and a square (see Mason’s marks), without which he could never go abroad. The perfect {{Style S-Italic|Tau}} formed of the perpendicular (descending male ray, or spirit) a horizontal line (or matter, female ray), and the mundane circle was an attribute of Isis, and, it is but at his death that the Egyptian cross was laid on the breast of his mummy. These therefore fallible—there is no institution that has done so much, and is yet capable of

[#fn1720anc 1720]. Pythagoras.

393 THE “CABLE TOW” OF LAMAS AND BRAHMAN-SANNYÂSI.

square hats are worn unto this day by the Armenian priests. The claim that the cross is purely a Christian symbol introduced after our era, is strange indeed, when we find Ezekiel stamping the foreheads of the men of Judah, who feared the Lord ({{Style S-Italic|Ezekiel}} ix. 4), with the {{Style S-Italic|signa Thau,}} as it is translated in the Vulgate. In the ancient Hebrew this sign was formed thus  but in the original Egyptian hieroglyphics as a perfect Christian cross . In the {{Style S-Italic|Revelation,}} also, the “Alpha and Omega” (spirit and matter), the first and the last, stamps the name of his Father in the foreheads of the {{Style S-Italic|elect.}}

But these “operative workmen” have no fear that their secrets will be disclosed by treacherous ex-high priests of chapters, though their generation may have received them through others than “Moses, Solomon, and Zerubbabel.” Had Moses Michael Hayes, the Israelite Brother who introduced Royal Arch Masonry into this country (in December, 1778),^{[#fn1721 1721]} had a prophetic presentiment of future treasons, he might have instituted more efficacious obligations than he has.

Truly, the grand omnific Royal Arch word, “{{Style S-Italic|long lost but now found,”}} has fulfilled its prophetic promise. The password of that degree is no more “I am that I am.” It is now simply “I was but am no more!”

[#fn1721anc 1721]. The first {{Style S-Italic|Grand Chapter}} was instituted at Philadelphia, in 1797.

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Findel says (see his {{Style S-Italic|History of Freemasonry,}} p{{Style S-Italic|.}} 253) that in the eighteenth century, “besides the modern Knights Templar, we see the Jesuits . . . disfiguring the fair face of Freemasonry. Many Masonic authors, who were fully cognizant of the period, and knew exactly all the incidents occurring, positively assert that then and still later the Jesuits exercised a pernicious influence, or at least endeavored to do so, upon the fraternity.” Of the Rosicrucian Order he remarks, upon the authority of Prof. Woog, that its “aim at first . . . was nothing less than the support and advancement of Catholicism. {{Style S-Italic|When this religion manifested a determination entirely to repress liberty of thought}} . . . the Rosicrucians enlarged their designs likewise to check, if possible, the progress of this widely-spreading enlightenment.”

We will begin with the cryptographs of the “Sovereign Princes Rose Croix,” also styled {{Style S-Italic|Knights of St. Andrew, Knights of the Eagle and Pelican, Heredom, Rosæ Crucis, Rosy Cross, Triple Cross, Perfect Brother, Prince Mason, and so on.}} The “Heredom Rosy Cross” also claims a Templar origin, in 1314.^{[#fn1722 1722]}

Cipher of the Knights Kadosh.

(Also White and Black Eagle and Grand Elected Knight Templar.)

The Knights Kadosh have another cipher—or rather hieroglyph—which, in this case, is taken from the Hebrew, possibly to be the more in keeping with the {{Style S-Italic|Bible}} Kadeshim of the Temple.^{[#fn1723 1723]}

[#fn1723anc 1723]. See 2 Kings, xxiii. 7, Hebrew text, and English, the former especially. In the degree of Kadosh, a lecture is given upon the descent of Masonry through Moses, Solomon, the Essenes, and the Templars. Christian K. K.’s may get some light as to the kind of “Temple” their ancestors would, in such a genealogical descent, have been attached to, by consulting verse 13 of the same chapter as above quoted.

Hieroglyph of the K ∴ Kad ∴

{{Style S-Italic|Formation.}}

397 JESUIT CRYPTOGRAPHY.

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We must now give some proofs of what we have stated, and demonstrate that the word Jehovah, if Masonry adheres to it, will ever remain as a substitute, never be identical with the lost mirific name. This is so well known to the kabalists, that in their careful etymology of the יהוה they show it beyond doubt to be only one of the many substitutes for the real name, and composed of the two-fold name of the first androgyne—Adam and Eve, Jod (or Yodh), Vau and He-Va—the female serpent as a symbol of Divine Intelligence proceeding from the One-Generative or {{Style S-Italic|Creative}} Spirit.^{[#fn1724 1724]} Thus, Jehovah is not the sacred name at all. Had Moses given to Pharaoh the {{Style S-Italic|true}} “name,” the latter would not have answered as he did, for the Egyptian King-Initiates knew it as well as Moses, who had learned it with them. {{Style S-Italic|The}} “name” was at that time the common property of the adepts of all the nations in the world, and Pharaoh knew certainly the “name” of the Highest God mentioned in the {{Style S-Italic|Book of the Dead.}} But instead of that, Moses (if we accept the allegory of {{Style S-Italic|Exodus}} literally), gives Pharaoh the name of {{Style S-Italic|Yeva,}} the expression or form of the Divine name used by all the {{Style S-Italic|Targums}} as passed by Moses. Hence Pharaoh’s reply: “And who is that {{Style S-Italic|Yeva^{[#fn1725 1725]}}} that I should obey his voice?”

“Jehovah” dates only from the Masoretic innovation. When the Rabbis, for fear that they should lose the keys to their own doctrines, then written exclusively in consonants, began to insert their vowel-points in their manuscripts, they were utterly ignorant of the true pronunciation of the name. Hence, they gave it the sound of {{Style S-Italic|Adonah,}} and made it read {{Style S-Italic|Ja-ho-vah.}} Thus the latter is simply a fancy, a perversion of the Holy Name. And how could they know it? Alone, out of all their nation the high priests had it in their possession, and respectively passed it to their successors, as the Hindu Brahmâtma does before his death. Once a year only, on the day of atonement, the high priest was

[#fn1724anc 1724]. See Eliphas Levi’s “Dogme et Rituel,” vol. i.

[#fn1725anc 1725]. Yeva is {{Style S-Italic|Heva,}} the feminine counterpart of Jehovah-Binah.

399 THE PRIEST BEHIND THE VEIL.

allowed to pronounce it in a whisper. Passing behind the veil into the inner chamber of the sanctuary, the Holy of Holies, with trembling lips and downcast eyes he called upon the dreaded name. The bitter persecution of the kabalists, who received the precious syllables after deserving the favor by a whole life of sanctity, was due to a suspicion that they misused it. At the opening of this chapter we have told the story of Simeon Ben-Iochaï, one of the victims to this priceless knowledge, and see how little he deserved his cruel treatment.

Nowhere is the difference between the Elohists and Jehovists so clearly shown as in {{Style S-Italic|Jasher.}} Jehovah is here spoken of as the Ophites held him to be, a Son of Ilda-Baoth, or Saturn. In this Book, the Egyptian Magi, when asked by Pharaoh “Who is he, of whom Moses speaks as the {{Style S-Italic|I am?”}} reply that the God of Moses “we have learned, is the Son of the Wise, the Son of ancient kings” (ch. lxxix. 45).^{[#fn1726 1726]} Now, those who assert that {{Style S-Italic|Jasher}} is a forgery of the twelfth century—and we readily believe it—should nevertheless explain the curious fact that, while the above text is {{Style S-Italic|not}} to be found in the {{Style S-Italic|Bible,}} the answer to it {{Style S-Italic|is,}} and is,

[#fn1726anc 1726]. We find a very suggestive point in connection with this appellation of Jehovah, “Son of ancient Kings,” in the Jaïna sect of Hindustan, known as the Sauryas. They admit that Brahma is a Devatâ, but deny his creative power, and call him the “Son of a King.” See “Asiatic Researches,” vol. ix., p. 279.

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moreover, couched in unequivocal terms. At {{Style S-Italic|Isaiah}} xix. 11, the “Lord God” complains of it very wrathfully to the prophet, and says: “Surely the princes of Zoan {{Style S-Italic|are fools,}} the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish; how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the Son of the Wise, the Son of ancient kings?” which is evidently a reply to the above. At {{Style S-Italic|Joshua}} x. 13{{Style S-Italic|, Jasher}} is referred to in corroboration of the outrageous assertion that the sun stood still, and the moon stayed until the people had avenged themselves. “Is not this written in the {{Style S-Italic|Book of Jasher?”}} says the text. And at 2 {{Style S-Italic|Samuel,}} i. 19, the same book is again quoted. “Behold,” it says, “it is written in the {{Style S-Italic|Book of Jasher.”}} Clearly, {{Style S-Italic|Jasher}} must have existed; it must have been regarded as authority; must have been older than Joshua; and, since the verse in {{Style S-Italic|Isaiah}} unerringly points to the passage above quoted, we have at least as much reason to accept the current edition of {{Style S-Italic|Jasher}} as a transcription, excerpt, or compilation of the original work, as we have to revere the Septuagint {{Style S-Italic|Pentateuch,}} as the primitive Hebraic sacred records.

401 THE DOUBLE SEX OF JEHOVAH.

{{Style S-Italic|rectly}}. Therefore, the biblical name Jehovah may be considered simply a {{Style S-Italic|substitute,}} which, as belonging to one of the “powers” got to be viewed as that of the “Eternal.” There is an evident mistake (one of the very many), in one of the texts in {{Style S-Italic|Leviticus}}, which has been corrected by Cahen, and which proves that the interdiction did not at all concern the name of the exoteric Jehovah, whose numerous other names could also be pronounced without any penalty being incurred.^{[#fn1727 1727]} In the vicious English version, the translation runs thus: “And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, shall surely be put to death,” {{Style S-Italic|Levit}}. xxiv. 16. Cahen renders it far more correctly, thus: “And he that blasphemeth the name of the {{Style S-Italic|Eternal}} shall die,” etc. The “Eternal” being something higher than the exoteric and personal “Lord.”^{[#fn1728 1728]}

[#fn1727anc 1727]. As, for instance, Shaddai, Elohim, Sabaoth, etc.

[#fn1728anc 1728]. Cahen’s “Hebrew Bible,” iii., p. 117.

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“And as he passed over Penuel, {{Style S-Italic|the sun rose upon him,}} and he (Jacob) {{Style S-Italic|halted upon his thigh”}} ({{Style S-Italic|Genesis}} xxxii{{Style S-Italic|.}} 31). {{Style S-Italic|Israel}} Jacob, opposed by his brother Esau, is {{Style S-Italic|Samael,}} and “the names of Samael are Azazel and {{Style S-Italic|Satan”}} (the opposer).

403 ADEPTS IN PARIS AND ELSEWHERE.

brotherhoods have been mentioned before Mackenzie’s time, by more than one great author. If they have been regarded as mere fictions of the novelist, that fact has only helped the “brother-adepts” to keep their incognito the more easily. We have personally known several of them who, to their great merriment had had the story of their lodges, the communities in which they lived, and the wondrous powers which they had exercised for many long years, laughed at and denied by unsuspecting skeptics to their very faces. Some of these brothers belong to the small groups of “travellers.” Until the close of the happy Louis-Philippian reign, they were pompously termed by the Parisian garcon and trader the {{Style S-Italic|nobles étrangers,}} and as innocently believed to be “Boyards,” Valachian “Gospodars,” Indian “Nabobs,” and Hungarian “Margraves,” who had gathered at the capital of the civilized world to admire its monuments and partake of its dissipations. There are, however, some {{Style S-Italic|insane}} enough to connect the presence of certain of these mysterious guests in Paris with the great political events that subsequently took place. Such recall at least as very remarkable coincidences, the breaking out of the Revolution of ’93, and the earlier explosion of the South Sea Bubble, soon after the appearance of “noble foreigners,” who had convulsed all Paris for more or less longer periods, by either their mystical doctrines or “supernatural gifts.” The St. Germains and Cagliostros of this century, having learned bitter lessons from the vilifications and persecutions of the past, pursue different tactics now-a-days.

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Belzoni among the sandstone mountains of Biban-el-Melook (Melech?) is but a feeble specimen of the rest. We will add, furthermore, that the Arab-Christians, the monks, scattered around in their poor, desolate convents on the borderland of the great Lybian Desert, know of the existence of such unbetrayed relics. But they are Copts, sole remnants of the true Egyptian race, and the Copt predominating over the Christian monk in their natures, they keep silent; for what reason it is not for us to tell. There are some who believe that their monkish attire is but a blind, and that they have chosen these desolate homes among arid deserts and surrounded by Mahometan tribes, for some ulterior purposes of their own. Be it as it may, they are held in great esteem by the Greek monks of Palestine; and there is a rumor current among the Christian pilgrims of Jerusalem, who throng the Holy Sepulchre at every Easter, that the holy fire from heaven will never descend so {{Style S-Italic|miraculously}} as when these monks of the desert are present to draw it down by their prayers.^{[#fn1729 1729]}

[#fn1729anc 1729]. The Greek monks have this “miracle” performed for the “faithful” every year on Easter night. Thousands of pilgrims are there waiting with their tapers to light them at this sacred fire, which at the precise hour and when needed, descends from the chapel-vault and hovers about the sepulchre in tongues of fire until every one of the thousand pilgrims has lighted his wax taper at it.