1822 FREEMASONRY BOOK Occult KNIGHTS TEMPLAR Free Mason RARE Antique ILLUMINATI

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A SYSTEM OF SPECULATIVE MASONRY ~ 1822 ~ This auction is for an original 1822 1ST EDITION SECOND PRINTING of " ASYSTEM OF SPECULATIVE MASONRY " published by Doddand Stevenson of Salem, New York. Found within this book is asystem of speculative Masonry, in its origin, patronage, dissemination,principles, duties, and ultimate designs, laid open for the examination of theserious and candid: being a course of lectures exhibited before the GrandChapter of the State of New York at their annual meetings, help in TempleChapter Room in the City of Albany. Per the preface, this book iscompiled from many separate addresses, only to be exhibited before Masons. Theauthor wanted to ensure that the subject matter should come from someone to do"justice" concerning so much pubic interest. The sentiments contained havebeen exhibited before the Grand Chapter of the state. At the annual meeting ofthe Grand Chapter in February, 1816, the idea was suggested of preparing forthe press, several Masonic Addresses, which had been exhibited before thathonorable body. It is presented to the public, not for its elegance ofcomposition bur for its truth. The primary object was to give a plain, yetconcise description of Speculative Freemasonry. Nothing is intended by this workbut a plain, unadorned statement of Masonic Principles. Nothing is designed tobe construed unfavorably, as to the sacred scriptures, or the churches ofChrist, or any religious denomination. Nothing is designed to reflect, eitheron community in general, or individual of that community. The plain truth is, as Masons,there is a belief in the high importance and utility of the Institution. Masonsare not only willing, but desire that others should be informed , as far asconsistent, what those benefits are. WHY WAS THERE SUCH ANECESSITY TO PUBLISH PUBLIC INFORMATION SUCH AS THIS? That was the burningquestion in my mind. WHY WAS THERE SO MUCH PUBLIC INTEREST IN THE MASONS?????One must consider the time frame that this book was published. The fact that a fraternal orderplayed a role of some prominence in history may seem strange to today’sreaders, but for many years in the 18th and 19th centuries Freemasonry was aforce of contention not only in the United States, but also in Europe and LatinAmerica. The organization has beendemocratic and liberal in outlook. Its precepts are theistic, but notsupportive of any particular denomination. This has been viewed by critics asanticlerical and has caused much friction with certain religious organizations. Why did such a seeminglyinnocuous organization provoke opposition, let alone a full-fledged politicalorganization (the Anti-Masonic Party)? The answer is to be found in theboisterous democratic enthusiasms of the 1820s and 1830s. In this “age of thecommon man,” undemocratic elements were viewed with great suspicion.Freemasonry was exclusive in its membership and maintained strict secrecy aboutits rituals. Many outsiders of that time concluded that the Masons were up tono good. Fear about the intentions ofFreemasonry was strong in monarchical and Roman Catholic circles in both LatinAmerica and Europe. This friction has continued into modern times. The contents containedwithin are the following 20 CHAPTERS! PRELIMINARIES THE GREAT OUTLINES OF SPECULATIVE FREE-MASONRY THE ULTIMATE END OF THE MATERIAL CREATION, TO SUBSERVETHE MORAL WORLD - THE PROPER OBJECT OF HUMAN ASSOCIATION, AND THE ORIGIN OFVARIUS SOCIETIES GENERAL NATURE AND DESIGN OF THE MASONIC INSTITUTION -SUMMARY OF DUTIES - PRINCIPLES IN THE ABSTRACT COINCIDENCE OF MASONIC PRINCIPLES WITH DIVINE REVELATION ANCIENT MASONRY OPERATIVE AND RELIGIOUS MODERN FREE-MASONRY, SPECULATIVE AND RELIGIOUS SPECULATIVE FREEMASONRY UNFOLDS THE OUTLINES OF HISTORYIN SEVERAL GREAT AND LEADING EVENTS, BOTH IN THE NATURAL AND MORAL WORLDS MORAL IMPROVEMENT FROM THE ORDER AND SUCCESSION OF THEDEGREES AN... read more

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