Ancient Mystic Oriental Masonry

94."A remarkable trait in the character of this Academician was, that he believed in the Philosopher 's Stone, the mysteries of the Cabala, apparitions, patagonians, witches, enchantments, the race of giants, etc. But, notwithstanding this inconceivable and ridiculous weakness, he was beloved by everyone, and the more as, to his other excellent qualities, he joined that of the most perfect discretion in regard to such affairs as were at any time confided to his secrecy; never did a word from his lips give room for the smallest explanation or disagreement."

95.Such was the comment on this Mystic's character by one, who, while adverse to his opinions, nevertheless, renders justice to a personality which some traduced.

96.Don Pernetty was for some time in personal ^[72] relationship with M. de St. Germain, the Rosicrucian; and later on, he founded the Academie des Illumines d 'Avignon, in which the last Supreme Grand Master of the Ancient Mystic Oriental Masons was a student and which was essentially Hermetic in its aims, and had also a close connection with the Swedish system. This was a secret body, but it was also under the general Masonic regulations. It was also in close union with the followers of Martinez Pasquales, the founder of the real order of Martinists, and that bond has been kept up because Martinez Pasquales was a member of the Mystic Masonic Body.

97." The most succinct account of the opinions held by the leading Freemasons in Germany at this juncture is given by Findel, who, although a pronounced antagonist, shows very lucidly the underlying mystic basis on which the outward Masonic forms were supported, and it is of value to these researches to quote his testimony in full, illustrating, as it unwittingly does, the hypothesis put forward, namely, that all the Societies similar to the African Brothers, the Fratres Lucis and others of like calibre, were but the outward manifestations of hidden forces which were attempting to indoctrinate the whole Masonic Body with true spiritual, mental and moral Mystic knowledge, because the Masonic body, as such, had already lost the key to its own symbolism and none but the genuine Rosicrucian Fraternity held this key. The leaders of the Order now known as Ancient and Mystic Oriental Masons were Rosicrucians. Says Findel: —

98."The Grand Lodge of Germany (The Three ^[73] Globes) 'Zu den drei Weltkugeln' was established by Frederick II., who was its first Grand Master. It became the Grand Mother Lodge of Germany in 1744. It was also the protectress of the Mystic element in Masonry for many years." Cooper-Oakley further assumes "that in the Building Fraternities of the Middle Ages, besides their art, a secret science was carried on; the substratum of which was a real Christian mystery, serving as a preparatory or elementary school and stepping-stone to that and the St. John's Masonry, which latter was not a mere system of moral philosophy, but closely allied and connected with this mystery. It was conceded, that the Freemasonry of our days (St. John's Freemasonry) sprang from the Building Fraternities of the Middle Ages, but at the same time asserted that in the early ages there existed a secret society, which strove to compass the perfecting of the human race, precisely in the same manner, and employing similar means, as did the Swedish system, which, in fact, only followed in the wake of its predecessor, being concealed in the Building Fraternities, so that our Society did not rise from them, hut made itself a way through them. The Secret Science, the Mystery, was very ancient indeed. This mystery formed the secret of the Higher Degrees of the Rite, which were not merely kept hidden from the rest of the confederation, out also from the members of the inferior degrees of the system itself. This mystery was fully confirmed by documents, which the Grand Lodge of Germany had in its keeping. "

^[74] 99. This secret legend is the same as that of the Carpocratians, which is that Jesus chose some of the Apostles and confided to them a Secret Science, which was transmitted afterwards to the priests of the Order of the Knights Templars, and through them to the Building Fraternities, down to the present Freemasons of the Swedish Rite. The Swedish system teaches that there have been men of all nations who have worshipped God in Spirit and in Truth, and surrounded by idolatry and superstition have yet preserved their purer faith.