Reprint of the original, first published in 1882.

Excerpt from Origin of Masonry, State of New Jersey, and the Entire Proceedings of the Grand Lodge: First Organization, A. L. 5786 The undersigned long had it in contemplation to preserve and give to the Craft the History of Masonry in New Jersey, and to print the trans actions recorded from the organization of the Grand Lodge, in 1786, to this time. There being but one mm of the first fifty years, and that in manuscript, we should be remiss in our duty not to take the means to preserve the records of the past, and inform ourselves of what has transpired within that period. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

Written by an expert on "the craft," this classic traces Freemasonry's origins from biblical times to its practice among America's founding fathers. It also explores philosophical, symbolic, and ritual traditions.

Excerpt from Origin of Masonry, State of New Jersey, and the Entire Proceedings of the Grand Lodge: First Organization, A. L. 5786 The undersigned long had it in contemplation to preserve and give to the Craft the History of Masonry in New Jersey, and to print the transactions recorded from the organization of the Grand Lodge, in 1786, to this time. There being but one copy of the first fifty years, and that in manuscript, we should be remiss in our duty not to take the means to preserve the records of the past, and inform ourselves of what has transpired within that period. Upon my coming into their possession in 1842, upon the decease of our lamented Grand Secretary, Brother John Mershon, I took this old minute book to a fire-proof vault for its better security, where it has been for several years, and having made some preliminary arrangements, collected what information of an authentic nature could be collected, leave was obtained to print the minutes at the last Communication, to wit: "The Grand Secretary asked leave to print the Minutes of the Grand Lodge from its commencement, in 1786, together with the History of Masonry in this State anterior thereto, at his expense, which was, on motion, granted." The Historical part of this volume has been kindly written by Past Grand Master William Silas Whitehead, to whom the Craft, and more especially myself, are under deep and lasting obligations for his zeal and labor employed in its compilation. The publication has been gotten up with but one idea, that is, its preservation, and not with a view of reaping any pecuniary reward for the labor bestowed, and will be disposed of at cost; all the publisher expects will be a return of his actual outlay, from the liberal and intelligent Masons of the State of New Jersey. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

This is volume two of one of the most interesting and profound historical works about Freemasonry. It is a very rare book and published as ebook exclusively. As a bonus this edition includes a very detailed essay about Freemasonry and its origins, written by Hermann Gruber. Contents: Freemasonry – Its Origin And History I. Name And Definition Ii. Origin And Early History Iii. Fundamental Principles And Spirit Iv. Propagation And Evolution Of Masonry V. Organization And Statistics The Secret Tradition In Freemasonry, Volume 2 Book V – Of Alchemy In Masonry I - The Root-Matter Of The Alleged Hermetic Connection Ii - The School Of Alchemy: An Excursus Iii - Masonic Systems Of Alchemical Degrees) And, Firstly, The Hermetic Rite Of Abbé Pernety Iv - Masonic Systems Of Alchemical Degrees And, Secondly, The Hermetic Rite Of Baron Tschoudy V - Masonic Systems Of Alchemical Degrees And, Thirdly, The Rite Of Mizraim Vi - Masonic Systems Of Alchemical Degrees And, Fourthly, The Hermetic Elements In The Oriental Order Of Memphis Vii - Les Archives Mitho-Hermétiques Book Vi – Of Magical And Kabalistical Degrees I - The Horizon Of Ceremonial Magic Ii - Of Certain Isolated Systems Claiming Derivation From Magical And Kabalistical Sources, Or Working Their Particular Mysteries, And Of The Rite Of Schroeder Iii - The Masonic Rite Of Schroeppfer Iv - The Egyptian Masonry Of Cagliostro V - The Rite Of Martines De Pasqually Vi - The School Of Martinism Vii - The Grades Of Kabalism Book Vii – Of The Mysteries On Their Mystical Side And Of This Subject In Relation To Masonry I -Of Rosicrucianism In Its Connection With Masonry Ii - Of Masonic Rosicrucian Developments Iii - Concerning Grades Of New Religion And Of Swedenborgian Masonry Iv - A Hidden Rite Of Interpretation V - Reflections From High Grade Masonry To Modern Occult Research Vi - A Preliminary Excursus Concerning The Divine Quest Vii - Intimations Of The Term Of Research Viii - Of A Rite Within Masonry Ix - Last Words On The Mystery Of Building Appendices I - A Supplementary List Of Grades, Incorporated And Detached, Including Brief Descriptions Ii - Notes On The Recurrence Of Grades In The Various Rites Iii - Critical Annotations On The Text Volume The First Volume The Second Iv - The Latin Church And Freemasonry V - The Full Page Portraits