1855 Masonic Book Occult Enoch Secret Society Druid Antique Freemasonry Mythology Illuminati genre

A very rare and genuine date-stamped 1855 edition, now 171 years old, and very well preserved, printed and bound by J.F. Brennan over half a decade before the American Civil War. Exceedingly scarce and the only 1855 I can trace with this beautiful binding offered by any institution. This is a quadruple volume comprising four books bound into one: Discourses of Freemasonry, The Antiquities of Freemasonry, A Dissertation on the tessera Hospitalis of the Ancient Romans, and The fraternal tribute to Washington.

"The contents of this temple were not entrusted to any human being."

Discussed: Freemasonry, The creator, Enoch, the grandmaster of all masons, Secrecy, Angels, Visions, The immortality of the soul, The Ark of the Covenant, The Architect or the Universe, The building of the Pyramids, The Ancient Mysteries, Initiation, The prophecy of Enoch, The grand lodge, Moses, The father of Moses, Grandson of Noah, Christianity, Jesus the Christ, Pythagorus, The sons of light, The Holy Scriptures, Heaven, Ancient Mythology, Prometheus, Osiris, Ezekiel, Pagans, The Eleusinian mysteries, The sacred name, The mystery of the trinity, The Egyptian Gods, The garden of eden, and more

"It is as high as heaven, deeper than hell; the measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea." It stands due east and west, that its governors may behold the rising and the setting of the sun, with sentiments of devotion and gratitude to Him who appointed that luminary as a blessing to his creatures."

This is a very rare and incredibly well-preserved edition that contains a treasure trove of masonic and occult knowledge. This isn't just a book—it's a time capsule of mid-19th-century Masonic thought, blending history, philosophy, scripture, ancient lore, and reverence for the Craft. Passages that always stick with me include vivid descriptions of Enoch's secret temple vault (sealed against the Flood, with nine hidden doors for future wise seekers), the golden mercy-seat atop the Ark (with its cherubim forming the "oracle" where God dwelt), and more. One would assume this is just an old book on the history of Freemasonry; however, I can assure you that what it contains goes far deeper than that.... I have sprinkled this listing with some of my favorite passages to give you a better idea of what this books contains...

"Joseph Scaliger had one of them in his possession, and the excellent Peirescius very many.
Amulets they were, and symbols, too, of their deities, whose names are Abraxas, Michael, Gabriel, Ouriel, Raphael, Ananael, Prosoraiel, Yabsoe (names of their gods, and their seven angels, the presidents of their seven heavens)."

"He had seen in his vision, and alone, in silence and solitude, he descended through the nine portals into the temple and placed this invaluable treasure upon a cubical pedestal.
When the temple was completed, Enoch made nine secret doors and placed them at the entrance of the portals in case any wise and good man of future ages should be led to explore the secret recesses of this sepulchral vault. He then closed up the whole, that the secrets there deposited might remain in perfect security amidst the anticipated destruction of mankind; for the contents of this temple were not entrusted to any human being. Enoch paid occasional visits to the temple, for the purpose of offering up his prayers and thanksgivings in a peculiar manner to the God who had vouchsafed to him alone such distinguished favours. As the world increased in wickedness, and the threatened destruction visibly approached nearer and nearer, Enoch, trembling for the fate of those useful arts and sciences which he had invented or improved, proceeded without delay to provide for their transmission to future ages: for the accomplishment of which, his knowledge of letters lent the greatest facility."

"Their mild influence, their benignant spirit, will animate every scene of duty, alleviate every corrosion of care, heighten every sensation of joy, and in the hour of dissolution, shed divine transport on your souls."

"Operative Masonry was cherished by the Egyptians, who received it from their great progenitor Mizraim," the grandson of Noah.

"The mercy-seat was the lid or cover of the ark, and properly termed the propitiatory, because it hid the tables containing the moral law, and thus was said to prevent its appearing in judgment against man." It was made of solid gold, four inches thick, and was, together with the cherubims which were upon it, formed from a solid mass of gold by the effect of art, and without the use of solder. The cherubim being placed at each end of the mercy-seat, with wings outstretched towards each other, formed a cavity in the centre, which has been of Daria, ed the fittict of Code, and hence the saying of David "God sitteth between the cherubim."

"The Druids, who practiced the Cabiric mysteries, presented the initiated with an amulet, called anguinum ovum, whose properties were to make the possessor fortunate in all his undertakings; to procure him the most exalted patronage, and to give him a decided advantage over his antagonists in every contest for superiority."

Originally invented by Masons, they were transmitted almost solely through their indefatigable zeal before the invention of printing. These sciences were much cultivated by the idolatrous nations, though they erred in not applying their attainments to the knowledge and worship of the Supreme Creator and Governor of the world, which is the only true end of every scientific pursuit."

Speaking in high commendation of Jesus Christ, says, "He was the true Light, and the Light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not."

"Masonry blazing forth in its native and unsullied lustre. Thus it shone amidst the darkness during the life of Adam, of Enoch, and of Noah; thus it displayed its radiance in the time of Abraham, Moses, and Solomon; thus the strong traces of its existence are discoverable in the time of Zerubbabel and Jesus Christ; and thus it has flourished in all ages when sober religion has characterized the manners and influenced the morals of civil society."

"Very early after the Flood, architecture was considerably advanced. The most noble monuments of antiquity, the pyramids, obelisks, and the gigantic Sphynx, added to those mighty efforts of human genius displayed in the Tower of Babel."

"These orbs were surely not made for ornament alone, but for use; and as they possess every requisite for the support of animal life, there can be no doubt, but they have been created for the residence of intelligent beings, oft the same capacities, perhaps as ourselves, probably of the same
nature, certainly intended immortal destination. On these, or some of them, the Creator has bestowed his blessings from all eternity."

"Amulets of the Basilideans (a sect of visionaries who flourished in the second century from Christ), called Abraxas, which, they asserted. was the sacred and incommunicable name of God, the Author of the circle of 365 days; and hence they were supposed to worship the sun, whose annual course was accomplished in that period."

After a visionary account of the creation, the secretaries of Thoth are wholly silent about the Deluge, which creates a suspicion that their silence is rather the effect of design than ignorance; for, they acknowledge that Cronus (Ham) was living after the death of his son Misor (Mizraim); and placed Thoth, the reputed author of these Records, on the throne of his father, in Egypt.

"I am that I am."

The overall condition of this book is very good despite being printed before Abraham Lincoln was elected. It has some normal wear and shelf wear, but remains in very good condition. This is book four of a thirty-volume set that was released in 1855. Each book in the collection is its own book, not a continuation of another. It is incredibly rare with this particular bidding. Of all the books from the set, I have seen this is the most fascinating.