The Genius of Freemasonry by J.D. Buck
Publication: 1914 Indo-American Book Co. fourth edition
This work was released as part of the author’s “Harmonic Series,” which is a collection of writings that expand upon the foundational ideas presented in Jirah Dewey Buck’s (1838-1916) earlier works, such as “The Genius of Freemasonry.” Buck stirred some controversy among orthodox Freemasons of his time. He emphasized that Freemasonry was not merely a fraternal or ethical organization but rather a deeply esoteric and mystical system rooted in ancient mystery religions, Hermeticism, and Theosophy. Buck described Masonry as a spiritual science capable of leading initiates toward enlightenment and union with the divine. This perspective was contentious because many Freemasons, particularly in Anglo-American traditions, rejected these occult or mystical associations, preferring to view Masonry as a moral and social institution with symbolic rather than metaphysical meanings.
Condition: publishers blue cloth boards, gilt title to spine, gilt decorated cover, erased pencil annotation to pastedown, personal bookplate to ffep, one page with light pencil annotations, binding is firm, overall in Very Good condition