WAITE produced a work which is much less well-known as his New Encyclopaedia. It is a collection of articles published in various periodicals, entitled Emblematic Freemasonry. The First Edition came out in 1925 e.v. There are a few references to the Thebaid Brethren, the Knights of the Morning Star, Werner's Sons of the Valley, etc. We shall deal with these presently.
a. Emblematic Freemasonry, pp. 144-7.
"In the old SUBLIME ELECT KNIGHT OF TWELVE -- corresponding by title to the Eleventh Degree of the Modern SCOTTISH RITE -- the Candidate is pledged to pour out at need his blood even to the last drop in defence of the Christian Religion, and on this understanding only he learns its traditional story. He is told that the Twelve Elect Masters who had charge of the Craftsmen after the death of the Master Builder became a distinct Confraternity when the Temple was finished, and were governed by a Chief appointed among themselves. They were chosen Guardians of the Temple, in separation from the rest of the world, and were devoted otherwise to works of beneficence. When the light of the Morning Star arose in Palestine a number of their descendants embraced Christianity and imparted their secrets to Christians received among them. The Order continued in splendour till A. D. 700, after which it deteriorated, and at the opening of the twelfth century it had become almost unknown. [Waite note: Thus accounting, not a little acutely, for the silence of all history on the existence and perpetuation of the mythical Elect Chivalry.] A few pious members undertook, however, to follow the Statutes and were joined subsequently by various Christian princes in a common undertaking to establish a Christian Temple, on the pattern of that of Solomon, in the Holy Land. [Waite note: Compare Ramsay's ORATION and my reference on p. 121. <a reference to Ramsay's Oration -- hkt> It is said also, with Ramsay, that they adopted Secret Signs, Tokens and Words, by which they might be distinguished from the Saracens.] Some time subsequently this Order was united with that of St. John in Jerusalem. [Waite note: Compare Ramsay, as cited on p. 164. ] When kings and princes returned from Palestine they established Lodges in their several countries, including Spain, Italy, Germany, France, England, and Scotland.
"The most notable point in this recital is not that it is a transcript from Ramsay, as my annotations shew, but that it accounts in an intelligible manner for the design of rebuilding the Temple at Jerusalem, so continually attributed to Crusaders, to the Knights Templar in particular, and to the mythical Masonic Fraternities, KNIGHTS OF THE MORNING, KNIGHTS OF PALESTINE, THEBAID BRETHREN and so forth, who are represented as intermingled with the Christian Chivalries in Palestine at that epoch. In opposition to occult dreamers, who have supposed that Crusaders in general, Templars in particular and hidden Masonic Sodalities were all bent on erecting at Jerusalem a Gnostic Church of the Adepts, [Waite note: The Templar intention, according to Eliphas Levi, was to found at Jerusalem a metropolis of the universe and an universal metropolitan Church, which was not, however, to represent orthodox Latin Christianity but the obscure sect of Johannites and their alleged possession of inner Christian Mysteries. It is pretended that "the secret dream of the Eastern patriarchs" would have been fulfilled in this manner. See my translation of Levi's HISTORY OF MAGIC, second edition, 1922, pp. 265-270, and THE SECRET TRADITION IN FREEMASONRY, i., 300-303.](16) the SUBLIME ELECT KNIGHTS are connected with a very natural ambition, to provide a permanent memorial of Christian conquest in the face of the Holy City and the whole wide world. [Waite note: There is neither call nor occasion to cite all the variants of invention by which the tradition originating from Enoch or other Keepers is brought up to Christian Times and the inevitable Crusades. The Grade of GRAND ECOSSAIS, otherwise PATRIARCH OF THE GREAT LIGHT and KNIGHT OF THE SUN, is denominated the General History of Freemasonry. It begins with David and his plan to build the Temple. The familiar ground is traversed, introducing variations of detail, to which little consequence attaches, except that they are combined curiously with alchemical suggestions, in part material and partly of an ethical kind. Inventions multiply as the tale proceeds to the destruction of Jerusalem under Titus, and thereafter follows the story of Masons passing to Ireland and Scotland. The myth of Kilwinning is retold and then that of the Crusades, with much detail and many exaggerations. This epoch over, there is the usual picture of the Order spreading in Europe, of its decay, of Kilwinning as its unvaried asylum, and so forward. From Kilwinning it was given forth again.... The Grade entitled GRAND ELECT OF LONDON -- it should be understood that the city is a mere portent, the symbol of an epoch-marking fact, being the foundation-place of the first GRAND LODGE, affirms that after the Fall of Jerusalem many Masons embraced Christianity, because there was nothing which was not in conformity with the Gospel in the Mysteries of that Order, the heirs of which they were. Alexander, Patriarch of Alexandria, became now its chief ornament, and it formed the Chivalry of Knights Templar, thus reversing the thesis that Templars either created Emblematic Freemasonry or took refuge in the working Guilds, already and long since established.... The Grade of PERFECT ENGLISH MASTER goes over the whole story of the Temple, from David to the completion of the building. It recounts the idolatry of Solomon and the voluntary exile of the Architects in consequence. Some of them are represented, as usual, reaching their respective bournes in England, Scotland, and Ireland. When Peter the Hermit preached the First Crusade they offered their services, and their brilliant exploits are recited. They were not as yet Christians, but the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem sought their friendship and alliance. Why the members of a persecuted religion should have helped Christians rather than Saracens, and why the Brethren of a Christian Chivalry should have appealed to Jews, must be referred to those who can explain.(17) In any case, the successors of Masonic Israel received the knowledge of Christ at the hands of their new allies, imparting their own Mysteries in return and choosing Saint John the Baptist as their patron.(18) The Order thus transformed began to spread through Europe and was transmitted in its purity to later days. To all appearance it had long since surrendered the original concern in building, the Temple of Solomon had become a thing of emblems and a fontal source of allegory, in connection with which it has been seen that the twelve oxen which supported the Brazen Sea are denominated types or symbols of the Twelve Apostles. The object of the Christian Masonic Order is said to be 'a most pure morality.'] The root-idea is in Ramsay's ORATION, as we shall find in the next study."
This then is Waite's collation of several of the Legends we have been referring to, both in the present chapter, on the Qadosh Fathers, and in the previous Chapter, on the Johannite Legend. It was Waite's job to deny everything he was either uncomfortable with, or realized that it would cause trouble for him if he affirmed. That is why we can generally accept everything he denies as what really happened. In most cases the denials are pure and total smokescreens. The same thing can be seen in Ellic Howe's paper, Fringe Masonry in England, (1972 e.v.), in which the following gem of a statement is uttered: (At the end of the paper, in the comments section, a comment by a Bro. R W Stubbs):
"There is however always the fear that this clear portrayal might encourage some 20th Century students to believe that there is something worth salvaging in the follies of Mackenzie, his friends, his rivals and his enemies, for the gap between 'fringe' and 'lunatic fringe' is narrow. I do not believe that this is likely, but if it were to be a result of this paper, Bro. Howe would have done the Craft some disservice."
To which Howe replies:
"Like Bro. Stubbs I do not believe it likely that any misguided Brother will attempt to salvage anything from the Victorian rubbish-heap discussed in my paper. The risk of this happening in the 1970s appears to be infinitesimal, even inconceivable. These 'fringe' and sometimes 'lunatic fringe' activities happened in a social, sociological and, for that matter, Masonic climate which was utterly unlike the one with which we are familiar."
In other words, the Masons of the Grand Lodge calibre have been worried all along that this old "heresy" would be rekindled. There is nothing they can do about it, because one cannot kill the truth. One can try and kill the truth, but the truth is the truth and it always wins, even if its bearers are killed in the process.
b. Emblematic Freemasonry, page 177.
"...the same Prayer at Opening is found in all codices and may be compared with that which appears in Werner's SONS OF THE VALLEY, a dramatic poem first published in 1803 and of extraordinary importance in respect of Templar Masonry -- in its development on the side of literature. Werner was a High-Grade Mason and a member of the STRICT OBSERVANCE, the traditional history of which is elaborated in his remarkable work."
c. Emblematic Freemasonry, pp. 183-7.
"I have mentioned Werner, the German dramatic poet, and his memorable SONS OF THE VALLEY, which has scarcely been heard of in the English ranks of Masonic chivalry and ought to be known by all. It was once translated into English -- not unfortunately in an inspired version -- but it has been out of print these many years. [Waite note: THE TEMPLARS IN CYPRUS: A Dramatic Poem. By Friedrich Ludwig Zacharias Werner. Translated by E. A. M. Lewis. BOHN'S STANDARD LIBRARY. 1886. And THE BRETHREN OF THE CROSS: A Dramatic Poem. Same author and translator. 1892. In the German original these two parts constitute together the complete work called THE SONS OF THE VALLEY.] From the Traditional History of the STRICT OBSERVANCE [Waite note: The Templar Prior of Auvergne {i.e., the Languedoc region -- hkt}, Pierre d'Aumont , and a few Brethren of the Order are said to have found refuge in the Island of Mull, and through them it was perpetuated in Scotland, as we have seen, under the veil of Masonry. Werner develops his theme on this basis.] Werner developed an extraordinary theme, representing a great secret, spiritual power behind the Temple, that of the SONS OF THE VALLEY, a Company of Adept Brethren belonging to a Hidden School of Christ, which recalls the Secret Church of Christ in Eckhartshausen's CLOUD UPON THE SANCTUARY. The Knights Templar are said to have tampered with a sacred knowledge placed in their hands and they were about to reveal it to the world. The providence of the Sons of the Valley was therefore withdrawn, and they were left to work out their own destiny of destruction at the hands of Pope and King. Yet they would not be abandoned utterly: a little remnant should be reserved against the dawn of a day to come. A young Chevalier of the Order with a few other knights, and that Prior of Auvergne about whom we have heard previously, were commissioned into Scotland, there to perpetuate the Order under the veils of trowel and apron until such time as the further will of the Valley should be known concerning it. [Waite note: The chevalier was Robert of Heredom, a Scottish Brother, who is initiated by the Sons of the Valley(19) towards the end of the poem and is created Master of the new Temple, which is to arise from the ashes of the old, and guardian of the Secret Palladium until such time as men are ripe for its knowledge and fit to receive that light which the Valley revealed to Molay on the eve of his martyrdom.] It came about that the secrets of the Temple were lost to the world, like those of the Master Grade, for a period of nearly five hundred years, and were recovered when the Rite of the Strict Observance rose up in a Germanic Province. It will be seen that this beautiful tale of faerie embodies the STRICT OBSERVANCE story of perpetuation, and the inference which it creates is that behind the great Masonic Chivalry of the eighteenth century, as behind the old Temple, there was at work an authentic and valid adeptship, consecrated by Werner under an enchanting mystical title. This was his way of accounting for the fact of Unknown Superiors alleged by Baron von Hund. The poem made a reputation in its day, and I do not doubt that in this manner its author contributed his not inconsiderable quota to the great influence and extraordinary but transient success of the German Templar Rite. As regards the alleged secret knowledge committed to Templar hands I can say little,(20) for it does not emerge. There is, however, a casual vestige, like the corner of a curtain lifted for a moment. Those who remember a dictum of St. Augustine, which I have quoted myself often, namely, that Christianity has always been in the world but has not been known always under that name, may perhaps see that a pregnant intimation is conveyed by Werner when he suggests remotely and in words aloof that the Religion of Osiris became in the course of long ages the Religion of Christ. In their all-hidden Sanctuary the SONS OF THE VALLEY seem to have stood apart from the ages and to have watched them passing. He who was called Christ on the circumference of the Templar circle was still named Horus at the point within the circle. [Waite note: In Part I, Act I, Astralis, the Adoptive Daughter of the Valley, rings at the Temple door, seeking her oblation of daily bread, and in speaking confuses Horus with Jesus Christ, and Isis with Mary the Mother. In Part II, Act V, one of the ADEPTI explains that the VALLEY holds all faiths in reverence, that in the western world the members are cloistered Brethren, wearing the habit of Carmel, but on the Ganges they are Brahmins, so that in all manners and by all paths of religion they may: Lend pinions to the dust-clogg'd spirit through / Messiah and Prometheus, Horus, Vishnu, / Through Eros, Thor and Christ; that it may launch / Its upward flight to its original Source. : This is the rendering of Mr. Lewis, faithful to the original but appalling as a form of verse.] [Only appalling to those who do not want to recognize the truths presented. -- hkt] But without essential change or shadow of inward vicissitude the Great Master was one. I think that if the illuminated Martinists of Lyons who transformed the Strict Observance into a REGIME ECOSSAIS and an ORDRE INTERIEUR -- and accomplished the greatest work of Alchemy that has ever been performed on Masonic Ritual -- had been acquainted with Werner's dramatic poem they would have incorporated his radiant dream into their great sheaf of memorials. It remains now the shewing of STRICT OBSERVANCE images in a poet's glass of vision.
"There is another story which is almost comparable for grace of invention to that of Werner, whose SONS OF THE VALLEY are located by him in Cyprus, though it may be suspected that their mystical Sanctuary was not really one local habitation but wheresoever its Sons abode. Some three years before we have tidings of Knights Templar in English-speaking countries, Baron Tschoudy published a curious collection called L'ETOILE FLAMBOYANTE, in which he describes a secret Order of Chivalry subsisting from immemorial time under the denomination of KNIGHTS OF THE MORNING. [Waite note: They were otherwise KNIGHTS OF PALESTINE, the oldest of military Orders, ancestors and authors of Masonry; but it is to be understood that their true designation is veiled under the published titles, even as the SONS OF THE VALLEY were known under other names in the secret circles. During early Christian centuries the Knights dwelt in the deserts of the Thebaid. Their intention was to rebuild the Temple at Jerusalem -- on which see ante, pp. 145-7.] They were also custodians of strange knowledge. The power of the SONS OF THE VALLEY seems comparable to that of a Higher Magia, but it happens that Baron Tschoudy was dedicated to the pursuit of Alchemy, and therefore his KNIGHTS OF THE MORNING are presented as zealous in that Great Work by which base metals are raised into the perfect modes of gold and silver. [Waite note: Not, however, as an end itself but to provide those resources which would enable them to accomplish the design already specified, which seems to have been part only of a wider scheme.] In reality the distinction does not so much signify, for Magia and Alchemia are both veiling words. The point is that the KNIGHTS OF THE MORNING were a power behind the Christian Chivalries in Palestine during Crusading Times; they were also the power and the knowledge behind what is called Masonry, for that which, according to Baron Tschoudy, is veiled by Masonic allegory and illustrated by Masonic symbols is not Morality but Alchemy; and after the first deponent there came another, anonymous in this case, who affirmed that the KNIGHTS OF THE MORNING became KNIGHTS TEMPLAR. The Templars by inference were therefore also alchemists, which seems incredible; but it should be remembered that in ascribing secret knowledge to certaingroups the occult denomination chosen has always followed the lines of a speculator's own concern."
d. Emblematic Freemasonry, pp. 206-7, footnote.
"It is desirable to compare the GRAND KADOSH, No. 30 in the Oriental Rite of Memphis, 97°, as issued by its Grand Master in the rarest of all his publications, with the EIGHTEENTH DEGREE of the ANTIENT AND PRIMITIVE RITE, being MEMPHIS reduced within the more manageable compass of 33°. But the only available version is that of Mr John Yarker -- MANUAL OF THE DEGREES OF THE ANTIENT AND PRIMITIVE RITE, 1885 -- and it is impossible to determine whether he translated from a source which I have failed to identify, or altered, added and omitted in accordance with his own promptings. The true explanation may be sought, not improbably, by combining both alternatives. In this case his French original had certain sporadic points of correspondence with the Ritual produced by Marconis -- for example, in the moral counsels recommended to Candidates -- but the difference is generic and may be described as that which separates one Philosophical Grade which never mentions chivalry, and much less the Knights Templar, from another in which the Traditional History is that of the Crusades presented in summary form, supplemented by the Templar proscription and a perpetuation legend reflected from that of the SWEDISH RITE. It begins on the authority of Baron Tschoudy -- but without citing him -- by an account of his mythical KNIGHTS OF THE MORNING AND OF PALESTINE; but as so-called philosophical principles are substituted for Christian theosophical doctrine, the thesis is (1) that the supposititious 'anchorites' were descended from the builders of the First Temple, (2) that they had been wanderers ever since the dispersion of the Jewish tribes, (3) that the hope which they 'nourished' was one of rebuilding the 'ancient edifice,' obviously as a new Temple of Israel, for the better advancement of which they made, when the time came, a common cause with the Crusaders, 'abjuring the outward observance of their creed, yet cherishing it in their hearts.' This notwithstanding, they are represented in the maniacal story as Coptic priests who initiated the Knights Templar into their Mysteries, being those of Children of the Widow, otherwise Freemasonry, which is identified with old Egyptian Wisdom.
"It is to be understood that the fictitious Copts are the original KADOSH Brethren, that their Templar disciples are the second KADOSH circle, and that the tird is the traditional Swedish survival, which -- presumably for want of authentic materials -- is presently confused with the alternative remnant postulated by the STRICT OBSERVANCE. The fourth circle obviously comprises the exalted Brotherhood of the ANTIENT AND PRIMITIVE RITE, and so it comes about that its EIGHTEENTH DEGREE is concerned with a scheme of Templar Vengeance. The Candidate in his progress does more than was required of him in the early KADOSH codex, with which I have dealt in the text. He takes up as directed the Crown of Philippe le Bel, casts it beneath his feet and exclaims: 'Down with tyranny'; he takes the Papal Tiara and tramples on it in like manner, saying: 'Down with imposture and superstition'; but the stage properties of the Areopagus include nothing representative of the traitor Squin de Florian, who passes therefore out of sight."
So, then, we have a group behind the Templars, who cut them off, when they got arrogant... Doesn't that seem familiar?
FOOTNOTES
16. Waite did not want to admit what is more obvious today. He did not want to admit that the real thinking behind the Crusades was not Orthodox Latin Christianity, but a power which could check it any time it chose to do so.
17. The present work is one such explanation. Arthur has a hard time understanding the concept of Religious Dissimulation, at least as practiced by people who are "ostensibly" Christian, at least on the exterior, or "ostensibly" heathen(whatever that term means) on the exterior. But, true religion knows no sect or creed, and the aims of the Johannites were to make that dream a reality, and cause the Kingdom of Heaven to be realised on Earth, rather than relegate it to the pipe dream in the sky the Christian Churches have made of it.
18. This should refute Waite's denial that the Johannite Tradition was anything more than a reverie of the 19th Century e.v.
19. Could this bear a relationship to the Hieron du Val d'Or which is noticed in HBHG?
20. Probably because he never knew it.
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