The Sanctuary Of Memphis, Or Hermes:

dispensation as Masonry be not tainted by the passions which conceal themselves under its august mantle . One fact—a fact of immense importanceresults from this expose , ancl that is , that the unity of Masonry is lost . Therein lies the great misfortune , for the strength of an institution consists in its unity . But what can avail against fact ? It would be folly to attempt to deny or contest it . There is , however , one way of counterbalancing the

pernicious influence of these disjointments ; and that is , to call the attention of all Masons of the different rites to the moral and scientific genius of Masonry , ancl to reconstitute the unity of views and thoughts , if we cannot restore unity of action and of power . This is the chief purpose of the Rite of Memphis . Depository of the entire collection of tradition , the oldest of all existing rites , it will gii'e them an example of personal abnegation , of Masonic charity , ancl of disinterested devotion to the prosperity of Masonry . Happy shall it esteem itself if such an example shall have many imitators 1

ORIGIN OF ALL THE KNOWN MASONIC RITES . The Masonic Rite of Memphis , or the Oriental , was brought into Europe by Ormus , a priest of Set-apis ( prelre seraphupw ) , of Alexandria , a sage of Egypt , converted by Saint Mark , A . D . 46 , AVIIO purified the doctrines of the Egyp tians according to the principles of Christianity . The Ancient , or Scottish Rite , was established in Paris in the year 1725 . A manuscri pt of

the Edinburgh Rite , Avritten in the following- century , ancl translated into English , alleges that Scottish Masonry was instituted hy the -celebrated heresiarch Manes in the year of Christ 304 . The modern or French rite , in which some follow the legend of Hiram , others that of Adouhiram , * whence it is sometimes called "Hiramite Masonry , " ancl sometimes " Aclouhiramite Masonry , " ivas founded b y Bro . Lacorne ,

delegated by the Count de Clermont , who established , on the 24 th December , 1772 , a Grand Lodge , which constituted itself under the title of the Grand Orient . On the 5 th of March , 1773 , the first assembl y of the Grand Orient took place , and proclaimed its institution on the 9 th of the same month . The rite of the Strict Observance AVUS created in the year 1734 b y Baron Hund , that of Philalethes ( from philos and aleihef ) , or lovers and seekers after truth , in 1773 , by Savalette cle Loges ancl Court cle Gebelin . This rite had for object the perfection of man and his approach towards that from which he had

emanated , following the principles of Martiiiism , the regeneration of humanit y and its restoration to primitive innocence as Avell as its reintegration in the rights which it had forfeited by original sin 1 The rite of the Elect of Truth was instituted at Rennes in 1748 , ancl arranged by Mangourit in 1776 . The Rite of the Perfect Initiated of Egypt , comprising- seven grades , was formed at Lyons , according to a copy of the Grata Bepon , of which Bro , Bailleul lvrote a translation in 1821 from the original German . The Rite of the Architects of

Africa was instituted in 1767 . The Rite of Swedenborg , or the Illuminati of Stockholm ( a theosophic Masonry , the seventy-second degree of the Masonic Rite of Memphis ) , founded in 1621 . The Rite of Penertty , or the Illuminati of Avignon , established in 1779 , and transferred in 1787 to Montpellier under the title of the Academy of True Masons ( Maconnerie hermetique , ) . The Rite of Universal Harmony , instituted in 1782 by Mesnier . The Rite of the

Xerophagists , founded in Italy in 1746 . The Rite of the Phatonic Academy , founded in 1482 , under Lorenzo de Medicis , by Marsilius Ficint . The Rite of the Sublime Masters of the Luminous Ring , founded in France in 1780 by Bro . Grant ; this rite caused the revival of the School of P ythagoras . The Rite of the Palladium , attributed to Fenelon . The Mesmerican Masonry , founded by Mesmer according to magnetic science , Avhich many manuscri pts assure us to have been known to the ancient initiated . The Primitive Rite or