Jahrhundert von Bruder (Joseph) Baurnjöpel im O(rient) in Wien

Jahrhundert von Bruder (Joseph) Baurnjöpel im O(rient) in Wien

This is a splendidly illustrated source on the history of Freemasonry in Austria during the 18th century, when the secret order was at its zenith. Joseph Baurnjöpel (1739-95) wrote the introduction of the work explaining the origins of the order, the “Harmony of Creation”, and “The Doctrine of Nature”. Four sections follow explaining the rituals and symbols of Freemasonry, along with the admittance of apprentices, their promotion to “journeyman” status, and finally the ritual for obtaining the dignity of a master’s rank. The ceremonial dress and other teachings are also detailed. The contents are illustrated by 24 full-page miniatures and numerous other decorative elements.

The Mysterious History of Freemasonry

This fraternal organization, perhaps the most famous in the world, has its roots in the medieval lodges and guilds of actual stonemasons who had trade secrets and knowledge to protect. The earliest masonic manuscripts trace the craft of masonry back through Euclid to the figure of Jabal from the Book of Genesis. A mason was educated beginning in childhood, left home by the age of ten for further study, and spent his early twenties as a journeyman before completing a masterwork in order to be a qualified mason, but still had years to go before becoming a Master Mason. As such, masons were among the most educated members of society, and were paid accordingly.
During the Enlightenment, these institutions were modernized and reorganized according to humanist principles resulting in new constitutions with even more elaborate histories that incorporated inter alia the Crusaders, specifically the Hospitallers and Templars who supposedly uncovered ancient secrets of masonry while in the Holy Land. Freemasonry reached its peak during the 18th century and was popular with liberal reformers from the British Isles and Continental Europe, to the New World, where the first President of the United States, George Washington, was a Freemason initiated in 1752. The first German Freemasons were initiated in England during the early-18th century, the first German lodge was founded in 1737, and by 1754 there were 19 lodges across Germany. Some of the most famous Germans of the 18th century were also masons including Goethe, Mozart, and Frederick the Great.