THE
SANCTUARY OF MEMPHIS
OR.
HERMES
E. J. Marconis (de Negre)THE
SANCTUARY OF MEMPHIS
OR
| HERMES
| E. J. Marconis (de Negre)
ISBN 1-56459-311-8PUBLISHER'S INTRODUCTION
"The Masonic order of Memphis is...the
sole depository of high masonic science, the
true primitive rite, the supreme rite....
In fine, the Rite of Memphis is the true
masonic tree, and all other systems,
whatever they may be, are only detached
branches of this institution, rendered
respectable by its vast antiquity."
Calvin c. Burt, 96°, Egyptian Masonic
History of the...Rite of Memphis (1879)
The Rite of Memphis, with its astounding ninety-
six degree system, continues to perplex Masonic
students. While we might expect Calvin c. Burt,
one-time "Grand Master Ad Vitem," of the Rite to
bolster its claims, we are nonetheless fascinated
by this all-encompassing system.
What is the Rite of Memphis? Who started
this rite? How was it -- or was it ever --
affiliated with "regular" Freemasonry? These are
question which, unfortunately, cannot be answered
satisfactorily by reference to proponents of the
system as they invariably lay claim to more than
they’re entitled. The traditional (mythical)
origins of the Rite have been categorized as
four-fold by Waite:
(1) Certain Greek Initiates emigrated to Asia
Minor, where they established the ANTIENT
AND PRIMITIVE RITE OF MEMPHIS, under the
name of DIONYSIAN MYSTERIES, about 1600 B.C.
(2) The headquarters were at Byblos, identified
with the Scriptural Gebal.
(3) At the beginning of the Christian Era and
Egyptian sage named Ormus, represented as a
convert of St. Mark, married the Mysteries
of Egyptian priests with those of the New
Law, and so produced the GRADE OF ROSE
1