Martinezism, Willermozism, Martinism and Freemasonry

This seminal book on Martinism was written by Papus (Dr. Gérard Encausse) some twelve years after he founded the Ordre Martiniste in France. By then the Order had taken root and spread across Europe and the world. He gives an introduction to the three branches on Martinism's origins: the Elus Cohen of Martines de Pasqually, the Rectified Rite of Jean-Baptiste Willermoz, and the mystical Christian writings of Louis-Claude de Saint-Martin. He continues with a scathing analysis of the state of Freemasonry in France at the turn of the twentieth Century, and ends with the comment that Martinism would be an ideal organization to unite the esoteric societies of the world for three reasons: They have an existing global structure in place, there is no money - and therefore corruption - involved, and they have no interest in politics (a claim which could not be said of French Freemasonry).This is an important book in the history of Martinism. While some of Papus' comments are either incorrect in light of history, or blatantly propagandist, English-speaking Martinists will find this a valuable addition to their source documents.