The History of the Esoteric School 1904–1914, Volume Two

GA 265

Appointment of Rudolf Steiner as Grand Master of the Egyptian Rite of Misraim in Germany

Wording of the original manuscript of Theodor Reuss, dated June 15, 1907

Memphis and Mizraim Rite of Masonry
Order of Oriental Templars and Esoteric Rosicrucians
Z.R.D.A.B.A.W.!¹

Fraternal greetings on all points of the triangle! To all who are concerned!

In execution of the provisions of the fraternal agreement of January 3, 1906 E.V. and the edict of September 10, A.D. 1906, A.O.788, published in the “Oriflamme”, issue 2, volume 5, 1906, E.V. I hereby appoint, by virtue of the rights and powers conferred upon me by the patent of September 24, 1902, E.V.,

S.E.Br.-. Dr. Rudolf Steiner, 33rd 90th 96th in Berlin

to the independent

Acting General Grand Master of the Supreme General Council of the Egyptian Rite (90°) of Mizraim in Germany

as well as the adoption lodges of Egyptian Freemasonry in Germany, with the right and the obligation to lead the order in accordance with the provisions of the agreement of January 3, 1906 E.V.

Given in our sanctuary on the fifteenth of June A.D. 1907, A.O.

789 London and Berlin,

Theodor Reuß, 33rd 90th 96th
Sovereign General Grand Master ad Vitam
Henry Klein 33rd 95th
General Grand Registrar

Rudolf Steiner on the difference between the cult of knowledge and freemasonry

From the participants' notes on the instruction session in Berlin, December 16, 1911.

One might think that we are dealing here with an institution of what is generally called “freemasonry”, but it is not so. However secret Freemasonry may have been practiced in earlier times, it has always been something external. In fact, Freemasonry originally came into the world through a betrayal of the mystery schools, and that is why many of the symbols found in Freemasonry can also be found here. From the mystery schools, these symbols passed through students who were not sufficiently imbued with their value and significance, ended up in secret societies that were secret to the outside world. However, none of the secret societies known to man have been able to understand and explain the true depth of the symbols under the general name of Freemasonry, because the sacredness of the symbols themselves means that they cannot be properly understood outside the occult temple.²

Until now, our occult current for the world has still borne the name of Freemasonry, because from an occult point of view, one should always tie in with what already exists as much as possible. From now on, however, this name should be dropped for our temple and our activities should be called “Misraim Service”. If one wants to hint at our occult service, one may abbreviate this with the letters “M.D.” The designation “F.M.” [Freemasonry] should now disappear for good, and thus, for the outside world and for all institutions based on Freemasonry, there is no Freemasonry in our movement. If someone were to ask us whether our movement includes Freemasonry, we can say no without telling an untruth. What is done here is an occult service called the Misraim service, which means something like: the effecting of the union of the earthly with the heavenly, of the visible with the invisible.

The Misraim service was already known in ancient Egypt and was one of the most frequently practiced occult services in the mystery schools. This same service is also performed in our temple, with the additions and reforms that Markus has made. The Mark referred to here is the disciple of Peter, one of the twelve apostles, who wrote the Gospel of Mark while he was Bishop of Alexandria in Egypt. Together with an Egyptian initiate, he reorganized the occult service (cult) that we now know as the Misraim service.