"It has also become necessary to let the world know that Mystic Masonry exists and has existed for many years, although not always under that name." - Dr. Reuben Swinburne Clymer
Dr. Reuben Swinburne Clymer n introducing his 1907 book " Ancient Mystic Oriental Masonry" writes:
"There are several reasons why this book should go before the people, and especially before Masons themselves. Too little is known by my Brother Masons concerning that Order to which they have the honor to belong, but which some of them do not honor and the present work, prepared from the highest authorities, will give them some idea of what the underlying principle of their teachings is."
The book is composed of quotations from the highest Masonic authorities, and the mystical interpretation has been given.
The compiler and author has one of the finest Masonic libraries in the country, besides having unlimited privileges of consulting books and manuscripts on this subject.
This book is not an exposure of Masonry, but is, from every point of view, friendly to Masonry. It is a frank discussion, a frank interpretation, of Masonry in its highest and most sublime form.
It is a book for all those who are interested in the philosophies, but is especially valuable to the sincere Mason.
Reuben Swinburne Clymer (1878 - 1966) was a modern Rosicrucian responsible for either reviving or creating the FRC (Fraternitas Rosae Crucis), perhaps the oldest continuing Rosicrucian organization in the Americas. He practiced alternative medicine, and wrote and published works on it as well as (his version of) the teachings of Paschal Beverly Randolph (1825-1875), magic, vegetarianism, religion, alchemy, and Spiritualism. This led to a number of conflicts with Harvey Spencer Lewis (1883-1939) and the AMORC (Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis), FUDOSI, Aleister Crowley, and even the American Medical Association.
Clymer's involvement in new religious movements, the drama that invariably followed Clymer and similar leaders (such as Father Divine), inspired a number of early 20th century detective stories, such as Dashiell Hammett's The Dain Curse.
Clymer's works are also standard reading for American Rosicrucians, and his interest in medicine is continued by the FRC to this day, with the Beverly Hall headquarters housing chiropractic and naturopathic clinics. His prolific writing about Paschal Beverly Randolph and his teachings remain influential in the study of Randolph, in part because little is known about Randolph.
This noteworthy 1907 book is still relevant today, being cited by the following modern works:
• Should A Christian Be A Mason? David W. Daniels – 2011
• THE CRAFTSMAN'S SYMBOLOGY, ANTHONY MONGELLI, JR. – 2013
• A Rose Cross College: A Resume of the Teachings and Proceedings, R. Swinburne Clymer – 1996
Other books by Dr. Reuben Swinburne Clymer include:
• The Philosophy of Fire, - 1907 -
• Alchemy and the Alchemists: Giving the Secret of the Philosopher's- 1907
• Diet, the way to health: a complete course of instructions- 1919
• True Spiritualism;: Also, a Contradiction of the Work - 1906
• The Rosicrucians: Their Teachings and Mysteries - 1910
• The Divine Law; Mastership: A Fundamental Text Book for All Students - 1922
• The Illuminated Faith: Mystical Interpretation of the Gospel, 1913
• The Gods: The Immaculate Conception
