Manly P. Hall
Manly P. Hall was indeed a Mason, but it could hardly be said that he was representative of all Masons. Manly was often "different" in his views of Masonry.
Manly P. Hall writing about Freemasonry long before he ever became a Mason. His book "The Lost Key of Freemasonry" is often used by anti-Masons to "prove" that the Craft is of a demonic nature. The following paragraph is taken from his book:
'When a mason learns the key to the warrior on the block is the proper application of the dynamo of living power, he has learned the mystery of his craft. The seething energies of Lucifer are in his hands and before he may step upward, he must prove his ability to properly apply energy.'
At this point in Manly's writing career he really did not have a working knowledge of Masonry.
Manley Hall
- The Lost Keys of Freemasonry is a work often quoted by anti-Masons due to some of the statements made by Hall about the religious nature of Freemasonry. Published in 1923, it was written when Hall was barely 21 years of age - and some thirty one (31) years before he became a Mason! Because of this, it can easily be seen that the book represents merely the personal theories of a non-Mason. Further, Mr. Hall (who passed away in August 1990) was a self-avowed mystic and hardly a "leading authority" of Freemasonry.Anti-Masons make much over Hall's writing being highly 'influential' on Masonry. The publishers of the 1976 reprint of his book (53 years after its original publication!) note (somewhat proudly) that Hall's work had sold over 30,000 copies. By contrast, however, we'd comment that the anti-Masonic book by World War I German General Erich Ludendorff sold over 100,000 copies.
The Lost Keys Of Freemasonry' by Manly Palmer Hall 33° Published in 1923, the preface states "At the time I wrote this slender volume, I had just passed my twenty-first birthday, and my only contact with Freemasonry was through a few books commonly available to the public."
Hall, the founder of The Philosophical Research Society in Los Angeles, did not become a Freemason until 1954. Although he received an honorary 33rd Degree, this confered no authority.(From the website "The Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon)
Books written by Manly P. Hall
Not necessarily recommended
The Secret Teachings of All Ages.
· Lectures on Ancient Philosophy.
· First Principles of Philosophy.
· The Phoenix, an Illustrated Review of Occultism & Philosophy.
· Self-Unfoldment by Disciplines of Realisation.
· Man, The Grand Symbol of the Mysteries.
· Orders of the Universal Reformation – Utopias.
· Orders of the Great Work - Alchemy
· Therapeutic Value of Music Including the Philosophy of Music.
· The Most Holy Trinosophia of the Comte de St. Germain.