This publication contains for the first time in English, the totality of lÕOrdre des Chevaliers Macons ƒlus Co‘ns de lÕUnivers, or simply, the ƒlus Co‘ns of Martinez de PasquallyÕs B.M.G. MS. 4125 (Biblioth�que Municipal de Grenoble) which appears to date from 1770. This MS. consists of four notebooks partially sewn together, forming seventy-seven pages. Included in this MS. are complete Catechisms for the grades of:
¥ Master Co‘n (pgs. 1 Ð 21 of the MS.)
¥ Grand Master Co‘n also known as Grand Archictect (pgs. 21 Ð 27)
¥ Grand ƒlu of Zorobabel, also called Knights of the East (pgs. 27 Ð 33)
¥ Catechism of the Commanders of the Orient Apprentice R+ (pgs. 34 Ð 52)
¥ A second MS. facsimilŽ of this last Catechism is reproduced, which according to Robert Amadou is in the handwriting of the Unknown Philosopher himself.
Included in B.M.G. Ms. 4125 is also the Catechism of the Philosophers ƒlus Co‘ns of the Universe 1770 (pgs. 53 Ð 77 of the MS.). This last text specifically concerns the rank of Apprentice, but differs from the Apprentice Catechisms found in other collections, namely that of BNF FM 4 15 (aka the Baylot MS., the source for Roger DachezÕ Apprentice & Companion Catechisms) as well as PapusÕ. This text does not merely address the 1st degree of Apprentice, but presents a panorama of the contents of the following degrees. This text states regarding the quality or state of the ÒPhilosopher ƒlu Co‘nÓ that they are ÒTo be free, virtuous and free from all vice, equal to Kings, a friend of the Princes and the Poor when they are spiritually clothed in the character of ƒlus Co‘ns.Ó It is the spirit of this virtue, the Election of Spiritual Nobility that we hope to confer and re-enliven in our works and our heritage.
For each, we have included our own English translation, a faithful transcription of the original French, and a facsimilŽ of the original French manuscript when possible. In this manner, the resources of the Tradition may be carefully preserved for the English-speaking world so that the next generation may begin where we have left off.
Finally, in releasing these 1770 versions of the catechisms to the public, we should note that the catechisms presented here are only one version of the E.C. catechisms. Pasqually was constantly refining his system as our translations of other E.C. manuscripts reveal. By releasing source manuscripts, English Martinists of other rites will have access to these source documents and expand their archives.