The Lost Keys of Freemasonry or the Secret of Hiram Abiff

by Manly P. Hall

Here is Manly P. Hall's classic work on history's most secretive brotherhood- reset and collected with two additional celebrated Hall volumes on occult Masonry.Freemasonry is the subject of perennial fascination-recently the cover story of a national newsmagazine, the premise of the movie National Treasure, and the anticipated basis of a forthcoming novel by Dan Brown. The twentieth century's great scholar of occult and esoteric ideas, Manly P. Hall was a Mason himself and nurtured a lifelong interest in the secret fraternal order, making it the focus of one of his earliest and best-loved books, The Lost Keys of Freemasonry. In this celebrated work, he examines the ethical training required of a Freemason, and the character traits a Mason must "build" within himself. Hall's 1923 volume is now reset and made available exclusively in this new edition, along with the author's two further classics on Freemasonry of the Ancient Egyptians (1937), which explores the roots of Freemasonry in the initiatory temple rites of Pharaonic Egypt; and - Masonic Orders of Fraternity (1950), a fascinating work of short history that chronicles the reemergence of Freemasonry in Europe in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. It surveys the lives of Masonry's modern architects and the secretive organizations that immediately preceded the brotherhood.This three-in-one volume features the original illustrations of each book, for a total of nearly thirty images, including recreations of scenes and rites from Masonry's unusual history. It also includes a new index encompassing all three titles.

Genres: Occult, Nonfiction, History, Philosophy, Spirituality, Religion, Mysticism

68 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 5, 2020

About the author

Canadian born, Manly Palmer Hall is the author of over 150 published works, the best known of which are Initiates of the Flame, The Story of Healing, The Divine Art,Aliens Magick and Sorcery The Secret Teachings of All Ages, and An Encyclopedic Outline of Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy.
He was also the author of a masonic curiosity, The Lost Keys of Freemasonry in 1923, more than thirty years before he joined a lodge. The preface of later editions 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." Later, in 1944, he wrote The Secret Destiny of America which popularized the myth of a masonic purpose for the founding of the USA. In 1950 he weighed in again on the meaning of Freemasonry with his booklet: Masonic Orders of Fraternity.
***
Initiated: June 28, 1954
Passed: September 20, 1954
Raised November 22, 1954
Jewel Lodge No. 374
Source: Grand Lodge of California records ; William R. Denslow, 10,000 Famous Freemasons, vol. ii. Trenton, MO. : Missouri Lodge of Research / Educational Bureau, Royal Arch Mason Magazine, 1958. p. 165.

Reviews

[Andrew “The Weirdling” Glos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is just about the finest introduction to freemasonry that is available. Most will focus on history, ethics, and organization. This is done at the expense of explicating the deeper meaning of the rich symbolism of Freemasonry. People become masons for many reasons, but it is the symbolism and the meaning contained within that feeds their souls over the long course of a life.

The book is well balanced. It would be easy to get lost in a wilderness of minutia and esoteric technicalities. Hall avoids all that, while still plunging the depths. A perfect read for learned, long time Masons, new brothers, or just anyone interested in the meaning of the fraternity.

[Mwansa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brilliant garbage if there ever were such a thing. You get the appeal, much like the quest for the holy grail or some ethereal treasure. Ultimately one cannot help but see the hollow nature of it.

[HillbillyMystic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Manly Palmer H. inspires me to be a better man, a gentler human and more active servant of both Truth and The Maker. I don’t believe I have ever quoted a book more nor made as many dank memes from a book before this. I cain’t begin to list them all here so I will only add one. “What nobler thing can be accomplished than the illumination of ignorance? What greater task is there than the joyous labor of service? And what nobler man can there be than that Mason who serves his Lights, and is himself a light unto his fellow men? “
I someday hope to add something to the magnum opus, but I am just beginning the process of waking up from a lifetime of self induced and dark lodge perpetuated slumber. It will take years of study, meditation, prayer, chanting and yoga just to rise above the level of barely conscious pond scum. Then and only then will I be able to connect with my Higher Guardian Angel and Master Within to discover what it was I came here to attain and add to God’s Great Design. It is highly unlikely I will have time for all this, what with all the Venezuelan hyper inflation, medical tyranny, Maoist censorship, global genocide, transhuman movement, stratospheric aerosol injections and #Pfizercide. In the interim I plan on loving, learning, growing, reading, resisting, speaking truth, making memes, laughing and dancing right up til the day I die.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! It's hard to believe I've been reading Hall for nearly a decade now. In 'The Lost Keys of Freemasonry' this learned sage explores the origin & connections all but lost between Ancient Egyptian & modern day philosophic societies. Hall's writing style may take some getting used to, but the subject matter is so fascinating & his descriptive, heartfelt wisdom so captivating that I didnt want to take a break. Few men had earned the wisdom that Manly received while on this Earth. I found his qualifications of a Master Mason & the Eternal Quest chapters most captivating because he really delved into the merit and virtue one must possess in order to 'pass through the veil'. One of my favorite books by the author.

[Chuck Springer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read which provides some of the ideology behind freemasonry. Throughout the book, it prompted me to question myself and the direction I am heading. I enjoyed the opportunities of contemplation it allowed.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent concise overview of the Three Degrees of Blue Lodge Masonry, and the symbolism therein - and hinting at the lessons and myths of other Rites and degrees (as indicated by the introduction from Reynold E. Blight, 33°, K.T.). As an irregular Mason myself, I found this an excellent introduction and high-level overview of the Masonic structure and legendarium.

[Mariam Keshealshvili · Rating 3 out of 5]

კითხვის პროცესში მალე ხვდები, რომ საქმე არც საიდუმლო კოდებთან გაქვს და არც ისტორიულ-ფაქტობრივ მასალასთან.

უფრო ფილოსოფიური და დამაბნევლად ემოციური ტექსტია, ვიდრე მეცნიერული ან თუნდაც დოკუმენტური. კაცობრიობის ბუნებაზე, პიროვნულ ზრდასა და შინაგან განათებაზე ბევრს ლაპარაკობს ავტორი, ზოგჯერ თითქმის პოეტურადაც — რაც ჩემთვის პირადად ცოტა ზედმეტია შინაარსიდან გამომდინარე.

მოლოდინები მქონდა, რომ წიგნი მეტ ცოდნას გადმოსცემდა მასონობის შესახებ, მის სტრუქტურაზე ან ისტორიულ განვითარების ეტაპებზე. ამის ნაცვლად კი უფრო ალეგორიული ტიპის ტექსტია, რომელიც გრძნობის, რწმენისა და პიროვნული სრულყოფის იდეებს ეძღვნება — უფრო მხატვრულია.

[IAO131 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book actually is a combination of 3 different texts from M.P. Hall. The first deals with the basic ideas of Freemasonry as reflected into the 3 Blue Lodge degrees, at least in some symbolic way. They are mostly a panegyric and battle-cry -type speech, almost a sermon, which will be familiar to readers of other Masonic writers such as Pike. Hall dispenses with any kind of hyper-detailed deconstruction and exhorts the readers to become 'true Masons' in spirit in various ways. TL;DR: The Lost Keys of Freemasonry are simply the real integration & enactment of its principles by 'true Masons.'

The second book details Egyptian whatnot and I thought was quite boring, whereas the final book details some historical personages and developments in Masonry that was only of tangential interest. Not particularly recommended - there are no real Lost Keys here, although the general spirit of the first portion is worthwhile (although it can be summarized as focus on the spirit, not the letter).

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

"It is worse by far to know and not to do than never to have known at all."
"He must search for the high things in lowly places and find the lowly things in high places."

[Giacomo · Rating 1 out of 5]

una puttanata senza appello. solo io so perché l'ho letto

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hall is an excellent writer. How he wrote as insightfully, poetically and beautifully as he did, while not even a freemason is hard for me to understand. The first book was the best. followed by the second. By the third book, the magic was gone, and it was quite dry and boring. did more simming than reading. But the first book (essentially an archetypal explanation of one of the central legends of freemasonry) is very illuminating. good read.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book for Freemasons interested in the more esoteric aspects of The Craft. If possible, read it as you progress through the first three degrees for additional insight.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

More to this book than meets the eye. One of the deepest of published Masonic books.

[Christina Macapagal · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mind needs to be opened to absorbed all that he shares within this book. Manly P. Hall does not just discuss Freemasonry, but of self-development and self-knowledge.

[A.S. Ember · Rating 2 out of 5]

Succinct, compelling in its fashion, and excruciatingly optimistic. If boys’-club secret societies actually prescribed to a solitary mote of the precepts set forth in this little manual, I wonder if the world might actually have benefited from them.

[Cedric Escoffier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manly Hall's one of my favourite lecturers. His lectures are not based on poetic truths like Alan Watts' but go straight to the meanings of virtues, values, honour, daily life, the great quest for truth... He speaks plainly and it's a breath away from the New Age movement and their gurus.

The Lost Keys though is totally different and Hall deploys an array of vocabulary which he uses to pierce open the meaning of Masonry's symbolism. I understand that when he wrote it he was not yet a Mason but I think he might have been Rosicrucian (?)
Anyway, I think it was very well written and I think that the use of poetic language there is the only way to describe the meaning of symbols not only in Masonry but also all around the world. I don't wanna speak too much though because I'm not a Mason although I hope to be one day. I understand that it is a quest which is carried from within, it is the trust into the metaphysical realm, it is the irrational yet undeniable inexpressible existence of God through man. I don't want to say too much unless I'm wrong but I like to think I understand.

Hall goes from explaining the quest through Hiram Habiff and the three ruffians being Thought, Desire and Action who assassinate the Builder (Hiram) and then work to ressuscitate him. He then goes on to speak about the canditate for Freemasonry and how he feels as an individual; what makes him a candidate; what makes him elligible as an Entered Apprentice and then goes on to explain the mindset of the Fellowcraft and then to Master Mason.
It doesn't give any insights into the rituals and what goes on in Freemasonry but rather it unravels with beauty what goes on inside the Mason as an individual. I thought it was very well written.

[Quinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a Freemason, you need to read this book.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a combination of several smaller books/pamphlets by the author, so some of the same ground is gone over twice. Frequently referred to in this edition is General Albert Pike, since I grew up in Arkansas, his name is familiar. There are schools, streets and state parks bearing his name throughout the state. In addition, Pike wrote "Morals and Dogma" which is also used by Hall as a reference and may provide further illumination on this interesting character. While the subject of General Pike was covered in Arkansas History, any ties to freemasonry were only briefly mentioned if mentioned at all. I came to have this book because it was in my late fathers collection. I enjoyed reading it because Hall approached the subject without apparent condemnation or approval of the subject matter. You don't find that so much these days.

[Christopher Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being new to the study of the more esoteric side of Freemasonry I really had no preconceptions about what to expect when reading this book.

There were definitely times I thought to myself "Gee, this reads like NewAge (rhymes with sewage :)" but inevitably I would realize upon finishing the section that this was more commentary on my reaction to the writer's style than any actual content of the book.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

About 2/3 through. Actually am reading a compilation of three books by this author in one volume. Mixture of poetic beauty, mysticism, and historical research.

Update: Finishing last pages. Well worth the read. The fascination of the initial book in the volume was hard to beat. Not for everyone, but I enjoyed the mysticism and poetic beauty that Hall put together during much of "The Freemasonry of the Egyptians" portion, and episodically in the later half of it.

[Aimal Rehman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read it completely since the depth of the book requires to commit a lot of time which unfortunately I do not find in my daily routine :-) but I really admire the basic concepts of freemasonry that I have acquired and understood. It is beautiful and I believe if freemasonry is understood well and embraced, can change one's life.

[Alessandro · Rating 3 out of 5]

So long as you take it as allegory and not history, it can be interesting. You have to be careful with Manly Hall though because he just makes stuff up and passes it off as truth. N.B. He wasn't even a Mason when he wrote this.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I read this book I was ignorant of all the going ons in the supposedly secret societies that have existed over time. I was floored and amazed at the level of spirituality that the Freemasons were and are trying to achieve. I am not a freemason so I have no clue if any of it is true.

[Tarquin Namaste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hall provides a useful set of insights into the first three degrees of Freemasonry. Freemasonry is without doubt the last surviving well-known source of the true secrets of this illusion and the book goes some way into explaining the meanings of rituals.

[Danh Tran · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up because of my curiosity for secret spiritual socities, and this book is definitely spiritual. I was pleasantly surprised with the book's overall message. Keep an open mind, for those that are not spiritually inclined.

[Äsruþr Cyneaþsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent study by Hall. Here are the outlined ideology of Masonry and a history of the mystery schools. Most valuable however are the rites attributed to ancient Egypt as these provide a valuable insight into the likely origins of the mysteries and offer a clue as to the wisdom therein.

[Ted Heitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insightful, eludes to freemasonry as a religion...same author praises "black magic" and satanic ritual via Waite and Levi.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

fabulous!

[Doug Luberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for all Freemasons

Manly P. Hall is one of the great philosophical lights of Freemasonry, and this book, while often mis-quoted, one of his most profound works.

[Doug Butchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great philosophical writing about the tenets of Freemasonry. I highlighted a lot of passages for myself. A must-read for any Mason!