Mysticism and its results

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22314

Title

Mysticism and its results

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

John Delafield's 1857 inquiry examines the dual nature of secrecy in history, distinguishing between its legitimate uses in piety and prudence versus its abuses in secret societies. The text traces the evolution of mysticism from ancient patriarchal traditions through Egyptian mysteries, Druidic orders, and Christian disciplines to modern political implications, arguing for the elimination of harmful exclusivity while preserving sacred solitude.

Summary up to 500 words

In "Mysticism and its Results," John Delafield offers a comprehensive inquiry into the dual nature of secrecy, arguing that while essential for modesty, prayer, and strategic prudence, it is frequently abused by secret societies to conceal crime or maintain undue power. Delafield redefines "mystery" not as the incomprehensible, but as a revealed secret accessible through diligent study and education. The work traces the historical trajectory of secrecy from the early Elohistic age to the Jehovahstic age, analyzing how Moses reconciled variant patriarchal traditions. Delafield explores the origins of mythology, the organization of the Magi, and the deification of Nimrod, contrasting the secret writings of the Cabbalists with the public nature of patriarchal law. He details the Pythagorean league, which focused on self-government and moral purity, contrasting it sharply with the political tyranny of the Druids and the criminal secrecy of the Thugs. Moving into the Christian era, Delafield discusses the "discipline of the secret" adopted by the apostles to protect the church from persecution, citing St. Augustine's distinctions between catechumens and the faithful. However, he critiques the subsequent institutionalization of secrecy by the Inquisition, monachism, and the Jesuits, arguing that these bodies often stifled truth and liberty. Delafield concludes that true liberty and piety require education and the public dissemination of knowledge. He urges the abolition of secrecy in worldly affairs, reserving it only for the holy sphere of domestic virtue and spiritual meditation. By examining the past, Delafield aims to guide future generations toward a society where knowledge is shared openly, ensuring that the abuses of secrecy are done away with forever.

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Categories

• Religion
• Philosophy