A Short View of the History of Freemasonry

Written by William Sandys
Published in 2008
Hardcover


Originally published in 1855, A Short View of the History of Freemasonry describes a possible (or in the words of Sandys, "probable") history of the development of Freemasonry, beginning with Noah and the flood.

From the back cover:

In the course of ages, even the generality of the Priests had but a faint notion of the true origin of their rites; with the exception of some individuals of great natural genius and penetration, they would, themselves, receive in too literal a sense, the allegorical ceremonies in the midst of which they lived, and from the practice of which they derived their splendor and their power. Although, from being themselves the conductors of that system of juggling and deceit which was necessary to blind the eyes of the uninitiated votaries, they must have been aware of the inefficacy of the idols and emblems worshipped by them, yet, with few exceptions, they probably believed in the Being of which such idols were the representatives.

It is curious to observe the analogies between the ancient rites and many of the ceremonies and prejudices of the modern world, which may occasionally be traced back to the earliest ages. Frequent analogies have been said to exist between Freemasonry and certain institutions of former times; indeed some writers have placed the origin of Masonry at the very earliest periods of society; whether they are right, or whether the following sketch of its supposed progress be founded on probability, or whether any of the other theories on the subject be correct or not, it is not for me to decide, however partial I may be (like other theorists) to my own system.

William Sandys