1883 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT BOOK OF THEOLOGY, THEOSOPHY, PHILOSOPHY AND ESOTERICA HANDWRITTEN BY AN UNKNOWN RECHABITE

On offer is a most unusual and unique volume dating from late 19th century England. It measures about 4.5 inches by 3 inches. The volume contains 104 pages plus numerous Memoranda pages. The cover, though worn, is intact. The spine has broken and the binding is loose. However, all pages are intact. Written in English, Greek and Hebrew, the handwriting is clear and legible. Some letters and words are written in a very decorative manner and an 'Engraver' style of font is used in many places. The author of the volume is unknown. There is a reference much later in the book to a William Green but no connection to the book can be clearly drawn. The book is a printed diary for the year 1884. It was printed in and used in England. However, it was used more as a notebook to record prayers, reflections and esoteric thoughts than as a daily diary. Entries are dated in 1884 and as late as 1895 without reference to the printed calendar pages in the book. "THOUGHTS Not a thought can I allow to disturb my peaceful brow! But should any such arise, I'll conduct it to the Skies There to see that wondrous sight GOD, the Everlasting Light" [on Week 8]. Some pages are written exclusively in Greek and others in Hebrew. One notation following a long entry in Greek reads: "Chemical elements with which on earth have been distinctly traced on the Sun"[on Week 11]. From context, it seems that the writer is investigating aspects of astronomy as relates to his philosophic speculations: "line obtainable when placed at the focus of the telescope entirely hides the disc of the star" [on Week 46]. Another entry is an acrostic where in the first letter of each line spells out the title of the piece: "MRS TERNOUTH" [Week 32]. On Week 48 is written out a detailed Certificate of Candidate certifying that a 6 year old boy is healthy and a fit candidate for the Independent Order of Rechabites, Tent# 2227. It is signed by a William Green. The Independent Order of Rechabites, also known as the Salford Unity of Rechabites, was a fraternal or 'friendly' organization founded in England in 1835. It was part of the overall growth of temperance societies that sprang up across England. It spread to Australia and the United States. It is still active today as The Rechabite Friendly Society as a mutual insurance company and financial services organization that specializes in ethical savings and investment products. Undoubtedly, the Greek and Hebrew portions of the book would yield even more information. A student of the esoteric or researcher into esoteric philosophy or theosophy would find this an intriguing look into how these thoughts were developed and expressed. Considering that entries span a period of over 10 years, this is a fairly consistent thought structure.; Manuscript; 32mo - over 4" - 5" tall; KEYWORDS: HISTORY OF; LATE 19TH CENTURY; 1880s; 1890s; PHILOSOPHY; THEOSOPHY; ESOTERIC WRITING; INTERNATIONAL ORDER OF RECHABITES; IOR; WILLIAM GREEN; SALFORD UNITY OF RECHABITES; 19TH CENTURY THOUGHT; HANDWRITTEN, MANUSCRIPT, DOCUMENT, LETTER, AUTOGRAPH, WRITER, HAND WRITTEN, DOCUMENTS, SIGNED, LETTERS, MANUSCRIPTS, DIARY, DIARIES, JOURNALS, PERSONAL HISTORY, SOCIAL HISTORY, HISTORICAL, HOLOGRAPH, WRITERS, AUTOGRAPHS, PERSONAL, MEMOIR, MEMORIAL, ANTIQUITÉ, CONTRAT, VÉLIN, DOCUMENT, MANUSCRIT, PAPIER ANTIKE, BRIEF, PERGAMENT, DOKUMENT, MANUSKRIPT, PAPIER OGGETTO D'ANTIQUARIATO, ATTO, VELINA, DOCUMENTO, MANOSCRITTO, CARTA ANTIGÜEDAD, HECHO, VITELA, DOCUMENTO, MANUSCRITO, PAPEL