THE EQUINOX
who are traced to the Fratres Rosa (sic) Crucis of Germany.
Valentine Andrea (ofeva a.p. 1614) has given an esoteric
account of the S.R., probably he also edited the ‘ Fama
Fraternitatis,* or ‘History of the Society,’ which must have
been derived from the old records of C. R.’s t pupils. . . .
“The first order is a group of four grades: the second
order is a group of three grades of adeptship.
“ Highest of all are those great rulers who severally sustain
and govern the Third Order, which includes Three Magic
Titles of honour and supremacy; in case of a vacancy the
most advanced 7° = 4°{ obtains by decree the well-earned
reward. The grades of the first order are of Hebrew design ;
of the Second, Christian.
“The Rituals and Secrets are received from the Greatly
Honoured Chiefs. . . .”
The account given in the first paragraph may or may not
be correct; and the following “ History Lection” written by
a brother of the Order of the A.*. A .°. throws considerable
light on the origin of the above Society; and what is of still
more interest to us mentions P. and his final rupture with the
Order of the Golden Dawn. It runs as follows:
“ Some years ago a number of cipher MSS. were discovered
and deciphered by certain students. They attracted much
attention, as they purported to derive from the Rosicrucians.
You will readily understand that the genuineness of the claim
matters no whit, such literature being judged by itself, not by
its reputed sources.
* See “The Real History of the Rosicrucians,” by A. E. Waite.
+ Viz., Christian Rosencreutz.
+ Vide Diagram of the Paths and Grades,
240