Francis Bacon and his secret society - Grand Lodge of Colorado

AND HIS SECRET SOCIETY. 359
«
mere " vases, " " receptacles " for the heavenly manna, the
dew, " the flowing and distillations which emanated from the
Spirit of the Waters " ?
The pot has never the appearance of being made of earthenware,
for it was a golden pot in which Aaron preserved the
manna. " We read in Genesis that God made man out of the
earth. This is a great mystery. For it was not the common
pot-clay, but another, and that of a far better nature. " 1 "As
the potter hath his clay, or the limner his colours, so the Spirit
that worketh in Nature, in the outward lineaments or symmetry
of that which he forms, proves himself nothing but a divine,
intellectual spirit. 2
Those who would aid
in following up these researches into
the history of Bacon and his Secret Society will render efficient
service if in the course of their reading (in books more particularly
of dates between 1580 and 1680.) they will give attention
to the paper-marks of the volumes which they study, noting
accurately the title, date, and edition of the book, and even the
number of the page on which marks are found. Copies or tracings
of these should be made and duly registered. Such an
examination, undertaken by some dozens of pairs of observant
eyes, would be extremely useful in solving doubtful questions.
For many points are still very doubtful, and probably some remain
altogether undisclosed, so that hitherto only these few
general statements can be considered as definitely proved
1. That in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries papermarks
were used throughout the works which were the products
of the " Renaissance."
2. That these paper-marks are not mere manufacturers' signs,
but that they have a mutual relation and connection, and that
they were and are means of conveying secret information to the
members of some widely-spread society.
3. That the society was not a mere trade-guild, but that it
was moved by motives of religion, and, in its highest branches
X Anthroposophia, 22. 2 Anima Magica, 54.