Secret Societies and Subversive Movements

The world is governed by very different personages from what is imagined by those who are not behind the scenes. -Disraeli._Secret Societies and Subversive Movements_ by the British patriot Nesta H. Webster is a fascinating account of the various secret and subversive movements which have plotted against both throne and altar from the most ancient times to the modern day. The book relies on Webster's previous research regarding the French revolution and the "World revolution" as well as various documents by individuals such as the Abbe Barruel and Professor Robison outlining the growth and development of secret societies. The book is cleanly divided into two halves, the first focusing on the past and the second focusing on the present day (the book was written in 1924 following the horrors of the First World War). Webster's book makes for fascinating reading, explaining fully the rise of secret societies and subversive movements from their most ancient origins in various mystery cults until her time.The first section of this book focuses upon what Webster regards as "the past". The book begins by noting the role of the ancient secret tradition in various mystery cults which existed in ancient times. The book focuses particularly on the Jewish cabala (which Webster argues has been distorted by the Talmud, the Sephir Yetzirah, the Zohar, and other ancient texts). Webster quotes from individuals such as Eliphas Levi and Gougenot de Mousseaux regarding the role of this ancient system. Webster then turns her attention to the coming of the redeemer, foreshadowed perhaps in the ancient world traditions, though brought to earth in the person of Jesus Christ. Webster notes the various modern day distortions which have been claimed about Jesus including those which argue for a "Christian" socialism and those which claim that Jesus was influenced by the Essenes. Webster thoroughly refutes both of these claims by reference to Holy Scripture. Webster also shows how Christianity became distorted by both the Gnostics and the Manicheans as well as other heretics after Christ's death and resurrection. Following this discussion, Webster turns her attention to the revolt against Islam. Here she notes particularly disturbing instances within Islam of various subversive movements which advocated outright materialism and atheism. She shows how these movements claimed to be part of the Islamic tradition; however, upon reaching the higher grades the initiate was informed that he had been duped by religion which was regarded to be a sham. Webster also notes such notorious Islamic societies as the Assassins, who played an important role in the ancient and medieval world. Webster next turns her attention to the Templars, noting the blasphemies of which they have been accused as well as their relationship with various Islamic societies. Webster claims that the beliefs of the Templars bear a striking similarity to those of the false Cabala; in particular, she notes the various distortions of Christianity present in both the Talmud and the lies about Christ present in the Toledot Yeshu. Webster next turns her attention to occultism, noting the presence of Satanism and Rosicrucianism, particularly as these relate to freemasonry. Webster also shows how freemasonry has actively conspired against throne and altar, particularly Continental masonry (though she denies the influence of malevolent elements to such a great extent within Anglo-American masonry). Webster also explains the rise of the Grand Lodge within masonry as well as German templarism and French illuminism. The influence of Swedenborgianism as well as the influence of various mysterious recurring individuals such as the Comte de Saint-Germain keep recurring within the masonic literature. Webster also shows the rise of the Jewish cabalists distinguishing between the false cabala (of the Talmud and the Toledot Yeshu) and the true cabala which may have been a precursor of Christianity (in particular the Trinity). She also shows how Jewish beliefs in a coming Messiah play an important role in their tradition. Webster also examines the role of the Bavarian Illuminati, a secret society started by Adam Weishaupt, a professor of canon law, in Ingolstadt, Bavaria and modeled after the Jesuit order in many respects. The Bavarian Illuminati actively plotted against the monarchy, and they became adherents to a rationalist/materialist philosophy upon reaching the higher grades. Another important figure in the society of the Illuminati was that of Baron von Knigge, referred to as "Philo" by his Illuminati compatriots. Webster suggests that the roots of the Illuminati philosophy are to be found in the Jewish cabala, along with the tight linkage between cabalists and various other freemasonic groups. Webster also notes how Jesuitism and British masonry may provide suitable sources for reaction against subversive elements.Webster next turns her attention to the modern day. Here, she explains the role of freemasonry in bringing about revolution. In particular, Webster shows the errors of socialism, a system which claims to be for the working class but which in fact operates against the interests of workers. Indeed, socialism may be a viable alternative for the finance capitalist. Webster links several groups which may play a role in the coming revolution. These include pan-Germanism, Illuminism, Bolshevism, International Finance, British Socialism, and the Jewish peril. The real initiates may be members of any of these various groups. Webster also shows the subversive elements within such movements as those surrounding Aleister Crowley and the Theosophical Society. Finally, Webster traces the role of the Jewish cabala through the many secret societies up until the modern day.This book provides an excellent historical perspective on the inner workings of various secret societies and subversive movements which operate behind the scenes seeking to obtain power over the lives of billions.

Although even the most patient reader will sometimes become weary while weaving their way through Nesta Webster's painstaking prose, there is, nonetheless, much here that is worthwhile and important. Writing in the period between the World Wars, the author undertakes a task no less than describing the history of secret societies and subversive movements from the very beginnings of the Christian era up to her present early twentieth century times. Having accomplished this is an amazing manner, she then proposes to describe the factors and forces at the helm of the world revolutionary conspiracy. To Nesta Webster, writing in the aforementioned time and context, these were as follows:Grand Orient FreemasonryTheosophismPan-GermanismInternational FinanceWorld JewryThis list is fascinating and does provide an interesting insight into the mind of this author. Nesta Webster always distinguishes between Grand Lodge and Grand Orient Freemasonry, the former, which she deems admirable, and the latter, insidious. Writing between the wars, as a patriotic Britisher, she did not foresee the later alliance of Theosophy and pan-Germanism against Grand Orient Freemasonry and World Jewry, with International Finance conveniently "playing both ends against the middle", that was the essential conflict of the second great war. Her blind spot for the intrigues of British Freemasonry and Zionism tarnishes her work, but are, at least, understandable in context.In summary, this is an excellent and important work that must be taken in context. For any who would understand the conspiratorial aspect of history, this book is highly recommended.

".. it was in Alexandria of the first century, or earlier, with her strange commingling of Egyptian, Chaldean, Judean, and Greek culture which furnished soil and seeds for that mystic philosophy."And now, twenty centuries later... the rise of (that) mysticism and magick in modern culture is no coincidence -it is the theosophic (Great) Plan.. or the masonic "Great Work." #MYSTERYBABYLONKabbala and the Zohar i.e. Jewish/Babylonian occult mysticism lies at the heart of the adversarial anti-Christ spirituality that is massively forming.Nesta Webster wrote an impressive book in 1924 called Secret Societies and Subversive Movements. The first chapters, lay the groundwork with mention of such (ancient and modern) Orders as the - Essenes, initiates of Mysteries, Templars (gnostics), talmudists, rosicrucians, Assassins, Jesuits, etc.It mainly deals with the introduction of Platonic, or Eastern philosophy and it's blending with biblical theology."Enter in at the straight gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction: and many there be which go therein. But straight is the gate, and narrow is the way which leads to life: and few there be that find it." [Matthew vii. 13].. and Jesus said unto him: I am the way, the truth and the life. And no man comes unto the father, but by me.// FROM PAGE 27 \\".. By way of systematically perverting the doctrines of the Christian faith the Gnostics claimed to possess the true versions of the Gospels, and professed belief in these to the exclusion of all the others. Thus the Ebionites had their own corrupted version of the Gospel of St. Matthew founded on the "Gospel of the Hebrews," known earlier to the Jewish Christians; the Marcosians had their version of St. Luke, the Cainites their own "Gospel of Judas," and the Valentinians their "Gospel of St. John."As we shall see later, the Gospel of St. John is the one that throughout the war on Christianity has been specially chosen for the purpose of perversion.Of course this spirit of perversion was nothing new; many centuries earlier the prophet Isaiah had denounced it in the words:"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness!"But the role of the Gnostics was to reduce perversion to a system by blinding men together into sects working under the guise of enlightenment in order to obscure all recognized ideas of morality and religion.It is this which constitutes their importance in the history of secret societies."#nestawebster #SecretSocieties #gnosticism #Marcosians #Valentinians #JesusIsKing #ByFaithAlone #BabylonWillFall

not the complete book very disappointed.

Webster presents a persuasive case that secret societies have existed in a largely unbroken lineage for centuries. She shows with exhaustive research that these groups may have evolved and morphed one into the other, often spawning subsidiary organisations, but that they, nevertheless, remain very tightly connected in one form or another. She demonstrates how many, if not most, of their members are well meaning and have consistently been manipulated by leaderships that are usually self-serving or outright malevolent. She skillfully, and I believe persuasively, teases out from the murk of history strong evidence that all the great European revolutions, Cromwell's English, France 1789, the 1848 revolutions, Russia's Bolshevik, and many lesser ones, were spawned by the same closely linked secret societies.Her conclusions drawn from her research and coloured by her own prejudices may be questioned, although I think that she was largely correct. This book was written in the early 1920s and is actually more valuable for that fact. It is possible to project the implications of her research forward to our day. Doing so provides very powerful insights. That her research stands up under scrutiny of the 80 subsequent years demonstrates value.That the same secret societies that Nesta Webster identifies still exist today is quite easy to establish, that they plot and conspire is self-evident - for what other rational purpose do secret societies exist, after all you do not need secrecy if the intention is just to meet in goodfellowship. Nor do you have to set up numerous 'Front' organisations, unless your agenda is suspect.In summary, Webster's great contribution is how comprehensively she shows that essentially the same organisations have existed, behind continuously shifting Fronts, in unbroken thread through the ages and how their leaders - not necessarily the followers - are invariably thoroughly evil.Interestingly, Winston Churchill fully endorsed her views and quoted her often in the 1920s.

Not a full version. The book ends abruptly at page 190. Normal size is 544 pages. It is produced and sold with one purpose only: to cheat you.

A very interesting book. It is a summary of the lectures given at the British Secret Services by Nesta Helen Webster

Lots of information, but rather hard to read. Not convinced by Nesta, I'm afraid.