Summary: The Officers’ Corps and Freemasonry in the 18th Century
Hubert M. Mader
Soldiers had always been prepared to disseminate those cults and mystery religions concerning their areas of life, as long as they did not contradict service, but rather confirmed it on a metaphysical level. The first cult which entirely covered this area of soldierly life, and at the same time included relevant elements which also can be found in "modern freemasonry”, was the Mithras cult of the Roman legions.
Parallels between the Mithras cult and the modern freemasonry of the 18th century virtually suggest themselves, although a direct transfer of symbolism never took place. "Secret societies” had always held an attraction for many soldiers and officers. Maybe the reason for this is that the established religions could not offer moral stability to a number of soldiers, who had to face uncertainty concerning survival almost every day. Open criticism of the churches, but also a new spirituality and even occultism stepped into the developed breach.
The 24th of June 1717 went down in history as the date of foundation of organized freemasonry. At that time the union of four lodges led to the first major lodge in London. The roots of freemasonry can be traced back to builders’ hut traditions with traces of both occidental and oriental legends.
The reasons why many officers were fascinated by freemason lodges can be found in the knowledge of those secrets which were unveiled in the course of rites and opening ceremonies. In addition to that the egalitarian character radiated by military lodges spurred on untitled officers to become members. Here the untitled officer could socialize with his noble class comrades as a brother among brothers and in the form of ranks have the same promotion prospects as a noble. Additionally, the ideals of medieval "knighthood”, combined with "bravery” and "loyalty” (to the monarch) played important parts. The revival of the Knights Templar tradition particularly appealed, albeit in a modified manner, to a spirit known and agreed upon by the officers of the 18th century.
Emperor Joseph II. took up a conflicting view as far as freemasonry was concerned. On the one hand he spoke very highly of the union and protected it, and on the other hand he got it under absolute control by the state. Leopold II., however, influenced by the French Revolution, had unfavourable views considering freemasonry in its entirety. From the first day of his term of office, Emperor Franz II. took hostile views against freemasonry because of clerical insinuations, which started in the course of the French Revolution, and later was backed up particularly by Metternich in this matter. Finally, in 1797 all "secret societies” were abolished. In Austria freemasonry remained outlawed until the end of the monarchy, but it could gain a foothold in Hungary after the Act of Settlement of 1867 again.
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