What was the time in history when Freemasonry lost all its true essence and teachings?
Freemasonry began to lose its true essence and teachings during the late 18th century and into the 19th century. This period saw a significant transformation in the nature of Freemasonry, where it became more of a social and fashionable organization rather than a serious pursuit of self-knowledge and spiritual enlightenment. As noted by J.D. Buck, modern Freemasonry is described as 'an imitation rather than a continuation of those ancient Mysteries' and has largely become a 'dead letter' compared to the profound wisdom once taught in the Greater Mysteries of antiquity.
Albert Pike also highlights that the original simplicity and significance of Masonic teachings were lost due to the introduction of numerous degrees and rituals that became nonsensical and trivial over time. He states that 'innovators and inventors overturned that primitive simplicity,' leading to a system filled with absurdities and a departure from the original philosophical and moral teachings.
Furthermore, the wave of anti-Masonry in the early 1800s, particularly in the United States, contributed to a decline in membership and a shift in focus away from the core principles of Freemasonry, resulting in many lodges closing and the fraternity facing extinction.