A Search for Meaning in Victorian Religion

The Spiritual Journey and Esoteric Teachings of Charles Carleton Massey

Jeffrey D. Lavoie

Christian mystic, astrologer, and spiritualist, Charles Carleton Massey (1838–1905) underwent an eclectic spiritual journey that resulted in a series of articles, letters, and booklets that have largely been neglected by modern society. Massey was a child of privilege formally trained as a barrister of law at the Westminster School and the son of the English Minister of Finance for India. He devoted his life to solving the metaphysical mysteries of existence leading him into the world of religious philosophy that placed him in the middle of a crossroads between Victorian science, religion, and philosophy. Beginning his journey as a Spiritualist, Massey continued on a course that brought him into the Theosophical Society, eventually becoming the founding president of its British branch, going through the ranks of the Society of Psychical Research and ultimately into his final role as a Christian mystic.

This indispensable work combines Massey’s collected writings with never before published letters organized topically in order to define Massey’s unique world-view for a new generation of readers. This book covers a range of topics from the “nature of God” to the “microcosm and macrocosm” to “Satanism” and “reincarnation” all the while allowing the reader a rare glimpse into Victorian England and the social and religious issues of this time period. The recollections recorded in this book though written over a hundred years ago, are dealt with in such a simple yet profound way that remain relevant to modern spiritual seekers of all types.

University Press Copublishing Division / Lehigh University Press

Pages: 214 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9¼

978-1-61146-184-8 • Hardback • November 2014 • $107.00 • (£82.00)

978-1-61146-185-5 • eBook • November 2014 • $101.50 • (£78.00)

Subjects: Religion / Christianity / History, Biography & Autobiography / Religious, History / Europe / Great Britain / General

A Search for Meaning in Victorian Religion

The Spiritual Journey and Esoteric Teachings of Charles Carleton Massey

Hardback

eBook

Summary

Christian mystic, astrologer, and spiritualist, Charles Carleton Massey (1838–1905) underwent an eclectic spiritual journey that resulted in a series of articles, letters, and booklets that have largely been neglected by modern society. Massey was a child of privilege formally trained as a barrister of law at the Westminster School and the son of the English Minister of Finance for India. He devoted his life to solving the metaphysical mysteries of existence leading him into the world of religious philosophy that placed him in the middle of a crossroads between Victorian science, religion, and philosophy. Beginning his journey as a Spiritualist, Massey continued on a course that brought him into the Theosophical Society, eventually becoming the founding president of its British branch, going through the ranks of the Society of Psychical Research and ultimately into his final role as a Christian mystic.

This indispensable work combines Massey’s collected writings with never before published letters organized topically in order to define Massey’s unique world-view for a new generation of readers. This book covers a range of topics from the “nature of God” to the “microcosm and macrocosm” to “Satanism” and “reincarnation” all the while allowing the reader a rare glimpse into Victorian England and the social and religious issues of this time period. The recollections recorded in this book though written over a hundred years ago, are dealt with in such a simple yet profound way that remain relevant to modern spiritual seekers of all types.

Details

University Press Copublishing Division / Lehigh University Press

Pages: 214 • Trim: 6⅜ x 9¼

978-1-61146-184-8 • Hardback • November 2014 • $107.00 • (£82.00)

978-1-61146-185-5 • eBook • November 2014 • $101.50 • (£78.00)

Subjects: Religion / Christianity / History, Biography & Autobiography / Religious, History / Europe / Great Britain / General

Author

Jeffrey D. Lavoie is a doctoral candidate at the University of Exeter and is the senior pastor at Calvary Baptist Church.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: Early Life
Chapter 2: Spiritualism, Science and “Psychology”
Chapter 3: The Rise of Victorian Esotericism
Chapter 4: Massey, Germany and the Mystics
Chapter 5: Leo Taxil, Freemasonry, and the First Church of Satan
Chapter 6: The Personal Life of a Victorian Gentleman
Chapter 7: The Teachings and Writings of C. C. Massey
Addendum A: The Theosophical Society and Christianity, an Unpublished Letter
Addendum B: A Booklet Explaining the Reasons behind the Resignation of George Wyld
Addendum C: The Poltergeist of Wem
Bibliography