Horologism is a religion or cultish society popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. People who practice Horologism were known as Horologists (not to be confused with those that study horology which has no initial capital letter). Fundamental to Horologism is the notion that the most sacred thing God has given humanity is time. Horologism maintains that the true way to appreciate, and therefore worship, God is to savour every second.
The Meeting
Similar to Masonic meetings, Horologistic meetings (often shortened to tics or ticks) usually preceded the ceremonial duties with a formal meal. The ceremony itself involved the group forming one or more circles (known as faces), each having a maximum of twelve Horologists. They all faced inwards to a large clock that is placed in the centre. In the words of Rev. Tobias Ney,
After a period (usually an hour), the grand master (known as the Hour Hand or HH) makes a loud BONG noise that signals the end of the ceremony.
History
Horologism began as a secret society, and so it is difficult to pin down its exact origins. The first known written record of Horologism dates from 1783, although it is thought to have existed at least twenty years previously. Meetings were held primarily at Caroline Mews, London WC1 (now Bedford Avenue), although societies also existed in Birmingham and Edinburgh. Members often frequented what was then the Cock Pub on Tottenham Court Road, where they would socialise between meetings.
Membership began to decline during the 1840s, and there is no evidence to suggest there was a meeting after 1848.
Noted Horologists
It has been claimed that Alexander Bain was a Horologist, attending the tick in central London, though there is little written evidence to support this theory. Most Horologists were from the middle classes, although there were more thinking men in the early years.
Trivia
The 1999 Surfer Guinness advert is said to be inspired both by Horologism and Moby Dick. The surfers are seen contemplating with the voice over "tick followed tock followed tick followed tock followed tick" before they gain ecstasy with the perfect wave.