An interpretation of the first degree, the meaning of the preparation, symbolism, ritual and signs as theorised by the author.

This book is aimed, primarily, at the newly initiated Mason, but it is also for those older Masons who have not delved into the depth of meaning in Masonic ceremonies. As Freemasonry is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols, this book takes a look at what those allegories and symbols are hinting at. The creators of the amazing Masonic degree ceremonies have added a layer of meaning that goes beyond the obvious moral lessons and starts to point the Mason who seeks light towards a more spiritual understanding of himself and the reason for his existence in this world. This is the first of three volumes, each aimed at one of the three Craft Degrees.

Manual of the Freemasonry Lodge is a book about the Freemasonry which provides monitorial instructions in the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Mason arranged in accordance with the American System of Lectures. To those are added the Ceremonies of the Order Past Master, relating to installations, dedications, consecrations and laying of Corner-Stones. The aim of the work was to explain and supply means of enabling the reader more thoroughly to understand the ceremonies through which the young Mason or the recent initiate passes and to extend his researches into that sublime system of symbolism of the craft.

Unlike some other reproductions of classic texts (1) We have not used OCR(Optical Character Recognition), as this leads to bad quality books with introduced typos. (2) In books where there are images such as portraits, maps, sketches etc We have endeavoured to keep the quality of these images, so they represent accurately the original artefact. Although occasionally there may be certain imperfections with these old texts, we feel they deserve to be made available for future generations to enjoy.

Containing a delineation of the rituals of freemasonry, with the emblems and explanations so arranged as greatly to facilitate in acquiring a knowledge of the rites and ceremonies of the several degrees, from Entered Apprentice to that of Select Master, and the order of priesthood.