Building Your Masonic Library

W. Bro Stan Marut PPrJGD SLGR, Provincial Communications Team and member of Temple of Athene Lodge, the Province’s research Lodge, considers a number of books on freemasonry which will enlighten and add to an accumulation of masonic knowledge.

After being Raised in 1979 and having gone through the three degrees in rapid succession, there I was a fully fledged Master Mason who still had no clue as to what it was all about. Solomon King of Israel, Hiram King of Tyre and Hiram Abif were all new to me in this context. I diligently attended all LOIs thereafter and these were essentially opportunities for younger masons (as I was then) and newer Lodge members to take part in the ritual as a “learning tool”. For example, I might be expected to do the full closing in the third degree as Senior Warden at the next LOI. This way we gradually became familiar with the parts we would play later on. However, that only gave me an insight into the workings and not to a more fundamental knowledge of what freemasonry was all about, nor, indeed, its history. That would come later.

Whilst browsing in Foyles, London in the late 1970s, I came across a book entitled “King Solomon’s Temple in the Masonic Tradition”. I eagerly bought it and thought that this would give me some insights into my new found masonic pursuit. Alas, I was unable to comprehend much, and it then collected dust on a bookshelf for years after.

We are encouraged to make a daily advancement in masonic knowledge. Some of this can be gleaned from speaking with other freemasons and from sitting in an armchair at home having a good read. However, it is good to know what books are available which will cover aspects of freemasonry which enlighten us and make us feel that we are part of something very special.

I introduce a small selection of books in no particular order with brief comments on each. However, these books have been chosen by me over a period so that I might investigate further those aspects of freemasonry which interested me and stimulated further reading.

The author has examined much material in attempting to establish the reasons why certain symbolism is used in freemasonry. The Chapter content covers the basic symbolism, the nature and purpose of the Lodge, the Lodge furniture, ornaments and jewels; the concept of darkness and light, the basis of the three degrees, the working tools and masonic clothing.

Published in 2017 it coincided with the 300th Anniversary of the founding of Premier Grand Lodge in 1717. The publicity states that it is a must have book for any mason with an interest in Craft Masonry and puts into context masonic ritual practice with the events and culture of the time. Importantly it leads finally to an explanation of the “reconciliation of the two Grand Lodges, Ancients and Moderns” and the development of the ritual with which we are familiar today.

Jasper Ridley is not a freemason but an historian. He spent much time researching at the Freemasons Library at Grand Lodge and has written a book that extends beyond our masonic shoreline and expands our subject to freemasonry on the continent including chapters on the American Revolution, masonry in Germany and France, the French Revolution and Napoleon, as well as the matter of a certain William Morgan  an American freemason who published a work exposing masonic secrets and ritual. This was in the USA and his book was published in 1827. With the threat of publication in 1826 he suddenly disappeared and subsequently three masons were convicted of his kidnap. It resulted in widespread protests against freemasons. These facts may interest some who seek a different path in understanding the vicissitudes of freemasonry in a different age.

David Harrison is a West Lancs Mason and is also a member of a Lodge in the Province of Cheshire with an esoteric ethos. He has written several books and this particular book is described as revealing an intricate history of freemasonry. He mentions the medieval guilds in the same breath as alchemy and necromancy. He examines early freemasons and their obsession, as he puts it, with Kings Solomon Temple and the subsequent formation of the Grand Lodge in London. Having read the book there was something which he puts to the reader in that  a clerk in Holy Orders in the Church of England suggested to him that Hiram Abif and Hiram King of Tyre were in fact the same person. Riveting stuff. He couldn’t be allowed to get away with this, so I sent an e mail and asked him what he meant. He replied, “In relation to the Hiram question, this comes from the Biblical context rather than the context of the Hiram legend associated with Masonic ritual and as I was researching the work, I became great friends with a Vicar who personally believed that both Hiram’s were the same person and that they were two aspects of the same character.” This is contentious but it is good to know and understand other perspectives in freemasonry, so we broaden our knowledge. The three personages in our freemasonry namely the three Grand Masters who built the Temple of King Solomon are fundamental to our ritual and understanding. We must always be cautious in what we take away from our reading, but it does stimulate us.

This is written by Ric Berman a Middlesex Mason and an honorary member of Temple of Athene Lodge No 9541. This essentially is the 2016 Prestonian Lecture explaining the formation and early years of the Grand Lodge of England. There is also a short piece about William Preston after whom the Prestonian lecture was named. Ric Berman was also the Prestonian lecturer again in 2024 and I shall come to his book on the Ancients Grand Lodge a bit later.

This book was written  over 100 years ago and even so there is still much to be gleaned from his writings which have been described as a set of essays which discuss the esoteric side of Masonry. The author, Walter Leslie Wilmshurst, attempts to demonstrate that Masonry has a deeper meaning, specifically the striving for human perfection, and is firmly in the mainstream of traditional mystery teachings. The meaning of freemasonry, state the author, “is a subject usually left entirely unexpounded and that accordingly remains largeley unrealised by its members save such a few as make it their private study”. He also remarks that although freemasonry is an elaborately organised and admirably controlled community, the authorities have no provision for explaining and and teaching the noble science. Of course, this was written over one hundred years ago and now with moden technology it is much easier through the auspices of masonic educational tools such as Solomon to overcome that which hitherto had been percieved as a difficulty. Brother Wilmhurst in his book seeks to impart the deeper symbolism of freemasonry and there is a Chapter devoted to the Royal Arch. Possibly heavy going for some, but will cement an undertanding for others who will appreciate the premise of his book.

This is a book of essays written by several prominent masonic scholars including, once again, Ric Berman.  It is probably not a “beginners guide” but will appeal to the those masons who have already begun their journey of masonic interest in the history and foundations of the Craft. Amongst the subject discussed are James Anderson and the 1723 Constitutions and the Traditional History expressed therein, not to be confused by that given in the Craft Third Degree, the London Irish and the Ancients Grand Lodge, the Grand Lodge of All England held at York as well as a piece on John Desaguilier who was very prominent in early Grand Lodge freemasonry in London.

Ric Berman’sbook The Second Grand Lodge provides an amazing overview of the establishment of the Antients Grand Lodge and the early  skirmishes with Premier Grand Lodge back in the mid-18th Century and its subsequent fortunes. More than that it provides a background to the history of the Irish in London at that time and how they became a backbone to the formation of the new Grand Lodge.

Berman describes what he calls the aspirational London Irish and their status in London society which included aristocrats and gentry as well as those of lower rank who worked in London’s patchwork of service and manufacturing industry and the working poor. He explains how the Antients’ Grand Secretary, Laurence Dermott (1720-1791), an Irishman, “single handedly and virtually from the inception shaped Antients freemasonry“. He was the lynchpin in the new organisation and was responsible for the pejorative description of the rival Grand Lodge of England as the “Moderns”. The Antients Grand Lodge was apparently better organised than the Moderns and was the forerunner of many administrative functions which included Grand Lodge Certificates and Lodge warrants. Dermott has his place in the annals of masonic history and is worth serious study even in his own right.

This book contains a wealth of information and might possibly require a second reading to make sure that nothing is missed. No doubt the Antients Grand Lodge was highly successful and more egalitarian in outlook with its membership consisting of aspirational middle and lower ranks. The author tells us that this rival Grand Lodge provided prestige, patronage and authority which would be a counterweight to the Grand Lodge of England. Also, the Antients Grand Lodge, he says, “became a focal point for those seeking a more inclusive form of masonic association alongside greater mutuality and spirituality.”

With a plethora of books on freemasonry written by freemasons, sometimes we come across something different which might give an outsider’s view of their perceptions of the Craft. It is easy to scoff but we owe it to ourselves to consider external viewpoints, which, if erroneous, allow us to challenge inconsistencies and to represent ourselves well when talking to the uninitiated. Below I reproduce an extract from the review given by  R.W. Brother David Allan which was published in Mercury. He says, “The book is a lucky dip as we deal with early Roman church beliefs to Quasi masonic groups, which bear little resemblance to our current understanding of the Craft, and there are several visits into history, particularly Napoleonic, as one would expect, as Freemasonry is featured perhaps more strongly than it should have been, in Tolstoy’s War and Peace.  Interesting to note that when dealing with the three major dictators of Europe in the middle of the last Century, Franco, Hitler and Mussolini, far from making the modern world, they are stories of Freemasonry being persecuted and ultimately driven underground, the reason for the later misconception that Freemasonry is a secret society, and a stigma we are only just ridding ourselves of.

It is apparent throughout that Freemasonry has been attractive to the aspirant middle classes for over two hundred years, and the perception that it is a dangerous organisation has been exaggerated by those nervous of keeping their power, although this point is not made in the book.

I enjoyed a lot of this book and learnt from it.  It certainly does not prove that Freemasonry made the modern World other than by relating great achievement to those who have been Freemasons.  Depending on your interests, the reader will be attracted to different parts of the book.  It is worth a read and refreshingly a book on general release, but on balance is not critical of Freemasonry, although the author doesn’t quite go far enough to promote it either.”

It would be remiss not to mention two Provincial members who have been published. W. Bro Mike Karn PJGD and Past 3rd Provincial Grand Principal in the Royal Arch has written on the Royal Arch and on the Mark and Royal Ark Mariner Degrees. Mike is a member of Temple of Athene Lodge No 9541 and also the prestigious Quatuor Coronati Lodge No 2076 which is the Premier Lodge of Masonic Research. He was Prestonian lecturer in 2019.

Equally  W. Bro Ron Selby has had in recent years two books published:

A Guide Book To The Additional Masonic Degrees In Freemasonry

W Bro Ron Selby PPrSGW SLGR, is a Middlesex Mason and member of Temple of Athene Lodge No 9541 as well as a member of Author’s Lodge No 3456 in Metropolitan Grand Lodge. He has written an extremely enlightening book, which will provide a masonic horizon to newer freemasons who having been raised to degree of Master Mason are prompted by Brethren to consider joining other Orders in Freemasonry. How would the younger mason know which path to take? Of course, the next regular step in freemasonry is the Royal Arch, but certain of the other masonic orders may have their own appeal.

However, there is always a word of caution that should be given to the enthusiastic newcomer and that he must be certain that he is able to give full commitment without detriment to his self or connections. That said there is no doubt that the onward journey in freemasonry will hold much of interest and provides the opportunity to expand the bonds of masonic friendship with others who have similar interests.

Browsing this book is in itself highly informative. Ron Selby has said in his Author’s Introduction that the book is not designed to be read from cover to cover but is more an initial reference point for those who will continue their masonic journey. Certainly, there are some Orders that are relatively obscure and some which are exclusive and require certain religious beliefs before you can be admitted.

Of course, some freemasons are happy to remain within the Craft and Royal Arch and belong to one or two Lodge/ Chapters within their respective home province or further experience their freemasonry within other provinces.

Ron’s book is highly readable and will provide a broad base of masonic knowledge. Each individuals experience will differ as will his aspirations within the broader spectrum of freemasonry.

And finally,

Essentially “it does what it says on the tin”. Produced to coincide with the celebration of 150 years of the Province of Middlesex in 2020. A worthy reference book and update on the Province since the earlier publication of Middlesex Matters by Allan Beaver which coincided with 125 years of the Province. Copies of the latter book are still available second hand on www.abebooks.co.uk

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