W Bro Stan gives the following report on his donation of important reference books to the Provincial Library
On Saturday 22nd February I was able to meet with my Lodge colleague Campbell (we are both members of Temple of Athene Lodge No 9541, the Province’s Research Lodge) and donate several books which needed a new home. If I was asked my what strengths and weaknesses were, I would have to say that the accumulation of books over my lifetime would be my essential weakness. It has kept me impoverished. Over time interest change and some books find a new home where others will have the benefit of accumulating knowledge. I had purchased several volumes of The Victoria History of the Counties of England which related to the History of the County of Middlesex. I think as Middlesex Masons we owe it ourselves to have a knowledge of the former County. I say former but that is only in the sense of administrative unit. You might call it the GLA, but what’s in a name. Middlesex was and still is and it is important to recognise Middlesex as a continuing entity. I might add “and is to come” to give it a masonic nuance. The series publicity states:
“The Victoria County History (VCH) was founded in 1899 as a national project to write the history of every county in England. At its inception, the project was dedicated to Queen Victoria, which is how it derives its name. The VCH aims to complete authoritative, encyclopaedic histories of each county, from the earliest archaeological records to the present day, as well as topics such as topography, landscape and the built environment.”
In arranging the donation of books about the County of Middlesex it occurred to me that if somebody was asked how many Palaces there were or had been in Middlesex what might be an answer? Certainly, Hampton Court Palace, but equally in the history of Middlesex we find also: Fulham Palace, Kensington Palace, St James’ Palace. The Palace of Westminster, Buckingham Palace and Whitehall Palace. Not a bad tally. The whole series of these books on Middlesex can be found on the web as well and the link below provides a starting point.
W Bro Stan also donated two books with a masonic ethos. The first was the AHIMAN REZON which was written and published by Laurence Dermott in 1756. The Ahiman Rezon became the constitutional foundation of Antients Freemasonry on both sides of the Atlantic and would become the basis for the Constitutions of many American State Grand Lodges.
The Amazon introduction to the Book says, “Ahiman Rezon codified and publicised Antients Freemasonry, advancing an argument in favour of the Antients’ greater antiquity and superior ritual as compared to the not dissimilar form practiced by the Moderns. Dermott deployed the book effectively to emphasise the Antients’ claim to Masonic pre-eminence. Its impact grew as subsequent editions gained traction. The value of Dermott’s royalties was also considerable and in September 1785 in an act that set a seal on Dermott’s standing within the Antients’ Grand Lodge and as a testament to his then affluence, Dermott gifted his royalties to the Antients’ Grand Charity”.
https://www.1723constitutions.com/evolution/antients-freemasonry/1756-ahiman-rezon-dermott/
The second book is entitled The Arcane Schools and is not an easy read. It is easier to understand the Book of Constitutions. Nevertheless, it will provide insights for the serious student of freemasonry. Once again there is “blurb” giving an introduction to the books contents
“In this extensive work, John Yarker attempts to trace the history of Masonry and Masonic rites through history, proving its legitimacy through seniority and the power of tradition. Yarker establishes the roots of Masonry in a race he calls the Aryans, a catchall phrase to describe an unknown race of conquerors who developed the early human arts, such as stoneworking, metalworking, and agriculture. Yarker then explains how that civilization gave rise to societies of special knowledge, such at the mathematical and philosophical schools in ancient Greece. From these, he can trace symbolism to modern Freemasonry. Fascinating in its breadth, The Arcane Schools draws on seemingly every society and era to pull the history of humanity into a single narrative. Those interested the arcane and occult, as well as those with a newly sparked interest in symbology, will find Yarker’s book a fascinating and informative read. English author JOHN YARKER (1833-1913) was a Freemason who established the Sovereign Sanctuary of The Ancient and Primitive Rite of Masonry for England and Ireland in 1872. He was an occultist who wrote many books including The Magian Mysteries and Freemasonry in Modern Times.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Arcane-Schools-John-Jr-Yarker/dp/1602061424
The critical thing about book preservation at the Harrow Masonic Library is that it provides for the next generation of freemason a resource for study and research. Better that than end up in a council tip at some future date.
W Bro Campbell aims to keep two copies of every book in the Library and where there are additional copies then these might be had for free. There is an interesting selection. Of course, donations to the Library are always welcome.
