The Freemason’s Manual

Originally published in 1862 and intended as a much-needed update to William Preston’s Illustrations of Masonry, The Freemason’s Manual sought to provide English Freemasons a deep explanation and education concerning many other Masonic degree systems recognized at the time. In addition, the book surveys the history of dozens of Masonic rites (both recognized and unrecognized) including the Ancient and Accepted Rite (Scottish Rite) and the York Rite (including the Mark Master, the Holy Royal arch, and the Knight Templar degrees), the Rite of Perfection, the Strict Observance, the Elu Cohens, the Rite of Philalethes, Swedenborg’s Rite, the Rite of Mizraim, the Rite of Memphis, the Mopses, and Adoptive Masonry. Several details of these degrees are provided at a time before many subsequent changes made to the ritual work. This book offers a rare and intriguing glimpse into the Scottish Rite degrees before the influence of Albert Pike and from the perspective of English Freemasonry.