A Mason's Journey

This is a 3-volume collection that addresses the lessons of masonic initiation as expressed through the three blue lodge degrees. Each volume addresses one of the degrees (i.e. volume one is EA, volume two is FC, etc.) and specifically addresses the symbolism and lessons portrayed through the conferral. Each volume is short and can be read in a single sitting, making them ideal as supplemental "text books" for candidates receiving the degrees.

 
Claudy was a genius at explaining the lessons of the degrees (which can be quite complex) in clear and simple terms, helping a new mason understand both the terminology he is learning and the meaning of the various movements and actions he experienced during the degree. 

One of my lodges provides the candidates the volume appropriate to the degree he has received and asks the candidate to read the book prior to beginning his catechism lessons. He is then informed he will need to provide a verbal book report to the lodge before he is examined for his proficiency. Used in this fashion, the candidates benefit from these books by prompting the memory of their experiences during the degree and explaining them in clear, easy to understand lessons. These readings prepare candidates for their catechisms and help provide the context for these verbal lessons. 

I highly recommend these books for both the candidates (as I described above) and the lodge's instructors to aid them in explaining the degrees.

 

Click on this link to go to my Reference Library and download the pdf versions of these books!  

My curiousity about anti-Masonry was piqued after I read "Morgan, The Scandal That Shook Freemasonry" so I picked up "The Red Triangle". I was not disappointed!

 

It is a highly informative book on Anti-Masonry- especially when coupled with "Morgan"- that sheds a lot of light on the Anti-Masonry movement that is still alive and well.  

 

This book focuses on Europe, but the reader quickly recognizes the fact the same issues and arguments also circulate today in the United States. Two prominent issues in particular jumped out at me- the constant argument over whether Masonry is a religion and whether brethren abuse their membership in the fraternity through favors and cover ups. 

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While we've likely all found ourselves in conversations over whether Masonry is a religion, this book provides good depth on the argument over whether Masonry is a religion and explains some of the reasons anti-masons are able to so easily level the accusation and convince the uninformed. 

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"Red Triangle" provides a lengthy study of the perceptions that Masons abuse their membership by giving preferential treatment- particularly in jobs and hiring- to brothers and the perception that Masons in the legal system will cover up wrong-doing by Masons or flat-out protect brothers from prosecution for wrong-doing; a definite carry over from the issue front and center in "Morgan". 

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What I like about the book is what it doesn't say.  It does not say "Masonry is (or isn't) a religion and here's why" or "Masons will always protect their brothers from the law or other civil punishment and here's proof". Rather, the book presents the arguments as they are normally leveled, and then discusses how anti-masons are able to use these beliefs to bolster their arguments. The author gives good examples of Masonic "behaviors" that lend themselves to- apparently- proving or supporting the ideas. 

All-in-all a good book that sheds light on why Anti-Masonry is still alive and well and is a good read for the Mason conducting research.  

 

This book, coupled with "Morgan: The Scandal That Shook Freemasonry" gives the Mason an informative look at why certain perceptions persist in today's world and educates us on the need to square our actions and be mindful of how our actions can be misconstrued or misrepresented. 

I recommend this book as a companion book to "Morgan: The Scandal That Shook Freemasonry" to all Master Masons.

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Available on Amazon.com

I've completed another book by Rev'd Cryer and I have to say that while not my favorite by him, it's still full of interesting information for the Royal Arch Mason. It's a very short book (94 pages), and it's a little dry in the reading- almost "text book" in style.

 

But the information in it adds much to understanding the turmoil surrounding the creation and promulgation of Royal Arch Masonry as we know and practice it today. I think it's important to note the title may be misleading; if you're expecting a book about a Mason traveling the road of Royal Arch Masonry, you'll miss the mark (no pun intended, but cute none the less) as I did. It's actually a book about the inception and progression of Royal Arch Masonry itself. 

This book, like his others, informed on some things that stood out  to me as significant.  First, he discusses in some detail the "Rule of Three" which has relevance in all forms of Freemasonry.  The information wasn't surprising, rather I found myself thinking "so THAT'S why we do that". 
It also touches on another interesting fact that he has written about in his other books and that is that at certain times and in certain places in history, Chapters opened with just the three principles and past principle officers in attendance while the members waited outside.  During this discussion, he also discussed several different variations in Chapter opening and closing throughout history and I was again surprised by his reference to how close North American RAM is to RAM in the 17-1800's.  

In this book, he goes to great length and detail on the significance of "Passing the Chair" which naturally goes into the creation of the "Virtual Past Master" degree.  He adds much to the understanding of exactly how significant this was in early Royal Arch Masonry, particularly why and how it was implemented. 

The Rev'd provided a good discussion on how the RAM degree was variously referred to as a "degree" and as an "order" at different points in history.  This of course is all related to the discussion of the RAM as the 4th degree or as the culmination of the Craft degrees. Very interesting indeed. 

I was surprised at the point late in the book where he discussed and detailed RAM membership growth in terms of Chapters and membership in 17-1800s in England.  After reading this information I feel very good about the growth I see here in our local Grand Royal Arch Chapter Capitular District. 

Rev'd Cryer provides some excellent information on the relationship between Craft (Blue) Lodges and Chapters at different times in history.  There was much more complexity to the relationship than most RAM's know and it's a very interesting presentation! 

Finally, I was struck several times by some of the terminology he used.  Remember, his frame of reference is England and the historical period of this book is the 17-1800's, so certain terms jumped right out at me.  For instance, he referred to an open chapter of RAM as an "encampment"  and at one point he quoted a reference to a Royal Arch Mason becoming a "Masonic Knights Templar".  I find these instances fascinating because they were recorded in the minutes of old English chapters. 

I recommend this book to Royal Arch Masons, perhaps as a first book to read after being exalted. I don't believe the Council degrees would provide any further understanding or background for the RAM or is necessary for understanding this book. On the other hand, Master Masons that have not completed their Chapter degrees will likely struggle with most of the material. 

"The Royal Arch Journey" is available on Amazon. 

Yes, it's shameless self promotion! 

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Several years ago I drafted a document to help my lodge assemble an education program. From there I conducted a full "Needs Analysis" and identified seven critical milestones in the journey of a mason and identified the education needs for each. 

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After that, I looked at education methods and available education material and matched them to those milestones. 

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This is the fourth edition of the manual that brings in masonic education for the family, and a full section mentoring, including "how to" mentor and train mentors. 

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I am working in the background with a publisher, but in the meantime, this "Official Bootleg Copy" is available in my Library to download for free. 

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It is somewhat redundant in some areas because it is modularized so that lodge educators can select those sections they need and discard the rest. 

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You can click on the picture to access the file, or you can click on this link to go to my Library to download it!

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I hope you find some use in this manual and I hope you forgive my self promotion! 

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Travel smartly! 

S&F

This is an excellent book which actually serves as a brief history lesson of Royal Arch Masonry. I say brief because it comes in at 46 pages but the author, Roy Wells, uses those 46 pages very effectively. The writing style is excellent and easy to follow and I used the term "history" because he provides a lot of factual information from the historic rituals and minutes from various Lodges, Chapters, and Grand Chapters. 

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I recommend this for those who have been Royal Arch Masons for at least a year and have had a frequent opportunity in that time to participate in the full-form ritual (degree work and open/close). Having a good background in the verbiage and floor work from today's ritual will help the reader make the important comparisons to the work described in Mr. Wells' book.

 

With this background, today's Royal Arch Mason will appreciate the nature of our constitutions and ritual when compared to historic forms. 

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Double thumbs up! Buy it and take it with you when you will have a few hours to pass. 

This is really an excellent book that looks at a moment in masonic history where the Antients and Moderns clashed. It is a short book, coming in at about 88 pages, but it is packed with interesting and useful information that will inform the York (Rite) Mason on the struggle to save and promulgate the Holy Royal Arch. 

Because the book is so short, I feel compelled to limit my description of the story line so as not to give too much away. In short, the author tells of a rebellion by several lodges against the UGLE and in retaliation for perceived heavy-handed guidance and direction. The leaders of the rebellion re-activated the Wigand Grand Lodge in the Antient style in repudiation of the UGLE and the Moderns. This book delves into the actors and their actions and describes the reactivation and operation of the Wigand Grand Lodge. 

The Liverpool Masonic Rebellion is written in the style of a novel, but it is truly a documentary book  including sources and many photos of the various source documents and artifacts referenced throughout the story line.  

I recommend this book for any Master Mason but I believe it will be of particular interest to Royal Arch Masons interested in the evolution and practice of Royal Arch Masonry (though that is only a small and subtle part of the story line). I would recommend those considering this book have a basic understanding of the UGLE and its history- not necessarily in great detail, rather a general understanding of the role of the UGLE in masonic history. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and whole-heatedly recommend it. Some understanding of York Rite Freemasonry will add to the readers appreciation of the book. 

This book is available through Amazon.com   

​I've never reviewed a book that I was still reading, but in this case I really want to spread the word.  As I continue my Masonic "self education", I've always wanted to know more about the whole anti-Mason movement in general and the Morgan affair in particular.  

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This book advances both of those personal objectives.  It strikes me as an excellent starting point for research into anti-Masonry, and it's an excellent assembly of the facts surrounding the disappearance of William Morgan in 1826. 

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This book is very well written in the style of a novel.  The writer is very talented and opted to avoid a "textbook" style that would have been more difficult to follow.  It is also thoroughly documented and supported by records. 

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I particularly enjoy the collection of photos and artist renderings.  The author provides four artist renderings of William Morgan and, rather than tell us which one is correct, provides a brief description of each and discussion of why each is or is not likely accurate.  The author does point to the one he thinks is closest, but does not "certify" it as the "real" one. He allows the reader to evaluate the four renderings in the context of the whole story and allows us to come to our own conclusion.  Also, the actual photographs of the various buildings and locations from the period add a lot to help the reader "be there" while reading the story. 

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I also enjoy another aspect of the book and that is the light it sheds on the workings of Freemasonry in the 1800's in the U.S. I think this aspect provides the Mason a valuable glimpse of Freemasonry they can relate to how we labor today. Royal Arch Masons may have a slight advantage when it comes to understanding the relationship and role of Royal Arch Masonry and the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in the event.

 

Overall, a fascinating, highly informative book that is a very easy read.  I would offer two recommendations: a reader should glance over the compilation of photos and artwork before starting to read; second, I recommend this to all Master Masons that are pursuing further light- especially regarding the role of Freemasonry in America. As painful as it may be, the anti-Mason movement is a part of the history of our nation and this story is useful in understanding this specific affair. 

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This book is available on Amazon.  Enjoy brethren!

S&F

I've always been curious about the Odd Fellows, and I've always been aware there were similarities between Odd Fellowship and Freemasonry. I finally stumbled across this book, "Ancient Rites of Odd Fellowship" on Amazon and thought I'd give it a go. As I hit the "Checkout" button, I reminded myself of all the information on Amazon and other book seller sites about Freemasonry and how bad some of it tends to be ranging from merely inaccurate all they way to full-blown anti-masonic. So I made the purchase fully intending to employ all of my powers of cynicism and skepticism.

 
I have to admit, for a quick "what are Odd Fellows", this book actually fills the bill. It comes in at 60 pages and it is structured in two "topic areas". First, what is Odd Fellowship and where did it come from, and second, an almost monitorial rendition of the degrees. While I still acknowledge there may still be many inaccuracies in the degrees as the author presents them, they still convey the overall structure of their fraternity and its intent. 

Because the book is a brief 60 pages, too much detail here would necessarily include spoilers. So I will go only this far in describing the content; the Odd Fellows is a fraternal organization that is structured to support the initiatic process by taking a man, progressing him through a series of degrees, and ultimately recognizing him as a full brother within the fraternity. The four degrees described in monitorial form are: the White or Covenant Degree, the Royal Blue Degree, the Pink or Merit Degree, and the Royal Arch of Titus or Fidelity Degree. That is as far as I will go here in this review, leaving it you to follow your curiosity. 
It is a quick read that you can likely read in one sitting and it will provide you, I think, just enough information to understand the basic intent and form of The Odd Fellows. I think it is good for masons to read this book, or maybe similar books on this topic just to gain some perspective on other social fraternities operating in the same social and cultural environment as masonry. 
Enjoy!