Essays on the Masonic Degrees (1897–1903)

R. F. Gould, W. J. Hughan, G. W. Speth, J. Lane.

By Eric Serejski (Ed.). Distributor: Lulu. $24.99. 316 pages. Paperback UT. 2016 (1897–1903).

Studies on Freemasonry generally relate to its origin, its symbolism and its evolutions in time and space. As for the study of degrees, attention is focused more particularly on the systems of the High Degrees.

Mrs. Gould, Hughan, Speth and Lane are among a small group of researchers who examined the origin of the three degrees of the Blue Lodge. The questions raised bring us, besides the origin of the degrees, to the history of his legend and the interpretation of his symbolism.

This book is to be consulted in parallel with the essay of Mr. Goblet d'Alviella, Des origines du grade de maître dans la franc-maçonnerie.

The compilations provide 135 references on the topic and the combined 146 bibliographical sources.

Contents

• [Introductory Note]
• Robert Freke Gould. The Degrees of Pure and Ancient Masonry
  • I. Proemial
  • II. The argument
  • III. 1717–1738
  • IV. 1740–1813
• William James Hughan. The three Degrees of Masonry
  • [Paper]
  • Discussion
  • Reply to Discussion
  • {Constitution of Lodge - Minutes}
• George William Speth. The two Degrees Theory
  • [Presentation]
  • The purely operative period
  • The mainly operative period
  • The mainly speculative period
  • The purely speculative period
  • Summary
  • The Scottish minutes
  • Masters’ lodges
  • Absence of reference to degrees
  • The Alnwick Lodge
  • Bro. George Bell
  • Appendix
  • Nature of the second degree
  • Old Regulation XIII.
  • [Discussion]
  • [Reply to Discussion]
• John Lane. Master’s Lodges
  • [Presentation]
  • [Discussion]
  • Supplementary Note
• Works by Authors
  • Robert Freke Gould (1836–1915)
  • William James Hughan, (1841–1911)
  • John Lane (1843–1899)
  • George William Speth (1847–1901)
• References
  1. Work cited
  2. Additional references
  3. Unidentified references