The General Ahiman Rezon

 

By D. E. Sickles. Distributor: Lulu. $19.99. 381 pages. Paperback CQ. 2016 (1867).

Following the publication by L. Dermott of the Ahiman Rezon (1756), a series of secondary publications bearing identical or similar titles emerged in the 19th century. D. Sickles published his in 1866 (or 1867). Like that of S. Rockell’s 1859’s General Ahiman Rezon, this book has no other connection with the work of Demott but the name. It borrows the name from the Ancient Freemasons but derive all its laws and authorities from the Moderns or ‘legal’ Freemasons of the 19th century. This work should be approached after consulting the entry ‘Ahiman Rezon’ in Mackey's Encyclopedia of Freemasonry.

Little is known of D. Sickles (1825 –), whose name is the same as the famous Daniel Edgar Sickles, except that he worked with Robert Macoy at the Masonic Publishing and Manufacturing Co.

 

Contents

  • Forward by Eric Serejski
  • Ahiman Rezon.—Signification of the term
  • Explanation of the frontispiece
  • Preface
  • Contents
  • Table of Figures
  • [Songs]
  • Introductory
    • Origin of Masonry, and its advantages
    • Government of the fraternity
    • The lodge and its government
    • Qualifications of candidates
    • Admission of candidates
    • Petition of candidates
  • Opening and closing the lodge
    • Prayer, to be used at opening
    • Another prayer, which may be used at opening
    • Prayer, to be used at closing
    • Charge, to be used at closing
    • Closing benediction
  • First degree. Entered apprentice
    • [Illustrations]
    • Symbolism of the Degree
    • First lecture
    • Section I
    • Section II
    • Section III
  • Second Degree. Fellow Craft
    • [Illustrations]
    • Symbolism of the Degree
    • Second lecture
    • Section I
      • The symbolical jewels
      • [The Working Tools of a Fellow-Craft]
    • Section II
      • [Operative and Speculative Masonry]
      • The Pillars of the Porch
      • [Symbols of Peace, Unity and Plenty]
      • Of the Globes
      • The Use of the Globes
      • The Winding Stairs
      • Of Order in Architecture
      • The Five Senses of Human Nature
      • The Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences,
      • [Emblem of Plenty explained]
    • Charge to the candidate
  • Lecture on the legend of the winding stairs. A. G. Mackey, M. D.
  • Third Degree. Master Mason
    • [Illustrations]
    • Symbolism of the Degree
    • Third Lecture
    • Section I
      • [Working Tools of Master Mason]
    • Section II
      • The Twelve Messengers
      • The Acacia tree
      • The letter G
      • Funeral dirge
      • Rites of sepultre. Hebrew customs
    • Section III
      • [Erection of Solomon’s Temple]
      • [Emblems of Master Mason’s Degree]
    • Charge to the candidate
  • Officers’ clothing and jewels
    • Subordinate Lodge
    • Grand Lodge jewels
    • Grand lodge
    • Jewels
  • Ancient Ceremonies
    • Section I.  Consecration, dedication, constitution, and installation of officers of a new lodge
      • Form of petition for a new lodge
      • Consecration
      • Music
      • Dedication
      • Constitution
      • Installation of the officers of a Lodge
      • Charges to the Officers
      • Charge to the Brethren of the lodge
      • Benediction
    • Installation of the Officers of a Grand Lodge
      • To the Senior Grand Warden
      • To the Junior Grand Warden
      • To the Grand Treasurer
      • To the Grand Secretary
      • To the Grand Chaplain
      • To the Grand Lecturer
      • To the Grand Marshal
      • To the Grand Standard Bearer
      • To the Grand Sword Bearer
      • To the Grand Stewards
      • To the Grand Deacons
      • To the Grand Pursuivant
      • To the Grand Tiler
    • Laying foundation stones of public structures
    • Dedication of Masonic Halls
    • Grand Visitations
  • [Masonic funeral services]
    • Masonic funeral services:  prepared by  Robert Macoy,  author of the Masonic Manual, Book of the Lodge, True Masonic Guide, Past Deputy Grand Master, Grand Recorder, etc.
    • Service in the lodge-room
    • Service at the church or the house of the deceased
    • Service at the grave
    • Regulations for processions
  • Ritual for a Lodge of Sorrow.  By John w. Simmons, Past Grand Master of New York
    • Preface
    • Lodge of Sorrow
    • Preparation of the Hall
    • Opening the Lodge
    • Prayer by the Chaplain
    • Closing
    • Selections for Lodge of Sorrow
    • Service for the consecration of masonic cemeteries
  • Masonic Calendar
  • Appendices
    • Form of Petition for a new Lodge
    • Form of Dispensation for a new Lodge
    • Form of Warrant for a Lodge
    • Form of a Lodge Certificate
    • Form of a Grand Lodge Diploma
    • Form of a Dimit
    • Form of Trials and Appeals
    • Dispensation to a lodge to continue its labors, after the destruction or loss of its Warrant
    • Certificate of Election
    • Form of a Proxy
  • [Works cited]