Category Archives: Audiobooks

Audio Sample: Philosophy of Masonry in Five Parts Sample

Pound begins his discourse with an examination of what he deems to be the four major systems of Masonic philosophy. Two of these are intellectual systems: First that of Preston, whose key word is Knowledge; second, that of Krause, whose key word is Morals. Two of these are spiritual

systems: First that … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: Druidism and Freemasonry

Mackey examines the popular belief among scholars of his day that the rites of Freemasonry are remnants of ancient Druids ceremonies, or that at the very least the ceremonies of the two share a common origin, such as the pagan mysteries, travelling Buddhists or perhaps the Phoenicians. In doing so, he gives an excellent history lesson on who the Druids were and what their … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: Rosicrucians – Their History and Aims

Brother Westcott is the perfect man to write on the aims of the Rosicrucians and their relationship to Freemasonry, as he was not only a Mason and a Rosicrucian himself, but held the office of Supreme Magus of the masonic Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia. So, along with a thorough history of how the traditional Rosicrucian Order evolved over hundreds of years, … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: Symbolism of Stones

Westcott begins by reminding us that when we first enter into our Masonic initiation, as the candidate, we represent the rough ashlar, the unfinished stone. From there, he proceeds to point out a vast number of Biblical references to stones, while reminding us, that the worship of stones is one of the earliest forms of religious observance. Brother Westcott details at great length, … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: Story of Hiram Abiff 

Though generally unknown to the Entered Apprentice and the Fellow Craft when beginning their journey into Craft Masonry, the character of Hiram Abiff is the principle player in the unfolding drama of the Master Mason degree. Strangely, though, he hasn’t always been there. Where did Hiram Abiff come from and when was he incorporated into the mythology of Freemasonry? Was he an invention … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: Mystical Basis of Masonry 

Acclaimed masonic writer, W. L. Wilmshurst approaches this topic with fervor, asserting that, “Masonry was not intended to be, and is not, a high-grade Friendly Society and its charitable energies are merely an incident of, and not the motive for, its existence. That it is a school of morality, tending to promote peace and goodwill amongst men, which is also wholly true, again … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: Freemasonry and its Relation to the Essenes

Masonic scholar William Wynn Westcott examines the assertion that the ancient religious sect, known as the Essenes, was in many ways a precursor to the Masonic fraternity. In addition to the notable features of brotherly love, relief, truth, morality and universal tolerance, there were much more tangible similarities, such as initiation, oaths, modes of recognition and the reception of an … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: The Masonic Apron

This collection of essays by five notable Masonic scholars (Joseph Fort Newton, Albert Mackey, Bro. H. L. Haywood, Bro. H. A. Kingsbury, J. George Gibson), discuses the single most important symbol that Freemasonry has. It covers the antiquity as well as the esoteric symbolism of our most valued vestiture and what is often overlooked by those outside of the fraternity: a simple, square, white, … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: Washington as a Freemason 

Brother Mackey sets out to dispel the notion that George Washington, the first president of the United States of America, was anything but a Freemason. He provides ample documentary evidence to support what now has become a common claim. But, Mackey goes beyond simply showing us proof … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: Masonic Symbolism in Shakespeare

As any Freemason will tell you, there are certain words, symbols and phrases that one primarily encounters during Masonic ritual. Two notable Masonic authors examine the works of Shakespeare in an effort to determine if there is any merit to the claim of his rumored involvement in Freemasonry, … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: Monasticism

In order to become a member of the Masonic fraternity, an individual must kneel before the members of a Lodge, while professing their trust in a God of their choosing. As such, while Freemasonry itself is not a religion, it is, without a doubt, spiritually tied to all religions. And, with the building of all great cathedrals and temples to honor the Great Architect of the … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: The Ancient Mysteries

Not simply satisfied with the signs, grips and words of workmen at temples, from a bygone past, the author wants to know what lies beyond these pedestrian tales told to the newly made mason, of our history. Brother Bush engages in justifiable pride examining the mysteries of ancient Egypt … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample:  Masonic Symbolism of Easter Our first author utilizes a contrast between the Great God Pan and the Greek Elysium in a creative allegory to speculate on the rebirth of the candidate during the four Capitular degrees of Freemasonry. He explores the marriage of the intellectual and spiritual fire, as well as the egg as a symbol of fertility and its relationship to the new Mason. Brother … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample:  Rosicrucian and Masonic Origins In this classic treatise by Manly P. Hall, the origins of Rosicrucian and Masonic organizations are discussed and compared. Freemasonry is a fraternity within a fraternity- an outer organization concealing an inner brotherhood of the elect. Before it is possible to intelligently discuss the origin of the Craft, it is necessary, therefore, to establish the existence of these two separate yet interdependent … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: Rosicrucianism is Freemasonry

Harold Voorhis, notable Masonic scholar and former Supreme Magus of the Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis, explores the notion which was only beginning to gain popularity among the fellow masons of his day, that their fraternity is somehow connected through history to the much more elusive and mystical fraternity, … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: The Doorway of Freemasonry & The Mason’s Apron

This volume contains a pair of exploratory essays by Masonic scholar William Harvey. The first seeks to explain the origin and meaning of the word Tyler, as well as describing the history and duties that appertain to the official who guards the Doorway of … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: The Hiramic Legend and the Ashmolean Theory Worshipful Brother Hextall explores various possible histories of the Hiram Abiff legend in Masonic ritual, focusing largely on noted British alchemist and astrologer Elias Ashmole in the process. He includes speculation on the manufacturing of the Master Mason degree as well as the history of its emergence. And what does the burning of historical Masonic documents in 1720 have to … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: Four Lesser-Known Essays

A collection of four essays by noted Masonic scholar Frank C. Higgins. The first explores the labyrinthine paths of solutions that attempt to define the exact character of the “riddle of the ages” that is known as Freemasonry, as it has survived throughout history, in multiple cultures. In his second essay, “Masonic Archeology”, the author picks up where he left off in the … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: Freemasonry From 1600 Onwards

With his focus on Great Britain, Scotland and Ireland, noted masonic scholar William Hughan cites numerous examples of early Lodge minutes, in order to show a direct connection to and prove that the Freemasons of today are lineal descendants of those operative builders from the seventeenth century and perhaps more importantly, descendants of early speculative members, often noblemen, who otherwise had no connection … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: Capitular Freemasonry

Capitular Masonry is the second stage or section in the Masonic progress of the York Rite. It suffers often, and is frequently too lightly esteemed as an intermediate series of degrees between Blue Lodge Masonry and the Templar Orders of the Commandery. But, it is full of meaning and contains within itself lessons fully as important as can anywhere be found. In this essay, Brother … Continue reading… →

Audio Sample: Three Essays on Capitular Masonry

Not one to shy away from controversy, Brother William Kuhn offers some bold statements about the history and future of Capitular Degrees in general and Royal Arch Masonry in particular; however, mostly he is challenge his reader, and Masons in general, to think for themselves. And, he offers many things to think about, from the ill-named “York Rite”, to discussion that the … Continue reading… →