Preston's Masonry [Paperback]

William Preston (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 31, 1942

Partial Contents: Vindication of Masonry; Reflections on Symmetry and Proportion Displayed in Nature; Friendship Considered; Origin of Masonry; Secrets of Masonry ought not to be Exposed; Description of Ancient Ceremonies and Charges of all the Degrees; Principles of Masonry Explained; History of Masonry in England; Odes, Anthems, Songs.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 410 pages
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing, LLC (May 31, 1942)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0766100642
• ISBN-13: 978-0766100640
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 7.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,049,583 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Alias: "Illustrations of Masonry" by William Preston - 1792, January 28, 2001

By 

Bernhard W. Hoff "benhoff" (NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Preston's Masonry (Paperback)

This influential book is much sought after by students of masonic ritual, and is considered as difficult to find as it was influential. Well no wonder; The publisher has it listed under the wrong title!! (Rather like publishing the Declaration of Independence under the title "Jefferson's Politics".) This is the expanded 1792 edition, where the shorter first edition was published in 1772.

I found the book very interesting, and lived up to its reputation. I can now well understand why Preston is considered so influential in the development of the ritual. I recognize large chunks of the lectures in Masonic ritual from most states in the US as being almost word for word lifts from this book.

The book has two primary purposes and intended audiences. First, it is an explaination, defence, and perhaps even advertisment of Freemasonry for the general public. Second, it is his commentary on the meaning of the ritual intended for Masons. It is also something of a lodge officer's manual with instructions for some of the public ceremonies such as funerals, cornerstone layings, etc. It seems to be the prototype Masonic Monitor. Also included is Preston's account of masonic history - which we must take with a grain of salt. But there is the text of a very interesting letter supposedly written by the Philosopher John Locke on the subject of Freemasonry, and the text of another document supposedly written by the English King Henry VI on the same topic.

Altogether a very interesting book for the Masonic scholar, but a crashing bore for anyone else. As with other Kessinger books, this is a bound xerox of an original. The reproduction is clear, but the text has the long "s"'s that look like "f"'s, as had all books published in that time.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Preston Masory, June 4, 2000

By 

Gregory Morrison (Tenn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Preston's Masonry (Paperback)

I am Mason.. I read his book..I felt it was very interesting overall. I would say that any free and accepted Mason should read this book. After I read it I felt that Mr. Preston was standing over my shoulder telling everything from the grave. He was a very knowleadage in all areas of his book.I would give him a Mason hand grap and the work od a mason if he was alive. My sister lives in Louisville KY and I took the special time to visit his grave. As, I was standing their I could feel his hand upon my shoulder say, brother thank you for coming to visit with me today. As I stood in front of his grave, almost see him standing their and speaking to me. I was there was a long time. I felt a moment of proud and a moment of sadness knowing we the American people lost a great person when this man died. I understand that at one time we all must cross over to that vail to reach the other side. When I get to that plain I going to ask him for his autograph and give him my hand. I want to thank him for his work and you for keeping his stories alive. Thank YOU Gregoy Morrison 4147 Callie Powell Cove Bartlett TN 38135