Encyclopedia Masonica

The Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, E. S. A., at its triennial session in New Orleans, Louisiana, April, 1992, in compliance with and pursuant to a recommendation of Grand Master Joseph Style Orr, of Atlanta, Georgia, established a revolving educational loan fund, which was to be available to assist worthy and needy students to secure a loan to aid them in completing the last two years of their course in the normal schools, colleges and universities of their state. The Grand Master-elect, Leonidas P. Newby, was authorized to appoint a Committee, with full power to carry the plan into effect, and did 80. The Grand Encampment also established an educational endowment fund, the income of which only can be used, by levying an assessment of one dollar per annum on each Knight Templar under the jurisdiction of the Grand Encampment, payable July 1 of each year; one-half of which was to form a part of the endowment fund, which was supplemented by a transfer of $100,000 from the fund of the trustees of the Grand Encampment. These loans, in each Jurisdiction were to be made by a Committee of their own Grand Commanderies, appointed as their Grand Commander directed. The loans were made not exceeding two hundred dollars in one year, to suitable students, upon their personal notes, given without any security, with interest at five per cent commencing upon the date of their graduation, and the entire amount to be repaid by annual payments within four years from that date. The Supreme Council of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite has also an educational loan fund of like character to enable deserving applicants to make their way successfully through universities and colleges of approved standing.

The Encyclopedia Masonica exists to preserve the wealth of information that has been generated over the centuries by numerous Masonic authors. As Freemasonry is now Speculative and not Operative, the work of a Mason is now conducted in the quarries of symbolism, literature, history and scholasticism. Freemasonry encourages intellectual exploration and academic achievement in its members and many Masons over the years have taken up this calling. The result has been that an incredible amount of philosophy, symbolic speculation and academic insights have been created. However, as Freemasonry teaches, human knowledge is frail and fragile. It is easily lost in the turnings of the ages and unforeseen catastrophes can result in great setbacks to human knowledge.

For too long these great works have sat on forgotten shelves, gathering dust and concealing the light that could be shed on the darkness of our ignorance. The Encyclopedia Masonica has been created to act as an ark, sailing through time, to ensure that future generations of Freemasons have access to the same knowledge that inspired the Brethren that came before them. It will contain the works of such Masonic Luminaries as Albert G. Mackey, Manly Palmer Hall, G.S.M. Ward, Albert Pike and many others. The Encyclopedia Masonica is a living work and the volunteers of Universal Co-Masonry will continue to labor until the most comprehensive Masonic reference work the world has ever seen has been created. The Encyclopedia Masonica is open to any who wish to use it and will remain open so that the treasures contained within may increase the wealth of all those who seek its wisdom.