Encyclopedia Masonica

An early organization formed by certain members of the Grand Lodge of Scotland in the middle of the eighteenth century for the purpose of instructing the Scottish Brethren in the practice and history of Freemasonry and holding its meetings in Edinburgh. This club, while enthusiastically supported by its projectors, did not meet with success and went out of existence shortly after its inception, only to be revived about twenty-five years later by the forming of a group of Masonic Clubs in various parts of Scotland. These clubs were prohibited by the Grand Lodge because of their unfavorable criticism of the Grand Lodge transactions but in order to further the stated objects of the organization, Grand Lodge resolved to issue "temporary warrants, without fee, for holding Lodges of Instruction in any district or province when a majority of the Masters of the Lodges in the province should petition for it" (see History of the Lodge of Edinburgh, Mary's Chapel, Brother David Murray Lyon, 1873, page 402). This offer has never been taken advantage of to any extent which, as Brother Lyon observes, leaves the Brethren of Scotland without any centralized method for the giving and receiving of instruction.

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.