Encyclopedia Masonica

In the History of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire, England, by Brother Phipps Doran, 1912, we are told that Brother W. Clegg, a member of the Lodge of Harmony, No. 279, Boston, Lincolnshire, was the author of the hymns Hail Eternal and Now the Evening Shadows Falling, which are in frequent use at the opening and closing of many Lodges.

HAIL ETERNAL
Hail, Eternal! by whose aid
All created things are made
Heav'n and earth thy vast design;
Hear us, Architect Divine!
May our work begun in Thee
Ever blest with order be.
And may we, when labors cease,
Part in harmony and peace,
By Thy glorious Majesty
By the trust we place in Thee
By the badge and mystic sign
Hear us Architect Divine!
NOW THE EVENING SHADOWS FALLING
Now the evening shadows falling
Warn from toil to peaceful rest
Mystic arts and rites reposing
Sacred in each faithful breast.
God of Light! whose love unceasing,
Doth to all Thy works extend
Crown our Order with Thy blessing;
Build, sustain us to the end.
Humbly now we bow before Thee,
Grateful for Thine aid Divine;
Everlasting pow'r and glory,
Mighty Architect! be Thine.

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.