Encyclopedia Masonica

These Chapters existed in Paris from the year 1730 to 1740, and were thence disseminated through France. They consisted of Degrees, such as Irish Master, Perfect Irish Master, and Sublime Irish Master, which, it is said, were invented by the adherents of the house of Stuart when they sought to make Freemasonry a political means of restoring the exiled family to the throne of England. The claim has been made but is disputed that Ramsay, when he assumed his theory of the establishment of Freemasonry in Scotland by the Templars, who had Bed thither under d'Aurnont, took possession of these Degrees (if he did not, as some suppose, invent them himself) and changed their name, in deference to his theory, from Irish to Scottish, calling, for instance, the Degree of Matre Irlandou or Irish Master, the Maitre, Ecossais or Scottish Master.

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.