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eagle
The eagle, as a symbol, is of great antiquity. In Egypt, Greece, and Persia, this bird was sacred to the sun. Among the Pagans it was an emblem of Jupiter, and with the Druids it was a symbol of the...eagle, double-headed
The Eagle Displayed, that is, with extended wings, as if in the act of dying, has always, from the majestic character of the bird, been deemed an emblem of imperial power. Marius, the consul, first co...ear of corn
This was, among all the ancients , an emblem of plenty. Ceres, who was universally worshiped as the goddess of abundance, and even called by the Greeks Dewneter, a manifest corruption of Gemeter, or M...ear, the listening
The listening ear is one of the three precious jewels of a Fellow Craft Freemason. In the Hebrew language, the verb YDD, pronounced shaw-mah, signifies not only to hear, but also to understand and to ...earthen pan
In the lectures of the early part of the eighteenth century used as a symbol of zeal, together with chalk and charcoal, which represented freedom and fervency. In the modern lectures clay has been sub...east
The East has always been considered peculiarly sacred. This was, without exception, the case in all the Ancient Mysteries. In the Egyptianrites, especially, and those of Adonis, which were among the e...east port
An error in the Lansdowne Manuscript, where the expression "the city of East Port" occurs as a corruption of "the cities of the East."east, grand
The place where a Grand Lodge holds its Communications, and whence are issued its Edicts, is often called its Grand East. Thus, the Grand East of Boston, according to this usage, would be placed at th...easter
Easter Sunday, being the day celebrated by the Christian church in commemoration of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, is appropriately kept as a feast day by Rose Croix Freemasons. The Western churc...easter monday
On this day, in every third year, Councils of Kadosh in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite hold their elections.eastern star, order of the
This is the very popular American Rite of Adoption to which Brother Rob Morris gave many years labor and dedicated numerous poems. There are five beautiful degrees to which Freemasons and their mother...eavesdropper
A listener. The punishment which was directed in the old lectures, at the revival of Freemasonry in 1717, to be inflicted on a detected cowan was: "To be placed under the eaves of the house in ra...ebal
According to Mackenzie, Royal Masonic Cyclopaedia, the following was introduced into the lectures of Freemasonry in the eighteenth century: Moses commanded Israel that as soon as they had passed the ...eben bohan
The stone which Bohan set up as a witness-stone, and which afterwards served as a boundary-mark on the frontier between Judah and Benjamin (see Joshua xv, 6, and xvii, 17).eben-ezer
Hebrew, xxx, pronounced, Eh'-ben haw--zer, and meaning stone of help. A stone set up by Samuel between Mizpeh and Shen in testimony of the Divine assistance obtained against the Philistines (see ...eblis
The Arabian name of the prince of the apostate angels, exiled to the infernal regions for refusing to worship Adam at the command of the Supreme, Eblis claiming that he had been formed of ethereal fir...ebony box
A symbol, in the advanced Degrees, of the human heart, which is intended to teach reserve and taciturnity, which should be inviolably maintained in regard to the incommunicable secrets of the Order. W...ecbatana
An ancient city of great interest to those who study the history of the rebuilding of the Temple. Its several names were Agbatana, Hagmatana, and Achmeta. Tradition attributes the founding of the city...eclectic freemasonry
From the Greek, eklektikos, which means selecting. Those philosophers who, in ancient times, selected from the various systems of philosophy such doctrines as appeared most conformable to truth were c...eclectic rite
The Rite practiced by the Eclectic Union, which see. * ECLECTIC UNION The fundamental idea of a union of the German Lodges for the purpose of purifying the Masonic system of the corruptions which ...ecossais
This is a French word, pronounced a-ko-say, which Masonically is generally to be translated as Scottish Master. There are numerous Degrees under the same or a similar name; all of them, however, concu...ecossais anglais sublime
Sublime English Scottish, the thirty-eighth grade, fifth series, Metropolitan Chapter of France.ecossais architect, perfect
The French expression is Ecossais Architecte Parfait. A Degree in the collection of M. Pyron.ecossais d'angers or ecossais d'alcidony
Two Degrees mentioned in a work entitled Philosophical Considerations on Freemasonry.ecossais des loges militaires
French for Scottish (Degree) of Military Lodges, a grade in three sections in M. Pyron's collection.ecossais novice
A synonym of the Eighth Degree of Illuminism. It is more commonly called IUuminatus Major in Latin.ecossais of clermont
The Thirteenth Degree of the Metropolitan Chapter of France.ecossais of england
A Degree in the collection of M. Le Rouge.ecossais of franville
The Thirty-first Degree of the Metropolitan Chapter of France. * ECOSSAIS OF HIRAM A Degree in the Mother Lodge of the Philosophic Scotch Rite.ecossais of messina
A Degree in the nomenclature of M. Fustier.ecossais of montpellier
The Thirtysixth Degree of the Metropolitan Chapter of France.ecossais of naples
The Forty-second Degree of the collection of the Metropolitan Chapter of France.ecossais of perfection
The Thirty-ninth Degree of the collection of the Metropolitan Chapter of France.ecossais of prussia
A degree in the archives of the Mother Lodge of the Philosophic Scottish Rite.ecossais of saint andrew
A not unusual form of Ecossaism, and found in several Rites as follows: 1. The Second Degree of the Clerks of Strict Observance. 2. The Twenty-first Degree of the Rite of Mizraim 3. The Twenty-ninth ...ecossais of saint george
A Degree in the collection of Le Page.ecossais of the forty
The French expression is Ecossais des Quarante. The Thirty-fourth Degree of the collection of the Metropolitan Chapter of France.ecossais of the lodge of prince edward
A Degree in the collection of Pyron. This was probably a Stuart Degree, and referred to Prince Charles Edward, the young Pretender.ecossais of the sacred vault of james vi
The title refers to the following: 1. The Thirtv-third Degree of the collection of the Metropolitan Chapter of Franee, said to have been eomposed bs the Baron Tsehoudy. 2. The Twentieth Degree of the...ecossais of the three j. j. j.
This refers to each of the following: 1. The Thirty-second Degree of the collection of the Metropolitan Chapter of France v 2. The Nineteenth Degree of the Rite of Mizraim. The three J. J. J. are the ...ecossais of the triple triangle
The Thirty-seventh Degree of the collection of the Metropolitan Chapter of France.ecossais of toulouse
A Degree in the archives of the Mother Lodge of the Philosophic Scottish Rite.ecossais parfait maitre anglais
French for Scottish Perfect English Master, a grade given by Pyron.ecossais, english
The French expression is Ecossais Anglais. A Degree in the Mother Lodge of the Philosophic Rite.ecossais, faithful
The French expression is Ecossais Fidle (see Vielle Bru).ecossais, french
The Thirty-fifth Degree of the collection of the Metropolitan Chapter of France.ecossais, grand
The Fourteenth Degree of the Scottish Rite is so called in some of the French books.ecossais, grand architect
The French expression is Grand Architecte Ecossais. The Forty-fifth Degree of the Metropolitan Chapter of France.ecossais, grand master
Formerly the Sixth Degree of the Capitular system, practised in Holland.ecossais, knight
A synonym of the Ninth Degree of Illuminism. It is more commonly called Illuminatus Dirigens in Latin.ecossais, master
The Fifth Degree of the Rite of Zinnendorf. It was also formerly among the high Degrees of the German Chapter and those of the Rite of the Clerks of Strict Observance. It is said to have been composed...ecossais, parisian
So Thory has it; but Ragon, and all the other nomenclators, give it as Ecossais Panissiere. The Seventeenth Degree of the Rite of Mizraim.ecossais, perfect
A Degree in the archives of the Mother Lodge of the Philosophic Scottish Rite.ecossism
A name given by French Masonic writers to the thirty-three Degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. This, in English, would be equivalent to Scottish Freemasonry, which see.ecuador
A republic of South America. In l857 the Grand Orient of Peru introduced Freemasonry to Ecuador by establishing Lodges at Quito and Guayaquil. The Dictator of Ecuador wished at first to join the Brot...edda
An Icelandic word, literally translated great-grandmother, as referred to in Scandinavian poetry. There are in reality two books of this name which were deemed inspired by the ancient Germans, Norwegi...edict of cyrus
Five hundred and thirty six years before the Christian era, Cyrus issued his edict permitting the Jews to return from the captivity at Babylon to Jerusalem, and to rebuild the House of the Lord. At th...edicts
The decrees of a Grand Master or of a Grand Lodge are called Edicts, and obedience to them is obligatory on all the Craft.edinburgh
The capital of Scotland. The Lodge of Edinburgh, Mary's Chapel, is No. 1 on the "Roll of Lodges holding under the Grand Lodge of Scotland," and is described therein as instituted "...edinburgh, congress of
It was convoked, in l736 by William Saint Clair of Roslin, Patron of the Freemasons of Scotland, whose Mother Lodge was Canongate Kilwinning, with the view of abdicating his dignity as hereditary Gran...edinburgh, lodge of
Often called the Luke of Mary's Chapel.- This old Lodge met at one time in a chapel dedicated to the Virgin, which accounts for the second part of its name. Possesses Minutes commencing in July, ...edinburgh-kilwinning manuscript
One of the Old Charges, probably written about 1665. It is in the custody of the I Mother Lodge Kilwinning, No. 0." which heads the Roll of Scotch Lodges. It has been reproduced in Brother Hughan...edling, count
Thory lists Edling as Chamberlain of the King of Saxony and that he, with Prince Bernhard of Saxe Weimar, received the Thirty-second degree at Paris, 1813.educational foundations
These are of various kinds to fit particular requirements. The items dealing with Colleges, Public Schools, Sunday Schools, and so on, prove that the tendency of the Masonic Brotherhood to promote pro...educational loan funds
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...edward iii manuscript
A manuscript quoted by Anderson in his second edition (page 71), and also by Preston, as an old record referring to "the glorious reign of King Edward III." The whole of the record is not ci...edward vii, king of england
Albert Edward, born November 9, 1841, the eldest son of Queen Victoria and Albert, Prince Consort. Initiated by the King of Sweden, at Stockholm, 1868. In 1870 the rank of Past Grand Master of England...edward, kings
The four kings, numerically known as the First, Second, Third, and Fourth, appear as favorers, abettors, and protectors of the Institution of Freemasonry.edward, prince
Son of George III, and Duke of Kent, was initiated in 1790, at Geneva, in the Lodge De I' Union des Coeurs, meaning in French Of the Union of Hearts, was Grand Master of the Ancients, and resigne...edwin
The son of Edward, Saxon king of England, who died in 924, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Athelstan. The Masonic tradition is that Athelstan appointed his brother Edwin the Patron of Freemasonry...edwin charges
The charges said to have been given by Prince Edwin, and contained in the Antiquity Manuscript, are sometimes so called (see Antiquity Manuscript).effingham, charles howard, earl of
Said to have been Grand Master of England from 1579 to 1588 (see William Preston's Illustrations of Masonry, section v). The Earl was born in 1536 and was Lord High Admiral, defeating the Spanish...effingham, thomas howard, earl of
The Duke of Cumberland made the Earl his Pro Grand Master in 1782, serving until 1790.egay, money
Thory lists Egay as Grand Master of Portugal in 1805.egg, mundane
It was a belief of almost all the ancient nations, that the world was hatched from an egg made by the Creator, over which the Spirit of God was represented as hovering in the same manner as a bird bro...eglinton manuscript
An old document dated December 28, 1599. It is so named from its having been discovered some years ago in the charter chest at Eglinton Castle. It is a Scottish manuscript, and is valuable for its det...egypt
Moses:..... About this country of famed antiquity along the Valley of the River Nile in Northeast Africa, has clustered many suggestive allusions of interest to the Craft. The old Cooke's Manuscr...egyptian hieroglyphs
The extent of parallelism between the innumerable hieroglyphs or picture-writing on the tombs and monuments of India find Egypt and the symbols and emblems of Freemasonry, taken together with their es...egyptian months
Named Thoth, Paophi, Athyr, Choiak, Tybi, Mechir, Phamenoth, Pharmuthi, Pashons, Payni, Epiphi, and Mesore. The above twelve months, commencing with March 1, were composed of thirty days each, and the...egyptian mysteries
Egypt has always been considered as the birthplace of the Mysteries. It was there that the ceremonies of initiation were first established. It was there that truth was first veiled in allegory, and th...egyptian priests, initiations of the
In the year 1770, there was published at Berlin a work entitled Crata Repoa; oder Einweihungen der Egyptischen Priester; meaning in English, Crata Repoa, or Initiations of the Egyptian Priests. This b...eheyeh asher eheyeh
The pronunciation which means, I am that I am, and is one of the pentateuchal names of God. It is related in the third chapter of Exodus, that when God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, and direc...eight
Among the Pythagoreans the number eight was esteemed as the first cube, being formed by the continued multiplication of 2 by 2 by 2, and signified friendship, prudence, counsel, and justice; and, as t...eighty-one
A sacred number in the advanced Degrees, because it is the square of nine, which is again the square of three. The Pythagoreans, however, who considered the nine as a fatal number, and especially drea...el
Hebrew, be. One of the Hebrew names of God, signifying the Mighty One. El, the first letter with a short sound, is the common pronunciation hut perhaps more correctly should be sounded as if spelled a...elai beni almanah
Hebrew, xxw, Huc venite filii vidua. Associated with a Degree, the Third, of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.elai beni emeth
Hebrew, Huc venite filii veritatis. Sometimes applied to the Twentysixth Degree, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.elchanan
Hebrew, xxnds. God has graciously given. In the authorized version, it is improperly translated Elhanan. Jerome says that it meant David, because in second Samuel (xxi, 19), it is said that Elchanan s...elders
This word is used in some of the old Constitutions to designate those Freemasons who, from their rank and age, were deputed to obligate Apprentices when admitted into the Craft. Thus in the Constituti...elect brother
The Seventh Degree of the Rite of Zinnendorf and the National Grand Lodge of Berlin.elect commander
The French term is Ells Commandeur. A ceremony mentioned in Fustier's Nomenclature of Degreeselect lady, sublime
The French name is Dame, Elu Sublime. An androgynous Degree contained in the collection of Pyron.elect master
Named in French the Mattre Elu. 1. The Thirteenth Degree of the collection of the Metropolitan Chapter of France. 2. The Fifth Degree of the Rite of Zinnendorf.elect of fifteen
The French expression is Elu des Quinze. The Tenth Degree in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. The place of meeting is called a Chapter; the emblematic color is black, strewed with tears; and th...elect of london
Named in French Elus des Londres. The Seventieth Degree of the collection of the Metropolitan Chapter of France.elect of nine
The French name is Elu des Neuf. The Ninth Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. In the old books there were two officers who represented Solomon and Stolkin. But in one leading Jurisdicti...elect of nine and fifteen
The German expression is Auserwahlte der Neun und der Funfzehn. The first and second points of the Fourth Degree of the old system of the Royal York Lodge of Berlin.elect of perignan
In French the name is Elu de Perignan. A Degree illustrative of the punishment inflicted upon certain criminals whose exploits constitute a portion of the legend of Symbolic Freemasonry. The substance...elect of the new jerusalem
Formerly the Eighth and last of the advanced Degrees of the Grand Chapter of Berlin.elect of the twelve tribes
Called in French the Elu des douze Tribus. The Seventeenth Degree of the collection of the Metropolitan Chapter of France.elect of truth, rite of
The French name is Rite des Elus de la Vrit. This Rite was instituted in 1776, by the Lodge of Perfect Union, at Rennes, in France. A few Lodges in the interior of France adopted this system; but notw...elect philosopher
A Degree under this name is found in the instructions of the Philosophic Scottish Rite, and in the collection of Viany.elect secret, severe inspector.
The French name is Elu Secret, Ssbre Inspedeur. The Fourteenth Degree of the collection of the Metropolitan Chapter of France.elect, depositary
A Degree mentioned in Pyrons collectionelect, grand
The French expression is Grand Elu. The Fourteenth Degree of the Chapter of the Emperors of the East and West. The same as the Grand Elect, Perfect and Sublime Mason of the Scottish Rite.elect, grand prince of the three
A Degree mentioned in Pyron's collection.elect, irish
in French the term is Elu Irlandais. The first of the advanced grades of the Chapters of that name.elect, little english
In French this is called the Petit Elu Anglais. The Little English Eled was a Degree of the Ancient Chapter of Clermont. The Degree is now extinct.elect, perfect
Named in French the Parfait Elu. The Twelfth Degree of the Metropolitan Chapter of France, and also of the Rite of Mizraim.elect, sovereign
The name in French is Elu Souverain. The Fifty-ninth Degree of the Rite of Mizraim.elect, sublime
Expressed in French as Elu Sublime. The Fifteenth Degree of the collection of the Metropolitan Chapter of France.elect, supreme
Named in French Elu Sue preme. The Seventy-fourth Degree of the collection of the Metropolitan Chapter of France. It is also a Degree in the collection of M. Pyron, and, under the name of Tabernacle o...elect, symbolical
Fifth Degree of the Reformed Rite of Baron Von Tschoudy.electa
Fifth Degree in the American Adoptive System of the Order of the Eastern Star. So named from the lady, whose real name is unknown, to whom the Second Epistle of Saint John is addressed! and who, accor...election of officers
The election of the officers of a Lodge is generally held on the meeting which precedes the festival of Saint John the Evangelist and sometimes on that festival itself. Should a Lodge fail to make the...elective officers
In the United States of America, nearly all the offices of a Symbolic Lodge are elected by the members of the Lodge. Such is the general practice though the several Jurisdictions have no uniform custo...elements
It was the doctrine of the old philosophers, sustained by the authority of Aristotle that there were four principles of matter--fire, air, earth, and water--which they called elements. Modern science ...elements, test of the
A ceremonial in the First and Twenty-fourth Degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.elephanta
The Cavern of Elephanta, situated on the island of Gharipour, in the Gulf of Bombay, is the most ancient temple in the world, and was the principal place for the celebration of the Mysteries of India....eleusinian mysteries
Of all the Mysteries of the ancient religions, those celebrated at the Village of Eleusis, near the City of Athens, were the most splendid and the most popular. To them men came, says Cicero, from the...eleven
In the Prestonian lectures, eleven was a mystical number, and was the final series of steps in the winding stairs of the Fellow Craft, which were said to consist of 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. The eleven wa...elihoreph
One of Solomon's secretaries (see Ahiah)eliot, john
Born August 5, 1604, at Widford, near London, England. Some biographies give the place of his birth as Nazing, a few miles from Widford, but John Eliot was eight years of age when his father moved to ...elizabeth of england
Anderson (Constitutions, 1738, page 80) states that the following circumstance is recorded of this sovereign: Hearing that the Freemasons were in possession of secrets which they would not reveal, and...elizabeth of portugal
In May, 1792, this queen, having conceived a suspicion of the Lodges in Madeira, gave an order to the governor to arrest all the Freemasons in the island, and deliver them over to the Inquisition. The...elmes, james
English architect. Wrote life of Sir Christopher Wren (1823).elohim
Hebrew, off. A name, pronounced El-o-heem', and applied in Hebrew to any deity, but sometimes also to the true God. According to Lanci, it means the most beware. It is not, however, much used in ...eloquence of freemasonry
Lawyers boast of the eloquence of the bar, and point to the arguments of counsel in well- known cases; the clergy have the eloquence of the pulpit exhibited in sermons, many of which have a world-wide...elu
The Fourth Degree of the French Rite (see Flus)elul
The sixth month of the ecclesiastical and the twelfth of the civil year of the Jews. The twelfth also, therefore, of the Masonic calendar used in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. It begins on t...elus
The French word elu means elected; and the Degrees, whose object is to detail the detection and punishment of the actors in the crime traditionally related among the Craft, are called Elus, or the De...emanation
Literally, the word means a flowing forth. The doctrine of emanations was a theory predominant in many of the Oriental religions, such, especially, as Brahmanism and Parseeism, and subsequently adopte...emanuel
A sacred word in some of the advanced Degrees, being one of the names applied in Scripture to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a Greek form from the Hebrew, Immanuel, xxxxx, and signifies God is with us. ...embassy
The Embassy of Zerrubbabel and four other Jewish chiefs to the court of Darius, to obtain the protection of that monarch from the encroachments of the Samaritans, who interrupted a the labors in the r...emblem
The emblem is an occult representation of something unknown or concealed by a sign or thing that is known. Thus, a square is in Freemasonry an emblem of morality; a plumb line, of rectitude of conduct...emerald
In Hebrew, caphak. This or the carbuncle was the first stone in the first row of the high priest's breastplate, and was referred to Levi. Adam Clarke says it is the same stone as the smaragdus, a...emergency
The general law of Freemasonry requires a month to elapse between the time of receiving a petition for initiation and that of balloting for the candidate, and also that there shall be an interval of o...emergent lodge
A Lodge held at an emergent meetingemergent meeting
The meeting of a Lodge called to elect a candidate, and confer the Degrees in a case of emergency, or for any other sudden and unexpected cause, has been called an Emergent Meetings The term is not ve...emeritus
Latin; plural, emeriti. The Romans applied this word which comes from the verb emerete, meaning to gain by service to a soldier who had served out his time; hence, in the Supreme Councils of the Ancie...emeth
Hebrew, not One of the words in the advanced Degrees. It signifies integrity, fidelity, firmness, and constancy in keeping a promise, and especially truth, as opposed to falsehood. In the Scottish Rit...eminent
The title given to the Commander or presiding officer of a Commandery of Knights Templar, and to all officers below the Grand Commander in a Grand Commandery. The Grand Commander is styled Right Emin...emperor of lebanon
The French is Empereur du Liban. This Degree, says Thory (Acta Latomorum i, 311), which was a part of the collection of M. Le Rouge, was composed in the isle of Bourbon, in 1778, by the Marquis de Beu...emperors of the east and west
In 1758 there was established in Paris a Chapter called the Council of Emperors ofvthe East and West. The members assumed the titles of Sovereign Prince Masons Substitutes General of the Royal Art, Gr...emulation lodge of improvement
At the time of the Union of the English Lodges in 1813, a Lodge of Reconciliation was constituted with an equal number of chosen workers from each Constitution for the purpose of arranging a uniformit...emunah
A Hebrew word, pronounced em-oo-naw. Sometimes spelled Amunah, but not in accordance with the Masonic points. A significant word in the advanced Degrees signifying Alelity, especially in fulfilling on...en famille
French, meaning as a family. In French Lodges, during the reading of the Minutes, and sometimes when the Lodge is engaged in the discussion of delicate matters affecting only itself, the Lodge is said...en soph
The pronunciation of the Hebrew DID AH. In the Cabalistic doctrines, the Divine Word, or Supreme Creator, is called the En Soph, or rather the Or En Soph, the Infinite Intellectual Light. The theory i...encampment
All the regular assemblies of Knights Templar were formerly called Encampments. They are now styled Commanderies in America, and Grand Encampments of the States are called Grand Commanderies. In other...encampment, general grand
The old title, before the adoption of the Constitution in 1856, of the Grand Encampment of the United States.encampment, grand
The Grand Encampment of the United States was instituted on June 22, 1816, in the city of New York. It consists of a Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, and other Grand Officers who are` similar to tho...encyclical
Circular communication; sent to many places or persons. Encyclical letters, containing information, advice, or admonition, are sometimes issued by Grand Lodges or Grand Masters to the Lodges and Freem...endless serpent
The serpent with its tail in its mouth was an ancient emblem of eternity and chosen therefore as a pattern for the English centenary jewel.engbund
Close union. The German Brethren organized in 1797 to restrict the esoteric teaching to the three Symbolic Degrees, eliminating higher grades and returning to the purest and simplest forms. Brothers M...england
The following is a brief review of she history of Freemasonry in England as it has hitherto been written, and is now generally received by the Fraternity. It is but right, however, to say that recent ...england, grand lodges in
During one period of the eighteenth century there existed four Grand Lodges in England: 1. The Grand Lodge of England, located at London. 2. The Grand Lodge of all England, located at York. 3. The Gr...england, the first record of grand lodge of
Brother R. F. Gould (History of Freemasonry ii, page 373) furnishes the valuable information that the Minutes of Grand Lodge commence 24th June, 1723, and those bearing such date are signed by "J...englet
A corruption of Euclid, found in the Old Constitutions known as the Matthew Cooke,"wherefore ye forsayde maister Englet ordeynet thei were passing of conying schold be passing honored" (see ...engrave
In French Lodges, buriner, meaning to engrave, is used instead of crire, to write. The engraved tablets are the written records.enlightened
This word, equivalent to the Latin illuminatus, is frequently used to designate a Freemason as one who has been rescued from darkness, and received intellectual light. Webster's definition shows ...enoch
Though the Scriptures furnish but a meager account of Enoch, the traditions of Freemasonry closely connect him, by numerous circumstances, with the early history of the Institution. All, indeed, that ...enoch, brother
The French expression is Frre Enoch. Evidently the nom de plume, or pen name, of a French writer and the inventor of a Masonic rite. He published at Liege, in 1773, two works: 1. Le Vrai Franc Maon, ...enoch, legend of
This legend is detailed in a preceding article. It never formed any part of the old system of Freemasonry, and was first introduced from Talmudic and Rabbinical sources into the advanced Degrees, wher...enoch, rite of
A Rite attempted to be established at Liege, in France, about the year 1773. It consisted of four Degrees, namely: 1. Manouvre, or Apprentice, whose object was friendship and benevolence. 2. Ouvrier,...enochian alphabet
One of the most important alphabets, or ciphers, known to historic Freemasons is the Enochian, in consequence of the revelations made in that character. Tradition says the Christian princes were accom...entered
When a candidate receives the First Degree of Freemasonry he is said to be entered. It is used in the sense of admitted, or introduced; a common as well as a Masonic employment of the word, as when we...entick, john
An English clergyman, born about 1703, who took much interest in Freemasonry about the middle of the eighteenth century. He revised the third edition of Anderson's Constitutions by order of the G...entombment
An impressive ceremony in the degree of Perfect Master of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.entrusting
That portion of the ceremony of initiation which consists in communicating to the candidate the modes of recognition.envy
This meanest of vices has always been discouraged in Freemasonry. The fifth of the Old Charges says: "None shall discover envy at the prosperity of a brother" (see Constitutions, 1723, page ...eons
In the doctrine of Gnosticism, Divine spirits occupying the intermediate state which was supposed to exist between the Supreme Being and the Jehovah of the Jewish theology, whom the Gnostics called on...eons, rite of the
Ragon (Juilleur General, a handbook of the Degrees, page 186) describes this rite as one full of beautiful and learned instruction, but scarcely known, and practiced only in Asia, being founded on the...eostre
Easter, the usual word in French is Pque, a name given to the day when the resurrection of Christ is celebrated by a festival, in the spring of the year. Sometimes called the Paschal Festival but pasc...ephod
The sacred vestment worn by the high priest of the Jews over the tunic and outer garment. It was without sleeves, and divided below the arm pits into two parts or halves, one falling before and the ot...ephraimites
The descendants of Ephraim. They inhabited the center of Judea between the Mediterranean and the river Jordan. The character given to them in a certain degree of being a stiff necked and rebellious pe...epoch
In chronology, a certain point of time marked by some memorable event at which the calculation of years begins. The various peoples have different epochs or epocha. Thus, the epoch of Christians is th...epopt
This was the name given to one who had passed through the Great Mysteries, and been permitted to behold what was concealed from the mystoe, who had only been initiated into the Lesser. It signifies an...epremenil, jean jacques duval d'
Surname sometimes spelled Esprmesnil, also Eprmesnil. French magistrate. Born at Pondicherry, India, December 5, 1745; educated at Paris; member of French Parliament, he vigorously defended its rights...equality
Among the ancient iconologists, students of likenesses, equality was symbolized by a female figure holding in one hand a pair of scales equipoised and in the other a nest of swallows. The moderns have...equerry
An officer in various royal courts who has the charge of horses. For some now unknown reason the title has been introduced into certain of the advanced degrees.eques professus
A Latin expression for Professed Rnight. The seventh and last degree of the Rite of Strict Observance. This ceremony was added, it is said, to the original series by Von Hund.eques.
A Latin word signifying knight. Every member of the Rite of Strict Observance, on attaining to the seventh or highest degree, received what has been termed a characteristic name, which was formed in L...equity
The equipoised balance, an instrument for weighing, is an ancient symbol of equity. On the medals, this virtue is represented by a female holding in the right hand a balance, and in the left a measuri...equivocation
Derived from two Latin words meaning equal and voice, and indicating doubtful interpretation, something most questionable. To equivocate is to say something with the intention to deceive. The words of...eranoi
Among the ancient Greeks there were friendly societies, whose object was, like the modern Masonic Lodges, to relieve the distresses of their necessitous members. They were permanently organized, and h...erecting lodges
To erect a Lodge is the authorized and time-honored formula to denote the foundation of a new Lodge of Freemasons. It is so employed in the earliest Lodge Charters, or Warrants, as they are styled now...eri, royal order of
The legendary founder in 1695 B.C. of this organization comprising Freemasons only, was Eremon, King of Ulster, Ireland, and the Order is reputed to have ceased its military activities sometime about ...erica
The Egyptians selected the erica as a sacred plant. The origin of the consecration of this plant will be peculiarly interesting to the Masonic student There was a legend in the mysteries of Osiris, w...eritrea
This country is on the western shores of the Red Sea, and on the northeastern coast of Africa, between Egypt and Abyssinia. The Grand Orient off Italy instituted one Lodge in this country at Asmara. ...erlking
A name found in one of the sacred sagas of the Scandinavian mythology, entitled Sir Olaf and the Erlking's Daughter, and applied to the mischievous goblin haunting the black forest of Thuringia. ...ernest and falk
More fully in German, Ernst und Falk, Gesprache .fur Frei1naurer, meaning "Ernest and Falk. Conversations for Freemasons," is the title of a work written by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing, and fir...erwin von steinbach
A distinguished German, who was born, as his name imports, at Steinbach, near Buhl, about the middle of the thirteenth century. He was the master of the works at the Cathedral of Strasburg, the tower ...esoteric masonry
That secret portion of Freemasonry which is known only to the initiates as distinguished from Esoteric Freemasonry, or monitorial, which is accessible to all who choose to read the manuals and publish...esperance
Under the name of Cheualiers et Dames de l'Esperance, a French expression meaning Knights and Lazifes of Hope, was founded first in France, and subsequently and androgynous, both sexes, order in ...essenes
Lawrie, in his History of Freemasonry, in replying to the objection, that if the Fraternity of Freemasons had flourished during the reign of Solomon, it would have existed in Judea in after ages, atte...esther
The Third Degree of the American Adoptive Rite of the Eastern Star. It is also called the Wife's Degree, and in its ceremonies comprises the history of Esther the wife and queen of Ahasuerus, fli...eternal life
The doctrine of eternal life is taught in the Master's Degree, as it was in the Ancient Mysteries of all nations (see Immortality of the Soul).eternity
The ancient symbol of eternity was a serpent in the form of a circle, the tail being placed in the mouth. The simple circle, the figure which has neither beginning nor end, but returns continually int...ethanim or tishri
The seventh sacred month, or the first month of the Hebrew civil year, commencing with the new moon in September.ethics of freemasonry
There is a Greek word, Sos, ethos, which signifies custom, from which Aristotle derives another word Pros, ethos, which means ethics; because, as he says, from the custom of doing good acts arises the...ethiopia
A tract of country to the south of Egypt, and watered by the upper Nile. The reference to Ethiopia, familiar to Freemasons, as a place of attempted escape for certain criminals, is not to be found in ...etymology
For the etymology of the word Masons see MaOcon, Derivation of the Word.euclid
In the Year of the World, 3650, Anno Mundi, which was 646 years after the building of King Solomon's Temple, Euclid, the celebrated geometrician, was born. His name has been always associated wit...euclid, legend of
All the old manuscript Constitutions contain the well known legend of Euclid, whose name is presented to us as the Worthy Clerk Euclid in every conceivable variety of corrupted form. The legend as giv...eulogy
Spoken or written praise of a person's life or character. Freemasonry delights to do honor to the memory of departed Brethren by the delivery of eulogies of their worth and merit, which are eithe...eumolpus
A king of Eleusis, who founded, about the year 1374 B.C., the Mysteries of Eleusis. His descendants, the Eumoipidae, presided for twelve hundred years over these Mysteries as Hierophants.eunuch
It is usual, in the most correct Masonic instruction, especially to name eunuchs as being incapable of initiation. In none of the old Constitutions and Charges is this class of persons alluded to by n...euphrates
One of the largest and most celebrated rivers of Asia. Rising in the mountains of Armenia and flowing into the Persian gulf, it necessarily lies between Jerusalem and Babylon. In the advanced degrees ...euresis
From the Greeli, xxpfatS, meaning a discovery. That part of the initiation in the Ancient Masteries which represented the finding of the body of the god or hero whose death and resurrection was the su...europe
An appellation or name at times given to the west end of the Lodge.eva
The acclamation or cry used in the French Rite of Adoption.evangelicon
The gospel belonging to the so-called Ordre du Temple at Paris, and professedly a relic of the real Templars. Some believe in its antiquity; but others, from external and internal evidence, fix its da...evates
The second Degree in the Druidical system. Of the three Degrees the first was the Bards, the second Evates or Prophets, and the third Druids or Sanctified Authorities.eveilles, secte des
Meaning in French, Sect of the Enlightened. According to Thory (Acta Latomorum i, 31?) a society presumed to be a branch of Weishaupt's Illumines that existed in Italy.evergeten, bund der
A German expression meaning League of Doers of Good, a term taken from the Greek word fVfpefmS, a benefactor. A secret order after the manner of the Illuminati. It was founded in Silesia about 1792, b...evergreen
An evergreen plant is a symbol of the immortality of the soul. The ancients, therefore, as well as the moderns, planted evergreens at the heads of graves. Freemasons wear evergreens at the funerals of...evora, knights of
There is a very ancient city in Portugal, of 1200 population, bearing the name of Evora. Quintus Sertorius took it 80 B.C. The Roman antiquities are unrivaled. The aqueduct erected by Sertorius has at...exalted
A candidate is said to be exalted, when he receives the Degree of Holy Royal Arch, the seventh in American Freemasonry. Exalted means elevated or lifted up, and is applicable both to a peculiar ceremo...examination of candidates
It is an almost universal rule of the modern Constitutions of Freemasonry, that an examination upon the subjects which had been taught in the preceding Degree shall be required of every Brother who is...examination of the ballot box
This is sometimes done after the ballot for a candidate, by presenting the box first to the Junior Warden, then to the Senior, and lastly to the Master, each of whom proclaims the result as dear or fo...examination of visitors
The due examination of strangers who claim the right to visit, should be entrusted only to the most skillful and prudent Brethren of the Lodge. And the examining committee should never forget, that no...excalibar
King Arthur's famous sword, which he withdrew from a miraculous stone after the unavailing efforts of 200 of his most puissant barons. Hence, Arthur was proclaimed King. When dying, Arthur comman...excavations
Excavations beneath Jerusalem have for years past been in progress, under the direction of the English society, which controls the "Palestine Exploration Fund," and many important discoverie...excellent
A title conferred on the Grand Captain of the Host, and Grand Principal Sojourner of a Grand Chapter, and on the King and Scribe of a subordinate Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in America.excellent masons
Doctor Oliver ( Historical Landmarks I, 420-8) gives a tradition that at the building of Solomon's Temple there were several Lodges of Excellent Masons, having nine members in each, which were di...excellent master
A Degree which, with that of Super-Excellent blaster, was at one time given as preparatory to the Royal Arch. The latter Degree nova forms part of what is known as Cryptic Masonry. Crypt is a word fro...exclusion
In England the Grand Lodge alone can expel from the rights and privileges of Freemasonry. But a subordinate Lodge may exclude a member after giving him due notice of the charge preferred against him a...exclusive territorial jurisdiction
Grand Lodges in the United States have adhered to State lines as the limits of their activities, but this has not been so strictly the custom elsewhere. Some particulars of the situations arising from...exclusiveness of freemasonry
The exclusiveness of Masonic benevolence is a charge that has frequently been made against the Order; and it is said that the charity of which it boasts is always conferred on its own members in prefe...excuse
Lodges in the eighteenth century and at the beginning of the nineteenth inflicted fines for nonattendance at Lodge meetings, and of course excuses were then required to avoid the penalty. But this has...exegetical and philanthropical society
According to Thory (Acta Latomorumi i 312) founded at Stockholm in 1787. It united Magnetism to Swedenborgianism, the religious doctrines of the celebrated Swedish philosopher; it was at first secret,...exemplification of the work
This term is of frequent use in American Freemasonry. When a lecturer or teacher performs the ceremonies of a Degree for instruction, using generally one of the Freemasons present as a substitute for ...exodus
The date of the Exodus has been determined by the excavations recently made at Tel elMaskhtta. This is the name of large mounds near Tel el-Reber, excavated by M. Naville for the Egyptian Exploration ...exoteric
From the Greek combining word, ego, meaning outside. Public, not secret, belonging to the uninitiated (see also Esoteric).expert
In Lodges of the French Rite, there are two officers called First and Second Experts, whose duty it is to assist the Master of Ceremonies in the initiation of a candidate. In Lodges of Perfection of t...expert, perfect
Conferred in three grades, and cited in Fustier's collection (see Thory, Acta Latomorum i, 312).expert, sublime english
Mentioned in Fustier's collection (see Thory, Acta Latomorum i, 312).expositions
Very early after the revival of Freemasonry, in the beginning of the eighteenth century, pretended expositions of the ritual of Freemasonry began to be published. There have been several American exp...expulsion
Expulsion is, of all Masonic penalties, the most severe that can be inflicted on a member of the Order, and hence it has been often called a Masonic death. It deprives the expelled of all the rights a...extended wings of the cherubim
An expression used in the ceremonies of Royal Master, a Degree of the American Rite, and intended to teach symbolically that he who comes to ask and to seek Divine Truth symbolized by the True Word, s...extent of the lodge
The extent of a Freemason's Lodge is said to be in height from the earth to the highest heavens; in depth, from the sur,'ace to the center; in length, from east to west; and in breadth, from...exterior
The name of the First Degree of the Rite d'Orient, or East, according to the nomenclature of M. Fustier (see Thory, Acta Latomarum i, 31 ).external qualifications
The eternal qualifications of candidates for initiation are those which refer to their outward fitness, based upon the exhibited moral and religious character, the established reputation, the frame of...extinct lodge
A Lodge is said to be extinct which has ceased to exist and work, which is no longer on the registry of the Grand Lodge, and whose Charter had been revoked for misuse or forfeited for non-use.extra communication
The same as Special Communication (see Communication).extraneous
From the Latin and applied to that which is outside, and thus said among the Craft to be not regularly made; clandestine. The word is now obsolete in this signification, but was so used by the Grand L...extrusion
Used in the Constitution of the Royal Order of Scotland for expulsion. "If a brother shall be convicted of crime by any Court of Justice, such brother shall be permanently extruded" (see Sec...ezel
In Hebrew, iRK-U t:R eben hahezel, meaning the stone of departure, namely, a mile-stone. n old testimonial stone in the neighborhood of Saul's residence, the scene of the parting of David and Jon...ezra
There are two persons named Etra who are recorded in Scripture. 1. Etra, a leading priest among the first colonists who came up to Jerusalem with Zerubbabel, and who is mentioned by Nehemiah (xii, i)... ArtworkAntiquesApparelEmblemsPinsRingsJewelrySupplyCustom RingsItems On SaleMasonic Military ProductsRing Buyers GuideAbout The FreemasonsGrand LodgesBecoming a FreemasonMasonic EtiquetteLost and FoundMasonic WallpaperFamous FreemasonsMyths about MasonsMasonic RitualsSite Seeing TourSketchley TokensFamous QuotesBlogs By MasonsGift CertificatesCipherFact CorrectionsArticlesToastsGracesPoetrySongs Encyclopedia Library Education Price MatchingHome PageMasonic CatalogContact UsAbout UsStore PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms of UseAdministrationShopping Cart info@MasonicShop.com
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