Lectures, Education and Research in early Freemasonry (original) (raw)
Return to the Great Work: Examining the Essential Purpose of Masonic Education
This paper examines the current state of Masonic education and argues for a return to the deeper esoteric and transformative aspects of Freemasonry. Building upon a decade of research and observation, it analyzes various interpretations of Masonry's purpose through the lens of prominent Masonic scholars, particularly Walter Leslie Wilmshurst's foundational work. The study demonstrates how contemporary Masonic practice has often diverged from its original initiatic purpose, focusing instead on social and charitable aspects while neglecting its deeper spiritual and philosophical dimensions. Through analysis of both classical philosophical sources and prominent Masonic writers, this paper establishes the necessity of returning to more profound educational practices within the Craft. It concludes with practical recommendations for implementing comprehensive esoteric education in lodge settings.
“The Essential Secrets of Masonry”: Insight from an American Masonic Oration of 1734
Christopher B. Murphy & Shawn Eyer (Eds.), Exploring Early Grand Lodge Freemasonry: Studies in Honor of the Tricentennial of the Establishment of the Grand Lodge of England (Washington, D.C.: Plumbstone, 2017)., 2017
An in-depth scholarly analysis of the June 24, 1734, "Dissertation upon Masonry," the oldest surviving American Masonic speech, and the third oldest in the world. Critical commentary includes intertextual relationships and an analysis of the types of esotericism mentioned in the document.
Róbert Péter (ed), British Freemasonry, 1717-1813. Vol. 4. Debates (New York: Routledge, 2016) volume 1: Institutions (C. Révauger) volume 2: Rituals I – English, Irish and Scottish Craft Rituals (J. A. M. Snoek) volume 3: Rituals II – Harodim Material and Higher Degrees (J. A. M. Snoek) volume 4: Debates (R. Péter) volume 5: Representations (R. Péter) For a limited access to vol. 4 see https://books.google.hu/books?id=xLdCDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT84&dq=British+Freemasonry,+1717-1813+Debates+Church&hl=hu&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjY9Ye8moDQAhVJORoKHT0FCfoQ6AEIGjAA#v=onepage&q=British%20Freemasonry%2C%201717-1813%20Debates%20Church&f=false More information about the edition is available at: https://www.routledge.com/British-Freemasonry-1717-1813/Peter- Revauger-Snoek/p/book/9781848933774 The attached copyright material was provided by the Routledge division of Taylor and Francis on 20 October, 2016.
Róbert Péter (ed.), British Freemasonry, 1717-1813, 5. vol. Representations (New York: Routledge, 2016). volume 1: Institutions (C. Révauger) volume 2: Rituals I – English, Irish and Scottish Craft Rituals (J. A. M. Snoek) volume 3: Rituals II – Harodim Material and Higher Degrees (J. A. M. Snoek) volume 4: Debates (R. Péter) volume 5: Representations (R. Péter) For a limited access to volume 5 see https://books.google.hu/books?id=n7dCDQAAQBAJ&pg=PT2&dq=British+Freemasonry,+1717-1813+Representations&hl=hu&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiE-ejJmYDQAhXM6xoKHTiQDNYQ6AEIHDAA#v=onepage&q=British%20Freemasonry%2C%201717-1813%20Representations&f=false More information about the edition is available at: https://www.routledge.com/British-Freemasonry-1717-1813/Peter- Revauger-Snoek/p/book/9781848933774 The attached copyright material was provided by the Routledge division of Taylor and Francis on 20 October, 2016.
978-1-60302-062-6, 2017
This volume of intriguing essays by eminent and emerging Masonic scholars explores the history and culture of Freemasonry during that period of expansion. What did Masons of the early Grand Lodge era actually do in their lodges? How did these brethren think of themselves and their Craft? What were their motivations and ideals? What was their experience of Freemasonry? By posing such questions, our contributors have been able to study not just an institutional beginning, but the cultural realities of Masonic life in the first decades of the Grand Lodge’s history. Featuring contributions by Ric Berman, David Harrison, Jedediah French, Nathan A. St. Pierre, Dana Scofield, Christopher B. Murphy, and Shawn Eyer, this collection critically re-examines key aspects of early Masonic life and thought, revealing the philosophical and social underpinnings of an organization that remains an intriguing cultural phenomenon. Edited by Christopher B. Murphy. Shawn Eyer, Executive Editor. Plumbstone Books, 2017 34.97USTradepaperback,ISBN−13978−1−60302−061−934.97 US Trade paperback, ISBN-13 978-1-60302-061-9 34.97USTradepaperback,ISBN−13978−1−60302−061−947.97 US Clothbound, ISBN-13 978-1-60302-062-6
Róbert Péter (ed.), British Freemasonry 1717–1813, 5 vols., Routledge 2016
Journal of Religious History, Literature and Culture, 2019
Róbert Péter (ed.), British Freemasonry 1717–1813, 5 vols (London: Routledge, 2016) 2,396pp., £412.00, ISBN 9781848933774. In the age of mass-digitization of cultural heritage, the publication of this hardback five-volume source edition on British freemasonry must be regarded as a milestone achievement in itself, opening up to its readers the concepts, practices and discourses surrounding one of the most mystified fraternal orders in modern history. The source edition marks a peak of development during the last two decades which has witnessed a steep surge of interest in freemasonry and related fraternal organizations in a wide range of academic disciplines. Together with a Handbook of Freemasonry (Brill, 2014) and a Very Short Introduction (OUP, 2017) it is now possible to capitalise on this trend in scholarship through direct encounters with a careful selection of sources from the first century of modern British freemasonry, edited and commented by leading scholars in the area. From the first draft to the final printed outlet the realisation of the project took almost seven years. But for sure the content of the five thematically structured volumes – much of it transcribed and (re)printed for the first time – is designed to inform future generations of scholars, a much-appreciated counterpoint to the prevalent shorttermism of contemporary academia.
Róbert Péter (general editor), Cécile Révauger (volume editor). Jan A. M. Snoek (volume editor), British Freemasonry, 1717-1813, 5 vols. (New York: Routledge, 2016), 2606 pages, 5967 editorial notes. volume 1: Institutions (C. Révauger) volume 2: Rituals I – English, Irish and Scottish Craft Rituals (J. A. M. Snoek) volume 3: Rituals II – Harodim Material and Higher Degrees (J. A. M. Snoek) volume 4: Debates (R. Péter) volume 5: Representations (R. Péter) More information about the edition is available at: https://www.routledge.com/British-Freemasonry-1717-1813/Peter- Revauger-Snoek/p/book/9781848933774 The attached copyright material was provided by the Routledge division of Taylor and Francis on 20 October, 2016.
Róbert Péter (general editor), Cécile Révauger (volume editor). Jan A. M. Snoek (volume editor), British Freemasonry, 1717-1813, 5 vols. (New York: Routledge, 2016), 2606 pages, 5967 editorial notes. volume 1: Institutions (C. Révauger) volume 2: Rituals I – English, Irish and Scottish Craft Rituals (J. A. M. Snoek) volume 3: Rituals II – Harodim Material and Higher Degrees (J. A. M. Snoek) volume 4: Debates (R. Péter) volume 5: Representations (R. Péter) More information about the edition is available at: https://www.routledge.com/British-Freemasonry-1717-1813/Peter- Revauger-Snoek/p/book/9781848933774 The attached copyright material was provided by the Routledge division of Taylor and Francis on 20 October, 2016.