A DEFINITION OF ALL ITS COMMUNICABLE TERMS,
NOTICES OF ITS HISTORY, TRADITIONS,
AND ANTIQUITIES,

AND

AN ACCOUNT OF ALL THE RITES AND MYSTERIES OF THE ANCIENT WORLD.

BY

ALBERT G. MACKEY, M.D.,

AUTHOR OF THE "MYSTIC TIE;"

GRAND SECRETARY AND GRAND LECTURER OF THE GRAND LODGE OF SOUTH CAROLINA;
SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL, THIRTY-THIRD degree, FOR THE SOUTHERN
JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES; G..H..P.. OF THE GRAND
CHAPTER OF SOUTH CAROLINA, ETC.

First English Edition, reprinted from the Fifth American Edition.

REVISED BY

DONALD CAMPBELL,

S. P. R. S. 32D DEGREE, COMPILER OF THE "SCOTTISH MASONIC CALENDAR.'

LONDON AND GLASGOW:

RICHARD GRIFFIN AND COMPANY.

BIBL

GLASGOW: PRINTED BY BELL AND BAIN.

PREFACE.

THE title-page explains the object and intention of the original Compiler. It was intended to furnish a ready and convenient access to the meaning of many of the terms and symbols peculiar to our Order, and also a sketch both of the ancient mysteries and of those degrees of more modern date, for which there was a morbid craving on the Continent during the latter part of last century.

In the Department of MASONRY proper, the work was based on the American system, which, in many of its working details, is very different from that practised in this country. To remedy this defect, as far as possible, without re-writing the articles, was the object of the Reviser acceding to the wishes of the Publishers; and he trusts to the well-known fraternal indulgence of the Craft for the imperfections which may be detected.

D. C.

LEXICON OF FREEMASONRY.

A

Abbreviations.-Abbreviations are much more in use among French than among English or American Masons. An alphabetical list, however, of those principally employed, is appended for the benefit of such as may be engaged in the examination of masonic writings. It must be observed, that a masonic abbreviation is generally distinguished by three points in a triangular form (thus, ...) following the letter: various attempts have been made to explain the origin of these dots; but if they have any allusion at all, we presume it to be to the three lesser lights placed in a triangular form around the altar; or, as they were first introduced by our French brethren, they may refer to the situation of the three principal officers of the lodge in the French rite, where the Master sits in the east and the two Wardens in the west. Ragon says that the three points were first used on the 12th of August, 1774, by the Grand Orient of France in an address to its subordinates.

A.. Dep.. Anno Depositionis. In the year of the deposit. The date used by Royal and Select Masters.

A.. Inv. Anno Inventionis. In the year of the discovery. The date used in Royal Arch Masonry.

A.. L. Anno Lucis. In the year of light. The date used in Ancient Craft Masonry, obtained by adding 4004 to the year A.D.

A.. L.. G... D... G... A.·. D... L.·. U.... A la Gloire du Grand Architecte de l'Univers. To the glory of the Grand Architect of the Universe. The caption of all French masonic writings.

A... L'O... A l'Orient, or at the East. The seat of the lodge. (French.)

A.. M.. Anno Mundi, or in the year of the world. The date used in the Ancient and Accepted or Scotch rite.

A.. O... Anno Ordinis, or in the year of the Order. The date used by Knights Templars.

B.. A.. Buisson Ardente, or Burning Bush. (French.)

B.. B... Burning Bush. These two abbreviations are found in the caption of documents of the Ancient and Accepted rite.

B