The New Zealand Freemason Vol. 11, No. 1, March, 1974

NOTES
A RECOMMENDED MASONIC READING LIST

by J. F. Wilson, P.G.O.

1. This list contains only books which are understood to be in print at the time of compilation, and are
therefore procurable from .

(a) any bookseller who indents stock from overseas publishers,
(b) the Grand Secretary,
(c) Local Secretaries for, or direct from, the Quatuor Coronati Lodge, London.

2. It excludes four or five good books published by The Masonic Record, London, because in my experience
they are difficult to obtain in New Zealand.

3. It is graded into four stages of difficulty or readiness for something `meatier'.

4. It is a personal selection based on my own reading, and experience as librarian of a Research Lodge
and erstwhile bookseller.

5. Whilst not expecting other equally experienced brethren to agree fully with my selection or grading, I
would be prepared to defend any inclusion or exclusion.

Basic Books (listed alphabetically)
Book of Constitution . . .
By-Laws . . .
English dictionary.
Holy Bible.
Lectures of the three degrees (the "old lectures") — printed in several English rituals as well as
separated by Lewis, but because of the useful footnotes, that contained in The Revised Ritual (Lewis)
is probably best.
Ritual of the three degrees. •
Proceedings of Grand Lodge.
Research Lodge membership — there are eight to choose from in New Zealand, all of which send
printed Transactions to members and associate members for a low annual subscription — the BEST
way to build up a basic library.

Stage 1
ASHBY, Modern Craftsman, Muller.
CHAMBERS, Guide to Masters, GLNZ.
CHAMBERS (ed), Questions and Answers, M & PM.
DENCE, Short History of English Freemasonry, Lewis. Freemasons Vade Mecum, Lewis.
HAWKINS, Concise Cyclopedia of Freemasonry, Lewis.
HOBBS, Masonic Speechmaking, Lewis.
JACOBS, Outline of the History of Freemasonry,. Lewis.
LAWRENCE, Freemasonry : Its History, Principles, &c Lewis.
(MACKENZIE), Masonic Directories (first six), Lewis.
NORTHERN, History of Grand Lodge of N.Z., GLNZ.
PICK & KNIGHT, Freemason's Pocket Reference Book, Muller.
PICK & KNIGHT, Pocket History of Freemasonry, Muller.

Obviously there is some duplication in this list, but familiarity with these is advised (if not purchasing)
before proceeding to the next stage. This note also applies after Stages 2 and 3.

Stage 2
CAMPBELL-EVERDEN, Freemasonry and its Etiquette, Lewis.
CARTWRIGHT, Commentary on the Freernasonic Ritual, Fenrose.
GOULD, Concise History of Freemasonry, Gale & Polden.
HOLMES-DALLIMORE, Masonic Lectures, Addresses, &c, Reeves.
HOLMES-DALLIMORE, Masonic Sidelines, Reeves.
JONES, Freemasons' Guide & Compendium, Harrap.

KNOOP & JONES, Introduction to Freemasonry, Manchester UP.
LAWRENCE, Keystone, Lewis.
LAWRENCE, Perfect Ashlar, &c, Lewis.
NEWTON, Builders, Macoy (USA).
Quatuor Coronati Lodge — membership of the Correspondence Circle.

Stage 3
CARLILE, Manual of Freemasonry, Reeves.
CARR (ed),- Collected Prestonian Lectures, QC.
CARR, Early French Exposures, QC.
COIL, Masonic Encyclopedia, Macoy (USA).
DEWAR, Unlocked Secret, Kimber.
GOULD, History of Freemasonry (4vv), Caxton. Grand .Lodge 1717-1967, UGL of Eng.
HORNE, King Solomon's Temple . ., Aquarian. KNOOP et al, Early Masonic Catechisms, Manchester
UP. KNOOP & JONES, Medieval Mason, Manchester UP. MACKEY, Encyclopedia of Freemasonry
(3vv), Macoy (USA).