User:MSJapan/Freemason’s Monitor or Illustrations of Masonry

The Freemason’s Monitor or Illustrations of Masonry is a book written by Thomas Smith Webb and published in the United States of America in 1797 (with several revisions at later dates). This book marked the first time that Masonic ritual had been written down and standardized by a Freemason, although various exposures written by non-Masons and purporting to be accurate had been in circulation as early as 1723 in England. It was a compendium of many of the writings of William Preston. Webb did not consider his working secret; in fact he noted in the preface that while the book was intended for use by Masons, it was "also calculated to explain the nature and design of the Masonic institution, to those who may be desirous of becoming acquainted with its principles." In keeping with this intention, the Monitor contains not only the workings for various degrees and orders in Freemasonry (namely the first three degrees given in Lodges, the subsequent degrees given in the Royal Arch Chapter and Council of Royal and Select Masters, the orders given in Commanderies of Knights Templar, and some material that bears resemblance to the 4°-14° in the Scottish Rite) but also historical information on various Masonic jurisdictions.

Editions

 * 1859, revisions by Robert Morris:
 * 1865, Fenton, for Grand Lodge of Ohio: