For the Masonic Scholar

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Welcome to Illinois Masonic Education Program. This Masonic Education Program aims to assist the Master Mason in his search for Further Light in Masonry. To do this, they will familiarize themselves with various aspects of Masonry by participating in a comprehensive education program consisting of four parts or levels, culminating in becoming an Illinois Masonic Scholar. 

This program encourages Masons to seek a greater understanding of Masonry in all its aspects. The program allows the Mason to pursue this home study program at his own pace, covering his own interests and enabling him to be more confident in sharing that knowledge with his fellows.

This program is designed for those Master Masons who enjoy pursuing scholarly work. Throughout the program, Masons will be introduced to various aspects of Masonic Education, including General Masonic Knowledge, Masonic History, Philosophy, Symbolism, and Esotericism. 

Since this is a self-study program, we have provided some basic tools to aid your studies. You must know the subject and demonstrate an ability to identify and apply the Masonic principles you have learned. Your progress will be analyzed through your evaluation reports, exams, and presentations, including a final project.

The Master Mason will receive a certificate of achievement upon successfully completing each level. Successful completion of all four levels of the program, the Master Mason will receive the jewel of the Illinois Masonic Scholar, the Pine Cone.

In this level, you are charged with further developing your understanding of general Masonic Information, Masonic Philosophy, and Symbolism. You are asked to read eight books, three of which are required. For each book, you will write a 2-3-page book review. You will receive a written exam based on three required books after completing your third book evaluation. Upon completion of the eight Education Points, Level I is complete. This section focuses on General Masonic Knowledge, such as rules, customs, and traditions, emphasizing origins.

In this level, you are charged with further evolving your knowledge of Masonry by examining Freemasonry throughout time. We also examine Prince Hall Masonry, the Anti-Masonic movement, and Clandestine Masonry and the impact each has on the craft. In this part of the course, we attempt to develop your inner scholar; we do this by causing you, in addition to completing your book reviews and written exam, to deliver an educational presentation of your choice to your local lodge. Book reviews count as 1 point, whereas educational presentations count as 2 points. 2 Books are required. 

In this level, you are charged with further developing your mind by being re-introduced to the symbols of the degrees in the symbolic lodge, only this time, some of those symbols have additional meanings. To complete this level, you must read one book, write your book evaluation, and complete your exam. This level is designed to assist the Master Mason in his scholarly pursuit by re-introducing him to the various symbols and their often-multi-layered meanings, allowing him to foster more profound thought.

In this level, we aim to test your scholarly abilities, causing you to write a minimum 5-page paper. The paper can be either a comprehensive review of this education program or a research paper dealing with some aspect of Esoteric Masonry. This section is a little different, whereas there is no comprehensive exam to test your knowledge. This is because, at this point, you have become a Masonic Scholar, and it is your turn to show us your best work. This section is designed to develop the Masonic Scholar/Practitioner further and look at Masonry from a philosophical aspect.

Abah, Chief Ranami, Light After Darkness.

Presented from an African perspective by a member of a Lodge warranted by Grand Lodge of

Scotland. Study of the Fraternity.

Adams, George R., A Trilogy – Inner Journey to the East: Meditations of a Master Mason Along

the Way: and Masonry for the Millennium

Barratt, Morris S. & Julius F. Sachse, Freemasonry in Pennsylvania, 1727-1907, Philadelphia,

1908, 1909, 1919 (3 Vols.)

Beless, James W., Freemen & Freemasonry: a Masonic Reader.

Principles of political and religious freedom as embodied by Freemasons.

Booudreau, Allan & Alex. Bleimann, George Washington in New York.

Borneman, Henry S., Early Freemasonry in Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 1931.

Bowen, Catherine Drinker, Miracle at Philadelphia, 1966.

Brown, Walter Lee, Albert Pike – A Life Of

Bullock, Steven C., Revolutionary Brotherhood: Freemasonry and the Transformation of the

American Social Order, 1730-1840, 1996.

Excellent book that looks at the beginning of Freemasonry in America and then each period as

the Fraternity and the country matured. Contains detailed references.

Carr, Harry, The Freemason at Work, 1995 (Seventh and Revised Ed.)

Masonic symbolism, ritual, and history carefully explained.

Carr, Harry, The Early French Exposures, Quatuor Coronati Lodge, 1971, 488 pages.

An excellent reference for students wishing to read about the history of the early non-English

rituals.

Carr, Harry, The Collected Prestonian Lectures 1925-1960, Quatuor Coronati Lodge, 1967.

The lectures are likely the most outstanding papers presented on the history of the fraternity. 491 pages. Contemporary Masonic research in England.

Coil, Henry Wilson, A Comprehensive View of Freemasonry, 1973.

A presentation of Freemasonry in general.

Coil, Henry Wilson, Freemasonry Through Six Centuries, (Two Vols.) 1966.

Excellent study that traces the Craft through many lands and over 600 years. 2 vol.

Cook, Lewis C. (Ed.), Colonial Freemasonry.

Cryer, Neville Baker, I Just Didn’t Know That.

DiBernardo, Buillano, Freemasonry It’s Image of Man.

Dumenil, Lynn, Freemasonry and American Culture.

Dyer, Colin, William Preston and His Work, 1987.

Everett R. Turnbull, The Rise and Progress of FreeMasonry in Illinois 1783-1952

Gilbert, R. A., Casting the First Stone.

George William Warvelle’s, A Compendium of Freemasonry in Illinois (V1) 1897

Grand Lodge of the Philippines, Votaries of Honor. Grimble, Ian, Robert Burns.

Haffner, Christopher, Workman Unashamed, 1989.

Haggard, Forrest D., The Clergy and the Craft, 1970.

Views of a Masonic leader who is a P. M. and minister.

Hamill, John and R. A. Gilbert (Ed.), Freemasonry: A Celebration of the Craft, 1992.

Hamill, John & R. A. Gilbert, World Freemasonry: An Illustrated History, 1996

Hamill, John, The History of Freemasonry.

Hamilton, John D., Material Culture of the American Freemasons.

Hancox, Joy, The Byrom Collection: Renaissance Thought, The Royal Society and The Building

of the Globe Theatre, Jonathan Cape, London, 1992.

Hancox, Joy, The Queen’s Chameleon.

Discusses Lord Byron and his actions at the time of the beginning of Freemasonry and his

relations with the early Fraternity.

Harper Sr., Charles, M. (2013). Freemasonry in Black and White. Monee, IL.

Heaton, Ronald E., Masonic Membership of the Founding Fathers, 1965.

Hernandez, Mabini G., Reflections on Masonic Values.

Originally from “Dear Dad” letters. Good advice.

Horne, Alex, King Solomon’s Temple in the Masonic Tradition.

Home, Alex, Sources of Masonic Symbolism, Macoy, 1981.

Readable historical basis for much of Freemasonry.

Hunter, C. Gruce, Beneath the Stone.

Huss, Wayne A., The Master Builders: A History of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted

Masons of Pennsylvania, (Three Vols.), 1986-1988-1989.

Jackson, A. C. F., English Masonic Exposures 1760-1769, Lewis Masonic, 1986.

Jacobs, Margaret Jacobs, Living the Enlightenment: Freemasonry and Politics in Eighteenth-

Century Europe, Oxford Univ. Press, 1991.

Jean-Louis de Biasi’s, Esoteric Freemasonry: Rituals & Practices for a Deeper Understanding

Johnson, Melvin M., The Beginnings of Freemasonry in America, Kingsport, Tenn. 1924.

Jones, Bernard E., Freemasons’ Guide and Compendium, 1950, 1956.

Jones, Frank B., Benjamin Franklin: 1706-1790.

Jordan, H. Glenn, Let There Be Light (A History of Freemasonry in Louisiana 1763-1989).

Kennon, Donald R., A Republic for the Ages.

Knoop, Douglas, G. P. Jones, & Douglas Hamer, The Early Masonic Catechisms, 1953, 1963.

Lessing, Gotthold, Lessing’s Masonic Dialogues, Masonic Book Club, 1991.

MacBride, A. S., Speculative Masonry: Its Mission, Its Evolution and Its Landmarks, Macoy,

1924, 1971.

Manley P. Hall’s, The Secret Teachings of All Ages

MacNulty, W. Kirk, Freemasonry – A Journey Through Ritual and Symbol, Thames and

Hudson, London, 1991.

Beautifully illustrated introduction to Freemasonry.

McLeod, Wallace, The Quest for Light, 1997.

McLeod, Wallace, The Grand Design, Anchor Communications, Highland Springs, VA, 1991.

McLeod, Wallace, A Candid Disquisition, Masonic Book Club, Bloomington, Ill., 1989.

Morris S. Brent, Cornerstones of Freedom – A Masonic Tradition.

Morris, S. Brent, A Radical in the East, Iowa Research Lodge, 1993.

Munn, Sheldon A., Freemasons at Gettysburg.

Nettl, Paul, Mozart and Masonry, Dorset Press, New York, 1957.

Newton, Joseph Fort, The Builders, McCoy Publishing Co., Richmond, 1914.

Partner, Peter, The Murdered Magicians: The Templars and their Myth, Oxford Univ. Press,

1987.

Pick, Fred L. & G. Norman Knight, The Pocket History of Freemasonry, 1953.

Pike, Albert., Morals and Dogma, Supreme Council of the S.J., Charleston, 1871 and numerous

succeeding editions.

Pound, Roscoe, Masonic Addresses and Writings of Roscoe Pound, NY, 1955.

Rajendran, V., Fiat Lux – Selected Masonic Essays.

Roberts, Allen E., House Undivided, 1961.

Roberts, Allen E., Freemasonry in American History, 1985.

Roberts, Allen E., Key to Freemasonry’s Growth, 1969.

Roberts, Allen E., The Mystic Tie, 1991.

Roberts, Allen E., Masonic Trivia & Facts, 1994.

Roberts, Allen E., The Craft and Its Symbols, 1974.

Roberts, Allen E., George Washington: Master Mason.

Roberts, Allen E., Brother Truman.

Roberts, Allen E. and Wallace McLeod, Freemasonry and Democracy – Its Evolution in North

America.