The first book is volume 6 of Heredom (1998), the annual publication of the Scottish Rite Research Society (SRRS), a book of timeless and important scholarship. The second, David vs. Goliath? by David S. Julian is a timely discussion of Freemasonry on the Internet, especially anti-Masonry. The third book is titled The History of Freemasonry in Virginia.

Heredom is sent free to SRRS members, and the cost of individual membership ($20) is less than the cost of most books. (See membership information and the annual Heredom mailing schedule below.) You really can't lose on this deal. Dr. S. Brent Morris, 33°, as editor of Heredom, has done his usual outstanding job. If you are not a member, I highly recommend you take out a membership now and get this book. (If you're already a 1997 member, of course, you already have this book or will have it shortly.) There is something for everyone in volume 6, including an excellent 12-page, full-color portrait gallery. Here is a taste of the book.

"An Introduction to Joseph Cerneau and His Biographers" by Alain Bernheim, 32°. If the Scottish Rite, like some churches, had an "Anathema Sunday" on which the names of those ever to be despised were read aloud, Cerneau would head the list. Bernheim, however, de-demonizes Cerneau and gives us a rich glimpse of the man behind the controversy. Makes fascinating reading.

"Perishing on the Rise" is a poem by Rob Morris—known as the Poet Laureate of Masonry in the last century. Much of his poetry is fun, and it is good to have this reprinted for those not familiar with his work. The introduction by Dr. S. Brent Morris, 33°, is especially helpful.

"An Architectural Sketch of a Book: Lodge of the Double-Headed Eagle" by Ill. William L. Fox, 33°. I've mentioned Ill. Fox's book frequently in the Journal because I think it is so very good. Here, Bro. Fox takes us inside the structure of his one-volume history of the Southern Jurisdiction, showing us how the book is put together. That is fascinating in its own right, and his dry wit runs through the article, making it even more interesting.

"James Foulhouze: Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of Louisiana" by Michael R. Poll, 32°, is another article which gives us a picture of a man known mostly from the descriptions of his detractors. The history of the controversy which pitted Pike and Foulhouze against each other is too complex to describe here. But read the article, and you will not only have an excellent feeling for the issues but a far more balanced picture of Foulhouze than is usually available.

"The Lausanne Congress of 1875” by Ill. C. John Mandleberg, 33°, recounts a fascinating episode in the international history of the Scottish Rite, when an attempt was made to form a sort of "Supreme Supreme Council" of the world. If one doubts the importance our Brethren attached to the profession of faith in a Supreme Deity, this article will disabuse him. It is interesting to watch the ins and outs of international Scottish Rite politics. Good article!

"A ‘Genius’ Is He" by George H. Hebard. This little squib, published in 1902, is a joy and a delight. A writer-for-hire for secret societies shows just how to construct the terminology, ritual, and symbolism for a mathematics fraternity, "The Arithmetical Association of Intimate Integers." This is a wonderful antidote to any attack of excessive self-seriousness in Masonry.

"Smuggling Masonic Books to Mexico: A Philadelphia Publisher and the Inquisition" by Paul Rich, 32°, Guillermo De Los Teyes, and Antonio Lara. The article recounts the discovery of a Spanish translation of the Webb monitor, and the subsequent discovery of the involvement of a Philadelphia firm in publishing and exporting books to Mexico. There is more to come on this topic, which is of considerable interest. Freemasonry played a complex role in the creation of modern Mexico, and that role is still being explored.

"Why Did La Fayette Come to America?" by André Kesteloot, M.M. La Fayette holds nearly as honored a position in early American Masonry as does Washington (Albert Pike, as a young boy, met La Fayette on the latter's last visit to America), but the reason La Fayette made his first trip to America is less well known. Kesteloot paints a story of French court intrigue, the ambition of a former head of France's spy network to replace Washington as the head of America's army, and a young French nobleman looking for a sense of direction.

"Avatars of the Knight Kadosh in France and in Charleston" by Alain Bernheim, 32°. This article discusses some recently discovered documents which relate to forerunners of the 30° of the Scottish Rite, which throw new light on its development and on European Masonry. Translations are provided, making this a rich resource for those who like to see how ritual evolves. Good article.

"Recovering a Rite: The Amaranth, Queen of the South, and Eastern Star" by Paul Rich, 32°, and Guillermo De Los Reyes. This is a short but highly informative article reviewing the rise of Adoptive Masonry in the United States and the origins of the Eastern Star and the Amaranth. Especially interesting is the comparison of the Star and Amaranth in the "mainstream" and Prince Hall traditions. Well worth reading.

"Anti-Masonic Abuse of Scottish Rite Literature" by Art deHoyos, 32°, K.C.C.H. In this article, Brother deHoyos brings his usual clarity to an unclear situation. He illustrates the ignorance (congenital or acquired) with which anti-Masons abuse monitors and other Masonic literature. You need to read this one, if only to understand the techniques of the anti-Masons.

"The True Harmony Lodge of Vienna" by R. William Weisberger, 32°. I can highly recommend this  rich and lengthy article. True Harmony Lodge was a remarkable institution—a Lodge claiming as members the very best and brightest in the society of Vienna. Notable statesmen, artists, musicians,  scientists, and leaders in almost every area of thought were members. It was a creature of and replenisher for the Enlightenment. This article will make you proud to be a Freemason.

"Nineteenth-Century American Masonic Songbooks: A Preliminary Checklist" by Sion M. Honea, P.M. This article is close to my heart. One of my greatest wishes is that someone, somewhere would put together a male chorus and start recording the music from the Masonic songbooks on CD. We could recapture a vital part of our history. In this article, Brother Honea gives us a discussion of the types of Masonic music and a listing of the songbooks published. It's an easy article to read, and it gives good information.

Scottish Rite Research Society membership information: If you become a member in 1999 (Annual Membership $20.00; Life Memberships, individuals only, $300), you will automatically receive a complimentary issue of Heredom volume 8 in late fall 2000. Also, as a 1999 member, you will receive a complimentary copy of Albert Pike’s Book of the Words edited by Brother Art deHoyos, 32°, K.C.C.H., in consultation with Dr. Rex R. Hutchens, 33°, G.C., author of A Bridge to Light. In addition, you will receive the society’s quarterly newsletter, the Plumbline. To receive only volume 6, reviewed above, send a check for $55.00 ($35.00 for vol. 6; $20 for membership). Once you are a member, you can obtain all previous volumes of Heredom as a group (volumes 1 through 6) for $25.00 each, $150 total. Members ordering individual volumes separately pay $35.00 each. Make checks (domestic only) payable to the society or send VISA & MasterCard information to: Scottish Rite Research Society, 1733 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009–3103

David vs. Goliath? by David S. Julian 1998, Day Jewel Publications softbound with comb binding, order by sending $12.81 (which includes shipping) to David S. Julian, 16052 46th Ave. S., Seattle, WA 98188. Proceeds benefit the Masonic Retirement Center of Washington.

Conversations with anti-Masons can more nearly resemble a gang rumble than a conversation. Smiting the anti-Masons hip and thigh is a dirty job, but Brother Julian is getting it done nobly. A DDGM for the Grand Master of the State of Washington, he has carried the battle to the Internet, where anti-Masons have been breeding. As he wrote in his cover letter to me, "The book documents my foray into the world of anti-Masonry on the web, my e-mail conversations with Masons and anti-Masons, and some positive suggestions for constructive ways for new Masons to answer the onslaught of Neofundamentalism that has begun to taint even our mainstream religious institutions."

The book is well worth reading. This encroaching Neofundamentalism is, without doubt, the most fearful phenomenon to rear its head in a long time. As one friend remarked, "I'd rather fall among the Mafia than Neofundamentalists any day. The Mafia just kill you. These folks have a history of torturing people to death with exquisite slowness, in, of course, the name of the love of God." If you want to see what's happening on the front lines of the battle, this is a good book. Be prepared to be dreadfully provoked.

The History of Freemasonry in Virginia, by Richard A. Rutyna and Peter C. Stewart, 1998, University Press of America, 563 pp. hardbound, $30.00 + $5.00 for tax, shipping, and handling (total $35.00 per book). Send checks payable to the Grand Lodge of Virginia to: The Grand Lodge of Virginia, Attn: History, 4115 Nine Mile Road, Richmond, VA 23223–4926.

This is a fine, well-written book. Rutyna and Stewart, professional historians and non-Masons, with the full assistance and cooperation of the Grand Lodge of Virginia, have prepared this excellent study. It is not limited to Virginia, but also contains good information on the history of Masonry in general. The index is outstanding, one of the best I have seen, and makes the book a most useful resource. If I have a fault to find with the book, it lies in a tendency to see the scientific/historical approach to the study of Masonry as the only valid approach, discounting the anthropological and mythic approaches, among others.

That aside, the book is worth reading on several levels. There are some good stories and great characters in Virginia Masonry, and they are all here. In addition, the book traces the interaction between Masonry and the larger society. I certainly recommend this book for your Masonic bookshelf.

Jim Tresner   is Director of the Masonic Leadership Institute and Editor of The Oklahoma Mason. A frequent con-tributor to the Scottish Rite Journal and its book review editor, Illustrious Brother Tresner is also a volunteer writer for The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason and a video script consultant for the National Masonic Renewal Committee. He is the Director of the Thirty-third Degree Conferral Team and Director of Work at the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple in Guthrie, Oklahoma, as well as a life member of the Scottish Rite Research Society, author of the popular anecdotal biography Albert Pike, The Man Beyond the Monument, and a member of the steering committee of the Masonic Information Center. Ill. Tresner was awarded the Grand Cross, the Scottish Rite’s highest honor, during The Supreme Council’s October 1997 Biennial Session.