I enjoy books which represent collections—collections of essays, collections of questions and answers, collections of thoughts by different authors on some topic. I even hope, someday, to gather a collection of my essays which the Scottish Rite Journal has been kind enough to publish. So this month's offering consists of two collections I think you may find interesting.

Confessions of a Born Again Fundamentalist Freemason by Nelson King, 2000, hardback, 150 pages, $29.95, s/h $3.00 first book; $1 per additional book from Anchor Communications, PO Box 70, Highland Springs, Virginia 23075–0070. Tel. 804–737–4498; Fax 804–328–2386

This book and the CD described in the following review may also be purchased from the Anchor Communications website (VISA and MasterCard accepted) at http://www.goanchor.com

Nelson King is one of the most widely known and sometimes controversial Masons writing today. He is eloquent on paper and at the podium and is much in demand as a speaker throughout the Masonic world. In addition, he is the editor of and a shaping influence on the Philalethes magazine and Philalethes Society today, both significant forces in the world of Masonic scholarship. His newest book is a collection of short speeches, articles, and other writings from the past several years.

He explains the book's title in Chapter One:

"I used to be a very (for want of a better word) Liberal Mason. I am now a very Conservative or Traditionalist Freemason. Therefore, I am 'Born Again.' By Fundamentalist, I mean that I believe no one has a right to be a Freemason. I believe those who want to be Freemasons must be good and true men, free born, of a mature and discreet age and sound judgement, no bondsman, no women, no immoral or scandalous men, only men of good report.

"I believe that a man who wants to be a Freemason must believe in the existence of God, and take his Obligation on a Volume of the Sacred Law of his choice and that he owes a duty to that God and to his fellowman no matter what their creed, color, or religion....

I believe that a Freemason is bound never to act against the dictates of his conscience."

Sample chapters, of the 25 in the book, are "An Open Letter to the Christian Anti-Mason," "Back to the Future," "Masonic Myths and Outright Falsehoods," and "Morality and Honor." Each essay in the book is very worth reading. You may not agree with Brother King in all his viewpoints (I suspect he would be annoyed if you did), but you will never doubt where he stands. He has the courage of his convictions, and this factor alone makes the book a good read. Speaking of Brother King naturally brings us to our second collection, The Philalethes, 50 Years.

The Philalethes, 50 Years, Philalethes Society CD, PO Box 70, Highland Springs, Virginia 23075–0070, $100, postage paid.

This CD ROM is a great way to start or expand your Masonic library. The CD contains, in searchable form, all of the articles published in the Philalethes magazine during its first fifty years—which is to say it contains many articles on many topics, a impressive Masonic library in itself.

If I have any fault to find with the CD, it is a fault I find with many research CDs. They are great if you already know how to use them. I've managed to learn, and you can too, but for some of us it would be very helpful if manufacturers of such CDs would include a printed booklet which says, in the simplest terms possible, how to load and use the CD. Surely, I am not the only person left in the world who needs to be led by the hand in these things.

Jim Tresner is Director of the Masonic Leadership Institute and Editor of The Oklahoma Mason. A frequent contributor 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.