A LEXICON
oF
FREEMASONRY:;
CONTAIKING
A DEFINITION OF ALL ITS COMMUNICABLE TERMS,
NOTICES OF ITs HISTORY, TRADITIONS,
AND ANTIQUITIES,
aso
AN ACCOUNT OF ALL THE RITES AND MYSTERIES OF THE ANCIENT WORLD.
BY
ALBERT G. MACKEY, M.D.,
AUTHOR OF THE “sMysric TIE;”
(GLAND SECRETARY AXD GRAND LECTURER OF THE GRAND LODGE OF SOUTH CANOLDIA?
SBCRBTARY GENERAL OF THE SUPREME COUXCIL, THIRTY-THIRD DEGREE, FOR TRE SOUTHERE
JURISDICTION OF THE UXITED STATES; 0.".H."P-. OF THE GBASD
‘CHAPTER OF SOUTH CAROLINA, RTC
First English Eition, reprinted from the Filly Gmeria Crition,
‘REVINED BY
DONALD CAMPBELL,
8.2.8 32D prazex, comPitur OF THE “SCOTTISH MASONIC CALENDAR.”
LONDON AND GLASGOW:
RICHARD GRIFFIN AND COMPANY.
1860.
224.4, F.PREFACE
Tue title-page oxplains the object and intention of the original
Compiler. It was intended to furnish » ready and convenient
access to the meaning of many of the terms and symbols peculiar
to our Order, and also a sketch both of the ancient mysteries
and of those degrees of more modern date, for which there was
@ morbid craving on the Continent during the latter part of
last century.
In the Department of Masoxnr proper, the work was based on
the American system, which, in mi
object of the Reviser acceding to the wishes of the Publishers; and
he trusts to the well-known fraternal indulgence of the Craft for
the imperfections which may be detected.
D. oO.LEXICON OF FREEMASONRY.
A
Abbreviations—Abbreviations are much more in use amon;
French than among English or American Masons. An alphabeti
list, however, of those principally employed, is appended for the
benefit of such as may be engaged in the examination of masonic
writings. It must be observed, that a masonic abbreviation is gener-
ally distinguished by three points in a triangular form (thus, .) fol-
lowing the letter: various attempts have been made to explain the
origin of these dots; but if they have any allusion at all, we presume
it to be to the three lesser lights placed in a triangular form around
the altar; or, as they were first introduced by our French brethren,
they may refer to the situation of the three principal officers of the
lodge in the French rite, where the Master sits in the east and the
two Wardens in the west. Ragon says that the three points were
first used on the 12th of August, 1774, by the Grand Orient of
France in an address to its subordinates.
A... Dep... Anno Depositionis. In the year of the deposit. The
date used y Royal and Select Masters
A. Inv... Anno Inventionis, In the year of the discovery. The
date used in Royal Arch Masonry.
A. L.. Anno Lucis. In the year of light. The date used in
Ancient Craft Masonry, obtained by adding 4004 to the year a.D.
A. LG. DG. A. DL. UA la Gloire du Grand
Architecte de T Uniwers. To the glory of the Grand Architect of
the Universe. The caption of all French masonic writi
A. LO... A POrient, or at the East. The seat of the lodge.
(Prgnch)
A... M.. Anno Mundi, or in the year of the world. The date
used in the Ancient and Accepted or Scotch rite.
A... 0... Anno Ordinis, or in the year of the Order. The date
used by Knights Templars.
B.A: Buisson Ardente, or Burning Bush. (French.)
B.. B.. Burning Bush. These two abbreviations are found in
the caption of documents of the Ancient and Accepted rite.
B