A MASONIC MANUAL BY JAMES WRIGHT ANDERSON 1893

A MASONIC MANUAL BY JAMES WRIGHT ANDERSON 1893

PREFACE.
Daring a i)eriocl of several years as Inspector of a ilasunio District in California, ami uftcrwartl-s as Grand Lecturer of the Grand Lodge, my observation and experience
led rae to the conclusion that no one tiling Avas more
needed in this Jurisdietiou than a concise yet comprehensive eonipilation of the various decisions tliat have been,
from time to time, made by our Grand Masters and Grand
I^dge. A few years ago I had the distinguished honor of
being appointed Chairman of the Committee on Correspondence in this Jurisdiction. I very soon learned that,
whatever I knew about the Ritual of the Fraternity, I was
almost entirely unversed in the jurisprudence thereof, and
was, in consequence, compelled to direct my earnest study
to this important particular. I made comments for my own
benefit. These I have compiled in more regular form, and,
brief and impei-fect as tlie result of mj' eiibrts may be, T
now send thern out as a well-meant, if not a valuable,
offering in aid of those who desire to acquaint themselve's
more thoroughly with the principles and teachings of ounoble Institution in this State.
It must be appai'cnt to every one M'ho will take tlu
trouble to examine the Proceedings of our Grand Lodge,
that tlie gi-cater part of the labors of the Gmnd ilaster
and of the Grand Lodge are incident to the imperfect
knowledge of the principles of Masonic Jurisprudence,
and of our excellent Constitution, which characterizes so
many of the officers and membera of our Lodges. If my
eiibrts may be successful in even partially remedying this
evil, I feel that I shall not have labored in vain.