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