Introduction
Morals and Dogma is one of the most important books for Freemasonry, and every brother should utilize it as a tool to begin his Masonic education and development. Within its pages are lessons of honor, integrity, character, morality, and charity. These principles are timeless and in no way restricted to members of the Scottish Rite alone. The Blue Lodge and every other Masonic organization should actively teach and encourage the practice of these virtues. How the world might benefit if every lawyer, politician, businessperson, media figure, and civic leader in the civilized world took even one lesson from this book! How many of the current problems faced by Freemasonry and society as a whole might be resolved if more individuals practiced even one of the lessons contained within it? It is impossible to read even a small portion of this book and not be transformed through the contemplation of the ideas it contains.
Albert Pike created Morals and Dogma to communicate the intended lectures of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, which he expected the Brethren of the Rite to study in connection with the Rituals of the Degrees. In preparing the book, Pike was as much a compiler as author, extracting at least half of its content from those whom he felt represented the greatest writers, philosophers, and thinkers known in his time.
He incorporated the thoughts and words of others, continually changing and adding to the language of his source material and often mixing his own words with theirs. His motive for doing so was to yield the greatest value to his audience. Pike claimed only a small part of the credit of authorship, maintaining that the reader should regard every portion of the book as borrowed from "some old and better writer".
The reader should not interpret the lessons contained in the book as being sacramental, for they extend beyond the realm of Morality into the domains of Thought and Truth. The use of the word "Dogma" in its title is intended in the true and original sense of the word as "doctrine" or "teaching". It does not mean "dogmatic" as in the modern and offensive usage of the term. Every individual may freely accept or reject the words contained within the book as untrue or unsound. While the doctrines of the Rite do not specifically contain the ancient theosophical and philosophical speculations contained in the book, Albert Pike understood that it was in our interest to understand what the "Ancient Intellects" thought about such subjects. Our ability to understand and evaluate these speculations demonstrates the radical difference between our human and animal natures. To paraphrase the Canonist, Ludovicus Gomez: "Beliefs may grow old, vary with the times, and perish; otherwise, they may be reborn in opposition to the original and afterwards reach maturity."
As a Fraternity, we need to teach our Brethren what it means to be a Mason beyond paying dues and attending business meetings. We need to focus on the quality of our Masons and not the quantity. We need to reinforce our differences from other civic or charitable organizations and lift the fog that has obscured our path of progress and prosperity in recent years.
This book is far too important to the Scottish Rite to be lost forever. This "translation" of the work seeks to inspire a return to the basics and renew our belief in the importance of giving our new members a starting point for their Masonic journey and a foundation upon which to build. Volumes have been written about every aspect of the original edition of Morals and Dogma, but none of these efforts has made the beauty and lessons of the book any more accessible to the vast majority of our membership. Analysis and commentary is only useful when the source material is well understood. The neglect of the last several decades has rendered this work withered and fruitless, but it is as relevant today as it was in 1871. Its lessons need to be repeated again, and again, and again.
It is with an absolute reverence for Albert Pike and for the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite that the compilers of this work have endeavored to make Morals and Dogma more approachable and accessible to the modern reader. In no way do we intend to displace (or replace) his work from its exalted position, so rightly and fully deserved. Rather, through this effort, we hope to inspire our audience to read Morals and Dogma in its entirety and in the original language. Only in this way, can the Brethren of the Rite fully appreciate Albert Pike's sublime language and explore the book's deeper mysteries and speculations.
Book-review
In 1871, Albert Pike wrote Morals and Dogma as a guide to the 32 degrees of Scottish Rite Freemasonry. In his time, becoming a Scottish Rite Mason required years of study to understand its allegories, the underlying moral lessons, and their practical applications. For many years, his text was considered the ultimate source of Masonic Philosophy.
Beginning in early 2007, the authors initiated a complete and comprehensive review to clarify the understanding of, develop appreciation for, and provide insight into Pike's original work.
The authors' goal was to make Morals and Dogma more approachable and accessible to the modern reader and with no doubt they fulfilled their purpose.
Furthermore Morals and Dogma for the 21st Century is the only edition that is not abridged, a digest, or an editorial commentary of the original book.
The entire original book is translated into modern English from the archaic sentence structure and wordiness prevalent in 19th century literature.
This modern translation organizes the ideas and flow of thoughts, updates many of the historical and illustrative examples, and clarifies many of the points that are easily misread or misinterpreted because the meanings of the words or context have changed since the original text was written.
But Morals and Dogma for the 21st Century is also a modern interpretation of Albert Pike’s greatest work and the best reply to the accusation made by the "anti-masonic party" to be Pike's work a Satanic one.
The layout of the book is designed to allow the reader to make a side-by-side comparison with the original edition of Morals & Dogma by Albert Pike.
So Brethren I warmly invite you to buy this book and then to sit in front of your PC.
Please, go on PS Review of Freemasonry at Morals and Dogma where you read the original version of Pike's work
With the original text on the screen and the book on your desk start reading and compare the two works.
In the modern version of Pike's work the numbers within the margins indicate the beginning of the corresponding page in the original version of the text. The order of the paragraphs on each page follows the order of those in the original version with only a few exceptions. In order to complete independent ideas within a single paragraph or to improve the flow of the dialogue within a page or chapter, the authors occasionally felt it necessary to move a sentence from one paragraph to another or a paragraph from one page to another. In every case, these changes improved the readability and flow of ideas without changing the original Pike's intent.
The authors have made every effort to help the reader to better understand Pike's lessons. They have also updated or modified historical and illustrative references and examples that have either changed or become obsolete since Albert Pike's time to provide a more contemporary reference that will bear the same significance for a 21st century reader that the original text would have inspired in its time.
The content and ideas of Pike's original work have been preserved and their full meaning is now more easily accessible to the modern reader.
I have greatly appreciated the authors' effort to provide us an excellent tool for a daily advancement in our Masonic knowledge.
James, Brian, William and Kevin thank you very much for your gift.
Last but not least this book is a fundraising project for the North Texas Masonic Historical Museum Library.
Bruno Virgilio Gazzo
editor, PS Review of FM
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