Davis, Z. A. The Freemason's Monitor; containing a Delineation of the Fundamental Principles of Freemasonry, Operative and Speculative, as well in a Religious and Moral View. Philadelphia: Clark & Hesser, 1853. New Edition Revised and Enlarged. [12555]
Purple cloth, now faded, decorated in blind & gilt, binding clean with very little wear, just loss of color, 7 1/2 x 5 inches. Wood engraving of "Emblematical Chart," with fine lithograph portrait of Joseph Chandler wearing Masonic regalia. 26 additional full-page wood engravings, 8 wood engravings in the text; 380 generally clean pp., a few pp. with smudges. The closed fore-edge with small stain at top, not affecting any pages within. A bit shaken, with nothing loose or detached. The 28 total plates are counted and complete. Good. Hardcover.
Title continues: With Explanations and Plates of all the Emblems of the Degrees of Entered Apprentice,Fellow Craft, Master Mason, Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, Royal Arch Mason, Royal Master, Select Master, High Priesthood, Knights of the Red Cross, Knights Templars, and Knights of Malta; also, Constitutions, Regulations, Etc., compiled and arranged from the most approved writers. With Additions, Notes, and Remarks; also, Charges and Songs. By Z. A. Davis, A New Edition Revised and Enlarged. Embellished with a correct likeness of Joseph R. Chandler, Esq., P. G. M. and P. G. H. P. of the Grand Lodge and Chapter of the State of Pennsylvania.
This "Revised and Enlarged" edition retains the information published in the first edition of 1843, with an additional 80 pages of material regarding lodge government, details of the several degrees described, including historical comments for each degree. It also substantially expands the Council portion with distinct sections on historical legends associated with the degrees. This edition also introduces extensive ritual descriptions for the Knights Templar and the Order of High Priesthood. It adds a History of Freemasonry in America with Constitutions and General Regulations. The plates (illustrations) are newly engraved, in higher quality. The first edition was a fairly simple presentation of standard craft Masonry; this expanded edition is now a complete manual of the standard craft and of the higher organizations reflected in the growth of the York Rite system in America.
