Albert Pike (1809–1891)

Pike's ritual revisions were so impressive that he was appointed an active member of the Supreme Council and became the most respected Sovereign Grand Commander in the history of the Rite. The complete rituals served as the basis for the philosophy of the Scottish Rite. The Magnum Opus contains Albert Pike's complete, first writing on the rituals of the Scottish rite degrees. Pike continued to refine these rituals for the rest of his life. The Magnum Opus allows researchers to trace the differences and discover shifts in Masonic symbolism. Although similar to the current rituals used by the Scottish Rite, it is slightly different and more esoteric. Some of Pike's rituals were used by other High Councils as the basis for their own practices.… (mere)

In 1879 the Supreme Council printed a collection of six old rituals, of significant historical importance. The complete collection cost the equivalent of over $500 today. This extremely interesting work includes a complete facsimile reprint of the complete collection:
Degree of Mark Master Mason, being the work of the Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem of South Carolina, and the oldest work extent anywhere.
The Wigan Ritual of the Early Grand Encampment.
Grade, Mark Mason, Passed Master, and Royal Arch, Rite Ancien Maçonnerie d`York (Were originally translated from English into French, and used in the French West Indies in 1795.)
Knights Templar, former English Ritual.
Grand Maitre Ecossais or Scottish Elder Master and Knight of St. Andrew, being the Fourth Degree of the Degree of Ramsey.
Old Ceremony of Royal Arch Exaltation.
The introduction, which traces the evolution of some key features, includes new information on the historical importance of some of these degrees, and demonstrates that some of the degrees were either older than previously known, or included unusual features which are now missing from American Masonry. The Alchemical degree of "Grand Maitre Ecossais" even contributed to the creation of the Thirty-third Degree. This book also includes this missing catechisms and includes Carlile?s transcripts (pre-1825) of the parallel rituals mentioned in the reprint, including: "The Mark Man and Mark Master Degree," "A Description of Royal Arch Masonry" and "Knights Templar," as well as the system for examination for the former (1851) English Templar Ritual.
Hardbound (7 1/4" x 10 1/3") with decorative covers; illustrated; includes index. 242 pages.… (mere)