Encyclopedia Masonica

King of Sweden. He was initiated into Freemasonry, at Stockholm, on Starch 10, 1793. Ten years after, on March 9, 1803, Gustavus issued an Ordinance by which he required all the secret societies in his dominions to make known to the Stadtholders of the cities where they resided, and in the provinces to his Governors, not only the formula of the oath which they administered to their members but the duties which they prescribed, and the object of their association; and also to submit at any time to a personal inspection by the officers of government. But at the end of the Ordinance the lsing says: "The Freemasons, who are under our immediate protection, are alone excepted from this inspection, and from this Ordinance in general."

GUTTURAL POINT OF ENTRANCE

From the Latin guttur, meaning the throat. The throat is that avenue of the body which is most employed in the sins of intemperance, and hence it suggests to the Freemason certain symbolic instructions in relation to the virtue of temperance (see Points of Entrance, Perfect).

The Encyclopedia Masonica exists to preserve the wealth of information that has been generated over the centuries by numerous Masonic authors. As Freemasonry is now Speculative and not Operative, the work of a Mason is now conducted in the quarries of symbolism, literature, history and scholasticism. Freemasonry encourages intellectual exploration and academic achievement in its members and many Masons over the years have taken up this calling. The result has been that an incredible amount of philosophy, symbolic speculation and academic insights have been created. However, as Freemasonry teaches, human knowledge is frail and fragile. It is easily lost in the turnings of the ages and unforeseen catastrophes can result in great setbacks to human knowledge.

For too long these great works have sat on forgotten shelves, gathering dust and concealing the light that could be shed on the darkness of our ignorance. The Encyclopedia Masonica has been created to act as an ark, sailing through time, to ensure that future generations of Freemasons have access to the same knowledge that inspired the Brethren that came before them. It will contain the works of such Masonic Luminaries as Albert G. Mackey, Manly Palmer Hall, G.S.M. Ward, Albert Pike and many others. The Encyclopedia Masonica is a living work and the volunteers of Universal Co-Masonry will continue to labor until the most comprehensive Masonic reference work the world has ever seen has been created. The Encyclopedia Masonica is open to any who wish to use it and will remain open so that the treasures contained within may increase the wealth of all those who seek its wisdom.