"Trez," said Brother Greg (you can see how much awe and respect I inspire in those who know me well), "It's been a long time since you've mentioned the books we can buy from the Supreme Council. Lots of new Scottish Rite Masons probably don't know about them."

His point is well taken. The most important books about Scottish Rite Freemasonry have been published by the Supreme Council, 33°. The list which follows is far from complete, but it includes my favorites. If you don't have these in your library, I'd certainly recommend them.

Ordering is easy. If you can access the Internet, just go to the Supreme Council site www.srmason-sj.org. At the top of the main page, you can click on a new feature, the Scottish Rite Online Store. There you will find a list of many of the books and other items available from the Supreme Council. Ordering via VISA or MasterCard (include expiration date) is easy and secure. All information is encrypted for your safety. Just fill your online shopping cart and check out! Shipping and handling are included in all prices. Or you can request a complete printed list of available materials by writing to:

Grand Executive Director
The Supreme Council, 33°
1733 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009-3103

Also, you may telephone (202–232–3579) or fax (202–387–1843) to ask for a list, place an order, or request more information. Make checks (domestic only) payable to The Supreme Council, 33°, unless otherwise noted.

A Glossary to Morals and Dogma, by Dr. Rex R. Hutchens, 33°, G.C. I would have given much to have had this book the first few times I read Morals and Dogma. Dr. Hutchens has done a great job of tracing the various references Pike makes to writers, historical figures, events, etc. that may not be known to the general reader today. It makes reading Morals and Dogma a lot easier. At $15.00 for a hardbound copy, it is a real bargain.

Pillars of Wisdom is another first-rate book by Dr. Hutchens. He traces the central themes in Pike's work and gives you essays which pull common threads together. You can get it softbound for $10.00, but I'd recommend the hardbound edition for only $15.00.

Liturgies and Legendas: I am always surprised by how many Scottish Rite Masons don't know these books exist. A Liturgy is like a Blue Lodge monitor. It is the ritual with esoteric portions deleted. Like a monitor, it provides a great deal of information not easily available anywhere else. There is one for each of the first three Scottish Rite Bodies. They are hardbound and as important to the understanding of the Scottish Rite as a monitor is to understanding the Blue Lodge. They are $25.00 each. Order Liturgy 4°–14°; Liturgy 15°–18°, and/or Liturgy 19°–30°.

A Legenda does not have a real counterpart in the Blue Lodge. It is a book containing information about the teaching legends of the Degrees, with background information on many. They are also hardbound, but of greatly different lengths, which explains the differences in price. Order Legenda 4°–14° for $10.00; Legenda 19°–30° for $25.00; or Legenda 31°–32° for $25.00. And this is a good place to mention a similar book, Readings of the 32°, hardbound, $15.00.

If your interest is in the foundation documents and history of the Scottish Rite, I'd recommend Authentics of Fundamental Law for Scottish Rite Freemasonry, by Ill. Henry C. Clausen, 33°, a former Grand Commander of the Rite. It's available, hardbound, for $5.00. Also Grand Constitutions, a hardbound book containing the Constitutions of 1762, 1786, etc., is $10.00.

There are two books by Dr. S. Brent Morris, 33°, G.C., which are especially interesting. Masonic Philanthropies: A Tradition of Caring is a colorful, softbound book which details Masonic charitable activity in the country. It will make you proud to read it, and it costs only $5.00. Cornerstones of Freedom: A Masonic Tradition traces the history of the ceremony of placing Masonic cornerstones on buildings. Dr. Morris treats this fascinating topic extremely well. The book is available softbound for $8.00, but I'd recommend the $12.00 hardbound edition.

Dr. Morris, in partnership with another excellent Masonic scholar, Ill. Arturo de Hoyos, 33°, Grand Archivist and Grand Historian of the Supreme Council, wrote the book Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry? The Methods of Anti-Masons. Highly recommended, it fulfills the saying "the schemer shall fall into the pit he diggeth for another." Softbound, $7.50.

Finally, a truly handy little item, if you like to save back copies of the Scottish Rite Journal, is a special binder, with metal rods, which will hold a year's worth (12 issues) of the Journal, plus that year's index (very helpful!). I use these myself, and they make it a lot easier to keep your back issues in order and undamaged. The cost is $16.00 per binder and $2.00 per annual index (specify year).

There are other publications available from the Supreme Council as well, some designed for children, some for use in schools, as well as several good books I haven't mentioned here. The Supreme Council will be happy to send you a complete list if you write, telephone, fax, or e-mail your request using the contact information noted toward the front of this article. Happy reading!

Jim Tresner is Director of the Masonic Leadership Institute and Editor of The Oklahoma Mason. A frequent contributor to the Scottish Rite Journal and its book review editor, Illustrious Brother Tresner is also a volunteer writer for The Oklahoma Scottish Rite Mason and a video script consultant for the National Masonic Renewal Committee. He is the Director of the Thirty-third Degree Conferral Team and Director of Work at the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple in Guthrie, Oklahoma, as well as a life member of the Scottish Rite Research Society, author of the popular anecdotal biography Albert Pike, The Man Beyond the Monument, and a member of the steering committee of the Masonic Information Center. Ill. Tresner was awarded the Grand Cross, the Scottish Rite's highest honor, during the Supreme Council's October 1997 Biennial Session.