DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry" by Albert Pike. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.

Morals & Dogma for the 21st CenturyBeginning in early 2007, a review was initiated to clarify the understanding of, develop appreciation for, and provide insight into Pike?s original work Morals and Dogma ? 1871. This new book is the only edition that is not abridged, a digest, or an editorial commentary of the original book. The entire original book was translated into modern English from the archaic sentence structure and wordiness prevalent in 19th century literature. This translation organized the ideas and flow of thoughts, updated many of the historical and illustrative examples, and clarified 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. 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. This updated edition is titled Morals and Dogma for the 21st Century, and it again demonstrates how these valuable lessons of morality, charity, and Masonic philosophy are just as relevant today as they were 136 years ago.

Symbolic images are the alphabet underlying all Mystery traditions. It has been stated that Albert Pike's "Magnum Opus Morals and Dogma" no longer has any relevance to Scottish Rite Masons. For many, it has become an esoteric antediluvian composition, a momentous work deemed too difficult for the average person to comprehend or to glean information from. Albert Pike composed his esoteric information so as not to reveal any Masonic secrets, understanding that non-Mason and Mason alike would be exploring the degrees contained within. Could he have concealed information within his writings, as did many of the great artists and thinkers of the past? For the first time, Professor Len Seymour provides an interpretation of the enigmatic drawing of an Egyptian Stele found in Pike's book, "Morals and Dogma," the timeless and hidden symbolism of which has remained a mystery until now.

This is Albert Pikes' 861 page volume of 'lectures' on the esoteric roots of Freemasonry, specifically the 32-degree Scottish Rite. Until 1964, this book was given to every Mason completing the 14th degree in the Southern jurisdiction of the US Scottish Rite Freemasons.

Dogma is one of those words. Many people see dogma as a bad thing-as the unreasonable, unthinking adherence to a belief, even in the face of contrary evidence. But when the Catholic Church presents some of her teachings as dogmas, she does not mean that these tenets are irrational or to be thoughtlessly embraced. Dogma is the bedrock of truth, an inexhaustible feast for the mind, not an impediment to thinking. Why? Because dogmas rest on the Word of God, Truth Himself, who can neither deceive nor be deceived, and who wants his Word to be known. The great theologian Charles Journet explores the meaning of dogma in his classic work What is Dogma? In what sense are dogmas an object of faith? How do reason and faith relate to dogmas? How are dogmas both essentially unchangeable and yet open to development? Are dogmas accessible only in learned theological language or are there common-sense ways of understanding them? Journet addresses these and other important questions. He also discusses examples of dogmatic development: the dogmas of the Trinity, of Christology, and of Mariology. And he explores the relationship of dogma and mystical contemplation. In short, Journet shows why "dogma" is a subject of which Catholics need not be afraid.

This most interesting and illuminative work is worthy a place on every Mason's bookshelf. '' It seems taken for granted," says the author, "that reception into the Order will automatically be accompanied by an ability to appreciate forthwith and at its full value all that one there finds. The contrary is the case, for Masonry is a veiled and cryptic expression of the difficult science of spiritual life, and the understanding of it calls for special and informed guidance on the one hand, and on the other a genuine and earnest desire for knowledge and no small capacity for spiritual perception on the part of those seeking to be instructed." In Freemasonry, as in all phases of life, many are called but few are chosen. Masonry is not a mere formalism but a life to be lived. If you do not live the life you cannot know the doctrine. Masonry is an effort to perpetuate the essential doctrines of the Ancient Mysteries, but, alas, it does so in a very perfunctory manner. So veiled are its allegories and symbols that it is almost impossible to penetrate into the Holy of Holies.

First published in 1872, "Morals and Dogma" is Albert Pike's book of esoteric philosophy published by the Supreme Council, Thirty Third Degree, of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States. Designed as a guidebook for those entering the Scottish Rite, "Morals and Dogma" details much of the minutiae, ritual, and doctrine of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. Presented here is the first of two volumes containing chapters one through twenty-four.