The Principles of Masonic Law is a treatise on the constitutional laws, usages and landmarks of Freemasonry. The book is very informative and thorough, and it treats a wide range of topics in Masonic jurisprudence, providing a good insight to the overall governance of freemasonry. Freemasonry consists of fraternal organizations that trace their origins to the local fraternities of stonemasons that from the end of the fourteenth century regulated the qualifications of stonemasons and their interaction with authorities and clients. The basic, local organizational unit of Freemasonry is the Lodge. These private Lodges are usually supervised at the regional level by a Grand Lodge or Grand Orient. The degrees of Freemasonry retain the three grades of medieval craft guilds, those of Apprentice, Journeyman or Fellow Craft, and Master Mason.

'The Principles of Masonic Law' is a treatise on the constitutional laws, usages and landmarks of Freemasonry, divided into four books. In it, author Albert Gallatin Mackey presents the principles of Masonic law in an elementary and methodical way that enables every Mason to know their rights and learn their duties. Mackey explores the unwritten and written laws of Masonry, including ancient usage and regulations adopted at various annual communications. This book provides insight into the organization and powers of grand lodges and subordinate lodges, the rights of individuals at different levels of the Masonic hierarchy, and punishments for Masonic crimes.

The division of wrongs, by the writers on municipal law, into private and public, or civil injuries and crimes and misdemeanors, does not apply to the jurisprudence of Freemasonry. Here all wrongs are crimes, because they are a violation of the precepts of the institution; and an offense against an individual is punished, not so much because it is a breach of his private rights, as because it affects the well-being of the whole masonic community. In replying to the question, "what are masonic crimes?" by which is meant what crimes are punishable by the constituted authorities, our safest guide will be that fundamental law which is contained in the Old Charges. These give a concise, but succinct summary of the duties of a Mason, and, of course, whatever is a violation of any one of these duties will constitute a masonic crime, and the perpetrator will be amenable to masonic punishment. But before entering on the consideration of these penal offenses, it will be well that we should relieve the labor of the task, by inquiring what crimes or offenses are not supposed to come within the purview of masonic jurisprudence. Religion and politics are subjects which it is well known are stringently forbidden to be introduced into Masonry. And hence arises the doctrine, that Masonry will not take congnizance of religious or political offenses. Heresy, for instance, is not a masonic crime. Masons are obliged to use the words of the Old Charges, "to that religion in which all men agree, leaving their particular opinions to themselves;" and, therefore, as long as a Mason acknowledges his belief in the existence of one God, a lodge can take no action on his peculiar opinions, however heterodox they may be. In like manner, although all the most ancient and universally-received precepts of the institution inculcate obedience to the civil powers, and strictly forbid any mingling in plots or conspiracies against the peace and welfare of the nation, yet no offense against the state, which is simply political in its character, can be noticed by a lodge. On this important subject, the Old Charges are remarkably explicit. They say, putting perhaps the strongest case by way of exemplifying the principle, "that if a Brother should be a rebel against the State, he is not to be countenanced in his rebellion, however he may be pitied as an unhappy man; and, if convicted of no other crime, though the loyal Brotherhood must and ought to disown his rebellion, and give no umbrage or ground of political jealousy to the government for the time being, they cannot expel him from the lodge, and his relation to it remains indefeasible"

This treatise on the Constitutional Laws, Usages and Landmarks of Freemasonry" is doubtless one of the most important and invaluable works in a Freemasonic library. Contents: Preface. Introduction. The Authorities for Masonic Law. Book First - The Law of Grand Lodges. Chapter I. Historical Sketch. Chapter II. Of the Mode of Organizing Grand Lodges. Chapter III. Of the Members of a Grand Lodge. Chapter IV. Of the Officers of a Grand Lodge. Chapter V. Of the Powers and Prerogatives of a Grand Lodge. Book Second - Laws of Subordinate Lodges. Chapter I. Of the Nature and Organization of Subordinate Lodges. Chapter II. Of Lodges under Dispensation. Chapter III. Of Lodges Working under a Warrant of Constitution. Chapter IV. Of the Officers of a Subordinate Lodge. Chapter V. Of Rules of Order. Book Third - The Law of Individuals. Chapter I. Of the Qualifications of Candidates. Chapter II. Of the Rights of Entered Apprentices. Chapter III. Of the Rights of Fellow Crafts. Chapter IV. Of the Rights of Master Masons. Chapter V. Of the Rights of Past Masters. Chapter VI. Of Affiliation. Chapter VII. Of Demitting. Chapter VIII. Of Unaffiliated Masons. Book Fourth - Of Masonic Crimes and Punishments. Chapter I. Of What Are Masonic Crimes. Chapter II. Of Masonic Punishments. Chapter III. Of Masonic Trials. Chapter IV. Of the Penal Jurisdiction of a Lodge. Chapter V. Of Appeals. Chapter VI. Of Restoration.

This reprint of Albert Mackey's "The Principles of Masonic Law" provides all Masons with an excellent over-view of the various laws, customs and practices of the Masonic Lodge and Grand Lodge. Considered one of Mackey's classics, this re-typeset edition provides invaluable Masonic education and should be included in every Masonic library.