Originally printed by Albert Pike in 1879, this enlarged edition includes a variety of important early rituals. In 1789 the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania chartered a lodge in Port-au-Prince, which introduced "Ancient York" Masonry to Saint-Domingue. Although no French language copy of Pennsylvania's Craft ritual is known to exist, there are surviving manuscripts of their high degrees, the so-called "Ancient Ma­sonic Rite of York." These are the ritu­als which Thomas Smith Webb received and modified (post-1796) and which formed the basis the "York Rite" practiced throughout the United States today. Translated from Huet de Lachelle's manuscript (dated 1795) it includes early forms of the 4° Past Master, the 5° Mark Mason, and the 7° Royal Arch Mason. Also included are the Mark Master Mason (1804), which Pike believed was the earliest known copy, as well as the rituals of the English Knights Templar (1851), the Grand Maitre Ecossais or Scottish Elder Master, and an Old Ceremony of Royal Arch Exaltation. Added to the work are important catechisms and rituals which shed light on the collection, while the introduction provides a context.

Arturo de Hoyos is Grand Archivist and Grand Historian of the Supreme Council, 33°, S.J., and an executive officer at the Scottish Rite's headquarters, the "House of the Temple," in Washington, D.C. The author, editor, and translator of more than 25 books and many articles, he's considered America's foremost scholar on the history, rituals, and symbolism of Scottish Rite Freemasonry, and most other Masonic orders, rites, and systems. He has travelled and lectured extensively on Freemasonry, and been featured on numerous television and radio programs, including NBC Dateline's "Secrets of the Lost Symbol," CNN's "The Situation Room," ABC Nightly News, Washington D.C.'s FOX 5 News, WAMU Radio's "Metro Connection," The History Channel, The Voice of America, and more.