Reading Today
A superb resource
I have been reading The Apprentice Book by Oswald Wirth, published in Paris, 1894. It is a short work, designed to be given to Entered Apprentice Masons following their initiation.
I must say that I have found it to be quite superb, and am pleased to recommend it to you. In addition to information about the Degree, it includes information about Masonic history, and indeed Masonry around the world. Especially interesting to me is the opportunity to read about early continental style Freemasonry, given that we have so little information about that easily available in the English speaking world.
I’m very pleased to recommend it to you.
More than that though, might I suggest that if you are mentoring a candidate through the Degrees, that you consider recommending it to him?
Our Candidates are often starved for high quality Masonic content. This is superb content, written in a fast moving and easy style. I believe that it could be enjoyed by a large percentage of new Masons, and that it will help to get them off on the right footing.
An English translation of the book can be found at:
The Apprentice Book by Oswald Wirth
The Fellowcraft book can be found at:
The Fellowcraft Book by Oswald Wirth
The Masters book can be found at:
The Masters Book by Oswald Wirth
“True Freedom belongs to man freed from the tyranny of vices and passions, as well as from the bondage of errors and prejudices.”
-Oswald Wirth, The Apprentice Book
Image of Oswald Wirth courtesy: la-rose-bleue.org Creative Commons 3.0
Excellent timing, MW. We just did an informal Rusty EA degree for our EA newly transferred from TX. He’s working on proving up as an EA.
Perhaps I’ll have him present his favorite passages from this book as part of our regular Masonic education.
It is indeed excellent and still very widely read among French and Belgian FM. The historic part is somewhat dated, but the rest remains relevant and pleasant to read.