The Masonic Book Club, Vol. 4

How fortunate are the members of The Masonic Book Club, in that there are so many Masons willing to share their treasures with their Brother Masons. When Brother Walter M. Callaway, Jr., editor of The Masonic Messenger of Georgia, offered to lend us the keystone of his collection of Masonic books, a very rare second edition of Preston, for the purpose of preparing the facsimile plates, and in addition offered to write the Preface, you may readily imagine our unbridled enthusiasm, and our joy at being able to present this volume to our members. So here it is, ranking just behind Anderson's Constitutions as probably the second most important Masonic book ever published. Its influence on our ritual structure cannot be overestimated. Brother Callaway speaks of its use in Georgia. Speaking of Illinois ritual, Preston is followed in literally hundreds of phrases. Preston conceived of Masonry as a great educational force. He collected, refined and polished its language and imagery, and left us a Masonic heritage to last throughout the centuries.

Louis L. Williams

Alphonse Cerza