MORRIS.891 P 56 BOOK REVIEWS CERTAIN books are basic ne- cessities for the literate. The Bible and a good dictio- nary should top any list, but things be- come complicated when you move on from there. What are those basic books on Freemasonry that should form the foundation for a personal Masonic library? Two to five gener- ations ago the im- mediate answer for top spot would have been Mackey's Ency- clopedia of Freema- sonry. Sad to report, Mackey's Encyclope- dia does not well serve our gentle Craft as we prepare to enter the twenty- first century. In fact, Mackey's long-es- teemed work is dan- gerous in the wrong hands and should only be recommend- ed with caution. Albert Gallatin Mackey, 33ø, wrote A Lexicon of Free- masonry in 1845 and expanded this into his Encyclopedia of Freemasonry in 1874. At this stage of his Masonic literary career, he was given to sweeping, dog- matic pronounce- ments. For example, during this time he produced a list of "Landmarks" which continues to bedevil U.S. Masonry to this day. Perhaps more damaging in the hands of a deter- mined anti-Mason is his personal opinion, contrary to Grand Lodge positions, that Freemasonry is a religion. The time has come to replace Mackey with some- thing more factual. Any of the books discussed this month could form the basis of a solid Masonic reference library. They provide a foun- dation of learning based on true facts about Masonry. It should be noted that most of these books are available from Macoy Publishing and Masonic SupplyCo , Inc. Macoy is a dedicated partisan of Freemasonry, publishing and supplying specialized books to a limited audience. They are to be praised for their continuing support.  The Holy Bible Acacia Masonic Edi- tion, King James Ver- sion. Gilbert Publishing Co., 15624 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44107- 3787, (216) 521-0832. Blue leatherette, $20; blue leatherette with gold edges, $24; blue bonded leather with gold edges, $31. $3.25 S/H. Ask about quantity dis- counts and personali- zation. Ohio residents add 7% sales tax. THE GREAT LIGHT IN MASONRY is a source of spiritual inspiration and Masonic edification for all Craftsmen. The Acacia edition of The Holy Bible is a handsome 5.5" X 8" presentation book. The King James version is particularly useful to Masonic students since its language is so often used in Masonic Ritual. Also, includ- ed in the Acacia edition are H. L. Hay- wood's 32-page essay on "Freemasonry and the Bible," 48 pages of "Bible Study Helps," and C. C. Hunt's 272-page "Masonic Con- cordance." The latter section was reprinted several years ago by the Masonic Book Club as one of the annual books for its members. The Acacia Edition of The Holy Bible is a thoughtful gift for newly Raised Brothers and a wonderful reference for serious Masonic students.  Masonic Dictionary 2nd edition by C. Bruce Hunt- er. 128 pp., Paperbound, ISBN: 0-88053-083-9. $5.95. All of the books published by Macoy can be ordered at this address: Macoy Publishing Co., Inc., P.O.Box 9759, Richmond, VA 23228-0759, (804) 262-6551. Shipping: $1.75 for the 1st book, $.50 for each additional. THIS SMALL BOOK IS A perfect introduction to the specialized language of our Fraternity. Have you seen a Brother confuse a "Grand Council" with a "Supreme Council" or a "Chapter" with a "Commandery" with a "Consisto- ry?" And what about those Mason- ic dating systems, like A.L., A.M., or A.O.? This book won't give you detailed explanations, just simple definitions, perfect for anyone trying to learn "to speak Mason."  Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia By Henry W. Coil, et al. 749 pp., Hardbound, ISBN: 0-88053-054-5. Macoy Publishing Co., Inc. $39.95. (For mailing address and shipping charges, see page 57.) THIS BOOK, NEARLY 30 YEARS OLD, is still the best English reference on Freema- sonry. Coil's articles on most topics are clear, concise, and accurate. The book is not without flaws, however. Coil regretta- bly lets his personal, religious, and politi- cal prejudices color some of the articles. The section on religion follows Mackey's thinking and tries to argue that Freema- sonry is a religion; it is hopelessly out of step with Grand Lodge positions today. Even with these and other failings, Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia is an essential starting point for any serious research. The only hesitancy I have recommending the book is that it's currently being revised by the noted Masonic author, Broþ Allen E. Roberts, 32ø. If you need a broad universal reference now, then buy the book; if you can wait a while, hold out for Broþ Robert's revision. In either case, you won't go wrong.  Freemason's Guide and Compendium By Bernard E. Jones. 604 pp., Hardbound, ISBN: 0- 245-56125-0. Macoy Publish- ing Co., Inc., $34. (For mail- ing address and shipping charges, see page 57.) BROþ BERNARD E. JONES gave the Brotherhood a solidly detailed treatise on basic Blue Lodge Masonry when he pre- pared his Guide and Compendium. Written in 1950, revised in 1956, and reprinted as recently as 1988, this book gives in-depth answers to almost any question about the first three Degrees. It gives the history of the unique Masonic meanings of such words and expressions as hele, craft, due guard, lewis, and many more. The Working Tools of the Craft are considered one by one, as are the officers and the jewels. The writing is from a British perspective, but this adds to the book, since the early history and origins of the Craft Degrees are British. Where Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia lightly touches on all of Masonry, the Freemason's Guide and Compendium deeply covers the basics.