Albert Pike and 'Morals and Dogma'

While a prolific writer, Albert Pike is best known for his major work Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Masonry. Published in 1871 (no ISBN), this massive volume consists of 861 pages and 32 Chapters, covering each of the 32 Degrees of Freemasonry.  While many consider it to be a Mason's guide for daily living, the truth is that not many Masons have even read the book, on account of it being somewhat difficult to understand. 

More than 75% of the book consists of historical records of  ancient civilisations (inc. Egypt, Greece, China, India, Persia) and their superstitions and religious observances.  At first reading Pike creates the impression of being well-read and extremely knowledgeable on his topic, until you take the time to read the preface.  It accuses Pike of plagiarism throughout, stating that “he has extracted quite half its contents from the works of the best writers and most philosophic or eloquent thinkers”.  Is Pike really the genius we've been led to believe?

Freemasonry Described by Albert Pike

In Morals and Dogma, Pike wrote:

"Masonry, like all the Religions, all the Mysteries, Hermeticism and Alchemy, conceals its secrets from all except the Adepts and Sages, or the Elect, and uses false explanations and misinterpretations of its symbols to mislead those who deserve only to be misled; to conceal the Truth, which it calls Light, from them, and to draw them away from it. Truth is not for those who are unworthy or unable to receive it, or would pervert it....

The truth must be kept secret, and the masses need a teaching proportioned to their imperfect reason…

every man's conception of God must be proportioned to his mental cultivation and intellectual powers, and moral excellence. God is, as man conceives Him, the reflected image of man himself..." ¹

The next statement reduces the Masonic philosophy to a single premise. Pike writes:

"The true name of Satan, the Kabalists say, is that of Yahveh reversed; for Satan is not a black god but the negation of God.  The Devil is the personification of Atheism or Idolatry.

Lucifer, the Light Bearer! Strange and mysterious name to give to the Spirit of Darkness! Lucifer, the Son of the Morning! Is it he who bears the Light and with its splendors intolerable blinds feeble, sensual or selfish Souls?

Doubt it not!" ²

Albert Pike explained in Morals & Dogma how the true nature of Freemasonry is kept a secret from Masons of lower degrees:

"The Blue Degrees are but the outer court or portico of the Temple. Part of the symbols are displayed there to the Initiate, but he is intentionally misled by false interpretations. It is not intended that he shall understand them; but it is intended that he shall imagine he understands them. Their true explication is reserved for the Adepts, the Princes of Masonry. The whole body of the Royal and Sacerdotal Art was hidden so carefully, centuries since, in the High Degrees, as that it is even yet impossible to solve many of the enigmas which they contain. It is well enough for the mass of those called Masons, to imagine that all is contained in the Blue Degrees; and whoso attempts to undeceive them will labor in vain, and without any true reward violate his obligations as an Adept. Masonry is the veritable Sphinx, buried to the head in the sands heaped round it by the ages. " ³

A reader has written to say the following, regarding the secrecy of higher Freemasonry levels:

"When in grade school we are taught that the three smallest particles of matter were the proton, neutron and electron.  Today, we know there are a multitude of yet even smaller particles that make up those first particles. Could we in the 5th grade have understood the quarks, leptons, and other smaller particles without understanding the proton, neutron and electron first?  I sincerely doubt it.

Masonry is the same way.  The first three degrees are referred to as Symbolic Masonry.  Degrees four through 32 are part of what is referred to as Philosophical Masonry.  The degrees that follow, from the 34th and up are referred to as the Esoteric Degrees.  Again, notice how things are taught in steps."

While I absolutely agree that it is right for information to be gradually fed to an ever enquiring mind, I do not agree that it makes sense to "use false explanations and misinterpretations of its symbols to mislead those who deserve only to be misled", which is what Morals and Dogma explains.

Where Can I Obtain a Copy of Morals and Dogma?

Many Freemasons write asking where Morals and Dogma can be found, proving once again that the majority of Masons are unaware of this book, and proving that Morals and Dogma is not the 'daily guide to living' as claimed on so many anti-Mason sites.

Morals and Dogma was traditionally given to the candidate upon his receipt of the 14th degree of the Scottish Rite. This practice was stopped in 1974. Morals and Dogma has not been given to candidates since 1974.  A Bridge to Light, by Rex R. Hutchens, is instead provided to candidates today. Hutchens laments that Morals and Dogma is read by so few Masons. A Bridge to Light was written to be "a bridge between the ceremonies of the degrees and their lectures in Morals and Dogma".

Morals and Dogma can be purchased new on amazon.com for about $130 (expect a 10 - 14 week delay as the book is considered rare and is therefore a special order).  However many used copies are also available on amazon.com or ebay.com. 

Be aware that there are two distinct different versions of the book: The original manuscript published in 1871 with subsequent reprint (hard to find) and a reprint from circa 2000 (Volume one ISBN# 0766126153 Volume two ISBN# 0766126161).  There is evidence to suggest that some wording has been changed in the more recent reprint, so all serious researchers should look for a 'library binding' published prior to 1950.

An online version of Morals and Dogma can be found at the Pietre-Stones Review of Freemasonry site, and is highly recommended if you wish to confirm the accuracy of quotes used on the ThreeWorldWars site.

What are the Degrees of Freemasonry?

Titles of Freemasonry Degrees, From Morals and Dogma

 1º  - Apprentice
 2º  - Fellow-craft
 3º  - Master
 4º  - Secret Master
 5º  - Perfect Master
 6º  - Intimate Secretary
 7º  - Provost and Judge
 8º  - Intendant of the Building
 9º  - Elu of the Nine
10º - Elu of the Fifteen
11º - Elu of the Twelve
12º - Master Architect
13º - Royal Arch of Solomon
14º - Perfect Elu
15º - Knight of the East
16º - Prince of Jerusalem
17º - Knight of the East and West
18º - Knight Rose Croix
19º - Pontiff
20º - Master of the Symbolic Lodge
21º - Noachite or Prussian Knight
22º - Knight of the Royal Axe or Prince of Libanus
23º - Chief of the Tabernacle
24º - Prince of the Tabernacle
25º - Knight of the Brazen Serpent
26º - Prince of Mercy
27º - Knight Commander of the Temple
28º - Knight of the Sun or Prince Adept
29º - Scottish Knight of St. Andrew
30º - Knight Kadosh
31º - Inspector Inquistor
32º - Master of the Royal Secret

33º - Sovereign Grand Inspector General

External Freemasonry Links

See an excellent article online explaining how the lower levels of freemasonry are specifically designed to mislead members of lower levels.  The First Degree of Freemasonry.

Also Papal Condemnations of Freemasonry

And the link between Judaism, Freemasonry and Illuminism

Freemasonry Inside Out:

This sensational new analysis of the Masonic brotherhood examines the basic question asked for almost 300 years by the general public and surprisingly by many masons themselves; ‘If Freemasonry is simply a fraternal and charitable organisation, why is there an almost fanatical obsession with secrecy and mysterious rituals?’ E-book.

What Other Books did Albert Pike Write?

1. Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry

2. Beyond the Law : The Religious and Ethical Meaning of the Lawyer's Vocation - Albert Pike

3. Book of the Words - Albert Pike

4. Digest Index of Morals & Dogma - Albert Pike, 1909

5. Esoteric Work of the 1 Degree - 3 Degree, According to the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite - Albert Pike

6. Evil Consequences of Schisms and Disputes for Power in Masonry and of Jealousies and Dissensions Between Masonic Rites - Albert Pike, 1858

7. Ex Corde Locutiones: Words from the Heart Spoken of His Dead Brethren - Albert Pike

8. General Albert Pike's Poems, 1900

9. Historical Inquiry in Regard to the Grand Constitutions of 1786 - 1883 - Albert Pike

10. Hymns to the Gods and Other Poems - Albert Pike

11. Indo-Aryan Deities and Worship As Contained in the Rig-Veda - Albert Pike

12. Irano-Aryan Faith and Doctrine As Contained in the Zend-Avesta - Albert Pike

13. Lectures of the Arya - Albert Pike

14. Lectures on Masonic Symbolism and a Second Lecture on Symbolism or the Omkara and Other Ineffable Words - Albert Pike

15. Legenda and Readings of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry - Albert Pike

16. Liturgies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry 4 Degree - 30 Degree - Albert Pike

17. Liturgy of the Blue Degrees - Albert Pike

18. Lyrics and Love Songs - Albert Pike, 1899

19. Magnum Opus or the Great Work: The Complete Ritual Work of Scottish Rite Freemasonry - Albert Pike

20. Masonic Baptism: Reception of a Louveteau and Adoption - Albert Pike

21. Masonry of Adoption: Masonic Rituals for Women Complete With the Verbatim Degree Lectures and the "Secret Work" - Albert Pike

22. Meaning of Masonry - Albert Pike

23. Narrative of a Journey in the Prairie - Albert Pike, 1835

24. Old Cashier of the 33d Degree - Albert Pike

25. The Point Within the Circle: Freemasonry Veiled in Allegory and Illustrated by Symbols - Albert Pike

26. The Porch and the Middle Chamber: Book of the Lodge - Albert Pike

27. Prose Sketches & Poems Written in the Western Country - Albert Pike, 1834

28. Pythagoras and Hermes - Albert Pike

29. Rituals of Old Degrees - Albert Pike

30. What Masonry Is & Its Objects; Ancient Ideals in Modern Masonry - Albert Pike, 1919

Next: The New World Order

Previous: Introduction to Conspiratorial History

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Footnotes

1. Albert Pike: Morals and Dogma, Chapter 3 pp. 104-105 and online, and online.

2. Albert Pike: Morals and Dogma, p. 172 and online.

3. Albert Pike: Morals and Dogma, p. 819 and online.