1850 – Mysteries of Freemasonry – William Morgan | Masonic Secrets Exposed

William Morgan was an early 19th-century American freemason who was involved in the fraternity for more than 30 years. However, over the course of his time as a Freemason, Morgan began to recognize many of the faults and horrors of the group and had planned to expose the secrets through a book called Mysteries of Free Masonry.

Curiously, prior to the book’s release, Morgan mysteriously vanished and was presumed to have been murdered. Nevertheless, the book was still published and went through numerous editions in the first year of release exposing many of the secrets that the group had hoped to hide.

This work includes the following parts:

• Illustrations of masonry – descriptions of the organization and its parts
• A key to the door of free masonry – exposing many secrets hidden from the public
• Description of the degree of nine elected knights, or sublime knights elected
• Revelations in masonry

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Mysteries of Free Masonry; Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred in a Master’s Lodge
• Author(s): William Morgan
• Contributor(s): George Crafts (Editor)
• Publisher: New York, Wilson & Co.
• Edition: 6^th edition. 1850.
• Binding: Original paper wrappers
• Format: (8vo), single volume
• Size:  9.5 x 6 in (24 x 15 cm)
• Collation: 112p
• Illustrations:
• Contents Include:
  • Masonic rituals and ceremonies
  • Degrees of Freemasonry
  • William Morgan affair
  • Anti-Masonic movement
  • Secret societies in America
  • Nineteenth-century political reform

Condition:

Fair. Original paper wrappers present. Heavy staining appears throughout. Page edges show notable wear. Contents remain intact as described. A fragile survivor of a controversial nineteenth-century publication.

Why Collect This?

• One of the most famous anti-Masonic publications in American history
• Important work in the history of Freemasonry

Item Number: # 50628