The Perfect Ceremonies of the Royal Arch Degree," privately printed for A. Lewis in London, 1877, second ed is an early, significant Masonic ritual book detailing the ceremonies, lectures, and tracing board for the Royal Arch (or Holy Royal Arch) degree, notable for its use of woodcuts and full scripture readings, representing an effort by the publisher A. Lewis to standardize and preserve accurate Masonic ritual against corrupting "exposés".
Key Aspects:
Publisher (A. Lewis): This imprint (often a pseudonym for publishers like William Hogg) was crucial in producing standardized ritual books to combat inaccurate versions circulating outside official channels, as noted in Lewis Masonic resources.
Content: It provided the complete workings for a Royal Arch Chapter, including ceremonies for opening/closing, exaltation, installing officers, and detailed lectures (Historical, Symbolic, Mystical).
Illustrations: The inclusion of woodcuts for the Tracing Board (a symbolic diagram) and full Scripture readings was a key feature, making it more complete and authoritative.
Significance: This publication, along with others from A. Lewis, helped regularize Masonic practice by providing reliable texts for study, a practice later embraced by Masonic authorities.