Illustrations of the Symbols of Freemasonry is a collection of lectures by Jacob Ernst. As the author himself admitted, they were not originally intended for publication. They began as a series of notes and sketches about the three degrees made during a period of unemployment. Having shared his efforts with his brethren, Ernst presented his lectures to the Fraternity in the winter of 1867 and at the request of the Vattier Lodge and Kilwinnig Chapter. He was then requested to publish his lectures in book form. Originally published in 1868, Illustrations of the Symbols of Freemasonry remains a...