Book excerpt: W. L. Wilmshurst's powerful vision of the rites and rituals of Freemasonry as a spiritual philosophy begins with this book. Here, Masonry is presented as "a sacramental system," represented not only by the ceremonies as experienced in the initiations, but also by an internal and mystical side, hidden behind the visible symbolism, "available only to the Mason who has learned to use his spiritual imagination and who can appreciate the reality that lies behind the veil." This new, revised edition features a more readable modern typeface, and is enriched with extensive notes to make many of its points more accessible for both British and American students of Freemasonry. Prominent Masonic author Robert G. Davis calls this book "An easy-to-read and gratifying work which affirms Wilmshurst's interpretation: that the progressive lessons of Craft Masonry are nothing less than the spiritual journey of the psyche toward full realization."