The title given by Dermott to the Book of Constitutions of the Grand
Lodge of Ancient Freemasons in England, which was established about
the middle of the eighteenth century in opposition to the legitimate
Grand Lodge and its adherents who were called the Moderns, and whose
code of laws was contained in Anderson's work known as the Book of
Constitutions. Many attempts have been made to explain the
significance of this title ; thus according to Doctor Mackey, it is
derived from three Hebrew words, zhiln, meaning brothers; ..manah,
to appoint, or to select in the sense of being placed in a peculiar
class (see Isaiah liii, 12), and ..ratzon, the will, pleasure, or
meaning; and hence the combination of the three words in the title,
Ahiman Rezon, signifies the will of selected Brethren- the law of a
class or society of men who are chosen or selected from the rest of
the world as Brethren.
As the Ahiman Rezon is not a secret, but a published book, and the
above definition has been omitted from subsequent revisions of the
book, the words were submitted to Hebrew scholars for translation
upon the assumption that they are of Hebrew origin. The words
however are not Hebrew.
"Subsequent inquiry leads to the belief that they come from the
Spanish, and are thus interpreted: Ahi, which is pronounced Ah-ee,
is demonstrative and means there, as if pointing to a thing or
place; man may be considered a form of monta, which means the
account, amount, sum total, or fullness; while razon or rezon means
reason, principle, or justice, the word justice being used in the
sense of law. If, therefore, we ascribe the words Ahiman Rezon to
Spanish origin, their meaning is - There is the full account of the
law."
When the Irish Freemasons established their rival Grand Lodge, they
found it necessary, also, to have a Book of Constitutions.
Accordingly, Laurence Dermott, who was at one time their Grand
Secretary, and afterward their Deputy Grand Master, compiled such a
work, the first edition of which was published by James Bedford, at
London, in 1756, with the following title: Ahiman Rezon: or a Help
to a Brother; showing the Excellency of Secrecy, and the first cause
or motive of the Institution of Masonry; the Principles of the
Craft; and the Benefits from a strict Observance thereof, etc., etc.
; also the Old and New Regulations, etc. To which is added the
greatest collection of Masons' Songs, etc. By Bro. Laurence Dermott,
Secretary.
AHIMAN REZON
OR
A Help to a Brother
Shewing the EXCELLENCY OF SECRECY
And the first Cause or Motive of the Institution of FREE MASONRY; THE
PRINCIPLES of the CRAFT
And the Benefits arising from a strict Observance thereof;
What sort of MEN ought to be initiated into the MYSTERY,
And what Sort of MASONS are fit to govern LODGES,
Likewise the
Prayers used in the Jewish and Christian Lodges,
The Ancient Manner of
Constituting new Lodges, with all the Charges, &c.
Also the
OLD and NEW REGULATIONS
The Manner of Chusing and Installing Grand-Master and Officers,
And other useful Particulars too numerous here to mention
To which is added,
The greatest Collection of MASONS SONGS ever presented to
Public View, with many entertaining PROLOGUES and EPILOGUES,
Together With SOLOMON'S TEMPLE an ORATORIO
As it Was performed for the Benefit of FREE-MASONS
By Brother Laurence Dermott, Sec.
LONDON Printed for the EDITOR, and sold by Brother James
Bedford, at the Crown in St. Paul's Church-Yard
