Arcane Schools

In this extensive work, John Yarker attempts to trace the history of Masonry and Masonic rites through history, proving its legitimacy through seniority and the power of tradition. Yarker establishes the roots of Masonry in a race he calls the Aryans, a catchall phrase to describe an unknown race of conquerors who developed the early human arts, such as stoneworking, metalworking, and agriculture. Yarker then explains how that civilization gave rise to societies of special knowledge, such at the mathematical and philosophical schools in ancient Greece. From these, he can trace symbolism to modern Freemasonry. 

PART I—THE ARCANE SCHOOLSI. Archaic LegendsII. Proto-Aryan Civilization and MysteriesIII. Aryan Civilization and Mysteries IV. The Mysteries in Relation to PhilosophyV. Philosophy in Relation to Masonic RitesVI. The Mystic and Hermetic Schools in Christian TimesPART II.—OPERATIVE AND SPECULATIVEVII. Recapitulated Proofs of Ancient MasonryVIII. Masonry in Britain and Saxon England IX. Masonry in Norman TimesX. Freemasonry in Modern TimesPART III.—SPECULATIVE REVIVALXI. Origin of the System Termed High-Grade (Ancient)XII. Freemasonry in the Grand Lodge Era (Modern)XIII. Freemasonry under the United Grand Lodge PART IV.—ANCIENT MSSAppendix. Series of Constitutional Charges