The Philalethes

THAT the recent discussion at a state-wide Masonic meeting, advocating fewer Masonic meetings per month, and more real, live Masonic activity at these meetings, is one of the most healthy signs of Masonic progress that has been seen for some time.

Too many meetings at which minutes are read and routine business transacted, and nothing more, are slowly killing the incentive of interested Masons who have a keen desire to both know more about the Craft, and to participate in its laudable undertakings.

Time away from home, family and personal interests, while attending uninteresting and unnecessary meetings, is not only a sacrifice on the part of the member, but it also multiplies the hours that must be crowded into a busy schedule and include a variety of interests.

Briefly, the suggestion made was, that each Masonic body meet less often, have more co-ordinated and interesting programs arranged for a greater variety of its members, and make each meeting a part of a long-term yearly program, by which its members can be induced to take an active part in the functions and activities of that Masonic body.

Elsewhere in this issue of The Philalethes is an article by Arthur H. Strickland, Grand Secretary-Recorder of the Grand Bodies of Kansas, who has analyzed in a terse way, some of the problems which are a part of today's Masonic tradition. More Masonry, and less entertainment; more interesting Masonic participation and activity, and less of an invasion of radio-TV and other commonplace types of appeal.

A hundred years ago Freemasonry meant so much to its members that they gave up everything for it - even life, if necessary. Those things which come easiest to us, are usually the least-appreciated. Freemasonry is not a social club. To work in Freemasonry is a distinct privilege. To this end, it should be the object of its leaders to make this privilege a pleasure.

Just as soon as we shed some of the unessentials, we will find our Lodge hall filled, and our members interested.

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Notes on a List of Some Conjectured American Freemasons

BY RONALD E. HEATON, M.P.S. (Penn.)

Brother Ronald E. Heaton, M.P.S., a meticulous student of early American Masonic history, has documented a list of nearly one hundred thirty early Americans, including fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence, and seventy-four of Washington's General Officers who are thought to have been Masons.

He has encountered much false information, contradictions, and has found a great deal of "wishful thinking" in his research. Here are his conclusions !

As some parts of this paper were read and discussed at the meeting of the MASONIC WORKSHOP in Washington, D.C., last February, this material is presented to our readers in the sincere hope that Brother Heaton may be assisted in his interesting research, and that all of us may be benefited by his presentation of these extremely factual statements.

Brother Heaton is a member of Charity Lodge No. 190, F.&A.M., and Lehigh Consistory, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite, both of Allentown, Pennsylvania, where he has been very active.

SOME YEARS AGO, while visiting the Masonic Museum at Fredericksburg, I saw a framed picture on the wall which read in part:

Of the 29 major generals in Washington's army, 24 were Master Masons; of the 37 brigadiers 30 were Master Masons; of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence 53 were Master Masons.

As a Master Mason of relatively short duration at that time, I felt proud that any organization could attract to its membership such an outstanding group of patriots. Inquisitive as I am, I wanted to learn who the three signers were, not claimed as Masons.

Thus I set out on what has turned out to be a most interesting venture, one which I thought would be easy, nothing to do but read some standard reference books and copy down what others had already laboriously dug out of the records which I thought certainly existed.

But the records were non-existent, vague, or fragmentary, and the writers had already repeated tradition and wishful thinking for fact, to lead to contradictions, blind alleys, and dark trails.

The list of 130 names was set down - the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, General Washington and his general officers of the Continental Army - 29 major generals and 44 brigadier generals. An effort was to be made to document fully the Masonic membership of as many of these as possible.

Now, after two years, some progress can be reported. Here is the report to the present time:

42 can be shown to have been members of the Masonic Fraternity.

38 have been claimed to be members, but evidence is only traditional, or impossible to document.

50 apparently have had no connection with the Fraternity, although claims of membership have been made in some cases.

Much of the work done so far has been to check and verify claims made by previous Masonic writers; in other cases some new data has been located.

Similarity of names, the free and easy phonetic spelling of the times have been confusing. Nor can the birthplace of the individual or his residence be of much help in tracing the Masonic membership of these early patriots. Certainly, Washington, Franklin, and Hancock, were members of Masonic Lodges in their home towns, and their membership can be fully documented. But others became Masons far afield from their native state.

Possibly some of the work done may be of some interest. For example, a little-known brigadier general in the Continental Army, James Hogan, of North Carolina.

Born in Ireland, served in Georgia and North Carolina Militia, appointed brigadier general January 9, 1779; taken prisoner at Charleston, South Carolina, May 12, 1780, and died in captivity January 4, 1781.

While reading the By-Laws of Lodge No. 3 of Philadelphia, I located the name James H-O-G-A-N as a member, under date of April 13, 1779. In the meantime reference was found in Douglass Scott Freeman's Life of Washington that Brig. Gen. James Hogun was in Philadelphia in the spring of 1779. The original minutes of Lodge No. 3, in the library of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, show that Hogan was entered April 13, passed on the 15th, and raised April 17, 1779. He signed the ByLaws of the Lodge on April 16, 1779, as James Hogun, although the minutes refer to him as Hogan.

Thus, on this chance reference, we find three of Washington's general officers members of this same Lodge, with the complete record of the dates on which all three degrees were conferred.

Brigadier General John Peter Gabrial Muhlenberg was the second of the three officers, he receiving his degrees simultaneously with Hogun. The third officer was William Thompson, of Pennsylvania. Thompson received his three degrees at one time, while a prisoner on parole, enroute to New York.

Thomas Jefferson is another example of unverified membership which we have discussed before. Claims have been made by writers that he was and was not a Mason. An article in a bulletin of The American Philosophical Society for 1953 lists him as a Foreign Member of La Loge des Neuf Soeurs for 1776-1792, with indirect evidence of membership. Dr. Brown states "there is considerable contemporary evidence to indicate that Jefferson was himself a Mason," while Boyden says "No positive evidence of where or when he was made a Mason." His presence at a cornerstone laying at the University of Virginia is no proof that he was a Mason. But there is this from The Masonic Review .........

niversary of St. John's Day, June 24, 5851 . . . volunteer toasts given, one by D.W.C. Dunwell, "Whilst Masons can boast of a Washington, a Lafayette, a Jefferson, and a Jackson as brethren, they have just cause to be proud of their Order."

Or take Thomas Nelson, Jr., of Virginia. Supposedly a visitor with Washington and Lafayette to Lodge No. 9 at Yorktown, after the siege there that ended the Revolutionary War. Quoting from Great American Masons, by George W. Baird, 1924, Washington, p. 63: "When the cornerstone of the Washington monument was laid in Richmond about the year 1830, the then Grand Master of Masons, Robert G. Scott, said:

The campaign of this year is ever memorial for the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown. In that village was Lodge No. 9, where after the siege was ended, Washington, Lafayette, Marshall, Nelson came together and by their union bore abiding testimony to the beautiful tenets of Masonry.

"There are no other records of the visit of Nelson to Lodge 9 on that occasion, but as Grand Master Scott and hosts of other Masons who enjoyed a personal and intimate acquaintance with Nelson were living at that time, there can be no question of the accuracy of the information." Was Thomas Nelson, Jr., then a Mason?

A Report on Foreign Correspondence, 1908, p. 13, in the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, relates that 52 out of 56 signers were Masons, but on the next page, page 14, is this: "It happens, so far as careful examination of Grand Lodge records can show the facts that only five Freemasons signed the Declaration of Independence, namely: Franklin, Hancock, Hooper, Livingston, and Nelson."

Nine signers are included among the 42 I have documented.

George Read, a signer from Delaware, is another name almost fully documented. While P.A. Roth says, "there is no record of his having been a Mason," records in Philadelphia indicate the possibility that he was. There is a record in Philadelphia of a George Read being admitted a member of Lodge No. 3 on December 7, 1782. A dues ledger is also shown for him. He was admitted as a member of Lodge No. 33, New Castle, Delaware, February 2, 1792, and his dues record is complete to December 1798, with notation at that time of six years and nine months membership. Since he died September 21, 1798, it could be this is the man we are searching for, but the Secretary of the Lodge and Read himself signed the name George Reid. I believe further research will clear this up and prove this George Read to have been a Mason.

James Smith, also of Pennsylvania. To attempt to pin-point a James Smith, among the many others of that name, appears to be almost hopeless. Yet in the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania's library there is a record of a James Smith belonging to Lodge No. 2 of Philadelphia, being raised on the 27th of December in 1754. Since this Smith was born in 1719 it could well be the man we are trying to track down. Roth in his book, Masonry in the Formation of Our Government, 1761-1799, relates that Smith was made a Mason in Lodge No. 2 Philadelphia, on September 11, 1754. Brother Paterson, the librarian and curator, in Philadelphia, writes on March 21, 1957: "We have made several inquiries about Robert Morris and James Smith, signers, and the answer we receive, that these two men were not members of the Masonic Fraternity." More work is needed here, too.

Others, have been claimed as Masons, or to have attended Lodge after they died. Others have been made Masons in one place when records indicate they were in some other place at that time. As, for example, John Witherspoon, of New Jersey, said to have conducted a Masonic church service in Ryegate, Vermont, on June 24, 1782, when the records of the Continental Congress show him to have been present in Philadelphia, attending sessions of Congress on Friday, the 22nd of June, 1782, and on Monday, the 25th of June.

I believe, too, Lafayette was claimed to have been made a Mason at Valley Forge while he was still in France!

Several statements have been noted that Freemasonry needs not reach out and attempt to bring into its membership individuals whose background renders membership unlikely, or whose record would not lend support to the possibility of their being Masons. But there does appear to be too much undocumented material being published, individually and unfortunately, by or under the auspices of Masonic Culture Committees of Grand Lodges. Article after article appears in which names of early Americans are listed and claimed to have been Masons. When trying to authenticate these writings, the reply is invariably, "Unfortunately Brother So and So did not document his material."

I have set up three rather arbitrary and strict classifications for myself, and each of the 130 names fall into one of these groupings.

In the first group are those individuals for whom documentary information is available, in the form of original Lodge minutes or Proceedings of Grand Lodges.

The second group comprises those who have been claimed as Masons, but for which definite documentary information is now lacking. Much traditional information is available, contemporary writing of friends and neighbors, presumption on the part of later writers, and assumption due to the fact that Grand Lodge officers may have had a part in a dedication ceremony, as the laying of a cornerstone or even words on a grave monument. But until further research does prove definitely the membership of these individuals, they should be left out.

The third group, of course, is the remainder, and is made up of those for whom no information, even traditional, is available, or on whom "negative" information has been found, like John and Samuel Adams. Available information appears to be very clear that neither were Freemasons. Roger Sherman and his Masonic apron, Robert Morris and the mention of his having been a member of a "Keystone Lodge," and others, all point to the need for continuing and intensive research in the future.

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Masonic Research

BY MORTON DEUTSCH, M.P.S. (Ga.)

Methods of Masonic research being the particular problem of the Philalethes Society, this article is appropriate to focus the attention of our readers on ways, means and practical items of Masonic procedure.

HAVING JUST CONCLUDED the writing of a Masonic - historic symbolic work, From Whence Came You, which covers a period conservatively of 1000 years, and encompasses a wide range of territory from early and Medieval Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Rhodes, Cyprus and the Holy Land, during the period of the Crusades, and right on down to the present; my experiences should be helpful to others who may wish to set out on a similar rough and rugged road. Perhaps, too, I may be able to eliminate quite a few pitfalls for innocent "first" authors; for some publishers and printers always take delight in capitalizing on their gullibility.

In a historical setting, one has to make certain that all facts concerning time and individuals dovetail with the balance of the work. It is always best, if possible, to actually visit the location, edifice or monument about which one writes. Second best, he must search out all available works of merit which touch on the subject matter, always making certain to accept only what he is convinced is the truth; and to ever reject all which appeals to him as being false. To put the horse ahead of the cart, one should ever keep in mind that before his mind is even in position to think on any subject, all old "furniture" whether in the guise of preconceived notions, prejudices, religious bias, etc., should be moved out of the "house," and the "old house of the mind" swept clean. Unfortunately, the whole truth is not ever-prevalent in historical works; each writer commenting from an angle which appeals to those under whose sponsorship he wrote. And, where Masonic fact should have been jotted down (but instead has been purposely omitted) we can be certain this stemmed from out of the same fountainhead - that of obscuring rather than revealing the Masonic affiliation of the individual. Moreover, with respect to Masonic writers; from the 1700's down to the present, the greater majority of them were men from out of ecclesiastical ranks - and, quite naturally, they were ever - bent on combining Masonry and Masonic Symbolism with Old and New Testament text - which, under the spirit of Free Thought, is their privilege, but which has infused Masonic writings with a religious discoloration which is, I believe, not compatible.

In From Whence Came You, I was moved to research and writing, because I could not permit myself to believe, after reciting the answer to the query, and reading what Carl Claudy, Joseph Fort Newton and others had written, that, "the Lodge of the Holy St. John of Jerusalem" was a nonexistent edifice, an idealistic one in the heavens, made radiant by the splendid characteristic traits of St. John the Baptist. I concluded after mature thought, that the Lodge of the Holy St. John of Jerusalem must have been an edifice erected from out of mortar and stone, by human hands, in and about Jerusalem; and I set out to find it. I did find "it," and its ruins still standing in Jerusalem in 1892, and corroborated the find by an actual photograph. Had I just accepted what these renowned writers had set down, in all Masonic sincerity, I would never have dared to set out on my journey of travel via ship and air, and research into musty old manuscript and books, and the matter would have been accepted Masonically as previously expounded, and so would have gone down to posterity. The Masonic writer of today must be bold in his speculation. He certainly cannot expect to find records waiting for him, when our ancient enemy delighted in burning the same. It was often deemed unwise to even make one's affiliation with Freemasonry known.

The average Masonic researcher or writer, is poorly equipped for his task for, it seems, that deliberate ways and means were implemented, coinciding with the revival of Freemasonry in England, which makes Masonic education today consist solely in the recital, in parrot-like fashion, of the mumbojumbo gibberish of the catechism (every word of which, if properly understood, has a meaning comporting to the individual initiate's background). When the aspirant has learned the catechism letter perfect, he is considered, and considers himself a Freemason in all those words imply.

Most sorrowfully, it is a fact that those in the chairs, who, over the decades have come up just such a similar ladder of instruction, are unable, unwilling, or not permitted by existing Grand Lodge regulations, to place the candidate in possession of basic fundamental historic truths essential to how Freemasonry, as we now have it, must have evolved - and, most especially, what made it imperative that certain groups of men were forced to meet in secret - properly guarded against the approach of cowan and eavesdropper - where, unafraid of the ever-present danger of the inquisitional pyre, the gibbet or the rack, they might freely discuss matters incidental to keeping life and limb whole in a rapidly changing world.

Without a grim knowledge of the hostile attitude of the Church of Rome (as expressed by one Papal Bull after another) to any one who did ever aid or abet a Freemason, or, who ever crossed the threshhold of a Masonic Lodge, it is ever so easy for the Masonic researcher to start with Genesis, as he loses himself within the confines of an ancient Egyptian tomb, and/or with measuring instruments and time data, seeks to confirm all that has been written about Solomon's Temple with its two pillars. Ancient parallels for the modern symbols of Freemasonry can be found written upon the Sands of Time wherever a researcher looks for the same; for the philosophy of Freemasonry is coeval with time and life, which always was, and will ever be.

To be a good researcher, one must have a basic knowledge, or a good ear for language, plus the "stickability" to persist in the ferreting out of the meaning of foreign phrases which come to his notice - even though some so-called language experts (with ulterior motives) would insist that the text was "muddled." As, for instance, in connection with the facts in my work centering round about the burning of Jacques de Molay and his Templar Knights by Pope Clement V, my publishers wrote to me in England that a certain Latin quotation I had left with them in New York, for translation, was "muddled" and made no sense. The original Bull, Considerantes Dudum of Pope Clement V, was at Bodleian Library, at Oxford, England. On - the - spot comparison proved my Latin quotation one hundred per cent correct; and its translation by unbiased experts stating that De Molay had not been found guilty de jure (according to law) but "in compliance with apostolic custom and ordinances," was just the juicy information I imagined was lurking behind those Latin words of the fourteenth century. Thus you can see, for reasons which are now apparent, how easy it is for a hostile translator to lead one astray.

An old unabridged dictionary, giving the ancient language roots of words, should be a researcher's constant companion. Dictionaries of the Latin, German and French, plus access to a translator with no ties whatever to the Church of Rome, will stand you in good stead. Mackey's Encyclopedia and Gould's History of Freemasonry should be basic works on your desk, while the Encyclopedia Britannica, Oxford Biographical Dictionary, are open sesames to the ancient lore of Britain. Other works, if not obtainable at the public libraries in your own cities, will be procured by them for you from lending public libraries elsewhere, or from college libraries, upon payment of a small fee; while Masonic libraries everywhere will heed your inquiries with patience, and, supply the necessary works which you might not otherwise get. Without such cooperation from the Grand Lodge libraries of Iowa, New York, the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, in Washington, D.C., From Whence Came You could never have been written - for, dollars and cents could not today purchase some of the books listed in my bibliography. Even authors of specified works, if alive, and approached properly, will take time out from their busy day to assist worthy researchers.

As for publishers and their contracts, be certain to read each and every line - and in between the lines - before signing a contract. Make certain that your manuscript is completely polished, typed legibly, on 8 1/2 x 11 good bond paper, and triple spaced; for, after publisher's contract has been signed, you will be charged for each alteration and/or correction, which can run into big money Make certain who pays for designing the book jacket and who pays for cuts used on jacket and throughout the work. And, leave no doubt as to how many illustrations are to be furnished, and where they are to go in the work. The illustrations cannot be "paged" until the book is finally printed, and, by then, if not in the contract, all you will have to go on is memory. Make certain of the size of completed book, how it will be bound, the paper stock and the size and style of type which will be used in printing. If your work will have an appendix, be sure to include it, completely type written with your manuscript. This also applies to the bibliography, so essential for later researchers and, include with your manuscript, innumerable pages marked "cross index to go here," in the number of pages required for the same (copy in alphabetical order to be supplied by author - printing to be done at publisher's expense). Otherwise, even that item, could be saddled on an unsuspecting author's back! Make certain that your work is published at a price low enough to ensure the widest possible circulation. Some books are purposely contracted for, and priced so high that they will not sell. Most important however, make certain that you are dealing with a reputable publisher, for the world is full of fly-by-night publishers who promise much, and give little.

There is no more fascinating and instructive work than researching, and afterwards acquiring the art of committing one's thoughts to writing. Writing, like any other forte, must be constantly used. If one did not have a college education, intensive research will fill this void - and, if one has acquired a cum summa laude, research and writing will combine to make the most wonderful finishing course. The world is crying for more Masonic light; so, to work researchers, and may the bright Masonic torch of free thought guide your footsteps ever!

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Chat and Comment

News, achievements and items of interest about our

Fellows and Members - Discussion and comment on

Mutual Topics.

- Pfan Mail and Observations -

THE FREEDOM FOUNDATION at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, has given an honor medal and $100 to V. M. Burrows, M.P.S., for his article "Maintaining Our Heritage," in the New Age magazine, June 1957. This is a decided recognition of the fine work that Brother Burrows has been doing.

M: W: BROTHER EARL R. BROWN, newly elected Grand Master of the M: W: Grand Lodge of Kansas, AF&AM, has appointed Brother Armand Bishop, M.P.S., as Grand Senior Deacon of that Grand Lodge. Congratulations.

BROTHER ELBERT BEDE, F.P.S., First Vice President of the Society, writes that he and Mrs. Bede started on their vacation to Arizona, but had an automobile accident near Sacramento, which wrecked their car beyond repair, but did little other damage. They completed their trip, visited, found several members of the Society, among them, Dr. Nelson Bledsoe, Ray Akin, and others. We are happy that no great damage was done, and that the Bedes were able to enjoy their vacation.

ALFRED A. NORTHACKER, M.P.S., writes: "As you will recall, I have been General Chairman of the Masonic Memorial Service here in New York, which we call 'The Annual George Washington Masonic Memorial Service' . . . after much correspondence with our Brother Dr. John S. Stetler (M.P.S.), the upstate districts have picked it up, and held their first annual 'George Washington Masonic Memorial Service,' in the North Presbyterian Church, Geneva, New York, on Sunday, February 9, 1958. Brother Stetler was chairman of the Memorial Service, which included the Masons of Ontario, Seneca and Yates Masonic District." The holding of Masonic Memorial Services by Masonic groups is becoming more and more popular. It is hoped that the example set by these fine members of the Society, will be followed by others.

WORD HAS BEEN RECEIVED that Brother Norman C. Dutt, M.P.S., has been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by the Grand Lodge, AF&AM of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, but, it is said, "the only trouble now being someplace suitable to personally receive the same." Well, that can be worked out. It is good to see this reward for outstanding work as a Masonic Ambassador all over the world, on his travels with the U.S. Navy.

THE MINNESOTA MASON, for April 1958, announces the retirement of Brother Clinton M. Norton, M.P.S., as Director of Masonic Service, of that Grand Lodge. Brother Norton, in his years of service in educational, inspirational and other Masonic activities, has made a fine record of work accomplishment, and his leadership will be missed by his Brethren.

COMMENTS MADE RECENTLY by Brother Edward J. Franta, F.P.S., regarding late issues of The Philalethes magazine, are as follows: "The April issue was 'one of the good ones,' without the benefit of scientific discussions. Bob Gollmar's 'No Politiks' was a great example of how intensely readable something can be.... " We are happy to get the reaction of a professional journalist, and appreciate his kind words.

BROTHER WENDELL CARNAHAN, who has been a professor at Washington University, St. Louis, for many years, is the recipient of a Citation, or Alumni Award for the contributions he has made over and above his regular teaching. This award reads as follows: "To Wendell Carnahan, Professor of Law, in recognition of his years of distinguished classroom teaching, and in recognition of the valuable contributions he has made in advancing the understanding of law, through his books and articles in professional journals, this award is respectfully presented by the Alumni of Washington University." We may add, that Brother Carnahan has spent the major portion of his spare time in study club work, teaching new Masons to understand and love Masonry, and helping all of us get a better picture of how to study. We give our heartiest congratulations to him for his honor.

M: W: BROTHER D. PETER LAGUENS, M.P.S., Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge F&AM of Louisiana, was recently elevated to the rank of Grand Master of the Grand Council of Louisiana, Royal & Select Masters. This distinguished Craftsman has served Masonry well, and we are happy to add our word of congratulations.

IN WRITING OF "Grundy County (Missouri) - Home of Experimentation and Progressive Educational Trends," Floyd C. Shoemaker, Secretary of the Missouri Historical Society (April 1958 number), pays just tribute to two brilliant Masons. "Two men," he writes, "father and son, who have made valuable contributions, especially in the literary field, are Ray V. Denslow (F.P.S.L.), and his son, William Ray Denslow. Prominent both nationally and internationally . . . the senior Denslow has written authoritative books and scholarly articles dealing with the history and activities of the Masons. William Ray Denslow's Centennial History of Grundy County, a vivid and accurate account of old Grundy County, is one of the best publications of its kind, capturing all of the color and romance . . . his present contributions to Masonry are also authoritative and characterized by painstaking scholarship." Knowing both of these men, we can but say amen!

IF A PERSONAL ITEM on the part of the Editor may be allowed at this time, we call your attention to the same article from the Missouri Historical Review, in which the story of the Oxford Movement, and "Ruskin College," a t Trenton, Missouri, is discussed. The father of this movement was Walter Vrooman, uncle of your Editor.

Walter Vrooman, one of six sons of Hiram P. Vrooman, was interested in young people. His brothers, each active in human affairs, are all dead, with the exception of Carl Vrooman, now living at Bloomington, Illinois.

"Ruskin Hall" at Trenton, was the first "Labor College" ever founded, being an entirely new experiment, and lasting but a short time,

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A Masonic Benevolence Without Borders

By GEORGE E. BUSHNELL

Sovereign Grand Commander, 33d, Supreme Council, A.A.S.R.

(Northern Masonic Jurisdiction)

Realizing the importance of Masonic Charity and Benevolence, it is the purpose of THE PHILALETHES magazine to carry articles of information and interest on outstanding Masonic good works. Comments are invited on these endeavors, and suggestions for helpful co-operation. M.P. Brothel Bushnell has been extremely active and energetic in his sponsorship of this great project.

WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR, Scottish Rite of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, will mark a quarter century during which it has sought to be of greater tangible benefit to all mankind. For it was in 1934 that our late distinguished leader, Ill. Melvin Maynard Johnson, 33d, F.P.S., conceived the idea of our Scottish Rite program of basic and coordinated research into the cause of schizophrenia, the most prevalent and serious mental illness.

From the outset, this was a difficult activity to undertake and an even more difficult endeavor for which to generate interest and sympathetic support. The problem of mental illness had long been a subject which the average individual was inclined to shunt aside. Its victims were sheltered from public view and yet there were more of them than sufferers of the other major ailments of humanity. Today, there are about 750,000 patients in our mental institutions - more people than are in hospitals for polio, cancer, heart disease, tuberculosis and all other diseases combined.

The Scottish Rite effort from the very beginning has been one of basic research, a key phrase in many other fields in this day and age. Strangely enough, there has always been a shortage of funds for pure and basic investigation, although staggering sums have been appropriated by our state and Federal governments, year after year, for the care of mental illness victims. So, while the complete mental health picture has many facets, we have confined ourselves to one - research - in the belief that one dollar spent in finding the underlying cause will ultimately outweigh many dollars spent for care. As one leader in the medical profession has pointed out, the cost of research that developed the now famous Salk vaccine was small indeed when compared with the tremendous amounts that have been expended over the years in caring for polio victims.

One unique feature of Scottish Rite schizophrenia research has been the fact that it is the first coordinated effort in the history of mental illness. At the present time, we allocate funds to twenty-eight projects which differ widely in scope and aim. Some of our investigators are looking into the biochemical aspects of the disease for it has been found that there are certain differences in the body chemistry of a schizophrenia victim when compared with the normal individual. Another group of project workers is surveying the influence of childhood emotional experiences in the development of schizophrenia for human behavior at any stage of life is influenced by the experiences of the individual in earlier stages of life. Then, too, there has always been speculation concerning the likelihood that the disease was inherited; thus making still another segment of our work the study of the influence of heredity. Now, these are widely different areas of research activities and even our specialists in one field are not likely to be conversant with the work of the other groups. Thus, it has been our aim to coordinate the reports produced by all branches and fit them into a composite picture. We have achieved this through our Research Advisory Committee, staffed by eleven of this country's and Canada's top scientists, psychiatrists and psychologists. Twice a year this committee assembles with our Supreme Council Committee on Benevolences to review progress to date, evaluate the findings of the field workers, and determine the projects to be continued or dropped and the promising new leads to be picked up. We owe much to our Research Advisory Committee which serves without compensation and whose personnel are the most enthusiastic about the worth of our program. In addition, all our project leaders gather with us every two years to exchange views.

For many years this continually expanding research work was financed by direct appropriations from the operating funds of the Supreme Council. Each year the Grand Commander would report to the Supreme Council on the activities of our major benevolence and, in the interim, would speak on the subject in official visitations to the Valleys of the Rite. But it soon became evident that the great majority of Scottish Rite members in the Jurisdiction were not aware of, or had very little understanding of the undertaking. Despite the fact that we had no visual symbol or appeal to rely on, it was decided to do more to secure the interest of our membership, and the last four years have seen marked progress along this line. Our chief tool has been our appeal for voluntary contributions to the Supreme Council Benevolent Foundation which now provides principal support for our work. Once a year the basic 14d membership of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction is solicited for gifts. At the time of the appeal, as well as with the acknowledgment that each donor receives, there goes explanatory literature. Results have been beyond expectations in the short history of this general solicitation. Our first Jurisdiction-wide experience brought responses from some 13,000 members. The following year saw something over 24.000 participate. The current year has produced more than 30,000 individual contributions. This heartening support has been secured without any quotas being established and without any real personal contact or follow-ups that are a main ingredient in fund-raising programs. It has been the policy of the Supreme Council to conduct the solicitation on a purely voluntary basis. The resultant detail has created problems for our rather small headquarters staff, but we feel that we are achieving our aim of a better-informed membership more effectively than we could by an assessment which would provide money, itself, and in larger amounts with less work on our part.

In addition, we have attempted to furnish our local Scottish Rite and other Masonic publications with continuing information about Scottish Rite's major benevolence and, since the subject of mental illness and particularly, schizophrenia, is complicated and technical, this has not been an easy procedure.

Another harbinger for the future and eventual success of the program is the commendation it has received from the Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction, U.S.A., and the Supreme Council for the Dominion of Canada. There are nearly a million Scottish Rite Masons in North America, and their combined interest and backing cannot help but have a salutory effect on our aim of conquering the scourge of schizophrenia.

Apart from actual findings produced in the last quarter century, we of Scottish Rite like to think that our relatively small effort in these days of bigness has helped stimulate a chain reaction of renewed application and new support by others. The nation's number one health problem, mental illness, is receiving ever-increasing attention in the public press and other media of communication. One can hardly pick up many wellknown periodicals today without seeing some story relating to mental illness and the need for solution. More and more money is being appropriated for basic research by governmental agencies. More private sources are joining the battle against mental disease and the great human and economic waste it causes. This mounting concentration of support and effort cannot help but hasten the day when the world will receive the cheering word that mental illness has joined the list of mankind's ills which have been relegated to comparative obscurity. Until that day, we of Scottish Rite expect to continue the pioneer action begun in 1934; we will continue to ask our individual members to back the attack with interest and dollars, and we will continue to seek to make the Scottish Rite program a catalyst that will hasten the day of final and lasting success.

We owe thanks to many - our members, and the members of the Southern Jurisdiction and Canada; those dedicated members of our Research Advisory Committee and leaders of our field projects; our lost leader who had the vision which brought this work into being. We must always remember as true Masons, that everything comes from the One above who guides the destiny of all.

----o----

Attendance at Masonic Meetings

By ARTHUR H. STRICKLAND, P.G.M. and Grand Secretary

Grand Lodge, A.F.&A.M. of Kansas

Much has been written and said lately, relative to the attendance problem at Masonic meetings. Many have offered remedies which might be considered. Many hove attacked this problem without a due knowledge of the conditions which have brought it about.

On the special request of the Editor, M:W: Brother Arthur H. Strickland, who has presided over most of the Grand Bodies of Kansas, and is serving as Grand Secretary-Recorder at the present time, has drawn an his experience and knowledge, and written this searching and constructive paper. It will bear reading, thought and discussion. We ask our readers to comment on the matters here discussed.

ONE OF THE MOST talked on subjects at any round table discussion on Masonry in recent years is that of Lodge attendance. When we say Lodge attendance we use the word "Lodge" in the broad sense of any of the bodies, such as Chapters, Councils, Commanderies, Consistories, or any other group Masonic.

Our speakers are prone to use this as the subject of their discourses, and they scold the member who is there for the failure of others to attend. Do these speakers ever take into consideration the feelings of the man who does attend? Do the speakers ever feel that the man who does attend is doing his part, and that he should be applauded for his devotion to the Lodge, and not be made to feel that he is insignificant, and does not count. The Brother who does attend should be made to feel that he has done a real service in attending; he should be given to understand that his zeal and devotion are appreciated, he should be made to realize that his presence has added to the value of the meeting; he should be made to understand that the failure of some other Brother to attend is that Brother's loss.

A great many of our Masonic speakers and writers who use this matter of attendance for their subject fail to mention what this writer feels is one of the main causes of the lack of attendance.

It is my considered opinion, arrived at after forty-eight years of continuous Masonic membership, and after regular and constant attendance, that the lack of Lodge attendance is caused more by boring, tedious, and uninteresting meetings that we have, than by any other reason.

Many, many times the writer has sat through endless meetings where every one who ever held any title must be introduced, saluted, and listened to while he tells how glad he is that he came. Many times we have been in meetings when the Grand Master, or the presiding head of the other Grand bodies was present, and have heard them deliver fine messages that have been carefully thought out, only to have that fine message entirely erased from our minds by a succession of Past Masters, District Deputy Grand Masters, Past Grand officers and others who are called on and feel that they must get up and say something.

A great many program chairmen will plan meetings, and fill up the program with enough material to make three or four meetings. They will have musical numbers, both vocal and instrumental, presented by tots who should be home in bed, and are put on only because they are the sons or daughters of the Worshipful Master or the Secretary.

At some meetings two and three speakers are engaged, and no matter how worthwhile the message may be, the very length of the program wears out the member on the side lines.

The long, tedious system of introducing Grand officers, District Deputy Grand Masters, committee members and others, is in itself enough to kill our attendance. The Masonic system is not in competition with the radio, television, moving picture theatre or any other form of entertainment. We do offer a program that is unique to ourselves. That is the program of interesting our members in the worthwhile, fundamental spiritual values that tend to embellish and adorn the life of a man. We should try to make this course of study inherently attractive. We do not need a lot of "bally-hoo" in our meetings, with banjo players, tap dancers and jugglers. All of that can be seen and heard elsewhere.

What we really do need is interesting Masonic meetings, and we can have such meetings if our Worshipful Masters and program chairmen will build their meetings that way.

Let us try to attract our members with well-planned, expertly conducted meetings, meetings that start on time; meetings that end early enough to permit some time for fellowship; meetings that will end on the high note of the address of the evening. Let us determine that we will always be courteous to guests, but at the same time we will not ruin our meetings with a lot of useless introductions, and a lot of short "I'm glad I'm here talks." As a past presiding officer in three of our four Grand bodies, I feel that I can confidently express the feelings of a great many such past Grand officers, that they would appreciate "being left alone" when they visit a Lodge. So, Brethren, you who have the responsibility of preparing the programs, remember that you are not competing with the popular forms of entertainment. You are not in competition with anything. You are acting as the evangels of a doctrine that is good for mankind. You are or should be, helping to spread light and understanding, and you have all of the material necessary within your grasp to bring that light and understanding to your members in a way that will attract them, and when it is learned that you have meetings that present Masonry to Masons in a dignified, intelligent way, you will find you have attendance.

The real search of the human heart is for Light and the understanding of the Great Architect of the Universe. Yours is the opportunity to help satisfy this longing. So get your meeting back on the track of real Masonry. Eliminate the froth, the vaudeville and the boring feature. Shorten your meetings in point of time consumed, but fill the time used with the study of Masonry and its mission. That mission is to find Light and the Word, and St. John said,

In the beginning was the Word

And the Word was with God

And the Word was God.

----o----

The Iron Ring and Adam

by KENNETH F. CURTIS, M.P.S. (Fla.)

In Count Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace there is a passage concerning an old Freemason who is wearing an iron ring with the head of Adam on it - the token of Freemasonry.

The earliest existing rings are those found in the tombs of ancient Egypt. Man has been wearing rings for many reasons through all ages, as ornaments, seals, and to denote rank, in this particular case the ring was probably worn as a covenant entered into with the Order. The symbolism of this ring's design and the symbolic material that it was made of contained many beliefs corresponding to reality.

The Roman empire enforced a number of laws for the wearing of rings. The type and value of the ring worn conformed to the owner's position in society to a great degree. The slaves were permitted to wear iron rings under Emperor Flavius Severus, and it is known that the Romans had many slaves who were Christians. The Romans had a marriage ring, but according to Swineburn, the great cannonist, it was of iron, with a jewel adamant, to signify the durance and perpetuity of contract.*

* Mackey's Encyclopedia

Iron alludes to durability, strength, defense, and security. Iron in its natural and smelted state becomes dust under certain conditions over a period of time. It is readily seen that this dust is a part of the "dust of the ground" from which man was formed, and so possibly this is one of the reasons why this particular ring was made of iron. The wearing of a ring made of this ore by men in after years could have become a symbol of humility because of its low intrinsic value and its former use that permitted slaves to wear it in accordance with the law at that time. It also signified the wearer's indifference to wealth and the absence of vanity in his character and the desire for flashy ornaments. The Hebrew ADaM, meaning to be red, has a related meaning to red hematite ore of iron, which could be another reason for this ring's design.

The Bible states in Genesis 2:7, "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Later in Genesis 2:19 this first man became known as Adam.

Why was the head of Adam impressed on that ring? Adam was the progenitor of the human race. The Hebrew word ADaM, signifies man in a generic sense, the human species collectively, and is said to be derived from ADaMaH, the ground, because the first man was made of the dust of the earth, or from ADaM, to be red, in reference to his ruddy complexion. There are some who will see another meaning hidden within the word ADaMaH.

The sacred traditions of the ancient civilized world cite Adam or a similar personage as coming from the earth and dramatizing the birth of the human race.

It is reasonable to believe that thousands of years ago Adam, the first ancestor of man, did some thinking and meditating on certain questions about the creation of the world, about God, and about himself. Those thoughts have been passed down and discussed by all men both pro and con, in many languages by the sages of all people. Man is a persistent seeker after truth, he has continued the search to this day and so profits thereby.

I don't believe that we will be far wrong to assume that in Adam's day small groups of advanced thinkers were formed into unified bodies for the purpose of exchanging ideas on truths. "Whether in ancient India Egypt, Greece. Italy or Mexico, or among the Druids of Europe, temples of initiation have ever existed for those who felt the inward call to come apart from the multitude and to dictate themselves to a long discipline of body and mind with a view to acquiring the secret knowledge and developing the spiritual faculties by the means of experimental processes of initiation of which our present ceremonies are a faint echo." *

* WiImshurst, - "Meaning of Masonry"

Adam is looked upon as the male parent of all human beings and in a collective sense is called "Father Adam" in the twenty-eighth degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Adam is there "occupied in the investigation of the great truths which so much concern the interests of the human race. *

* Mackey’s Encyclopedia

Now Adams was the first man, and man is the symbol representing creation, which is very common in ancient Hindu monuments in China. and embraces so many of the Masonic emblems, and so directly refers to several of the elementary principles taught in philosophic Freemasonry."**

A design of the perfected creation, or man, that is frequently found in India is made up of a number of symbols that are elementary in their nature and easily interpreted by the Mason. On the ground or foundation in the construction of this design is a cube or perfect ashlar (Earth), next in ascending scale is a globe or sphere (water) next a pyramid (fire), and on top the horns of the crescent and the refulgent flame (air) which extends into the ether and heavens. Now if these are drawn on a piece of paper as seen in outline, the cube or finished ashlar becomes a square, the globe is a circle, the pyramid a triangle, and the crescent becomes a quarter moon or a passive form of nature and the seven-fold-flame or sun. points towards the heavens. It would take many many words to fully expand on the meanings and the related knowledge of the above, the above symbols that form a design that represents man. The symbols are there, yes, there for those who wish to seek the wisdom that lies within them.

"Brother McClenachan believed the Entered Apprentice degree symbolizes the creation of man and his first perception of light."* Now if we go alone with this statement. we must look at Adam as a Masonic candidate. 'The Latin candidatus means one who is clothed in white, candidis vestibus indutus. In ancient Rome, he who sought office from the people wore a shining white robe of a peculiar construction flowing open in front, so as to exhibit the wounds he received in his breast. From the color of his robe or toga candida, he was called candidatus, whence the word candidate. The derivation will serve to remind the Freemason of the purity of conduct and character which should distinguish all those who are candidates for admission into the Order.*

* Mackey's Encylopedia

The candidate on being admitted into a Lodge from that prior existence in the outside world, and who continues on his journey, is addressed by and referred to by many different titles. The newly initiated and uninstructed candidate is sometimes designated as a neophyte. Neophyte in the Greek language means, newly planted. A candidate in the Degree of Knight of Kadosh is known as a postulant. This word is derived from the Latin word postulans, which means asking for and wishing to have. Adam also symbolizes the initiate, who is the candidate in any of the degrees of Freemasonry.

If the reader will recall in the first paragraph of this article the old Freemason was wearing an iron ring, the token of Masonry. "The word token is derived from the Anglo Saxon tacen, which means a sign, presage, type, or representation, that which points out something; and this is traced to taecan, to teach, to show, or instruct others as to what we are." In Freemasonry the grip of recognition is called a token, because it is an outward sign of the covenant of friendship and fellowship entered into between the members of the Fraternity, and is considered as a memorial of that covenant which was made, when it was first received by the candidate, between him and the Order into which he was initiated. " *

* Mackey's Encyclopedia

Adam, the symbol of man in the spring of his life on earth, experienced a physical and spiritual growth in his early journey of preparation, self-discipline, and purification. Then in the Autumn of his years through concentration, meditation, and contemplation came some enlightenment and the development of his mental and psychical nature. He then passed into and beyond the winter of his age and the progressive change that he had been undergoing blossomed forth into a rebirth or regeneration of his whole nature, and then he found that which he had been seeking.

The above is but a brief mention of the wisdom and knowledge contained in our ancient ancestor's name that is so closely related to the "dust of the ground" that we live on here below.

BlBLIOGRAPHY

Holy Bible, Mackey's Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, Vol. 1, Vol. 2, War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, Enclyclopedia Britannica, fourteenth edition, The Meaning of Masonry, by W. L. Wilmshurst, P.M., 275, P.A.G. D.C., England, P.F.G.R. (West York).

----o----

Why Do We Call Them Blue Lodges ?

By BLISS KELLY, M.P.S. (Okla.)

WHEN A NEWLY RAISED MASTER MASON or a nonmember seeking information asks why Masonic Lodges are called "Blue Lodges," it is explained that the term was first applied to early English Lodges conferring the first three degrees, to distinguish them from the Royal Arch Lodges which used red as their emblematical color.

While this explanation may satisfy some, it is like the explanation of most other Masonic symbols: The explanation is true, as far as it goes, but there is a better, greater and more profound meaning beneath that which is apparent on the surface.

From the earliest dawn of man's perception of Deity, Blue has been used as the symbol for God. As human intelligence began to develop and the ability to perceive was enlarged, man began to realize that there was some all-powerful force which created and directed all things. He realized that this earth was but an infinitesimal speck in the enormous plan of material things which he could not see. As light was added he learned to comprehend more of this vast creation, he began to understand that this omnipotent power, which he called Jah or Yod, signifying the elemental or first cause, was best understood as being that force which created, or from which was created, all material things.

At the same time, as man learned more about physics, chemistry, astronomy and the other sciences, he was thereby better enabled to realize and understand that all material things, which he called matter, are merely tangible evidence of captured or combined forms of that which is called energy. Man has even gone so far now that he has demonstrated that which the ancients believed and has been able to transform matter back into its original or elemental form, energy. He has barely begun to open the door into this vast new field of learning which he calls "atomic energy."

And from whence does energy come? While this earth and the other visible bodies of the universe are composed of matter which are more or less forms of bound-up energy, it is realized that there are limitless and unexpected areas of invisible energy in that incomprehensibly vast space which we call the heavens. In this great space, we know, as the ancients also knew, that there is an all-powerful force which we call "Spiritual" which controls all things - even energy.

This spiritual force is that which calls into being the material things and controls them by immutable laws such as the law of gravity, the rules of chemistry and of physics, whereby men and material things are governed.

Thus man, as he has gained knowledge, has looked toward the blue heaven to search for his Creator, whom he now calls God. He realizes that all things which have been created have been materialized out of that unseeable "blue heaven," no part of which is visible to the human eye except the beautiful, transparent blue, and the constellations therein.

Although man, with his limited ability to see and to perceive, has discovered many of God's laws which govern material things which he can see, and which he calls "Nature," so that he can even convert matter into energy, he goes steadily on with his search for more light and truth and hopes, some day, to be able to discover those laws which will enable him to convert energy into matter. When that door of knowledge begins to swing ajar, man will, indeed, begin to get true glimpses of God, for it will be the great secret of all ages - the secret of creation, itself.

Since the time of the beginning of knowledge and learning, man has always visualized God as good; no evil could come from God, only good. His laws are good, His ways are pleasant and everything created was created for good. It is only man who has perverted God's good things and made them evil.

On the other hand, man has, through his ignorance, viewed some of God's good things as evil simply because man has not been able, with his limited understanding and his handicap of "seeing through a glass darkly," to see the broader scope of God's overall plans .

Primitive man, for instance, realized that God's laws of combustion which caused fire to consume material things, were good when men could warm themselves when about to freeze to death from the cold: but these same laws considered evil when that fire consumed something which man thought was of value to him, or when the fire burned him when he came too close to it. Here, also, man saw material things converted into other invisible things through the action of fire, and vanish into the blue heavens.

Since, therefore, God is only good and it is only when men violate God's laws that they become evil to them, so the blue of heaven, primarily representing God, also came to stand for goodness, for immovability, for fidelity, for friendship, for faith, for kindness and friendliness, for wisdom and for help, which are all attributes of God.

Blue, also, being a primary color, is unchangeable, incorruptible, pure, honest and true. It is caused by a certain rate of vibration in that unknown thing which God has created, called light, and is a part of all light. Although light is the only thing which is visible to the human eye, and its reflection from matter causes us to see the outlines, patterns and images of material things, it has none of the qualities of matter and is invisible in the heavens except as it comes from or strikes something composed of matter. Yet, it partakes of the attributes of God in that it is the medium whereby we are enabled to see and understand the works of God.

So it is that the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians used blue to paint and clothe their idols representing Deity, the Chinese used blue to represent God, the Hindus said that celestial blue came from God and thus represented wisdom, and the Jews were commanded to use blue as one of the veils of the Tabernacle, to make the high priest's robe of blue and the people were admonished to wear a ribbon of blue on the fringe of their garments.

In the Entered Apprentice degree we are told that the covering of a Lodge is the blue canopy of heaven, and of course, we learn as we progress through the degrees of all Masonry that the object and aim of all Masonic study is to obtain "further Light," or the pursuit truth.

Since Masonry is simply, solely and only a search for light and truth, and since the first three degrees of Masonry are primarily founded upon truth and direct the eyes of its votaries unwaveringly toward God, as exemplified in the vastness of creation and the blue of heaven, Symbolic Masonry should be fittingly called "the Blue Lodge."

----o----

The Year of Challenge

By ALFRED A. NORTHACKER, M.P.S. (N.Y.)

(A Masonic address delivered at King Solomon's Lodge No. 279, F&AM, New York City, February 12, 1958)

IT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED by Masonic historians that Abraham Lincoln was not a member of our Fraternity, but no man, in my opinion, ever lived a more truly Masonic life. His every thought and deed exemplified our Fatherhood of God and Brotherhood of Man philosophy.

February is really a Masonic month in every sense of the word. First, February 12, the birthday of Abraham Lincoln; the believer in the Brotherhood of Man. Secondly, Brotherhood Week, beginning February 16, and third, February 22, the 226 anniversary of the birth of our first President, George Washington.

Abraham Lincoln and George Washington did not find it necessary to proclaim a week a year in their era as BROTHERHOOD WEEK, as they practiced Brotherhood every day. This was their way of life that made our America the great country that it is today.

While I was in Europe last year, I noted the changes which had taken place in the various countries since my previous visit. The Western Peoples are moving ahead daily, and Freemasonry abroad is advancing rapidly.

In talking to our Brethren from these foreign Jurisdictions, I was informed of the increase in numbers of Lodges and members, and I also learned that Freemasonry is still either extinct or underground, in the Communist-controlled satellite countries.

It is dangerous, if not fatal to admit membership in our Fraternity in those countries. Communist regimes have branded Masonic Lodges as the meeting places of the enemies of the Peoples' Communist Republics; of Capitalistic elements; and of adherents of Western Imperialism.

In Austria, our Brethren are doing everything possible to aid and assist the Hungarian Brethren and refugees who were fortunate enough to have been able to cross the border during and after the recent Hungarian revolt. Viennese Masons contributed of their time, efforts and meager finances; set up a camp for some 900 Hungarian refugees, supplying each with luxuries and necessities, making them feel welcome on their arrival in that free country. Giving of ourselves to the less-fortunate, is a truly Masonic virtue.

I have also seen the workings of propaganda campaign in Western countries, by Communist-controlled newspapers and periodicals.

They flaunted the Russian Sputniks in every issue, and ridiculed our efforts to put a satellite into orbit by naming it Spaetnik, indicating we were late with our attempts. Of course, after its unsuccessful launching at Cape Canaveral, Florida, last December, they re-named it Kaputnik.

Thanks to the Grand Architect we finally put an Uncle Samnik into orbit. And speaking of satellites and inter-continental missiles I read in the New York World Telegram, an article by one of their staff writers covering an interview with Dr. Everett R. Clinchy. Dr. Clinchy has been leader of the crusade for Brotherhood of the National Conference of Christians and Jews. The title of the article was; "Space May Make Us One."

Fear of the third dimension of space will not make us brothers nor make the human species of this planet live together as a family. Brotherhood can only be achieved by acts and deeds. It must first be felt in the heart and then expressed through hand and mouth, not by fear.

The propagandists also played up our unfortunate Little Rock, Arkansas, fiasco in big, bold letters, ridiculing our Declaration of Independence, particularly those famous words; "All Men Are Created Equal." 1958 - IS THE YEAR OF CHALLENGE. The Year of Challenge to Masonry and mankind.

The opportunity is at hand for us to start a counter-propaganda campaign. Not by words alone, as our adversaries campaigns always are, but through acts and deeds. Let our battle slogan be: "1958 - THE GOLDEN RULE YEAR." This theme is inspired by the Ten Commandments, and taught by the Grand Architect of the Universe. This Law of Life - of giving and doing good for others, if put into practice can bring much joy and happiness into this world, offering a service to humanity's needs.

Many of you are saying to yourselves "What can I, one individual do?" I felt the same way until I realized that I could start a oneman world-wide brotherhood campaign. This I have attempted to do and I am asking the assistance of every Masonic Brother to do likewise. In this way we will have the feeling that we are accomplishing a small portion of a large task that the United Nations and the world-wide diplomatic staffs have been attempting to bring about. To illustrate this point I should like to relate the story of a meeting which took place in New York City last year. Members of a religious sect, 100,000 Jehovah's Witnesses, met in Yankee Stadium. The entire stadium was in darkness, at a given signal each one present lighted a candle. The report read that the light of one hundred thousand candle power gave off almost enough brightness for the Yankees to take the field and play a ball game that evening. Therefore I say unto you, my Brothers, it is better to light one little candle than to curse the darkness. If each of the Freemasons throughout the world, six and a half million of us, lighted one little candle - what a bright world it would be.

In my travels around various Jurisdictions, I have heard the statement, "that is a Hebrew Lodge or this is a Christian Lodge." Masonry is neither Christian, Hebrew, nor Mohammedan. It cannot be classified by name or sect. The power which has held it together, the chemical which has caused its growth, the central doctrine which makes it unique, is the opportunity it affords men of every faith, to reverently kneel at the same altar, and worship the God he reveres, under the universal name of the Great Architect of the Universe. The universality of Freemasonry is in its toleration of every man's faith. "You are brothers because of mutual manhood, not because of your beliefs."

Last year, a French - German blood donor exchange program was instituted with the slogan: "Donate blood; do not shed it." On May 19, 1957, twenty - six citizens of Nancy, France, including ten women, traveled to Karlsrhue, Germany, and donated twenty-six pints of blood to be used when and as required for German patients in the municipal hospital there. In July, a similar number of Karlsruhe citizens traveled to Nancy and there donated blood to be used when and as required for French patients in the Nancy hospital. Here, is the start of a movement, perhaps the commencement of a world - wide brotherhood campaign. I am sure you will concur with me when I say that we can surely forgive our neighbors, be they who they may, for any wrong they may have done us if these peoples, German and French, who have been natural enemies for centuries, can forgive and donate blood to flow in the veins of the other. This is an expression of real brotherhood of man.

----o----

AMERICA ON ITS KNEES

(Excerpted by Alfred A. Northacker M.P.S. [N.Y.] )

"OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN; we pray that you save us from ourselves.

The world that you have made for us to live in peace, we have made into on armed comp.

We live in fear of war to come.

We are afraid of "the terror that flies by night, and the arrow that flies by day, the pestilence that walks in darkness and the destruction that wastes at noonday."

We have turned from You to go our selfish way.

We have broken Your commandments and denied Your truth.

We have left Your altars to serve the false gods of money and pleasure and power.

Forgive us and help us.

Now, darkness gathers around us and we are confused in all our councils.

Losing faith in You, we lose faith in ourselves.

Inspire us with wisdom, all of us of every color, race and creed, to use our wealth, our strength to help our brother instead of destroying him.

Help us to do Your will as it is done in heaven and to be worthy of Your promise of peace on earth.

Fill us with new faith, new strength and new courage, that we may win the Battle for Peace.

Be swift to save us, dear God, before the darkness falls.

Amen "

----o----

Signed and Sealed

By S. CHARLES MOSS, M.P.S. (Ohio)

ON THE FACE OR REVERSE side of almost every Masonic card, form, or document, is a seal, stamped, stained, printed or punched. Have you ever bothered to look at or read it? The "seal," "signet," or "shield" are as old as Freemasonry itself, yea, as old as Genesis in our Great Light. They have been used by civilization from the very beginning, and are an integral portion of our documented world.

Seals played such an important part in history that they have received more than passing notice from students of the arts and sciences. In museums throughout the world are seals and replicas thereof closely connected with Biblical lore. Ever of interest in Masonic study are such objects appropriated for use in the early history of our Ancient Craft. Here is a subject worthy of greater Masonic interest than it receives ordinarily.

The learned Dr. Mackey mentions the old Masonic diplomas and charters in existence, where the seal thereon consists of a circular tin box filled with wax, on which the seal is impressed, the box being attached by a ribbon to the parchment. He goes on to say, "No Masonic document is valid unless it has appended to it the seal of the Lodge or Grand Lodge." But such is a relatively modern application.

Let us go back into antiquity where a seal, a signature, or a signet was considered the final authority. Companions of the Royal Arch know the value of "the Signet of Zerubbabel" before the Grand Council. Most Masons generally have become acquainted with the "Seal of Solomon" or "Shield of David" described in our Masonic literature. That is the six-pointed star formed by two interlaced triangles. Upon it was inscribed one of the sacred names of God, from which inscription it was supposed principally to derive its talismanic powers. To such powers it was said King Solomon was able to obtain the labor of the genii for the construction of his celebrated Temple.

Seals and legends of seals are found wherever man has left his mark. The earliest kind of seal, 5000 years ago, was the cylindrical variety. These were used in the Babylonian country of the Euphrates River to approve documents written on clay and baked hard. They have become some of our most interesting records of ancient days. These cylindrical seals were made of clay, lapis lazuli, rock crystal, gold, silver, jasper, and other hard substances. Attractive designs were engraved on them, in addition to names. These were used until Persian times, about 700 B.C.

They were also cut intaglio on spherical and hemispherical stones to attest documents and as a seal (Isaiah 29:11). As ornaments, they were suspended by a cord on the breast (Genesis 38:18) and later worn on a finger of the right hand (Jeremiah 22:24). The inscription on the seals often included with the name of the owner, a legend such as "May God Have Mercy," or, "The Work of God." Many of the seals belonged to women who are described in the inscription as the wife or daughter of , an interesting sidelight on our early Biblical times.

Thus came forward the ring variety of seal as used by the Egyptians. They mounted a ring setting, in the likeness of a beetle, on a swivel ring. The beetle decoration on one side was a symbol of immortality; the other side contained the signet of a king. Such seals were known as "scarabs." The king gave out hundreds of these seals to officials who did business in his name. There were more than two thousand such rings found when King Tut's tomb was opened in Egypt. The seal-ring of Queen Hatshepsut of the eighteenth dynasty who reigned over Egypt about 1500 B.C. has been found. It too, has a beetle decoration on a swivel-mounting with her signet on the other side.

You will recall the Biblical account of the evil Jezebel, wife of King Ahab of Israel, who caused the death of an innocent man by her scheming. "She wrote letters in Ahab's name, and sealed them with his seal, and sent the letters unto the elders and to the nobles that were in his city, dwelling with Naboth." This false testimony against Naboth, resulted in King Ahab gaining Naboth's vineyard after the innocent man had been stoned to death. That was the sin for which King Ahab and Jezebel paid with their lives.

Collections include the ring-seals of such famous people as Queen Shub-ad of Ur of Chaldea, which Masons know as once the home of Abraham, and Darius the Great, Persian king and conqueror.

Of recent interest on this subject (thanks to Mrs. Moss, spouse of your Editor, her stamp collection, and Stamps Magazine - issue of April 19, 1958), the State of Israel in August 1957, issued a set of stamps depicting ancient Hebrew seals from the time of Israel's kings. The 50 pruta denomination shows one "Belonging to Tamach the son of Miknemelach." The original is in a museum in Paris and was found in Baghdad. It is attributed to an exiled Jew of the seventh century B.C. which places it in the middle of Masonic Capitular legend.

The 160 pruta stamp reveals a seal "Belonging to Shema, the servant of Jeroboam." This seal comes from Megiddo and dates in the eighth century B.C. Again, our York Rite Companions will recognize the facts of the Royal Arch degree.

There is also a 300 pruta stamp in this issue showing a seal supposedly belonging to one Natanyahu the son of Ovadyhau. The historian Herodotus said that sealrings were worn generally in Babylon. About the twelfth century they came into use in Europe.

When a seal was first used by York Masons, it is now impossible to decide. Seals used on documents in England in 1761 - 1817 bear heavily on the three crowns of the coat of arms of Prince Edwin. The seal used by the Grand Chapter in England about 1780 showed a rainbow resting on two clouds over a triangle and a crescent, with inscription "Grand - Royal - Arch York."

Today we generally use signatures on documents instead of seals. Just as in the past when seals were in use, any document is as good as the man or men back of it. There is no substitute for good intent as practiced in the tenets of a Mason's profession. Thousands of years ago men learned, as we learn today, when they put their seal of approval on an agreement, brotherly love had to be inscribed in their hearts. This is still a crystal-clear truth.

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