Contents
Supplying A Need The Mark of Time
The President's Corner Garrity, Grand Master of DeMolay, Is Dead
Recommended Masonic Reading Continental Navy Masons
Key to Freemasonry's Growth DeMolays Hold Big Conference
Nebraska Apron To Rest in Kansas Masonic Museum What's Wrong With Freemasonry
Published bi-monthly at Franklin, Indiana by
THE PHILALETHES SOCIETY
John Black Vrooman, F.P.S., Editor
Box 402, St. Louis, Missouri 63166
OFFICERS
Robert H. Gollmar, F.P.S., President
P.O. Box 194
Baraboo, Wisconsin 53913
William R. Denslow, F.P.S. First Vice President
P.O. Box 529
Trenton, Missouri 64683
Andrew J. White, Jr. M.P.S. Second Vice President
150 East Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Carl R. Greisen, F.P.S., Executive Secretary
401 Masonic Temple
Omaha, Nebraska 68102
Ronald E. Heaton, F.P.S., Treasurer
728 Haws Avenue
Norristown Pennsylvania 19401
LIVING PAST PRESIDENTS
Lee E. Wells, F.P.S.
Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S. Life
Dr. Charles Gottshall Reigner, F.P.S.
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S. (Life)
237 Millbridge Road
Riverside, Illinois 60546
Bob M. Stowe, M.P.S.
5554 Waterman,
St. Louis, Missouri 63112
Volume XXII, No. 5
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(A Guest Editorial by Alphonse Cerza,
F.P.S., Life, Past President of Philalethes)
Students of the market place are taught that success in the business world comes to those who are able to find what is in demand and take the proper steps to supply that demand. This rule can be applied to Freemasonry at times even though there is no profit motive in the Craft.
As we look at one of the human problems that exists today, and which will increase with the passing years, we wonder why some of our Grand Lodges are not giving the matter some of its attention. This is the ever increasing problems connected with the aged.
For many years many Grand Lodges have been maintaining homes for their members in the Golden Years who are unable to secure proper care because of inadequate funds. This has supplied a real human need. But with the passing years there are more and more senior citizens who have the means to pay their way but need some guidance and help in maintaining themselves. The Grand Lodges of each state should make a study of this problem and find ways of doing something about it in each state. The problems will not be the same; and the solutions will, by necessity, not be the same.
One major problem is that of housing our senior citizens who have some funds for their own care. An apartment building or a subdivision with various sized houses should be considered as a Masonically oriented project for Masons and their wives in their Golden Years. The Grand Lodges need not become financially involved in such projects but need be only the guiding spirits in pointing the way. There are members of the Craft whose services could be utilized in various aspects of such a project; there will be need of planners, engineers, architects, financial experts, etc.; all that is needed is the time and vision to find these men.
We are not without some experience in the matter. In Omaha, Nebraska some years ago an apartment building was so constructed and has been successful. There may be others that have been under Masonic auspices, but we certainly should not restrict our study to a narrow area but can profit from the experiences of many senior citizen projects.
How nice it would be if we had one or more retirement homes, centers, subdivisions, apartments, and home clusters in every state which are Masonically oriented and sponsored. Those of our members who are able to pay their own way would welcome such projects and would enjoy living together and enjoying leisure hours together with fellow members of the Craft.
Looking into the hour glass of the future we are prompted to say that such projects have been neglected for too many years. It is never too late try to start.
Featured in this issue . . .
SUPPLYING A NEED, Guest Editorial, by Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., Life
DUTY OF EACH MEMBER TO CAST HIS BALLOT
EMERSON EASTERLING, FORMER FELLOW, PASSED AWAY
THE MARK OF TIME, by Alfred Dapsauski, M.P.S.
THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER, by Robert H. Gollmar, F.P.S.
GARRITY, GRAND MASTER DEMOLAY, IS DEAD
TIME FOR ACTION, by Kenneth F. Curtis, F.P.S.
RECOMMENDED MASONIC READING, by Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., Life
CONTINENTAL NAVY MASONS, by Richard Tutt, M.P.S.
KEY TO FREEMASONRY'S GROWTH, by Allen E. Roberts, F.P.S.
DEMOLAY HOLDS BIG CONFERENCE
MORE EXACT INFORMATION RECEIVED, by James R. Case, F.P.S.
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
NEBRASKA APRON TO REST IN KANSAS by Charles S. McGinness, M.P.S.
WHAT'S WRONG WITH FREEMASONRY, by Norman C. Dutt, F.P.S.
MASONIC DUTIES, by Rabbi H. Geffen, F.P.S.
STONES, by G. Burton Long, M.P.S.
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It is the Duty of Each Member of the
Philalethes Society To Cast his
Ballot for New Officers
As noted in the last issue of The Philalethes magazine, the Nominating Committee appointed by the President to suggest officers for the 1970-1972 Triennium has made its recommendation.
It can not be too highly emphasized that, while the Nominating Committee has made its recommendations, it is the duty of each member of the Society to use his best judgment in electing officers who will direct the affairs of our splendid group. Any member may vote for any eligible member of the Society for any of the elective offices. Please vote for the flood of the Society!
Officers placed in nomination by the Nominating Committee, Charles F. Adams, F.P.S., Chairman, Lee W. Harris, M.P.S., and Conrad Hahn, F.P.S., are as follows:
For President, WILLIAM R. DENSLOW, F.P.S.
For First Vice President, ANDREW J. WHITE, Jr., F.P.S.
For Second Vice President, WILLIAM E. YEAGER, F.P.S.
For Executive Secretary, CARL R. Greisen,F.P.S.
For Treasurer, RONALD E. HEATON, F.P.S.
William R. Denslow, F.P.S., has distinguished himself both as a Masonic Editor, and as a contributor to Masonic literature. A past Grand Master of Masons in Missouri, a past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons of Missouri, and General Grand Master of the Third Veil of the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons International. He is on the important Commission on Information for Recognition, of the Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America, also he is the Editor of the Royal Arch magazine, and active in many phases of Freemasonry. He is currently serving the Philalethes Society as its First Vice President.
Andrew J. White, Jr., F.P.S., nominee for First Vice President, is a past Grand Master and present Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Ohio, and active in all Masonic affairs in his state, as in the Nation.
One of the best-known Freemasons in the United States, Carl R. Greisen, F.P.S., Executive Secretary of the Society for the past ten years, is an Honorary past Grand Master, retired Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska, and Grand Secretary - Recorder of the York Rite Grand Bodies of Nebraska. Presently Grand Preceptor of the Grand College, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, he has presided over many of the research and study groups meeting in Washington in February, and has contributed handsomely to the knowledge and welfare of Freemasonry in this country.
Ronald E. Heaton, F.P.S., Treasurer of the Society for many years, is one of the recognized authorities on Colonial Freemasonry in the world. His studies, many published by the Masonic Service Association, have been the latest authority on the subject. Quiet and unassuming, he has been a pillar in the activities of the Philalethes Society and Freemasonry.
William E. Yeager, F.P.S., nominee for the place of Second Vice President, is a past Grand Master of the R.W. Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, in which he has taken a place of outstanding precedence and activity. For many years Chairman of the Committee on Masonic Culture of that Grand Lodge, he has been active also in most of the research and study groups and presided over them. His election as one to direct the affairs of the Society will be of great benefit and interest to all Freemasons.
Enclosed in this issue of the Philalethes magazine is a BALLOT.
Every member of the Society eligible to vote is urged to fill out this ballot with the names of those he wishes to elect, and send the ballot to the chairman of the Balloting Committee, as follows:
ALPHONSE CERZA, F.P.S. (Life),
Chairman, Balloting Committee of the Philalethes Society,
19 South LaSalle Street, Chicano. Illinois 60603.
In order to have officers elected it is necessary that every member of the Society exercise his privilege of voting. Don't neglect this important duty - you owe it to the members and officers to do so.
VOTE! VOTE CAREFULLY! MAIL YOUR BALLOT!
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Emerson Easterling,
Former Fellow, Passed
Away in Oregon in May
Emerson Easterling, Fellow No. 5 of the Philalethes, but not connected with the Society for many years, passed away at his home, Ashland, Oregon, May 28 last. He was active in the Society for many years but he dropped his membership some years ago because of other activities.
Funeral services were held at Ashland, Oregon, May 29th.
Easterling was born March 13, 1900, in Neligh, Neb. He came to Ashland with his parents in 1903.
He was a member of Masonic Lodge A.F.&A.M. No. 23, the Shrine and Scottish Rite. He was an electrician.
Surviving are a sister, Pearl Easterling, and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Gertrude Easterling Ashland.
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by Alfred Dapsauski, M.P.S.
EDITOR'S NOTE - The names of those set in black type, have reasonable identification as being Freemasons. A check of these names has been made to avoid misinformation.
The tenuous strand that bridges birth and death -
By us termed life - is but God's breath.
The "breath of God" - human life on earth, conferred at His will and pleasure - runs the gamut from a few minutes to a little over a hundred years of physical existence.
Over that all-too short span, the spirits that leave their eternal fount to lease our earthly shells make their marks in the world - some noteworthy enough for historians to meritoriously record, but millions blossom, as does the unseen desert rose, unsung in their glory and unwept in their witherance.
We are inclined to admire or envy someone's exploits and headshakingly concede we are too young, or, conversely, too old to emulate their feats.
When is too young ?
When is too old?
Below, in capsule form, and compressing recorded history in its multi-thousand year panorama, is a graphic portrayal, from all walks of life and from all corners of the earth, of the ages at which certain men, women and children left their handprints on the walls of recorded time.
Alfonso XIII became King of Spain the day he was born - Connie Mack at 87 was still an active major league baseball manager! But, in between these extremes, most any year of earthly life is potential for reknown.
We start off with the pre-teen epoch, that unfathomable era of the prodigy and the genius. Many of these comet-sweeping souls continue on to greater glory and everlasting fame, but a few sputter out in a onetime burst of brilliance. Here are some notable pre-teeners.
At The Age Of
3 - SHIRLEY TEMPLE made her motion picture debut.
6 - JASCHA HEIFETZ began to play in public . . . NELLIE MELBA first sang in public.
7 - YEHUDI MENUHIN appeared as a soloist with the San Francisco Orchestra.
8 - FREDERIC CHOPIN played in public.
9 - PAGANINI made his concert debut . . . SERGE KOUSSEVITSKY joined an orchestra.
10 - PETER THE GREAT came to the Russian throne.
11 - FRANZ LISZT was a piano prodigy.
12 - JOHN L. LEWIS became a coal miner . . . WOLFGANG MOZART composed an opera.
The teen-age crucible which so concerns today's world has in the past poured out the brilliant crystals that make up life's mosaic pattern. We have but to look at these examples to admire and respect these formative years:
At The Age Of
13 - FRITZ KREISLER made his debut . . . GENGHIS KHAN succeeded his father as tribal chief and started his conquest of the world.
14 - LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN became court organist . . . SAMUEL GOMPERS became the first registered member of the Cigar-Makers International Union.
15 - JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH began earning his living as a musician . . . LIONEL BARRYMORE made his first stage appearance.
16 - BEATRICE LILLIE made her first professional appearance.
17 - JOAN OF ARC led France's armies to a miraculous victory over the British . . . NERO was proclaimed Emperor of Rome.
18 - ARISTOPHANES, the greatest ancient Greek comedy writer, began his works . . . VICTORIA began her 63-year reign as Queen of Great Britain.
19 - ROSA BONHEUR exhibited her first picture . . TOSCANINI conducted the opera Aida from memory.
Most of the world legalizes manhood at 21 and perhaps fittingly so when we consider these accomplishments of the roaring twenties:
At The Age Of
20 - ABNER DOUBLEDAY was credited with inventing the game of baseball. . . GALILEO discovered the law of the pendulum.
21 - THOMAS A. EDISON perfected an electric vote recording machine, the first of his many inventions . . . CONFUCIUS began teaching the Golden Rule.
22 - ALFRED THE GREAT became King of England . . . ANTONIO STRADIVARI was making violins under his own label.
23 - SIR ISAAC NEWTON revealed his theory of gravity, discovered the secrets of light and color, and invented the calculus . . . ORSON WELLES' radio show of a fictional invasion by Mars created panic.
24 - CHARLES DICKENS' Pickwick Papers first appeared. . .MOLLY PITCHER became a heroine of the Revolutionary Monmouth battle.
25 - CHARLES A. LINDBERGH made the first solo flight across the Atlantic. Both ELIZABETH I and ELIZABETH II ascended to the Throne of Great Britain.
26 - ALBERT EINSTEIN set f o r t h the special theory of relativity . . . CHARLEMAGNE became King of the Franks.
27 - ATTILA became King of t h e Huns . . . CLEOPATRA fell in love with Marc Antony.
28 - ANDREW CARNEGIE entered the iron business . . . SIR ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE'S A Study in Scarlet started his detective story writing career.
29 - ALEXANDER THE GREAT conquered the known world . . . SIDDARTHA GAUTAMA (BUDDAH) gave up his palace and inheritance to search for truth.
Many private businesses cut off hiring at 35, yet this is only the beginning qualification for the Presidency. This inconsistency of the fruitability of man in his thirties is highlighted in the following:
At The Age Of
30 - JESUS OF NAZARETH began the soul-searching phase of His mission on earth . . . THADDEUS KOSKIUSKO, Polish patriot, masterminded the Revolutionary Army's engineering needs.
31 - BARTOLOMEU DIAZ discovered the Cape of Good Hope . . . ANTOINE LAURENT LAVOISIER gave the first accurate, scientific explanation of the mystery of fire.
32 - THOMAS JEFFERSON drafted the Declaration of Independence . . . JOHN PAUL JONES vowed, "I have not yet begun to fight."
33 - HORATIO ALGER wrote the first of his rags-to-riches books . . . CATHERINE THE GREAT deposed her husband, Peter, and became Empress of Russia.
34 - FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE introduced field nursing during the Crimean War . . . MARTIN LUTHER's Ninety-Five Theses began the Protestant Reformation.
35 - NAPOLEON crowned himself Emperor of France . . . MOHAMMED first showed a deep interest in religion.
36 - AUGUSTUS became the first Roman Emperor . . . PAUL GAUGUIN gave up his business to become a painter.
37 - PIERRE CHARLES L'ENFANT was commissioned to plan the City of Washington . . . MARGARET MITCHELL won the Pulitzer prize for Gone With The Wind.
38 - JANE AUSTEN wrote Pride and Prejudice . . . SIR JOSEPH LISTER founded antiseptic surgery.
39 - AMELIA EARHART disappeared over the Pacific Ocean on a flight around the world . . . JOHN HANCOCK was the first and boldest to sign the Declaration of Independence.
Life may not begin at forty, but the forties signal a robust age for achievements, as demonstrated by these fabulous feats:
At The Age Of
40 - JAMES COOK became the first European to explore the South Pacific region . . . PAUL REVERE made his midnight Redcoats-are-coming dash.
41 - CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS discovered America . . . HARRIET BEECHER STOWE wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin.
42 - THEODORE ROOSEVELT became the youngest President in office . . . JULIA WARD HOWE wrote The Battle Hymn of the Republic.
43 - GEORGE WASHINGTON was made Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army . . . SAM HOUSTON captured Santa Anna, leading to Texan independence.
44 - MACHIAVELLI wrote The Prince, a formula for diabolical success . . . CARRY NATION launched her saloon-smashing crusade.
45 - JEAN PAUL MARET turned violent revolutionist and at one time demanded 270,000 men be guillotined.
46 - JIMMY DOOLITTLE led the first surprise air attack on Tokyo . . . NATHANIEL HAWTHORNE wrote The Scarlet Letter.
47 - NIKOLAI LENIN was made premier of the new Soviet government . . . BRIGHAM YOUNG established the Mormon settlement at Salt Lake City.
48 - AARON BURR killed Alexander Hamilton in a gun duel . . . NOAH WEBSTER wrote his first dictionary.
49 - DAVY CROCKETT died within the walls of the Alamo . . . MAURICE MAETERLINCK received the Nobel prize for literature.
The chances are 50-50 that man's greatest claim to glory could come in this era, as witness these outstanding fortunes in the fifties:
At The Age Of
50 - MAHATMA GANDHI began his freedom movement . . . CLAIRE BOOTHE LUCK became the first woman to represent the United States in a major diplomatic post.
51 - ABRAHAM LINCOLN was elected President . . . JULIUS CAESAR appointed himself Roman dictator, consul and tribune.
52 - JULIETTE GORDON LOW founded the Girl Scouts in America . . . ROBERT E. PEARY discovered the North Pole.
53 - ROBERT H. GODDARD fired the first rocket to go faster than sound . . . PONCE DE LEON discovered Florida.
54 - ROBERT E. LEE resigned his Union post to lead the Confederate armies.
58 - CERVANTES' Don Quixote first appeared . . . MARY BAKER EDDY organized Christian Science.
59 - JOHN BROWN captured the Harpers Ferry Arsenal in his campaign to free the slaves . . . JOHN MILTON wrote Paradise Lost while totally blind.
Going "like sixty" is not just an idle phrase as we note from these successful sixtiers:
At The Age Of
60 - VICTOR HUGO wrote Les Miserables . . . FRANK W. WOOLWORTH founded his chain of five-and-ten cent stores.
61 - PHINEAS T. BARNUM organized the circus . . . CLARA BURTON became President of the American Red Cross which she had founded.
63 - NIKITA KHRUSCHEV assumed the Premiership of the Soviet Union.
64 - BENJAMIN DISRAELI became Prime Minister of Great Britain.
65 - WINSTON CHURCHILL was installed as Prime Minister of Great Britain.
67 - WILLIAM H. HARRISON was elected President.
68 - CHARLES DEGAULLE was elected first President of the Fifth French Republic.
As the sunset of life nears, the same innate spark of brilliance that is inherent in the pre-teener shines through in man's determination to leave behind a mark in time. The spirit, in spite of age's infirmities, will not be denied, and these are classic examples of man's victory over advancing physical age:
At The Age Of
72 - SUSAN B. ANTHONY took over leadership of the suffragists.
73 - Russian Marshal BLUCHER helped the British defeat Napoleon at Waterloo.
78 - "GRANDMA" MOSES, who had never had an art lesson, started painting.
80 - DONALD B. MacMILLAN sailed on his 30th trip to the Arctic.
84 - HENRI PHILIPPE PETAIN became Chief of State of the Vichy Government.
From the comfort of our arm chairs, we have just relived in outline form a few of the exultations and triumphs, heartaches and tragedies of recorded time.
May they serve as an inspiration to go forth and make our marks in the world!
The question is not "When?" It is rather, "How?"
Whether the twenties or the thirties or even the forties have passed us by, it is consoling to realize from the above chronicle that it is not too late.
What will be the age in life engraved in lustrous letters alongside our names for outstanding services rendered while on earth??
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by Robert H. Gollmar. F.P.S.
Masonry comes up in the most unusual times and places. The other night I was leaving a football game and at the gate I found myself pressed against some vertical bars. It was necessary to crawl through which was difficult in view of the pressure of the crowd. Suddenly a voice said: "Go ahead; I'll block for you." I looked back and saw a well built young man with a wide grin. As I wiggled through the bars he said: "I saw your triangle" referring to my thirty-third degree ring. I said: "Wisconsin member?" He replied: "No, Tokyo, Japan." Then I was lost in the crowd. Ships that pass in the night.
* * *
Today I have done a little work and a great deal of meditating and contemplating. I am far from the crowded courtroom with its swirling crowd of attorneys, clerks, bailiffs and people. The angry jangle of the telephone in the background is stilled. I sat under a pine tree with the distant drone of automobiles on the highway as my only contact with modern day living. I watched the little yellow and black August butterflies bounce off the weeds and spiral through the air. A self important honey bee stopped for a moment and then bustled off. The usual birds chirped and whistled as they continued their unending search for food. There was peace on the world and even the signs of fall were not sufficiently advanced to dull the summer colors.
Masons should always remember that Masonry is a contemplative science. One of the important values of learning the catechism of the ritual is the fact that it forces a member to pause; to meditate and to contemplate before he can proceed further. It is difficult in this hustling age to find time for contemplation and meditation. This very difficulty should make it all the more important that we, as Masons, do contemplate and meditate upon the great precepts of Masonry. There are really no secrets in Masonry except the Masonic values that each of us may evolve in the secret recesses of our own hearts and minds.
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Garrity, Grand Master of DeMolay, Is Dead
We regret to announce that Stanley Garrity, Grand Master of the Order of DeMolay, passed away Saturday, August 9, in Wichita, Kansas. Deputy Grand Master J. Chris Nungesser of New Orleans, Louisiana, by ISC Statutes became the Grand Master upon the death of Dad Garrity.
Dad Garrity was installed as DeMolay's 37th Grand Master during the annual ISC session in Kansas City, Missouri, and he presided over the International Conference.
Dad Nungesser has been a member of the Supreme Council since 1939 and served as Executive Officer in Louisiana, his native state.
He is a Senior DeMolay of Concorde chapter, New Orleans, and received the LOH in 1938. He was the first Senior DeMolay to receive the 33d of the Scottish Rite, and the second to hold the office of Grand Master of a Grand Lodge.
Professionally, he is president of the Bernard & Nungesser, Inc., Insurance Agency, and President of the Dixie Homestead Association. He is married and has a son and a daughter.
Dad Nungesser's Masonic back-ground is an illustrious one. He was raised a Master Mason in Paul M. Schneidau Lodge No. 391 in1925, and served it as Worshipful Master in 1931. He was coroneted 33d in 1939, and served in several offices of the Scottish Rite Bodies.
A member of Jerusalem Shrine Temple in New Orleans, he served it as Potentate in 1936. He was instrumental in reinstituting the New Orleans Court No. 36 of the Royal Order of Jesters in 1936, and then served as Director for three successive years.
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Time For Action
Brethren, it is time for all of us to do our best to obtain one or more applicants for membership in the Society.
In the last issue of our publication your membership chairman felt rather good when he saw the list of 40 new members, but, a couple of weeks later he received news that we had lost 58 for one reason or another.
Now this picture calls for some immediate action from the membership at large to balance our loss with some new faces.
You out there in the cities, towns and by-ways are the only contact we have in a case of this nature, contact for some real live action.
It takes a unity of effort to produce some results and your membership chairman is asking you to lend a hand.
We need members, so if each of you will try to obtain an applicant, it is felt that the picture will change for the better.
If you need magazines and applications write to the address below. Don't forget we can use any number of nominations. Our membership is acquainted with thousands of worthy Masons, who would like to take a part in the Society, that is provided they knew something about it.
Again just as a reminder, this is the TIME FOR ACTION, so talk to John, Joe or Fred about the Philalethes Society. We need new members to fill the vacancies in our ranks.
Kenneth F. Curtis, F.P.S.
Chairman, Membership Committee
2455 Raeford Road,
Orlando, Florida 32806
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BY ALPHONSE CERZA, F.P.S. (Life), Illinois
Freemasons have a great interest in George Washington because he was first in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen, and now the first Freemason of the land. With the passing years his greatness is becoming more and more recognized as is indicated by the constant flow of books about his life and work.
The latest book about our illustrious Brother is "George Washington in the American Revolution (1775-1783)," by James Thomas Flexner. This 600 page book with a complete bibliography and detailed index covers the period in Washington's life from the time he was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army until he had completed his work as the leader of the group. It is a moving story well told in a clear and interesting manner.
Available at $10.00 a copy, from Little, Brown and Co., 34 Beacon St., Boston, Mass. 02106.
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In keeping with the observance of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Order of DeMolay this year, the New Age Magazine devoted its June issue entirely to a discussion of this great boy's organization. This special issue should be read by every Mason for the information it contains and the great inspiration that will be received from its stirring story.
Get one or more copies from the Supreme Council, 33d, 1733 Sixteenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009, at twenty cents a copy.
* * *
As we think of the Order of DeMolay our thoughts go back to the Templars and the martyrdom of Jacques DeMolay. A very fine treatment of the history of the Templars and what happened during those dark days of its leader has been published in the new magazine of history "Mankind," in its December, 1968 issue.
Available at $1.25 a copy, from Mankind, 8060 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, Calif. 90046.
For many years Americans United has been the watch-dog of the public treasury against raids by the Churches of America and their Church-related schools. Its printed material is always timely, informative, and interesting. Its 21st National Conference proceedings are available at fifty cents a copy and contain talks of current problems.
But the current most important project is the study which is resulting in a full-scale report on a subject that is becoming more and more important each day. The book will be available after November 1st and is entitled "The Churches: Their Riches, Revenues and Immunities." The material was gathered together and the book has been written by Martin A. Larson and C. Stanley Lowell. Brother Lowell is no stranger to reading Masons. For years he has been studying current problems in the area of the churches and the state in relationship to each other. His illuminating books in past years on Protestant-Catholic Marriage, and the more recent book on "The Ecumenical Mirage," have demonstrated that he is a careful researcher, a perceptive observer of the current scene, and he has the faculty of reporting his findings in a clear and easy-to-read style. The book on the riches of the churches will find a large ready audience because the churches in recent years have been seriously abusing their tax exemption status and have not only acquired great wealth but are clammering for more and more of the tax dollar. Brother Lowell is a minister and is very much concerned that this persistent drive for public funds by the churches will result in the development of anti-clericalism in the United States. He keeps repeating that history clearly shows that what has been happening in the United States in recent years has been the cause of trouble for both the churches and the governments in many countries in the past.
Available from Americans United, after November 1st, at $6.95 a copy; the address is 1633 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.
* * *
In July of this year mankind took one leap forward and reached the moon. It is another illustration of man's adventuresome spirit. Many years ago Marco Polo heard tales of a land afar off and he went to explore the Far East bringing back strange tales and things of interest; a new horizon was opened. Later Columbus ventured to the west and discovered a new land mass. Not too long afterwards Magellan sailed around the world and the new lands were placed in proper perspective. On our continent the trail blazing of Lewis and Clark, two Masons, helped open up the West to the white man. Still we were not content, and Peary, a Mason, ventured to the North Pole and Byrd, a Mason, went forth to discover the South Pole. There was little else to discover on this planet; the frontier was no more. To man in his constant quest to discover something new this was not the end and he gazed out into space. It was not long before a dream became a reality.
There are many questions in the minds on everyone on the exploration of the moon. And we all want to be a part of this great adventure, even if only in a safe armchair in our living room.
The best account of the subject, in language that is easy to understand, is the paper-back "U.S. On the Moon; What it Means to Us," published by U.S. News & World Report, Washington, D.C., and selling at $2.95 a copy. The address is 2300 N Street, N.W. , Washington, D. C. 20037.
* * *
The members of the Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction have heard the good news that the Supreme Council has decided to issue a magazine which will be mailed to each member. The first issue is scheduled for January, 1970. Brother George E. Burrow, a life-long newspaper man, has been appointed editor and a new member of our society, and we are assured that his skilled hands will result in a fine publication. It is another reason why Masons in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction who have not joined this Rite of Freemasonry should join promptly. On the general assumption that editors are always looking for good manuscripts from able writers, and knowing that our Society has many devoted students of Freemasonry, I am suggesting that if you have any articles on Masonic subjects, not over 1,000 words long, that you submit them to the new editor for consideration. Nothing makes an editor more happy than to have manuscript after manuscript coming in so that he has a wide choice of material. Let's make George happy. His address is 13 Fletcher Place, Danville, Illinois 61832.
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In our last issue there was mention of "The Word" then in the process of being published. At this writing the latest report is that the book will be available for distribution soon. It is likely that by the time this issue reaches your hands that fine play by Brother Myron K. Lingle is in your hands if you have placed your order for a copy.
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by Richard Tutt, Jr., 32d
NO. 4 - "SAMUEL TUCKER - A SALTY NAVY SEA-DOG''
"DAMMIT! MR. ADAMS!", shouted Sam Tucker, as he grabbed John Adams, musket in hand, and pushed him toward the hatchway. "I told you to take shelter! Congress gave me orders to get you safely to France, and, by Jehosephat, I'm carrying out those orders! Now you get to hell below deck until I let you up!"
John Adams got!
What a fine way to order around a future President of the United States! Actually, the lives of two future Presidents were in jeopardy at that moment. Mr. Adams' eleven-year old son, John Quincy Adams, was also aboard the Continental Navy's frigate, "BOSTON," on that eventful day, March 11, 1778, when the British Letter-of-Marque "Martha" armed with 14 guns, was encountered at sea.
Commodore (then Captain) Samuel Tucker was carrying Mr. John Adams to France as our new commissioner to replace Silas Deane.
The Eastern Navy Board orders to Captain Tucker, dated February 10, 1778, put Mr. Adams in the position of being able to tell Captain Tucker what to do! But, when Sam Tucker stepped onto the deck of any vessel that he commanded his word was law! He ran the ship!
The fourth day at sea the "Boston" ran into a 3-day hurricane, which strained her seams and endangered her seaworthiness. Tucker's seamanship brought her through. In fair weather the "Boston" bowled along at an average of better than eight knots, about 200 nautical miles per day.
March 11th was the day the "Martha" was encountered and Tucker went after her. Just before the action started he found Mr. Adams, musket in hand, lined up with the Marines ready to do some shooting. He ordered Mr. Adams to take shelter. The moment Tucker's back was turned, Mr. Adams sneaked back into the line of Marines; Tucker caught him, snatched away his musket, and delivered the alleged admonition I have quoted. The "Martha" was captured and sent into Boston with a prizecrew; the cargo was worth about 80,000 pounds Sterling. Mr. Adams was landed safely at Bordeaux, France, on April 1st, 1778.
Brother Samuel Tucker's career began when, as an 11-year-old boy, he ran away to sea, joining the British Navy in the war with the French (1758). Upon return to his native town of Marblehead he continued his sea-faring career, attaining the rank of Captain.
Philanthropic Lodge A.F. & A.M. in Marblehead held its initial organizational meeting in the Tucker family home (still standing at 70 Prospect Street) on March 25, 1760. Brother Brig. General John Glover joined the Lodge at that meeting. Captain Tucker was under age at that time. His membership in the Craft did not start in old Philanthropic. His diploma was issued by St. John's Lodge No. 1, the old original first Lodge, dated January 30, 1779, (after his return from France.)
On January 20, 1776 Tucker was at Beverly, at Brother Glover's wharf, to take command of the Marblehead armed schooner, "Franklin," lying idle there since her return from the raid at Charlottetown in November, 1775, under Captain John Selman. Tucker supplied his own small arms from his own funds; his wife made for him the Pine Tree flag emblazoned with the words, "An Appeal to God." This assignment, of course, was in the so-called "George Washington's Navy," the fleet of the United Colonies of North America authorized by General Washington, as the Continental Congress Act of November 10, 1775, had no vessels as yet under construction or under negotiation to lease or purchase.
During the month of April, 1776, Tucker was assigned to replace Captain John Manley as commander of the armed schooner, "Hancock," another Marblehead vessel in "George Washington's Navy." The command of the "Franklin" was turned over to Tucker's Lieutenant, the immortal Captain James Mugford, Jr. With Manley's departure from the old "Hancock" to the new Continental frigate, "Hancock," Tucker became the senior officer of the "original Navy." He issued the orders even though as yet he had not been given a Commodore's commission.
On June 16th Tucker participated with Seth Harding, in command of the Connecticut brig, "Defense," in capturing the transport ship "George" in Boston Harbor, carrying units of the 71st Scotch Highlander Regiment. The "George" was accompanied by the transport, "Annabelle," which ran aground on Allerton shoal; her passengers were captured.
The "George" put up a fight, but was forced to strike her colors when she ran out of ammunition. Fatalities aboard the "George" were heavy and included one of their brave officers Major Menzies. His body was brought into Boston and buried with military honors from the State House. Colonial and Scottish officers, victors and vanquished, marched side by side behind the caisson.
On the day following the funeral a third transport, the "Lord Howe," with the grenadier company of the 71st, arrived. Being unarmed, she was taken without resistance.
On November 14th Tucker participated in the capture of the brig "Lively" with a rich cargo valued at 25,000 pounds sterling, that included 17,000 suits of clothes, 30,000 shirts, 30,000 pairs of stockings, 30,000 pairs of shoes, linen and cambric sheeting, wines, soap, candles, barley and tobacco, a bonanza for our armed forces.
The "original Navy" of George Washington was partially liquidated by the end of 1776, to be replaced by the new Continental Navy authorized by the Continental Congress at Philadelphia.
The Continental Congress appointed Tucker a "Captain in the Navy of the United States," to take rank (seniority) after those officers of the Continental Navy as had been set by the Act of November 10, 1775. He was given command of the frigate "Boston" but was unable to assume that command until Captain Hector McNiel had been relieved, following a trial in which McNiel became personna non grata. No other ship had been available for Tucker.
Upon taking command of the "Boston" in early 1778, his first orders were to take our new Envoy John Adams, to France. That Voyage I have described at the opening of this story.
While at Bordeaux, 47 French seamen, all volunteers, signed on as members of the crew. The ship was cleaned and a new mainmast stepped. From Bordeaux Tucker cruised across the Bay of Biscay, along the French coast, for about one month. On June 19, 1778, he captured the Scotch brig, "John and Rebecca." Three other vessels, names not given, were also taken on this cruise. They were taken into Lorient, France. While there, a French general came aboard and demanded the release of the 47 French seamen volunteers who had signed on at Bordeaux. This did not please Tucker, who filed a vigorous protest. As delicate negotiations were going on between the French and our Envoys in Paris, he was careful to avoid doing anything that might create an "incident" with a nation we hosed to have as an ally.
On June 24, 1778, Tucker with the "Boston" and Captain Seth Harding with the "Confederacy" went on a cruise that netted seven prizes; six of them were armed. The most important capture was the "Pole," a British frigate of 210 tons, mounting 24 guns. Not a single shot was fired by either adversary. Tucker recognized her at a distance, disguised the "Boston" by flying British colors, then boldly sailed right up to her while preparing for action. As soon as he had secured a commanding position, he lowered the British colors and hoisted the new American flag. He ordered the "Pole's" captain to surrender. The flabbergasted Britisher, seeing that he didn't have a chance to resist, struck his colors. The "Pole" and her cargo were worth about 120.000 Bounds Sterling.
Under orders from our Commissioners to France, Tucker weighted anchor August 1st to meet Captain Whipple with the "Providence" at Nantes, up the Loire River. They met at Paimboeuf, near the river's mouth, saluted each other with 13-guns, held a courtesy visit, then proceeded to Brest. Here they picked up Brother John Paul Jones with the "Ranger." Tucker is alleged to have said: "Thank God there will be two frigates and a sloop-of-war belonging to the thirteen United States together, and I hope Heaven will send us success in the cruise, and that we all may return to America plentifully loaded with His divine goodness," (his idea of "divine goodness" being enemy ships with rich cargoes). They left Brest August 22nd, headed for American shores. They captured the *snow, "Adventure," and the brigs,
* A "snow" is a vessel equipped with two masts resembling main and foremasts, with a third small most just above the mainmast carrying a topsail.
"Sally" and "The Friends," from which they replenished their rum supply. These prizes were sent into Portsmouth. N.H.
There appears to be a lapse in the records involving further cruises by Tucker until June of 1779. The Navy contended with many difficulties in securing sufficient crew members to properly man the ships of its small fleet. The monetary rewards to be secured in privateering were too attractive, and such vessels, particularly the privateers in the so-called Massachusetts State Navy, were effectively successful in taking prizes.
Tucker left New England waters November 24, 1779. Whipple broke open his sealed orders at sea and they proceeded to Charleston, S.C.
** Brother General Benjamin Lincoln, commander of the Southern Department of the Continental Army, with 2,000 men, had retreated to Charleston following the repulse of the joint Franco-American operation against Savannah. Whipple's four ships arrived December 18, after an extremely rough voyage. The "Providence" and "Ranger" had sprung mizzenmasts; Tucker's "Boston" sprung her mainmast; the "Queen Of France" alone appeared to remain unscratched. The painful details of the debacle at Charleston, which culminated in the surrender of the fleet on May 10, 1780, are just as well omitted here. They brought the Continental Navy almost to extinction. Erratic judgment with subsequent poor decisions, made by both Lincoln and Whipple had kept the fleet bottled up until it was too late to escape to sea. They should have been ordered to sea six months earlier. Tucker became a prisoner of war, but was paroled to his home in Marblehead until a proper exchange of prisoners of equal rank could be arranged.
Upon his release from parole, Tucker, at his own request, was given command of the "Thorn" which he had captured sometime earlier and which had been taken into the Continental Naval Service. During March, 1781, in the "Thorn" he captured two British packets, one of 16-six-pounder guns with a cargo of brandy and dry goods; the other was from Jamaica, bound for London. Tucker didn't lose a man.
In May and June of 1781, in the
** General Lincoln became a Mason in the Lodge of St. Andrew, Boston, on May 4, 1781, after the defeat at Charleston.
"Thorn" Tucker took three prizes, a sloop, a letter-of-marque and a "snow," all with valuable cargoes. Next he took the ship, "Elizabeth," 20 guns, while she was under convoy by two armed vessels, the "Observer" and the "Howe," which beat a retreat.
A few weeks later his capture of the "Lord Hyde," a packet with 22 guns, was quite spectacular. As Tucker drew near, the British Captain shouted "Haul down your colors or I'll sink you!" Calmly Tucker replied, "Aye, aye, Sir, directly," and then ordered his helmsman to steer the "Thorn" right up under the stern of the "Lord Hyde," luff up under his lee quarter and range alongside. While the "Thorn" was executing this maneuver, the Britisher let go a broadside that did very little damage; when the "Thorn" came alongside Tucker ordered his gunners to fire a broadside, followed by a volley of artillery. A dreadful carnage followed. Shortly a cry from the Britisher went up: "Quarter, for God's sake, quarter! Our men are dying!" Tucker snapped back: "How can you expect quarter with your flag flying?" They answered: "Our halyards are shot away." "Then cut away your ensign mast or you'll all be dead men!"
This was done immediately, the firing ceased, only the groans of the wounded could be heard. Thirty-four, including the Captain, were either killed or wounded. On boarding her Tucker exclaimed, as he surveyed this carnage, "Would to God I had never seen her!"
Tucker's last cruise, so far as the Revolutionary War was involved, took place in July, 1781. Patrolling the Gulf of St. Lawrence, he was defeated by the superior forces of the British frigate, "Hind." He and his men were landed on the Island of St. John (now Prince Edward Island), where Captains Broughton and Selman from Marblehead had raided Charlottetown and taken Governor Callback and Judge Wright away as prisoners in November, 1775.
While they were supposed to be convoyed to Halifax, the British Captain left Tucker and his 0fficers ashore with no food and just the clothes on their backs, saying: "Now, Captain Tucker, we are well rid of you. I think you will not bother the British Navy again!" They found a small boat in rather poor condition, but by rowing, bailing, sailing at night, they worked their way around Nova Scotia and eventually back to Boston.
Interlude.
In 1793 Tucker moved from Marblehead to Bristol (now Bremen), Maine, then a part of Massachusetts. He served in the Legislature and did some farming.
Then came the war of 1812. The British war vessels, "Bream" and "Rattler," captured five Maine schooners off Pemaquid Point. With their men they were sent away under prize crews. Bristol and Boothbay were up in arms over this affair. Tucker, at 66 years of age, headed the force raised and took over the sloop, "Increase," of Round Pond. Their only arms were two artillery field pieces from Wiscasset and the muskets and knives carried by the men. After cruising a couple of days without sighting anything, and being low on food and water, they sailed back to Boothbay, left the artillery pieces and headed for Bristol. Upon clearing Pemaquid Point Tucker spied a sail at the eastward coming in to intercept him. He kept his course as if he were a fisherman bound for St. George, all but five of his men hidden below deck.
It was the "Bream." Tucker realized he would have to fight at close quarters. As the "Bream" came nearer, she fired at Tucker but missed. Tucker tacked immediately and bore down on the "Beam." His crew fired their muskets at close range and swept the "Bream's" decks. As the vessels collided, his men clambered aboard and drove the British crew below deck. He brought his prize into Round Pond and delivered the prisoners to the Wiscasset jail. This helped to even the score for the dirty trick played on him at the Island of St. John 32 years before.
Between World Wars I and II the U.S. Navy named the destroyer U.S.S. "TUCKER" in his honor. There is also a monument to his honor at the cemetery in Bremen.
Let us hope someday that Sam Tucker's old home in Marblehead will be restored as our memorial to him!
Another Military Mason to add to the National Sojourners Roll of Honor.
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By Allen E. Roberts, F.P.S.
3. WANTED - MASONIC MANAGERS
"I love you, Son, like a hog loves slops," said the Past Grand Master. "I hate to see you sticking your neck out the way you have in this manuscript that's going to become a book."
"What do you mean?" I asked, puzzled.
"I know you appreciate constructive criticism, so I'm going to be critical, But I reckon I ought to tell you first of all the many things I like about what you have written. I like the way . . ."
"Wait, a minute, my friend," I interrupted him. "I'm not paging you to praise the manuscript (I had just bought him a cup of coffee), I'm paying to keep the mistakes I've made off the printed page. We can't always see them on 8 1/2 by 11 sheets, but they stand out like five caret diamonds when they're bound between hard covers."
"O.K.," said he, shaking his head. "Let's start at the beginning. You've got a cartoon on the Frontispiece showing a Worshipful Master yawning, with a leg draped over the arm of his chair, cobwebs dangling from his feet, asking, 'Whadda we do next, Brother Secretary?' That's not very complimentary. Do you think that's typical of our Masters?"
"Caught your eye, I see," said I, laughing. "You know just as well as I do that there are too many like that. Even if there was only one, that would be too many. And I suspect we can even find a Grand Master or two that that picture will fit. You should have seen the picture I really wanted to use!"
He thought about that, then he laughed, too. "All right. I'll buy it. What you are trying to say is you hope what follows will do away with the cobwebs by getting some action from Worshipful Masters."
"Not only Masters, but all Masonic leaders. In my research on leadership in Freemasonry I find, and I'm sure everyone who has ever given it a thought finds, that our Lodges and Grand Lodges can be no better than those who lead them. We must have strong managers or we aren't going to grow."
"That's another thing," said the PGM. "You start out by talking about management and managers and you end up by talking about management and managers. That's something completely foreign to Freemasonry. Shouldn't you have played down that angle and talked more about - let's say - leadership?"
"We've been talking about leadership for two and a half centuries," I replied. "You can't pick up a periodical about Freemasonry t h a t doesn't talk about leadership - and the lack of it. It isn't leadership we're lacking, it's knowing what to do with the leadership we have. That means we've got to start learning something about management. We've got to start training our leaders to be Masonic managers."
The PGM pointed to the manuscript. "You say here, 'We are bringing men into our lodges and aren't teaching them anything about Masonry, except the ritual.' That's what I've been saying for years, so maybe you do have a point. Maybe what you call 'dynamic management' will do what you say and 'unlock the door to the growth of Freemasonry.' But I fear you're going to have a hard time selling that idea. You've stepped on a lot of feet in your book and a lot of fellows are going to be mad."
"Give me a for-instance."
"For instance, you say the Grand Masters and Grand Secretaries Conferences held each year in Washington can be useful tools, but they aren't. You claim too many of those who attend those meetings keep what they learn locked up in their own minds and don't pass the information along to those who could put it into practice. That's going to make some people angry."
"Who's going to get angry?" I asked, then answered my own question.
"Only those who are doing what I claim they are doing - if they read the book. And if they get angry enough, perhaps they will do something about communicating w h at they have learned to those way down the line. That will help them when they arrive in a position of leadership. You know better than I do that there have been some excellent papers presented at these conferences, papers that have taken a lot of time to prepare. What has been done with them? Who gets to see them? Since you have become a Past Grand Master, what do you know about what has been said at these conferences?"
"Come to think of it, nothing," said my friend, wide-eyed. "Hey! Maybe you will shake some good information loose! You should have included something about fraternal reviews being buried, too. They should be widely disseminated."
"Wish I could use those fifty-cent words like you do! You're right. But I purposely kept this manuscript as short as humanly possible for two reasons - I'm wanting it to be read and I want the price kept down so it will be bought. So it was impossible to cover everything I wanted to at length. But I do talk about how foolish it is for Lodges and Grand Lodges to live on 'fraternal islands.' I've tried to stress the importance of good communication between these so a duplication of effort can be avoided. Cooperation is most important. We can't cooperate unless we all know what the other fellow is doing."
"That's another thing that's going to make feIlows angry," said the PGM grimly. "Fraternal islands are a figment of your imagination. They don't exist."
"Phooey!" I returned. "You're just trying to get my dander up. You and I both know they exist. You know as well as I do that the methods used by the Federal government of pulling everyone down to the lowest common denominator has reached into Freemasonry. Too often we're hearing Grand officers cry, 'We've got to stop making men learn the ritual to become officers. Busy men don't have the time to learn how to initiate, pass and Raise candidates. What we want a r e executives, not ritualistic parrots!' If those fellows have their way, there will be no Freemasonry within a decade."
"Are you saying the ritual is important?" asked my friend in amazement. "I thought you were preaching that management is most important. Managers don't know any ritual. "
"I sure hope you are pulling my leg," I said. "I've tried to make it clear that to be a Masonic leader - you will note I'm emphasizing the word 'Masonic' - a knowledge of the Masonic ritual is a necessity. What I have been saying - and I hope loud and clear - is a Masonic leader must know more, much more, than the ritual. A study of Robert's Rules of Order can turn a man into a presiding officer in any other organization. Freemasonry, however, is unlike any other organization that has ever existed. That's why I'm a Freemason. That's why I love working for the Fraternity. I will agree with those detractors on one thing, though. We don't need parrots. Our ritual is too meaningful and beautiful to be butchered by men who just stand and recite words about which they know nothing."
"You have right strong feelings on the subject," observed the PGM. "I also note from your manuscript that you have strong feelings about three fears that you believe exists in Freemasonry."
"You're referring to the fear of innovation, setting precedents, and the loss of authority?"
"Yep. I'll agree that the first two are prevalent, but I don't agree with you on the fear of the loss of authority. Every Master and Grand Master knows he is the boss. He doesn't have to fear losing any authority."
"You are right, of course," I agreed. "But how many of them do you know who delegate any authority? How many of them are what I'm calling Constructive Leaders? Aren't too many of them the Obstructive type, and don't realize it? Don't they select men they can manipulate, men whom they assume are incapable of thinking for themselves?"
"I wouldn't go that far, but, naturally, they want men who will cooperate with them."
"Sure they do! They want agreeable men around them. Men who will pat them on the back when they really should be kicking them in the pants to keep the boss from making an ass of himself! And if that doesn't make sense to you, read the book and it will!"
The PGM laughed heartily. "It makes sense to me. Now, can I praise the darn thing?"
"No more criticism! Do you mean that you agree with everything else I've said?"
"Nope, and neither will anyone else agree with everything you've put into that book. But you've made me think and so will those who read it."
"You scared me for a minute," I said, breathing a sigh of relief. "If you had said you agreed with everything, I would have had to figure out where I went wrong and start writing all over again. I'd have known I hadn't said anything worth a darn."
"Did Dwight Smith who wrote the Foreword agree with everything you wrote?"
"He didn't say," I answered. "I doubt it. Frankly, I don't believe anyone will agree with half of what I've written. Not the first time around, anyway. But, I'll make you a wager. I'll bet that those Lodges and Grand Lodges that really try to put the principles of good management that I've outlined in the book into practice, there will be little they will disagree with."
"I'll not take that bet," said the PGM. "I wish I had had something like it to follow before I was elected Grand Master. There are a lot of things I would have done differently. I particularly like your thoughts on the need for continuity in Freemasonry. Don't know as I would have followed your plans for an Executive Board, but I would have used something like it. It's downright pitiful to have all those good plans and programs I started go down the drain."
"You know why they did, don't you? It's because you didn't meet with the officers following you. There was no unity of purpose. They didn't know what was going on, and they couldn't care less. There just has to be continuity, if Freemasonry is to grow - to reach its full potential."
"Now that I've been properly chastised, I want to tell you that I believe you when you tell us that by following the principles of good management we will have come a long way toward finding the key to Freemasonry's growth."
I'm not a complete fool. On that happy note, I drained my cup and bid my friend, the Past Grand Master, goodbye.
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Lets Look It Up
On page 113 of the February 1944 Masonic Craftsman, published in Boston, Alfred Hampden Moorhouse, editor writes -
"A Michigan resident has set aside $1,000 in his will to be held in trust at compound interest until the year 2250 when it will amount to $2,500,000.00 and at that time the sum is to be placed in care of the Knights Templar for charitable purposes. Thus is shown a great faith in the future and worth of this Masonic organization." Who knows more of this?
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To Celebrate Anniversary
The greatest gathering of DeMolays in the history of the Order took place in Kansas City, Missouri, from July 1-4 in a mid-way point of DeMolay's year-long 50th Anniversary Commemoration. A total of 3,800 were registered for the fourday International Conference, and hundreds of other local DeMolays, Masons and their families attended portions of the conference program. All fifty of the United States, six provinces in Canada, Japan, Philippines and Germany were represented at the Conference. The four-day extravaganza was planned under the tutelage of 50th Anniversary Chairman Chester Hodges of Cincinnati, Ohio; Vice-Chairman Henry O. Dormann of New York City, New York, who was responsible for obtaining the speakers; Executive Director Richard E. Harkins; and Chief Coordinator Tom W. Moberly; with many others from the ISC Headquarters Staff making valuable contributions to the fulfillment of the program.
A galaxy of internationally-known speakers was assembled for the Conference.
Running concurrently with the overall International Conference program was the Second International DeMolay Congress, which was attended by 115 delegates from throughout the jurisdictions in the DeMolay movement. The Congress members were divided into fourteen different committees paralleling those of the Supreme Council, and the Congress as a whole made various recommendations to the Supreme Council as a result of the deliberations of their committees. The Jurisdictional Master Councilors Conference also was held during the course of the Kansas City meeting, with 49 Jurisdictional Master Councilors present.
Serving as Chairman of the Conference and Congress was the International Master Councilor James R. Alleman of Salt Lake City, Utah, and as Secretary of both groups, Duwain Hunt, Past State Master Councilor of Michigan.
Those attending the International Conference followed a busy schedule. Several optional attractions were offered each morning including six different tours of the greater Kansas City area, exemplification of Initiatory and DeMolay degrees by nine outstanding degree teams from chapters throughout the U.S., leadership seminars, and special Mothers' Club and Advisors seminars. General sessions of the Congress and Conference were held in the Municipal Auditorium in the afternoon and evening. Two or more principal speakers were featured each afternoon and one in the evening before the entertainment. Entertainment the first three nights included the "Sing-Out Group" from Topeka, Kansas; a rock and roll band; "The American Breed"; and Pat Paulsen and John Hartford.
At 11:00 p.m. on each of the first three nights, a special Knighthood investiture was held by Priory teams from Ohio, Texas, and Missouri with more than 300 new Sir Knights initiated during the Conference.
Three special luncheons were held during the Conference to honor various award and honor holders in DeMolay. Speakers included C. B. Montis, Past Grand Master of Ohio and Grand Secretary of the Grotto; Clayton Watkins, the first Representative DeMolay of the Movement; and Gorman A. McBride, one of the original nine DeMolays, the first Master Councilor and the current Director of Administration at ISC Headquarters. One of the special morning seminars was a program called "Apollo Up-to-Date" presented by a representative of North American Rockwell Corporation, the prime contractor for the U.S. Apollo program.
A large indoor pageant/parade was enjoyed by more than 5,000 Friday morning in the Municipal Auditorium as DeMolay, Shrine and civic units paraded in a two-hour program. A special DeMolay band of 75 members was also organized from musicians from all over the country to play before each afternoon and evening session.
The only meal function involving all who attended the International Conference was the Grand Banquet which was part of the final evening activities on Friday, July 4. Nearly 3,800 sat down to dinner in the Exhibition Hall of the Municipal Auditorium, which constituted one of the largest dinner gatherings in the history of Kansas City in the last twenty years. Following the dinner, the group returned to the Auditorium for the final speaker and program, and the Conference was closed by DeMolay Grand Master Stanley Garrity with a rededication service. Thus, the 50th Anniversary International Conference became history, and many were already looking forward to the possibility of another International Conference in the near future.
The two days following the Conference three charter planes containing 490 persons took off for a two-week DeMolay European Pilgrimage. The group visited 8 countries and participated in a special plaque dedication in Paris, France, at the death-site of Jacques DeMolay.
There are several outstanding events planned on the chapter and jurisdictional levels through the balance of the year-long 50th Anniversary Commemoration of DeMolay, and November will be particularly highlighted as a special membership month, with a goal of 10,000 new DeMolays to be initiated. Masons are urged to contact their nearest chapter if they have any potential DeMolay members to recommend and to offer their services as an Advisor, and help these "Young Men On The Go!"
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Welcome to New
Members
OWEN L. SHANTEAU, 2009 E. Broadway, Logansport, Indiana 46947
STANLEY C. WYILIE, JR., 1715 Riviera Ct., Dayton, Ohio 45406
DR. GEORGE F. ADAMS, 75 Berica St., San Francisco, Calif. 94127
BRUCE D. HUDSON, Suite 9B, 201 East Chestnut, Chicago, Illinois 60611
A. ALBERT FREEMAN, 74 Varick St., New York, N.Y. 10013
WILLIAM DANIEL LEWIS, Aurora 505, Chapalita Guadalajara, Jal., Mexico
GEORGE E. BUROW, 13 Fletcher Pi., Danville, Ill. 61832
JOHN WOLFE, JR., 96 Maxwell Ave., Geneva, New York 14456
GEORGE APP1EGARTH, Box 13, Mosgiel, Otago, New Zealand
LAVON P. LINN, 2647 South Kent St., Arlington, Va. 22202
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More Exact
Information Received
James R. Case, F.P.S., has written the Editor with more information on the article Exact Information, contained in the August issue of our magazine. He writes -
"Reference to the item Exact Information on page 67 of August 1969 magazine - as for Washington being Master of a lodge, note the comment in this (enclosed) paper - quoted (below). Further, the charter of Alexandria Lodge from the Virginia Grand Lodge named the first four officers but did not specify their titles.
On page 73 of the same number (of the Philalethes magazine) the question concerns the Masonic membership of Burgoyne and Biedesel. I have never seen any reference to Burgoyne as a Mason but Jack Milbourne in Quebec notes that Biedesel was one. See page 178 of American Lodge of Research Transactions X-2.
Quoting his paper Washington's Documented Lodge Visits, we read that 'Meanwhile, of course, Washington was considered the Master, and on December 20th and in his absence, he was elected Master. What happened to the efforts of a committee to obtain his consent to serve is not known. It is lamentable that the records of Alexandria lodge have been so mutilated that no record survives of Washington's attendance, installation, or even presiding over the lodge during these critical months. Most unfortunately, we have no positive assurance of such events between May 1788, when he was nominated and confirmed by Grand Lodge as the first Master of Alexandria Lodge (22), and the middle of August 1789, when he left Virginia for New York City and his inauguration. But that was the precise contingency for which a Deputy Master had been provided in the first place - the probability that Washington would seldom attend in person.'"
Brother Case in the aforementioned paper, has many comments on Washington's Masonic activities, which we will quote:
"The records of the lodge at Fredericksburg show that he was made a Mason November 4, 1752, passed to the degree of Fellowcraft March 3, 1753, and raised a Master Mason August 4, 1753. He was in attendance September 1, 1753 and January 5, 1755, and that's all the extant records of Fredericksburg Lodge tells us. We know from his letters that he was interested in steps taken to obtain a Scottish Charter as late as 1758. It must be remembered however, that he was a resident of Mount Vernon, fifty miles distant. As a matter of fact, only his boyhood days were spent near Fredericksburg. His mother lived there, but from the age of fourteen years, George was living with his brother Lawrence or exploring and surveying Shenandoah lands.
The lodge at Fredericksburg considered Washington one of their own as long as he lived, and have ever since. At his death, he was listed among the deceased members of the lodge. This connection was acknowledged or sanctioned by the Grand Lodge when the death was published in that order in the Proceedings.
There is a period from 1758 until 1778 during which we have no record of Washington's participation in Masonic affairs. Then, on St. John's Day 1773, he appeared in Masonic procession with three hundred other Masons and attended church services in Philadelphia.
The next year on St. John's Day in June 1779 at West Point, he and his family or military staff, joined American Union Lodge at a Feast commemorating the occasion, one hundred and six men paying their club. It cannot be shown that he was in a tiled meeting on either of these occasions, but we know that there was no degree work anyway."
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Nebraska Apron To Rest in Kansas Masonic Museum
by Charles S. McGinness, M.P.S.
A Masonic Apron of great interest and background was presented to the Kansas Grand Lodge museum recently by Bro. John A. Murrow, a long time member of Siloam Lodge No. 225, Topeka, and a former postal employee of the Topeka office.
The apron which he presented was one worn by his uncle, M. .W. .William A. DeBord, at a Special Communication of Kilwinning Lodge No. 365 in Cincinnati, Ohio, when William Howard Taft was made a Mason "at sight." The date is endorsed on the apron underneath the gold signature of "Wm. H. Taft, Master Mason, Feby 18, 1909."
The apron bears signatures of no less than twelve Grand Masters who were presumably present, besides a large number of Past Grand Masters and other Masonic dignitaries from other Jurisdictions.
The event is described in M. .W. . William R. Denslow's "Ten Thousand Famous Freemasons" as follows:
"He (Wm. H. Taft) had expressed a desire to be a Freemason a year before his presidential candidacy. On February 18, 1909, he was made a Mason "at sight" within the body of Kilwinning Lodge No. 365, Cincinnati by Grand Master Charles S. Hoskinson. On this occasion he said: "I am glad to be here, and to be a Mason; it does me good to feel the thrill that comes from recognizing on all hands the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man . . . Years ago my father stood in the same place and expressed his love and admiration for the order."
The Denslow biography continues with "Both his father and his half brother, Charles P. Taft were members of Kilwinning Lodge and his father served as Master. He (Wm. H. Taft ) affiliated with the lodge on April 14, 1909. He made many visits in later years."
One of these was to Kansas in September 1911, when he served as Orator for the Grand Lodge Communication in Hutchinson on September 26. At that time he was President of the United States and the minutes of the meeting (page 457 of 1912 Grand Lodge Proceedings) contain this statement:
"The importance of this Communication was greatly enhanced by virtue of acceptance of Bro. WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT, President of the United States of an invitation to act as Grand Orator and deliver an address as provided for in the ceremony . . . The address of Bro. Taft was of unusual interest, not only to the members of the Craft, but to the citizens in general."
While the minutes mention a "new municipal building" in Hutchinson, old timers say that the building was actually the Municipal Auditorium.
The day following, President Taft officiated at the laying of the cornerstone of the Kansas State Historical Society Building at 10th and Jackson Streets (page 33, Volume II, Kansas Annals) but that ceremony was not a Masonic affair.
Bro. John A. Murrow, the donor of the apron is the nephew of the Nebraska Grand Master who wore it at that historic conferral and while there are no Kansas brethren's names inscribed, it is noted that Grand Masters from Pennsylvania, Missouri, Michigan, West Virginia, New Mexico, Arkansas, District of Columbia, Kentucky, South Dakota, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island were present in addition to the Grand Masters of Ohio and the wearer of the apron, M.’.W.’. DeBord.
Bro. Murrow's family also figured in another Masonic event for his wife was a niece of Bro. William C. Hallowell, who lived to be 104 years of age and who was presented with Kansas' 75 year membership certificate by Dr. Addison C. Irby, Grand Master on January 21, 1960. "Uncle" Bill was a member of Greenleaf Lodge No. 232.
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What's Wrong With Freemasonry ?
by Norman C. Dutt, M.P.S.
"WHAT'S WRONG with Freemasonry?" is a cry being heard far and wide and in many Jurisdictions. The answer is simply, nothing is wrong with Freemasonry, its principles remain the same, its excellent tenets, virtues, purposes, aims and relationships have not changed. The real question is: What is wrong with its members? There are far too many who are just dues-payers, or emblemwearers and nothing more.
For over two decades quantity instead of quality seems to have been stressed, this being the result of two conflicts that overlapped Craft matters to a certain degree. There was not time for more Masonry into Masons, and Masonic Education fell by the wayside. Degree work and that alone remained the order for work night after night of Lodge communications.
The trend of bureaucracy is reflected in many members, who expect the Grand Lodge to supply the impetus to do something about lagging membership. These members showing complete ignorance of those lessons the Craft strives to teach. Freemasonry has always tried to give to the individual that unseen power and force by which a man could lift himself up by his bootstraps, to be a more dignified and better citizen, husband and father. The reflection of loss of individuality as guaranteed by the Constitution of this country which is definitely of Masonic origin appears to be antiquated: Why?
There are movements afoot by certain groups, and a number of Freemasons belong to these, who are constantly seeking legislation to enact laws to protect, grant power and selectiveness and pet project, thereby doing exactly what the Kremlin wishes, divide a house against itself. It is a sad state of affairs that Craftsmen have neglected their lessons to go along with such a program. There are over 6,000,000 laws on our statute books today, no doubt the writer could be thrown in jail for writing this article in some locality as a violator of some obscure or stray ordinance, that is how ridiculous our manifold law system has become. Is it any wonder with that astronomical number of laws that most are unenforceable, and encourages disrespect, yet the cry goes on for more. This is carried over into the Craft by well-meaning members, who want more laws in our own organization.
There are members who want to ballyhoo the Craft, grab more limelight, or seek more publicity, little realizing their everyday lives and actions are living advertisements of the Craft. Exemplary conduct has always been taught and advocated in the strongest of terms, yet this lesson has apparently been forgotten. Since when has it become outmoded to be steadfast, true and square? Are we ashamed of the Square and Compasses and what they represent and stand for?
Favoritism is an evil that has sneaked into the Craft by devious ways. Why? There is no place for this "ism" in a Masonic Lodge. Those groups that have secured this ism for their organizations in our everyday society threaten our very existence. As an individual, if we executed such a practice, one would soon find himself in the courts of the land.
The appendant body members who neglect the Symbolic Lodge fail to realize this is the one foundation of all. Its continued neglect will eventually cause their downfall in everything. The member who says, "No one goes to Blue Lodge anymore," is little aware that such a careless statement costs his organization some prospective members. The member who said, "Going down there you get the same old stuff over and over," or the so-called "wheel" who said, "Same old trip every meeting," must be certain this is first class advertising. These, and many just like him, have failed to grasp the importance of the light imparted in each degree. The late H. L. Haywood gave some splendid advice when he said to concentrate on some single part of the ritual every time you attend, then the beauty of the Craft will be unfolded to you more and more. But, how many follow this fine advice, let alone put it in to practice?
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Don't forget to send in your change of address when you move.
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by Rabbi H. Geffen, F.P.S.
ALL MEN are in some sense builders. They are constructing, each of them, his edifice of character. Every man becomes an architect when he performs his first act of moral accountability; he builds until he offers his last prayer for heavenly aid, when all things earthly are vanishing from his sight. Every act of human life; every thought which passes across the field of human consciousness; every tear shed every misery, constitutes a part of the material of that moral edifice which the soul is occupied in constructing.
We feel, therefore, that there is an obligation resting on every Mason to contribute, as far as lies in his power, towards the perfection of the Craft. We live in a land which has not only proved to be an asylum for the persecuted, and a home for the exile but where free institutions in politics seem to guarantee success to all well-conducted moral and intellectual societies. Thus, America has become an example to the world, and the inhabitants of other lands look to the United States for guidance in their efforts.
But, above all, the American Mason owes a duty to the institution of his country, for an American Mason feels that he is a citizen of a glorious Republic, whose arms are destined to embrace a wider field, and to exert a mighty influence in modifying the principles of other governments, that rational liberty will, sooner or later, be enjoyed by every civilized people. Genuine liberty is the life of Masonry. To support and maintain our free institutions - to bind closer together the cords of union - is the sacred duty of every American Mason.
It is the duty of the Mason to employ his powers and to use his influence to keep the government free from baneful corruptions which have caused the downfall of European countries under the yoke of dictatorship.
Not only was the structure of our government planned and executed by Masonic minds, not only did the blood of our Brethren enrich the battlefields of the Revolution, but ever since, in the darkest days of our national existence, when open enemies and secret foes were conspiring against American freedom, have true Masonic hearts been among the foremost to support and maintain it.
When dark clouds have gathered along the horizon - when storms of strife have agitated the public mind - when discord has sowed the seed of dissension - when the councils of the nation have been swayed by jealousy and hate - even then have the principles of brotherly love been helping to dispel the clouds, to quiet the agitation, to eradicate the seeds of discord. Such should be our present duties to preserve our Masonic principles; and such shall continue Masonic dictates. If storms should again gather over our heavens, Masons will endeavor to preserve our free institutions, planned by wisdom and purchased by their blood.
We Masons have to ask ourselves whether we know as much about the Institution of Masonry as we should, or whether we are satisfied with an amount of information barely sufficient to acquire the degrees.
Are we stated Masons, regular in our attendance when duty calls; or are we mere anniversary and celebration Masons, assuming the emblems of work to hear an address, or join in the festivities of a social hour?
The eyes of oppressed Europeans are upon us. Let our Temples rise in beautiful proportions, ornamented with all that science can project and execute. Let it shine luminously in the Western Hemisphere, so when our Brethren look upon it, they may exult with joy and be animated in their labors.
The Mason must not forget for a minute his duties; he must always remember that man has nothing that he can claim as exclusively his own. His time, his talent, his treasure, whatever they may be, are only his private share in the great partnership of human life. Let each one, then, be careful how he abuses the interest of his co-partners.
But our main Masonic duty is not to let the enemies of liberty and freedom be successful in our blessed country, not to allow our Constitution to crumble and freedom to become a byword. The Mason must always nail our flag to the tree of liberty. The hearts of all Masons shall cluster most closely around the hallowed temple of liberty, being thus united to each other by the silken cords of Masonic Brotherhood and friendship.
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by G. Burton Long, M.P.S.
Speculative Masonry evolved from the great builders of ages past. Whereas the operative builder created edifices of awe inspiring beauty which became and still are a memorial to man's skill, we as Speculative Masons and more particularly as Knights Templars are dedicated to build spiritual temples of even greater beauty for the benefit of all mankind.
Masonry was conceived in the early days of civilization, so remote that the date is lost in the dimness of antiquity. Truth, Justice and Charity were the three broad stones on which the foundation of Masonry was laid and on these stones men of every age and of every time have found place. To this God-given base man has added other and, perhaps, lesser stones of his own. Some are called landmarks, some are called power and some are called collateral bodies.
As the ages rolled by, the inherent characteristics of Truth, Justice and Charity have been and will continue to be unalterable. It is the man made stones in the foundation of Masonry which must be examined to ascertain if they have started to crumble with the passage of time. History shows man has built great civilizations and the record also points out the fact that many of these are relegated to the glory of the past. Abundance, Selfishness, Complacency and Apathy are stones which were placed by human hands in the foundation of these once flourishing civilizations.
It was inevitable that man would build Christianity into the Masonic structure. The Christian virtues are so closely allied to the three great stones, Truth, Justice and Charity, that they are as one. It should, however, be noted that the force of Templary depends upon the vigor with which each Sir Knight practices those virtues.
In examining the man made stones of Templary we should analyze those listed above which were responsible for failure. We must guard against any of these forming the sub-structure on which we build.
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We have traitors here in our country, whose intention it is to destroy Democracy, liberty and freedom, annihilate Freemasonry and make America free for Communism.
But we hope, they will not pass.