Contents
It Seems To Me Washington 1971 Will Be Inspirational
Inflexibility of Masonry A Day of Infamy, and its Aftermath
Out of the Past An Idea Germ The Masonic Journey
Apron Worn By Grand Masters in Three Jurisdictions The President's Corner
A New Research Lodge More About DeMolay and the Vietnam
Recommended Masonic Reading More About the Mystic Tie Academy
The Tree Alphabet Masonic Exhibit Held In Public Library
Virginia Craftsmen Invade Canada On Early Freemasonry in North America
Some Research Techniques Some Symbolism of the Phoenix and Pelican
Fraternal Courtesies In War Time Vows Of DeMolay
Styles and Titles
of Grand Lodges
On Items of Masonic Research
Published bi-monthly at Franklin, Indiana by
THE PHILALETHES SOCIETY
John Black Vrooman, F.P.S. Editor
Box 402, St. Louis, Missouri 63166
OFFICERS
William R. Denslow, F.P.S. President
P.O. Box 529
Trenton, Missouri 64683
William E. Yeager, F.P.S. First Vice President
350 Pennsylvania Avenue, W.
Warren, Pennsylvania 16365
Robert V. Osborne, F.P.S. Second Vice President
3624 Giffard Road,
Franksville, Wisconsin 53126
Franklin J. ("Andy") Anderson, F.P.S. Executive Secretary
P. O. Box 529
Trenton, Missouri 64683
Ronald E. Heaton, F.P.S. Treasurer
728 Haws Avenue
Norristown, Pennsylvania 19401
LIVING PAST PRESIDENTS
Philalethes Society
Lee E. Wells, F.P.S.
Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S. (Life)
Dr. Charles Gottshall Reigner, F.P.S.
Judge Robert H. Gollmar, F.P.S.
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., (Life)
237 Millbridge Road Riverside, Illinois 60546
Melvin L. Pfankuche, M.P.S.
3319 Harwinton Lane
Cincinnati, Ohio 45211
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY EMERITUS
Carl R. Greisen. F.P.S.
Volume XXIV, No. 1
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By JOHN BLACK VROOMAN, F.P.S., Editor
THAT Masonic Education, Culture, Knowledge and activity have never been on such a high level of activity as in the past year. The Masonic Workshop which will be held in Washington February 19, will, we think, be one of the most inspiring and most interesting of any that have been held in the past.
The pioneering endeavors of J. Hugo Tatsch, Harry L. Haywood, Larry Taylor, Carl H. Claudy and our other lamented advocates of Masonic activity, have not been in vain, and the present enthusiasm for better understanding of Freemasonry, evidenced especially by Indiana's Mystic Tie Academy (which is given emphasis in another portion of this magazine), as well as the efforts of many men and Masonic groups to stimulate better and greater communication, seems to indicate that the effort is paying off, and the Craft is better able to stress those things which need particular attention. This is good, and is but a prelude to even greater efforts.
How great has been the extension of Masonic education and activity! It was only just a few short years ago that Masonic Education, as such, was but a wisp of an idea - something dreamed of but not fully realized or developed. The many Masonic conferences, at which papers on personal Masonic data were presented, at which plans were drawn for a workable, practical application of Masonic principles were drawn, were the first signs of interest. Now, in the '70's, we have Masonry on local, state and national - yes, even international levels outlining ways and means by which the ordinary Freemason - the common man of the Craft, may find sources and information by which to study and use the tenets of Freemasonry. It is good, but it is only a start.
The desire on the part of an individual to become more alert, more intelligent in Freemasonry is the beginning of wisdom, but there is much more tears that which is needed to complete the job. Desire - knowledge of sources of information - knowledge of persons able to impart Masonic information - libraries where Masonic books are found - these, and other things are factors to be considered when a Freemason sets out to study the Craft.
Through the Philalethes Society - its "Notes and Queries on Masonic Information," its variety of articles dealing with a myriad of Masonic topics, and best of all - the ability to establish contact, both through the Philalethes magazine and through correspondence, opens the way for personal, effective and easy access to those who have Masonic knowledge and who can and will lend their assistance to those with a desire to participate.
1971 could well be the start of another Anno Inventionis, The Year of Discovery, the year in which our members (and many others) will start a revolution of activity in which greater knowledge will bring greater togetherness; greater enthusiasm will bring greater ability to live under the tenets and practices of Freemasonry. It is time that Freemasonry be brought to life - to a life of application of its goodness by those who believe in it. Speed the Day!
Featured in this issue . . .
IT SEEMS TO ME, Editorial, by John Black Vrooman, F.P.S., Editor
WASHINGTON WILL BE INSPIRATIONAL
GOING TO WASHINGTON
CONCERN AND ACTION IS THE THEME
ANOTHER INTERPRETATION OF THE INFLEXIBILITY OF MASONRY, by George F. Draffen, F.P.S.
VALUABLE GIFT TO INDIANA'S MUSEUM
THIRTY YEARS AFTER - SOME RECOLLECTIONS OF A DAY OF INFAMY, by Jerry Marsengill, M.P.S
OUT OF THE PAST
IN MEMORIAM, Benjamin W. Ela, F.P.S.
THE MASONIC JOURNEY, by Rabbi H. Geffen, F.P.S.
VERMONT HAS MASONIC APRON WORN BY GRAND MASTERS OF THREE JURISDICTIONS, by D. Burleigh Smalley, M.P.S.
OSBORNE NAMED FELLOW OF THE SOCIETY
THE PRESIDENT'S CORNER, by William R. Denslow, F.P.S.
A NEW RESEARCH LODGE, by Jean O. Heineman, M.P.S.
MORE ABOUT DeMOLAY AND THE VIETNAM LETTERS
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
OUR BONUS, AND AN APOLOGY
COMPLETE PROGRAM OF WASHINGTON MEETINGS
RECOMMENDED MASONIC READING. by Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., Life MORE ABOUT THE MYSTIC TIE ACADEMY, by Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., Life.
THE TREE ALPHABET
MASONIC EXHIBIT HELD IN PUBLIC LIBRARY by Albert L. Woody, F.P.S.
VIRGINIA CRAFTSMEN INVADE CANADA
ON EARLY FREEMASONRY IN NORTH AMERICA by Henry Coil, F.P.S.
SOME RESEARCH TECHNIQUES AND SUGGESTED TOPICS FOR RESEARCH, by Charles Snow Guthrie, M.P.S.
SOME SYMBOLISM OF THE PHOENIX AND PELICAN by Kenneth F. Curtis F.P.S.
THE PHILALETHES MAGAZINE - BINDING, INDEXING AND BACK NUMBERS, by John Black Vrooman, F.P.S.
FRATERNAL COURTESIES IN WARTIME, by Leonard B. Voorhees, M.P.S.
VOWS OF DeMOLAY
VIRGINIA MASONS HONOR IMPERIAL POTENTATE
STYLES AND TITLES OF GRAND LODGES, by Albert L. Woody F.P.S.
NOTES, QUERIES AND INFORMATION ON ITEMS OF MASONIC
INTEREST, by Melvin L, Pfankuche, M.P.S.
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Washington 1971 Will Be Inspirational
To All Who Will Be in Attendance
By John Black Vrooman, F.P.S., Editor
Masonic Week in Washington, with the gathering of all Masonic groups interested in promoting the Craft, will feature a variety of activities, and above all, will solidify the work of our Masonic leaders in planning for the coming year. February 19-24 will be a continuing and upbuilding panorama of Masonic thought and action that will have great impact on Masonic thought for many years to come.
Starting just after the lunch hour the Executive Committee of the Philalethes Society will meet to review the activities of 1970 and actively plan action for 1971. It is the hope of our President, William R. Denslow, F.P.S., that the Society may be able to set a course that will give greater impetus to the work of the Society, and co-ordinating its program with the plans of the other Masonic groups which are planning their work, map a program that will have good effect.
Under the direction of the President, and with the other officers, past Presidents, and the Editor of the Philalethes magazine, reports of each phase of the Society will be reviewed and apprised. Reports of the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Editor and the several committees will emphasize the positive action that has characterized the work of the past year.
A Budget, based on needs and available funds will be presented carefully studied and planned for the best use of the money available. The Committee on Award of Certificate of Literature will make its report, and probably announce the winner of the Award for the year just past. Various special activities of the Society, the progress of the Director of the Notes and Queries on Masonic Information, which co-ordinates the research phase of the Society, the interest in Masonic books, periodicals and reading, and the possibility of organizing more local Chapters of the Society in various parts of the United States, will all be considered.
Following the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Society, the first real activity of the week will be the holding of the Masonic Workshop, on the Roof of the Washington Hotel on Friday evening, February 19. This is open to all Master Masons in attendance, and should have a large and attentive attendance.
This year the Society is especially fortunate in its leadership of the Main sonic Workshop. Most Worshipful Brother Eugene S. Hopp, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of California, a physician of national reputation, and a deep Masonic student, will preside over the meeting.
Most Worshipful Brother Hopp, the leader of the Masonic Workshop for 1971, is a graduate, in 1933 with the degree of B.S., of the University of Georgia, and received his degree of M.D. at the University of Georgia School of Medicine in 1937. He is a member of many national Medical groups, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine (London), and has served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War II, and was discharged in 1946 with the rank of Lt. Colonel. He is a Phi Beta Kappa, a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, and numerous other civic and medical groups have honored him.
Brother Hopp's Masonic record is most impressive. He was Grand Master of the M.W. Grand Lodge of California in 1967, and has presided over each of the appendant bodies of the York Rite, as well as having been awarded the Honorary 33d in the Scottish Rite.
His keynote address at the Conference of Grand Masters in North America in 1968 was outstanding. His activities in, and contribution to Freemasonry, assure a remarkable and exceptional Masonic Workshop.
The topic selected for consideration is one which has been one of some great interest to the Craft for many years - Are Physical Requirements Essential to Freemasonry?
The complete panel of those who will participate in this matter has not yet been officially announced, but we are assured that Dr. Hopp is diligently searching for the most capable and qualified Freemasons to implement the discussion.
Speaking of the program, Brother Hopp writes the Editor - "I would like to have a well-balanced presentation - some of the background from the operative inheritance, something of usual requirements of today, and then hot discussion, one which is still needed, which will, of course, necessitate a profound and serious discussion of what each of us thinks Freemasonry is and how it should be taught, and perhaps, even, why it has survived these many centuries."
Every Grand Lodge has, at some time or other, been harassed by the problem of how to go about determining its physical requirements for initiation. Some Grand Lodges are extremely lenient in their interpretation of these requirements, and others are, to the far extreme, very strict in this interpretation. The collation of both extremes in this meeting, will give a good evaluation of future action. Each Grand Lodge is supreme, and all that the discussion can do is to give practical ideas about the matter, but it is our feeling that this meeting can be one of the most interesting and instructive means of getting better information and better methods by which to solve this question.
Following the Masonic Workshop meeting on Friday night, the many sections of the Allied Masonic Degrees will hold meetings, beginning with the Thirty-ninth Annual Convocation of the Grand College of Rites, commencing at 9:30 a.m., under the direction of M.I. J. Landis Randall, Grand Chancellor. This will be followed by Grand Master's Council "A", Allied Masonic Degrees, and the opening of Grand Council, Allied Masonic Degrees, presided over by M.V. Wylie B. Wendt, Sovereign Grand Master. After a "Dutch Treat" luncheon, Installed Master's Council will convene for the purpose of conferring the Installed Master Degree on qualified candidates.
One of the best groups meeting during the week will be that of the Council of Nine Muses, with V. William G. Peacher, Sovereign Master presiding. Each year, one of its members, (there are only nine), will present a paper on a topic of unusual interest. These papers have become acclaimed for their interest and Masonic significance. All persons attending the many meetings are welcome to attend this meeting.
Completing the activities of the afternoon will meet in succession, Great Chief's Council No. 0, Knight Masons of Ireland, Grand Council, Knight Masons of the U.S.A., and Societas Rosicruciana In Civitatibus Foederatis, under the able supervision of M.V. Harold V.B. Voorhis. The annual banquet of the Allied Masonic Degrees will be held in the Hotel at 6:00 p.m., with Sir Knight G. Wilbur Bell, Grand Master of the Grand Encampment, Knights Templar of the U.S.A. as speaker. All attending the several meetings may purchase tickets to this dinner.
In the evening, Allied Masonic Degrees will complete their business, and elect and install officers. Then the "fun" groups will meet to finish the evening - Masonic Order of the Bath, with M.H. Henry Emmerson, Commander-General, and Ye Patient Order of Corks, under the direction of M.W. William C. Reilly, Grand Bung.
Completing the activities of the A1lied Masonic Degrees, on Sunday morning, February 21, will be a breakfast of the Convent General of the Knights of the York Cross of Honour, followed by the thirty-ninth Consistory of the Society of Blue Friars, M.I. Harold V. B. Voorhis, Grand Abbot presiding. As is customary, a new member of the Society will be presented and will read a prepared paper on a topic of Masonic interest.
Grand Preceptor's Tabernacle, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests will meet at 9:30 a.m. to induct new members, after which Grand College, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests will hold its thirty-ninth annual ingathering, conduct its business, and close the series of meetings held under the auspices of the Allied Masonic Degrees.
Completing their activities at the Washington Hotel, the delegates and visitors will cross town and gather at the Hotel Shoreham, headquarters for the remainder of the group meetings.
Registration will be held all afternoon and evening in the lobby of the Hotel. At 5:00 p.m., the Grand Master's Conference Tea and Reception will be held in the Palladian Room of the Hotel. On Monday morning, February 22, after the Deputy Grand Master's Breakfast, buses will wait the delegates to take them, at 9:00 a.m. to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, at Alexandria, Virginia, across the river from Washington, where the annual meeting of the Association will be held. Luncheon will be served at 1:45 p.m., after which the buses will be waiting to take the delegates back to the Shoreham Hotel.
At 2:00 o'clock in the afternoon, the Masonic Service Association will hold its 52nd annual meeting in the Diplomat Room. A resume of activities of the Association, its Hospital Visitation program, its public relations and the "Short Talk Bulletins" and "Digests of Information" will be given. The annual report of the Executive Commission will be given by M.W. Newell A. Lamb, Chairman, and election of new Commissioners will be held, to conclude the business of the day. The Grand Secretaries Banquet will be held in the Palladian Room at 7:00 p.m.
The Conference of Grand Masters in North America will open its sessions on Tuesday morning, February 23 in the Diplomat Room at 9:00 a.m. at the same time that the Conference of Grand Secretaries will open in the Tudor Room. The conferences will continue all through the day, and the Grand Master's Conference Banquet will be an event slated at 7:00 p.m., with a noted speaker to bring a message of interest.
The meetings of the two conferences will continue through Wednesday morning, culminating in the election of officers for both groups and all unfinished business, after which, according to custom, the delegates will be the guests of the Supreme Council, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Masonic Jurisdiction, for luncheon, by invitation from M. Ill. Brother Henry Clausen, Grand Commander, at the House of the Temple, 1733 16th Street, N. W.
One of the outstanding attributes of these Masonic Week meetings is the large and widely-spaced representation of delegates from every part of the world.
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Concern and Action
Is the Theme
The young men of DeMolay present the "other side" of the youth picture. When their activities make the front pages and they frequently do, youth and adults both stand a little taller.
United in brotherhood, and building a better world for tomorrow TODAY, these "Young Men of Action" are developing leadership qualities while performing services in areas other groups are still just talking about.
DeMolays have been involved in civic clean-up and improvement projects for several years and will embark on an international program of environmental action in 1971 known as "Project - Enviroact."
Meanwhile, in the United States and ten other countries of the free world, they continue such chapter activities of service as helping to erect school buildings, repairing damage done by vandals to schools and private dwellings, painting homes of the blind, serving at day camps for retarded children, participating in fund drives for organized charities, collecting relief supplies for disaster victims, providing outings for orphans, performing home maintenance for the aged and infirm - the list is endless. DeMolays also raise the flags of their countries, instead of tearing them down!
Besides areas of service, DeMolays find time to excel in ritual, sports, oratory and other areas of competition. Support DeMolay whenever and wherever you can, and you support the "right side" of youth.
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Going To Washington?
Then please Remember To
A. Make Hotel Reservations. Such reservation must be made by writing:
Mr. Reyburn Miller, Manager
Hotel Washington
Pennsylvania Ave. at Fifteenth St. N. W.
Washington, D.C. 20034
Call attention to the fact that you are attending the annual meeting of Allied Masonic Degrees. Be sure to ask for A Confirmation.
Reservations should be made at least a week prior to your arrival.
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Another Interpretation of the Inflexibility of Masonry
Our Fellow, George F. Draffen, F.P.S., (Scotland), a past Substitute Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Scotland (probably the same as a Deputy Grand Master or Senior Grand Warden of a North American Grand Lodge), writes the editor about articles appearing in recent issues of the Philalethes magazine about the inflexibility of Masonry. His Masonic activity and his research give him ample opportunity to interpret this theory - he writes -
In this article "Yes, Masonry is Inflexible" Brother Bliss Kelly assumes that the doctrine of Perfect Youth is a Landmark. What and what are not Landmarks has never been settled, and probably never will be. Some Grand Lodges have gone so far as to define them, but the majority of the Regular Grand Lodges, including the United Grand Lodge of England, the Grand Lodge of Ireland and the Grand Lodge of Scotland have never defined the Landmarks.
That the doctrine of Perfect Youth was held by the Operative Masons is probably true but when Operative Masonry developed into Speculative Masonry this particular doctrine was not carried down - not at least as far as the three British Grand Lodges are concerned. The only physical requirements laid down by the Grand Lodges of England and Ireland are that the candidate should be able to write his name. Under these Grand Lodges the question as to whether or not he has one leg or two, one hand or two, if he is blind or not, paralysed or not - these are matters left to the judgment of the Lodge. The Grand Lodge of Scotland is a little more restrictive and does not permit the initiation of a man who is deaf or dumb - but that is the only physical restriction imposed by the Grand Lodge of Scotland.
The three British Grand Lodges have never regarded the doctrine of perfect youth as even an "unwritten landmark" and the Grand Lodge of England has at least one Lodge composed almost entirely of blind Brethren.
It is, of course, for each Grand Lodge, being Sovereign Bodies, to lay down such physical requirements as it may feel necessary. But that does not, of itself, raise the status of such requirements to the authority of a Landmark.
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The following story is taken from the address of M.W. Bro. J.B. Tomhave, P.G.M. of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, at the banquet of the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan in 1958.
"A young English boy on a visit to a rural community in Scotland set out to enjoy a swim in a small lake. He was seized with cramps while some distance from the shore; his cries for help were heard by a young farm boy working in a nearby field.
The country lad plunged into the lake, towed the drowning swimmer to shore and administered first aid. In a short time the visitor recovered and was able to return to his home in London.
Years passed before the two boys met again. This time the city youth came to the rural community to ask the farm boy who had saved his life what plans he had formulated for the future. When the youth frankly confided that his ambition had been to study medicine, the youth from London revealed that he and his parents were ready, in fact eager, to place at the young farmer's use the money needed for his education.
More years passed; the farm boy attended a medical school, graduated with high honours and embarked upon a career in scientific research. Eventually, in 1928, he made a discovery that was to save uncounted millions of lives.
The one-time farm boy had become Dr. Alexander Fleming, internationally known scientist and benefactor of mankind.
But what about that London youth whose life Fleming saved and through whose financial assistance Fleming had been able to scale the heights he once regarded as unattainable?
Well, that is a rather interesting, essential part of the story. One winter that Londoner was stricken with pneumonia while on an important conference trip to the Near East.
The Statesman's condition became alarming. Back in England the drug invented by the one-time farm boy was readied, then sped by plane to the sick man's bedside. Within a few hours, the miracle-producing penicillin had performed its mission, had added another illustrious name to its long list of those whose lives had been saved by its amazing properties. For the second time Alexander Fleming had saved the Londoner's life.
Brother Winston Churchill was the boy who went swimming in that little lake over sixty years ago."
- "The New Zealand Craftsman"
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Thirty Years After - Some Recollections of A Day of Infamy, and its Aftermath
By Jerry Marsengill, M.P.S.
The Shock of Pearl Harbor, nearly thirty gears ago, has never ceased to attract the attention of the American people. The tragedy has never been fully explained nor accepted except as an historical fact. We do not have any way of knowing how many of the men who died at Pearl Harbor in 1941 were members of the Craft, yet it is certain that there were many such.
The author of this article has spent much time checking the facts and essence of the material contained in it. It is hoped that his estimate of this tragedy may bring to our remembrance some of the facts which, up to now, are so little known.
December 7, 1941 was a peaceful morning, like any other morning in Hawaii. Ninety-seven United States ships lay at anchor in Pearl Harbor including seven battleships tied up along "Battleship Row." The Navy personnel was finishing breakfast, preparing for liberty when, at 7:55 a.m. the first planes came over and the first bombs fell. The U.S.S. Arizona, the hardest hit battleship took five hits with large armorpiercing bombs. One bomb crashed through the deck near the Number 2 gun turret. Fires started, fed by oil from the forward tanks. Spreading quickly, the fire reached the ship's powder magazines. In less than nine minutes after the attack had begun, the Arizona had erupted and had sunk to the bottom of Pearl Harbor. The Arizona never fought in World War II, nor ever again. When she settled to the bottom of the oily, muddy, water of Pearl Harbor, her fighting days were done. Yet as she went down her flag was flying proudly from the stern of the ship. She held up her flag as an inspiration both to the Navy and to the American people. Though the ship was destroyed, she still held her colors high.
The Japanese attack was so carefully planned that, out of 353 planes which were launched, only 29 were lost. Japanese personnel losses included 55 airmen, and nine crew members from their midget submarines. American military losses were heavy, both on the Arizona and on other ships. The total casualties were 2,341 killed and 1,143 wounded of which 1,174 were on the Arizona. Only 289 survived the Arizona.
In 1942 the Navy granted permission to fly the American flag over the sunken hull of the Arizona.
A movement for the construction of an appropriate memorial to those brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice began shortly after the end of World War II. On March 7, 1949 Admiral Radford, Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, ordered that the Flag be flown daily over the U.S.S. Arizona and that the ship remain in commission. On May 17 of the same year the Pacific War Memorial Commission was established by the Legislature of the Territory of Hawaii. On December 7, 1957, 16 years afterwards the Commission opened preliminary fundraising campaigns to construct an appropriate memorial over the hull of the Arizona. The United States government acted and in March of 1958 the Senate passed HR 5809 and President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the measure into public law 85-344 authorizing the Navy to accept funds for the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial and co-operate in fund drives. He also specifically named the Pacific War Memorial Commission as the official fund raising agency.
On June 1, 1959 the Legislature of the Territory of Hawaii approved SB 1162 appropriating $50,000 toward the memorial fund. In August, 1959 the firm of Johnson, Perkins, Preis and Associates, Architect-Engineers, were engaged by the District Public works officer, of the Fourteenth Naval District to design the Memorial. The pilings were driven, the girders and decks were constructed by the Naval Shipyard, Pearl Harbor during 1960-1961.
In the latter part of 1961 final funds were made available for the completion of the Memorial. On September 6, President John F. Kennedy signed House Bill 44, authorizing an appropriation of $150,000 for the Memorial's construction. On October 6, contract NB 40503 was awarded to Walker-Moody Construction Company for $213,857 to complete the Memorial and on November 7 the State of Hawaii Legislature appropriated another $50,000 for the completion of the Memorial.
The Memorial was dedicated on May 30, 1962. It had been constructed at a total cost of $525,869.50 of which $275,869.50 had come from public contributions, $100,000 from Hawaii and $150,000 from the U.S. Congress appropriation.
Why was the Arizona not raised? Two attempts were made, both ending disastrously, and it was decided to leave the Arizona in the spot where she sank. In time the topsides were removed, and all projections from the hull cut off by divers. The memorial extends transversely over the hull of the ship. It is supported by two concrete girders which weigh 250 tons each. This memorial rests on concrete piling. The structure is 185 feet long with a width of 27 and 36 feet respectively at the ends to 14 feet at the center. The assembly area accommodates 200 people. There is a carillon, and museum of articles from the ship and a Shrine, on the marble wall of which are inscribed the names of the men who were lost on The Arizona on December 7, 1941. The structure is painted white and is surmounted by the American flag which flies both day and night. The memorial is reached by a boat landing and access is gained by formal stairs at the harbor end.
Over 1,100 of the Arizona's crewmen are still entombed within the hull of the ship including Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, the Commander of Battleship Division One. They are listed as having been buried at sea. This enclosed bridge with the shrine is a simple, dignified, appropriate memorial to the memory of these brave men.
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In looking through some old correspondence of the Society, I came across a letter from President Walter A. Quincke to Silas Shepherd, the Secretary, and because of my own connection with a now-long-forgotten function of the Society, I bring it out of the archives, as one of those old relics, which are so often found in Freemasonry. The letter was written in 1946, just a month or so before the Philalethes magazine came into being. This is what it said?
"Dear Silas (Shepherd, the Secretary):
Relative to re-establishing the Bureau of Masonic Information, with John Black Vrooman in charge (as formerly), as a division of the Society. What is your reaction to giving this service free to our members and making a small uniform charge of 50c (to include return postage) to nonmembers?
To my knowledge, such a Bureau is an exclusive feature with the Philalethes and I do not recall of ever hearing of such a service being rendered by other bodies. Therefore, no one can really get such information excepting from printed books and one might have to hunt a long time to find what might be wanted. Charging a small fee of 50c would not hurt anyone and it might be an inducement to apply for membership.
In former printed articles on the existence of this Bureau, the only requirement was a self-addressed stamped envelope, and with the "History of the Philalethes Society" being again focused to the attention of readers of our magazine, it gives us the opportunity to speak of it in the above light. With so much confusion in the Craft and so many new members coming into Masonry, inquiries may become heavy, more or less. Kindly let me know your frank reaction and let's discuss it pro and con....
Fraternally Thine,
Walt (Walter A. Quincke, President)"
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By Rabbi H. Geffen, 32d, F.P.S.
We Masons must go on with our noble works and good deeds. It does not matter whether we dwell in the depths of the untrodden waste, and may never be cheered by the presence of congregated Masons, nor even behold the works of their hands, we need no temple of human workmanship, for our Lodge is from the East to the West, and between the North and the South.
Let us remember the Grand Master, who laid our grand ground floor and spread our stardecked canopy - remember, it is all His Temple.
With our trust in Him and our spirit in harmony with every cord of nature, our hope is bright as the symbol of the covenant.
The world is our Temple, the Rock our Altar, and our Arch, the bow upon the cloud; the forest, our Sanctuary; its birds, our choir; the winds, our monitors; the clouds, the curtains of our Tabernacle; the blue spread heavens our dome; the milky scroll of night, the charter of the life beyond, and every star, a promise.
Our works will be formed and fitted by the instruments of Solomon, and their beauty shall be as the cunning workmanship of Hiram, TubalCain. Our journey will be with the illustrious of the earth in the company of the wayfarers who have passed in the great Masonic procession of all time, which still goes on to "undiscovered Country," entering in by the dim and awful veil.
The Masonic march, ever passing, must still go on through perils and persecution in the despotic, totalitarian countries, but Masonry is imperishable. Masonry will overcome all its foes, for the Bush of Moses, which is ever burning. is never consumed.
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In Memoriam
Benjamin W. Eta, F.P.S.
We regret to announce the passing, on November 17, 1970 of Benjamin W. Ela, Our Fellow. A suitable memorial will appear in a forthcoming issue of The Magazine.
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Vermont has Apron Worn By Grand Masters in Three Jurisdictions
By D. Burleigh Smalley, M.P.S.,
Grand Secretary, Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Vermont
During the Anti-Masonic period, 1826-1840, no Grand Lodge was harder hit by the ruthless terror and the desperate antagonism so prevalent at that time, as was Vermont. Most of the Lodges failed to meet during these trying years, and the Grand Officers met at stated periods to keep the continuity of the Grand Lodge intact, but the individual lodges were far from active.
In the archives of the Grand Lodge of Vermont is found a Masonic apron that is not only full of Masonic tradition, but closely tied up with the anti-Masonic situation, and in this item we find one of the most interesting bits of Masonic tradition to come to public gaze.
The record of this remarkable apron, its background and history, are contained in a letter under date of March 1, 1933, which reads as follows:
"The Grand Lodge of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont
Brethren:
On April 18, 1827 John Jacob Astor of New York City presented to Elisha W. King, then Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the state of New York, a Master's Apron. The Apron is made of white sheepskin trimmed with blue ribbon and three blue rosettes. It has two tabs fringed with silver. Its belt is of blue elastic hooked with a clasp in the form of a Serpent in the shape of the letter 'S.'
Elisha W. King died, and, in the month of January, 1854, his daughter, Mrs. Jamaziel Sherman, of Vergennes, Vermont, presented this apron to Philip Crosby Tucker, then Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the state of Vermont. Brother Tucker was serving his eighth consecutive term in that office and his incumbency ended with his death, April 10, 1861. The Apron was worn by him during these years.
After the death of Philip Crosby Tucker, his widow presented the Apron to their son, Philip Crosby Tucker of Texas.
Philip Crosby Tucker of Texas was raised in Dorchester Lodge No. 1, of Vergennes, Vermont, and served in its Master's chair in 1850; affiliated with the Grand Lodge of Texas in 1852 and was elected its Grand Master in 1869, when the Apron was again in service. He was afterwards elected Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite of the Southern Jurisdiction, at Washington, D.C. He died there July 9, 1894.
This Apron has been worn by three Grand Masters of three separate jurisdictions, and, having reached the respectable age of 106 years (Editor's note, now, (1971), it is 141 years old), is worthy of an honored place among the relics of one of these Grand Lodges, we think preferably with the Grand Lodge of the State of Vermont, in which Grand Lodge it served its longest term, 1854 to 1861. Therefore we, the undersigned family of Philip Crosby Tucker, of Galveston, Tex., present herewith the Apron and respectfully request that it be preserved among the relics and archives of the Grand Lodge of the state of Vermont. With the Apron we present three letters which have to do with the Apron and which, too, are worthy of preservation.
Respectfully and fraternally,
(Signed)
Mrs. Isabella T. Tucker
Philip C. Tucker, 3rd
Mary Cecelia Tucker
Anna L. Tucker
L.A. Tucker Baldwin Tucker".
The other letters mentioned in the quoted letter are as follows -
Letter No. 1.
ELISHA W. KING
"Mason in 1807
Grand Master (New York) in 1826
Resigned in favor of Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer.
Took highest degree with General Lafayette when he was in this country."
Letter No. 2.
Grand Lodge of the State of New York
"New York, 10th day of June, A.L. 5827.
On motion received that R.W. Bro. Oliver W. Lownds, R.W. Bro. Welcome Esleech and the W. Bros. Sebbens Chapman, Henry Marsh and John O. Cole be a committee to convey to the M.W. P.G.M. Elisha W. King the thanks of this Grand Lodge for the able and disinterested manner in which he has discharged the duties of the chair, and to request the acceptance of a piece of plate with a suitable inscribed testimony of the high respect entertained for he services...."
(extracted from the minutes.)
Letter No. 3. "Dear Sir:
I take the liberty to send you A Apron which I hope you will do me the fav (?our) to accept and to believe me to be very respectfully
I remain (?your obediant) you obd servant
signed
John Jacob Astor E. W. King, Esq.
April 18, 1827."
There is also another letter among the archives of the Grand Lodge of Vermont which aptly pertains to this apron, which reads as follows -
"Vergennes (Vermont),
Thursday, Jany 19, 1854.
Mrs. Sarah J. Dunton,
Richmond, Virginia.
My Dear Sister:
I received a letter from you a few days ago, but in looking for it, find that when a leisure (sic) moment has occurred to me in which I can reply to it, I have unfortunately left it at the house. Last week I had the State Grand Lodge on my hands & had to be in Burlington two days - this week we had an adjourned term of our county court, from which I am hardly yet rested - and there are the reasons you have not heard from me before.
Within the last few days I have had presented to me the most magnificent & tasteful Masonic apron I ever saw. It was presented Mr. King, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New York, in 1827, by John Jacob Astor, and was presented me by Mr. King's daughter (Mrs. Jahaziel Sherman), accompanied by the original letter of presentation, written by Mr. Astor. My report on the Gent Grad (sic) Chapter of the United States which sat at Lexington, Kentucky, has vastly added to my reputation, etc.....
As ever your Affectionate
Brother signed
Philip C. Tucker"
(A true and compared copy of the original, now in my possession, I certify, the original is long and full of private family matters, hence it would not be appropriate, also the ink is almost faded away.)
signed
Philip C. Tucker, III
Bradenton, Fla.
March 1, 1933"
Having told the story of this interesting apron, seen its wide exemplification of Masonic universality, let us look at some of those so closely connected with its journey.
John Jacob Astor, German-American financier and czar of the fur trade, a past master of Holland Lodge No. 8, New York City, and Grand Treasurer and Grand Junior Warden, pro-tem of the Grand Lodge of New York, showed many times his interest in Freemasonry, and in this case, made a contribution to Masonic history.
Elisha W. King, active in New York Masonic affairs, was the man who presided, June 7, 1827 at the Union of the two opposing and self-styled "official" Grand Lodges which existed for several years in that state, and which united into one harmonious Grand Lodge at that date. His work toward better relations among the Craft seemed to be the inspiration for the gift of the apron by Brother Astor.
Philip C. Tucker, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Vermont during so much of its critical history, was the man so aptly titled "the leader through reconstruction." His wisdom, sagacity and devotion were phenomenal. A lawyer by profession, and acknowledged as one of the leaders of the Vermont Bar, he likewise excelled in Masonic Jurisprudence, and it was he who wrote the "Appeal to the People of Vermont," bringing to fruition the desire that Freemasonry should not be eliminated in the state. His clear thinking and vivid activity made his service to the Craft more than a token. Fifteen regular terms of service as Grand Master testified to his ability and knowledge.
----o----
Osborne Named Fellow:
Shows Versatility
Robert V. Osborne, First Vice-President of the Philalethes Society, has been named a Fellow of the Society, according to word received from Harold V.B. Voorhis, F.P.S., Life, chairman of the Fellowship Committee.
Extremely active in all phases of Masonic activity, Brother Osborne was unanimously approved for appointment as Second Vice-President early in 1970, following the sudden death of Andrew J. White, Jr., immediately following the annual meeting of the Executive Committee in Washington.
Born October 16, 1916 in Racine, Wisconsin, Brother Osborne attended Racine Military Academy and Northwestern University, receiving the degree of B.S. in Engineering. He is married to the former Mary Lois Marcal, and the couple have four children, Consuela, 15; Robert V., Jr., 14; Beatriz, 12, and David, 5, and is employed by the Ridgeway Manufacturing Corporation, Racine, Wisconsin, of which he is currently President.
In Freemasonry, Brother Osborne has an extended and varied interest. A member and past Master of Racine Lodge No. 18, and a past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin, a member and past Commander of Racine Commandery No. 17, K.T., as well as a past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Wisconsin, and a past Department Commander of the Grand Encampment, Knights Templar of the U.S., all of which he served with zeal. He is also a 33d member of the Scottish Rite, a member of the Board of Governors of DeMolay in the state of Wisconsin, and a member of innumerable appendant and auxiliary Masonic bodies throughout the country. His activity and his interest in Freemasonry gives an added incentive and value to his participation in the affairs of the Philalethes Society, and it is felt that his knowledge and wisdom will be an incentive for greater results. We welcome him among the Fellows of the Society.
----o----
By William R. Denslow
Brethren:
The officers of your Philalethes Society are looking forward to the Annual Workshop of the Society in Washington next February 19th and trust that each of you will make a special effort to be present, particularly if you will be in the city near that time.
The place of the meeting will be the same - Roof Room of the Washington Hotel. The date is Friday, February 19, 1971.
This year we are fortunate to have as chairman of the Workshop Committee, M.W. Brother Eugene S. Hopp, past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of California, a distinguished physician and an erudite Masonic student.
Dr. Hopp, possibly because he is a physician, has chosen a theme for the workshop which undoubtedly has been a problem for every Masonic jurisdiction in North America at one time or another. It is:
Are Physical Requirements
Essential to Freemasonry?
A number of Brethren from various jurisdictions will tell what their state has done concerning the matter of physical requirements. No two jurisdictions are alike; some are lenient and some adhere rigidly to the doctrine of the "perfect man," and within the two poles of the spectrum is the great grey area of those Grand Lodges that are still debating the subject.
Your officers believe this will be an unusually interesting Workshop and urge you to attend. It is not limited to members of the Society and any Master Mason is welcome.
Yours fraternally,
William R. Denslow, F.P.S. President
----o----
By Bro. Jean O. Heineman, M.P.S.
(French Constitution)
A new Research Lodge is always an event of great importance for the international Masonic community as a whole, and as a cultural incentive in the country where it works. But it is of exception historical and Masonic value, when we learn that this event is taking place in France and that said Lodge: "Phoenix" No. 30 is actually working the Emulation ritual in English and is editing its Transactions in the English language. This is the second Research Lodge under G.L.N.F. Constitution in France, the first one being "Villard De Honnecourt" No. 81, working the French R.E.R. (Rectified Scottish Rite) and its Transactions being printed in French. We are therefore particularly pleased to welcome the first and only English working Research Lodge in France, for the benefit of all English speaking Masons in the World.
I have previously presented "Villard de Honnecourt" Lodge No. 81 and its Transactions in the May-June, 1968 issue of The Philalethes, page 53. I did present, probably for the first time in The Philalethes (and in the U.S.A.?) the newly discovered and now accepted fact that the young Duke of Wharton (the fifth Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England in 1722) had actually been the first Grand Master of the first Grand Lodge in France (and outside the U.K.) in 1928-29.
"Phoenix" Lodge No. 30 (G.L.N.F. Const.) was consecrated in 1929, as a Blue Lodge, and became a Research lodge in 1959. Its first meeting, as such, was held on November 24, 1969, V.W. Bro. Arthur W. Barnett (G.D.C.) presiding in the Chair. The first lecturer being none less than M.W. Bro. Ernest van Hecke, Grand Master of Grande Loge Nationale Francaise (Neuilly, Paris, France). During the first Masonic season 1969-1970 seven Papers were delivered and they are published in Volume I of the Transactions of Phoenix Lodge No. 30, available in English. All excellent Papers, written by outstanding scholars of the Craft.
Two of the Papers: "600 years of Craft Ritual" by W. Bro. Harry Carr, and "Freemasonry and the Inquisition" by W. Bro. Dr. S. Vatcher, O.B.E., are well known to the readers of Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, being the Transactions of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, London, England. Two of the Papers: one by the M.W.G.M. and one by R.W. Bro. W. H. Robinson, P.A.G.M., are dealing with French Freemasonry and are of course of particular interest to all the Students of the Craft outside France that are not acquainted with the French language. The three remaining Papers are so valuable that they deserve each a detailed review, but I will not do so here. I do recommend their reading in the Transactions: "The Lessing Dialogues" by R.W. Bro. A. T. Parker, Ass. G.M., "John Locke and Tolerance" by R.W. Bro. George Hazan, Ass. G.M. and "Freemasonry ? Whence and Whither?" by the W.M., V.W. Bro. Arthur Barnett, G.D.C.
All Master Masons in good standing under Grand Lodges in amity with the Grande Loge Nationale Francaise (G.L.N.F.), and all Grand Lodges, Lodges and other recognized Masonic Bodies throughout the World may, by decision of the Standing Committee, become corresponding members of Phoenix lodge. The annual rate of subscription is US $5.00, or 2-0-0, or Frcs. 25,000 and Application Forms are available on request to the Secretary of the Lodge: R.W. Bro. Sorab Byramjee, 16 Avenue Niel, Paris 17, France. In case of individual Masons, the Application Form must be endorsed by the Secretary of the Lodge to which they belong, to show that they are in good standing. Corresponding members may attend the meetings of the Lodge, but are not eligible for office, and have no voting rights. They are entitled to receive post free the Volume of Transactions for the year covered by their subscription. All communications should be addressed to the Secretary.
I have received the Summon of Phoenix Lodge No. 30, for the Installation Meeting of Saturday, October 24, 1970, at Freemasons' Hall in Paris. In the list of Officers, Bro. Alec Mellor is J.W. of the Lodge and he also delivered the Paper, entitled: "The Roman Catholic Freemason" that evening. His name is well known to all students of the Craft, as an outstanding Masonic author and as a devoted Roman Catholic who joined Freemasonry in 1969 with the consent of the Church. A list of the forthcoming Papers, to be delivered during 1970-71, is also available on application to the Secretary: R.W. Bro. Sorab R. Byramjee, P.G.J.W.
----o----
More About DeMolay and the Vietnam
Letters to Headquarters
We are very much pleased with a letter received a day or so ago from Lt. General Herman Nickerson, Jr., M.P.S., Administrator of National Credit Union Administration, Washington, D.C. 20456 in Washington, D.C., who makes some pertinent comments on the article appearing in a recent issue of our magazine, in which DeMolays have been writing their thoughts about the War in Vietnam. It is a matter of some interest to know the concern of responsible persons in giving support to our Youth.
General Nickerson writes as follows:
"In the October issue of our magazine I noticed one of the DeMolay youngsters had difficulty accepting the need to fight for his country. Although I do not know who wrote the following quote, I would like to share it with this young man?
'War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decay and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight; nothing he cares about more than his own personal safety; is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free, unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself'
Possibly this other quote, which is much shorter, would help. It is my understanding that this second quote was penciled on a ration box at the Sahn during the period of the heaviest fighting:
'For those who fight for it, life has a special flavor the protected never know'
I would appreciate it if any of the members would assist me in identifying the first quote.
Sincerely and fraternally,
signed
Herman Nickerson, Jr.
Administrator
Can anyone be of help in getting at the source of this matter?
----o----
Welcome to New Members
DONALD KENT BERKEEY, 231 No. 4th Street, Mayfield, Kentucky 42066
J. H. VAN GORDEN, 3700 Rath Street, Endwell, N. Y. 13760
WYMAN S. RANDALL, 150 East Emerson Street, Melrose, Mass. 02176
JAMES H. SCHELL, JR., 3042 Elmhurst Drive, Inman, South Carolina 29349
PAUL JOSEPH HUGHES, 2525 Spring Arbor Road, Jackson, Michigan 49203
LOREN L. JONES, P.O. Box 647, Guthrie, Oklahoma 73044
ROY PAGE STEWART, JR., 1711 N. Monticello Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60641
CARROLL M. PRATT, P. O. Box 148, Morven, North Carolina 28119
BENJAMIN WILLIAM KRUEGER, 4870 Beach Ridge Road, Lockport, New York 14904
WILLIAM H. J. NUSSLE, 84 Strath Haven Drive, Broomall, Pa. 19008
CARLYLE NATHAN MONTANYE, Box 157, Prospect Ave., Glyndon, Maryland 21071
JAMES H. MOYLAN, 190 Brookwood Drive, Hamburg, New York 14075
KENNETH W. SMITH, 625 West Jefferson Street, Clinton, Illinois 61727
CHARLES EDGAR WHITE, 425 Birch Street, River Falls, Wisconsin 54022
----o----
These Were Good Men
The Sandusky Masonic Bulletin, now defunct, gave this list of names from "Lower's English Surnames," and are specimen of old Puritan names in England about the year 1658. They are taken from a jury list in Sussex, England, and will cause the reader to smile
Faint-not-Hewett
Redeemed Compton
God-reward Smart
Earth Adams
Meek Brewer
Repentance Avis
Kill-sin Pimple
Be-faithful Joiner
More-fruit Flower
Greace-ful Harding
Seek-wisdom Wood
Accepted Trevor
Make-peace Heaton
Stand-fast-on-high Stringer
Called Lower
Be Courteous Cole
Search-the-Scriptures Moreton
Return Spelman
Fly-debate Roberts
Hope-for Bending
Weep-not Billings
Elected Mitchell
Be-faithful Joiner, Seek-wisdom Wood, Accepted Trevor, and Elected Mitchell might have had Masons for sponsors, so far as the import of their names is concerned.
----o----
Our Bonus – And An Apology
It was a nice Christmas present for the membership to receive the 1970 Bonus Book in the form of the Constitution, By-Laws and Roster. Compiled, edited and put together by our capable Treasurer, Ronald E. Heaton, F.P.S., it is a much-needed tool for our members.
We do pause, however, to offer apologies to one of our members, GORDON STATESMAN, who became a member in late 1968, and who is a member in good standing at the present time. He is -
GORDON STUTESMAN
540 E. Fifth Avenue
A.P.O. Seattle, Washington
98749
----o----
COMPLETE PROGRAM – MASONIC WEEK WASHINGTON, D.C.,
February 19 – 24, 1971
Programs of A.M.D. and Other Meetings for 1971
Program Allied Masonic Bodies
ALL MEETINGS WILL BE HELD AT WASHINGTON HOTEL
15th at Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.
February 19-21, 1971
Friday, February 19,1971
7:30 p.m. - MASONIC WORKSHOP - THE PHILALETHES SOCIETY
Seventeenth Meeting
William R. Denslow, President
Franklin J. Anderson, Secretary
Saturday, February 20, 1971
8:30 a.m. - REGISTRATION
9:30 a.m. - GRAND COLLEGE OF RITES OF THE U.S.A.
Thirty-ninth Annual Convocation
M.’.I.’. J. Landis Randall, Grand Chancellor
R.’.I.’. Herbert A. Fisher Grand Registrar
10:30 a.m. - GRAND MASTER'S COUNCIL, A.M.D.
Thirty-eighth Communication
V.’. Joseph Richmond, Sovereign Master
V.’. C. Clark Julius, Secretary
11:30 a.m. - GRAND COUNCIL, ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES OF THE U.S.A.
Thirty-ninth Annual Communication
M.’.V.’ .Wylie B. Wendt, Sovereign Grand Master
R.’.V.’. Robert L. Grubb, Grand Secretary-Treasurer
Open for the receipt of the Grand Master's and Grand Secretary's
Reports. All A.M.D. members are invited to attend.
RECESS
12:30 p.m. - LUNCHEON (Dutch Treat)
2:00 p.m. - INSTALLED MASTER'S COUNCIL, A.M.D.
Thirty-eighth Annual Communication
M.’.V.'. Murray C. Alexander, Sovereign Master
R.’.V.’. Robert L. Grubb, Secretary
To confer the Installed Master Degree on Masters of Councils present who have not been installed. All Installed Masters are invited to be present.
2:30 p.m. - COUNCIL OF THE NINE MUSES, No. 13, A.M.D.
Thirty-eighth Annual Communication
V.’. William G. Peacher, Sovereign Master
M.’. V.'. Harold V. B. Voorhis, Permanent Secretary
All A.M.D. members are invited.
3:00 p.m. - GREAT CHIEF'S COUNCIL, No. 0, KNIGHT MASONS Fourth Annual Meeting
V.’.E.'. James R. Case, Excellent Chief
V.’.E.'. Walter M. McCracken, Scribe
3:30 p.m. - GRAND COUNCIL, KNIGHT MASONS OF THE U.S.A. M.’.E.'. Henry Emmerson, Great Chief
V.’. E.’. J. Landis Randall. Grand Scribe
4:45 p.m. - SOCIETAS ROSICRUCIANA IN CIVITATIBUS FOEDERATIS
Triennial Convocation
M.’.V.'. Harold V. B. Voorhis, Supreme Magus
R.’.W.’. Frederic L. Pike, Secretary-General
RECESS
6:00 p.m. - ANNUAL BANQUET, ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES
M.’.V.’. Wylie B. Wendt, presiding.
Speaker - Sir Knight G. Wilbur Bell, Most Eminent Grand Master of the Grand Encampment, Knights Templar of the U.S.A., and Past Sovereign Master of Grand Master's Council, No. A.
All present for any of the meetings may secure tickets.
8:00 p.m. - GRAND COUNCIL, ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES
Labor resumed: Committee reports, routine business, Election and Installation of Grand Officers, and closing.
10:00 p.m. - MASONIC ORDER OF THE BATH OF THE U.S.A.
Fiftieth Assembly
M.'.H.'. Henry Emmerson, Commander-General
V.’.H.’. Harold D. Elliott, II, Keeper of the Bath Records
11:00 p.m. - YE ANTIENT ORDER OF CORKS
Forty-fifth Cellar
M.’.W.'. William C. Reilly, Grand Bung of America
R.’.W.'. Wilfred W. Minton Prov. Grand Bung of U.S.A.
Sunday, February 21, 1971
7:30 a.m. - CONVENT GENERAL, KNIGHTS OF THE YORK CROSS OF HONOUR
Breakfast in the Hotel
M.’.E.’. Charles F. Adams, Grand Master General
M.’.E.’. Stanley W. Wakefield, Grand Registrar General
9:00 a.m. - THE SOCIETY OF BLUE FRIARS
Thirty-ninth Annual Consistory
M.’.I.’. Harold V. B. Voorhis, Grand Abbot
R.’.I.’. James D. Carter, Secretary-General
10:00 a.m. - THE GRAND PRECEPTOR'S TABERNACLE, H.R.A.K.T.P.
Thirty-ninth Annual Ingathering
V.’.E.’. Samuel A. Wise, Preceptor
R.’.E.’. George C. Moreland, Registrar
10:00 a.m. - THE GRAND COLLEGE OF AMERICA, HOLY ROYAL ARCH KNIGHT TEMPLAR PRIESTS
Thirty-ninth Annual Ingathering
R.’.E.’. D. Peter Laguens, Acting Grand Preceptor
R.’.E.’. George C. Moreland, Grand Registrar
HOTEL
Hotel reservations must be made by addressing a post card or letter to Hotel Washington, Mr. Reyburn Miller, Manager, Pennsylvania Avenue and Fifteenth Street, Washington, D.C., N.W., 20034. Call attention to the fact that you are attending the Annual Meeting of the Allied Masonic Degrees. It will be well to ask for a confirmation. Reservations should be requested at least one (1) week prior to your arrival.
ANNUAL DINNER
The Annual Dinner will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 20, 1971. Reservations are not necessary. Purchase your tickets from the Committee Dinner on the morning of the dinner.
LADIES' COFFEE HOUR
At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 20, our ladies will meet for coffee in the room posted on the bulletin board in the hotel lobby.
COMMITTEE ON TIME AND PLACE
Marvin E. Fowler, Chairman
1904 White Oaks Drive,
Alexandria, Va. 22306
Harold V.B. Voorhis, Secretary
105 New England Avenue,
Summit, N. J. 07901
Henry Emmerson
4181 Park Avenue,
The Bronx, N. Y. 10457
Robert L. Grubb
P.O. Box 432,
Charlotte, N. C. 28204
Herbert A. Fisher
233 Old Drive,
Chesapeake, Va. 23320
George C. Moreland
6523 Oakwood Drive,
Falls Church, Va. 22041
Stanley W. Wakefield
41 Amberst Drive,
Hasting-on-Hudson, N. Y. 10706
Conference Program
Masonic Week, February 21 to 24 inclusive, Washington, D. C. All meetings the Shoreham Hotel, except the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Registration, 12-5 p.m.
5:00 p.m. - Grand Masters' Conference Tea and Reception, Palladian Room.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22
7:00 a.m. - Deputy Grand Masters' Breakfast, Palladian Room.
10:00 a.m. - George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association meeting, Memorial, Alexandria, Va. Buses leave Shoreham promptly at 9:00 a.m. Luncheon, 11:45 a.m. at Memorial. Buses return to Hotel right after lunch.
2:00 p.m. - Masonic Service Association, 52nd Annual Meeting, Diplomat Room.
7:00 p.m. - Grand Secretaries' Dinner, Palladian Room.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23
7:45 a.m. - Frank S. Land Breakfast by Imperial Council of Shrine, Regency Ballroom. (Admission by ticket only.)
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Grand Masters' Conference, Diplomat Room.
9:00 a.m. - Grand Secretaries' Conference, Tudor Room. Grand Secretaries' Luncheon at 12:30 p.m., Executive Room.
2:00 p.m. - Grand Secretaries' Conference continued, Tudor Room.
7:00 p.m. - Grand Masters' Banquet, Regency Ballroom. (Doors open, 6:30. Tables reserved until 6:55.)
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. - Grand Masters' Conference continued, Diplomat Room.
9:00 a.m. -Grand Secretaries' Conference continued, Tudor Room.
12:30 p.m. - Luncheon, Supreme Council 33d, A. & A. S. R., Southern Jurisdiction, House of the Temple, 1733 16th Street, N.W. Transportation provided.
N.B. For your convenience, the registration desk will be open in the East Main lobby on Sunday, February 21, at noon. Also, Monday, February 22, and Tuesday, February 23, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.
----o----
By Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., (Life), Illinois
Several years ago Jacob Katz wrote "Jews and Freemasons in Europe, 1723-1939," in Hebrew; later the book was translated into the English language by Rabbi Leonard Oschry, and recently this edition was published by Harvard University Press, 79 Garden St., Cambridge, Mass. 02138.
The author is Professor of Sociology and Rector of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He conceived the idea of the work when he was a visiting professor at Harvard University in 1962-1963. He started his research in the Widener Library of that school; but he later engaged in a study of material in the leading libraries in Europe. He discovered that most of the published material was by propagandists seeking to arouse hatred against the Jews and against the Masons and created the myth that the two groups were secretly plotting together to rule the world. This book is the first one on the subject which is based on scholarly research and is founded on historical material.
This detailed excellent book of 293 pages with detailed notes and references relies primarily on German and French sources. But the problem is considered in depth from various points of view. It is welcomed by students of the subject seeking light rather than prejudiced material to support a preconceived position.
Available from the publisher at $11.00 a copy.
"The History of The Scottish Rite in New Jersey" has been written by Brother Harold V. B. Voorhis, F.P.S., and active for many years in the Masonic quarries. This fifty-one page book presents all the pertinent facts relating to this great appendant body in New Jersey. The book also lists all members who have served as Actives in the state, all thirty-third degree members of the state, and some biographical sketches of prominent Scottish Rite leaders in New Jersey.
Available from the author at $3.00 a copy, by sending orders to him at 105 New England Ave., Apt. 2-B, Summit, New Jersey 07901.
Mystic Tie Lodge No. 398, of Indianapolis, Indiana is one of the most active lodges in the area. When it celebrated its one hundredth anniversary in 1968 a fine history of the lodge was written by one of its members, Brother James B. Gale. He examined all the lodge minutes, sought biographical material in various places, and researched the local press items as well as many other sources. The result was an outstanding book which presents all the pertinent facts about the lodge, many interesting incidents, many fine pictures, and a great deal of biographical material. This lodge has had five members who served Indiana as Grand Master. During its first one hundred years the lodge had only five treasurers and five secretaries.
Persons interested in securing copies are urged to write to the author at 6279 Washington Blvd., Indianapolis, Ind. 46220.
The Members of the Missouri Lodge of Research received three items from the lodge during the year 1970:
(1) A copy of "A Masonic Review," by Brother Bruce Hunt, F.P.S., issued under the auspices of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, and distributed at the Grand Lodge session on September 28, 1970. This is a complete summary of the important Masonic events during the preceding year. The material is arranged according to subject matter, is easy to read, demonstrates a great deal of skill in selection and preparation, and is a source book of Masonic history for the period. While the supply lasts copies are available from the Grand Secretary of Missouri, 3681 Lindell Boulevard. St. Louis, Missouri 63108.
(2) A copy of "The Clergy and the Craft," by Brother Forrest Haggard. This book is the best ever written on the subject of the relationship between Freemasonry and the churches and explores the religious characteristics of the Craft in a scholarly manner. This book ought to be read by Masons and non-Masons alike and especially those members of the clergy who keep looking upon the Fraternity as a kind of competitor.
(3) A copy of "Hi Dad," by the Rev. Herbert Duncan being a biography of Frank Land and the story of DeMolay. The author was a close friend of Frank Land and does a creditable job in presenting the story of his life.
Make sure you get all future books of this Research lodge - $5.00. A.W. Griffith, Secretary, P.O. Box 480, Fulton, Missouri 65251. Copies of Brother Haggard's book may be secured at $4.00 a copy from the Educational Bureau, Box 529, Trenton, Missouri.
Last year there was published "Biographical Sketches of Nevada Grand Masters, F. & A.M.," prepared by Brother Silas E. Ross. The material is nicely arranged with a list of the Grand Masters in alphabetical order with page where sketch can be found; the list of Nevada lodges, when chartered, and the Grand Masters which came from that lodge; and then a brief biographical sketch of each Grand Master of the state. The book also has a fine bibliography that can serve the student well if he is studying the Craft of that state.
Copies are available from Royal D. Crowell, Grand Secretary, Masonic Temple, 40 West First Street, Reno Nevada 89501, at $4.00 a copy.
Research Lodge No. 2, of Iowa is becoming a real workshop in the material it is producing. Its most recent publication is a 58-page brochure entitled "Negro Masonry in Iowa," by Jerry Marsengill, M.P.S. He presents a complete detailed history of the group in an interesting way; in the appendix he lists the extant documentary evidence of the Prince Hall group. Persons interested in securing copies of this or other publications of this research lodge are urged to write to Jerry Marsengill, 2602 Terrace Road, Des Moines, Iowa 50312.
The Transactions of Masonic Research Lodge No. 104, of Atlanta, Georgia, contain a detailed and excellent exposition of The Sixth Liberal Art (Music), by Brother Fred W. Mindermann, M.P.S., giving a brief history of Masonic music and list of Masonic composers.
Readers interested in securing a copy are urged to write to the lodge at 465 Bishop Street, N. W., Atlanta, Georgia 30318.
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More About the Mystic Tie Academy
By Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., (Life)
Illinois
In our last issue (December, 1970, p. 116 ) it was reported that Mystic Tie Lodge No. 398 of Indianapolis, Indiana during the year 1971 will be holding an experimental Masonic education program. So much interest has been engendered by the report that it is felt that further details should be given.
The idea of this school for lodge members was conceived by Brother C. C. Faulkner, Jr., long active in DeMolay programs, as a project for his lodge during the year that he was to serve as Worshipful Master. Motivated by the spirit of spreading more light among the lodge members he decided to launch a program which was given the name "Mystic Tie Lodge Academy of Masonic Culture." He enlisted the assistance of Brother James B. Gale, who accepted the job of "Dean of the Academy." Brother Gale was the logical choice as he was the author of the lodge history who brought to the job years of experience as a lecturer, author, and historian.
The program consists of a yearlong course of study starting with the January 7, 1971 meeting of the lodge and continuing until June 17; then resuming on September 9 and continuing to December 2, having a total of thirty-six sessions. The registration by the members has been most encouraging and has displayed a surprising amount of interest. The chief attraction is that here is a school without tuition fees, no examinations, no grades issued, and no home-work assignments except that assumed voluntarily by the student on subjects he may have a special interest. Attendance at no less than thirty of the lecture sessions will entitle the member to the receipt of a diploma. This diploma will be presented during a lodge banquet in December 1971.
Each session will last one hour and fifteen minutes. There will be nine basic courses presented, each consisting of four subjects. Here are some of the general topics to be presented: The legendary and historical background of the Craft; the history of the Craft in the United States; the degrees; the spiritual aspects of the Craft; the lodge and its place in Freemasonry, etc. We will have occasion
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Mystic Tie Lodge Academy of Masonic Culture
Curriculum For 1971
Course I The Legendary and Historical Backgrounds of Freemasonry
1. From Myths and Legends to Manuscript Constitutions - James B. Gale
2. Contributions of the Middle Ages and Medieval Times - James B. Gale
3. The Rise and Decline of Operative Freemasonry - James B. Gale
4. A Century of Grand Lodge Development - James B. Gale
Course II The Story of Freemasonry In America
1. The Colonial Period - Dr. Robert E. Cramer
2. The Post-Colonial Period to 1800 - Dr. Robert E. Cramer
3. Freemasonry In Indiana In 19th Century - Dwight L. Smith, P.G.M.
4. Freemasonry In Indiana In 20th Century - Dwight L. Smith, P.G.M.
Course III The Three Degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry
1. The Entered Apprentice Degree - Charles E. Mohr, P.M.
2. The Fellow Craft Degree - C. Gaylord Allen, P.M.
3. Master Mason Degree; Legendary Background; Symbolism - Bowman Downey
4. Master Mason Decree: Ritual Growth: Spiritual Tenets - Bloor Redding P M
Course IV The Spiritual Aspects of Ancient Craft Masonry
1. The Holy Bible In Freemasonry Richard D. Muir, P.M.
2. Our Mystic Tie With God - The Rev. James A. McKinney
3. Approach To The Altar - John. H. Jefferson.. P.G.M.
4. Clowes Hall Masonic 250th Anniversary Sermon, 1967 - Dr. Norman Vincent Peale (on tape: discussion by O. Allen Landreth)
Course V The Lodge: Cornerstone of Freemasonry
1. The Functions and Purposes of A Lodge - C.C. Faulkner, Jr.
2. Cornerstone and Cap Stone - C.C. Faulkner, Jr.
3. The Ritualist At Work - Kenneth W. Wantland, P.M.
4. The Ancient Charges and The Ancient Landmarks - William G. Batchelder, P.M.
Course Vl The Grand Lodge of Masons In Indiana
1. Organization, Operation, Purpose, and Mission - Robert P. Joyce, P.G.M.
2. By-Laws, Standing Regulations, and Ceremonies (a) - Dwight L. Smith, P.G.M.
3. By-Laws, Standing Regulations, and Ceremonies (b) - Dwight L Smith, P.G.M.
4. Reflections On The 1939 Declaration of Principles - Richard E Hickam, G.M.
Course Vll Masonic Symbolism and Terminology of The Craft
1. Uses and Purposes of Symbolism In Freemasonry - Dr. I. Lynd Esch
2. The Great Symbols of Freemasonry; Interpretation - Dr. I. Lynd Esch
3. The Language of Freemasonry - Wayne Guthrie
4. Ritual Terms and Phrases; Derivation; Meaning - Wayne Guthrie
Course VIIl How Freemasonry Affects Men
1. George Washington: Patriot and Mason - Robert P. Joyce, P.G.M.
2. Wolfgang Mozart: Freemasonry in Music - Mallory W. Bransford
3. Robert Burns: Poet Laureate of Freemasonry - Dwight L. Smith, P.G.M.
4. Paul Revere: Colonial Grand Master, too - Joseph H. Clark, P.M.
Course IX What Masonry Means To Me
1. A Parish Minister's View of Freemasonry - The Rev. James P. Martin
2. Freemasonry Viewed From the East - C.C. Faulkner, Jr.
3. A Meditation On Freemasonry From the Oriental Chair - Charles R. Brown, D.G.M.
4. A Craftsman Reflects Upon Freemasonry - James B. Gale
to report specific subjects on later occasions during the year.
Brother Seymour J. Stewart is serving as Registrar; Brother Faulkner is Academic Advisor; and the faculty will consist of present and past Grand Officers of Indiana, members of the lodge qualified to lecture; and other Masons in the community who have something of interest to offer the students.
Our eyes will be on this new experiment and we hope to report on its progress from time to time.
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From an old copy of the Sandusky Masonic Bulletin, edited by our late Fellow Charles H. Merz, we present a remarkable item of Masonic interest, on which to think, and from which to gain some ideas of writing - our system of communication.
The art of writing in cipher, known as cryptology, is used to conceal the meaning of what is written from all except those who possess the key. The art may be traced to remote antiquity. Its origin is attributed to the Spartans. More than two thousand years ago Aeneas Tacitus had collected more than twenty different kinds of ciphers which were then in use.
Rulers and army leaders communicated their messages to officers in distant provinces by means of preconcerted ciphers. The system has always been employed when there was a necessity to conceal from all but those who were entitled to the knowledge the meaning of a written discovered of gun powder, concealed many words by writing them backwards. In Masonry, words are halved and reversed. The Alchemists employed ciphers to conceal their chemical secrets. Roger Bacon, the discoverer of gun powder, concealed the names of the ingredients under a cipher made by transposition of the letters.
The Egyptian priests invented hieroglyphics, a form of cipher, to conceal their instructions from the uninitiated. Peter Aponas, an astrological writer of the thirteenth century, gives some of the old ciphers, which were used by the Kabbalists, and among others, one alphabet, galled "the passing of the river," which is referred to in some of the Scottish Rite Degrees. The celebrated letter of Charles I to the Earl of Glamorgan, in which he made some condemning contributions to the Catholics of Ireland, was composed in an alphabet consisting of 24 short strokes, variously situated upon a line. Francis Bacon, who has been claimed by some to be the author of Shakespeare's plays, devised what he thought a not easily penetrable cipher, in which he employed only a and b, arranging each of these in groups of five, in such collocations as to represent all the 24 letters.
The unfortunate Earl of Argyle, when preparing his expedition against the tyrannical government of James II., used a mode of secret writing which consisted in setting down the words at certain intervals, which he afterwards filled up with other words, making, on the whole, something intelligible, but indifferent. In our day such a mode would not have been found proof against the ingenuity of those who have studied the means of decipherment.
The Philosopher Dioscorides wrote several works on the subject of trees and herbs, and made prominent the secret characters of this alphabet, which became known by his name, and was adopted and used by others.
The characters were distinguished by the number of branches on either side of the tree; thus, the T H is recognizable from the S H. notwithstanding each has three limbs on the left hand of the stem or trunk, by the one having six and the other seven branches on the right hand side.
As an example, here are given nine of the mystic characters and their relative values. The characters in the lower line are the relative value, and known as the alphabet of Hermes or Mercury.
Allied to this art is the manufacture of anagrams out of proper names.
Dr. Burney made "Honor est a Nilo" out of Horatio Nelson. The adherents of the House of Stewart made free use of anagrams. Thus, among the assassins of the Third Degree, who symbolized with them, the foes of the Monarchy, we recognize Romvel as Cromwell, and Hoben as Bobun, Earl of Sussex. It is only in this manner that we can trace such words as Stolkin, Morphey, etc. They cannot be found in any Hebrew root. The derivation of many of them is, probably, forever lost; of others the research for their meaning may be more successful.
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Masonic Exhibit Held In Public Library
During the month of November 1970, in Homewood, Illinois, there was held in the public library a dual exhibit. The works of a local artist were on display. Of special interest to us was the Masonic literary display presented by Brother Albert L. Woody, a Fellow of our Society.
The Masonic display consisted of books, pictures, and leaflets. The books centered around the volume written many years ago by our late Brother Norman Hickox, "The Twelve Treasured Tomes," in which he listed the twelve most popular Masonic books. These twelve books were displayed. Since Brother Hickox was a Masonic bibliophile his picture was displayed. Anticipating considerable interest by non-members Brother Woody secured many booklets and other material from the Iowa Masonic Library.
The interest in the project was indicated by the Grand Secretary of Illinois, Brother Paul R. Stephens, a Member of our Society, contributing to the library a copy of "The Rise and Progress of Freemasonry in Illinois," by Turnbull. Brother Woody contributed to the library a copy of the Twelve Treasured Tomes, a copy of Newton's, "The Builders," and a copy of Norman Hickox', "The Master's Lectures."
Brother Woody has been a resident of Homewood since 1923, and it was a nice thing for him to do for his neighbors. This is a project that ought to be duplicated a thousand fold annually for the benefit of the Craft as well as for the general public.
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Virginia Craftsmen Invade Canada
Two Grand Masters joined hands to provide a Masonic "first." They permitted Babcock Lodge No. 322, Highland Springs, Virginia, to hold a Special Communication in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, and Raise one of its Fellow Crafts to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason.
The "invasion" of the Confederates had been many months in the planning, but under the leadership of Allen E. Roberts, F.P.S., President of the Virginia Craftsmen, Masonry between New Brunswick and Virginia was further cemented. I. Dale Steeves, Past Deputy Grand Master of New Brunswick, had planned the itinerary across the border. He and his committees were heartily thanked by the Virginians for the warmhearted reception they had received.
Grand Master William T. Watkins of Virginia and Grand Master Murray S. Speight of New Brunswick gave their enthusiastic approval for the visit of the Craftsmen. They did many things to make the visit a success.
The Craftsmen and their ladies left Virginia early in the morning of October 24th. They spent the night in Massachusetts and left with the sun for New Brunswick. They were met at the border by several Masons of St. Stephens. In the evening they enjoyed a fish chowder dinner, followed by the fellowship only a "harmony" can provide.
Monday morning they left St. Stephens in their chartered bus bearing the insignia of the Virginia Craftsmen. After sight-seeing along the way they arrived at their hotel in Moncton. In the evening they were the guests of Acacia Lodge No. 49, F. & A.M. where Most Worshipful Murray S. Speight made an Official Visit. The Lodge worked in the Fellowcraft Degree so Babcock's Fellow Craft could be present for the whole evening.
The Grand Master called all of the Virginia Craftsmen to the East. After praising them highly he presented each with a Centennial Medal of his Grand Lodge that had been specially struck for the occasion. This, plus the excellence of the reception, caused all of the Virginians to praise the proceedings of the evening.
On Tuesday morning Dottie and Allen Roberts were received by the Mayor of Moncton. Then all boarded the bus to travel to Amherst, Nova Scotia. There they were the guests of Acacia Lodge No. 8, and Alexandra No. 87, A.F. & A.M. They were treated to an excellent lunch in one of the most beautiful Masonic Temples they have ever seen.
To the stirring strains of "Dixie" the Virginia Craftsmen, dressed in their Confederate cavalry-type uniforms marched into the gymnasium of the Brunswick Technical Institute in Moncton, Canada. They carried the flags of Canada, the United States, Virginia, and the Craftsmen Standard. After the President had introduced each of the Virginians, the meeting was turned over to Worshipful Robert H. Wright, Worshipful Master of Babcock Lodge No. 322, A.F. & A.M., Highland Springs, Virginia. He announced that "this Communication has been called for the purpose of Conferring the Sublime Degree of Master Mason on Brother William Sherman Ervin, Jr., a duly elected and examined Fellow Craft of Babcock Lodge." For the first time in history a Virginia Lodge was opened on foreign soil. All of the chairs were filled by members of Babcock Lodge, who were all members of the Virginia Craftsmen.
Policemen and policewomen met the Craftsmen's bus on the outskirts of St. John the following afternoon and led it to the city chambers. There all of the Virginians were greeted by the Mayor of St. John, who was also present in the evening at a banquet held for the Craftsmen and their ladies. After the festivities were over the Craftsmen exemplified the Master Mason Degree before the Grand Master, Grand Secretary, and several other Grand Lodge Officers. They received a standing ovation at the conclusion of the work.
The Masons of Fredericton held a banquet for the Virginians on Thursday evening with the Grand Master again present. He was joined by the Lieutenant Governor of the Province, the Mayor of Fredericton, and several Past Grand Masters and officers. It was a memorable evening.
Friday evening the Craftsmen, for the last time in Canada, marched into the Lodge to the music of "Dixie." After the Communication was turned over to the President he received the Grand Master of Masons in New Brunswick in the same manner as is the Grand Master of Masons in Virginia. This received the hearty approval of the Brethren present. At the conclusion of the Communication a flag of New Brunswick was presented to the Craftsmen. The President in turn had the Virginia flag, which had flown over the State Capitol, taken off its staff and presented it to the Worshipful Master of Alexandria Lodge No. 3, the host Lodge. Once again the Craftsmen received a standing ovation.
The Virginia Craftsmen Distinguished Service Medal was presented to Murray S. Speight, Grand Master, I. Dale Steeves, Past Deputy Grand Master, and Robert H. Wright, Worshipful Master of Babcock Lodge for their outstanding service to Freemasonry. Alexandria Lodge has elected Allen E. Roberts to Honorary Membership for helping to cement the ties of brotherhood between Canada and the United States.
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On Early Freemasonry in North America
by Henry Coil, F.P.S.,
Brings us up To Date
In a recent letter to the Editor, Henry W. Coil, F.P.S., and author of the volume Freemasonry Through Six Centuries, has the following comments on a recent article in our magazine:
Having noticed M.W. Brother Laurence E. Eaton's letter in your August issue correcting some statements made by Brother Gustin O. Gooding in your July (not June as he stated) issue, I wish to add a few more suggestions.
1. I am not aware that 3 of the 4 Lodges forming the premier Grand Lodge of 1717 were predominantly operative or operative at all, and the idea that one speculative Lodge gained control of the Grand Lodge is very unlikely, since the Brethren did not appear there as Lodges or represented by officers of Lodges, but the assemblage was of Freemasons as individuals. This was changed by the Regulations of 1721-22, providing that Grand Lodge consisted of the Masters and Wardens of the Lodges and of the Grand Lodge, and a number of speculative Lodges and their members later arrived.
2. We do not know whether the First Degree was "divided" or supplemented by a new Second Degree.
3. The Regulations provided in Article XIII that Fellows and Masters could be made only in Grand Lodge, except by dispensation, and that was not changed in 1723 but in 1725, providing that the Master of each Lodge, with the consent of his Wardens and Brethren, could make Masters at their discretion. ( Fellows must have been included by implication).
4. Both the Ancient and Modern Grand Lodges did not claim jurisdiction over all English Lodges, but each Grand Lodge did so as to its own Lodges.
5. I presume that the notable amounts of immigrants from France were those in the French territory of Louisiana and the Dutch those in New York City, which was Dutch territory.
6. The claim for a Lodge at Norfolk, Va. in 1733 is not accepted by the principal authorities, who point out that the Lodge when warranted bore the number 172, and that Lodge 171 and Lodge 173 were both warranted in 1753, making it probable that a 3 crept in where a 5 belonged.
7. The Mother Lodge idea for the United States or the Colonies is over emphasized. Both Botetourt and Falmouth Lodges sometimes said to have been warranted by the Lodge at Fredericksburg, (itself unwarranted). Both of the first mentioned Lodges later secured warrants from England and Scotland, respectively.
8. I am not aware that the Grand Lodge of Ireland ever warranted any fixed Lodge in Massachusetts, although there were several Irish warranted Military Lodges there from time to time in the British army. Two of such regimental Irish Lodges joined in the petition for a Scots Provincial Grand Master, which did not merge them into the local body, their warrants being traveling warrants to work wherever the Master and his regiment might be.
9. Provincial Grand Lodges are often misunderstood, for they were not constitutional bodies and were never warranted by a Grand Lodge. The Grand Master in England did appoint Provincial Grand Masters, only as his personal representatives whose privileges ended with the death or retirement from office of the appointing Grand Master. Such Provincial Grand Master could and generally did erect his own Provincial Grand Lodge and appoint his Wardens and a Secretary, but there were no general members thereof.
10. I will appreciate having t h e names and numbers of the Irish Lodge which took part in the formation of the Grand Lodge of New York and of the nine Lodges assisting.
11. I would like to know the names and numbers of the nine Lodges that formed the Grand Lodge of Virginia, since I now understand that there were but 4 on October 13, 1778.
12. The two Grand Bodies did not merge in 1792, but Massachusetts Grand Lodge (of Warren and Webb) on March 5, 1792 "Voted that the Grand Lodge be Dissolved." In short Rowe's Modern Grand Lodge insisted to the very last not to recognize the Scots or Ancient Grand Lodge, though the members of that branch were absorbed by the survivor.
13. We are told that both the Modern and Ancient Grand Lodges were very active in promoting the cause of Freemasonry in America. I would like to know what that cause was and what promotional activities were undertaken.
14. The remarks on New Jersey are very interesting and deserve clarification. I have always understood that, while the petition had an origin in Baskingridge Lodge, neither that nor any other Lodge participated. It seems odd that, of the 50 Freemasons signing the petition 37 were "from Pennsylvania," meaning what? Had they come for the excitement of the day, or were they Jerseyites members of Pennsylvania Lodges, and did they return to Pennsylvania?
15. It is stated that the differences between the Modern and Ancient systems were not great, but having seen one Pennsylvania degree, which is Ancient, I would call the differences considerable.
16. Attempts have been made to force the name, American Rite, onto the practice in this country, without much success. If our Masonry is not English, York, Scots or Irish, it may not be Freemasonry at all. It is generally overlooked that the chief American Rite is the Scottish Rite, which is not Scottish but the 33 degrees as we know them were organized at Charleston, S.C., and all of the recognized bodies of that Rite, except those in the Northern Jurisdiction, hold their patents from the Southern Jurisdiction of the U.S.A.
17. Your correspondent of last July is too limited in his appreciation of Masonic lecturers, naming only two, John Barney and Samuel Wilson. At least 5 more should be included, Jeremy Cross, Cushman, Fowle, David Vinton, and John Snow."
There is much food for Masonic research in this letter, and it is hoped that some of our members may take the time to look up some of the data suggested by Brother Coil. This is Masonic history - not theory. Come on, members, let's get some answers!
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Some Research Techniques and Some Suggested Topics for Research
By Charles Snow Guthrie, M.P.S.
Assistant Professor of English, Western Kentucky University
(A paper read at the meeting of Kentucky Chapter of the Philalethes Society, Louisville, Kentucky, September 20, 1970.)
Hopefully, what I am saying will be somewhat "old hat" to most of us. As we all labor at whatever job may take up our working time and do Masonic research and writing in spare moments, perhaps we have not had either time or inclination to study our methods of working. To those of you who follow good research methods, I offer my apologies. To those who would improve their work, I offer these suggestions which may make your work more interesting and which will certainly make your writing more valuable and informative to less informed Brethren.
There are at least two kinds of Masonic writing now being published. One of these, for lack of a better name, I shall simply call subjective. Subjective writing is work that offers the writer's opinions on some subject and usually seeks to convince others of their truth. This is an important work and one that we need more of.
But this is not the kind of writing with which this paper is primarily concerned. It is my purpose to discuss some of the techniques of research applicable to Masonic topics as well as to others. In brief, I propose to show the techniques of digging into a subject and reporting it in good form. Some of the steps that can be followed to make a subject interesting are as follows:
1. Selecting a meaningful topic.
2. Finding what, if anything, has previously been done with the idea.
3. Finding new evidence if possible.
4. Reaching and reporting elusion.
The first step in research is to find a topic - one that is not trite and worn out; one that will not be simply a rehashing of something already done, but which will make an original contribution in some way to the knowledge of Freemasonry. As an example of triteness, we often see undocumented repetitions of such information as the numbers of Masonic patriots in the American Revolution. This is interesting and no doubt valuable to the very young Mason who probably never heard of it before, but it is hardly worthy of being rewritten and republished unless a fresh turn can be given to some of the information. A good article might be written about the Masonic career of one of the patriots, or perhaps research might reveal whether Masonry was a vital influence in his beliefs and actions. In this or other research that takes up where older work has left off, some originality could be shown and both the writer and reader would be rewarded.
Perhaps there is more opportunity for research on the local Lodge and Grand Lodge levels than anywhere else. Some good topics for research include histories of local Lodges, regional Masonic works such as Coleman's Masonry in the Bluegrass, Grand Lodge histories, and studies of the lives of Masonic leaders. These studies should involve more than a simple chronology of dates, names, places, and events. They should if possible show origins, influences causes, and effects.
Once a subject has been chosen, the second step should be taken. A thorough search should be made for books and articles bearing on the subject. This is where Masonic research often becomes most difficult. So far as I have been able to determine, there is no over-all index to Masonic articles. They are rarely listed in Reader's Guide or the International Index. Most university and private libraries, for one reason or another, contain few standard Masonic books and no Masonic periodicals. Often the material they do have is either substandard, out of date, or written by someone opposed to Freemasonry. Perhaps our reticence and fear of revealing "secrets" is partly to blame for the paucity of library holdings. We are reluctant to discuss anything pertaining to Masonry with the uninitiated and consequently librarians may not know that such books are desired or even available. This makes it necessary for the individual Mason to purchase books and subscribe to many periodicals unless he can get them from some strictly Masonic library.
There is one exception to my statement about Masonic indexes. There is a card index to the New Age maintained by the library of The House of the Temple of the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite in Washington. If it were published, it would become very valuable to Masonic writers.
If by some means we are able to discover what has been printed about a subject, the next step in research is to make our own contribution. If you will pardon a personal reference, my article entitled "Kentucky's Role in the Expansion of Freemasonry" which appeared in the January issue of the Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, had as its object to bring to the attention of interested persons not only the fact that Kentucky had the first Lodge and first Grand Lodge west of the Appalachian Mountains, but that Kentucky served as a focal point which helped propagate Freemasonry in nine other states as well. What I tried to do was to go beyond the origin of Kentucky Freemasonry into the spread of the institution. To do this I simply brought together scattered bits of information covering a period of about 75 years and related it to the main idea.
The contributions I made in my feeble way came from a close reading of original Grand Lodge Proceedings. I state this to show that t he researcher can find his best sources in original records, either published or in manuscript. Among these are minute books, ledgers, visitor's registers, committee reports, court records, personal diaries, statements by eyewitnesses of events, and the like.
Once a topic for research has been found, once previously prepared and hopefully some new material has been located, the next step is to write and share the information with other Brethren. Material that never sees the light of day does no one any good except the discoverer and he has placed his candle under a bushel.
Writing should follow the rules of good composition: It should have an introduction, a body and a conclusion. Evidence should be given to support every statement, and every statement possible should be documented so others can check for more information. Extreme care should be taken not to make extravagant or unprovable statements. Writing should be careful and detached and completely objective. The reader will readily see that a writer has an ax to grind or a pet theory to advance if he is not objective. The writer must seek truth and present it in such a way that the reader will be convinced that it is truth.
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Some Symbolism of the Phoenix and Pelican
By Kenneth F. Curtis. F.P.S.
There is for many Masons a rewarding fascination to be enjoyed in Masonic research. Rather surprising results can be encountered from some unexpected sources in the study and interpretation of symbols, many of which are still being used today, and night even be found in physical evidence.
Albert Pike, a renowned symbolist stated: "The symbolism of Masonry is the soul of Masonry. Every symbol of the Blue Lodge is a religious teacher, the mute teacher also of morals and philosophy. It is in the ancient symbols and the knowledge of their true meaning, that the pre-eminence of Freemasonry over all other Orders consists. In other respects, some of them may compete with it, rival it, perhaps even excell it; but, by its symbolism, it will reign without a peer when it learns again what its symbols mean and that each is the embodiment of some great, rare truth."
Legends and symbols are closely interwoven; one would seem somewhat empty and lacking in content without the other. Legends are frequently described as being distorted history; for in their origin many were based on historical and proven facts.
Considering that man's first method of communication was by signs and word of mouth, it is understandable how historical facts, dependent on memories, became in time known as legends and myths. Even the early recordings on rock and clay were modified to conform to man's imagination, so facts were constantly in the process of evolution, and much more so in this age of production with the discovery of the printing press.
The Phoenix is a very ancient legendary bird with varied symbolical meanings. It has been regarded as a messenger between God and Nature in many lands and is always described as being most unusual in appearance and dressed in bright colored plumage.
This symbol has moved from country to country, often modified and adopted for the use of the period, and has penetrated into many fields, especially that of religion. We find it in the Mysteries, Orders, Colleges, esoteric groups, and numerous organizations of like nature. Today, among unnumbered others, a foremost educational group, and a well known insurance company use the Phoenix symbol, so from age to age it travels on through history.
The Chinese Phoenix is known as Feng Huang and is considered to be the most beautiful and honorable among all birds. It has made several appearances in China, the first being in 2,600 B.C.; they always coincided with times of peace and prosperity. It symbolizes the sun, warmth of summer, and harvests, and sometimes it is seen painted on sterns of junks.
Herodotus, the Father of History dived during the years of 484-425 B.C. He described in his book of history a sacred bird called the Phoenix which he never saw alive, only in pictures.
It was considered a very rare bird in Egypt, for according to the accounts of the people of Heliopolis, it appeared but once every five hundred years, this took place when the old Phoenix died. It was supposed to have come from Arabia, and brought with it the parent bird to bury. In this, we see it as a symbol of rebirth and immortality.
The famous Temple of the Sun was within the city of Heliopolis. It was believed by the people that the Sungod had appeared upon the ancient pyramidal Ben-stone in the Phoenix Hall of the temple as a Phoenix. Certain kings in Egypt of the solar-faith manifested themselves in the form of a Phoenix and were buried beneath the symbol of the Sun-god.
In light of the above, the pyramids, which were the tombs of the kings signified sacredness in all detail; in such as position as related to the heavenly bodies, finished appearance, and design in construction. These were the first structures to greet the Sun-god in the morning. The brilliant reflection of the sun's rays or light from the Sun-god imparted to the land and its people a sacred protective sense in all its glory.
In Arabia there was a Phoenix which lived to a great age, after which, it then destroyed itself by burning, and within three days returned to life again. Therefore, it became a symbol of immortality, resurrection, and rejuvenation. It, like the Egyptian Phoenix was connected with the worship of fire and was a solar deity.
Now let us move forward a few years in history and closely observe the Great Seal of the United States engraved in 1782. We see that the head of the bird is much different than that of the one engraved on the seal of 1902. The former is that of the Phoenix or called by some the Crested Eagle, the latter is that of the American Eagle. Benjamin Franklin, a very well known Mason, considered the Eagle to be a bird of ill moral character.
William Barton submitted several designs to the third committee which was appointed to recommend a composite design for the Great Seal. In one of his sketches a Phoenix is seen sitting in a nest of flames. Eventually the design of the American Eagle was adopted, this, in spite of those in favor of that of the Phoenix.
The writer made a survey of the List of Regular Lodges Masonic for the year 1957 named Phoenix and found some fourteen. The Transactions of the Quatour Coronati Lodge mentions a few old lodges with the name Phoenix.
In 1828 an English Lodge No. 289 took the name of Phoenix. A silver jewel of the lodge bearing the Hallmark of 1827-28 was made by Thomas Harper. Beneath an engraved Phoenix is the word "Resurgam," meaning, "I shall rise again."
A book, "Phoenix Re-born" by Maurice Burton, D.Sc., was published in 1559 in London, England. The author is a retired Deputy-Keeper of Zoology of the British Museum (Natural History).
One day he saw a tame rook playing in a pile of burning straw, and watched with amazement as the bird permitted flames to rise around its body amid clouds of smoke. At the same time it would pick up burning straws and place them beneath its wings. Often it appeared to be a perfect picture of the traditional Phoenix with outstretched wings. This incident led the author into a long period of research and observation which raised as much speculation and opinion of the modern Phoenix as that of the ancient.
The belief of the immortality of the soul is universal and has never been open to question. It is a doctrine of faith and hope in many languages and creeds.
"The great design of the Third Degree of Freemasonry is to teach the immortality of the soul. This is the scope and aim of its ritual."
"Very wisely has Max Muller said (Chips, i., 45) that 'without a belief in personal immortality, religion is surely like an arch resting in an pillar, or like a bridge ending in an abyss;' and he cites passages from the Vedas to show that to the ancient Brahmans the idea was a familiar one. Indeed, almost all nations of the earth with whose religious faith we are acquainted recognized the dogma, although in vague and, perhaps materialistic forms."
It is now fitting that we should investigate the Masonic symbol of the Pelican. The Pelican feeding her young with her blood was considered an emblem of the Savior in ancient Christian art. To the Christian, the Pelican is a symbol of Christ, who saved humanity, as represented by the seven young, through the sacrifice of His own blood.
It is a symbol of Freemasonry, whose great object is to teach the doctrine of resurrection, and especially in that sublime degree of the Scottish Rite, known as the Eighteenth or Rose Croix Degree, wherein, the old Temple being destroyed and the old Word being lost, a new Temple and new Word springs forth, all of which is the great allegory of destruction by death and the resurrection to eternal life.
"The doctrine of resurrection or rebirth to a future or eternal life constitutes an indispensable portion of the religious faith of Freemasonry. It is not authoritatively inculcated as a point of dogmatic creed." It is not only a part of the teachings and symbolism of the Rose Croix Degree but also of the Third Degree.
"This dogma existed among all nations from a very early period. The Egyptians taught a final resurrection of the soul in their Mysteries, and the Jews borrowed it from the Zorostrians. The Brahmans and Buddhists of the East, the Etruscans of the South, and the Druids and Scandinavians Skalds of the West, nursed the faith of resurrection to a future life. The Greeks and Romans subscribed to it; and it was one of the great objects of their Mysteries to teach it. It is, as we all well know, an essential part of the Christian faith, and was exemplified, in His own resurrection, by Christ to His followers."
The above is but a small part of the literature to be enjoyed by the Masonic student on the symbolism of the Phoenix and Pelican.
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The Philalethes Magazine - Binding, Indexing and Back Numbers
By John Black Vrooman, F.P.S., Editor
A recent letter from Jean O. Heineman, M.P.S., of Oslo, Norway is of interest in that some questions are raised relative to the binding, preservation and indexing of the Philalethes magazine, which should interest all of our members, especially those who have bound or will bind the magazine.
The Philalethes magazine was first published by Walter A. Quincke, F.P.S., our President, in March, 1946. It was published until May, 1952, when, after the death of our President Quincke and his successor Harold H. Kinney, F.P.S., just months later, the Society went into darkness, only being revived by the united efforts of Lee Wells, F.P.S., Lawton E. Meyer, F.P.S. and Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., and a few others.
There was no magazine printed from May, 1952 until February, 1954, when Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., became President, and assumed the editorship of the magazine.
With these basic facts, we come to the essence of the matter of binding. Volumes I-V include the issues from March, 1946 till December, 1950. Volumes VI-X begin with January, 1951 and includes the issue of May, 1952, and after the lapse of publication, takes up with the February, 1954 issue and concludes with the December, 1957 issue. Volumes XIXV begins with February, 1958 and concludes with December, 1962 and Volumes XVI-XX is bound from February, 1963 through December, 1967.
The Executive Committee on several different occasions, has discussed the matter of binding, as well as that of making a complete Index of our magazine. It has been thought best that each individual member have his own copies bound in the manner best suited to his needs, and this has been the policy of the Society.
Much thought has been given to the matter of an overall Index of articles written for the Society, and last year the Executive Committee asked Albert L. Woody, F.P.S., and a specialist in this type of work, to consider making an Index. This he has promised to do, when it was convenient for him to devote enough time to the job to do it well.
For some time the Editor has been sorting a vast accumulation of back issues of the magazine, hoping to be able to make available issues needed by the members for the completion of their files. This has been a stupendous task, and has had to be undertaken outside the hours of other Society activities.
It is hoped that complete files of the magazine from its inception, may be put into a permanent file for reference, and that back issues of the magazine may be accumulated and filed in such a manner that they can be made available for those who wish to purchase these issues.
The Executive Committee has on many occasions talked about the method by which these back issues can be sold. Of course, the first ten years of the publication are scarce and very few in number. These must be preserved, so that, to all practical purposes, members should be able to count on getting issues of the magazine from about 1956 or 1957 when they have been made available, at a nominal cost.
It is urged that the membership do riot apply for back issues (older issues, that is), until they are notified that they have become available. There is too much to be done before this can be done that it is hoped that the membership will be patient. Current issues, that is, those issues for the past few years, can usually be obtained at a very small cost. We urge your patience, as there are so many things that need to be done, that we have not yet been able to do the necessary sorting and assembling of these magazines.
It is our opinion that the magazine is vital, and that its contents from year to year are contributing to the knowledge of Freemasonry. We are fortunate in having many who are writing articles that can be used. We always need such articles, and solicit thoughtful matter that will be helpful to our readers. Your attention is called to an article in this issue - a paper read to the Kentucky Chapter of the Philalethes - "Some Research Techniques and Some Suggested Topics for Research," by Charles Snow Guthrie, Assistant Professor of English at Western Kentucky University. This article appears on page 114 and is a good guide for those who want to do Masonic Research and write papers expressing their views.
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Fraternal Courtesies In War Time
By Leonard B. Voorhees, M.P.S.
Many unusual and historic episodes of "HUMANITY" emerged during the Civil War between the MEN IN GREY and the MEN IN BLUE. Some of these were the outcome of meetings when "REBS" and "YANKS" met at a watering spot and exchanged stories, news, food, and particularly in trading tobacco for civilian goodies. The fact that both sides spoke the same language, had common goals and personal ambitions with similar background of experience in developing a new land through agriculture and natural resources, made it relatively easy for one to hail the other and fraternize on unscheduled occasions.
Perhaps the innate humanity of man to man was heightened by the instances where brother opposed brother and father against son. This made possible an exchange of news or at least an inquire about relatives, people and towns. Then too, the fraternal membership afforded a common ground upon which men could feel a communion of experience. One such historic and imposing event was consummated at the little town of Saint Francisville, Louisiana where the Mississippi River made possible the means of communication and supplies.
Lieutenant John E. Hart of the Union Navy, slowly steamed his gunboat - The Albatross - up the muddy Mississippi shelling everything within range of his cannon. Destructive rape of the area included boat docks, store yards, towns, churches and homes surrounding the town. As the Albatross approached St. Francisville shattering all within range and leaving only waste and fire in its wake, Lt. Commander Hart became seriously ill with a fever. The limitation of medical aid was evidenced by his continual weakening and finally lapsing into a delirious coma resulting in his untimely death just opposite the town. However, while still rational, Lt. Commander Hart requested a Masonic funeral in preference to the traditional Navy rites which would have consigned his body to the muddy river.
The ensuing problems were unique and appeared to be beyond resolution. He was far from his home in Schenectady, New York, and equally far from his Masonic Lodge affiliation in St. George No. 6 of that city. To carry out his last request for such a service and interment required local help and co-operation. He was in the battle area of his Navy assignment and surrounded by men and women who had no love for anyone destroying their homeland and their community. The question arose as to whether a sufficient number of the Ship's Officers could qualify to conduct the services even in a peaceful setting.
The Albatross ceased firing and anchored in mid-stream. Two Officers rowed to shore under a flag of truce to Bayou Sara to contact the local residents and determine whether a Masonic Lodge was active in the town. The first two men encountered were the White brothers, Benjamin and Samuel, originally from Indiana. Both were Masons and had frequently visited Feliciana Lodge No. 31 in St. Francisville. The Worshipful Master of the Lodge was an Officer in the Confederate Army and away on duty. The Senior Warden, Captain Wm. Leake - a Confederate Calvary Officer - was located by the White brothers and apprised of the request made by the Officers of the Albatross. He agreed to contact lodge members for the purpose of conducting Masonic funeral rites and the interment of Lt. Commander John Hart.
The attending Lodge Brothers clothed in their Masonic robes over the Confederate Grey, marched down to the water's edge and helped conduct the body to the Lodge Room for Masonic Services. The interment at Grace Episcopal Church Cemetery was completed by the Reverend Dr. Lewis, pastor of the church. He read the services which gave Lt. Commander Hart both Military and Masonic honors.
Thus we find that the war was stopped while the Spector of death hovered over the participants where they could plainly see the shell-holes that pockmarked the churchyard and cemetery. These evidences of the ravages of war came from the Albatross - the Gunboat of Lt. Commander Hart. The date was originally recorded as April 11, 1863 but was later corrected to concur with the shin's lop as being June 11, 1863.
For many years a wooden head-plate marked the grave site but was replaced by a Navy Headstone at the request of Feliciana Lodge. On Sunday, January 8, 1956, Past Master Paul Habans unveiled a monument which covered the entire grave and briefly cited the facts given above. It was dedicated as a living tribute to the "Universality of Freemasonry." The dedication ritual was attended by dignitaries and residents of the river town. Dr. Louis Leggett, Grand Master of Masons in Louisiana, took an important part in the ceremony along with Worshipful Master Eugene Baxter of St. George's Lodge in Schenectady, New York, and the Principal Officers of Feliciana Lodge; Worshipful Master Charles Sheets, Senior Warden Joseph Daniel, and Junior Warden James Ritchie. A fitting tribute is inscribed on the monument and depicts the statics of the emotionally packed occasion.
This episode of human compassion and consideration shows most vividly that the bonds of Brotherhood can surmount the tragedy of war and bring men to an understanding that surpasses the barriers of political strife.
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Humbly and sincerely . . .
I promised to be a better son
I promised to love and serve God, my country, and my fellowmen
I promised to honor and protect every woman
I promised to slander no one
I promised to aid and uphold the public schools
I promised to walk uprightly before God and Man
All of these things, and more, I did promise!
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Virginia Masons Honor Imperial Potentate
Aubrey G. Graham
Colorful ceremonies surrounded the return of Imperial Potentate Aubrey G. Graham to his mother lodge, Ruth Lodge No. 89, A.F. & A.M., November 21, with him receiving high honors from both the Grand Lodge of Masons in the State of Virginia and his own Ruth Lodge.
Six hundred persons attended the buffet and program, including the Imperial Sir's Khedive Temple delegation of Divan, Board of Trustees and Nobility. The souvenir program featured a reproduction of the Imperial Sir's 1928 petition for initiation in Ruth Lodge.
The Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in Virginia, William T. Watkins, with other Grand Lodge officers and Past Grand Masters. The Most Worshipful Grand Master presented a "first time ever" Certificate of Appreciation 'swish gratitude and congratulations" to the Imperial Sir. Ruth Lodge honored him with a framed "Resolution Of Respect."
Past Potentate Judge Walter E. Hoffman, Khedive Temple, was master of ceremonies. The evening included selections by the Khedive Temple Chanters, directed by P.M.R. Curtis Williams, President of the Shrine Chanters Association of North America, and the Khedive Temple's "Noble Sirs" combo.
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Styles and Titles of Grand Lodges
By Albert L. Woody, F.P.S.
From the Illinois Enlightener, we take the following interesting article related to the nomenclature of Grand Lodges, and know that our readers will appreciate it.
Some information as to the titles by which modern Grand Lodges are designated can be found by tracing the various titles to their sources. While the subject is an exhaustive one, the plan outlined below is suggestive for pursuing it to greater lengths and recovering from the tangled web of time a fascinating fabric.
Year
1396 - First record of use of the word, FREEMASON.
1620 - Early operative record; THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF MASONS OF THE CITY OF LONDON.
1722 - Roberts Constitutions: THE ANCIENT AND HONOURABLE SOCIETY OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
1723 – Anderson’s Constitutions: RIGHT WORSHIPFUL FRATERNITY OF ACCEPTED FREE MASONS.
1738 - Anderson's Constitutions: ANCIENT AND HONOURABLE FRATERNITY OF ACCEPTED FREE MASONS.
1813 - Previous to the union of the two Grand Lodges then working in England:
(a) Moderns were styled: SOCIETY OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS UNDER THE CONSTITUTIONS OF ENGLAND.
(b) The Ancients were styled: FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF ENGLAND ACCORDING TO T H E OLD INSTITUTIONS.
1813 - At the Union of the two Grand Lodges in England the following style was adopted: THE UNITED GRAND LODGE OF ANCIENT FREEMASONS OF ENGLAND.
1822 - The first Grand Lodge in Illinois was styled: THE GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS, OF ANCIENT, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
1840 - The present Grand Lodge, first Constitutions: THE GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
1856 - The Constitutions of that year: GRAND LODGE OF ILLINOIS OF ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS.
1908 - Amended charter changed title to: THE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF ANCIENT FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS.
Ancient records are not always trustworthy in determining titles, since Masonic titles used in records, in documents and on corner-stones sometimes differ widely from the civil designations given by charters.
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Notes, Queries and Information On
Items of Masonic Research
BY MELVIN L. PFANKUCHE, M.P.S.
3319 Harwinton Lane, Cincinnati, Ohio 45211
1971 - No. 1
THE NUMBER OF LETTERS CONTAINING QUESTIONS which relate to matters of fact in Masonic history, biography and tradition, justify their treatment in a column apart from other portions of the magazine
Our readers and members are invited to send such material appropriate for use in this column, especially information concerning research currently under way.
The Editor will assist the Sponsor of this column which is supervised and run by Brother Melvin L. Pfankuche, M.P.S.
It must be noted that this page is for EXCHANGE of information and opinion, and does not pretend to provide the final answer to any query.
SWAP CORNER
FOR NEEDED BOOKS AND
RESEARCH MATERIAL
Readers please carry on all correspondence with individuals in need.
You're on your own!
46 - Swap Corner. Brother Earl Snyder, M.P.S., Box 211, Chatham, Virginia 24531 would like to obtain the following books: "The Symbolism of Solomon's Temple" by Rev. T. DeWitt Peake, Pub. by Cranston & Curts, Cincinnati. "The Gems of Masonry," by John Sherer, Pub. by Cincinnati Publishing Co. "A Correct Key to E.A., F.C., and M.M. Degrees,"
34th Ed. Pub. by Bulles and Holden, Cleveland, and "The House of Solomon, of Francis Bacon" by Chas. H. Merz, Sandusky, Ohio.
Unfortunately Cincinnati is not now the beacon of Masonic Light it once was. These books are not available locally and Brother Snyder would appreciate any information possible and quotes as to the cost.
47 - Swap Corner. Brother Clayton W. Bash, M.P.S., Box 111, Forest, Ohio 45843 would like to buy or trade for a copy of the original version of "Masonic, Hermetic, Qabbalistic and Rosicrucian Symbolical Philosophy" also known as "The Secret Teachings of All Ages" by Manly P. Hall.
48 - Swap Corner. Brother Conrad Hahn, F.P.S., Executive Secretary, Masonic Service Association, 724 Ninth Street, N. W., Washington, D.C. 20001 is looking for several copies of the Bulletins of the Masonic Service Association during the early 1920's. Those Bulletins badly needed are: 1, 2, 11 and 13. Several copies of each are required.
19 - Emblems. February, 1958. For the benefit of those not having access to the February, 1958 issue of the PHILALETHES Magazine, the Querry is repeated: "From O.W.F. Displaying Masonic emblems on automobiles has been frowned upon in some Grand Jurisdictions. Has the use of the square and compass, etc., in the bottom of an ash tray ever been disapproved?" In a recent copy of THE INDIANA FREEMASON, Brother Dwight L. Smith, F.P.S., P.G.M., Grand Secretary made the comment to the effect, "Can you think of anything more discouraging and disrespectful than two of the great lights resting under a pile of stuffed out cigarette butts?" 'Nuff said.
173 - Masonic Streets and Places. Brother E. W. Bridges, M.P.S., of the Greensboro Masonic Museum and Library reports that there is a Masonic Drive in Greensboro and that there is a Masonborough or Masonboro Sound in the eastern part of North Carolina. This was once the home of Solomon Lodge, English Constitution.
Brother D. Peter Laguens, Jr., M.P.S., New Orleans, La., advises that in Alexandria, Louisiana Masonic Drive leads directly to the Masonic Home for Children. Also, in Chandeleur Sound, Louisiana there is a Freemason Island. Bro. Laguens does not know how it got its name. Do you?
275 - The Gentle Craft. August, 1970. Brother Alex Home, M.P.S., 100 Font Blvd., No. 5-L, San Francisco, Calif. 94132 writes "the source of the designation 'the gentle craft', is generally referred to the craft of shoemakers or cobblers." He further states that it is found in a 1599 play, "George a-Greene": "You shall no more be called shoemakers, But you and yours, to the world's end, Shall be called the trade of the gentlecraft." Bro. Walter M. Calloway, Jr., M.P.S., Editor of the Georgia Masonic Messenger is of the opinion that further light may be shed on this subject by a study of "The Compleat Angler" by Sir Izaak Walton.
287 - Flags. October, 1970. This querry brought the best response for 1970. Historical and American Revolutionary Flags may be obtained at the following sources: Ebinger Bros. and Co., Ipswich, Mass. 01938. They have 12" x 18" cotton flags at $1.25 each or $1.00 each for two or more and offer a selection of 11. Flags Galore, 5617 Wimbleton Way, Ft. Worth, Texas 76133 have 4" x 6" rayon or silk flags at a nominal price and offer a catalog. Bro. Ron Heaton, F.P.S., has information regarding the Dettra Flag Co. Inc., Oaks, Pa. 19456 and advises that they do supply the Betsy Ross Flag as well as others of a historic nature.
290 - Hungarians in the American Civil War. Brother Arthur H. Keil, M.P.S., 72 Barrow Street, New York, N.Y. 10014 is attempting to collect the names of Hungarians who served in the American Civil War on either side.
291 - Masonic Basketballers and Footballers. Brother Jerry R. Erikson, F.P.S., Box 424, Pico-Rivera, Calif. 90660 is completing a list of footballers having any connection whatsoever with Freemasonry and is trying to make this list as complete as possible.
He is also starting to gather material for a new list which is to be of Masons who have been connected with basketball and requests information in reference to both lists.
292 - Letter G. Brother T.M.S. of Canada asks where and when was the letter G first pictorially placed within the Square and Compasses since it does not appear thus in the Lodge? Also, what particular symbolism (if any) attaches to the letter G when so placed within the Square and Compasses?