Contents
It Seems To Me The American Revolution Of The American Revolution
Paul Revere - Patriot, Freemason Masonic Workshop in 1975
The Saga of The Holy Royal Arch of Freemasonry Colonial Lodge Bicentennial Program
Red Cross of Constantine Masonic Forts
Grand Pursuivant Macoy Publishing Company
The Holy Royal Arch Bicentennial Chronology
Rob Morris and the Early Years Recommended Masonic Reading
Lodge of the Nine Muses One Road To More Light in Masonry
Chat and Comment
On Items of Masonic Research
John Black Vrooman, F.P.S., Editor
P.O. Box 402
St. Louis, Missouri 63166
OFFICERS
Robert V. Osborne, F.P.S., President
3624 Gifford Road
Franksville, Wisconsin 53126
Eugene S. Hopp, F.P.S., First Vice President
2000 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, California 94109
Dwight L. Smith, F.P.S., Second Vice-President
Masonic Temple, 525 North Illinois St
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Franklin (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 FPS
Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S. (Life)
Dr. Charles Gottshall Reigner, F.P.S.
Judge Robert H. Gollmar, F.P.S.
William R. Denslow, F.P.S.
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Jerry Marsengill, F.P.S., Editor
2714 Park Place
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S. Life., Assoc. Editor
237 Millbridge Road
Riverside, Illinois 60546
Melvin L. Pfankuche, M.P.S.
14267-130th Place, N.E.
Kirkland, Washington 98033
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY EMERlTUS
Carl R. Grelsen, F.P.S.
Volume XXVIII, No. 1
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By John Black Vrooman, F.P.S.
THAT great progress has been made in motivating the Bicentennial celebration of 1976 in our Society, and that the contribution of the members of our devoted group are showing more than usual interest in this important event.
The completion of the first year of the special series of articles on the Bicentennial of the American Revolution is making a real contribution to accurate and authenticated knowledge of the events, personnel and happenings of this period, and we must believe that we are doing some service to the Craft in the knowledgeable background of the period in what has been written, as well as a formidable amount of future material that will add to our information about what Freemasonry has done to make our country great.
Prospects for the annual Masonic Workshop in Washington, indicate that we shall have an unusual and interesting meeting, that will add much to our knowledge and background, and the general theme - "Masonry Westward Ho," indicates an expansion of our panorama and understanding of the period.
More and more is the Society taking its place as a source of valuable information and background, and more and more are the members of the Society becoming involved in real Masonic research and study, to give better and more informative data about our Nation's birth and growth.
More than that, with the work of our dedicated chairman of the Membership and Publicity Committee, Allan D. Parsons, M.P.S., the Society is swiftly gathering more and more members who are capable and ready to contribute to our knowledge of our history. Brother Parsons is active in naming new state chairmen and co-chairmen who will bring to us those Freemasons who are able to contribute valuable information to this cause. While numbers are not the greatest asset to be desired, working members are being interested in using their particular talents in bringing us valuable information by which to extend our activities. This is a good sign, and indicates progress for our work.
The new ROSTER of membership of the Society is now in the printer's hands - an additional tool by which better communication can be established among our members, and it is hoped that through the several special pages of the magazine - "Chat & Comment," "Notes & Queries," "Recommended Masonic Reading" and the other specialized pages of communication, that greater activity may be created and maintained, and contact between our members and the Editor, the Executive Committee and the many contributors can be given greater usefulness and activity.
The Editor has been particularly fortunate during the past year, in the number of articles received for publication in the Philalethes magazine. Not all are of the nature that can be printed immediately - happenings, special events and special topics coming at special times must be given first preference, but the Editor is always anxious and willing to have manuscripts that can be used in the magazine. Whatever is received is given careful consideration, but space-requirements, timeliness and other facts must first determine the use of all manuscripts.
Featured in this issue . . .
IT SEEMS TO ME, an Editorial, by John Black Vrooman
"THE SHOT HEARD 'ROUND THE WORLD' LEXINGTON AND CONCORD," by Justin Winsor
PAUL REVERE'S RIDE
MASONIC WORKSHOP OF 1975
THE SAGA OF THE HOLY ROYAL ARCH OF FREEMASONRY
COLONIAL LODGE BICENTENNIAL PROGRAM
THE SAGA OF YORK - A MASTERPIECE, by Alex Home, F.P.S.
BICENTENNIAL, by Clarence E. Ross, M.P.S.
RED CROSS OF CONSTANTINE PRESENTS PAINTING
MASONIC FORTS
LODGE OF RESEARCH SPONSORS "MASONIC BOOK MART"
GRAND PURSUIVANT
COMPLETE PROGRAM FOR ALL EVENTS AT "MASONIC WEEK"
MACOY PUBLISHING COMPANY - TREASURE HOUSE OF MASONIC KNOWLEDGE, by Allen E. Roberts, F.P.S.
THE STORY OF THE SAGA OF THE HOLY ROYAL ARCH
BICENTENNIAL CHRONOLOGY, by Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., Life
ROB MORRIS AND THE EARLY YEARS OF THE GRAND LODGE OF KENTUCKY, by Charles Snow Guthrie, M.P.S.
RECOMMENDED MASONIC READING, by Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., Life
WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS
LODGE OF THE NINE MUSES, by William E. Parker, M.P.S.
A LODGE LIBRARY, OR ONE ROAD TO MORE LIGHT IN MASONRY, by Emil K. Eliason, P.G.M., Montana
CHAT AND COMMENT, by Jerry Marsengill, F.P.S.
NOTES, QUERIES AND INFORMATION, by Melvin L Pfankuche, M.P.S.
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The American Revolution Of The American Revolution
8. "The Shot Heard 'Round the World’ Lexington and Concord"
"By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled.
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world"
- Ralph Waldo Emerson -
Hymn sung at the completion of the Battle Monument at Concord (July 4, 1837).
The Massachusetts Provincial Congress, considering the aggressive attitude of the British forces occupying Boston, and learning that reinforcements were on the way, took preparatory defensive measures, early in 1775. Their proposal of an armed alliance of the New England colonies met with a prompt response. Connecticut responded by equipping six regiments; New Hampshire organized her forces as a part "of the New England army," and Rhode Island voted to equip fifteen hundred men.
Earl Percy in April 1775 had written in a letter from Boston "Things are now every day beginning to grow more and more serious. The rebels are daily in great numbers evacuating this town, and have proposed in Congress either to set it on fire and attack the troops before a reinforcement comes, or to endeavor to starve us. Which they mean to adopt only time can show."
April 19, 1775, the British van of six companies appeared on the green at Lexington and found a line of provincial militia drawn up. To this day it is uncertain just how the fight began; an English officer who was present at the battle says, "On our approach they dispersed and soon after firing began; but which party fired first I cannot exactly say, as our troops rushed on shouting and huzzaing previous to the firing."
When the smoke cleared away, seven patriots were found killed and
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The Bicentennial Editorial Staff has chosen to reprint the accompanying account of the affair at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775 from Justin Winsor's "Narrative and Critical History of America." Some slight omissions have been made and some notes added, but the text is almost completely in the words of the famous author and editor, a precocious student, who studied hard while at Harvard, read voraciously as Librarian of the Boston Public Library, and who wrote much historical and background material about the American Revolution during his span of life.
This article appears to be the most factual statement of the events of the day, although hundreds of magazine articles and books have appeared since, giving varying accounts of some incidents of the raid. A few more recent ones are named in the biographical notes.
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nine wounded. The responsibility for this outbreak of open war goes back to the king of Great Britain, who had forced matters to this issue; and is shared by men like Samuel Adams and Washington who were ready to resist the authority of the mother country rather than yield what they felt to be their rights.
Raids had been made on several stores of war-like supplies in the vicinity of Boston, at Charlestown, Cambridge and Salem. A reserve depot was set up at Concord and was soon understood to be the object of the next foray. The contest of arms was about to be joined.
On the 15th of April the provincial congress had adjourned. On the 16th, Isaiah Thomas * spirited his press out of Boston and took it to Worcester, where, in a little more than a fortnight, the Massachusetts Spy reappeared. Families, impressed with the forebodings of the sky, were moving out of town. Samuel Adams and John Hancock* had been persuaded to retire to Lexington, to be beyond the grasp of Gage, who was shortly expected to order the arrest of the patriots, for which he had had instructions since March 18th. They were lodged in the house of Rev. Jonas Clark, half a mile distant from Lexington Common.
The Boston committee of observation was watchful. It had noticed that on the 14th the "Somerset" frigate had changed her moorings to a position intermediate between Boston and Charlestown, and on the 15th the transports were hauled near the men-of-war. Notice of these signs was sent to Hancock and Adams, and preparations were begun for removing a part of the stores at Concord. When, during the afternoon of the 18th, some of the precious cannon were trundled into Groton, her minute-men gathered for a night march to Concord. During that same day Gage sent out from Boston some officers to patrol the roads towards Concord, and intercept the patriot messengers, and to discover, if possible, the lurking-place of Adams and Hancock.
In the evening it was observed in Boston that troops were marching across the Common to the inner bay. William Dawes * was at once dispatched to Concord by way of Roxbury, for the patriot watch had not been without information before the troops actually moved.
Paul Revere * immediately caused the pre-concerted signal-light to be set in a church-tower at the north end of Boston, and crossing the river in a boat, he mounted a horse on the Charlestown side and started on his famous midnight ride. It was none too soon. At eleven o'clock eight hundred men, under Lieutenant-Colonel Smith, were passing over the back bay in boats to Lechmere Point. Here they landed at half past two in the morning, and the moon at this hour was well up. They marched quietly and rapidly, but not unobserved, and when they approached Lexington Green they found drawn up there a company of minute-men. Smith had become alarmed when, as he was advancing, he found the country aroused in every direction, and sent back for reinforcements. Earl Percy, with the succor, was by some stupidity delayed, and did not get off from Boston till between nine and ten the next morning, and he then took the circuitous route by Roxbury and Cambridge.
The critical moment on Lexington Green had then long passed. Major Pitcairn, who commanded Smith's advance-guard, would not or could not prevent that fatal volley in the early morning light, by which several of the small body of provincials were killed before they broke, while, by a scattering return fire, one or two of the British were wounded. Smith, without being aware that Hancock and Adams were at the moment within sound of his musketry, and just then being conducted farther from his reach, waited while his troops gave three cheers, and then resumed his march, passing on towards Concord. The provincials gathered their dead and wounded, and managed as the British passed on to pick up a few stragglers, the first prisoners of the war.
(Another account reads - "At Lexington about 70 of the militia were assembled, and were standing near the road; but their number being so small they had no intention of making any resistance to the military. Major Pitcairn, who had been sent forward with the light infantry, rode toward them, calling out, "Disperse, you rebels! throw down your arms and disperse!" The order was not instantly obeyed: Major Pitcairn advanced a little farther, fired his pistol, and flourished his sword, while his men began to fire, with a shout. Several Americans fell; the rest dispersed, but the firing on them was continued; and on observing this, some of the retreating colonists returned the fire. Eight Americans remained dead upon the field.")
On the red-coats went as the day broadened. The night had been chilly, but the day grew rapidly warmer. The season was a month early. They followed the road much as it runs to-day, though in places steeps and impediments are now avoided by a better grade. Their march went by the spots which the genius of Hawthorne and Emerson have converted into shrines. In the centre of Concord they haIted, while the gathering provincials, who had retired before them, watched the smoke of devastation. Smith had detailed two detachments to find and destroy stores. One of these, sent to Colonel Barrett's, beyond the North Bridge, had some success, and while it was absent the provincials, now increased in numbers from the neighboring towns, approached a guard which had been left at the bridge. Here the British fired at the Americans across the stream, and the volley being returned, a few were killed on both sides, before the British guard retreated upon the main body, which had entered the town, destroyed two pieces of cannon with their carriages, and a number of carriage wheels; thrown 500 pounds of balls into the river and wells, and broken in pieces about sixty flour barrels. These were all the stores they found.
Smith took two hours to gather wagons for his wounded and make preparations for his retreat, which had now become imperative, for the militia were seen swarming on the hills. When Smith started he threw out a flanking party on his left, which followed a ridge running parallel to his march; but when the sloping of the land compelled the flankers to descend to the level of the road, the British lost the advantage which the ridge gave them, and the minute-men, who now began to strike the British line of march at every angle, waylaid them at crossroads, and dropped an incessant fire upon them from copse, hill, and stone wall, until the retreating troops, impeded with their wounded, and leaving many of their dying and dead, huddled along the road like sheep beset by dogs. Just on the easterly outskirts of Lexington they met Percy, whose ranks opened and received the fugitives; and Stedman, the British historian who was with Percy, tells us how the weary men hung out their tongues as they cumbered the ground during their halt. It was near two o'clock, and Percy planted his cannon to keep his assailants at bay, while his troops, now about eighteen hundred in number, rested and refreshed themselves. Before this, his baggage train, which had been delayed in crossing the bridge from Brighton to Cambridge so as to fall far behind his hastening column, had been captured, with its guard, by a crowd of old men some distance below, at Menotomy.
When Percy limbered his pieces and his troops fell again into column, the hovering militia renewed the assault. As pursuer and pursued crossed West Cambridge plain the action was sharp. Percy did not dare attempt to turn towards the boats which Smith had left at Lechmere Point, and any intention he may have had of halting at Cambridge and fortifying was long vanished. So he pursued the road which led towards Charlestown Neck. Several hundred militia-men, who had come up from Essex County, were nearly in time at Winter Hill to cut the British off in their precipitate retreat, and "God knows," said Washington, when he learned the facts, "it could not have been more so." Percy, however, slipped by, and as darkness was coming on, the fire of the pursuers began to slacken as they approached Bunker Hill. Here, with the royaI ships covering their fIanks, the British halted, and, facing about, formed a line and prepared to make a stand. General Heath, who during the latter part of the day had been on the ground, drew off his militia, and at the foot of Prospect Hill held the first council of war of the now actual hostilities. Dr. Joseph Warren,* early in the day hastening from Boston across the river, had galloped towards the scene of conflict. When he encountered Percy's column on its way out, he seems to have evaded it and joined General Heath, then taking cross-roads to intercept the pursuing militia. Heath took the command of the provincials soon after Percy resumed his march. From this time Warren, as chairman of the committee in Boston, kept near Heath, for counsel if need be, and Heath says that on the West Cambridge plain a musket-ball struck a pin from Warren's-earlock.
No one could tell what would happen next, after this suddenly improvised army had begun to rendezvous that night in Cambridge. As the straggling parties, in bivouac and in what shelter they could find, compared experiences and counted the missing, messengers were hurrying in every direction with the tidings of the war at last begun! The patriot forces closed in on Boston and began the siege which was to last until the evacuation in March 1776.
(British casualties were reported as 73 killed, 174 wounded, and 26 missing in action. The Americans lost 50 killed, 34 wounded and 4 missing or unaccounted for.)
* These were Freemasons
BIBLIOGRAPHY
John R. Alden A History of the American Revolution. (1969) pp. 172-176.
John W. Shy Toward Lexington: The Role of the British Army in the Coming Revolution. (1965)
200 Years. A Bicentennial Illustrated History of the United States: (1973): Vol. 1. pp. 29-43.
In Our Next Issue
"Fort Ticonderoga"
By James R. Case, F.P.S.
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Paul Revere - Patriot, Freemason and a leader in colonial activities against oppression during the American Revolution, was born at Boston, January 1, 1735, the son of a migrated Huguenot, a skilled silversmith and metal worker who had settled there.
Paul Revere was initiated into St. Andrew's Lodge at Boston, in 1761, became Master in 1766, and was Grand Master of Massachusetts from December 12, 1794 to December 27, 1797, immediately following Joseph Warren, who fell at the Battle of Bunker Hill.
He saw military service during the French and Indian Wars, giving him much detailed military knowledge in later days as Colonel of Artillery in the Armed Forces of the colony.
Among the Sons of Liberty in the colony were Samuel Adams and John Hancock, to whom Revere attached himself. After a series of oppressive acts by Britain, the Sons of Liberty look action to protect the lives and property of the colony, and on being informed that the British planned to seize their stores and munitions, and fearing for the safety of Adams and Hancock, Revere was sent for to warn them of their danger.
It is known that lanterns were hung as a signal for Revere's departure, but from what church and by whom, has never been accurately determined. In 1775 there were two old churches in North Boston - Christchurch, called "Christs," and a church at North Square, called "Old North." When the church at North Square was torn down in 1775 the nickname "Old North" was transferred to the then oldest church in North Boston - "Christs."
Who hung the Ianterns? Two names are mentioned, both Freemasons - Robert Newman, and John Pulling, Jr. Newman's older brother was organist, and Robert was sexton at Christchurch, and all evidence now points to Newman doing the job.
It is well known that Revere and his companion, Billy Dawes, were captured by the British, but not until their mission had been accomplished.
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Will Explore Expansion of Freemasonry "Westward Ho"!
Under the capable direction of Brother DeMoville P. Jones, M.P.S., the annual Masonic Workshop of the Philalethes Society will explore the pioneering of the Craft westward. For the past year, or more, the attention of those who have attended the Masonic Workshop has been directed principally to the development and action of those states which originally formed the "Thirteen Colonies" of North America. Much valuable and interesting data has been gathered, sorted and printed about this section of the country, and it seems time to pioneer new territory and new progress in Freemasonry during the birth of our Nation.
Four capable and well-known Masonic scholars have been selected as the panel which will present the panorama of "Masonry Westward Ho" at our Workshop. Each of the selected brethren has accurate and interesting information about the section of American history which has been assigned to him, and each will bring to the members of the Society an accurate and informative resume of his topic.
The first panelist will be M.E. Companion Edward M. Selby, M.P.S., General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, International, whose topic will be "The Word in Masonic Ritual." Following Brother Selby will be Brother Eugene S. Hopp, F.P.S., First Vice President of the Philalethes Society, speaking on "How Freemasonry Came to California and Hawaii." A Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of California. Brother Hopp is well equipped to give an interesting resume of this topic.
Interspersing something of Royal Arch Masonry in his talk. M.E. Companion Gordon R. Merrick, M.P.S., and General Grand King of the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, International, will read a paper "Insights and Sidelights on Masonry Moving Westward." His talk will be illustrated by colored slides on Masonic history westward. This should be an interesting portion of the program.
The fourth and final panelist for the evening will be M.E. Companion N. Tracy Walker, M.P.S., and Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons of Illinois, who will present a paper depicting the coming of Freemasonry to the West, with special emphasis and sidelights on the troubles with the Latter Day Saints (Mormons) in Illinois during the early part of the last Century.
Each of the Brethren designated to take part in the activities of the Masonic Workshop in 1975 is amply qualified and capable of presenting a paper of special value, and it is anticipated that a large crowd of interested and dedicated Freemasons will be present, and, hopefully, will take part in the discussion and analysis of the papers.
The chairman, Brother DeMoville P. Jones, is a longtime member of the Society, and active for many years both in the Masonic Workshop and the other varied activities of "Masonic Week." His contribution to the success of the meeting cannot be over-estimated. During the past few years, the Masonic Workshop has attracted an increasing attendance, and has stimulated activity both in the Philalethes Society, and in Freemasonry.
Preceding the Masonic Workshop, the Executive Committee of the Philalethes Society, its officers, the Editor of the Philalethes magazine, the Associate Editor, and the members of the special Bicentennial Committee of the Society, will meet in executive session during the afternoon, with reports from each officer, the Editor, and various other brethren, giving a sharp resume of the year's work. Plans for the coming year, the election of officers in 1975, this being the end of the Triennium of the Society, financial matters, preliminary plans for the Golden Anniversary of the Philalethes Society, an event of 1978, membership expansion and other important matters will be discussed and appraised during the meeting.
Planned activity for the future, one of the most important projects of the Society, will be a matter of prime importance at this executive session, and the naming by the president, Robert V. Osborne, F.P.S., of the many committees to serve during 1975, will conclude the meeting.
It has been observed that members of the Society who plan to attend the Masonic Workshop, should be sure to make hotel reservations at an early date, sending their letter to: Reyburn Miller, Manager, Hotel Washington, Pennsylvania Avenue and Fifteenth Street, Washington, D.C., N.W., 20004 asking for a confirmation. All should call attention to the fact that he is attending the Annual meeting of the Allied Masonic Degrees. Reservations should be made at least one week prior to his arrival.
The other important consideration of those who will attend the Masonic Workshop is that each one should ascertain, in advance, his eligibility to attend each of the many meetings which will be held during the week. Many - in fact most - of the groups meeting during Masonic Week are invitational, and have specific requirements of membership for attendance, and it has often happened that some who would have attended some of these meetings, were unable to do so. A letter to any member of the Time and Place Committee (listed elsewhere in this issue), can obtain the necessary information of eligibility.
A complete program of all meetings and groups meeting in Washington during Masonic Week can be found in the center spread of this magazine.
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The Saga of The Holy Royal Arch of Freemasonry
Wins Silver Award at Film Festival
The Saga of The Holy Royal Arch of Freemasonry won the accolades of the judges at the 17th Annual Film and TV Festival of New York. Its producer (and writer), Allen E. Roberts, F.P.S., was presented with the Silver Award.
This is the only Festival to encompass all phases of film production, including TV and cinema commercials filmstrips, industrial, educational and news films, plus television programs, multi-media productions, and so on. The best of these are presented with Bronze, Silver, and Gold Awards. Six Grand Awards are issued.
The Awards Banquet was held at the Americana Hotel in New York on November 8, 1974. The list of celebrities and entertainers was headed by Miss Gretchen Wyler. CIose to one thousand participants and their guests enjoyed an evening of music and festivity.
The sponsors of the Gold and Grand Awards winners read like "Who's Who" in industry. Xerox, AT & T, Seagrams, Ohio Bell, Eastman Kodak, the U.S. Government, the U.S. Army, and E.I. DuPont were among those with budgets for film and TV productions. The SAGA was sponsored by The General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, International, an organization that had an extremely limited sum to spend for its production.
While the producers receive the Awards, they could not win them without the assistance and technical knowledge of many people. The camera work must be of outstanding quality, so must the sound. The film editing must be close to perfection, and the background music suitable for the story portrayed.
The objective of The International Film and TV Festival of New York is: To honor those individuals and companies who contribute, with their outstanding creations, to the greatness of the industry, with emphasis on the work of the producer, technician and artist.
The General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, International, had honored Roberts earlier. On October 22, Edward R. Saunders of Maryland and Dr. Walter Winchester of Florida, two Deputy General Grand High Priests, were present at the Grand Chapter of Virginia. On behalf of the General Grand High Priest, Edward M. Selby, M.P.S., they presented Roberts with a Chalice. This Chalice had been designed to commemorate the 1900th anniversary of the founding of the City of York, England.
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Colonial Lodge Bicentennial Program
Although there are at present 972 Masonic Lodges in New York State only six were instituted prior to July 4th, 1776. One of these colonial lodges, Independent Royal Arch Lodge No. 2, is in the process of preparing a third volume of the Lodge History. The first volume was published in 1904; the second in 1966; and the third volume is to be ready for the Bicentennial year in 1976.
Many documents and artifacts are in possession of the Lodge and the Library and Museum of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. Many others are in private collections, museums, libraries, and local historical societies. There is hard evidence that hundreds of jewels, some diamond studded, watches, silver service sets, gold jewelry, certificates, and other presentation items were given to members of the Lodge as recognition for services rendered. Masters were given a jewel each year; many members had special personal jewels prepared, and many Travelling Certificates were issued.
From time to time items have turned up and as recently as 1968 one came to light in Liverpool, England; another surfaced in France. Much of the jewelry and medallic art may well still be in existence and the authors of Volume III are attempting to make an inventory of such material. The original warrant of the lodge disappeared in the 1840's and it can be well imagined what value this would be to the present generation who would be quite content to acquire a photograph of the original warrant.
During the 1800's many members of the Lodge were seafarers, and it is presumed that lodge artifacts and documents are strewn in the four corners of the Earth; perhaps in possession of those who are not aware of their historical value.
Anyone having information regarding any such items might drop a note to The Secretary, Box 2, 71 West 23rd Street, New York, New York 10010 and be assured of recognition if this is desired, and if not, the profuse thanks for performing a valuable service to the Lodge.
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Fellows Write Masterpieces
The election of a member of the Philalethes Society as a FELLOW, brings him, according to ancient custom, to the task of writing a MASTERPIECE, imitating the ancient Guildsmen, who required the Apprentices to submit the Masterpiece for approval before being admitted to the higher rank in the Order.
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Hallowed Ancient Home of English Freemasonry
By Alex Home, F.P.S.
A MASTERPIECE
The City of York, says Wm. J. Hughan, one of our most astute writers, is "the Masonic city of England." He might have added, with equal propriety, that it is also Mecca, and Rome, and Jerusalem, all rolled into one. Next to Scotland's perhaps oldest Lodge MOTHER KILWINNING, says the mystical Masonic writer Arthur E. Waite, "there is no talismanic name to compare with that of the OLD YORK LODGE.... There were roots of many things which at this day are extant and active among us in developed forms, we knowing not whence they come."
As an illustration, Hughan tells us, in his definitive "History of Freemasonry in York," that one of the curiosities to be seen in that city is "an old painting on wood representing a view of the Crypt of York Minster" - the Cathedral of St. Peter - "with the inscription 'The Grand Lodge of all England, founded by Prince Edwin, A.D. 926,'" and adding that a "tradition mentions the custom of the Masons to assemble in the 'Crypt', for the purpose of celebrating their mysteries." (1) Pursuant to this tradition, R.F. Gould - our "Father of Masonic History" - mentions also "a unique meeting of the Royal Arch degree . . . on May 27, 1778, in . . . a sacred Recess within the Cathedral Church of York." "This unusual gathering, in all probability," he goes on to say, "has supplied the text or basis for the 'tradition' that the Grand Lodge in olden times" - that is, long before the formation of our first authentic Grand Lodge in 1717 - "was in the habit of holding its august assemblies in the crypt of the venerated Minster." (2)
And, as a further example of the traditions still fostered and no doubt sincerely believed in by the Masons of York, I should like to cite the concluding passage from Hughan's "History," mentioned above, when noting the change of the original name of Union Lodge No. 236, constituted (by the 'Moderns' in London) in 1777, to York Lodge No. 236 (still in existence today), a change of name effected in 1870, at which time they had petitioned their Grand Master in London by means of the following Memorial, of which I cite only the relevant part:
It has long been the wish of the Brethren of the Lodge, that it should be more closely connected (by name) with that of our Ancient City, and with the Masonic glory with which it is associated.
Our early traditions inform us, that from the time of Prince Edwin, A.D. 926 when the first Lodge was held in the Norman Crypt of York Minster, under a charter from King Athelstan, a Grand Lodge existed in an uninterrupted stream until about the year 1780 ....
But, aside from the historical anachronism - that of speaking of a "Norman" Crypt in A.D. 926, fully 140 years before the Norman Invasion of 1066 - the entire reference to Athelstan's Charter and Grand Lodge in York, "held in an uninterrupted stream till about 1780," is purely legendary and unhistorical, as our most reputable Masonic historians tell us - but that is another story, which I may have an opportunity to delve into at some future time.
Some of the statements relative to the city of York are genuine enough, of course, as they have documentary evidence to support them. There is, for instance, the statement by Gould that the earliest word "Freemason" to be found in any of our Old Charges of the Operative Masons is in the York Roll of about 1600 A.D. (3) Likewise, the first documentary reference to the Royal Arch also appears to have some connection with the city of York. Thus, in an important early work - A Serious and ImpartiaI Enquiry, etc. (1744) - Dr. Dassigny first tells us the story of the first traditional General Assembly of Masons said to have assembled at York, as previously mentioned, but then appends a footnote: "I am informed," it says, "(that) in that city is held an assembly of Master Masons under the title of Royal Arch Masons" whose "qualifications and excellencies are superior to others ...." (4)
The old York Lodge, Gould tells us again, "from at least 1705, was exclusively the home of speculative or symbolical masonry." And if one wanted to go back into old Operative times, there are the Fabric Rolls of York Minster, one of which, of 1370 A.D., gives in detail the Rules and Regulations, the working conditions, pertaining to "ye loge" and the "masouns at wyrk" at the Minster under the charge of the "maistyr masoun." Hughan gives us a transcript of this ancient document, (1) in its original 14th century English (which is fine for "flavor" but a bit hard on the digestion), and he therefore thinks that "the Lodge at York may date back to A.D. 1370," at least. (5) And perhaps earlier .... since this Cathedral was then rebuilt in the new Gothic style, beginning about 1230 A.D., and must thus have had a more or less continuous "loge" of "masouns" at "wyrk" from the beginning of its reconstruction until its completion around 1472. (7) The Cathedral of York, like Rome, was not built in a day.
"ANCIENT YORK MASONS." On March 28, 1797, the Master of George Washington's Lodge in Alexandria, Va. addressed a letter to the General inviting him to a Lodge Dinner, on behalf of "The Ancient York Masons of Lodge No. 22," to which the General replied, addressing himself likewise to the "Brothers of the Ancient York Masons No. 22."
This use of the phrase "Ancient York Masons," when referring to a Lodge in far-away Virginia, merits some discussion.
A universal desire to associate oneself with Freemasonry in the hallowed city of York has resulted, perhaps not unnaturally, in some Masonic groups and individuals actually calling themselves "York Masons," even when having no real geographical connection with that ancient city, past or present. Laurence Dermott, the outspoken and sometimes truculent leader of the Grand Lodge of the Ancients (in opposition to that of the Moderns) was in fact not slow to avail himself of this possibility, perhaps for propaganda purposes only, of which he was a "Past Master," and was roundly criticized by the Moderns for that attempt.
The 'Ancients,' who had formed themselves into a second Grand Lodge in London around 1751, took the long, official title of the "Ancient and Honourable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons according to the Old Constitutions granted by Prince Edwin at York in the year of our Lord 926", and repeated this long title in their various Warrants to Lodges and Provincial Grand Lodges coming under their Jurisdiction. As a result, Hughan, along with Gould, both of whom looked upon the 'Ancients' as "Seceders" and "Schismatics" because of their opposition to the Premier Grand Lodge of the 'Moderns', (8) accused the Ancients of claiming a connection with York to which they were not entitled. "The claim," Hughan tried to remind us, "that the 'Ancients' or 'Atholl Masons' of London were really York Masons - the Ancient York Masons of the U.S.A. - " (thus taking a swipe at us as well) "have their votaries even now …. (5)
In illustration of the above, we find a 1761 Warrant from the Ancients in London establishing a Provincial Grand Lodge in Pennsylvania, (9) all of the Lodges that came under this Jurisdiction from 1761 to 1795 duly styling themselves A.Y.M. (Ancient York Masons), in place of the more familiar A.F. & A.M. (Ancient Free and Accepted Masons). Some of these A.Y.M. Lodges were not only in Pennsylvania itself, but also in New Jersey, South Carolina, Virginia, Georgia, Delaware, and even two in St. Domingo. (10)
Dr. W.J. Chetwode Crawley, one time Grand Treasurer of Ireland, "and a brilliant student of the Craft," as Mackey's Encyclopedia rightly dubs him, took up the cudgels somewhat sharply in defence of the Ancients, in his Discussion of Hughan's paper in Quatuor Coronati previously mentioned. "Their claim," he said, merely was that "they worked according to the Old Institutions or Constitutions" (as against the actions of the 'Modems', who had introduced some "innovations" - that "bad word" in the Masonic dictionary - and had to that extent at least departed from the ancient forms). Thus, "Laurence Dermott and his successors rest their claim to the title Antient York-Masons on their perpetuation of formalities, customs and usages, and not upon any other connection whatsoever with the Brethren of York."
Following, no doubt, this line of reasoning, our late Bro. R.J. Meekren, F.P.S., thought that the title "York Masons" was only a natural and convenient contraction from their longer, more formal title, but that they actually never had any "intention of claiming that they had any (physical) connection with the old lodge at York." (11)
THE "YORK RITE." Ritualistically, York has managed to perpetuate itself in Masonic memory in the form of a phrase now well-known to American Masons - the so-called "York Rite" - but in some dispute elsewhere, because of the sometimes questionable York origin.
The Rev. A.F.A. Woodford - another great student of Masonic antiquities - says categorically, in his "Connection of York with the Freemasonry of England," that "of what is called the 'Ancient York Rite,' 'the York System,' etc., there is not the slightest historical or even Masonic evidence." (1) And Hughan was of the same opinion, for a time, denying just as emphatically the existence of any Royal Arch or Templar Degrees in the practice of the one-time York Grand Lodge (1725-1792). Later, however, Hughan discovered, to his own surprise, in the June 20, 1780 Minutes of that Grand Lodge, a Resolution which "affirmed the authority of the (York) Grand Lodge over the 'Five Degrees or Orders of Masonry,' - EA FC MM KT and the Sublime Degree of Royal Arch" (in that order; later re-arranged to make the R.A. the 4th, and KT as the 5th Degree). This, then, we may properly think of as being the bare beginning of what is now an expanded "York Rite" as practiced in America, but based on the above Five Degrees or Orders in York itself, and in that sense our own use of the term may be considered to be fully justified. And it is perhaps significant that Hughan himself, who at first vehemently denied the existence of a York Rite in York, later came to admit that "the authority of the (York) Grand Lodge over the 'Five Degrees or Orders of Masonry'" entitled it to have been termed the 'York Rite.' (13)
THE "OLD YORK LECTURES." In his paper on "The Grand Lodge at York," T.B. Whytehead has admitted something we have already noticed, that "what is known as York Masonry is in the nature of an unknown quantity," though he also has admitted that "the early traditions regarding it gave a flavour and a colouring to Masonry throughout the worId (which) there is no denying. Hence have arisen," he points out, "the very prevalent delusions about the 'Old York Working,' " (12) mentioned by Woodford.
The phrase "Old York Lectures" is one that is now more frequently found in the older Masonic writings only, Dr. Geo. Oliver, and, later, John Yarker, being its chief exponents. Thus, in his prefatory remarks to Hutchinson's The Spirit of Masonry (1774), Oliver chides the author with omitting many "important matters, which form part of the ritual that hath been delivered to us in what are called 'the Old York Lectures' " - but what the latter consists of, he does not say. It would seem that, here again, we are in contact with a simple and understandable desire to look back, perhaps with nostalgia, into an imaginary past, and think we see a "working" that may have no actual correspondence to reality.
In a subsidiary connection, however, readers of Bro. Cryer's 1974 Prestonian Lecture on "Drama and Craft," on the subject of the Mystery Plays enacted in various centers of England by the Guilds of different Crafts, will notice how much more often does York figure in these presentations as compared to the other centers, and the more frequent participation of the Mason Guild in these Mystery Plays. Many of the latter have a symbolical and allegorical motif, Bro. Cryer thinks, and a discernible connection with our present-day practices and philosophy. All this is grist to the mill, and but one more indication of the ancient city of York as a pre-eminent mediaeval center for Masonic activity, of one kind or another.
REFERENCES
1. Wm. J. Hughan Masonic Sketches and Reprints. New York, 1871. pp. 25-6, 82-3, 147, 165-6.
2. R.F. Gould, History of Freemasonry. Yorston Pacific Coast Edition, 1905. Written from 1882 to 1887.
3. Gould, A Concise History of Freemasonry. London, 1903. pp. 121, 424.
4. Hughan, Memorials of the Masonic Union of A.D. 1813. London, 1874, pp. 89.
5. Hughan, "The York Grand Lodge." Ars Quotuor Coronotorum, Transactions of Quatuor Coronati Lodge of Research No. 2076, London. Vol. XIII, pp. 4, 5, 20-1.
7. Francis Bond, The Cathedrals of England and Wales. London, 1912, pp. 426, 436.
8. This habit of the Moderns calling their opposite number "Seceders" and "Schismatics" continued until this myth was satisfactorily dispelled by the Librarian of the Grand Lodge of the Moderns, Henry Sadler, in his Masonic Facts and Fictions (1887) and Masonic Reprints and Revelations (1898). Hughan, who was one of the guilty myth-makers in the early days, graciously acknowledges the "exorcism" in his Origin of the English Rite of Freemasonry (Leicester, 1909) - "so that the opprobrious term of 'Seceders' has been dropped" (p. 20)
9. See the Facsimile of the Warrant in Freemasonry In Pennsylvania, 1727-1907, by N.S. Barratt and J.F. Sachse (Philadelphia, 1908), signed by "Lau. Dermott, G. Secretary."
10. J.F. Sachse, Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania, 1730-1800. 2 vols., 1912-3.
The tradition, perhaps unconsciously retained from the old A.Y.M. days, may explain the puzzling reception I received in a Philadelphia Lodge Room some fifteen years ago. On hearing that I hailed from California, each one of the Brethren to whom I was acknowledged me with the same formula: "Oh, you’re Scottish Rite'; aren’t you? We're 'York Rite'."
11. R.J. Meekren, "Historical Notes on the Masonic Ritual," Ch. 1. Philalethes Magazine, in seven chapters, Aug. 1949 to Oct. 1951. This largely original and seldom-attempted survey of Ritual as it has appeared in various forms, times, and places, deserves to be reprinted in booklet form, for Masonic posterity.
12. Whytehead, A.Q.C. Transactions, London. Vol. II, p. 113.
13. Hughan, Origin of the English Rite of Freemasonry. Leicester, 1909, p.102.
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By Clarence E. Ross, M.P.S.
God of our fathers, known of old -
Lord of our far-flung bottle line
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine -
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget - lest we forget!
Brother Rudyard Kipling wrote thus, in 1897, when Great Britain was the largest and greatest nation in the world. Three-quarters of a century has wrought changes. Today, we, The United States of America, stand in that same position. True, we aren't the largest but we are the most powerful nation of the present day, and our influence is worId-wide.
Soon we will observe our two hundredth anniversary. It will be a time of celebration on a large scale, with pageants, parades, and gatherings of various kinds, to commemorate the occasion. We have a right to be proud of the miraculous accomplishments of two hundred years, when we consider what a small segment of time that is, in the history of mankind. By comparison, what we know today as England, was a Roman colony for nearly four hundred years, and it isn't quite five hundred since Columbus made his first voyage.
Our progress has involved many people and events. Any undertaking, major or minor, stands small chance of success without a good leader. In that respect, we have been blessed and should be humbly grateful. In addition to being grateful as Americans, Brethren of the Craft can be proud of the fact that many of our leaders, at all levels and in all fields of endeavor, were or are, Masons.
The second factor is more difficult to pinpoint-following. A leader alone, can accomplish nothing; he must have followers. So, as we pay tribute to the leaders, let us not forget those "millions who humble and nameless," made up the following. Many of them, too, were Masons, and each in his own way, added something to the overall application of Masonic principles.
Masonry has had a great, if largely silent, part in the making of our country. In the English colonies along the East Coast, it took root and flourished, and during the latter part of the Eighteenth Century, it became the strong force in our struggIe against oppression. Schoolbook histories to the contrary, the great mass of the people were diffident about armed resistance to the constituted authority. Rebellion is an awesome word. But a few leaders, many of whom were Masons, saw it as the only solution; and Masons were largely instrumental in finalizing the action on 4 July 1776.
When peace finally came to the new nation, men began to think of the vast area beyond the mountains. Not as hunters and trappers but as settlers. They disposed of their worldly goods except transportable necessities, and with their families started west. They were not, in the main, adventurers but ambitious and determined men, seeking a more rewarding way of life. Many were Masons and they took their Masonry with them.
As time moved on the numbers increased and the human tide continued on westward. Because of man's inherent social instincts and the need for mutual help, towns were organized. One historian of the time notes that among the first town officers, in many frontier communities, were several Freemasons, it being a general belief that such were men of integrity.
As the frontier moved, Masonry moved with it. In many instances, the first semi-public building was a Masonic Lodge. It is noteworthy that the Lodge building was frequently the first schoolhouse and place of public worship. There are also references to the fact that it was the first meeting place of the town government. Later in the century, and much farther west, Masons were still active. In many "ghost towns" of the old West, buildings are still standing that display a Square and Compasses.
At first, the new Lodges were Chartered by Grand Lodges east of the mountains, but as the Craft grew, the Brethren were interested in having their own Grand Lodges nearer at hand. Chartered in 1800, Kentucky was the fourteenth and the first west of the mountains. Ninety-two years later, Oklahoma became the forty-ninth and last. From comparatively humble beginnings our country has grown to its present stature. The same may be said for Masonry, because the Nation and the Craft grew, side by side.
The road hasn't always been smooth. Individuals with evil intent and imbued with self-interest, have many times threatened to rend the fabric of our Nation. Demagogues and spellbinders, have, on occasion, been able to influence enough people to be considered a menace to our institutions.
The Temple of Masonry, too, has be en threatened with destruction. The infamous Morgan incident and the resultant spread of anti-Masonic feeling, during the early part of the last Century, almost smothered Masonic activity for several years. There have been other incidents but none of that magnitude.
Both the Nation and the Craft have moved forward, but in our own time, we are beset with threats as great as any of the past. Political integrity has become a catch phrase; criminals are pampered and released, in the name of constitutional right, to prey again on society. Law-abiding citizens can't walk the streets of our cities with any degree of safety and, when one is shot or stabbed, there is little sympathy for the victim; only for the perpetrator whose condition is blamed on the neglect of his fellow men. Meanwhile, the great silent majority looks on and deplores, but does nothing. It is time for all good people, Mason and non-Mason alike, to become active and valuable in the interest of protection for our citizens and swift justice for those who transgress our laws.
As we round out our second century, let us remember all the people whose united efforts gave us our heritage. The bad things are best forgotten because, usually, some good accrues from any bad situation. And let us not lose sight of the fact that it was only by Divine Favor that we attained our present status. "In God We Trust" is our official motto, and regardless of our approach to Him, let us keep Him ever in mind. Brother Kipling expressed it so well:
"Lord God of Hosts, be with us vet. Lest we forget - ."
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Presents Painting to Memorial
On October 28, 1974, an exhibit was presented to the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Va., by the United Grand Imperial Council of Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine. The exhibit consists of a painting depicting the vision of the Constantine which caused his conversion to the Christian religion, and a stone from the battlefield of Saxa Rubra.
The presentation was made by Past Imperial Sovereign Robert Ingalls to Paul Rodenhauser, representing C. Leander Prisk, Grand Sovereign, and by him to Marvin E. Fowler, Executive Secretary of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial. A part of the presentation address follows.
Among those present were Robert Ingalls, Chairman, and Marvin E. Fowler, of the Constantinian Memorial Committee, Paul C. Rodenhauser, Grand Recorder and Alvin L. Crump, Grand Treasurer of the Grand Imperial Council, and Edward B. Harry, Intendent General of the District of Columbia.
Robert L. Morris, Grand Master of Masons in the District of Columbia, and William H. Minnick, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of D.C., plus Past Grand Masters Marvin E. Fowler and Samuel W. McIntosh.
Joseph C. Richmond, Sovereign, Wm. H. Minnick, Viceroy elect, M.E. Fowler, S.W. McIntosh and E. B. Harry, Past Sovereigns, and R.L. Morris, all of St. Simeon Stylvtes Conclave, Washington, D.C.
William J.J. Fleming, Past Sovereign of West Virginia Conclave.
William A. Brown, Past High Priest of Virginia, who assisted in the installation of the exhibit.
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FORT HIRAM is an earthwork erected on October 3 1814, at Fox Point, Rhode Island, by the Grand Lodge, with the members of the sub ordinate Lodges, about two hundred and thirty in number. The object was to build a fortification for the defense of the harbor of Providence and the Grand Lodge, of which Thomas Smith Webb was Grand Master, through its Deputy, Senior Grand Warden, and Worshipful Brother Carlisle, were authorized to work on the defenses. They formed a procession, marched in the early morning to the Point, and by sunset had completed their labors, consisting of a breastwork four hundred and thirty feet in length, ten wide, and five high. They then marched and counter-marched upon the parapet from one extremity to the other, when the Grand Master gave the work the appellation of Fort Hiram, which was approved and sanctioned by the Governor.
FORT MASONIC is a redoubt of the fortifications on what was known as the Heights of Brooklyn, located between what was later, Bond and Nevins Streets, Brooklyn, the south point of the quadrangle resting on State Street and extending north nearly to Schermerhom Street. This Fort Masonic was built by members of the fourteen Lodges located in New York City, who, assembled at sunrise on the morning of Thursday, September 1. Accompanied by the officers of the Grand Lodge, they proceeded to Brooklyn where they were joined by the members of Fortitude and Newton Union Lodges, marched to the Height and performed one day's work on the fortifications.
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Lodge of Research
Sponsors
"Masonic Book Mart"
Sponsored by members of the lodge, the Masonic Lodge of Research of Connecticut has instituted a Masonic book sales group to be known as the MASONIC BOOK MART, for the prime purpose of raising monies to help defray our printing costs.
By it, we hope to make it easier for the Brethren of this jurisdiction to obtain books of their choice; to make known to them the books, new and old, on the market; assist them in starting a library or adding to one already started and in other ways assist them in search of Masonic light.
We will, therefore, appreciate your every consideration in making it possible for the Masonic Book Mart to handle your Masonic publications in Connecticut.
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The word pursuivant, from the French poursuivant, has two meanings, (1) A functionary ranking below a herald, but having similar duties; (2) A follower; attendant.
Masonically, the word pursuivant refers to an officer of Grand Lodge, the lowest in rank and who serves as a messenger in and about the Lodge room. He takes messages from the tyler and relays them to the appropriate officer or member.
Many Grand Lodges still have the office of Grand Pursuivant.
Brother John Hamilton, in 1788 and 1789, held the station in the Grand Lodge of Georgia, the first one on our record.
At the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Georgia in 1873, the Masonic office of Grand Pursuivant was abolished. Brother Samuel D. Irvin was Grand Master; there were 280 Lodges in Georgia with 15,402 members.
An amendment to the Masonic Constitution was adopted and in the new list of titles for Grand offices it was provided that there be only one Deputy Grand Master instead of four; the office of Grand Pursuivant was abolished.
The Ga. Proceedings for 1873 best tell the story:
"JEWELS OF BEHEADED
GRAND OFFICERS"
"Resolved, That the jewels and regalia of the three beheaded Deputy Grand Masters, together with that of the Grand Pursuivant, be fraternally buried in the archives of the Grand Lodge, until a future Grand Lodge can find some use for said jewels."
More than a century has passed now and no future Grand Lodge has found a use for them!
Ga. Mas Messenger
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If agreeable, may we have the current list of books you have available, your terms, suggested retail prices and our costs; plus any literature that you can make available to us. Our inventory, at the start, of necessity will be small but large enough we hope, to be able to display an attractive assortment at Lodge and District meetings.
Address all correspondence to:
William C. Neu, P.G.M.,
130 Wilbar Drive,
Stratfort, Connecticut 06497
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COMPLETE PROGRAM - MASONIC WEEK, WASHINGTON, D.C., FEBRUARY 14-19, 1975
Programs of A.M.D. and Other Meetings for 1975
Program Allied Masonic Bodies
ALL MEETINGS WILL BE HELD AT WASHINGTON HOTEL
15th at Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.
February 14-16, 1975
Friday, February 14, 1975
7:30 p.m. - MASONIC WORKSHOP - THE PHILALETHES SOCIETY Twenty-first Meeting
Robert V. Osborne, President
Franklin J. Anderson, Secretary
Saturday, February 15, 1975
8:30 a.m. - REGISTRATION
9:30 a.m. - GRAND COLLEGE OF RITES OF THE U.S.A.
Forty-third Annual Convocation
M.'.I.’. William M. Wyman, Grand Chancellor
R.'.I.'. Herbert A. Fisher, Grand Registrar
10:30 a.m. - GRAND MASTER'S COUNCIL, A.M.D.
Forty-second Communication
V.'.Owen L. Shanteau, Sovereign Master
V.’.C. Clark Julius, Secretary
11:30 a.m. - GRAND COUNCIL, ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES OF THE U.S.A.
Forty-third Annual Communication
M.'.V.'. Ernest Maynard Moore, Jr., 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.
Forty-second Annual Communication
M.'.V.'.C. Wallace Jackson, 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.
Forty-second Annual Communication
M.’. V.’. Marvin E. Fowler, 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
Eighth Annual Meeting
V.’. E.’. G. Wilbur Bell, Excellent Chief
V.’. E.’. Walter M. McCracken, Scribe
3:30 p.m. - GRAND COUNCIL, KNIGHT MASONS OF THE U.S.A.
M.’.E.’. Adrian B. Hommell, Great Chief
V.’. E.’. J. Landis Randall, Grand Scribe
4:45 p.m. - SOCIETAS ROSICRUCIANA IN CIVITATIBUS FOEDERATIS
M.’.V.’. Harold V. B. Voorhis, Supreme Magus
R.’.W.’. Stanley Fielding Maxwell, Secretary-General
RECESS
6:00 p.m. - ANNUAL BANQUET, ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES
M.’.V.’. Ernest Maynard Moore Jr., presiding
(Speaker to be announced)
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.
Fifty-fourth 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-ninth Cellar
M.’.W.’.W. W. Minton, Grand Bung for the Americas
R.’.W.’.R. C. Seel, Prov. Grand Bung of U.S.A.
Sunday, February 16, 1975
7:30 a.m. - CONVENT GENERAL, KNIGHTS OF THE YORK CROSS OF HONOUR
Breakfast in the Hotel
M.’.E.’. Robert Purchase Monroe, Grand Master General
M.’.E.’. Stanley W. Wakefield, Grand Registrar General
9:00 a.m. - THE SOCIETY OF BLUE FRIARS
Forty-third Annual Consistory
M.’.I.’. Conrad Hahn, Grand Abbot
R.’.I.’. James D. Carter, Secretary-General
9:30 a.m. - THE GRAND PRECEPTOR'S TABERNACLE, H.R.A.K.T.P.
Forty-third Ingathering
V.’.E.’. Chester C. Coffin, Preceptor
R.’.E.’. George C. Moreland, Registrar
10:00 a.m. - THE GRAND COLLEGE OF AMERICA, HOLY ROYAL ARCH KNIGHT TEMPLAR PRIESTS
Forty-third Annual Ingathering
M.’.E.’. Robert Vandervoot Osborne, 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. 20004. 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 15th, 1975. Reservations are not necessary. Purchase your tickets from the Committee on Dinner on the morning of the dinner.
LADIES' COFFEE HOUR
At 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 15th, 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
Herbert A. Fisher, Secretary
233 Old Drive,
Chesapeake Va 23320
Henry Emmerson
4181 Park Avenue
The Bronx, N. Y. 10457
Robert L. Grubb
P. O. Box 4232,
Charlotte, N.C. 28204
George C. Moreland
6523 Oakwood Drive
Falls Church, Va. 22041
Harold V.B. Voorhis
105 New England Avenue,
Summit, N.J. 07901
Stanley W. Wakefield
41 Amherst Drive,
Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. 10706
Conference Program
Masonic Week, February 16 to 19 inclusive, Washington, D.C. All meetings in the Shoreham-Ameritana Hotel, except the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1975
Registration, 12-5 p.m.
5:00 p.m. - Grand Masters' Conference Tea and Reception. Ambassador Room.
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17
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, 56th Annual Meeting, Diplomat Room.
7:00 p.m. - Grand Secretaries' Dinner, Palladian Room.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18
7:00 a.m. - Frank S. Land Breakfast by Imperial Council of Shrine, Regency Ballroom. (Admission by ticket only.)
9:00 a.m. to 1:45 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.
1:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. - Grand Master's Conference continued, Diplomat 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 19
9:00 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. - Grand Masters' Conference continued, Diplomat Room.
9:00 a.m. - Grand Secretaries' Conference continued, Tudor Room.
12:15 p.m. - Luncheon, Supreme Council 33d, A. & A.S.R., Southern Jurisdiction, House of the Temple, 1733 16th Street, N. W. Transportation provided.
1:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. - Grand Master's Conference concluded. Checkout time extended to 5:00 p.m.
----o----
Treasure - House of Masonic Knowledge
By Allen E. Roberts, F.P.S.
(Written Especially For "Philalethes" Magazine)
"GOLD! Gold has been discovered in California! Head West and grow rich!" These were the cries heard everywhere in 1849. Thousands did head West. Some did grow rich; more had to find wealth in other fields.
There was one Master Mason who didn't leap for the fields of gold in the West. Robert Macoy remained in New York City to begin his long struggle to strengthen the whole of Freemasonry. He had become a Master Mason in 1848 and his interest in Freemasonry was immediate. Within a year he had written a book and formed a Masonic publishing company. A year later he became the Grand Secretary of St. John's Grand Lodge, and was instrumental in resolving the schism to bring it back into the fold of the regular Grand Lodge.
Onto the scene in 1886 came Sherwood Bradley Robertson, a Scotsman who sold pianos for a living and engrossed Masonic certificates for a hobby. A long illness changed the engrossing from an avocation to a vocation, and brought Robertson into the Masonic supply business. It was he who brought a unity of purpose into the Masonic publishing and supply field. His love of Freemasonry was apparent. His desire to be of service to the Masons of the country caught on. Others joined him, or sold their interests to his company.
Soon after the death of Robert Macoy in 1895, Robertson purchased from Clara Macoy Clark "all copyrights, books, etc., together with the goodwill and the right to continue such business under the name of Macoy Publishing Company, or such other name, including the word 'Macoy' as they may select." So, the business Robert Macoy had started in 1849 was consolidated. Several companies were united into the Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Company, Incorporated on June 24, 1898.
By 1902, four other Masonic publishing and supply houses were brought into the fold. The company grew rapidly and moved into new and more specious quarters in 1908. It took over the whole 11th floor of the FrankeI Building at 45-49 John Street in New York City. There it remained until 1927.
Customers from all over the world came to depend on the Macoy company for all their Masonic supplies, custom regalia, and books. The Grand Lodge of Cuba was one of its staunchest customers.
In the same year Macoy moved "up-town" to 35 West 32nd Street. There it was to remain until its move to Richmond, Virginia, in 1967.
With the move to better quarters came another move that was to have far-reaching effects for the future of the company. J. Hugo Tatsch, a Masonic giant, joined Macoy as a participating Vice-President. He remembered the efficiency of his young secretary, Miss Vee Hansen, during their days together in the famous Masonic Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He asked Miss Hansen to join the firm. She did upon her graduation from Coe College in Iowa, becoming a secretary for the firm on July 1, 1929.
Just as the business that had survived the depression was beginning to recoup its losses, disaster struck. J. Hugo Tatsch, while attending the installation of the Grand Master in England in 1939, died. Three years later, the President of the company George V.S. Williams, who had worked closely with the Robertson family to build Macoy, died, followed a month later by the long-time secretary, Emma B. Riegal. Two years later Jennie W. Robertson, the Treasurer and widow of Sherwood who had rebuilt the company, passed away.
The business was taken over by a trust company in 1945, with Miss Hansen continuing as general manager until December 3, 1945. On this day she became the owner of Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Company.
One of Miss Hansen's first acts was to bring into the business another Masonic giant - Harold Van Buren Voorhis. She had first met him through Hugo Tatsch in the Masonic Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She knew of his vast Masonic knowledge and knew that Macoy needed him, along with H. Lloyd Williams who remained as President. Miss Hansen kept her old position as Secretary-Treasurer and general manager of the company.
It may appear strange to an organization composed of men to know that ladies have played an important part in its success. George V.S. Williams, who was President of Macoy Publishing from 1908 until his death in 1942, gave full credit to two ladies for the success of the company. Of Miss Emma B. Riegel he said: "She has long and successfully handled the details of the management and is depended upon by a host of Masons all over the country to furnish them with correct Masonic necessities." Jennie W. Robertson went to work for the company in 1911 and worked for the Craft until her death in 1944. Williams said of her: "Mrs. Robertson, who took over active direction of the firm when her husband died, is unassuming, modest, and of a retiring disposition. She has given a free hand to those versed in the intricate details of the business so that adequate service could be rendered to the Craft."
Another lady was at the helm of Macoy, and she was well qualified to be there. Through her association with Hugo Tatsch at the Grand Lodge of Iowa, she had met and known many distinguished Masonic leaders. Among them was the Reverend Joseph Fort Newton, D.D., author of several Masonic books, and who became her life-long friend. After joining Tatsch in New York, she continued her education by enrolling in Brooklyn Law School of St. Lawrence University. From it she received her LLB. law degree. Although she has never practiced, she credits this background for her ability to acquire the oldest Masonic publishing and supply company in the country. "Actually, it's a man's business," she said recently. "There always has been a Mason as President and there always will be."
After Williams died in 1964, Charles S. Lohmann became the President. Lohmann had joined Macoy as comptroller in 1946. (Miss Hansen married him in 1935, but for business purposes has always retained her maiden name.) He was a native of Richmond, Virginia, and had been active in many of its enterprises. After the death of Lohmann in 1969 Miss Hansen's nephew, H. Paul Scholte, an active member of a Richmond Lodge, became the President. Voorhis continues to be a Vice-President, as is Michael Thomas, a longtime employee of the company.
Having offices in the heart of New York City became more and more of a problem as the years went by. Parking places for customers became a rarity. There was no room for growth. A search was started for new quarters. Sites in Atlanta and New Jersey were considered for a time. After Blakemore's Masonic History Company in Chicago was purchased by Macoy in 1964, that location became a possibility. It, too, was discarded. For many reasons, Richmond, Virginia, became the choice - a choice that has brought no regrets. The business has continued to grow.
The move was made on July 1, 1967. It took 11 large vans to carry the stock, furnishings, forms, equipment, and supplies from New York to the new location. They also carried the furnishings of nine employees who made the move with the company. The new building was designed for the company's needs. This included offices, a show room for books, jewelry, gifts and regalia. A large section was designed for the extensive embroidery and sewing departments. Even more space was allowed for storage and shipping.
Ninety-five percent of Macoy's business is still done through the mail. Three Iarge, and expensive catalogs are issued each year and mailed to Freemasons, members of appendant bodies, and the ladies organizations connected with Masonry. The mailing lists are carefully guarded. The company has been offered thousands of dollars for them, but all offers are turned down immediately. The names of its customers will not reach those who might use them for unscrupulous purposes.
No business can long exist without making a profit. So it is with Macoy Publishing. But its desire to be of service to Freemasonry comes first. For example: On February 15, 1961, Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia was published. The company borrowed money to make the publication possible. It knew it would be a long time, if ever, in breaking even on the venture, but felt this one-volume gold mine of Masonic information was needed by the Craft.
Another example of its desire to be of assistance to Masonic leadership: In 1970, the officials of the company saw a ten-minute film explaining why Masonry should adopt modern teaching methods, including Leadership Training Films. They liked the idea. Although they were warned that they would probably never get their investment back, they felt it was something that Freemasonry needed. Although the company hasn't begun to break even, there are now four Leadership films, plus the original pilot film, along with booklets explaining how anyone can conduct a successful leadership program.
The philosophies of the great Masons of yesteryear have been implanted in those who have and do now manage Macoy Publishing.
----o----
The Story of the Saga Of The Holy Royal Arch
"As we end this Saga, let us take with us the watch words of the Holy Royal Arch - 'Holiness to the Lord'".
These words brought to an end the narration of Jerry Rasor of Ohio in the documentary film produced for GG Chapter of RA Masons, Int. The Saga of the Holy Royal Arch of Freemasonry tells the story of Freemasonry an d the importance of the Royal Arch in 28 minutes. They are 28 minutes packed with excitement, inspiration, and information!
Marvin E. Fowler and a cast from the Royal Order of Scotland reenact circumstances of the conferral of the first recorded Royal Arch Degree anywhere in the world. They did it in the Lodge at Fredericksburg, Va. - in a replica of the room where George Washington was initiated into Freemasonry.
Gordon Merrick and many of his Colorado Companions and ladies have brought to life the immortal Masonic poem "The Lodge Room Over Simpkin's Store." Companions in Regina Saskatchewan, Canada, let us witness some of their reverent ceremonies.
The Civil War found father fighting son and the nation divided. But one organization was not split North and South. It was Freemasonry. Through courtesy of the U.S. Department of Interior, Division of Parks, an episode of Brotherhood in action has been brought to life.
For perhaps the first time the close ties of the Royal Arch with the Lodge are brought to light. The story is told factually. All positive statements are documented.
While many men and women deserve credit for fulfilling this mission of the General Grand Chapter, three in particular must be cited. G.G.H.P. Edward M. Selby, was untiring in his efforts to see that this story be made available to everyone.
Wisdom and assistance of J. Fairbairn Smith were evident throughout the writing of the script. Still pictures he furnished from his large morgue at The Masonic World added strength and drama to the narration.
Writer and producer of the script and film, Allen E. Roberts, was untiring in his efforts to bring a factual and dramatic documentary on RA Masonry to fruition.
It has been filmed so that it may be shown anywhere, even on television.
- Official News Release from
General Grand Chapter, Royal
Arch Masons, International
----o----
By Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., (Life), Illinois
During this Bicentennial period when we will be reviewing our American heritage, one of the things that we will be doing is reading a great deal about the history of those eventful days two hundred years ago. A chronology of events will be helpful as a bird's eye view of what was taking place at that time, and affords us to take a quick look cozy at the entire period.
It can also serve as a means of ready reference to see how specific events fit into the broad picture. By necessity only the outstanding events can be covered and with a minimum of description.
The Foundation Stones
1215 - Magna Carta was signed by King John; he recognized that he was to govern according to law.
1628 - Charles II gave his assent to the Petition of Rights; he agreed that Parliament had the power to levy taxes; that there was to be no arbitrary imprisonment by order of the King; and there was to be no billeting of soldiers without the consent of the owners.
1689 - Establishment of the Bill of Rights; consent was given to basic right by the new sovereign.
1690 - John Locke wrote two books justifying the "Glorious Revolution" in England; these books for fifty years were to be read by the colonists and the ideas contained in them were to be used as ground for the Revolution.
Prelude to Independence
1752 - George Washington received the first degree of Masonry, on November 4, in Fredericksburg Lodge, Virginia.
1760 - George III becomes King of England; the Seven Years War was in progress.
1761 - James Otis makes eloquent speech against the Writs of Assistance, on February 24, before the Supreme Court of Massachusetts.
1763 - The French and Indian War (sometimes called the Seven Years War) came to an end, on February 10, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.
England issued Proclamation, on October 3, prohibiting any settlement of land west of the Allegheny Mountains.
1764 - A Committee of Correspondence was formed in Massachusetts.
1765 - The term "Sons of Liberty" used for the first time in Parliament, by Col. Isaac Barre, an English opponent to the Stamp Act.
Stamp Act passed, on March 22, it required a stamp to be placed on newspapers, pamphlets, aImanacs, legal documents, playing cards, and dice.
Patrick Henry attacked the Stamp Act, before the House of Burgesses, on May 29. Shouts of treason interrupted him; and he replied: "If this be treason make the most of it."
Stamp Act Congress met in New York, on October 7, with delegates from nine colonies present. On October 19, it adopted 13 Resolutions against the taxes. It was also agreed not to buy any goods upon which a duty had to be paid. This led the next year to a Petition by the London Merchants to repeal the Act because of injury to their trade.
Riots in New York, on November 1, with the breaking of windows, burning of the Governor in effigy, and other acts of violence.
1767 - Townshend Acts adopted, on June 29; it imposed a tax on tea, glass, painters' colors, oil, lead, and paper.
1768 - The House of Representatives of Massachusetts, in February, sent a letter to the other Colonies requesting they join in opposition to the duties imposed by the Townshend Acts.
Two regiments of British soldiers arrive in Boston on October 1.
Large mass meetings held in Boston which resulted in a petition to the Governor demanding that British vessels which were hindering navigation in the harbor be removed.
1769 - Virginia Resolution adopted condemning Parliament for imposing taxes.
Virginia non-importantion agreement was signed; soon thereafter other Colonies did the same thing.
1770 - The Boston Massacre took place, on March 5, British soldiers were stoned by a mob; seven colonists were killed.
The Townshend Acts were repealed, except for the tax on tea.
1772 - The British customs ship "The Gaspee", was burned, near Providence, Rhode Island, on June 9.
1773 - Boston Tea Party took place on December 16.
1774 - First Intolerable Acts passed on March 31; the Port of Boston was closed until paid for the tea destroyed; public meetings were forbidden; British officers accused of capital offenses were to be tried in England or another colony, allowed quartering of soldiers in private homes.
New York City Committee of Correspondence, on May 15, Resolved that a Congress be called to enter into an agreement of non-importantion of English goods.
Providence Town meeting, on May 17, proposed a Congress.
Thomas Jefferson, on May 24, in the House of Burgesses, offered a Resolution that June 1 be a day of prayer and fasting because of the closing of the Port of Boston.
The Quebec Act was passed on June 22, it extended the boundaries of Quebec south to the Ohio River and west to the Mississippi.
First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia, on September 5, with all colonies present except Georgia. Was in session until October 26.
The Continental Congress, on October 14, issued ten Resolutions known as the Declaration of Rights.
Paul Revere rode to Portsmouth, New Hampshire and alerted the residents that the British were planning to occupy and fortify the fort. The local militia broke into the arsenal and took the store of arms and munitions.
1775 - Patrick Henry, on March 23, in a Virginia meeting, delivered the speech in which he said "Give me liberty or give me death."
The battle of Lexington and Concord took place on April 19.
The Second Continental Congress convened, on May 10.
Ethan Allen and Benedict Arnold, on May 10, took over Fort Ticonderoga for the Patriots.
British Reinforcements arrived in Boston, on May 25.
George Washington named Supreme Commander of the Continental Army, on June 5.
The British ship Margaretta, on June 12, was taken by the Patriots.
The Battle of Bunker Hill took place on June 17.
The Patriot ship "Hannah" took the British ship "Unity", on September 7. This was the first capture of a ship by the Patriots.
Benedict Arnold started his march to Quebec, on September 24, from Augusta, Maine.
Committee on Secret Correspondence formed, on November 29, by the Congress, to contact friends in England, Ireland, and France.
The American cruiser "Lee" captured the British ship "Nancy" which was loaded with ammunition destined for Quebec.
The Royal Governor of Virginia, Dunmore, defeated the Patriots at Norfolk, Virginia, on December 11.
Arnold's attack of Quebec failed; on December 31.
Steps Towards the Declaration of Independence
1776 - Issuance of Thomas Paine's "Common Sense."
General Howe evacuates Boston, on March 17.
The Provincial Congress of North Carolina instructed its delegates to the Congress to vote for independence.
The Virginia delegates are instructed to vote for independence.
Richard Henry Lee, on June 7, offered a Resolution in the Congress, that the colonies declare independence. A committee was appointed. Jefferson selected to write the document.
The committee reported on June 28, and laid on table.
Draft of Declaration argued on July 2.
Declaration adopted on July 4.
The Declaration was read in public, on July 9, by John Nixon, to an assembly in Philadelphia.
Congress Resolved on July 19 that the Declaration be engrossed on parchment and then signed by the delegates.
On August 2 the Declaration engrossed on parchment was signed by most of the Delegates; others signed later.
The War of Independence
1776 - Battle of Long Island started on August 27; the Patriots were defeated and evacuated the area on August 30.
Benjamin Franklin chosen in September to represent the colonies in negotiations with France for a commercial treaty.
Continental Congress resolved that the words "United States" were to replace the words "United Colonies."
Nathan Hale, of Connecticut hanged as a spy; he made his famous statement "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country."
Thomas Paine, on December 19, issued the first of his pamphlets "The Crisis" to bolster the morale of the Army.
Washington captures nearly 1,000 Hessian soldiers, on December 26, on a morning raid at Trenton, New Jersey.
British occupied Newport, Rhode Island, on December 8.
1777 - Battle of Princeton, New Jersey; won by Patriots on January 3.
Adoption of Flag on June 14, by the Congress.
Burgoyne began campaign to take over Mohawk Valley, on June 17.
Patriots repulsed at battle of Monmouth, New Jersey, on June 28.
Fort Ticonderoga abandoned on July 6 by the Patriots.
Siege of Fort Stanwix, New York, on August 2.
Battle of Oriskany, New York, on August 6.
Patriots defeat British at Bennington, Vermont, on August 16.
Washington defeated at Brandywine, Pennsylvania, on September 11; Lafayette was wounded in the battle.
Cornwallis captured Philadelphia on September 27.
Washington repulsed attack on Germantown, on October 4.
British, on October 6, take Fort Montgomery and Fort Clinton, New York.
Burgoyne surrendered 5,000 troops to General Gates, at Saratoga, New York.
Articles of Confederation adopted by Congress on November 15. (Ratified in 1781).
Washington started encampment at Valley Forge, on December 19.
1778 - Alliance with France concluded on February 6; it was ratified by Congress on May 4. It was a commercial, political, and military agreement.
John Paul Jones in the ship "Ranger" invaded the Irish Sea; he took an English Fort and a British ship on April 14 and May 8.
British naval expedition into Delaware Bay, on May 6, destroyed 44 Patriot vessels.
British evacuated Philadelphia on June 18.
George Rogers Clark takes over Kaskaskia and Cahokis.
Inhabitants of Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania massacred by 1,600 Indians and Tories, 200 were scalped and many were burned in the Fort at Kingston.
British troops took over Savannah, Georgia, on December 29.
1779 - British win at Briar Creek. Georgia; 300 Patriots killed.
Encampment of Army at Morristown, N. J., from December 1 to June 22, 1780.
American Union Lodge, in Connecticut line, visited by George Washington, on June 24.
Benedict Arnold placed in charge of fortifications at West Point, New York, on August 3.
Arnold's intermediary with British, John Andre, captured on September 23. Arnold fled to the British.
Andre executed as spy on October 2.
1780 - Battle of Camden, South Carolina. Gates defeated by Cornwallis. Baron De Kalb mortally wounded.
British defeated at King's Mountain, South Carolina, on October 7.
1781 - British suffer heavy losses at Cowpens, South Carolina, on January 17.
Cornwallis defeated Patriots at Guilford Court House, North Carolina, on March 15.
French fleet arrived at Yorktown, on August 30.
British attack on French fleet fails.
New London, Connecticut seized and burned by Arnold on September 8.
Cornwallis surrendered to Washington, on October 19, at Yorktown, Virginia.
1782 - Independence of United States acknowledged by Great Britain, on November 30.
1783 - Peace Treaty with England signed on September 3.
Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the army, on December 24.
----o----
Rob Morris and the Early Years
of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky
By Charles Snow Guthrie, M.P.S.
Rob Morris, founder of the Order of the Eastern Star, leader of the Conservators, and Poet-Laureate of Freemasonry was for many years a prominent figure in the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, F. & A.M. This paper will trace in outline form his activities there from 1852 to 1860.
Rob Morris, born in Boston, Massachusetts, August 31, 1818, was raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in Oxford Lodge No. 33 in Oxford, Mississippi, July 3, 1846, and is said to have assisted in laying the cornerstone of the University of Mississippi the next day. During the next few years he moved often, but eventually took both the York and Scottish Rites. In 1850, he conceived the idea of the Order of the Eastern Star and wrote a ritual for it.
Morris and his family moved to Fulton County, Kentucky, in the far southwestern section, early in 1852. During this year he visited the Grand Lodge of Kentucky for the first time. The next year he moved to Louisville for a short time. Here he began publication of the Kentucky Freemason in May. This name was later changed to The American Freemason and Morris continued with it until July, 1857.
In 1853, Rob Morris appears as a representative of Antiquity Lodge No 113 in Louisville, although he is not listed as a member. At this session of the Grand Lodge, Morris was appointed as a member of a committee to draft a standard set of by-laws for subordinate lodges.
March 6, 1854, Morris bought eighty acres of land at Lodgeton, Fulton County, and built a substantial log house. At the Grand Lodge that year he was listed as a member and representative of Antiquity Lodge No. 113 and also as a member of Nevill Lodge No. 200 at Moscow in Hickman County. At this meeting the Grand Lodge approbated The American Freemason, especially in regard to its work on Masonic jurisprudence. Grand Master Thomas Todd recommended that a volume of the magazine be made available to each lodge. Also at this session of the Grand Lodge, Morris presented the report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence. In addition it was reported that he had visited several lodges and instructed them in the landmarks and work of Masonry.
In 1855 Morris appears as Master and as a Past Master of Nevill No 200. The next year the name of this lodge had been changed to "Model," and its location had been changed from Moscow, Hickman County, to Lodgeton, Fulton County. Rob Morris was carried as a member of this lodge through 1859.
At the Grand Lodge meeting of 1855 Morris again presented the report of the Committee on Foreign Correspondence. It bears unmistakable signs of his having written it. That same year his most famous Masonic poem, "The Level and the Square," was printed in the Proceedings. During this time Morris was publishing The Universal Masonic Library in addition to The American Freemason. A Grand Lodge Committee reported the latter to be perhaps the best Masonic journal of the age and recommended it to the patronage of every brother in the Grand Jurisdiction. The same year the Grand Lodge voted to buy a full set of The Universal Masonic Library. It also recommended that lodges and individuals buy it.
Morris' outstanding achievement of 1855, however, was his election as Grand Junior Warden, August 27.
In 1856 Morris was appointed Chairman of a committee on Masonic literature and Masonic history of Kentucky. He was also elected Grand Senior Warden. This year also, Crotona Lodge No. 339 in Fulton County received a charter with Rob Morris as its first Master. He was carried as a Past Master of this lodge through 1859.
During this time Rob Morris was quite active in the Grand Lodge. He wrote many reports, some of which are prolix. He was able to attract the attention of the delegates to the extent that they advanced him to Deputy Grand Master in 1857 and on October 12, 1858, elected him Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky. Upon his installation he announced that he would teach the work and lectures of Thomas Smith Webb. His zeal for so doing would eventually lead to his loss of popularity during the Conservator movement.
During 1859 his most ambitious book was published, his voluminous History of Freemasonry in Kentucky. This was a work of 592 pages which traced the history of Freemasonry in Kentucky up to 1858 and included a list of every member in the state at that time. In its preparation Morris combed the records of the Grand Lodge, the newspapers of Kentucky since 1785, and the memories of everyone he could contact. This was published at the personal expense of A.G. Hodges, Grand Treasurer, who was a printer by profession. Morris presented a copy to the Grand Lodge in 1859, and reported that only one hundred copies had sold. A resolution was then adopted which furnished each lodge with one copy and each Grand Lodge in correspondence with the Grand Lodge of Kentucky one copy at the expense of the Grand Lodge.
In September of 1859, Rob Morris visited and served as Secretary of the North American Masonic Congress in Chicago, although he was not a delegate, along with such notables as Albert Pike and A.G. Mackey. This was an abortive attempt to organize a group that would be able to "unite and harmonize and nationalize the Masonic Fraternity of the United States." This meeting adjourned, with plans to meet in Memphis in 1862, but the Civil War came before that time and prevented its action.
Generally speaking, the Grand Lodge was co-operative with most of Morris' actions while he was Grand Master. One exception to this was its actions concerning Morris' deposition of T.C. Thornton as Master of Hancock Lodge No. 115 because of his religious views which Morris thought involved a denial of the divine authenticity of the Scriptures. The Grand Lodge, at its meeting in October, reinstated Thornton.
Rob Morris was very zealous in his efforts to improve lodge work and at the same time was disturbed by the lack of uniformity in the ritual. He announced when he assumed office that he would teach the work and lectures of Thomas Smith Webb. He also stated that he felt his election as Grand Master was "due to whatever zeal I may have evinced as Masonic instructor ...." In his opening address in 1859 he commented on the diversity of work he had observed in Kentucky since 1851 and particularly what he had observed in 1853-54 when he had served as Grand Lecturer under Grand Master Thomas Todd. He stated that a few old Masons seemed to have what he regarded as the correct Webb Work.
He also commented that he had held schools of instruction at Louisville, Harrodsburg, and Maysville. Further, he empowered E.D. Cooke, John Augustus Williams, and S.D. McCullough, and Grand Senior Warden Lewis Landram to lecture in the lodges. A committee reported at that session with a resolution recommending the speedy return to the work and lectures of Thomas Smith Webb "as taught in the schools of Masonic instruction during the past year." This was first tabled, but was finally adopted with the words in quotation marks omitted. This was a distinct blow to Morris' hopes for the adoption of his system of ritual. Apparently the members of the Grand Lodge were suspicious of anything that might infringe on their own ways of doing things or that might lead to what they considered an illegal printed ritual.
Morris had moved to Louisville when he was elected Grand Master. Here he remained until his term expired. In April, 1860, he moved to La Grange where he became Professor of Ancient and Modern History in Masonic University there. In June of that year the University conferred on him an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.
Morris had not given up in his zeal for uniformity of Masonic work. Beginning in 1860 he would attempt to organize the Conservators, an attempt which would cost him his good name for years among many Kentucky Masons and which would result in bitter controversy and recriminations against him.
So Rob Morris from 1852 to 1860 was the most prominent Mason in the State of Kentucky. Probably his most valuable work during this time was his History of Freemasonry in Kentucky. He could be narrow-minded, but had great singleness of purpose in his zeal for the institution of Freemasonry. He would receive many honors and many blows in the next few years as the result of this zeal.
REFERENCES
Denslow, Ray V. The Masonic Conservators. (no address): Grand Lodge, ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Missouri. 1931.
Denslow, William R. "Rob Morris," 10,000 Famous Freemasons. Ill, 233-34. Reprinted from the Transactions of the Missouri Lodge of Research for the Educational Bureau of the Royal Arch Mason Magazine Box 529, Trenton, Ma 1959 (c) William R. Denslow.
Kenaston, Jean M'Kee. History of the Order of the Eastern Star. Cedar Rapids, lowa: The Torch Press, 1917.
Morris, Robert. The History of Freemasonry in Kentucky .... Louisville, Kentucky: R. Morris 1859. 892 pp.
Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, F. & A. M. Annual Volumes, 1852-1860.
Rule, Lucien V. Pioneering in Masonry: The Life and Times of Rob Morris .... Louisville Kentucky: Lucien V. Rule, 1922.
Voorhis, Harold Van Buren. The Eastern Star: The Evolution from a Rite to on Order. New York: Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Co., Inc., 1938.
Copyright (c) 1974 by Charles S. Guthrie
----o----
By Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., (Life), Illinois
For many years Brother Walter K. Belt, M.P.S., has been writing poems with Masonic ideals woven into them; these have been published in various issues of the Oregon Freemason. Some years ago these were gathered into a nice little volume which quickly were out-of-print. Now we have Volume Two of "Poems on the Trestle-Board," a collection of poems written by our skillful Member since the issuance of the first volume.
Available at $1.25 a volume postpaid, from the author, at Box 658, Newport, Oregon 97365.
* * *
In recent years Brother Sam J. Ervin, 33d, has become a nationally known television speaker of the American Way of Life. He has delivered a timely talk before the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, S.J., on the subject "Church and State and Freemasonry." The talk has been produced in pamphIet form and copies are available on request so long as the supply lasts.
Write to the Supreme Council, 33d, 1733 Sixteenth St., N. W., Washington, D. C. 20009.
* * *
In 1970 the Missouri Lodge of Research published "The Clergy and the Craft", by Forrest D. Haggard. It is the best and the latest book on this interesting and much misunderstood subject. The book has been reprinted in a paper back edition in order to supply the constant demand for this fine book. It makes a fine gift for the new and the old Master Mason.
Available at $3.00 a copy postpaid from the Educational Bureau, P. O. Box 529, Trenton, Mo. 64683.
* * *
We have just learned that the price being charged for "The Masonic Membership of our Founding Fathers", by Brother Ronald E. Heaton, our devoted and able Treasurer, is $3.00. Available from the Masonic Service Association, 8120 Fenton St., Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.
* * *
Father Jose A. Ferrer Benimeli, Professor of Contemporary History at the University of Saragoza, Spain has written an excellent book entitled "Masonic Bibliography," a soft bound volume of 385 pages. The book lists 3,451 items but there are a considerable number of duplications because some of the items is rightly classified under more than one heading. While primarily aimed at the Spanish student of the Craft, and at the European scholar, with books listed in German, French, Spanish and Italian there are many books listed with English titles.
The volume is dedicated to Dr. S. Vatcher, Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, and Dr. Luis E. Heysen, a Past Grand Master of the National Grand Lodge of Peru. The author states this is not intended to be an exhaustive compilation, and his selection of material is excellent. The first 123 pages are devoted to an analysis and description of Masonic literature with pertinent comments. One section is devoted to a partial list of Masonic periodicals that have come to his attention.
The Masonic bibliophile will love to have a copy of this book and one should be in every Masonic library.
Available at $7.50 a copy from the Universidad de Zaragosa, Dipartimento de Ha. Contemporaneoa, Facultad de Filosophia y Letras, Zaragoza, Spain.
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Our readers who can read Spanish will welcome a paper entitled "Regular Masonry in the Light of History and Jurisprudence," written by Brother Roger Fernandez Calleja, M.P.S., editor of Masonic Lectures, 9376 S.W. 185th St., Miami, Florida 33157. Available at $1.00 a copy.
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"If Elected . . ." is a book that gives the biographical facts about the unsuccessful candidates for the Presidency of the United States from 1796 to 1968. Those who lost and later won are not omitted. There is a picture of each of the candidates and a bibliography on each one. Truly a storehouse of valuable information.
Available at $9.50 a copy from the Superintendent of Documents, Washington, D.C. 20402.
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One seeking basic information about our Vice Presidents now can consult "Madmen and Geniuses: The Vice Presidents of the United States," by Sol Barzman. The volume has much to be desired but is not as complete as one would wish.
Available from Follett Publishing Co., 1010 Washington Street, Chicago, Ill. 60607 at $8.95 a copy.
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The Library of Congress is planning a number of Bicentennial exhibits scheduled to start on April 24, 1975. A selected part of these exhibits has been reproduced in a book entitled "To Set a Country Free," consisting of 74 pages.
Available at $4.50 a copy from the Library of Congress. Washington, D.C. 20540.
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So far very little has been told about the part that women played in the War of Independence. We now have "Women and the American Revolution," by Mollie Somerville.
Available at $1.50 a copy from Historical Research Library, NSDA, 1776 D Street, N. W. Washington, D. C. 20036.
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"Atlas of The American Revolution" is a volume with pages 11 by 14 1/2 inches, with fifty maps in color, with many pictures, with a narrative explanation of the maps and pictures. There is also a large chronological chart of the events of the period. It is a beautiful volume that makes many difficult areas (such as the fighting of certain battles) easy to understand by studying the pictures.
Available from Rand McNally & Co., 39 So. La Salle St., 60603, at $35.00 a copy.
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I have noted of late that we are beginning to have a great many biographies of famous Masons. Here is a sampling that has met my eye: Col. Harland Sanders, Finger Licking Good; FDR's Last Year, by Jim Bishop; Irving Berlin, by Michael Freedland, and James T. Flexner, Washington, The Indispensable Man; (a summary of his four volume work into one volume).
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Welcome To
New Members
JAMES H. DRIVER. SR., 2895 E. Weaver Ave., Littleton, Colorado 80121. Recommended by K. Maynard Curts, M.P.S.
JACK ALDEN CHILCOTE, 2248 Ruthanne Dr., Toledo, Ohio 43611. Recommended by Leon C. W. Kettring, M.P.S.
RALPH DOWELL WALKER, Rte. 1, Sharon Springs, Kansas 67758. Recommended by Ben W. Graybill, M.P.S.
DAVID OWEN JOHNSON, 3434 S.W. Lakeview Blvd., Lake Oswego, Ore. 97034. Recommended by Melvin C. Friendly, M.P.S.
WARD LEROY McGLASHAN, Parks, Nebraska 69041. Recommended by Louis V. Sylvester, M.P.S.
STANTON THAYER BROWN, Rt. 1, Box 225, Buckner, Mo. 64016. Recommended by Franklin J. Anderson, F.P.S.
BRENDAN WAYNE LARRABEE, 1690 Kirkwall Crescent, Mississauga, Ont., Canada L4X 1N7. Recommended by Franklin J. Anderson, F.P.S.
ROBERT THOMAS WOLOSZYK, 15140 El Cameno Real, Orland Park, III. 60462. Recommended by Dr. Stephen R. Greenberg, M.P.S.
ANTHONY A. PERITORE, 8725-258th Street, Floral Park, New York 11001. Recommended by Dr. William G. Peacher, F.P.S.
THOMAS ROBERT LEWIS, 3224 E. Hazelwood St., Phoenix, Ariz. 85018. Recommended by Leon C. Aldrich, M.P.S. and Estel W. Brooks, M.P.S.
MERLE H. MARTIN, 910 Midland, Little Rock, Ark. 72206. Recommended by Kenneth C. Johnson, M.P.S.
J. LEE OVERSTREET, Rt. 4, Box 373, Texarkana, Ark. 75501. Recommended by Kenneth C. Johnson, M.P.S.
FRED HILBRUN CROUCH. JR., 103 Rolling Oaks Drive, Rome, Georgia 30161. Recommended by Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S.
KENNETH WAYNE HALL, P.O. Box 411, Montezuma, Ind. 47862. Recommended by Charles R. Brown, M.P.S.
JOSEPH MICHAE1 BORN, 1529 Erie Ave., Sheboygan, Wisc. 53081. Recommended by Estel W. Brooks, M.P.S.
SEYMOUR L. STTLES, R.R. 2, Susquehanna, Pa. 18847. Recommended by Arlyn B. French, M.P.S.
ALBERT BROTHERTON, 133 "A" Calle Crespis, Santa Barbara, Calif. 93105. Recommended by Dr. Eugene S. Hopp, F.P.S.
A.J.B. MILBORNE, P. O. Box 248, Knowlton, Quebec Canada. Recommended by Executive Committee.
GEORGE KENNETH EVELYN RUBEL, 4116 E. Stanford Drive, Phoenix, Ariz. 85018. Recommended by Estel W. Brooks, M.P.S.
JOHN WILKINSON IRONS, 8820 North Central, Kansas City, Mo. 64155. Recommended by William P. Mathews, M.P.S.
GORDON MARUGG, 5349 Fletcher Street, Chicago, Ill. 60641. Recommended by Harold P. Bull, M.P.S.
EDWARD M. GARBOW, 901 Beverly Pl., Lake Forest, Ill. 60045. Recommended by Allan D. Parsons, M.P.S.
FRANK CRAIG WHITE, 304 N. Lynn Avenue, Elizabethton, Tenn. 37643. Recommended by James P. Wagner, M.P.S.
WALTER LARIN DENTON, Rt. 2, Robbinsville, N.C. 28771. Recommended by Reginald G. Willcox, M.P.S.
DOMENIC AUGUST PALLOTTO, 11049 Avenue E., Chicago, III. 60617. Recommended by Kurt C. Marx, M.P.S.
ARNOLD GETZ, GPO Box 76, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Recommended by Executive Committee.
JOSEPH JOHN ANTHONY Suozu, 365 Bradley Avenue, Northvale, New Jersey 07647. Recommended by J. E. Marsengill, F.P.S.
WESLEY W. HALL, 1905 Belvedere Ave., Havertown, Pa. 19083. Recommended by James M. Alter, M.P.S.
RICHARD H. EISENMANN, 2039 Maple, Northbrook, Ill. 60062. Recommended by Harold P. Bull, M.P.S.
HAROLD R. CANNON, 8138 Kostner, Skokie, III. 60076. Recommended by Allan D. Parsons, M.P.S.
THOMAS EDWARD TIZARD, 4518 E. Calle Tuberia, Phoenix, Ariz. 85018. Recommended by Estel W. Brooks, M.P.S.
SIDNEY KASE, P. O. Box 556, Puyallup, Wash. 98371. Recommended by Albert L. Woody, F.P.S.
EVERETT BERYL THOMAS, 90 Audubon Ave., Binghampton, New York 13903. Recommended by Raymond E. Durham, Jr., M.P.S.
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By William E. Parker, M.P.S.
The Lodge of the Nine Muses (Les Neuf Soeurs) is undoubtedly one of the most famous of all French lodges. Among Americans, this is likely due in large measure to the fact that Benjamin Franklin was an active participant during his sojourn in France and, in fact, was its second Master holding the Chair from May 1779 to May 1781. The history of the Iodge is an interesting one and we might well begin with its name. The literal translation of "Les Neuf Soeurs" would be "The Nine Sisters" however, in this instance it also means "The Nine Muses" the phrases being synonymous when referring to the Nine Muses of the Liberal Arts and Sciences of Mythology. As we shall see, the lodge was aptly named.
During my travels throughout the United States, questions frequently arise concerning this lodge because of Franklin's participation as a result of which I have given more than passing study to the subject. Bro. Cyril N. Batham, a very dear friend has recently published an excellent history of the lodge and, with his kind permission, I have condensed his more detailed work into the brief resume given here. Bro. Batham needs little introduction to students of Masonic research. A Past Grand Officer of the G.L.N.F., he is also a member of several other Masonic bodies. Most recently (Nov. 1972 - Nov. 1973), he was simultaneously Master both of Quatuor Coronati Lodge of Research, London, England, and Phoenix Lodge of Research, Paris, France, a rare distinction indeed.
As the reader will find references to the Grand Orient of France in this paper, it should be noted that during the period of which we speak here that Obedience had not yet departed from Regularity. That happened in 1877 but since 1913 the Grande Loge Nationale Francaise (French National Grand Lodge) has been the representative of Regular Freemasonry in France and recognized as such by Regular Masonic Grand Lodges world-wide.
The "Nine Muses" was the brain-child of Claude-Adrien Helvetius, who envisaged a lodge composed not only of men of letters but of all the various arts and sciences. It was a difficult era for French Masonry, however, and Helvetius did not live to see the creation of his dream, it being July 1776 before the lodge could be consecrated. Helvetius had interested Jerome Lalande, a famous French astronomer, in the idea and Lalande eventually became the first Master. Although the initial roster comprised only nine members, such was the lodge's success that within three years membership had increased to 144 including Voltaire and Franklin.
Admission was extremely strict and, depending upon their field, new members were required to give evidence of their abilities; e.g., an oration by men of letters, an original composition by musicians, etc. The lodge published a List of Regulations citing the cultivation of the arts and sciences, especially literature, as a principal reason for founding this lodge as it was believed that a study of the fine arts, coupled with a sense of duty, was the basis of all Masonic virtues, that it made in fact the perfect Mason.
Meeting at monthly intervals, except for a two-month fall recess, the lodge proceedings were followed by a banquet, a custom still followed by many European lodges. These banquets were the occasion for members to present dissertations or otherwise entertain their brethren. The lodge was active in many ways, including, of course, numerous charitable endeavors comprising aid not only to members but to indigent persons, outside charities, needy students and others. Also, members who belonged to the legal or medical professions were expected to make their services available without charge to anyone recommended to them by the lodge and funds were made available to provide legal documents for the defense of persons deemed innocent of charges against them. In this way, humanity as a whole was served and not simply members of the fraternity.
The fame of the lodge became international and many prominent persons were members with no less than eight nationalities being represented. Perhaps its greatest claim to fame, however, lies in the fact of having initiated Voltaire into the Craft of Freemasonry. This controversial individual, although speaking against what he considered to be excesses of formal religion of the era, nevertheless believed in the Great Architect of the Universe and manifested those qualities which qualified him to be a Mason. During an enforced departure from Paris for some years, living quietly in Ferney near the Swiss border, he attended his local church and when the old church became run down he even built a new and larger one for the local town.
There is some historical question as to whether Voltaire was actually initiated in England some 50 years earlier or whether his initiation at this later date was the first but the facts concerning the earlier alleged initiation are unclear. In any event. in addition to the lodge members present on April 7, 1778, for this auspicious occasion, there were over 250 visitors including Franklin. Voltaire, already in his 84th year and with precarious health, was unfortunately to pass to the Grand Lodge Above only a month later on May 30, 1778.
While Voltaire's initiation brought even more prestige to the lodge, at the same time a considerable amount of controversy was generated. This was due, in part, to what appears to have been personal jealousy on the part of the Grand Orient itself. Secondly, there arose some complaints concerning admission of two ladies (his niece and adopted daughter) and two non-Masons to a portion of a Lodge of Sorrow in honor of Voltaire some months later on November 28 although Masonic ceremonial had been suspended for this portion.
When other complaints were levied against the lodge, it became necessary to hold an official inquiry. The Grand Orient, either not being able to substantiate its charges or not wishing to cause extended debate on the question, dropped the charges in the face of determined opposition from Lalande who denied any impropriety. In March of 1779, however, due to a perhaps unfortunate involvement with what is known as "Adoptive Masonry," an organization for ladies, the lodge again came under attack and was ordered dissolved with several of the officers to be suspended for varying periods. At the Grand Lodge Meeting five days later, this decision was reviewed and the lodge given an opportunity (sadly lacking the first time) to defend itself which it did most vigorously. On May 20, the Grand Orient annulled the previous decision and the case was eventually forgotten.
Franklin's election to the Chair undoubtedly precluded any further "troubles" as he had a "quiet" tenure of office. In fact, it is likely that his election was due not only to his personal stature but also to the fact that he was the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States, a consideration not to be taken lightly by either friends or enemies of the lodge. Of interest is that during his tenure John Paul Jones, hero of the American Revolution, joined the lodge and a festival was held in the latter's honor on May 1, 1780.
The lodge founded the Appollonian Society, to read and publish literary works, in 1780 and a Museum of Science for teaching Mathematics, Science, Languages and other subjects, in 1781. While both institutions achieved some success in their endeavors, they were to disappear in the troubles of 1848. The Museum later to become known as the Lyceum, was by far the more successful of the two.
The lodge itself was forced to close in the Revolution of 1789 and while the year 1795 saw a revival of Masonry in France, it was not until 1805 that the lodge could again meet. But by this time both the character of the lodge membership and its dedication to the fine arts had changed. From this date until 1848, the lodge's fortunes rose and fell periodically including a period of inactivity after the Revolution of 1830, until it finally disappeared forever in the aftermath of the 1848 Revolution.
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A Lodge Library or One Road To More Light in Masonry
By Emil K. Eliason, Past Grand Master, Montana
Who needs a Library? Does your lodge need a Library? Some will say "We have gone fifty years without a Lodge Library, and I guess that we can go another fifty." Others will say "We have no room." And still others, "We don't have the money. We can hardly pay our bills, to say nothing of starting a Library."
Perhaps all of these, and other objectors and 'can't-do-it-ers,' may be partly right in their thinking, 'we don't need,' 'no room,' and 'no money.' That is, they are right if we hold a negative attitude. What we think we can't do, probably will never get done. Of course, I heard of the fellow who knew he couldn't jump that fence up ahead, but he did when the mad bull at his heels gave him the necessary impetus.
Even in an over-populated, overcrowded home where love of child and family is dominant, there is room for another 'new baby.' Somehow the time, money and space is arranged. In other words, there is a possibility where desire and will join in saying, "Yes, let's do."
But, who needs a Library? Who needs a 'browsing area,' a reference source, a learning center, a retreat for acquiring more and further light? We all do. All of us, from the youngest Entered Apprentice to the Worshipful Master, who governs in the East. The lecturer needs much reference material, the Worshipful Master needs more suggestions and further orientation and guidance. The instructor always needs more historical and logic facts. The new Master Mason needs a 'recessed apartment' for study and reflection. Yes, we all need a library if we hope to serve Masonry with freedom, fervency and zeal.
Next, how large a library do we need? How large a room, how many books? This, of course, varies with, the size and location of the constituent lodge, and with the needs find wants of the craft in the area. Some smaller lodges have spacious and well-appointed temples, and realistic libraries - some, fantastic libraries. Other lodges, large or small, are very mediocre in many ways.
Most things start small and grow. Even our most vicious tornadoes begin as midgets and grow into giants Great world-sweeping movements often start from one person's idea or dream. Even we, who consider ourselves adults, started out in life as a pretty small, insignificant organism - but we grew.
So it might be with a lodge library. One or two good books might be the start of a really great library. Through the years we have gotten a lot of papers from the Montana Masonic Education and Research Committee These papers are somewhere (saved, I hope) among the books and papers of the lodge or in the personal files of the members in their home or office. These papers might be gathered, punched and assembled in a loose-leaf notebook.
Since the twenties, the Short Talk Bulletins have been published and distributed by the Masonic Service Association. These bulletins are excellent and bear a wealth of information. These bulletins should be gathered and placed in a holder in the library. In fact, a complete selection or collection of these bulletins would make a 'Great Little Library.' Besides these Short Talk Bulletins, the MSA has published a great number of books, bulletins and folders, all of which are excellent additions to any and every library. In fact, the Short Talk Bulletin of February 1965 was entitled "Starting a Lodge Library." It contains a dot of information relative to starting and building a lodge library, as well as a host of suggestions as to where to get good material for a library. If your lodge doesn't have this, or other copies of the Bulletin, write the Masonic Service Association - and accept a prompt and courteous reply.
Many of our sister jurisdictions publish a wealth of studies.
Also, many of our members have some very good books in their private libraries. Being invited, some of these brothers might lend or give some of these books to a lodge library. And, what happens to the books and papers belonging to and in the personal flies of our brothers when they are called to that land from whence there is no return? Might not these be placed in a lodge library rather than sold to a book store, or - worse yet - destroyed? There are so many things that are lost or destroyed because someone doesn't realize their value and because someone doesn't know that they would be welcomed in a library or a museum.
So let us get busy and serve ourselves and our brethren by starting or enlarging our lodge library. Bear in mind that a library need not necessarily be expensive or take a lot of room. And, it could do a lot of good. Oh yes, do get SHORT TALK BULLETIN - FEBRUARY 1965 - MASONIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION.
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News, achievements and items of interest about our
Fellows and Members - Discussions and comment on
- Pfan Mail and Observations -
Mutual Tonics.
This page conducted by Jerry Marsengill, F.P.S., 2602 Terrace Road, Des Moines, Iowa 50312.
This might well be called "Flu Month" for the Editors of the Philalethes Society. J.B.V. has been fighting it off for a month, and now Editor Marsengill is just out of bed, able to work, but feeling like the old scratch. That with our Treasurer, Ronald E. Heaton in a Norristown hospital after a serious operation, gives us a pretty high percentage of illness. Looks Iike we will have things under control again soon, and all will be on active duty for the Masonic Workshop.
* * *
On November 26, Zvi Levin, M.P.S. was installed as M.W. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Israel. Bro. Levin has been known to us for a long time due to the work which he has done for the Grand Lodge magazine. Watch for an interesting year in the Grand Lodge of Israel.
* * *
Bill Weisberger, M.P.S. has recently passed his oral exam for his Ph.D. and is about to start on his thesis, expected to be on a Masonic subject. Bill also wrote an item about the lodge of the nine sisters which was published by Phoenix Lodge, the Paris English Research Lodge. Bill is revising his history of Steubenville Lodge in Ohio and publication is expected to be in 1976.
* * *
Bruno S. Guglielmo, M.P.S. is presently serving as "It Maestro Venerabile" of G. Mazzini Lodge No. 98 of San Remo, Italy. Just for a note of information, or what Al Von Damm calls "so what Masonry," Mazzino was a leader in the liberation of Italy and a Mason.
* * *
Last September, George Burow, M.P.S. was elected Deputy for Illinois of the A.A.S.R., N.M.J. George is also editor of their publication The Northern Light which is one of the finest Masonic magazines published today. If you are not a subscriber, become one.
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I don't know exactly what it means, but looking over the birthdays of a number of our diligent workers in the quarries, in hopes of preparing some short biographies, I note that all of our special Bicentennial Committee were born in November.
Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., Life, November 13.
Ronald E. Heaton, F.P.S., November 16.
James Royal Case, F.P.S., November 28.
Needless to say, the years were unavailable, although Cerza testifies that none of the three were present at the signing of the Declaration of Independence. AIso Charles Gottschall Reigner, F.P.S. has a birthday on November 14. Apparently to succeed in the Philalethes, you should sit up nights and decide to be born in November.
* * *
Just as a note of interest Walter B. Richards advises that Lockport Lodge No. 73 and Ames Chapter No. 88, R.A.M. of Lockport, New York have recently celebrated their 150th anniversaries. These two groups are the only ones in that entire area to survive the anti-Masonic hysteria.
* * *
Hugh A. Cole, M.P.S. who is on the Illinois Committee on Masonic Education advises that Dennis E. McCormack of Felicity Lodge No. 4166 of Erdington, England, will accept invitations to present his slide illustrated lectures in America. He would like to visit America in April or May of 1975. His lectures include: George Washington, P.M.: 2. A review of the Evolution and Development of English Freemasonry; 3. The Military Masons of Warwickshire; 4. Masonic Meeting Places; 5. Freemasonry in the U.S.A.
If you are interested his address is: Dennis E. McCormack, 95 Park Close, Chester Road, Erdington, Birmingham, England OHL 24.
If you do contact Bro. McCormack, a small contribution to assist with his travel expenses might be in order. (This last is my own idea, not that of Brother McCormack - J.E.M.)
* * *
On October 17th a Table Lodge was presented at the Scottish Rite in Chicago. All participants were in tuxedoes and there was a capacity crowd that came from miles around. The following M.P.S. took a part in the ceremonies, Steve Greenberg, Hugh A. Cole, and Sam Zipp.
* * *
On September 30th at Dakota Lodge No. 7, Hastings, Minn. Educational Lodge No. 1002 of Minnesota presented a paper on "The Making a Woman a Mason" by one Jerry Marsengill. I don't like to brag, but having your work accepted by a group such as Educational Lodge is something to toot your own horn about, and as the old Chinese proverb saith: "He that tooteth not his own horn, the same getteth not tooted."
* * *
In October, John M. Sherman, M.P.S. was awarded the Joseph Warren Medal for Distinguished Service to Masonry. John recently celebrated his 75th birthday. John is curator of the Museum for the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts and is one of the exceptional Masonic students and researchers of the present day.
* * *
At the regular meeting of Research Lodge No. 198 of Oregon, Melvyn C. Friendly, M.P.S. was elected Secretary and David O. Johnson, M.P.S. was elected Master. A phlip of the Philalethes phedora to these two fine, hardworking Masons.
* * *
Just to give a short plug to a great Masonic charity . . . The Illinois Masonic Medical Center is becoming one of the largest and most progressive hospitals in the country. Recently Brother Geoffrey Stickler embarked on a project to get pictures for every room occupied by a patient. Mrs. Olga Cerza (wife of Al) donated one of her oil paintings and has promised to paint two more, with nursery rhyme characters for two rooms occupied by children. Pictures by others will be welcomed by Illinois Masonic Medical Center, 836 Wellington St., Chicago, Illinois 60657.
* * *
We have just learned that our Treasurer, Ronald E. Heaton, F.P.S., has been confined to the hospital in Norristown, Pennsylvania, following a fever and run-down condition. He was operated on for internal organ trouble, and is now at home resting and recuperating from his experience. A bad way in which to spend Christmas and New Year's Day, but we are all happy that he is free from the trouble which pestered him. A letter of good will to him would be a nice boost - just write
Ronald E. Heaton,
728 Haws Avenue,
Norristown, Pennsylvania 19401.
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Notes, Queries and Information On Items of Masonic Research
BY MELVIN L. PFANKUCHE, M.P.S.
14267-130th Place, N.E., Kirkland, Washington 98033
1975 - 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 arty query.
86 - Swap Corner. Brother EarI Snyder, M.P.S., Box 211, Chatham, VA 24531 is looking for a copy of "Neal's Bible Commentary" and would appreciate hearing from a Brother who would part with a copy or advise him where a copy might be obtained for his library.
87 - Swap Corner. Wanted. Catalogs and names of collectors of Masonic materials from about the time of World War I back to the early 1800's. Melvin L. Pfankuche, M.P.S., 14267 130th Pl., N.E., Kirkland, WA 98033.
3 - Declaration of Independence, Masonic Signers of the. (October, 1957). Much more heat than light has been generated on this subject. Unfortunately, many Masonic writers and speakers trying to get on some kind of band wagon is trying to get every patriot except Benedict Arnold into the fraternity. Back to the subject. The December 1974 issue of The New Age magazine has an article referring to eight recognized Masonic Historians. These people are: Boyden, Case, Clarke, Claudy, Haywood, Heaton Roth and Vandever. If you are liberal or conservative (Masonic not Political). A lifetime of Masonic Research is reviewed and a personal conclusion may be reached. At least 24 of the Signers are not claimed to be Masons. The other 32 are discussed.
Good news. "The Masonic Membership of the Founding Fathers" will be re-released by the Masonic Service Association by time you read this article. Most highly recommended.
124 - Dual Grand Mastership. Feb., June & Aug. 1961, July 1962 and April 1970). Bro. & Dr. Carlos Rodriguez-Jimenez, First Grand Master of the G.L. of Japan in 1957, P.G.M. of Venezuela is now Charter High Priest of Miranda Chapter No. 1, in Caracas, Venezuela. May Brother Jimenez continue in his contributions to the Masonic Fraternity.
274 - Bunker Hill, Masons at. (1970 and 1971). With the two hundredth anniversary of this battle coming up this June, has it been established whether or not there were only about two dozen Masons on the side of the Colonies? Statistically speaking, whatever that means, your editor of this page submits that not more than two or three more names will be added to the current list. Any arguments???
359 - P.W. GEORGE. (April, 1974). P.W. George, the author of "The Lodge in Friendship Village" has been identified as Douglas D. Martin, managing editor of the Masonic News, which was published by the Detroit Masonic Temple Association.
Brother Brown, the originator of this Query wants to know if it is likely that the Friendship Village stories are in line to be reprinted in the near future?
363 - Masonic Pope (June 1974). Prof. & Brother Giordano Gamberini, M.P.S., C.P. 74, 48100 Ravenna, Italy has quoted "The Jesuit Friar Jose Ferrer Benimeli in his work entitled "La Masoneria espanola en el siglo XVIII" published in 1974 regarding Lambertini of Bologna belonging to the Fraternity." A synopsis or condensation of the references presented, it appears to me that Pope Benedict XIV never was on friendly terms with Freemasonry and it is quite unlikely that he was ever a member.
364 - Recruiting Officer, The (June 1974). Brother Arthur W. Barnett, Pr. G.M. of Phoenix Lodge, No. 30, Neuille-sur-Seine, France writes: The Recruiting Officer is a Iight comedy written by the well-known English playwright George Farquhar (1678-1707) produced in 1706. It is a classic of the 18th century comedy, although the author is better known for his "The Beaux Stratagem." The play is described in The Oxford Companion to English Literature but no date is given.
370 - Daylight Lodges. Brother Coe Tug Morgan, M.P.S., P.O. Box 942, Seahurst, Wash. 98062 is W.M. of Daylight Lodge No. 232, Seahurst, Wash. He is doing some research on daylight lodges and would like to know the names of all known daylight Lodges in the U.S. and as much information as possible regarding their flames.
371 – Free-Mason's Magazine and General Miscellany, The Rev. Brother Donald W. Monson, M.P.S., P.O. Box 426, Coolidge, AZ 85228 has the above publication printed in Philadelphia in 1811 by Levis & Weaver. Bro. Monson has one bound volume, Vol. 1, No. 1 (April 1811) through Vol. 1, No. 6 (September 1811). The issues are numbered consecutively and total 478 pages with an index, with at least one engraved illustration in each issue. Were there any additional issues published, when, where and by whom. Are any copies available?