THE PHILALETHES

October 1975

Contents

Bolshevism and Freemasonry The Bicentennial Of the American Revolution

The American Revolution Two Attractive Flags

What’s In A Name A Masonic Book A Month Club

Casanova and Freemasonry The 1976 Masonic Workshop

Prince Edwin, 926 A.D. Recommended Masonic Reading

Chat, Comment and Masonic Queries

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

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY EMERlTUS

Carl R. Grelsen, F.P.S.

Volume XXVIII, No. 5

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Bolshevism and Freemasonry

By Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., Life

A Guest Editorial

The recent utterances of the Russian writer Alexander Selzhenitsyn, has brought to the front a highly controversial subject with which Freemasons cannot become involved. We are all familiar with the rule that Religion and Politics cannot be discussed in a Masonic meeting because these subjects are highly controversial and would destroy the harmony that should prevail so that we can devote our time and effort in constructive projects. But this public attention to the Russian writer offers an opportunity of considering the nature of Bolshevism and the Craft.

Unfortunately the terms Communism and Bolshevism are used interchangably by too many people; there is a vital difference between the two. Communism may be defined generally as a system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state. Bolshevism is the type of Communism adopted and practiced in Russia during the past fifty years.

Under the Russian system Communism is developed as a social as well as a political instrument supported not by reason but by brute force with all power concentrated in the Party which controls every aspect of human life; it is a planned society in which the State is supreme and the individual is merely a supporter of the Party. The appeal of Communism consists of its appealing theoretical doctrines of justice, fairness, and egalitariamism as well as its many promises of equal distribution of the good things in life.

A comparison of Bolshevism and Freemasonry is in order at this time. In 1917 when the Bolsheviks took over Russia they outlawed the Craft and there has been Masonic darkness in that great country ever since. Wherever Bolshevism becomes supreme it destroys the Craft and all other groups that are not under its complete control. And, above all, the basic concepts of Bolshevism are incompatible with the fundamentals of Freemasonry.

Freemasonry is based on a belief in God; Bolshevism is an atheistic concept with religion considered as "the opium of the people." Freemasonry is based on love; Bolshevism is based on class hatred. Freemasonry glorifies the worth of the person; Bolshevism places all the emphasis on the Party and the State. Freemasonry believes in complete freedom so each individual may develop his skills and enjoy complete freedom of choice in every area of human endeavor, restricted solely when his acts interfere with the equal rights of others; Bolshevism believes in slavish obedience to the State and stifles individual freedom.

Let every Mason ponder on the differences. Let every Mason recognize the vital difference between Communist doctrine on the academic plane and how it is put to work in actual practice in the lives of the people.

Featured in this issue . . .

BOLSHEVISM AND FREEMASONRY, by Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., Life, A Guest Editorial

MARINES IN THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION, by Herman Nickerson M.P.S.

AMERICAN NAVIES IN OUR WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE, 1775, by Richard Tutt

TWO ATTRACTIVE FLAGS

GERALD D. FOSS NAMED FELLOW

WHAT'S IN A NAME?, by Ernest C. Kegley, M.P.S.

A MASONIC BOOK A MONTH CLUB, by Hugh A. Cole, M.P.S.

CASANOVA AND FREEMASONRY, by Allen Cabaniss, M.P.S.

THE 1976 MASONIC WORKSHOP WILL BE DIFFERENT

PRINCE EDWIN, 926 A.D. - OUR FIRST SPECULATIVE FREEMASON, by Alex Home, F.P.S.

WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

RECOMMENDED MASONIC READING, by Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., Life

CHAT, COMMENT AND MASONIC QUERIES, by Jerry Marsengill, F.P.S.

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The Bicentennial Of the American Revolution

12. Marines in the American Revolution 1775-76

by Herman Nickerson, Jr., M.P.S.

Three types of Marines served during the American Revolution: Continental or Regular Marines; Marines of the State Navies; and Marines of the Privateers. However, it was the Continental Marines who were officially charged by the Continental Congress with fulfilling a military role in the fight for independence - . . ."to serve to advantage by sea …."

The Second Continental Congress in the fall of 1775 sitting in Philadelphia, named a Naval Committee chaired by John Adams of Massachusetts. Meeting on the second-floor room of Peg Mullan's Beef-Steak House (Tun Tavern), this committee wrote this resolution which was passed by the Congress on 10 November 1775.

"Resolved, that two Battalions of Marines be raised consisting of one Colonel, two Lieutenant Colonels, two Majors and Officers as usual in other regiments, that they consist of an equal number of privates with other battalions; that particular care be taken that no person be appointed to office or enlisted into said battalions, but such as are good seamen, or so acquainted with maritime affairs as to be able to serve to advantage by sea, when required. That they be enlisted and commissioned for and during the present war between Great Britain and the colonies, unless dismissed by order of Congress. That they be distinguished by the names of the first and second battalions of American Marines, and that they be considered a part of the number, which the continental Army before Boston is ordered to consist of."

John Hancock,* a Mason, President of the Congress, signed a Captain's Commission on 28 November for Samuel Nicholas of Philadelphia, owner of the Conestoga Wagon Inn. He was charged with raising a force of Marines. He remained the senior Marine officer throughout the American Revolution and is traditionally, and somewhat sentimentally, considered to be the first Marine Commandant.

Samuel Nicholas * was born in 1744, the son of Mary (Shute) and Anthony Nicholas, a Philadelphia blacksmith. In 1760, he was admitted to the Schuykill Fishing Company, an exclusive men's club devoted to the rod-and-reel and the pleasures of the table. In 1766, he was one of the founders of the Gloucester Hunting Club. His vocation in the years before the Revolution is not definitely known. After being commissioned on 28 November 1775, the following March he led Marines and sailors in a landing on the island of New Providence (Nassau) in the Bahamas. He was promoted to Major on 25 June 1775 and commanded the three companies of Marines at the battles of Trenton and, Princeton. Following the winter campaign of 1776-1777, he served with Washington's Army as a muster master and quartermaster agent, while maintaining loose control over Marines in the Philadelphia area. He was discharged from Marine service on 25 August 1781, and died in Philadelphia on 27 August 1790. He was a Quaker, a member of the Society of Cincinnati, and a Mason. These references to his Masonic affiliation are found in Volume I, pages 296-297 of Julius F. Sachus, Old Masonic Lodges of Pennsylvania.

"January 24, 1783

Lodge No. 13 (A.Y.M.) makes the following return of their officers for the ensuing six months …..

S. Nicholas, J. W."

"August 13, 1783

Samuel Nicholas, Member"

Others appointed as Marine Officers included Robert Mullan,* the son of Peg Mullan, the owner of Tun Tavern, also known as the Beef-Steak House. The robust innkeeper of that tavern proved his ability as a recruiter with Tun Tavern as the initial focal point for enlisting, and this service made him a Captain.

Very little is known about the personal life of Robert Mullan. On 25 June 1776, he was commissioned a Captain of Marines, and led a company in the battles of Trenton and Princeton. He returned with his company to Philadelphia in February 1777, and subsequently went aboard the Continental Frigate Delaware. On 25 September 1777, when this frigate was captured, he was taken prisoner by the British and remained captive throughout the enemy occupation of Philadelphia. After his release, he raised a second company of Marines in August 1779. Those recruited for this company terminated their enlistments around January 1780. Nothing is known of his service after that date.

He was admitted a member of Freemason's Lodge No. 2, Philadelphia, on 29 March 1762. This lodge was of the Moderns. He served as its secretary for a number of years. From Barrett and Sachse, Freemasonry in Pennsylvania, Volume I, pages 315-438, we learn of lodge meetings held at Tun Tavern, 1762-1774, with Mullan a member and officer. On 25 November 1778, he was proposed for membership in Lodge No. 2, A.Y.M. (Ancient York Masons); balloted for and approved on 8 December 1778. He received the second step in masonry on 17 February 1779, and attended meetings throughout 1779. On 14 December of that year he was chosen steward. The last recorded attendance by Mullan was on 27 December 1781.

On 3 December 1775, the U.S. Frigate ALFRED went into Commission with Captain Nicholas commanding his Marines. Three months later, on 3 March 1776, 220 Marines and 50 seamen, under the command of Nicholas, landed on New Providence Island of Bahamas. The raiding party occupied the forts of Montague and Nassau, took possession of

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Lieutenant General Herman Nickerson, Jr. USMC (Ret), was sworn in on September 21, 1970, as the first Administrator of the National Credit Union Administration. He began his tenure with the Federal Credit Union program after serving 35 years in the Marine Corps. He is an appointee of the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Methodist, member of many civic organizations; Mason; Past Master, Warren G. Harding Lodge No. 39, District of Columbia; Scottish and York Rites; Shriner; MPS Philalethes; SAR; SR; DAV; American Legion; NAUS; TROA; NRA, and others.

Administrator Nickerson is married to the former Phyllis Anne Winters. They now reside in Arlington, Virginia. They have two married children: a 33-year-old son, John Herman, and a 22-year-old daughter, Dennis Anne Higginbotham, a dental hygienist.

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In Our Next Issue

Two articles will appear in the December section of the magazine alluding to Bicentennial data.

The first will be "Arnold's March And The Canadian Campaign – 1775-1776" by Ralph J. Pollard, M.P.S. The other will be an article written by the Bicentennial Editorial Staff, and entitled "The Invasion Of Canada - A Cursory View."

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the Government House and Nassau town. They reembarked on 16 March with captured guns and supplies that were ultimately used by the Continental Army. Returning home on 6 April, ships under the command of Commodore Esek Hopkins * fought the first American naval battle. The American ships CABOT and ALFRED engaged the British frigate GLASGOW. However, Glasgow escaped but not without losses. The Marines had one officer, John Fitzpatrick, and six Marines killed. From April to December, the Marines were involved principally in actions carried out by the Continental Navy.

During December 1776, about 300 Marines, who had been organized into a battalion under Nicholas, then a Major, joined General Washington's Army prior to the Battle of TRENTON. The Marines remained on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware River as a reserve force during this battle. This was the first instance in which regular Marines served as a part of the Army. While serving with the Army, Marines provided both infantry and artillery personnel.

Another Marine Officer who served with Nicholas was Isaac Craig. * Craig was born near Hillsborough, County Down, northeastern coast of Ireland, in 1741 and emigrated to America in 1765. In November 1775, he was appointed First Lieutenant of Marines, and served on board ANDREW DORIA under Captain Nicholas Biddle (Navy). This vessel was a part of Commodore Esek Hopkins squadron which captured Forts Nassau and Montague.

When the ship returned to Philadelphia after many months in New England, Craig was commissioned a Captain of Marines in October 1776. In December 1776, when Major Nicholas' battalion went to Trenton, Craig followed as the Major's adjutant. In March 1777, he was commissioned a Captain of artillery under the command of Colonel Thomas Proctor.

Captain Isaac Craig was a Mason. The following is quoted from Alexander H. Morgan, History of Montgomery Lodge No. 19, F. and A.M. "When Colonel Proctor resigned from the Army he was succeeded in the Oriental Chair of Military Lodge No. 19 by General [Edward] Hand. In 1782, Captain Isaac Craig . . . became the W.M., and the Lodge was removed to Pittsburgh."

On 2 January 1777, Marines under the command of Major Nicholas participated in the second Battle of Trenton (Assunpink), where they were able to slip through enemy lines by the ruse of false campfires. On the next day, Major Nicholas, Captain William Shippin, and Captain William Brown led the Marines of their respective commands in the Battle of Princeton.

The combined forces under General Washington attacked the British flank and rear, scoring an impressive victory. Later, Major Nicholas' battalion accompanied General Washington's Army to its winter camp at Morristown, New Jersey, where it served through the severe winter months.

* These were Freemasons

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The Society is planning to send another bonus book to all its members. Two of our Fellows, Brothers Ronald E. Heaton and James R. Case, are preparing a digest of the early records of the Fredericksburg Lodge, "Washington's Mother Lodge." It is hoped the book can be mailed by the end of October.

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The Bicentennial Of The American Revolution

13. American Navies In Our War For Independence, 1775

by Richard Tutt, Jr.

The term "navies", plural, is used because there were several that functioned for the Colonies. To separate fact supported by dates from local traditions, legends, and fiction is no small task. It is doubtful if all of the heroic accomplishments of members of the Masonic Fraternity who served in these "Navies" have come to light. Often alleged Masonic membership cannot be substantiated.

Lines of distinction need be drawn between authorized American Navies, State Navies, and Privateering. Coordination between them was poor. At their beginning their purpose was to raid supply lines to British forces in America, thus increasing problems to maintain them here and to cripple their ability to fight.

Some of these "Navies" were dubbed by legend with these names: O'Brien's, George Washington's, * Continental, Ben Franklin's * (headquartered in Paris), Benedict Arnold's * (on Lake Champlain).

In the State Navies there were eleven Colonies that had their own fleets. Massachusetts' fleet was the most effective. Connecticut directed most of their vessels to procuring sulphur from the West Indies with which to make explosives.

Philadelphia merchants had a ship, the "Hyder Ally," Captain Barney, * to protect their trade in Delaware and Chesapeake Bays.

Privateering was the most lucrative of all. Privateers were given "Letters of Marque" by the authorities to any upright responsible American sea captain ready to fight. It drew a line of distinction between piracy and belligerents at war. One privateer the "PILGRIM" of Salem, Massachusetts, captured 25 prizes in 1782. The privateer "NANCY" Captain John Lee, Jr., * of Newbury, Massachusetts, captured 13 prizes in the early spring of 1776 which were taken into Bilbao, Spain, and sold. Lee was captured shortly thereafter and confined to Forton prison in England from which hell-hole he escaped by the aid of General Burgoyne upon his return to England following defeat and surrender at Saratoga. The long story is told in the Philalethes magazine, page 72, August 1969. Privateering crews secured more cash from prize money than they could receive in Navy pay.

To make some semblance of order it will be well to list these "naval" events in as near chronological order as possible, beginning June 1775. Keep in mind that in that era there were no telephones, telegraphs, nor radio. The spoken word and verbal orders had to be shouted through megaphones and the written word had to be carried by persons on foot, horseback, horse and wagon, or sailing vessels to destinations.

JUNE 1775

About June 1, 1775, the British frigate "MERLIN" replaced the

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The article - "American Navies In Our War For Independence," was written by the late Brother Richard Tutt, Jr., who died in July, 1974. He was a fifty-year member of Philanthropic Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Marblehead, Massachusetts, of the following York Rite Bodies Washington Chapter, (fifty-year member) Salem, Massachusetts; Hamburg Council No. 91, of New York and Kadosh Commandery No. 29, Philadelphia, as well as Jamestown Consistory, A.A.S.R., Jamestown, New York, and Ismalia Temple, A.A.O.N.M.S., at Buffalo, New York. He was a very active member of American Lodge of Research, and has written many articles for the Philalethes magazine, on early Colonial naval matters.

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British frigate "LIVELY" on station in Marblehead harbor to search all incoming vessels for contraband arms and ammunition being gathered by the Colonists. On June 6th the Glovers' schooner "HANNAH" (Captain Richard James) was sighted approaching the harbor on a return voyage from Barbados. A crowd of citizens lined the shore. As the "HANNAH" rounded Point Neck the Captain of the "MERLIN" sent an officer to meet her, ordered her to heave-to- and be searched. Brother Colonel John Glover, * her owner, went out to meet her. He ordered Captain James to keep right on going, right up to Gerry's Wharf to unload and pay no attention to the "MERLIN'S" officer's orders. "To hell with him!" Glover is said to have told Captain James, "You take your orders from me, only!" The "MERLIN'S Captain evidently sensed the hostility of the crowd on shore and did not dare to fire on the unarmed "HANNAH." The unloaded "HANNAH" went over to Beverly for safety at Glover's new wharf at the first favorable opportunity.

During this month of June 1775 Elbridge Gerry, Marblehead's fiery representative to the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts, presented a bill to that body, which had declared its independence from any authority of King George III's appointed governor the previous October, requesting the enactment of measures to establish a Navy, Courts of Admiralty and funds to maintain them. This bill was not acted upon at that time.

On June 12, 1775 Brother Captain Jeremiah O'Brien, * his brothers and brothers-in-law, (the Clan O'Brien) along with other irate citizens of Machias, Maine (then a part of Massachusetts) captured the British Sloop-of-War "MARGARETTA" off that port. This was the first instance that a vessel of the British Royal Navy struck her colors to anyone in the American Colonies. (See my story about Navy," page 38, Philalethes for April 1969.)

Exactly one month later, July 12, 1775, Orangeman's Day, the O'Brien Clan celebrated the Battle of the Boyne, by capturing two more British naval vessels, the "DILIGENCE" and "TAPANAGOUCHE" who were out gunning for them in the Bay of Fundy. The O'Briens had armed the schooners "UNITY " and "FALMOUTH PACKET" with guns taken from the captured "MARGARETTA." Thus three times in a row the British Royal Navy had struck its colors to the Clan O'Brien (O'Brien's Navy!) before any other American vessel had fired a shot. The Province of Massachusetts promptly made Brother O'Brien a Captain in their fleet of privateers. He had a glorious career and a miraculous escape from prison in England. Erin Go Bragh!

JULY 1775

In July 1775, Brother General Washington * from his headquarters in Cambridge wrote Governor Cooke of Rhode Island asking him to send an armed vessel to Bermuda with an appeal to the Bermudians to supply the Colonists with some ammunition stored on the Island. The "KATY" from Providence went on this mission, but it was too late, the powder had been removed.

AUGUST 1775

Brother Colonel Glover and Elbridge Gerry of Marblehead called on General Washington at Cambridge. They discussed the possibility of arming a fleet of local vessels, now idle, to hi-jack the British supply lines by sea coming into Boston where their troops were beseiged by the Colonist troops from the land side. (See my story "General Glover an Army and Navy Hem," page 54, Philalethes, June 1969.)

Glover's Marblehead Militia regiment of fishermen an d mariners, about 600 strong, well versed in handling firearms, were well qualified to carry out this task. General Washington, perhaps encouraged by what O'Brien had accomplished, thought well of the idea. He gave Glover orders to go ahead, authorized him to hire, fit-out, arm and man such a fleet as quickly as possible in the name of the United Colonies of North America. This fleet became known as "George Washington's Navy."

The first vessel was Glover's own, the heel-tapper schooner "HANNAH," mentioned earlier, seven other schooners were hired at the approximate rate of one dollar per ton per month (5 shillings, 4 pence). These vessels were the "FRANKLIN" (formerly "ELIZABETH" from Archibald Selman), "LEE" (former name uncertain, from Thomas Shepard) "LYNCH" (formerly "TWO BROTHERS" from John and Thomas Stevens), "HANCOCK" (formerly "SPEEDWELL" from Thomas Grant, the Captain of Company Ten in Glover's regiment) "WARREN" (formerly "HAWK" from John Twisden) all of Marblehead; the "HARRISON" and "WASHINGTON" at Plymouth.

SEPTEMBER 1775

The "HANNAH" commanded by Captain Nicholson Broughton of Marblehead with about 65 men from his Company Six in Glover's regiment, sailed from Glover's wharf in Beverly where she was fitted-out, September 5, 1775. Her career was short and the story is too long for this article.

OCTOBER 1775

On October 11, 1775 General Washington received orders from the Continental Congress at Philadelphia, to get two vessels to sea as quickly as possible to intercept two British brigs which had sailed from England in August with munitions for General Carleton at Quebec. As the "FRANKLIN" and "HANCOCK" were nearest ready for service Washington ordered, on October 16th 1775, Captain Broughton and his men from the "HANNAH" to the "HANCOCK," and Captain John Selman and his men from Company Four of Glover's regiment to the "FRANKLIN." He gave these Captains that same day sealed orders, not to be opened until out of sight of land, which ordered them to proceed to the St. Lawrence to intercept the British brigs enroute Quebec.

Now Silas Deane (Conn.), John Langdon (N.H.), and John Adams (Mass.) in the Congress and familiar with trans-Atlantic crossing times should have known better at that late date than to have directed General Washington to go after those vessels. By then they should have been unloaded at dockside Quebec. In turn General Washington should have discussed the situation with his Captains who could set him straight that it was too late to start such an expedition. In Congress Edward Rutledge of South Carolina knew the score and stated that the idea of attempting to capture the Quebec bound vessels was: "the most wild, visionary, mad project that had ever been imagined." However, orders are orders. The "FRANKLIN" and "HANCOCK" sailed about October 22nd, 1775. The whole story of this cruise is too long to tell here, but this part should be told:

While in the Gut-of-Canso they learned that recruiting to build up Carleton's forces at Quebec was going on at Charlottetown, Island of St. John (now Prince Edward Island). Broughton and Selman reached there November 17, 1775, spiked the cannon on the fort and took off Acting Governor Callbeck and Judge Wright as prisoners.

On their return to Washington's headquarters at Cambridge, to their chagrin, they learned that His Excellency had chosen to believe Callbeck's fantastic story of abuses, vandalism, and thievery during the raid. They, their seized property, and seven captured vessels were released. Selman and Broughton, without getting a hearing, were "chewed out" by His Excellency for exceeding orders and the mistreatment of "friendly" (?) Canadians. His Excellency's rude awakening came later after the debacle at Quebec.

NOVEMBER 1775

There is some confusion among historians as to the exact date that Congress passed a Naval Bill creating a Navy, Marine Corps, Courts of Admiralty and the necessary funds to operate. Massachusetts had not as yet passed Gerry's Bill. In August the Rhode Island Assembly resolved that an American fleet should be established. Congress passed a Naval Bill November 10, 1775, patterned after Gerry's bill in Massachusetts following political skirmishing between Southern and New England members. The Rhode Island resolve was passed on December 13, 1775. Congress ordered 13 ships be fitted for sea, five of 32 guns, five of 28 guns, and three of 24 guns, to be built from the keel up, average cost nearly 67 thousand dollars each.

The first of these ships was the Frigate "RALEIGH," 696 tons, 32 guns, launched at Portsmouth, N.H. May 21, 1776. Her keel had been laid at Rindge's Wharf March 21, 1776. Securing sails, armaments and crew was slow, difficult work. It was August 1777 before she was finally equipped and ready to sail. Her first captain was Brother Thomas Thompson. *

The "RALEIGH" sailed for France that month in company with the "ALFRED," 24 guns, a converted merchantman purchased in Philadelphia, now commanded by Captain Hinman. Her sister ship was the "RANGER" also built at Portsmouth and commanded by Brother John Paul Jones * who took her on a cruise from there November 1, 1777 carrying the news to France of Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga.

The "RALEIGH'S" cruise with the "ALFRED" captured several prizes and arrived in France the latter part of September 1777. They were ordered to return to Portsmouth via Senegal and the West Indies by our commissioners to France (Ben Franklin's Navy Orders). The "ALFRED" a slower ship was captured by the enemy. The "RALEIGH" reached Portsmouth April 1778.

On May 30, 1778 Capt. John Barry was assigned to command her and upon refitting sailed for Boston. Her last voyage for the Colonies started September 25, 1778. In a fierce battle she was captured, losing 26 men killed, 85 escaped, the rest taken prisoners. The British salvaged the partially sunken wreck and put her into their Navy where ironically she helped destroy her sister ship "RANGER" at Charleston, S.C. Among the "RALEIGH'S" officers were Brothers Thomas Thompson, * Captain; Josiah Shackford, * 2nd Lt.; Hopley Yeaton, * 4th Lt., Thomas Manning, * Master; John Adams, * Purser, and Stephen Meads, * 1st Lt. of Marines.

The Naval Committee of Congress in November had authorized the purchase of the following four ships in Philadelphia: "ALFRED" (formerly "BLACK PRINCE," Robert Morris owner, John Barry, Captain), the "COLUMBUS," "CABOT" and "ANDREW DORIA." This action and General Washington's "naval" activities were approved November 25, 1775.

As to a Marine Corps, in actuality though not technically authorized, we already had one (the Glover Regiment). Admiral Weakley said at the commissioning ceremonies of the U.S.S. "GLOVER" at Boston Naval Shipyard November 13, 1965:

"General Glover's amphibious regiment was made up of hearty sailing men from Marblehead. They made good seagoing infantrymen since they had learned the disciplines of the sea. When American fighting men engage in amphibious warfare, they are following in the wake of General Glover and his Marblehead sailor-soldiers. We call them Marines today."

November 29, 1775 Captain John Manly of Marblehead in the "LEE" of "Washington's Navy" captured a valuable cargo vessel, the British ship "NANCY" at the mouth of Boston Harbor. He became Washington's "fair-haired" boy for this achievement.

DECEMBER 1775

On December 2, 1775 the Naval Committee of Congress was directed to employ the "KATY" enroute from Providence to Philadelphia. She was renamed the "PROVIDENCE" and her command given to John Hazard. On December 22, 1775 the Naval Committee submitted to Congress the names of Esek Hopkins, * Commander-in-Chief of the Fleet, Captains Dudley Saltonstall to the "ALFRED," Abraham Whipple to the "COLUMBUS," Nicholas Biddle to the "ANDREW DORIA," John Burroughs Hopkins to the "CABOT." Also appointed were five First Lieutenants, five Second Lieutenants, and three Third Lieutenants.

This new fleet started the "Continental Navy."

(The story of the Navies in the American Revolution will be continued in future issues - Editor. )

REFERENCES

Jack Coggins, Ships and Seamen of the American Revolution. (1969)

C. Keith Wilbur, Picture Book of the Revolution's Privateers. (1973)

Gardner W. Allen, A Naval History of the American Revolution. (1962)

William B. Clark, Ben Franklin's Privateers. (1956)

Sir William M. James, The British Navy in Adversity; a study of the War of American Independence. (1926)

Edgar S. Maclay, A History of American Privateers. (1924)

Alfred T. Mahan The Major Operations of the Navies in the War of American Independence. (1913)

Charles O. Paullin, The Navy of the American Revolution. (1906)

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The Bicentennial Of The American Revolution - Two Attractive Flags

During the American Revolution the use and significance of FLAGS reached a high pitch of excitement and interest. As noted in an earlier article, the "Bunker Hill" flag was symbolic of the spirit of the colonists, and from that time forward, we find many types and representations of banners that speak patriotic endeavor.

A glance through the Bible or the pages of history will convince one that the flag is not a modern invention; the Greeks, the Romans, the Egyptians and even the American Indians had their insignia.

David, one of the greatest kings that ever ruled over Israel, is quoted in Holy Writ as addressing the Lord, saying:

"Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth" - meaning that it may be lifted up because of the truth or the truth which it represented or embodied.

Thomas Carlyle said - "It is in a through symbol that man consciously or unconsciously lives, moves and has his being." What is true of an individual is true of a nation; as a nation we live, and move and have our being in the truths the flag represents and displays. The American flag has no associations of heraldry, of castles, of ancient tradition, of legion or myth, but the truths which it displays are the essentials of brotherhood, of Masonry, of humanity and of suitable international relationship.

The Pine Tree Flag

The Pine Tree Flag, which was a favorite with the officers of the American privateers, had a white field with a green pine tree in the middle, and bore the motto - "An Appeal To Heaven." The flag was officially endorsed by the Massachusetts Council, which in April, 1776, passed a series of resolutions providing for the regulation of the sea service among which was the following:

"Resolved - That the uniform of the officers be green and white, and that they furnish themselves accordingly, and that the colors be a white flag with a green pine tree and the inscription, "An Appeal To Heaven," and at other times "Don't Tread on Me."

The Rattlesnake Flag

The device of a rattlesnake was popular among the colonists, and its origin as an American emblem is a curious feature in our national history. It has been stated that its use grew out of a humorous suggestion made by a writer in Franklin's paper - "The Pennsylvania Gazette" - that, in return for the wrongs which England was forcing upon the colonists, a cargo of rattlesnakes should be sent to the mother country, and "distributed in St. Jame's Park, Spring Garden and other places of pleasure."

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Gerald D. Foss

Named Fellow

Gerald D. Foss, for many years Grand Historian, and now Grand Historian-Emeritus of the Grand Lodge, F. & A. M. of New Hampshire, has been elected a Fellow of the Society, in the vacancy existing because of the death of the late Dr. Francis J. Scully, F.P.S., according to an announcement just made by Conrad Hahn, F.P.S., chairman of the Fellow's committee of the Society.

A member and past Master of St. John's Lodge No. 1, Portsmouth, a member of the Royal Arch Chapter and of the Council, R. & S. M., a 33rd degree member of the Scottish Rite, a Blue Friar, and holder of John Sullivan medal, Jeremy L. Cross medal, DeMolay Legion of Honor and DeMolay Cross of Honor, Brother Foss has made substantial contributions to the Craft, both in research and in literature.

Editor for many years of the small Trestleboard of St. John's Lodge No. 1, this publication is recognized as one of the most interesting and cumulative historical journals of the country. Each issue has something unusual and striking in its pages.

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What’s In A Name ?

By Ernest C. Kegley, M.P.S.

M.W. Brother Harry Truman always signed his name Harry S. Truman, and it was always a puzzle as to what the S. stood for. Many, if not most of us, decided it had no meaning but was just an initial to help complete the signature as was the case with Francis X. Bushman, but research reveals that there really might have been a middle name originally at least.

His biography in the World Almanac and Book of Facts published for the Akron Beacon Journal (Ohio) 1974 tells us that: an ancestor on one side of the family was named Shippe - on the other side of the family was Solomon Young. A family disagreement over what the name really was, resulted in his choosing only the initial S.

In his biography "Harry S. Truman" by his daughter Margaret - we have excerpted the following - regarding his taking of the oath of office - being administered by Chief Justice Harlan F. Stone after the death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

"Chief Justice Stone began – I, Harry Shippe Truman - Dad raised his right hand and responded: 'I Harry S. Truman do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States!' "So help you God," added Chief Justice Stone, indicating his own deep emotion. These words are not a part of the official oath, but they were used by George Washington when he took his first oath of office. "So help me God" said Dad and solemnly raised the Bible to his lips. This too was something George Washington had done."

This is the story, and as most all Masons revere the memory of this M.W. Illustrious and eminent Mason at the opening of our Bicentennial when a rededication to patriotism is so urgently needed - "we thought you'd like to know."

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A Masonic Book A Month Club

By Hugh A. Cole, M.P.S.

While riding down the highway with Alphonse Cerza one day, he described a way in which brethren might each have an opportunity to read several good Masonic books - all for the cost of just one of them! There seemed sufficient merit for me to attempt it in my own lodge. I typed out a notice for the lodge bulletin board that read briefly, "READ MANY BOOKS FOR THE COST OF ONLY ONE BOOK! Subscribe to the Masonic Book a Month Club: You first help select the books, the total cost of the books to be procured divided by the number subscribing will determine the cost to each member - roughly the cost of one of the books selected! We desire twelve subscribers. If you are interested please enter your name and address on the sign-up sheet attached.

"As a subscriber, once all books are chosen and procured, you will receive an assigned book to read at the beginning of the month. You will have the entire month in which to read the book. At the end of the month you will be instructed to whom you are to pass the book for reading during the second month. An assigned brother will bring you a new book to read during the second month. He will be informed to pass the book to you promptly at the beginning of the month so you will lose no time having it available to read! The cycle will repeat for the twelve successive months allowing each of the twelve club members one month in which to have read each of the twelve books circulating among them.

"In the meantime, should any member lose, destroy, or dispose of one of the books temporarily in his possession, he assumes responsibility for having it promptly replaced at his expense. Should any member drop out of the club during the twelve months the books will continue to circulate by-passing the member. However, at the conclusion of the circulation period each member shall be entitled to become permanent owner of one of the books, even though he has dropped out prior to the conclusion of the period.

"At the conclusion of the circulation period of twelve months, the club members will meet and bring the books to the meeting. The title of each book will be written on a slip of paper and placed in a container. Each of the club members will draw one slip from the container determining which of the books he becomes permanent owner. He may keep the book, donate it to his lodge library, give it to a friend as a gift, donate it to a school or public library or dispose of it as he chooses - it is his book!"

Next, I proceeded to review Al Cerza's book reviews in various publications. I read the book listings in various Masonic catalogues. From these I compiled a listing of 32 potential book choices, their price, by whom sold, and a brief description which I reproduced and distributed among the brethren signed up as subscribers to the Masonic Book a Month Club. Should you try this suggestion in your lodge and receive more than twelve subscribers, I suggest you organize two or more clubs of twelve members each, or another club having the less-than-twelve overflow from the first twelve to sign up.

One page of the listing distributed contained a tear-off portion on which the member might circle his twelve choices of the books he would most prefer to read. The members all returned these sheets to me and I tabulated the results. The twelve books receiving the most votes become the books to be procured and circulated within the club. Now should the votes result in many receiving the same number of votes, it may be necessary to re-circulate the names of the books tied and allow the club members to break the ties by re-voting for those within the ties. In any event twelve books chosen must some how be determined.

That chore out of the way, the club members were asked to write their choice for the office of treasurer and secretary on slips of paper. These were gathered and tallied, determining who should collect the divided sum from each club member, and spend it for the books. The club secretary has the responsibility to send in the orders together with the treasurer's checks or money orders to procure the books. The secretary also should prepare a listing for circulating the books.

Each club member receives an assigned book from the secretary to read during the first month. At the end of the first month the sheet shows to whom each member is to pass their book for reading during the next month. They always follow in the same order receiving a book from one brother and passing a book to another brother - but they are always the same brothers.

Across the top of the sheet might be marked the names of the months beginning with the month in which the books began circulating (as July, August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April and May.) Under the first listed month - July in the illustration above opposite the first named club member enter the number of the first book. Opposite the second named club member enter the number of the second book, etc., so that the last named club member would have book 12 entered opposite his name. This assumes the secretary previously marked the club name and a number one through twelve inside each of the chosen and procured books to begin with! Opposite each name listed should be also entered - the club member's name to whom he is to pass his book at the end of each month. It will thus indicate to each club member from whom they will also receive a book at the end of each month.

There must also be an allowance for sales tax, postage, stationery and envelopes, and postage with which to send out the orders. This total amount divided by the twelve subscribing club members determines the amount which each of the club members must pay into the club before it can begin acquiring the books. Obviously, each pays the same amount regardless of which book and its cost he becomes ultimate owner of in the end!

Some club members may wish to purchase for their own possession, one or more of the books eliminated in the selection of the books to be procured. In that event they may order and pay for the book or books they desire to own, making their own transaction with the source for the books. Once the twelve books have circulated among the club members for the twelve month period and the books have become the permanent possession of one of the club members, each club member will own one of the twelve books - there are just enough to go around, no more and no less!

What joy this plan holds for the shut-in brethren! What stimulation this plan holds for the newly-made Mason!

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Casanova and Freemasonry

By Allen Cabaniss, M.P.S.

It may seem inept to join the name of Giacomo Casanova and the institution of Freemasonry in the s am e sentence. Yet in his Memoirs he claimed:

At Lyons a respectable person . . . obtained for me the favor of being initiated into the sublime rudiments of Freemasonry. When I reached Paris, I was a simple Apprentice; but several months afterwards I became a Fellow and Master. (1)

There is no reason to doubt his assertion, which was for the year 1750. Born in Venice in 1725, he became at the age of fifteen a churchman in Minor Orders. In 1742 he received, according to his own statement, the degree of doctor of laws at Padua. Already his amorous promiscuity had begun, as well as his habitual wandering from place to place. Always bright and inquisitive, gifted with a retentive memory, he was a favorite in any company for his sparkling and witty conversation. Living by ingratiating himself into the confidence of wealthy men and women, and by gambling, he was a typical dilettante of the age.

In the course of his life Casanova became acquainted with Rousseau, Frederick II of Prussia, Francis I of Austria, Tsarina Catherine the Great, Voltaire, the charlatan Cagliostro, the weird impersonator D'Eon, popes and cardinals, the poet Metastasio, the librettist Da Ponte (who wrote the words for Mozart's Don Giovanni), Mozart himself. All the while he kept notes that would serve his later purposes. Periodically in trouble with the law, he was jailed several times, once in his home city of Venice. From the latter prison he escaped and commemorated the event in a segment of his memoirs separately published during his lifetime.

In 1785, at the age of sixty, he became librarian for Count Waldstein at Dux in Bohemia, where he remained until his death in 1798. It was there that he penned his prolific writings, including a play, a novel, letter after letter, and above all his memoirs down to the year 1774. His notoriety rests on the last, which in the latest English translation constitute twelve volumes.

It is entirely possible that Casanova was not the only person of his kind to be drawn to Masonry. As a matter of fact the doughty old Benjamin Franklin can be mentioned along with him. But the question remains, was there an inner attraction between the order and those men? A partial answer may be supplied by looking at an authoritative Masonic book contemporary with Casanova and Franklin, namely, Laurence Dermott's Ahiman Rezon (1756). In it are at least six passages in verse, three songs and three "epilogues," that have a distinctly rakish Casanovan ring. They do not appear in James Anderson's Constitutions of the Free-Masons . . . (1723) or in William Preston's Illustrations of Masonry ( 1772).

The first one, sung by a Mason's daughter. declares

None shall untie my Virgin Zone,

But one to whom the Secret's known,

Of fam 'd Free-masonry . . . (2)

The second, for "all the Female Friends of Free-Masons," reads thus:

'Tis they who give the chiefest Delight;

Tho' Wine cheers the Mind,

And Masonry's Kind

These keep us in Transport all Night.... (3)

The third is addressed "To each charming Fair and faithful She,/That loves the Craft of Masonry." (4)

Of the three epilogues, the first, "Spoken by Mrs. THURMOND a Mason's Wife," declares

Ye married Ladies ‘tis a happy Life,

Believe me, that of a Freeman's Wife.

Tho' they conceal the Secrets of their Friends

In Love and Truth they make us full Amends. (5)

The second, "Spoken by Mrs. BELLAMY," expresses fear for her husband at his initiation that "He must some dreadful Operation bear;/But he return'd to satisfy each Doubt,/ And brought Home ev'rything he carried out . . ." (6) The third asserts:

None will defraud the Brethren of their Wages;

None will transgress the Laws of Common-Sense

Which gives both Sexes due Benevolence;

A Mason's full reward then do not grudge,

Since every Mason is your humbIe

Drudge .... (7)

Those doggerels, however harmless, did not help the reputation of the fraternity any more than did the drinking songs, such as, "As I at Wheeler's Lodge one Night, Kept Bacchus Company; For Bacchus is a Mason bright" (8) or "We'll be free and merry, Drink Port and Sherry" (9) or "Let ev'ry Man take Glass in Hand, Drink Bumpers to our Master Grand" 'a or "Come Boys let us more Liquor get, Since jovially we are met." (11)

It might seem that such a person as Casanova would have nothing to offer by way of Masonic lore. Yet in the passage cited in the first paragraph he confirmed that by mid-eighteenth century Freemasonry was definitely divided into three grades. No one knows exactly when, after 1717, that took place, but Casanova provided firm information for his era. Nor is that all: he proceeded then to mention "all the other degrees that I took later." (12) Thus by his day proliferation of degrees beyond the third was in full sway. Casanova stated further that they were indeed pleasant and symbolic inventions. (13) But he did not refer to them in the usual French manner as "high" degrees. To him "the highest degree in Freemasonry" was that of Master Mason and nothing could add to its sublimity. (14) It is not known whether at this time and place the third degree included the Royal Arch, but presumably it did, if we may judge from the English experience.

Although his initiation occurred a dozen years after Clement XII's bull In eminenti, condemning Masonry, it is worth noting that Casanova never repudiated the Roman church or surrendered his position in Minor Orders. In fact he was destined to be recipient of the papal Order of the Golden Spur. In 1752, the year after Benedict XIV confirmed the condemnation in his bull Providas, Casanova sat in a Parisian lodge with another clergyman named Braneaforte who was, when he next met him at Bologna in 1772, a cardinal and papal legate. (15)

Scapegrace though he was, Casanova had high regard for Freemasonry and its universality. He therefore advised well born young men who wanted to travel and come in contact with good society to seek initiation in a reputable Masonic lodge, "even if it is only to know superficially what Freemasonry is ….. " (16)

It does seem strange that Casanova should have been so impressed with Masonry, yet he wrote warmly and kindly of the order. Perhaps it was his intense inquisitiveness that attracted him to it. "Mystery," he said, "is the essence of human nature. Whatever is presented to people under mysterious guise will always arouse curiosity. It will be sought even if men are convinced that the veil really covers nothing." (17)

He must have been aware of so-called exposes of Masonic secrets or of carping criticisms of the craft, when he referred to "those unscrupulous ones who have disclosed what is done in the lodge" where everything should be held in secrecy. (18) "They would not have revealed the mystery of the ceremonies," if they had any serious knowledge of what was essential, but obviously they did not. (19) He was aware that there were persons who joined a Masonic lodge from idle curiosity about its secrets. If such were the case they ran a risk of growing old "without ever achieving their purpose." For those persons were concerned only with externals, such as words and signs. Others hoped to arrive at the secret by piling degree upon degree, supposing that there was an ultimate degree, a ne plus ultra, in which all would be made plain. That too, wrote Casanova, was a serious mistake. (20)

Yet there was a secret, one so inviolable that it could never be "confided or whispered to anyone." If a man ever arrived at it, he could not entrust it to anyone, not even to his closest Masonic friend. He knew that if his friend had not found it for himself, "he could make no use of it even after it had been whispered in his ear." (21) It is significant that similar language is employed in both American rites, York and Scottish, in the Royal Arch of the former and the thirty-second of the latter.

Yet, to repeat, there was (and is) a secret and Casanova made some penetrating comments about it. "The man who guesses Freemasonry's secret," he wrote, "and to know it you will have to guess it, reaches that stage" by four steps. (22) (a) By long attendance at lodges. He must become familiar with the work of Masonry, its ritual, constitution, charges, charities, and other activities by diligent attention to its practices. (b) By deep thought. Much Masonic verbiage was even then archaic. So much encyclopedia knowledge, tradition, teachings, and morality were presented in hurried, compendious, summary fashion that they were not transparent on the surface. They required profound research and analysis to plumb the heights and depths. (c) By comparison. Pedagogically Casanova was correct. One learns by contrasts and similarities more often than by simple exposition. (d) By deduction. A person may be offered certain propositions, but he must reach his own conclusions.

Again pedagogically it is better for one to draw his own inferences based on a presentation, rather than to have than given to him in a cut-and-dried manner. He is a freer man when he arrives at his own solutions to anything, whether it is in Freemasonry or anything else. So we can learn even from Casanova.

NOTES

1. Adapted from The Memoirs of Jacques Casonova de Seingalt, trans. Arthur Machen (New York: Putnam’s 1959), 11, 98.

2. Laurence Dermott Ahimon Rezon: or, A Help to a Brother . . (Bloomington, Ill.: Masonic Book Club, 1972, a facsimile reprint of the 1756 London edition), 116f.

3 Ibid., 117f.

4 Ibid., 139f.

5 Ibid., 195f.

6 Ibid., 196f.

7 Ibid., 198-200

8 Ibid., 111

9 Ibid., 126

10 Ibid., 127.

11 Ibid., 139.

12 Casanova, Memoirs (as cited in note 1 above), II, 98

13 Ibid.

14 Ibid.

15 Ibid., Vl, 501.

16 Ibid., II, 99.

17 Ibid.

18 Ibid., 11, 100.

19 Ibid.

20 Ibid.

21 Ibid.

22 Ibid.

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The 1976 Masonic Workshop Will Be Different

It is the UNUSUAL which attracts attention, and those who are planning to attend the 1976 Masonic Workshop in Washington, D.C., on February 20, 1976 will witness one of the most striking and spectacular presentations that we have ever had the privilege of sponsoring.

By action of the Executive Committee, a well known producer of Masonic sIide lectures, Eugene H. Kelchner, M.P.S., has been invited to be the Chairman of the 1976 Masonic Workshop and to prepare and present a special slide and sound program on the Bicentennial - in lieu of and entirely different from the usual PANEL of papers and general discussion.

"Freemasonry and the American Revolution, a Bicentennial Cavalcade," featuring between one and two hundred colorful transparencies, accompanied by fife and drum corps selections and other appropriate music of the Revolutionary period will stimulate interest in our history and development, and this theme will be the focus of action by which the 1976 Masonic Workshop will tell the story of Masonic involvement in American history.

This "Masonic pilgrimage" to our Revolutionary storyland will have a three-fold thrust. First, it will provide an illustrated chronological narrative of the Revolutionary War and its main battles. Secondly, as it unfolds, it will display an album of portraits and action scenes involving the prominent Freemasons who fought on both sides. Third, it will, at the same time, show the historic monuments and shrines that today mark some of the places where the great events of our Freedom took place.

R.W. Brother Kelchner, a past Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, discovering that the largest fraternity in the world had hardly any audio-visual programs relating to the Craft and its history and influence, decided that he would do something about it. And, lacking funds to produce movies, began with slide lectures.

Since that time he has been making an average of 120 presentations a year for a grand total of nearly 1,000 such presentations, to Masonic groups from Canada to Florida and from Chicago to Boston, an amazing record of dedication to Freemasonry.

R.W. Brother Kelchner is a past Master of Ionic Lodge No. 94, Camden, New Jersey, a member of each of the York Rite bodies, the Shrine and speaker for the Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Enlightenment. A past presiding officer of Excelsior Consistory, A.A.S.R., he is also the Librarian of the Society of Sts. John, a Lay Preacher and speaker for churches of various denominations, and "1956 New Jersey Lutheran Man of the Year." He has been active in many civic and community affairs.

The 1976 meetings in the Nation's Capital will be different. Because of the Bicentennial events, the four Conferences (Conference of Grand Masters in North America, Conference of Grand Secretaries, George Washington Masonic National Memorial and the Masonic Service Association) will hold their meetings at the Ben Franklin Hotel in Philadelphia beginning on February 15, and terminating February 18. The meetings in Washington will be held, as usual, at the Washington Hotel, starting with the Masonic Workshop on February 20, and ending with the meetings on Sunday, February 22.

Prior to the Masonic Workshop meeting on February 20, the Executive Committee of the Philalethes Society will hold its annual meeting, reviewing the status of activity for the past year, and planning work and involvement for the coming year. Reports will be given by the officers, the Editors of the Philalethes magazine, and the several committees appointed to serve the Society. These meetings should be interesting and instructive to those who are in attendance.

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Prince Edwin, 926 A.D. - Our First 'Speculative Mason

By Alex Home, F.P.S.

Our first historically-recorded "Speculative Masons" only began coming in mostly at the beginning of the seventeenth century. For example, in June, 1600, John Boswell, the Laird of Auchinleck, (believed to have been an ancestor of the James Boswell who wrote the biography of Dr. Johnson), is found to have signed his name and "made his mark" at a meeting of the Lodge of Edinburgh - the first record of its kind, but probably not the earliest, or there would surely have been more notice taken of the event.

Twenty years later, we found an Account Book noting the names of some non-Operative "Accepted Masons" of the London Masons Company - a Guild of working Masons who nevertheless took in and "accepted" non-Operatives, of whom Elias Ashmole (initiated 1646) is probably the most famous of those later "summoned" to attend one of the London meetings. He was an antiquary, a Rosicrucian and Alchemist, who founded the still-existing Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, the first and probably the finest of its kind, and of which his own collection of antiquities formed the nucleus.

There was Quarter-master General Sir Robert Moray, of Scotland, the first to be initiated in a regular but Scottish Lodge on English soil, at Newcastle, in 1641 (during some military confrontation between the two nations).

There was Randle Holme, III, a Herald and antiquary, Deputy Garter for several counties, a famous writer of antiquarian manuscripts, now in the British Museum. And of course there were others, all of them more or less famous and outstanding in their fields.

Ashmole, for instance, had written a History of the Noble Order of the Garter; Moray became the first President of the Royal Society, and is said to lie buried in Westminster Abbey, along with the other "greats."

Sir Christopher Wren was the King's Surveyor and Chief Architect to Charles II, and it was he who rebuilt most of the burned-out city of London after the disastrous Fire of 1666, redesigned and rebuilt St. Paul's Cathedral and numerous other lesser churches (remember your Forever Amber?) He was a self-taught architect of note, a mathematician and inventor of scientific instruments, and Professor of Astronomy - a modern "Leonardo da Vinci" showing excellence in so many varied fields. He is believed to have been Master of the oldest Lodge in England, the still-existing and highly respected Lodge of Antiquity, one of the four old Lodges that created the first Grand Lodge in 1717. And so it goes.

It had probably been their interest in the antiquities and perhaps the symbolism associated with ecclesiastical edifices (especially during the Gothic period) that had prompted these outstanding personalities to join themselves in association with working stonemasons, with the hope of perhaps adding to their knowledge in extraneous intellectual fields. A little later, around the time of the formation of our first Grand Lodge, the Rev. Wm. Stukely, M.D., actually recorded in his Diary that "his curiosity led him to be initiated into the mysteries of Masonry, suspecting it to be the remains of the mysterys of the antients." And it is possible, says our "Father of Masonic History," R.F. Gould (author of the five-volume History of Freemasonry), that Elias Ashmole - considering his interest in Rosicrucian philosophy - "was influenced by very similar feelings, which he satisfied in the same way."

This illustrates and corroborates much of what Brother Edward M. Selby has demonstrated in his excellent article, "The Word in Masonic Ritual," in the June issue.

But all this is within the modern historical time-frame, when written records of one kind or another were capable of giving us dependable information. But when we begin to delve into the misty region of legend and tradition, we find ourselves pushed as far back as the tenth century A.D., for indications of a purely "speculative" Mason. This was Prince Edwin, half-brother to King Athelstan, who was the first to become the King of all England, at a time when the land was still divided into numerous little kingdoms, fighting among themselves for supremacy.

This Athelstan figures prominently in all our Old Charges of the Operative Masons - those ancient documents that established the written Constitutions of the British Masons, describing the reciprocal relationship between Apprentice and Master, the rules of polite and moral behaviour, the practical requirements and customs of the mason trade, and of good citizenship and religious fidelity, and containing, withal, a traditional "history" of the art of building - which they considered to be synonymous with Geometry - going back to Euclid, the Tower of Babel, and King Solomon's Temple. This may have been legendary and non-historical to some extent, according to our modern conceptions, but it represented the limited and frequently erroneous knowledge of earlier days.

The earliest of these Old Charges is now known as the Begins MS., believed to have been written (in rhyme) about 1390 A.D., but improperly catalogued at one time - and therefore misplaced and overlooked - in the King's Library, and not rediscovered and recognized in its rightful character and importance till 1840 - by a non-Masonic antiquary, J.O. Halliwell (and hence called for a time the Halliwell Poem), and it now rests in the British Museum. It tells the story of the art of building, as previously stated, and of the introduction of Operative Freemasonry into England, up to Athelstan's time. And here begins our story.

In a somewhat later version of these OId Charges - now known as the Cooke MS., and written about 1410-20, we are introduced to a "youngest son" of King Athelstan; mistakenly, it turns out, as the king was never married and had no son, according to our best historians. But in a still later version, the prototype of which may have appeared about 1500 A.D., this so-called "son" is given a name - Edwin - and the story now unfolds in all its details, repeated time and again (with some variations) in all the various versions that have come down to us.

In the earliest of these versions (the Cooke MS.) that makes reference to the "son" - but so far unnamed - the story is told this-wise, in "modernized" English:

"And after that was a worthy King in England that was called Athelstan; and his youngest son loved well the Science of Geometry. And he knew well that [no] hand-craft had the practice of the Science of Geometry so well as Masons; wherefore he drew him to counsel [with them], and learned [the] practice of that Science [in addition] to his speculative, for of speculative he was a Master. And he loved well Masonry and Masons, and he became a Mason himself," etc.

This is the first time that we meet with the word "speculative" in our ancient documents (spelled speculatyf in the original), and our experts have endeavoured to determine precisely what it was intended to mean at the time of writing.

Knoop, Jones, and Hamer, in their analysis and commentary on The Two Earliest Masonic Manuscripts, point out that the equivalent Latin speculative "is identical in meaning with contemplative and philosophic, the speculative or contemplative branches of learning." And Addison, writing in the Spectator (1711) draws a distinction between a purely speculative and an operative member of a trade or profession, when he tells us that "I have made myself a speculative statesman, soldier, merchant, and artisan, without ever meddling with any practical part of life." But Edwin, obviously, liked to "meddle" with both.

And Dr. Mackey reminds us, in his Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, that "the word Speculative is used by Freemasons in its primary sense as symbolic, or theoretical, when opposed to Operative," and that the Cooke MS. actually "makes use of the word in this technical connection," when it points to Edwin, who was a "Master of speculative," but thought it well to learn the "practice" of Operative Masonry "in addition to his speculative." So that when we say, that "our ancient brethren wrought in Operative as well as in Speculative Masonry" (Iowa Monitor), we are harking back to an ancient tradition, of which Prince Edwin, in the tenth century, was the forerunner.

The story in the Cooke MS. now goes on to say that this so-called "son" of Athelstan "purchased a free patent of the King" - a sort of Charter - "that they should make an Assembly when they saw reasonable time," and it is believed that this first Assembly worked up a set of "Charges," consisting of a number of "Articles" and "Points", constituting our first Masonic Constitution.

A somewhat later version, of about 1500-1550 A.D., which now identifies the city of York as having been the locale for this first Assembly, and gives Edwin a name, further elaborates the story to declare that he made proclamation that all who had any knowledge of the writings or customs of the Craft should bring them forth, and some were found to be in French, some in Greek, some in English and other languages, and - in the language of the period - "he did make a booke thereof, and how the science (of Masonry) was founded. And he himself bad and commanded that it should be readd or tould, when that any Mason should be made, for to give him his Charge" - which may probably be the origin for our present practice of delivering a Charge to the Candidate at the end of each Degree.

This, in essence, is the famous YORK LEGEND, about which so much comment has been made in our Masonic literature during the past one hundred years, revolving around this tenth century Prince Edwin, our traditional first Speculative Mason.

Various versions of these Old Charges came, in subsequent years, to be read to "new Masons," in Operative times, as well as being used to regularize the proceedings of the Lodges who "made" them, in the style of our present-day Warrants or Charters. A large collection of these many versions - some one hundred and fifteen or so - have now come to be known, but many others, once known to have been in existence, have unfortunately been lost, some of them to perhaps recovered prayerfully in time to come. One such - the Graham MS., giving an early version of what later turned into the Hiramic Legend - was actually recovered only as recently as 1936.

These Old Charges finally came to be recast - in what was called "a new and better method" - by the Rev. Dr. James Anderson, by authority of the Duke of Wharton, Grand Master, and was published in 1723 under the prolix title of "The CONSTITUTIONS . . . of the Right Worshipful FRATERNITY of Accepted Free MASONS; collected from their general RECORDS, and their faithful TRADITIONS of many Ages. To be read at the Admission of a NEW BROTHER ...." This was altered, in the 1738 edition, to "The CONSTITUTIONS . . . of the Free and Accepted MASONS ...." thus combining the "Freemasons" of the ancient Operative period, with the "Accepted" Masons of the later Speculatives. The figure "926", in the title of this article - for the date of the first Assembly, with Edwin sitting as "Grand Master," - Anderson himself added, probably out of his own prolific imagination, as it has no historical basis, either for the date, or the alleged Grand-Mastership.

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Welcome To

New Members

DONALD MAYNARD ROBEY, 100 East Walnut Street, Arlington, Virginia 22301. Recommended by Stewart M. L. Pollard, M.P.S.

JOHN A. ANDERSON, 1916 Cosby Street, Highland Springs, Virginia 23075. Recommended by William E. Copenhaver, M.P.S.

JAMES R. MARKLE, SR., 2509 Raleigh Drive, York, Pennsylvania 17402. Recommended by David S. Nagle, M.P.S.

ROBERT A. PERRY, Route 5, Newton, Iowa 50208. Recommended by J.E. Marsengill, F.P.S.

CARL REMLEY HAMRICK, 445 Fort Avenue, Keyser, West Virginia 26726. Recommended by Raymond D. Reel, M.P.S.

DENNIS LANE SHREVE, Rte. No. 1, Box 171, Keyser, West Virginia 26726. Recommended by Raymond D. Reel, M.P.S.

LAWRENCE F. GRAYSON, 4300 Wakonda Prkwy., Des Moines, Iowa 50315. Recommended by J. E. Marsengill, F.P.S.

STEPHEN THOMAS AARLI, 921-11th Street, Rockford, Illinois 61108. Recommended by Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S.

DAVID R. FOSTER, 1004 McKinley Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50315. Recommended by J.E. Marsengill, F.P.S.

FRED DICE MOOMAU, 119 James Street, Keyser, West Virginia 26726. Recommended by Raymond D. Reel, M.P.S.

DALE NORMAN LEMAIRE, 350 'E' Street, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401. Recommended by A.W. Griffith, M.P.S.

KERMIT ANDREW JACOBSON, 417 Ninita Parkway, Pasadena, California 91106. Recommended by Eugene S. Hopp, F.P.S.

MORRIS C. HURD, 209 Main Street, Ida Grove, Iowa 51445. Recommended by John Harris Watts, M.P.S.

WAYNE REDMOND ANGSTROM, 355 Teddy Avenue, Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17601. Recommended by John Black Vrooman, F.P.S.

EARL H. ROBISON, 303 E Street, Keyser, West Virginia 26726. Recommended by Raymond D. Reel, M.P.S.

DR. ISAIAH ALONZO WILES, 272 Richland Dr., Morgantown, West Virginia 26505. Recommended by Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S.

LYNN JUDSON SANDERSON, 342 Spinney Street, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801. Recommended by Gerald D. Foss, M.P.S.

FRANK ARNOLD HOTT, 149 South Main Street, Keyser, West Virginia 26726. Recommended by Raymond D. Reel, M.P.S.

WILLIAM HERMAN STEMPER, JR., 527 Riverside Drive, New York, New York 10027. Recommended by Executive Committee.

G. GLENWOOD BROWN, 10 Meadow Lane, Bridgeport, West Virginia 26330. Recommended by Raymond D. Reel, M.P.S.

PAUL STANLEY KRASLEY, Deep Creek Farm, Perkimenville, Pennsylvania 18074. Recommended by David J. Godschall, M.P.S.

SALVATORE VICTOR CONTI, 3727 Essex Street, Santa Barbara, California 93105. Recommended by Albert Brotherton, M.P.S.

WILLIAM LUTTON, JR., 815 West 104th Place, Los Angeles, California 90044. Recommended by Ralph Herbold, M.P.S.

WILLIAM FAROE BOND, Jr., 20 Roslyn Circle, Aiken, South Carolina 29801. Recommended by James D. Penley, Jr., M.P.S.

LOYD HERBERT SUMMERS, JR., 1545 W. 1750 N. Layton, Utah 84041. Recommended by Frad W. Banz, M.P.S.

LESTER HAROLD BOUGHTON, 3421 West 41st Street, Los Angeles, California 90008. Recommended by Ralph A. Herbold, M.P.S.

CHARLES E. COOK, 2792 Friar Dr., Parma, Ohio 44134. Recommended by Joseph E. Bennett, M.P.S.

H. GLENN LEWIS, 1014 Owen Road, Martinsville, Va. 24112. Recommended by Earl Snyder, M.P.S.

NORMAN KARL CARELIUS, 1318 McQuarrie Ave., Nelson, B.C., Canada V1L 1B7. Recommended by Franklin J. Anderson, F.P.S.

WILLIAM ARNOLD LANGFORD, 1029 6th Avenue, Columbus, Georgia 31901. Recommended by Fred H. Crouch, Jr., M.P.S.

WILLIAM JONES WILLIAMS, 32531 Caribbean Dr., Laguna Nigel, California 92677. Recommended by Dr. Eugene S. Hopp, F.P.S.

CHARLES MAXWELL BERG, 208 South Crescent Dr., Beverly Hills, California 90212. Recommended by John R. Nocas, M.P.S.

THOMAS JEFFERSON BURNETT, JR., 12014 Tall Oaks Rd., Houston, Texas 77024. Recommended by Dr. George H. T. French, M.P.S.

ANTON THEODORE KAUFFMAN, 1002 - 15th Avenue, Lewiston, Idaho 83501. Recommended by Eugene S. Hopp, F.P.S.

EDWARD CECIL PURPLES, 2400 East Second Street No. 101, Long Beach, California 90803. Recommended by John R. Nocas. M.P.S.

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