Contents
Vrooman retires as Editor It Seems To Me
A Lesson For The Present From The Past GRAND ENCAMPMENT MEETS IN KANSAS CITY
Merrick Heads York Rite Council THE BATTLES OF TRENTON AND PRINCETON
FORE-EDGE PAINTING Death of General Mercer
The Masonic Peter Principle Al Cerza Reviews Books of Interest to Masons
English Masons Visit America Illinois Masons by County
That Mass In The Light
For What It’s Worth
Jerry Marsengill, F.P.S., Editor
2714 Park Place
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S. Life., Assoc. Editor
237 Mlilbridge Road
Riverside, Illinois 60546
John Black Vrooman, F.P.S., Life., Editor Emeritus
P.O. Box 402
St. Louis, Missouri 63166
OFFICERS
Dr. Eugene Hopp, F.P.S., President
2000 Van Ness Ave.
San Francisco, California 94109
Dwight L. Smith, F.P.S., First Vice-President
Masonic Temple, 525 North Illinois St
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Conrad Hahn, F.P.S. Second Vice-President
8120 Fenton Street
Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
Franklin (Andy) Anderson, F.P.S., Executive Secretary
9580 Standon Place
Columbia, Maryland 21045
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.
Robert V. Osborne, F.P.S.
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY EMERlTUS
Carl R. Grelsen, F.P.S.
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CONTENTS
Vrooman Retires as Editor
It Seems to Me
A Lesson For the Present
Grand Encampment Meets in Kansas City
Merrick Heads York Rite Council
The Battles of Trenton and Princeton
Death of General Mercer
Fore-Edge Painting
Al Cerza Reviews Masonic Books
English Masons Visit America
Washington Meetings Set
lIlinois Masons by County
Memberships that Pass in the Night
For What It's Worth
MASONIC POSTAL CHESS CLUB
Chess playing members of the society will be interested to know there is now a Masonic Postal Chess Club. It has 65 members so far but is anxious for more. Each player gets to play a round with three others, exchanging postcards to make the moves. Scores are kept for the losses, draws, or wins and each player is given a rating. There is a Board of Directors, a line of officers. There are frequent circulars from the Secretary as well as a list of General Instructions for new members. Annual dues and an initiation fee are $5.00 each with a $4.00 deduction fog Senior Citizens 65 and over. To join, write to:
Donald M. Stall, Secretary
4661 Canyon Road
El Sobrante Calif. 94803
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Marsengill named to post
After 22 years as editor of the Philalethes Magazine, John Black Vrooman has stepped down. Jerry Marsengill, Associate Editor, was picked as editor by the executive committee. With Vrooman's retirement, an era has ended.
As editor of the Philalethes, and with his other Masonic associations, Uncle John has become one of the best known and best loved Freemasons in the United States.
On his retirement as editor, let us ask just one question, "What makes a John Black Vrooman? "
The process started at an early age since he was one of the "sheltered type." His parents side-stepped the usual formal education and substituted a series of tutors, special teachers, occasional terms of public instruction and miscellaneous types of education. This resulted in an unusual background of lonely and sometimes cynical stretches of strange and different training.
Public schools in Washington, D.C., while his parents and grandparents were too busy with the social and political life of the Capitol to give a young and eager boy the customary and rational education he craved.
With his mother's being almost a complete invalid, it was necessary to "farm-out" John, first with relatives in Colorado, then after her death going into travel, some school, and a social and foreign life that hardly met the concept of an "education."
When his father went to Oxford, John found himself in a number of English public schools, far from relatives and friends, trying to fit into the ways of rural England.
The beginning of World War I brought him back to America where he tried to learn to live like other young Americans.
Fortunately he landed in Crawfordsville, Indiana. Here with the aroma of Lew Wallace and other literary lights a forge was made on which to hammer out a new citizen. He began to live like other people and at last to adapt himself to normal ways of life and action. Crawfordsville was the beginning of the real John Black Vrooman find of the wall loved Freemason John Black Vrooman. He began as a Mason in this small Indiana town and first became a journalist here. He worked as a reporter on the college newspaper and during summer vacations worked as a reporter on the Chicago City News Bureau, a news syndicate.
Following his graduation from college, he went to Kansas to the American Indian Institute, then to the Wichita Eagle, then back to teaching, then to newspaper work, to Masonic newspaper work, then to be editor of the Kansas Masonic Digest.
He joined the Philalethes in 1931, only 3 years after it was founded. He was named Assistant Secretary in 1934, Second Vice President in the early 1940's, then to First Vice President when he resigned. He was named editor in 1954 by President Al Cerza and was also Treasurer in 1954 and Secretary in 1956. Since he has filled all of the offices except that of President, he has a working knowledge of all parts of the Philalethes society.
It is impossible even to summarize Uncle John's entire Masonic career in a few brief lines. The work he has done for the Philalethes alone would take much more space than is available.
What makes a John Black Vrooman? A spirit of love for his fellow man. A sincere desire to be of service to them. A type of humility which most Freemasons would do well to emulate. A thirst for knowledge and a memory which soaks it up like a sponge. Wisdom without pride or ego. A personality which makes everyone who meets him his friend. That's just a few of the ingredients which go into making a John Black Vrooman.
Just in case you are worrying that this eulogy is in the way of being an obituary, forget it.
Uncle John will still write his editorial "It Seems to Me" each month. He will be available for special writing assignments whenever he is called upon and he will be available for advice whenever it is needed.
It will be needed. Nothing can be more certain that that. When you follow a man who has spent 22 years as editor of a magazine, you had better be ready to ask him a number of questions about that magazine.
Fortunately Uncle John is at hand to answer those many questions.
With his retirement an era has ended. It is time to change the guard. With his help and his advice it should be a smooth chance.
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Plans for the
1977 Workshop
M.W. Brother Conrad Hahn, F.P.S., Second Vice President of the Philalethes Society, is chairman of the committee preparing the Workshop program for the annual meeting to be held in Washington, D. C., on the evening of Friday, February 18, 1977.
"Plans are well under way," he announces. Since the 1978 meeting will mark the Society's 50th Anniversary, he has chosen LOOKING AHEAD TO 1978, as the theme for the 1977 Workshop.
This will be developed by four discussions of 15 minutes each, in which everyone in attendance is expected to participate, by providing ideas, and by asking or answering questions.
The first discussion, "What Is Our Society Today?" will be led by our President, Dr. Eugene S. Hopp, F.P.S. P.G.M. of California. Then a thorough look will be taken at our magazine, "The Philalethes, Today and Tomorrow," in a 'give-and-take' led by Brother Allen E. Roberts, F.P.S., of Highland Springs, Virginia.
The chairman of our Membership Committee, Brother Allan D. Parsons, M.P.S., of Arlington Heights, Illinois, will propound questions and make suggestions about "Increasing Membership and Local Chapters: Our Hope for the Future."
R.W. Brother James R. Case, F.P.S., Grand Historian in Connecticut, will lead the concluding discussion on "Plans for the 50th Anniversary in 1978." Members, bring YOUR ideas.
Brother Hahn comments, "The Brethren attending our meetings want and should have greater participation in our Workshops. This program is designed for them."
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by John Black Vrooman,
F.P.S., Editor Emeritus
That as we come to the changing of the guard and a new Editorship the Philalethes magazine, that we have much for which to be thankful, as well as a sense of regret in the termination of so many years of wonderful association and good will with so many great personalities.
I am happy to have had the years of good will and effort of the officers, members and associates who have made the work of the Editor so pleasant. It is with a sense of loss that I bow out as editor and turn this important job over to one who is so capable and efficient. What has been done in the past is the result of united cooperation and good will; of effort for the good to the Society and the whole Masonic Fraternity. Without that united effort it would not have been possible to do what has been done, and I express my personal appreciation and thanks to all who have been so helpful. I urge you to give this continued cooperation to Jerry Marsengill, F.P.S., who is taking over this job.
It is my express confidence that Jerry is most capable and able to be the editor of our publication. His background, training and capabilities are such that he will be able to carry on in the same efficient way that we have been able to do in the past and I know that the services of the Philalethes magazine will continue such as to merit the approbation of our officers and members.
A past officer of each of the York Rite bodies, a member of the Knights of the York Cross of Honour, holding Instructor's Certificates in each of these bodies, he is The Charter Secretary and Editor of Research Lodge No. 2, of Iowa. In addition, he holds the General Grand Chapter, R.A.M., Distinguished Service Medal.
Just retiring as Grand Master of the Grand Master of the Grand Council, Royal and Select Masters of Iowa, his experience, knowledge and ability has been enhanced by this situation, and he is distinctly able and capable of adding much to the knowledge and activity of the Philalethes Society.
It is the job of an Editor to not only give news items of interest, to serve as a medium of exchange between the members of our Society, but most of all, to create and inspire greater knowledge of and interest in the Masonic Fraternity. We have a task to perform, and without dedication, our magazine can only become a small trestleboard of local interest devoid of that scope of knowledge of all the Fraternity offers, and without that necessary inspiration by which to encourage each of us to be a part of the plan of creating More Light in Freemasonry.
Jerry Marsengill is capable and willing - now let each of us do our part to make his job easier and more fruitful.
FORWARD WITH INSPIRATION FOR OUR BELOVED SOCIETY.
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A Lesson For The Present From The Past
by Stanley Schiffman, M.P.S.
"In the beginning, God created the Heavens and earth" . . . and he left it all to MAN.
And, after many years of travel and study, it becomes necessary to contemplate the reasons for the "great things" that confront us. There should be no question as to the "reason for all things," just as there should be no doubt about the "designs upon the trestleboard" . . . for all of us. Our lives, from beginning to end, are obviously "pre-determined," with a little room for "personal contributions" to mankind and an opportunity to "build" for future generations. So mote it be.
In reflecting upon the history or the creation, as well as the "creativity" of man, we must go back to the seat of the "most advanced of all Golden Ages . . . the Greeks." Here we find progress that was so far advanced from all other forms of civilization of its day (and many years to come). Here we find a spirit of "freedom and equality" that was more considerate of the "Golden Rule" than man ever attempted to that day, or, for that matter contributed since that day. This was truly the most-advanced progress achieved by man . . . and we must reflect on the enormous lessons inculcated, which certainly requires answers to obvious questions.
If Greece advanced to the point where all of their population was educated and literate to the extent of occupational capabilities, how could they have "stopped building," when so much was required of them. If they achieved perfection in government to where they were more effective in democratic development than any nation to that date (and probably since), then why was there such disunity and discontent in their living conditions. If they achieved so much scientific advancement to where a mechanical analog computer was recently discovered to have equal capabilities to a Mark I Navy gun sight mechanism (this "black box" was found in the Agean Sea and said to be over 4,000 years old), then how could they have allowed themselves to "slip into oblivion." If their military services had the sciences and capabilities that enabled them to overcome the hordes of the Persians, with at least 10-to-1 odds against them, how could they have allowed the Turks to overrun them and enslave their people for a period of over 400 years.
Considering all of this, "what have we learned and how do we apply this knowledge." At the end of the "Golden Ages of Greece and Rome" (Rome was merely a carry-over from the greatness of Greece and they attempted to use an of the knowledge developed by the Greeks), there was a period we call the "dark ages," which was a "void" in the progress of man that took about 2,000 Years to overcome.
So, we are now on the threshold of a new "Golden Age of Man." We now consider the requirements of the "total education for all mankind," with the greatest interest in occupational training and opportunities. We now consider "building" for the benefit of all mankind, urban, suburban national and international. Our present-day scientists (this amount is 95 percent of an scientists that ever lived) are working in the fields of Research & Development (R&D), to "build" new and better means of personal achievements for all of us. The military have produced such a condition of "overkill" that our diplomats, throughout the world, are forced to consider "equal opportunities" for all international negotiations, which leads to continued peace and security for all.
With due regard to an of this, "how can anything go wrong?" After knowing the history of "success and failure" and understanding "basic truths", what can we do to perpetuate progress, so that our children and children's children will benefit from our work and progress.
OK, so what went wrong before? The best historians have little agreement about this, except to say that "there were many factors," and a lack of continuity, or "truths" about any of them.
Or, we can point a finger at: deceit, dissension and complete lack of harmony for obtaining progressive objectives. At all points of success, with every national program, we find there was a total "team" effort, with no "special" leadership, except to have one "master craftsman" at the head of each "project." This leader was apparently qualified to create a "team," which was so necessary for the dedication that completed specific objectives. Now, isn't this the real answer to the "Brotherhood of Man, under the Fatherhood of God."
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GRAND ENCAMPMENT MEETS IN KANSAS CITY
Avery Picked To Head
By Max E. Ellis, M.P.S.
Colorful, stirring, inspirational and conservative are words that describe the 53rd Triennial of the Grand Encampment August 28 through September 2nd.
M.E. Grand Master Roy Riegle presided over the meeting. Drill competition began at 5:30 A.M. Saturday morning. 19 Class B and 9 Class A teams competed. First place B Class went to Greenfield No. 39 Indiana and Ivanhoe No. 54 Indiana took first place in A Class.
Sunday morning over 5000 Knights and ladies listened to Rev. Basil L. Johnson, Grand Prelate, preach a thrilling patriotic sermon.
It was difficult to get any legislation passed. (Note word "conservative" in first sentence.) The Uniform for Grand Encampment officers was changed. An officer of a constituent commanders now has only to possess a uniform, not necessarily to own one. The only other item passed was to allow a few more official copies of the ritual. 501 voting members, representing all 48 Grand Commanderies were present.
Willard M. Avery, Knightstown Indiana attorney was elected Grand Master for the 1976-1979 Triennial.
Born in Palmyra, Indiana, February 2, 1907. Avery has been a Mason since April 27, 1936, when he was initiated in New Castle Lodge No. 91. He has headed all the York Rite bodies and is a member of Indiana Priory No. 8 K.Y.C.H. as well as Robert A. Woods Priory No. 62. He served as Commander of Knightstown Commandery No. 9 in 1944-1945 and as Grand Commander in 1956-1957. He was the first Editor of the Knight Templar Magazine and has served as Trustee, First Vice President and General Counsel for the K.T. Eye Foundation.
Elected to start the advancing line was Ned Dull, P.G.C. of Ohio, Grand Capt. Gen.
Kenneth C. Johnson of Arkansas was elected Grand Generalissimo and John B. Cottrell, Jr., of Pennsylvania, Deputy Grand Master.
Department Commanders are Alden Gilmire, North Eastern; J. Willard Register, South Eastern; J. Edward Applegate, East Central; J. S. Robbins, South Central; Hugh E. Hossle, North Central; William Wilson, Southwest and Merlin Percell, Northwest.
Rev. H. Dwight McAlister was appointed Grand Prelate and Paul Rodenhauser, Grand Recorder, and Harold S. Gorman, Grand Treasurer, were both re-elected.
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Merrick Heads York Rite Council
Gordon R. Merrick of Colorado, G.G. High Priest of General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Int., has been elected as presiding officer of the International York Rite Council for the current year.
The council is composed of elective officers of the General Grant Chapter, the General Grand Council, Royal and Select Masters, International, and the Grand Encampment, Knights Templar, U.S.A. The three bodies meet triennially with officers of the international council rotating on an annual basis.
M.E. Comp. Merrick succeeded Most Eminent Roy W. Riegle of Kansas, Grand Master of the grand encampment. Owen L. Stanteau of Indiana, M.P. Grand Master of Royal and Select Masters, International, will head the group next year.
The group's purpose is to coordinate activities among its bodies and Masonry generally. It conducts promotional and educational conferences in its seven regions in the United States and Canada each year.
Invited to attend and participate are not only the dies but the line officers in the various grand York Rite bodies. Regional representatives also alternate in presiding over the conferences.
"These conferences are an outgrowth of interstate endeavors started in 1948 by Carl R. Moore, P.G.H.P. and P.G.M.I.G.M. of California," Merrick explained.
"In the past decade this council has provided an exchange of ideas for Masonic education and promotion. The heads of all three of the bodies, their secretaries recorders and most of the other line officers attend a majority of the conferences.
"Successful advancement programs are brought to personal attention of state leaders. Embryo efforts are developed and refined as horizons are widened. Projects are unified as the leaders from various states and regions get acquainted and work together to accomplish their common objectives.
"In the last several years it has been encouraging to see the Grand Masters of Masons in so many jurisdictions encourage fraternal cooperative endeavors. Their initiative in bringing all members together in a common cause is resulting in increasing membership. Not only are suspensions NPD and dimits lessing but reinstatements are increasing. News of increasing activity from this cooperation is permeating to the public so more prospects are seeking membership.
"We of the International York Rite Council are convinced that appreciation of the unselfish efforts of all Masonic bodies is helping establish a prosperous fraternity."
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A Fine Fox Chase: THE BATTLES OF TRENTON AND PRINCETON
by Bill Weisberger, M.P.S.
Article XXII
By the fall of 1776, the American cause for victory appeared dismal. With a lack of soldiers and with an abundance of powers, Washington recognized the bleak military situation. The British had won convincing victories in the New York vicinity and controlled New Jersey. Despite his humiliating losses to Howe, Washington retreated, refusing obstinately to surrender. The Virginia Commander-in-chief was clever and cunning; he was a fox who refused to be bagged or captured. As it will be seen, Washington during the Battles of Trenton and Princeton in 1776 and 1777 forced the British to become involved in a "fine fox chase."
Washington by December 14, 1776, obtained information concerning the British positions in New Jersey and their troop strength in Trenton. If a successful attack were launched against the British, the Commander-in-chief believed that American morale could be improved, and that British control of strategically located New Jersey could be challenged. In light of his reports, Washington decided to develop a strategy for the attack of Trenton.
Cogent reasons were offered to explain why Trenton was selected as the place where the fox would strike. A village of approximately three thousand, Trenton was located directly across the Delaware from the major site of American troops in Pennsylvania. If Trenton were to be captured, it was imperative that River and Pennington Roads be controlled, that the bridge over the Assanpink be held, and that a hill overlooking the village be occupied.
Reports also detailed information about British troops and officers. British troops consisted of Hessians, of Rall's blue-coated regiment, the scarlet Lossbergs, and of twenty British dragoons. Colonel Rall, the commanding officer, was a stalwart fighter, a lover of women and liquor, and a hater of Americans. Rall had once commented that the American rebels were nothing more than country clowns.
Washington disproved the belief of Rall, demonstrating that American troops were most sophisticated in the art of war. The strategy of Washington called for troops under Major General John Sullivan to advance on River Road and for divisions under Greene and the Commander-in-chief to attack along Pennington Road and King Street. Further, James Ewing was instructed to seize the bridge over the Assanpink. If the strategy worked, the Americans would succeed in encircling the town and so prevent the escape of the Hessian and British troops.
Washington on December 26, 1776, proved that his strategy for taking Princeton would work. While encountering floating ice and bitter winds in crossing the Delaware, the troops of Washington arrived in Trenton and met with those under Greene. As divisions of Sullivan marched down River Road and captured the astonished Hessians, the troops under Greene and Washington successfully moved along Pennington Road and King Street. The surprised Hessians swarmed like bees, some surrendering and others heading for the fields. The victory was complete, since Rall in attempting to escape was mortally wounded.
Significant results were to accrue from the American victory at Trenton. The Americans had lost two soldiers, both freezing to death on the way to Princeton. Two officers were wounded: Captain William Washington and Lieutenant James Monroe, a future President of the United States. While suffering few losses, the Americans were to attract the diplomatic interest of the French. As a result of the American victory, the English tightened their defenses in the Jerseys recognizing that the astute Washington would attempt to capture another British stronghold.
The American fox consulted with his generals about attacking Princeton. If Princeton were taken, Washington believed that the Americans then could seize the military depot of New Brunswick and break the English hold of New Jersey. If the attack of Princeton were to succeed, Washington was told by General John Cadwalader that the back or eastern section of the town would have to be bombarded and that the strength of the artillery would have to be increased. To seize the town, the commander in chief issued orders to Hugh Mercer, Cadwalader, and Sullivan to encircle Princeton and thus to repulse the British under Colonel Mawhood.
Washington on January 3, 1977, issued orders for his troops to attack Princeton. As the battle began, the brigades of General Sullivan and those of General Mercer accidentally surrounded the troops of Mawhood. This British colonel decided to send men against Mercer and Sullivan and thus reduce the strength of his brigade. Mercer and his troops suddenly found themselves surrounded in the orchard of a William Clark. Since the horse of Mercer was wounded by a British musket ball, the general sadly left his horse and struggled on foot against the British. When surrounded, this brave Virginian general continued to resist the English with his sword but was hit in the head with the butt of a musket. Brought to his knees, the general was bayoneted and left for dead.
While Mercer was to die, the Americans scored a major victory at Princeton. After Cadwalader provided assistance to Mercer's 17th Regiment, Washington riding his great white horse appeared, organized the confused American troops, and directed them to victory. British divisions were smashed and retreated until reaching New Brunswick.
Washington did not pursue the British to New Brunswick, since his troops were exhausted. As the British retreated from Princeton, Washington shouted to his jubilant soldiers that "Twas a fine fox chase, my boys." The victories of the fox at Trenton and Princeton proved to be significant to the Americans, since the British occupation of New Jersey was threatened and since American diplomats in their request for aid from Europen powers could allude to the military accomplishments of the valiant Washington.
FOOTNOTES
1. Willard Wallace, Appeal to Arms (New York: Harper Brothers, 1951),p. 128
2. Ibid., p. 128.
3. James T. Flexner, George Washington in the American Revolution (Boston: Little Brown, 1968) p. 178.
4. Wallace, Appeal to Arms. pp 129-130.
5. Ibid., pp. 131-132.
6. Richard M. Ketchum, The Wetter Solders (Garden City: Doubleday, 1973 ) pp 346-347.
7. Ketchum, Winter Solders, p 357.
8. Wallace. Appeal to Arms, p. 132.
9. Ibid., p. 133.
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Surprise Book Decoration
by Keith Arrington, M.P.S.
A small single volume edition of Robert Burns' poems, printed in London in 1839, is kept in the vault of the Iowa Masonic Library instead of being shelved with the rest of the Library's extensive Burns' collection. What makes this little book worthy of this special care is a disappearing, now-you-see-it-now-you-don't painting on its fore-edge - the edge of the book opposite the spine or back.
When the book is taken from the shelf and viewed in its closed position, the edges are seen to be gilded, but otherwise undecorated. However, if the book is flexed so that the pages are in a fanned or slanting position from front to back, the viewer is pleasantly surprised to find a lovely painting hidden beneath the gilding. As soon as the book is closed, the painting vanishes once more.
This is "fore-edge painting," a method of book decoration first used over 300 years ago. H.L. Haywood, the Masonic historian, wrote that fore-edge painting was invented by a Chinese prisoner who painted disappearing messages on the edges of books which he then smuggled out to relatives who knew how to make the messages re-appear. Haywood also wrote that Cesare Vecellio, a nephew of Titian, decorated the edges of books with paintings so that when they were placed on the shelf with their backs to the wall, their forejudges showing, the case of volumes became a picture gallery. These paintings, obviously, did not disappear.
We could find very little information on this interesting art in our Library. The very absence of printed information whetted our curiosity and led us to the public library where we found a book by Carl J. Weber on the subject. Weber doesn't mention Haywood's theory of Chinese origin, but says the earliest known example of fore-edge painting is believed to be one dated by its painters, Stephen and Thomas Lewis, in 1653. This book, now in the New York City Public Library, is a Bible printed in 1651 and with the fore-edge decorated with the coat of arms of the Booth family, surrounded by a floral pattern.
According to Weber, fore-edge painting remained primarily a British art, though the art did travel to continental Europe, to China, and to America. The most productive period of these vanishing paintings seemed to be around 1800 to 1825, although the art is by no means dead at the present time.
Both aesthetic and commercial reasons led to the decoration of the edges of books. Some owners of private libraries employed artists to attractively bind and decorate their books. Book binders and sellers found that a book that sold slowly or at a low price would sell readily at a more handsome price if it possessed a surprise edge decoration and a fine binding. Although the binder often got the credit for the edge decoration, it is assumed that most probably artists were employed for this delicate task.
Single books or entire editions of books might be decorated by a binder. Since it was not unusual for the artist or binder to choose an old book for edge decoration, it is extremely difficult to establish the date of many of the decorations. The date the book was published is not necessarily a clue, since the decoration may have been done many years later. A few artists did occasionally date their paintings. Since the vogue in style of decoration changed through the years, the type of subject used may provide some indication of the period in which the painting was done.
The Burns' book in the Masonic Library has a landscape, appearing to be a Scottish country scene, with a rustic inn. Not all edge paintings were so well fitted to the subject of the book. For instance, books designed to attract the American tourists were painted with Boston and New York street scenes and other definitely American pictures, even though the book so decorated might have nothing to do with America.
The method of decoration is, briefly, this. The book is opened by its front cover only and laid flat on the table so that the fore-edge of the pages is fanned out, slanting down toward the front edge of the book's back. The pages are clamped to hold them tightly in this position. The artist then paints the scene on this fanned edge, using water colors. Care must be taken to prevent the colors from spreading. After the painting is dry, the book is closed and then clamped in this closed position. The painted edge is then gilded, using gold leaf. The gold effectively hides the painting until the edges are fanned out once again.
Some fore-edge decorated books have the painting hidden under marbling instead of gilt. Some have neither and the painting is not hidden. Some artists have taken old books with edges already gilded and have painted on top of the gilding.
A few ambitious artists produced double fore-edge decorations by first doing one picture as above and then fanning the book in the opposite direction, that is from back to front, and painting a different picture.
The Iowa Masonic Library has one more fore-edge decorated book, more recently acquired, but still dated 1836. It is "Italy: A Poem" by Samuel Rogers and a typical Italian scene of a castle and an arched bridge was chosen for this painting, which is possibly slightly less colorful than the Burns illustration.
Rarely, now-a-days, do forejudge decorated books appear in the catalogs of rare book dealers. When they do, the price is apt to be prohibitive for any but a wealthy collector.
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at the Battle of Princeton
1727-1775
by James R. Case, F.P.S.
Born in Scotland in 1725, this Fighting Physician was educated at the University of Aberdeen, taking his degree in medicine. His services as a Surgeon's Mate in the rebel forces under Bonnie Prince Charlie made his native soil unsafe and unsanitary for him as for many others, and after the Battle of Culloden he escaped or emigrated to America.
He arrived at Philadelphia in 1746, and after a peaceful practice for nearly ten years went out with the colonial forces in the French and Indian Wars. He was wounded at Braddock's Defeat in 1755, and for his services at Kittatinny the following year received a medal and a vote of thanks from the Corporation of the City of Philadelphia. He marched a second time against Fort DuQuesne under Forbes in 1758 and the next year was appointed Colonel Commandant at the fort now renamed Pitt. He assisted in negotiating a Treaty of Peace with the Indian Six Nations.
Near the present Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, he practiced medicine in Corococheague for another ten years, then removing to Fredericksburg, Virginia, at the suggestion of his comrade in arms, George Washington. Here he set up in business as an apothecary, practiced as a physician and surgeon, and joined Fredericksburg Lodge now No. 4 in which Washington had been made a Mason in 1752.
At the outbreak of the Revolution he became Colonel of the 3rd Virginia Regiment and was promoted Brigadier General in 1776. His Held of operations was largely in New Jersey, protecting the countryside against forays by the British in New York and Philadelphia, and guarding the important ferries across the Delaware. He was at the Battle of Trenton on December 26, 1776, and at the Battle of Princeton a week or so later.
Here, in close action at the bridge over Stony Brook, he was himself wounded when three bullets felled his charger. Surrounded and clubbed by five Redcoat ruffians, he suffered seven bayonet wounds, which nine days later caused his death. The night before his death Mercer dreamed that he was being overpowered in a struggle with a big black bear.
His body was taken to Philadelphia and was buried in the yard of Christ Church, but later was removed to Laurel Hill Cemetery, where a monument was erected over his grave in 1902 by the Society of Saint Andrew.
"The brave and worthy General Mercer," as Washington called him, well deserves the veneration of our present day military Masons, and the perpetuation of his name which will forever remain high up on the roll of honor of those who gave their lives in the struggle for independence.
"But he, himself, is canonized,
If saintly deeds such fame can give
As long as Liberty is prized,
Hugh Mercer's name shall surely live."
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At the Grand Council of Iowa, held at Newton on October 16th, Dr. Donald L. Bowman, M.P.S. addressed the group on the Masonic Peter Principle. According to Bowman, each Freemason eventually reaches the level of incompetency.
Bowman says that, even though a man may be a perfect Master of his local lodge, this is no guarantee that he will be a good Grand Lodge officer. Bowman further stated that this is one of the reasons that the fraternity is in Double in administration. He said that men were picked for the job of running a lodge merely because they were ritualists and not because they had any ability in running the business end of the fraternity. According to Dr. Bowman, the ideal situation would be for each lodge or group of lodges to set up an educational program for their members, teaching them elementary management as well as ritual. This would necessitate "weeding out" those who couldn't handle the job. If a man was in his highest level as a steward, this is where he should remain. Naturally, a few fellows would be hurt, but the lodge, as a whole would profit.
Dr. Bowman's entire speech will be reprinted as a part of the proceedings of the Grand Council Royal and Select Masters of Iowa for the year 1975-1976.
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PREVIEW OF
COMING ATTRACTIONS
In the February issue, the Bi-Centennial article will be American Navies, Part 2 by Richard Tutt, Jr. (dec.}
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Al Cerza Reviews Books of Interest to Masons
Since symbolism is such an important part of the Craft the subject is of perennial interest to Masons. The latest book on the subject is written by Colin F.W. Dyer, Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge (1975-1976), and is entitled "Symbolism in Craft Freemasonry." The purpose of the book is to trace the history of certain symbols how they became part of the Craft what these are meant to teach, and why the specific symbol was chosen. In making the study preparatory to writing the book the author read all the standard works of the Craft and throughout the book he tells where he secured certain information.
This is an interesting book, and it can serve as a source book for further study on the subject of symbolism.
Available at $12.00 a copy, from A. Lewis Ltd., Terminal House, Shepperton, Middlesex TW17 8AS. England.
* * *
No one has ever written a full scale history of the Craft in Mexico. It is a strange and complicated subject. We finally have a book written by Thomas B. Davis, of Bridgeport, Connecticut, entitled "Aspects of Freemasonry in Modern Mexico, An Example of Social Cleavage," which represents years of study by the author who is a professional historian of Latin American subjects. This cloth bound book of 421 pages is interesting for the facts it presents and the clarity in which a most complicated subject is straightened out and presented. The difficulty in Mexico has been the many competing organizations, the irritations caused by the struggle for recognition, and the interference by some of the leaders and their deviation from customary Masonic norms such as the admission of women as members and the elimination of a Holy Book from the ceremonies of the Lodges. This book will be welcomed by all who have an interest in the Craft south of our border.
Available at $10.00 a copy, from Vantage Press, Inc., 516 West 34th Street, New York, N.Y. 10001.
* * *
Many years ago Manly P. Hall wrote a book entitled "The Lost Keys of Freemasonry" which has enjoyed a wide readership. This book has been revised by the author and has been reprinted. The book deals with Masonic idealism and tells of the influence of ancient thought on the modern Craft. Added to this new edition is "The Egyptian Initiate" by the same author.
Available at $4.75 a copy, from Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Co., P.O. Box 9759, Richmond, Va. 23228.
* * *
We finally have a biography of Haym Salomon, the financial genius of the War of Independence. It tells the story of his life with the background of the serious problems confronting the Colonists. His relationship with Robert Morris and his meeting with George Washington are described. He was a broker and was skilled in financial matters, with a keen business sense. The book was written by Vick Knight, Jr., and is entitled "Send for Haym Salomon."
Available at $9.95 a copy, from Borden Publishing Co., 1855 West Main Streets, Alhambra, Cal. 91801.
* * *
As a Bicentennial project the Past Masters, Masters, and Wardens Association of the 24th Masonic District of New Jersey has prepared and published a large map showing all the Masonic Lodges located in the state. It has been printed on durable paper with instructions for mounting it in various ways. The map has county boundaries, list of cities where lodges are located, and other details This map might well serve as a model for similar maps in other states.
Available at $3.50 each, from Past Masters Association, Box 98, Marmora, N.J. 08223.
* * *
Widow's Son Lodge No. 66, of Connecticut, was chartered in 1826 and felt the brunt of the anti-Masonic craze that started about that time. Brother Carleton W. Atwater has written a fine history of this lodge setting out all important events that took place.
Available at $5.00 a copy, from Masonic Lodge of Research, A. Robert Sotman, Secretary, 460 Grand Ave., New Haven, Conn. 06513.
* * *
Many years ago Harold V.B. Voorhis, F.P.S., wrote an interesting history of the Eastern Star but it has been out of print for many years. The author has written a revised paper on the subject and it is now available in a hard cover book. There is a great deal of misinformation about the origin of this fine organization and this new revised book presents the authentic facts of its origin and its development.
Available at $4.50 a copy, from Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Co., P.O. Box 9759, Richmond, Va. 23228.
* * *
Anyone interested in the relationship between the Craft and the Mormons will welcome "The Vital Statistics of Nauvoo Lodge," by Mervin B. Hogan. It lists all the members of the lodge, the dates they received their degrees, and other basic information.
Available at $3.00 a copy, from Iowa Research Lodge No. 2, 2714 Park Place, Des Moines, Iowa 50312.
* * *
A valuable addition to the Bicentennial literature is "North Carolina Masons in the American Revolution," written by Frederick G. Speidel. It presents briefly how the Craft came to the state, the conditions in the area before the war, the battles conducted in that colony, and the part the Masons of the colony took in the struggle both inside and outside the colony. The book then presents the biographical sketches of the leaders in the war effort. Not overlooked are the Masons who were Tories or fought on the British side.
Available at $2.00 a copy, from Frederick G. Speidel, Box 17661, Raleigh, N.C. 27609.
* * *
Considering the many opportunists looking for a chance to make "a buck" during this Bicentennial period, it is no surprise that one enterprising author, Hugh Best, has written "Red, Hot, and Blue: An X-rated history of The American Revolution." It deals with the experiences between the bed sheets of some the persons living during the period. Benjamin Franklin is the first to be presented with his escapades in France. The entertainment of Burgoyne and General Howe by the ladies who distracted their attention should prompt us to erect statues in their honor for helping us win the war.
Available at $1.75 a copy, in soft cover, from New Hope, Route 202, Lahaska, Pa. 18931.
* * *
The Bicentennial period has also inspired "The Founding Finaglers, " by Nathan Miller, a book that deals with corruption in American history starting with Jamestown and ending with the Tea Pot Dome scandal, with an epilogue bringing the subject briefly up to date. Pages 48-114 cover the bicentennial period.
Available at $12.50 a copy, from David McKay Co., 750 Third Ave., New York, N.Y. 10017.
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Worshipful Brother Dennis E. McCormack, P.P.G.D., a member of The Philalethes Society, and his partner, Worshipful Brother Derrick C. Hobson, P.P.G.D., members of the Masonic Province of Warwickshire, England, were delighted to have been able to make a visit to America last spring. Two years ago Brother Wilbur Allaback, M.P.S., visited Brother McCormack in his home city of Birmingham, and was shown Masonic courtesies which he wanted to reciprocate when the opportunity presented itself. Keeping alive the friendship developed on that visit, Brother Allaback was able to arrange for an invitation from the Grand Lodge of Florida to attend its sessions the latter part of April, and present one or more Masonic lectures. While these arrangements were being completed, other American correspondents of our English brethren wanted to have the pleasure of meeting them.
A full month's trip was then planned, and our English brethren pay tribute to their friends and brother Masons who made the trip possible, and for the enjoyable and instructive tour that followed.
Arriving in Philadelphia on April 10, these brethren, accompanied by their
wives were met by Brother Ronald E. Heaton, F.P.S., of Pennsylvania. Two full days were devoted to the historic and interesting sites in Philadelphia, including Independence Hall, Carpenters' Hall, the Liberty Bell, Christ Church, and a tour of the Masonic Temple and its wonders, which included a visit with the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, Brothers William A. Carpenter and Arthur R. Diamond. A third day was spent at Valley Forge, to see first hand the military encampment of the Continental Army during the winter of 1777.
While in Philadelphia they enjoyed the company of Brother and Mrs. Selden T. Williams, who came down from Connecticut. Brother Williams, retired President of Schrader Valve Company, was associated with Brother McCormack in the English plant of that company for many years. Both are now retired from active business.
Departing from Philadelphia, the brethren were met by Brother Wilbur Allaback M.P.S, and Mrs. Allaback and had the pleasure and privilege of visiting several Florida Lodges and presenting a lecture, "Evolution and development of English Freemasonry," and being received by the Grand Lodge of Florida Convention; as well as being escorted by their hosts to several interesting places in Florida. The Florida stay was made more enjoyable by the presence of Brother Norman C. Dutt F.P.S., of California, who had flown in to see them for a short stay.
The return home trip was made via Boston, where a delightful two days were spent in that historic city and immediate area. Worship Brother Whitfield W. Johnson, Past Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, made it possible for the brethren to see the historic spots in Boston, as well as Lexington and Concord, and a visit to the new Scottish Rite Museum of our National Heritage, where a lecture was presented for the members present. Brother Hugh A. Cole, M.P.S., of Illinois, met the brethren in Boston to spend some time with them there. A visit to the Masonic Temple in Boston was arranged by Worshipful Brother Robert Teach, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Several hours were spent in the Museum viewing the treasured exhibits.
Our English brethren and their wives arrived home on May 3, taking with them many souvenirs and pleasant recollections of their trip. Pictures and other memorabilia are now a part of a scrap book of memories they will cherish for a long time. They are grateful for the Masonic friendship and courtesies shown and want to express appreciation to all who made the trip so enjoyable.
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Washington Meetings Set
The program for the annual Washington meeting is set for February 18, 19 and 20.
The Philalethes Society will open the meetings at 7:30 p.m., Friday, February 18, with the 23rd annual workshop. The workshop is in charge of M. W. Conrad Hahn.
Saturday, February 19, registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the Grand College of Rites, Grand Master's Council A.M.D., and the Grand Council of A.M.D. of the U.S.A.
Luncheon will be at 12:30 and, following lunch, the Installed Master's Council A.M.D. will meet at 2:00. This will be followed by the Council of the Nine Muses, Great Chief's Council No. 0, Knight Masons, Grand Council Knights Masons of the U.S.A. and the Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis.
The annual A.M.D. Banquet will be at 6:00 p.m. The speaker will be announced.
Following the banquet, the Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees will resume and finish its business.
The fun degrees, the Masonic Order of the Bath and the Ancient Order of Corks will end up the day with the Bath degree at 10:00 p.m. and the Corks at 11:00 p.m.
An early breakfast for K.Y.C.H. members will be held in the hotel on Sunday, February 20, at 7:30 a.m., with the Grand Master General presiding.
The annual Consistory of the Society of Blue Friars will be held at 9:00 a.m. The Grand Preceptors Tabernacle HRAKTP will be held in morning at 9: 30, followed by the meeting of the Grand College of America HRAKTP at 10:00 a.m. This will conclude the meetings at the Hotel Washington. The annual conference of Grand Masters of North America will be held at the Shoreham beginning Sunday afternoon.
This will include the meetings of the Masonic Service Association and the George Washington National Memorial Association.
All of the A.M.D. meetings and associated groups will be held in the Hotel Washington. Reservations can be made by sending a postcard to:
Reyburn Miller, Manager
Washington Hotel
Pennsylvania Ave. & 15th St. NW
Washington, D.C. 20004
Call attention to the fact that you are attending the meeting of the Allied Masonic Degrees. It will be good if you ask for a confirmation.
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By Burton Kessler
Editor's Note: Burton Kessler his first appearance in the Philalethes highly qualified:
Academic Degrees
B.A. History Roosevelt University in Chicago.
M.A. Geography, Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois.
Begins work on doctorate this fall In Secondary Education at the University of Illlnois in Urbana.
Work Experience
Taught High School - History and Geography in Chicago. Member of the geography department at the University of Illinois where he taught geography and supervised student teachers during men internship.
Masonic Background
Became a Mason in April 1969, in Decalogue Lodge, 160, which now meets in Wilmette, Illinois, but in 1969 met in Chicago, Illinois. Appointed an officer in Fall of '69 and has served as an appointed or elected officer since that time. Currently Senior Warden, he shall be a candidate for the office of Worshipful Master and expects to be elected Master in November '75. Belongs to no other Masonic bodies but expects to file application for membership in The Philalethes society shortly.
He has visited Masonic lodges during the course of his travels around the world in Hong Kong, Tokyo and Edinburgh. Has visited lodges in lowa when he attended summer school at the University of lowa and also acquainted with lodges in downstate Illinois while a student.
Introduction
Historically, Masonic research and scholarship has produced a wealth of Masonic information, data, and memorabilia concerning the Craft which is housed in well documented and cataloged libraries. However, most if not all of this accumulated information has involved research methodology peculiar to the discipline of history. Geography, which concerns the study of the significance of the differences and similarities from place to place on the surface of the earth, and geographical research have made little or no contribution to Masonic knowledge.
As a student of geography when I became a Mason, my intellectual, professional and Masonic curiosity combined to express an interest and desire to know where Masons are located and how they are distributed. Having made inquiry of many who had been Masons for many years and had acquired the status of Grand Lecturers or Grand Lodge Officers, I was dismayed to discover that not one could supply answers to my questions or direct me to reference sources for such answers. This quest in search for knowledge finally caused the formulation of a geographic research problem.
This article, which is only a part of a larger study, concerns Illinois because of my residency and prime interest in Illinois and because of an abundance of available data. However, the methodological approach and techniques employed may be utilized in any scale, international, national, regional, local, in order to accommodate political, administrative, or geographic units such as states, cities, nations, provinces, territories, islands, and continents.
Geography and Masonry in Illinois
The discipline of geography is uniquely qualified to entertain questions concerning the areal distribution of Masons. Some of these questions may include the following: is Masonry a more significant factor of life in rural or urban areas; are Masons indeed more numerous in large metropolitan areas; what kind of, if any, intra-state migratory movements have occurred or are occurring among Masons; what kind of demographic characteristics in the general population are associated with the presence of Masons; is Masonic membership relatively uniform throughout the state? The purpose of the research in this article is to determine and describe the distribution of Masons in Illinois, 1970.
Illinois is one of the several states in the United States which has a prime city, Chicago, whose population is twice that of the next largest city in the state. This sometimes hides, exaggerates or otherwise distorts statistical descriptions of the state as a whole. As a result when discussing Masonic distribution in Illinois one is really concerned with a variety of Masonic distributions. The research results, presented below, reflect this inherent characteristic.
Sources of Data and Research Design
Sources of data included the U.S. Census of Population for the state of Illinois, 1970, and the Proceedings of the annual meeting of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, 1970. Using the county as an areal unit and statistics for 1970, data were accumulated, tabulated, and ranked. Tables and maps have been drawn illustrating the results.
Distribution of Masonic Population
In 1970 there were in Illinois, 195,941 Masons comprising one percent of the state's total population and 6.1 percent of its adult male population. Masonic membership totals among the counties exhibited a wide range from 60,336 in Cook County (Chicago) to 123 in Brown County, (West-Central Illinois) (Table 1). Counties with a large total population and major urban centers generally had a large Masonic population while rural counties in all sections of the state contained relatively few Masons (Fig. 1). While the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will (Northeastern Illinois) together contained more than 50 percent of the state's population, they claimed approximately 38 percent of the state's Masons. Southern and West-Central Illinois contained the fewest number of Masons.
A radically different distribution and perspective appears when Masonic population is calculated as a percent of the adult male population in each county (Table 2, Fig. 2). Whereas Northeastern Illinois appeared important in Figure 1, that section of the state now appears conspicuously insignificant, even to the point of forming a Masonic vacuum. The eight counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will form a region where Masons are no more than five percent of the adult male population. Only Clinton County in downstate Illinois is in the same class. Using this approach, rural counties in East-Central and Southeastern Illinois reflect strong Masonic allegiance. Whereas urban counties previously seemed important, they now appear relatively insignificant. The proportion of adult males who are Masons ranges from 29 percent in Johnson County (Southern Illinois) to three percent in DuPage and Kankakee and Lake County (Northeastern Illinois) (Table 2).
Masons are unevenly distributed throughout the counties of Illinois. The extent of this imbalance can be easily seen by reviewing the range in Masonic membership, from 60,336 in Cook County to 123 in Brown County; and by the realization that nine counties, Cook, Madison, Peoria, Rock Island, St. Clair, Sangamon, Tazewell, Winnebago, and Vermillion comprise 50 percent of the Masonic membership in Illinois. These counties contain a relatively large general population, are urban in character, and are situated in almost all sections of the state. Only extreme southern Illinois lacks representation.
Although highly concentrated, Masonry was represented in each county of the state; in most if not all counties, Masons did not constitute a large proportion of the population yet their presence nevertheless signified universal acceptability throughout the state.
The results of geographical research, characterized by this article, provide information which can guide, assist, or govern current and future Masonic decision-making processes. This article is only a very small example of the potentially significant contribution to Masonry.
The Masonic fraternity may be said to represent different things to different people throughout Illinois. These differences in definition, acceptance, or understanding are, in part if not in whole, a function of spatial parameters. In preparation of this article, I am most grateful to Brother Alphonse Cerza for encouragement, guidance, instruction and many splendid hours of stimulating, enlightening, and challenging conversation.
TABLE 1
MASONS IN ILLINOIS BY COUNTY:
1970 a
County Masons
Cook 60,336
Madison 5,513
St. Clair 5,454
Tazewell 5,208
Winnebago 5,032
Peoria 5,027
Rock Island 4,622
Sangamon 4,443
Vermilion 4,022
McLean 3,704
Macon 3,514
Lake 3,454
DuPage 3,364
Will 3,211
Champaign 2,997
Kane 2,880
LaSalle 2,329
Adams 2,272
Knox 2,153
Fulton 1,929
Williamson 1,913
Macoupin 1,737
Franklin 1,614
Henry 1,596
Coles 1,534
Stephenson 1,451
Marion 1,448
Edgar 1,406
Christian 1,318
Hancock 1,288
Jackson 1,286
Saline 1,248
McHenry 1,229
Montgomery 1,192
Whiteside 1,186
Crawford 1,155
Bureau 1,129
DeKalb 1,123
Morgan 1,118
McDonough 1,084
Ogle 1,076
Douglas 1,055
Clark 1,007
Ford 1,000
Shelby 990
Kankakee 957
Pike 951
Iroquois 949
White 886
Lee 864
Effingham 855
Jefferson 852
Livingston 845
Piatt 836
Jo Daviess 835
Wayne 804
Grundy 768
Carroll 765
Warren 757
Lawrence 755
Randolph 744
DeWitt 727
Logan 724
Mercer 715
Johnson 705
Fayette 700
Monroe 645
Clay 644
Greene 643
Union 640
Moultrie 631
Hamilton 581
Richland 579
Woodford 571
Bond 552
Mason 547
Perry 545
Stark 541
Cass 524
Jersey 519
Gallatin 475
Cumberland 449
Massac 447
Menard 444
Boone 432
Jasper 411
Wabash 400
Hardin 392
Marshall 388
Schuyler 378
Kendall 356
Scott 319
Edwards 300
Pulaski 289
Clinton 279
Washington 279
Henderson 268
Pope 247
Alexander 211
Calhoun 201
Putnam 161
Brown 123
a - × Calculated from: Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois. (Proceedings of the One Hundred Thirty-first Annual Meeting (Chicago, Ill., 1970), pp. 357-379.
TABLE 2
PERCENTAGE OF ADULT MALES
WHO ARE MASONS
BY ILLINOIS COUNTY IN 1970. a
County Percent
Johnson 29
Hardin 25
Stark 24
Edgar 22
Clark 21
Ford 21
Hamilton 21
Douglas 20
Gallatin 20
Pope 20
Crawford 19
Hancock 19
Piatt 18
Scott 18
White 17
Cumberland 10
Moultrie 16
Pike 16
Saline 16
Clay 15
Fulton 15
Lawrence 15
Menard 15
Schuyler 15
Shelby 15
Tazewell 15
Wayne 15
DeWitt 14
Edwards 14
Mercer 14
Vermilion 14
Rond 13
Carroll 13
Cass 13
Christian 13
Effingham 13
Franklin 13
Greene 13
Jasper 13
Jo Daviess 13
McLean 13
Macoupin 13
Marion 13
Montgomery 13
Williamson 13
Coles 12
Knox 12
Monroe 12
Pulaski 12
Richland 12
Union 12
Union 12
Warren 12
Adams 11
Calhoun 11
Fayette 11
Henderson 11
McDonough 11
Mason 11
Massac 11
Morgan 11
Putnam 11
Stephenson 11
Wabash 11
Bureau 10
Grundy 10
Henry 10
Iroquois 10
Jersey 10
Macon 10
Marshall 10
Rock Island 10
Sangamon 10
Jefferson 9
Ogle 9
Peoria 9
Perry 9
Jackson 9
Lee 8
Madison 8
Brown 7
LaSalle 7
Livingston 7
Logan 7
Randolph 7
St. Clair 7
Whiteside 7
Winnebago 7
Woodford 7
Alexander 6
Boone 6
Champaign 6
DeKalb 6
Washington 6
Kendall 5
Will 5
Clinton 4
Cook 4
Kane 4
McHenry 4
DuPage 3
Kankakee 3
Lake 3
a The calculated percentage for the state of Illinois is 6 percent. Calculated from: Most Worshipful Grand Lodge,
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of the State of Illinois. Proceedings of the One Hundred Thirty-first Annual Meeting. (Chicago, Ill., 1970), pp. 357-379; and from U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census, United States Census of Population: 1970 (Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office), Vol. l, Characteristics of Population, pt. 15, Illinois, Table 35,pp. 255-282.
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Memberships That Mass In The Light
by Allen Parsons, M.P.S.
As a spectator in the grandstand or in front of the tube, you've watched it happen many times. After winning an important ballgame players rush onto the diamond and exuberantly jump and climb aboard one another. After scoring a needed touchdown a running back invariably holds the pigskin aloft while he enthusiastically and ecstatically performs a victory dance.
In the milieu of the Philalethes Society those of us who are on the Membership Committee, the officers and active petition-getters can well enjoy the satisfaction of reaching our goal before the annual meeting of the Society if we step up our effort to sign up new members. And bright is the way things look at this writing.
Our State Membership Chairman in Texas writes, "We have had a Philalethes membership breakthrough in Texas. We are on the way and there will be twenty applications on the way to Andy in Maryland this week." Estel W. Brooks from Arizona says, "If all that I give petitions would send them in, we would have a lot more members." Byron H. Brow, Jr., of North Carolina tells us, "I know several Master Masons who would like to become members."
There are approximately 4,000,000 Master Masons in the United States and millions more around the globulin other words, enough prospects for all of us to pursue. And many of them are interested in learning more about the Craft, its history, its present status and what the future holds. Evan Esar said, "In salesmanship, a foot in the door is worth two on the desk." We can reach and surpass our goal by offering non-members the opportunity to become members. What it takes is a little determination on everyone's part to present the opportunity to prospects.
Dues are going up (isn't everything?). Readers of the October issue of the Philalethes Magazine know that the Joining Fee is to be increased from $3.00 to $5.00, and the annual dues from $5.00 to $7.00. So you have another sales tool to work with. Everybody likes a bargain . . . including your prospects. There is no better time than now for you to obtain new members for the Society, nor petitioners to become members. It's an option not to be disregarded.
We are confident that the membership workers in the States that are leading in our membership drive: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Tennessee, Illinois, California and New Jersey, will continue their successful efforts. We have every reason to believe that Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New York, Iowa, Virginia and Wisconsin can reach their quota. Also, that Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska and Washington have an excellent chance.
Petitions have been received from two of the States that were in the Repetition category at the time of our last report.
Our State Membership Chairmen and Co-Chairmen are doing an excellent job. They can, of course, use your help. So we are urging each member of the Society to make an extra effort to secure at least one petition. This will not only help reach our goal but will surpass it with flying colors.
There are no unscaleable heights!
----o----
WE WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS
Roger William Yaeger Lee Cornell Bucknum
600 Fairview Cross Road 430 Hampshire Ave.
Kalispell, Mont. 59901 San Antonio, Texas 78210
Recommended by Recommended by
Estel W. Brooks, M.P.S. Harold Schlierer, M.P.S.
Kermit F. R. Riedy Samuel Palmer Blake, Sr.
109 Union Street 387 Orchard St.
Munhall, Pa.15120 Millis, Mass. 02054
Recommended by Recommended by
Perry L. LaBarr, M.P.S. Wallace R. Walker, M.P.S.
W. Thomas Musser Elwyn Noyes Robinson
2015 Marivoro Road 5804 Chaparral Circle, NW
Kennett Square, Pa.19348 Albuquerque, N.M. 87114
Recommended by Recommended by
Alfred E. Yeaton, M.P.S. John B. Vrooman, F.P.S.
Amer Roy Macumber Richard Olaf Olson
1549 N. Fern Circle 1666 N. Pacific Ave.
Mesa, Ariz. 85021 Fresno, Calif. 93705
Recommended by Recommended by
Ester W. Brooks, M.P.S. Wells L. Harmon, M.P.S.
Larry Leonard Hilton Glenn Clayton Sargent
Rte 2, Randish St. 18 Oak St.
Kingsport, Tenn.37660 Rome, Georgia 30161
Recommended by Recommended by
James P. Wagner, M.P.S. Fred H. Crouch, Jr., M.P.S.
Robert Van Pinkston Roger David Thomas
P.O. Box 1024 3619 E. Fairmount, No.3
Beaufort, S.C.29902 Tucson, Ariz. 85716
Recommended by Recommended by
H. Wallace Reid, M.P.S. Dr. Lawrence Jones, M.P.S.
----o----
By Jerry Marsengill
Here beginneth a new format wherein ye editor shaketh a lance at ignorance and at ye readers, tilteth at windmills, putteth ye foote in ye mouthe and on rare occasions even succeedeth in hittinge ye naile on ye heade.
Question: Why is it necessary to change the title of the column?
Answer: Because I want to save some space and besides I like this title.
Question: Is this title original with you?
Answer: Certainly not. I stole it from Tom Newman when he was editor of Chicago's Tri-Luminar Lodge Trestle News.
Question: Do you ever do anything original?
Answer: Only when it's absolutely necessary and unavoidable.
Question: Do you give credit where it is due?
Answer: Whenever I am forced to.
This month, brethren, I am going to drop the usual format of news and views about the membership and the query corner to talk about a few ground rules.
Hopefully there will be few changes in the magazine with the new staff. It is necessary to lay down a few ground rules and to try to form a tip sheet.
I need all articles of a Masonic nature. Preferably they will be from 1,500 to 2,000 words in length.
These should be well researched and documented articles.
It is important that any statements which are made in the Philalethes magazine can be documented. We will have a few mistakes, regardless of how much care we take but careful research will hold these to a minimum.
It is easy to get carried away with enthusiasm. It is also easy to fill in the gaps in our own knowledge with some statement that we might have wished had happened. Remember, though, any little old lady in Dubuque, Iowa, wearing tennis shoes, can sit in her attic and dream up facts which might possibly have happened.
From time to time we may have an article of a controversial nature. If you have such an article in mind send it in. I'm not talking about think pieces nor sermons. If you have an article of Masonic value, whether it is controversial or not, we can use it.
If you disagree with something we have done, write us a letter. We will publish it, although we may have to excerpt some long ones. We will also appreciate complimentary letters if you find something you like. Personally, I like the complimentary letters better, but will also print the abusive ones.
Try your hand at writing an article even if you haven't done one yet. I may alter them a little, or I may send them back to you with some suggestions but it's fun to try one. When you do, don't rewrite a chapter from the "Builders". However good you can do, Joseph Fort Newton did it better.
Look around your general area and find the things of Masonic significance you can write about. I doubt if you live in Missouri you can find anything new or startling about the Great Pyramid, but you can find something new about the Lewis and Clark expedition. There is something of Masonic value wherever you happen to live.
When you send your article it would be helpful if you would send a photograph to illustrate it. We need clear, glossy, black and white photographs. We don't have the facilities to process color photographs and certainly we don't have the funds to print in four color.
When you write the article, write like you talk. We are trying to communicate with the readers, not to impress them with our knowledge. We want them to read what we write. The quickest way to turn them off is souse a bunch of bin words with a high "fog index". The "fog index" is measured by the number of words over one syllable you have.
Write in a positive sense. Use adjectives and adverbs sparingly, if at all. We are trying to write research articles, not trying to deal in superlatives. Don't use very, extremely, or splendid. A good rule of thumb for the use of adjectives is this: The Eastern Star cooked a dinner. That is fact. The Eastern Star cooked a delicious dinner. That is opinion. Maybe someone else doesn't like liver and onions with boiled Brussels sprouts.
Don’t use a bunch of footnotes. If it is necessary to give someone or some source credit, do it in the article. Say, "According to John Smith in his History of Freemasonry....". This not only gets rid of the footnotes, it makes your article easier to read.
When we get your articles, we will accept them or reject them as soon as possible. We can't promise when we will use them but we will use them as soon as we can.
Finally, when your articles are received, I will edit them. It may be necessary to change a few words or to cut a paragraph or two. We have a magazine here, not a tabloid. We are trying to make each article complete in itself on a certain number of pages. We may have to cut a little "fat" out of some article. If there are any major changes we will return the article to you with a few suggestions as to how to cut or to change it. Normally, and especially with the authors who are already writing for the Philalethes, there will be no necessity for change.
That should do it. I hope we have a long and happy association. I am looking forward to it and hope you will keep my mailbox full.