Contents
It Seems To Me Chicago Chapter
George Rogers Clark: AL CERZA Rides Again
A Masonic Painting and its Story Local Chapters Life Blood Of Our Work
From Time Immemorial Retaining the Moving Mason
The Gutenberg Bible THE GOSPEL OF THE REDMAN
Unusual Lodge Bibles Rebuilding the Temple
ALONG THE TRAP LINE
The Tyler or Outer Guard
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
Robert L. Dillard, Jr., F.P.S., Second Vice-President
1105 Southland Center, Dallas, Texas 75201
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
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
It Seems to Me
Membership Campaign Gets Into High Gear
George Rogers Clark: Gideon of the West
Al Cerza Rides Again!
A Masonic Painting and Its Story
From Time Immemorial
Retaining the Moving Mason
The Gutenberg Bible
The Gospel of the Redman
Unusual Lodge Bibles
Rebuilding the Temple
Officers Nominated for Second Fifty Years
New Members
Al Cerza Reviews Masonic Books
The Tyler or Outer Guard
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By John Black Vrooman
That as we approach the middle of our fifty-year birthday celebration, we should be encouraged and appreciative of what has been accomplished to make this important occasion.
First, we should applaud Allan D. Parsons and Harold F. Bull, our Membership co-chairmen, for their efforts to increase our working membership, as well as the efforts of so many members in bringing Freemasons who want to participate in our work. These are good signs. They indicate dedication and effort.
Another indication that the Society is becoming more active is the interest in Local Chapters. We now have eight, with several queries for information to form others. Membership is our lifeline. In these activities we are showing interest and result. Before the anniversary year is over, we may well have a dozen or fifteen new local Chapters. We may also bring our membership far in advance of the nearly two thousand it now enjoys.
More than that, with several local areas planning special events during the year, we may realize our long-sought goal of a chain of activity and growth in both numbers and activity the like of which we have not enjoyed for many years.
This is not the end. The vitality of our Society is manifest in other ways. Never has there been so much interest in study and research, in the desire to get all the facts of Freemasonry, to make our Gentle Craft personal and powerful. This is the most important facet of our growth in these years.
From the enthusiasm generated at the Masonic Workshop in Washington last February, and from the expressed desire of so many Fellows and members to be an active party of the Society, we look forward to more and more action and creation of more and more participation by a great number of our diligent workers, and greater and more abundant efforts to make freemasonry real and understood.
Freemasonry must be understood and made a part of the daily life of each if it is to fulfill its purpose. We must live the tenets and teachings of the Craft if they are to influence and guide our actions. Knowledge is Power - most particularity in Freemasonry. To understand it partially is not enough. We must use it and live it, to make it real. This is the purpose of the Philalethes Society, to make the Craft understood and loved. It is this, that makes our Fiftieth Anniversary such an important event.
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PRESENTS PROGRAM
On March 10, 1978, the Chicago Chapter of the Philalethes Society, presented a Masonic information program, at the invitation of Brother H. Kent Ryan, Worshipful Master, before Lawn Lodge No. 815, at the Temple 3358 W. 62nd Place, Chicago, Illinois. The subject was "Great Men Who Have Been Freemasons." The format was a question and answer presentation. Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., acted as Moderator. The following members answered the questions: Hugh A. Cole, Dr. Stephen R. Greenberg, Harold R. Kopfman, Michael P. Unitson, and J. Robert Watt. G. Ford Rodgers was scheduled to take part in the program at the invitation of the Worshipful Master. He did an excellent job.
This meeting was open to friends and neighbors of the members. The information was presented under various classifications such as specific public officers, occupations, and classes of entertainers. Thirty questions were asked and answered with emphasis on brevity. Under the classification of public officials the following areas were covered: Presidents of the United States; Vice Presidents of the United States Governors of Illinois; United States Senators from Illinois; Mayors of Chicago; signers of the Declaration of Independence; and signers of the Constitution of the United States. Under the second classification the following areas were covered: architects and engineers; authors; leaders in the auto industry; aviators; astronauts; business leaders; cartoonists; explorers; inventors; labor leaders; military leaders; ministers; physicians; and scientists. Under the third classification the following areas were covered: actors; movie stars; movie producers; opera singers; composers; musicians; circus performers; magicians; and sport heroes.
The program was well received as was indicated by the questions and answers with audience participation. It took a little over an hour. Refreshments were served in the dining room after the meeting.
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Membership Campaign Gets Into High Gear!
This year can add the largest number of new members to our roster in the Society's history. It's an appropriate goal for our Golden Anniversary Year. To assist in the drive a letter has been mailed to every member urging him to make an effort to sign up one new prospect.
While we are urging member to "sell" one new candidate on the Society's dedication to "seeking and imparting more Light in Masonry", we are planning on presenting to each member who obtains two or more petitions a Certificate of Appreciation for his support in our continued growth as the most outstanding organization of its kind on the continent. This Certificate will be suitable for framing or keeping among personal archives.
So far this year an increasing number of our members have accomplished this goal. There is still ample time for many others to do likewise. It is really not a difficult task. All it takes is to buttonhole interested Masons, show them a copy of the Philalethes Magazine and point to the advantages of membership indicated on the first page of the petition. All it takes is a little effort. You may be surprised how successful you can be if will try.
Turn to the list of new members in this issue who have joined the Society during the last few weeks. Note the names of the sponsors. They have made the effort and succeeded. So can you. Will you try?
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GIDEON of the WEST
by Dwight L. Smith, F.P.S.
ARTICLE XXXVI
Until Saratoga, the American Independence had been inconclusive. All too soon after the October '77 victory in New York came the winter of indescribable suffering at Valley Forge. Spring was not far behind, though, and it brought news of the treaty of aid with France.
But that was not all. In the vast area later known as the Old Northwest, bounded by the Appalachians on the east, the Mississippi River on the west, the Great Lakes on the north and the Ohio River on the South, great events were beginning to take shape. The map of the United States of America would be different than first anticipated when the full extent of the Northwest campaign was understood.
It must be remembered that Britain was trying to stamp out a revolution more than 3,000 miles from home on unfamiliar terrain and under conditions utterly foreign to conventional welfare. Short on troops, the Crown's military leadership nevertheless was not unmindful of the help that could be realized through alliances with the Indians, who, for understandable reasons, could easily be maneuvered to that the American traders, trappers and settlers with an animal like passion.
In all probability, few soldiers in the colonial army, and few civilians as well, were aware of what was going on in Kentucky and the Northwest in the summer of 1778. But to settlers in tiny, widely scattered settlements Indian raids were an ever present hazard. The territory north of the Ohio River was an open door through which hostile tribes could attack pioneer villages with savage ferocity.
With the major portion of the King's troops occupied along the Atlantic seaboard, it became a part of Britain's grand strategy to enter upon a campaign of sustained harassment on the frontier. In such a program the British had a "natural" in Colonel Henry Hamilton, Lieutenant Governor and commandant of the post at Detroit.
Colonel Hamilton knew how to manipulate the Indians. He showered gifts upon them, drank whiskey with them, and participated in their tribal dances. Known to have paid rewards for the scalps of settlers, apparently buying them like beaver skins, he became known to Americans as "the Hair Buyer." It was indeed a reign of terror. If they were to survive, the settlements in Kentucky and the Illinois country would have to have help from the east.
It came with a tall, powerful, red-haired, 25 year-old Virginian, George Rogers Clark. *
Second son in the family of ten, Clark was born November 19, 1752. Four of his five brothers also were officers in the colonial army. William, the youngest, was only 11 when the war ended, but he and Merriwether Lewis made up for it with their great exploration to the Pacific Northwest in 1803.
At some time in his colorful career, George Rogers Clark was made a Freemason, but when and where remain to be discovered. At his death in 1818 his remains were buried with Masonic honors.
When he was 19, Clark left his Virginia home in search of land and adventure, he was enchanted by Kentucky, and it became his home. But Indian hostilities delayed or prevented land development Clark made the long trip to Williamsburg, Va., to ask for gunpowder for defense of the threatened settlements, but six months elapsed before the powder became available.
By the spring of 1778 young Clark was beginning to develop strategy. It was evident there was little hope for survival of the frontier settlements unless Virginia could be persuaded to take aggressive action.
Detroit was the key, he reasoned. Held by the British, it was headquarters for the fur trade. Like the center of a spider web, trails led to important outposts, one to Kaskaskia in southern Illinois, another to Vincennes in what now is Indiana. As long as the British held these, they would be in control.
Clark's plan began to unfold: To defend Kentucky, strike at the source; get the British garrison at Detroit busy with other matters, then attack "through the back door," first at Kaskaskia, then Fort Sackville at Vincennes.
Late in 1777 he went again to Virginia and outlined his thoughts to Governor Patrick Henry and the Executive Council. They approved. Clark was commissioned a lieutenant colonel and received two sets of orders, one for public consumption, the other a tightly guarded secret not revealed even to the Virginia Assembly.
Authority was granted to raise seven companies of riflemen, with adequate supplies, for "defense of Kentucky." That much was for the record. The secret orders approved a full scale campaign against the Illinois country.
On May 12, 1778, with only 150 men, Clark embarked by flatboat from Pittsburgh, moving downstream. A command post was set up on an island near the Falls of the Ohio (Louisville). As yet, his men had no inkling that they were going to Kaskaskia, a distance by river and overland of perhaps 400 miles.
When he thought the time was ripe, Clark revealed the orders. On June 24 his "army" of 178 carefully chosen men shot the rapids of the Ohio on flatboats during a total eclipse of the sun.
It was an exhausting trip, two days without food, before they sighted Kaskaskia on the Fourth of July. Unguarded, the settlement fell without a shot, Three days later, having won the friendship of the French inhabitants, Clark's rangers captured Cahokia, a French village just across the Mississippi from the Spanish trading center St. Louis.
Summer and autumn 1778 became a season of feverish activity with Clark quickly organizing his "bloodless conquest." In so doing, he showed a rare degree of tact and understanding in dealing with the French. Almost to a man they were won over from British domination.
Treaties with all Indian tribes in a radius of 500 miles were secured by Sardinian-born fur operator and trusted associate Francis Vigo. Almost a hundred of Clark's riflemen re-enlisted and the ranks were filled with French volunteers.
Thanks to his generous treatment of the Catholic population in Kaskaskia, Clark had another loyal ally in Father Pierre Gibault, who made the long trek overland to Vincennes and persuaded the French inhabitants there to follow the lead of Kaskaskia and Cahokia.
But in the meantime, Clark's perilous hold on the two outposts was threatened from Detroit. Colonel Hamilton went into action at once, assembled a large an well supplied force, after a 71-day journey by boat and overland, captured the helpless Vincennes on December 17.
Then Hamilton made a decision that was to change the course of history. Because the cold days were severe and winter floods were formidable, he decided to wait for mild weather, supplies and reinforcements before moving on to Kaskaskia. Accordingly, the French and Indians in the party were free to go home. They did just that.
Not until January 29, 1779 did Clark receive the electrifying report that Fort Sackville (Vincennes) had fallen to Hamilton. At the same time, however, he learned of the British commander's decision to delay an attack until spring.
Still short of 27, George Rogers Clark was a born leader of men. He determined to risk everything in a bold gamble, to attack Vincennes in midwinter when the enemy would least expect it.
Five days after hearing the news from Fort Sackville, he wrote a celebrated letter to Governor Patrick Henry outlining his plan. "If I fall through in this expedition the whole Cuntry is lost," he wrote, "but great things have been done by a few men...."
First, he dispatched a large flatboat, The Willing, carrying 40 men and a few pieces of artillery, with orders to guard the mouth of the Wabash River and join the main force below Vincennes, little suspecting that the party would not arrive until the action was over.
Then, on February 6, he set out from Kaskaskia with only 172 men on an exploit unsurpassed in American history with a single possible exception, that of the winter march of Benedict Arnold's * troops through the wilderness of Maine to attack Quebec.
Normally a journey of five or six days, this one would require 16, the last four without food or dry powder, through wilderness and across rivers flooded by constant rains, a distance variously estimated at between 180 and 240 miles.
Marching 25 to 30 miles a day in spite of soggy ground and flooded streams, the first six days passed with no man dry at any time, not even at night.
As they pushed their way through the water three or four feet deep the troops were cheered on by a 14-year old lad from Cahokia who had joined the party as a drummer. At times the little fellow would ride on the shoulders of one of the men; at other times float along on top of his drum, singing comic songs all the while. Surely no American schoolboy will ever forget that familiar picture.
When the Wabash River was reached, men and supplies ferried across in two makeshift canoes, leaving horses behind. That day and the next, whenever the water became deeper, Clark would take the lead, shouting an Indian war-whoop, the men following with grim determination.
As they approached Vincennes, Clark distributed 20 flags, spacing them along the lines at intervals to make it appear to the French inhabitants that at least 20 companies were about to attack.
Arriving at Fort Sackville, Clark's men opened fire, continuing sporadically through the night. On the morning of February 25, Hamilton surrendered, and the American flag was raised again over Vincennes.
George Rogers Clark, age 26, had dreamed the impossible dream and fought the unbeatable foe, succeeding in a military feat most commanders would have considered suicidal at best. Total battle casualties: None.
And with that, the United States established its claim to the Northwest Territory. Negotiators in later peace conferences consider it a strong claim, and a rather reasonable one.
REFERENCES
John D. Barnhart and Dorothy L. Riker, Indiana to 1816: The Colonial Period (1971)
Richard M Ketchum, editor, The American Heritage Book of the Revolution (1958); also Ketchum, "Men of the Revolution (No 11)" in American heritage, December 1973.
Lowell H Harrison "George Rogers Clark and the Conquest of Illinois," in American History Illustrated, February 1977
Commemorate History of the George Rogers Clark Bicenntennial Exhibit, Indiana State Museum (1976)
"The Secret Orders: Letters of Patrick Henry and George Rogers Clark Issued Facsimile by the Indiana Historical Society" (1964).
* Indicates Freemason
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by Alex Horne F.P.S.
Vol. 89 of the Transactions (A.Q.C.) of Quatuor Coronati Lodge of Research No. 2076, London, having just arrived, I note an article by our own brother Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S. - the first, I believe, since his 1967 article on "Anti-Masonry", condensed from his book length work of the same name. This time he writes on "The American War of Independence and Freemasonry" - a timely subject indeed - and this outstanding effort must not get overlooked in our own journal.
Year after year, now, our good brother has been regaling us, issue after issue, with a page of Book Reviews and comments on a large number of publications of Masonic interest (how he gets time to read them all, I'll never know), but his modesty will probably prevent him from noting his own important contribution to this, the most prestigious Research Lodge in the world, and I have consequently elected myself to fill the gap.
The article begins with the earliest appearance of Freemasons in our American Colonies, with some account of their meetings in Lodge, and the early establishment of permanent Lodges, with a Provincial Grand Lodge to rule them here and there, authorized from "the old country". A clear picture of the social and political conditions of the early colonists is presented; and, with the intrusion of a troubled time, the question of the right and wrong of a formal rebellion - in view of our Masonic teachings - comes up for analysis. And, of course some details of the War of Independence, and the effect it had on our Masonic Brethren, in both camps. Even the "Boston Tea Party" is not overlooked, an event often said to have been planned in a Masonic Lodge and executed by its members, which, Brother Cerza believes, however, is not exactly the way it was.
(About all we know for certain, about the matter, is a short statement in the unpublished Diary of John Rowe, as recorded in the 1895 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.) John Rowe was their Grand Master in 1768 and for some years thereafter. But he was also a Tea Importer, and understandably unsympathetic toward those who violently opposed the Stamp Tax. On Dec. 16, 1773 - the day of the Tea Party - we find him writing in his Diary: "A Number of People Appearing in Indian Dresses went on board the three ships...Opin'd the Hatches, hoisted out the Tea & flung it Overboard, this might I believe have been prevented. I am sincerely Sorry for the Event." On this same day, the Boston Lodge of St. Andrew met at the Green Dragon Tavern, their headquarters, but there were only five members present, and their Lodge Minute Book states: "Lodge closed (on account of the few members present)". A previous Lodge meeting had been similarly adjourned till later, for similar reasons, adding: "N.B. Consignees of Tea took up the Brethren's time". Paul Revere - W.M. of St. Andrew's in 1770 and several years thereafter - is stated by Denslow, in his 10, 000 Famous Freemasons, to have taken part in this Tea Party, but Al Cerza correctly states that there were other patriotic groups who similarly held their meetings in the Green Dragon Tavern, and the Tea Party may well have been a joint venture. Daniel Webster is quoted as referring to the Green Dragon Tavern as the "Headquarters of the Revolution", and a more recent historian has written that "more Revolutionary eggs were hatched in this dragon's nest than in any other spot in Boston. "
(Speaking of Paul Revere reminds us of his famous Midnight Ride of April 18, 1775, and the assistance afforded him by a brother Mason by the name of Robert Newman, a member of Boston's St. John's Lodge, renamed from the "First Lodge" constituted in 1733. He was the sexton of a church now known as North Church, and who had given the famous signal from the tower. He had previously evaded the possible suspicions of the English officers quartered upon the family by taking a candle unobtrusively up to his own room, where he climbed out of a back window, dropped to the street, and climbed the tower of the church in the darkness; then leaving the church by a rear window, and regaining his own chamber as he had left. it.)
Those were exciting days in American history.
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A Masonic Painting and its Story
by Keith Arrington, M.P.S.
There just aren't many strictly Masonic paintings, especially by well-known artists, around. One could ruminate on whether this was because Masonry did not inspire well-known artists, whether many well-known artists have been Masons, or whether there just didn't seem to be a market for a Masonic painting. Or, there could be other considerations.
"The First Three Degrees of Freemasonry," by Grant Wood, native lowan and referred to as the "Painter of the Soil," is a beautiful work which hangs in the Hall of Masonry in the lowa Masonic Library, Cedar Rapids.
Was artist Wood inspired to paint this picture by his initiation in 1921 into Mt. Hermon Lodge No. 263 of Cedar Rapids? Did the lessons he was taught in the lodge inspire the symbolism he used? Or, did he paint it simply because Past Grand Master George Schoonover of Anamosa, Wood's birthplace, commissioned him to do so? (The painting was given to the Library in 1949 by Otto A. Schoitz of Waterloo. Iowa.)
It is impossible to obtain the answers to these questions, since possibly only the artist himself knew and he died at the age of 50 in 1942.
Grant Wood became nationally famous about 1930 when he exhibited a painting called "American Gothic" at the Art Institute in Chicago. He had shown artistic talent ever since childhood and had studied art in Minneapolis, Chicago, and at Paris, France. He served two years in the Army's camouflage division and taught school in Cedar Rapids for five years. In later years he taught at the State University of lowa.
During all of this time he was producing art of one form or another, working in metal and other mediums as well as with paint and canvas. A commission, from the American Legion, for a stained glass window to be a memorial to the American fighting men of all wars, took him to Munich, Germany, in 1928, consumed two years of his time and left him with a profit of $800. This magnificent window is in the Memorial Coliseum in Cedar Rapids.
"American Gothic" brought him to the attention of the art world and his style after that time was primarily referred to as "American Gothic". It is ironic that many out of state visitors to the Iowa Masonic Library confess to never having heard of Grant Wood. When they are reminded of the "Country Cornflakes" TV commercial of several seasons ago, which brought the somber, bald-headed farmer with a pitch-fork and his equally somber and plain wife of "American Gothic" to "life" on the TV screen, then the faces light up and heads nod. Oh, Yes! Now everyone remembers. Actually, they weren't farmers at all. Grant Wood's sister and his dentist posed for the picture.
One might wonder if Masonry made any impression whatever on Wood, since he was suspended for nonpayment of dues in 1924, less than three years after his initiation. Also, one of his biographers wrote: "He (Wood) never joined any non-artistic organization except the American Legion." So, like so many other famous men, his Masonic affiliation was unknown to or at least unmentioned by his biographer. However, he was notoriously unconcerned with financial matters and a poor manager of his finances. His friends often paid his bills for him, so it is possible that he simply forgot to pay his Masonic dues.
If we are charitable and grant that Grant may have been inspired by the lessons of the lodge to choose his symbolism and the overall plan for the painting, we still realize that help was close at hand, if he had any problems. His studio was above the old carriage house behind Turner's Mortuary, just across that alley from the Iowa Masonic library, with all of its resources and knowledgeable Masons. Also on tap was Harry L. Haywood, then editor of "THE BUILDER," one of the finest Masonic magazines ever published. The publisher was none other than P.G.M. Schoonover, who had commissioned the painting. Schoonover was founder and Secretary of the National Research Society and the moving force behind the creation of the Masonic Service Association, which had its birth in Cedar Rapids in 1918-1919.
But, look at that left hand panel of the painting. Surely if ever there was an illustration that told the purpose and the work of Freemasonry, this is it. A man, using the tools of the stonemason to carve out his character from his rough, earthly nature. Wood must have been inspired indeed to have visualized such symbolism. Right? Wrong! He copied it from the frontispiece of the December, 1916, issue of "THE BUILDER." The sculptor of the original, Albin Polasek, became instructor at the Art Institute in Chicago in 1916. Grant Wood - may have been acquainted with Polasek, since Wood studied at the Chicago Art Institute a few years later. In any event, he did copy Polasek's statue, line for line, in his painting.
And, you have already, no doubt, noticed Rodin's well known "The Thinker" in the right hand panel. This writer is not aware of the origin of the central panel.
The official interpretation of the three panels does not agree with the way that I see it. This interpretation, of unknown origin, appeared in a small booklet issued by the Library at the time of the acquisition of the painting: "The right hand symbolizes the Entered Apprentice, surrounded by the ruins of the Temple, profoundly concerned over its destruction, and intent upon the problem of its restoration.
"In the left hand panel we find evidence of the rebuilding just completed. The Fellowcraft, having finished his task, is led to translate the material into the spiritual, and the statue at the base of the steps is symbolic of the progress of carving out his character from the rough marble as it came from the quarry. Through his labor and steadiness of high purpose his character is emerging into a new conception of life; it is acquiring definite form, strength, and stability.
"The central panel carries a strikingly original symbolism of Brotherhood. Two men, half embraced as brothers holding out the Letter G and the Level symbolize the idea of Equality and Fraternity, offering to the beholder the ideal of a world brother-hood, which, under God, may yet be possible.
"The grouping of these three scenes about the Mosaic pavement, with Light flooding the central figures from above, has a significance that will be clear to any initiate."
This is all very possible, but, what temple is it that lies in ruins in the right hand panel, if that signifies the first degree?
To me, the three degrees are depicted from the left to right. The construction of a temple and the forming of a new man signify new life, or the first degree. The second degree is depicted in the middle panel by two brothers, possibly one instructing the other, met upon the level and guided by God. As you progress from left to right, notice that the bannister at the rear of the picture is deteriorating and that the foliage in the lower left hand corner is fresh and orderly, while that in the lower right hand corner is old and tangled. Could all this symbolize the process of aging? In the right panel, the old man sits thinking, contemplating all that has passed and the meaning of it all, while the temple is now in decay. Three periods of life, symbolizing the three degrees.
Perhaps you see it some other way. That is the way symbolism teaches. Each man must find the true meaning for himself and not all of us see the same lessons.
The painter, Brother Wood, habitually constructed his painting from details he could find close at hand. Although he was a farm boy, well acquainted with horses, his model for the horse in the painting of "Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" was a rocking-horse he borrowed from a Cedar Rapids family.
In the final reckoning, however, where ever Grant Wood got the inspiration and ideas for his "Freemasonry" painting and whatever it means to the individual viewer, it is unquestionably a masterpiece of Masonic illustration and instruction .
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Local Chapters Life Blood Of Our Work
by John Black Vrooman, F. P. S.
As has been emphasized in each issue by Allan D. Parsons, Chairman of the Membership Committee of the Philalethes, manpower is the backbone and driving power of our Society. In this connection, we have a new magnet with which to create interest in the work of the Society by Freemasons who need material by which to increase their knowledge of the Craft - it is our Local Chapters of the Society, of which we have, at the present time SEVEN.
Realizing that the work of the Society is concentrated in its annual "Masonic Workshop" held in Washington, D.C., each February, and realizing further, that there must be some local activity by which our more than 2, 000 members may be activated to personal participation, it was conceived that a local group of a dozen or more living in the same locality, could create interest and enthusiasm for the work of making Freemasonry more personal, more productive, and more meaningful.
Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., Life, was first to see the possibilities of such a group. The Chicago Chapter, organized more than fifteen years ago, is one of the most active units we have.
What does it take to organize a local Chapter? Nothing more than the enthusiasm of half a dozen or more members of the Society, with a number of Freemasons who would like to participate. A booklet - "Organizing Local Chapters of the Philalethes Society" may be obtained from the Editor Emeritus, John Black Vrooman, F.P.S., P.O. Box 402, St. Louis, Missouri 63166.
Simplicity is the keynote of the Local Chapters - few officers, little routine activity, good fellowship and an occasional gathering around the dinner table, with a paper of Masonic interest read by a member, discussion and participation in the evening's activities. Each local Chapter is a separate unit, but an integral PART of the National group.
Each Chapter draws up its own ByLaws, fixes its own dues and transacts its own business. The connection with the National group of one of fraternal goodwill, the "Philalethes" will do everything possible to help the local Chapter.
Local Chapters may be extremely helpful to the national group in a number of ways. In sending the Editor such papers as are presented at local meetings and suggestions for cooperation between Chapters in the same area, there are other ways in which both local and national groups may work together.
There are, now seven local Chapters. In the past few weeks we have had a number of queries about the formation of such groups. It is anticipated that within this, the Golden Anniversary year of the Society, we may increase the number of Chapters and thereby point
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by C. W. Coons, M.P.S.
If we would know the backgrounds of modern (Speculative) Masonry, the best place to look for them is in the rituals that are used in American lodges today.
Having attended lodge in seven states between and including Mississippi and Minnesota, I have observed that (with very little change of wording, but with considerable variety in the order of introduction) each of these jurisdictions is almost identical in the essentials of their rituals and lectures.
In each of these, almost all of the first degree, much of the second, and some of the third, contain words, concepts, and floor movements which have their roots in the actual training rituals of the builder guildsman apprentice.
From early modern times back through the Middle Ages into "time immemorial" the builders' guild was literally forced to "be right" because these builders of major edifices were working with material masses which were lethal. A falling cornice, a failing three feet (or more) square beam of wood - which supported the roofs of King Solomon's Temple and many other constructions before and after it, or a collapsing flying buttress in a Gothic cathedral - any of these would kill people and ruin the future business opportunities of the builders who had done the work.
Consequently, from the time an apprentice first entered a chapter meeting to take his vows of guild secrecy - starting with his first processional right angle turn - throughout the years of training and specialization to follow, he was bombarded by symbolic movements and line after line of ritual, both ceremonial and instructional, designed to remind him that the rule and guide of his life in his structures, in his public relations, and in his personal associations must be square and true work.
The apprentice normally spent about seven years learning the basic skills with his tools, mathematics, and processes, before he could pass the examinations which would permit him to be presented with the staff of the "fellow [of the] craft".
Having received this symbol of the teacher [remember the F.C. sign of greeting], he then began another period of similar length in which he became the teacher of the apprentices (any teacher will say that the best way to learn a subject is to teach it!); and also, he began to specialize in some phase of the builder's arts.
He might become a specialist in columns, arches, piers, dams, sewage systems, fortifications, or aqueducts; or he might go into the graphic arts such as mosaic decoration or sculpture (Socrates was a tombstone carver); or, he might become a man of arts and parts whose "points" were the combination of wood and/or metals with stone for structural purposes and even (as in the case of Hiram, the Widow's Son in the Bible) for adornment, much of the statuary of ancient times being either painted or gilded; and pillars, window casings, or doors carved out of hard woods or cast from brass or iron were ornamental as well as sturdy.
When the craftsman finally presented his master-work and received the approval of his brothers (fellows) in the craft who had gone that way before him, he was given the right to engrave his own creations with his chosen (trade-)mark - and - he took upon himself an oath to contribute his art(s) to the efforts of any (legitimate, nonclandestine) chapter of builders in the world who might call for his services.
Fulfilling this oath might mean that any particular craftsman might be called on to provide a key function on some project of a chapter which had no one trained in necessary special skill; until that skill was provided to complete the project, the other members of that chapter might not receive payment for their services.
Although the preceding items and the ones to follow in this monograph are alluded to in modern lodge rituals, some of the details about them (for clarification) require some outside research in dictionaries, encyclopedias, history books, builders' or scientific magazines, or archaeological references. [Local libraries usually subscribe to a service which will search out any published item or book that they do not happen to have on their shelves at no charge, or at most a nominal one, for their card holders.]
However, practically none of the candidates who face this barrage of allusions know anything about the backgrounds of the information mentioned here, nor do, most unfortunately, the majority of the (Speculative) Masons who have sat in lodges for years - including far too many of the devoted men who coach candidates in their catechisms.
No other ten hours of lay ritual in the modern world is so rich in history, or so fraught with meaning, as the three sessions of our Masonic degrees.
Each concept alluded to by word or gesture would require at least a large paragraph, or perhaps a full book, if its complete meaning were to be explained in writing.
There is no wasted word or gesture in the degree work - except, possibly, for the overly elaborate (in some jurisdictions) rod work and "toe-to toe" turn foot on which, although it may be very pretty, a disproportionate amount of time is spent on drilling which might better be used in impressing our membership with the deeper meanings of the work; exact holding angles of the rods is not as important as the significance of their possession and original use, which, to my knowledge, is never mentioned in any degree.
We cannot be surprised at this compacting of essence when we comprehend that it represents the skeletonization of the total period of learning for a guildsman which required (normally) some fourteen years spent on the skills and concomitant moral and ethical precepts, this is now compressed to flit the time limit of three contemporary instructional (degree) sessions totaling about ten hours.
For example, the candidate hears in the first two degrees some references to columns, no mention being longer than a paragraph in duration. He is not made to realize that a builder in ancient times would spend years studying not only the aesthetic qualities of the pillars he hears described, but the relationships and ratios of materials to diameter to height to points of juncture to ornamentation.
The candidate hears the horrendous penalties to be inflicted for betrayal of guild secrets without ever being told that there is no record of them ever being invoked, what their original purpose was, or why such anachronisms are still retained in our rituals [which will be the subjects of a future discussion].
The candidate has accepted, (on the faith of his friendship for the men who introduced his petition for membership to the chapter) the statement that he will partake in the "mysteries" of the order-without ever being told, sometimes for as long as he lives, that the word is a street-use corruption, a contraction, by the French of the Medieval Latin ministerium which was adopted into/Middle English as "misterie" or "mistery" (eventually spelled "mystery") still retaining in the Middle English, which was in use when much of our ritual was crystalized, its Latin meaning of a person's business, profession, guild, or ministry or calling. [Consult an unabridged dictionary.]
The initiate hears his conductor "hail" another brother without ever being told that the apparently irrelevant word is not a greeting but the ancient Anglo-Saxon word hele (originally pronounced, it is now believed, "hayleh") which has the same meaning as "conceal". [See The Philalethes magazine, June, 1973, p, 57.]
He is admonished to "stand erect" when he is already standing up straight without ever being told of the other meanings of "erect" when it came to be used in the builder guildsman's a training ritual. [See The Philalethes magazine, October, 1977, page 10.]
The candidates common sense is assaulted in a dozen or more ways before he sits down for refreshment with his new brothers, but, nonetheless, he is expected to return and subject himself to what he, in his uniformed state, considers gobbledygook falderal - and to take it seriously!
For perfectly good reasons, we have zealously preserved the often archaic language of our Masonic ceremonies; but its charm for us is normally only bewilderment for the candidate - who often does not return to the lodge often enough to learn to appreciate its beauty.
Much of his confusion would be eliminated if the candidate were encouraged to investigate obfustcating wordings in a desk (collegiate) dictionary, even - but better, of course, in an unabridged or the oxford dictionary.
If the catechism coaches would only spend some time with these books - and perhaps with some descriptions (even general) of ancient guild practices - more of these hard-working brothers would be able to clarify these interest killing uncertainties of the candidates.
In any case, I suspect, some (most?) of these coaches, thoroughly convinced that the ritual itself is the only and ultimate end of Masonry, will never change their stultifying ways.
It is interesting to compare the differences in the attrition of the newly initiated in jurisdictions which have active Masonic Education programs with the attrition in those which have no such program.
----o----
Retaining
the Moving Mason
by Robert R. Clemons, M.P.S.
Declining membership has been a burning topic in the Craft for several years, with reason. Numerous remedies have been proposed and, sometimes, hotly debated. Within the proposals are many good ideas. The scope of them has, concentrated on securing candidates, and methods for maintaining interest and participation of members.
This emphasis is understandable. Declining membership has its greatest impact within one's Lodge. When attention is called at that level, remedies will be prepared for that level as well.
A broader view is required. A candidate for support is a Brother who is about to leave the area.
Much is made of the fact that the Fraternity is not attracting younger petitioners as it used to. True, but we do have significant numbers of younger men joining each year. These men hold the future of the Fraternity; and they should be strenuously encouraged to participate in the Lodge. Unfortunately, they form the most mobile element of the population. It is all too common to see a Brother Raised, begin to work in his Lodge - perhaps be appointed to office - and remain but a few years before his career forces him to relocate. Ten, or fifteen, or twenty years later that Brother will settle for good - but by then there is a probability that he will have long since ceased actively participating in the Craft. However enthusiastic and active he was in his Mother Lodge, there is a good chance that he won't seek out a new Lodge and resume his activity after that first move.
The last time a Brother left your Lodge on a business transfer or the like, what did you do for him? I know what was done on my behalf when I had to leave quite a few locations, and Lodges, because of military assignment: The refreshment after my last meeting was sort of a small farewell party. My hand was shaken and I was wished well by all concerned. In a couple of cases, the secretary insured that he had my correct forwarding address for the mailing lists of the Grand Lodge bulletins. I was invariably told to be sure to write; and was admonished to look up a Lodge when I got wherever it was I was going. And that was it - Goodby!
I've seen that same scene a hundred times - and have even participated in it myself. Never thought of it. I was forced to think late last year when a Companion of my Royal Arch Chapter received transfer orders shortly after he was Exalted. He didn't have time to learn enough of the work to pass an examination, so I wrote a letter to the Grand Secretary in the State to which he was moving, introducing him and asking that he be identified, invited to participate in the work, and provided the instruction that was missing here.
The response was phenomenal. This Brother received personal attention and has been made welcome. The welcome doesn't surprise me - I've been welcomed with warmth whenever I've sought out a Lodge at a new location; and I'm sure any Lodge would do everything it could to greet an arriving Brother, should they receive such a letter. But such letters are rarely written.
My Lodge in Germany is almost entirely servicemen, so the problem - and the potential - are much larger than for most 'stateside' Lodges; but only the scope is different. The solution is obvious. We have established an "additional duty" office of Fraternal Correspondent whose sole duty is to send a short letter on each departing Brother to the Grand Lodge of his new duty station. The letters are pretty much to format: Name of Brother, his Masonic history, maybe a sentence or two on offices held, floor work done, concordant bodies, and the like, his forwarding address, and when he will arrive. And the request that a lodge near to his home be advised so that he doesn't have to make the first visit 'in the dark'.
There won't be much immediate benefit to any Lodge for establishing such a program-it may even cost members if a Brother is welcomed in a new location and decides to demit and reaffiliate-but the alternative may well be a card-carrying, dues-paying (former) Mason. If enough Lodges start writing letters, though, the number any one lodge receives should come pretty close to the number it sends, and in the meantime a lot of individual Brothers can be kept active, and the Fraternity as a whole will surely benefit.
I noted that the gain given to a Lodge wouldn't be immediate, as it is unlikely that any particular Brother, once he moves on, will return. We had one brother here who did come back. An enthusiastic Mason-he was a former Warden, and had extended his tour as often as the service would allow so that he could stay active in his Lodge here. When he was reassigned to the States, he put in for transfer back to Germany; and, at the end of his tour, he got it. He was warmly welcomed on his return, any pumped for information on the American Lodges he had visited and worked in. But he never had visited. Not once in over two years. If he hadn't come back to his Mother Lodge, he may well have dropped out - except for paying his dues - completely. He isn't alone.
----o----
A Golden Anniversary Luncheon
Commemorating the 50th Year of
The Philalethes Society
The International Society of Masonic Scholars
Co-Sponsored by
CHESTER COUNTY CHAPTER and VALLEY FORGE LOCAL CHAPTER
Saturday, September 23, 1978 1:00 P.M.
East Brandywine Fire House - Guthrieville, Penna.
(U.S. ROUTE 322 AND BONDSVILLE ROAD - 4 MILES NORTH OF DOWNINGTON)
Donation: $6.00 per person All Master Masons Welcome!
Featuring
Internationally Known
Masonic Author and Lecturer
Ill. Alphonse Cerza 33d
A Past Master of Waubansia Lodge, No. 160 of Chicago and a member of Riverside Lodge, No. 862, A.F. & A.M. of Illinois; a Member of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Chicago for more than 25 years and has been awarded the 33d Honorary by the Supreme Council, 33d, A.A.S.R., Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. Brother Cerza is a Past President and Fellow of the Philalethes Society, the International Society of Masonic Scholars. He is a Fellow of the Missouri Lodge of Research, a Corresponding Member of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076, of London, England, a Member of the American Lodge of Research and the Iowa Lodge of Research. He is also a Member of the Society of the Blue Friars, the Honorary Masonic Writers Society. He is a Member of Medinah Temple of the A.A.O.N.M.S. He is the author of numerous Masonic books and papers. For many years, he has contributed book review columns in THE ROYAL ARCH MASON, THE NORTHERN LIGHT, THE NEW AGE, and THE PHILALETHES, as well as contributions to numerous other Masonic periodicals. In 1977, Brother Cerza was awarded "The James Royal Case Medal of Excellence" by the Connecticut Masonic Lodge of Research. In January, 1978, he was the recipient of "The Award of Merit" of the Chester County Local Chapter of the Philalethes Society. A graduate of Northwestern University and Loyola University of Chicago Law School, he was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1932, and in addition to his practice as an attorney has served as a Professor at the John Marshall Law School.
Brother Cerza Will Present
"FREEMASONRY-YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND TOMORROW" (including the origin of the Craft; how it evolved into the present Craft; the formation of the 1717 Grand Lodge in London; what happened in the Colonies, the Morgan Affair Masonry Today; the Need for Masonic Education and Culture; and The Philalethes Society.)
Tickets Limited - First Come, First Served
TICKETS MAY BE OBTAINED FROM the Officers of the Chester County and Valley Forge Chapters AND BY MAIL from the following, being sure to make check payable to PHILALETHES SOCIETY and to enclose a stamped, addressed reply envelope:
CHESTER COUNTY:
Hobert M. Bair, M.P.S.
Secretary-Treasurer
364 Lincoln Avenue
Downington, PA. 19335
VALLEY FORGE:
Elmer C. Hoffman, M.P.S. Secretary
11 Cramer Avenue
Collegeville, PA 19426
The Deadline for Receiving Mail Orders is Friday, September 15, 1978
IF ALL TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT WHEN ORDER RECEIVED, CHECK WILL BE RETURNED.
----o----
Plan Now To Attend Our
Masonic Educational Seminar
AND
Philalethes Society Chapter Formation
For Northern Indiana
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9,1978
10 A.M. to 3 P.M. - Luncheon-Noon to 1 P.M.
Masonic Temple - 427 N. Main St., South Bend, Ind.
SUBJECT: Masonic Education and "Management and Free Masonry"
Principal Speakers
Most Worshipful Grand Master William E. Hepley
Indiana Grand Lodge F. and A.M.
First Vice President M.W. Brother Dwight L. Smith
Philalethes Society, Grand Secretary,
Indiana Grand Lodge
Alphonse Cerza
Masonic Literature and Masonic Book Club
Allen Roberts
Masonic Educator
Plan now to be a part of this Great Masonic Educational Seminar and Formation of a Philalethes Society Chapter, An International Organization Dedicated to Seek out and impart more Light in Masonry. Meet the leaders of the Fraternity and hear our Masonic Speakers.
This Seminar is open to ail Masonic Leaders or Officers, Masonic members and Philalethes members and their Masonic Guests, especially those who are interested in Masonic Education, Activities of the Society and those interested in petitioning for membership.
RESERVATION necessary so that we can provide Luncheon
REGISTRATION necessary so you may receive father information regarding future meetings
This Seminar is sponsored by VALLEY LODGE No. 738 F. and A.M.
MODERATOR - Paul E. Rudbeck P.M
Who Needs Masonic Education?
This is a program you are sure to enjoy and long remember
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mail to
Paul E. Rudbeck-Coordinator
21275 Cleveland Road, South Bend, Ind. 46628
Ham, Beans & Corn Bread
Will Be Served for Luncheon
DONATION
$2.00 Per Plate
__ Please accept my reservation for your Masonic Education Seminar and Luncheon
__ Please accept our registration for your Masonic Education Seminar and Luncheon__ (Number) __
IName _______ Address _____ City _____ Zip _____
Make check payable to Valley Lodge No. 738 Fellowcraft Club. Plan Now to attend in Force!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
----o----
by Harold V.B. Voorhis, F.P.S.
Few people seem to know anything about the so-called Gutenberg Bible. I have heard so many statements regarding it, which are wishful thinking, that I decided to gather together some information about it, combed from what appears to be fact.
Johann or Henne Gutenberg, called the inventor of printing, was born in Mainz, Germany in 1398. For some reason not known he used another name, which was that of his mother. His real name was Johannes Gensfleisch zur Laden. He died in Mainz on February 3, 1468 and was buried in the Franciscan church there. Because of some financial difficulties he left his birthplace and moved to Strasborg, France. He operated a press there 1436-37 and then in 1438 made a five year contract with Hans Riffe, Andreas Dritzehn and Andreas Heilmann. In 1448 we find him back in Mainz in business with Peter Schoffer, and two years later he entered into a partnership with Johan Fust. They printed a vocabulary called "CATHOLICON" by means of letter cut on blocks of wood. Types of copper or tin were soon afterward substituted for wood, and with these a Latin Bible was printed with great difficulty and expense. In 1455, owing to some disagreement in pecuniary matters, the two men separated, following a law-suit which was lost by Gutenberg. The sum awarded to Fust by the judge was too great for Gutenberg to pay, so he was obliged to give Fust his printing materials and his invention. He subsequently did printing in Mainz, having been appointed by the archbishop elector Adolph von Nassau a member of his court, with tax free sinecure. A bronze monument, by Albert Bertel Thorwald (1770-1844) was erected to his memory in Mainz in 1857.
The famous bibles, bearing his name, were the first books printed by the use of moveable type and came from his press 1450-1456. The language was Latin, the type face being "black letter" or Gothic. There are 324 pages in a complete bible, printed on both side-form approximately 15 x 11 inches. Those on paper are still in excellent condition. His first copies were not to his liking so he reset the type in 42 lines per column, two columns per page. Estimates of the number of copies printed are 165 on paper and 35 on vellum. There are 47 copies known (complete or in part).
Gutenberg's Bible was made from the text of a copy of the Jerome Latin Vulgate Bible, the original then being something over a thousand years old. Eusebius Hieronymus Sophronius (Jerome) was born in Pannonia on the Danube River about 340 A.D. In 382 he became secretary to Pope Damasus in 366. He died at Bethlehem 420, and is known for his translation of the old and new Testaments of the Bible (385-405) into Latin-called the "VULGATE" copy-a word which means "commonly accepted".
There is an almost perfect copy in the New York City Public Library. It was purchased in London. England in 1847 by James Lenox, one of the founders of the New York Library. It was found that the first four pages were facismiles made by Firmin Didot (1764-1836) a famous Parisian printer and publisher. In the 1920's the four missing pages were reduced to one as a donor gave the library pages two, three and four originals. It was Didot who bound the Bible in blue morocco.
James Lenox (1800-1880) of New York, was a graduate of Columbia and Princeton Universities. He was a lawyer and businessman, following his father into the family importing firm, from which he retired in 1840. A portion of the New York Public Library is named for him.
As this is being written (March 1978) there are six copies of the Gutenberg Bible in New York City
1 - New York Public Library - Fifth Ave. and 42nd St.
2- Pierpoint Morgan Library - Madison Ave. and 36th St. (three).
3 - General Theological Seminary - 175 Ninth Ave.
4 - Pforzheimer Library - Room 815 at 41 East 42nd St.
One known as the Shockburgh copy was sold to the Gutenberg Museum at Mainz early in March by Hans P. Kraus of New York.
Note: some copies are bound in two and some in three books.
New York portions from notes by Daniel Traister, Rare Book Division, New York Public Library.
----o----
by Art Rice, M.P.S.
Browsing has its rewards. Seeking appropriate references for a high school class in American History, this writer 20 years ago found a choice book in the downtown Toledo Public library. I had enjoyed an hour among "concomitant" learning material. In my undergraduate days at the liberal arts/environmental studies Northland College at Ashland, Wis., during the late 20's, I had the rare privilege of being a student of Bro. George Lathrop Lewis, graduate of famed Bowdoin College at Brunswick, Maine.
Prof. Lewis, who combined his ardous work as Northland Librarian with teaching history, inspired most of his students. Not only did we learn the significance of historical persons and their deeds, but we also learned Masonry in daily work - Prof. Lewis' devotion to Royal Arch Masonry.
"Pop" Lewis, as we affectionately dubbed him (mostly behind his back), was often seen muttering his ritual lines as he policed the classes during tests. Since I was then just a majority member of DeMolay, he answered my many questions about Freemasonry. I did not then petition a Symbolic Lodge. My eventual teaching and writing career took me far afield. At 40, in Toledo, with my roots planted, my petition was accepted by Rubicon Lodge No. 237 F & AM of Ohio. Later, I demitted to Fort Industry Lodge No. 630 after joining Ft. Industry Chapter No. 208 which meets in the same Temple on Secor Road.
During my 28 years teaching at Whitmer High School, my research into Masonic and American Indian (Amerind) affairs was almost continual. From an early acquaintance with Chippewa Amerind people in my native Wisconsin, I became concerned with the Redman. That had taken me to the Toledo library.
Among books written of the history, and cultural and social customs of our First Americans, was a slim volume that I could read in a half-hour. "The Gospel of the Red Man" is now usually on my desk.
Written almost 50 years ago, after a quarter-century of research and sojourns among a variety of American Indians by the late Ernest Thompson Seton, naturalist, in New Mexico, this little book suggests a Masonic tone.
After borrowing that initial volume from the library, I wrote Mr. Seton's widow, Julia, who then was living near Santa Fe, New Mexico, and purchased my own copy. Mrs. Seton, who had written the introduction to this beautiful book, was then ill. She has since passed on to The Great Lodge. But not before leaving her own imprint upon the annals of the Redman's significant history.
From earlier and then later sojourns and personal research among various Amerind peoples, this writer is convinced that the ancestry of today's Southwest Amerinds particularly, can be traced to Mongolia, in Asia. Archaeologists such as Dr. Frank C. Hibben of the University of New Mexico have found similarities in speech and cultural patterns among today's Outer Mongolians, certain Eskimo groups living within the Arctic Circle, and some New Mexico and Arizona "Indians."
Since Mrs. Seton's death, her husband's "bible" has been under the aegis of the Boy Scouts of America. I have not seen a recent edition, if the BSA has decided to re-publish the work. Perhaps the tone and style of Seton's work is considered to be too broad in scope for a quasi-religious group such as the Scouts to offer today's youth.
I've been impressed with the Seton's attempt to translate the deeply religious beliefs of The Redmen for us "Anglos" we of the white skin. Contrary to some historians whose concept of the American Indian included their drunken brute, a stupid and retarded individual garbed in tattered animal skins, and recorded as a dupe for whiteskinned con artists of a century and a half, I've personally found my Redskin cousins and brothers to be intelligent, artistic, compassionate, and devoted to family and nation.
I've even been told by Amerind friends that their people, as long ago as 20,000 years, believed in a Godhead. When I asked for proof, I was asked gently but firmly, "Can you disprove this belief?" Not being a clergyman, or an archaeological/historical scholar, I cannot disprove the statement. Nor would I wish to disapprove it.
Just as Freemasonry, we've learned through our Philalethes scholars, is ageless, so can be the Redman's religious beliefs. Though they are different from any of our Judeo/Christian tenets, and from similar teachings and history of others who consider The Supreme Architect and his Master Craftsman to have been likenesses in thoughtful and living patterns of their own peoples, Redmen have the right to their philosophies and their religious legends.
THE TWELVE COMMANDMENTS
The Amerind, it has been found by missionaries among them for three centuries, knows how to pray. Ernest Thompson Seton reports in The Gospel of The Redman the following:
A missionary sent word to Amerind Eskimos of the Hudson Bay region that he was coming to visit them. The Eskimo chief, Suksiseotuk, told an author-Long Lance-that the missionary "said he was going to tell us about the Whiteman's Wakantonka, his Great Spirit.
"When they (the Eskimos) received this news of the coming of the minister, all of the Indians painted their faces and put on all of their best medicine clothes. The medicine man got out his drum,
(1) Seton E.T. "The Gospel of the Redman," Seton Village, Sante-Fe, New Mexico, copyright 1948, Willing Pub Co. 108 pp
and soon we were ready to receive him.
"When we saw the minister coming, the medicine man started to best his tomtoms and sing one of his medicine songs; for he thought that would please the minister who represented the Whiteman's 'medicine' and Great Spirit. Our chief went out and met the minister and shook his hand, and then took him over to meet our minister, the medicine man.
"After they shook hands, the minister made a speech. He told our medicine man that he was preaching something not worth while. He said, "I didn't mean for your people to fix up like this; I meant for you to wash the paint off your faces and put your medicine drums away. There is only one God in heaven, and I am here to tell you about Him."
"Indians never interrupt anyone when he is talking, even if he should talk all day-that is an ancient courtesy among Indians-so everyone stood and listened to the minister while he told us of the Whiteman's God. He made a long speech. He said that the Indians must lay down their arms and live peacefully alongside the Whiteman who was coming into his country.
"When the missionary finished his speech, our Chief arose and addressed him. He said:
"Why do you tell us to be good? We Indians are not bad; you White people may be, but we are not. We do not steal, except when our horses have been raided, we do not tell lies; we take care of our old and our poor when they are helpless. We do not need that which you tell us about."
"But," said the missionary, "there is only one God and you must worship him."
"Then, if that is true," said our Chief, "we Indians are worshiping the same God as you are - only in a different way. When the Great Spirit, God, made the world, He gave the Indians one way to worship Him, and He gave the Whiteman another way, because we are different people and our lives are different. The Indian should keep his way and the Whiteman his, and we should all work with one another for God and not against one another. The Indian does not try to tell you how to worship God. We like to see you worship Him in your own way, because we know you understand that way."
"But the Great Spirit you speak of is not the same one that we worship," said the Missionary.
"Then there must be two Gods," said the Chief. "Your God made a land for you across the big water. He gave the Indian the tepees to live in and the buffalo to feed upon. He gave you houses to live in, good things to eat and fast things to travel in. But you White people did not like the land that your God gave you, and you came over here to take the Indians' land. If you did that, how do we know, if we should accept your God, that He won't take everything from us, too, when we die and go to your hunting grounds?"
"But the Indians must learn how to pray," said the minister.
"But we do pray," replied our Chief. "This is the prayer that we pray at our Sun Dance (Thanksgiving):
"Great Spirit, Our Father, help us teach us in the way of the truth; and keep me and my family and my tribe on our true Father's path, so that we may be in good condition in our minds and in our bodies. Teach all of the little ones in Your way. Make peace on all the world. We thank You for the sun and the good summer weather again; and we hope they will bring good crops of grass for the animals and things to eat for all peoples."
Undoubtedly - unless the minister subscribed to very narrow creed - the Whiteman's clergyman had to be impressed by the devout "Indian." (I subscribe to the term for the American Redman given by serious archaeologists Amerind. Columbus, great though he was, and devout as he seemed, thought the American Natives were the people of India. Hence, "Indian" was Columbus' name for these people who met him and his men on the different Columbus' voyages to the New World of the Western Hemisphere.)
With natives of India now coming to the United States of America in great numbers, surely we should designate the first Americans by a term of their own. Some Redmen speak of their Asian ancestors as the Anzai-meaning. "the ancient ones." But it seems more logical and more linguistic to name them "AMERINDS-from AMERICAN INDIANS.
(Hereafter the writer shall use AMERIND instead of Indian in writing of these First Americans for this reason above.)
THE AMERIND CREED
Seton (E.T.) writes in his book that "evidence is beyond challenge that the Redman earlier had achieved a knowledge of the Creator of the universe and was worshipping Him in a religion of spirituality, kindliness and truth."
Briefly, the Redman's Creed asserts that:
1.) There is one Great Spirit, the Creator and ruler of all things, to whom we are responsible.
2.) Having arrived on this earth, the first duty of man is the attainment of perfect manhood.
3.) Having attained to high manhood, to the service of his people.
4.) The soul of man is immortal. (At life's end) let him sing his Death Song and go out like a hero going home.
Note the similarity between the following Twelve Commandments of the Amerind, as Ernest Thompson Seton found them to be, and the Ten Commandments of Jews and Gentiles:
1. There is but one Great Spirit.
2. Thou shalt not make a likeness of the Great Spirit, nor portray Him as a visible being.
3. Hold thy word of honour sacred...to swear falsely in the name of the Great Spirit is a sin worthy of death.
4. Thou shalt keep the feasts, learn the dances, respect the taboos, and observe the customs of your tribe.
5. Honor and obey thy Father and thy Mother and their fathers before them, for age is wisdom.
6. Thou shalt not commit murder.
7. Be chaste in thought and deed.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Be not greedy of great riches.
10. Touch not the poisonous firewater.
11. Be clean, both yourself and the place you dwell in.
12. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life: Glory in your strength and beauty. ... And prepare a Death Song for the day when you are about to cross the Great Divide.
----o----
by Harold V.B. Voorhis, F.P.S.
This is a series of articles on Bibles which are either very old or that there is something about them which warrants noting. I have removed cards covering such items from my files and written to the Lodge secretaries for confirmation of the information at hand and any additional data. If you know of any such Bibles - write to me and I will add to the list now at hand - for publication - (105 New England Ave. B-2, Summit, N.J. 07901).
If you do write, give data and name of publisher, note if one or both Testaments and language used, size and any other information you want included in the article.
1478 Bayonne Bergen Temple No. 99 - Bayonne, NJ.
1534 Grand Lodge of Georgia - F. & A.M. Macon, GA.
1585 Bayside No. 999 - Bayside, N.Y.
1599 Palestine No. 151 - Denver, Colo. 1617 West Irving Blair Lodge No. 271 Chicago, III.
NO.1
WEST IRVING BLAIR LODGE NO.
271, A.F. & A.M.
Chicago, Illinois
The Bible which we have is one which was printed in London, England in 1617 by Robert Barker, printer to his Majesty the King. It contains the Old as well as the New Testaments and, of course, is in the English language and the type is Old English Script. It is leather bound and the pages are of a rough linen nature. The book measures 15 inches in length; 9 inches in width; and is 3 inches thick. It also contains a biblical Calendar and chronology. Also the family trees, kings and tribes of all the Apostles. It starts with God and goes down thru Adam and Eve, etc.
The book was brought to this country by the family of Brother J. O'Neill, who served as Master of Blair Lodge No. 393 (now defunct) in 1871 and 1872. He presented the Bible to the Lodge in 1906.
Albert A. Kurth, Secretary Listed in RARE BIBLES by Edwin A.R. Rumball - Petre, 1938, P.27 No. 106 - First Duodecimo King James Bible - , 1617.
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Every Member
Get a Member!
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by John Black Vrooman, F.P.S.
In 1951 the Philalethes Society was showing great activity, new members were coming in large numbers, we showed growth in our work. Everyone was enthusiastic about the future.
On October 29, 1951, Walter A. Quincke, President, passed away. He had been ill for some time, and had, named Harold H. Kinney as 'his Representative in matters pertaining to the Society. Kinney represented him well and relieved him of much of the responsibility.
The Executive Committee then appointed Kinney as President of the Society January 1, 1952. Work progressed, membership increased and the Society became more active, but on July 21, 1952, the Society was again crippled by the death of Kinney.
The work of the Society then came to a halt, as there were "no designs upon the trestleboard whereby the Craft might pursue their labors". There seemed to be no one who could or would take the initiative and regenerate the Society.
Allister McKowen, Secretary-Treasurer, had recovered all the records and files of the Society from Mrs. Kinney. Lee E. Wells, First Vice President, was so engaged with personal affairs, he could not rehabilitate the group. There was no leadership.
In April 1952, Wells and Elbert Bede, an active worker in the Society, held a conference. Later, in May, Wells conferred with Harold V.B. Voorhis in New York, and Alphonse Cerza, in Chicago. All agreed it was necessary to reactivate the Society.
To ensure the continuation of the work, Wells, the surviving senior officer of the Society, assumed the temporary Presidency of the Society, stating that this was done only until reorganization could be effected.
Wells then issued a Directive to all Fellows and Members of the Society, in which he outlined the cause of the edict, and appointed Alphonse Cerza, of Chicago, as Vice President, protem to canvass the members of the central and Midwestern states for renewed activity. Arthur H. Triggs, of California was appointed Second Vice President, protem and asked to canvass the Western and Southwestern states, and Lawton E. Meyer, of St. Louis, was appointed Secretary protem. Each was named a Fellow of the Society.
The Edict stated that, as the highest ranking officer of the Society, he, Wells, would assume the authority thus granted him for the sole purpose of issuing certain executive orders by which the Society might be reorganized, a committee appointed to draw up a Constitution and By-Laws, and officers appointed protem until such time as the Fellows and Members should express their will as to the future of the Society, and elect, by due process, permanent officers.
Wells further stated that all offices of the Society had been declared vacant until an election. Having learned that Brother William Major Brown, of Oklahoma, had been active in soliciting dues from the members, and otherwise taking part in the reorganization, Wells appointed him as Treasurer.
Brown also promised to print the next issue of the Philalethes magazine at his own expense. It later developed that Brown planned to print the Philalethes as a part of his own publication, the Masonic Review. Wells protested strongly, but Brown did print the magazine as indicated, the first eight pages being Masonic Review, and the last eight pages the same, with the Philalethes sandwiched in between in an ineffective manner.
Each of the officers tendered his resignation, and protests were received from all parts of the country, whereupon, Wells asked for Brown's resignation, which was reluctantly given. John Black Vrooman, of St, Louis, was then appointed Treasurer, pro tem.
The shuffling of the officers seemed to have good effect, for Wells then appointed two very important committees. It might be well to call attention at this point to a necessary change in the structure of the Society. In order to understand it, we must review some of the past history of the Society.
Cyrus Field Willard, George Imbrie and Robert I. Clegg were our founders, and rereading some of the letters that passed between these devoted brethren, it is quite apparent that the Society started out as a loose-knit correspondence group. Gradually others came into the circle and it was not long until Brother Willard conceived the idea of the Forty Immortals - the basis for our present Fellowship.
The Society was then for Masonic writers, editors and students, all of standing and importance. In the main this continued even after Willard died and Shepherd became President. When Quincke took office he infused an entirely new idea into the Society. He made qualifications for membership liberal, so that even the beginning Mason who was interested in his Fraternity could join in receiving Light. Brother Quincke instituted the magazine. We became international in our scope and gained the respect of the best Masonic minds around the world. Our growth in membership was rapid. Kinney expanded the work of Quincke.
In the past, while Willard was Secretary, there was little action on the part of other members of the Society. It was strictly a one-man organization, and Willard was the Society for all practical purposes. The same was true while Quincke was President. Each of them ruled with an iron hand, and dictated the policies and action of the Society.
It was felt, at the time of re-organization greater unity should be established and more members should become active in the work of the Society. There had never been a Constitution & By-Laws for the Philalethes, and to insure greater unity and more coordination, Wells appointed a Constitution & By-Laws Committee to explain the activities of the Society, and define and determine the duties of each of the officers. Wells expressed the thought that the more of our members who were given work, the greater impact on the success of the Society - a concept that has proven effective over the years.
The protem officers assumed their stations with the understanding that the Society must no longer have a one-man rule, that it must have a definite organization, and that the Fellows and Members must have a definite and important voice in the election of its officers and in the transaction of its business. To this end the Constitution & By-Laws Committee was appointed.
Elbert Bede, of Oregon, Dr. William Moseley Brown, P.G.M. of Virginia, and Laurence R. Taylor, Editor of the Indiana Freemason, were named to formulate a Constitution & By-Laws. Each of these brethren was experienced in the techniques of the Craft, and each had done much for the Society.
Another important committee appointed by Wells was the Editorial Board, to assist the Editor in printing the Philalethes Magazine. It should be noted that Quincke, as Editor was concerned with the problem of getting proper articles for publication, information of Masonic interest and carrying on the functions of the Society as President, making it difficult for him to get the maximum benefits of the talents of the members of the Society. It was necessary, therefore, to lighten the load of the Editor, and allow him more opportunity to produce the best possible material for our members.
Assigned to assist Cerza in his work, were three members of the Society located in the Chicago area, who could assume a part of the burden of editing the magazine. These were, William H. Knutz, of Evanston, Illinois, Albert L. Woody, of Berwyn, Illinois, and Ralph Davis of Oak Park, Illinois. Each made a valuable contribution to the public relations of the Society.
In 1954 after preliminary ballots had been mailed to each member of the Society, nominations for of five had been made, and the final details of the election had been formulated, the first election of officers was held, resulting in the following slate - Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., President, Arthur H. Triggs, F.P.S., California, First Vice President, Elbert Bede, F.P.S., of Oregon, Second Vice President, Lawton E. Meyer, F.P.S., St. Louis, Missouri, Executive Secretary, and John Black Vrooman, F.P.S., St. Louis, Missouri, Treasurer.
During the latter part of 1954, Cerza appointed Vrooman editor. As Treasurer, Vrooman had worked closely with Lawton E. Meyer, the Executive Secretary, in establishing a sound financial basis for the Society, but on Christmas Day, 1955, Meyer died, and He was appointed Executive Secretary. Delbert C. Johnson, a banker in Rolla, Missouri, was appointed Treasurer until another election could be held. Johnson died on October 29,1956, and Brother G. Andrew McComb, Archivist of the Cleveland Ohio Masonic Library, was appointed Treasurer.
Plans for carrying out the work of the Society were set up, and each officer was given a task by which to create greater interest. A member in each state was named as Representative, sponsoring membership, giving essential facts about the work and activities, and creating means by which the Society could expand its work. Such members were diligent and enthusiastic in their plans to create greater interest.
A brochure - A Word of Explanation, was written, giving a resume of the organization and purposes of the Society, and its proposed activities.
It is appropriate, at this time to give proper credit to several who did so much in the reorganization and revival of the Society. There were many who could be named, but to pinpoint a few of those who took the lead in this endeavor, we should mention, first, Lee E. Wells, F.P.S., the First Vice President at the time of the death of Kinney, who was the prime mover of the reorganization of the society. While his personal engagements had made it impossible for him to actively engage in the work, his contributions to the Society were many.
Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., spent many hours of his time, devoted great effort to the work, and spent both time and money in the endeavor to recreate and activate the Society. Another, was Brother Harold Van Buren Voorhis, F.P.S., the oldest Fellow in point of service in the Society, personally dedicated to Freemasonry, and always active in fostering and promoting good fellowship and unity.
Elbert Bede, F.P.S., who was later to become President of the Society, was active from the very first, in helping to rebuild and recreate the backbone of the Society of which he had been a member for many, many years. His early death, following his Presidency, was a loss to all Freemasonry.
Thus, as we come to the end of another Era of the Philalethes Society - an era of progress, of devoted dedication and good fellowship, we can see that new blood, new ideas and new talent have brought hope to an ailing body. By the efforts of our members we are now in our fiftieth year, looking forward to new vistas, to new accomplishments and new endeavors by which we can exemplify the dedication of "Freemasons who Seek More Light, and Freemason who Have more Light to Impart". May we continue to prosper, grow and serve!
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By Jerry Marsengill
I learn with a great sense of loss that Joseph Batchelor, M.P.S., Past Grand Master of Indiana, died recently. Joe was a close friend and one of the most knowledgeable Freemasons I have ever met. He was, for many years, the chairman of the Committee for Masonic Education of the Grand Lodge of Indiana. His dry wit and incisive wisdom made many of the meetings of the MidWest Conference for Masonic Education memorable.
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Our First Vice-President, Dwight L. Smith, journeyed from darkest Indiana (The Haunt of the Howling Hoosier) to Texas for the meeting of the Texas Lodge of Research where he gave the Anson Jones Lecture. Dwight was presented with the upright gavel which this lodge gives to the lecturer. I am certain that the brethren of Texas heard a memorable lecture.
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In June I had the pleasure of addressing the South Dakota Lodge of Research in connection with their annual meeting at Pierre. The meeting is always held in conjunction with the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota. Betty and I were guests not only for the Research Lodge meeting but for the sessions of their Grand Lodge. I was presented a lifetime membership in the lodge of research as well as an honorary membership in the South Dakota Masonic Veteran's Association. Nothing could have been done to make the meeting better. They tell me it's "Western Hospitality." I'd like some more of it.
The Nominating Committee appointed by President Hopp, composed of Carl R. Greisen, F.P.S., Chairman; Estel Brooks, M.P.S.; and Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., Life; has made its report.
For President Dwight L. Smith, F.P.S., well known Freemason, and present First Vice President. Born January 30, 1909 in Jay County, Indiana, educated Penville, Indiana, graduated from Penville High School in 1927, and Indiana University (A.B.) 1931, in Journalism. He is a member of Sigma Delta Chi, society of professional journalists.
Made a Freemason in Pennville Lodge No. 212, F & AM in 1934, he transferred to Salem Lodge No. 21, Salem, Indiana, and became Master in 1937 and Secretary, 1943-1946. Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Indiana, 1945-46, and Grand Secretary since 1947.
Smith has served as Secretary of the Conference of Grand Secretaries of North America for years, except 1954, when he served as President.
He is married and has two daughters. He is chairman of the Grand Lodge Sesquicentennial Committee, a member of all the bodies of the York Rite, and a 33rd degree Mason AASR, N.M.J., since 1949.
He is a dynamic speaker. His writings are numerous. "Goodly Heritage", the history of the Grand Lodge of Indiana, is his masterpiece. Other writings include "Whither Are We Traveling?", "Why This Confusion in the Temple", and others.
Smith has been recognized by the Grand Lodges of Maine, Massachusetts, and New Jersey, and in 1974 received the Caleb Smith Medal from the Grand Lodge of Indiana. He also received the Medal of the Masonic Research Lodge of Connecticut.
For First Vice President, Robert L. Dillard, Past Grand Master of Texas, and Secretary of the Commission on Information for Recognition of the Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America, on which he has served as a member of a number of years.
Born September 30, 1913, at Corsicana. Texas. he received his basic education at Wichita Falls, Texas, Southern Methodist University (B.S. 1934-J.D. 1935). He practiced law with Saner, Saner and Jack in Dallas, from 1936 to 1941, served as assistant City Attorney of Dallas, and later became associated with Southland Life Insurance Company of Dallas.
Dillard is the author of several publications in the legal and professional field, a past President of the Board of Education of Dallas, a past President of Community Council of Dallas, active in Boy Scout and Camp Fire Girls' leadership, married with two daughters and a son.
A member of Dallas Lodge No. 760, he was Master in 1947-1948, served on numerous Grand Lodge committees, is a member of the York Rite Bodies, a 33rd degree, AASR Mason, an Active Legion of Honor of DeMolay, as well as Grand Cross of Color Order of Rainbow for Girls.
For Second Vice President Bruce H. Hunt, Past Grand Master of Masons in Missouri, past Grand Master of the Grand Council, R & SM of Missouri, Honorary past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter, R.A.M., and Honorary past Grand Commander, K.T., of Missouri, and presently the General Grand Recorder, General Grand Council, RE & SM, International.
Born at Forest City, Missouri, January 29, 1913, Hunt received most of his early education at Kirksville, with the exception of his last year of High School, and was then graduated from New Bloomfield High School in 1931. He began as an apprentice in mechanical dentistry in the Superior Dental Laboratory, at Kirksville, and after an apprenticeship of four years, he acquired ownership of the institution.
During World War II he served as Civilian Flight Instructor for War Training Service and was commissioned a Major in the Missouri National Guard. He is married, and has a son and a daughter.
A past presiding officer of lodge, chapter, council and commandery, Hunt has also presided over most of the small groups which meet in Washington during Masonic Week in February. He is a Director of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association, at Alexandria, and has been active, in many Masonic activities throughout the Midwest.
The Nominating Committee reaffirmed its confidence in our two perpetual officers-Franklin J. "Andy" Anderson, F.P.S., Executive Secretary, and Ronald E. Heaton, F.P.S., Treasurer. Each Has served well, done a good job, and we are pleased that each will serve in the future.
"Andy" Anderson, until his retirement in 1976, Assistant Editor and Business Manager of the "Royal Arch Mason", was born May 30, 1907. His early education was in various parts of Iowa and he received his B.A. Degree from Simpson College, Indianola, Iowa with a major in history and special work in English, Education and Science.
Assistant Librarian 1958-1964 at the great Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of Iowa in Cedar Rapids, he became active in Freemasonry in all its phases. Raised in Noble Lodge No. 458, Clearfield, Iowa, he transferred to Right Angle Lodge No. 348, at Conway, Iowa. After several affiliations and transfers, he has been Master of Trenton Lodge No. 111, Trenton, Missouri, (Master 1975), Trenton Chapter No. 66, a past High Priest, serving later as grand Master of the First Veil and Grand Captain of the Host. He is a member and past Illustrious Master of Trenton Council No. 37 and Grand Master of Missouri in 1976.
Knighted in Bethany commandery No . 29, Creston, Iowa in 1947, he demitted to Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery, Trenton, where he served as Commander in 1972. He has a number of other Masonic affiliations.
Ronald E. Heaton, F.P.S., nominated for re-election as Treasurer of the Philalethes Society, is universally recognized as an authority on Colonial and Early American History. Born November 16, 1898, he has been active in Masonic research for the greater part of his life.
A member of Charity Lodge No. 190, Norristown, Pennsylvania, and coroneted a 33rd degree Mason by the Supreme Council, Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite, NMJ last year, he is a member of other Masonic bodies, including York Rite.
In 1976, he received the Lodge of Research of Connecticut's Medal of Excellence, at which time he read a paper on "The Lodge at Fredericksburg", an original research project. The officers suggested for election as the first in our second fifty years, are excellent, and will do much to add to our prestige.
Ballot will be furnished in the October magazine.
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Welcome To Our New Members Since April Issue!
John E Barkley
Recommended by
Allan D Parsons, M.P.S.
Harold P Bull. M P.S.
Richard F Rabe Jr
Recommended by
J. E Marsengill, F.P.S.
Charles A Brigham, Jr
Recommended by
Michael H Seidenman, M.P.S.
Eugene Fieids
Recommended by
F.M. Lumbard, M.P.S.
E.C.Martin
Recommended by
Allan D Parsons. M.P.S.
Harold P. Bull, M. P.S.
Richard D. Hill
Recommended by
Estel W Brooks, M.P.S.
Jerome A DiGennaro
Recommended by
George L Marshall, Jr M.P S.
Walter B Altman
Recommended by
Aubrey H. Sanders, M.P S.
Charles H Sparks
Recommended by
Marvin Breen, M.P.S.
James A Jackson
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Horace G Ray, M.P.S.
Donald B McCaw
John B Hunter
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Aubrey H Sanders, M.P.S.
Terry A Willard
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Loyd H Summers, Jr., M.P.S.
Robert D McMarlin
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C Douglas Mayo, M.P.S.
Joe R. Coker
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George L Marshall, Jr, M.P.S.
Alvin D Gammon
Recommended by
Bryce E Lundell. M.P. S.
Eddie J Hunt
Recommended by
James P Wagner, M.P.S.
Wallace J Knopp
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Willard F Bond. Jr, M.P.S.
Thomas L Alton
Recommended by
Arthur N McBain. Jr . M.P.S.
Shelby G Darnell
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Kent Berkley. M.P.S.
Albert T Ames
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J Philip Berouist, M.P.S.
James C Carothers
Recommended by
Allan D Parsons, M.P.S
Harold P. Bull, M.P.S.
Eliel Davis
Recommended by
J. Vernon Ashworth, M.P.S.
Dr Robert L Mason
Recommended by
H Glenn Lewis, M.P.S.
Martin A Compton
Recommended by
Roberl E Clark. M.P.S.
Alfred H Dreisbach
Recommended by
Richard M Bard, M.P.S.
Jim J Buckingham
Recommended by
Warren F Bower, M.P.S.
Harold R D Spears
Recommended by
Ernest C Kegley, M.P.S.
J.B. McGuirt
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Ernest C Kegler M.P.S
J Jackson Fly
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Arthur A Cratt. M.P.S
Leonard A Theis
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Arthur A Cratt. M.P.S
Joseph A Pozoso
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Ernest C Kegley, M.P.S
John B Hall
Recommended by
Marlin W Kirk. M.P.S.
John Lee Mac Donald
Recommended by
Roy E Horton, M.P.S.
Cloyd F Shank
Recommended by
George C. Phillips, M.P.S.
Royal D Crowell
Recommended by
Ernest C Kegley, M.P.S.
Jesse T Smilh
Recommended by
David E. Alcon M.P.S.
Ray D. Stewart
Recommended by
Ernest C. Kegley, M.P.S.
J Arthur Snyder
Recommended by
Richard M. Bard, M.P.S
William A. Lear
Recommended by
Arthur A Cratt. M.P.S.
Richard W. Riggs
Recommended by
James H Home, M.P.S.
Phillip E Engle
Recommended by
Arthur A Cratt M.P.S
Warren F Bower, M.P.S.
Allen E Bruner
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Dr Eddie Stiles, M.P.S.
Emmerich J Bares, Jr
Recommended by
Allen D. Parsons M.P.S.
Harold P. Bull M.P.S.
Eugene W. Wiggins, M.P.S.
Recommended by
Wilbur A. Spain, M.P.S.
Russell G Lengel
Recommended by
Willard Bond M.P.S.
James M Johnsion
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Orlando A. Kipp, M.P.S.
Clarence D. Folmer
Recommended by
Ernest F. Schmidt. M.P.S.
Glenn L Roller
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David E. Alcon, M.P.S
J. Frank Maddry
Recommended by
Paul Etheridge, Jr., M.P.S.
Ralph J. Keckler
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WilburA. Spain, M.PS.
Jack T Parsons
Recommended by
C. Douglas Mayo
Howard W. Roorda
Recommended by
Ira Paul Scwartz. M.P.S
Dale J. Miller
Recommended by
David S Nagle. M.P.S.
Richard P. Cerza
Recommended by
Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S.
Minert B. DeVoe
Recommended by
Arthur N McBain, Jr., M.P.S.
William M Zachry
Recommended by
Robert D. Lintner, M.P.S.
Harry N Scammel
Recommended by
David B Slayton, M.P.S.
Herman E Hettron
Recommended by
David B Slayton, M.P.S.
Brian Warwick-Smith
Recommended by
David S. Pike, M.P.S .
James W Jones
Recommended by
Thomas C Ferguson, M.P.S.
A.K. Wilson Jr
Recommended by
Clarence K Jones, M.P.S.
Leonard W Lotts
Recommended by
Robert B Rowell, M.P.S.
Aubrey E Fraser
Recommended by
David B Slayton, M.P.S.
Dr. Earl D Emery
Recommended by
Allan D. Parsons. M.P.S.
Harold P Bull, M.P.S.
Otto R Burkybile
Recommended by
Ira J Martz, M.P.S.
Joe N. Bean
Recommended by
Carl W. Hopp, M.P.S.
Ervin S Becker
Recommended by
Clarence A Dains, M.P.S.
A.B. Sutker
Recommended by
Andrew C Gramling. Jr, M.P.S.
Jack Louis Allen
Recommended by
Mlchael Sidenman, M.P.S.
Charles J Shoup. Jr
Recommended by
Estel W. Brooks, M.P.S.
John W Ek
Recommended by
Daniel P Grambush, M.P.S.
Robert S. Kennedy
Recommended by
Alphonse Cerza. F.P.S.
Lawrence Larry Studer
Recommended by
Robert J Rolen, M.P.S.
Gary E Williams
Recommended by
Lewis Hoffman, M.P.S.
Earl D Harris
Recommended by
Joseph A Williams, M.P.S.
Gordon C Gilliam
Recommended by
Walter S. Bowles, M P.S.
Charles F Eberline
Recommended by
Eugene Jorgenson, M.P.S.
Anthony A Troiani, Jr
Recommended by
Dr. C Hollenvach M.P.S.
Donald J Flood
Recommended by
Harvey R Hansen. M.P.S.
Sgt Theron H. Crouch
Recommended by
Fred H. Crouch. Jr., M.P.S.
George A. Ivos
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George R. Hughey, M.P.S.
John H. Logsdon
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Earl K Dille, M.P.S.
Arthur E. Powell
Recommended by
Robert R. Clemons. M.P.S.
William M. Kiger
Recommended by
Otis V Jones, Jr, M.PS.
James E Kelley
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Floyd A Falls, M.P.S.
George F Gogel
Recommended by
K. Maynard Curts M.P.S.
Christos Popadopoulos
Recommended by
George R Hughey, M.P.S.
Maurice Bernard
Recommended by
George R Hughey, M.P.S.
Carl C Engstrom
Recommended by
Allan D. Parsons, M.P.S.
Harold P Bull. M.P.S.
Joseph H Holmes
Recommended by
Otis V. Jones. Jr. M.P.S.
Theodore E Woerpel
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Irving R Dielscher. M.P.S.
Clarence Lemmon
Recommended by
Dale N LeMaire, M.P.S.
Ernest G Hudel, Jr
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Dr. George French M.P.S.
Plez A Transou, M.P.S.
John R Jutkins
Recommended by
Allan D. Parsons. M.P.S.
Harold P. Bull, M.P.S.
Merle Polley
Recommended by
Allan D Parsons. M.P.S.
Harold P Bull. M.P.S.
Stanley G. Laker
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Norman A. Jenne, M.P.S.
Merlyn E Meredith
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James H. Foreman, M.P.S.
Paul Worley Brown
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Byron H. Brow, M.P.S.
Harold F. Yaeger
Recommended by
Roger W Yaeger, M.P.S.
Henry T. Nare, Sr.
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Bobby T. Springle
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Roy Norgeard M.P.S.
Donald S. Saubel
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L. Russell Hill, M.P.S.
Irwin N. Ulevitch
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Dr. Bert M. Tobin, M.P.S.
Samuel H. Higinbotham
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Richard T.M. Prine
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Edward E. Atkinson M.P.S.
Dr. Marco E. Carrion-Calderon
Recommended by
F.J. Anderson, F.P.S.
Thomas G. Davis
Recommended by
James P. Wagner, M.P.S.
Archie M Simons
Recommended by
Henry F. Smith M.P.S.
Dr. Frank H Cattin
Recommended by
Joseph K Stevens. M.P.S.
Albert F. Reynolds
Recommended by
Vernon T. Fike, M.P.S.
Dr G. Patrick Shaw
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Major James T. Delaney
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Robert R. Clemons, M.P.S.
John R. Miller
Recommended by
Edward E Atkinson. M.P.S.
Robert E Shumar
Recommended by
Alex Home. F.P.S.
A.J. Tullos
Recommended by
T Olin Gore, Jr., M.P.S.
Harold J Kaswell
Recommended by
Lorenzo B. Carr, M.P.S.
James McDonald
Recommended by
J.E. Marsengill, F.P.S
Harold P Hadley
Recommended by
Harold P. Bull, M.P.S.
Allan D Parsons, M.P.S.
Melvin F Schuster
Recommended by
Granville K Frisbee
Jacob Hartung
Recommended by
Carl W. Hoop, M.P.S.
Harold G. Ray
Recommended by
Meyer Weker M.P.S.
William F. Poynter
Recommended by
Chester R. MacPhee, M.P.S.
Dr. Allan C. Katz
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Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S.
Joseph Szczypta
Recommended by
J.E. Marsengm,F.P.S.
Denzil O. Evans
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William E. Hathaway
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James W. Robbins, M.P.S.
Elmer F. Felton
Recommended by
Harry H. Hoefflin, M.P.S.
Neville M Hindman
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Frank S. Duling, M.P.S.
David H Heasley
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Benjamin J Frankland, M.P.S.
David Campbell
Recommended by
Robert R. Clemons, M.P.S.
Ronny D Powell
Recommended by
Robert J Everett, M.P.S.
Fred L Pearson Jr.
Recommended by
Carl F. Lester, Jr, M.P.S.
William S. Caldwell
Recommended by
Peter J. Ciechomski, M.P.S.
Charles J. Disser
Recommended by
Harvey R. Hansen, M.P.S.
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Use the handy coupon form below to sign up your new member - Act Now - Get Results!
CLIP AND MAIL TO:
Franklin J. Anderson
Secretary
9580 Standon Place
Columbia, Md. 21045
or:
Allan D. Parsons
Membership Chairman
1402 W. Euclid
Arlington Hts., Ill 60005
or:
Harold P. Bull
Co-Chairman
519 Country Lane
Glenview. III. 60025
( ) I am interested in becoming a member of the Philalethes Society. Please send me a petition.
( ) Please answer the following question:
Name ____________________
Lodge ______________________
Address ______________________
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Al Cerza Reviews Books of Interest to Masons
In 1976 Brother Harry Carr, one of the world's greatest living Masonic scholars, presented to a number of audiences in the United States and Canada his talk "600 Years of Craft Ritual." This talk is being printed in booklet form and should be in the hands of every Mason interested in the history of our ritual.
Available at twenty-five cents a copy from the Grand Secretary, 713 Dix Road, Jefferson City, Mo. 65101.
Every Mason knows the Masonic ritual and the work of many appendant bodies contain Hebrew words and phrases. Most of these words and phrases are not fully explained or understood by our members. For years Brother Roy A. Wells, a Past Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, and a skilled Masonic scholar and researcher with a world wide reputation, has been making a study of this subject. The result has been the writing of a hard bound book entitled "Some Royal Arch Terms Examined." The title is too restrictive in its description as some of the words examined appear in the work of the lodge and other appendant bodies as well.
The book explains the difficulty in translating words from the Hebrew into the English language because of the script of the letters, their close similarity, the absence of some letters in Hebrew, and the lack of similarity in the words. Nevertheless, he does an excellent job with the sixteen words and phrases examined. The original Hebrew letters are presented, the Bible references applicable, the meaning in English, and the Masonic significance. Throughout the book are pictures of Bible pages, floor charts, pages from exposures of the ritual, etc all designed to make the subject matter understandable.
Available from Macoy Publishing Co. 3011 Dumbarton Road, Richmond, Va. 23228, at $8.00 a copy.
Volume 89 of the Transactions of Quatuor Coronati Lodge has been distributed to the members. As usual, the volume has articles of enduring interest and value. Here is a partial list of the contents of this volume: The Various Editions of William Preston's Lectures: Our Predecessors - The English Non-Operative Masons of the Mid-17th Century; The Evolution of the Installation Ceremony; The Roman Catholic Church and the Craft; Prince Hall Freemasonry; Preston's England; Saint Alban and Saint Amphibal in the Mediaeval Masonic Tradition: A Review Article; Builder's Rites and Ceremonies: The Folk-Lore of Masonry; The American War of Independence and Freemasonry; and A lodge in the 14th Century.
Most states in the United States have a local secretary of the lodge and inquiries regarding joining the lodge should be addressed to these local members. If his name is not known to you it is suggested that you send your inquiries to Alex Horne, 100 Font Boulevard, 5-L, San Francisco, Cal. 94132. The joining fee is $6.00 and the annual dues are $ 12. The members receive each year a copy of the Transactions and also have the opportunity to buy the various books published and sold by the lodge on interesting Masonic subjects.
Those who may be interested in Masonic books written in the Italian language will be happy to hear that Brother Giordano Gamberini, M.P.S., has assembled into one volume many of the Masonic biographical sketches that have been appearing in the official publication of the Grand Orient of Italy. The sketches include the pictures of the person described. The title of the book is "Presenting A Thousand Masons. "
Available at 12,000 Lire, postpaid, from Erasmo S.r.l, Casella Postale 287, 00100 Roma, Italy.
The Scottish Rite Library, located at Lexington, Massachusetts has many duplicate books which are sold to Masonic students. Anyone interested in securing the lists that will be issued relating to these duplicates from time to time should communicate with Brother Louis L. Williams, 426 Unity Building Bloomington, Ill. 61701.
The June, 1977 issue of Masonic Square, that excellent quarterly magazine published in England, has many news Items and some articles of general interest; here is a partial list of the contents: The Craft in America; The Royal Masonic Hospital; The North East Corner, by Alex Horne, M.P.S.; a sketch about Augustus Frederick, Duke of Sussex; the Capetown revival of 1802; Hampton Court Palace; and Trees in Freemasonry. The subscription rate is $4.00 a year.
Recently a cloth bound volume was issued containing all issues of this magazine for 1975 and 1976 with an index.
Subscriptions and orders for the bound volume should be sent to A. Lewis Ltd. Terminal House, Shepperton TW17 8AS, Middlesex, England
The Royal Order of Scotland is probably the oldest of the appendant bodies of the Craft. Some years ago R.S. Lindsay wrote the history of this group from its beginning to 1839. There is now available a book bringing the subject up-to-date, written by George Draffen, F.P.S., entitled "The Second Hundred Years".
Both books are available from the Grand Secretary, 78 Queen St., Edinburgh, EH2 4NF, Scotland. The cost of the first volume is $2.50 and of the second volume $4.50.
Our members who can read Spanish will be interested in knowing that Brother Americo Carnicelli has written a comprehensive two-volume, soft bound, "History of Columbian Masonry." These volumes cover the years 1833-1940 with a reproduction of original documents, resolutions, decrees, pictures, and many biographical sketches. This represents years of work by the author and will be a source book for history in Columbia for years.
The same author in 1970 and 1972 wrote "Masonry in the Independence of America" which covered the history of the Craft in each South American Country.
Brother Americo Cernicelli, is a native of the United States, who has lived in South America for many years. His present address is Apartado Aero 3491, Bogota, Columbia.
For some years Brother Alex Horne, F.P.S., has been working on a matter of perennial interest to Masons. Soon to be off the press is a book: "The York Legend in the 'Old Charges' ". Horne has examined and considered all books and manuscripts on the subject and presents in a well organized manner.
More details will be reported after the book has been published.
The Masonic classic, The Builders, by Joseph Fort Newton, has been a favorite since it was first published in 1914. A few years ago the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, Northern Jurisdiction, published a paperback edition of this famous book and has been selling it at cost to the local Bodies of the Rite for presentation to new members. Copies can be secured from the Secretaries of the local Scottish Rite Bodies of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction at one dollar a copy. Those members living outside the Northern Jurisdiction can order a copy by mail from the Supreme Council, P.O. Box 519, Lexington, Mass. 02174. this attractive volume makes an excellent gift for that special occasion.
The Little Masonic Library has several new items in a revised edition of this popular set of books. Volume two had the following new items: What Really Happened to William Morgan? written by Harold V. B. Voorhis, F.P.S.: and Mormonism and Freemasonry, by Dr. Mervin B. Hogan, M.P.S.
The five volume set is available at $27.50, from the Macoy Publishing Co., 3011 Dumbarton Road, Richmond, Va. 23228.
Recently published is "A Presentation Concerning the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite," a forty-seven page booklet, which contains an explanation of the Rite with many beautiful color pictures of persons, buildings, emblems, flags, caps, etc.
Available at twenty cents a copy, from the Supreme Council, 1733 Sixteenth St. N. W., Washington, D. C. 20009.
The Kennikat Press, 90 So. Bayles St., Port Washington, N.Y. 11050, has reproduced several books which may be of interest to our members: Arthur C. Parker, M.P.S., The History of the Seneca Indians (1926), at $6.00 a copy. Pauli & Ashton, "I Lift My Lamp; The Way of a Symbol", a story of the Statue of Liberty (1948); $7.50 a copy; and Herbert Gibbons, "John Wannamaker" (1926). a two volume set for $35.00.
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Back Issues Available - Take Advantage
of Good Reading and Masonic Data!
By John Vrooman, F.P.S.
As stated several times, BACK ISSUES of the "Philalethes" are available for members, libraries, and Freemasons who wish to have a complete and interesting set of materials by which to learn more about the Craft, and make it possible to get useful, accurate and unusual data about men who have done much for Freemasonry and events which have shaped the life of our Nation.
Published since March 1946, the magazine has now passed its thirtieth year. Issues prior to Volume III (1948), are scarce, and have become Collectors' Items. We have but few of these issues, but, because of the co-operation of the King County Masonic Library, located in Seattle, Washington, it is possible to get photocopies of each of the issues.
Volume I (1946 and part of 1947), 8 issues, total 96 pages. Volume II (remainder 1947), 6 issues, total 76 pages. The King County Masonic Library will make photocopies of these (or any other) issue at a cost of ten cents (10 cents) per page, postage of 10 cents, so that any interested Freemason may have the opportunity of obtaining ALL of the complete issues of the "Philalethes" from its inception in 1946 until the present.
In addition to the copies which can be photostated, other copies of the magazine may be purchased from the Editor Emeritus, John Black Vrooman P. O . Box 402, St. Louis, Missouri 63166, at the cost of one dollar per issue postage paid (free).
At this time we have a number of members who have purchased complete sets of the magazine for themselves, or for Masonic Libraries. This furnishes a set of articles of all sorts from which to gather Masonic information and data, and by which to have material for study or research, and for personal pleasure. It is now suggested that each member take advantage of this generous offer and keep up to date!
NOTE WELL:
For Back Issues
Write to:
John Black Vrooman, F.P.S.
Box 402 - St. Louis, Mo. 63166
For Photocopies
Write to:
King County Masonic Library
805 E. Pine St.. Seattle. Wa. 98122
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Reviewed by
Morton Naurison, M.P.S.
The Prestonian Lecture of 1977, "The TYLER or OUTER GUARD" by W. Bro. Roy A. Wells, PGStB is also in booklet form and available through the author.
A Past Master, former Editor and Former Secretary of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076, attests to his ability to have written a fully enlightening discourse on the development of this historically important office.
He had been invited to deliver this lecture over 50 times in 1977 to Masonic Scholars throughout the British Isles and therefore merits your reading attention.
To receive your personalized full length illustrated copy, kindly send $3.00 for airmail posting or $2.00 for surface mail, paper money only please for the bank charge cost of converting checks is prohibitive.
All funds exclusive of delivery charges are for The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institutions in England therefore affording you the opportunity of increasing your donation as a larger and worthwhile charitable gesture.
Please address all communications to the author:
ROY A. WELLS
72 The Paddocks
Wembley Park
Middlesex HA9 9HI England
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Last Call
Golden Anniversary
Celebration
OF THE
Philalethes Society
AUG. 12, 1978 - 2 TO 5 P.M. 7 TO 10 P.M.
Friendship Hall - Medinah Temple, Chicago, Illinois
Entry: 12 East Ohio Street
Afternoon Program: Registration, Introductions, Presentations. Speakers, N. Tracy Walker 33d, Grand Conductor of the Council of Illinois, Past Most Wise Master of Scottish Rite, Valley of Chicago; Jerry Marsengill, F.P.S., Editor of Philalethes Magazine.
Evening Program: Social Hour, Gala Dinner, Awards Speaker: Stanley F. Maxwell, 33d, Past Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts Sovereign Grand Commander of Scottish Rite, Northern Jurisdiction.
Participate with your fellow members (and Masonic guests) in this 24 karat get-together. Reservations are required and limited to the first 210 received. Members are coming from all over the country. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Ohio were the first 10 States to respond.
Let us know you are coming as soon as possible. Don't delay and be disappointed. If in doubt please telephone and say your registration is in the mail. If you are having guests and wish to sit together please so specify.
A Certificate of Attendance at the Golden Anniversary Celebration will be presented to all present. Souvenir packages of Masonic literature have been prepared for you by the Chicago Chapter of the Society.
Hear the story of the Society's first 50 years, what the members and chapters are doing today and join in a toast to the future. Remember you are a member of the Philalethes Society the international organization that is dedicated to seek and impart more Light and Masonry - outstanding leaders, researchers and writers.
Come and Enjoy.....
To: Harold Bull, Co Chairman
519 Country Lane.
Glenview. Ill. 60025
__ Please accept my registration for the Golden Anniversary Celebration for myself and Masonic guests (at $2.50 ea.)
__ Please make reservations for the Golden Anniversary Celebration Dinner (at $12.50 ea.)
I enclose a check for $____
Make checks payable to: Philalethes Society, Chicago Chapter
Name ______________
Address _______________