Contents
WE NEED WRITERS
It Seems To Me
ALONG THE TRAP LINE
American Union Lodge
Calvin E. Chunn,
President General
From Time IMMEMORIAL
Mystic Masonry Where
Is Its Secret
MASONOLOGY - A CHALLENGE
Books of Interest to Masons
Unusual Lodge Bibles
Rob Morris
and the Conservators In Kentucky
NEWS FROM THE CHAPTERS
Washington Meetings Set
Freemasonry and the Vatican
Jerry Marsengill, F.P.S. Editor
2714 Park Place
Des Moines, Iowa 50312
Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S. Life Assoc. Editor
237 Millbridge Road
Riverside, Illinois 60546
John Black Vrooman, F.P.S. Life
Editor Emeritus
P.O. Box 402
St. Louis, Missouri 63166
OFFICERS
Dwight L. Smith F.P.S. President
157 Banta Street
Franklin, Indiana 46131
Robert L. Dillard Jr. F.P.S. First Vice Pres.
P.O. Box 1850
Dallas, Texas 75221
Bruce H. Hunt F.P.S. Second Vice Pres.
P.O. Box 188
Kirksville, Missouri 63501
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.
Eugene S. Hopp, F.P.S.
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY EMERITUS
Carl R. Greisen, F.P.S.
CONTENTS
It Seems to Me
Honey and Biscuits
Along The Trap Line
American Union Lodge
Calvin E. Chunn, President General
From Time Immemorial
Mystic Masonry
Masonology = A Challenge
Complete "Masonic Week" Program
Al Cerza Reviews
Books of Interest to Masons
Unusual Lodge Bibles
Rob Morris and the Conservators in Kentucky
News From the Chapters
Washington Meeting Set
Freemasonry and the Vatican
New Members
Newman vs. Pulling
Putting out a publication like this takes the help of many people. No one man ever writes a whole magazine. We need good writers! Are you a Masonic writer? How do you know? Have you ever had anything printed? Why not start now and write an article for the magazine. We use nearly everything we receive. Write us an article. Send it in. Then wait a few months. If it is good we can certainly use it. We need your help.
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by John BIack Vrooman, F.P.S.
THAT with the coming of the new year, our beloved Society can well look forward to one of the best and most productive years of activity in its long exstence.
As we complete our FIFTIETH YEAR we note first, that never before has the Society shown greater growth, troth in numbers and in concerted action by our members. While numerical growth is not our primary object, it is, and should be a healthy sign of the interest of those who personally engage to take part in the many activities and functions which are offered to those who want to become active and responsible in what we are doing.
Particularly encouraging is the fact that during the past year no less than EIGHTEEN new local Chapters have been stimulated. There are, at the present time, TEN new Chapters which are organized, active and working. For the matter of statistical information, NINE Chapters are legally in operation, with officers elected and functioning. Several more are "in process" of formation, and it is expected that they will be in full operation by the time of the annual meeting of the Executive Committee and the "Masonic Workshop" in Washington this month.
Queries from a number of brethren indicate that others may be formed when essential details and procedures have been followed. The principal fact is that there is greater interest in the Philalethes Society and its work at this time than has been shown in many years
The splendid work of Allan D. Parsons and Harold Bull, as Chairman and Cochairman of our active Membership Committee, has resulted in more than 300 new members in 1978 with many additional new members since this count was taken - which is a fine accomplishment.
One other thing that has added to the effectiveness of the Society is the personal activity of a much greater number of members. There seems to be something for everyone to do, and that adds zest to our work.
Plans are being developed for the TWENTY-FIFTH annual "Masonic Workshop," and although the annual Conferences (Grand Masters of North America, Grand Secretaries, Masonic Service Association and George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association) will meet outside Washington this year, it is expected that attendance at the Philalethes meeting will be good, with interesting and informative activity.
New officers have been elected and begin their operations this year, and there is no doubt that each officer will have something to offer in advancing the work of the Society. Plans for all activities will be thoroughly discussed at the meeting of the Executive Committee, and it is anticipated that the year 1979 will blossom into an era of continued good fellowship and united activity.
SO MOTE IT BE
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HONEY AND BISCUITS
by Allan D. Parson
MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN
We don't know who was the first to say, "Nostalgia is fun but it gets you no honey and home-made biscuits." Honey and biscuits or not, we look back on the Golden Anniversary of the Society with some glee and satisfaction on the progress the Philalethians have made. We have sought more light, found it, and shared it in the national and regional meetings and through the pages of our informative and respected magazine.
During 1978 our members have "spread the faith." They have discussed the advantages of membership in the Society with Masons everywhere - and, as a result, the Membership Committee can report that our goal of 300 new members was reached - and as this is being written to meet our deadline, we have added 383 new members to our roster. When the record was broken Anderson suggested that we might try for 400. To make it more challenging, he mentioned that the books would be closed on December 23. We still have a few days to go to sign up the 17 new members needed to make Andy happy.
Records, of course, are made to be broken. Honey and biscuits aren't obtainable by sitting back and thinking of the past. A bright New Year is here - the opening of the second half century of the Society's efforts to serve the Craft.
So? Much of the work of adding new members to our growing Society has been accomplished by a minority of our members. Just think what we can achieve if every one of us will make a New Year's resolution to tell his friends about the Philalethes, its history, and its future. We the Membership Committee - are asking you to exert a little extra effort in buttonholing a prospect and getting him to join us in our endeavors.
When Andy closes the books on 1978 we will check the records and mail a Certificate of Appreciation to every member who has sponsored a new member during 1978.
This is an acknowledgement we are happy to confer. We hope your name is on the list. If not we trust that you will make a resolution to contribute to the continuing growth of the Philalethes Society. You will, won't you?
Allan D. Parsons
Chairman
1402 West Euclid
Arlington Heights, Ill.
60005
Harold P. Bull
Co-Chairman
519 Country Lane
Glenview, Ill.
60025
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By Jerry Marsengill
Allan D. Parsons would like to know who and when the following statement was made: Freemasonry take's good men and makes them better.
Perhaps one of the finest things to happen to Freemasonry since King Solomon's Temple would be the Masonic Cemetery Museum. Masons building cemeteries around museums that exhibit memorial objects. I would like to hear from those interested in such work.
Sincerely and fraternally,
Harold W. Gray, MPS
242 Kent Road
Upper Darby, Penn. 19082
Dr. George H.T. French, 3515 Rychlic, Rosenberg, Tex. 77471 (his new address) wants to know when and where the following originated: Freemasonry is based on the Fatherhood of God under the Brotherhood of Man.
The Grand Master of Masons in the State of Indiana has been advised of the desire of our Grand Secretary, M.W. Brother Dwight L. Smith, P.G.M., to retire as of February 1, 1979, after more than 31 years of service.
With sincere regret, I am acceding to his wishes, and have accepted his resignation, to become effective February I next.
Likewise, on this day I have exercised one of the prerogatives of my office by appointing M.W. Brother John H. Jena, P.G.M., as Grand Secretary, effective February 1, 1979. M. W. Brother Jena has served as Administrative Assistant to the Grand Secretary since January 1, 1977.
Fraternally,
William E. Hepley
Grand Master
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Article XXXIX
Feb 1779 September
By James R. Case, F.P.S.
Casualties among the members of American Union Lodge were so many during the Battle of Long Island in August 1776 and the fighting which followed, that the Lodge went dark, as related in this magazine for February 1976. Not until the Connecticut and New Hampshire Brigades went into cantonment at Redding, Connecticut two years later, did an opportunity arise to permit resumption of labor. What happened is told in paraphrase of the actual minutes with interspersed comment.
On application of a number of gentlemen, brethren of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, to the members of American Union Lodge, requesting that the said American Union Lodge may be convened, for the purpose of re-establishing the Ancient Craft in the same. Agreeable to which a summons was issued, desiring the members of the American Union Lodge to meet at Widow Sanford's, near Redding Old Meeting House, on Monday, the 15th of inst. February, at 4 o'clock, Past M., and an invitation sent to the others, the Brethren of the Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, to attend at 5 o'clock Past M.
Three years, almost to the day, after the first meeting at Roxbury, Massachusetts, and agreeable to the summons, the essential three, and no more of the members assembled In response to the invitation, six other Masons appeared. Jonathan Heart, Secretary of the Lodge was in the chair and opened Lodge. Four of the visitors were proposed to become members, were balloted for and accepted. In room of the charter Master, Colonel Joel Clark, who had succumbed to his wounds in a British military prison, Brigadier General Samuel Holden Parsons was elected, and William Judd chosen Secretary.
As the Worshipful Master elect was absent and not likely to soon return or attend, the Brethren unanimously agreed to dispense with the regulation of the Master's being present at the election of other officers, and therefore proceeded to the election of a Senior Warden, when Brother Heart was elected, who having taken the chair, proceeded to the choice of other officers.
The newly chosen Master, Samuel Holden Parsons (1737-1789) had been made a Mason at Middletown, passed in the Lodge at New Haven, and raised in American Union Lodge two weeks after he was elected the first Treasurer. A class mate of Dr. Joseph Warren at Harvard, he became a lawyer. He was among the first to lead a regiment towards Boston after the Lexington Alarm. Now a Brigadier, he was in charge of the defenses of the state along Long Island Sound, and director of a sort of espionage network while he lived in Redding. After the war he went to Ohio as a land surveyor and was later Judge of the Territorial Court. While taking an injured associate down the Big Beaver River to find a doctor, the canoe overturned and both drowned.
William Judd (1743-1804) elected Secretary, had been made a Mason in an extraordinary lodge held by a small group at Flagg's Tavern in Hartford on March 17, 1778. This was the day when a Tory was executed by hanging and a large gathering was in town. Judd was about to return to the army and no doubt was chosen as an easy mark to be made and pay the cost of tiling and the table lodge. He later became Grand Master of Masons in Connecticut. He also became entangled in Connecticut politics, fighting the establishment which was content to carry on under the old charter. He was one of the Jeffersonian advocates of a new constitution, and literally worked himself to death in the fruitless struggle.
Jonathan Heart (1748-1791) was without doubt, the moving spirit in American Union Lodge from the very first. As Master he became the most conspicuous and most widely known Mason in the main Continental army. He kept the warrant and record books in his military chest, and while on duty with the regular army near Marietta in 1790, took the initiative in reviving American Union, and there the successor Lodge sits today as number one under the Grand Lodge of Ohio. Heart was killed in St. Clair's defeat near the present Fort Recovery.
The visitors who became members had been made in lodges at New Haven and Middletown, and as soon as admitted, were elected to fill a chair. After the usual ceremonies they took their seats, so that a lodge which had opened with the essential three, closed with the significant seven. The old by-laws were continued in force except for an increase in the fee for initiation, now $30, and for raising seven and one half. All other perquisites &c were increased three fold. Three men were proposed to be made Entered Apprentices.
A week later the lodge met at 5 P.M., admitted one affiliate, initiated three candidates, after they had been separately balloted for, and received three applications. One of the initiates, having been made in a clandestine lodge, went through the ceremony but had one half the deposit and fees remitted. The following Saturday three Entered Apprentices were made, and four men proposed for membership. At the first meeting in March, the slightly amended by-laws were considered in detail and adopted, three Apprentices were made, and another three men proposed. The Lodge was really in business.
At the fifth meeting since re-opening of the Lodge there were 15 members present, and three visitors from among the officers of the New Hampshire Brigade. Two candidates were made, and then a Masters' Lodge was opened to consider the predicament of one of the newly obligated pair, who, having appeared at Lodge in a situation unbecoming the character of a Mason, was to be disciplined. It was unanimously resolved and desired that his recommended inform him that he is not to attend this Lodge and that he is to be considered and treated in the same manner as though never made a Mason. Is it possible the Lodge had obligated a man under the influence? A committee was named to prepare a feast or dinner, and plans were made to initiate all those in waiting for the ballot and the first degree, before the dinner.
The invitation list for this and a later dinner included the Brethren of the Ancient Society who were not members of the Lodge: Honorable Brother Israel Putnam with his aides: Mrs. Sanford, who kept the tavern, with her daughter and niece: the wives of those members who happened to be in town: the local clergyman and Rev. Dr. Israel Evans, an army Chaplain: Colonel Return Jonathan Meigs: and certain other ladies and gentlemen, whoever they may have been.
The eleven members who met on March 25th were reinforced by one visitor and three newly made brethren. A procession was formed behind the "music," probably a fife and drum, and the group marched to the place where dinner was to be served. The Tiler led to clear the way, followed by the Wardens with white wands or rods. The youngest brother carried the bag to hold the collection taken later for charity. The Brethren by juniority who followed could not have numbered more than a half dozen, marching hand in hand by twos. The Master brought up the rear, with the Treasurer on his right, supporting the sword of Justice, and the Secretary on his left with the Bible board and lights.
After dinner a number of songs were sung, and toasts were proposed, interspersed with music, for the entertainment of the company. The first toast was to General Washington, followed by one to the Masonic martyrs - Warren, Montgomery and Wooster. Then The Good and Just: the Ladies of America Arts and Science: and Absent Brethren were toasted. The program was concluded with a speech by Brother and Dr. Albigence Waldo, who became a poet and orator of some renown in later years. He was the eulogist at Putnam's funeral in 1790. Upon return to the lodge room the Master returned his thanks to the officers and brethren for their faithful attendance at labor, and for their later display of the greatest decorum and harmony at refreshment. The Lodge also recorded their grateful sense of the honor paid them by the Rev. Dr. Evans and other gentlemen and ladies who attended the exercises of the day. The lodge was experiencing a real build up.
This dinner went off so well that another was planned two weeks later. Now the Master himself waited on the Rev. Dr. Evans with the desire of the Lodge that he dine with them, and favor the assembly with a discourse on such subject as he might think proper. The officers by now were proficient enough to be able to confer the Master Mason degree, and did so on most of those entitled to advancement. Although chartered by a "modern" authority, it was following the practice of conferring all three degree on all members in course, not setting up a separate Masters' Lodge. The New Hampshire brethren were more numerous among the visitors, but no New Hampshire men were made while the Lodge sat at Redding with one conspicuous exception. Henry Dearborn, later prominent in military and government activities, was several times a visitor.
The dinner on April 7th was a huge success. The officers and men of both brigades were back from special duties away from camp, as the division was soon to take the field. Moreover, General
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ISRAEL PUTNAM
Among those invited to the social affairs or American Union Lodge while at Redding, Connecticut was the Honorable Brother Putnam. Altho he commanded the Connecticut Division or Continentals then in cantonment along with the New Hampshire brigade in winter quarters, he was often absent for oversight at the defenses of the state near the New York border. While at Greenwich on one occasion he lingered a little too long and with British dragoons in hot pursuit daringly spurred his horse in a precipitous dash down a hill path where none dared to follow.
His biographies are full of Putnam’s exploits in peace as well as war. The most often related is his venture into a wolf den to kill a marauder of farm flocks around Pomfret, Connecticut. Putnam had moved there from Danvers', Massachusetts where he was born in 1718.
Restless and venturesome he was almost 40 years of age when he went off in the struggle against the French and Indians. After service in Rogers Rangers he was commissioned. As a Colonel he participated in the ill-fated expedition against Havana. Unsatisfied he ranged as far west as Detroit in the western campaigns against the Indians.
A leader or the Sons of Liberty and a colonel in the militia, he left his plough in the furrow when the Lexington Alarm reached him and galloped off on the road to Boston. He rallied the re-inforcements and hurried up ammunition at Bunker Hill, both too late to save the day. Outside the bounds of his state, he could not take command of any but Connecticut units, or which only two companies actually came under fire.
Putnam was in the battles on Long Island and at White Plains. It soon became apparent that he was not the most brilliant combat commander, but his popularity with the rank and file was such that he was just the man to fill a spot where a general officer was needed to supervise recruiting, training and garrison duties. It is said that more often than not he appeared in his shirtsleeves but so caustic was his tongue, or so picturesque his repartee, that no one dared criticise his appearance or imitate his twang.
While returning from leave in the winter of 1779, Putnam suffered a stroke but he insisted on staying on duty in the Hudson Highlands although he walked with a limp and talked with a lisp. He was the only original Continental Major General to serve throughout the Revolution.
Israel Putnam was made a Mason in a British military lodge at Crown Point in 1758. His name is on the minutes of lodges in Hartford and New Haven as a visitor. A throng of 3000 people from the countryside is said to have attended his funeral, where bearers and eulogist were fellow soldiers and fellows in the Craft. Not long after a lodge was organized which bears his name, as do many others around the nation.
JRC
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SAMUEL HOLDEN PARSONS
Elected Master of American Union Lodge during the winter of 1778-79 Samuel Holden Parsons presided for a term which included the social functions and degree work at Redding, Connecticut.
As a Brigadier General his command for a number of years included defense units and installations on the western border of the stale and along the shore of Long Island Sound. Under his direction a number of agents conducted extensive intelligence and espionage activities around the British headquarters in New York City.
A minister’s son born in Lyme Conn., in 1738 he was a Harvard graduate at the age of 18 years. He began the practice of law in New London served as King's Attorney for the county, and was several times in the General Assembly as representative.
When the Revolutionary War broke out Parsons led a militia regiment to the siege of Boston. After the fighting at Long Island and White Plains he was promoted to Brigadier General and in 1780 to Major General. His duties seldom brought him into action of the battlefield.
Resuming his law practice at Middletown after the war, he was again sent to the Legislature, and acquired an interest in the Ohio Land Company. He was appointed a Commissioner of the North West Territory, later a Federal Judge, and was engaged in survey of the area. On an errand of mercy running an injured comrade down the river for medical treatment, the canoe in which they were riding overset and both drowned Parsons was only fifty years old, just the age when a promising career of public service in the opening lands to the west laid before him.
In Masonry Parsons was made a Mason at Middletown in 1765 and passed Fellowcraft in New Haven two years later. He was a charter member of American Union Lodge when it was organized at Roxbury in February 1776, was elected Treasurer and two weeks later raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason! When back in Middletown after the war he became Master of St. Johns Lodge and a Royal Arch Mason. When the Masons of Connecticut first moved to form a Grand Lodge, Parsons was one of the prime movers.
The full story of his devoted service to the cause of independence, the frustrations he met, and the disastrous ending to which he came is told in a biography by one of his grandsons
JRC
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Parssons was present and presided over the lodge meeting and the program which followed. Twenty-two Masons marched in procession to the dining room where they were joined by a number of respect table inhabitants, gentlemen and ladies. Rev. Doct. Evans now delivered a discourse suitable to the occasion, and the dinner was followed by the usual round of songs and toasts and musical responses. Upon return to the lodge room it was voted that the thanks of the Lodge be presented in writing to the Rev. Doct. Evans for the polite address and sentiments he had delivered. The members who attended the dinner were charged a club of $5.
Finally a most desirable prospect got the message, for at a meeting on April 15th it was proposed that the Rev. Doct. Israel Evans (1747-1807) be made a Mason; and, as his character (as Chaplain of the New Hampshire Brigade) was so universally known by all the Brethren, he was balloted for and accepted, and it was voted, that an emergent meeting be held the next day for the purpose of making him.
It was accordingly so done. The next day at 5 o'clock P.M. he was received and made an Entered Apprentice. At 3 o'clock on the afternoon of April 21st he was passed as Fellow Craft and the same evening he was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. The formalities were completed all within a week, and the chaplain rode off to a new station the next day. He never attended American Union Lodge again. After the war he was called to a pulpit in Concord, New Hampshire and was prominent in church, educational and Masonic activities until his death.
Five more meetings were held at Redding, the last On May 7th. The operations of the army now requiring the Connecticut Line to remove their quarters, they left for the Vicinity of West Point. According to the minutes of the sixteen meetings held in the winter cantonment, 19 men had been made Masons, five brothers admitted or affiliated, and fifteen raised. One had been disciplined by exclusion from the lodge. What present day lodge can record any such amount of work in so short a length of time?
The next entry in the minute book records the meeting at West Point on the Festival of St. John the Baptist June 24, 1779. One historian of the American Revolution wrote that "1779 was a year without a pitched battle or a stirring campaign." The entire main Continental army was in camp at or near West Point, the Connecticut Brigade being encamped on Nelson's Point on the east side of the Hudson.
Here at eight o'clock in the morning of the Festival day, 19 members and five visitors were present when General Parsons opened American Union Lodge, held by authority under the Most Worshipful John Rowe, Esq. Grant Master of all Masons in North America, where no Special Grand Master is appointed; confirmed by the Most Worshipful Peter Middleton, M.D., Provincial Grand Master for the Province of New York, by the name of Military Union Lodge." This preamble was carefully written in as the Lodge was meeting in New York territory, wherein Middleton possessed, if he did not exercise, the prerogatives of a Grand Master.
In the semi-annual election which followed, Parsons yielded the gavel to Jonathan Heart, who served as Master until the Lodge went dark in the spring of 1783. Then the Lodge proceeded to West Point, where, being joined by a number of brothers from the Brigades on West Point and Constitution Island, the whole proceeded from General Paterson's Quarters to the Red House in Masonic order, escorting three Chaplains, none of them Masons, or ever to be. Here the members and visiting Masons were registered as Masters, Fellows and Apprentices, a total of 107 paying their club.
The Lodge then moved to a bower in front of the house, where, being joined by his Excellency General Washington and family-staff, an address was delivered to the Brethren and a number of gentlemen collected on the occasion, by the Rev. Dr. Hitchcock, followed by and address to the Brethren in particular, by Brother William Hull.
After dinner the toasts - to Congress: Friendly Powers of Europe; Warren, Montgomery, and Wooster; Females of America; Arts and Sciences - were followed by appropriate music from the drums and fifes, and the songs annexed
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WILLIAM HERON
Among the few spies of the American Revolution whose names are known and whose activities have more or less come to light is William Heron of Redding, Connecticut.
Born at Cork, Ireland in 1742, and a graduate of Trinity College in Dublin he appeared at Fairfield, Connecticut a few years before the American Revolution. He was a school teacher and surveyor before he moved to Redding. Here he established himself as a trader and became prominent in local political affairs. Redding and vicinity was a "hot bed of Tory sympathizers," but year after year Heron’s "unmeaning countenance" and circumspect conduct keep him general favor.
In the General Assembly he was required to take an oath of loyalty and he turned out with the militia on every alarm. With business connections In New York City he made frequent visits under a flag. Apparently he had contact with the British high command and there is evidence they considered him one of their most valuable and trustworthy secret agents. His code name was "Hiram"!
On the other hand he was implicitly trusted by the Commander-in-Chief and General Samuel Holden Parsons whose residence for several years was across the highway from Heron's on Redding Ridge. He must have been a very clever man for his duplicity was so managed that to this day the true character of this double spy has not been established. His career as such is more or less revealed in the letters of Samuel Holden Parsons and in the now available papers of British headquarters intelligence officers.
Heron's record in Masonry is clear enough. A member of old St. Johns Lodge in Fairfield he was Master for one or more terms. When Ark Lodge was organized at Redding in 1797 he was charter Master. He was also an officer in Lynch Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, and namesake of Heron Mark Lodge. He was often at Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter as they met during the period when the General Assembly was in session.
William Heron died full of years in 1819.
JRC
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to them. A number of voluntary toasts were offered, and other songs given by different brethren.
His Excellency Brother Washington, having returned to the barge, attended by the Wardens and Secretary of the Lodge, amidst a crowd of Brethren, the music playing "God Save America," and embarked, his departure was announced by three cheers from the shore, answered by three from the barge. the music beating the "Grenadiers' March." The brethren then returned to General Paterson's quarters in reverse order, when the Master with his Wardens and Secretary closed the lodge.
There followed a flurry of activity. Meeting at Robinson House on July 26th, five candidates, one of whom was Rufus Putnam (1738-1824) were severally proposed to be made Masons, and on being subsequently balloted for and accepted, were so made. At a meeting on August 2nd nine candidates were proposed, three more on August 7th, on the 20th there were eight, and seven more on September 15th. In course, most of them were elected, made, passed and raised. Many of these brethren were officers in the Pennsylvania and Massachusetts regiments.
Making Masons among the Massachusetts officers really paid off. At a meeting of the Massachusetts Grand Lodge on Special occasion, held at the Freemasons' Arms on October 6, 1779, a petition was read from a group of officers in the Massachusetts Continental Line, asking for the privilege of holding a Travelling Lodge. A charter was granted them for holding regular lodges to make, pass and raise Masons in Massachusetts or any other state where there was no Grand Master, constituted by the Brethren of these United States. The last phrase eliminated the loyalist Dr. Peter Middleton, Acting Provincial Grand Master of New York, who did not hold office by suffrage of the Brethren and was behind the British lines anyway.
Jonathan Heart was appointed by Grand Master Joseph Webb as his proxy for constitution of Washington's Lodge No. 10 at West Point. The ceremonies took place on November 11, 1779 when Heart and a suite composed of American Union Lodge members, according to a report by John Pierce Jr. Paymaster (General of the Army) conducted the program.
After the usual opening, the Deputy informed the Lodge that Br. John Paterson (and 12 others) all Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, resident in the State of the Massachusetts Bay in N.E., having obtained a charter from the Grand Lodge at Boston, granting them the privileges of Masonry, &c, were now waiting & begged permission to present themselves to be duly formed & erected into a regular Lodge, &c &c &c by the name of Washington's Lodge No. 10. Our faithful and worthy Brother John Paterson was also presented to the Rt. Worshipful, to be their Master, and agreeable to ancient usage, was duly installed & invested with the powers & honors &c &c &c belonging to the same. The Master elect then entered upon his Office, appointed Br. Benjamin Tupper to be his Senior Warden & Br. John Greaton to be his Junior Warden - presented them to the Rt. Worshipful for his approbation - They were accordingly approved and confirmed to the same, &c &c &c to each the proper Charges given &c &c &c with united Congratulations & earnest requests for Health, Peace & Safety to all entitled to the Mason's Prayer. Then Lodge closed.
In consequence of the movements of the army, the operations of the Lodge were necessarily suspended for a short time, until the Army had gone into Winter Quarters at Morristown in New Jersey. There severe winter weather forbade any lodge activity. During that winter, however, the several "convention" lodges were held which resulted in the first move for a national or general grand lodge of the United States. That move will be treated as a separate topic later in this series.
Bibliographical Notes. There is a full length History of American Union Lodge by Charles S. Plumb, published in 1934, in which there are erroneous transcriptions of some names of members of the army lodge. A complete roster for the 1776-1783 period can be found in Volume Vl of the Transactions of the American Lodge Research, with biographical notes. The first book of records may be seen in the Grand Lodge Library in New York; the second is in the archives of the lodge at Marietta. Many versions or extracts in print are grossly inaccurate, as copies of copies are liable to be. Photocopies of both books are available in the New York library and that of the Supreme Council, A&ASR at the House of the Temple in Washington. The story of Washington Lodge and an annotated roster is in Volume IX of the Transactions of the American Lodge of Research. Coils Encyclopedia has a long and conical account of both army lodges.
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Calvin E. Chunn, President General
National SAR, 1978-1979
Calvin Ellsworth Chunn, Ph.D., retired in late Spring 1978 as chief of textbooks for the Department of Education of California, and at the 88th National Congress of The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, convened at Louisville, Kentucky May 27-31, was elected President General of that organization. The SAR is a patriotic and educational heritage organization of more than 20,000 descendants of Americans who served in military or government posts during the War for American Independence.
Now a resident of Fair Oaks, California, Dr. Chunn is a native of Jonesboro, Arkansas. He had held his post in the Department of Education of his adopted state from 1965 until his retirement. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Arkansas a master's degree from Northwestern University; and his doctorate from the University of Missouri.
Proud that eleven of his ancestors participated in the American Revolution, Dr. Chunn enjoys membership in several organizations espousing patriotic, educational and historical objectives similar to those of SAR. One ancestor, Sylvester Chunn, served three years in the Virginia Continental Line, surviving the battles of Brandywine, Germantown: and Monmouth - as well as the rigors of Valley Forge. The Chunn family name originated in Cornwall, and in the tongue of that section of the United Kingdom means "house on the down."
During World War II, Dr. Chunn, a major in the United States Army, fought on Bataan with the 45th Infantry, and on Corregidor with the 4th Marines. Wounded three times he was captured by the enemy, and subsequently survived the sinking of two prisoner of war ships while a captive. He was a prisoner for three and a half years. His military decorations include the Silver and Bronze Stars; the Purple Heart: Presidential Unit Citation; and decorations from the Republic of the Philippines.
As were numerous of his Revolutionary ancestors, Dr. Chunn has been an active member of Masonic organizations. A member of both the Scottish Rite and York Rite bodies, he is past high priest of his Royal Arch Chapter. He is commander of Knights Templar, and is a Shriner: a member of Eastern Star and of National Sojourners, which is comprised of Masons who have been military officers.
He is immediate past commander of the California Department of the Military Order of the World Wars.
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by C.W. Coots, M.P.S.
Regardless of whether we coil the brotherhood of builders (from which our modern Masonic Lodges have descended) guilds, fraternities, syndicates, societies or some other names, the fact remains that these groups influenced by their concepts the civilizations in which they worked - often from before the creation of alphabets as we know them - as the authenticated items in this column will demonstrate.
(Questions, clarifying comments or suggestions for possible items in this column are welcomed and will be treated as quickly as time permits.)
Every apprentice of the ancient builders' guild knew that if he passed his examinations after about seven years of training, and became a fellow [in the] craft, and then spent a similar period making a specialty of some branch of the builders' arts [see p. 7 in "Cathedral - the Story of lts Construction," by David Macauley, Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, 1973], he would receive the right to have his own (trade-)mark, and with it the privilege of traveling to any place in the world where his, skills might be demanded.
Or, if he were that special type of man who could lead others, he might become a project master on major constructions. As such, he might even become a part of the council of kings, as in the case of Imhotep of ancient Egypt: medieval woodcuts show the master builder included in assemblies of courtiers before European kings in which only he and the bishop and the king are wearing their headgear, all others being uncovered.
Such was the standing which a builder/guildsman might eventually attain in civilizations of the past.
All of the progress he might attain depended entirely on his own intelligence and dexterity. Birth or age considerations meant very little in the builders' guild.
Saint Be'neze't of bridge-building fame was a peasant shepherd who died at the age of 19.
The only lineal distinction indicated for the guildsman Hiram (or Hurum) in the hooks of Kings and Chronicles in the Bible was that he was a widow's son; but his talents made him a confidant of two kings and a priesthood in a religion of which he was not a devotee.
The "Prince" Edwin, beloved of York Masons, was not important enough to be included in the lineage records of the Saxon King Athelstan's court: but he led a major [re-] building program in the England of his day.
From the preceding, it is easy to recognize why the ambitious candidate might go to great lengths, even resorting to deceit, to become a member of the craft.
It is equally obvious that the building brethren needed to be extremely selective in their choice of whom they accepted as apprentices.
Because of the dangers inherent in the builder guildsman's work, and the consequent exactitude it demanded in methods, processes, and products, our ancient brethren could not afford to accept a candidate who lacked the physical fitness, the mental or manual aptness, or the capacity for discipline necessary to learn and to practice the builders' arts.
If the candidate refused the hoodwink and cable-tow, he would be considered a potential recalcitrant and would never see the inside of the initiation chamber.
However, once he was duly prepared, he would be conducted around the chamber floor for the scrutiny of the assembled brethren. They would be unable to judge his mental abilities (for that they would have to depend on his recommenders' knowledge) but they could judge his physical fitness for their work. Would a crooked arm, poorly set after being broken, or a limping leg interfere with his occupational activities? He might be able to wield a setting mall if he had lost a middle or little finger, but a missing thumb could be another matter. How much would a crooked or humped back affect his strength or his agility on a scaffold?
Dr. and Bro. George H.T. French of the Texas lodge of Research mentioned on page 5 of the April, 1978, Short Talk Bulletin comments on the admonition in Anderson's Constitutions of 1723 about accepting an apprentice "having no Maim or Defect in his body, that may render him incapable of learning the Art…."
If not only their physical members but their very lives might at some future time depend on the capabilities of this apprentice, the chapter members would certainly scrutinize him very closely.
Therefore, without the least malice, the rule was to prevent – ruthlessly – acceptance into the craft of any man who might eventually endanger the welfare of a brother, the excellence of a structure, or the general reputation of the chapter.
If any of the preceding undesirable potentials were to be discovered later, the process of dismissing him from membership in the craft was an unhappy, messy one. (We find, today, that this action in Speculative Masonry is equally painful to our image.)
Therefore, this procession under the eyes of the assembled craftsmen was the last chalice they would have to prevent a mistake in selection before the candidate was bound into the craft by oath.
The right, and the obligation, of any single member of a modern Masonic Lodge to arrest the progress of a candidate (unsuitable, in his opinion, for membership or advancement) at any time, from the presentation of his petition until the administration of his final oath, is rooted in antiquity. (After taking his oath, as a member, a vote of the majority of a specifically called assembly is usually necessary for removing him from membership.)
However, the effect on a petitioner who had been vouched for, examined by a committee, and brought to this stage of almost admission would be little short of catastrophic if he were to be rejected at this point. Understandably, considering all that he felt he stood to lose (as described in the last issue of this column), he might react with violence.
Hence, with reference to the question asked in the previous issue about the necessity of the precautions of the cabletow and hoodwink, the answer is definitely in the affirmative. Hoodwinked, and with two strong men dragging him by the ends of the cable-tow, he could be evicted from the character room without ever discovering the forth of it.
There was yet another reason for the scrutiny during the circuits; and that was the possibility that the petitioner was not a legitimate applicant, having been refused admittance, or having been dismissed from membership, in another chapter. Our own lodges petitions ask if the applicant has ever been subjected to these actions.
A deceitful attempt to enter the guild was more probable in the craftsman's degree than in that of an apprentice. A cowan [see an unabridged dictionary], an eavesdropper, or a partially trained apprentice who had been dismissed from another chapter for personal deficiencies, if clever and determined enough, might try to represent himself as a proper candidate for passing to fellow [in the] craft in a chapter in some other location where he was a relative stranger.
We can imagine situations in which only the presence of a wayfaring guildsman, who happened to know something of the history of such a candidate, would prevent the perpetration of his dishonest effort.
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Brother Albert L. Woody, F.P.S., has been seeking and imparting light in Masonry for half a century. In the midwest, especially, he is regarded as somewhat of a patriarch of Masonic education for his services as editor of the "Illinois Masonic Enlightener," Grand Lecturer, Secretary of the Masonic Education Committee member of the Midwest Conference on Masonic Education, and as a researcher, luster, and speaker on Craft subjects.
Now, ostensibly 'retired ' on Bambridge Island in Puget Sound, he is active with the renowned Masonic Library at Seattle.
While visiting with Bro. Woody last summer, we discussed rod work and he gave me a copy of his publication on the subject. It was originally published in "The Indiana Freemason" of March, 1955.
The following is excerpted from that article.
Masonic Rods - Their Use, History, and Symbolism
It is safe to say that the importance of the Masonic rod in the hands of the rod officer, and the significance of the rod work in our system of instruction, are infinitely greater than is generally supposed. Whatever the reasons for this lack of appreciation by a large part of our membership, it is certain that a better understanding of these important functions is desirable to the well-being and progress of our Fraternity.
Of course, a hidden meaning is one that can be discovered by a little effort; and like most of the secrets of Masonry these are hidden on or near the surface for all to see who will but look.
* * *
In my earlier years in Masonry, I was entranced by the rod work and yet was at a complete loss to account for this fascination. Certainly it seemed all out of proportion to the two factors involved, namely, a man and a rod. Yet time and experience have brought to light the true reasons and increased this fascination a thousandfold.
As I began to search, the problem presented itself somewhat in this manner: Suppose the Lodge room were darkened and the rod officers carried illumined rods. Would not those rods trace or illustrate such geometrical figures as the point, line, plane, angle, arc, curve, and spiral? Would not those geometrical figures demonstrate Masonic truths? Would not those Masonic truths be useful to us in our everyday lives and occupations?
While contemplating the answers to these questions, the truth suddenly came to me: The Masonic rod is an instrument for the demonstration of geometrical truths.
Surely for this reason, if for no other it has become an indispensable part of our ritual. Silent always, whether at rest or in motion the rods are most eloquent; and their functions might be considered under two headings, which we might term speculative and operative. Under speculative we have the pure symbolism of the rods and their devices, while under operative we have the demonstration of useful and valuable propositions by motion and relative position.
Masonically, we are also concerned with those forms of the rod signifying correction or self-discipline and with those signifying prosperity and peace.
In one of its early forms we find the rod in the hand of the Egyptian tax collector, both as a symbol of the reigning monarch and as an instrument of force with which to beat the taxpayer into submission. In Greece we find it as a staff of office symbolizing delegated authority.
It should be noted that the idea of power is inherent in the rod throughout its entire development, outwardly in the power to stike, chastise, or correct, and inwardly as the power to support, protect, and promote peace and prosperity. Thus Science is pictured holding a rod in her hand to show that she rules the others, that is, the Seven Liberal Arts.
In the pastoral staff with its large hook to retrieve the straying lamb, and in the bishop's crazier terminating in a cross, we find the rod as a symbol of protection and recall the words of the 23rd Psalm, "Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
In the form of a wand, the rod assumes supernatural or spiritual powers, in the hand of the Grand Lama of Tibet, a holy wand bestowed the supreme blessing on the head of the faithful pilgrim.
The Heraldic offices utilized the rod as a symbol or delegated authority, and in Britain the Grand High Steward of the Royal Household carried a rod as a symbol of his office.
In considering rod symbolism it should be remembered that, to be of any value whatever, symbolism requires individual thought and interpretation. The following statements must not be considered as final or dogmatic, but rather as suggestions of the endless possibilities of rod symbolism.
Asked what a grounded rod reminded him of, a Brother replied that it reminded him of a plumb-line because it pointed downward to the earth and outward to the heavens. This recalled words from our installation ceremony: "The line teaches us the criterion of moral rectitude, to avoid dissimulation in conversation and action, and to direct our steps to the path which leads to immortality."
Another Brother, replying to a similar question regarding the [two] Stewards' rods, said that they reminded him of two perpendicular parallel lines representing St. John the Baptist and St. John the Evangelist. Thus our rods may serve to remind us of an important symbol which is too often missing from some of our modernized Lodge rooms.
When a rod officer turns a comer the point of the rod describes a quadrant, recalling the question, "What is a square?" and illustrating the corresponding answer, "An angle of 90d or the fourth part of a circle."
In several instances the point of the rod describes a clockwise motion of 180d. This is a significant movement since clockwise motion is symbolical of lies, being the course of the sun from riding to setting along the described semi-circle. This is the course of the candidate in his progress through the degrees and is, in fact, one of the most ancient rites of man.
Likewise we might note instances in which the rod becomes a lever and recall the words of Archimedes, "Give me a lever long enough and a place whereon to rest it, and I will move the earth." And then we might reflect how infinitesimal are the forces exerted by mechanical levers as compared to the spiritual forces exerted by the Masonic rods in moving the minds and hearts of men.
This then, is the story of the development of the Masonic rod.
Starting first as a weapon, destructive, an implement of outward brute force, it has evolved through the centuries into an instrument of self-discipline, constructive, with unlimited spiritual powers.
What useful lesson can we draw from the devices on the four rods?
Surely in these the bounty of nature is most evident. Examine the moon in the Junior Deacon's rod and note that its crescent forms a bowl. This is the "wet moon" which pours rain from its bowl upon the growing crops. These are ripened by the warm sun shown in full disc on the Senior Deacon's rod, resulting in the fruits of the harvest overflowing the cornucopias on the rods of the Stewards . . . to symbolize the abundant material and spiritual life which faithful Masons may hope to enjoy.
. . . I conclude with this one hope and one plea - that we never underestimate the importance of the rod work. Let us endeavor to teach it to our rod officers so thoroughly that it will always be performed with such understanding, with such expression, and such meaning that the Brother who observes it for the first time, or the tenth time, or the hundredth time "may feel some of the glorious exaltation of him who cried, 'Then felt I like some watcher of the skies, when a new planet sweeps into his ken'."
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Mystic Masonry Where Is Its Secret ?
By Jose Roberto Levi-Castillo M.P.S. (Life)
There are over 50,000 books about Free Masonry. Every year more appear. I once thought there could not be a Masonic Secret if books were written, revealing secret words, rituals and even the ways and means of a Mason in his lodge. These publications were in many languages. Each showed a different point of view of Free Masonry. Was I right, or wrong?
While my father was still alive, I asked him: "Father, is there a Masonic Secret with all the hooks published about Free Masonry and its secrets, in every country and every language?'' He looked at me with the wisdom of old age and answered: "Yes son, there is a Masonic Secret. It is within you, because you may read what other Masons have expressed, as their point of view on Masonic Secret, but what you learn within a lodge is not the Masonic Secret. It is in the inner change that your spirit attains through the teachings of Masonry. You are guided as you progress in the Craft, but you do own your own philosophical work, your own inner work, building your own Temple and bringing together piece by piece those secrets that are revealed only to a few chosen Master Masons. You must know this: Everything emanates from a Single Principle and a Primitive Love, which is the Moving Power of All. It governs all. In the long run, you will find it only if you persevere in your Masonic studies and in seeking Truth on your own. Masonry is a monument to the development of the Individual Mason, thus in time, you become a better Mason and inside, a better man!"
My father died years ago. I kept his words of wisdom to myself. Now, as I’m approaching the wisdom of old age, I can understand what he meant and wanted me to do to be a better man and Mason. I have read the books of Oswald Wirth, Rene Guenon. Arthur Edward Waite, J.P. Bayard, Ludovico Keller, Dr. Gerard Encausse' (Papus), Bernard E. Jones, Douglas D. Knoop, Joseph Fort Newton, Harry Carr, J.M. Ragon, Manly Palmer Hall, Carl H. Claudy, Henry Wilson Coil, George H. Steinmetz, Albert G. Mackey, Fritz Bolle, Theodor Vogel, Hans Otto Bock, U.G. Porciatti, A. Reghini, T. Ventura, The Group of UR, etc., etc., in their original languages of: French, English, German, and Italian. To understand writers you must have a thorough knowledge of foreign languages, to get from them their original and personal thoughts. These can’t be obtained even in the best translations. Each language has idiomatic expressions that can’t be translated. There is the real Masonic Secret! If you read a Masonic Book you must master many languages. This is a privilege of few. Masonic Wisdom is written into many languages. This depends on the author and his knowledge of Masonic Light. Reading a book is mastering its inner knowledge, exposed to our mortal eyes by the immortal spirit of the author. It is like looking at the Sea. You see on the surface the waves going and coming. The tides, winds and attraction of the Moon, bring in the High and low tide, if you don’t go further in. Yet, if you take a deep sea fishing boat, and put on a Scuba diving suit, and go into the sea, you will see the real beauty of Nature. If you go deeper, you will find oysters and inside them pearls.
Thus is Mystic Masonry! It is like the sea! If you just stare at the surface going through the Rituals, mastering the ceremonies, looking for the social side of Freemasonry, you will never get to the depths, nor attain the privilege of getting its Pearls and other Treasures! The real Masonic Secret is within the reach of only the few Master Masons who seek the Truth, the real "PHlLALETHES." This means in Greek: "Lover of Truth.'' Masonic books are everywhere, but not everyone is capable of obtaining the pearls from their pages. You find in books the language and the philosophy of Freemasonry, or the Exoteric and the Esoteric garb of Truth. Reading them depends on how deep you want to go. You will find in them the essential form or IDEA of all things, the potency of force and the real message of the author, hidden under ordinary words. Once you read and reread a book, trace it, make signals on it, write outlines of each page, make marginal notes on what the author meant to tell you, you start to get to the Oysters and reach for the Pearls within each book . . .
As you read and digest each book, you start to build within yourself a knowledge you can't convey unto others. This is your own spirit of Masonry, your own concept of Esoterism. That is the real Masonic Secret, that lives in you. When you die, it goes with you! If your Wisdom is great and you feel you should convey some of your inner knowledge to others, you write a book, or a couple of books, as many Masonic authors have done. Yet, your reader must have nearly the same knowledge of the Craft to be able to understand your message. Otherwise he will merely scrape the surface, unable to get into the deep, to look for the Oysters, and find the Pearls, just as you once did.
There are many books written on Freemasonry, but you must have the advanced knowledge that furnished the working tools, suited to his degree of knowledge and proficiency to the writer, in conveying his own knowledge on to his reader, as otherwise you would be just scraping the surface and unable to go in deeper, in order to understand the real message of the book.
Reading a Masonic book has its risks. If you are not prepared to get the real meaning and the underlying message, you may struggle through deep water. You may get caught in a blind alley, where you can not go forward, nor retreat! You just stare and remain in a fixed state! You have gone so far, yet you can advance no more. You have failed to have the tools in hand that enable you to go on! These tools are enough wisdom and a sincere understanding of the meaning of each word the author wrote. There are dangers inseparable from the Masonic Symbolism which afford an impressive lesson in regard to similar risks attendant in the use of the language. The imagination called in to assist the reason usurps its place, or leaves its ally helplessly entangled in its web. Sometimes the names which stand out for things are confounded with them: the means are mistaken for the ends: the instrument of interpretation for the object and thus symbols come to usurp an independent character as truths and persons. Thus, "It is through the mysteries, Cicero says, that we have learned the first principles of life, wherefore the term initiation is used with good reason.'' . . .
To employ nature’s universal symbolism instead of the technicalities of language, rewards the humblest inquirer and discloses its secrets to every one on proportion to his preparatory training to comphrend them. If their philosophical meaning was above the comphrension of some, their moral and political meanings are within the reach of all."…..
"These mystics shows and performances were not the reading of a lecture, but the opening of a problem. Requiring research, they were calculated to arouse the dormant intellect. They implied no hostility to Philosophy, because Philosophy is the great expounder of Symbolism.'' Albert Pike said in "Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite'' (1871) . . .
I'm an Apprentice of Freemasonry. All Master Masons who want to be Masters, are Eternal Apprentices of Freemasonry! The more you learn the more you want to Iearn! It's the old adage: "I only know that I know nothing at all." The Greeks said: "Cognoscete Ipso" (Know your own self). This science of learning about one's self is the inner secret of Free Masonry. You develop a keen knowledge of your own limitations and of your assets. You feel assured of yourself when you take a step forward, you will not take a step back. You are prepared to forge ahead, based on the power of knowledge. Carlysle said: ''Knowledge is power.'' Cecil Rhodes said: "There is so much to be done and so little time in which to do it!'' . . .
The search for truth, and knowledge take a life time. You never reach complete knowledge of anything. A human life is too short. You reach one point and sickness, old age or death take their toll. Thus the eternal Apprentice finds in books only what he is able to unearth. When he thinks he has reached the point of the ancient Alchemists: "V.l.T.R.I.O.L.'' meaning "Visita Interiora Terrae, Rectificando Invenics Occultum Lapidem (Visit the interior of the earth and rectificating by the use of purifications, you will find the secret stone of knowledge) he finds death or human disability. He is unable to get to the Philosophers Stone, the key to the transmutation of humble metals into Gold.
The Masonic Secret is that limited philosophical knowledge you get through years of study and the knowledge of the Master Masons, who went before you. They signaled each step you are now treading. You must leave behind you, as an inheritance to those following your steps in the coming generations, your own signals of the maximum limit reached in your own life, on the knowledge of the inner secrets of Freemasonry. If you were lucky enough to reach that point, then you have had the privilege to have been able to interpret the inner message of the Masonic books.
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(Philalethes Workshop Theme for 1979)
A Philalethes Society Workshop tailored to the needs of 1979 is promised for members in attendance at the annual meeting in Washington on Friday. February 23, according to President-elect Dwight L. Smith.
''In many ways it will be the same dish as that served on previous occasions," he said. "But in one vital area it will be different.''
The one vital area, he said, is the subject matter to be discussed on the program. "This year we're going to pay particular attention to what the purpose of our Society says we should be doing."
Theme of the Workshop will be Masonology, a newly coined word that the Brethren will find challenging.
Presenting the papers on the program will be three members of Texas Lodge of Research invited to do so by President Smith. They are:
George H.T. French, M.D. and D.D.S., Rosenburg recently retired after 22 years as professor in the University of Texas Dental School: Past Master of Holland Lodge No. 1, Houston; Past Master and currently Secretary of Texas Lodge of Research: also an affiliated Past Master of King Edward Vll Lodge No. 3504, under the jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England, a Lodge situated in the suburbs of Buenos Aires.
Plez A. Transou, Dallas, representative in Texas for a North Carolina desk manufacturing company: Past Master of Dallas Lodge No. 760 and Senior Warden of Texas Lodge of Research: member of the Grand Lodge Masonic Education and Service Committee.
Thomas Jefferson (Jeff) Burnett, Jr., Houston, member of an insurance firm; Past Master of Holland Lodge No. 1, Houston, and of Texas Lodge of Research.
Subjects will be as follows:
Introduction of theme
"Masonology," - Dr. French.
"Brotherly Love," - Bro. Transou.
"Music and Coniviality" - Brother Burnett
"Monotheism," - Dr. French
Robert L. Dillard, Jr., First Vice President of the Society, will preside as chairman of the Workshop and Dr. French during the program portion.
"For this year, at least, there will be no change in the name of the gathering, in its format, or in the lecture hall style of its presentation," President Smith said.
In a paper presented at Washington one year ago, the future president had expressed the hope that a name more appropriate than "Workshop,'' more stimulating and more expressive of the Society's purpose, might be considered.
He advocated that papers and discussions be at dinner tables: in other words a "Lodge at Refreshment," rather than in the "schoolroom" setting with its noise and confusion, always annoying to those who would like to hear what is being said.
Brother Smith suggested that eventually, if the Society ''raises its sights'' and attaches enough importance to the event, it might develop into an annual Philalethes Lecture of such prestige as to warrant a red numeral on the Masonic calendar.
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TO THE EDITOR
I have just received my first issue of the Philalethes and I must congratulate you and your contributors for the quality and interest of the magazine. I have already learned a number of new facts about the Craft and its members and I will eagerly look forward to future Issues.
I was particularly interested in Bro. McCall's article, "Isaac Hayne Martyred", because we have visited some of the places he discusses, especially Hinges Mountain and Cowpens Battlefields. I would like to make one correction on Page 7, third column. Bro. McCall says of Daniel Morgan, "a veteran of Canada under Montgomery, and of Saratoga, under Gates, Schuyler and Herkimer...'' Herkimer was killed or mortally wounded at Oriskany on August 6, 1777, and therefore did not take part at Saratoga.
Thank you again for a fine issue, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
William J Neisel
3106 Magnolia Drive
Hendersonville, N.C. 28739
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Complete " MASONIC WEEK" PROGRAM
February 23, 24, 25 1979 Washington D.C.
Program Allied Masonic Bodies
All Meetings Will Be Held At The Washington Hotel
15th at Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C.
Program of A.M.D. And Other Meetings For 1979
Friday, February 23, 1979
7:30 P.M. - MASONIC WORKSHOP - THE PHILALETHES SOCIETY Twenty-Fifth Meeting
Dwight L. Smith, President
Franklin J. Anderson, Secretary
Saturday, February 24, 1979
8:30 A.M. - REGISTRATION
9:30 A.M. - GRAND COLLEGE OF RITES OF THE U.S.A
Forty-Eighth Annual Convocation
M.’.l.’.Allen E. Roberts, Grand Chancellor
M.’.l.’.Herbert A. Fisher, Grand Registrar
10:30 A.M. - GRAND MASTER'S COUNCIL, A.M.D
Forty-Sixth Communication
V.'.Morrison L. Cooke
V.’.C. Clark Julius, Secretary
11:30 A.M. - GRAND COUNCIL, ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES OF THE U.S.A.
Forty-Seventh Annual Communication
M.'.V.’. Warren F. Bower, Sovereign Grand Master
R.’.V.’.Robert L. Grubb. Grand Secretary-Treasurer
Open for the receipt of the Grand Master's and Grand Secretary's Reports. All A.M.D. members are invited to attend .
RECESS
12:30 P.M. - LUNCHEON (Dutch Treat)
2:00 P.M. - INSTALLED MASTER'S COUNCIL, A.M.D.
Forty-Sixth Annual Communication
V.’.James H. Horne, Sovereign Master
R.’.V.’.Robert L. Grubb, Secretary
To confer the installed Master Degree on Masters of Councils present who have not been installed. All Installed Masters are invited to be present.
2:30 P.M. - COUNCIL OF THE NINE MUSES, No. 13, A.M.D.
Forty-Sixth Annual Communication
M.’.V.’. Bruce Hunt, Sovereign Master
R.'.V.’.Robert L. Grubb, Permanent Secretary
All A.M.D. members are invited.
3:00 P.M. GREAT CHIEF’S COUNCIL, NO. 0 KNIGHT MASONS
13th Annual Meeting
E.’. Jerald E. Marsengill, Excellent Chief
V.’.E.’. Walter M. McCracken, Scribe
3:30 P.M. - GRAND COUNCIL, KNIGHT MASONS OF THE U.S.A.
13th Annual Meeting
M.'.E.’.Cyril H. York, Great Chief
V.'.E.’.Ray Scarborough, Grand Scribe
4:30 P.M. - SOCIETAS ROSICRUCIANA IN CIVITATIBUS FOEDERATIS M.’.W.’.Harold V.B. Voorhis, Supreme Magus
R.’.W.’.John Phillip Berauist. Secretary-General
RECESS
6:00 P.M. - ANNUAL BANQUET, ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES
M.’.V.’. Warren H. Bower, Presiding
Speaker to be announced.
All present for any of the meetings may secure tickets.
8:00 P.M. - GRAND COUNCIL, ALLIED MASONIC DEGREES
Labor resumed: Committee reports, routine business
Election and Installation of Grand Officers, and closing
10:00 P.M. - MASONIC ORDER OF THE BATH OF THE U.S.A.
Fifty-Seventh Assembly
M’.’H.'. Henry Emmerson, Commander-General
V.’.H.’.Harold D. Elliott, II, Keeper of the Bath Records
11:00 P.M. - YE ANCIENT ORDER OF CORKS
Fifty-Third Cellar
M’.’W.’. Thurman C Pace, Grand Bung of the Americas
R.’.W.’.. Robert A. Tilkey. Prov. Grand Bung of U.S.A
Sunday, February 25, 1979
7:30A.M. - CONVENT GENERAL, KNIGHTS OF THE YORK CROSS OF HONOUR
Breakfast in the Hotel
M.’.E.’.Clarence K. Jones, Grand Master-General
M.’.E.’. Stanley W. Wakefield. Grand Registrar-General
9:00 A.M. - THE SOCIETY OF BLUE FRIARS
Forty-Sixth Annual Consistory
M.’.I.’. Dwight L. Smith, GrandAbbott
R.’.I.’. Henry Emmerson, Secretary-General
9:30 A.M. - THE GRAND PRECEPTOR'S TABERNACLE, H.R.A.K.T.P.
Forty-Seventh Ingathering
V.'.E.’.C. Ray Scarborough, Preceptor
R.’.E.’.George M. Fulmer, Registrar
10:00 A.M. - THE GRAND COLLEGE OF AMERICA, HOLY ROYAL
ARCH KNIGHT TEMPLAR PRIESTS
Forty-Seventh Ingathering
M.’.E.’.Arthur W. Craft, Grand Preceptor
R.’.E.’.George M. Fulmer, Grand Registrar
HOTEL
Hotel reservations must be made by addressing a post card or letter to Hotel Washington, Mr. Reyburn Miller, Manager, Pennsylvania Avenue and Fifteenth Street, Washington. D.C., N.W. 20004. Call attention to the fact that you are attending the Annual Meeting of the Allied Masonic Degrees. It will be well to ask for a confirmation. Reservations should be requested at least one (1) week prior to your arrival.
ANNUAL DINNER
The Annual Dinner will be held at 6:00 p m on Saturday, February 24, 1979. Reservations are not necessary Purchase your tickets from the Committee on Dinner on the morning of the dinner
LADIES COFFEE HOUR
At 10:00 a m on Saturday, February 24 our ladies will meet for coffee in the room posted on the bulletin board in the hotel lobby
COMMITTEE ON TIME AND PLACE
Marvin E. Fowler, Chairman
1904 White Oaks Drive
Alexandria, Va. 22306
Herbert A. Fisher, Secretary
553 Caren Drive
Virginia Beach. Va. 23452
Henry Emmerson
148 Elm Street
Cresskill, N.J. 07626
George M. Fulmer
P.O. Box 94B, Rousby Hall Road
Lusby, Maryland 20657
Robert L. Grubb
P.O. Box 4232
Charlotte, N.C. 28204
Harold V.B. Voorhis
105 New England Avenue
Summit. N J 07901
Stanley W. Wakefield
41 Amherst Drive
Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y. 10706
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Al Cerza Reviews Books of Interest to Masons
Around 1930 there was published in German a fine book entitled "The Freemasons, " written by Eugene Lennhoff. It was an instant success and soon thereafter it was translated into French, Italian and English but has been out-of-print for many years. It contains a good general description of Freemasonry and is a sound history book. Its greatest value is its detailed coverage of the Craft in various European countries especially during the years immediately preceding its publication. It is good news that this book has been reprinted.
Available at $14 a copy from A. Lewis Ltd., Terminal House, Shepperton, Surrey TW17 8AS, England.
* * * * *
The City of York, in England, for many years has enjoyed a legendary place in the history of the Craft. Closely connected with that city is the legend that King Athelstan called an assembly of Masons there about the year A.D. 925. Anderson's Constitutions recite this legend as well as many of the Ancient Manuscripts of the Craft. Alex Horne, F.P.S., has made a detailed study of these old documents to determine the authenticity of the legend and he reports his findings in a recently published book "The York Legend in the Old Charges." All aspects of this subject are considered and explained in a clear and interesting style.
Available at $10 a copy from A. Lewis Ltd., Terminal House, Shepperton, Surrey TW17 8AS, England.
* * * * *
A new list of Digests of the Masonic Service Association is ready for distribution and will be sent free on request. There is also available a list of the Short Talk Bulletins that have been published to date and will also be sent free on request. I was surprised to hear from a knowledgable Mason recently that he did not know that individual subscriptions to these bulletins are available at nominal cost. When you go over the list you may want to give some thought to subscribing.
The Association’s address is 8120 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.
* * * * *
The current issue of the book catalog of the Macoy Masonic Publishing Co. is ready for distribution. It lists many items of Masonic interest plus books on Masonic subjects.
Available free from the company, 3011 Dumbarton Road, Richmond, Va. 23228.
Also available free is a book catalog issued by A. Lewis Ltd., Terminal House, Shepperton, Surrey TW17 8AS, England. This company is listed as a Masonic book publisher and also publishes a fine Masonic magazine quarterly.
* * * * *
The late Brother Carl H. Claudy was a prolific writer on Masonic subjects and in his lifetime many of his books were published and distributed by The Temple Publishers. That firm is still in existence and is located at 8120 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. The following books written by him are still available:
Masonic Harvest $4.00
Old Tiler Talks 3.75
Foreign Countries 3.50
These Were Brethren 3.25
The Lion's Paw 3.00
Introduction to Freemasonry 4.50
The Master's Book 2.50
* * * * * *
In 1957 there was published "The Scottish Rite for Scotland," by R.S. Lindsay, for many years active in the Scottish Rite in that country. The book proved successful and has long been out-of-print. It may surprise some of our members to learn that in spite of the title of this appendant body, it originated in France and not in Scotland, and that it did not reach Scotland until many years later. A paper-back edition of this book has been reprinted.
Available at two Pounds, postpaid, from the Supreme Council A & A Scottish Rite, 94a George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland.
* * * * *
The September issue of Masonic Square, the magazine published by A. Lewis Ltd. of England, has been expanded to forty-eight pages. In addition to news items and editorials there are many short articles of general interest. Here is a sampling in this issue: Masonry in Ireland; Some Further Variances in the Ritual; a Lodge Umbrella; a Mantelpiece with Masonic Emblems: a Consideration of the Services of the Grand Masters of England and in the United States; a Lodge in South Africa; and the reproduction of a commemorative stamp issued in 1965 with the likeness of Francisco Calvo, a Roman Catholic priest who established Freemasonry in Costa Rica in 1865. This periodical is issued quarterly and its publisher's address is Terminal House, Shepperton TW17, 8AS, Surrey, England.
The publisher has available a bound copy of the issues for the years 1975, and 1976 with an index; the price is $8 a copy post paid.
* * * * *
There has been published in the Italian language Seven Enigmas of Masonic History, by Beatrice Bisogni, with an introduction by Brother Bruno Gamberini, M.P.S., and Past Grand Master of Italy. The book is divided into seven chapters with each addressed to one topic of historical interest relating to the Craft in Italy. There are cited many words in English plus many articles written by Brother Gamberini.
Available at 5,000 Lire from Ugo Bastogni Editore, Piazza Matteotti 50, Casella Postale 123, 57100, Livorno, Italy.
* * * * *
Also published recently in the Italian language is a 264 page book entitled "Freemasonry Today" which contains a collection of the Masonic writings of Brother Bruno Gamberini, M.P.S. Many of the items are short editorials on problems of vital interest to Masons and there are many that deal with historical subjects and also an explanation of the philosophy of Freemasonry. Many of the articles deal with specific serious problems that have arisen in Italy as a result of the political and religious climate that exists there.
Available at 5,000 Lire from Angelo Longo Editore, 48100 Ravenna, Via Rocca ai Fossi, 6, Ravenna 64214, Italy.
* * * * *
In 1947 there was published "The Genesis of Freemasonry, " by Knoop and Jones. The two authors were professors at Sheffield University and they made a study of available building construction records during the period that the Craft was evolving from an operative Craft to a symbolic Craft. This is one of the books which they wrote covering some of their findings and conclusions. The book has been out-of-print for many years but has now been reprinted.
Copies are available to members of the Correspondence Circle of Quatuor Coronati Lodge. Interested readers should communicate with the local secretary of the lodge. If you do not know his name and address, It is suggested that you write to Alex Home, 100 Font Blvd. 5L, San Francisco, Cal 94132.
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by Harold V.B. Voorhis, F.P.S.
No. 4
Bayside Lodge No. 999
A.F. & A.M.
Bayside, New York
The information about this Bible has been compiled from a typed sheet written by Bro. T.R. Gerlack, P.M. of Bayside Lodge, and some data supplied by the present Secretary, Arthur W. Hall, P.M.
The book was printed in London, England, by Henry Middleton. It is in Latin script and contains the Old and New Testaments and the Apocryphe. It is dated 1585 and listed as the "First Latin Bible Printed in England." This is a generic term for the three Bibles printed by Middleton in 1580, 1581 and 1585. To be insistic, we believe this Bible (1585) was a "Third Latin Bible printed in England." It is printed on parchment, the pages being 6 1/4 X 8 1/4 and it is bound in leather. It is recorded by Biblical experts as "Testamenti Veteris Binlia Sacra . . . Londini, Evcudebat Henricus Midletonus, impensis, W.N. MDLXXXV. "
Says Bro. Gerlack, "Its early history is a mystery to us but in 1769, seven years before the founding of the Grand Lodge of New York, it was rebound and began a new life on a Masonic altar. In that year it became the Lodge Bible of the Well Chosen Lodge No. 444 (E.C. ) in Naples, Italy. Fortune failed to smile on that Lodge, however, and after a very short existence its charter was revoked. The existence of The Well Chosen Lodge No. 444 has been verified by the Grand Lodge of England."
Brother Gerlack continues, "Then in the early 1920's, the late R.W. James Frederick Drake of Redlands Lodge No. 300 of Redlands, California, a rare book dealer, came into possession of the Bible. He was a frequent visitor in Bayside Lodge and as close friend of R. W. Alexander L. Kircheis [now deceased]. From this association Brother Drake presented the Bible to Bayside Lodge in 1928."
The authenticity of the Bible has been certified by the Rare Book Division of the New York Public Library duly 23, 1956) by Lewis M. Stark, Chief.
ARTHUR W. HALL, Secretary
NOTE: The pages are smaller than when the Bible was printed due to shaving on three sides when bound.
Harold V.B. Voorhis
No. 5
Bayside Bergen
Temple Lodge No. 99
F. & A.M.
Bayonne, New Jersey
The Bible owned by this Lodge, according to an engraved plate on its cover, was printed in 1478. The plate reads:
Presented to
Bergen Lodge No. 47, F. & A.M.
May 31, 1901
by Wor. Bro George B. Edwards
Translation
In the year of the Lord's incarnation one thousand four hundred and seventy eight November tenth precisely (these remarkable work of the Old and New Testament, with the canons and concordance of the evangelists: Printed for the praise and glory of Holy and Undivided Trinity and the chaste Virgin Mary. Most diligently manufactured in the town of Nuremberg by Antony Coburgeri, an inhabitant of the town aforesaid, whose industry happily finishes (it).
"Anthony Coburgari" is the Latin name of Anton Koberg or Koberger. who issued the book (sheets) and "Nuremberg the city in Germany in which the famous Gutenberg Bible was printed. His first Bible was issued in 1475 and he executed more than fifteen in Latin. There are three copies in New York City available for authentic check. The title of the Lodge may be confusing, so we will rehearse how it obtained the present name: (those noted were in Bayonne, New Jersey):
Bergen No 47- Jan. 14, 1857
The Lodge of the Temple No. 110 - Jan. 19, 1871
Surrendered Warrant - Apr. 25. 1968
Bergen Temple No. 47 - Apr. 25. 1968
Bayonne No. 99 - Jan. 20. 1870
Bayonne Bergen Temple No. 99 - Apr. 26, 1973
The first notice found of the Bible is in an obituary of William Wallace Goodwin of New Jersey in the Proceedings of the Supreme Council, 33d (N. Juris.) for 1870. It is stated that Goodwin was elected to become a 33d member in Cincinnati, Ohio, on June 17, 1870. A special commission, ordered by the Sovereign Grand Commander, went to Trenton, New Jersey on Oct. 15, 1870 and conferred the degree upon him. The Bible owned by Wor. George B. Edwards of the Valley of Jersey City, was used during the ceremony. Edwards became a 33d Mason in 1862.
Incunabula, such as this Bible, usually had no title page and no printed date of issue. How Brother Edwards found the date of the issue of his Bible is not known.
The pages are paper 16 1/8 x 11 1/4 inches and the cover is 17 x 12 inches and the book as bound, 4 1/8 inches thick
The Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, F & A.M., M.W. Kenneth L. Larsen, when installed at the Annual Communication in Trenton on April 20, 1978, took his obligation on this Bible. He is a member of Lodge No. 99 in Bayonne.
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Rob Morris and the Conservators In Kentucky
by Charles Guthrie, M.P.S.
Rob Morris, soon after his initiation in Mississippi in 1846, became aware of the great diversity of ritual which he encountered as he visited lodges through out the United States. He determined to bring order out of this chaos. The result, years later in Kentucky, was to cost him his reputation for a time among many Masons. He was accused of trying to profit financially from the sale of rituals, a Conservator Degree which he invented, and attempting to become a Masonic dictator. Apparently, however, he was motivated by the best of intentions.
When Morris first came to Kentucky, he was impressed by the slovenly way the ritual was performed in many lodges. Lie first visited the Grand Lodge in 1852. In 1853 he had attracted sufficient attention her Grand Master Thomas Todd to grant him a letter of recommendation to visit lodges and instruct them in the landmarks of Freemasonry. Todd also recommended that the Grand Lodge provide a system of lectures. The committee to which this was referred recommended instead that the work and lectures be exemplified in Grand Lodge.
The next year subordinate lodges were forbidden to hear itinerant lecturers. Some of these, no doubt, were doing a purely commercial work and cared little for the welfare of the lodges they visited. Morris, although he made his living as a teacher of Masonry and publisher of Masonic books and magazines, seems to have had the best interests of Masonry at heart. He wanted it to be as impressive as possible.
Seeking to discover what Thomas Smith Webb's ritual had been, Morris, in 1848, had begun contacting every elderly Mason known to have been a good ritualist in an effort to synthesize their memories into an exact ritual. Eventually he was said to have contacted 50,000 Masons in 2,000 lodges. Probably he had not met this many when he began his Conservator movement in 1860.
Morris was elected Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky in 1858. During his year in that office he held three sessions of what he called National Masonic Schools of Instruction at which he lectured and taught different phases of Masonry, including ritual. When the Grand Lodge met in October, 1859, Morris reported that he had engaged four brothers (John Augustus Williams, E.D. Cooke, S.D. McCullough, and Grand Senior Warden Lewis Landrum) to lecture in the lodges.
A resolution recommending the Webb work as taught in the Schools of Instruction was not passed. The Grand Lodge did recommend a speedy return to the work and lectures of Webb. Perhaps this gives one clue to why the Grand Lodge and individual lodges were unwilling to adopt Morris's ritual. Each lodge and each member probably felt that the ritual it used was the pure Webb work and were unwilling to charge. This was an affront to Morris and a precursor of worse to come.
In 1860 Morris launched the Conservators, an organization with members throughout the United States. He hoped to introduce his ritual into each Grand Lodge. The conservator organization began June 24, 1860. It was to end June 24, 1865. The plan of organization was secretive. Morris was Chief Conservator and had one Conservator and two deputies in each lodge. These were to work secretly for the adoption of Morris's work in each lodge and ultimately in each Grand Lodge. Morris invited the men he desired as Conservators to receive a degree he had invented. This degree, based on Nehemiah 2:12 and succeeding verses, and Mnemonics, his printed ritual, cost each recipient $10. This amount was necessary to pay for the costs of printing and other expenses. It was seized upon by some as evidence that Morris was enriching himself from the work.
Mnemonics was unintelligible to anyone without its key. The majority of Masons seemed to regard it as a violation of one of the first teachings of an Entered Apprentice. This was another weapon for Morris's enemies. Some were no doubt jealous of his intellect, ability, and other activities The stage was set for the explosion that soon came in the Grand Lodge.
In 1862 Hiram Bassett, a Conservator, was Grand Master. In his opening address he deplored the lack of uniformity in ritual. He asked that a plan to right this condition be devised. That same year Thomas Sadler, Grand Senior Warden, introduced a resolution, which the Grand Lodge adopted, to investigate the Conservators. A committee of Past Grand Masters, Wilson and Swigert and Grand Treasurer Albert G. Hodges were appointed for this purpose. Swigert and Wilson had served in the Grand Line with Morris, and Hodges had published Morris's The History of Freemasonry in Kentucky in 1859. The next year Past Grand Masters J. M.S. McCorkle and Thomas Todd and Grand Master Thomas Sadler were added to the committee. At that time it offered a resolution forbidding all persons to work or lecture on the Conservator ritual and forbidding all Masons under the Grand Lodge of Kentucky to hear such lectures or work, to receive Conservator books, or to join the Conservators.
After this report was adopted, Bassett and Cooke asked the committee to meet with them and Morris in Louisville November 18, 1863, where they might be heard in explanation. Previous to this meeting, the committee received a letter from Morris stating that the sole purpose of the conservators was to establish uniformity of work by prudent, and lawful means, and that there were 2,900 members, including twenty-eight grand masters. He asked that the committee publish his letter as a part of their report, which they did. Morris was in New York at the time of the November meeting in Louisville, but sent another letter stating essentially the same position.
When the committee reported to the 1864 session of the Grand Lodge, it reviewed the history and publications of the Conservators and concluded that the Conservator ritual was not the unadulterated Webb ritual, but represented a version of it as revised by Morris according to his ideas. This position was bolstered by approximately thirteen pages of quotations of well-informed Masons of other jurisdictions.
The committee next noted that complete uniformity of work could not be attained. The principal object to be sought was preservation of the main outline and symbolism. No attempt should be made to secure minute details of verbiage. It thoroughly condemned the use of ciphers, keys, and notes. It noted that the whole Conservator movement was worthy of "a disciple of Ignatius Loyola," and branded it as unmasonic and liable to abuse in the hands of a Chief Conservator. This, of course, was true, but seems highly unlikely in Morris's hands, especially since the movement was to expire eight months later anyway.
The Committee reported seventy members of the Conservators in Kentucky as of May 1, 1862, but does not give their names. A list compiled by Ray V. Denslow in 1931 lists seventy-seven, including Morris, Grand Master Bassett, Elisha D. Cooke, John Augustus Williams (Grand Senior Warden in 1861-62), Fred Webber, 33d (Treasurer General of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction), W.C. Munger (Grand Commander of the Grand Consistory of Kentucky), and M.J. Williams, who would become Grand Master in 1865.
The Grand Lodge adopted a resolution forbidding the use of the Conservator ritual or any other written or cipher work of the esoteric portions of the degrees, and ordered any Kentucky Masons owning Mnemonics or other Conservator ritualistic material to deliver it promptly to the Grand Secretary who would hold it subject to the Grand Lodge's order.
Upon the adoption of this resolution, Past Grand Master Thomas Todd presented a communication dated October 24 [sic] and signed by Past Grand Master Bassett and nine others saying that they had voluntarily withdrawn from the Conservators since the organization which they had hoped would promote the peace and harmony of the Craft had actually disturbed it. They did not admit that the organization was clandestine. On the other hand, they said that they had the right to consider the Conservator ritual good and true work because it explained so fully everything in the degrees and was the only work that most of them had ever seen exemplified in the Grand Lodge.
After some complaints about the use of and possession of Mnemonics over the next few years, a motion was brought before the Grand Lodge in 1884 recommending that the Grand Lodge recognize and recommend to the subordinate lodges the Webb work as promulgated by Past Grand Masters Rob Morris and Hiram Bassett. This was tabled and the controversy was allowed to die.
After Morris's death in 1888, the Grand Lodge bought the remaining copies of Mnemonics and the plates from which they were printed. These were stored until 1914 when the Grand Lodge adopted a resolution ordering Grand Master George B. Winslow and Grand Secretary Dave Jackson to destroy them. They carried out this order September 18, 1915, and destroyed the books. The plates could not be located.
Although Morris was not successful with the conservators in Kentucky, his work seems to have become the basis of the present Indiana ritual. The nation wide uniformity Morris hoped for did not result and probably never will. Although the Civil War interfered with his hopes, perhaps the major reason for Morris's failure with the Conservator ritual lay in the fact that individuals, lodges, and Grand Lodges were hostile to his plans because each thought he - or it - had the genuine Webb ritual, not realizing that anything transmitted orally is certainly changed in the process. Others felt that it was dangerous to have so much power in the hands of one man as appeared to lie in Morris's as Chief Conservator. The secret degree of Conservator and the fact that some who might have desired it were not invited to receive it alienated still others. There may have been some who wanted it to fail because of jealousy of Morris and his other accomplishments.
At any rate Morris passed into the bad graces of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky and did not emerge until some years later. Complicating matters was the fact that he became indebted to the Grand Lodge for over $1,000 in 1859 and could not repay it. This resulted in legal action being taken. It was not until 1878 that he seems to have regah1ed the full confidence of the Grand Lodge and again became prominent in its activities. In 1884 he was made Poet-Laureate of Freemasonry. He died at LaGrange in 1888 and was buried with full Masonic honors with Past Grand Master Hiram Bassett presiding,
Despite the allegations of his detractors, Morris does not seem to have made more than a living from his various Masonic activities, and was said to have had no more than $75.00 besides his house and library at the time of his death. A movement begun in his home lodge, Fortitude No. 47 of LaGrange, culminated in contributions from many Masons to erect a thirty-one foot monument of Barre Granite at his grave in LaGrange, where his house is, now maintained by the Order of the Eastern Star. Thus, despite the conservator uproar, Morris today is recognized as perhaps the most outstanding Mason ever to be a member of a Kentucky lodge.
REFERENCES
Collins, Lewis and Richard H. History of Kentucky, Frankfort. Richard H. Collins, 1874 Rept. Kentucky Historical Society, 1966
Denslow, William R. 10,000 Famous Freemasons, Trenton, Missouri, William R. Denslow, 1957-61
Denslow, Ray V. The Masonic Conservators, St. Louis Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Missouri 1931
Grant, H.B. Doings of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, 1800-1900 Louisville Masonic Home Book and Job Office 1900
Kenaston, Jean McKee. History of the Order of the Eastern Star Cedar Rapids: The Torch Press 1917
Morris Robert, Freemasonry In the Holy Land New York Masonic Publishing Company, 1872
Morris Robert, The History of Freemasonry in Kentucky, Louisville. Rob Morris, 1859
Morris Robert, The Poetry of Freemasonry, Biography written by His Son, Chicago: The Werner Company, 1895
Proceedings at the Coronation of Rob Morris as Poet Laureate of Freemasonry, Chicago: Knight and Leonard, 1885
Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, F.&A.M. Louisville, Grand Lodge of Kentucky, 1852-1888
Rule, Lucien V. Pioneering in Masonry, The Life and Times of Rob Morris, Louisville, Lucien V. Rule, 1922
Smith, Dwight L. Goodly Heritage, Indianapolis: Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of Indiana. 1968
The Supreme Council 33d Washington. The Supreme Council AASR, 1931
Voorhis, Harold Van Buren. The Eastern Star. The Evolution From a Rite to an Order, Richmond, Macoy, 1976
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INDIANA FORMS TWO NEW CHAPTERS
by John Black Vrooman F.P.S.
The Masons of Indiana have again shown their interest in our Society by forming two new Chapters.
It was my privilege to attend the Educational Seminar at South Bend, September 9, 1978. A discussion of "The Basics of Blue Lodge Masonry and Management" was held. A new Chapter of the Philalethes Society was formed.
Paul E. Rudbeck, M.P.S., Secretary of Valley Lodge No., 738, F. & A.M., was the Moderator. The several hundred members in attendance were greeted by Wor. Brother Wayne Frost, Master of Valley Lodge. Addresses of appreciation and good will were expressed by several prominent Scottish Rite officers. Distinguished guests present were introduced.
Greetings from around the state were read. The meeting was then turned over to the Moderator. He outlined the purposes of the meeting - to sponsor better and more active participation in all the branches of Freemasonry by greater knowledge of what Freemasonry can and must do toward a better understanding of the principles of the Craft.
Several tape recordings were presented on topics of interest to Freemasonry. Among them were "Masonic Literature and the Masonic Book Club," by Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., Life, and "Masonic Education" by Allen E. Roberts, F P.S. There was discussion, comments and questions from the floor.
It was my privilege to present some of the facts on the history and development of the Philalethes Society. It was agreed that a local chapter of the Philalethes Society should be formed. This was done. A meeting to organize and elect officers, and to draw up a set of By-Laws, was set for a future date. The Chapter came into being.
Wor. Brother Jacob Pos, Master of The Heritage Lodge No. 730, of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, was a visitor. He commented on some of the similarities between Canadian and American lodges. Wor. Brother Pos was much interested in Masonic Education, and has become a member of the society. He will do much to sponsor Masonic activities in his area.
It is expected that this Chapter will add much to the activities of the Society. Rudbeck has long been a Masonic student. He has carried on the work of the Society with great vigor.
Another local Chapter is now being formed in another part of Indiana. Brother James C. Bunnell has organized a group, which includes many prominent Masons in the state. We have not yet learned the officers of the group, or details. We do know that the name of this chapter will be THE INDIANA CHAPTER OF THE PHILALETHES SOCI ETY.
With these, and other local Chapters rapidly assuming shape, it is anticipated that we will soon have more action and activity.
CHICAGO CHAPTER HOLDS MEETING
by Al Cerza
The Chicago Chapter of the Philalethes Society held a meeting on Friday, November 24, at the Brookfield Methodist Church parlor, 3541 So. Park Avenue, Brookfield, Illinois. Hugh A. Cole, M.P.S., was the guest speaker. His topic was "Masonry in England." He had taken a trip to England in the Spring of 1978. He visited many places of Masonic interest and took pictures. A large table was used to display items of Masonic interest which Cole had gathered during his trip. These included Masonic books, lodge notices, summons, coins, certificates, and pictures. This was the first meeting held with the new officers of the Chapter who elected on August 12, 1978. They are: Dr. Ridell A. Kelsey, M.P.S., Chairman, Dr. Stephen R. Greenberg, M.P.S., Vice Chairman, and Raymond W. Langosch, Secretary.
The meeting was opened by Kelsey. He introduced the new officers and some other Members. Some of them had travelled a long distance to be present at this meeting. He then introduced Cole. Cole made a few preliminary remarks and explained that a trip to England is like a sacred pilgrimage because of our Masonic heritage from that country. He explained that he had two local guides during his two week visit: Derrick C. Hobson, Headmaster of Chemistry in a boy's school, and Dennis E. McCormack, M.P.S. He also said that Ronald W. Oram, M.P.S., a member of Ideal Endeavor Lodge, of England, and of Geneva Lodge No. 139, Geneva, Illinois, was present and would answer any questions after the formal program.
The program consisted of a half hour presentation of slides with a commentary on the items portrayed. Shown were maps, pictures of buildings, pictures of many persons who made their mark in Masonic history such as Preston, Grand Masters of England, pictures of the cathedrals that were so important in the middle ages. and lodge halls. All were interspersed with music and the singing of songs such as the Entered Apprentice Song. He even showed a picture of the sea at Hastings, where William the Conqueror landed in A.D. 1066 and changed the course of history, and he hesitated for a few moments to give the sounds of the sea at that point. During the presentation Cole called attention to differences that exist in England as compared to the United States in the physical conditions of a lodge and some of their ceremonies. Scenes of the Shakespeare country and of Stonehenge were also shown and explained.
All in all the slides, the music, and the commentary were both enlightening and informative. The program was enjoyed by all those present.
WESTERN RESERVE CHAPTER HOLDS MEETING
by William F. Koeckert
Western Reserve chapter of the Philalethes Society met in the Cleveland Masonic Library at the Scottish Rite Temple on September 20, 1978, to explore methods for expanding its activities and its membership to better meet the desire of those Masons who enjoy a common interest in scholarly research and philosophical discussions related to Freemasonry.
R.W. Joseph E. Bennett, P.D.D. - G.M. and chapter president, reviewed the past history and present status of the chapter, pointing out that its small membership enhanced the opportunity for exchanging serious thoughts about the fraternity during its meetings.
He also welcomed as guests several non-affiliated Philalethes Society members, including Ill. Richard B. Ingham, 33 Degree, P.D.D.G.M., and W.Bro. William F. Koeckert, P.M., National President of National Sojourners, Inc.
Following a general discussion involving possible future directions toward which the chapter might move R.W. Bro. Bennett closed the meeting with the announcement that Craftsmen who were interested in the Society's purpose could contact him for more information and membership application forms by telephoning him at 888-1478.
Members of Western Reserve Chapter Philalethes are: Joseph E. Bennett, President, 6841 Day Drive, Suite 428, Parma, Ohio 44129; Charles E. Cook, 2792 Friar Drive, Parma, Ohio 44134; Reinhold N. Schultz, 13420 Sprecher Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44135; Peter Stilwell, 1611 Cook Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44109; Rudy K. Maschke, 14055 Bennett Road, North Royalton, Ohio 44133; Albert Sedory, Sr., 1719 Wood Road, Cleveland, Ohio 44121; David I. Kaplan, 3715 Warrensville Center Rd., No. 540, Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122; Bert M. Tobin, 4095 Monticello Blvd., Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44121; Carl Funk, 6102 Fir Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44102; Fred A. Rader, 4609 W. 223rd St., Fairview Park, Ohio 44126; Ernest C. Kegley, 436 Francis St., Kent, Ohio 44240; Dan C. Ehlert, 2078 Wendy's Drive, No. 2-A, Columbus, Ohio.
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by John Black Vrooman, F.P.S.
"Masonic Week" in Washington in 1979 will be different. As noted elsewhere in this issue, the Conferences will hold their annual meetings in Colorado Springs, Colorado, while the Philalethes Society and the several groups of the Allied Masonic Degrees, will continue to meet at the Washington Hotel, Washington, D.C., beginning with the annual meeting of the Executive Committee and the "Masonic Workshop" of the Philalethes Society on Friday afternoon and evening, February 22,1979.
The Executive Committee, the Editor of the "Philalethes" magazine, and others interested in the activities of the Society, will review the events of the Fiftieth anniversary of the Society in 1978 analyse the work done, the increase in membership, and hear the reports of the officers and the editor of the magazine, as well as that of the Chairman and cochairman of the Membership Committee, Brothers Allan D. Parsons and Harold P. Bull. It is to be noted that the membership committee has far excelled the goal set for new members, and that the Society is now in its best membership status since its formation.
Other matters to come before the Executive Committee, include an analysis of the new Local Chapters of the Society, of which there are now approximately twenty-four active or in process of activation, and the matter of Back Issues of the "Philalethes" magazine.
As far as it is possible to determine at this time, there are in actual existence twelve local Chapters, five in process of formation, and needing only the election of officers and other minor details to become active, and many requests and applications by members for data by which to form new Chapters. It is certain that several of the latter will soon become fully active, possibly before the meetings in Washington.
During the past year the Editor Emeritus has been able to meet the request of a number of members for back issues of the "Philalethes " magazine. It is also noted that in several instances, complete sets of back issues have been sold to our members. There has been a steady increase in requests for special numbers of the magazine, certain topics of particular interest wanted by members and a desire on the part of the members to make use of the magazine in special areas of research.
One difficulty that has been growing more and more, is the scarcity of some of the issues of the magazine. There is now a very great need for issues of the magazine in the 1940's, the 1959's and the 1970's, as well as all issues prior to 1950.
We are most fortunate in having access to the King County Masonic Library, Seattle, Washington, of which Albert L. Woody, F.P.S., is most active. It is possible, through this splendid organization, to have zeroxed any number of pages of any back issue of the magazine, at a cost of 10c a page, plus 10c postage, so that any issue may be ordered by members by which to complete sets of the magazine, or obtain special articles that are wanted.
With the scarcity of some issues, it is good to know that ALL issues can be obtained by this means. It is hoped that our members will take advantage of this fine service and complete their sets of our magazine.
Other matters to be considered by the Executive Committee, include the award of the 1978 Certificate of Literature. plans for greater increase of our membership, the possibility of having another interim meeting of the Society in some other part of the country, as was done when the anniversary was celebrated in Chicago during August last year.
No definite plans for the 1979 "Masonic Workshop" in February have yet been announced, but our newly-elected President, Dwight L. Smith, F.P.S., is hard at work on what can be done, and it is probable that some further announcement will be made. We are assured that the "Masonic Workshop" WILL be held, and that there will be an interesting and instructive program. Plan to be with us at our twenty-fifth annual workshop.
Following the meetings of the Philalethes on Friday, the several groups under the auspices of the Allied Masonic Degrees will convene and work, commencing with the Grand College of Rites, meeting at 9:30, followed by the opening of Grand Master's Council "A" of the Allied Masonic Degrees, the Grand Council, Allied Masonic Degrees, the Installed Master's Council, Great Chiefs Council, Knight Masons, Grand Council, Knight Masons, Societas Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Foederatis, which will complete the afternoon's activities.
The annual banquet of the Allied Masonic Degrees will be held in the Hotel at six o'clock, which is open to all members attending the meetings. The Grand Council will reconvene after dinner, finishing its business and electing and installing its new officers. The "fun session" - Order of the Bath and Ye Ancient Order of Corks will complete the day's work.
Sunday morning will have its first meeting, with the breakfast of Convent General of the Knights of the York Cross of Honour, open only to members of the Order, followed by the Consistory of Blue Friars, and the meetings of Grand Preceptor’s Tabernacle of H.R.A.K.-T.P., and Grand College of America, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests, which will conclude the meetings for the year. It is anticipated that, even with the absence of those usually in attendance at the other Conferences, that there will be a large group of interested Freemasons to enjoy the fellowship and essence of the pleasant atmosphere of these meetings.
A note to those who will attend the meetings - BE SURE TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION FOR ROOM, by writing -
The Washington Hotel
16th St. at Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, D.C. NW 20004
Reservations should be confirmed at least a week prior to meetings.
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Don't Forget the Date
Annual Meeting
Fri Feb. 23, 1979 – 7:30 P.M.
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Part I: Prologue
By Alex Horne, F.P.S.
A number of good books have been written over the years on the subject of Freemasonry and Roman Catholicism. One of the best, under that specific title, is the one by that great scholar, H.L. Haywood (Chicago, 1943, with a Fifth Printing in 1960). The special advantage in Haywood's work is that he gives - verbatim and in full - the Papal Bull of Pope Clement XII (1738), the first of the series, followed by a discussion of the many Papal Bulls, Allocutions, and Encyclicals that followed, and ending with the lengthy Encyclical of Leo XIII (1884), which is also here given in full. This latter pronouncement gave our own Albert Pike (Sovereign Grand Commander of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, from 1861 to 1891) the opportunity to deliver an Allocution of his own before his Supreme Council that same year, pointing up the unbelievable inhuman activities of the Inquisition against Masons, Lutherans, and other "heretics," taken mostly from statements of ex-officials of the Inquisition and other believable sources. A 50-page learned and authoritative "Reply" by Albert Pike to the Encyclical above mentioned is also given in full, in Haywood's definitive work.
These Papal Bulls, Allocutions, and Encyclicals are not all of equal authority, but they are all equally condemnatory of our institution, and confirmatory of the original 1738 prescription of excommunication and other dire punishments against those who join or continue their membership in our Order.
Haywood explains the word "Bull" as originating from the Latin bulla, a blob of lead used in affixing seals, and the ostensible reason for the 1738 Bull is stated therein to be because of the practise at our Masonic meetings, where we are bound "by a stringent oath sworn upon the Sacred Volume . . . to conceal under inviolable silence, what they secretly do in their meetings." This secrecy in itself, said the Pope, was an act of "depravity and perverseness, for if they were not acting ill, they would not by any means have such a hatred of the light" - overlooking their own secrecy of the College of Cardinals, and other Catholic bodies, on the accepted principle that "what is sauce for the goose,'' etc. "Wherefore," Pope Clement continues, in a long paragraph which I am abbreviating, without altering the sense, "we direct that no one presume to enter the above mentioned Societies of Liberi Muratori, Freemasons. or to propagate, foster, and receive them whether in their houses or elsewhere, or to afford them the opportunity or facilities for being convened anywhere, on pain of excommunication. Further, it is our will and charge that the deputed Inquisitors of Heretical Depravity everywhere take action and make inquisition against transgressors, and inflict upon them condign punishment.
The carrying out of this last charge is well illustrated (but only mildly so) in the case of one John Coustos, a Swiss-born British subject who is found to have resided in London some time around 1728, engaging in Masonic activities there. In 1743 we find him in Lisbon, where he had established a Masonic Lodge, with himself as Master. The knowledge of Coustos' Lodge, meeting secretly in private homes, had duly come to the notice of the Portuguese Inquisition, and he was accordingly arrested, confined to a dungeon, and put to the torture, over a period of several months, hoping to extract from him "the secrets" and the workings of this "nefarious" institution. The torture to which he was subjected, followed by a year's confinement to the galleys, left him a cripple for the rest of his life, and he was finally rescued from the galleys only by the belated interposition of the British authorities. The detailed "examination and confession" he had in the meantime vouchsafed to the Portuguese Inquisitors while in their power is given in the 1953 and 1968 Transactions of Quatuor Coronati Lodge of Research No. 2076, London (Ars Quatuor Coronatorum), translated from the original documents found in the Lisbon Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo.
All this was in implementation of the Bull of Clement Xll. But, as more specifically laid out some time later by Cardinal Firrao to his own constituents: "It is forbidden to affiliate one's self with the Societies of Masons . . . under penalty of death and of confiscation of goods, and to die unabsolved, and without hope of salvation."
While the 1738 Bull rests its case mainly on the suspicious "secrecy" practised by the hated Freemasons, - a secrecy that is curiously paralleled by the undertaking that the inquisitors made John Coustos sign, that he would never disclose details of his incarceration and torture at their hands - Haywood thinks the real reason goes much deeper. This real reason, in fact, is the "free association" that Freemasons have always insisted was their right, free from outside domination and interference, and it was this that the Church could not allow. "It could not tolerate an organization which it did not itself directly control," says Haywood, "but it always sought to destroy any association that was free, in the sense that it controlled itself . . . and for that reason alone (came) under ecclesiastical suspicion or condemnation."
One difficulty in this limited view of Haywood's, I think, is that the Lodges of Operative Masons, in the time of their supremacy, had always been free and self-controlled, but we do not seem to have ever heard of any anathemas from the Church on that account. Furthermore, the Operative Masons, like their modern Speculative Brothers, were also enjoined to keep their Lodge activities secret. By way of illustration of this rule, from the second oldest of our 'Old charges' - the Cooke MS., of c. 1420 - the third "Point" among their charges was that the Masons "here the counsel of his Fellows in Lodge and in chamber, and in every place wherein Masons be." (Obviously, the old injunction to 'here' has the same force as the modern phrase "here and conceal"). In addition, the Church could not very well accuse the Masons of impiety or neglect of the Church and its institutions, since the first Point in the same set of Operative Charges enjoins him "who desireth to come to the state of the foresaid Art, it behoveth him first principally to love God and Holy Church and all Saints" etc. And "Holy Church," before Martin Luther's Reformation of about 1530, was always, in all of Western Europe, the Roman Catholic Church, since there was no other. But these 'Old Charges' of the Operative Masons were not in themselves secret documents, but were accessible to whomever wanted to examine them, and it can be reasonably assumed that the Church was well acquainted with their provisions.
But there was one incontrovertible fact above all that applied to these Operative Masons of old. They were the ones who had to build the churches and cathedrals, the abbeys, monasteries and convents; and the Church, it has been said, was their most important employer. Hence the need of the Church to maintain good relations with those whom they depended upon to do this very necessary work, even to the point of silently tolerating their independence of control and their Lodge secrecy, when it was found impossible to do otherwise. It was only after the Reformation, when the need for new religious edifices had abated, and the erstwhile Operative Lodges began to give way to the Speculative, with Dr. James Anderson's Deistic "First Charge" in his 1723 Book of Constitutions, opening our ranks to men of all faiths, that the Church found itself capable of fulminating against our so-called "depravity and perverseness" in the manner of Clement Xll. One of his successors - Leo XlIl - in his Encyclical of 1884, even had the temerity to declare Freemasonry "atheistic," blindly following no doubt the example of the Grand Orient of France, which had at one time declared belief in God as a matter only of individual conscience, and not an insuperable requirement for initiation in to the Order. He was probably ignorant of the fact, as Albert Pike was not slow in picking up, in his criticism of the Encyclical, that the rest of the English-speaking institution around the world had promptly "excommunicated" the Grand Orient, as a result of this religious "Innovation," by formal withdrawal of recognition, declaring the Grand Orient to be outside the pale of "regular" Freemasonry, and reaffirming its own "Landmark" Masonic Law that "no atheist can be made a Mason."
This Encyclical of Leo XIII, and the brilliant "Reply" to it by Albert Pike, should be read by every Mason who has access to Haywood's work, the latter a masterpiece of careful scholarship and of expository writing. Read especially the Allocution Albert Pike delivered to his own Supreme Council that significant year 1884, and the record he produced (among others) from the writings of Juan Antonio Llorente's Critical History of the Inquisition in Spain, "derived," says Pike, "from the original documents in the archives of the Supreme Tribunal and those of the Subterranean Tribunals of the Holy Office from which came the statements contained in our 'Reply' of the number of victims butchered by Torquemada and his successors," a record which makes the trials and tribulations of John Coustos appear like an outdoor picnic by comparison. And this Llorente was no nit-picking critic of the Inquisition, criticizing it from the outside, with only superficial knowledge of its inner workings. He was, in fact, "ex-Secretary of the Inquisition of the Court, Canon of the Primordial Church of Toledo, Chancellor of the University of that city, Knight of the Order of Charles III, and member of the Royal Academie of History and of the Spanish language at Madrid."
If Haywood's work is not conveniently available, the same Papal Bull of 1738, together with the Encyclical of Leo XlIl, and the responding Allocution by Albert Pike, together with his "Reply" to the Encyclical, can all be read in Alphonse Cerza's excellent work on Anti-Masonry (1962), published by the Missouri Lodge of Research (pp. 78-80 and 237-295). This entire work is a valuable extension of, and commentary upon, the subject-matter of the present article, including the general subject of Roman Catholic Anti-Masonry since 1738, in its severest phases and developments, for which see Ch. II, "Opponents of Freemasonry," and a discussion of the bibliography of Catholic anti-Masonry on pp. 86-103. A summary of this book-length work is presented in the Transactions of Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 (A.Q.C.), vol. 1962, under the title of "Anti-Masonry," for those to whom the book is not readily available.
To be continued in
(PART II: CONFRONTATION)
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1979 Sessions In Colorado
After many years of consecutive meetings in Washington, D.C., during "Masonic Week" in February of each year, the Conference of Grand Masters of North America, the Conference of Grand Secretaries, The George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association and the Masonic Service Association, are holding their annual meetings in 1979 at Colorado Springs, Colorado, commencing on Sunday, February 18 and concluding on Wednesday, February 21, 1979.
Only in 1964 and in 1945, when Government prohibition of any meetings, for wartime reasons, have the conferences met anywhere but in Washington. There seems to have been a feeling among the delegates that Washington was too far away from any states to send delegates, and that a change of atmosphere would add to the pleasure of their conferences.
According to present plans, the Conferences plan to hold their meetings alternately in Washington and at some other point. The meetings are scheduled in Washington again in 1980, then to Florida. Future meeting places have not yet been determined.
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REQUEST
A Lodge in Switzerland, the oldest in Zurich is anxious to develop the English section of their extensive Masonic Library, by completing their set of Quatuor Coronati Transactions [A.Q.C.] Any one having any duplicate
volumes in hard cover or paper binding, and willing to sell or donate his duplicates, is asked to communicate with Alex Home, F.P.S., 100 Font Blvd. 5L, San Francisco, CA 94132.
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WE WELCOME
OUR NEW MEMBERS
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Newman vs. Pulling or Who Hung the Lanterns ?
by Laurence E. Eaton, M.P.S. 33d P.G.M. - Mass.
Grand Secretary - Supreme Council - Northerly Jurisdiction
A short digest of the extensive research done by Edwin B. Holmes, Grand Master - 1895, see Mass. Proceedings, 1909, Page 25.
On the occasion of presenting a photocopy of John Pulling, Jr.'s diploma to Grand Lodge at the March Meeting, 1909, Bro. Holmes went to great length to substantiate his claim that the lanterns were hung by Bro. Pulling.
Some have questioned which of two churches was involved. Listen to M.W. Paul Revere: "I agreed that if the British went out by water we should show two lanthorns in the North Church steeple and if by land, one as a signal."
The other church had no tall steeple and a map shows that, because of Copps' Hill, a light could not be seen in Charlestown where Revere landed.
Records show that Newman (not then a Mason) was a young, untried man and was never identified with Revere, as a friend, Mason or patriot.
Revere put his trust in Pulling, a vestry man of the church, boyhood friend, Masonic associate and fellow worker in the cause of liberty. Holmes asserts that on the next day the British arrested Newman, the church sexton, and learned that Pulling had secured the church keys the previous night. He thought nothing of it as Pulling was a vestry man. But Pulling had disguised himself as a fisherman and escaped in a small skiff to Nantasket, leaving his business behind. He was a shipping merchant. His ships and goods were confiscated and his home occupied. After the sedge he returned. Bro. Pulling was a dealer in furs, fitted out vessels, was a member of the Committee of Safety, was often mentioned in connection with Revere, they both were associated with Hancock, Warren and often met in the same lodge of St. Andrew.
This from Revere's account "on Tuesday, soldiers were gathering, Dr. Warren asked me to go to Lexington and warn Hancock and Adams." On the previous Sunday, Revere had agreed with Col. Conant about the signals. Then he states, "I left Dr. Warren, called upon a friend (Pulling?) and desired him to make the signal." Then Revere went by boat to Charlestown. When he arrived, he met Conant who had seen the lights. (They were not shown as a signal for Revere to ride.)
Records show that the next morning Newman was arrested - he protested innocence, stated that at a late hour the keys were demanded by Vestryman Pulling, Holmes says that it was also proved that Newman's son did not want his father's name on a plaque and therefore shows that the son did not believe his father was involved. Furthermore, Newman was 24 years old Revere, 41 and Pulling, about 39 at the time. Pulling was Revere's closest friend, boyhood pal, associate, Masonically and in the cause of liberty.
Letters and stories of descendants of Pulling testify that "Grandmother, Sarah Thaxter Pulling, told the story many times."
A letter from Rev. Henry F. Lane (1876) minister of The First Baptist Church of Malone. N.Y. states that Pulling was grandfather of my mother. Mrs. Pulling died in Abington at age 99 (about 1846). He states that as a lad I remember her story. "The British searched the house but he hid under an empty Wine-butt in the cellar. There he escaped as a disguised fisherman to Nantasket beach and hid in an old Cooper shop, in which humble place my mother's mother was born. My greatgrandmother saved tea from his tricorn and often brought it out and told the Story."
Holmes also states that about 1884, the Massachusetts Historical Society carefully investigated and found for Pulling and that W. B. Clark of Boston reached the same conclusion after extensive research.
Beyond a doubt, John Pulling, Jr., hung the lantern in the belfry of the Old North Church which was known as "Christ Church on Salem Street.''
Newman himself denied the act to the British and implicated Pulling. Nothing happened to Newman. Pulling lost "his all" to the cause of liberty.
Newman was no great friend of Pulling or Revere and certainly did not act as one in implicating the former.
It is worthwhile to read the complete account in the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, A.F.&A.M. 1909.
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