September 2011 Issue #44
The York Rite of Freemasonry Its Appendant Bodies, and Other Allied Masonic Organizations
Also- Remembering Bro. Nelson King
Pg 2 - In Memory Pg 18- The Philalethes Society Pg 21 -�Confessions of a Born Again Fundamentalist, Freemason.� www.twtmag.com
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In Memory Bro. Nelson King 1945-2011
Born June 13, 1945 in Montreal, received his primary education in Perth Ontario, and graduated from Banting Institute, University of Toronto, 1967. Married to Ellen, and has two children, Christopher, and Victoria and two granddaughters. Nelson was appointed Assistant Editor in 1992 and Editor in August 1994] of The Philalethes Society Journal of Masonic Research and Letters, the first non-United States Citizen to hold these positions. He is also only the second Mason to ever hold the position of President and Editor of The Philalethes at the same time. He retired as Editor in June 2009. Nelson is a well-known Masonic speaker, having spoken in the jurisdictions of Alberta, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Costa Rica, Cuba, The District of Columbia, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Jamacia [EC], Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, North
Carolina, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Quebec, Texas, Virginia, and Washington. Nelson developed the highly successful Internet Masonic Leadership Course. His book "Confessions of a Born Again Fundamentalist Freemason" has become a Masonic Best Seller. VoicePrint速, The National Broadcast Reading Service Inc. an international broadcasting reading service for the visually impaired has recorded some of his historical articles. Nelson was instrumental if the formation of the Masonic Relief for Cuba Committee. And he serves as the Executive Director of that program. He is also one of the few Canadian Freemasons, listed in latest Edition of the "Who is Who of Freemasonry. http://nelsonking.ca
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Welcome
SUCCESS!!!
Welcome my brothers to the September 2011 edition of “The Working Tools Masonic Magazine.” Special thanks to Bros: Bernard Triano, Jerry Stevens, Brian Forrest, James Smith, Scott Forman, Robert Madel, Dennis Block, Thomas Pagliaro, Thomas Lamb, William Harrington, Scott Schwartzberg, Norm Sanford, Dennis Alsup, Alan Novakoff, John Woolf, William Morris, Keith Wattles, Al Statler, Ronald Miller, Michael Westfort, Everett Penn, Verdon Skipper 33, Jay Marksheid, Paul Bunn, Robert Howard, Richard Kauffman, James Gammon, John King, B L Tucker, Jr. Abner Kestler, John Shroeder, Giuseppe Recupero, Bruce Miller, Jason Adamo, Harry May, Douglas Hand, Hugh Smith, Roland Isnor, Willie Wright, Howard Dalton, Robert Morris, Fredrick Milliken, Ivan Sweatt, David Probert, Kurt Wagner, Terry Jones, Scott Bloss, Ronald Bailey, Frank Dotro, Patrick Minnick, Matthew Toth. Through the generous donations from the brothers mentioned above the summer fundraiser was an amazing success. I’m thrilled to say that you exceeded the goal that I set out to raise. I will be purchasing the equipment very shortly. Once again, thank you to all Sept Issue I received an email from the webmaster of Yorkrite.org informing me that I was added as a link to the magazine section of the offical York Rite website. It inspired me to do an issue detailing all the different bodies and chairs that makes up the York Rite. I hope you like it and found some valuable information in that and all the othe articles I put together for you.
Until next time...
Cory Sigler Cory Sigler, PM Hawthorne Fortitude #200 Find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/corysigler & facebook.com/twtmag
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MORE TWT SERVICES TWT MAG presents: The video “Working Tools” Featuring highlights from the current magazine. Including music and video segments Download and show in Lodge for a quick 10 minute presentation that all the brethren will enjoy!!! Find At http://blip.tv/the-working-tools to download
INTRODUCING THE NEW “TWT MAG” FAN PAGE ON FACEBOOK Get all the issue updates and news first Show your appreciation by searching under “The Working Tools” and liking the page.`
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Contents
This Month’s Issue Includes:
Pg 11 Biography: John Wayne
· · · · · · · ·
Pg 18 The Philatethes Society
Pg 40 Cover: Royal Rite of Freemasonry
Freemason Network- Pg.10 Old Tyler Talks- Pg.16 Guest Writer -“Are Illiterates Raising Illiterates”- Pg.20 Word of the Month “Clandestine”.- Pg.22 A.F. and A.M vs F and A.M States- Pg. 26 Eye Watch- Pg.29 Masons in the News - Pg. 33 Phoenixmasonry.org - “York Rite Memorabilia” - Pg. 50 Remembering Bro. Nelson King
Pg 2 - In Memory Pg 18- The Philalethes Society Pg 21 -”Confessions of a Born Again Fundamentalist, Freemason.” The Working Tools is published monthly by Corsig Publishing & Cory Sigler, It is not affiliated with any Grand Lodge. Letters or inquiries should be directed to Cory Sigler, Editor, at E-mail: Corsig3@yahoo.com All letters become the property of the Working Tools. Photographs and articles should be sent to the attention of the Editor. Every effort will be made to return photographs but this cannot be guaranteed. Please include a selfaddressed stamped envelope. The Editor reserves the right to edit all materials received. www.twtmag.com
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MAIL BAG Cory, Just added TWT to http://www.yorkrite.org/magazines.html Fraternally Dan Pushee Webmaster www.yorkrite.org Dan, Thank you so much for adding TWT to the official York Rite site. I have visited your website so many times to research and collect facts . It is a priceless collection of information to anyone looking for anything about York Rite. I feel validated by you adding “The Working Tools” to your links page that I am helping spread the light to teach and educate Masons. Dear Brother Cory, Once again you continue to out do your self. Your selfless pride and devotion to your work shines through with every new publication. But I am upset about one thing, I have been a Mason for 19+ years and one of the lessons I learned from day one as an entered apprentice is that “should a Brother encounter a friend in need but more especially a Brother then he should contribute as liberally to his support and relief as his necessities may seem to demand and your ability permit, without any material injury to yourself and your family”. That list of donators was pretty small considering I know their are way more Brothers out reading your work and are capable of donating at least $5 or even $10. Believe you me, I know times are hard but sometimes we have to pull the cabletows out from the closets and help a worthy hard working Brother such as you who is not only helping other Brothers out there glean more light from this awesome fraternity, but is helping himself by expressing his love for the fraternity amongst other things. I am requesting that you run your request for donations for atleast two more months after this issue so that the Brothers out there can save up and contribute to a worthy cause. The bonus disk for donating the $25 or more is top notch. Yet again Brother Cory I wish to thank you for all that you do, I bought the complete 4 book set “The Builder Series” from Brother John Nagy and I am very happy
with them. They are small enough that you can take them any where. You made a good decision to advertise that Brothers product. I hope other Brothers out there that love the Fraternity the way I do at least order one of the books to try it out and expand their knowledge of the craft. Feel free to utilize this whole email as an endorsement. Sincerely & Fraternally yours, Noble Bro. Tom Pagliaro 32° Thanks Tom- I was actually very pleased with the number of donations we’ve received. It might not look like a lot but coming from a direct marketing background I know that you normally get a certain percentage of responses to a solicitations. Based on my results I’d say we tripled the number I expected and at the end of the 2 months fund raising period we made enough to cover the expenses I had. So to that I say THANK YOU to all who have contributed and to those who wrote saying they wish they could have if they were able. S&F Cory
Send all your comments and questions to Corsig3@yahoo.com
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This Month in History
September 4nd- On this date in 1820, James K. Polk (U.S. President 1845-1849) received his 1st degree in Columbia Lodge #31, Tennessee. 11th- On this date in 2000, the Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge of D.C. and the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of D.C. signed a ceremonial “proclamation” symbolizing their mutual recognition that had been voted on favorably by both Grand Lodges in 1999. 12th- On this date in 1826, William Morgan, who had published an exposé of Masonic secrets, was taken from the jail in Canandaigua, New York, kidnapped, and possibly later murdered. This was the trigger for the Morgan Affair and the Antimasonic movement and Antimasonic Party in the United States from the 1820s through the 1840s. 13th- On this date in 1882, a monument was dedicated in Batavia, New York, to William Morgan, the man whose kidnapping and possible murder by Freemasons started the antimasonic movement in the United States in 1826. The monument says Morgan was a “martyr to the freedom of writing and printing the truth.” 18th- On this date in 1793, the cornerstone of the United States Capitol building in Washington D.C. was laid in an elaborate, formal Masonic ceremony, with George Washington personally playing a key role and wearing Masonic regalia. 20th- On this date in 1784, the Grand Lodge of England issued a warrant to African Lodge #459. This charter is a prized possession of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and African Lodge #459 has continued to exist to the present time. 26th- On this date in 1872, the Shrine of North America (AAONMS) was organized, in New York City. 30th- On this date in 1949, Gerald R. Ford (U.S. President 1974-1977) received his 1st degree in Malta Lodge #465, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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WEOFM.org September 2011 Lectures “The Worldwide Exemplification of Freemasonry”
09-03-11 Fundamentalism and Freemasonry, Prof. Gary H. Leazer, Ph.D 09-10-11 The Enemies of Freemasonry: Who they are and where they came from, Jack Buta, PM 09-17-11 The Alchemical Influence on the Gentle Craft, Timothy Hogan, PM 09-24-11 Let Your Work Become Your Mark, Stewart W. Miner, PGM Washington DC
weofm.org
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Information Portal
FreemasonNetwork.org Hosted by the Supreme Council, 33°, A&A.S.R. of Freemasonry S.J Website Description “The Freemason Network is a social networking site that connects you to thousands other Masons around the US and 147 countries around the World! It’s simple to use, gives you the latest news and opinions about Masonic topics and connects you to your Brothers near and far. Free membership includes: Masonic news and events from all over the US Share the Light in discussion forums, create your blog See Masonic pictures and videos Join the Group for YOUR Grand Lodge! The Freemason Network is brought to you by The Supreme Council, 33° 1733 16th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20009-3103. You must be a Mason to join the Freemason Network.” What’s Inside This website really covers all the bases. Catagories include: Grand Lodges, Groups, Forums, Blogs, Videos, Photo’s, Classifieds, Events and News. I love the extensive amount of interactivity this site gives the members. You can join in or create a discusion in the forums. Join in a group in your own Grand Lodge state to talk to others, create and maintain a blog , watch over 100 videos, browse or upload pictures, and so much more. Join today and see what 10,000+ Masons are talking about!
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Biography - John Wayne
Biography: Bro. John Wayne Early life Wayne was born Marion Robert Morrison in Winterset, Iowa on May 26, 1907. Wayne’s father, Clyde Leonard Morrison (1884–1937), was the son of American Civil War veteran Marion Mitchell Morrison (1845–1915). Wayne’s mother, the former Mary “Molly” Alberta Brown (1885–1970), was from Lancaster County, Nebraska. Wayne was of Presbyterian Scots-Irish descent through his second great-grandfather Robert Morrison, who was born in County Antrim, Ireland and emigrated to the United States in 1782 As a teen, Wayne worked in an ice cream shop for a man who shod horses for Hollywood studios. He was also active as a member of the Order of DeMolay, a youth organization associated with the Freemasons. He attended Wilson Middle School in Glendale. He played football for the 1924 champion Glendale High School team. Wayne applied to the U.S. Naval Academy, but was not accepted. He instead attended the University of Southern California (USC), majoring in pre-law. He was a member of the Trojan Knights and Sigma Chi fraternities. Wayne also played on the USC football team under legendary coach Howard Jones. An injury curtailed his athletic career; Wayne later noted he was too terrified of Jones’s reaction to reveal the actual cause of his injury, which was bodysurfing at the “Wedge” at the tip of the Balboa Peninsula in Newport Beach. He lost his athletic scholarship and, without funds, had to leave the university. Wayne began working at the local film studios. Prolific silent western film star Tom Mix had gotten him a summer job in the prop department in exchange for football tickets. Wayne soon moved on to bit parts, establishing a longtime friendship with the director who provided most of those roles, John Ford. Early in this period, Wayne appeared with his USC teammates playing football in Brown of Harvard (1926), The Dropkick (1927), and Salute (1929) and Columbia’s Maker of Men (filmed in 1930, released in 1931).[15] Also, it is during this period that Wayne is reputed to have met the legendary gunfighter and lawman Wyatt Earp.
Film Career
While working for Fox Film Corporation in bit roles, he was given on-screen credit as “Duke Morrison” only once, in Words and Music (1929). In 1930, director Raoul Walsh cast him in his first starring role in The Big Trail (1930). For his screen name, Walsh suggested “Anthony Wayne”, after Revolutionary War general “Mad Anthony” Wayne. Fox Studios chief Winfield Sheehan rejected it as sounding “too Italian”. Walsh then suggested “John Continued on next page
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Biography - John Wayne Wayne”. Sheehan agreed, and the name was set. Wayne himself was not even present for the discussion. His pay was raised to $105 a week. Wayne’s breakthrough role came with director John Ford’s classic Stagecoach (1939). Because of Wayne’s non-star status and track record in low-budget westerns throughout the 1930s, Ford had difficulty getting financing for what was to be an A-budget film. After rejection by all the top studios, Ford struck a deal with independent producer Walter Wanger in which Claire Trevor—a much bigger star at the time—received top billing. Stagecoach was a huge critical and financial success, and Wayne became a star. He later appeared in more than twenty of John Ford’s films, including She Wore a Yellow Ribbon (1949), The Quiet Man (1952), The Searchers (1956), The Wings of Eagles (1957), and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962). In 1949, director Robert Rossen offered the starring role of All the King’s Men to Wayne. Wayne refused, believing the script to be un-American in many ways. Broderick Crawford, who eventually got the role, won the 1949 Oscar for best male actor, ironically beating out Wayne, who had been nominated for Sands of Iwo Jima. One of Wayne’s most popular roles was in The High and the Mighty (1954), directed by William Wellman, and based on a novel by Ernest K. Gann. His portrayal of a heroic copilot won widespread acclaim. Wayne also portrayed aviators in Flying Tigers (1942), Flying Leathernecks (1951), Island in the Sky (1953), The Wings of Eagles (1957), and Jet Pilot (1957).
Death
Although he enrolled in a cancer vaccine study in an attempt to ward off the disease,[26] John Wayne died of stomach cancer on June 11, 1979, at the UCLA Medical Center, and was interred in the Pacific View Memorial Park cemetery in Corona del Mar. According to his son Patrick, he converted to Roman Catholicism shortly before his death. He requested his tombstone read “Feo, Fuerte y Formal”, a Mexican epitaph Wayne described as meaning “ugly, strong and dignified”. However, the grave, unmarked for twenty years, is now marked with a quotation from his controversial 1971 Playboy interview: “Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we’ve learned something from yesterday.”
John Wayne the Freemason
Wayne was a Master Mason in Marion McDaniel Lodge #56 F&AM, in Tucson. He became a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and later joined the Al Malaikah Shrine Temple in Los Angeles. He became a member of the York Rite. He was awarded the DeMolay Legion of Honor in 1970 Initiated : July 9, 1970 Passed : July 10, 1970 Raised : July 11, 1970
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Grand Lodge Spot Light- Arizona
Grand Lodge F&A.M. of Arizona http://azmasons.org 345 W. Monroe Street Phoenix, AZ 85003 Phone: (602) 252-1924
Most Worshipful D. Brook Cunningham Grand Master 2011
Approx 60 Lodges 3 Research Lodges Facebook Group- http://www.facebook.com/groups/150312655126 History of Masons in Arizona Freemasons from across the United States, as well as from Great Britain and Europe, were among the earliest settlers in Arizona. In 1864, just one year after the Territory of Arizona was formed, a meeting of Masons was held in the Prescott home of John H. Goodwin, Territorial Governor. Nine Master Masons signed a petition requesting dispensation from the Grand Lodge of California to form the first Freemason Lodge in Arizona. It was necessary to receive permission from the nearest Masonic Lodge so the petition was carried to Santa Fe, New Mexico for that purpose. Once obtained, the petition was sent to California and dispensation was granted on April 22, 1865. The document was conveyed by horseback through Indian territory, carried for safety’s sake inside the messenger’s shirt. Perspiration obscured some of the lettering and the document can be viewed today at Aztlan Lodge No. 1 in Prescott, the first Lodge organized in Arizona. Its charter was granted in January, 1867. Expansion The first recorded gathering of Masons in the Phoenix area took place on April 16, 1874. The sad occasion was to hold a Masonic funeral for Brother Paul Hondle, who had been killed by Apache Indians two days earlier at McDowell Pass. The city of Phoenix lowered it’s flag to half staff in Brother Hondle’s honor. Five years later Masons in Phoenix obtained permission from Aztlan Lodge No. 1 in Prescott to form a Lodge. On August 3, 1879 they petitioned the Grand Lodge of California for dispensation which was granted. The Lodge, known as Arizona Lodge No. 2, received it’s charter on October 16, 1879. Continued on next page
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Grand Lodge Spot Light- Arizona Two years later Masons in the mining town of Globe desired to form a Lodge but lacked a two story building in which to meet, a requirement of the Grand Lodge of California. To circumvent this rule they requested dispensation from New Mexico which they received. White Mountain Lodge No. 3 was subsequently chartered on January 18, 1881. The first known meeting of Masons south of the Gila River took place on April 11, 1875 in a private home to form a Masonic Club. In 1881 the club petitioned the Grand Lodge of California for dispensation to form a Lodge which was granted the following month. Nineteen Brothers then formed Tucson Lodge No. 4 which was granted a charter on October 15, 1881. The final Lodge formed in Arizona under foreign jurisdiction was King Solomon Lodge No. 5 in Tombstone. It was granted dispensation by the Grand Lodge of California on June 4, 1881, and was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Arizona on March 25, 1882. Forming the Grand Lodge In early 1882 Tucson Lodge No. 4 sent letters to the other Lodges in the Territory of Arizona to meet for the purpose of dedicating their new Lodge Hall and to form a Grand Lodge. On March 23, 1882 delegates from each of the Lodges in Arizona, save one, meet in Tucson and organized themselves as a Grand Lodge. Not attending was Aztlan Lodge No. 1 at Prescott which did not send a delegation, holding the opinion that the move was premature. The other Lodges adopted a constitution and elected officers, then organized the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Territory of Arizona. It was opened in due form on March 25, 1882, granting a charter to King Solomon Lodge No. 5 on the same day. The first Grand Master was Ansell Mellen Brag. There were, in all, five subordinate Lodges at the time with a total membership of 274 Brothers. Each of the original five Lodges have remained active since that time. There are today more than 10,000 Masons in Arizona and Masonic Lodges can be found in virtually every community. Famous Arizona Masons include Barry Goldwater, John Wayne, John Rhodes, former House Minority Leader, and George Hunt, Arizona’s first governor, to name but a few. - Taken largely from information in a paper by Brother Kenneth Warren Hoskins published by the Arizona Research Lodge No. 1, August 5, 1959 reprinted July 13, 1994
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Brother Submission- Bro. Paul Weathers
So Mote It Be, What it means to me. By Worshipful Brother Paul Weathers
Oasis Lodge #52 450 N. Pantano Road Tucson, AZ 85710
So Mote It Be. So sweet is the sound. It has such a strong meaning to the true Mason. The word ‘mote’ is an old Anglo-Saxon word meaning ‘may’. But the meaning of the phrase should be much more personal to the Mason. Whether at the end of one’s prayer, at the pronouncement of the sacred union of marriage, at the blessed birth of a child, or at the solemn bidding good bye to one who is loved and respected, we say those meaningful words, So Mote It Be. When I say those words, So Mote It Be, I’m not speaking to those mortal beings around me, I’m speaking directly to The Supreme Diety of all existence. I’m asking God to look into my heart and know what is there that I may not know the words to express. I’m asking God to recognize my needs; even those I don’t know exist and provide for them, to know my weaknesses and frailties of life, to know all that my humble existence cannot comprehend. I’m yielding to His will and imploring His mercy. What do those words mean to you, my Fraternal Brother? So Mote It Be.
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Old Tyler Talks
“Indictment”
by Carl H. Claudy
Why don’t men practice what they preach?” demanded the New Brother of the Old Tiler, walking up and down in the anteroom. “I dunno, why don’t they?” The Old Tiler hooked a chair nearer to his own. “Sit down, son, you remind me of a Marathon. ‘’I don’t want to sit down! I want to know why men profess brotherhood and act like selfish beasts. I want to know why Masons agree to uphold each other in trouble and forget they have any brethren when trouble comes. I want to know why we preach charity and practice personal isolation from the other fellow’s woes. I want to know . . .” “Don’t you also want to know why Masons preach toleration and broad-mindedness and then walk up and down the anteroom like caged lions, spouting intolerance and narrow-mindedness?’’ inquired the Old Tiler, mildly. ‘’That was right pat, for you,’’ laughed the New Brother, “but we do prate a lot of charity and while we give money enough, we don’t do enough personal work!” “Vague indictment,” countered the Old Tiler. ‘’You have something on your chest beside your vest. Suppose you unload?” “I was put on a sick, committee last week,” began the New Brother. ‘’And among our sick was a chap named Brown. We found him in Mercy hospital. In a ward, he was, with a dozen or so other patients. He was so pleased to see us and so appreciative of our visit, it was pathetic. Said if it wasn’t for the visits of his brethren he’d go crazy. Said some of us had been to see him every two weeks for several months. Then he pulled me down over his bed and said, ‘Look here, brother, you look like a regular guy; lemme tell you I am not the only Mason here. There are seven brethren in this ward, all from foreign jurisdictions, and no one visits them!’ “I hunted these chaps out, and I conferred with the committee, and we bought fruit and flowers and took them to all these seven, and five of them cried! And, damn it, I cried, too! Here they were, four of them hardly more than boys, in a strange town, in a strange place, and not a single Mason had hunted them up or said a word to them until we did it. I say we are pikers not to go and see them, and I’m going every week, and the lodge can pay the bills, or I will, but those chaps are going to think at least one brother believes in charity and . . . I don’t mean it as charity, I mean brotherhood Continued on next page
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Old Tyler Talks and common decency. We preach such a lot and do so little and we ought to be ashamed of ourselves and . . .” “Whoa!’’ the Old Tiler grinned. “Back up, son! Your sentiments do you credit. It is true Masonic spirit to comfort the sick, but don’t be too hard on the lodge. A lodge is not omniscient, you know. Neither the Master nor the committee on the sick can know of every sick Mason in town. If those seven Masons had written to their own lodges and told the facts, those lodges would have written to us here, and we would have been on the job. Nine times out of ten when a strange brother, in a strange town is sick and no Masons visit him, it’s because they don’t know he is there. “Now You have discovered these brethren, you need not keep a monopoly of their care. Tell your story in lodge and you’ll start a whole procession of Masons toward Mercy Hospital. We are often apparently careless because we don’t know, but that we preach charity and practice its neglect I will not agree. Are you a better Mason than any in our lodge?’’ “Why, of course not!” “Well, arc you a better man than any in our lodge?’’ “I don’t think so!” “You certainly do talk so!” responded the Old Tiler. You have been to Mercy Hospital. Your feelings have been touched by visible evidence of suffering and the need for Masonic visits. You are going to give what is needed. But you never did, before you went there. If you took the lodge out there wouldn’t they all feel the same way?” “I suppose they would!” “Then why damn them because they haven’t had your opportunity? You didn’t have to wait until you were drawn on a sick committee to go to Mercy Hospital. You just never thought of it. Now you have seen for yourself, you are moved to action. So would any of the rest of the Masons in this lodge be. Be charitable to them, too, as well as to the boys in the hospital. Go inside and tell your story; you’ll have plenty of company when you go to the hospital next time.” “How do you know?” ‘’I visit Mount Alban Hospital every week,” said the Old Tiler, a little shyly, “and tell the boys, and I know what they do.” “There are times,” answered the New Brother, “when I think you should be framed and put on a wall! You are too perfect to be real.’’ “Oh, don’t say that!” cried the Old Tiler, “or I’ll think you are trying to borrow a cigar instead of just about to give me one!” END
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PublicationsPhilalethes Society Grand The Lodge Spot Light
http://www.freemasonry.org The Philalethes Society, North America's oldest and largest international Masonic research and education society. The Society has been in existence for 80 years and, since 1946, we have published Philalethes magazine. Our new editor, Shawn Eyer, has taken the helm of the quarterly magazine, expanded it to 44 pages each issue, in full color. Many high quality Masonic education papers are featured in each edition. We welcome the submission of quality papers at any time and encourage you to contact our editor with your submissions
History of the Philalethes Society Established in 1928, the Philalethes Society is devoted to the promotion of the highest quality Masonic education and research. It was created on October 1, 1928, when a small group of Masonic writers gathered at the Masonic Library at Cedar Rapids, Iowa for a very serious purpose. They were some of the most renowned Freemasons of their day: Robert I. Clegg (editor of new editions of Mackey’s classics), George H. Imbrie (editor of Kansas City’s Masonic Light), Cyrus Field Willard (formerly
of the Boston Globe), Alfred H. Moorhouse (editor of The New England Masonic Craftsman), Henry F. Evans (editor of Denver’s Square and Compass, and William C. Rapp (editor of Chicago’s Masonic Chronicler). They gave birth to the Philalethes Society because they recognized that all Freemasons are charged to spread Masonic Light, but sometimes that Light can be hard to find. Reflecting upon this problem, founding president Cyrus Field Willard said: Those who have been members of the Fraternity for a number of years have known men who were little more than “good fellows,” but because they were appointed to some minor position by a friend who was Master, they continued to go “up the line” until eventually they landed in the Master’s chair. And after serving in the office for a year, they had signally failed “to set the Craft to work and give them instructions whereby they might pursue their labors.” It was the realizing sense of this that prompted the formation of an association to bring together in one body the writers who felt that the great mass of Freemasons in the United States should have more information on the fundamentals of Freemasonry.
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Publications- The Philalethes Society What Does Philalethes Mean?
Notable Members
The Greek word philalêthês (pronounced “fill-a-laythayss”) was used by ancient writers such as Aristotle and Plutarch, and means “a lover of truth.” The word came into Masonic circles through alchemical mystic Robert Samber (1682–1745), who used the pseudonym Eugenius Philalethes; Samber’s use, in turn, was an homage to Thomas Vaughan, an earlier alchemist who had used the same name. Finally, a Rite of Philaléthes was founded in Paris in 1772, devoted to the study of esotericism. Founding President Cyrus Willard wrote in 1937 that the Philalethes Society took its name from the Parisian Philaléthes.
The Philalethes Society has attracted some of the greatest minds in Freemasonry. Among the original forty Fellows were Cyrus Field Willard, Harold V. B. Voorhis, Rudyard Kipling, Oswald Wirth, Robert I. Clegg, Louis Black, J. Hugo Tatsch, Charles S. Plumb, Harry L. Haywood, J. S. M. Ward, and Charles C. Hunt.
Early Structure In the earliest days, the Society described itself as “An International Body of Masonic Writers.” Official membership was limited to forty Fellows, who were drawn from writers and editors of the many Masonic newspapers and magazines that existed before the second world war. Its Fellowship is limited to 40, like the French Academy, but the Correspondence Circle is unlimited in number. … Its purpose is to bring together the Masonic writers of the world who seek the Truth in Masonry. This structure consciously imitated both the Académie Française (in the limitation of forty Fellows) and the world’s premier lodge of Masonic research, Quatuor Coronati № 2076 in London, England (in allowing non-members to participate through an unlimited “Correspondence Circle”). Members of the Correspondence Circle were also called “corresponding members.” Today, members of the Correspondence Circle are merely referred to as “Members.” The number of members who are designed Fellows is still restricted to forty.
Fellows elected since that time have included Masonic notables such as Carl H. Claudy (1936), Arthur Edward Waite (1937), Ray Denslow (1945), Allen E. Roberts (1963), S. Brent Morris (1980), John Mauk Hilliard (1981), Wallace McLeod (1986), Thomas W. Jackson (1991), Norman Vincent Peale (1991), Robert G. Davis (1993) and Leon Zeldis (1994).
Origins of the Journal In the Society’s early days, all of its publications appeared in other, established Masonic periodicals— many of which were edited by Fellows of the Society. There was no seperate Philalethes journal. Many of the Society’s earliest publications were issued under the slogan, “With Rough Ashlar and Tracing Board,” and under the motto, “There is No Religion Higher than Truth.” Both of these maxims reflect the viewpoint that Freemasonry is a serious and deeply personal quest for Truth and Light. Unfortunately, the Great Depression took a toll on many of the Masonic periodicals, and after that the hardships of World War Two caused nearly all of them to fold. It was only after the war ended that the Philalethes Society was able to release the first issue of Philalethes. The first issue, dated March, 1946, was edited by Walter A. Quincke fps. Philalethes: The Review of Masonic Research and Letters has long served as the de facto magazine for North American Freemasonry.
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Publications- The Philalethes Society The Tradition Continues It was the intention of the founders that the Philalethes Society would effectively serve the needs of those in search of deeper insight into the history, rituals and symbolism of Freemasonry. Today, our mission is much the same as when we began nearly a century ago. A new generation of Freemasons is in search of Masonic Light. Not satisfied with simplistic answers, they ask for new ideas, more information, deeper engagement, expanded fraternal contact, and a more profound exploration of the meaning of the Craft. The members of the Philalethes Society are united in that quest for knowledge.
*One year of Philalethes: The Journal of Masonic Research & Letters, our world-renowned quarterly magazine. *Access to Members-Only forums on Yahoo and Facebook *Discounted price on back issues of Philalethes *Fellowship in a local Chapter of the Philalethes Society (where available) *Participation in the Annual Assembly and Feast *Correspondence with like-minded Master Masons throughout the world * Direct access to Masonic scholars who can assist with your own research The cost is $50 within the United States or Canada, $60 for international mailing.
Benefits of Membership There are several advantages of membership in The Philalethes Society:
Current Issue Vol. 64, №3 ¡ Summer 2011 Andrew Hammer Restoring Our Lodges, Observing Our Craft Shai Afsai The Sage, the Prince & the Rabbi Ron Watkins Freemasonry and Initiation
Maxim D. Hammer The Square & the Four Cardinal Virtues Bryan D. Dietrich The Lost Word Adam G. Kendall review: Hibiscus Masonic Review vol. 3, edited by Peter J. Millheiser Voices of the Fellows Reynold E. Blight
Paul Adams The Affirmation of the Supreme Being www.twtmag.com
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Tribute - Bro. Nelson King “Confessions of a Born Again Fundamentalist, Freemason.”
By Nelson King, PGM
I confess that I am a Born Again, Fundamentalist, Freemason. Now before you have a cardiac arrest, or a stroke, let me explain what a Born Again, Fundamentalist, Freemason is. I used to be a very [for want of a better word] liberal Mason. I am now a very Conservative or Traditionalist, Freemason. Therefore, I am Born Again. By Fundamentalist, I mean that I believe that no one has a right to be a Freemason. I believe those who want to be Freemasons must be good and true men, free born and of a mature and discreet age and sound judgement, no bondsmen, no women, no immoral or scandalous men, only men of good report. I believe that a man who wants to be a Freemason must believe in the existence of God, and take his Obligation on Volume of The Sacred Law of his choice and that he owes a duty to that God and to his fellow man no matter what their creed, color, or religion.
I believe that Freemasonry is the center of union between honest men and the happy means of conciliating friendship amongst those who must otherwise have remained at a perpetual distance. I believe a Freemason’s Lodge is the temple of peace, harmony, and brotherly love; nothing is allowed to enter this Lodge which has the remotest tendency to disturb the quietude of its pursuits. I believe all preferment among Masons is grounded upon real worth and personal merit only, therefore no Brother should be passed chair to chair, whether it is in a Lodge or a Grand Lodge, just because he knows the right people or has held the previous office for one year, no Grand Master, Master or Warden is chosen by seniority, but only for his merit . I believe that there is nothing wrong with Freemasonry, as laid down for our instruction in our Ancient Charges. I am a Born Again Fundamentalist, Freemason. Find original at - http://nelsonking.ca/index.php?option=com_ content&task=view&id=97&Itemid=37
I believe that a Freemason is obliged to obey the moral and civil law. I believe that a man’s religion or mode of worship should not exclude him from the Order of Freemasonry, provided he also believes in the existence of a Supreme Being, and that Supreme Being will punish vice and reward virtue. I believe that a Freemason is bound never to act against the dictates of his conscience.
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Special Guest Writer - Bro. Dr. John Nagy
Are Illiterates Raising Illiterates? By Bro. Dr. John Nagy
If you’re old to Masonic Education, you know that, for the most part, “average formal Grand Lodge backed” Masonic Education programs in the USA exist today as: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
Memorizing Degree Catechisms and Ciphers Learning Ritual and Floor Work Testing Knowledge of Digest Law Reading Pamphlets Perusing Degree Handbooks Following Officer Manuals
If you’re more fortunate than most, you may also have had some Brothers show up at Lodge – every so often – to provide some interesting tidbits on Masonic history. Most of this shared history involves biographies that focused on when and where someone thought something significant occurred. The usual Masonic Education center of attention though is upon the organization as a whole, how it should be supported and related information. All these items are important. They each contribute to a stable foundation that continues the necessary support that the organization needs to survive. What is missing though is the kind of Masonic Education that “feeds” Masons Mastery. The result is Symbolically Malnourished Masons. What causes this? They are not provided with the truly important aspect of Masonic Education: how Masterful Masonry applies to their lives overall and
of which Properly Raises each of them toward a level that Masons are both intended and required to have should they desire any form of Mastery. Without a firm Understanding of how Masterful Masonry manifests in Masonic lives, what it means and how it helps Build better lives, many life changing Masonic lessons are lost, leaving Masons unfulfilled, dissatisfied and wanting. The sad part of this situation is that it is often caused by self-sabotage. Masons hold themselves back because they have falsely labeled themselves for years. What’s needed to move forward is an earnest effort to dismiss this notion that Masons today are merely “Speculative.” This is blatantly misleading. This is also very revealing in that it shows the “figurative” inabilities of the Masons believing this. But, I digress. Consider this: All “Speculative” Masons who apply Masonry to help themselves Build better lives are “Operative Masons” also! Today’s Masons do work in and on Stone. Unfortunately, to Symbolically challenged Masons, the material they Work upon is not recognized as Stone. Far worse, because the material is thought of as “Symbolic,” no further actions are taken. It’s that inability to recognize a “figurative fact” that gets in the way of implementing much needed Work. This is merely one of many symptoms. The cause though is Symbolic Illiteracy – too many Masons don’t understand the Symbols before them! They might understand that Stonework is Symbolic but
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Special Guest Writer - Bro. Dr. John Nagy they have yet to truly believe that they are the Stone to be Worked upon much less do the actual Work necessary for that Stone to be Worked Properly. The telltale indications of this is that they fall short with the actual application! Here’s a quick invite for you to “think through” the Work of the first Degree. How many Masons do you know have actively engaged themselves in managing their time better because of being shown a Twenty-Four Inch Gauge? How many do you know who have taken the time to write out the specifics of what they need to Divest themselves of in their everyday lives and create and execute an action plan to make this occur? How many actively display the Seven Rungs (1) of Jacob’s Ladder in their daily behavior? Do you see your Brothers actively engaged in Subduing and Circumscription their Emotions (Passions and Desires)? Can you answer any of these questions and feel satisfied that you are either 1) surrounded by Masterful examples of engaged and applied Masonry or 2) are yourself examples of the same? Please keep in mind that this Work just reviewed is designed to “prepare” Masons for Mastery by laying a strong Foundation before Masonic Education in Symbols starts. If you look around you, you might notice that there is an unfortunate “disconnect” between the Symbols Masons are shown and suitable action on the part of these Mason so informed. Some Masons may not see this though. The very Symbols that are shared within Ritual do not speak to them today as these Symbols did in years past. In this respect, many Masons being Raised today are either Symbolically illiterate or Symbolically challenged. As a result, they lack a sufficient Symbolic Education to be Raised Properly. The Symbols simply don’t engage them to take action in their intended direction. Furthermore, Masons charged with pointing this out and educating their Brothers are not doing this either. Many of these Brothers cannot be faulted as they are unknowingly instructing others using the very same lackluster instructions that they were given. This leads back to the statement written earlier, far too many Masons are not Properly Raised.
Submitted for your further consideration: Freemasonry Builds Builders. Sound Building is based on the ability to properly Understand and Work with Symbols. The basis of Symbolic Education is stated within Masonic Ritual. The final Steps Masons must take to Prepare themselves for being Properly Raised are alluded to in the FC lecture. The first three of the final seven Steps are in Preparation for Understanding and Using Symbols as Words; the last four Steps are in Preparation for Understanding and Using Symbols as Numbers. These Seven Steps are important because without a firm understanding of Symbols, Masons metaphorically die of hunger in a grocery store jampacked with food for lack of any ability to access what is immediately before them. These last seven Steps are Symbolic in Masonry and are known as the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences. These Arts and Sciences were initially used as preparation for serious study in Philosophy and Theology. Without their foundation – the training in Symbols – one could not properly deal with the Symbols found within Philosophy and Theology. These Symbols are also known in some circles as “the Word” or “the Logos.” Masons may go through the motions of being Raised, but until they are capable of Raising their level of Understanding above the actual Words and Numbers, they are Symbolically Illiterate and they’re unable to read, much less recognize and understand, what is blatantly before them. In this respect, Freemasonry has failed as an Organization. As truly successful as Freemasonry is in preserving its “food lockers of Symbols,” Masonic Brothers starve and loose interest because they lack access keys to these lockers. The saddening aspect of this is that far too few Brothers recognize
(1) Cardinal and Theological Virtues
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Special Guest Writer Lodge-Education Bro. Dr. John Nagy and understand this; fewer still are willing to Work toward changing this. In general, Freemasonry as a whole continually looks to increasing its numbers, retaining its members and maintaining its member’s abilities to “repeat back without firm understanding” as key indicators of its success. These directions serve the Organization’s needs but as far as serving the Mastery needs of its members, these activities will never be indicators of success – ever!
If Freemasonry sticks with the basics and Educates its members in Symbolic Understanding and application, it’ll attract far more members than it could ever imagine. What’s more, when non-masons see how well things are working for Masons, Freemasonry will begin to attract others in kind.
Freemasonry is faced with Challenges, Problems and Troubles. The challenges are based in educating its members in Masterful Symbolic Understanding and Use. The problems are created by Masonic Educators not focusing upon these key elements. The troubles many Brothers complain about today are merely symptoms of Freemasonry not meeting the true challenges before it. These troubles are not the cause of the problems but Freemasons have to live with them until they change their focus as members.
3) What would be your first actions if you took Masonry to mean “Project Management” and you were the foreman tasked with managing a Project name “You the Mason?”
People support what they can “make sense of ” and “use” in their lives.
Will this ever be a unified effort? Perhaps it will never be. This should not stop individual Brothers though. If you’re up for the challenge of combating Symbolic Illiteracy, start by obtaining for yourself and your Masonic Brothers the keys to the Masonic locker. The keys are pointed toward within Ritual. All that is required to obtain them is simply doing the Work. Points to Perpend: 1) What Entered Apprentice Work have you yet to complete? 2) What Fellow Craft Work have you yet to complete?
4) What should be a good timeframe for your Project? 5) When should you start? 6) Whom do you know who could help you keep accountable for keeping your Project on course? 7) How should you engage them to assist you in your Work efforts?
About the Article: This article is based upon the “Building Better Builders” series of Masonic books, writings, Workshops and classes by Dr. John S. Nagy. (http://BuildingHiram.blogspot.com (http://www.coach.net/BuildingBuilders. htm) About the Author: Dr. John S. Nagy is a Business and Life Coach and Master Mason. He is a perpetual member of Tampa Bay Lodge No. 252 in Tampa Bay Florida and a Life Member of the Florida Lodge of www.twtmag.com
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AF and AM vs F and AM States
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons vs Free and Accepted Masons What is the difference between AF and AM vs F and AM STATES? AF and AM stands for Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.
In actuality, it does not matter whether you join an AF & AM lodge or an F & AM lodge in the United States. In the U.S., every regular lodge is under the jurisdiction of its state Grand Lodge. Due to the fact that there is no Grand Lodge Headquarters for each state’s separate Grand Lodge, each state’s Grand Lodge is, therefore, its own “headquarters” within that state’s jurisdiction. All Freemasons, both AF & AM (which means Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, as well as F & AM, which means Free and Accepted Masons, trace their allegorical history back to the building of Solomon’s temple in the Holy Scriptures.
Freemasonry was exported to the British Colonies in North America in the 1730s—with both the “Ancients” (sometimes also referred to as “Antients”)
After the American Revolution, independent U.S. Grand Lodges formed within each state. Ancient Free and Accepted Masons versus Free and Accepted Masons From 1751 to 1813, there were actually 2 Grand Lodges in England. The difference in AF and AM vs F and AM states goes back to a disagreement between these 2 Grand Lodges in London at that time. One group was called the “Moderns”, but was actually the older of the 2 English Grand Lodges. The other group was called the “Antients”, which became the “Ancients” in AF and AM.
F and AM
AF and AM
F and AM stands for Free and Accepted Masons.
and the “Moderns” (as well as the Grand Lodges of Ireland and Scotland) which chartered offspring (“daughter”) lodges, and organized various Provincial Grand Lodges.
Due to this disagreement, the 2 groups broke into separate Grand Lodges. The disagreement was later healed around 1880, but by that time, there were lodges and Grand Lodges all over the United States that were descended from one group or the other, and so each group kept their corresponding initials with
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AF and AM vs F and AM States which they were formed, (which is the reason for which there are small differences within different states’ ritual wording and Grand Lodge By-Laws and procedures). Most Grand Lodges in the U.S. recognize each other and treat each other’s members as valid Masons. Also, all of the U.S. Grand Lodges recognize (and are recognized by) the official Grand Lodges of England, Ireland, Scotland and the Grand Lodges in most of Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, Thailand, India, etc. AF & AM States AF & AM - Ancient Free and Accepted Masons These 25 AF & AM states include: CO, CT, DE, ID, IL, IA, KS, ME, MD, MA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NH, NM, NC, ND, OK, OR, SD, TX, VA, WV, WY. F & A M States: F & AM - Free and Accepted Masons These 24 F & AM states include: AL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, FL, GA, HI, IN, KY, LA, MI, MS, NJ, NV, NY, OH, PA, RI, TN, UT, VT, WA, WI. All Prince Hall lodges are also F. & A.M. AFM State: AFM - Ancient Free Masons There is 1 AFM state: SC FAAM District: FAAM - Free And Accepted Masons The District of Columbia is F.A.A.M.
Read more: http://www.masonic-lodge-of-education.com/af-and-am-vs-f-and-am-states.html#ixzz1Ul8txbvj www.twtmag.com
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Word of the Month - Clandestine
Masonic Symbolism & Words Brought to you by Www.masonicdictionary.com This Month’s Word is
“Clandestine” In Anglo Saxon "helan" meant something hidden, or secret, a meaning preserved in "conceal;" "hell," the hidden place, is from the same word. Helan descended' from the Latin celare, hide; and on this was built the Latin clandestinus, secret, hidden, furtive. In English clandestine, thus derived, came to mean a bad secret, one that must be indulged in furtively. A secret may be innocent; it is merely something done without the knowledge of others, and nothing is more common; but a clandestine act is one done in such a way as to elude observation. Clandestine Masonry is a bad kind of irregular and unlawful secret society falsely claiming to be Masonic. In the Constitutions a Clandestine Mason is defined as, "One claiming to be a Free and Accepted Mason not having received the degrees in a Lodge recognized as regular by the Grand Lodge of the State of New York." - Source: 100 Words in Masonry
CLANDESTINE FREEMASON One made in or affiliated with a clandestine Lodge. With clandestine Lodges or Freemasons, regular Freemasons are forbidden to associate or converse on Masonic subjects.
CLANDESTINE LODGE A body of Freemasons or of those improperly claiming to be Freemasons, uniting in a Lodge without the consent of a Grand Lodge, or, although originally legally constituted, continuing to work after its Charter has been revoked, is styled a Clandestine Lodge. Neither Anderson nor Entick employ the word. It was first used in the Book of Constitutions in a note by Noorthouck, on page 239 of his edition (see the Constitutions of 1784).Regular Lodge would be the better term. - Source: Mackey’s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry
Next page- Some interesting information on Clandestine Lodges in Lebanon
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Clandestine Lodges
Twice in the last month I have had brothers write to me about problems they have had with clandestine Lodges. Appearntly this is a more wide spread situation than I previously thought. Bro Peter Ismail was one of these brothers who wrote to me. I was intrigued to learn about the problem Lebanon is currently facing with an abdundunced of irregular Lodges in their country. Below is his story about the website he set up to combat this problem
The purpose of this site is to enlighten those who are interested in learning more about Freemasonry in Lebanon and to help direct them to a regular and recognized Lodge in our country. Due to the existence of over 50 irregular and unrecognized Grand Lodge in Lebanon, it is easy for candidates to be mislead into joining a Lodge that is not recognized by the mainstream Masonic world. Even though not all the Masonic Lodges in Lebanon are considered fraudulent and exist for personal gains, the fact remains that only those Lodges in Lebanon working under the Grand Lodge of Scotland, Grand Lodge of New York or the Grand Lodge of District of Columbia are recognized by the world's mainstream Masonic organization, specifically the Conference of the Grand Masters of Masons in North America and the United Grand Lodge of England. What is Eye Watch Lebanon? EYE WATCH LEBANON (www.eyewatchlebanon.com) is an independent Masonic committee formed of various Lebanese Freemasons with the intent of researching and gathering information related to Lebanese Masonry, while at the same time providing those interested in learning more about our craft with information about the differences between Regular and Recognized Grand Lodges and other clandestine lodges that currently operate in Lebanon. The fact that Freemasonry is relatively discreet in the land of Hiram makes it easy for a candidate to be misled into joining a clandestine lodge. EYE WATCH is the collective effort of Masons from around the world, from different nationalities (not only Lebanese), and who belong to Continued on next page
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Clandestine Lodges - Continued
Names of some Irregular Lodges found Grand Orient Central du Liban Masonic High Council of Lebanon - RGLE Sun Grand Lodge Wisdom Light Lodge No.88 Grand Orient Libanais Grand Loge Nationale du Canada Grand Lodge Justice Grand Lodge Osiris Grand Lodge Prince of Lebanon Grande Loge symbolique et traditionelle opera Orient de Canaan The Grand National Lodge of Lebanon Droit Humain au Liban Grand Lodge Aurora United Grand Lodge of Lebanon Grand Lodge Eugarit Grand Lodge Abraham Lincoln
various recognized Grand Lodges around the world, and who decided to devote time and effort in helping Freemasonry prosper in Lebanon. So what is your mission ? The purpose EYE WATCH is to enlighten those who are interested in learning more about Freemasonry in Lebanon and to help direct those interested in petitioning for membership to a regular and recognized Lodge in our country. Due to the existence of over 50 irregular and unrecognized Grand Lodge in Lebanon, it is easy for candidates to be misinformed and for them to end up at a lodge that is not recognized by the mainstream Masonic world. Some members in those unrecognized lodges have been told that they are “regular” and they belong to the 6 million member fraternity. However, the sad part is when these members travel out of the country and try to visit a regular Lodge, they are denied entrance and it is hard for them to understand why. Even though not all the Masonic Lodges in Lebanon are considered fraudulent and exist for personal gains, the fact remains that only those Lodges in Lebanon working under the Grand Lodge of Scotland, Grand Lodge of New York or the Grand Lodge of District of Columbia are recognized by the world’s mainstream Masonic organization, specifically the Conference of the Grand Masters of Masons in North America and the United Grand Lodge of England. How do you discover irregular lodges and once discovered what do u do ? Many of the irregular lodges use the internet to promote their business. Some have their own masonic temples, other meet in basements and in houses. There is one a web site (Al Haram Club) for example, that initiates members online, and membership in their group is maintained as long as they are able to charge your credit card. Other irregular lodges operate on a word of mouth basis, and rely on referrals. However, one thing is common among most of the irregular lodges in Lebanon, they try to convince you that they are the true Masons, while everyone else is not. The way we know about irregular lodges is through the internet, word of mouth, and ex-members. Can you give us a background on the history of Regular Freemasonry in Lebanon? Currently in Lebanon, there is a decent number of regular and recognized lodges operating in the Land of the Cedars divided among 3 Grand Lodges: The Grand Lodge of New York (12 Lodges) Grand Lodge of Scotland (5 Lodges) and Grand Lodge of DC (1 Lodge). The Grand Lodge of Scotland and the Grand Lodge of New York have been generally governing most of the regular lodges located in our country. The first Masonic Lodge to be erected in Lebanon was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1861 and was given the name Palestine Lodge No. 415. This lodge was operating in Beirut but then it became dormant in 1895. Four other Scottish lodges were erected in Lebanon up until the time of the First World War, but Continued on next page
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Clandestine Lodges - Continued only some of these revived thereafter. The “Irregular” Grand Orient of France was next into Lebanon, forming a lodge in 1869, working in Arabic. Two further lodges followed. None survived the First World War. Other new lodges formed before the Great War were a lodge at Beirut under the Ottoman Grand Lodge (later the Grand Lodge of Turkey), and a lodge under the National Grand Lodge of Egypt, erected about 1914. A number of other Egyptian-warranted lodges were chartered thereafter, and after the First World War these were formed into a District Grand Lodge. By the end of World War Two, it would seem these lodges were extinct, merged, or hived off into various spurious ‘Masonic’ bodies. The first Grand Lodge of New York-chartered lodge was the Syrio-American Lodge #1, formed in 1924 by returning American-Lebanese immigrants. Several further lodges were erected prior to World War Two, and subsequently. With the exception of one lodge originally erected in Syria, all New York chartered lodges in its SyriaLebanon District (twelve in total) have operated in recent times. During the Lebanese Civil War, most lodges became dormant, although at least Syrio-American lodge No. 1 continued to meet intermittently and still exists today and is considered among the most active Lodges in the country. Since the cessation of the civil war, five of the five Scottish lodges have re-commenced work. All the New York lodges revived subsequent to the civil war, and currently twelve Lodges are operating in Lebanon. It is worth noting, that at one time, one additional mainstream lodge was chartered in Lebanon under the Grand Orient of Italy called Fraternità Italo-Libanse, erected at Jounieh in 1989, but this lodge lost its charter in the 1990’s. In October 2010, the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia chartered their first lodge in Lebanon, Lodge Phoenix 1001 in Al Fanar, Beirut, raising the number of regular Masonic Lodges in Lebanon to 19 Lodges divided among three Grand Lodges: The Grand Lodge of NY (12 Lodges) Grand Lodge of Scotland (6 Lodges) and Grand Lodge of DC (1 Lodge). What happens when someone who is irregular contacts you about wanting to join a regular GL? Since our first day we have managed to gain the respect and trust of all those who came across us asking to help them join a regular and recognized Grand Lodge in Lebanon, and the thanks go to the regular and recognized Lodges in Lebanon who are willing to follow up on those requests and meet with them to identify their true intentions. Usually someone would either contact us through our website page www.eyewatchlebanon.com or through facebook and would send us a message stating his current situation. Surprisingly, many of them did not know the difference between Regular & Irregular lodges since they were told when they joined that they are part of an International Chain of Brothers (The usual Marketing word used by such Irregular Bodies). When we are contacted by someone who is interested in demitting from his irregular lodge and petitioning a regular lodge, we usually meet with them, discuss their interests, expectations and try to identify their true intentions. Once a candidate meets the regular filtering process that we have established, we refer him to one of the 3 Grand Lodges in Lebanon (GL of New York, GL of Scotland, or GL of District of Columbia) who, would then decide whether they would like to meet with him and discuss the petitioning process. Please understand that Eye Watch does not handle petitions, and we do not solicit members. Our mission is only to provide information, and connect candidates with regular and recognized lodges. We do not get involved in any way in the petitioning and joining process, which is handled independently by the respective petitioned lodges. Can you give us examples of candidates who contacted you? One of the good Men we have helped is someone who thought he joined freemasonry through a web site that Continued on next page
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Clandestine Lodges - Continued claims so. He thought he became a Mason, but later on found out that he was a victim of a fraudulent web site that took his money, and emailed him ritual, and tried to convince him that he became a Mason. A few other men were misled to joining irregular lodges to find out that the chaos there simply cannot be masonic, where the Grand Master is also Worshipful Master and where the Grand Lodge is also a lodge. Others have paid $5,000 and more to become members of a lodge that has less than 10 members and fake rolls. However, not all irregular Masonic lodges in Lebanon are fraudulent. We were contacted by many men who belonged to certain unrecognized grand lodges that are actually practicing “good Masonry� and trying to help good men become better. They have well established lodges, good constitution, and do good work, however, for one of many reasons they are not recognized by mainstream Freemasonry. Those members feel that they need to belong to the world wide masonic community and end up demitting and petitioning a regular Grand Lodge in order to be able to travel and enjoy Freemasonry wherever they go, not just at their lodge. Have you been threatened by irregular / clandestine lodges? We are a threat to many of the clandestine Lodges. We are technically ruining their business and their source of income. We have received many e-mails threatening us and attacking us. Our web site was also under attack many times, but none of these were able to put an end to our mission. We have the support of many Grand Lodges and many Good Men, and our cause is just! That is why we are here and we are watching and we have no problem pointing at them out whenever they try to harm the craft or the reputation of Freemasonry. What is the reason behind such a number of Irregular Lodges in Lebanon? Lebanon lacks a local Regular Masonic Authority that organizes the craft’s work amongst Lebanese Lodges and creates an obedience that spreads fraternity and harmony. Unfortunately and due to the absence of such body & the absence of a Local civil Law that organizes Masonic Work, it is considered a chance for many to open their own lodges and call it Masonry. What are regular Lodges doing to contain the spread of irregular lodges and how do they spread masonic awareness about regular grand lodges? Freemasonry in Lebanon is very discreet, which makes it even harder for the current regular Grand Lodges in Lebanon to go all open in promoting awareness on what Freemasonry is, and what is the difference between regular and clandestine lodge. However, Regular Grand Lodges have recently began to open up further which is helping us a lot and they are giving the Candidates the chance to Join a regular Grand Lodge. Such things will definitely minimize the spread of irregular lodges. How can someone lend support to Eye watch? Even though we are not a committee of one specific Grand Lodge, yet the Regular Lodges in Lebanon and some outside Lebanon are in total support of our mission and are blessing our efforts. Anyone can support Eye watch by helping us spread the word about who we are and what our mission is. The regular lodges in Lebanon are doing an outstanding job in promoting Masonry in our country, yet the harm that some of the clandestine lodges are causing to the image of our fraternity is dangerous and awareness must be spread to truly protect our craft. By helping us promote regular and recognized Freemasonry in Lebanon, we minimize the negative effect that some of the clandestine lodges are causing, especially those who have established lodges solely for the purpose of committing fraud transactions. We thank you for this interview, and for your help in letting our voice be heard. http://www.eyewatchlebanon.com
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Brother In TheSubmitted News
TWTMAG
TWT
“Masonic Home completes solar project�
BURLINGTON TOWNSHIP — The Masonic Home of New Jersey is one of the latest nonprofits to embrace solar energy. Kyocera Solar in Scottsdale, Ariz.; NJ Solar Power in Bayville, Ocean County; and Solar Power Partners in Larkspur, Calif., have announced the completion of a 1.16-megawatt solar energy system at the retirement community on Jacksonville Road, founded at the end of the 19th century. The firms worked together to construct more than 5,000 solar panels off Oxmead Road. The project had been in the works since August 2008. The solar array at the Masonic Home will be one of the largest systems in the state, but it wasn't the first, as other such projects have been popping up on farms in South Jersey in recent years. The panels span more than 7 acres of Masonic farm property and the power generated will account for about 11 percent of the facility's energy. Masonic Charity Foundation officials touted the initiative as a way to stay ahead of the energy curve. "We strive to keep our facility at the forefront of technology to provide the best possible care professionally, personally and technically," foundation member David Dorworth said in a statement. The placement of the panels stems from the Masonic Home's focus to maintain an "aesthetically pleasing community for our residents and visitors. We believe very strongly in providing our residents with a beautiful, comfortable place to live. The placement of the newly installed panels helps to preserve the property's natural beauty while helping to ease the Masonic Home's environmental impact," Dorworth said. Dorworth, who is also a Palmyra councilman, said the solar panels will help cut energy consumption at the complex and
allow the nonprofit to make investments in future projects. The system was designed and installed by NJ Solar Power. With an estimated yearly production of 1,547,412 kilowatt hours, the system is enough to power 145 average homes, according to NJ Solar Power. The property required special zoning permits to guarantee the protection of the buildings and landscape. Todd Michaels, senior vice president of project development and marketing for Solar Power Partners, said the work was "a Herculean effort" to get finished because of this year's tough winter. He said his company would be responsible for maintenance. "In today's economy, it's all about saving money," Michaels said, adding that he did not have a cost estimate for the total project. He said the vast majority of Solar Power Partners clients were nonprofits such as schools and colleges. The Masonic Home initiative fits in with the state's objectives. The Christie administration said in late July that New Jersey set new single-month records for installed solar capacity and number of installations in June. This brings the state's installed solar capacity to more than 380 megawatts generated from more than 10,000 solar arrays statewide, a new milestone. "Solar energy is more than just a form of clean distributed generation. These projects provide an opportunity for the involved business to improve its bottom line and grow in New Jersey, stimulating economic development," said Lee A. Solomon, president of the state Board of Public Utilities. http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/burlington_county_times_ news/masonic-home-completes-solar-project/article_a72d19aa8186-5f49-bb21-0a3c9a8e947d.html www.twtmag.com
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In The News
“Masonic Lodge looks for missing Bible” PALMYRA, Mich. — Who has a 150-year-old Bible belonging to the Palmyra Masonic Lodge? “I’d like to have the old Bible back. Every meeting we used it,” said lodge secretary Eldon Clingaman of Palmyra. He means every meeting since the lodge was chartered on Jan. 12, 1866. Clingaman said the large, 31/2-inch-thick Bible was taken during a July 20 break-in of the lodge building on Lenawee Street in Palmyra. He said he believes 1859 is the date it was printed. Lodge members were in the building on July 20. The next day Clingaman found a window broken out of a door. Someone got in and tossed around a box of food the lodge collected to donate to an emergency food pantry, he said. There was some other minor damage, but everything in the building is accounted for, except the Bible. “It’s the only thing I could find missing,” he said.
Clingaman said it appears to him the break-in was a prank by kids. “I don’t know of any adult who would steal a Bible,” he said. He is also baffled at what use children or teenagers would have for a stolen Bible. “I’m sure whoever took it didn’t take it home and say, ‘Hey, Mom, look what I’ve got,’ ” Clingaman said. There are no inscriptions or writing in the Bible to identify it as belonging to the Palmyra lodge, he said, except some red, white and blue ribbons used to mark passages read during ceremonies. While the Bible has remained the same since 1866, the lodge has moved several times, Clingaman said. The deed to the current building was given to the lodge by the Driggs family only a few months ago, he said, although it has been the Masonic Lodge building for years. It was originally a church and later converted to a school that Clingaman said he attended. He joined the lodge in 1967 and has been its secretary for 27 years. The lodge currently has about about 90 members, he said.
A Lenawee County sheriff ’s deputy made out a report on the break-in. But there has been no luck in tracking down the Bible, said Undersheriff James Anderson. “That Bible probably isn’t worth much on the market, but it means the world to them,” Anderson said, referring to the lodge members. No witnesses have yet come forward and there is no solid evidence pointing to any suspects, he said. Anyone with information that can help in recovering the Bible can call the sheriff ’s department’s tip line at 266-6161 or 877-276-8477, he said, and remain anonymous if they wish.
Eldon Clingaman looks at the table where a Bible the Palmyra Masons have owned since 1866 once sat. www.twtmag.com
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In The News
“Children at Tetbury Hospital given boost by Freemasons� SICK children in Tetbury have been given a boost this month thanks to a generous donation of teddy bears. Gloucestershire Freemasons surprised children at Tetbury Hospital with a bundle of cuddly toys as part of its Teddies for Loving Care charity, which provides minor injury units and emergency departments with toys to give young patients suffering from distress or trauma. Provincial grand master for Gloucestershire, Adrian Davies, was accompanied by provincial grand almoner Mark Smith as they handed over the first delivery of teddy bears to lead emergency nurse practitioner, Wendy Hadfield. Mr Davies said: "There can be fewer distressing sights or sounds than that of a child who is admitted to hospital in pain and is frightened. "We hope that our small gift of a teddy bear will help ease the initial pain and trauma of the injury or illness".
Provincial Grand Almoner Mark Smith and Provincial Grand Master Adrian Davies of the Gloucestershire Freemasons hand over the first delivery of teddy bears to Wendy Hadfield, Lead Emergency Nurse Practitioner at Tetbury hospital, helped by Holly Toop, 12
He added that Tetbury Hospital was selected to pilot the scheme as a fitting tribute to Phillip Bayley-Brown, a Tetbury Freemason who championed the scheme but died from a long illness shortly before delivery of the first bears. It is hoped that over the next year Teddies for Loving Care will be introduced to other hospitals across the county. www.twtmag.com
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In The News
“Masons out and proud” Jim O’Rourke Brisbane Times
FOR an organisation shrouded in secrecy for close to 300 years, a press release from the freemasons is a radical break from tradition. The media were invited to a centuries' old ceremony installing a new grand master of the NSW and ACT United Grand Lodge - Derek Robson, a former Australian Navy officer and now national secretary of the RSL. More than 900 freemasons gathered for the three-hour investiture at the Convention Centre in Darling Harbour. Ahead of the ceremony, Mr Robson said the organisation was adopting a new openness to explain how freemasonry fits into the modern world. While freemasonry will still have symbolic secrets that are revealed to members, it was now time to show the wider community it was not a religion but a way of life that encourages men to live honest and useful lives, he said. Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/masons-out-and-proud-20110806-1igix.
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In The News
“Freemasons: Secret men's business” The Freemasonry movement has shed centuries of secrecy and is now looking for a few good men. Daniel Tran reports.
Freemasonry was formed in the image of Europe’s stonemasons, who had created guilds to protect their commercial advantage. Impressed by their methods, a group of like minded men established Hanging by a piece of barely visible thread is the let- the fi rst lodge in their image. ter G. It is silver and large, about the size of a man’s head,and it hangs in another 309 rooms across Vic- In 171 in, England, several of these lodges came toria insimilar fashion. For the Freemasons gather- together to promote the concept of free masonry, so ing under it tonight, it is a representation of one of named because it was free from the requirement to their ancient order’s central tenets: there is a God. actually be a mason of any kind. Although the organization has traditionally been shrouded in secrecy, Freemasons Victoria’s grand secretary Peter Henshall is straightforward about what the once esoteric organization does.
The Craft, as Freemasonry is known among its members, spread through the British Empire and reached Australia wthrough members travelling aboard the Endeavour and First Fleet. In Victoria today, there are 130 lodges and about 13,000 members. Although the average Freemason is in his mid-50s, there has been a growing trend of younger men joining its ranks.
“Freemasonry is probably one of the world’s oldest fraternal organizations. [It] offers men of over the age of 18 opportunities to develop themselves, interact with other like minded menand, in a general sense, adopt a principled way of life.” He says Freemasons believe in fraternity and acting honestly and equitably towards others, be they members, family or peers.
To become a Freemason, a man must be at least 18, of good moral standing in the community and have a belief in a supreme being, like God.
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InInThe TheNews News But religion plays no part in Freemasonry. The initiation ceremony specifically encourages candidates not to enter into any political or religious topic during a lodge meeting. ‘‘Freemasonry is in no way a religion and it doesn’t profess to be. It wants to equally apply itself to people from any religious background and that’s evidenced by our membership,’’ says Mr Henshall. ‘‘I think the principle of equality is exemplifi ed by all wearing the same dinner suit and gloves so that you can go into a lodge and you can have a bricklayer stand next to a lawyer and you wouldn’t know who was who. ‘‘Gloves hide the gnarled hands of the bricklayer and the smooth hands of the surgeon, allowing them to meet on equal grounds, regardless of wealth or standing.’’ Before a candidate is admitted to the Craft, however, he is required to front a selection committee and provide references on his moral character.
growing up. “And you sort of put two and two together. His mates were Freemasons, they were all decent sort of fellas, they all enjoyed each other’s company so it sort of sparked my interest in joining. And when I joined, I sort of appreciated why he was as he was and I’ve been a Freemason ever since. “The people whom I knew were Freemasons and their attitude to life, their attitude to fellow human beings, their general behaviour, that’s what made me want to be a Freemason. The only regret I have is that I didn’t join it sooner.” Master of the Canterbury Lodge is John Rodrigo whose grandfather was a freemason in his native Sri Lanka. He inspired his grandson to join because of the company he kept. ‘‘I never knew my grandfather. I was one year old when he passed on, but my father told me he was very prominent in the lodge,’’ Mr Rodrigo said. ‘‘And even though I didn’t meet him in person, I used to meet his friends and they were always very upstanding people and I always wanted to be something like that because they were honest, they were family members, they were family men.
‘‘The great thing about having a standard and having everyone set and staying at that standard is that when you meet a Freemason, you immediately know who he is and what to expect of him,’’ Mr Henshall said. ‘‘You immediately have a trust in him that you can rely on.’’ Although he was 30 when he eventually joined, Mr Rodrigo, said Freemasonry had always been a part If a Freemason is found to be behaving in an illegal of his life. or unethical manner, such as through theft or infidelity, he is investigated by an ethics committee and Canterbury Lodge meets in the Mt Waverley Mamay be expelled. sonic temple in Stephensons Road. The lodge, No. 312, was formed on November 13, 1932 by 13 For most members, it was the character of the Free- Freemasons. Their first master was engineer David masons they knew which inspired them to join. McLeod Buchanan. Originally meeting in an old Mr Henshall said his father, also a Freemason, was theatre in Surrey Hills, the lodge moved to Prospect a principled man who was a good example to him Hill Road in Camberwell before settling in Mt WaContinued on next page
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In The News
verley 11 years ago. Since its first move, the lodge’s former location has become its formal name although it is no longer based there. At the time Mr Rodrigo joined in 1981, Freemasonry was still highly secretive and despite its popularity, it was difficult to determine who was a member. Says Mr Henshall: “You would’ve seen men walking down the street in gabardine overcoats with little black cases and you wouldn’t have known that they were Freemasons. It was very much a topic that wasn’t openly discussed.” But the Craft’s secrecy has taken a toll on its oncestrong membership, which has dwindled to less than a fifth of what it once was.
think people are now returning to those needs because there really isn’t anything offered in a community sense, like freemasonry, for the younger man.” Women are still unable to join though, another part of the group’s traditional nature. When it was founded, men would travel to find work while their wives stayed at home. “It’s not to say that women aren’t involved, they’re very, very heavily involved in terms of a lot of the charitable work that we do and a lot of the social work that we do. Another benefit for women is that they appreciate their partners are learning something valuable in terms of relationships.”
“There are membership organisations for women as well that are allied or similar to freemasonry, the Order of the Eastern Star is a lady’s only organ“When I joined the Craft back in 1981, the membership was about 75,000. Now it’s dropped, but it’s isation.” dropped because of pressures of day-to-day living and I think the younger people of today have a lot Freemasons Victoria’s Monash Gully District is more things to do and their priorities are different. holding an open night at the Waverley Masonic Centre on October 14. Details: Hans, 9758 5764. ‘‘But the numbers are increasing again – a lot of http://www.monashweekly.com.au/news/local/ younger people coming back in which is good to news/general/freemasons-secret-mens-busisee.” ness/2264059.aspx?storypage=0 Mr Henshall said Freemasonry was starting to become appealing again for younger men. “I
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In The News
“A MYSTERIOUS "all seeing eye" has come to light in a historic Teesside chapel.” Volunteers have been cleaning elegant plaster mouldings on the ceiling of the 17th Century chapel of Sir William Turner’s Almshouses at Kirkleatham, near Redcar. The work is being carried out while the chapel’s valuable stained glass window is away for renovation. But as the sun came round, the light cast shadows across an area usually shielded from the light by the colours of the stained glass and the carved, wooden all-seeing eye was highlighted.
Peter Sotheran, chairman of the almshouse trustees, said: “We believe the eye was placed there to remind residents of the almshouses that God constantly watches over his people.” The emblem is carved into a piece of wood, measuring 8ins by 12ins. It features a single eye beneath a bushy eyebrow, set in a triangle that represents the Christian Trinity and surrounded by sun rays. It is set on the under-side of the keystone at the top of the altar arch central window, from where it can ‘watch’ all that goes on in the chapel.
All-seeing eyes have been in use since Ancient Egyptian times. They also appear in Buddhism, where Buddha is regularly referred to as the Eye of the World, and in medieval and renaissance times, when the eye was an explicit image of the Christian Trinity.
The volunteers are racing against the clock to complete the chapel ceiling restoration before the window is re-installed next month.
Today, the ‘Eye of Providence’ is usually associated with Freemasonry.
The total cost of repairs to the window is expected to exceed £35,000, of which £24,500 has already been raised.
In Kirkleatham’s case, it’s believed the eye was installed when the chapel was remodelled in the 1740s.
Read More http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teessidenews/2011/08/23/all-seeing-eye-uncovered-at-kirkleatham-chapel-84229-29283375/#ixzz1WXqdSbpf
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Cover- York Rite
The York Rite of Freemasonry Its Appendant Bodies, and Other Allied Masonic Organizations OVERVIEW The York Rite, or more correctly, the American Rite, is based on the early remnants of Craft Masonry that were practiced in the early 1700's. The formation of the first Grand Lodge of England in 1717 specified that the lodges were to confer only the degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason, all other degrees being considered spurious. However, many lodges had been conferring other degrees that they considered an integral part of Masonry, in particular that of the Royal Arch, and formed their own Grand Lodge in 1751, terming themselves the "Antients" and the other Grand Lodge members the "Moderns." With the merger of the two Grand Lodges in 1813 into the United Grand Lodge of England, the lodges agreed that only the three accepted degrees of Masonry would be used by the lodges, but the degree of the Royal Arch would be attached to Chapters allied directly to these lodges and bearing the same number as the lodge, though as a separate body. Thus, unlike the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, which claims to hold the power of conferring the first three degrees of Masonry in addition to those under its jurisdiction, those found in the York Rite have rightfully acknowledged the fact that they are considered appendant to those of Ancient Craft Masonry. It is still the practice in English Masonry that a Masonic member is not considered to be in possession of all
the degrees of Ancient Craft Masonry until he has been exalted to the Royal Arch. Early American Lodges operated in a similar manner until the establishment of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. For a period in US history, the Cryptic degrees were controlled by various state Grand Chapter jurisdictions, until the establishment of the General Grand Council. The Chivalric Orders have been controlled by the Grand Encampment since the early 19th century in the United States. All three bodies are technically autonomous Masonic entities, only the requirement of membership in the Royal Arch connecting the Cryptic degrees and Chivalric Orders together. Appendant to the York Rite Bodies are several additional Masonic bodies, most of which are invitational in nature. Membership in many of them is predicated on membership in the Royal Arch, though some have memberships predicated on other bodies of the York Rite, or membership in all of the York Rite bodies. Many are found in other jurisdictions outside of the United States, but several are uniquely American in their origin.
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Cover- York Rite, Continued The Capitular Degrees General Grand Chapter - www.ramint.org The Capitular Degrees are a set of four degrees controlled by the Royal Arch Chapter. They center on the construction phases of Solomon's Temple, with the exception of the degree of Past Master, hence the title of Capitular. The degree of Past Master is the vestigial remnant of the former custom that the degree of the Royal Arch could only be conferred on a Past Master of a Symbolic Blue Lodge. In the United States, these degrees are considered as proprietary to the Royal Arch, while in England there is no Past Master degree as found here, and the Mark Master degree is controlled by its own Grand Lodge. The Most Excellent Master degree is also part of the Cryptic Degree in England. As stated in the forward, the Royal Arch overseas is controlled by Chapters attached to English Blue Lodges. The Royal Arch Chapters have occasionally been referred to as the "Red lodge" in older Masonic publications, though they should more accurately be described as the "Red degrees." In the United States, all Chapter
Mark Master A Degree that emphasizes the lessons of regularity, discipline, and integrity. It is a most impressive Degree centered on the story of the Fellowcraft of the quarry and their role in the building of the Temple. Its importance in English Craft Masonry can be judged by the fact that it operates as a separate Grand Lodge, and is highly sought by members of the Craft in that
Most Excellent Master A Degree that emphasizes the lesson of reverence. This Degree is centered on the dedication of the Temple after its completion, particularly the consecration of the Sanctum Sanctorum and the descent of the Host into the Temple. It is complimentary to the Mark Master Degree and completes the symbol-
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Past Master (Virtual) A Degree that emphasizes the lesson of harmony. This Degree is conferred because ancient custom required that a Mason must be a Past Master in order to be exalted to the Royal Arch. In some Grand Jurisdictions this Degree is conferred upon all sitting Masters of the Blue Lodge. The Degree confers no actual rank upon the recipient, but is exemplified to maintain the ancient custom.
The Royal Arch The completion of the Master Mason Degree and the summit of the original Degrees of the Blue Lodge as practiced in the Antients Lodges of England before 1820. The Degree explains the origins of the Substitute Word found in the Master Mason Degree, the recovery of the Ineffable Word, and its concealment within the Royal Arch Word. This Degree, together with the Master Mason Degree, may have once been exemplified as one large or "super" Degree, with the Master Mason Degree explaining the loss of the Master's Word and the Royal Arch explaining the recovery of the Master's Word. The presiding body is a Chapter, and the presiding officer is a www.twtmag.com 42 High Priest (titled Excellent).
Cover- York Rite, Continued The Cryptic Degrees General Grand Council - www.ggccmi.org The Cryptic Degrees are a set of three degrees controlled by the Select Masters Council. The degrees get their name from the reference to a hidden or secret vault in the degrees, hence the term Cryptic. Only the first two degrees are regularly worked, the third degree, that of Super Excellent Master, is worked as an honorary degree, not being required as a requisite for membership in the Council. It is also somewhat peculiar in its association with the Cryptic degrees, as it is more closely allied in theme and character with the Royal Arch and the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross. The history of the body as a whole is also shrouded in uncertainty and controversy. Though there is early evidence of Councils of Royal and Select Masters being worked in the United States, the degrees were worked variously by their own Councils, Royal Arch Chapters, and even Lodges of Perfection of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Though the Scottish Rite has long relinquished any claim to these degrees, several Grand Jurisdictions (VA & WVA) still confer them as a part of Capitular Masonry. In England, the degree of Most Excellent Master is grouped with this body. In the United States, all business is conducted in the Select Masters Council, the other two bodies only being opened for the conferral of degrees. Some jurisdictions hold "table councils" in similar manner to "table lodges" as a social focal point of their local York Rite bodies.
Royal Master
Select Master
A Degree emphasizing the lessons of patience and fortitude. The Degree centers around the Fellowcraft Masons who were artificers fabricating the fittings and furniture of the Temple. It is unusual in that the first part of the Degree depicts events taking place before the death of the Grand Master Hiram Abif, and the
A Degree emphasizing the lessons of devotion and zeal. The Degree centers on the construction and furnishing of a Secret Vault beneath the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Temple, and the deposition of those secrets pertaining to the Craft by the three ancient Grand Masters of the Craft. This Degree bridges the events surrounding the concealment and loss of the Ineffable Word and the events leading to the recover of the Word in the Royal Arch Degree. The presiding body is a Council, and the presiding officer is a Master (titled Illustrious).
Super Excellent Master
A Degree emphasizing the lessons of loyalty and faithfulness. The Degree centers around the events leading to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple at the hands of the Chaldeans. The Degree is narrated by small interludes of biblical prophecy that highlight the end of the first Temple and the construction of the second Temple. It is noteworthy for its scenes of the Jewish court of Zedekiah and the Chaldean court of Nebuchadnezzar. This degree is an honorary one, and a member of the Council not needing to have it in order to hold membership or office.
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Cover- York Rite, Continued Grand Encampment KT, USA www.knightstemplar.org/ The Chivalric Orders are a set of three Orders culminating in the grade of Knight Templar, and controlled by that body. This body is markedly different from its foreign counterparts, in that it exhibits a paramilitary structure and outlook on Masonry, being the only branch of Masonry in the world that is a uniformed body. Its requirement that its members be professed Christians has led to calls of condemnation from other Masonic bodies and organizations both inside and outside the United States, claiming that the body is more of a Christian organization rather than a Masonic body. These have had little effect on the body, however, as many of the organizations criticizing the body have similar degrees among themselves. The American body is also arranged different from its nearest relatives in England. The American body includes the Illustrious Order of the Red Cross, which is not conferred in any other organization, though it has very close cousins in the Irish and American Order of Knight Masons and in the English Allied Masonic Degrees grade of the Red Cross of Babylon. Also, in the United States, the Order of Malta is conferred on members before being eligible to receive the Order of the Temple, whereas in England, the Order of Malta is an honorary grade bestowed on Knights Templar. In the United States, all business is transacted in the Order of the Temple, the other bodies only being opened for the conferral of the Orders. In England, the Order of Malta meets and operates as a separate body in addition to the Order of the Temple.
Illustrious Order of the Red Cross An Order emphasizing the lesson of truth. Elements of this Order were practiced in Ancient Lodges before the final form of the Master Mason Degree came into use. It is still practiced in the full ceremonial form by the Knight Masons of Ireland and the Knight Masons of the United States, and as the Red Cross of Babylon in the English Order of the Allied Masonic Degrees.
Order of Malta An Order emphasizing the lesson of faith. This Order requires the Mason to profess and practice the Christian faith. The pass degree of the Mediterranean Pass, or Knight of St. Paul prepares the candidate for the Order by introducing the lesson and example of the unfearing and faithful martyr of Christianity. The Order is centered on allegorical elements of the Knights of Malta, inheritors of the medieval Knights Hospitaller.
Order of the Temple
An Order emphasizing the lessons of self-sacrifice and reverence. It is meant to rekindle the spirit of the medieval Knights Templar devotion and self-sacrifice to Christianity. The history of the Masonic Order is long and convoluted, with the Order's ritual differing between that conferred in England and in the United States. That practiced in the United States has a slight militant zeal to the lesson of Christianity, whereas the English ritual is more allegorical. However, the American ritual is most impressive, and more emphasis is placed on the solemnity and reverence associated with the Crucifixion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ. The presiding body is a Commandery, and the presiding officer is a Commander (titled Eminent). Continued on next page
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Cover- York Rite, Continued The "Chair Degrees" of York Rite masonry So called as the candidate must be the installed or a past presiding officer of the respective York Rite body. They may also differ somewhat in name or character from one jurisdiction to another.
Order of High Priesthood
A chair degree conferred upon installed or past High Priests.Sometimes referred to as the Anointed Order of High Priesthood. In antiquity, this degree was known as the Order of Melchizadek.
Thrice Illustrious Master
A chair degree conferred upon installed or past Illustrious Masters. It is also known as the Order of the Silver Trowel from the jewel of the degree.
Knight Crusader of the Cross -
A chair degree conferred upon installed or past Eminent Commanders.
Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor -
All present and Past Commanders of Constituent and Subordinate Commanderies of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America in a jurisdiction where there is not any Chapter of the Order may petition for membership in the Order of Knights Preceptor. The Grand Chapter of the Order of Knights Preceptor meets annually at the time and place of the Annual Meeting of the Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America.
Appendant and Allied Bodies The following bodies are appendant to the York Rite bodies due to the requirement that their members must also be members of the York Rite or one of its bodies; or are allied to the York Rite by the requirement that their members must be Masons. First are the invitational bodies, in which the candidate must be a member of the York Rite or one of its bodies, be invited by a member of the invitational body, and pass a ballot for membership. Second are the allied Masonic bodies, which require the candidate to be a Mason and may have additional requirements, such as being invitational or requiring other Masonic or fraternal affiliations or memberships. Continued on next page
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Cover- York Rite, Continued Many of the following organizations are exclusive in nature and their memberships represent the more dedicated and select of the Masonic fraternity’s membership. This selectivity is usually exhibited in the limitations of the body’s membership size and/or its selection processes and requirements.
Unrestricted Invitational Appendant Bodies
These bodies are open to members of the York Rite by invitation only, but there is no restriction on the number of members allowed per body.
© - The York Rite Sovereign College of North America - www.yrscna.org -
An invitational body dedicated to the assistance and promotion of York Rite Bodies and degree work. The presiding body is a College, and the presiding officer is a Governor (titled Preeminent). The body works one main degree, that of Order of Knight of York, and one honorary degree, that of Order of the Purple Cross of York.
- The Order of Knight Masons of the U.S.A. - www.knight-masons.org -
An invitational body originally sponsored by the Knight Masons of Ireland. It is also known as the “Green Degrees.” In England, the parts of the degrees are worked as part of the Order of Allied Masonic Degrees under the title of the Red Cross of Babylon. Membership once required affiliation with the Knights Templar in Ireland, but only with the Royal Arch in the U.S.A. The presiding body is a Council, and the presiding officer is a Chief (titled Excellent). Degrees worked are: “ Knight of Sword “ Knight of the East “ Knight of the East and West “ Installed Chief (Chair Degree)
- Knights of the York Cross of Honour (KYCH) - www.k-ych.org -
An invitational body composed entirely of York Rite Masonic leaders. Members must be a Past Master of a Symbolic Lodge, a Past High Priest of a Royal Arch Chapter, a Past Master of a Royal and Select Masters Council, and a Past Commander of a Knight Templar Commandery; and nominated by a KYCH. A past Grand presiding officer receives the title of Knight of the York Grand Cross of Honour (KYGCH) if he serves in such a capacity after becoming a KYCH. Membership is unlimited in the presiding body. The presiding body is a Priory, and the presiding officer is a Prior (titled Eminent).
- The Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon www.stthomasofacon.org
An invitational body composed of York Rite Masons selected for their contributions and dedication to the Masonic bodies and orders. Membership requires affiliation with the Knights Templar. The modern Order commemoratives an early body of English Knights Templar founded during the 3rd Crusade. Membership is unlimited in the presiding body. The presiding body is a Chapel, and the presiding officer is a Master (titled Worthy).
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Cover- York Rite, Continued Restricted Invitational Appendant Bodies
These bodies are open to members of the York Rite by invitation only, with strict limitations on the number of members allowed per body.
The Allied Masonic Degrees (AMD) - www.allied-masonicdegrees.org -
An invitational body dedicated to the preservation and exemplification of Masonic side degrees of antiquity. EDITOR's NOTE: In some jurisdictions the AMD Councils are limited to prsenting research papers. Membership requires affiliation with the Royal Arch and is limited to 27 members per presiding body. The presiding body is a Council, and the presiding officer is a Sovereign Master (titled Venerable). European AMD Councils open and transact business on the Order of St. Lawrence the Martyr. In addition to the AMD Council, there are two subordinate bodies attached to the Council, which operate as separate bodies outside the United States. The Description of these Degrees can be found on St. Andrew's in America Council No. 1a, AMD, NC WEB SITE (http://www.angelfire.com/nc3/standrew1amd/) Degrees worked are: " Order of St. Lawrence the Martyr " Knight of Constantinople " Grand Tilers of Solomon " Excellent Master " Masters of Tyre " Architect " Grand Architect " Superintendent " Ye Antient Order of the Corks " Red Branch of Eri and Appendant Orders (Honorary Degree) " Royal Ark Mariner (separate Lodge outside the USA) " Order of the Secret Monitor (separate Conclave outside the USA) " Installed Sovereign Master (AMD Chair Degree) " Installed Master (OStLM Chair Degree) " Installed Commander Noah (RAM Chair Degree) " Installed Supreme Ruler (OSM Chair Degree
The Red Cross of Constantine and Appendant Orders (RCC) www.redcrossconstantine.org
An invitational body composed of highly dedicated and long serving York Rite Masons. Membership requires affiliation with the Royal Arch, and belief in the Trinitarian Christian faith. Membership is limited to 45 members per presiding body. The presiding body is a Conclave, and the presiding officer is a Sovereign (titled Puissant). Degrees worked are: " Knight of the Red Cross of Constantine " Knight of the Holy Sepulchre " Knight of St. John the Evangelist " Installed Viceroy (Chair Degree) " Installed Sovereign (Chair Degree) Continued on next page
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Cover- York Rite, Continued
The Order of Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest (HRAKTP) - www.hraktp.org
An invitational body composed of highly dedicated and long serving York Rite Masons. Membership requires affiliation with the Knights Templar, and members must be Past Eminent Commanders of a Knight Templar Commandery. Originally, this body conferred 33 degrees, but now only one is conferred. Membership is limited to 27 members per presiding body. The presiding body is a Tabernacle, and the presiding officer is a Preceptor (titled Eminent).
As found on http://yorkrite.com
History of the Rite This material is taken from S. Brent Morris, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Freemasonry, Chapter 9: The Scottish Rite (New York: Alpha Books/Penguin, 2006). © by S. Brent Morris. All Rights Reserved.
The Origins of the Scottish Rite Like so much early Masonic history, the origins of the Scottish Rite are hidden in mist. There’s evidence that by the early 1730s in England there were “Scotch Masons” or “Scots Master Masons,” a step after the Master Mason Degree (and apparently unrelated to Scotland). By 1742 in Berlin there was talk of “higher or so-called Scottish Masonry.” In 1743 the Grand Lodge of France adopted a regulation limiting the privileges of “Scots Masters” in lodges. It’s clear from these few mentions that something was going on behind the scenes with “Scottish Masonry,” but we’re not quite sure what. These developments were happening at the same time the Royal Arch was gestating before its birth in 1754. It’s even possible that the Royal Arch and Scottish Masonry came from the same sources. We just don’t know. What we do know is that the high degrees found fertile ground when they were introduced to French Masonry. In 1745, two years after restricting Scotch Masons, the Grand Lodge of France gave them special privileges, and more privileges and authority followed in 1747 and 1755. In contrast, the Royal Arch appears in lodge minutes in America in 1753 and England in 1758 with little official notice. By 1766 we know that an elaborate sequence of High Degree or “Scottish” Masonry is being worked in France. There’s much activity prior to 1766 that we’ll cover later, but we want to take a look now at that sequence of High Degrees.
Emperors and Knights in France Competition is the force that drives the world’s economies, and it also seems to have driven Scottish Masonry in France, which became part of jockeying for power within the Grand Lodge of France. The Council of the Knights of the East, Sovereign Prince Masons, was organized in 1756, Continued on next page
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Cover- York Rite, Continued and included in its government middle-class Masons who had been excluded in previous High Degree ventures. It is not known how many degrees the Knights worked, but they seem to have faded out around 1768–1779. Coming on the heels of the Knights of the East in 1758 was the Sovereign Council of Emperors of the East and of the West, Sublime Scottish Mother Lodge. The Emperors attracted the upper class and nobility and competed with the knights in the number of degrees they offered. (Just from a marketing point of view the newer group bested the older: “Emperors” are more powerful than “Knights,” and “East and West” is twice an extensive as only “East.”)
The Invention of Stephen Morin In August 1761 Stephen Morin received a patent from the Grand Lodge of France “authorizing and empowering him to establish perfect and sublime Masonry in all parts of the world, etc., etc.” Morin was a wine merchant from Bordeaux and set up business in Santo Domingo in what is now the Dominican Republic in the Caribbean. Morin is little remembered for his wine business, but his Masonic activities have gained him lasting fame. It took Morin about 15 months to make it from France to Santo Domingo, arriving in January 1763, because his ship was captured by the English and he was taken to England. While we know that he arrived with a patent of authority over the High Degrees, we don’t know how many or which High Degrees he controlled! What we do know is that he met a Dutch merchant, Henry Andrew Francken, and made him a Deputy Inspector General sometime between 1763 and 1767. Francken in turn traveled to Albany, New York, and created there a Lodge of Perfection (4°–14°) in 1767. In addition to creating the Albany Lodge of Perfection, Francken at least four times copied all of his degrees into books: 1771, 1783, and two undated versions. The “Francken Manuscripts” contain the earliest English versions of 21 degrees from 4°, “Secret Master,” to 25°, “The Royal Secret or Knights of St. Andrews—the faithful guardians of the Sacred Treasure,” a 25-degree system with the first three degrees conferred in Blue Lodges. This should establish conclusively that Morin worked a system of 25 degrees, right? Well, only if the degrees that Morin gave to Francken are the same ones that he received in France! There is growing evidence that Morin took whatever high degrees he had received in France and refashioned them into the Order of the Royal Secret, creating additional degrees as needed. The governing document, the “Constitutions of 1762,” has been discovered by Masonic scholar Alain Bernheim to be a slightly modified version of the constitution of the Grand Lodge of France. Morin apparently acted to create a new Masonic body with himself as the only “Grand Inspector.”
The First Supreme Council: Charleston, 1801 However the 25-degree Order of the Royal Secret came into being, it proved popular. These French high degrees, unlike the English York Rite, were spread by traveling Inspectors who conferred them for a fee. It wasn’t necessary to wait for enough Masons in a town to receive the high degrees somewhere else and for them to apply for a charter; the itinerant Inspector could take care of everything as soon as he arrived. Eight bodies of the Royal Secret were formed in America before 1800, from New Orleans to Albany. The weakness of the Order proved to be the unchecked system of Inspectors General. Each Inspector General could confer the degrees on Master Masons, establish local bodies, and create new InContinued on next page
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CoverYorkYork Rite,Rite Continued Coverspectors—all for an appropriate fee. There were no guidelines on cost, no limitation on numbers, and no restriction on how many more Inspectors an Inspector could create. By 1800 there were over 80 Inspectors General, and the system was moving toward chaos. Then on May 31, 1801, the first Supreme Council of the Thirty-third Degree, the Mother Council of the World, declared its existence with a motto of “Ordo ab Chao” (Order from Chaos). It announced a new 33-degree system of high degrees that incorporated all 25 of the Order of the Royal Secret, and added eight more, including that of 33°, Sovereign Grand Inspector General. This new organization declared control of high-degree Masonry in America. The new Supreme Council had a written constitution and a plan for organizing and managing the bodies under its control. The problem it faced was how to rein in the roving Inspectors General. The solution was shrewd and depended upon convincing the Inspectors to voluntarily yield allegiance to the Supreme Council. Any Inspector of the 25° would be given authority to confer up to the 32° (the extra seven degrees would make his product more attractive), if he turned in his old patent and agreed to follow the rules of the Supreme Council. This strategy was reasonably successful, and independent Inspectors General soon disappeared.
The Second American Supreme Council: New York, 1806 The Charleston Supreme Council had organized itself according to the “Grand Constitution of the Thirty-third Degree,” purportedly written by Frederick the Great of Prussia in 1786. The Constitution provided for one Supreme Council in each country, except that the United States of America could have up to two. (This is an odd provision for a document supposedly originating from Prussia in 1786!) The decision to create a second American Supreme Council was unexpectedly thrust upon the Supreme Council in Charleston. The second Supreme Council in the world was established in Santo Domingo in 1802, a fitting return to Stephen Morin’s home. This Supreme Council died with the slave revolt on the island, but one of its members, Antoine Bideaud, fled to New York. While there he came across five Frenchmen who were interested in the high degrees. For a fee of $46 in 1806 (about $565 in 2000), Bideaud conferred the degrees upon his customers and formed them into a “Consistory” of the 32°—all without the knowledge of the Charleston Supreme Council. The same year that Bideaud was creating his Consistory, Joseph Cerneau, a French jeweler, moved from Cuba to New York City. He had a patent from an Inspector of the Order of the Royal Secret that gave him limited powers in Cuba, but that didn’t stop him from setting up his own consistory in New York City. Cerneau operated without saying much about whether he had a 25-degree or 32-degree consistory. Emmanuel de la Motta, the Grand Treasurer from the Charleston Supreme Council, arrived in New York City in 1813, examined the two competing factions, and decided against Cerneau. De la Motta regularized Bideaud’s group and transformed them into the second Supreme Council for America, now known as the “Northern Masonic Jurisdiction” and consisting of 15 mid-western and northeastern states from Wisconsin and Illinois northeast to Maine. The original Supreme Council or “Southern Jurisdiction” is composed of the other 35 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. All regular Supreme Councils of the world today descend from the Mother Supreme Council of Charleston.
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Cover- York Rite, Continued
Founding Father of the York Rite By Norris G. Abbott, Jr., 33° Thomas Smith Webb, the "Founding Father of the York or American Rite" as he is appropriately describe by Herbert T. Leyland, his biographer, was born October 30, 1771, in Boston. He holds the rare distinction of being actively connected with the formation of two large national Masonic bodies—testimony to the respect in which he was held by his Masonic brethren. He received his education in Boston public schools and also began the study of music there which was to be an enjoyable diversion throughout his life. His business career was extensive and varied. After serving an apprenticeship with his father as a bookbinder, he started in for himself in Keene, N.H., and then moved to Albany, N.Y., where he changed to the manufacture of wallpaper with considerable success. Providence, R.I., was the next stop and for 16 years he continued the wallpaper business and operated a bookstore. While there, he became agent for the Hope Cotton Co. Later he built a cotton mill in Walpole, Mass., and a few years later moved the machinery to Ohio to merge with the Worthington Manufacturing Co. All moves were based on changing economic conditions and were justified by future events. His Masonic career was fully as extensive and varied. While he received his initial Masonic education in Rising Sun Lodge, Keene, N.H., at age 19, it was in Albany and Providence that most of his activities and contributions occurred. Leyland describes him as "Freemason, Musician and Entrepreneur" and, without question, he earned each of those titles. At Albany, at age 26, he authored his Freemason’s Monitor or Illustrations of Masonry, a literary work that ultimately went to seven editions. It brought international fame to the author and became the standard of ritual exemplification for many jurisdictions. It was a compendium of many of the writings of William Preston of England, a man who devoted a lifetime of service to the Craft in the study and perfection of Masonic lectures. Webb joined Union Lodge in Albany and became its Worshipful Master. He helped form Temple Royal Arch Chapter and became its High Priest. His reputation was well known when he moved to Providence in 1799, and he was soon taken into the life of the community. During his stay in Rhode Island he was elected to the school committee, became a director Continued on next page
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Cover- York Rite, Continued of the Providence Library Company, and served as a director, trustee, and finally treasurer of the Providence Mutual Fire Insurance Company. From a private in the State Militia, he rose to be Colonel of his regiment. Soon after his arrival in Providence, he accepted an invitation to join St. John’s Lodge No. 1 and at once started a school of instruction. As a member of a Rhode lsland Lodge he was eligible to attend Grand Lodge, and on his first visit he was appointed a member of a committee to revise the Constitutions. It is interesting to note that within the next two years two amendments to the Constitution were adopted which permitted the utilization of the services of Brother Webb. One amendment repealed a two-year limit on the term of the Grand Wardens which allowed Webb to serve for three years as Grand Senior Warden. The other made it possible to elect a Grand Master who was not a Past Master of a Lodge in Rhode Island. Thus it was in order to elect Webb as Grand Master in 1813 and 1814. A further election in 1815 he declined. It was in 1814 that a British man-of-war appeared off Newport. Providence, like other coastal cities, was fearful of bombing and possible invasion. At a mass meeting before the State House in Providence, a Committee on Defense was appointed to insure the protection of the town. Volunteers were called for to erect breastworks. Webb, as Grand Master, called a special meeting of Grand Lodge and instructed the brethren to "bring shovel, spade or axe and one day’s provisions." After opening Grand Lodge the brethren marched to Fox Hill and by sunset had erected breastworks 430 feet long, 10 wide, and 5 high, naming it Fort Hiram, an act confirmed by the Governor that evening. This was one of only two Masonic forts in the country. Webb also accepted an invitation to join Providence Royal Arch Chapter and was elected its High Priest two years later. He assisted in the formation of the Grand Chapter of Rhode Island and served as Grand High Priest from 1804-14. With others, he eventually organized the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States and was guiding the operation, as Deputy Grand High Priest, at his death. The General Grand Chapter is now the oldest national Masonic body in America. As Leyland says; "It was Webb’s genius that saw the need in the Masonic field of strong national and state organizations to preserve, invigorate, and propagate the then detached, uncontrolled, and sometimes nebulous ceremonies that now are known as the Capitular Rite and the Templar Orders." On one of his travels to the Midwest, Webb found that in Kentucky and Ohio the Grand Lodges had sole power to charter Royal Arch Chapters but he was able to influence them to permit the formation of Grand Chapters which would be subservient only to the General Grand Chapter. During this same period. Webb’s untiring Masonic zeal accomplished the formation on August 11, 1802, of St. Continued on next page
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Cover- York Rite, Continued John’s Encampment of Knights Templar, now St. John’s Commandery No. 1 of Providence, the ranking body of all Templar organizations in America. Webb provided the ritual and ceremonial procedure of the Templar Orders and was elected its first Eminent Commander. He was elected annually until 1814 when he declined re-election. In 1805, with others, he organized the now Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island and presided therein until he retired in 1817. The achievement which has been declared the crowning glory of Webb’s Masonic career was the formation of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States which he accomplished in 1816 in New York City. Governor De Witt Clinton was elected Grand Master and Webb became Deputy Grand Master, a position he held at his death. As he approached 40, Webb prepared to divest himself of many of his business connections, and by 1815 he had withdrawn from several of his Masonic responsibilities in Providence. He devoted mare of his time to music and, with others, formed the Handel and Haydn Philharmonic Society in Boston, he was its first president and conducted the Society’s first public concert in King’s Chapel on Christmas Day, 1815, with more than 100 participants. He also served as one of the soloists and even attained some fame later as a composer. It was on one of his several western trips that Thomas Smith Webb died of a cerebral hemorrhage on July 6, 1819. A Masonic burial service was held in Cleveland, Ohio, and memorial services were conducted in many cities. Later it was felt more appropriate that Webb be buried in Providence. With the consent of his widow and with funds supplied by the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island and other local Masonic bodies, his body was brought to Providence and placed in the West Burying Ground. When that cemetery later was converted to a park, the body was moved to the North Burial Ground to a plot of land on a knoll donated by the city, on which a marble monument or obelisk was erected by Grand Lodge. Each side of the shaft was used to record one or more of his many accomplishments. Like another famous Freemason, his body was buried three times. One of Freemasonry’s most dedicated workers passed with a record of accomplishment second to none and his memory is perpetuated in Rhode Island by a lodge, a council, and a commandery bearing his name. The Grand Lodge of Rhode Island erected a monument to the memory of Webb at the North Burial Ground in Providence. R.I. ________________________________________ Reprinted from the Northern Light, January 1971, Vol. 2 No. 1. Editor: George E. Burow, 33°. 39 Marrett Raad. P.O. BOX 519, Lexingtan, Mass. 02173. www.twtmag.com
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Cover- York Rite, Continued An Ark Mason’s Song Ye seekers of Wisdom, desirous to learn The Ark Mason secret, you here will discern; Give but close attention, it soon will unfold, Ark Masons at present, are like those of old. They’re Sons of fair Science, that join hand in hand, To whom Nature’s Laws, free and open doth stand Unreveal’d to all, in this virtuous School, Where each Brother’s perfection is proved by a Rule. Such Rules are Social, they are such as are good, By none but Ark Masons, rightly understood; They are Mystic, they are glorious, and doth the Heart move To Friendship, sweet Union, and Brotherly Love. The tools that they work with, are the Plumb Line of Truth, The Level of Honor, curbs Passions of Youth; The Square and Compass, so well they employ, That Brethren that’s needy, relief soon enjoy. The Axe, Saw, and Borer, they use in due time, The Chief of their Actions, they guide by a Line; Within and without, they so place the Cement, That the Ark is secure, and Noah content. Within an Ark Lodge, there can nothing reside Belonging to Malice, base Envy or Pride; For old Father Noah, doth teach his Son’s how To shun such Hell Fiends, as their dang’rous Foe. Then let us unite, and Unanimous join, To establish the Order, as Masons combine; Then true Sons of Wisdom, once blind, soon shall see, The long wished for Zenith, of Ark Masonry.
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Phoenixmasonry.org Online Museum
York Rite Memorabilia
This wonderful Knight Templar Sword belonged to Sir Knight Companion Robert D. Newins as is name is permanently etched into the blade and his initials R.D.N. are also scrimshawed into the ivory handle.
1894 - Two Handled Loving Cup, St. Andrews Royal Arch Chapter. Boston Mass.
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Phoenixmasonry.org Online Museum
1897- Centennial Medallion for the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons
1898- Allegheny Commandry Butter Dish
1904 Colombia Royal Arch Chapter Mug
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Lodge Education - Bro. Tom Thornton For those who feel there is nothing for them to do at Lodge : by Bro. Tom Thornton
For those who feel there is nothing for them to do at Lodge : Problem 1 :Some members (especially new Masons) stop going to Lodge because all the chairs are filled and it appears there is nothing forthem to do. Problem 2 : The Master is often reluctant to ask members to do things for fear they will be driven away. Masonry is a do-it-yourself organization - so an interested member may need to carve out his own spot, and in many Lodges that's exactly what many members do. -Candidate coach to teach the proficiency lectures -Fill in for a missing officer, especially in degrees. -Funeral team. seems like this is always a need -Investigation Committee member. -New member mentor - introduces new member to others, sits with him to help him learn Lodge operation and procedures.
-Ritual Assistance: - Fill in for a missing officer(especially in degrees). - Learn part of one of the Lectures (any degree). - Present the apron to the new Entered Apprentice. - Present the working tools (any degree). - Take part in the third degree drama. Other possibilities - Assist the secretary with trestleboard production. Mailing help - usually monthly. -Building maintenance. - Electrical, Plumbing, Carpentry, etc. - Cook & bakers - good food is always appreciated. - Dishwashers - help after dinners and meeting refreshments is always appreciated. - Education Committee present some item of Masonic interest at meetings. - Entertainment Committee to present entertaining programs. - Equipment repair chairs, aprons, etc. - Grounds keeping the lawn mowed, snow shoveled. - Lodge Historian - often dumped on the secretary who rarely has time for it.
-Transportation Committee for members who can not drive.
-Lodge set-up and storage - arrange furniture for those Lodges who clear their paraphernalia after each meeting.
-Visitation Committee for Members who can not come to Lodge. Continued on next page
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Lodge Education - Bro. Tom Thornton - Librarian - much needed, rarely found. - Janitorial help - (often paid for now because no one "has time"). - Music - any instrument can be used. Select and play tapes or c.d.'s - also acceptable. - Photographer - a Lodge might like an album of active members or Past Masters. Some Lodges have a power point presentation of these Members. - Publicity- local activity to local papers - Slide operators for lectures - Web maintenance - Wash candidate's uniform after degrees. - Youth Committee to help DeMolay, Job's Daughters and Rainbow Girls keep the Lodge informed of their activities. Anything else that interests you and would also interest or help the Lodge. If you are interested just let your master know. Several of these positions can/should be filled by multiple persons so one does not get "stuck" every time. The first and most important things a person must understand is the scope of Freemasonry. This is best illustrated by listing the reasons men give for membership. ( this List was compiled by contributions from internet members over a period of years ) There are over 40 reasons/purposes and some men are only interested in one or two. With others the interest varies over time. Most people can not and do not comprehend the variety and think only their interests are important. The fact that in the US we have many dues paying members who rarely attend should tell us a large
percent are simply not interested in the Lodge activity but do find enough other reasons to keep them paying dues. Masonry is :::: a place for a person who -* enjoys leadership, to become a leader * enjoys public speaking performance (ritual) * likes public speaking, to give lectures * wonders about man's history, to study same * would like to write, the opportunity * would like to be an actor * who desires to develop the inner self * likes the pomp of ceremony * likes conventions and meetings * likes to be away from home, but not the bar scene * likes to spend time on the internet * likes to be known ( titles) * to get and enjoy self esteem * to enjoy something outside the rat race of life * to use his musical talent, vocal or keyboard * to become an authority on something * to find the reason and purpose of life, * ( to study ) unencumbered by traditional schools of thought * to have male companionship and conversation without competition * a place to go without the wife * a place to work with youth, Demolay,Rainbow & Jobs' Daughters * a place to interact with other like-minded men in seeking goals beyond the lives of any individual, a "friendship in the good" *a place to enjoy learning about other Masons and their contributions to humanity * a place to meet other good men beyond the confines of one's church, temple, synagogue or other place of worship * a place to facilitate involvement with practicing charities * provides membership in a exclusive club * provides membership in a 'secret' order *provides prestige of belonging to a world wide organization * provides circle of professional friends
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Lodge Education - Bro. Tom Thornton * provides activity and interest to retired men * provides security for future needs, ( the Masonic home ) * an organization that regards all men as equal, regardless of their religion or socio-economic * an organization where 'just being a member' is appreciated * an organization with members who are generally like minded * an organization of which there is great internal pride * an organization where charity contributions are not diluted by expense * an organization that has more written about it than any other * an organization that can become a full time way of life * an organization that encourages self help and improvement * an organization that provides suppport and aid to members in need * an organization that provides manpower and money to many local youth groups * an organization that is concerned for the well being of all mankind * an organization that is concerned for the widows and orphans of its brothers * an organization that contributes over one million dollars a day to charity ( combined results of American Masonry) * an excellent alternative to the bars and pool halls Next, to inform members of the overall scope of Masonic activity here is a list of things we do as Masons ‘other than routine’ lodges meetings & ritual. Angel Connection ARC, walkathon Banquet St Johns, Banquet Receptions Ball , Charity Battleship NJ Blood drive Brotherhood Night Bus trips Building Use Family affairs
Weight Watchers Church Dyslexia Appendant Bodies Community First Night AARP Driver training (Lodge provides facality Breakfasts Bowling nights Charity Contributions Child ID Cigar Nights Corner stone laying Chili Contest Dyslexia Clinics Day At The Races Educator of year Employment service Family Picnic Fishing trip Food baskets, widows & needy Food pantry replenishment Food service, Thanksgiving Christmas Golf Outing Holiday Meals Homecoming night Octoberfest Picnic Rededication, Renewal Open house Road side pickup Shooting Contest Sponsor youth sports team Support Local Food Pantry Scholarships Local & District Teacher of year Veterans Hospital Visit Volunteer (Masonic & other homes) Wheelchair track & Field Widows Pins & aid Widows Luncheon The following Masonic Magic Bullets are to inform you of those things that have been proposed in the past and may or may apply to you and your lodge. This is a excel-
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Lodge Education - Bro. Tom Thornton lent summary of some of the postings to most of the Masonic list servers. It deserves saving and repeating at least monthly. ( additions are certainly welcome ) ‘ Magic bullets ‘( regarded as the one thing we must do to solve all our problems ) -- allowing alcoholic consumption on premises, -- abandoning old buildings, -- banning alcohol within the lodge building -- centering meetings around “Masonic education,” -- dissolving Grand Lodges, -- doing highly publicized community service, -- establishing ‘old style’ lodges ( exactly what’s that ??) -- getting exotically esoteric, -- getting rid of the exotically esoteric, -- hiring management consultants, -- instituting Epicurean feasting, -- memorizing ritual letter perfect, -- have one day classes - don’t have one day classes, -- rejecting feasting, -- rejecting candidates for reasons beyond known moral unfitness, -- insisting on three cubes before rejection, -- establishing a national Masonic authority, -- refurbishing old buildings, -- raising dues, -- proficiency restore the old style ( whatever that was)
-- proficiency simplify -- proficiency eliminate -- proficiency require research paper -- ritual read it -- ritual require exact memorization -- ritual update it to modern language -- ritual restoring to what must be older and more authentic, -- stretching out the time between degrees to one year, -- stamping out non bricklayer historical theory, - writing mission statements and strategic plans, -
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I hope you enjoy reading “ The Working Tools” and find enlightenment in each and every new issue. Please spread the word about us to all your Lodge Brothers and let them know how to find TWT on the web. TWTMAG.COM www.twtmag.com
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