Issuu

From the Grand Master M.W. Brother Robert F. Drechsler

This publication is designedtobe an organ of information, instruction, and inspiration for all who hold allegianceto this Grand Jurisdiction. Please be aware that any mistakes in this publication are there for a *purpose; we publish something for evqone and some people are always lookingfor errors. Comments and contributions shouldbe diiected to the attention of the editor, care of the Grand Secretary.

As I draft this message I can not help but realize that the hazy, lazy days of summer are slowly, but surely, coming to an end. It has been a great summer for me, and I hope for you, one that has been replete with Masonic refreshment -- steak fries, crab feasts, lodge picnics, cruises on the Potomac, and innumerableother pleasures. Now it is time for us to contemplate and ready ourselves for a return fiom refreshment to labor, and as I review the plans of our Worshipfbl Masters, I am impressed with the abundance of activity that is scheduled in the months leading up to our annual communication. It is my hope that as each ofyou make your plans, you will allocate time for the second session of our Grand Master7s Class on September 12;for our honors banquet on October 12; for the Grand Master's testimonial on November 21; and the Grand Lodge Banquet on December 12. Be alert for fbrther announcements on these events as they are issued. Your support, of course, will be appreciated. Thus far this year the Grand Lodge has awarded 30 60-year and almost 200 50-year veteran's emblems, and we still have several months to go in 1997! We congratulate each of the recipients and thank them for their decades of service to Freemasonry. While these awards underscore the unquestionable aging of the Craft, they also suggest that many Masons, having taken the degrees in their youth, have kept a sacred trust throughout their lives. This is a source of encouragement. I should like to close by again imploring the Wardens of our Lodges to satisfl, without delay, the prerequisites for advancement to the office of Worshipfbl Master. Specifically, I refer to the necessity for such aspirants to obtain the Past Master's Degree and to satisfjr the requisites imposed by Section 83 and Standing ResolutionNo. 2 1 as detailed in the Grand Lodge Code. If you haven't already addressed these matters, I ask you do so now without delay. Thank you, one and all, for continuing to make this year a memorable occasion for me. I am truly gratefbl.

Voice of Freemasonry Grand Lodge, F.A.A.M., of DL. 5428 MacArthur Blvd., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20016 Tel: (202)686-1811 Fax: (202) 686-2759

E-mail: DCMASONS@AOL.COM www.geocities.comlCapeCanaveraV3278 Editor - C.Brian Schwartz Editorisl Board Stewart W. Miner - Publisher Harold Grainger John S. Hams, Jr. Kirk MacNulty Richard S. Relac

Grand Lodge! OBc:ers B d

RobertF. Drechsler ......................... Grand Master ............N .... Deputy Grand Master ............... Senior Grand Waden ................... Junior Grand Warden er, P.G.M. ..........Grand S a w GrrmdTWt@ P.G.M. Appei............................... GraMt IsCtilwr

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Robat H. Starr ................... ~unior&.and Deafon ,.&IS s. ~ e p ~.......... er : senior~ratld~ e v m d ................Junior G r a n d d S t e ~

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.......... Grand Marsha1 ...............;.....Grand Chaplain

Hussein S. Abifmona ... Assistant Grand Chapfain Roland Timity ............. A & i t Grgnd Chqlain Walter F. Simon.......... Amid& Grand Chqlain Harold Grainger...........Ass'lstaat Grand Chaplain Ronald G. Wood .................. Grand Swotd Beam Clyde D. Frame ........................ Grand Pumivmt Cad R LeVine.............................Grand Estmian GerbrdMeinzer................................. Grand Tiler pepart .......Deputy Grand Leoturer od ............. Grand Mge Physician ............. Orand Standard Bearvx ..........Aide to the Grand Masts Walter D. Graham, Jr. ..Aide to the Grand Mpbr A n t h y L Murray ....... hide to tbe Grand hdaster Willia~nkWillis, Jr. ...Aide to the Grand hfasier Osorge E.Enders

................

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Lod~eof the Nine Muses Chartered

GRAND

MASTERTO HONOR

AWARD HOLDERS

secration of Lodge The Grand Lodge Officers performthe consecration cerel the Lodge of the Nine Muses. (L-R) Mansour Hatefi, Junior Grand Senior Grand Warden; Robert F. Drechsler, Grand Master (wearin Berning, Senior Grand Deacon.

a e Grand Master opened a special communication of the Grand Lodge at the Odd Fellows Hall, 419 Seventh Street, N.W. on July 9, 1997 for the purpose of consecrating and dedicatingthe Lodgeof theNine Muses No. 1776. This ancient ceremony was conducted in accordance with law and custom by the Grand Master and the elected and appointed officers of the Grand Lodge. Followir- +he completion of the c ecration emonv and the dedica-

tion of the Lodge, the Grand returned the gavel to Master of the Lodge, Kirk MacNulty, to ness as was necessary. The Wors Master then presided over a di that led to the nomination and of Hugh Y. Bernard to be the holder oftheFidelityMedalof th of the Nine Muses No. 1776. This Ladge strives to fol traditions of its namesake in Paris. T that end its communications are, in B" 1:': sense, a series of co tinuing seminars an discussions abo Masonic philosophy history, and symbolism. The members tallc about what Free masonry is, its mean ing to them as individuals, and particu-&$ MY, about the les-gs sons that may be@$ drawnfromthe

The Grand Master has announced his intentionto pay a special recognition this year to the living holders of Medals issued under the auspices of the Grand Lodge ofthe District of Columbia. Recipients of the Grand Lodge Distinguished Service Medal, the Grand Lodge Fidelity Medal, and the Valentine Reintzel Medal and their ladies will be the guests of the Grand Lodge on Sunday, October 12,1997at a banquet hosted by the Grand Master. The event will take place at the Almas Temple Shrine Club beginning at 1:30 P.M., and will feature entertainment by the "Knights of Harmony." The Grand Lodge Distinguished Service Medal is awarded at the annual communication of the Grand Lodge to a D. C. Master Masonwho has servedFreemasonry and this Grand Jurisdiction in an exemplary and exceptional manner over a period of years. A Grand LodgeFidelityMedalis awardedby the Grand Lodge and each constituent Lodge to aMaster Mason who is a resident of the District of Columbia or its immediate vicinity and is amongthe fivepercent of the Lodge members with greatest longevity of Masonic membership and who best exemplifies the precepts of loyalty and faithful service to Masonry and his Lodge. The Valentine Reintzel Medal, named for our first Grand Master, is presented by the Grand Masterto members ofthe Craft who have demonstrated exceptionaldevotion, loyalty and zeal. A limited number of seats will be available for those wishing to join in this celebration. Details will be forwarded to each constituent Lodge Secretary.

PFC Vlill C. Barnes, USA PVT Dennis Bell, USA BGEN Daniel Butterfield, USA MA Charles E. Capehart, USA 1 LT Benjamin H. Cheever, USA

SURG lames R. Church, USA SGT Benjamin F. Mdllwee, USA ILT Robert M. McGovern, USA

SGT Fred Myers, USA ILT George C. Shaw, USA

SGT VAlliam Taylor, USA 1LT Lewis Warrington, USA 1LT Carle A. Woodruff, USA

ENS Oscar Charles Badger, USN CPL Lewis K. Bausell, USMC SN Heinrich Behnke, USN MA Randolph C. Berkeley, USMC COL Justice M. Chambers, USMC LTJG George M. Courts, USN FN David Harrington, USN SGT James E. Johnson, USMC COPPERSMITH Phillip B. Keefer, USN WT Harry tipscomb, USN CM James H. McDonald, USN SGT Andrew Miller, USMC DRUMMER lohn A. Murphy, USMC COL David Dixon Porter, USMC FN lohn Rush, USN GSGT Peter Stewart, USMC SGT Clarence E. Sutton, USMC LT Richard Wainwright, lr., USN

Woodland memorial commemorates those awarded the nation's highest honoc Grand Master Drechsler anxious to involve Masonic support 4 project.

5i7

focal point at Freedoms Foundation in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, is the Medal of Honor Grove, a 52-acre woodland within which all Americans who have received the nation's highest medal for valor are honored. Within this grove a one-acre plot is dedicated to each of the 50 states of the United States, as well as plots dedicated to Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Each oftheseplots is markedby an obelisk, some temporary and some permanent, and the obelisk of every state or territory is suitably inscribed with the seal of the state and the names of its Medal of Honor recipients. The Medal of Honor is the most prestigious award which can be given to a member oftheArmed Servicesof theUnited States. It is always presented by the President, in the name of Congress, to individualswho, while servinginthe h e d Forces, distinguishedthemselvesconspicuouslyby gallantry and intrepidity, at the risk of and above andbeyondthe call of duty. Thus far 33 men who entered service in the District of Columbiahavebeen awardedthis medal. Their names are listed in the left column. The 52 plots were dedicated some years ago in formal ceremonies, attended by either the States' Governor, Lieutenant Governor, or U.S. Senator. Most states held their dedication ceremony with a fiberglass obelisk as the focal point of their plot. Some groups have since returned home and raised money for a stone obelisk to replace the originalfiberglass structure. To date 25 stateshave brought their efforts to aconclusionbyplacing granite or marble obelisks in their areas, with each of them using stone native to their state or area. The Freedoms Foundation also maintains Medal of Honor archives at its Valley Forge Headquarters. Therein is located a chronicle of each recipient's act of heroism. The archiveswere developedthrough

the tireless work of Sister Veronica, who worked as national archivist for over 16 years until her retirement in 1987. Here in

the Henry KnoxBuildingone findsthe best collectionin the country of Medal ofHonor recipient's photos, along with newspaper clippings and dedication programs. Initial work on behalf of the plot assigned to the District of Columbia was largelyunder the supervision of Col. Lavon P. Linn, Past Master ofPotomacLodgeNo. 5 and his wife, Lt. Col. Ruby W. Linn. Largely in consequence of their interest and generosity, the fiberglass obelisk for D.C. was set in place and dedicated on September 20, 1980. The dedicatory addresswas deliveredbytheHonorableWalter

E. Washington. Since the death of Col. Linn in 1985, however, the work to raise funds necessary to erect a permanent obelisk has languished. Dr. Lon Weber, Vice President for Education at Freedoms Foundation and a member of the local Scottish Rite Bodies, has sought, through our Grand Master, Masonic support of this project. He states that apermanentobelisk, done inmarble or granite, along with the associated landscaping of the D.C. plot, situated opposite those of Maryland and Virginia, can be completed at a total cost of approximately $15-17,000. Grand Master Drechsler, having visited the Medal of Honor Grove, has received the proposal enthusiastically and is anxious to involve the Freemasons of this jurisdiction in this work. The completion and dedication of a permanent obelisk at this site would be a fitting tribute to Col. Linn, he says, noting that Col. Linn and his wife Ruby gave much of their time and substance in support of Freemasonry and its works in our nation's cagital. Accordingly the Grand Master has asked the Masonic Foundation, in its annual fund drive, to give the brethren of this Grand Lodge an opportunity, as they consider their year-end gifts to charity, to include a gift ear-marked for the completion ofthe D.C. obelisk at Valley Forge. To this end he also suggests that our Lodges, along with the appendant and coordinate bodies in our Masonic family, give favorable consideration to this cause as they contemplate their 1997 gifts to worthy causes. Your tax-deductible checks may be made payable to the Masonic Foundation, 5428 MacArthurBoulevard, N.W., Washington, DC 20016. All such gifts will be officially acknowledged with a receipt issued by the Secretary of the Foundation.

The day was hot (102O F),the barbecue appetizing, the music outstanding, and the activities appealing for the more than 200 Masons and their guests who motored to the Northern Virginia 4-H Center at Front Royal, Virginia, on Saturday, August 16 to attend the Masonic Family Picnic. On hand to support this endeavor, the first such affair to be sponsored by the Grand Lodge, at least at this site, were almost all of the elected and appointed GrandLodge Officers and Past Grand Masters Gilley, Brewer, and Burns. Following a bountiful lunch, served buffet style, the Norman Wright-Kevin ChurchBluegrassBand entertained the crowd with a thoroughly enjoyable musical program, during which crowd requestsfor specificnumberswere honored. Among those making their preferences known was our Grand Master, aided and abetted by Jim Burns, who had recommended the band and made arrangements for its appearance. Ernie Higgins, Past m r of Theodore Roosevelt Lodge No. 44, aBrotherwho is widely and affectionatelyknown as"the Old Goat," also expressed his approvalofthe music by singing a number with the band. The day was particularly eventful for the children, and they were there in abundance to enjoy the games, contests, and of course, the swimming. Eachchildpresent was presented with a medal, suspended from a ribbon necklace, testifying to his or her participation in the "Grand Lodge FamilyDay." Winners of specific contests were awardedtrophies, and everyone presentwasgiven an opportunity to win one or more of the donated door prizes.

The picnic was organized and promoted by the 1997Association of Worshipful Masters, under the general supervision of Brother Gerald E. ColsonKirtley, Master of Federal Lodge No. 1. He was ably assisted by the Co-Chairmen Brother James N. Therry, Senior Warden of LaFayetteDupont Lodge No. 19, and Brother Victor Petrossian, Junior Warden of Benjamin B. French Lodge No. 15, as well as by Brother Bill Greschel, Master of HiramTakoma Lodge No. 10, and Brother Dennis Kirk, Master of Joppa Lodge No. 35. The Voice ofFreemasonry recognizes each of these Brothers, as well as all those who gave them assistance, for work that was planned and executed extremely well. Thanks, brethren, but be forewarned: you may be asked, in another year, to do it again!

DeMolay International Inducts D.C. Mason into Hall of Fame

InternationalLodge Representatives (L-R) George Nicol. Sojourner Kilwinning Lodge No. 1798; Jean Francois Humbee National Grand Lodge o f France; Robert F. Drechsler, Grand Master of DC; John S. Lloyd, Anacostia LodgeNo. 2 1(wearing top hat); Armen Janian, Hayastan Lodge No. 94; and Peter Krusen, Arminius Lodge No. 25.

International Weekend Promotes Inter-Cultural Understanding Until 1990 only one Lodge in our Grand Lodge, Anninius No. 25, did its work in other than the English language. ThisLodge, charteredin 1876,was constituted to accommodate German speaking Masons in the District of Columbia. In the past seven years our compliment of Lodges working in other languages has been enhanced by the constitution of Lodges that work in the Persian (Mehr No. go), Spanish (Alianza-Fraternal AmericanaNo. 92), French (La France No. 93), and Armenian (HayastanNo. 94) languages. The extension of Masonic activity into specialized communities during this decade has not been restricted only to nonEnglish language groups, however, for the Grand Lodge has also constituted new Lodges in this time frame to accommodate brethren holding other common interests. Falling into this category are SojournerKilwinning Lodge No. 1798, Magnolia Lodge No. 53, and the Lodge of the Nine Muses No. 1776. Along with the creation of these special interest Lodges the Masons of the Districtof Columbiabegan someyears ago to celebrate what has become known as "International Weekend." On these weekends several lodges that work exclusively in English join with lodges working in other languages to promote inter-cultural and international understanding. This year the festivities were held on

June 5-7, with Anacostia Lodge No. 21 taking the lead. Participating with Anacostia Lodge were Singleton-HopeLebanonLodgeNo. 7, BenjaminB.French Lodge No. 15, and Sojourner Kilwinning Lodge No. 1798, all of which do their work exclusively in English. Several Lodges that work in other langauages, including Arminius Lodge No. 25 (German), Mehr Lodge No. 90 (Persian), Alianza Fraternal Americana Lodge No. 92 (Spanish), La France Lodge No. 93 (French), and Hayastan Lodge No. 94 (Armenian) also participated. The 1997programincludedtwoGrand Visitations, degree work done in special communications by our bilingual brethren, and a gala "international communication" hosted by Anacostia Lodge No. 21, following which a bounteous dinner, featuring the favorite foods of each of the language groups represented, was served. On hand at that time, along withthe Grand Lodge Officers of the Grand Lodge of D.C., were a number of Grand Lodge Officers of the Grand Lodge Nationale Francaise. The weekend proved what we have long known, that is, that Freemasonry is truly worldwide in its appeal, and here, in the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, as we now know, the concept of Masonic universality has truly become a foundation stone of our Craft.

Judge David Gray Ross, a member of East Gate Lodge No. 34, was inducted into the DeMolay Hall of Fame on June 13, 1997. His DeMolay experience includes membership in Robert LeBruce Chapter (1SO), service as Master Councilorof that Chapter, investitureas a Chevalier (1960), the receipt of the Legion of Honor (197 I), service as a Deputy Member ofthe International Supreme Council, and most recently, service as an advisor to the Capitol Hill Chapter of DeMolay in the District of Columbia. Brother Ross, in reference to DeMolay at his induction, stated that "As a young man, who had lost his father, the interest taken in me by the men of DeMolay provided encouragement, leadership, and opportunities which in hindsight seem impossible. The vision of the Order of DeMolay kept me focused on the truly important things in life and taught me morality which remains withme today. As the Director of our Nation's primary support system for America's alienated children, I am mindful of the old adage that says, 'as the twig is bent, so grows the tree.' We mustjoin together to bend our children toward what is right and good, and necessary to make them productive citizens of the future." Brother Ross has headed the Federal Office of Child SupportEnforcement since January 1994. He is aformerprosecutor in the District of Columbia, a former Circuit Court Judge in Maryland, and a former member of the Maryland legislature. Brother Ross, thus brings to his current assignment not only a wealth of experience, but also a full understanding of the need to improveour system sothat children can be raised out of poverty and placed in loving and nurturing environments. Congratulations, Brother Ross, for carrying your Masonry into the community at large.

6. Potornac No. 5: H. Austin Esfandiary, SW; Dara 5. Esfandiary. WM;

Scott D. Britt, JW I..

7. Naval No. 4: H. Rodgers Gore, SW; David B. Board, WM; Harold A

SmalkYy*m

*nnMue#k25: Morad Eghbal, MC; John Feller, JW; Horst G. Heeg. #Ilill; Rsta Klusen. SW (acting WM); John R. Wirnmel, CH; Volker , SS; Gerhard Meinzer. TR; Michael Custer, SD; Michael Hw.19;-Manfred Osti. SEC; Roy Beyer, IS; Randy Stoneberger. TIL

9. T-m-Cathedral

wn.-5,

1. Washington DayligMNo. 14: RobertT. North, SW; Makolm M Krk. WM; Franklin 0.Gayoso. JW 2. Lodge of the Nine Muses No. l77Q hh?# K. Dyson,SW; W. Kirk MacNulty, W M m D. Seghers. JW

3. Benjamin B. French No. 15: lvar T.'!kr@j& SW;J. Kenneth Gibala. WM;Uaor Potrosslari, JW 4. Petworth No. 47: Norman 1, Par= DonaldF. Poole. WM; William M. Jack$m,4W 5. Semper Paratus No. 49:lmothy Lackey, WM

No. 32: Sten legnet, SW; 1.Blaine Charak, M. nchell, 1W

Beyond the Craft:

The Appendant Orders of Masonry Whenthe Grandhdge ofLondonwas foundedin 1717,Masonry consistedof one and possibly two degrees - the Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft. The Master Mason's degree and the Hiramic Legend appearedsometimebetween 1720and 1730. For many purists these three degrees of Craft Masonry are it - end of discussion, period. Yet, overthepast two hundred and sixty odd years, well over a thousand other rites and degrees have been "discovered," formulated, or cobbled together. There are, for example, many more than two " (fill hundred entitled "Knight of in the blank). Many of the appendant orders meet in Washington during midFebruary during what is often called "Masonic Weekend." Interested Masons are welcome to attend. I believe that almost all American Masonsknow ofthe Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of 33 degrees as well as the "YorkRite" consistingof the degrees given in the Royal Arch Chapters, the Cryptic Councils, and the Knights Templar Commanderies. A relatively small number, however, are aware of the variety of appendant degrees available to them. How and why did degrees and rites beyondthe CraftDegrees evolve? Masonic scholars and historians have studied this for years. I suggest that there are a couple of pretty basic answers. The first is that many newly raised Master Masons began asking questions about parts of the degree which seemed incomplete. Perhaps the most nagging one was, "Was that which was lost ever found?" Degree-weavers have presenteduswith avarietyof answers ever since, with the "Antients" Grand Lodge, foundedinthe 1750s,insisting that the Holy Royal Arch had the answer but that it had been untimely ripped from the Master Mason's degree. Other degrees had other explanations. A second response to the question of why and how is that as Masonry began spreading to France in the 1720s and later to Germany, many enthusiastic brethren of the aristocratic class began saying to one another, "Surely this wonderful thing cannot be the product of common working men so beneath ourselves!" The kernel of an answer was proposed by the famous oration of the Cheva-

lier Ramsey in 1737, when he proposed that Masonry was the true descendant of the Crusader Orders of sevenhundredyears earlier. This is the genesis of the thinking of myriad writers ever since, most especially of our late brother, John Robinson, and many less respectable authors. The first mention of degrees or rites appendant to Craft Masonry came in 1733, referring to the meeting of a "Scotch Masters" lodge in England. Over the next decade or so there were a dozen similar references. We have almost no knowledge of what this work consisted of, except for a fleeting mention of Zerubbabel. Could the "ScotchMaster" have been a skeletalform of the Holy Royal Arch or, alternatively of the Royal Order of Scotland (ROS)? We %j&

Perhaps the most

shall probably never know. What we do know isthat there is pretty solid evidence that the ROS was active in London as early as 1741 and has had a continuous existence ever since. It was introduced into the United States in 1878 with Albert Pike as Provincial Grand Master. It has two degrees, Heredom and Rosy Cross, and its ritual is quaint and archaic, which gives evidence of its age, although not to its mythological foundingby Robert Bruce as a reward to those Templars who aided him in the victory at Bannockbum over the much larger English army. In the United States candidacy is by invitation only to 32 degree Masons. The Grand Master is the King of Scotland - of whom there have been none since the Act of Union, 1707 -- and his throne is always kept vacant in the lodge should he choose to drop by. The ROS may have a slight edge on others but only barely. As the Craft spread

on the Continent, both charlatansand serious thinkers proposed new degrees and new rites. The StrictObservancerite spread over Europe like crab grass in the 1750s and 1760s. It was a Templar-based order, headed by Baron von Hund who claimed that he was guided by "Unknown Superiors." It faded in the end because no one, includingvon Hund, was ever able to contact the ghostly guides. But no matter -others were willing to assume the mantle, the Philadelphes, the Illuminati (so feared even today by the likes of Pat Robertson), theElect Cohens, andonandon. Cagliostro won great fame, and eventually a cell in a papal prison, with his Egyptian rite. Few survived for very long, however, and the early history ofthe Scottishrite showshow precariousits existencewas formanyyears. By 1800 most of the many 18th century rites and degrees were gone or in terminal decline. Only occasional new rites sprang up to challenge the Scottish rite, such as Misraim (90 degrees!) and Memphis (97!). The latter especially contested with the Scottish rite in the 1860s and 1870s before succumbing to Pike's superiorgeneralship. Fraternalism in general andMasonryin particular had tremendous growth after the end of the American Civil War. A small circle of esoterically minded Englishmen, Robert Wentworth Little, Kenneth MacKenzie, Major F. G. Irwin, John Yarker, and others began discovering "ancient documents" and other sources for new systems. Little, for example, "revived the Red Cross of Constantine (RCC) in 1865 and shortly thereafter claimedto haveuncovereddocuments which were used as the basis for the degrees I-TX of the SocietasRosicrucianin Anglia (SRIA) which spread to America via Scotland. The RCC had amazingly rapid growthin this country after 1870,but widespread enthusiasm waned and the organization is today largely an order which honors preeminent York Rite leaders by invitation. SRIA on the other hand, was a research order, limited in numbersby invitation. In the United States it is known as the Societas Rosicrucian in Civitatibus Foederatis. Most of the other English inventions of the late 19thcentury, such as continued next page ->

14TH O F JULY Right: Members of the 1997 Masters and Wardens Association =n work preparing the 3,000 hotdogs for the annual neighb festivities on IndependenceDay. Below Left: The Grand Master rides in a convertible provided by David . , A. Freed, PastMasterofPotomacLodgeNo.5. FollowingtheGrand ;,L;h3 Master are a number of brethren from DC Lodges handing out , American flags along the route. Bylow Right: Clowns from Prince George's Forest No. 139, Tall Cedars "1 of Lebanon in Hyattsville, Maryland join in the parade.

Appendant Orders - continued

the Sat B'hai, Fratres Lucis, Order of Ishmael, and others never made it to these shores and had little life on the home island. There are other small appendant orders still in England today such as the Order of Light and the "Operatives" of seven degrees. The latter claims to be the ancestor of symbolicMasonry, with much greater knowledge, but its credible history dates back not much before 1910. The genius of appendant orders in the United States was a North Carolinian of tremendous energy, J. Raymond Shute. Shute was a lawyer, town mayor, state senator, and much more, who found himself and a close circle of studious brothers with very littleto consume their time in the darkest days of the Great Depression of the 1930s. He began searching for old Masonic degrees and rites into which he could breathe new life. One of his earliest efforts seems to have been the revival of the sleeping Rite of Memphis. About 1930 Shute discovered an aged high-degree survivor of the rite and proceeded to acclaim him as Grand Master General, 96th degree, and

seems to have aimed at having himselfand friends become the officers of a reborn Sovereign Sanctuary. His plans changed rather rapidly, however, and the group organized instead the Grand College of Rites, to hold, study, and preserve old rites but not to practice them. I have not studied the correspondence,but I strongly suspect SGC John Cowles of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, read the riot act to Shute and told himnot to revive Memphis. The Grand College of Rites today is a Masonic group dedicated to the unearthing, publication, and study of old rites. It issues a printed volume almost every year called Collectanea. Rumors are that a group in New York or New Jersey is giving the degrees of the Mizraim rite although the GCR, claims to control them. Shute also founded the Allied Masonic degrees to do for orphan degrees what the GCR does for rites. The AMD charters councils limited to 27 members to study and exemplify about a dozen degrees such as St. Lawrence the Martyr, Grand Tilers of Solomon, and Secret Monitor

(which has its own Grand Body in England). Two of its degrees are of particular significance: Royal Ark Mariner which dates back to the 18th Century and 'is controlled by the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters inEngland; andtheRedBranch of Eri (whichin its mythological history dates to before Christ!) to which only Past Sovereign Masters of Councils are eligible. Other appendant groups invented, imported, or revived by Shute in the 1930s were the York Cross of Honor, the Knight Masons, the Holy Order of KnightsBeneficent of the Holy City, and the Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests. All in all, the curious Mason can find almost anythmgto suit his taste amongthe appendant orders. And then there are groups which I sometimes call "Beyond the Fringe," such as theHermeticOrder ofthe GoldenDawn, the O.T.O., the Martinists, and the Rosicrucians, all of which have had a tenuous connection with Masonry at one time or another. But that's a whole 'nother story ....

Code Changes Proposed

Joppa Lodge No. 35 Presents Appreciation Plaque

At the Semi-Annual Communication ofthe GrandLodge, held in May, anumber of resolutions were received by the Grand Master either for study or for future action. Among them were the following: A proposal to redefine the Past Master contingent in the Grand Lodge (Section

7f A proposal to require the Worshipful Master to demonstrate knowledge of and proficiencyin the modesof recognition and the obligations of the three degrees previoust o installation (Section 83); A proposal to prevent a Brother from serving as Worshipful Master or Senior or Junior Warden in any Lodge while at the same time serving as a Worshipful Master or Senior or Junior Warden in any other Lodge in this jurisdiction (Section 84); Aproposalto permit Subordinate Lodges to engage in charitable and fraternal fund raising activities providedthatsuch activities are in full compliance with the law of the land and reveal how the proceeds are to be used and to what degree contributions are tax deductible (Section 97); A proposal t o require candidates, before receiving the second or third degrees and within six months after the conferral of the third degree, t o satisfy the Lodge of their knowledge of and proficiency in the modes of recognition and the obligation of the degree from which they seek advancement (Section 106); A proposal t o prevent any Mason from becoming a member of more than two Lodges in this jurisdiction atone and the same time, exceptingthosewho already enjoy plural membership (Section 118); A proposalto effecta number of housekeeping modifications of Section 129; Standing Resolutions No. 6 and 13, and Decisions No. 2, 3, 35, and 38. A proposal to adopt a standing resolution intended t o create and officially recognizethe Association of Worshipful Masters and Wardens was briefly discussed and then received by the Grand Master for study.

In assessing the proposals as listed above, the Grand Master is calling for a specialcommunicationofthe GrandLodge to dispose of them on Saturday, November lat 10:00A.M.,atthe ScottishRiteTemple. Every member of the Grand Lodge will be provided copies in full of the resolutions submittedand advisedofthe detailsforthis communication.

Joppa Lodge No. 35 presented a plaque to William A Carter, Past Master in 1962, for

his constant support of the Lodge and for many years of service as Tiler and an active representativeon the MESH Board. (L-R) Dennis D. Kirk, WM; William A. Carter, PM; FrankA.Kenyon, PGM; EdwinJ. Whitcomb, PM; RobertF.Drechsler, Grand Master; Eldon J. Brown, Deputy Grand Master.

Singleton-Hope-Lebanon Lodge No. 7

50-YearPin courtesy Presentation William R. Singleton-Hope-lebanon LodgeNo. 7 -recently presenteda 50-year service

award to Brother Sidney Landsmanas a courtesy to Decalogue Lodge No. 160 located in Skokie, Illinois. (L-R) Eldon J. Brown, Deputy Grand Master; Sidney Landsman; Robert F. Drechsler, Grand Master; James J. Black, WM.

17 Presents Fidelity Medal

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Harmony Lodge No. 17 presented the Lodge's Fidelity Medal to John T. Adams, Past Master in 1954, at a Stated Communication held on April 2, 1997. (L-R) Charles Overman, JW; Michael S. Johns,WM; RobertF. Drechsler. Grand Master; JohnT. Adams, PM; Perry A. Lester, PGM, Secretary of #17; and Eldon 1. Brown, Deputy Grand Master.

Civil War Lodge of Research No. 1865, A.F. & A.M. - by Paul M. Bessel What happens to a fraternal society when civil conflict breaks up families, churches, and all other national organizations? Every American Freemason in the 1860's was forced to choose between the Union and the Southern Confederacy, and thousands of Masons fought and died on both sides. There are hundreds of documented instanceswhere Northern Masons helped Southern Masons, and vice versa, even in the midst of battle. At one battle, Southern Masons went out of their trenches to help a wounded Northerner who gave the Masonic sign of distress. In another case, a Northern POW guard helped a Texas Mason who was deathly ill, and later helped him return home. After another battle, Southern and Northern Masons together went to a Masonic meeting to confer a degree, later returning to their lines to continue their duties. These and many similar and sometimes amazing storiesare not only interesting, but they also demonstrate what Freemasonry is supposed to be about and they also show us what we today should be doing to promote the ideals of Freemasonry. To help us learnmoreabout the role of Freemasonry and individual Masons during the Civil War, a Civil War Lodge of Research (CWLR) No.1865, AF& AM,

Almas Temple 1315 K Street, AT K Vashing~on,DC

has been created in Virginia. It was chartered in 1995 and is open to every Master Mason who is interested in the Civil War and who holds membershipin any lodge in the world that is recognized by the Grand Lodge of Virginia. Allen E. Roberts, author of House Undivided: The Story ofFreemasonry and the Civil War,was the founder and Charter Master of the CWLR. The lodge quickly attracted dozens of members from states across the country, and foreign countries, too. Masons from California, Texas, and Maine drove for days to attend the first meeting. Today the lodge has about 150 members, with a Master who is a DC and Virginia Mason, a Senior Warden who is a Past Master from Maine, a New Jersey Junior Warden, and other officers from Maryland and even Canada. It meets at least four times each year, with the meetings being called to celebrate Civil War events in various places. Manymembers of the Civil War Lodge of Research are reenacters. They buy authenticuniforms,weapons, and other items that Civil War soldiers would have worn and used, and they attend reenactments near Civil War battlefields throughout the country. They proudly wear the square and compasses on their uniforms and get together with other Masons "in the field."

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Many members of the CWLR are primarily researchers, or those who have an interest in learning more about what Masons did during the Civil War and how Freemasonry in general affected or was affected by the war. They want to help prepare and deliver papers and spread further knowledge about this important and interesting period in our nation's, and our Craft's, history. The Civil War Lodge of Research is compiling a bibliography of all the books and articles that give any informationabout Freemasonryandthe CivilWar. The membership is also encouraging original research and is promotingthe reprinting and updating of articles about Freemasonry and Civil War events and people, including Benjamin B. French, Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, and many others, in the planned Civil War Lodge ofResearchNo. 1865Transactions. CWLR activities are also great fun. On May 26 we participated in events in Pennsylvania commemoratingUnion Major General (and Brother) Winfield Scott Hancock, including a parade, followed by a wreath-laying at his tomb. In September we will be involved with the reenactment of the Battle of Antietam (where more American soldiersdied in a single day than in any other day in any other war in our history), and November 15 we will have a meeting in Gettysburg with the lodge there and alsojoin in a parade and other ceremonies marking the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. If anyone wants to learn more about Freemasonryand the Civil War, and in the process become a better Masonand explore what true brotherhood means in the most heated of circumstances,please contact the Civil War Lodge of Research for information about our activities. You can find information about the activities and meetings of the CWLR, plus a petition for affiliation, on the Internet at

the CWLR, PaulM. Bessel, 2301 Jefferson Davis Hwy., No.1521, Arlington, VA 22202-38 18, or send a fax to Paul at (703) 418-6625.

Local Mason Cited for Voluntary Work The voluntary work of Brother GaryE.Doyle, Past Master of Lebanon Lodge No. 7, now William R. Singleton-Hope-Lebanon Lodge No. 7, was recently noted in a feature articlewrittenby CynthiaBryceand printed in the June 8, 1997 issue of The Sunday Capital. When Brother Doyle retired from the Potomac Electric Power Company four years ago, the article notes, he called the Red Cross and inquired about volunteer opportunities. "The next thing1know, I'm in St. Louis in a flood," he said. Since then, as a member of a Disaster Action Team @AT), Gary has worked in 13 other national disasters, including the recent floods in North Dakota. While on duty he works in an emergency response vehicle (ERV), which is a mobile feeding stationthat can serve 250-300 meals at one time. These meals, he reports, are usually prepared near the disaster site and carried from the preparation kitchens to outlying distribution points. The VoiceofFreemasonty salutesyou, Past Master Gary Doyle, for practicing out of the Lodge that which we teach therein. In doing so you have substantiated a longstanding claim that Masons care and Masons share, whenever and wherever need exists.

Help Wanted Translations The communications revolution of the past quartercentury is making an impact on Masonry throughout the world, and while the vast majority of the world's Masons speak and write English, substantial minorities in the Craft do not. And those Masons who do not, as well as those who do, frequently correspond with the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. To cope with the need to understand messages as they are directed to us, as well as to respond fully and accurately thereto on a timely basis, the Office of the Grand Secretary seeks the voluntary service of local brethren who are gifted in non-English languages. Specifically, help is needed, on occasion, from those who are competent in Spanish,Portuguese,French, German, Hungarian, Romanian, Armenian, Persian, and Russian. If you are able to read and write any of these tongues, and if you would be willing to assist, when called upon, in the translation of documents, please informthe Grand S e c r e t . . He is now compilingalistof our languageassets and hewillbe happy to add your name to that list. Drop him a line and indicate your level of competence in the non-Englishtonguesyouhave atyour command. It will be appreciated. ,

Potomac Lodge No. 5 recently presented a 50-year servtce award to Brother Ector A Dail, a fifty-year member of Potomac Lodge. They also presented a fiftyyear award 1 Brother John H. Reed, a member of Monument Lodge No. 96 as a courtesy to that Lodge located in Maine. Brother Reed was the Governor of Maine for a number of years and has served on the NationalTransportation Safety Board here in Washington. (L-R) Dara S. Esfandiary, WM; Ector A. Dail, Potomac Lodge No. 5; John H. Reed, Monument Lodge No. 96: Robert F. Drechsler. Grand Master.

PROGRAM Brother Sergio Zambrana, Treasurer of Albert Pike Lodge No. 33, has been in the forefront of that Lodge's community outreach program. Brother Zambrana was recently cited, along with other members of the Lodge, for the work thay have done in support of the C a l v e Bilingual Multicultural Learning center at 1420 ColumbiaRoad, N.W. Clearlythat effort has been appreciated. Beatriz Otero, Executive Director of the Center, recently wrote, onbehalfof thb Board of Directors and participants at that institution, to thank Brother Zambrana and his colleagues for having generously donated time and services to the Center. Ms. Otero stated, in her letter, that the identification cards prepared by Brother Zambrana and his fellow Masons were "an invaluable gift to the Center's children." Further, she said, "Without your help most of our children would not have had access to such a service." All of this attests to the fact that there are opportunities for Masons to serve the children of this city, within and outsidethe public school system. And that service, of time as well as substance, demonstrates, better than the written word, the cares and concerns of the Craft. Congratulations and thanks to you, Brother Zambrana, and to those who have shared in the Calvary Bilingual MultiCultural Learning grfiwurJ Center project.

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Contributions received since the last issue of the "Voice." A number of contributions from Masons in other jurisdictions and from other Grand Lodges, have been received. Among those participating are the following: BENJAMINB. FRENCHLODGENO. 15 DAWSONLODGENO. 16 HARMONY LODGENO. 1 7 LAFAY~E-DUPONT LODGENO. 1 9 ANACOSTIALODGENO. 2 1 ARMINIUS LODGENO. 2 5 TEMPLE-NOYES-CATHEDRAL LODGENO. 32 ALBERT PIKE LODGENO. 33 JOPPA LODGENO. 35 PETWORTHLODGENO. 47 MEHR LODGENo. 90 ALIANZAFRATERNAL AMERICANANO. 9 2 HAYASTAN LODGENO. 94 LODGEOF THE NINE MUSES NO. 1776 SOJOURNER KILWINNINGLODGENO. 1 798 DEMOLAYFOUNDATION 1 996 MASTERS&WARDENSASSOCIATION MASONIC DAYOF THANKSGIVINGSERVICE

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1997BEILMONT BALL TO BENEFIT "FOR LOVE OF CHILDREN"

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The 1997 Belmont Ball for Children's Charity is slated for Saturday, September27 atthe historic Belmont Mansion, International Headquarters of the Order of the Eastern Star. The members of Federal Lodge are pleased to again be joined by the members of Federal Chapter No. 38 and the International Order of the Eastern Star in makingthis gala charity event possible. Peter Bronson, chairmanofthe 1997 Ball, announced this year's recipient willbe "For Love of Children" to benefit their summer camp program for at risk inner city youth from the District of Columbia. The organization has been servingthe children of the District and their familiesfor thirty-one years. "We areveryexcitedabout thisyear's event" stated Brother Bronson. "The mansion hasjust under gone a major restoration so it looks even more beautiful than before; and we are fortunate to have securedRoland Cumberlandand the Musicreations once againfor your listening and dancing enjoyment. In

addition there will be a casino, food, fun, prizes and surprises." We are also pleased to announce this year's honoraqco-chairsfor the Ball. They are the Ambassador and Countess Wachtmeister. The Ambassador served as the ambassador to the United States from Swedenfor fifteenyears and was alsoDean of the Diplomatic Corps. This year Capital Charities Corporation, the non-profit corporation established by Federallodge, is establishingtheAlbert Saunders Award to honor a Past Master of Federal Lodge who passed on to that Celestial Lodge last year. Each year a member of the community will be presented this award in recognition of their work with children in the District of Columbia. And this year's award winner is... sorry, it's still a secret (we can only say it is a name you will recognize). The award itself is being designedbynoted glass sculptorHans Godo Frabel of Atlanta, Georgia. The Belmont Ball, like the mansion, just keeps getting better and we know you won't want to miss either one so take a moment to order your tickets today. We look forward to seeing you there.

Tickets: $50 per person. Make checks payable to: Capital Charities Corporation. Mail checks to: Bo Jonsson, 3225 Grace St., NW #109, Washington, DC 20007 All contributions are fax-deductible.

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Hiram-Takoma Lodge No. 10 - recently raised t w o "e-masons" (L-R) Bill F. Greschel, W M of Hiram-Takoma Lodge No. 10; newly-raised Brothers Luigi Crespo and Adam Weiss; and the Grand Master, Robert F. Drechsler.

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Non-Proft Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 559 Washington,D.C.

In a previous issue of the Voice of Freemasonry it was announced that the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia had gone electronic by creating a home page on the internet. Since our home page premiered some 1,217 people have visited our sitefor one purpose or another. Among those who did was Luigi F. Crespo, a graduate student in International Studies at American University in Washington, D.C. Mr. Crespo had developed an interest in Freemasonry through an uncle, who lived inFlorida, and he took on a searchfor Masonic information on the internet. One of the sites he visited was the "e-mason" home page (the "e" stands for electronic), and through this site, he found a listing for the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. This led him to the office of the Grand Lodge, and after several e-mail messages and personal greetings, he requested a petition for the degrees. At American University Mr. Crespo developedafriendshipwith Adam S. Weiss, also a graduate student, and through their conversations it was discovered that Mr. Weiss had alsobeen investigatingFreemasonry. Mr. Crespo then invited Mr. Weiss to meet his new Masonic friends, and in turn he too sought a petition. The great endingto this story is that both of these "emason" contacts are now "brothers," having been raised in Hiram-TakomaLodge No. 10.