The Journal
Of The Masonic Society
Winter 2008/2009
SYMBOLISM
“Momento Mori”
THE JOURNAL OF THE
MASONIC SOCIETY Editor in Chief Christopher L. Hodapp Phone: 317-842-1103 editor@themasonicsociety.com 1427 W. 86th Street Suite 248 Indianapolis IN 46260-2103 Editorial Committee Jay Hochberg Shawn Eyre Officers Roger S. Van Gorden, President Michael R. Poll, 1st Vice President Rex R. Hutchens, 2nd Vice President Ronald D. Martin, Executive Secretary Nathan C. Brindle, Treasurer Christopher L. Hodapp, Editor-in-Chief
This mosaic depiction of a mason’s plumb line to measure moral rectitude was discovered in the ruins of a restaurant in the ancient Roman city of Pompeii. The city was destroyed and buried in the volcanic ash of the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. “The topic is Hellenistic in origin and presents death as the great leveller who cancels out all differences of wealth and class. . . The composition is surmounted by a level (libella) with a plumb line, the instrument used by masons to get their constructions straight and level. The weight is Death (the skull), below which are a butterfly (the soul), and a wheel (fortune). On each side, suspended from the arms of the level and kept in perfect balance by Death, are the symbols of wealth and power on the left (the sceptre and purple), and poverty on the right (the beggar’s scrip and stick). The theme was intended to remind diners of the fleeting nature of earthly fortunes.” Stefano De Caro, The National Archaeological Museum of Naples (1996), p. 191.
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Directors Robert G. Davis Fred G. Kleyn III Jay Hochberg Mark Tabbert James W. Hogg Ronald Blaisdell James R. Dillman
The Journal of The Masonic Society, Winter 2008/2009 Volume 1, Number 3 Published by The Masonic Society Inc. 1427 W. 86th Street, Suite 248, Indianapolis IN 46260-2103. Full membership for Master Masons in good standing of a lodge chartered by a grand lodge that is a member of the Conference of Grand Masters of Masons of North America (CGMMNA), or recognized by a CGMMNA member grand lodge. (includes Prince Hall Grand Lodges recognized by their counterpart CGMMNA state Grand Lodge): $39/yr., ($49 outside US/Canada). Subscription for nonmembers: $39/yr., ($49 outside US/Canada). POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Journal of The Masonic Society, 1427 W. 86th Street, Suite 248, Indianapolis IN 46260-2103 © 2009 by The Masonic Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
THE JOURNAL OF THE MASONIC SOCIETY WINTER 2008/2009 Sections
Articles
4 President’s Message
14 Masonic Influence
5
News of the Society
9
Conferences, Speeches, Symposia & Gatherings
10
Masonic News
35 From The Editor
on the Order of the Arrow
by William Highsmith
16 Mozart’s The magic Flute: an Essential Introduction to the Mysteries of the Scottish Rite Symbolic Degrees by Marc H. Conrad
Masonic Treasures 2
36
Momento Mori
19 The August Order of Light – an historic review by Yasha beresiner
The Alamo and the Masons of the Republic of Texas
21 Who Was Adoniram? 32
Freemasonry Around the World: The Grande loge nationale Française
Reports 11
by W. Bruce Pruitt
24
2009 Masonic Week by Jay Hochberg
Designs Upon the Trestle Board: Setting Goals as a Worshipful Master by Cory Sigler
25
Dues That Don’t: Deconstructing Masonic Dues Myths and Fables by Nathan C. Brindle
COVER: This month’s cover features “The Geographer” (De Geograaf) by the Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675), painted in 1669. It is one of a pair of Vermeer paintings (the other is “The Astronomer”) that depicts one of the liberal arts and sciences. Both a square and compasses are in the painting, along with the terrestrial globe. The subject is believed to have been Antoine Van Leeuwenhoek, the father of microbiology, and a member of London’s Royal Society. Could there be a connection with the formation of modern Freemasonry? WINTER 2008/2009 • 3
THE JOURNAL OF THE MASONIC SOCIETY
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Masonic Kaizen By Roger S. Van Gorden
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t your place of work you probably hear more about continuous improvement than you care. Kaizen is the Japanese word for improvement or more accurately, good change. The word, kaizen, has passed the lips of millions of middle and upper management of industry for years. There are multitudes of departments and job positions whose sole purpose is finding the incremental improvement which will save a few dollars to millions. So, while you are being barraged by your manager to reduce the waste in your daily function have you ever thought about Freemasonry?
least impact. Start with your A list. It is perfectly acceptable to do the easy fixes first. Picking the “low hanging fruit” gives one a sense of accomplishment and will enable you to move ahead quickly. Now test your improvements. Perform the improvements before someone who was not part of the improvement process. This could be a candidate or members from a neighboring lodge. Have your brothers discuss the positive and negative aspects of the improvements. Review the previous steps and determine if your improvements were effective and need to be made permanent. One aspect of continuous improvement that many falter at is Freemasonry is a form of kaizen, good change. making the good change permanent. It is easy to fall back into old habits. So, include in your project those steps necessary to make the Take a good look at the operations of your lodge. Your lodge improvements permanent. may perform the best degree work in the area. Yet, if the social So, now that you have made permanent improvements to your events are cliquish or poorly organized, the good effects of the ritual performance move on to your lodge’s activities and lodge degree work are lost. Perhaps, hall. For example, your next the social events are fine but your objective could be improving One aspect of continuous hall appears dirty or run down. the opportunities for fellowship Again, the good effects of your among your brothers. Go to improvement that many falter at is degree work and social events work on improving your lodge’s are negated. Look at all aspects making the good change permanent. activities. of your lodge activities. Even Define what you want to the smallest amount of good improve. Keep your members It is easy to fall back into old habits. change will improve your lodge’s as the beneficiary of the operations. improvement. Compare what For simplicity let us confine our improvement project to your lodge does to other lodges or an ideal lodge. Collaborate with ritual performance coupled with a few improvement tools. All your brothers to develop ideas for improvement. Evaluate and rank improvements rely on collaboration. None of us have a monopoly the ideas. Try the ideas which have the greatest impact first and on good ideas or what is best. Get your lodge brothers together see which ones work the best. When an improvement is readily and say, “Let’s apply the Masonic principle of improving ourselves identified plan how to make the change permanent. These are a few in Masonry to our ritual performance!” Quite honestly, this could tools of what is actually a complex process. However, even in these prove to be your most difficult step! Once you have convinced your simple terms your lodge will greatly benefit. brothers that continuous improvement is beneficial then you are It will not be easy. But, once you have completed the cycle ready to push forward. reflect on what your lodge was. You will see that the effects have Write a general objective. Perhaps, our objective is to provide also improved the friendships among your brothers. You and your an environment and impression which inspires the candidate. brothers worked together toward a common goal. Were there Remember, you perform the degree work to teach and inspire the squabbles at times? Yes, there were. But, if we approach these candidate. So, any objective should focus on him. There are other projects as brothers, collaborating, listening to each other, engaging objectives you could choose. But, keep the candidate in mind when everyone, then the bonds of brotherhood will be strengthen. creating your objective. Your objective statement will drive the Isolation breaks brotherhood. Remember no one has a monopoly focus of your improvement. on good ideas. First compare your ritual performance to other lodges in your Once you have finished the cycle, you are done. Right? No. area. How does your lodge compare? Are there opportunities This is about continuous improvement. Continuous improvement for improvement? This is your opportunity for your brothers to is Freemasonry in action. What come you here to do? It does not collaborate. Get your brothers into a brainstorming session. Get matter if you are celebrating your first year in Masonry, or as with everyone’s input. Write those ideas down. For example your me the twenty-eighth, or your fifty-fifth. As a Freemason, we are brothers may suggest adding music, a standard dress code, an in charged with improving our character on a daily basis. Let us add depth discussion with the candidate prior to or after the degree. improving our Fraternity for our enjoyment as well as those we are Look at each idea and list its effects both good and bad as well as bringing to light. short term and long. Also, elaborate how you would implement the change and the difficulty of implementation. Now, rate your improvement by assigning an A, B, or C. The A list is those changes which have the greatest impact on your objective. The C list has the
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THE JOURNAL OF THE MASONIC SOCIETY
News of the Society Great Expectations: Our First Circle Gathering! Photos and Report by Jay Hochberg
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number of elements and compounds made their way into the DNA of The Masonic Society, and from the moment of conception it was understood that an annual meeting centered around a great feast and a fraternal forum would be among the principal traits of this newfangled Masonic fraternity. And so it came to be.
modernizations of Masonic Week he brought to fruition, Koon praised our Society’s President, Roger Van Gorden as a kindred soul. “Roger has vision, and he cares enough to surround himself with others with vision. I am very proud to lend my name to support an organization as this, and I welcome The Masonic Society!” Appetizers and cocktails put all present in the mood for a flavorful dinner of beef tenderloin and crab cakes. The meal was kept lively with numerous toasts structured in Table Lodge
Roger VanGorden and William H. “Billy” Koon II
Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday
This is not to say The Masonic Society’s First Circle Gathering and Banquet somehow was spontaneous. Many hours of planning were involved, resulting in an elegant mixture of fine dining and eloquent speaking to accompany the Society’s first business meeting on Friday, February 13 at the Alexandria Mark Center Hilton in Alexandria, Virginia. It was a new addition to the decades-old line-up of events in the annual Masonic Week celebration. Masonic Week, formerly known as AMD Weekend, is a Masonic convention of sorts. Officers and members of a variety of Masonic organizations, most with connections to the York Rite, hold their annual meetings and special ritual and ceremonial events. These groups include the Allied Masonic Degrees, Knight Masons, Masonic Rosicrucians, Society of Blue Friars, and others. (See page 10.) The organizers of Masonic Week very graciously and fraternally welcomed The Masonic Society into the family, even to the point where our banquet was scheduled concurrently with the 13th annual Convivial of the Royal Society of Knights Occidental. Considering how that group and its yearly dinner party are labors of love to the chairman of the Masonic Week planning committee himself, you can appreciate the efforts made to accommodate our fledgling fraternity! “I was once a young man in an old man’s organization,” said William H. Koon, II, the very same planning committee chairman who also is known as the Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, and the Supreme Magus of Masonic Rosicrucians of the United States, among other globally significant titles. In recounting some of the notable
format. No. 4, a salute to the brethren of June 24, 1717 at the Goose and Gridiron Ale House in London—the birthplace of modern Speculative Freemasonry—was welcomed with especially hearty cheer. At last it was time for our highly anticipated keynote speaker. Yasha Beresiner is a Founding Fellow of our Society. It is too taxing to introduce him with recitation of his Masonic curriculum vitae, even if limited to the highlights, but to make a long introduction short: initiated in Lodge of Faith and Friendship No. 7326 in England in 1975; Worshipful Master 1987-88; London Grand Rank 1991; invited to join Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 in 1991; Worshipful Master 199798; held numerous elected, appointed and honorary ranks in jurisdictions from Israel to Italy, and from Belgium to Virginia. He is equally well known about the apartments of Royal Arch, Mark, Mariners, Cryptic, A&ASR and other Orders, as well as numerous research societies.
Roger VanGorden and Yasha Beresiner
WINTER 2008/2009 • 5
THE JOURNAL OF THE MASONIC SOCIETY
News of the Society
Brent Morris, Rashied Sharif al-Bey and Jim Dillman
A master raconteur with a penchant for unpredictable jokes, our speaker reminded his audience that this Society is inspired by the Royal Society, some of whose early members also were Freemasons. He waxed humorously on the possible how’s and why’s serious men who devoted their lives to scientific inquiry and exploration of natural philosophy would be drawn to the convivial society of Free and Accepted Masons in their taverns. “What could have been whispered into Jean Desaguliers’ ear to induce him to want to become a Freemason?” Beresiner said. “Perhaps he became a member after hearing that Freemasonry had secrets. He then sees there is nothing of consequence, and upon returning to the Royal Society he is asked what those secrets are, but he says “I can’t tell you that. You’ll have to go join yourself if you want to know!” In closing, he saluted The Masonic Society: “May it flourish and prosper with many roots and branches for eternity.” In addition to the fellowship, food and fun, this was a business meeting to give the membership direct access to their officers and board members, and to hear firsthand the status of Society affairs and finances. After the tables were cleared, and the ladies, guests and others not interested in the business reports were allowed to exit, a “State of the Society” report was presented, transparency and respect for all members being guiding principles, explained VanGorden. For the reports of the Treasurer and Executive Secretary, see Page 8.
Masonic Week Notes
The Masonic Society signed up almost 80 new members at this event. Many thanks to everyone for their support, and welcome to our newest members. • The Society’s hospitality suite, Room #2012 (the “Mayan Calendar End O’ The World Suite”) was well attended, and many new friendships were made there. Many thanks to Bill Wine for allowing his room’s balcony to be the cigar lounge, and to the many brethren who took turns as watching over the suite. 6 • WINTER 2008/2009
Society members Chris Hodapp, Tom Jackson, Brent Morris, Robert Davis and Glen Cook enjoy a quiet moment between Masonic Week events.
• Next year’s Masonic Week will be February 10th - 13th, 2010. Our 2nd Annual First Circle Banquet should be on Friday, February 12, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. at the Alexandria Hilton Mark Center.
Editor’s Annual report 2008 Presented by Christopher L. Hodapp, Editor In Chief February 13, 2009, Alexandria, Virginia
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he magazine in your hand says Winter, but you’re getting it in the Spring. There is nobody to blame for this but me. I’m spreading the blame around by welcoming Jay Hochberg and Shawn Eyre as part of the new editorial committee. The result will be that you’ll be getting the Spring 2009 issue in May, and then we’ll be back on schedule with the Summer issue coming in July. I intend to fulfill our obligation to our earliest members who joined in May of 2008 that they would get four issues of the magazine as part of their dues. As we end our first year, we are working with our accountant and attorney to set up a merchants license so that we can start selling back issues of the magazine legally, along with figuring out how to properly tell the government where the extra money came from. We encourage all members of the Society to contribute their articles, papers, poems, artwork and photography for publication in The Journal. In addition, we want to become partners with research lodges as a way for their members to reach a larger audience. So many excellent papers are presented once at a small gathering, then lost forever. The Journal is the perfect place to give such projects new life. We also welcome articles from non-Masons engaged in Masonic research. We also need you to send us photos, news and notices of (and reports from) your events around the world that would be of interest to fellow Society brethren.
THE JOURNAL OF THE MASONIC SOCIETY
News of the Society
Founding Fellows Richard H. Curtis Reese L. Harrison, Jr. Gary H. Leazer Piers Vaughan
James P. Connors Jonathan Edward Cross John Phillip Dean Tony Denny Marcel J. Desroches, Jr. Founding Members Mark V. DuMoulin Edwin Acevedo Roger Duncan Fred H. Anderson John C. Elkinton Perry B. Anderson John W. Erickson, Jr. Spiridon Arkouszis Joel Falbo William S. Arnold Kenneth J. Faub Bradley L. Baker David Fernandez III Tim Barber Gilbert C Ferrer Walter P. Benesch Carl L. Fisher Gordon T. Bond Freeman Z. Frey III Joseph P. Bradley Alan Frohberg Russell C. Brown Richard Gan Michael J. Burkett Reid L. Gardiner John A. Busic William A. Gardiner Adam Daniel Buttons Hugh F. Garretson David L. Canaday Edward W. Jeff Cantrell Greenberg David B. Carr Andre L. Gregoire John Cauley Eric Hanan Keith Christensen Robert Harpenau
Kirk Hegwood Herbert C. Hollander Daniel Hrinko Donald L. Huggins Merle Iverson Christopher W. Jones Steve Junkins Tom Kennedy Allan D. Kline Richard Kline Val Korsniak Kenton Kotsiris Richard Kretz Michael A. Lampadarios David Lang Aarne Lillo Allan L. Longnaker Edwin Luth Michael Philip Maciuk Scott John MacKay Tim Martin Dean Mathena Albert H. McClelland Farid Moussa John A. Nichols
Finally, please support our advertisers and let them know where you saw their ad. We appreciate their financial commitment to The Journal
More 2009 Masonic Society Gatherings Coming
Our 2009 semi-annual Masonic Society meeting will be held in the fall, and details will be in the next issue of The Journal. Members are encouraged to sign up for access to the Masonic Society Forum at www.themasonicsociety.com/forum for the latest news and information. In addition to the annual First Circle meeting in Alexandria and the Semi-Annual meeting in the fall, the Society is also encouraging the formation of Second Circle gatherings, local meetings organized by members themselves for their city, region, state or province. An Indiana meeting is already being planned for October. These can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish to make them—a brother presenting a paper and followed by lunch, an all-day Masonic education program, a dinner. It’s up to you. Second Circle organizers are needed now! The Society can provide guidance and promotional material for these gatherings, as well as a list of TMS members in your area to contact. Contact Ron Martin at ronmartin. freemasonry@gmail.com
Kerry A. Owen Stuart Parks Justin W. Pauley John W. Pearson Albert E. Piatt Mark E. Pressey Roger Quintana Michael J. Raymond Andrew D. Richardson Taylor W. Rudkin Roberto M. Sanchez Louis A. Sands Grover Sardeson Edward Savage Chuck Schubert Michael Cain Seay Michael H. Shively Wayne Simmerson George Skaff Stephen E. Smith Chad T. Snyder William G. Snyder Robert DeYoung Steel James T. Stephens James M. Stewart
Harry M. Sullivan, Jr. Maynard Tatelman Roy N. Thomas Eduard Tincu James Vann José E. Villalta Guy E. Waltman Kevin P. Wardally Arliss C. Weber Johnathan E. Weinrich Kevin Welsh Willis K. Whichard, Jr. Larry S. Wiese Jeffrey M. Williamson David C. Witte Brian W. Yensho II James Zemancik Mark C. Zimmerman
Shawn R. Carrick Michael Chase Robert Corsetti Daniel Daley Mauro D. Dimapindan Louis G. Grahovac, Jr. Maurice Janeczko Thomas Johnson David W. Keithley James H May Scott M. Mesorana Kevin Noel Olson James Panek Brian Pickhover Hobart M. Poyser David L. Riley Raymond Roché Jerel Rowe Joel H. Springer III Members David W. Thomason Daniel Ponce Acosta Stormy Thorson Harold N. Barker Jeremy C. Vaughn Scott Bates Mark Widseth Kevin E. Betterton Jon Woods Erik X Briseño
FAREWELL
Ralph A. Herbold (1915-2009)
Ralph August Herbold, died February 8, 2009 in Ashland, Oregon. Ralph was a Past Master and tireless champion of the Southern California Research Lodge. He was born in Los Angeles, California on June 24, 1915. He graduated from Compton High School in 1932. From 1932 to 1980 he was employed in the plumbing supply industry with time out for a stint with the Navy in World War II. Retired in 1980, he continued his devotion to Freemasonry, establishing a national reputation as a leader in Masonic education through the auspices of the Southern California Research Lodge. Widowed, he moved to Ashland, Oregon in 1997, to be near his daughter, Janet Dunlap. He was a Golden Veteran of California and a 50 year member and Past Master of the Southern California Research Lodge. Ralph was a Past Master and member of Golden TrowelNorwalk Lodge and a member of Solomon’s Staircase Lodge. In 2007 Ralph was named “Mason of the Year” by the Grand Lodge of California. Besides his many research lodge activities, he was honored as Sovereign Grand Inspector General (33rd), Long Beach Valley of the Scottish Rite. Ralph was preceded in death by his sister, Dorothy Martin and brother, Roy. He is survived by his daughter, Janet Dunlap.
His column is broken. His death was untimely, and his brethren mourn.
WINTER 2008/2009 • 7
THE JOURNAL OF THE MASONIC SOCIETY
News of the Society Financial Report 2008
Presented by Secretary/Treasurer Nathan C. Brindle February 13, 2009, Alexandria, Virginia
Executive Secretary’s Report 2008
Presented by Executive Secretary Ronald Martin February 13, 2009, Alexandria, Virginia
The Online Forum The Forum is a vital part of membership in Masonic Society. We are developing an online archive area, research projects, and marketing materials, all available through the Forum. The Masonic Society also wishes to encourage the participation of research lodges in our labors by providing a place for their research papers, online. We are also considering improved forum software that will increase our capabilities. And the Forum is a great way to HAVE FUN! Marketing A traveling display has been created and can be shipped to promote membership in The Masonic Society. We are actively seeking to grow the Society by presenting to grand lodges, Scottish Rite Valleys, York Rite bodies, research lodges, and especially from Brother to Brother. Spread the word that we HAVE FUN! Second Circle Committees We are not just a magazine subscription, we are a society of friends and brethren. The state, regional or provincial Second Circles are comprised of members in an existing region. If you are a member of the Society, you are automatically a member of the Second Circle in your area. Second Circle Committees are needed to coordinate local gatherings, marketing efforts within their region, and to help plan regional Masonic Society events. Contact the Executive Secretary if you are interested in being a Second Circle Committee chairman. Committees are currently forming in California and Indiana. We will provide you with rosters of all TMS members in your area, as well as providing organizational support, and marketing materials to help you HAVE FUN! Exclusive Territorial Jurisdiction Research Project The ETJ project is being undertaken as a research project with all data being compiled and presented in a publishable report. Our goal is to present the historical facts as to how ETJ evolved (whether labeled as such or not). The final paper will appear in the Journal.
Masonic News
Membership Services Committee This committee was appointed by the President. Fred Kleyn (Chairman), Jim Hogg and Jim Dillman. Semiannual Meeting I am working on the possibilities of where to hold our first semiannual meeting. Over this next month I should have an appropriate amount of detail to report back with.
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THE JOURNAL OF THE MASONIC SOCIETY
Advance Masonic Temple, Long Island City, NY Conferences, a.m. breakfast, followed by speaker Christopher Hodapp; and Masonic8Richard News Eberle, Trustee of the Livingston Masonic Library, displaying Speeches, and speaking about the “Processus Contra Templarium” Symposia & May 1, 2009 Iowa Research Lodge No. 2. Location and time TBA. Gatherings March 5, 2009 Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research No. 1798 Holiday Inn, 205 Wolf Road, Albany, New York. www.thomaswebb.org March 14, 2009 New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education #1786 Lodge opens at 10 a.m. All Master Masons welcome. 100 Barrack St., Trenton, NJ March 14, 2009 Pennsylvania Academy of Masonic Knowledge Masonic Cultural Center at Grand Lodge’s Elizabethtown campus. 9 a.m. “Forged on Ice: Freemasons within the Hershey Bears and the Hockey Hall of Fame” by Bro. Robert A. Goodman of Brownstone Lodge No 666 in Hershey, Pennsylvania; and “The New Relevancy in Freemasonry” by Bro. Clayton J. Borne, III, PGM of Louisiana.
May 2, 2009 9th Annual California Masonic Symposium - Applying Masonry in Contemporary Society James West Alumni Center, University of California at Los Angeles 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Speakers: Dr. Margaret C. Jacob (the Henry Wilson Coil Lecturer), R. Stephan Doan PGM, and John L. Cooper III, PGS. May 19, 2009 Fairless Hills Lodge in Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania Bro. Aaron White, PM of Kite and Key Lodge No. 811 speaking on “Traditional Observance Lodges.” May 27, 2009 Alpha Lodge No. 116 in East Orange, New Jersey Lectures: “Archetypical Influences and the Molecular Impact of Sacred/Secret Words In Masonry,” “The Pillars of Masonry” and “Reactions to Music in Freemasonry.”
March 16, 2009 Escondido Masonic Lodge, Escondido, CA John Cooper III, PGS, will speak on the early Entered Apprentice Degree. www.consuelo325.com/eadegreelecture.html
May 29-31, 2009 2nd International Conference on the History of Freemasonry Grand Lodge of Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland. Call for papers has closed. www.ichfonline.org
March 20-21, 2009 Texas Lodge of Research. Election and Installation. Hillsboro Lodge No. 196 in Hillsboro, TX
May 30, 2009 A. Douglas Smith, Jr. Lodge of Research. 10 a.m. George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, VA
March 21, 2009 Virginia Research Lodge No. 1777 10 a.m. in the Babcock Masonic Temple in Highland Springs, VA
June 1, 2008 Nutley Lodge No. 25, Nutley, New Jersey MW David Chase, Past Grand Master, on “Masonic Symbolism.”
March 25, 2009 Alpha Lodge No. 116, East Orange, New Jersey Dr. Tim Wallace-Murphy on “The Enigma of Rosslyn Chapel.”
June 13, 2009 New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education #1786 Lodge opens at 10 a.m. All Master Masons welcome. 100 Barrack St., Trenton, NJ
March 30, 2009 American Lodge of Research. 7:30 PM French Ionic Room at GL of NY (71 W. 23rd St., NYC.) April 6, 2009 Nutley Lodge No. 25, Nutley, New Jersey Jay Hochberg will speak on the language of Masonic obligations. April 8, 2009 Alpha Lodge No. 116, East Orange, New Jersey Bro. Oliver Kruse, Orator of the Swedish Rite in Germany, who will speak on “An Introduction to the Swedish Rite.” April 17-19, 2009 44th Masonic Spring Workshop Delta Lodge, Kananaskis, Alberta Featured speakers: Dr. Earle Sharam, Jim Roberts. www.masonicspringworkshop.ab.ca/ April 21, 2009 Fairless Hills Lodge, Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania Bro. Rev. William D. Hartman, on “George Washington and Freemasonry;” Bro. Walter Lamont on “Music and Freemasonry Around the Globe;” And Bro. Carl L. Swope, on a topic to be announced. April 24-26 2009 60th Midwest Conference on Masonic Education Pres. Abraham Lincoln Hotel & Conference Center, Springfield, IL. Implementing Masonic education programs; and actual Masonic education content. www.midwestmasoniceducation.com
July 2-3, 2009 International Conference, Université de Nice, France “Diffusion and Circulation of Masonic Practices in Europe and in the Mediterranean, 1720-1820 “ Contact Prof. Pierre-Yves Beaurepaire at pierre-yves.beaurepaire@unice.fr August 15-19, 2009 Grand Encampment, Knights Templar of the USA Triennial Roanoke, VA August 23-25, 2009 Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Boston, MA October 1-6, 2009 Supreme Council 33° Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction Washington D.C. May 2011 3rd International Conference on the History of Freemasonry George Washington Masonic National Memorial, Alexandria, VA
Please send notices of your event to Jay Hochberg at euclid47@earthlink.net
April 25, 2009 Quest XXIX Masonic Education Program, Queens District WINTER 2008/2009 • 9
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Masonic News previously believed. One of them, “The Method,” is the earliest known work on calculus. It was written almost two thousand years before Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm von Leibniz developed calculus in the 1700s. •
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n February 12th, Entertainment Tonight reported the following:
Ron Howard tells ET that ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and ‘Angels and Demons’ author Dan Brown has completed a third book featuring Professor Robert Langdon. Director Ron Howard tells ET’s Mark Steines that Dan is very excited about the book. Ron tells ET that he has not had the chance to read it yet, but tells us he can’t wait to do so. Internet rumors have swirled that the new book will be titled ‘The Solomon Key’ and will take Robert Langdon to Washington, D.C. and focus on the Freemasons.
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n January, Cambridge City, Massachusetts, unveiled a design for a city monument to African-American Freemason Prince Hall (above). Created by artist Ted Claussen, it will be erected on Cambridge Common where Hall, a freed slave, is claimed to have met with General George Washington in 1775 and urged him to recruit black soldiers for the Continental Army. The sculpture will consist of 6-foot-tall black marble slabs. Facing outward will be quotations from civil rights leaders, including the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. On the inside surfaces will be quotes from Hall himself. Cambridge City’s Mayor E. Denise Simmons has a long-standing interest in the founder of black Freemasonry in America, saying, “Martin Luther King stood on the shoulders of Prince Hall.” •
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even hundred years ago, a French monk needed some parchment for a prayer book he was copying. So, he reached for an older scroll of parchment, scraped off the existing ink, and went on with his work. What he wrote over was a long lost manuscript of the Greek mathematician Archimedes. For centuries, the book was passed from one library to the next, until it vanished in the early 1900s. After some 70 years in a closet, the book resurfaced in 1998 and was sold for $2 million to an anonymous collector. Since then, the book has been subjected to a battery of restoration techniques. The result has been the recovery of a 2,200 year old work that redefines the history of mathematics. Two of the texts show that Archimedes had a deeper understanding of the concept of infinity than was
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Only time will tell if the book really turns out to be about the Masons. Brown’s own coy clues about when the book will be released suggests that it will be tied to some significant date. If it is Masonic, might it be St. John’s day, June 24th, when modern Freemasonry began in England in 1717? The U.S. Capitol cornerstone ceremony on September 18, 1793? We’ll all know soon enough. Meanwhile, the big screen version of Angels & Demons, starring Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon, opens on May 15th. It centers around a completely fictitious version of a modern day organization of the Illuminati and a plot against the Catholic Church. Adam Weishaupt will undoubtedly be rolling in his grave. • eaders of Britain’s Freemasonry Today magazine have suffered a great loss. Deputy Editor, Andrew “Monty” Montgomery, died suddenly in early November. He was the alter ego of Bro. Lightfoote, the brilliantly insightful, and occasionally ribald, diarist who recorded for posterity the fictitious doings of Stonic Lodge more than two centuries ago. Bro. Lightfoote’s Journal has appeared in Freemasonry Today magazine since its beginning, and his contributions will be sorely missed. R.I.P.
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s of February 19th, 2008, fraternal relations have been restored between the Grand Lodge of New York F&AM and the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia FA&AM. Letters were circulated by New York Grand Master Edward G. Gilbert and DC’s Grand Master Kwame Acquaah. The New York announcement says the restoration of recognition
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Masonic News is “contingent upon further deliberations to follow with explicit regard to the fraternal relations and future intercourse appertaining to District Grand Lodge of Syria - Lebanon, the Lodges in Lebanon warranted by the Grand Lodge of Scotland, and the Lodge in Lebanon warranted by the Grand Lodge F.A.&A.M. of the District of Columbia.” •
Conference of Grand Masters of North America, and has recently been charged with assembling Masonic education resources from around North America into one easy to access resource. This will eventually go a long way towards keeping grand lodges from reinventing the wheel. Great work has been done by grand lodge education committees, only to be buried in obscure or defunct web sites. The MRC is seeking to put the best ones online where all Masons can access them. Subjects include mentoring, leadership, membership retention, communication, community projects and charities, secretarial issues, and more. There are Powerpoint presentations, a calendar of all grand lodge communication dates, and even a password protected area for grand masters to discuss issues. With active participation from grand lodges, this promises to be a tremendous resource. http://www.masonicrenewal.org/ •
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uy Clark, Roger McGuinn, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Lamont Dozier, Dwight Yoakam, Evanescence’s Amy Lee, Robert Cray, Melissa Manchester, Grand Funk Railroad’s Mark Farner, The Rascals’ Felix Cavaliere and other songwriters and performers took to the stage of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee’s auditorium in February. American Public Television used the auditorium to tape episodes for the Legends & Lyrics music series. Several years ago, the Grand Lodge of Tennessee made a major commitment to restoring and maintaining its beautiful Nashville headquarters, by passing a $10 per member per capita increase, for a period of the next 20 years. There aren’t many jurisdictions that would make such a bold investment in their architectural heritage, but the brethren of Tennessee stepped up to the plate, and it is paying off with high visibility events like Legends & Lyrics. •
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n Saturday, March 28th, the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts will hold a statewide Masonic open house. More than 150 Masonic buildings across the state will be open from 9 am to 3 pm sharing information about the fraternity, and celebrating 275 years of Freemasonry in Massachusetts. •
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f you haven’t visited the Masonic Renewal Committee web page lately, it has been completely redesigned. You’ll find a wide variety of resources for new and established lodges. The Masonic Renewal Committee is sanctioned by the
t seems the president of the African nation of Senegal is in hot water over his past membership in Freemasonry. Kenya’s Daily Nation newspaper revealed that Senegal’s president Abdoulaye Wade has been outed by Paris’ l’Express magazine as a former Freemason, and it’s causing a row among the Muslim nations in Africa. According to l’Express, Wade was initiated many years ago into a lodge in Besançon, in Eastern France. The Kenyan paper claims that Freemasonry is “usually associated with sectarianism, rejection of God, shady and satanic practices and more importantly as a practice incompatible with Islam.” Following the revelations, one Member of Parliament, Imam Mbaye Niang, who supports strict Islamic views, called on the president to resign. Wade has denied being a member anymore. He claimed he joined a lodge in France in 1958, out of “intellectual curiosity”, but resigned the next year after failing to find “intellectual exchanges of a high level.” Shortly after the story broke, Senegal’s Prime Minister Macky Sall was also accused of being a Freemason. He was spotted by a reporter on an airplane reading a copy of Freemasons for Dummies, causing a fresh round of accusations and speculation in the press across Africa. •
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n invitational Masonic body officially known as the Worshipful Society of Free Masons, WINTER 2008/2009 • 11
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Masonic News Masonic Week Report
W. Bro. Trevor Stewart was back in the United States this fall,
By Jay Hochberg
Some of the highlights of Masonic Week in Alexandria, Virginia for 2009.
Rough Masons, Wallers, Slaters, Paviors, Plaisterers and Bricklayers, or more colloquially as “The Operatives,” was constituted on November 29th, 2008. The Bryn Athen Quarry Assemblage, in Allentown, Pennsylvania is the first constituted assemblage in the United States. The Grand Assemblage is in England, and claims more than 2,000 members worldwide. According to The Operatives’ Grand Assemblage web site (http://www.operatives.org.uk/), “The Society exists to perpetuate or preserve a memorial of the practices of operative Free Masons existing prior to, or continuing independently of, modern speculative Freemasonry.” A note posted on the Grand Assemblage’s web site from Glenson Jones, VII’, Regional Clerk for the North America Region, says there are also two other groups in the USA working toward other Assemblages.
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he Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction’s Master Craftsman education program is racking up impressive numbers of students eager to learn more about the history and philosophy of the degrees of the Rite. They are reporting more than 2,000 who have signed up for the courses, and over 700 who have completed the course work and the quizzes. The fact that participants are in all 50 states shows that there is a hunger for this kind of challenging education course. Perhaps the Northern Jurisdiction might consider something similar.
Allied Masonic Degrees: • William Robert Logan of South Carolina was elected and installed Sovereign Grand Master of Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States. • Seventeen new Councils around the country received their charters. • British brethren in the Order of the Secret Monitor had voted last April to reciprocate the U.S. extension of recognition made in February 2008, allowing for intervisitation. The Order of the Scarlet Cord, which is part of the British OSM, was conferred that night. • A committee for international relations was formed. • The Marvin E. Fowler Award was presented to James Wilson, Jr. for service to the fraternity. • Visiting dignitaries included: John R. Paternoster, of the Red Branch of Erie for England and Wales; and Peter Glyn Williams, Grand Supreme Ruler of OSM in Britain. Knight Masons of the U.S.A.: • Most Excellent Dennis Zier was elected and installed Great Chief of the U.S.A. Grand College of Rites: • Most Illustrious David Goodwin of New York was elected and installed Grand Chancellor. • Right Illustrious Gary D. Hermann announced his retirement as Grand Registrar. R.I. Craig C. Stimpert succeeds him. • Both Paul Newhall and Dan Pushee, the two coordinators of the Masonic Week arrangements, were honored with the Knight Grand Cross. • The new edition of Collectanea contains Degrees of the Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis (4° to 18°).
2008’s Blue Friar and TMS Founding Fellow Gary Leazer sneaks a peek at the magazine everybody was talking about at Masonic Week 2009.
Society of Blue Friars • This fraternity of Masonic authors welcomed Yasha Beresiner as its newest member. He presented a paper on Scottish influence in the development of early Freemasonry.
WINTER 2008/2009 • 13
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FRATERNALISM
Masonic Influence on the Order of the Arrow by William Highsmith
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he Order of the Arrow (OA) is the Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America. Its purpose is to recognize those Scout campers who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, to develop and maintain camping traditions and spirit, to promote Scout camping, and to crystallize the Scout habit of helpfulness into a life purpose of leadership in cheerful service to others. The three principles of the OA are brotherhood, cheerfulness, and service. While the OA has no relationship to Freemasonry, its rituals display an obvious Masonic influence, which arose during its early years when its rituals took their current form. The Order of the Arrow was founded as a Camp Honor Society, and the first initiation was on July 16, 1915 at Treasure Island Scout Camp in Pennsylvania. The organization was started by E. Urner Goodman and Carroll A. Edson who were the Camp Director and Assistant Camp Director there. Horace W. Ralston and Horace P. Kern assisted Goodman and Edson in bringing Indian culture into the rituals. The organization was originally called Wimachtendienk which means “brotherhood” in the language of the Delaware Indians. None of these men were Freemasons at the time of the founding of the organization, but Goodman and Kern become Masons later. At the founding of the Order of the Arrow, the organization had several influences, but there is no known direct Masonic influence on its original rituals. Goodman, credited with developing the original ritual, was a member of the Brotherhood of Andrew and E. Urner Goodman in 1914 Philip, which was a young men’s society of the Presbyterian Church. The use of Native American lore in the rituals came from the Woodcraft Indians, which was created by Ernest Thompson Seton. The concept of a camp society came from a book called Boy’s Camp Book by Edward Cave. This book contained a special ceremony held at the end of camp where the Comedy King presided over the Cluck-Cluck Clan, a group of older boys. Through this ceremony, one boy at camp was selected each year to join the group. Edson was a member of Phi Beta Kappa , first college fraternity, in 1914, so it is possible his experiences 14 • WINTER 2008/2009
were influential. The Order of the Arrow originally had two degrees. The First Degree was conferred on all members of the organization and was done each week at Camp. One member of each Boy Scout Troop was inducted. The Second Degree was an honorary Degree which was conferred for service or heroism and was first conferred upon Goodman, the founder of the order. Goodman is credited with developing the original ritual of the order. Unfortunately, this and all rituals created prior to 1921 have been lost. They were reconstructed in 1975 for the 60th Anniversary of the organization, but several inconsistencies between the copies of the reconstructed 1915 and 1916 rituals and the 1921 rituals raised questions of their accuracy. By 1921, the Order of the Arrow had spread to other parts of the country. The OA membership at each camp was referred to as a lodge. A meeting was held of all the lodges called a grand lodge meeting. At this meeting, Dr. William M. Hinkle, a Freemason, was the chair of the Ritual Committee. Hinkle’s primary assistance came from Treasure Island nature expert George Lower and Paul Knauf, who were both Freemasons. It was discovered in 1920 that several boys who were not members of the OA were at the camp and became familiar with the rituals. Because of this, the Ritual Committee decided to revise the rituals so that the knowledge the eavesdroppers obtained could not be used. Additionally, the Ritual Committee chaired by Hinkle suggested a revision to better impress the principles of the organization on the candidates and improve the retention of members. He also recommended that the lodge be named Unami Lodge which he stated meant “brotherly love” in the Delaware Indian language. Brotherly Love is one of the tenets of Masonry and is the admonishment of all new members of the OA. The admonition of the Order was also added in 1921 and was originally called the password. Unami actually means “people down the river,” and not “brotherly love” and was the name of a Delaware tribe in the area. Hinkle and his committee recommended that the ritual be taught mouth-to-ear, and established a lodge of instruction to ensure a number of officers knew it. He also recommended that the Sakima (Chief) and the Senior and Junior Vice-Chiefs were in charge of the Lodges of Instruction. Officers were elected once a year and the committee proposed that only the Junior Vice-Chief be elected. The outgoing Junior Vice-Chief would become Senior Vice-Chief and the Senior Vice-Chief became Sakima by vote unless there was reason for their removal. This appears to be in imitation of Masonic lodges where some officers are elected and others are appointed in a progression toward the Solomonic chair. The Ritual Committee also devised a ritual for lodge opening, officer installation, and a new Second Degree that made the existing Second Degree the new Third Degree. The resulting three-tier system remains in place today. When analyzing the rituals of the order for Masonic similarities, it is important to use the rituals that have a known Masonic influence. These rituals have been changed in many ways. The First Degree had
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several Masonic elements added in the 1921 revision by Hinkle and his committee. The degree was done in two stages, the first was an introductory ritual where the new members were received and sent to complete an ordeal, and the second signified the acceptance of the candidates as members, obligated them to the order and shared with them the handclasp, sign, and password. During first stage, a prayer was said to the Great Creator of All Nations. In the reconstructed rituals he was called the Great and Mighty Father. The candidates were asked to bare their left breasts which were then washed with water to wash from them selfishness and evil. After doing this, the candidates chewed a root for strength. The candidates then went out to keep their ordeal which lasted that evening and the next day. After completing their ordeal, they were taken back to the Ritual Circle the following evening and went through the second stage. The lodge was opened after it was determined that all present were members. The lodge then made the sign of the degree and a prayer was made referring to the Great and Mighty Father. The Guard was then asked to search the trail and bring the candidates into the lodge. The candidates were bound together by a rope and lead into the Lodge. The candidates then circumambulated the Circle once and were challenged three times on their passage at the South, West, and North. The candidate is asked “Who are these strangers who seek admission to our mystic circle?” “How do they expect to obtain this privilege?” “Have they taken the ordeal without flinching?” and “Have they the password?” The candidate doesn’t have the password at this point so the Guide says “They have it not, but I, their friend and guide, have it and will give it to you for them.” The password is then whispered in the ear of the officer asking the question. The candidate is then asked to kneel before the altar and take the obligation of the Wimachtendienk. After the obligation, the rope binding the candidate is removed. Then a lecture is given explaining the legend of the order and the ritual. Next, the candidate is shown the sign to the order and given the grip and word from the Chief. Finally, the lodge is closed and the Ceremonial Figures go through their places and duties in the lodge. The Song of the Order is then sung and a closing prayer is given. The lodge says “So may it be” at the conclusion of the prayer. The officers of the OA are stationed in the East, West, South, and North, symbolizing the points of stars in the heavens. The North is explained “As in the heavens, the North Star is fixed, and all the other stars revolve around it. So stands Geguyjumhet in the North for the lodge circle to revolve around him.” To advance to the Second Degree, a candidate had to complete an examination which resembles a Masonic catechism. This
examination caused the candidate to answer questions regarding their experience on their induction into the lodge. Like the previous degree, the Guard satisfied himself that all present are members, the Medicine Man offered a brief prayer, the Chief opened the lodge, and the trail is searched for candidates. The candidates are brought to the circle, circumambulate the circle twice, and are asked questions on their passage. “Who are these who come without our mystic turtle?” “Have they earned the right to learn more?” “Are they willing to pay the price of knowledge?” “Do they know our hailing sign?” and “Have they seen the arrow?” After these questions are answered, the Medicine Man offers a brief prayer. The candidates then perform three acts to illustrate brotherhood, cheerfulness, and service, the principles of the Order of the Arrow. The candidates then kneel at the altar and take the obligation of the Second Degree. A lecture is given explaining the ritual and the lodge is closed. The Third Degree departs from the forms of the previous degrees, and is conferred on candidates selected by Grand Lodge in recognition of their service to the OA. The Officer Installation Ritual also resembles Masonic ritual. In the installation of Sakima, he is asked to face the North, which is his position, and bare his left breast and right foot. He is then asked to kneel before the altar with his right hand showing the Scout Sign. He takes an obligation to observe the Scout Oath and Law, maintain the customs of the fraternity, attend and preside at all regular meetings, strive to promote good fellowship, and calls upon God as his witness. The new Sakima is conducted to his station in the North. The Vice Chiefs are asked to kneel upon both their knees with their right hand in the Scout Sign. They take a similar obligation and take their stations. The Treasurer, Secretary, Guardian, and Assistant Guard follow suit.
William Highsmith was raised a Master Mason last November at Raleigh Lodge No. 500 in North Carolina. He has been a member of the Order of the Arrow for 13 years. He thanks Founding Fellow Ed King and North Carolina Grand Historian Michael Brantley for their help with this paper, and especially thanks his fiancée Christy for her support.
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MASONRY & MUSIC
Mozart’s The magic Flute: an Essential Introduction to the Mysteries of the Scottish Rite Symbolic Degrees by Mark H. Conrad
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(Originally Published in the Trestleboard of the Orient of Louisiana (December-2008)
o Scottish R i t e M a s o n can truly c o m p r e h e n d the mysteries of Freemasonry without studying the Scottish Rite symbolic degrees. Although the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite begins for most brothers with an initiation beginning at the 4th degree, the Scottish Rite Constitution of 1762 implies that the Scottish Rite Order begin with the symbolic lodge which practices its first three degrees. In Louisiana, we are very fortunate to have Scottish Rite Symbolic Lodges. Indeed, many of our Scottish Rite Lodges once fell under Scottish Rite Grand Orients, Supreme Councils and in governing bodies within the bosom of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana in a Scottish Rite Symbolic Chamber that practiced the Scottish Rite degrees in toto as a complete Order from the very first degree through the last degree being the thirty-third. Albert Pike is often attributed as having said that masons cannot understand the higher degrees without a study of the first three. The opposite statement is also true. You cannot understand the higher degrees without having experienced or studied the first three since they begin our esoteric journey into the mysteries of the Craft. As stated by Ill. Bro. Pike in Morals & Dogma: “The Blue Degrees are but the outer portico of the Temple. Part of the symbols are displayed there to the Initiate, but he is intentionally mislead by false interpretation. It is not intended that he understand them, but it is intended that he shall imagine he understands them. Their true explication is reserved for the Adepts, the Princes of Masonry. The whole body of the Royal or Sacerdotal Art was hidden so carefully...in the High Degrees, as that it is even yet impossible to solve many of the enigmas which they contain. It is well enough for the many of those called Masons, to imagine that all is contained in the Blue Degrees; and whoso attempts to undeceive them will labor in vain, and without any true reward violate his obligations as an Adept. Masonry is the veritable Sphinx, buried to the head in the sands heaped round it by the ages.” 1 Albert Pike was so influenced by the Scottish Rite Symbolic degrees that he devoted several books to the subject; see, e.g., 16 • WINTER 2008/2009
Liturgy of the Blue Degrees and Esoterika, the Symbolism of the Blue Degrees. These books are highly recommended for a holistic understanding of the Scottish Rite degrees. It is little known in our contemporary age, but, many secrets concerning the mysteries of the Scottish Rite symbolic and higher degrees may also have been revealed by the famous composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in his opera The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte) in 1791. Mozart first experienced Masonry joining the fraternity as an Entered Apprentice in December of 1784 at “Beneficence” Lodge in Vienna (Zur Wohltätigkeit). In 1785, he received the Fellow Craft and Master Mason degrees at “True Concord” Lodge (Zur wahren Eintracht).2 Masonry in Vienna differed from the rest of the world, however, and practiced what was to be known as the Rectified or Strict Observance Rite. This type of masonry utilized Knight Templar themes and later incorporated Rosicrucian and other occult practices involving alchemy and astrology.3 Moreover, Mozart’s lodge, Beneficence Lodge, enjoyed a membership consisting solely of Catholic freemasons who embraced a less radical version of the “Age of Enlightenment” and who fostered a healthy respect for religion as seen through the Light of Reason.4 Mozart actively participated in Vienna masonry and also encouraged his father to join him in its mysteries. Mozart’s last letter to his father in 1787 contains a hidden Masonic reference.5 Mozart’s love for the fraternity compelled him to compose many works for the fraternity and compositions with Masonic themes. Several known Masonic works by Mozart are “Travel Companions” (K498), “O sacred bond” (K148), “Masonic Joy” (K471), “Masonic Music of Mourning” (K477), “Flow this day, beloved brothers” (K483), “You, our new leaders” (K484), “You who honor the creator of the Infinite Universe” (K619), and “The Magic Flute” (K620). Of these, “The Magic Flute” is his most widely known Masonic work that has transcended into our contemporary age. This opera is widely performed, but those who want to view it at their leisure may do so using the Internet. For example, a very credible production of The Magic Flute now appears on YouTube as performed in 2005 by the Northwestern University’s music department.6 Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” offers a veiled window into the mysteries of the Rosicrucian influenced degrees practiced in Vienna during Mozart’s participation in the fraternity in 1791. Many theories abound regarding the esoteric and Masonic content of this opera and one should view it through esoteric eyes of the Rosicrucian legends and the window of Freemasonry to fully understand the story. 7
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he opera begins with a young prince, Tamino, who has been cast into a strange fantasy world where he encounters a dragon that attacks him. He falls unconscious from the attack, but three muses who are servants of the Queen of the Night arrive in time to slay the dragon. These muses become enchanted with him and
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fight over who should Sarastro then sings a blessing upon Tamino and Pamina have him, but they decide asking Isis and Osiris to bless them should they meet death during to depart failing to reach the trial. Papageno also chooses to undergo the trials saying that he any agreement. will do so in exchange for a wife, but he refuses any gift of wisdom When he awakens, especially if he must undergo hardship to obtain it. He is promised he encounters Papageno, a wife, his perfect opposite, Papagena. Tamino and Papageno a strangely clad man who undergo several trials of silence as tempted by the allure of women. wears feathers and who Papageno questions the trials of silence but remains steadfast. catches birds for Queen During the trial of silence, Tamino is forced to remain silent even of the Night’s three muses when approached by his true love, Pamina, who concludes that in exchange for food and Tamino’s silence means that he no longer loves her. Tamino’s wine. Papageno tells silence even compels her to attempt suicide which is halted by the Tamino that he defeated intervention of the three guides who take her to Tamino. Earlier, the dragon, but the three Pamina is visited by the Queen of the Night who gives her a dagger muses return catching with which to kill Sarastro. Monostatos discovers the plot and Papageno in the lie. As a punishment, they muzzle him with a attempts to blackmail Pamina with this information, but Pamina strange magical lock placed over his mouth compelling his silence. refuses his advances. The scene then changes from the Temple of While enamored with Ordeal to the Pyramids Tamino themselves, where Papageno they show him a encounters an old portrait of the Queen of woman who changes the Night’s daughter, into the young and Pamina, with whom beautiful Papagena, he instantly falls in his esoteric opposite. love. They inform However, priests chase Tamino that Pamina her away. Papageno has been captured by and Papagena later Sarastro, an elderly reunite when Papagino magus, who lives in uses the magic bells to a mysterious palace summon her. Tamino adjacent to a Temple and Pamina, now consisting of Gates of reunited by the three boy guides, arrive at Nature, Reason, and a rocky waterfall and Wisdom. a cavern of fire where The Queen of the they are tested by trials Night appears and of water and fire. They demands that Tamino pass these trials using rescue her daughter the magic flute that from Sarastro. In Pamina reveals was return, the Queen of carved by her father the Night pledges to The Queen of the Night from an ancient oak allow Tamino to marry tree. The Queen of the Night and Monostatos arrive and attempt Pamina if he rescues her. To assist Tamino with the rescue, the to destroy Sarastro’s temple but they are cast into the eternal dark Queen of the Night equips Tamino with three boys as guides and by Sarastro’s magic. The opera ends with Sarastro congratulating a magic flute. She also gives Papageno magic bells. They both them for having survived the ordeals. He admits them into the use these magical instruments to escape danger and to summon Temple and thanks the gods. strange creatures as the story unfolds. When Tamino reaches Sarsastro’s palace and the Temple, hose familiar with the Scottish he approaches the Gates of Nature and Reason where invisible Rite Symbolic degrees, especially voices tell him to “Go back!” At the Gate of Wisdom, a priest the Scottish Rite’s Entered Apprentice convinces him that Sarastro is noble and wise and Tamino decides degree, will recognize the similarities to become his disciple and agrees to undergo trials and tests. These between our unique Scottish Rite encounters at the Temple include an interaction with Sarastro’s rituals and the themes and symbols servant, Monostatos, a moor, who also secretly desires Pamina’s that are portrayed during The Magic hand in marriage. Upon seeing each other at Sarastro’s court, Flute. Among the arcane esoteric Tamino and Pamina fall in love and embrace. Sarastro will allow themes portrayed, the opera exposes its them to marry only if they survive several trials of ordeal at the audience to a battle between light and Temple. Sarastro also refuses to return them to the Queen of the darkness, falling and then rising from a Night claiming that she has superimposed “superstition” upon the deep sleep or death, the test of secrecy people.
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and silence, the conflict between reason, religion, and superstition, a peek into the initiation of a profane through the mysteries of an esoteric order, a reverence for wisdom and knowledge, and asymbolic alchemical union or “Chemical Wedding” in the tradition of the Rosicrucian currents that were believed to be flowing in Vienna Masonry. The characters in The Magic Flute also undergo trials of the cardinal elements, many of which are also given during the Scottish Rite’s Entered Apprentice Degree and portrayed in its Chamber of Reflection. No commentary exists or remains by Mozart himself describing the intent of his allegorical story in The Magic Flute. However, viewers and commentators of the opera throughout the years since its first offering in 1791 have recognized its possible Masonic connotations and esoteric depth (or lack thereof). Some have even authored fascinating and lengthy works explaining the possible alchemical and Rosicrucian references found in the opera.8 One is free to dwell on these topics as deep as one cares to dip into the bottomless enigma of the esoteric wading pool. Incredulous theories have also been offered in the past arguing that Mozart was poisoned by Freemasons and the Illuminati for having revealed too many secret esoteric mysteries in the opera. In The Mozart Myths: A Critical Reassessment, author William Stafford offers an excellent account of the possible Rosicrucian symbolism attributed to The Magic Flute from the Scottish Rite’s 18th Degree (Rose Croix degree). Of course, he also debunks this and other theories.9 Regardless of whether it is simply an entertaining fantasy, or whether it contains hidden secret currents of esoterica that were traveling through the lodges of Vienna Freemasonry, The Magic Flute offers an opportunity for Freemasons to challenge these ideas and experience their own mystical exploration into the fantastical world created by another Freemason. It is known that Mozart was well acquainted with the esoteric ideas traveling through the Masonic circles during the “Age of Enlightenment”. His personal library contained works on alchemy, neoplatonism, religious mythology, the music of the spheres, and other esoteric “Age of Enlightenment” ideals, including the moral philosophy of Kant.10 It is also known that the depth of Mozart’s esoteric knowledge was sufficient enough for him to consider starting his own esoteric order called the “Grotto” (Zur Grotte), for which he had drawn rules for 11 its operation; however it never saw fruition. Masonic brethren everywhere should take the opportunity to see, promote, explore, and discuss Mozart’s The Magic Flute. The opera offers a Masonic lodge, especially a Scottish Rite Symbolic Lodge, the opportunity to view our esoteric traditions through the eyes of a musical genius and fellow initiate of our mysteries. Footnotes 1 (Morals & Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, by Albert Pike , p. 819 (Supreme Council of the ThirtyThird Degree for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States, 1871) 2 See The Cambridge Mozart Encyclopedia by Cliff Eisen, et al, p. 179 (Cambridge University Press, 2006). 18 • WINTER 2008/2009
3 See Mozart and the Enlightenment: Truth, Virtue and Beauty in Mozart’s Operas by Nicholas Till, p. 120-21 (W. W. Norton & Company, 1995). 4 Id. at 124-27. 5 See Mozart’s Letters, Mozart’s Life: Selected Letters By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart by Robert Spaethling (edit. & trans.), p. 388 (W. W. Norton & Company, 2000). 6 Mozart’s The Magic Flute Act 1 (http://www.tinyurl.com/59dghy); Mozart’s The Magic Flute Act 2 (http://www.tinyurl.com/6254ok), performed by the Northwestern University School of Music, May 2005, directed by Noel Koran 7 For an accessible English translation of The Magic Flute in prose, please see The Magic Flute By Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart by Edward Joseph Dent (translator) (1911). For a very brief summary, also see Two Hundred Opera Plots by Gladys Davidson, p. 247 (1911). 8 See The Magic Flute: Die Zauberflöte: an Alchemical Allegory by Matheus Franciscus Maria van den Berk (Brill, 2004). 9 The Mozart Myths: A Critical Reassessment by William Stafford (Stanford University Press, 1991), p 40-41. 10 See The Magic Flute: Die Zauberflöte: an Alchemical Allegory by Matheus Franciscus Maria van den Berk, p. 118, 312, 533 (2004); also Mozart and the Enlightenment: Truth, Virtue and Beauty in Mozart’s Operas by Nicholas Till, p. 316-317 (W. W. Norton & Company, 1995). 11 See Life of Mozart by Otto Jahn (P.D. Townsend, Translator), p. 403404. (Novello, Ewer & Co., 1882).
True Brotherhood by Marc H. Conrad
True brotherhood begins inside the fiery heart; It flows from your actions from the very start; The Great Architect knows the weight of your soul. His All Seeing Eye allows the Truth to be told. We are all Imperfect Ashlars in the beginning; We are Living Stones perfected by finishing. Sometimes hammer and chisel become dull in the task, When our brothers wear only tawdry funny masks. Along comes a brother in real need; If we help him or the Craft then it affirms our good creed. If we ignore any pleas or wrongs, then True brotherhood dies, Causing much harm above and below with loud Divine sighs. No Fellowship is worth a betrayal of good principle. Our Souls are at stake in our good Temple, When we no longer follow the Plumbline so bright; And, when we don’t use the Square and the Level on everything in sight! We all took an oath upon a Sacred Book. And we must follow its sound precepts wherever we look; Cast aside all that is impure and work on this task; It is not too late to lay down the funny fool’s scepter and his bitter flask!
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ORDERS OF FREEMASONRY
The August Order of Light – an historic review By Yasha Beresiner
(Having enjoyed a diverse range of weird and wonderful degrees and orders during the outstanding ‘Masonic Week’ in mid February in Alexandria, under the auspices of the Allied Masonic Degrees of America, I thought this record of a lesser known Order of which I have the privilege of having served as the equivalent of a Master, maybe of interest to the curious.)
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s we well know, Ancient Freemasonry consists of the three Craft Degrees of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason. In England, almost exclusively, due to an historical accident (please see my article in The Journal of the Masonic Society Autumn 2008 p.15), the United Grand Lodge of England, formed in 1813, resolved that the Royal Arch also comprised part of Ancient Freemasonry. Beyond these essential and basic degrees of Freemasonry, there are some sixteen additional Degrees and Orders or Rites in England, which require the three Craft degrees as a prerequisite. These further degrees, frequently wrongly referred to as High or Higher degrees are best known as Orders Beyond the Craft and are tolerated by the United Grand Lodge England and enjoyed by many Brethren of all ranks. Of all the many Orders Beyond the Craft, one remains quite outstanding, both from the point of view of the ritual as well as its composition. This is the August Order of Light. The August Order of Light - Otherwise called the Mysteries of Perfection of Sikha (Apex) and of the Ekata (Unity) was launched with a document comprising its rules, regulations and ritual working on 11 November 1881. It is signed: Portman M V, Grand Heirophant Presiding in the West of the August Order of Light and Prince of Kether. Vidal Portman does not appear to have been of the Jewish faith, although the evidence lies only in the fact that he had been active in solely Christian Orders in the late 1800s. The origins of the Order, however, have been attributed indirectly to a Jewish source. In the Library of the United Grand Lodge of England are several files with vast correspondence between John Yarker (1833-1913), the Masonic author and propagator of degrees and his considerable entourage of followers of fringe freemasonry. Two of the letters in the correspondence, both by Yarker to his colleague George Irwin (1828-1893), are the source for much of the published views on the origins of the August Order of Light. The letters are lengthy in content, written in John Yarker’s own inimitable style, on paper headed Antient & Primitive Rite of Masonry. (This was Yarker’s best known ‘baby’ originally formed in 1758, Yarker was granted a patent from the USA in 1872). The first of the letters is dated 10 July 1890, and a relevant section states: ...I am surprised that Westcott looks with any favour upon the ritual I have sent him. It was drawn by some Cabalistic Jew in London , and I know that M V Portman has no great opinion of it. With his permission I amalgamated it with Sat Bhai Perfection (Which you have).... The second is dated a few months later, 16 October 1890 where Yarker writes: ....I am duly in receipt of yours with Portman’s Ritual
returned. I regret I cannot tell you much about it; it was compiled for Portman by a Jew who had studied the Cabala & Theosophy in London... William Westcott (1848-1925) referred to by Yarker in the first letter was also a member of the occult group of Masons involved in many aspects of fringe masonry. It is the references to the Cabalistic Jew in London in the first letter and to a Jew who had studied the Cabala & Theosophy in London in the second, that have been associated with Portman’s name. This association has led to the speculation that here lies a reference to the source material from which the ritual of the August Order originated. The suggestion that the Cabalistic Jew referred to by Yarker was Rabbi Samuel Jacob Hayyim de Falk (c1710-1782) is untenable because of the time gap. There has been a close relation between the established Order of Sat B’Hai and that of the August Order as evidenced in the first regulations of the latter Order dated 11 November 1881 headed Honorary Members which states: .....On the account of the connection of this Order of Perfection with the seven Grades of ‘Sat Bhai’ these Sat Bhais may be admitted at the experimental meetings but they are not to witness our signs or words. There are two implications of consequence in this statement. Firstly that Portman accepted the Sat B’Hai as the more senior order and secondly that his own ritual of the August Order relied on the Sat B’Hai as a source. The similarity of ritual between these, the only two oriental Orders in fringe masonry, is obvious and becomes apparent when they are compared to each other. Without getting immersed in comparative ritual, the influence of the Sat B’Hai on the August Order is quite apparent. It would not appear, however, that the August Order of Light was brought to England by Portman from India and it certainly had nothing to do with the ritual referred to by John Yarker and which is drawn by some Cabalistic Jews in London. The evidence points to Portman merely adopting the principles and ‘shape’ of the already existing Sat B’Hai ritual, flavouring it with Hindu and other oriental mysticism. A comparison of the rituals shows that Portman’s ritual for The August Order of Light, dated 11 November 1881, is divided into three Sections with a total of 9 degrees. The Order is to be governed by a Supreme Grand Chapter of Hierophants and the Grand Council of Initiates. The Government of the Society of Sat B’Hai, on the other hand, is to be vested in two Presidents and seven administrative Officers. The ritual of the Sat B’Hai set out in a transcript, the original of which is dated May 1879 and signed Self & Ketu, consists of three Series also with a total of 9 degrees. Here the similarity between the two ends. Section I of the August Order ritual is names DIKSHITA or Initiate. It is governed the Grand Master of the Sacred Crown: the three degrees (in the West) consist of the Novice, the 2nd degree is the Aspirants, under the guidance of a teacher and the 3rd, the Viator who become affiliated members under the supervision of senior occult members. In the Sat B’Hai, the 1st Series is semi-Masonic called the Divisional Ghonsala or WINTER 2008/2009 • 19
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Khoh. The 1 degree is the Mute, who is admitted dumb; the 2nd the Auditor, who has passed to speech and the 3rd is the Scribe, who is advanced and is allowed his natural senses. Clearly the similarities remain one of composition only, however. There is nothing that shows an amalgamation or any physical connection between the two Orders or their respective rituals. Incidentally and as a curiosity only, it should be noted that Portman in 1881 would have included women in the Order. His regulation headed ‘PARVATI’ states: st
....Female members of the side degree of ‘Parvati’ rank with and after initiates, but they have not the signs. They meet by themselves under the Presidency of the Abebess of Patti and can be inspected by the Members of the ‘Order of Light’ in their offices...Also the President of any Hall has the power to send for them to assist in the magical experiments. What Portman had in mind when he formulated the regulation that the Female members can be inspected by the Members of the ‘Order of Light must be left to the imagination. There are no records of any such inspections! There is nothing in the vast correspondence and other writings of Yarker, other than the mention of Portman when referring to the Cabalistic Jew in the above quoted letters that suggest that Yarker was talking of the August Order of Light in his communications with his colleagues. The letters quoted merely state that an outsider, of whom Yarker only remembers his being a Cabalistic Jew in London, composed a ritual for Portman which Portman did not like and forwarded to Yarker for possible incorporation into the Sat B’Hai Perfection ritual. There is nowhere a hint that this may have been connected with the August Order of Light. My view is that Portman was here involved in ritual work totally unconnected to the August Order. John Yarker, in his Arcane Schools of 1909, makes the following further statement on pages 492/3: ....The writer arranged with Bro Portman to amalgamate it (the August Order of Light) with the Sat B’Hai Rite of Perfection, but it seems to be continued separately at Bradford, Yorkshire as the Oriental Order of Light... ....the writer has a letter from Bro Portman in which he says: “The Sat B’Hai rituals are without exception the finest and best suited to an Occult Order of anything I have ever read. There are several implications in this quote. Firstly, the statement by Portman that The Sat B’Hai rituals are without exception the finest.... would support my view. That is that Portman could have been referring to other attempts at the creation of new ritual nothing to do with the August Order - such as the unacceptable ritual material composed by the Cabalistic Jew. Secondly Yarker’s words but it seems to be continued separately implies that in spite of the ‘arrangements’ made with Portman, Yarker did not carry out the revision of the ritual. It has been suggested that John Yarker, having now obtained and amalgamated the August Order with the Sat B’Hai, he passed the Order over to brothers T. M. Pattinson and B. E. J. Edwards at the turn of the Century. But this is not a viable theory. John Yarker makes it clear, in the quoted statement above, that the August Order was already being worked successfully in Bradford as the Oriental 20 • WINTER 2008/2009
Order of Light. Secondly and far more importantly, housed at the Masonic Hall in Blackwell, Halifax, lies the original warrant for the renewed August Order stating: I, Maurice Vidal Portman Founder of the Order of Light Authorise T H Pattinson and J B Edwards to admit members to the Order and to hold meetings thereof and I confirm their past actions in so doing The document has an elaborate oval vignette along the right hand side. It is undated and signed M V Portman. The fact that the document authorizes and confirms past actions implies the Order was already being worked before its formal launch in 1902. One must consider Yarker’s words and he (Portman) leaves all arrangements in the writer’s (Yarker’s) hands. Whilst I can appreciate the possible interpretation of these words as referring specifically to the August Order of Light, I feel equally confident that the reference was to the two Oriental Societies in general, including the Sat B’Hai. Portman, by 1890, was generally disappointed with all aspects of freemasonry and eager to return to India. His letter to Yarker constituted a ‘bailout’, rather than a ‘hand-over’ of an active and successful organized institution to a successor. This is further supported by Yarker’s comments in his letter to Irwin dated October 16th, 1890 referred to above, in which Yarker says of Portman: ....I have not heard from him for a long time, he was disappointed in Masonry & we seem to have nothing else to correspond about. By this time Bros. Edward and Pattinson in Bradford had been in direct contact with Portman who, at some time, handed them a signed warrant legitimizing the reconstitution of the Order. It is my view that when Yarker found that the Order was already functional in Bradford, he took no further practical interest in it. He may have intended to incorporate and amalgamate the rituals of the Sat B’Hai with that of the Order of Light but never got round to it. There is no interpolation of the Sat B’Hai ritual in the August Order instituted by John Yarker or anyone else, in spite of the statements made by Yarker himself. John Yarker, had he any interest, could have joined the August Order, as Westcott and many others did when the Order was launched in its present form in 1902. It is gratifying today to participate in an Order well respected which successfully extricated itself from the confusion and neglect at the end of the last Century and has now survived into a state of popularity and prosperity. Bibliography:
Bateson, Dr Vaughan Masonic Secrets and Antient Mysteries Bradford 1923 Hamill, John M John Yarker: Masonic Charlatan? AQC 109 1996 Howe, Ellic Fringe Masonry in England AQC 85 1972 Jackson, Keith B Beyond the Craft London 1980 Stewart, Trevor In Correspondence with the Author on H Falk May 2000 Yarker, John The Arcane School Belfast 1909 Yasha Beresiner is a Past Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No. 2076. He is an antiquarian in London and was the speaker at the Masonic Society’s First Circle gathering in 2009.
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RITUAL
Who Was Adoniram? by W. Bruce Pruitt
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he name “Adoniram” occurs many times in the traditions, legends, and rituals of Freemasonry. He is almost as prominent as the Grand Master Hiram Abiff or Solomon, King of Israel. He is a character, for example, in the Cryptic Degrees, Scottish Rite, and Allied Masonic Degrees. He is, of course, associated with degrees dealing with the building of King Solomon’s Temple, since he is referred to in the Bible during that period. He is even the principal character within a complete, separate set of degrees, structured to parallel the Blue Lodge and the Scottish Rite. It is interesting to review all of these Masonic involvements as well as studying the true, Biblical information about this fascinating individual. In the Hebrew language, the name is a combination of adonai or “Lord,” and ram or “altitude.” The name literally means, “My Lord is high.” Some have speculated a relationship to the name of Hiram Abiff, with “Adon” and “Iram” being translated as “the Lord Hiram.”1 The first reference to Adoniram in the Bible is found in the book of II Samuel (II Sam. 20:24). In this account his name is given as Adoram. We can be assured that Adoram and Adoniram is the same person, since he held the same official position under Kings David, Solomon, and Rehoboam. In the King James Version of the Bible it is stated that Adoram/Adoniram was “over the tribute.” In other, more recent versions of the Bible, we read that he was “over the forced labor.” In other words he could be considered the tax collector, or as some have stated, the “Chancellor of the Exchequer.” King David had a well-structured organization, with Adoram and others to assist him. His organization had appointed rulers over certain areas of the country, priests ministering to the people, secretaries for keeping records, scribes for correspondence, etc. King Solomon followed his father in his ability to rule, and even expanded on the power and influence of his kingdom. In the fourth chapter of the book of I Kings there is a list of the principal assistants to King Solomon. That ruler was, as the Bible tells us, very intelligent, and his kingdom was extremely well organized. “Now King Solomon was king over all Israel. And these were his officials: Azariah the son of Zadok was the priest; Elihoreph and Ahija, the sons of Shisha were secretaries; Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder; and Benaiah, the son of Jehoiada was over the army; and Zadok and Abaiathar were priests; and Azariah the son of Nathan was over the deputies; and Zabud the son of Nathan, a priest, was the king’s friend; and Ahishar was over the household; and Adoniram the son of Abda was over the men subject to forced labor.” (I Kings 4:1–6, NASB, emphasis added) Note that, once again, the King James Version specifies the position as “over the tribute.” To complete the picture of a well-organized kingdom, we read the names of twelve men who were “deputies” to the king in charge of different provinces. Each of those deputies was responsible for providing the necessary funds for the king and his household for one
month. With King Solomon, nothing was left to chance! But now let’s take a special look at Adoniram. Since he was appointed as over-seer of men forced into labor, or over tribute, in other words over collecting taxes, it is no surprise to learn that he had a significant role in the building of the Temple to the Lord. In chapter 5 of I Kings we learn about the alliance of Solomon with Hiram, King of Tyre. Hiram gave Solomon timbers for use in the Temple. We then read: “Now King Solomon levied forced laborers from all Israel; and the forced laborers numbered 30,000 men. And he sent them to Lebanon, 10,000 a month in relays; they were in Lebanon a month and two months at home. And Adoniram was over the forced laborers.” (emphasis added) It is interesting to speculate about what role Adoniram may have played in the actual construction of Solomon’s Temple. He was certainly the general supervisor of those men who traveled to Lebanon and over the transportation of the timbers on floats to Israel. However, after all that work was done, there were still several years of labor in order to complete the temple. A person as valuable and important as Adoniram must surely have been put to work as an overseer in some manner. Before we leave the Biblical base for this fascinating character, we should look at his final reference, and even his final living act. King Solomon was succeeded on the throne by his son Rehoboam. Unfortunately, Rehoboam did not inherit the wisdom of his father, and acted very foolishly. He exacted much more in the way of tribute from his people, and caused them to eventually rebel. The people petitioned him to lighten the load that Solomon had placed on them. His response was: “My little finger is thinker than my father’s loins!” As might be expected, the tax collector was despised, and bore as much hatred as the king. Further in the Bible we find the following account: WINTER 2008/2009 • 21
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“Then King Rehoboam sent Adoram who was over the forced labor (or over the tribute) and all Israel stoned him to death. And King Rehoboam made haste to mount his chariot and flee to Jerusalem.” (I Kings 12: 18). The parallel account in II Chronicles finds our principal character called “Hadoram” (10:18). This is the final chapter in the life of a very interesting and influential character. He served the three wealthiest kings in the history of the Israelites, all of which needed men and income to maintain their standard of living and to accomplish the expansion of their reign. It is not surprising that, throughout the development of Masonic rituals and traditions, Adoniram became a prominent character, communicating valuable truths. The Cryptic Degrees In the Royal Master Degree, the candidate assumes the name and role of Adoniram. This degree provides one of the most unique experiences of all Freemasonry, because, contrary to the candidate’s expectation, he is allowed a personal experience with the Grand Master Hiram Abiff. After receiving the Master Mason Degree, a brother naturally assumes that he will never in his life; actually meet the Operative Grand Master in real life. In the Royal Master Degree Hiram calls the candidate: “my worthy friend Adoniram,” showing a very close relationship. The essence of this degree is that the Grand Master is confiding on his friend Adoniram some of the most valuable and lasting lessons of life. In the Council of Select Masters Degree, one officer, the Captain of the Guard, specifically represents Adoniram. In addition, Adoniram is listed as one of the twenty-seven principal workmen who where employed in construction of the secret vault. He is one of only two characters who are mentioned by name, in addition to the three ancient grand masters. It is this vault, or crypt, that plays a critical role in the Royal Arch Degree, and in the preservation and recovery of the Lost Word. English Blue Lodge We are not privy to having a copy of the ritual for installation of a Blue Lodge Master in the Grand Lodge of England, but we do have references that indicate the use of Adoniram’s name in that ceremony. There is a section in the book A Commentary on the Freemasonic Ritual that discusses that ceremony under the title: “Ancient Form of Installing Master in England.”2 Since the term “ancient” is used, it indicates that the practice may not be currently in use. At one point in the Past Master installation, the candidate, taking the role of King Solomon, sees Adoniram and calls him forward for recognition. He is referred to as the Chief Intendant of Works, and is given high honor by the king. There is some controversy about this practice. It seems that a special committee was set up by Grand Master, His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, fourth son of King George III and uncle to Queen Elisabeth. He was concerned about a lack of uniformity in the installation of lodge masters. That committee is referred to as “ten trusty and well-beloved brothers.” They presented the ritual in 1827, with the inclusion of Adoniram as a significant player. Apparently that recommendation was accepted.1 Allied Masonic Degrees The character Adoniram is present only once in the Allied Masonic Degrees ceremonies. He is not found in any of the nine regular degrees that have been adopted by the Grand Council of 22 • WINTER 2008/2009
AMD. Instead he is in one of the closely-held events, namely the installation ceremony of a Sovereign Master. It is well known that in the Blue Lodge, some jurisdictions allow an open ceremony for the initiation of a Worshipful Master while others require that event to be witnessed only by Masters or Past Masters. The latter practice is present in the AMD. Without attempting to divulge any information that might not be appropriate at this time, suffice it to say that during the installation ceremony Adoniram is referred to by King Solomon as his “Chief Master Mason.” He is depicted as a humble workman, paying homage to his king, but one whom Solomon desires to honor. This part of the ceremony has obviously been adopted from the initiation used in the Grand Lodge of England, as discussed above. Red Cross of Constantine There is some short reference to Adoniram in the ceremonies of the Red Cross of Constantine. It is a part of the esoteric ritual, and will not be commented on further in this article. Suffice it to say that this occurrence is simply one more example of the fact that Adoniram should be considered as playing at least a “significant” role in Masonic lore, if not the “primary” role. Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction Adoniram is found in five of the thirty-two degrees of the Scottish Rite. The first Order within the Scottish Rite, the Lodge of Perfection, is composed of 14 degrees. They generally center on the time of King Solomon and the building of the Temple to the Lord. The following Scottish Rite Orders—Chapter of Rose Croix, Council of Kadosh, and Consistory—progress beyond that time, into the destruction of the Temple, the building of the second Temple, and on into the middle ages. These degrees become more philosophical, and some touch on various religions. They pay homage to some of the most important thinkers of history. Since they refer to historical periods much after the life of the Adoniram of the Bible, there is no occasion to include him in any of the Scottish Rite degrees beyond those of the Lodge of Perfection. Fourth Degree. Adoniram is used as an example of one of the virtues taught in this degree – fidelity. He is referred to as being “faithful unto death.” That is apparently a reference to his attempting to perform his duty to collect taxes, which resulted in his murder by irate citizens.4 Fifth Degree. This degree is based on the certainty of death. Here, Adoniram is appointed Chief Architect of the Temple to replace Hiram Abiff after his murder by three immoral and evil workmen.5 Eighth Degree. Again Adoniram assumes the role of Chief Architect as a successor to Hiram, assisted by four others, Gareb, Zelec, Satolkin, and Yehu-Aber, who are respectively overseers for work in gold, stone, wood, and bronze. An important lesson in this degree is the necessity of transmission of knowledge.6 Twelfth Degree. Here the candidate for the degree assumes the role of Adoniram, not so much as a workman, or chief architect of a physical building, but rather to search out philosophy in a Masonic sense, and to share that knowledge with others.7 Thirteenth Degree. Adoniram is again represented by a candidate, along with two others who represent Yehu-Aber and Satoltkin.
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In a manner similar to other Masonic degrees, these three are required to descend into a deep vault in order to discover a valuable treasure.8 Adoniramite Masonry During the middle and latter part of the eighteenth century, much controversy arose about Freemasonry. Also many attempts were made to supplement or expand the library of Masonic degrees. One rather unusual creation was that of the French system of Adoniramite degrees. Some say it was established by Baron Tschoudy. Others attribute it to Louis Guillemain de Saint-Victor.9 The identifying characteristic of this system is the use of Adoniram as the principal architect of the temple instead of Hiram Abiff. The adherents of this system contend that the proper form of the builder’s name should be “Adonhiram.” This would be translated: “the master Hiram.” The names of the degrees are listed by Waite as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
Entered Apprentice Companion Master First Elect Second Elect Little Architect Grand Architect Scottish Master Knight of the Sword (otherwise Knight of the East or of the Eagle) Knight Rose-Croix Noachite, or Prussian Knight
In Albert Mackey’s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry the names are given with slight variations from the above: 4 1. Apprentice – Apprentif 2. Fellow-Craft – Compagnon 3. Master Mason – Maitre 4. Perfect Master – Maitre Parfait 5. Elect of Nine – Premier Elu nomme’, ou Elu des Neuf 6. Elect of Perignan – Second Elu nomme’ Elu de Perignon 7. Elect of Fifteen – Traoisieme Elu nomme’ Edu des Quinze 8. Minor Architect – Petit Architecte 9. Grand Architect, or Scottish Fellow-Craft – Grand Architecte, ou Compagnon Ecossois 10. Scottish Master – Matre Ecossois 11. Knight of the Sword, Knight of the East, or of the Eagle – Chevalier de l’Epee surnamme’ Chavelier de l’Orient ou de l’Aigle 12. Knight of the Rose Croix – Chevalier Rose Croix No Adoniramite Grand Lodge appears to be operating at the present time, although an article in the June 2006 issue of The Square magazine, refers to “the Adoniram Grand Lodge (which has been going for a few years now, has around 10-15 lodges on an American warrant)…” Diligent search has been made by this author on the Internet and other sources to determine if such an organization does exist. That search has been unsuccessful. If any reader can shed further light, it would certainly be worthy of a follow-on article.
Conclusion As we have shown, the character Adoniram occurs several times in the rituals of Freemasonry. The founders of Masonic lore were obviously very well versed in the Holy Scriptures. They determined to use the building of King Solomon’s Temple as a key basis for the allegorical lessons of the fraternity. In doing so it is no surprise that Adoniram took his place among such luminaries as King Solomon, King Hiram, and Hiram Abiff. Even as a minor player, Adoniram is fascinating, and adds an additional element of mystery to our traditions and teachings. In all of our ceremonies, we find references to stories located in the “Great Book of Faith and Practice.” One of the most fascinating studies of our ritual is to relate how those stories are used as the core of Masonic teachings. We hope the reader has enjoyed this review of an interesting and somewhat obscure individual whose name we speak on many occasions. Perhaps we can now refer to him with added understanding and interest. References: 1. Horne, Alexander; King Solomon’s Temple in the Masonic Tradition. (London: Aquarian Press, 1975), 267. 2. D. E. W. Cartwright, A Commentary on the Freemasonic Ritual. (London: Fenrose, 1973), 207–09. (Note: The text of this book is available on the Internet. We should give credit to the individual that performed the valuable service of scanning that book: Mr. Ralph O. Olmholt, at Phoenix Masonry.) 3. Edgar Jones, “Adoniram: a Hypothesis.” http://www.guigue.org/ guitex29.htm 4. Rex R. Hutchens, A Bridge To Light. (Washington, DC: Supreme Council 33° AASR, 1988, page 19 5. Hutchens, op. cit. page 24 6. Hutchens, op. cit. page 49–50 7. Hutchens, op. cit. page 82 8. Hutchens, op. cit. page 90 9. Arthur E. Waite, A New Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry. (London: Rider & Co., 1923), 7. 10. Albert G.Mackey, An Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry and Kindred Sciences. Chicago: Masonic History Co., 1912), vol. 1, 21. W. Bruce Pruitt was raised a Master Mason in Hiram Lodge No. 68 in Anderson, SC. He is a Past Master of Los Altos Lodge No. 712, CA, and has a third membership in Roseville Lodge No. 222. He served the Grand Lodge of California as Grand Bible Bearer, and on several Grand Lodge committees. He is a Past Grand Commander of California, Past S. W. Dept. Commander, Knight Grand Cross of the Temple, and a Trustee of the K. T. Eye Foundation. He currently serves as Grand Sixth Pillar, Grand College, HRAKTP. He is a York Rite KYGCH, Past Venerable Master, Burlingame Scottish Rite, Chief Adept Golden State College SRICF, and Grand Superintendent of CA AMD. In the Red Cross of Constantine he is a Past Sovereign and is currently Charter Sovereign of the newly established Cross & Crown Conclave. He has been awarded the DeMolay Legion of Honor, Hiram Award, and Knight Grand Cross of the Grand College of Rites. He is a member of the Royal Order of Scotland, Shrine, Philalathes, Quatuor Coronati Lodge, National Sojourners and is a Founding Fellow of the Masonic Society. Brother Pruitt is the author of a number of articles on Freemasonry and business, and the newly-published book: The Truth About Anti-Masonry. Brother Pruitt lives in Roseville, CA with his wife of 53 years, Shirley, where they are active in the Community Covenant Church of Rocklin, CA. WINTER 2008/2009 • 23
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LEADERSHIP
by Cory Sigler
E
ver since I was raised a Master Mason, I knew I reason, have not attended lodge wanted to be Worshipful Master of my lodge. I knew in a long time. Maybe the it would be difficult, but it was something I wanted to lodge can help them in some achieve no matter what. capacity, which could be Every meeting and practice I attended became onMasonry in action. In a the-job training. I looked at what was working, what surprising number of needed tweaking and what needed to be thrown out, as if instances, the obstacle it was a business. If Apple made a computer that wasn’t could be something selling, or if Coke had a beverage no one was drinking, as easily remedied you wouldn’t find it on the shelves very long. Why as refreshing their should fraternal orders be different? I believe we need to memories in the give the brothers value in exchange for their time, talent grips, signs and labor. and words! If the lodge experience does not offer the brethren In other something to enlighten them or keep them interested, cases, simple phone calls or e-mails to remind they will not continue to attend meetings and see the brethren will do the trick. Freemasonry’s great potential. Looking to my term as Every lodge should have a website—even if it is a Worshipful Master, I was determined to not disappoint simple page of contact information—and every website my brethren. Ultimately, by the end of 2009, I want all must be kept up to date. the brethren of my lodge to be able to proudly and clearly A “Rusty Brother Night” is a fun and surprisingly answer the question What do Masons really do at your educational method of schooling all brethren, even the lodge meetings? experts, in Masonry’s I developed a peculiar protocols and plan in advance of my Never devote a night to a mere business other essentials. installation. Writing my meeting where you open, read minutes, Creating new thoughts proved to be close, and go home. This will kill lodge committees sends a essential, helping me message that enthusiasm, and rightly so. Gatherings of clear schedule and balance new goals are being activities. As Master, I Masons should be interactive, educational, approached by new see how this forethought fraternal and, yes, fun! brethren. In addition helped me start the to helping junior year with projects that officers and new reaped immediate benefits that built energy in the lodge, brethren mature into leaders and achievers, a refresh of motivating the brethren to work toward long-term goals. the lodge’s committees can expand the lodge’s breadth Create a plan of action, and communicate that plan of activities. At my lodge we created an education to the brethren. With your ideas on paper and the paper committee, resulting in new Masons bringing Masonic given to all in positions of responsibility, there is a history and other printed materials to the lodge for measure of equality that will help ensure high standards. discussion. In New Jersey and many other jurisdictions, The saying “We never did that in our lodge” should be there is the Child Identification Program (ChIP) that gets thrown out. the brethren into the neighborhood to work with local Meet privately with the officers and as many police and parents to help protect their children. brethren as possible. Hearing directly and confidentially It sounds so fundamental that it shouldn’t need to be from them gives great insight into the positive and said, but it must be said: Hold productive and enjoyable negative aspects of the lodge that may have escaped meetings! Never devote a night to a mere business your perception. My predecessor last year disseminated meeting where you open, read minutes, close, and go a questionnaire to the brethren soliciting their opinions home. This will kill lodge enthusiasm, and rightly so. on ways to improve the lodge. A custom magnet for the Gatherings of Masons should be interactive, educational, refrigerator door was included to remind them to return fraternal and, yes, fun! Interactive energy can be sparked the survey. by a provocative speaker on a Masonic subject. Contact Contact the brethren who have been absent from the closest lodge of research or other educational or lodge. Every lodge has members who, for whatever (Continued on page 30) 24 • WINTER 2008/2009
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LODGE MANAGEMENT
Dues That Don’t Anymore: Deconstructing Masonic Dues Myths and Fables by Nathan C. brindle “A high quality lodge must be paid for—therefore dues need to commensurate with this.” — The first of the Two Great Pillars of Lodge Epicurean, the premiere “European Concept” lodge “Masons are cheap, and they love to bitch.” — unattributed to protect the guilty
M
any years ago, Dwight L. Smith, PGM, and editor at the time of the Indiana Freemason, wrote the following in his pamphlet entitled “Whither Are We Traveling?”: Has Freemasonry become too easy to obtain? Fees for the degrees are ridiculously low; annual dues are far too low. Everything is geared to speed—getting through as fast as possible and on to something else. The Lodge demands little and gets little. It expects loyalty, but does almost nothing to put a claim on a man’s loyalty. When we ourselves place a cheap value on Masonic membership, how can we expect petitioners and new members to prize it?
2. Lodges are too quick to pull the trigger on non-payment of dues and requests for demits: In many Grand Lodges, annual losses from death are beginning to bottom out, but are being eclipsed by suspensions for NPD and demits.
3. More and more members on “fixed incomes”: Many lodges opt to keep dues low because they have enough members paying dues to get by at the lower rates, while trying to protect older members who are on reduced or silent but growing burden fixed incomes. appeared upon the backs of
How, indeed? And Smith was writing on this problem in the 1960’s— “A nearly fifty years ago. Fifty years has later, the situation has not improved; young Masons, as now nearly a it has only gotten worse as the worth 4. More and more members being of our money has devalued and fifth of our membership no longer remitted for seniority: By this is meant lodge dues and fees have remained, pays lodge dues of any kind.” lodges in which all 50-year members in large part, numerically the same. are excused from paying dues, usually We’ve lost half of our by Grand Lodge fiat. membership since Smith wrote those words. And what’s worse than that, we have a huge cohort of members, well out of proportion to 5. Public fund raisers traditionally held to help keep dues their numbers in the general population, who pay no dues at all low don’t work: In many venues, the summer lodge fish fry because they have reached 50 years in Masonry. (In my mother and the winter Bean Supper are no longer the big draws lodge alone these members amount to nearly a third of the total. that they used to be. And even if they are, the cost to put on And I doubt that we are exceptional in this regard.) these “traditional” events is often prohibitive. Forget reforming Social Security. We’ve got a crisis in our own midst, and the pinch is being felt right now. We’ve identified a few areas of trouble. There are unquestionably more, but this paper has to end at some point, so let’s take a look at Anatomy of a Crisis the ones above in more detail. So why are we facing this monetary crisis? As Al Smith (no relation to Dwight) used to say, let’s look at the record. Lower Membership Numbers Lower membership numbers are a fact of life. Every since the 1. Lower membership numbers: A case could be made that 1970s and the near-total inability of the Craft to attract the “lost lower membership numbers aren’t necessarily a bad thing, generation” of baby boomers (sons of our older members, fathers but they do suggest that the amount of money required to of our younger members), our membership curve has been heading keep the fraternity solvent is going to have to come from for the basement, with little or no recovery predicted. a smaller cohort in future. And in all likelihood, Masonic In Indiana, we have found in recent years that our losses from membership numbers will never again reach post-WW2 death have rounded the downward curve and have been slightly levels. lower than in previous years. Annual losses from deaths topped out WINTER 2008/2009 • 25
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at 4,077 in 1968 and hovered in the 3,5003700 range for much of the next few decades. By 2005 they had dropped to 2,507, and have in fact been below 3,000 since the turn of the century. But this is still a large subtraction for a Grand Lodge that has raised only, on average, 1,622 new Master Masons each year from 2000 to 2007. (That average, by the way, dropped by 40 just between 2004 and 2005.) The Grand Lodge has added in total only an average of 2,647 members (including affiliations, restorations, and “other reasons”) each year in the same period, while losses from all causes averaged 4,862 per year.
Year
Total Losses (incl. Deaths)
Deaths
Demits
Suspensions
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
5,084 4,955 5,158 4,660 5,329 4,966 4,740 3,961
2,928 2,914 2,679 2,610 2,651 2,507 2,460 2,302
1,360 1,155 1,635 1,123 1,612 1,279 1,239 6171
785 909 827 917 1,055 1,169 961 1,028
Why are our losses continuing to mount? As it turns out, the largest loss of membership other than from death (in Indiana, at least) comes from demits and suspensions for non-payment of dues. Consider the following table: It is clear that while deaths may be bottoming out (remember, they topped out at 4,077 way back in 1968), suspensions are trending significantly higher, and demits are mixed. Either way, both demits and suspensions are unacceptably high, averaging 3.9 demits and 2.9 suspensions per lodge over the period in question (while deaths, by comparison, averaged just over 6 per lodge).2 In the old days, a man didn’t demit or get himself suspended for non-payment of dues unless and until the lodge had exhausted all means of investigation and remedy. For the man who wanted to demit, it might not have been as simple as “I can’t pay my dues” or “I’m moving out of state and transferring to the lodge there”. There was always the possibility of disharmony that could be patched around to alleviate the problem. And for the man who couldn’t pay his dues, there was remission, or a generous brother who would step up and fulfill his duty to contribute relief. Today lodges often don’t want to go to the trouble. After all, we send dues statements out, and when the dues don’t get paid by the due date, the secretary sends a notice to the members in arrears. Finally, there is a set procedure for the dues committee to follow each month until charges are filed and trials held for nonpayment. Not all lodges, however, take heed of the admonishment to contact personally each brother who is in arrears and ascertain if there is a problem. Unfortunately, many of our older brethren consider asking for remission something akin to the mark of Satan. As a secretary, I’ve heard “I don’t want charity” far too many times from brethren who know full well that the lodge is there to help them if needed. Every Mason has a right to demit. I suspect many lodges just accept requests for demits unquestioned, even though they are supposed to make personal contact to investigate the brother’s reasoning. And even if they do, the investigation is likely to be pretty superficial. In sum, while annual losses to death are bottoming out, it’s not time to wipe our brow and sigh in relief. We’ve got other problems to deal with that cut into our numbers just as badly. The Myth of the “Fixed Income” The “fixed income” issue is, frankly, misnamed.3 While it’s true that retirees typically do not draw the kind of monthly income from pensions and Social Security that they did while working at their 26 • WINTER 2008/2009
pre-retirement careers, the fact of the matter is that senior citizens today have more disposable wealth than at any time in the nation’s history—and those drawing Social Security get regular cost of living increases. Even so, we recognize that not all of our members are among the group that can comfortably cruise, travel, play golf, maintain a second home in Florida, or otherwise enjoy a relaxing life after 65. Many of our members continue to work in lowerpaying jobs after retirement, not just for “something to do”, but because they wouldn’t be putting food on the table if they didn’t. But none of that translates automatically into an inability to pay reasonable dues. The fact is that most of our lodges aren’t charging anywhere near the percentage of household income for dues that they were even 50 years ago. The burden of lodge dues is not nearly as great for today’s retirees as it was in earlier times. Even a lodge charging $125 a year, as my mother lodge does, is asking for only $10 a month to fund its programs.4 You probably can’t get the senior citizen’s plate at the local cafeteria for $10 anymore (at least not if you have a drink and dessert and maybe a salad to go with it), and your monthly newspaper subscription probably runs at least that much, and probably more. And let’s not get into how many (or in fairness, how few) Starbucks lattes you can buy for that. Seniority Remission: When Good Ideas Aren’t Fifty-year awards are great. They are a landmark on a long and well-lived life, regardless of whether the brothers receiving them have been active members in their lodges. In 1946, Indiana decided that 50-year members should also get something a bit more financially rewarding: they would be excused from paying dues (including Grand Lodge assessments, Masonic Home assessments, and lodge dues) for the rest of their lives. In other words, they would be granted seniority remission. As usual, Dwight Smith had something to say about that, and it’s clear he didn’t think much of the idea: In the autumn of 1940 when the newly established Award of Gold became available, large numbers of veteran Brethren then eligible were given recognition. After the initial group had been honored, 50-year button presentations were relatively infrequent for several years. When the first list of recipients was published in 1943 it included only 152 names, but each year thereafter the number increased—in 1956, 363; in 1960, 550; in 1966, 920. When Worshipful Masters C. Clinton Sanders of Benton
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Lodge No. 521 and J. Clark Griffith of Boswell Lodge No. 486 introduced a resolution at the annual meeting in 1946 asking that 50-year members be excused from the payment of annual dues, Grand Lodge voted approval with apparently no thought as to the wisdom of such legislation and no study to determine its possible implications. It seemed simple enough in 1946 when 50-year members were rare. But within 20 years the number had increased to more than five thousand, and a major financial problem had been created thereby.5
investigation into whether or not the remission is actually needed. We should be “means-testing” for this, much as my local Scottish Rite Valley currently does, and remission should be turned down if the brother can, demonstrably, afford to pay dues. As with Social Security, we’ve gotten ourselves into a situation where fewer and fewer of us are subsidizing more and more of us who don’t pay dues. And it will be difficult to make those who have fully “bought” into the program see its inherent unfairness. In 1994, there were 13.6 dues-paying brethren for every 50-year member being remitted. In 2004, there were 5.3. In 2007, 4.5. Is this program indefinitely sustainable?8 At a time when the actuarial tables suggested that very few As for having “paid enough”, well, that might be true if dues men would live to the age of 71 (the minimum age for a man to money was an investment that would continue to pay dividends for receive such an award, given that at the time one had to be 21 in the rest of time. For my part, I believe that Grand Lodges offering order to petition a lodge in Indiana6), and in fact the life expectancy Life Membership or Life Endowment programs need to expand at birth for a male in 1940 was only 60.8 years7, this meant both a their scope, and make it easier for members to join those programs great deal and not much at all. A great deal in that a man who lived earlier in life when they may be making more money, but also have that long probably deserved a special recognition, and not much at families to support. For Indiana, one recommendation might be all in that very few men ever got the 50 year award and no longer to ease into a program of exchanging remission for life endowed had to pay dues. memberships. The existing life endowment program, which allows Flash forward to 2006. In my lodge, there were about 170 one to buy in with a single payment or by dividing the full payment members, 44 of whom were recipients of the 50 Year Award of Gold into three annual payments, needs to give members more time and were excused from paying dues. That means almost 26% of the to buy in. Perhaps there should members of my lodge were paying be a sliding scale of number of no dues at all that year, and five more received the AWG in 2006. “In Indiana, we actually have living payments allowed based on the amount (if dues are under As did Dwight Smith before members who have spent 1/3 of dues $75, 3 payments; dues $76-$100, me, I would suggest that this is 4 payments; and so forth; or it untenable, and I’m not alone— their Masonic lives paying not a be based on the total amount the Grand Master of Masons in dime in dues to their lodge, or in could required to be paid into the annuity Indiana himself recommended at instead). To be completely crass the 2005 Annual Communication assessments to their Grand Lodge.” and mercenary, but at the same that we begin a 10-year process time entirely truthful, it is only of raising the seniority remission with a lifetime endowment that age to 60. (The AWG would still pays off even after a brother dies that a brother can ever truly be be awarded at 50 years.) said to have “paid enough” to warrant not having to pay dues any Of course it was voted, if not shouted, down. The general longer. attitude of those speaking in opposition appeared to be that 50 year members have “paid enough”, a curious concept given that plenty of Public Fundraisers: We Go Hat in Hand men reach retirement (as I myself will) without the faintest chance Traditional public fundraisers don’t work anymore for many of ever becoming 50 year members. We will continue to face the lodges, primarily for two reasons: First, the older generation is tired reality of ever-rising costs to the lodge that will require higher and of doing them and the younger generation wants to be of service to higher dues, while significant numbers of our lodge brethren who the community, not so much to themselves; and second, because happened to come into the fraternity years before we did are able to so many charitable organizations are competing for our shrinking sit comfortably and not pay dues for perhaps 5, 10, 15, or 20 years discretionary income these days, the public perception of Masonic (or more). In an organization based on fairness and meeting on the fundraisers, if there is such a perception, is more than likely that level, how exactly do we justify this? they are just one more hand sticking out, palm up. The life expectancy of males today is 74.5 years. So here’s a The damage in this situation is that Masonic fund raisers radical proposition: Why aren’t we giving the AWG at 50 years and usually don’t benefit the community at large, but rather, are designed granting seniority remission of dues after 75 years, when we give to raise money to fix the roof, or replace the furnace, or paint the the 75 year award? That would put things back very much as they lodge hall—or simply to benefit the annual operating budget of the were when the Grand Lodge originally envisioned them. When the lodge. In my experience, most younger Masons rebel at the thought 75 year award was instituted in Indiana in 1995, it was clear that of becoming cod batterers at the fish fry, or serving up beans at the number of Masons making it to that threshold was significant. the annual bean supper to begin with. Most older Masons don’t And it means that, in Indiana, we actually have living members who understand why that is. After all, those things are traditions. But the have spent 1/3 of their Masonic lives paying not a dime in dues to real fundamental misunderstanding is that the younger generation their lodge, or in assessments to their Grand Lodge. have been brought up in an environment that encourages service This is not to say that they should have paid them. After all, to others, while the older generation sees nothing wrong with the it’s been our policy in Indiana since 1946 that once you get to 50 public at large helping support the Masonic Lodge.9 years, you stop paying dues. But at the very least we should not In addition, this author has heard far too many stories of grant automatically seniority remission at 50 years without an WINTER 2008/2009 • 27
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organizers of lodge pancake breakfasts and fish frys trumpeting the fact that they brought in “x” number of dollars “at the door,” while completely ignoring the fact that they spent nearly “x” or (in some cases) more than “x” dollars putting the whole thing together (for instance, the cost of heat, light, and water is usually ignored when the finances are balanced, but there are often other issues like advertising that are simply waved away). Even though the actual profit is insignificant or non-existent, the door take is held up to the lodge as a reason why such activities should continue in the future. The meagre profit or flat loss is waved away because the activity brought people into the lodge who might never have done so otherwise. But what benefit does the public see from the Masonic Lodge when it holds these public fund raisers? Do they really see it as the public edifice of moral and upright behavior, the place where good men are made better, the defenders of the widow and orphan? Does it raise young men’s perception of Masonry as something they would want to join, and of Masons as men whose behavior they would like to emulate? Are these men signing petitions and joining the lodge in droves? Or does the public just see their local lodge as a place to get a cheap meal once a month? Nobody Said This Would Be Easy So what is the obvious solution to these problems? There are several. • Raise dues and fees. •
Change seniority remission and encourage properlyendowed life membership programs.
•
Bring in new members by raising our public profile and perception, and by making our lodges THE place to be for men of good character.
But I can hear the arguments already: “We can’t do that! We’ve never had to do that before! We make enough from our fund raisers to get by! Our older members are on fixed incomes! Why, dues and fees are too high now! Why, we just got a petitioner at our fish fry last summer—we raised him last fall…where has he been, anyway?” Are dues and fees really too high? Let’s look at what Dwight Smith had to say about that 50 years ago: In 1911 Floyd F. Oursler was making ten dollars a week as an apprentice printer. The fee for the three degrees in Winslow Lodge No. 260 was twenty dollars. That was the full amount of two weeks’ pay. Of course, in 1911 a dollar was worth a dollar, and there was no withholding tax for printers making ten dollars a week, no gross income tax, no social security. Just the same, twenty dollars was two weeks’ pay - all of it. And Floyd Oursler thought enough of Freemasonry to empty his pay envelope twice to enjoy the privilege. Today, fifty years later, the minimum fee that may be charged by Lodges in Indiana has been increased to thirty dollars - and one Lodge out of every five charges 28 • WINTER 2008/2009
the absolute minimum that the law will permit. (If the minimum fee were still twenty dollars, I daresay at least 75 Lodges would be charging that figure.) If the same relationship between wages and fees as prevailed in 1911 were maintained in 1962, Lodges now charging from thirty to sixty dollars would be charging $100 to $150 - and the Fraternity probably would be stronger and better thereby.10 MWBro. Dwight wanted lodges in 1962 to charge between $100 and $150 in fees. According to the US Government’s Consumer Price Index inflation calculator11, that means he would want lodges in 2007 to charge between $685 and $1025 in fees! A grand to petition? Are you kidding? Why, that’s enough to give a whole sideline of Past Masters sprained index fingers! And so far as dues are concerned, Broad Ripple Lodge in 1904 charged $4 per annum. We raised our dues in 2003 to $85 (effectively $58.30, exclusive of all Grand Lodge assessments). In 2005 our dues were raised to $90 (effectively $59.05), in 2006 to $100 (effectively $68.05), and in 2007 to $120 (effectively $85.05). That $4 in 1904 was equivalent to $90.36 in 2005, and $91.20 in 2007.12 Are we keeping up with inflation? I don’t think so. And at Broad Ripple our dues and fees put us among the top 10 or 15 lodges in our state. Imagine what the lodge still charging $15$20 per year, exclusive of Grand Lodge assessments, is doing for operating revenue. (In 2005 there were 8 lodges in Indiana charging in that range; the average per lodge was $47.18. Happily, by 2007, there were only two charging in the minimum bracket, and average dues per lodge had risen to $58.10.) The 50-year remission problem—which, obviously, is only a problem for Grand Lodges that allow blanket seniority remission— is solvable in a couple of different ways. We can either: •
Bite the bullet and immediately raise the seniority remission age to 75 years (which would yield about the same number of remissions per year as back in 1946 when 50 year remission was enacted); or
•
Change the seniority remission rules such that a lodge may still remit the dues and assessments of 50 year members at its option, but that it remains responsible for paying Grand Lodge and Masonic Home assessments for those members until they are no longer members of that lodge. The lodge would also have the option of remitting just the portion of lodge dues that stay with the lodge, and requiring 50 year members to pay the Grand Lodge and Masonic Home assessments. (In my mother lodge that would be about a $90 difference.)
My guess is that the latter is probably more likely to happen, because it’s already being done in some quarters. For instance, the AASR-NMJ Valley of Indianapolis, of which I am a member, will offer remission of dues in worthy cases (all cases are investigated first), but will ask that members so remitted still pay the Supreme Council and Council of Deliberation assessments, which don’t amount to much compared to the full annual amount. Other appendant organizations likely have similar arrangements. And we should be encouraging members to enter Grand Lodge life membership programs, if they exist. But Grand Lodges need to be careful to set the buy-in at a level that guarantees the endowment
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sufficient income to survive, to properly invest those monies so as to guarantee a reasonable return (and hopefully allow for some growth of the payout to the lodges to cover inflation), and NOT to simply drop the life membership money into the general fund. There are far too many organizations out there today that will sell you a life membership and then turn around and apply to current expenses the money that is supposed to guarantee that you don’t have to pay dues for life. And that is a recipe for disaster. The bottom line is that dues and fees are low today, and seniority remission is still considered too sacred a cow to discard or even amend, because fifty years ago, volume made up for value. When membership peaked in the 1950’s, there were so many Masons that lodges didn’t have to charge much for membership in order to keep themselves solvent. And members got so used to cheap dues and low fees that, even as membership tumbled in the late 1960s and 1970s, they refused to raise them to at least keep pace with the losses and with inflation—because “we’d never had to do that before!” And throughout the entire period, a silent but growing burden has appeared upon the backs of young Masons, as now nearly a fifth of our membership no longer pays lodge dues of any kind—undoubtedly a result that the well-meaning brethren who brought seniority remission to the floor of Grand Lodge in Indiana in 1946 were not expecting. So today, Grand Lodge delegates who are against raising per capita assessments and the statutory minimum amounts of dues and fees, and who rail against taking away the 50-year member perk, rally ‘round a tattered banner that reads, “We’ve always done it that way!”, and perennially vote down proposed changes that would benefit the Fraternity at large. Another solution, of course, is to bring in more members. Are we going about that properly? This paper is not the place to get into the relative merits of one-day classes vs. bringing them in “the oldfashioned way”, but as noted in the section above regarding public fund raisers, it’s clear that lodges need to raise their public image above being the monthly pancake or fish fry house in order to bring in quality petitioners for the degrees. And whether candidates are initiated, passed and raised in one day or over a period of several weeks or months, the first impression any petitioner is going to have of local Masonry is going to be his local lodge. So lodges need to start burnishing their image as organizations with which men of good character want to be associated—and that may mean doing a bit more than simply frying fish or flipping flapjacks. (For one thing, it may mean slapping a coat of paint on the building, fixing the potholes in the driveway, and deep-cleaning all the rooms where people congregate—especially if you’re a lodge of smokers. There’s nothing more off-putting to young men than “old man smell”.) Changes of this nature will take time, as well as a high level of commitment and a will to succeed. And that will cause a lot of lodges to balk, because their active members are probably already over-committed as it is. To these lodges, with all due respect, I can say only this: What’s the alternative? Because right now, whether we know it or not, we’re destroying the Fraternity in a losing struggle to save it. At Broad Ripple Lodge, we started making a lot of these changes in 1999, when the lodge nearly closed its doors for lack of interest. Ten years later, we have a beautiful lodge building, our dues and fees are high but not out of reach, and there is a steady stream of young men of good character being admitted through our West Gate. We know that changes like this work. You just have to
commit, knuckle down, and do the work. What Are We Afraid Of? Several years ago, I briefly considered joining a prestigious downtown club in Indianapolis. I knew from the start that it was a budget-buster for me, but I was interested to see what the dues structure was like. My eyes were opened quite wide. As a resident member of age 37 and above, I would be charged an initiation fee of $3,000. Then, monthly (not annual) dues of $120, plus $15/ month for the capital building fund. In other words, in the first year I would be dinged for $4,620, and then $1,620 each year afterwards—assuming no increases in dues.13 The first year I was a Mason, it cost me $141.50. The year after, $60. I hear frequent stories of potential petitioners asking, “Is that per month?” when the brother they’re talking to tells them what our dues are, and then responding “Wow, that’s cheap!” when they’re told it’s per year. All that tells me is that we’re selling ourselves FAR too cheaply. Our dues simply don’t, anymore. Our initiation fees are a disgrace to the Craft, and encourage far too many unworthy men to challenge our West Gate. It’s time to raise dues and fees to what the market will, demonstrably, bear. And it’s time to stop automatically granting remission of dues to a significant and growing segment of our brethren, without bothering to means-test for applicability. In states that have Life Membership programs, it should be made easier for brethren to get into those programs, possibly by stretching out the number of years over which payments can be made into the annuity. And by all means, Life Membership monies should be carefully invested in an endowment, not simply pumped into the General Fund. Otherwise we can look forward to more years of dwindling and mediocre membership, decaying buildings, and lost opportunities. As a member of what was once considered the premier society of gentlemen, that prospect holds no joy for me. Footnotes 1. This number doesn’t seem correct to me. I suspect it is the result of a clerical error and should actually be 1,617. I am looking into that, but see endnote 2. 2. Membership numbers from 2000-2007 are found in the 2008 Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Indiana, F&AM, Comparative Statement of Membership, pp. 204-205. I have omitted plural membership additions in my calculations. All types of losses are represented (plural membership demits are not separated from overall demits in the statistical table). It is unclear at this time whether the significantly lower demit numbers for 2007 are an outlier, if not in fact simply a clerical error (based on existing trends alone, I would believe 1,617 before I would believe 617). If we throw out the 2007 value, our demits are trending very slowly lower, to 1099 in 2017. If we do not throw out the 2007 value, the trend results drop to zero in 2016 and go negative in 2017. If the 2007 number is actually 1,617 as I have proposed may be the case, the trend is slowly higher, going to 1,699 in 2017. I am not a mathematician, but the trendline for demits dropping to zero in 8 years doesn’t seem reasonable to me unless Masonry suddenly becomes something it presently is not…which is fodder for another, very different paper. 3. The case can also be made that the concept of “fixed income” is overblown by retirees; most of us still in the workforce who haven’t had a raise except for cost of living for the past three or four years could easily retort that we’re on fixed incomes, too. People who push “fixed income” as a reason to be against raising dues might do better to claim “reduced WINTER 2008/2009 • 29
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income”—although as noted, and for all their complaining about Social Security, a good number of the retirees in our ranks are doing just as well or better than most of us still working. 4. Which isn’t really the case, because a little over a quarter of that $125 goes to Grand Lodge for general assessments and the Masonic Home assessment. So it’s about $7.50 a month to fund local programs and keep the building tempered, watered, drained, and generally from falling in on us. 5. Goodly Heritage, p. 375. 6. Unless he was a Lewis, but the number of 18-year-old petitioners was probably insignificant in the grand scheme of things, and even a Lewis would have had to cheat the Reaper by 8 years at the time in order to get a 50 year award. 7. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0005148.html. Accessed 15 Mar
2009.
8. It was recently reported to me by an attendee of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska’s 2007 annual communication that when he asked brethren from several states if they remitted dues for 50 year members based solely on their 50-year status, the general response was something like “How did something so financially irresponsible ever get passed?” 9. I would like to make it clear that if public fund raisers work well for your lodge, that’s fabulous. But you are in the minority so far as I can tell. 10. This story comes from one of the supporting editorials (“Where Your Treasure Is”) for “Whither are we traveling?”, which can be found at http://www.vitruvian.org/papers/ along with MWBro. Smith’s other important works.
11. Found at http://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm (accessed 15 Mar 2009) 12. Use the calculator at http://www.westegg.com/inflation/ for years earlier than 1913 (accessed 15 Mar 2009) 13. Don’t take my word for it. Contact the Columbia Club of Indianapolis (http://www.columbia-club.org, accessed 15 Mar 2009) to see what their current membership fee structure is (they no longer publish fees in their online application so I can’t provide them here). Or check out the prestigious club in your own town and see if they don’t have a similar fee structure.
Nathan Brindle is Past Master of Broad Ripple Lodge No. 643, F. & A. M., in Indianapolis, Indiana. He served as its Master in 2002, and as Secretary of that Lodge from 2003-2007. He is a charter member of Lodge Vitruvian No. 767, F. & A. M., also of Indianapolis, in which he has served as Secretary from its inception; Logan Lodge No. 575, F. & A. M., Indianapolis; Dwight L. Smith Lodge of Research, U.D., where he is currently Junior Warden; the Indianapolis Downtown York Rite Bodies; the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, NMJ, Valley of Indianapolis, in which he is currently (2008-2009) Junior Warden in the Adoniram Lodge of Perfection; and the St. Bernard de Clairvaux Council No 256, A.M.D. He also serves as a Director on the board of the Indianapolis Masonic Temple Association, Inc., and is its elected Secretary. As if that was not enough, he is also the Secretary-Treasurer of The Masonic Society. 30 • WINTER 2008/2009
Designs Upon the Trestleboard Continued from page 15 literary Masonic organization, and invite its participants to your lodge. Or keep in “in house” with a PowerPoint display, or a question-and-answer game—and don’t forget to provide prizes. Education can take many forms; it need not always be a lengthy talk. No doubt the cement of Brotherly Love is spread with a Trowel, but as Laurence Dermott famously said, a knife and a fork help too. Keep the brethren at the lodge after the meeting ends. Masons like to eat and the finest way to bond with others is to break bread. Make sure the lodge provides a quality meal, something you’d be proud to serve at home, be it Italian, Mexican, Polish or other cuisines. And do so during off-nights too, when the guys casually get together to study or rehearse ritual. Show that you care; don’t rely on hotdogs and other cheap excuses. Speaking of home, if we expect men to spend a lot of time with us, we ought to make our buildings as comfortable as our homes. Make sure the building and grounds are always looking sharp, inside and out. Calling out volunteers for spring clean-up is a productive way to bring everyone together, their wives and kids too. Tapping members whose trade skills and general handiness is an effective way to help Masons be active without working on ritual or other duties that might not interest them. Furnish the lodge with chairs and sofas that invite seating and relaxation. Invest in a modern television for entertainment and education programs. Foster socialization by starting clubs centered on hobbies and other pursuits. And speaking of family, keep an eye out for brethren who may need help. The lodge should be a place where Masons can turn for help, aid and assistance. Within the fraternity, make certain your lodge keeps abreast of what other lodges in the area are doing. Join each other in degree work. Circulate a “Traveling Gavel.” Plan social events together. Within the community, the best way to make Freemasonry a household word again is to make the lodge an important local landmark. From community service projects to supporting local charities to partaking in public celebrations, there is no limit to how a lodge can make itself a cornerstone of its community. Brethren, our world has changed radically during our lifetime, and our beloved Craft has changed and will continue to change. So long as the integrity of your ritual is protected and your grand lodge’s constitution and laws are followed, there is no excuse to avoid making reforms that will keep your lodge vital and worthy of the brethren’s support.
Cory Sigler is Worshipful Master of Hawthorne Fortitude Lodge No. 200 in Ramsey, New Jersey, and is a Founding Fellow of The Masonic Society.
WINTER 2008/2009 • 31
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Freemasonry Around the World The Grande Loge Nationale Française (GLNF), headquartered in this modern facility at 12 rue Christine de Pisan in Paris, was formed in 1913, and is the French grand lodge that is largely recognized by US jurisdictions. The building contains several lodge rooms, including the large Grand Lodge Hall, as well as offices, dining facilities, and a bar. The GLNF is the third largest Masonic obedience in France, with more than 20,000 members. Lodges work a variety of rituals: Rectified French Rite, French Traditional Rite, Scottish Rite, English Emulation, and American York Rite.
GLNF building in Paris
Grand Lodge Hall
Worshipful Master’s Station Senior Warden’s Station 32 • WINTER 2008/2009
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FROM THE EDITOR
The Very Air Abounds In Morgans by Christopher l. Hodapp
T
he story of William Morgan seems to be everywhere I turn these days. It’s a curious development for an episode that happened 180 years ago, and especially one that Freemasons would really rather put behind us. Stephen Dafoe’s book, Morgan: The Scandal That Shook Freemasonry (Cornerstone, 2009) is due in Summer 2009, and promises to cover new material. Based partially on his paper written for the Scottish Rite Research Society’s volume of Heredom, the book tells the tale of Morgan’s abduction and probable death in a way it’s never been told before—as a mystery narrative. As all effective whodunnits do, Stephen is going to come clean and tell who done it. Meanwhile, Freemason Robert Berry’s take on the William Morgan “excitement,” The Bright Mason: An American Mystery (http://www.booklocker.com/books/3615.html) has been available as an online download since last year. Seasoned brethren know the story, but the basic facts should be known to all Masons, if for no other reason than the fact that the incident has been used as a stick to beat the fraternity ever since it happened. Born in Culpepper, Virginia in 1774, William Morgan claimed to have served as a captain during the War of 1812, although there has never been any proof of it. At the age of 44, he married 16 year old Lucinda Pendleton, and after several failed business ventures, the couple moved to Batavia, New York. Morgan had fallen on hard times, and was regarded as a drunk and a gambler. When he attempted to join the lodge in Batavia, he was turned down. In 1825, he received the Royal Arch degrees in Leroy, New York, and when a Batavia Royal Arch Chapter was chartered the next year, Morgan’s name was on it. The local Masons were not exactly pleased with that turn of events, and managed to have another charter drawn up without the offending “captain.” Morgan became enraged at the Batavia members, and in revenge, authored an exposure of Blue Lodge and Royal Arch ritual, entitled Illustrations of Masonry. He intended to enter into partnership with local printer David Miller, who himself had been rejected by the Batavia lodge after receiving his EA degree. When word hit the streets that Morgan and Miller were intending to betray their obligations and publish the secrets of Freemasonry, the Batavia brethren blew their stacks. They took out a newspaper ad blasting both men, and then “someone” ransacked Miller’s print shop in an effort to find and destroy the manuscript—to no avail. Morgan was arrested on September 11, 1826 on a trumped up charge of theft of a $2 shirt. Then in the middle of the night, a local Freemason paid his fine, hustled him out of the jail, and into a carriage, as Morgan was heard to shout, “Murder!” And that was the last anyone ever saw or heard of him again. His disappearance and presumed death resulted in the greatest period of anti-Masonic fervor in the United States. It was alleged that the Batavia Masons had drowned him in Lake Niagara, but Morgan’s body was never found. The Masons claimed they gave him $500, took him to the Canadian border, pointed him North, and told him to get lost. But most figured they had taken their obligations a little too literally and had killed him. The result was a national uproar
against Freemasons, and especially Masons who held public office (the local sheriff, members of the lenient jury, the judge in the case, and even governor DeWitt Clinton). The episode also created the first “third party” movement in America with the formation of the Anti-Masonic Party. Lodges were shuttered, grand lodges teetered on the brink of closure, and changes were made to the fraternity that we live with to this day as a result of Morgan’s disappearance (issuing membership cards, and opening business meetings on the MM degree, for example). When you hang around the shelves of booksellers or go trawling the internet for curiosities, you find the strangest things. Literally hundreds of short-lived newspapers were born in the wake of anti-Masonic hysteria, mostly across the northeast, and collections of them turn up on occasion. But there is no oddity of the Morgan excitement’s aftermath stranger than a book that appeared in 1895. Etidorhpa, Or The End of The Earth, by a physician named John Uri Lloyd, is truly a collision of science fiction, alchemy, metaphysics and philosophy, with a little Jules Verne inspiration on top. And the main character is none other than Captain William Morgan. Etidorhpa (Aphrodite spelled backwards) tells the story of what really happened to Morgan after he was carried off into the darkness of September 11, 1826. In the book, Morgan (only referred to as “The-Man-Who-Did-It”) confesses that he joined the Freemasons at the urging of a group of Rosicrucians in order to discover and expose the esoteric knowledge of the Freemasons. To atone for the sin of breaking his obligation, he is artificially aged and rendered unrecognizable to all who knew him before. He is then taken to a cavern in Kentucky and led into the center of the Earth by a strange, blue, faceless guide to discover knowledge that is revealed to few mortals. On the way, he passes through a giant mushroom forest, underground volcanoes, and a great subterranean ocean, before he at last meets the goddess Etidorhpa. It is a symbolic interpretation of the alchemical concept of VITRIOL (Visita Interiore Terrae Rectificando Invenies Ocultem Lapidem): “Visit the Interior of the Earth, and by Rectifying you will find the Hidden Stone.” Like I said, Morgan seems to everywhere I look lately. Oddly enough, the February edition of the Scottish Rite Northern Jurisdiction’s magazine, The Northern Light, just arrived. The editorial by Sovereign Grand Commander McNaughton is entitled, “The Morgan Affair is History, Get Over It!” WINTER 2008/2009 • 35
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Masonic Treasures
M
arch 2nd marks the anniversary of Texas’ declaration of independence from Mexico and the beginnings of the Republic of Texas. The declaration was formally read on March 2, 1836 in the little town of Washington. The Battle of the Alamo would start four days later, and last 13 days. The nearly 200 defenders who died at the Alamo (above) at the hands of Mexican president-general Santa Ana included Freemasons James Bowie, David Crockett, James Bonham, William Barrett Travis, and Almaron Dickenson. It’s not known whether Santa Ana himself truly was a Mason. As president, he outlawed the practice of Freemasonry in Mexico, as most dictators do. And at the Alamo, he ordered the bodies of Masons to be hacked into bits. Yet, the story has long been told that, after his capture at the battle of San Jacinto, he prevented his execution at least twice by ‘filling the air’ with Masonic signs and giving the Masonic grip to Sam Houston. That’s the story, anyway. The Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas was formed April 16, 1838. The Republic of Texas itself lasted less than a decade, when it became a state on December 29, 1845. CLH