‘This Scotsman walks into a lodge on St. Patrick’s Day’

     
No, not a joke! Bro. Bob Cooper will visit an area lodge March 17 to speak on the subject of the Edinburgh Register House Manuscript. From the publicity:

Robert L.D. Cooper

Deciphering the Edinburgh

Register House MS of 1696

Tuesday, March 17

Clifton, New Jersey

Hailed as the world’s oldest Masonic ritual, the Edinburgh Register House Manuscript of 1696 starts with a catechism for proving a man, who has the word, is really a mason. Among other things, the person seeking entry is expected to name his lodge as Kilwinning, which is reputed to be the oldest Lodge in the world. A Fellow Craft is further expected to know and explain a Masonic embrace called the Five Points of Fellowship.

Lessing-Passaic Lodge 67 is proud to present this world-acclaimed Masonic speaker. Bro. Cooper has been the curator of the Grand Lodge of Scotland’s Museum and Library for 20 years, and is a Past Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076. Not only has he written books and articles on Masonic matters, but he also has appeared on television and radio programs around the world on the subject of Freemasonry. He has an abiding interest in all matters relating to Freemasonry prior to the Grand Lodge era, with a particular interest in manuscript rituals, including pseudo-Masonic rituals from the 17th century.

All those who RSVP will receive an advance copy of this manuscript. Reservations are required. No walk-ins can be accommodated. RSVP here. This will be a regular communication of Lessing-Passaic Lodge 67, and our program will be as follows:

Social hour at 5:30 p.m. Dinner at 6:30. Lodge Opening at 7:30, and the presentation at eight o’clock.

To accommodate the anticipated number of brethren who will likely attend, Clifton Lodge 203 has allowed us the use of their temple to hold this program. 1496 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton, New Jersey.

This meeting will be free of charge and open to all Master Masons because Lessing-Passaic Lodge would like to spread Masonic Light and knowledge to as many of the brethren as possible.

We expect this program to fill up quickly, so we suggest that you RSVP without delay, but no later than February 25.