‘Passing Timothy Ridicule’

    

From Masonry Dissected, printed London, 1730.

Last night was the occasion of the first meeting of The American Lodge of Research since our October Stated Communication, and while it didn’t feel like four months apart, it was great to see everyone again.

This time we met jointly with Dunwoodie Lodge 863 in New Rochelle. It is tradition at The ALR to exercise our prerogative to travel about the state to hold joint communications with lodges that don’t mind having us over. We try to do it once annually, but the previous visit was in December 2022 to West Point Lodge 877.

The program last night was not research papers, but something quirky. We traveled through time and space to 1730s London to learn about the Craft rituals worked then and there. You probably know I’m talking about Masonry Dissected, the ritual exposure compiled by one Samuel Prichard. The book is what gives us our first look at a Third Degree, so it is historically very important. While it is not the first ritual exposure, it is the first to include the obligations, making it sexier than the competition. If you don’t know it, find it online and marvel at how different, yet also how similar, these early ritual renderings are to ours today. There’s no floor work—that may be found in ritual exposures from later in the eighteenth century—but the spoken content of the lectures appears in detail. We trust its accuracy because of the very successful sales of the book as proven by the number of times it was printed, meaning it was Masons themselves buying it up for use in learning their ritual.

So you’re wondering about the title of this edition of The Magpie Mason. Near the end of the Fellow-Craft’s Degree lecture, the Master of the lodge asks the candidate’s name, to which “Timothy Ridicule” is the printed reply. During the degree, the candidate, naturally, would say his own name, but Prichard is said to have been a disgruntled former Mason, so I’ll guess Timothy Ridicule is some shade thrown at the ancient accepted Order. (I’ve been using it for dinner reservations for twenty years.)

My thanks to Worshipful Master Shawn and the brethren for welcoming us to give this presentation. And special kudos to Dunwoodie’s Brother Senior Deacon for being the 1730 Worshipful Master and posing the questions of the lecture to me. And thanks also to The ALR’s officers and members for journeying out to Westchester!

The degrees back then were very brief, compared to what we today know. No lengthy orations of any kind. Those would take shape several decades later thanks to William Preston and other writers. Lectures in the eighteenth century were interactive in a question-and-answer format led by the Master of the lodge. Just like our modern Opening/Closing, which once were part of degree work. When your Master is installed and that ritual charges him to present a lecture at every meeting, he is not being told to elucidate in a monolog on any particular subject. He is, historically anyway, promising to lead the lodge in this Q&A-style recapitulation of a degree.

I have edited, modernized spelling, etc., but here is the “Fellow-Craft’s Degree”:

Q. Are you a Fellow Craft?

A. I am.

Q. Why was you made a Fellow Craft?

A. For the sake of the letter G.

Q. What does that G denote?

A. Geometry, or the fifth Science.

Q. Did you ever travel?

A: Yes, east and west.

Q. Did you ever work?

A. Yes, in the building of the Temple.

Q. Where did you receive your wages?

A. In the Middle Chamber.

Q. How came you to the Middle Chamber?

A. Through the Porch.

Q. When you came through the Porch, what did you see?

A. Two great Pillars.

Q. What are they called?

A. J. B., that is J****n and B**z.

Q. How high are they?

A. Eighteen Cubits.

Q. How much in circumference?

A. Twelve cubits.

Q. What were they adorned with?

A. Two chapiters.

Q. How high were the chapiters?

A. Five cubits.

Q. What were they adorned with?

A. Network and pomegranates.

Q. How came you to the Middle Chamber?

A. By a winding pair of stairs.

Q. How many?

A. Seven or more.

Q. Why seven or more?

A. Because seven or more make a just and perfect lodge.

Q. When you came to the door of the Middle Chamber, who did you see?

A. A Warden.

Q. What did he demand of you?

A. Three things.

Q. What were they?

A. A sign, token, and a word.

Q. How high was the door of the Middle Chamber?

A. So high that a cowan could not reach to stick a pin in.

Q. When you came to the middle, what did you see?

A. The resemblance of the letter G.

Q. What did that G denote?

A. One that’s greater than you.

Q. Who’s greater than I, that am a Free and Accepted Mason, the Master of a lodge?

A. The Grand Architect and Contriver of the Universe, or he that was taken up to the top of the pinnacle of the Holy Temple.

Q. Can you repeat the letter G?

A. I’ll do my endeavor.

The repeating the Letter G

In the midst of Solomon’s Temple there stands a G. A letter for all to read and see;

But few there be that understand what means the letter G.

Q. My friend, if you pretend to be of this fraternity,

You can forthwith and rightly tell what means that letter G.

A. By sciences are brought to light bodies of various kinds,

Which do appear to perfect sight, but none but males shall know my mind.

Q. The Right shall.

A. If Worshipful.

Q. Both Right and Worshipful I am,

To hail you I have command,

That you forthwith let me know,

As I you may understand.

A. By letters four, and science five,

This G aright does stand,

In a due art and proportion;

You have your answer, friend.

N.B. Four letters are B**z; Fifth science Geometry.

Q. My friend, you answer well,

If right and free principles you discover,

I’ll change your name from Friend,

And henceforth call you Brother.

A. The sciences are well composed of noble structure’s verse, a point, a line, and an outside; but a solid is the last.

Q. God’s good greeting be to this our happy meeting.

A. And all the Right Worshipful Brothers and Fellows.

Q. Of the Right Worshipful and Holy Lodge of St. John’s.

A. From whence I came.

Q. Greet you, greet you, greet you thrice heartily well, craving your name.

A. Timothy Ridicule.

Q. Welcome, Brother, by the grace of God.

N.B. The reason why they denominate themselves of the Holy Lodge of St. John’s is because he was the forerunner of our Savior and laid the first parallel line to the Gospel. Others do assert that our Savior Himself was accepted a Freemason whilst He was in the flesh, but how ridiculous and profane it seems, I leave to the judicious reader to consider.

The End of the Fellow Craft’s Part.

Dunwoodie meets in the Masonic Care New Rochelle campus, formerly the College of New Rochelle. Hard to believe it has been more than five years since the fraternity acquired the property, but all is not well in New Rochelle. The local politicians oppose the remaking of the campus into assisted living space—despite a number of residences for senior citizens existing in town already. I wonder what’s really on their minds.

Bro. Erich, The ALR’s Junior Deacon, and I arrived a few hours early and promptly explored some of the campus. It is frozen in time—deserted and with the abandoned accoutrements of student living evident everywhere. Beautiful stone architecture though. Castle-like Gothic style. I didn’t take any photos because the overcast day, frigid temps, and lifeless campus made a depressing scene. But while walking around and in and out of various buildings, we bumped into Past Grand Master Bill Sardone, a loyal booster of The ALR, who showed off the several spaces occupied by the Masonic Model Railroading Club.

It’s all in the early stages, but a few set-ups are working, with multiple trains running amid functioning scenery, like a Sinclair service station and pumping oil derricks. The club has accumulated more trains than it likely will be able to run, thanks to donations from around the country, but there is so much space on the campus I hope they can assemble it all in harmonious electric cycle one day soon. Send an email here to get involved.

The ALR will be back at Masonic Hall for its March 31 Stated Communication when we’ll welcome Bro. Chris Ruli, author of Brother Lafayette, to discuss the Marquis’ return visit to America in 1824-25. Also, the aforementioned Bro. Erich will tell us about Alexis de Toqueville’s thoughts on Freemasonry as gleaned from his historic tour of the United States in 1831-32.

That’s a fifth Monday. A lodge of Master Masons tiles at seven.

     

‘Happenings Ten Years Time Ago’

    

Happy anniversary to…me!

It was on this date ten years ago—probably at this very hour—when I was elected to membership by affiliation in Publicity Lodge 1000 in the Fourth Manhattan District.

I’m taking time off from lodge while I’m in the East of The ALR, and my work schedule isn’t helping either, but I keep up with current events. Very sorry to hear of Bro. Al’s passing last week.

In retrospect, I wish I had joined the lodge much earlier—like twenty-five years earlier—but things worked out in the end. Can’t wait to be back, comfortably on the sidelines, soon.

     

‘Did you know about Kentucky Long Rifle Lodge?’

    

You might not believe it, but the storied Kentucky rifle figures not only tangentially in Masonic history, but also directly. But first, the current events: William O. Ware Lodge of Research in Kentucky is conducting a raffle of such a firearm. From the publicity:

Raffle Tickets Cost Only $50 Each

No limit on quantity of purchases

This year’s annual raffle item is a Kentucky Long Rifle. The stock of this .45 caliber rifle is an attractive hard maple with curly grain that extends to muzzle with brass cap and fitted four-inch heavy brass butt plate. A hickory ramrod mount through two beaded pipes and matching thimble. Bore is bright and shiny. Triggers and locks operable.

The raffle drawing will be held November 6 at 7:30 p.m. at Walt’s Hitching Post, 3300 Madison Pike in Ft. Wright during the William O. Ware Annual Festive Board.

One hundred percent of all proceeds support Masonic research at the William O. Ware Lodge of Research. Please note, purchasing a raffle ticket does not include a ticket to the Festive Board. Separate invitations will be sent for this event later in the year.

William O. Ware’s Kentucky Charitable Gaming License No. EXE0002699.

The Masonic Society hosted its 2017 conference in Lexington, where a similar raffle was conducted. I didn’t buy a ticket, not imaging how I possibly could get the beast home, but there were two winners. Two, because Tom Jackson forgot to bring his raffle tickets to the dinner and consequently a second ticket had to be drawn. I can’t remember who won. (Hell, I’m just realizing now that I never wrote about that conference here on The Magpie Mason! How did I neglect that? I swear I have the attention span of a puppy.)

Anyway, in a look at American history, we see Kentucky rifles were credited with major military victories. First, troops under the command of future Tennessee Grand Master Andrew Jackson were armed with these when they defeated the British at New Orleans in 1814. That battle was relived in song whence comes the rifle’s nickname. Excerpted:

But Jackson, he was wide awake,

And was not scared of trifles;

For well he knew what aim we take

With our Kentucky rifles;

He led us down to Cypress swamp,

The ground was low and mucky;

There stood John Bull in pomp,

And here was old Kentucky.

Then, the same model rifle was instrumental in winning independence for Texas where Freemasons were key in the fight against Mexico.

Later in U.S. history, during the First World War, Kentucky Grand Master J.N. Saunders granted dispensation to Kentucky Rifle Lodge, the second of that Grand Lodge’s army lodges. He opened this lodge September 25, 1917 and installed its officers at Camp Stanley. If I understand correctly, this lodge was at labor only for that year.

So buy a raffle ticket! Just don’t ask me how you’ll get that bazooka home.

     

‘Masonic Week congratulations’

    

Masonic Week is still underway in Virginia with the Operatives set to host its events momentarily, but watching social media I see congratulations are in order, including:

Jason Sheridan

At the Philalethes Society yesterday, Chuck Dunning, Martin Faulks, Chris Hodapp, and Piers Vaughan have been made Fellows. Huzzah!

In addition, Dr. Heather Calloway was presented Philalethes’ Award of Merit in recognition of her work as Executive Director of the Center for Fraternal Collections and Research at Indiana University. Excellent choice!

As of Friday, the newest Blue Friar is Ric Berman, two-time Prestonian Lecturer, secretary of QC2076, et al. Ric will present his 2024 Prestonian Lecture, “The Second Grand Lodge, The London Irish & Antients Freemasonry,” at Quatuor Coronati May 8, and I hope to get him to New York City soon.

In the Allied Masonic Degrees, the new Grand Tiler is Moises Gomez. Moises, had been the Grand Superintendent for New Jersey (and is an Honorary Past Junior Grand Warden, if I recall correctly), and he is a recipient of the Fowler Award. Moises has been succeeded as Grand Superintendent by Ray Ortiz.

For the District of Columbia, Chris Ruli is the new Grand Superintendent.

In the Grand College of Rites, the new Grand Seneschal is Oscar Alleyne. (It’s nice to see Oscar receive an appointment for once!)

I know there must be other good news, but that’s all I got for you now. Congrats and good luck to everybody!

     

‘Support this Albany history project’

    

Albany’s Masonic Temple was dedicated in 1896.

The first clues of Masonic history in Albany date to the 1750s and the French-Indian War, and the city that would become the capital of New York State has played important parts in our fraternity’s story. For example, in 1767, a Mason named Henry Andrew Francken, recently arrived in Albany from Jamaica, established a Masonic body there associated with what would become the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite by issuing the warrant of Ineffable and Sublime Grand Lodge of Perfection.

That’s the Rite of Perfection, the system of 25 degrees that would be the basis for the 33-degree A&ASR established in 1801. Francken issued the patent to this Grand Lodge of Perfection, culminating several months of activity that had begun with his conferring degrees 4 through 14 upon two Masons named William Gamble and Francis von Pfister. (I have been informed by an unimpeachable source that this was not the first Rite of Perfection body in North America, as is commonly said, because New Orleans had a short-lived Lodge of Perfection in 1763. Thanks, Brent!)

The comprehensive Masonic history of Albany deserves to be collected, organized, written, and published, and this is being organized by W. Bro. Michael Hernandez of Mt. Vernon Lodge 3. Specifically, he is raising the financing needed to make the deep research possible. A total of $10,000 is sought, more than half of which has been secured already.

If you can help, click here for the Go Fund Me. From the publicity of this morning:

Just a brief update concerning the fundraising effort for the History of Freemasonry in Albany book. To date, nearly thirty donations have been received, which total just shy of $5,500.

Major donors include:

Capital District Masonic Charities Corporation;

Valley of Albany, AASR; and

Ancient Temple Chapter 5, R.A.M., all of whom donated at the $500-$1000 level.

Only $4,500 more in donations are needed for this project to be fully financed and for work to begin. If you are willing and able to offer support for this important project it would be very much welcome.

And previously:

I am working to raise $10,000 to finance the publication of a book on the history of Freemasonry in Albany, New York. To the best of my knowledge, no such book has been written. Although many anniversary histories have been published by the city’s Masonic bodies, there does not appear to be a single volume that chronicles the fraternity’s 255+ year history in this city. This book will attempt to correct this oversight.

In writing this book, as much of the fraternity’s history in the City of Albany will be covered as possible. This will include examining persons of significance to the fraternity and the broader community, as well as shining a light on many exquisite and unique artifacts that rarely see the light of day.

This book will take approximately 12-18 months to research, write, and print. The lion’s share of this work will be done by noted and respected Capital District author, filmmaker, historian, and archaeologist Don Rittner. Don’s written works include histories of Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and Lansingburgh.

Please note that any donations totaling $1,000 or more will be formally acknowledged in the book.

Click to enlarge.

Again, click here <cough> Grand Lodge, Supreme Council, et al.

     

‘Book club’s inaugural meeting’

    

A partnership between New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education 1786 and Jerusalem Lodge 26 will come to fruition Saturday in the first meeting of their book club. Allen E. Roberts’ Freemasonry in American History is to be explored.

The brethren will meet in the library (third floor) of the Plainfield Masonic Temple, located at 105 East Seventh Street in historic Plainfield, New Jersey. Great building. One of two remaining 1920s vintage multi-room Masonic temples in the state.

It’s a fine choice for a first book for the club. Written in the popular style, rather than academic, Freemasonry in American History is an easy read that checks off the major people, places, and events that every Mason in this country ought to know about. From what I recollect from about twenty-five years ago, the author’s editorializing is sometimes amusing but, again, this is not a textbook. Its first nine chapters will be discussed.

Copies of the book will be available for $20 each, and a PDF is found here.

Be there by 10 a.m. Plenty of parking.

     

‘Ontario to host MRF in August’

    

It’s official: The Masonic Restoration Foundation is headed to Ontario this summer, according to the announcement that came the other night via social media. This fourteenth annual symposium is scheduled for August 15-17 inside Masonic Centre on Queen Street South in Hamilton.

No details yet on speakers and other attractions, but the link to book your hotel rooms, right across the street—and at a nice rate, if I may say so—is up. Click here and I will see you there.

Always wanted to visit Ontario. Have to find time for the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Tim Horton is said to have been made a Mason in Kroy Lodge 676 in Ontario in 1962.

     

     

‘John Skene Masonic Conference this summer’

    

Save the date: August 23 for the next John Skene Masonic Conference. The details, thus far, are in the graphic above.

The down side is I’ll be among the speakers, dining out again on my Thomas Reid talk.

But Bob Cooper will be the highlight of this Skenefest, presenting his latest research on Skene, the first Freemason to arrive in the New World, having been a member of the lodge in Aberdeen before his arrival in West Jersey in 1682.

     

‘New research society in New York “To seek the Light”’

    

The brethren up in the Orange Rockland Sullivan District announced the other day the launch of the ORS Masonic Research Society. Its motto, Quaerere Lucem, means To Seek the Light. From the publicity:

To the Worshipful Masters, Wardens, and Brethren of the Orange-Rockland-Sullivan Masonic District:

Brethren,

It is with great enthusiasm that we announce the formation of the ORS Masonic Research Society, an initiative dedicated to the advancement of Masonic knowledge, research, and education within our district.

This Society is open to all Master Masons in the district who seek to deepen their understanding of Freemasonry through research, discussion, and the sharing of Masonic scholarship. Our goal is to provide a structured and collaborative environment where Brethren can engage in the exploration of Masonic history, philosophy, symbolism, and esoteric teachings.

How the ORS Masonic Research

Society Will Work: 

➢ Quarterly Zoom meetings to discuss research, presentations, and Masonic education. 

➢ A Shared Digital Resource Library organized into categories accessible to different Masonic audiences (Public, EA, FC, MM) available to all District lodges.

➢ 
A peer review process to ensure the credibility and quality of shared research.

➢ Standardized formatting and citations for proper attribution in all contributions.

Benefits to the Craft:

The Society will serve as a valuable resource for lodges and Brethren, offering access to well-researched Masonic papers and presentations. By fostering a culture of learning, we aim to:

➢ Strengthen Masonic knowledge among our Brethren.

➢ Encourage engagement and participation in Masonic education.

➢ Preserve and share valuable Masonic teachings for future generations.

➢ Build deeper fraternal connections through intellectual and philosophical discussion.

We invite all interested Brethren to consider joining this initiative and contributing to the enlightenment of our district. If you wish to learn more or become a founding member, please contact: RW Robert Schroeder, Jr., Grand Director of Ceremonies, here.

We look forward to your participation in this endeavor as we seek further light together.

Fraternally,

The ORS Masonic Research Society

There are thirteen lodges in the ORS District. I wish them great success.

I was told a few years ago about a desire for such a group in that part of the state, and I am happy they went this route, rather than seek a charter for a research lodge. I have nothing against research lodges, y’understand, but I think the brethren will enjoy greater freedom as a research society, without the encumbrances of the lodge structure (officers, paperwork, regalia, ritual, et al.).

I communicated my congratulations and offered any assistance The American Lodge of Research possibly could deliver.

     

‘Academy reaches its silver anniversary’

    

Pennsylvania Academy of Masonic Knowledge will celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary next month with a special symposium featuring a film screening and capped off with a banquet. From the publicity:

Our Silver Jubilee Celebration will occur on Saturday, March 15. This Symposium will be held at the Freemasons Cultural Center at the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown and is open to Freemasons, including Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts, their significant others, and their guests.

Click here to register.

Dress for the day is jacket and tie for men, dress or business suit for ladies. Please recognize that a cost is incurred to the program for your registration. If you pre-register and subsequently determine that you will be unable to attend, please have the Masonic courtesy to cancel your reservation by the same method and providing the same information. 

Schedule for the day:

8 a.m. – Registration Opens

9:00 – Opening Ceremonies

9:20 – Presentation by Bro. Timothy Winkle: “Aprons in the Attic: Collecting Communities at the Smithsonian Institution.”

Tim Winkle is a curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, focusing on firefighting, law enforcement, and community organizations, including the history of American fraternalism. Prior to this, he worked as a cataloger with the Library and Museum of Freemasonry in London, and he also served for several years as archivist for the historic collections held by Alexandria Washington Lodge 22 in Alexandria, Virginia.

Tim has researched and written on the connections between fraternal groups and museum collections in the early Republic, and he recently co-authored an article on Alexander von Humboldt’s relationship to Freemasonry for the International Review of Humboldt Studies.

10:20 – Break

10:30 – Private Screening of Join or Die

12:15 p.m. – Break for Lunch ($20)

1:30 – Reconvene

1:45 – Interactive Dialogue with Rebecca Davis, director and producer.

This presentation includes a special screening of the feature length documentary Join or Die. The documentary will not be live streamed, but is available for viewing on Netflix.

Rebecca Davis, a producer of the film, will then join the Academy live, in person, for a Q&A session. Learn more here.

In this feature documentary, follow the half-century story of America’s civic unraveling through the journey of legendary social scientist Robert Putnam, whose groundbreaking Bowling Alone research into America’s decades-long decline in community connections.

2:30 – Q&A

3:00 – Adjournment

5:00 – Social Hour

5:30 – Silver Jubilee Banquet ($50)

7:00 – 25th Anniversary Keynote Address by Bro. David Harrison: “Lost Rites of Freemasonry during the Age of Enlightenment.”

This portion of the event will not be livestreamed.

Dr. David Harrison is a UK-based Masonic historian archaeologist who has written six books on the history of Freemasonry, and contributed many papers and articles on the subject to various journals and magazines. His work appears in The Philalethes, Freemasonry Today, MQ Magazine, The Square, Knight Templar Magazine, Heredom, and New Dawn magazine. Harrison has also appeared on TV and radio providing expertise and insight into the subject of Freemasonry.

Having gained his Ph.D. from the University of Liverpool in 2008, where he focused on the development of English Freemasonry. His thesis was subsequently published in March 2009 as a book titled The Genesis of Freemasonry. A follow-up work, titled The Transformation of Freemasonry, was published the following year. Both works received critical acclaim.

His next work, a book which dealt with the Liverpool Masonic Rebellion and the Wigan Grand Lodge, was published in 2012, followed by A Quick Guide to Freemasonry which was published in November 2013. A fifth book on the York Grand Lodge was published in 2014, and his latest work, Freemasonry and Fraternal Societies, was published in 2015.

8:00 – Closing Ceremonies

I think it’s been ten years since my last visit to the Academy, but this may induce me to make the 400-mile roundtrip.

     

‘Charge your cannons for Fort Ticonderoga’

    

Click to enlarge.

New York Freemasonry loses no time in celebrating the semiquincentennial year of the American Founding. The, I think, first initiative is to be a statewide blanket of festive boards in May to commemorate the Continentals’ victory over His Majesty’s troops at Fort Ticonderoga, way up in Essex County.

Talk about charging your cannons. Vivat!

Mount Defiance Lodge 794, constituted back in 1888, is at labor in Ticonderoga, and I’m sure the brethren will party in high style. Here in Manhattan, I’m curious to see how many lodges under the same roof will try to host similar events at around the same time. At The American Lodge of Research, I’m already working on a festive board for June to mark a different anniversary, so will avoid those potential clashes.