‘Anson Jones Lecture announced’

    

The Anson Jones Lecture is one of the most prestigious lectures in the Masonic world. Second only to England’s Prestonian Lectures (which commenced in 1820), the Anson Jones Lecture brings with it a membership in the Texas Lodge of Research. But it brings much more. Being asked to deliver the lecture tells the recipient that he has been recognized as a Masonic scholar. It tells him that someone has noticed what he has written, and noticed it favorably. It is a sign of coming of age was a writer in Freemasonry; it is extremely flattering. Small wonder that the typical reaction of a lecturer upon being invited to deliver the Lecture is, “Who, me?”

Jim Tresner

Full Member and Past Anson Jones Lecturer

Well, it’s about time, is all I can say.

Shawn Eyer will be this year’s Anson Jones Lecturer!

Texas Lodge of Research marks the golden anniversary of this fine tradition by hosting Eyer at the lectern. No word yet on his topic or tickets, etc., but I’m sure that’s coming soon.

Who is Anson Jones?

Dr. Anson Jones was one of those seminal figures in Texas history, having served as the Republic’s final president, from 1844 to ’46, before becoming the twenty-eighth of these United States.

J.C. Kidd’s History of Holland Lodge No. 1, published in 1920, says:

Anson Jones, Physician, Gentleman, Statesman, Diplomat, Legislator, Secretary of State of the Republic of Texas, last President of the Republic of Texas, First Master of the First Lodge of A.F.&A.М., organized in Texas, Mexico, First Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, A.F.&A.M., of the Republic of Texas, was born in Seconk, township of Great Barrington, County of Berkshire, Massachusetts, on January 20, 1798. His early life was one of struggle, both for living and education. After years of work, he succeeded in securing his license to practice in 1820. He first located in Bainbridge, Massachusetts, but being unsuccessful, went to Philadelphia, remaining there only a few months, then sailing for South America, where the next two years were passed. Returning to Philadelphia, he attended a full course of lectures at Jefferson Medical College, and in 1827 received the degree of Doctor of Medicine. During the period he was in Philadelphia he united with the Odd Fellows, and became the Grand Master of the Order in Pennsylvania. He also became a Mason while in Philadelphia. In 1832 he moved to New Orleans and from there to Texas, reaching, finally Brazoria, November 1, 1833. His, almost, first financial success came after he settled at Brazoria. From that date his life and that of the Republic and State of Texas were closely interwoven. He died at Houston, about three o’clock a.m., January 9, 1858, at the Old Capitol. He was buried with Masonic honors on January 12, 1858, by the lodge that he had organized at Brazoria in 1835, and constituted at Houston, in 1837.

That lodge was Holland 36, Under Dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Louisiana (signed by MW John Henry Holland), and met secretly under what became known as the Masonic Oak. It began labors as Holland Lodge 1 in 1838.

(I have a tenuous connection to Holland 1 because the brother who brought me into Masonry in 1997 was himself brought into the Craft the previous year by an uncle who was at labor in Holland Lodge.)

Congratulations, Shawn! I hope your presentation makes it into the pages of The Philalethes.