‘Bob Cooper on early catechisms’

    

Robert L.D. Cooper

I’ve been slacking this month, so I’m late with the news of Bob Cooper’s recent visit to New Jersey. He made a few stops for speaking engagements, the plans originally done in by the pandemic two years ago but finally jump started two weeks ago. On the fifteenth he visited Eclipse Lodge 67, meeting in Clifton to take advantage of larger accommodations. A smart thing, too, being how we numbered around sixty.

Cooper, I think we can say, is the dean of Scottish Masonic historians. He is a Past Master of Lodge Sir Robert Moray 1641, and also of Quatuor Coronati 2076, the premier lodges of Masonic research in Scotland and England, respectively. He is an author of very useful and accessible books for Masonic readers, including The Masonic Magician, about Cagliostro; The Red Triangle, a chronicle of anti-Masonry; and Cracking the Freemason’s Code, among the best primers on the fraternity to emerge during the first decade of this century. You could dive safely into any of his books, and I recommend The Rosslyn Hoax? to anyone stuck on the Templar nonsense.

His topic at Eclipse Lodge was intriguing: “Early Freemasonry 1598…or Freemasonry Before 1717.” I think that period is without form and void in the minds of most Freemasons in the United States. Despite the centrality of Scotland to Freemasonry’s embryonic years, we Americans mostly see the Craft as having been born in early eighteenth century London, but the scant evidence are tantalizing pieces of the same vexing puzzle. Bob’s overall point was to walk us through the catechism of the Edinburgh Register House Manuscript, which he terms the oldest Masonic ritual, dated 1696. To get there, he had to present historical context first, so he tied together for us the Art of Memory, Hermeticism, William Schaw, and the need for an illustrative catechetical ritual to teach illiterate stone masons the secret education that goes well past mere modes of mutual recognition.

Needless to say, he did so convincingly and in only about an hour. Click here to read this seventeenth century catechism. You’ll see many things that are foreign to your lodge experience, but it’s amazing how much is fitting or at least familiar enough.

For more on the Art of Memory, see the Frances Yates book.

     

‘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.