‘Researchers discover Acacia in Pennsylvania’

    

Most of the group at Civil War Lodge of Research 1865 yesterday at Acacia 586 in Pennsylvania.

Another great weekend with Civil War Lodge of Research is behind us. Time to look forward to the next one.

Worshipful Master Bill presents Bro. Creighton his Past Master apron. Our Chaplain this year, Creighton is Pastor at Danieltown Baptist Church in North Carolina. He served in the East last year.

We sojourned from our Virginia home to the Keystone State for a visit to Acacia Lodge 586 in Waynesboro for our meeting and additional stops in the area. It’s great to sit in lodge again with Bennett, almost fully recovered from a recent injury, and the brethren. An encouraging turn-out too, with twenty-two present, including a delegation from our host lodge (we don’t always see many from the lodges that welcome us into their temples).

The Worshipful Master in the East at Acacia 586.

We balloted and added another Virginia brother to our ranks too, as Bro. Donald of, I think, Mount Carmel 133 was elected to membership, so our roster numbers 331 members. (That’s a high number for a research lodge, but brethren from Virginia, across the country, and beyond join us.)

Next year’s meeting schedule is taking shape, so look for communications at MAHOVA for our installation in December; then travels to North Carolina in April; the District of Columbia next July; and Frederick, Maryland (or proximity) in October.

The Masonic Building is located
in a beautiful downtown.

Bro. Carl Lynch, Senior Warden of Acacia 586, was our speaker Saturday, presenting his “Thunder on the Mountain: South Mountain During the Civil War.” This is military history with only scant mentions of Freemasonry (a young William McKinley served in the September 1862 Battle of South Mountain, for example). Unfortunately, we were pressed for time, having lunch reservations at a local restaurant, so Bro. Carl had to abridge his talk, but managed to pack a lot of detail into our brains about that region’s great significance in the war.

The altar from the north side.

The Senior Warden’s station in the West.

The Master’s gavel’s sounding block
is a small ashlar.

I’ve always loved the English-style Past Master jewels made and worn in Pennsylvania. I tried to purchase one years ago, but neither of the manufacturers wanted to help me.

This portrait hangs in a place of honor.

Waynesboro itself factored into Gen. Robert E. Lee’s battle plans, as it was a locus of industry then. If you’ve ever heard the improbable story of the Confederate battle plan (Special Order 191) that was lost in transit from Lee to Gen. D.H. Hill—the papers wrapped around three cigars when found by Union soldiers—that was there at South Mountain. Another future U.S. president, a young Rutherford B. Hayes, also among Ohio’s troops, fought and was wounded at this battle. Confederate Lt. Col. George S. James died at South Mountain. He had commanded the mortar battery that initiated the attack on Fort Sumter the year before. He doesn’t get the blame for starting the Civil War, but he in fact fired the shot that was first to hit Fort Sumter. His story continues postmortem because his brother traveled to the battlefield in search of his remains to bring home for burial only to be killed in action himself before finding the unmarked grave a local resident promised to show him.

Lynch did a masterful job of presenting these stories, which is not surprising. He is a Frederick County Park Ranger with lots of experience in explaining to the uninformed these aspects of the war. Plus, he’s a hilarious raconteur!

And this history occurred nearly a year before the Battle of Monterey Pass, immediately after Gettysburg, which is what brought us to Waynesboro in the first place.

Carl spoke for about forty-five minutes; after he finished, we crossed town to eat at a casual lunch spot, which was surprisingly good. The bad news is this left little time for our intended visit to the Monterey Pass Battlefield Park & Museum. Civil War Lodge pointedly pairs our meetings with visits to relevant historic sites. There wasn’t a group visit planned this time, so we each were on our own. I could have done it, but would have needed to return to the hotel, change out of my suit & tie and into clothing appropriate for the heat and humidity, which would have made the park’s closing hour even nearer. Instead, I returned to the lodge’s neighborhood, where I’d noticed a few businesses worth visiting.

56 West Main Street in Waynesboro.

Christie’s House of Pipes & Cigars has been located across the street from Acacia since 1980, when founder Eric Christie opened his doors. It’s a small space; don’t expect a huge inventory. Still, I think having an old school tobacconist right outside the temple’s doors is a sign from Providence.

I visited for a few minutes and chatted with Eric. I possess an inventory of pipe mixtures that will outlast me, so I don’t need any more, but I purchased an ounce of what Christie’s names Vesta, an English that “has just the right amount of Virginia, Burley, Toasted Cavendish, Perique, Latakia and Turkish tobaccos,” says his website.

I don’t need more pipe tobacco,
but another ounce can’t hurt.

I will sample this tonight. (In the 1931 Bela Lugosi movie Dracula—but not the Stoker novel—the Vesta is the schooner that brings our favorite vampire to England.)

There are several antiques stores only steps away. To my mind, an antique is something that predates the Second World War, but evidently bric-a-brac from my childhood now occupy the cubic inches of these shops. ($40 for a vinyl Van Halen Diver Down. Cripes.) But there were older items, just don’t look for bargains. Still under the influence of Christie’s, I sought out whatever tobacciana might be about.

These places always have
a lot of Edgeworth tins.

Then I had to return to the hotel for a shower and fresh clothes. The hot wet July air was polluted by Canada’s latest wildfires, and I was wilting in my dark suit. We had dinner reservations at Cashtown Inn, located in Orrtanna, approximately twenty miles away.

 

A familiar statuette decorates
Cashtown Inn’s sitting room.

Cashtown Inn is located in Adams County.

Another pipe!

Most of us remained satiated from lunch, so we disappointed our waitress with modest orders of appetizers, soups, and salads. I tried to compensate by drinking more Yards Porter than I medicinally required. (Is there a more thoughtful guest? I think not!) Still my bill totaled less than $30.

But let me recommend this establishment. In addition to the most charming restaurant, the rooms upstairs are for hire for your overnight stays. A place with its own amazing history.

Finally, bedways was right ways, so it was back to my own hotel for the night’s spatchka. Then it was homeward bound this morning.

Grand Lodge’s 250th anniversary pins
are available. (Not actual size.)

Civil War Lodge of Research 1865 will meet next on Saturday, October 10 at Fort Monroe in Virginia, but don’t forget the Grand Master’s Research Lodge Official Visit next month on Saturday the 29th at Hay Market Lodge 313. A. Douglas Smith Lodge of Research will tile at 10 a.m., and the famous barbecue starts at one o’clock.

     

‘Grand Master to present at research lodge Saturday’

    

Pennsylvania Lodge of Research will meet Saturday to hear two presentations, including from the Grand Master!

This will take place at the Scottish Rite Valley of Harrisburg, at 2701 North Third Street. The lodge will tyle at 10 a.m.

Right Worshipful Grand Master Robert D. Brink will discuss “The History of the Tun Tavern and the Tun Legacy Foundation.” W. Bro. Joshua J. Nay will tell the lodge about “A Brief History of Knights Templar in Pennsylvania.”

If you haven’t been following this amazing Tun Tavern project, click here.

Pennsylvania Masons can register here. Visitors should contact the Secretary here. Lunch ($15) will be served at around noon.

I’ll get out there one day. I’m thinking of visiting the lodge’s December 19 meeting, but making a weekend trip of it by including some area attractions. (Have you heard about this Green Dragon Farmers Market place?)

Anyway, the lodge’s trestleboard always lists the names of the brethren seeking election to membership; the ballot will be spread for fourteen(!) candidates from around the Keystone State. Their ages range from 21 to 79. Lodge membership currently stands at 268. Inquire into membership here.

      

‘Sorcery in a research lodge and gobo on a temple’

    

GL of Pennsylvania

The Masonic Temple in Philadelphia
aglow in Eagles green.

If you find yourself in or near Philadelphia next Tuesday at five in the afternoon, get over to 1 North Broad Street to see the Masonic Temple’s public lighting ceremony.

From the few photos shared on social media this week, the temple’s new exterior lights look beautiful. “Let there be Light” and, with modern diode and gobo technologies, color and shape possibilities abound.

Grand Master Larry Derr and others will offer remarks before throwing the switch. Masons, our families, and the public are invited.

Looking ahead to the weekend, Pennsylvania Lodge of Research will meet at the far away Scottish Rite of Harrisburg. That’s Saturday the 13th at 10 a.m. From the publicity:

Program:

25-year gavel presentation by Bro. S. Eugene Herritt, RWPGM 

“Reflection on Knowledge” by Bro. Jack H. Speece

“A Very Queer Sorcery: The Anti-Masonry of James Shelby Downard” by Bro. J. Leavitt Pearl 

Lunch will be available ($20) after the meeting. 

2701 North Third Street, Harrisburg.

    

‘MLMA day in Trenton & Philly’

    

Most of the gang at the MLMA annual meeting last month at the Trenton Masonic Temple in New Jersey, home state of outgoing President Glenn Visscher, front right.

So I’d better get started recapping the great Masonic weekends I’ve enjoyed recently. I’m going to start in the middle with the annual meeting of the Masonic Library and Museum Association on Saturday, September 6, which spanned two states.

I missed the Friday night dinner, but arrived at the Hilton in Jersey on Saturday morning to find the group in great spirits and ready for a long day of work and play. There are two news items that merit sharing here.

1. The peaceful transfer of power was completed during the meeting, and the MLMA leadership for the next two years is comprised of President Dirk Hughes, of the Michigan Masonic Museum and Library; Vice President Julia Wells, of the Iowa Masonic Library & Museum; Tyler Vanice, from the George Washington Masonic National Memorial, remains as Secretary; and Eric Trosdahl, of St. Paul Lodge Number Three in Minnesota, is setting a record for longevity as our Treasurer.

2. Future annual meetings of the association are scheduled.

2026: Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library and Museum of the Grand Lodge of New York, in New York City.

2027: Masonic Library & Museum of the Grand Lodge of Washington, in Washington State.

2028: Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library, in Lexington, Massachusetts.

2029: Saint Paul Lodge Number Three in Minnesota.

Our meeting last month was hosted by the Trenton Masonic Temple in Trenton, New Jersey, home of the Museum of Masonic Culture which has been curated by outgoing MLMA President Glenn Visscher and his family since, I think, the 1990s. Then we rode the Shriners’ “trolley” to the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia for a tour of the building, including its Library & Museum, all arranged by Moises Gomez. Having been to the Philly temple often and recently, I didn’t shoot many photos, so what follows is a selection from the Trenton temple, its museum, and one lodge room.

New President Dirk Hughes, at right, explains some
of the nuances of museum curating.

New Jersey’s research lodge used to meet in this room.

The West of the same room.

The first minutes of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey.

I didn’t realize a few details about the mysterious lodge
at Basking Ridge were at our fingertips.

New Jersey has a Crudeli bust too!
Sorry for the glare.

In the museum room.

It’s not a museum, in my view, without tobacciana,
although I believe this is a match safe, not a snuff box.

I love these menageries fashioned by creative brethren.

Make Masonic material culture great again!

Remember when grand lodge law books could fit
in your jacket pocket? Good times.

The Royal Arch apron of John Scott, MEGHP
of the Grand Chapter of New Jersey in 1826
and the namesake of my chapter, Scott No. 4.

While we were enjoying the Museum of Masonic Culture,
Glenn and Mark recorded a promo for their podcast,
The Rite Stuff, seen on YouTube. Click here.

     

‘The first Masonic medal’

     

Leftfield Pictures/History Channel

A segment from the once popular television program Pawn Stars uploaded to YouTube this week exhibits what was called “the first Masonic medal.” The token has George Washington in profile and the date 1797 on the obverse, and a collection of Craft lodge symbols on the reverse.

Leftfield Pictures/History Channel

Not knowing much about such a thing, pawn shop proprietor and star of the show Rick Harrison summoned an expert numismatist and appraiser to explain what it’s about. David Vagi, director of Numismatic Guaranty Company in Florida (he is flown to Vegas for his appearances), is renowned as an authority on coins from the ancient world, but I’m skeptical about his knowledge of things Masonic. As you know, our fraternity is a quirky society with practically endless possibilities and improbabilities in its material culture, as we’ll see here.

When Vagi termed this piece “literally the first Masonic medal; what they call Masonic pennies,” I lost faith in his evaluation. But he also said it was struck by Peter Getz, a Pennsylvania Mason who worked as a silversmith and engraver, which is corroborated by historical and numismatic sources.

And then there’s the November 1974 issue of The Pennsylvania Freemason, the periodical of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. A short article accounting for the then seven medallions known to have been commissioned by the Grand Lodge (I don’t know if there have been more from the past fifty years) says:

Click to enlarge.

Washington 1797 Medallion

The rarest medallion in the collection is the Washington medallion struck by Grand Lodge in 1797.

It was struck in recognition of the anticipated election of Bro. Washington as General Grand Master of Masons in the United States.

The proceedings of Grand Lodge, dated January 13, 1780, states:

“The Ballot was put upon the Question: Whether it be for the Benefit of Masonry and ‘a grand Master of Masons thro’out the United States’ shall now be nominated on the part of this Grand Lodge…

Sundry, respectable Brethren, being put in nomination, it was moved that the Ballot be put to them separately, and His Excellency George Washington, Esquire, General and Commander-in-Chief of the Armies of the United States being first in nomination, he was balloted for accordingly as Grand Master, and Elected by the unanimous vote of the whole Lodge.”

 

This action of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania did not meet with favor by the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. The office was never established.

It created the belief among Masons that such an office did exist, and that Washington occupied it. The error was further compounded by the abbreviated legend on the reverse of the medal:

“G.W.G.G.M.” – George Washington General Grand Master.

The medal is of bronze, 1 3/8 inches in diameter and 1/16 inch thick. One side of the medal has the bust of Washington in uniform and carries the legend “G. Washington, President, 1797.”

The reverse side shows emblems of Masonry surrounded by the inscription “AMOR • HONOR • JUSTITIA,” and the initials “G.W.G.G.M.”

Around the rim on both sides is a rope-like design which could symbolize the cable tow.

The medal closely resembles both in drawing and execution the Washington half dollars of 1792 engraved by Bro. Peter Getz of Lancaster, Pa., a Past Master of Lodge No. 43, F&AM of Lancaster.

Two of the three known medals are in the Grand Lodge collection.

(On the other hand, writing in his book The Medals of the Masonic Fraternity, privately printed at Boston in 1880, William T.R. Marvin says “This legend [Amor, Honor, Justitia] is one frequently used on English Masonic medals, and the bust is similar to that on some English tokens. There are other reasons not necessary to mention which incline us to believe that this medal is of English origin.”)

In the end, Mr. Vagi valued this piece at $40,000, “maybe a touch more.” Mr. Harrison and the seller did not achieve a meeting of the minds.

If you’re scratching your head over “the Washington half dollars of 1792” because Washington didn’t appear on a U.S. coin until 1932 (and he would have been appalled at the suggestion his likeness should appear on the Republic’s money), don’t doubt your sanity. “Medals, tokens, and coinage proposals in this interesting series [of Washington pieces] dated from 1783 to 1795 bear the portrait of George Washington,” says the guide known informally as “Yeoman’s Red Book.” “Many of these pieces were of English origin and were made later than their dates indicate.”

Whitman Publishing, LLC

“Dies engraved by Peter Getz of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, are believed to have been made to produce a half dollar and cent as a proposal to Congress for a private contract coinage before the Philadelphia Mint became a reality,” the book also says. Now, if you have one of those, you could be looking at six figures, depending on which one and its condition.

     

‘Unity Day tickets are on sale’

    

Click to enlarge.

The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania will host Unity Day this time. Tickets went on sale last Thursday ($75 each) for the Saturday, January 25 event at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia.

Only 600 seats are available (although I’m surprised that quaint little lodge building of theirs can accommodate that many!), so don’t wait too long to book yours. Looks like a great day.

Grand Lodges participating: Connecticut, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Puerto Rico. Of course, Master Masons from all recognized grand lodges are welcome to attend.

Ritual work:

Entered Apprentice Degree by Garibaldi Lodge 542 of New York.

Fellow Craft Degree by the Masonic Kilties of New Jersey.

Master Mason Degree by the Colonial Degree Team of Delaware.

Open Installation of Officers and the Entered Apprentice/Fellow Craft degrees combined by the Pennsylvania brethren.

Breakfast, lunch, and a commemorative gift are included in your ticket price.

To be honest, I won’t be there. Too far. Too long (7 a.m. to 6 p.m.) a day. Too many people packed inside. I know I wouldn’t enjoy it, but those who attend these things always express their elation and praise, so let that be your guide.

Click here for tickets.

      

‘Wanted: Masonic speakers’

    

Okay Magpie readers, there is a request for assistance. The Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania seeks speakers for its monthly lecture series.

Settle down. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re looking for you. I assume they want knowledgeable and coherent Masons (rules me out), maybe with some public speaking experience. From the publicity:

We are looking for presenters for our Speaker Series.

Topics can be about Freemasonry, any of the Masonic appendant bodies, their philosophies, or anyone of prominence involved with Freemasonry.

Presentations, which also can be non-Masonic in origin, should run between 30 and 45 minutes, with time after for questions.

Volunteers should contact Mike Comfort, director of the Masonic Library and Museum of Pennsylvania, here.

     

‘1784 St. John’s Day sermon at Morristown’

    

There is a short article in the December trestleboard from New Jersey’s research lodge that makes relevant today a page of local early Masonic history. I’ll just reproduce it here:

To Fear God:

The 1784 St. John’s Day Sermon 

On St. John the Evangelist Day 1784 at Morristown, The Rev. Uzal Ogden delivered a sermon before Lodge No. 10. As best I can determine, he was not a Freemason, but with the surname Ogden, it is easy to see he had family connections to the fraternity, most probably to Moses Ogden and others at St. John’s Lodge in Newark. As for Lodge No. 10, this is the mysterious lodge in Basking Ridge chartered by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 

From the 1781 Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Book of Proceedings. It’s a safe bet that this Dr. Blatchley is Bro. Ebenezer Blatchley, a Past Master of Lodge No. 10 who, in 1787, retroactively signed onto the formation of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. Little is known about the lodge, except that it was chartered in 1767 by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania (Antients) and was empowered to meet within five miles of Basking Ridge.

The reverend, an Episcopalian, was known to preach at Trinity Church in Newark and at the more famous Trinity Church in Manhattan, as well as at St. John’s Church in Elizabethtown. He graduated from Princeton University at age 18, and was ordained in 1773 at 29. He was an experienced speaker by age 40 when he preached this sermon to the local Freemasons, and he did so without notes. The reason we have it today is the lodge requested a written copy for publication, causing the reverend to put quill to paper after the fact. Historically, we readers find ourselves one year after the Revolutionary War ended and almost two years before the founding of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey.

This sermon is far too long to reproduce here, so I will summarize one of its four key ideas: “to notice what it is to ‘fear God.’”

What is it to fear God? When the candidate for the degrees of Freemasonry seeks admission to any of New Jersey’s lodges, the Worshipful Master orders that he be in “the fear of the Lord” upon entering. It must be important because it’s in all three degrees. It is more specific than belief in a higher power. What does it mean?

To fear God, Ogden said, is to love or to serve Him. He illustrates this with multiple quotations of Scripture, including two attributed to King Solomon: “It shall be well with those who fear God.” (Ecclesiastes 8:12) And “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10)

By the fear of God, he continues, “we are to understand a due observance of religion, which it may be said, consists of three particulars: knowledge, faith, and practice.”

“The first principle of religious knowledge requisite we should be acquainted with,” Ogden says, “is that there exists some Being superior to ourselves, who gave excellence to Creation, who inhabits eternity, whose knowledge is infinite, whose presence fills all space, whose power preserves and sustains all nature, and who possesses all possible perfection.”

“Can we behold the heavens above or the earth beneath,” he adds, “without acknowledging the infinite power, wisdom, and goodness displayed by some, though to us, invisible Architect?” 

Faith, Ogden’s second particular in fearing God, also is the first of the principal rounds of the ladder—Faith, Hope, and Charity—reaching to Heaven that Freemasonry discusses in its First Degree. Ogden begins: “But it is to no purpose we are informed of these things unless we believe them. ‘Without faith,’ it is said, ‘it is impossible to please God, for he that comes to Him must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.’”

“To hope for the friendship of God,” he adds, “while we disclaim His authority…would be irrational, as futile, as it would be to…behold the light if deprived of the organs of vision!”

Of the third of his particulars—practice—Rev. Ogden is all about character. “Although it is most reasonable we should offer to our Almighty Creator and divine benefactor the oblation of our hearts; and though Christianity is calculated to deliver us from infamy and woe, and to exalt us to honor and happiness, how often are its benefits rejected?” he asks. “How many are there, even of those professing to revere this dispensation of mercy, who live regardless of its precepts, and who, in their actions with men are so far from ‘doing as they would be done unto,’ that no feelings of humanity, no sense of honor, nor any fear of divine vengeance, nor any thing but present punishment can divert them from acts of dishonesty, barbarity, and flagrant impiety?” 

While there is no obvious documentation of Rev. Uzal Ogden being a Freemason, it is clear that Lodge No. 10 chose its speaker for St. John the Evangelist Day wisely. He anticipated his audience and crafted his remarks accordingly, and we are fortunate the lodge opted to have his sermon printed so posterity may enjoy it.