‘Exploring Plato’s Cave’

    

thoughtco

Maryland Masonic Research Society just announced a change of format for its meetings. Starting next month, the speaker-at-a-lectern program will be replaced with group discussion. Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” will be examined. From the publicity:

Maryland Masonic

Research Society

Saturday, March 16 at 11 a.m.

Silver Spring Lodge 215

RSVP here

As we start our 45th year, we are changing our meeting format. In discussion with others, it was mentioned that a lot of Masonic events focus on a presentation but were light on discussion. This year, we will meet as a “book club” or “study group.”

There will be a reading, or selection of readings, of Masonic interest with a discussion leader. The goal is to have full participation with a group of knowledge-seekers discussing Masonic topics.

Our first meeting will focus on Plato and be led by Ed Johnson, Past President of MMRS. Suggested reading: Plato’s Republic, Book VII. Topic: “Allegory of the Cave.”

On occasion, this allegory has been said to be analogous to the three degrees of Freemasonry.  

     

‘Masonry and #metoo at MMRS’

    

Laurel-Wreath Lodge 149.

Maryland Masonic Research Society will meet next month for what sounds to me like a provocative discussion. From the publicity:

The Maryland Masonic Research Society invites you to a very interesting and timely presentation on Saturday, December 9: #metoo, Masculinity and Freemasonry.

Our meeting will be at the newly renovated, beautiful Patmos-Solomon’s Lodge 70 in Savage, Maryland (9140 Washington St.). Laurel-Wreath Lodge 149 in Laurel (209 Washington Blvd.). Lunch at noon, followed by the presentation.

Your donation ($20) includes lunch. Advance registration is required. Please do so by email here before noon Monday, December 4. 

#metoo, Masculinity and Freemasonry

This is a discussion on how the #metoo movement caused a re-examination of what masculinity is and what that means to a fraternal organization.

Tim Sheils, First Vice President of MMRS, joined Masonry in 2013 and served as Worshipful Master of Silver Spring Lodge 215 in 2020 and 2021, obtaining the Grand Master’s Award both times. He is a member of the Maryland Masonic Academy, and Grand Inspector for the Grand Lodge of Maryland. In 2022, he became a member of Columbia Lodge 58 in Frederick, and became First Vice President of the Maryland Masonic Research Society. He joined the Frederick/Baltimore Scottish Rite in 2023 and continues serving as Tyler of Silver Spring Lodge.

I’m curious to know where this talk goes. If you followed #metoo during its meteoric notoriety, you should have noticed that not every woman is believed, and not every woman should be believed. What does that mean to a fraternal organization? I don’t know about the others, but Freemasonry is about the pursuit of Truth, so I am hoping this conversation is open-minded about reality.

      

‘Discussion on women in Freemasonry’

   

While I’m not acquainted with any of the panelists slated to speak at this discussion, I have no doubt this will be an enlightening and rewarding exploration of the topic. I regret not being able to attend. From the publicity:

Maryland Masonic

Research Society

Discussion Panel

on Women

in Freemasonry

Saturday, October 14

at noon

Kensington Masonic Temple

Panelists:

Anne-Marie Moody, Past President of MMRS and Most Puissant Grand Commander of the International Order of Men and Women, Le Droit Humain, American Federation

Raymonda Verdick, Most Worshipful Grand Commander, Feminine Grand Lodge of Belgium

Leslie Gilliam, Past Grand Matron, Order of the Eastern Star, Maryland

Moderator: Walter Benesch, Past President, MMRS

Book your seats by emailing the MMRS Secretary here no later than October 1. Lunch ($20/person) is an option before the panel discussion.

The Masonic Temple is located at 4315 Howard Avenue in Kensington, Maryland.

  

‘Oscar to speak at MMRS’

   

Oscar Alleyne

The Maryland Masonic Research Society will host Oscar Alleyne next month on the occasion of its festive board.

From the publicity:

Maryland Masonic Research Society

Annual Festive Board

Saturday, August 12 at noon

Kings Contrivance

10150 Shaker Drive

Columbia, Maryland

Reservations by advance payment

only here by August 7

Masons and friends are welcome.

We have a very interesting presentation and fantastic speaker. Joseph de Bologne Chevalier de Saint-George (1745-99) was a French violinist, conductor, and composer. A biracial Creole free man of color, the chevalier is considered the first classical composer of African descent to receive widespread critical acclaim. He was France’s first black Freemason, and formed the Masonic symphony orchestra, Le Cercle de l’Harmonie, while rising to the 33rd Degree.

Oscar Alleyne is an internationally respected Masonic speaker who has presented more than 700 lectures to lodges and concordant bodies covering multiple areas of interest to Freemasons. He has published in widely distributed Masonic journals, research bodies, and educational conferences on Freemasonry. Alleyne is President and a Fellow of the Masonic Society, a Fellow and Vice President of the Philalethes Society, and a member of Quatuor Coroati Lodge 2076 under the United Grand Lodge of England.

     

‘Possible Influence of Plato’s Works in Masonic Ritual’

   

Maryland Masonic Research Society will do it again next month. From the publicity:

Possible Influence of Plato’s Works

in Masonic Ritual

Edward D. Johnson, 32º, is Past Master of Pentalpha Lodge 194 in Germantown, Maryland and Past President of the Maryland Masonic Research Society. He also is a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Washington, Orient of District of Columbia; and the Maryland College of SRICF. He actively pursues and stays abreast of the latest in Masonic scholarship through his memberships in Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle, Scottish Rite Research Society, the Philalethes Society, and the Masonic Society. He has been published in the SRRS’ Heredom and The Plumbline on multiple occasions.

This meeting will be March 18 at the Odd Fellows Lodge, located at 6 Ingleside Ave. in Catonsville.

I’d love to hear this, but the meeting is too far away. I believe Plato does influence Masonic ritual somewhat, but I think his influence is felt almost everywhere, so don’t listen to me.

     

‘Ashlar symbolism at research society’

    

Dan Hrinko

Maryland Masonic Research Society has a great meeting planned for Saturday. Author Dan Hrinko will be the speaker, and if you can’t attend, you can watch it online. From the publicity:

Maryland Masonic

Research Society

Saturday, December 10

Lunch at noon, meeting at one

Dan Hrinko on “The Symbolism

Associated with the Rough

and Perfect Ashlars”

Freedom Lodge 112

2253 Liberty Road

Eldersburg, Maryland

RSVP here

The presentation will be a variation of a program he gave at Lodge Vitruvian in Indianapolis, which subsequently was developed into an article for The Journal of the Masonic Society.

Dan Hrinko was made a Mason in 1977 in Clark Lodge 101 in Ohio. He penned The Craft Driven Lodge, a book on the process of forming Arts & Sciences Lodge 792 as it grew from the Goose and Gridiron Social Club to become the thriving lodge it is today.

 

I’ve heard Dan speak several times, including in Arts & Sciences Lodge, and I can promise you an informative and engaging talk that makes the meaning of Masonry manifest. Don’t miss it.

     

‘Was the murderer a Mason?’

    

The Maryland Masonic Research Society will be back on Zoom next week—December already!—to host a Jack the Ripper enthusiast who claims the notorious murderer was a Freemason.

W. Bro. James Stargel, a Past Master of Prudence Lodge 190 in Maryland, and an experienced student of the Ripper killings, will discuss established research techniques which cause him to conclude the murderer was a Mason.

Was Jack the Ripper a Freemason?

By James Stargel

Saturday, December 4

10 a.m.

For the link, RSVP here

     

‘Two talks from Maryland’

    

A pair of historical talks from Maryland are coming this week via Zoom.

On Wednesday, Maryland Masonic Lodge of Research 239 will present W. Bro. Chris Ruli, who will tell the story of a Past Grand Secretary who lobbied to relocate the Prime Meridian from Greenwich to Washington. His research in astronomy led to the creation of the U.S. Naval Observatory.

That’ll be 7 p.m. Seek out the lodge on Facebook for the credentials for attending the virtual meeting.

Ruli is the Grand Historian and the Librarian of the Grand Lodge of Washington, DC. His research mostly involves the early history of the fraternity in Washington.

On Saturday, Maryland Masonic Research Society will meet via Zoom at eleven in the morning. First Vice President Mike Taldo will discuss “Carl Christian Friederich Krause: An Unknown but Well Known German Mason.”

Krause’s story is remarkable. A doctor of philosophy at age twenty, he was made a Mason four years later in 1805. He brought his education to Freemasonry, writing a treatise titled “Spiritualization of the Genuine Symbols of Freemasonry” that would have made the Craft a nucleus of a worldwide human unity. That thinking not only got him expelled from Masonry, but also damaged his professional career in academia.

Today happens to be the anniversary of his death in 1832.

To attend, email the MMRS here ASAP.

     

‘Research society to honor Brent Morris’

     

The flier explains it all:

Click to enlarge.

‘Lodge-Kabbalah lecture on Saturday’

     
“Kabbalah is not a secret teaching. It is the teaching of a secret. ‘The secret teaching’ means that we are trying to hide something from you. ‘The teaching of the secret’ means that we are trying to teach something to you, to open up and reveal something hidden.”

Rabbi Tzvi Freeman

Click to enlarge.

On Saturday, the Maryland Masonic Research Society will host a lecture, via Zoom, by Walter Benesch.

Open to all. Write the Treasurer here to gain admission.
     

‘MMRS meeting dates for 2020’

     

Maryland Masonic Research Society has five dates scheduled for the year:

Saturday, March 7

Mount Hermon Lodge 179

Hyattsville, Maryland

Saturday, May 2

Naval Lodge 4

Washington, DC

Monday, August 3

Festive Board

Kings Contrivance

Columbia, Maryland

Saturday, October 10

Election of Officers

Location: TBA

Saturday, December 5

Installation of Officers

Grand Lodge of Maryland

     

‘Great day planned for MMRS’

     
It’s that time of year for elections and installations of officers, and Maryland Masonic Research Society will meet for its annual meeting on Saturday, December 7 for a nicely well rounded gathering.

9:15 a.m. – a light breakfast will be served ($12 per person).

10:15 – the meeting, with a presentation by S. Brent Morris on “A Timeline of High Degree Masonry,” and the “very quickly done” elections/installations.

Then a tour of Freemasons Hall, the headquarters of the Grand Lodge of Maryland.

The group asks for a $5 entrance fee to defray the costs of renting the Gothic Room.

Kindly book your seat for breakfast no later than Tuesday, December 3 by writing the secretary here.

All Masons and their guests are welcome to attend.

From the publicity:


“A Timeline of High Degree Masonry” focuses on the remarkably complex and interconnected group of Masonic organizations. We will begin our exploration from the base, where the Craft Degrees are controlled by Grand Lodges, and grafted onto these are “High Degrees” that expand and amplify the basic Craft ceremonies. This talk traces the first appearance and growth of High Degrees from the formation of the Premier Grand Lodge to the creation of the first Supreme Council in 1801.

Courtesy Dummkopf Blog

S. Brent Morris is a Past President of Maryland Masonic Research Society, Past Master of both Patmos Lodge 70 in Maryland and Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076 in London. He is managing editor of The Scottish Rite Journal, a Past Grand Abbot of the Society of Blue Friars, and the author and editor of numerous books and articles on Freemasonry. He is a Founding Fellow of the Masonic Society, a Fellow of the Philalethes Society, and an Honorary Fellow of the Phylaxis Society. A 33° Mason in the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction, he also is a recipient of the Grand Cross of the Court of Honor. He is a mathematician by training and a magician by inclination.

The tour will follow Brent’s lecture and will be led by Stephen J. Ponzillo and Edward Heimiller.

Freemasons Hall is located at 304 International Circle in Cockeysville, Maryland. Free parking is available.
      

‘Diluvian Origins of Craft Masonry’

     

Maryland Masonic Research Society will meet again next month and hear a presentation by Jason Richards of The Masonic Roundtable. From the publicity:

Maryland Masonic

Research Society

Saturday, October 12 at noon

Birmingham Masonic Center

10800 Edmonston Road

Beltsville, Maryland

$20 for lunch. RSVP here.

Diluvian Origins:

The Influence of the Noahide

Flood Myth of Craft Masonry

Presented by Jason Richards, Past Master of Acacia Lodge 16 in Clifton, Virginia; member of The Colonial Lodge 1821 in Washington, DC; and co-host of The Masonic Roundtable podcast. Richards also is a writer, editor, and speaker on Masonic topics, having written for The Midnight Freemasons and The Voice of Freemasonry in the District of Columbia.

“Diluvian Origins” is a comparative study of worldwide flood myths that explores the similarities of various oral traditions and cultural memories of catastrophic flood events, and demonstrates the links between the Noahide flood myth and the York Craft Guild system, and examines historical records that imply the story of Noah was at one time a central theme in early 18th century Masonic Third Degree rituals.

Lunch at noon. Presentation at 1 p.m. When booking your seat, please mention if you require a vegan meal, and reserve no later than October 8.


Just a few thoughts: It is true that what is religion to one man may be mythology to another, but in Freemasonry we do not look at the Book of Genesis as myth, as this first book of the VSL particularly informs Craft ritual and symbol. And, in Freemasonry, we spell it “Noachide.” Noah and his sons was one of the first topics I addressed many years ago as Master of New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education 1786, so I remember the Graham Manuscript of 1726, which places Noah in the raising position we today know is held by our GMHA. I regret not being able to attend this event because I am curious to learn of the additional rituals or documents that explain. Of course there is Royal Ark Mariner, but that tells a different story. Highly recommended if you are able to attend. Enjoy.
     

‘Masonic researchers festive board’

     
I screwed up by not posting this a month ago, when I should have, but fortunately the secretary says there still are seats available—including for non-members—even though the RSVP deadline passed, so check it out.

Maryland Masonic Research Society

15th Festive Board

Monday, August 6

Social hour at 6:30

Dinner at seven o’clock

$50 per person

S. Brent Morris will present

“The Evolution of the Mason Word”

King’s Contrivance Restaurant

10150 Shaker Drive

Columbia, Maryland

Freemasons are notorious for their “secrets”—real or imagined, benign or sinister. The year 1637 saw the first known mention of the “Mason Word,” the Freemasons’ method of identifying (and commanding?) each other. This paper looks at the known references to the Mason Word during the eighteenth century and follows the evolution of public understanding of this central piece of Masons’ identity.

Bro. Morris, 33º is a Past President of the Maryland Masonic Research Society, and a Past Master of both Patmos Lodge 70 in Ellicott City, and of Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076 in London. He is the managing editor of The Scottish Rite Journal, is Grand Abbot of the Society of Blue Friars, and is the author and editor of numerous books and articles on Freemasonry. He is a mathematician by training and a magician by inclination.

RSVP here.
     

‘Is Harry Potter a Freemason?’

     
Maryland Masonic Research Society’s meeting on May 5 will feature a presentation on themes and symbolism in the Harry Potter stories. From the publicity:

Maryland Masonic

Research Society

Saturday, May 5 at noon

“Is Harry Potter a Freemason?”

Presented by Walter Benesch

Odd Fellows Lodge

6 Ingleside Avenue in Catonsville

RSVP for lunch here before April 30

Courtesy Scholastic Corp.

In the books from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone to Deathly Hallows, a careful reader can find multiple Masonic symbols—the first book alone traces Harry’s journey as an Entered Apprentice. How?

Come and listen to our talk. For those who are unfamiliar with the books, there will be a slideshow presentation to acquaint you with the charters and Masonic symbols used in the books. By reviewing how Masonic symbolism can be found in the Harry Potter books where you least expect, it may be found elsewhere.

After the presentation, you may want to take another look at other pieces of literature, movies, and plays in a new light, looking for the hidden and sometimes not so hidden Masonic symbols.

Join us for lunch to enjoy the company of MMRS members at the Odd Fellows. Enter at the side door on Orban Avenue.
     

‘Muses Threnodie discussion next month’

     
I’d love to get to these meetings, but they’re just too far away, but maybe you can attend. The Maryland Masonic Research Society’s meeting next month will feature discussion of what I think is a wonderfully unusual topic. I had the pleasure of catching up with Sister Joi at the Masonic Society banquet Friday. She says:

Maryland Masonic Research Society

Saturday, March 3

Muses Threnodie: Poetic License

or Historical Insight?

Presented by Ed Johnson

Silver Spring Lodge 215

410 University Blvd., West

Silver Spring, Maryland

“Muses Threnodie” is a poem published in Scotland in 1638 that contains a reference that suggests a connection between Freemasonry and the Rosicrucian movement. This presentation explores the theory that Masonry has its origins in Rosicrucianism, describing Rosicrucianism, J.G. Buhle’s theory about its connection to Masonry, and the arguments in favor and against his theory.

Ed Johnson is a Past Master of Pentalpha Lodge 194 in Germantown, Maryland, and a Past President of the Maryland Masonic Research Society. He actively pursues and stays abreast of the latest in Masonic scholarship through his memberships in the Scottish Rite Research Society, Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle, Philalethes Society, and The Masonic Society. He complements his interest in Masonic scholarship through his membership in the Biblical Archaeology Society and the study of a variety of esoteric topics.

Lunch at noon, $20 per person payable at the door. Meeting and presentation at 1 p.m. Enter at the rear of the lodge building. RSVP to the Secretary here no later than February 27.
     

‘Masonic identity in funerals’

     
Maryland Masonic Research Society will gather for a meeting next month to hear about facets of Masonic obsequies that you might not have considered before. From the publicity:

Regular Meeting

Maryland Masonic Research Society

Saturday, October 14 at noon

Laurel Wreath Lodge 149

209 Washington Blvd. in Laurel

Carolyn Bain, Ph.D. will present “Masonic Funerals: Identity, Performance, and Transformation—Constructing a public-facing identity of Freemasonry within historical, contemporary, and theoretical contexts.”

A member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Texas Chapter 219 and president of the award-winning, digital media services firm, Bain Pugh & Associates, Inc., Bain is a noted researcher, author, and presenter.

For the Masonic Service Association, she co-authored “Moving Masonry into the 21st Century” and consulted on the Mark Twain Award Project. For the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, she produced the award-winning film “On the Wings of Words.” She has spoken for many Masonic audiences including the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and the International Conference on the History of Freemasonry.

Lunch ($20 payable at the door) will be served at noon. The meeting will open at 1 p.m. RSVP to the Secretary here before October 10.
     

‘Parallel Universes and Eternal Life’

     
Maryland Masonic Research Society will meet in a few weeks for another luncheon-lecture that makes me wish I didn’t live so far away. From the publicity:

Parallel Universes

and Eternal Life

Presented by John Maclay

Saturday, May 6 at noon

Silver Spring Lodge 215

410 University Blvd., West

Silver Spring, Maryland

One of the 25 Landmarks of Masonry says “every Mason must believe in a resurrection to a future life.” Scientists are now convinced that there are parallel universes. Is it possible that a future or eternal life exists there? And how might a transition to it occur?

John Maclay is a Past President of Maryland Masonic Research Society, a Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Maryland, a Past Master of two lodges, a Past Grand Inspector, and a past presiding officer of five other Masonic bodies.

Lunch at noon. Meeting and presentation at 1 p.m. $20 per person, payable at the door. Please RSVP to the Secretary by Wednesday, May 3. We look forward to having you attend.
     

‘New Light on the Gormogons’

     
Maryland Masonic Research Society will host its Annual Festive Board August 1 in Columbia, Maryland. RSVP here before July 20. From the publicity:

Seating is limited. Please confirm your attendance via e-mail before sending your check. $45 per person for dinner (includes beverage and gratuity). Cash bar at 6:30 and dinner at seven.

Distinguished Presentation:

“New Light on the Gormogons”


by S. Brent Morris

The Gormogons suddenly appeared in London newspapers in 1724 as a rival to the Freemasons both in exclusivity and antiquity. It had been thought they disappeared in 1732, but new evidence including a previously unrecognized 1733 London play—show that their reputation persisted until the end of the 18th century.

Morris is a Past President of the Maryland Masonic Research Society, Past Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076, current managing editor of The Scottish Rite Journal, and author of numerous books and articles on Freemasonry.
     

‘Mystic Tie in Maryland’

     

Maryland Masonic Research Society will meet for lunch at noon on Saturday, December 13, and Past President Joi Grieg will present “The Mystic Tie: Tying and Untying with Words.”

This will take place in the Roman Room of the Grand Lodge of Maryland, located at 304 International Circle in
 Cockeysville. Dining fee: only $15.

In addition, there will be the election and installation of officers for the ensuing year.

From the publicity:

Joi Grieg will present for discussion the topic of the Mystic Tie that connects Masons, and the language used across the fraternity to tie it together, or, in some cases, to distance. In the field of linguistics, this is called the language of inclusion and exclusion. Examples of the terms and the range of definitions used across the United States, some common and others almost contradictory, will be covered. It will include trends away from use of some of these words (such as “profane”), in the public sphere. There are choices that can be made by each of us as individuals, bound by obligations, rules, and Masonic entities, which can continue the status quo, or become more inclusive.

The Maryland Masonic Research Society was founded in 1979 with the mission and motto “Masonic Enlightenment through Research.” It is not a lodge, and is open to all who have an interest in Freemasonry. Lodges, libraries, and other organizations may become institutional members. MMRS meets at least four times a year at various locations throughout Maryland to hear and discuss research papers and presentations on philosophy, science, Masonic history, and other subjects of interest to members.

Please send your intent to mmrs1979(at)gmail.com by December 7 if you plan to attend.