‘Librarians poised to take Manhattan!’

    

The summer issue of The Page & Pillars, the newsletter of the Masonic Library and Museum Association, hit inboxes last week (actually missing summer by a few days), which reminds me to plug our impending visit to New York City in less than two weeks.

The Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library has volunteered to host this 2026 annual meeting. We will gather there, at Masonic Hall, on the morning of Saturday the 17th for the business meeting. Plus, there will be tours of the library and the building, and we’ll be greeted by Deputy Grand Master Oscar Alleyne before the helicopter idling on the roof whisks him to Buffalo.

At one in the afternoon, we’ll catch our breath and enjoy lunch together. Then we’ll commute downtown to The Battery to catch the Staten Island Ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. At 5 p.m., we’ll be found inside nearby Fraunces Tavern Museum for a behind-the-scenes tour before settling in for dinner downstairs (in the Washington Room, I’m guessing). Everybody loves Fraunces.

If this sounds like fun to you, click here to register—but do it now—and join us. Also, why not join us in membership?

For only a few bucks a year, you can support a totally unsung, but very valuable, group. The major Masonic libraries and museums in the U.S. are among our institutional members, as are many smaller facilities, but we have individual members also. If you are a researcher or even an occasional seeker of books and other materials that are hard to find, your colleagues in the MLMA most likely can bring your search to fruition. Research lodges may join at the institutional level—any lodge can, but if your lodge has a library, it and you should join.

Among the latest initiatives are the BINO database and the MLMA Exchange. BINO is Books Indexed Neatly Online, which is an ever expanding record of our members’ inventories of books. If a title you seek has been elusive, BINO probably can put you in touch with the librarians who have that book. The Exchange is a kind of classifieds listing, where our institutional members may offer books, artifacts, regalia, etc. for sale, trade, or donation. Everybody has duplicates (or more) of things taking up precious space.

Both of these are exclusive to MLMA members. Click here.

In basic communications, there is the official Google Group for news, conversation, and questions via email. Also, every two months on Sundays, we host videoconference “Fireside Chats” where a speaker gives a presentation on his museum's current projects or other suitable talks. The perfect way to exchange information.

Our annual meetings hopscotch around the country. In the coming years, we’ll visit Washington State, Massachusetts, and Minnesota—as determined by institutional members that volunteer to host.

Hope to see you the weekend after next. On the Friday night, we’ll get together for an informal dinner at a place to be determined, but seek us out at the Hampton Inn, near the corner of 24th and Sixth, at seven o’clock.

     

‘Tickets on sale for Oscar Night’

    

The particulars of Oscar Night—that is, the Deputy Grand Master’s Dinner—have been posted. Click here, and hope to see you there.

     

‘Oscar Night: November 15!’

    

Not only is Sunday “baking day” in my household, but November 15 is actually National Bundt Day. I’ll have to set aside all that this year and get out to Mill Basin for Oscar Night. Hope to see you there.

I hope they at least will serve bundt cake for dessert.

     

‘MLMA registration is open’

    

Registration for the Masonic Library and Museum Association’s Annual Conference here in New York City is open. This is slated for the weekend of October 16 with the planned activities mapped out for Saturday the 17th. Those are:

☞ our business meeting, with Deputy Grand Master Oscar Alleyne speaking, at Masonic Hall

☞ tour of Masonic Hall

☞ tour of the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library

☞ roundtrip on the Staten Island Ferry for the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island

☞ behind-the-scenes tour of Fraunces Tavern Museum

☞ dinner in Fraunces Tavern

The fees for this day, in total, are very reasonable. Both Friday night and Sunday are left open for attendees to make their own itineraries. There’s a lot to do in Manhattan!

Visiting attendees will be billeted at the Hampton Inn located just across Sixth Avenue near the corner of 24th Street.

I will forgo the Statue of Liberty trip. My first visit there was fifty years ago with my grandfather’s lodge. Instead, I’ll be found inside Barclay Rex, just down the street from Fraunces, enjoying a pre-dinner smoke.

Click here to sign up, and I’ll see you there.

     

‘Elected Grand Officers installed’

    

Ted Jacobsen photo

The Most Worshipful Robert L. Hogan, Jr. takes the obligation with the help of Past Grand Masters Vincent Libone, William Sardone, and Steven Rubin. That is the George Washington Inaugural Bible atop the cushion.

PricewaterhouseCoopers has counted and certified the votes, and the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of New York has new elected leadership for the term.

Ted Jacobsen photo

R∴W∴ E. Oscar Alleyne takes the obligation to become our Deputy Grand Master yesterday in the Grand Lodge Room of Masonic Hall in New York City.

The 244th Annual Communication at Masonic Hall in Manhattan concluded yesterday. Congratulations to:

Most Worshipful Robert L. Hogan, Jr.

Grand Master

Right Worshipful E. Oscar Alleyne

Deputy Grand Master

R∴W∴ John Haslam, Sr.

Senior Grand Warden

R∴W∴ William Toth

Junior Grand Warden

R∴W∴ John Hansen

Grand Treasurer

R∴W∴ Richard Schulz

Grand Secretary

I haven’t heard anything about the appointed officer line. I think that news will come when they are installed during St. John’s Weekend at Utica.

Ted Jacobsen photo

Installing Grand Marshal William Sardone conducts Deputy Grand Master-Elect Oscar Alleyne to the altar  to take the obligation of his office. This dynamic duo put The ALR back in business five years ago.

(If you’re in north Jersey tonight, get over to Adoniram Lodge 80 in Lyndhurst where Oscar will be guest speaker. The guy never stops. What can I say?)

     

‘Oscar nights: looking at early U.S. Masonic history’

    

Looks like Oscar’ll be busy on Thursdays.

In two weeks, Bro. Oscar Alleyne will attend Quatuor Coronati 2076 in London, where he is a lodge member, to present his paper “John Batt: Mercenary, Opportunist and Hero.” From the publicity:

Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076

Thursday, February 19 at 4 p.m.

“John Batt: Mercenary,

Opportunist and Hero”

Freemasons’ Hall, London

The paper explores the enigmatic personality of Sergeant John Batt, a member of military Lodge 441 under the Irish Constitution who is attributed with the creation of African Lodge 1. His initiation of Prince Hall and fourteen men of color enabled what is known today as Prince Hall Freemasonry. A comprehensive view of the facts surrounding John Batt and military Lodge 441 will be examined from the perspective of Batt’s actions as a mercenary, an opportunist and a “hero.” The research underlying this paper suggests that the currently accepted start date of African Lodge 1–and thus Prince Hall Freemasonry–is incorrect. Dr. Alleyne will provide evidence that will demonstrate that it was March 6, 1778, and not 1775, that was the trigger date. The paper is based on new research combined with a detailed examination of the early Prince Hall archives.

Oscar’s paper can be read in AQC 139 here. Please note that paper is in copyright.

If you were lucky, you heard Oscar present this a couple years ago at The ALR. A week later, he’ll be back at Masonic Hall to speak at the Livingston Library. From the publicity:

Chancellor Robert R. Livingston

Masonic Library

Thursday, February 26 at 6 p.m.

“Mark My Word! Building a New City”

Masonic Hall, Manhattan

A lesser-known, intriguing story of Masonic links to the establishment of the first city in the USA after the Revolutionary War for Independence. Brother Oscar Alleyne has been published in several widely distributed Masonic journals, participated as a keynote speaker in research and educational conferences on Freemasonry, and received multiple awards for his distinguished service to the Craft. He served as the Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of New York from 2018-21. He is the Senior Grand Warden for the Grand Council Allied Masonic Degrees of the United States of America and the President of the Grand Witan of the Masonic Order of Athelstan, USA. He was coroneted a 33º Scottish Rite Mason and is an Active Member of The American Lodge of Research, a member of the Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076, UGLE. He is a Fellow and First Vice President of the Philalethes Society as well as a past President and Fellow of the Masonic Society.

No cost for the lecture only. RSVP here! ​Priority seating for Friends of the Library!

     

‘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.

     

‘Whew! Thank God that’s over!’

     

It’s been six years, so I can’t remember all the specifics of why Grand Lodge withdrew its recognition of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, but the disagreement has been resolved, according to a proclamation from Grand Master Richard J. Kessler.

Grand Lodge is meeting today in Masonic Hall to tackle all kinds of business for the year. Questions of relations with other jurisdictions inevitably arise, but I think it’s unusual to see squabbles between some of the oldest grand lodges in the world. I don’t see a previous edition of The Magpie Mason that explains the New York-Scotland rift, but I think I recall an incident of three individuals being rejected for membership here, who then found a lodge in Scotland that accepted them. Correction: Three New York Masons were expelled. They later became members of a Scottish lodge in Lebanon, as Scotland wouldn’t honor the New York expulsions. There is more to the affair, exacerbating details involving grand lodges active in Lebanon, but it’s all over now.

That could sound trivial to the uninitiated ear, but it speaks to a couple of the fraternity’s integral principles. But they worked it out, which honors possibly the bedrock of our fundamentals.

The decision required a vote of the members of Grand Lodge, which evidently happened, since our Grand Secretary disseminated the proclamation moments ago.

Congratulations to all parties! What a regrettable circumstance to have materialized back in 2017.

(I see Oscar is in Edinburgh today; he’s free to visit a lodge there now. 😁) 

     

‘Ingathering in NYC’

    

The group portrait at the conclusion of a meeting seems to be a common tradition in Masonic Hall.

Wow! What a day! When I stepped outside this morning to walk to Masonic Hall, I could tell it was going to be a great summer Saturday. Blue skies, sunshine, gentle breeze, seventy degrees, quiet streets & open sidewalks—even the pervasive threat of crazy violence that demoralizes the once irrepressible city seemed to take the day off. You see, today was the Allied Masonic Degrees Downstate New York Ingathering.

Downstate can mean a lot of things. New York is a big state, so referring to downstate can indicate New York City, Long Island, and the Hudson Valley. For me personally, everything north of 72nd Street is upstate, so these designations are variable. Anyway, several local councils of Allied Masonic Degrees collaborated on the labor at hand: a daylong extravaganza of conferring degrees and celebrating Masonic philosophy.

Jose Marti 512 charter.

These were Jose Marti 512 (our host), Moses Blatchley 567, and Antares 532. (I may be wrong about Antares. There seemed to be a change of plans regarding the participant councils that I didn’t catch at the time.) In the degree department, the brethren conferred three: Architect, St. Lawrence the Martyr, and the “chair degree” for St. Lawrence: Installed Worthy Master.

I don’t think I’ve received the Architect Degree actively before. We receive the degrees in name upon being inducted into the AMD, but in my twenty-one years in the order, this may have been the first time I’ve had that degree conferred on me. (Speaking of twenty-one years, I suspect there’s a good chance I was the senior-most AMD member in the room. An unsettling notion.) The degree itself is derivative of the Craft degrees in that it concerns Solomon, GMHA, and the Temple. Historians believe this was one in a suite of three degrees, with Grand Architect and Superintendent, comprising a rite that now is lost to time.

I should back up. If you’re not familiar with the AMD, it is an invitational order, open to Royal Arch Masons. It cobbles together about a dozen degrees that once upon a time were side degrees that a Mason might receive in lodge. You pay a fee, you receive a degree. It’s not as crass as that to be fair. The truth is the degrees we receive in tidily organized Royal Arch chapters and other groups had been worked in Craft lodges before the advent of those chapters, commanderies, et al. It’s just that a number of degrees did not make the transition from lodge side degrees to extra curricular “high degrees,” and they were in a kind of limbo as time passed and other degrees became independent sovereign bodies (e.g., Mark, Royal Arch, Templar). So, in the 1890s, English Masons united these orphaned degrees, making them the Allied Masonic Degrees. The myriad details of it all are incomprehensible unless you make a deep study of them, something I haven’t done in many years.

After the Architect Degree, we had lunch; after that, it was time for a panel discussion with Oscar, Praveen, and Matt.

Bro. Mike of Half Moon Council was out of town on Royal Arch Grand Chapter business, but he had suggested “Why AMD?” as a thematic question for the panel. The trio tendered remarks that traced the history of the AMD and its degrees up to the present day; that described Masonic Week (many are unacquainted); and the differences in attitude toward, and the covert nature of, the order. V. Bro. Praveen said AMD maintains a “sub rosa” character in New York—and I hope this edition of The Magpie Mason doesn’t blow its cover! There was much understandable curiosity about the AMD’s origins and development. RV Oscar provided specifics on the evolution of certain rituals to make clear the utter bizarreness of the AMD situation.

We met inside the Doric Room on six.

I think most Freemasons in the United States are unaware of, or haven’t even given a thought to, the history of Masonic rituals. As I explained in this space last month about the 1658 Rhode Island myth, there are Masons who consider themselves researchers but actually believe the three Craft degrees they know today have existed and gone unchanged since time immemorial. There are Masons who have no idea that the rituals of the lodge differ from state to state. What we know in New York varies noticeably from what they do in New Jersey, and the Pennsylvanians work rituals that are significantly different from both, for example. So, to attempt to explain how the rituals inherited by AMD might have come into existence would require a post-graduate level inquiry into both history and anthropology. I don’t think there’s even been a book that satisfactorily tells the story—or if there was, it’s been long out of print.

Our panel speakers: Oscar, Praveen, and Matt.

To illustrate, Oscar explained how the AMD was exported from England to Maine, but that doesn’t mean all the rituals were English in origin. Our Royal Ark Mariner Degree actually is Scottish, he said. When examining English, Scottish, French, Dutch, etc. rituals, one finds “the wild, wild west of Freemasonry,” he added. “People were doing all kinds of things.”

“They’re still finding rituals,” he continued. “If you open every door, you’ll be opening doors for the rest of your life.”

We were getting into the mid afternoon, so the time came to open a lodge of St. Lawrence the Martyr and to confer the degree. For some of the historical or legendary, depending on your point of view, basis of the story, click here. It is the introductory degree in English AMD, but we Americans don’t have such a structure. (We did have three initiates for the day though.) Nevertheless it is an instructive and memorable degree, even if its various signs and gestures slip your mind.

Can it be coincidence that St. Lawrence the Martyr Degree regalia bears the New York City colors of blue, white, and orange? I think not!

After the degree, those who have yet to preside over an AMD council were asked to step outside while the rest of us opened a Board of Installed Masters to confer the Installed Worthy Master of St. Lawrence the Martyr Degree.

The ritualists in all three of the degrees today performed with skill and confidence. A pleasure to watch.

The quitting hour was starting to draw near. This Ingathering featured no research papers or other formal readings, and I’m not accustomed to that, but Bro. Javier capped off the day with his original and heartfelt discursion into the esotericism of space, dimension, shape, direction, and the like. Neither reading from a text nor referring to notes, which I’m also not used to, he weaved personal speculations into, if I understood correctly, an inquiry into the nature of the Masonic physical world. It’s not at all impossible that some of it soared over my head, but it was an apt conclusion to the memorable event. But we weren’t finished yet!

I never know what to do with the parchments, but there’s no denying they convey warm memories of great occasions and terrific people for many years.

There were presentations, including official Grand Council parchments to all of us certifying our advancement in the aforementioned degrees, and also—of course!—lapel pins. I’ve never even seen an Architect Degree pin before. I believe I’ll wear it to lodge to see if it prompts any questions. (So much for sub rosa!)

     

‘The ALR: a new understanding of familiar history’

    

Bill, Conor, and Oscar.

The American Lodge of Research met Tuesday night to hear a brilliant presentation and to tend to necessary business.

It was RW Bro. Oscar Alleyne, President of the Masonic Society, who did us the service of introducing to the lodge one John Batt, a soldier who served on both sides in the American War of Independence and who Oscar reveals to have played a remarkable part in the birth of what today is called Prince Hall Masonry.

Batt was a British soldier in North America in the 1770s, being deployed in Boston, Halifax, and Staten Island, as the fortunes of his regiment fluctuated. Oscar delved into British and American military records to illustrate Batt’s hopscotching from one side to the other and back again (I suspect he returned to the British lines upon realizing he wasn’t gonna get paid squat in the Continental Army), and plumbed the archives of Prince Hall Masonry to reveal how—are you sitting down?—it was Batt who initiated the free men of color in Boston who later would organize African Lodge.

As you know, the commonly understood history of the initiations of Bro. Prince Hall and his fourteen companions involves Lodge 441, a traveling military lodge of 38th British Foot Infantry. But wait, there’s more! Oscar shows it was Batt himself who, in accordance with the contemporary custom of degrees for fees, made those men Masons.

I don’t think it’s necessary to be too much of a Masonic history nerd to get excited over such a discovery. This is precisely the sort of thing that compels us to support Masonic research. The brethren’s applause and thanks followed the Q&A.

Next, it was time to elect new members of The ALR, and five Corresponding Members and two Active Members (including Leif from QC2076) were voted in with appreciation.

Being June, it came time to reorganize the officer line. There were a few excused absences, so we’ll install our secretary and senior warden later, but Conor is continuing for another year in the East. (I don’t want to embarrass him, but the truth is he’s a godsend during this encouraging time of rebuilding the lodge.) Dave remains at the treasurer’s desk. Michael is our new junior deacon; Yves moves on to senior deacon. I am now observing the sun at meridian, just in time for tanning season.

MW Bill Sardone honored us as our installing master, with the assistance of RW Oscar as installing marshal.

The new apron for the senior deacon of the lodge.

Conor procured aprons for us officers. Great stuff from Macoy, and based on the design of ALR regalia from generations ago too.

We will meet again in October.

     

‘Bill Paul Horn Medal 2022’

    

Masonic Society President Oscar Alleyne, doing what he does best, at the lectern Monday at the Grand Lodge of Washington’s communication. Cameron Bailey photo.

I don’t know if Oscar’s home has a mantel, but if it does, I choose to envision it laden with all kinds of awards. His latest from the world of Freemasonry is the Grand Lodge of Washington’s Bill Paul Horn Memorial Masonic Medal. Congratulations, Oscar!

The honor is named for a past grand master of the Grand Lodge of Washington, but it is not necessary to be a Washington Mason to receive it. Oscar is from New York. Past honorees include Ernest Borgnine, Bob Davis, Matt Dupee, Dick Fletcher, Tom Jackson, Joe Manning, Ron Seale, and Aaron Shoemaker.

Please don’t ask me to recapitulate all of Oscar’s accomplishments in Freemasonry, but of course he is President of the Masonic Society, which says it all.

     

‘Oscar at The ALR’

   

RW Bro. Oscar Alleyne will be our presenter at The American Lodge of Research’s meeting this month. Sometimes you need star power.

Oscar will discuss “John Batt: Mercenary, Opportunist & Hero.” That’ll be Tuesday, the 28th at seven o’clock inside the Colonial Room on the tenth floor of Masonic Hall, located at 71 West 23rd Street in Manhattan.

We’ll also conduct our elections and installation of officers, plus other necessary business to conclude our highly productive and memorable year back at labor following a hiatus we have reason to forget.

Your advance registration is necessary. Click here.

Photo ID is required to enter the building. Attire, like any other lodge, is suit and tie with apron.

See you there.

     

‘Wendell K. Walker Lecture’

    

I.R.A. 2 photo

Oscar with Worshipful Master Matthew.

April really snuck up on me so I missed the Wendell K. Walker Lecture last night. It’s an annual tradition at Independent Royal Arch Lodge 2. This year’s speaker was Oscar Alleyne, President of the Masonic Society and Past Junior Grand Warden.

Oscar presented “Man’s Argument with His Inner Self.” Hopefully we’ll get to hear that in other venues in the future.

(I’m envious. My longstanding offer to speak on “Fire and Clay: Tobacco in Early New York Lodges” has ignited no response.)

     

‘Masonic Myth of Our Nation’s Capital’

    

February already? It’s hard to believe, but that means my tenure as President of the Masonic Society is in its final days. As always, there will be a peaceful transfer of power, and that will take place next Friday in Virginia, when Bro. Oscar Alleyne will become our eighth President. Our after dinner speaker will be Bro. Chris Ruli, Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, on “Masonic Myth of Our Nation’s Capital.”

Masonic Society

Annual Meeting

Friday, February 11

7 p.m.

Masonic Week

Arlington, Virginia

$55 per person

Reserve here

We have 85 guests booked as of yesterday and there’s still room if you haven’t added us to your itinerary. And, of course, if you are a local Mason inexperienced with Masonic Week, you are more than welcome too! This event is open to all Masons and friends of Freemasonry.

      

‘Are you free for dinner?’

    

Masonic Week draws near—next month, in fact—and registration for our events is open. The anchor of the multifaceted affair is the Masonic Society dinner on Friday, February 11. It’ll be a big deal!

We will seat our new President, and the new Second Vice President, and two new members of the Board of Directors. Plus, more surprise announcements.

Our after dinner speaker will be Bro. Chris Ruli, Grand Historian and Librarian of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. Chris will give us just the facts concerning “Masonic Myths of Our Nation’s Capital.”

The dining fee is $55 per person, and attendance is open to all Freemasons, our ladies, and friends of Freemasonry. (And, for a hotel, the food is good.)

Oscar Alleyne

Our eighth President will be Bro. Oscar Alleyne. Oscar is a New York Mason, but he kind of is a citizen of the Masonic world—a member of QC2076, a frequent flyer on the lecture circuit, and a valued leader in numerous groups within the fraternity. Come, and let’s give Oscar a momentous inauguration!

Founded in 2008, the Masonic Society is an independent 501(c)(3) educational foundation that publishes the quarterly periodical The Journal of the Masonic Society. Membership, at $45 annually, is a source of pride, many brethren inform me. (The hand-stamped, wax-sealed parchment each of us receives itself prompts accolades.)

The Journal is a beautifully designed and thoughtfully balanced mix of educational papers, speculative writings, news, opinion, photography and more. (We call it the Time magazine of Freemasonry, if you’re old enough to get that reference.)

Again, click here to join us for dinner and conversation on Friday, February 11 at Masonic Week in Arlington, Virginia. Vivat!

     

‘Congratulations are in order’

    

Tremendous news broke earlier today.

Bro. Oscar Alleyne, the Right Worshipful Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of New York, the First Vice President of the Masonic Society, and a lot more, has been elected to membership in Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076 in London.

Holy cow!

If you’re not familiar, that’s a kind of immortality in Freemasonry.

Meanwhile, at the meeting of Pennsylvania Lodge of Research, Bro. Moises Gomez was named a Fellow of the lodge! Huzzah! Moe is the RW Grand Historian of New Jersey.

I don’t know if I can sit with you guys at lunch anymore. I’ll certainly avert my eyes in the hallway.

But, wait, there’s more!

In the outside world, two Prince Hall brethren are on their way to elected public office.

RW Bro. Darren Morton, the Grand Senior Warden of the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York, won the Democrat Party primary Tuesday for Comptroller of the City of Mt. Vernon. And Bro. Malik Evans, of Eureka Lodge 36, won the party’s nomination for Mayor of Rochester.

Well done, brethren, and good luck in November!

     

‘The ALR and YOU, Part II’

     

I’ll close out a pretty inactive month of April with the encouraging news coming from The American Lodge of Research.

Twenty-four hours ago, a Zoom meeting was co-hosted by Grand Master Bill Sardone, Junior Grand Warden Oscar Alleyne, and ALR WM Henry Abel to announce plans and to listen to ideas concerning returning the lodge to its urgent and prestigious labors.

1. There will be elections and installations of officers on June 29 at Masonic Hall. If I understand correctly, there will be an infusion of new leadership. I do not know any names of who may become involved in moving the lodge forward. Henry did state he doesn’t want to be Master for the rest of his life, and he will step aside.

2. Improving communications with the lodge’s brethren and with the fraternity at large is a vital goal. For years there has been no website, no social media presence, and, to my knowledge, contact only with a limited number of ALR members. Fair enough, perhaps, since there haven’t been any meetings either.

3. It wasn’t defined in detail, but there is to be a kind of working relationship with the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library. As you know, the library has maintained a longstanding monthly schedule of popular lectures. There is a lot of logic in the two institutions collaborating on projects of mutual interest. If I’m not mistaken, the library and the lodge were created by many of the same Masons way back when, so we’re close family.

Surely other things to do will arise as progress develops. For my part, I volunteered to assist with reigniting The ALR’s social media activity. (I do that for other lodges and Masonic groups, including New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education’s Faceypage.) I also made myself available to the fledgling officer line. I had served in the Deacons’ chairs for a total of three years long ago, and with 19 years of experience in New Jersey’s research lodge, and as president of the Masonic Society, maybe I can help there. I definitely would want to discuss making a few logistical changes to The ALR.

We’ll know more in two months.

     

‘History in Tennessee’

     

Courtesy Amazon

A new chapter in the history of Freemasonry in Tennessee was started today when the voting members of the Grand Lodge of Tennessee agreed it is time to extend the fraternal hand to their neighbors of the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge.

The two have coexisted since 1870. Details, like visitation, are not yet settled.

Congratulations everybody!

There remain six U.S. grand lodges that have yet to establish relations with Prince Hall Masonry.

Many thanks to Oscar for spreading the good news.

     

‘Oscar is next OpenLFM speaker’

     

I can’t prove it, so I probably shouldn’t say it, but I think Oscar has cloned himself. How else can one reasonably explain the pace he maintains in his various stations and places and concerns and employments?

If that is true, then it surely is secret, so I’ll keep it inviolate.

Anyway, it’ll be Oscar Alleyne’s turn at the lectern for this month’s Open Lectures on Freemasonry session. From the publicity:

The Masonic Legend

of Count Roume de St. Laurent

by Bro. Oscar Alleyne

Saturday, February 27

2 p.m. Eastern Time

In the year 1832, there arrived in the City of New York the Count de St. Laurent. He was a member of the Supreme Council of France and Grand Commander (ad vitam) of the Supreme Council 33 for Terra Firma, New Spain, South America, Puerto Rico, Canary Islands, etc. He found the old council sleeping in consequence of political and anti-masonic troubles existing at that time. This lecture discusses his role in resuscitating that council and many of the mysteries connected to him as he introduced Scottish Rite to African American Masons.

More info here.

Register here.

     

‘Nuts and bolts of public speaking’

     

Oscar Alleyne, the Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of New York and the First Vice President of the Masonic Society, will be the next speaker in the SuperMemorize Academy/Legends of the Craft series. From the publicity:

The Art of Public Speaking:

A Nuts and Bolts Workshop

Featuring RW Oscar Alleyne

Friday, May 29

7 to 8 p.m.

Open to the public on Zoom

RSVP here

Everyone knows that public speaking is a big part of Masonry, whether it is ritual, a paper, or debate. It also is extremely important for everyday life. The ability to speak with clarity, confidence, and wisdom is a superpower. It also is one of the biggest fears for most people.

The Art of Public Speaking: A Nuts and Bolts Workshop will help you develop speaking competence by using a hands-on, small group approach. You will feel more confident and motivated to speak in any setting, and you will develop a deeper understanding of presenting to crowds.

We will dissect your current public speaking methods, eliminate any inefficiencies, and give you a series of tips, tricks, techniques, and ideas on how to inform, persuade, and educate your audience.

Dress code: Business Casual