‘Widows Sons may return to lodge’

    

Cornerstones photo

Widows Sons chapter in New York City.

In an edict published yesterday afternoon, our Grand Master granted a moratorium on the 2017 restrictions placed on the Widows Sons motorcycle riders here in the Grand Lodge of New York.

The Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association, according to its website, is “an International Association comprised of Master Masons in good standing who are members of their local Widows Sons Chapter.”

The website also says: “The Widows Sons was founded in 1999 with the intention to offer aid and assistance to Masonic Widows and Orphans. Still holding strong to that commitment, the Widows Sons offers regular charitable donations to Masonic and other charities to help benefit many people throughout the world.”

Also:

“Our focus is to:

- Contribute to the relief of our Widows & Orphans;

- Introduce the sport of motorcycling to our Masonic Brothers;

- Raise Masonic Awareness in the world of sport motorcycling;

- Support our Blue Lodge through regular attendance and assisting with lodge events; and

- Represent the fraternity in a positive light at all times.”

In his action Saturday, Grand Master Richard Kessler says “during this past summer recess, several motorcycle enthusiasts who are Master Masons in good standing have petitioned...for reconsideration based upon their assurance of good conduct and pray for an appeal to reverse the original decision and edict prohibiting any communication or interrelation with ‘The Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association’ and its affiliates by fellow Masons.”

The previous edict from MW Jeffrey Williamson, dated September 19, 2017, asserted there had been “multiple instances of disparaging conduct unbecoming of a Master Mason by an assortment of members of the organization clearly demonstrating that ‘The Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association’ has not achieved a level of Masonic maturity, decorum, and dignity required by those who seek association with the Grand Lodge.” It also mentioned how grand lodges elsewhere in the country held misgivings about this group.

The riders’ website reports there are 387 chapters worldwide, with 280 in the United States. Three in New York are listed: Cornerstones Chapter in New York City; Stonecutters Chapter on Long Island; and Traveling Men Chapter at Troy.

Cornerstones photo

Cornerstones Chapter in New York City.

The 2017 edict did not forbid the existence of the Widows Sons (the absence of an apostrophe drives me bananas), but did bar the riders from functioning on Masonic locations and at Masonic events in the Grand Jurisdiction of New York. A biker could race his Screamin’ Eagle through the gaping loophole that is the silence on what the Widows Sons could do in public, which probably explains Cornerstones Chapter’s continued activities between these two edicts as documented in photographs on its Facebook page.

Personally, I’m indifferent to the Widows Sons. I’d rather see more personal development circles, mindfulness exercises, book clubs, and historical societies in Freemasonry but, if the bikers honor their good behavior pledge, who am I to say?

     

‘Grand Lodge appeal for Israel’

    

The Grand Lodge of New York appeals to its Freemasons for aid for the State of Israel via the Grand Lodge of Israel. The letter:

We at the Grand Lodge of New York are trying to do our part towards answering the call of the distressed in providing a source of much needed help to those adversely affected by these unprovoked acts of violence and war against our Ally, the good citizens of the State of Israel. These unprecedented assaults, hostage taking and aggression by Hamas and other bad actors are especially traumatic and harrowing to the population of children and the elderly residing in both the cities and countryside of Gaza and Southern Region of Israel.

Your Grand Master, Most Worshipful Richard J. Kessler, and the Grand Lodge of New York, in a strong showing of solidarity with our fellow brethren of the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel, we look to the members of our noble Craft to demonstrate their heartfelt compassion and empathy for our fellow human beings during this their hour of darkness. Together, we will emerge from this tragic and dispirited experience united with a renewed zeal for bringing back peace, harmony and brotherhood throughout the world. The essence of True Masonic Brotherhood will be a beacon of hope for all to see and emulate.

In the name of this charitable and humanitarian effort in support of our brothers and their families within the State of Israel, we are grateful to receive your contributions, both large and small, as checks payable to the Masonic Brotherhood Fund earmarked for the Grand Lodge Emergency Relief Fund. Please mail your checks directly to:

Masonic Brotherhood Fund

71 West 23rd Street

New York, NY 10010-4149

We will ensure that all funds collected will be given to the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel to be used to help our fellow Israeli Brothers and their families to become whole once again.

In anticipation of your most generous support, please accept the warmest fraternal thanks on behalf of the Grand Master, the officers and members of the Grand Lodge for your kind-spirited gift to the Grand Lodge Emergency Relief Fund. The noted humanitarian and physician, Dr. Albert Schweitzer said it best, “There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.” In memory of the many victims who are injured, maimed or have perished during this calamity, and in cohesion with their families and fellow countrymen, we gratefully bear witness to your genuine and unselfish expression of charity.

Thank you once again for your thoughtfulness and generosity for our fellow human beings during these trying times.

With kindest fraternal regards, I am sincerely,

RW Richard T. Schulz

Grand Secretary

cc: Grand Lodge of the State of Israel

     

’They came from the sixth floor (and Hong Kong & Italy)’

    

You promise that no Visitor shall be received into your Lodge without due examination, and producing proper Vouchers of his having been initiated in a regular Lodge.

Book of Constitutions

United Grand Lodge of England

The VIPs Monday night. From left: RW George, RW Tomas, RW Peter, WM Tom, the Most Worshipful Richard J. Kessler, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York, RW Wayne, RW Philippe, and Bro. Marco in the red of the Grande Oriente d'Italia.

Our Communication Monday night was supposed to have been a pretty dry discussion and adoption of our operating budget for the year but, as is so ordinary in Freemasonry, things got exciting.

Publicity Lodge still tackled its budget, but we were blessed with the company of Grand Lodge top brass and sojourning Masons from distant locales. For the second time in seven months, Grand Master Richard Kessler joined us, even arriving early to socialize with the brethren. He was accompanied by Grand Secretary Richard Schulz, D.D. Grand Master Philippe Hiolle, and Grand Director of Ceremonies Tomas Hull. Their presence was prompted by the advance notice that two very special guests were coming.

Right Worshipful Brother Peter H.Y. Wong, Past District Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England’s District Grand Lodge of Hong Kong and the Far East, was accompanied by RW Wayne Ang, Past District Grand Standard Bearer. As Tiler, I was primed. (That DGL somehow remains in existence.)

In addition, we welcomed an unexpected visitor from Italy: Bro. Marco comes from La Pace (Peace) Lodge 76, under the Grand Orient of Italy in Padua. I know what you’re thinking: “Wait, the English guys can’t sit in lodge with GOI guys!” But that’s not true any longer. In March, the UGLE and the GOI resolved their decades of estrangement, re-establishing recognition, relations, and normalcy, so there was no risk of an international incident erupting in tranquil Publicity Lodge. The English now recognize both the Grand Orient and the Regular Grand Lodge there.

WM Tom, left, greets the delegation from James W. Husted-Fiat Lux Lodge 1068 who journeyed up two flights of stairs to be with us. That’s RW Ron at right.

It really livened things up, having all these eminent Masons with us. What’s more, the meeting of James W. Husted-Fiat Lux Lodge 1068 down on the sixth floor was canceled abruptly because principal officers could not attend, so RW Ron Sablosky brought seven of his lodge brothers upstairs to visit. Pretty good timing, I’d say. What was to have been a forgettable business meeting became a memorable Masonic night. (I, on behalf of the Education Committee, was scheduled to present a discussion on petitioner-interview techniques, but that will be done another time.)

WM Tom, left, and the three PDDGMs: Ron, Rich, and George, with the Grand Master at right.

An additional attraction arose when it became known that RW Sablosky, RW Schulz, and RW George (one of Publicity’s venerable Past Masters) were united in lodge for the first time in many years. The three served together as DDGMs during the 1996-98 term.

I publish a monthly digital magazine of about 25 pages for Publicity Lodge. The November issue will have this photo of the trowel presentation on the front cover. That’s RW Peter Wong on the left and Worshipful Master Tom on the right.

RW Bro. Wong presented our Worshipful Master the gift of a ceremonial trowel, the reverse of which he’d had engraved with a message to commemorate this occasion. Bro. Marco likewise bore gifts: a book, in Italian, about his Grand Orient’s 200+ years; and a reproduction of his lodge’s seal.

And yet, even more serendipitous, RW Sablosky, having no idea RW Wong was present, found himself reunited with his old acquaintance, they having known each other some thirty-five years. Ron invited Peter to his wedding ages ago, and Peter replied with a telegram(!) sending regrets that he couldn’t make the trip. Ron still has the telegram.

Master and Grand Master.

Of course the Grand Master is the last to speak, and MW Kessler praised the civility of our parliamentary budget haggling, segueing into a reminder that we Masons make certain promises to each other. (I’m not the paranoid type, but I wondered if he tailored those remarks for my edification in the wake of the recent Magpie post, about our mayor being made a Mason, that upset some.)

A meeting for the history book, and since I’m Publicity’s Historian, I’d better type this up formally for the permanent record. Can’t wait to see what happens next time.

     

‘Grand Master’s Day at Tappan’

   

I think I’m not really ready for September because I forgot to remind you about Grand Master’s Day at DeWint House—on Sunday!

(There also is Grand Master’s Family Day at West Point for the ball game, but that is sold out.)

That’s from noon to five. Fun, food, and music for the whole family at the historic site that served as Gen. George Washington’s headquarters during the Revolution. A beautiful place with an impressive museum in addition to the seventeenth century house. RSVP to RW Lloyd here.

     

‘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. 😁) 

     

‘Grand Lodge facts and figures’

    

The big day is tomorrow! On Monday at 9 a.m., the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York will assemble and open its 241st Annual Communication in Masonic Hall in Manhattan with Grand Master Richard J. Kessler presiding. Sorry to say I cannot attend, but someday I’ll be available on a weekday for these things.

I’ve been perusing reports and other documents that are circulated in preparation for the two-day meeting, and there are a few interesting points to share.

Total members as of January 1: 26,383

Number of lodges: 438

Number of research lodges: 4

That’s The American Lodge of Research, Infinity Lodge of Research, Justice Robert H. Jackson Lodge of Research, and Western Lodge of Research. Esoteric Lodge of Research UD is listed as dormant. (I don’t know what or where that was.) Speaking of The ALR, Worshipful Master Conor has his report to Grand Lodge included among all these documents.

In the history department, Grand Historian Gary Heinmiller says: “We have gone from zero lodges reporting lodge Historians appointed to now over 140. This will increase each year until each lodge has appointed an active Historian.” I didn’t know this was a thing until reading Gary’s report, but I did notice long ago that lodges here didn’t have Historians. As soon as I read this report (he and I go back about twenty years via the Masonic Light group), I emailed my lodge’s incoming Master to volunteer to serve as Historian for the ensuing year. Yeah, sure, he said. So make that 141 lodges.

(Click here for How to Serve as Lodge Historian.)

History is one of my favorite fields in Masonic doings, and effective, professional communication is another. There are a number of initiatives coming soon that will help Masons exchange ideas among themselves, and put forth information to the world outside.

You know about craftsmenonline, and in the works is a website for Masonic education named Hiram.

Something else I haven’t heard of previously is the job of District Public Relations Officer. Or maybe I was informed, but I forgot. Anyway, I’m on a Communications Subcommittee, and I’m writing a “how to” manual for publicizing Masonic activities. (I’m from Publicity Lodge, after all.) I don’t think there’s much those of us in Manhattan can do, but lodges in the smaller cities, the suburbs, and rural areas have local media they can leverage. You just have to know how to help them help you. I doubt I’ll finish this booklet before summer, but it’ll be useful.

The Communications Committee has four subgroups, according to the White Book. I really feel like I ought to be more aware of these things, but maybe I need to see it in print for it to sink in. Anyway, there are Social Media, Publications, Press Releases, and Speakers Bureau working groups.

Also coming our way is Our Quarry, described by Deputy Grand Master Steven Rubin as “a digital magazine, published by region, celebrating and promoting the programs, news, and events from around our Grand Jurisdiction.”

Looking abroad, there are some noteworthy happenings in Europe. Last year, a New York delegation visited Finland to join the centennial celebration of Suomi Lodge 1. It was New York Grand Master Arthur Tompkins who set the lodge to labor in 1922 and led a degree team to make twenty-seven men Master Masons, including Jean Sibelius. The centenary of the Grand Lodge of Finland comes next year, and the partying will continue. (Take a minute and google “Finnish jokes.”)

Meanwhile in Romania, they must think they’re French or something because a rebellious faction tried to dismiss the Grand Master, alleging corruption; the National Grand Lodge expelled the rebels; then everybody went to court. I don’t know where it all stands at this moment, but I have canceled my vacation plans. (No matter. They say Sammy’s Steakhouse, the deeply missed old school Roumanian place, will reopen soon on Orchard.)

There are tons more reports, statistics, speeches, and the like. Be sure to read the book of proceedings when it comes out.

     

‘An extra special MM Degree’

    

Publicity Lodge and guests Monday night.

We enjoyed a really big night Monday at Publicity Lodge. Conferring the Third Degree on a FC Mason is sufficient reason for meticulous planning and deliberate execution, but we received word a few days earlier that our Grand Master, with other Grand Lodge officers, would attend, which, naturally, adds great prestige to the auspiciousness.

Plus, we were honored with the support of sister lodges in the Fourth Manhattan District. And we were charmed with the visit of more than a dozen Prince Hall Masons. We haven’t seen a turn-out like this since before the pandemic.

Grand Master Richard Kessler said he doesn’t get to witness much degree work in his current capacity, so he decided to come see this Sublime Degree. Accompanying him were Junior Grand Warden Peter Stein, DDGM Philippe Hiolle, Senior Grand Deacon Larry Kania, Grand Director of Ceremonies Tomas Hull, and Trustee George Filippidis.

From elsewhere in the Fourth Manhattan were brethren from Manahatta Lodge 449, Columbian 484, Gramercy 537, and St. Cecile 568.

PHA lodges represented were Prince Hall 38, Beacon Light 76, Master 99, and Sons of Kings 123.

(If I missed anyone, I’m sorry, but you didn’t sign the visitors book.)

An unforgettable night! Our new MM felt the impact of seeing so many forming the lodge when the hw came off. Let’s do it again next month!

     

‘Challenge coins to benefit PTSD research are back’

    

“A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards.”

President Theodore Roosevelt

July 4, 1903

In very high demand, with supply recently exhausted, our Grand Master’s challenge coin is back!

Heads.

With the face of Bro. Theodore Roosevelt on the obverse and the Grand Lodge seal on the reverse, the token is a fundraiser for The Battle Within Foundation, the group that supports research into PTSD to help military veterans. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has afflicted thousands of warriors with injuries that cannot be seen. In too many instances, the pain results in suicide.

Tails.

TR, of Matinecock Lodge 806 in Oyster Bay, is Grand Master Richard Kessler’s favorite U.S. President, I’m told, ergo his smiling face scrutinizing squint on the coin. Senior Grand Deacon Larry Kania is charged with distributing the challenge coins (please pray for him), and he can be reached here. He has 500 to share at $20 each.

What is the Masonic link to The Battle Within Foundation? It is our Grand Master’s sponsored charity, and it was initiated by the brethren of Harmonie Lodge 699 after the suicide of a Brother in 2017. Read more here and here.

     

‘Lodge by lantern light’

   

Warren Lodge 32’s Masonic Hall was built in 1865 in the Italianate style.
It was relocated to its present site in 2011.

I’ll conclude September with my scattered recollections of a terrific night seven weeks ago at Warren Lodge 32 way up in Schulztville for the occasion of a most enjoyable festive board by lantern light.

I’ll tell ya: If you ever want to hold a meeting or meal outside at night by lantern light, go for it.

Warren 32 is New York’s last remaining “moon lodge,” meaning a lodge that meets on or about the night of the full moon. This special festive board was hosted on Saturday the thirteenth, which actually was two nights after August’s full moon (a Sturgeon Moon), so the convenience of the guests was accommodated by waiting for the weekend. And we guests turned out in force. I think I counted about sixty seated around the U-shaped “lodge” outdoors under the tent, and the travelers greatly outnumbered our hosts. A caravan of Grand Lodge officers, headed by Grand Master Kessler and Deputy Grand Master Rubin, arrived, obviously having come from a previous event somewhere.

Other brethren visited from around New York, New England, and elsewhere. I was invited to sit between Masons from New Hampshire and Massachusetts. There’s clearly a special energy present when meeting traveling Masons and being able to talk about things in common, however small. I told the brother from New Hampshire that I had been to the Manchester Temple two months prior for Masonic Con, and told the Massachusetts brother about my visits to two lodges on Cape Cod last year. Conversely, I was told about a tour of Masonic Hall in Manhattan.

Portrait of Augustus Schultz hangs in the East.

The Warren Lodge brethren made this a history nerd-friendly event. They had a brother appear in the character of Bro. Augustus Schultz, the benefactor of the lodge who died too young at 26 in the 1860s, and bequeathed to Warren Lodge the funds that enabled it to purchase the land and construct the meeting hall where Warren was at labor until 2011. (Bro. Schultz did likewise for a local church.) That’s Schultz, as in Schultzville, the lodge’s original hometown until the building was picked up and relocated half a mile north to stand next to the Clinton town hall.

You may have guessed the lodge was named for Revolutionary War hero Joseph Warren, and an additional attraction of the night was the attendance of a descendant of Warren. I think his name is Keith, but don’t quote me. Grand Master DeWitt Clinton issued its warrant.

A small altar, as was furnished centuries ago.

The U.S. flag featured fifteen stars from 1795 to 1818.

The festive board was great. Unlimited quantities of good food plus red wine for the usual toasts. The vino was Cribari, a label unknown to me. I’ll have to ask Bro. Cupschalk if he knows it, because we were drinking from shot glasses, for the obvious reason, and tasting was not a priority.

The weather was perfect: sunny blue skies during the day; cool and dry after sundown. Great company. A satiating meal amid a mellow ambiance thanks to the scores of small lambent flames in the lanterns. I failed to bring a briar and a sweet Virginia mixture, thinking it would have been forbidden, but evidently I could have joined RW Rubin, who was savoring his vanilla cavendish. I hope Warren does it again next August—and I’m bringing a pipe if they do. Harry says they’re looking at July 29, 2023.

Masonic Hall from the rear at dusk.
The octagonal cupola is a hallmark of Italianate architecture.

     

‘EA Degree at DeWint House!’

    

Something different is planned for Grand Master’s Day next month at DeWint House: an Entered Apprentice Degree!

I’m guessing this will be outdoors under a tent on the beautiful grounds of the historic site.

Sunday, October 2. Lunch at noon. Degree begins at one o’clock. Bring your regalia. Book your seats with RW Alonza Lloyd (I haven’t sat in lodge with him in ages!) by emailing him here.

If you are unacquainted, DeWint House is a seventeenth century house in Tappan that served as one of Gen. George Washington’s headquarters during the Revolution. It is most famously known for its association with the trial and execution of British Maj. John Andre, conspirator with Gen. Benedict Arnold in the attempted betrayal of West Point. The property was acquired by Grand Lodge about ninety years ago, and it has been preserved as a historic site, with a separate museum, open to the public, for as long as anyone can remember. (I think my lodge played an essential role in inspiring Grand Lodge to buy the land, but I haven’t researched that.) The grounds are populated with numerous exotic trees and other flora, plus monuments, historic graves, and more. Click here for some photos.

It’s well worth visiting any day, but this Grand Master’s Day sounds like an unforgettable occasion.

But wait, there’s more!

At the same time, and about a mile away, the lodges of the Ninth Manhattan District will host their annual Traubenfest, a day of German food, drink, and song. It’s a great, family-friendly time in German Masonic Park that goes until sunset. The two events make for a wonderful day, and in my experience, the weather has been perfect every time somehow.

DeWint House is located at 20 Livingston Street. Traubenfest, in German Masonic Park, is found at 89 Western Highway. Both in Tappan.

See you there.

     

‘The Hero of Two Worlds’

    

I can’t remember where in Masonic Hall this hangs. Corinthian?

“Insurrection is the most sacred of rights and the most indispensable of duties.”

— Lafayette

On this date in 1834, Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier Marquis de La Fayette died in Paris at age 76. His remains are interred in the city at Cimetiere de Picpus—beneath soil shipped from Bunker Hill, such was the import of his role in the American War of Independence and vice versa.

That he championed the American cause, not only to smite the enemy British Empire, but to make manifest the Americans’ philosophy of individual liberty and national freedom was extremely counterintuitive for a French nobleman, if you think about his station in life. And his fighting for the Continental Army didn’t even put him in good standing when revolution, originally in the name of republicanism, was unleashed in his homeland, although it at least saved his life. In fact he lived to see various leaders and different forms of French government rise and fall, until the July Monarchy. Government troops slaughtered a crowd of civilians in April 1834. Lafayette was dead a month later. He is remembered as “The Hero of Two Worlds.”

Outside, appropriately, Colonial on 10.

Masonic historians are frustrated by the absence of a record of his initiation into the fraternity, but when he arrived in America in 1777, his Masonic membership was a given. I would say he is France’s most celebrated Freemason, at least in the eyes of American Masons. He was a Royal Arch Companion in Jerusalem Chapter 8 in New York City, as well as a Cerneau Scottish Rite 33rd Degree Mason.

(I’m assuming it’s pure coincidence, but the New York City Parks Department chose today to power wash Union Square Park’s Lafayette statue, titled “Lafayette Arriving in America,” made by Bro. Frederic Auguste Bartholdi, of Statue of Liberty fame, and dedicated in 1873.)

His famous return to the United States in 1824 consisted of a tour of all the states in the country, with Masonic celebrations along the route. The Grand Lodge of Delaware received him in 1824 and made him an Honorary Member the following year. Also in ’24, Lafayette visited the brethren in Maine and New Jersey and Maryland (another Honorary Membership there). In 1825, he was feted in South Carolina, Louisiana, Illinois, and, with another Honorary Membership, in Tennessee. Many lodges around the United States have been named in his honor.

Lafayette Lodge 27 photo

Last month Grand Master Richard Kessler led a party to a neighboring jurisdiction where its Lafayette Lodge held a ceremony to unveil a marker on The Lafayette Trail, which denotes the path of his historic tour. The New Yorkers brought with them an apron affiliated with the French hero for display that day.

Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Library photo

Click here for more on his Masonic history.

     

‘Omar for President!’

    

George Filippidis photo

RW Omar Morris, as George Washington, with MW Richard J. Kessler, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New York, at yesterday’s re-enactment ceremony.

Yesterday was the anniversary of the first presidential inauguration of George Washington here in New York City in 1789, and the brethren commemorate the world-changing event with a re-enactment. You might not know this, but Washington was a Freemason (new book here), and the fraternity possesses the very KJV Bible on which he placed his hands while taking the oath of office.

Both were present yesterday inside Masonic Hall for the annual ceremony, with Bro. Omar Morris in place channeling the first president.

Omar was my lodge brother back when I was in New Jersey. He served as the Right Worshipful Grand Marshal during the previous administration there, and, if Providence is agreeable, he will be elected Junior Grand Warden in November—but first we’ll have to see how he does as president!

     

‘Like an untimely frost’

    

Very sad news in these late hours from our Assistant Grand Secretary announcing the death this afternoon of Mrs. Joanne Kessler, wife of our Grand Master Richard Kessler. Funeral arrangements are being planned.

My condolences to the Kessler family in this painful time.

  

‘New New York leadership’

   

The 239th Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of New York will conclude in minutes, with new elected leaders to install later today.

Richard Kessler

MW Bro. Richard Kessler is our new Grand Master. RW Bro. Steven A. Rubin is our Deputy Grand Master.

Kessler has been a member of the Masonic Society since 2016.

Grand Lodge has open and competitive elections, meaning an incumbent is not necessarily elevated to the East unchallenged. The new Grand Master had served as Deputy Grand Master since May 2018, and Rubin had been Grand Treasurer. The normally two-year terms of office were prolonged by a year and a half due to the COVID pandemic and resulting logistical problems in hosting an immense gathering like this.

In the Grand West will be RW Robert Hogan. In the Grand South will be RW Peter Stein. At the Grand Treasurer’s office now is RW Bro. Joseph Saglimbene. Joe was nominated and elected from the floor, surprising both declared candidates, lest anyone scoff at the reality of open, honest elections here.

Among the proposed legislation was one item that I’ll report when I hear the results. Other legislation concerned amendments to make Grand Lodge more adaptable to emergencies, such as the recent pandemic that disrupted the usual time, place, and manner of the Annual Communication. Today’s session in Utica actually was a conclusion of a meeting opened months ago at Masonic Hall in Manhattan. But more on that later.

Congratulations to all! 

     

‘Grand Honors!’

     

Courtesy Bro. Bruce B.

Bro. Oscar Alleyne
RW Junior Grand Warden

At the 237th annual communication of the Grand Lodge of New York today, these brethren—arguably the A-Team—were elected and installed:

MW Grand Master William Sardone
RW Deputy Grand Master Richard Kessler
RW Senior Grand Warden Charles Roberts
RW Junior Grand Warden Oscar Alleyne
RW Grand Treasurer Steven Adam Rubin
RW Grand Secretary Richard Schulz

Courtesy Bro. Giovanni L.

MW Bill Sardone, left, is our new Grand Master.
MW Jeffrey Williamson, right, left office today.

In addition, the new DDGM of the Glorious Fourth is RW Michael Sternfeld. He will convene a town hall meeting next Wednesday at Masonic Hall.

(That’s all the information I have so far.)

Brethren, wherever dispersed over the face of the earth and water, how about Grand Honors, taking time from yourselves. And throw in a Vivat! Congratulations to all!


     

‘Two interlaced deltas enclosing a protractor’

     

I searched through The Magpie photo archives hoping to find a shot of an Assistant Grand Lecturer wearing the apron of his office to illustrate this excerpt from the new issue of The Empire State Mason Magazine, and found Yves! Anyway, in the back of the book, Bro. Richard Kessler, the Right Worshipful Grand Lecturer, has a regular column titled, appropriately, “From the Grand Lecturer,” where this time he addresses three common questions. The first is: “Does the insignia on the Assistant Grand Lecturer apron have any significance in our ritual?”

Before I transcribe his answer, let me try to explain the design of the apron of the Very Worshipful brethren who wear it: No purple or gold, but a blue trim around a white background upon which lie a black equilateral triangle interlaced with a white equilateral triangle, forming a six-point star, within which is a protractor with its straight edge horizontal and its curved side above. Got it?

RW Kessler’s reply:

It does. The following is the symbology which has been used by Grand Lecturers in our jurisdiction: The Seal of Solomon or Shield of David is a hexagonal figure consisting of two interlaced triangles. The creates a six-pointed star. Upon it was inscribed one of the sacred names of God, from which inscription it was to derive its talismanic powers. These powers were reputed to be very extensive. It was called the Sacred Delta by the Ancients and was known as the symbol of the Great Architect of the Universe and also as the element of important ceremonies.

Magpie file photo

VW Bro. Yves Etienne
at Shakespeare 750
on September 2, 2010.

The interlocking triangles, or deltas, enclosing the protractor designate the Grand Lecturer or Assistant Grand Lecturer and are explained as follows: The two triangles, one white and the other black, interlacing, exemplify the mingling of opposing forces in nature: darkness and light, falsehood and truth, ignorance and wisdom, evil and good. They also are symbolic of the union of the body and soul. The protractor in the center of the two triangles is a symbol of wisdom and truth, and is emblematic of precision and perfection, which we hope for, both in our ritual and our lives. The emblem symbolizes one endowed with knowledge, who strives to overcome ignorance with wisdom, speak truth, and bring Masonic Light to the Craft.


If I’m not mistaken, this apron design and the office of Very Worshipful Assistant Grand Lecturer were devised in the 1990s with the goal of imparting to the brethren not only ritual instruction, but also the meanings of ritual elements and symbols. In 2015 the focus has been the Entered Apprentice Degree, and the results are conversations about the meaning of Masonry. Imagine that. The first time I saw one of these aprons, I assumed it was the apron of some crazy lodge at Masonic Hall that provided its brethren Masonic instruction with alchemical or other esoteric influences. You see all kinds of aprons at Masonic Hall.