‘About Last Night: The RAM° at Chapter No. 3’

    

Officers and new Royal Arch Masons yesternight.

Scratch another one off the bucket list!

Enjoyed a great time with Chapter No. 3 of Royal Arch Masons in Philadelphia last night to witness the RAM° à la the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania. After twenty-seven years in Capitular Masonry, I really ought to have witnessed this ritual already, but somehow never got to it, and resolved during the summer to correct that. Months ago, I contacted M.E. Eric C. Stahley, Grand H.P. of the Grand Chapter to ask if he knew of any upcoming RAM degrees in the eastern part of the Keystone State; he enlisted the help of R.E. Tony Dintino, DDGHP of the First Capitular; he put me in contact with both MEGHP Amit Vyas and Secretary Brendan Shaw of Chapter No. 3; and they explained how to score free parking in the Masonic Temple’s neighborhood on the night of November 4, when the degree was scheduled. (For a New York City Freemason, that is the epitome of the Red Carpet Treatment! Or scarlet, as the case may be.) My deep thanks to all.

The point was to experience something new and maybe discern whatever aspects would make the ritual different from what I’ve always known at Scott Chapter 4. (In York bodies, I’m still affiliated in New Jersey.) I likely missed a lot of those variations, because I’m no ritual expert and, honestly, it’s been a long while since I’ve seen a Royal Arch Degree. But, I know both Chapter No. 3 (1758 or ’67) and the Grand Chapter of Pennsylvania (1795) were founded before the General Grand Chapter (1797) and remain independent from it, which could indicate variations between No. 3’s rituals and those I know. And so there were.

A view of the stained glass in the South.

One huge distinction between the two systems is the VPM°. It’s no secret how Pennsylvania does without it, and I’ve long thought it is an extraneous step along the path that ought to be retired. Even the Chapter Opening differs. For example, when we grouped into threes to form the arch, the physical aspects were consistent, but some of the spoken words (not The Word) were not the same, so I was a little tongue tied at that moment. I was impressed to see thirty of us present, which made for even grouping into trios.

In the English system, Royal Arch aprons show a pattern of blue and red, symbolizing the continuity of lodge and chapter.

The officers did not speak their duties. In regalia, I was pleased to see the companions clothed in the English style. No. 3 does descend from the Ancients, not General Grand, after all.

‘It’s a beautiful room, but the acoustics are horrible,’ said one ritualist. He has a point! Voices seem to rise to the 52-foot ceiling. Unless a speaker faces you, it is hard to hear him.

They have veils, not banners, which is fair considering they meet in Renaissance Hall, the Masonic Temple’s Royal Arch room. The upholstery of the Grand Masters’ chairs are color coordinated with those veils but, again, Renaissance Hall.

Joshua has loomed above the East since 1906. 

The MEGHP in the East has the M.E. in his title, whereas New Jersey did away with that in recent years due to the bureaucratic mentality that shapes decisions there.

After the new Royal Arch Masons are instructed in the East, they are put through ritual movements I don’t think I’ve seen before. I’ll liken them to calisthenics. Not physically taxing, and I was too far away to hear what was said during, but it looked interesting. (Inadvertently reminds of the talk I used to give on mindfulness techniques for the lodge—even presented it inside Norman Hall in 2015.)

In the West. A painting of The Evangelist is above. December 27 is the red-letter date of Pennsylvania Royal Arch Masonry.

Some of the officer stations are different; three are seated in the West, which I think is consistent with Craft lodges there.

One illicit thing I was sorry to see, but it’s ubiquitous: Masons under age forty who cannot put away their phones. Placed in a triangular form about me were youngish Royal Arch companions who were texting or whatever the whole night. Again, it’s nothing new or unique to any single place, but I wonder why attend if you know you’ll use the phone to mentally exit the room? I’m there, feeling like I am witnessing history: visiting a chapter older than our country; sitting in Renaissance Hall, where the Grand Chapter has been meeting for a century and a half, and where countless MEMs have been exalted; and witnessing the RAM°—but I digress.

The Seal of Solomon in the crown of the ceiling.

Before the degree, the elected officer positions for the ensuing year were sorted out; the junior Past HP received his PHP apron; and a certificate for achievement in education was presented.

Outside Renaissance Hall.

I arrived too late to join for dinner—had to finagle some time off from work to get there at all. Anyway, here is a little early history of Chapter No. 3 excerpted from the Grand Chapter’s 1870 book of proceedings:

The destruction of the Masonic Hall, by fire, in the year 1819, caused great loss to the Masons of Pennsylvania, in the burning of nearly all their old records. From the minutes of the Royal Arch Lodge, No. 3, and the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, we have gleaned the following up to December 1812, from which time the records of the Grand Chapter are perfect. It is with great pleasure that we are able to present records which prove beyond question that Chapter No. 3, (now Jerusalem Chapter, No. 3,) of Philadelphia, is the oldest Royal Arch Chapter in the United States, and that the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania was the first Grand Chapter organized in this country.

   

The earliest records of Royal Arch Lodge, No. 3, now in the possession of Lodge No. 3, dated December 3, 1767, read, “that the minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved;” thus showing that there was an older book of minutes which had been mislaid or destroyed. The minutes of Lodge No. 3 are perfect and complete from December 3, 1767, to the present date. The Ahiman Rezon, edition of 1825, page 79, says: “The first Royal Arch Chapter [in] America of which we possess a particular account is that held in Pennsylvania, anterior to the year 1758. This Chapter, working under the warrant of No. 3, was recognized by and had communion with a Military Chapter, working under a warrant 351, granted by the Grand Lodge of England; and its proceedings were subsequently approved by that honorable body, as appears from a communication from its Deputy Grand Master Dermott.”

   

The records of the Grand Lodge show that, on November 23, 1795, the Grand Chapter was opened under the immediate sanction of the Grand Lodge. The Grand Chapter met under the above sanction until January 5, 1824, at which time it became independent.

View of the Masonic Temple from the top
of the parking deck.

I don’t know when, but Jerusalem Chapter 3 dropped its proper noun name and reverted to its numeric name.

Here’s a 47-second video depicting Renaissance Hall:

     

‘A word about post-nominals’

   

The Committee on Correspondence chairman received third billing on the title page of the book of proceedings, after only the Grand High Priest and the Grand Secretary.

If you’ve read the books of proceedings of grand lodges, grand chapters, etc., especially from generations past, you noticed the best part of the book is the report of the correspondence committee. There, we find the then current events of other grand bodies, provided they are in amity and they bothered to have sent in their news.

This is the duty of our grand representatives, although I don’t know how many today actually perform this work. For example, the Grand Lodge of ABC’s Grand Representative near the Grand Lodge of XYZ ideally would send XYZ’s annual news, however he might package it, to ABC. (I think that’s right.) ABC’s correspondence committee receives it, and takes what it wants for inclusion in its annual report for the book of proceedings. This annual report is written at the discretion of the committee chairman, who may select whatever information he pleases—and don’t be surprised if he editorializes in relaying the foreign news to you, the reader, which, sometimes, can be fun.

So, for reasons I won’t bother with here, I’ve been perusing the books of the Royal Arch Grand Chapter of New Jersey. In the volume for 1871-72 comes word from the Grand Chapter of South Carolina—land of Mackey, Dalcho, et al.

Comp. Thomas J. Corson, a Past GHP of the Grand Chapter of New Jersey, was chairman of its Committee on Foreign Correspondence (and paid a hundred bucks for it!), and evidently he was the type who would comment on other grand chapters’ reportage.

Apparently, South Carolina Past GHP James Birnie had written of General Grand Chapter Deputy GGHP Robert Bruns’ use of Scottish Rite post-nominals in Royal Arch Masonry.* Excerpted from Corson’s comments:

Speaking of Comp. Bruns using the “32°” after his name in a Royal Arch connection, he says: “As it don’t hurt anybody, we don’t see why so much ado should be made about it.”

Certainly not. Now, all ye reporters, take due notice that we will severely punish any one of you who dares to make fun of our Bruns. He shall have a tail to his name, so he shall— for doesn’t Darwin say that we are all descended from monkeys?

If Drummond can use his 101°; Robertson, of Canada, his 33°; J. Conway Brown, of Nova Scotia, his 18°; and Wright, of Iowa, his 32°, why should not Robert have his 32°? Wherefore notly?

And if Bruns will come to Trenton, we will initiate him into the “Windy Boys of Waterloo,” and then he will be a “W.B.W.,” so he will.

P.S.  Drummond, Gouley and Hornor need not apply for this degree. They are not eligible, for it’s a strictly moral degree.

And people give me the stink eye for telling it like it is!

*Both Birnie and Bruns would be dead the following year.

     

‘Joshua Associations still exist!’

    

Magpie file photo

The East of Oriental Hall, Masonic Temple, Philadelphia. The Joshua Association will meet therein Monday night.

I had no idea, but an announcement the other day from Comp. Nick showed how the Joshua Association of Philadelphia is still in business, which led me to find that other Joshua Associations are alive too. I assumed these groups, which got their start more than a century ago, had withered and disappeared like ancillary capillaries that shut down quietly as the overall fraternity atrophies.

Anyway, Nick reports his Joshua Association (he’s Second Vice President) will meet next week! From the publicity:

Ye Antient, Olde & Original

Joshua Association

Monday, September 28

Dinner at six o’clock

Meeting at seven in Oriental Hall

Masonic Temple

1 North Broad Street, Philadelphia

For dinner, meet at 5:45 at Sabroso+Sorbo in the Notary Hotel (corner of Juniper and Filbert). The Knife & Fork Degree will be conferred on new members. Any Companions who would like to receive the degree are welcome to attend.

M.E. Thomas McConnell

If you’re not familiar, the best I can do is this brief comment from M.E. Thomas McConnell, Jr., Grand High Priest of the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania, at its Annual Grand Communication of December 27, 1917 at that historic Masonic Temple:

About ten years ago, a voluntary association of the Most Excellent High Priests of Chapters meeting in Philadelphia was formed under the title of “Joshua Association” to which Past High Priests, Kings, and Scribes have since been made eligible, and it seems also to be a part of their plan to elect Grand Officers to honorary membership as soon as they are elected in Grand Chapter.

The plan of the Association has been to visit Chapters in and about Philadelphia and encourage and help them. They have always been in hearty and sympathetic accord with the work of Grand Chapter, and especially so during the past year. The officers and members have cordially and earnestly seconded my work wherever possible, have in many instances timed their visitations to accord with mine, and, while their Association has no official status as an association, the officers and members are entitled to a word of commendation for the able and unselfish work they are doing to build up Royal Arch Masonry in Philadelphia and its vicinity. I wish more of the Companions in this and other localities would emulate their example.

And, speaking exactly two years later at the same location, MEGHP David J. Davis said:

On Saturday evening, January 25, I attended the Annual Meeting and banquet of the Joshua Association of Philadelphia. The enthusiasm and fraternal feeling among the Companions convinced me that they are an Association of efficient officers and good fellows. They are sincere, loyal and ever ready to serve. Am proud of the excellent results accomplished by them and the good work they are now doing for the benefit of Capitular Masonry in this Jurisdiction.

From what I understand, this original association in Philly would assist chapters with ritual work. That focus of a century ago has dissipated, and today the association is simply social in its activities. Also, it seems membership has extended across the Delaware River to embrace Royal Arch Masons from New Jersey and Delaware. The companions will meet next on March 22, 2027.

Other Joshua Associations, from what I see, include Anthracite No. 2, which meets in central Pennsylvania (wear red socks); and Lehigh Valley, which will reach its 86th anniversary next March 31 in Lenhartsville.

Who’s Joshua? First, click here, then pursue further Light by taking the degrees of Royal Arch Masonry.

    

‘Chapter of Research to meet Saturday’

    

UPDATE: Meeting is cancelled.

Happy St. John’s Day!

Naturally, Grand Lodge will host its St. John’s Weekend in Utica in a few days, during which Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research 1798 will hold a convocation Saturday at 1 p.m. A change of venue for this one. Instead of the Utica Temple, this will take place in the library of the Masonic Care Community for the convenience of those who must be at the MCC for other events that day.

It looks like there isn’t a program of speakers settled yet, so EHP Christopher Fox  welcomes your talent, especially if you have not presented before the chapter previously.

Sorry I cannot be there. I’ll be in New Jersey for the annual St. Alban’s Luncheon, which I’ll tell you about afterward. But, if you’re going to Utica, have a great time!

     

‘TSW Chapter to visit historic Scipio’

    

llvintage on eBay

1919 postcard of the lodge building.

This just in: Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research will meet Saturday in Aurora for a discussion of the very historic local lodge. From the publicity:

Thomas Smith Webb

Chapter of Research 1798

Saturday, June 6 at 3:30

Scipio Lodge 110

325 Main Street

Aurora, New York

Our very own M.E. Michael Miller will present on “the Colonial Lodge,” home of Scipio Lodge 110, erected in 1806 by Aurora Chapter 64 specifically for their use.

The presentation will include the history of Capitular Masonry in Cayuga County and the symbolism in this building, including architecture, tapestries, furniture, and the cornerstone laid by Gov. DeWitt Clinton. This will take place inside the lodge room, however the tapestries, paintings and architectural highlights are all around. There is an experiential element to this.

Attire for the meeting, because of the age of the building and questionable comfort, will be Royal Arch polo shirts (or just red ones if you do not have a RAM polo) and dress pants.

After the presentation, we will go to Fargo Bar & Grill and enjoy drinks, food, and companionship.

A Zoom link will be provided no later than Friday evening for those who may have an extensive drive but, if you are able to be there in person, please be there in person.

Updates about our meeting during St. John’s Weekend and future meetings also will be discussed Saturday, and will be emailed afterward.

     

‘Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research to meet’

    

Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research 1798 will meet next Thursday during the Grand Chapter weekend in Binghamton. This convocation will open at 1:30 in the Carlton A room on the lower level of the hotel.

I haven’t attended one of these in ages, but they are busy affairs. Of course, the election and installation of officers is on the agenda. EHP Ken Stuczynski will present “Royal Arch as an Allegory of the Afterlife.” There may be other presentations. And, a new book of transactions will be released!

Covering 2014 to 2025, this volume features contributions from Oscar Alleyne, O’Neil G.D. Bryan, William Carter, Brett Laird Francis Doyle, Victor Escorbores, Christopher Fox, Mark D. Isaacs, Gregory D. MacLeod, Mark Z. Oldknow, Peter Pizzorno, Jeff Slattery, Ken Stuczynski, Michael D. Weisberg, Donald Williams, and Jeffrey M. Williamson.

Members of the chapter will receive a digital version of the book at no cost, and copies will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at this meeting for $10, and will be for sale for $19.99 afterward.

This chapter was warranted on August 2, 2002 by the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of New York for the purpose of encouraging research into Royal Arch Masonry for discussion. Click here for membership information.

Congratulations to everyone in the new officer line. Don’t forget to schedule a meeting or three downstate somewhere.

     

‘A belated peek at a last look at a Royal Arch temple’

    

Postcard of the former home of Goodwin Chapter 36 of Royal Arch Masons in New Jersey.

Haven’t posted a Flashback Friday on The Magpie Mason in a long time, but recently something reminded me of a visit to an unusual building fifteen years ago that I never told you about. The owners of a property, once a Masonic temple, in Manasquan, New Jersey were preparing to sell. In the process, they let it be known that if Masons and their families desired one last look, the doors of 168 Main Street would be open to them for a little while on Saturday, January 9. This was 2010.

With a cornerstone-laying ceremony by the Grand Lodge on Friday, October 12, 1923, this building is unique because it was a Masonic temple without a lodge. Instead it had a Royal Arch chapter!

With commercial space downstairs, the upstairs housed an Egyptian-motif (remember, this is 1923) chapter room with all the architecture necessary for Goodwin Chapter 36 to confer the degrees of Capitular Masonry.

Those were the days. Masonic membership was exploding during the 1920s in a boom that started during World War I and continued into the economic boom times of the twenties. Lodges proliferated, real estate was acquired and developed, the appendant bodies flourished, supply companies thrived in their sales of regalia, furniture, and everything else.

(There was a Craft lodge in Manasquan. Wall 73 was located all of two-tenths of a mile up Main Street at the corner of South Street.)

Goodwin Chapter had been around a long while by the time this building went up. Goodwin was constituted October 2, 1882 during a previous golden age as the Masonic fraternity shook off the injuries of the anti-masonic scare and grew during and after the Civil War. Goodwin 36 is long gone, having amalgamated at some point with Hiram 1, together becoming Goodwin-Hiram Chapter 1 in Toms River.

I have no information on the architect, so I can’t promise you this room has any of the kind of accurate details as are found in Egyptian Hall inside the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia.

Anyway, I shot a few dozen photos during my visit that January day. The chapter room was said to have gone untouched for approximately fifty years. For some reason, everything was painted white at some point, making many of my photos look one dimensional and unimpressive. I had to tinker with some of these to elicit a little detail. Still, I’m glad I got to see this.

Not sure why I never got around to sharing all this until today.

Probably not the archaeological accuracy of Egyptian Hall in Philly.

Guessing there’s a crypt underneath.

Grand Chapter proceedings inside a Herring Hall Marvin Safe Co. safe.

I’m not familiar with this brand. I wonder if it was made
in Trenton with Clear Havana leaf.

     

‘My thanks to Eureka Chapter’

    

On the night before Eureka Chapter’s convocation, we went to Winter Garden Lodge 165 for its Fellow Craft Degree. A great night!

My thanks to Eureka Chapter 7 of Royal Arch Masons in Orlando, Florida for hosting me for a talk. I got bumped from the original March 7 convocation in favor of Juan Sepulveda—and, really, who could blame them?—but they got me there, wined and dined me, and hopefully enjoyed my presentation on what Jewish mystical writings known collectively as the Zohar say about certain Royal Arch symbols.

The meeting at Eureka was fun for me. I actually was drafted into an officer’s chair only to find the Opening and Closing rituals used are from the General Grand Chapter, so they are short and sweet compared to what I know from my chapter. A nice turn-out with about twenty Royal Arch Masons in attendance, including, I’m told, several who hadn’t been seen in some time.

Anyway, to summarize my talk, titled “Mystical Interpretations of Royal Arch Symbols,” as quickly as possible:

➤ In the absence of the Temple in Jerusalem, there is no High Priest, and consequently we each must be our own High Priest and govern ourselves accordingly.

➤ The Ark of the Covenant is described in the Book of Exodus as being covered in gold inside and out, which should remind us, as Royal Arch Masons, to be the same people inside and out. To be “good as gold” by letting our spiritual work give shape to our thoughts, words, and deeds so we are not projecting false images of ourselves and concealing weaknesses and failings.

➤ Of the Cherubims atop the Ark, they play a role as a conveyance of communications. The lesson I relayed to the companions was a reminder that when prayers fail to reach the Heavens on their own, these golden angels represent angels who carry prayers to the Upper World. In our labors, we must have the right intentions to produce the right actions that are worthy of the correct angels to connect us to the Upper World.

➤ And the Tabernacle itself? As the Holy of Holies, where the Ark was placed, was separate from the rest of the Tabernacle, we should understand the need to distinguish what is special in life from what is ordinary. Observe the sabbath of your faith as best you can. Observe your holidays likewise. Even the new moon each month is a reason for renewal. Don’t waste these opportunities to jumpstart your spiritual life.

There was more, like the High Priest’s garments and breastplate, among other things. And the Q&A was lively and even fun, thanks to a few companions who already knew where I was going with this material. Somehow we all forgot to take the obligatory group photo because of the engrossing discussion.

I am grateful to Franklin and Ivan for the invitation and for all the first class care I received during this, my first visit to Florida. Even the weather cooperated. As part of his babysitting duties, Franklin took me to a few local spots that got my attention.

The Morse Museum is home to a vast collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany’s glorious crafts. I shot dozens of photos, but I’ll share just a few:

The Tree of Life is a massive leaded glass window made from 1928 to 1931 for his country home, Laurelton Hall, near Oyster Bay. After Tiffany’s death in 1933, avid collectors Hugh and Jeannette McKean purchased as many pieces as possible, which now comprise the Morse Museum collection.

Detail of the Science panel of The Tree of Life.

Detail of the Creation panel of The Tree of Life.

Madonna and Child window.

We also visited Prometheus Esoterica, which is kind of like a smaller version of Morbid Anatomy in Brooklyn. It’s a retail business, but one that has oddities and faux occultism stuff. Lots of Baphomets! There also is a surprising number of Masonic pieces as décor and for sale:

Prometheus Esoterica displays a noticeable number of Masonic pieces, especially Shrine and Templar stuff.

Hanging in the washroom(!) is this A&ASR-SJ 32° certificate. Ill Aaron Shoemaker translates: ‘We, the Inspector Generals, testify through these Letters Patent that our well-deserving Brother, Joseph Landon Fincher born forty-nine years ago and residing in Pensacola, Florida, whose name is subscribed in the margin by his own hand, holds the rank of THIRTY-SECOND DEGREE SECRET MASTER (Master of the Royal Secret) of the same Rite. Therefore, we exhort and beseech all Freemasons residing anywhere beyond the borders of our jurisdiction to recognize our Brother in his dignity and to extend the same observance toward their fellow brethren within our jurisdiction.’

Another fez, but at right is one of the big copies of Manly P. Hall’s Secret Teachings.

Also, the night before the chapter convocation, we went to Winter Garden Lodge 165 for a Fellow Craft Degree. And expertly conferred it was. The Past Master who sat in the East was the father of one of the Apprentices being passed. At the end, the new Fellows were asked for their thoughts on what had just transpired. They handled the question with humor and impressive insight, considering they were put on the spot after a hefty ritual and pretty late at night. Also, it was the 94th birthday of the Brother Tyler!

     

‘Jerusalem Amity’s 225th anniversary’

    

Happy 225th anniversary to Jerusalem Amity Chapter 8 of Royal Arch Masons in New York City!

It was on this date in 1799 when Jerusalem Chapter was set to labor downtown in a tavern at the corner of today’s Hanover and Beaver streets. Jerusalem Chapter was where Lafayette was made a Royal Arch Mason during his 1824 visit to the city. We’ll hear a lot more about that come September.

(Plans are being drawn upon the trestleboard for a statewide celebration of that bicentenary. The plotters enjoyed an amazing Zoom conference last night.)

Click on the video uploaded to YouTube several hours ago, and join EHP Anthony for a celebratory libation.

     

‘Festive Board at Lafayette’s Royal Arch chapter’

    

Another Royal Arch “Bring-a-Brother Night” is coming! Jerusalem Amity Chapter 8, where Lafayette was made a Royal Arch Mason, is planning one for later this month. From the publicity:

On Tuesday, February 13, Jerusalem Amity Chapter 8 invites all Master Masons and Royal Arch Companions to join us for our 225th Anniversary “Companion Bring a Friend Night.” This will be a chapter-style festive board at 8:30 p.m. in Masonic Hall’s Jacobean Room on the eighth floor. Dress Code: Masonic.

The night will consist of toasts, talks, feasting, Light, and fellowship. If you are interested in joining us, please RSVP here.

For close to 225 years, JA8 has been actively involved in New York City Masonic, and in the larger, global, community. An example is demonstrated by the Holy Royal Arch ceremony with Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette almost 200 years ago, an event we intend to celebrate in September.