‘ONYJRW is next month!’

    

UPDATE 9.10.24: Event cancelled.

Buffalo is much closer to Canton, Ohio than it is to New York City. You can’t even compare the two commutes. Canton is about 150 miles nearer to Buffalo. Plus, you could sail most of the way.

Having just learned this, I no longer feel offended by the Buffalo research guys finding partners in Ohio instead of with us in Manhattan, which I’d assumed would have been the obvious choice. That partnership has birthed an event planned for next month that will bring together five research bodies for what they are calling the Ohio-New York Joint Research Weekend. From the publicity:

Call to Assembly

Joint Meeting

September 13-14

Canton Masonic Temple

836 Market Avenue North

Canton, Ohio

The Ohio Chapter of Research, The Ohio Lodge of Research, The Ohio Council for Research and Development are pleased to announce they will host a joint meeting with The Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research of New York and The Western New York Lodge of Research.

Friday, September 13

Buffet dinner at 6 p.m., with ladies invited, followed by an evening of paper presentations.

Saturday, September 14

Continental breakfast, followed by additional paper presentations.

Call for Papers: Anyone wishing to present a paper should contact Jeff Slattery here with your title and approximate presentation length. Also, advise if you will need any equipment for accompanying audiovisuals. If possible, please email a copy of your presentation prior to the meeting. Questions may be directed there too.

Click here for hotel information and ideas for activities for the ladies.

I’d go, except it’s way too far.

     

‘African initiations and Kabbalistic interpretations’

    

In honor of Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research, the Library displayed various artifacts, including this set of Grand Chapter jewels from the nineteenth century.

I should have clocked it, but I’ll state unequivocally that The American Lodge of Research set a new speed record in Opening, Balloting, and Closing last night, having done it all between 6:15 and 6:50 p.m., or thereabouts. No trophy for ritual excellence, but it was a lot of fun.

That was all we had to do because the main event started at seven upstairs in the Livingston Library. Congratulations to all our new Corresponding Members, including RW George Filippidis, Bro. Alex Vastola from the Library, and Bro. Jussi from Finland! And to new Active Members, including Dan Kemble from Kentucky! Plus, we finally seated a team of Trustees, which you wouldn’t think would be so difficult, but it took a while. (One must be a legal resident of New York, and it seems many of the brethren live elsewhere.)

And we elected a Fellow, but I think I’m not supposed to say who yet, pending notification of next of kin.

We packed our gear back in storage, and headed to the fourteenth floor just in time for the joint ALR-TSW lectures. Representing Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research was Bro. Americo (of Aurora Grata-Day Star Lodge 647), who discussed “African and Afro-Diasporic Initiatory Structures and their Interaction with Masonry,” which opened our eyes to a number of things. Not only the ritual elements common to all kinds of initiatic rites, but some specific things known to Freemasons that appear in some African systems. Next up was Bro. Michael, Master of The ALR, who explained the Kabbalistic side of the three Craft degrees. When many speakers attempt to delve into this sort of topic, their enthusiasm outpaces their knowledge, but Michael nailed it. Unfortunately I had to exit before he finished, but I saw his audience was loving it.

(I’ve known Michael for years and I’ve never heard him talk so much, but let him speak on Kabbalistic content in the degrees and he’s Billy Graham!)

This event was available via Zoom, and I’m hoping it will be uploaded to the Library’s YouTube channel, and I’ll provide the link if it becomes available.

     

‘Masonic researchers to unite’

    

Thank you for reading The Magpie Mason. We have been together fifteen years now.

So I told you about The American Lodge of Research meeting jointly with Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research at the end of October, but before then, TSW will meet with Western New York Lodge of Research and Ohio Chapter of Research. From the publicity:

A joint meeting of Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research, Ohio Chapter of Research, and Western New York Lodge of Research will be convened on Friday, October 13 and Saturday, October 14 at Western Star Lodge (692 Ridge Road) in Lackawanna, New York.

Western Star Lodge 1185.

Friday evening, Holy Ark Chapter 304 will host dinner at 6:30. The supper will consist of baked Italian chicken with cold green bean salad, garlic salt potatoes, and “make-your-own sundaes.” Dining fee is $22 payable at the door, but reservations to Jeff Williamson here are necessary.

Following dinner, Thomas Smith Webb Chapter will open at 7:30 for the purpose of research and study. Several papers will be presented. Masons who are not Royal Arch Masons will be accommodated to listen and participate.

On Saturday morning, we will reconvene at nine o’clock and additional papers will be presented until noon, including RW Bruce Renner, who will discuss “A Lodge Walkabout for the Esoterically Inclined.”

Attire is sport coat & tie and Royal Arch regalia, if applicable. Brothers from WNY Lodge of Research, who are not Companions, will wear a white Masonic apron or symbolic lodge regalia.

     

     

‘The ALR & TSW to meet’

    

Portrait artist extraordinaire Travis Simpkins noted on Facebook this afternoon how today is the anniversary of the publication in 1797 of The Freemason’s Monitor; or Illustrations of Masonry by Thomas Smith Webb.

Thomas Smith Webb by Travis Simpkins.

Royal Arch Masonry’s newly revivified Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research in New York is maintaining an active schedule these days, including a special event next month.

Hope to see you there.

     

‘T.S. Webb Chapter to meet!’

    

UPDATE 2: There is a new website here.

UPDATE: It’s going to be a true reorganization meeting!

Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research 1798 will meet in March! That hasn’t happened in quite some time, as I understand it.

The most recent Convocation I attended was in 2015, but I doubt that was the most recent one. The chapter’s meetings are supposed to be held, at least, during the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of New York’s annual festivities. This year, the weekend affair will be hosted in Binghamton, March 9-11.

The research chapter’s meeting is scheduled for Thursday the ninth, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. I don’t have a meeting agenda or even an idea of who’s in charge. Like I said, it’s been a long time.

And I’m sorry to say I cannot attend any of the events, but don’t let that stop you. Click here to register.

Keeping research lodges afloat is difficult, and maintaining research chapters, where subject matter is even more compartmentalized, is extremely challenging. There are several such chapters around the country (California, Massachusetts, Ohio, Virginia, maybe more), but their activities are sporadic, to say the least.

Masonic scholarship never has been popular in the fraternity. We eggheads who manage to keep these groups open are no more than one in a thousand, it seems to me. I look forward to hearing of Thomas Smith Webb Chapter’s progress, and I wish the companions success.

And don’t forget to keep me on the membership roll.

     

‘Webb Chapter of Research to meet’

     

You know about Masonic lodges of research, which have proliferated wonderfully in the past ten or so years, but what are not at all common are chapters of research: Capitular chapters set to labor to research, accumulate, and present Royal Arch Masonry education for discussion and publication. Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research No. 1798, warranted by the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of New York, will meet Thursday, March 5 at 4 p.m. at Wolf Road Holiday Inn (205 Wolf Road in Albany, New York) during the Grand Convocation weekend of Grand Chapter.

Paper(s) to be presented: TBA. Business: election and installation of officers. More information to come.

M.E. Piers A. Vaughan's two books on Royal Arch Masonry,

available through lulu.

In the meantime, I just received and soon will dive into the two books published last year by M.E. Piers A. Vaughan, Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of New York. The thought of a Grand High Priest authoring books on Capitular Masonry sounds positively nineteenth century to me, but we always can rely on Piers to labor for the elevation of the fraternity. I will review his books, Introduction to Capitular Masonry and Capitular Development Course for the March issue of The Working Tools magazine, which should be out a few days after the Grand Convocation, and will be shared here then.

     

‘Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research’

    

You know about lodges of research, but what are not as common are chapters of research. Royal Arch chapters set to labor for the purpose of researching, accumulating, and presenting Royal Arch education for debate and discussion. Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research No. 1798, warranted by the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of New York, will meet next month.

Thursday, March 3 at 4 p.m.

Wolf Road Holiday Inn

205 Wolf Rd.

Albany, New York

Topic: the founding of Cedars Chapter No. 335 in Beirut last year.

Business: election and installation of officers. R.E. Piers Vaughan to be High Priest.

Piers promises meetings in Manhattan and elsewhere about the state during his term.

Also, please know the chapter’s 2010 Book of Transactions has been published, and is now available. Members in good standing will receive it either at this meeting, or through the mail. Others may purchase it through our website.
    

‘Call for papers’

    
Announced during the weekend:

The Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research will publish its second annual book of transactions in early 2011. We are looking for papers with a Royal Arch nexus to publish. Please contact me if you might have a paper or idea of interest.

Deadline is December 31. We would like to have the transactions available at the Annual Convocation in March in Albany. Please forward this Call to your Masonic research interests.

With Fervency and Zeal,

Bill Thomas

Bill can be reached at:

BillThomasNYC (at) earthlink.net


Graphic courtesy of Bro. Jeff at Lodgical.
   

‘Which nobody can deny’

    
Thursday, September 2 was the occasion of the Public Apron Presentation Ceremony honoring RW William J. Thomas, Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge of New York at Shakespeare Lodge No. 750. The American Room in Masonic Hall proved too small, as more than 200 well wishers – New York Masons, wives, friends, brethren from Boyer Lodge, a Masonic VIP from the Czech Republic and others – filled the lodge room and adjacent areas to show their support for a jolly good fellow who gives so much to the Craft. Readers of The Magpie Mason might remember Bill Thomas from posts concerning American Lodge of Research, Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research, Shakespeare Lodge, the Livingston Masonic Library, or other bastions of Masonic culture. News of his election to the Grand Treasurer’s Office even has been published in the September issue of The Cross Keys, the monthly newsletter of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone in Scotland.

The Magpie Mason’s role in all this was Photographer/Nuisance, the latter title earned by circulating about the room blinding participants with the dazzling Nikon SB-600, my camera flash of choice because I can use it to make popcorn.

Bill, I will mail you a CD containing more than 130 photographs, but here are a few in the meantime.

This was shot after the ceremony had ended, and the VIPs were making their exit. Out of about 225 photos taken, this one of Bill and his wife Susan is my favorite.

Piers Vaughan, left, with Curtis Alan Banks.

Piers will receive the 33° next August in Chicago.

Left: Henry Marx of St. John’s Lodge No. 1 and Henry Colon of Shakespeare Lodge. Right: Lenny Kagan, Secretary of Shakespeare Lodge.

Daniel Semel, left, offers remarks before presenting

the Grand Treasurer his new apron.

Bill puts on his apron.

Left: MW Vincent Libone, Grand Master of New York, is presented.

Tom Savini, director of the Livingston Masonic Library;

Michael Chaplin, secretary pro tempore of American Lodge of Research;

Michael Caine Seay, boyfriend of Miss Lauren Gwaley; and

an unidentified, nervous-looking fellow.

Ted Harrison, Grand King of the General Grand Chapter

of Royal Arch Masons, with George Harrison.

Bill gets a hug from Martin Merman, past president

of the Metro District Deputy Grand Masters.

The Metropolitan Life Tower was the tallest building in the world a century ago. It is only one of the beautiful landmarks in view of Masonic Hall’s windows. (Sorry for the blur, but the tower is far from where I stood.)

    

ALR anniversary

 
Happy Anniversary wishes are in order! On this date in 1931 was held the Constituting Communication of American Lodge of Research under dispensation of the Grand Lodge of New York. (May 21, 1931 was the date of the first Stated Communication held under its own charter.)

The Magpie Mason is still playing catch-up in its reporting of recent events, the March 29 meeting of ALR among them, but before I tell you about that, let me share some ALR-related good news:

• The lodge's Publications Committee has been revamped by the Worshipful Master, with RW Bill Thomas serving as its new chairman, and the Master, Bro. Henry, Bro. Miller, and myself working together on the next book of transactions, which will go to the printer very soon.
• And ALR has a new website, one that is not hosted through Grand Lodge's site. Click here.
• In addition, there is a new Yahoo! Group for discussion of research, events, etc. Click here.

But about the latest meeting.

W. Bro. Uwe Hain presented "German Freemasons in the American Revolutionary War," which recounted the contributions of brethren from Germany... on both sides of the conflict.

That is the work of the lodge, and I'll explain more below but, in lodge business, there are a few announcements to make.

 

• Appointed to serve the rest of the year as Secretary Pro Temp, following the retirement of Harvey Eysman,  is none other than Michael Chaplin of Shakespeare Lodge No. 750, The Masonic Society, et al. The lodge extended a vote of thanks to Harvey, a Past Master and Fellow of the lodge who had served as Secretary for 23 years.

• Under membership, four new Active Members were elected, including Bro. Chaplin, our speaker Bro. Hain, and Bro. Mark Koltko-Rivera.

• A Special Communication has been called for Wednesday, September 29, when the lodge will meet in Syracuse. Details to be announced.

And in a related matter, Thomas Smith Webb Chapter of Research No. 1798, chartered under the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of New York, has published its first book of transactions. Its contents include "Symbolism, and Freemasonry as a Mystery School" by R.E. Piers A. Vaughan, Grand Principal Sojourner of the Grand Chapter of New York.

But back to Uwe's paper. He did a fine job of identifying the key military personnel from Germany who fought for the American and British causes, and who were Freemasons. The American War of Independence factors heavily in the story of Masonry in the United States, but it also is a component in the histories of Masonry in other countries.

Explaining how as much as one-third of the forces under British command actually were Hessians, the mercenary troops from Germany, he narrowed his focus, for example, to the 3,000 troops from the Braunschweig (Brunswick) region, including nine who would be initiated into the arts and mysteries of Freemasonry in an Irish military lodge, a lodge in which St. Patrick's Lodge No. 4 (Previously No. 8) has roots.

Nicholas Herkimer, of the Mohawk Valley area of New York (where there has been a village, a town, and a county named for him since 1788) would fight both for and against the British, but in both instances fighting for sovereignty. In the 1750s, during the French and Indian War (Seven Years War), Herkimer fought on the British side, against the invaders, but when the Revolution began, he quickly became a brigadier general of Colonial militia in his native area. He was made a Mason in St. Patrick's Lodge during peacetime in 1768.

Also on the side of American independence, of course, were the giants of history, like Baron von Steuben, the Prussian general staff officer under Frederick the Great, credited with creating the Continental Army by instilling the training and discipline the troops had lacked. He was a member of Trinity Lodge No. 10 (now No. 12) and later affiliated with Holland No. 8, both in New York.

And there is Baron DeKalb, the native of Bavaria who served under the French flag, under LaFayette, and became a major general in the Continental Army. He died of wounds sustained during the fighting at Camden, South Carolina in 1780. He funeral was a Masonic obsequy, officiated by none other than Gen. Charles Cornwallis, commander of the British forces in the south.

Of course there is much more information and many more details in the paper itself, which will be published in a forthcoming book of transactions of the lodge.

The next Stated Communication of the lodge will be Friday, October 29 at Masonic Hall in Manhattan. On the agenda thus far is the Magpie Mason, delivering "An Emblem of a Pure Heart: An Aromatic Editorial," which discusses the Pot of Incense as a Masonic symbol. I hope I'm only an opening act for someone better.