‘New book: The Secret’s Kept Sacred’

    

Chris Murphy, Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge of Vermont, announced this week his upcoming book, The Secret’s Kept Sacred, from Plumbstone. Without knowing exactly what’s between the covers, I’ll speculate his book contains the kind of research that our research lodges, grand historians, et al. should be busy producing. Namely, local history and its contexts. From the blurb:

Step into the vibrant world of early Vermont Freemasonry with this meticulously curated collection of orations, sermons, and songs from 1781 to 1811. Edited by Christopher B. Murphy, these eighteen works illuminate the philosophical and spiritual heart of the Craft during Vermont’s formative years.

From Ezra Styles’ eloquent 1781 address to Hosea Ballou’s stirring sermons, these voices reveal a brotherhood dedicated to universalism, charity, and enlightenment. Enhanced by detailed scholarly annotations and a vivid exploration of a 1798 Masonic trestleboard, this volume traces the origins and applications of Masonic traditions, symbols, and ideals, as they spread throughout the Green Mountain State.

The Secret’s Kept Sacred is an essential resource for Freemasons, historians, and anyone captivated by the enduring mysteries of the Craft in America’s early republic.

“Let this modest selection transport you to a time in early Vermont history when small groups of dedicated men sought to live by the lights of a grand experiment in which individuals pledged to unite in a way that transcended differences both petty and profound, in order to explore the path of initiation and reflect upon a symbolism that promised insight into valuable and timeless mysteries. Here, their voices offer us numerous perspectives upon the reasons why they became and remained Vermont Freemasons.”

Shawn Eyer

Managing Director of Communications and Education

George Washington Masonic National Memorial

     

‘Observations on the History of Masonic Research’

    

Nineteenth century Vermont apron as described
in the current issue of Philalethes. See below.

Masonic research can, and indeed should, include room for debate. It is only thus that brethren can get to the nub of a matter, sort the corn from the husk, and arrive at the best obtainable version of the truth. This would be done in a dignified and Masonic manner, and no brother should be verbally abused or ridiculed over his efforts in this regard.

I guess it had to be done, and evidently Bro. Kenneth Jack is just the guy to do it. The “it” is a primer on Masonic research, part one of which appears in the current issue (Vol. 77, No. 3) of Philalethes, the quarterly journal of the Philalethes Society. Part of his “Observations on the History of Masonic Research” informs us of such a debate, in print for all to see, as the grand lodge era approached its sesquicentennial. More on that later.

This lengthy essay is a tantalizing Part One that starts us on the formation of Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076 in London which, as we know, is the first Masonic lodge chartered to be the “authentic school” for Masonic research, “taking a scientific, empirical approach to the study of Freemasonry.” He takes us into research societies, namely Philalethes, which was founded in 1928 and “devoted to fearless Masonic research.” Then comes an accounting of a number of periodicals in Great Britain from previous centuries. From England:

• The Freemasons Magazine

• The Freemasons’ Quarterly Review

• The Masonic Mirror

• The Freemason

• The Masonic Examiner

• The Freemason’s Chronicle

• The Masonic Illustrated

• Freemasons Magazine and Masonic Mirror

From Scotland:

• The Masonic Mirror

• The Scots Masonic Magazine

• The Scottish Freemasons’ Magazine

• The Masonic News

• The Scottish Freemasons’ Magazine

• The Scottish Freemason

• The Aberdeenshire Masonic Reporter

• The Masonic Gazette

• The Scottish Masonic Record

• The Scottish Freemason

• The Masonic Magazine of Glasgow

• The Dundee Masonic Magazine

• The Scottish Freemason

• The Aberdeen Masonic Reporter

There is much color in Bro. Jack’s telling. On the debate over the empirical research versus the intuitive, speculative side, he quotes the estimable Douglas Knoop:

Actually, the imaginative school did not consist of writers utterly careless as to their facts, nor ought the verification of facts, which is characteristic of the authentic school, to be considered sufficient in itself and as excluding all need of imagination. Imagination as a substitute for facts is useless: as a guide to facts it may be invaluable.

Jack also brings to light an argument on whether Freemasonry is Christian and ought to be reserved to Christians only—something I have heard myself over the years. A lengthy duel commenced in the July 28, 1866, issue of Freemasons Magazine and Masonic Mirror makes the modern Freemason marvel at how eminent Freemasons of the past voiced their disagreements. A terrific read, and I’m looking forward to Part II.

There is more in this issue of course. Bro. Chris Murphy of Fibonacci 112 in Vermont shows us beautiful regalia from that state from the early nineteenth century to tell us the story of the Eddy-Robinson aprons. He writes:

During the autumn of 2022, at Manchester, Vermont, in the deepest corner of a long-neglected basement closet, tucked in the back of a large safe and wrapped in a paper sack, a Masonic treasure was found: seven fragile aprons, appearing to date to the early 1800s. Five were differently ornamented Craft aprons, each printed from the same engraved plate; four on silk and the fifth on lambskin. The remaining two were matching examples of a Royal Arch design, printed on silk. Each bore the engraver’s mark “O Eddy, sc,” and under the flap of each were the words, “Published by Lewis Roberson.” The Craft aprons included the location “Weathersfield, Vermont,” and the HRA aprons noted their provenance as neighboring “Reading, Vermont.”

What follows is an engrossing history of Freemasonry in the Green Mountain State that quickly homes in on the lives of two brethren at Eastern Star Lodge 43. Thanks to his sleuthing, Murphy attributes the manufacture of these aprons to two Eastern Star brothers: Oliver Eddy and Lewis Roberson/Robinson, who were active during the early nineteenth century.

The lodge itself disappears in 1834 during the anti-Masonic hysteria (remember, Vermont was a nerve center in the panic, having a governor in 1831-35 elected on the Anti-Masonic Party ticket).

These aprons display symbols that any of us would expect from this period before grand lodges standardized their rituals, but Murphy’s all-seeing eye discerns a quirk: a key suspended from a heart.

I recommend this paper to you for an interpretation of this unique image, and encourage you to read this issue of the journal, and urge you to pursue membership in the Society as well. Click here.

     

‘Not just a tagline. Truth.’

     

‘Antiquior Montibus Est Veritas’ is the Grand Lodge of Vermont’s motto, and appears on its seal. It translates to ‘Truth Is Older Than the Mountains,’ perfect for the Green Mountain State.

Being at labor in a lodge named Publicity, I take notice of the various advertising gambits undertaken here and there in this fraternity. The most active is the United Grand Lodge of England, which employs young media professionals to shape messaging, keep social media buzzing, and deliver rebuttal to adverse claims against Freemasonry. Their needs are more difficult than ours in America, where achieving basic public awareness is the primary challenge.

The splashiest effort these past five years has been the “Scottish Rite” NMJ’s “Not Just a Man. a Mason.” campaign by Cercone Brown Company. I’ve never been in advertising, so I can’t render a professional critique of it, but I don’t think the tagline says anything, and I was put off by the initial ad which shows a slightly demented looking guy sporting four days of growth on his face and attired in an undershirt. I’m told that’s what the NMJ leadership thinks is cool or contemporary, which it very well might be, but if this guy arrived at my lodge, where I’m tiler, looking like that, I’d advise him to return another night when he is feeling better. I found their follow-up ads vague and timid. But enough about them.

The Grand Lodge of Vermont is the latest to attempt promotional media, having launched its “Truth Is Older Than the Mountains” campaign last month. I like it. It leans toward the erudite and profound, and it is tied to local heritage. That was the approach I pushed for when promulgating a media/public relations handbook for “New Jersey Freemasonry” twenty-something years ago. (They weren’t interested, but somehow New York’s PR chairman obtained a copy, and put his name on it.) Again, I’m not an expert, but that is the direction I still would chart now if spending money and staking reputation on the effort.

The Green Mountain State is sparsely populated, at about 645,000 people, approximately 60 percent of whom are between 18 and 65 years of age, and half of those are male. So they’re aiming for a market of 129,000 men. And their ads are running on Facebook, which I take to indicate they are not pursuing 18-year-olds, and instead prefer the 40+ set.

Last week they launched a podcast. Episode 1 features Chris Murphy discussing the history of Freemasonry in Vermont. “Freemasonry and Vermont have a lot in common,” says Murphy, referring to the character of citizens and of Masons as people who cherish their individual liberty yet remain bonded by all they share in common. Unlike the majority of Masons’ podcasts I’ve sampled, this shows professionalism and is pleasant to hear.

It seems to me the Grand Lodge is appealing to a specific demographic, rather than seeing which feint might trick the most men into a mass initiation.

The Grand Lodge of Vermont is comprised of maybe approximately 4,000 Masons now. I really think the second quarter of the twenty-first century will see the sunsetting of the smaller grand lodges. There always will be Freemasonry, but I bet Vermont will see lodges regroup into smaller federations or perhaps receive warrants from New York or Massachusetts. Or maybe Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont will consolidate. But until then I wish them great success with this effort. It’s an uphill—or up mountain—labor, but I appreciate they have drawn designs upon the trestleboard for how they present themselves to a receptive segment of the population.

     

‘40th Brotherhood Night’

    

New England Brotherhood Night is on for 2022!

On Saturday, March 19, Masons from Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut will gather at a resort in the Green Mountain State for an evening of fellowship and food. Click here for accommodations, dining fee, and other details.

Anyone know if they still host the Hill Degree up there?

     

‘52nd annual Hill Degree’

     
It’s that time of year already. Mt. Anthony Lodge No. 13 in Vermont will host its 52nd annual “Hill Degree” later this month in Bennington. From the publicity:

Mt. Anthony Lodge cordially invites all Master Masons and their families to Bennington for the weekend of July 24-26.

Master Masons are welcome to attend the 52nd Anniversary Hill Degree on July 25. The HILL DEGREE is a day of fraternal brotherhood and the conferment of the Master Mason degree on one or more candidates. The first section the degree is worked in our historic lodge room. Officers of the Grand Lodge of Vermont will perform the first section degree work. Following the first section, all are invited to a great steak dinner (open to the family) on the outskirts of town. The second section is done in full costume at an outdoor natural amphitheater at dusk.

For information on registration, accommodations, etc., click here.