‘The most acceptable prayer’

     

“…to work well in our appointed sphere is the most acceptable prayer that man can offer….”

Twenty-Second Degree

Cerneau Scottish Rite

1807

It is Labor Day today here in the United States, a national holiday that has Masonic overtones. And, here on the East Coast, we are several hours from sundown, which will bring the start of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year celebration.

This new edition of Collectanea from the Grand College of Rites, containing degrees 19-29 of the Cerneau Scottish Rite circa 1807, is speaking to me again.

The Twenty-Second Degree, titled “Knight of the Royal Axe, or Prince of Libanus,” sees the admission of a Noahchite, from the previous degree, into the College of these knights. The working tools here are the saw (patience and perseverance), the plane (“cuts down inequalities”), and, of course, the axe (“agent of civilization and improvement”).

In championing virtuous labor over decadent idleness, the Master of Ceremonies renders a historical lecture to the aspirant for the degree. (I won’t edit the spelling or other errors you’ll catch.)

The Tsidunians or Phoenicians were ever ready to aid the Israelites in their holy enterprises. The tie between them was the mysteries, into which the principle persons of both nations were initiated, Moses having necessarily received them while in Egypt, before he could marry the daughter of a priest of On. These mysteries, modified by Solomon, or perhaps at an earlier day by Joshua, or even Moses, to suit the genius and manners of the Jewish people, became Masonry, such as was practiced at the building of the Temple, and such as has in part come down to us. Khurum, King of Tsur in Phoenicia, and Khurum Abai, also a Phoenician and not a Jew, were likewise initiates; and hence the intimate connection between them and Solomon, as Masons. The people of Tsidun, a city of Phoenicia, were employed by Noah to cut cedars on Mount Libanus, of which to build the Ark, under the superintendence of Japhet. His descendants re-peopled Tsidun and Phoenicia, and procured and furnished the cedar from Lebanon to build the Ark of the Covenant; and at a later day his posterity, under Adon Khurum, cut in the same forests cedars for King Solomon; and, at a time still later, they felled timber on the same mountains to construct the Second Temple.

It continues, but that is the section that comes to mind today. Rosh Hashanah commemorates the Creation of the world. Labor Day was instituted to honor the human progress possible only through honest work.

A good and sweet New Year, to all who celebrate, and best wishes for a day of rest to those who still work.

     

‘On this date in 1781’

     

On this date in 1781, the Atholl warrant that conceived the Grand Lodge of New York was declared.

The history of Freemasonry in New York perplexes the reader who ventures into its yesteryears. Little is remembered about what is surmised to have been the first lodge in the colony, except that it met in the Montgomerie Arms Tavern in Manhattan on first and third Wednesdays, according to notices placed in the pages of the New York Gazette by Secretary Charles Wood in 1739.

Probably a lodge of “Moderns” Grand Lodge of England guys, but who knows? The fortunes of the Moderns and the Ancients see-sawed in New York for about forty years, until the end of the American Revolution, when the prominent Moderns fled to England or Canada or the Caribbean. But shortly before that, the Ancient Grand Master, the Duke of Atholl, issued the warrant that established the Ancients’ Provincial Grand Lodge of New York. The Rev. William Walter, a British Army chaplain with a Masonic story worth reading, was made Provincial Grand Master. (In case you thought Sir John Johnson, a Modern, was the last PGM.)

That warrant for this new Provincial Grand Lodge of New York is the legal basis for the very same Grand Lodge of New York that today Freemasons the world over esteem and aspire to emulate.

Unfortunately, and most likely due to the war, this founding document dated September 5, 1781 did not reach New York for about another year. Then, on December 5, 1782, the Provincial Grand Lodge convened for the first time at a place named the Assembly Hall at Roubalets in Manhattan. Officers were elected and installed, and a real grand lodge otherwise began to organize.

For brevity and clarity, I will skip a variety of details and ensuing events to bring us to 1784.

It was on February 4 (this already is several months after Evacuation Day) when the Provincial Grand Lodge met to conclude its Masonic business and “dissolve the political bands,” as it were, with the free State of New York.

Chancellor of New York Robert R. Livingston was made Grand Master of the nascent Grand Lodge of New York.

Naturally, there’s a lot more history in this story. For example, Livingston and his team had to see about converting Modern lodges and Ancient lodges and Irish lodges and Scottish lodges into New York lodges. But, suffice to say, the conception of our Grand Lodge of New York can be commemorated today, thanks to our ancestors in 1781.

Vivat!

     

‘An eminent New York Mason’

    

Ill. Peter J. Samiec, 33•
Sovereign Grand Commander
AASR-NMJ

Ill. Peter J. Samiec is an eminent New York Mason who labors honorably and diligently for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. (He also is a member of the Masonic Society, having been with us almost from day one.)

I am not Scottish Rite, but I’m just generally of the opinion that New York Masons ought to be leading all the collateral groups in the Masonic family. No, seriously, if you study U.S. Masonic history, you find New York at the locus of practically everything. Heck, we were at the birth of American Anti-Masonry. That’s being thorough!

I don’t know what kind of policies to expect, but I would hope for the start of a conversation to merge the jurisdiction into the Mother Supreme Council.

     

‘Always look on the bright side of life’

    

“Retired.”

     

‘Let the Light of Heroism blaze’

    

The latest Collectanea, the annual book of transactions of the Grand College of Rites, admits us to the Cerneau Scottish Rite circa 1807 to “see” degrees 19 through 29.

In the 20th, titled “Grand Master ad Vitam, or Venerable Grand Master,” the candidate illumines the Nine Great Lights of Masonry, the fourth of which inevitably comes to mind upon the human calamity unfolding at Kabul, Afghanistan. Excerpted:

Let the Great Light of Heroism shine in our Lodge. That noble heroism, inspired by which, men die at obscure posts of duty, when none are their witnesses save God. Let there be light.

The Light shines. Let us applaud, my brethren.

My brother, say after me: “So may the Light of Heroism shine in me!”

And then the fifth and sixth:

Let the Great Light of Honor shine in our Lodge. That true Honor, incapable of baseness, treachery, or deceit; that never breaks its word to man or woman; and fears the act far more than the disgrace that follows it. Let there be light….

So may the Light of Honor shine in me.

Let the Great Light of Patriotism shine in our Lodge. Patriotism, willing to sacrifice itself for the common good, even when neither thanks nor honor follow it; that ask not whether what the country’s weal requires will or will not be popular; but does the right without regard to consequences. Let there be light!

So may the Light of Patriotism shine in me.

Of course, all Masonic tenets urgently come to mind as the world descends hourly into deeper darkness, but this piece of ritual really leapt off the top of my head.

     

‘The King to visit Suwassett’

     

I’d love to go, but I can’t get out there on a Wednesday night. No reason why you can’t be there though—if you are a Royal Arch Mason, that is.

In addition to Jason’s official visit, there will be what the chapter calls “a special educational lecture” by none other than M.E. Piers Vaughan, Past Grand High Priest.

(Both Jason and Piers will be made Honorary Members of Suwassett Chapter, New York’s only Traditional Observance Royal Arch chapter, that night.)

Attire: your red jackets with dark trousers, plus R.A. jewels.

Refreshment after the convocation.

Probably smart to reserve a seat, so contact HP Frank here.

    

‘Scottish Freemasons in America’

     

It’s never too early to plan on attending a great event in Freemasonry, so look ahead to next November for a very promising weekend at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Virginia. A multi-faceted affair called “Scottish Freemasons in America, 1750-1800” is scheduled for November 4 to 6, 2022.

You’ll come for the food. You’ll stay to see Tabbert in a kilt.

A symposium starring presenters from the academic and Masonic worlds will bring to life the story of Scottish Freemasonry’s role in giving shape to the Craft here in America.

Did you know the lodge in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where George Washington was made a Mason, was a Scottish lodge? Well, it was—at least once it finally received a warrant from Scotland years after Washington was raised.

This amazing weekend will include a visit to that lodge, and some of you may have noticed it’ll coincide with the 270th anniversary of Washington’s Master Mason Degree.

The featured speaker will be Bro. Robert L.D. Cooper, Curator of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and author of books you really ought to have read by now.

Also planned are a whisky tasting, Scottish cooking, and more.

For more information, contact Bro. Mark Tabbert, the Memorial’s Director of Archives and Exhibits here.

Broadway Video

     

‘Thousands await initiation in NY lodges’

     

In a Zoom conference that concluded just minutes ago, Grand Master Bill Sardone brought the brethren up to speed on upcoming key events, including Grand Lodge’s full session Annual Communication at Utica in just nine weeks.

On Saturday, October 23, Grand Lodge will resume labor at 9 a.m., using a newly cleared out and renovated space for the meeting. Regular business, constitutional amendments, elections, etc. will be transacted. The installation of officers will be conducted elsewhere, possibly the chapel.

For 2022, we can anticipate the return of St. John’s Weekend at Utica, the Grand Master also said, June 23-25.

With our fraternity derailed by the pandemic and resulting bans on meetings, the matter of membership has been a vexing concern for lodges. My own, Publicity 1000, has had a queue of more than a dozen petitioners awaiting initiation for months, and we’re a smaller lodge. We are preparing to admit them to the Worshipful Lodge soon, but the statewide situation?

Are you sitting down?

The Grand Lodge of New York has 3,346 men engaged in our NorthStar quality control program. They’ve been vetted. “You know how people talk about membership going down?” Sardone asked. “Well, our numbers are going up.” More than 500 candidates currently are in the progress of the three degrees. (As a refugee from another jurisdiction myself, I make a point here to mention 17 Masons from outside the state have affiliated with New York lodges recently.) Another 146 lapsed brethren have been brought back to Masonic labor.

No one-day mass initiations nor goofy gimmicks or accounting tricks. Just hard work by Master Masons who know what they’re doing. Let those who have ears, hear.

There were several more items our Grand Master addressed, and I will cover those in future editions of The Magpie Mason. This conference call was not interactive—no chat, no Q&A—just a quick informational update. Anyone with questions or ideas is welcome to email MW Sardone directly. I can tell you from personal experience that he welcomes and answers communications.

     

‘Simon says: Show your papers’

     

Society’s exhausting game of Simon Says, stemming from China’s most profuse export, will not end until people in numbers decline to play any further. In the meantime, the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia announced it is following the latest edict from City Hall, and will restrict access to those who can show proof of vaccination.

Making the announcement on social media Thursday, the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania said:

“Due to the new regulations from the City of Philadelphia, admittance to the Masonic Temple, Library and Museum of Pennsylvania will require a vaccination card, or a photo of the same, for access to the building. Masks are not required for vaccinated individuals, but may be worn if desired. Thank you for your compliance as we work to protect our tour and event guests, as well as our team members.”

The Philadelphia Inquirer quotes Cheryl Bettigole, the city’s acting health commissioner, saying “I think all or nothing is really what’s going to work for them at this point.” (The “them” are all indoor businesses.)

Philly is home to 1.6 million people, approximately 100 of whom, says the Inquirer, currently are hospitalized for COVID-19 treatment.

This was the city of Benjamin Franklin, by the way.

   

‘A feast day for the AMD’

    

The Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees in the United States launched an online newsletter for its brethren earlier this year, and its most recent issue contains a very short article that is worth repeating now.

Outside the United States, the Saint Lawrence the Martyr Degree is the AMD’s initiation ceremony, and it is the degree on which councils transact their business. It is an important and well known degree.

Anyway, that newsletter article says:

We could use a few more feast days for celebration in Freemasonry. Generally speaking, Freemasonry derived from England has both Saint John the Baptist Day (June 24) and Saint John the Evangelist Day (December 27). And Masonry of Scottish heritage has the Feast Day of Saint Andrew (November 30). I always wondered about the Irish, but that’s another story.

I propose we brethren of the Allied Masonic Degrees make August 10 a cause for festive commemoration. That midsummer day is the Feast Day of Saint Lawrence, who was martyred on that date in 258 at Rome. His death is just as it is described in our Saint Lawrence the Martyr Degree, so there’s no need to render the story here. Even the grim humor about turning over his half-cooked body is according to tradition. He is the patron saint of both poor people and of cooks, appropriately.

Brethren, call for informal gatherings of your councils the world over for Tuesday, August 10 to honor heroic Saint Lawrence, whose principled bravery, even unto death, is no less admirable than even that of our Operative Grand Master Hiram!

I suppose a menu of grilled meats would be most fitting.

With the big day upon us already, maybe it’s too late for this edition of The Magpie Mason to spur your council to action, but who knows? I believe in you.

     

‘National Book Lovers Day’

    

Polaris Productions

Today is National Book Lovers Day, an apt occasion to revisit Albert Mackey’s essential essay titled “Reading Masons and Masons Who Do Not Read.”

Click here, courtesy of Oregon Scottish Rite.

     

‘NYPD salutes Prince Hall Masons’

    

New York City Police presented a Civilian Commendation Award to the Prince Hall brethren on Tuesday.

The honor recognizes “great community service programs and service throughout many years,” according to an announcement on social media from the MW Prince Hall Grand Lodge. Grand Secretary Sandino Sanchez accepted the award on behalf of Grand Master Walter C. King, Jr. and Master Lodge 99.

Congratulations, brethren!

     

‘Traubenfest returns!’

    

Traubenfest returns!

The German heritage lodges of the Ninth Manhattan District will be back in October with their big party. Lots of food, beer, music, and attractions. Family friendly.

Click to enlarge.

     

‘Hear about the Master’s Emblem’

    

The Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library’s monthly lecture series continues with an exploration of a symbol we know—but maybe haven’t contemplated much.

Very Worshipful Bro. Marshall Kern, of Victoria Lodge 56 in Ontario, will tell us about “The Master’s Emblem” in his presentation on Thursday, August 26 at 7 p.m. He is the new Grand Historian of that jurisdiction.

This will be an online event. Register here. From the publicity:

In many jurisdictions around the world, there is an emblem affixed to the apron of the Worshipful Master of a lodge to distinguish him. The emblem continues to be used on his apron as a Past Master, or if he achieves additional rank in grand lodge. The origin of the emblem can be traced to a Tuesday night in February 1814 at a tavern in London. VW Bro. Marshall Kern had traced the origin of the Master’s emblem, and explains the connection to geometry, Scripture, and Masonic ritual.

The emblem in question is not seen commonly in New York Freemasonry. The Grand Master’s apron displays it. Some lodges that deliberately choose English-style regalia have it. Nationwide, we find it in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. Maybe a few other states.

     

‘Esoteric Festive Board’

     

I definitely would attend this promising evening if not for already planning to be here the very next morning, but there’s no reason why you can’t go. From the publicity:

The Grand Lodge of Connecticut’s Committee on Masonic Education and Meridian Lodge 77 will cohost this Esoteric Festive Board. If you never had a deeper discussion into the esoteric side of Freemasonry, this is a great opportunity for you to learn more. A series of starter topics will lead to group discussions where you and other esoterically aligned brethren will share perspectives on each topic.

We will have a wonderful dinner. Tickets are available here to secure your spot at this great event.

     

‘1723 Constitutions celebration’

    

Courtesy 1723 Constitutions

You didn’t think Quatuor Coronati would let the tercentenary of Anderson’s Constitutions pass without appropriate study and celebration, did you?

Of course you didn’t.

The seminal text of Masonic theory was published in 1723 at London, and 2023 shall be a time to commemorate and examine, thanks to the exertions of the world’s first lodge of Masonic research.

Unlike the 2017 tercentennial festivities honoring the birth of the grand lodge era, in which really any Freemason could partake, this commemoration, I predict, will be the domain of the education Mason.

There will be a conference at Cambridge, exhibitions at both Great Queen Street and the Washington Memorial, and other events, plus documentary publications and other merch to cherish.

Needless to say, there is a website. Keep your Third Eye on it for updates as the big year approaches.

Why not motivate your research lodge and Masonic library to think and act similarly?

     

‘Masonic essay contest’

    

MW Cameron M. Bailey

I’ll be engaged in other editorial deadlines through the end of the month so, unless something either very good or very bad arises, I’ll conclude July with today’s news of a writing contest.

On his Substack page, MW Cameron Bailey, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Washington, calls for papers on Masonic topics, and there is prize money to be won!

Check out the criteria and other specifics here. (No, I won’t enter the contest.)

     

‘DeWitt Clinton Lodge AF&AM’

    

And the third and last post about my recent trip to Massachusetts (see two previous posts) shares several photos of DeWitt Clinton Lodge in Sandwich.

I can attest to DeWitt Clinton’s motto: “The Lodge with the Hearty Welcome.” And it was great to meet, after many years of Masonic cyberspace acquaintance, RW Bro. David Catten.

And speaking of Right Worshipfuls, this meeting, like the previous night at King Hiram’s Lodge, featured the Fraternal Visit of the DDGM. A different district, so a different District Deputy. This time I successfully evaded conscription into the entourage. (Somehow I have forgotten the specific term used for the reception of the DDGM in the lodge.)

It was another great night as a visitor. There are some notable differences in Opening ritual from those I’m used to. Also, a memorial service for departed brethren in which the Master, Wardens, and Senior Deacon place evergreen sprigs on the altar is worth emulating.

Some photos:

The altar, after Closing.

The lodge’s namesake also is a ubiquitous presence in New York Freemasonry, where he served as Grand Master from 1806 to 1819.

U.S. Navy Captain Gerald F. DeConto was raised to the Sublime Degree April 4, 1998. Murdered at the Pentagon September 11, 2001.

Jeffrey W. Coombs was raised to the Sublime Degree December 21, 1983. Murdered aboard American Airlines 11 at New York City September 11, 2001.

‘Cape’ spelled backward.

     

‘King Hiram’s Lodge AF&AM

     

To continue from last Tuesday (see post below) about a quick trip to Massachusetts in May, my stay on Cape Cod coincided with the monthly meeting of King Hiram’s Lodge.

As I recall, this was the brethren’s second lodge meeting since the end of COVIDmania. It was obvious they were very grateful for their Masonic labors!

King Hiram’s is a historic lodge. When you’re a Freemason in the eastern United States, it is easy to take for granted the existence of lodges set to labor during the eighteenth century, that even may be older than the country itself, and which have included historic personages in their memberships over the passing centuries. This is one such Craft lodge.

Warranted by Paul Revere in 1795, when he was grand master of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts, King Hiram’s Lodge has counted among its members a number of town fathers, a proud tradition that continues today.

While greeting and meeting everybody present that night of Monday, May 3, I shook hands with several local VIPs. The proprietor of one of the historic, renowned restaurants, for one. After the meeting, a few of us grabbed a few drinks around the corner; one of those brethren is Provincetown’s new Town Crier.

This was the lodge’s 2,184th Communication. In its 226 years, King Hiram’s Lodge has not missed a meeting. During the War of 1812, one of His Majesty’s warships blasted the hell out of this tiny town. A ship’s chaplain was sent ashore to enquire about a surrender. During the discussion, it was ascertained that the ship’s captain and others were on the Square. They were invited to attend the lodge’s meeting, and they did so. Even through the COVID-19 scare, a nucleus of devotees kept the Great Lights beaming (and the bills paid).

On the agenda this evening was the reception of RW John Allen Eldredge, the District Deputy Grand Master, who was making his Fraternal Visit. (Other grand lodges term these events Official Visits, or something similarly institutional. Kudos to Massachusetts for this choice of words.) As a fraternal visitor myself, I was invited to join the DDGM’s procession into the lodge room. I tried to talk my way out of it, not knowing if it involved any floor work unfamiliar to me, but the hospitality is strong at King Hiram’s, so in I went, getting a taste of the grand rank life. My rationalization was “Well, why not? I am President of the Masonic Society after all!” Massachusetts also has District Deputy Grand Secretaries and Marshals.

It was a very enjoyable experience. I’m surprised I didn’t snap more photos, but here are the best of what I have:

Bro. Theodore Roosevelt, President of the United States, used this trowel in the cornerstone ceremony of the Pilgrim Memorial Monument, August 20, 1907.

The Pilgrim Memorial Monument.

It must be remembered that Paul Revere was a silversmith. He crafted this set of officer jewels for King Hiram’s Lodge. The set is one of eleven known to exist.

Edward Horseman (sometimes Horsman) (1775-1819) made these aprons in 1814. 

I have been hoping to have an apron almost exactly like this made for me for my travels.

Tracing board.

Altar Bible.

Murals in the lodge room.

As I get older, I appreciate these lodge officer portraits more.

Provincetown was my family’s vacation spot during the 1960s and ’70s. I was there in May to scatter my mother’s ashes. I really doubt I’ll ever get there again.