‘Memo to the Grand Masters’

    

Complete and utter bullshit. A subliterate mission statement, a bogus phone number, updates posted around the clock every day consisting of platitudinous memes without any real Florida information. These are all over Facebook. Grand Masters, you can fight this, and you should.

The next meeting of the Conference of Grand Masters of Masons in North America will convene the weekend of February 17 in Seattle, and I have a suggestion, if I may be so forward. (My Grand Master is chairman, so I’m making an effort to be respectful here.)

Amid all the planning of brilliant, forward-thinking initiatives, put together a system in which all Conference members pay into a fund that will be used to retain one law firm that will contact the social media companies that allow frauds to impersonate our grand lodges and other legitimate Masonic groups.

You have rights. And responsibilities! “To preserve the reputation of the fraternity unsullied must be your constant care.”

Real grand lodges in this country all—I’m assuming—are incorporated in their respective states. You don’t have to accept some clod(s) operating Facebook accounts in your members’ names.

My social media activity is very limited, but even I can see on Facebook the increasing number of bogus accounts purporting to be legit Masonic bodies. The most prolific as of tonight, it seems to me, are those claiming to be the grand lodges of Texas and North Carolina.

13,000 followers?!

The “Texas” contact info includes a phone number with area code 518. That’s the Albany, New York area. The Grand Lodge of New York doesn’t maintain an office in Albany, so don’t ask me what the Texans supposedly are doing up there. And I think the WhatsApp button is an Illuminati Brotherhood dead giveaway.

MW Bill Sardone, a frequent victim of impersonation, used to get phone calls at his Masonic Hall office from hapless naifs asking when they should report in person to begin their Masonic journeys.

The perpetrators’ motivations? To extract money and identity information.

Complaining to Facebook via Facebook as a Facebook user will get you nowhere. They’ll tell you to block the impostor, as if that will solve anything. Facebook will, however, take seriously a letter from your attorney. But you need the attorney. Not your sister-in-law who botches real estate closings; not the personal injury guy you know from Scottish Rite; and never anyone from the grand lodge in New Jersey. No, hire social media law specialists.

It won’t be expensive because you’ll never go to court. A demand letter for each instance really should suffice, which means you need only the resolve to combat this fraud.

The frauds could be from one perpetrator, judging from the same photos cross-posted at practically the same times. Probably a kid too.

This is feasible. It’s even easy. It’s the kind of accomplishment you can talk about every year when racking up more successes and brag about when you return home.

The next problem is why the impostors are more determined than the grand lodges to leverage social media. (The Conference’s Facebook page hasn’t seen an update since February 21.) Listen, I don’t have all the answers.

UPDATE: DECEMBER 14–“Samuel Jacob” of Nigeria has merch!

     

‘Project to rebuild Tun Tavern!’

    

Rendering of the proposed rebuilt Tun Tavern.

Speaking of Pennsylvania (see post below), I miss City Tavern, Philadelphia’s Colonial-themed restaurant that stood twenty-six years on the site of the historic City Tavern, where our Founding Fathers dined—and drank—at the nation’s birth. Rabbit was my usual dish. The pandemic killed it three years ago, and the National Park Service, owner of the property, had some plan to lease the site to a new restauranteur, but it remains shuttered still. But that’s another story.

Magpie news today is the reported effort to reconstruct and in many ways recreate Tun Tavern! That too was a favorite spot of the Founders, who evidently decided it was the right place to establish both the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Oh, and our ancestor Freemasons met there as well.

A non-profit organization was formed in 2021 to raise funds and, presumably, to undertake the building of a new Tun Tavern. Parties involved are said to be Freemasons and others affiliated with other groups with roots in the original tavern and that are still extant. From the publicity:

Our Mission: To rebuild and re-establish The Tun™ as it was, a functioning mariner’s tavern reminiscent of colonial Philadelphia, serving period-influenced refreshments, food, and entertainment and offering an educational experience through exhibits, historical documents, and special events. All profits from operations of The Tun™ will be donated in perpetuity to support veteran causes, Masonic charities, educational scholarships, and qualified charities as determined by The Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation’s independent Board of Governors.

The Tun Tavern Legacy Foundation, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization formed by members of these organizations with origins at Tun Tavern that are still in existence:

United States Marines (1775)

Pennsylvania Freemasons (1731)

St. Andrew’s Society (1747)

Society of St. George (1729)

The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick (1771)

United States Navy (1775)

Members of these organizations are represented on our Board of Governors and are working together to re-establish The Tun™ in Philadelphia.

In America there are groups who have “created” destinations just because of their membership or interest in an organization or subject. These groups have a passion that draws them to their destinations, be it a love of nature, a love of country, a love of history… or love of tradition. There was such a place along Philadelphia’s early burgeoning waterfront in the 17th century, and it gave birth to no less than six prominent organizations– all of which are still in existence today with nearly 5,000,000 members who can claim the common heritage of their organizations’ founding at this place.

The fact that members of these organizations can name this place without hesitation is astounding, because no one has been there or seen it for more than 240 years, although most know its exact address: Water Street & Tun Alley. That place was The Tun tavern, often referred to in historical records as simply “The Tun.”

Opened in 1693 as what would today be called a micro-brewery, it was one of the first taverns erected in the new settlement of Philadelphia. Originally built by Master Brewer Joshua Carpenter, with the help of his brother Samuel Carpenter, The Tun had a reputation for the finest beer in Philadelphia. The demand for Joshua Carpenter’s beer was so strong that after operating The Tun for only about three months he decided to lease the tavern to someone else so that he could focus on his passion–crafting the finest beer and ale. It was apparently a good decision, as Joshua Carpenter was considered one of the wealthiest men in Philadelphia at the time of his death in 1722.

Between them, the Carpenter brothers owned four taverns and/or “coffee houses” (coffee and tea on the first floor, beer and spirits on the second). Joshua Carpenter’s businesses were so successful that he was one of the principal founders and financers of Christ Church in Philadelphia; a structure that still stands to this day.

The tavern changed hands multiple times over the next few decades, and it was under the management of a widow, Mary Campion in the 1730s, that it gained the reputation for good food. By the 1740s it was run by the Mullan Family, and furthered its reputation as the best place to get a meal in Philadelphia under the moniker “Peg Mullan’s Beefsteak Club.” Yet, as popular a destination as it was in the 1700s, the tavern had fallen into disrepair after standing nearly 100 years, and was razed in 1781, disappearing from the Delaware waterfront but never from the collective memories of the members of organizations that share a common heritage at The Tun.

It’s the destination that the members of these organizations still seek on an almost daily basis according to the Independence Hall National Park Rangers who encounter them. Yet, despite knowing the address, they just can’t find it.

Read more here.  I really hope this is legit and successful and fast. I look forward to downing a few pints—and hopefully relishing more rabbit—there.

By the way, a tun is a large wooden cask for beer, wine, and other essentials.

     

‘New team at Penna research lodge’

    

Myself and plenty of others at New Jersey’s research lodge would love to visit Pennsylvania Lodge of Research, but time and space prevent it. Their meetings often coincide with ours, and the commonwealth is so large that their meetings can be hundreds of miles away. That was the case yesterday; we held our meetings, and theirs was in Pittsburgh.

Their lodge reorganizes its officer line every December, and Bro. Seth Anthony, on Faceypage, reports:

“After several years of service, today was my last meeting as the secretary of the Pennsylvania Lodge of Research. I wish my successor, Mike Moran, all the best as he assumes the role. Also, congratulations to Richard Muth on a great year in the East, and best wishes to Christopher Rodkey on his upcoming year as Worshipful Master. You’re doing great work, Brothers!”

It’s extra notable news to me because Bro. Moran was the book reviews editor, and Bro. Rodkey was an assistant editor of The Journal of the Masonic Society for a number of years. They and Seth have been frequent writers in The Journal also. Congratulations, everybody!

(Coincidentally, Pennsylvania L of R Past Master Aaron R. White will be the guest speaker at Mariners Lodge 67 on Wednesday, presenting “The Tyranny of Memory.” I always say Mariners communications are not to be missed, although I myself never seem to get there, and this one will be no different. Great lodge. Great people. Great meal. And Aaron!)

Looking to the new year, Pennsylvania’s research lodge will meet June 15 at Williamsport; and December 14 at York. The former will not coincide with New Jersey’s meeting, but the latter will—and both are too far away. D’oh! I would join if they came east once in a while, but don’t let that stop you.

     

‘Museum to honor Masons’

    

Despite this blog having zero visitors from South Carolina, let me tell you about an interesting event coming later this month in Charleston, where the International African American Museum will salute the local Prince Hall Grand Lodge.

From December 14 to 17, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of South Carolina will convene its 155th Annual Session in Charleston, and on Sunday the 17th, the IAAM will welcome the brethren for a day devoted to them. There will be a 10 a.m. church service at Mother Emanuel AME Church (110 Calhoun Street) from which there will be a parade at 12:30 to the museum. (The parade will turn right onto Concord Street, then left onto Inspection Street, then right onto Wharfside Street, ending at the museum at 14 Wharfside.)

From the publicity:

Since 1868, the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of South Carolina Free and Accepted Masons has been actively involved in making a difference in the community through faith-based, economic, and political engagement. Their work has focused on improving conditions for African-Americans, helping them build their own churches, schools, and businesses. The Masons have funded various social justice campaigns from the 1940s throughout the Civil Rights era. Under the leadership of the Most Worshipful Grand Master Victor C. Major, the group is working with the theme “Bridging the Gap of the Past, with an Eye on our Future, while Protecting our Brand.”

“Charleston is the home of the first five Masonic lodges established in South Carolina. One of the earliest known Masonic lodges began with African-American military men during the Civil War on Morris Island here. We are honored to recognize the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of South Carolina and its work promoting fellowship, charity, and personal development in the state,” said Dr. Aurelio Givens, IAAM Faith Based Engagement and Education Manager.

I haven’t been able to learn what the IAAM has planned for the occasion, but it is scheduled to end at two o’clock, so maybe there’ll be a reception, some brief speeches, and refreshments in the West Yard of the African Ancestors Memorial Garden. I am not seeing anything on a possible exhibit on Freemasonry. (And you can’t get a human being on the phone.)

I wish the brethren a productive and harmonious Annual Session, a nourishing church service, and favorable weather for the procession to the museum.

     

‘A lovely evening with Jim Dillman’

    

Yes, they need to work on their logo.

While it’s hard to stay current with all the Masonic podcasts, I had to budget some time to listen to the November 26 episode of That Other Masonic Podcast for the simple reason that the guest is…Bro. Jim Dillman!

Jim is an old friend; I think we go back twenty or so years, starting with the Masonic Light group, then the Knights of the North, and on to the Masonic Society, where he served as president a decade ago. He was made a Mason in 2000 at Royal Center Lodge 585 in Indiana, but might be better known through Lodge Vitruvian 767, the European Concept lodge in Indianapolis founded by Jeff Naylor, with Roger VanGorden, Chris Hodapp, Jim, and other conspirators endeavoring to introduce a high style of lodge experience to the Masonic scene there. That’s how I found these gifted Masons. I had the idea of organizing a similar lodge in my area, and their know-how was invaluable (although I ultimately failed to get such a lodge launched).

All I can say about Jim is already said by the co-hosts of the show; quoting VanGorden, they describe him as “the definition of what a Mason should be.” (Not even an old man in dotage or a madman would say that about me, so it impresses.) Jim has a colorful Masonic past to share, although talking about himself does not come naturally. The co-hosts mention bringing Jim back another time, and with some show prep, they could pose the questions that would elicit his story better.

This podcast is carried on the usual platforms. The show runs almost ninety minutes, so choose a double corona from your humidor, keep the decanter and ice near, and enjoy a pleasant chat on the Level.

     

‘Research officers now installed’

    

CWLR photo

Civil War Lodge of Research 1865, of Virginia, Installation of Officers, Saturday at Farmville Lodge 41.

“In consequence of your cheerful conformity to the charges and regulations of the Order, you are now to be installed…”

Congratulations to the officers newly installed at Civil War Lodge of Research 1865 in Virginia!

Our new Worshipful Master is Bro. John Butler. The first meeting of 2024 will convene Saturday, April 13 at Mebane, North Carolina.

That’s a little far for me, but the subsequent meeting will be July 13 in Delaware, and I’ll catch up with the brethren then.

Congratulations also to now Past Master Andy Wilson on a busy term now complete.

     

‘A lodge may hear lectures’

    

Approaching my ninth anniversary as a New York Freemason, I finally bought a copy of Grand Lodge’s law book last week. I’ve had time only to thumb through a few sections, but immediately found a number of impressive items.

“Fear God!” It’s not in New York ritual, but read this from last Friday.

This one dates to 1859:

Grand Master John L. Lewis, Jr. brought this before Grand Lodge. I’ll have to look into whatever prompted it.

     

‘Taschen to release Waite-Colman Smith tarot collection’

    

Taschen has done it again. This time the publisher of lavish books and other sumptuous treats is poised to release its take on the A.E. Waite/Pamela Colman Smith tarot deck. You know, the one we all get started with, although it is more than enough for a lifetime of contemplation. Coming soon, and open for pre-ordering now, is a box of book and deck. From the publicity:

Doors into Our Uncharted Depths

The Story of the World’s

Most Popular Tarot

A unique edition of bright texts, brilliant images, and historic reprints, this kit provides everything that both beginners and advanced Tarot users might need and want to read cards for themselves and to study and experience this cultural gem in all its beauty and significance. The valuable collector’s box includes a complete deck of the Waite Smith Tarot cards and Waite’s famous companion book The Key to the Tarot. In this illustrated book, with texts and images compiled by Johannes Fiebig, the Tarot cards become psychological mirrors and signposts leading toward new answers and personal solutions. The fact that this works well can be attributed to certain advantages inherent to the Waite-Smith cards, and these points are illuminated in an essay by Rachel Pollack.

All 78 cards are presented individually and in detail. The explanatory texts provide several dimensions and levels of interpretation, including concrete practical tips. Further, the book offers a new feature: the quick check. This presents a concise hint regarding the meaning of each card in each possible position of all the spread patterns featured in the book.

When Arthur E. Waite and Pamela Colman Smith developed their Tarot deck in London in 1909, nobody could have predicted that it would have an overwhelming renaissance starting around 60 years later. What were the lives, works, and passions of these creators like? Pamela Colman Smith and Arthur E. Waite are brought vividly back to life in essays by Mary K. Greer and Robert A. Gilbert.

The authors

Johannes Fiebig is one of the most successful authors in the field of Tarot and a leading expert in the psychological interpretation of symbols. He published his first book in 1984. Since then, his books have sold more than 2 million copies, translated into more than a dozen languages. In 1989, he co-founded and co-owned Königsfurt publishing house, which later became the publishing houses Königsfurt-Urania and AGM-Urania, of which he was managing director until 2018. Since then, he has been an independent writer based in Kiel.

Mary K. Greer is one of the world’s leading Tarot scholars and experts, famous by her outstanding, both exciting and useful Tarot blog. She is an author, teacher, and professional tarot consultant known for her innovative teaching techniques. With an M.A. in English Literature, she taught Tarot in colleges for fifteen years. Since the 1980s and her book Tarot for Your Self (1984), Mary belongs to the pioneers of the tarot as self-experience and as a tool of personal transformation and empowerment. She is a co-author of Pamela Colman Smith: The Untold Story (2018). She lives in California.

Rachel Pollack is the author of 46 books, including two award-winning novels, a book of poetry, a translation, with scholar David Vine, of Oedipus Rex (2012), and a series of books about Tarot known around the world. Her first book, Seventy-Eight Degrees Of Wisdom, was published in 1980 and has been in print ever since. Her work has been translated into 15 languages, and she has taught and lectured on four continents. She also is a visible artist, creator of The Shining Tribe Tarot, and has collaborated with artist Robert M. Place to create the Raziel Tarot, and the Burning Serpent Oracle. She lived in Rhinebeck, New York for many years, where she died in 2023.

R. A. Gilbert is a retired antiquarian bookseller and a prolific author and editor in the field of Western Esotericism, specializing in the life and work of A. E. Waite and in the history and lives of members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. His books include A.E. Waite: Magician of Many Parts (1987); The Golden Dawn Scrapbook (1997); Gnosticism and Gnosis (2012). Gilbert read Philosophy and Psychology at the University of Bristol, and received his doctorate from the University of London for a thesis on the publication of esoteric literature in the Victorian era. He lives a Somerset Village, England.

Click here to explore the pre-order process. Treat yourself or someone else important to something extraordinary for the holidays.

     

‘Boston cops: Paul Revere’s tombstone vandalized’

    

Lowell Sun

Boston Police said a homeless man was arrested during the morning of Sunday, November 26, after a lengthy vandalism spree victimizing a number of properties—and gravesites, including that of Founding Father and Freemason Paul Revere.

“Around 10:44 a.m., officers responded to the Granary Burying Ground, located in the area of Tremont Street and Bromfield Street, for a vandalism report,” a police report stated. “Officers were advised that multiple tombstones on the property had been vandalized, including Paul Revere’s. A total of fourteen tombstones were vandalized by being pulled from the ground or broken into pieces.”

(I have been unsuccessful in finding a photo from local media of Revere’s headstone. I’ll update this if I find one.)

Boston Herald

Lawrence Hawkins

For reference, that’s less than half a mile from Grand Lodge.

A man identified as Lawrence Hawkins, age 46,  described as homeless and said to have a history of mental illness, drug abuse, and arrests, was arrested. The suspect allegedly smashed the windshield of a police car, broke a window at the New England Holocaust Memorial, and damaged several businesses. Between the Granary Burying Ground and the King’s Chapel Burying Ground, a total of twenty headstones were damaged, many from the Colonial period. Police say one stone had been “pulled from the ground or broken into pieces.”

Lowell Sun

Hawkins was charged with multiple counts of destruction of property, and destruction of a place of worship. He was arraigned Monday on three of the alleged incidents, WCVB (local channel 5) reported. “A judge set bail at $7,500 for each of those three incidents he heard Monday morning, and ordered Hawkins to be seen by a doctor for a dangerousness hearing. In court it was revealed that Hawkins previously spent time at Bridgewater State Hospital. Hawkins at times during Monday’s arraignment was swearing, talking about the FBI and had to be told several times to listen to the allegations against him. Hawkins’ defense attorney said after court that Hawkins client suffers from psychiatric and substance abuse issues, which makes it difficult for him to speak with Hawkins.”

Of course he pleaded not guilty.

Three other acts of the alleged vandalism involved federal properties, and Hawkins will be arraigned for those incidents separately.

This sad news comes weeks before the city’s and the fraternity’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party.

Bro. Paul Revere served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Masons in Massachusetts from 1794-97. Thursday was the 253rd anniversary of his installation as Worshipful Master of St. Andrew’s Lodge (that’s St. Andrew’s Day).

Boston, founded in 1630, is today at the mercy of woke politicians, like District Attorney Kevin Hayden, who does all he can to keep criminals on the streets, employing “restorative justice” and other tactics to promote the interests of criminals.

     

‘1784 St. John’s Day sermon at Morristown’

    

There is a short article in the December trestleboard from New Jersey’s research lodge that makes relevant today a page of local early Masonic history. I’ll just reproduce it here:

To Fear God:

The 1784 St. John’s Day Sermon 

On St. John the Evangelist Day 1784 at Morristown, The Rev. Uzal Ogden delivered a sermon before Lodge No. 10. As best I can determine, he was not a Freemason, but with the surname Ogden, it is easy to see he had family connections to the fraternity, most probably to Moses Ogden and others at St. John’s Lodge in Newark. As for Lodge No. 10, this is the mysterious lodge in Basking Ridge chartered by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 

From the 1781 Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Book of Proceedings. It’s a safe bet that this Dr. Blatchley is Bro. Ebenezer Blatchley, a Past Master of Lodge No. 10 who, in 1787, retroactively signed onto the formation of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. Little is known about the lodge, except that it was chartered in 1767 by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania (Antients) and was empowered to meet within five miles of Basking Ridge.

The reverend, an Episcopalian, was known to preach at Trinity Church in Newark and at the more famous Trinity Church in Manhattan, as well as at St. John’s Church in Elizabethtown. He graduated from Princeton University at age 18, and was ordained in 1773 at 29. He was an experienced speaker by age 40 when he preached this sermon to the local Freemasons, and he did so without notes. The reason we have it today is the lodge requested a written copy for publication, causing the reverend to put quill to paper after the fact. Historically, we readers find ourselves one year after the Revolutionary War ended and almost two years before the founding of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey.

This sermon is far too long to reproduce here, so I will summarize one of its four key ideas: “to notice what it is to ‘fear God.’”

What is it to fear God? When the candidate for the degrees of Freemasonry seeks admission to any of New Jersey’s lodges, the Worshipful Master orders that he be in “the fear of the Lord” upon entering. It must be important because it’s in all three degrees. It is more specific than belief in a higher power. What does it mean?

To fear God, Ogden said, is to love or to serve Him. He illustrates this with multiple quotations of Scripture, including two attributed to King Solomon: “It shall be well with those who fear God.” (Ecclesiastes 8:12) And “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10)

By the fear of God, he continues, “we are to understand a due observance of religion, which it may be said, consists of three particulars: knowledge, faith, and practice.”

“The first principle of religious knowledge requisite we should be acquainted with,” Ogden says, “is that there exists some Being superior to ourselves, who gave excellence to Creation, who inhabits eternity, whose knowledge is infinite, whose presence fills all space, whose power preserves and sustains all nature, and who possesses all possible perfection.”

“Can we behold the heavens above or the earth beneath,” he adds, “without acknowledging the infinite power, wisdom, and goodness displayed by some, though to us, invisible Architect?” 

Faith, Ogden’s second particular in fearing God, also is the first of the principal rounds of the ladder—Faith, Hope, and Charity—reaching to Heaven that Freemasonry discusses in its First Degree. Ogden begins: “But it is to no purpose we are informed of these things unless we believe them. ‘Without faith,’ it is said, ‘it is impossible to please God, for he that comes to Him must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.’”

“To hope for the friendship of God,” he adds, “while we disclaim His authority…would be irrational, as futile, as it would be to…behold the light if deprived of the organs of vision!”

Of the third of his particulars—practice—Rev. Ogden is all about character. “Although it is most reasonable we should offer to our Almighty Creator and divine benefactor the oblation of our hearts; and though Christianity is calculated to deliver us from infamy and woe, and to exalt us to honor and happiness, how often are its benefits rejected?” he asks. “How many are there, even of those professing to revere this dispensation of mercy, who live regardless of its precepts, and who, in their actions with men are so far from ‘doing as they would be done unto,’ that no feelings of humanity, no sense of honor, nor any fear of divine vengeance, nor any thing but present punishment can divert them from acts of dishonesty, barbarity, and flagrant impiety?” 

While there is no obvious documentation of Rev. Uzal Ogden being a Freemason, it is clear that Lodge No. 10 chose its speaker for St. John the Evangelist Day wisely. He anticipated his audience and crafted his remarks accordingly, and we are fortunate the lodge opted to have his sermon printed so posterity may enjoy it.

     

‘A festive season festive board’

    

I need to get out more.

Last night was the occasion of the First Capitular District’s long-awaited Annual Festive Board, which doubled as a Bring-a-Brother introductory dinner to encourage Master Masons to delve into the next four chapters of the mysteries. I forgot how much fun these nights are, and it was great sitting among so many friendly faces I hadn’t seen in a long while: Christopher, Grant, Harold, James, and more. Ted would have been on my left, but he is still on the mend. The ALR was very well represented, with the Master, Wardens, Trustees, a Past Master, and others in attendance.

My place at the table was reserved, otherwise I would have gravitated to where Bro. Edward, the Junior Warden of my lodge, was sitting. I’m not used to the VIP treatment. A great meal, too. Roast beef, fish, different chicken dishes, pasta, and more, and in such abundance I think a lot had to be forcibly sent home.

The wine for the evening was Yellow Tail’s Pinot Noir, which I don’t remember having before, but that definitely felt right. With wine, I’m like a child, preferring juicy, fruity French reds (I was hoping any of the Beaujolais Nouveau releases would be on the table), but this semi dry from Down Under was fine with me.

RE and RW Rubin responds to Happy Birthday wishes.

For sweetness, there was cake! Bro. Steven Rubin, Deputy Grand Master of our Grand Lodge, elected to be with us to celebrate his sixtieth birthday. “You stole my youth!” he thundered in response to the Happy Birthday “singing,” eliciting clamorous laughter from the fifty or so well wishers who too might swear we were thirty years old just a minute ago.

The ritual was a new one on me. I guess because this was Royal Arch, the gesticulating gave shape to a triangle and then a circle, plus some pointing of a sort I’m not used to. But the toasts were those you would expect. And the Magpie Mason was called on to reply to the Toast to the Visitors.

RE Anthony Klimathianos accepts an award from RE Michael, president of the First Capitular District Association. Anthony is a Past Grand Lecturer, and he exhorted the Master Masons present to explore the whole York Rite.

It seems like I’m in the Jacobean Room ten times a month, so it felt unnatural pretending to be a visitor but, in truth, my Royal Arch chapter is more than fifty miles away, down in central New Jersey. I just never got around to affiliating here in the city.

Most Excellent, Right Excellent, Excellent Sirs; Companions, Brethren, Masons all:

It is an honor to tender a reply to this, the Toast to the Visitors. You know, in lodge we are brethren/brothers, and in chapter we are companions.

The word derives from Latin: “com,” meaning “together with;” and “pan” being bread. Thank you for your welcome; for the opportunity to break bread together with you; and for your attention.

My neighbors and others signaled their appreciation for the brevity.

A raffle prize I wouldn’t mind claiming! A copy of one of Angel’s books and a bottle of the Water of Life.

A great night that I hope encourages the Master Masons present to continue the Masonic journey into the Capitular Rite for all the obvious reasons.

     

‘Bob Cooper on Rosslyn and the Templars’

    

Sorry for the short notice, but I learned of this just now. If the notion of Templars in Scotland intrigues you, then you ought to attend this discussion. But, if I may quote Dr. Zaius: “You may not like what you find.”

     

‘New book: The Silver Matchbox’

    

A Masonic achievement award named for a smoking implement is bound to catch my attention, and now there is a book on the Silver Matchbox. I don’t know the origin of the name—guess I’ll have to read the book—but it must have more to do with spreading Light than with smoking our pipes and cigars after the post-meeting hearty meal. It is awarded by Emulation Lodge of Improvement to those who demonstrate prowess in working Emulation ritual. From the publicity:

Given by the Emulation Lodge of Improvement as an award for the performance of word-perfect ceremony from the Chair without standing in need of prompting or correction, the Silver Matchbox commemorates a feat requiring perfect memory, exemplary performance, and ritual ability.

Often viewed as a Gold Medal or Black Belt in Freemasonry, the Silver Matchbox is considered by many to be the mark of highest ability in the Craft. In order to achieve full mark of excellence termed as a “complete record,” one must work the ceremonies Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason, and the Installation without any mistakes in either words or action.

Written by Tony Henley, himself a Silver Matchbox holder (with a complete record too!), this book is a fascinating guide to Masonry, ritual, and memory.

Highlights include:

• The origins and evolution of the Emulation Ritual
• The history of the Silver Matchbox Award
• Discover the holders of the award past and present
• Matchbox Methods: memory techniques, rehearsal methods, and performance advice
• Information on the ritual awards in the Mark, Royal Arch, and Royal Ark Mariners

Filled with interesting facts, figures, trivia, and oddities. Hardback. Beautifully hand embossed.

Bro. Tony Henley was born in Lambeth, London in 1960, growing up on the inner-city streets of the Lambeth Walk. As a youth he enjoyed football, playing three times for Chelsea juniors in 1970–even being booked for a rough tackle in a match by non-other than the legendary Ron “Chopper” Harris, who told him “What a great tackle lad, but I have to book you!”

As a teenager, Tony was fascinated by engines; after school, he worked in a motorbike shop in Lambeth. On leaving school, he went straight into a motor bike trade, repairing motor bikes, and gained his apprenticeship working on Hondas. In 1976, he became a postman in Southwest London, progressing to a Postman Higher Grade in 1978. In 1980 he was promoted to an acting-inspector management role in a Royal Mail delivery office, then to a Postal Executive in 1984. He gained promotion again in 1990 to running Delivery offices across Southeast London. During this period, Tony led and implemented many projects across the area. In 2000, Tony was further promoted to an Area Performance Analysis Manager until early retirement in 2005.

He then took up a role with Kent County Council, looking after the postal services until 2010. Tony became a Freemason in 1994, being initiated into Wallwood Lodge 5143 in London, raised in May 1995, and taking the Chair in 1998.

He was immediately bitten by the ritual bug as the lodge has a long tradition working Emulation ritual. He became a member of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement in May 1995 and gained his Emulation Silver Matchbox for the First Degree in 1995, attained the Second Degree in 1996, the Third Degree in 1997, and the Ceremony of Installation in 1999 for a Complete Record on his Matchbox.

In 1998, he was approved by the Emulation Committee as an officially approved Preceptor of Emulation ritual, and he took over the Preceptorship of Kirby Lodge of Instruction 263 in London, a role he held until 2013. He has guided nine other brethren to their own Silver Matchbox awards, but more importantly gave advice and guidance to brethren who just wanted to improve their own ritual skills.

Tony also works the Grand Stewards Lodge lectures–often referred to as the Emulation lectures—and has demonstrated these at lodges on request. He joined the premier Emulation working Kirby Lodge 2818 in London in 1996, and is a holder of London Grand Rank.

He was exalted into the Holy Royal Arch in 1996 and holds Senior London Grand Chapter Rank. He has written two other masonic publications: 75 years of Wallwood Lodge No. 5143 and A Centenary Celebration of Cheerybles Chapter No. 2466. Tony also has had articles printed in The Square magazine.

He was the Centenary Preceptor of the Empress Preceptory London, gaining London Bodyguard status. He was also a member of SRIA Metropolitan College London, gaining his 5°. Tony hold Rose Croix status in the Martinist and Élus Coëns orders, and is always exploring an esoteric path including Gnosticism and Hermeticism. He has written and presented many esoteric papers on initiation and symbolism.

He was appointed a Magistrate in 1998 and was a Town Councillor. He has been a volunteer worker for the Marie Currie Cancer shop in Dartford for twenty years.

The Silver Matchbox is available from Lewis Masonic for £16, and £10 for the ebook (Glassboxx).

     

‘Freemasonry and Judaism lecture’

    

You follow the Sapere Aude Lectures, right? With amazing frequency, Bro. David Chichinadze organizes online presentations on topics that often take us outside the lodge and into myriad other areas. On Sunday at noon (Eastern time) Episode 399 will be “Freemasonry and Judaism,” presented by Professor Robert Jan van Pelt. From the publicity:

Robert Jan van Pelt has taught at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture since 1987, and held appointments at many institutions of higher education in Europe, Asia and North America, including the Architectural Association in London, the Technical University in Vienna, the National University of Singapore, the University of Virginia, Clark University, and MIT. He is the recipient of many academic honors, including the National Jewish Book Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship and the dignity of “University Professor,” and he serves on various academic boards, including that of the Canadian Task Force for Holocaust Education, Research and Commemoration and the Vienna Wiesenthal Institute.

He has (co-)authored thirteen books dealing with diverse topics such as the cosmic speculations on the Temple of Solomon, relativism in architectural history, the history of Auschwitz, the history of the Holocaust, Jewish refugees, and Holocaust denial. An internationally recognized authority on the history of Auschwitz, van Pelt’s work was featured in the BBC-Horizon program Blueprints of Genocide (1994), and he acted as one of the three senior consultants to the five-part BBC/PBS series Auschwitz: Inside the Nazi State (2005).

Van Pelt chaired the University of Waterloo School of Architecture team that developed a master plan for the preservation of Auschwitz (1997). He is the co-initator and Chief Curator of the exhibition “Auschwitz, Not Long Ago, Not Far Away,” that was shown in Madrid between December 2017 and February 2019, attracting 600,000 visitors. This exhibition re-opened at the Museum of Jewish Heritage—A Living Memorial to the Holocaust in May 2019.

Because of his expertise on the construction of the gas chambers and the crematoria, van Pelt has been very much involved in the struggle against Holocaust denial, which focuses on the architectural evidence of Auschwitz. He appeared in Errol Morris’s film on the holocaust denier Fred A. Leuchter, Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter, Jr. (1999) and served as an expert witness for the defense in the notorious libel case Irving vs. Penguin and Lipstadt (1998-2001). His forensic work on the architectural remains and documentation of Auschwitz is one of the pillars of a new sub-discipline of architectural research: forensic architecture. Different from the older meaning that concerns the forensic analysis of collapsed buildings by engineers, the new sub-discipline of forensic architecture concerns the analysis and presentation of man-made structures, buildings, and places within legal forums that are deal with the violation of human rights.

Because of his standing in this field, van Pelt received in 2015 the invitation to present his work at the largest and most prestigious architecture exhibition: the Venice Architecture Biennale. He assembled a team of University of Waterloo architecture professors and students that conceived and created The Evidence Room. After the Venice Biennale closed, The Evidence Room has been shown In Toronto and Washington, D.C.

When the hour comes, click here.

     

‘Great news for researchers in Virginia’

    

The Masonic research domain is expanding under the Grand Lodge of Virginia, the jurisdiction with—I’d bet anything—the most lodges of Masonic research of any grand jurisdiction in this country. Currently, the brethren have five research lodges on the rolls, with another soon to be granted dispensation to begin its labors.

The reasoning behind having so many of these unique groups is twofold: spreading them around allows the brethren great access to education; and having a variety allows each to pursue a specific study.

If you’re not familiar, a Masonic research lodge is a combination historical society and literary society, but with a warrant from a grand lodge. Members are regular Freemasons from their respective Craft lodges, and they delve into history and write their findings for presentation to the research lodge, which hopefully publishes a book of these papers annually, or otherwise periodically.

In Virginia, those five research lodges at labor are:

George Washington Lodge of Research 1732 (at Fredericksburg Lodge 4), chartered in 2012, it focuses on Scottish Freemasonry, American Colonial Freemasonry, and Masonic military history.

Peyton Randolph Lodge of Research 1774 (at Williamsburg Lodge 6), chartered in 2007, its focus is dispersed on matters historic, philosophic, and even the practical aspects of the Craft.

Virginia Lodge of Research 1777 (at the Babcock Masonic Temple in Highland Springs), chartered in 1951, it is the eldest of Virginia’s research lodges and it looks into almost any Masonic subject.

Civil War Lodge of Research 1865 (at Babcock Temple also), chartered in 1995, its brethren concentrate on the U.S. Civil War’s intersections with Masonic history. I’m a member of this one, and I think it’s safe to say CWLR does most of its work on the road, traveling to Civil War historic sites in Virginia and beyond.

A. Douglas Smith, Jr. Lodge of Research 1949 (at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial), chartered in 1983, it is named for one of the top scholars of his day. The lodge studies the philosophical and the practical sides of Freemasonry.

And what about this sixth research lodge?

This will be named Blue Ridge Lodge of Research. You might guess from the name it will be located in western Virginia, and it in fact will meet at Hunter’s Masonic Lodge 156 in Blacksburg. Its field of study will be the history of Freemasonry in that very beautiful part of the Commonwealth. Maybe Virginia Tech has Masonic materials in its library and archives?

Six lodges of Masonic research, each doing its thing, and dispersed about the face of Virginia. It is important work they do. There has to be an outlet for the Masons who have the drive and talent to pursue facts, however obscure and elusive, and piece them into narratives that can be shared with others.

Most Masons don’t get it. Because research lodges do not confer degrees, these lodges go overlooked or even forgotten among the many moving parts of a grand jurisdiction.

RW Chandler on Facebook last week.

“We make papers, not Masons,” said RW Bro. Shelby Chandler. He was kind enough to spend more than half an hour on the phone with the Magpie Mason Friday night to explain these things. He is uniquely situated to know too, as he has been appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the Masonic Research District in Virginia, looking after the well being of all those lodges.

“We are real lodges. We open and close tiled meetings,” he added, “but because we are nerd-oriented, we are seen as a red-headed stepchild.” (He was preaching to the choir. I’m a Past Master of New Jersey’s research lodge, am Senior Warden of New York City’s, and recently joined CWLR under his jurisdiction in Virginia.) Another distinction that baffles many of the brethren is a research lodge’s lack of voting ability at Grand Lodge.

Such distinctions hardly separate research lodges from the mainstream of the fraternity, Chandler also said. Every Mason is charged with learning and sharing his knowledge, and the lodge of research is the ideal forum for that. For the brethren who prefer these activities, maybe to the exclusion of others, the place for education can unlock possibilities. “Have you reached your potential?” he asked hypothetically. “If not, maybe you’ll find it here.”

Furthermore, Chandler continued, these lodges serve myriad purposes. They often are custodians of ritual. They are the places to find experienced writers and editors. (I can tell you how H.L. Haywood, one of Freemasonry’s top educators a century ago, was lured to New York to launch our Grand Lodge’s first magazine—and he soon was made a Fellow of The American Lodge of Research.) Similarly, but maybe more importantly, research lodges provide skilled public speakers who can visit lodges and other groups to lead discussions of all kinds of subjects. And, essential today, research lodges are where we find the talent in communications technologies—video conferencing, social media, and even just plain websites—to organize Masonic thought and share it.

Virginia’s Masonic Research District was created four years ago. For management purposes, the research lodges were separated from their geographic districts and were grouped together because of their singular but shared purpose.

Not a bad idea for us larger jurisdictions!

Here in New York, we are fortunate to have four research lodges at labor. (There used to be a fifth.) I am told there is desire for another in the Hudson Valley. I’m sure there’s room for one on Long Island. The possibilities are endless. Someone tell the guys on the seventeenth floor!