‘Lafayette arrive’

    

Lafayette is coming.

More accurately, the celebration of the bicentennial of Marquis de La Fayette’s farewell tour of the United States is coming to fruition, as tangible plans are on paper to guide us through multiple events around the State of New York.

He was a Freemason, as you know—that’s why we’re going to party—but if you don’t know, be on the lookout for Chris Ruli’s book Brother Lafayette this summer.

In the meantime, bookmark this Craftsmen Online page for current information on the upcoming events from Manhattan to Schenectady.

     

‘Washington inauguration celebration’

    

And speaking of Freemasons who have been American presidents (see post below), it soon will be time again for Grand Lodge’s re-enactment of George Washington’s first inauguration as chief executive of the United States. And, man, what would you give to have him back again?! From the publicity:

Tuesday, April 30

11:45 a.m.

Federal Hall

Wall Street, Manhattan

A re-enactment of the inauguration of George Washington as the first president of the United States of America, performed by Freemasons of the State of New York. The event is held on the anniversary of the inauguration on April 30, 1789. We proclaim our heritage by honoring our Founding Fathers and the Heroes of 1776, many of whom were Free and Accepted Masons.

The sponsor of this event is the George Washington Inaugural Reenactment Committee of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, under the chairmanship of RW Martin Kanter, RW J. Scott Nagel and RW Teodulo Henriquez. MW Richard Kessler, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York and other elected and appointed Grand Lodge officers will attend. The Color Guard will be provided by the Masonic War Veterans, Sons of the Revolution of New York, and the Knickerbocker Greys.

We’d love to have as many Brothers as possible from your lodge join and support us on this great occasion. The ceremony lasts approximately 45 minutes. We invite all brothers, friends, and families to join us in a hospitality room for refreshments after the event. There is no charge for the event, but we do appreciate donations for refreshments onsite. RSVP here.

     

‘Roosevelt Pilgrimage at Oyster Bay’

    

Bro. Roosevelt never was a Past Master.
He was asked to pose for this photo.

I’ve never been able to get to one of these—and I probably won’t this time either, but at least it’s on my calendar—but the 77th Annual Theodore Roosevelt Pilgrimage is scheduled for next Saturday. That’s April 27 at Matinecock Lodge 806 in Oyster Bay, Long Island. (Wednesday the 24th will be the anniversary of his MM Degree in 1901.)

Everyone will gather at 9 a.m. for refreshments and a look at the museum, followed by the ceremony at ten. After the program, the group will undertake the pilgrimage to Bro. Roosevelt’s final resting place, about a mile and a half away, at Youngs Memorial Cemetery for the wreath-laying ceremony.

Check the images below for the details. Maybe I’ll see you there.

     

‘These Masons are going to prison’

     

It’ll be thirty next year.

I just read the minutes of Saturday’s Civil War Lodge of Research meeting, and it is confirmed that our July meeting will take place in Delaware, and will include a visit to the historic site prison at Fort Delaware.

This will be Saturday, July 13. The lodge will meet at Jackson Lodge 19 in Delaware City. Probably at 10 a.m., with refreshments before and lunch after. Then the group will travel the half-mile to Fort Delaware State Park for a look at the infamous former prison where captured Confederate soldiers were incarcerated.

Then dinner at a local restaurant is likely, but these details will be forthcoming in June, and I’ll share them all here.

I couldn’t get to North Carolina Saturday, but I will attend this meeting, and hopefully will bring brethren from New Jersey’s research lodge along.

     

‘Mozart and More on Sunday’

    

Bro. Erik, Organist of my lodge and others, invites us to a free concert Sunday. From the publicity:

Bro. Erik Carlson will perform a free concert, “Mozart and MORE,” at the Church of Saint Thomas More in New York City Sunday, April 21 at four o’clock.

Included on the program will be Mozart’s Missa Brevis in G Major for choir and strings alongside works by Haydn, and others. A reception will follow.

Bro. Carlson is the Director of Music and the Organist at St. Thomas More. The church is located at 65 East 89th Street, between Madison and Park avenues.

     

‘Hodapp in the Bronx Tuesday’

    

Chris Hodapp will be in New York for a speaking engagement Tuesday.

D. Hosler photo

Pelham Lodge 712, in the Bronx, will host America’s favorite Masonic author, raconteur, Dummy, etc.

Lodge tiles at 7:30. The lecture on Freemasonry will be very different from that you’ll receive from your wife upon your return home.

     

‘Back in the Philalethes Society again’

    

The Masters Craft

Philalethes Society membership jewel.
New York’s colors: orange and blue!

I rejoined the Philalethes Society—again. I had been a member in the nineties and into the early years of this century, but quit because the leadership back then deserved Moe Howard nose-pulls and foot-stomps.

I rejoined several years ago, when Rashied was president (and when I was president of the Masonic Society), but that lapsed when I wasn’t paying attention. But I’m back again and just received the electronic version of Volume 76, Number 4 of The Philalethes, the final issue under President Ben Williams’ tenure. His President’s Message mentions the launch of a Philalethes chapter in Texas. If you know the history of Texas and the Philalethes Society, you appreciate how times have changed!

Anyway, when I rejoined two months ago, I volunteered to revive Knickerbocker Chapter, New York City’s Philalethes chapter, so if you are a member of the Society who resides in or near the city, you’ll hear from me eventually to ascertain your interest in getting together for pastrami, fellowship, and Masonic learning.

Knickerbocker Chapter has been dormant for a number of years, at least since Bill Thomas relocated to Florida, but applying the defibrillator shouldn’t be too difficult. I received a list of Philalethes members who reside in New York and environs, and I will contact everyone in the New York City area to enquire into their willingness to reform the chapter. According to The Rules, we’ll need four officers to complete a modicum of paperwork; a membership to do the eating, drinking, (smoking, hopefully), and supplying of the Masonic learning; and a place to meet.

Officers are asked to sport the Society’s membership jewel; members are encouraged to do likewise (and I ordered mine yesterday). Everyone shall be Master Masons. Chapter officers will be Philalethes members, and everyone else will be shown how to join.

It’s simple. Click here. And look for my email inviting you to get involved.

     

‘Jerusalem Amity’s 225th anniversary’

    

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

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

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

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

     

‘Freemasonry in Popular Culture: call for papers’

    

The 2024 conference was only days ago, but the call for papers for 2025 is out.

From the publicity:

Call for Papers

13th International Conference

on Freemasonry

April 2025

We are now accepting proposals for academic paper presentations for the 13th International Conference on Freemasonry, sponsored by the Grand Lodge of California, to be held in April 2025 on the UCLA campus.

The theme for the conference is “Freemasonry in Popular Culture: 1700 to Yesterday.”

Susan Mitchell Sommers

Topics are open but should be closely matched to the theme of the conference. Proposals dealing with print, music, theater, film, and architecture are especially welcome. Successful proposals will adhere to academic standards of research and composition and pursue original analyses. Please send CV and 500-word proposal to Susan Mitchell Sommers here. 

Proposals are due August 1, 2024.

Travel and accommodations will be covered for those speakers who are selected.

     

‘Researchers to visit North Carolina’

    

Civil War Lodge of Research 1865 will meet this month, taking it on the road to North Carolina. The lodge, now in its twenty-eighth year, is chartered by the Grand Lodge of Virginia AF&AM, but it has dispensation to travel outside the Commonwealth in its pursuit of historical facts concerning the U.S. Civil War, especially where Freemasonry’s history intersects.

Bingham 272

On Saturday, April 13, the lodge will meet at Bingham Lodge 272 in Mebane, North Carolina. Worshipful Master John Butler chose the location for its proximity to Bennett Place, a short drive east to Durham. It was there where the Confederate commander, Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, and U.S. Gen. William T. Sherman met in a little farmhouse and negotiated surrender terms in April 1865, coming to an agreement on April 26. (The U.S. Civil War did not conclude with one single surrender of Lee to Grant. Commanders in four different theaters about the country negotiated surrenders eventually disbanding the Confederate States Army.)

It’s a little too far for me, so I’ll miss this one, but the lodge has a solid weekend plan including Friday night dinner in Burlington; the lodge meeting, followed by lunch on Saturday; the visit to Bennett Place afterward; and a Saturday night dinner yet to be worked out. This edition of The Magpie Mason is intended to encourage Masons in the area to attend the meeting and other stops. Bingham Lodge 272 meets at 309 East Center Street in Mebane. If I’m not mistaken, North Carolina Lodge of Research is no longer at labor, but there is the North Carolina Masonic Research Society, and hopefully they’ll get the word and come to our meeting.

Coincidentally, that weekend will be the anniversary of the attack on Fort Sumter.

I’ll be with the lodge again on July 13 when we’ll meet in Delaware.

     

‘A little British humour’

    

A whimsical April Fools’ Day joke from the admin of the UGLE’s Metropolitan Grand Lodge of London’s social media:

Metropolitan Grand Lodge and Metropolitan Grand Chapter are pleased to announce the “One Journey” Apron for use by Master Masons who are also Exaltees. It can be worn in both Craft Lodges and Royal Arch Chapters and clearly portrays the indissoluble link between the two. The Apron will be available from 12 noon today, so it can be worn at Metropolitan Grand Chapter on 17th April 2024.

Ricky Gervais’ Dutch Barn spots it is not, but a good effort.

     

‘Hudson Valley Masonicon coming in June’

    

The guys up in the Hudson Valley are doing it again. The 2024 Hudson Valley Masonicon is scheduled for Saturday, June 8 at Hoffman Lodge 412 in Middletown.

Joe Martinez, of The Masonic Roundtable podcast, will be the keynote speaker. (I read somewhere on the web that he is named after Martinez de Pasqually.)

I’m sure the rest of the roster will be engaging and entertaining. I’ll report those names when they are made available.

     

‘Remember The Maine Lodge of Research’

    

I close the month of March with some good news from Maine. Concern was expressed on social media earlier this month about The Maine Lodge of Research’s well being, specifically that it had gone dark.

Not true.

Secretary Derek informed me tonight that the March 23 meeting was canceled (due to weather), and it is working through some leadership challenges, but the lodge plans on being back to normal for 2025. I’ll remember to check in and I’ll let you know then.

Bangor Daily News

Worry also was voiced about Louisiana Lodge of Research, but I don’t have any news on that. I’ll be in New Orleans in a couple of months, so maybe I’ll find out something.

     

‘Fête Lafayette’

    

Chuck Schwam, Executive Director of The American Friends of Lafayette.

YouTube was abuzz last night with talk of Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette. Bro. Lafayette, as you and I might know him.

First, on the American Revolution Institute’s channel, Mr. Chuck Schwam, Executive Director of The American Friends of Lafayette, discusses Lafayette’s farewell tour of America of 1824-25, and of the American Friends’ plans to celebrate the bicentenary nationwide with multiple events, including a banquet at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia. The partying will begin in August here in New York City. Click here.

“The Masons and the Society of the Cincinnati were important because they came out in droves when Lafayette came around,” he says. “In fact, I don’t know if Lafayette would have come to America if he wasn’t a Mason, so the Masons are very much involved with our bicentennial events.”

Eye-popping history from Bro. Ruli.

Also, Bro. Chris Ruli, author of the upcoming Brother Lafayette, due out in August, appeared on the Masonic Roundtable podcast to reveal some of the research that comprises his book, some of which will surprise you, such as Lafayette not being welcome to participate in Paris’ official mourning of George Washington’s death—plain political snubbing of the hero.

Budget a couple of hours to enjoy both videos.

     

‘Grand Lodge of Finland celebration’

    

Worshipful Master Michael, right, presents Grand Secretary Richard Schulz with a handsome parting gift for being The ALR’s keynote speaker in our table lodge last night.

Last night was the long awaited table lodge hosted by The American Lodge of Research to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the birth of the Grand Lodge of Finland.

You’d be excused for wondering why a lodge in New York City would commemorate a Finnish birthday, but there’s a good reason: It was the Grand Lodge of New York that reintroduced Freemasonry to the Land of a Thousand Lakes after that nation regained its independence from Russia.

The ALR commemorated that centennial anniversary specifically on March 26 because it was on that very date in 1924 when New York’s lodges in Finland petitioned our Grand Lodge for permission to organize their own sovereign grand lodge.

Right Worshipful Brother Richard T. Schulz, Grand Secretary, recounted much of that history in his keynote address amid the many toasts and fires during the evening. He explained how Freemasonry arrived in Finland during the eighteenth century, but was suppressed by Russian rule following that country’s seizure of Finland in 1809 after victory over Sweden in war. After the chaos of the fall of the Russian Empire in the wake of the Bolshevik Revolution and Russia’s exit from World War I, Finland was free, and the new republic was safe for Freemasonry.

Masons residing in Finland, who held memberships in American grand lodges, were joined by other prominent Finnish citizens who were made Masons by a delegation of New York brethren led by Most Worshipful Arthur S. Tompkins, Grand Master. On August 14, 1922, Dispensation was granted to establish Suomi Lodge in Helsinki. Other lodges soon were organized and Right Worshipful Toivo H. Nekton of Greenwood Lodge 569 in Brooklyn, a native of Finland, was appointed District Deputy Grand Master for the new Masonic territory. (Parenthetically, I’ll add how Nekton published a paper in The ALR’s Transactions. See “Highlights in the History of American Freemasonry in Finland 1922-1929” in Volume 6, Number 1 from 1953.)

On March 26, 1924, these lodges requested leave “to form an autonomous sovereign Grand Lodge, which shall have power to issue dispensations and charters to, and constitute subordinate lodges, conferring the three degrees in Masonry within the Republic of Finland; and to exercise a grand and competent jurisdiction over such subordinate lodges and the brethren forming the same.” That request was granted by Grand Lodge, and a delegation from New York returned to Helsinki in September to constitute this newest Grand Lodge.

Grand Lodge has been publicizing the trip to Finland since last year. This display is found in Masonic Hall on the ground floor.

RW Schulz brought the brethren up to modern times, discussing his visit to Finland in 2019 for their ninety-fifth anniversary, and displaying commemorative souvenirs he received. Of course he apprised the lodge of the upcoming centennial anniversary celebration and of the travel arrangements being made for New York Masons to visit for an extensive program of events scheduled for September 2-11 of this year.

Junior Warden Yves Etienne procured coffee mugs for everyone to take home.

RW Steven A. Rubin, Deputy Grand Master, concluded the brevities of the evening with praise for the singular purpose of research lodges, and of the quality output of The ALR particularly, noting how the Masons who undertake the labor of researching and writing about our fraternity’s past help guide today’s Masons in their journeys.

The ALR will meet next in June, probably late in the month after St. John’s Weekend, for its Installation of Officers.

      

‘Public LDH seminar to offer two discussions’

    

Le Droit Humain has announced an open-to-the-public seminar for Sunday, April 14 at 11 a.m.

From the publicity:

The American Federation of the International Order of Freemasonry for Men and Women, Le Droit Humain, is holding a public seminar in which two topics will be covered.

Freemasonry: A Community

or an Institution?

It is sometimes stated that Freemasonry is an institution. It is an organization that instills “the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity” and assists each of us and all “to achieve for all human beings, the maximum moral, intellectual and spiritual development.” Individual happiness and a warm, loving community can be the result.

The Mystery Schools

The term “mystery schools” generally refers to ancient, esoteric schools of spiritual, philosophical, and mystical teachings. They were called “mystery” schools because they taught secret or hidden knowledge that was only revealed to initiates who underwent a series of rites and rituals to gain access to this knowledge. Mystery schools existed in various ancient cultures, including Ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Near East. Their teachings often focused on the nature of the universe, the human soul, and the divine, as well as practices aimed at spiritual transformation and enlightenment. The exact teachings and practices of these schools were closely guarded secrets and were often passed down orally or through symbolic rituals.

Each presentation will be followed by a discussion. In-person attendance at this event in Catonsville, Maryland is limited, but Zoom access will be available to all interested.

You are fraternally invited to attend!

To register, send an email here before April 5. Please indicate if you wish to join the session in-person in Catonsville or the Zoom session. Needed is your name, contact information, and why you’re interested in attending the seminar.

For more information about our history, click here.

     

‘On the road to the East, 24 inches at a time’

    

The Road to the East class today in 2 East.

I ought to have tackled this years ago, but it was only this morning that I finally attended Grand Lodge’s Road to the East course. Or Part I at least. The second half will take place in a few weeks. It didn’t seem necessary to me these past nine years, but since I’ll be installed in the East of The American Lodge of Research in June (that’s the plan anyway), it occurred to me I’d better receive this good and wholesome instruction.

One of the dozens of PowerPoint slides.

The sum of that instruction is in the form of an unwieldy binder titled The 24-Inch Gauge Masonic Resource Guide that is available to New York Masons from our Grand Lodge’s business office. It contains accumulated knowledge and wisdom from the ages. The current version is dated 2018 and could use refreshing. (Just speaking as an editor, there are things in here that drive me bananas.) Here’s the advice on lodge publications:

But it’s a must read because it is a broad compendium of information about our fraternity’s idiomatic ways of doing things. I won’t make any friends by offering this advice, but every lodge should acquire a copy, digitize it, and make it available to the brethren. Sorry.

It was a fun, interactive class led by Bro. Tomas, the Fourth Manhattan District’s Staff Officer (and incoming District Deputy Grand Master), with the assistance of Bro. Philippe, our retiring DDGM. There were fourteen students in attendance, including the Wardens and Junior Deacon of Publicity Lodge.

Bro. Michael Siegel, in a video presentation, explained how to navigate the more than 400 pages of our law book. Will you guys please stop making new laws? Barring future scientific advancements, like the cloning of Masons, everything has been covered and codified into law already.

I realize the prospective Master of a research lodge—talk about idiom!—actually doesn’t require this training, but it’s perfectly worthwhile and is a big part of the education and development our Grand Lodge makes available.

     

‘A great Grotto day’

    

Grotto ceremonial today hosted by Simba in south Jersey. Grand Monarch Victor Mann and Grand Master Len Vander Horn were present.

Great day today way out in Pennsauken, New Jersey—right outside Philadelphia—for a Grotto Ceremonial on this, the sixteenth day of International Grotto Month.

The occasion brought together Prophets from five or six Grottoes, including Grand Monarch Victor Mann himself. Simba Grotto hosted at Merchantville Lodge 119 and was joined by others from Shamaliu, Azim, Delco, and one prophet from both Zal Gas and Tri Po Bed.

Grand Historian/District Deputy Grand Monarch Frank Sforza took the lead on the ritual, and was brilliant as usual—even working in a few ad libbed quips at the expense of the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, MW Len Vander Horn, who was a good sport about it.

Don’t forget the Empire State Grotto Association’s Spring Convention at Kingston, New York, April 19-21. Then, of course, in June, the 134th Supreme Council Session at New Orleans.

     

‘Hodapp at Nutley 25 in June’

    

Chris Hodapp will be in the New York area for a speaking engagement in June.

D. Hosler photo

Nutley Lodge 25, located in Nutley, New Jersey, will host America’s favorite Masonic author, raconteur, Dummy, etc. on the night of Monday, June 17. The lodge is very easy to reach from the Lincoln Tunnel via Route 3.

Lodge tiles at 7:30. See you there.

     

‘We should ever be industrious ones’

    

kmyu.tv

The Bee Hive

Is an emblem of industry, and recommends the practice of that virtue to all created beings, from the highest seraph in heaven, to the lowest reptile of the dust. It teaches us, that as we came into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be industrious ones, never sitting down contented while our fellow creatures around us are in want, when it is in our power to relieve them, without inconvenience to ourselves.

When we take a survey of nature, we view man, in his infancy, more helpless and indigent than the brutal creation: he lies languishing for days, months, and years, totally incapable of providing sustenance for himself, of guarding against the attack of the wild beasts of the field, or sheltering himself from the inclemencies of the weather. It might have pleased the great Creator of heaven and earth to have made man independent of all other beings but, as dependence is one of the strongest bonds of society, mankind were made dependent on each other for protection and security, as they thereby enjoy better opportunities of fulfilling the duties of reciprocal love and friendship. Thus was man formed for social and active life, the noblest part of the work of God, and he that will so demean himself, as not to be endeavoring to add to the common stock of knowledge and understanding, may be deemed a drone in the hive of nature, a useless member of society, and unworthy of our protection as Masons.

Jeremy Ladd Cross

The True Masonic Chart, or Hieroglyphic Monitor, Containing All the Emblems Explained in the Degrees

1854 edition

The Beehive State adopted a new design for its flag Saturday, one that emphasizes the beehive at its center more so than the previous flag.

That banner, which displays the Utah seal at center, will remain in use for official ceremonies and events. This new flag employs the colors blue, white, and red, symbolizing blue skies, snowy mountains, and the redrock canyons, respectively.

To the uninitiated eye, the beehives in both the new and old flags befit the state’s one-word motto: Industry. (The state insect, unsurprisingly, is the Western honey bee.) The initiated eye, though, should be able to connect the beehive to Utah’s Mormon history and, from there, to Freemasonry. It’s a long and complicated story, but the first members of the Latter Day Saints Church included a number of Freemasons.

Joseph Smith, founder of the church, was made a Mason at sight by the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois in 1842 while the congregation was based in Nauvoo. Within eighteen months, there were five Masonic lodges consisting of Mormons in Nauvoo, then one of the largest cities in the Midwest. In time, the Mormons would move to Utah, and would repudiate Freemasonry and secret societies.

Researchers have presented the facts many times over the generations, and I urge you to hit the books if the subject moves you.

The beehive (one word these days) enters Masonic ritual via Jeremy L. Cross’ The True Masonic Chart, first published in 1819. Another story with many details, so read up on him too.