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Truth and Tolerance

Masonic Matters
May 10, 2009
By Ed Halpaus

“Does our ferocity not derive from the fact that our instincts are all too interested in other people? If we attended more to ourselves and became the centre, the object of our murderous inclinations, the sum of our intolerances would diminish.”
E. M. Cioran, Philosopher

This publication is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota. The opinion and writings in Masonic Matters are the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus, and are not in any way representative of any opinion or position of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Minnesota.

“Intolerance is a form of egotism, and to condemn egotism intolerantly is to share it.” George Santayana, Philosopher

I bring you greetings from Most Worshipful Brother Thomas G. McCarthy, Grand Master of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota, and all of the Grand Lodge officers, elected and appointed, of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

“No human trait deserves less tolerance in everyday life, and gets less, than intolerance.” Giacomo Leopardi, Scholar

Truth and Tolerance

Brother W.H Rylands in the late 1800’s once remarked something to the effect that symbolism is the happy hunting ground for the imaginative. However, Masons shouldn’t let a remark like that dissuade them from learning from the symbolism of Masonry.

What do you think of when you see a cross with one upright and two crossbars, such as on the cap of a 33° Mason of the Scottish Rite? It reminds me of two T’s, which gets me thinking of Truth and Tolerance, two very important lessons in Freemasonry.

A community is a society; masonic lodges are a community just as houses of worship are a community; people banded together for a common cause are a community and society of like minded people: Author Harry G. Franfurt in his book “on Truth” says “No society can afford to despise or to disrespect the truth.” He further remarks that a society must provide encouragement and support for capable individuals [Masonic and truth students ] to devote themselves to acquiring and exploiting significant truths. The society of Freemasons has been doing that for centuries.

Freemasonry as a community and society certainly respects and teaches the importance of truth; in fact ‘Truth’ is one the three principle tenets of Freemasonry: What other society has that as a tenet? Freemasons are known as seekers of truth; we are truth students. Seeking the truth and adhering to truth is sacrosanct among Masons. Freemasons are also a tolerant society of men; tolerant people naturally seem to be respecters of truth. Truth and Tolerance go hand-in-hand.

Possibly this is one reason why Freemasons find it so repugnant when we see truth being abused by so many of the anti-this and anti-that in the world. We know all too well about the falsities spread about Freemasonry among members of some religions. It is always surprising to learn that there are clergy and other religious people who deliberately disrespect the truth enough to bend and break it to serve their purposes.

I was nose-to-nose with some men recently who were practicing religious intolerance by bashing the Muslim religion. It was a sad episode. There is always some good that comes from bad situations; the good was I remembered how fortunate I’ve been to be a Freemason, and how thankful I am that the Brothers of my ‘home lodge’ elected me to receive the degrees and then conferred them on me; these were milestone events in my life. You may feel the same sense of thankfulness that I do, and possibly that is a reason why Masons are so reluctant to demit from the ‘home lodge’ when we move throughout the world as our lives progress; our ‘home lodge’ might represent to us our first love of Masonry.

The incident that I referred to above happened, of all places, in a church building over coffee after the church service. Houses of worship are not only for the righteous or the perfect, they are for the rest of us who struggle day by day to live up to the teachings of our various religions. However, when in a house of worship, as in a Masonic Lodge, we should do our best to keep the lessons taught close at hand, so we can learn them, and demonstrate this by being on our best behavior.

This sad episode of Islam bashing happened after church in the fellowship hall of a church Sharon and I were visiting while we were traveling. Had we sat at a different table we would have had a much more enjoyable experience. After the hello’s I could hardly believe what transpired between these other two men; it was obvious that they were not Masons.

The conversation of the two men over coffee reminded me of something my late friend and brother, Most Worshipful Brother Rodney Larson, once said; ‘Masons should always be ready to defend any religion against attacks.’ A statement like that speaks the truth, and I agree with him. I try my best to stay out of disagreements but there are times when the truth needs to be pointed out, (in a kind way, of course,) when false information about a religion is being taught and then used in a mean way, which religion bashing is.

I’m no expert on the Qur'an, which I spell as Koran, but I do read in it from time to time. The Talmud says a wise person learns from everyone; I think there is something to learn from the Koran as well as the Talmud, and the Holy Bible.

The bashing of Islam I heard included, of course, totally false information about Islam and the Koran. These two men were repeating many of the false statements that were circulating about Islam after the September 11th attack by terrorists, of which some of the same falsities resurfaced this past election season here in America.

I read an E-Koran at http://www.sacred-texts.com/isl/qr/index.htm. One of the more knowledgeable men I know on the Koran and Islam is our good brother, Worshipful Brother Rashied Bey, who has always been a great resource for questions relating to Islam.

One of the myths about Islam is how the Koran teaches hatred of other religions, in particular Christianity and Judaism. In an email a few years back (June 2005) Brother Rashied answered such a charge by citing two passages from the Koran. The E-Koran I read on http://www.sacred-texts.com is the 1876 translation by J.M. Rodwell.

One of the passages cited by Brother Rashied is Surah 2: verse 62 (Surah 2:62) “Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish, and the Christians, and the Sabians; any who believe in G-d and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.” If you go to www.sacred-texts.com to view the E-Koran I read you will see this translation: “Verily, they who believe (Muslims), and they who follow the Jewish religion, and the Christians, and the Sabeites, whoever of these believeth in God and the last day, and doeth that which is right, shall have their reward with their Lord: fear shall not come upon them, neither shall they be grieved.” You will see that while the translations differ slightly they convey the same message; the message is not about hatred but of tolerance and understanding.

The other passage from the Koran Brother Rashied shared in his email is from Surah 2:136 “Say ye: 'We believe in G-d, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses, and Jesus, and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord: we make no difference between one and another of them; and we submit to G-d.”

Islam, Judaism, and Christianity are three distinct and separate religions, but they do have many similarities, and their adherents are all children of the same creator.

As Freemasons, seekers of truth who embrace the tenet of truth and the principle of tolerance, we know that societies that honor truth survive; religions, such as the three I have mentioned, have survived; they each honor and respect truth, and they are tolerant of each other, which is evidenced by the many Interfaith groups throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and many other countries. We as Freemasons need to keep letting our friends and families know that Freemasonry embraces Truth and Tolerance.

“Nothing dies so hard, or rallies so often as intolerance.” Henry Ward Beecher, Preacher

From the Great light of Masonry = “But first I will tell you what is written in the book of truth.” Daniel 10:21 NIV

Words to live by:
Tolerance and celebration of individual differences is the fire that fuels lasting love. Tom Hannah

Some of Ed’s publications can be read on-line at http://www.halpaus.net

Please remember: if you would like to participate in the latest Masonic Monday Question, please go to http://www.lodgebuilder.org and click on the Lodge Education forum. When you have an answer send it to masonicmonday@gmail.com the question for the week of 05-11-09 is: What distinction is attached to the principle of ‘Brotherly Love’ among Freemasons?

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to erhmasonic@gmail.com with Subscribe in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publications.

“The greatest problem in the world today is intolerance. Everyone is so intolerant of each other.” Princess of Wales Diana (1961-1997)

With “Brotherly Love”,
Ed Halpaus

Political Freedom, Religious Tolerance, Personal Integrity; Freemasonry – it’s not for everyone.

Membership Trends

Masonic Matters
February 10, 2009
By Ed Halpaus

“The economy depends about as much on economists as the weather does on weather forecasters.” Jean-Paul Kauffmann

This publication is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota. The opinion and writings in Masonic Matters are the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus, and are not in any way representative of any opinion or position of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Minnesota.

“Members of groups that do not meet regularly together usually do not feel a strong sense of belonging and do not take ownership for the success of the group.” Unknown

I bring you greetings from Most Worshipful Brother Thomas C. Jackson, Grand Master of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota, and all of the Grand Lodge officers, elected and appointed, of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

Membership Trends
By Ed Halpaus, MPS (Life)

Copies of Grand Lodge Proceedings are good references to have on hand for research; because some Grand Lodges are publishing them on their web sites as PDF files they’re available to more Masons than ever before, and are much easier to store than the books ever were. Now is a great time to begin a collection of proceedings of your Grand Lodge in electronic form.

Proceedings are good tools to use to track membership trends. Recently I looked at the number of demits and stricken Masons from 1927 through 1944 in my Grand Lodge. Those 17 years represent a lot of changes; part of the Roaring 20’s, the Great Depression, and World War II. I thought; possibly there might be something to be learned by looking back into that period of membership history.

In 1927 there were 60,769 Master Masons in my jurisdiction: That year 1,423 of them either demitted or resigned (withdrawn) or were stricken from the rolls for non-payment of dues. In 1929 the total withdrawn and stricken went up by 70; but the total number of members increased to 61,917; the last year for an increase in members until 1945.

In 1930 (I was unable to view 1928,) the number of stricken rose to 1,032; then 1,336 in ’31; then 1,802 in ’33; finally topping out at 2,239 in 1934. Overall, the total number of Master Masons went from 60,769 in 1927 to 46,689 in 1942, (slightly more than a 23% total decline.) By 1944, (I could not view 1943,) the total number of Master Masons began to increase slightly; 46,689 in 1942 to 46, 727 in 1944; by 1946 the number grew to; 48,660. It might be safe to say that the Great Depression was devastating to membership, and the period after WWII helped it to recover. It took until 1951 to exceed the number in 1929; in ’51 the number of Master Masons was 62,531.

In 1962 the Grand Master stated: “from 1943 to 1953 there was a net gain of 19,464 members. In 1954, the gain was 895, and each year since then, [to 1962,] the curve of net gain has wavered and dropped down until today we show our first loss.”

Freemasonry has been in a period of membership decline that dates back to 1962 in my jurisdiction for a variety of reasons that we don’t seem to be able to get control of. But this trend is not peculiar to only one jurisdiction, it is similar to many if not all jurisdictions in the U.S., and possibly in other parts of the world as well; it began slowly and has continued for over 40 years, with more noticeable annual declines in recent years. Through the years there have been times of prosperity and recession. Now, however, we are facing the most severe recession since the Great Depression.

Gaining control of the drain on membership can be the difference between survival and closing.

With the present economy occupying the minds of many of us it seems prudent for Freemasonry, and all of its appendant and concordant bodies, to come to grips with the reality of the economy, and its possible effect on our brethren.

It might be prudent for lodge government, (the Master and Wardens,) the appointed officers, along with the lodge membership committee, to research the membership numbers and trends in their lodge, to see what the number of withdrawn and stricken are; then brainstorm ideas to reduce them. Some drains on membership, such as deaths cannot be controlled but, the lodge can have a positive effect on stemming the tide of demits, resignations and NPD’s: It takes work, it’s not easy, but it can be done.

When families watch the household economy, (being uncertain about the future,) they tend to reduce the amount of money expended; they prioritize in order of importance. Individuals & families will continue to put money into things that are important to them. Maybe some questions to ponder are;

1. How important is membership to our members, especially the non-attendees?
2. What can we do to increase the importance?
3. What can we offer to our members to increase the importance and the value of their membership in the eyes of their families?

Many families today view the money they spend as belonging to the family, not just the husband, so they look at value and enjoyment very closely.

Some things that might be worth examining are:

1. Is the lodge friendly and pleasant to come to? Pleasant enough so they want to come back?
2. Why are they members, and what do they hope to derive from being a Mason and being a part of our Lodge, or Masonic group?
3. Do our members need this lodge to enjoy being a Mason? How relevant is the Lodge in the lives of our members?
4. What do, or what can, we offer to help our members to derive what they want from membership?
5. What do they want?
6. Is there another group offering what we offer, are they doing it better than we are?
7. If attending lodge is unimportant, how long until continuing with dues payments becomes unimportant?
8. Is managing our membership important to us, can we survive while continuing to lose members through withdrawals and by striking them?
9. Do we care if our lodge or group survives for the next 20, 30, or 50 years, or do we only care that it survives until we’re out of office?
10. What can we do to manage our weaknesses, (the drain of our membership,) and provide more of what Freemasons are looking for by being a member of our lodge or group?

We may each have opinions on the above thoughts and questions, but the Masons who would best examine them or similar questions would be membership committees and elected and appointed officers. It is my opinion that if a Lodge were to engage in some serious research and soul searching, to see if there is a problem with declining membership; then analyze what part of the decline they could slow down or eliminate; then examine and implement what they could do to attract new, and restored members, and then keep them by adding value; then possibly all their efforts will make a positive difference in their lodge or group; if enough of us do this then maybe the economy we all face will have less of a negative affect on our membership than it otherwise would.

“It's a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it's a depression when you lose your own.” M.W. Brother Harry S. Truman, 33° & 33rd President of the United States

From the Great light of Masonry = “Hard work means prosperity; only fools idle away their time.” Proverbs 12:11 NLT

Words to live by: Much effort, much prosperity. Euripides

Some of Ed’s publications can be read on-line at http://www.halpaus.net

Please remember: if you would like to participate in the latest Masonic Monday Question, please go to http://www.lodgebuilder.org and click on the Lodge Education forum. When you have an answer send it to masonicmonday@gmail.com the question for the week of 02-09-09 is: On 12 & 13 April 1861 two Freemasons exchanged cannon fire that started the American Civil War. Who were these Masons, and where did the battle take place?

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to erhmasonic@gmail.com with Subscribe in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publications.

“If there be light, then there is darkness; if cold, heat; if height, depth; if solid, fluid; if hard, soft; if rough, smooth; if calm, tempest; if prosperity, adversity; if life, death.” Pythagoras

With “Brotherly Love”,
Ed Halpaus

Political Freedom, Religious Tolerance, Personal Integrity; Freemasonry – it’s not for everyone.

The right to Instruction, and the Duty to Instruct

Masonic Matters
March 10, 2009
By Ed Halpaus

“Seeing much, suffering much, and studying much, are the three pillars of learning.” Benjamin Disraeli

This publication is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota. The opinion and writings in Masonic Matters are the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus, and are not in any way representative of any opinion or position of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Minnesota.

“Learning is a treasure that will follow its owner everywhere.” Chinese Proverb

I bring you greetings from Most Worshipful Brother Thomas C. Jackson, Grand Master of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota, and all of the Grand Lodge officers, elected and appointed, of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

The Right to Instruction, and the Duty to Instruct.

It has been said that there are times when people, because they are about to receive something they have wanted, will repeat words, or agree to things, without really listening, or understanding the words they repeat and agree to. A reason for this is that many people tend to only hear what is being said, while some others actually listen to what is being said; there is a difference. Business Consultant Adam Lieberman says; “There is a significant difference between hearing and listening. Hearing means that someone ‘hears’ what’s being said and then translates the message into a meaning for himself. When [a person] ‘listens,’ however, [he] takes an extra moment to think about the person who’s speaking. It is [by listening] that you have a clear understanding of what is trying to be conveyed.”

Freemasons, as thinking individuals, should be taught the difference between simply hearing and actually listening, so they are enabled to better understand and learn what they need to know. This is important for the candidate in the degrees when he is hearing the dialog, the obligation, and the charge of each of his degrees; but it is no less important for the Master Mason about to be installed into a chair in his Lodge.

In my jurisdiction the Mason being installed as Master places his right hand over his heart, repeats after the installing officer and agrees with the following statement: “I solemnly promise, upon the honor of a Mason, that in the office of Master of this Lodge, I will to the best of my ability, strictly comply with the Constitutions, Laws, Rules and Regulations of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota, the by-laws of this Lodge, and all other ancient Masonic usages, so far as they shall come to my knowledge.”

In other jurisdictions this kind of statement of agreement is also made, (varying slightly in the dialog.) The injunction about complying with the laws, rules, and regulations is a universal theme in Freemasonry, which Masons subscribe and agree to.

One of the things that are important, and a part of the Constitutions and By-laws, is the right of every Freemason to be taught the lessons that Freemasonry has to pass on to its votaries. Sadly there are times when it appears that some Masons consider the learning of the proficiency lectures and the mentoring of new Masons as optional; they aren’t.

In Minnesota, Masonic Law #7 says: “That Masonic instruction is, like charity, a reciprocal right and duty of Masons.” In other words we, as Masons have the right to instruction, and we, as Masons, also have the duty to instruct our Brethren. It’s obvious that our newer Freemasons need a mentor, but I will submit that all Masons will need a mentor as they journey through Freemasonry, and especially when they are placed in positions of responsibility in their Lodge and other Masonic offices.

The right and duty of our newer Brethren to receive instruction from a ritual coach and mentor is reiterated in the Masonic Code of Minnesota; in Section G5.02; it says:

“It is the duty of the Master, when a candidate is initiated or passed, to require that he be instructed immediately in the required proficiency of the Degree, that he pass a satisfactory examination of the same in open Lodge, and that he complete the educational
program for each Degree before he proceeds to the next Degree.” It continues: “It is the duty of the Master, when a candidate has been raised that he be instructed in the proficiency of the Degree, that he pass a satisfactory examination of the same in open Lodge, and that he complete the educational program as soon as possible.” The learning of the proficiency and the portion of the mentoring process for each degree is required before proceeding to the next degree, and in the case of the third degree these need to be done as soon as possible after the degree.

The educational program that part of the Minnesota Masonic Code is speaking of is the ‘Mentor Program’ we have in our jurisdiction. The Mentor Program is something the Lodge Education Officer could help with, since he and the Mentor Program are all about Masonic Education.

Over the years our Grand Lodge has provided fine Masonic Education Programs for its Constituent Lodges to use to educate, or instruct, the new Masons of the Lodge: In the 1920’s & 30’s the Educational Program our Grand Lodge used was named “The Lodge System of Masonic Education.” In the 40’s an excellent Masonic Education Program called the “Councilor’s Program” was introduced. Our current, also excellent, program is called the “Mentor Program.” The wording in the Masonic Code makes it possible to change the name of the program without changing the wording of that section of the Code.

Over the many years of ‘New Mason’ education, each one of our programs has, when used in the Constituent Lodges, been good; our current Mentor Program is no exception: The key, however, is in the use of it.

There are times when a Mason will comment or complain that the new Masons today, and in recent years, aren’t learning what they need to know; if that’s the case it is truly sad, because the tools and programs to teach ‘New Masons’ are, and have been in place for a long time. In addition there are Masons serving our Constituent Lodges who are more than willing to help Lodge officers implement these programs to the Lodge’s best advantage.

If your Lodge is not prepared to help new Brethren by providing instruction in ritual coaching and by mentoring, please contact our Grand Lodge Office , so that your District Representative, Area Deputy, Custodian, the Mentoring Committee, and the Grand L.E.O. can be made aware of the need of their help: These Masons are willing and eager to help whenever they can; they will be pleased to meet with the Lodge officers to help things improve.

The right and privilege of Masonic instruction is also mentioned in Brother Mackey’s list of Ancient Landmarks. Landmark #24 says in part: “The foundation of a Speculative Science upon and Operative Art, and the symbolic use and explanation of the terms of that art, for the purpose of religious and moral teaching, constitute another Landmark of the order.” It is interesting that in the Halliwell Manuscript, dating from 1390, article #13 says; “The Master must instruct his apprentices in everything they are capable of learning.” All this emphasizes that the right and the duty of every Mason to receive and provide instruction to his Brethren has been a part of Masonry for centuries; this right and duty is why many ‘older’ Masons, who were mentored when they were ‘young’ in Masonry, are thought of as knowledgeable about things Masonic; it is a right and duty that is, and should be, taken very seriously.

“By Learning you will teach, by teaching you will learn.” Latin Proverb

From the Great light of Masonry = “Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning.” Proverbs 9:9 NIV

Words to live by: It is what we think we know already that often prevents us from learning.

Some of Ed’s publications can be read on-line at http://www.halpaus.net

Please remember: if you would like to participate in the latest Masonic Monday Question, please go to http://www.lodgebuilder.org and click on the Lodge Education forum. When you have an answer send it to masonicmonday@gmail.com the question for the week of 03-09-09 is: What is more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle?

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to erhmasonic@gmail.com with Subscribe in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publications.

“I grow old learning something new every day.” Solon

With “Brotherly Love”,
Ed Halpaus

Political Freedom, Religious Tolerance, Personal Integrity; Freemasonry – it’s not for everyone.

Belated Happy Birthday to Prince Hall Freemasonry

Masonic Matters

July 10, 2008

By Ed Halpaus

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do, are in harmony.”
Mahatma Gandhi

This publication, while it is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota, contains the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus, and is not in any way the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

“A hundred times every day I remind myself that my inner and outer life depend on the labors of other men, living and dead, and that I must exert myself in order to give in the same measure as I have received and am still receiving.” Albert Einstein

I bring you greetings from Most Worshipful Brother Thomas C. Jackson, Grand Master of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota, and all of the Grand Lodge officers, elected and appointed, of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

“Character is habitual action.” Aristotle

Something interesting I learned while I was researching something else: I came across something about a man named Avigdor Miller, who lived for 93 years. He was one of the leading Torah educators in the United States. www.aish.com says; “He was particularly skillful at connecting secular phenomena to the Divine. For example, before eating an apple he exclaimed; ‘Almighty God, look at this magnificent apple that You created: The wisdom of its waterproof enclosure, the beauty of its tantalizing red color, and the temptingly delicious aroma with which it is perfumed. How can I even begin to thank You!”

“In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.” Bertrand Russell

I have been asked by quite a few Brethren how I’ve been doing with my health. Since it has been about a year since I last sent out a report on my health it has been suggested that I should do it again.

My 4^th Quarterly check-up with the Oncologist was about the middle of June ’08, and the cancer is still in remission. This is the beginning of the second year with it being in remission, so check-ups now stretch out to every 4 months instead of every 3 months, I hope to see the check-up stretch out to twice a year and then yearly after that. While cancer never leaves you in as good a shape as you would like, or in as good a shape as a person would be in without getting it, I’m in fine shape. I’m optimistic about the future. I’m actually doing much more physically than I have in years, and I’m having a ball doing it.

I want to thank everyone for their good thoughts and prayers on my behalf over these past couple of years; you have made a difference, I’m convinced of that – and I want to thank you for that and for your continued interest in my well being; it is appreciated.

A Belated “Happy Birthday” to Prince Hall Freemasonry!

A few years ago I wrote a column for the American Mason magazine called “I Didn’t Know That!” The Magazine was begun by Brother Andy Boracci. While I never met Brother Andy face to face we did talk on the phone every once-in-a-while and we emailed regularly; I liked him; he was an easy man to like. As it happened I spoke on the phone with Brother Andy while he was in the hospital just before he died: He was expecting to go home the next day. His death was sudden, untimely, and sad for many of us in Freemasonry. His magazine, which was a fine magazine, was published in print and on the web, and unfortunately it stopped when he did.

One of the items I had in the March 2003 ‘I Didn’t Know That’ column was about Prince Hall Freemasonry. It seems that there is real interest in Prince Hall Freemasonry from a lot of people; it’s not limited to Prince Hall Freemasons by any means.

Back in 2001 Brother Kevin Gem posted something to the Philalethes list server which I enjoyed quite a bit. His piece was called “I am Prince Hall’s Mason.” I later published his piece in the April 7, 2008 issue of Mehr Licht. Sadly at the time I couldn’t remember Brother Kevin’s name, but when I began to go through my notes for this particular article there his name was: If you would like to read his essay titled “I am Prince Hall’s Mason” it can be read in the Mehr Licht section of www.halpaus.net

In his essay Brother Kevin said the reason he considered himself Prince Hall’s Mason rather than a Prince Hall Mason is that he [Prince Hall] set a stellar example for him to model his Masonry after, and is the example he chooses to follow. He promised himself to conduct himself as Prince Hall did, and to practice Freemasonry they way he did too. If a man would like to have a roll model in Freemasonry, Prince Hall is a good one to choose and emulate.

I have had an interest in Prince Hall Freemasonry ever since I first heard about it from a Brother in my Lodge, however, through research I soon found out what my Masonic Brother first told me about it was not as accurate as it could be. Since then I have learned more about it, and my interest in it is still there. I don’t think I’m alone in my interest in Prince Hall Freemasonry because every so often a question will come over the Internet or email about some facet of it. For me it is still a lot of fun to do the research and to learn more about Prince Hall Freemasonry and its history.

Unfortunately there is not an abundance of books and the like written about Prince Hall Freemasonry but with a little searching they can be found. If you would like to study-up on Prince Hall Freemasonry look for books written by Brothers David Gray, William H. Upton, and Joseph Walks Jr.; I think they are the more authoritative of the writings I’ve found, although there are many more places to find information.

Here is something you might find interesting about Prince Hall Freemasonry:

African Lodge #459 was active, and was known to be active by the Grand Lodge of England (Moderns.) Prince Hall and his Brethren on March 2, 1784 applied for a warrant from the Grand Lodge of England, which was issued to them as African Lodge #459 naming Brother Prince Hall as its Master on September 29, 1784. Due to circumstances it was not received by Prince Hall and his Brethren until April 29, 1787 but nevertheless they were issued a warrant to work.

In 1793 the Grand Lodge of England, (Moderns,) renumbered African Lodge #459 to #370.[i] It was the custom of the Grand Lodge to drop Lodges not heard from, or those who did not contribute to the Grand Lodge Charity Fund, and then to renumber the Lodges that remained. Because of this it was not unusual for a Lodge in good standing to receive a new number. This custom of renumbering Lodges causes some confusion in Masonic research but nevertheless Brother Coil, in his Masonic Encyclopedia, says this action on the part of the Grand Lodge indicates that African Lodge was active, in good standing, and a contributing Lodge, because it wasn’t dropped by the Grand Lodge of England, it was renumbered. Brother Coil also says that the Warrant issued for African Lodge #459 was likely the last Warrant issued by the Moderns to a Lodge in the United States.

Another interesting item is that shortly after Prince Hall and the other 14 men who were made Masons, in Irish Military Lodge #441, on March 6, 1775, the 38th Foot (to which Lodge #441 was attached) left Boston, but Brother John Batt,[ii] Master of the Lodge that made these men Masons and raised them, left our 15 Brethren with a permit allowing them to walk on St. John's Day and to bury their dead in Masonic funerals. Coil’s says that "African Lodge No. 1” was born on July 3, 1775.

So we might be able to say that Prince Hall’s African Lodge has had 3 Numbers; the first one being assigned to our 15 Brethren as a time immemorial Lodge; The Second one being with the Warrant issued September 29, 1784, and the third being that African Lodge was renumbered in 1793 to #370.

It might be interesting to note that at the time of African Lodge #459 receiving its warrant from the Moderns the Ancient Grand Lodge was also operating in England: The ancient Lodges were known only by Lodge numbers, whereas the Modern Lodges had names as well as numbers.

Military Lodges generally only made Masons among the military personnel because when the regiment was transferred the problem arose; what about the civilian Masons as members of the Lodge; the Lodge would be moving on, and the charter or warrant went with the Lodge. However, there were military Lodges that did make Masons from among the civilian population as Military Lodge #441 under an Irish Constitution did in the case of Prince Hall and his Brethren. I think that is why the Lodge left our Brethren with a permit or dispensation to celebrate St. John’s Day and to bury their dead when the Lodge and the regiment ‘moved on.’

“Mine honour is my life; both grow in one; take honour from me and my life is done.” Shakespeare

From the Great light of Masonry = “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.”Matthew 18:15 NIV

Words to live by: The one who forgives ends the quarrel.

This paper can also be read at http://www.halpaus.net in the Masonic Matters section.

Please remember: if you would like to participate in the latest Masonic Monday Question, please go to http://www.lodgebuilder.org and click on the Lodge Education forum. When you have an answer send it to masonicmonday@gmail.com the question for the week of 07-07-08 is: What is the Symbolism of the Masonic Altar?

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to erhmasonic@gmail.com with Subscribe in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publications.

With “Brotherly Love”,
Ed Halpaus

Political Freedom, Religious Tolerance, Personal Integrity; Freemasonry – it’s not for everyone.

[i] Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia says it was #390. This has proven to be incorrect, no doubt a typographical error. The correct number is #370. The correct information is found in “Negro Masonry’ by M.W. Brother William H. Upton; page 41 section 20 original print edition by The Temple Publishers. I have a new larger and easier to read edition, but I still prefer the original print edition. The renumbered #370 is also verified on page 1660, and twice again in closely following pages in Volume 6 Mackey’s History of Freemasonry, Singleton-Hughan 1906 edition.

[ii] Sergeant and W.B. John Batt served in the British Infantry the 38^th of Foot from 1759 to 1777 when he was discharged at Staten Island (New York.) Inside Prince Hall by David Gray

Escape to Joppa 06/10/08

Masonic Matters

June 10, 2008

By Ed Halpaus

“The high-minded man must care more for the truth than for what people think.” Aristotle

This publication, while it is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota, contains the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus, and is not in any way the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

“The man who fears no truths has nothing to fear from lies.” Sir Francis Bacon

I will bring you greetings from Most Worshipful Brother Thomas C. Jackson, Grand Master of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota, and all of the Grand Lodge officers, elected and appointed, of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

“Ah yes, truth. Funny how everyone is always asking for it but when they get it they don't believe it because it's not the truth they want to hear.” Helena Cassadine

Escape to Joppa

Many Masons are extremely interested in learning about the ritual of Freemasonry, not necessarily the memorizing of it but, the story behind it[i] and how it came to be a part of Masonry. I am one who thoroughly enjoys this area of study about Freemasonry. I have thought about this particular article for quite some time, before attempting to begin writing about it, thinking it would be too difficult to summarize for a short article, but I’m giving it a try.

[Before going further, I would like to comment on my understanding of the word Masonry, and why I capitalize it, or at least try to remember to do so. Possibly you might have heard someone say that when they hear the word mason or masonry they think of people and companies that work as cement contractors. Indeed when we see an ad or a pick-up truck for a cement contractor we will, in all likelihood, see the word masonry as part of the name of the company, and they do employ masons. It is my belief that the word masonry as it is used in the building trades is not to be capitalized when Masonic Students write about Freemasonry. However, it is my opinion that such students should capitalize Masonry when we’re writing about the Masonic Fraternity.]

Getting back to symbolism and the story or meaning behind some of the ritual of Masonry I am always amazed at how the Masons who devised the ritual of our fraternity included such profound lessons, and how we can study and learn from what they put together so many centuries ago. This study of Freemasonry is truly something we can enjoy studying for a lifetime. These lessons have some basis, which we can trace them to as well. For instance, in a part of the Hiramic Legend we learn that three certain workmen traveled from King Solomon’s Temple to Joppa in an attempt to escape the country. What we may not realize is that this part of the legend is patterned after a story in the Old Testament of the Great Light of Masonry.

In reading in a Masonic Bible[ii] there is a reference as to where to look for information on the flight to Joppa;[iii] there is a note pointing the reader to the book of Jonah: In a portion of the story about Jonah God told him to go to Nineveh, but not wanting to go Jonah ‘rose up to flee unto Tarshish;’ (to escape the country, and not do what he was bid to do.) He did go to Joppa where he found a ship about to sail for Tarshish, and he obtained passage; you know the story, but if you’d like to refresh your recollection of it, just go to the book of Jonah in the Great Light of Masonry. Jonah’s story is not identical to the Hiramic Legend, but that is where the basis of a part of it comes from: In the Biblical Study Notes[iv] regarding this part of Jonah’s story we learn that Tarshish could mean ‘any number of Phoenicia’s western ports. Nineveh was towards the east. Jonah decided to go as far west as he could’ in his escape. The commentary further says that it might have been because of fear, or maybe anger, that made Jonah attempt to run from God, ‘but running got him into worse trouble.’ The similarity to a part of our ritual is easy to relate to.

As Brother Tucker says in his book “The Lost Key” - “there is a wealth of detail in this drama [the Hiramic Legend] which cannot be gone into without practically writing out the legend itself.” Because of this I will take some shortcuts where possible; every Freemason will be able to fill in the blanks where necessary.

In the legend the three ruffians who were guilty of ‘this horrid crime’ represent the false leadership of ignorance. Such false leadership consists of Ignorance; Selfishness and Sensuality: The third, Sensuality, is a reference made by Brother Prentice Tucker regarding Adam and Eve, and the three yielding to temptation.[v] He ties this to our slain Grand Master by saying that he is the ‘conscious touch’ with the spiritual i.e. our divine self. When man’s lower nature (represented by ruffians) kills spiritual consciousness this prevents the consciousness from drawing any more designs.[vi]

The victim in the story symbolized the ‘intuitive’ or ‘conscious touch’ with the divine;[vii] the rubbish of the Temple represents the ills, mistakes, and sins of the personality. In the legend, before the body was found by those searching for truth, the body was removed to another place for re-burial in a deeper and more seclude place to prevent the possibility of its revival; this represents blind obedience to false beliefs. The Acacia or evergreen represents the truth that will prevail. [In a way, similar to a certain text in scripture recited in the lecture of the first degree, it is through seeking that the victim’s remains are found, which represents finding the truth.]

Attempts to raise it from its grave are made; the Entered Apprentice cannot raise the intuitive power, nor is the knowledge of the Fellow Craft sufficient to do the job, because it takes more than mere knowledge of the moral law to accomplish such a task. It is the Lion’s Paw, the zodiacal sign of Leo, the symbol of the heart and love[viii] that raises the murdered intuitive power and divine self. Love is the fulfilling of the law and this is symbolized by the Trowel and the Lion’s Paw: “Nothing will restore man to his pristine condition of purity and intuitive knowledge of the spiritual law except perfect obedience to the law, which is embodied in service.” “It is this service to humanity and to Deity, this service which goes beyond the mere obedience to law that alone can restore the intuition or the touch with the spiritual.”[ix] “Unfortunately it is not often that the body is so raised, for our desire for truth is usually but dim and our service but perfunctory.”[x]

Finally, the ship the three are seeking passage upon represents a mental vehicle by which they can travel to a place to excuse themselves and their actions, (this is indeed a vain hope.) Ethiopia represents their erroneous view of a higher plane of being.

“Tolerance is the eager and glad acceptance of the way along which others seek the truth.”

Sir Walter Besant

From the Great light of Masonry = “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 NASB

“Truth is always exciting. Speak it, then; life is dull without it.” Pearl S. Buck

Please remember: if you would like to participate in the latest Masonic Monday Question, please go to http://www.lodgebuilder.org and click on the Lodge Education forum. Past Masonic Monday Questions and the current one may also be read on the Web Site for the G.L. of MN at www.mn-masons.org under Masonic Monday Q&A When you have an answer send it to masonicmonday@gmail.com the question for the week of 06-09-08 is:

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to erhmasonic@gmail.com with Subscribe in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publications.

With “Brotherly Love”,

Ed Halpaus

Political Freedom, Religious Tolerance, Personal Integrity; Freemasonry – it’s not for everyone.

---

[i] The ritual itself is an allegory; the lesson of it is to be found through further study.

[ii] Heirloom Bible Publishers of Wichita, KS - Master Mason edition

[iii] Jonah 1:3

[iv] Tyndale Life Application Study Bible

[v] The Lost key by Prentice Tucker 1927 edition

[vi] ibid

[vii] This has been described by H. Emilie Cady in her book Lessons in Truth as the divine self, as opposed to the human self, which seeks its own gratification at the expense of someone else.

[viii] The Lost key by Prentice Tucker 1927 edition

[ix] ibid

[x] Ibid

Free-Will and Accord

Masonic Matters
December 10, 2007
By Ed Halpaus

“I’ve been swatting PC irritations ever since (or trying to) since 1978, when I learned that Radio Shack TRS-80’s keyboard had a tenddency to repeat chharcters at random.” Harry McCracken

This publication, while it is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota, contains the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus, as well as guest writers, and is not in any way the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

“If you’re like me, you live with email. That means you also live with all the dumb things your email program does – like hide your attachments or turn them into gobbledygook, or delete messages without permission.” Steve Bass

I bring you greetings from Most Worshipful Brother Raymond G. Christensen, Grand Master of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota, and all of the Grand Lodge officers elected and appointed of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

Dear Brethren, and readers;

On behalf of my Grand Master and all of our Grand Lodge officers, elected and appointed, I would like to extend to you our best wishes to you and yours for a very happy and enjoyable holiday season.

Winter arrived a bit earlier this year in the area I live in and it came in quick and cold. We have about a foot of snow on the ground now after the snow has settled a bit. Luckily for me the cold isn’t affecting me as bad as it did this time last year, and also fortunately I was able to tune-up each of my snow-throwers when the weather was still nice, I have 3 of them – one to use on the deck, one for small snow falls, and then the big one when that’s called for.

I have had major problems with my computer, and my email program and mailing lists; like Freemasonry there as always something to learn or re-learn about computers. For some reason outlook express along with my address book disappeared from my computer. However a few tears ago, being worried about losing my address book, which contained thousands of email addresses, I bough Plaxo because they keep a back-up copy of my address book, so I am able to access my address list through them.

Because of wanting to access and send emails from locations other than my home I had just a couple of months ago began to use gmail, and I like it a lot, but Plaxo cannot load my address book onto gmail so I need to do it manually and that is a slow process.

I use a mail program through a web hosting company called Mailman to send out my publications: This service has been great up until this week: In trying to find out why it wasn’t sending out the publication I sent to it I learned that there shouldn’t be more than 100 email addresses on any one mailing list, and there were a whole lot more than that on each of the lists. The reason for less than 100 is that mailman will send to the first 100 and not the rest. So now each list needs to be redone by adding other lists with less than 100 email addresses on any one of them. So if you get an email welcoming to a list of mine such as all-g that’s the reason. Computer and email problems are time consuming. in the process of the email list problems it appears that one list of over 500 email addresses is gone from mailman; I just can’t find the list, so I’m going to ask my web hosting company if they can restore it, but I don’t hold out much hope for that; another thing to remember about computers and electronics is that they are machines, and machines are not too forgiving – they live in the world of exact.

If you get some generic looking welcoming message welcoming you to one of my new lists such as all-g or something like it, it’s because I’m working on new lists. Also if you know someone who has subscribed and no longer is receiving the publications please help me spread the word and ask them to send me an email re-subscribing. I will appreciate your help.

All the problems with this computer and now with the address and mailing lists takes up almost as much time as it takes to write the articles, so I will be posting each of these articles on my Web Site at http://www.halpaus.net on the date of publication, and they can be read there. The publication dates are: Masonic Matters the 10th of the month: Mehr Licht each Monday: T.F.S., or 3, 5, & 7, on the 1st and the 20th of the month. As time goes on, and I learn how to do it, I might try to have spots to publish some of the other articles I write that are published elsewhere. In the meantime I’m going to try to re-establish all the lists and continue to send them out; it appears that mailman is going to work better now.

Now on to this Masonic Matters Masonic information article: Happy Holidays - Ed

Free-Will and Accord.

There are a lot of fine guys in Freemasonry; men who are just a lot of fun to know and hang-out with. Most lodges have this kind of men, and all it takes is the interest to get to know these men a little bit to find out how enjoyable it is.

I was at a rehearsal for a second degree which was going to be part of a one-day to Masonry class. I was the Senior Deacon for both sections of the degree. During this rehearsal I happened to be escorting an extremely nice brother who is one of these fun people to be with; (he was acting as the candidate in the rehearsal) he is also a Past Master, and a 33° in the Scottish Rite. During the rehearsal, when we came to the Master’s station, the Master asked if it was of his own free-will and accord, and he answered, (of course,) “No, my dad’s making me do it.” We all had to smile at that answer, and it was good that it was a rehearsal.

One of the outstanding peculiarities of Freemasonry that is unique among practically any and every group that could be named is the rule that no man may be asked, invited, solicited, or pressured in any way, to enter Freemasonry. This is a good rule, which is just the opposite of most other organizations. Possibly this rule is one reason Freemasonry has had the growth it has had throughout the world, and maybe it is the reason why most Freemasons remain in the fraternity for the rest of their lives. Contrast Freemasonry’s prohibition against proselytism; the custom of some religious groups, societies, or groups, to proselyte, invite, and to urge people to come to this or that particular organization or house of worship.

In contrast to those other kinds of groups; Freemasonry, which is a society of over 4,000,000 in the United States alone, all of whom have petitioned of their own free-will and accord, ‘would be regarded as a phenomenon if it had not existed for such a long time, and which has become so familiar to so many people in the communities of the world.’ Also when you think about it; Freemasonry is evidently quite interesting and intriguing to a large number of men, otherwise we would not have as many men petitioning the lodges as we do, nor would it be so interesting to non-Masons, which it obviously is; consider the popularity of the stories portrayed in books and movies based on the Masonic fraternity.

Mackey when commenting on a man coming to Freemasonry of his own free-will and accord said: "This is a settled landmark of the Order," but, he did not include this ‘settled landmark’ among his list of 25 Landmarks. In his article on Proselytism, Mackey states; “Freemasonry is rigorously opposed to proselytism.” He also wrote: “Nay, it boasts as a peculiar beauty of its system, that it is a voluntary institution.” He also says in his article on proselytism that Freemasonry differs from every other association in the world in its rule against proselytism. His article is well worth the time it takes to read it: you can find his article in the Clegg edition of Mackey’s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry.
Another peculiarity about the principle of requiring petitioners to come of their own free-will and accord is that no one knows when this rule or custom originated. Even so, there are good reasons for a man to come to Freemasonry on his own without being pressured by friends and associates. When he comes to Freemasonry on his own, if for some reason he decides Freemasonry is not for him, he has no one to blame. But if he were pressured in some way to take the degrees of Masonry, and it turned out not to be for him for some reason, it might result in an injured or broken friendship. Brother Mackey also has said that coming of our own free-will and accord means that Freemasonry is, in the most positive way, a truly voluntary association of men, and that this is where the saying ‘Once a Freemason always a Freemason’ comes from, and has meaning.

Interestingly a man who attends a lodge for an open house, or an informational night, or is merely asked the question about why he never got involved with Freemasonry, and then subsequently fills out a petition after he learns he must ask, and that we don’t invite men to join, can truthfully say he did come of his own free-will and accord.

“You mention your name as if I should recognize it, but beyond the obvious facts that you are a bachelor, a solicitor, a Freemason, and an asthmatic, I know nothing whatever about you.”
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle – Sherlock Holmes – The Norwood Builder Brother Doyle was raised in 1893 in Phoenix Lodge #257 - Portsmouth

From the Great light of Masonry = “May the Lord, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times and bless you as he has promised.” Deuteronomy 1:11 NIV

Please remember: if you would like to participate in the latest Masonic Monday Question, please go to http://www.lodgebuilder.org and click on the Lodge Education forum. Past Masonic Monday Questions and the current one may also be read on the Web Site for the G.L. of MN at www.mn-masons.org under Masonic Monday Q&A When you have an answer send it to masonicmonday@gmail.com The question for the week of 12-10-07 is: “Why are, 'Worshipful Masters” called Worshipful?”

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title, or ‘all 3,’ in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

To read this issue of Masonic Matters on the web go to http://www.halpaus.net

With “Brotherly Love”,
Ed Halpaus

Political Freedom, Religious Tolerance, Personal Integrity; Freemasonry – it’s not for everyone.

Ancients Grand Lodge

Masonic Matters
August 10, 2007
By Ed Halpaus

“To me the ceremonies of Freemasonry in this state of ours, especially these later ones I have taken part in, make me wish that more Americans, in every part of the land, could become connected with our Fraternity.” President and Brother Franklin D. Roosevelt.

This publication, while it is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota, contains the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus and is not in any way the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

“I shall always feel pleasure when it may be in my power to render service to Lodge no. 39, and in every act of brotherly kindness to the members of it.” President and Brother George Washington

I bring you greetings from Most Worshipful Brother Raymond G. Christensen, Grand Master of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota, and all of the Grand Lodge officers elected and appointed of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

“It is possible for each of us to go into the world trying to apply in his dealings with his fellows the lessons of Masonry as they are taught in the Lodge, and as they are applied in the Brotherhood.” President and Brother Theodore Roosevelt

Here, within the Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Minnesota, our Education Committee has what is called the ‘Masonic Monday Question’, which asks interesting questions for Masonic Students to research, for their own enjoyment, and then to submit their findings as an answer to the question. This is a lot of fun for Masons and non-Masons alike who enjoy masonic research and study.

Just this week a question was asked about the ‘Ancients Grand lodge.’ This question prompted some to respond and to also ask some questions, which sent me to my library to do more of my own research. What seemed at first to be a simple question and answer has become something that is very enjoyable to learn more about. Reading all the information relating to the two rival Grand Lodges in England from 1751 to 1813 is extremely interesting for anyone who has an interest in history, freemasonry, and in masonic history in particular.

My research has not been exhaustive on the subject; there has been so much written on this subject I think one could spend months searching out all the books and articles relating to this period in masonic history, not to mention reading and understanding all of it. However, my library, like many lodge libraries, contains quite a few books with information on this subject which is sometimes called a schism. The word ‘schism’ is controversial to use because while some masonic scholars will call it that others say there really was no schism at all. A schism would imply that masons under one jurisdiction were seceders who broke away to form new lodges and a new grand lodge, while those who say that there was no schism point out that the masons who formed the “Grand Lodge of the Old Institution” in 1751 were “Irish Freemasons who settled in London.[i]” Brother Henry Sadler who has been referred to as “A most painstaking, patient and persevering investigator,” while he was the Grand Tyler of the United Grand Lodge of England, wrote a book called ‘Masonic Facts and Fiction’ (1889), in which he disposed of the theory that the founders of the Ancient’s [sometimes spelled Antient’s] Grand Lodge had seceded from that of the Moderns, because “they had, in fact, been initiated under the Irish Constitution.[ii]”

My purpose with this article is to merely report on and about what I have learned from the reading, study, and the understanding I have of this period; from the formation of the Ancients Grand Lodge in 1751 to the union with the Grand Lodge of England to form the United Grand Lodge of England in 1813. By the use of endnotes, which will include my sources and additional information, my hope is that the information and the references will serve as a source for other masonic students to be able to find more information and consequently improve their own enjoyment in freemasonry through masonic study.

The first Grand Secretary of the ‘Ancients’ was Brother John Morgan: He said that the title used by his Grand Lodge in 1751 was; “The Most Ancient and Honorable society of Free and Accepted Masons.[iii]” Mackey[iv] begins his article on the ‘Ancients’ with the origin date of 1753, which can cause some confusion because other writers say it was in 1751. Mackey’s contention is that with the records he had available it was not possible to “determine the exact year in which the Grand Lodge of Ancients assumed a positive existence.” In explaining the why of this he says that prior to its actual organization the brethren of various lodges formed a Grand Committee[v], (1751,) which became the Grand Lodge of the Ancients.

The earliest transaction of this committee was on July 17, 1751 at the Turk’s Head Tavern, in Greek Street, Soho. There the Masters of seven Lodges, namely; “Nos. [Numbers] 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, & 7 were authorized, (as and by the Grand Committee,) to grant dispensations and Warrants and to act as a Grand Master:” This is the date given by some Masonic scholars for the origin of the Grand Lodge. The first result of the committee’s actions was the first Warrant issued to a Lodge by the Ancients to the lodge which met at the “Temple and Sun” Shire Lane, Temple Bar, and which became #8 of the Grand Lodge of the Ancients. Evidence of this Grand Committee having the authority of a Grand Master was that the Warrant was signed by the Master’s of Lodges numbered; 3, 4, 5, and 6. As Mackey says; “This would imply that the authority and prerogatives of a Grand Master were conferred not upon each Master, individually, but upon the whole of them collectively or at least upon a majority of them.”[vi]

In all the reading I have done on this subject I have not found where the lodges that formed the Ancients Grand Lodge we referred to in any other way than as numbers. Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia says Brother Gould listed the Lodges who were a part of the formation, however in reading Gould’s History of Freemasonry he, when quoting the minutes from the Grand Committee and the Grand lodge, listed them only by number not by name or even by location.

You will notice that in the list of lodge numbers, which formed the Grand Committee there was no Lodge #1. An explanation for this can be found in Brother Sadler’s book “Masonic Facts and Fiction,” in it he says: “At the outset the ‘Antients’[vii] had not a No. 1 Lodge on their list, that number being probably reserved for a ‘Grand Master’s Lodge,’ when they should arrive at the dignity of having an official of that calibre to preside over them. This from our present standpoint may seem a rather strange proceeding, but as a matter of fact they were in a manner copying the example of the Grand Lodge of Ireland, wherein the following order had been made on the 3rd of January 1749, the Grand Officers having recently formed a Lodge for themselves.”[viii]

The dissention that led up to the formation of the Ancient Grand Lodge began in 1739 during the Grand Mastership of Lord Raymond, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England, when there were considerable complaints made about the irregular making of Masons. It has been reported that during this period the Grand Lodge of England made a few changes in the ritual by transposing certain significant words in the first two degrees and inventing a new one for the third degree; this was said to have been done to exclude independent freemasons from their lodges.[ix] However, while there was some dissention all this did not cause a schism at that time[x]; over the years more problems would arise, which finally in 1751 led to the formation of a competing grand lodge.
Whatever the progression was to the formation of the Ancients Grand Lodge, it was slow to come about. However, Brother Clegg observes that over the years some so-called unruly brethren continued to hold their lodges independently of any supreme authority; he mentions that Brother Preston said that brethren who defied authority “held meetings in various places for the purpose of initiating persons into Freemasonry contrary to the laws of the Grand Lodge.”[xi]”

From 1738 on there were many, now historical and important, events that happened which would impact Masonry, and not all of them were positive. For instance, in 1738 Pope Clement XII issued his Bull, (In Eminenti,) against the Freemasons. Possibly some of the changes in making masons and in the ritual that followed the next year might have been viewed by some as changing masonry because of outside pressures: In any event 1738, 1739, and the years that followed were trying times for freemasons in England. 1738 was also the year our Brother Dr. Anderson published his Constitutions of 1738 of which, as Brother Coil says, the most important part was the reconstructed minutes of the Grand Lodge for the years 1717 through 1723.[xii] The year 1747 was the time when the Scald Miserable Masons held their mock masonic processions through the streets of London; this event caused the Grand Lodge of England to order the discontinuance of the custom of masons having processions on the days of the grand feasts.

Whether the Grand Committee was in fact the organization of the Grand Lodge of the ‘Ancients’ or not - the ‘Ancients’ did have a Grand Secretary, in Brother John Morgan; he served for one year (1751), but resigned because he went back to sea.[xiii] In 1752 Brother Laurence Dermott became the Grand Secretary. Worshipful Brother Dermott was at the time a journeyman painter.[xiv]

Many times, in today’s freemasonry, it is said there is rapid advancement in many lodges, actually some will say ‘too rapid;’ sadly when this is said it is directed against some very well qualified brethren when they are elected master of their lodge, and/or appointed to a grand lodge position. Many of our well known and sometimes revered Masons were those who were rapidly advanced; Worshipful Brother Laurence Dermott, for example: He was born in Ireland in 1720; he was initiated into Freemasonry, (in Ireland,) in 1740; he was installed as Master of his Lodge, Lodge #26 in Dublin, on June 24, 1746, (During those years he served his lodge as secretary, and warden, as well as other positions;) that same year he became a Royal Arch Mason. Rapid advancement, but he evidently was worthy of it.

In Ireland[xv] the first records of established lodges are well after 1717, but even so there is evidence that freemasonry was known in Ireland as early as 1688, and the square found at Baal’s-Bridge near Limerick is curios - it has the inscription; “I will strive to live with love and care upon the level and by the square, 1507.”[xvi] If this is to be taken seriously, and it is, it indicates freemasonry in Ireland at a very early period. Anyway, after his degrees and mastership under the Irish constitution Brother Dermott relocated to England, (thought to be 1747 or 1748,) and in 1748 affiliated with a lodge there, which was a part of the Grand Lodge of England. Later he shifted his allegiance from the Grand Lodge of England and became a member of lodge #9, of the Ancients, which he soon left and joined Lodge #10, Even in these years there were Lodges who were known as, and called themselves, Ancients. While it is commonly held that Brother Dermott coined what are called ‘epithets,’[xvii] Brother Bernard Jones in his book says “We must be careful not to father too much on Laurence Dermott, for we learn from an advertisement in 1726 relating to ‘ante-diluvian Masonry’ that even in those days a distinction was being drawn between ‘Ancient Masonry’ and ‘the Moderns.” After Brother Dermott became a member of Lodge #10 he immediately began working on a set of by-laws for private Lodges, which came to be called in 1756 ‘Ahiman Rezon.’[xviii]

There were many charges or accusations made against the Grand Lodge of England,[xix] however, one that was not a charge but a feeling among some Masons was that the ‘Moderns,’ in their lodges and grand lodge, had become a place where working men were not welcome. Possibly this had as much to do with forming a new grand lodge as any of the other reasons.

Definitely there was a feud that was brewing for quite some time between the ‘Moderns’ and the ‘Ancients:’ “Notwithstanding [this], on the whole bitter feud between the rival Grand Lodges of England, the lodges on the two rolls worked together, with greater love and harmony than might have been expected. Sometimes in a so-called ancient lodge the business was modern and oftener still, lodges under the older system, followed the method of working in vogue among the ‘ancients.’[xx] While there may have been harmony among the Masons and their individual Lodges the Grand Lodge of England took a dim view of a lodge of theirs working as ‘Ancients.’ In 1754, while James, the Marquis of Carnarvon was Grand Master, there were 21 ‘country lodges’ erased from the rolls because they were in violation of Grand Lodge Regulation #94, which prohibited a lodge meeting as ‘Ancient Masons.’[xxi]

Eventually the name of the ‘Ancients’ became officially: “The Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, According to the Old Institutions.” The ‘Moderns’ in the second half of the 1700’s was known as: “The Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons, Under the Constitution of England.” [xxii] It is interesting to note that the names of these two rival grand lodges indicated that one was a fraternity and the other was a society.

The most well know Grand Masters of the Ancients were the Dukes of Atholl; they were grand masters who were so well liked the grand lodges was sometimes referred to, and still is today at times, as the Atholl Grand Lodge. However, the first Grand Master of the Ancients was Worshipful Brother Robert Tucker, Master of Lodge #13 – he was installed December 05, 1753[xxiii] The 3rd Duke of Atholl became Grand Master in 1771, and his son the 4th Duke of Atholl followed him to the Grand East in 1775; he served in the office until 1781, and then was elected again to the office of Grand Master in 1791 and served until the Duke of Kent became Grand Master in December 1813; 28 years in all.

What followed seems to be a well known part of masonic history: the Dukes of Atholl were followed by others, and over the years negotiations, (which the 4th Duke of Atholl was a part,) began that resulted in the union of the two Grand Lodges in December of 1813. The Duke of Kent, who was the 4th Duke of Atholl’s Deputy Grand Master, was installed as Grand Master of the Ancients on December 1, 1813, which was some days after the Articles of Union were signed. His brother, and Masonic brother, the Duke of Sussex, who was the Grand Master of the Moderns was made an Ancient Mason, in an adjoining room, so he could be present at the installation of his brother as Grand Master. On December 27, 1813 the two brothers, both Grand Masters, were in Freemason’s Hall to consummate the union of the two Grand Lodges. The two Grand Masters proceeded to the East; the Duke of Kent then nominated the Duke of Sussex[xxiv] for election as Grand Master of the new United Grand Lodge of England; the Duke of Sussex was unanimously elected: he served as grand Master of the moderns and the united grand Lodge for 31 years.

“If it has pleased the supreme architect of the universe to make me an humble instrument to promote the welfare and happiness of my fellowmen, my exertions have been abundantly recompensed by the kind partiality with which they have been received; and the assurance that you give me of your belief that I have acted upon the square in my public capacity, will be among my principle enjoyments in this Terrestrial Lodge.” President and Brother George Washington

From the Great light of Masonry = “The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"! And the head cannot say to the feet, "I have no need of you!" On the contrary, those parts of body which seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable, we treat with special honor; all the parts that are un-presentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
1st Corinthians 12:21-26 NIV

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Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer

Political Freedom, Religious Tolerance, Personal Integrity; Freemasonry – it’s not for everyone.
[i] Mackey’s Revised Encyclopedia of Freemasonry Vol. 1 page 76 Brother R. I. Clegg Editor and author 1929 Edition
[ii] A Reference Book for Freemasons by Brother Frederick Smyth; published by Q.C. Correspondence Circle 1998 edition. Page 261
[iii] Freemasons’ Guide and Compendium, by Brother Bernard E. Jones: 2006 Edition by Cumberland House. Page 197
[iv] Mackey’s History of Masonry Vol. 4 page 1106 – 1906 edition
[v] Mackey’s footnote #1: From Robert Freke Gould in his work on “The Atholl Lodges page 2. Gould thinks that this “Grand Committee,” which subsequently was developed into a Grand Lodge, was no doubt originally the senior private lodge of the Ancients.
[vi] Mackey’s History of Masonry Vol. 4 page 1110 – 1906 edition
[vii] This word is proper to spell either way. The masons of the time spelled it both ways including brethren who were members of that Grand Lodge. On page 238 of Coil’s it says that the question of spelling the word ‘Ancients’ or ‘Antients’ was settled by Brother Ivor Grantham in AQC on pages 76-78 for the year 1953 in which he wrote that the Ancient Grand Lodge and Grand Secretary Laurence Dermott almost always spelled the word ‘Ancient,’ and that the Moderns used the spelling ‘Antient’ more than their rivals.
[viii] Mackey’s Revised History of Freemasonry by Robert Ingram Clegg vol. 4 page 1188 – 1921 edition
[ix] Ibid 1183
[x] Ibid page 1181 Brother Clegg says that Brother Northouck, (a chronicler of the events that led up to the formation of the Grand Lodge of the Ancients,) evidently confused the ‘irregular makings’ by private lodges, which began about the year 1739 with the establishment of the Grand Lodge of the Ancients.
[xi] Ibid – page 1182
[xii] Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia 1995 edition page 235
[xiii] Freemasons’ Guide and Compendium, by Brother Bernard E. Jones: 2006 Edition by Cumberland House. Page 197
[xiv] Ibid page 198
[xv] Irish Freemasonry is interesting to read about. See Coils Masonic Encyclopedia page 331. “There is a Freemason’s Stone in Dublin, which presumably dates from 1602.
[xvi] Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia 1995 edition page 332
[xvii] Ancients and Moderns
[xviii] Freemasons’ Guide and Compendium, by Brother Bernard E. Jones: 2006 Edition by Cumberland House. Page 198
[xix] To see a list of them view pages 201 & 202 of Freemason’s Guide and compendium
[xx] History of Freemasonry, by Robert Freke Gould-4 volume set-volume 3 page 214
[xxi] Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia 1995 edition page 236
[xxii] Ibid page 238
[xxiii] Ibid
[xxiv] If I follow the family tree of the Royals correctly, (the House of Hanover,) the Duke of Kent was Edward Duke of Kent (1767-1820) he was the father of Queen Victoria. The Duke of Sussex was Augustus Frederick (1773-1843.) It appears he served as Grand Master until his death in 1843, and then the Earl of Zetland was elected as Grand Master.