Lodgeroom International Magazine

Volume 2 - Issue 4 - April 2007

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
Between The Pillars
An Editorial Lodgeroom
Let’s Talk About International
the Other Freemasonry Magazine
of the Masonic world
considers the Grande Oriente Published by: William McElligott, P.M.,
United Grand Lodge of England
d’Italia to be regular and the
R. Theron Dunn,
Grande Loggia Regolare d’Italia Grand Lodge of California
to be irregular.
By. R. Theron Dunn Due and timely notice:
Regularity then is an enigma ,
Neither the editors, publishers or writers of this magazine
This month, Lodgeroom wrapped in a conundrum ,
represent themselves as speaking FOR any Grand Lodge
International Magazine surrounded by a puzzle. We all or official Masonic body. The material presented in this
examines Regularity, use the same standards for publication is intended solely for informational purposes.
what it is, what it takes, determining regularity, but they are applied The opinions presented herein are solely those of the
and examines several differently, and sometimes for political purposes. authors, editors and publishers unless otherwise noted.
groups that are considered In case of Italy, Grande Oriente d’Italia is the
irregular. In providing the oldest Grand Lodge, but it was recognized by
Questions or Comments: TLRINT@lodgeroomuk.com
information on these pages, the Lodgeroom UGLE in 1972 only, then UGLE in 1993
International Magazine takes no position on the withdrew recognition, extending it to the Grande
regularity, or irregularity, of the lodges Loggia Regolare d’Italia, a relatively new grand Volume 2 - Issue 4 - April 2007
considered. That is an issue best handled by your lodge. Featured Articles
Grand Lodge Committee on Regularity.
United Grand Lodge of America ............................. 3
As a result of these two issues, arising as they did
Interview with Aaron Peevey, Grand Master,
By providing information on these pages, we are so close together, that we chose to dedicate the
United Grand Lodge of America .................... 3
not supporting the claims, statements or positions April issue to an examination of differences in what The Aims and Relationships of the
reported here. The information of fered is is considered regular. This month, we look at a Craft Freemasonry - RGLE ........................... 4
unfiltered, and is, in most cases, taken directly very controversial new lodge, the United Grand The Commission on Information on Recognition
from papers and web sites promulgated by the Lodge of America, and include an interview with Report of the 2006 Finding ............................ 5
various groups. This has been done deliberately, Grand Master Aaron Peevey, the first Grand Master About The Commission .................................. 5
to allow you, our readers, to interpret as you will, of the United Grand Lodge of America. The Standards of Recognition ........................ 5
UGLE Position Statement Regarding Women
and so as not to insult, demean, degrade, or wrong
and Co-ed Masonry ........................................ 6
any person or group. We also look at the Regular Grand Lodge of The History of Women’s Freemasonry .................. 6
England, the Grande Oriente de France, the issue Fringe Masonry 1870-1885 By Ellic Howe ................. 7
Regularity is a very sensitive issue, obviously so. of the Regular Grand Lodge of Italy and Grande Determining Recognition ........................................ 7
In our January issue, we took a look at Prince Oriente d’Italia, Le Droit Humaine and the Hon. Miss St. Leger and Freemasonry ................. 15
Hall Masonry, which is, for the most part, History of Women’s Masonry, and the Most The Moderns and the Antients .............................. 16
considered regular by all Grand Lodges... with Worshipful National Grand Lodge Free and The Premier Grand Assembly of
the exception of 12 Grand Lodges in the southern Accepted Ancient York Masons Prince Hall English Freemasons 1705 ............................. 16
Regular Grand Lodge Of England ....................... 17
parts of the United States. Prince Hall is regular Organization - National Compact U.S.A.
RGLE Responds To UGLE on Regularity ........... 17
freemasonry in every sense... or is it? After Grande Oriente De France .................................... 18
publishing the January issue, we were contacted LRIM of fers no editorial comment on these History of the Relationship of the Grand
by Most Worshipful Cedric Lewis, Grand Master systems. In all cases, information on each system Lodge of the District of Columbia
of the M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge of is offered in the words of the group in question, with Masonic Grand Bodies in France
Mississippi, noting that we had not covered the and it is left to the reader to make his own By Paul Bessel ......................................................... 18
Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge Free and judgements. Included in this issue is information Grande Oriente D’Italia ........................................ 19
Accepted Ancient York Masons Prince Hall from the National Committee on Recognition, a UGLE Statement on External Relations .............. 19
National Compact Grand Lodge ........................... 19
Organization - National Compact U.S.A. grand master’s committee that examines issues of
regularity and offers recommendations to the Grand Regular Features
As we were researching this, we were asked if Masters and Grand Lodges upon request. And of
Between The Pillars ................................................. 2
the Grand Lodges in the United States consider course, no examination of Regularity would be
Tim Bryce On...
the Grande Oriente d’Italia or the Regular Grand complete without looking at the standards for Montana 3-7-77 ............................................... 8
Lodge of Italy to be regular and in amity. This recognition used by the Committee on Recognition Featured Publication - Masonic Magazine ........... 13
magazine does not speak to the issue of regularity, and by the United Grand Lodge of England. Other Masonic Publications .................................. 14
that is up to each grand lodge to determine. Masonic Humor ..................................................... 34
Recognition of these two Grand Lodges is split. As always, if you have any comments, please send The Last Word ....................................................... 66
The United Grand Lodge of England, the Grand them to me via theron@therondunn.com. I will To Receive this Magazine every month free:
Lodge of Scotland, and the Grand Lodge of publish the comments starting in the May issue h t t p : / / w w w. l o d g e r o o m u k . n e t / / p h p l i s t s /
Ireland, as of this writing, consider the Grande unless you tell me otherwise, and please, pass public_html/lists/
Loggia Regolare d’Italia to be regular and the this magazine on to anyone you think would be
Grande Oriente d’Ialia to be irregular. The REST interested, its of fered free for the benefit of
freemasonry worldwide.
Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 2
 Lodgeroom International Magazine
and that no institution can judge this sublime
act of the Creator. Every man and Free-Mason
must be judged by his own individual merits
as a brother and a fellow human being. Our
vision of the future is the brotherhood of all
humankind, and we strive to exemplify this
ideal before all of humanity.
United Grand Lodge of America The United Grand Lodge of America was
founded on December 27th, 2005 and
“...man conceives a human character much more stable than his own, and sees that there is constituted in 2006 by Masonic representatives
no reason why he should not himself acquire such a character. Thus he is led to seek for from several states who perceived an urgent
means which will bring him to this pitch of perfection, and calls everything which will need to return to the ideological roots of the
serve as such means a true good. The chief good is that he should arrive, together with Craft.
other individuals if possible, at the possession of the aforesaid character. What that character
is we shall show in due time, namely, that it is the knowledge of the union existing being the Statement of Purpose
mind and the whole of nature. These are the beliefs to which we strive:
1. The Universal Brotherhood of Humankind.
This, then, is the end for which I strive, to attain to such a character myself, and to endeavor 2. The Spiritual Nature of Humanity.
that many should attain to it with me. In other words, it is part of my happiness to lend a 3. The Knowledge to Further Human
helping hand, that many others may understand even as I do, so that their understanding Understanding.
and desire may entirely agree with my own. In order to bring this about, it is necessary to 4. The Inalienable Rights of All Humankind.
understand as much of nature as will enable us to attain to the aforesaid character, and also
to form a social order such as is most conducive to the attainment of this character by the Mission
greatest number with the least difficulty and danger.” Free-Masonry is a doorway through which one
—Benedict Spinoza can pass that leads to a Speculative Science
that teaches a Peculiar System of Morality
The United Grand Lodge of America of Accepted Free-Masons represents a return to the principles through the use of allegory and symbol. This,
of the Grand Lodge of 1717 and the true spirit of “Modern” Speculative Free-Masonry. It is an however, is not its ultimate aim. A man who
assembly of sovereign Lodges composed of Free-Masons dedicated to the Royal Art. rightly understands the Art is forever changed
from within through coming to a true
We welcome honorable men and Free-Masons from around the globe, regardless of race or
religion, into our Lodges for we truly believe that a man is first made a Free-Mason in his heart Continued on Page 21 - Geometrico

Interview With Grand Master Samuel Aaron Peavy,

United Grand Lodge of America
I have implemented reading groups and
By R. Theron Dunn and G.M. Samuel Aaron If you don’t mind, where do you live? required reading lists in my lodge. My lodge
Peavy analytically watches shows or movies on
I live in Alabaster, AL right below Masonry or Masonic subjects and discusses
During December 2006 and January 2007, I Birmingham. these subjects in an open forum.
carried out an email interview with Grand Master
Samuel Aaron Peavy, the first Grand Master of How long have you been a mason? What have you personally done to promote
the United Grand Lodge of America. Masonic education? On the level of the
2 years. Grand Lodge, there is a committee working
What is the proper title to address you? toward the creation of DVD and CD
Most Worshipful, Very Worshipful, etc. or Married? Children? Grandchildren? education series that will be available to the
does the UGLA use these types of Lodges. These will cover symbolism, history,
honorifics? I am mar ried with my first child on the way. and the degrees.

The UGLA chooses not to use these How does your wife feel about masonry? There will probably be a workbook to go with
honorifics, you may address me as GM or What is her involvement? the educational DVDs, but these projects are
Grand Master. still in the future.
My wife does not really have an opinion on
What is your full name, and what do you do Masonry because she is not involved in it. Have you ever served in any grand office
for a living? prior to this? Any grand committees?
How do you feel about Masonic education?
Samuel Aaron Peavy (I go by Aaron) and I No
am a Software Engineer and Entrepreneur. I believe that education is the mortar that
holds Masonic institutions together. Please tell me a bit about your Masonic
What is your age? career. When/where were you initiated,
What have you personally done to pursue
25 Masonic education? Continued on Page 23 - Interview

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 3

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
The Aims and Relationships
of the Craft Freemasonry
either at home or abroad, and it will unaltered principles, but in no
not allow its name to be associated with circumstances will it enter into discussion
any action, however humanitarian it with a view to any new or varied
may appear to be, which infringes its interpretation of them.
unalterable policy of standing aloof They must be accepted and practised
from every question affecting the relations wholeheartedly and in their entirety by
between one government and another, or those who desire to be recognized as
between political parties, or questions as to Freemasons by the Regular Grand Lodge.
This Statement is endorsed and confirmed by the rival theories of government.
Masonic High Council of England and Wales, the 8. The Grand Lodge is aware that there do exist The Regular Grand Lodge of England, is
Regular Grand Lodge of England. Bodies, styling themselves Freemasons, convinced that by a rigid adherence to these Aims
which do not adhere to these principles, and and Relationships that Freemasonry has survived
1. The Regular Grand Lodge of England has while that attitude exists the Regular Grand the constantly changing doctrines of the outside
deemed it desirable to set forth in precise Lodge of England refuses absolutely to have world, and is further compelled to place on record
form the aims of Freemasonry as any relations with such Bodies, or to regard its complete disapproval of any action which may
consistently practised under its Jurisdiction them as Freemasons. tend to permit the slightest departure from the
and since the premier Grand Assembly it 9. The Regular Grand Lodge of England is a basic principles of Freemasonry.
come into being as an organized body at Sovereign and independent Body practising
York in 1705, and also to define the Freemasonry only within the four Degrees It is strongly of the opinion that if any Grand Lodge
principles governing its relations with those and their complement within the limits does so it cannot maintain a claim to be following
other Grand Lodges with which it is in defined by the Grand Assembly at York the Ancient Landmarks of the Order.
fraternal accord. 1705 as pure Antient Masonry. It does not
2. In view of the distortion by some so recognize or admit the existence of any
called world Masonic powers, and the superior Masonic authority, however styled.
deviation from the core values principles A) The Regular Grand Lodge of England
and aims of Ancient Craft Freemasonry, has sole Jurisdiction over the Craft
it is once again considered necessary to Freemasonry including the Supreme Order
emphasize certain fundamental of the Holy Royal Arch, and confers the
principles of the Fraternity.
3. The first condition of admission into, and
degrees of: Entered Apprentice, Fellow
Craft and Master Mason and employ the Lodgeroom
membership of, the Order of Freemasons
is a belief in a Supreme Being. This is
ceremony of the Board of Installed Masters
in which the Worshipful Master of a Lodge International
essential and admits of no compromise. is installed and invested, it confer the; Mark
4. The Bible, referred to by Freemasons as Man/Mason degree on Master Masons in Bookstore:
the Volume of the Sacred Law, is always a regular craft lodge of Master Masons http://mason-defender.net/recommend.htm
open in the Lodges. Every Candidate is lowered to the Fellow Craft degree.
required to take his obligation on that book B) The degrees controlled by the Grand
or on the Volume, which is held by his Royal Arch Chapter are: Royal Ark
particular creed to impart sanctity to an oath Mariners, Excellent Mason and Most
or promise taken upon it. Excellent Master, Royal Arch, including the
5. Everyone who enters Freemasonry is, at the Ceremony of the Veils and inner workings
outset, strictly forbidden to countenance of Royal Arch Freemasonry as practiced in
any act which may have a tendency to the Crypt of York Minster.
subvert the peace and good order of society; 10. The Regular Grand Lodge of England will
he must pay due obedience to the law of refused to participate in Conferences with
any state in which he resides or which may so-called International Associations Only $12.50 Only $21.20 Only $8.45
afford him protection, and he must never claiming to represent Freemasonry, which
be remiss in the allegiance due to the admit to membership Bodies failing to
Sovereign of his native land. conform strictly to the principles upon
6. While English Freemasonry thus inculcates which the Regular Grand Lodge of England
in each of its members the duties of loyalty is founded. The Grand Lodge does not
and citizenship, it reserves to the individual admit any such claim, nor can its views be
the right to hold his own opinion with represented by any such Association.
regard to public affairs. But neither in any 11. There is no secret with regard to any of the Only $14.30 Only $22.50
Lodge, nor at any time in his capacity as a basic principles of Freemasonry, some of
Only $21.50
Freemason, is he permitted to discuss or which have been stated above. The Regular
to advance his views on theological or Grand Lodge of England will always
political questions. consider the recognition of those Grand
7. The Regular Grand Lodge will always Lodges, which profess and practise, and can
consistently refused to express any opinion show that they have consistently professed
on questions of foreign or domestic policy and practised, those established and

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 4

 Lodgeroom International Magazine

Report of the Grand Master’s About the

Recognition Committee 2006 Commission
Andorra, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Mauritius, Skopje, P.O. 544, Republic of Macedonia. The Commission on Information for Recognition
Morocco, Prince Hall Conference of Grand was organized in 1951 as a facility to gather,
Masters, Romania, Ukraine MAURITIUS collate, and from time to time, revise information
The Grand Lodge of Mauritius was consecrated on Grand Lodges in other lands, as a service to
ANDORRA on March 12, 2005 by the Grande Loge Nationale the Grand Lodges of this Conference.
The Grand Master of Andorra has given approval Francaise, and is comprised of eight lodges The Commission neither advises nor recommends
to the founding of an English speaking lodge previously constituted by the GLNF between 1992 that recognition be given to any Grand Lodges,
under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of and 2004, one Scottish lodge dating back to 1864, but merely indicates whether or not it considers
Andorra. This lodge is being promoted by a Grand one English lodge dating back to 1877, and one that a Grand Lodge in question satisfies the
Lodge officer of English nationality with the French lodge dating back to 1778. The conditions of regularity.
intention that this lodge will have international consecration date was the 37th anniversary of Until 2003, the Commission had consisted of six
appeal and will be able to offer work in an English independence for Mauritius. The Grand Master members selected from a wide geographical
speaking Masonic lodge in the Pyrenean region. is M.W. Bro. Lindsay Descombes. The distribution. One new member, usually a Deputy
The consecration is planned for the week ending Commission is of the opinion that this Grand Grand Master, was selected each year and served
June 3, 2006. Lodge meets the standards for recognition. for six years. In 2003, the Conferene of Grand
Masters expanded the Commission to seven
BULGARIA Continued on Page 26 - Report members, with each to serve a term of seven
The Grand Lodge AF&AM of Bulgaria has again years. This will eventually assure that each of
petitioned the Commission to support their claim of
being the legitimate Grand Lodge in that country, as
opposed to the United Grand Lodge of Bulgaria. The
The Standards the seven Regional Masonic Conferences will be
represented on the Commission.
After each Annual Meeting of the Conference of
controversy goes back to a contested election in
November 2000, and the subsequent breakaway of of Recognition Grand Masters, the report, given to and adopted
by the Conference, is printed and copies mailed
several lodges to form a new Grand Lodge. It appears to the Grand Secretaries and to the Chairmen of
that both Grand Lodges use the same ritual and Since the delegates of this Conference change the Committees on Fraternal Relations of the
generally practice the same Masonry, but attempts to each year, it important to restate the S tandards of Grand Lodges of the Conference. Copies are
unify the two groups have been unsuccessful. Recognition adopted for our guidance when this mailed to many interested Grand Lodges who are
Conflicting information from both groups has made Commission was formed in 1952. These are the not members of the Conference. This report is
it difficult to accurately assess the cause for this guidelines used to evaluate Regularity of a Grand based upon the most recent information available,
problem, but attempts to achieve unification are Lodge, and thereby determine whether it is worthy and, in some cases, after a presentation by
ongoing, and successful results are a possibility in of consideration for Recognition by our member representatives of the Grand Lodges mentioned
the foreseeable future. It has previously been Grand Lodges. in the report.
determined that the United Grand Lodge of This Commission provides this data for use by
Bulgaria meets the standards for recognition, and our Grand Lodges, and does not attempt to
this Grand Lodge has been so recognized by most influence or recommend what action should be
regular Grand Lodges worldwide. Until such time taken. The Commission serves in an investigative
these two Grand Lodges unite, or agree by mutual and advisory capacity only.
consent to share the jurisdiction of Bulgaria, this The standards of Recognition are summarized as
situation will remain unstable. follows:

MACEDONIA 1. Legitimacy of Origin

The Grand Lodge of Macedonia was consecrated 2. Exclusive Territorial Jurisdiction, except by
on September 30, 2005 in Skopje by the United mutual consent and/or treaty.
Grand Lodge of England. The Grand Lodge was 3. Adherence to the Ancient Landmarks?
formed from Skopje Lodge No. 9721, Unity Lodge Specifically, a Belief in God, the Volume of
No. 9749, and White Plains Lodge No. 9765, Sacred Law as an indispensable part of the
which were consecrated by the United Grand Furniture of the Lodge, and the prohibition
Lodge of England in 2000, 2001, and 2002 of the discussion of politics and religion.
respectively. This Grand Lodge is regular in its All Material on this page Copyright © 2004 -
work, and meets the standards for recognition. 2006 The Commission on Information for
The Grand Master is MW Bro. Vladimir Sukarov, Recognition The Conference of Grand
and the Grand Secretary is VW Bro. Nikola Masters of Masons of North America
Polenak. The address of the Grand Lodge is, 1000 Secretary: curtis@recognitioncommission.org http://www.lodgeroomuk.com/sales/

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 5

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
History of Women’s
Freemasonry
Freemasonry as we know it today was officially
born in June of 1717, when four Lodges gathered In 1901, an Adoptive Lodge was
in London to form a Grand Lodge. From England reactivated, but this time under
where it spread quickly, it was introduced in the auspices of the Grande Loge
France after 1735. There, as in England, because de France. By the time of World
a woman’s legal status was that of a minor with War I, more and more women
no civil rights, women were refused membership had joined the work force,
in the Lodges. This did not sit well with women replacing the men gone to the
belonging to the nobility and even with some men, battlefield in of fices and
who noted the injustices in the arguments used factories. Soon after the war,
to keep women away from the Craft. women obtained their voting
rights. The emancipation of
France women was closely followed by
the emancipation of women’s
Around 1740, the “ Maçonnerie d’Adoption”, or Freemasonry.
“Adopted Masonry” was created to “allow the
fair sex to take part in charity and philosophy”. Between 1911 and 1935, several
adoptive Lodges were created,
In 1774. the newly created “Grand Orient de but they had nothing in common
France” recognized these adopted Lodges, but with those of the 18th and 19th
demanded that they be subordinate to men’s centuries. They met regularly to
Lodges and remain under their management and discuss the same type of
direction. The members were mason’s Wives and subjects as in the men’s Lodges,
their main activity was the organization of balls although they still used
and charitable events. They recruited in the Adoptive Masonry rituals. The
nobility and the Haute Bourgeoisie. For instance, Grand Master , a woman,
the “Contrat Social” Lodge was presided over by worked with complete freedom,
the Princess de Lamballe. without the supervision of a
Brother.
During the French Revolution, Freemasonry became
dormant, and so did the Adoptive Lodges. They were In 1935, the Grande Loge de
reopened under the Napoleonic Empire and the France decided to grant complete autonomy to its adoptive Lodges. But the French Sisters did not feel
Empress Joséphine, wife of Napoléon I, was Grand ready and asked to be given some time to form a Secretariat and prepare a congress of all adoptive
Master of one of them. Although they were Lodges. Meanwhile, World War II started and all Masonic activities were suspended until 1944. On
specifically designed for women, they were always September 17, 1945, a new Masonic body was created, with the help of the Grande Loge de France.
presided by a man. The rituals were allegorical
rather than symbolic. They evoked qualities such This Grand Lodge was independent and its membership was exclusively female. It was called the
as modesty, candor, faithfulness and chastity. Union Maçonnique Féminine de France (The Women’s Masonic Union of France), which in 1952
became the Grande Loge Féminine de France or G.L.F.F. (Women’s Grand Lodge of France). The
Their main activities were social and rituals in use in the adoptive Lodges were abandoned in 1959 and replaced with the Ancient and
philanthropic. Accepted Scottish Rite. The French Rite and French Traditional Rite were introduced in 1973.
Continued on Page 25 - History
At the end of the 19th Century, men and women
alike increasingly felt the need for an organization
that went beyond balls and charitable receptions.
Participation in the Lodges helped to develop a
feminist consciousness and a taste for democracy.
United Grand Lodge of England
In 1892, the Lodge Les Libres-Penseurs in Le
Pecq initiated Maria Deraismes, a well-known Position Statement Regarding
feminist writer and activist. This was against the
rules of the Grand Orient which closed the Lodge.
Maria Deraisme remained a close friend of
Women and Co-ed Freemasonry
Georges Martin who persuaded her to create a
Lodge where both men and women could work There exist in England and Wales at least two Grand Lodges solely for women. Except that these
in full equality. She gathered a small number of bodies admit women, they are, so far as can be ascertained, otherwise regular in their practice.
women and a few Freemasons, and in 1893, There is also one which admits both men and women to membership. They are not recognised by
created the Droit Humain (DH), a Masonic this Grand Lodge and intervisitation may not take place. There are, however, discussions from time
organization open to both men and women, which to time with the women’s Grand Lodges on matters of mutual concern. Brethren are therefore free to
eventually spread to all continents, including in explain to non-Masons, if asked, that Freemasonry is not confined to men(even though this Grand
the United States where it is known as Co- Lodge does not itself admit women). Further information about these bodies may be obtained by
Masonry. writing to the Grand Secretary.

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 6

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
inferred, too, that Mackenzie was connected with
Fringe Masonry in what he called a ‘manufactory, mint or studio of
Degrees’. He described Irwin as ‘a believer in

England 1870-1885 occult arts within the measure of a thinking and

reading person of his particular mental class’,
adding that ‘for the rest [he] was satisfied
By Br. Ellic Howe story of fabricated letters, invisible Secret Chiefs
apparently with the pursuits of spiritualism, to
(14 September, 1972) and, for good measure, the introduction of a
the truth of which his circle bears witness in
mythical German lady called Fräulein Sprengel,
unpublished writings’. Finally Waite mentioned
PREFACE otherwise the Greatly Honored Soror Sapiens
that Irwin ‘was a zealous and amiable Mason,
Dominabitur Astris, allegedly an eminent
with a passion for Rites and an ambition to add
MY FIRST ENCOUNTER ‘Rosicrucian’ adept. It was she, according to
to their number’.2
with the concept of ‘fringe’ Westcott, who gave him permission to operate the
Waite antedated the ’studio of Degrees’ by about
Masonry and the names of Golden Dawn in this country.
ten years. My belief is that Irwin was always far
Kenneth Mackenzie and While all this is great fun for amateurs of the
1 more preoccupied with Freemasonry (‘fringe’ and
Francis George Irwin was in 1961, when I was absurd, it is outside the scope of this paper . Since
otherwise) than with spiritualism.
baffled by almost everything relating to the origins Waite tentatively suggested that the Golden Dawn
Unable to make any headway with the Golden
and early history of Dr. W. Wynn Westcott’s trail led in the direction of Mackenzie, I followed
Dawn problem I turned to other eccentricities.3
extraordinary androgynous Magical society, the it via his The Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross,
I might never have returned to Mackenzie et alii
Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. A. E. Waite 1924, and there I first came across Irwin’s name.
but for the fact that in the autumn of 1969 I was
suggested in his autobiographical Shadows of Life Certain statements made by Waite attracted my
again back in the Golden Dawn territory and fated
and Thought, 1938, that Mackenzie might once attention. ‘For a period of about twenty-five years,
from which they emanate.’ Bro. John Havers,
have owned the Golden Dawn’s legendary Cypher dating approximately from 1860,’ he wrote, ‘the
P.G.W., protested that Cooke’s remarks were
Manuscript, although this seems unlikely. existence of amateur manufactories of Rites in
libellous. The Grand Master, clearly embarrassed,
The provenance of this document is unknown and England is made evident by the facts of their
asked Cooke to ‘moderate his language and
likely to remain so. It was in the possession of the output, for which all antecedent history is
confine himself to his motion’. In due course
Rev. A. F. A. Woodford, a founder member of Q.C. wanting, except in a pseudo-traditional sense,
Cooke moved:
Lodge, in 1886 and he gave it to Westcott in August which is that of occult invention.’ The convoluted
1887. Thereafter we are confronted with a lunatic prose style is typical of Waite’s writing. He Continued on Page 27 - Fringe

Determining fundamental value of this lesson and adopted it in some form in some of its degrees. Ceremonial
rites offering certain privileges to the Mason who successfully passed through the ceremony of
Raising gradually became degrees themselves and as the multiplicity of these ceremonies became
Recognition cumbersome new rites or assemblies of degrees were formed. In Britain, as might be expected, this
became what is known today as the York Rite, always bearing true faith and allegiance to the Grand
Lodge from which it sprang.
By Harry W. Bundy Spreading over on to the continent of Europe and into the France, the idea of another Rite embracing
Grand Secretary the “floating” degrees resulted in the Rite of Perfection which seized upon the idea of progression in
Grand Lodge of Colorado knowledge and symbolism and subordinated the Craft Degrees to a progression of degrees and
teachings topped by the 25th degree. What more natural than to develop the thought that the higher
On St. John’s Day, June 24, 1717, two hundred the number the higher the power of those possessing the “highest” degree?
and forty one years ago, the Freemasons of London Thus we have the gradual departure of the Latin Masonry from the fundamentals of the Anglo Saxon
formed a grand lodge and started the system of Masonry. Nordic Masons soon saw the loyalty and cohesiveness of Masonic influence and adopted
organized Masonry which has spread over the a strange system which combined adherence to the Christian religion-an influence of the Templar
entire world, and its law has come to be background of the Masons of Central and Northern Europe-the submissiveness of the Trades union
recognized by Craft Masonry as the criterion by or Guild member, and the autocracy of the Grand Master. Thus the Scandinavian Rite was established
which regularity may be determined. with the King of Sweden as Solomon, the Grand Master.
Freemasonry was up to that time a system of The Rite of Memphis, with over a hundred degrees was organized in Italy and based its authority on
Guilds composed of workers in stone, to which the Egyptian influence of Freemasonry as practiced in Egypt and brought into Rome by the practice
honorary or “accepted” members had begun to of the Roman Emperors of making philosophers and religionists of all types most welcome in the
attach a certain philosophy taught by symbolism Eternal City and thereby building an influence which could be used as a personal loyalty when
based on the working tools of the operative needed to further ambition. Thus Italy welcomed the smooth tongued, plausible and capable though
Masons. crafty imposter Cagliostro. This man recognized the desire for more light and led those who were
Then as now the basic hope of man was for an groping for the light down pathways which called them far from the fundamentals of Masonry as
afterlife existence. Instinctively he turned to the originally established.
suggestion offered to him in the story of the plants Now let us deal with Latin America. Latin Masonry followed the adventurers into South America.
which may only live again by passing through And with it the inclination to yield precedence to the hand which held the scepter of authority. The
the period of deep sleep we as humans call Death. thirty-third degree of Scottish Rite Masonry became the official or ruling degree by natural sequence.
The Legend of the Third degree was devised and This lasted well over a hundred years.
it held forth to every Mason the fulfillment of In the meantime, the Rite of Perfection had come to the shores of the newly created United States of
that hope for himself which could only be gained America. The Latin influence and the religious domination over the minds of men caused seven
by suffering from those calamities to which flesh degrees to be added and the thirty-third became the ruling or governing degree of the newly created
is heir and conquering the evils and temptations Scottish Rite.
of this life, thus deserving and winning the right In this English speaking, English thinking country there was an inevitable clash with the hierarchical
to resurrection pictured in the raising to the as contrasted with the democratic system of government in Masonry. The compromises of the
sublime degree of a Master Mason. Every Rite
of Freemasonry eventually recognized the Continued on Page 33 - Determining

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 7

 with....Freemasons.
MONTANA Masonic heritage and was proficient in his degree
work. Little has been recorded of his personal
life, other than he was strong willed and spoke
3-7-77 with conviction.
Like many others, Langford moved west to seek
“How Freemasonry tamed a Territory” his fortune but he also suffered from wanderlust;
the American frontier fascinated him and he found
Author’s Note: Now for a real True Story of True the temptation to explore it irresistible. Now, at
Masonry. I first penned the following article in age 30, he felt compelled to do something with
November 2003. It is an interesting historical his life and the Fisk Expedition represented the
account of how Freemasonry impacts the opportunity he had been waiting for.
development of the United States.
Montana

The name “Montana” is Spanish meaning

“mountainous.” Those visiting the state are struck
by the beauty of the Rocky Mountains that follow
the continental divide in the western part of the
state. However, there are also vast plains in the
state. Other than the plentiful mineral resources
in the western part of the state there was little
INTRODUCTION else in Montana of the 1860’s but buffalo and
Indians, lots of Indians. Montana was an excellent
“No institution contains more valuable Nathaniel P. Langford refuge from the white man’s advancement to the
undeveloped history than Masonry.” west. Consequently, Montana became the home
- Nathaniel P. Langford (1867) 1862 represented a chaotic year for the United of many tribes including the Blackfeet & Crow,
States. The young country was at war with itself Northern Cheyenne, Flathead, Salish, Pend
As we all know, law enforcement personnel are over ideology. After just one year of conflict, both d’Oreille, Assiniboine and Sioux. The plains
easily distinguished by certain symbols, such as the Union and the Confederacy started to realize provided the perfect hunting grounds for bison
a badge, a helmet, a uniform, or a shoulder-patch. their differences weren’t going to be settled any time representing the food, clothing and materials to
Different jurisdictions, different symbols. But the soon. The outlook for prosperity was bleak. People sustain the tribes.
shoulder-patch worn by the State Highway Patrol in both the North and the South were beginning to Bros. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark (St.
of Montana is an interesting design bearing one experience economic hardships. Those not interested Louis Lodge No. 111, MO) brought the first group
of the most intriguing insignias found in the law in the righteousness of either side of the conflict of white explorers across Montana in 1805 and
enforcement world: “3-7-77”, a simple set of wanted a way out. The western frontier held 1806 as part of their expedition to the northwest.
numbers which many people, including the potential for those not afraid to embark into the They were closely followed by fur trappers and
Montana troopers themselves, have trouble unknown. Gold and silver had been discovered in traders. Aside from this, Montana remained the
explaining. In its simplest terms, it refers to how the Northwest, making the temptation to move west domain of the Indian...until gold was discovered.
“Law and Order” was introduced to Montana and irresistible to many people, including Nathaniel Pitt Well before Montana was recognized as a territory
represents the basis for the founding of the state. Langford of Minnesota. of the United States, gold was found in
For years, historians have been at a loss as to the In the summer of 1862, Langford, was one of southwestern Montana in the early 1860’s. With
exact meaning of the mysterious “3-7-77.” dozens of men who signed on to an expedition, this news, prospectors hurried to the area and
Theories abound to try and rationalize this cryptic led by Capt. James L. Fisk, to cross the northern makeshift villages began to pop-up. Since there
numbering convention; everything from the plains by wagon train and head into Western was not yet a territorial government formed, law
dimensions of a grave (3 feet wide, 7 feet deep, Montana to seek their fortunes and create a new was governed by mining camps who would hire
and 77 inches in length), to a countdown to warn life for themselves. At this time, Langford was private sheriffs to administer justice, usually with
an outlaw or undesirable to get out of town (3 30. He was a tall man and had a beard to of fset mixed results.
hours, 7 minutes, and 77 seconds) or face the his slowly receding hairline, but more importantly
consequences of vigilante justice. These theories he had a steely gaze that could penetrate your The Fisk Expedition
are logically flawed and, as such, lack conviction. soul if you got on his bad side. Born in 1832 in
The only thing historians and scholars can agree Westmoreland, New York, Langford was raised Langford and the Fisk Expedition found its way
upon is that it stood for a vigilante movement in and educated in New York state. In 1854, at age through the plains of Montana with little incident.
the 1860’s which cleaned up Montana and made 22, he started his migration west by first stopping It had been a long and hard trip, but they were
it safe from thieves, armed robbers, claim- in Minnesota where he became a merchant and now approaching the end of their journey. Shortly
jumpers, and cutthroats. Bottom-line, the was raised a Master Mason under the Grand before they reached the mountains, the expedition
numbers “3-7-77” struck fear into the hearts of Lodge of Minnesota, an event which proved to split into different directions with Langford’s
the outlaws of the day and, as such, must have be a key development in his character often group heading towards the southwest.
been developed by a force to be reckoned overlooked by historians. He was proud of his The group of about a dozen men stopped along a
river bank one day at noon to take refreshment Grasshopper Creek was ultimately the source of
and were about to resume their journey when As the Fisk group continued their trek, Langford the gold and the reason for people migrating to
three or four horsemen appeared, coming out of marveled at the power of Freemasonry and the area.
the mountains, dressed from head-to-toe as dwelled on his chance meeting with his fraternal Although the river had already been named by
mountain men. As such, the Fisk group eyed them Brother. Summer had given way to Autumn and Lewis & Clark, local miners promptly renamed
suspiciously and checked their weapons in case Langford knew their trip to Bannack was coming it “Grasshopper” due to the inordinate amount of
of trouble, particularly Langford who was to an end. The group camped on the Mullan road insects that would swarm around as you walked
attending to his horse towards the back of the near the summit of the Rockies. It was a about the area. Gold had been discovered in the
group. Fortunately, the riders presented no threat picturesque spot where the mountains surrounded Grasshopper on July 28th, 1862 and by the end
as all but one rode past the group without stopping them and was lit at night by the moon and a of the year, hundreds of people had gravitated to
to talk. curtain of stars. The glory and grandeur of the the area, with a thousand by the end of 1863.
The one lone rider stopped and dismounted to Rockies stirred Langford’s soul and he wanted to In 1862 Bannack was a typical American frontier
talk to the men at the front of the group who were celebrate their arrival. Knowing there were two boom-town. Buildings sprouted up seemingly
yoking the oxen. Langford was out of earshot as other Masons in his party, he recruited Bro. over night, some were nothing more than simple
to what was being said but the conversation was George Charlton and Bro. George Gere, who, like cabins or shacks. Although tents were commonly
brief and the rider mounted his horse again. As Langford, were all members of Minnesota Lodges used by the miners at first, wooden structures
he was about to leave, he turned and asked, and the trio ascended the summit for the purpose were needed to withstand the harsh Montana
“Whose train is this?” of opening an informal Lodge of Master Masons winters. Consequently, several establishments
“Nobody’s; we own the wagons among as generations of Masons have done before them, sprung up quickly, including hotels, stables, a
ourselves.” complete with Bible, square and compass. barber, even a bakery; and more than one saloon.
“Where are you from?” Being more proficient in Masonic custom than Other structures would soon follow based on
“From Minnesota.” his Brothers, Langford acted as Worshipful private donations, including a church, a jail, a
“How many men were there in your train?” Master. Inspired by the moment, the Masonic school, and eventually a Masonic Lodge.
“About one hundred and thirty.” words and ritual came back to Langford with When people heard about the gold in Bannack,
“Was there a man named H.A. Biff in your train” fluidity and precision. All agreed it was a they swarmed to the area to seek their fortune.
“No, sir! No such man.” beautiful degree and confirmed their faith in their Most came to mine for gold, others came to create
“Did you ever hear of such a man?” Masonic heritage. None realized the significance the infrastructure needed to support the miners,
“I never did,” replied one. of this “epochal” event as Langford would call e.g., hardware, hotels, saloons, food, etc., but
“I know of no one of that name,” said another.(1) it, representing the very first Lodge of Master other lawless characters inevitably appeared on
This dialog, of course, caught the attention of Masons ever held in Montana and ultimately the scene to rob and steal from the work of others.
Langford. Before the rider could leave, Langford foretold the events to shape the territory. The date: Most of the residents were law-abiding citizens,
approached him on horseback and offered him Monday, September 23rd, 1862. others were outlaws looking for quick money,
the token and word of a Master Mason. The two These three Brothers, by their actions, became parasites sucking the decency out of society.
shook hands fervently for both had found a the “3” in “3-7-77”.
Brother they could talk to and trust. Mural from inside the Grand Lodge of Montana’s Although one would be captivated by the beauty
The two rode the rest of the day together of the area and
describing their backgrounds and talking about unbridled freedom of
Bannack, the small mining town where Langford Montana, you were
was heading. Langford found the man to be a always reminded that
warm and intelligent brother Mason and enjoyed Bannack was an
his company immensely. Likewise, Langford was outpost in the “Wild
the first Mason the rider had met in Montana and West.” In the early
they talked as long-lost friends for hours, much days, fights and duels
to the bewilderment of the others. would erupt at a
After the two had established a warm rapport and moments notice,
described their Masonic upbringing, the rider primarily due to liquor,
began to give Langford a picture of the lay of the gambling, a word
land. He warned Langford how the area was spoken out of turn, or
growing due to the gold rush, and how some Library & Museum, Helena to simply prove manhood. Wrote Bro. Thomas J.
miners who struck gold had a tendency to Dimsdale, a writer who documented the era,
disappear or were found dead. There was little, Bannack “such men find themselves removed from the
if any, law enforcement or government in the area. restraints of civilized society.”
Consequently, he advised Langford to keep a low Bannack was located on the southeastern edge of This was a very masculine dominated society and
profile and watch his back. the newly created Idaho Territory (the southwest the absence of female companionship only
The two eventually parted on the square with the corner of modern Montana). The name “Bannack” contributed to problems. To make matters worse,
rider heading off to rejoin his comrades. Langford was derived from the local Bannack Indians and there was nothing to do during the brutal Montana
took heed of his Brother’s advice. the town was situated next to the Grasshopper winters except drink; consequently, many fell
Creek, a tributary of the Beaver Head. victim to “cabin fever.”
First Meeting
Bannack was isolated from any true territorial Masonic respects to their fallen Brother. governor after serving only six months in prison.
jurisdiction, without any form of government. But So many Masons appeared that they moved the He returned to Nevada City to recuperate and
man is a social animal requiring structure in the funeral to a larger cabin nearby. Langford work with his partner in his bakery. Eventually,
form of agreed upon rules, regulations and laws. conducted the services personally and 76 Brothers he took up mining but was unsuccessful with the
Without them, chaos quickly follows, which deposited the evergreen in Bell’s grave. These several claims he tried.
Bannack fell victim to, and became a convenient 76 Brothers, along with the deceased Bell, No longer a lawman, Plummer felt free to live
target for outlaws who organized into gangs of became the “77” in “3-7-77”. a wild lifestyle which would include liquor,
roving desperados. The Masons were pleasantly surprised by their women, and fighting. He was drawn into a
The citizenship of Bannack eventually took steps numbers. Prior to the funeral, it had not occurred drunken confrontation and shot a man named
to bring a rudimentary form of law and order to to anyone that the fraternity was so well William Riley dead. Not wishing to take his
the town. It was common in the old west for represented in the area. Consequently, they began chances with the local legal system again,
mining camps to elect their own sheriffs to settle to hold lodge meetings in the security of the Plummer left California in October 1861,
disputes and try to keep a general sense of order. mountains, away from prying eyes and easy to before Riley’s inquest. By fleeing the state
Bannack followed suit. Such sheriffs had a free tyle. These meetings became important to the before the inquiry, Plummer had become a
hand to keep the peace, regardless of their Masons, not only to reaffirm their Masonic fugitive from justice.
methods. Suffice it to say, the tactics of the sheriffs obligations but to establish the support network Plummer crossed over the California state line into
would be unthinkable by today’s standards. Again, they needed to survive in dangerous times. Nevada but his name was known in these parts
this was the “Wild West.” and, fearing arrest, he kept moving northward away
Such was the environment Langford and his “7” from Nevada and California to Washington state.
party rode into in the Fall of 1862. Bannack was Learning of the gold strike in 1862 and seeking
far from the civilization known to Langford in The “7” in “3-7-77” is the keystone of our anonymity in the wilderness, Plummer headed to
New York or even Minnesota. Such an algorithm and Montana where he could start anew and arrived in
environment would test any Freemason represents the Bannack in the Spring of 1863.
who believed in justice, religion, and culmination of our Bannack at this time was still growing and
brotherhood - as it did with Langford, who story. Although, it lawless. The first flashpoint in its development
would stand out as a pillar of Bannack is the main towards law and order came when Charlie
society based on his strong moral component that Reeves, and his accomplices Moore and Mitchell
convictions. lead to law and stirred up trouble by attacking a nearby Indian
Whether you were a miner or not, everyone order in Montana, camp and, in the process, killed and wounded
at least dabbled in the search for gold, it would be for white men, as well as many Indians. The local
including Langford. But Langford was naught without the citizenship was aghast by this and called for
more of a businessman by nature and first two variables justice. In March of 1863, the mining districts
quickly recognized Bannack was rapidly in place. became part of the newly formed Idaho Territory,
expanding with plenty of miners looking but it took time for the word to reach Bannack.
to spend their gold dust. Consequently, he Henry Plummer Feeling isolated but compelled to do something
headed up a small partnership to build a about the murders, the citizens of Bannack
sawmill outside of Bannack in a place As the Masons held ordered a trial, the first of its kind in a miner’s
called Godfrey’s Canyon. Lodge in the mountains, a new force arrived in camp. In the past, miner camp trials were used to
Langford restricted his close confidants to those the Spring of 1863, Henry Plummer a New settle disputes over mining claims, not for murder
he could trust, especially Brother Masons. Among Englander who had come to town via California. cases. As such, Langford got involved and insisted
his friends was Bro. William H. Bell who was a In Plummer’s youth, he was sickly and, based on on a trial by jury, not by the miners in mass as
Mason from St. Louis. In November 1862, Bell his doctor’s advice, left New England as a young was the usual custom. Consequently, a judge, jury,
fell victim to mountain fever and, as his dying man and traveled west to San Francisco where prosecutor, defense attorney, and sheriff were
wish, requested Langford give him a Masonic he tried his hand at odd jobs. Eventually he moved appointed to hear the case with Langford sitting
funeral. When Bell passed, his body was taken to Nevada City where he became a successful on the jury.
to the cabin of Bro. C.J. Miller and Langford baker. Politics intriqued him and he was elected The trial of Reeves, Moore and Mitchell was well
spread the word from mouth to ear for all Masons Marshall of Nevada City where he learned to be attended by the miners and although the
in the area to assemble at Miller ’s cabin for the tough in order to survive as a lawman. organizers had good intentions, it was far from
funeral. He did not anticipate the response his Plummer ’s record as a lawman was tarnished in perfect in terms of jurisprudence.
call would result in, nor the chain of events that 1857 when he gunned down John Vedder. There was no doubt about the guilt of the accused,
would ensue. Although Plummer claimed self-defense, the jury only their motivation. Unmoved by their
Word of the Masonic funeral was carefully passed believed he may have been romantically linked arguments, Langford alone insisted on the death
from one Brother to another around Bannack. As to Vedder ’s estranged wife, Lucy. Consequently, penalty while the rest of the jury wanted to seize
the sun set on November 12th, the Masons began he was convicted of second degree murder and their property and banish them from the area.
to assemble at Miller’s cabin, some came alone, sentenced to ten years in San Quentin. While in After much deliberation, Langford settled for the
others in groups, but they kept coming. Langford prison, Plummer ’s health again deteriorated; so seizure and banishment.
had expected perhaps a handful of Masons to heed much so, that on the recommendation of prison The acting sheriff felt uncomfortable in the role
his call. Instead, dozens appeared to pay their doctors, he was granted a pardon from the and quietly abdicated his position shortly
thereafter. This left the door open for Henry unnoticed that Plummer was absent from town with Langford and many other Masons joining
Plummer who, with his New England charm, was whenever a robbery occurred. This was too the group, as well as other non-Masons concerned
elected sheriff of the mining district in May of remarkable a coincidence to be overlooked. with law and order. Merchants, miners, and
1863. Plummer was only 27 years old at the time. professional men alike joined the committee, but
He was a handsome man of medium build, with The Vigilantes membership in the vigilantes was a well guarded
a long mustache, customary for the time. He could secret since they probably feared reprisals from
change his disposition at a moment’s notice, going The second flashpoint came in the Fall of 1863 the outlaws.
from polite and engaging one minute, to crude when two stagecoach robberies took place
and insensitive the next. between Virginia City and Bannack, along with Naming Names
Plummer was intelligent and his advice was often the killing of Nick Tiebolt who was robbed of
sought on a variety of matters, including mining. two mules and murdered. Although the outlaws On the gallows, George Ives’ last words were that
His disarming charisma could sway people and covered their faces, those riding on the stage it was his confederate, Alex Carter, and not himself,
helped to break up fights and settle disputes. suspected Geor ge Ives, a known local ruffian, as who had actually committed the murder of Nick
However, the educated citizens of Bannack saw the person leading the raid. Tiebolt. With this information, the newly formed
through his charm and treated him suspiciously, The brutality of the crimes infuriated the Vigilante Committee sprung into action and went
as was the case with Langford who felt Plummer’s citizenship, particularly the Masons who in search of Carter. Warned the committee was
New England charm beguiled a darker side to discussed the problem at length in their meetings. looking for him, Carter made his escape. Instead,
his character. The Brethren did not trust Plummer and his the committee found Red Yeager, an accomplice
Plummer courted and eventually wed Electa Bryan deputies, nor did they have faith in the of Carter ’s, and took him prisoner. Under
in June of 1863. However, the marriage was brief, jurisprudence of the newly formed territory. questioning, Yeager revealed the names of the
lasting just three months before she left him for Suspecting Ives’ involvement with the stage coach outlaw gang and the roles they served. Shockingly,
her native Iowa under mysterious circumstances. robbery, a group of Vir ginia City citizens he named Sheriff Plummer as Chief of the Gang,
The trouble between Plummer and his wife seemed (Bannack’s neighbors) seized Ives and brought along with his deputies as accomplices. This made
to be caused by his frequent absence from home; him to trial. Ives’ trial can be described as sense to the vigilantes, as all the pieces of the
he was either at his office, on patrol in the district, “clumsy” at best. Nonetheless, he was found puzzle began to fall into place.
or, unknown to Electa, at the Rattlesnake Ranch, guilty and sentenced to be hanged. On January 10th, a group of 50-75 vigilantes
headquarters for the outlaws. Subsequent to the trial, a core group of citizens, from Bannack split into three squads and
all Masons, met in secret. Impatient for justice picked up Plummer and his two deputies, Ned
Plummer wouldn’t allow anyone to challenge his and incensed by recent events, they decided to Ray and Buck Stinson. Plummer had heard of
authority and made it a point to reaffirm to take law into their hands and formed a vigilante how Ives’ was arrested and executed and was
everyone he met that he alone represented “Law committee. Recognizing the need for or ganizing probably not surprised to see the arresting
and Order” in the area. His reputation as sheriff a tightly bound group, seven members swore squad on his doorstep.
quickly grew; so much so, that he was nominated allegiance to bring law and order to the area. On He didn’t resist arrest, thinking he could talk his
a Deputy U.S. Marshall for the Idaho Territory. December 22, 1863 a vigilante oath was way out of the situation. He was wrong. The
But his nomination was blocked by Langford who, administered by Wilber Sanders, nephew of the deputies were also easily apprehended and all
by this time, was President of the Union League new Chief Justice of the territory, Sidney three were hung on the Bannack gallows.
and saw through Plummer ’s charm. This incensed Edgerton, both Masons from Ohio. It was these Following the hangings, the vigilantes in both
Plummer who tried to sway Langford to endorse seven Brothers, by their actions, that became the Bannack and Virginia City wasted little time
him, to no avail. Consequently, Langford became “7” in “3-7-77”. hunting down the remaining members of the
Plummer’s sworn enemy. They formalized the oath in writing the next day: outlaw gang, including Alex Carter who had
Plummer had heard of the Masonic meetings in escaped earlier.
the mountains and, thinking it would be a shrewd “We the undersigned uniting ourselves in a By the end of February 1864, Plummer’s gang
political move, tried to join them only to be party for the purposes of arresting thieves had been eliminated and peace was restored to
rebuffed by the fraternity who refused to let him and murderers and recover stolen property the area. The vigilante activities eventually
in. This concerned Plummer greatly. He knew do pledge ourselves on our sacred honor subsided after this but was not totally abandoned
there were many Masons in the area and was each to all others and solemnly swear that until a few years later when the citizenship was
concerned about the goings-on in their secret we will reveal no secrets, violate no laws of convinced of the effectiveness of the legal system.
meetings, consequently, he sent spies to check right and never desert each other or our Historians question whether Plummer was, in
on the Masons, only to be turned away by Tylers standar d of justice and seal them 23 of fact, the leader of the outlaws and perhaps was
who safeguarded the meeting. December 1863.” innocent. The fact remains, with Plummer and
Despite the presence of a seemingly strong sheriff the rest out of the way, law and order prevailed
with his hand-picked deputies, crime did not Vigilantes were not uncommon in the wild west, and Montana flourished.
abate, in fact, it proliferated. Robberies increased, particularly in the wilderness and loosely
as did disappearances and killings. Admittedly, governed territories. But this Montana group The Bannack gallows where Plummer and
Bannack was growing at an alarming rate. But if developed an oath and a set of obligations based his deputies were hung; constructed by
Plummer was half the sheriff he claimed to be, on honor , secrecy and righteousness; Plummer himself. Photo courtesy of the
the town should not have been experiencing the characteristics of Freemasonry. Bannack State Park.
problems it was. Further, it had not gone The ranks of the vigilantes swelled immediately
 of Yellowstone, all of which are still available
for sale from on-line book stores. He died in 1911
at the age of 79.

A lifelong Mason, Langford was very active in

the Fraternity for many years. In 1867, he was
appointed Grand Historian and, at the Grand
Lodge of Montana’ s Third Annual
Communications in Virginia City, he delivered
an eloquent description of the accounts mentioned
EPILOGUE herein. His oratory, which was re-discovered not
long ago, is available on-line at the Grand Lodge Lodge of Nebraska. But as the Grand Lodge of
It is not known who specifically invented the of Montana web site. Montana was formed in 1864, the Brethren
expression “3-7-77”, but it became the calling reapplied in 1871 and became Bannack Lodge
card of the vigilantes. In fact, the mysterious Montana No. 16 A.F.& A.M. As the population moved
numbers actually did not appear until the 1870’s away, the Lodge was forced to consolidate with
as the vigilantes were disbanding. It would be With law and order restored in Bannack, Montana Dillon Lodge in 1921.
found carved in trees and brandished around become a U.S. territory in 1864 with Bro. Sidney The Lodge in Bannack remained dormant for
towns as an intriguing warning to outlaws not to Edgerton, Langford’s friend and confidant, many years until 2000 when the Grand Lodge of
disrupt the peace and harmony of Montana. For becoming the first territorial governor. Montana rechartered it as a historical lodge.
if they did, the warning implied the vigilantes Remarkably, Bannack had grown to a respectable Today, any Master Mason in good standing and
would not hesitate to reassemble and take justice size and, as such, became the capital of the new belonging to a Lodge recognized by the Grand
into their hands again. territory. But the gold-rush inevitably subsided Lodge of Montana can apply for a Life
Vigilantism in today’s society is unimaginable. and the populace moved on. By the time Montana Membership in Bannack Lodge.
But given the climate of the times, e.g., alone in became the 41st state in 1889, the capital was The monies derived from membership in Bannack
the wilderness with the “civilized” country at war moved to Helena. Lodge are used to maintain this historical
with itself, it is understandable how the turn of By 1938, Bannack was deserted and declared a
events came about. Were the vigilantes wrong for ghost-town. Today, it is a state park where 60
taking the law into their own hands? Perhaps. buildings remain as a mute reminder of what was
But we, as members of the 21st century, are not at one time the “Toughest Town in the West.”
fit to judge. Bottom-line, we must look at the end Amongst the buildings, stands a small two story
result: the robberies and killings stopped and law dwelling bearing the square and compass. The
and order came to Montana. Masons built the building in 1874 with the bottom
There have been numerous books and articles story donated as the town’s school and the upstairs
written on the Vigilantes of Montana. Over the used as the Masonic Lodge.
years, historians sifted through newspaper The Lodge as it stands today in Bannack structure. To date, the monies have been used to
clippings of the time and available court and State Park. Photo courtesy of W:.Bro.F. Lee shore up the building without disturbing the past.
territorial records. We must remember American Graves, PM. So much so, that a Lodge of Master Masons is
journalism, particularly in the west, had a flare now held once a year to honor and remember the
for the dramatic at the expense of actual facts. Bannack Masons obtained the Lodge’s original Brothers who helped tame a territory and forge a
Further, governmental records in a frontier town state.
were practically non-existent. In 2004, the Mullan Pass Historical
Regardless of how historians today protest Lodge No. 1862 A.F.& A.M. was
Plummer ’s innocence, they had no way of chartered to commemorate the first
knowing in any precise detail of the events that meeting organized by Langford while
occurred. More importantly, they didn’t have any still a part of the Fisk Expedition.
knowledge of the customs and character of the The author wishes to express a
Masonic Fraternity. In this author’s opinion, most personal note of gratitude to
of the historians simply “missed it.” W:.Bro.F. Lee Graves, PM, Past
Grand Historian of the Grand Lodge
Langford of Montana, now residing in Stuart,
Florida, for his assistance in editing
Nathaniel Langford spent a total of forteen years this article. Also, thanks go out to
in Montana. In 1870, he led an expedition to R:.W:.J. Paul Stellrecht, PDDGM/21,
explore the upper Yellowstone and became the for his review and advice regarding
first superintendent of Yellowstone National Park. this article.
In his later years, he authored four books on both
the formation of Montana and his explorations dispensation on April 27, 1863 from the Grand Keep the Faith.
 Lodgeroom International Magazine
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The California Freemason Magazine is a quarterly publication produced by the Grand Lodge of California, Free and Accepted Masons. Produced for
the benefit of the craft, each issue focuses on one facet of freemasonry and the brothers who make up the craft. The magazine is mailed to all members
of the Grand Lodge, but is also available online at:

http://www.freemason.org/freemason_online.php

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 13

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
Other Masonic
Publications of Interest
We have a heated debate about the actual date
the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts
was established, and the new president of the
Phylaxis Society urges Prince Hall Masons to
correct the errors in their history perpetuated by
those who may not have our interests at heart.

Masonic Quarterly Magazine is the official

publication of the United Grand Lodge of England

Published by Grand Lodge Publications Limited

for the United Grand Lodge of England,
Freemasons’ Hall, Great Queen Street, London,
WC2B 5AZ
The California Freemason is published six times
www.ugle.org.uk
annually by the Grand Lodge of California. It may
editor@mqmagazine.co.uk
be downloaded free by going to:
General enquiries info@mqmagazine.co.uk
www.cafreemason.com/

Turning the
Hiram Key
Only $31.00
THE PHILALETHES
To order this book, or any item featured in the Lodgeroom
The International Masonic Research Society International Magazine, go to:

The name of the Society is pronounced fill a [as http://mason-defender.net/recommend.htm

in a-bate] lay thess with the accent on the third
syllable - lay. It is derived from two Greek words, The Real Secrets of Freemasonry? Robert Lomas (co-author
philos and alethes. It means lover of truth. The of The Hiram Key) has finally tackled the big unanswered
Philalethes Society was founded on October 1, questions about The Brotherhood. What is the purpose of
Freemasonry? What
1928, by a group of Masonic Students. It was
do Masons gain
designed for Freemasons desirous of seeking and from working its
spreading Masonic light. In 1946 The Philalethes Rituals? Can
Magazine was established to publish articles by anybody benefit
and for its members. And to this day publishes 6 from the Spiritual
times a year. The sole purpose of this Research Teachings of 'The
Society is to act as a clearing house for Masonic Craft'. Are Masonic
Phylaxis Magazine knowledge. It exchanges ideas, researches rituals simple moral
plays designed to
problems confronting Freemasonry, and passes
encourage people to
Phylaxis magazine is published quarterly by the them along to the Masonic world. behave well? Are
Phylaxis society. The First Quarter issue covers they a secret
diverse issues, including the Man of the Year. Its membership consists of Members and 40 tradition preserved
Fellows who are Master Masons in good standing from a long lost
In this issue, we feature an article about two Texas in a Regular Masonic Lodge anywhere in the civilization? Are
Masons, one of whom marries a woman of color, world. Today the Society has members within they meaningless
and the other who struggled for purity of the blood 185 Regular Grand Lodges. More information formalities? ...Or do
they serve some
of the white race. We have an excellent review of about the Society can be found at http://
deeper purpose? In
the recognition process in Ontario, Canada. freemasonry.org this ground-breaking work Lomas describes his personal
journey through the mystical rituals of Freemasonry.

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 14

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
The sound of voices in the next room restored
The Hon. Miss St. Leger and her to consciousness, and from her position
behind the loosely placed bricks of the dividing

Freemasonry wall, she easily realized that something unusual

was taking place in the next room. The light
shining through the unfilled spaces of the
By Edward Conder fairly, as I hope to make clear on the present temporary wall also attracted her attention.
occasion, be accepted as the most authentic Prompted by a not unnatural curiosity, Miss St.
The Anglo-Norman House of S t. Leger has account of what transpired. Leger appears to have removed one or more of
perhaps one of the best authenticated pedigrees It would appear that the father of Miss St. Leger, the loose bricks, and thus was easily enabled to
of any of those families whose pride it is, that Arthur St. Leger , 1st Baron Kilmayden and watch the proceedings of the Lodge.
they are descended from one of the companions Viscount Doneraile, together with his sons and a For some time her interest in what was
in arms of the Conqueror. few intimate friends, were accustomed to open a transpiring was sufficiently powerful to hold her
From the British Museum Library, Philpott’s Lodge and carry on the ordinary ceremonies at the spellbound; the quietness of her mind remained
MSS., and the Stemmata St. Leodegaria, I find family mansion, Doneraile Court, County Cork. undisturbed for a considerable period, and it was
that Sir Robert St. Leger, Knight, obtained from On one occasion, during a period when the house not until she realized the solemnity of the
William I. the Manor of Ulcombe in Kent, where was undergoing certain internal alterations, responsibilities undertaken by the candidate, that
the family flourished for many she understood the terrible
generations. consequences of her action.
Sir Antony St. Leger, Knight of the The wish to hide her secret by
Garter, a lineal descendant of the making good her retreat took full
above Sir Robert was appointed by possession of her thoughts. For it
Henry VIII to be one of his must be fully understood that
commissioners for letting the Irish although she was perfectly aware that
Crown lands, and on July 7th, her father’s Lodge was held at the
1640, he was constituted Lord house, she had no idea, on entering
Deputy of Ireland. the library, that on that evening a
It is from this Sir Antony St. Leger meeting was about to be held in the
that the Right Hon. Arthur St. Leger, adjoining room.
1st Baron Kilmayden, and Viscount Her passage into the hall was easy,
Doneraile, father of the lady, an but it unfortunately happened that the
episode in whose interesting life I doors of the two rooms were close
am now about to discuss, was together. Outside in the ball the Tyler
descended. was on guard, and from this point her
The initiation of the Hon. Miss retreat was cut off. Miss St. Leger,
Elizabeth St. Leger, afterwards the realizing that the Tyler, Lord
wife of Richard Aldworth, Esq., has Doneraile’s butler, well knowing the
long been a recognized fact in the condition of the temporary wall,
history of Freemasonry in Ireland. would at once, from her frightened
Several accounts, more or less appearance, grasp the situation,
dif fering in detail, and generally screamed and fainted.
remarkable for their want of This old and trusted family servant,
accuracy, have already been divided between his affection for his
published. 1 The most authentic young mistress and the duties he
appears to be the one issued at Cork, owed to the Lodge, hesitated whether
with the authority of the family, in be should call for aid from the
1811. Although these dif ferent accounts vary Viscount Doneraile, with others, met for Masonic household, or alarm the Lodge. Fearing, however,
considerably in the description of the manner in purposes. The Lodge was held in a large room on to leave the door unguarded, be decided to
which Miss St. Leger witnessed the secret the ground floor of the house, and in front of this summon his master. This course brought Miss
ceremonial carried on in the Lodge, the main fact room was a small library, divided from the back St. Leger ’s father, with her brothers, and other
of her being made a Mason remains undisputed. room by a partition wall. members of the Lodge, into the hall.
If more proof were required than the well-known From a plan of Doneraile Court kindly sent to Having carried the young lady back into the
tradition, the fact of her portrait in Masonic me by a member of the family, it is evident that library, and she being restored to consciousness,
clothing, her apron and jewels being still in the rooms to the right, on entering the hall, are they learned what had occurred. Leaving her in
existence, would satisfy the most exacting probably the ones in question, the doors of these charge of some of the members, they returned to
enquirer. The tradition, as we have it, is two rooms both open into the entrance hall, and the Lodge, and discussed what course, under the
sufficiently circumstantial; if we consider the are not far apart. The alterations having required circumstances, they had best pursue.
condition of speculative Masonry at the beginning the removal of some of the panelling from the The discussion was prolonged for a considerable
of the last century, it contains nothing either larger room, the wall was in places undergoing time, after which they returned, and having
improbable or impossible. repair; a portion of this had been taken down, acquainted Miss St. Leger with the great
By the kindness of Lord Doneraile, Lady and the bricks loosely replaced, without mortar, responsibilities she had unwittingly taken upon
Castletown of Upper Ossory, Colonel Aldworth in the position they were ultimately to occupy. herself, pointed out that only one course was
of Newmarket Court, Mr. James St. Leger, and Against these loose bricks the oak panelling had open to them. The fair culprit, endowed with a
other members of the family, I have fortunately been temporally reared. On this particular high sense of honor, at once consented to pass
been able to piece together all account of the afternoon Miss St. Leger had been reading at the through the impressive ceremonies she had
incident which, although it may differ in some library window, and the light of the winter
few particulars from those already printed, may afternoon having failed, fell asleep. Continued on Page 36 -St. Leger

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 15

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
is quite untrustworthy, yet his version of the actual
The Moderns & The Antients origin of the Grand Assembly or Grand Lodge at
London may or may not deserves some credence,
By Arthur Heiron for, after all it is the only one
available for our
Bro. Heiron is the author of Ancient Freemasonry and the consideration as there are no
Old Dundee Lodge, No. 18 [1722-1920], a most interesting records prior to 1723, so what
account of lodge life two hundred years ago. ever may or may not have
The present paper was read before the Manchester happened in 1717 is left only
Association for Masonic Research in May, 1924. to imagination.
Anderson was a Doctor of
IT is common knowledge that prior to 1813 the Craft had for Divinity, a Presbyterian
many years been divided into two great sections, the Moderns minister , a “dissenting
and the Antients, and for the benefit of those brethren who teacher ,” a man of good
have had no opportunity to study the matter on their own standing and character . In
account, the following rough epitome by way of general 1738 he assures us that
information is given. having-in 1721—been
There is a legend that in 1716 “Four Old Lodges” in London, ordered [by Grand Lodge] to
the author of Multa Paucis an anonymous work of about 1764 digest the old Gothic
gives the number as six “finding themselves neglected by Constitutions in a new and
Sir Christopher Wren”, with the assistance “of some old better method, . . . “Montagu,
Brothers” met together at the Apple-Tree Tavern in Charles Grand Master, at the desire
Street, Covent Garden, and “constituted themselves a Grand of the Lodge, appointed
Lodge pro Tempore in Due Form”; and on “St. John Baptist’s fourteen learned Brothers to
Day, A.D. 1717, the Assembly and Feast of the Free and examine Brother Anderson’s
Accepted Masons was held at the Goose and Gridiron Ale- Manuscript and to make
house in St. Paul’s Church-Yard.” report,” . . . which “said
In this humble fashion, without show or pretense, in a room Committee of 14” . . .
at a Tavern about 22 feet long by 16 feet wide, the first Grand reported [in 1722] that they
Lodge in London was, according to the account given by Dr. had perused same “and after
Anderson in his “New Book of Constitutions” [1738] thus formally “Constituted.” Whilst it is now some Amendments had approv’d of it: Upon
recognized that Dr. Anderson’s “Story of the Craft”, based on mythical tales and legendary traditions, which the Lodge desir’d the Grand Master to
order it to be printed.” The above refers to his
First Book of Constitutions of 1723. -The
The Premier Grand Assembly of following extracts from the actual minutes of
Grand Lodge relate to his 1738 edition.

English Freemasons 1705 1735, Feb. 24. Dr. Anderson reported to Grand
Lodge “that he had spent some Thoughts upon
some Alterations and Additions” to his First
Edition of 1723 -then “all sold off” - and G. L.
The General Assembly at York, continued above period, regularly filled the office of Grand “appointed a Committee to revise and compare
regularly to meet as heretofore. In 1705, under Master in the North of England. the same &c.”
the direction of Sir George Tempest Bathurst then 1738, Jan. 25. “Bro. Anderson informed the
Grand Master, several Craft Lodges met, and From this account, which is authenticated by the [Grand] Lodge that he had sometime since
many worthy brethren were initiated in York and books of the Old Grand Lodge at York, it Prepared a New Edition of the Book of
its neighborhood. Sir George being succeeded by appears, that the revival of masonry in the South Constitutions with several Additions and
the Right Hon. Robert Benson, Lord Mayor of of England did not interfere with the proceedings Amendments which having been perused & (after
York, a number of meetings of the Fraternity was of the Fraternity in the North. For a series of some alterations made therein) Approved off by
held at different times in that city, and the grand years the most perfect harmony subsisted several Grand Officers was now ready for the
feast during his Grand Mastership is said to have between the two Grand Lodges, and private Press and he therefore desired the Grand Master’s
been very brilliant. lodges flourished in both parts of the kingdom Commands & the approbation of this Lodge for
under their separate jurisdiction. printing the same, which request was granted
Sir William Robinson Bathurst succeeded Mr. him.”
Benson in the office of Grand Master, and the The only distinction, which the Premier Grand His work having been thus checked and revised
fraternity seem to have considerably increased Lodge in the North appears to have retained after by his colleagues and contemporaries and
in the North under his auspices. He was succeeded the revival of masonry in the South, is in the title, approved by Grand Lodge, each student must now
by Sir Walter Hawkesworth Bathurst who which they claim, viz. The Grand Lodge of all therefore form his own conclusions as to the
governed the Society with great credit. At the England; while the new or ganization in the South credibility or otherwise that should be given to
expiration of his Grand Mastership, Sir George passes only under the denomination of The Grand Dr. Anderson’s statements relating to the above
Tempest was elected a second time Grand Master; Lodge of England. mentioned meetings of “the four old Lodges” in
and from the time of his election in 1714 to 1725, 1716 and 1717.
the Grand Assembly continued regularly to The latter, on account of its situation, being The members of this Grand Lodge of 1717 before
assemble at York under the direction of Charles encouraged by some of the principal nobility, soon long—for reasons hereinafter mentioned—
Fairfax Esq. Sir Walter Hawkesworth Bathurst, acquired consequence and reputation; while the became known as the ‘Moderns,’ whilst their
Edward Bell esq. Charles Bathurst Esq. Edward former , restricted to fewer, though not less subsequent rivals —who described themselves
Thomson Esq. M. P. John Johnson M. D. and John
Marsden esq. all of whom, in rotation, during the Continued on Page 47 - Premiere Continued on Page 38 - Moderns

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 16

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
and Obligations are made upon it.
Regular Grand Lodge of England The Masonic light and symbols are present at
all Lodge meetings.
assistance of various highly respected and The discussion of religion and politics within
knowledgeable Brethren, Constituted and MHC/RGLE Lodges is prohibited.
Consecrated a Masonic High Council for England, The MHC/RGLE observes the Ancient
Wales and the Channel Islands in Due Form on Landmarks and Old Constitutions and
the 25th of January, 2005. insists on them being observed within all
The Masonic High Council is a de jure and de its Lodges.
facto Sovereign Masonic Body with jurisdiction
over the Craft in England and Wales and has Concern for the Craft
issued a warrant for the Creation of its first Lodge,
named Grand Lodge No.1, at the orient of London. Thoughtful Brethren have long endured serious
Three other regularly established Lodges have dissatisfaction with the administration and state
requested to join the Masonic High Council. of the Craft in England. It was in direct response
Once this process in completed it is the aim of to these concerns that on the 25th of January this
the MHC to establish a Regular Grand Lodge of year a number of Master Masons came together
Free and Accepted Masons of England in to constitute a Masonic High Council, to prepare
Accordance with the Old Constitutions. a firm Foundation for a Regular Grand Lodge of
The MHC/RGLE is a truly independent and England true to the Ancient Constitutions and
A group of Regular Master Masons, disillusioned, self-governing body with authority over fundamental spiritual values of the Craft.
disappointed and concerned by the state of the Craft Freemasonry in the symbolic degrees At the core of these concerns is the heartfelt
Administration and Management of the Masonic of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and lament that Masonry in England has effectively
Order in general and the Craft in particular, Master Mason. degenerated into a social and dining club, meeting
assembled at Freemasons Arms, Convent Garden The MHC/RGLE is a male only organization. upon the excuse of a initiating yet another
in London in order to put forward their legitimate The MHC/RGLE requires of all its members a candidate into a society whose only apparent
concerns and to discuss and debate those issues belief in a Supreme Being or Creator. purpose is to carry out initiations, whilst seeking
being ignored by the Craft Administration. This The Volume of the Sacred Law is present and to justify its existence through the business of
Assembly of Masons at London, with the open at all its Lodge meetings and all Oaths Continued on Page 48 - RGLE

Regular Grand Lodge Of England in India and Europe, including the Grand Lodge
of France, whose Grand Chancellor, Michael
Singer, has been appointed representative of the
Responds to UGLE on Regularity “Regular Grand Lodge of England” for France.
I would be grateful if you could warn any of your
members who might be visiting England that
Reactions to Regularity: statements emanating fr om the “United Grand Lodge of this new body is irregular, and, that to ensure
England” they do not inadvertently have contact with an
irregular body their Masonic contacts in England
“Anthony C. Wilson, President of the Board of General Purposes made the following remarks at should be made only through my office.
the Quarterly Communication of the UGLE on 9 March 2005
It has come to the Board’s attention that there is an irregular body styling itself the “Regular Yours faithfully and fraternally
Grand Lodge of England” which is governed by something called “the Masonic High Council for
England and Wales”. It claims a number of members and at least one Lodge. Whilst this body RA H Morrow
appears to draw its members from Brethren of other Constitutions rather than our own, I must “Grand Secretary”
remind members of the Craft that any Freemason under this Grand Lodge who does in any way www.ugle.org.uk
become associated with it, as with any other irregular self-styled Masonic body, must resign from
the Craft or render himself liable to Masonic disciplinary proceedings. Distribution: Grand Secretaries of recognized
This was followed by a letter to the Grand Secretaries of Grand Lodges in amity with UGLE: Grand Lodges”
United Grand Lodge of England
Our ref: COMMS/RAHM/JMI-I/sdh/Gsecsl l0th May 2005 Open Letter to Grand Secretaries of Grand
Lodges still in amity with the “United Grand
Dear Brother Grand Secretary; Lodge of England”
We were disappointed but not overly surprised
The Regular Grand Lodge of England to note the scurrilous tone and blatant
misrepresentations contained in the above recent
You may be aware that an irregular body styling itself the “Regular Grand Lodge of England” has missive addressed to you from the General
been gaining publicity through its own website, the website of other irregular bodies and a certain Secretary of the “United Grand Lodge of
amount of ill-informed gossip in Masonic “chatrooms” on the internet. England”. For our part, we do not believe that
It is being claimed that the formation of the “Regular Grand Lodge of England” is a result of a the cause of Freemasonry in England in
major schism within the United Grand Lodge of England that has led to a significant number of particular or of the Craft in general is served by
Lodges and individual members withdrawing from the United Grand Lodge of England. Those such fraternal intemperance.
claims are malicious lies, with no foundation in reality. Of the known members of this new, The position of the Masonic High Council with
irregular body, only two appear to have had any connection with regular Freemasonry in England. regard to the ‘United Grand Lodge of England’
Rather than Lodges having defected to it, there appears to be only one active Lodge, self-constituted
this year. Their website links page shows links to other irregular, self-constituted Grand Lodges Continued on Page 48 - Response

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 17

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
Architect of the Universe and it has never initiated
Grande Oriente De France women. It is the oldest traditional Masonic body
in France. This fact was just confirmed a few
Grand Master’s Address To The 2002 California Masonic Symposium weeks ago by the United Grand Lodge of England
to the Minnesota Grand Lodge here in America.
By Alain Bauer, you with great pride was the Worshipful Master And as I briefly mentioned earlier, the fact that
Grand Master of the Grand Orient of France of a Grand Orient of France Lodge in Paris.), to there was a very strong commitment by the Grand
Sacramento, California, July 27th, 2002 the Marquis de Lafayette, and to many others who Orient of France to the establishment of
worked so strenuously for freedom that time will Freemasonry in the early years of the United
It is a great honor to be your guest at this 2002 not permit us to list all of their names today. States of America is well documented.
California Masonic Symposium. I want, first of In point of fact, there have been important and The Grand Orient of France is a federation of
all, to thank the Most Worshipful C. Ray fruitful moments of deep contact between French Lodges using different workings where every
Whitaker, Grand Master of Masons in California, and American Masons going back even before single Lodge has the freedom to choose a Ritual
for his very fraternal invitation. the time of the American Revolution. belonging either to the French Rite (a legacy of
In prior communications the leadership of the Nevertheless, we know from history and personal the old English Rite), the Ancient Accepted
Grand Lodge of California asked me to speak about experience, that there are different traditions in Scottish Rite, the Rectified Scottish Rite, as well
"The Great Divide: The Grand Orient of France America and France. Because French Masons as the Royal Arch, Mark Masonry, Memphis-
and Dogmatic Freemasonry." Let me say here to realize fairly well how difficult it is for some of Misraim, and the Emulation Working. Our lodges,
you that this was a very great... surprise! After all, our Brethren on this side of the Atlantic to which are free to choose their working are also
we do not think that such freemasonry exists. James understand how it came to pass in France that free to work to the G.A.O.T.U.
Anderson was very clear about this at the there is such a great variety of Masonic bodies The Grand Orient with more than 44,000
beginning. We respect and welcome in the Lodges and Masonic streams, or traditions, it would be Brethren is the largest French Masonic
of the Grand Orient of France those who believe of value to discuss France to some degree. organization in a country which counts a total of
or do not believe. Neither Atheist, nor extremist, With your permission, let us consider together roughly 130,000 members working in a Lodge.
there is nothing in the Grand Orient that gives us some historical facts but also some issues that This is a number which may sound ridiculous by
as Masons the right to determine a definitive may be regarded as premature in the emer ging comparison with some 2 million Freemasons in
approach to advancement, or a specific stream, that transatlantic dialogue, or even hazardous. In order America, but you must consider the size of the
leads to our individual accomplishments and to do this to full mutual benefit, it is obvious that French nation which totals sixty-million people
personal growth through the Craft. we first need to know each other much better than (compared to 288 million Americans).
First, I want to acknowledge that critical parts of we do. Of course this number is approaching less than a
my speech have been prepared in collaboration To be direct and to the point, I will first offer a half of the amount of Freemasons in the United
with my very close friend and brother, Grand few words concerning the Grand Orient of France:
Commander of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite It has not relinquished the dedication to The Great Continued on Page 49 - GOdF
of France, Alain de Keghel.
The time now has come to engage fraternally in a
deep and sustained analysis of the Masonic
landscape, as it is, not as we imagine it to be. All
History of the Relationship of the
Brethren of good will are now looking toward a
more open-minded, more tolerant, and more
Masonic approach to our Brotherhood.
Grand Lodge of the District of
To that end, increasing numbers of Masons from
around the world are making the necessary efforts Columbia with Masonic Grand
to build a bridge of Light which does not end at
national borders or within the limits of individual
Masonic bodies. It is time to open eyes, minds,
Bodies in France
and hearts, to the inherited legacies of our diverse
and rich traditions. By Paul M. Bessel Columbia Grand Lodge broke relations with the
It is indeed a great privilege to have the January 23, 2000 GOdF because they recognized a Scottish Rite
opportunity to open more widely the doors of Supreme Council in Louisiana that the Grand
understanding. So let us attempt in our time Introduction Lodge of Louisiana did not want recognized.
together to overcome the friction of difference that Later, in 1877, the GOdF adopted a resolution
far too often marks the realities of the profane There are 3 major Masonic making it an option for a lodge to use the Bible
world, and tarnishes our Masonic world. Grand bodies in France. on altars and to require candidates to express a
The Masonic Order has endured through the Our Grand Lodge has belief in God. Our Grand Lodge has not re-
vicissitudes of time, culture, civilizations and society. recognized each of them, recognized the GOdF and is not likely to do so
However, it has survived through the centuries not and for a while we recognized two at the same unless the GOdF changes some of its basic
by following passively the movements of society, time. We now only recognize one, but another policies.
but rather it often has been at the forefront of of these grand bodies would also like to be GLF — Grand Lodge of France — According to
important change within society. In those moments recognized by our Grand Lodge and says it meets Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia, this is the second
of leadership it has been at its strongest. all the standards for recognition as a regular largest and second oldest Masonic grand body
As one important illustration, simply being here Masonic Grand Lodge. in France. In 1917 the D.C. Grand Lodge
in the United States of America, brings to mind The 3 major Masonic grand bodies in France, recognized the GLF, which uses the Bible in
the major role American Masons, and some of and some basic information about each, are: lodges, requires candidates to express a belief
their French Brethren, played in establishing GOdF — Grand Orient of France — According in God, admits only men, and in its practices is
modern democratic society. to Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia, this is the as regular as other Grand Lodges that we
We can all give our deepest thanks to George largest and oldest Masonic grand body in France.
Washington, Benjamin Franklin (Who I can tell In 1870 the Grand Lodge of the District of Continued on Page 51 - Relationship

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 18

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge Free and
Accepted Ancient York Masons Prince Hall
Organization - National Compact U.S.A.
By Cedric Lewis England to request a charter (warrant) which was
Grand Master granted and received in Boston in 1784.
M.W. Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Mississippi Masonry was spread under the auspices of African
R.W. National Grand Lodge Historian Lodge #459 of Massachusetts to Rhode Island,
New York and Pennsylvania. African Lodge #459
A great sense of pride is exhibited among Prince Hall masons in America, formed its self into a Grand Lodge, which,
yet rarely is there dialogue about the authenticity of and kinship between contrary to commonly accepted Masonic doctrine,
the National Grand Lodge, commonly referred to as ‘PHO’ (Prince Hall was the norm for the era, particularly in North
Origin, National Compact) and the Prince Hall Grand Lodges, commonly America. A couple of the Mainstream Grand
referred to as ‘PHA’ (Prince Hall Affiliated). They have an undeniable Lodges were formed in less than regular fashion
kinship, but often do not speak of one another publicly. Some PHA Grand and are considered to this very day to be regular
Lodges have been deemed as regular in the United S tates, but the National Grand Lodges (GL of VA, GL of GA). In fact, the
Grand Lodge is still considered as irregular and/or clandestine by most. very lodge George Washington was made a mason
How is it that two independently operating Masonic bodies that share the in also warranted other lodges.
same Masonic bloodline, the same history and in many instances the same Bro. John Hilton and many other Masters of
jurisdictional lines not, officially recognize each other, and more so, one African Lodge #459 attempted to communicate
be considered as regular by some Mainstream Grand Lodges while the other is not? For the first with the Grand Lodge of England (renamed the
time a parallel display of true historical accounts is here presented by an adherent of the National United Grand Lodges of England in 1813) to no
Grand Lodge to mainstream freemasonry. avail. Bro. Hilton drafted the declaration of
There are a number of resources available to those interested in the formation of African Lodge independence from the UGLE in 1827.
#459. This is a brief synopsis of the events. Our most noted Brother Prince Hall and 14 other men of A very interesting facet of events took place in
color were made master masons in a military lodge #441 under Grand Lodge of Ireland in Boston in Pennsylvania which causes bickering and disdain
1775. Shortly thereafter, the master of the military lodge set sail again, and left Prince Hall and the
14 other colored gentlemen permission to meet, bury their dead. Bro. Hall wrote the Grand Lodge of Continued on Page 55 - National

Grande Oriente d’Italia UGLE

By Bro. Franco Valgattarri Part I
Statement on
The Grande Oriente d’Italia (GOI) is the older “Erasmo Notizie” 2 recently published a photo
grand lodge, in existence before the fascists and
WWII, but the United Grand Lodge of England
depicting two Grand Officers of Grande Oriente
d’Italia (GOI) happily smiling at the 4 th Annual
External
(UGLE) recognized it only in 1972. Then, in 1993
UGLE withdrew recognition of the
Grande Oriente d’Italia and extended
International Conference on Freemasonry on
November 2 n d and 3 r d, 2002. This
conference is organized by the
Relations
recognition to the Grande Loggia Canonbury Masonic Research
Introduction
Regulare Italia Centre in London,
(RGLE). and gave these
The following information is intended to expand
At the end of brothers the
a topic mentioned in the leaflet ‘What is
WWII, most of the opportunity to get
Freemasonry’. It explains the United Grand
grand lodges in in touch with
Lodge of England’s relations with other Masonic
the United States E n g l i s h
bodies.
e x t e n d e d Freemasons.
Freemasonry is practised under many independent
recognition to the I do hope that this
Grand Lodges with principles or standards similar
GOI and at this Institute, which
to those set by the United Grand Lodge of England
time is in amity s e e m i n g l y
throughout its history.
with all regular specializes in
Grand Lodges Masonic research,
Standards
worldwide, except the has nothing to do with
UGLE, the Grand the UGLE, which is
To be recognized as regular by the United Grand
Lodge of Scotland, quite hostile to us.
Lodge of England, a Grand Lodge must meet the
Ireland, Malta and I would not want to
following standards:
the Scandinavian see any Italian
lodges. Freemasons incur
1. It must have been lawfully established by
Bro. Franco Valgattarri Masonic disciplinary
a regular Grand Lodge or by three or more
reasons that the basis of this can probably be found proceedings for having contacts with it.
private Lodges, each warranted by a regular
in politics. Here is his article outlining his reasons
for this belief. Continued on Page 56 - d’Italia Continued on Page 65 - External

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 19

 Lodgeroom International Magazine

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 20

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
Geometrico more social in nature while others are more Grand Lodges to divide men who would
focused on academic pursuits. otherwise have no natural animosity towards
Continued from Page 3
one another.
understanding of Charity (loving kindness). It The UGLA believes in the individual brother
is at this moment that he perceives the Divine and his ability to govern himself accordingly,The concept of “recognition” is, in itself, un-
in all things and how we are all the children of and the lodge’s ability to be self-governing. It
Masonic and against the primary aim of Free-
one great Father. is through empowering the individual that men Masonry: the Brotherhood of all mankind under
will grow and become stronger and wiser. the All-Seeing Eye of Deity. The concept of
The mission of Modern Free-Masonry is the recognition is made possible only when men
Brotherhood of All Mankind under the All- As ‘Modern’ Free-Masons we hold a firm belief agree to place their loyalty to an organization
Seeing Eye of Deity through Universal in the inalienable rights of the individual above what they owe to both God and their
Tolerance and the enlightenment of humanity. granted to him by Nature and Nature’s God. fellow human beings. Thus, Free-Masons
Free-Masonry for the sake of itself is devoid Our Grand Lodge and our lodges are an engaged in such a practice have abandoned the
of meaning and purpose. Many Masonic expression of our most sincere convictions. concept of the brotherhood of man and replaced
organizations have lost sight of the divinely it with the brotherhood of the chosen. The
inspired goal of the Craft, and have attempted Recognition Grand Lodges will decide who the perfect and
to turn Free-Masonry into nothing more than a chosen men are and out of blind loyalty Free-
social club and philanthropy. Masons must agree or be punished.

The effect of this is apparent throughout the Since the time of the great schism between
Craft today, as the eternal Light grows the ‘Moderns’ and the ‘Antients’ the
ever dimmer within it. For most concept of recognition has been used
organizations, whether Masonic or to discriminate against men. The
other, their main priority is self- English have used it to
perpetuation. They establish denounce the French and the
rules and guidelines that they Anglo-Americans have used it
believe will ensure their to denigrate their African-
survival. Therefore, it would American counterparts. All of
seem that our first priority this was done in the name of
should be to ensure the survival Free-Masonry , a fraternity
of the United Grand Lodge of founded upon the principles of
America or Free-Masonry itself. tolerance and brotherly love.
This, however, is inconsistent
with Masonic philosophy. We The founders of the United
view service to the Deity as our Grand Lodge of America have
number one priority followed wisely prohibited it from
closely by service to engaging in the process known
humankind. as “Recognition” through
constitutional law . In this, they
The survival of Free-Masonry is the reference the Charges of a Free-Mason
result of the performance of our duties and by James Anderson (1723):
obligations to both God and man. While
politicians and military leaders draw lines on “we being only, as Masons, of the
the globe to separate and divide men, we build Universal Religion above mention’d, we
bridges to unite them in Peace, Love, and are also of all Nations, Tongues, Kindreds,
Harmony. and Languages ... if you discover him to
be a true and genuine Brother, you are to
Our Lodges During the Masonic schism (1751-1813) respect him accordingly”
The Lodges are the foundation upon which the between the Grand Lodges of the ‘Moderns’
brotherhood of Free-Masonry is built. They are and the ‘Antients’, the concept of Masonic Further, they have firmly established God and
an assemblage of Free-Masons in one place at recognition was introduced into Free-Masonry. the brotherhood of man as the basis for all
any given point in time. Their purpose is to Each Grand Lodge claimed that only those Masonic law. The Grand Lodge cannot enact
initiate new brothers into the Craft, to instruct Lodges and Masons recognized by them were any rule or regulation that would divide men
the brethren about Free-Masonry, to provide an truly Masonic. Thus, Lodges and Masons under and/or Free-Masons because it goes against the
open forum for discussion and the transmission the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the primary aim of Free-Masonry (the brotherhood
of knowledge and ideas, and to pursue the ‘Antients’ were considered clandestine by the of man), and because it violates the universally
mission of the Royal Art: the Brotherhood of Grand Lodge of the ‘Moderns,’ with the same accepted idea that God created all men equal.
all Mankind under the All-Seeing Eye of Deity. being true for the Grand Lodge of the
‘Antients.’ The concept of “recognition” served Statement to Masonic Organizations
The United Grand Lodge of America offers each the political aims of the Grand Lodges while We believe all Masons to be true Brothers, if
lodge and its members the freedom to grow as dividing individual Free-Masons into separate they have been initiated in the proper manner,
individuals and express their own creativity camps. adhere to the Ancient Landmarks and
within our great fraternity. Each lodge is a acknowledge all as such. However, we do not
unique expression of the ideas and imagination The most unfortunate result of the schism ask or expect any other Masonic organization
of its members. In this manner, our lodges have between these two Grand Lodges was that the for our legitimacy. We will not engage in any
the flexibility to evolve in a way that best meets concept of recognition was carried forward by
the needs of its members. Some Lodges are future generations of Free-Masons and used by Continued on Next Page

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 21

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
debates on “regularity” or “legitimacy” with pursuit of the brotherhood of man under of the United Grand Lodge of America is
any Masonic organizations and expect the same the All-Seeing Eye of Deity. dramatically different than the structure found
in return; petty arguments do nothing for the · To leave the power to make changes at in the ‘Antient’ grand lodges. Sovereign and
promotion of the craft. the local level to meet the needs of the independent individual lodges constitute the
Lodge’s members. United Grand Lodge of America rather than
Our business is to set about furthering Masonic · Abandon the practice called ‘recognition’ being subordinate to it.
education, nurturing Masonic knowledge and and unite Free-Masons in a way where
attending to our lodges’ needs. Our hope for they can work together productively in The government of the United Grand Lodge of
the future is a unified understanding and an environment free from fear. America is democratic, and the privileges of
tolerance among Masons that will enable us to · Keep the majority of the finances at the its grand officers are strictly enumerated and
all work toward the same principles. local Lodge level rather than limited, while the rights and powers of
accumulating large funds at the Grand individual Free-Masons and Lodges are broad
What benefits does the United Grand Lodge of Lodge level. Free-Masonry does not and expansive. We believe that Free-Masonry
America of fer to me and/or my lodge? need, nor can it afford, a top heavy is larger than any Grand Officer or Grand
organization. A true Grand Lodge is not Lodge, and therefore we have adopted strict
The United Grand Lodge of America: a building or a separate entity, but rather rules to prevent any one person from gaining
· Seeks to create a national assembly of a meeting of all its constituent Lodges. an undue influence.
lodges to extend the traditions of
‘Modern’ Free-Masonr y. Is the United Grand Lodge of America For more information, please visit:
· Supports and serves its constituent structured like other Grand Lodges?
member lodges through the creation of a No. Specifically, the organizational structure http://www.uglofa.org/
common organizational structure that
recognizes the rights of each constituent
lodge to govern its own internal affairs
and guarantees the membership rights of
Lodgeroom International Magazine
each individual Mason.
· Restores the core promise of ‘Modern’
Back Issues Available on CD!
Freemasonry to be a convivial society
founded on an ancient tradition that
brings together men of quality into a
harmony of enlightened Fellowship.
· Encourages the formation of new lodges
dedicated to bringing Freemasonr y into
the 21st century in a manner that will
appeal to the next generation of today’s
young men.
· Delivers a comprehensive education
p rogram founded on science and
enlightenment philosophy.
· Facilitates the expansion of Modern
Freemasonry.
· Aligns American Freemasonr y with
international Freemasonry.
· P rovides a national identity for
Freemasonry in America.

Why should I believe that the United Grand

Lodge of America can deliver these benefits?
The United Grand Lodge of America:
· Publishes a written Constitution and
Declaration of Rights of Constituent
Lodges and Masons that clearly
enumerates and limits the powers and
privileges of the Grand Lodge and Grand Jan-Jun 2006 USD $500 (Free Shipping)
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Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 22

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
Interview when I became a part of it.
My primary goal at this moment is setting
Continued from Page 3
Did it occur to the forming member of the up the business of the GL, which is an uphill
passed and raised? UGLA how insulting to the 51 Mainstream battle that not many Masons have ever or
Grand Lodges the chosen named United will ever experience. Most GLs, because of
I was initiated, passed, and raised at Grand Lodge of AMERICA might be? their age, are pur ely in business
Corinthian Lodge in Alabaster, AL; it is part maintenance.
of the GL of AL. I was also a dual member The UGLA is an inclusive system; we do not
at Shades Valley Lodge. What is the position of the UGLA regarding
regularity?
What blue offices have you served, and
when? The UGLA does not believe in regularity, we
believe that as long as you can try a man to
I have been the Senior War den and am be a Mason and he has proper identification
currently the Secretary of the Temple of then he should be admitted to the lodge.
Regulus lodge. Regularity is an invention that came later in
the 1700s after the initial schisms. On the
What Masonic orders have you pursued? other hand, we believe in establishing Amity
York, Scottish, etc.? relationships with other GLs because this
allows us to work together toward creating
I pursued SR before I demitted. brotherhood and unity.

$
How did you come to leave Mainstream
masonry? 1500 What is the position of the UGLA regarding
the regularity of women masons? Prince
Hall Masons? Mainstream Grand Lodges?
I left for multiple reasons:
There are many lessons of vast importance Since we do not believe in regularity, I will
1) I was persecuted for my religious beliefs, contained in the Entered Apprentice Degree of try to answer this to the best of my ability.
2) I witnessed the character assassination Freemasonry. These lessons are so important Regarding female Masons, the position that
of a brother by the GL and my lodge to the author of this book that he has been so the UGLA has taken is to recognize their
officers, bold as to title the book, Everything I needed right to exist, but the UGLA has chosen to
3) The realization that the GL of AL had, in to know about Freemasonry; I learned as an remain a male fraternity. On the other hand,
writing, a racially discriminative apprentice. we have chosen to resurrect the Right of
resolution, and; Adoption, which is the exclusively women-
4) Lack of interest in further education of Worshipful Brother Stephen Dafoe is not a only ancestor of the Order of the Eastern
the GL of AL and its lodges. Freemason who takes his craft lightly. He is Star. Regarding any other GL, we are
often fond of saying, “We do not need more inclusive and do not seek to keep anyone from
What made you decide to join the United men in Masonry, but more Masonry in men.” visiting our lodges, but only if he can be tried
Grand Lodge of America? to be a Mason and shows proper
Every page of this book reflects that identification. Whether or not the other GLs
I knew who they were and what a few of them expression. The book is one man’ s reflection will allow us to visit their lodges is an issue
had gone through before I decided to join them, on the lessons learned in that first degree and that they can decide.
but it was their sincerity in wanting to pursue is a thorough examination of the philosophy
Masonic education that made up my mind. taught with each step, pace and gesture. In so Where do you see the UGLA in 5 years, 10
doing, Dafoe has not created a dry account of years, 15 years?
How did you come to be chosen as the first the first degree, but rather a book that will
Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of inspire all Freemasons to get back to the basics. I see the UGLA eventually spreading to every
America? major city in the US, as well as a few
This book is a must-have for all Master Masons, international locations, making the system
I have an extensive business knowledge and as well as all Entered Apprentices. It is a reminder of Free-Masonry that we represent available
a reputation of being a level-headed rational that the foundation is the footing upon which we to men across the country.
thinker. I will be judged, in the end, for my build our msonic edifice.
lack of previous GL experience and my age, What is your current membership?
but there is a lot more that goes into forming To Order this book or any item in this
a Grand Lodge than previous GL experience. magazine, go to: Although I would love to answer this
question, I believe it is in our best interest
There were other people that could have http://mason-defender.net/recommend.htm not to comment. How do you plan on
served the position with more Masonic growing your membership? I believe that
experience, but I believe that I was chosen by continuing to express Free-Masonry as it
for my experiences and because I left the seek to “own” Masonry nor do we believe in was known to the Masons of the 17th and 18th
“mainstream” system without any negative an absolutely sovereign GL system, there are centuries, we will experience a continuing
emotions toward it. many flavors of Masonry for different types stream of new members as we have seen this
of people. past year.
How did you come to choose the name
United Grand Lodge of America? As Grand Master of the UGLA, what are How many lodges do you currently have?
your goals and intentions? How will you
The name was already being passed around achieve them? Continued on Next Page

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 23

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
Masons, and we understand the desire to consequences. Of course, I ask the question,
Again, as above, this information is in our separate them from the ‘real’ Masons, but where would this country be without political
best interests at this time to remain a secret. when these terms are used to separate discussion in the lodges of our revolutionary
To some it would seem like too many and to brothers that are made Masons under the brothers?
others it would seem like too little. I believe same jurisdiction, it is clearly wrong. In my
that if we are to ultimately be judged by case, I was raised in the Grand Lodge of What does UGLA do in the community, that
fellow Masons, let it be based on our merits Alabama, and I left on good terms by my is, for the community?
not our numbers. How do you plan on own free will, but now the Grand Lodge of
growing your membership? Please see the Alabama sees me as “clandestine” or This is for the individual lodges to decide.
second par t of (my answer regarding “irregular”. We understand that there is a
membership) above. need for secr ecy and we hold that secrecy Some of the members of UGLA have
very dear, in fact, we are in the process of resigned fr om their blue lodges because of
Are you taking any steps toward getting the doing away with the old paper membership racial or religious reasons. You have formed
UGLA recognized by any of the other grand cards in lieu of a much more secure plastic another Grand Lodge as a r esult of this.
lodges? If so, can you talk about that? swipe-card that will be in use to authenticate What, if anything, are you doing to address
identification. those issues in your Grand Lodge, and in the
We do not use recognition since we feel it existing grand lodges?
only seeks to divide brothers. On the other Does the UGLA have “Amity” with the
hand, we have plans for reaching out to the AASR, York Rite, Shrine, Amaranth, Those of us who left our ‘Antient’ Grand
Grand Lodges with which we may have Grotto, Star? Lodges did so after trying and failing to
Amity, but we have no plans for reaching bring about change from within. Our Grand
out to any Grand Lodge that discriminates Our Grand Lodge feels that outside influence Lodge does not discriminate based on race
based on race, religion, etc. Additionally, has become detrimental to the fraternity, or religion, so I am not sure as to what we
we are in the process of speaking with ther efore, we voted at our last need to do within our system. As pertaining
numerous international Grand Lodges. communication that no outside governing to the other Grand Lodges, we left them to
bodies shall have any hand in lodges. form this Grand Lodge, so it is our belief
What steps, if any, is the UGLA making or Furthermore, if one of our lodges decides that they either will change or fade away.
planning to reach out to men of color and that they like York Rite rituals, they may
men of other faiths? practice them independently beyond the first What do you see as the function of the
three degrees as educational work, which UGLA?
We have reached out to various Grand allows our lodges to be flexible and discover 1. Do you see your function as replacing the
Lodges that represent men of color. Masonry in a way that feels comfortable to existing Grand Lodge system?
them.
What type of Masonic education does the We feel that Masonry can exist in many
UGLA offer, and what are you planning on Does UGLA have any plans for DeMolay, different forms, so we do not intend to replace
doing to expand that? Rainbow, Jobs or any other youth activities? any of them. On the other hand, unless some
of them change their discriminatory ways
We have a required reading list for each of Not at this time. they may find themselves extinct by their own
the degrees in addition to a ritual lesson. means.
The candidate must be able to explain in What ritual(s) does the UGLA use?
detail the symbolism and meaning of the 2. Do you see your function as the outside
ritual before advancing to the next degree. UGLA lodges have the freedom to decide kibitzer , pushing the other GLs in a
We are in the process of creating a series of their work, but the work must use the ancient different direction?
DVDs and accompanying workbooks on landmarks, tokens, pass, and words. The
Masonic subjects for education and UGLA provides emulation (ca. 1800) work Although, this is not our function, if they did
discussion groups, which will pr ovide a to new lodges wishing to use a more take a page out of our book and change their
college atmosphere for the exchange of ideas traditional form of work. ways, I think the fraternity would benefit.
and the advancement of Masonic learning. We are by no means trying to force anybody’s
How much autonomy do the masters of your directions.
One of the things that I have seen posted is lodges have? Some locations, the grand
that the UGLA invites men fr om other lodges try to micromanage the lodges with 3. Do you see the UGLA as achieving equality
lodges to visit their UGLA lodges. This often reports and rules and I just want to get an with the other Grand Lodges? If not, why
flies in the face of the obligation these men idea how the lodges operate. not? If so, can you talk a little about what
have taken to obey the constitution, rules that would look like?
and edicts of their own grand lodges. How to All lodges within the UGLA are sovereign
you feel about this? and independent, but must meet certain Equality can only come through mutual
requirements to be warranted or chartered. understanding of the inherent differences
We have never directly invited men from other The UGLA represents an assembly of these between our systems, and an acceptance that
Grand Lodges to visit our lodges. independent lodges. all Masons are still Masons, regardless of
Furthermore, what we try to convey is the race, religion, or the system in which they
understanding that all Masons should be Are politics discussed in your lodges, or are joined (as long as that system follows the
able to visit any other Masonic lodge without you traditional in that manner, that religion ancient landmarks).
fear of their Grand Lodge. The terms and politics are not allowed?
“irregular” and “clandestine” have become 4. There are many grand lodges in America,
a tool to divide Masons, and we feel that This is up to the individual lodges, but my outside the “mainstream” (and by
they are outdated in their usage. There are thoughts on this are that true brothers can
certain organizations that are clearly ‘fake’ discuss them as academic issues without any Continued on Next Page

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
mainstream, I include PHA Grand Lodges). History a Droit Humain Lodge in Paris created the Human
For instance the Grand Lodge of St. Duty Lodge in London. This was the beginning
Continued from Page 6
James, the American Masonic of co-masonry in England. In 1908, a dissident
Federation, Le Droit Humane and so Since then, the G.L.F.F. has been instrumental group created the Honorable Fraternity of Antient
forth. How is UGLA different from in the creation of other national Grand Lodges. Masonry, whose membership was exclusively
them? Women’s Freemasonry has spread to Belgium, female and who adopted the Emulation Rite. In
Italy, Switzerland, Luxembur g, Denmark, 1958, it changed its name to the Order of
They all provide specific needs to the Turkey, Germany, Canada, England, Africa and Women’s Free-Masons. In 1913, a second
Masons within their systems, we believe the Americas. Women’s Grand Lodge was founded under the
that we provide a similar need. name The Honorable Fraternity of Antient Free-
Belgium Masons. 1925 saw the creation of the Order of
5. UGLA seems to represent a modern Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons for Men and
iteration of the schism between the 1911 saw the creation of the first Belgian Lodge Women.
Moderns and the Antients in the mid of the Droit Humain, in Brussels. The first
1700’s. I see references on your site to women’s Lodge, Irini, was created in April 1974 Today, the two female English Masonic bodies
this historical split, and know that Jeff under the auspices of the count as many as 60 000
has held forth on this issue on many G.L.F.F. The Grande Loge members. In March 1999,
occasions. Is that how you see the féminine de Belgique- the Grand Lodge of
UGLA? Women’s Grand Lodge of England finally
Belgium (W.G.L.B.) was acknowledged their
I do not want to represent the UGLA as founded in 1981 and existence, recognizing that
contrarian to the ideas and opinions of celebrated its twentieth “Freemasonry is not
the ‘Antient’ Grand Lodges, but I do Anniversary in 2001. By confined to men” and
believe that our aims are more true to the that time, 35 Lodges with stating that except for the
‘Modern’ perspective. more than 1500 members fact that the Lodges consist
had received their Charter of women, they are
13. Now that I have mentioned Jeff, I have from the W.G.L.B. Four of otherwise “regular”.
a few questions about him and his place these Lodges are located
in the UGLA if you can/will answer in the United S tates : United States
them. I ask because he has been one of Universalis, created in
the more outspoken proponents of the 1992 in New York, The most widely
UGLA, and no discussion of your Aletheia, in Los Angeles, circulated story of a
organization would be complete without Emounah in Washington, woman Mason in the U.S.
addressing him and his place in the D.C. and Silence, also in is that of Catherine
organization. New York. Babington, who lived in
A. What is Jeff ’s position with the UGLA Kentucky in the 1800’s.
today? England Near her house was a two-
story building used by
Jeff Peace resigned his membership fr om There probably were a few Masons as a Lodge room.
our organization earlier this year. androgynous operative and Catherine is said to have
speculative lodges in the concealed herself in the
B. Does Jeff speak for the UGLA? English Isles in the 17th hollow pulpit at every
Century and the beginning meeting of the Lodge for more than a year, seeing
Absolutely not and he never has. Only of the 18th Century. Indeed, the first known all the degrees and learning all the work. She
the elected officers speak for the UGLA. female speculative Mason was Elizabeth S t- was finally discovered and on being closely
Leger, later Mrs. Aldworth, of Cork Ireland, who questioned, she showed a remarkably proficient
B. Does the UGLA have a plan to “bring is said to have been initiated by her father in 1712, knowledge of the ritual. She was kept in custody
down” the “other” Grand Lodges? I after she was caught spying on the Lodge’s for more than a month, while the Lodge decided
know that sounds dramatic, but it is a proceedings. She even received a Masonic funeral what to do with her. She was eventually obligated
question I have been asked, especially at the time of her death. but not admitted into the order. If the story is
after the Governor of Alabama was true, it is again an isolated case and is not
“exposed” as a mason and a member of However, with the creation of the Grand Lodge indicative of the acceptance of women in Masonic
a “racist organization” and the rally’s of London and the publication of Anderson’s Lodges.
at the Scottish Rite. Constitutions in 1723, women were barred from
what became known as regular Free-Masonry. It seems, however, that a Women’s Lodge did exist
The UGLA does not take direct par t in Mention is made of a Mrs. Bell, in 1790 in briefly in Boston in the 1790’s. Its Worshipful
any of the mudslinging that may occur London, and a Mrs. Harvard, in Hereford, in Master, Hannah Mather Crocker (1763-1829) has
during a political election year. Two 1770, but these are isolated cases and do not prove penned a series of letters on Free-Masonry which
radio talk show hosts, who subsequently the presence of women in Masonic lodges. were published in Boston in 1815. She claims
lost their jobs over the issue, exposed the Usually, the story goes that these ladies were she had knowledge of the craft because “… in
Governor of Alabama. Although, I abhor caught spying on a Lodge meeting and since they the younger part of life, [she] did investigate some
racism in all its forms, the UGLA will not had learned the secrets of the Craft, the only way of the principles of Free-Masonry” to assuage the
take direct action against any other to prevent them from divulging them was to fears of her friends whose husbands were Masons.
Masonic organization. What the UGLA’s initiate them right then and there and make them And she goes on: “I had the honor, some years
lodges or any of its members may decide take the oath of silence of a Free-Mason. ago, to preside as Mistress of a similar institution,
to do is within the range of their free will
and not for the UGLA to dictate. In 1902, Annie Besant, who had been initiated in Continued on Next Page

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 25

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
consisting of females only; we held a regular Report The National Grand Lodge of Romania reported
lodge, founded on the original principles of true that the Grand Orient of France has invaded their
Continued from Page 5
ancient freemasonry, so far as was consistent for jurisdiction and formed the Grand Orient of
the female character.” Another document MOROCCO Romania, which is composed of six lodges
mentions “A short address by the Mistress of St- There continues to be two Grand Lodges in previously formed by the Grand Orient of
Ann’s Lodge”. Morocco: the Grande Loge Du Rouaume du France. These are not recognized Masonic
Maroc (GLRM), headed by Bouchaib El Kouhi; bodies. It should be noted that the National
It is believed that the first American Lodge of and the Grande Loge Reguliere du Rouaume du Grand Lodge of Romania is the only independent
Adoption was formed in Philadelphia in 1778 by Maroc (GLRRM), headed by Saad Lahrichi. and sovereign Grand Lodge of regular
French officers in the Continental Army. In the There is an attempt by the founding Grand Freemasonry in Romania. They have some 5,500
19th Century, Albert Pike, Supreme Commander Master, Emile H. Ouaknine to unify the two members and work in strict observance of the
of Scottish Rite Freemasonry, created a Rite of bodies, but until that is accomplished, the ancient Landmarks and Old Charges of the Craft
Adoption based on the French ritual. One of the Grande Loge Reguliere du Royaume du Maroc in 170 active lodges. The Grand Master is
first women to be initiated in his Lodge of (GLRRM) is still considered to be the Eugen-Ovidiu Chirovici.
Adoption was the sculptor Vinnie Ream Hoxie, recognized Grand Lodge in that country.
who created the statue of Abraham Lincoln UKRAINE
displayed in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. PRINCE HALL CONFERENCE OF The Grand Lodge of Ukraine was consecrated
GRAND MASTERS on September 24, 2005 by the Grande Loge
Adoptive Masonry in the United States owes more A letter has been received from the Prince Hall Nationale Francaise and the Grand Lodge of
to Rob Morris of Kentucky, however. In 1850, he Conference of Grand Masters requesting: Austria. This Grand Lodge was constituted from
published an Adoption ritual under the name “The That all Prince Hall Grand Lodges be four Lodges previously constituted by the GLNF,
Rosary of the Eastern Star”, which would lead to declar ed regular by the Conference of and one Lodge constituted from the Grand Lodge
the creation of the Order of the Eastern Star Grand Masters of Nor th America, and That of Austria. The first lodge constituted by the
(OES), a para-masonic body open to Free-Masons the policy of Exclusive Ter ritorial GLNF was named after a lodge of the same name
and their female relatives. The Eastern Star was Jurisdiction be clearly defined so that created two centuries ago, and whose officers
based partly on the French Adoptive Rite and universal Masonr y can prevail while are working with the regalia worn by Simon
partly on several 19th century Orders in America keeping the Brother hood Man through the Pethura, President of the Republic of Ukraine
which, in turn, were likely based on the French Father hood of God; a viable cause for and Grand Master of the Ukraine until 1922.
Order. Some of these early groups were Mason’s Freemasonry as a whole. The Grand Master of the new Grand Lodge is
Daughter, Mason’s Wife, Heroine of Jericho, True It has become generally accepted that M.W. Bro. Oleg Kusan. The Commission is of
Kindred, and others. Rob Morris first conceived Prince Hall Freemasonry is regular in form the opinion that the Grand Lodge of Ukraine
and arranged the S tar Degrees in 1850, and practice. The Prince Hall Grand meets the standards for recognition.
simplifying the ritual in 1860. From 1865-1868, Lodges derive their origin from African
Robert Macoy recast the ritual and organized the Lodge No. 459, which received a char ter OTHER INFORMATION
Chapter system. The Macoy ritual is the from the United Grand Lodge of England There is information that Serbia and Montenegro
foundation of the OES as we know it today. The in 1784. There ar e approximately 40 will be established as two separate governments
OES claims a membership of more than one member Grand Lodges of the Conference in the near future. If that occurs, the Grand Lodge
million members worldwide. of Grand Masters of Nor th America that of Yugoslavia may be divided into two separate
have established a fraternal relationship Grand Lodges, namely the Grand Lodge of
The first co-masonic Lodge was founded in the with one or more Prince Hall Grand Serbia and the Grand Lodge of Montenegro.
United States in 1903. In 1907, the American Lodges. Ther efor e, the question of Information will be posted on the Commission
Federation of the Human Rights was incorporated regularity does not seem to be an issue any website as it develops.
in Washington D.C. It has several Lodges in the longer. www.RECOGNITIONCOMMISSION .ORG
U.S. There are other co-masonic bodies, among A current list and addresses of the member Grand Lodges that do not meet the
them George-Washington Union and the Grand Grand Lodges of the Prince Hall Conference of standards for recognition are being formed
Lodge Symbolic of Memphis-Misraïm. We should Grand Masters is being requested, and will be and promoted at an alarming rate. There
also mention the existence, now or in the past, of posted on the Commission website as soon as it are several of which you should be aware.
Women’s Lodges or Grand Lodges working is received. The Regular Grand Lodge of England is
exclusively in Spanish, French or German. The issue of Exclusive Territorial Jurisdiction creating lodges in many European and
is one of the standards for recognition that has South American countries. There have been
The four Lodges created by the Women’s been strictly observed by this Conference. It is reports that plans are to create lodges in
Grand Lodge of Belgium since 1992 hope to held that only one legitimate Grand Lodge will America as well.
one day form the Women’s Grand Lodge of be recognized in a particular state or country, There is a movement called the United
the United States. unless by treaty or mutual consent two Grand Grand Lodge of America of Accepted Free
Lodges agree to share the same jurisdiction. This Masons that is also trying gain a foothold
Latin America is the mechanism by which our Grand Lodges on this country. Another group calling itself
have established a fraternal relationship with the Grand Lodge of All England is
The first Chilean Lodge, Araucaria, was created Prince Hall Grand Lodges. The terms of such attempting to create lodges in England. The
in 1970 to “give Chilean women a space in which an agreement are usually negotiated and ratified Grand Orient of France has also created
to develop intellectually and spiritually in a non- by the two Grand Lodges in question and no several lodges in this country. With the
dogmatic framework free of religious prejudice.” change in that process is recommended. renewed interest in Masonry brought on by
1983 saw the creation of the Women’s Grand We continue to be of the opinion that recent books and movies, it appears
Lodge of Chile which also seeded Lodges in establishment of fraternal relationships with numerous clandestine groups are trying to
Bolivia and Argentina thanks to its traveling Prince Hall Grand Lodges remains the capitalize on this situation.
Lodge, Cruz del Sur. Today, there are Women’s prerogative of each individual Grand Lodge. In order to facilitate the requests of foreign
Lodges or Grand Lodges in Brazil, Argentina,
Chile, Bolivia, Venezuela and Mexico. ROMANIA Continued on Next Page

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 26

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
delegations to meet with the Commission at our during the last few years ‘a great innovation had ‘Little availed himself of certain knowledge and
annual meeting, it will necessary to have all such crept in’, namely the introduction of so-called authority which belonged to Brother Kenneth R.
requests submitted to the Commission by additional degrees. It can be inferred, too, that H. Mackenzie who had, during a stay in earlier
January 1st of each year. This will give us time Little was very active in this territory. 18 life, been in communication with German Adepts
to make arrangements with those interested who claimed a descent from previous generations
parties. Time will scheduled on Sunday, prior R. W. LITTLE AND KENNETH of Rosicrucians. German Adepts had admitted him
to the Monday meeting of the Commission to MACKENZIE to some grades of their system, and had permitted
accommodate those requests. him to attempt the foundation of a group of
In 1866, the year after he ‘revived’ the Knights Rosicrucian students in England, who under the
Copyright © 2004 - 2006 of the Red Cross of Rome and Constantine, Little Rosicrucian name of the information that might
The Commission on Information for founded the Rosicrucian Society of England, now form a partly esoteric society.’24 Westcott is also
Recognition The Conference of Grand Masters the Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia, more the source of the information that Mackenzie
of Masons of North America familiarly known as the Soc. Ros. or by its initials received his Rosicrucian initiation in Austria,
Secretary: curtis@recognitioncommission.org S.R.I.A. Unlike the ‘Red Cross Order ’, as it was ‘while living with Count Apponyi as an English
often called, it did not represent an ‘additional tutor’.25
degree’. Then, as now, it was a Masonic study Westcott’s, and by inference Little’s, acceptance
Fringe group. However, it had nine grades and worked of Mackenzie’s alleged authority should be noted.
its own brief rituals. At this point I must It does not appear necessary to take Mackenzie’s
Continued from Page 7
emphasize that all my references to the supposed Rosicrucian affiliations very seriously.
That whilst this Grand Lodge recognizes the Rosicrucian Society or S.R.I.A. relate to its distant Firstly, no contemporary Austrian or German
private right of ever y Brother to belong to past. I know little about its af fairs and ‘Rosicrucian’ group of which he might have been
any extraneous Masonic organization he may membership after 1914. Here I am mainly a member can be identified. Secondly, it can be
choose, it firmly forbids, now and at any future concerned with Mackenzie’s alleged participation established that, although he was abroad during
time, all Brethren while engaged as salaried in its origins. his late teens, he was in London from early in 1851
officials under this Grand Lodge to mix Important in the context of this study is that during onwards, namely at least ten months before his
themselves up in any way with such bodies as its early years it provided a meeting place for eighteenth birthday. It is unlikely that a mere youth
the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite; the Master Masons who were interested in one or would be admitted to any initiatory society, hence
Rites of Misraim and Memphis; the spurious other variety of ‘Rejected Knowledge’. In the his own later claim to be a ‘Rosicrucian adept’
or ders of Rome and Constantine -, the 1870s a fair number of its members can be probably owed more to invention than truth. Waite
schismatic body styling itself the Grand Mark identified as spiritualists. A decade later Dr. W. observed, seemingly not without reason: ‘On
Lodge of England, or any other exterior Wynn Westcott, Dr. W. R. Woodman19 and S. L. Rosicrucian subjects at least the record of Kenneth
Masonic organization whatever, (even that of MacGregor Mathers - in 1887 they became the Mackenzie is one of recurring mendacity.’ 26
the Orders of Knights Templar, which is alone Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn’s founding Westcott did not join the Rosicrucian Society until
recognized by the Articles of Union) under Chiefs - led the Society in the direction of the 1880, two years after Little’s death, and there is
the pain of immediate dismissal from western Hermetic tradition, e.g. the study of the no evidence that he ever met him. He wrote,
employment by this Grand Lodge. Cabbala and alchemical symbolism. In 1900 perhaps with intentional caution: ‘The share of
The Grand Mark Lodge of England could hardly Westcott described its members as ’students of Mackenzie in the origin of the Society depends at
be described as schismatic because in 1856 Grand the curious and mystical lore, remaining still for the present time on his letters to Dr. Woodman27 .
Lodge and Grand Chapter had jointly decided that investigation, as to the work and philosophy of and Dr. Westcott, and on his personal conversations
the Mark Mason’s degree was a graceful addition’ the old Rosicrucians, Alchymists, and Mystics of during the years 1876-86 with Dr. Westcott.’28
to that of Fellow Craft. Furthermore, Grand Lodge past ages’.20 While Mackenzie may have helped Little to
had not objected to the recent establishment of When Madame Blavatsky settled permanently in launch the Rosicrucian Society in 1866, he was
what Cooke loosely referred to as ‘the spurious London in 1887 a good many members joined the ineligible for membership because, according to
orders of Rome and Constantine’. 17 Theosophical Society and at least thirty were in Westcott, ‘he was not an English Freemason’. It
Cooke’s motion was referred to the Board of the Golden Dawn at various times between 1887 is doubtful whether he had ever previously been
General Purposes, whose report to Grand Lodge, and the early 1920s.21 In effect, a small number of initiated under any other Obedience. When he
dated 22 November 1871, was discussed at the Freemasons whose interests veered in the direction eventually joined Oak Lodge No. 190, in London
Quarterly Communication on 6 December. The of spiritualism and occultism, tended to find their four years later his career in Regular Freemasonry
Board had thought it desirable to circulate once way to the S.R.I.A. I cannot sufficiently emphasize was to be surprisingly brief. His preoccupation
again the previous Grand Secretary’s letter of 4 that it was a small-scale af fair and catered for with ‘fringe’-Masonic aberrations had already
October 1859, also the facsimile of the Memphis minority interests. The average Freemason, and begun. Mackenzie’s letters to F.G. Irwin contain
certificate, which warned the Craft not to have particularly the vast majority that did not bother interesting information about the Rosicrucian
any intercourse with irregular lodges. The Board to read the Masonic press, would not even have Society’s affairs during the 1870s. I have used
had established that Little had assisted on one been aware that it existed. very little of this material, preferring to leave it
occasion for twenty minutes or less ‘at a Meeting As to the Rosicrucian Society’s foundation, the to the attention of the S.R.I.A..
held on the premises of the Craft for purposes traditional story, as told by Dr. Westcott, is that
connected with a Society not recognized by Grand Little found some old papers containing ‘ritual CAPTAIN FRANCIS GEORGE IRWIN
Lodge’, also that, on several occasions payments information’ at Freemasons’ Hall and enlisted
had been made to and received by the Clerk in Mackenzie’s help. 22 Westcott searched for these The man whom A.E. Waite loftily described as ‘a
question at the Grand Secretary’s of fice for papers at Great Queen Street in 1900 but was zealous and an amiable Mason with a passion for
purposes not connected with the Craft’. By and unable to find them. It is possible that the Rites and an ambition to add to their number’
large he was whitewashed. documents were in German. If this was the case possibly deserves a less patronizing appraisal. He
My brief summary of the discussions in Grand then Mackenzie, who had a first-class knowledge was born on 19 June 1828. Benjamin Cox
Lodge in 1871-2 omits much relating to of that language, would have been able to mentioned the date in a letter written in September
contemporary individual attitudes to the degrees translate them.23 1885 when he discussed his own and Irwin’s
outside the Craft and Royal Arch. However, the Mackenzie’s help appears to have been important
minutes highlight the fact that, pace Bro. Cooke, in another respect because, again quoting Westcott: Continued on Next Page

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 27

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
horoscopes. Apart from the brief biographical note witness to his knowledge of French. the second edition, dated Christmas Eve 1859,
in AQC 1, 1886-8, the only source of information The obituary published in the Bristol Times and he mentioned that ‘it was almost the first book I
for his early life is Robert Freke Gould’s obituary Mirror upon his death on 26 July 1893 referred ever possessed, and I remember to this day the
notice in AQC 6, 1893.29 to his great interest in Freemasonry and suggested circumstances under which it was given to me.’
According to Gould he enlisted in the Royal that ‘he hardly occupied the position his education My belief is that he was largely educated abroad
Sappers and Miners on 8 November 1842 when and abilities qualified him for ’. and that the unusually wide range of cultural
he was fourteen years old. The Sappers and interests which he displayed before he was twenty
Miners were then N.C.O.s. for other ranks with K. R. H. MACKENZIE - EARLY LIFE cannot have been merely the result of a period
Royal Engineer officers. Members of the Corps AND CAREER TO 1872 spent in Count Apponyi’s employment as a tutor.
were employed in various capacities at the Great (See above.) The 1851 Census and the
Exhibition in 1851 and the Lance-Corporal If Mackenzie is remembered at all in Masonic surprisingly erudite series of seventeen
Francis Irwin who received a bronze medal, a circles today it is as the compiler of The Royal contributions to Notes and Queries in the same
certificate signed by the Prince Consort and a Masonic Cyclopaedia which was published in year indicate that he was now (aet. 17-18) back
present of a box of drawing instruments was parts by John Hogg in 1875-7. A.E. Waite’s in London and the possessor of a polymathic
probably our Irwin.30 We next encounter him at disparaging remarks about him in his New storehouse of learning which could hardly have
Gibraltar in 1857. On 3 June 1857 he was Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry, 1921, and The been acquired at any contemporary British public
initiated in the Gibraltar Lodge (also known as Brotherhood of the Rosy Cross, 1924, had or grammar school.36
the Rock Lodge), No. 325, Irish Constitution. intrigued me long before I saw his letters to Irwin. His ‘A Word to the Literary Men of England’ in
Gould, then a young subaltern in the 31st When I read these documents, which revealed Notes and Queries, 1 March 1851, proposed the
Regiment of Foot and a Master Mason of two and yet at the same time hid so much, I sensed foundation of a learned society whose task would
years standing, met Sergeant Irwin, now R.E., that it would be impossible to understand be to rescue old manuscripts in Greek, Latin,
early in 1858 when he and another sergeant Mackenzie’s role in ‘fringe’ Masonry without Anglo-Saxon, Norwegian, Zend (an ancient
requested him to ask the D.P.G.M. for permission knowing more about his early life. A brief passage language allied to Sanscrit), and a dozen other
for them to revive the defunct Inhabitants Lodge, in a letter to Irwin (16 March 1879) showed that middle-eastern and oriental tongues. Some
now No. 153. The lodge was resuscitated in something had gone wrong. ‘At one time I was months later he reported that ‘I have so far
February 1858 with Gould as W.M. and Irwin as well off and kept my carriage and had the world accomplished my purpose, as lately, while
S.W. Gould’s regiment soon left for South Africa at my feet so to speak .... ‘he wrote. My premise residing on the continent, and also since my
and Irwin succeeded him as W.M.. Gould was that the disappearance of the carriage and return, to establish in Russia, Siberia and Tartary,
mentioned that it was at Gibraltar that Irwin first the world no longer being at his feet might have Persia and Eastern Europe, stations for the search
met Lieutenant Charles Warren, R.E., who was a connection, however tenuous, with his ‘fringe’- after MSS. worth attention.’
initiated there in the Lodge of Friendship No. 278 Masonic interests during the 1870s and after. My The issue of Notes and Queries for 6 September
on 30 December 1859. Gould recalled, too, that search for Mackenzie’s trail now began. 1851 shows that at one time he was far from
Warren had a great respect for Irwin, both as a Kenneth Robert Henderson Mackenzie was the Austria and had visited the then remote Prussian
Freemason and a soldier. Many years later Q.C. son of Dr. Rowland Hill Mackenzie and his wife province of Pomerania, where he discussed the
Lodge provided yet another link between these Gertrude. She was the sister of John Morant reputed site of Julin with Count Keyserling, a
three men.31 Hervey, Grand Secretary of the United Grand member of a renowned Baltic landowning
Irwin appears to have remained in Gibraltar until Lodge of England from August 1868 until ill- family.37 His ‘Notes on Julin’ contains a lengthy
1862 and from there may have gone to Malta. He health compelled him to retire in 1879. He was translation from the German which could only
can next be traced at Devonport (Plymouth), born on 31 October 1833. 33 According to the 1851 have been achieved by someone with a first-class
where he joined the St. Aubyn Lodge No. 954 on Census the birth took place at Deptford in south- knowledge of the language.
11 April 1865. It is likely that it was he who east London, but no baptismal record can be found In the Preface to the second edition of his Tyll
introduced the Knight of Constantinople degree there. The Census entry also shows that his Eulenspiegel translation he mentioned that even
to English Freemasonry in that year. 32 mother was about twenty years old in 1833. as a child he had literary ambitions. His first
In 1866 Irwin moved to Bristol. He had served in By 1834 the family was at Vienna where Dr. important work was his translation of K. R.
the ranks for almost twenty-four years and on 7 Mackenzie, who specialized in midwifery, had a Lepsius, Briefe aus Aegypten, Aethiopen, etc.,
May 1866 was appointed Adjutant of the 1st hospital appointment.34 He probably returned to 1842-5, 1852, which Richard Bentley published
Gloucestershire Engineer Volunteer Corps with London in 1840, although the annual membership in London in 1852 within a few months of the
the rank of Captain. He was to remain at Bristol lists of the Royal College of Surgeons locate him appearance of the original German edition.38
until his death in 1893. at Vienna until as late as 31 August 1842. 35 He Discoveries in Egypt, Ethiopia and the Peninsula
When we encounter him in the first of Benjamin was a general practitioner, first at 61 Berners of Sinai was a remarkable performance for a
Cox’s letters to him in September 1868 he had Street (1841-3) and subsequently at 68 Mortimer nineteen year-old boy . Mackenzie’s own
been a member of the Craft for eleven years and Street, Cavendish Square. Hence he had a West additional notes display an impressive knowledge
had just been installed as the first W.M. of St. End practice. He held an appointment as Surgeon of Latin, Greek and Hebrew, also a familiarity
Kew Lodge No. 1222 at Weston-super-Mare, then to the Scottish Hospital and Corporation (1845- with the current scholarly literature relating to
a quiet seaside resort about fifteen miles from 52?), and by 1845 had been twice President of Egyptian antiquities. He was elected a Fellow of
Bristol. In 1869 he was appointed P.J.G.W. in the the German Literary Society of London. the Society of Antiquaries of London in January
Province of Somersetshire and in the same year Kenneth Mackenzie was seven years old when 1854, nine months before his twenty-first
was made an honorary member of the Loge Etoiles his parents settled in London in 1840. birthday. Membership of this distinguished
Réunis at Liege, Belgium. According to Gould Furthermore, he must have been bilingual in learned society cannot have been normally
‘...there was scarcely a degree in existence, if English and German. A passage from the Preface granted to minors and it may have been given in
within his range, that he did not become a member to his Tyll Eulenspiegel translation, published by recognition of his edition of Lepsius’s book.39
of. Indeed, he became late in life a diligent student Trubner & Co. in 1859 as The Marvellous Mackenzie now began the career in letters which
of the French and German languages, in order Adventures and Rare Conceits of Master Tyll had been his ambition as a child. In 1852 he
that he might peruse the Masonic literature of Owlglass, indicates that he read German at a very supplied the articles on Peking, America and
each in the vernacular ’. A number of MS. early age. ‘I well remember how, as a very little Scandinavia for his friend the Rev. Theodore Alois
translations of French rituals, either in his own boy, I made the friendship of the [book’s] lithe
small and distinctive handwriting or transcribed though clumsy hero’, he wrote. In the Preface to Continued on Next Page
for him by the indefatigable Benjamin Cox, bear
Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 28
 Lodgeroom International Magazine
Buckley’s Great Cities of the Ancient World, with Eliphas Lévi in December 1861 was
which was published by George Routledge. In published with minor alterations in the April 1873
1853 he helped the elderly and eccentric Walter issue of The Rosicrucian, he mentioned that ‘these
Savage Landor to prepare a new edition of his hasty notes of my conversations might never have
Imaginary Conversations.40 In the same year been recorded at all had it not been for the
Routledge published his Burmah and the patience with which an equally profound occult
Burmese, yet another surprisingly mature and student in this country, Bro. F. Hockley, P.G.S.,
self-confident product. For Routledge in 1854-5 recorded them at my dictation, a very few days
he edited translations from the German (by other after the interviews had taken place.’
hands) of Friedrich Wagner’s Schamyl and Frederick Hockley (1808-85), an accountant by
Circassia and J. W. Wolf’s Fairy Tales, Collected profession, was well known in circles which
in the Odenwaid. Both these books reflect his cultivated ‘Rejected Knowledge’. He was about
erudition. His scholarly inclinations are twenty-five years older than Mackenzie, who
particularly evident in his Tyll Eulenspiegel probably first met him when he was editing the
translation (1859), with its admirable Biological Review in 1858-9. Apart from his
bibliographical appendix. scrying experiments with crystals and so-called
In a letter to Irwin (9 May 1878) he mentioned ‘Magic Mirrors’, which were used to induce
that he had written ’side by side with B. Disraeli trance states, he was a diligent copyist of old
for years and learned to love his cordial frankness magical manuscripts.47 He became a Freemason
of heart’. The only identifiable period when he rather late in life in 1864 (aet. 56), but his career
could have had a literary association with in the Craft was not without distinction.48 He was
Benjamin Disraeli was when the latter was also Mackenzie’s guru in occult matters. The time
proprietor of the weekly periodical The Press. came, however, when his pupil became tiresome.
This would have been during the early 1850s. 41 His letter to Irwin of 23 March 1873 explains
Mackenzie was already interested in the why Mackenzie’s career had gone to seed, hence How Many Freemasons
‘Rejected Knowledge’ area by 1858, when he why he no longer had his carriage and the world
published (at his own expense) four issues of The at his feet. Hockley wrote: Does it Take to Change a
Biological Review: A Monthly Repertory of the I have the utmost reluctance even to refer to Lightbulb?
Science of Life (October 1858-January 1859). M r. Kenneth Mackenzie. I made his
This periodical, which soon failed for lack of acquaintance about 15 or 16 years since. I
support, was particularly concerned with found him then a very young man who having

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mesmerism’s medical applications, homoeopathy, been educated in Germany possessed a
a novelty called ‘electro-dentistry’, and what thorough knowledge of German and French
Mackenzie described as ‘the finer Physics and his translations having been highly
generally’. He was greatly interested in medical praised by the press, exceedingly desir ous
matters and like so many occultists, then as now, of investigating the Occult Sciences, and
dabbled with fringe medicine and mesmerism.42 when sober one of the most companiable To Order, go to:
In December 1861 (aet. 28) he was in Paris and persons I ever met. Unfortunately his http://mason-defender.net/recommend.htm
visited Eliphas Lévi (i.e. the Abbé Alphonse- intemperate habits compelled me thr ee
Louis Constant, 1810-75), the author of Dogme different times to break off our friendship
et rituel de la haute magie, 1856, and already after 6 or 7 years endurance and since then (‘acting Sec’.) for initiation at the next regular
renowned as an authority on Magic. When he has once so grossly insulted me in a letter meeting at Freemasons’ Hall on 16 February. 50
Mackenzie returned to London he immediately than I cannot possibly hold any He was not present on 16 February but was
dictated an account of his two meetings with the communication with him. I regret this the balloted for and Initiated at an Emergency
Magus to Frederick Hockley, then his close friend more on a/c of his mother who is a most Meeting on 9 March. (According to the minute
and mentor in occultism.43 According to Lévi’s estimable lady and his uncle our esteemed book he was an author and resided at Tavistock
unpublished correspondence, quoted by his Grand Secretary Bro. Her vey who has long Place. This was also John Harvey’s address at
biographer Paul Chacornac, he found Mackenzie favored me with his acquaintance ... I saw the time.) He was Passed on 20 April and Raised
very intelligent but excessively involved with in the last issue of The Fr eemason his on 18 May. He attended the lodge’s next meeting
Magic and spiritualism.44 marriage announced. I sincerely hope it will on 16 November and that was the last that the
Until recently I supposed that Mackenzie’s trip be the turning flood. 49 Of course Mr. M.’s Oak Lodge brethren saw of him. On 18 January
to Paris in 1861 was undertaken solely for the information is only derived from his intimate 1871 the W.M. read a letter from Mackenzie in
purpose of sitting at Eliphas Lévi’s feet, but there knowledge of French and German, and when which he stated that he wished to resign. The
may have been another reason. His father had you have mastered that difficulty, a vastly minutes record that his resignation would be
moved to Paris in 1857-8 and apparently never enlarged field of occult science will furnish accepted ‘after payment of his fees in full’.
returned to London.45 you with Original matter, as well as others Thereafter his interest in Craft Freemasonry
So far I have discovered nothing edited, translated ... I do not know Mr. M.’s address but a letter appears to have been nil. His letters to Irwin
or written by Mackenzie between 1859 and 1870, thro’ Bro. Kenning would doubtless reach contain only one reference to a visit to a Craft
when James Hogg, & Son published his him. lodge. Now a Master Mason he did not even apply
translation of J.G.L. Hesekiel’s The Life Of Mackenzie at long last became a Freemason in for membership of the Rosicrucian Society, which
Bismarck. To all intents and purposes he seems 1870 when he was in his thirty-eighth year. One he had supposedly helped to establish. It was no
to have gone underground. However, we do not might have expected that his uncle John Hervey doubt R. W. Little who persuaded him to accept
entirely lose track of him, although biographical would have proposed him in one of his own honorary membership and he was admitted to the
information which has no connection with lodges, but this was not the case The minute book Society’s first or Zelator grade on 17 October
Freemasonry, ‘fringe’ or regular, must be of Oak Lodge No. 190 reveals that on 19 January 1872. (John Hervey was made an honorary
relegated to a footnote.46 1870 he was proposed by the W.M., Bro. H. W.
When Mackenzie’s account of his two meetings Hemsworth and seconded by Bro. John Hogg Continued on Next Page

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 29

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
salary of £180. He was later promoted to Town
Lodgeroom International Magazine Accountant (Borough Treasurer).51
Cox quickly ascended the Masonic ladder. At an
Emergency Meeting of St. Kew Lodge held on
Back Issues 16 July 1868 he was balloted for, initiated and
forthwith invested with the Secretary’s collar and
Available on CD! jewel. Ignorant of the finer points of Masonic
etiquette he soon turned to Irwin for advice. On
16 September he wrote:
A member [i.e. Cox himself] having paid all
dues and passed to F.C. can he propose a
candidate for Freemasonry or do [sic] that
privilege belong exclusively to M.M.’s [?]. I
have purchased of Bro. Breamer ... a M.M.’s
apron. I suppose as a F.C. I can wear such
apron in a Lodge if I cover the rosette[s] on
the flap until I am raised. I must apologize
for so many questions wishing to act truly
Masonic in all things.
Masonic activities were soon in full swing at
Weston-super -Mare. On 27 October 1868 Cox
suggested to Irwin that ‘if we intend to work Craft,
Mark and 2 Chivalric Orders it will occupy the
whole of the first Wednesday of every month ...
only one sum being paid for the whole day it will
be cheaper for us while we retain the present
rooms to work any of the Orders on that day.’
The inference is that Cox was already a Mark
Mason and had joined two Chivalric Orders. One
of them must have been the recently established
Rose and Lily Conclave No. 10 of the Red Cross
of Rome and Constantine.
In April 1869 Irwin received permission to form
a Bristol College of the Rosicrucian Society.
Membership was to be restricted to twelve
including himself as Chief Adept. Cox, now
Jan-Jun 2006 USD $500 (Free Shipping) indispensable for such duties, was its Secretary.
There was a snag in the person of Bro. Major
Jul-Dec 2006 USD $500 (Free Shipping) General Gore Boland Munbee, Indian Army
(retired), who brought a breath of Poona, where
Special Price: he had been a member of Lodge Orion in the West,
No. 415, to placid Weston-super-Mare. The
All 12 2006 Issues USD $800 (Free Shipping) General succeeded Irwin as W.M. of St. Kew
Lodge in 1870 and Cox found him difficult. W.
http://www.lodgeroomuk.com/sales/ Bro. Munbee was a member of the Bristol College
and about to become its Celebrant, an office
corresponding to the W.M. of a Craft lodge. Cox
If you would like the magazine connection delivered to you on the first of wrote to Irwin on 19 December 1870:
each month click the following link: I will do everything in my power to help work
the College (Rosic.) with any member you
http://www.lodgeroomuk.net//phplists/public_html/lists/ like to appoint Celebrant except Bro.
Munbee. I have fully made up my mind never
to accept another office under him
member in October 1870.) (Masonically). I should have resigned some
When Mackenzie deigned to appear in Rosicrucian circles he had recently married Alexandrina which I at present hold, had not members
Aydon, aged twenty-three and fifteen years his junior. She was the daughter of Enoch Harrison pressed me not to do so... I do not fall out
Aydon, a civil engineer and member of the Craft, of 2 Axmouth Villas, Cambridge Road, Chiswick. with the General because I can control my
The ceremony was performed at the Brentford register office on 17 June 1872. He and his wife temper, yet sometimes the remarks he makes
installed themselves at Oxford House, Chiswick Mall, whether in rented rooms or as sole occupiers is [sic] as bitter as wormwood.
is uncertain. Furthermore, as we will learn in due course, his drinking habits were now strictly If the General was a tartar, there were
temperate. compensations. Cox was appointed a Provincial
Grand Steward on 16 September 1869 and was
BENJAMIN COX AND THE FRATRES LUCIS soon to lay the foundations of his unusually large
collection of additional degrees. However, his
Benjamin Cox, F.G. Irwin’s fidus Achates, was born on 28 May 1828. When St. Kew Lodge No. letter of 31 December 1870 reveals little
1222 was consecrated at the Assembly Rooms at Weston-super-Mare on 7 July 1868 - Irwin was its
first W.M. - he was forty years of age and Chief Accountant of the local Board of Health at an annual Continued on Next Page

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
enthusiasm for the latest novelty. ‘I see that Bro. science the one sure and safe means whereby 1. Is the Knt of Hermetic Cross and the
Little has at last got hold of authority to work the we can obtain truth and wisdom. Fratres Lucis Order one and the same? NO!!!
Rite of Misraim’, he observed. ‘What next? Good I will be glad by your proposing me a member of It may have had some connection with it as
heavens 99 ° to work and then be entitled to write the ‘Order of the Brothers of and will gladly pay had the Rites of Cagliostro, Swedenborg, etc.
[sign?] Sir Knt. “Bellowsblower”. This will beat the yearly sum you have named, also pledge 2. Is there any member of the Fratres Lucis
Bro. Parfitt’s “Rosi Crucis” by a long way.’52 myself to my promise or O.B. under your now living in Bath? There is no member of
By 27 February 1871 Cox was less contemptuous. guidance. the English Temple now living in Bath... if a
Furthermore, he had a few pressing favors to ask. Cox appears to have supposed that the Order of member of any Foreign Temple came to
He wrote, somewhat breathlessly: the Brothers of was Masonic because he added: England I would be advised, for there were
Now I want you Bro. Irwin while in London ‘I have sent you on a separate paper a few of the only twenty-seven members five years ago
to get permission to give me the Order of degrees which I have taken in masonry and which so not much difficulty in learning the
Misraim [i.e. by communication]. Bro. [Dr. you can vouch for as correct. 55 Above the list of whereabouts of each Bro. as we are bound
W. R.] Woodman has offered to give it to me degrees someone wrote ‘Useless’. The to keep our immediate Chiefs posted up in
any time when I am in London which I expect all our movements.
I will be there on a fortnight’s official duty 3. Is it true that Bro. Bird and myself have
very shortly, but I would much rather that been rejected by the Fratres as not being
you gave it to me because every Order which considered fitting candidates for the Order
I have taken has been given by you (except of ? It is not true!!! Something about the
sovereign R. Cross) if possible please get Order has been communicated to Mr. Robert
permission to give me the 66 ° I will pay for Cross [the astrologer who supplied Cox’s
the dispensation for same if one is required. crystal - see above]. My attention was called
I suppose it would not be possible for you to to it and an explanation is required.
get Bro. Little to give me, through you a Cox’s letter of 27 July 1874 was apologetic: ‘...you
minor official Grand Council collar at this shall never have cause again (for I will never
meeting. I do not care so much for the honor speak of it again to any one except yourself) to
but I want to let Bro. [Major-General] correct my indiscretion,’ he wrote. Ir win
Munbee see that I have friends [underlined continued to keep him waiting. On 17 November
three times] elsewhere, and I am quite certain Cox wrote: ‘I am glad there is a prospect of my
that you can get me a Gd Ark Mariners collar receiving the first grade of the as I am anxious
from Bro. Edwards ... I should very much to know more of its true principles and real value.’
like to receive the Order of the Kt. of Holy A sentence in an undated letter from Irwin to Cox
Sepulchre [an appendant of the Red Cross reads: ‘The shall be given you but twill be a
of Rome and Constantine], however I am Great favor [both words underlined three times].
quite certain my interests will not be lost I must at any cost keep my word.’ The ‘great favor’
sight of by you. was granted in January 1875.
The letter ends with an allusion to Cox’s belief In Grand Lodge Library there is a manuscript copy
in astrology. Within the past week he had given in Irwin’s handwriting of the ‘Ritual of Fratris
‘true judgments’ in every case out of the five [sic] Lucis or Brethren of the Cross of Light’. It
submitted to him. ‘4 of the parties I never saw or is prefaced by a traditional ‘history’ which begins:
did not know of their existence until informed In Florence there now exists, and has existed
so...’ He had recently acquired a crystal and on 6 handwriting does not appear to be Irwin’s. On 9 for a great number of years a body of men
February 1871 wrote: ‘I expect full instructions March 1874 Cox wrote to Irwin to express his who possess some of the most extraordinary
for working the Crystal (which I have by me) this pleasure that he had been accepted as a candidate secrets, that ever man has known. Cagliostro
day from Mr. Cross. 53 You seem undecided as to for the Order of . By 28 March he was aware that learned from them some of the most
believing in occult science. I have not a shadow Order was known as the Frates Lucis. wonderful secrets in Magic and Chymistry,
of doubt in the matter.’ Furthermore he knew that Irwin had recently been they converse with those who have crossed
During the summer and autumn of 1873 Cox’s in Paris and had allegedly met members of the the river.
letters to Irwin contain allusions to the Ritual of Order there. He wrote: ‘I am very glad to hear The members of this society are bound by a
the Knight of the Hermetic Cross. Irwin was that you met with such a warm reception from solemn oath to meet once a year, whether
translating it, probably from the French, and Cox members of the Order in Paris. 56 The weeks they are living or have passed the boundar y.
offered to make a fair copy. He asked on 28 August passed by and the impatient Bro. Cox still knew They are ruled by an officer, styled Supreme
if it had any connection with John Yarker’s little or nothing about the Order except its name. and Sublime Magus ... The brethren take
Antient and Primitive Rite of Masonry and on 1 Indeed, at one moment he feared that his Hebrew names. There are branches of the
October if it was part of Yarker ’s Rite of candidature had been rejected. He wrote to Irwin order in Rome, Paris and Vienna. Vaughan
Memphis. 54 Irwin did not satisfy his curiosity. on 13 July: (Dr.), Fludd, Count S t. Germain, Count
By 23 February 1874 Irwin must have already By mid day train I sent you MS. of Knt. of Cagliostro, Mesmer, Swedenborg and
vaguely hinted at the existence of a very secret Hermetic Cr oss, &c.... I want to ask 3 Martinez de Pasquales were members of the
affair called the Order of the Brothers of and questions: viz. 1. Is the Knt of Hermetic order as also Schussler.
implied that Cox might be allowed to join it. Thus Cross and the Fratres Lucis Order one and They have made animal magnetism their
when Cox wrote to Irwin on that day he the same? 2. Is ther e any member of the chief study and have carried it nearly to
proclaimed that: Fratres Lucis now living in Bath? Is it true perfection. It was through being a member
... the one desire of my heart is to become a that Bro. Bird [a member of St. Kew Lodge of this society that Mesmer practised his
member of some Order wherein I may learn who dabbled with astrology] and myself have healing power and founded his Mesmeric
the mysteries of nature and truth so that I been rejected by the Fratres as unsuitable Lodge on the principles of the Order.
may not only benefit myself but that of [sc. for the Order? Swedenborg derived his Rite from the same
also] my fellow men. I have, as you know, Irwin replied on 14 July:
ever considered the knowledge of occult TO ASPIRANTS ONLY - Strictly Confidential Continued on Next Page

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
‘The fee for Initiation is made high for ago.’ When Frederick Hockley died in November
the purpose of deterring persons from 1885, Cox observed: ‘... there is now one member
being initiated out of mere curiosity. less of the Order of .’ He seems to have implied
Half the fee to be devoted to charitable that few were now left. Almost exactly two years
purposes, and the other half to the later Westcott was busy launching the Order of
formation of a library. Meetings take the Golden Dawn, which had a far greater vitality
place four times a year. The obligatory - one might say élan - than the Fratres Lucis ever
meeting is in the month of June. At this achieved. 57
the Brethren are pledged to be present
in body or in spirit. KENNETH MACKENZIE AND THE
‘The aspirant is kept one year on ROSICRUCIAN SOCIETY
p robation ... during the term of
probation the aspirants are obliged to The Rosicrucian Society’s members experienced
appear at all meetings enveloped in a a more than usually entertaining evening on 24
black mantle. April 1873 when Mackenzie, who had recently
‘The society is pledged to study the become an honorary member, read a paper
following subjects. Natural Magic - describing his visit to Eliphas Lévi in December
Mesmerism -The Science of Death and 1861. To commemorate the event the Society
of Life - Immortality - The Cabala - thereupon elected Lévi as an Honorary Foreign
Alchemy - Necromancy - Astrology - Member. Mackenzie’s text was forthwith
and Magic in all its branches. published in The Rosicrucian. This version is the
‘Annual dinner - cost 4s. The fare to same as the MS. one (see above) with one
source, and from it Count Cagliostro derived the consist of Br ead, Butter, Cheese, important exception. In the latter Mackenzie
knowledge that enabled him to found the Egyptian Confectionery, fruits and wine. The surplus recalled that Lévi ‘mentioned Sir Edward Bulwer-
Order; those three Rites represent three of the money to be added to the charitable fund. Lytton as a gentleman of versatile talents, but of
four grades into which this society is divided. This document, however nonsensical, is important little real knowledge in relation to the Cabala’.
When I read this delightful nonsense I recalled because it throws so much light on Irwin’s This was now amended to read: ‘... he rendered a
two little duodecimo notebooks containing a character. Hidden within the disciplined tribute to the versatile knowledge of Lord, then
record of Irwin’s spiritualist or scrying seances professional soldier - furthermore one who had Sir Bulwer-Lytton, and returned to his favorite
during the years 1872-3. His most interesting served for years in the Royal Engineers, a Corps topic, the Cabbala upon which he dwelt with
communicator was none other than Cagliostro, whose functions are nothing if not practical - we emphasis.’
in his day a notable exponent of ‘fringe’ Masonry. encounter a personality in which reality and Lord Lytton’s connection with the Rosicrucian
On Sunday 19 (month omitted) 1873 Cagliostro fantasy must always have been in some kind of Society was an involuntary one. On 14 July 1870
told him that ‘the Crystal you have will be of conflict. R.W. Little proposed ‘that the Rt. Hon. Lord
little use. It is char ged with an antagonistic Irwin’s Fratres Lucis must have been a very Lytton be elected an Hon. Member of this Society
principle.’ Cagliostro came again on 29 October modest affair, meaning that a handful of occultists, and be requested to accept the office of Grand
1873: ‘I am afraid that at present I cannot give probably all Freemasons who were well known Patron of the Order’.
(u) anything to be continuous.’ Thereafter, to Irwin, became members. It is inconceivable, A candidate for election to the Society had to be
between 31 October and 9 November Cagliostro too, that it was an international fraternity. It is a Master Mason. There is no evidence that Lytton
communicated on four separate occasions and, difficult to believe that there were ‘twenty-seven was then or ever had been a member of the Craft.
according to Irwin’s ’spiritual Journal’, dictated members five years ago’, as Irwin claimed in his Either Little had not bothered to enquire or
almost word for word the substance of the letter to Cox of 14 July 1874. This would have supposed that, whether or not Lytton was a
‘historical introduction’ to the Fratres Lucis ritual been four years before ‘Cagliostro’, who was the Freemason, he had received a genuine
which I have quoted above. product of Irwin’s subconscious mind, gave him Rosicrucian initiation and was therefore eligible
The manuscript which Irwin chose to call a ritual the idea for the Order. In fact, apart from Irwin I for honorary membership. In his pamphlet Data
merely consists of the notes for his scheme for a have only been able to identify three other of the History of the Rosicrucians, 1916, Westcott
secret society of occultists. Under the heading members, although there may have been a few wrote: ‘In 1850 the very old Rosicrucian Lodge
‘Ceremony’ we only learn that the ‘Aspirant is more. at Frankfort-on-the-Main fell into abeyance; in
conducted to a kind of labyrinth’, and in due We know about Cox’s intense desire to be this Lodge the first Lord Lytton was received into
course ‘invested with the Cross of gold and admitted to the select circle. On 9 January 1875 the Adeptship and became imbued with the ideas
enjoined to fit himself for that state of mind of he announced his intention of coming to Bristol, he displayed in his novel “Zanoni” and other
which it is the emblem’. It is uncertain whether bringing with him an ‘old Latin Bible for works’ (p. 8). Nothing whatever is known about
Irwin, in his imagination, intended to restrict Ob[ligation]’. Irwin was in no hurry to confer this Lodge.
membership of the brotherhood to Master Masons membership upon Mackenzie, perhaps because However, Lytton’s name did not appear as Grand
or their discarnate spirits - one must not forget he feared that he would get drunk at the annual Patron in The Rosicrucian until July 1872.
that according to Cagliostro’s utterings dinner at which, as we know, the ‘Festive Board’ Nobody informed him of the honor that had been
membership continued after death! The was nothing if not frugal. On 20 September 1875 bestowed upon him. Indeed, he does not appear
information below has been slightly condensed Mackenzie wrote reassuringly: ‘I never drink to have known about it until the end of 1872 when,
from his notes, and is not presented in its original spirits or wine if I can avoid them - only fourpenny on 16 December, he wrote a letter of complaint
sequence. ale,’ and some months later on 4 February 1876: to John Yarker. It is impossible to suggest why
‘Only 81 members are permitted to belong ‘As to Fratres Lucis I shall indeed be obliged for his Lordship should have written to Yarker, who
to the first grade connected with the Empire the article and should also be glad to be a member was merely a leading member of the Society’s
of Great Britain ... In the first degree the of the Brotherhood. I think you may trust me as Manchester College, which was founded early in
number of officers is nine. to temperance as I drink nothing but tea, cof fee 1871. Yarker, whose letters are notable for their
‘There is now an annual fee of one guinea and very small ale and not much of that - rarely acerbity, despatched an uncharacteristically
required. The Induction fee for England is wine - and never spirits - nor have I done the
not yet settled. latter since my marriage more than four years Continued on Next Page

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
apologetic reply on 16 December. 58 Lytton Determining Empire together. The doctrine of exclusive
conveniently died on 18 January 1873 and the jurisdiction has been adopted by all North American
Continued from Page 7
Society lost its involuntary Grand Patron. Grand Lodges and has resulted in the lodges formed
Mackenzie now became a regular contributor to Constitutional Convention, where each of the among negro Americans, they (being branded
The Rosicruician. Hitherto its editorial contents newly formed states yielded some personal irregular and clandestine) have been deprived of
had been almost unbelievably dull, and with the privilege for the universal harmony of the entire the privilege of regular membership by the use of
exception of his Eliphas Lévi piece Mackenzie’s country, had taught the Americans the necessity the ballot in individual lodges.
articles were no better. One would never suppose of having a common cause and objective and the The use of the ballot is a landmark and must be
that they could have been written by the ‘bright newly formed successor to the Rite of Perfection, used to protect the peace and harmony of the
young man’ that Mackenzie represented during the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite accepted fraternity socially, intellectually, religiously ,
the early 1850s.59 He was appointed the Society’s the historic right of the Craft Masonry to rule politically, and influentially. It may well be said
Assistant Secretary General on 8 January 1874. and govern and gracefully recognized the Priority that the ballot should not be used to determine
His correspondence with Irwin began ten months of right held by the Grand Lodges. The newly physical qualifications such as color. But what of
later and in the very first of his letters (12 October formed Grand Lodges themselves declared their the Doctrine of the Perfect Youth: which bars the
1874) he wrote- ‘I certainly have the lightest sovereignty over the lodges operating in each state non-male. The mentally impaired, the crippled,
duties that ever fell to the lot of an Assistant of this new country and added to that a principle and the under aged?
Secretary as Dr. W[oodman] does all the work known as the American Doctrine of Exclusive This landmark is almost universally
and I only write papers of more or less general Jurisdiction which in ef fect said that the first acknowledged and used to benefit the Craft. We
interest.’ group to form a grand lodge in any territory not find many modifications. In our Mother Grand
In the spring of 1875 the Society’s affairs were previously governed by a Grand Lodge should be Lodge we find the Lewes system, which allows a
in a state of mild confusion. R.W. Little was the only regular Masonic authority in that youth of 18 to become a Member in the Lodge of
threatening to resign and Dr. Woodman was living jurisdiction and all others not yielding allegiance his father, attaining, to full membership at
at Exeter and too far away to be able to intervene would be declared clandestine. This brought a manhood.
effectively. As for Little (according to Mackenzie howl of protest from our Latin American Brothers This system is copied in many of the Latin Grand
on 9 April 1875): ‘... he has so many irons in the at first, but soon seeing the advantage of such a Lodges. American Lodges have forbidden the
fire it is impossible for him to keep them all right. system in maintaining regularity the Latins started practice and have substituted encouragement, if
If he would take things more coolly and not waste changing their system of government in Masonry not actual sponsorship of the Order of DeMolay,
so much of his time in the Refreshment Room at to acknowledge the Grand Lodge system of for boys budding into manhood. The “Equal
Freemasons’ Hall it would be better.’ 60 government by the Master Mason Degree, instead Rights” program of the American states made it
Mackenzie’s letter of 9 April 1875 indicates that of the Thirty-third. natural that the question of sex be modified in
he was now aware that Frederick Hockley, his In October, 1921, a convention of the International Masonry, and the O.E.S. was devised for women
erstwhile friend and mentor, had been proposed Masonic Service Associations was held in and the Order of the Rainbow and the Order of
as a joining member of the Society’s Metropolitan Geneva, Switzerland, at which a system of Jobs Daughters for girls.
College. Hockley, who lived in London, had been determining regularity was adopted. Naturally the These female and juvenile orders, being builded
a member of Irwin’s Bristol College since January English system governed and seven tests were on fundamental principles known as Masonic,
1872. Quite recently Mackenzie had asked Irwin set by which regularity could be measured. This seem to have satisfied the desires of the members
to approach Hockley on his behalf; thus on 23 has become the measure of regularity the world of these groups and to have preserved the adult
October 1874 he wrote: ‘Can you be a peacemaker over. male character of Masonry. Where with ostrich-
between us? I am willing to do or say anything to These are: like stupidity this necessity for modification of a
that purpose.’ Hockley offered no olive branch. 1. That it was regularly established by three centuries-old way of thinking has been ignored,
Embarrassed at the prospect of being publicly or more recognized Lodges or legalized by we find clandestinism flourishing, co-Masonry
snubbed by Hockley at the Metropolitan College’s one or more recognized Grand Lodges; embracing both men and women, and snobbery
meetings, and irritated by Little’s vagaries, his 2. That it is independent and self-governing destroying the harmony which is the strength and
letter of resignation from the Society was read at and exercises supreme and exclusive support of regular Masonry. We are reminded of
its Quarterly Convocation on 30 April 1875. jurisdiction; the couplet facetiously quoted when new rules
Six years later in a letter to Westcott (24 March 3. That it limits membership to men, for automobiles entering the traffic were made
1881) Mackenzie emphasized that his former believing in a S.A.O.T.U., and obligated necessary and a realignment of the rights of autoist
fellow-members could scarcely be considered as on the book of sacred law recognized by and pedestrian alike were necessary:
genuine Rosicrucians while he, of course, could the initiate;
claim that distinction. This document illustrates 4. That it requires the display of the three He was right, dead right, as he sped along,
Mackenzie’s occasionally paranoid temperament. great lights in every Lodge at work; But he’s just as dead as if he’d been wrong.
... I have always held aloof from the English 5. That it bars controversial, political, and
Society of late years. I possess the real religious questions from its Lodges; Masonry should modify its rules to meet the
degrees but I may not by my tenure give them 6. That it is founded upon and adheres to the challenge of education, of equal political standing
to any one in the world without a long and ancient landmarks, customs, and usages of for both sexes and all races, religious and political
severe probation to which few would consent the Craft; faiths. This should be done while there is a choice
to submit.61 It has taken me a quarter of a 7. That it does not maintain fraternal of speed, of method and of goals, rather than
century to obtain them and the whole of the intercourse with bodies which violate these hysterical cataclysmic upsetting of the pitcher of
degrees are different to anything known to principles. cooling water which will refresh and strengthen
the Rosi. Society of England - those few who Let it be noted that: us all if judiciously used on a basis of share and
have these degrees dare not communicate A: Religion and politics are forbidden as a share alike, according to our needs.
them.’ Read H[argrave] Jennings again 62 matter of discussion in a regular lodge. We should have a common religious faith, too,
and [Bulwer-Lytton’s] Zanoni.63 Even Lytton B: The participation of women is forbidden. often glibly referred to as a belief in the Grand
who knew so much was only a Neophyte and C: Racial lines are supposedly eradicated. Architect of the Universe. We should not have
could not reply when I tested him. How then the absolutism of the Scandinavian or Eclectic
This last step has been often referred to by Mason
Continued on Page 59 - Fringe and profane alike as the tie that has held the British Continued on Page 36

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 33

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
called when Barcia hit the pavement below.
Masonic Humor Darwin Awards Police spokesman Warren Carmichael said: “The
length of the elastic cord that he had assembled
Challenges of Hardhat was greater than the distance between the bridge
Diving THE Darwin Awards are probably the least and the ground.”
coveted trophies in the world. But you don’ t hear
Hi Sue, recipients complaining . . . because it is most Belt up
Just another note from your likely they are DEAD. Darwins are handed out
bottom-dwelling brother. to folk who accidentally kill or seriously injure Student Derek Kieper, 21, died in a car crash
Last week I had a bad day atthemselves in unbelievably stupid ways. when not wearing a seat belt – just weeks after
the office. I know you’ve The deaths are documented by fans of cult site he had written a damning article in his local paper
been feeling down lately at darwinawards.com which commemorates “those about new seatbelt laws being introduced in
work, so I thought I would who improve our gene pool by removing Nebraska. His article said: “If I want to be the
share my dilemma with you to make you realize themselves from it.” jerk that flirts with death and rides around with
it’s not so bad after all. Before I can tell you what
Of course, most of these are Urban Legends. my seat belt off, I should be able to.” Two belted
happened to me! I first must bore you with a few None the less, they are funny, so lets look at some passengers in the car escaped with minor injuries.
technicalities of my job. of the weird deaths...
As you know, my office lies at the bottom of the Snakebite Ball
Bright spark; Fatal explosion
sea. I wear a suit to the office. It’s a wetsuit. This
time of year the water is quite cool. So what we Let’s play catch ... the snake. A man in Alabama
do to keep warm is this: We have a diesel powered EMPLOYEES at a Texas warehouse noticed a died after being bitten several times by a
industrial water heater. This $20,000 piece of smell of gas. The building was evacuated and two rattlesnake.
equipment sucks the water out of the sea. It heats engineers went in to trace the leak. But because It seems that he and a friend were playing a game
it to a delightful temperature. It then pumps it it was too dark, one reached into his pocket for a of catch. But instead of a ball they used the deadly
down to the diver through a garden hose, which cigarette lighter to shed some light. serpent. The friend recovered after emergency
is taped to the air hose. The warehouse exploded, sending debris three hospital treatment.
Now this sounds like a darn good plan, and I’ve miles away. Nothing was found of the men but
used it several times with no complaints. What I the lighter , which was untouched by the Macho Man
do, when I get to the bottom and start working, is explosion.
take the hose and stuff it down the back of my Polish farmer Krystof Azninski, 30, had been
wetsuit. This floods my whole suit with warm Pepper Plummets drinking with friends when it was suggested they
water. It’s like working in a Jacuzzi. strip naked and play some “men’s games.” At first
Everything was going well until all of a sudden, A MEXICAN jail guard proved that peeping never they just hit each other over the head with frozen
my butt started to itch. So, of course, I scratchedpays when he died while trying to get an eyeful turnips, then one man grabbed a chainsaw and
it. This only made things worse. of an inmate’s conjugal visit. cut off the end of his foot.
Within a few seconds my butt started to burn. I Raul Zarate Diaz was watching the lag and his
pulled the hose out from my back, but the damage wife from the roof of the prison when he tripped Not to be outdone, Azninski got the saw and
was done. In agony, I realized what had happened. over an air vent. He crashed through a skylight shouting: “Watch this then,” swung at his neck
The hot water machine had sucked up a jellyfish and fell 23 feet to land beside the bed where the and chopped off his own head.
and pumped it into my suit. couple were enjoying their intimate moment.
Now, since I don’t have any hair on my back, the What a pa-lava
jellyfish couldn’t stick to it. However, the crack Pint of milk ... and petrol
of my butt was not as fortunate. Bright spark Philip Quinn’s new lava lamp failed
When I scratched what I thought was an itch, I A YOUNG Canadian, searching for a way of to light up – so he placed it on his kitchen stove
was actually grinding the jellyfish into the crack getting drunk cheaply, mixed some petrol with to warm. The lamp, which was supposed to get
of my butt. I informed the dive supervisor of my his milk. The concoction made him terribly ill no warmer than a 40-watt bulb, exploded –
dilemma over the communicator. His instructions and he was sick in the fireplace at his home. The spraying him with glass.
were unclear due to the fact that he, along with resulting explosion and fire burned down his One shard pierced his heart and blood-soaked
five other divers, were all laughing hysterically. house, killing both him and his sister. Philip, 24, staggered into his bedroom but died
Needless to say I aborted the dive. I was instructed minutes later in Kent, Washington.
to make three agonizing in-water decompress ion Freeway Dangler
stops totaling thirty-five minutes before I could Worst robbery
reach the surface to begin my chamber dry TWO Seattle drunks were on a bridge 40ft above
decompression. a motorway at 2.45am when they decided it would A HAPLESS crook targeted a gun shop full of
When I arrived at the surface, I was wearing be a great place for a trial of strength. Whoever customers, ignoring the marked patrol car parked
nothing but my brass helmet. As I climbed out of could dangle from the bridge the longest would outside. On seeing the cop at the counter, the
the water, the medic, with tears of laughter win. would-be robber announced: “This is a hold up”
running down his face, handed me a tube of cream Sadly, the winner was too tired from his victory and then fired a few wild shots.
and told me to rub it on my butt as soon as I got to climb back up, despite help from his friend. The officer in Seattle, Washington – and several
in the chamber. The cream put the fire out, but I The unidentified champion fell smack into traffic other staff and customers who also drew their guns
couldn’t poop for two days because my butt was below and died. – returned fire, killing the man.
swollen shut.
So, next time you’re having a bad day at work, Bad Bungee Aircraft moony
think about how much worse it would be if you
had a jellyfish shoved up your butt. Now repeat FASTFOOD worker Eric Barcia died when he Air crash ... fatal moonies. Three Brazilians were
to yourself, “I love my job, I love my job”. attempted to bungee jump of f a 70ft railway flying in a light aircraft at low altitude when
bridge. Cops in Fairfax County, Virginia, were another plane approached. It seems they decided

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
Masonic Humor “Never tell the Platoon Sergeant you have
Continued from Previous Page
nothing to do.” - Unknown Marine Recruit
to “moon” at the people in the other plane but
lost control of their own and crashed. They were “Don’t draw fire; it irritates the people
found dead with their pants round their ankles. around you.” - Your Buddies

Shot Rang In Ears “If you see a bomb technician running,

follow him” - USAF Ammo Troop
SOME people really do need to be protected from
themselves. Take Ken Charles Barger, 47, who “You’ve never been lost until you’ve been
accidentally shot himself to death one morning lost at Mach 3.” - Paul F. Crickmore (test
in Newton, North Carolina. pilot)
He woke to the sound of a ringing telephone
beside his bed and reached out for it. But instead “A pilot who doesn’t have any fear
of the handset he grabbed his Smith & Wesson probably isn’t flying his plane to its
.38 Special. It discharged when he held it up to maximum.” - Jon McBride, astronaut
his ear.
“The bombs are guaranteed to always hit
the ground.” - USAF Ammo Troop

Maxine: “When one engine fails on a twin-engine

airplane you always have enough power left
As You Slide Down the Banister of Life:
Military Funnies to get you to the scene of the crash.”

1. Jim Baker and Jimmy Swaggert have written “There is no reason to fly through a
an impressive new book. It’s called “Aim towards the enemy.” - Instruction thunderstorm in peacetime.” - Sign over
“Ministers Do More Than Lay People.” printed on US Rocket Launcher squadron ops desk at Davis-Monthan AFB,
2. Transvestite: A guy who likes to eat, drink AZ, 1970
and be Mary. “When the pin is pulled, Mr. Grenade is
3. The difference between the Pope and your not our friend.” - U.S. Marine Corps “Flying the airplane is more important than
boss...the Pope only expects you to kiss his radioing your plight to a person on the
ring. “If the enemy is in range, so are you.” - ground incapable of understanding or doing
4. My mind works like lightning. One brilliant Infantry Journal anything about it.”
flash and it is gone.
5. The only time the world beats a path to your “It is generally inadvisable to eject directly “What is the similarity between air traffic
door is if you’re in the bathroom. over the area you just bombed.” - U.S. Air controllers and pilots? If a pilot screws
6. I hate sex in the movies. Tried it once. The Force Manual up - the pilot dies; if ATC screws up -
seat folded up, the drink spilled and that the pilot dies.”
ice, well, it really chilled the mood. “Try to look unimportant; they may be low
7. It used to be only death and taxes were on ammo.” - Infantry Journal
inevitable. Now, of course, there’s shipping
and handling, too. “You, you, and you...Panic. The rest of you,
Huh??
8. A husband is someone who, after taking the come with me.” - U.S. Marine Corp I planted some bird seed. A bird came up. Now
trash out, gives the impression that he just Gunnery Sgt. I don’t know what to feed it.
cleaned the whole house.
9. My next house will have no kitchen - just “Tracers work both way.” - U.S. Army I had amnesia once — or twice.
vending machines and a large trash can. Ordnance
10. A blonde said, “I was worried that my I went to San Francisco. I found someone’s
mechanic might try to rip me off. I was “Five second fuses only last three seconds.” heart. Now what?
relieved when he told me all I needed was - Infantry Journal
turn signal fluid.” Protons have mass? I didn’t even know they
11. I’m so depressed. My doctor refused to “Don’t ever be the first, don’t ever be the were Catholic.
write me a prescription for Viagra. He said last, and don’t ever volunteer to do
it would be like putting a new flagpole on anything.” - U.S. Navy Swabbie All I ask is a chance to prove that money can’t
a condemned building. make me happy.
12. My neighbor was bitten by a stray rabid “Bravery is being the only one who knows
dog. I went to see how he was and found you’re afraid.” - Col. David Hackworth If the world was a logical place, men would be
him writing frantically on a piece of paper. the ones who ride horses sidesaddle.
I told him rabies could be treated, and he “If your attack is going too well, you’re
didn’t have to worry about a Will. He said, walking into an ambush.” - Infantry Journal What is a “free” gift? Aren’t all gifts free?
“Will? What Will? I’m making a list of the
people I want to bite.” “No combat-ready unit has ever passed They told me I was gullible... I believed them.
13. As you slide down the banister of life, may inspection.” - Joe Gay
the splinters never point the wrong Teach a child to be polite and courteous in the
way...Maxine’s Wish For You...O.K., for “Any ship can be a minesweeper....once.” home and, when he grows up, he’ll never be
all of us! - Anonymous able to merge his car onto the freeway.

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
system confining its members to Christianity, the punctuation point be exactly placed and that every and this would be in 1710. This fact is beyond
intolerance of the Roman system with the primary piece of paraphernalia be regarded as sacrosanct? dispute, and at once destroys any argument that
purpose of preserving a ruling hierarchy, the Should there not be a liberalism between may be advanced concerning her initiation in any
fanaticism of the Moslem, promising physical Jurisdictions, between Lodges, and even between Lodge after its constitution by the Grand Lodge
rewards for earthly morality, or the liberality of individual Brothers which will recognize of Ireland.
the agnostic who (heavenly in his desire to please fundamental Masonic qualifications rather than If we consider the question of the date of Miss
all) allows the atheistic nonbeliever to crawl superficial and artificial acquirements? We err St. Leger ’s marriage with Richard Aldworth Esq.,
under the tent of Masonry as is so woefully in intolerance within our own ranks. of which there appears unfortunately no official
exemplified by the Grand Orient of France and Finally, should we not recognize the fact that record, it in no way supports the theory with
its adherents. We should make Deity truly the circumstances alter cases and that a Jurisdiction regard to such Lodges. Her daughter, Mary
point within the circle around the perimeter of threatened in its very existence by a numerically, Aldworth, was born in 1719, and her eldest son,
which is room for every sect or opinion which superior ruling force must operate and concede Boyle Aldworth Esq., had issue by his first wife,
acknowledges the Fatherhood, of God and the privileges to preserve its very existence. a son Richard, born in 1741, thus showing that in
Brotherhood of Man. Masonry must “go underground” in Communist 1741 the Hon. Mrs. Aldworth née St. Leger, was
To get down to the everyday fundamental with controlled countries. aged 48, and a grandmother. From this also it
which we come in contact, should we use the Who would deny them the right to discuss politics appears that Miss Elizabeth St. Leger must have
hoodwink in initiations? One great jurisdiction or religion within the sanctity of their lodge? been married before 1719, the date of the birth
has practically discarded it, using it only as we Where can they keep the Holy Fire if not on the of her daughter, more probably a few years earlier,
use the door of the preparation room between the Masonic Altar? What about domination of when we take into consideration the date of the
profane and the accepted petitioner, discarding religious groups such as we find in Spain where birth of her grandson. These circumstances amply
the hoodwink as we open the door when we Masonic membership is accompanied with a support the tradition that Miss St. Leger was a
answer the raps of the candidate. It is highly decree of death pronounced by the Roman Church. young girl at the time she was made a Mason.
successful. Should we dispense with the physical Closer than that, in Colombia, South America, She was seventeen in 1710; and we may safely
portrayal of the Legend and rely on the mental where assassination of “heretics” is condoned and place the date of her initiation after 1710 and
application of the allegory? Many jurisdictions encouraged by the domineering Church? Can we before the year 1718.
have done so under the pressure of caution, and forbid these Masons the sanctity of their Lodges Tradition also reports, it will be remembered,
the necessity for bringing “Degree Teams” back to discuss means of self preservation? Can we that the Lodge was held at Doneraile Court, by
from the amusement category of teaching to the criticise justly our own jurisdiction which does its owner, Viscount Doneraile. From the pedigree
solemn purpose of teaching by allegory. not open the flood gates which will drown them it will be seen that he was married in 1690 (Miss
Should we demand the abolishing of jurisdictional out with the very water which if controlled will St. Leger born in 1693) and he died on 7th July,
lines which require a petitioner to associate be of great benefit to they development of 1727. It therefore follows that the Lodge must
himself with a group in which he has little of democratic thought and action? have been held before the year 1727.
common interest, socially, financially, politically, One could go on for time immeasurable with Of the Lodges constituted by the Grand Lodge
religiously, or intellectually, a process which a rguments for and against uniformity and of Ireland, those bearing the numbers 44, 95, and
almost guarantees his early withdrawal to the universality of governing laws. The final law must 150, have frequently been seriously considered
class of the non-attending Brother, if not his be the answer to the question “Are we trying to as being identical with the Lodge that initiated
complete renouncing of the membership itself? fulfill God’s will through Masonry? Are we really our fair sister. That such attempts at fixing her
May we cite the case of the Grand Jurisdiction of promoting the Brotherhood of Man?” initiation after the formation of the Grand Lodge
Pennsylvania where except for the Grand of Ireland in 1729-30 are vain and worthy of little
Jurisdiction itself there are no “lines” of Proceedings of the Seventh attention, may be gathered from the following
demarcation and a profane may choose the lodge Rocky Mountain Masonic Conference notes on the above three Lodges, kindly supplied
with which he associates himself, subject to the Rocky Mountain Consistory No. 2 me by our learned Brother Dr. Chetwode Crawley,
possession of fundamental character Denver, Colorado whose forthcoming reproductions of the early
qualifications. The United Grand Lodge of July 11th 1958 constitutions of the Grand Lodge of Ireland2 will
England recognizes the desirability of this choice show that the first Lodges on the Irish Registry
by the encouragement of “Class” Lodges. Many were at work for years before they obtained
Latin jurisdictions practice this in permitting Warrants. With regard to the first named, No. 44.
District Grand Lodges to operate in the language St. Leger Of this Lodge we know absolutely nothing, saving
of the country of origin of foreign born members. Continued from Page 15 that the warrant must have been dated between
Should we? Would this not let the “color 20th December, 1735, and 20th April, 1736, at a
question” solve itself? Would it not prevent already in part witnessed. time when Miss St. Leger would neither be “a
forcible integration under conditions distasteful All traditions, as well as the accounts kindly young girl,” being then forty-seven years of age,
to white and black alike where each is a sincere, supplied to me by various members of the family, nor would she have still retained her maiden name,
thinking Mason? We find a tacit acceptance of are unanimous in stating that the circumstances, seeing that her daughter Mary Aldworth was in
the principle of “Birds of a feather flocking as above recorded, took place at a time when Miss that year twenty years old, and Miss St. Leger ’s
together” in the encouragement of Research St. Leger was a young girl, and unmarried. As (Mrs. Aldworth) father had been dead eight years,
Lodges for the students of Masonry, in will be seen, from the accompanying pedigree Bro. Chetwode Crawley further informs me that
associations of Grand Jurisdictions with like [omitted], compiled from information supplied “there is no ground for locating this Lodge at
problems. Witness our RMMC. We might do well to me by her descendants, Miss S t. Leger was Doneraile any more than at Donegal.”
to approve lodges formed on the basis of creed, born in 1693, her father having married in 1690. Of Lodge 95 we know that it was founded 1st
color, occupation, and environmental conditions. It is of course difficult to decide the exact age December, 1738, in Cashell, in which year Mrs.
Should we demand proficiency in ritual? Which referred to by “a young girl.” When considering Aldworth was 50 years of age. This Lodge
is more desirable, Masonry of the head, or the pedigree it will be seen that the maximum continued till 1750 in full work at Cashel, which
Masonry of the heart? How many Brothers of the age is clearly fixed at 1717-18 (if not much is in County Tipperary, full fifty miles as the crow
Craft absent themselves for fear of ridicule by earlier) when Miss St. Leger would be twenty- flies, from Doneraile.
those who meticulously demand that every pass- four years of age.
word have a certain inflection, that every At 17 she might fairly be called “a young girl” Continued on Next Page

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
Coming now to Lodge 150, which by the way I memory was placed in the parish church of
may term “The Favorite,” and the one nearly all Doneraile.
previous accounts rely upon as the foundation for The remains of the Hon. Mrs. Aldworth, appear
their erroneous superstructures, I will only refer to have been seen in after years by the late Dr.
to a letter received by me the other day from Bro. Richard Caulfield, shortly before the erection of
Chetwode Crawley, in which he says:—” Lodge the present Cathedral of S. Finbarr. Writing on
150 is absurd as a mother Lodge for the lady. The the subject he says, (the body of the venerable
Lodge was founded 25th February, 1745-6 in lady was enclosed in a leaden shell and in a
Dublin, where it was carried on continuously till wonderful state of preservation.) “ She was attired
at any rate 1759.” At the date of constituting this in a dark silk dress, white satin shoes, stockings
Lodge, namely in 1746, our worthy Sister was in of a similar color. Her person was comely; her
the proud position of being a grandmother, a period face of a dusky or ash color ; her features quite
in life far removed from that of “a young girl.” perfect and calm. She wore long silk gloves,
The father of Miss St. Leger was created Baron which extended above the embroidered
Kilmayden and Viscount Doneraile by Queen wristbands...... she wore a white head-dress, with
Anne, 23rd June, 1703. On the occasion of a frill round her neck, the pleats of which were
receiving these honors his Lordship was at the not even ruffled.” The stone slab which covered
court of St. James’s, London. the vault, having become undecipherable by age,
From these circumstances only one solution of was moved when the present Cathedral was built,
the dif ficulty as to the Lodge being held at and finally placed in the floor of the small
Doneraile Court earlier than that constituted in chamber situated in the great tower.
1735 seems possible. The apron worn by our worthy sister is now in
We know, from the records of the Grand Lodge the possession of her descendant, Colonel R.
of Munster, that a meeting was held at the house W. Aldworth, of Newmarket Court, who has
of Mr. Herbert Phaire in Cork on St. John’s day, been kind enough to send me what may almost
the 27th December, A.D. 1726. It must not be call a facsimile, which I now have the pleasure “The apron in the possession of Colonel Aldworth
forgotten that Doneraile Court is situated within of exhibiting. is of larger size, and would reach almost to the
thirty miles of that city, and it may be assumed It will be noticed that the shape is peculiar and knees of a lady of ordinary height. It is the deep
that the Grand Lodge of Munster did not come it is further very remarkable for its size, measuring
apron, following the shape of the trimmed skin
into existence without there having been at least with the flap folded, 21in. deep, width at top of leather, not uncommonly worn of various
a Lodge, or Lodges, existing in that district before 21in., and width at the bottom 24 1/2 in. materials in England before the Union. It must
1726. The early history of Freemasonry in According to Bro. Crowe; the largest apron he not be forgotten, however, that these were Irish
London, as well as in Ireland, before the era of has ever seen, measured with the flap folded 26 aprons, of which very few old examples have been
Grand Lodges, is to a certain extent obscure. 1/2in. deep, width at the top 22 1/2in., and at thepublished. Through the kindness of friends I have
The Grand Lodge of England, founded in 1716- bottom 24 1/2 in. had several very interesting examples lent to me
17, was the result of Lodges already existing; Bro. R ylands writes me the following which I hope to publish before long.
therefore speculative masonry was a living observations on the matter:— It could hardly be expected that one apron would,
institution when Miss St. Leger was a girl of with Mrs. Aldworth’s regular attention to her
seventeen or eighteen. I must congratulate you on being able to Masonic duties, remain in perfect order for twenty
Her father, Viscount Doneraile, as already stated, exhibit to the Lodge this representation of or more years. No doubt from time to time a
visited London to take up his patent in 1703, Mrs. Aldworth’s apron, and I am sure the renewal became necessary, and the apron in the
which we may conclude was neither the first nor best thanks of the members are due to Col. possession of Col. Aldworth is probably the one
the last visit to the Metropolis. At this date, only Aldwor th, for having so kindly prepared such worn by Mrs. Aldworth up to the time of her
thirteen years before the Grand Lodge of England a capital facsimile of this inter esting relic death, which took place in 1773. This would
was founded, some at least of the old Lodges of his Masonic ancestor. The differ ence satisfactorily account for the difference in form.
which joined in that Masonic event, must have between the apron now exhibited and that I Under any circumstances this reproduction of the
existed, and it would be quite possible for his represented in the engraved portrait of 1811 apron in the possession of Col. Aldworth, supplies
Lordship to have been made a mason in London is worthy of note. The one in the engraving a well-authenticated example of an apron used
during one of his visits. is of small size, shield shaped, and the outer under the Irish Constitution before the year 1773.”
If this be admitted, it would be quite possible edges of both the apron and flap seem to be Of the two jewels worn by Mrs. Aldworth, one is
for him, on his return to Ireland, to open a private ornamented with fringe, probably of blue or preserved by Lady Doneraile, the other is in the
Lodge in his own house, with the assistance of white silk. As I have already pointed out, it possession of Lodge No. 1, Cork. Her portrait is in
his friends. This Lodge would probably exist up is not unlike the St. Helena apron, in the the collection of Lady Castletown, of Upper Ossory.
to the time of his death in 1727, a date, as above possession of Col. Mead. 3 An engraved copy was published by subscription
mentioned, when a meeting of the Grand Lodge in 1811. From the pamphlet accompanying this
of Munster was held at Cork. Whether this private The original, from which the engraving of 1811 engraving, we gather that Mrs. Aldworth was a
Lodge had an unbroken existence after the death was copied, having been evidently prepared as a most exemplary member of the Craft.
of its founder, it is impossible now to say. The portrait of Mrs. Aldworth in her Masonic clothing, Holding, as she did, the distinction of being the
second Viscount, Miss St. Leger’s eldest brother, it may fairly be concluded that the apron only Lady Mason, “she had such a veneration for
was married in 1717, and succeeded to the family represented shows the form of the one worn by Masonry that she would never suffer it to be
honors on the death of his father. He died in her at that period. The Pamphlet of 1811 states spoken lightly of in her hearing; nor would she
March, 1734, and was in turn succeeded by his that the portrait was ‘taken at an advanced touch on the subject, but with the greatest caution,
son Arthur, the third Viscount, who died without period.’ It appears to me to represent a woman of in company with even her most intimate friends,
issue in 1750. from forty to fifty years of age. Born in 1693, whom she did not know to be Masons, and when
The Hon. Mrs. Aldworth died in 1773, aet. 80, Mrs. Aldworth would be fifty in 1743. The form she did, it was under evident embarrassment, and
and was buried in the Davies vault in the old S t. of the apron, however, appears to me to be of
Finnbarr Cathedral, Cork. A mural tablet to her later date. Continued on Next Page

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
a trembling apprehension lest she might, in a operative. The Lodge at Doneraile Court must a ‘Stone Cutter’ in 1720.
moment of inadvertence, commit a breach of in future rank with the one at Warrington in The first Grand Master who was installed in 1717
Masonic duty.” which Ashmole first saw the light, with the one - one Anthony Sayer -was also apparently a man
It is further stated that she pr esided as at Chester of which Randle Holme was a of limited means, for later in life he became Tyler
Master of her Lodge, which she headed member , and with others whose traces would to at least four lodges, and on two occasions
frequently in Masonic order of procession, yet turn up. The Scottish Lodges and that in applied to Grand Lodge for relief, in 1730 when
driving, we are told, in an open carriage. the Masons’ Company of London were not quite 15 pounds were voted to him also 2.2.0 in 1741
The latter part of this statement may be on the same footing, because their connection from the ‘General Charity,’ whilst he also received
correct, but as to her ever having filled the with Operative Masonry was still close and assistance from various private Lodges. Bro. J.
chair of her Lodge, or even that she was ever direct. The paper they had just listened to was Walter Hobbs, L.R., in an exhaustive and valued
in Lodge after her initiation and passing, I a very important and welcome one, and seeing paper read in 1924 before the Quatuor Coronati
believe there is no evidence forthcoming. what Bro. Conder had already done for them Lodge (entitled “Mr. Anthony Sayer”) attempts
in the short time he had devoted his attention to prove that Sayer was not only a “Gentleman”
Indeed, the early accounts of her Masonic to Masonic Archaeology, he (Bro. Speth) but also a person of some social standing—who
career only state that she was admitted to the ventured to hope and even to prophesy, that might later on have lost his fortune in the “South
F.C. degree, but at the date of her initiation much might be expected of him in the future. Sea Bubble”; he however frankly admits that the
all the principal points of the Craft were He would now read to them three evidence is not conclusive.
probably included in this the second, or as communications he had received on this matter
we now term it the third degree. I will not, from Bros. Hughan, Rylands and Dr. Chetwode “NOBLEMEN AND GENTLEMEN” [1723]
however, enter here upon a disquisition on this Crawley, merely expressing his regret that
interesting crux, but rather leave our heroine through illness in the one case, and unavoidable Before long however a higher status was ruling
in full possession of all traditionary Masonic circumstances in the others, these brethren amongst the so-called ‘Moderns,’ for Dr.
honors although fearing that many bear the could not be present to deliver their remarks Anderson in his Constitutions of the Freemasons
stamp of imagination pure and simple. viva voce. [1723] tells us that “several Noblemen and
Gentlemen of the best Rank with Clergymen and
What we do know is that as a Mason she learned Scholars of most Professions and
was always remarkable for her true charity, Denominations . . . frankly joined and submitted
which she dispensed with an open hand, thus Moderns to take the Charges, and to wear the Badges of a
proving herself to be a worthy representative Continued from Page 16 Free and Accepted Mason, under our present
of the knightly St. Legers, and adding fresh worthy Grand Master, the most noble Prince,
lustre to the traditions of the family motto— as the ‘Antients’ did not constitute their Grand John, Duke of Montagu.”
Lodge before 1753 (although they first assembled In 1738 Anderson expatiates further by stating
Haut et Bon. as a Grand Committee in 1751); thus in point of “Now Masonry flourished in Harmony,
———————— time the ‘Moderns’ were as a body, thirty-four Reputation, and Numbers, many Noblemen and
The W.M. in the Chair, expressed the pleasure years older than the ‘Antients,’ it is therefore quite Gentlemen of the first Rank desir’d to be admitted
which had been afforded him in listening to clear that both these titles are-colloquially to the Fraternity, besides other Learned Men,
the very interesting paper of Bro. Conder, and speaking—misnomers. It is not very easy to Merchants, Clergymen and Tradesmen who found
had no doubt the brethren present would explain in detail the exact reasons for the founding a Lodge to be a safe and pleasant Relaxation from
express the same for themselves later on by of this opposition Grand Lodge but some of the Intense Study or the Hurry of Business, without
heartily carrying the vote of thanks which he contributory causes appear to be as follows: Politicks or Party.”
should move. Meanwhile he called for
comments on the part of brethren present. ‘OPERATIVE MASONS’ “UNATTACHED LODGES”
Bro. Speth thought that “comments” was
undoubtedly the right word to use, as he Prior to the formation of Grand Lodge in 1717, Human nature in 1724 was very like what we
conceived anything in the nature of a discussion most of the Lodges were of humble rank, having find it today and it is not only possible but quite
to be practically impossible. Much as they all as members many men of the working classes - probable that many of the “Operatives” and
loved a discussion, with that little spice of including of course real ‘Operative’ Masons, humbler members of a Lodge felt rather jealous
dissent which gave it piquancy, he saw no although there were also some ‘Speculatives’ in of these richer men and their influence and desire
opening for anything of the kind on this their midst -for in those early days a Lodge almost for new methods of working. So glowing out of
occasion. But he thought it possible to invariably met at a Tavern or Inn, and was very harmony with this changed condition of affairs
emphasize what had perhaps escaped the notice much like a benefit society, members who were they gradually left their Mother Lodges to form
of the brethren in the mere bearing of the paper, ill or in distress coming ‘On the Box’ for small others more congenial to themselves. Some would
although it would come out clearly enough in payments in cash—pecuniary ‘Relief ’ to brethren also join Unattached or Independent Lodges
perusing it quietly at home. in need being then a constant feature. which went by the name of St. John’s Masons -
This was not so much the correction of the date It was also quite usual for members not only to St. John being the Patron Saint of the Craft - for
hitherto accepted as that of Miss St. Leger’s attend at the funeral of a deceased brother , but we find that many visitors to the old Lodges often
initiation, an important point enough in itself, also to pay for the cost of interment when need signed the attendance book or were entered by
as the fact that this correction brought her required. This presence of the ‘Operatives’ in the Secretary as St. John’s Men - they paying
initiation back to a period when Masonry as Lodges is made manifest from the fact that Grand generally an extra visiting fee.
we now understood it certainly did not exist in Lodge in 1722 selected as their Grand Wardens,
Ireland, and possibly not even in England. It two working men, viz.: -’Mr. Joshua Timson,’ a “IRISH MASONS”
carried us back to a period before the Blacksmith, and ‘Mr. William Hawkins,’ a Now from (a) these groups of poor Masons—
foundation of Grand Lodge, and showed us that ‘Mason,’ whilst the following mechanics were discontented with the advent into the Craft of
the lady was initiated under the old regime; also appointed Grand Wardens, viz.:-’Jacob these so called “Noblemen and Gentlemen,” also
she and those assembled with her on that Lamball,’ a ‘Carpenter’ in 1717; ‘John Cordwell,’ (b) from those brethren who objected to any
occasion were speculative members joining the a ‘City Carpenter ’ and ‘Thomas Morrice,” a
Craft at a time when it was still mainly ‘Stone Cutter’ in 1718; and ‘Thomas Hobby,’ also Continued on Next Page - Moderns

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
alteration being made in their ancient Ritual, but absented himself from public worship ( i.e., at Grand Lodge to be observed in their respective
more especially (c) from a band of Irish the Parish Church) he became liable “on pain of Lodges for their Security against all open and
Freemasons who had settled in London -mostly punishment by the censures of the Church.” This Secret Enemies to the Craft.”
in poor circumstances—came into being a new Act -though now obsolete -is still on the S tatute 1730, Dec. 15. In order “to prevent the Lodges
organization that in 1751 first worked by means Book, but was repealed - about 1846 - as regards being imposed upon by false Brethren or
of a Grand Committee, and in 1753 blossomed ‘Dissenters.’ Impostors,” a member had to vouch for a visiting
out into a new Grand Lodge whose members soon Brother “and the Member’s name had to be
described themselves as Antient Masons holding PRICHARD’S ‘MASONR Y DISSECTED’ entered against the Visitor’s name in the Lodge
out that they alone deserved that title because [1730] Book.”
they practiced Masonry according to the ‘Old 1739, June 30. “The Complaint referred to by
Constitutions.’ The late Bro. Henry Sadler, It is also obvious that the authority of the Grand the last Committee of Charity concerning the
Librarian to Grand Lodge in his Masonic Facts Lodge of 1717 was not recognized universally. irregular making of Masons was taken into
and Fictions [1887] confirms the statement that Certain old Lodges retained a position of Consideration.”
the early members of the Lodges of the ‘Antients’ independence and refused to accept what they 1739, Dec. 12. “Ordered that the Laws be strictly
consisted mostly of Irish Masons, who were considered was a new Constitution - keeping to put in Execution against all such Brethren as shall
chiefly of the working class type. for the future countenance, connive or assist at
It is therefore obvious that any such irregular Makings.”
speaking generally—the It is generally believed that the principal changes
personnel of the Modern Lodges, effected by the Moderns were that they: -
was on a higher grade than that of
the Antients. Quite apart, 1 Transposed the Word s in the first and
however, from the different social second Degrees.
status of these brethren there were 2 Gave up the use of Deacons, or at any rate
other important reasons which did not appoint them.
helped to cause a division of the 3 Omitted the Ceremony of Installation; (and
Craft into two bodies. later on)
4 Did not officially perform or even recognize
ANDERSON’S FIRST the rite of Holy Royal Arch—said to be the
CHARGE [1723] completion or perfection of the third
Degree.
The Old Charges make it clear that 5 Possibly also changed the steps, and
prior to 1717 the Craft had generally curtailed the Ceremonies, relying
definitely accepted the Christian chiefly on teaching the tenets of the Craft
Faith as its first and abiding Land by means of Masonic Lectures, at least in
Mark; the constant and repeated certain old Modern Lodges the latter were
‘Invocations to the Trinity’ prove always the chief and most essential feature
this to a certainty.—Perhaps in of the work.
order to make ‘Masonry
Universal,’ thereby allowing Jews Unfortunately hostility soon arose between the
to enter the Order-Anderson’s Moderns and the Antients and increased as time
‘First Charge’ in his Constitutions went on, and for about seventy years they opposed
of 1723 stated that a Mason, was “now” only certain ancient customs peculiar to themselves - each other bitterly. The dissenting and dissatisfied
required to be of that religion “in which all men and certain societies also arose professing to be Lodges - which according to Sadler gradually
agree, leaving their particular opinions to Masons, but often merely using the name of the became known as Irish. Lodges - insisted on
themselves; that is to be good Men and true, etc.” Craft as a cloak for political or even less worthy retaining the established Ritual in all its details
[This subject has been most ably elucidated and purposes. Enemies were also at work, various and soon began openly to state that those who
explained by Bro. J. E. Shum Tuckett in a paper exposures of the Ritual being printed, purporting had thus varied the ancient forms and ceremonies
read before this Society in 1922.] This serious to tell the outside world the real secrets of the were scarcely worthy to be regarded as Masons.
alteration in our creed [as Bro. Vibert tells us in Craft—the most important being Masonry And so they dubbed them Modern Masons and
his excellent Story of the Craft] virtually de Dissected, written by one Samuel Prichard, claimed for themselves the title of Antient
Christianized the tenets of Freemasonry, thereby described as “late member of a Constituted Masons, meaning thereby that they - and they
making the Craft eligible to a professor of any Lodge,” which first appeared in 1730. alone - practiced Masonry according to the proper
faith-provided always that the candidate At length in the same year [viz., 1730], in order rites.
recognized the existence of a Supreme Being. It to meet these various difficulties and with a
is clear that this startling innovation became a laudable desire to prevent ‘cowans’ and MODERNS AND ANTIENTS RE-MADE
serious stumbling block to many of the old ‘impostors’ being ‘Made Masons,’ the Grand
fashioned Operatives who had been accustomed Lodge of 1717 allowed - or perhaps even advised To such an extent did this spirit prevail that if a
to hear read in open Lodge the ‘Old Charges,’ - the Lodges under its jurisdiction to make certain Modern desired to visit an Antient Lodge, he had
constantly reminding them that the first and chief variations in the Ritual. The following extracts first to be Re-Made so as to become an Antient;
duty of a Mason was to be a True Man to God from the Grand Lodge minutes of 1730 and 1739 similarly the Moderns were quite as strict on their
and the Holy Church. These men had also lived refer to this matter: - part and would not allow an Antient to visit their
in the days when a regular and punctual 1730, Aug. 28. Dr. Desaguliers “recommended Lodge unless he were first Re-Made so as to
attendance at their parish church was not only a several things to the consideration of the Grand become a Modern.
duty, but an absentee—without valid excuse- Lodge” . . . “for preventing any false Brethren Now, although the motive of the Moderns in thus
became liable to fines or other penalties. In 1552 being admitted into regular Lodges and such as varying the Ritual was perfectly honest and
it was enacted by 5 & 6 Edward 6, c. 1., that if call themselves Honorary Masons.” “The D.G.M.
anyone without lawful or reasonable excuse Nathaniel Blakerby proposed several Rules to the Continued on Next Page

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
sincere-their desire merely being to prevent Dermott, the Grand Secretary of that section of obliged to work 12 hours in the day for the Master
irregular Masons being made - yet in time they the Craft, indulged in some rather severe Painter who employed him,” and that therefore
saw the error of their ways and practically criticisms when discussing certain items of the he would have no leisure time for the future in
admitted that their rivals - the Antients - had acted Ritual as practiced by the Moderns, and by way which to deliver the Summonses which up to that
more wisely in retaining the Ritual in its fuller of an awful example (to prove some of his stories) date had been his practice. His occupation of a
and original form. actually singled out and especially referred to— Journeyman Painter betokens a very moderate
though not by name—my own Mother Lodge, the income, but later on we learn that he improved
REVERSION TO THE ANCIENT LAND Dunde Lodge, No. 9, at Wapping, London, E., in social status and carried on the business of a
MARKS [1809] now known as the Old Dundee Lodge, No. 18. It Wine Merchant at King S treet, Tower Hill,
perhaps, therefore is not very unreasonable that London, E. He was a man of fairly good education,
This is made clear from the fact that in 1809 the the present writer - who has for over thirty years and his firm and distinctive signature reveals to
Grand Lodge of the Moderns officially passed the been a member of that Lodge, and is now its some extent the bold and determined character
following resolution, viz.: - second oldest Past Master - should endeavour in which he undoubtedly possessed. He informs us
“That the Grand Lodge do agree in opinion with a very humble way to investigate such allegations that originally he joined a Modern Lodge in
the Committee of Charity that it is not necessary and put in some London [in 1748 -unfortunately up to now its
any longer to continue in force those Measures sort of defence to identity is unknown, -but he soon threw in his lot
which were resorted to in or about the year 1739 Dermott’s (heart and soul) with the Antients and became
respecting Irregular Masons, and therefore enjoin c h a r ges, their chief protagonist and sponsor for over thirty
the Several Lodges to Revert to the Ancient Land although years. In 1752 he was appointed Grand Secretary
Marks of the Society.” (1) a s of that body and retained that exalted position
This clear and important admission on the part until his resignation in 1770,—in the next year
of the Moderns that they had omitted to practice [1771] he was elevated to the rank of Deputy
certain of the ‘Land Marks’ was the first Grand Master, acting in that capacity until 1787
serious step taken towards reconciliation. when increasing ill health caused his
The next naturally was to try and discover retirement; a few years later, viz., in June,
what the true ‘Land Marks’ were and for 1791, he passed to the Grand Lodge above,
this purpose a Lodge was formed for the having devoted forty-seven years of a very
express purpose of “Ascertaining and active life to the services of the Craft for
Promulgating the Ancient Land Marks of which he always had a great affection and
the Society,” which became known a “The regard.
Lodge of Promulgation” [1809-11]. The His life in London was almost entirely
result of their labors proving quite spent in the Eastern portion of the great
satisfactory, the Lodge of Reconciliation metropolis, for he reside for some years in
was then formed in 1813 which definitely King Street, Tower Hill, E., and his will
agreed in 1816 upon a Ritual satisfactory dated 5th June, 1770, commences thus “In
to both sides. the name of God, Amen. I, Laurence
Dermott of the Parish of Saint Botolph,
THE “UNITED GRAND LODGE” Aldgate in the County of Middlesex, Wine
[1813] Merchant, etc., etc.”; he later on removed
to Mile End with his wife where he
All difficulties being now removed, after remained until his death in 1791. (3)
much discussion and certain mutual
concessions—of which it is only fair to HIS ACQUAINTANCE WITH WAPPING
state that the most important were mad
by the Moderns—a “Glorious Union” of Dermott’s residence in the East End of London
these two sections of the Craft was effected, would make him very familiar with the locality
and on the 27th December, 1813, both Moderns these of Wapping—then the busy and active Port of
and Antients ceased to exit and there arose instead were made 160 years ago, he fully realizes that London—where the Dundee Lodge had met from
The United Grand Lodge of Antient Freemasons the case is quite statute barred and the matter 1739.
of England, the Duke of Sussex being elected and now but ancient history. This article is, however, This Lodge—one of the oldest Modern Lodges
enthroned as the first Grand Master. (2) written in the hope that other members of the in the world, having been Constituted 1722-23—
After this somewhat rambling—and admitted Craft may derive some useful information on these was allotted in 1753, the Number 9 on the
quite incomplete-version of the origin of the interesting subjects that were evidently often Register of the Grand Lodge of England, which
Modern and Antients, let us turn our attention to discussed in the Society of the Antients. We shall number it held right up to the Union in 1813,
the real purpose of this paper, viz.:—to discuss commence by first making a few enquiries as to when in compliance with the compromise then
and inquire into the reasons why the Antients so the author of these stories. arrived at with the Antients it had to surrender
persistently and continuously—from 1764 to say its old number and from 1814 became No. 18
1809 - vilified an ridiculed the ceremonies and LAURENCE DERMOTT [1720—1791] which distinction it still holds in 1924.
ritual of the Craft a practised by their opponents.
Dermott was an Irishman, born in 1720; he was NOTES
THE MODERNS made a Mason in Ireland in 1740 and working
his way through the various offices was installed (1) The Committee of Charity fulfilled in those
Laurence Dermott’s Satire 1764 as W. M. of Lodge No. 26, in Dublin on 24th days the duties of the present Board of
June, 1746. Leaving Ireland he came to London General Purposes of the United Grand
In the 2nd Edition (published in 1764) of Ahiman about 1747 and for some time was a Lodge of England.
Rezon - which was the official text book of the comparatively poor man, for he told his own
Antient for half a century,- Bro. Laurence Grand Lodge on the 13th July, 1753, that “he was Continued on Next Page - Moderns

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
(2) This present article is written from the 1810 the building and contents belonging to the was well able to discuss the differences in their
point of view of the Moderns, but it is only ‘Dundee’ Lodge, No. 9 at Wapping were insured Ritual as compared with that of the Antients.] To
right to at once make the fullest admission for no less than 2,000 pounds in the Sun Fire show, however, that he had no real ill feeling in
as to the great debt the Moderns owe to Office. By way of contrast the late Henry Sadler the matter, he then proceeded to say: -
the Antients for preserving intact—against informs us that the only paraphernalia possessed
great opposition—much of the old (and by the Grand Lodge of the Moderns in 1766 was “However, befor e I proceed any farther
perhaps original) working of the Masonic a sword, possibly a Bible, a jewel or two and two concerning the difference between antient
degree which otherwise might have been books of records; but that it had neither regular and modern, I think it my duty to declare
entirely lost. furniture, jewels nor habitation; thus it was solemnly before God and man that I have
(3) This information has been chiefly derived scarcely worth while insuring these from fire! In not the least antipathy against the gentlemen
from an excellent pamphlet entitled Notes 1763 two oil-lamps were purchased to illuminate members of the modern society, but on the
on Laurence Dermott, G.S., and His Work, the entrance to the Lodge Room and on dark contrary, love and respect them, because I
written in 1884 by the late Bro. W. M. winter nights—especially when a public ball was have found the generality of them to be hearty
Bywater, who with Bro. Henry Sadler are in progress—the building must have been very cocks and good fellows (as the bacchanalian
the chief exponents of Bro. Dermott’s conspicuous, and it is obvious from his own phrase is) and many of them I believe to be
Masonic career. statements that Bro. Laurence Dermott was well worthy of receiving every blessing that good
acquainted not only with the exterior of the men can ask or heaven bestow, I hope that
THE members of Dundee Lodge, No. 18, or No. building in which the Dundee Lodge met from this declaration will acquit me of any desire
9, as it stood on the Register of the “Moderns,” 1763, but also was well informed as to certain of giving offence, especially if the following
purchased in 1763 the freehold of a Warehouse private features of the Ritual gained either from queries and answers be rightly considered.”
in Red Lyon Street, Wapping, and letting out the personal experience or else from stories received
ground floor and basement—at first for a school from visitors to the Lodge. After which followed certain “Questions” and
and later on as a general store—utilized two “Answers” seeking to prove that Masonry as
rooms on the first floor for the purpose of Lodge “HEARTY COCKS” AND “GOOD practised by the Antients was more correct and
meetings, the smaller one being used as a Making FELLOWS” genuine than that favored by the ‘Moderns.’
Room and the larger one being used as the formal
Lodge Room, which rooms when not required for These were the jovial expressions by which GENTLEMEN OF AMERICA [1764]
Masonic work were often let for the purpose of Dermott described his opponents the Moderns
public dances—to such an extent was this the when writing about their Masonic doings in 1764. It is very interesting to note that Dermott states
practice that they became known locally as the In his capacity of Grand Secretary of the that he gives his information “to satisfy the
Wapping Assembly Rooms. The Lodge Room was ‘Antients,’ he apparently felt that he was quite importunities of my good Brethren (particularly
spacious and well adapted for a ball, being 44 entitled to try and enhance the prestige and the Right Worshipful and very worthy Gentlemen
feet long by 25 feet wide and 15 feet high. The fortunes of that society by deriding and attempting of America) who for their charitable disposition,
author of Multa Paucis describes the building as to depreciate his rivals. It would almost appear, prudent choice of members and good conduct in
Dundee Masons’ Hall, Wapping, thus the Dundee however, that he felt some little compunction in general deserve the unanimous thanks of the
Lodge, No. 9, must have had quite a vogue in the matter and was rather uneasy as to whether Masonic world.” The Grand Secretary of the
those days and been well known in that his statements were too severe and might be ‘Antients’ appears therefore to have had some
neighborhood. The Lodge Room was always well considered unfraternal and not evincing a truly excellent friends amongst the brethren who were
furnished, for in 1754 the paraphernalia was brotherly spirit—at any rate he adopted a very then practising Freemasonry in the Lodges
insured from loss by fire in the Union Fire Office apologetic tone when he first opened fire upon working in the American colonies. Please note
for 200 pounds -which was increased to 300 those who were (after all) only conducting their that in any quotations in this article taken from
pounds in 1777—whilst the Freehold building Masonic life under the express authority and ‘Ahiman Rezon’ the italics have been inserted
in Red Lyon Street was insured for 800 pounds sanction of the Mother Grand Lodge of the world. by the present writer.
in 1763 in “Hand-in-Hand” Fire Office, and in The following is how he commences what he Dermott then proceeds to explain to his readers
considered was his exposure: a matter that only those who were in the habit of
attending the Dundee Lodge could possibly be
“AHIMAN REZON [1764] familiar with, for he actually refers to a very
prominent feature of their ceremonies. On page
In the 2nd Edition of this book on p. xxiv, Dermott xxxii of the same Ahiman Rezon, Dermott states:
in his “Address to the Reader” states: “I have the greatest veneration for such
“Gentlemen and Brethren: - implements as are truly emblematical or useful
“Several eminent Craftsmen residing in in refining our moral notions, and I am well
Scotland, Ireland, America, and other parts convinced that the custom and use of them in
both abr oad and at home, have greatly lodges are both antient and instructive, but at the
importuned me to give them some account same time I abhor and detest the unconstitutional
of what is called modern masonry in fopperies of cunning avaricious tradesmen,
London,” and then says invented and introduced amongst the Moderns
with no other design but to extract large sums of
“I cannot be displeased with such money, which ought to be applied to more noble
importunities because I had the like curiosity and charitable uses.”
myself about 16 or 17 years ago [the 1800 He then proceeds to tell his audience that the item
Edition says “in 1748”] when I was first that offended his Masonic taste—and which he
introduced into that Society.” consequently “abhors and detests”-is none other
than the symbol of the “Master’s authority to Rule
[Note.- Dermott here tells us that—though Made his Lodge”, for he says, referring to the “Sword
a Mason in Ireland-he himself joined a Modern
Lodge on his arrival in London, consequently he Continued on Next Page

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
of State”:
“There is now in my neighborhood” [that means,
near Tower Hill, London, E.,- where he carried
on the business of a Wine Merchant -, but in his
3rd Edition of 1778 he is more explicit for he
there says “There is now in Wapping,” [meaning
thereby “There is now in the Dundee Lodge, No.
9, at Wapping”] “a lar ge piece of iron scroll work,
ornamented with foliage, &c. painted and gilt (the
whole at an incredible expense) and placed before
the Master ’s chair, with a gigantic sword fixed
therein, during the communication of the
members, a thing contrary to all the private and
public rules of Masonry; all implements of war
and bloodshed being confined to the lodge door,
from the day that the flaming sword was placed
in the East of the garden of Eden, to the day that
the sagacious modern placed his grand sword of
State in the midst of his Lodge.”
The following extracts furnish ample proof that
this “Gigantic Sword” that so offended the
Masonic principles of Laurence Dermott in 1778 “Paid towards Clothing the French Prisoners,” authority of the R.W.M. to Rule over his Lodge.
[and also as far back as 1764] belonged to the “Pd. Advertising the 2 last Donations,” This Sword - still extant - is a handsome weapon,
Dundee Lodge, No. 9. [The above incident refers - inter alia - to the double-handed with blade 38in. long, the hilt
capture of Quebec from the French by Major - 10in., while the guard is 9 1/2 in. wide. The
EXTRACTS FROM TREASURER’S CASH Genera James Wolfe on the 13th Sept., 1759, identity is absolute - No. 9 was then the premier,
BOOK when - in the moment of victory - he fell mortally practically the only Modern Lodge at Wapping—
wounded on the heights of Abraham. The an on one side of the blade, near the hilt, are the
1761, June 26. “By Cash pd. Bro. Gretton - surrender of Montreal soon followed and with it words “Dundee Arms Lodge, Wapping, No. 9.”
for Repairing Ye Sword, etc.” - 10. 19. 0 Aug. all the Province of Canada. There must have been [Note.- In 1761 when this sword was bought and
13. “Paid Bro. Stevens his Bill-for Ye Iron for Ye some special need here for assistance for Dr. renovated, the Lodge met at the Dundee Arms
Sword” - 15. 15. 0 do “Paid Bro. Noy’s Bill Samuel Johnson in 1760—to help the cause - Tavern.] The symbols marked on the blade are
Painting do” 3. 10. 0 30. 4. 0 wrote an “Introduction to the Proceedings of the chiefly of a martial character, consisting of swords
Now, Bro. Henry Gretton, a jeweller was our R. Committee for Clothing the French Prisoners.”] and flags: - in several places the initials “G.R.”
W. M. in 1760 (he was referred to in the Minutes 1762. “Pd. Br. Harrison for his Trouble to get Br. appear on the flags, and as the sword was
of G. L. of 28th Jan., 1767, see later on), whilst Bride into Greenwich Hospital”; 2. 2. 0 1762, damascened in 1761 these clearly refer to King
Bro. Thomas Noy, a painter, was Master in 1765. Mar. 11. “Recd. Cash of Bro. Halley Borwick, George III. [It was thanks chiefly to assistance
The suggestion of Bro. Laurence Dermott is that his Donation for the Benefit of Poor Brothers of kindly rendered by Bro. W. J. Songhurst, P.G.D.
these two “cunning avaricious tradesmen” had this Lodge,” 2. 2. 0 1766, Feb. 10. “Pd. as a gift (the erudite Secretary of the ‘Quatuor Coronati’
compelled their Mother Lodge to purchase this to Jos. Hankey & Co. for the sufferers at the Great Lodge) that the writer was enabled in 1918 to
sword and iron stand and have it gaily painted Fire in Barbadoes,” 30 identify this interesting relic of our Masonic past;
merely to extract monies from their brethren that [A subscription list was opened in the Lodge, 30 Bro. Songhurst was also the first student to draw
should have been devoted to charity; but as we members subscribing this 30 pounds; we do not my attention to some of the weird statements in
had 59 members and the total income of the Lodge read of similar generous gifts on the part of the Ahiman Rezon which thereby led to the
in 1761 was 114 pounds the brethren were well Antients !] preparation of this paper.] This sword - which
able to bear the expense - although it must be 1767. “Br. Croke having been previously helped, was used as a tyler’s sword from 1835 to 1918 -
admitted that 30 pounds was a large sum in those was Relieved with 1. 1. 0 on his promise of never is now kept for better preservation in a mahogany
days. However, in order to rebut Dermott’s troubling this Lodge again.” box, presented on 4th Nov., 1919, jointly by the
suggestion that this money was wasted and could Do. Mch. 26. “2. 2. 0 to be sent to the Quarterly writer of these notes and by another P.M. of the
have been better applied in charity, it may be here Comm. the Master to have the Use of the Jewels.” Lodge. This rare Masonic curio is therefore a
stated that the annals of the Dundee Lodge give 1774, Nov. 24. “Bro. Peter Batson now a Prisoner direct connecting link with the inner life of an
ample proof that “Relief” was constantly voted in the Marshalsea relieved with 2 guineas.” 1783, old Modern Lodge, thus severely criticized by
at “Lodge Nights” in sums varying from 1 1s. Feb. 27. “Br. Sandwell being now a Prisoner in Bro. Laurence Dermott in 1764 and 1778.
Od. to 5 5s. Od. in many cases to applicants who the King’s Bench was relieved from this Lodge
were not even members of the Lodge. The with 2. 2. 0.” 1807, Feb. 12. “A Petition was read OTHER SWORDS OF STATE
brethren also granted donations towards the from Br. Cathro, confined in H.M. Goal of
funerals of their poorer members, whilst certain Newgate for Debt from Misfortunes in trade to Various other old Lodges also owned swords and
brethren—who became incarcerated in prison for be Relieved with 2 guineas.” stands which were used in a similar manner. An
debt-were also relieved; a few items by way of old Yorkshire Lodge [Const. 1793] still possesses
illustration are here mentioned. A MASONIC SYMBOL and makes use of a ‘Flaming Sword’ - fixed in a
wooden stand placed on the right side of the
EXTRACTS FROM THE RECORDS OF But the real answer to Bro. Dermott’s accusation, W.M.’s Pedestal,-which remains with its naked
LODGE, NO. 9 however, is that our Sword of State thus exhibited blade uplifted during the whole time the Lodge
in open Lodge - fixed by its hilt in a massive is at Masonic labor. Bro. Welsford, P.A.G.St.B.
1759, Dec. 27. “Paid into the hands of Sir Joseph wrought Iron Stand which was suitably painted informs me that in 1923, two ‘Flaming Swords’
Hankey & Co. [Bankers] for the Widows and and decorated with foliage in gilt - was merely
Orphans of those slain at Minden and Quebec,” used by our Brethren as a symbol of the absolute Continued on Next Page

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
[also with naked blades fixed upright side-by- candidates were made at a time is substantially candidates as to the symbols of the Craft by means
side on a stand] were placed near to the Master’s correct. To the writer, however, the sarcastic way of the actual working tools of the Craft or by
chair during the working of the ceremonies in in which this portion of the ceremony was referred emblems depicted on a floor cloth, or did they
two old Lodges in the North of England; clearly to by Dermott seems rather like “playing to the leave them still in ignorance on such vital and
relics from the days of old.- It is really difficult gallery,” his object clearly being to bring the important matters ?
to understand the merit of Dermott’s objection to Moderns and their Ritual into ridicule; his remark A few extracts from the Cash Books of No. 9
the use of a sword in Lodge in 1761. It was the as to the “two sign posts” thus ‘Drawn upon the 1749. “Pd Tyler and Drawer”... ... ............... 2. 0
continuance of a well known custom, for we are floor ’ of course alludes to the emblems of the 1764. “Pd Cash to the Tyler” ... ............... . 2. 2
told that at the Grand Lodge Feast held at two Masonic columns, marked and described as 1795, Apl. 9. “Pd Tyler’s Fees for 4 Makings”
Merchant Taylor’s Hall on 24th June, 1724:- “In “J” and “B” in accordance with instructions ....10. 0 1799, Aug. 8. “Pd. Br. Mills ,’[Tyler] for
the Procession round the Table, there preceded received from the Grand Lodge of the Moderns. Form ing 6 Lodges” 15. 0
the Grand Master The Sword carried by the
Master of the Lodge, to which the A LITTLE LEWIS AND
Sword belonged.” CAPSTAN
In 1731, the Grand Master [the
Duke of Norfolk] presented Dermott in the same Ahiman
Grand Lodge “with the old Trusty Rezon [p. xxxii] again seems to
Sword of Gustavus Adolphus, try and invent an excuse to poke
King of Sweden, which was fun at his opponents, for he
ordered to be the Grand Master ’s dilates as follows:
Sword of S tate for the Future”; “And it is pleasant enough to see
and this sword is still borne by sixty or seventy able men about a
the Grand Sword-bearer before little Lewis and Capstan etc,
the Grand Master, or his erected upon a mahogany
representative at all meetings of platform (purchased at an
Grand Lodge, and during the extravagant price) all employed
entire proceedings it is laid - in in raising a little square piece of
its scabbard - on the altar before marble, which the weakest man
the Grand Master. in the company could take
The Lord Mayor when attending between his finger and thumb and
the city churches in his official throw it over the house.”
capacity, used also to be attended Here Dermott is ridiculing the
by his Sword-bearer, carrying the practice the Moderns had of
civic Sword of State, which was exhibiting the Perpend or Perfect
fixed by the side of his pew (in Ashlar on a tripod placed on the
special sword rests) during divine S.W.’s pedestal. It is interesting
service. This old custom is still to note that the following extracts
observed provided the sword- taken from the records of Lodge,
rests are extant; the blade, No. 9, show that in 1746 our
however, is now safely ensconced Brethren possessed one of these
in its scabbard. items that so aroused the satire
Bro. Dermott’s criticism on this of the Grand Secretary of the
point seems therefore to be idle Antients.
and captious for it can be safely This appears from a list of
asserted that the brethren of the paraphernalia;
Dundee Lodge committed no
breach of Masonic law or custom when they thus “JAMAICA RUM AND “BARBADOES 1746.
symbolically used their ‘Sword of State’ in 1764. RUM
1 Triangle with Blocks,
“DRAWING THE LODGE ON THE The following are Dermott’s own words in his Lewis,
FLOOR” [1764] Ahiman Rezon [2nd Edition, 1764] p. xxxii:- Crabb, etc,
2 Stones, and;
Immediately following his reference to our “Nor is it uncommon for a tyler to receive 1 Marble Block.”
‘Sword of State’ Dermott proceeds to cast ridicule ten or twelve shillings for drawing two sign
on another old custom [viz., that of ‘Drawing the posts with chalk &c and writing Jamaica The ‘Old Dundee’ Lodge, No. 18, still possesses
Lodge on the Floor, in chalk and charcoal’] which (rum) upon one, and Barbadoes (rum) upon and uses regularly at its Lodge Meetings a very
had been practiced by the Moderns certainly since the other, and all this (I suppose) for no other old and similar tripod (made of brass) erected on
1726 - doubtless earlier still - and was a regular use than to distinguish where these Liquors a mahogany platform, perhaps the original that
feature of the Ritual in the Dundee Lodge from are to be placed in the Lodge.” was purchased in 1746. It may even possibly be
1748 to 1812. In 1764 - when Dermott wrote his the actual article that so offended Dermott in 1764
remarks - the tyler, on the Lodge nights when a Such an ironical statement - especially proceeding ! Bro. Songhurst in ‘A.Q.C.,’ Vol. xxxv, p. 82,
candidate was made a Mason (previous to the from a wine merchant - seems not only in bad also calls attention to the fact that Dermott
ceremony) invariably drew the Lodge on the floor taste but rather overdrawn, and it makes one ridicules the ‘Moderns’ for using such apparatus.
in chalk and charcoal, receiving for such work a wonder as to whether at this period the Antients 1754, Apl. 11. Resolved that “A New Perpend
special fee of 2s. 2d. for each making, so in their Assemblies - when they made a Mason - Ashler Inlaid with Devices of Masonry valued at
Dermott’s statement that the tyler sometimes used themselves to draw the Lodge in chalk and
received “ten or twelve shillings” for thus charcoal or did they instead instruct their Continued on Next Page - Moderns
“Drawing the Lodge” when four or more
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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
2. 12. 6 be purchased.” no certain knowledge on this point but such a Dermott adds a foot-note in his 3rd Edition of
It is perfectly clear that the Lodge “at Wapping” custom certainly was not prevalent and it is clear 1778, to this effect:—”This may seem a very
referred to in 1764 by Laurence Dermott was the that the Dundee Lodge, - consisting of many ludicrous description of making Freemasons. But
‘Dundee’ Lodge, No. 9, for it met there from 1739 tradesmen engaged in nearly every description Mr. Thomas Broughton, master of the lodge No.
to 1820 (a period of 80 years) and was practically of business life - was not one of the offenders, if 11, London, declared that he was present in a
the only Lodge in that neighborhood at that date. so, we should expect that Dermott would again modern Lodge not one mile from the Borough of
have singled it out by way of example as he Southwark, when two or three persons dress’d in
“APRONS ‘ [CIRCA 1717?] certainly did concerning two or three of his other liveries with shoulder tags, booted and spurr’d,
objections. The records of the Dundee Lodge &c., &c., were initiated into modern masonry;
Dermott in the same book, p. xxxi, has now a far contain many items proving that aprons were and upon enquiring who they were, he was told
more serious charge to make against the Moderns constantly bought for the use of its members and they were servants to Lord Carysfoot, then Grand
for he there says (speaking of the period soon also that the Lodge itself - when required - was Master of modern Masons.”
after the Grand Lodge of 1717 was Constituted): often “New Cloathed” with fresh aprons at the The question immediately arises, was Dermott
“It was proposed” [i.e., by the Moderns] “that no cost of the Lodge funds. This is evidence that our talking of an actual fact within his own
brother (for the future) should wear an apron. This ancient brethren wore their aprons seriously and knowledge, or was he merely in veiled language
proposal was rejected by the oldest members, who in accordance’ with the custom of the old and skilled metaphor trying to inform the Antients
declared, that the aprons were all the signs of Operatives; a few illustrations are here given. that when a Candidate was Made a Mason
masonry then remaining amongst them and for according to the Ritual of the Moderns he was
that reason they would keep and wear them.” Extracts from the Minutes of No. 9 not properly prepared? None knew better than
[Dermott here suggests that the motive of the the Grand Secretary of the Antients that he must
Moderns was that they objected to appearing as 1750, Sept. 13. Bro. Lane proposed “That the only speak of esoteric matters in vague and
Mechanics or as Operative Masons; he adds, Box in which we formerly put our Aprons mysterious words, not understandable by the
however, the following statement] “It was then in should be given to the Maid Servant of outside world—for had he not titled his own book
proposed, that (as they were resolved to wear this House [i.e. The Dundee Arms Tavern, Ahiman Rezon, or a Help to a Brother, and as
aprons) they should be turned upside down in Wapping], 2nd by Bro. Banson, 3rd, 4th Shewing the Excellency of Secrecy, etc., etc.
order to avoid appearing mechanical. This and 5th.” 1752, Dec. 14. Bro. Lane’s Perhaps in this instance Dermott may have been
proposal took place and answered the design, for proposal for “New Cloathing the Lodge partly narrating the truth—so far as regards
that which was formerly the lower part was now carried in the Affirmative.” Spectacles,—for from an incident that is recorded
fastened round the Abdomen, and the bib and Dec. 28. “That Ye Past Masters’ and Ye in the minutes of the Dundee Lodge it seems
strings hung downwards, dangling in such a Secretary’s Aprons be lined.” reasonable to believe that up to 1766 our Brethren
manner as might convince the spectators, that 1755, Apl. 10. “That a convenient Nest of when they Made a Mason allowed the Candidate
there was not a working Mason amongst them. Boxes be provided to hold the Aprons in to see much more than is lawful in these days.
Agreeable as this alteration might seem to the an Alphabetical Order and that the Master The story is as follows: It was at that period an
gentlemen, nevertheless it was attended with an and Wardens procure the same.” established custom for the Grand Master of the
ugly circumstance; for in traversing the lodge, the 1764, Nov. 22. Resolved “That this Lodge be Moderns occasionally to make visits of inspection
brethren were subject to tread upon the strings, new Cloathed with Aprons”; “That the Past to Lodges under his jurisdiction and in 1766 the
which often caused them to fall with great Master of this Lodge have Aprons bound Dundee Lodge was thus honored with a State
violence, so that it was thought necessary, to with the same Ribbon as they wore their Visit.
invent several methods of walking, in order to Meddals.” Extracts from the Cash Books The following extracts from the Minutes of No.
avoid treading upon the strings.” 1755. “Paid for 2 Doz . Aprons” [1s. 4d. each] 9 speak for themselves, and show our ancient
The third edition of Ahiman Rezon [1778] ... 1. 12. 0 method of Making a Mason: 1766, Feb. 13.
contains the following foot note: 1764. “Pd. for Gold Fringe for the Steward’s “Lodge Night. Bro. Clarke [R.W.M.] signified
Apron” . ... ... ........ ....... ........ 2. 6 that Lord Blayney and the Officers of Grand
“After many years observations on those Lodge intended paying us a visit very soon, on
ingenious methods of walking up to a brother AND now the most important criticism that which account he proposed that No Visitors
&c, I conclude, that the first was invented Dermott ever made against the Moderns has been should be admitted on that Night, Carried Nem.
by a Man grievously afflicted with the left to the last, and it is indeed a serious accusation Con. Likewise Bro. Elliott proposed that every
Sciatica. The second by a Sailor, much that deserves and requires careful thought and Member have Notice in his Letter, the Night that
accustomed to the rolling of a Ship. And the consideration. the Grand Officers come down, 2nd and carried
third by a man, who for recreation or through It is from the same medium of communication. Nem. Con.
excess of strong liquors, was wont to dance In Ahiman Rezon, 2nd Edition, page xxx, he tells Apl. 24. “Lodge Night. Br. Williams informed
the drunken Peasant.” the Antients and his readers generally, that soon the Lodge that he had received a letter from
after 1717 the leading authorities of the Grand Bro. Ripley, Secretary to the Grand Lodge
Are we to take Dermott seriously? If so, it may Lodge of the Moderns—which would include intimating that for certain reasons the
well have been that a few Lodges - or perhaps such eminent Masons as Geor ge Payne, G. M. in Grand Master thought proper to postpone
only a few members of such Lodges-consisting 1718 and 1720; Dr . Desaguliers and Dr. his Intended Visit till after the Grand
of men of exalted rank or dignified professors in Anderson-came to rather a startling conclusion Feast.”
art and literature, might have - at first - declined as to the best method to be adopted when a May 22. “Lodge Night. On this Night the
to wear a garment that (even although only Candidate was made a Mason in a Modern Lodge; following Visited the Lodge and their
intended as a symbol) might affect their pride, in the following are Dermott’s own words: names we duly entered in the Minute Book,
that they should even be asked temporarily to “Hence it was ordered [i. e., by the Moderns]. viz: “Lord Blayney, R. W. Grand Master;
wear an apron -often soiled by stains of ‘porter’ that every person (during the time of his initiation) Col. John Salter, Deputy Grand Master;
or ‘punch’ - in such a way that in daily life would should wear boots, spurs a sword, and Thomas Dyne, S. Warden in the room of
only be used by an Operative Mason; they may spectacles.” Dermott further adds “we are told Br. Edwards; Rowland Berkeley G. Tr.;
have fairly argued that being merely Speculatives that from this improvement proceeded the Samuel Spencer, Gd. Sec.; Francis
they ought to be absolved from what to them may laudable custom of charging to a public health at
have appeared an indignity. However, we have every third sentence that is spoken in the Lodge.” Continued on Next Page

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
Johnston, G.S.B., and a Steward.” that they might be permitted to retain the same
There were 67 Members present, also 13 and promising all due obedience for the Future.
Brethren “Useing the Sea”: a total of 80 The Question being put, whether they should keep
Members of the Dundee Lodge. [No their Constitution or not? It was carried
visitors were allowed this night.] Unanimously in their Favor. Ordered That a Letter
The work done on this memorable occasion was be wrote to the Master of the Dundee Lodge,
as follows: directing him to acquaint Brs. Gretton and
Maddox (who attended on behalf of the said
1766, May 22. “This Night agreeable to a Lodge at the last Committee of Charity) that it is
proposal of last Lodge Night, Mr. Henr y Bird expected they attend at the next C.C. and make a
was Balloted for, Accepted and Made a proper submission for their Misbehaviour at the
Mason for which Honor he paid 2. 2s. last, otherwise that they will be expell’d the above
Likewise Mr. Holman, proposed by Captain named Lodge; and not be permitted to visit any
George Dear to be Made a Mason, he Useing other Regular Lodge.”
the Sea, was Balloted for, Accepted and Made The writer’s thanks are further due to Bro. W. J.
a Mason, for which Honor he paid 2. 2s.” Songhurst, P.G.D., for kindly supplying the above
extract from the original minutes of Grand Lodge.
REFRESHMENTS FOR THE GRAND At this meeting of Grand Lodge on 28th January,
OFFICERS 1767, Col. John Salter, D.G.M., was in the chair
supported by seven other Grand Officers and
Hospitality was shown to the visitors in those days doubtless the Master and Wardens of the Dundee
as in these; food, wine, punch and Music [French Lodge were in attendance to support and explain
Horns] were evidently provided. their Petition. Bro. Wonnacott, the Grand Lodge
1766, June 12. Paid “By Cash to Musick”. . 3. 3. 1766, Nov. 27. Resolved “That we should have a Librarian, also furnished the writer with the
0 Feast as usual on S t. John’s Day, and that the following verbatim extract from the Minutes of
July 3. “Pd. Bro. Cordell his Bill”.. 9. 6. 0 Grand Of ficers be Invited. Tickets for Members, the Committee of Charity, thus completing the
do. 10. “Pd. Mr. Bothell, the Cook”. . 7. 0 6 [for 5s., Visitors, 7s. 6d.” Dec. 27. Feast Day. Present story and showing that the terms laid down by
pastries, &c.] 47 Members; 4 “Useing the Sea,” and 4 Visitors, Grand Lodge were duly fulfilled.
July 10. “The Bye-Laws were omitted, as was including Bro. Alleyne [a Grand Officer]. 1767, Ap. 8. “This Night Bros. Gretton [and]
Read the Night the Grand Officers was present.” “R.W.M. [Nath. Allen] proposed that there be a Maddox attended and made proper Submission
Now, in 1766 the 1st and 2nd Degrees were given Committee appointed consisting of the Master, and were restored to favor.”
on the same evening—this practice was continued Wardens, Past Masters, Treasurer, Secretary and As regards the two Brethren who were thus
up to 1809—but it is quite clear from what follows Stewards to consider of an Answer to the Dep. rebuked by Grand Lodge, Bro. Henry Gretton was
that the method of ‘Preparing the Candidate,’ was Grand Master ’s Letter and other business relating W.M. in 1760 [he was a jeweler and repaired our
not in accordance with the usual custom; Lord to this Lodge.” Sword of state in 1761], while Bro. William
Blayney therefore felt it incumbent upon him to Serious matters needed discussion or they would Maddax [or Maddock] was W.M. in 1764;
write on the subject. not have appointed all the officers to serve on presumably they had defied the Committee, as a
this Committee. Evidently the Secretary had result they had to apologize and the Lodge had
REQUEST OF LORD BLAYNEY TO written a reply to Grand Lodge that our Brethren “to promise all due obedience for the Future.”
‘DUNDEE’ LODGE, NO. 9 declined either to abandon their Antient Custom What then was the special item in the Ceremony
or to change their Ritual even although expressly of Initiation, that so offended Lord Blayney, who
1766, Aug. 28. Verbatim extracts from the requested to do so by the Grand Master. It is clear stated that it was not “agreeable to the Method
minutes: “Likewise the Grand Master ordered that on receipt of this the Lodge had been practiced in most other Lodges”; the Grand
Bro. Edwards, the Grand Senior Warden, to desire requested to send representatives to the Master here admits that the Modern Lodge did
That upon Making a Mason, he may be [sic] Committee of Charity [the predecessors of the not all agree on this point, showing there was no
agreeable to the Method practiced in most other Board of General Purposes] to discuss the matter uniformity of working; but whatever the
Lodges.” and deputed two Past Masters to attend and distinctive feature was, the Brethren of the
The Brethren discussed this matter in open Lodge uphold our contention. As a result they apparently Dundee Lodge had evidently practised it for so
and the following was their reply: lost their temper and insulted the Committee who many years that they described it as our Antient
1766, Sept. 11. “The Minute of the last Lodge then resolved on stern measures and threatened Custom, and rather than abandon it ran the serious
relative to [sic] to erase the Lodge. risk of a collision with Grand Lodge.
[Sic] the Persons when they were Made Masons The writer now ventures to make the following
was put up this Night and carried by a Majority CONFLICT WITH GRAND LODGE [1767] suggestion: In those far off days it was often the
at it should continue according to our Antient custom to Initiate the Candidate robed in a White
Custom.” Our Brethren saw the gravity of the position, and Gown, for the records of several old Lodges refer
This was an important meeting and there were on Dec. 27, 1766, authorized this special to their Gowns and Drawers. In 1837 the Old
present 25 Members, 4 visitors, and one Member committee to deal with the matter and they Dundee Lodge had 3 Candidates for Initiation
“Useing the Sea.” The sheet containing entries quickly decided not only that the Lodge should and the Lodge ordered the Tyler to furnish Three
for the Lodge Night of 23rd October, 1766, and express regret but also to comply with the Flannel Dressing Gowns which were purchased
also of a Bye Lodge of 27th October, 1766, has reasonable requirement of Grand Lodge; and the at a cost of 3 6s. Od. These gowns were made of
been cut or torn out of the Minute Book, controversy ended amicably as shown by the white serge or flannel (and had a deep hood at
apparently by the Secretary; doubtless it referred following verbatim extract from the minutes of the back), fastened at the neck with tapes—no
to the dispute over the ceremonial work, which Grand Lodge, dated 28th January, 1767: buttons—and had wide sleeves.
had been called in question by Lord Blayney, the “A Memorial from the Dundee Lodge was Read, They rather resembled the white gown of a
Grand Master; at any rate, it is the only sheet Praying that for the Reasons therein alleged, their Carthusian monk and were preserved as Masonic
that has been cut out or deliberately removed from Constitution might not be forfeited pursuant to a
the numerous records. Resolution of the last Committee of Charity, but Continued on Next Page

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
curios by the Lodge for many years and were acquiescence ratified and confirmed them; one for a list printed in 1810 (the zenith of their
often handled by the present writer, but in 1904, therefore feels justified in stating that the 3rd prosperity) shows that in that year the Dundee
having become old and decayed they were—by Duke of Atholl, who was G.M. of the Antients Lodge - which was a great maritime Lodge -
order—destroyed by the Tyler. Is it not therefore from 1771 to 1774,—and who was also G.M. of possessed 109 ordinary members and no less than
possible that the deep hood of the White Gown Scotland in 1773 - approved and endorsed 261: “Sea-members” whilst its property was
used to be drawn over the head of the Candidate Dermott’s calculated and continued hostile insured for 2000 pounds.
during the ceremony of Initiation ? If so, this criticism of the Moderns and their Ritual; the The writer does not venture to assert that all
perhaps would fully explain the interesting and same comment applies to the 4th Duke of Atholl Dermott’s statements are inaccurate; on the
important controversy that the Dundee Lodge [G.M. of the Antients 1775-81], and also to the contrary his stories about (a) the user of the
had with the Grand Master, Lord Blayney in Earl of Antrim, their G.M. from 1783 to 1791 ‘Sword of State’ (b) the special payments made
1766. (especially the latter , who had occupied the to the Tyler and (c) the use of the “little Lewis
important post of G.M. of Ireland in 1773 and and Capstan” are quite correct. No, no, it is rather
Extracts from the Records of Lodge, No. 9 1779). Bro. J. Heron Lepper in his “Fraternal the venomous and exaggerated way in which these
Communications,” an excellent paper read at matters are made to appear that naturally - in 1924
1837, Feb. 7. “Paid Tyler for 3 Flannel Gowns” Manchester in 192 informs us that in 1776 - arouses the anger (real or assumed) of a very
...3. 6. 0 humble representative of the successors of the
Dermott in 1764 closed his “Address to the Dundee Lodge.
Reader’ by stating: People “who live in Glass Houses” should not
“There are many other unconstitutional [and throw stones; the following episode proves that
perhaps unprecedented] proceedings which Dermott’s own section of the Craft had also
(to avoid giving more offense) I pass over in imperfections for some of the so-called Antients
silence [and shall content myself with shewing were perfectly willing to Make a Mason for the
the apparent state of ancient and modern very trifling and unworthy consideration of a leg
masonry in England at the time of this present of mutton for supper, whereas the lowest fee
writing, i.e., July 1778], and hope, that I shall charged by the Dundee Lodge for Initiation into
live to see a general conformity and universal the 1st and 2nd Degrees was 2. 2. 0, and 5s. 0d.
unity between the worthy masons of all extra if - and when - the Candidate took the 3d of
denominations. This is the most earnest wishes a Master Mason.
and ar dent prayers of Gentlemen and
Brethren, LEG OF MUTTON MASONS [1752]
Your most sincere friend, obedient servant
and faithful brother, Bro. Bywater tells us on p. 11 of his Notes on
Laurence Dermott, Secretary.” “Antrim, G.M.” . . . “attended a Modern Lodge Lau. Dermott and his work that the following
in London and subscribed the sum of twenty extract-taken from the proceedings of the Grand
The words italicized by the present writer were guineas towards the building fund of the hall in Committee the Antients—appears in Dermott’s
added by Dermott in his 1778 Edition. Dermott died Great Queen Street, being quite unaware at the own handwriting, dated 4th March, 1752:
in 1791; twenty-two years later his wishes were time that there was any dif ference between “Complaints made against Thomas Phealon and
fulfilled for in 1813, the happy and complete union Antient and Modern Masonry”; and yet he was John Mackey, better known by the name of ‘leg
of these two great sections of the Craft took place. supposed as G.M. to know his Ahiman Rezon by of mutton Masons.’ In course of examination it
heart! appeared that Phealon and Mackey had initiated
SUMMARY The Grand Lodge Library possesses an excellent many persons for the consideration of a leg of
example of the Ahiman Rezon [1807 Edition] Mutton for dinner or supper to the disgrace of
One must not judge Dermott’s satire from the handsomely bound in crimson morocco, and Bro. the Ancient Craft. That Mackey was an Empiric
standpoint of 1924 - when all ill-feelings between Wonnacott, the Grand Lodge Librarian informs in Physic and both impostors in Masonry.”
the Moderns and Antients have long been me that this copy was for some years used by the If Dermott had only let the world a little more
forgotten—but his book—Ahiman Rezon had a Grand Lodge of the Antients, right up to the very into the secrets of some of the inner workings of
large audience (in America as well as in England) last meeting of that Society, and is also the the early Lodges of the Antients, it might have
for nearly 50 years and his-shall we say identical copy that was used when the Duke of very much discounted his own satirical
exaggerated—statements must have tended to Essex was re-obligated in 1813. These facts are observations as to the methods and Masonic life
inflame the feelings and warp the judgment of stated on the first page in a note in the handwriting of the Moderns. It is pretty obvious that jealousy
the Antients, causing many of them to consider of Dr. Thos. Crucefix which also says that the prompted Dermott in many of his criticisms
the Masonic life and Ritual of the Moderns as book was presented to Bro. Crucefix in 1833 by against the Moderns; speaking generally about
being quite irregular and unworthy of the Craft. Bro. Edwards Harper, a former Grand Secretary 1763 the Lodges of the Antients were not
It is evident that Dermott never regretted his of the Antients. financially strong and the prosperous condition
unkind references to the inner life of the Dundee of the Dundee Lodge evidently raised his spleen.
Lodge for his stories as to (1) our Sword of state NO REPLY BY THE MODERNS To illustrate this, Lodge No. 9 had 59 members
and (2) payment to our Tyler of excessive fees in 1761 and 88 in 1764. The ordinary Lodge
for Drawing the Lodge on the floor were repeated And yet in spite of these severe and repeated tacks income in 1761 was 114 pounds and there was a
in the various Editions of Ahiman Rezon of 1778, on their Ritual, the Modern Grand Lodge - as far balance in hand on 1st January, 1762, of 37
1787, and also after his death (in 1791), Bro. as we know - never deigned to make a reply, pounds. In 1764 the ordinary Lodge Income was
Thomas Harper, D.G.M. of the ‘Antients’ repeated whilst the Dundee Lodge (who must have been 360 pounds [of which 103 pounds was for making
these offensive remarks in the further Editions aware of these hostile criticisms, specially fees received from new members] and the balance
of 1800, 1801, 1807 and 1813. directed against their Masonic working) treated in the Treasurer ’s hands on 1st January, 1765,
It is therefore quite clear that the high officials of the matter with contemptuous silence. Instead of was 96 pounds. The receipts from the “Master’s
the G. Lodge of the Antients were equally wasting time by a word warfare, our Brethren Lodge” held weekly (as a favor or indulgence)
culpable, as they evidently fully approved of busied themselves in working up one of the most
Dermott’s accusations and by their tacit prosperous Lodges on the side of the Moderns, Continued on Next Page

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during the six winter months [October to April] Premiere
in 1764 amounted to over 27 pounds, in weekly GRAND MASTERS OF SCOTLAND
Continued from Page 16
sums varying from 18s. 6d. to 2. 1. 0; at which
Lodge meetings there is good reason to believe The following point seems to deserve some
that the ceremony of Holy Royal Arch was consideration, viz., that from 1721 to 1753 the respectable, members, seemed gradually to
performed. In addition the members of the Moderns had as their Grand Masters members decline. Till within these few years, however, the
Dundee Lodge raised in 1763 about 800 pounds of high degree, including four Dukes, nine Earls, authority of the Grand Lodge at York was never
by voluntary subscriptions to eight Lords and two Viscounts; four of these challenged; on the contrary, every mason in the
pay for their new exalted officials had also been Grand kingdom held it in the highest veneration, and
Freehold premises at Masters of Scotland, how therefore considered himself bound by the charges, which
‘Red Lyon S treet,’ could Dermott say—with any originally sprung from that assembly. To be
Wapping, with the sincerity—that the Ritual of the ranked as descendants of the original York
n e c e s s a r y ‘Moderns’ was not in harmony masons, was the glory and boast of the brethren
improvements and with the best traditions of the in almost every country where masonry was
furniture. This Craft; surely some of these established; and, from the prevalence and
unusual condition of Grand Masters would universality of the idea, that in the city of York
prosperity of an old have personally objected masonry was first established by charter, the
Modern Lodge “in my if there had been just masons of England have received tribute from
neighborhood” [to use his cause for complaint. the first states in Europe.
own words] may account Whatever may be the It is much to be regretted, that any separate
for some of his vitriolic final verdict of Masonic interests should have destroyed the social
attacks on their working ! students on the value to intercourse of masons; but it is no less remarkable
However , in spite of his be placed on Dermott’s than true, that the brethren in the North and those
severe criticisms Dermott was statements, it is quite in the South are now in a manner unknown to
a jovial, good fellow and it can clear that the Craft is each other. Notwithstanding the pitch of eminence
be safely asserted that he had much indebted to him and splendor at which the new “Grand Lodge in
many excellent friends amongst for thus letting in a London” as arrived, neither the lodges of Scotland
the Moderns who perhaps did flood of light upon nor Ireland court its correspondence. This
not take him seriously and felt the Masonic customs unfortunate circumstance has been attributed to
that they could afford to pass and ceremonies as the introduction of some modern innovations
over his attacks with good practised by the among the lodges in the South.
humored contempt—whilst the Moderns—or some As to the coolness, which has subsisted between
Regular Lodges improved in of them—prior to the Premier Grand Lodge at York and the new
strength and importance. the Union in 1813. organization at London, another reason is
Dermott was evidently not a total In conclusion it is assigned. A few brethren at York having, on some
abstainer, he carried on business only fair to say trivial occasion, seceded from their ancient lodge,
as a wine merchant at Tower that—in spite of they applied to London for a warrant of
Hill, E., and doubtless—in his aggressive constitution; and without any inquiry into the
accordance with the custom of hostility to the merits of the case, their application was honored.
those days supplied certain Moderns and their Instead of being recommended to the Mother
Lodges of the Antients with rum (required for Ritual, persisted in right up to his death in 1791 Lodge to be restored to favor, these brethren were
punch) and also ‘Red Port,’ then a favorite - Dermott was a very sincere Mason and gave encouraged in their revolt; and permitted, under
beverage. That Dermott could appreciate a glass nearly 50 years of a busy life to advance the the banner of a “Grand Lodge at London”, to open
of good wine seems apparent from the fact that interests of the Antients, that section of the Craft a new lodge in the city of York itself. This illegal
he was a martyr to gout, for he himself asserted to which he devoted all his ener gies and extension of power justly offended the Mother
in 1770 that Br. Dickey, the Deputy Grand undoubted talents. On page 16 of his 1st Edition Grand Lodge at York, and occasioned a breach,
Secretary, resigned his post “when he (Dermott) of Ahiman Rezon [1756] Dermott to his infinite which time, and a proper attention to the rules of
was so ill in the gout, that he was obliged to be credit (considering the rough age in which he the Order, only can repair.
carried out of his bed (when incapable to wear lived) expresses this lofty sentiment, viz., that a RW Bro. Drake a learned Antiquarian and
shoes, stockings, or even britches) to do his duty Mason should “not only perform his Duty to his Historian of York, in a speech delivered at a
at Grand Steward’s Lodge.” This story, however, great Creator , but also to his Neighbor and meeting held in 1726, calls Brotherly Love,
he did not include in his Ahiman Rezon! himself: For to walk humbly in the sight of God, Relieve and Truth, the three great characteristics
to do Justice and love mercy are the certain of the Association. And declares that the first
DERMOTT’S MUSICAL TALENT Characteristics of a Real, Free and Accepted Grand Lodge ever held in England was first held
Ancient Mason.” The writer therefore desires to at York. “This is sufficient to make us dispute
Dermott was musically inclined, and very fond end these remarks with the kindliest thoughts to the superiority with the (new) Lodges at London:
of singing at the meetings of his Grand Lodge this worthy and great Mason—the chief but as nought of that kind ought to be amongst so
but that he was not always popular among the protagonist and champion of the Antients—and amicable a fraternity, we are content that they
Antients is proved by the fact that in 1752 four of in accordance with the time-honored maxim: (London) enjoy the title of Grand Master of
their members accused him of having “actually England; but the Totius Angliae (All England)
sung and lectured the Brethren out of their “De mortuis nil nisi bonum” we claim as our undoubted right.”
senses,” but in 1753 the W.M. in the chair at an
Emergency held at the ‘King & Queen,’ Cable to close this rather discursive - but he trusts not YORK CONSTITUTIONS
street, Rosemary Lane, thanked him for his last entirely irrelevant -essay.
new song and “hoped that the applause of his The York Constitutions are the Constitutions
Brethren would induce Br. Dermott, G.S., to
compose another against the next st. John’s Day.” Continued on Next Page

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adopted by the General Assembly of Freemasons the existing remnants of the old Guild system yearly communication and General Assembly of
that was held at York. The original Charter at teaches that the Trent was the division line. Masons at London, England.
York was kept in the archives of the Old Lodge The Old York Grand Lodge was in existence 1 – The Reinstatement of the full wording on
at York City and destroyed in the War of the Roses. evidently during the seventeenth century and the delivery of the Masonic Penalties.
Copies were made from memory and preserved much earlier. The annual Assembly was held in 2 – The freedom and right of a Lodge to Practice
in the British Museum with many other old the City of York by the Freemasons for centuries, its Masonic ritual of choice, such as York,
Masonic Manuscripts. The General Assembly at and is so acknowledged virtually by all the Ancient and Accepted, Ancient and
York, did frame a body of laws or Constitutions. manuscripts from the fourteenth century. A list Primitive, Adoniram, Swedish, Rectified
In the year 926 A.D., there was held a General of Master Masons of the York Minster, during its Scottish Rite, Schroeder Rite, etc…
Assembly of Masons at York, England, called by erection, is preserved, of the fourteenth century; 3 – The right of every Master Mason to use
King Athelstan’s son Prince Edwin, wherein the legend and actual history agree in the fact that and chose an apron design as long it is
great traditions of symbolic and operative York was the home of the Mason-Craft until decorated with symbols that relate to the
masonry were constituted, revived, or organized, modern times—the Charter of Prince Edwin being Craft.
and a new code of laws for the governing of the one of the Earliest Traditions. The Regular Grand 4 – No interference of the Craft in the so-called
Craft instituted. Lodge of England is the representative of the higher degrees and vice versa.
“Soone after the Decease of St. Albones, there Ancient York Grand Lodge the Mother Grand 5 – An equilibrium between Masonic work,
came Diverse Warrs into England out of diverse Lodge of Freemasonry. instruction and science and charitable and
Nations, so that the good rule of Masons was social duties.
dishired (disturbed) and put down vntill the tyme 6 – The option of reading the Masonic ritual
of King Adilston. In his tyme there was a worthy RGLE in Lodge.
King in England, that brought this Land into good Continued from Page 17 7 – Greater autonomy for the Symbolic Lodges.
rest, and he builded many grat workes and 8 – Better and more transparency in Grand
buildings, therefore he loved well Masons, for institutional charity. And where the hierarchy Lodge decisions and affairs.
he had a Sonne called Edwin, the which loved classically maintains discipline through the 9 – Devolution of the Masonic Library,
Masons much more then his ffather did, and he assiduous manufacture of ‘honors’ whilst Museum and archives to the Craft legal
was soe practized in geometry, that he delighted ignorantly sacrificing ancient form and spiritual owners.
much to come and talke with Masons and to learne value in obeisance to transient political correctness. 10 – To permit all aspects of the esoteric
of them the Craft. And after, for the loue he had Harsh words indeed, and doubtless the majority Masonic tradition, such as symbols, words,
to Masons and to the Craft, he was made Mason of English Masons will persist in their uses and customs.
at Windsor, and he gott of the King, his ffather, a disinclination to give any thought to there being 11 – Freedom of association outside of the
Charter and Comission once every yeare to have anything more to the Order than this. But Craft.
Assembley within the realms where they would whatever it is, and however socially valuable in 12 – To promote the spirit of Brotherhood
within England, and to correct within themselves some respects it may be, it isn’t Freemasonry. among Freemasons.
ffaults & trespasses that weere done as touching If the words of our initiation ceremonies are 13 - The reinstatement of the Mark Mason
the Craft, and he held them an Assembley at Yorke actually heeded, rather than airily dismissed as Ceremony as a complement of the Fellow
and there he made Masons and gave them so much quaint mumbo-jumbo, we learn that we Craft Degree.
Charges, and taught them the Manners and are speculative Masons. And as speculative Lastly, this our Regulations shall be Recorded in
Comands the same to be kept ever afterwards. Masons we are meant to moralize, philosophize our Registry, to show posterity how much we
And tooke them the charter and Comission to keep and speculate upon the symbols of the Craft, as desire to revive the Ancient Craft upon true
their Assembley, and Ordained that it should be traditionally practised in Lodges of old, before Masonical principles.
renewed from King to King, and when the the initiation sausage-machine had been cranked
Assembley were gathered together he made a Cry, up. If Freemasonry means anything it means the Response
that all old Masons or young, that had any making of the whole man, from rough ashlar to Continued from Page 17
Writeings or Vnderstanding of the charges and polished stone. It implies a psychological and
manners that weere made before their Lands, spiritual journey through an esoteric interpretation has already been clearly set out elsewhere on
wheresoever they were made Masons, that they of our rich symbology. For too long have English this website. Essentially it is that UGLE, save
should shew them forth, there were found some Freemasons wishing to pursue such studies in a for a few honorable exceptions within its
in ffrench, some in greek, some in Hebrew, and working setting been effectively disenfranchised. hierarchy and membership, no longer represents
some in English, and some in other languages, Thus the Masonic High Council, after heartfelt the moral and spiritual values of regular
and when they read and over seen well the intent debate and consideration, regretfully concluded Freemasonry, a situation which we note with the
of them was vnderstood to be all one. And then that our duty to the Craft in general and to our greatest regret.
he caused a Booke be made thereof how this Brethren and to ourselves in particular far
worthy Craft of Masonrie was first founded, and outweighed attachment to the United Grand Indeed, we believe that it is this situation that
he himselfe comanded, and also then caused, that Lodge of England which we, and very many has contributed to Freemasonry in England being
it should be read in any tyme when it should others, believe has long neglected the core, derided by detractors with epithets such as ‘the
happen any Mason or Masons to be made to give esoteric values of Freemasonry and now mafia of the mediocre’. Whilst we are mafiosi
him or them their Charges, and from that time represents little more than a grandiose façade of only in the tormented imagination of deranged
vntill this day Manners of Masons have been kepte what was and what might have been. The almost conspiracy-theorists, and the odd British
in this manner and omen, as well as Men might overwhelming response received from numerous Member of Parliament, we are imperfect mortals
governe it, and ffarthermore at diverse Assemblyes Brethren, both in England and overseas, has more and, as such, susceptible to slipping into moral
have been put and Ordained diverse Charges by than confirmed us in this belief. and spiritual mediocrity. And this is precisely
the best advice of Masters and ffellows.” The Masonic High Council for England, Wales why we are working to establish the Regular
the Channel Islands and Districts Overseas. Grand Lodge of England: that worthy men may
THE LANSDOWNE MANUSCRIPT 1560 once again be given the opportunity to make their
“THE ACT OF REGULARITY” symbolic journey through Freemasonry to the
It is asserted in Masonic histories that, up to 1561, ultimate goal of self-knowledge as moral and
York was paramount in Masonic Government, and To amend what has happen amiss, and to hold a spiritual beings.

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GOdF tolerance of different beliefs in established Grand Lodge often shares the same Temples with
religion. After the French Revolution of 1789, the other Masons outside of Paris. This occurs even
Continued from Page 18
Catholic Church as an institution which tried though Brethren belonging to other streams do
desperately to regain the temporal power it had not work together with the GLNF in closed tiled
Kingdom. However, like the USA (of course, we lost. It was in this context that the signature of Lodges. Nevertheless, substantive relations do
do not ignore the dark times of the Morgan affair the Concordat of 1801 had as its first consequence exist. In very recent times, the respective Grand
in your country), Great Britain is the only country for French Freemasons their ef fective Masters of GLNF and GODF have worked to
in Europe where Freemasons were never excommunication. This occurred as a result of establish a new kind of relationship and signed
persecuted and where our Masonic Order had a the Encyclical "In Eminenti Apostolatus agreements on the recognized quality of the
chance to develop without the negative Speculae." The immediate effect of this was to initiation process, on disciplinary issues and on
interference of the churches, and politics. This produce a radicalization of the relationships diplomatic relations.
situation, by the way, is changing in the U.K. with between the conservative Catholic Church and We meet regularly, we accept transfers from one
a Catholic Prime Minister strongly challenging the Grand Orient. Remember that the Grand Body to another, we respect our mutual
the role of Freemasonry in British society. Orient was at this time deist in its majority but differences. This offers some hope for a brighter
This history explains why continental Europe does still supportive of the gains of the Revolution: Masonic future, at least in France.
not total today much more than some 250,000 Freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, One has to realize that Freemasonry developed
Freemasons. Out of this number, nearly half are freedom of religion, were, and still are, our motto. in a different way in France as well as in several
French. To be more complete in this presentation, We also wanted to become free from English other continental European, Latin American and
it should be added that France has benefited from Masonic colonization. Does this not ring a bell? African countries. It is something we have to
an additional important feminine Masonic and The Masons in 1877 believed their decision deal with. It is an issue we would be wise to
mixed-gender Masonry development since the expressed in a democratic vote was a way to return address and not ignore. There is no need to lock
early 20th Century. to the original and very liberal spirit of the ourselves into unnecessary compartments and
It can be noted with interest that the first recorded Constitution of James Anderson. That was the singular ways of thinking. We need to be
Masonic Lodge was created in France in 1688. heart of the matter. That is what was in their concerned about the weakness that results from
The first Masonic Order in 1728 was named thinking. The focus was on Anderson's unnecessary divisions. We would be much wiser
"Grande Loge" before changing its name into the Constitution as it had been written in 1723, before to prefer a universal perspective.
"Grand Orient de France" in 1771-1773. That the changes made in 1738. In fact, Masons before After all, our way of thinking is in part a legacy
same year a new "Grande Loge de France" was 1717 were officially "Catholics," they became of the great philosophers and writers of the time
created by dissident members, who then in 1799 "Christians" and then "Noachites." The Grand of the Enlightenment: Voltaire, Rousseau,
joined yet once again the "Grand Orient de Orient of France merely climbed an additional Montesquieu, Diderot, and so many others.
France." Finally, a new "Grande Loge de France," step, asking them to refer to the "Universal Moral Part of the task at the moment is to now pass on
our friend and sister obedience, was created in Law," as specified by the 1723 Constitutions. the rich heritage of our humanist and
1894. The Grande Lodge de France still exists This would mean, as well, a focus on Anderson's Enlightenment values to future generations. In
today with more than 20,000 members and is an Constitution well before the extensive changes the cause of freedom, and more, this tradition was
outgrowth of the same Masonic roots. undertaken in 1813, and before the 1929 fought and died for in France and America in the
In overall percentages, French Lodges can be modifications with the so-called "eight Eighteenth-Century. This must not be lost.
broken down into the following numbers: 69% fundamental obligations." These are the later The essential point is that our Masonic message
male, 20% belong to mixed-gender masonry and obligations necessary in order to attain recognition is still of considerable value. The great, generous
11% are for women only. One may consider also from the United Grand Lodge of England. and original ideal of Freemasonry to "unite people
that 75% of French Masons are men, but that It is not the purpose here to place too much who otherwise would have remained at perpetual
over the last 30 years, the relative percentage of emphasis on this most sensitive and controversial distance" is also a modern and vital message to
women has more than doubled rising from 10% issue, which all too easily pollute Masonic our contemporary society endangered by egoism,
to nearly 25%. relations and discussion. Unfortunately, there is ethnocentrism and crude materialism. At this
As many of you will know, a great turmoil began not much substantive reasoning at all on the topic time, everyone is speaking of globalization. But
in 1877 as the Delegates of the Lodges of the today . For example, there is very little where are we as Freemasons in the contemporary
Grand Orient of France while attending the examination of the historical facts as a necessary world? Are we not at risk in our current situation?
annual General Assembly, and after fierce debate, background to the discussion. Is it not possible that the world will pass us by in
made a decision and voted to lift the mandatory The matter has sadly poisoned the relations the new millennium if we do not actively engage
obligation to refer to T.G.A.O.T.U. in Lodge between dif ferent Masonic streams. It has with humanity once again and give the message
rituals. It is interesting to note that the motion to produced a Masonic reaction which many Masons that is expected from us?
introduce this dramatic change was introduced around the world still do not understand: a kind Of course, in your great country, in the U.S.A,
by a Protestant Minister and Brother, Frederic of Masonic equivalent to the Pope has emer ged you have been fortunate in having a series of
Desmons. One must today realize that this with established rules of excommunication and prestigious heads of state as members of our
happened in the context of French post- a kind of "new grand Inquisitor." Brotherhood. But even here does this not belong
revolutionary society which had fought In France, most Brethren simply did not care to the past?
successfully for a separation of the State from about this break in the Masonic family. They Do we not have to stop and ask ourselves why
the Catholic Church. I can bear witness today to regarded this evolution in the breakdown of the winding down is developing in this fashion?
the liberty given earlier by the French Lodges for relations with regret and sadness, nevertheless, What can we do to return to a greater
those non Roman Catholics that were persecuted they lived their lives as Free Masons and they effectiveness, relevance, and visibility in our
in subsequent years and decades after the went their own way. This is how it was in the respective societies? Social meetings and
Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685. Lodges past, and it is still so today. charities are good, but they cannot be our main
of the Grand Orient were the places of refuge of However, in the course of affairs, one Masonic and only goal. In a modern society where every
free thought and liberty against the great darkness body did decide in 1913 to work the "regular" person is solicited for something, we have to
of this period. way. This was the origin of the Grand Loge become more attractive to those people having
In earlier times under the Kingdom there was no Nationale Française (GLNF), which today claims something to contribute to society. We all agree
desire to accept any level of ecumenism by more than 20,000 members.
established religion. There simply was no You must realize that despite differences this Continued on Next Page

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that Lodges do not have to interfere in politics. lifted the excommunication of Freemasons that I with us and to cement those relations by an
But does it mean that we, as Brethren, as spoke about earlier but that Freemasons of exchange of representatives." However, many
individuals, need to stay silent as mere spectators different disciplines in fact excommunicate each American grand lodges considered and rejected
in the profane world? other? Is it a sane and normal situation where recognition, and many that granted recognition
Always working in reference to our ethical values Masonic representatives may, in most cases, meet did so only after detailed study and careful
as Masons, we should be more sensitive to the easier with a clergyman than with a fellow Mason consideration. It is clear that grand lodges in the
important issues confronting modern society: belonging to a so-called "irregular" Grand Lodge? United States made thoughtful and serious
education, discrimination, the preservation of In the United States, Grand Lodges did not, in decisions on this subject.
individual rights in a computerized society, rules fact, break relations with the Grand Orient de Appropriately, in the early twentieth-century,
of ethics in biotechnology, the proper and careful France in 1877, which is the popular but Louisiana led American grand lodges in
management of genetic modified organisms and historically unfounded myth. Most of them did recognizing the Grande Loge of France and re-
of modern medicine, problems of environment, as continue relations for a long time after 1877. recognizing the Grand Orient of France. Louisiana
well as of aging people, youth violence, challenges During the 1st World War , for example, we had caused the other American grand lodges to
like drugs, tobacco and alcohol abuses. Young received in our lodges numerous American break their ties with the Grand Orient of France
people will expect this from each one of us before Masons. And we did the same after our Liberation fifty years earlier.
they join our Lodges. They will not join if we by the Allies, mostly by courageous American In brief, Grand lodges in the United States began
neglect the vital issues of our respective nations, soldiers, in Wo r l d to withdraw their recognitions of the Grand Orient
or of the world as a whole. Wa r II. after 1868, when the Grand Orient recognized a
If Freemasons do not engage the world in front Masonic group called the "Supreme Council of the
of them, they will, without doubt, lose the best Accepted and Ancient Scottish Rite of the State
and brightest of our youth. Fraternal relations as of Louisiana," which was not recognized by
you and I have practiced them are not enough. the Grand Lodge of Louisiana. The
The youth of our respective societies have Louisiana Grand Master called this act a
many opportunities for socializing elsewhere "strange perversion" by the Grand Orient.
more in keeping with the social and cultural The Grand Lodge of Louisiana considered
interests of modern times and their own this an invasion of its territory, withdrew
expectations. Nevertheless, how can there its recognition of the Grand Orient, and
be Freemasonry without the most talented called on other grand lodges in America
of our youth petitioning to join with us in to do the same. It is very significant, when
service? we remember the historical period in
Furthermore, is it really necessary, because which this action took place (And, I have
of revisiting the very fluid idea of Landmarks to add, considering the very special relations
in this century, to destroy relations between between France and Lousiana).
each other, between the different Masonic The Grand Orient decree and report, as
traditions? printed in the Louisiana Proceedings, states
Are we to act like churches, which knowingly that one of the reasons the Grand Orient
defend dogmas, who represent both temporal and recognized this "Supreme Council of Louisiana"
spiritual powers, and thus could be imagined to U . S . is because that group allowed the initiation of
be less tolerant as a result? On this matter, we Grand Lodges that Recognized or men "without regard to nationality, race, or color."
are not performing very well at all as Masons. Approved Intervisitations with the Grande Loge The Grand Orient report mentioned the
The churches, in fact, are much more successful of France and/or the Grand Orient de France significance of "civil and political equality …
in the practice of basic human tolerance as they during the 1900's were : between the white and colored races," opposition
work to improve their inter-confessional relations. I quote an American Mason and scholar Paul to slavery, and the necessity of its abolition. The
Let us take the example of the Roman Catholic Bessel on the general topic. He has written, quote: split of French Masonry with that of America
Church, which today extends the metaphorical "It will probably surprise most American masons actually came in 1869 when the Grand Orient
hands of the Pope all around the world even to to find out that during the 1900s the Grande Loge passed a resolution that "neither color, race, nor
non-Christian churches and communities. Each of France was recognized, or mutual visitations religion should disqualify a man for initiation."
day the Roman Catholic Church reaches out to by members were approved, by twenty-three -- Since Louisiana had caused other United States
other denominations, including Islam, Buddhism almost half -- of all United States grand lodges. grand lodges to sever their relations with the
and Hinduism. How does it come to pass that Since the Grand Orient of France is said to be Grand Orient of France in 1868, it was especially
Freemasons remain at the turn of this century totally outside the pale of freemasonry and significant that the Grand Lodge of Louisiana
unable to conduct, or even begin, some kind of "flagrantly irregular" since the 1870's, it is even enthusiastically recognized the GLDF and re-
similar Masonic dialogue on a large scale? This more surprising to find that twelve -- more than recognized the GODF on February 5, 1918.
would by no means necessarily require of any a quarter -- of United S tates grand lodges The adoption of the resolutions restoring fraternal
Mason that they change anything about their recognized or approved mutual visitations by relations with the Grand Orient of France and
Masonry. It simply means they could speak members with the Grand Orient of France during recognizing the Grand Lodge of France was
respectfully to each other about Masonry, about the twentieth century. followed by an outburst of applause, the national
the joys of being alive, and about the serious Both the Grande Loge of France and the Grand colors of the United States and France being
issues of modern times. Orient of France were fully recognized by eight displayed, one on each side of the station of the
It could mean they sit and discuss how best to get grand lodges starting at the time of World War I. Grand Master, and national airs of each of the
rid of self-imposed rules of recognition, exclusive This could have been the result of the War and countries pealed forth from the Cathedral organ.
jurisdiction, regularity, and so forth, none of which the desire to support strong allies in the war, as End quote
are in the slightest bit relevant anymore. that is mentioned in a July 20, 1917, letter from Nevertheless, it must be clear here today that the
It is precisely these Rules and Regulations, which four Grande Loge of France of ficials to United Grand Orient of France is not seeking recognition
make a universal dialogue among all Freemasons States grand lodges. In that letter it states the by the rules of the United Grand Lodge of
virtually impossible. Is it not a kind of a paradox purpose of writing was "to extend to your Grand
that today the Roman Catholic Church has almost Lodge an invitation to enter into official relations Continued on Next Page

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England. We had good relations with the United and very respectful of living traditions. If you are
States Grand Lodges before 1877 and after 1877. for sure the mainstream, let us hope that we are A few notes are in order about this address.
We can all remember with interest the breaking the gulf stream. Alain Bauer is the Grand Master of the Grand
between Grand Orient of France and English Your American Constitution says; "Congress shall Orient of France. The Grand Orient of France is
Masonic Bodies in 1776, just 10 years after a make no law respecting an establishment of a Masonic group in France that is not recognized
1766 agreement among Masons. You see, as a religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, by any of the U.S. mainstream Grand Lodges,
matter of historical fact, one of the reasons for or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the any of the Prince Hall Grand Lodges nor any of
the real "Great Divide" between Masonry in press." Let us all hear the stunning, eloquent, and the other major Grand Lodges of the world.
France and England was our support of the clear voice from the founding fathers. Since then The main objection to the Grand Orient is that
American Revolution and the financing of it by you have gone on to construct the most powerful they do NOT require a belief in a “Supreme
French Freemasons, like Brother La Fayette. This Nation in the world, and you have always relied Being” and they do not require that a “Volume of
is an important part of the real history of on these earlier foundational values in doing so. Sacred Law” is to be on the Alter. They do allow
Freemasonry. It is an important part of what These are the same values we share in my own individual lodges to have those requirements, but
actually happened. country, in France. that is left up to the local lodge. Their reasoning
We respect your independence because we were There are a little more than 3.2 million and explanation of this of course is covered in
a part of it and because you were, twice in our Freemasons in the world, at this time. The world Brother Bauer’s talk.
history, the forceful weapon and working tool of we all share is dangerous, complex, and often The California Masonic Symposium is an annual
our own freedom. Allies forever, do we really care savage. It needs the values and principles that meeting sponsored by the Grand Lodge of
about the English Masonic bureaucracy? It may we share together as Masons to protect and California for the purpose of Masonic Research.
be time for a Masonic Tea Party. develop real democracy and genuine freedom. The 2003 meeting will be at UCLA this summer
Being supportive of constructive change, I notice Let us quote an anonymous writer at this time: and the are planning on having speakers on a wide
in this regard that some significant changes are "Listen to the words of the ritual. The true secret range of Masonic subjects, including Prince Hall
beginning to occur. Even in London, pragmatism of Freemasonry is that its ideas are revolutionary, recognition and feminine Masonry. The subject
and common sense seems to be slowly gaining radical, and dangerous to those who would deny is discussed extensively on the Philalethes
ground. We see a greater reaching out than in the human dignity and promote injustice. As an Research Society e-mail discussion list.
past to Masons from different traditions. Step by institution we are non-political, and rightly so. But

Relationship
Continued from Page 20
recognize. Several other U.S. Grand Lodges also
recognized the GLF. However, in 1966 we
withdrew our recognition of the GLF because
the Commission on Information for Recognition
recommended that action and all other U.S.
Grand Lodges did so, based on a report that the
GLF and the GOdF had established some
coordination on such things as sharing
information about applicants. The GLF would
like our Grand Lodge and others to reestablish
recognition with it.
GLNF — National Grand Lodge of France —
According to Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia, this
is the third largest and third oldest Masonic
grand body in France. In 1953 our Grand Lodge
recognized the GLNF, which had been
established in 1913 and which follows regular
Masonic practices. From 1953 through 1966, for
13 years, the D.C. Grand Lodge recognized both
the GLF and the GLNF as being regular, and
specifically said that our policies permit our
Grand Lodge to recognize both at the same time,
if we wish to do so.
Question: Should the Grand Lodge of the
District of Columbia consider again recognizing
the GLF, which we recognized for 49 years from
step, we shall make progress. We are patient. Let's as individuals, we can take action to apply the ideas 1917 through 1966, while we continue to
hope that society may be as patient as us. Clearly, of Freemasonry in everyday life, Listen to the words recognize the GLNF, finding both to be
Freemasonry is not yet Mister Rodger's of the ritual and go forth and resolve practice them Masonically regular, and indicating that we are
neighborhood. everyday. Only then can we each improve ourselves willing to recognize more than one Grand Lodge
Of course, none of us today has a miraculous in Freemasonry, and in so doing improve the in France as we do in other countries?
"ready-made" solution to suggest. We can only world". Welcome to the Grand Orient, Joel (Facts in the following chart are from Coil’s
work to find a solution step by step. That is how Springer, Philalethes Society President. Masonic Encyclopedia and other sources cited
we can all be pragmatic and helpful. The first As Freemasons of dif ferent lineages, why could in the Bibliography of this article.)
step is simply to take into consideration the simple we not act together? It is time indeed. Don't 1870: Break in Fraternal Relations with the
truth that there are different Masonic streams. you think it is time, again, as it was in 1776,
This is the way we might want to work, freely, for independence? Continued on Next Page

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GOdF - Grand Orient of France
Grand Orient Grand Lodge of National Grand Lodge
of France (GOF) France (GLF) of France (GLNF)
In the early days of Freemasonry, and apparently
in the early days of the Grand Lodge of the Traces it roots to the 1700s Traces it roots to the 1700s Formed in 1913
District of Columbia, too, the concept of but it was of ficially formed
officially voting to “recognize” a foreign Grand
in the 1890s or early 1900s
Lodge was not as formal as it is now. The same
was true for “de-recognizing” any foreign Grand 27,000 members (1996) 22,000 members (1996) 13,000 members (1996)
Lodge.
It is also useful to note that in France the course Recognized by the D.C. Recognized by the D.C. Recognized by the D.C. Grand
of Freemasonry has sometimes been confusing.
Grand Lodge until 1870 Grand Lodge from 1917 Lodge from 1953 through
For the purposes of this topic, it is useful to note
through 1966 (49 years) the present (47 years)
that there have always been more than one grand
Masonic body (called a Grand Lodge, Grand Recognized by most if not Recognized by about 23 U.S. Now recognized by all U.S.
Orient, Supreme Council, or something else) in all U.S. Grand Lodges until Grand Lodges at times from Grand Lodges, starting,
France. Until the 1900s, the major French
the late 1860s or early 1870s World War I until the 1960s apparently, in the 1950s
Masonic grand body was the Grand Orient of
France (GOdF), and the GOdF continues to be Allows each lodge to decide Requires each lodge to use a Requires each lodge to use a
the largest French Masonic grand body to this whether to use a VSL in lodge VSL in lodge, and starts each VSL in lodge
day. The others that are now significant are the meeting with a Bible reading
Grand Lodge of France (GLF) and the National
Grand Lodge of France (GLNF).
Allows each lodge to decide Requires all candidates to Requires all candidates to
In 1870, the Grand Lodge of the District of whether to require candidates express a belief in God express a belief in God
Columbia’s Committee on Jurisprudence to express a belief in God
presented a report to our Grand Lodge that dealt
with a jurisdictional dispute in the State of
Accepts only men as members Accepts only men as Accepts only men as members
Louisiana. It reported that 12 years earlier a
but allows women Masons members and visitors and visitors
“spurious and clandestine” Supreme Council of to visit
the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite was
established in New Orleans and started to confer asked if they had a belief in God. Those actions “It has become a fixed principle in
the 3 Craft degrees within Louisiana. No took place in 1877, long after recognition had American Masonry to recognize but one
Masonic grand jurisdiction recognized this group been withdrawn. The cause of the cutting of ties Grand Lodge in any one place, and though
until 1868, when the Grand Master of the Grand with the GOdF by our Grand Lodge in 1870 was this principle may be of modern origin it is
Orient of France (GOdF) issued a decree in a jurisdictional dispute in Louisiana. In addition, faithfully adhered to in this Republic.
which he recognized it on “socialistic and our Grand Lodge Proceedings indicate that the “It might, therefor e, be a matter of
political grounds.” However, when the U.S. severance of ties with the GOdF was tentative, embarrassment to this Grand Lodge to
Scottish Rite Supreme Councils for the Northern and it is also important to note that our severance formally recognize this seceding body of
Masonic and Southern Jurisdictions, requested of fraternal relations with the GOdF in 1870 had Masons and then be confronted by the
the Grand Master of the GOdF to reconsider his nothing whatever to do with the Grand Lodge information that the Grand Orient had
action, he replied that he would. Therefore, the of France (GLF), or the National Grand Lodge acceded to the conditions imposed in our
Grand Lodge of D.C. resolved that until the of France (GLNF) which did not yet exist at that 1870 resolutions and claimed the
GOdF annulled its recognition of the “spurious time. (4) resumption of fraternal relations.
Grand Council of the State of Louisiana,” all “Your committee therefore recommends that
Masonic intercourse between the GOdF and this 1914: First Comments by District of action on this petition for recognition be
Grand Lodge is dissolved. (1) Columbia Grand Lodge on the GLNF postponed.”
It is very significant, when we remember the
time period of this action - shortly after the Civil In 1914, the D.C. Grand Lodge Committee on No mention was made of the Grand Lodge of
War - that the GOdF decree and report, as Correspondence reported that a group of French France (GLF), which was in existence in 1914
printed in the Louisiana Proceedings, states that Masons had recently seceded from the GOdF, (and had been since at least 1894) when the
one of the reasons the GOdF recognized this formed the “Grand Lodge National, Independent GLNF made this request for recognition, because
“Supreme Council of … Louisiana” is because and Regular for France and the French colonies” it appears that the GLF had not made any request
that group allowed the initiation of men “without (GLNF), and been recognized by the United for our recognition. (5)
regard to nationality, race, or color.” The GOdF Grand Lodge of England. It told our Grand Lodge
report mentioned “civil and political equality … that it was regular but our Correspondence 1917: District of Columbia Recognition of
between the white and colored races,” opposition Committee said it wanted time to verify this. the GLF - Grand Lodge of France
to slavery, and the necessity of its abolition. (2) Also, our Committee pointed out that the 1870
Thus, “The split of French Masonry with that rupture of relations with the GOdF could In April 1917 the United States entered World
of America actually came in 1869 when the automatically be ended if the GOdF informed War I on the side of the Allies, primarily Great
Grand Orient [GOdF] passed a resolution that us that it had ended its support of the spurious Britain and France. There was a tremendous
neither color, race, nor religion should disqualify Louisiana body (which might not even have been surge of patriotism and brotherly affection
a man for initiation.” (3) in existence by 1914). Thus, the GOdF could between Americans and the British and French.
It is important to note that the severance of automatically reclaim recognition, and if our Among other signs of this feeling was a
relations between the GOdF and American Grand Lodge recognized the new “GLNF,” we resolution adopted on December 13, 1917, by
Grand Lodges, including ours, had nothing to would then be in the position of recognizing 2 the Grand Masters of 22 American jurisdictions
do with any change in the policy of the GOdF Grand Lodges in France. This would create a including the District of Columbia, that included
concerning the place of the Bible in lodges, or problem:
whether candidates for Freemasonry would be Continued on Next Page

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
the following language: instead of saying that the GLNF’s request for and presented in behalf of the [GLNF]
recognition could not be considered because we meets our requirements.... The Grand
“It has long been a source of deep regret in could only recognize one Grand Lodge in France, Lodges of Alabama, California and Rhode
the minds of American Freemasons that, in this time the Correspondence Committee Island recognize both the [GLF] and the
their opinion, substantial reasons existed recommended that “any change of recognition [GLNF].”
which prevented their fraternal affiliation in France should be made only after proper
with the Masons of France, and that regret consideration and disposition of the exiting Our Proceedings say this “report was then
is now largely increased by the fact that recognition.” (9) considered and the recommendations approved,
their countr y and our countr y are Then, in 1953, our Grand Lodge took some which resulted in the continued recognition of
inseparably yoked together in a mighty interesting actions. A Special Committee to the [GLF] and the recognition of the [GLNF]
struggle for the establishment of the revise the Standards of Recognition reported its and the exchange of representatives.” (13)
principles that they and we stand for.” (6) recommendations for changes in the Thus, our Grand Lodge had clearly and
requirements that would henceforth be used by knowingly recognized 2 Masonic grand bodies
Less than a week after this resolution was the District of Columbia Grand Lodge when in France, which were known not to recognize
adopted by 22 Grand Masters, the Grand Lodge deciding whether or not to recognize a foreign each other or to support having any other Grand
of the District of Columbia held its annual Grand Grand Lodge. Among the changes was an Lodge recognize the other. It can be said that
Communication. The Committee on amendment to a provision that had previously our Grand Lodge has not adhered to the Doctrine
Correspondence reported that our Grand Lodge (since 1930) stated that to be recognized, a of Exclusive Territorial Jurisdiction since 1953,
had received a letter from the Grand Master of Grand Lodge would have to have: specifically in the case of France. (14)
the Grand Lodge of France (GLF), in which he
requested formal recognition and exchange of “... sole, undisputed and exclusive authority 1965-1966: Withdrawal of Recognition of
representatives with the Grand Lodge of the over the symbolic lodges within its the GLF - Grand Lodge of France
District of Columbia. The Committee found that jurisdiction ....” (10)
the request was in due form, that it had been The Commission on Information for Recognition
formed as described by the GLF, and that it did In the new recognitions standards, which are still was established by the Conference of Grand
not share the policies of the Grand Orient of in effect today, to be recognized a foreign Grand Masters of Masons in 1952, to coordinate the
France (GOdF) concerning the place of God in Lodge had to have: effort to find out about foreign Grand Lodges so
lodge practices and was not connected with the U.S. Grand Lodges could make their decisions,
GOdF . The Committee “cordially” “... sovereign jurisdiction over the Lodges individually, about which ones to recognize. The
recommended formal recognition and an under its control; ... with sole, undisputed Commission is now the most influential and
exchange of representatives with the GLF, and and exclusive authority over the Craft or knowledgeable body in the U.S. about
this recommendation was adopted by our Grand Symbolic Degrees ...; ... and that it does recognition issues.
Lodge. not extend its authority into, or establish In 1958, the Commission wrote in one of its
No mention was made of the GLNF, which our lodges in, a territory occupied by a lawful reports:
Grand Lodge knew about, having considered its Grand Lodge, without the expressed consent
request for recognition just 3 years earlier, and of said Grand Lodge ....” (11) “There can be no question as to the
having rejected it in part because of the regularity of both of these Grand Lodges
possibility of the GOdF again becoming While this might be interpreted as retaining the in France [GLNF and GLF], apart from the
recognized by our Grand Lodge and thus putting “Doctrine of Exclusive Territorial Jurisdiction,” regrettable circumstance of the relations of
us in the position of recognizing 2 Grand Lodgesthe American Masonic doctrine that since the the Grand Lodge with the Grand Orient of
in France. (7) The possibility of recognizing 2 late 1700s was felt by many to mean that each France.” (15)
Grand Lodges in France was apparently of no U.S. Grand Lodge could only recognize one
concern in 1917. Grand Lodge in any U.S. State or foreign country, In February 1965 the Commission reported that
Including our Grand Lodge’s recognition of the it could also be interpreted dif ferently. (12) it received a letter from the Grand Master of
GLF, 23 U.S. Grand Lodges recognized and/or However, immediately after the adoption of the the GLF, in which he said the GLF and the GOdF
permitted visitation with the GLF during the change in recognition standards, the Committee had agreed to a compact that their Grand
World War I period. (8) on Correspondence submitted a report on the Secretaries would communicate with each other
From 1917 to 1966, about 50 years, the Grand GLF and the GLNF. It repeated that the Grand about such things as their memberships and
Lodge of the District of Columbia and the Grand Lodge of D.C. had been in recognition with the candidates. Although the GLF did not say so,
Lodge of France (GLF) were in an official and GLF for 36 years, but quoted from letters, and denies it, the Commission commented about
formal state of recognition, just as we recognize
including one from the Grand Master of the GLF, this compact:
other Grand Lodges, and we named that said some lodges in the GLF had not “This is an acknowledgment of the validity and
representatives to each other’s Grand Lodge. returned the Bible to their altars but that the regularity of the Grand Orient as a Masonic
GLF in 1953 reminded all lodges to do this. No body, and such an acknowledgment is not
1952 and 1953: D.C. Simultaneous change was suggested in D.C.’s recognition of acceptable to regular Grand Lodges....
Recognition of the GLNF and the GLF the GLF. The Committee then recommended that
our Grand Lodge also recognize the GLNF, and “By its compact with the Grand Orient of
In 1952, the Correspondence Committee of our said: France, a body outside the pale of regular
Grand Lodge again considered France. It said masonry, The Grand Lodge of France has
the GLNF had requested recognition, having “.... The approval of this recognition, while forfeited all claim to be considered a
already been recognized by England, Scotland, continuing the former r ecognition of regular Grand Lodge, and therefore all
Ireland, Canada, Australia, and 20 U.S. States. another Grand Lodge in the same territory right to recognition.” (16)
The Committee pointed out that the GLF was is not in conflict with the ‘Basic Principles
constituted in 1904 (although the GLF dates is for Grand Lodge Recognition’ which was However, there are other Grand Lodges that then
beginning to 1894 or earlier) and recognized by just adopted. Your committee base their and now have ties with unrecognized Grand
our Grand Lodge in 1917. As of 1952, it was recommendation on the belief that the
recognized by 6 U.S. Grand Lodges. However, Declaration of Basic Principles adopted by Continued on Next Page - Relationship

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
Lodges, and the Commission did not make it recognized by ours or any other U.S. Grand Cosmopolitan No. 428, S.C., 1986.
clear why this particular agreement between the Lodge. However, some representatives of the Miner, Stewart W. “The American Doctrine:
GLF and the GOdF was in such a dif ferent GLF who have spoken with U.S. Masons have A Concept Under Siege,” 1992
category as to require such an extreme reaction. said that their Grand Lodge is and always has Transactions of the Virginia Research
In August 1965, The New Age Magazine (now been regular (Bible on lodge altars, candidates Lodge No. 1777, pp. 11-25 (paper
called The Scottish Rite Journal), the official required to state belief in God, only men in delivered at that lodge on March 28,
publication of the Supreme Council of the lodges, etc.) and that the comments made by 1992).
Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction of the U.S.,others about the GLF in 1965-1966 and later The New Age Magazine (now called The
published a Grand Commander ’s Message in were and are inaccurate. They claim they are as Scottish Rite Journal), August 1965
which he described the GOdF as “a hopelessly regular in their practices as the other Grand Roy, Thomas S., ed. Information for
irregular , clandestine, illegitimate Grand Lodges that we recognize, and they should be Recognition: Reports on Grand Lodges in
Lodge.” He then accused the GLF of making an recognized, too. Some GLNF representatives tell Other Lands. Ed. Thomas S. Roy. New
alliance with the “spurious Grand Orient,” and us that the GLF does not allow the Bible or God York: Macoy Publishing and Masonic
thus making the GLF “and all its members in its lodges, admits women, and is irregular. Supply Company, 1958.
irregular and clandestine.” In fact, the Grand This is a factual matter, that probably could be
Commander said he suspended fraternal resolved by a detailed investigation. Notes
relations with the Supreme Council for France Some might claim that even if the GLF is
on January 14, 1965. (17) regular, it cannot be recognized at the same time 1. District of Columbia Grand Lodge
Following these leads, the Correspondence we recognize the GLNF because the Doctrine Proceedings 1870, pages 6-7.
Committee of the D.C. Grand Lodge in of Exclusive Territorial Jurisdiction only allows 2. Louisiana Proceedings 1869, pp. 76, 78.
December 1965 presented a report about France. us to recognize one Masonic grand lodge in 3. Ray V. Denslow, Freemasonr y in the
It said that although the GLF required the France. However, our Grand Lodge recognized Eastern Hemisphere , p. 170.
presence of the VSL in its lodges, it “was eitherthe GLF 36 years before we recognized the 4. District of Columbia Grand Lodge
unwilling or unable to enforce this requirement GLNF, and in 1953 we recognized the GLNF Proceedings 1917, page 335.
in every instance during the past decade,” while still recognizing the GLF. If we were not
5. District of Columbia Grand Lodge
although our committee did not say how it knew, permitted to recognize two Grand Lodges in
Proceedings 1914, pages 95-96.
or thought, that this was a fact. Our committee France, then we had no right to recognize the
then reported on the compact between the GLF GLNF in 1953 and should have continued to only 6. District of Columbia Grand Lodge
and the GOdF, as described by the Commission recognize the GLF. Since 1953 there have not Proceedings 1917, pages 82-83.
on Information for Recognition and the Scottish been any changes in our standards for 7. District of Columbia Grand Lodge
Rite’s Grand Commander, and said it was recognition, so if in 1953 we could recognize Proceedings 1917, pages 100-102.
bringing this to the attention of our Grand Lodgeboth the GLF and add recognition of the GLNF, 8. Bessel, Paul M. “U.S. Recognition of
because, “after 48 years of fraternal recognitionat the present or any future time we could French Grand Lodges in the 1900s,” in
with the Grand Lodge of France,” its “failure to continue to recognize the GLNF and also Heredom: The Transactions of the Scottish
strictly observe the presence of the Volume of recognize the GLF. Rite Research Society , volume 5, 1996,
the Sacred Law on the Masonic altar at all times pages 221-244.
when a lodge is open, and because a closer Bibliography 9. District of Columbia Grand Lodge
intimacy with the Grand Orient of France, are Proceedings 1952, pages 52-53.
cause of grave concern among regular Grand Bernheim, Alain. “A Brief History of French 10. District of Columbia Grand Lodge
Lodges.” [sic] Our Correspondence Committee Freemasonry,” in The Plumbline , Spring/ Proceedings 1930, page 19.
concluded by saying it was watching Summer 1997, vol. 6, no. 1, p. 1.
11. District of Columbia Grand Lodge
developments. (18) Bessel, Paul M. “U.S. Recognition of French
Proceedings 1953, page 48.
The following year , in May 1966, the Grand Lodges in the 1900s,” in Heredom:
12. For details about the Doctrine of Exclusive
Correspondence Committee of our Grand Lodge The Transactions of the Scottish Rite
dropped the other shoe. It recommended Research Society, volume 5, 1996, pages Territorial Jurisdiction, see Stewart W.
withdrawal of fraternal recognition of the GLF. 221-244. Miner, “The American Doctrine: A
The committee repeated portions of the Brodsky, Michel. “The Regular Freemason: Concept Under Siege,” 1992 Transactions
Commission on Information for Recognition’s A Short History of Masonic Regularity,” of the Virginia Research Lodge No. 1777 ,
report from the previous year, and quotes from Ars Quatuor Coronatoru m, vol. 106 pp. 11-25.
the Scottish Rite Grand Commander ’s article on (1993), p. 103. 13. District of Columbia Grand Lodge
the previous year, and spoke very favorably about Coil, Henry Wilson, et al. Coil’s Masonic Proceedings 1953, pages 49-50.
the GLNF and its ef forts to replace the Supreme Encyclopedia. Rev. ed. Revised by Allen 14. Our Grand Lodge also recognizes more
Council for the Scottish Rite in France. Our E. Roberts. Richmond, Virginia: Macoy than one Grand Lodge, each claiming
Grand Lodge was also told that the only Grand Publishing and Masonic Supply Company, jurisdiction over common territory, in
Lodge in the U.S. that then recognized the GLF 1996. Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia.
besides our own was the Grand Lodge of Conference of Grand Masters 1965 15. Roy, Thomas S., ed. Information for
Louisiana, and recommended that our Grand Transactions
Recognition: Reports on Grand Lodges in
Lodge rescind the recognition of the GLF, while Denslow, Ray V. Freemasonry in the Eastern
Other Lands, page 105.
making no change in our recognition of the Hemisphere, published by the author,
16. Conference of Grand Masters of Masons
GLNF. Our Proceedings indicate that this 1954.
recommendation was adopted. (19) District of Columbia Grand Lodge in North America 1965, pages 40-41.
Proceedings 1870, 1914, 1917, 1952, 17. The New Age Magazine, August 1965,
Conclusion 1953, 1965, 1966 pages 3, 54-55.
Haffner, Christopher. Regularity of Origin: 18. District of Columbia Grand Lodge
Since 1966, it appears there has been no change. A Study of Masonic Precedents. Hong Proceedings 1965, pages 41-42.
The GLNF is recognized by our Grand Lodge Kong: Paul Chater Lodge of Installed 19. District of Columbia Grand Lodge
and all others in the U.S., and the GLF is not Masters No. 5391, E.C. and Lodge Proceedings 1966, pages 15-17.

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
National Jurisprudence as a source. Mackey’s work is states, subordinate lodges still pledged their
disregarded entirely by a number of Grand Lodges. allegiance to the National Grand Lodge, which
Continued from Page 19
As it relates to the NGL, Mackey’s work was not made it very easy for the National Grand Lodge
even to present day. Bro. Hilton in his wisdom published until 1855, some eight years after the to reorganize Grand Lodges. This was certainly
sought to settle the differences between the 2 Grand formation of the NGL so the NGL did not have to the case in Georgia, South Carolina, Ohio, Kansas
Lodges in PA, and to solidify the workings of adhere to Mackey’s ‘opinion’. and Texas. One must understand the dynamics
masons who were birthed by African Grand Lodge. of this very important notion. If enough of the
In solemn convention on June 24, 1847, the It can also be noted that a convention of masons lodges decided not to leave with the rest of the
Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of Free that comes together to establish a Masonic body Grand Lodge, then the Grand Lodge (under the
& Accepted Ancient York Rite Masons, can adopt and adhere to whatever form of Compact) still existed.
National Compact on the Continent of North government they so desire as long as there is a It is very important to note that one of the primary
America and thereunto belonging was formed. vote carried by a majority, and that ancient usages prerogatives of the National Grand Lodge was to
African Grand Lodge of Massachusetts was in or customs pertaining to Masonic law are not set up Grand Lodges in territories where no
fact re-warranted as the Prince Hall Grand violated. To that end, no law was broken. Compact Grand Lodge existed. Furthermore,
Lodge of Massachusetts under the National In 1888 Capt W.D. Matthews was the National unlike the many, many myths that have been
Grand Lodge. Grand Master, and was blatantly fed up with the written by so-called Masonic scholars, the NGL
It is important to note, that a Grand Lodge is not never ceased to exist, and has held regular
vested in a Grand Lodge warrant; Grand Lodges Triennial Sessions since its inception. The
are vested in the Constitution. However, in the minutes of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, now
1800’s Grand Lodges having warrants was the known as the MWPHGL of PA, reflect the
norm rather than the exception. following on pages 35-36 of the semi-annual
From the formation of the National Grand communication:
Lodge (1847) through the era of reconstruction
(1868), masonry spread quickly among people SEMI-ANNUAL COMMUNICATION
of color above the Mason-Dixon Line, even into Phila., June 25th, A.D. 1877-A.L. 5877.
Ontario thanks to a number of Masonic giants
of the era, one by the name of Bro. Thomas M.W. Bro. George W. Woolford, Grand Master,
S tringer, all UNDER the auspices of the presiding.
National Grand Lodge. The minutes of the December Communication
were read and approved.
There are many Grand Lodges that, to date, claim The. R.W. Aaron P. Faucett, Deputy Grand
their origin being from that of the National Master, then made the following report:
Compact. See the following websites:
To the M.W.G. Master, S. and J.G. Wardens,
MWPHGL of California and members of this Grand Lodge,
http://www.mwphglch.org/CA-HIST.html
MWPHGL of Colorado This comes greeting:
No longer available
MWPHGL of Illinois Having received official notice from the
http://mwphglil.com/GrandHistory.htm Felton N. Ferguson M.W.G. Master that it was his desire that I
MWPHGL of Kansas should be present at the opening of the
National Grand Manster
No longer available National Grand Lodge, owing to his inability
MWPHGL of Michigan unwillingness of the S tate Right Grand Lodges to attend; I first came to Philadelphia to
http://www.miphgl.org/history/history.html to compromise. His autocratic style of leadership receive his instructions. After receiving them,
MWPHGL of Missouri was employed in the Masonic Order, as well as I, in the company with Bro. Charles Colly,
http://www.phaglmo.org/history.htm his illustrious military career. He issued a proceeded to Pittsburg where the sessions of
declaration sent to all ‘State Rights’ (PHA) Grand the National were held. Owing to Bro. Levere,
MWPHGL of North Carolina Lodges to either return back to the NGL or they the Grand Secretary, missing the connecting
No longer available would be expelled, and Compact GL’s set up in train, he was unable to reach Pittsburg until
MWPHGL of Ontario each of the respective jurisdictions; none of the late in the afternoon. Therefore, we held no
http://freemasonry.org/phglont/history.htm S tate Right GL’s complied. From this point more than an informal meeting on the first
MWPHGL of Pennsylvania forward, the NGL reorganized GL’s in many day or evening, at which work was prepared
No longer available jurisdictions, and these are the present GL’s still for the next day. Wednesday, the M.W.N.
MWPHGL of Texas adhering to the NGL, with the exception of the Grand Lodge was opening, with six state
http://www.mwphglotx.org/index2.htm African Harmony Grand Lodge of Delaware and Grand Lodges present, and three represented
MWPHGL of Virginia the King Solomon Grand Lodge of Kansas. These by proxy . After the appointment of the
http://www.mwphgl-va.org/id2.html Grand Lodges have always, with an unbroken necessary committees, the States were called
lineage, belonged to the National Grand Lodge. on for their repor ts and petitions, which were
Between the years 1847 and 1878 the National African Harmony Grand Lodge was organized by referred to appropriate committees. The two
Compact birthed just about every Grand Lodge in the National Grand Lodge in 1855. King Solomon most important petitions were from New York,
existence. The above aforementioned PHA Grand Grand Lodge of Kansas was organized in 1867. asking for the dissolution of the National,
Lodges are just a few that admit their origin being The NGL had every right to act in this manner in and the request from Pennsylvania, which
from the National Compact. The reasons that conformity with the NGL Constitution which is you are conversant with. A compromise
Grand Lodges pulled out of the National Compact virtually unchanged in 159 years of existence. report failing in the committee, they reported
are too numerous to mention in this article. Most To make matters worst, not all of the subordinate both petitions for the consideration of the
today will say that the inception of the NGL was lodges agreed with the actions of their Grand
against Masonic doctrine, and they quote Mackey’s Lodge in severing ties with the Compact. In some Continued on Next Page

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
Grand body. New York desiring the do not note some of the untruths that have been cabinet, as well as a strong presence on the
precedence, it was accorded to them. After written about the NGL, as well as the world wide web at:
considerable discussion, a vote was taken misguided rhetoric. Many non-NGL writers,
on the prayer, and resolution in six, all of especially William H. Grimshaw in his book www.mwnationalgrandlodge.org.
New York, in favor of dissolution, to forty- Official Histor y of Freemasonr y Among
eight against. Pennsylvania was then taken Colored People in North America have stated Very few take the time to delve further into the
up, and her request was granted, excepting that the NGL was shut down at the 1878 literature that they read or what they have been
that instead of calling a convention in Delaware Convention. They will find that other taught by their leaders. As a result, several
Chicago at the same time as the other writings about the NGL have been completely members are left at the mercy of the
convention, the National decided to call one unsubstantiated. The first of ficial document information passed on to them, be it through
on the second Wednesday in May 1878. The written by a NGL member was produced in unsubstantiated literature, or verbally. Across
call is now out, and I believe in possession 1920 and titled A Brief Narrative Histor y of jurisdictional lines we have to rely on authentic,
of nearly all the colored Grand Lodges in The Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge of available records and as information surfaces,
the United States. The other business done F ree And Accepted Ancient York Masons, history books are being updated or rewritten.
was of the usual routine, which you can see National Compact by William Benderson of the I close by saying that all masons under the
when the minutes are printed. My business Compact Grand Lodge of Virginia. While this auspices of the Most Worshipful National
made it necessary that I leave for home on pamphlet does have flaws, it is noted because Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Ancient York
Thursday night. The GM can tell you what it was the first attempt to produce a true Rite Masons, National Compact in the United
was done after he reached there. historical picture of the NGL. The second States on the continent of North America are
attempt was made by Past National Grand proud Prince Hall Masons. We have a rich
Respectfully, Master, Matthew Brock sixty years later and history and heritage and we are proudly sharing
titled History of the National Grand Lodge. it with the world.
A.P. FAUCETT, R.W.D.G.M. Brother Brock’s book provides a good basis for
understanding the NGL and provides a platform
This extraction from the official minutes of this for further research and inquiry.
d’Italia
Grand Lodge denounces the writing of Grimshaw More recently, the winds of truth have blown Continued from Page 19
and Williamson of PHA, whose works have been about the NGL from non-NGL researchers.
considered the ‘authority’ that the NGL died in David Gray’s Inside Prince Hall, Tony Pope’s Since many Italian Brethren are fawning over
Wilmington, DE at the NGL triennial session in research paper published in the ANZMRC UGLE, I must remind them of our recent history,
1877. It is noted by their OWN body that, not only Prince Hall Revisited and more recently Bro. to remind and demonstrate to them, how contacts
was the NGL Tri Session held in Pittsburg, PA, Alton Roundtree’s Out of the Shadow’s, the between the UGLA and the GOI have always been
(not Wilmington, DE), but there was a resounding Emergence of Prince Hall Freemasonr y in ill-omened. In fact, our reciprocal relationships
desire by 8 other jurisdictions there represented America all give considerable time to the have always been as sporadic as they are harried.
to continue to wave the flag of the Most Worshipful National Grand Lodge in dispelling the First of all, let me state that Italian Freemasonry
National Grand Lodge. The PHA Grand Lodge of fabrications of William Grimshaw which were was not born with the official assistance of our
Ohio proceedings for that year also references that also used by the late Brothers’ Harry UGLE brethren. Despite claims and rumors to
the National Grand Lodge session was in Pittsburg, Williamson and Dr. Charles Wesley. The the contrary, there is no historical foundation that
PA and not Wilmington, DE. esteemed historian, the late Brother Joseph Brothers Olivares and Gimignani had a warrant
The term States Rights and Nationals spawned Walkes, also reported to the Prince Hall from the UGLE to establish a lodge in Naples.3
as a result of the Grand Lodges that left the Conference of Grand Masters in 2001 that the It IS true that a few Stuart supporters, as
auspices of the National Compact between the National Grand Lodge was never shut down and individuals, co-operated to establish lodges in
years 1869-1888. From the years 1888 through that ‘You can not call your Grandmother Naples and Florence but they did not act as
1944 the two dominant Black Grand Lodges in clandestine without calling yourself irregular.’ representatives or with the approval of the
any jurisdiction were either State Rights (a Grand In the past 5 years official communication has UGLE. These brothers acted for their personal
Lodge that was birthed, and belonged to the been made between the NGL and the Prince benefit, for the restoration of the Stuarts’ to the
Compact that decided to leave), or a National (a Hall Conference of Grand Masters. We each throne and for the benefit of the Roman Catholic
Grand Lodge who yielded to the National co-exist in the same communities but for church.
Compact). The NGL has used the term P.H.O. at various reasons, have chosen different paths in So when the Inquisition began its oppression of
least as early as 1897. The only State Rights GL pursuing and practicing the honorable and our Italian brethren, these brothers fled. They did
that had styled its self as Prince Hall was that of ancient tenants of freemasonry. If we are to ever not try to help their oppressed brethren
the P.H.G.L. of NY, which was done in 1917. It find some resolve, we must first find mutual notwithstanding many of them had contacts and
wasn’ t until after 1944 at the State Rights respect for each other, as we did during the friends within Italian high-society. Lodges were
Conference of Grand Masters that the rest of the formation of the NGL. The internet has opened established during the period 1734-1737 in Milan,
State Rights Grand Lodges started changing their the floodgates to the understanding of the NGL Turin, Venetia, Genoa and in the Region of
names to MWPHGL and/or affixing PHA to their between other jurisdictions. Misinformation Naples. They were composed of Swiss, French,
corporate titles. To date, all State Rights GL’s of has been put to rest by masons that hail to the Austrian and Hungarian Brethren, and of course,
Prince Hall decent are styled MWPHGL (PHA), NGL, as well as by some masons that do not. If Italians, but there were no Englishmen at all.
except in the States of Florida and Mississippi. nothing else, we all appear to have a better In any case, that far season was the sole example
In Florida, the John G. Jones faction (now known understanding of our respective af filiations. of a modest English presence over 270 years. In
as the Black Scottish-Rite faction) was already The current Most Worshipful National Grand the second half of XVIII century Italian
called PHGL; in Mississippi the Compact GL was Master is the Honorable Felton N. Ferguson Freemasonry took a totally different shape. It
already known as the PHGL and had been since who resides in Wilmington, Delaware. He is abandoned the English pattern in favor of other
its reorganization in 1897. It should also be noted the Past Grand Master of African Harmony influences, mainly the French, German, Austrian
that the ‘O’ and ‘A’ have very little relevance. Grand Lodge of Delaware which, again, has and later, American influences.
Both bodies can unquestionably trace their origins been in continued existence and allegiance to Under Napoleon, the French pattern prevailed
back to African Lodge #459. the NGL since 1855. NGM Ferguson has an
It would not be a true history of the NGL if we extremely capable National Grand Lodge Continued on Next Page

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
still is today its typical feature along with an of the World”. of the 15th March, 1931, addressed to the M. W.
admixture of American. Reciprocal relationship were never very good, The Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of
Soon after the proclamation of the Reign of Italy even when Ettore Ferrari was Grand Master. England has been considered; and I am desired
in 1861, the GOI sought recognition at an However the official location being in London, to say that the statement submitted therein that
international level. In pursuit of this recognition, the GOI in exile was actually active in Paris not the Grand Orient of Italy has settled temporarily
Grand Master Filippo Cordova in 1862 proposed only for practical reasons, but also not to bore in London has caused considerable surprise. I am
reciprocal recognition of the UGLE . Such a UGLE which disliked another Constitution be instructed to protest against the action of the
request remained, however, unanswered, at least present on its territory, even temporarily”.4 Grand Orient, which is contrary to all regular
in plain terms. To the contrary, UGLE explicitly These are the facts, substantially. Mola reported Masonic usage and practice as understood by the
denied exchanging Grand Representatives for them in a very prudent manner, making great United Grand Lodge of England.
over 110 years. ef forts not to offend any brothers. It is my I am further desired to inform you that it will be
This denial of exchange was grounded in the intention, unlike Mola, to examine the details for necessary to give Masonic publicity to what is
UGLE opinion on the circumstances that the GOI what they are, and to demonstrate that the UGLE regarded as a violation of Masonic Jurisdiction.”
was openly engaged in favor of the laity and acted so abjectly in that circumstance, that no It is considered desirable that this question should
struggling against the Vatican. The UGLE was Italian Brother should ever forget it. at once be made known to the whole of the English
also concerned that the GOI members were Most of the famous Italian Brethren lived in Paris. Craft, so that its members may be fully aware of
involved in politics at highest levels, being Among them, I will recall Eugenio Chiesa, who the standpoint adopted by Grand Lodge in regard
members either of Parliament or of Government. died by hardship soon after his arrival; Giovanni to the matter”
These however, were only an excuse. Amendola, who died there too, having survived “The Freemason”, N° 3247, Vol. LXX, 30th May
The real reason consisted in the GOI’s refusal to being lynched by fascists in Montecatini; 1931
perform our Masonic works “English style”. Francesco Fausto Nitti, who escaped This unmasonic, vile and authoritative answer not
Unlike the Spaniards and the Portuguese who adventurously from Lipari; Cipriano Facchinetti, only hit Italian Freemasons hard, but also
accepted these features and introduced them in Alceste De Ambris, Luigi Campolonghi, Mario outraged the whole Masonic world. Two years
their rituals. Anglo-Saxon traditions such as the Pistocchi, Alessandro Tedeschi, Alberto Giannini, later, on May 12, 1933, Bro. Louis Gazeau, then
Holy Royal Arch or the praying Chaplain. From Arturo Labriola, Francesco Galasso, Giuseppe Grand Commander of the American Federation
then on, UGLE held a grudge. Leti, Paolo Bruni, Randolfo Pacciardi and many of Human Rights, wrote in response:
In any case, a relationship was set up by brethren others. “I read about GOI’s story in England in some
and Lodges. Unofficial, and very low level, that It can easily be understood why, after January American magazines, in Annales Maçonniques
is, until 1908, when some brothers set up a 1930, there was no GOI activity in England. and also in the Bullettin of the International
schismatic Obedience. London’s siege, and no telephones, left the Masonic Association. Nobody seemingly helped
Fruitful contacts had been established between London address little more than just an address. it. I cannot understand why Italian Brethren
the GOI privileged and Grand Lodges in the The London address was even listed as cannot set their organization abroad if they are
United States. These relationships flowered and “temporary” on the headed-paper (Siège prevented to do so at home.”
gained a high-rank reputation, at least equal, or provisoire à Londres). Bro. Ludovico Chioster gi However, a question is still unanswered, that is,
even superior to that it could have received from forwarded all correspondence to Paris by safe why UGLE disclosed their reaction. A private
the UGLE. couriers. Nevertheless, some of the Brethren felt letter would have sorted the same result. The
In 1923, the Fascists rose to power and began to safe remaining in England. reason lies on politics.
oppress the GOI. In 1926 lodges were closed and UGLE was not aware of the Italian Masonic In Italy, Fascism’s position was steady and
many brothers put in prison, injured, and a few presence. Their guests, however, notified their powerful. On the international scene. Mussolini
were even killed. In the face of this oppression, hosts of the fictitious domicile, presuming upon was respected, if not feared. Dino Grandi, the
many brothers emigrated to other European the UGLE Grand Master ’s, Masonic brotherly Italian Foreign Office minister, and a demitted
countries, where they could still live in love for relief and support. In their Freemason of Piazza del Gesù, had close contacts
accordance with their Masonic ideals. communications, they highlighted they did not with Henderson, his English colleague.
By 1929, Domizio Torrigiani, Grand Master of wish either to bore the UGLE or infringe upon Mr Ramsay MacDonald , England’s Prime
the Grande Oriente d’Italia was in jail, as was any of its prerogatives. Minister (1929-1935), showed a fondness toward
Giuseppe Meoni, the Deputy Grand Master. On A reply to their request for relief and assistance the Italian government and supported this
May 30, 1929, Ettore Ferrari, Past Grand Master from the UGLE was answered soon after, and fondness by actions such as the agreement on the
and Sovereign Grand Commander of AASR, not by a letter. merchant navy entered into by Italy and England
entrusted his Lieutenant Giuseppe Leti with the “The Board has received a communication on March 1, 1930. Thanks to United Kingdom,
task of organizing the AASR. It is also supposed addressed to the M. W. The Grand Master from Italy’s position was made equal to that of France.
that he asked him to organize the craft as well,, the Deputy Grand Master and Grand Secretary In those days, before the Tribunale Speciale5 , a
thus conferring all power to him. of the Grand Orient of Italy stating that, owing to trial was pending in Rome against the Italian
By this time, most of the Italian Brethren had Italian Freemasons being compelled to committee of Giustizia e Libertà in which Fascism
fled to Paris, followed by many fascist spies. It reconstitute themselves outside their own country, raised its voice against its enemies all over
was therefore safer and more expedient to move they have settled temporarily in London. It is Europe, Freemasonry included. The members this
to England and established the Grande Oriente stated that there is no intention to disregard the group were, among the others, Ernesto Rossi and
d’Italia In Exile. Historian Aldo Alessandro Mola tradition of nationality by which Freemasonry is Riccardo Bauer.
writes: governed, or the territorial rights which in the The public prosecutor shouted against the
“The GOI In Exile was established on January present instance belong to the United Grand antifascists and the European countries that
12, 1930, in London. The provisional address was Lodge of England. It is asserted that there is no supported them by money and also by other
Sheriff Road 2, West Hampstead, London N. W. desire to disturb English Freemasonry nor to make means. That trial was… “a meaningful episode
6. The reason for the Italian Freemasons’ choice use of the sovereignty of the Grand Orient on the of the struggle between the true patriots and the
is not entirely clear due to the lack of territory of the United Kingdom. The Board has traitors, member of an international sect acting
documentation. Especially given the antipathy viewed with surprise the receipt of this letter, against Italy: Freemasonry”.6
with which the UGLE had treated the Grande and the following communication has been sent This statement appears to be the reason for
Oriente d’Italia, but may have been due to a wish in reply:
to create closer contacts with the “Mother Lodge “I have to inform you that your communication Continued on Next Page

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
UGLE’s public answer to Italian Freemasons Lodge of the World”. In pursuit of this end, he a public prosecutor.
request for aid and support. It was not addressed made the already bad situation worse. However, before this event, he devised to
to the Fraternity but, rather, to Mussolini! This He was so anxious to close the agreement that he approach UGLE in an alleged winning manner.
from our brothers in the United Grand Lodge of had no idea of his contractual power. The protocol Instead to pay the first homage to UGLE, like all
England. A body which claims to be apolitical!. was signed on September 13, 1972. The cost for his predecessors, he went to London after having
By their response to the GOI, they notified the Italian Brethren consisted of a Ferrari GT, visited other European Grand Lodges, where he
Mussolini that those Italian beggars , the good gifted to a high-ranking member of UGLE for his tried to credit himself at the best. First the press’s
and honorable men he had kicked out of Italy, assistance; a commercial agreement with an favor, then the visit to Albion. So he did and so
were about to be treated in a similar manner in English supplier of Masonic regalia, on exclusive he fell in.
England. basis; and the promise that the GOI would allow Maybe English Brethren, who were tired to be
Their message to him? Calm down, dear Mr. the English Royal Arch within the Craft. teased by the Italians, thought this GM was not
Mussolini: We in the United Kingdom shall neither At that time, Royal Arch had already been allowed reliable, too, or they were aware of his weak points;
foster nor favor your enemies. Please remember in Italy for more than ten years. Some Italian in any case, they set upon him quite harshly.
this when it is time to return the favor. Meanwhile, Brethren had brought it in regularly from USA, Without compliments they told him that their
if Duce wishes to excite the French cagoulards as a ritual Order, thus independent and sovereign patience finished and, if GOI wished to be still in
with their daggers, he is at liberty to do so, just with exclusive jurisdiction over Italy. amity, it had to set up the Holy Royal Arch of
not in London, please. No blood on our streets, The arrogant Salvini ended his time as Grand Jerusalem. Immediately and over the whole country.
Paris’s lanes are far better than the London’s ones Master by, in the end, displeasing both those Di Bernardo, however, played his cards quite
for this purpose. Good luck, Mr. Mussolini! Italian brethren who were member of York Rite well. After the ritual promises, he succeeded in
and his English counterparts, having promised convincing UGLE that his popularity was at the
Part II to set Royal Arch in accordance with the English utmost, far greater than that of any other GM.
pattern, that is, as a portion of the third degree, The recent poll was doubtless in his favor and
Soon after the end of WWII, the United States within the Craft. Salvini instead introduced that UGLE took the bait: eventually English Brethren
Grand Lodges sent a delegation from the Masonic novelty as an out-and-out Rite, headed by himself. found their man.
Service Bureau, headed by Most Worshipful Most Being scared by the firm rejection of his plan by Back in Italy, he acted so to favor those Brethren
Worshipful Brother Ray V. Denslow Grand the York Rite’s Italian members, soon after who were member of the “Little Arch” –
Master, Grand Lodge of Missouri (1931~1932), followed by the Americans, he refrained from pejorative of “(English) Royal Arch”– appointing
to determine which Obedience the Grand Lodges going ahead as he had agreed, thus arousing some of them as Grand Officers. Notwithstanding
would recognize. They determined that Grande UGLE’s ire. his efforts, however, the “Little Arch” did not
Oriente d’Italia was regular and legitimate. It would take us off topic to enumerate the actions grow up. Afterwards Cordova’s inquiry drew in
The Temple’s reconstruction went on, the Italian which York Rite undertook against that intruding any worries and Di Bernardo, who could not
brethren being helped solely by USA Grand novelty. It should be sufficient to remember that refrain from giving judges the members’ list, cut
Lodges and by USA main Ritual Orders, namely Salvini was obliged to acknowledge York Rite’s a very bad figure in front of his Brethren.
Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite and York Rite. rights by means of an agreement signed in Being not fool, he realized that his adventure as
As of the end of WWII, Italian Freemasonry’s Washington on February 22, 1977, which is still Grand Master was about to end. He then sought
feature is its vitality: proselytism has never stopped. in full force and effect. after relief from his English friends, who thought
Even if the membership was less than that of the Bro. Ennio Battelli, Salvini’ s successor, to use him to implement their plan: to favor a
preceding year, it was due to some secessions, not disregarded UGLE’s requests. Bro. Armando secessionist group, which they would subsequently
to its allure towards new entries, which was always Corona, Battelli’s successor followed the position recognize. This plan succeeded in Belgium,
undisputed. In Italy, there is a Masonic potential of Bro. Ennio Battelli. Both rejected the honor of Portugal, Greece and India: why not also in Italy?
which is unknown in other European countries and being the First Grand Principal of the Royal Arch, Di Bernardo assured that at least 80% of the
the GOI treasures it. For the time being, the sole an anglophile Order. Masonic population would have followed him.
exception are the East-European countries, where UGLE was really perplexed. Time elapsed and The devil never grants long leases, says a proverb.
Freemasonry is beginning to live again, but these the Ferrari broke down. The Italian suppliers of The plotters were not more than five hundred. A
cannot be compared. Masonic regalia were again ahead and the huge flop which discredited UGLE above all,
To the contrary, proselytism is strongly declining or ganizations that UGLE introduced were quickly which thus appeared as the true and interested
in those countries which saw Freemasonry fading. Templarism rose in Italy in the mid 1980s mentor who inspired that abjection.
flourishing in the past. In particular, this is but was not able to last. As a result, there is still Once again, the North American Grand Lodges’
happening in England, which lost half of its no real English influence in Italy , just the conference acted friendly towards GOI, as well
members in the course of the last fifty years. unavoidable, grotesque appearance of some as the York Rite: no USA GL withdrew its
Numbers are jealously hidden, but no one can be clownish gown-wearing men at annual Grand recognition, to everlasting shame of UGLE which
unaware that the trend is down, and that man can Lodge’s meeting. could neither tame nor destroy GOI.
reasonably expect to see the end of Freemasonry On march 11, 1990, Giuliano Di Bernardo was Since, however, Freemasons have a bad memory,
in Europe by 2015.7 elected Grand Master of the GOI. Of him, maybe because they are fundamentally good men, I
In 1970 the Board was aware of this phenomenon, Massimo Della Campa said that: quote the communication which the GOI’s Board
so it decided to experiment with a hope of taking released on December 7,1993. I do hope the author
advantage of the declining British prestige. Is Italy “...his beard and his shaggy hair, as well as be always reminded of his own words.
doing well? Would Italian Freemasons appreciate his hieratic poses are unable to conceal a “With reference to the oncoming UGLE’s
recognition by UGLE? The answer being substantial absence of thoughts and meeting, fixed for December 9, 1993, the Grand
affirmative, UGLE thought to stick the Union Jack programs”. Orator, also for and behalf of GOI’s Board, takes
into the Italian soil. for granted that on this occasion will be
Lino Salvini, then GOI’s GM, was delighted to Relatively young and very incautious, he lost implemented the plot which UGLE, together with
enter into negotiations with UGLE. Being aware popularity among those Brethren who had Giuliano Di Bernardo, set up to establish its own
that his personal limits would never let him pass previously supported him fairly early on, and, Italian protectorate.8
into history on his cultural merits, he hoped to being isolated, he had to face one of the worst This aim is witnessed by analogous actions which
become the most illustrious Grand Master who storms which recur in cycles on the Italian
achieved mutual recognition with “the Mother Freemasonry: the judicial inquiry by Mr. Cordova, Continued on Next Page

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have been undertaken in Belgium, Greece, India Although statistics were not available before future both in London, our Provinces and
and Portugal. In these countries there was a and during the 80’s, it is clear we have lost Districts, and many brethren are working
secession from regular Freemasonry and the at least 40% of our membership in as little hard to recruit, retrieve and retain our
secessionists were soon after recognized by as thirty years. Our recent losses are often members with various schemes designed
UGLE, which disregarded the historic blamed on the fact that we consecrated 1000 for that purpose.
Obediences by futile pretexts. lodges in the five years following the second But the overall picture is not a satisfactory
Sa me play script for Italy: UGLE withdrew World War to accommodate men returning one as the following figures will show.
recognition not for an alleged untrustworthiness from active service and wanting to join a Although statistics were not available
or corruption, but for UGLE considers GOI’s fraternity. But that is not the whole story as before and during the 80’s, it is clear we
proposal to set an European Freemasonry as a most of those brethren have long since have lost at least 40% of our membership
dangerous plan which would put end to UGLE’s passed to the Grand Lodge above and we in as little as thirty years. Our recent losses
hegemony. have continued to shrink at the rate of are often blamed on the fact that we
The recognition to be given to Di Bernardo’s group between 2-3% every year. While the decline consecrated 1000 lodges in the five years
shall therefore be considered as a colonial mandate, has lessened in the past two years we are by following the second World War to
rather than an act of true amity between national no means out of the wood and with an aging accommodate men returning from active
and independent Grand Lodges. membership we face an uncertain future. It service and wanting to join a fraternity. But
We must strongly disapprove such a cloning-test is interesting to note that while our that is not the whole story as most of those
both at profane and Masonic levels, to avoid UGLE membership numbers have shrunk so brethren have long since passed to the
go on believing to be the unpunished depository dramatically, the number of our lodges has Grand Lodge above and we have continued
of the Masonic orthodoxy. For its part, GOI shall actually increased. The result is that we now to shrink at the rate of between 2-3% every
go on exercising its moral authority, in accordance have a very large number of lodges that are year. While the decline has lessened in the
with the principles of universal and regular struggling to survive with very few past two years we are by no means out of
Freemasonry and in full respect of its bicentenary members. The situation is made even worse the wood and with an aging membership
tradition which engendered men and ideas that when you factor in low attendance figures. we face an uncertain future. It is interesting
were protagonist in the course of History. It is not easy to see how we can correct this to note that while our membership numbers
situation except by encouraging lodges to have shrunk so dramatically, the number
The Board of GOI consider closing or amalgamating when their of our lodges has actually increased. The
Gustavo Raffi [at present, numbers drop below a viable level…” http:/ result is that we now have a very large
GOI’s Grand Master, ED.] /mastersjewel.com/masons/symbols/ number of lodges that are struggling to
Ravenna, December 7, 1993” Cornerstone.html survive with very few members. The
8. It is the so called Gran Loggia Regolare situation is made even worse when you
1. This article was written in 2002. Bro. d’Italia (GLRI). In 2002 Di Bernardo factor in low attendance figures. It is not
Valgattarri was then Past Grand High Priest abandoned its creature to set up a new easy to see how we can correct this situation
Grand Chapter (RAM) York Rite, Italy. He organization. except by encouraging lodges to consider
was also Past Gran Commander, Grand closing or amalgamating when their
Commandery of Knights Templar 1995-98. References numbers drop below a viable level…” http:/
He wrote “Il Rito di York in Italia”, I /mastersjewel.com/masons/symbols/
vol.1962-1983, Artémis, pagg. 228 1 This article was written in 2002. Bro. Cornerstone.html
2. GOI’s fortnightly newsletter Valgattarri was then Past Grand High Priest 8 It is the so called Gran Loggia Regolare
3. C. Francovich, Storia della Massoneria in Grand Chapter (RAM) York Rite, Italy. He d’Italia (GLRI). In 2002 Di Bernardo
Italia, 1974, pagg. 41-42 was also Past Gran Commander, Grand abandoned its creature to set up a new
4. A. A. Mola, Il Grande Oriente d’Italia in Commandery of Knights Templar 1995-98. organization.
esilio (1930-1938), Roma, 1983, pag. 18 He wrote “Il Rito di York in Italia”, I
5. A special court to judge antifascists vol.1962-1983, Artémis, pagg. 228
6. Salvatorelli & Mira, Storia d’Italia nel 2 GOI’s fortnightly newsletter
Fringe
periodo fascista, Einaudi 1959, pag. 623 3 C. Francovich, Storia della Massoneria in Continued from Page 5
7. The English situation is actually appalling, Italia, 1974, pagg. 41-42 could Little claim that he had them [i.e. the
as Lord Northampton admitted. In 2005 4 A. A. Mola, Il Grande Oriente d’Italia in degrees]? I know how many real
UGLE Pro-GM wrote: “I begin with the esilio (1930-1938), Roma, 1983, pag. 18 Rosicrucians there are in the islands.
premise that with nearly three hundred years 5 A special court to judge antifascists When Mackenzie resigned from the Rosicrucian
of experience under our belt we must be 6 Salvatorelli & Mira, Storia d’Italia nel Society in the spring of 1875 he was busy writing
doing something right, so why should periodo fascista, Einaudi 1959, pag. 623 the first fascicule of his Royal Masonic
freemasonry in, say, twenty five years be any 7 The English situation is actually appalling, Cyclopaedia, a book whose current price in the
different from the model we have today. Well as Lord Northampton admitted. In 2005 antiquarian market is out of all proportion to its
we may be by far the biggest Grand Lodge UGLE Pro-GM wrote: “I begin with the value as a work of reference.
in the world with a membership of 272,000 premise that with nearly three hundred
individuals spread over the four quarters of years of experience under our belt we must MACKENZIE’s ROYAL MASONIC
the globe, but something is wrong with be doing something right, so why should CYCLOPAEDIA
Anglo Saxon freemasonry. Having said that, freemasonry in, say, twenty five years be
I know an enormous amount of effort has any different from the model we have today. The first edition of Albert Mackey’s massive
been invested in our future both in London, Well we may be by far the biggest Grand Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry was published in
our Provinces and Districts, and many Lodge in the world with a membership of the U.S.A. early in 1874. The Rev . A.F.A.
brethren are working hard to recruit, retrieve 272,000 individuals spread over the four Woodford reviewed the book in The Masonic
and retain our members with various quarters of the globe, but something is Mirror in May (Vol. 1, No.ii), hence copies were
schemes designed for that purpose. wrong with Anglo Saxon freemasonry. circulating in this country by 12 October, when
But the overall picture is not a satisfactory Having said that, I know an enormous
one as the following figures will show. amount of effort has been invested in our Continued on Next Page

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 Lodgeroom International Magazine
Mackenzie wrote in the first of his letters to Irwin: 26 February. The book does not appear to have but then, after all, he had somehow to fill more
‘I am engaged in preparing a new Masonic been published. than seven hundred pages. The Cyclopaedia
Cyclopaedia, of which you shall hear more ere The Cyclopaedia was never critically reviewed article continues:
long.’ It is likely that it was Mackey’s book which in the British Masonic press. Brief paragraphs The writer has met with only three persons
gave Mackenzie and John Hogg, his prospective were printed in The Freemason and The who maintained the actual existence of this
publisher, the idea for a less compendious work Freemasons’ Chronicle from time to time body of religious philosophers, and who
for the British market. throughout 1875-7 but these contained little more hinted that they themselves were actually
According to a prospectus issued in October 1874 than the view that it was a ‘wonderful undertaking members. There was no reason to doubt the
the book was to be issued in ’six Half Crown of benefit to all Masons’ etc. etc. G.J. Findel, the good faith of these individuals - apparently
Parts, of 128 pages each’ and publication was editor of the German Masonic periodical Die unknown to each other, and men of moderate
scheduled to begin early in 1875. Mackenzie Bauhiitte reviewed the first three fascicules early competence, blameless lives, austere pay for
hoped to receive permission to dedicate the work in 1876 and was content to ignore the later ones.66 them. 70
to the Prince of Wales (letter to Irwin, 29 January His respect for Mackenzie’s performance was Letters written by Mackenzie to Irwin late in 1874
1875) but when the ‘pretims’ for the bound minimal, although the book had one redeeming indicate that the Grand Patron’s representative
volume were printed in 1877 it was his uncle, feature: ‘It is better than similar books in English (i.e. Mackenzie) hoped that Irwin would become
John Hervey, who was accorded this token of that have come our way,’ Findel wrote. As for a member.
respect. Mackenzie: ‘The author is a High-grade Mason [23 October 1874]. As to the Rite of Ishmael,
It is unnecessary to discuss the Cyclopaedia’s (IX degree), hence his predilection for aberrations presuming you to have taken the degree of
contents at any great length. There was a and mystical rubbish generally ...’ 67 Findel’s Rose Croix, you would then begin to have
wholesale process of pillage from Mackey, whose praise was reserved for Kenning’s Masonic glimmerings of it ... The Rite has existed side
articles were condensed and paraphrased. The Cyclopaedia and Handbook of Archaeology, by side with Freemasonry for thousands of
prospectus mentioned his indebtedness to other edited by the Rev. A.F.A. Woodford, which was years and forms a completion by working
Masonic authors, although he did not specify the published in 1878. Unlike Mackenzie he publicly back to the Entered Appr: degree ... The
titles of their books. 64 . In some respects the acknowledged his debt to Findel. This tactful ceremonies are of a most august nature and
most interesting articles are those in which gesture did not pass unnoticed. 68 teach the invariability of God, His
Mackenzie displayed his inventive ability. Among Providence, and the instability of Man.
the best examples, are ‘The Hermetic Order of THE HERMETIC ORDER OF EGYPT [7 November 1874]. As to the Order of
Egypt’ and ‘The Rite of Ishmael’, which will be Ishmael I will do what I can within the next
mentioned again later. The story of his quest for Mackenzie briefly referred to the Hermetic Order few months but it is impossible to move in
information for his piece about Cagliostro reflects of Egypt in the April 1874 issue of The the matter until the spring - annual meetings
his ’scholarly’ approach. Rosicrucian on p. 109: ‘The Hermetic Order of only take place and properly speaking on the
It will be recalled that in 1873 Irwin supposed Egypt is one of a ver y exclusive character,’ he first of May. I may however as well inform
that he was in touch with the departed spirit of wrote. ‘I have only met with six individuals who you that I hold an official position in that
Cagliostro. In August 1875 it occurred to possessed it and of these two were Germans, two body for England, and of course will be glad
Mackenzie to apply to Cagliostro, through Irwin, Frenchmen and two of other nations.’ Irwin was to forward your views ... In your admission
for authentic biographical material. Thus on 29 in Paris during the autumn of 1874 and visited your Masonic rank will receive due
August he wrote: Eliphas Lévi. Unfortunately he forgot to ask Lévi recognition.
I have a request to make to you which may about the Order. When he returned to Bristol he [6 December 1874]- We will talk about the
seem odd, but it is not inappropriate. I have applied to Mackenzie for information. Mackenzie Order of Ishmael when we meet - several
understood that you are in communication replied on 23 October and was evasive. ‘I can things have to be considered before the
with a Spt calling himself Cagliostro. Now I give you very little information about the Ob[ligation] can be given, as portions of the
am very anxious in the article I am writing Hermetic Order of Egypt. Constant [i.e. Lévi] Koran have to be taken as of authority. As
concerning Joseph Balsamo, to bear very could have given you far more than I could - he however Saladin gave the rite to Coeur de
much more lightly upon him than Carlyle, was one of my preceptors.’ 69 Lion we have good precedent for the
the Freemasons generally and the Papalini However, what could not be disclosed to Irwin admission of Christians.
have done ... If your spirit friend would was revealed at some length in the Cyclopaedia Irwin may have been admitted to the Order in
condescend to take an interest in the matter, where the Order was described as the Hermetic June 1875.71
not as a publicly avowed spiritualistic Brothers of Egypt and as an occult fraternity On 29 August 1875 Mackenzie explained that ‘the
matter, but simply by way of correction or which has endured from very ancient times, Ishmaelite degree can only be given personally -
hints it would be very valuable. I cannot in having a hierarchy of officers, secret signs and it is impossible for anyone to understand it
the present state of my wife’s health institute passwords, and a peculiar method of instruction otherwise - and it opens a field to all who embrace
spiritual seances just now.65 in science, moral philosophy and religion. The its sublime teachings - to me it has ever seemed
The article was completed by 17 September 1875 body is never very numerous, and if we may the highest point and completion of Masonry,
and Mackenzie hoped that Irwin would read it to believe those who at the present time profess to altho’ it does not start from the same basis.’
Cagliostro. ‘Re Cagliostro article,’ he wrote. ‘Of belong to it, the philosopher ’s stone, the elixir of Benjamin Cox was another potential recruit. On
course I cannot say that the Count himself is to life, the art of invisibility, and the power of 21 November 1875 he wrote: ‘I do not think I
see this, but I much want him to do so.’ communication with the ultramundane life, are shall go to London next week - if I do so it will
Mackenzie corrected the last of the Cyclopaedia part of the inheritance they possess. be to see Mackenzie to receive the Order of
proofs early in 1877. He wrote to Irwin on 20 By the time the Cyclopaedia article was written Ishmael which he promised to give me if I came
January: ‘The Cyclo is finished. I have nothing the number of the Order ’s members had been to London.’ He had not joined by 13 January 1877
particular to do and feel like a fish out of water. I reduced to three. Mackenzie’ s further when he remarked to Irwin: ‘I am very glad that
think I shall take up my unfinished work on ‘information’ about the Brotherhood is of you’re in communication with some other person
Railway Springs and the Theory of the Spring in considerable interest because here may be found than Mackenzie about the Rite of Ishmael as Bro.
general and get it out.’ He told Cox on 28 January echoes of the original legend of the Rosicrucian M. has always [made] such a fuss about the
that ‘it is a purely practical work of an engineering Brotherhood as published in the Fama Order.’
character with tables of formulae and differential Fraternitatis R.C. at Cassel in 1614. He did not
calculus etc.’ He completed the manuscript by claim that the Order had any Masonic af filiations Continued on Next Page

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With customers few and far between, the Order done a thing for me, though I have done much sponsors of the ONE SUPREME APEX, whose
of Ishmael remained in more or less cold storage for Masonry, and I don’t expect they ever will ... very style proclaims his crowning and solitary
until John Yarker inherited it after Mackenzie’s I never hear of [Dr. W.R.] Woodman for he grandeur, and the succession of whose high office
death in 1886. deserted me when he found I was not my uncle’s comes by an Act of Grace on the part of the
heir, nor have I seen him since the day of the existing Apex, who, under circumstances of the
KENNETH MACKENZIE - DOMESTIC funeral of my uncle.’ strictest solemnity, and himself strictly veiled,
AFFAIRS, 1875-83 During this period there was one redeeming transmits to his successor (if practicable, in the
feature. Frederick Hockley had agreed to a presence of one or more of the sponsors) the
Before dealing with Mackenzie’s fringe-Masonic reconciliation and in November 1878 invited him rituals of all other orders (some of which are
preoccupations during the late 1870s - one of to a meeting of Grand Stewards’ Lodge. scarcely known in England), contained in an
them, the Royal Oriental Order of the Sat B’hai, antique leaden casket cased in cedar of Libanus
was by far the most ludicrous promotion of the THE ROYAL ORIENTAL ORDER OF (or Lebanon). By this means the Apex-elect is, if
period - some brief information about his THESAT B’HAI of one of the lower degrees (but in no case under
domestic life is necessary. His sources of income that of a P.M.) under a peculiar dispensation.
are unknown but he probably made a very modest The Order of the Sat B’hai was not Mackenzie’s So far, so good: this is a super-Masonic Order
living, from miscellaneous journalism. The invention, still less Irwin’s, although Mackenzie and the Apex-elect must be a P.M. Furthermore,
Cyclopaedia did not benefit him financially. had a hand in the inflation of this comic pseudo- he has the status of a ’secret Chief ’. This
On 13 August 1875, when he was busy writing Masonic balloon, which rose a few feet into the particular archetype made its Masonic debut in
the first fascicules, he optimistically mentioned air, wobbled briefly and then quietly collapsed the German ’strict Observance’ (c. 1750) and in
to Irwin that ‘when this book is finished, I shall, without the average member of the Craft knowing a non-Masonic context will be found in Westcott’s
very likely, run over to Canada. My father in law that the thing had ever existed. ‘Golden Dawn’ (The Secret Chiefs of the Third
Harrison Aydon is carrying all before him and I The Sat B’hai’s advent was obscurely heralded Order) and in Theosophy a la Madam Blavatsky
am in correspondence with my cousin Alexander in a letter signed ‘Historicus’ which was in the secret rulers of the ‘Great White Lodge’.
Mackenzie the Premier [of Canada].’ This published in The Freemason on 14 January 1871. The letter continues:
statement led me up a long genealogical blind The prose style is not unlike Mackenzie’s. If so, True enough, the Cord and Dagger are the
alley because no relationship of any kind could he was unaware that his misinformation referred symbols of the Sponsors, but not of the one
be established. Perhaps for Mackenzie any to the ‘rite’ which was to occupy so much of his unapproachable Apex, for he has seven
namesake was a ‘cousin’ and the Premier of time a few years later. (hence the con-fraternity [sic] known in the
Canada a more than usually impressive one.72 If A brother informs us that a 34 ° of this rite is in East as the Sat-bhae, seven brothers), but
Harrison Aydon returned to London with his existence called the ‘Apex’, thus corresponding which failed under a secret suspension of the
pockets lined with gold, neither Mackenzie nor with the 90 ° of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of then (1845) Sublime Climax Apex, who, at
his wife appear to have benefited. Misraim. There are only three holders of the that period, happened to be on one of his
During 1876 the Mackenzies moved from ‘Apex’ in the whole world, who exist by the tours of secret inspection in India.
Chiswick to a more modest address: 2 Mark succession of triplicate warrants from Frederick From the nature of the office of the Grand
Cottages, Staines Road, Hounslow. Whether or the Great of Prussia, signed immediately after Climax Apex, 81 °, it has been a time
not he could afford an occasional bet, it pleased the Grand Constitutions. The symbols are the cord immemorial law that his name should never
him to forecast the winners of the classic turf and the dagger; the ceremonials are very august,74 be divulged nor his actual identity be known
events.73 and detail the legendary history and object of the to any but a Sponsor. Sometimes it happens,
By August 1877 they had left 2 Mark Cottages degree, which is to draw the funds and energies where Apex dies in any remote locality, his
and were at 1 Flint Villas, Wellington Road, of all the councils of the world to one great centre. successor cannot be known to the Sponsors,
Hounslow. ‘We have a carpenter ’s shop next door Grave purposes are said to be in view, but whether but the latter can always identify the true
in full work from 1/4 past 4 in the morning and such is the expulsion of the Turks from Apex by the seven symbols which lead to the
shall leave when I find another house,’ he wrote. Constantinople, or the establishment of a single leaden casket that crowns the mystic edifice,
They endured the noise until November 1880 empire either on the Continent or in America, is and which, with reverence, I venture to assert
when they moved to a quieter house in the same not known. I have seen, but it is not fitting that I should
road. They were next (1882-3) at 23 Ryder A letter correcting the inaccuracies perpetrated say more.
Terrace, Twickenham. by ‘Historicus’ appeared about a month later in There is a remarkable painting, of small size,
His uncle John Hervey died on 2 July 1880. ‘He The Freemason of 18 February 1871. Whoever called ‘The Dream of Apex’. It represents a
has been more of a father to me than my own wrote it knew the substance of the Sat B’hai or man in a gloomy apartment, startled at the
father,’ he told Irwin a few months earlier when Apex legend much in the form in which it was appearance of a serpent; but for reasons
Hervey would obviously not survive for long. subsequently developed. inconvenient to mention, the locality cannot
Hervey left about 4,000 pounds. His sister be indicated.
(Mackenzie’s mother) was left a life interest after THE APEX- 49 ° - 81 ° As your correspondent is perhaps aware, the
a few modest legacies had been paid and one Supreme Apex takes in regular
Mackenzie and a cousin were the residuary A very serious mistake occurs in The Freemason succession, as his symbol, one of the starry
legatees in moiety. Hervey’s estate was not settled of the 16th [sic] ult., in which it is af firmed that signs; but these are not numbered as amongst
until September 1883. ‘there are only three holders of the Apex in the the seven occult symbols.
At about this time Mackenzie acquired an eighty- world, who exist by a succession of triplicate Allow me to add, that ‘the Frederick the
six years lease of a house in Twickenham for 400 warrants from Frederick the Great’, and that the Great’ is not a war rant of authority. The
pounds. He told Irwin that the purchase had been symbols of the degree are a ‘Cord and Dagger ’. Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa certainly did
made under good astrological aspects and that Now, brethren should not be precipitate in their issue one, but under the superior inspiration
the bank had lent him part of the money. On 25 revelations on the subject of this climax of our of the Veiled Apex, who, at that period, is
October 1885, however, he informed Irwin that Grand Historics-Masonic mysteries, for I am in a supposed to have been a Venetian.
his financial prospects were dismal. ‘When my position to assert, most emphatically, that the N. B - - - - E
mother dies ... I and my wife will just have 35 warrants in question were not promulgated by Perhaps the most astonishing disclosure of all was
pounds per annum to live on, and what I Frederick the Great, and that the three so-called
precariously earn. The Freemasons have never Apexes were, in fact, no other than the three Continued on Next Page

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the one published in The Freemason of 29 June better equipped for this particular exercise in and advised him to call a meeting of Sponsors
1872 signed ’sp-ns-r [i.e. Sponsor], II’. ‘It may human folly. and Censors. I did not mention names but (in
be sufficient to say,’ he wrote, ‘that I have seen On 18 January 1875 Mackenzie told Irwin that confidence) I may tell you that I might prevail
the true jewel of ‘Apex’ the jewel can be heard he had ‘heard of the Rite of Apex [i.e. the Sat upon Bro. Hervey to accept the fourth censorship,
as well as seen.’ The jewel probably incorporated B’hail and that is all.’ Eleven days later he asked still vacant.’
a small bell which tinkled. Irwin for information about the rite for the So now the Grand Secretary of the United Grand
The Royal Oriental Order of Sikha (Apex) and Cyclopaedia. Irwin referred him to Archer with Lodge of England was to be inveigled into the
the Sat B’hai, to give it its official title - was the whom he now began to correspond. He joined Apex scheme. Mackenzie did not object to ’secret
brain child of Captain James Henry Lawrence the Order early in April and was appointed one Chiefs’ when they were of his own invention (cf.
Archer (or Lawrence-Archer), Indian Army, of the seven Arch Censors. ‘I can say no more the Order of Ishmael) but disliked the prospect
although Mackenzie did most of the donkey-work because I know no more,’ he told Irwin. Then on of having to submit to their authority when
and received small thanks for his trouble. John 22 April he wrote: of course you know a great produced out of thin air by someone else, in this
Yarker briefly referred to the Order’s founder and deal more about it than you have chosen to say.’ case Archer.
origins in The Arcane Schools, 1909, P. 242: ‘This On 3 May he asked Irwin if he had ‘the Code and By the autumn of 1875 a few recruits had
is a Hindu Society organized by the Pundit of an Mystery and other things’.78 The Code contained presented themselves. On 19 October Mackenzie
Anglo-Indian regiment, and brought to this information about the Order ’s structure and its wrote: ‘Bro. Ranking has joined the Order of
country, about the year 1872, by Captain J. H. rules. John Yarker published what he described Apex, 80 . also Colonel Ridgway. Something will
Lawrence Archer.’ In Hindi the word pundit or as a revised edition of the Sat B’hai Code in 1886. have to be done in this soon.’ On 24 November
pandit means a learned man, one versed in The text printed here in Appendix II is probably he reported that ‘Brother Col. Ridgway is
philosophy, religion and jurisprudence, from this edition. appointed Treasurer General of the Sat B’hai.’
alternatively a learned expert or teacher. In Early in April 1875 Irwin was already thinking Next, on 27 January 1876 he wrote: ‘I think there
military usage it meant a native civilian who was of resigning. Archer ’s letter to him of 6 April is every probability of Sir William Feilden’s
employed to teach the British officers of Indian refers to this eventuality. The postscript reads: ‘I brother Bro. J. Leyland Feilden joining the Sat
regiments the Hindi language and to read the send you as requested 2 Codes and 2 Mysteries. B’hai. It is high time that this was brought forward
Devanagri script. Nothing is known about the Kindly send a Post Card to Bro. Yarker to forward in a more tangible shape, but there are so many
Pundit’s ‘Hindu Society’ or the nature of the to you the third copy of each which you require.’ influences at work that it is very difficult to
notes, MSS. etc. which Archer brought to England Hence Yarker was active in the business in an reconcile the elements.’ However, at least a little
and which Mackenzie in due course attempted to administrative capacity. Mackenzie was progress was being made because on 4 February
‘work up’. beginning to busy himself, perhaps rather he was able to report: ‘Rite of Apex is extending
Archer was born on 28 July 1823. He was gazetted officiously, in London. On 10 May he wrote: ... I am very carefully selecting the members of
Second-Lieutenant in the 39th Foot Regiment in For the present, until I learn what I want to the section I represent as Daksha. I only wish for
December 1840 (aet. 17) and served with the 24th know in the matter ... stick like grim death real Masons of studious habits, likely to render
Foot Regiment throughout the Punjab Campaign to a dead (snip) in the Apex business. All I good service.. . My uncle [John Hervey] thinks
in 1848-9. He went on half pay as a Captain on 1 can say now is that the matter is likely to the Order likely to be of great utility.’ One
January 1869 and remained on the half pay list move. Don’t give up your Censorship on any wonders if the Grand Secretary supposed anything
until his death in February 1889. He was initiated account. I have obtained some important of the sort.
in Masonry in India in 1851 (aet. 28) and later evidence in writing. Don’t do more than stir At this point we are left in a state of suspension
became a joining member of Lodge Canongate Bros. Yarker and B. Cox of Weston super as far as Apex or the Sat B’hai are concerned
Kilwinning No. 2 at Edinburgh. 75 Mare up. because the few surviving letters for 1876 contain
The British Museum catalogue lists the titles of His enquiries continued and on 17 May he advised no references to either. In the meantime
a dozen books by him, e.g. genealogical studies, Irwin: ‘Pray let us leave Apex alone for a little Mackenzie had written an article about the Order
military histories, memoirs of Indian campaigns, while longer. I assure you there are strong reasons which was published in the Cyclopaedia probably
a work on the Orders of Chivalry etc.76 As far as for it.’ On 24 May he reported the receipt of a in the fascicule which was issued late in 1876. It
the Sat B’hai was concerned he remained in the letter from Archer. ‘I would put myself in commences:
background. Mackenzie used to complain that he communication with him,’ he told Irwin, ‘ . . . ROYAL ORIENTAL ORDER OF THE SAT
was elusive, absent somewhere in Scotland and and see what he says - pray don’t mention me at B’HAI - An order incorporated with that of
not to be found. Only one letter written by Archer present. I don’ t want a Masonic fraud to be Sikha. It originated in India, and is so named
survives in Grand Lodge Library. It was addressed perpetrated, verbum sap. Ask him what he is after a bird held sacred by the Hindus, and
to Irwin (6 April 1875) and because we do not doing. It’s pretty muddled as it now stands.’ BY known to naturalists as the Malacocerus
know in what context it was written its contents 5 June he was beginning to show more grisius, whose flight, invariably in sevens,
are obscure. Yarker mentioned that his salary as enthusiasm: ‘Modifications will have to be made has obtained for the rite the appellation of
a captain on half pay was only 127 pounds per before Apex will be of much Masonic service to the seven (Sat) brethren (B’hai). The last
annum, but he must have had private means. us. But I think there is a brilliant future. I will tr y meeting in India was held at Allahabad
Mackenzie inferred that Archer hoped to make and see Archer in a few days ... I had a letter (Pryaya or Prag), in the year 1845. It is
money out of the Sat B’hai. from Yarker recently but it does not seem to reveal divided into seven degrees (but, with Sikha,
The second of the three letters published in The anything very definite about Apex. Have you a composed of the Sponsors, nine), the first
Freemason in 1871 -2 may have been written by copy of the code [underlined three times]? If you being the highest, i.e., 1. Arch Censor. 2. Arch
Archer. At that time he was not in touch with have not, I must send you one, or a printed copy Courier. 3. Arch Minister, 4. Arch Herald.
Mackenzie, but he was already or soon to be can be obtained from Bro. S.P. Leather, Civil 5. Arch Scribe. 6. Arch Auditor. 7. Arch Mute.
acquainted with Yarker. There is no evidence that Engineer, Burnley, Lancashire.’ 79 The last three degrees are, under certain
Irwin ever met him, but he was a member of the By 11 June 1875 Mackenzie’s attitude was again limitations, open to both sexes, but none but
Captain’s barely-hatched Order by the end of ambivalent. He had received a letter from Archer Master Masons are admitted into the first
1874.77 When Mackenzie arrived on the scene in and had learned that ‘there is a ritual as well as four degrees.
1875 the Order existed in name rather than in the Code and Mystery’. He informed Irwin that At the end of the article there is a statement which
fact. It was he who was to wrestle with the he had written to Archer and made various is ‘typical Mackenzie’: ‘The order is now firmly
insoluble problem of placing this Hindu cuckoo suggestions: ‘Have pointed out to him that English established in England and Scotland, and has
in an English fringe-Masonic nest. No one was gentlemen cannot be governed by unknown heads Continued on Next Page

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branches in America, Austria, and other countries. make money out of the Sat B’hai . . . ‘, he wrote roughly printed by the ‘do it yourself ’ cyclostyle
It is inconceivable that a rite which had not yet on 20 October. process, headed: ‘Royal Order of Knights of Eri
been worked in England, because there were still Late in 1877 Bro. Charles Scott, of Omagh, Co. and Red Branch of Knights of Ulster’. It was
no rituals, had already been exported to America Tyrone in Ireland, sent Irwin three indignant issued on 3 June 1872 to Irwin as ‘Knight Grand
and Austria. Finally, as might be expected, ‘the letters on the subject of Mackenzie and the Sat Cross and Chieftain’ etc., signed by R. S. D.
ceremonies are of an august nature’. B’hai within the course of five weeks. O’Donohue, and ‘registered in the Archives of
A.E. Waite once described Mackenzie as ‘a [21 October 1877]. I know nothing of Apex the Order by Benjamin Cox, Grand Chancellor’.
shining light of occultism hidden in a bushel of more than I did three years ago ... I assume On the same day a similar certificate was issued
secrecy’, or in words to that effect. The source of that the Sat B’hai is a humbug devised to to Yarker’s friend and colleague Samuel Petty
the quotation escapes me, although I remember raise the wind. Bros. Archer-and Mackenzie Leather in this case signed by Irwin.
it well. Irwin thought much the same and in a have fallen out. This is plain by Archer ’s There are occasional references to what Cox
long and critical letter written on 16 January 1877 notes, so that Mackenzie is now Apex and always called ‘the Red Branch’ in his letters to
referred to Mackenzie’s tendency to envelop Ishmael and I suppose his fertile genius is Irwin. In 1877-8 he was busy trying to design a
everything in a cloak of mystery. The following conceiving something else racy for the gulls. certificate for the Order, in Gaelic and written in
probably refers to the Order of Ishmael rather than [29 October 1877]. As for Apex I am washing Irish uncial characters. He informed Irwin on 7
the Sat B’hai: my hands of it. It is no use and only fit for August 1878 that he had been unable to procure
There is no one more ready than myself to gulls and dupes ... I can’t introduce the Order an Irish dictionary. In a later letter to Irwin (25
acknowledge your intellectual powers. I am over here so I shall resign all connection with November 1887) he wrote:
well aware that you could compile a hundred it. ‘Red Branch - When you send me the final
Rituals each as good as the average of those [26 November 1877]. I wrote to Yarker Ritual I will make another exact copy
in present use, but you unfortunately appear withdrawing from Apex as I could not therefrom. I have been thinking of
to have a desire to surround your understand it nor had I any opportunities of nominating Bro.Capt. Nunn and Bro. Lieut.
proceedings with an air of mystery. Now this meeting those who did ... It was only laughed Capell as Knights and Bros. Blackmore and
myster y is all right and proper with the at by my clever friends who promptly refused Millard as Esquires to serve under my
g reater number of Masons ... but why to join a rite of very questionable benefit. Knightly [Person?].’ The Captain and the
persevere with the mystery - or tr ying to By 9 November 1877 Mackenzie had completed Lieutenant were both members of a local
mystify one who has been admitted to the the following ceremonies: Volunteer unit. Furthermore, all these
innermost secrets of the sanctuary? 1. Opening an Ashayam prospective Knights and Esquires were
Irwin was referring to himself. As for the Sat 2. Working and closing the same Freemasons ... six months later, in April
B’hai: 3. Initiation (general) 1888, they became the founder members of
The Rite of Apex would have spread rapidly 4. Admission of a Mute the Golden Dawn’s Osiris Temple at Weston-
in the most of England were it not for this 5. Passing a Mute to Auditor super-Mare, of which ‘Frater Crux Dat
air of mystery. There was the groundwork 6. Advancing Auditor to Scribe 7. Passing Salutem’, i.e. Benjamin Cox, was
for much that was good and beautiful ... If Scribe to Herald ‘Hierophant’. 81
the ceremony of the Sat B’hai is not a 8. Consecrating Herald as a Minister
beautiful one, it will not be that you are 9. Entrusting a Courier THE RITE OF SWEDENBORG
unable to so form it, but that an air of 10. Ceremony of Relegation
mystery will be thrown over it - that, to use 11. Ceremony of Perfection There is no evidence whatever that the Swedish
a common expression, won’t go down. 12. Various Lectures, Regulations &c. mystic Emanuel Swedenborg (b. 1688 Stockholm,
Mackenzie replied somewhat plaintively on 28 On 25 January 1878 he wrote more in sorrow than d. 1772 London) was ever a Freemason, although
February: ‘As to Apex, Sikha, Sat B’hai or in anger to Irwin: ‘I hear nothing at all from Bro.some Masonic annalists of the distant past have
whatever you like best to call it, I have only to Yarker. Bro. Archer is mysterious. You and Bro. insisted that he must have been a member of the
say that I am trying my best to bring it on. But I Scott have, it seems, both resigned and from Craft. According to Lenhof f and Posner
do not find there is much enthusiasm about it . . . another source I hear that Madam Blavatsky is (Internationales Freimaurer Lexikon, 1932) the
‘ On 3 March he explained at some length the the head of the Order! This last item of news is Rite which bears his name was founded in the
difficulty he was having in getting the rituals into “quite too awfully laughable”.’ He finally U.S.A. in 1859 and was soon exported to Canada.
shape. One of his problems was that neither the admitted defeat on 27 January 1879: ‘As to Apex Mackey mentioned that it possessed six grades
Mutes nor the Auditors, who were members of I should not trouble myself about it’, he advised in his Encyclopaedia, 1874: 1. Apprentice, 2.
the two lowest degrees, had anything to do, ‘and Irwin. ‘I regard it as a thing of the past.’ Fellow Craft, 3. Master Neophyte, 4. Illuminated
until this is extricated from the Sanskrit original However, the Order of the Sat B’hai was not quite Theosophite, 5. Blue Brother, 6. Red Brother. The
I do not see how a ritual can be issued.’ By 5 as moribund as Mackenzie supposed. A few years third degree was, in fact, that of a Master Mason,
April he thought that the Sat B’hai ritual was later John Yarker ingeniously amalgamated its and since the Rite did not initiate Freemasons,
nearly finished: ‘There is a separate ceremony Ceremony of Perfection with the ritual of a recent only the last three degrees were worked.
for each grade of the Order . . . ‘ On 9 August he novelty called the Order of Light. The Rite reached England by virtue of a Canadian
complained that his work was at a standstill charter, dated 1 July 1876, granted to ‘John
because Archer was away and could not be found. THE ‘KNIGHTS OF THE RED BRANCH’ Yarker, Francis George Irwin and Samuel Petty
It seems that without Archer ’s knowledge of Leather ... to hold a subordinate Lodge and
Sanskrit no progress was possible. The position There is a brief entry under this heading in Temple ... in the City of Manchester to be called
was much the same in October and he had now Mackenzie’s Cyclopaedia. It reads: ‘Established the Emanuel Lodge and Temple No. 3, and therein
quarrelled with Archer. He knew, too, that some in Ulster, Ireland, B.C. [!] go ... In 1760, there to confer the degrees of Enlightened, Sublime and
members were becoming restive, hence ‘we was a degree of that name given in an Orange Perfect Phremasons upon such lawful Master
cannot expect others to take an interest in the Sat Lodge. It is still in existence as a side degree.’ Masons as they may deem worthy.82
B’hai until we give them something for their For some reason which I am unable to fathom, Since the rite was in possession of what might be
money . . . ‘ He was also now aware that for Benjamin Cox, who does not appear to have had described as ‘the old firm’ it was only natural
Archer, at least, the Sat B’hai had a certain any connection with Ireland or Ulster, was the that Kenneth Mackenzie should be appointed its
commercial element: ‘I am sorry that Bro. Order ’s Grand Chancellor in 1872. In Grand Supreme Grand Secretary. Benjamin Cox would
Archer’s means are so slight that he is forced to Lodge Library there is a handwritten certificate, Continued on Next Page

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have liked to have been Joint Supreme Grand wrote: I fear that Bro. Hockley is too advanced in Irwin and Cox were still busy with the affairs of
Secretary - he was still a Masonic pot-hunter even years to join. I do not think that Stainton Moses the Order of Eri. On 12 December 1887 Cox
if he did declare two years later that ‘I care but would do at all; there are reasons I cannot enter expressed his admiration for Irwin’s latest version
very little if I never again attend a Lodge Meeting’ upon. Dr. Westcott also will not do. If Holland of its ritual: ‘I think it is equal to any that I have
- but Mackenzie disagreed and proposed that he gets him to join I will at once retire.’ By the end ever seen,’ he wrote.
should be Provincial Supreme Grand Secretary of 1885 he had quarrelled with Holland and on A week later he told Irwin that he had just
if the rite prospered. 20 November told Irwin: ’society of Eight quite received the second part of the first volume of
There was no great rush to join the rite but by the dormant, thro’ Holland’s fault.’ Towards the end AQC. On 15 June 1888 he asked Irwin if his
end of 1879 there were about a dozen lodges, all his relationship with Yarker cannot have been appointment as local Secretary of QC’s
of them with probably minute memberships, and satisfactory. The obituary notice in the latter ’s Correspondence Circle had been confirmed. He
a handful more were founded during the next few periodical The Kneph (August 1896) could hardly was currently full of enthusiasm for Westcott’s
years. Hence Mackenzie’s duties were never very have been briefer or more perfunctory. newly hatched Hermetic Order of the Golden
onerous. They would have been even easier if Although one would suppose that the Sat B’hai Dawn. Irwin, on the other hand, was not. ‘I am
lodge secretaries had been more punctilious in was completely dead and buried by 1885 both sorry to hear that you do not care for the G.D.
sending returns and remitting fees. Irwin and Cox were keeping it going in a small Order,’ Cox wrote on 1 June 1888. By then he
In April 1877 the Swedenborg Rite was still short way in the West Country. On 15 December Cox had been corresponding with Irwin for almost
of a Supreme Grand Chaplain and Mackenzie wrote: ‘I will assist by taking No. 2 Censorship twenty years. A few later letters - the last of all
suggested that the Rev. William Stainton Moses and I would suggest that Dr. Nunn be asked to was written in June 1890 - are of no interest. Irwin
should be invited to accept the office. At this point take the other ... there can be no harm in asking died in July 1893 and Cox in December 1895.
in time fringe-Masonry gained an interesting new him, the only objection is that he does not care Pamela Bullock - Soror Shemeber in the Golden
recruit because Stainton Moses was one of the much for occultism.’ Almost two years later Cox Dawn - made a note of his decease in a
most prominent personalities in the spiritualist reported: ‘Dr. Nunn intends to wear at our contemporary list of members.
movement. 83 Thursday’s meeting his Sat B’hai jewel ... I forgot By now John Yarker was the only important
Whereas all the individuals we have so far to say that Bro. Dr. Nunn thinks that by wearing survivor of our original coterie of enthusiasts for
encountered accepted Freemasonry - ‘fringe’ or the jewel of the Sat B’hai at our meeting it may fringe-Masonry. However, the ‘Most Illustrious
Regular, or a combination of both - as they found be the means of others joining without outside
it, Stainton Moses wanted something different. solicitation.’ 86 Continued on Next Page
It is likely that his decision to accept the
Swedenborg Rite’s Supreme Grand Chaplaincy
was largely influenced by the prospect, as he
informed Irwin in August, 1877, of being able to
form a lodge entirely composed of ’spiritualists,
Theosophists, 84 or whatever you like to call them
... I desiderate for this purpose something rather
different from the ordinary Lodge, which meets
four times a year to work a stereotyped ritual, or
to eat a heavy dinner’.
By August 1878 he had abandoned the hope of
establishing a spiritualist lodge within the
framework of the Rite of Swedenborg or even
the now moribund Sat B’hai. He resigned from
the Rite in April 1879. The Rite of Swedenborg
lingered on in England until the early 1900s. By
that time it was merely an item in John Yarker’s
stock of rites for export abroad.

EXEUNT OMNES ...

Frederick Hockley, who had no connection with

fringe-Masonry, but knew Irwin and Mackenzie
well, was the first to die (10 November 1885).
His will included a legacy of 19 guineas to
Mackenzie, who followed him on 3 July 1886,
shortly before his fifty-third birthday. The
deterioration in his handwriting in the last of his
letters to Irwin (20 November 1885) suggests that
his health had greatly failed.
Latterly (1883-5) he had been tinkering with the
formation of an exclusive little ‘club’ called The
Society of Eight, apparently for the study of
alchemy. Its prospective members in August 1883
were Irwin, Yarker, the Rev. W. A. Ayton85 and
Frederick Holland, whom Mackenzie described
as ‘a technically experienced chymist and
metallurgist’, and who was a member of the
Societas Rosicruciana in Anglia.
In a letter to Irwin (24 August 1883) Mackenzie

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 64

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
Grand Master General of the Antient and much of his old fire. He died on 30 March 1913.90 Abwege.Beiträge zur europäschen Geistgeschichte
Primitive Rite of Masonry (inclusive of Memphis The fight for the corpse of his Antient and der Neuzeit (Freiburg, 1990) contains an exhaustive
and Misraim), 33 ° - 96 °, 90 °. P.M. of all Orders; Primitive Rite is partially described in The bibliography of his Howe’s writings compiled by
Past Senior G.W. of Greece, P. Gd. Constable of Equinox, Vol. 1 No. 10, 1913. Mr. Nicolas Barker. Howe was Master of Quatuor
the Temple; Hon. 33 ° -96 ° in America, Egypt, During the early 1900s Craft Masonry was in a Coronati Lodge No. 2076 in 1978.
Italy and Roumania’, and heaven knows what particularly flourishing condition. Furthermore, by
else, was not a practitioner, in the strict sense of now Grand Lodge was undoubtedly actively
the word, in the Mackenzie-Irwin ‘manufactory,
mint or studio of Degrees’. He was essentially a
discouraging peripheral innovations. In the past
the fringe affairs mentioned in this paper had clung
NOW:
collector of rites which, in later life, he patched
together with this or that fringe Masonic invention
like ivy, although with shallow roots, to regular
Masonry because their inventors or promoters, who
Handcrafted
that had fallen into his lap. Maurice Vidal
Portman’s August Order of Light offers a typical
were all members of the Craft, depended upon
Masonic precedents, e.g. rituals and a hierarchy,
Masonic Rings
example.
Portman’s enthusiasm for Freemasonry, regular
for their inspiration.
After c. 1885 a minority of Freemasons in search Only $99 + S&H
or fringe, did not last for long. The Order of Light of esoteric novelty tended to join the Theosophical
was launched without any audible beating of Society, where there was no conflict with the
drums in 1882. It had the same echoes of authority of Grand Lodge. Irwin, Westcott and the
Hinduism as the Sat B’hai, but with a Cabbalistic Rev. W. A. Ayton were all members of the T.S.,
top-dressing. The Rev. W. A. Ayton and Robert and so, too, were others who were in the S.R.I.A.
Palmer Thomas - the latter was later Frater Lucem and the Golden Dawn. Referring to the Sat B’hai
Spero in the Golden Dawn and well known to W. in The Arcane Schools Yarker wrote: ’somehow
B. Yeats in 1900-1-were among the first to be its raison d’être ceased to be necessary when the External
entrusted with its secrets. In or about 1890 Theosophical Society was established by the late Continued from Page 19
Portman handed the rite to Yarker who H. P. Blavatsky’ (P. 492).
amalgamated some of its ritual with the Sat I am incompetent to offer an authoritative diagnosis Grand Lodge.
B’hai’s highest ‘Perfection’ grade.87 Ultimately of the ‘fringe’ phenomenon because so many 2. It must be truly independent and self-
the Order of Light travelled across the Pennine complex psychological factors are involved. In a governing, with undisputed authority over
hills to Bradford, where it was gratefully received merely historical context I regard Irwin, Mackenzie Craft - or basic - Freemasonry (i.e. the
by certain members of the Societas Rosicruciana and others in their circle as the harbingers of the symbolic degrees of Entered Apprentice,
in Anglia who had been, or perhaps were still notable expansion of public interest in occultism Fellow Craft and Master Mason) within its
running the Golden Dawn’s local Temple, Horus and all varieties of ‘Rejected Knowledge’ which jurisdiction and not subject in any other
No. 5. According to Westcott, the rite ‘was revived began during the late 1880s. Here the Theosophical way to or sharing power with any other
at Bradford by the Rosicrucian Adepts, Dr. B. J. Society played a particularly important role. There Masonic body.
Edwards and T. H. Pattinson, with Dr. Wynn was something like an underground explosion. Its 3. Freemasons under its jurisdiction must be
Westcott as Chief of the Council of Iustruction’.88 waves can be charted in Great Britain and France; men, and it and its Lodges must have no
One writer after another has accused Yarker of they did not reach Germany until the early 1900s. Masonic contact with Lodges which admit
conducting a pseudo-Masonic racket at The explosion was hardly noticed by the women to membership.
Manchester, meaning for personal financial profit. Establishment, including Freemasonry’s own 4. Freemasons under its jurisdiction must
I am by no means convinced that this was the Establishment. believe in a Supreme Being.
case. One has only to read his periodical The Finally, once again I cannot too strongly emphasise 5. All Freemasons under its jurisdiction must
Kneph (1881-95) to see that over the years the that this paper’s subject matter deals with an take their Obligations on or in full view of
income and expenditure of his Antient and essentially obscure sector of recent Masonic the Volume of the Sacred Law (i.e. the
Primitive Rite were very small indeed. Nor do I history. On no account should the reader infer that Bible) or the book held sacred by the man
believe that he can have charged more than during the period 1870-85 there was ever a concerned.
nominal amounts for warrants for rites which widespread interest within the Craft in the 6. The three ‘Great Lights’ of Freemasonry,
were exported to overseas customers. He activities of Mackenzie, Irwin & Co., the (i.e. the Volume of the Sacred Law, the
mentioned in The Arcane Schools that he had proprietors of a ‘manufactory, mint or studio of square and the Compasses) must be on
recently issued a Swedenborg Rite charter ‘for a Degrees’. display when the Grand Lodge or its
body in Paris and previously to Roumania and ——————————————————— subordinate Lodges are open.
Egypt’ (P. 490). Mackenzie’s Order of Ishmael ——————————————————— 7. The discussion of religion and politics
ultimately fell into his lap - Westcott was one of —— within its Lodges must be prohibited.
its ‘Grand Officers’ - but he did nothing with it. Reprinted with permission of Ars Quatuor 8. It must adhere to the established principles
His most important export operation was in 1902 Coronatorum, the Transactions of Quatuor Coronati and tenets (the ‘Ancient Landmarks’) and
when he issued Warrants for Memphis and Lodge No. 2076, UGLE in Volume 85 for the year customs of the Craft, and insist on their
Misraim and the Rite of Swedenborg to Dr. Karl 1972. [p. 242.] Footnotes renumbered as endnotes. being observed within its Lodges.
Kellner and the latter ’s friend Herr Theodor Ellic Paul Howe (1910/09/20 - 1991/09/28), printer
Reuss in Germany. In the case of the Rite of and book designer, was initiated into St. George’s Irregular and Unrecognized Grand Lodges
Swedenborg Westcott, who was then its Supreme Lodge No. 370, Chertsey, Surrey on Saturday,
Grand Secretary acted as an intermediary. He also October 17, 1970. Author of Urania’s Children: There are some self-styled Masonic bodies that
obliged Reuss by giving him a Warrant for a the strange world of the astrologers (1967) and do not meet these standards, e.g. which do not
Societas Rosicruciana in Germania.89 Magicians of the Golden Dawn: a documentary require a belief in a Supreme Being, or which
By the beginning of the new century the curtain history of a magical order (1972); collaborator with allow or encourage their members to participate
had almost dropped in front of the fringe Masonic Prof. Dr. Helmut Möller of Göttingen of Merlin as such in political matters. These bodies are
scene in England. John Yarker was still active at Peregrinus: Von Untergrund des Abendlandes recognized by the Grand Lodge of England as
Manchester but with the approach of his (Würzbur g, 1986); and contributor to Man, Myth being Masonically irregular, and Masonic contact
seventieth birthday in 1903 had probably lost and Magic. An appendix to Wege und with them is forbidden.

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 65

 Lodgeroom International Magazine
Then he looked again
The Last Word at the doll with sad
eyes, very quietly. I

The Doll and quickly reached for

my wallet and said to
the boy. “What if we
The Rose checked again, just in
case you do have
enough money?’’
I was walking around in a store. I saw a cashier
hand this little boy his money back saying “I’m “OK” he said “I hope
sorry, but you don’t have enough money to buy that I have enough.” I
this doll.” added some of my
money to his without
Then the little boy turned to the old woman him seeing and we
next to him: “Granny, are you sure I don’t have started to count it.
enough money?’’ There was enough for
the doll and even
The old lady replied: ‘’You know that you don’t some spare money.
have enough money to buy this doll, my dear.’’
The little boy said:
Then she asked him to stay there for 5 minutes “Thank you God for
while she went to look around. She left giving me enough money!”
I couldn’t stop myself as I bought a bunch of
quickly. The little boy was still holding the
white roses and I went to the funeral home
doll in his hand. Then he looked at me and added “I asked
where the body of the young woman was
yesterday before I slept for God to make sure I
exposed for people to see and make last wishes
Finally, I walked toward him and I asked him have enough money to buy this doll so that
before burial.
who he wished to give this doll to. mommy can give it to my sister. He heard me!’’
She was there, in her coffin, holding a beautiful
“It’s the doll that my sister loved most and “I also wanted to have enough money to buy a
white rose in her hand with the photo of the
wanted so much for this Christmas. She was so white rose for my mommy, but I didn’t dare to
little boy and the doll placed over her chest.
sure that Santa Claus would bring it to her.” ask God for too much. But He gave me enough
to buy the doll and a white rose.’’
I left the place, teary-eyed, feeling that my life
I replied to him that maybe Santa Claus will
had been changed forever. The love that this
bring it to her after all, and not to worry. But he “My mommy loves white roses.”
little boy had for his mother and his sister is
replied to me sadly. “No, Santa Claus
still, to this day, hard to imagine. And in a
can’t bring it to her where she is now. A few minutes later, the old lady
fraction of a second, a drunk driver had taken
I have to give the doll to my mommy came again and I left with my basket.
all this away from him.
so that she can give it to my sister I finished my shopping in a totally
when she goes there.” dif ferent state from when I
“With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of
started. I couldn’t get the little
control, mud slides, flooding, severe
His eyes were so sad while boy out of my mind.
thunderstorms tearing up the country from
saying this. “My sister has
one end to another, and with the threat of
gone to be with God. Daddy Then I remembered a local
bird flu and terrorist attacks, “Are we sure
says that Mommy is going to newspaper article 2 days ago,
this is a good time to take God out of the
see God very soon too, so I which mentioned of a drunk
Pledge of Allegiance?”
thought that she could take man in a truck, who hit a
~ Jay Leno
the doll with her to give it car , where there was one
to my sister.’’ young lady and a little
girl.
My heart nearly
stopped. The little boy The little girl died
looked up at me and right away, and the
said: “I told daddy to tell mother was left in a critical
mommy not to go yet. I need her state. The family had to
to wait until I come back from decide whether to pull the
the mall.” plug on the life-assisting
machine, because the young
Then he showed me a very nice lady would not be able to
photo of him where he was laughing. recover from the coma.
He then told me “I want mommy to
take my picture with her so she won’t Was this the family of the little
$
forget me.” boy?

“I love my mommy and I wish she doesn’t have Two days after this encounter with the little
1500
to leave me, but daddy says that she has to go to boy, I read in the newspaper that the young lady To Order, go to:
be with my little sister.” had passed away. http://mason-defender.net/recommend.htm

Freemasonry : Its not about m e changing them , Its about m e changing m e. 66