What Are the Ancient Landmarks? Thank You!
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
April 2005 Editor: MWBro Robert E. Juthner Vol. 70, No. 4 tions, you soon discover What are the Ancient Landmarks? that defining it to your own By RWBro Mahlon Weir, satisfaction is a difficult Avon Glen Lodge No. 170, AF&AM, GRA task indeed. One generally In the jurisdiction of Alberta we nition by commenting that accepted definition pro- charge each new Master Mason to pre- Landmarks were often vided by John W. Simons in serve carefully the Ancient Landmarks stone pillars. He adds that The Principles of Jurispru- entrusted to him. Interestingly, we do Landmarks were not per se dence states: “We assume not tell him what they are. Unless some- irremovable, but to move those principles of action one informs him, or he is curious enough your neighbour’s Land- to be landmarks which to seek them out, or he stumbles upon marks, without just cause, have existed since time im- them by chance, chances are he will go could be considered an un- memorial, whether in the to the Grand Lodge Above none the lawful act. He adds that the written or unwritten law; wiser. modern use of the term has become which are identified with the form and But it’s not only when he becomes a wide and figurative and usually refers essence of the Society; which the great Master Mason that he’s informed of his to permanent, indicative objects. Ber- majority agree, cannot be changed, and relationship to Landmarks. He also nard E. Jones, in his 1956 revised edi- which every Mason is bound to main- hears about this when he becomes an tion of Freemasons’ Guide and Compen- tain intact under the most solemn and Entered Apprentice and a Fellowcraft. dium (George G. Harrap & Co. Ltd., Lon- inviolable sanctions.” Also, during Installation, the Master- don, p 332) observes: “Our Masonic Thus, with respect to Landmarks, it elect is called upon to consent that he is idea of the landmark comes from the seems we’ve found another fine example well skilled in his knowledge of the An- Bible.” Indeed, in Proverbs 22:28 you of symbolism and figurative meaning in cient Landmarks. read, “Remove not an ancient landmark, our beloved Craft. For the humorists Recently, during a discussion with which thy fathers have set.” among us, one might be tempted to say some of my Brethren at the Masonic A number of learned Masonic writ- that knowledge of Landmarks is similar Spring Workshop, I was surprised to ers have defined what a Landmark is. to knowing how many Masons it takes discover that none of us — despite our After reading a number of these defini- See Landmarks, page 2. varied tenure and accomplishment of office within the Craft — was in posses- Thank You! sion of sound knowledge about our The 2005 Conference of Grand Masters of North America was held in the Ancient Landmarks. As a result, I dedi- City of Calgary during the period February 19th – February 23rd, 2005. cated myself to research this topic. In preparation for this Conference, an appeal was sent out to all Freema- Here’s what I found: sons in the Calgary region for volunteers to assist the Calgary Host Committee As surely as the aftermath of the with a number of important responsibilities. The response to this appeal was historical observation of “The face that overwhelming! Many Freemasons and their families and friends volunteered launched a thousand ships,” when Dr. their services. Unfortunately, because of the volume, we could not utilize the Anderson used the term “landmarks” service of all that had volunteered. To these we extend a most sincere “thank — once only and without definition — you.” while creating the first Constitutions in To the many volunteers whose services were utilized, we offer our sincere 1723, little did he know that he launched thanks. The outstanding success of the Conference was due, for the most part, a debate that would last for hundreds of to their excellent work. Many accolades were received from those who years. I think Helen of Troy would be attended the Conference. Their services were greatly appreciated and will jealous! always be remembered by those in attendance as the highlight of the Confer- But let’s begin with an academic defi- ence. It had been our wish to direct a letter to each volunteer personally. For nition of a Landmark. My 1998 edition of fear of missing someone in particular, this medium is used to express our The Canadian Oxford Dictionary states appreciation to all for a job well done. that it is “a conspicuous object in a Again, a most sincere thank you to all who volunteered to assist with this district, etc.; an object marking the Conference. boundary of an estate, country, etc.” In Sincerely, the New Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry D.A. (Dave) Bruce, Chairman (Combined Edition, 1970, University Calgary Host Committee, The Grand Lodge of Alberta Books, Inc., Volume the Second, p 3), 2005 Conference of Grand Masters of North America A.E. Waite follows through on that defi- Editorial host” to come to visit with him, a host the order means much to him, and that who most sincerely desires to welcome he is intent on making up for his ab- R.S.V.P. the recipient of this invitation and sence next time. would, therefore, certainly be entitled Is this all a dream? Because it hasn’t In Canada, we’re all bilingual — are to his response. Is it equally safe to been done so in the past? Not in these we not? So we know that répondez s’il assume that everyone does so respond? parts, anyway? Not an excuse! There vous plaît means “please reply.” We Obviously, we are here talking about are Masonic jurisdictions where it is are used to finding this four-letter ab- the Lodge Summons (some say “no- expected that the would-be absentee breviation quite frequently at the end tice”), the invitation to attend a Lodge inform his Master, or Lodge Secretary, of invitations, and having decent up- meeting. In this case, the “host” is of his inability to be present — any- bringing, decorousness and good man- known as the Worshipful Master, and thing short of that would be consid- ners, we always reply in a timely man- he may not really anticipate receiving ered rude and unworthy of a Mason. ner, whether it be to inform the host of “yes-I’ll-come” letters, phone calls or And rightly so! our gracious acceptance of the invita- Emails, but is he not entitled to receive We are here not talking about an tion, or to tender our regrets for good regrets when a Brother is hindered “innovation” in Freemasonry, we are reason. (truly and severely incapacitated) to talking about what used to be common It seems safe to assume that every attend? What a difference that would practice, and still is elsewhere; some- Lodge member, about once a month, make! It would show that the caller has thing to think about, to put into prac- receives an invitation from a “gracious good manners, that his membership in tice: common courtesy! Landmarks, from page 1. in 1856, Rob Morris of Kentucky pub- North American phenomenon. Also, lished a list of 27 Landmarks. One might Landmarks vary by jurisdiction. Many to change a light bulb. (Answer: “I can’t wonder if these fellows were in some jurisdictions have no specifically ap- tell you, it’s a secret.”) sort of competition. proved Landmarks: half of Canadian H.L. Haywood, in his book How to In 1858, the well-known Masonic au- ones, for example. Today, some USA Become a Masonic Lodge Officer (p 37) thor Albert G. Mackey of South Carolina jurisdictions have entrenched as few as states, “A Landmark is something which compiled and published a list of what three and as many as 54. In total, about belongs to what Freemasonry is, and in he deemed were the Ancient Landmarks. 38 percent of the USA Grand Jurisdic- such a way that if it were destroyed, In the American Quarterly Review of Free- tions have approved Landmarks, and of Freemasonry would be destroyed along masonry, volume 2, page 230, he identi- these five either use Mackey’s list out- with it. Each Grand Lodge works under fies 25 Landmarks, including these ten: right or have a list based on it. Currently the Landmarks; no Grand Lodge is su- 1 The modes of Recognition in Canada, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick perior to them; if a Grand Lodge were to 2 The division of Symbolic Masonry and Quebec each have 25, basically take such action as would destroy a into Three Degrees those authored by Mackey. Saskatche- Landmark, that action would be an In- 3 The legend of the Third Degree wan also has 25, although a Grand Lodge novation; if it were to become guilty of 8 The prerogative of the Grand Master committee is reviewing these with the an Innovation, other regular Grand to make Masons at sight goal of reducing the list to about five. Lodges would withdraw their Recogni- 9 The necessity of Masons to congre- And, Prince Edward Island has seven. tion of it — it would be outlawed and gate in Lodges. MWBro F.G. (Glenn) Fox, Past Grand every Lodge in it would become a clan- 14 The right of every Mason to visit and Master of The Grand Lodge of Alberta, destine Lodge.” sit in every regular Lodge wrote two articles about Landmarks in In 1965, (RW) Brother W.E. (Skinny) 19 A belief in the existence of God the October and December 1974 issues Bright wrote a paper entitled Masonic 22 The equality of all Masons of the Grand Lodge Bulletin.