The best informed Master Mason is the the original and was painted by Fanny Burke, THE PENNSYLVANIA FREEMASON Master Mason who reads and studies. Con­ a descendent of Washington's great co-worker, Issued Every Three Months By sequently, if we want Freemasonry to be of Thomas Jefferson, for Brother Wanamaker The Right Worshipful Grand lodge of The Most Ancient end Honorable Fraternity of Free ond Accepted Masons practical usefulness and cultural attainment, who was the donor of this most valuable gift, of Pennsylvania end Masonic Jurisdiction Thereunto we, as Freemasons, must not neglect our and it is in Grand Lodge Museum with many Belonging, through its Masonic reading, our Masonic studying and other priceless possessions. COMMITTEE ON MASONIC CULTURE- William E. our search for more Masonic Light.-W. A. C. It will be observed that the portrait presents Yeager, Past Grand Moster, Chairmen; William E. a fa r different personal appearance from many Montgomery, G. Edward Elwell, Jr., Frank R. leech, others made at the same period. Washington William A. Carpenter, Charles A. Young and Ashby Masonic Portrait of Brother B. Paul. was then sixty-four years old. He had passed APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED ro BE PRINTED BY George Washington through innumerable cares and unparalleled CHARLES H. NITSCH responsibilities, and none could perform the BY WILLIAM J. P ATERSON Right Worshipful Grand Master duties he was called upon to do without be­ FREEMASON Grand Librarian and Curator traying those bodily signs of care and prema­ WILLIAM A. CARPENTER, Editor AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF PENNSYLVANIA Through the thoughtfulness and munifi­ ture old age, which are so faithfully depicted Mailing Address: The Masonic Temple, cence of Brother John Wanamaker, Chairman in the portrait. The painter has given us a VOLUME III MAY • 1956 NUMBER 2 Broad and Filbert Streets, Philadelphia 7, Pa. of the Committee on Library and Museum, living, truthful, representation of the man as he was, not of the imaginary heroic figure with Vol. III May, 1956 No.2 this extraordinary oil painting of Brother George Washington, adorned with Masonic which others have attempted to flatter. The clothing, was presented to the Right Worship­ appearance of the man whose character and Seek And Ye Shall Find ful Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of noble example will ever linger in our memory for time to come, is in striking contrast to that A Message from Our Grand Master The making of a Freemason consists in a Pennsylvania on December 7, 1910, therefore portrayed by other artists. continued course of education, of training, it is proper to call attention to the appro­ Should ~fttnicipal Jurisdictional Limits in States priateness of its having a place in the Masonic HE Annual Conference of Grand Masters of Maso ns in North and of character forming. While it may be and Provinces Be Abolished? accepted that it is an innermost desire, fol­ Temple, Philadelphia. America was convened in the City of Washington, D. C. on Grand Lodge of S. Carolina T 21 voted "Yes"-20 voted "No" lowed by obligations that makes one a member The original of this painting, a precious February 20 and 21, 1956 with 363 registered from 56 member and of the Craft, yet in a truer form and better relic, is the cherished property of Alexandria Honors R. W. P. G. M. Lehr seven foreign jurisdicti ons. All 49 Grand Masters of the United States S hould Our Ritual Obligations Conform With Our sense, a man is never a Freemason until he Lodge No. 22, Alexandria, Virginia, of which On April 26, 1956, in Charleston, S. C., were present. The District of Columbia has its own Grand Lodge, J>rinciples and Practices? truthfully and loyally lives up to his obliga· Washington was Master. The Artist, William Brother Ralph M. Lehr, Right Worshipful Past thus 49 Grand Masters of the United States. 12 voted " Yes"-30 voted " No" tions. And he cannot do that until he under­ Williams, painted the portrait from life while Grand Master of Pennsylvania, received the The Conference has no legislative function since each Grand Lodge stands them, and eventually knows their scope Washington was in Philadelphia as President, Albert Gallatin Mackey Medal from the Most is sovereign in its own Jurisdiction. It meets to exchange views and Your Grand Master was assigned the affirmative of the topic "Should and real meaning. at the request of Alexandria Lodge No. 39, Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free­ t o discuss mutual problems. a Numerical Limit Be Placed on the Membership of Our Lodges?" Ancient York Masons of Fairfax County, Vir­ Freemasonry can very well be divided into masons of South Carolina. The response to the address of welcome was delivered by Brother His address follows: ginia, September 1794. This Lodge was origi­ many phases. Its landmarks, its customs, its The presentation was made by the M. W. Joseph A. Batchelor, Grand Master of Indiana, who said: " Brother Chairman and Brethren of the Conference : constitution and its laws, just to mention a nally chartered at an Extra Grand Communica­ Grand Master of South Carolina, Brother J. few, if studied and mastered, can provide a tion of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania on Ansel Eaddy, in recognition of Brother Lehr's "Yes, we are different in our practices. During the life span of our " The G.rand Lodge of Pennsylvania has given considerable attention to the m'atter of placing a numerical limit on the membership of most interesting co urse for the Master Mason February 3, 1783, and on June 24, 1784 "outstanding service to Freemasonry during respective jurisdictions we have each developed some of our own seeking Masonic knowledge. Its historical Washington was elected an honorary member. the year 1955." forms, observances and methods of procedure. In many ways these Lodges. background can provide a most interesting A circular letter was sent from the Grand constitute interesting variations that add richness to our traditions. "The Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania has 585 Lodges with a t otal program of investigation to the member at­ Lodge of Pennsylvania under date of February " But however we differ in external forms or in methods of opera­ membership of 252,453, or an average membership of 432 per Lodge. tracted to a desire for research. 23, 1787 informing Lodge No. 39 that the Pennsylvania Work is tion, we have always the unifying influence of common allegiance to We have 126 Lodges wi th a membership of over 600 and of these One peculiarity about Freemasonry is that Grand Lodge had been established indepen­ Sublime from its Simplicity the same basic principles. So long as we are cosmopolitan in our 126 Lodges 21 have a membership of over 1000. One Lodge has it will stand investigation. The deeper the dently of Great Britain, and that it desired the thinking and have such opportunities for the free communication of 2075 members: Albert G. Mackey, in his Encyclopedia of research, the more extensive the knowledge return of their Warrant in order to renew it our ideas as are afforded in this great Conference and in our inter­ "Let us compare these figu res with those of some of the foreign Freemasonry, has seen it fit ting and proper to of its hidden art and secret mysteries, the under the new organization. jurisdictional visitations, then we can never truly wander far apart. Jurisdictions. England has 550,000 members in 6626 Lodges, an On April 28, 1788, the Grand Lodge of Vir­ use the very words of a Past Grand Master of average of 84 members per Lodge ; New Zealand has 4-1,938 members more highly it is appreciated. A member of "We are about t o discuss some very interesting questions. It would the Craft who merely takes his degrees in a ginia was organized and the Lodge decided it Pennsylvania, Brother Richard Vaux, as per­ in 379 Lodges, an average of 110 members per Lodge; South Australia be very unusual and probably unhealthy if we should all agree on listless, careless sort of manner, and then would be more convenient to work under its taining to the Ritualistic and Lodge Work has 24,204 members in 186 Lodges, an average of 130 members per all of them. But the important thing is the manner of our agreement remains as just a spectator at Lodge meetings, authority than that of the Grand Lodge of of Lodges in Pennsylvania. Lodge; Cuba has 31,919 m·embers in 312 Lodges, an average of 102 or disagreement, for here it becomes a matter of mutual growth in may hold to the opinion that Freemasonry Pennsylvania. Therefore, on October 25, 1788, Brother Vaux, who served as Grand Master members peM Lodge. differs little from other societies. To the con­ the Lodge made application to the Grand Lodge in 1868 and 1 869, speaks of the Masonic the solution of common problems. We are grateful for that free " At the Conference of Grand Masters in 1947, Brother Richard trary, the Master Mason who delves deeply of Virginia for a renewal of their Warrant and Works of his Jurisdiction with pardonable, if exchange of ideas." A. Kern, R.'W. Past Grand Master of Pennsylvania, addres:;ing this into Masonic literature, takes a lively interest stated it was the desire of the members of the not impartial, commendations : Five topics were discussed, one Grand Master taking the affirma­ Conference, said 'Now is the time to think of fostering more Lodges in every part of the Ritulistic and lodge Lodge that our Brother George Washington " The Pennsylvania Ritualistic and Lodge tive, one the negative. After each topic had been thoroughly discussed, to take care of the increasing membership, rather than letting our Work, and learns the origin, meaning and should be named in the Charter as Master of Work is sublime from its simplicity. That it is a vote was taken to test the opinions of the Grand Masters present. Lodges become too large and impersonal. I strongly feel that we moral bearings of its symbols, cannot possibly the Lodge. The desire of the Lodge was granted the Ancient Work is best shown conclusively, Only Grand Masters were permitted to vote. should limit the number that may be initiated by any Lodge in a fall into such an error. To him Freemasonry and its registry number was changed from however, from this single fact, it is so simple, given month.' has a refining and elevating influence not to No. 39 to No. 22 under the title of Alexandria so free from those displays of modern in­ Should We Change Our Theory of Non-Solicitation " In my address delivered in Grand Lodge on December 27, 1955, be found in the ordinary run of societies. Lodge No. 22. ventions t o attract the attention, without For the Degrees? I recommended a careful study of the desirability of smaller Lodges. The philosophies of Freemasonry, when After the death of Washington the Lodge enlightening, improving, or cultivating the 30 voted "Ye s"-5 voted "No" The smaller Lodges will encourage more Brethren to aspire to office discovered and then accepted and practiced, in the year 1804. again requested permis­ mind. In this Work every word has its sig­ and serve their Lodge more fully. provide that simple but profound solution to sion to change its name so as to embrace that nificance. Its types and symbols are but the Is DeMolay a Proper Activity for Grand Lodges and Subordinate Lodges? " I have visited many Lodges in our Jurisdiction and have found in the problems of human relationships. May it of "Washington," and the Grand Lodge of language in which truth is conveyed. These those Lodges having a large number of petitioners, that the meetings 23 voted "Yes"-13 voted "No" be accepted that Freemasonry is a way of Virginia granted their wishes and named it are to be studied to be understood. In the were too long. The Lodge was too busy obligating great numbers of living to the Master Mason who is interested Alexandria Washington Lodge No. 22 without spoken language no synonyms are permitted. Should a Numerical Limit Be Placed on the Member­ new Brethren. There was no time for further personal interest and, the Lodge changing their said Charter. In the ceremonial no innovations are tol­ enough to appraise and value the wealth that ship of Our Lodges? as far as we were concerned, they became just so many more names is his, and his alone, by virtue of his Masonic The portrait owned by the Grand Lodge of erated. In the Ritual no modern verbiage 17 voted "Yes"-23 voted "No" on the Secretary's roll. (Continued on page 2) membership. Pennsylvania is an excellent reproduction of is allowed." "Earlier I referred to Past Master Kern's remarks about limiting Merely to Know A Message from Our Grand Master the number of peti tions in larger Lodges. His suggestion was put into From Our Grand Secretary's Office (Continued from page 1 ) qur Law in December 1950, when Brother William E. Yeager was Is Not Enough! "It is extremely important to have ample time during the evening Grand Master. EXEMPLIFICATION OF THE WORK Masons residing in the stricken areas, and upon By G EORGE A. AVERY for fraternization. How can a new member really learn to know his "OuT Ahiman Rezon, the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of On Tuesday evening, March 6, under the the approval of the Committee o'n Finance and Brethren when the membership runs into great numbers? We can be Pennsylvania, now reads : direction of Brother Andrew J. Schroder, In­ the R. W. Grand Master, it had made gifts and Right Worshipfitl Grand Secretary assured that, in the foreign Lodges whose membership I have previ­ non-interest bearing loans in the amount of (At the close of each Masonic year when a Lodge reports a structor of the Ritualistic Work, the three "Though I understand all mysteries, and ously mentioned, a new Brother has ample opportunity to really learn $68,738.11 to aid in the rehabilitation of those membership of 600, such a Lodge may receive only 10 Degrees were exemplified in the presence of have not charity, I am nothing." to know his Brethren and thus become a real asset to Freemasonry. brethren who had suffered losses. "As a practical example, I should like to state that in Philadelphia, petiti·ons for Initiation and Membership monthly ; if 700 the R. W. Grand Master, Brother Charles H. These words, from one of the most familiar my home city, we have 96 Lodges with a total membership of over members, only 9 peti tions for Initiation and Membership Nitsch, in the auditorium of Town Hall, Broad Lodges were reimbursed for di rect portions of the Scriptures, the thirteenth chap­ and Race Streets, Philadelphia. 54,000, an average membership of 563 per Lodge. The smallest Lodge monthly; if 800 members, only 8 pe titions for Initiation grants in the amount of. . . . . S 2,035.11 ter of Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians, has 49 members, the largest 2075. This is the first time in the memory of the express a truth which all Freemasons should and Membership monthly; if 900 members, only 7 peti­ Gifts were made to individuals "The Freemasons in Philadelph ia have pledged th emselves to raise, Grand Secretary that the Annual Exemplifica ­ constantly bear in mind. How nicely they fit in the amount of...... 19,953.00 by personal subscription, the sum of $500,000 as their share toward tions for Initiation and Membership monthly; if 1000 tion of the Work has been held anywhere hut into the pattern of our philosophy immedi­ building an addition to the Hospital at om Masonic Homes at Eliza­ members, only 6 petitions for Initiation and Membership in the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia. That Non-interest bearing loans were ately becomes apparent when the meaning of bethtown. It was suggested that each Lodge set as its quota SlO per monthly; and if 1100 members or more, onl y 5 petitions the shifting of the scene of operations was made in the amount of ...... 46,750.00 the term " Mysteries" is understood. member. The $500,000 goal has nearly been reached. The deeper feelings of the ancient Greeks for Initiation and Membership Monthly.) worthwhile, the many Brethren who were in Totaling ...... $68,7-38.11 "It is significant to note that the smaller Lodges have done much early fou nd expression in the practice of cer­ better in raising their quota than the larger Lodges. We feel this is " The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania defi nitely is in favor of placing attendance have already testified. No one was denied admission because of overcrowding, tain religious and semi-religious rites which an indication of the greater interest in Freemasonry in smaller Lodges. a numerical limit on the membership of our Lodges." Spr-ingfield Lodge No. 779 and all present were able to hear and to see were kept secret from all except the initiated. "By their works, ye shall know them. These were known as Mysteries, and corre­ "My immediate predecessor, R. W. Past Grand Master, Ralph M. everything that took place. A petition was received for a new Lodge, to sponded to the secret societies of our day. Lehr, constituted fiv e new Lodges in 1954. I am following his pattern. be held at Springfield, Delaware County, Penn­ Initia tion included an oath of secrecy. It Several new Lodges are in the making and one will be constituted in TilE MARC H sylvania, to be called Springfield Lodge No. 779, further consisted of various stages or degrees, the suburbs of Philadelphia on March 8th next. CHARLES H. NITSCH, Grand Master signed by three Master Masons, recommended QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION made up of lectures, elements of sacred drama, by Brother Walter L. Moore, District Deputy Grand Lodge was opened in Ample Form on and other ceremonies. To confer the forn de­ Grand Master of District 36, and by George W. Wednesday, March 7, a t 7 P.M., with 245 grees of the Eleusinian Mysteries took a period Bartram Lodge, No. 298, containing the signa­ Lodges represented. of nine full days. the structure of the Lodge itself. In 1791, they tures of 133 Master Masons as Warrant Mem­ Development of Capitular Brownstone Lodge No. 666 The similarities between the Mysteries and were formally recognized by the Grand Lodge Reports were received from the Committees bers, wh ich was referred to the Grand Officers modern Freemasonry have given rise, from Masonry in Pennsylvania of Pennsylvania and were accorded permission Buildirtg New Masonic Hall on Finance, Temple, Masonic Culture and with power to act. ti me to time, to attempts by overzealous to confer the Royal Arch Degree under the Children's Service. Springfield Lodge No. 779 was constituted in Masoni c scholars, desiring to establish the By WILLIAM E. MoNTGOMERY warrants of the Lodges to which they were Ground breaking ceremonies for Brownstone Brother Ralph M. Lehr, R. W. Past Grand the Masonic Temple, Chester, Pennsylvania, attached. The First Chief (as the presiding Lodge No. 666's new Masonic Hall were held Master, informed the Brethren of the progress antiquity of the Craft, to trace an unbroken The basis for the ritt1alistic work of the officer of the Chapter was then called} was on Saturday afternoon, Mar ch 17. Despite a on T hursday, March 8, at 4 P.M. There were connection between the Mysteries and Free­ present three Symbolic Degrees was evolved of the Building ·and Extension Program at the required to secure the warrant of the Lodge heavy snowstorm of the previous day and a 130 Warrant Members. Three of the peti tioners masonry. Such efforts, however, have always between 1717 and 1723 through the efforts of Homes at Elizabethtown. from the Worshipful Master thereof, exhibit bitter wind, approximately 100 members of the were unable to be present at the constitution proved wholly unsuccessfuL Dr. J. T. Desaguliers, the recognized ritualist Brother Max F. Balcom, R. W. Senior Grand it during the session of the Chapter, and then Lodge t urned out to take part-in the active start because of illness. The Mysteries gained great popularity; first of Freemasonry; George Payne, the law-giver Warden, presented a report of the meeting return the warrant to the Worshipful Master of construction of the new Masonic building. among the Greeks, and, at a later period, among of the Order; Dr. Anderson, the historian; and Brownstone Lodge, wh ich was constituted of the George Washington Masonic National after the Chapter had been closed. the Romans as well . Undoubtedly Paul knew several associates. back in 1910, was named for the well known Memorial Association held in Alexandria, Vir­ Annual Sta tis tical Repot·t On November 23, 1795, the Grand Chapter of them. Indeed, he may have been an initiate, The fruits of their labors to a considerable brownstone quarries located near Hummels­ ginia, on February 22, 1955. The Grand Secretary presented the follow­ although there is little evidence to support extent have stood the tes t of time, but as is of Pennsylvania was consti tuted, the first town, the town in wh ich the Lodge is now Brother W. LeRoy McKinley, R. W. Junior ing statistical report for the year ending De­ such an assumption . However, it seems logical true with so many man-made things, perfectit;m Grand Chapter in the Western Hemisphere. It located. The present Lodge Room is very small was not independent, however , but was under Grand Warden, reported on the Conference of cember 27, 1955: to conclude that when he speaks of "under­ itself was not achieved. As the years passed, and is on the third floor of a bank building. Grand Masters of Masons in North America, errors and omissions were noticed and efforts the direct control of Grand Lodge. And the The new Masonic Hall will be located in There was one Lodge consti tuted during the standing all mysteries," he is referring to these held in Washington, D. C., on February 20th )llade to correct them. In an attempt to remedy Chapters did not have charters of their own Hershey, which is nearer the center of the area year, making a total of 585 Lodges in the secret societies which flourished in his day. the mos t serious of these ritualistic and sym­ but continued to work under the warrants of in which most of the Brownstone members and 21st. Jurisdiction. If this be so, then there can be no doubt bolic defects, certain changes were suggested the Lodges. In fact, the principal value of the reside. The building will be erected on a spa­ During the year 8,932 candidates were initi­ about his meaning: " Though I have been in the 1730's, and later (1753) were included newly-formed Grand Chapter seems to be that cious corner plot, with ample parking space, 51000 for Tamaulipas Relief ated and 566 Masons were admitt'ed to mem­ initiated into the Mysteries, and know their in the Third Degree or were incorporated into it became eventually a stepping stone for some­ in a newly developed section. The Committee on Emergency Relief re­ bership, a gain of 9,498. ritual, their symbolism, and the high and a new or fourth degree which was called the thing better. The two-story brick structure will be 50 feet ported having made a contribution of $1000.00 Suspensions totaled 719, 379 resigned, and ennobling principles of religion and morality Holy Royal Arch. In certain other jurisdictions, however, they teach, but have not charity, I am nothing!" wide and 109 feet long. The 48 by 64 foot to the Grand Lodge of Tamaulipas, Mexico, for 4,779 died during the year, representing a loss In spite of the denunciation of the ultra­ Grand Chapters began to be established which Lodge Room will be located in the second story What Paul said about the Mysteries may be the relief of its members who were victims of of 5,877. conservatives and the " die-hards" of the eight­ were entirely separate from and independent along with the associated rooms, while the said with equal truth about Freemasonry. As the tremendous hurricane of November, 1955. T he net increase in membership for the eenth century the Royal Arch Degree slowly of their respective Grand Lodges. From time social r oom with stage, kitchen fa cilities and Masons, it is of vital impor tance that we know but surely became recognized as an essential to time in Pennsylvania, agitation was started heating and air conditioning plant will be in year of 3,621, added to the membership of all we can about Freemasonry. But if we and integral part of the Masonic system. among the more active Companions to or­ the first story. The building and eq uipment is Aid for Victims of Floods of August 1955 248,832 reported for December 27, 1954, merely know, it is not enough! We cannot As nearly as can be ascertained it was first ganize a Grand Chapter which should exercise expected to cost approximately $125,000.00. The Committee on the General Relief Fund makes a total membership as of December 27, measure our stature by the rule of the mind. conferred in this country in 1758 in Royal complete and exclusive dominion over its own Brother Claude R. Greiner, a Past Master of presented a report which disclosed that, upon 1955, of 252,453. We must use the yardstick of the heart! Arch Lodge, No. 3, of Philadelphia. In those affairs. This agitation bore fruit on January 5, Brownstone Lodge, was the Archi tect for the the recommendation of the Special Flood Re­ Do we live what we know? Do we love both days no Chapters existed and the degree was 1824, when both Grand Lodge and Grand building, while Brother Martin L. Haldeman, lief Committee, appointed by the R. W. Grand God and man? Do we serve as best we can? conferred in the Lodge itself under conditions Chapter met on the same day and an agree­ also a member of this Lodge, is the General Our answers to these questions give us the true and requirements which varied considerably ment was reached whereby an independent Contractor. Brother Robert M. Miller, P.M., Master to investigate the extent of the damage measure of what we are as Masons. in the different Lodges. Gradually here in Penn­ Grand Chapter should be created, the final is president and William Kishpaugh, is secre­ caused by the devastating floods of August sylvania and elsewhere, separate organizations, separation to be effective in May of that tary, of t he Brownstone Masonic Temple 1955, and the consequent financial losses suf­ " Though I understand all mysteries, and called chapters, did come into existence within same year. Association. -A. B. P. fered by the members of our Lodges and other G EORGE A. A vERY, Grand Secretary have not chari ty, I am nothing."