The Builder Magazine 

May 1923 - Volume IX - Number 5 


TABLE OF CONTENTS 

FRONTISPIECE - KING SOLOMON PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE BLACKSMITH 

WHY THE TOWNER-STERLING BILL DID NOT PASS - By Bro. Simeon D. Fess, 
Ohio 

THE STORY AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF FREEMASONRY IN TEXAS - By Bro. 
George W. Tyler, P. G. M., Texas 

HOW AMERICAN AND FRENCH MASONS FRATERNIZED - By Bro. Charles F. 
Irwin, Ohio 

MEMORIALS TO GREAT MEN WHO WERE MASONS - JOSIAH HAYDEN 
DRUMMOND - By Bro. Geo. W. Baird, P.G. M., District of Columbia 

THE DOUBLE-HEADED EAGLE AND WHENCE IT CAME - By Bro. Arthur C. 
Parker, New York 

PROCEEDINGS OF GRAND LODGES AND OTHER GRAND BODIES NOW 
AVAILABLE 

HOW GRAND LODGES VIEW TOWNER- STERLING BILL - Reported by Grand 
Secretaries 

THE STUDY CLUB - Chapters of Masonic History - Part III, Mithraism: 
Freemasonry and the Ancient Mysteries - By Bro. H.L. Haywood 

EDITORIAL - "What Came Ye Here To Do ?". 

Brightening up the Second Degree 

"In Which all Good Men Agree" 



THE LIBRARY - Masonry is a Part of "The Divine Mystery" 

"The Visitant" Appears in Book Form 
The Classic of Old Testament Books 
The Little Books of the Rosemary Press 
A Dairy Religion 

THE QUESTION BOX - Why Massachusetts Lodges are not Numbered 
Twenty- Six Jurisdictions use the District Deputy System 
The Morgan Affair 

Information About Plural Membership 

Concerning the Religion of the Grand Orient of France 

Why Do Masons Compute Time A. L. 

A Masonic College of the Civil War Period. 

CORRESPONDENCE - Grand Master of Nevada Writes About Masonic Education 
Was John Jay a Mason ? 

When and Where Canadian Masonry was Founded 
Ragon's "Rituel" Defines Masonic Secrecy 
Can You Give Us this information ? 


YE EDITORS CORNER . 



All Articles in this Magazine copyright 1923 by the National Masonic Research 
Society 


Published Monthly by the National Masonic Research Society 


VOLUME IX Number 5 


MAY 1923 


TWO DOLLARS PIETY CENTS THE YEAR 
TWENTY-FIVE CENTS THE COPY 


Why The Towner-Sterling Bill Did Not Pass 


BY BRO. SIMEON D. FESS, OHIO 


Brother Fess was chairman of the Committee on Education of the House of 
Representatives of the recent Congress, and as such had very much in hand the 
fortunes of the Towner- Sterling Bill which provided for a Department of Education in 
the Federal Government. Owing to its vital bearings on the public school system, the 
great majority of the two and one half million Masons in this land felt such an interest 
in this measure that they brought pressure on many Grand Lodges to endorse the Bill. 
A report of such Grand Lodge action will be found in this issue on page 143. When 
the Bill failed of a hearing before the House in the recent Congress such regret was 
felt throughout the Craft, and so many brethren inquired to know the reasons for the 



delay, that Brother Fess was asked to make a statement concerning the matter through 
these pages, a thing he does herewith, and in a manner that has the weight, more or 
less, of an official utterance. 


Brethren who are interested to read farther on the subject are recommended to secure 
Brother Fess' speech on the Status of Federal Legislation on Education as delivered in 
the House of Representatives, June 2, 1922. Also, they will find of great value a 
booklet on The Towner- Sterling Bill issued by The National Education Association, 
1201 Sixteenth Street, Northwest, Washington, D. C., September, 1922. The August 
issue of THE BUILDER, 1922, was wholly devoted to the cause of the public school 
system, and contained an article on the Towner- Sterling Bill by Brother Horace M. 
Towner, United States Representative from Iowa, and sponsor for the Bill in the 
House. 


Brother Fess was born in Ohio, December 11, 1861. He graduated from Ohio 
Northern University in 1889, to become Professor of American History there in 1889, 
and head of the College of Law in 1896. In 1902 he became a lecturer in the 
University of Chicago, after which he was made president of Antioch College, 
Yellow Springs, Ohio, a school established by Horace Mann. He was elected to 
Congress in 1913 as Representative, and will return to the Sixty-Eighth Congress as 
Senator. He is the author of several books on law, history, and civics, and was at one 
time editor of World's Events. He is a Mason. 


In his article Brother Fess refers to the fact that the Committee on Reorganization was 
extended to July, 1924. Brethren interested to secure a copy of the joint resolution 
authorizing this extension of time may obtain it of Congressmen by asking for S. J. 
Res. 282. 


EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES is primarily a state rather than a federal 
function. Each state has its own system. While there is some uniformity among the 
states, it can be said that we have as many educational systems as there are states. 



We have no such thing as a national system of education although the Federal 
Government has strongly favored public education as the basis of popular 
representative government. Our forefathers called especial attention to the importance 
of this. George Washington was specific in his recommendations, out of which grew 
both the Naval Academy of Annapolis and the Military Academy of West Point. One 
further recommendation he made was the establishment of a National University, for 
which he willed a specific sum of money but this latter project was never realized. 


Our system of double sovereignty, federal and state, and our peculiar domestic 
institutions set these two principles in such antagonism to each other that at last the 
conflict produced the Civil War. The states strongly maintaining state rights 
vigorously opposed federal control of education, but insisted in preserving that 
activity as a state function. 


During the Civil War period or thereabouts we entered upon Federal aid to higher 
education in our state institutions teaching agriculture and mechanics. This was the 
first step in Federal aid, but was limited to particular institutions and was not 
extended to secondary education. 


In the 1 870’s an effort was made to extend Federal aid to secondary education in what 
is known as the Blair Educational Bill, which sought to apply Federal aid in a 
specified amount to the states in proportion to their illiteracy. This was successfully 
resisted by the State's Rights communities, especially of the South. No further effort 
was made until a short time ago when the Agricultural Extension Act was passed by 
Congress, giving Federal aid to extending the Land Grant College activity to local 
communities under limitations. 


This was followed by the Smith-Hughes Act of 1917, extending Federal aid to the 
states for vocational training - agriculture, industrial and home economics. It provided 
aid to the states in proportion to the population engaged in each to the entire 
population of the state. When the annual appropriation reaches the maximum, the 
Federal Government will make an annual appropriation of $7,000,000 - $3,000,000 



for agriculture, $3,000,000 for industrial subjects, twenty per cent, of which goes to 
home economics, and the remaining $1,000,000 for training teachers. 


During the World War we enlarged the function of the Federal Vocational Board's 
work by the act for rehabilitation of the disabled soldier. This has now reached the 
peak and will discontinue within the near future. These various acts answer the 
constitutional objection to federal aid. This aid was extended to cripples in industry 
by the Fess Industrial Aid Bill. 


During and immediately following the World War, a widely concerted movement was 
started to extend federal aid to the public school system, instead of confining it to 
special lines of education as already described. The draft records displayed a shocking 
prevalence of physical defects among our youth, which according to best authority 
could have been removed by timely care in school - hence the demand for federal aid 
in physical education in the interest of physically sound bodies. These records also 
disclosed a shocking amount of adult illiteracy in several parts of the country. It was 
found necessary immediately after enlistment to place many draftees under the 
simplest elemental training before they could function as soldiers, hence the claim for 
federal aid to remove adult illiteracy as a matter of national defense - a Federal 
function. The World War also disclosed a serious lack of loyalty to American 
institutions, and a strong demand for a better Americanization in the interest of a 
higher type of citizenship, hence the demand for legislation on this subject. All these 
items were subjects of special and separate proposals before Congress, upon which 
hearings were held. 


It was also noted that teaching as a profession was losing its best talent because of 
inadequate remuneration. Training schools for teachers were abandoned for other 
schools devoted to other professions and activities: Many public schools were either 
compelled to close or to accept immature or untrained teachers, or at least of a grade 
inferior to that of the best teachers which our welfare demands. Conditions were 
becoming acute. A movement was started to create a Department of Education, and to 
enhance by Federal aid the salaries of the teaching profession. The situation became 
the subject of consideration in both state and nation. The National Association of 
Teachers took a definite stand and after much consultation and research, a bill was 
drafted and introduced in Senate and House. This bill provided for the creation of a 



Department of Education, and authorized an annual appropriation of $100,000,000 for 
the items before mentioned, $.50,000,000 of which was to be applied to the increase 
of salaries of teachers throughout the states. 


After exhaustive hearings the bill known as the Smith-Towner was considered and 
favorably reported by the House Committee on Education at the close of the 66th 
Congress. In spite of the strong propaganda behind it, some of which came from 
sources other than teachers' organizations, including many and various groups both of 
men and women' we failed to secure consideration in either branch of Congress. 


At the opening of the 67th Congress the bill was re-introduced as the Towner- Sterling 
Bill, and referred to the Committee on Education of the House. At the same time the 
Kenyon-Fess Public Welfare bill was introduced in conformity to the pledge made by 
the President in the campaign of 1920. This bill provided for a Department of Public 
Welfare with Cabinet rank, headed by a Secretary of Public Welfare and four 
Assistant Secretaries, as follows: first, Assistant Secretary of Education; second, 
Assistant Secretary of Public Health; third, Assistant Secretary of Social Service, and 
fourth, Assistant Secretary of Veteran Service. At the hearings on this bill opposition 
was voiced by the teachers' legislative representative located here at Washington who 
placed in the record many protests against being "submerged" in a Welfare 
Department. 


Congress authorized the appointment of a Committee on Re-organization of the 
Executive Departments as one of the earliest acts of the 67th Congress. This 
Committee had as a part of its function the recommendation of such new departments 
as it thought wise. It was deemed best by the President and by the Steering and Rules 
Committees of the House that while this Re-organization Committee was at work it 
was illogical to consider the creation of new departments before the Re-organization 
Committee had reported. In this the leaders in both Senate and House agreed. The 
chairman of the Committee on Re-organization laid the plan before the President and 
in January of this year the President referred it to the Committee. Congress by 
resolution continued the life of this Committee until July 1st, 1924, by which time the 
plan will have been fully discussed and a decision reached. 



The Kenyon-Fess Bill was laid aside when it was decided to await the report on 
re-organization. This plan provides for a Department of Education and Public 
Welfare, a compromise between the two departments. If it is accepted by Congress, 
we shall have taken a long step toward the goal of those interested in advancing 
educational interests to Federal recognition, and the way will be open for the 
legislation so ardently urged on Physical Education, Americanization, Adult 
Illiteracy, and, most likely, increased salaries of teachers. The strength back of the 
two proposals when united will be sufficient to insure the creation of the new 
department early in the next Congress, or soon after it is laid before the Congress. 


There will be strong opposition to the expansion of Federal influence in education, 
but the importance and necessity of advancement are so apparent, and the tardiness of 
states is so well understood that the argument in favor of the movement will prove 
much stronger than that against it, and the new Department of Education and Public 
Welfare will doubtless become law. It does not appear that either the plan for a 
Department of Education or the plan for a Department of Public Welfare will receive 
separate and favorable action. They will either be combined or both will lose; at least 
so it now appears when viewed from the angle of legislation. 


— o — 


THE STORY AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF FREEMASONRY IN TEXAS 


BY BRO. GEORGE W. TYLER, P. G. M., TEXAS 


Brother George W. Tyler, Past Grand Master and Past Grand Chaplain, is one of the 
most respected and beloved of the Masons of Texas. For many years he has devoted 
much of his best energies to the Great Cause in that great state, and always he has had 
a heartfelt interest in its welfare, a thing that is very evident in the earnest paragraphs 
of the article printed below. It is our hope to publish such an article about every state 
in the nation as time goes on, and to collect them all into book form when the series is 



completed. Masonic History in New Mexico, by Brother Paul A. F. Walter, was 
published as the first of such contributions in THE BUILDER, July 1922, page 211. 


It seems to us that such an attempt as this is one that challenges the attention of the 
best minds in our Fraternity. Few Masons - very few indeed - have an adequate 
conception of the part taken by Freemasonry in building up this nation. Usually 
Masons are content to say that many of the prominent leaders of the Revolution were 
Craftsmen and that Masonic lodges were centers of Americanism at a time when 
America was being built: this is true enough but it is so inadequate that to stop short 
with that is to suppose that Masonry folded its hands in 1800 and has since done 
nothing, an assumption that is wildly wide of the mark. From the time that a Federal 
Government was organized until the last state was admitted to the Union our 
fraternity had a part in the life of every American commonwealth. Would it not be a 
good thing to have competent brethren in every state make themselves responsible for 
setting before the Craft the complete history of Freemasonry, state by state? We 
believe it would be, and here recommend Brother Tyler's article as an example of 
what is possible in that line. 


TEXAS, A FRONTIER province of Mexico, was under the dominion of Spain until 
1821, when Mexico, under Augustine de Iturbide, threw off the Spanish yoke. In 
1836 Texas revolted from Mexico and established an independent republic. By 
annexation, in 1845, she became a state in the American Union. 


Happily, the early history of Freemasonry in Texas is not apocryphal. Though 
meager in details, its essential phases are preserved in the printed annals and literature 
of the Craft. 


Under Spanish and Mexican rule, with Roman Catholicism as the official state 
religion, Texas was not a propitious soil for the propagation of Masonry even had 
there been a population here in those times sufficient to nourish it. There were faint 



efforts to plant Scottish Rite Masonry in Mexico from Spain or elsewhere during the 
last decade of the Spanish dominion, and likewise to introduce York Rite Masonry 
during the first decade of the Mexican regime, but these two groups developed into 
rival political parties, utilized by ambitious military chieftains, and both of them were 
suppressed by a national decree in 1830. 


The oldest Masonic landmark in Texas is a monument (still standing) in a cemetery at 
Richmond, erected by Brother William Morton "in memory of Robert Gilespie, a 
native of Scotland, about 40 years of age who, a stranger in this land, travelled to the 
mansions of eternity the 7th day of November, 1825. May he rest in peace." Thus 
reads the crude inscription on a clay tablet, built into a column of brick and mortar, 
some seven or eight feet in height. Tradition tells that Brother Gilespie, in search of 
health, wandered to the wilderness home of Brother William Morton, who nursed and 
cared for him as a brother Mason till he died and then (in the winter of 1825-6) built 
this memorial over his lonely resting place. It was assaulted by the Mexican soldier's 
who passed that way in 1836, partly demolished and left about one foot out of plumb. 


As early as February 11, 1828, a few Masons met at San Felipe de Austin, intending 
to apply to the York Grand Lodge of Mexico for a charter for the "Lodge of Union," 
and chose by ballot Brother Stephen F. Austin for Worshipful Master; Brother Ira 
Ingram for Senior Warden; and Brother H.H. League for Junior Warden. Others 
present were Brothers Eli Mitchell, Joseph White, G.B. Hall, and Thomas M. Duke. 
On account of long delay in all communications with the City of Mexico, twelve 
hundred miles away, and because of the distracted political conditions fast developing 
at the capital, followed by the anti-Masonic decree already mentioned, this enterprise 
came to naught. It is of interest to state here that Brother Stephen F. Austin, "the 
Father of Texas," was a member of Louisiana Lodge No. 109, located at St. 
Genevieve, Missouri, and holding a charter from the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, 
Missouri being unoccupied Masonic territory when that lodge was constituted there. 


HOLLAND LODGE NO. 1, IS ORGANIZED IN 1835 



The next attempt to plant Masonry in Texas was made in troublous times and the 
"light" was dimmed and almost obscured by the lowering clouds of war. Six 
brethren, known to each other as Master Masons, assembled quietly in a secluded 
laurel grove in the out-skirts of Brazoria one morning in March, 1835. They were 
Brother Anson Jones, John A. Wharton, Asa Brigham, James A. E. Phelps, Alexander 
Russell, and J.P. Caldwell. The relations between the Texas colonists and the 
Mexican authorities had already become strained and tense. The land was full of 
Mexican spies, suspicious of an uprising of the colonists. The priest and his minions, 
maintained by the Mexican government, were an all-pervading power inspired by 
jealous hatred of protestant Americans. Leading colonists had been secretly 
denounced to the government as traitors and had been singled out as victims of its 
despotic vengeance for daring to resent openly the petty tyranny put upon the country. 
Notwithstanding the menacing portents of those troublous times, there were brave 
spirits of the Craft who were willing to chance the danger of defying those conditions 
in order to gratify their yearning for the fraternal embrace of Masonry. But it was 
needful to exercise caution and circumspection, to avoid the ubiquitous spies and 
other "cowans and eavesdroppers," and this sequestered spot was therefore chosen. 
There they agreed, after due consideration, to establish a lodge, and to that end chose 
Brother Anson Jones for Worshipful Master, Brother Asa Brigham for Senior 
Warden, and Brother J.P. Caldwell for Junior Warden. A petition was prepared and 
signed by these brethren, with the addition of Brother Warren D. C. Hall and, 
perhaps, one or two others, and this, with the requisite fee, was forwarded to Grand 
Master John H. Holland, of Louisiana, in whose honour the lodge was named. 
Communication was slow but after a long time the dispensation came and Holland 
Lodge No. 36 U.D. was opened in Brazoria on December 27th, (St. John's Day) 1835. 


Several meetings were held, extending into Lebruary, 1836, though the armed conflict 
between Mexico and the Texas colonists was becoming daily more acute. At the last 
meeting in Brazoria Col. James W. Tannin attended the lodge and acted as Senior 
Deacon. He was then on his way to his command in the West and one month later 
(March 27th), having been forced to surrender to superior numbers at Goliad, he and 
his command of over four hundred men (with a few exceptions) were, by order of 
Gen. Santa Anna, marched out of their prison and murderously shot down in cold 
blood. The Alamo, at San Antonio, had fallen on March 6th, after its baptism in the 
heroic blood of Travis, Bowie, Crockett, Bonham, and one hundred and seventy-eight 
other Texans, of whom not a man survived. 



Meantime Brazoria had been abandoned by its people, the men to join General Sam 
Houston's little army then retreating before General Santa Anna, the women and 
children to seek safety in the general exodus of all Texas toward the United States 
border on the Sabine. A detachment of the Mexican army, under General Jose Urrea, 
destroyed the village of Brazoria, and the dispensation, records, jewels and 
paraphernalia of Holland Lodge were vengefully committed to the flames. 


Pending these events the Grand Lodge of Louisiana had, in regular routine, granted a 
charter to this lodge and the Grand Secretary had placed it, with a letter of instruction, 
in the hand of Brother John M. Allen, at New Orleans, for delivery to Brother Anson 
Jones, the Worshipful Master. As the latter was marching on the prairie in General 
Houston's army between Groce's Ferry and Harrisburg, Brother Allen handed him the 
charter and letter which Brother Jones placed in his baggage. A few days later (April 
21, 1836) the battle of San Jacinto was fought, in which Brother Jones participated 
gallantly. On that day General Houston surprised, routed and overwhelmed, the 
Mexican army of double his strength, killed several hundred of the enemy and 
captured nearly all the others, including General Santa Anna, then President of 
Mexico, in command of the army of invasion in Texas. The war was thus ended and 
Texas became free and independent. In the march thither and at camp during the 
eventful battle the charter of Holland Lodge silently reposed in the baggage of 
Brother Anson Jones. It was thus christened amid the din and carnage of a 
sanguinary conflict. Brother Jones did not reassemble his lodge at Brazoria, as the 
members were dispersed, but he did reopen it, under its charter, at Houston, within its 
territorial limits, in October, 1837, and there it stands to this day as Holland Lodge 
No. 1 on the roster of the Grand Lodge of Texas. 


After the revolution the Grand Lodge of Louisiana chartered two other lodges in 
Texas. They were Milam No. 40, at Nacogdoches and McFarland, No. 41, at Sani 
Augustine. On the call of Holland Lodge delegates from the three lodges assembled 
in a sovereign Masonic Convention at Houston, then the capital Texas, on December 
20, 1837. The convention met at 3 P. M., in the Senate Chamber. By election 
General Sam Houston, then President of the Republic of Texas, presided and Brother 
Anson Jones was secretary. "The Grand Lodge of the Republic of Texas" was then 
and there organized in the usual way, over which Brother Anson Jones, later 
President of the Republic was installed as the first Grand Master with a full corps of 
officers. When annexation came the name was changed to "The Grand Lodge of 



Texas." It now comprises nearly one thousand lodges and about one hundred and 
twenty-five thousand members. 


TEXAS IS A MASONIC STATE 


The Lone Star of Texas, the state emblem, is the five pointed star familiar to all 
Master Masons throughout the world, and it could be shown, did space permit, how 
Masonry in its best form and in its highest ideals has been a paramount force in 
moulding and developing the social, moral and civic affairs of the state. Two out of 
three of the Presidents of the Republic of Texas, twenty-one of the twenty-seven 
Governors of Texas, and a very large majority of the United States Senators and 
Congressmen from Texas, as well as of state officers, legislators and local officials, 
have been Masons. Yet Masonry was not even remotely considered in the selection 
of these public men. 


Among hundreds of corner stones laid by the Craft are those of the first and second 
state capitol buildings, at Austin, and nearly all of the court houses throughout the 
state. 


The first fraternal recognition of our Grand Lodge came from the Grand Lodges of 
New York, Maryland, Mississippi and Hamburg (Germany) in 1840: England 
followed in 1842,, and Maine in 1844. In due time all English speaking jurisdictions 
and some others extended us recognition. 


In May, 1841, the Grand Master of Texas issued to nine Master Masons a 
dispensation for a Lodge at Santa Fe, in the present State of New Mexico, which 
became Santa Fe Lodge No. 15 on our roll. The dispensation was extended by the 
ensuing Grand Lodge but was revoked in January, 1 844. It will be remembered that 
until the boundary line compromise with the United States was made in the early 
fifties, the State of Texas claimed all the territory east of the Rio Grande river to the 
forty-second parallel of north latitude, including the old city of Santa Fe, and thus our 



Grand Lodge, in setting up a lodge there in 1 84 1 , was clearly within its rights. It is 
beyond question that Texas planted the first Masonry in the State of New Mexico. 


In 1850 Union Lodge No. 82 opened with a Texas dispensation in the city of Panama, 
New Grenade, now the Republic of Panama. The lodge was subsequently chartered 
in 1852 but ceased to exist in 1854. It is said that it was a "good Samaritan" to many 
distressed brethren who were stranded there and many of whom were stricken with 
poverty, disease and death in the great rush to California during the "gold fever" of 
1 849 and subsequent years. 


On June 22, 1922, on proper petition, the Grand Master of Texas issued a 
dispensation for Lahneek Lodge at Coblenz on the Rhine. The petitioners were all 
soldiers of the American Army of Occupation and its initiates were restricted to men 
of that service. Brother John P. Greibel, Past Master, of Independence, Missouri, 
under special deputation of our Grand Master, set this lodge to work on July 4, 1922, 
in the presence of Brother John H. Cowles, Sovereign Grand Commander of the 
Supreme Council of the Southern Jurisdiction, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, 
and Past Grand Master Edward C. Day, of Montana. A charter was duly granted in 
this lodge on December, 1922. Their lodge room is within a stone's throw of the ruins 
of the ancient Castle Lahneek where the last stand is said to have been made by 
twelve Knights Templar of old against the villainous orders of Philip and the Pope, 
and there died beneath their shields in defending their innocence and their faith. 

From the ruins of this old castle the lodge took its name. Its functions cease, of 
course, with the withdrawal of our Army of Occupation. 


HOW TEXAS IS RELATED TO MEXICAN MASONRY 


In 1 890, during the era of Mexico's greatest progress under the administration of 
President Porfirio Diaz, a notable step was taken to unify the Masonic interests of that 
Republic. The Grand Symbolic Diet of the United States of Mexico was formed with 
President Diaz as the (nominal) Grand Master and with Dr. Ermilo G. Canton, a 
scholarly and accomplished Mason, as Grand Secretary and the real executive head. 
Practically all preexisting lodges and Grand Lodges, local, state and national, and of 



all rites, were brought together in this general body, whose constitution was broad, 
liberal and constructive and whose leaders were the most prominent, enlightened and 
trusted men, native and foreign, in the Republic. Its clearly expressed purpose was to 
unify and strengthen the Grand Lodges of the several states until they could stand 
alone at which time the Grand Diet should voluntarily dissolve and retire in favour of 
an autonomous state Grand Lodge system like that of the United States. By the 
"Treaty of Monterey," negotiated in 1891, Texas recognized the Grand Diet, and 
many other jurisdictions did the same. 


After a successful career of ten years the Grand Diet voluntarily dissolved in 1900 
and Masonry in Mexico was re-committed to the respective state Grand Lodges, but, 
unfortunately, most of these lapsed back into the troubled sea of their former 
conflicts. Texas continued in fraternal relations with the Grand Lodges "Valley of 
Mexico," in the Federal District, and "Benito Juarez," in the State of Coahuila. From 
the latter we parted company in 1 909 because of its attempted invasion of our 
territorial rights. And when the "split" came in the Grand Lodge "Valley of Mexico" 
in 1910, we adhered to the majority body, composed mostly of Americans residing in 
that country, who later changed its name to "York Grand Lodge of Mexico" for the 
purpose of identification, inasmuch as the seceding minority had set up a rival body 
with the old name, "Valley of Mexico." 


Thus continued our status until 1920 when we withdrew our recognition and our then 
Grand Master, Brother Andrew L. Randell, at the request of our Grand Lodge, visited 
Mexico with a commission of able associates and in conjunction with representatives 
of some other Grand Lodges bordering on Mexico for the purpose of investigation 
and, if possible, of harmonizing their differences. Upon the advice of this 
commission our Grand Lodge, in 1921, recognized the Grand Lodge "Valley of 
Mexico" - the rival of the "York Grand Lodge" - and thus the matter now stands. The 
details are too numerous and involved for discussion here. 


VARIOUS NOTES ABOUT TEXAS MASONRY 



The Grand Lodge for several years met at the seat of state government; then it was 
"on wheels," meeting at different places, but finally settled down in 1860 at Houston 
and there remained until 1903, when it removed to Waco where its headquarters have 
since remained. 


In 1856 a permanent constitution, prepared by Brother Peter W. Gray, was adopted, 
which with occasional amendments controlled the Craft until 1920, when a new and 
more workable one was substituted. 


Our Ritual, perfected and exemplified by Brother Wm. M. Taylor, P.G.M., in 1858, 
has undergone but a few minor changes. It is a composite system, drawn from many 
other jurisdictions but based principally upon the old work of Preston and Webb. For 
one week each year after the close of the Grand Lodge the Committee on Work holds 
a school of instruction for Masters, Wardens and others, and proficient brethren, after 
examination, are granted certificates authorizing them to teach the "Work" in their 
respective localities. Nearly forty years of experience with this system has 
demonstrated its advantages over the Grand Lecturer and other methods of 
instruction, some of which had been thoroughly tried out here. Uniformity in the 
work throughout the jurisdiction has been attained as nearly as is humanly possible 
and it is beyond question that Texas has relatively more "bright" ritualists than almost 
any other jurisdiction. 


Texas requires of candidates a belief in a Supreme Being and in the inspiration of 
Scripture but not in the inspiration of any particular canonical books thereof, thus 
opening the door to the Jew as well as to the Gentile. 


Opposition to anything like a General Grand Lodge is unalterable. 


No brother is allowed to use the word "Masonic" or other terminology of the 
Fraternity for business purposes, nor to seek business or secular preferment directly or 
indirectly on the faith and credit of Masonry. 



We formerly adhered strictly and literally to the "perfect man" theory of physical 
qualification of candidates - the "finger and toe" rule - but some years ago this was 
greatly relaxed and Texas is now about as liberal as most of the Jurisdictions on that 
question. 


MASONRY HAS BEEN THE PIONEER IN EDUCATION AND CIVIC 
DEVELOPMENT 


In the early days - before the inauguration of the public free schools - nearly every 
important town and community had a Masonic academy institute or college promoted 
and supported by the local lodge and often chartered by the state. These were the 
foundations of our educational efforts and were later absorbed into the public school 
system. Everywhere in city, town, village, hamlet and grove Masonry has been the 
handmaid of our civilization and good men have found in the precincts of their lodges 
the palladium of all things best calculated to promote good morals, good citizenship 
and good government. Our people of today can never know how much they are 
indebted to the sweet but penetrating force and influence of the Fraternity in the 
achievement of their present progress in the affairs of communities and in the high 
standard of civic virtue and patriotism in the commonwealth. 


TEXAS FREEMASONRY IS ACTIVE IN CHARITY 


The Grand Lodge of Texas, after accumulating an endowment fund of one hundred 
thousand dollars established and opened at Fort Worth in 1899, the Masonic Home 
and School in which are nicely and comfortably housed, clothed, fed, reared, and 
educated the children of deceased Master Masons not otherwise provided for in life. 
Here they receive a full course of high school education - the same as in the best high 
schools of the state - and in addition each boy and girl receives a vocational training 
to fit and prepare him or her for earning a living after graduation. Some ten to twenty 
graduates go out from the school each year and all have thus far made good in the 
business world. The present investment represents something near three quarters of a 
million dollars and the attendance is over three hundred. Steps are being taken to 



enlarge the dormitory accommodations in order to provide for a large number of 
pupils now on the waiting list. This Home is a success in every way, is challenging 
and unifying our Masonic endeavors and is the pride and glory of the Fraternity in 
Texas. 


In addition, the Grand Lodge maintains at the Home for Aged Masons some thirty or 
forty widows of Master Masons and is preparing for the normal increase that may be 
expected. 


The Home for Aged Masons, at Arlington, established some twelve years ago by the 
Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Texas, cared for about one hundred and sixteen guests 
during the past year and is now preparing for forty more, who are in waiting. Barring 
the companionship of their own families (and them have none) these old people could 
not be more ably and happily situated. The investment value of this institution is 
nearly $300,000. 


The Scottish Rite bodies in Texas, combining the financial resources, have just 
completed and opened at Austin a most complete and beautiful dormitory for the 
daughters Masons attending the University of Texas. Here they are maintained at 
actual cost and under the supervision of a corps of splendid matrons. This dormitory 
represents a cash investment of nearly one million dollars and provides a home now 
fully occupied for over three hundred young ladies during their university course. 
The plans of these bodies contemplate similar provision in the near future for the 
student sons of Masons. 


Hella Temple (Shrine) at Dallas is establishing a fully equipped hospital for crippled 
children which will be open for the free treatment of afflicted children of Masons and 
others. It is to cost nearly a quarter of a million dollars. 


The Grand Lodge of Texas participated in the organization of the Masonic Service 
Association of the United States and is giving a hearty support to that splendid effort 



to mobilize the strength and influence of the aggregated Masonic membership of our 
country for service in peace and war. 


Texas Masonry, it is thus seen, is lined up for great things in the splendid work of 
providing for our unfortunate brother, his widow and orphan, and is coming nearer, 
year by year, the realization in practical every day life of the great lessons and lofty 
ideals taught by the Operative Mason's symbols the quaint and seemingly inspired old 
Ritual of the Craft. 


— o — 


HOW AMERICAN AND FRENCH MASONS FRATERNIZED 


BY BRO. CHARLES F. IRWIN, OHIO 


IT IS MY PURPOSE to discuss the social intercourse enjoyed by the American 
Masons with their French brethren. I do not intend to touch upon the academic 
questions of recognition or of landmarks. 


Doubtless most Overseas Masons have been interrogated by brothers as to the French 
Masons and their hospitality. Many of us were very fortunate in forming close 
friendships with the French brethren. These happy ties endure. And correspondence 
keeps alive the recollections of days already dissolving into-the borderland of the 
unreal. 



At the basis of the French nation is the spirit of hospitality . This is carried over into 
our Fraternity there, and to a very surprising degree the French Masons opened wide 
their doors to us. 


In the early days of our stay in France we were a little skeptical as to whether or not 
some concealed interest was prompting these brethren to such a cordial display of 
welcome. Time removed this doubt. We learned the national characteristic. The 
French brethren really wanted to welcome us, not for any sordid purpose of gain, but 
because they craved our personal friendship. 


I was deeply impressed with their whole-hearted trust in our genuineness. They took 
us on our word as Masons. Many of our American Masons failed to carry any 
credentials abroad, yet I have to learn of the first one who was challenged by the 
French Masons for proof. Their trust begot trust. We could not but open our hearts to 
a body of brothers who thus exemplified our great principle of Brotherly Love. 


The French Masons are the intellectual power of France. Having shaken off the dead 
weight of ecclesiastical domination, they have produced a trained mentality which 
guides and holds France today. When you consider how few are their numbers as 
compared with the population this fact is significant. 


French lodges are regarded as political hot-beds. This is inaccurate. They do admit 
into their meetings the discussion of political measures: but their procedure is orderly 
and intensely patriotic. There attitude is not partisan in the American sense. They 
scrutinize every proposed piece of legislation in the light of its effect on the liberty, 
and happiness, and welfare of their beloved native land. The average American 
spends his days untroubled by the menace that stalks abroad in every European nation 
- ecclesiastical ambition for control of governments. In France, as everywhere in 
Europe, constant vigilance is needed to check this menace- - a menace as deadly as 
Prussianism ever was. 



When we were in France that country had during the war fallen as a government into 
the hands of churchmen. Untrammeled thought in army and government had been 
driven into' obscurity or completely out. Foch had replaced Joffre in the army. 
Clemenceau had begun to fight with his back to the wall. Since, he has been driven 
into private life. The French government is dominated by the church; and the 
Fraternity is feeling the depressing effect on French life. 


Jesuitism was supposed to have been expelled from France fifteen years ago; yet in 
1918, an American chaplain, a Jesuit priest of my personal acquaintance, always 
stayed overnight with Jesuit priests (French) when away from his post, or on a tour of 
duty. This he told me a number of times after his return to our post. These French 
Jesuit priests were evidently residing in France under false colors. 


Our French brethren seemed to draw courage, hope, enthusiasm from our fellowship. 
Our bold, frank acknowledgement of identity with the Craft, and our display of 
insignia, such as rings and fobs, created an atmosphere in which their courage took 
new hold on them. Repeatedly in our intercourse they spoke of what this open 
allegiance of American Masons to the Fraternity meant to the French Craft. 


Our French brethren had the same social instinct as Americans, and arranged 
banquets, balls, and receptions very similar to ours. At these events they prepared 
favors of singular beauty. I treasure the silk tri-color flag, on which clasped hands in 
gold together with appropriate wording reveal the warm regard existing between us. 
They brought their families to these social gatherings. And here we came in contact 
with French womanhood at its best. The grace and charm of matrons and maids 
brought to our brothers a breath of the very life they so keenly missed away from the 
home land. The Frenchmen rarely had courage to engage our American women in the 
dances. I presume the dissimilarity between American and French methods of 
dancing would account for this. Their women and girls speedily adapted themselves 
to the American style and were as successful as our American girls in obtaining 
partners. 


FRENCH MASONS ARE INTERESTED IN THE UNITED STATES 



The French Masons were very willing to discuss national movements with American 
brothers. They seemed to hold, almost to a man, the idea that the future of France, of 
Europe, and of the world rested on the United States. They rapidly comprehended the 
wonders of our land. Its vast extent constantly amazed them. To be in company with a 
Californian, a Louisianian, a Michigander, and a Bostonian and hear practically an 
identical tongue - American - from all four was recognized at its significant worth. 
Scarcely a nation in Europe can bring its peoples from all quarters together with one 
dialect. The French Masons commented on this fact and drew a very shrewd 
conclusion that an essential unity dominates the American people. 


I discovered that French Masonry is all-pervasive. For example - 1 found at 
Napoleon's tomb and on the paintings depicting Napoleon with the French people, 
that Masonic emblems had been incorporated in the ensemble. In cathedral and public 
building alike the symbols of the Craft can be noted 


We found in our French brethren a passion for truth. Boldly, gallantly, they are 
attacking sham, and ignorance, and superstition in existing orders, as well as delving 
down into the depths of nature. Unimpeded by the bonds of conventionality they are 
seeking "truth" and their labors are blessing their beloved land. 


French Masons are overwhelmingly religious. This may sound strange to the average 
American Mason "fed up" on propaganda of another vintage. Yet I found on every 
hand a reverence for the things of the Spirit; for the moral law, for the lofty flights of 
Bible writers. They can be deeply moved by the real religious appeal. In thousands of 
their homes the Word of God holds an honored place. Prayer is recognized at its true 
worth: and there is a dependence on the Unseen One. 


In their war with an ecclesiasticism which is and has been France's dark fate, they 
have had bitter experiences which have produced a repugnance for human forms and 
ceremonies. But flown in the soul of French Masonry is an abiding Faith. Some flay 
broad-minded American Masonry, not enslaved to ritualism find absolute form, will 
open up warm, sympathetic relations with our brethren across the seas. We shall 



discover in them workmen in the quarries faithfully and efficiently producing 
specimens of their skill, such as to entitle them to wages. 


Such an attitude of friendliness will go very far to open ~ he way for an 
understanding between France and America, and a new era in Masonic life will be 
ushered in. 


— o — 


MEMORIALS TO GREAT MEN WHO WERE MASONS - JOSIAH HAYDEN 
DRUMMOND 


BY BRO. GEO. W. BAIRD, P.G.M., DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 


BROTHER JOSIAH HAYDEN DRUMMOND was bom in the town of Winslow, 
County of Kennebec, Maine, August 20, 1827. He was educated at Vassalboro 
Academy and Waterville College: from the latter he graduated with honor in 1846. 

He took up law as a profession and soon, despite his youth, won a place among the 
brainy men of his profession, and at the height of his powers was known as one of the 
leaders in legal circles. He served in the legislature of his state for several sessions, 
both as representative and as senator. He was Speaker of the House and also Attorney 
General of the state. He was so popular with the people of Maine that they were 
always asking him to accept new responsibilities and honors. He had the reputation of 
not accepting law cases of immoral or seditious nature. Oftentimes he gave his 
services gratuitously. He specialized in corporation cases and in life insurance law. 
Men of higher character may have lived but I have never met one. 


Brother Dmmmond was descended from Revolutionary ancestry, his insignia in the 
Sons of the American Revolution being 6304. His ancestors Micau Blackwell and 
Thos. Burgess were members of Freeman's Massachusetts Regiment. He was an 



active member of the New England Historical Society and was one of the founders of 
the Maine society of the Sons of the American Revolution. It was to these patriotic 
organizations and to Freemasonry that he devoted most of his time and energy from 
his profession. 


The most condensed account of Brother Drummond's Masonic career is that 
contributed by Brother Robert F. Gould to Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, volume X, 
page 167, and I can do no better than to quote the entire passage: 


"Our Brother was initiated, passed, and raised in Waterville Fodge No. 33, on three 
successive Wednesday evenings, the first ceremony of all occurring on New Year's 
Day, 1849. 'Whether we made suitable proficiency or not,' he remarks in later years, 
when criticizing the decision of a Grand Master not to shorten the time between the 
degrees, 'our greatest difficulty ever since in giving the work has been to avoid giving 
it as we then learned it.' In 1856 and 1857 he filled the chair of his Mother Fodge, and 
has continued a member of it to the present day. From 1858 to 1860 he served as 
Deputy, and from the latter year to 1863, as Grand Master, of the Grand Fodge of 
Maine. 


"For two years he presided over the Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery, and for 
one year over the Grand Council, of Maine. In 1871, he was elected from the floor to 
the leading office in the General Grand Chapter, and in 1880 to that of the General 
Grand Council, of the United States. Each of these positions he retained for three 
years. On the establishment of a Provincial Grand Fodge of the Royal Order of 
Scotland, in the U. S. A., he was appointed 'Deputy,' under the illustrious Albert Pike, 
at whose death he succeeded to the Provincial Grand Mastership. 


"The degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite were conferred upon him in 
1859 and 1862. In the latter year he received the Thirty-third Degree, and was elected 
Fieutenant Grand Commander of the Supreme Council (Northern Jurisdiction) of the 
United States. This compliment was repeated in 1863, and again in 1866. In the 
following year, on the amalgamation of the two Supreme Councils (N. J.), he was 



elected Grand Commander of the United Body, and reelected in 1870, 1873, and 
1876, but declined further service in 1879. 


"The services of our distinguished brother in these spheres of labour were indeed very 
arduous and protracted, yet they have been surpassed by others which he has rendered 
in the capacity of Chairman of the Committees on Masonic Jurisprudence and 
Foreign Correspondence in the various Grand Bodies of his native State. In his own 
Grand Lodge (succeeding the late Bro. Cyril Pearl) he has performed, since 1865, the 
duty of reviewing the Proceedings of other Grand Lodges, and his report thereon for 
1896, embracing all events of note in the current history of sixty-six of the Masonic 
Powers (fifty-six of which are in North America), extends to no less than two hundred 
and seventy- four printed pages. A similar labour has also devolved upon him, 
continuously from 1866, in the case of the Grand Chapter; from 1865 to 1894 in that 
of the Grand Council; and for a smaller period - apparently about nine years - in 
connection with the Grand Commandery, of which Stephen Berry has been the 
Reporter since 1876. The review of Royal Arch Masonry presented by Bro. 
Drummond in 1895, was the one hundredth report which he had made to Grand 
Bodies in Maine. 


"In these reports, each of which makes a volume of fair size, octave, and an addition 
of four must now be made to the century accomplished in 1895, questions extending 
over the whole range of Masonic law, usage, and polity are examined and discussed. 
The work performed by Past Grand Master Drummond in this field of labour has 
brought him a world-wide reputation. As a commentator upon the Jurisprudence of 
the Craft, he has no rival. His annual Reports are extensively quoted, and generally 
accepted as decisive on points of Masonic Law, throughout the American Continent. 
Yet, as the writer somewhat plaintively puts on record, and doubtless the description 
given of one of these reviews would equally apply to the remainder, 'It,' (the Report 
of 1 869) 'has been written after the labours of the day of the most exacting of 
professions have been ended. As it has come from the pen, so it has gone to the 
printer. It was impossible to rewrite or even revise it.'" 


Brother Drummond's last appearance in Washington, D. C., was in 1891, when he 
unveiled a monument to Albert Pike. He said the event was one of great joy to him 



and that he was glad his life had been spared to take part in the dedication of the 
monument to that great and good Mason. 


His name was celebrated-by many eulogies after his death, which occurred October 
25, 1902. It was said of him that the most beautiful thing in his life was his loyalty to 
his family and that it was his practice on various family anniversaries to spend the 
entire day at home during which time he denied himself to callers and to business 
engagements. 


His Sovereign Grand Commander said of him, after death: "We may say to the world 
that Brother Drummond lived a true, just, affectionate, self- faithful life, from the 
motive of a good man. As a citizen, a statesman, a Christian, a Freemason, and a 
lover of his country, he faithfully and conscientiously performed every duty 
incumbent upon him, and this solely because it was a duty. By his life he honored his 
state, his profession and his Fraternity. By it he completed for himself a monument 
more lasting than brass, more sublime than the regal elevation of the Pyramids, which 
neither the wasting shower, the unavailing north winds and the flight of seasons shall 
be able to demolish." 


— o — 


THE DOUBLE-HEADED EAGLE AND WHENCE IT CAME 


BY BRO. ARTHUR C. PARKER, NEW YORK 



Here is the type of article that makes glad the heart of an editor. With its lack of 
guesswork and with its wide-sweeping learning, it may well serve as a model and an 
inspiration to budding students. Brother Parker has recently completed an eight 
hundred page work on archaeology; when it is published we shall hope to review it in 
THE BUILDER. For some strange reason the two-headed eagle, for all its symbolical 
appeal, has seldomly attracted the attention of Masonic scholars. The most able 
treatment of it thus far has been the chapter in The Migration of Symbols by Count 
Goblet d'Alviela of Belgium; Brother Parker's own article loses nothing by 
comparison with that chapter. Indeed, it carries the symbolism back to a far earlier 
time, and embodies more recent information. A student who may care to launch out 
upon researches of his own will find, along with the present article, that the references 
in the Encyclopedia Britannica, are valuable; consult the index volume under Double- 
headed Eagle; also see the articles on Heraldry and Hittites. For a reliable but rapid 
survey of what is known of the Hittites see Jastrow's chapter on the subject in 
Exploration in Bible Lands, by Hilprecht (1903). See also Mackey's Encyclopedia, 
Vol. I., page 225; and Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, Vol. Ill, page 104. 


THERE IS SCARCELY a symbol in any of the philosophical or chivalric degrees of 
the Scottish Rite so striking in design and import as that of the double-headed eagle. 


The tau cross and serpent of the Twenty-fifth Degree, the sun of the Twenty-eighth 
Degree, and the cross of St. Andrew in the Twenty-ninth Degree are indeed fraught 
with deep meaning, both historic and esoteric, but none can claim a more romantic or 
significant history than that of the Thirtieth Degree, that of the Grand Elect Knight 
Kadosh, or Knight of the Black and White Eagle. As an emblem this eagle is the 
epitome of religious and symbolic history, and to trace the winding flight of the 
double-headed bird is to survey the whole course of civilization, from its grey dawn 
north of the Persian gulf to this modern World. Its flight from the plains of Sumeria 
marks the rise and fall of the great mother religions of the world, and it was well on 
its journey, by some fifteen hundred years, when Moses found a name for the God of 
Israel. 



When our ancient brethren, the holy Crusaders, passed through Byzantium on their 
way to the tomb of the Saviour, the double-headed eagle which they saw embroidered 
in gold on heavy banners of silk, borne aloft by the Seljuk Turks, had been four 
thousand years on its way. To these same Crusaders this emblem was an honoured 
one, and though the enemy displayed it, yet they would fight to death for its 
possession and in triumph bear it, dripping with blood, to their encampments on the 
Levantine shore. It was from this Eastern Empire that the knights took this banner to 
adorn the courts of Charlemagne, and as a sacred relic hung it in the great cathedrals, 
whose architects and masons had so often been honoured by this Emperor of the 
West. 


From whence came this two-headed eagle, and how came it to be associated with 
Scottish Rite Masonry? The last part of this question is easier to answer than the first, 
for there is direct testimony that Frederick of Prussia supplied this crest during the 
formative stages of the Rite, but neither Frederick nor indeed Prussia could claim the 
exclusive right the use or to bestow it. It is the imperial emblem of Russia, Austria, 
Serbia and other portions of the disrupted Holy Roman Empire, and Prussia adopted 
the emblem long after it had flown over Byzantium as the royal arms of the 
"Emperors of the East and West." 


The emblem soon spread throughout all Europe, an inheritance from the knight 
Crusaders. In England we find it used upon knightly arms. Robert George 
Gentleman displayed it upon his shield, with the motto, "Truth, Honour and 
Courtesy." In France we find it used by Count de Montamajeur, and associated with 
the motto, "I shall hold myself erect and not blink." We find it upon the arms of the 
Duke of Modena, (1628) with the legend, "No age can destroy it." It appears upon the 
shield of Swabia in 1551, in Russia in 1505, and as the crest of the city of Vienna in 


1461. 


IT HAD MANY ANCIENT USES 


Let us venture still further back into antiquity and view the double-headed eagle upon 
the royal arms of King Sigismund of the Roman-German empire, in 1335, upon the 



coinage of Malek el Salah in 1217, and upon a Moorish drachma under the, Orthogide 
of Kaifaacar, Edm Mahmud, of the same date. Indeed the Turkiman princes used it 
all through the twelfth century, but it proudly floated upon Byzantine banners as early 
as the year 1100 and we know not how long before. 


In Germany we find the double-headed eagle used as the seal of the Count of 
Wurzburg in 1202; it was the coat of arms of Henricus de Rode in 1276; while Philip 
of Saxony bore it upon his shield in 1278. It was also the seal of the Bishop of 
Cologne, who no doubt adopted it from the city arms. 


As the arms of towns and cities in England, this emblem appears upon the official 
seals of Salisbury, Perth, (Perthshire), Airedale and Lamark. In Holland and France 
there are also numerous instances of its use. 


As the badge of royal orders we find the two-headed bird upon the emblems of the 
Austrian Order of the Iron Crown; in Russia upon the emblems of the Order of St. 
Andrew, founded by Peter the Great in 1689; in Poland upon the emblem of the Order 
of Military Merit, (founded May 24, 1792). As late as 1883, the King of Serbia 
adopted it as the emblem of the Order of the Double-Headed Eagle, commemorative 
of the restoration of the Serbian kingdom. 


The Russian Order of St. Andrew uses the breast of the eagle upon which to display 
the X cross with St Andrew, crucified upon it. Each eagle head is crowned and 
crossed swords rest upon the crowns with a larger crown above them. The Polish 
Order of Military Merit has a white eagle displayed upon a Maltese cross which rests 
upon the breast of a double-headed eagle, each of whose heads is crowned. 


But the double-headed eagle is not European in origin for its use depends upon the 
contact of Europe with Asia Minor, and indeed with trade or warfare with the Turks. 



The Turkish name for this conspicuous emblem is HAMCA, and by this name they 
call it when they see it carved upon the walls of ancient castles, upon time worn coins 
or emblazoned upon frayed silken banners in ancient palaces. 


Travellers in Asia Minor, indeed, are surprised by the frequency of the double-headed 
eagle sculptures upon the castles of the Seljukian Turks, and upon the more ancient 
monuments of the Hittites, whose civilization was at its height when the Hebrews 
were wild tribesmen upon the Arabian plains. Among the Hittite ruins in Cappadocia 
there are several of these notable ruins, an example being described by Perrot and 
Chipiez, who write: 


"Sculpture, whereby the peculiarities which permit Pterian monuments to be classed 
in one distinct group, yields richer material to the student. Many are the characteristic 
details which distinguish it; but none, we venture to say, can vie with the double- 
headed eagle at Iasill Kaia, a type which we feel justified in ranging among those 
proper to Cappadocia, since it was unknown to Assyria, Egypt or Phoenicia. Its 
position is always a conspicuous one, - about a great sanctuary, the principal doorway 
of a palace, a castle wall, etc., rendering the suggestion that the Pterians used the 
symbol as a coat of arms plausible if not certain. It has been further urged that the 
city was symbolized by it, that the palace called by the Greeks Pteris (Pteron, wing) 
was the literal translation it bore with the Aborigines, that in a comprehensive sense it 
came to symbolize the whole district, the country of wings, i. e., numerous eagles, 
double-headed eagles with wings outstretched." 


The great city of Pteria, as Herodotus calls this unique dwelling place, was destroyed 
by Croesus. The ruins and walls of this city, now known as Boghaz Keui, (meaning 
Valley Village or Village in the Pass) have been examined with particular interest by 
archaeologists, but principally by Perrot and Guillaume. At the entrance of a palace 
these investigators found numerous rock sculptures, mostly picturing the processions 
of certain royal or priestly personages. Egyptian and Assyrian art motives 
predominate, but pure Hittite art is shown in the sculpture of the double headed eagle, 
upon whose displayed wings two priestly figures stand. 



At Eyuk, a similar eagle with two heads facing opposite directions clutches a large 
hare with either foot. J. Garstang in his notable work, The Land of the Hittites, 
mentions there bicephalous eagles and gives two plates illustrating the rock carvings 
upon which they appear. 


THE REMARKABLE SCULPTURES OF BOGHAZ KEUI 


In his description of the Sculptures of Boghaz Keui, Garstang gives an analysis of the 
procession of priests, kings and gods shown on the rock carving alluded to above. 

This great bas-relief is upon the sanctuary passage way of the temple of Iasily Kaya. 
Concerning these images Garstang writes: "The significance of the double headed 
eagle is unknown. But that there was a local worship associated with the eagle is 
indicated by the discovery at Boghaz Keui of a sculptured head of this bird in black 
stone, larger than natural size, and by a newly deciphered cuneiform fragment from 
the same site, on which mention is made .... of the house or temple of the eagle. That 
the cult was general within the circuit of the Halys is suggested by the great 
monument which now lies prone .... near Yamoola. At Eyuk, also, there is a 
conspicuous though partly defaced representation of a priest of the Double-Eagle on a 
sphynx-jam of a palace gateway, a symbolism that we read to imply that the occupant 

of the palace was a chief priest of the cult Hence, we conclude that following the 

images of the national deities .... there came the images of the local cult of this part of 
Cappadocia, namely, the twin goddesses of the Double Eagle." 


Thus, in the ancient Kingdom of the Hittites, there was an actual temple devoted to 
the ceremonies of a priesthood dedicated to the cult of the two-headed eagle. While 
we may be sure that nothing in Scottish Rite Masonry is touched by direct Hittite 
influences, yet this emblem of the Thirty-second Degree must trace its history back to 
the ceremonies and beliefs of the Cappadocian eagle cult. We may with good reason 
conjecture that this strange bird painted or embroidered on banners was carried in 
many a strange rite and honoured in the sanctum sanctorum of the Temple itself. 


But, let us go still further back into the ages of Asia Minor. Let us view the remains 
of Tello, the mound covering the site of the ancient Babylonian city of Lagash which 



flourished three thousand years B. C. Here M. de Sarzec, according to the great 
Assyriologist, M. Thureau Dangin, found the ruins of a temple and among other 
things in the rubbish he discovered two cylindrical seals. One of these has upon it the 
recitation of a King, who says: 


"The waters of the Tigris fell low and the store of provender ran short in this my 
city." He goes on to tell that this was a visitation of the gods. He, therefore, 
submitted his case to the divinities of the land. He dreamed, as a result, a holy dream 
in which there came to him a divine man whose stature towered, (as that of a mighty 
god in Babylonia should) from earth to heaven and whose head was crowned with the 
coronet of a god surmounted by the Storm Bird, "that extended its wings over Lagash 
and the land thereof." 


What, then, is this "storm bird," this mysterious symbol that bedecks the brow of a 
god, and, what does it betoken? 


Our first inquiry is to ascertain who was the patron deity of Lagash. It is easily 
determined that it was Ningersu, who with his wife, Bau, presided over the destinies 
of the city, and particularly that part known as Gersu. The divine man who rescues 
the world from the flood is this same Ningersu, the solar deity, who is always at odds 
with, yet always in full harmony with, the storm god Enlil, who was the patron deity 
of Nippur. Now the emblem always associated with Ningersu was an eagle, generally 
lion headed, called Imgig. Imgig seems always given the difficult task of clutching 
two beasts of a kind, one in either talon. In one instance these are lions, in another 
long-tailed oryxes, and still in another two serpents. 


Many are the inscriptions depicting the image of Imgig looking perplexed, yet stolid, 
as he holds fast to the beasts beneath him. A beautiful silver vase, designed as a 
votive offering by Entemena, Patesi of Lagash, has etched upon it a central design of 
four lion-headed eagles, of which two seize a lion in each talon, a third a couple of 
deer and a fourth a couple of ibexes. This vase with its pictured symbols dates back 
to the year 2850 B.C. It rests in the Louvre today as a prized specimen of Babylonian 
art. Jastrow figures it in his work on Religious Beliefs in Babylonia and Assyria. 



But Imgig, despite his peculiarities, might escape special notice were it not for the 
fact that in one or two instances he appears with two heads. It is in this wise that the 
bird appears in an old Babylonian cylinder seal once belonging to a priest of 
Ningersu. Upon this seal a priest or priestess presents a naked candidate or novitiate 
before an altar before which sits the goddess Bau, the Ishtar of Lagash. Behind the 
goddess is an inscription supported upon the two heads of a bicephalous eagle, which, 
of course is none other than the symbol of Ningersu and his city, Lagash. This is the 
oldest known representation of the double-headed eagle. 


THE SYMBOL AS FOUND AMONG THE CHALDEES 


M. Heuzey, in his Discouvertes en Chaldee page 261, says: 'It may, I think, be 
presumed that the double-headed eagle, and the lion-headed eagle, and also the eagle 
with two heads, have the same significance when figured in front view with wings 
spread on each side. Unlike the griffon dragon, it is a beneficent emblem 
representing a protecting power. We find it in the earlier Chaldean period, but in the 
middle and latter part it quite disappears, although it is retained in the art of the 
Hittites to the region north and east of Assyria." 


Ward, in his Cylinder Seals of Western Asia, tells us that from this eagle in its 
heraldic attitude necessitated by, its attack on the two animals, was derived the 
double-headed eagle, in the effort to complete the bilateral symmetry of the bird when 
represented with an eagle head, turned to one side like the double face of human 
bifrons. An examination of the lion-headed eagle facing front shows characteristics 
that would easily suggest two eagle heads, but this is a matter of design, rather than 
symbolism. 


The Babylonian custom of merging gods together have some bearing on this design. 
The double-headed bird may represent Ningersu and Enlil, the union of the Sun god 
and the Storm god, or it may represent the union of Ningersu and Bau. 



As an emblem of Ningersu and of Enlil (the god to whom the Tower of Babel was 
erected) the eagle represents the union of the two greatest gods of Mesopotamia. 
Indeed, in the later years of Babylonia, either of these gods might be called by the 
name of other, and to worship one was to pay equal tribute the other. 


In later centuries, when the Hebrews had been under more or less Babylonian 
influence, all the characteristics of Enlil and indeed, Ningersu, were ascribed to a new 
and rising deity whose home was reputed to be in the land of the Kennites and upon 
the lofty, smoking peak of Horeb- Sinai. He manifested himself exactly as Ningersu 
did, by earthquakes, fiery clouds and mighty hurricanes, as for example, is described 
in the 29th Psalm. This god had his seat on mountain top, from whence he blessed 
the grazing lands and the vegetation of the Kennites. It was this God that Moses 
found after instruction by his father-in-law, the Midianite. Like Enlil, this god had a 
consort who seems to have been Yerahme'el. His other co-equals we cannot easily 
recognize, because the scribes have only written or allowed to remain what they 
desired after their theological education in Babylon during the captivity. 

Nevertheless, they allow many a tell-tale clue to remain, and in the original Hebrew 
we may still read, "And the Gods (Els or Al-him) said, 'Behold the man is become as 
one of us, to know good and evil.'" 


But long before Moses found Yahwe and declared him the God of Isra-El (the God 
who Strives), and before this god absorbed all his predecessors and forbade their 
recognition, a similar duad had arisen among the Hittites, whose storm god Teshup 
was represented two gods, and whose symbol was a double-headed eagle. Thereafter 
no Hittite temple or palace was complete without a conspicuous carving of the doubly 
potent bicephalous bird. 


THE ABORIGINES OF THE NILE 


It was no doubt through the prevalence of this double-headed eagle among the Hittite 
ruins that the Turks found a reiterated motif for their own banners, emblazoning the 
magical Hamea, this bird of double power, upon them. 



But long before the Hittite kingdom was founded, and centuries before the rise of 
Babylon and Assyria, and five full millenniums before the rise of the Hebrew tribes 
as a nation, the double-headed bird was known. Before any of the pharaohs ruled the 
valley of the Nile and before the pyramids had been erected, the pre-dynastic 
aborigines of the Nileland had carved upon trowel-like pieces of stone, a two-headed 
bird. These double-headed birds were prized enough to be buried with the dead, in 
whose tombs the archaeologist of to-day finds them as mysterious emblems of a long 
forgotten past. So old are these tombs containing the trowel blade with the two- 
headed bird upon its shoulders, that competent Egyptologists estimate an age of no 
less than 7,000 years before Christ. 


Of interest, also is the fact that in America the double-headed eagle is found on a crest 
of the native priesthood. The Hida Indians today have a double-headed eagle which 
is displayed as a mysterious and honoured emblem, and just as this bird among the 
Hittites, the Babylonians and the temple worshippers of Lagash was a storm bird, so, 
likewise to the Hida Indians of our North West coast the double-headed eagle is their 
Thunderbird. 


In our Christian architecture the two-headed bird has sometimes been employed, 
particularly as a window ornament. For example, we find it upon a church window in 
England, where an eagle with two heads perched upon the shoulder of Elijah 
symbolizes the double portion of grace with which the prophet was endowed. 


Professor Albert Grundwell of Berlin, who led an archaeological expedition into 
central Asia, found these double-headed eagles in ancient eaves. In Vol. XXIII of 
The Open Court is some mention of his discoveries. He there states that to the 
Hindoos the bird is known as Garuda and that the particular specimen that he 
illustrates was found on the ceiling of a cave near Qzyl, near the city of Kutcha. Its 
age he cannot guess, but he intimates that the painting is very old. Like Babylonian 
and Hittite eagles of this class, the Garuda grasps identical animals, in this case two 
serpents. 



The double-headed eagle, thus appears to be Asiatic and to have been originated in 
the lands where the greatest temples have been erected, and where religious cults 
have been strongest. 


To recapitulate: This bird appears in Lygash under the name of Imgig, and apparently 
is emblematic of the union of Enlil and Ningersu; it appears among the Hittites as 
Teshup; it appears among the Hindoos as Garuda; it is called Hamca by the Seliuk 
Turks; and among the Hida Indians of America it appears as the Thunder Bird or 
Helinga. Among the Zuni Indians in another form it appears as a highly 
conventionalized design, but still as a double-headed thunder bird, the Sikyatki. 


The two-headed eagle was adopted by the Turks, and by the Arabians it was known 
as the Roc. From the Turks it passed into use by the Crusaders, was employed as an 
imperial emblem by the Holy Roman Empire, adopted by the Russians, Poles, 
Serbians, Prussians, Austrians and Saxons. It was used as a private seal and as arms 
in Germany, Spain, France, Netherlands, England, and Russia. 


Thus has the eagle with one body, one heart and two heads, flown afar from its natal 
home. We may only conjecture the varied uses to which it was put, the names by 
which it was called and, the things or principles it typified. Of these things where 
there has been reasonable assurance of certainty we have written. We are certain that 
the emblem is one of the oldest in the world, and from its nature we are justified in 
believing that it symbolizes a duality of power, a blending of two names, two 
functions and two dominions in one body. As Enlil or as Ningersu, it stood for a 
union of solar and celestial forces; as a royal crest it has stood for power and 
dominion, and as a religious seal it stands for truth and justice. 


As a Masonic symbol this device is time honoured and appropriate. It is no less the 
badge of the Grand Inspector and Sublime Prince than that of the Grand Elect 
Knight. As the symbol of the Inspector it suggests an equal contemplation of both 
sides of a question-and thus, judicial balance. It is seen as the fitting emblem of an 
elect knight in ancient religious engravings, and to the exclusion of the cross itself, it 
appears upon the banners of the knight and prince who behold the apparition of the 



virgin and child of the rosary. And, as in ancient Mesopotamia, the double eagle is 
here associated with the sun symbol in the form of the Chaldean Elu, which the 
knight and prince wear, evidently with the same ancient meaning: "The light toward 
which my eyes are turned." 


Thus does the double-headed eagle stand today for that which it stood in ancient days, 
its two heads, facing the Ultimate Sun, reminding men and Masons that there is yet 
even "more light" for the pilgrim who travels East, and in whose heart is the motto, 


"SPES MEA IN DEO EST." 


— o 


PROCEEDINGS OF GRAND LODGES AND OTHER GRANI, BODIES NOW 
AVAILABLE 


A constantly increasing appreciation of the general value of Grand Lodge 
Proceedings is being manifested by Masonic libraries and individual collectors. 
Publications of the various Grand Bodies reflect the Masonic thought and activities of 
the periods which they cover, and are valuable sources of information for the Masonic 
student desirous of tracing movements that have engaged the attention of the Craft. 
History; biography; jurisprudence; evolution of the ritual; Masonry and public 
education - these are but a few of the engaging subjects which the Masonic student 
will find awaiting him in the files of Proceedings. 


Proceedings of Masonic bodies are of value also as contributions to national and state 
history. While rarely containing subject matter of political interest - the one important 
exception being the Proceedings of the jurisdictions which felt the force of the Anti- 
Masonic excitement of 1826-1840 - collectors of Americana seek for those reporting 
the organization and the activities of the various bodies during the early years of their 



existence. These contain information of much value to historians and biographers, 
who do not necessarily interpret the Proceedings from a Masonic standpoint only, but 
discern facts from other angles which have a vital bearing upon the studies they are 
making. It is not an uncommon thing to find old Masonic Proceedings treasured as 
valuable items in the collections of county or state historical societies. They are silent 
reminders of the romance permeating the story of this nation's founding. 


The Book Department of the National Masonic Research Society has recently 
purchased several hundred volumes of Proceedings for redistribution to interested 
parties. The issues range in date from 1820 up to the current year, and represent 
Grand Lodges, Grand Chapters, Grand Councils and Grand Commanderies of 
American, Canadian and foreign jurisdictions. Many volumes of the General Grand 
Chapter, General Grand Council and General Grand Commandery are also available, 
as well the Proceedings and Bulletins of Scottish Rite Supreme Councils. 


These Proceedings are offered at reasonable prices, and are sold by way of service 
rather than for pecuniary gain. The Society is incorporated on a non-commercial 
basis: it pays no dividends and returns any profits accruing from the Book 
Department to its treasury for further Masonic work. 


Libraries and collectors are requested to submit their want lists. Prices will be quoted 
on volumes now available through the Society. A record will be kept of any not 
obtainable for the moment, as we are in correspondence with other institutions 
through whom missing numbers may be obtained. We shall also be glad to hear from 
brethren who have old Proceedings which they wish to dispose of through us. 


All correspondence on this subject should be addressed to the Book Department, 
National Masonic Research Society, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 



HOW GRAND LODGES VIEW TOWNER- STERLING BILL 
REPORTED BY GRAND SECRETARIES 


Early in the winter we sent a letter to all Grand Secretaries with the request that they 
inform us what action their Grand Lodges had taken with regard to the Towner- 
Sterling Bill. A compend of the replies received is given herewith in order that 
brethren may see how the matter stands so far as the Fraternity is concerned officially. 
This report should be read in conjunction with the article by Brother Senator S. D. 
Fess, published elsewhere in this issue. Except in a few negligible details the replies 
have been left in the language of the Grand Secretaries, to whom we extend our 
thanks for furnishing information of such worth. 


ALABAMA. Endorsed by Grand Lodge, Grand Chapter, and Grand Council. 


CALIFORNIA. No action taken. 


COLORADO. No action taken. 


CONNECTICUT. No mention made of Towner- Sterling Bill at last session of Grand 
Lodge. I might add that personally such resolutions impress me as being puerile and 
futile and that a Grand Lodge had better not waste its time in considering such 
matters however meritorious they may be. Resolutions of this kind certainly cannot 
bind the individual brother and, passed as they are by a small delegation of a Grand 
Jurisdiction, I consider them by no means authoritative. 


I am happy to state that I do not remember of the Grand Lodge of Connecticut 
passing any such resolutions except on one occasion years ago, when it endorsed the 



work of a state tuberculosis commission. While it may be said that such action did no 
harm it was, as I say, entirely futile. 1 believe in leaving the religious and political 
activities to the individual Masons who on an average never fail to come out on the 
right side. 


DELAWARE. No action taken. 


FLORIDA. Endorsed and recommended by the Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of Florida, 
and also by the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar. 


GEORGIA. Did not commit itself. 


ILLINOIS. Has never had this bill before it for consideration. 


INDIANA. Has never taken any action directly in regard to this bill . 


KANSAS. None of our Grand Bodies except the Grand Lodge took any action in 
regard to the so-called bill, and it was endorsed by our Grand Lodge last February. 


I desire, however, to add a word so that you and any others interested may understand 
the true condition. The proposition of endorsing this bill was not presented to the 
Grand Lodge until more than seventy- five per cent of the members had left and Grand 
Lodge was about to close. None of the brethren had any information on which to 
discuss the matter and it was one of those things that went through in a hurry without 
proper consideration, and it has caused a great deal of feeling among many of our 
members and I fear that the question will again come up before our Grand Lodge next 
February. However, the answer to your question is that none of our Grand Bodies, 
except the Grand Lodge, has endorsed this bill. 



LOUISIANA. Resolution adopted at February, 1922, session of Grand Lodge: "Be it 
resolved, That the Grand Lodge proclaims its support to the cause of education in 
general and to our free public schools in particular, and in the name of 29,506 Masons 
in this state that the Senators and Representatives from Louisiana to our National 
Congress be requested to vote and work for the Towner- Sterling Bill H. R. 7 and S. 
1252, Sixty-seventh Congress. 


"Be it further resolved, That copies of this resolution be sent to the President of the 
United States, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, the Chairman of 
Committees on Education of the House and Senate, the members of the 
Reorganziation Committee, [see page 132 in Fess article] and the Senators and 
Representatives to Congress from Louisiana.” 


MAINE. Grand Lodge of Maine has taken no action on Towner- Sterling Bill and it is 
doubtful if a resolution endorsing it would receive a passage. 


MARYLAND. No action taken. 


MASSACHUSETTS. I take this occasion to say that the Grand Lodge of 
Massachusetts believes that it is un-Masonic and improper for Masonic Grand Bodies 
or subordinate bodies to take official action with regard to any pending legislation. 


MICHIGAN. No action taken whatsoever. 


MINNESOTA. This Grand Lodge has taken no action in the matter. 



MISSISSIPPI. The Grand Lodge of Mississippi, F. & A. M, indorsed the Towner- 
Sterling Bill at its annual communication in 1921. 


The Grand Commandery of Mississippi, Knights Templar, passed a resolution at its 
annual convocation in May, 1922, favoring this bill. 


MISSOURI. In answer to your question as to the various Grand Lodges which have 
passed resolutions in favor of the Towner-Sterling Bill, I will say that resolutions 
have been passed by the Grand Lodge of Missouri, the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, 
the Scottish Rite Bodies for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States and I am 
informed all Scottish Rite Bodies for the Northern Jurisdiction will be asked to pass 
such resolutions at their earliest meeting. Further than this, I cannot answer, as we 
have no way of finding out this information. 


NEBRASKA. Matter has never come before the Grand Body. 


NEVADA. Grand Orator and Grand Secretary commended it in address and report 
and speakers to lodges have urged that brethren write congressmen and senators 
favoring passage. 


NEW HAMPSHIRE. None of our Masonic Grand Bodies in New Hampshire have 
taken any action on the Towner- Sterling Bill. 


NEW JERSEY. No action. 


NEW MEXICO. The following resolution was presented by Worshipful Brother John 
Milne at the 1922 Grand Lodge Proceedings: "Be it Resolved, That our Senators and 
Representatives in the Congress of the United States, be reminded that the Masons of 



New Mexico, urge the speedy passage of the Towner- Sterling Bill providing for a 
Department of Education." 


NORTH CAROLINA. At its annual session the Grand Lodge of North Carolina 
adopted the following resolution: "That the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, A. L. & 
A. M., approves the purpose of this legislation to become active and diligent 
supporters of every effort to improve the mental standards of our people through the 
improvement of free public schools." 


NEW YORK. No action with reference to the matter taken. No resolution on the 
subject has been presented or suggested. The Grand Master, however, in his annual 
message to the Lodge in May, 1922, made a very clear-cut statement in favor of the 
bill. 


The Grand High Priest issued a somewhat similar appeal calling for the cooperation 
of the chapters. 


A number of lodges passed resolutions commendatory of the bill although that was 
not expected or desired by the Grand Master, and numerous petitions were circulated 
by the members of the lodges in their private capacity as citizens, a plan with which 
the Grand Master was, I think, in thorough sympathy. 


NORTH DAKOTA. Replying to your inquiry of August 28, 1922, with reference to 
the attitude of the Grand Lodge of North Dakota on the Towner- Sterling Bill, I beg to 
say that the Grand Lodge of North Dakota has been on record for some time with 
reference to this measure. I am enclosing herewith a copy of our Program of Masonic 
Service which we adopted last year and which includes endorsement of the Towner- 
Sterling Bill. I am enclosing also a copy of our report on Patriotic Service for this 
year, which goes a step further. [Copies furnished on request. Ed.] 



I beg to say that the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of this Jurisdiction has 
also endorsed the Towner-Sterling Bill. I do not believe that the matter has ever been 
presented to our Grand Council or our Grand Chapter. If it had been they would have 
endorsed it without reservation. We are going to put on in this Jurisdiction a 
systematic campaign to create sentiment for this and other measures of a similar 
nature. Our Grand Master expects to -proclaim a "Public School Week," and we 
intend to make every Masonic lodge in this jurisdiction a center from which shall 
radiate a wholesome influence in favor of public education. We do not, as you will 
probably note, favor the extreme measures recommended by the Supreme Council. 
The prohibition of any elementary school except the public school we do not believe 
to be feasible or constitutional. 


OKLAHOMA. At its Annual Communication in 1922 Grand Lodge re-affirmed its 
endorsement of the Towner-Sterling Bill made at the Annual Communication of the 
Grand Lodge at Oklahoma City in 1921. 


It urged upon the members of Congress from Oklahoma that they give their cordial 
support to this bill, and especially that they use their influence to have same reported 
out of the committee so that it may be considered and voted upon in Congress. 


OREGON. Resolution adopted at the 1921 Session of the Grand Lodge of Oregon: 
"Therefore, Be it Further Resolved, That this Grand Lodge endorses the efforts of 
those who seek to create a National Department of Education with a Secretary of 
Education in the President's Cabinet as its head, along lines set forth in the Towner- 
Sterling Bill, the several states to have absolute and exclusive organization, 
supervision and administration by the legally constituted state and local educational 
authorities." 


PENNSYLVANIA. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania does not itself discuss, or 
permit its subordinate lodges to discuss or advocate, any political questions which 
come before United States Congress, State Legislature or City Council. Freemasonry 
is not for such purposes. Did you ever hear of the anti-Masonic period, what caused 



it, and what Thaddeus S. Stevens, the man (physically disqualified in Pennsylvania) 
with the club foot did ? He was also the strong advocate of free schools and won. 


SOUTH CAROLINA. The following resolution was adopted by the South Carolina 
Grand Lodge: 


"We approve and assert our belief in the free and compulsory education of the 
children of our nation in public primary schools, supported by public taxation, at 
which all children shall attend and be instructed in the English language only, without 
regard to race or creed, and we pledge the efforts of the membership of the Grand 
Lodge to promote by all lawful means the organization, extension and development to 
the highest degree of such schools, and to continually oppose the efforts of any and 
all who seek to limit, curtail, hinder or destroy the public school system of our land." 


This, of course, is not exactly an endorsement of the Towner- Sterling Bill but is an 
open wedge for same. Some of our leading Past Grand Masters are opposed to the 
adoption of this bill but the matter was not brought to an issue. 


At the last Convocation of our Grand Chapter the Grand High Priest favorably 
recommended the Smith-Towner Bill [predecessor to Towner - Sterling Bill] and it 
was made a Special Order, but we got into a very spirited argument over the Ritual 
question and the bill was lost in the shuffle. 


SOUTH DAKOTA. The following resolution we: adopted by the Grand Lodge Jun' 
14, 1922: "Resolved, That since the training of the youth of the land to be loyal and 
intelligent citizens is the most important business of our national life, and since more 
money is spent for education than for all other uplift activities combined, there should 
be a Department of our Government devoted to education and to directing the public 
system, and we favor and urge the passage of the Towner- Sterling Bill now before 
Congress." 



TENNESSEE. The following was introduced and adopted at the 1921 Grand Lodge 
session: "Resolved: That the Grand Lodge of Tennessee, recommend that the Masters 
and Brethren under its jurisdiction immediately urge upon their Representatives in 
Congress the immediate passage of the Smith-Towner, Bill, a purely educational bill." 


TEXAS. No action taken. 


UTAH. No adoption touching this particular measure made. However, at the Annual 
Communication of the Grand Lodge held January 18-19, 1921, Grand Lodge did 
adopt, practically without change, the paragraph relating to compulsory education 
adopted by the Supreme Council, A. & A. S. Rite at its Special Meeting held in May 
1920, at Colorado Springs Colorado. I might add that the Scottish Rite Bodies 
through their Educational Committee have sent out to every member of the symbolic 
lodges in this jurisdiction an analysis of the Towner- Sterling Bill together with a 
letter suggesting that each Mason should endeavor to place his candidate for Congress 
on record with reference to this particular bill." 


VIRGINIA. No action taken. 


VERMONT. No action. 


WEST VIRGINIA. The Grand Lodge of West Virginia has taken no action whatever, 
by resolution or otherwise, on the Towner-Sterling Bill. I am of the opinion that 
Wheeling Consistory No. 1, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern 
Jurisdiction, at Wheeling, West Virginia, has adopted resolutions of some kind 
favoring the Towner- Sterling Bill. 


WISCONSIN. The Grand Lodge took no action as same did not come before the 
meeting. 



WYOMING. Wyoming passed a resolution endorsing this bill. 


— o — 


CHAPTERS OF MASONIC HISTORY 


BYBRO. H. L. HAYWOOD 
EDITOR THE BUILDER 


PART III - MITHRAISM: FREEMASONRY AND THE ANCIENT MYSTERIES 


THE THEORY that modern Freemasonry is m some sense a direct descendant from 
the ancient Mysteries has held a peculiar attraction for Masonic writers this long time, 
and the end is not yet, for the world is rife with men who argue about the matter up 
and down endless pages of print. It is a most difficult subject to write about, so that 
the more one learns about it the less he is inclined to ventilate any opinions of his 
own. The subject covers so much ground and in such tangled jungles that almost any 
grand generalization is pretty sure to be either wrong or useless. Even Gould, who is 
usually one of the soundest and carefullest of generalizers, gets pretty badly mixed up 
on the subject. 


For present purposes it has seemed to me wise to attention to one only of the 
Mysteries, letting it stand as a type of the rest, and I have chosen for that purpose 
MITHRAISM, one of the greatest and one of most interesting, as well as one 
possessing as many parallelisms with Freemasonry as any of the others. 



I - HOW MITHRA CAME TO BE A FIRST-CLASS GOD 


Way back in the beginning of things, so we may learn from the Avesta, Mithra was 
the young god of the sky lights that appeared just before sunrise and lingered after the 
sun had set. To him was attributed patronship of the virtues of truth, life-giving, and 
youthful strength and joy. Such qualities attracted many worshippers in whose eyes 
Mithra grew from more to more until finally he became a great god in his own right 
and almost equal to the sun god himself. "Youth will be served," even a youthful 
god; and Zoroastrianism, which began by giving Mithra a very subordinate place, 
came at last to exalt him to the right hand of the awful Ormuzd, who had rolled up 
within himself all the attributes of all gods whatsoever. 


When the Persians conquered the Babylonians, who worshipped the stars in a most 
thoroughgoing manner, Mithra got himself placed at the very center of star 
worshipping cults, and won such strength for himself that when the Persian Empire 
went to pieces and everything fell into the melting pot with it, Mithra was able to hold 
his own identity, and emerged from the struggle at the head of a religion of his own. 
He was a young god full of vigour and overflowing with spirits, capable of teaching 
his followers the arts of victory, and such things appealed mightily to the bellicose 
Iranian tribesmen who never ceased to worship him in one form or another until they 
became so soundly converted to Mohammedanism centuries afterwards. Even then 
they did not abandon him altogether but after the inevitable manner of converts 
rebuilt him into Allah and into Mohammed, so that even today one will find pieces of 
Mithra scattered about here and there in what the Mohammedans call their theology. 


After the collapse of the Persian Empire, Phrygia, where so many religions were 
manufactured at one time or another, took Mithra up and built a cult about him. They 
gave him his Phrygian cap which one always sees on his statues, and they 
incorporated in his rites the use of the dreadful "taurobolium," which was a baptism in 
the blood of a healthy young bull. In the course of time this gory ceremony became 
the very center and climax of the Mithraic ritual, and made a profound impression on 
the hordes of poor slaves and ignorant men who flocked into the mithrea, as the 
Mithraic houses of worship were called. 



Mithra was never able to make his way into Greece (the same thing could be said of 
Egypt, where the competition among religions was very severe) but it happened that 
he borrowed something from Greek art. Some unknown Greek sculptor, one of the 
shining geniuses of his nation, made a statue of Mithra that served ever afterwards as 
the orthodox likeness of the god, who was depicted as a youth of overflowing vitality, 
his mantle thrown back, a Phrygian cap on his head, and slaying a bull. For hundreds 
of years this statue was to all devout Mithraists what the crucifix now is to Roman 
Catholics. This likeness did much to open Mithra's path toward the west, for until 
this his images had been hideous in the distorted and repellant manner so 
characteristic of Oriental religious sculpture. The Oriental people, among whom 
Mithra was born, were always capable of gloomy grandeur and of religious terror, but 
of beauty they had scarcely a touch; it remained for the Greeks to recommend Mithra 
to men of good taste. 


After the Macedonian conquests, so it is believed, the cult of Mithra became 
crystallized; it got its orthodox theology, its church system, its philosophy, its dramas 
and rites, its picture of the universe and of the grand cataclysmic end of all things in a 
terrific day of judgment. Many things had been built into it. There were exciting 
ceremonies for the multitudes; much mysticism for the devout; a great machinery of 
salvation for the timid; a program of militant activity for men of valour; and a lofty 
ethic for the superior classes. Mithraism had a history, traditions, sacred books, and a 
vast momentum from the worship of millions and millions among remote and 
scattered tribes. Thus accoutered and equipped, the young god and his religion were 
prepared to enter the more complex and sophisticated world known as the Roman 
Empire. 


II - HOW MITHRA FOUND HIS WAY TO ROME 


When Mithridates Eupator - he who hated the Romans with a virulency like that of 
Hannibal, and who waged war on them three or four times - was utterly destroyed in 
66 B.C. and his kingdom of Pontus was given over to the dogs, the scattered 
fragments of his armies took refuge among the outlaws and pirates of Cilicia and 
carried with them everywhere the rites and doctrines of Mithraism. Afterwards the 



soldiers of the Republic of Tarsus, which these outlaws organized, went pillaging and 
fighting all round the Mediterranean, and carried the cult with them everywhere. It 
was in this unpromising manner that Mithra made his entrance into the Roman 
world. The most ancient of all inscriptions is one made by a freedman of the Flavians 
at about this time. 


In the course of time Mithra won to his service a very different and much more 
efficient army of missionaries. Syrian merchants went back and forth across the 
Roman world like shuttles in a loom, and carried the new cult with them wherever 
they went. Slaves and freedmen became addicts and loyal supporters. Government 
officials, especially those belonging to the lowlier ranks, set up altars at every 
opportunity. But the greatest of all the propagandists were the soldiers of the various 
Roman armies. Mithra, who was believed to love the sight of glittering swords and 
flying banners, appealed irresistibly to soldiers, and they in turn were as loyal to him 
as to any commander on the field. The time came when almost every Roman camp 
possessed its mithreum. 


Mithra began down next to the ground but the time came when he gathered behind 
him the great ones of the earth. Antoninus Pius, father-in-law of Marcus Aurelius, 
erected a Mithraic temple at Ostia, seaport of the city of Rome. With the exception of 
Marcus Aurelius and possibly one or two others all the pagan emperors after 
Antaninus were devotees of the god, especially Julian, who was more or less addle- 
pated and willing to take up with anything to stave off the growing power of 
Christianity. The early Church Fathers nicknamed Julian "The Apostate"; the slur 
was not altogether just because the young man had never been a Christian under his 
skin. 


Why did all these great fellows, along with the philosophers and literary men who 
obediently followed suit, take up the worship of a foreign god, imported from amidst 
the much hated Syrians, when there were so many other gods of home manufacture so 
close at hand? Why did they take to a religion that had been made fashionable by 
slaves and cutthroats? The answer is easy to discover. Mithra was peculiarly fond of 
rulers and of the mighty of the earth. His priests declared that the god himself stood 
at the right hand of emperors both on and off the throne. It was these priests who 
invented the good old doctrine of the divine right of kings. The more Mithra was 



worshipped by the masses, the more complete was the imperial control of those 
masses, therefore it was good business policy for the emperors to give Mithra all the 
assistance they could. There came a time when every Emperor was pictured by the 
artists with a halo about his head; that halo had originally belonged to Mithra. It 
represented the outstanding splendour of the young and vigorous sun. After the 
Roman emperors passed away the popes and bishops of the Roman Catholic Church 
took up the custom; they are still in the habit of showing their saints be-haloed. 


Mithraism spread up and down the world with amazing rapidity. All along the coast 
of northern Africa and even in the recesses of the Sahara; through the Pillars of 
Hercules to England and up into Scotland; across the channel into Germany and the 
north countries; and down into the great lands along the Danube, he everywhere made 
his way. London was at one time a great center of his worship. The greatest number 
of mithrea were built in Germany. Ernest Renan once said that if ever Christianity 
had become smitten by a fatal malady Mithraism might very easily: have become the 
established and official religion of the whole Western World. Men might now be 
saying prayers to Mithra, and have their children baptised in bull's blood. 


There is not here space to describe in what manner the cult became modified, by its 
successful spread across the Roman Empire. It was modified, of course, and in many 
ways profoundly, and it in turn modified everything with which it came into contact. 


Here is a brief epitome of the evolution of this Mystery. It began at a remote time 
among primitive Iranian tribesmen. It picked up a body of doctrine from the 
Babylonian star worshippers, who created that strange thing known as astrology. It 
became a mystery, equipped with powerful rites, in the Asia Minor countries. It 
received a decent outward appearance at the hand of Greek artists and philosophers; 
and it finally became a world religion among the Romans. Mithraism reached its 
apogee in the second century; it went the way of all flesh in the fourth century; and 
flickered out entirely in the fifth century, except that bits of its wreckage were 
salvaged and used by a few new cults, such as those of the various forms of 
Manicheeism. 



Ill - THE MITHRAIC THEORY OF THINGS 


After overthrowing its hated rival, the early Christian Church so completely destroyed 
everything having to do with Mithraism that there have remained behind but few 
fragments to bear witness to a once victorious religion. What little is accurately 
known will be found all duly set down and correctly interpreted in the works of the 
learned Dr. Franz Cumont, whose books on the subject so aroused the ire of the 
present Roman Catholic Hierarchy that they placed them on the Index, and warned 
the faithful away from his chapters of history. Today, as in Mithra's time, 
superstitions and empty doctrines have a sorry time when confronted with known 
facts. 


The pious Mithraist believed that back of the stupendous scheme of things was a great 
and unknowable deity, Ozmiuzd by name, and that Mithra was his son. A soul 
destined for its prison house of flesh left the presence of Ormuzd, descended by the 
gates of Cancer, passed through the spheres of the seven planets and in each of these 
picked up some function or faculty for use on the earth. After its term here the soul 
was prepared by sacraments and discipline for its re-ascent after death. Upon its 
return journey it underwent a great ordeal of judgment before Mithra. Leaving 
something behind it in each of the planetary spheres it finally passed back through the 
gates of Capricorn to ecstatic union with the great Source of all. Also there was an 
eternal hell, and those who had proved unfaithful to Mithra were sent there. 

Countless deons, devils and other invisible monsters raged about everywhere over the 
earth tempting souls, and presided over the tortures in the pit. Through it all the 
planets continued to exercise good or evil influence over the human being, according 
as his fates might chance to fall out on high, a thing imbedded in the cult from its old 
Babylonian days. 


The life of a Mithraist was understood as a long battle in which, with Mithra's help, 
he did war against the principles and powers of evil. In the beginning of his life of 
faith he was purified by baptism, and through all his days received strength through 
sacraments and sacred meals. Sunday was set aside as a holy day, and the twenty- 
fifth of December began a season of jubilant celebration. Mithraic priests were 



organized in orders, and were deemed to have supernatural power to some extent or 
other. 


It was believed that Mithra had once come to earth in order to organize the faithful 
into the army of Ormuzd. He did battle with the Spirit of all Evil in a cave, the Evil 
taking the form of a bull. Mithra overcame his adversary and then returned to his 
place on high as the leader of the forces of righteousness, and the judge of all the 
dead. All Mithraic ceremonies centered about the bull slaying episode. 


The ancient Church Fathers saw so many points of resemblance between this cult and 
Christianity that many of them accepted the theory that Mithraism was a counterfeit 
religion devised by Satan to lead souls astray. Time has proved them to be wrong in 
this because at bottom Mithraism was as different from Christianity as night from 
day. 


IV - IN WHAT WAY MITHRAISM WAS LIKE FREEMASONRY 


Masonic writers have often professed to see many points of resemblance between 
Mithraism and Freemasonry. Albert Pike once declared that Freemasonry is the 
modern heir of the Ancient Mysteries. It is a dictum with which I have never been 
able to agree. There are similarities between our Fraternity and the old Mystery 
Cults, but most of them are of a superficial character, and have to do with externals of 
rite or, organization, and not with inward content. When Sir Samuel Dill described 
Mithraism as "a sacred Freemasonry" he used that name in a very loose sense. 


Nevertheless, the resemblances are often startling. Men only were admitted to 
membership in the cult. "Among the hundreds of inscriptions that have come down 
to us, not one mentions either a priestess, a woman initiate, or even a donatress." In 
this the mithrea differed from the collegia, which latter, though they almost never 
admitted women as members, never hesitated to accept help or money from them. 
Membership in Mithraism was as democratic as it is with us, perhaps more so; slaves 



were freely admitted and often held positions of trust, as also did the freedmen of 
whom there were such multitudes in the latter centuries of the empire. 


Membership was usually divided into seven grades, each of which had its own 
appropriate symbolical ceremonies. Initiation was the crowning experience of every 
worshipper. He was attired symbolically, took vows, passed through many baptisms, 
and in the higher grades ate sacred meals with his fellows. The great event of the 
initiate's experiences was the taurobolium, already described. It was deemed very 
efficacious, and was supposed to unite the worshipper with Mithra himself. A 
dramatic representation of a dying and a rising again was at the head of all these 
ceremonies. A tablet showing in bas relief Mithra' s killing of the bull stood at the end 
of every mithreum. 


This, mithreum, as the meeting place, or lodge, was called, was usually cavern 
shaped, to represent the cave in which the god had his struggle. There were benches 
or shelves along the side, and on these side lines the members sat. Each mithreum 
had its own officers, its president, trustees, standing committees, treasurer, and so 
forth, and there were higher degrees granting special privileges to the few. Charity 
and Relief were universally practised and one Mithraist hailed another as "brother." 
The Mithraic "lodge" was kept small, and new lodges were developed as a result of 
"swarming off when membership grew too large. 


Manicheeism, as I have already said, sprang fr the ashes of Mithraism, and St. 
Augustine, who did so much to give shape to the Roman Catholic church and 
theology was for many years an ardent Manichee, an through him many traces of the 
old Persian creed found their way into Christianity. Out of Manicheeism, or out of 
what was finally left of it, came Paulicianism, and out of Paulicianism came many 
strong medieval cults - the Patari, the Waldenses, the Hugenots, and countless other 
such developments. Through these various channels echoes of the old Mithraism 
persisted over Europe, and it may very well be, as has often been alleged, that there 
are faint traces of the ancient cult to be found here and there in our own ceremonies or 
symbolisms. Such theories are necessarily vague and hard to prove, and anyway the 
thing is not of sufficient importance to argue about. If we have three or four symbols 
that originated in the worship of Mithra, so much the better for Mithra! 



After all is said and done the Ancient Mysteries were among the finest things 
developed in the Roman world. They stood for equality in a savagely aristocratic and 
class-riddled society; they offered centers of refuge to the poor and the despised 
among a people little given to charity and who didn't believe a man should love his 
neighbour; and in a large historical way they left behind them methods of human 
organization, ideals and principles and hopes which yet remain in the world for our 
use and profit. It a man wishes to do so, he may say that what Freemasonry is among 
us, the Ancient Mysteries were to the people of the Roman world, but it would be a 
difficult thing for any man to establish the fact that Freemasonry has directly 
descended from those great cults. 


[Note: Kipling, who has never wearied of handling themes concerned with 
Freemasonry, often writes of Mithraism. See in especial his Puck of Pook's Hill, page 
173 of the 1911 edition, for the stirring Song to Mithras.] 


WORKS CONSULTED IN PREPARING THIS ARTICLE 


The Secret Tradition in Freemasonry, Vol. II, Waite. The Book of Acts, Expositor's 
Bible. Mystery Religions and the New Testament, Sheldon. Roman Society from 
Nero to Marcus Aurelius, Sir Samuel Dill. The Works of Franz Cumont. Le Culte de 
Mithra, Gasquet. On Isis and Osiris, Plutarch. Life of Pompey, Plutarch. Annals, 
Tacitus. Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum. Mythrasliturgie, Dielitch. De Corona, 
Tertullion. History of France, Vol. V, Vol. VI, Vol. VII, Duruy. Neoplatonism, Bigg. 
Roman Society in the Last Century of the Western Empire, Sir Samuel Dill. 
Menippus, Lucian. Thebaid, Statius. See bibliography in Hasting's Encyclopedia of 
Religion and Ethics, Vol. VIII, p. 752. Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, Vol. Ill, p. 109; 
Vol. IV, p. 32; Vol. XIII, p. 90. The History of Freemasonry, Vol. I, Gould. 


Mackey's Encyclopedia-(Revised Edition): 



Allah, 46, Babylon, 89. Egyptian Mysteries, 232-233. Egyptian Priests, Initiations of 
the, 234. Gnostics, 300-301. Legend, 433. Manichaeans, 462. Mithras, Mysteries 
of, 485-487. Mohammed, 488. Mysteries, Ancient, 497-500. Mystery, 500. Myth, 
501. Myth, Historical, 501. Mythical History, 501. Mythology, 501. Myth, 
Philosophical, 501. Ormuzd, 539. Persia, 558 Pike, Albert, 563. Roman Colleges of 
Artificers, 630-634. 


THE BUILDER: 


Vol. 1, 1915. - Symbolism, The Hiramic Legend, and the Master's Word, p. 285; 
Symbolism in Mythology, p. 296. 


Vol. II, 1916. - Masonry and the Mysteries, p. 19; The Mysteries of Mithra, p. 94; 
The Dionysiacs, p. 220; The Mithra Again, p. 254; The Ritual of Ancient Egypt, p. 
285; The Dionysiaes, p. 287. 


Vol. Ill, 1917. - The Secret Key, p. 158; Mithraism, p. 252; Vol. IV, 1918. - The 
Ancient Mysteries, p. 223. 


Vol. V, 1919. - The Ancient Mysteries Again, p. 25; The Eleusinian Mysteries and 
Rites, pp. 143, 172; The Mystery of Masonry, p. 189; The Eleusinian Mysteries and 
Rites, pp. 218, 240. 


Vol. VI, 1920. - A Bird's-Eye View of Masonic History, p. 236. 


Vol. VII, 1921. - Whence Came Freemasonry, p. 90; Books on the Mysteries of Isis, 
Mithras and Eleusis, p. 205. 



Vol. VIII, 1922. - A Mediating Theory, p. 318; Christianity and the Mystery 
Religions, p. 322. 


— o — 


EDITORIAL 


"WHAT CAME YE HERE TO DO?" 


MASONIC periodical recently took up the cause of one of the modem healing cults, 
and was exhibited before the United States Public Health Service to prove that the 
Masonic Fraternity is opposed to vaccination. This departure from the ancient 
landmarks by an otherwise esteemed contemporary is not as singular as it may 
appear. Another Masonic periodical is almost completely given over to fighting 
Roman Catholicism. A third champions the Ku Klux Klan. A fourth preaches a 
sectarian religion. A fifth advocates trades unionism. And so forth and so on. 


Except in a very few instances all Masonic periodicals are privately owned and quite 
unofficial so that they express no opinions other than such as their owners or editors 
may privately hold. A Grand Body alone has power to give official expression to 
Masonic opinion, and then only for such subordinate bodies as may come within its 
jurisdiction and on such questions as its landmarks or constitution may prescribe: any 
other expression of opinion or policy is wholly private, and carries only such weight 
as the influence of the individuals concerned may contribute to it. All the periodicals 
in the world together could not render Freemasonry’s verdict on any subject, except 
in a rough and unofficial way. They might advocate free trade, or war with Great 
Britain, or Zionism, or prohibition, or Socialism, or any other of ten thousand things 
with an absolutely unanimous voice but that would not commit the Masonic 
institution to any of these things. It would everywhere clear the air of most of 
misunderstandings if this fact were better understood. 



Freemasonry is an institution capable of wielding an immeasurable influence in the 
world. It is natural that many brethren should covet the use of that influence for their 
own favorite reforms. In their zeal for the betterment of the world it appears to them 
that the Fraternity is standing still or merely marking time: they demand that 
Freemasonry give an account of itself in the arena of reform. 


One sympathizes with these brethren in their eagerness to see conditions improved. 
But alas! the task of straightening out the world is endless. There are countless things 
to be done, and there are countless; worthy reformers trying to do them. If our Craft 
its to lend its aid to one, why not to all? If not to all who will select the few'? If we 
admit the right of one brother to harness Freemasonry to his own project, why not 
grant the same right to every other brother who demands it? 


For us Masons the question comes back to the familiar "What came ye here to do?" 
To answer that question is not as difficult as might at first appear. The work of 
Masonry in the world is already defined for it by its own history, its ritual, its 
philosophy, its constitutions, and its landmarks. It cannot cease to be itself in order to 
become something else. 


Will it not be disastrous to introduce controversies into the life of our lodges, 
especially if they are of a political or religious nature? Long ago our Masonic 
forefathers learned a bitter lesson in that connection. What need is there to leam that 
lesson over again? If bigotry, passion and prejudice are turned loose, who can foretell 
what direction they will take? It sometimes happens that a man who sets fire to his 
neighbor's fields has his own burned over before the file dies down. 


* * * 


BRIGHTENING UP THE SECOND DEGREE 



The Second Degree does not receive anything like the attention accorded to the First 
or to the Third, especially the latter. It is a fact that challenges examination. The 
candidate himself does not often seem so much impressed by it, the side lines-are 
seldomly so well filled, and the brethren in the chairs do not always appear to put into 
its exemplification the earnestness which they devote to the others. 


There are reasons for this. One of several that might be named is the fact that few 
lodges are properly equipped to render the Second Degree as it deserves, especially so 
far as symbolical paraphernalia is concerned, which is sometimes of a kind as causes 
one to bluish, it is so dilapidated. This is in itself all the more unfortunate in view of 
the fact that the equipment required is so very simple that a lodge unable to purchase 
the same ready made might very easily have the items manufactured by local 
members. 


Also it is to be confessed that in many jurisdictions the Second Degree is not the 
equal of its sister Degrees for flair and dramatic color. The Middle Chamber lectures 
are often long and tedious, and such other parts as should most stir the mind are 
mutilated or misinterpreted and made unintelligible. THE BUILDER is conservative 
as regards the Ritual, and it looks with suspicion upon most attempts to tamper with 
it, but it frankly agrees with those who believe that certain portions of the Second 
Degree might very well be reconstructed, especially those that deal with architecture 
and the five senses. 


But after all, and over and above this, the largest cause of the slack working of the 
Degree is the general misunderstanding of its meaning and purpose. As Brother 
Roscoe Pound pointed out in a lecture on Preston published in one of the first issues 
of this journal, the Fellow Craft portion of the work is very largely the production of 
William Preston, whose plan was to make the lodge a kind of school. There were no 
public schools in the England of his period so that the Craft suffered, as did other 
public institutions, from the illiteracy of its members, and Preston undertook to 
remedy this unfortunate condition by composing lectures that would offer the 
candidate the essentials of a liberal education. The Second Degree is the embodiment 
of this purpose. It is the rite of education. That character lies all over it. 



For this reason the Degree deserves an amount of attention and of loving care that it 
has never received. If there is anything that Freemasonry stands for it is LIGHT. If it 
has any mission it is to see that all of the children in the land receive a schooling. If it 
has any enemies it is such forces as, for one cause or another, would cripple or 
hamper or prevent the public sources of enlightenment. If only all Masons could see 
that this is the message of the Second Degree and if the brethren who occupy the 
chairs could discover in it the symbolical representation of all this, any possible 
indifference, half-heartedness or carelessness would instantly vanish. 


* * * 


"IN WHICH ALL GOOD MEN AGREE" 


William Penn once expressed the fervent hope that in the life that is to come death 
would remove from us all masks, differences, and illusions so that we men might find 
ourselves of one religion, and live in one faith. It may be that the universe does not 
have on its trestle board any consummation so devoutly to be wished; for reasons 
unknown to us it may be better that we travel several paths. Be that as it may, there is 
a sense in which it can be said that Penn's hope is already realized. There is a religion 
that embraces all the creeds and spans all the churches. It is that religion in which all 
good men agree. It is not something they have devised or invented, but something 
they have found out, as scientists discover a natural law. Perhaps it would be better to 
say that ! it has found them out. 


Consider the Golden Rule. It is the most precious thing within the entire orbit of 
Christian morality; it is the high water mark of human ethics. "All things whatsoever 
ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." If all men everywhere 
could live by such a rule, if the spirit of it could suffuse their lives, there would be no 
more quarrels or war or bitterness between peoples; the sun would look down upon a 
happy race. 



Is it an illusion? Is it as unsubstantial as a rainbow in the clouds? Not so. It is a law of 
human life, and as inviolable as any law of physics. The great and wise in almost 
every land have at some time or another come upon it, and found it as benign as it is 
true. The Buddhists have a saying like this: "One should seek for others the happiness 
one desires for himself." Is not that beautifully put? It can be matched by a saying 
current among the Roman Stoics: "The law imprinted on the hearts of all men is to 
love the members of society as themselves." Centuries before the Stoics the wise men 
of Greece had discerned the truth: "Do not that to a neighbor which you would take ill 
from him." The Chinese sages have it in another fashion, but it means the same thing: 
"What you would not wish done to yourself, do not unto others." 


The Persians have had it in a more laconic form: "De as you would be done by." And 
here is a Hindu saying: "The true rule of life is to guard and do the things of others as 
one would do to his own." 


— o — 


THE LIBRARY 


MASONRY IS A PART OF "THE DIVINE MYSTERY" 


THE DIVINE MYSTERY, by Allen Upward, published by Houghton Mifflin and 
Company, 16 East 40th Street, New York. 


ALLEN UPWARD sprang into fame with his The New Word, a volume that won the 
Nobel Prize and much admiration beside, for it was a rare combination of erudition 
and vitality. Upward traced the word "ideal" through several languages, and through 
the arts, sciences, philosophies, and theologies until at last he ran it to cover in a 
brand new philosophy of his own which was so refreshing that scores of readers 
found it as delightful as it was impossible. 



The Divine Mystery, published by Houghton Mifflin and Company in 1915, is not so 
filled with surprises, nor does it move in so untrammeled a field, but it is a larger 
book: and it is one that Freemasons will find peculiarly interesting, not only because 
it has something to say about the Craft itself, but also because it deals with matters 
that lie closely adjacent to our mysteries, and in many cases are introductory thereto. 
Those who are initiated in such matters will immediately recognize the book's 
purpose and position by the very fetching sub-title: "A Reading of the History of 
Christianity Down to the Time of Christ." 


Instead of attempting a catalog of the volume's contents, I shall serve the reader better 
by three longish extracts. They can stand as samples of the whole, and will at the 
same time suggest new ideas to the Masonic student. 


It is interesting to observe that Mr. Upward's hint as to the origin of the Legend of the 
Third Degree is not altogether unknown to Masonic scholars. George William Speth 
held to a like theory and very ably propounded the same in a little volume called 
Ancient Builders' Rites. Also, a Mason will be interested to know that Brother Dudley 
Wright assisted Mr. Upward in various and sundry manners by his erudition, his 
knowledge of the publishing business, and his never failing good natured kindliness. 


"Of old the assurance of everlasting life was imparted to men in Mysteries, wherein 
the things unseen were set forth in parable, or drama, under types and symbols. So the 
Christian Fathers interpreted the sacred history of Israel as a Divine Mystery, played 
out by the Creator upon the stage of the Holy Land, and intended to educate mankind 
for a fuller revelation to come. 


“To the thoughtful mind all history is sacred, and the whole world is a holy land in 
which man walks as in a garden planted by the hand of his Creator. Mystery 
encompasses his steps on every side; a divine voice breathes in the rustling of the 
trees at eventide and in the songs of birds at sunrise; he reads the nightly scripture of 
the stars, and his heart accompanies the solemn chorus of the sea. There is a universe 
within him as without; the network of his frame is a battle ground wherein unseen and 



uncalculated forces meet end struggle for the mastery; his very thoughts are not his 
own, but the reincarnations of ancestral spirits, or else the angels of heavenly and 
hellish powers. So, moving from deep unto deep, he plays his part in some degree like 
a somnambulist plays in a miracle play of which he feels himself to be the hero, yet 
cannot altogether seize the plot, nor tell what are the true surroundings of his little 

stage, nor guess what may await him when he shall pass behind the scenes (Page 

14.) 


"Magic is but a name for the first groping efforts of man to learn the nature of the 
world in which he lived, and turn his knowledge into power. To the first wanderers of 
the wild all science was occult, all art miraculous, and every craft a mystery. The first 
flint arrowhead was chipped to music; the shaft was winged with prayers. The spear- 
handle of the Pacific islander is carved with magic symbols; the musket of the Black 
Moor is still hung with sacred shells. With what tremendous incantations did the half- 
naked Prometheus of the foreworld guard the gift of fire; what mystic vigils did the 
first vestal virgins keep about the sacred coals ! The smith toiled out of sight to forge 
his runic sword; the masons taught the secrets of their craft with oaths and hidden 
rites. Every new art gave birth to a new religion. The sword was worshipped by the 
Scythian tribes of old; and in the twentieth century, in a land where steel was never 
yet made, beside the river of the Blacks, I swore the witnesses in my Court upon a 
bayonet (Page 34.) 


"A development from idolatry is the consecration of a building by means of a human 
victim. The first temple was a tomb, and in architecture as in other arts religion led 
the way. The virtue of the ghost extended from the grave stone to pervade the sacred 
fabric, and in imitation a single victim buried under the foundation gave magical 
strength to a whole building or to the whole circuit of a city wall. The custom can 
hardly be said to have died out yet among the savages and there are many traces of it 
in our midst. The most remarkable is the ceremony of admission to the Degree of 
Master Mason. The original meaning of their Ritual has been lost by modem 
Freemasons, the liturgy now used by them being a medieval allegory, but an 
anthropologist can hardly fail to see that the candidate who goes through a 
pantomime of death, burial and resurrection, is personating the ancient foundation 
victim. We may even see in the extreme jealousy with which uneducated members of 
the Society guard their Mystery a souvenir of days when the practice of human 
sacrifice had fallen into discredit, and the craft which still kept it up has some reason 
to be afraid of eavesdroppers. 



"To trace a Mystery to its barbaric seed is not to discredit the spiritual interpretations 
that have since been found in it: on the contrary, I hope this whole work will convince 
the reader that it is to refresh them. Of old the chosen victim of the Mason was often 
his own child as in the ease of him who laid the foundation of Jericho in Abiram his 
first-born, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest, Segub. In the masonic Mystery 
we seem to catch a hint of a time when the Architect himself laid down his life to 
guard the building he had reared. The Masons of the spirit do so still when, separating 
themselves for the sake of their art from friends and family and the common joys of 
mankind, they breathe their life into their creation, and die that it may live. The 
Freemasons teach well if they teach us that nothing is well built that is not built with 
Life" (Page 56.) 


* * * 


"THE VISITANT" APPEARS IN BOOK FORM 


THE VISITANT, by H.L. Haywood, Editor of THE BUILDER; in art form, paper 
covers, and envelope for mailing. Fifty cents. Order from National Masonic Research 
Society. 


In November, 1922, Ye Editor put his bashfulness into his pocket and caused to be 
published in THE BUILDER a series of poems under the title of The Visitant. 

Brother Harold Marshall, of Boston, an idealist, philanthropist, and publisher, asked 
and received permission to issue the collection in book form. The outcome was a rare 
little gem of the printer's art which is offered to those who may care for such things, 
and in such wise as to pay nobody any profits. The poems themselves have been by 
some indulgent friends likened to The Gitanjali of Tagore, but that is to do injustice to 
the great Bengalese, for these pieces were composed without any reference whatever 
to his beautiful pages. The Visitant poems are an expression in vers libre form of a 
mood of ecstasy and wonder in the language of religion. 



THE CLASSIC OF OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS 


THE BOOK OF JOB, by Morris Jastrow, Jr., Ph.D., LL.D. Published by J. B. 
Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, Pa. 


According to the suffrages of a large majority of competent Biblical critics the Book 
of Job is, from a literary point of view, the classic of the Old Testament. In the 
originality of its language, in the sublimity of its range of thought, and in the 
universality of its am peal it has ever held with ease a secure place among world 
books such as Homer's Iliad, Dante's Divine Comedy, and Shakespeare. But unlike 
most works of its class Job has been an exceedingly difficult book to read, even for 
scholars, and that because of its antiquity, its involved structure and the corruption of 
its text. No other great work more cries out for intelligent interpretation and thorough 
translation. The Book of Job, by Morris Jastrow, is an attempt, and a very successful 
attempt, to make Job available to those of us who cannot boast of much Hebrew 
erudition. 


Professor Jastrow made his mark first of all in the field of Babylonian and Assyrian 
research as those will recall who have read his very learned but quite fascinating work 
called The Civilization of Babylonia and Assyria. His first essay in the field of 
Hebrew research was a study, most learned and complete, of the book known as 
Eccelesiastes, in a work entitled The Gentle Cynic. Because of its wise and gentle 
spirit, and its power to throw so much light on obscure pages, that essay has made its 
way everywhere. The Book of Job is a well qualified successor, and it is promised 
that Professor Jastrow will soon issue a further study in the same vein and along the 
same lines on the Song of Songs, which, because of its very puzzling contents, may 
well be described as the mystery book of the Bible. 


In The Book of Job Professor Jastrow has brought within the compass of 369 pages 
almost everything that anybody needs to know about the great poem. Part I consists 



of a series of forty chapters in which is told the history of the book itself, which 
explains the structure and assembles various theories of interpretation. PART II 
consists of a new and quite original translation accompanied by foot-notes after the 
fashion of the familiar Biblical commentaries. In this translation Professor Jastrow 
has aimed at a literal rendering of the text so as to make the meaning clear to a 
modern reader; those who care more for literary style are referred to the Authorized 
Version, than which nothing can ever be more beautiful. 


The modem conception of authorship was unknown to antiquity; indeed, in our sense 
of the word, there were no authors then. A great theme came into existence as a 
tradition and passed to its literary form through countless repetitions at the hands of 
story tellers. The work was no man's possession, therefore anybody felt at liberty to 
manipulate it for himself and in fashion with the spirit of his own time and place, so 
that nearly all books (this applies especially to the ancient Hebrews) were the 
products of many anonymous minds working through long periods of time. In this 
wise it often happened that many inconsistencies crept into a work, and in some cases 
the whole work was recast in order to meet the requirements of orthodox schools of 
thought. 


The Book of Job came into existence in that manner. At the center of it lay the 
original nucleus, which was a very bold religious idea: about this nucleus gradually 
assembled, as by some process of natural growth, a mass of relevant material: the 
work was Liven its final form by a group of redactors who reshaped it to teach the 
same lessons as their official religious doctrines. Professor Jastrow has laid bare all 
this evolution and editing, and made accessible to us the original plan of the story. 


There is nothing in Job of peculiar interest to Freemasons, nevertheless it is a part of 
one of the Great Lights, and is consequently a living portion of the Craft's own 
traditions. It is not for that reason only that a Freemason will care to read Professor 
Jastrow's work: he will find that so thorough a study in Hebrew antiquity will throw a 
flood of light on the people who built Solomon's Temple, and who developer! the 
traditions that mean so much to us. 



THE LITTLE BOOKS OE THE ROSEMARY PRESS 


The good and sapient Andrew Lang of fragrant memory, author of learned books and 
an orthodox member in good standing of the Oman Khayyam Club of America, once 
uttered the prayer that he might have for his own "a house full of books and a garden 
of flowers." This wise and pious wish was in keeping with the eternal fitness of 
things. Good books in the house and a garden of flowers - these are what all rich souls 
will long for. Flowers and books go together, or ought; there should be something 
knowing in a flower, there should be something shy and scented in a book. 


I don't know why I have written down these indisputable sentiments in this place, 
unless it be that they were suggested by the sight and feel of the little books which 
Brother Charles D. Burrage, a Past Grand High Priest of Massachusetts, sent to ye 
scribe, the series of which have been named, appropriately enough, Rosemary 
Brochures. Brother Burrage's son Robert set up a little printing press of his own, and 
set his father a good example, which is what a wise son will always do. The 
"Rosemary Press" was the outcome, and some fifteen or so brochures have been 
printed. 


Of the various titles one is of peculiar interest to members of the Craft. Masonic 
Anecdotes from Id Records is a compilation of interesting bits of Masonic lore, 
dedicated to Edwin Sanford Crandon, consecrated to the memory of Edward Palmer 
Hatch, and issued for the use of the members of the Capitular Rite of Massachusetts. 
Among the deeds and tales recorded in celebration of the Masonic Spirit is a little 
gem of sincere eloquence, which may here serve by way of example. It is a paragraph 
from a speech made by Brother Alex. W. Dockerty, when Grand Master of Missouri, 
in honor of Freemasonry. 


"She is that imperial Institution which carries lessons of true manhood, devotion to 
women, loyalty to truth into every hamlet within our borders; She is that permanent 



Institution whose example has actually called into being almost every other 
benevolent order which exists today; She is that imperishable Institution which takes 
by the hand the Brother who has fallen in the battle of life, that kindly raises him to 
his feet again, that gently brushes from his brow the dust of defeat, and encourages 
him to go forth again to the conflict with renewed strength and a firmer determination 
to accomplish something in life; that noble Institution, which, in the silent watches, 
unobserved carries joy and gladness to the lonely and desolate of earth; that 
immovable Institution, which, by her tenets and cordial virtues, draws, unbidden, to 
her sanctum sanctorum the high, the low, the rich, the poor, numbers them all alike, 
her own plighted sons and workmen; that imperious Institution, which, by her 
sublime principles, unswerving faith and noble deeds, challenges the admiration of all 
men." 


Bibliophiles of high and low degree, well read in the golden writings of Saint Omar 
Khayyam, and who know to speak the secret name of Allah, will want to have in their 
own "house full of books" the Rosemary Brochures. Let them write their wishes to 
Brother Charles Dana Burrage, 85 Ames Building, Boston! Mass. 


* * * 


A DAIRY RELIGION 


THE TODAS, by W.H.R. Rivers. Published by MacMillan & Co., New York, 1906. 


Here is a book to please the soul of an ethnologist. Its 750 pages comprise a 
rigorously scientific account of a quaint and unknown people, whose customs and 
rites show us in their simplest forms the beginnings of societies and religions. There 
are thirty chapters in the volume: seventy-six illustrations; glossaries; indexes; 
genealogical tables; and every other kind of formulated information a student may 
wish for. It would be an excellent volume to study along with Lowie's Primitive 
Society, already reviewed in this department. Other books have been written about 
the Todas: An Account of the Primitive Tribes and Monuments of the Nilagiris, by 



W. J. Breeks; A Phrenologist Among the Todas, by W. E. Marshall; and A 
Description of a Singular Aboriginal Race, by H. Harkness; but this is the most 
complete and the best. 


The Todas are a people of about 700 souls living among the Nilgiri hills on a plateau 
in Southern India: they are an exclusively pastoral people and live in a very simple 
but rigidly organized society. They depend almost entirely upon the milk, flesh and 
hides of buffaloes, hence the all-important role played by that animal in their daily 
lives. The people as a whole are organized into two main divisions, and these in turn 
are sub-divided into clans, and other still smaller groups. They live in tiny villages 
scattered among the hills, and their poor little huts and dairies look like old-fashioned 
bee-hives laid on their sides. A few buffaloes, a dairy, a buffalo-pen, and a handful of 
brown people - such is a village. 


The Todas worship an indefinite number of gods, spirits, etc., among which two 
deities hold a supreme place. Of these On is a male deity and presides over the world 
of the dead and is believed to have created the people: the other is a female deity, 
Teitirzi, who once - so it is taught - lived among the Todas, at which time she gave 
them the rites and ceremonies they now practice. 


The dairy is at the center of the Toda world; about it has grown up an (comparatively) 
elaborate religion, with a ritual, priesthood, and all else that belongs to such. Mr. 
Rivers has given a condensed account of this strange faith in an article he has 
contributed to Hasting's Encyclopaedia of Religion and Ethics, Volume XII, just 
published, page 354: 


"The ritual of the Toda religion is concerned almost exclusively with the buffaloes 
and the treatment of their milk. The dairies are the temples; the dairymen are the 
priests; and various incidents in the lives of the buffaloes, such as their movements 
from one grazing ground to another, the first milking, and the giving of salt, have 
become the occasion of ceremonial which has a religious character. This ritual stands 
in a definite relation to the gods, for these things are mentioned in the formulas of the 
dairy ritual, the general character of which indicates that they must be regarded as 



prayers. The names used for the deities in these prayers differ from those in ordinary 
speech, and form part of a series of expressions called Kwarzam, in which special 
names of deities, buffaloes, dairy utensils, and other objects are uttered, preceded by 
the word idith, said to mean 'for the sake of.' The dairies and the buffalo-herds form a 
somewhat complicated organization, especially among the Tartharol. Every village 
has a number of buffaloes devoid of any element of sanctity, and their milk is churned 
in a lairy, also devoid of sanctity, with no special ritual. Most of the buffaloes, 
however, belong to herds with special names with varying degrees of sanctity, and in 
correspondence with these there are great differences In the elaborateness of the ritual 
with which the milk is treated and in the ceremonial regulations of the lives of the 
dairy-priests." 


The Todas use sacrifices and offerings; they practice divination and sorcery; and they 
have many taboos, sacred days, and sacred numbers. Mr. Rivers has an interesting 
word to say about the sacred numbers: 


"Sacred numbers are very prominent in the ritual, three and seven being the most 
important. Many ritual acts are performed three times, a threefold rite being usually 
associated in this dairy ceremonial with tile utterance of the sacred syllable On; (this 
is not Om). This number is also prominent in the funeral rites, especially in 
connection with the ceremonial throwing of earth and the swinging of the body over 
the pyre before it is burned. The sevenfold performance of ceremonial acts only 
occurs in the dairy ritual and is especially prominent in the ordination ceremonies. 
Several of the most ancient lamps of the dairy are said to have had seven cavities or 
seven wicks." 


While studying the history and customs of these far off folk one can see religion, 
ethics and ritual in the making down about the roots of human experience; and he can 
discover how that ritual and symbolism grow up inevitably out of the very stub of 
which man is made. 


— o — 



THE QUESTION BOX: 


THE BUILDER is an open forum for free and fraternal discussion. Each of its 
contributors writes over his own name, and is responsible for his own opinions. 
Believing that a unity of spirit is better than a uniformity of opinion, the Research 
Society, as such, does not champion any one school of Masonic thought as over 
against another, but offers to all alike a medium for fellowship and instruction, 
leaving each to stand or fall by its own merits. 


The Question Box and Correspondence Column are open to all members of the 
Society at all times. Questions of any nature on Masonic subjects are earnestly invited 
from our members, particularly those connected with lodges or study clubs which are 
following our Study Club course. The Society is now receiving from fifty to one 
hundred inquiries each week: it is manifestly impossible to publish many of them in 
this Department. 


WHY MASSACHUSETTS LODGES ARE NOT NUMBERED 


While on tour about the country last year, during which I visited many lodges, I 
discovered that every state except our own numbers its lodges. This arouses my 
curiosity. Why do we not have the same system as others? M. L. K. Massachusetts. 


Your inquiry may be answered by quoting an explanation made by Brother Melvin 
Johnson during his term of office as Grand Master of Massachusetts: 


“In 1792 there were two Grand Lodges in Massachusetts. One of them, known as 
Saint John’s Grand Lodge, was the one founded as a Provincial Grand Lodge by 
Henry Price on July 30, 1733 The other, known as Massachusetts Grand Lodge, was 
founded by Joseph Warren on December 27, 1769, under a Commission from the 
Right Honorable and Most Worshipful George, Earl of Dalhousie, Grand Master of 



Masons in Scotland, bearing date May 30, 1769. Each of these Grand Lodges had its 
roll of particular lodges duly numbered. The two Grand Lodges united on March 19, 
1792, but no lodge at the time was required to give up its number. Lor several years, 
there was consequently great confusion because of the duplication of numbers. It 
came to a head on December 12, 1803, when Tyrian Lodge of Gloucester asked the 
Grand Lodge to determine its grade in the lodges, and accordingly a committee of 
five was then appointed, to take up the subject of the numbers and grade of lodges of 
the jurisdiction. The committee reported on March 12, 1804, but the fraternity 
desired further time for consideration of the matter and referred the report to the next 
meeting of the Grand Lodge. On June 11, 1804, the report of the Committee was 
called up, read, and debated, with the result that two of the most prominent brethren 
of the fraternity were added to the committee, and the report referred to the next 
Quarterly Communication. On September 10, 1804, the committee reported in part as 
follows: 


"'That they have ascertained the dates of the charters of all the lodges and are fully of 
opinion, that justice and equity require that they take rank in Grand Lodge agreeably 
to the seniority of the dates of their charters, in conformity to the schedule that 
accompanies this report 


"'And whereas great inconveniences have arisen on account of the numerical 
arrangement of some lodges, your committee are further of opinion, that all numbers, 
now existing in the designation of lodges, shall be abolished.' 


"Massachusetts has never restored the system of numbering lodges which was 
abolished in accordance with this action taken on September 10, 1804. 


"The report was considered with care, discussed and finally these recommendations 
were unanimously adopted by the Grand Lodge." 



TWENTY-SIX JURISDICTIONS USE THE DISTRICT DEPUTY SYSTEM 


Is it possible for you to furnish me a list of states using the district deputy lecturer 
system? It is a subject in which I am deeply interested. F. O. G., Michigan. 


A survey of existing Grand Lodge Codes reveals twenty-six states as using the 
system: Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, 
Massachusetts, Missouri, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, 
New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, 
South Carolina, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia. To these may 
be added Canada, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. 


* * * 


THE MORGAN AFFAIR 


I have been asked to give a little talk about the supposed murder of William Morgan. 
Can you tell me, or give me, a brief account of the matter? I do not have time to read 
a long book. (G.N.B, Wyoming. 


William Morgan was bom in Culpepper County, Virginia, in 1774 - some say in 
1775. A stonemason by trade, he was a wandering, dissolute fellow who was liked 
well enough when not in his cups; but he couldn't be depended upon. When about 
forty- four years of age (1 819) he married a girl of sixteen. They moved to Canada, 
where for a few years Morgan engaged in the brewery business. That failing through 
a fire, he moved to Rochester, New York, (1823) and thence to Batavia, in Genesee 
County. 



It appears that he was a Mason - though nobody has ever been able to verify his 
membership - and as such he enjoyed the freedom of the Genesee lodge. He was not, 
however, the kind of man the brethren desired to have in their midst, and when a 
petition went in for a Royal Arch charter his name was deliberately omitted. This so 
incensed him that he determined to have revenge by publishing to the world the 
"secrets" of Freemasonry. 


There was living in Batavia one David C. Miller, a printer of the same ilk as Morgan, 
who took readily enough to the latter's scheme of running the so-called expose in 
instalments in Miller's paper. When word leaked out of what was pending, non- 
Masons were stirred to action as well as Masons: it was seen that such a procedure 
would bring disgrace upon the town. 


A crowd of forty or fifty men undertook one night to secure Morgan's manuscript, but 
could not find it in Miller's place of business. Two or three nights later the building 
was fired, but was not destroyed. 


Morgan was arrested in Batavia, New York, on the morning of September 11, 1826, 
on a charge of petit larceny, and taken to the jail at Canandaigua. Released after trial 
upon the Batavia charge he was immediately re-arrested on another. The story goes - 
all is confusion from this point onward - that, at a time when the jailer was absent, the 
amount of execution was paid to the jailer's wife, who released Morgan. The latter 
was taken in hand by a group of men who put him into a carriage and took him to 
Fort Niagara, on Niagara River, at which point all trace of the man was permanently 
lost. 


The word went around like wildfire that Morgan had been abducted by the Masons 
and killed. Public meetings were held, rewards were posted, and many men were 
arrested, some of them receiving heavy sentences. But nothing of a definite character 
could be learned. It was not known even that Morgan was dead; many believed that 
the man had jumped at a good opportunity to abandon his family and fly from his 
debts, for he had been as lose about the latter as he had been indifferent to the former. 



On October 7, 1827, a body was discovered forty miles east of Fort Niagara. (This, 
you will note, was one year after Morgan had disappeared.) Somebody started the 
report that it was Morgan's. His wife and a number of his old-time neighbours were 
taken to view the remains - the Jury's inquest had declared the man unknown - and 
though the corpse was so badly decomposed that scarcely a feature was 
distinguishable and though the contents of the coat pockets were clearly not Morgan's 
and other signs pointed the same way, a second jury declared the corpse to be the 
remains of William Morgan. 


In great state the body was carried back to Batavia where an immense public funeral 
was held. One Cochran, a dissolute individual, who preached now and then, and also 
served as a kind of assistant to David C. Miller, delivered an oration, in which he 
painted the Masonic Fraternity as a secret cabal of thieves and murderers. The body 
was buried. 


But it chanced that one Timothy Monro was drowned in Lake Ontario, September 
26th of that same year, and a couple of weeks before the discovery of the so-called 
Morgan. Hearing of the general description of the Morgan corpse, the widow and 
family insisted on seeing the remains, and these accordingly were disinterred. They 
positively identified it as Monro. It was so declared by another jury. 


Some forty trials were held altogether in connection with the Morgan affair. The 
most exciting of these was that of one Hill, who confessed to having murdered 
Morgan. But this Hill was declared insane, and that ruined the value of his 
"confession." 


What became of Morgan nobody knows unto this day. It is a mystery, in all 
probability, that will never be solved. Major Benjamin Perly Poore testified that he 
saw Morgan alive in 1839, and so did others. Others were equally certain that 
Morgan was dead. 



Now it is usually supposed that the Anti-Masonic Party had its rise from this Morgan 
affair, but that is hardly the case, because Anti-Masonry was already in the field and 
waxing stronger every year. The period between 1 820 and 1 840 was one of 
extraordinary religious fanaticism; multitudes were carried away by all manner of 
strange new teachings, some of them, such as the Millerite movement, taking captive 
many whole states. The sparsely settled country was alive with revivals which were 
usually conducted by revivalists who were so ignorant that they declared education to 
be a sin. Similar revivals, though under better auspices, swept through the city 
churches, and these carried with them a vast amount of fanaticism. At bottom the 
whole movement was sound and sane, but on the surface and about the edges was a 
great mass of froth. 


One tangent taken was to make war upon "secret" societies. Among these the most 
prominent, of course, was Freemasonry. In 1821, five years before the Morgan affair, 
the Presbyterian church denounced Masonry. The Congregationalists of England 
followed suit. In 1826 the Methodist Episcopal Church joined in, and forbade any of 
its clergy membership in Order. The Quakers, Lutherans, the members of the Red 
Church, and scores of others took the infection and began to make war on Masonry, 
which was described as a rival religion of Christianity, a counterfeit faith, a device of 
the devil and what not. 


In the Morgan affair this thing first broke into flame. The hundreds of thousands who 
were already taught to hold Masonry in suspicion, at once believed in the whole story 
of the murder and considered that it was a clear proof of the culpability of the 
Masons. 


Opposition to Masonry was immediately organized in Genesee County from which it 
spread to adjoining counties and then over the entire state. An Anti-Masonic Party 
was organized on a strictly political basis. In 1828 this party polled 33,345 votes in 
the state of New York: by 1832 this number grew to 156,672. In 1830 it became 
christened "The Christian Party in Politics," and displaced the old National 
Republican organization in that state. The same thing occurred in Vermont and 
Pennsylvania, and it almost occurred in Ohio, Massachusetts, and a number of other 
states. In 1831 the party held a national nominating convention (the first in our 
history) and placed on the presidential ticket the name of William Wirt of Maryland 



and, for vice-president, Amos Ellmaker of Pennsylvania. Thirteen states were 
represented. 


By a sarcastic turn of affairs the National Republicans placed in nomination Henry 
Clay, a nominal Mason, and the democrats nominated, and later elected, Andrew 
Jackson, who was an active Mason. The Anti-Masonic party did not last long. In 
1836 its exciting political career came to an end. But it had made a show of strength. 
At one time it had as many as one hundred and forty periodicals in the field, and 
sustained a very large corps of itinerant lecturers who went over the land telling the 
public what monsters of iniquity the Masons were. 


It was a period of unrest and change. Cities were for the first time beginning to take 
control of public affairs, and this alarmed the country population. The old parties 
were decadent, or passing through profound metamorphoses. The wild strain which 
ran through the religion of the period induced many to believe exaggerations. The 
greatest factor in the whole situation was Thurlow Weed, New York's famous 
political boss: he, with William H. Seward, nominally of the National Republican 
Party, both believed that party to be doomed, and, to save their own political fortunes, 
they immediately laid hold of the opportunity furnished by the Morgan affair. The 
political genius of these men, in conjunction with the posture of affairs, accounts for 
the rise of Anti-Masonry. 


The Fraternity was shaken by this tempest of attack. In some of the New England 
states Grand Lodges entirely discontinued. Vermont, in 1834, had but seven lodges 
in attendance. The Grand Lodge of Maine did not meet at all for several years. New 
Jersey Masonry was reduced two-thirds. In the state of New York, which was 
Masonry's stronghold in 1825, the Order was so depleted that the number of lodges 
represented in Grand Lodge fell from four hundred and eighty in 1826 to seventy- five 
in 1835. By 1840 this had fallen to a still lower figure. In that period of fiery trial it 
was, in many communities, worth a man's reputation to be known as a Mason, but in 
hundreds of instances brethren stood firm at any cost. One might fill a book with 
accounts of how, through social and religious ostracism, men remained at their posts, 
loyal to the Fraternity. It was so then: it would be so now: it will be so in the future. 



The best history of this whole movement is The Anti-Masonic Party: A Study of 
Political Anti-Masonry in the United States, 1827-1840, by Charles McCarthy: this 
scholarly work will be found in the Annual Report of the American Historical 
Association for 1902, Volume I, page 865. Consult also: Autobiography by Thurlow 
Weed: Autobiography by William H. Seward; Stanwood's History of the Presidency; 
The Jacksonian Democracy, by MacDonald; Hammond's Political History of New 
York, Volume II; Diary by John Quincy Adams; Harvey's History of Lodge No. 61, 
of Wilkesbarre, Pa.; Letters on the, Masonic Institution, by John Quincy Adams; 
Letters on Masonry and Anti-Masonry by William L. Stone; Mackey's Encyclopedia 
is of Masonry; and Stevens' Cyclopaedia of Fraternities. In December, 1918, THE 
BUILDER published a comprehensive study of "The Anti-Masonic Movement" by 
E.B. Gibbs. 


* * * 


INFORMATION ABOUT PLURAL MEMBERSHIP 


In our state there are a number of us interested in the project of permitting a man to 
belong to more than one lodge at once. Will you please tell me where I can find 
information on this subject? F. L. Michigan. 


Here are two excerpts from Grand Lodge Proceedings that will give you your desired 
information. The first passage is taken from page 593, Proceedings of Grand Lodge of 
Massachusetts (it has permitted dual membership for several years), for 1916. 


"Questions are often asked regarding dual, or more correctly, plural membership in 
other jurisdictions. I have had the matter investigated so far as the Grand Lodges in 
North America are concerned, with the following result: 



"Virginia and Massachusetts permit plural membership. No other Grand Jurisdictions 
in the United States permit plural membership with the following exceptions: 
Delaware, Wyoming and Tennessee permit members of their lodges to be members of 
other lodges outside of the jurisdiction, but do not permit plural membership within 
the jurisdiction. North Dakota does not permit plural membership within the 
jurisdiction but is undecided in its position with regard to membership both in and out 
of the jurisdiction. Texas forbids plural membership except that a life member of a 
lodge outside of Texas may join a Texas lodge. 


"The practice in Canada is much more varied. Plural membership both within and 
without the jurisdiction is permitted in British Columbia, Canada (Ontario), and 
Manitoba. Alberta, Nova Scotia, Quebec, and Saskatchewan forbid plural 
membership within the jurisdiction but allow simultaneous membership within and 
without the jurisdiction. Price Edward Island and New Brunswick forbid plural 
membership either within or without the jurisdiction. 


"The practical conclusion so far as our lodges are concerned is that without causing 
any conflict of jurisdiction they may affiliate brethren who hold membership in 
Virginia, Delaware, Wyoming, Tennessee, and any of the Canadian Grand Lodges 
except Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick." 


Additional information is found in the following, here reprinted from Grand Lodge 
Proceedings of Washington, Vol. XXII, 1922, Correspondence Report, p. 12. 


"The question of permitting a brother to hold membership in more than one lodge has 
been raised in one or two jurisdictions. English and other foreign jurisdictions have 
long permitted this, but American lodges have almost invariably held against it. The 
Correspondence writer of Alabama says: 


"'Many Grand Lodges allow this and the only practical difficulty or objection we have 
ever seen to it is that it renders statistics as to membership inaccurate. But that is 



certainly of minor importance, and some way might be devised to get over that 
difficulty.' 


"The Grand Master of New Hampshire said: 


"'I desire to call your attention to the consideration of dual membership, which you 
will find has been recommended by me. The time is at hand when we should do all in 
our power to promote the interests of Freemasonry. 


"'I am convinced that dual membership is a step in the right direction, and am unable 
to understand where there can be serious bad results from adopting the same. I am 
aware that the best versed Mason in New Hampshire is not in accord with my views 
upon the subject; I refer to M. W. Brother Cheney, [Grand Secretary,] but he has not 
been able to convince me that it is not a desirable amendment to our Constitution. 
Brothers from our state go abroad in the world. Brothers from other jurisdictions 
come to use. They settle in our state and desire to take part in our proceedings. Their 
home lodge is dear to them with its associations, and they will not give up their 
affiliation therein. They do desire to be helpful in the community where they reside 
Masonically, but not being members of the lodge, hesitate to be active as they might 
were they members of a particular lodge. They are an aid both morally and 
financially, and I am sincere in my belief that general dual membership between all 
lodges would be of great Masonic advantage. The reverse situation applies to our 
Brethren taking up their residence in other states. I do not believe in the dual idea by 
members within the state, that is, permitting a member to belong to more than one 
lodge within our state.' 


"Grand Lodge went far enough to appoint a committee to consider the matter for a 
year and report, when, we opine, they will agree with Bro. Cheney. Any of those who 
really desire, as the Grand Master said, to 'be helpful in the community where they 
reside Masonically,' will do so. In our experience it is the new lodge which is 'dear' to 
them, a matter of from two to four dollars a year, and they 'will not give up their 
affiliations' on that account. In the city of Seattle, in our opinion, there are not less 
than a thousand Masons today, who, if confronted with the possibility of dual 



membership and the sharing of the work of the lodges here, would practically cease 
their Masonic relations. They do not want to share the responsibility. They are willing 
to contribute small annual dues to a distant lodge to retain membership, but the real 
workers either affiliate or take hold and contribute anyway. 


"The Grand Master, if he has any argument in favor of dual membership, should favor 
it among his own lodges. If a brother of character and energy should feel inclined to 
devote of his time, energy, and money to severe! lodges, which he may occasionally 
attend and to which he may be able to add much of help and personality, that would 
be the place it seems to us for dual membership to come in play. The Grand Master of 
Virginia ruled: 


"'That as North Carolina does not allow dual membership, a member of a North 
Carolina cannot be elected a member of a Virginia lodge, without first withdrawing 
his membership from the North Carolina lodge. Massachusetts, Wisconsin and 
Virginia are the only Grand Jurisdictions allowing multiple membership.'" 


* * * 


CONCERNING THE RELIGION OF THE GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE 


Can you tell me if it is true that no French Mason can become a member of the 
Council of the Grand Orient until after he has affirmed in writing that neither he nor 
his children will practice the ceremonies of any religion? 


L. T. B. Ontario, Canada. 



Your inquiry was transmitted direct to the Secretary General of the Grand Orient, 
whose reply is here given in full: 


I hasten to reply to your favor asking us on the part of a Brother of Canada if it is true 
that since 1903 no Mason can be elected member of the Council of the Order unless 
he binds himself in writing that neither himself nor his children will practice any 
religious ceremony. 


This information is completely inexact, and it is sufficient in order to convince 
himself of it, to read the first article of the Constitution of the Grand Orient of France, 
which is as follows: 


"Freemasonry, an institution essentially philanthropic, philosophical and progressive, 
has for its object the search for Truth, the study of morality and the practice of 
Solidarity; it works for the material and moral amelioration and for the intellectual 
and social perfectioning of Humanity. 


"It has for its principles, mutual tolerance, the respect of others and of one's self, and 
absolute liberty of conscience. 


"Considering metaphysical conceptions as being in the exclusive domain of the 
individual appreciation of its members, it refuses [to commit] itself to any dogmatic 
affirmation. 


"It has for its device, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity." 



The only condition demanded by Article 28 of our Constitution in order to be eligible 
to the Council of the Order are to take part in the General Assembly and to possess 
the degree of Master for at least seven years. 


It is plain from all the evidence that an engagement like that indicated by your 
correspondent would go against the doctrine of Toleration which is the basis of 
Universal Masonry and against the principle of absolute liberty of conscience, 
inscribed in the Constitution of the Grand Orient of France. 


Be kind enough to accept, Very Dear Brother, the assurance of my best fraternal 
sentiments. 


THE SECRETARY GENERAL. 


* * * 


WHY DO MASONS COMPUTE TIME A. L. 


At what time and by whom was the custom adopted of adding 4000 years to the 
Christian era by Master Masons, and why 4000 years when the "year of light" is 
shown by Egyptian records to have been long before that? 


J. H. L., California. 


Masonic lodges have followed Dr. James Anderson in this. The title page of his 
Constitutions of 1723 is dated in this fashion: 



In the year of Masonry - 5723 
Anno Domini - 1723 


An explanation of this is furnished in a footnote in the 1738 edition of his 
Constitutions, page 2, here literally reproduced: 


"The first Christians computed their Times as the Nations did among whom They 
lived till A. D. 532, when Dionysius Exiguus, a Roman Abbot, taught them first to 
compute from the Birth of Christ; but He lost 4 Y ears or began the Christian Era 4 
Years later than just. Therefore, tho' according to the Hebrew Chronology of the old 
Testament and other good vouchers, CHRIST was truly bom in some Month of the 
Year of the World or A. M. 4000. yet these 4 Years added make 4004 Not before the 
Birth of Christ, but before the Christian Era, viz. 1737 For the tme Anno Domini or 
Year after Christ's birth is 1740 But the Masons being used to compute by the Vulgar 
Anno Domini or Christian Era 1737 and adding to it not 4004, as it ought, but the 
strict Years before Christ's birth, viz., 4000 They usually call this the Year of 
Masonry 5737 Instead of the accurate Year 5740 and we must keep to the Vulgar 
Computation. 


"The A. M. or Anno Mundi is the same followed by Usher and Prideaux, etc., and so 
these letters A. M. signify Anno Mundi or Year of the World: and here B. C. is not 
Before Christ but Before the Christian Era." 


* * * 


A MASONIC COLLEGE OF THE CIVIL WAR PERIOD 



The discussion about Freemasonry in the public schools in your number for last 
August reminded me that I once read about a college in Tennessee called Jackson 
College, that was owned by Masonic lodges. It might be interesting to leam 
something more about that school. M. K. T., Georgia. 


Jackson College was located in Columbia, Tennessee, and was one of many such 
schools founded and supported by Masons. Two brethren now residing in that 
community have communicated to us such history of the college as they have been 
able to unearth: 


Jackson College belonged to Columbia Lodge Number 3 1 , and some of the stock was 
owned by one or two other lodges in the county, though Columbia Lodge owned by 
far the greater portion of the stock, and it was under the control of the Board of Five 
Trustees, elected annually except that for the last three or four years no trustees have 
been elected, the old ones holding over; W. B. Greenlaw, attorney of this town is one, 
W. W. Dyer is another, and the rest I do not know, but the minutes of the lodge would 
show. 


During the Civil War Jackson College was burned by Federal soldiers and was never 
rebuilt, and the property was subdivided and is now owned entirely by various 
purchasers from the lodge. A claim was filed many years ago in Washington seeking 
to collect from the Government for the damage done by the destruction of this 
property, and some proof was taken, but investigation which I made some time back, 
shows that the proof was improperly taken and left the impression with the claim 
Department that the building was burned by some irresponsible soldier and not by 
direct order of any officer, and, therefore, Government has refused to consider the 
matter and I think that it will never be paid, though it ought to be. I know that 
Professors Mitchell and Bennett were two of the teachers of the institution, but that is 
all that I do know about that part of it. 


W. S. Fleming, Jr. 



Jackson College was an incorporated institution of learning Unmanaged and 
controlled by trustees elected by the various Masonic Bodies of Maury County, 
Tennessee, to-wit: Lafayette Chapter No. 4, R. A. M., Columbia Lodge No. 31, St. 
James lodge No. 105, Benton Lodge No. Ill, Spring Hill Lodge No. 124, Pleasant 
Grove Lodge No. 138, Euphemia Lodge No. 195 and Mt. Pleasant Lodge No. 610. 
We know that it was an incorporated institution in 1835 and that it was burned by the 
Federal troops in 1862 and that all the records of said Jackson College, including the 
minute books and records of the trustees, the library and all the chemical laboratory 
and astronomical outfits, were destroyed in this fire. The building stood in a large 
grove and was made of brick with stone trimmings and was three stories in height. 
The library was said to have been one of the best in the South and previous to the 
Civil War this college stood very high and had a large attendance, not only local hut 
throughout the South. 


The Masonic bodies of Maury County have a claim pending in the United States 
Courts for the value of this property, but it seems that on account of the lapse of time 
we cannot show conclusively that an officer ordered it burned. 


It appears that during the Civil War both sides used this building as a hospital with 
the consent of the Masonic bodies or the board of trustees and when the Federal 
forces evacuated this town and retreated toward Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, a 
general order was issued by the Federal general to destroy all property that might be 
of use to the Confederate forces and Jackson College was burned the night the 
Federal authorities left town and before the Confederate forces took possession. 


W. C. Whitthorne. 


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CORRESPONDENCE 



GRAND MASTER OF NEVADA WRITES ABOUT MASONIC EDUCATION 


(Brother Peterson's letter arrived too late to be included in Grand Masters' 
Symposium of the April issue.) 


Your question, "How best to teach Masonry in Masonic Lodges" is a big one that 
many or possibly all Grand Lodges are trying to find an answer for. 


About ten years ago, in my own Carson Lodge No. 1, we organized a Study Club, 
naming it "The Eighteenth Century Lodge" after Brother Morcombe's play of that 
name. A Master, two Wardens, a Secretary, and a Boxmaster were the officers and we 
met once a month. In September a program for the year was arranged and subjects 
assigned to members to be given at a certain meeting. The club flourished for several 
years or until war activities claimed our time. Since then we have not been able to get 
started again, but I hope to get it started before long. 


Our program for an evening would be a paper on some Masonic subject, followed by 
an earnest discussion. We then would take up Masonic Law and devote perhaps half 
an hour to it. After that came refreshments. In this manner the Masons who attended 
learned something on two important subjects. All Master Masons were welcome and 
we most always had a good attendance. 


I shall recommend this plan to the lodges when I make my visitations. It is the best 
that I know of. 


We are at present having the Masonic Service Association bulletins read at our stated 
meetings, and they take well. 



I hope that this plan may be of some use to you. At any rate it worked while it 
worked, and I am sorry that it is not still working. E. C. Peterson, Nevada. 


* * * 


WAS JOHN JAY A MASON? 


Recently in reading the Life of John Jay by George Pellew, I came across the 
following letter written by Jay to Washington April 21,1779. Unfortunately, the letter 
is not given in its entirety and I do not have access to any other biography of Jay. 1 do 
not know whether the letter is generally known but in any case I believe it worth 
preserving in the files of THE BUILDER. The letter follows: 


"Calm repose and the sweets of undisturbed retirement appear more distant than a 
peace with Britain. It gives me pleasure, however, to reflect that the period is 
approaching when we shall be citizens of a better ordered state, and the spending of a 
few troublesome years of our eternity in doing good to this and future generations is 
not to be avoided or regretted. Things will come right and these States will be great 
and flourishing. The dissolution of our government threw us into a political chaos. 

Time, wisdom and perseverance will reduce it into form In this work you are, in 

the style of one of your professions, a master-builder, and God grant that you may 
ever continue a free and accepted mason." 


I commend to any brother a careful reading of any biography of John Jay. I should 
like to send you several more extracts from his letters, thoughts which are particularly 
applicable to conditions confronting the nation to-day, but I know space in THE 
BUILDER is at a premium. 


Can you tell us whether John Jay was a Mason? 



A. L. Kress, Pennsylvania. 


* * * 


WHEN AND WHERE; CANADIAN MASONRY WAS FOUNDED 


The inquiry about Canadian Masonry on page 94 of your March issue has led me to 
ask you to publish two excerpts from Robertson's History of Freemasonry in Canada, 
Vol. 1. 1 believe it may prove interesting to such of our members as, like myself, had 
the good fortune to be raised in a Canadian lodge. 


Carlos B. Whitely, Indiana. 


"One cannot venture with absolute exactness to give the day and date of the issue of 
the first Craft warrant in Canada. Yet it is well that in the endeavor to trace early 
organizations we should briefly refer to those of which we have knowledge, prior to 
the year 1800, for after that period, crude as many records are, there exist minutes and 
memoranda that make, as far as genealogical sequence is concerned, the task less 
intricate than it otherwise might have been 


"Canadian Masonry was first founded in Nova Scotia between the years 1737 and 
1749. There is no documentary evidence in existence which affords the slightest proof 
of the exercise of Masonic authority in that province prior to 1749. Much discussion 
has arisen in connection with the antiquity of the Craft in Nova Scotia, when it was 
'Acadia,' but all records have disappeared and surmise has to fill the part which 
should be taken by authentic documents. The well-known name of Ensign Erasmus 
James Phillips has been connected with the Craft in Nova Scotia from the earliest 
days. 



"The question more pertinent to this history is as to the institution of Freemasonry in 
Canada, or rather in what is now the Dominion of Canada. 


"There is reasonable evidence that a lodge of Freemasons was instituted under a 
Boston warrant at Annapolis Royal in Acadia, now Nova Scotia, and that this warrant 
was extant in 1749, followed by the organization of a lodge in 1749 at Halifax or 
rather Chebucto - for Halifax was not named until 1750 and that this lodge was the 
primal one, which with others eventually formed the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia. 


"Annapolis, founded by the French in 1604, is the oldest settlement in that part of 
North America known as Nova Scotia. It was occupied by the British in the reign of 
Queen Anne, and was called Annapolis or 'The City of Anne.' It was the seat of 
government down to 1749. In 1726, thirteen years after the signing of the Treaty of 
Utrecht, we find in the garrison of Annapolis the founder of Masonry in Nova Scotia, 
Erasmus James Phillips, an officer in the British Army. 


"It is claimed, and it can be readily believed that he received a warrant as Provincial 
Grand Master of Acadia in 1740 from Henry Price, Provincial Grand Master, of New 
England. There is, however, no record of this being granted in the books of the Grand 
Lodge at London, but there is an entry of such action in the books of St. John's Grand 
Lodge of Massachusetts, under date 24th December, 1740, which reads: 


"'Omitted in place That Our Rt. Worshtl Grand Master Mr. Price Granted a 
Deputation at ye Petition of sundry Brethren, at Annapolis, in Nova Scotia, to hold a 
Lodge there, and Appointed Maj'r Erasm's Jas. Phillips, D. G. M., who has since, at 
ye Request of sundry Brethren at Halifax, Granted a Constitution to hold a Lodge 
there, and appointed The Rt. Worsh'l His Excellency Edw'd Corwallis, Esqr., their 
First Master.'" 



RAGON'S "RITUEL" DEFINES MASONIC SECRECY 


One of the most interesting things that I have ever studied is Ragon's "Rituel" of the 
French Rite. The last answer to the M.M. catechism is worth recording here. 


"Can you tell me the secret of Freemasonry?" 


"The secret of Masonry is, from its very nature, inviolable, for the Mason who knows 
it can only himself have ascertained it. He has discovered it through frequenting well 
informed lodges, through observing, comparing, judging. Once arriving at this 
discovery he will unfailingly preserve it for himself and he will not even 
communicate it to those brethren in whom he has the utmost confidence; for since 
they were incapable of discovering it for themselves, they are likewise incapable of 
making use of the secret should they receive it orally." 


My translation is rough but it delivers the sense, I think, and that is of interest. The 
folks in Europe who shiver whenever they hear mentioned "the secrets of the 
Freemasons" should ponder the question and its reply. Ragon says that these words 
were written by Casanova, who was initiated in 1757. The French Rite makes very 
much of an appeal to the intellect. In the E.A. ceremony are such questions as, What 
is Vice ? Barbarism ? Honor ? Virtue ? Morality ? Natural Law ? Prejudice? I believe 
it is good for men to study these things. A. L. Kress, Pennsylvania. 


* * * 


CAN YOU GIVE US THIS INFORMATION? 



Here are four inquiries that we pass on to you. Can you answer them ? Send your 
replies to this Society. The questions are typical of a grist being received constantly, 
and they show how various are the interests and needs of Masons. 


What Do These Numbers Mean? 


The third section of the lectures in the Third Degree states that Solomon's Temple 
was supported by 1453 columns and 2906 pilasters. There is no authority for this 
statement that I can find anywhere, but that is immaterial. The more I study Masonry, 
particularly that feature of it which relates to numbers, the more I have been 
impressed with the thought that these two numbers have some important symbolical 
meaning. I have endeavored to work something out of it by the Kabbalah but have 
failed to find any solution, though I have tried several combinations. The digits of 
1453, which is a prime number, add up to 13, and that stands for "man." The "1" 
might signify God, or unity. The "4," "5," and "3" are the sides of the familiar Forty- 
Seventh Proposition, one of the great symbols of Masonry. The "2906" is double the 
"1453"; if the "14" of this is divided bv 2 we have 7, and that, with the other numbers, 
gives us the “7,” “5,” and “3” of the Second Degree, but all this seems to me to be 
very far fetched and means nothing. Can anybody throw light on this? 


E. A. Russell, Minnesota. 


About Booth, Guitenu, and Czolgosz 


Did John Wilkes Booth, Charles J. Guiteau, or Leon Czolgosz profess any religion, or 
belong to any orders or secret societies? Giles McKinney, Indiana. 


Information Wanted About Masonry Among Greeks 



Owing to the advent into this country of thousands of Greeks, the question has been 
suggested as to what is the official attitude of the Greek church toward Masonry. 
Please send information to me in care of THE BUILDER. 


E. Coblentz, Ohio. 


Do You Belong to a Masonic Country Club? 


Brethren have written at various times to inquire about Masonic Country Clubs, in 
order to learn where they are organized and how they are conducted. If you chance to 
belong to one, or to know about one, kindly send the information to THE BUILDER. 


— o — 


YE EDITOR'S CORNER 


Be sure to read the inside front cover! ! ! 


* * * 


"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" 
More beautiful words were never written or uttered. Let's learn to Coue-ize them. 



H. L. Mencken's Amelican Language is a book well worth owning. Its great heaps of 
learning are lighted up by a chapter which gives us the Declaration of Independence 
done into the "American Vulgate." What is this "Vulgate"? I give an example, done 
on the spot: "1 don't know how it is where you live but here in Iowa its darned cold, 
do you get me?" Can you English brethren translate that into English ? 


* * * 


Brother Charles E. Whelan has sent us a beautiful little booklet, The Essential Truth 
in Religion. Also, we have on hand a supply of a booklet, The Scottish Rite 
Educational Association of Texas, sent by Brother Sam P. Cochran. If you wish a 
copy of each send me your name. 


* * * 


Brother Worshipful Master, have you been making things hum in your lodge? Tell us 
what you have been doing by way of work, programs, and all that. 


* * * 


Can you give us information about dual (or plural) membership? We are needing 
something on that subject. 



Why not give your boy a membership in this Society when he is raised? Or the son of 
some friend? 


* * * 


We can now supply you Masonic music books if you need them. 


* * * 


"I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the Republic for which it stands; one Nation 
indivisible with Liberty and Justice for all." 


* * * 


If you chance to bump into any old Masonic book let us hear about it. A few of such 
volumes are of great value. 


* * * 


For a time, and owing to peculiar circumstances, we were obliged to use a single 
sheet wrapper for THE BUILDER, and some copies suffered in going through the 
mails. If you will send your mutilated copy to us we shall exchange for a good one.