THE PENNSYLVANIA FREEMASON Issued Every Three Months By
The Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of The Most Ancient and Honorable Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania and Masonic Jurisdiction Thereunto Belonging, through its COMMITTEE ON MASONIC CULTURE- William E. Yeager, Post Grand Master, Chairman; William E. Montgomery, G. Edward Elwell, Jr., Frank R. Leech, William A. Carpenter, Charles A. Young and Ashb y B. Paul. APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED TO BE PRINTED BY
RALPH M. LEHR Right Worshipful Grand Master WILLIAM A. CARPENTER, Editor Mailing Address: The Masonic Temple, Broad and Filbert Streets, Philadelphia 7, Po.
Vol. II
February, 1955
No. 1
Seventeen Pamphlets Available ( Continued from page 3)
At the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge held on June 6, 1923, the report of th e plan was submitted to the Grand Lodge and it was unanimously approved. On December 5, 1923, the Committee on Lectures was reduced to five members. The definite purpose of the organization of a Lecture Corps was to serve the Lodges of Pennsylvan ia and to make plain what Free· masonry is, what a Freemason should be, and to help build Temples not made with hands ; but with their minds, hearts and souls. The antiqui ty of Masonry is not of as much im. portance as its present influence on the lives of men, no matter how in teresting its legends and fascinating ancient Mysteries. Legends and traditions h ave their places, but are not as valuable as authentic history. The great historical fact of Masonry is the organization of the first Grand Lodge of Speculative Masons, and the great reality of present day Freemasonry is its system of imparting truth and principle to aid men in character building. Again it may be interesting to trace to their origin the working tools and symbols of the Craft and discover their original uses and purposes. In so doing there may be gained a knowledge of value to a Mason who desires what might be called a University education in Masonry. The Committee in charge gave considerable thought to the printing of pamphlets for use to the Brethren, and selected certain literature to be read in the Lodges in the form of "Short Talk Bulletins." Since 1925, when the very fir st pamphlet was printed, there have been s ixteen additional pamphlets prepared and published. The seventeen, now available and listed by number and title are: I. Lecture Plan, Purpose and Outline of Lectures. 2. Freemasonry in Pennsylvania before the Grand Lodge of 1786. 3 . Freemasonry in Pennsylvania-Organization, Organic Law, and Ritual. 4. P ennsylvania F reemasonry-Dis ting uishing Characteristics .
5. Masonic Principles F requen t ly Overlooke d. 6. Masonic Objection. 7. The Sy mbolis m of Masonry. 8. Masonic Secrecy. 9. Masonry Within and Without t he Lodge. 10. Traveling Eas t. 11. The Preparing Room. 12. The Committee Hoom. 13 . The Lodge Room. 14 . Some Masonic Titles. 15. The Sy mbolis m of the Sta tio n s. 16. Two Hundre d Year s of Freemasonry in P e nnsylvania. 17. Five Outstanding Grand Masters.
These pamphlets are neatl y printed and bound in heavy light blue cardboard. They are uniform in size, measuring about three and three-quarters inches wide and eight and three-quarters from top to bottom. As you can surmise from the seventeen titles, a set of these pamphlets should prove a good investment and most educational to any member of our jurisdiction. The complete set can be purchased fr om the Library, Masonic Temple, Broad and Filbert Streets, Philadelphia 7, Pa. , for Two Dollars . In conceiving and preparing these worthwhile pamphlets, the Committee on Lectures rendered the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and the Craft a splendid service, endeavoring to stimulate a more comprehensive knowledge of Freemasonry, including its history, symbolism, morals, ethics and philosophy. The lecture corps is now under the supervision of the recently created Committee on Masonic Culture which has replaced the Committee on Library and Museum and the Committee on Lectures.
Why Do We Say Blue Lodge? Why do we say " Blue Lodge" when referring t o the Symbolic Degrees in Freemasonry? The follow ing information may prove helpful and interesting in attempting to answer and clarify this frequently repeated question. In Mackey's En cyclopedia of Freemasonry, we read the following: "Blue is emphatically the color of Freemasonry. It is the appropriate tincture of the Ancient Craft Degrees. It is to Freemasonry a symbol of universal fr iendship and benevolence because, as it is the color of the vault of heaven, wh ich embraces and covers the whole globe, we are thus reminded that in the breas t of every Broth er these virtues should be equally as extensive. It is therefore the only color, except white, which .should be used in the Master's Lodge fo r decorations." " Blue" is the color of truth and fideli ty. And since Masons are seekers after tru th, this color is symbolic of their ardent and active interest. It was under the reign of William Ill of England that Blue was adopted as the favo rite color of the Craft. It is quite natural, there· fore, that this color should be worn by our ancient brethren as the peculiar characteristic of an institution which neither time, ignorance nor war has been able to destroy. " Blue" was an important color among
religious institutions in ancien t times. The high priest's ephod; the ribbon on his breastplate, and the one fo r the plate of his miter, were blue·. It was the color of one of the veils of the tabernacle, which , according to Josephus, represented the Air. The Hebrew word for "blue" is " tekelet," and seems to refer to the quality of the color, being derived from a root denoting "perfection." There seems to be a quite general agreement among ancient scholars that initiation into the "mysteries" and "perfection" were closely related :- in fact, almost sy nonymous. Does it not logically fo llow then, that the appropriate color for the greatest of all systems of initiation may well be designated "Blue." The term signifies that " perfection" toward which all good Masons cont inually strive, and which they hope at last to attain. Among the Druids, " Blue" was the symbol of truth, and their initiates wore robes of Blue, White, and Green. The Egyptians esteemed " Blue" as a sacred color. To them it represented a " peculiarly exalted and heavenly nature." The Babylonians clothed their idols in "Blue," according t o Jeremiah when he said, " Blue and purple is their clothing." (Jer. 10:9). The Chinese consider "Blue" a symbol of Dei ty. The Hindus say their God Vishnu is symbolic of "Sky-Blue," indicating that wisdom fr om God should be symbolized by "Blue." The Medieval Christians considered " Blue" an emblem of immortality. Says Weale: " The color 'azure,' in divine language, is the symbol of truth ; in consecrated language, of immortality; and in the profane language, of fidelity." All these qualities are prominent in the teachings of the fi rs t three, or symbolic degrees in Masonry. Finally, " Blue" is symbolic of truth, purity and humility. In the Book of Books, Ex. 25:4, we read that " Blue" was used to denote the purity of an offering to the Lord. In Ex. 26:1, 31 and 36, we find that the curtains of the Tabernacle were blue, purple and scarlet, and the hangings fo r the doors of the tent were of the same colors. In Ex. 28 :31, we find this instruction: "And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of Blue." And in Prov. 20:30 we find: "The Blueness of the stripes that wound cleanseth away evil." There seems to be no doubt that " Blue" is the characteristi c color of Ancient Craft Masonry, and that it is symbolic of the need for a universality of friendship, brotherly love and benevolence, which should be as unbound in the heart and life of every true Mason as in the vast expanse of that blue vista of the Universe which shelters the numberless worlds of limitless space. Appropriately do we say : " Blue Lodge." Quite appropriately are the officers' aprons and jewels trimmed in " Blue." Indeed, "Blue" is the peculiar characteristic of Ancient Craft Masonry, of which the three symbolic de· grees-Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason-are the heart and soul. - W.A.C.
FREEMASON AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RIGHT WOR S HIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF PENNSYLVANIA
VOLUME NO. II
NUMBER 1
FEBRUARY • 1955
A Message from Our Grand Master A NOTHER MILESTONE in
history of Masonry in the Grand Lodge of
.tl. Pennsylvania was completed as the year 1954 came to a close. Many Masons have inquired about the Grand Lodge Building Program of 1954. In response to these inquiries I wish t o draw fo r you a mental picture of what we have done, and are ~Ia nning to do in the ye.ar ahead- 1955 fo r the Masonic Homes at Elizabeth town, Pennsylvama. April 10, 1954 the Committee on Masonic Homes put into operation a Rest Home in the Allegheny Building, providing 70 beds for Guests that normally are known as Infirm Guests, that is those who are not ambulatory but also not classed as Hospital Guests. This building is now known as the "Allegheny Rest Home." The new Rest Horne is a big relief to our greatly over crowded Hospital. However, as a Rest Home, it is only in a temporary stage. We need a permanent Rest Home with facilities for 150 beds, dining room, ser vice kitchen, assembly room, medical and nurses room, large indoor and outdoor solarium and the necessary appurtenances. The Masons of Allegheny County are making a survey of Rest Home needs. They are having an Architect prepare plans and specifications as well as estimates of cost of erection and equipping such a building. This project is to be known as "The Allegheny County Memorial Res t Home ." It is their h ope to be ready with a fi nal report for the June Commun icatio~. May 3, 1954 the Committee on Masonic Homes completely fimshed and put into operation a new centralized kitchen located in .Grand Lodge Hall. This kitchen prepares and cooks all food used 111 the Homes for the Guests and Employees. The cooked food is dispatched to the Hospital, Boys and Girls Home and the Allegheny Rest Home by trucks equipped with electric thermostatically controlled stainless steel food containers. By this method of preparing food we hope to effect a saving in the food department of over $1,000 a month. July 23 1954 the Committee on Masonic Homes let a contract to Warfel A~sociated, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for the construction of a concrete utility tunnel to house all heating pipes and returns, domestic hot water and electric cables. The tunnel is approximately six feet square, one mile long, running from the Power House to the Hospital. This contract will be completed February 1, 1955 at a cost of $205,000. November 22, 1954 a contract was awarded to Herre Brothers, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, for the cons truction and installation .o~ ~II mechanical and electrical equipment necessary for the new utilities work. This equipment wi ll be installed in the new tunnel. The contract will be completed in 280 working days at a cost of $454,902. The firm of Moody and Hutchinson, Consulting Engineers of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was employed to make a utilities survey, prepare plans and specifications and complete th e inspection of the new utilities work. They recommended the Committee on Masonic Homes dis· continue the manufacture of electric power at the Power House for the use of the Homes, and ins tall the necessary apparatus for the purchasing of power from the Pennsylvania Power & Light Company
of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The purchasing of power over the self manufacturing method will result in a 20% saving in power costs . December 22, 1954 a contract was awarded Irwin and Leighton of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the erection of a new Hospital Wing and alterations to the Philadelphia Freemasons Memorial Hospital at . Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania. The heating and plumbing contract was given to S.H.S. Inc., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; the electrical work to H. P. Foley Company of Baltimore, Maryland, and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; the elevator is to be provided and installed by the Otis Elevator Company of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The t otal cost of the four above contracts is $1,226,060. Ground breaking for the Hospital project took place Friday, January 28, 1955 at 4:00 P. M. The Hospital will be completed June of 1956. The Committee on Masonic Homes engaged Mitchell and Ritchey, Architects, Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania, to design a dual building to be known as the Recreational Building and Lodge Hall. The Recreation Building will be used for the entertainment of our Guests and Employees. The Lodge Hall will be for the use of Masons throughout the Jurisdiction for special Masonic events or Commemorative occasions. The contract for this dual building is expected t o be let February 17, 1955. The project will cost approximately $850,000. The above building program, with the exception of a portion of the Hospital, will be built, furnished and put into operation from Bequests and Gifts fr om Masons and Non Masons, wh o believed in our work of charity at the Masonic Homes. Five Hundred Thousand Dollars of the cost of the Hospital was provided by voluntary contributions from the Masons of Philadelphia County, the balance was given to Grand Lodge by Bequests or Gifts. The G ra~d Lodge cons ti tuted the following New Lodges during 1954: April 7, 1954, Brotherhood Lodge No. 773 with 61 warrant membe'rs was constituted in Corinthian Hall, Masonic Temple, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. April 10, 1954, Mount Zion Lodge No. 774 with 27 warrant members was constituted in the High School Building in McConnelsburg, Pennsylvania. June 19, 1954, Steelton·Swatara Lodge No. 775 with 128 warrant members was constituted in Zembo Mosque, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. September 25, 1954, Fairless Hills Lodge No. 776 with 190 warrant members was constituted in Pennsbury High School, near Fairless Hills, Pennsylvania. November 1, 1954, Suburban Lodge No. 777 with 30 warrant members was constituted in Corinthian Hall, Masonic Temple, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. My sincere wish for each Master Mason of our Jurisdiction is that you, and yours, may enjoy health, happiness and prosperity throughout the year 1955 .
RALPH M. LEHR, Grand Master