THE PENNSYLVANIA FREEMASON Issued Every Th ree Months By The Rig ht Worshipful G rand lod ge 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, Past Grand Master, Chairman; William E. Montgomery, G. Edwa rd Elwell, Jr., Frank R. l eech, W illiam A. Carpenter, Charles A. Young and Ashby B. Paul. APPROVED AND AUTHORIZED TO BE PRINTED BY
SANFORD M. CHILCOTE Right Worshipful Grand Master WILLIAM A. CARPENTER, Editor Mailing Address: P.O. BOX 688, WARREN, PA.
Vol. V
February, 1958
No. 1
Your Circulating Library By WILLIAM J. PATERSON
Grand Librarian and Curator
Masonic literature had its beginning in England and the first manu script was known as the " Roberts Manuscript" and was published in 1722 under the title of "The Old Constitutions Belonging to the Ancient and H onorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons." Rev. James Anderson, D.D., a Presbyterian Minister is well known t o all Masonic historians as the compiler of the celebrated book of Constitutions of the Freemasons containing the History, Charges, Regulations, &c. of the Most Ancient and Right Worshipful Fraternity (for the use of the Lodges) London, 1723. The first Masonic book published in America was a reprint of the 1723 edition of the " Consti tutions of Freemasons," from the press of Benjamin Franklin, reprinted in Philadelphia, 1734 by special order, for the use of the brethren in North America. In the early days as far back as the eighteenth century it was in the minds of the brethren that the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania should possess a Masonic Library wherein manuscripts, books and various papers could be stored for the use of the membership, and for perpetual care. This aspiration was fi rst brought to the attention of the Grand Lodge Officers as early as March 26, 1787, and subsequently on October 7, 1816, and March 17, 1817. It was not until June 7, 1871, that a resolution was passed in the Grand Lodge authorizing the establishment of a Grand Lodge Library. Over a period of years many books and articles on Freemasonry were published by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and numerous histories by the Subordinate Lodges. However, no movement was ever considered to organize a Circulating Library, or a plan of "Masonic Edu cation " whereby a member could be properly enlightened through the reading of Masonic books at leisure in his own home. While visiting other Grand Jurisdictions
that maintained Circulating Libraries, your Librarian learned that Masonic books were very much in demand by the brethren, and the idea had proven a success. On September 5, 1951, a resolution was on motion and adopted in Grand Lodge authorizing the Committee on Library to create a Circulating Library. Two brochures were prepared and printed, one consisting of the Rules and Regulations including a form of application for the borrowing of books by the members, the other giving a list of numerous books which could be loaned, and copies of each brochure were sent to the Secretaries of the Subordinate Lodges. Since that time the Librarian is pleased to announce that requests for books a re constan tly being mailed to the library, and up to the present time the Committee has loaned 3,174 volumes. The brethren who have not taken advantage of this privilege and desire to do so, write to William J. Paterson, Librarian, Masonic Temple, Broad and Filbert Streets, Phila. 7, Pa. Here mentioned are only a few of the titles of Masonic books that can be borrowed, many others are available, namely : ANCIENT MYSTERIES BIOGRAPHIES
NEGRO MASONRY PHILOSOPHY
CRYPTIC R ITE
RoYAL ARcH
J u RISPRUDENCE KNIGHTS TEMPLAR
SYMBOLISM ScoTTISH RITE
L ANDMARKS
SHORT T ALKS ON
MAs o NRY M ILITARY LoDGES YoRK R ITE
Masons at Sight On Monday, December 2, 1957, our R. W. Grand Master caused Leon J. Obermayer and Robert G. Dunlop to be made Masons at Sight in accordance with the prerogative granted him under the Ahiman Rezon, at a Special Communication of Grand Lodge called for that purpose in Corinthian Hall, Masonic Temple, Philadelphia. B rothe r Leon J. Obermayer
Brother Leon J. Obermayer was born in Illinois and moved to Philadelphia when still a boy. He was educated in Philadelphia Public Schools and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He is married and has two sons and a daughter. According to his fam ily history, Brother Obermayer's fathe r was made a Mason over a 100 years ago, in 1857. Brother Obermayer is a former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Bar Association, former Vice Pr esident Pennsylvania Bar Association, Chairman of Committee on Professional Guidance of Philadelphia Bar Association. He is on the Board of Managers of s uch Social Service agencies as Heart Association, Academy of Natural Sciences, Woods Sch ool for Exceptional Children, Boy Scouts of America, Young Men's and Young Women's Hebrew Association of Philadelphia, Jewish Ho spital, Philade l phia, o ften serving as Chairman.
Brother Obermayer was appointed to Philadelphia Board of Public Education in 1938, Vice President, April 9, 1955 and President, 1955. He has served as President of Central High School Alumni Associa tion and President of Alumni of Law Department, University of Pennsylvania and Chairman of Draft Board in Philadelphia 1940-1946, and member of Executive Committee on U. S. Commission UNESCO. Hebrew Union College and Temple University have conferred Honorary Degrees upon Brother Obermayer.
FREEMASON
Brother Robert G. Dunlop
Brother Robert G. Dunlop was born in Boston, Massachusetts. The family moved to Collingswood, New Jersey, when Robert was still an infant. He was educated in Collingswood Schools and Wharton School of University of Pennsylvania. Brother Dunlop joined Sun Oil Company, as an accountant, being promo ted to Assistant Comptroller in 194-1 and Comptroller in 1944. He succeeded to the Presidency in 1947 when Mr. J. Howard P ew retired . Brother Dunlop has buil t up a record for high morale in the company by his sincerity, respect for his individual employees and personal interest in them. He is keenly aware of his social responsibilities, especially to youth . He is on the Board of Managers of his Church, Boy Scouts, Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital, Philadelphia; University of Pennsylvania; Westminster College, New Wilmington, P a.; Baldwin School, Bryn Mawr, P a., and Seaman's Church Institute, Philadelphia. Brother Dunlop is married and has two children. The Entered Apprentice Mason's Degree was conferred by Brother George H. Meiners, Past Master of Chester Lodge No. 236. The Fellowcraft Mason's Degree was conferred by Brother Clifford S . W illiams, Past Master of Lucius Scott Lodge No. 352. The Master Mason's Degree wa s conferred by Brother H. Curtis Myers, Worshipful Master of Frankford Lodge No. 292. The Guide was Brother William A. Carpenter, Past Master of Chester Lodge No. 236. Our welcome, Brothers Obermayer and Dunlop, into the Masonic Fraternity, where brothers "best work and best agree." -C.A.Y.
Beautiful Color Post Card Showing Exterior View of Masonic Temple, Philadelphia, Now Available Th is attractive card is j ust a little less than four by six inches in size and provides a wonderful detailed view of The Temple. On the reverse side is the usual post card arrangement for address, message and stamp. Th is is the headquarters and meeting place of the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of P ennsylvania. These cards may be ordered in any quantity, at the rate of five cents per card, fro m: William J. P aterson Librarian, Masonic Temple, Broad and Filbert Streets, Philadelphia 7, Pa.
AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF TH E RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND L ODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF PENNSYLVANIA
VOLUME V
FEBRUARY • 1958
NUMBER 1
A Message from Our Grand Master At High Noon on December 27, 1957 I assumed the office of Right Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in P ennsylvania. During the past six years it has been my privilege to serve the Grand Lodge in the offices of Right Worsh ipful Junior Grand Warden , Right Wor shipful Senior Grand Warden and Right Worsh ipful Deputy Grand Master. Previous to that I was District Deputy Grand Master of the Fifty-fourth Masonic District. It has been my privilege to serve under Albert T . Eyler, Ralph M. Lehr and Charles H. Nitsch during their terms as Right Worshipful Grand Masters. During these years it h as been the practice of the Grand Office rs under the guidance of the Grand Master, to endeavor to coordinate the activities of the Grand Lodge with the combined knowledge and assistance of all to solve the numerous problems which must be decided, to the end that the Grand Lodge activities proceed along those lines which will result in the continued forwa rd March of the Grand Lodge of P ennsylvania. As our immediate Past Right Worshipful Grand Master, Charles H. Nitsch, has so aptly stated, " The Office of Grand Mas ter is not a one-man job." On the contrary it requires 100% cooperation of all to the end that our Grand Lodge may continue to prosper and maintain its rightful position in Freemasonry. I am strengthened in assuming the duties of this high office in the knowledge that there are available to the Grand Mas ter those who have preceded me in the office and many other outstanding Masons in Pennsylvania all of whom stand by ready, able and willing to be of such help as may be necessary in this great under taking. At the same time it is my thought that every Mason in Pennsylvania by his attendance at the regular meetings of his own Lodge and zealous enthusiastic support of the principles of Masonry within his Lodge, as well as in his home life and work, continue to be pillars of strength in the preservation of the heritage which is ours. I, therefore, suggest that all of us give careful attention to our Masonic obligations as they arise from day to day and by applying those principles which we are taught, each of us can make a distinct contribution within his sphere of activity to the advancement of the principles of Freemasonry to which we are all personally dedicated. I was greatly surprised and pleased on December 27, 1957 when approximately fifty members of my Lodge, Verona Lodge No. 548, Verona, Pennsylvania, arranged to sojourn to Philadelphia and be
presen t in Corinthian Hall when I was installed. Many of those present in this group had never been afforded the opportunity of attending a Communication of the Grand Lodge. To have those with whom you have been so closely associated in the activities of Freemasonry travel a round trip distance of over six hundred miles by buses in order to be present on the occasion of the installation of one of their past Masters as Grand Master is something which creates a feeling of mixed emotions. The thought occurs to me that all Masons in all Lodges should have, and I feel certain do have, the same spirit with regard to Freemasonry. It was my privilege to visit my own Lodge on my first official Visitation as Grand Mas ter on January 3, 1958 at the Masonic Temple in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, our own Lodge Room being inadequate for the occasion. At that time I am informed there were approximately 547 Masons present and I was accompanied by the Grand Officers, many Past Grand Masters and Dis trict Deputy Grand Masters. The presence of these many Masons brought to my mind the slogan. of Brother George H. Deike, Right Worshipful P ast Grand Master, who on many occasions during his term of office said: "Freemasonry is on the march in Pennsylvania." I believe that slogan is as applicable today as it was during his administration. Not only is Freemasonry on the march in Pennsylvania but throughout the world. It will continue to be so as each of us, wherever we find ourselves, becom~ more active, if possible, in this great march. I have been so impressed by the inscription which appears over the "House of the Temple" in Washington, D. C., this outstanding Masonic Temple being the seat of Freemasonry for the Southern Masonic Jurisdiction, Ancien t Accepted Scottish Rite. The inscription reads "Freemasonry builds its Temples in the hearts of men and among the nations." We, therefore, do have a great obligation as each of us continues to preserve that heritage which is ours. We must build the Temples of Masonry within our hearts and our lives to the end that these same principles which have to do with the preservation of the heritage which we have as citizens, be perpetuated throughout the world.
SANFORD M. CHILCOTE, Grand Master