Questions & Answers Question: How did Operative Masonry develop into Speculative Masonry? Answer: Beginning about 1600, men of prominence in other lines of work who were not particularly interested in architecture and building, became members of some of the lodges of Operative Masons and finally assumed leadership therein. They used the tools, language and principles of Operative Masonry to teach the rules of life.
Question: What was the original code of laws in early English Masonry? Answer: The Constitutions of 1723 compiled by James Anderson. This was followed by a revised edition in 1738. Question: What was the Ahiman Rezon?
The George Washington Bible, opened at the page on which Bro. George Washington rested his hand when he took the Oath of Office as President of the United States of America on April 30, 1789. This precious book will be shown to the public for the first time at the Masonic Center sponsored by the Masons of New York State at the World's Fair. Included in the endless list of rare Masonic items on display in this Masonic Center are several items on loan front the IJibrary and Musemn of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania.
Answer : The Constitution of the Ancient Grand Lodge as compiled by Laurence Dermott, Grand Secretary. The name is Hebraic in origin, but has no true and concise equivalent, although it was supposed to mean "A Help to a Brother." It is the name for the Book of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of Pennsylvania.
Reading and Research Always Recommended
Question: Who was the first Provincial Grand Master in America?
One peculiarity about Freemasonry is that it will lend itself to investigation. The deeper the research, the more extensive the knowledge of its hidden art a nd mysteries, the more highly it is appreciated and accepted. The man who merely takes the degrees in a listless, careless sort of manner, and who remains a mere spectator at Lodge meetings, a nd then consider s the customary refreshments after Lodge is closed as the best part of the proceedings, may well think that Freema~onry differs very little from other organizations. On the other hand, the Member who
An swer: D aniel Coxe who was appointed in 1730 for New York, New Jersey and P ennsyl vania by the G rand Master of the Grand L odge of England.
THE
PE~~SYLVA~IA
FREEMASO~
Distribution Office MASO~IC HOMES Elizabethtown, Pa. 17022 (Send FORM 3S79 to Above Address )
delves deeply into Masonic literature, takes an interest in the Ritualistic and Lodge Work, attempts to learn the origin and meaning a nd moral bearing of the symbols, cannot possibly fall into such an error. To him, Freemasonry h as refining and elevating influence not to be found in the ordinary run of organizations or societies. To bring this type of influence to bear on every Member of the Craft, and to direct them to the systematic study of Freemasonry, should be the great aim of every true Master M ason who has the welfare of the Frat ernity and his Brethren at h eart. Second Class POSTAGE PAID AT Elizabe thtown Pennsylvania
Question: What are the qualifications of a petitioner fo r Freemasonry? Answer: That he believes in the existence of a Supreme Being by what ever name He may be called. That he applies for initiation and membership of his own free will and accord. That he is recommended by two Master M asons, Members of the Lodge to which he desires to petit ion. That he is of good character. He must, of course, be a man, freeborn, and of mature age. Question: I s the Masonic Fraternity a secret society? Answer: It is not. A secret society is one which d oes not openly acknowledge its existence, keeps its membership secret and meets in secret. Masonry has some secrets but as an organization is well known to the general public. Q .u estion: What does "So mote it be" mean? Answer: "Amen" or "So may it be." These are the last words in the R egius Poem, the oldest of the so-called Old Constitutions dating from approximately 1395.
POSTMASTER : Ple ase include Comple te ~am e, Address and Identification No. on Return c lipping.
Edito r's Note: If you have a question on Freemasonry, share it with us. We will make every effort to answer it. If permissible, we will include both the question and the answer in this Question and Answer eolu n tn for others to read.
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r_lLe-pE:t-H.J FREE:M:..A..SO~ AN OFFICIAL PUBLIC.ATION OF THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF PENNSYLVANIA
VOLUME XI
MAY
•
1964
NUMBER 2
Family and Church Emphasized Cornerstone Is Placed And New Lodge Room In New Decisions of Grand Master
Dedicated at Kane, Pa.
One of the most important obligations of a Mason is his family. Equally important is his obligation to church and country. In Freemasonry we weld these three obligations into our fraternalism, which has as its basic teaching, "The Brotherhood of Man Under the Fatherhood of God." This being our belief, then it becomes our duty to do everything within our power to strengthen family relationships, and to provide what tools we can to create a M asonic understanding in the daily lives of our families. First, we must encourage Masonsand their families- to take part in the religion of their own choice. Free masonry is religious in that it teaches monotheism; the Holy Bible is open upon its altars whenever a Lodge is in session. Reverence for God is ever present in its ceremonial, a nd its Brethren are constantly addressed lessons of mora lity. Yet it is not sectarian or theological. In an effort to encourage Masons to attend church, I have issued Decision No. 807 in the Digest of D ecisions, which permits M asonic Lodges to at~ tend church services as Masons, and to so announce in Lodge Notices. Now, in a further effort to strengthen family ties in Freemasonry, I have issued Decision No. 238-D, which states: "Members of Lodges under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania a re hereby permitted to attend meetings, dinners, banquets, entertainments, installations and similar occasions h eld or sponsor.ed by the Order of the Rainbow Girls or Job's Daughters, whether such occasions are closed or open to the general public. Members of Lodges may also address su ch occasion s, provided that prior, written
Bro. Earl F. Herold, R. W. Grand Master, assisted by other Grand Lodge Officers, laid the cornerstone of the new Masonic Hall in Kane, Pa., at a Special Communication of the Grand Lodge at 3: 00 o'clock p.m. Saturday, April 18, 1964, and then dedicated the new Lodge Room that same evening.
Bro. Earl F. Herold R. W. Grand Master approval of the Grand Master has been obtained in each instance. "Members of our Lodges may also attend dinners, banquets, ent17rtainments, installations and similar occasions of other female organizations, membership in which is based upon Masonic affiliation, provided such events are open to the general public. Members of our Lodges may address such affairs only upon the specific, written approval of the Grand Master in each instance. "All Decisions or rulings that may appear inconsistent with Decision No. 238-D are hereby amended." This Decision was not issued on the spur of the moment. It was given serious consideration and thought over a long period. (Continu ed on Page 2)
The area in front of the building was set up similar to a Lodge Room and the ceremonies for the cornerstone laying were open to the public. At 5:00 o'clock p.m., a banquet was held, for the Freemasons attending the cornerstone laying, in the cafeteria of the Kane Area Union Joint High School. Following the banquet, the new Lodge Room was dedicated in ceremonies beginning at 7: 00 o'clock p.m. The officers of the seven Lodges in the 22nd Masonic District, located in Bradford, Smethport, Duke Center, Eldred, Mount Jewett a nd, of course, Kane were present and had appropriate places in the Lodge Room during the meeting. The building was constructed by Thomas Askey, a contractor from Conneautville. It is similar to the Colonial style of the four suggested in the Grand Lodge program for new Masonic Temples, Halls and Lodge Rooms. The overall floor space of the building is 5,766 square feet. In addition to the Lodge Room which is 25 feet by 51 feet in dimension, it contains a large dining room, lounge, office, kitchen, men's and women'.s rest rooms, adequate property rooms and hot water baseboard h eating.