Limited Number Available For Purchase
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Grand Master's Medallion Honors Bro. Benjamin Franklin A limited number of Franklin medallions, struck in bronze to mark th e administration of Bro. Walter P. Wells as Grand Master during 197879, are now available to the Masons of Pennsylvania. The medallion was struck in response to numerous requests by Masons who have been collecting like pieces since a special commemorative issue was created upon the dedi cation in 1967 of the statue of Washington at Prayer that was presented by the Masons of Pennsylvania to Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge. The same artist who created the Washington statue, Donald DeLue, was commissioned for the Franklin medallion. The Grand Master chose Bro. Benjamin Franklin as the subject to honor a great man and Mason whose impact on the fraternity and the nation is still being measured. " I believe proper recognition of the man who twice served as Provincial Grand Master in Pennsylvania (1734 and 1749) has been long overdue," he said. The medallion measures one and one-half inch in diameter and is one-eighth inch thick. As indicated in the accompanying drawing, the face of the medallion features a bust of Franklin and the legend pointing to his service as printer, phil osopher, scientist,
THE PENNSYLVANIA FREEMASON Distribution Office MASONIC HOMES Elizabethtown. Pa. 17022 (Send FORM 3579 to Above Address)
The PENNSYLVANIA
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statesman , diplomat and (most important to us) Freemason. The quill symbolizes his signing of the Declaration of Independence. While searching the rich volume of Franklin material to be found in Philadelphia, it was interesting to note that a significant medallion of Franklin had not yet been created. Much of the material requested by the sculptor, including photographs of busts and a legitimate signature, came from the Grand Lodge Library and Museum at the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia. A great deal of assistance was received from Bro. Whitfield J. Bell, librarian of the American Philosophical Society, and a foremost authority on Benjamin Franklin. The purchase price of the medallion has been established at $1.25, covering the actual cost of manufacture, distribution and required taxes. Orders may be placed by completing the coupon on this page. Checks
Second Class POSTAGE PAID AT Elizabethtown Pennsylvania
should be made payable to the Grand Secretary. The Franklin medallion should be of great interest to those who have been collecting the various medallions struck since 1967 by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. A coin-sized medallion was struck in 1973 to mark the lOath anniversary of the Masonic Temple in Philadelphia. The response was so great that serious collectors find it almost impossible to locate one today. The design of both the Washington at Prayer and Masonic Temple commemorative medallions was used again in 1976 in observance of the Bicentennial. There is a distinct possibility that the Grand Lodge will continue issuing medallions in the near future as plans for the observance in 1981 of the 250th anniversary of the founding of Freemasonry in Pennsylvania, and the observance in 1982 of the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, are developed. Send to-
Office of R. W. Grand Master Masonic Temple One North Broad Street Philadelphia, Pa. 19107
Enclosed is my check for $ _ _ for - - Franklin Medallion(s). Check should be payable to the Grand Secretary. NAME - - - - - - - - - - ADDRESS - - - - - - - - - CITY - -- --
STATE - - - ZIP_ _ __
POSTMASTER: Please Include Complete Imprint of Address on Your Postal Return Clipping.
VOLUME XXVI
AUGUST • 1979
NUMBER 3
Proficiency Requires 'Reasonable' Knowledge Grand Master Walter P. Wells, in response to the growing number of newly-raised master Masons who are failing to meet the requirements of the proficiency decision of 1977, has issued a set of instructions designed to eliminate areas of confusion and reduce the problem. The action taken by the Grand Master does not alter the decision itself. His directive points to some of the suspected causes of the problem as revealed by careful investigation and clarifies the manner in which the decision is to be carried out. The proficiency decision was designed to assure new members of the fraternity th e opportunity to learn the significance of the ritual so recently experienced. A series of questions relating to each of the three degrees was developed as was a second series relating to the history and culture of the fraternit y. To guarantee the new Mason the necessary time to absorb the lessons and prove proficiency, he must wait a period of six months after receiving the third degree before he may sign a petition to another organization r equiring, as a prereq uisite , membership as a master Mason in a lodge in this jurisdiction. The decision prevents a new master Mason from presenting a petition to another body, even though the six month period has passed, if he has not proved proficient in all three degrees. The responsibility for teaching the lessons is shared by th e schools of instruction and the individual lodge committees of examination, instruc-
tion and culture. The effect of the decision is to
make Masons, not just members. The following instructions were issued by the Grand Master to all 70 District Deputy Grand Masters: "I am sure you are aware of the d ifficulties that are being experienced in carrying out the dictates of the proficiency decision established in 1977 by then Grand Master, Bro. John L. McCain. "Specifically, the major problem appears to be that the requirement of 'reasonable' knowledge has been forgotten. It has been reported that the schools of instruction have been too rigid in interpreting the decision in that regard. It has also been reported that lodges have been lax in providing instruction, particularly
Like the quiet but powerful undercurrent of the sea, Freemasonry moves relentlessly on; defying the tides of passion and prejudice; ignoring the ,fads and fancies of the moment; breaking down the dikes 'that keep men apart; bearing the richness of idealism and the fragrance of friendship, and inviting all who love goodness, truth and beauty to share its brotherhood and ministry . The individual Mason's greatness is measured by his kindness; his education and intellect by his modesty; his ignorance by his suspicion and prejudice; while his true character is revealed in the consideration and tolerance he has for others.
in the area relating to Masonic Culture. "I have discussed these problems with Bro. McCain and other Grand Lodge officers and we have come to the following conclusions: "1. the schools of instruction and the lodge committees of examination, instruction and cu lture must adhere to the standard of reasonable knowledge. Bro. McCain's statement at the time the decision was announced should be used as a guide. He said, ' . .. I want all members in the future to have a reasonable knowledge of each obligation and other important facts, even though they may not be able to recite them verbatim.' " 2. that once a member of the lodge committee on examination has been certified by the school of instruction it is not necessary that he be recertified annually. Further, it is not necessary that each member of a lodge committee be certified. One certified committee member may determine the adequacy of other committee members. "In consequence of the above, and in an effort to further clarify the situation, I have decided to allow a proficient entered apprentice or fellow craft Mason to attend those degrees in another lodge, providing he is attending a lodge in this jurisdiction. "It will be necessary for the Worshipful Master of the entered apprentice or fellow craft Mason to certify to the Worshipful Master of the lodge to be visited that his member is proficient. (Continued on page 3)