Questions & Answers Question: Can a Roman Catholic, even a known member of the Knights of Columbus, become a Mason? Answer: There are no rules or regulations in Freemasonry forbidding a Roman Catholic, even a known member of the Knights of Columbus, from petitioning for membership in a Masonic Lodge. Question: Explain the emblems or ornaments that look like inverted "T's" on the Apron of a Worshipful Master? Answer: The Ahiman Rezon, Article XV, Section 3, states: " ... There may also be perpendicular lines about twoinches long and one-inch wide raised on horizontal lines of the same width and about three-inches in length, thereby forming two squares." The Constitution of the United Grand Lodge of England, our Mother Grand Lodge, in its 1815 edition described them as "perpendicular lines upon horizontal lines, thereby forming three several sets of (two) right angles." They were designed only for purpose of distinction. They are not to be confused with the Tau Cross the form of the Greek letter "T." Question: Was James Wilson, a signer of The Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States, a Mason? Answer: There are no records to substantiate that James Wilson, a prominent personality in the judicial profession in Pennsylvania from 1765 until his death in 1798, was a member of the Fraternity. Question: Is there any other Jurisdiction in the United States that has the same "Blue Lodge" Ritual as that of Pennsylvania? Answer: The Ritual and Lodge Work in Pennsylvania is still distinctly different than any of the other Jurisdictions. And , to possess or use a written or printed ritual, code or cipher is a Masonic offense. The Ritual and Lodge Work must be acquired "mouth to ear."
meeting of a Masonic Body other than a Symbolic Lodge? Answer: Decision No. 6 on Page 3 of the Digest of Decisions, which is established Masonic Law, states: "To sit with a person, somewhere else than in a regular Blue Lodge, is not lawful Masonic information that he is a Master Mason in good standing." Question: When does a Candidate for the Degrees of Freemasonry become a Member of the Lodge? Answer: A Candidate for the Degrees of Freemasonry in Pennsylvania becomes a Member of the Lodge when he receives his Entered Apprentice Masons's Degree. He is not entitled to all the rights and privileges of his Lodge, but, nevertheless, he is a Member. Question: I understand a former Member of our Grand Lodge also became President of the United States. Who was he? Answer: Bro. James Buchanan, a Past Master of Lodge No. 43, held at Lan~ ' caster, and who later served as District Deputy Grand Master for the counties of Lancaster, York and Lebanon, was our 15th President. He was in office from 1857 to 1861 and has been our only bachelor President. Question: Has the ruling forbidding Pennsylvania Masons to affiliate with Chapters of the Order of the Eastern Star ever been reviewed? Answer: The Edict, handed down by the R. W. Grand Master in 1921, making it unlawful for any Freemason under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge F. & A. M. of Pennsylvania to be affiliated with the Order of the Eastern Star continues to be enforced. Freemasonry in brief: A Faith to Live By; a Self to Live With, and a Cause to Live For. THE PENNSYLVANIA FREEMASON Distribution Office MASONIC HOMES Elizabethtown, Pa. 17022 (Send FORM 3579 to Above Address)
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FREE1WASON AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF PENNSYLVANIA
HONORED BY HIS LODGE-Bro. and Rev. Dr. Kenneth P. Rutter, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church, Greensburg, Pa., is shown receiving the Mason of distinction Award from Bros. James E. Warnick, Worshipful Master of Philanthrophy Lodge, No. 225, held at Greensburg. This was the first of a series of such awards to be presented by the Lodge to Greensburg area Masons whose per· sonal, professional and Masonic lives exem· plify the ideals and ·teachings of Freemasonry.
June Quarterly to be Held at Scranton, Pa. The June Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge will be held in the Masonic Temple and Scottish Rite Cathedral, Scranton, Pa., at 7:00 o'clock, P. M., Wednesday, June 3, 1981. Bro. Joseph E. Trate, R. W. Grand Master, urges as many Pennsylvania Masons as possible to make an effort to attend Communications of the Grand Lodge. It is not necessary to be a Lodge Officer or a Past Master to attend. All Master Masons are invited. Scranton has ample hotels and motels, if needed. The Masonic Temple is located near the center of the city, 420 North Washington Avenue.
FEBRUARY-MARCH • 1981
VOLUME XXVIII
250th Anniversary Set for Five Days in June Bro. Joseph E. Trate, R. W. Grand Master, has his rather active 1981 Committee finalizing arrangements and details for the 250th Anniversary of Freemasonry in Pennsylvania to be celebrated in June, this year. Special programs prepared in recognition of this 250th year of Freemasonry in our Jurisdiction, have been produced and distributed to our Symbolic Lodges for use during the Stated Meetings for January through June , this year. An excellent Grand Lodge Medallion h as been struck to commemorate this 250th Anniversary. These solid bronze medallions, 3-inches in diameter and inserted in a beautiful
case, will be made available for purchase to those interested. The Grand Master is ·still hopeful that many more Symbolic Lodges and also individ-ual Pennsylvania Masons will contribute toward the cost of the large bronze statue of Bro. Benjamin Franklin - Craftsman, to be dedicated and presented to the City of Philadelphia at the conclu· sian of the Masonic parade on Saturday, June 2 7, 1981. The plaque at the base of the statue will read in part : "Presented by Pennsylvania Freema· sons." A few Pennsylvania Masons and two Symbolic Lodges have made contributions thus far. Your prompt consideration of this appeal is en-
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POSTMASTER : Please Include Compl ete Imprint of Address on Your Postal Return Clipping.
NUMBER 1
A Time for J!raud Participation
Second Class POSTAGE PAID AT Elizabethtown Pennsylvania
Question: Name the first three American Grand Lodges to become independent of the Grand Lodge of England and when? Answer: Virginia on October 13, 1778; South Carolina on December 27, 1783; and Pennsylvania on September 26, 1786. Question: Can you vouch for another as a Master Mason if you have only been in his presence while attending a
The PENNSYLVANIA
ADMIRING THE CRAFTSMAN'S HANDIWORK- Bro. Joseph E. Trate, R. W. Grand Master, is shown on the r ight admiring the 18-inch scale model of the 14-foot statue of Bro. Benjamin Franklin, Craftsman, to be dedicated on Saturday, June 27,1981, on an area near the walk-way directly across Broad Street from the main entrance of the Masonic Temple, Philadelphia. Mr. Joseph Brown, renowned sculptor commissioned to produce the completed statue, is shown on the left adding the master's touch.
couraged as we endeavor to honor a great man and a great Mason who served as Grand Master of our Provincial Grand Lodge in 1734 and again in 1749. Highlighting the five-day program of events and beginning on Wednesday, June 24, 1981, a true Masonic date-St. John the Baptist's Day-will be the following: Wednesday, June 24th-Special Communication of the Grand Lodge followed by a wreath laying ceremony at Bro. Benjamin Franklin's grave and thep a church service in Old Christ Church. Thursday, June 25th-A formal black-tie dinner and receptioh for our distinguished guests from Grand Lodges in North America and Eng· land. Friday, June 26th-A day at the Masonic Homes and an evening dinner and entertainment back in Philadelphia. Saturday, June 27th-A Masonic parade down the Benjamin Franklin Parkway; unveiling and dedication ceremony around the new statue; dinner in the spacious ball room of the new Franklin Plaza Hotel. Sunday, June 28th-A religious service in the ball room of the Philadelphia Sheraton Hotel following breakfast at 10:00 o'clock, A.M., and finally, a real Masonic farewell to all from all of our Right Worshipfuls. Contributions toward the large bronze statue should be mailed to the Office of the Grand Master, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19107, made payable to the R. W. Grand Secretary.