Questions & Answers Question: Can a Pennsylvania Mason be a Member of more than one "Blue ~odge:· at the same time as permitted 111 varwus Grand Jurisdictions? Answer: It is not permissible for a Pennsylva nia Mason to be a Member of two "Blue Lodges" at the same time, either in the Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania, or i~ o.u r Jurisdiction and another JurisdictiOn. Dual membership has been prohi bited since 1804. Question: Was Freemasonry involved in the first oil wells credited to Pennsylvania? Answer: Only the fact that the world's first oil well was successfully drilled on August 27, 1859, at Titusville, Pa. by " Colonel" Edwin L. Drake, a retired railroad conductor, and a Member of our fo rmer Oil Creek Lodge, No. 303, now Titusville Lodge, No. 754 , held at Titusville, Pa. Question: I have heard that John Wanamaker , prominent American merchant and founder of the Wanamaker Department Stores, was opposed to Freemasonry. Can you enlighten me on this rumor? Answer: John Wanamaker was not only a prominent American merchant and founder of the Wanamaker Department Stores, but he was a prominent Mason. Bro. Wanamaker was made a Mason at Sight by the Right Worshipful Grand Master of Pennsylvania on March 30, 1898. He was then accepted by Friendship Lodge, No. 400, held at Jenkintown, near Philadelphia, and !ater worked through the chairs, servIng as Worshipful Master in 1905. Bro. Wanamaker later financed the beautiful I?orlc styled Masonic Temple in Jenkintown, Pa., and presented it to his Lodge on January 11 , 1913. A powerful influence in the establishment of the widely acclaimed Library and Museum of our Masonic Temple, Philadelphia, and a generous contributor in the early days of our now famous collecti on of Masonic memorabilia, Bro. Wanamaker served as Chairman of the Grand Lodge Committee on Library and Museum for many years.
writing to the Grand Lodge Committee on Masonic Culture, Masonic Temple, One North Broad Street, Philadelphia Pa. 19017. ' Question: In addition to showing a "Blue Lodge" current Dues card, when visiting Lodges in American and foreign Jurisdictions, do we have any other type of confirmation of a Pennsylvania Mason's Good Masonic Standing? Answer: There are two items. One is a Grand Lodge Certificate, a beautiful printed-type document with a gold Grand Lodge embossed seal attached which sells for $5.00. A second is ~ Commission to a Brother to Visit Foreign Grand Lodges and Lodges which is typewritten on a Grand Lodge 8%xll letterhead and issued free of charge. Each of these documents must be processed through your Lodge Secretary who, in turn, obtains them from the Office of the R. W. Grand Secretary. Please allow reasonable time before you depart on a trip. Question: Has there been any progress in solving the damage done the south wall of the Masonic Temple, Philadelphia, created by the construction of the Center City Commuter Tunnel? Answer: When cracks began to appear on the interior of the south wall of the Masonic Temple, construction was suspended on the tunnel near the Temple for several months. Since early June the contractor has been drilling a series of ninty-five holes along the south wall of the Temple near the original foundation. These holes, each fifty-feet deep, will contain a steel I-beam encased in concrete. When this process is completed, additional concrete abutments will be poured to guarantee the maximum shoring up of the south wall of the Temple.
THE PENNSYLV ANJA FREEMASON Distribution Office MASONIC HOMES Elizabethtown, Pa. 17022 (Send FORM 3579 to Above Address)
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FREElYIASON AN Offi(IAL PUBLICATION Of THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE Of 9? PLUS and 72 YEARS A P. M.-Relaxing in h1s favorite chair is Bro. Walter K. Thorne, Past Master of Coatesville Lodge, No. 564. Bro. Thorne was Worshipful Master 72 years ago and is looking forward to his lOOth birthday which he hopes to celebrate this coming September. The Brethren wish thee well Walter. You have been a real inspiration to the Craft.
Editor's Note: As we go to press with this belated edition of "The Pennsylvania Freemason," delayed to carry articles on the five-day 250th Anniversary Celebration of Freemasonry in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the September Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge to be held in the Cumberland Valley High School Sports Center near Mechanicsburg, we are aware of several articles in our pending file that will not appear in this particular edition. A 12-page edition of "The Pennsylvania Freemason" is being considered for the August-September edition and will be circulated during September. Your patience and understanding is appreciated.
Second Class POSTAGE PAID AT Elizabethtown Pennsylvania
Que~tion: Is there something printed in
bnef form that would explain just what Freemasonry is to a non-Mason? An~wer: The Grand Lodge of Pennsylva~Ia has produced a folder, entitled Freemasonry, A Way of Life," that can be read in a few minutes. This attract ive folder was designed and produced as a broad definition of Freemasonry for the Mason and non-Mason alike. It is free upon request either through your Lodge Secretary or by
The PENNSYLVANIA
POSTMASTER: Please Include Complete Imprint of Address on Your Postal Return Clipping.
FREE AND A((EPJED MASONS Of PENNSYLVANIA VOLUME XXVIII
MAY-JUNE • 1981
NUMBER 2
FREEMASONRYA WAY OF LIFE Every individual is by nature endowed with certain traits of character which form the basis for reasoning and the conduct of life. In fact, these natural traits or tendencies are but signposts along life's highway, directing us in our words, our thoughts, and our actions. If, by self-analysis, we can discover and discard those traits which seem to lead us in the wrong direction, and at the same time , cultivate those natural tendencies which point the way to higher achievement, then we have carried into effect one of the great principles of Freemasonry. Our station in life is fixed many times by conditions or circumstances over which we have no control. Consequently, the individual is master of his own destiny only in a certain degree. It would , therefore, seem that the niche which we are to occupy in this world has already been carved for us by some natural or Divine power, and the h eights to which we can rise are, in all probability defined by powers and deficiencies within us. Our ability to make proper decisions, the height of our own ambition, and the relationship existing between ourselves and our fellowmen are th e cardinal principles which can very well determine our success as individuals and as citizens. Freemasonry recognizes the inherent faults of the individual member, and endeavors by precept and example to curb irregularities. It provides an opportunity for self-improvement by regular attendance at its Stated and Extra meetings and throughout the study and application of its beautiful Ritualistic and Lodge Work. It Contin ued on Page 2
SITE OF SEPTEMBER QUARTERLY OF GRAND LODGE-Shown above is an outside view of the new and spacious Cumberland Valley High School Sports Center where the Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge will be held on Wednesday evening, September 2, 1981, beginning at 7:00 o'clock. The entrance to the Cumberland Valley High School complex is at 6746 Carlisle Pike (U. S. Route No. 11) near Mechanicsburg, Pa., approximately 10miles west of Harrisburg. Pennsylvania Turnpike Exits 16, 17 and 18 are handy approaches to U.S. Route No. 11. The complex has parking space. for 1000 cars and the Sports Center has a seating capacity of 2800.
September Quarterly Communication At Cumberland Valley School Complex Bro. Joseph E. Trate , R. W. Grand Master , has selected the spacious Cumberland Valley High School Sports Center as the place for the Quarterly Communication of 'Grand Lodge to be held on Wednesday evening, September 2, 1981 , and beginning promptly at 7:00 o'clock. This will be the first time a Quarterly Communication of Grand Lodge has been scheduled for the 3rd Masonic District which is comprised of Lodges located in the beautiful Cumberland County Valley. The Cumberland Valley High School complex is actually located at 6746 Carlisle Pike, near Mechanicsburg, Pa., which is U. S. Route No. 11, and is accessible by many excellent highways from all directions. And, there are severa l motels in surrounding areas. Parking will be no problem as there is ample
parking space on the school property. And, being one of the newer high school complexes, it is adequately air conditioned. The custom of sch eduling Quarterly Communications in various cities throughout the Juris diction is to afford every opportunity for Pennsylvania Masons to attend and experience a Grand Lodge Communication. The Grand Master is hopeful that a large number of Pennsylvania Masons, particularly from Lodges in the central sections of the Jurisdiction, will plan to attend the September Quarterly Communication. It is not necessary to be a Lodge Officer or a Past Master to attend a Communication of Grand Lodge. All Master Masons are eligible and invited to attend. And, guess what? Refreshments will be served following the Com munication.