|
| |
COVER STORY
Scenes from the 77th Easter Sunrise Service
Hilton Alexandria Mark Center
March 23, 2008, Alexandria, Virginia.
From top left clockwise:Display of banners; Bethel No. 52, Job's Daughters, at prayer; Order of DeMolay ushers;a line of Sir Knights with Delaware's Sir Knights on the left; and officers of the Supreme Council, S.O.O.B. Cover pictures and design by Sir Knight G. Dan Pushee.
COMPLETE PICTURES:
[Banquet]-[Service]-["Hall & Crowd"]-[Awards & Wreath Ceremony]-
[Beauceant] This WEBSITE is published monthly as an official publication of the
Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America.
Sid Cornelius Dorris III, Grand Generalissimo and Publisher,
2007 Brenthaven Drive, Mount Juliet, TN 37122
John L. Palmer, Managing Editor
P.O. Box 566
Nashvillee TN 37135-0566
(615) 283-8477 (telephone), (615) 283-8476(facsimile)
E-mail: ktmagazine@comcast.net
"Tell US What YOU THINK"
Joan B. Morton Assistant Editor
Mail materials and correspondence, to:
Editor, Grand Encampment of Knights Templar
Post Office Box 478448, Chicago, IL 60647-8448
phone and fax: (773) 489-0689
Material for the Grand Commanderies' two-page supplements
is to be directed to the respective Supplement editors.
Supplement Editors are encouraged to create their own sites
or submit "NEWS" to kych52va@aol.com
Address corrections from members are to be sent to the local Recorders LISTED HERE
JUNE: Fly the flag with pride on Flag Day, have a very happy Father's Day, and don't forget that the first day of summer is on June 20, so have a delightful season! Check out Grand Master Koon's inspiring message about patriotism and Grand Recorder Tucker's message conceming upcoming Department Conferences. We're thinking you will so much enjoy the pictures from the Easter festivities that were held in Alexandria, Virginia, that you will definitely not miss it next year or will retum with great enthusiasm! Don't miss Sir Knight Taylor's article for the Prelate's Chapel section; it is quite provocative! Sir Knight Marples brings us the beginning to a thoroughly intriguing story of Templar history, and Sir Knight White has an interesting, take on the life of Jesus. Also included is information on the Scottish Rite Supreme Council for Northern Masonic Jurisdiction Annual Meeting-August 23-27, 2008-Providence, Rhode Island and an iteresting article on "Valiant Templar...GENERAL JOSEPH WARREN" by George A. Weeks. Enjoy!
  
Grand Master's Message for June 2008
In looking through past messages in the Knight Templar magazine, I noted an article written by Sir Knight Ned E. Dull, M.E.P.G.M., as his message for June 1984. It spoke of Flag Day, June 14, and brought an important consideration for us today.
In 1984 it had been 30 years since June 14, 1954, when the words "under God" were added to our "Pledge of Allegiance." In Sir Knight Dull's message, he expressed concern that many of our citizenry were ashamed to express patriotism publicly. He was right then, and 24 years later, I'm appalled to see how few people remove their caps in public or place their hands over their hearts when our Pledge is recited or the "Star Spangled Banner" is played. Watch your TV at sporting events, and I think you'll be surprised as well. 24 years after Sir Knight Dull's message, there is even talk of removing "under God" from our Pledge!
Sir Knight Dull quoted President Woodrow Wilson's thoughts on "Old Glory," spoken on Flag Day, June 14, 1917:
"This flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought, and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. The choices are ours. It floats in majestic silence above the hosts that execute those choices, whether in peace or in war. And yet, though silent, it speaks to us-speaks to us of the past, of the men and women who went before us, and of the records they wrote upon it."
The question I had as I read Sir Knight Dull's article was: "What has .my generation done to enhance "Love of Country and Love of God"? Perhaps, this Flag Day is a good time to instill a sense of Patriotism in our children and grandchildren. I well remember learning every patriotic song my grandfather knew and singing them with him at the top of my lungs! If we don't teach them, how are they to know?
 
Sir Knight William H. Koon II, GCT
Grand Master
TOP
Greetings, Sir Knights:
We are utilizing the internet more and more. Many forms are available online as well as conference presentations and guidelines. In addition to the exemplification of the Order of Red Cross and the Order of Malta on DVD, booklets on Templar history, history of the York Rite, and Drill regulations, and several books are available through the Grand Recorder's Office, including: History of the Grand Encampment (two-volume set), A Pilgrim's Path:
Freemasonry and the Religious Right; Born in Blood; and Dungeon, Fire and Sword.
The 2008-2009 Grand Encampment Department Conferences are open to ALL SIR KNIGHTS, not just Grand Commandery Officers. The Department Conferences provide the Grand Commandery Officers and Sir Knights the opportunity to meet their peers in Sister Jurisdictions. Also, the Conferences provide a forum to exchange ideas with the Grand Encampment Officers.
Upcoming Conferences include:
Northeastern (CT, ME, MAlRI, NH, NJ, NY, PA and VT) Albany, NY
Friday, September 5, 2008-Saturday, September 6, 2008 John M. Lewis, RIGHT EMINENT DEPARTMENT COMMANDER
South Central (AR, KS, LA, MO, OK and TX) Manhattan, KS
Friday, September 19, 2008-Saturday, September 20, 2008 F. Douglas Mitchell, RIGHT EMINENT DEPARTMENT COMMANDER
Mld·Atlantic (DE, DC, MD, NC, VA and WV) Roanoke, VA
Friday, October 3, 2008-Saturday, October 4, 2008 Vaughn F. Shafer, RIGHT EMINENT DEPARTMENT COMMANDER
Northwestern (AK, CO, 10, MT, OR, WA and WY) Boise, 10
Friday, October 17, 2008-Saturday, October 18, 2008 James C. Herndon, RIGHT EMINENT DEPARTMENT COMMANDER
North Central (lA, MN, NE, NO and SO) Fargo, NO
Friday, October 24, 2008-Saturday, October 25, 2008 Jeffrey N. Nelson, RIGHT EMINENT DEPARTMENT COMMANDER
Southwestern (Al, CA, NV, NM and UT) TBD
Friday, October 31, 2008-November 1, 2008 Robert C. C0e, RIGHT EMINENT DEPARTMENT COMMANDER
Lawrence E. Tucker, GCT
Grand Recorder
Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America
5909 West Loop South, Suite 495
Bellaire, TX 77401-2402
Web Site: www.knightstemplar.org
Office E-mail: gr@knightstemplar.org
TOP
How Do Knight Templar Relate to Christianity?
By Sir Knight James C. Taylor, P.D.C, South Central
Past Grand Preceptor, HRAKTP
The mission of Knights Templar being "the Support and Defense of the Christian Religion," one might wonder where it is proven that Templary is connected with Christianity. It is essential that members of this fraternal organization are familiar with this connection so that they have more of a basis for supporting that mission.
Scriptures from the New Testament ralating to the life and message of Jesus are found throughout the Symbolic or first three degrees of Masonry as well as in the degrees of the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, the Council of Cryptic Masons, and the Order of Red Cross in the Commandery. While all these degrees and orders talk about the life and mission of the people of God in the Old Testament, there are ample lessons included which refer to the life of Jesus.
It is the duty of every York Rite Mason, as explained in the Most Excellent Master degree of the Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, to acquire such a degree of knowledge and information as will enable a member to dispense light and truth to the less informed Mason. In other words, a York Rite Mason should have a lifetime study of the degrees of the York Rite, including the scriptures upon which the degrees are based, to not only inform himself of the full meaning of the text of the degrees, but also to learn the philosophy of the degrees so that he may teach and instruct others. If a Knight Templar does this, there should be no doubt in his mind that Templary is most assuredly connected to Christianity.
In the Entered Apprentice degree lecture (Oklahoma work), reference is made to scripture from Matthew 7: 7. This scripture was spoken by Jesus in the "Sermon on the Mount." In the explanation of the working tools of this degree, reference is made to a "House not made with hands, eternal in the heavens," which is from 2 Corinthians 5: 1. In the monitorial work of the Entered Apprentice degree, it is stated that Masons should instruct their members to study the Holy Bible to learn the way to Eternal Life. Keep in mind that this does not say ''the Old Testament," but the whole Bible, which contains the life and passion of Jesus, who promised eternal life to the faithful. Masons wear a lambskin as a badge of Masonry. Need I remind the reader that Jesus was referred to as ''The Lamb of God"?
In the second section of the Master Mason degree, the Senior Deacon recites a monitorial lecture abo~ the survival of the spirit over death, which is taken almost verbatim from 1 CorinthiOans 15: 51-55. This is certainly from the New Testament. Also, no finer examples of Christianity could be found as the Patron Saints of Masonry than St. John the Baptist, who proclaimed Jesus as the Son of God, and St. John the Evangelist, who was closest to Jesus during His ministry and did more to explain the philosophy of that ministry than any other Gospel writer. He wrote the "Gospel of John," the three letters of John, and the futuristic "Book of Revelation."
The Mark Master degree of the Chapter uses the scripture from Psalms 118: 22, "The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner." Jesus quoted this scripture in Matthew 21: 42 when the Pharisees asked Him who He was. He essentially told them that He was the cornerstone of a new Church which would welcome all people. Reference is made in this degree to the keystone, which represents Jesus, and there is a quote from Revelation 2: 17 about a white stone which signifies Jesus.
The lecture of the Most Excellent Master degree explains the dedication of the Temple of Solomon, but it also talks of dedicating a personal spiritual temple to God in our individual hearts. This last dedication refers to the individuality of Christianity, which was not practiced by the Jewish nation. They had to go through a priest to offer sacrifices and to talk to God. Christians believe that they are given this individual freedom through the grace of Jesus, who died for our sins and was our sacrifice. The password of this degree is a Jewish name for "teacher," which Jesus was often called by the disciples.
The Council degrees, besides describing how the Master's Word was preserved, contain a soliloquy that says that there is a life after this life, which Jesus alone proved by rising bodily into heaven. There is also a reference to the "Alpha and the Omega," a name which Jesus uses to refer to Himself in the 21 st Chapter of Revelation.
The Order of Red Cross teaches, "the Almighty Force and the importance of Truth." Jesus proclaimed Himself in John 14, "I am the way, the truth and the life."
The Order of Malta emphasizes the Birth, Life, Death, Resurrection, and Ascension of our Blessed Savior plus contains glimpses of the history of an Order that attempted to keep the pathway open for those who wished to attend and worship at the places that our Savior Walked. It is upon this ancient organization that the tenets of our current organization, the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar, are founded. Scripture found in the Order of Malta 'includes Matthew 5: 3-11, which are the Beatitudes, which Jesus gave to the world as a way to live. The ritual also includes the commendation, which Jesus told His disciple Thomas when He showed him the wounds that He received while on the cross even though He was standing in the presence of the disciples after the Resurrection: "Blessed are they who have not seen and yet have believed."
The Order of the Temple contains scripture from Acts 1: 15-26, in which the apostles are seeking someone to be a witness to Jesus' Resurrection. The most positive reference to Christianity in the Templar work is made from Chapter 11, verse 25, of the Gospel of John, where Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live, and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." Christianity's main theme is that Jesus was the Son of God. No other person but God Himself or His Son could make that statement.
I feel that if one reviews all these references to Jesus that are contained in York Rite Masonry in general and Templary in particular, that person should have no doubt that Templary relates to Christianity. You then see why our motto is "Every Christian Mason should be a Knight Templar."
Sir Knight James C. Taylor, Past Department Commander, South Central, and Past Preceptor, HRAKTP, is a member of Elk City Commandery No. 22, Elk City, Oklahoma. He resides at 1207 Mayer Lane, Elk City, Oklahoma 73644-2625
TOP
When Templar Swords Clash-Part I
by Sir Knight James A. Marples, Vll, 32°
The following is a presentation Sir Knight Marples made before a group of Masonic scholars in Nebraska.
When people see an Honor Guard composed of Knights Templar wearing their plumed chapeaux and uniforms, along with the beautiful swords, which they thrust upward and outward to form a peak or arch, the public sees the brightest and best use of those ceremonial swords. It is regarded as a high honor to walk under an "Arch of Steel."
That protective canopy serves as a reminder of the protection, distinction, and eloquence that Templars have possessed from the days of the Crusades to the present time. And Templar drills when done with precision illustrate the unity of joint efforts put forth in a common cause. Perhaps, that is why the Templars of old were so good a putting forth precision efforts of feeding the hungry, caring for the widow, educating the orphan, relieving the distressed and homeless, and burying the dead.
And modern Templary, being at an upper level of York Rite Masonry, has been accustomed to operating with a chain-of-command with regard to its governance, so this story of Templars clashing may seem out of character.
The Scottish Rite was originally smaller than the York Rite. Its membership was (and still is) composed of men, some of whom are Knights Templar in the York Rite, including myself. Of course, both Rites have numbers of men who have not yet affiliated with "the other Rite."
On most occasions, Knights Templar literally carried their swords with admirable ability measured by Justice, supported by tactfulness, and restrained by mercy, but it was a combination of misunderstanding and some petty jealousy which caused a rift in 1866-1867 between Sir Knight George Frank Gouley ana Sir Knight Albert Pike, and that is the subject of this study.
Sir Knights Pike and Gouley merely had a clash of ideas and thoughts, but figuratively speaking-as if it were a clash of figurative swords-it cut and slashed fierce wounds along two vital arteries in the Masoniq body as a whole. The wounds developed a scar and seemingly healed, but I maintain that we can accomplish more healing TODAY if we will go back in time and see the evolution of this catfight.
George Frank Gouley of St. Louis, Missouri, was an energetic Mason. He had been active in nearly all the York Rite bodies of his area, and in 1866-1868 he was serving as the top officer in Templar Masonry in Missouri. He held the fine office of R.E. Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Missouri.
Albert Pike was then living in Memphis, Tennessee. He was born and raised in Massachusetts and had attended Harvard University. He had explored the American Southwest, had served in the Confederacy as a general, and had lived in a multitude of domiciles ranging from Little Rock, Arkansas, to New Orleans, Louisiana, to Memphis, Tennessee, to Charleston, South Carolina, and lastly to Washington, DC. He had joined the Masonic Lodge and Royal Arch Chapter in Arkansas. He was Knighted a Templar in Washington, DC, and soon after received the 4th to 32nd degrees in the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in Charleston, South Carolina, at the hands of another Templar, Sir Knight Albert G. Mackey, who was a 33° in the A.A.S.R. Then, Pike hurried back to Arkansas, where he was the first Eminent Commander of Hugh de Payens Commandery No. 1 at Little Rock; he also assisted at the formation of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Arkansas.
By 1866 Gouley was "Grand Commander" of a State York Rite body.
By 1866 Albert Pike was "Sovereign Grand Commander" of a national Scottish Rite body, having attained that office January 2, 1859, after less than six years of Scottish Rite membership.
Essentially, it was (at first) a ego battle between two men who pretended to act "grand," but each attempted to diminish the greatness of the other man's office. That aspect should never creep into Masonic dialogue, but unfortunately, it did back then.
As mentioned earlier, Gouley was Grand Commander of the State Templar body, which was "alive and well" It had ample manpower, and it had visible prosperity.
Pike, on the other hand, was Sovereign Grand Commander of a national Scottish Rite Supreme Council, which had a lofty name but had less manpower, along with a bankrupt treasury just prior to the US Civil War. Pike had sent out letters and traveled around the country, along with his Supreme Council officers, to "promote" the Scottish Rite as another branch whereby Master Masons could join to gain more philosophical insight into our Fraternity.
Gouley was approached by one of Pike's deputies, who conferred the 4th to the 30th degrees on Gouley. Not only was he unimpressed, Gouley was offended that (in his belief) the A.A.S.R. had revealed in his initiation some "secret words and signs" which he had already witnessed in his earlier initiation and subsequent activity in the Royal Arch, and the Red Cross and Templar degrees/Orders of the York Rite.
Gouley was so outraged that he wrote a demanding letter to Albert Pike, dated August 6, 1867 in which Gouley stipulated the following: "Now, my Dear Sir and Brother, what I want to arrive at is this that the A. & A.S. Rite receive none into the Lodge of Perfection except RAM., and none info "the (Rose Croix Chapter), and Council (of Kadosh) except KT. The latter point I must insist on."
Pike wrote back from Memphis, Tennessee, a letter of denial in which he brushed aside those accusations; yet he opened himself up for compromises that were never discussed, and never attained. Pike did comment that Gouley's letter was a "very great surprise" but he (Pike) went on to deny any knowledge of borrowing or revealing ritualistic work gained from another Rite. Pike said in his letter: "I am sure that I have been quite unconscious of so grave an offense, although I am a Templar and have held Office of Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Arkansas."
Pike wrote that "Legends, words and signs cannot, in the nature of things, be the exclusive property of any Rite or degree." In his 5th reason to Gouley, Pike said: "We cannot exclude Master Masons who are Hebrew from the Scottish Rite, by requiring all candidates to have the Templar degrees, if we were otherwise willing to do so." Pike noted several Hebrew members of the Supreme Council, 33°, who were faithful to their ancient Hebrew religion.
As an aside, I know about one extraordinary case, which occurred about this same time. In 1866 a distinguished man who carried a gold-headed cane was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Kansas. He was MW. Brother Jacob Saqui, and he was Jewish. Interestingly, he joined all the York Rite bodies in Atchison, Kansas. Sir Knight Saqui was even an officer in the Knights Templar Commandery!
I have read The History of Kansas Masonry by M.W. Brother Ben Graybill, P.G.M., along with other printed documents relating to the life of Jacob Saqui. From everything I have seen, Jacob Saqui, although he was Jewish, felt that he could support and aid the Christian religion as an ally. He was one of the most caring, attentive, and dedicated Templars that Kansas has ever seen. He was a credit to Judaism and a credit to Christianity. Sir Knight Jacob Saqui was a bright Light in the Masonic community. Sadly, he died quite young on June 14, 1867, at age 46. Had he lived, he might have been able to use his own example to "cool off' the hot-heads, Pike and Gouley. Saqui might have been able to demonstrate how a compromise could have been effected on Masonic prerequisites for the benefit of all.
Pike, oddly, made an offbeat remark to Gouley that there could (or should) just as easily be some sort of inverse or mutual prerequisite for York Rite membership, suggested by hypothetical Scottish Rite concerns. It was an interesting concept, but in the war-of-words, it was never ever carried out.
In any case, Pike countered by saying that most of the prominent Masons were members of both York Rite and Scottish Rite. He cited names such as Albert G. Mackey, Benjamin B. French, and himself (Pike), and he mentioned his own credentials in both Rites.
However, the ruckus developed in the fighting over members who may choose one Rite to join for whatever reason-friends, finances, etc. Gouley's approach was the single ladder of prerequisites: candidates would climb the degrees rung-by-rung, degree-bydegree, and step-by-step. Pike was content with two ladders branching off from the Master Mason degree. Although he was a York Rite Mason first, Pike was biased by the national office he held and his wanting his little Scottish Rite to grow fast.
I will digress to note that the country of Ireland organizes its Masonic degrees in a highly structured manner. It is a simple, yet straightforward, pyramid. At the base is Ancient Craft Masonry. This is the basic foundation of it all, with approximately 36,500 Craft Masons in Ireland today. Master Masons are encouraged to join Royal Arch Masonry with some 12,900 members. Next, a man must be a Royal Arch Mason for at least four years before becoming a Knight Templar and a further two years as a Knight Templar before being elected to receive the Rose Croix. The Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite degrees in Ireland are limited to 111 Brethren. A man must, at the least, hold the office of Warden before advancing higher. The majority are Past Most Wise Masters of some years' seniority. There is a maximum of 35 members of the 28°, 30 members of the 30°, 16 members of the 32°, and only 9 members holding the 33° (all of whom are Active Members of the Supreme Council, 33°, for Ireland).
Historically-speaking, Gouley had reference material support paralleling this format from none other than Pike's old friend, Albert G. Mackey. Mackey had clearly stated that the Knights Rose Croix were a special or select group of Knights Templar who were actively engaged in protecting pilgrims venturing to the Holy Land.
Furthermore, Mackey also said that the Chapters of Rose Croix and Councils of Kadosh were conferred by Templar Encampments (Commanderies and Preceptories) since "time immemorial." That sounds incredibly like a prerequisite! And it sounds eerily like the system currently practiced in Ireland!
Don't miss part II in July 2008
Sir Knight James A. Marples, Vllo, 32°, Nebraska College M.S.R.I.C.F., is a life member of EI Dorado Commandery No. 19, EI Dorado, Kansas, and a member of many other Masonic bodies too numerous to catalogue. For correspondence: James A. Maples at P.O. Box 1542, Longview, TX 75606.
TOP
A New Light on the Life of Jesus
by Sir Knight John W. White, 32°
The story of Jesus is so deeply ingrained in the received knowledge of our culture and so central to Templary that questioning any part of it may seem like heresy to some. However, in one of his letters to the early Church, St. Peter admonished members to "make every effort to supplement yourfaith ... with knowledge." (II Peter 1: 5, RSV) That should be borne in mind with regard to scholarly concerns being raised about Jesus's birth and occupation which stem from what may be mistranslations in the Bible.
According to John Tiffany, writing in The Barnes Review, Nov.l,Dec. 2006), some historians are saying that Jesus was not bom in a stable as conventionally believed, and likewise that he was not a carpenter. Tiffany's article, "New Revelations on the Life of Jesus," draws upon various disciplines, primarily archeology and linguistics, to present a different view of these matters. It is available on line at http://www.barnes review.orglhtml/nov2006Iead.html
Our accepted notion that the birthplace of Jesus was a wooden structure comes from the art of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Tiffany says, but the artists who created the images drew from their experience in Europe and apparently were ignorant of some basic details about the daily life in Palestine at the time of Jesus. Europe was a woodworking culture and animals were kept in barns. In Palestine, however, the primary construction material was stone. Caves were numerous there, and people used them as living quarters. Even today many houses in Bethlehem are built in front of caves, just as they were in Jesus's day. Typically, the caves were two-level spaces in which people used the upper level for living quarters and the lower level to shelter their animals, where the animals' rising body heat would help to warm the upper level when the weather was cold.
Many linguists, Tiffany says, now believe there may have been confusion about the words for "inn" and "second level" when the Bible was translated. Consequently, translation errors were made. A European-style inn would house guests in upper rooms away from the common area of the first floor; the guests' animals would be stabled in a barn separate from the inn. But dwelling caves in the Holy Land would have mangers placed along the lower-level cave walls for the animals. So the phrase "no room at the inn" may have meant no room in the upper level of a dwelling cave where Joseph and Mary sought shelter. Instead, they may have been offered use of the lower level where livestock lived and fed from mangers.
According to this line of thinking, then, Jesus was born in a cave, not a wooden European-style stable. Two extrabiblical texts, the Gnostic Gospel of James and the Gospel of Pseudo-Matthew, say exactly that, Tiffany points out.
As for Jesus's profession, Tiffany says it is more likely he was a mason than a carpenter. The same goes for Joseph. Translation errors are again said to be the source of the confusion. The Greek term tectone or tekton, which is translated as "carpenter," actually means "artisan" and refers to a skilled craftsman whose medium might be metal, stone, or wood. In the Middle East at the time of Jesus, wood was scarce but stone was plentiful. Since European building focused more on woodworking and carpentry, a cultural bias led to the choice of "carpenter" rather than "stonemason." But an accurate translation of the Greek word describing Joseph's profession, in which Jesus would have been raised and trained, is one which reflects a stoneworking society.
Tiffany concludes by saying the possibility remains that Jesus was a woodworker or carpenter, but the words used to describe him have a broader meaning than one particular vocation. Despite tradition, he says, a translation as "stonemason" may have more evidence to back it up.
Sir Knight John W. White is a literary agent and a member of New Haven Commandery No.1, New Haven, Connecticut. He resides at 60 Pound Ridge Road, Cheshire, CT 06410.
TOP
Scottish Rite Supreme Council for Northern Masonic Jurisdiction
Annual Meeting-August 23-27, 2008-Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island, will be the site of this year's annual meeting of the Scottish Rite Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. More than 2,000 33° Masons and their ladies from the fifteen northeastern states are expected at the meeting on August 23-27, 2008.
The 2008 Session will be highlighted by the conferral of the 33° upon 104 Scottish Rite Masons, who were elected for this high honor at last year's meeting in Washington, DC. The 33° is awarded for outstanding achievement within the Fraternity or for significant contributions to others, reflecting credit on Freemasonry. The impressive ceremony will take place on Tuesday, August 26.
Introductory luncheons honoring the 33° candidates and their ladies will be on the schedule for Sunday noon. The Rhode Island Convention Center will be the scene of the traditional Supreme Council Vesper Service during the afternoon.
Earlier business conferences attended by the officers of the Supreme Council will be held on Friday and Saturday, August 22-23.
Sovereign Grand Commander John William McNaughton will preside over a General Session of the Supreme Council on Monday, August 25. In the course of this session, prominent leaders from other Masonic organizations in the United States and throughout the world are expected to be in attendance.
A number of other events have been scheduled, including a Monday luncheon in the Rhode Island Convention Center for all ladies attending the Providence meeting. Mrs. Judy McNaughton, wife of the Grand Commander, will preside over the luncheon and program. Another luncheon will be served 'for all Supreme Council members, distinguished guests, and members of the class.
That evening a concert at the Rhode Island Convention Center will feature the Ocean State Summer Pops Orchestra, who will entertain members and their ladies. During the week special sightseeing tours will be available for those attending the meeting.
In addition to the major events sponsored by the Supreme Council, a Masonic Marketplace will allow vendors to display Masonic-related items.
The 2008 meeting will end with the announcement of the names of those elected to receive the 33° at Boston in August 2009.
Information was supplied by the Supreme Council, 33°, NMJ. For more information contact Dick Curtis, P.O. Box 519, Lexington, MA 02420, (781) 465-3320; email: dcurtis@supremecouncil.org
TOP
TAKEN from: Masonic Americana, 1975
Valiant Templar...
GEBERAL JOSEPH WARREN
by George A. Weeks
The first Knight Templar to yield up his life in the Battle of Bunker Hill was Major General Joseph Warren. To give a complete history of General Warren in a few paragraphs is impossible. I will endeavor to give a fair picture.
He was born in Roxbury, Massachusetts, in 1741. and died in the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. He was educated in the schools of Boston and Harvard College in medicine and began practice in Boston in 1763. He was an ardent leader in the Revolution and dispatched the riders, Sir Knight Paul Revere and William Dawes, to alarm the countrymen prior to the battle of Lexington and Concord.
His Masonic record is as follows: he was made a Mason in St.Andrews Lodge of Boston; he received his First Degree on September 10, 1761, Second Degree on November 2, 1761, and was made a Master Mason on November 28, 1765. He was elected Master in 1769. He was made a Templar in St. Andrews Royal Arch Lodge of Boston, now St. Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter, May 14, 1770. In December 1769, Sir Knight Warren received a commission from the Grand Lodge of Scotland making him Grand Master of Masons in Boston and one hundred miles around. On March 7,1772, he received another commission making him Grand Master of Masons for the continent of America.
Warren's military record shows he was appointed a Major General, but he had very little military experience. His headquarters were established in Cambridge where he and his staff were trying to drill and equip a citizens' army to fight the British trained soldiers. A meeting was held proposing to fortify the heights of Charlestown; this movement was advocated by the veterans Putnam and Prescott. Warren disagreed, claiming the loss of life would be too great owing to their lack of training and equipment. There were at that time only 11 barrels of powder in the army and but 37 barrels in the entire state. He was overruled, however, in the Council.
On the evening of the 16th of June, a little before sunset, 1,200 troops under the veteran Prescott were issued a blanket and provisions for 24 hours, the privates not even knowing their destination. At 9 o'clock they started their march to Charlestown where they were joined by the veteran General Putnam. Under cover of darkness they started to dig their entrenchments and prepare qefenses for the siege on the morrow. On that evening Warren was pfresiding over a session of Congress in Watertown and did not arrive at headquarters in Cambridge until after daylight where he retired for a much needed rest, having a severe headache.
When he received word of what was to take place, he arose, put on his citizen's clothes, mounted his horse, and rode to Charlestown. There he was recognized by Putnam, who exclaimed, "General Warren, is it you? I will take your orders." Warren replied, "I have no orders to give. I am here as a volunteer to learn the art of war. Give me a musket and put me where the fighting is the thickest and hardest." He was sent to a redoubt where Colonel Prescott was in command.
Prescott wished to turn his command over to Warren, but Warren refused and took his post as a private. During the battle when the order to retreat was sounded he stood his post, even after the British had entered his entrenchment. A British officer recognized him, called on him to surrender in order to save his life. As he turned to see who had spoken to him, a bullet struck him in the forehead, and he died instantly.
In times buried Warren exceeded our Grand Master Hiram (who was thrice buried). Warren was buried four times: first, June 17, 1775, on the field of battle. Immediately after the evacuation of Boston, his Masonic Brethren went in search of the body of their Grand Master. On April 6, 1776, they found the body buried in a shallow grave on the brow of the hill, and near the head of the grave was an acacia tree; the body upon removal was identified by his teeth and other distinguishing marks; his body was borne to the State House, Boston. On April 8 an oration was delivered by Perez Morton, Grand Marshal of the Grand Lodge; the body was buried in the Minot tomb in the Granary burying ground. In 1825, the body was removed to the Warren Tomb, under St. Paul's Church; on August 3, 1855, it was removed to Forest Hills Cemetery, the final resting place.
Although General Warren was termed a Revolutionist, he was fighting for the principles upon which our order is founded: freedom, liberty, justice, and the Christian religion.
Editor's Note; June 14 is Flag Day. Fly Old Glory with Pride!
TOP
  
<![CDATA[<BGSOUND SRC="http://www.knightstemplar/music/bcmarch.mp3">]]>
"Boston Commandery March/Onward Christian Soldiers"
| |
