A Plea For The Teachings Of Masonry

An Oration By Hon. William H. Upton, Acting Grand Orator, Delivered Before The M.W. Grand Lodge Of Washington, June 14, 1893.

I share the general disappointment, that we are not to listen to-day, as was expected, to the gifted Grand Orator who delighted us last year; and I submit that, called upon on short notice to take the place of that accomplished officer, I am entitled to your indulgence, and should be excused for limiting my remarks to subjects which have particularly occupied my thoughts, instead of attempting the form of address more usual upon such occasions.

The subject I have chosen is expressed by the question "How can a knowledge of Masonry - that is, of the history, principles, teachings and purposes of our institution - be diffused among the brethren?"

I know this is a subject which seems to be regarded with profound indifference by many Masons; and I know how easy it is to acquire the reproach of being an enthusiast. But when I contemplate the long and honorable history of our fraternity, the incalculable benefits it has conferred upon the human race, and its incomparable moral and religious teachings, I feel willing to admit that the question, how to diffuse a knowledge of these things, is my chief thought by day, my dream by night; and when I see their value ignored or forgotten, or the Masonic duty of imparting them to the initiate neglected, I am filled with the deepest concern. I am, at such times, lead to appreciate the feelings of a young friend of mine from Kentucky, on a certain occasion, and I beg to assure you, M.'.W.'. Grand Master, that there is no politics in this anecdote I am about to relate. This young man was present at the organization of a mugwump club, formed to promote the reforms promised by one of the great political parties. He listened to speech after speech which eulogized the new democracy, the young democracy, the reform democracy, the coming democracy, but heard only apologies and sneers for the course of his party in the days of Calhoun, of Jackson and of Buchanan. At last he could contain himself no longer, but, springing to his feet, exclaimed: "Mr. President, I am astounded at the gentlemen's remarks. I know nothing of this new doctrine - these sneers at the past; but I do assure you, sir, that through all my waking hours, when I am not reading my bible, I am meditating on the glorious history of the democratic party."

Such is my enthusiasm for Freemasonry.

"For her my tears shall fall,
For her my prayers ascend,
To her my cares and toils be given,
Till toils and cares shall end."

It is idle to deny that deep and widespread ignorance prevails throughout the craft concerning almost everything Masonic except the ritual - the husk in which the corn of nourishment, or, if you prefer, the casket in which the precious jewels of the craft are enclosed. What proportion of the members of our Lodges could tell, for instance, within two centuries, the age of our oldest records? How many Masters have never read a line of the old Charges of a Freemason, appointed "to be read at the making of new brethren?" How many Masonic dignitaries know the symbolic significance of the cable-tow, or dream that it has any connection with that conversation in which the Man of Nazareth exclaimed to Nicodemus, "Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?" [1] Nay, what Mason in Washington will tell me the symbolic teaching of the forty-seventh problem of Euclid?

Schism: The Battle That Forged Freemasonry

by Bro. Dr. Ric Berman

This book examines the creation of the Antients Grand Lodge and traces the influence of Ireland and the London Irish, and most especially that of Laurence Dermott, the Antients' Grand Secretary, in the development of freemasonry in the second half of the eighteenth century. The book demonstrates the relative accessibility of the Antients and contrasts this with the exclusivity of the 'Moderns' -- the original Grand Lodge of England. The Antients instigated what became a six decades long rivalry with the Moderns and pioneered fundamental changes to the social composition of freemasonry, extending formal sociability to the lower middling and creating one of the first modern friendly societies.

Samuel W. Hayes, Grand Master
June 23, 1883 – June 21, 1884
Reported at the 26th Annual Communication

While praising lodges for their peaceable demeanor, the Grand Master added that consumption of alcohol by members of a few lodges brought trouble and discredit to the fraternity. He asked members to eliminate its use so that “it shall be a guarantee that he is temperate and discreet, worthy of trust, and faithful to his vows; a man temperate in habits, firm in the right, prudent in actions, and just to himself and his fellow men; for such, and such alone, can in the fullest sense become just and upright Masons.”

The Grand Secretary recommended the creation of a committee to codify the law, incorporate amendments, resolutions and decisions. He made the request because “in my term of service, I have seen several important rules of action vanish from our law simply because they had not been whipped into shape. It will be difficult, for instance, to find in our law any precept against a Nebraska Freemason retailing intoxicating drinks.”

A request from the commissioner of Public Lands and Buildings to lay the cornerstone of a new capitol building was accepted. It occurred July 15, 1884. A public procession of Nebraska Masons, followed by other societies and Lincoln citizens, paraded to the site, where Past Grand Master and former Governor Robert W. Furnas provided an oration.

An oil painting by Mrs. Edwin Davis of Omaha of Robert C. Jordan, Nebraska’s first Grand Master, was presented to the Grand Lodge by Past Grand Master George Lininger on her behalf. In a resolution of thanks, the Grand Lodge said the painting would “remind us of the wisdom, fidelity and zeal that he always displayed in the earlier days of our history.”

A report of the Committee on Accounts was adopted providing for the collection of the Orphans’ Educational Fund to establish an Orphans’ and Widows’ Home.

Twenty-two new lodges were chartered.

The Jurisprudence Committee ruled that a man who lost his leg in the war could not join the fraternity. “The loss of a leg disqualifies, and, while disposed to be liberal, we cannot override a landmark,” the committee said.

bellevue Chapter No. 7 R.A.M palque; Late 19th / Early 20th century

Possibly from the Masonic Building in Omaha

Fall Area Meetings

It is that time of season again. The Grand Lodge of Nebraska’s Fall Area Meetings are on the horizon, and they are going to take place all around the state next month. We as lodge leaders need to take advantage of these meetings and ensure that we have at least one representative from our lodge at the meeting. Now you might be saying about now, “Why would I want to go to the Fall Area Meeting? What’s in it for me?” What’s in it for you as a lodge leader is that you’ll be able to convey your lodge’s opinions about the topics that will be addressed during the meeting. The most important of these topics will be any Grand Lodge resolution that the Grand Master is planning to bring up at Annual Communication next February. So, this is your chance as a lodge leader to let your voice be heard and ensure that your lodge members’ voices are heard as well.

Each Fall Area Meeting will have has at least one Grand Lodge Officer present at it. This is your chance to personally talk with them about the upcoming resolutions (or ideas) that the Grand Lodge is looking to vote on next February. Lodges always want to be heard when it comes to the Grand Lodge submitting new resolutions each Annual Communication, and rightfully so! This is your opportunity to be heard and it’s also in a more informal setting than that of the Annual Communication too. The Fall Area Meeting provides you the opportunity to openly discuss your reasonings behind either supporting or opposing a resolution without being hindered by a time limit or discussing it in front of a larger group of people like at Annual Communication.

Another great thing about the Fall Area Meetings is that you get to meet a lot of your fellow Masons from the surrounding area and discuss other issues that your lodges might be facing. Due to popular belief, your lodge probably isn’t the only one having issues in the areas of recruitment, membership retention, or ritual work. So that’s why it’s important for us to get together with the other lodges in our area and talk about ways to rectify the problems that are affecting all our lodges in general. Lastly, attending the Fall Area Meeting is just a good time to sit back, relax, and talk to several of your good Masonic friends in the area too. So please consider attending the upcoming Fall Area Meeting in your area, and if you can’t attend, then please ensure someone from your lodge does. You owe it to your lodge to ensure they are properly represented there.