🚀 go-pugleaf

>>> Continued from previous message

What was the Morgan Affair?
     During the first half of the 19th century, there was a strong
religious revival in the United States and Masonry became a convenient
target for some (sound familiar?). In those days it was common to hear
tales of Masonic occult orgies, plots to take over the government, and
of our strange and terrible oaths. Although they are still strange and
terrible, everyone knows they are entirely symbolic, historic, and
ritualistic. Nevertheless, in those days some considered Masonry to be
a rival of the church. Others considered it to be a separate church and
still others thought it to be an atheistic society.

     In 1830 conditions looked grim for the Masonic fraternity. There
was much anti-Masonic talk by politicians and in the newspapers. This
may have been partially caused by the fact that Masons held key
positions in the state and Federal government.
     At this time, a Mason by the name of William Morgan was a member of
a lodge in Batavia, New York. He was a printer, a drinker, a quarreler,
and he didn't like to pay his debts. He wasn't too popular among his
Masonic brethren. When that Batavia lodge petitioned to form a Royal
Arch Society (an appendant body of Masonry) -- the members of the lodge
omitted Morgan's name from the roster. He became upset and threatened to
publish the so-called Masonic secrets. Although there is no proof of who
actually did it, his printing plant was destroyed by fire. He was
arrested for debt and jailed. One evening a few men called on him and
took him away. Morgan was never heard of again. The anti-Masons used
this incident, blaming Masons and publishing the details far and wide.
This "Morgan Affair" was probably one of the reasons for the growth of
the political party known as the "Anti-Masonic Party".

What was the "Anti-Masonic Party"?
     The feelings against Masonry in the early 1830s were so strong that
a political party was formed. This political party was called the Anti-
Masonic Party. In 1832, Brother Andrew Jackson (who also served as Grand
Master of Tennessee) ran for a second term as president against Henry
Clay (also a Mason). Also in the race was William Wirt, the only man
ever to run for President on the Anti-Masonic ticket. Wirt had been
Attorney General under John Quincy Adams and, among other things, was a
biographer. One of his most famous biographies was that of Patrick
Henry, a Mason. Wirt's running mate was a Mason. Wirt got only seven
electoral votes, winning the state of Vermont. Brother Jackson won the
election.

What happened at Nauvoo, Illinois with the Mormons?
     There was considerable social ferment in the nation prior to the
Civil War. Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon faith, was a Mason as was
Brigham Young. In 1884, after Smith was found murdered in Illinois and
because of the Mormon practice of polygamy (a practice since officially
abandoned), among other things, Brigham Young and 1,500 Mormon Masons
were expelled from the Craft. Since that time, some Mormons have not
looked too kindly on FreeMasonry. But it is of interest to compare the
symbols of the Mormon Church with those of the Masonic Order. The bee
hive immediately comes to mind.

Who were/are some famous American Masons?
     The history of Masonry and the history of this country are very
clearly interwoven although there is no way in this short space to go
into any great detail. The following is a short list of some well known
Masons.
     Masonic Presidents include George Washington, James Munroe, Andrew
Jackson, James K. Polk, James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, James A.
Garfield, William McKinley, Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft,
Warren G. Harding, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, and Gerald
Ford. Evidence exists to suggest that James Madison and Thomas Jefferson
were also Masons.
     It wasn't only the successful presidential candidates who were
Masons, but some of those who lost as well. Men like Thomas E. Dewey,
Alf Landon, Hubert H. Humphrey, Robert Dole, George McGovern, Barry
Goldwater, Estes Kefauver, George Wallace, Earl Warren, and John
Sparkman as well as Wendell Wilke and Adlai Stevenson (not the governor
of Illinois, but his father, the Vice President in 1892 -- and a native
son from Bloomington, Illinois).

     The themes of the Fellowcraft Degree are education and achievement,
emphasizing the dignity and worth of the individual. The more a man
learns through the pursuit of knowledge, the more he achieves.
     This degree symbolizes man in his prime, ready to accept the
responsibility of life, not only for himself, but for his family, and
all of society. When a Mason assumes the duties and privileges of a
Fellowcraft, he is taught that he is responsible for his own destiny.

What does the term "Fellowcraft" mean?
     In operative Masonry, those just beginning to learn the craft were
apprenticed to a master stonemason. They received no wages except for
their food, clothing, and sleeping quarters. If they showed some skill,
they were entered, usually after about three years. After seven more
years they were made fellows of the craft, which meant they could do
work on their own. In speculative Masonry, after the Entered Apprentice
has shown proficiency (as exemplified by the Catechism), he will be
passed to the Fellowcraft Degree.

What are the basic teachings of the Second Degree?
     The Fellowcraft Degree symbolizes the years of manhood and his
attendant responsibility during his life on earth. During these years,
he obtains knowledge and applies this knowledge to the building of his
character and improving the society in which he lives. In the ritual of
the degree, a Fellowcraft is urged to advance his education in the
liberal arts and sciences.

The Preparation->
     The changes in dress from an Entered Apprentice Mason to a
Fellowcraft Mason are slight. Gaining admission is similar to the first
degree, with the addition of a pass, which is given for him by his
conductor. We are trying to teach that knowledge is freely given toward
gaining the privileges of FreeMasonry, and that, with the aid of others,
we are able to advance.

The Reception->
     The square is used in the reception. The Square is used to teach us
that it should be a rule and guide in all our future transactions with
all mankind.

The Cable-Tow->
     This is a symbol of control for the individual. To many, the cable-
tow is symbolic of the umbilical cord, which is necessary to begin life,
but is severed when love and care replace it and the individual grows on
his own. Thus, in our ceremonies, the cable-tow is removed when the need
for physical control no longer exists.
     The length of the cable-tow is frequently referred to in the
language of FreeMasonry, but many brethren do not understand its
meaning. Formerly, a cable-tow was deemed to be the distance one could
travel in an hour -- which was assumed to be about three miles. Today
this is any distance from which a summons may be answered, health and
business permitting. Each Mason is bound to all other Masons by a tie as
long and as strong as he himself determines his ability will permit.

>>>>>Continued......

 * SLMR 2.1a * S-M-I-B

--- FLAME v1.1
 * Origin: Del Ches Systems BBS - Exton,PA 610-363-6625 Since 1983 (1:273/323)