On the Masonic Road

By Bill Crow, Associate Editor

Do you recall what happened in 1685 in England, that had a significant impact on what we as Masons know about our American Masonic History?

I was perusing a volume of the Freemasons Monthly Magazine compiled by Charles W. Moore, Corresponding Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, Volume XXX(30), printed in Boston Massachusetts, by Aurther W. Locke & Company in 1871. It was a fascinating read, having articles written, published, and often presented verbally at Massachusetts Grand Communications, circa., September 1,1870 through March 1,1872.

As we are aware in Masonry, Texas Masonry in particular, we often find and hold on to differing opinions in our lodges. Some good, some not so good, and topics of discussion that cause significant debate among Brother Masons. We tend to think some or many of those differing views are new and are part of a current progressive or conservative plan for change in Masonry.

To my amazement, as someone once said, “ there is nothing new under the sun,” and 1870’s and earlier American and Texas Masonry was prolific with debate, differing opinions, and often harsh criticism of Brother’s views and opinions regarding the same “stuff” we find ourselves discussing and debating today. Within the 534 pages of the volume, you can literarily find just about any topic we may discuss currently, that was also a topic in 1870’s Masonry.

Although Massachusetts was only one of several Masonic Grand Jurisdictions at the time, it held a pivotal position in American Masonry and was partially responsible for the way Masonry grew in stature and function throughout America.

There were several penned articles that caught my eye, one in particular that spoke to our Masonic history as it grew from Operative Masonry … “The Early Days of Masonry in America,” written and presented during the 1870 Massachusetts Grand Lodge Communication in an address by Brother Poore … Extract as follows.

“Our British Brethren determined in the year 1685, under the direction of Sir Christopher Wren, the Grand Master of Masons, that henceforth others than operative craftsmen might belong to the Order, and that all free-born citizens, worthy and well qualified, might be initiated. But the symbols and phrases of Operative Masonry were retained, to be used in illustrating Speculative Masonry, thus preserving the time-honored Mystic Rites to add in the elucidation of great truths, and in leading to a proper contemplation of the mysteries of revealed religion.

It was this British Speculative Masonry which was transplanted to the American colonies, not a century and a half ago, and made to some extent a social institution. The Gentlemen of Maryland and Virginia were delighted with this new “mystic tie,” and the progress of the Fraternity hereabouts was encouraged by the coming of the Brethren in the Kings Regiments, sent here to war against the French and their Indian allies. It was in these provincial and military Lodges that Bro. George Washington learned to love the Craft he afterwards adorned.

The revolutionary struggle commenced, and Freemasonry cemented with the lifeblood of her noblest sons of the foundations of the infant Republic. Peyton Randolph, Grand Master of Virginia, died while presiding over the Continental Congress, at Philadelphia, and Joseph Warren, Grand Master of Massachusetts, fought and fell on Bunker Hill. Some of the Brethren who were among the first in the field to defend the liberties of their land received a Dispensation (Masonic) under which they worked, and during the revolutionary struggle, at least ten other military Lodges were formed.

Among those who knelt at Masonic altars were those gallant generals, Brothers Harry Lee of Virginia, Sullivan of New Hampshire, Putnam of Massachusetts, Caswell of North Carolina, Ogden of New Jersey, Barton of Rhode Island, Gist of Maryland, and in the East, Washington, with his allies, … LaFayette of France, and Steuben of Germany (Both Freemasons). Truth bids me add the name of Benedict Arnold, who forgot his Masonic lesson, turned a deaf ear to the teachings of St, John, and followed the example of Judas. Alas! Bad men are to be found in every brotherhood!”

The article (Full article) penned and presented by Bro. Poore shares legacy information about the beginnings of Speculative Masonry, and an understanding of Speculative Masonry roots that presents considerations that are important and should be immovable for all time in Masonry. Additionally, the “personal commentary” by Bro. Poore provides a personal insight into the struggles in early life and culture during the revolutionary war, and the Masons who were voluntarily tasked with leading the American Revolutionary War and some who tragically lost their lives in service to their country.

There is a parallel to be found in Bro. Poore’s article that any Texas Mason should “feel.” Texas, first as a Republic and then a state shares a similar history with the birth of our great Nation, the United States of America. During the “colonies period,” and following the revolutionary war, Masonry grew at a fast pace as our nation grew and prospered, and following the second World War, when Masonry and other fraternal organizations grew exponentially.

Similarly, Texas Masonry was established and grew with great expectancy as a significant percentage of the statesmen, farmers, ranchers, and professional men joined the ranks of Masonry. They joined because the quality and leadership of those men that preceded them in Masonry were the strength and lifeblood to many in the early days of Texas, as it was in the early days of the colonies.

During the American colonies period, and following to the beginning of the Korean war, men of Masonry were builders and leaders of communities, of industry, of progress and the defense of our nation. The same was true of our legacy Texas Masons who founded the Republic and Texas statehood. They were men of purpose and of destiny that brought forth the great State of Texas through difficult times.

Masonry in those times was an “engine of strength” and a group of men that did not use Masonry as a tool for personal opportunity but claimed their Masonic purpose as an attribute in their progress to being a better man , a leader in their community, men who counted Masonry as a part of who they are, rather than as a appendage to their individual interests. The populous recognized them for their work and leadership. They were the men looked to, for strength and confidence, in every walk of the early development of our nation and the Texas Republic, and statehood.

“The impact of Freemasonry upon Texas History usually begins with the arrival of Stephen F. Austin and the founding of his colony. But deliberate Masonic penetration of the disputed East Texas border occurred much earlier. Nevertheless, there are some available sources which suggest Freemasonry was not only a benevolent, teaching, and social organization on the western frontier, but an ardent and active political institution which secretly assisted in the demise of European domination of the Western Hemisphere. In1836, Masonic philosophy would also serve as the intellectual stimuli for the rebellion against Mexico, and the eventual establishment of the Republic of Texas.

From 1776 to 1783. Freemasons represented approximately two-tenths of one percent of the Anglo-American population. From this minority, some representatives of the wealthy, educated, and unfortunates of Anglo-American society conspired to separate themselves from the "Modern" Grand Lodge of England. These Masons also appeared as active participants in revolutionary activities.

They secretly planned rebellion, encouraged military recruits to join several military lodges formed during the war, ensured secrecy in the plans of military campaigns and the fidelity of their executions, were selected as members of political committees of correspondence, led propaganda campaigns which nurtured widespread anarchy, and founded a Continental Congress in which thirty-one of fifty-six (55%) of its members were Freemasons. Some well-known Masons were Samuel Adams, Paul Revere, John Hancock, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Peyton Randolph, Killiaen Van Rensselaer, Patrick Henry, Aaron Burr, Nathaniel Greene, Thomas Payne, Robert Morris, Anthony Wayne, James Otis, Alexander Hamilton, George Clinton, John Locke, Henry Knox, Richard Henry Lee, Henry Dearborn, James Madison, George Clinton, James Monroe, and James A. Wilkinson. Most became well-known leaders during the Early National Period.

After the war, some of the aforementioned Masons drafted the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. They implemented our Federal system based on a limited democracy. They also were elected or appointed to high-level civilian or military positions. Some even master-minded and selected other Masons. such as Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, John Hamilton Robinson, Zebulon Montgomery Pike, William Dunbar, George Hunter, Edward Turner, Richard Sparks, Walter Burling, and Daniel Hughes to lead secret quasi-military and military expeditions into disputed East Texas and other lands claimed by New Spain. Other western Masons, such as Rufus Easton, Henry Clay, Joseph H. Daviess, Edward Livingston, Thomas Cushing, Charles Cole Claiborne, Isaac Shelby, Andrew Jackson, Stephen F. Austin, David G. Burnet, and Sam Houston brought with them valuable lessons learned from postwar frontier experiences.

Meanwhile, some Masons orchestrated a political agenda which was synonymous with Masonic political philosophy. Moreover, Masonry in the United States was unified and strictly loyal to American democratic ideals. Probably, the war only hastened the growth and evolution of American Freemasonry, which became antagonistic toward aristocracies.

Furthermore, the American frontier made it possible for Anglo-American Freemasons to solidly establish themselves on the principles of equality, toleration, and fraternal brotherhood free from the restrictions of class distinctions and privileges which prevailed in Europe. Washington allegedly stated, "Masonry and its lessons were helpful [to him] throughout the Revolution, both upon the battlefield and in the Legislative Assembly."

Likewise, during the beginnings of Texas and our nation, it was a different story … almost everyone walked, rode a horse or mule, or rode in a wagon on dirt trails or makeshift roads. The populous had basic clothing, some well-worn, and others, nice garments. Meals were whatever was available or worse, some worked in the fields, and others in minimal tasks, seldom full time. There were few medical providers and sometimes no medical support at all. Life was often very hard for the average people of the time.

Leadership was given to those that answered the calling or seized the opportunity … Many or more were our legacy Masons who had the requisite knowledge, experience, and grit to accept the challenges. Much, possibly most, of the growth and legacy of our great nation and Texas was dependent upon Masons. Fame and position during the birthing years of our nation and the Texas Republic and statehood, was earned by the men, and women that answered a specific calling while they were in the right place, at the right time, for the right reason, and they were the right person. Fame and position received in those past times was not just coincidence, it was a calling of necessity, it was not sought after by those who received it.

Today in our culture, Masonry, or any other fraternal organization for that matter, are seldom called upon to have significant influence or leadership in national or state roles that would illuminate Masonry or other fraternal groups.

Most Masons, Texas Masons, do not seek fame or position in state, national or international arenas. Some, however, are called to serve, and in doing so, receive the admiration and respect of many. In Texas Masonry, we seek to provide encouragement and leadership to men who have become Masons, to bolster and support our communities, and give aid to those who need support. We diligently support our lodges and those we have elected to represent us at the Grand Lodge of Texas. And, we give freely of our time and substance to help any in need. We often discuss perceived changes some may offer and often debate their merits without absolute agreement. However, Texas Masons have almost always reached consensus on change, protecting our Masonic culture and preserving our heritage.

Many of our Texas legacy Masons have seen the “ebb and flow” of Masonry, the attempts to change some of the ancient landmarks, heard the dialog to eliminate the proficiency of the degrees, and have seen splinter groups advocating change to accommodate culture change in lodges. However, history has given us the opportunity to see; all change is not bad. We must be diligent to ensure change merits Masonry, not individuals or culture.

Texas Masonry is proud that the ancient landmarks are unchanged, degree proficiency is still as it has always been, and our lodge culture is not meaningfully changed, ensuring Texas Masonry is well and will remain so for the future.

I am proud to be a Texas Mason. Adversity and change can be good or otherwise, but change is inevitable. Let’s make sure we understand those changes that are often suggested, and properly manage those changes as Texas Masons …

If you want to find more information about Masons and the early days of our nation and East Texas, read “A Common Bond: Masonic Intrigues in East Texas, By Robert W. Kesting.

Excerpts for this article were taken from “A Common Bond: Masonic Intrigues in East Texas," By Robert W. Kesting.

For more information, please see: https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/ethj/vol32/iss2/7/