After the foundation of the first Grand Lodge in England in 1717, a rival Grand Lodge arose less than two decades later, calling itself the Antients (or Ancients), whereby it intended to assert greater authenticity than the rival “modern” Grand Lodge. The Antients were also known as the Athol Masons, from their first Grand Master, the Duke of Athol. Some authors (e.g., Carl Claudy) say the Antients were schismatic–i.e., had split off from the “modern” Grand Lodge; others (e.g., Allen Roberts) of more recent vintage say that the Antients were founded independently by Lodges deriving from Scottish and Irish traditions who were excluded by the English “moderns.”

These competing English Grand Lodges, along with Grand Lodges established in Scotland and Ireland, issued charters for Lodges in the American colonies into the latter half of the 18th century, until the American Revolutionary War led to the ties between the colonies and the mother country being severed. Long after that event, in 1813 (when the two countries were again at war, in fact), the rival English Grand Lodges amalgamated to form the United Grand Lodge of England, which is the governing body of English Freemasonry to this day.

Meanwhile, in the new United States of America, Grand Lodges were organized separately in each state, some as offspring of Provincial Grand Lodges and some as self-declared independent Grand Lodges (e.g., Virginia). These Grand Lodges comprised Lodges whose charters had been issued by both the Antient and “modern” Grand Lodges in England (as well as a few Scottish and Irish constitution Lodges). The designation of whether a Grand Lodge was Free and Accepted or Ancient Free and Accepted was therefore almost an arbitrary choice, based perhaps on who had a bit more political power when the new Grand Lodge was formed.

In particular, one cannot conclude anything significant about the nature of the ritual used by a Grand Lodge as to its Antient or “modern” content, based only on the designation as F&AM or AF&AM. Many Grand Lodges use an amalgamation of the forms, and it would take detailed study (never having been done to my knowledge) to determine the precise provenance of each American Grand Lodge’s ritual contents. It does appear that Pennsylvania may adhere most closely to the work of the Antients, while a northern tier of states, running from Connecticut through Minnesota and perhaps farther west, preserves the “modern” ritual most closely. In those states where a ritual cipher is permitted, which seems to be more a characteristic of the “moderns,” the incorporation of changes to the ritual occur with much lower frequency (a fairly obvious observation). An example is the phrase “any be due,” which is synonymously rendered “aught be due” in the apparently “modern” jurisdictions: The substitution of a common word (“any”) for an archaic one (“aught”) is a natural evolution of an oral tradition, while the reverse substitution virtually never occurs in oral transmission. The states with a printed ritual cipher have maintained “aught,” while “any” has appeared in those states eschewing such written aids.

Incidentally, there are two jurisdictions which use neither F&AM nor AF&AM: The District of Columbia uses FAAM, and South Carolina uses AFM. Again, these are distinctions without any real difference.

Various suppositions are made about “four-letter” Lodges vs. “three-letter” Lodges and relationships to Prince Hall (PHA) Masonry and issues of recognition, but these are entirely unfounded.

by Bro.Roger M. Firestone

Morals & Dogma is a book that’s often referenced in regards to masonic philosophy. I’ve heard it called “the daily masonic reference manual”. Many masons have never even heard of this book, few people own it and fewer have read it. Some references indicate the book is difficult to understand. A fellow Brother of the Big Bad Deuce (Thanks Stokes) lent me his copy and as I digest small chunks of it, I will explain them here.

It’s basically a crib sheet for the first three degrees (the Blue Lodge) and then the degrees 4-32 of the Scottish Rite. I’ve already read the first chapter, The Entered Apprentice degree. I personally find the book very relevant and readable.

It’s also profoundly obvious why so many milestones of civilization have been attributed to Masonic Brethren if they share like minds with Bro. Pike. One thing I have so far found refreshing in Morals & Dogma is that it is totally naked and unapologetic. Statements such as…

“The nations are not bodies politic alone, but also souls-politic; and woe to that people which, seeking the material only, forgets that it has a soul. Then we have a race, petrified in dogma, which presupposes the absence of a soul and the presence only of memory and instinct, or demoralized by lucre. Such a nature can never lead civilization. Genuflexion before the idol or the dollar atrophies the muscle which walks and the will which moves.”
(Chapter 1, Morals & Dogma)

… charge something deep in my core that has lay dormant through much of life in this neutered, politically correct world. It feels like truth.
The Freemasons have been under assault since inception by those who consider the Craft as suppressive, subversive or exclusive. I find it suprising that Masonic quotes like “Free Government, Free Thought, Free Conscience, Free Speech!” can be just as easily used against the Craft, without the slightest inkling that the core of Masonic philosophy may well be the light the detractor is seeking through his attacks on Masonry!

Either way, Morals & Dogma is a profound work worthy of study. For any interested parties, I found an online copy of the text in its entirety at Pieter Stone’s Review of Freemasonry.

“Free Government, Free Thought, Free Conscience, Free Speech!” – Bro. Albert Pike

“The world today requires spiritual and moral regeneration. I have no doubt, after many years as a member of our Order, that Freemasonry can play a part in this vital need”.   –

There is much excitement about the motion picture “The King’s Speech.”  Most of what one hears surrounding this period film has to do with personal attainment and effectuation such as acting and writing or that peculiar blend of art and technicality which is directing and producing.  What one won’t find much discourse about is that previous to being King George the Sixth, he was Prince Albert, and he was a busy member of Navy Lodge No. 2612, among others.  His Grandfather had been the founding Master.  He was initiated by the Pro Grand Master, Lord Ampthill, on December 2, 1919. King George VI was many things to his country.  He was also many things in Freemasonry and feverishly active in his pursuits in the Craft.  His Masonic story is fascinating.

I cannot reproduce the article here, but I implore you to follow the link that follows below and read the full article titled ‘The King and the Craft’ from the Masonic Quarterly Magazine, the official publication of the United Grand Lodge of England.  Whether you have seen this motion picture yet or not when you see him on the screen, consider you know him not only as a character but you know your bond to the real man is much closer.

http://www.mqmagazine.co.uk/issue-14/p-07.php

Click Here to Read The Full Article.

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