My Grandfather’s Jewel

My Grandfather’s Jewel

Mar 9, 2023 | Masonic History

MASONIC HISTORY

My Grandfather’s Jewel

A family legacy within the Craft

My family has a long history in Philadelphia, going as far back as the late 1600s. My sisters and I know more about our mother’s side of the family than our father’s side, but I have begun looking into things. Recently, I sought out some information on my paternal grandfather whom I had never met. Shortly after I became a Master Mason, my father gave me various Masonic jewelry belonging to his father – including some Scottish Rite pieces. As the Grand Lodge of New York started to highlight the use of the Lewis Jewel, I already had my father’s information on hand, so I reached out to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania to see what information it had on my grandfather.
HCGW - PM Jewel

Image: The Past Master’s Jewel of HGCW

My grandfather, Harry G. C. Williams was 21 years, 2 months and 10 days old when he was initiated into Olivet Lodge No. 607 in Philadelphia in 1910. He was the Junior Warden in 1920, Senior Warden in 1921 and Worshipful Master in 1922. I discovered evidence that he had been a member of the Knights Templar and LuLu Shrine and I am aware that he was in the Scottish Rite. I do not suspect that my paternal great-grandfather was a Mason. My grandfather had been mostly estranged from his family for unknown reasons. Olivet Lodge was constituted in 1895 and had only been chartered for 15 years when my grandfather joined in 1910. Along with Oriental Lodge No. 385 and Crescent Lodge No. 493, Olivet Lodge No. 607 merged with Concordia Lodge No. 67 on December 9, 2000. I never met my paternal grandfather. He passed away on December 30, 1937 – three days before his 49th birthday, and almost 20 years before I was born. I also never knew much about him, but I’ve gathered bits and pieces: He was a veteran of the 315th Infantry Regiment. He helped to start the American Legion in Pennsylvania. He was President of the Philadelphia Real Estate Board in 1933-1934.
I have just found his Past Master jewel inside of a box. I can make out the “HGCW” monogram on the jewel. As he was only 48 years old when he passed away, I feel for my father who had been just a boy at the time. I’m grateful for the time I had with my father and will treasure my Masonic lineage.
Written by: Bro. Harry Williams Bro. Williams was raised in 1993 and is a member of three symbolic lodges in New York – Geneva-Ark No. 33, Warren No. 32, and Adonai No. 718. He helped to consolidate the Columbia, Dutchess and Greene-Ulster District into the Majestic Mid-Hudson District and bring about a new, revitalized district.
Masonic Ritual – Deacons and Taking the Password

Masonic Ritual – Deacons and Taking the Password

Mar 3, 2023 | Masonic Ritual

MASONIC RITUAL

DEACONS AND TAKING THE PASSWORD

MASONIC RITUAL EXPLAINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CUSTODIANS OF THE WORK

Why don’t the Deacons take the word or password from the Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary and any Grand Lodge officers seated in the East when purging the Lodge?

All of these officers outrank the Deacons, who therefore have no authority under which to demand the word or password from them. The reason the Deacons do take the word or password from Grand Lodge officers seated on the sidelines is because they must be in the East to display the authority of their Masonic titles. Otherwise for Ritual purposes they are just regular Brothers. For similar reasons, the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master and District Deputy Grand Master do not give the Sign of Fidelity to the Lodge officers when seated in the East, but do give this sign when seated elsewhere about the Lodge.

Response provided by RW Samuel Lloyd Kinsey
Chairman, Custodians of the Work, Grand Lodge of New York

Note: This site is an excellent source of information about Freemasonry. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information about Masonic Ritual, please remember that a website is not a substitute for your jurisdiction’s Standard Work or Approved Ritual.
Masonic Ritual – Crossing the East During Labor

Masonic Ritual – Crossing the East During Labor

Feb 28, 2023 | Masonic Etiquette, Masonic Ritual

MASONIC RITUAL

Crossing the East

MASONIC RITUAL EXPLAINED BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE CUSTODIANS OF THE WORK

Why can’t we cross between the Altar and the East when the Lodge is at labor?

From a symbolic perspective, the Three Great Lights transmit their Light to the Master, whose duty it is to disseminate that Light to the Brethren in the Lodge. When someone crosses the East, that transmission of Light is interrupted. There are, of course, times when this restriction is impracticable, which is why we move freely about the Lodge during Degree Rituals and the Master can grant freedom of the Lodge to anyone he chooses, such as a Brother giving a talk or presentation. In all considerations such as these we must use common sense and avoid adopting a fundamentalist attitude towards our Rituals and traditions to such an extent that there is a negative effect on the work and operations of the Lodge.

Response provided by RW Samuel Lloyd Kinsey
Chairman, Custodians of the Work, Grand Lodge of New York

Note: This site is an excellent source of information about Freemasonry. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information about Masonic Ritual, please remember that a website is not a substitute for your jurisdiction’s Standard Work or Approved Ritual.
Masonic Ritual – On The Level

Masonic Ritual – On The Level

Feb 21, 2023 | Masonic Ritual

MASONIC RITUAL

On The Level

What is meant by “come down on the level”?

What is meant by “come down on the level”?

Do Brothers seated in the sidelines have to come into the main working area of the Lodge to be “on the level”?

The instruction to “come down on the level” is found in the Lodge Opening and Closing Rituals as well as the conclusion of the Middle Chamber Lecture. From a purely technical standpoint, the only parts of the Lodge that aren’t on the level are the stations in the East, West and South. However, when the Ritual calls for the Brethren to come down on the level, all those present should leave their seats and come into the main working area of the Lodge unless it is impracticable for them to do so. What might make it impracticable? A physical infirmity or ailment might make it impracticable for an individual Brother. Or if the Lodge is unusually full, it may be impracticable for those in the second row of seating to come into the main working area of the Lodge due to an insufficiency of space to accommodate that number of Brothers. If it is not legitimately impracticable, all present should come into the main working area of the Lodge to be “on the level.”

“Impracticable” in this use means “extremely difficult to achieve due to practical problems or issues in opposition; effectively if not technically impossible.”

Response provided by RW Samuel Lloyd Kinsey
Chairman, Custodians of the Work, Grand Lodge of New York

Note: This site is an excellent source of information about Freemasonry. While every effort has been made to provide accurate and up-to-date information about Masonic Ritual, please remember that a website is not a substitute for your jurisdiction’s Standard Work or Approved Ritual.
Rebirth

Rebirth

Feb 17, 2023 | Masonic Art

MASONIC ART

Rebirth

by Bro. Ari Roussimoff

“Rebirth” is the title of this painting from 2008. It is the right side panel of my three-painting Masonic triptych titled “Parable of Light and Dark.”
Painted Knights Templar Apron

The Left side panel is named “Foundations” and the middle panel is “Eclipse.” The entire three painting triptych symbolizes the different stages in the life of Freemasonry. These are represented by the legendary origins, the periods of transitional realities and last, the prospective future. This optimistic artwork was prominently exhibited for eight years at the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library & Museum of the Grand Lodge of New York. Images of this exhibit are below.

In “Rebirth,” I show civilization being rebuilt after it had been self-destroyed by centuries of neglect and wrongdoing. At the bottom and amidst the ruins is Master Craftsman Hiram Abiff alongside King Solomon, who like Noah before him, releases a dove out into the future to determine if the time to start building is near. Underneath the winding staircase stands a woman carrying the scales of justice. She is voluptuous, as is truth.

Image: “Rebirth,” right side panel of triptych “Parable of Light and Dark” by Bro. Ari Roussimoff
Pictured: Bro. Ari Roussimoff at the Livingston Library gallery display of his art.
To her left is the mystical priest Melchizedek (King of Righteousness) from the Book of Genesis. He has two sets of eyes, as his vision is deeply spiritual. One pair of eyes represent the soul and heart and the other two eyes represent the mind which is composed of thought, logic and intellect. Holding the Masonic compass, Melchizedek has given his blessing to building up a new and better world. Its foundation would be the great virtues and accomplishments of the old world which subsequently had been needlessly pummeled into ruins. At the very top is the All Seeing Eye of God the Creator, our ultimate judge.

Written by Bro. Ari Roussimoff
www.Roussimoff.com
Consolidated Lodge #31 F. & A.M.
Manhattan, New York

Bro Ari Roussimoff