USA > Illinois > The rise and progress of Freemasonry in Illinois, 1783-1952 > Part 26
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This is plain enough to condemn the organization as spurious and illegitimate.
The committee also discovered another Rite claiming similar
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powers. It was "The Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis." How- ever this organization asked not be to considered in the same category with the "fradulent Sovereign Sanctuary of Boston, Michigan and Canada." The head of this organization acknowledged that he never had a charter but worked under a photograph of a charter. The con- clusion of the committee was
That persons cannot be made Masons except by the act of a regular lodge, working under the jurisdiction and by the authority of a Grand Lodge constituted by the representatives of lodges of Free and Accepted or Craft Masons.
It was resolved
That the said Egyptian Masonic Rite of Memphis and the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis, and all other associations of persons of whatever degree or name (other than lodges of Free and Accepted or Craft Masons, and the Grand Lodges duly constituted by the repre- sentatives of such lodges), that shall arrogate to themselves the authority, under any circumstances or conditions, to confer the degrees of Symbolic or Craft Masonry, to-wit; Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason, or whose charters, constitutions, laws, edicts or decrees shall assume or permit the powers organized under them to assume, the authority to constitute lodges, or bodies of any other name, for conferring the said three degrees of Symbolic or Craft Masonry, are clandestine bodies within the meaning of the fundamental laws of Masonry; and that with their constituents, dependents and individual members are clearly within the scope of the inhibitions of Section 2, Article X, of the Constitution of this Grand Lodge; and all the Masons within said jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Illinois are hereby warned that any Masonic intercourse with the aforesaid "Egyptian Masonic Rite of Mem- phis or the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis, their members and constituent bodies, or with any other association of persons assuming to have any authority, powers or privileges in Ancient Craft Masonry, not derived from this Grand Lodge, within the State of Illinois, will subject them to the penalty of attaching to a violation of their Masonic covenants.
This was adopted and is still the law.
Chapter 38 LOTTERIES AND GIFT ENTERPRISES
In 1869 Grand Master Reynolds said:
In April last I received a letter from the Grand Master of Ohio, setting forth that a law of that jurisdiction had been violated by a mem- ber of one of our lodges in regard to Gift Enterprises, and he forwarded to me certain papers in proof of the fact. I instituted an enquiry into the circumstances, and in due time forwarded the documentary evidence in my possession to the W.M. of the Lodge of which the accused is a member; charges were preferred and the accused was found guilty and punished. I communicated the result to the Grand Master of Ohio, who expressed his satisfaction with the result.
Gift enterprises of the very best character have no good traits to recommend them. However fairly and honorably they may be con- ducted, they are schemes of chance, and are seductive temptations to invest money where there is not one reasonable prospect in fifty of an equitable return. Masonry is a system of morality, and never lends its aid to immoral speculations or demoralizing transactions. Hence, any attempt to give popularity or strength to gift enterprises by appeals to Masons or Masonic societies, or by reference to them in their Masonic character, is entirely wrong, and should be positively forbidden, and any violation of such regulation should be followed by expulsion.
The Grand Lodge supported his argument by the following:
Resolved, That this Grand Lodge views with abhorrance, any at- tempt on the part of Lodges, or members of Lodges, to give the aid of Masonry in organized or individual form, to any lottery or gift enter- prise; and that it will sustain any Lodge in any reasonable punishment inflicted upon its members for such offense.
In 1879 Grand Master Gurney said:
In March last I received a circular, which had been addressed to various brethren, announcing a "Grand Masonic Distribution of Real Estate and Personal Property," and in the interests of the Farmount . Masonic Building Association. The enterprise seemed to be under the direction of gentlemen whose names were familiar as Masons of con- siderable distinction. The object of the Association was said to be the erection of a Masonic Temple. Whatever may have been its purposes,
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our law is so positive in its condemnation of this method of advancing fraternal interests, that I immediately issued my edict prohibiting Masonic complicity with the undertaking.
In 1904 Grand Master Wright said:
I have been asked if it was proper for Masons, individually or as a lodge, to participate or aid in the conduct of a "Fair" where books of chance and drawings were features and I have decided that to do so was a clear violation of Section 6, Article 32, Part Second Grand Lodge By-laws.
While I do not think any argument necessary in support of the above decision, I take this occasion to emphasize the position of this Grand Lodge upon the subject of gambling in all its various forms.
Lotteries and games of chance are prohibited by Acts of Congress and by acts of the legislatures in nearly every state. The acts are held to be constitutional and are enforced by the courts when they are in- voked in cases pending before them. And the Mason who aids or gives countenance to lottery or gift enterprises in any form or under any pre- text, not only violates the plain provisions of the above section but transgresses the law of the land which he is taught in his lodge to respect and obey.
In 1917 it was
Resolved, That the grand lodge views with decided disfavor the growing custom of unduly and persistently soliciting Masons to buy tickets to picnics, entertainments, and other amusements for profit, and for advertisements in programmes of such, unless such shall first be sub- mitted to and approved by the most worshipful grand master.
This was adopted.
In 1921 Grand Master Beach said:
Masonry does not look with the least degree of allowance upon raffles, lotteries or gift enterprises. The law as given in Section 325 is so simple and positive that no one needs to err. Yet, in a lodge in the State during the year past a regular lottery for the benefit of a build- ing fund was promoted. An automobile and a number of other valu- able articles were offered to those who were the fortunate possessors of the proper tickets. The District Deputy Grand Master very properly reported the case to me. I ordered all money returned and the whole scheme suppressed. If lodges cannot provide themselves meeting places without resorting to plans and schemes which violate the Masonic as well as the laws of the State and nation they should be content to rent lodge rooms indefinitely.
Again in 1924 Grand Master Wood issued an edict against gamb- ling and lotteries. In this he not only named lodges but "organizations
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that predicate their membership on Masonry, to raise funds and for sundry other purposes." After preliminary remarks he said:
From and after the date hereof, no lodge of Masons nor member or members of any Masonic lodge shall engage in or have any part in the conduct of any raffle, circus, or any form of chance or gaming. Fur- thermore, no lodge of Masons nor any member thereof, may use or par- ticipate in the use of punch boards, or similar devices, for the distribution of prizes in connection with any enterprise conducted in the name of Masonry or directly or indirectly for the pecuniary benefit of Masonry, or any Masonic lodge, or any organization whose membership is com- posed solely of Masons; neither shall any lodge of Masons, nor organiza- tion of Masons, accept any of the proceeds of any enterprise as outlined in this Edict.
The jurisprudence committee approved the edict and declared it was a correct interpretation of the law.
This edict of 1924 was prompted in part by the disgraceful airing in the public press of a controversy between a Potentate of Medinah Temple and the mayor of Chicago over the right of groups of Masons to run gambling games, etc., in violation of the law. (Grand Lodge Proceedings 1935, page 33.)
During the administration of Grover C. Niemeyer a most serious violation of both state and Masonic law arose. He received by railway express as a member of
Medinah Temple A.A.O.N.M.S. literature, tickets, etc. in connection with a "Fund Raising Campaign" professedly designed to afford delin- quent members, numbering approximately 9,000, an opportunity to pay their dues through the sale of tickets to "A Shriners' Ball" at the Trianon and Aragon ball rooms and Medinah Temple, Chicago, and to provide money for the expenses of the past potentates, officers and members of the uniformed organizations of the shrine to the Imperial Council at Washington, D. C., in June, 1935.
The sale of these books amounting to 7,500 which represented 600,000 tickets to the ball and the halls would accommodate only 20,000 people.
The Grand Master said:
There is no difference between the legal meaning and the layman's conception of a lottery, viz .; a scheme for the distribution of prizes by lot or chance. This campaign was a lottery readily recognized as such by any disinterested lawyer and by any layman of average intelligence and experience. The element of lot or chance was present in three distinct transactions, viz.
1-The sale of tickets to the ball - the price being determined by
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lot or chance according to the number concealed under the girl's name, as in an ordinary punch board.
2-The award of the blanket or other prize to the holder of one ticket of every eighty according to lot or chance in selecting the name of the "winning girl."
3-The award of a Ford automobile by lot or chance to one only of the thousands holding tickets.
After charges were filed against certain officers and past potentates for promoting this lottery, the Shrine for the first time made funds for charity an object of the plan, published a list of expenditures for charity in an attempted justification of its violations of the law and
publicly boasted that no jury would convict its members and as- serted the chances are well worth the cost of the tickets.
More than 20,000 books were sent out, and thereby more than 1,600,000 tickets were offered to the public when the Shriners must have known that they could admit less than two percent of that number.
On the night of the ball, according to the Chicago Tribune, through which the Shrine conducted its "campaign of education" police re- serves were called out to handle the crowds in the vicinity of the ball rooms, estimated at 55,000 at the Trianon and Aragon, with additional thousands at Medinah Temple. These people did not come for the dances, but-as stated in the Tribune-for the final drawing in a huge lottery sponsored by the Shrine officials.
The books were sent by express to avoid possible prosecution for using the mails illegally. The Potentate was advised by letter that
the fund raising campaign was a lottery and gift enterprise in viola- tion of federal, state and Masonic laws and requested him to discon- tinue it.
A meeting of the Grand Master with the officers and Past Potentates of the Shrine developed the fact that they had determined that the Grand Lodge had no jurisdiction over Shrine activities. All but two of the Shrine representatives voted to sustain the action of the Shrine, and pledged support to the campaign, and agreed to accept equal re- sponsibility. Charges were filed against the representative of the blanket company in addition to those against the 14 officers of the Shrine. Two recognized the authority of the Grand Lodge, the 12 others were found guilty of giving the aid and countenance of Ma- sonry to a lottery and insubordinately persisting in such action after
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being requested and directed by the Grand Master to desist, and were expelled from all the rights and privileges of Masonry. Their violation of the federal, state and Masonic laws was willful. Before the contract with the blanket company was signed it was suggested that the Grand Master be consulted. This was met by the statement:
Well, you don't want to discuss it with the Grand Master because you will put him in an embarrassing position to begin with, and you will put him in a position where he might say "NO" and then you would have to abandon the plan or put yourselves in the position of defying the Grand Master.
However, they soon found that the Grand Master could not be turned aside from his determination to enforce the law. In reporting this violation the Grand Master gave a very correct definition of what Masonry stands for.
Masonry is not a coat to be put on or taken off as one desires. It is not a character to be assumed when respectability is advisable and cast aside and forgotten when the individual chooses to violate the law of the land, or indulge the lower and baser sides of his nature. It is a rule of conduct which, once adopted, must be everywhere practiced until death or expulsion releases the obligation.
The present law covering such enterprises is in Section 211:
All lodges and the members thereof are strictly forbidden to give, or attempt to give, the aid or countenance of masonry to any raffle, lottery or gift enterprise.
Chapter 39 GRAND LODGE HALL
In 1853 the question of a permanent location for the Grand Lodge again was presented and a motion was made to purchase twenty shares of stock in the new Masonic Hall then being constructed in Spring- field. After considerable debate the question was laid on the table. In 1857 the committee on finance and accounts reported that the Grand Lodge was dependent upon the Masonic bodies "which meet in this hall" for the seats and desks necessary for the business of the Grand Lodge. Therefore it was
Resolved, That the sum of one hundred dollars, from the funds of this Grand Lodge, be placed subject to the disposal of the Junior Grand Warden, for the purpose of providing this hall with such fixtures as he may deem necessary.
In 1867 a report was made about financing a Grand Lodge Hall. It provided that a fund of $100,000 be raised by collecting five dollars for every initiation and a tax of one dollar on each member. In 1868 the whole subject was again deferred for another year. The 1869 report was long and raised the amount needed to $500,000, bonds to that amount to be issued running for twenty years at ten percent interest. There were 30,000 names on the lodge rolls. The committee believed that few if any would refuse to lend the Grand Lodge $15, making a total of $450,000 available. The committee looked into the price of land and found a piece on La Salle Street that would provide what would have been then ample room. The lot was 180 feet square. The Grand Lodge room was to be 122 by 80 feet. This report was accepted and it was
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to select a suitable site in the City of Chicago, on which to build a "Temple" or building for the Grand Lodge, and procure a refusal of said site until all the Lodges in the State can be made acquainted with such selection, and have received a printed copy of the report just made, and when a majority of such Lodges shall have sanctified such selection, the committee shall be thereby empowered to complete such purchase or lease, and proceed in the usual way to make an offer for the same.
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The report of the special committee in 1870 was that they could get a refusal on the property selected for a forfeit of $10,000 if not accepted within thirty days, a further sum of $30,000 was to be made at the expiration of thirty days. The whole price was $180,000 which was entirely beyond the means of the Grand Lodge so the question was never submitted to the Lodges for action. The Grand Master re- ported that the property in question had been sold ten days later at an advance of five percent in price and on much better terms to the owners of the property.
In 1909 the Grand Master recommended that consideration be given to a permanent home for the Grand Lodge and its officers. A special committee was appointed to report the next year. In 1910 the committee report was that it was inadvisable to consider the question at the time on account of financial needs that might arise in connection with the homes. There has been no further action.
Chapter 40 HONORARY MEMBERS
In 1842 it was
Resolved, That the M.W. Jonathan Nye, P.G.M. of the Grand Lodge of Vermont, be admitted an honorary member of this Grand Lodge, and he be permitted at all times a seat in the same as such.
He was one of the handful of members who dared to march in a Masonic parade at the height of the anti-Masonic persecution. He was a Congregational minister for many years but it is his Masonic record that interests us. He was fearless and outspoken in the defence of Masonry at all times. In addition to being Grand Master of Masons of Vermont he was elected Grand High Priest Royal Arch Masons in New Hampshire in 1822-23; was Grand Master of the Grand Council Royal and Select Masters of New Hampshire 1823-26; was General Grand High Priest in 1835-38; and succeeded Dewitt Clinton as Grand Master of the Grand Encampment Knights Templar in 1829 and again in 1832.
He was chairman of the committee to investigate the Mormon lodges. He went to Fort Madison, Iowa and was preparing a speech to be delivered before the Masonic fraternity when he was stricken, and on April 1, 1843 he passed away.
Another honorary member was elected in 1861:
Resolved, that our venerable and aged brother, Jonathan Young of Prairie Lodge No. 77, at Paris, be constituted an honorary member of this Grand Lodge.
Brother Young died on August 18, 1867 at the age of nearly 77 years.
1870:
Resolved, That W. Brother James B. Samuel of Carrollton Lodge No. 50, be and is hereby elected an Honorary Life Member of the Grand Lodge.
Brother Samuel was a doctor and the first Master of Carrollton Lodge No. 50.
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1917: Brother Owen Scott suggested that Governor Frank O. Lowden be elected to honorary membership in this Grand Lodge. The Grand Master put the question and he was unanimously elected. He had just finished delivering the oration when this action took place.
The last Brother to be honored with such membership was Most Worshipful Brother Albert A. Schaffer, Grand Master of Massachu- setts on October 12, 1943.
Chapter 41 VETERAN ASSOCIATION
On December 26, 1885 a circular letter was sent bearing the sig- natures of D. G. Cregier, T. T. Gurney, G. W. Barnard, W. A. Stevens and Geo. W. Hazlett, from which the following is taken:
The question suggests itself, Can we do anything to perpetuate the principles of the old institution or contribute to the welfare of its older members?
There are scores of craftsmen yet living who, through many years of zeal, loyalty and constancy, have done much towards the growth and prosperity of Freemasonry in Illinois and elsewhere - men who have never wearied in their appreciation of the true principles of the ancient institution, but many whose age and labors in the vineyard of masonry, although entitling them to rest from the active duties of the Lodge, should not deprive them from that social intercourse with their contemporaries, which is one of the most agreeable features of the Lodge.
A letter was mailed to a number of older Masons of Illinois, invit- ing them to meet at Oriental Hall, 122 La Salle Street, Chicago, on Wednesday evening, January 13, 1886, to consider the propriety of forming an organization in Chicago, to be called the "Masonic Vet- eran Association of Illinois."
At the time and place named in the notice nearly one hundred Masons who had labored in the Temple more than twenty-one years assembled, proceeded to organize, and appointed a committee on regulations. The committee reported at subsequent meetings held during the year, and a code was, in due time, adopted, in which the name and objects of the association were clearly defined; time fixed for stated meetings, as well as that of the first annual reunion; defining the officers and their duties, and the qualifications of members, one of which was-"No person can become a member of this association until twenty-one years after his initiation, nor unless he be a Master Mason in good standing."
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At the first Annual Reunion and banquet of the Association, which was given at the rooms of the Iroquois Club, 35 members were present, and it was then declared that the "first year's existence of the Associa- tion has been such as to warrant its future success." John C. Smith, Grand Master was elected Venerable Chief, and Gil. W. Barnard re- elected as Secretary. More than one hundred names of veterans ap- peared on the roll of members.
The second annual reunion was held at the residence of Venerable Chief Smith, 65 Sibley Street, Chicago, at which the veterans were entertained by the Venerable Chief, his worthy wife and family, in such manner as those only who have participated in the hospitality of "Smith's Inn," 65 Sibley Road can fully appreciate. At this meeting were present as distinguished guests Chas. C. P. Hunt, a Master Mason of more than 65 years' standing and Major General John E. Smith of the regular army, a charter member of Far West Lodge (Galena), De- cember 27, 1838, afterwards No. 23 on the register of the Grand Lodge of Missouri.
Letters regretting their inability to be present were read from honorary members Albert Pike, E. T. Corson, John Frizzell, H. B. Grant, William B. Isaacs, T. S. Parvin, Josiah H. Drummond, and other distinguished Masons from nearly every jurisdiction in the United States.
The roll of membership showed a satisfactory increase in numbers, and as the hour approached for separation and the guests clasped the hand of the Venerable Chief and Mrs. Smith before parting, each heart beat in unison to the one thought-the Masonic Veteran Asso- ciation was a grand success, and the Venerable Chief was the crown prince of entertainers.
Venerable Chief Smith has been elected his own successor at each succeeding reunion, and has entertained the veterans and their wives at the "INN." Each reunion has surpassed all others in interest and pleasure afforded the members.
Masons from nearly every quarter of the world where civilization exists have been received and entertained at the annual meetings of the Association, which numbers among its honorary membership dis- tinguished Fraters from Europe, Asia, Egypt, Canada, and most of the states of the Union.
The roll of the latter begins with His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, Grand Master of England.
The annual reports of the Association, written, edited and pub-
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lished by the Venerable Chief, are among the rarest gems of Masonic literature and are most highly prized by the Masonic student; and as the October sky indicates the approach of frost and snow, the veterans look forward to the annual reunion with anticipations of fraternal greetings, the warm grasp of the hand and the smile of true brotherly love and affection, which has characterized their lives for so many years.
Probably one of the most interesting episodes connected with the work of the Association was the address to Queen Victoria on the occasion of the recent "Jubilee," which marked the sixtieth year of her reign. The following excerpt is from the London Freemason of August 4, 1897:
A Masonic Address to Her Majesty from the U.S.A.
The following letter to H.R.H., the Prince of Wales and congratu- latory address to Her Most Gracious Majesty and Queen was sent by post and express June 7, 1897.
The address is in the 14th Century medieval illuminated text on the finest vellum, and bound in choice seal skin of "garter blue."
On the back, in letters cut out of solid gold, is the name Victoria.
H.R.H. Albert Edward, Prince of Wales:
Chicago, June 7, 1897 M.W. Sir and Brother:
On behalf of the Masonic Veteran Association of Illinois, United States of America, which is honored with your membership, I forward by express, a congratulatory address to her Most Gracious Majesty, on attainment of sixty years' reign on the throne of Great Britain and Ireland, &c.
We kindly ask that you, on our behalf, will present this token of our love and respect for so noble a woman, to your loved mother, the Queen. Sincerely and Fraternally,
John Corson Smith.
Past Grand Master of Masons of Illinois, &c, &c, and Representative of the Grand Lodge of England, Venerable Chief.
The unique address reads:
June 20, 1897.
To her Most Gracious Majesty, Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland and Empress of India:
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