By Paul R. Swanson, 32°
Robert Morris, Past Grand Master of Kentucky formed the “conservators” to standardize Masonic ritual throughout the United States. This attempt threatened to split Masonry and was eventually defeated, but not without a great amount of passion against those who tried to standardize the Craft ritual. Later, the same man who was reviled was received with exuberance over his founding of the Eastern Star.
January 1, 1863, resulted in a Confederate victory in Galveston, Texas. A small federal force, perceiving that they were abandoned by the fleet, surrendered as prisoners. Captain Wainwright, and his second in command, Lieutenant Lea, of the Harriet Land, were killed. Ironically, Masory lea was among the boarders from the Bayou City, and for the first time in two years, he was to meet his son, only to find him among the dead on the deck of the Federal vessel. The following day a truce was held and both sides marched for the burial after Harmony Lodge # 6 of Galveston minutes reflected they moved to Emergency for the bury of the dead, January 2, 1863.
Rudyard Kipling was initiated into Freemasonry in 1886. He was later quoted, “I was entered by a member of the Brahmo Samaj (Hindu), passed by a Mohammedan, and raised by an Englishman. Our Tyler was an Indian Jew. We met, of course on the level…”
Rudyard later became Poet Laureate of the famous Kilwinning Lodge # 2 in Edinburgh. Thus he succeeded the immortal “Robbie” Burns, who first held that distinguished Masonic Office, Poet Laureate of Kilkenny Lodge # 2, Scotland.
He later received an honorary degree from Oxford University along with another brother, Mark Twain in. Also, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature, the youngest winner at 42!
Later in life, Rudyard found an unusual issue with his checks. He would write them to pay a bill and they wouldn’t be cashed. Instead, they would be sold, his signature being worth more than the lost payment!
Note, his 3 degrees were actually given by Englishmen.
Robert Burns, a freemason as well wrote “Auld Lang Syne” and it is said that it is about the spirit of camaraderie and brotherhood found in Freemasonry. Burns was a “Lowland” Scott.
Masons at Sight
William Howard Taft was made a Mason at Sight by an “Occasional Lodge created for that purpose on Feb 18, 1909, a few weeks before his inauguration as President. The lodge convened at 4 P.M. at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Cincinnati by Charles Hoskinson, G.M. of Ohio along with William B Mellish. Charles dissolved the lodge after 6 P.M.
Other notable Masons at Sight from the United States include Joseph Smith, who started the Mormon movement. Don King was made a Mason under the Prince Hall Masonic Order. General Douglas MacArthur was made a Mason at Sight by the Grand Master of the District of Columbia. John Glen was as well in 1978. He also became a 33-degree Scottish Rite Mason in 1998.