Pennsylvania Freemasonry, A fight for Survival - An Opinion

The Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons is the oldest, largest and most widely known fraternal organization in the world. Volumes have been written about it. Yet, to many, Freemasonry remains a mystery.

Further suggested reading: THE SHORT TALK Bulletin Vol. XLVI January 1968
Published Monthly in Two Parts by THE MASONIC SERVICE ASSOCIATION
OF THE UNITED STATES- Washington D.C. 20001

Distributed Freely through AMERICA ON-LINE May 1st, 1995

Torence Evans Ake P.M.
Arcadia Masonic Lodge #1138 A.F. & A.M.
Lansing, Illinois
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Prior to 1850, much speculation and elaboration of the origins of Masonic ritual prevailed.  Speculative Masonry was very much in its apprentice stage both with its appearance and in fact.  Its rituals were being refined and much guesswork as to its history rendered the information passed to its entered apprentices as fanciful as it was inspirational.  Our Masonic forefathers told elaborate stories about the origin of the Craft, sometimes well intentioned, often "tongue in cheek" It is no wonder that today so many of the organization's detractors allow ignorance to cloud their view of this venerable institution.  Today, Masonic scholars work hard to solve the Craft's greatest mystery, the origin of its ritual.

SHORT TALK BULLETIN -  Vol.XII January. 1934  No. 1

by: Unknown

 An experience in freemasonry usually upsetting to the newly raised brother is his first visit to a lodge in another jurisdiction than his own.    Having carefully been taught a certain ritual, in all probability with positive emphasis upon the necessity of being “letter perfect,” he learns with a distinct shock that the ritual in other States differs from his own, and these differ each from the other.  If he converses with those “well informed brethren who will always be as ready to give as you will be to receive instruction” he is more than apt to be met with a puzzled, “I don’t know, I’m sure, just why they are different from us, but of course. Ours is correct.” The riddle becomes much plainer as the neophyte studies Masonic history - but, alas, many never open a Masonic book!  Yet divergences in ritual cannot be understood without some historical background.  It is necessary to understand, for instance, that Freemasonry came to this country, some time prior to 1731, at a time when English ritual was in a process of formation.  We did not receive our Masonry from one central source. But from several; nor did we obtain it as a whole.