SOME MASONIC MISCONCEPTIONS
Bro. Roberts is a member and Past Master of Babcock Lodge #322 of Highland Springs VA. He is a
noted Masonic writer and historian. Bro. Roberts has
several books to his credit. including House
Undivided, Brother Truman and Freemasonry In
American History.
He has contributed a great deal to the Masonic
Service Association both in writing and service.
The following article will contain statements of fact
that will go against popular belief. But, in the interest
of truth and accuracy, we as Masons, must tell our
story correctly.
-Editor
As with any organization that dates back to
antiquity, Freemasonry has "inherited"
numerous myths. Some of these have been "invented" and perpetuated by Masonic writers;
others have been concocted by critics and
opponents of the Craft.
The Masonic Service Association has from its
inception attempted to seek out and spread only
the truth about Freemasonry. This is an attempt
to fulfill a part of the goal of the MSA.
Freemasonry has taught its valuable philosophical lessons through allegory and symbols.
Anecdotes are used by historians and speakers to
illustrate important points. These help in the
search for truth in an interesting and factual
manner.
On the other hand, myths can be dangerous.
They can be outrageous lies. They can be disguised as truth. Once told they can be
perpetuated for centuries. Some have been used
in an attempt to enhance the image of
Freemasonry. Yet the truth about Masonry needs
no elaboration.
Millions of great men have been, or are, Freemasons. There have been many great
men who were not members of the Craft. Among the latter, are some whom
well-meaning writers claim were Masons, such as Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton and Patrick Henry. These men
were not Freemasons, but the myths are still
prevalent.
Nothing in the writings by, or about, Patrick
Henry show that he was ever a member of the
Craft.
Thomas Jefferson did participate in the laying of the cornerstone of his
university in Charlottesville. Freemasons did conduct the ceremony with the
approval of the six Visitors of Central College (as it was then named). Among
these Visitors was Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson participated as a Visitor--not as a Master Mason.
A thorough search of Jefferson's papers reveals
no indication that he was ever a Freemason.
"The Petition," a famous painting by the
world-renowned artist John Ward Dunsmore,
depicts Alexander Hamilton as one of these in
attendance in American Union Lodge. Hamilton
was not a Mason. There were several other nonMasons pictured. Dunsmore, using his "license
as an artist," started a myth that continues to this
day.
American Union Lodge was not a myth, however. It was chartered by Connecticut and still
exists as American Union Lodge No. I at
Marietta, Ohio. It was the famous Military Lodge
George Washington attended on several occasions. "The Petition" portrays the dozens of
Revolutionary War Masons (and some nonMasons) who were present on December 27, 1779
when the Lodge met in Arnold's Tavern, Morristown, New Jersey. Those present agreed with
the petition of General Mordecai Gist that there
should be a General Grand Lodge for the United
States. And they unanimously selected Washington to become the General Grand Master.
Although some agreed with this concept, it
went no further. Over the years there have been
other unsuccessful attempts to form a National
Grand Lodge, however, each United States Grand
Lodge remains sovereign.
Well-meaning Masonic speakers and leaders
have told us over the years that all of George
Washington's generals were Freemasons. Stories
still persist that claim Washington wouldn't make
Lafayette a general until he had become a Mason.
The late James R. Case and Ronald E. Heaton,
through publications of the MSA, corrected the
story of the generals as Masons. During the War
for American Independence, thirty-three generals
were Freemasons, a long way from being "all."
The Marquis de Lafayette, although a teenager
when he came to America to fight for the cause
of freedom, was already a Freemason. It is not
known, even though they were almost as close as
father and son, that Washington and Lafayette
ever discussed Freemasonry.
The Baron von Steuben was also a Freemason
when he joined Washington. But there have been
those who claimed it wasn't until he became a
Mason that Washington made him a general.
Actually the Commander-in-Chief needed von
Steuben's expertise. Masonry played no known
part in his selection to train the American troops.
A Masonic myth that won't go away concerns
"The Boston Tea Party" and St. Andrew's Lodge
of Massachusetts. True, the Lodge didn't meet
on the night "Indians" turned Boston harbor
into a giant tea pot. It's also true the minutes
ended with a scroll, a symbol that by no stretch
of the imagination can be considered a "T." And
in spite of claims here and there by descendants,
not a single participant has ever been identified.
Now--that's secrecy!
Speaking of secrecy, I've been taken to task
(not often politely) for claiming Freemasonry is
not a secret society. I further claim there are no
secrets in Freemasonry. A secret society is one
that no one knows exists; whose members are
unknown. In countries practicing freedom,
Masonic buildings are clearly marked; members
can openly wear the universal Square and
Compasses to identify them as Freemasons.
However, the critics of Freemasonry grab
everything available that condemns this organization or Brotherhood. They can find these exposes
in any large book store. The "secrets" of the
Craft, often distorted, are theirs for the reading.
Television now makes the ritual of the Craft
available, even for the uneducated.
For several years there has been no excuse for
anyone to claim all the signers of the Declaration of Independence were Masons. Through
publications of the MSA authored by Ronald E.
Heaton this and other claims were proven not
true. Here's the truth: ten signers of the Articles
of Confederation; nine signers of the Declaration
of Independence; thirteen signers of the Constitution were, or would become, Freemasons.
There doesn't need to be any exaggeration; this
is an excellent percentage of the participants.
Edmund Randolph, Grand Master of Masons
in Virginia, did not sign the Constitution. He did,
however, fight for its adoption in Virginia.
Without his support it is doubtful that the opposition of Patrick Henry could have been
overcome.
It's interesting to note that one important item
of this period has never surfaced as a myth or
fact. Four presidents of the Continental
Congresses were Freemasons. Peyton Randolph
of Virginia was the first. Then came John Hancock of Massachusetts, Henry Laurens of South
Carolina, and Arthur St. Clair of Pennsylvania.
Another myth that surfaces periodically tells
us that the thirteen governors of the original
colonies were Freemasons when Washington was
inaugurated President. Not so. From the Battle
of Lexington until 1789, thirty different men
served as governors. Ten of these were
Freemasons! That's a long way from all, but it's
one-third. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could
claim the same percentage today?
One more myth concerning George
Washington should be set to rest, then we'll
conclude. Washington never was a Grand Master.
He was, however, the Master of a Lodge,
although there is no evidence that he ever
presided as such.
Alexandria Lodge No. 39 of Pennsylvania
asked the Grand Lodge of Virginia for a new
charter. Washington was an Honorary Member
of this Lodge. When Grand Master Edmund
Randolph signed the Virginia charter,
Washington's name appeared in the place where
the Master's normally would. This made him the
charter Master. The following December
Washington, while President of the United States,
was elected Master. Although he was never
installed he did become a Past Master of
Alexandria Lodge No. 22.
To keep the record straight about Washington
and Freemasonry take into account his civic
activities. These left little time for fraternalism.
Also take into account the love and respect
displayed by his fellowmen. Finally ask yourself:
Would the widow of a man who didn't love
Freemasonry have requested a Masonic funeral?
Let's stop perpetuating myths and exaggerations about Freemasonry. This oldest, largest and
greatest fraternal organization needs no
embellishment. It has stood the test of time and
adversity.
Let's simply tell the truth. Freemasonry is an
organization of men who are taught to put into
practice the Brotherhood of Man under the
Fatherhood of God. When truthfully implemented can there be any greater purpose for
Freemasonry's existence?
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