Highest Regular Masonic Lodge in the World

[John E. Knight, Secretary of Soquel Lodge No. 746, California, a member of our
Lodge, sent a copy of a letter written September 3, 1914 by Nelson Phelps
Rounsevell, a member of Fruitvale Lodge No. 336, California, to the members of
his Lodge.  George Rounsevell, son of Nelson, Master of Soquel Lodge No. 746 in
1990, gave the copy to Brother Knight with permission to copy, which we are
doing, quoting in part.]

There is a regular Masonic Lodge in Cerro de Pasco (Peru); "Roof of the World
Lodge" No. 1094, chartered by the Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1912. (Current List
of Regular Lodges show it at Lima, Peru.) The officers and members of this Lodge
have extended me every Masonic courtesy and it has been a great pleasure to meet
with them.  Only those who have traveled in foreign countries can appreciate how
much a true Masonic welcome means to a wanderer who is thousands of miles from
his native land and among a strange people who speak a strange language.

The membership of this Lodge is made up of English speaking residents of Cerro
de Pasco and among them are to be found natives of nearly every cilivized
country in the world.

Roof of the World Lodge regularly holds its meetings at an altitude of 14,208
feet and claims the distinction of being the highest regular Masonic Lodge in
the world.  But in order that there might never be any question as to this
claim, they made application to the Grand Lodge of Scotland for a dispensation
permitting them to hold a regular Lodge meeting at the summit of Mt. Meiggs,
(alt. 17,575 ft.) which is the highest peak of the Andes in this region. The
dispensation was granted under date of June 30, 1914, and in compliance
therewith the meeting was held on August 29, 1914.  And it was my honor and
pleasure to attend and represent Fruitvale Lodge No. 336 at this, the highest
regular meeting of Master Masons ever held in the history of Masonry.

At 6:20 A.M. the members and soJourning brothers started from Cerro de Pasco in
a special coach over the Cerro de Pasco Railroad.  The officers and brothers
carried with them the Charter of the Lodge, the special dispensation and all of
the working tools and paraphernalia necessary and incident to the opening,
holding and closing of a regular Lodge of Master Masons.

From Cerro de Pasco the train makes it way around the mineral laden peaks of
the Andes and across broad Pampas and plateaus; descending to an elevation of
12,178 at Oroya in a distance of about 100 miles.  Here our coach was
transferred to a special train on the Peruvian Central Railroad and then began
the ascent to the highest summit reached by the highest railroad in the world.
This is at Ticlio, altitude 15,665 ft.  And after nearly three hours of winding
and switch-backing through canyons of indescribable grandure and along
precipitous snow covered mountain sides, we reached this point shortly after
high-twelve, and were at the foot (?) of Mr. Meiggs.

Here and at stations along the line the party was joined by other members of
the Craft, making a total of 29 Master Masons who began the perilous ascent to.
the appointed meeting place.  The day was perfect; the sky being clear and the
air crisp and cold, despite the tropical sunshine.  All were clad in heavy
boots, sweaters and overcoats and were generally well equipped for the journey.
Each carried some portion of the paraphernalia, but the burden was so equally
distributed that it amounted to but a few pounds each; and it was well that it
did, for the climb was destined to be a most severe tax upon the strength and
energy of even the strongest.  The air pressure here being less than half that
at sea level, breathing is difficult and physical exertion is a difficult feat.
The heart, which at sea level beats normally at 72 times per minute, here races
along at about 100 and several members of the party registered pulsations as
high as 128.  Nearly all suffered more or less from mountain sickness.  Several
had severe headaches, nausea, nose bleed and violent ringing of the ears.  But
all reached the summit safely by 3 P.M. except one brother who was so ill he was
compelled to turn back.

It was a sheer climb of 1,910 feet, the last third of which seemed to be almost
vertical and was accomplished with the greatest difficulty by clinging to the
projecting points of the rocks and by assisting each other from one crevice
foot-hold to another.  Many times were the weary brothers compelled to rest and
refresh themselves; and vainly did they wish for something to catch hold or to
assist them in arising; but there was nothing, for this is miles and miles above
the timber line.

Upon gaining the summit, all were in extreme state of exhaustion; and several
were quite ill; one brother to such an extent that for a time it was feared
that he would have to be carried hastily down the mountain in order to save his
life; but upon resting a few minutes he rapidly recuperated and was able to
make the return journey without special assistance.  The feat of one brother
deserves special mention; Bro. Victor V. Morris, a member of Roof of the World
Lodge, suffered the loss of his right leg, just below the knee, several years
ago; but has since become so proficient in the use of an artificial one that he
made this perilous ascent with apparently no greater fatigue and with but a
trifle more assistance than his more physically fortunate brothers.

Upon assembling at the summit, a small level place was cleared away and in the
center an altar of stone was erected and stations for the Worshipful Master,
Senior and Junior Wardens were likewise constructed of stone.  Tylers were
stationed and in addition to the sword, they were also armed with field glasses
with which they were enabled to scan the horizon for miles in every direction;
but no cowans or eavesdroppers were seen to approach and ceremonies were
uninterrupted.  All present signed the Tyler's register and numbered among the
visiting brethren were craftsmen from several jurisdictions in the U.S. and
Europe.  The Grand Jurisdiction of California was represented by one other
besides myself; Bro. J.N. Pyster of Santa Barbara Lodge No. 192.

Lodge was regularly opened and closed in due and ancient form in the Entered
Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason Degrees.  And at 5 P.M. the return
journey was begun.

The descent, though no less dangerous, was accomplished more quickly and easily
and the Railroad safely reached by all, just at dark, where the special train
awaited us.  Cerro de Pasco was reached shortly after low-twelve.  It was a
tired crowd; but there was not one but that deeply felt the honor of having been
present at such a memorable meeting; and counted the effort immensely worth
while.

I am also sending you under separate cover a bit of burned candle, used as one
of the lesser lights at the memorable meeting; that it may be deposited in the
archives of the Lodge; not for its intrinsic value, but as an evidence that a
humble member of Fruitvale Lodge No. 336 had the honor of being present at the
highest Masonic Meeting ever held; and that all brothers who in future ages
shall observe this souvenir and shall read the inscription accompanying it, may
know that the humble member did then and there remember his Mother Lodge.



