THE BUILDER JANUARY 1918

CORRESPONDENCE CIRCLE BULLETIN -- NO. 14

DEVOTED TO ORGANIZED MASONIC STUDY

Edited by Bro. Robert I. Clegg

THE BULLETIN COURSE OF MASONIC STUDY FOR MONTHLY LODGE MEETINGS AND
STUDY CLUBS

FOUNDATION OF THE COURSE

THE Course of Study has or its foundation two sources of Masonic
information: THE BUILDER and Mackey's Encyclopedia. In another
paragraph is explained how the references to former issues of THE
BUILDER and to Mackey's Encyclopedia may be worked up as
supplemental papers to exactly fit into each installment of the
Course with the paper by Brother Clegg.

MAIN OUTLINE

The Course is divided into five principal divisions which are in
turn subdivided, as is shown below:

Division I. Ceremonial Masonry. 
A. The Work of a Lodge. 
B. The Lodge and the Candidate. 
C. First Steps. 
D. Second Steps. 
E. Third Steps.

Division II. Symbolical Masonry. 
A. Clothing. 
B. Working Tools.
C. Furniture. 
D. Architecture. 
E. Geometry. 
F. Signs. 
G. Words. 
H. Grips.
Division III. Philosophical Masonry.
A. Foundations. 
B. Virtues. 
C. Ethics. 
D. Religious Aspect. 
E. The Quest. 
F. Mysticism. 
G. The Secret Doctrine.
Division IV. Legislative Masonry. 
A. The Grand Lodge. 
1. Ancient Constitutions. 
2. Codes of Law. 
3. Grand Lodge Practices.
4. Relationship to Constituent Lodges.
5. Official Duties and Prerogatives. 
B. The Constituent Lodge.
1. Organization.
2. Qualifications of Candidates.
3. Initiation, Passing and Raising
4. Visitation.
5. Change of Membership.
Division V. Historical Masonry.
A. The Mysteries--Earliest Masonic Light. 
B. Study of Rites--Masonry in the Making. 
C. Contributions to Lodge Characteristics.
D. National Masonry.
E. Parallel Peculiarities in Lodge Study. 
F. Feminine Masonry. 
G. Masonic Alphabets. 
H. Historical Manuscripts of the Craft. 
I. Biographical Masonry.
J. Philological Masonry--Study of Significant Words. 

THE MONTHLY INSTALLMENTS
Each month we are presenting a paper written by Brother Clegg who
is following the foregoing outline. We are now in "First Steps" of
Ceremonial Masonry. There will be twelve monthly papers under this
particular subdivision. At the head of each installment will be
given a number of "Helpful Hints" consisting of questions to be
used by the chairman of the Committee during the study period which
will bring out every point touched upon in the paper.

Whenever possible we shall reprint in the Correspondence Circle
Bulletin articles from other sources which have a direct bearing
upon the particular subject covered by Brother Clegg in his monthly
paper. These articles should be used as supplemental papers in
addition to those prepared by the members from the monthly list of
references. Much valuable material that would otherwise possibly
never come to the attention of many of our members will thus be
presented.

The monthly installments of the Course appearing in the
Correspondence Circle Bulletin should be used one month later than
their appearance. If this is done the Committees will have
opportunity to arrange their programs several weeks in advance of
the meetings and the Brethren who are members of the National
Masonic Research Society will be better enabled to enter into the
discussions after they have read over and studied the installment
in THE BUILDER.

REFERENCES FOR SUPPLEMENTAL PAPERS
Immediately following each of Brother Clegg's monthly papers in the
Correspondence Circle Bulletin will be found a list of references
to THE BUILDER and Mackey's Encyclopedia. These references are
pertinent to the paper and will either enlarge upon many of the
points touched upon or bring out new points for reading and
discussion. They should be assigned by the Committee to different
Brethren who may compile papers of their own from the material thus
to be found, or in many instances the articles themselves or
extracts therefrom may be read directly from the originals. The
latter method may be followed when the members may not feel able to
compile original papers, or when the original may be deemed
appropriate without any alterations or additions.

HOW TO ORGANIZE FOR AND CONDUCT THE STUDY MEETINGS

The Lodge should select a "Research Committee" preferably of three
"live" members. The study meetings should be held once a month,
either at a special meeting of the Lodge called for the purpose, or
at a regular meeting at which no business (except the Lodge
routine) should be transacted--all possible time to be given to the
study period.

After the Lodge has been opened and all routine business disposed
of, the Master should turn the Lodge over to the Chairman of the
Research Committee. This Committee should be fully prepared in
advance on the subject for the evening. All members to whom
references for supplemental papers have been assigned should be
prepared with their papers and should also have a comprehensive
grasp of Brother Clegg's paper.

PROGRAM FOR STUDY MEETINGS

1. Reading of the first section of Brother Clegg's paper and the
supplemental papers thereto.

(Suggestion: While these papers are being read the members of the
Lodge should make notes of any points they may wish to discuss or
inquire into when the discussion is opened. Tabs or slips of paper
similar to those used in elections should be distributed among the
members for this purpose at the opening of the study period.)

2. Discussion of the above.

3. The subsequent sections of Brother Clegg's paper and the
supplemental papers should then be taken up, one at a time, and
disposed of in the same manner.

4. Question Box.

Invite questions from any and all Brethren present. Let them
understand that these meetings are for their particular benefit and
get them into the habit of asking all the questions they may think
of. Every one of the papers read will suggest questions as to facts
and meanings which may not perhaps be actually covered at all in
the paper. If at the time these questions are propounded no one can
answer them, SEND THEM IN TO US. All the reference material we have
will be gone through in an endeavor to supply a satisfactory
answer. In fact we are prepared to make special research when
called upon, and will usually be able to give answers within a day
or two. Please remember, too, that the great Library of the Grand
Lodge of Iowa is only a few miles away, and, by order of the
Trustees of the Grand Lodge, the Grand Secretary places it at our
disposal on any query raised by any member of the Society.

FURTHER INFORMATION

The foregoing information should enable local Committees to conduct
their Lodge study meetings with success. However, we shall welcome
all inquiries and communications from interested Brethren
concerning any phase of the plan that is not entirely clear to
them, and the services of our Study Club Department are at the
command of our members, Lodge and Study Club Committees at all
times.

HELPFUL HINTS TO STUDY CLUB LEADERS

From the following questions the Committee should select, some time
prior to the evening of the study meeting, the particular questions
that they may wish to use at their meeting which will bring out the
points in the following paper which they desire to discuss. Even
were but five minutes devoted to the discussion of each of the
questions given it will be seen that it would be impossible to
discuss all of them in ten or twelve hours. The wide variety of
questions here given will afford individual Committees an
opportunity to arrange their program to suit their own fancies and
also furnish additional material for a second study meeting each
month if desired by the members.

In conducting the study periods the Chairman should endeavor to
hold the discussions closely to the text and not permit the members
to speak too long at one time or to stray onto another subject.
Whenever it becomes evident that the discussion is turning from the
original subject the Chairman should request the speaker to make a
note of the particular point or phase of the matter he wishes to
discuss or inquire into, and bring it up when the Question Box
period is opened.

QUESTIONS ON "ENTRANCE AND RECEPTION"

1. How many phases of initiation does Brother Clegg speak of? What
are they?

2. What is the Lodge's part in granting admission to a candidate?
What is the candidate's part?

3. Can a man become a Mason who does not declare his motives for
seeking admission ? What were your motives ?

4. Do you have to be vouched for in order to get a job? Why? How
could the Senior Steward vouch for you when he was, perhaps, a
stranger to you ? Has your Masonic career justified his confidence
in you? Can you give a history of the word vouch?

5. Why did you await permission to enter? Why did you not walk
right in ? Is Masonry a right or a privilege ? Do you treat it as
such ? Who granted you permission to enter? Why could not another
officer have granted that privilege ? Are you able to "wait with
patience" until you are promoted in your business or your trade ?
Did the laws governing your entrance into Masonry signify or
symbolize to you the laws governing entrance into all the great
experiences and achievements of life? How do you gain entrance into
business knowledge, trade skill, success or fame? Into art,
knowledge, character?

6. Can you give a definition of Masonry in your own language? Do
you find it difficult to do so? Can you define the following: Home,
religion, politics, love, happiness ? Do you know Albert Pike's
definition of Masonry?

7. Did the brethren "meet you half way" when you sought admission?
Why were they glad to receive you ? Has your Masonic career
disappointed them ? Are you equally willing to admit a brother
Mason to your friendship ?

8. What do the pillars symbolize to you ?

9. What are the real penalties of Masonry ? Are they similar to the
penalties of dishonor and disloyalty in other fields? Does
friendship die when you are false to it? Does your body grow ill
when you abuse it? Does truth die in the liar ? How many kinds of
death are there ? Does manhood die in the man who breaks its laws?
Does patriotism die in the traitor ? Are the worst penalties
physical and material ? Have you ever felt as if an instrument of
torture had been plunged into your body?

10. Do you think that Entrance and Reception symbolize re-birth ?
Why ? How were you born into education ? Into citizenship ? Into
mastery of your trade ? Is a man born into religion ? What is meant
by "new birth" ? Does Masonry ever help a man to be born again? Can
you give instances?

FIRST STEPS

BY BRO. ROBERT I. CLEGG

PART II--ENTRANCE AND RECEPTION

TWO PHASES OF INITIATION
LET us consider the two-fold aspect of initiation. It is sought by
the candidate, and if he is found worthy, it is granted by the
Lodge. He personally demonstrates his needs, the Lodge grants him
relief. When he grasps the latch of the door, the Lodge releases
the bolts.

RELATIVE POSITION OF LODGE AND CANDIDATE
It will be seen at once that the relative positions of the Lodge
and the candidate are quite different though closely related. In
fact the common phrase from the Scriptures is deeply significant to
the thinking Mason. The seventh chapter of St. Matthew says: Ask,
and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it
shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh, seeketh; and
he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be
opened. The Lodge does not seek the candidate. He himself must seek
entrance into the Lodge and this must be of his own initiative.

DECLARATION OF MOTIVES
None may be received into our midst who does not first give
satisfactory reasons as to why he is applying for admission. Note
the coincidence of the initial letters of the three important words
in the Scripture passage, Ask, Seek, Knock--the word ask being
suggestive of the voluntary act of the candidate in speech. His
will power is shown in the search, his quest for the promised
reward, and his earnestness is evidenced by an alarm. The tidings
of the applicant's desire and his devotion are made known to others
by his speech and action.

MUST BE VOUCHED FOR
Yet not of himself can the candidate advance to the inner
mysteries. Prepared as he is in mind, body and reputation, one
thing more is essential--competent Masonic witnesses must vouch for
him at any and all stages of his progress. We stand not alone in
Masonry. None are apart from their fellows. Neither as lonely
monument nor as solitary rock stands any Mason. Rather he is
perfected for a place among the many others, supporting his share
of the common load and bearing his part in upholding the social and
moral structure erected by men upright and true.

AWAITS PERMISSION TO ENTER
Asking for acceptance, seeking for enlightenment, signalizing his
readiness, the applicant awaits the pleasure of the one in
authority.

RECEIVED BY THE LODGE
Let us now turn to the part played by the Lodge in the reception of
the candidate. He is not received as are the visiting initiates.
His admission is by other doors and by different paths than theirs;
there is nothing similar at any stage.

The candidate is analyzed, the visiting brother is recognized. The
Lodge meets the one with welcome while the other is temporarily put
on probation. The Lodge is represented at all points by an officer
whose duty it is to make the proper investigations that all present
may be fully informed. So thorough are the inquiries that none in
attendance may doubt the qualifications possessed by the applicant.
Consider for yourself the nature of the examination, the manner of
its administration and its aptness to the occasion. The measure of
its completeness and accuracy is the standard of official
competency in the Lodge.

MASONRY DEFINED TO THE CANDIDATE
Granted that the candidate has satisfied the Lodge of his
worthiness, he is then in turn enlightened as to what a Mason
should be, what he should know and what he should do. These are the
essence of Masonic teaching.

Freemasonry is a system of moral knowledge in action. Other
definitions are to be found but the one that is most easily
memorized and workable will receive preference.

With this word of suggestion the student of Masonry may not
unprofitably employ a few moments in defining Masonry for himself.
He will gain much thereby. For a definite statement of what it
means to him will give him a better grip on the foundation of the
institution and what it means to him in personal value will enable
him to take a Masonic inventory of his fraternity relations and
rewards, his duties and his desires.

Let us not forget at this stage the good old definition which runs
as follows:

"Freemasonry is a peculiar system of morality veiled in allegory
and illustrated by symbols."

Mackey deemed it more comprehensive and exact to define Freemasonry
as a science engaged in the search after Divine Truth, and which
employs symbolism as its method of instruction.

But still keeping in mind the attitude of the Lodge toward the
candidate and in the light of the definition that we first
submitted, let us briefly suggest the means employed for the
communication of Masonic truths.

Masonry is rehearsed to the candidate by the rendition of ritual,
imparted to his mind by story, and impressed upon the memory by
symbols. By drama, story and symbol in combination, the eye and the
ear and the recollection co-operate and continually tend to enrich
and train the mind and quicken the consciousness and conscience of
the reflecting members of the Craft.

THE CANDIDATE AMONG FRIENDS
That friendliness is of the very salt of the earth when it is true
and trusty. Life's sweetness is in the friends of proven quality.
To walk with such as these is security indeed. Dangers and
difficulties fade away in their presence and we go forward
fearlessly in that goodly company.

MASONRY AN ESTABLISHMENT OF STRENGTH
He that enters the Temple of the faithful walks between landmarks
at right and left, the supporting symbols of strength and
stability. Such is our institution to the initiate, a structure of
permanence and of power made up of persons buttressed by benevolent
principles and cemented by faith.

FRIENDLY REMINDERS
It is well for this building of ours that at the very entrance the
candidate be reminded of where he stands and what is to be
expected. Reminders may be acute or weak, strong or slight, gentle
or vigorous, temporary or permanent, yet friendly. Truly it is the
act of a friend that the lesson should be long of life. To chastise
the body may be but to chasten the character; rather bodily anguish
than starvation of soul.

PREPARATION, ENTRANCE AND RECEPTION SYMBOLIC OF RE-BIRTH

Three steps we have now taken in our study, Preparation, Entrance
and Reception. Have we truly grasped their significance? To have
done so we must have first realized what we have left behind. We
have been divested of much which the outside world has to offer us,
of power, wealth and honors. We have been reminded of the necessity
of disrobing our minds of the ignorance and prejudice of every-day
life. We have been taught the necessity for new ties and new
restraints which remind us of the days of the school-room.
"Preparation" has assumed a new meaning to us, yet a meaning which
can be demonstrated in daily life as sane and wholesome.

"Entrance" likewise, has for us hidden meanings. The period of
preparation ended, we advance toward new and unknown experiences.
Not by our strength alone may we enter there. Aided and assisted by
those who may as yet have no vital, personal interest in our
progress, but who are moved by impulses born of a fellowship and a
mission which they know and would share with us, we make this first
Masonic venture. For us it is in fact a birth into a new world--a
birth more clearly symbolized by the steps we take than we may have
realized.

Are we to be "accepted" into this new world ? Will we be received?
Will those who have received Light and yet further Light be willing
to take us into the bosom of their fellowship, bear with our
misunderstandings, our awkward conformity to their customs, our
worldly standards but partly cast off?

Not until we have been tried and tested. Not until we have shown
our disposition to learn as they have learned. Not until our steps
have grown steady, our ability to hold ourselves upright is proven.
Not until we shall have proven ourselves worthy of the birthright.

Yet withal we are met by a love very much like the love of a mother
for her child, by an understanding of our weaknesses and frailties;
the while Masonry tenders us, in a spirit of fraternity and
forbearance, that wholesome nourishment for the mind and soul which
for us means growth, development and stature.

So are the pangs of birth. In travail and in labor are brought
forth great good. Education is discipline. Character as a word
shows its origin in that it means something cut or carved as by
chisel or graver. The rod of the school-master is a symbol of the
training of life. Fear is relieved by experience, and cast out by
love made perfect. The glowing years of youth with every added
light increases the vision, the steps of Masonry likewise broaden
the outlook, enlarge the sympathies, illumine the understanding,
and strengthen the convictions of the soul.

REFERENCES FOR SUPPLEMENTAL PAPERS
The following references to Mackey's Encyclopedia and THE BUILDER
all have a bearing upon the subject treated in the foregoing paper
by Brother Clegg. Lodge and Study Club Committees should decide
upon those which they may wish to use and then assign to some of
their interested members the task of preparing and presenting them
as supplemental papers at the same meeting at which Brother Clegg's
paper is used.

The article, "What An Entered Apprentice Ought to Know," by Brother
Hal Riviere, which appeared in the April, 1917, Correspondence
Circle Bulletin, will be found particularly appropriate in
connection with the current installment of the Course.

Mackey's Encyclopedia:
Alarm; Deacons; Declaration of Candidates; Door; Knocks;
Sharp Instrument. 
THE BUILDER:
Birth, vol. II, p. 205.
Candidate's Motives for Making Application, vol. II, p. 377; vol.
III, p. 311; Oct. 1917 C. C. B. p. 5
Definitions of Masonry, vol. I, pp. 9, 54, 74, 263, Lib. 27,
Q.B. 93 Cor. 245: vol. III, pp. 17, 44, 102, Apr. 1917 C.C.B. p. 5
Definition of Masonry by
Ball, J. O., vol. I, p. 285.
Kuhn, Wm. F., vol. I, p. 87.
Mackey, Albert G., vol. I, p. 67.
Pike, Albert, vol. I, p. 37.
Penalty, vol. III, Apr. 1917 C. C. B. p. 1.
What An Entered Apprentice Ought to Know, vol. III, Apr.
1917 C. C. B. p. 5.

MACKEY REFERENCES

(NOTE--In order to give our readers who do not have access to a
copy of Mackey's Encyclopedia an idea of the wealth of suggestive
material to be found in those volumes, and-to show them why we have
adopted this work in connection with our own previous Volumes, as
a basis for the Bulletin Course of Masonic Study, we shall from
time to time publish a few pertinent references, instead of merely
citing them. This will give Study Club leaders a better
opportunity, perhaps, to appreciate the manner in which we believe
the study hour can be made more interesting and more profitable.)

ALARM

The verb "to alarm" signifies, in Freemasonry, "to give notice of
the approach of some one desiring admission." Thus, "to alarm the
Lodge" is to inform the Lodge that there is some one without who is
seeking entrance. As a noun, the word "alarm" has two
significations. 1. An alarm is a warning given by the Tiler, or
other appropriate officer, by which he seeks to communicate with
the interior of the Lodge or Chapter. In this sense the expression
so often used, "an alarm at the door, simply signifies that the
officer outside has given notice of his desire to communicate with
the Lodge. 2. An alarm is also the peculiar mode in which this
notice is to be given. In modern Masonic works, the number of
knocks given in an alarm is generally expressed by musical notes.
The word comes from the French "alarme," which in turn comes from
the Italian "all arme," literally a cry "to arms," uttered by
sentinels surprised by the enemy. The legal meaning of to alarm is
not to frighten, but to make one aware of the necessity of defense
or protection.

And this is precisely the Masonic signification of the word.

DEACONS

In every Symbolic Lodge, there are two officers who are called the
Senior and Junior Deacons. In America the former is appointed by
the Master and the latter by the Senior Warden; in England both are
appointed by the Master. It is to the Deacons that the introduction
of visitors should be properly entrusted. Their duties comprehend,
also, a general surveillance over the security of the Lodge, and
they are the proxies of the officers by whom they are appointed.
Hence their jewel, in allusion to the necessity of circumspection
and justice is a square and compasses. In the center, the Senior
Deacon wears a sun, and the Junior Deacon a moon, which serve to
distinguish their respective ranks. In the English system, the
jewel of the Deacons is a dove, in allusion to the dove sent forth
by Noah. In the Rite of Mizraim the Deacons are called acolytes.

The office of Deacons in Masonry appears to have been derived from
the usages of the primitive church. In the Greek church, the
Deacons were always the pylori or doorkeepers, and in the
Apostolical Constitutions the Deacon was ordered to stand at the
men's door, and the Subdeacon at the women's, to see that none came
in or went out during the oblation.

In the earliest rituals of the last century, there is no mention of
Deacons, and the duties of those officers were discharged partly by
the Junior Warden and partly by the Senior and Junior Entered
Apprentices, and they were not generally adopted in England until
the Union of 1813.

SHARP INSTRUMENT

The emblematic use of a "sharp instrument" as indicated in the
ritual of the First Degree, is intended to be represented by a
warlike weapon (the old rituals call it "a warlike instrument"),
such as a dagger or sword. The use of the point of a pair of
compasses, as is sometimes improperly done, is an erroneous
application of the symbol, which should not be tolerated in a
properly conducted Lodge. The compasses are, besides, a symbol
peculiar to Third Degree.

DECLARATION OF CANDIDATES

Every candidate for initiation is required to make, "upon honor,"
the following declaration before an appropriate officer or
committee. That, unbiased by the improper solicitation of friends
and uninfluenced by mercenary motives, he freely and voluntarily
offers himself as a candidate for the Mysteries of Masonry; that he
is prompted to solicit the privileges of Masonry by a favorable
opinion conceived of the Institution and a desire of knowledge; and
that he will cheerfully conform to all the ancient usages and
established customs of the Fraternity. This form is very old. It is
to be found in precisely the same words in the earliest edition of
Preston. It is required by the English Constitution, that the
candidate should subscribe his name to this declaration. But in
America the declaration is made orally, and usually before the
Senior Deacon.

SECRETARY OF WAR RESCINDS ORDER BARRING FRATERNITIES FROM ARMY
CAMPS

Through the courtesy of Brother James W. Witten, Grand Master of
the District of Columbia, we are furnished a complete report of the
meeting of representatives of various fraternal organizations
called in conference on October 29 last, by the Secretary of War,
"to take up the matter of a constructive program that will secure
co-operation in the work that is being done by the committee on
training camp activities." The minutes of this meeting, made by E.
St. Clair Thompson, Special Deputy of Edward W. Wellington, G.G.M.
of the General Grand Council, R. & S. M. of the United States, are
so complete and well written that we reproduce them here in full.

It is a matter of sincere congratulation to the Craft that Masonry
was so ably represented, and that throughout the deliberations the
spirit of tolerance was uppermost. We cannot refrain from
expressing our own gratification that this conference has
eliminated an apparent attitude of friction which has occasionally
been present in the Masonic Press, as we read the text of the
splendid Resolutions presented by Sovereign Grand Commander Moore
and his confreres of the Committee. They breathe a spirit of
loyalty of which Masonry may well be proud. They form a platform
upon which every Branch of Freemasonry may stand shoulder to
shoulder with every other Branch. It remains but to carry into
effect the letter and spirit of the Resolutions--as has been
pledged by the Brethren present at the conference - a task which
should command the united effort and unselfish co-operation of
every one of us, no matter what his degree or rank or title.

Brother Witten's letter to the Grand Masters of the Grand
Jurisdictions of America, in which he briefly explains the
conditions leading up to this conference, inviting their
co-operation in a spirit as broadminded and sympathetic as his own,
follows:

To the Grand Masters of Masons 
of the Several Grand Jurisdictions
of the United States.
M. W. and Dear Brothers:

Soon after the Secretary of War excluded Freemasons and other
fraternities and associations from engaging in welfare work within
military camps and accorded that privilege exclusively to the Young
Men's Christian Association and the Knights of Columbus, I
requested our Grand Chaplain, Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson, of this City,
who is experienced and deeply interested in work of that kind, and
who, as I well knew, was otherwise especially qualified and
particularly available for that purpose, to undertake to secure a
modification of the Secretary's order. Through his able, earnest
and indefatigable efforts, supplemented and greatly aided by
Brother George Fleming Moore, Sovereign Grand Commander of the
Supreme Council of the Thirty-third and Last Degree of the Ancient
and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern
Jurisdiction of the United States of America, the Secretary's
original action was modified by an order, a copy of which is
herewith enclosed, under which our Craft, either individually or in
conjunction with other fraternities, will be permitted to engage in
welfare work within cantonments where local conditions will permit
its doing so.

I was satisfied from the beginning that the Secretary did not
either desire or intend to make any invidious distinction between
the Knights of Columbus and Freemasonry or other fraternities, and
that that organization was admitted only as the representative of
one branch of the Christian Church whose adherents were not
admitted to all the privileges and prerogatives accorded by the
Young Men's Christian Association to the followers of the
Protestant Churches. It was for that reason that I refrained from
criticising or censuring his actions, believing as I did that far
more harm than good would result from doing so, and that the de
sired results could be much more easily secured by other methods.
I am, with assurances of my highest esteem,
Yours fraternally,
JAS. W. WITTEN,
Grand Master of Masons for the District of Columbia.
* * *

Pursuant to request of the Secretary of War, a conference was held
between the Secretary and a number of gentlemen representing
various fraternal organizations, in the office of the Secretary,
War Department, Washington, D.C., at 3 P.M., Monday, October 29,
A.D. 1917, for the purpose above stated.

Present: Newton D. Baker, Secretary of War, Raymond B. Fosdick, in
charge of training camp activities, and the following:

John J. Brown, Supreme Chancellor, Knights of Pythias; Joseph A.
Burkhart, representing the Grand Exalted Ruler, Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks. Col. P.H. Callahan, representative of the
Supreme Knight, Knights of Columbus; George E. Corson, General
Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons
of the United States; Joseph A. Flaherty, Supreme Knight, Knights
of Columbus; J. W. Ford, Supreme Dictator, Loyal Order of Moose; L.
S. Gottleib, representing the B'rith Abraham Order; Frank C. Goudy,
Grand Sire, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, accompanied by E. W.
Bradford, representative of the Grand Sire; Adolph Kraus, president
of the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith; Max L. Hollander, grand
secretary, B'nai Abraham; W. W. Mansfield, representing the Supreme
Councillor, Order of United Commercial Travelers of America; Hon.
Jos. McLaughlin, president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of
America; Hon. George Fleming Moore, Sovereign Grand Commander,
Supreme Council 33d, of the A. & A. S. R., Southern Jurisdiction,
U. S. A.; Charles E. Ovenshire, Imperial Potentate, Ancient Arabic
Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine; Dr. J. G. Pace, representing the
Society of Modern Woodmen of America; Wm. S. Parks, representing
Lee S. Smith, Grand Master of Knights Templar of the United States;
Solomon Schelinsky, Grand Master of Independent Order of B'rith
Abraham; Edwin S. Schmid, Grand Monarch, Mystic Order of Veiled
Prophets of the Enchanted Realm; Hon. Morris Sheppard, representing
the Sovereign Commander, Modern Woodmen of the World; Lewis E.
Sisler, representing the Supreme Commander of the Maccabees; Hon.
Barton Smith, Sovereign Grand Commander, Supreme Council 33d, A. &
A. S. R., Northern Jurisdiction, U. S. A.; E. St. Clair Thompson,
representing Edward W. Wellington, General Thrice Illustrious
Master of the Royal and Select Masters of the United States.

The meeting was called to order by the Secretary of War.

The Secretary called attention to the fact that the Government is
in the business of raising and training a large army made up of
young men taken from time to time from the usual environment of
young men with regard to church, social and fraternal affiliations;
that these men are being congregated in camps of unusual size,
which are in fact cities of 40,000 or more inhabitants; that both
because of the different method of selection as well as the large
and more unique organizations of troops and the problems to be met
and solved in connection with their handling, we are face to face
with questions never before presented to us.

The Secretary alluded to the statutory provision made for caring
for the religious side of camp life, in the legal provision for
army chaplains, but said it was found that this did not meet the
situation in all its social, fraternal and moral aspects.

After commenting on a large number of developments along this line
since the mobilization began, the Secretary stated that the matter
had shaped itself in his thought under two heads:

First: What shall we do for the soldier in camp?

Second: What can we do for the soldier in communities adjacent to
the camp?

Nearly all the men have some traditional religious affiliation. The
law provides for that in the appointment of chaplains. The function
of a chaplain is entirely religious. In addition to that, is what
we know as the social side. The Knights of Columbus and the
Y.M.C.A. are built around that idea. We now have chaplains, the
Y.M.C.A. and the Knights of Columbus, and lately the Y.W.C.A. has
undertaken to help in the communities on the girls' side in
providing suitable meeting places and surroundings where the men
may meet women.

The committee on training camp activities has been at work on these
problems and in considering what had been accomplished, the
revelations made in the course of the work and the suggestions
which come from these sources, the Secretary stated he felt if
there could be a way in which members of the same society could
meet in camp, he felt sure it would be a helpful thing but that
considering the necessities of discipline and the various questions
involved, he was also of the opinion that the major help to be
rendered by fraternal societies is in the communities outside
rather than in the camp itself, from which the soldier wants to go
whenever he has an opportunity.

The Secretary declared himself as being without prejudice and that
what he sought was the best way: the way which will produce the
most efficient use of co-operation.

The Secretary alluded to the fact that some of the camps are
temporary; that the purpose of training these men is to send them
to France; that it would be a serious financial burden to encourage
the erection of buildings in the camps, if there were no other
objections; that the Government has had to purchase or rent most of
the land on which these camps are located and that the demand for
more land is constantly increasing. He therefore suggested that the
men present in the meeting work out some plan by which a single
building could be erected which would be available for all the
societies so that by a committee they could manage access to the
building and have these places as central points for distribution
of literature, etc.

The thought of the Secretary, as developed, seemed to be to leave
intact, matters so far as they now exist in connection with
training camp activities but that the societies represented in the
meeting should get together in some additional campaign.

He was asked if that was his thought, and if it was, that he give
some suggestions of how a movement independent of the committee on
training camp activities could result in co-operation in the work
Or that committee, in which the various societies represented in
the meeting would have no part.

This led to the development of the thought that the Y.M.C.A. does
not represent all the Protestant affiliations or social activities
or view points and that the Knights of Columbus is wholly
sectarian; that none of the societies represented desire the
establishment of units of their particular organizations for the
purpose of conferring degrees, etc., having Lodge meetings or the
like, but that they felt that neither the Y.M.C.A. or the Knights
of Columbus nor the Jewish Welfare Society adequately covered the
field and that so long as the present order continues, it will be
difficult, if not impossible, to secure whole-hearted enlistment,
in the work to be done, on the part of those social and fraternal
organizations which are now barred from privileges such as are
accorded the Y.M.C.A. and the Knights of Columbus; that what is
demanded is that all be treated alike and all be subordinated to
the exigencies of necessary discipline of the camps; that they were
perfectly willing to work outside of the camps and were doing so
but that they thought they should have a "look-in" on the inside as
well as those now particularly favored; that the motive and desire
of every society was to be of service to the country. It seemed to
be a consensus of opinion that no lodge work of any kind should be
permitted in the camps or any other practice allowed which would
interfere with discipline or arouse controversy among the men in
the camps or those outside of the camps who might be interested.
The Secretary was again told that there had been much
dissatisfaction because of the order that no organization except
the Y.M.C.A. and the Knights of Columbus would be allowed inside of
camps but the Secretary was assured that if he would outline a plan
which would meet with the approbation of the representatives there
assembled, they would put it through.

A vote was then taken expressing the sentiment of those present
that it would be unwise to have buildings erected in the camps for
holding meetings of lodges of fraternal organizations, for
conferring degrees, etc.

The Secretary then said: Every society or order which desires to
erect a building for social use in a camp is free to apply to the
commanding officer and he is free to grant permission if the land
is available but it is understood that they must, of course, take
and abide by the judgment of the commanding officer as to that and
that the Secretary of War would be available for consideration of
any injustice which might arise or be thought to have arisen so far
as such action on the part of the Secretary would not be an
overruling of the discretion of the commanding officer.

The Secretary stated that the Government cannot undertake to erect
buildings for common use of organizations.

The Secretary here called Mr. Raymond B. Fosdick to the chair and
retired for consultation with Mr. Thomas A. Edison. A pleasant
diversion was the entrance of Mr. Edison into the room where he was
greeted with much applause and then retired.

Mr. Fosdick took the chair and the discussion proceeded.

Various attempts were made to frame a resolution which would meet
the voice of those present and finally a motion was adopted that
the chair appoint a committee of seven from this meeting to draft
a set of resolutions concerning the participation of fraternal
organizations in social work and helpful endeavor in the various
camps and cantonments; that this committee report to the conference
at 9 A.M. tomorrow, the 30th of October, in the War Department;
that the resolution so drafted by the committee may be considered
by the conference for adoption and that the conference meet with
the Secretary of War at 10 A. M. for presentation of the action of
the conference on these resolutions. The chair named:
George Fleming Moore, Sovereign Grand Commander, S. R. S. J.,
Chairman.
Frank C. Goudy, Grand Sire, Odd Fellows.
John J. Brown, Supreme Chancellor, K. P.
Morris Sheppard, Banker, W. O. W.
Dr. J. G. Pace, M. W. A.
Col. P. H. Callahan, Knights of Columbus.
Adolf Kraus, President, B'nai B'rith.

The discussion was participated in by Messrs. Thompson, Brown,
Smith, Moore, Pace, Sheppard, Goudy, Kraus, Hollander, Callahan and
Flaherty.
* * *

Tuesday, October 30, 1917, 9 A.M.

The conference of representatives of fraternal societies on
training camp activities of the United States army reassembled in
the War Department at this office for the purpose of hearing and
acting on report of the committee appointed on the 29th instant by
a meeting of these representatives to draft resolutions expressive
of its desire in this behalf.

Present: E. W. Bradford, John J. Brown, Joseph A. Burkhart, P. H.
Callahan, George E. Corson, Raymond B. Fosdick, Frank C. Goudy,
Adolf Kraus, Dr. J. G. Pace, W. W. Mansfield, Joseph McLaughlin,
George F. Moore, W. S. Parks, Morris Sheppard, Rev. Hugh T.
Stevenson, E. St. Clair Thompson.

The meeting was called to order by Judge George F. Moore, E. St.
Clair Thompson acting as Secretary.

The resolutions as prepared by the committee were presented by the
Chairman of the Committee, Judge George F. Moore. Upon
consideration and after general discussion the resolutions were
perfected and unanimously adopted as follows:

Your Committee appointed to consider and report our conclusions,
suggest the adoption of the following Resolution:

Resolved, That we earnestly thank the Secretary of War for his
clear, frank and able statement of the reasons on which the former
action of the War Department was based, relating to the erection of
buildings within the camps and cantonments of the armies of the
United States: we thank him for the patient and courteous hearing
which he has accorded us and we especially thank him for his wise,
patriotic and timely announcement that hereafter all the camps and
cantonments of the armies will be open for the erection, occupation
or use of buildings within them or for other desirable activities
in such camps and cantonments by any fraternal, benevolent or
similar society of recognized and well established character,
having members in such camps or cantonments, which shall have first
obtained permission from the General of the Army or other officer
commanding the particular camp or cantonment, under rules
prescribed by the Secretary of War, and that after the erection or
arrangement for use of a building or buildings within the camps and
cantonments, or the beginning of desirable activities therein by
such fraternities or groups of fraternities, all of them would be
accorded equal facilities and privileges for doing social,
fraternal and benevolent work and service.

Resolved further, That since it is necessary to provide the means
to erect or arrange for use of buildings and carry on the work
which these orders desire to undertake and to determine the modes
in which our services may be rendered effective to secure the
voluntary support of the orders which we directly represent, as
well as the constituent and associated Bodies, we request that time
be given each order to formulate and report to the War Department
the scope and details of the work or service in which each society
or combination of societies desires to engage.

Resolved further, That it is the opinion of this Conference that no
order or society should be permitted to confer degrees or engage in
any of its secret work within the camps or cantonments.

Resolved further, That we pledge to the Secretary of War and our
Government our best efforts to help and assist in the work and
service of securing and maintaining the comfort, entertainment and
well-being, moral as well as physical, of our soldiers without the
camps and cantonments, as well as within them.
(Signed) 
George F. Moore, Chairman. 
Morris Sheppard. 
John J. Brown. 
J. G. Pace. 
Frank C. Goudy. 
P. H. Callahazl. 
Adolf Kraus.

During the discussion of the resolutions it appeared that fraternal
societies represented in this Conference but not included in the
previous order of the War Department have already taken steps and
have collected large sums of money for the erection and equipment
on the outside of camps and cantonments of gymnasiums, clubs and
other means of caring for the needs, comfort and entertainment of
soldiers in camps and cantonments in various parts of the country,
particular mention being made of Camp Devon, Mass., Battle Creek,
Mich., Yaphank, N. Y., Des Moines, Iowa.

At this point Mr. Fosdick was requested to retire and advise the
Secretary of War that the meeting was ready to present resolutions
it had adopted.

The Secretary of War entered the meeting and assumed the chair. The
resolutions as adopted by the meeting were presented by Judge Moore
as the unanimous voice of those assembled.

THE SECRETARY OF WAR: Except as to the first three paragraphs which
thank the Secretary of War, the resolution seems most happily
conceived. This means then, as I understand it, that the several
societies here represented, or with such affiliated bodies as are
in their judgment more or less cognate, will work out plans
according to their own theory as to how they can best be satisfied
and those plans will come to me and my end of it is to draw orders
to make those plans effective within the limits of possibility and
opportunity. It is understood that all this effort is to be along
helpful, social and fraternal lines making for clean lives, good
health and effective service to the Government and that in carrying
on these lines of activities no secret work of any organization is
to be conducted inside of the camps or cantonments and that is not
desired.

Second: To the extent of available ground at any camp, authority is
to be given, in the discretion of the commanding officer, for the
erection of any building or buildings of any fraternal society or
group of societies.

Third: To the extent that there exist available buildings in a camp
or cantonment the commanding officer is to lend his assistance in
securing their use for social and fellowship purposes of these
societies.

* * *
Attention was called to the fact that much work has already been
done by these societies on the outside of camps and that it was
desired that duly accredited representatives of these societies
having members within the camps should be accorded the privilege of
going into the camps and cantonments, greeting the boys and
inviting them to places of provision for then without the camps.
This was assented to by the Secretary of War who stated that this
would be a matter of detail within the discretion of the commanding
officer.

The meeting adjourned with the understanding that the Secretary of
War would be furnished a complete copy of the Minutes of the
Conference including the Resolutions adopted at this session; that
the Secretary of War would issue orders in conformity with the
determination had at this Conference and that the various
representatives in the Conference would be furnished copies of this
order.

