March 8, 1994

After reading the postscript article; "Doctrine of Exclusive 
Jurisdiction", I must admit to feeling somewhat disheartened that 
more research and deductive reasoning did not take the subject 
beyond the same viewpoint so often expressed in years gone by.

Though historically correct, it failed to address the political 
reasoning which lead to the adoption of this concept as a MODERN 
addition to the ancient landmarks - an evolution if you will. 

Evolution is the imperceptible but necessary event that allows 
living things to SURVIVE into new eras.  The many full text 
monitors and rituals, and the variances of the labors contained 
therein, are testimony and give credence to the obvious fact that 
masonry, is alive, has and still is evolving.

Most masons know of the ancient usage of THREE constituting a grand body -
territory was the modern addition as indicated by the 
author's references to dates of occurrence , which can be construed as recent
history, if Webster's definition of ancient is to be 
believed.

The agreements between the Grand Lodges of Holland and Scotland 
with the Grand Lodge of England were just that; agreements.  One 
must remember the world history of this period, as one in which the constituent
countries, of these grand bodies, had been or were 
embroiled in political intrigue, and economic warfare as part of 
their pursuit of national interest.  The masonic leaders of the 
time did the correct thing, even if the motives for doing so may 
have been more for nationalistic reasons rather than the lofty 
ideals that have been ascribed to them.  By not allowing masonry to become
involved in or used for the national purposes of the day, 
they most assuredly preserved the traditions of travel and work. 

They saw no reason to rescind these agreements, with respect to 
their own countries, as time past, but they did not honor them when their
respective members relocated and established lodges in new 
world countries, often within the same territorial confines as 
that of another Grand Lodge.  There are recorded instances where a 
Grand Lodge was formed in a "new territory", and a lodge within 
it's jurisdiction, remained beholden to the Grand Lodge, under 
which it held the original charter.  There are, as I understand, 
lodges in existence, right here in California that hold foreign 
charters.

Under these circumstances, the time honored modes of recognition 
were the tools used to discern who was, or was NOT worthy and well 
qualified.  It was up to the individual brother to apply his 
knowledge of what was correct.  

Just as the Ancient and Modern Grand Lodges of England gave rise to the  United
Grand Lodge of England, it should have been evident to 
the author that these two giants of masonry had to extend 
recognition to each other before they could even discuss a merger.

The grand master's of both grand bodies would have been derelict, 
had they not established, to their mutual satisfaction, that each 
was properly endowed and empowered to act.  This "mutual 
satisfaction"  surely must have involved the ancient modes of 
recognition and rite of visitation, as part of the proceedings, 
just as it should in today's world.

The author's reference to "civil war" as a possible concequence of 
mutual recognition (within the same territory) is misplaced, in the best, and
inappropriate in the worst, sense.  Civil wars are fought over real or perceived
grievances, among people who are culturally 
and institutionally worlds apart.  The individual masons, who are 
actually the foundation of any Grand Lodge, ARE NOT culturally or 
institutionally apart where the institution of masonry is 
concerned. 

If civil war were to result from mutual recognition then we may 
just deserve to die as an institution, for we would not have 
mastered the truly masonic virtue of temperance.  Civil war is 
fratricide, and the true mason should be so far ABOVE this kind of 
idea, that speaking the words should make his blood run cold.

Let us start the evolutionary process, byway of mutual recognition, so that we no
longer have to weakly explain this phenomena to our 
new initiates.  Our worn out excuses do not impress them.


David M. Smith, Senior Warden
Cedars of Lebanon Lodge No. 65
Los Angeles, CA