
                              SEEKING TRUTH

                          -by- Allen E. Roberts

    For those dedicated to the principles of Freemasonry the search for 

truth is a never ending quest. But not all who kneel at our Masonic altars 

learn the truth of this "Divine Attribute."


    Sixty years ago six outstanding editors of Masonic publications were 

concerned. The petty tyranny of some Masonic leaders, "dressed in a little 

brief authority," had attempted to inhibit the spread of truth. They had 

attacked, often successfully, the publishing of the written word. They had 

endeavored to warp the minds of the greatest intellectuals in Freemasonry. 

They tried to keep the myths clouding the history of the Craft alive.


    It's relatively easy for a despot to destroy the integrity of an 

individual, but more difficult to condemn a group. For protection, and for 

an opportunity to inform the world the truth about Freemasonry, these six 

editors formed The Philalethes Society. Just who were these men?


    George H. Imbrie of Kansas City, Missouri, one of the foremost Masonic 

researchers of his day; Robert I. Clegg of Chicago, Illinois, a 

professional editor of technical publications and an extensive Masonic 

writer; Cyrus Field Willard of California a Masonic researcher; Alfred H. 

Moorhouse of Boston, Massachusetts, editor of The New England Craftsman; 

Henry F. Evans of Denver, Colorado, editor of the Square and Compass; and 

William C. Rapp of Chicago, Illinois, editor of the Chicago Masonic 

Chronicler. 


    On October 1, 1928 The Philalethes Society was born. And throughout 

its sixty year history its members and Fellows have had one goal -- to 

search for truth. It has lived up to its adage: "THE Masonic Research 

Society, for Freemasons who seek Light and those who have Light to 

impart." Its publication, The Philalethes, is open to all

legitimate writers. Its editors have been charged not to practice 

censorship but to allow all sides of any issue to be heard.


    The name is of Greek origin. Wallace McLeod of Canada, a Fellow of The 

Philalethes Society and a professor of classics, says the name of the 

Society "is a real word, not a made-up modern coinage." It was used by 

Aristotle and "is an adjective, singular form, and means 'loving truth'; 

or, since in Greek you can use any adjective as a noun, 'one who loves 

truth'; 'a lover of truth.'"


    Although the Society could not afford its own publication during the 

early years, its members and Fellows wrote under the name of the Society 

for the leading Masonic publications of the day. The depression of the 30s 

kept the membership small, then World War II intervened. But in 1946 the 

first issue of The Philalethes appeared. It has continued to be published 

bimonthly ever since.


    The complete story of this remarkable research Society will be found 

in Seekers of Truth. Within its more than 200 pages will be found excepts 

from the pages of its magazine. The number and variety of Masonic 

questions answered are amazing, and most will be found nowhere else.


    Until twenty years ago the Society had less than one thousand members. 

Today it has close to four thousand. During the past two decades it has 

given its members bonus books, and made many of them available to anyone 

at cost. It has recently recorded on microfiche complete issues of three 

leading Masonic publications: The Philalethes, The Builder of the defunct 

National Masonic Research Society; The Master Mason, a discontinued 

publication of The Masonic Service Association. These sets are available 

to anyone.


    The Society, in an attempt to encourage Masonic writers, authors, and 

educators, offers grants to assist them financially. It rewards those who 

work for Freemasonry with certificates, merit awards, and by other means. 

It has a Distinguished Service Medal which it presents only to those who 

have performed outstanding service for Freemasonry.


    Enthusiastic supporters of The Philalethes Society and its principles 

have been many. Among them were Melvin Maynard Johnson of Massachusetts 

one of the most progressive Freemasons of any day; Carl H. Claudy who 

saved The Masonic Service Association from oblivion; Henry Wilson Coil 

whose Masonic encyclopedia will live forever; Harry Leroy Haywood the 

foremost author and writer of the early twentieth century; Harold Van 

Buren Voorhis the long-time champion of the appendant Masonic bodies. Each 

earned the title of Fellow of The Philalethes Society and the plaudits of 

their Brethren.

    Among its forty living Fellows today are Richard H. Curtis, editor of 

The Northern Light; Jerry Marsengill, editor of The Philalethes and The 

Royal Arch Mason; Charles R. Glassmire, editor of The Maine Mason; Dwight 

L. Smith, editor of The Indiana Freemason. Among the remainder are some of 

the best researchers, writers and authors of today.

    For six decades the members of The Philalethes Society have been 

searching for truth. The quest will continue.    

    

                                   -30-    

