Papers

 

Contains research papers delivered at Virginia Research Lodge or elsewhere.

Rt. Wor. Stormy Thorson, a long-time member of Virginia Research Lodge No. 1777, laid down his working tools on October 10, 2024. This article appeared in the Virginia Masonic Herald (Fall 2024) which had just been published days earlier. Although it is customary for us to share papers that had been presented at a Masonic event, we felt it appropriate to honor his last published words to the craft.

In this paper, the author presents the biblical history behind Jephthah, Judge of Israel, and the use of the word "Shibboleth" which cost the lives of many Ephraimites. The significance of this biblical story is clear to any regular Mason.

An in-depth analysis of two dozen Grand Lodges, Supreme Councils, and other Masonic obediences that have existed in France going back over 300 hundred years. Includes a timeline of how they overlap and interact with each other. This paper was presented during a Zoom meeting and includes PowerPoint slides.

In this talk, the author gave real-world examples of his experience as a Mason, travelling in foreign countries and earning Master's wages. As a NASA employee, he was in Kazakhstan on September 11th, 2001 and had difficulty getting back to American soil. This talk, although not specifically Masonic, was designed to share one Mason's life experience, and encouraged other Masons to do the same, to share something about themselves with their Brothers.

According to ancient English lectures, used in the ritual from 1738 till 1813, the names of the 12 Patriarchates of Israel, the male heads of the families of Israel, symbolized the Twelve Original Perfect Points of Entrance through which every candidate for Freemasonry must pass. In this paper, these 12 points are described and their purpose explained.

A short talk from the Worshipful Master about working together as a team, being a "hive of Freemasons". He talks about the chemical changes and reactions in the body to human interactions, how smiling makes another person want to smile.

In this greatly detailed and thoroughly documented research paper, the author addresses a number of issues related to the origins of Freemasonry. First, he provides a vast amount of information about the early Masonic Manuscripts, which were the blueprints of our earliest Masonic Lodges, documenting the Old Charges and Ancient Landmarks. Then, he discusses Masonic legends and our several origin theories. Finally, he delves into the meaning of Masonic Esotericism.

In this paper, the author talks about "Being the Buffalo", turning into the storm and facing challenges head on. It's easy to pick the low hanging fruit, to solve the easy problems, and most management training promotes this idea. But it is critical to face the difficult problems, the complex ones, to figure out how to resolve them, rather than kick the can down the road.

Building on the Grand Master's Theme of "Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love", this year's Worshipful Master gave his thoughts on the various meanings and definitions of Love. He expands a bit on the origins of Valentine's Day, and quotes a little Shakespeare. This is not so much a true research paper, as much as notes for a brief presentation by the Master.

"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom." The author uses historical examples to teach the lesson that we, as Masons, should be more introspective, to gain a better understanding of who we are, that we may become the men we are supposed to be.

The author presents a history of the oldest Masonic Cemetery in the United States, right in the middle of Fredericksburg, Virginia. He then highlights some of the famous Masons who are buried there.

The author talks about the family of Jesus and Jewish customs at the time. He mentions different sects of the Catholic Church and how they disagreed with church doctrine. One of these sects, the Rex Deus, were said to be instrumental in forming the Knights Templar and other religious orders during the Crusades. The author suggests the Knights Templar was created to hide the secret knowledge of the Rex Deus and was the conduit for the formation of Freemasonry.

The paper explores the lives of nine different men at different periods of history in the Bible and in the ritual of Royal Arch Masonry. Each group of three men are associated with a different Ark of great significance. The paper closes with an admonition to us as Masons, to resist lethargy - to clear away the debris and start all over when needed.

This paper provides a very detailed account of the rise of silversmithing in Colonial Virginia. The different kinds of silver used, how silversmiths mark their work, and why original silverware from the Colonial days are all explored. A brief connection to Masonry is presented about a famous silversmith who became Grand Master of Virginia.

In this paper, the author explores Socrates and Plato's search for truth, to know real truth, to understand the true being, true virtue. He compares is to the search Masons undergo as they join the craft, to search beyond the symbolism and discover the real secret of Masonry.

An exploration of two separate but related topics: First, The Lodge at Fredericksburg and second, one of its most famous members, George Washington …... young George Washington.

In this paper, the author explores the Closing Charge of a Master Masons Lodge and how we can directly apply it in our daily lives. The challenge he puts to every Mason is to make Masonry a way of life that we strive to live every day, not just an organization we simply belong to.

This paper, adopted from a Short Talk Bulletin, gives a stirring and poetic overview of the highlights of Marquis de Lafayette, ally of Washington and volunteer soldier in defense of the American Revolution.

In this paper, the author discusses the Industrial Revolution and the part Masonry had to play, both in the United States and around the world, particularly as relates to the locomotive. He mentions several Masons whose inventions drove the development of the railroad system, as well as Lodges with strong ties to the railroad.

In this paper, we are taught about opera and it's importance in the 18th and 19th centuries, as well as receiving a brief biography of our Brother Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The author gives a detailed description of "The Magic Flute", and points out the various Masonic connections Mozart wove into his great work.

In this paper, the author explores the idea that Freemasonry is based on Deism, the belief that God exists but does not interfere with his creation. The Author provides background information on Deism and the several theories about how Masonry originated in England.

This paper explains a working tool which is no longer used in the ritual, a Broached Thurnel, and it's symbolic meaning. The tool looks like a pyramid on top of a square, and was used by Entered Apprentices as a type of chisel to roughly hew stones.

A second paper on the history of the Virginia Craftsmen, a group of Virginia Masons who dressed in Civil War uniforms and conferred Masonic Degrees across the Commonwealth.

King Athelstan begins the Constitution of Masonry as adopted by the Grand Lodge of Virginia in 1791. This paper will discuss the historical Athelstan, his lasting influence on English history and explore his legendary ties to the Masonic fraternity.

The original paper on the history of the Virginia Craftsmen, a group of Virginia Masons who dressed in Civil War uniforms and conferred Masonic Degrees in Virginia, other states, and other countries. Based on  "Brotherhood in Action!" by Allen E. Roberts.

A humorous admonition to keep Lodge meetings interesting and enjoyable, and not settle for simply reading the minutes and going home.

A brief biography of the many accomplishments of William Moseley Brown, who served as Grand Master, Grand High Priest, and Grand Commander of Virginia; in addition to being active in many other Masonic bodies.

Excerpts from a book commissioned by the Grand Lodge of Virginia about the History of Freemasonry. Provides interesting anecdotes of Masons and Lodges in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Discusses the secret societies that populated America at the turn of the last century, how most have disappeared and all that Masonry has to say for itself is that it is still here.

Explains the history of Prince Hall Masonry, the moral standards demanded by Prince Hall Masons of their members, and concludes with the current recognition of the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Virginia.

The Patrons of Husbandry (The Grange) is a fraternal organization for farmers established by Oliver Hudson Kelley, a farmer and Mason. This paper explores how the lessons of our Fraternity could be redone using farm implements instead of stonemason tools.

A well-researched biography of the life, work, and Masonic career of one of the most famous Virginia Masons, John Dove. He served as Grand Secretary/Recorder of the Grand Lodge, Grand Royal Arch Chapter, and Grand Commandery.

A letter from Washington explaining why he became a Mason, his Royal Arch membership, his Honorary Membership, and his appointment as Grand Master AND General Grand Master.

Also presented to A. Douglas Smith Lodge of Research No. 1949 on 7/31/1999.

Examines the decline in our Lodges, how we sell Masonry too cheap and offer little to new members, and how this is not a recent problem. Talks about Traditional Observance Lodges in Australia and Canada and asks why they wouldn't work here in America.

A brief discussion of the several Research Lodges in Virginia, using Rt. Wor. Paul Bessel's guide to research papers with an explanation of using that guide.

Provides details of how the Civil War affected the activities of Winchester Hiram Lodge, including a visit from a well-known Masonic President, William McKinley. Describes the beautiful Masonic frescoes painted in the lodge room.

This paper consists of two things: a report on an experiment in Masonic education undertaken in January 1996 at Widow's Sons' Lodge in Charlottesville, and a rationale for an ethic of self-improvement as revealed in the experience of our second degree.

What are the lessons taught by the Masonic degrees and how can we apply them to our daily lives?

The author talks about the upcoming Y2K scare and explores several "double-zero" issues he sees in Masonry that need to be addressed.

An in-depth look at Masonic Tracing Boards and their symbolism, which demonstrates that Freemasonry is a profoundly noble view of humankind, which deserves to be taught once again.

Selections from a new book detailing the 200 year history of the Lodge, including four Grand Masters, interactions with Presidents and Civil War Generals, and community leaders. Also discusses Moon Lodges, of which over 200 Virginia Lodges once were.

A detailed description of the tabernacle, or tent, used by Moses to house the Ark of the Covenant while in the desert; and the rich designs of Solomon's Temple which was built as its permanent home.

An explanation of how Freemasonry increased dramatically in England during the 18th and 19th centuries and the attraction it held for the middle class.

Describes in depth the charges leveled against Masonry by various religious organizations and handily refutes them.  Recommends that Brothers should speak out and defend the craft.

A history of Masonic flasks manufactured by glass works and popular in the early 1800s. Also provides details about the Anti-Masonic party and it's possible cause of the decline of their use.

Brother Robert Springer, a career Air Force Officer, recounts the numerous opportunities that Masonry and military service offered him in his life, and calls on all Masons to provide that opportunity to those who should join us.

Mt. Wor. Fletcher, Past Grand Master of Vermont, recounts selected works from the prolific writer Allen E. Roberts following his untimely death. He speaks of the efforts of the Masonic Information Center to keep Masons informed about our history.

A fond tribute to the life and work of Allen E. Roberts, a prolific Masonic author and long time Secretary of Virginia Research Lodge.

A biography of one of our most famous Masons, Benjamin Franklin, his early years, his service to our country, and his Masonic career.

Using the Trestleboard to build Solomon's Temple, to form the Grand Lodge of England, and in our Lodges today. Enumerating the Ancient Landmarks, whether they should be enumerated or still considered Landmarks at all.

The author compares Northern and Southern English with humorous results, explains the importance of reaching younger Masons and ensuring we bring about necessary change together, and provides several examples of Masons living up to their obligations.

Wor. King, a Canadian Mason, gives a detailed history of the ties between Masonry and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, including his lifetime fascination with the RCMP.

The Grand Master of Masons in Virginia spoke on the membership crisis we are experiencing and described the twenty three point plan he instituted to address it.

At one time, Virginia Research Lodge issued Quarterly Bulletins to its members. In the 1994 Transactions, a sampling of these Bulletins from previous years were included.  They were written by Allen E. Roberts (the Secretary) unless otherwise noted. They are presented here as a "bonus" research paper.

The speaker gave off-the-cuff remarks, presenting a brief overview of the persecution of Masons during WW2, which led to a lengthy discussion by the members present about Anti-Masonry. An Addendum with more details was provided in the Transactions, and has been included here.

The author examines the reason for our decline in membership, and asserts we must focus on quality, not quantity. A great organization that demands more will attract great men, while an organization that lowers its standards to match society must die out, and deservedly so.

The author makes the argument that early Masonry did indeed evolve from operative stonemasons into our speculative art, and that right up until the formation of the Grand Lodge of England, all Masons were required to be Christians. This requirement has evolved over time into simply requiring a belief in a Supreme Being.

The author, who produced a film for the bicentennial of our grand lodge, gives us insight in to the various workings and missteps that when into producing this historic event.

In this paper, the author asserts that we need to make Masonic education the focus of our Lodges. If we do not strike a light in the hearts of the new members who joined our Lodge, then they will fall away from Masonry. In addition, the younger members are usually the source of new petitions, so it is doubly important.

In this paper, the author describes in detail various versions of the ritual that are hundreds of years old noting how much the ritual has changed throughout the years. He also makes an argument for the now discredited theory that our craft evolved from operative trade lodges and guilds in Europe into what is now known as Freemasonry.

This is another paper addressing the attacks upon Freemasonry by the Southern Baptist convention and other evangelical Christian churches. The author in exquisite detail lays out the lies 1/2 truths and misquoting used by our religious enemies to reveal the truth about Freemasonry.

The author continues to investigate claims from earlier research papers about the origins of the Grand Master's Jewel, whether it was actually crafted for George Washington, and when it was first used. This is the third research paper in Virginia Research Lodge on this subject.

This paper addresses the problem of various religious groups that condemn Masonry as being a false religion, when in truth we do not claim to be a religion at all. The author recommends steps we should take to defend our craft against these unfounded allegations.

This paper explores the origin, pronunciation, and meaning of two words in our craft: Hele, and Lewis.

The concept of a Grand Lodge having sovereign jurisdiction of all Lodges that fall within their prescribed territory is known as "The American Doctrine". The author provides detailed examples of exceptions to the doctrine, as well as conflicts between different Grand Lodges over several issues. It concludes with an analysis of the current state of recognition of Prince Hall Grand Lodges in America.

This paper explores the various papal bulls issued by the Catholic Church condemning Freemasonry and denying Catholics the opportunity to join. It details numerous incidents where the Church has attacked Freemasonry as a Satanic organization that seeks to subvert and overthrow the Church, and forbids its members from being or remaining Masons.

This is an edited version of an address given by the author of Born in Blood, John J. Robinson, to Virginia Research Lodge. He goes into great detail about the central premise of his book and justifies his conclusions about the origin of our craft. He talks at length about the Catholic Church and the reasons they were and are so opposed to Freemasonry. He then answered several questions from the Lodge.

This paper address the greatest deficiency in Freemasonry: the lack of proper Masonic education. In modern Masonry, we rely entirely on ritual and do not make an effort to teach our members what Masonry is about, where it came from, and why they became a Mason in the first place.

This paper is a detailed biography of a Past Grand Master of Virginia and a Supreme Court Justice of the United States, John Marshall. It describes his early years, his marriage to his wife, his military career and his lengthy service to the craft.

Mt. Ex. Weir presents a paper on the history of the Catholic Church with regards to Masonry and the roots of their condemnation of our craft. He then explores the Royal Arch ritual referring to "Ju-Bal-On" and whether we should change our ritual to longer reference pagan deities, a major source of contention among religious groups for Masonry.

This paper was also presented in A. Douglas Smith Jr. Lodge of Research No. 1949 on Aug 31st 1991.

This paper addresses the topic of discrimination, not in the negative sense of racial discrimination, but in the positive sense of how Masons must be discriminating in the quality of men we let join the Fraternity and be discriminating in our behavior.

This paper provides great detail about the cornerstone laying of Central College in Charlottesville, which becomes the University of Virginia. Present were three U.S. Presidents, including Thomas Jefferson. The author then explores the rumor that Jefferson was a Mason, and ends up concluding that he was not based all evidence available.

This paper examines the idea that George Washington was asked to be the first General Grand Master of the United States, and he declined. The author recommends strongly that all U.S. Grand Lodges should form a General Grand Lodge to act as a single voice for American Masonry when speaking with the profane world.

This paper speaks very critically of the problems we are facing in Masonry and the lack of vision and leadership from the Grand Officers of the Grand Lodge. He presents several recommendations to deal with these problems and highlights Mt. Wor. Cobbs' plans submitted in 1989 to address these issues.

The following is the transcript of a roast of our Lodge Secretary, Rt. Wor. Allen E. Roberts. This event occurred at our Annual Stated in 1988, in place of a research paper. Brother Roberts was completely unaware of the event until he was called up. The first speaker was George B. Yeates.

This paper concerns itself with the report,"Guidance to Methodists on Freemasonry," presented at the 1985 Methodist Conference in England. The report charges that Masonry is incompatible with Methodism and that Methodists who are Masons or might become one should reconsider.

This paper chronicles the George W. Wright Memorial Tubercular Pavilion at the Blue Ridge Sanatorium in Charlottesville, Virginia. The money raised by Virginia Masons for this act of charity is only exceeded by our Masonic Home.

This paper is a detailed study of the history and degrees of the Royal Arch Chapter, which in Virginia contains the Cryptic Degrees as well as the degree of the Holy Royal Arch.

The author was on the Long Range Planning Committee for the Grand Lodge. His paper asks the question, "To be a Mason, or not to be a Mason?" Are we doing everything we can to make Masonry what it needs to be? If not, then it is for all of us to "Bring the line up to the standard!"

Rt. Wor. Roberts was the author of the column "Through Masonic Windows" which appeared in two different Masonic publications for a number of years. He was asked to compile a list of his best columns to present as a paper.

This paper researches the origin of the proper noun "On" from Royal Arch ritual and finds a possible answer in ancient Egypt.

This paper explores the question, "Does Masonry still have a purpose in today's society?" The answer is a resounding yes, and the follow up question is, "What are you doing, TODAY, to bring that about?"

This paper explores the concept of a "Perfect Cubit" used to build King Solomon's Temple. A cubit is a measurement of a man's arm, and there was no consistent length of a cubit among the different workmen of the Temple. Paper also presented in A. Douglas Smith Lodge that same year.

This paper offers several symbolic meanings of the Square and Compasses as displayed on the Bible, including exactly how many degrees wide the Compasses are supposed to be and the reason for such.

The tragically short history of the Poet Laureate of Scotland, Robert Burns. He is perhaps our most famous Masonic poet.

An analysis of the reasons for the decline in membership in the Fraternity, tying it to the austerity of those who lived through the Great Depression and the enormous influx of members following World War II. The author suggests a dramatic increase in dues to resolve the issue and restore our Lodges to their proper state.

A detailed history of the oldest Masonic building in the United States, Masons' Hall, in Richmond. Originally the home of the first Lodges in Richmond, it is still in continuous use, and is nearly as old as the city of Richmond itself.

An analysis of the several conventions to form the Grand Lodge of Virginia and why George Washington was not asked to serve as our first Grand Master.

A detailed history of John Coustos, who was tortured by the Inquisition to obtain Masonic secrets. Information is provided about the many famous Masons in the Lodges he was a member and Master of.

The author examines the Lodges of Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia that are found within the Beltway of Washington, D.C. He highlights their numerous problems and recommends a possible solution.

An excerpt from an installation by the Grand Master of India, presented as advice to any Masonic leader on how to rule and govern.

Off-the-cuff comments by the Grand Lecturer of Connecticut on common Masonic folklore reprinted in magazines, such as the number of Masons who signed the Declaration of Independence. Most are factually incorrect.

An in-depth analysis by a Past Grand Master of the lack of the Grand Lodge, Chapter, and Commandery to utilize research lodges to their full effectiveness and suggestions for improvement of research in general in Virginia Masonry.

Past Grand Master A. Douglas Smith, Jr. elaborates on the legend of the Grand Master's jewel and his effort to disprove the common theory it was crafted for George Washington, when in truth it was made in 1911.

A detailed history of the origins of the Mother Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite and the growth of Scottish Rite Masonry in Virginia.

A study of George Washington and the battle of Yorktown, the climactic battle of the Revolutionary War. Also the centennial and bicentennial celebrations and the Grand Lodge's involvement.

Brethren, let us address ourselves to ways whereby we, as Freemasons, can help to bring about the dawn of a better day for ourselves, and, in so doing, a better day for all mankind.

That's all very good – but how?

A biography of a prolific and active Mason, not only a Grand Master, Grand High Priest, and Grand Generalissimo, but the only Most Illustrious Grand Master of the short-lived Grand Council of Cryptic Masons in Virginia.