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What privilege is awarded to you, as a Master Mason in good standing, in relation to neighboring lodges? In which situation would it be necessary to examine a visitor to your lodge? In which situation would it not be appropriate to examine a visitor to your lodge? How should a visitor be examined as to his membership status?It is highly encouraged that, as a Master Mason, you spend time visiting with the brethren of neighboring Lodges, and continue to improve upon your Masonic relationships and education. As a Master Mason in good standing with your affiliated Lodge(s), you are given the privilege to visit Lodges of this, or some other friendly jurisdiction, as recognized by the Grand Lodge of Mississippi. Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft masons are also given this privilege, with restrictions of attendance applying to their highest level of Lodge grade achievement.As a visitor, you are not permitted to interfere with Lodge business, enter into discussion, unless requested to do so by the Worshipful Master, or vote on Lodge business, but merely serve as a spectator and friendly brother. Your privilege of visitation can be removed or forfeit due to bad conduct or any other reason that an affiliated member may see fit. No one can be permitted into a Lodge where he is unknown without first being examined as to his membership status.A known mason may vouch for an unknown bother, if he has sat in Lodge with him. If no avouchment can be made, the unknown brother must be subjected to an examination. To this end, the Grand Lodge of Mississippi, in accordance with the ancient customs and traditions of Masonry, has adopted a means in which to examine the membership status of an unknown visitor.Please take this time to instruct all the members present in the proper method of examining an unknown visitor. Any Lodge that is unsure of the proper methods and procedures should contact their District Deputy Grand Lecturer, who will be happy to see that you receive the proper instruction.

Examination Of A Visitor

What does it mean if a lodge is called a “Moon Lodge.”? Where did this term originate? Which lodges in the State of Mississippi still congregate and operate as a Moon Lodge?During early 18th century Masonic expansion throughout the colonies, especially in rural communities without an abundant access to electricity, Lodges would fix their meetings around the full moon. The moon provided the membership with the natural illumination necessary to travel the several miles of rough terrain to attend their Lodge.While many Grand Lodges across the United States have legislated Moon Lodges out of existence, other have allowed them to prosper, deeming it in accord with the ancient customs and traditions of Freemasonry. Moon Lodges often fix their stated communications on or just before a full moon, thus, it might be possible for a Moon Lodge to hold 13 stated communications during the course of a year.The first mention of a Moon Lodges can be found in the 1410 Cooke Manuscript, one of the oldest Masonic documents in existence. During the Colonial era it is noted that Moon Lodges were operating in Philadelphia, Boston, and Tennessee. By the turn of the century over 3,000 Lodges were operating by the illumination of the full moon. Due to the difference between lunar and regular calendar dates, most Lodges now practice a much more regular schedule for their stated communications.Beth Eden Lodge No. 205, Louisville, Mississippi, congregates and operates as a Moon Lodge. Dispensation was issued in 1855, and chartered on January 21, 1856. The Lodge moved its operations in 1895, and officially changed their name in 1904. According to the Blue Lodge Directory, they hold their stated meetings on the Saturday of or before the full moon.The Mississippi Lodge of Research DXL (DXL being the Roman numerals for 640) was chartered in 2010, and also congregates and operates as a Moon Lodge. At the 2010 Annual Communication the Grand Lodge body ratified an amendment to its Statutes to permit the Mississippi Lodge of Research to not only move it stated communication frequency to a quarterly basis, but also allow the Lodge to assemble anywhere within the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi. The Mississippi Lodge of Research is dedicated to the investigation, archival and preservation of our Masonic organization.

Moon Lodge

Who was James Anderson? What part did James Anderson play in the origins of Freemasonry?James Anderson was Scottish writer and minister during the early 18th century. He is most famously renowned for writing the Book of Constitutions, which serves as a compilation of the earliest principles of Freemasonry.Anderson was born in Scotland, circa 1680, where he was educated and probably took the degrees M.A. and D.D. Anderson was a minister for the Church of Scotland in 1707, and at some time prior to 1709, migrated to London, where we learn from state records that he was Presbyterian minister in Swallow Street until 1734. During his service to the church he published many sermons and is reported to have lost a great sum of money in the South Sea Company disaster of 1720.When and where his participation began with Freemasonry has not yet been discovered, but must have been a prominent member of the Craft. In September 1721, he was assigned by the Premier Grand Lodge of England, having just been established in 1717, to digest the Old Charges in a new and better manner and standardize the ritual and practices of the fraternity. After an investigation of the Anderson’s work by a committee of 14 well studied brethren, the Grand Lodge approved and ordered the Constitution be printed for the benefit of lodges in 1723. The writing is commonly known as the Book of Constitutions or Anderson’s Constitutions but originally titled as:The Constitutions of Free-Masons; containing the History, Charges, Regulations, &amp;c. of that Most Ancient and Right Worshipful Fraternity. For The Use of Lodges. London. In the year of Masonry 5723, Anno Domini 1723.The Book of Constitutions was rewritten by Anderson in 1738, after the formation of the Grand Lodge of London and Westminster. It was the first Masonic book printed in America under the direction of Bro. Benjamin Franklin in Pennsylvania in 1734, and was again edited in 1754, by Bro. John Entick who introduced various modifications to the ancient charges.Anderson’s Constitution of 1723, addresses the following Masonic principles: 1) concerning God and Religion 2) Of the Civil Magistrates Supreme and Subordinate 3) Of Lodges 4) Of Masters, Wardens Fellows and Apprentices 5) Of the Management of the Craft in Working 6) Of BehaviorThe Williams Digest of Laws, adopted laws of the Grand Lodge of Mississippi, states that, “Anderson’s Constitution, contain all or nearly all the Ancient Landmarks and Usages of Masonry proper to be written. No Grand Lodge has the right to alter, change or amend any portion of said Ancient Constitution, as contained in the first edition of Anderson’s Constitutions is, or should be, regarded as the highest Masonic authority on which to found a Code of Laws for the good of the Craft.”

James Anderson

What is the emblematical Masonic representation of the Anchor and the Ark?From The Blue Lodge Textbook we learn that the Anchor and the Ark are emblems of a well-grounded hope and a well-spent life.From historical study we learn that the anchor, as symbol of hope, does not appear as in ancient or classic symbolism. The ancients believed that the mythological goddess Spes, or Hope, was represented in the form of a beautiful woman holding the skirts of her garments and in her right hand a flower-shaped cup.As an emblem of hope, we learn that the anchor is particularly a Christian symbol. The first representation of the anchor was found inscribed in tombs of Rome, and probably derived from the scriptures of the Apostle Paul found in Hebrews. Hebrews 6:9 “which hope we have as an anchor of the soul both sure and steadfast.” Early Christians looked upon life as a stormy voyage and glad when their voyage was finished, as they have arrived in a safe port. The inscription of the anchor on the tombs is an expression that the deceased had reached a haven of eternal rest.The ship has been adopted to symbolize of the voyage of life, but unlike the anchor was not confined to the Christian belief. The ship, masonically substituted by the Ark, is derivative of the Ark of Noah, floating safe among that which was overwhelmed by the power of God.These symbolical sentiments have been adopted into masonry with an extended application directed to faith and character. The historical aspects added here are only probable origins as found and suggested in Albert Mackey’s Encyclopedia of Masonry.

The Anchor & The Ark

Where was the Tun Tavern located? What role did Tun Tavern play in ensuring the freedom of the colonies during the American Revolution? What affiliation does the Tun Tavern have with Freemasonry during the colonial era?Tun Tavern was located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, at the intersection of King Street (later renamed Walter) and Tun Alley. Tun is an old English word that means “barrel or keg of beer.” Being built in 1689, and serving as a center of social fellowship for men of the Philadelphia community, Tun Tavern was no stranger to the formation of important and influential organizations being founded within its walls.The St. George Society, 1720, was a charitable organization founded to assist needy Englishmen in their arrival within the new colony.St. John’s Lodge, 1732, was founded as the first lodge in the Pennsylvania colony. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania recognizes Tun Tavern as the birthplace of masonry in the United States and the beginnings of Masonic teaching and education in the United States. Founding father and Illustrious freemason, Bro. Benjamin Franklin, was a member of St. John’s Lodge.The St. Andrew’s Society, 1747, which like the St. George Society, was a charitable organization founded to assist newly arrived Scottish.In 1756, Benjamin Franklin used the Tun Tavern as a place of recruitment to form the Pennsylvania Militia in preparation against the Native American uprisings.The most famous organization, however, was founded on November 10, 1775, when innkeeper, Bro. Samuel Nicholas, was charged with raising two battalions of fighting men. The tavern’s manager, Bro. Robert Mullan, served as the chief recruiter. These fighting men were charged with serving to protect the interest of the Continental Navy and were commissioned as sharpshooters aboard Continental navy vessels. The first company consisted of 100 Rhode Islanders commanded by Captain Nicholas.Tun Tavern burned down in 1781, and all that now that stands in its place is a memorial marker near its original location, but each year on November 10, we remember Tun Tavern, those dedicated fighting men and their mark on history with traditional ceremonies across the world, complete with regal celebrations and an elaborate cake cutting ceremony, as the birth of The United States Marines.Semper Fidelis!

Tun Tavern

In keeping with our customs and traditions, Masonry uses a dating system that does not match current calendar era dating. Masonic dates are followed by “A.L.” Why? What does “A.L.” mean and in what operation of masonry is it most commonly used? What abbreviations are used in the different appendant bodies of Freemasonry to represent calendar eras?Blue Lodge masonry and the appendant bodies use calendar era dating to correspond with certain historical and significant events, usually specific to that body.“A.L.” (Anno Lucis= “in the Year of Light”) is a calendar era dating based on the creation of light. It should be noted that “A.L.” is not claimed to be synchronous with creation, but has symbolic reference to the Light of Masonry. It is equivalent to 4000 years of the Gregorian calendar. Thus, 2017 A.D. + 4000 = 6017. It is most commonly used in the ceremonial dedication and inscription of Masonic cornerstones and official certificates.The Hebrew calendar is based on the first five books of Moses called the Torah. The Torah gives specific calendar related commandments, like God’s commandment to affix Aviv, the first month of the sacred year, to the Exodus from Egypt. Therefore, it is important to realize that our current Gregorian calendar is different from the Hebrew calendar. In more modern times, the Jewish faith has adopted the Gregorian calendar to denote days of work and other days of the week, but still abides by to the Hebrew calendar for sacred festivals and religious dates.In 46 B.C. (Before Christ/Christian Era/Common Era) Roman Emperor Julius Caesar introduced a solar calendar which was later adapted by Augustus. It affixed a calendar based on 12 months and 365 days to a year, and dates for each calendar month. We currently use a structure of this calendar. The Gregorian calendar is the solar calendar currently used today, established in 1582 A.D. (Anno Domini= in the Year of our Lord). The need for the Gregorian calendar came about when a study revealed that a year actually consisted of 365 and a quarter days long. It was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 to correct the error of Julius Caesar in omitting 10 days from the calendar year. The Gregorian calendar was adopted in 1752 by Great Britain and the American colonies.“A.M.” (Anno Mundi = “in the Year of the World”) is the calendar era associated with Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Add 3760 to Common Era. Thus, 2017 A.D. + 3760 = 5777.“A.Inv.” (Anno Inventionis = “in the Year of Discovery”) is the calendar era associated with Royal Arch Masons from the date in which the second temple was commenced by Zerubbabel. Add 530 years to the Common Era. Thus, 2017 + 530 = 2547.“A.Dep.” (Anno Depositionist = “in the Year of the Deposits”) is the calendar era associated with Royal and Select Masters from the year in which the Temple of Solomon was completed. Add 1000 years to the Common Era. Thus, 2017 + 1000 = 3017.“A.O.” (Anno Ordonis = “in the Year of the Order") is the calendar era associated with organization of Knights Templar. Subtract 1118 years from the Christian Era. Thus, 2017 – 1118 = 899.*Add another year after the month of September.