It's important to understand that No One Person Speaks for Freemasonry. Accordingly, the writings of a particular author, however supportive of one's pre-conceived notions, simply do not reflect the position of the organization. In fact, because each Grand Lodge is sovereign and autonomous, only a Grand Master can speak on behalf of Freemasonry and then only to HIS Grand Lodge and only during the term of his office!
Anti-Masons have for centuries taken out-of-context quotes to explain their ludicrous charges against Freemasonry. The most common involves Albert Pike who's been dead for over a century and was never the Grand Master of any Grand Lodge. Pike's prodigious work, Morals and Dogma, provides much fodder because it writes about comparative religions of the past - even though it's Pike's personal musings. We've devoted a separate page to Pike and another to the hoax in which his name was besmirched.
In addition, there are many other authors - Masons, non-Masons, and anti-Masons - whose writings are often cited by anti-Masons. We hope this brief biography of some of them will be enlightening.
We also caution readers of anti-Masonic literature to check carefully to determine the original publication date of material. It is not uncommon, for example, to cite a work originally published at the height of anti-Masonic activity in the United States (the late 1820s) but reprinted 150 years later with the 1970s date so as to appear reasonably current.
J. D.
Buck - In 1896 (over a century ago), Jirah D. Buck
wrote a book titled "Symbolism of Mystic Masonry". You'll sometimes
see it quoted by anti-Masons. Here's what the review in "A Masonic Readers
Guide" (1956) had to say about it: "An illustration of the use of a
vivid imagination and making the Craft an occult organization. To be read with
caution." Over 50 years ago - and long before the current crop of
those who spread their claims that Masons were devil-worshipping pagans of some
sort, Masons were being advised that Buck's writings were far from reality.
Using quotes from his works may prove a point for the religious intolerant; the
legitimacy of their arguments, however, is seriously undermined
when it is noted that others disagree with his claims totally. We fail to find
any other review of the works of Masonic authors (and there are dozens) which take even the
slightest note
of Buck's work.
Manley Hall- The Lost Keys of Freemasonry is a work often quoted by anti-Masons due to some of the statements made by Hall about the religious nature of Freemasonry. Published in 1923, it was written when Hall was barely 21 years of age - and some thirty one (31) years before he became a Mason! Because of this, it can easily be seen that the book represents merely the personal theories of a non-Mason. Further, Mr. Hall (who passed away in August 1990) was a self-avowed mystic and hardly a "leading authority" of Freemasonry.
Anti-Masons make much over Hall's writing being highly 'influential' on Masonry. The publishers of the 1976 reprint of his book (53 years after its original publication!) note (somewhat proudly) that Hall's work had sold over 30,000 copies. By contrast, however, we'd comment that the anti-Masonic book by World War I German General Erich Ludendorff sold over 100,000 copies.
| "He was a promulgator of mystic and theosophical
philosophies and despite the claims of anti-Masons, his writings have not received
official sanction by any Masonic body. The fact that he held the Thirty-third Degree and
was respected by many Thirty-Third Degree Masons and even by the Supreme Councils 33º is
no more significant than the fact that various Baptist, Anglican, or Methodist authors
also hold or held that honor." "Is
It True What They Say About Freemasonry" |
Additionally, as a founder of 'The
Philosophical Research Society', Hall
becomes the brunt of criticism from the religious intolerants who despise
all forms of free thought and somehow manage to
tie theosophy and Freemasonry together through this one individual. We'd suggest
that whenever one sees a condemnation of Freemasonry based on quotes from either
Hall or Pike, they should look quite suspiciously.
Kenneth Mackenzie - author of the Royal Masonic Cyclopaedia is sometimes quoted by anti-Masons as being a 'definitive' work of reference for Freemasonry written by a Mason. The truth, however is that after his initiation (19 January 1870), the Craft held no further interest for Mackenzie and he left within 12 months (1871). His book was written in 1877 when he was not a Mason and his short involvement with Freemasonry hardly qualifies him to be considered a "source" from which legitimate conclusions can be drawn. While active Masonic membership is not a prerequisite to knowledge, one can reasonably conclude that without it (particularly when it is abandoned and/or rejected) the author's conclusions might well be tainted.
Joseph Fort Newton, Litt.D. - An ordained minister who served churches in Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa, London (England), New York and Philadelphia and who was the revered Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Iowa wrote a book in 1914 ("The Builders") with the financial encouragement of that Grand Lodge. Anti-Masons are quick to point out that this book was "approved" by Freemasonry yet they fail to note that such approval was only from the Grand Lodge of Iowa which commissioned it - and not by any other Grand Lodge. Significant too is the fact that only one quote ever seems to appear from Dr. Newton's inspiring work.
Newton writes "Beginning as far back as 1886, Waite
issued his study of the Mysteries of Magic, a digest of the writings of Eliphas
Levi, to whom Albert Pike was more indebted than he let us know." What can
we make of this claim? Levi was a prime creator in the ongoing myth of Baphomet
so by this allusion, anti-Masons would have you believe that (a) Albert Pike
somehow supported Levi's ideas, (b) Pike kept this a secret from all but
(apparently) Newton and - by extension - that (c) Freemasonry supports worship
of the devil! Does such a contrived link have even a marginal connection with
reality? We don't think so....
Perhaps those who wish to quote Dr. Newton might benefit from reading some of
his other words in the very same book. He writes:
"Apart from its rites, there is no mystery in Masonry, save the mystery of all great and simple things. So far from being hidden or occult, its glory lies in its openness, and its emphasis upon the realities which are to the human world what light and are are to nature. Its mystery is of so great a kind that it is easily overlooked; its secret almost too simple to be found out. "We know as much as we do." said Francis of Assisi. It is not enough to enact a truth in ritual; it must become both an incarnation and an act."
The Builders - A Story and Study of Freemasonry
by Joseph Fort Newton, Litt.D.P. Revised and Enlarged 1951 edition, p.63
Lynn Perkins - As far as
we can determine, Perkins wrote only one book: "The Meaning of Masonry - A Popular Guide
to the Values of Ancient and Modern Freemasonry". Unless this work were
of over-arching value rather than something which eluded copyright protection
and was eligible for republication by anyone
and thus becoming filler for the 'remainder' bins of bookstores throughout the 1960s and beyond,
Perkins can hardly be named as 'an
influential Masonic author' as some anti-Masons will do. Further,
Perkins does not
provide his Masonic curriculum vitæ so a current reader picking up a copy of his work
has no basis on which to judge his Masonic knowledge. Upon
further inquiry, one finds that his bibliography is
woefully inadequate for a discourse on such a profound subject. The
author, though, makes it quite clear at the outset that his conclusions are his own and likely of little
interest to anyone else. This, however, does not stop anti-Masons from using this book to
support their contentions that somehow Masonry is a religion
based on Perkins' writing. On our book reviews page, we
have more to say about this work. We hope you'll drop by there.
Masonic Publishing Houses
One of the most hilarious claims we see from time to time is that Masons have their own 'publishing houses' where secret books are printed only for Masons. Let's examine that claim, shall we?
Here's a quote from one of our favorite hysterics, 'Director' David Bay of his self-created Cutting Edge Ministries (which contends that the US government is controlling our weather):
| "For so very many years, Freemasonry has been one of the most secret of the secret societies. While it had its own publishing press, its books were never sold to anyone who was not a Freemason. Freemasonry held its teachings very secret within its members, and each member took oaths whereby he swore to never, ever divulge the teachings which he was about to receive." |
We've addressed the issue of secrecy elsewhere on this site and will not do that on this page. Bay contends in the second sentence, however, that Freemasonry had its own publishing press. Where? When? Who ran it? Was this a secret too? Would the 'Director' care to provide some evidence of this claim?
In many of his other rants, Mr. Bay mentions Macoy Masonic Publishing and Supply Company frequently. Is this the supposedly secret publishing house about which Mr. Bay writes? We'll wait with bated breath for the answer to this.
The 'Director' has also erroneously condemned Kessinger Publishing and we've addressed that on our page about him here. But Bay is not the only one to make such claims. 'St. John the Sublime Reformer' and others do this.
Where, we ask, is their proof? At what point are/were Masons told where to send their money for these secret books? Is there some order form somewhere that Masons were given? How is it that their spouses never knew about this when books would mysteriously appear? Did these books have to be hidden under the bed? What happened to them when the Mason died: did they just disappear or did the Masonic book recovery squad raid the home while the family was off attending the funeral service?
We advise that readers examine such claims to see whether the heated rhetoric and hyperbole makes a bit of sense in light of reality.
Some other author you want us to cover? Just give a shout! See the directions below....
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