This video from "Fraternal Places" takes you to Eros, Louisiana to visit
the historic Cadeville Lodge No. 229, F. & A.M. The lodge was chartered in 1889.
The Cadeville Lodge building was also built in 1889!
This video takes you to Homer, Louisiana to visit Homer Lodge No. 152, F. & A.M.
The lodge was chartered in 1858 and contributed greatly to education in Northwest Louisiana.
In the mid-late 1800’s, the lodge owned & operated colleges which dramatically improved education
& opportunity for young men & women and was crucial to the development of Louisiana itself.
This video takes you to Monroe, Louisiana to visit Western Star Lodge No. 24, F. & A.M.
The lodge was chartered in 1823 and their original meetings were held in French!
For unknown reasons, Western Star Lodge lost it's charter just before the Civil War.
However, they were reconstituted with the same name but with the number 61. Later, the original number was restored.
Western Star Lodge is the oldest Masonic Lodge in Louisiana North of Opelousas.
A Friend in Every Nation, a Home in Every Climate
Br. J. Gary "Gar" Pickering Archivist/Research Librarian
Louisiana Masonic Library & Museum
I spend five days a week in the Louisiana Masonic Library & Museum. Such is my employment that I have the privilege to talk to Masons, and loved ones of Masons, from all over. Helping someone find their grandfather's home lodge, or confirm that their great-great-grandfather was a Mason in 1880s New Orleans, or even help manage the folk memory that someone's 3rd great-uncle was the Grand Master in 1962 (they usually weren't).
One thing I feel like I take for granted sometimes is that I can take anything off any shelf, out of any box, or out of any fire-safe that I want to, when I want to. That is why I want to share this with you today. This is an excerpt from an 1816 Masonic monitor, that is kept out of reach from visitors due to its condition. It is one of the books that will, in time, be added in full to our digital archive.
It is called The Freemason's Monitor or Illustrations of Masonry, by Thomas Smith Webb, PGM of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island. This 1816 edition is "new and improved", which shows us how old the thing is that we're even talking about here. I hope you enjoy this peak into the archives. Come by the library sometime and I will show it to you in person.
Webb's seminal work that was to become the historic standard for most American Masonic jurisdictions. Webb derived his monitor directly from the works of Preston. [1]
Per Wikipedia: Thomas Smith Webb (October 30, 1771 – July 6, 1819) was the author of Freemason’s Monitor or Illustrations of Masonry, a book which had a significant impact on the development of Masonic Ritual in America, and especially that of the York Rite.[1] Webb has been called the "Founding Father of the York or American Rite" for his efforts to promote those Masonic bodies.
Thomas Smith Webb presided over a convention of committees in Boston in October, 1797, for the formation of a general Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and at a meeting in Providence in January, 1799, he presented, as chairman of a committee, a constitution which was adopted.
"From the commencement of the world, we may trace the foundation of Masonry.* Ever since symmetry began, and harmony displayed her charms, our order has had a being. During many ages, and in many different countries, it has flourished. In the dark periods of antiquity, when literature was in a low state, and the rude manners of our forefathers withheld from them that knowledge we now so amply share, masonry diffused its influence. This science unveiled, arts arose, civilization took place, and the progress of knowledge and philosophy gradually dispelled the flood of ignorance and barbarism. Government being settled, authority was given to laws, and the assemblies of the fraternity acquired the patronage of the great and the good, while the tenets of the profession were attended with unbounded utility.
Masonry is a science confined to no particular country, but diffused over the whole terrestrial globe. Wherever arts flourish, there it flourishes too. Add to this, that by secret and inviolable signs, carefully preserved among the fraternity throughout the world, masonry becomes an universal language. Hence many advantages are gained: the distant Chinese, the wild Arab, and the American savage, will embrace a brother Briton, Franc, or German; and will know, that beside the common ties of humanity, there is still a stronger obligation to induce him to kind and friendly offices. The spirit of the fulminating priest will be tamed; and a moral brother, though of a different persuasion, engage his esteem. Thus, through the influence of masonry, which is reconcilable to the best policy, all those disputes, which embitter life, and sour the tempers of men, are avoided: while the common good, the general design of the craft, is zealously pursued. From this view of the system, its utility must be sufficiently obvious. The universal principles of the art unite men of the most opposite tenets, of the most distant countries, and of the most contradictory opinions, in one indissoluble bond of affection, so that in every nation a mason finds a friend, and in every climate a home."
*Masonry and Geometry are sometimes used as synonymous terms.
Write us a letter*. Tell us how you're doing as lodges begin to meet once again. Tell us what is is like to be meeting again. Send us a photo or two, or anything else you'd like to submit to The Louisiana Freemason!
Email gar@la-mason.com and "Send a letter to the Editor" just like the old days. Submissions will be considered for an issue of the Weekly eEdition so the brethren can see what you're up to.
*The Editor reserves all rights to publish any letter sent to him.
Tidings From Louisiana Lodges:
On Thursday, November 14, 2021 of the Right Worshipful Brother Larry Pleasance, Grand Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Louisiana, left, and Worshipful Brother Anthony Radosti of the Louisiana Masonic Dyslexia Foundation, far right, attended the stated communication of Graham-Washington Lodge No. 413. Pictured here with Worshipful Brother Armand J. Duvio, III, center, acted as the host.
