I think many Freemasons from many Obediences have heard about Minnesota withdrawing Recognition from West Virginia. The Blue Lodge reports the story:
Minnesota Masons Join the call for Change:
It appears that the Masons in Minnesota are now joining the call for change from within our fraternity. Below is the motion that passed during this years GL Of Minnesota’s session:
Whereas the Grand Lodge of West Virginia has arbitrarily and recklessly ignored the will of their brethren, expelling a Past Grand Master without trial or redress, violating the ancient and accepted customs and tenets of our Fraternity and bring shame and disrepute on all Masons and Freemasonry, and
Whereas they have been named in a civil suit further bringing the Craft into public disrepute and score,
Therefore be it resolved that the Grand Lodge of Minnesota expresses its concern over these actions and will consider suspending recognition of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia upon the recommendation of our External Relations Committee at our next Annual Communication in 2010 if there is not correction of these actions and a renewed willingness by the Grand Lodge of West Virginia to enter into the modern fraternity of Freemasonry.”
Some time ago I took a lot of flak for coming out and actually saying that I thought The Masonic Society was a bad mistake. Not only were the makers and shakers over there on the rebound after a failed and foiled attempt at a coup d’état over at The Philalethes Society but they insisted, unlike The Scottish Rite Research Society or The Philalethes Society, on only permitting full membership from those Masons in good standing or in amity with the Conference of Grand Masters of Mainstream Masonry.
Now we have before us this problem. It’s called West Virginia. And whether you believe it or not and whether you like it or not or whether you care or not, what West Virginia does is a reflection on all of Freemasonry especially those Grand Lodges formed together into The Conference of Grand Masters of Mainstream Masonry. For you see the CGMMNA recognizes West Virginia and they do so like most Mainstream Masons and especially the Masonic Society no matter what The Grand Lodge of West Virginia does. By wedding yourself – and that goes for anyone – to support The CGMMNA through thick and thin you remove your ability to remain INDEPENDENT. And if you cannot remain INDEPENDENT then you cannot be in pursuit of the TRUTH. And seeking the TRUTH is something we all are supposed to be doing as Masons.
That’s the main crux of what I was saying before and what I am reiterating now. As a Mason subscribe to your Grand Lodge but do not tie yourself down by signing on to entangling agreements with others to pit one group or Obedience against another or others. Do not decide the TRUTH beforehand thereby perhaps allying yourself with what may become the less honorable or less noble position. Remain neutral, investigate, educate yourself and then try to make the best possible decision you can on your own coming from your heart and your conscience not from the lynch crowd who have already made a pre judgment.
Those that pre-judge are then muzzled and when they find one of their group that is out of line, unmasonic, untruthful they cannot speak out or right a wrong because they have agreed in advance to support other groups no matter what. The Good Old Boys Gentleman’s Agreement – you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. You promise never to criticize me and I promise I will never criticize you no matter what the circumstances. It smacks of our Congressmen who tell their peers, you vote for my earmark and I’ll vote for yours.
I have heard all the other objections that you will bring up. Again we don’t mess in another Grand Lodge’s business. What another Grand Lodge does is no concern of mine. And we are only getting one side of the story. I reserve judgment until I hear the Grand Lodge side of the story.
Quite frankly that’s never going to happen. So your pursuit of TRUTH is going to have to go on without it unless you have already signed onto those who have agreed in advance never to criticize in which case you can never pursue the TRUTH.
And that’s when YOU HAVE SOLD OUT. “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men to do nothing.”
But the problem will not go away if you ignore it, refuse to talk about it and bury your head in the sand. And it hurts, it hurts so bad. Listen to the Millennial Mason:
“All throughout Fridays sessions, I would run into M.W.B. Haas and I would discuss the situation of Masons in West Virginia. He told me everything from handicapped brethren not being allowed to be made Masons even if it occurred fighting for our Nation’s freedom, the lack of recognition for Prince Hall Masons in West Virginia and the fact that Lodge halls may not be used by groups like OES and Demolay to fundraise. Although he could not discuss the matter of his own expulsion as it is currently in court, I was intimately aware of his plight through sources found online and elsewhere. It is truly shocking what has and is continuing to happen in West Virginia.”
“I have looked at the different messages throughout the Internet, and I would like to clear up some miscommunication about the motion (which carried) concerning the Grand Lodge of West Virginia. The motion does not revoke recognition immediately nor even at the next Communication. The motion charges the External Relations committee to look into the regularity of the Masonic practices of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia and to report its findings to the Craft next year. At that time, it is possible that the Grand Lodge will vote on withdrawing recognition of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia.”
“As I am sure most of you are aware, it is a terrible, repugnant state of affairs within the borders of West Virginia for the average Mason. If he voices support for M.W.B. Frank Haas’ case, he is expelled through edict. The Grand Lodge is using hidden codes within their communications to flush out critics of their policies if that critic should give the communication to the Masonic Crusade. It is truly a story that even a fiction writer could not have invented.”
“Why am I so passionate about this issue? I met M.W.B. Haas and I immediately recognized that he was a good man, a man seeking to improve himself and his Grand Lodge in Masonry. This should be our calling as well.”
Brother Nick, this cannot be our calling unless we are FREE and INDEPENDENT to pursue the TRUTH. So heed the words of Brother George Washington and avoid the entanglements of foreign alliances (outside your Grand Lodge). Be true to yourself and let your conscience be your guide and act for the good of the Craft. And the truth shall set you free!
What a mess this is! Really…. Any brothers involved in taking a case to court against brothers should all be tossed out. Our courts should not be involved in our disputes and should have no authority thereon. This should have been dealt with internally even to the extent of removing all parties involved in the dispute. All of WV should be declared clandestine WV PH as well. Until both individuals are gone from our ranks. Typical of our times! When the boomer generation (my parents) don’t get their way….. off we go to court! This is disgusting and its over noncense! Really, we need to improve our education system and eliminate the ignorance of the Hood and the banjo pickers!
>>Some time ago I took a lot of flak for coming out and actually saying that I thought The Masonic Society was a bad mistake. Not only were the makers and shakers over there on the rebound after a failed and foiled attempt at a coup d’état over at The Philalethes Society…<<
No, you “took a lot of flack” because what you were writing and posting was not only uninformed nonsense, but the manner in which these types of falsehoods were presented damaged the reputation of those who might associate themselves with you. In other words, what you were writing and posting was not only falsehoods, it was reckless falsehoods.
Terry Tilton, the current President of the Philalethes posted on the Philalethes list:
“Many have tried to read much more into the events of the forming of the Masonic Society than are really there. There WAS NO GRAND DESIGN to malign or bring a coup about in the Philalethes Society. The forming of The Masonic Society is simply an outgrowth of frustration and the attempts of many to have more say in the affairs of the Philalethes Society and most
especially its Executive Board. These issues have simmered, as I understand it, for a long time and finally came to a head. Please, please do not cast dispersions on good brothers who only wanted to bring more Masonic Light into the world whether you agree with what happened or not.”
Without the slightest idea of what you were talking about, you painted some of the finest Masonic scholars, researchers and educators in the world with a most false and unfair brush. THAT is why you “took a lot of flack.” Shame on you. Masons do not act in such a manner.
And why should WV PH be declared clandestine? They have had no active part in the expulsions et al.
Furthermore, please refrain from blanket slandering. All in one breath you insult the members of WV that are innocent, and the people who live in the area (the “Hood and the banjo pickers”). I assure you the only ignorance reflected in that statement is not owned by the fine people of the Appalachians.
Please note that my response here is mine and mine alone. I do not post this as an author of this site.
>>…”you painted some of the finest Masonic scholars, researchers and educator in the world with a most false and unfair brush.”<<
Really Michael… Fred never maligned anybody personally at The Masonic Society. The “TRUTH” is that Fred was speaking out against the way that The Masonic Society, in its formative days, was closing out membership priviledges to half of the world’s ‘unrecognized’ Freemasons. Hey, but that is fine too!… you can cloister your group in any way that you wish, but don’t expect those of us who persue Universal Freemasonry and what we perceive as real “TRUTH” by buying a membership into your closed society. There will always be those of us who wish to keep our Masonic spirits free and independant.
David Lettelier says:
>>Really Michael… Fred never maligned anybody personally at The Masonic Society. The “TRUTH” is that Fred was speaking out against the way that The Masonic Society, in its formative days, was closing out membership priviledges to half of the world’s ‘unrecognized’ Freemasons.<>Not only were the makers and shakers over there on the rebound after a failed and foiled attempt at a coup d’état over at The Philalethes Society…<<
This is just one of the number of falsehoods that have been spread against the Masonic Society by Fred and a number of others. It is simply false. Period. It was written without knowledge of what in the world any of you were talking about. The president of the PSOC has said that it is false. Yet, it is repeated even now. That’s not what Masons should do.
Yes, The Masonic Society has created membership rules that you don’t like. You do not have to like the rules. But not liking the rules should not be seen as liberty to spread falsehoods. If that is what you view as “Universal Freemasonry” and what you see as the “real ‘TRUTH'” then we simply have a fundamental difference in our views of Freemasonry.
Regardless, I am not here to debate Freemasonry, but to simply point out that Fred has again published falsehoods and painted some of the world’s leading Masonic educators with a brush that is not only false, but unfair – as I said.
Have a nice day. Good-bye.
The management of this website would like to express that they will not interfere in this debate, unless required. However we would like to point out that some of the authors are members of The Masonic Society that contribute to this website. Furthermore, Greg Stewart has had his artwork featured on the cover of their journal. We support all of our authors and recognize that some of them have opinions we may or may not agree with, but we feel there is some level of discontent with this issue and perhaps it is best to resolve it through open communication. Just play nice brothers… and keep an open mind.
Regards,
The Management
Dean Kennedy says:
>>We support all of our authors and recognize that some of them have opinions we may or may not agree with, but we feel there is some level of discontent with this issue and perhaps it is best to resolve it through open communication. Just play nice brothers… and keep an open mind.<<
Dean, I do not feel that open communication here is possible as Fred and others made up their minds and judged a good number of people without asking a single question in advance. Without any knowledge of the people involved, they wrote and published things with the sole goal of belittling Masons who were only trying to bring Light to as many as possible. These people did not ask why, they simply judged. They did not know and they wrote falsehoods.
Dean, I wish you well, but I simply don’t have time to deal with those with closed minds who know all, see all and ask nothing.
This is a good article, I agree 100%. It seems a shame in this day and age that the old ways of segregation and seperation would be still held in such high regard by “enlightened” men.
Michael: I don’t appreciate you attributing quotes to me that I never made… you took a quote that Fred made and cut and pasted it after my name in your post above of April 3, 2009 at 9:41 p.m. to wit: .>Not only were the makers and shakers over there on the rebound after a failed and foiled attempt at a coup d’état over at The Philalethes Society…<< I never said that…This is a typical example of the falsehoods you yourself are perpetuating to prop up The Masonic Society as its 1st Vice-President. You sir are the one painting some of the finest Masonic scholars, researchers and educators in the world with a most false and unfair brush.
No, David. I’m sorry for the confusion, but there was a glitch in the system. It jammed the quotes together and cut a line out of my posting. You wrote (and I quoted)
>Really Michael… Fred never maligned anybody personally at The Masonic Society. The “TRUTH” is that Fred was speaking out against the way that The Masonic Society, in its formative days, was closing out membership priviledges to half of the world’s ‘unrecognized’ Freemasons.Not only were the makers and shakers over there on the rebound after a failed and foiled attempt at a coup d’état over at The Philalethes Society…<
I did not write falsehoods. I was showing you that Fred had written a falsehood and gave the quote from Bro. Tilton to show just how false it was. A technical error happened, jammed the lines together and once again before trying to figure out *why* something happened, you jumped to judge and falsely accuse. This is exactly what you and Fred have been doing. You do not try to understand, but with only partial, flawed information, you judge, assume and then write nonsense. This is why neither you or Fred are taken seriously. You get any idea in your mind and will do just about anything to try and support that notion as fact. 🙂
Of course … if you are suggesting that both you and Fred were also the victims of some technical errors and you did not mean to suggest that the anyone in The Masonic Society sought to destroy or, as Fred wrote, take any part in some sort of “attempt at a coup d’état” (which is a complete falsehood) then please, take this opportunity to show that this is not what was written or meant. I can see how you might have thought that what I posted was what I meant to post, but it was not. So, here is your (and Fred’s) opportunity to show that what you wrote was not what you meant. If Fred meant to post that, he is writing falsehoods. If you support it, then you are supporting falsehoods. Clear the air David, what is your position?
And for those reading the article about the GL of West VA, I’m sorry, this has nothing to do with that issue, only the false attacks on The Masonic Society.
It did it AGAIN!
After your quote was cut:
============
And after that was to be:
That’s not correct. Fred wrote:”
>Not only were the makers and shakers over there on the rebound after a failed and foiled attempt at a coup d’état over at The Philalethes Society…<
==============
Then it picked up with:
“I did not write falsehoods. …”
It seems that this system cuts out lines. No idea why.
I’m sorry Michael but there is no reasoning with you! And that is why nobody takes you seriously! You took an article about Freemasons in MN possibly withdrawing their future recognition of Freemasons in WV and went on the attack against Fred when you could have simply contacted him back channel and sorted out your differences. Yes, Fred is a personal friend and my Masonic Brother. Through the many years of interacting with him I have found him to to be one of the most upright men and Masons that I have ever met. Your way of handling of this issue has been most unMasonic and I have lost my respect for you.
David,
🙂 You are becoming emotional and avoiding the issue. The issue is that Fred and posted a series of falsehoods about The Masonic Society (one example has been given several times here). It is not a matter of *if* it is false, it IS false. Everyone but you and Fred acknowledges it – even the President of the Philalethes has stated that the statement is false. So, what is your problem?? 🙂 Is it that you can’t accept the truth or is it that you just want to be upset?
BTW, I should have contacted Fred in private and not corrected him in public?? Why in the blue blazes didn’t Fred check his facts in private before he began this false public attack on so many respected Masons? He (and you) had no idea as to the facts but this did not prevent the second-guessing, false charges & cheap shots from flying. A falsehood was again posted on a public form by Fred (I’m sorry, I don’t remember his last name). I corrected him on the same public forum. If you or Fred don’t like that, then the solution is easy. Stop posting falsehoods about The Masonic Society. Check your facts before you post things. Be responsible. See how simple it can be?
Once again, if you don’t like The Masonic Society or any of our members for this or that reason, that’s fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But posting falsehoods about The Masonic Society will not be tolerated. Post it and you will be called on it. I’m tired of this unMasonic nonsense.
Have a good life David.
IMHO first… we, as Freemasons, are supposed to ALL get along without having to bring the ccourts into OUR affairs. The (brother, body) who took action against another (brother, body) should be, by the governing body of his state, REMOVED. Plain and simple. No matter his position in said body. There has to be statutes in place governing such affairs.
Second…It seems to me that the comments in this section have strayed from the original context and become quite colorful, to say the least, so to keep things on topic I will conclude with this simple comment.
“CAN’T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?”
Peace
Ed
Dean,
“I am not here to censor Fred as he was invited to be a columnist here, knowing he carried some opinions.”
The man posted a flat out falsehood in this very thread that is damaging to The Masonic Society. If that’s OK with you, then what more is there that I can say?
“Michael, I understand you feel Fred is writing untruths. You and I understand and speak to each other. I would offer that you are welcome to keep commenting and correcting his facts here and as long as you don’t make it personal I will agree not to censor your posts. At this time, I will invite you or someone else at TMS to create an article about TMS and it’s purpose with links directly to the group if you wish.”
No, Dean. I don’t “feel” that he wrote an untruth. He did. Period. No thanks, I won’t be submitting an article on TMS. This will be my last post here. “In Pursuit Of Truth” ??? Hardly, Fred.
Losing respect for someone over a disagreement over a blog posting is a bit etreme don’t you think?
I go to sleep and close my eyes for a second and WOW… Guys… This website is meant as a place for information and healthy discussion. I will openly admit that Fred is one of our more opinionated columnists. However, in the same breath you will find other columnists on this website who will oppose his views, but we feel disagreement and healthy debate are necessary to improve things. I am not here to censor Fred as he was invited to be a columnist here, knowing he carried some opinions. I will tell you and all readers that I disagree this Fred on several issues, including this very issue being discussed here. At one time I had problems with the Masonic Society but my issues have been resolved, and the only reason I myself am not a member is because I simply don’t have the spare budget dollars to join yet.
I do not want TMS members to think this site is misaligned towards them. Several of our columnists are members and speak highly of it. On the other hand, I feel Fred has a right as a columnist to present his opinion.
Michael, I understand you feel Fred is writing untruths. You and I understand and speak to each other. I would offer that you are welcome to keep commenting and correcting his facts here and as long as you don’t make it personal I will agree not to censor your posts. At this time, I will invite you or someone else at TMS to create an article about TMS and it’s purpose with links directly to the group if you wish. As long as it does not get personal against Fred I will ensure it is published. Michael, you have my email and phone number… I want to make sure both sides of this disagreement feel they are being handled properly. Please contact me directly if you feel this solution will not resolve your gripe with Fred. Ultimately, I know you and Fred may never see eye to eye, but I do not need infighting here. I have never spoken with David Lettelier and his involvement with this website is only through his dealings with Fred so I cannot speak for him, nor to him except as a commenter on this post. Micheal, we have some dealings and I would very much like to ensure you know where this website stands on this issue. Again, please call me or email me to resolve this but I’d like to close the personal banter from both sides at this time as the disagreement appears to be circuitous and getting personal.
Regards,
Dean Kennedy
We all knew that the censorship would have to come in somehow, someway. The ownership of this site have their collective thumbs in the “mainstream” pie and they are stuck too deep to be objective. All of this started well enough but we all know where this is headed, yet another commercial board for the establishment.
Raum,
I can understand why Michael is upset. How does this connect us to being “mainstream”? And what’s wrong with being “mainstream”? I’m quite proud to be a “mainstream” mason thank you. I’ll let the other members of the site speak for themselves but I find it quite silly to accuse someone of being a “mainstream” mason. I guess I’ll take that as a compliment. Yeah I’m a good old-fashioned member of a blue lodge. Thanks for asking!
Dean
For the record, there is no body of Masonic leaders calling itself the Conference of Grand Masters of Mainstream Masonry (sic). The correct name is the Conference of Grand Masters in North America, or COGMNA for shorthand’s sake. Calling any assembly by imaginary names leads others to falsely designate that group with equally imaginary attributes. This is unfair because, as it has been seen on almost all Masonic sites, most receive their information second-hand by authoritative sounding voices and do not do the proper research, or do so with incorrect sources that are an add-mixture of fantasy, forgery and plagiarism.
There is a real world out there–and these “wars” against the “mainstream” or “ancients” is utter nonsense. Even if one has the time to continue its perpetuation, at least call the players by their correct names in the off-chance some objectivity may somehow be preserved by that small, but integral, act.
Cum larvis non luctandum.
So if I called The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine — Shriners, I would be wrong? Well they call themselves Shriners. Their official website: http://www.shrinershq.org/Shrine/ is titled “Shriners of North America.”
It is quite common to shorten long names or titles. Most Masons I know call this body the Conference of Grand Masters.
There is also a Prince Hall Conference of Grand Masters – hence the distinction. —OF MAINSTREAM MASONRY was not meant as part of the title but merely adjectives distinguishing the body from any other Conference of Grand Masters.
You are quibbling over triviality. How about some more cerebral comment instead of this nonsense?
“So if I called The Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine — Shriners, I would be wrong? Well they call themselves Shriners. Their official website: http://www.shrinershq.org/Shrine/ is titled “Shriners of North America.””
This is a poor analogy to excuse the use of an imaginary name because the use of the appellation “Shriners” is indeed correct, is actively employed by the organization itself as well as the public, and is not imaginary–unlike the addition of Mainstream Masons to the GOGMNA or the Conference of Grand Masters, etc.
Because this conference has several versions of the name, when using it to create context, it is better to use the correct form of the name so as to distinguish it from, say, the Prince Hall Conference. One does not need to make up a distinction and thereby alter the focus of just what the group actually stands for and does. If you will still maintain that it was to distinguish it from other groups, then one should never put adjectives in capitals because the use of such refers to a name–a noun–when you are actually claiming that you use the word mainstream as an adjective.
Furthermore, your continued use of “mainstream” is often pejorative and any distinction thus created by this appellation is more of a derision than any actual difference in this group from the next. The constant use of imaginary terms or revivals of old ones with new meanings (a la GOUSA’s insistence of creating a web of confusion with Antient and Modern) obscures true scholarship into our rich tapestry of tradition. Please see Sariel’s comments on “mainstream” masonry and you will see what I am talking about; it borders on the ridiculous because it has no basis–other than from, perhaps, an angry and profoundly subjective grudge.
While insights and opinions are always welcome, they must be tempered with the precedence of truth. To couch one’s opinions or slants in imaginary histories, conflicts or qualities is to ultimately obscure the truth and lead others astray, not to mention oneself.
So, this is not a trifling criticism on the use of names. It is truth in reporting despite one’s personal pique or slant on a subject. Is that cerebral enough? My response was a legitimate clarification and your follow-up attempts to justify what cannot be justified.
Words have power.
Hey Fred,
I have to be honest. This constant use of the term “mainstream” drives me nuts also. To me it’s just Freemasonry. It’s almost as irritating as the term Masculine Obedience. I don’t know… I just find these terms irritating.
I’ll leave it at that…
Maybe because you are not a Prince Hall Mason. Now when you become a Prince Hall Mason you have to call the other Masonry something. You could call Prince Hall – Black Masonry and the other – White Masonry but really nobody wants to do that.
So how do you distinguish the two? They are both separate Grand Lodges? And there are two different traditions which grew apart and took separate paths. And some states still do not recognize Prince Hall.
Perhaps Nova Scotia does not have Prince Hall so you are all one there. But Masonry in the States is fractured and splintered and we have even mentioned other Obediences which we could call Clandestine Masons.
Mainstream is not a dirty word. In my political life we have the Mainstream media and the New media. If you have a better word I’ll take it. And I am one who would like us to be just all one big happy family. But if I start talking about something Prince Hall does without referring it as Prince Hall I get a hundred, “what the hell are you talking about,” comments back.
I just thought Masonry worked fine, and Prince Hall Masonry when talking about PH masons. I can’t go by the black and white rule as that doesn’t work in my jurisdiction. We are many… even some that aren’t black or white. So calling “mainstream” masonry white masons doesn’t work as we do not have only white brethren, and that’s one of the things I like about it. It’s a global fraternity!
Fred,
In my last post I may seem a bit harsh on you, but that is not my intent so I apologize if I may have offended you. From this article I just see a lot of angst. It is only my intent that the truth be clarified–Lord knows that many just take a grain of sand and make a brick.
You, of course, are entitled to your opinions except when it comes to judging my state of mind or my motives — since we don’t know each other personally.
Furthermore, your continued use of “mainstream” is often pejorative
You have it all wrong. I am just trying to refer to you all with a designation I am not.
Speaking as a brother who really does not know much about the underlying argument… I do not know what is going on with W.WA, or Prince Hall Masons, or any of that. I am relatively new to the brotherhood, and do not know much about arguments over clandestine lodges and such… so my further comment has nothing to do with any pre-existing prejudiced opinion about whatever you guys are debating. As someone with no staked out position on this argument, I do wish to comment that I am easily able to distinguish an argument that is false logic, and/or intellectually dishonest.
By referring to a group whose real name, apparently, is the Conference of Grand Masters in North America, or COGMNA, as the Conference of Grand Masters of Mainstream Masonry, is a serious breach of good faith. It imply a particular motive or goal for that conference which is prejudicial, and unsubstantiated, which is not present in it’s true name. Further, it most certainly seems clear that the term mainstream, used in this manner, is meant to be prejudicial..
To try to rationalize this by using the comparison made to Shriners, is also a false logic. The Shriners themselves refer to themselves by that name. I seriously doubt that the COGMNA refers to themselves as the Grand Masters of “Mainstream Masonry”. Hence the rationalization fails.
As I said, I do not really know enough about the underlying debate to have drawn any conclusions about where I stand on it.. but use of such tactics as that does nothing for gaining much trust in the reasoning of your arguments, or your good faith.
Well Brother Ross I use the term Mainstream, which is widely accepted, because I am a Prince Hall Freemason and I need to make sure that my readers understand which branch of Freemasonry I am talking about. What should I call Mainstream Masonry – White Masonry?
In regards to shortening the name of an organization, it is done with no disrespect, simply as a means of brevity. Would you object to Coca Cola being called Coke and television being called TV?
Well, it is 6 years later and I would like to make one last comment on the coup d’état over at The Philalethes Society. That information was given to me by Nelson King in confidence, he asking me not to use his name. Nelson was a good friend and we talked often. I think Nelson knew a lot about the Philalethes Society. He also told me that is how the Masonic Society originated. Those who were so disatisfied took their marbles and went off to form their own society. I know there are some who think I just made this all up, but in reality I took the word of a friend and Brother who I most respected.