Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht

A new Book Restoration Fund for the Library of the Supreme Council will advance Masonic scholarship into the next century.

"The future of Freemasonry lies in the education of the membership. Only by understanding can one truly appreciate, and without appreciation we will never advance." These words fix on a major problem facing every branch of Freemasonry today. Fortunately, the Scottish Rite, in both the Southern and Northern Masonic Jurisdictions of the United States, is facing this problem head-on. It was gratifying, for instance, to see the above idea stated so emphatically by Ill. Thomas W. Jackson, 33°, long-time Grand Secretary for the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania and book reviewer for the Northern Light: A Window for Freemasonry, sister publication of the Scottish Rite Journal in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. In his August 1998 column, Ill. Jackson notes, "Most other world jurisdictions place much more emphasis upon Masonic education than we do." Unfortunately, this is all too true. But take heart, Bro. Tom. Like you, we in the Southern Jurisdiction are working hard to change all that.

First, the October 1998 Scottish Rite Journal was totally devoted to the theme of Masonic education and consisted entirely of scholarly articles. This special issue was intended to stimulate interest in Masonic scholarship and spur similar contributions to the Journal.

Second, our hope is to include at least one substantive article with a scholarly dimension in each upcoming Scottish Rite Journal. In last month’s issue, for instance, the Journal featured "A Response to Charisma" by Dr. S. Brent Morris, 33°, and in this issue, see "The Beehive" by Bro. C. Bruce Hunter. Ideally, these articles will be new. However, since many Masonic publications may have quality materials but a limited distribution, reprinted articles will be considered for Journal publication. To achieve this goal of an educational article of this nature in each issue of the magazine, I call upon all Brethren to submit appropriate essays (under 2,000 words in length) to the Journal. Lacking original material, please call our attention to an already published article that deserves wider distribution. As Ill. Jackson says, "the future of Freemasonry lies in education," and that future is in your hands.

Third, the Supreme Council gives 100% support to the Scottish Rite Research Society (SRRS). In eight short years, this fine organization has grown from a handful of charter members to over 6,500 annual and life members. This is, without question, a great success, but, given the need for Masonic education, we have set our sights yet higher. Our goal for the year 2001, the bicentennial year of the Supreme Council, is to have 10,000 SRRS members!

Fourth, with this January issue of the Journal, the Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite begins the new year by laying the cornerstone of a new foundation for Masonic education, a Book Restoration Fund. Books are the most common basis for all research, and the Library of the Supreme Council is one of the world’s great depositories of Masonic texts and other holdings. Over the years, we have acquired or received by donation many unique, rare, and valuable books. We have safeguarded them in the best way possible given then-existing technology, facilities, and funding. Recently, however, several developments indicate that now is the time to take a bold initiative to bring our library’s collections into the next century as, without qualification, the finest and best-preserved in the world.

Late last year, Bro. Art deHoyos, 32°, K.C.C.H., visited the library to conduct research for several scholarly projects, including articles for Heredom, the transactions of the Scottish Rite Research Society. Shortly thereafter, Fred Gettings, a world-famous author of many books on symbolism, art, and ancient or medieval history which touch on Freemasonry, visited from England. In using the library, both Bro. deHoyos and Mr. Gettings identified many rare and unique books whose value had not been fully recognized. Among them were a rare original edition of a book-length letter by Philip Melancton, German reformer and ally of Martin Luther, to Henry the VIII of England (1547), A Collection of the Works of William Penn (2 vols. London 1726) and two books by Thomas Taylor, A Dissertation on the Philosophy of Aristotle (London 1812) and Plato (5 vols., London, 1804). Then, Bro. C. Gary Ford, 32°, a local D.C. Masonic scholar, joined Bro. deHoyos and Mr. Gettings. Bro. Ford has presented papers to a new Lodge in the District of Columbia, the Lodge of the Nine Muses No. 1776, which is named after the famous 18th-century Lodge in Paris that counted among its members such intellectual luminaries as Bros. Benjamin Franklin and François Voltaire. At every meeting of the Lodge of the Nine Muses in our nation’s capital, a member gives a scholarly report or paper, certainly an educational custom all Masonic organizations should consider.

Each of these scholars—deHoyos, Gettings, and Ford—has assisted Joan K. Sansbury, Librarian of the Supreme Council Library, in identifying, classifying, and selecting for restoration the most significant books in the Supreme Council Library. About 70 books have already been identified and restored or are being restored according to the most stringent archival standards.

In addition, a new secure rare book storage room has been constructed in the basement of the House of the Temple. Measuring over 22 by 9 feet, the vault is constructed of steel-reinforced concrete, fitted with a Mosler safe door, and has air-conditioning and humidification specifically appropriate to maintaining archival records.

The recently established fund supports this book restoration program and provides for the purchase of other appropriate rare books to enhance our Supreme Council collections. Donors of $100.00 or more will be made members of a new group, "Friends of the Library," and as contributions are received, donors at this contribution level will have their names published in the Scottish Rite Journal. Also, all donor names will be kept on a comprehensive computer file accessible through a carrel in the library’s main reading room. Brethren or others visiting the library will be able to consult this computer listing and see what important book was restored fully or in part by their contribution. Many Masons and non-Masons alike have already joined this effort, and their names are listed following this message. Each has received a personal letter of recognition and thanks.

Also, a Friends of the Library Newsletter will be published quarterly and distributed to every donor, whatever his or her level of donation. The Newsletter will detail all aspects of the book restoration effort, indicate gaps in the library’s collections where donations would be particularly valuable, list new acquisitions, include articles on Freemasonry and book restoration, and publish a list of current donors. I am pleased to be the first donor to this worthy project, and I wish to thank most sincerely the Brethren who have already joined the ranks of the Friends of the Library.

If you feel, as do I and Ill. Jackson, that "the future of Freemasonry lies in the education of the membership," I urge you to support this worthy Supreme Council project by designating a check, tax deductible, for the Book Restoration Fund and sending it to the House of the Temple Historic Preservation Foundation, 1733 16th St., NW, Washington, DC 20009–3103. In this way, you will make your mark—indelibly, strongly, and beneficially—on the future of the Scottish Rite and Freemasonry in the 21st century.