Description
Book SynopsisFreemasonry bears the imprint of the society in which it exists, and Freemasonry in North America is no exception. While keeping close ties to French lodges until 1913, American Freemasonry was also deeply influenced by the experiences of many early American political leaders, leading to distinctive differences from European lodges.
The author investigates the racial split in American Freemasonry between black lodges and white and how, unlike French lodges, women are ineligible to become Masons in the U.S. He examines how American Freemasonry has remained deeply religious across the centuries and forbids discussion of religious or social issues in its lodges, unlike some branches of French Freemasonry, which removed belief in God as a prerequisite for membership in 1877 and whose lodges operate in some respects as philosophical debating societies. Revealing the factors that have resulted in shrinking Masonic enrollment in America, the author explores the revitalization work done by the Grand Lodge of California and sounds the call to make Freemasonry and its principles relevant to America once again.
Trade Review“
American Freemasonry is everything one should expect from an author with Alain de Keghel’s impressive resume. The author is a committed and accomplished Freemason, scholar, historian, and career diplomat. The book reflects his years of travel, study, and extensive Masonic activity around the world. It should be read by every American Freemason who is willing to learn and think beyond what he is exposed to in everyday Masonic study. Mr. de Keghel presents an extensive history of our Craft on both sides of the ocean and philosophical divides, which is well worth the effort to read and ponder. It may be a very long time, if ever, that we may reconcile the differences outlined in the book. This should not prevent us but rather encourage us to better understand how our brothers from other Masonic traditions practice their Craft and how they perceive us. Reading this book should further promote interaction with all our brothers
within the bounds of our obligations. Interaction is always a good thing, especially with a group with whom, despite our differences, we have so very much in common. I highly recommend this book to every inquiring Freemason.” * Martin L. Kanter, past master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York *
“I recommend this volume to any with an interest in the development of the Craft in the United States and am confident it will make a serious and useful investment of their time. De Keghel’s view from a Scottish Rite perspective is of particular interest to me, a York Rite as well as a Scottish Rite Mason. I encourage all serious students of this subject to include American Freemasonry into their library.” * Edmund D. Harrison, 33º, general grand high priest (2011–2014) *
Table of ContentsForeword by Margaret C. Jacob, Ph.D.
Foreword by Arturo de Hoyos, 33°
PREFACE
Interpreting American Freemasonry throughout Time
1 Freemasonry in Pioneer America
2 At the Order’s Origins The United Lodge of England
3 The American Spiritual Infusion and Freemasonry
4 The Masonic Tradition The Specifically American Features of Rituals and Institutions
5 Black American Freemasonry
6 The Charity of an Order Challenged by Change
7 American Masonry Confronted by the Initiation of Women
8 Relations and Ruptures with French Freemasonry
9 French Freemasonry in North America, Yesterday and Today
10 A Little American Masonic Perspective in a Changing World
11 Is the Overall Decline in Membership the Herald of Profound Changes?
AFTERWORD
Freemasonry in North America by John L. Cooper III Appendices
APPENDIX I
Statistical Studies of the Evolution of the Membership of American and Canadian Grand Lodges APPENDIX II American Demographic Studies U.S. Census Bureau and the Washington Post
APPENDIX III Speech on the Occasion of the Commemoration of the Twentieth Anniversary of the Lighting of the Fires (May 3, 2009) Bo∴ of Bro∴ Alain de Keghel, Former Venerable Master of the W∴ L∴ La Fayette 89, Or∴ of Washington
APPENDIX IV
Sacramento Seminar of 2002, Organized by the Grand Lodge of California
APPENDIX V Geneva Declaration (May 7, 2005)
APPENDIX VI Declaration of Basel (June 10, 2012)
APPENDIX VII Declaration of Vienna (January 29, 2014)
APPENDIX VIII
Extracts from the Report of the Commission on Information for Recognition of the American Grand Lodges at the Conference of Baltimore in 2014
APPENDIX IX Letter of the Sovereign Grand Commander Alain de Keghel to the Northern Jurisdiction
APPENDIX X Thirty-fifth Anniversary of the George Washington Union
APPENDIX XI
George Washington Union A Progressive American Obedience
Notes
Bibliography
Index of Names
Subject Index
