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Research
Within Freemasonry there are a variety of Research Lodges, groups and study circles. By no means all of them are concerned with Masonic history, symbolism etc. but some are interested in Mark Tokens, Masonic Jewels, Postage Stamps to name but a few. Indeed the Rosslyn Templars are such a 'subject specific group'. All are engaged in research in one form or another and so merit at least a mention. Click on the link to go to a page which lists such research groups.
The oldest (120 years) Lodge of Research is Quatuor Coronati Lodge, No.2076 (London, England). The Lodge produces annual Transactions (AQC) which are an invaluable source of information on Masonic matters. Fuller details are provided below. It is unique among Masonic Lodges. It is a Masonic Lodge but one which is exclusively concerned with Masonic Research.
Click on the link to go to a page listing the contents of the latest Transaction (Vol.115).
QUATUOR CORONATI LODGE No. 2076
The Premier Lodge of Masonic Research
Website:
The Lodge was founded in 1884 by a group of nine brethren: Sir Charles Warren (then a Colonel but later a General), W. Harry Rylands, Robert Freke Gould, the Revd Adolphus F.A. Woodford, Sir Walter Besant, John P. Rylands, Major Sisson C. Pratt, William James Hughan and George W. Speth. All were scholars and some were highly distinguished in the field of Masonic study.
The Lodge's warrant was issued by the United Grand Lodge of England on 28 November 1884 but, because the Master-designate, Brother Warren, had been despatched on a diplomatic and military mission to Africa, it was not until 12 January 1886 that the ceremony of Consecration could be performed.
The founders' objectives were to develop for brethren everywhere an interest in research; to encourage study of the many facets of Freemasonry; to have papers read in the lodge and for them to be open to discussion and, if appropriate, criticism; to attract the attention and to enlist the co‑operation of Masonic scholars in all parts of the world.
By these they established a new style of research into Freemasonry. It ignored baseless conclusions that had been derived from the imaginative writings of earlier authors and, because of this, the lodge came to be regarded as the `authentic school' of Masonic students. Through the members' efforts the works of previous historians came under close scrutiny and much that had formerly been accepted as reliable was rejected.
The founders inaugurated what was to become a comprehensive library and which, in more recent times, has as a matter of convenience been amalgamated with that of the United Grand Lodge of England. [The lodge, however, retains control of its books and documents.] The founders further resolved to publish facsimiles of and to reprint rare and valuable books, manuscripts and papers; much has been done and the work continues.
The name of the lodge, Quatuor Coronati [Latin scholars would prefer 'Quattuor'!], was chosen because of its connection with the craft of the operative stonemason. The `Four Crowned Ones' were martyred on 8 November in AD 302 and were regarded as the patron saints of stonemasons throughout Europe from about 400 to 1600. The installation meeting of the lodge takes place on the second Thursday in November, this being the nearest practicable date to that of their martyrdom.
Since the lodge was formed, membership has been by invitation which is extended only to brethren of any regular Constitution who have made important contributions in the field of Masonic study or who are otherwise distinguished in art, literature or the sciences. [A list of the present members is at page iii.]
The Transactions, Ars Quatuor Coronatorum, are published annually and include the papers read at the lodge meetings together with the discussion which they generated. Many others, in as wide a variety as possible, will also appear together with reviews of books of Masonic interest, and questions which have been sent to the editor for answer by him or by the lodge member best qualified on a particular subject. A full set of all the volumes is necessarily a `collector's item' and, when on the market, will be priced accordingly (a four‑figure sum at least!), but all are available for research in the library of the United Grand Lodge of England, and at several other headquarters. Issues of more recent years can sometimes be obtained singly or in short `runs'. An enquiry at QCCC Limited may prove helpful in this respect.
The mention of that organization, whose offices are located within Freemasons' Hall, London, brings us to the Correspondence Circle of the lodge which is described on the next page. For some few years it has been necessary to entrust its administration to a company, limited by guarantee, consisting of all the full members of Quatuor Coronati Lodge under an elected governing council. Brethren of the Correspondence Circle are associate members of the Company.
THE CORRESPONDENCE CIRCLE
The newly formed Quatuor Coronati Lodge soon gave thought to ways and means of communicating with serious Masonic students at home and abroad and early in 1887 the Correspondence Circle was inaugurated.
Membership is open to Master Masons of all regular Constitutions and to lodges thereof. Masonic study groups (by whatever name) and libraries are equally welcome to join. Chapters, councils, etc., in degrees and Orders beyond the Craft, provided that they are in amity with their English counterparts, may also seek association.
PRIVILEGES
Except that they may not hold office or exercise a vote either in the lodge or in the company, individual brethren of the Correspondence Circle enjoy privileges similar to those which are extended to the full members of the lodge itself. These are:
1. To receive, immediately upon joining, a complimentary copy of a recent volume of Ars Quatuor Coronatorum ‑ the lodge transactions.
2. To receive, annually, the latest volume of Ars Quatuor Coronatorum.
3. To receive summonses to lodge meetings. In almost every instance, these have a `questions and answers' section largely inspired by queries which have been submitted.
4. To attend all meetings of Quatuor Coronati Lodge, wherever held, and to participate in discussing the papers which are read. [The lodge members dine together after each meeting. Members of the Correspondence Circle and other visiting brethren are cordially invited to dine with them and, like them, to defray the cost of the meal, which will be collected at the table. Notice of intention to dine must be given to the QCCC office at least forty‑eight hours prior to the date of the meeting.]
5. To submit to the Editor questions relating to Freemasonry. Considered answers will be given as speedily as possible.
6. To be able to purchase books published by the lodge and obtain or order from the QCCC office other Masonic books and also regalia, of which catalogues are regularly issued to members of the Correspondence Circle.
CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP
Master Masons who are members of a lodge, chapter, etc., which has corporate membership of the Correspondence Circle may enjoy many of the privileges already described. However, the Secretary of the lodge (or the equivalent) receives only one copy of Ars Quatuor Coronatorum per year and one copy of each summons. The volume circulates but slowly, if at all, among the brethren and the summonses will at best be `tabled' during lodge meetings. It can thus be seen that there are weighty advantages of individual membership in the Correspondence Circle.
VISITING SPEAKERS
Every endeavour will be made to provide a speaker for a Masonic meeting, provided that ample notice of the requirement is given to the Secretary of Quatuor Coronati Lodge. There is no fee but it is expected that the speaker's expenses will be reimbursed and that overnight accommodation will be arranged when necessary.
LODGE PROGRAMMES
There are now more than a hundred volumes of the lodge transactions and in them can be found papers, notes, answers to questions, etc., which can be read at Lodge meetings. The Editor will be happy to assist a Lodge for which such a meeting is being planned and will arrange for photocopies of relevant papers to be supplied at cost.
HOW TO JOIN THE CORRESPONDENCE CIRCLE
Write to `The Secretary, Q.C.C.C. Ltd., 60 Great Queen Street, London WC2B 5BA, for an application form (or contact your Local Secretary, whose name and address is given in this volume). It needs only the signature of the Master or Secretary of your lodge, or that of any member of the Correspondence Circle. No 'seconder' is needed.
In Scotland to become a member of the Correspondence Circle of this unique Masonic Lodge contact your local Secretary or telephone the Curator of the Grand Lodge of Museum and Library, Brother Robert L. D. Cooper (0131 225 5304). Masonic Lodges are also welcome to join the Correspondence Circle.
In the United States of America the Scottish Rite Research Society (SRRS) is a major force in the study of Freemasonry. Based in Washington D.C. the society issues an annual publication: Heredom - The Transactions of the Scottish Rite Research Society.
Volume 9 for 2001 is available now. The Contents of that volume are:
Board of Directors
From the Editor
Masonic Membership Myths Debunked John L. Belton, P M
The Egyptian Influence on Nineteenth-Century Freemasonry Paul Rich, 32°, Fellow & David Merchant
The "Jack the Ripper" Murders: Examination of Alleged Masonic Connections Paul M. Bessel, 32°, K C C H
The Early Years of the Grand Consistory of Louisiana (1811-1815) - A Rejoinder Arturo de Hoyos, 33°
A Few "Rejoinder" Comments Michael Poll, 32°
King Solomon & the Temple Builders: A Biblical Reading of Giorgione, Painting "The Three Philosophers" Ned K. MacLennan, 32° & Ross S. Kilpatrick
Service Over Secrecy: How Lodge-Style Fraternalism Yielded to Men's Service Clubs Clifford Putney
The Spurious Rites of Memphis and Misraim Albert Pike, 33° William L. Cummings, 33°
An Evaluation of Grand Masters Classes in the District of Columbia Paul M. Bessel, 32°. K C C H
Freemasonry as a Source of Jewish Civic Rights in Late Eighteenth-Century Vienna and Philadelphia R. William Weisberger, 32°
Scottish Definitions and Transitions Lisa Kahler
Johann August Starck: The Templar Legend and the Clerics lain Bernheim, 33°
UNESCO of the Eighteenth Century: La Loge des Need Sours and Its Venerable Maser, Benjamin Nicholas Hans
Fellows of the Scottish Rite Research Society
Albert Gallatin Mackey Awards
Index
The Society's website can be accessed by clicking: Scottish Rite Research Society or on the image below
Postal address:
Scottish Rite Research Society, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
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