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by: Brian C. Loughnan
Published on: 2004-10-19 |
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ANCIENT LANDMARKS
At the June 1997 Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, a motion concerning Landmarks was tabled for further study. The mover proposed that a note be included in the Constitution which would “ remove ambiguity between the Ancient Landmarks acknowledged by the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia and those attributed to Mackey”. Subsequently, this writer was tasked by the Grand Master to determine whether ambiguity did exist, and what action could be taken to resolve it.
The purpose of this paper is not to attempt to evaluate or question each of Dr. Albert Mackey's 25 Landmarks or the nine Landmarks and Fundamental Principles recognized by the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia; but rather to provide some historical background upon which to establish an appreciation of the intent of the tabled motion, and why it was necessary to propose it in the first place
Modern Freemasonry is generally considered to have started with the formation, in 1717, of the first Grand Lodge in London, referred to as the Premier Grand Lodge. This Grand Lodge formed a committee to review all the old manuscripts in an attempt to formulate a workable constitution for the benefit of all masons. The Rev. James Anderson was foremost in this committee and he published in 1723, "The Constitutions of Freemasonry", later revised in 1738. In this publication, Anderson mentioned the word "landmark" when he stated, that every annual Grand Lodge has an inherent power and authority to make and alter regulations for the real benefit of this Ancient Fraternity, provided always that the Old Landmarks be carefully preserved. Perhaps Dr. Anderson used the term landmark without attaching any particular meaning to it. Nevertheless, it touched off a debate that has been ongoing for about 280 years.
The term "landmarks" appears in our Ritual in the Charge in the Master Mason Degree and also twice during the installation of the Worshipful Master-elect. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that masons have attempted to define and enumerate the Landmarks over the years.
What is the definition of a Landmark in the context of Freemasonry? Our late Past Grand Master, R.V. Harris, defined a Landmark as "a fundamental law based on immemorial usage." He then defined immemorial usage as "any well-established practice or usage antedating 1717-23, when the first Grand Lodge of England was formed...".
A Landmark has also been described as a fundamental part of Freemasonry, it is something that cannot be altered without destroying the identity of Freemasonry. It is commonly held that a landmark must be something that existed before any known regulatory body could enact it. Otherwise that same regulatory body would have had the power to change or repeal it.
Landmarks, customs and usages are often considered to be the same thing. But, of course, they are not. We sometimes hear of "the Landmarks being in danger" or "it's a violation of the Ancient Landmarks" when a small correction is made to a ceremony or practice. On the subject of Landmarks, a masonic writer once claimed, "nobody knows what they comprise or omit; they are of no earthly authority, because everything is a Landmark when an opponent desires to silence you, but nothing is a Landmark that stands in his way." There is an element of truth in that!
Enough on definitions, let us return to the Obligation taken by the Master-elect during his installation. The Master-elect promises not to "... permit or suffer any deviation from the established Landmarks;". In view of this promise it would be helpful to know exactly what those "established Landmarks" comprise.
The Grand Lodge of England has never defined or listed the Landmarks, neither have the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland, for that matter. It appears that the penchant to list the Landmarks is peculiar to North America. One of the first attempts to do so was made in 1856 by Rob Morris when he listed 17 Landmarks. He was followed by Dr. Albert Mackey who compiled his list of 25. Other lists appeared, one containing as many as 54 landmarks and another only one. Each compiler was apparently inspired by his personal interpretations, and consensus on any one list was impossible to obtain. Even Grand Lodges got into the act. For example, the Grand Lodge of New Jersey, in 1902, instructed a committee to "Take up the question of the Ancient Landmarks of Masonry, and report to the next session of Grand Lodge what those Landmarks are, as applicable to the Masonic Law of New Jersey." The following year the committee chairman reported, "I wish to remind the brethren of one of two things: The first is, there are no Landmarks of New Jersey. Landmarks are universal. And another thing, that the Grand Lodge of New Jersey cannot repeal, alter, modify or amend a Landmark: They are immutable. The only question open to this Grand Lodge is whether this committee has been able to find them all, or whether they have picked out some and made a mistake, and called them `Landmarks' when they are not `Landmarks'."They eventually adopted a list of 16 Landmarks. At least they acknowledged their compilation may have been imperfect.
Around this same period, 1908 to be precise, the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, under instruction from the Grand Lodge, caused to be printed the "Landmarks or the Unwritten Law of Freemasonry" abridged from Mackey's code. Some copies were circulated throughout the jurisdiction. As a preface the following was printed:
"That the Ancient Landmarks of Freemasonry be read in every lodge in the Jurisdiction at least once a year either on the night of installation of officers, or at such other time as the Worshipful Master may direct." A similar statement was included as a section in the Constitution.
The practice of annual readings was not adhered to, however, probably owing to the ongoing debate on what really were Landmarks. When, in 1928, the Secretary of St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 1, asked the Grand Master for a ruling as to what the Ancient Landmarks of the Order were, the matter was referred to the Board of Jurisprudence. A special committee was formed to delve into “this important matter”.
It is clear from this that an attempt had been made to make the reading of Mackey’s Landmarks mandatory as a means of forcing their acceptance upon a reluctant brethren.
The committee reported the following year that it was, "not within their power or ability to undertake to define and enumerate the Ancient Landmarks....". The committee further noted that Mackey's code was adopted by only 10 Grand Lodges in the United States, and by none outside the U.S.. The committee recommended that instead of enforcing the reading of the Landmarks in the Lodges once a year, a copy of Mackey's code of Landmarks (in a booklet form) be presented to every brother upon receiving the Third Degree. Further, he should be given a short charge respecting "the 7 leading and universally recognized Landmarks and Fundamental Principles of the order. This charge is now part of the preface in the booklet under the heading "Declaration of Principles."
The section of the Constitution respecting annual reading of the Landmarks was then repealed. That is to say, it was no longer mandatory to read the Landmarks annually. The "Declaration of Principles" is also found in Chapter 1, section 1 of the current Constitution and lists 9 "Ancient Landmarks and Fundamental Principle". Two more had mysteriously appeared. You will note the Grand Lodge did not, and does not, commit themselves to state which are Landmarks and which are Fundamental Principles. R.V. Harris acknowledged this list was based on the code of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, prepared by Roscoe Pound, which that Grand Lodge declared to be Landmarks.
It appears that ambiguity does exist. Annual reading of the Landmarks continues in our Lodges today, often as a requirement of individual Lodge by-laws. Many Lodges read everything contained within the booklet; i.e. the preface including the "Statement Re Landmarks" and the "Declaration of Principles" followed by a recitation of all 25 of Dr. Mackey's Landmarks in their entirety. Other Lodges read only Mackey's 25 Landmarks, disregarding the preface completely. This would imply that Mackey's code has official recognition as the Landmarks of this Grand Jurisdiction, which, of course, is false.
The fact that the booklet containing Mackey's Landmarks was presented "...to every newly raised Master Mason for his information and guidance and as an introduction to the study of Masonic law," has been misinterpreted by many of the brethren, and has added credence to the belief that these are the recognized Landmarks of Ancient Freemasonry.
Many modern masonic researchers and writers believe that Albert Mackey's code of Landmarks contain many dubious interpretations and should not be blindly accepted. The Constitution of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia clearly outlines the Landmarks and Fundamental Principles acknowledged in this Jurisdiction. Serious masonic scholars may continue to consider the relevance of Mackey's Landmarks. However, in our jurisdiction it is recommended that the only relevant Landmarks be those contained in our Constitution. These are the only Landmarks that ought to be read in our Lodge rooms to prevent perpetuation of the misunderstanding concerning Landmarks. It is also recommended that the practice of presenting the booklet of Mackey's Landmarks be discontinued. Unfortunately, a motion to this effect, proposed by this writer, was defeated at the Communication of Grand Lodge, in 1998.
In the presentation of this paper, I have attempted to provide an historical account on the subject of Landmarks in the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia and to show that an ambiguity does indeed exist and, to make the point that the constitutional requirement to read the Landmarks in Lodges annually, ceased 74 years ago.
Masonic education on this subject could have prevented the occurrence of this predicament. Certainly, more open Lodge discussion and education on this and other practices should be encouraged. We must learn where we have come from in order to be better armed to plan the future of Freemasonry in Nova Scotia.
Brian C. Loughnan, PGL |
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