The 2001 Scottish Rite Research Society Membership Drive

Arturo de Hoyos, 33°
Member Of The Board, Scottish Rite Research Society
Grand Archivist And Grand Historian Of The Supreme Council, 33°
1733 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009–3103

A FREE 2001 Bicentennial Biennial Session Commemorative Medallion will be sent to any person sponsoring two annual Scottish Rite Research Society applications or one Life Membership in 2001 (January 1 to December 31).

"On the 31st May, 5801 [1801], the Supreme Council of the 33d degree for the United States of America, was opened with the high honors of Masonry, by Brothers John Mitchell and Frederick Dalcho, Sovereign Grand Inspectors General, and in the course of the present year, the whole number of Grand Inspectors General was completed, agreeably to the Grand Constitutions." These words, from the 1802 Circular throughout the two Hemispheres, announced to the world the creation of the Scottish Rite almost two hundred years ago. Could Brothers Mitchell, Dalcho, and the other "gentlemen from Charleston," have ever imagined that their Masonic Body, which had such humble beginnings, was destined to become the largest and one of the most revered Masonic organizations in the world?

As we prepare to celebrate the Bicentennial of our Supreme Council at the Biennial Session in October 2001, we will also be pleased to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the Scottish Rite Research Society. Since its creation in 1991, the Scottish Rite Research Society (SRRS) has not only become Freemasonry's fastest growing research group, but it is at the forefront in producing some of the finest research and publications in the Masonic world. SRRS members receive Heredom, our outstanding hardbound annual transactions of articles written by Society members, a subscription to the Plumbline, our quarterly newsletter, as well as free bonus books and other special offers.

In 2001, for instance, the bonus book will be Forms and Traditions of the Scottish Rite by our current Sovereign Grand Commander, Ill. C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33°. Hardbound and fully illustrated, this new book includes practical guides to conducting the ceremonies of Scottish Rite Bodies. In addition, there are several essays explaining the origin and significance of such typical Scottish Rite occasions as the Feast of Tishri, the conferral of the 14th Degree Ring, and the dedication of Scottish Rite buildings. Also, the book describes two new rituals in detail: a Day of Remembrance and Renewal and a ceremony for constituting a Scottish Rite Court of Honour. Taken together, we believe these benefits make SRRS membership the best deal in Masonry today. And sponsoring new Society applications in 2001 brings yet another bonus!

Bicentennial Biennial Session Commemorative Medallion Since 1969, the Supreme Council has produced attractive souvenir bronze medallions for its Biennial Sessions. These souvenirs have become highly collectable to Masonic enthusiasts, who treasure both the themes they portray and their beauty. Past commemoratives have depicted events ranging from Washington's laying of the cornerstone of the United States Capitol to the Apollo moon missions. (Past years' souvenirs and an album for keeping them are available for purchase at the Supreme Council's online store.).

This year, the Supreme Council has created what I believe is its most beautiful souvenir to date: a detailed bronze commemorative medallion (3" x 2" plaquette format) uniquely bordered and embellished with purple vitreous enamel. The obverse side (front panel) depicts both Shepheard's Tavern, Charleston, South Carolina, birthplace of the Supreme Council, and the House of the Temple, Washington, D.C., our present headquarters. On the four bordering edges appear the words, "The Supreme Council, 33° / Mother Council of the World / A.&A.S.R. of Freemasonry / Bicentennial Anniversary, 1801–2001." The reverse side depicts the portraits of all seventeen Sovereign Grand Commanders from 1801 (John Mitchell) to the present (C. Fred Kleinknecht). Each portrait appears in the link of a symbolic chain that is circumscribed and bordered with 33 stars. In the center of the circular chain appears a triangle bearing the Scottish Rite's double-headed eagle. The whole is flanked with the words "Sovereign Grand Commanders, 33° / Scottish Rite of Freemasonry," and beneath these are the dates 1801 and 2001. To order a Bicentennial pin, click here.) This medallion is available for purchase at a cost of $11.00 each loose, or $22.00 each embedded in Lucite® as a paperweight (S/H included). However, you can also get the medallion FREE.

A Special Offer To help celebrate its first decade, the Scottish Rite Research Society is sponsoring a special membership drive throughout the 2001 Bicentennial year. Any person sponsoring two Scottish Rite Research Society annual membership applications (not renewals) in one mailing with payment ($20.00 each), throughout the year 2001, will receive one complimentary loose Bicentennial Biennial Session medallion. (An application in .pdf format, which may be downloaded and faxed/mailed in, is available by clicking here.)

But this special offer doesn't stop there. For each additional two annual membership applications you sponsor in one mailing with payment, you will receive another free medallion! Submitting four new applications with payment will earn you two medallions, submitting six will earn three, and so on. Also, for each Life Membership (individuals only, $300 each) sponsored with payment, you will receive a free medallion. To review color images of all available commemorative souvenirs, which make beautiful keepsakes or gifts, or the special souvenir album available through the Supreme Council, click here. Or write, phone, fax for a list of books and other available items. See address below.

Remember, membership in the Scottish Rite Research Society is open to anyone, Mason or non-Mason. We exist to provide "more light in Masonry" by offering insightful and interesting articles on all aspects of our Fraternity, from the development of our rituals, to our history, to poetry and more. If you haven't joined yet, this is the year to join and become part of history! Send applications to:

Scottish Rite Research Society
1733 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009-3103

For more information: Tel 202–232–3579; Fax 202–387–1843; or E-mail: srrs@srmason-sj.org. Please send checks (payable to the Scottish Rite Research Society) or a signed credit card charge request (VISA or MasterCard only) with expiration date.

Arturo de Hoyos is a Past Master (1991–92) of McAllen Lodge No. 1110, McAllen, Texas, and a dual member of the S.R. Bodies of San Antonio, Texas and Santa Fe, N.M. He is the leading authority on the Scottish Rite's early history, official literature, and ritual development. He has published numerous articles and books on Freemasonry, and co-authored, with Ill. S. Brent Morris, 33°, G.C., the popular work, Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry? The Methods of Anti-Masons. Ill. de Hoyos also assists the Grand Commander and Grand Executive Director on special projects, advises the Supreme Council on constitutional and statutory matters, and monitors international Scottish Rite relations. Ill. de Hoyos is a member of the Knight York Cross of Honor, the Allied Masonic Degrees, the Red Cross of Constantine, the Royal Order of Scotland, Society of Blue Friars, the Grand College of Rites, and the Societatis Rosicruciana in Civitatibus Fœderatis.