Masonic Crusade

This was sent to us today from an unknown Brother. Please take the time to read and reflect on his thoughts.

Thoughts from a 50-Yr. WV Mason

I've seen a lot happen in WV Masonry, most of which is that we have not moved forward in time since the 1880s when my maternal grandfather rode his horse by moonlight home from his Lodge meetings. He financially sacrificed much to be a Mason and he was proud of it.

Modernization in WV Masonry is not possible. From its very beginnings, it was never meant to be, but then it did not need to be modern - it already was. What we see today in West Virginia is a perversion of his Masonry- an attempt to return us to the pre-civil war days - as we even ignore even the US flag in our Lodges, at least as part of our ritual. Many of my classmates fought and died for the freedom to dissent. Only 2 from my company that landed at Normandy even made it to the beach - the others died in the ocean. It literally makes me sick to think that, in particular, one PGM has for 40 years stressed the need to "not alienate" our visiting brethren by saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the US Flag, because they might be from a foreign land. This is absolute "baloney", let this bean counter go swim in the ocean with a full-field pack amidst machine gun fire and artillery, then see if he sings the same tune about the flag. (More)

Brethren,

I encourage all of you to educate yourselves on all the issues raised in these discussions. Pick up some of the old proceedings (pre-WWII) and give them a good, sincere, open minded look. Masonry was very different then and before the great depression. Look at Masonry across this great land. Study it's beginnings and the founders of the craft both here and our European Brethren. Then you will understand how far we have strayed. Not in ritual but in state of mind.We once had a research society in West Virginia that published monthly magazines. We once used slides and carpets to further educate our initiates. I now leave you with this prayer to keep your focus. 

“O powerful Goodness! bountiful Father! merciful Guide! increase in me that wisdom which discovers my truest interest. strengthen my resolutions to perform what that wisdom dictates. Accept my kind offices to thy other children as the only return in my power for thy continual favors to me.”

Remember all the brethren of West Virginia, on both sides of these issues, in your prayers as we go through this difficult, but necessary reformation, that the light of truth and true brotherly love will prevail.

 R. Saunders

It has come to our attention that the recent edicts mailed to the lodges appear to be numbered or serialized. We assume that this is another tactic to expose the members of the  Masonic Crusade. Brethren it is our fear that copies are being made and passed around that might cause more faithful brethren to be expelled needlessly.

Specifically the edicts have some additional characters at the lower left corner that are different from lodge to lodge. Those edicts and cover letter will be posted here shortly once we are certain we can do so without putting any brother or lodge in jeopardy.

Brethren, does this sound like a fair democratic society that we can be proud to belong to? Or does it seem more like a repressive dicatorship that is on a witch hunt, trying to ferret out those that dissent? 

This kind of behavior from our ELECTED leaders is unacceptable!

I encourage you to speak to the Junior Grand Officers and tell them that silence is not acceptable. Those who will not speak out or stand with us, are against us and stand with those that we oppose. 

A Mason

"The dream lives on and will not die!" - MW Frank Joseph Haas PGM 

Brethren,

Here is a copy of the 2006 Wheeling reforms that MW Haas put forth to the Craft. For those that are from outside it may help to clarify exactly what was voted on. 

Link 

A Mason 

For those that are interested you can see a copy of the edict expelling MW Frank Haas.

Here is the original 

Here is the annotated version that includes the laws cited.  

A Mason 

Editorial Note: As you read the edicts you will notice we have been accused of publishing false information. If anyone locates ANY false information on this site please notify us. It will be removed. IT IS OUR POLICY TO ONLY PUBLISH INFORMATION THAT IS VERIFIED AS TRUE. We can only wish Grand Lodge would adopt this policy as well.

We can be emailed at masoniccrusade@gmail.com
All emails will be kept completely anonymous 

Brethren,

Recently we have heard that some brethren are afraid to visit or post to this site. The fear is that they will be expelled for having opinions counter to Grand Lodge. Please know that this site is secure and you may read or post here and KNOW that your identity will be safe. There are NO emails required to post. You may choose any name you like. 

Do not look over your shoulder while you read. We live in a Free Country with freedom of conscience and thought! There were many faithful Masons who died to give us that freedom! The Grand Master does not have the power to take that away! 

You should also know that the officers of Grand Lodge are watching and reading here.  Let them know how you feel. 

A Mason 

We all know the lesson we have learned of a hasty plan that is not well thought out. Nothing is accomplished and in the end justice is served. It appears that we have all witnessed a re-enactment of that lesson this week. We can assume that their object was the silencing of dissension. Do they really believe that expulsions will silence the dissension,  that Hiram will cease and this site close? How many more brethren must be sacrificed to convince Grand Lodge that we  must be heard. The Craft is now in confusion. There are no designs on the trestleboard and true masonry can nowhere be found in West Virginia.

 (More)

Brethren another faithful brother took the time to compile some pertinant parts of the 15th Edition of the lawbook that speak to the highly irregular actions of expelling a Mason without a proper Masonic Trial.

Comments not in the lawbook are marked in blue.

The real issue is by what authority did the Grand Master expel a Mason in this jurisdiction without a proper trial? 

This is not hearsay or opinion but sound Masonic Law and can be looked up by any Mason with a lawbook! Read on for more specifics.... (More)

Today, Grand Master Charlie L. Montgomery expelled Frank Haas, Past Grand Master from Masonry by edict that he had prepared and read at a stated communication of Wellsburg Lodge #2.  Richard Bosely was also expelled.  There  is also a report that Wellsburg Lodge was placed on probation for requesting a Masonic Trial for MW Haas. We will obtain further information and post it here.

Brethren it should be brutally clear now that NO DISSENSION WILL BE ALLOWED.

You are living in historic times for West Virginia Masonry.

   More to Follow....

A Mason

Brethren

I have been reading the excellent posts on this site and wanted to clarify a few items.  I hope that none of my comments were construed as being revolutionary. I like many of the other posters here believe in the concept of Grand Lodge. I do however believe that we have come to the point that the line must be held and indeed pushed back in time. We must do it through legal Masonic means. It is my opinion that if we do not, we will look as bad as those we oppose and history will treat us no better. Have you ever read Orwell's Animal Farm? There is little future in taking over the system as is. It needs fixed and we can all participate in that.

I would like to call for some debate from the officers of Grand Lodge. I am sure some at least look at this site from time to time. Please post your thoughts. You've nothing to fear from letting us know you are here. Your card is safe. If you prefer to, post anonymously. It would be great if we could all meet and talk this over, but that is not possible.  Therefore if you are reading, ask our Grand Master to give us his thoughts.  Print out the comments and at least ask him to read them. There are angry brethren here, but there are also many eloquent statements of fact.

This site exists because the brethren of West Virginia want free speech in Grand Lodge. They want their voice heard. They pay for it in their dues and they deserve it. They want Grand Lodge their way. That is not a Masonic High Crime and in this enlightened Internet Society, they will get it or move on. I realize that the current Grand Lodge does not fear this. It is my opinion they want the culling of the malcontents and so called radicals. They feel that a smaller core group will be able to maintain the traditions that they cling to. It is also my opinion they will kill Freemasonry in West Virginia. When they realize they are wrong it will be too late. There are ways out of this that can be agreeable to both sides, but it will take debate and change.

A Mason

It has come to our attention that after the meeting of Wellsburg Lodge #2 on Monday night,  Worshipful Brother Richard K. Bosley, Deputy Grand Lecturer was given the opportunity to speak along with the other Grand Officers. As he spoke, Dick voiced his displeasure of the regard for the vote of the Craft after the Grand Lodge session at Wheeling and the lack of a full debate and constitutional ballot at the Grand Lodge session at Charleston.  Those present say that he was persistent but respectful.  Our Grand Master asked him to desist and take his seat, which, after a short while, he did.  We have learned that after the meeting, the Grand Master dismissed him as a Deputy Grand Lecturer and took his apron and apron case. Also present was our Grand Master along with Most Worshipful Brother Ronald L. Winnett, Grand Master of Ohio and several Ohio brethren,

Clearly it is now considered an offense to disagree politely with the Grand Lodge Officers. 

Is this how we want OUR Grand Lodge to operate?

A Mason

Brethren we are taught to be patient in all things.... This site has not died nor has the pursuit of freedom of conscience. Be patient a little longer and above all as I M Hiram has told us... do not be afraid!

A Mason