Short Talk Bulletin Vol 11 No 10

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SHORT TALK BULLETIN - Vol.XI   October, 1933   No.10 

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, FREEMASON 

by: unknown 

The genius of Franklin was so overwhelming, and manifested in so many  
different directions, that no short paper can even list his  
achievements; the American Philosophical Society requires twenty  
large book pages merely to catalog his inventions, discoveries,  
accomplishments and the events in which he was intimately concerned.   
Printer, author, editor, inventor, scientist, diplomat; founder of  
schools, postal systems, government; ambassador, wit, speaker;  
philosopher, politician and Freemason, he was not only the amazing  
intellect, the Voltaire of Colonial America, but one of the most  
complex and gifted men of all times.  He was the Francis Bacon of his  
age, far ahead of the years in which he lived, and as such, the  
subject of criticism from those who did not understand him. 
Certain facts of his Masonic career stand out; particularly it is to  
be noted that Franklin was not merely a lodge member content with  
that and nothing more, but a Freemason intensely interested in his  
Craft, willing to give his enormous powers for its welfare, and  
leaving an indelible impress on its history in this country.  His  
activities were so great and his Masonry so influential in his life,  
there seems little reason for historians to quarrel about matters of  
dates and “firsts”  in connection with his revered name. 
We do not know exactly when Franklin was initiated; it was in 1731  
and probably at the February meeting of St.  John’s Lodge in  
Philadelphia.  Nor do we know when St.  Johns’s Lodge was born. From  
an old and extraordinarily interesting account book, the famous  
“Liber B,” we know the Lodge was in existence as early as December  
1730.  Whether it was a “duly constituted Lodge” or a lodge meeting  
only under the authority of Ancient Custom, cannot here be stated.   
Many lodges in the early days so met; the Lodge at Fredricksburg, for  
instance, in which Washington was initiated, had no charter until  
after he became a member, although oral tradition says it met under  
authority of Massachusetts. 
Prior to his initiation, Franklin had poked a little fun at the  
Freemasons in his “Pennsylvania Gazette.”  Some historians think this  
was to “advertise” himself to St.  John’s Lodge so that when he  
applied he would not be regarded as a stranger.  Others see it merely  
as the witty writing of a man who knew little of the Fraternity.   
Whatever the reason, Franklin’s membership changed his style of  
writing in the Gazette.   He published story after story about  
Freemasonry in America in general and Pennsylvania and Philadelphia  
in particular;  these have become foundation stones on which is  
erected the early history of Freemasonry in this nation. 
That Franklin should immediately raise his head above the generality  
of the members of St John’s Lodge was inevitable.  His whole life of  
public service, his boundless courage, which led him to express  
himself roundly on the non-popular side of many questions, his  
tremendous ability, would naturally bring him to the fore.  It is not  
surprising then that he was very soon (1735) elected Secretary, an  
office he held until 1738.  What is surprising, supposing our early  
brethren were as conservative as are we, is to find him a member of a  
committee to draft by-laws of his lodge in 1732; to this happening we  
are indebted for certain pages in “Liber B” in the handwriting of the  
great patriot. 
Still more amazing in these days of lengthy years of service before a  
brother receives any recognition in Grand Lodge, is his appointment  
as Junior Warden of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania on St. John the  
Baptist’s Day, June 24, 1732.  No attempt will here be made to go  
into those matters of Masonic historical controversy at issue between  
brethren in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. No opinion is here  
expressed as to whether that Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania was or was  
not a “duly constituted body.”  Here the title is used as it was by  
Franklin.  Even those who believe that this Grand Lodge was not  
“really” a Grand Lodge but only St John’s Lodge working as a Grand  
Lodge, are glad to know that Franklin became its Grand Master in  
1734. 
The first or Mother Grand Lodge was formed in London in 1717.  Six  
years after “Anderson’s Constitutions” was first published.  The  
second edition did not appear until 1738, and by 1734, the edition of  
1723 was long exhausted.  This was an opportunity - who better might  
print the “Constitutions” for American Masons than the Grand Master?   
The “Pennsylvania Gazette, from May 9 to 16, 1734, carried the  
following advertisement:   
“THE CONSTITUTIONS OF THE FREEMASON;  Containing the History,  
Charges, Regulations, etc., of that most ancient and Right Worshipful  
Fraternity, London Printed, Reprinted, by B. Franklin, in the year of  
Masonry 5734.  Price Stitch’d 2s6, bound 4s.” 
The book was delayed; perhaps even Franklin’s press was subject to  
the slowness which modern authors sometimes find in printing houses!   
It was not until August that the “Masons’ Book” was ready; then  
seventy copies were sent to Boston, others to Charleston, and still  
later, more to Boston.  Some fifteen copies of the Masonic rarity are  
still cherished in Masonic Libraries. 
On November 28, 1734, he wrote twice to Massachusetts.  
One letter was to Henry Price, “Right Worshipful Grand Master” and  
the Grand Lodge in Massachusetts.  The other was to “Dear Brother  
Price.”  With one other, these are the only known letters Franklin  
wrote about Freemasonry. They are important enough to quote: 
“Right Worshipful Grand Master and Most Worthy and Dear Brethren: 
“We acknowledge your favor of the 23rd of October past, and rejoice  
that the Grand Master (whom God Bless) hath so happily recovered from  
his late indisposition; and we now, glass in hand, drink to the  
establishment of his health, and the prosperity of your whole Lodge. 
“We have seen in the Boston prints an article of news from London,  
importing that a Grand Lodge held there in August last, Mr. Price’s  
deputation and power was extended over all America, which advice we  
hope is true, and we heartily congratulate him thereupon and though  
this has not been as yet regularly signified to us by you, yet,  
giving credit thereto, we think it our duty to lay before your Lodge  
what we apprehend needful to be done for us in order to promote and  
strengthen the interest of Masonry in this Provence (which seems to  
want the sanction of some authority derived from home to give the  
proceedings and determinations of our Lodge their due weight) to wit,  
a Deputation or Charter granted by the Right Worshipful Mr. Price, by  
virtue of his commission from Britain, confirming the Brethren of  
Pennsylvania in the privileges they at present enjoy of holding  
annually their Grand Lodge, choosing their Grand Master, Wardens and  
other officers, who may manage all affairs relating to the Brethren  
here with full power and authority, according the customs and usages  
of Masons, the said Grand Master of Pennsylvania only yielding his  
chair, when the Grand Master of all America shall be in place.  This,  
if it seems good and reasonable to you to grant, will not only be  
extremely agreeable to us, but will also, we are confident, conduce  
much to the welfare, establishment and reputation of Masonry in these  
parts.  We therefore submit it for your consideration, and, as we  
hope our request will be complied with, we desire that it may be done  
as soon as possible, and also accompanied with a copy of the R.W.  
Grand Master’s first Deputation, and of the instrument by which it  
appears to be enlarged as above-mentioned, witnessed by your Wardens,  
and signed by the secretary; for which favours this Lodge doubts not  
of being able to behave as not to be thought ungrateful. 
“We are, Right Worshipful Grand Master and Most Worthy Brethren, Your  
affectionate Brethren and obliged humble servants, Signed at the  
request of the Lodge, 
B. Franklin, G.M. Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1734” 
“Dear Brother Price: - I am glad to hear of your full recovery.  I  
hoped to have seen you here this Fall, agreeable to the expectation  
you were so good as to give me; but since sickness has prevented your  
coming while the weather was moderate, I have no room to flatter  
myself with a visit from you before the Spring, when a deputation of  
the Brethren here will have an opportunity  of showing how much they  
esteem you.  I beg leave to recommend their request to you, and  
inform you, that some false and rebel  foreigners, being about to set  
up a distinct Lodge in opposition to the old and true Brethren here,  
pretending to make Masons for a bowl of punch, and the Craft is like  
to come into disesteem among us unless the true Brethren are  
countenanced and distinguished by some special authority as herein  
desired.  I entreat, therefore, that whatever you shall think proper  
to do herein may be sent by the next post, if possible, or the next  
following. 
“I am, Your Affectionate Brother and Humble Servt” 
B. Franklin, G.M. Pennsylvania,  Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1734” 
“P.S. - If more of the Constitutions are wanted among you, please  
hint me.” 
The address upon the letters is: 
To Mr. Henry Price 
At the Brazen Head Boston.“N.E.” 
These letters are variously “explained” according to the point of  
view of the apologists. M.W. Melvin M. Johnson, Past Grand Master of  
Massachusetts, noted Masonic historian, says: 
“Should all other evidence and arguments be disregarded, these  
letters are definite and final.  They establish that Pennsylvania  
Masonry as wanting in authority, i.e., was not duly constituted; that  
Henry Price was the ‘Founder of Duly Constituted Masonry in  
America.’” 
Brother J.E. Burnett Buckenham, M.D., writing  as Librarian and  
Curator of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, in “The Amazing Benjamin  
Franklin,” says: 
“Whether these letters were written as an excuse for bringing up the  
subject of the sale of more  
Constitution Books, or from a real (rather than fancied) danger to  
the Craft from not having a warrant of constitution, the writer does  
not pretend to say.” 
In 1738 were heard the first rumblings of that anti-Masonic  
excitement which was to shake the Masonic world nearly a hundred  
years later.  A young man was killed as a result of a mock Masonic  
initiation.  This was seized upon by a rival of Franklin, Willliam  
Bradford, publisher of the “American Weekly Mercury,” as a pretext on  
which to launch attacks on Franklin and his connection with  
Freemasonry.  The incident raised anxiety in the hearts of Franklin’s  
father and mother over their son’s being a member of the Order.  To  
allay their fears, Franklin wrote his father, April 13, 1738, as  
follows: 
“As to the Freemasons, I know of no way of giving my mother a better  
account of them than she seems to have at present, since it is not  
allowed that women should be admitted into that secret society.  She  
has, I must confess on that account some reason to be displeased with  
it; but for anything else, I must entreat her to suspend her judgment  
till she is better informed, unless she will believe me, when I  
assure her that they are in general a very harmless sort of people,  
and have no principles or practices that are inconsistent with  
religion and good manners.” 
According to Old Masonic and family traditions the cornerstone of the  
Statehouse in Philadelphia (Independence Hall), built while Franklin  
was Grand Master, was laid by him and the Brethren of St. John’s  
Lodge. 
Franklin was too busy to visit much Masonically.  In 1743 he held  
Fraternal communion with his brethren in the First (St. John’s) Lodge  
of Boston.  Later (1749 ) Thomas Oxnard of Boston, appointed him  
Provincal Grand Master.  This appointment only lasted a year; he was  
deposed from his high estate in 1750, when William Allen received the  
appointment; Allen immediately appointed Franklin Deputy Grand  
Master.. 
In 1752 he visited Tun Tavern Lodge; two years later he was present  
at the Quarterly Communication of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts,  
and in 1755 he was prominent in the anniversary and dedication of the  
“Freemason’s Lodge in Philadelphia,” the first Masonic building in  
this nation.  Late in 1760, with his son, Franklin visited the Grand  
Lodge in London. 
Among his first actions in France when he appeared as Ambassador,  
were affiliations with Masonic Lodges.  In 1777 he was elected a  
member of the famous “Lodge des Neuf Soeurs” (Lodge of the Nine  
Sisters, or Nine Muses) of Paris, and in 1778 he assisted in  
Voltaire’s initiation into this Lodge.  What a meeting that must have  
been, and what events may of had their beginnings in the meeting of  
these two brilliant minds - the Frenchman caustic, tart, rapier-like  
in wit, scathing in denunciation of wrong and evil; Franklin smooth,  
suave, direct, sensible, keen as his French contem-porary - both  
laying aside their defensive arms of wit and diplomacy to meet upon  
the level and part upon the square.  Alas, it was not for long -  
within the year Franklin helped bury the famous Frenchman with  
Masonic honors.  The following year (1779) he was elected Master of  
the Lodge of the Nine Sisters; and it was not definitely known how  
much he actually served for he was but an honorary Master. 
In 1782 he became a member of Lodge de Saint Jean de Jerusalem, and  
the following year was elected Venerable d’Honneur of that body.  The  
same year he was elected honorary member of Lodge des bons Amis (Good  
Friends), Rouen 
In the dedication of a sermon delivered at the request of R.W. Grand  
Lodge of Pennsylvania, by Rev. Joseph Pilmore in St. Paul’s Church,  
Philadelphia, on St. John;s Day in December, 1786, Franklin referred  
to as “An Illustrious Brother whose Distinguished Merit among Masons  
entitles him to their highest veneration.” 
Four years later, April 17, 1790, Benjamin Franklin passed to the  
Grand Lodge above. 
No catalog of Franklin’s offices, services, dates, names, and places  
adequately can convey the essential facts regarding his Masonic  
Membership.  Properly to evaluate them it is necessary to form an  
accurate mental picture of Franklin the man.  But so much talent for  
so many activities makes it difficult to pick those facets of a many- 
sided jewel which best reflect the influence Freemasonry had upon  
him.   
Most of his biographers are agree that Franklin’s genius showed the  
greatest advantage in his philosophical concepts, and his abilities  
as an ambassador. The one pictures the man as he was “in his heart”  
which is not only good Masonic ritual but also good scripture, since,  
“as he thinketh in his heart, so he is;”  the other paints him a  
master of tact, of homely wit, and fair-mindedly keen in an age when  
wit had a rapier edge; as skilled in the arts of diplomacy in a time  
when intrigue and deceit were the very backbone of bargaining between  
nation and nation. 
His whole life of service exemplifies the practice of toleration on  
the one hand, and a non-dogmatic, non-credic religion on the other.   
We cannot prove that he received  the inspiration for these from  
Freemasonry he loved and practiced, but neither can anyone prove the  
contrary.  It is difficult to associate Masonic ideas with such  
thoughts as Franklin so often expressed, and not see a connection  
between. 
In the Constitution Convention, when Franklin saved it for the Union,  
and the Union for posterity, he said; 
“The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth,  
“That God Governs in the Affairs of Men.”  And if a sparrow cannot  
fall to the ground without his notice, it is probable that an empire  
can rise without His aid?  We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred  
Writings, that ‘except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain  
that build it.’  I firmly believe this; and I also believe, that,  
without His concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political  
building no better than the builder’s of Babel.” 
It would be difficult to put much more Masonry in the same number of  
words. 
To his father he wrote: 
“The Scriptures assure me that the last day we shall not be examined  
for what we thought, but what we did; and our recommendation will not  
be that we said, ‘Lord, Lord!’ but that we did good to our fellow  
creatures.  See Matt. XXV.” 
The famous epitaph he wrote for himself so slightly conceals the  
Masonic theme of immortality as told in our Legend that all may read  
who run: 
The body of 
B. Franklin, Printer 
(Like the cover of an old book 
Its contents torn out 
And stripped of its Lettering and Guilding) 
Lies here, Food for the Worms. 
But the Work shall not be wholly lost; 
For it will, (as he believed) appear once more, 
In a new and more perfect Edition, 
Corrected and Amended 
By the Author. 

Benjamin Franklin had everything that a reformer should have, except  
the desire to reform for the sake of the reformation.  He improved  
everything which interested him, but he never tried to force his  
improvements into the lives of others.  He could show a world a new  
way of making glasses, and that lightning comes down a kitestring,  
and that daylight saving time adds to leisure, and that wit and humor  
win more causes  than arguments, but he did not try to “make laws  
about it.”  He improved the printing press, the army and navy, the  
common stove, ideas of ventilation, paved Philadelphia and made it a  
better lighted town, invented a hundred gadgets for common living,  
such as a three wheel clock, a combination library chair and step  
ladder (they can be bought to this day) an artificial arm to get  
books from a high shelf, “but he never tried to improve or change or  
alter Freemasonry.” 
Franklin is generally conceded to have been a diplomat of the first  
rank, but only those who read history carefully know what a load he  
carried on his old shoulders when in 1776 he went to France to  
represent the United States.  He had to win the support of a nation  
largely controlled by court, fashion, beauty, gallantry - anything  
but the hard common sense of a Franklin.  Yet this same practical  
philosopher, this inventor, scientist, printer, pamphleteer and  
politician; took France by storm.  He was a gallant gentleman to the  
ladies, a man among men with French gallants.  He won sympathy  
without a display of suffering, and made friends without seeming to  
try.  He convinced every one of his honor and probity by being honest  
in an age when dishonesty was fashionable.  On his simple promise to  
pay he secured millions in ships, men and goods, where a less able  
representative might have failed with an order of Congress on the  
Treasury for backing.  He played international politics by using the  
King’s hatred of the English.  He selected and forwarded military  
supplies.  He fitted out and commissioned privateers.  He kept the  
accounts between two nations.  He helped plan the campaigns at sea.   
He enthused the French ruler and the French people.  And through it  
all he kept his sanity, made new friends and retained old ones, all  
by fair-mindedness, the innate justice and the toleration which are  
part and parcel of the teachings of Freemasonry. 
Franklin lived to be eighty-five years old.  Sixty of those years as  
a Freemason; he lived and wrote and practiced the principles of the  
Order. 
It is not for us to say what he would have been had there been no  
Freemasonry in his life; it is for us only to revere the Franklin who  
was among the very greatest of any other nation, in all times; for us  
to congratulate ourselves and be thankful for our country, that this  
wise philosopher, this leader of men and of nations, had taken to his  
heart the immutable and eternal principles of the Ancient Craft.