GM1941Letter

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LETTER BY GRAND MASTER SCHAEFER, 1941

From New England Craftsman, Vol. XXXVII, No. 4, December 1941, Page 75:

Important - and Official

A Letter sent to all Grand Masters
The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Massachusetts

Boston, January 2, 1942

My dear Grand Master:

During the past few months certain so-called "news stories" have appeared from time to time in the Scottish Rite News Bureau issued by the authority of the Supreme Council 33° of the Southern Jurisdiction stressing what the writer or writers presume to call the "Massachusetts Plan" of Masonic welfare work for the armed forces of the United States. These stories have been accepted and printed in other periodicals in the belief that they were authorized or were at least authentic.

None of these articles has been authorized. In some respects they are inaccurate; in most respects they are misleading. Especially by the omission of certain material facts they have, I know from correspondence with others, created a wholly erroneous impression of our military service activities in Massachusetts.

First, to the extent that these articles indicate that Massachusetts is not supporting the Masonic Service Association welfare work for the armed forces, they misinform. Massachusetts is and expects to continue to be a loyal member of the Association. As its Grand Master, and with full knowledge of our own plans, I personally voted for the program of the Masonic Service Association which was adopted by an overwhelming majority at the Annual Meeting in February, 1941. With the full and enthusiastic approval of the Grand Lodge, Massachusetts has voted and sent to the Masonic Service Association SS0O0 in support of its service program. We will contribute more.

Second, the statement that "Massachusetts Masons called into service are referred to the Masonic Body closest to the camp where they are stationed, thus establishing an immediate Masonic contact" (News Release, October 27, 1941) is true with respect to camps outside our borders. But if the inference to be drawn is that wc always refer such Brethren to the local Lodge or even to the Grand Lodge, to the exclusion of the Masonic Service Association facilities, it is not true. Where the Masonic Service Association has a Masonic Centre we have and shall continue to make use of its services, knowing that they have had the prior approval of the local Grand Lodge.

Third, within our borders we are now making use of our own Service Department which has been successfully operating along similar lines for over fifteen years. Thus far, because our Department is so closely integrated, we have with additional personnel been able to carry on. If the burden becomes too great we shall call upon the Masonic Service Association for its services. Especially do I want to stress the fact that our local program is in cooperation with, and not in opposition to, the Masonic Service Association plan.

In conclusion, if it can be said that there is a "Massachusetts Plan" and if, as some of the articles indicate, it should be adopted by other Jurisdictions, may I point out that our plan presupposes a 100 per cent support of the national program of the Masonic Service Association. It also requires the existence of an experienced Service Department within its own borders, and adequate funds to finance the increased needs with reliance upon the Masonic Service Association to take up the slack.

Finally, I wish to emphasize that I am writing this letter solely for the purpose of correcting the wholly unwarranted conclusions which might reasonably be drawn from the articles to which I have referred. Each Jurisdiction must make its own decision, but I will not let any one, if I can prevent it, sell you the "Massachusetts Plan" under false pretenses.

Cordially and fraternally,

(Signed)
Albert A. Schaefer, Grand Master.


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