~ We’re Old! ~

     The Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina ranks as one of the top ten oldest Grand Lodges in the world.  Our first Lodge was founded in 1735 and the Provincial Grand Lodge in South Carolina was chartered in 1737.

     We are, without a doubt, at least the eighth oldest Grand Lodge in the world and at least the fourth oldest in the United States.  There is a friendly dispute, however, with our Brothers down in Georgia concerning their claimed date of founding.  Therefore, there is a possibility that we are the seventh oldest in the world and the third oldest in this country.  Here are the generally accepted years of founding for the ten oldest Grand Lodges:

    

United Grand Lodge of England – 1717

Grand Lodge of Ireland – 1725

Grand Lodge of France – 1728

Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania – 1731

Grand Lodge of Massachusetts – 1733

Grand Lodge of Georgia – 1735

Grand Lodge of Scotland – 1736

Grand Lodge of South Carolina – 1737

Grand Lodge of the Three Globes (Germany) – 1740

Grand Lodge of Denmark - 1743

    

     South Carolina Freemasonry has provided much to the world-wide Fraternity.  Our state has produced some of the most read and respected Masonic scholars, such as Albert G.  Mackey.  The reader is invited to research further into the rich history of Freemasonry in South Carolina.

Researched and compiled by G.W. Mayfield, III  PM
Edited by the same on Dec 29, 2007.

~ The Silent Summons ~ Author Unknown

  A member of a certain Lodge, who previously attended meetings regularly, stopped going. After a few months, the Worshipful Master decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening, and the Worshipful Master found his brother at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.

  Guessing the reason for the Worshipful Master's visit, the brother welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The Worshipful Master made himself comfortable, but said nothing.

  In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After several minutes, the Worshipful Master took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth, all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent.

  His host watched all of this in quiet contemplation. As the one, lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow, and its fire was no more. Soon, it was cold and dead.

  Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The Worshipful Master glanced at his watch and chose this time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember, and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately, it began to glow once more, with all the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

  As the Worshipful Master reached the door to leave, his host said, with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your fiery summons, my brother. I'll be back in our Lodge next meeting."