More from the Greenwood Encyclopedia of American Institutions:
This order of deaf men is relatively new compared to most fraternal societies. It was formed in the state of Washington in 1946. The name Desoms is an acronym for deaf sons of master masons. The primary objective of the society is to further the spirit of Friendship among deaf men who are related to Freemasons.
The Masonic Service Association reports in its "Allied Masonic Groups and Rites" that in 1961 the Desoms tried to change their order's name to The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge Of Washington, Ancient Delta Guild Free and Accepted Masons of North America. This name change, however, was legally prevented by the Grand Lodge of Washington. The Washington Masons resisted the name change because the Desom society is not a bona fide Masonic group.
The ritual of the Desoms contains one degree, the Initiatory degree, which is given to all eligible members. In order to join the OOD one must be a deaf male of good moral character and be able to show that he is closely related to a Master Mason. Current membership statistics were not available to the writer
What the heck is that all about? Well, as far as I can tell, what's going on here is that one of the "Landmarks" of Freemasonry (the basic principles) is "the rule that candidates for Masonic initiation must be make, free born, of unmutilated body and of mature age". I am suspecting that the Washington lodge didn't allow deaf people to join, and that some of its members had deaf relatives and found this rather unfair. Hence, the Desoms.
The "Masonic Service Association" referred to is also worthy of note - they're basically the "fake Mason cops", who dig up information on people and organisations who try to fraudulently extract fraternal benefits by pretending to be Masons.
candidates for Masonic initiation must be make, free born, of unmutilated body and of mature age
ReplyDeleteIf you get mutilated after the fact, does this mean you get kicked out? Seems a bit harsh. Poor old Peachy Carnehan.
Ah, I don't suppose "unmutilated body" means "no Jews"?
ReplyDeleteIf you get mutilated after the fact, does this mean you get kicked out?
ReplyDeleteIt's why the Byzantine emperors used to blind (and occasionally castrate) rivals to their throne, y'know. Fraternal love at its finest.
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"Ah, I don't suppose "unmutilated body" means "no Jews"?"
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of that, but it would fit, wouldn't it?
-Barry
Hmmm, in general, mid twentieth century American clubs which wanted to exclude Jews didn't tend to pussyfoot around with code words so I am unconvinced. Perhaps the readers of "Wall Street Blips" can help us out on this question - I think its a portal site for people interested in deaf Jewish Masonic organisations of the 20s.
ReplyDeleteYou've got this:
ReplyDelete4. Qualifications for admission
a. Manhood.
b. Free birth.
c. An unmutilated body; that is, that he have his right limbs as a man ought to have.
d. Lawful age of maturity.
e. Under the tongue of good report.
f. Free will and consent.
Hunting around, apparently the specific issue with deaf people is that the Masonic initiation ceremonies require one to give responses to questions while blindfolded, and they didn't want to make any accomodation for the deaf in this.
ReplyDeleteAnd more ... I think we can put the circumcision theory to bed - FWIW, in these modern days deaf people are apparently completely welcome to Freemasonry.
ReplyDeleteAnd still more, which all apparently dates back to the fifth article of the Halliwell MS.
ReplyDeleteAnd in this one, you have "As physical perfection -- at least, freedom from mutilations and blemishes -- was demanded on the part of the Jewish priests, so in Freemasonry this physical perfection is required..." which pretty much buries the circumcision theory.
No bastards, nobody born as a slave, no deformed or maimed individuals. Which means you really do have to look at the Masonic Order of Liberia.
And 19th-century Freemasonry certainly wasn't averse to letting in people of all races and creeds; see Kipling, for example. "The Mother-Lodge".
ReplyDeleteIt always requires something of a mental adjustment to be reminded that freemasonry used to be haunt of progressive thinking, and not, say, a drinking club for the type of judge who thinks passing rude notes to the defence barrister is appropriate.
ReplyDeleteFriend of mine reckons it still is: goes twice a month to his lodge in Barcelona, says it taught him open-mindedness and intellectual enquiry. Wears a Masonic ring, not secretly but where everybody can see it. (Also says Masonry was persecuted very badly under Franco.)
ReplyDeleteThat said, I hope he doesn't invite me to join...
This is apparently so in France, where it was a major player in the run-up to the formal separation of church and state in 1905. As a result, my partner cannot understand why I associate it with judges as above.
ReplyDeleteMinor point, but how exactly would one wear a Masonic ring secretly? Under a glove? On a toe? Chain round the neck like Frodo Baggins?
ReplyDeletePlease don't answer this question if doing so would make me wince.
Oddly, my example was specifically based on the one out and proud Mason that I do know...
ReplyDeleteAjay: Secret Masonic Rings, we gottem.
ReplyDelete