The Mystic Token

The central portion of this engraving, showing two travelers meeting, is said to be inspired by "an antient painting in the Herculaneum." Note the side emblems, in Hebrew and cipher format. It illustrates a lecture W∴ Bro∴ Harris gave before a chapter of the Holy Royal Arch, which powerfully concludes:

Let the hopes of meeting with this great reward, animate us in all our toils and labors through the wearisome pilgrimage of this life, and encourage us in the practice of those duties and to the acquirement of those virtues that may render us meet to be partakers of it. Let us rise from the love of man to the love of God: and let us fo cultivate human friendship as at length to become worthy of the divine! (p. 96)

Also see the interesting frontispiece to the Harris Constitutions.

About Brother Harris

Thaddeus Mason Harris (1768–1842) was an orphan of the Revolutionary War who was made a Mason in King Solomon Lodge in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1790 at the age of 22. He studied at Harvard University and became a Unitarian minister in 1793. He authored the 1798 Constitutions for Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, still known as the 'Harris Constitutions.' He also held several positions within that body, including Grand Chaplain, Junior Grand Warden, and Grand Secretary. He also published a book of Masonic lectures at age 33, just as he started his ten-year engagement as G∴S∴.

Visitors to Academia Lodge are familiar with words of Bro∴ Harris spoken at the end of every Agape:

"Brethren, you are now to quit this sacred retreat of friendjhip and virtue, to mix again with the world. Amidst its concerns and employments, forget not the duties you have heard fo frequently inculcated, and forcibly recommended in this Lodge. Be, therefore, diligent, prudent, temperate, discreet."

Notes by Shawn Eyer, P∴M∴