Texas Scottish Rite

Working on final plans for Texas Dinner at Biennial. Information will be posted soon.

EDIT: It has been decided not to post plans online. Emails have gone out to everyone who is registered for the session.

Being mistaken for a Mason saved John Wood’s life.

On July 20, 1779, during the American Revolutionary War, a Loyalist militia force composed of 60 Indians and 27 white Loyalists under the command of militia captain and Mohawk war chief Joseph Brant (born Thayendanegea) attacked and destroyed the village of Minisink in upstate New York. After learning of the attack, the local Patriot militia set out in pursuit of Brant’s force. Their attempt to ambush Brant’s men was a disaster, however, and they were routed. Brant’s men took over 40 Patriot scalps, giving no quarter to the wounded or to prisoners. The only captured militiaman to survive was Captain John Wood. As some of Brant’s men were about to scalp Wood, Brant saw him give the Masonic distress signal. Brant, who was a Mason, ordered his men to stop, stepped forward and offered Captain Wood his hand. Wood took it and gave the Master Mason’s secret grip. Brant then ordered his warriors to spare Wood.

Sometime later Brant casually mentioned to Wood that he would have been killed had they not been Masonic brothers. Puzzled, Wood said he was not a Mason. Brant was infuriated, believing he had been deceived, but he spared Wood nevertheless.


In fact, Captain Wood had not done anything deceitful. It was all inadvertent. Somehow in the struggle something he had done had resembled the Masonic distress signal and likewise somehow the way he took Brant’s hand must have resembled the Masonic secret handshake.

During his time as a prisoner of war, John Wood must have often reflected on his luck. One of the first things he did when he was released from captivity years later was to join his local Masonic lodge.

The Battle of Minisink occurred on July 22, 1779, two hundred forty-three ago today.

The portrait of Joseph Brant was painted by George Romney in 1776.

Newest Amended Directives from Ill. Sir Michael Wiggins
www.scottishriteorientoftexas.org/pdf/051920COVID19AmndGenDIrct.pdf

Ladies are serenaded by “Frank Sinatra”

The 2019 Tour of the George Washington Masonic Memorial and Texas Dinner

Just announced... Ill. and Judge David Hittner of the Valley of Houston nominated by Ill. Michael L Wiggins elected unanimously to receive the Grand Cross.

Biennial Session currently in progress. 2 important statistics. Membership grew over the past 3 years with the largest growth since the 1970's!!
Charitable giving, for the biennial, an astounding 960.2 million dollars, yes just shy of 1Billion dollars. Looking to see how much over 1 Billion at the next session.

Grand Commander Seale making his goodbyes and commissioning each of you to carry on the mission of Scottish Rite.

Grand Master Stogner received by Grand Commander Seale