"Beyond the Law", 1994

File — Box: 1, Folder: 2

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection: The James W. Beless papers (1984-1994) consist of two articles titled "A Yeoman's Will" and "Desaguliers-the Huguenot Connection," and a sermon titled "Beyond the Law." "A Yeoman's Will" explains in some detail what a candidate's lessons and obligations to Freemasonry are initially. It contains a comparison of the testamentary act of the will of a yeoman to the first exposure of each man to Masonry. Included is background information of William Baylis and his family. He was a proud yeoman and freeman of his time. Ideals and goals of the yeoman are listed, and these objectives did materialize as a result of five centuries' progression. A concise history of each advancement is mentioned, with the Declaration of Independence of the United States being the culmination of all these efforts. Freedom in all aspects of our lives is often taken for granted. The introduction of the freeborn candidate into the lodge help remind us that freedom was not gained without a price. The other paper includes mostly historical information of Masonic lodges in England. In 1700 Britain was prepared to have its Operative Masonry expand into Speculative Masonry. The country had become a conducive environment of intellectualism and research. Various emigrants, thousands of them from France, found a welcome home in England. The third Grand Master of the lodges, a Masonic leader for twenty-seven years, was John Thoaphilus Desaguliers. Born in France, the son of a Calvinist pastor, his family fled to England in 1686. His honors and contributions are outlined in the paper. John Desaguliers gave much to the efforts of Speculative Masonry. His Huguenot ancestry and Newtonian philosophy are quite evident in "The Constitutions of Freemasons," which became an authoritative book for all masons and was published in 1722. It contained a new moral code; men were united in a body free of state or church regulation. He also revised the rites and rituals of operative lodges. Desaguliers died in 1744 in London. The third item, "Beyond the Law," is a sermon delivered in 1994 in the Salt Lake Congregational Church by James Beless, outlining his thoughts on law and charity.

Dates

1994

Conditions Governing Access

Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.