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Annual Communication April 28-29, 2011 Greenville, SC |
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~ Albert Gallatin Mackey Medal ~by Barry A. Rickman, P.D.G.M.
This writing begins with the death of Brother Albert Gallatin Mackey.
It tells of the death, funeral and eulogizing of him and explains the means
by which the medal that bears his names came into existence. The words
which were spoken and printed at his death and following would eventually
set the state and tone for establishing the medal and honoring him in
perpetuity. Brother Mackey "who, having been ill for some time" was at Fortress Monroe on the coast of Virginia when he died on June 20. 1881. On the following Sunday, June 26, the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia called a Specia. Communication of Grand Lodge at 1:45 p.m. "for the purpose or attending the funeral of our late Brother Albert Gallatin Mackey, Past Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina, and a member of this Grand Lodge at the time of his decease." A procession was formed by many members of the fraternity and of the bodies of Freemasonry including Lafayette Lodge No. 19 of which at that time Brother Mackey was a member. The procession proceeded from the Masonic Temple to the Mackey residence and from there escorted his remains to the church where they were met by a large group of citizens. The religious and Masonic services were held at All Souls Church, Unitarian in Washington, DC. Brother Albert Pike Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction. officiated for the Scottish Rite service. He once eulogized his dear friend by saying "Masonry will not soon lose as great a man, and she may put dust upon her head and wear sackcloth in her Lodges, where in Masonry, his heart always was." Following the church services. Brother Mackey's remains were once again escorted and finally laid to rest at Glenwood Cemetery in our nation's capital with the "solemn ceremonies of the Grand Lodge" being conducted by Grand Master. Noble D. Lamer of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. Time does have a way of healing the past. It appears that enough had elapsed since Brother Mackey was accused of impropriety in 1868. It is obvious that the brethren of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina were now willing to pay homage and show respect - to one of their own and this world renowned Mason. Upon Brother Mackey's death, Most Worshipful Brother James F. Izlar had this to say in his Grand Master's Address to brethren attending the Annual Grand Lodge Communication in Dec, 1881: His connection with, and the valuable services rendered to, -rand Lodge of South Carolina are well known to you all. For Freemasonry in South Carolina he did more than any other member of the Order. He was its faithful historian, its able jurist, its correct ritualistic and its courageous advocate, firm, adherent and successful defender. Not only had Bro. Mackey acquired an enviable reputation in America as a Masonic writer, but throughout the world his ability was acknowledged, and his opinions were respected. Other tributes were also paid to Brother Mackey at this Grand Lodge Communication. Some came from Brother Henry A. DeSaussure and the committee on the Grand Master's Address. No Mason in South Carolina has ever worked more zealously in the cause of the Craft, and no Mason in the world has contributed more largely to instruction in, or to the literature of Masonry .... From his initiation to the close of his life ... he devoted himself... His Ahiman Rezon, Book of the Chapter, Cryptic Masonry, Masonic Jurisprudence, and history of Masonry in South... each is a monument more enduring than marble or brass. Resolutions were then made. These are but three of the many that were delivered in his honor. Resolved, That in the death of Brother Albert Gallatin Mackey, Masonry throughout the world has lost one of its most learned, zealous and distinguished authors and members Resolved, That by his death the Masons of South Caroline. have lost one whose name and fame reflected honor upon his home. Resolved, That for his services to Masonry in South Caroline. he is deservedly entitled to the respect and gratitude of every Mason, within its borders. Not surprising, the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia also paid Brother Mackey additional respect. On July 29, 1881, their Grand Lodge at a Special Communication, adopted a report saying in, part: Our Illustrious Brother, Albert Gallatin Mackey is no more! ... The announcement of his death has caused a genuine sentiment of sorrow wherever Freemasonry is known. While this Grand Lodge shares in the common sorrow of the Craft everywhere at this irreparable loss, she can properly lay claim to a more intimate and peculiar sense of bereavement, inasmuch as our illustrious brother had been for many years an active member of this Body, Chairman of the Committee on Jurisprudence, and an adviser ever ready to assist our deliberations with his knowledge and counsel. In testimony of our affectionate respect for his memory, the Grand Lodge jewels and insignia will be appropriately draped and its members wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days. A memorial page of our Proceedings will also be dedicated to the honor of his name... The Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Maine wrote: The Masonic life of Dr. Mackey was of the highest type. He rose to a prominence that brought him conspicuously before the Masonic world, both in this and other countries, and and was relied upon as authority to settle doubtful points arising in matters pertaining to Masonic law and work. America has buried her ablest craftsman. Peace be to his ashes. The Grand Lodge of Ohio noted: The Masonic writings of Bro. Mackey have stood upon the selves of well informed craftsmen throughout the country, to be consulted upon all occasions of doubt, until their forms are to us like the presence of familiar faces. For years past the opinions of Bro. Mackey have been regarded the highest authority in Masonry. His name will be familiar so long as this loved fraternity shall remain. At the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina in Mar 1934, Grand Master, E.S.C. Baker, made a recommendation near the end of his Grand Master's Address that "a Grand Lodge Medal, to be known as the Albert Gallatin Mackey Medal" be established. It was to be awarded in the judgment of the Grand Master "to any Mason for distinguished service in Masonry." He also recommended a committee be appointed and empowered to design this medal and report their findings at the next Annual Communication. The Jurisprudence Committee, however, in their report recommended that the Grand Master's recommendation be disapproved. No explanation was given for their decision. The Jurisprudence Committee's report was adopted and no action was taken on the medal by this Grand Lodge. Grand Master O. Frank Hart, in the body of his Address to the brethren at the 1935 session of Grand Lodge expressed "this Grand Lodge should have an appropriate jewel... and having as our native son one of the most distinguished Masons for whom we could name this jewel, I earnestly recommend that you reconsider the matter as presented by my predecessor." He went on to say he felt the brethren of South Carolina should have such a jewel for the approaching time and celebration of the 200th Annual Communication, in 1937. In the report given by the Jurisprudence Committee, the committee reversed its decision of the previous year and recommended "the institution of a medal to be known as the ALBERT GALLATIN MACKEY MEDAL." It also recommended the appointment of a committee to decide on the conditions of conferral. approve a design of the medal, have a die cast and to report their actions at the next Annual Communication of Grand Lodge. The brethren adopted the Jurisprudence Committee's report. In the Grand Master's Address of 1936, at the Annual Communication, Most Worshipful Brother Joseph E. Hart stated he had appointed a committee during the year to carry out the wishes of Grand Lodge concerning a medal to honor Brother Mackey. This committee consisted of Most Worshipful Brothers E.S.C. Baker. P.G.M. and O. Frank Hart, P G M, Grand Secretary and Right Worshipful Brother Walter F. Going, Deputy Grand Master. He further stated the committee had "done a splendid piece of work" and would give their report at a later time. It is not noted in the committee's report but it is logical to assume the committee contacted other Grand Lodges to ask them if they had such a medal and what was its criteria of presentation. At the time the Mackey Medal was established, several other Grand Jurisdictions had existing medals. Some of them were: Josiah Hayden Drummond Medal Of Maine, Henry Price Medal of Massachusetts, Erasmus James Phillips Medallion of Nova Scotia, Christopher Champlin Medal of Rhode Island On the day following Most Worshipful Brother Joseph E. Hart's Grand Master's Address, the committee made its report to Grand Lodge. Because of its importance to the medal, I have quoted the entire report. REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON THE ALBERT GALLATIN MACKEY MEDAL Your Committee on the Albert Gallatin Mackey Medal begs leave to report as follows: The medal, one of which is attached to and forms a part of this report, is a simple circle of bronze, without great intrinsic value. It is hung from a blue ribbon, by means of a bearing the square and compasses. The face of the medal bears a striking and beautiful likeness of the great South Carolina Mason, Albert Gallatin Mackey; the obverse, the seal of the Grand Lodge. About the relief likeness of the great scholar are the words "Albert Gallatin Mackey, Scholar and Author." About the seal of the Grand Lodge, of course, is the motto of the Grand Lodge "Wisdom, Union, Strength." Albert Gallatin Mackey is revered wherever Masons congregate. His ripe scholarship had a most profound effect upon Freemasonry. He is justly regarded as among the great, if he is not the greatest of all, Masonic authorities. His whole life was spent in instructing, enlightening, and inspiring his fellow Craftsmen. To his research is due many of the more important developments of Masonic law, jurisprudence and symbolism; his services as a historian need no words of eulogy here. The Grand Lodge of South Carolina is old, honorable, dignified, important in the sisterhood of Grand Lodges. It has ever upheld the landmarks of the Craft and for near two hundred years has played a vital part in the history of Craft and nation. For these reasons we believe that the gift of this medal should be hedged about with restrictions, that none not worthy to wear it have the opportunity, and that it become and remain a decoration prized and valuable alike to the recipient, and to the Grand Lodge which bestows it. To make it easy to obtain is to make it cheap; to keep it for distinguished service and to give it sparingly, is to live up to the honored and revered name it bears. With these thoughts in mind, your committee unanimously recommends: 1. That the medal be given only for distinguished service to country or Freemasonry without regard to state, nation or individual Grand Lodge to which the recipient may belong. 2. That the selection of those to receive the medal be left to the knowledge and information of the Grand Master, who will always bear in mind the high purposes and great value of the honor, richly to be prized. Fraternally submitted, E. S. C. Baker, Chairman, Walter F. Going, O. Frank Hart The Craft of this Grand Lodge adopted the committee's thus adopting the medal. During the year of 1936, it became the pleasure of Most Worshipful Brother Joseph E. Hart to present the Albert Gallatin Mackey Medal to Brother William G. Mazyck. Because of his long and distinguished service to the Craft, Brother Mazyck was chosen to be the first to receive the medal. Brother Mazyck, as a young man, personally knew Brother Mackey. At the 1949 Grand Lodge Annual Communication, a proposed amendment was made and adopted to the Masonic Code of South Carolina concerning the Mackey Medal. It was presented by the Chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee, Most Worshipful Brother Charlton DuRant. It made the Albert Gallatin Mackey Medal a part of the Code under Section 15 stating it to "be awarded only by the Grand Master for eminent Masonic service, or for outstanding service to State or nation." The first appearance of the medal in the Ahiman Rezon was in the 1951 edition. Then in 1979, Most Worshipful Brother Robert McC. Figg, Chairman of the Jurisprudence Committee brought forth a recommendation that Section 15 be amended to suggest to the Grand Master that "only rarely should more than one" be given "in a Masonic year. This change to the Code was approved by the voting Brethren. This is the last time any change occurred connected to the medal. The Albert Gallatin Mackey Medal is the enduring manifestation of honor to Brother Mackey. He was a man of great accomplishment. His Masonic writings are continually read and studied even today. He was and still is respected the world over for his contributions to Freemasonry. It is only fitting that such a man be remembered through this lasting tribute. May the recipients of this medal remember what it stands for and strive always to uphold its honor and dignity.
Copyright © 1999 by South
Carolina Masonic Research Society. All rights are reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced without the
express written consent of the South Carolina Masonic Research Society. The opinions expressed herein represent
those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SCMRS or the Grand
Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of South Carolina.
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