| OES: The Beginning |
| Greetings, I started this with an article I titled "Adoptive Rite-OES, Early Beginning". In that article we moved from the origins of Adoptive Masonry and ended with the birth of the OES. I pick up at this point. Remaining Prayerful, Sis. Joyce |
| Five Editions of the "Thesauros" were issued and could be obtained as late as 1896 in New York. Dr. Morris continued to build and improve each edition of the Thesauros, then later, in 1855, produced anothr Ritual called, "The Mosaic Book" of the Adoptive Rite, first edition, published under the Authority of the Supreme Constellation of the American Adoptive Rite. This was in three parts, General Instructions, Ritual Constitution and By-Laws. It was published by John W. Leonard Company, 383 Broadway, New York, 1855. The sad thing is that Robert Morris never signed his name to his work, only as Grand Luminary in his early manuscripts, therefore it was easy for publishers and others to claim his laurels. Robert Morris used 'the Mosaic" edition during the period of "Constellations". While this ceremony was brief, it was most intricate. It was a form of lectures in which he informed the candidate of the secrets, the lessons and their importance. Dr. Morris was known as the "Most Enlightened Grand Luminary:" under this title he signed Charters for Constellations and John W. Leonard of New York signed as the "Very Enlightened Grand Secretary." For several years this order flourished, then began to die. Dr. Morris set to work to restyle it, and organized "Families of the Eastern Star." He still held the title of the Most Enlightened Luminary, and Robert Macoy was Financier and Supreme Secretary. Charters of the old form were issued, proving that the two systems were unified in spirit, the new taking the place of the old. The titles of the officers were changed, lecture lessons were taken from the Bible stories,, and the five heroines were given Biblical names. Many of the Principles and principal ideas remained unchanged. Master Masons were Authorized to "communicate" the degrees. The cabalistic Motto and Word remained unchanged. During these years Robert Morris and Robert Macoy worked closely in unity for the Order. In 1808, RObert Morris decided to sail for the Holy Land, so he resigned his prerogatives and title as Grand Patron, which he had assumed as author of the system, to Robert Macoy, turning to him his copy of "Thesauros" indexed and catalog numbered with ink notations on the Title page and throughout the book by Morris. Later in the year Robert Macoy wrote a ritual for the present Chapter System. After the death of Robert Macoy in 1895, this "Thesauros" was purchased from the Macoy Estate by Alonzo J. Burton, Grand Historian of the Grand Chapter of the State of New York. In 1946, a few days before his death, Alonzo J. Burton presented this copy to Sister Worthy Annie M. Pond, Grand Secretary, State of New York. The authenticity of this copy of the "thesauros" has been established and confirmed in printed talks by Robert Morris. I have another page that will tell you more about Robert Morris. This is where I stop, the book has much more information but as enthusiastic as I may be, even I agree that there is a limit of what should be shared concerning our Order and especially on the internet. *smile* My Sisters I hope you will search for the books and READ for yourselves. Many of my PHA Sistars feel that all this stuff that happened before PHA has nothing to do with who WE are as Eastern Stars. To me, that is like saying Adam and Eve have nothing to do with who I am, although I disagree with their view, I am a member of the OES PHA and for the rest of OUR story, please follow the link to: The History of the OES PHA. |
| Remaining Prayerful, Sis. Joyce Reaves |
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