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As many already know, the Mississippi Lodge of Research No. 640 released a digital version of the lecture slides for the Entered Apprentice degree earlier in the year. These slides were available to Lodges free of charge and are meant to assist Lodges in upgrading their existing slide projector technology. Now through the hard work and generous contribution of Brother Michael Penney, Worshipful Master of Andrew Chapel No. 151 in Meridian, the Mississippi Lodge of Research has acquired an alternative set of Entered Apprentice slides, as well as the slides for the Fellow Craft and Master Mason degrees. To download the slides, please visit the Education section of the Mississippi Lodge of Research website

The Mississippi Lodge of Research recently launched a $20,000 fundraising campaign to raise funds for the construction, establishment and maintenance of the State’s first ever Masonic Archives. This campaign, entitled “Building on a Vision” is aimed towards Lodges around Mississippi as well as concerned Masons who are interested in contributing to this historic endeavor.

Christopher M. Reid, Worshipful Master of the Mississippi Lodge of Research and Campaign Coordinator, stated at the launch of the campaign, “Preserving Mississippi’s Masonic history is one of the most important factors in ensuring the continued growth of our Fraternity. Without our history, we cannot perpetuate the rich legacy and tradition our forefathers entrusted to us so long ago and in a small measure, we slowly begin to lose the concept of who we are as Freemasons. Building on a Vision is a program that addresses this issue. “

Through document conservation, artifact preservation, historical presentations, and extensive research efforts, the Mississippi Lodge of Research continues to discover the gems of the Grand Lodge’s treasured fraternal past. "The important thing for everyone to understand is that the work of the Lodge of Research and the establishment of the Archives benefits ALL Mississippi Masonry, not just our Lodge”, said Reid. “Taking care of our history is a team effort and I hope that our sister Lodges will consider that when debating a monetary contribution to this campaign”

The Mississippi Lodge of Research, chartered on February 9, 2010 by the Grand Lodge of Mississippi, is a Lodge whereby like-minded Master Masons from around the State, as well as other recognized jurisdictions, may congregate for the purpose of promoting, encouraging, conducting, and fostering Masonic research and study, and to diffuse Masonic knowledge, training and information to all Master Masons.

To learn more about the campaign, funding opportunities, or how to make a campaign gift, please contact the Mississippi Lodge of Research at master@mslodgeofresearch.org or (601) 955-0736.

On May 27, 2010, the Mississippi Lodge of Research No. 640 held its quarterly Stated Communication at Harmony No. 1 and Andrew Jackson No. 2 in Natchez before an assembly of more than 30 Master Masons.

Among the key topics for the evening was the vote on establishing the permanent Archives of the Lodge at the Jackson York Rite Temple in Byram. The proposal was unanimously approved by the membership and construction of the Archives Room is slated to begin later in the summer. The Archives will closely encompass the current standards for document storage as set forth by the United Stated National Archives and Records Adminstration. "Obviously cost is always an issue in projects such as this, but we will mirror the national standards as much as practically possible" stated the Worshipful Master, Brother Chris Reid.

Afterwards, a presentation was given on the origins of Mississippi's oldest Lodge, Harmony No. 1 and the life of its first Worshipful Master, Seth Lewis. Brother Lewis was the first Chief Justice of the Mississippi Territory.

To honor the occasion, the Lodge of Research presented Harmony No. 1 was a photograph of Seth Lewis, taken from the Mississippi State Department of Archives and History. It is the only likeness of Brother Lewis known to be in existence.On hand to accept the photograph was Brother Allen C. Terrell, Worshipful Master of Harmony No. 1.

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