-Caveat Lector- An excerpt from: The History of Phi Beta Kappa Oscar M. Voorhees The United Chapters of Phi Beta Kappa(C)1945 Crown Publishers New York, NY ----- An interesting book. Some researchers speculate that Skull & Bones came out of Phi Beta Kappa going 'public'. Om K ----- Phi Beta Kappa and Secrecy The requirement of secrecy was first questioned by Elisha Parmele in 1779 when he applied for charters for New England colleges. However, he accepted secrecy as a fundamental principle and bore charters requiring "that the arcana of this Society be held inviolate." A few years later the oath of fidelity was modified at Yale; but in 1806, when it was proposed at Harvard to change the oath to a mere affirmation, a minority at Yale sent so strong a protest that the movement did not go farther. The Fraternal Society of Free and Accepted Masons had come into prominence during the War for American Independence, when officers became members and gave it standing as a patriotic organization. Later its methods and secrets were frequently the subject of discussion and friends of the Society feared that controversies might obscure the real values of the brotherhood. A crisis arose when it became known that a book exposing the secrets of Masonry by an alleged member, William Morgan of Batavia, New York, had been written and that a local printer was advertising it as ready for publication. Fellow Masons were indignant that a member should thus violate his oath, and they tried to prevent publication. Their first endeavor seems to have been to cause his arrest on trivial charges, fully aware that a lawsuit would be expensive to a man of small means. Morgan was brought from Batavia to Canandaigua, examined before a magistrate and discharged. He was then arrested on another charge, judgment was rendered, and for want of money he was lodged in jail. The next day men who posed as friends paid his fine, secured his release and hurried him away to Fort Niagara. Soon thereafter he disappeared. The report that he had drowned and that the act had been committed by fellow Masons to prevent disclosure of the secrets of the Society spread rapidly. His book, however, was published and widely circulated. The incident aroused deep feeling. Some of the agents were arrested, tried and convicted. The matter was brought officially before Governor DeWitt Clinton. On January 26, 1830, John C. Spencer, as "special Counsel on the abduction of William Morgan," presented his report to Enos Throop, acting governor, Clinton having died. This report was published in Niles' Register of March 27 of that year. Spencer traced the events from September 19, 1827 when Morgan had disappeared. No valid testimony respecting the disposition of his body had as yet been obtained. Spencer affirmed that those involved, "all of whom belonged to the Masonic Fraternity," had no criminal purpose in removing Morgan to Niagara and secreting him in a magazine there. But the end was his disappearance and the beginning of the Morgan mystery. This excitement might have spent itself in political activities had not a Mason who claimed to be a member of Phi Beta Kappa also, felt obliged to expose Masonry and Phi Beta Kappa at the same time. His book, "A Ritual of Freemasonry, Illustrated by Numerous Engravings; with Notes and Remarks, to which is added a Key to the Phi Beta Kappa," was published, 1831, by John Marsh and Co. of Boston and entered for copyright by Avery Allyn, who placed after his name, on the title page, "K.R.C., K.T., K.M., &c.," followed by certain cryptic symbols. It would appear that the author's interest in Phi Beta Kappa was secondary, for he gave 290 pages to the characteristics of Masonry and only eight to those of Phi Beta Kappa, one of which contained illustrations of the "sign," the "grip," and "both sides of the medal." The identity of Avery Allyn has never been revealed. He stated that he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and had taken part in initiations, but his name does not appear in any Phi Beta Kappa catalogue or in the catalogue of any college with a chapter of the Society. Avery Allyn's statements are interesting: "I have for a long time been convinced of the worse than useless character of this secret institution; and have waited, with no small degree of solicitude, for a suitable opportunity to declare all that I knew about it to the world. By doing this, I hope not to wound the feelings, or provoke the resentment of any of the respected brethren of that Fraternity. "In this day of laudable excitement and anxious investigation into the nature and principles of secret societies, it is my humble opinion, there ought to be no concealment; and that the public good imperiously demands a fair and full disclosure of the nature and principles of all secret societies, and that what is said and done under the cover of darkness, should be openly proclaimed on the house top. If there be any good in them, it is but reasonable and just that the whole community should share in the benefit; and if there be any evil in them, surely the public ought to know it, that they may be on their guard, and counteract their deleterious effects. The holy religion which I believe and profess has no secrets, and requires none; but rather condemns the hidden works of darkness and demands their exposure. "But the reasons I give, which particularly induce me to make these disclosures, are principally two: one is the secret nature of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, and the other is its infidel motto.... That the Phi Beta Kappa Society is a secret association, is well known to the public. It is a species of Freemasonry, and bears a strong affinity to it; and for aught I know, may be a younger branch of the same tenebrous family. If the opinion of Mr. Knapp, in his late defence of Freemasonry, be correct, it is a branch of the Illuminati, that spurious offspring of the celebrated Weishaupt, which has corrupted the whole Masonic Fraternity. Of this, however, it is presumed the greater part of its members have no suspicion. I had none, at the time of my Initiation, and I could heartily wish I had no more reason for it now. Like Freemasonry, the Phi Beta Kappa Society has its secret obligation, sign, grip, word, and jewel, by which its members are enabled to recognise each other, in any company, and in any part of the world; and though it has no bloody code, as I know of, with savage penalties, and consequently none of those crimes which blacken the Institution of Freemasonry; yet, as a secret society it is as susceptible of being perverted to unholy and dangerous purposes. "It was imported into this Country from France, in the year 1776; and, as it is said, by Thomas Jefferson, late President of the United States. It was first established at William and Mary's College, in Virginia. Upon the decline, and I believe, the extinction of that College, during the Revolutionary War, a charter, technically called an Alpha, was obtained by the students of Yale College, where it still flourishes. From thence it was imparted to Harvard and Dartmouth; and since that time, charters have been granted to the students of Union College, in N. Y., and to Bowdoin, in Maine; and very recently, I understand, to Brown University, in Providence, R. I. I know of no other Colleges in the United States, where the Institution at present exists.... "At the same time, I can perceive no necessity for secrecy, unless it be to cast around them a shade of mystery, to make people wonder and stare. It naturally excites the expectation of some valuable secrets to be obtained, which uniformly end in disappointment. All the literary and honorable advantages it affords, might as well be obtained without secrecy as with, and the danger thence resulting, be avoided; and I cannot but wonder why the authorities of our colleges allow of their existence. Perhaps they have not yet felt the evils to which they may give rise; and when they do, it may be too late to prevent them. When the venerable Hancock and Adams, in view of a Phibetian procession, expressed to the President of Harvard their decided opposition to all secret societies whatever, he must have blushed, even if he refused to take warning. "The way and manner in which this secret institution is perpetuated at our Colleges, (and I know of no other places where they exist and meet as societies,) is this. Towards the close, or during the last term of the college year, the members of the Senior Class, who belong to the Society, make a selection from the Junior Class of one third of its numbers; and their aim is, however much and frequently they may be mistaken, to take those who are reputedly the best scholars, and the most prominent members of the class. They are privately informed of their election; and at an appointed time, are initiated into the Society; not indeed naked, and barefoot, hoodwinked, and cable-towed, but in a more gentlemanly manner, where a promise or oath of secrecy is first exacted of them.... The presiding officer then gives a brief historical sketch of the Institution to the initiated, together with the sign, grip, and word, and an explanation of the jewel, or medal, either of silver or gold, which every initiate is required to procure for himself. This medal is sometimes worn in the bosom, suspended by blue and pink ribbons around the neck; but most commonly on a watch chain, in the form of a key. The sign is given by placing the two forefingers of the right hand so as to cover the left corner of the mouth; draw them across the chin. The grip is like the common shaking of hands only not interlocking the thumbs, and at the same time, gently pressing the wrist. The medal is then explained and the meaning of the grand Greek capitals communicated to the wondering expectants. This concludes the ceremony of initiation into the Society." Respecting the "infidelity of the motto upon the medal, which contains the grand secret, and gives name to the order," Allyn wrote: "The P B K which stand prominent on the medal, are the initials of three Greek words, which, when put together, and translated into English, form a sentence, which contains the essence and sum of all infidelity." The author stated that when he became a member of the Society the glamour of the name and the words of the motto held him, but said that, "upon mature reflection, I found in them the radical principle of all infidelity; and I believe many others have discovered the same. But I ought not to keep my readers any longer in suspense. Attend, then, my friend, and learn the mighty secret of the Order, which has been so long hid from the world. I have said, that these letters are the initials of three Greek words, which are these, [GREEK WORDS]--in plain English, Philosophy is the governess, rule or guide of life. Yes, reader, Philosophy is the rule or guide of life! I had been taught from a child, and still believe, that the Bible is the rule or guide of life. But here a vain, imported and infidel philosophy, is exalted into the place of divine revelation, and that Holy Book, which contains the words of eternal life is superseded and set aside. This is just what Hume, Voltaire, Tom Paine, and the whole host of subordinate infidels would have. Philosophy, philosophy, has been the watchword of infidels in every age; and, by its learned and enchanting sound, many unwary youth, it is feared, have been led to reject the only sure guide to Heaven. Am I wrong in the interpretation of this motto? I appeal with confidence to the initiated themselves, and to the whole learned world, to show where is any mistake." Allyn then explained that the date on the medal, December 5, 1776, was the "precise time when the arch infidel Voltaire, with his associates in wickedness, were poisoning the public mind with their infidel philosophy, . . . And this is also the time when the half-demon Weishaupt was plotting in his dark recesses, the overthrow of every religion and government, throughout the world.... And if it be a fact, which, I think, cannot well be denied, that this Institution was imported from France, and planted in this Country by Thomas Jefferson, late President of the United States, its infidel character receives still further confirmation . . . The great men now mentioned, were all philosophers, high in rank, and honor, among the multitude of their brethren; which can leave not the shadow of a doubt, respecting the nature of that philosophy, which is declared to be the 'guide of life.' . . . The stars above the mysterious letters, show the number of the American Colleges, where the Institution now exists, and the hand at the bottom directs our attention to them." The author admitted that he had no direct evidence that the Phi Beta Kappa Society had any connection either with Freemasonry or with Illuminism. He believed that making the facts known would have no evil consequences. He was not aware "that the infidel character of the institution has ever infected the minds, or perverted the principles of any individual Brother; but that it never will do so, is more than can be foreseen." He avowed that his purpose was not to injure, much less to destroy the institution, but to purify it, and if possible, make it more honorable and useful. If the leaders could be persuaded to abandon their obligations and secrecies and assume an American name, they would effectually remove all ground for public suspicion, and at the same time lose nothing of "the literary and honorable advantages they have so long enjoyed. I feel as if I had discharged a duty I owed God and my Country, and fearlessly submit the whole to the candor of this enlightened community, and the disposal of Providence." Though plausibly written, it seems today to show lack of a sense of humor that Allyn's three contentions may be denied categorically. Phi Beta Kappa was not of "foreign manufacture," it was not brought from Europe by Thomas Jefferson, and it did not proclaim an infidel motto. A large proportion of its members were clergymen, many more were associated with Christian enterprises, and if Thomas Jefferson had been a member many would have considered it an honor. One question remained. Was secrecy a detriment to Phi Beta Kappa? Might it be dispensed with without real loss? The publication of Avery Allyn's book excited interest at Harvard. Edward Everett, president of the Alpha since 1826, was convinced that something should be done before the anniversary on September 1, and wrote to Joseph Story, then a Justice of the United States Supreme Court: "I wish to call a meeting of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, about a fortnight hence, to consider the expediency of some change in the constitution. Several friends, with whom I have conversed, think it expedient wholly to drop the affectation of secrecy and all its incidents. A change of the present name would naturally, but not necessarily, follow. One gentleman thinks the Society useless, and that it would be best to abolish it altogether; and I should be of this opinion, unless such a liberal change can be made in the terms of admission and membership as to make it a comprehensive Fraternity of the children and friends of the College: on any other footing it can do the College little or no good." President Everett called a special meeting for July 21, in the Hall of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in Boston. After stating the object of the meeting, "The President then read the Charter, the Constitution, and Laws, as originally enacted, and the Form of Initiation, as prescribed on the initiation of members. He submitted a letter from William Short, Esq., an original member, and the second President of -the Institution, as established at William and Mary College in Virginia. Also an extract from a work, entitled 'A Ritual of Freemasonry,' by Avery Allyn, purporting to contain a disclosure of the secrets of the Society." A resolution offered by John Quincy Adams, then a member of the United States House of Representatives, proposed: 'That in the admission of all future members of the Society, no oath shall be administered, and no secret be disclosed to or imposed upon or required of the member admitted." After much discussion this was voted down, and Judge Story moved: "That a committee be appointed to take into consideration the present Charter and organization of this Society, and to report to the Society such changes and alterations in the Charter and organization, as they may deem useful or expedient, for the better promotion of the objects of the Society." The resolution was adopted and nine members were appointed: Joseph Story, John Quincy Adams, Henry Holton Fuller, Charles Lowell, Alexander Hill Everett, Charles Greely Loring, Loammi Baldwin, James Trecothick Austin, and Charles Jackson. Further information comes from the diary of John Quincy Adams, who attended meetings of the committee, the adjourned meeting of the chapter on August 11, and the anniversary meeting on September 1. The committee met first in Boston on July 25, at 10 o'clock, all members being present, and continued in session, with a brief intermission for lunch, until near evening. Mr. Adams's motion was adopted, and the question might have been considered settled, had not President Everett insisted on revising the Alpha's constitution to provide that election to membership be by a two-thirds vote. To this Adams offered strenuous opposition, stating in his diary: "I think it will change entirely the character of the Society and make it less select; for one improper exclusion which it will prevent, it will secure the admittance of ten pale-colored candidates of little or no value to literature, or to the reputation of the Society." At a second meeting held in Boston two weeks later, Judge Story presented a draft of amendments, and led in the proposal for a general revision of the constitution. Of him Adams wrote: "He had now two volumes of the records of the Society which had not been produced at the meeting of the Society or at the former meeting of the Committee. By these it appears that in 1806 the oath had been abolished and the solemn promise of secrecy substituted in its place, and that the promise of assisting a brother with life and fortune had been discarded and that in 1825 an entire new system of laws had been adopted, compiled by Edward Everett. "The report of Judge Story confirmed the whole of this code with two or three exceptions, and I objected that although I was not aware of any change which I should wish to be made in the existing laws, yet I was unprepared to report a confirmation of what I had not read, and exceptions for which I did not see the necessity. Every vote, however, was carried against me.... The report proposes to discard the medal and the ribbons . . . When the article for changing the mode of election was apparently about to pass, I moved as an amendment to it that everything having reference to friendship as being one of the objects of the Institution shall be expurged, leaving it a mere literary society.... The report however was adopted and it is to be made to the Society at their adjourned meeting next Thursday." The second special meeting of the Society, on August 11, was "to take into consideration the present Charter and organization of the Society, and to report to the Society such changes and alterations in the Charter and organization as they may deem useful and expedient for the better promotion of the objects of the Society." Judge Story reported: "That having considered the subject with due attention, they [the Committee] have concluded to report a draft of a new Constitution for the Society, embracing in substance the present organization thereof, with the exception of that part which requires a unanimous vote for the admission of members and also an injunction of secrecy." The Society adjourned to meet in the Athenaeum Lecture Room at 4 o'clock that day, at which meeting an amendment that members might be elected by a two- thirds vote was finally accepted, and Adams's proposal was adopted in these words: "No oath or form of- secrecy shall be required of any member of the Society, and all injunction of secrecy heretofore imposed by this branch of the Phi Beta Kappa Society shall be removed." In this form the constitution was reported to the annual meeting on September 1, and most of its provisions were adopted. The amendment regarding elections was, however, repealed, "restoring the previous law which required a unanimous vote." The Alpha at Harvard had a new constitution, adopted without reference to the other Alphas. This constitution met Avery Allyn's charge of favoring an infidel philosophy thus: "The object of the Society is the promotion of Literature and friendly intercourse among Scholars. Its name is Phi Beta Kappa; its motto is intended to indicate that Philosophy, including therein Religion as well as Ethics, is worthy of cultivation as the guide of life." So far as Harvard was concerned, the charges by Avery Allyn had been met. In the second edition of Allyn's book, September 1, 1831, the chapter on Phi Beta Kappa begins: "The members of this Institution have recently removed the injunction of secrecy imposed by its obligations, and have left the world to form a just notion of its moral and social principles. This event has doubtless been hastened by the revelation of its mysteries published in the first edition of this Ritual. This act of the Phibetian Society shows the good sense of its members; and also that its purposes were not political. Had politics, as in Masonry, been its main object, it would have held on with tenacity to its principles, as to the threads of life, and disregarding its departure from sound morals, or patriotism, would still have contended with the infatuation of a Mormonite, for the enjoyment, in secret, of that which in the eye of the public would overwhelm its members in confusion." In the introduction to this edition, Allyn wrote of his endeavor through lectures before crowded audiences in New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and in Philadelphia to demonstrate the evils of secret societies, and stated that: ". . . untiring vengeance pursued his steps in all places. He was insulted, mobbed, sued, imprisoned, abused and libelled! The house in which he lectured was more than once torn down; and often the windows and doors were broken and battered with stones and other missiles, while he sought, in vain, the protection of that law which he had not violated! But in all this, he moved forward, undaunted, in the path of duty; and he continues to operate in every way in which he can most effectually subserve the cause. With a modest deportment, an unstained honor, a veracity unquestioned, a resolution unshaken, a reputation unblemished, he continues to press against the common enemy. Firm, in the midst of dangers, and frank in the midst of treachery, he presents his publications to the patronage of the anti-Masonic public, claiming that support through this medium, of spreading light into the dark mysteries of Masonry, which, at this crisis of our affairs, could not be expected from his lectures." What happened to Avery Allyn we do not know. He has passed so far out of- the knowledge of his fellows that his identity has not yet been discovered. His disclosure of the Society secrets seems to have caused little concern to the other Alphas. At Yale the question was raised by Edward Everett, who went to New Haven for the public anniversary announced for September 13, attended the business meeting which preceded it, and insisted that the question be considered. The subject had also been brought to the attention of the Alphas of Maine and Rhode Island. The Alpha of Rhode Island repealed the pledge to secrecy in September, 1832, but at the same time it introduced a clause forbidding disclosure of any discussion regarding candidates for membership, like the one adopted on the motion of John Quincy Adams at Harvard. The Yale anniversary of 1831 was a notable occasion, for James Kent, Chancellor of the State of New York, was to be the orator on the fiftieth anniversary of his graduation and this was the semi-centennial of the Phi Beta Kappa in New England. The orator reviewed the life of the College and the beginnings of the Society. He opened his address with a reference to the Alpha's organization during his junior year, and informed his hearers that some of his class had been original members. Near the close he said: "There is much pleasure in recalling to view the living picture of the sports and joys of youth, in its original freshness of coloring and intensity of action. There is a still higher delight in recounting the manly pursuits, the generous emulation, the exciting discoveries and the ingenuous attachments which gave life and vigor to the collegiate circle. But in my case, the vision is shaded and the charm dissolved, by the intrusion of one stern reality. The generation which I knew at college has passed away and given place to another. Star after star has fallen from its sphere. A few bright lights are still visible, but the constellation itself has become dim, and almost ceases to shed its radiance around me. What severe lessons of mortality, such a retrospect teaches! What a startling rebuke to human pride! How brief the drama! How insignificant the honors, and 'fiery chase of ambition,' except as mental discipline for beings destined for immortality!'' Whether Edward Everett went to Yale because James Kent was orator, or to inform the members of Phi Beta Kappa of the action taken at Harvard is not known. At any rate he told the brethren at Yale of the action at Harvard and invited them to take similar action. Fortunately we have Kent's diary: "At 11 A.M. I attended the meeting of the Ph. B. K. in the 3d story of the old Chapel.... There I saw Ed. Everett and a crowd of civilians and clergy and professors. The question was on abolishing the secrets of the Society. Professor Silliman, Doctor Ives, Rev. M. Robbins, the Rev. Mr. Bacon of the 1st Presbyterian Congregation and Judge Daggett spoke. The rule of secrecy Was abolished with acclamation." Many years later Charles Tracy of the class of 1832 gave his recollections: "In those days Freemasonry and anti-masonry fought out their battles; and a grave question of conscience arose about the promise of secrecy exacted on initiation into Phi Beta Kappa. Harvard was for resolving the secrecy and sent Edward Everett to the private meeting at Yale to advocate the cause. He used a tender tone, stood half-drooping as he spoke, and touchingly set forth that the students at Harvard had such conscientious scruples as to keep them from taking the vow of secrecy, and the Society life was thus endangered. There was stout opposition, but the motion prevailed, and the missionary returned to gladden the tender consciences of Harvard boys. The secret of course was out. The world did not stare at the discovery; and when a few years had passed the Society took back its secrecy and revived its grip." Since the motion respecting secrecy was not self-enforcing, at the annual meeting on December 1, the treasurer, Doctor C. Hooker, and A. N. Skinner, Esq., were appointed to "examine the Constitution of the Society in regard to its bearing upon the abolishing the secrets of the Society." Within two years after the rule was adopted, "on motion of Prof. Olmsted a committee was appointed to investigate the propriety of reestablishing the injunction of Secrecy." The committee, while "not regretting the disclosure of the Society so far as respects its Constitution and Laws, and its general object [since] this is all the public has a right to expect," affirmed "that it is expedient to review the promise of secrecy so far as respects the exercises of the Society and its business transactions . . . because it tends to inspire confidence in those who are culturing the art of extempore speaking and because it is essential to the respectability of the Society in the view of the other members of the College." The committee believed the business transactions, especially as they related to the election of members, should be held secret. Especially those who are rejected "ought never to know the manner in which their claims have been discussed, [lest] . . . feelings or resentment . . . spring up in their breasts against those by whose agency they have been excluded." The committee therefore recommended that in place of the promise of secrecy formerly required, the following promise be administered: "You, and each of you, on becoming a member of P B K solemnly engage that you will keep secret from all persons not members of this Society, so much of its concerns as relates to its exercises and its business transactions." pp. 183-193 ----- Aloha, He'Ping, Om, Shalom, Salaam. Em Hotep, Peace Be, Omnia Bona Bonis, All My Relations. Adieu, Adios, Aloha. Amen. Roads End Kris DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. 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