The Harris Frontispiece

This is the illustration facing the title page of the famous and influential Book of Constitutions of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts. Although this image has been described as depicting a meeting among Solomon, Hiram of Tyre and Hiram Abiff, it actually displays a more puzzling scene.

A closer examination reveals that here, a king and a queen are conversing, while a figure who may be either male or female kneels, pointing to a ground plan (presumably of the Temple). The king bears a baby in his right arm. What could this scene possibly be?

baby's face and two hands visible at top left of bundle

We may be seeing King Solomon here being visited by the Queen of Sheba (a favorite Masonic theme at the time, although rarely heard of today). But if so, why is there a baby present?

A more plausible idea, based strictly on the picture, is that we are seeing King David conversing with Queen Bathsheba, and that the baby is Solomon. According to the Bible, King David had the plans for the Temple but was forbidden to build it owing to the war-torn nature of his reign. The Temple was to be built during a time of peace instead. Eventually Solomon, who received the plans from David. realized the divine plan. So we could be seeing here some "compressed time": the scene outside the window might represent the Temple being built in the future.

Also see the frontispiece that appeared in Harris' Discourses on Free Masonry, published in 1801.

About Brother Harris

Thaddeus Mason Harris (1768–1842) was an orphan of the Revolutionary War who was made a Mason in King Solomon Lodge in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1790 at the age of 22. He studied at Harvard University and became a Unitarian minister in 1793. He authored the 1798 Constitutions for Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, still known as the 'Harris Constitutions.' He also held several positions within that body, including Grand Chaplain, Junior Grand Warden, and Grand Secretary. He also published a book of Masonic lectures at age 33, just as he started his ten-year engagement as G∴S∴.

Visitors to Academia Lodge are familiar with words of Bro∴ Harris spoken at the end of every Agape:

"Brethren, you are now to quit this sacred retreat of friendjhip and virtue, to mix again with the world. Amidst its concerns and employments, forget not the duties you have heard fo frequently inculcated, and forcibly recommended in this Lodge. Be, therefore, diligent, prudent, temperate, discreet."

Notes by Shawn Eyer, P∴M∴