James W. Beless papers
Collection
Identifier: MS 0450
Scope and Contents
The James W. Beless papers (1984-1994) consist of two articles titled "A Yeoman's Will" and "Desaguliers-the Huguenot Connection," and a sermon titled "Beyond the Law." "A Yeoman's Will" explains in some detail what a candidate's lessons and obligations to Freemasonry are initially. It contains a comparison of the testamentary act of the will of a yeoman to the first exposure of each man to Masonry. Included is background information of William Baylis and his family. He was a proud yeoman and freeman of his time. Ideals and goals of the yeoman are listed, and these objectives did materialize as a result of five centuries' progression. A concise history of each advancement is mentioned, with the Declaration of Independence of the United States being the culmination of all these efforts. Freedom in all aspects of our lives is often taken for granted. The introduction of the freeborn candidate into the lodge help remind us that freedom was not gained without a price. The other paper includes mostly historical information of Masonic lodges in England. In 1700 Britain was prepared to have its Operative Masonry expand into Speculative Masonry. The country had become a conducive environment of intellectualism and research. Various emigrants, thousands of them from France, found a welcome home in England. The third Grand Master of the lodges, a Masonic leader for twenty-seven years, was John Thoaphilus Desaguliers. Born in France, the son of a Calvinist pastor, his family fled to England in 1686. His honors and contributions are outlined in the paper. John Desaguliers gave much to the efforts of Speculative Masonry. His Huguenot ancestry and Newtonian philosophy are quite evident in "The Constitutions of Freemasons," which became an authoritative book for all masons and was published in 1722. It contained a new moral code; men were united in a body free of state or church regulation. He also revised the rites and rituals of operative lodges. Desaguliers died in 1744 in London. The third item, "Beyond the Law," is a sermon delivered in 1994 in the Salt Lake Congregational Church by James Beless, outlining his thoughts on law and charity.
Dates
- 1984-1994
Creator
- Beless, James W. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Twenty-four hour advanced notice encouraged. Materials must be used on-site. Access to parts of this collection may be restricted under provisions of state or federal law.
Conditions Governing Use
The library does not claim to control copyright for all materials in the collection. An individual depicted in a reproduction has privacy rights as outlined in Title 45 CFR, part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects). For further information, please review the J. Willard Marriott Library’s Use Agreement and Reproduction Request forms.
Biographical Sketch
James Warren Beless (1915-2004), a Salt Lake attorney practicing for more than half a century, graduated from the University of Utah, served as a special agent for the FBI during World War II, and went on to become a bank trust officer. He has been a highly ranked Freemason, and an active participant of the Congregational Church. He has authored articles and books on the Episcopalian church and Freemasonry.
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet (2 Folders)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The James W. Beless papers (1984-1994) consist of photocopies of two biographical essays on Freemasonry originally published in "The New Age." One essay is on John T. Desaguliers titled "Desaguliers-the Huguenot Connection" and the other is titled "A Yeoman's Will." Included is a photocopy of the will of William Baylis the Elder (1712) quoted in "A Yeoman's Will." Beless was a Salt Lake City attorney. He served as a special agent for the FBI during World War II, and became a bank trust officer. He was a highly ranked Freemason, and an active member of the Congregational Church. He authored articles and books on the Episcopalian Church and on Freemasonry.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Folder 1 was donated by James W. Beless in 1984.
Folder 2 was donated by James W. Beless in 1996.
Folder 2 was donated by James W. Beless in 1996.
Processing Information
Processed by Lloyd Willardson in 1985.
Addendum processed by Kirk Watson in 2004.
Addendum processed by Kirk Watson in 2004.
Creator
- Beless, James W. (Person)
- Title
- Inventory of the James W. Beless papers
- Author
- Finding aid created by Lloyd Willardson and Kirk Watson.
- Date
- 2004 (last modified: 2019)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections Repository
Contact:
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu
295 South 1500 East
Salt Lake City Utah 84112 United States
801-581-8863
special@library.utah.edu