Dinner with Roberts

by Roger S. VanGorden, Editor, The Indiana Freemason

In Memory of Allen E. Roberts - 1917 - 1997

Back in my college days I remember reading an essay entitled, "Dinner with Veblen". I was an economics major. Those who study the dismal science tend to create heroes out of dead economists. I guess it is a tendency I still have. Thorstein Veblen (1857-1929) was one of my heroes. Veblen wrote an interesting work entitled The Theory of the Leisure Class. In it he coined the phrase "conspicuous consumption." Unfortunately, I cannot remember the name of the essayist that wrote "Dinner with Veblen". Yet his description of that shared meal still haunts me. Veblen lived a rather spartan life. The nervous essayist envisioned a figure larger than life as he approached the humble apartment of Veblen. I remember his description of the uncomfortable silence during their meal. His departure seemed not too soon. The experience left him changed.

Allen Earl Roberts was without a doubt the most prolific Masonic author of the twentieth century. His effect on the fraternity is not yet realized. His works spanned Masonic history in the United States, leadership development, correcting myths, and Masonic social reform.

I came to know Allen through his many books and writings for the Philalethes magazine. I read every book of Allen's I could afford. Couple those books with his writings in the Philalethes and you got a great education in the history, philosophy, leadership, and culture of this fraternity. The Philalethes is without a doubt the finest Masonic publication in North America. It affords an opportunity for the serious Masonic student to publish his research. It equally affords opportunity for the Masonic social philosopher to "tilt windmills" without the fear of reprisal from powers that be. Because of this the Philalethes Society has made an impact on this fraternity. For example Prince Hall recognition was discussed with vigor by members of the Philalethes nearly fifteen years ago. There have been intense debates over the one day lodge festivals for a decade. The Philalethes is truly cutting edge Freemasonry. Allen Roberts is one reason why.

In the fall of 1990 The International Philalethes Society held their Semi-Annual Feast and Forum in Indianapolis. I and another Masonic brother served as co-chairmen of the event. The meeting was scheduled for Saturday. On Thursday Allen and his lovely wife Dottie arrived. Allen made no pretense that we were to have dinner that evening. Needless to say there I was a mere Junior Warden of my lodge preparing to meet one of the greatest American Masonic scholars. Allen, Dottie, my wife and I went to a restaurant on the northside of Indianapolis. I hoped it would please Allen.

Then I had my "Dinner with Roberts." To say Allen was an interesting character is a gross understatement. He could be cantankerous in one instant. The next he was the most gentle gentleman you could know. Allen had fought enough battles in his life to know sincerity and hard work from self-aggrandizement. Oh, and did he ever despise self-aggrandizement. During our conversation he let me know in no uncertain terms what he thought of many of the extra organizations. I am not speaking of the Rites or the Shrine. I mean the countless multitude of side organizations that predicate their membership on "high" standing in one or both of the Rites or Shrine. During our talk I remember Allen presenting his opinion on all of the ones I ever knew. Then I made the mistake of speaking good of Grand Masters. Allen loaded the barrel, put me in his sights, and fired another volley. The next several minutes I became rather educated on the topic of many of those "whose little brief authority" had contributed to the decline of the fraternity.

Then he stopped. There was one Past Grand Master that was a world above the rest. When Allen Roberts spoke of Dwight L. Smith, Past Grand Master and Past Grand Secretary of Indiana, it was with reverence. Allen was in awe of Dwight. He admitted that there were a couple of items where he and Dwight disagreed. However, the respect was obvious. From my reading of Dwight Smith's writings I do not think the respect was one sided. Dwight invited Allen to write several articles for The Indiana Freemason. That was when The Indiana Freemason was a scholarly magazine. I am sure Dwight knew he could count on Allen having an opinion; regardless of the topic.

That dinner lead to a very satisfying friendship. I do not remember what we had for dinner. But the things I will never forget are the lessons I learned during that dinner with Roberts: to always do what is moral and right, even if unpopular; to always work for the good of Master Masons, not "high" Masons; and to always revere those who search for further light in Masonry, not those who search for further honors in Masonry. Yes, Allen Roberts gave me an education that evening that I could not have bought.

On the 14th of March I fired up the computer and surfed into CompuServe's Masonry Forum. There I learned of the death of a man that made the greatest impact on my Masonic education. Allen was a friend to Indiana Masonry. One of his last original writings appeared in the Winter '96 issue of The Indiana Freemason. He was an honorary member of Vincennes Lodge Number 1. He was very proud of that distinction. Unfortunately, Allen died before we could reallyhonor him.

I printed the death notice. For a few minutes I stared at it. Thinking to myself that it was indeed the end of an era. A time in my life had come to a close. Maybe, this essay was not so much a eulogy of someone who was a hero to me. Maybe it was a reminiscence of the what I learned from his life. Maybe he was still teaching me.

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