April 2012 Issue #51
Bro. Joseph James about his newest movie
Templar Nation
70 pages of Masonic Education
Featuring original articles by: David Browning Kyle Ferguson Matt Johnson Jacob Lucas John Nagy Barry Newell Scott Schwartzberg Paul C. Smith www.twtmag.com
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WELCOME
Hello Brethren, Welcome to the April 2012 issue of The Working Tools Magazine. I’m excited to bring you an interview with Bro. Joseph James and information on his newest movie ‘Templar Nation”. Anytime a Brother can follow his heart and pursue his dreams I love to support them. In this case it’s very easy for me to get behind this project. I really enjoyed Joseph's last movie “The Masonic Map” and the new one looks even better. New Jersey has their Annual Communication April 3-5th. I have some very cool news to share with you but I have to wait till then to spill the beans. Trust me it hasn’t been easy for me not to tell you guys. Keep helping me spread the light by telling your Lodge Brothers about TWT
Until next time...
Cory Sigler Last Months Poll Question
Has you ever attended Masonic Week? Yes- 19% No- 81% 158 Responses
Cory Sigler, PM
Hawthorne Fortitude #200
Find me on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/corysigler & facebook.com/twtmag NEW EMAIL - TWTMAG@YAHOO.COM
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Contents
Featured Writers
This Month in Masonry………8
John Nagy…………….29
One Minute Mason….…..……9
Scott Schwartzberg…34
FreemasonQuotes.Com……10
Matt Johnson………...36
Podcasts…...….……………..11
Paul C. Smith…………37
Tombstones…………………12
Kyle Ferguson………..39
Old Tyler Talks…..…..…..….13
David Browning………41
Word of the Month……..…..14
Jacob Lucas…….53 & 61
Poem…..….………..…………15
Barry Newell…………..55
Phoenixmasonry….…..…….16 Masons in the News..………18
Appendant Bodies
Click on the page numbers to quickly jump to that page
York Rite……………………………. 50 Scottish Rite……………………….. 60 The Working Tools is published monthly by Corsig Publishing & Cory Sigler, It is not affiliated with any Grand Lodge. Letters or inquiries should be directed to Cory Sigler, Editor, at E-mail: TWTMAG@yahoo.com All letters become the property of the Working Tools. Photographs and articles should be sent to the attention of the Editor. Every effort will be made to return photographs but this cannot be guaranteed. Please include a selfaddressed stamped envelope. The Editor reserves the right to edit all materials received.
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This Months Contributors
Scott Schwartzberg Raised in 2007 at USS New Jersey No. 62 in Cherry Hill, NJ, Scott is currently Marshall of Boynton Lodge No. 236, Boynton Beach, FL. He is one of the founding members of Boynton Lodge Esoteric Research Group (B.L.E.R.G.), a member of the SR Bodies at the Valley of Lake Worth, and YR Bodies of Ft. Lauderdale.
Matt Johnson
Dr. John S. Nagy
"Matt Johnson is a member of Pioneer Lodge #82 in Arizona and the author of "Believe the Best", a philosophy of life based on Freemasonry (believethebestblog.blog spot.com)" .
is a Master Mason and author of the “Building Series” of Masonic Education books. His books and his workshops cover aspects of Masonry designed to Build Better Builders. You can find out more about him, his books and his workshops through his website at: http://www.coach.net
Kyle James Ferguson JW of Kingsbury Lodge No. 466, Olyphant, PA. He is a plural member of Union Lodge No. 291, F. & A.M. and a regular member of Lackawanna Chapter No. 185 RAM, and the Valley of Scranton AASR NMJ, all of Scranton, PA. He is also a member of The Masonic Society and a Level 1 Masonic Scholar in the PA Academy of Masonic Knowledge. He is an avid writer and authors the blog The Philosophical Freemason (http://philosophicalfreemason.b logspot.com/).
Barry Newell- Raised to Master Mason in 2006 in Oriental Lodge #60, Boise ID. WM in 2009. Served as Excellent High Priest for Boise Chapter #3, RAM, and currently sit as Illustrious Master for Idaho Council #1, Cryptic Masons. I also sit as Generalissimo for Idaho Commandery #1. I am also a member of the Order of the High Priesthood and the york Rite College. Member Scottish Rite since 2011.
Paul C. Smith P.M. of Rockingham Lodge No. 76 in Candia, NH the Founding Master of General Court Lodge No. 1784 (America’s only special, legislative lodge) and is the Founding and Current Master of Phoenix Lodge, U.D.; New Hampshire’s first TO lodge. He is a trustee of NH MasoniCare and is currently serving as a Grand Steward. He is a member of The Masonic Society, the Scottish Rite, York Rite, AMD, SRICF, Royal Order of Scotland, SYRCNA and Order of Knight Masons.
David Browning
Jacob Lucas
David Browning is a Master Mason and is installed as the Senior Deacon of Selma Lodge 320 in Selma, North Carolina. He is a Certified Lecturer and is currently serving as the District Deputy Grand Lecturer for the 16th Masonic District. He resides with his wife and three children in NC.
is interested in the history of the Craft and its ritual. He is an officer in his Symbolic Lodge, as well as his Scottish Rite Valley and York Rite Bodies. He provides Masonic Education at meetings.
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Bro. Sigler, what can I say. I am so impressed with the Working Tools edition I am currently reading. WOW! The articles are insightful, thought provoking and very well written. Thank you and kudos to you and the team. Bro Joe Borelli
Mail Bag Hey, Cory. I enjoyed your "Art of Manliness" review in the latest TWT magazine. Well done. Have you had the chance to read Brett McKay's books yet? They're great. Bro. Lee Peacock
Brother Sigler: I just opened the latest issue of The Working Tools and haven’t been able to do anything else this morning but read article after article. I have subscribed to a number of Masonic journals, which tend to focus on a few well-written articles, but TWT seems to cover a broader range of topics from a number of thought-provoking authors. I’m already looking forward to your next issue just to see what new topics you will cover. I especially like the way you have peppered this month’s edition with short topics. My favorite was the one-pager on Euclid. I had always wanted to get over to Masonic Week but for one reason or another, I haven’t made the trip. Your summary of this year’s Masonic Week was exciting and informative and your words seem to have captured the energy of the event. I will definitely be there next year.
Editor- I have and I agree. Brett does an amazing job indeed. I read “The Art of Manliness Manvotionals: Timeless Wisdom and Advice on Living the 7 Manly Virtues”.
Cory, It was great to finally meet you at Masonic Week. We appreciate all you do for the Craft and to continue enlightening us each month. David Seattle, WA
Thank you for a great edition and please keep up the good work! Sincerely & fraternally, Hank Carlson Crack this code to learn what next months issue will feature
Send all your comments or questions to TWTMAG@yahoo.com www.twtmag.com
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Observing The Craft “The Pursuit of Excellence in Masonic Labor and Observation”
“One of the most important books that all Freemason’s have to read immediately” - Cory Sigler
Available now on Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/Observing-Craft-Pursuit-ExcellenceObservance/
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This Month in Masonry
April April 4th- On this date in 1778, Voltaire was initiated in "Les Neuf Soeurs" Lodge in Paris. His conductors were Benjamin Franklin and Count Gebelin April 5th - On this date in 1886, Rudyard Kipling received his 1st degree. April 8th On this date in 1790, the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire was constituted April 19th- On this date in 1787, the Grand Lodge of Maryland was formed April 20th- On this date in 1884, Pope Leo XIII issued a famous Papal Bull against Freemasonry, titled Humanum Genus April 22nd- On this date in 1785, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart received his 3rd degree. April 24th- On this date in 1901, President Theodore Roosevelt received his 3rd degree. April 28th- On this date in 1738, Pope Clement XII issued the first Papal Bull attacking Freemasonry.
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One Minute Mason Blog http://oneminutemason.blogspot.com/ By Bro Steve Harrison
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Freemason Quotes.com
Follow them on Facebook(facebook.com/freemasonquotes) Twitter (@FreemasonQts) "It has been my observation that most people get ahead during the time that others waste." -Henry Ford,
"Content makes poor men rich; discontent makes rich men poor." -Benjamin Franklin,
"Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It's perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we've learned something from yesterday." -John Wayne "I'd like to make you laugh for about ten minutes though I'm gonna be on for an hour." -Richard Pryor
"Promises are like crying babies in a theater, they should be carried out at once." -Norman Vincent Peale,“ "If there are things you don't like in the world you grew up in, make your own life different." -Dave Thomas "The way I did it, every job was A+." -Steve Wozniak
"Life is 10 percent what you make it, and 90 percent how you take it." -Irving Berlin
"Better a broken promise than none at all." -Mark Twain
"We must reinforce argument with results." -Booker T. Washington
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Podcasts By Cory Sigler
“Know Thyself” On Sunday March 11th, I was interviewed on the “Know Thyself” podcast hosted by Bro. Chester Hall. The purpose was to introduce his wide audience to The Working Tools Magazine and to learn how the publication came into existence. The interview is around 30 minutes long and covers many topics regarding Masonry. We talked about social media’s effect on the Craft, Anti Masons, where we see Freemasonry going forward and of course the magazine. The sound audio at the beginning is a tad low with static but quickly gets better so stick with it! Past episodes are filled with both Philosophical and Masonic topics which I am sure you will enjoy. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/knowthyself1/2012/03/12/the-working-tools-masonic-magazine
“X-Oriente” Fans of TWT know that I really enjoy this podcast and think that Bro. Eric Diamond is the king of Masonic Podcasts. While my editorial stance has always been to stay away controversial subject matters X-Oriente tackles them head on with a extremely educated and thought out commentary. When Eric gives his opinion I know he has studied the topic and it’s not something said without an educated mind. The latest episode is one that cannot be missed for any Freemason who is interested in the current state of Masonry around the world. The subject is the ever growing problem with the GLNF (The Grande Loge Nationale Française) Here is Eric’s summary from the website: “What is going on with the GLNF in France? Last summer, the UGLE suspended relations with them. Now, following recommendations by a committee of COGMINA, other Grand Lodges around the USA are also suspending relations with the French Grand Lodge. Why? What is all the fuss about? I’ve been trying to follow the story, but it hasn’t been easy. In this episode I try and unravel the story. As always, I speak only for myself and my opinions do not reflect any official position of any body or group in Freemasonry.”
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Masonic Tombstones By Cory Sigler
Brother Nathan Sigler His Grand Lodge registry number was 691242. Initiated 10/12/26. Passed 1/25/27. Raised 3/7/27. He received those degrees in Comrade Lodge No. 1058, New York City. He was a member in good standing when he passed away. He was the Lodge's 62nd member, and lived at 802 W. 181st Street. Comrade Lodge is now part of Brotherhood Lodge #1041, which meets at Masonic Hall at West 23rd Street. His registry indicates he was born in Romania, and shows his occupational as jeweler Died: Dec 1927, age 52
He happens to also be my Great Great Grandfather.
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Old Tyler Talks by Carl Claudy "
"I am almost through!" The New Brother displayed a sheaf of cards to the Old Tiler. "Soon I will have joined them all and become every kind of Mason there is." "What do you know about the kinds of Masons there are?" asked the Old Tiler, interested. "You have not been a Master Mason long enough to gain all that knowledge!" "That's not hard to gain, with all the brethren poking petitions at you. There are Scottish Rite Masons and York Rite Masons and Templar Masons and Chapter Masons and council Masons and..." "Oh!" the syllable said much. The Old Tiler added, "I didn't understand. I thought you couldn't have learned yet." "Learned what? Are there some more kinds of Masons?" "Indeed, yes! answered the Old Tiler. "A great many kinds. But seven you haven't mentioned stand out more prominently than others." "Do tell me! I thought I had joined most of them..." "You don't join these. You become one, or are made one, or grow into one of them. For instance, there is the King Solomon Mason. He thinks that everything that Solomon did as a Mason is right and everything he didn't do is wrong. To him Masonry was conceived, born and grew up in the shadow of King Solomon, and every word of the legend is literally true, much like the man who refuses to believe the earth is round, because a verse in the Bible refers to the 'four corners of the earth!' The King Solomon Mason lives his Masonry according to his light; perhaps it's not his fault it is so dim. "To the ritual Mason the importance of Masonry is the form of its words. A good Mason in his belief is one who can repeat a lecture from end to end without a slip. A man may do battle, murder, or cause sudden death, commit arson or run away with a neighbor's wife; if he knows his ritual letter perfect, it 'was all a mistake!' The man who doesn't know his ritual letter perfect is not, in this man's eyes, a good Mason; not though he give to charity with both hands and carry love for his fellowman in both head and heart. "The practical Mason looks at life from a utilitarian standpoint. He prefers electricity to candles for Lesser Lights because they are simpler and prefers candles to electricity because they are cheaper. He thinks a choir impractical because it produces nothing permanent, and would rather spend the money for printed matter or a new carpet. He is at his best when raising money for a new temple and at his worst when asked to express himself upon the spirit of Masonry. His hand is in his pocket for charity, but never for entertainment. He is usually on the finance committee, and recommends a budget in which rent and heat and light are bigger than relief.
The heart Mason is the opposite. He is full of impractical schemes. He wants to start a new temple which will never be built. He talks much of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man, but is absent when the hat is passed and the committee on funds needs a few workers to go out and gather in. The heart Mason is the lodge sob-sister; he usually seconds any motion to spend any amount of money for flowers or to send a brother away for his health, and always makes a little tear-filled speech about the fatherless loved ones, even if the dear departed died a bachelor. The business Mason belongs because he thinks it helps his job. He usually sits next to the solid businessman in lodge and likes to tell people what he does. If he is a Past Master, he never comes to lodge on time, so that he can get a special welcome at the Altar. His favorite speech is about the man who tried to advertise his business in lodge and how evil this was; in the speech he always mentions his own business. He wears an extra large sized pin and prints squares and compasses on his letterheads. "We dominate another kind by the expressive term of belly Mason. He is most faithful in attendance at lodges where there may be a feed. He will cheerfully spend twenty cents carfare and a long evening to get a fifteen-cent sandwich. If there is to be a sit-down meal he will sit up all night to be on time. If the affair is in another lodge and needs tickets he will take time off from his job to hunt a brother who has a ticket and doesn't want it. He usually manages to cross the lodge room while the cigars are passed so he can dig into the box twice. If the crowd is small, he is the last man to get a smoke, so he can take all that are left. If the crowd is large, he is among the first, to make sure he doesn't get left. "And then there is the regular Mason- the fellow who does his best with the time and brains he has. He is the great bulk of the fraternity. He pays the dues and fills the chairs and does the work. He is seldom a fine ritualist, but he is usually an earnest one. He is not very practical, and would spend more than we have if it wasn't that he is too sentimental to permit the charity fund to be robbed. He passes the sandwiches and coffee, and if there is any left he gets his; but he doesn't care so long as the evening is a success. He isn't a student, but something in the heart of Masonry has reached deep into his heart, and so he comes to lodge and does his best. He is not learned, but he is not stupid. He is not hidebound, and yet he is conservative. He loves his lodge, but not so much he cannot see her faults. He is most of us." "And what class of Mason am I?" asked the New Brother, uneasily looking at his sheaf of cards. "You have cards enough to be considered a Mason for almost any reason," answered the Old Tiler. "But I'll take your word for it. What kind of Mason are you?" "I don't know for sure, but I know what kind I am never going to be!" answered the New Brother, putting his many cards away.
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WORD OF THE MONTH
Masonic Symbolism & Words Brought to you by Www.masonicdictionary.com This Month’s Word is:
Voltaire By Bro. Geo. W. Baird P.G.M., District of Columbia
In a little town called Fernay, a very few miles from Geneva, is a chapel, built for his neighbors by Brother Voltaire, a member of that famous lodge "Les Neuf Souers" (The Nine Sisters), in Paris. Had anyone offered the writer, when a very young man, a volume of Voltaire, I would have declined to read it, because I then believed Voltaire to be an atheist. But when I looked on the inscription over the arch in front of this little chapel, and lead "Deo Erexit Voltaire. MDCCLXI" (Erected to God by Voltaire, 1761), I was sure he could never have been an atheist. The guide book tells of Voltaire being asked why he placed this inscription on the memorial, and he replied "In London they erect their Temple to St. Paul, and in Paris they erect their Temple to St. Geneveve, but I erect mine to God." One of his biographers says "among his last words were these: 'I die worshipping God, loving my friends, not hating my enemies, but detesting superstition.' " Voltaire was an author, a playwright, a philosopher and a satirical writer. He was a man who dared to do what he thought was right; and though he did not court favor from any one, he was conscious of the danger he was running, which is evidenced by the location of his home, at Ferney, near the border line between France and Switzerland, that he might readily escape from one country to the other. His enemies were the holy fathers. They called him an atheist; proclaimed it from their holy places until it came to be generally accepted as the truth. Voltaire was a protector of Protestants, and spent his money freely in that cause: this alone was enough to incite the hatred of the holy fathers. They raised objection to his burial in the parish where he died, and his remains were conveyed to the Abbey of Scellieres, belonging to one of his nephews, where they were interred. On the stone his friends were permitted to place the words "Ci-git
Voltaire" (Here lies Voltaire). The holy fathers even interrupted the Masonic services, being held in private (if not secret), described in that splendid work "Une loge Masonique d'avant 1789." Voltaire, whose real name was François-Marie Arouet, was born at Paris in 1694 and died there in 1778. He began to write verses before he was twelve years of age, his verses landing ready sales. His Jesuit teachers quickly discovered his talent (in the college of Louis le Grand) and one of them predicted that he would become the "corpheus of deism." His satirical and witty pamphlets caused his arrest and subsequent confinement in the Bastile, just after the death of Louis XIV, though he was barely twenty years of age at the time. He was in prison a year, during which time he wrote his epic on the Henriade, and completed a tragedy he had in hand, when the regent, pleased with these performances, released him. Voltaire was almost as prolific a writer as Charles Dickens, but his satire was more keen. His verses on Louis XIV and Madame Pompadour were among the most daring. Among his principal works were "Histoire de Charles," "Roi de Suede," "he Temple du Gout," "Seven Discours sur l'homme," "Les Dictionaires Philosophique," "Histoire du Parlement" and "Histoire de l'establissement du Christianismea." Forty-eight of his works have been translated into English. Not an atheistic word can be found in one of them, but it is plain that Brother Voltaire was a Deist. The accusation of atheism originated with the priests, is boomed by the priests and others who have not taken the trouble to inform themselves. When a man goes out into the highway and cries "Mad dog!" he jeopardizes the life of every dog in sight, and he will soon have a crowd repeating his cry. So it has been with Voltaire. TWT
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Poem
“The True Mason� My Brother Masonry means
If you can practice out of
much more than just the
Lodge the things you learn
wearing of a pin, or the
with-in, be just and upright
carrying of a paid up dues
to yourself and to your
receipt so the Lodge will let
fellow men.
you in. Console a brother when You may wear and emblem
he's sick assist him when
on you coat from your
in need, without a thought
finger show a ring, but if
of personal reward for any
you're not sincere at heart
act or dead.
it doesn't mean a thing. Walk and act in such a way It is merely an outward
that the world through-out
sign to show the world that
can see, that non but the
you belong, to this great
best can meet the test laid
fraternal brotherhood
down in Masonry.
which teaches right from wrong.
Always live up to your trust and do the best you can
What really counts lies
then you can walk the
buried deep within the
world as a Mason and a
human breast, 'til Masonic
Man.
teaching brings it out and
- unknown -
puts it to the test.
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Phoenixmasonry online Museum
Ostrich Egg Commemorating Gen. George Washington This is a most unusual and rare item--a folk art decorated ostrich egg dated 1852 worked in finely incised detail with an image of George Washington and an abundance of Masonic symbolism. The egg measures 8 inches high and about 4.5 inches in diameter. The following words are engraved on the egg: "General George Washington, Fredericksburg Virginia, 1752-1852, Lodge No. 4" There is an image of George Washington dressed in his Masonic regalia, a coffin at his feet, a checkered floor done with perspective, an obelisk, the sun, moon five-pointed stars, the All-Seeing Eye with its projecting rays, an American eagle, an hourglass, globe and some patriotic bunting. All mounted on a wood block with an inset copper coin depicting the pyramid found on the back of the one dollar bill. (I believe the base to be a recent addition to the piece). The symbolism and dates suggest that this egg was commissioned to commemorate the 100th anniversary of George Washington's Masonic initiation into Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 in Virginia, and the records of that Lodge are still in existence, present the following entries on the subject. The first entry is thus: "Nov. 4th, 1752. This evening Mr. George Washington was initiated as an Entered Apprentice"; and the receipt of the entrance fee, amounting to ÂŁ2.3s., was acknowledged. On March 3 in the following year, "Mr. George Washington" is recorded as having been passed a Fellow Craft; and on August 4, same year, 1753, the record of the transactions of the evening states that "Mr. George Washington," and others whose names are mentioned, have been raised to the sublime Degree of Master Mason.
Early Wood Carving of the Square and Compasses This 10 inch in diameter wall hanging is intricately hand-carved and bears the Masonic emblem surrounded by sprigs of acacia. It is in perfect condition and dated on the rear as a Christmas gift in 1909. These hand crafted Masonic collectibles are the most sought after by collectors and museums as they are truly one-ofa-kind.
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Phoenixmasonry online Museum Masonic Serving Tray Decorated with Butterfly Wings
Pictured above is a rare arts and crafts style cocktail or serving tray. With a Masonic Square and Compasses in the center, it is all hand decorated with real butterfly wings. This is an exceptional piece of work, with very nice mahogany wood and inlaid boarder. The butterfly wings in blue are iridescent and very striking. The tray measures 18 1/2" by 11" and the sloped handles rise 1 1/2". Circa is mid 20th century and they are made in Brazil.
Scrimshaw Whale Tooth with Masonic Symbolism This scrimshawed whales tooth is circa 1840 and depicts many of the early symbols of Freemasonry. During the 19th century and the great Age of Sail, many Masonic Brethren "went down to the sea in ships." Their maritime professions ranged from ship builder, or ship's Master, to simple mariner. Wherever they traveled, Masonry traveled with them. A number of duly constituted Masonic Lodges were created in the East Indies, South and Central America, the Mediterranean and other ports around the world where seafaring Brethren could meet and enjoy fellowship. Traveling certificates, often printed in three or four languages, attested that they were Master Masons in good standing and eligible for admittance to these foreign Lodges. During long voyages, there were other opportunities to reaffirm the dual bonds that bound them to the sea and Masonry. Without official sanction, Freemasons seldom lost an opportunity to hoist Masonic flags and pennants while underway, or in port, in efforts to recognize one another. These displays often resulted in meetings where brotherhood and good fellowship could be more thoroughly enjoyed. In a number of countries, the Papal bull of 1738 continued to prevent the conduct of open Masonic meetings ashore, but probably gave rise to their safe retreat aboard sovereign ships lying at anchor in the harbor. Life at sea was hazardous in the 19th century, and necrology published in Grand Lodge Proceedings often grimly announced "death at sea" of many mariner Brethren. Despite the hazards of life on the briny deep, Freemasonry proudly rode the waves as the legacy of the above whales tooth will testify.
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Masons in the News
“Would you want to be a Freemason?” By Tom de Castella
BBC News Magazine
Dogged by conspiracy theories, Freemasons insist theirs is a modern, open organization. But can this maledominated body cast off its secretive image and win over a skeptical public?
themes such as male bonding, charitable work and ritual. It argues that members value the community of Freemasonry and that outsiders are largely ignorant of how the organization works.
They designed the pyramids, plotted the French Revolution and are keeping the flame alive for the Knights Templar. These are just some of the wilder theories about the Freemasons. Today they are associated with secret handshakes and alleged corruption in the police and judiciary.
With 250,000 members in England and Wales and six million around the world, they are a minority, albeit one associated with the levers of power. The first US President, George Washington, and another leading American revolutionary, Benjamin Franklin, were Masons. Today a significant proportion of the Royal Household are members, and the Duke of Kent is grand master of the United Grand Lodge of England.
But dogged by this "secret society" image, the Freemasons have launched a re-branding exercise.
Masonic rules demand that members support each other On Friday, the United Grand Lodge of England, the and keep each others' lawful secrets, which has led to fears largest Masonic group in Britain, publishes its first of corrupt cliques developing. independent report. The Future of Freemasonry, researched by the Social Issues Research Center, aims to start an "open It's nothing new, says Observer newspaper columnist and transparent" discussion ahead of the group's Nick Cohen. tercentenary in 2017. Ever since the 1790’s Masons have been "whipping Nigel Brown, grand secretary of the United Grand boys" for global conspiracy theorists, he argues, adding that Lodge, says it's time to banish the reputation for secrecy. after the French revolution, Catholic reactionaries were "We're being proactive now. It's essential we get people's looking for a scapegoat and the Jews - the usual target minds away from these myths." For instance, there is no were too downtrodden to be blamed. such thing as a secret handshake and professional networking is forbidden under Masonic rules, he says. Even this is disputed. Martin Short, who wrote about the Masons in his 1989 book Inside the Brotherhood, says the handshake is real. "If you meet a middle-ranking police officer, you'll suddenly find this distinctive pressure between your second and third fingers. The thumb switches position and you feel that someone is giving you an electric shock." The report for the most part dodges such controversy, surveying members and the wider public on Masonic
(Continued on page 19)
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Masons in the News (Continued from page 18) It was the Freemasons' turn and the narrative of a secret society plotting in the shadows has never gone away, says Cohen. "You can draw a straight line from the 1790’s onwards to the Nazis, Franco, Stalin right up to modern Islamists like Hamas." The charter of Hamas - the Islamist party governing Gaza - states that the Freemasons are in league with the Jews and the Rotary Club to undermine Palestine. These theories are "clearly mad", says Cohen, but attacking the Masons has become a staple for anyone suspicious of a New World Order. There's also the sense that Freemasons are "weird", says James McConnachie, author of the Rough Guide to Conspiracy Theories. Initiations include rolling up one's trousers, being blindfolded with a rope round one's neck, and having a knife pointed at one's bare breast. "They offer a progression to a higher level of knowledge," McConnachie says. "It's alluring and cultish."
People join the Masons not because it is a community group raising money for charity but for its "snob factor" and history, argues McConnachie. If this is overtaken by a transparent, inclusive approach then the organization would be indistinguishable from many other dining clubs. "You'd have to ask - why would you want to be a Freemason rather than a Rotarian?" Distrust remains strong. Last year, the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams controversially named a Freemason as the next Bishop of Ebbsfleet. He had previously said that Freemasonry was "incompatible" with Christianity. In August 2010 it emerged that a new national Masonic lodge had been set up by senior police officers. Former Home Secretary Jack Straw tried to address the issue of Freemasons working in the criminal justice system. In 1999, new judges were required to publicly disclose whether they were Masons. But after a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights, the requirement was dropped in 2009. Police officers have a voluntary requirement to disclose - but only to their superiors.
Researching his book in the Grand secretary Brown 1980’s, Short found that argues that the initiations are allegorical one-act plays. They "corruption in the police was enhanced and shielded by the give people "from all walks of life" the chance to stand up Masonic lodges." in front of an audience, conquer their fears, and make friends, he says. It's difficult to know whether anything has changed as the Freemasons do not make their membership list freely "People don't associate fun and enjoyment with available, he says. Brown responds that to do so would Freemasonry but it's the common thread for us. It's about breach data protection rules. camaraderie and making lasting friendships." Given all the suspicion, it's hard not to feel sorry for Another vexed issue is its male-only image. There are Freemasons, says Cohen. women's orders in Britain with 20,000 members, but Freemasonry is overwhelmingly male. "Researching them, you do become rather sympathetic. If people want to say Freemason lodges are nests of The report talks of a "quiet revolution". But some corruption then fine. But they've got to prove it. It's no good information should be withheld from public view, Brown just saying it." says. "Keeping a bit of mystery is good news. If people joining know absolutely everything, where would the However, there is something amusingly peculiar about excitement be?" Masonic ritual. It is this rather than the historical baggage that is their biggest obstacle to getting a fair hearing, he The Masons are walking a difficult tightrope, says argues. "Rolling your trouser leg up is quite funny. If they brand consultant Jonathan Gabay. For the rebrand to be do want to rebrand then perhaps they should drop the effective, they have to demonstrate they are serious about trouser leg rolling." being open and transparent. And yet, in the process, they risk alienating members who value the "cachet" of secrecy http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-17272611 and tradition, he says.
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Masons in the News
“"Secret" freemasons open up, insist there are no Damn it! You are given a rare opportunity to greet one of England’s most senior Freemasons and, in your eagerness to ingratiate yourself, you forget to clock the handshake. Was there a subtle application of pressure on the index knuckle? Or something in the grip, perhaps? Nigel Brown, Grand Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England, smiles indulgently. “We can do it once more, if you like.” Again, nothing. But that can’t be right, can it? “Number one, there is no Masonic handshake,” he says. “I’m afraid my handshake is a perfectly normal one. Sorry to disappoint you. It is one of the great myths.” There are no handshakes?
Freemasonry — the square, compass and apron — and its three degrees of evolution, Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason.
“There are no handshakes.” Really, really, really? “Really, really, really.” Brown has taken an oath not to disclose the signs used by Freemasons to recognize each other, so maybe he has to say this. But he sticks to his answer when pressed. “The worry of this myth is that if I extend a handshake and the other person returns it, we would immediately be doing business to the detriment of someone else.” The Grand Secretary is here, in his office in the Freemasons’ Hall in London, to discuss a report called The Future of Freemasonry, commissioned by his organization. Prepared by a think-tank, the Social Issues Research Centre, it seeks to place the Craft in a modern context, shedding light on an organization regarded by many as a secret society populated by the rich and powerful, and liable to you-scratch-my-back corruption. Or worse.
The report is a rather woolly thing, drawing on interviews with Freemasons and others. Its main points are that there is a longing in men to belong, to bond with other men, to help others (Masons donate $60 million a year to charity) and to take part in ritual. “We all take part in ritual in some form or another,” says Brown. “The ritual in our case is a series of one-act plays. You have to be a thespian to some degree, to learn your lines. Members enjoy it because it is a rare opportunity for public speaking. As people go up the ladder, there is a bigger role to learn.” To be a Freemason you have to be male (although women have established their own lodges), aged 21 and a believer in a “supreme being.” So you can be a Christian or a Jew or a Muslim but not an atheist. One can apply but for most recruits it is the tap on the shoulder. The one-act plays, to use Brown’s description, are staged during initiation and progression to a higher degree.
“They are allegorical plays,” explains Brown. “You come “None of the researchers were Masons,” says Brown. “Our into life with absolutely nothing, and that is what the initiation is aim was to show that we are relevant and transparent. Secrecy is about. The second play is about living a good life and the third one of the greatest myths, and our aim is to get rid of myths. I’m is about preparing for the end of your life.” here to tell you that there are no secrets — that is probably the greatest secret.” So why is a noose placed around the neck of the applicant? This attack of Masonic glasnost comes as the Craft looks forward to its 300th birthday. It was in 1717 that, according to Brown, a group of like-minded men got together in a coffee house and devised a non-sectarian, socially egalitarian forum in which men of integrity could fraternize, while avoiding the vexed issues of religion and politics. They took as their guiding metaphor the trade of stonemasonry, hence the symbols of
“Yes, there is a noose, but it is depicting the umbilical cord, so when you are born the umbilical cord is cut. The initiate doesn’t have to do anything at all. It’s done beautifully. There are no surprises for the chap coming in, no tests. The beauty is that you feel you belong.”
(Continued on page 21)
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Masons in the News (Continued from page 20)
“It’s at that level that we would start asking if you should stay on.” Speeding?
So why not allow the filming of an initiation? “That might thin our ranks a bit.” “Out of context it would seem silly and would spoil it for people coming in. Like everything, there should be a bit of mystery, because it adds to the enjoyment. But you have my assurance: it is a beautiful ceremony and everyone feels comfortable.” Brown attended school in southern Africa before taking a commission in the Grenadier Guards. Prior to taking up the role of full-time secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England — UGLE for short — he ran his own consultancy. He became a Mason in 1985 on the recommendation of a friend. UGLE has 250,000 members around the world. The Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland administer some 150,000 members. There may be as many as six million globally — two million in the United States. Five British kings, including Edward VIII and George VI, have been “on the square”, as were Winston Churchill, Rudyard Kipling and Arthur Conan Doyle. The Duke of Kent is the current Grand Master of UGLE, and his brother, Prince Michael of Kent, is a Mason. Yet, despite royal patronage, and the presence of Freemasons in the judiciary and the higher reaches of the City (there is a Bank of England Lodge) they deny being an underground arm of the Establishment.
What about one’s private life? “In my humble opinion it links to integrity. Infidelity would definitely be frowned upon but each case must be considered on its merits.” Homosexuality? “Fine. The key thing is to get men of quality coming in. One rotten apple can spread to the whole basket.” When government departments and councils issued forms asking job applicants if they belonged to secret societies, specifically Freemasonry, UGLE fought successfully to have the wording changed on grounds of discrimination. But why the culture of secrecy? “In the 1930s Freemasonry was relatively open but then as many as 200,000 Masons were put in the gas chambers by Hitler because he feared they were a secret power base. “When the Germans invaded the Channel Islands, the Freemasons’ Hall was ransacked and members deported to camps. So people in Britain, fearing invasion, went underground.”
“There have been masses of books written, the vast majority are complete rubbish,” says Brown. “The modern problem is the Brown sees religious belief as an indicator of integrity, of Internet and conspiracy websites.” community-mindedness. The churches, though, do not return the compliment. The Roman Catholic Church still regards You find it all there: the Illuminati, Bilderberg, the allFreemasonry as a “grave sin” and the Church of England seeing eye on the American one-dollar bill. Bill Clinton is considers aspects to be “incompatible” with Christianity. Brown supposed to be a 33rd-degree Mason, there being, according to denies absolutely that the Craft is a secret religion. conspiracists, a stair of secret degrees ascended only by the elite. But there is something quasi-religious about Freemasonry. “Dan Brown mentions some super degree or something in One only has to stand in the temple inside the wonderful, Art his book but there is absolutely no truth in it at all,” says Mr Deco Freemasons’ Hall to feel its force. The symbolism is all Brown. “There’s nothing not known to the rank and file but if around, silent and somehow intimidating. Above all, there is someone is very interested in Freemasonry, they can develop that all-seeing eye on the ceiling, beaming down on the whitetheir knowledge.” gloved, aproned brethren. How? “They can perfect their ritual.” Whatever that means. Mind you, they let Jim Davidson in, which suggests an eclectic membership, professionally if not politically. What about policeman? There are supposed to be loads of them in the Masons. “We don’t have a lot of policemen, actually,” says Brown. “This talk that you can hush up a crime or something is absolutely not the case. Any criminal record and you would be out straight away.” Driving without due care and attention?
One last chance to ask about arcane ritual. The rolled-up trouser leg. Now that has to be a joke, surely? “During the initiation ceremony, for a moment, a very short time — and it only happens once in a person’s life — a trouser leg is rolled up,” admits Brown. What a relief! The Freemasons are dotty after all. The Great Architect is in his heaven and all’s right with the world. © Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald http://www.calgaryherald.com/Freemasons+open+reveal+secret +There+secrey/6279698/story.html
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Masons in the News
“The oldest of them all: The Freemasons� Twenty years ago, Douglas E. Connell was helping restore a classic car for former Glocester Police Chief Jamie Hainsworth when he happened to notice Hainsworth wearing a ring with a curious symbol: a square and compass joined together with each leg of the compass pointing in opposite directions and the letter G in the center. "It was a very distinctive ring that had this interesting emblem. It really caught my attention," says Connell, 63, of Woonsocket. Oddly enough, it was during another car restoration job a short time later that Connell would see that same emblem again. "This other gentleman was wearing a similar ring so I started talking to him to about what it all meant." What he soon learned was that the square and compass is the single most universally identifiable symbol of Freemasonry and recalls the fraternity's early symbolic roots in stone-masonry. Intrigued, Connell did some research and learned that Freemasonry was a world-wide fraternity that emphasized many of the same principals and ideals that were important to him. He also learned that Woonsocket had its own Masonic lodge, Morning Star No. 13 on Clinton Street, so he petitioned the lodge to become a Mason.
top state lodge position in November and will be formally installed in a ceremony to be held May 21. Origins Freemasonry, sometimes just called Masonry, is the world's oldest and largest fraternal organization and arose from obscure origins in the late 16th to early 17th century. Freemasonry now exists in various forms all over the world, with a membership estimated at around six million, including approximately 150,000 under the jurisdictions of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and Grand Lodge of Ireland; over a quarter of a million under the jurisdiction of the United Grand Lodge of England; and just under two million in the United States. Over the years, historians have never been able to conclusively determine exactly when, where, how, and why Freemasonry was formed. The order is thought to have arisen from the English and Scottish guilds of practicing stonemasons and cathedral builders in the Middle Ages. Certain Masonic documents actually trace the sciences of geometry and masonry to the time of ancient Egypt, and some historians say that Masonry has its real roots in antiquity.
The formation of the first Grand Lodge in London in 1717 marks the beginning of the modern or Today, Connell is the newly-elected Most Worshipful "speculative" era of Freemasonry, when members were Grand Master of Masons for the State of Rhode Island no longer limited to actual working stonemasons. and Providence Plantations, or more simply, the Grand These "Accepted" Masons adopted more enlightened Lodge of Rhode Island — the 141-year-old governing philosophies, and turned what was a tradesmen's body for all Freemasons in Rhode Island. organization into a fraternity for moral edification, intellectual recitation, benevolent service, and Connell, a past Deputy Grand Master, Junior Grand gentlemanly socialization. Master, Senior Grand Warden and District Deputy for the Grand Lodge, as well as a past Master for his Over the centuries, Freemasonry has developed into a mother-lodge, Morning Star No. 13, was elected to the world-wide fraternity emphasizing personal study, (Continued on page 23) The rest, as they say, is history.
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Masons in the News (Continued from page 22)
The basic organizational unit of the fraternity is the lodge. Each lodge is headed by an officer called the self-improvement, and social betterment via individual "Worshipful Master." The term comes from the involvement and philanthropy. During the late 1700’s, judicial system of England and carries no religious it was one of the organizations most responsible for implication. Each officer of a lodge has a title that spreading the ideals of the Enlightenment: the dignity originated during the Middle Ages. These titles may of man and the liberty of the individual; the right of all vary somewhat from state to state, but in general the persons to worship as they choose; the formation of officers and their contemporary equivalents are democratic governments; and the importance of public worshipful master, senior warden, junior warden, education. treasurer and secretary. Freemasonry became very popular in Colonial America. George Washington was a Mason, and Benjamin Franklin served as the head of the fraternity in Pennsylvania, as did Paul Revere and Joseph Warren in Massachusetts. Other well known Masons involved with the founding of America included John Hancock, John Sullivan, Lafayette, Baron Frederick von Stuben, Nathaniel Greene, and John Paul Jones. Another Mason, Chief Justice John Marshall, shaped the Supreme Court into its present form. To become a Mason you must be a male 18 years of age or older; believe in a Supreme Being; and have a good reputation in the community. Freemasons are fond of saying that "to be one, you must ask one." $2 Million a Day Masonic principles teach the value of relief (charity), and Freemasons give more than $2 million a day to charitable causes, along with countless man hours. More than 70 percent of these donations support the general public. Among their works are the Shriners Hospitals for Children, with 22 sites throughout North America that include world renowned burn centers and orthopedic facilities; almost 225 Learning Centers that help children with dyslexia, speech and hearing disorders; the Masonic Youth Child Identification Program (MYCHIP), and the Masonic Angel Foundation, providing assistance to children and adults in local communities who do not fit the criteria for usual social services. Throughout America and the world, there are numerous other worthy causes and groups that local lodges contribute to and help in their communities — things like helping a widow pay her electric bill or buying coats and shoes for disadvantaged children.
Until 1717, each lodge of Masons was autonomous. On June 24, 1717, four of the lodges operating in London met together to form the first Grand Lodge of England. It became the first administrative or policymaking body of Freemasonry. Masonic lodges still retain autonomy over their finances, activities, officer election, fundraising, and joining ceremonies. But administratively, each state or province has a Grand Lodge which coordinates activities, serves as a central source of record keeping, and performs other administrative and policy functions for the fraternity. The state president is called the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge. He has broad powers in overseeing the progress of the fraternity and while there is no national spokesperson for the fraternity, within his own state jurisdiction he is the chief spokesman. "The Grand Master is kind of like the president of the corporation, the CEO, if you will, of the Grand Lodge, which represents all the fraternal lodges throughout the state" explains Connell, whose tenure as Rhode Island's Grand Master of the Grand Lodge will run one-year. Secret Society? Over the last three centuries, Freemasons have been accused of everything from conspiring with extraterrestrials to practicing sexual deviancy to engaging in occult rituals to running the world — or trying to end it. Detractors include global conspiracy theorists and religious organizations, including the Catholic Church. "There have been all sorts of myths, misconceptions and conspiracy theories about Freemasonry for years," says Wyman P. Halstrom Jr. of Pawtucket, a past (Continued on page 23)
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Masons in the News (Continued from page 23) Grand Master for the Grand Lodge who now serves as Grand Secretary. "Rumors like these probably arose because of some of the secretive aspects of the society, but in reality, most Masons are respected members of the community who donate a lot of time and money to charitable causes." Contrary to some beliefs, Freemasonry is not a secret society, says Halstrom, adding that purported Masonic "secrets" were made public several centuries ago in London newspapers, and today can be found in the Library of Congress, on the Internet, and in the many books on the subject. While Freemasonry has often been called a "secret society," Freemasons themselves argue that it is more correct to say that it is an esoteric society, in that certain aspects are private. The most common phrasing is that Freemasonry has, in the 21st century, become less a secret society and more of a "society with secrets." The private aspects of modern Freemasonry, says Halstrom, are the modes of recognition amongst members and particular elements within the ritual.
into five geographical districts, including the Metro, East Bay, Northern, Central and Southern Districts. The Northern District includes Morning Star No. 13 in Woonsocket; Mount Moriah No. 8 in Lincoln; Lafayette Lodge No. 47 in Cumberland; Friendship No. 7 in Glocester; and Roger Williams No. 13 in East Providence. The Metro District includes Jenks No. 24 in Pawtucket; Redwood Lodge No. 35 in East Providence; and Rising Son No. 30 in East Providence. Last year, the Rhode Island Masonic community doled out approximately $245,000 in scholarships to students throughout the state, as well as financial contributions to local charitable causes such as The Call's Milk Fund and Times' Merry Christmas Fund Appeals. The state's Freemasons have also been involved for many years in the Masonic Child Identification Program known as CHIP, a charitable initiative by North American Masonic lodges to aid in the identification and recovery of missing children.
The CHIP program, which has been held annually at Woonsocket's Autumnfest celebration, among other "If you're coming to Freemasonry looking for places, allows parents the opportunity to create a kit of 'National Treasures' or 'Book of Secrets,' you're not going to find it here," quips Halstrom, 67, a Freemason identifying materials for their child, free of charge. since 1983. CHIP programs are supported monetarily at the Grand Lodge level, and are staffed by volunteers from Perhaps the biggest misconception, he says, is that subordinate lodges as well as law enforcement and Masonry is a religion. "It is not a religion. We're an dental professionals. The program has been lauded by organization made up of men who are religious." the National Center for Missing and Exploited And because it is open to all men who believe in a Children. Supreme Being, Halstrom says, it is one of the few "This is one of our best-known charitable initiatives, platforms where men of all faiths — Christians (including Catholics), Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and but we do so much more," says Halstrom. Hindus — can come together. In addition to scholarships and the CHIP program, he says, the Grand Lodge maintains a facility in Warwick "When you're the biggest and the best, people talk about it," adds Connell. "Neither are we a religion nor stocked with medical equipment ranging from wheelchairs to walkers. The equipment is donated to are we a secret society. What we do, actually, is people who wouldn't be able to afford it otherwise. encourage a man to become all he can be and to be a better person in his community." "If someone is in need all they have to do is let us know and we'll deliver it," says Wyman. Rhode Island Freemasonry There are 24 Masonic lodges in Rhode Island with an estimated 3,400 members. The lodges are broken up
There are several youth organizations sponsored or supported by the various Masonic organizations. The (Continued on page 25)
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Masons in the News (Continued from page 24) two largest and best known are The Order of DeMolay, an organization for young men aged 12 to 21, and The International Order of Rainbow for Girls, for young women aged 11 to 20. Woonsocket/Pawtucket Lodges Last year, Morning Star No. 13 in Woonsocket celebrated its 200th anniversary, and Jenks No. 24 in Pawtucket observed its Bicentennial in 2010.
Holton's grandfather was a lifelong Freemason and Master of the Freeman Lodge in 1955. "I used to go to lodge meetings with him when I was a boy so my association with the Masons goes back a few years," he says. When Holton became a Mason in 2005, he was the only candidate that year for membership. Last year, the lodge saw an increase of 18 new members. Both Holton and Connell say books like "The DaVinci Code" and movies like "National Treasure" have brought up both new interest and renewed speculation about the nature of the Fraternity. Though these books and movies are a product more of a vivid imagination than fact, they say the best thing someone interested in Freemasonry can do is talk to another Freemason.
With 160 members, the Woonsocket lodge has been located in its current building on Clinton Street for the past 83 years. The money used to build the lodge was raised by the Masons themselves, and more than 10,000 Masons would later parade down Clinton Street to celebrate the building's completion in 1929. "Come to the lodge and meet some of the guys. It's the best way to learn about us," says Holton, a chemical Woonsocket residents are well-versed in the fact that engineer by trade. 151 years ago, then-presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln made a train journey from Providence to "Young men today are very educated about Woonsocket where he delivered one of his most Freemasonry," says Connell. "Certainly a lot more significant speeches to a crowd of 1,500. than I was when I first saw that symbol on a ring 20 years ago. When these young guys approach us at our "What some people might not realize is that right after open houses they already have a broad knowledge of Lincoln gave his historic Cooper Union speech at what Freemasons are all about so in that respect the Harris Hall, he attended a luncheon with the Masons," Internet and the books and movies — to a degree — says Connell. have helped." For years, Jenks No. 24 in Pawtucket, founded in "But I really encourage any young man who is 1866, was one of three Masonic lodges in Pawtucket, inquisitive about Freemasonry to go to their local which also included the Freeman Lodge and the city's lodge and ask about it," he says. "If you're looking for first lodge, Union Lodge (circa 1810). All three a fraternal society that espouses the core values of merged in 2001 under the name Jenks No. 24, named prudence, temperance, fortitude and justice, and after Alvin Jenks, a prominent Central Falls supports people in the community, then there is no businessman. greater group of men than the Masons." The Pawtucket Lodge awards scholarships and takes part in the CHIP program throughout the Blackstone Valley, as well as raises funds through the American http://www.woonsocketcall.com/node/4706 Cancer Society's Relay for Life and various holiday drives. Today, Jenks No. 24 boasts 300 members, says Tom M. Holton of Cumberland, who grew up in Pawtucket and joined the Masons in 2005 at the age of 24. He is also in his fourth year as a Shriner's clown. Holton, elected Master of Jenks No. 24 in January, is the youngest person in the lodge's history to be elected master.
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Masons in the News
“Walker shares history and advice� By CheVaughn Starling
"I was haunted by the question, how do African Americans rationalize democracy? I tried to figure out this question and that's how this book came about," -Walker Dr. Corey D. B. Walker's A Noble Fight: African American Freemasonry and the Struggle for Democracy in America was the topic of his recent visit to the UIS Campus. On Thursday Feb. 2, Walker discussed his first book with the campus. He graduated from the University of Virginia with a major in religious studies. He currently is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Dept. of Africana Studies at Brown University. A Noble Fight examines the metaphors and meaning behind the African American appropriation of the culture, ritual, and institution of Freemasonry in navigating the contested domain of American democracy. Walker went into depth about what features went into making his book; his quote explained why he chose to write it in the first place. Walker started off the discussion with a reading from his book. He discussed Lincoln and how symbolic he was to the African American community. He explained after reading Umberto and Morrison, he wanted to frame his book around the question: is America possible? Walker answered this throughout his book by saying that it is a difficult question that is not settled. He reveals how African Americans changed the culture of the Freemasons to what it is now. Freemasons are similar to a male fraternity, and they have political ties. They are a secret society brotherhood that originated in London in 1787. A Noble Fight details how African Americans understand democracy particularly during elections. The book talks about how campaigns dictate what America is and will be, and how elections cause Americans to think differently and become narrow minded. Walker's book explains how Freemasonry was trying to develop a different America, a new world for African culture. It details how African Americans have evolved over time, how they began less than human, and were deemed as property. The book also goes into how America has not changed from 1776 to now. He stated that America needs to think in a new way and be open-minded about society. Several audience members came away from Walker's speech with new information and a new take on history. "I felt like this was very informative, historical, and had intellectual speaking. I didn't know much about Freemason groups, and I feel like I walk out of this with a lot more information than I had," said Sean Jackson, a UIS student. Walker's first novel went over many different things about the African American community and how it has evolved over time. He talked about the impact of political statements and how they affect America. A Noble Fight brought insight to many different people and left some of them seeing things from a different point of view. http://www.uisjournal.com/news/walker-shares-history-and-advice-1.2773150#.T2KcAPX4Kf8
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Masons in the News
“Symbolism of Freemasons Defines a Revitalized Rossiter Gem in Washington” At every corner, beneath you and above you and to all sides, the inscrutably familiar symbolism of the Freemason organization is hidden in plain sight. This historic home is like a dollar bill—if a dollar bill was priceless. Think of that pyramid and unblinking illuminated eye on the back of a dollar; these kinds of symbols are methodically carved or built into the walls of a house that has been revitalized in Washington, and so are the squares and the suns that denote the historic and quietly influential fraternity.
coincidence, but if there is one feature that will make the cynical visitor a believer, it’s in a ground floor gable. Seven evenly framed windows make up the convex shape; on the outside a porch has seven equally spaced beams supporting the overhang and when the inside lights or the fireplace (and in a 9,650 square foot home, there is no shortage of fireplaces) blazes, seven beams of light emanate from within, bathing the south side of the property overlooking the Shepaug Valley. It’s like a sun, and it’s amazing.
“You learn how to appreciate and These icons are found in the respect a house when you find most cleverly apt places. A ceiling lamp hangs from a something this special,” offered Mr. van Tartwijk. depiction of a glowing sun, suns are found in fireplace mantles, and, in fact, in any place the image could The historic structure on Ferry Bridge Road was built by illuminate. Consider the circular window on the due solar famed architect Ehrick Rossiter, and may be the largest west end of the home. of his homes still standing. Behind The Gunnery school, it was created as summer accommodations for Lucious “That’s supposed to be a sun,” said live-in enthusiast A. Barbour, a spool cotton baron who lived in Hartford Louise van Tartwijk, who owns the house with her and ran the Willimantic Linen Company. husband, Hans van Tartwijk, who works for an international realty firm. Yes, he was a Freemason. As she was finishing this thought recently, the setting sun The van Tartwijks note the heavy hand Mr. Barbour had blasted a blinding beam of light through the glass. in the design, but make no mistake, Mr. Rossiter orchestrated this masterpiece, a home named Rock Gate. Parquet floors, still of the original fir (thanks to the current owners, the original intent has been painstakingly The name is nothing Masonic; the driveway splits two jutting boulders for a natural stone conduit. preserved), serve to ground the countless number of triangles and squares. On an upper floor, Ms. van The house is of such import in conception that it was Tartwijk pointed out a window with the appearance of a highlighted in an Arnold Lewis 1982 collection called peering eye, brow and all. There are a remarkable number of architectural installations purposely found in denominations of seven, a rather significant number for the Freemasons. In one modest side room, Ms. van Tartwijk pointed out seven walls where four would have sufficed. Maybe some of the amenities could be chalked up to
“American Country Houses of the Gilded Age.” “Such eclecticism could be risky, but Rossiter could afford to experiment because (Continued on page 28)
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Masons in the News (Continued from page 27) he was a fine composer,” noted Mr. Lewis. “In the Barbour house he added his accents—clean and light circles and rectangular panels—gently. He was able to indulge his antiquarian bent without marring the contemporary appearance of the house because he knew how to use such elements unpretentiously.” Apparently, according to the author, Rossiter knew how to use “light circles and rectangular panels,” or secret society imagery, with great effect. Sometime in the early 20th century, there were some major revisions made to the home, and its brilliance was compromised. As the most glaring example, the wood siding was stripped and replaced with heavy shot stucco. Over time the house went from being a private residence to becoming part of the boarding school to abandonment and then to becoming a private residence again. At that point, the van Tartwijks, visiting from Holland in 2006, noticed it and had one of those love-at-first-sight moments. Ms. van Tartwijk, an American who lived for 23 years overseas, thought this would be a great place to introduce her four daughters to education in the states. Two of the daughters attend Westover School in Middlebury, and two attend Rumsey Hall in Washington. By 2009 it belonged to the Dutch family, but it took a year of renovations before Rock Gate was open. “We didn’t want to destroy the integrity of this home,” said Mr. van Tartwijk. “So we needed an extremely unique group of people,” continued his wife, “who understood we’re trying to preserve this home.”
Historical documents were consulted to ensure the house stayed as true as possible to the original intent. The roof was replaced with cedar shingles, the siding with red cedar shingles. The list goes on, but in 2010 the family moved happily into this picturesque home. Save for the electricity and indoor plumbing and updated insulation, there is little reason to think one is not living in the Victorian age. Even the furniture harkens back. But the van Tartwijk family has a different perspective on the idea of homeownership. This house, one that they worked so diligently to ensure was authentically conserved, is not really theirs to own. They live in it for now, probably until well into retirement, and then it will become someone else’s place to love and maintain and not reinvent. “This wasn’t going to be a weekend home. I feel like I’m a custodian here,” said Ms. van Tartwijk, who would like to see placement on the National Register of Historic Places. If the van Tartwijks could, they would interview the next occupiers before handing over the keys to Rock Gate, this Masonic manse http://www.countytimes.com/articles/2012/03/25/l_c_t_ monthly/doc4f6b4da275c37000225435.txt?viewmode=f ullstory
Litchfield County Times
Several general managers were interviewed before the family hired Laschever Building Company, LLC,of West Simsbury. The efforts were not futile. In an effort led by Jonathan Laschever, original molding profiles were custom reproduced for all exterior architectural trim. Interior molding profiles were also reproduced and the existing hardware was removed, repaired and reinstalled. Heart pine flooring, removed from the third level bedrooms, was reinstalled in the new kitchen and breakfast room and used for repairs on the first and second floors.
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Part 1-6 of this series was first published in the Living Stones Magazine. (Part 4 – Perfecting Ashlars)
What makes Ashlars Passable? There aren’t many Masons who actually ask this question. Fewer still take the time to respond to it in a Ritual directed way. Usually, what is deemed “Passable” are Masons who show that they are proficient in answering a few questions – ones that they have been instructed to answer in a specific manner. Some don’t even do this. They may share with their Brothers an “obligation” word-for-word as proof that they are suitable to Pass to the next degree. All of these operational standards are deemed ‘legitimate” even though they each ignore the criteria that Ritual espouses.
If you go back to Scripture, you find in at least one case that what made someone Passable was the manner to which he pronounced a specific word. When the pronunciation of this specific word included an “h” as the second letter, they were allowed to Pass. When the pronunciation of this specific word excluded an “h” as the second letter, they were summarily executed on the spot. We learn from Scripture that Proper Pronunciation meant life or death for these people. Of course, on the surface, one might conclude that the proper pronunciation of that word is extremely important in one’s survival. Because of this conclusion, one might be tempted to invest enormous amounts of energy and time in trying to pronounce correctly that one specific word or even an entire booklet of words. One might even believe that one is Passable if one succeeds in such efforts. And one would be misguided if one went down this path.
In Masonic Work, much like the lore behind the Master’s Word, one might These adopted “Pass-ability” standards are unfortunate come to believe that pronouncing something properly for many reasons. Brothers allowed to Pass in these provides the annunciator with some special or mystical manners Pass under constraints never intended by power to be viewed as Passable. The truth about this Ritual. Their advancing this way ill prepares them to though is simple and yet profound. Pronunciation of become proficient in what Masons need to Master. It such Words cannot be done with one’s mouth; it must also robs from our Brothers the legacy – a Rite of be done through one’s “Being.” Furthermore, Properly Passage – that all Masons have a right to experience. Pronouncing this one Word is a prerequisite to finding and using “The Master’s Word.” So what does make Ashlars Passable? The answer might surprise even 50-year Masons. Yet, it shouldn’t How is it that this Word cannot be pronounced using surprise any Mason who has actually done the Work one’s mouth and that it must be Properly Pronounced pointed toward by the first Degree. Examining Ritual through one’s Being? reveals that there are specific things that must occur to bring about Passable Masons. The concept of Pronouncing Words without using
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1) Judges 12:6
one’s mouth may sound utterly odd at first. Insight into this requires a shift in understanding as to how Words manifest without the use of oration or writing. (Continued on page 30)
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(Continued from page 29) One might explore Scriptures both Old and New to further one’s Grasp of this. In the Newer texts, this concept is brilliantly put forth in the Beginning of the Gospel according to John. It occurs also in the Older text, albeit more subtle, as was shared earlier in the offered Passing example. But what does the addition of the “h” do other than change the way it sounds? Adding an “h” may change the sound of a word, but more likely, it changes its meaning significantly. To understand this more fully, you could explore the names of the forefather and foremother of many Biblical tribes. Such further exploration is bound to shed more Light upon this for you. What you may find is that they were born “Abram” and “Sarai.” Through their individual covenants with God, their respective names were changed to “Abraham” and “Sarah.” When examining these name changes, you might discover the addition of the letter “h” to be symbolic. Yet, there’s so much more to this that could be shared. Suffice it to say, in biblical times, changing one’s name reflected something significant has occurred. Furthermore, the addition of the Hebrew letter “He” to names signified something far greater – a binding Covenant, more specifically, one with God. Is there any place within Ritual where such a binding Covenant occurs? “Sure there are” you might say and without giving it a second thought. Binding Covenants occur all the time, you might think. But do they? Or are Covenants merely offered and it is the responsibility of each Candidate to make them truly “binding?” Like most things Masonic, the ability to recognize, understand and use symbols is paramount to one’s ability to discern. Properly Prepared Masons know that the presence of an “h” reveals much symbolically ----------------------------------------------------------------------
2) John 1:1-2 3) or “he” in the Hebrew alphabet 4) and who are Properly Prepared
and the absence of the same does too. They also know that the Hebrew letter “he” means, “look, behold, lo” and signifies that “Light” is involved. Do you think that this significance might seem to be a little bit too coincidental? This very symbolism and the ability to see what needs to be seen is put to the test with all those who come to Pass. The inclusion of a simple letter “h” in the Candidate’s outward nonverbal Pronunciation indicates to all those who are present that the Candidate has both manifested “Light” and is the “Manifestation” of Light. All of them have Entered into a binding Covenant with God and adhered to it by completing the Work. Conversely, the exclusion of this “h” indicates to all present that Candidates have not manifested “Light” and, by their lacking, reveal too that they have yet to complete the Work of the first Degree sufficiently. Is this just an erroneously rendered conclusion? Pretenders can easily fool ill Prepared Masons. This occurs all too often, especially when Masons don’t possess the necessary Light to discern otherwise. How could they recognize an authentic Candidate ready to be Passed if they have not yet become the same for themselves? Responsible Recognition cannot be done suitably without Light available to behold such differences clearly. That’s the main thrust behind what makes Candidates Passable. They must behold the Light of Ritual, recognize it, understand it and, most importantly, exemplify it in themselves before they may use such Light to determine if others are of the same ilk. If they have yet to become “Passable”, they have not sufficient skill to determine if others are “Passable.” What is that Light? Once again, let us quickly review what was conveyed to you through my previous articles and by other (Continued on page 31) www.twtmag.com
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(Continued from page 30) Brother Masons at least one time in your Degree Progression. The object of all Entered Apprentice Work is to Perfect Ashlars and ready them for Raising. Such Work manifests Perfected Ashlars that are ready for Raising. Why Perfect Ashlars before Raising? In the tradition of our Operative Brothers, Ashlars must be Perfected prior to their being Raised, Positioned and Cemented into place. This simply makes sense when you Work through the Building process. To Raise any unperfected Ashlar would: 1) Require Superfluous resources. 2) Burden all those involved. 3) Violate the “no metal Tools at the Building site” clause. 4) Create Rubbish in the Temple. 5) Weaken the Structure. It is only Perfected Ashlars that are Raised. Doesn’t this skip over the Fellow Craft Work? Contrary to what many Masons have concluded, it is the Fellow Craft Work that Raises Perfected Ashlars. Masons who complete their Entered Apprentice Work become the “now ready for Raising” Perfected Ashlars. It is through their Fellow Craft efforts – Ascending the Winding Staircase disclosed within Ritual – that they are Raised. In short: Climbing Raises You!
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5) 1 Kings 6:7 6) Masons who have yet to do the Work required of them experience “entitlement” only. 7) And more importantly, what it represents. 8) To a trained observer, the very looks of unsuitable Candidates betray them. 9) Sometimes written “sibolet.”
The Third Degree both honors and validates this, but only when Masons have done the Work. Such Perfected Ashlars: 1) Are not Burdened and harmed by Excess or harming and Burdensome through Excess. 2) Have their emotions (Passions & Desires) Circumscribed and Subdued appropriately. 3) Know why they value what they value and without waver. 4) Have a good grasp on their Morality and their Moral Integrity is uncorrupted. 5) Have Strengthened themselves, despite any flaws they may possess. 6) Do not get stuck in change, but rather, they embrace change and come to acceptance quickly. 7) Establish and Maintain Standards and Boundaries that enhance their lives and the lives of others. Please stop for a moment to Perpend this. Review the list of Light that has just been shared with you. Contrast it against what you were told or shown at least once by your Brothers. Does the Light reflect what you were told or shown? Does it indicate the Work that must be done to Perfect Ashlars? Without any reservations, what you were told or shown to do by your Brothers should be denoted in this above list. If you do not see this, you might consider observing the first Degree with these items in mind. What about that “h” mentioned earlier? The absence of an “h” within any Candidate simply announces to trained and observant Brothers that the Candidate is not ready to be Passed. Candidates such as these are still “Burdened” and this Burden is pronounced by their manner. The word for “burden” in Hebrew is “sibbolet.” Pronouncing this word without an “h” after the initial letter would indicate that Candidates were “Burdened.” This “Burden” is not symbolic though. Candidates carry truly unnecessary Burdens when
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(Continued from page 31) they haven’t completed the Proper Preparation Work that the first Degree prescribes. There are sound reasons for doing the Work that the first Degree Ritual points Masons toward. Masons who have unburdened themselves open themselves up to both “Plenty of Light” and “the Light of Plenty.” Properly Prepared Masons see clearly those Brothers who are still Burdened by unfinished Work. They know through observation that no matter how much another Brother may “profess” all the right things, their character shall Pronounce who they truly are. Masons who complete the first Degree Work also Properly Prepare themselves for what is to come.
Email Bro. John Nagy with any questions or comments about this or any other of his articles. (Online browsing only)
Only Work Perfected Ashlars are Suitable to be Passed to the next Work stage – the Fellow Craft Work. Passing unsuitable Ashlars “passes” Burdens onto the Lodge and other Brothers. Is it unrealistic to expect Masons to adhere to this Standard? This all depends upon what Rubbish you and your Lodge want to deal with due to not adhering to what Ritual espouses. Do you and your Lodge want to be Superfluously Burdened, unnecessarily weakened and suitably forced to invest in activities unassociated with Building better Builders? If you want these results, then simply dismiss what Ritual espouses and Pass all those who don’t give an “h” when asked to prove their Suitability.
Submit
Points to Perpend: 1) What message do you convey to Brothers when you support unperfected Ashlars Passing? 2) What message is given to Brothers depending upon you for guidance, when you endorse Passing them prematurely? 3) What can you do to Properly Pass your Brothers? 4) What should you do? 5) How do you think the word “Perfect” is being used within this article? 6) What suitable responses can you provide to the questions sprinkled throughout this article? www.twtmag.com
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Th e B B u ild in g B e t t e r B u i ld e r s B o o k S e r i es s This Masonic Education Series shares Light that helps ‘Build Masonic Mastery!’ – Dr. John S. Nagy You cannot find a better overview of the Veiled Work of Masons. This Uncommon Masonic Education book series shows the Work that brings ou t Mast ery in Masons. It assists Masons toward better understanding the Masonic Work that Freemasonry alludes to through its collective writings, Rituals, Lectures and Catechisms. Each book reveals: Important Connections Between and Within each of the Blue Lodge Degrees Specific Masonic Work, Its Basis and Supporting Background Key Themes that Explain Blue Lodge Symbolism, Gestures and Words Transformations and Results That Masons Can Expect (Who Do the Work!) These books assist Ment ors, Coaches, St udy Gr oups, Lect ur ers, I nst ru ct ors, Lodge Educat ion Of f icers and Gener al Lodge Mem bers with instruction that makes sense. In addition, these books are excellent for instructing higher Degree Candidates with the basics missed by typical Masonic Education offerings. These books cont ain: Concise Uncommon Masonic Educational Chapters Multitudes of Masonic Questions/Answers/Aphorisms Further Light not found in Lodges or Schools of Instruction Challenging and interesting side codes and ciphers
Imagine understanding, explaining and using Ritual better than you ever thought possible!
The Building Series Masonic Education materials help create a clearer and cleaner understanding of what is required to Build Bet t er Builders. These m at erials are f or Masons w ho w ant m ore! Volume 1 (MM Level) – Three Degree I nterconnections Volume 2 (EA Level), Volume 3 (FC Level) & Volume 4 (MM Level) – The respective Degree Work, its basis, its background and the interconnections within the Degree Video – A Jam-packed 77 minute Masonic Education Overview with additional activities and suggested readings For more information and purchase, go to http:/ / www.coach.net/ BuildingBuilders.htm www.twtmag.com
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Featured Writer Bro. Scott Schwartzberg “A Primer on Voting and Balloting” White balls elect and Black cubes reject. Be careful with your ballot! -Florida Masonic Monitor
The following article relates to balloting as it pertains to the Grand Lodge of Florida, F. & A. M. Other jurisdictions may have different rules and regulations. Within the Masonic Lodge, there are some occasions that we can vote on, and others that require a ballot. When we vote, it is by “making the sign of a Mason” at the sound of the gavel. Our vote is visible to all. For other situations, it is not proper for our vote to be known to another. This can cause disharmony within the Lodge. The occasions which require the use of a ballot are for a petition to receive the Symbolic Degrees of Masonry, a petition for affiliation, for request of waiver of jurisdiction, a request for reinstatement after a period of indefinite suspension, the arresting of progress of a candidate, a Masonic trial, and the election of Officers for the Lodge. All balloting must take place in a Lodge of Master Masons, and at a Stated Communication, except by special permission of the Grand Lodge or its authority. The first five scenarios call for the use of the ballot box, with white balls and black cubes, while the final two call for a secret written ballot. In either case, it is improper to reveal how any particular Brother cast his vote, whether it be his own, or the discernment of another’s. Discussion, either of how one voted, or how one plans to vote, is strictly prohibited. Failure to abide by this can result in a charge of un-Masonic conduct, with all the possible penalties that can be imposed at a trial. It is also important that each member of the particular Lodge must cast his ballot, according to his own conscience. It is not permitted to leave the Lodge before casting a ballot, or to leave a stated Communication early in order to avoid the ballot. When using a secret written ballot, the majority vote controls. For elections, there shall be no nominations, nor electioneering. In a ballot for a particular office, if
more than two members are voted for, the names of the Brother, or Brethren, with the lowest number of votes are to be dropped, by order of the Master. If any Brother ignores that order and continues to vote for a dropped Brother, his vote shall not be counted. When using the ballot box, with balls and cubes, there should be enough of each to enable each Brother to vote his conscience. Balloting on a petition for the three Symbolic Degrees of Masonry; a petition for affiliation, dual membership or plural membership; or a request for waiver of jurisdiction must be clear in order to proceed – there must be no black cubes. If there is one black cube present, the ballot will be spread again, to guard against mistakes, but if there is a single black cube present the second time, it is final, as is the case if more than one black cube is present on the first ballot. It is permissible to ballot on up to five petitions for the Degrees, five petitions for affiliation, or five requests of waiver of jurisdiction at one time, although the petitions must all be of the same type, and not a combination of petitions or requests. When the collective ballot is spread, if all present ballot with a white ball, the ballot is “clear,” and all will proceed in the usual manner. If there is one or more black cube, the ballot is “dark,” and will require the collective ballot to be spread on each individual. At this time, the ballot for each individual will follow the rules of an individual ballot – if there is one black cube present, the ballot will be spread again, but if there are two or more black cubes present, the ballot is dark, and the petition or request is rejected. There is no such thing as a “cloudy” ballot. In order to allow reinstatement of a Brother after a period of indefinite suspension, there must be a unanimous, clear ballot. One black cube results in the rejection of the petition. An indefinitely suspended Brother has the right to petition for reinstatement again one year after the rejection. (Continued on page 35) www.twtmag.com
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Featured Writer Bro. Scott Schwartzberg (Continued from page 34) In order to allow reinstatement of a Brother after he has been suspended for non-payment of dues, there must be a ballot spread. In order for him to be reinstated, he must receive a ¾ positive result, whether this is by secret written ballot, or ball ballot. The ¾ positive result is also used for the final vote on changing By-Laws, and again can be a secret written ballot or by ball ballot. This must take place at a stated communication taking place after a meeting where a vote was taken on the proposed By-Law change. In order to allow a candidate to progress through the Degrees when progress has been arrested, a majority vote on ball ballot will determine whether the objection has sufficient merit to arrest the progress through the Degrees. This is the only time that a simple majority vote is used with a ball ballot. For most purposes of the ball ballot, a single black cube will indicate rejection. (1)
If a Brother is concerned about not knowing enough detail in order to cast a negative ballot, he need not be. If only one Brother, knowing the full details in such a situation, casts a black cube as his ballot, the petition or request would be rejected. If every Brother not knowing the details casts a white ball, trusting that there were well-informed Brethren among them, it would not override that single black cube even if there were hundreds of white balls cast. 1
As stated earlier, for a collective ballot, a single black cube causes a spreading of the ballot, that each one is now handled individually, and in the case of petitions for the three Degrees and for affiliation, a single black cube causes the ballot to be spread again, to guard against mistakes, with the reappearance of a single black cube signifying rejection. This also does not take into account the ¾ majority required for a by-law change or for reinstatement for non-payment of dues, which can be either by secret written ballot or by ball ballot.
Category
Method
Requirement
Candidate (arresting progress)
Ball
Majority
Candidate (for Degrees)
Ball
Unanimous
Candidate (physical qualification)
Written
Majority
Candidate (proficiency)
Show of Hands
Majority
Election of Officers
Majority
Membership (Dual, Plural, Affiliation)
Ball
Unanimous
Membership (Honorary)
Ball
Unanimous
Motions (floor)
Show of Hands
Majority
Reinstatement (N.P.D.)
Ball or Written
¾ Favorable
Reinstatement (Penal)
Ball
Unanimous
Resolutions (Not By-Law changes or Honorary Membership) Resolutions (By-Law change)
Show of Hands
Majority
Show of Hands
Majority
Final Vote (By-Law change)
Ball or Written
¾ Favorable
Trials
Written
Majority
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FEATURED WRITER- MATT JOHNSON
“The Endless Library” by Matt Johnson When I was a kid growing up in Decatur, Illinois, I would get snowed in. At first, this would seem like a very good thing. I would play Atari video games, play with my Star Wars toys, play games with my sister and perhaps build castles out of old boxes. I would watch a lot of television. I would read all my library books. Then it would happen. Boredom. There was no Internet, at least not where I was. Owning a computer was about as likely as owning a jetpack. This was the era when Michael Jackson was still known mostly for his music and not his personal life. It was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. After having exhausted EVERYTHING I could find for every last ounce of amusement…even dressing up the dog in a baseball uniform…I turned to an old set of encyclopedias. My parents may not have realized this, but they changed my life the day they bought those old books. I already had it in my mind to either be Indiana Jones or some kind of Jedi when I grew up. Maps and encyclopedias only fueled the fire. I read them all, cover to cover. I learned about science, history, culture… everything World Book encyclopedia had to offer. I have been a bit of a researcher and truth seeker ever since.
I discovered the Internet and found what I call “The Endless Library”. Everything you could EVER want to now is now available to anyone on Earth as long as you know English and have Internet access. Research that would have taken years can be done in days or even hours. Books that would have cost thousands of dollars are now free. FREE! All of the Masonic exposures, every holy book ever written, every unholy book ever written, classic literature, original texts the men of the 1600s who influenced modern Freemasonry had access to (the Corpus Hermeticum, the Trivium, the Quadrivium, Rosicrucian texts, etc) plus the writings of Mackey, Pike, Newton, Hall and many others. We are the most blessed Masons that have ever lived. We also have access to other Masons like never before. I have my brothers in my lodge, but I also have my brothers all over the globe via Facebook. I can learn from them and they can learn from me. I have been able to learn many things in a short amount of time thanks to the Internet and the many brothers I have encountered. I am of the opinion that the Internet has even “saved” Freemasonry or at least dramatically enhanced it. We can study and seek truth like no other Masons in history. And the vast majority of the Masons I encounter online are doing just that. Many new Masons are doing a lot of research online before they ever walk through the door of a lodge.
One branch of Freemasonry that is making good use of the Internet (in my opinion) is the Scottish Rite of When I read about men like Albert Pike and other the Southern Jurisdiction. Grand Lodges and other Masons of the past, I feel a bit of a kinship. They appendant bodies should take a look at what they are wanted to know the big things of life…the meaning doing. They have a ton of resources online open to all of life and things of that nature. They pored over Masons, Scottish Rite or not. Google the article countless books and traveled in search of more. When “Reading Masons and Masons Who Do Not Read” by I was 16, my grandfather (who was a Mason) gave Albert G. Mackey. Modern Masons truly have access me a stack of old Bibles and old documents to an “Endless Library” and those who use it will be containing our family history going back to 1147. We blessed. It’s a great time to be a Mason! never directly talked about Freemasonry, but looking back I get the feeling he was checking to see if I . would be open to the idea. TWT As time went on, I traveled to other countries. I studied religion and history intensely. In the late 90s, www.twtmag.com
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“ The Importance of Special Lodges� I am a former member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. New Hampshire has a unique legislative makeup; our House of Representatives consists of 400 members. It is the third largest legislative body in the English speaking world. The representation is one Representative for roughly every 3200 citizens. When you think of direct democracy, I believe there is no greater example of this than our humble, $100 a-year-salaried, House of Representatives! The legislature in New Hampshire (the House and Senate combined are called the General Court) meets from January through June of each year and deals with mountains of legislation, usually three days a week. So you can imagine the problem; with a population of 400 Representatives and 24 Senators (especially with a history of centuries), there have to be Masons in the mix, right? Absolutely! In 2006, a few of us organized a dinner for the Legislator-Masons at a lodge near the State House. The event went extremely well and the discussion came up about organizing a Lodge of these Brothers, some of whom were not able to make their own Lodge meetings because of their legislative responsibilities. Literally the next day, I set to work inquiring with Grand Lodge about forming a special lodge and began attending to the logistics (filing with the Secretary of State, setting up bank accounts, fundraising, getting Lodge
materials, etc.). Within a month we were ready; we were granted dispensation in May of 2006 with a five year charter issued that November, with our permanent charter coming from the Grand Lodge of New Hampshire in November of 2011.
General Court Lodge No. 1784 is the first lodge (according to my research), made up exclusively of legislators, their staff and officers, in the United States. It is a special Lodge; by definition a special Lodge meets, has officers, cannot initiate, pass or raise Masons, does not pay grand Lodge assessments, is not responsible for visitations, nor is the Lodge eligible to present NH Masonic awards, have representation at grand Lodge sessions and the like. However, it allows for 10-30 Brothers, in the months the General Court is in session, to meet in Lodge, discuss Masonry and break bread with their brothers. The importance of this type of Lodge cannot be understated. While the Lodge does not perform the degree ritual, it still practices the opening and closing ritual and the Master is eligible to all the rights and privileges of his rank. This type of Lodge gives some of our members the ability to serve in Lodge positions they may not have the time to serve in their own Lodges, but more importantly, it allows these Masons to meet as Masons and share in the tenets of brotherhood, relief and truth. (Continued on page 38) www.twtmag.com
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(Continued from page 37) Special Lodges are not unique, indeed, all one need do is look across to the mother grand jurisdiction where you’ll discover special Lodges made up exclusively of policemen, firemen, professors, the Royal Household, military divisions, etc. Many of these lead to the formation of many of our own “Square and Compass Teams” of firemen or policemen who exemplify the third degree in a Lodge where one of their own is being raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason. Similarly, several jurisdictions have kilted degree teams where the Brothers dress in their best Scottish formal and exemplify the third degree, and in some rare cases, deliver a history or lecture in brogue! Interestingly enough, there are even more special Lodges throughout the world which have a positive impact on the fraternity. Take for example Baden Powell Lodge. There are many Baden Powell Lodges throughout the Masonic world; the first was founded in 1930 in Australia and indeed their VSL was donated by the Chief Scout of the World himself, Robert Baden-Powell. His grandson Michael Baden-Powell, an active Scout leader, has even presided as Master of said Baden Powell Lodge 488 in Victoria. Many of these “BP” lodges are dedicated lodges whose membership consists of former Scouts and current Scouters. As any Scout leader will tell you, since Scouting only takes “one hour a week,” there’s plenty of time for both! (Yes, that was a bit of sarcasm for your benefit; it’s also untrue!) Now all who have been Scouts or are familiar with the program know our mottos, oaths, slogans and laws; thus they know that Masonry is a natural progression for our young men who serve ably as Boy Scouts. BP Lodges unite a specific type of Brethren together, and this should be encouraged. Having like-minded, wellintentioned Brethren come together leads to good things happening; not only at the lodge or grand Lodge levels, but in the community as well. I return to my earlier example of General Court Lodge; I was so honored by my Brothers to be selected as the first Master in 2007. Our sixth Master is now presiding, and doing an admirable job. The interesting thing is that while two of the Masters had previously served as a Lodge Master,
the others did not. I went on to serve as Master for two years in my home Lodge, and our current Master is serving as Senior Warden for the second year in his own lodge. I believe that membership in (and potentially leadership in) the special lodge has made these men better Masons, and they have a desire to continue the work they’ve started by continuing service in their own Lodges. The fact is that we who knocked on the door came in search of something, and we did not come seeking this alone, we came in search of light by the help of brothers. The fact is that some have chosen to join our fraternity with men of the same profession, philosophy or a foreign language in a Lodge; this is laudable. The purpose of special Lodges is the same purpose of our regular lodges; to endue on the hearts and consciences of our members that they should be good men and true, peaceable citizens and act within due bounds of the compasses. In other words, I think special lodges are a wonderful thing, and if members of our fraternity continue to associate themselves with other members, we all benefit.
TWT
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Featured Writer- Bro. Kyle Ferguson
Check out Kyle’s blog at http://philosophicalfreemason.blogspot.com/ In Freemasonry, we do an awful lot of talking about charity. Such importance is placed upon it that in all the Craft degrees, and all the appendant degrees of which I am a part of, charity is strongly advocated. We are instructed that it is the most important of all virtues. Nothing else matters if we have not charity. Why such focus on charity? If Freemasonry is the internal construction of a spiritual temple, then why is an outward act such as charity so essential to the process? Based on the fact that all things in Freemasonry have a face-value meaning and a deeper, esoteric meaning, I have to assume that there is something more to charity than meets the eye.
This is the definition of charity from a modern perspective. All the definitions, except number 4, have to deal with relief of financial or emotional hardships of humanity as a whole. As Beat Schwendimann says in his article in the Fall 2011 Issue of , the journal of the Philalethes Society,
Charity is defined by Merriam-Webster as follows:
(Continued on page 40)
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Featured Writer- Bro. Kyle Ferguson (Continued from page 39) collective consciousness of your fellow man. This is true Masonic charity. Love for ourselves, our fellow human beings, and, last but not least, the Craft itself, for the Craft is the path toward enlightenment that we have all chosen to take. This is a very interesting statement, especially in regards to charity. It says that there is an outward form of charity that everyone, including the profane, are aware of but there is also an internal form of charity, a spiritual charity if you will, that only the truly initiated are aware of. This is charity in the abstract moral and philosophical sense. Charity, thought of in this abstract way, begins with charity toward the individual self. Each Mason undertaking his journey needs to allow himself to be changed. He needs to give of himself to himself in order to begin the transformation from the rough ashler to the perfect ashler. This is where charity begins. No man can truly be charitable in the outward sense until he has first given of himself in the inward sense. One of the biggest obstacles that a man making the inward journey faces is his inability to address the initial work: the work of the Entered Apprentice. It takes tremendous personal fortitude to perform the work at this stage and progress from it to the next stage. This is where individual charity needs to come into play. The ego must be forced to allow the charitable contribution of the true Self to assist it in clearing away the rubbish that has built up throughout the years. As he progresses through his journey, he needs to always be excepting of the help of the guiding light in the above level of consciousness. This is what I mean by giving of yourself to yourself.
Charity is love and love is knowledge and passion rolled into one. Freemasonry is a thing of balance. The tools of the Entered Apprentice show us this perfectly. The common gavel is the tool of passion, the 24inch gauge the tool of knowledge. The perfect balance of the characteristics these tools represent results in a pure love for someone or something. True charity does not require monetary of material contributions. As St. Paul said, "And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing." He is telling us that charity is not a result of giving of the material, but of giving of the internal or spiritual. Giving love toward ourselves and the whole of humanity. So, looking at charity in this new light, I encourage us all to be more charitable. Not giving of your money, but giving of your knowledge and passions: giving love.
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So, looking at charity in this moral and philosophical sense (the way in which the word was originally defined), it appears to mean love. To truly love thyself and your fellow man is to truly know thyself and understand the www.twtmag.com
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Featured Writer- Bro. David Browning
“The Evolving Meaning of Symbols?”
should be a rule and guide to your conduct in all your Our Masonic fraternity uses allegories to teach
future transactions with mankind.” When we are
and symbols to illustrate moral and philosophical
brought to light we “behold one point of the
lessons throughout the many degrees. The meaning of
Compasses bare, the other being concealed, to teach
these symbols can take on a different meaning based
us that we have received Light in Masonry but
upon where one is at in their Masonic journey. I will
partially.” We are also taught in the lecture the use of
use the Square and Compasses, two of the most widely
the Square as a working tool of the Operative Mason
known and used symbols of our fraternity, to illustrate
and that we, as Speculative Masons, make different
this using the teachings of the degrees of the Blue
uses of it, “… squaring our actions by the Square of
Lodge and the Secret Master Degree of the Ancient
virtue.”
and Accepted Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction.
In the 3rd or Sublime Degree of Master Mason
In the 1st or Entered Apprentice Degree when
we are received “upon both points of the Compasses
we are brought to Light we behold the Holy Bible,
extending from your naked left to right breast to teach
Square, and Compasses, the three Great Lights in
you that as the vital parts of man are contained within
Masonry, with the both points of the Compasses being
the breast, so are the jewels of a Master Mason
covered by the Square. We are then told that “The
contained within the points of the Compasses which
Holy Bible is given us as the rule and guide of faith,
are Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly Love.” When
the Square to square our actions, and the Compasses
we are brought to light we “behold both points of the
to circumscribe and keep us within due bounds with
Compasses bare to teach you never to lose sight of the
all mankind but more especially with the brethren in
moral application of that useful and valuable
Masonry.”
instrument which teaches Friendship, Morality, and
We are then placed in the North East
corner of the lodge. At this time our feet are positioned
Brotherly Love”.
to form the angle of a Square which is symbolic that upon this solid base we are to be just and upright in our actions.
The symbolism to this point seems fairly straight forward and is normally taken at face value. Now is when things get really exciting and sometimes
In the 2nd or Fellow Craft Degree we are received “upon the angle of a Square against your naked right breast to teach you that the Square of virtue
convoluted for those who are on a quest to be truly enlightened! (Continued on page 42) www.twtmag.com
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Featured Writer- Bro. David Browning (Continued from page 41)
other degrees of the Scottish Rite. Each time that we
In the 4th or Secret Master Degree we are taught
gain new knowledge and understanding, we should take
that the Square represents those things that are earthly
this knowledge in its current context and reflect upon
and the Compasses represents those things that are
what we have previously been taught. This exercise
spiritual. When we look in retrospect on the Blue Lodge
will often reveal meanings which have heretofore been
Degrees with this new found knowledge we can then
concealed from us. I think if you do this with the
begin to understand that although we are Master Masons
additional meanings of the Square and Compasses and
and have completed the Blue Lodge Degrees, we have
other symbols used in the higher degrees that you will
only taken some of the beginning steps in our journey
enjoy the new found knowledge and make great strides
towards enlightenment. With this new found knowledge
in your path towards enlightenment.
the placement and usage of the Square and Compasses in the Blue Lodge Degrees takes on entirely new and different meanings. Applying this new knowledge, we realize that both points of the Compasses being concealed by the Square in the 1st Degree illustrates that we are worldly beings who have yet to awaken and explore our spirituality. Up until this point in time we have been uninitiated and have spent our life seeking after and being blinded by the things of this world. “One point of the Compasses bare, the other being concealed” in the 2nd Degree illustrates that we are beginning to awaken as spiritual beings but are still being held back by our connections to the things of this world. “Both points of the Compasses bare” in the 3rd Degree illustrates that we have began to value the spiritual above the things of this world. This is a transition that will allow us to continue in the quest for true enlightenment if we have the internal desire and conviction to pursue.
We continue to see an evolution of the usage and
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meaning of the Square and Compasses throughout the
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A significant group of passionate Masons have joined together to create what is now the fastest growing research society in Freemasonry. Called simply The Masonic Society, we are brothers who have a deep and abiding desire to seek knowledge, explore history, discover symbolism, debate philosophies, and in short, who are at the forefront of charting a path for the future of Freemasonry. As a student of Freemasonry, you are invited to join with us in this exciting organization. Membership in The Masonic Society is $39 per year ($49 outside of the U.S. & Canada). Benefits include: • Commemorative pin, patent of membership, and dues card. • The quarterly Journal of The Masonic Society presents articles that enlighten our past, and explore solutions to the challenges facing Freemasonry today and tomorrow. Each Journal features articles by the best-known authors in Freemasonry, as well as the brethren from the lodges in your neighborhood. • Members-only access to the Masonic Society online Internet forum. • Annual First Circle gatherings – Each year, The Masonic Society is an active participant in the Allied Masonic Degrees "Masonic Week," held in February in Alexandria, Virginia, which includes our annual First Circle gathering. • Second Circles - Masonic Society members are automatically members of state-wide or regional groups called Second Circles. These groups organize more localized seminars, speeches, dinners and other gathering, and members are encouraged to meet and work with brethren in their areas. • Programs are negotiated with publishers and other businesses for members-only discounts on books, clothing, jewelry, regalia, and other items.
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Cover- “Templar Nation”
Templar Nation What does the Knights Templar, cool CGI, Utah, and Ponch from the
1977 TV show CHiPs all have in common? They are all part of Bro. Joseph James newest film “Templar Nation”.
The follow up to 2011’s “The Masonic Map” (www.themasonicmap.com) is soon to be released to the public and TWT had the privilege to speak to the Director/Producer/Actor of the film. From The Templar Nation website (www.templarnation.com) we learn
I was thrilled to talk to Joseph to get more details on his latest project and share them with you. We talked about the film, his future plans and the movie making process. By the end of the conversation I learned that Joseph’ s passion for Freemasonry is clearly strong and it shows in all his work. Below is our interview followed by exclusive pictures from the set for the TWT readers.
(Continued on page 45)
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Cover- “Templar Nation” (Continued from page 44)
(Continued on page 46)
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Cover- “Templar Nation” (Continued from page 45)
The majority of it takes place in the modern-age. We were able to showcase some of Utah’s most breath-taking scenery like the red rocks formations in Southern Utah. We also shot at the Salt Lake Masonic Lodge and other set dressings were overseen by Melissa Hays. To go back into time, we luckily had the editors and CGI team at Thor Media to help us create the scenes in which we travel back to the age of the Crusades in mid-evil Europe. Everyone wants to know about the fight scenes… I was actually trained here in Utah by Jeremiah Smith and John Harmston who are faculty members at the True Edge Sword Academy.
(Continued on page 47)
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Cover- “Templar Nation” (Continued from page 46)
I would also like to include a congratulatory word for Cory Sigler on the success of the Working Tools Magazine and his dedication to the Craft of Masonry. Many years ago there was a 33° degree mason who informed me of the magazine and the wealth of its content. I am grateful there are Brothers like Cory who contribute so much to the Craft and the larger public. I truly am excited and honored to be a part of this publication because I know we are moving forward as a worldwide Fraternity on multiple levels.
CGI Templar Nation Room
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Cover- “Templar Nation”
Joseph Training
Beautiful Utah landscape
Green screen Movie Magic
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Cover- “Templar Nation”
Erik Estrada Looking Cool
Joseph and Erik on Set
Photographs from St. George Utah, Joseph James Film Studio & Wasatch Masonic Lodge by Melissa Hays for Joseph James Films ©2012 Templar Nation
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York Rite News & Information
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York Rite News & Information
I would like to thank Bro. Daniel Schutlz, New Jersey Grand Almoner for Royal Arch and the State Executive Officer for RARA for sending me this information and making me more aware of their great work.
As I am a father with an Autistic son, I can very much appreciate what they are doing. To help donate please send checks to: Daniel J. Schultz/ RARA Officer 167 Hasbrouck Avenue Emerson, NJ 07630
What is RARA Royal Arch Research Assistance is a not for profit organization established in 1974 initiated by the General High Priest , Edward Selby of Ohio. It has continued since that time to be governed by a board of directors. These are Royal Arch Masons appointed by the General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chapter, who is by statute the President. Charity is, and in one way or another has always been, in the forefront of the activities of the General Grand Chapter. When the RARA was first established the initial concentration was medical research. Grand High Priest Selby looked for an area that needed much needed funding. This search led him to Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD). Royal Arch Masons have raised over $9,000,000 to date. CAPD A central auditory processing disorder (CAPD) is a condition in which one has difficulty processing or interpreting auditory information when in less than optimal listening environment. Individuals with CAPD typically have normal hearing acuity but are unable to efficiently process or interpret speech when in a minimally-noisy environment. The majority of children and adults that we test at the Center for Central Auditory Research at Colorado State University can hear soft sounds but are unable to understand or process verbal information in an efficient manner in their daily lives. They often report that they are confused or become flustered in busy listening environments. Settings such as a
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York Rite News & Information (Continued from page 51) classroom environment, the work place, and social gatherings are often very difficult for them because of confusing verbal stimuli. Other field of research that has received funding are: Hearing Health Foundation. NYC’s board of RARA awarded a grant of $100,000 to be broken into $25,000 each for four students for CAPD research. Autism Speaks of New York City. Awarded a grant of $100,000 to work specifically on and in their toddlers program, focusing on infants age 12 to 36 months. Royal Arch Masons have participated in over 90 “Walks” around the country to raise money for Autism Awareness.
CENTRAL AUDITORY NERVOUS SYSTEM FUNCTION Our research has led us to believe that the knowledge of the workings of the central auditory nervous system (CANS) is critical so that the proper diagnosis and management can be initiated. Each of the human senses have special areas of representation in the brainstem and brain. We believe that the auditory system provides perhaps the most important of those sensory systems because it gives us an avenue of verbal communication. RESEARCH FINDINGS For a number of years, the study of CAPD in children has been the primary focus of our work at the Center for Central Auditory Research. Because of the complexity of the CANS and the subtlety of this disorder, our work has involved many aspects of human function. These include the study of CANS function, speech and language ability, academic performance, emotional and behavioral function, and motor performance. Our research has given us insight into the academic function of many of these children. For example, we have discovered that approximately 60% of the children with CAPD have a history of reading difficulty. This is especially true in early grade levels. In the early primary grades, as many as four-to-five children in a classroom may be challenged by an "overloading" of auditory information. This statistic alone would lead one to believe that implementing auditory structure in the classroom would benefit many children in their early classroom experiences. Twenty years of research has produced numerous innovations in managing children and adults with CAPD. Inappropriate structure, incomprehensible demands, and tasks which continually stress the CANS will lead to failure. Because of recent developments in digital signal processing (DSP), the avenues of research into the enhancement of speech comprehension are unfolding. Collaborative work with electrical engineering has afforded exciting opportunities for unique and "cutting edge" technology. Recent research at the Center has shown that speech intelligibility can be significantly increased by "slow-down" the rate of speech using DSP techniques. THE FUTURE Research is continuing in collaboration with professionals in electrical and mechanical engineering, computer science, education, audiology, speech and language pathology, psychology, and occupational therapy in an effort to address the problems which plague children and adults with central auditory processing difficulties. Because of the support of the General Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, International, our direct management program has changed the lives of thousands of individuals with this disorder, With the addition of innovative technology and your continued support, we are excited about the potential benefits of this research for many years to come.
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York Rite News & Information - Featured Writer- Bro. Jacob Lucas
In the previous three issues, you have read what I wrote about the three Symbolic Degrees of Freemasonry, as practiced in much of the United States. Although ritual does vary from state to state, many of the differences are minor, with different words here and there. I have only seen Degrees conferred in three states, but have read ritual from other states, talked with Brothers from other jurisdictions, and find that most of the states use ritual derived from a common source – Thomas Smith Webb’s adaptation (Freemason’s Monitor or Illustrations of Masonry) of William Preston’s Illustrations of Masonry. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania is the sole regular Grand Lodge in the United States that does not use this source, although other Grand Lodges do have Lodges that follow other ritual.
with the LOSS of the Master’s Word, the Chapter with its RECOVERY, and the Council with its PRESERVATION. The York Rite takes its name from the city of York, England, where Masonic Legend tells us that Freemasonry was brought by Æthelstan the Glorious, in 926 A.D., first King of all England. This is told in the Regius Poem, or Halliwell Manuscript, which talks of geometry spreading from Euclid and ancient Egypt through the world, and contains instructions for Masters and Craftsmen, both moral and for the operation of building sites.
According to Lomas in Turning the Templar Key, the York Rite takes a Craft Mason and teaches him that there is a great spiritual secret hidden in a secret vault at the center of his personal consciousness. This vault, which is a symbol of the mystery of self-awareness, is described in the ritual as a chamber which had been The purpose of this article is to complete the built beneath the First Temple by King Solomon to foundation that was begun with the Symbolic hide certain Masonic secrets. It was discovered when a Degree articles, and look at the York Rite as a group of Knight-Masons, working for King system, before next month begins the journey Zerubbabel, were clearing away the rubble while through each individual Degree. getting ready to start the construction of the Second Temple. To become a Companion of the Holy Royal The York Rite is a series of Degrees that one Arch, a Master Mason must face the dark terror of can take after becoming a Master Mason. This particular system, or Rite, does not exist outside entering this hidden vault and learn to subdue his fears. of our country, although the Degrees themselves The first body a Mason joins in the York Rite is the are worked elsewhere, hence the term Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. Every U.S. state has a “American Rite” as used sometimes. Many Grand Chapter, which functions similarly to the way people consider the Symbolic, Craft, or Blue Grand Lodge oversees the Craft Lodge. A Chapter Lodge as the first body of the York Rite. I can confers four degrees, known as Capitular Degrees understand why this could be the case, as the Degrees of the York Rite do begin by following because they are the capstone of Craft Masonry. The main Officers in a Chapter are the High Priest, the those Degrees received in a Craft Lodge, but I King, and the Scribe. After completing the Degrees in disagree that the Lodge is a part of the York the Chapter, a man is now known as a ‘Companion’, Rite – it is an older entity, and was meant to and meetings are known as ‘Convocations’. stand alone as a complete system of three Degrees. A Council of Royal and Select Masters confers the Cryptic Degrees of Masonry, so called because they The bodies that make up the York Rite are a are chiefly concerned with a crypt, an important Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, a Council of subterranean vault known only to a select few of the Royal and Select Masters (or a Council of Cryptic Masons), and a Commandery of Knights Craft. In some states (and the province of Ontario), (Continued on page 54) Templar. The Lodge of Master Masons deals www.twtmag.com
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York Rite News & Information - Featured Writer- Bro. Jacob Lucas (Continued from page 53)
Knight Templar is ‘Sir Knight’ and the meeting is termed ‘Conclave.’ The principle officers in a Commandery are Commander, Generalissimo, and Captain General.
it is not required to be a member of the Council in order to progress to the Knights Templar. The main Officers in a Council are the Illustrious Master (‘Thrice Illustrious’ in many There are other, additional bodies associated jurisdictions), the Deputy Master, and the with the York Rite, some of which are by Principal Conductor of the Work. Cryptic invitation only. Masons are ‘Greeted’ as ‘Companions’ when they join a Council. A Council meeting is termed an ‘Assembly.’ The last group making up the York Rite is the Chivalric Orders. These are not Degrees as in other bodies, but are named after Orders of Knighthood. There are three Orders as well as one passing Order. A local Knights Templar division is called a Commandery and operates under a state level Grand Commandery as well as The Grand Encampment of the United States. The title of the
Sources Beardsley, Raymond R., MPS, “The Order of Judas Maccabeus,” October 1991, The Philalethes. Blaisdell, Ron, P.M., “The Rituals of American Freemasonry,” June 16, 2001, http://www.themasonictrowel.com/ebooks/fm_freemason ry/Blaisdell__The_Rituals_of_American_Freemasonry.pdf accessed on February 20, 2012. Blaisdell, Ron. Personal communication. Cryer, Neville Barker, The Royal Arch Journey. Cryptic masons – our lessons. http://www.rsmmi.org/lessons.html accessed on February 20, 2012. De Hoyos, Arturo, 33°, G C . Scottish Rite Monitor and Guide, 3rd Edition – Revised and Enlarged, 2011. Washington, DC. The Supreme Council, 33° Degrees, http://yorkrite.com/degrees/ accessed on February 21, 2012.
Macoy Publishing & Masonic Supply Co., Cryptic Masonry. The Order of Judas Maccabeus, http://themasonicleader.com/?p=362 accessed on March 2, 2012. Schroeder, John, P.M., “The Royal Arch of Zerubbabel (York or American Rite) and the Royal Arch of Solomon (Scottish Rite)”. Presented to A. Douglas Smith, Jr. Lodge of Research, #1949, on January 29, 2000, accessed at http://www.adsmithlor1949.org/Transactions/Volume%2 04/PDF%20Files/79A%20%20Royal%20Arch%20Comparison.pdf on February 23, 2012. Schwartzberg, Scott, S.K., “The York Rite,” 2011, unpublished. Forwarded to me by W. Bro. Cory Sigler, and used by permission of the author. Spiedel, Frederick G., The York Rite of Freemasonry: A History and Handbook. Presented by Hugh DePayens Commandery No. 30, K.T. and associated York Rite Bodies in Erie County, NY. 1978.
Denslow, Ray V., A Handbook for Royal Arch Masons. Lomas, Robert, Turning the Templar Key.
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York Rite News & Information - Featured Writer- Bro. Barry Newell
http://travelingtemplar.blogspot.com/
“Freemasonry and King Athelstan� King Athelstan, the grandson of King Alfred the Great (known for his defense against the Viking invaders), Athelstan (also spelled: Athelstane, Athelstone, Athelston, Aldiston, Adelstan, Adelston, and Ethelstan) is historically known for his success in securing the submission of Constantine II, King of Scots, at the Treaty of Eamont Bridge in 927 AD through to the Battle of Brunanburh in 937 AD led to his claiming the title "King of all Britain". While overlooked by his grandfather, it is important to point out that Athelstan was the first King of a unified England from 927 AD. He reigned between 925 and 939 and was a distinguished and courageous soldier who pushed the boundaries of the kingdom further than anyone had done before. According to Masons, particularly those of the York Rite persuasion, he holds an endearing place in our history as great supporter of Masonry in England, establishing charges and articles given to the Craft to live by.
Under Athelstan, law codes strengthened royal control over his large kingdom. Currency was regulated to control silver's weight and to penalize fraudsters. Buying and selling was largely confined to the burghs, encouraging town life. Areas of settlement in the Midlands and Danish towns were consolidated into shires. Overseas, Athelstan built alliances by marrying off four of his half-sisters to various rulers in Western Europe. He was also a great collector of artworks and religious relics, which he gave away too many of his followers, and to churches in order to gain the support of the clergy. Athelstan died in 939 at the height of his power, and was buried in Malmesbury Abbey. He had been an ardent supporter and endower of the Abbey, and it is fitting that he should be buried there. Here is from the York Rite Sovereign College of North America's website on the origins of the York Rite:
From the Masonic Order of Athelstan's website: In the year 926 A.D., the legendary Grand Assembly at York, was said to have been held by King Athelstan's half brother Prince Edwin, wherein the great traditions of symbolic and operative masonry were constituted, revived, or organized, and a new code of laws for the governing of the Craft instituted.
The York Rite takes its name from the Ancient English city of York, around whose minster, or cathedral, cluster many Masonic traditions. Here , these traditions tell us, Athelstan, who reigned more than a thousand years ago and who was the first king of all England, granted the first charter to the Masonic guilds. Here, in (Continued on page 56)
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York Rite News & Information - Featured Writer- Bro. Barry Newell (Continued from page 55) 1705, a Grand Lodge in London, to whose constitution the Grand Lodge of England later appealed as the true source of authentic Freemasonry. Though early disappearing from the Masonic scene, this Grand Lodge left an indelible impression upon the institution, and its name --- York --- will survive as long as Freemasonry continues.
The text of the document states that Freemasonry was brought to England during the reign of King Athelstan from 924 to 939. In Egypt he taught it full wide, In divers lands on every side; Many years afterward, I understand, Ere that the craft came into this land. This craft came into England, as I you say,
According to Phillip G. Elam in his paper "King Athelstan: Masonry's First Royal Patron",
In time of good King Athelstane's day; He made then both hall and even bower, And high temples of great honor, To disport him in both day and night, And to worship his God with all his might.
The three manuscripts that surround the York Rite legend and King Athelstan are the: Halliwell Manuscript (Regius Poem), Cooke Manuscript, and Landsdowne Manuscript. There is also one I had not heard of before doing this research, this is known as the Roberts Manuscript; claiming to be dated around the 13th century.
This manuscript is admitted to be the oldest genuine record of the Craft of Masonry known. The general consensus on the age of the document dates its writing to between the late 1300s and the middle of the 15th century, and from internal evidence its author appears to have been a West of England clergyman. The manuscript was recorded in various personal inventories as it changed hands until it came into possession of the Royal Library, which was donated to the British Museum in 1757 by King George II to form the nucleus of the present British Library. During this time, the document was generally described as a poem of moral duties. The significance of the document as relating to Freemasonry was not realized until it was featured in an article on Freemasonry by James Halliwell in 1840.
This good lord loved this craft full well, And purposed to strengthen it every part, For divers faults that in the craft he found; He sent about into the land
The Matthew Cooke Manuscript is the oldest of a class of about one hundred early documents known as Freemasonry's Gothic Constitutions, and the second oldest known manuscript in Masonic history. Typically, the Gothic Constitutions included an invocation, a mythical legend of ancient Masonry, a list of charges and regulations for Masons, and an oath or obligation. The manuscript was published by R. Spencer, London, in 1861 and it was edited by Mr. Matthew Cooke—hence the name. It has been dated at 1450 or thereabouts, an estimate in which most of the specialists have concurred. And after that there was a worthy king in England, called Athelstan, and his youngest son loved well the science of Geometry ; and he know well, as well as the masons themselves, that their handicraft was the practice of the science of Geometry. Therefore he drew to their councils (or took counsel, or lessons, of them) and learned the practical part of that science in addition to his theoretical (or book) knowledge. For of the speculative part he was a master. And he loved well masonry and masons. And he became a mason himself. And he give them (Continued on page 57)
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York Rite News & Information - Featured Writer- Bro. Barry Newell (Continued from page 56) charges and usages such as are now customary in England and in other countries. And he ordained that they should have reasonable pay. And he purchased a free patent of the king that they might hold an assembly at what time they thought reasonable and come together to consult. Of the which charges, usages and assembly it is written and taught in our Book of Charges; wherefore I leave it for the present. Many years after, in the time of king Athelstan, sometime king of England, by common assent of his Council and other great lords of the land on account of great defects found amongst masons, a certain rule was ordained for them.
The lesser known of the manuscripts, this catalogs the old charges of Freemasonry. According to Albert Mackey: This version of the Old Charges is of very early date, about the middle or latter half of the sixteenth century, as these Free Masons Orders and Constitutions are believed to have been part of the collection made by Lord Burghley, Secretary of State in the time of Edward VI, who died 1598 A.D. From the manuscript: Thereat was he himself and did help to make Masons and gave them Charges as you shall hear afterwards, soon after the Decease of St. Albones there came Diverse Wars into England out of Diverse Nations so that the good rule of Masons was dishired and put down until the time of King Adilsion in his time there was a worthy King in England that brought this Land into good rest and he build many great works and buildings, therefore he loved well Masons for he had a Son called Edwin the which Loved Masons much more then his father did and he was so practiced in Geometry that he delighted much to come and talk with Masons and to learn of them the Craft, And after for the love he had to Masons and to the Craft, he was made Mason at Windsor and he got of the King his father a Charter and
Commission once every year to have Assembly within the Realm where they would within England and to correct within themselves faults & Trespasses that we re done as Touching the Craft, and he held them an Assembley at Yorke and there he made Masons and gave them Charges and taught them the Manners, and Commands the same to be kept ever afterwards And took them the Charter and Commission to keep their Assembly and Ordained that it should be renewed from King to King.
He began to build many Abbeys, Monasteries, and other religious houses, as also castles and divers Fortresses for defence of his realm. He loved Masons more than his father; he greatly study'd Geometry, and sent into many lands for men expert in the science. He gave them a very large charter to hold a yearly assembly, and power to correct offenders in the said science; and the king himself caused a General Assembly of all Masons in his realm at York, and there made many Masons, and gave them a deep charge for observation of all such articles as belonged unto Masonry, and delivered them the said Charter to keep. References 1. Wikipedia. (2011, November 24). Retrieved from Masonic Manuscripts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masonic_manuscripts 2. Elam, P. G. (n.d.). Masonic Forum. Retrieved from King Athelstan: Masonry's First Royal Patron: http://www.masonicforum.ro/archive/en/nr21/patron.html 3. Hughan, W. J. (1872). The Old Charges of British Freemasons. London. 4. Masonic Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved from The Landsdowne Manuscript: http://www.masonicdictionary.com/lansdowne.html 5. Masonic Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved from The York Legend: http://www.masonicdictionary.com/yorkl.html 6. Speth, T. b. (n.d.). Matthew Cooke Manuscript. England. 7. The Masonic Order of Athelstan in England, Wales, and its Provinces Overseas. (n.d.). Retrieved from Who was King Athelstan?: http://athelstan.org.uk/history/who-was-king-athelstan?showall=1 8. Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved from Athelstan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%86thelstan
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York Rite News & Information
ROYAL ARCH MASONRY IN IRELAND By. W.B. Robert J. W. Harvey One of the earliest known references to the words "Royal Arch" is to be found in the columns of Faulkner's Dublin Journal of 14th January 1744, wherein is described a Masonic procession of Lodge No. 19, Youghal, County Cork, on St. John's Day, 27th December 1743. The relevant passage reads:
were not the same as those associated with Craft Masonry of today:–
"Fourthly, the Royal Arch carried by two Excellent Masons. Fifthly, the Master with all his proper implements, his rod gilt with gold, his Deputy on his left with the square and compasses."
The Second, known as MASTER MASON; it was based on the Hiram Legend and corresponded to our present day Master Mason Degree.
The above reference to a Master and his Deputy tends to indicate the existence of two groups of Officers; indeed, reading on we find:– "Sixthly, the two Wardens with their truncheons gilt in like manner. Eighthly, two Excellent Masons, one bearing a level and the other a plumb line." It is very evident that the two Excellent Masons were deputies for the Wardens. Here we have two groups of Officers for the Master's part (MM), because in 1743 this was the name of the highest Masonic Degree known at Youghal. The Master and Wardens represented the three symbolic Masters for the Josiah Legend, the subject of the present Irish Royal Arch ceremony, and which is said to have occurred during the repair of the first Temple under King Josiah, dated approximately 855 BC The Deputy Master and Deputy Wardens represented another three symbolic personages for the Zerubabbel Legend, said to have taken place during the building of the second Temple by Prince Zerubabbel after the return of the Jews from Babylon, and dated 515 BC approximately. We find the same custom in other places, of having two groups of symbolic officers and indeed this custom was maintained until 1864, some Lodges (Chapters) practising one version and some the other. Part of the Minutes of "Vernon" Lodge No. 123, Coleraine, for 8th June 1767 states that Brother D. Hyland was exalted to the Royal Arch, whilst part of the Minutes of Downpatrick Lodge No. 367 dated 20th January 1779 reads:– "Lodge opened in due form, raised to the Degree of Royal Arch, Super Excellent and Kt Templar by Br. Hodges of Lisburn." Some noted Masonic historians and researchers, much more highly qualified to speculate on this matter than I am, have categorically stated that pre-1790 there were three distinctive Degrees in the Craft, but these three Degrees
The First, known as ENTERED AND CRAFTED, corresponding to our present day Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft Degrees.
The Third, known as ROYAL ARCH; it was given in two parts, the first part was the Josiah Legend, more or less in accordance with our present day Royal Arch Degree, and the second part called the Super Excellent Mason, which was centred on the Zerubabbel Legend. This second part was, at a later date, called the Red Cross and is now more or less the subject of Knight Masonry. In passing, it is worth noting that the present English Constitution Royal Arch uses the Zerubabbel Legend based in the building of the second Temple. The above reasoning is almost certainly verified in the writings of our late Brother Philip Crossle, in his "Irish Rite", where he quotes from several 18th century Lodge Minutes, showing that almost invariably, there were three distinct steps known usually as Entered, Passed and Raised. Yet in almost every case there is a sudden change to two, one called ENTERED AND PASSED and the other RAISED, and it is only after this change that we find any reference to the Royal Arch Degree. No. 2 of the Bye-Laws, Rules and Orders of the Royal Arch Super Excellent Chapter under the sanction of No. 524 held in Carlow and drawn up in 1800 reads:– "That any Fellow Craft (commonly called Master Mason) of approved good conduct as a man and a Mason, wishing to be exalted to this sublime degree, must be proposed and seconded by two of our members, but if one black bean shall appear against him when balloted for, he shall be rejected." Part of the Minutes of Lodge No. 524, Carlow, dated 12th March 1803, reads : "At a Royal Arch Super Excellent Royal Encampment held at Carlow, 12th March 1803, Br. Rochfort HP, Br. Edge 1st Sojourner, Br. Well 2nd Sojourner and seven other named brethren in offices etc. Three named brethren being first installed were then initiated in the Royal Arch Encampment." (Continued on page 59)
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York Rite News & Information (Continued from page 58) The Rev. D. de P. Castells in his Antiquity of the Holy Royal Arch states that the Royal Arch existed and was functioning as a live Institution in 1725. The preliminary steps when the Degree was conferred under Craft Lodges were (after the 3rd Degree); 4th Degree, Past Master; 5th Degree, Excellent Master; 6th Degree, Super-Excellent Master and then followed the Royal Arch. The Super-Excellent Mason Degree was exemplified as in an encampment in Jerusalem, in the time of King Darius, and the return of the Jews. Some time about 1810 the name was changed to Red Cross Mason and worked as a side Degree in the Order of the Temple (i.e. Preceptories) until 18th June 1923, when the Council of Knight Masons was constituted and the Preceptories relinquished the Red Cross Mason Degree from their ritual. There was also a degree called Ark Mason (symbolised on old floor cloths as Noah's Ark). There is specific reference to this Degree to be found in the Minutes of Lodge No. 134, Lurgan, dated 16th August 1828 and here I quote:– "Emergency called to initiate five Brethren of Freemasons into the sublime degree of Ark Masonry," and the five names are there appended. Brother Heron Lepper in his book, The Antiquity of the Royal Arch Degree, states that it is hardly necessary to recall the fact that all through the 18th century the Grand Lodge of Ireland made no effort whatsoever to control the Degree of Royal Arch. At the beginning of the 19th century it however became evident to the Grand Lodge that something would have to be done, since each Lodge had become a law into itself in conferring the Higher Degrees; all were uncontrolled and many threatened to become uncontrollable. Thus, in 1805, the Grand Lodge passed resolutions to establish a Grand Chapter for the purpose of establishing uniformity in the principles and ceremonies of the Royal Arch Degrees. Unhappily, this project had to be abandoned due to a perfect storm of objection being raised by various Masonic bodies. Indeed, it was 24 years later before Grand Lodge took the step it had contemplated in 1805. At a preparatory convocation on 25th February 1829 to form the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ireland, it was decided that the Officers of Subordinate Chapters were to be:– The three Principals or Grand Masters, three Sojourners, two Scribes and one High Priest. Although placed last, the High Priest was the one who conducted the ceremonies in the Chapter. In 1864 the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ireland made certain revisions to Royal Arch working. The "Passing the Chair" was abolished, the Excellent and Super Excellent ceased to be known as separate Degrees, and, some parts were made portion of the Royal Arch. Drastic alterations were made to the names of the Officers: The three Grand Masters were converted into the Excellent King, High Priest and Chief Scribe. The functions of the former High Priest, who was in the Chair, were divided
between the Captain of Hosts and Superintendent of the Tabernacle. The three Sojourners and the two Scribes were dispensed with and replaced by Royal Arch Captain, Captain of the Scarlet Veil, Captain of the Purple Veil and Captain of the Blue Veil. As we see in the Minutes of the Carlow Lodge for 12th March 1803, the candidates for the Royal Arch were first installed. This does not mean the installation of the Master Elect of a Lodge as we know it today, it merely means that the candidate was placed in the chair, examined or tested and, upon being found of real worth and personal merit, the Fellow Craft was said to have "Passed the Chair". Nowadays, in the British Isles, "Passed the Chair" is known as our degree of the Installed Master. The "Arch" of the Degree of Passed Master, with certain alterations made in the mode of recognition, has been preserved in our Degree of Very Worshipful Master of a Lodge of Mark Master Masons. Amongst the Masons of the United States of America, our "Passed the Chair" or Installation is known as their Degree of Past Master and our old Arch or Degree of Past Master is their Degree of Excellent Master. Before 1800, the Royal Arch was exemplified to depict King Solomon's Temple in the time of King Josiah. We can read about it in the Volume of the Sacred Law, 2nd Chronicles, Chapter 34, Verses, 1, 2, 8 and 14. For a description of the Temple we turn to 2nd Chronicles, Chapter 3, Verse 14. 'One part of the door, approximately 7 ft. by 7 ft., of the Sanctum Sanctorium, or Holy of Holies, within which was deposited the Ark of the Covenant, was left open, but the interior was partly concealed by three sets of veils, coloured Blue, Purple and Crimson. Behind the Ark one could see the three symbolical Grand Masters, namely King Solomon, King Hiram of Tyre and Hiram A'Biff. The High Priest was the mouthpiece of the Chapter and it was he who directed the candidate how to find the truth'. Nowadays, Brethren when speaking of the Royal Arch are too apt to refer to it as one of the Higher Degrees, which is misleading. It really was, and is, part and parcel of Ancient Craft Masonry. Although there was no Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ireland in 1814, the resolution still holds good which "declared and pronounced that pure Ancient Masonry consists of three Degrees and no more, viz:– Those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow Craft and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Chapter of the Holy Royal Arch." (Minute Book, Grand Lodge of Ireland, 1st December 1814). In Ireland, the education of a Brother of the Craft is not considered complete until he becomes a Royal Arch Mason. This Paper was first published in The Lodge of Research No. CC: Transactions for the years 1969 – 1975, Volume XVI.
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Scottish Rite News & Information
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Scottish Rite News & Information
- Featured Writer- Jacob Lucas
The previous three articles in this series discussed the Symbolic, or Craft Degrees of the Scottish Rite, practiced in many countries that do not use the Preston-Webb derived work found across the United States. These Degrees originated in France, and are still worked under many Grand Lodges. Regular, recognized Freemasonry in some countries includes both “Blue” (so-called “York Rite”) Lodges and “Red” (Scottish Rite) Lodges. The Red Lodges work the entire Scottish Rite system, from the 1st to the 32nd Degree, with the 33rd being awarded to a fraction of the members, all of whom are considered “active,” rather than “honorary” recipients. The series of articles beginning next month will explore the 4th through the 32nd Degrees of the Scottish Rite in the United States, with a look at both the history of each Degree and the modern ritual, in both the Southern Jurisdiction and the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.
his revisions became the basis of the Degree rituals in both the Southern Jurisdiction and the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.
The United States today, there are few Lodges working the Scottish Rite Craft Degrees, with the majority of those being located in and around New Orleans, Louisiana. Through the history of the Scottish Rite in this country, there was an agreement that the Grand Lodges had jurisdiction over the three Craft Degrees. As these three Degrees formed the foundation of the Scottish Rite, Albert Pike, Sovereign Grand Commander for the Southern Jurisdiction during much of the 19th century, rewrote the Degrees found in the French Adonhiramite Rite, dating back to at least 1744, to be used for instructing Master Masons before they embarked on their journey through the Scottish Rite. When Pike had the Degrees communicated to him in 1853, he found many of them to be merely outlines. As a 32° Scottish Rite Mason, he was asked to be part of a committee to revise the Degrees, with several 33° members of the Supreme Council. He was the only one to do any work, and
Many of the “degrees” were only basic outlines, and Pike used his extensive knowledge of comparative religion, mythology, and philosophy to flesh out these degrees and to restore the ethical and philosophical truths he envisioned were meant by the original authors. Pike’s first revision, an untitled edition of 100 copies, called “The Magnum Opus” (The Great Work), by Mackey, was never formally adopted, although it became the basis for subsequent revisions, not only in the Southern Jurisdiction, but throughout the world, including in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. In the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, after the Union of 1867, Charles McClenachan published a monitor, The Book of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. In this monitor, the degrees are similar in name to those established in the Circular throughout Two Hemispheres and in Pike’s Magnum Opus. This monitor reflects the current rituals used in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction between 1867 and 1870, when the first of many ritual revisions were undertaken. As in the Southern Jurisdiction at this time, McClenachan states that it is advisable to confer the first three Degrees of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite on candidates before advancement to the 4°. The rituals in the Southern Jurisdiction have remained fairly close to Pike’s work, the current ritual known as the “Revised Pike Ritual of 2000.” In the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, the ritual changed substantially after (Continued on page 62) www.twtmag.com
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Scottish Rite News & Information (Continued from page 61) 1871, and has continued to change. The Degrees came from a variety of sources. By 1733, a list of Masonic Lodges included a “Scotch Masons Lodge,” referring to a type of Masonry practiced, rather than the country of origin for the members. The “high degrees may have originated in England, but, as the haut grades, they flourished in France. A Lodge named Loge L’Anglaise was founded in Bordeaux in 1732, later granted a charter by the English Modern Grand Lodge (1766). In 1740, this Lodge had an offshoot, Loge la Française, which apparently had a penchant for the high degrees. This Lodge founded Loge Parfaite Harmonie in 1744, with Etienne (Stephen) Morin among the founding Brethren. Morin travelled to the French colony at Saint-Domingue (now Haiti), where he founded an Écossais Lodge, with at least six others warranted in the ensuing years. In 1761, the French Grand Lodge at Paris, in concert with the Council of the Emperors of the East and West, the sovereign body in charge of the superior degrees, issued a patent to Morin, to promulgate Masonry in the New World. It is possible that his patent only gave Morin the authority to confer the three symbolic Degrees, and that he modified it himself in order to spread his Rite of twenty-five degrees, variously called the “Rite of the Royal Secret,” “Order of the Royal Secret,” or “Order of the Prince of the Royal Secret.” According to current research, this Rite was created by Morin, and not by the Council of the Emperors of the East and West. Morin conferred the degrees of the Order of the Royal Secret in Kingston, Jamaica in 1763, and in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1764. He appointed Henry Andrew Francken, a Dutch Freemason, Deputy Grand Inspector General, and empowered him to establish bodies of the Order throughout the New World, including colonial America.
- Featured Writer- Jacob Lucas Working with Morin, Francken produced manuscripts of the degrees of the Order of the Royal Secret, some of which can still be accessed, known as the Francken Manuscripts. Francken appointed Moses Hayes Deputy Inspector General of the Rite, and he in turn appointed others Deputy Inspectors General, leading directly to the formation of the Supreme Council. Colonel John Mitchell, former Deputy Quartermaster General during the Revolutionary War, was appointed Deputy Inspector General in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1795. In 1801, Col. Mitchell created Reverend Frederick Dalcho a Deputy Inspector General of the Order of the Royal Secret, and one week later, the Supreme Council of the 33° for the United States was established, with Col. Mitchell as Grand Commander, and Rev. Dalcho as Lieutenant Grand Commander. The Supreme Council administered 33 degrees, including all 25 degrees of the Order of the Royal Secret. The Supreme Council issued “Warrants of Constitution” to create Sublime Grand Lodges of Perfection (which oversaw the 4° - 14°) and Grand Councils of Princes of Jerusalem (in charge of the 15° - 16°). The Supreme Council directly controlled the 17°, Knight of the East and West, and all higher degrees. On May 1, 1813, several New York Masons were initiated into the 33°, and they were organized into a Supreme Council for the “Northern Masonic District and Jurisdiction.” The following year, when this Supreme Council reopened, nominated, elected, and installed officers, it was referred to as the second Grand and Supreme Council, although there were others constituted prior, and this Supreme Council would not reign supreme in its jurisdiction for over 50 years. In 1804, one of the members of the Supreme Council at Charleston, Alexandre Auguste de Grasse-Tilly, organized a Supreme Council for France (recognized by the Grand Orient de France), which was the first to use the name Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (Le Rite Écossais Ancien et Accepté). (Continued on page 63) www.twtmag.com
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Scottish Rite News & Information
- Featured Writer- Jacob Lucas
(Continued from page 62) Joseph Cerneau, a French Mason, had a patent for the Order of the Royal Secret, which allowed him to confer the highest degree, the 25°, Prince of the Royal Secret, on one Mason per year. Although his patent was limited to northern Cuba, Cerneau moved to the United States and created several “Masonic” organizations, including a Supreme Council, in New York, in 1813. After investigation, Cerneau was denounced as irregular and unlawful, and he was expelled from Masonry by the Supreme Council in Charleston. His followers denied the authority of the Supreme Council; some even denying the existence of that body. The Supreme Council in Charleston formed the Northern Jurisdiction that year, with its own Supreme Council resulting in a drawn-out war of regularity, which was finally reconciled with the “Union of 1867,” forming the current Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. Giles Fonda Yates was a member of the Supreme Council at Charleston from 1825 to 1827. In 1823, he wrote Ineffable Masonry, the first published Scottish Rite monitor, and revised the rituals of the Lodge of Perfection between 1823 and 1827. In 1828, Yates transferred his membership to the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, eventually becoming Sovereign Grand Commander for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction from 1851 until his death in 1859. Yates’ ritual revisions, as well as the copies of Dalcho’s ritual manuscripts, served as the foundation for the rituals used in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. In the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, after the Union of 1867, Charles McClenachan published a monitor, The Book of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry. In this monitor, the degrees are similar in name to those established in the Circular throughout Two Hemispheres and in Pike’s Magnum Opus. This monitor reflects the current rituals used in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction between 1867 and 1870, when the first of many ritual revisions were undertaken. As in the Southern Jurisdiction at this time, McClenachan states that it is advisable to confer the first three Degrees of the Ancient and Accpted Scottish Rite on candidates before advancement to the 4°.
Since 1976, all of the Degrees in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction have been rewritten at least once. Rather than using the traditional legends and themes of the Scottish Rite, many of its Degrees employ modern themes to teach its lessons. In 2000, the Revised Standard Pike Ritual was published by the Southern Jurisdiction, still relying heavily on the work Albert Pike did in the 19th century to organize the Degrees and build them into one cohesive structure.
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Scottish Rite News & Information
The Washington D.C. Scottish Rite, with the District of Columbia College of Masonic Rosicrucians invite you to participate in a seminar on The Tree of Life and the Evolution of Enlightenment. The seminar will be presented in eight sessions, each focusing on the path to Enlightenment according to one mystical tradition, including Kabbalah, Yoga, Sufism, Buddhism, and Esoteric Christianity. Each session will be presented by an internationallyrecognized expert in the respective tradition.
Anyone may attend, no Masonic or Scottish Rite affiliation is required. Admission is $25 per session, or $90 for the series of eight session. Early subscribers may purchase admission to the series for $75. You may attend in person at the D.C. Scottish Rite, or at your computer, via web conference (webinar). For details check out the seminar website.
Proceeds will benefit the Scottish Rite Center for Childhood Language Disorders, in Washington D.C., and may be taxdeductible to the extent permitted by law.
http://dcsr.org/seminar/
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Scottish Rite News & Information
“Dawn's Early Light” First published in “The Northern Light” Vol 43, No1 February 2012 http://supremecouncil.org/rss/February2012/201202-02.htm The War of 1812, which historian Donald R. Hickey has called “our most obscure war,” is also known as “the second War of Independence,” yet few Americans can recount why it started and what its results were.
Perry's Victory on Lake Erie, late 1800s, Kurz and Allison, Chicago.
Essentially, the war, fought between the United States and Great Britain, began because the British tried to prevent American ships from trading with France. Since 1793, Britain and France had been fighting what would become known as the Napoleonic Wars. British ships would stop American ships outside their ports, seize their cargoes and impress their sailors into the British Navy. Once the United States declared war on Britain, some American congressmen also saw it as an opportunity to try and annex Canada although this was ultimately unsuccessful. At War on the Water Most of the notable battles of the War of 1812 took place on the water, despite the fact that the American Navy was fledgling, at best. After establishing a small, unsuccessful navy during the Revolutionary War, American leaders let it languish during the late 1780s and early 1790s. However, when Britain and France began attacking each
other on the seas in 1793 – with American merchant ships caught in between – debate began in Congress about building a navy. One side, the Republicans, felt that it was too expensive and would invite retaliation from European powers. On the other side, the Federalists wanted to build, in large part, because they felt that it would help the United States become equal to other great nations in the future. This way of thinking won out and, in 1794, work began on building six ships. The American Department of the Navy was established on April 30, 1798, with Benjamin Stoddert appointed as the first Secretary of the Navy. Recently, the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library in Lexington, MA, received the donation of a special gavel that was presented to Lafayette Lodge in Roxbury, MA, in 1898, by L.C. Bailey. While gavels are common presentation gifts at local lodges, this one is inscribed “This gavel made from a knee of the Frigate Constitution launched at Boston
Masonic Gavel, 183398, Boston. Gift of LafayetteDover Lodge, Norwood, MA.
Oct. 21 1797.” The Constitution, which operates as a floating museum today at the Charlestown Navy Yard, saw notable action in the War of 1812, shortly after it began on June 18, 1812. The ship was one of the original six frigates authorized for construction in 1794 when Congress authorized the establishment of an American (Continued on page 66)
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Scottish Rite News & Information (Continued from page 65) Navy. Today, she is the oldest commissioned ship afloat in the world and still makes brief voyages in Massachusetts Bay. The ship’s original copper fastenings were supplied by none other than Paul Revere. The Constitution was launched Oct. 21, 1797, and saw action in the war waged by the United States against the Barbary States of Algiers, Tunis and Tripoli to end pirate attacks on American merchant vessels during the early 1800s. The Constitution’s most well-known battle, against the HMS Guerriere, took place 200 years ago on Aug. 19, 1812. The two ships engaged southeast of the Gulf of St. Lawrence. As the Constitution approached, the British ship fired on it, but the cannons did little damage to the ship’s solid oak hull. This reportedly led one American sailor to shout “Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron!” Since then, the Constitution has also been known as “Old Ironsides.” On that day, in the space of about 35 minutes, the Constitution and her crew soundly defeated the Guerriere, losing only seven men, while the British ship lost 78, and was virtually destroyed. In 1833, the ship went into drydock for repairs. Isaac Hull, who commanded the ship during the War of 1812, started a new tradition by recycling spare wood from the repairs to make souvenirs. Hull oversaw the Constitution entering drydock in 1833 and presented several of his friends with walking sticks made of wood from the ship. In addition to the gavel mentioned above, the museum has another piece of wood from Constitution in its collection, along with a fragment of a flag that was supposedly in use during the battle with the Guerriere. The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts collection, on extended loan to the museum, also includes a souvenir piece of wood from the ship. Still another decisive naval battle took place on Lake Erie on Sept. 10, 1813. The battle was initiated by Commander Oliver H. Perry, who took on the British with his small fleet of nine ships. Perry was able to battle the far more numerous and experienced British fleet to a standstill. Leaving one ship, which was severely damaged, Perry famously boarded a second American ship and continued the fight until the British were defeated. At the conclusion of the battle, Perry reported to General (and future president) William Henry Harrison, “We have met the enemy and they are ours.” Perry’s actions and leadership ensured American control of the Great Lakes throughout the rest of the war.
“O, Say Can You See” While the details of the War of 1812 may be foggy for many Americans today, the story of our national anthem and its relationship to the war is far better known. And, even this part of the story comes out of a naval battle. In August 1814, the British started a campaign to destroy the U.S. capital and disrupt port business in Baltimore. At the time, Baltimore was the third largest city in the United States and the center of privateer activity (armed private vessels operating under government license). The British sailed up the Patuxent River in Maryland and burned Washington, DC, on Aug. 24, 1814, setting fire to the White House, the Capitol, the Treasury, the building housing the War and State Departments, and the naval yard. On their way back to the fleet, British stragglers pillaged in the countryside, leading some local residents to retaliate. Some of these Americans were arrested by the British and taken back to the British ships as hostages. Eventually, the Americans and British arranged a prisoner exchange, but the British kept one prisoner,
America Guided by Wisdom, 1820, Benjamin Tanner, engraver, Philadelphia.
Dr. William Beanes. Francis Scott Key, an attorney and acquaintance of Beanes, was called in to negotiate his release. During the talks the men became caught up in the British plans to attack Baltimore. Since they saw the preparations being made for the attack, Key and Beanes were not permitted to leave. They were moved to a British ship in the harbor and then to their own ship, but had to anchor several miles downriver where they watched the bombardment of Fort McHenry and the subsequent defeat of the British. As Key would so memorably write, as the sun rose the morning following the attack, “the flag was still there.” Eventually, the poem he wrote that morning was set to music and
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Scottish Rite News & Information (Continued from page 66) adopted as our national anthem. While Fort McHenry’s garrison flag, which was flying that day, is now in the collection of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC, the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library is proud to have its own 15-star flag that dates to the War of 1812 era. Donated in 1995 by John E. Craver, the flag was passed down in his family for generations. Measuring approximately eleven feet by twelve and three-quarter feet, makers sewed this flag to fly over a military fort or on a vessel, marking them as U.S. property. Unfortunately, we do not know who made the flag or where it flew. But, 15-star flags that were made during the 1794 to 1818 period (when 15 stars were the official design) are rare – only a handful are known – so we value this important artifact all the more. Freemasonry during the War of 1812 Unlike the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, there seem to have been no military lodges created during the War of 1812. Some Masonic scholars have suggested that this was due to the nature of the conflict as primarily a naval war, rather than a ground war. Yet, there were Freemasons who fought in the conflict. More than half a million American troops participated in the War of 1812. This included: 57,000 regulars; 10,000 volunteers; 3,000 rangers; 20,000 navy and marines, and 458,000 militia.
relief as in their wisdom and ability may be deemed expedient.” After considering the petition for a couple of weeks, the Grand Lodge’s appointed committee recommended that $500 be appropriated to the relief of “distressed prisoners of the Masonic family who in the course of calamitous war, in which our country is engaged, may be brought among us.” A prisoners fund was set up and a circular sent out to all Massachusetts lodges asking for contributions. In the end, word of peace would reach the United States a few weeks later, in February 1815. The fund was subsequently disbanded, but prior to this, $131.68 was disbursed to approximately 15 British prisoners being held in Salem, to ease their living conditions. An engraving in the museum’s collection, titled “America Guided by Wisdom,” offers a positive illustration of the results of the war. It was published shortly after the conflict ended in 1815 and shows an allegorical symbol of America with Minerva, the goddess of wisdom. The statue of Washington at right and the beehive at left will be easily understood by Freemasons. The beehive symbolizes American industry which was now free to grow and expand. And, the statue of Washington demonstrated ties to American strength and leadership, while also suggesting a growing tradition of American promise.
In the end, the results of the war were unclear at best and a failure at worst. The Treaty of Ghent, which was signed on December 24, 1814, and effectively ended the war, merely A mark medal in the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and allowed the United States and Britain to return to the preLibrary collection employs a mark that may have signified war status quo. The U.S. did not annex Canada nor did it its owner’s service during the War of 1812. The medal is achieve any substantive victory over Britain. However, keystone-shaped with an arrangement of Masonic symbols historians have noted that it was an important turning point on one side and the mark on the other. Made for Samuel for the new country helping it to gain confidence as a A. Vandusen in 1812, the mark consists of a flag and nation and leading to expansionism in North America. cannon inside a square and compasses symbol. Vandusen was raised a Master Mason in 1811 in Philadelphia’s Aimee E. Newell, Ph.D., is the director of collections at Washington Lodge No. 59. Judging from his medal, he the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library in received the Mark Master degree in Philadelphia’s Union Lexington, MA. If you have questions about the collection, Mark Lodge in 1812. or would like to discuss a donation of objects, please contact her at anewell@monh.org or 781-457-4144. While stories of Brothers from opposing sides aiding each other are far less common during the War of 1812, as compared to the Civil War, at least one Grand Lodge took steps to do what it could for captured British Masons. In December 1814, just as the war was drawing to a close, a committee from Essex Lodge in Salem, MA, explained that the town of Salem “continues to be a depot for prisoners of war, among whom are many Brethren of the craft who merit and require the charitable notice of the fraternity.” The committee then petitioned the Grand TWT Lodge of Massachusetts to consider “afford[ing] such
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Scottish Rite News & Information Albert Pike`s Morals and Dogma: Annotated Edition NOW IN STOCK WITH BONDED LEATHER, GILT EDGES, CLOTH MARKERS
● By Arturo de Hoyos, 33°, G.C., Grand Archivist and Grand Historian; Contributions and Glossary by Rex R. Hutchens, , 33°, G.C., Past Grand Master; Foreword by Ronald A. Seale, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander.
A Must Have For All Masonic Scholars
● A Masonic classic! The fundamental sourcebook of Scottish Rite philosophy--now available in a new, user-friendly, and scholarly edition! ● First published from 1872 to 1969, "Morals and Dogma" is one of the most insightful works ever prepared for Freemasonry. It is a collection of thirty-two essays which provide a rationale for the Scottish Rite degrees. It encompasses a study of Freemasonry, wise philosophy, ancient mysteries, mythology, ritual, and religion. It serves the useful purpose of putting Masonic morality and ethics within the context of the general society, and bids man to think large--to cast aside the petty concerns of everyday life and to improve ourselves. ● This new edition includes the complete original text, but has been fully updated and improved. Spelling errors have been corrected, and it is set in clear, easy-to-read type; it retains the original pagination within the body of the text, while new subject headings and paragraph numbers make finding passages easy! ● Approximately 4,000 notes reveal the original sources used by Pike, clarify passages, suggest further reading, and include cross-references. New "ready references" reveal scriptural sources. ● Profusely illustrated with many images from the original sources Pike had before him when he prepared the original edition. ● New glossary, with primary and secondary bibliographies, and a new index. ● A detailed introduction on the history of Morals and Dogma. ● Bonded leather (8" x 10") with decorative covers, printed in two colors; gilt pages, cloth markers, illustrated, indexed; 1116 pages.
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If read online click HERE to be directed to the page
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Final Words
“People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.” ― Mother Teresa
Thanks to Bro. Benny Ty www.twtmag.com
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www.twtmag.com
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