The Working Tools Magazine
Your source for Masonic articles, news and information covering all aspects of Freemasonry.
December 2012 Issue #58 $7.95
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Brethren, A Mason’s journey into self improvement is an ongoing project. For every chip that is broken away on the rough Ashlar another layer underneath reveals newer areas that were previously overlooked. Personally, I am working on some areas in my life that need some adjustments. A tweak here and a tweak there. For TWT, I am so excited for what is materializing before us. Major tweaks are happening. It seems that every year we work on this magazine we are growing as Masons as well as publishers. There is always room for growth in terms of content and layout. As you can see there has been a constant focus on improving the visual layout and readability of the articles. We are bringing in more of a professional hand that will help move us closer to our goals. Content wise we have been publishing some of the best articles to date. I am so pleased with the quality of writers we have on staff. I am looking to expand our pool of talent even further to make sure we keep the freshness a priority. Expect big things in 2013, the best has yet to come.
Your comments and questions are always welcome. Until next time...
Cory Sigler, Editor In Chief Past Master, Hawthorne Fortitude #200
Find us on Facebook: Facebook.com/corysigler Facebook.com/twtmag The articles and opinions in “The Working Tools Masonic Magazine (TWT)” are not necessarily that of the Editor-Publisher. The author of any article or submission found in TWT does not represent the Grand Lodge or any Appendant Body of the Editor-Publisher. TWT is an Independent Masonic Magazine that reports on current news and Information regarding Freemasonry and Appendant Bodies of Masonry.
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Welcome
Cory Sigler
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Featured Writers
General A Masonic Christmas
8 Reader Submissions
Masonic Did U Know
10 Robert L.D. Cooper
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MasonicDictionary.com
11 David Daehnke
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PhoenixMasonry Museum 12 Shawn M. Gorley
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This Month In Masonry
14 William Stephey
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Meet the Masons show
16 Michael Shirley
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Kevin Wardally
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Kyle Ferguson
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Appendant Bodies
Content
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Barry Newall
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Update: Templar Nation
45 Matt Johnson
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SR assists Sandy Victims
46 Anthony Mongelli, Jr.
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Michelle Snyder
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John Nagy
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Click on the page numbers to quickly jump to that page 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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The Working Tools Magazine 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. Dr. John S. Nagy 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
Shawn M. Gorley is the Junior Warden of Wilmington #804 in New Wilmington, PA. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Lodge of Research, The Masonic Society, The Philalethes and is a level one certified scholar in the Pennsylvania Academy of Masonic Knowledge. Kyle James Ferguson is a member of Union Lodge No. 291 in Scranton, PA & Kingsbury Lodge No. 466 in Olyphant, PA. He is also a Royal Arch Mason, a Cryptic Mason, a member of the Allied Masonic Degrees, and a 32° in the AASR, NMJ where he is Junior Warden of the Keystone Lodge of Perfection in the Valley of Scranton. He is a member of The Masonic Society, a Level 1 Scholar in the PA Academy of Masonic Knowledge, a Fellow of the Grand College of Rites, and is the author of a blog called The Philosophical Freemason (http://philosophicalfreemason.blogspot.com/). Jacob Lucas 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. 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. Kevin P. Wardally- In Masonry Kevin follows his Grandfather Henry Blakeley who was raised in Adelphic Union Lodge #14 in 1951. Currently Elected Grand Lodge Trustree - MWPHGL of NY, Past Master - Adelphic Union Lodge #14. MWPHGL of NY. Past Grand Lodge Librarian – MWPHGL of NY (Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York State). Member of : The Phylaxis Society, Scottish Rite Research Society, The Masonic Society, The Philalethes Society. Anthony Mongelli, Jr is currently the Junior Warden, LaGuardia Lodge #1130 (Staten Island, New York), Brother, Beacon Light #701 (Staten Island, New York), Companion, Tyrian Chapter #219, Royal Arch Masons (Staten Island, New York), Companion, Flatbush Council #80, Cryptic Masons (New York, New York), Secretary, Richmond District School of Instruction David Daehnke is Past Master of Hawthorne Fortitude Lodge in Ramsey, New Jersey, and is widely known as The Gardening Guru. You can visit his website at www.thegardeningguru.com or read his online gardening publication, Organic William Stephey Jr. Is currently the Senior Steward of Ionic Lodge #31 Newport DE. Very active in both York Rite and Scottish Rite Masonry, also he serves as Captain General, of St. Johns Commandery and is Master of Entrances on the Council of Sovereign Princes of Jerusalem in the Valley of Wilmington . His real treasures; however, are found in the love his Brothers have shown him. Michelle Snyder, is an author, speaker, columnist, and blogger. Her post-graduate degree is from the University of Wales. She lives outside Boston where she teaches classes in symbology and works with a children's theater group. She is co-owner of White Knight Studio with her husband Jay, a MM at Meridian Lodge in Natick, MA. Their work with Dr. Duncan-Enzmann’s translations of Ice Age Language is the subject of several books and seminars they produce. Michelle’s artwork, inspired by her love of symbols, mythology, and folklore has appeared in galleries from Massachusetts to California. Michelle is also an officer in OES, Palestine 114. http://whiteknightstudio.blogspot.com/ http://www.whiteknightstudio.com/
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This Months Contributors
Matt Johnson is an active member of Pioneer Lodge #82 of Arizona and the Scottish Rite. He is the author of "The Freemason Conspiracy" available only at twtmag.com.
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Happy
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By Wor. Bro. C.S.L. (Laurie) Lund & V.W.Bro. R.G. (Ron) Dixon (With Apologies to Clement C. Moore)
Onward they travel, the guide and the man Twas nigh afore Christmas at the Freemason's Hall
Seeking truth and enlightenment wherever they can
(Civil Services' regular), the order was tall;
The secrets were given, the grip and the token,
Reams from Grand Lodge, a notice of motion,
Obligation was offered, the words then were spoken.
A ballot or two and a pause for devotion
Though never, not once, was one heard to gloat
To brethren departed of the year '94,
As the Entered Apprentice never did meet the goat.
Plus a candidate who would soon walk the floor. The evening now ended, the candidate clear Our own Junior Warden, when faced with the crunch
Junior Warden entreats from the South us to hear
Said, "Let's all call off and go upstairs for lunch."
The oath we look forward to right from the start,
The Master replied, as Masters all do,
"Happy to meet and sorry to part."
Intoned in a voice reserved for the few, "Before we partake of the fellowship there
Christmas had come to Civil Service that night
Is the summons to read and a ballot to clear.
As men came together under the light
Not to mention the candidate, he's quaking with dread
Giving freely of time as a labour of love
At the stories of whether the goat has been fed."
As we bent to the task of the Most High above.
The Master, exhorting the brethren to work,
To Stewards, to Deacons, the Tyler, the 'Guard
A firm grip on the gavel, he turned with a jerk
The Wardens, the Master, who all work so hard,
To the Secretary, putting a shine to each lens,
To Past Masters steady, Sidebenchers too
Polished both to a lustre and reached for his pens.
To Treasurer, Chaplain, the D. of C. who Help carry the Lodge, year in and year out
"It's half past the hour," the Master then winced
To your family extended, a warm Christmas time.
At the stuff left to do and remained unconvinced
Thank the G.A.O.T.U. we've run out of rhyme!
That the evening would go as smooth as he'd hoped Since he'd gone to the trouble of feeding the goat. "Though the ballot's behind us, the notice is gone, Grand Lodge is finished, the work still goes on."
By Bro. Carl Claudy
The Inner Guard knew as the Tyler did too That knock, knock and knock was the right thing to do. Sidebenchers slept soundly and were only stirred
"I don't believe in a Christmas celebration by the lodge. I don't think we ought to have one, or be asked to contribute to one or in any way engage in Christmas festivities."
When the crack of the candidate's knuckles was heard The slight groan that penetrated lips that were pursed Appeared to the Deacon as just a light curse.
"The Junior Mason spoke emphatically and with marked disapproval of the little ante-room group nearby, making happy plans for Yule-tide.
(Continued on page 8) 7
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(Continued from page 7) "That's very interesting," commented the Old Past Master. I like to hear points of view unfamiliar to me. Would you mind telling me why?" "Of course not. It's very simple. Masonry is not Christian. King Solomon, of course, wasn't a Christian, nor were either of the Hiram's. Masonry admits to her ranks any good man of faith; Christian, Jewish, Mohammedan, Buddhist... it makes no difference, so he has a Faith. Then, as a lodge, we celebrate a holiday belonging to one faith. Now I personally am a Christian, and of course I celebrate Christmas. But my brother across the way is a Jew, who does not recognize Christianity. To ask him to spend his proportion of lodge funds in celebrating the birth of a Leader in Whom he does not believe would be exactly like asking me to celebrate, with my proportion of lodge money, the birth of Confucius. Of course, I have only one vote and the majority rules, but when it comes to personal contributions to a Masonic Christmas celebration, my hands will never come out of my pockets." He shoved them deeper in as he spoke to emphasize his intention not to spend. "Hum!" answered the Old Past Master. "So you think your Jewish brother across the way doesn't recognize Christianity? Don't you mean he doesn't recognize Christ as the Son of God? Wait a minute... Oh, Brother Samuels." The Old Past Master called across the ante-room. "Here a minute, will you?" The Jewish brother rose and came forward. "I just wanted to ask you if you are in favor or against the lodge Christmas celebration?" asked the Old Past Master.
that is good, and you admit that Confucius was a wise and just leader. Were you in the land where the birthdays of any of these were celebrated, would you refuse your part in the people's joy in their Leader, simply because you followed another? I trust not. Well, neither do our Jewish brethren or our Mohammedan brethren, desire to be left out of our celebration. They may not believe in the Divinity of Him we, as Christians, follow, but if they are good men and good Masons... they are perfectly willing to admit that the religion we follow is as good for us as theirs is for them, and to join with us in celebrating the day which is to us the glad day of all the year. "Believe me, boy, Christmas doesn't mean Christ's birthday to many a man who calls himself Christian. It is not because of joy the He was born that many a good man celebrates Christmas. It is because his neighbor celebrates it, because it is a time of joy for little ones, because it is a day when he can express his thanks to his God that he is allowed to have a wife and family and children and friends and a lodge, because of that very 'peace on earth' spirit which is no more the property of the Gentile than the Jew, the Chinese or the Mohammedan. "It is such a spirit that Masons join, all, in celebrating Christmas. It is on the Masonic side of the tree we dance, not the Christian side. When this lodge erects its Christmas tree in the basement and throws it open to the little ones of the poor of this town, you will find children of all kinds there; black, white, yellow, and brown, Jew and Gentile, Christian and Mohammedan. And you will find a Jew at the door, and among the biggest subscriptions will be those from some Jewish brethren, and there is a Jew who rents cars for a living who will supply us a dozen free to take baskets to those who cannot come. And when the Jewish Orphan Asylum has its fair, in the Spring, you will find many a Christian Mason attending to spend his money and help along the cause dear to his Jewish brethren, never remembering that they are of a different faith. That, my son, is Masonry."
"For Charity is neither Christian nor Jewish, nor Chinese nor "Me? I am in favor of it, of course, both for the lodge appropriation Buddhistic. And celebrations which create joy in little hearts and and the individual contribution." feed the hungry and make the poor think that Masons do not forget the lessons in lodge, are not Christian alone, though they be held at Christmas, and are not for Christians alone, though the celebration "Thank you," nodded the Old Past Master. Then as the Jewish be in His honor. Recall the ritual: 'By the exercise of brotherly love brother went back to his seat, he turned to the Junior Mason. we are taught to regard the whole human species as one family, the high and low, the rich and poor, who, as created by one Almighty "You see, my son, our Jewish friend is not narrow. He does not Parent, and inhabitants of the same planet, are to aid, support and believe in Christ as the Redeemer, but he recognizes that he lives in protect each other'. a country largely Christian, and belongs to a lodge largely Christian. To him the Christmas celebration is not one of His birthday, but of "It is with this thought that we, as Masons, celebrate Christmas, to the spirit of joyousness and love which we mean when we sing, at bring joy to our brethren and their little ones, and truly observe the Christmas time 'Peace on earth, good will towards men!' If you argue brotherhood of man and the Fatherhood of God, whether we be Jew that 'peace' is only a Christian word, he might even quote to you the or Gentile, Mohammedan or Buddhist." The Old Past Master ceased words of One who said 'I bring you not Peace, but a Sword.' and stood musing, his old eyes looking back along a long line of lodge Christmas trees about which eager little faces danced. Then "Now let me explain something to you. The Jew has just as much he turned to the Junior Mason. right to refuse to recognize Christ as the Son of God, as you have to refuse to consider Mohammed the Prophet the followers of Allah "Well," he said smiling, "Do you understand?" "I thank you for my say he is. But as an educated man, you must know that Mohammed Christmas present," came the answer. "Please tell me to which was a good man, a devout leader, a wise teacher. As an educated brother I should make my Christmas contribution?" man, you admit that the religion founded by Buddha has much in it 8 www.twtmag.com
“Masonic Did U Know” by Bro. Dwight Seals
The Working Tools Magazine
“Freemasonry And Christmas” The observance of Christmas doesn't seem to bring satisfaction to some people. On one hand, many say it's too religious, and thus don't want Christmas trees in public buildings and nativity scenes within a shepherd's-crook length of government lawns. On the other hand, many say it's not religious enough; it's too commercial. They've been saying it for years-it's the central theme behind the charming animated cartoon A Charlie Brown Christmas which was made some 40 years ago.
you." In other words, the Golden Rule, from the Sermon on the Mount. Christmas is a time of faith for our Christian brethren. But all Masons are reminded in the different degrees of the principle of faith. In the explanation of the First Degree Tracing Board, we hear "How ready and willing ought we to be to adore the Almighty Creator." Therefore, let this time of year serve as a reminder to all Masons to practice their faith, whatever it may be.
Setting that aside, what does Christmas mean to the Faith and Charity are names of principal staves or Freemason? rounds on the Ladder you see every meeting on that Certainly Freemasonry is not a religion, Christian or Tracing Board. But there is another round, and that otherwise. It leaves the determination on spiritual is Hope in Salvation. While Salvation has a particular matters to each individual Mason, so long as he connotation to those who believe in the story of the believes in the Almighty Creator. But there are virgin birth, the concept of some kind of reward for certain messages from the story of Christmas that following Masonic principles during our lives winds are applicable to all Masons, not just those who its way through the various degrees, as those of you celebrate a certain birth on December 25th. familiar with the working tools explanations of the Second and Third Degrees will know. Many Christians feel God gave his greatest gift to mankind, and that Gift's birth is marked on Christmas Day. And the spirit of giving is also outlined in our Masonic ceremonies. The new So let this season of the year remind all Masons, no Entered Apprentice is reminded in the northeast matter what their religious beliefs, to follow those corner of charity, and to practice it whenever universal tenets of the Craft-faith, hope and charity. possible. There's the monetary charity of that Doing so should bring satisfaction to you at portion of our ceremony. And there's another kind. Christmas-time. The one referred to in the Charge in the same degree which admonishes "to relieve his necessities, Jim Bennie, PDDGM Southern Cross No. 44, soothe his afflictions, and do to him as you would Vancouver B.C. that he, under similar circumstances, should do until
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By Bro. David
“The Season of the Evergreen”
The Working Tools Magazine The symbolic meaning of Christmas trees originates in pagan culture where the evergreen represents life, rebirth, and stamina needed to endure the winter months.
Selecting your Christmas Tree Freshness - As every newscaster will tell you the Friday after Thanksgiving, check the tree for freshness. Run your hands lightly gripping the branch from the inside of the tree to the outside. You will have needles dropping, but there should not be a handful. You have to keep in mind that most Christmas trees, unless purchased at a cutyour-own farm, will have been cut in the beginning to middle of November.
Scandinavian and Norse traditions honored the winter solstice (December 25) by decorating evergreens. At this time fir trees were also burned to commemorate the life that stirs even in the most frigid grips of winter. These traditions also marked the end of the old year and the They are then kept in cold storage until delivery beginning of a new year. time to the garden center or corner lot. So when someone tells you that they were cut a week ago, Pagan lore indicates the time between don’t believe them unless it is the Friday after December 25 until about early-mid January are Thanksgiving. Also “bounce” the tree on the some of the coldest days of the year. It was ground and see how many needles fall. There believed evil spirits were at their strongest during will be some, because even evergreens lose their these months. To thwart the spirits, evergreens older needles, which are located towards the were brought into the home as symbols of inside of the tree. A good example of this is the protection. These evergreens were alight with members of the pine family, such as white and candles, the idea here was to “light up” the Scotch pine. A tree lot will spend a good deal of darkest, coldest conditions and thereby shoo time bouncing these trees to remove the dead away evil spirits. needles from the inside of the tree to help sell it quicker. No one likes a tree that is full of dead It wasn’t until about the nineteenth century that needles! Once you have determined that the tree we find Christianity absorbing the bright, is fresh, you can move onto the next cheery symbolism of the Christmas step. tree. The Christians had long Tree Types - Now you may be held the fir as a symbol of the asking why we started with Tree of Life. Early Christians freshness instead of the knew their symbolism type of tree. It is more well, as they added important to get a fresh candles and apples to tree than a particular their Christmas firs. tree. Also, some trees do These candles have the tendency to dry represented the light of out quicker than others. Christ. The apples Below is a listing of trees symbolized knowledge that are grown for which spawned man’s Christmas trees, including original sin according pines, spruces and firs, to Christian belief. Here we see including their best qualities and the light of Christ absolving the their drawbacks. “fall of man” within the immortal symbol of the Christmas tree. The Pines - Pines are the Christmas tree grower’s Masonically, An evergreen plant is a symbol of the immortality of the soul. The ancients, therefore, as well as the moderns, planted evergreens at the heads of graves. Freemasons wear evergreens at the funerals of their brethren, and cast them into the grave. The acacia is the plant which should be used on these occasions, but where it cannot be obtained, some other evergreen plant, especially the cedar, is used, as a substitute.� 12
best plant; they grow rapidly, are ready for sale in a short period of time, and can grow in a wide range of climates and soil types. On the other hand, they do need heavy annual shearing for them to attain that “Christmas Tree” look. With all of this shearing, the stem can be quite thick compared to the size of the tree, so check your tree stand for diameter size before purchasing. 1). Austrian Pine (Pinus nigra) - These trees make good “living” trees, or trees that come with a root ball. They can (Continued on page 13)
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the conditions inside and will do quite nicely outside in your landscape. Unlike most pines, the Austrian pine keeps its lower branches even after reaching a large size. 2). Jack Pine (Pinus banksiana) - This pine has very short needles (1”), but tends to have a yellow tinge to the needles for the winter, so the tree only enjoys a limited popularity. 3). Scotch Pine (Pinus sylvestris) - These trees were originally imported from Europe for fast reforestation of cut-over areas. It proved to be a disappointment because it tended to be shortlived and it grew crooked. Resourceful growers began shearing it as a Christmas tree, especially since it can grow in milder climates where spruces and firs will not. There is a wide variety of Scotch pines (French, Spanish and Greek) and they vary greatly. Most Scotch pines tend to yellow for the winter, and to compensate the growers will spray a colorant on these trees to make them look better, with limited success. Scotch pines also suffer from crooked stems, so always look at the bottom of the tree as well as the top on this type. With it being sheared, this tree is good for a “lights only” display as well as most pines. There are no real spaces for Ornaments. 4). White pine (Pinus strobus) - This tree is very important to the lumber industry as well as the Christmas tree industry. It is mostly grown in the mid-Atlantic states, and buyers admire it for the soft green color and woodsy fragrance. Again it is a lights only tree. The Firs - Firs are the most popular type of tree grown for Christmas. They have an attractive, deep green color and conical shape and have needles that are flatter and softer in texture. In general, they are the longest lasting tree in terms of needle retention and have the most fragrance, a citrus-orange scent. 1). Balsam fir (Abies balsamea) - This tree is grown in the colder climate where winters are cold and summers are cool. To many on the east coast, a balsam fir is the only Christmas tree. It is naturally cone- shaped, needles that are rich green on top and silvery white underneath. Most only need three to four shearings before sale and are relatively quick growing. Of the firs, this is the mid-priced model. 2). Douglas fir (Psuedotsuga Menziessii) - It is not a true fir, but does resemble the fir family, especially with its citrus fragrance. In the Northwest, British
Columbia and Rocky Mountains, this is the tree of choice. Douglas firs have a blue-green color, excellent needle retention, but be wary of split trunks. I have seen hundreds of Douglas firs that have a split trunk 1 foot from the bottom, which will only complicate the cutting for the stand. 3). Frasier fir (Abies fraseri) - They still don’t know whether this is a different species from the balsam fir of just a climatic variation. The needles are short and hug the stem and its growth habit is denser than balsam. This is my personal favorite as well as the tree I have gotten for the past 15 years. 4) Noble fir (Abies procera) - This attractive tree only grows in the Northwest. This fir is the best with needle retention, but the problem arises that it is a slow grower, so not only will you pay more for this tree, but the trunk will be quite large. The Spruces - Spruces have stiff square needles, rough bark, strong branches which make it perfect for heavy ornaments. On the other hand, it is often too prickly for children to decorate and can drop needles quite quickly. Spruces need to be watered frequently, and if you forget, the tree needs to have a new fresh cut on the trunk so it will be able to absorb water again. Spruces absorb water quickly, so get a large water capacity tree stand. 1). Blue Spruce (Picea pungens) - Known for its landscape use as well as a Christmas tree, blue spruce are definitely and eye catching tree. They do not tolerate indoor conditions, so don’t bring it in until it is almost Christmas. 2). White Spruce (Picea glauca) - A nice tree for its green color, but again a heavy needle dropper when watering is not kept up.
By Bro. David Daehnke
(Continued from page 12) withstand
“The Season of the Evergreen”
The Working Tools Magazine
There are many new varieties being grown today, and it is really up to your own personal choice. After selecting your tree, only give the tree a fresh cut just before you are going to bring it inside. Make sure you have a large enough stand for the tree. Sometimes it is better to have one too big than too small, for the larger one will hold more water and cut down your watering times. I have also heard to use aspirin, tree fresh and other assorted chemicals to help preserve the tree. The simple, most effective way to keep your tree fresh is to make sure to never let it run out of water...plain and simple. Good luck and have a safe and happy holiday season my Brothers!
Footnotes 1. http://masonic.wikidot.com/evergreen#Rom (WB David Daehnke is Past Master of Hawthorne Fortitude Lodge in Ramsey, New Jersey, and is widely known as The Gardening Guru. You can visit his website at www.thegardeningguru.com or read his online gardening publication, Organic
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"The Master Mason's Mandolin" by Bro. Michael Shirley One of the hard things about moving to a new town is finding people who can fix the shaky house you’ve bought. Sometimes, though, you get lucky. When we moved to Tuscola, Illinois, in 2002, I had bookshelves to attach to the wall. Since I wanted them to hold the books and stay upright, I figured I needed someone to put them up who knew what he was doing. I found Joe Hardwick through a friend’s recommendation, and he’s been keeping my house standing upright, dry, and in decent shape ever since. Joe’s a master carpenter, electrician, roofer, and one of the smartest and most honest Joe Hardwick guys I know. Since last year, he’s been a Master Mason in my lodge, Tuscola No. 332, A.F. & A.M., where he is now our Marshall; he’s also a Scottish Rite Mason in the Valley of Danville, and one of my best friends. I’m worried, though, since Joe's going through a transition, and he might not be available to keep my house from falling down for much longer. You see, since he was a kid, music has been at the center of his life. He’s played in bands for years, and he’s been repairing instruments since he was sixteen; now he’s decided to make them, and to make the move from carpenter to luthier. Two years ago, he built his brother Wayne a Dobro, and then made himself an F-model mandolin. He thought it sounded pretty good, but Joe tends to measure twice and cut once, so he took it with him to a bluegrass festival and asked Danny Roberts, the mandolin player for the Grascals, to tell him what he thought of it. Danny used to be the mandolin department manager for Gibson USA, and is widely considered one of the best pickers alive. “This is your first one?” he said. “Wow.” He had some tips, but the most important one was “keep making them.”
orchestras. The Gibson Company marketed their mandolins aggressively, both their A series, in a teardrop shape, and their fancier F series, with scrolls and points, and oval or f-shaped soundholes, with the F5 standing at the top of the heap as the fanciest and most expensive of them all. The 1920s and early 1930s are generally thought of as the golden age of American mandolin manufacturing, with the best those F5s produced under the guidance of Lloyd Loar, a sound engineer and master luthier for Gibson from 1919 to 1924. He’s credited with introducing f holes to the top of the mandolin (like a violin’s), a floating fingerboard, and longer neck. Of the many F5s produced under his supervision, some 300 sounded good enough to warrant his signature. About 225 Loar-signed F5s are known today, and command prices in excess of $200,000 on the rare occasions they come on the market. The Gibson F5 became the mandolin to play, and now “F5” refers to any mandolin made to look like the original Gibson, rather than a Gibson itself. That mandolins in general, and the F5 in particular, are associated today primarily with bluegrass music is due entirely to one man: Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass Music, and a member of both the Country Music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame. Monroe, who was born in rural Kentucky in 1911, had been a professional musician with his brothers since 1929, eventually striking out on his own in 1938, working through several musicians before forming the Blue Grass Boys and landing a spot on the Grand Ole Opry in 1939. With an instrumental lineup of mandolin, guitar, bass, banjo, and fiddle, the Blue Grass Boys were still a country string band, because the style of music they played was less bluesy and driving than it would become. It wasn’t until December 1945, when Monroe hired Earl Scruggs on banjo, that the bluegrass sound came together. Characterized by tight harmonies, driving rhythms, instrumental breaks on mandolin, banjo, and fiddle, and a blues-inflected sound throughout, the Blue Grass Boys lineup of Monroe, Scruggs, Lester Flatt (guitar and vocals), Chubby Wise (fiddle), and Howard Watts (bass) are seen in retrospect as having created a new form of American music. As bluegrass and country legend (and former mandolin prodigy) Ricky Skaggs put it, “I think Bill Monroe's importance to American music is as important as someone like Robert Johnson was to blues, or Louis Armstrong. He was so influential: I think he's probably the only musician that had a whole style of music named after his band.”
Now, I’ve been a musician for a long time, and I had a great-sounding mandolin, an early Flatiron A-5, but I’d always wanted an F model. Joe liked my Flatiron, so we made a deal: he’d make me an F model, the first Hardwick Custom, in exchange for my mandolin. I figured that that way, if the house ever fell down because he was too busy with his luthier business, I’d have a good instrument to play to accompany the destruction. Besides, the idea of having a mandolin made to my specifications was exciting. I had no idea where it would take both of us. True enough. He also inspired generations of musicians to pick up the mandolin, and is arguably entirely responsible for The mandolin is an old instrument, evolving from the lute family the outrageous price of a Lloyd Loar signed F5. Monroe picked during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, but its modern up his 1923 Loar-signed F5 at a Florida barbershop in 1941 form emerged in the nineteenth century, and it was the Gibson for $150 and played it for the rest of his career. It now holds Company that most effectively manufactured it and with which a place of honor in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Were it it is still most popularly associated. It has four pairs of strings, ever offered for sale, it would likely fetch between one and tuned GDAE, like a violin, and in the first part of the twentieth two million dollars. It is the patient zero of the bluegrass century was a mainstay of dance bands and mandolin mandolin epidemic. Just about everybody who picks wants an F5. (Continued on page 15)
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The Working Tools Magazine So when Joe and I started discussing the mandolin he was going to make for me, we didn’t have much trouble with the basics. It would be an F5 model with a vintage look but no pickguard, binding around the body, the neck, and the headstock, and kind of brown in appearance. (It probably doesn’t say much for my artistic sensibilities that I really like brown.) The headstock inlay, though, required some thought. So one afternoon he came over to the house and we went online to see what was out there. We figured we’d order something pre-cut and install it. There’s a company that sells just about every inlay you can imagine, so we went to their website to see what we could find. After about half an hour of scrolling we hadn’t got any closer when suddenly we found it: the square and compasses. “Wow,” Joe said. “I’ve never seen that inlay before.” Neither had I. But I didn’t like mother of pearl, so Joe went home, and, as he is wont to do, started tinkering. He’d never done inlay before, but he figures that if someone else can do it, he can, and he’s usually right. He was this time, too. His first inlay made it onto the headstock in good order, with the square in maple, the compasses in sapele, and the hinge in walnut. The square and compasses looked perfect, and I figured that the G wouldn’t be necessary. After all, the English Masonic symbol lacked the G, and it looked pretty good. But Joe’s a perfectionist, and one evening, after working in his shop for a couple of hours with a jewelers saw and a piece of maple, he walked into his living room and handed his wife Lita a perfect, delicate G. “You did it!” she said. Joe didn’t say much, but he was pleased. So was I.
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"The Master Mason's Mandolin" too. It would probably sound better if I did.” “So,” I said, “stain next?” “Yep,” he said. The first pictures of the stain he posted on Facebook looked great. But Joe had a picture in his head and the color didn’t quite conform to that vision. So he removed the stain and started over. The pictures he posted when he was done had the caption, “Finally got it where I want it.” Me, I was too amazed to be able to use words. All I could do was stare. I didn’t know then that I’d have to get used to staring. A lot. Now that the stain was as Joe had envisioned it, I figured we were close to being done. Not hardly. Next came four coats of sealer and three pictures that occupied most of my day. Work? Nah. I just stared. Then came the last coats of sealer, with more staring. There had been sanding in between, apparently, but I was just staring at the finished product. Did I say “finished?” No, because then came the first four coats of lacquer. More staring. By this point, Todd Creason was staring too, and letting me know about it. “Maybe I should have picked another instrument,” he said. “I wonder if he builds pianos?” My cousin Tom commented that he admired my patience. “You know this would have me chewing my foot off,” he said. No time for chewing. I was too busy staring. I had the feeling I would do that a lot until I could actually play the thing. It was just too pretty to ignore.
Our next conversation concerned the fretboard markers, which are used to indicate which fret is which, and can be more or less decorative depending on taste. The classic dots didn’t seem appropriate for a Masonically-themed instrument, and we hate both the plain block and the fancy curls popular among some players. We talked about offset squares, but Joe wasn’t satisfied with what seemed to both of us an easy but incomplete out.. A few days later, he called me and said he’d posted a couple of pictures on Facebook. I thought he was through surprising me. I was wrong. The markers were triangles in sapele, but the top one was the all-seeing eye, with the pupil made out of ebony. I knew he was an artisan. I realized at that moment that he was also an artist. At this point, the mandolin was still in pieces. The neck needed to be attached to the body, the binding needed to be glued on, the fingerboard needed to be glued to the neck, and everything needed to be scraped and sanded smooth. And so it was. But that wasn’t the end of it. Once it looked like a mandolin, Joe needed to shape the neck to the right feel. That night, he posted that it was the most natural feeling neck he’d ever held. Later on I asked him what he meant by that. “My hand fell into a G chord when I picked it up,” he said. I went over to his house with a case I’d picked up to see if it would fit, and he handed me the mandolin. My hand fell into a C chord (I’m a little taller than he is.) “Okay,” I said, “now I want to play it.” Joe laughed. “Not quite yet,” he said. “I have to stain it first. And finish it. And let it dry. And polish it. Maybe I should put some strings on,
With the last of the lacquer applied, the Master Mason’s Mandolin was nearly done, save for sanding and polishing. But that would have to wait until the lacquer was completely dried, which might take up to fourteen days. And so I was able to think a bit, and reflect on what it was that Joe was accomplishing. He had spent considerable time on this task, learning more as he went, thinking through each step with all he had learned from years of learning and preparation for this, his Master Piece. In York Rite ritual, the Master Piece—the stone prepared by the journeyman to demonstrate his mastery of the craft—has an important place, and Joe was demonstrating that he was no longer a journeyman: he was a master of his craft. He would likely say he had much to learn, and he does, but that is in keeping with the whole idea of craftsmanship. Once a craftsman demonstrates his mastery, he has shown that he is now in a position to learn at an entirely new level. With each new piece he creates, his skill grows, and the art of his work becomes more apparent. Joe has reached that stage. There are no shortcuts. There is only hard work, learning from mistakes and triumphs, and skill. As the Master Mason’s Mandolin took its final form, I realized that Joe Hardwick was following the designs laid down in the trestleboard of Lloyd Loar’s F5s. Loar was a master craftsman, and the F5 he designed and built was the summit of his art. Joe Hardwick was climbing the same mountain, walking the trail Loar had blazed. The final test of his mastery would be the sound of his creation.
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I’d been keeping track of the Master Mason’s mandolin’s progress on Facebook, and frequent updates had had me hitting refresh at odd hours. But now that the finish needed to dry thoroughly before Joe could polish it, I was having withdrawal pains. After about ten days they were down to a dull ache, so when Joe texted me that he had just posted a few new pictures, I actually didn’t immediately sprint to the computer. It was more of an urgent canter. Waiting, it seemed, had its rewards, because the new photos were of a glossy beauty, so shiny I could use it as a mirror, with a brass tailpiece and gold tuning machines. It looked like a mandolin, and for the first time I could imagine playing it. Once again, I just stared. When I wasn’t staring, I was looking at YouTube videos of some of my favorite mandolin players, and imagining them playing my mandolin (it sounds a lot better that way in my head). After I messaged Joe (I may have used all caps) saying how beautiful the pictures were, I asked him what was left. “Just a little more polishing,” he said, “and then I need to set up the bridge and the neck and put in the endpin. And put strings on. Then we wait.”
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"The Master Mason's Mandolin" Bean Blossom, Indiana. I’d told Joe he needed to market his skills, and the best evidence he had of those skills was the mandolin I was holding. So I handed it back and said goodnight. The next evening he texted me: “Your mando is being played on stage right now.” It turned out that Travers Chandler, an excellent player whose band, Avery County, plays traditional bluegrass, was playing that day for another band. Joe showed him the mandolin, and Travers played it a bit. “Mind if I play it on stage?” he said. Joe didn’t mind at all, and the Master Mason Mandolin turned professional. At the end of the set, Travers said to the crowd, “This beautiful mandolin I’m playing was made by Joey Hardwick, who’s sitting right in front of me.” I’m not sure it gets better than that.
Joe came back from Uncle Pen Days with the Master Mason Mandolin intact, having put it in the hands of many very fine pickers, including Danny Roberts, who said, “you’ve figured out the two hardest things.” Joe was so struck by that The reason we had to wait involves compliment that he still isn’t sure what mathematics. If you recall hating geometry those things are. He’d found the festival in high school, didn’t do very well at it, and crawling with Masons, one of whom took wondered what use it could ever be in the time to drive him around in a golf cart “real life,” don’t try building instruments. and introduce him to Brothers he hadn’t Joe had pitched the angle of the neck on met in all his years spent at the festival the Master Mason’s mandolin a bit more grounds. And he played that mandolin a than normal in order to make it louder, but lot. He got home, polished it, and brought he had to be careful, since by doing so he it over to my house. “Here,” he said. “I also increased the pressure on the bridge figure I’d better give this to you before I and thus on the top of the mandolin itself, get too attached to it. I think I’ll make which made a break more likely. I asked another one for myself, now that I know him what effect changing the neck angle had. “Well, “ he said, citing luthier Roger Siminoff, “the down what I’m doing. Maybe make it better. But this one’s pretty pressure at 16° string break angle was 45.5 pounds. As the break good.” I took it from him and he went back to his shop. angle increased two degrees to 18°, the down pressure increases almost 10 pounds. At 20° the load increased almost I’d been watching the Master Mason Mandolin being built for 50% to 62 pounds. Small changes in neck pitch radically affect months now, seeing and hearing about everything that Joe the string break angle. A change of one degree (1°) in neck pitch learned as he slowly brought it into being. I’d been imagining will change the bridge height by .210" and the string break angle how it might play once it was done and he had it set up to his by 4°. As a result, the change from a 6° to 7° neck pitch angle satisfaction. And I’d been worried that it might not live up to could increase the down pressure of the bridge on a mandolin my hopes. So I was excited and nervous when I got out a pick soundboard by as much as 17 pounds.” I’m glad he understands and began to play. It was more than I’d hoped for. It was what he’s doing, because the result is a mandolin that is loud beautiful to look at, certainly, but the tone, the action, the and woody. Now that he had adjusted the bridge to the proper sound were better than anything I’d ever heard in person. I height and the neck curve to create a constant string height, all could only hope that my playing would someday match it. And that was left to do was wait for the mandolin to get used to the as I sat there trying to remember how to play “Fisher’s Hornpipe,” I thought back to how this had begun. One man, setup. my Brother, decided to achieve something he’d long dreamed of, and through determination, mistakes, and talent he’d done I’d been waiting for a week for the Master Mason Mandolin to it. What mattered was not the mandolin I held, but the journey get used to being strung. Work had gotten pressing, and I had it represented. Operative Freemasonry began in lodges where put the wait mostly out of my mind, when Joe called and said, men were concerned with achieving mastery over their craft. “Want to play it?” His house is about five minutes away, and I Speculative Freemasonry is concerned with teaching men how made it in three. As I walked in the door, he handed me what I to achieve mastery over themselves. But every now and then, now knew was the last mandolin I’d ever own. It looked vintage, a Brother like Joe Hardwick will reach back to tap into the spirit but new, which was exactly what we both wanted. The action of our ancient Brethren and show what craft mastery is. And was perfect, the volume louder than a new mandolin has a right like the ancient Masters, Joe understands that he has learned to, and the tone like a beautiful wooden bell. What amazed me enough to start learning. So mote it be for all of us. was how playable it was. The neck was perfect, with a slight arch to the fingerboard, and the strings were perfectly spaced. It was As previously found on Bro. Todd Creason’s “The Midnight wonderful. But it wasn’t quite mine yet. Joe had a trip to make Freemasons” Blog at the next day: to Uncle Pen Days, a six-day bluegrass festival at http://www.midnightfreemason.blogspot.com
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Also Available on Amazon.com The Lost Unicorn: A fairy tale about Shyla of Tomenshire
Art and Symbols: Once Upon a Time
World of Symbols
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World of Symbols: Secrets of the Mermaids
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The Coaches Coach: “Perfect In Sanity” The Working Tools Magazine
By Bro. John Nagy
The Fit Foil Foul Fits Fitly. – Dr. John S. Nagy The seepage of one’s assumptions permeates thoroughly all that one views. How one views “Perfection” is included in this thought’s basin. Freemason’s Rituals are activities intended to Perfect men. How men see this “Perfection” affects all that they shall do. More importantly, it affects all that they shall be.
If it hasn’t happen to you already, it’ll happen to you soon enough. At one point in your Fraternal experience, at least one of your Brothers will proclaim, “no one is perfect” while alluding to a very strong belief that “no one will ever be perfect until they have passed beyond this physical realm”. Immediately following this proclamation, a physical and verbal showing of support will usually radiate from all who are present.
information delivery is far faster than what information is normally offered in life. Absorption only occurs at the rate governed by each Candidate’s ability to comprehend. Far too many Candidates, whelmed by these experiential floods, ride them out supported only by encouragement to sort them out when these floods recede. That sorting out shall never occur without further support from within or without.
Craft Winnowings The activities that follow each Degree continually separate the Fraternal Wheat from its Chaff. Brothers Properly focused take hold of their Working Tool and busy themselves in the Business of Working their Ashlar. Those remaining whelmed by each of their Degree experiences, may flounder in an unfocused stupor, engaging in rote engagements without ever lifting any Tool whatsoever, much less applying them. It would do all Candidates well to have Coaches and Mentors consciously aware that Candidates depend upon sound guidance wrought by Working Experience at every Step of their Journey.
It’s interesting to view these exchanges. Often times the individuals most animate to affirm this adage are least likely to show any significant signs that they have Worked toward improving themselves. It’s almost as if adages like this one support an unworldly stasis intended to preserve their status quo.
One piece of sound guidance involves that word mentioned earlier – Perfect. Experienced Coaches and Mentors know that misunderstanding this word’s application to the Speculative activities of Masons can maneuver them towards hopelessness. The typical Candidate who depends upon others for support in this area might be directed down a path of darkness rather than Light due to its meaning being “high Counters jacked” by many well-meaning Brothers that truly don’t know better. It’s important for Coaches and Mentors to convey Unfortunately, this status quo is antagonistic to meaning that provides a viable target. Anything that suggests Freemasonry’s ends. Freemasonry opens up men to or conveys an improbability of success is hostile toward improvement possibilities never imagined before they Entered motivating Brothers seeking to improve themselves. into the Craft. Its Ritual is intended to show men what is entirely possible for them, should they invest themselves There are things that you can do to improve the odds that toward Betterment. Craft activities, those pointed toward by your support efforts are successful. Freemason’s Rituals but not the activities of Rituals themselves, are transformative in nature, when applied. Clue Sifting Status Quo is the very antithesis of this. Improvements to men require corruption of Cunningly crafted clues to Craft Perfection are alluded to their Status Quo, in value-adding ways. within the Apprentice’s Working Tool Presentation and the description of the Rough and Perfect Ashlars within the There’s a perceptual ironic twist in this. Craft activities, Apprentice’s Movable Jewels Lecture. In the Working Tools designed to bring about Order, inundate every Candidate’s Presentation, the Apprentice is told that Operative Masons current Order with seemingly overwhelming Chaos – at least, used the Common Gavel to to the uninformed mind. “The Storm before the Calm” is an break off the corners of Rough experience that every Candidate goes through. No exacting Stones, the better to Fit them for Preparation shall ever prevent this internal whirlwind. It’s the the Builder’s Use.i In the natural effect of awakening to the world without and within Movable Jewels description, each of us. Apprentices are told that Not understanding fully all that is offered in Rituals causes these storms of confusion, especially when the pace of Ritual
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“Perfect in Sanity”- Bro John Nagy The Working Tools Magazine termed “Rough Corners”. These features of their Stone are unnecessary and excessive to what any Builder needs. It is the Perfect Ashlar is a stone made ready by the hands of the a Maturing workman, to be adjusted by the working tools of the Fellow process that Speculatively “shapes” men toward uses more Craft.ii Each provides Perpending Brothers opportunities to Suited to civil societies. see through Veils antagonistic to the Light Masonry offers to The Symbol of the Mature man and Mason that is commonly those who do its Work. used within Freemasonry is the Perfect Ashlar. It is most unfortunate that Fitness a select swath of Brothers insist that such a man and Mason could only exist in death. You’ll hear them claim that they shall From the moment they Obligate themselves, Apprentices are forever involved in a Fitness program, or at least they should be if be a Rough Ashlar, never understanding that the Stone to they are to remain true to their Intent. Their task is to bring which they refer would never be called, “a Rough Ashlar”, themselves to a Suitable state for the Builder’s Use. The word once any Work has been done upon it whatsoever. The used to convey this Suitability is “Fit iii” and its roots reflect transition from Rough to Perfect is Commonly known to exactly that: a meaning of “being suitable”, “being the Right Masons who do the Work. Those who don’t know, realize not shape” and “being suited to the circumstance; proper”. All that they proclaim arrogantly their ignorance and earnestly Apprentices who make effort to do the Work should believe that they have properly Characterized themselves; understand this fully. they have not.
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Youth It is known by many Freemasons and any Perpending Mason that the Apprentice level of the Craft represents its Youth. This is an appropriate classification in that, in the Eyes of the Craft, Apprentices have yet to Mature. The activities they each engage in, should they actually do the Work that Ritual directs them toward, are intended to bring them to Maturity at an accelerated rate. The time required by each individual varies but should each endeavor to engage in these activities fully and completely, Fruition is likely to come sooner rather than later. Coaches and Mentors should be careful to avoid assigning completion times to such activities since it is “Character” that indicates completion and not “time served”.
Fellow Craftings The Work that Apprentices do is to Perfect their Ashlars. It is only after this Work is completed that the Fellow Craft adjust this Perfect Ashlar. That adjustment is movement only. It involves Raising and Positioning the Perfected Ashlar only and in accordance to the Builder’s Use. This occurs in both in an Operative and a Speculative sense. Specific Steps direct that movement and each requires staged Masonic movement. However, this is only after achieving Maturity.
Points to Perpend
1) What are synonyms for the word “Perfect”? 2) What is your understanding of the word “Perfect”? 3) What have you and haven’t you done to “Perfect” your Ashlar? 4) What must you continue to do to “Perfect”? 5) How differently would this article sound to you if you replaced the word “Perfect” with the word “Mature”? How Maturity is an ideal word to Characterize the Fitting process would this change affect your view of the Work? offered to Apprentices. Scripture backs this up. Research shows that the multitude of wordsiv most commonly and generically translated to the word “perfect” reflect more accurately a general meaning of Complete, Mature, Healthy, Sound, and Sane rather than the very often specific and misguided claim of Flawless. This is an important distinction and insight toward which Coaches and Mentors should draw all Apprentice’s Work attention and intention. It should also be pointed out to Apprentices that Maturity doesn’t require flawlessness. Equally flawlessness doesn’t require any Maturity whatsoever. Perpending whether Maturity or flawlessness has more value to a Builder would be a good exercise for all those involved in Apprentice activities.
Footnotes Ii Short Talk Bulletin - Vol. IX July, 1931 No.7 ii Short Talk Bulletin - April 1979 iii fit (v.) "be suitable," probably from early 15c.; “to be the right shape,” 1580s, from fit (adj.). Related: Fitted; fitting. Fitted sheets is attested from 1963. fit (adj.) "suited to the circumstances, proper," mid-15c., of unknown origin, perhaps from M.E. noun fit "anadversary of equal power" (mid-13c.), which is perhaps connected to fit (n.1). Survival of the fittest (1867) coined by H. Spencer. iv (Hebrew) KLMN tamiym taw-meem’, KN tam tawm, KMN tamam taw-mam’, KOP shalem shaw-lame’, KQOP shalowm shaw-lome’ or KOP shalom shaw-lome’, ROSM miklah mik-law’, TMU gamar gaw-mar’, NLOSN takliyth tak-leeth’, OLOS kaliyl kaw-leel’, OOS kalal kaw-lal’, TMU g@mar (Aramaic) ghem-ar’, (Greek) WXYXZ[\ teleios tel’-i-os, WXYXZ[] teleioo tel-i-o’-o, ^_`ZaXZ^ akribeia ak-ree’-bi-ah, ^_`ZabcWX`[d akribesteron ak-reebes’-ter-on, ^_`Za]\ akribos ak-ree-boce’, _^W^`WZe] katartizo kat-ar-tid’-zo, [Y[_Yb`Z^ holokleria hol-ok-lay-ree’-ah, WXYXZ[] teleioo tel-i-o’-o, XfZWXYX] epiteleo ep-ee-tel-eh’-o
Maturity Apprentices are asked to Use their Working Tools in a Directed Fashion to break off or divest themselves of what is metaphorically
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Th e B B u ild in g THE BUILDERS B e t t SERIES 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 21
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Update:
I asked Bro Joseph James to give us an update on how his largest movie to date is coming along. Here is his reply…
Hi Cory,
"One of the most Comprehensive film about the Templars Ever Made".......
Synopsis When an accomplished archeologist receives shocking news of the brutal murder of his friend, he follows clues that lead him and his students to unearth a strange 13th century Knights Templar tomb, deep in a desert of the American southwest. Only then does he discover that they have been thrust into the middle of a centuries old blood feud between the remnants of the Knights Templar and a mysterious group of villainous assassins; groups whose existence seemingly ended long ago. Forced by circumstance, the archaeologist reluctantly reunites with his estranged son to interpret these remarkable discoveries. They soon learn that they must follow the ancient path of the Templar’s or face destruction, at the hands of the assassins. As they travel deeper into the ruins, they slowly learn to trust one another and along the way discover the truths America’s founders hid long ago.
Templar Nation is finally finished. I just got back from The American Film Market. The top buyers and distributors in the world all fly to L.A for one week and they buy 100's of films and bring them beck to their countries. I had 43 meeting and gave out over 50 screeners of Templar Nation and have 3 international deals in place. I will be signing the contract soon. Thank you that interview cover story we did in April. I bought 10 copies from a local printers and they were part of my presentation and it helped me secure one of the deals. I also framed one for myself. Finally the truth about the Templars is revealed!
www.TemplarNation.com 22
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“New Jersey hit hard by Sandy. The Supreme Council, NMJ & other Masonic Jurisdictions come to the rescue.� Hurricane Sandy paid an unwelcome visit to New Jersey on October 29th, causing mass destruction in what many determine, was the worst storm ever to strike the Garden State. Immediately, MW Glenn R. Trautmann, Grand Master, began relief efforts for the Masonic family who were hit the hardest by the storm. Power outages and much devastation on the shore line created difficult communication at the start, but efforts began.
supplies being available to the Jersey Masons, and promises to assist community. as much as is possible.
Assisting Grand Lodge financially in the first wave of help, was the Scottish Rite Supreme Council Almoner's Fund, thanks to Ill. John William McNaughton, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, who dispatched Brother Steve Pekock, Director of Development for the Supreme Council, to deliver $90,000 in prepaid debit cards to RW The first of many outside relief efforts David Glattly, Deputy for New Jersey. began on Saturday, November 10th, when a 53 foot tractor trailer arrived, driven by two dedicated Brothers from the Grand Lodge on Minnesota. The first stop was to Durand Lodge in Point Pleasant Beach where a large group of volunteers were waiting to unload, RW Brother Glattly, coordinating with including many Grand Lodge officers. the Grand Master and the District After half of the truck was unloaded, Deputy Grand Masters, began the move was made to Tuckerton distribution of these prepaid debit Lodge where another large group of cards, basically providing needed cash, volunteers had gathered to assist. The to the Masonic Brothers and widows many hands there included the Grand who lost primary homes because of the Master, the Elected Line, DeMolay, and hurricane. The coordination of the many Brothers and their ladies. Brothers in need was done through RW Supplies of all kinds were unloaded Dieter Hees, PDDGM #20, who is still included many cases of water, clothing, constantly updating the list of Brothers sleeping bags, food and even dog food. in need. Commander McNaughton has Masonic families of the area had first since committed more funds to New shot at the delivery followed by the 23
The DDGM's of our coastline Districts, along with many other Grand Lodge officers and Brother Masons, are diligently working hard to help all in need. All distribution of funds are being coordinated through the DDGM's. "We sincerely appreciate the outstanding support of the Scottish Rite to assist the Masons in need of New Jersey" said Grand Master Trautmann, "And the outpouring of support and working together in brotherhood by our Masons of this state is heartwarming." MW Brother Trautmann has set up a Grand Lodge of New Jersey "Hurricane Relief Fund" where all may donate to continue our Masonic relief effort. Donations may be sent to our Grand Lodge office payable to the "Grand Lodge of NJ", 100 Barrack Street, Trenton, NJ 08608, with hurricane relief in the memo. Donations can also be made by credit card calling the office at 609-239-3950. This is a very unique time in a partly devastated New Jersey, where many Masonic families are in great need. Brother helping Brother is what our Fraternity is all about. www.twtmag.com 23
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