The Working Tools Masonic Magazine June 2012

June 24th- Saint John The Baptist Day.

June 2012 Issue #53

$7.95

Who was he? Why do Masons celebrate him?

Robert Cooper introduces us to The International Conference on the History of Freemasonry

60 Pages of Masonic Content.

Featuring general news and information with dedicated sections for Scottish Rite and York Rite Masonry.

Plus Fourteen Articles Written By Freemasons For Freemasons. www.twtmag.com

1

More Services

Printed You’ve Asked For It!!!!!

We are continuing with the printed version.

The June 2012 Issue will also be Available as a Professionally Printed Magazine. Full Color and Saddle Stitched Binding all for $7.95 (Shipping Included).

Go to TWTMAG .COM for details

Digital

Now download The Working Tools directly to your Ipad or Tablet. www.Magzter.com www.twtmag.com

2

www.twtmag.com Staff Editor in Chief Cory Sigler Assistant Editor Scott Schwartzberg Subscriber Information Published monthly as both Electronic and Printed formats.

Individual printed copies available for $7.95 an Issue (US) & $10.95 (Canada/EU) Subscriptions available for Single Issue, Lodge 3 Pack or Lodge 5 Pack At $7.00/Copy (US)

Submission Information

Hello Brethren,

WELCOME

The Working Tools Masonic Magazine

Welcome to the June 2012 issue of The Working Tools Magazine.

Brethren, you never cease to amaze me. You asked me to give you a printed version of TWT and I gave it a test run to see how successful it would be. I always said I wouldn’t do it until I was able to make it as a high quality low cost proposition. I wasn’t interested in using a home printer no matter how good they are getting these days. I do not have the time, patience and it’s not the quality I wanted to put out there as a TWT product.

Happily, I was able to make a deal with a high-end printer to accomplish my goal and the feedback tells me I did the right thing in waiting.

Let’s keep this going by purchasing a copy for yourself and your Lodge . Have a discussion with your Lodge Brothers about purchasing a subscription for the Lodge Library.

I rely on the loyal readers to help with the word of mouth, help spread the message and share TWT with your Brethren.

I’m proud of what The Working Tools has become during these last 6 years and I hope to only make it better.

Correction

Submissions can be sent to twtmag@yahoo.com

Until next time...

Authors retain full rights of their published works.

Cory Sigler,

Postal Master Send address changes to The Working Tools Magazine. Po Box 72.

Allendale, NJ 07401

The cover art from the May issue was not credited properly. The picture can be found in

Cory Sigler, Editor In Chief

Symbols of Freemasonry

BY Daniel Beresniak

Hawthorne Fortitude #200 Find more about the book here: http://www.assouline.com/9782843232015.html

Find me on Facebook: Facebook.com/corysigler Facebook.com/twtmag NEW EMAIL - TWTMAG@YAHOO.COM

www.twtmag.com

3

24 N. Franklin Turnpike Ramsey, NJ 201-934-4020

Regular Communications Every 2nd & 4th Thursday Except July and August

Visiting Brethren Always Welcomed To Join Us For Fellowship

www.twtmag.com

4

Contents

Featured Writers

This Month in Masonry...……9

Cory Sigler…….…………….26

One Minute Mason….…..…..10

Shawn M Gorley….…..…….27

Old Tyler Talks…...…..…..….11

Jason Bryce……...………...28

Word of the Month……..…...12

Matt Johnson…………29 & 43

PhoenixMasonry……….……13

Tony Montengro.....………...30

Staunton & Studds…..……..16

John Nagy…………………...32

International Conference on the History of Freemasonry..18

Scott Schwartzberg & Mike Gambarrotti………..……..…36 Scott Schwartzberg…...…...38 David Browning……….……40 Jacob Lucas………….44 & 52 Barry Newell…………….…..46

Appendant Bodies York Rite……………………………. 42 Scottish Rite……………………….. 49

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.

www.twtmag.com 5

5

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.

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 Matt Johnson

"Matt Johnson is a member of Pioneer Lodge #82 in Arizona.. Matt is also a new member of Arizona Chapter #1 and the Scottish Rite.

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.

Michael Gambarrotti

Shawn M. Gorley

Raised in August 2009 at Boynton Lodge No. 236, Boynton Beach, FL, Mike is currently JW of Boynton Lodge No. 236 and the District 32 Chairman for the Florida Masonic Child ID Program.

Raised to Master Mason at Mountain Lodge # 281 in Altoona PA. He is a member of The Masonic Society, The Philalethes and currently working toward level one certification in the Pennsylvania Academy of Masonic Knowledge.

Tony Montengro Antonio Montenegro is a Master Mason in a Lodge under the Grand Lodge of Florida. He considers himself to be a Traveling Man. He has traveled extensively throughout Europe and North and South America. He can currently be found in the vicinity of Rome.

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.

David Browning 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.

Jason Bryce Jason was initiated, passed and raised in Livonia Lodge 586 in April of 2007, transferring to Ann Arbor Fraternity 262 in 2010, where he is currently a steward and working on becoming a junior ritualist. Jason joined the Scottish Rite Valley of Detroit in October, 2010 and is currently active in performing in degrees as well as serving roles on both the retention and reception committees.

www.twtmag.com

6

Printed Copy Feedback Got the magazine today, VERY NICE!!!!!

My opinion........keep printing hard copies, as well as online. If you ever have subscriptions sign me up! - Shawn Gorley

It rules! That's about as honest as I can be. Kyle Ferguson

Mail Bag Editor The Working Tools, I am quite pleased with the series of articles you have been running the last couple of months by Brother Jacob Lucas.

Is this something he plans on continuing? I would love to see it progress to the end. - T.L. South Carolina

Bro. T.L. Excellent package and great articles. I would like to see this every month, but that maybe a stretch at this point. - Robert J. Kacsmar

I certainly hope I can convince Jacob to continue as much as you do. I am a big fan of his writtings as well. Cory Dear Brother Sigler,

I just received mine in the mail today and it looks exceptional! Great work, Cory! Phillip Daniel Newman

Just a few words, in order to congratulate you for this excellent publication - The Working Tools. We are going to recommend it to our members and Masonic researchers.

Super job Cory!

And... one more thing. I understand we do have a "common ground". I was born in Romania. Some of my relatives were Freemasons. They used to organize meetings during the first years of the communist regime.

Loved the articles, particularly the interview with Lomas.

Bruce Miller- Editor of the Ontario Mason Magazine

I have been living in Spain for more than 40. But that's another story...

Sincerely and Fraternally, Adrian Mac Liman

Great looking magazine brother Cory.

Will you have subscriptions available or only one at a time? Steven Morris

President - Centro Ibérico de Estudios Masónicos Apartado de correos 6203 28080 - Madrid (España)

Yes Bro Steve there will be a subscription button available on the website. I am excited that the feedback I got asked me for this and the demand was that high!- Cory

URL: www.cienmas.org Last Months Poll Question

Does your Lodge have a Chamber of Reflection?

Yes- 27% No- 73% 203 Responses

Send all your comments or questions to TWTMAG@yahoo.com www.twtmag.com

7

Best Blog Post Ever As seen in “The Magpie Mason” Blog written by Bro. Jay Hochberg 33° http://themagpiemason.blogspot.com/

“Have you heard the good news?’

Like I mentioned in a post somewhere below, there are some good things happening in New Jersey Freemasonry these days, some beginning at the top, but others rising from the grass roots.

Every year, our grand lodge hosts what it calls a leadership conference at the Elizabethtown campus of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. I don’t know what goes on there – when I used to bother asking about it, brethren either would just stare at their shoes or start gushing wildly about brotherhood, and frankly I don’t perceive a statewide improvement in leadership – so I can’t describe it to you in any detail, but it is several days of classroom-type instruction and break-out sessions, and the like. This year it will take place at the end of October.

Anyway, and don’t ask me how this has come to be, but Cliff Porter will be the guest lecturer this year!

W. Bro. Cliff is a Past Master of Enlightenment Lodge No. 198 in Colorado. He is the author of several books: The Secret Psychology of Freemasonry and Masonic Baptism among them. In addition, he is one of the guiding lights behind the Sanctum Sanctorum Education Foundation, and Living Stones Magazine.

Undoubtedly one of the sharpest thinkers on the Masonic scene today, and I’m sure he’ll be great at the leadership conference.

Like I mentioned in a post somewhere below, there are some good things happening in New Jersey Freemasonry these days, some beginning at the top, but others rising from the grass roots.

In other good news, and this one strikes close to home because it concerns publishing, is the complete change of direction given to New Jersey Freemason magazine, the official periodical of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. When I was a young Master Mason, this publication was produced on newsprint, in tabloid shape if I recall correctly. Through the foresight and toil of the editors then, it made the transition to magazine format on glossy paper about 10 or 12 years ago. The problem through all that time to the present has been the content of the magazine, which ran the gamut from uninspired to unnecessary. Actually it has been very typical of grand lodge magazines: big on posed “grip & grin” photos, charity work, necrology, and bureaucratic odds and ends, but bereft of anything Masonic. I guess they did the best they could, but now

the magazine is under the direction of W. Bro. Cory Sigler, editor and publisher of The Working Tools e-zine. Cory reached out to New Jersey Lodge of Masonic Research and Education No. 1786 to tap into its talent, and otherwise has made a strong effort to build a staff of writers to provide solid Masonic education pieces, current events reportage, and other content that thinking Masons actually will want to read. I haven’t seen the finished product yet, but it’s in the mail somewhere.

The first printed issue of The Working Tools.

In addition, let me congratulate Cory on his first hard copy publication of The Working Tools. After 51 issues over the course of six years, he has just gone to press with an actual magazine magazine. (Cory, forgive me, but except for your first issue, I’ve never really read The Working Tools before. I can’t read magazines on-line. I need the physical book in my hands.

It catches my cigar ash, you see.)

And last but not least in the Good News Department is the launch of a book club in northern New Jersey. The brethren of the Second Masonic District, chiefly at Fidelity Lodge, but also drawing Masons from other lodges, recognized a need to discuss real ideas in Freemasonry, and thus this book club and discussion group.

You know they mean business and are hungry for reform when the first text they choose is Laudable Pursuit, the biggest plum among the fruits of the labors of the Knights of the North.

Truth be told, it mainly is the work of Chris Hodapp, but it was published anonymously at the time (around 2005) for reasons I hope we’ve all forgotten by now.

I found out about the book club’s first meeting by accident, but then was contacted by the organizers. I said sure I’ll come! I thought they’d get a kick out of having a KOTN alum present, and I did get a few minutes to speak and share some inside baseball.

For better or worse, the topics confronted by LP stimulated the group to the extent that conversation was hard to organize, and we realized a second meeting to discuss LP was necessary. I missed that one. But what was really cool was the group itself: about 30 Masons, varying from a newly raised Master Mason to the District Deputy Grand Master.

The group will meet next on Monday the 21st at Nutley Lodge No. 25, and another KOTN alum will be there: none other than Hodapp himself, who will be in New Jersey for a few days to co-star in our 2012 Scottish Rite Symposium, with Bob Davis and Brent Morris. Click here for info on that! Thanks to the size of the auditorium, we actually have some seats remaining. Only $50 per person, which covers breakfast, lunch, and souvenirs.

“The Working Tools, It’s Better Than Decent” - Jay Hochberg 33° www.twtmag.com

8

This Month in Masonry June 20th On this date in 1881, Albert G. Mackey, Masonic author and Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction of the U.S., Died.

He was born in Charleston, South Carolina, the son of John Mackey (1765 December 14, 1831), a physician, journalist and educator, who published The American Teacher's Assistant and Self-Instructor's Guide, containing all the Rules of Arithmetic properly Explained, etc. (Charleston, 1826), the most comprehensive work on arithmetic that had then been published in the United States.

Albert Mackey obtained the means for studying medicine by teaching, and graduated from the medical department of the College of South Carolina in 1832. He settled in Charleston, and was in 1838 appointed demonstrator of anatomy in that institution, but in 1844 he abandoned the practice of medicine, and divided his time between miscellaneous writing and the study of freemasonry.

After being connected with several Charleston journals, he established in 1849 The Southern and Western Masonic Miscellany, a weekly magazine, which he maintained for the following three years almost entirely with his own contributions. He conducted a Quarterly 1858-1860 which he devoted to the same interests. He acquired the Greek, Latin, Hebrew, and continental languages almost unaided, and lectured frequently on the intellectual and moral development of the middle ages. Subsequently, he turned his attention exclusively to the investigation of abstruse symbolism, and to cabalistic and Talmudic researches.

He served as Grand Lecturer and Grand Secretary of The Grand Lodge of South Carolina as well as Secretary General of the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States.

He died in Fortress Monroe, Virginia.

(Wikipedia)

www.twtmag.com9

9

One Minute Mason Blog http://oneminutemason.blogspot.com/

By Bro Steve Harrison

3,580 Mile Swim Paul Boyton (1848-1924), Lodge of Friendship 206, London, was a world-famous adventurer and swimmer. He opened the world's first permanent amusement park in Chicago in 1894 and the following year established what would become the Coney Island amusement park. As a stunt swimmer, he invented a rubberized floating "wet suit," using it to swim long distances. He first used it to cross the English Channel and in 1881 used it to swim the Missouri River from Cedar Creek, Montana to St. Louis, Missouri, a distance of 3,580 miles!

First Airmail Letter January 10, 1793, Jean Pierre Blanchard made the first US balloon flight. The event was such a big deal, Brother George Washington, US President, was in attendance. Blanchard did not speak English, so Washington provided him with a letter of introduction addressed to the owner of any property where Blanchard landed. Blanchard presented his letter when he landed in Deptford, Gloucester County, New Jersey, making Brother Washington, officially, the first person in the US to send an airmail letter.

The letter read: "George Washington, President of the United States of America, to all to whom these presents shall come. The bearer hereof, Mr. Blanchard a citizen of France, proposing to ascend in a balloon from the city of Philadelphia, at 10 o’clock, A.M. this day, to pass in such direction and to descend in such place as circumstances may render most convenient — These are therefore to recommend to all citizens of the United States, and others, that in his passage, descent, return or journeying elsewhere, they oppose no hindrance or molestation to the said Mr. Blanchard; And, that on the contrary, they receive and aid him with that humanity and good will which may render honor to their country, and justice to an individual so distinguished by his efforts to establish and advance an art, in order to make it useful to mankind in general.

www.twtmag.com

10

Old Tyler Talks By Carl Claudy “LEARNING THE WORK�

"It seems to me," began the New Brother, offering a cigar to the Old Tiler, "that we make unnecessary demands on a candidate."

"Thanks," answered the Old Tiler. "Such as what, for instance?"

"A candidate who has received the Entered Apprentice degree must perfect himself in it before he gets his Fellowcraft. After he is a Fellowcraft he must learn that ritual before he can become a Master Mason. I can see the reason why all brethren must understand them and be able to tell about degrees, but I don't see why we must learn word for word and letter for letter. Last meeting we turned back a young fellow because he had not learned his Entered Apprentice degree. If he didn't learn it because he didn't want to he wasn't worth having, but it seems he just couldn't. Refusing him was an injustice. He's only onethird a Mason, and not likely to get any farther."

"You sure think of a lot of things Masonic to find fault with!" countered the Old Tiler. "But we would get along faster if you didn't mix your questions."

"How do you mean, mix them?"

"In one breath you want to know why Masonry requires learning degrees by heart, and don't I think it was an injustice to a certain young fellow because we wouldn't admit him to full membership when he couldn't or didn't, only you don't think it an injustice but a righteousness if he could and didn't. You agree that one of the safeguards of Masonry which keep it pure is what we call the ancient landmarks?"

"I agree."

"And you know one of the landmarks is that Masonry is secret?"

"Of course."

"If we printed the work would it be secret?"

"Certainly not. But you don't have to print it."

"No? But if we can't print it and won't learn it, how are we to give it to our sons?"

"Oh!" The New Brother saw a great light. "We all learn the work and so know when mistakes are made and correct them in the workers, and our sons hear the same work we did and learn it and transmit it. But wouldn't it be enough if only a few men learned the work- those well qualified and with good memories? How would that do?"

"It is good Masonry and good Americanism that the majority rules. Masonry is not a despotism but a democracy. If a favored few were the custodians of the work would not the favored few soon become the rulers of Masonry, just as the favored few have always ruled the lazy, the ignorant, and the stupid?"

"If that happened we'd just put them out of office."

"And put in men who didn't know the work? Then what becomes of your landmark?"

"You are too many for me," laughed the New Brother. "I guess there is a reason why we have to learn the work. But I still think we might make an occasional exception when a man just can't memorize."

"If you read the Bible, you know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump. One bad egg will spoil an omelette. The man who won't learn is not fit to be a Mason, since he is not willing to tread the path all his brethren have trod. The man who can't learn the work hasn't control enough of his brain to enable him to appreciate Masonic blessings. This is no question of education. A brother of this lodge has had so little education that he barely reads and write. His grammar is fearful and his knowledge of science so full of things that are not so that it is funny when it isn't pathetic. But he is a good Mason for all that, and bright as a dollar at learning the work. It's only the stupid, the lazy, the indifferent and dullwitted, the selfish and foolish man who can't learn or won't learn Masonry. They add nothing to it; it is better they are kept out. To make an exception merely would be to leaven our lump with sour leaven."

"But, Old Tiler, many who learned it once have forgotten it now."

"Of course they have! You can't do a quadratic equation or tell me the principle cities in Greenland, or bound Poland, or do a Latin declination. You learned it and forgot it. But you had the mental training. If I told you a quadratic was worked with an adding machine, that Poland was in china, or that hocus-pocus meant Caesar's lives, you'd know I was wrong.

Same way with ritual; leaning it is Masonic training, and though we often forget it we never lose it entirely, and through the whole of us it is preserved to posterity."

"Oh, all right! I learned mine, any way. Have another cigar, won't you?"

"Thanks," answered the Old Tiler. "You have learned rather well, I'll admit, that I like your cigars!"

TWT www.twtmag.com

11

Masonic Symbolism & Words Brought to you by www.masonicdictionary.com This Month’s Entry is:

Saint John The Baptist One of the Patron Saints of Freemasonry, and at one time, indeed, the only one, the name of Saint John the Evangelist having been introduced subsequent to the sixteenth century. His festival occurs on the 24th of June, and is very generally celebrated by the Masonic Fraternity. Dalcho (Ahiman Rezon, page 150) says that "the stern integrity of Saint John the Baptist, which induced him to forego every minor consideration in discharging the obligations he owed to God; the unshaken firmness with which he met martyrdom rather than betray his duty to his Master; his steady reproval of vice, and continued preaching of repentance and virtue. make him a fit patron of the Masonic institution." The Charter of Cologne says: "We celebrate, annually, the memory of Saint John, the Forerunner of Christ and the Patron of our Community." The Knights Hospitaller also dedicated their Order to him; and the ancient expression of our instructions, which speaks of a "Lodge of the Holy Saint John of Jerusalem," probably refers to the same saint.

Krause, in his Kunsturkunden (pages 295 to 305), gives abundant historical proofs that the earliest Freemasons adopted Saint John the Baptist, and not Saint John the Evangelist as their patron. It is worthy of note that the Grand Lodge of England was revived on Saint John the Baptist's Day, in 1717 (Constitutions, 1738, page 109), and that the Annual Feast was kept on that day until 1725, when it was held for the first time on the Festival of the Evangelist (see page 119 of the above edition). Lawrie says (history of

Freemasonry, page 152) that the Scottish Freemasons always kept the festival of the Baptist until 1737, when the Grand Lodge changed the time of the annual election to Saint Andrew's Day. - Source: Mackey's Encyclopedia of Freemasonry

Leonardo da Vinci’s “Saint John The Baptist”

TWT www.twtmag.com

12

Grotto

Vintage set of cast iron bookends with a bronze/brass finish. They depict a certain Prophet who is a member of the M.O.V.P.E.R. (Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Enchanted Realm).

They stand 5 1/2 inches tall and 4 7/8 inches across.

Together they weigh 3 1/2 lbs.

http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/main www.twtmag.com

13

“GOOSE AND GRIDIRON ALE-HOUSE and the FOUR ORIGINAL LODGES�

By Ralph Omholt, Liberian PhoenixMasonry.org The Goose and Gridiron Ale-House was located in a section of London known as St. Paul's Churchyard. The name was a corruption, or parody, on the arms of the "Swan and Lyre," a musical society which also met at the ale-house. The building was constructed with five floors, including the basement. The largest dining room, on the second floor, measured only 14 2 by 21 2 feet in area.

houses and taverns, if there was any, is probably inconsequential.

Masonic history records the beginning of the Grand Lodge of London and Westminster as being organized there on June 24, 1717, by a combined meeting of four local area Lodges. One of Lodges among the original 'Four Old Lodges' met there, assuming the name of the ale-house.

2. At the Crown Ale-house in Parker's Lane near Drury Lane.

Dr. Anderson tells us that a Grand Lodge 'pro tempore' was formed at the Apple Tree Tavern in 1716, with no Grand Master elected and with no regulations or laws of any kind formulated. This meeting amounted to an agreement to meet the following June 24th to form a Grand Lodge, at the Goose and Gridiron Alehouse.

The famous meeting of June 24, 1717 (birthday of St. John the Baptist) was the designated as the Annual Assembly and Feast. Three additional annual meetings were subsequently specified by the original General Regulations; one on Michaelmas (in September), one just after Christmas (December 27 - birthday of St. John the Evangelist), and another on Lady Day (Annunciation Day, March 25). There is no record that these specified meetings actually occurred.

Dr. Anderson lists the 'Four Old Lodges' as: 1. At the Goose and Gridiron Ale-house in St. Paul's Churchyard.

3. At the Apple-Tree Tavern in Charles Street, Covent Garden.

4. At the Rummer and Grapes Tavern in Channel Row, Westminster.

The original List of Lodges, published in 1725, displayed a pictorial representation of the name or sign of the tavern or ale house where each of the lodges met, in addition to the appropriate names of the locations or the streets and the meeting nights. The first on the list was represented by a picture of a Goose and Gridiron, opposite of which were the words, "St. Paul's Churchyard, every other Mond from ye 29th of April inclusive."

Coil's Encyclopedia informs us that the lodge which originally met at the Goose and Gridiron Ale house in 1717 continued to meet at that location until 1729. It then moved to the King's (or Queen's) Arms Tavern in the

At the organizational meeting, the four Lodges elected Anthony Sayer, as the 'oldest Master Mason and then Master of a Lodge', as its Grand Master, agreeing to hold a 'Grand Feast' once a year. Sayer appointed his Grand Wardens and 'commanded the Master and Wardens of Lodges to meet the Grand Officers every Quarter in Communication.' It is worthy to note that the organization started, with only those two purposes. The modern "Craft" started with a planned party!

The four original Lodges which effected the formation of the Premier Grand Lodge are referred to as 'The Four Old Lodges.' They were known by the names of the taverns or ale houses where they met. The distinction between ale-

www.twtmag.com 14

14

(Continued from page 14) same area of London, where it remained for an extended period of time. On the Engraved List of Lodges of 1760, it assumed the name, "West Indian and American Lodge." In 1770, this name was changed to the "Lodge of Antiquity."

In the 1770s, William Preston ('father' of the Masonic Monitor), Masonic writer and ritualist, was elected its Master, giving the Lodge renewed esteem and dignity.

Later, the Duke of Sussex and the Duke of Albany each became Master of the Lodge for several years. While the name has been changed, the descended Lodge is still active. It currently meets at the Freemason's tavern and the Freemason's Hall in London.

While the ale-house was torn down, the physical symbol of the goose was retained in the Masonic archives. Despite a variety of drawings which depicted it's image with reasonable accuracy, the archivists were surprised to discover that the goose was actually standing in a crown. The original symbol has recently been restored.

In the interest of justice, the history of the remaining three Lodges is also warranted.

The second Lodge which originally met at the Crown Ale-house is believed to have originated in 1712. It later moved to Queen's Head Tavern, Turnstile, Holborn in the year 1723. It then moved to the Green Lettice, Rose and Rummer, and then to the Rose and Buffloe. In 1730, the Lodge met at the Bull and Gate, Holborn. The Lodge last appeared on the Engraved List of 1736; struck from the roll in 1740. An application for its restoration was later submitted and denied on the grounds that none of the petitioners had ever been original members of the Lodge during the term of its original existence. Thus, the tragic demise of one of the Four Old Lodges.

warrants, Dr. Anderson's information implies that there must have been a break in the continuity of this Lodge, necessitating a new authorization. However, the known history does not imply that there was a significant interruption as had occurred with the Crown Lodge.

Unfortunately, Masonic history has not been kind to the Lodge. At some time before 1755, the Lodge moved to the Fish and Bell, on Charles Street, Soho Square, there it remained until 1768. In 1768, the Lodge moved to the Roebuck, on Oxford Street, under the name of "Lodge of Fortitude," remaining there until 1793. In 1818, it merged with the Old Cumberland Lodge (constituted in 1753). It since been known as the "Fortitude and Old Cumberland Lodge No. 12." The changes name and status caused such confusion that the identity of the Lodge was lost for nearly a century. The root of the confusion began with the acceptance of the new warrant in about 1723.

The new warrant led to the inference that it was originally organized in that year. In substance this Lodge appears to be the old Apple Tree Lodge.

However it was apparently technically ruled to be a new lodge, having had a warrant forced upon it.

Such is a tragedy of Masonic history, as the preliminary meeting for the organization of the Premier Grand Lodge was held at the Apple Tree Tavern in 1716, with the first Grand Master, Anthony Sayer, a member of the Lodge.

The fourth Lodge which met at the Rummer and Grapes in 1717 had George Payne, the second and fourth Grand Master, Dr. Desaguliers, the third Grand Master, and several others who became Grand Masters, together with Dr. James Anderson, as members. The Lodge moved to the Horn Tavern in 1723, taking the name, "Horn Lodge." In 1764 a new Lodge was formed at the Horn, with the effect of the decline of the old Lodge. In 1774, it consolidated with Somerset House Lodge. In 1818, it once again consolidated with a younger lodge, "Royal The third Lodge which originally met at the Apple Tree Inverness Lodge". The old Lodge now works as "Royal Tavern on Charles Street, Covent Garden in 1717 moved Somerset House and Inverness Lodge No. 4." to the Queen's Head, Knaves Acre in approxiamtely 1723. According to Dr. Anderson Constitutions of 1738, First published at: Phoenixmasonry.org after the move to the Queen's Head, there was some form of disagreement between the members resulting in a new http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/goose_and_gridiron_aleconstitution for the Lodge. Given that none of the house.htm original 'Four Old Lodges' was expected to hold

TWwww.twtmag.com T

15

15

Master Craftsman “My love of Masonic craftsmanship started with an admiration I had for my grandfather. Prominently place on his rough, leathery hands was a ruby Masonic ring. There was always a mystery-- an intensity-- to Michael Cain Seay looks to the past for design how he treated this piece. It was a most prized inspiration. Sometimes, prehistory. possession. That, coupled with growing up in the shadow of the George Washington Masonic With his batwing bow tie and seersucker suit, Memorial, fostered a healthy interest in the Craft. As Washington D.C. Freemason, Michael Cain Seay, lifts soon as I was old enough to work, I began my humble the sleeve of his jacket to showcase his latest cufflink job as a janitor and tour guide for the memorial, design - an anatomically correct replica of a human working my way up to the Assistant to the Director of skull. To the untrained eye, the skull appears to be Collections. It was as I catalogued the memorial’s made of wood, or stone, but neither seem quite right, over 11,000 items, I fell in love with the regalia from as the piece has beautiful veins of vanilla, tan, and the early 18th century to the middle of the 20th.” brown prevalent throughout the piece. The cufflink is hand-carved from wooly mammoth ivory. “Thousands of frozen Mammoths are being found in Siberia and Russia, where they collect the ivory from the mammoth’s giant tusks.” Seay explains. “We chose to use mammoth ivory for our memento mori cufflinks due to its beauty and rarity. I believe fashion accessories should function as a conversation piece.”

“...With pride and honor to the fraternity.”

Michael’s new company, Staunton and Studds, accomplishes just that. His refined taste in design comes from the craft’s lavish history.

“When brothers look into the archives of our craft, they find beautiful pieces created for our grandfathers and great-grandfathers. These pieces capture the essence and beauty of Freemasonry. They are pieces that were meant for transformation. For example, when I look at the pieces of my lady’s grandfather, who was a plumber’s assistant, he wore items to Lodge that were extremely beautiful and detailed, From Curator to Craftsman befitting of a gentleman. I can imagine that when he wore these items to his meetings, he felt elevated from his blue-collar profession. He felt as though he was a “Because of my knowledge of American Freemasonry and my ability to design, I worked under the world’s true gentleman.” oldest Masonic regalia manufacturer. It was there that I learned the magic of creating exquisite pieces, as From time immemorial well as the nuts-and-bolts of metalworking, Michael’s fervent passion for Freemasonry began at a embroidery, and ribbon-making. I have also learned what I’d do differently and have decided to take that tender age and has only burned brighter as he grew. chance.”

(Continued on page 17) www.twtmag.com

16

(Continued from page 16)

According to Michael, these pieces are not just sheer vanity; the beauty of these pieces are meant to focus on our noble activities and take us away from the monotony of everyday life. Regalia can transform the farmer, the plumber, the everyman, to feel as though he is a man of distinction. Moreover, it’s an exoteric display to the public of the majesty of our organizations.

“The regalia from our past was not just beautiful for beauty’s sake. It was created by masons for masons with an intense love for the Fraternity. Following WWII, it became increasingly obvious that the trend towards industrialization negatively affected the detail put into masonic regalia and accessories and I’m working hard to ensure it makes a comeback.”

To contact Michael, visit www.stauntonandstudds.com or www.facebook.com/stauntonstudds.

Thankfully for Michael, he’s not the only brother who is smitten with the regalia of our grandfathers and great-grandfathers. He is quite impressed with the initiatives of the Traditional Observance movement, the Masonic Restoration Foundation, and many of the Masonic bodies he sees in cosmopolitan cities, such as New York City and Washington, D.C. “The first wave of the revival in masonic tradition and a demand for high quality regalia, began in Craft Freemasonry, but as these men have joined appendant bodies, including York Rite, Scottish Rite and even the social groups. For example, I’ve seen great transformation in the Shriners and the Grotto. The oldest Grotto, Azim, has requested a series of the Al Mokanna head, hand-carved out of bone and woolly mammoth.”

www.twtmag.com

17

“International Conference on the History of Freemasonry (ICHF)”

By Robert Cooper Freemasons have a self imposed rule not to become involved in matters of religion or politics this means that when attacks are made upon Freemasonry from those areas of society we are virtually defenceless. Aside from the fact that I believe that during the last 60 years or so we have defined politics and religion too narrowly to the point that no discussion whatsoever on these subjects are allowed to be discussed (something that I hope to return to at a later date) and we have, until recently, not found a truly International method of getting our message across.

One way of doing so is to use our history, heritage, morals and ethics and culture as a means of bypassing the religious and politic spheres and instead addressing ourselves to other groups who are not bound by political ideology or religious theology. It was from this idea of projecting ourselves into other spheres of human activity that the International Conference on the History of Freemasonry (ICHF) was born. Creating an interface between the academic world and Freemasonry was considered to be the first and most attractive activity. Many disciplines in the academic world either touch on or research Freemasonry in a variety of ways. For example social and economic history, art and literature, colonialism, morals and ethics, religion and politics and even geography! It is a curious fact that Freemasonry is being studied by nonFreemasons in numerous academic centers all over the world but we Freemasons know little or nothing of their research! An International Conference, focused

on the subject of Freemasonry, seemed a logical and beneficial extension of what was already taking place by bringing together not only academics who are researching Freemasonry, but also Freemasons who are studying Freemasonry. A third and important group are members of the public who are interested in the subject but have no easy method of gaining access to the latest research on the subject.

The structure of ICHF is simple. There is lead company (Supersonic Events Ltd.) which owns the brand ICHF and exists to being business expertise to organizing ICHF. It is of paramount importance to realize that although Supersonic Events Ltd. (in the US it would be Inc.!) exists to make the conference arrangements it does so in order to generate funds to promote Freemasonry in alternative ways. The primary one is to divert profits from ICHF into a ‘Young Researchers’ fund (a non-profit organization) to assist young people who are studying Freemasonry at an academic level.

ICHF is therefore not a Masonic conference but a conference the subject of which is Freemasonry. There is a subtle but very important difference in the wording of the previous sentence. It means that ICHF is open to everyone with an interest in the subject whether or not they wish to present a paper at the conference. One further benefit is that the normal structures of Freemasonry do not apply and ICHF is a truly cultural event where anyone interested in the subject can learn, be entertained, socialize, network with the linking theme being Freemasonry.

(Continued on page 19)

www.twtmag.com

18

(Continued from page 18) It is appropriate therefore to explain how the conference works and provide details of related matters.

home on a non-work day. For those Freemasons who intend to linger there will be a special Masonic meeting on the evening on Monday, 26th.

A note as to the cost: The cost of attending ICHF 2013 has been held at the same level as for ICHF Firstly, neither Supersonic Events nor the people who 2007 (the first conference) at $375. This sum is very organize the conference have any input into what modest when compared to other International papers are accepted for presentation at the Academic Conferences especially when one is aware conference. For this purpose an Academic Committee that it includes funding travel and accommodation for is formed for each conference headed by an eminent the Plenary Speakers, that is, those that are world academic. Proposals for papers (about 300 words) on leaders in this field. Also included in the delegate fee all aspects of Freemasonry are submitted and all are all tea & coffee, lunch and a delegate bag. It is details which might identify the author are removed interesting to learn that some Lodges have set up before being distributed to the Academic Committee ‘ICHF Savings Clubs’ so that by contributing for assessment. Their assessment of each proposal is monthly by the time two years have passed the costs therefore unbiased and is based on merit alone. This of attended the conference are covered. process is known ‘Blind Peer Review’. The decisions of the Academic Committee are returned to the lead ICHF is held every two years. 2013 ICHF will be academic and those submitting the proposal notified held at Freemasons’ Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland. In of the decision. They then have approximately six 2015 the conference will be hosted by Brock months to finalize their work in progress and make it University in Ontario, Canada and negotiations are suitable for presentation! (Power point presentations presently taking place as to where it should be held in are increasingly being used).

2017.

Depending on the number of papers accepted the conference is organized in several simultaneous sessions. In practice papers of a similar theme are grouped together in sessions that are delivered simultaneously in different rooms and there are usually three sessions at any one time. This means that the maximum number of papers can be presented over the three days of the conference allowing the delegates the widest possible scope in choosing what sessions they wish to attend.

In addition to the conference itself social activities are also available. ICHF is held over the last full weekend of May. In 2013 that will be Friday, 24th, Saturday, 25th and Sunday, 26th. There is normally a concert on the Thursday preceding the conference (details to be announced). Friday evening is an informal ‘meet and greet’ with wine and ‘figure food’. On Saturday there is a Gala dinner. The conference ends at Sunday lunch time with a light lunch for the delegates. Monday is a holiday for many in the western world allowing people to travel

For more information and to download a PDF of the First Announcement please see:

www.ichfonline.org There is an ICHF Facebook Group (which might soon be changed to a page)

For more information on Robert Cooper please visit http://www.robertldcooper.com

TWT

www.twtmag.com

19

Advertisement www.twtmag.com

20

MASONS IN THE NEWS Secret society opens its doors

By Lawrence Money New Victorian grand master of the Freemasons Bob Jones vows to end its mysterious ways.

SIR William Clarke, a president of the Melbourne Cricket Club, was the man behind the Ashes, the game's famous English-Australian trophy. It was at Clarke's Sunbury mansion, Rupertswood, where he hosted the touring English team over the Christmas break of 1882, that the fabled bail was burnt and placed in a small urn as a bit of silly-season foolishness. The same urn is now a priceless artifact in the museum at Lord's in London.

But this is not the reason why a portrait of Clarke is the first thing you see when entering the cavernous Masonic Center in East Melbourne. Less wellknown is that Tasmanian-born Clarke was the first Victorian grand master of the Freemasons, that 300-year-old world-wide fraternity whose strange garb and ancient traditions have long been shrouded in secrecy.

Clarke, also the first baronet appointed in Australia, led the Victorian masons from 1889 to 1896, an era during which the organization kept its doors firmly shut to outsiders. There were rules that could not be discussed with non-members, hidden ceremonies in black tie and aprons, public handshakes that privately conveyed Masonic ranking - and that was how things stayed for more than a century.

Meeting once a month, the Freemasons now number more than 6 million men around the world who combine community service with fraternal socializing. However, something strange seems to have been happening recently to the blokes known colloquially as "the grippers".

Here's a headline from the Albury-Wodonga Border Mail in September last year: "Mason secrets revealed". And another from the Brisbane Courier Mail in the same

month: "Masons lift veil of secrecy for a day". And, somewhat ambiguously, a third from The Australian Financial Review the previous month: "Masons out and proud".

The former assistant commissioner for crime of the Victoria Police, Vaughan Werner, who has just stepped down as Victorian grand master after the standard two-year term, made it official a few weeks ago. "Freemasons have made a conscious effort to be less secretive about their practices," he said, "and be inclusive of families and partners."

And it is the new grand master, Bob Jones, who can give one good reason: as with many service organizations, membership was falling.

And he says the Freemasons' secrecy had proved counter-productive: "The son of a Freemason friend is not a mason himself because the son was never told anything about it by his father."

In Masonic terms, the son of a Freemason is known as a "Lewis", a reference to an essential iron clamp long used by stonemasons in the workplace.

The symbolism of Freemasonry is plentiful - their ceremonial gear goes back to the leather aprons used in the ancient trade - but Mr Jones, Victoria's 43rd grandmaster, says the underlying purpose is to help develop men of principle and moral fibre.

"Since we became more open,'' he says, '' we have had 800 membership applications and the average age of applicants is 36. In my lodge, we have a 35-year-old pilot, straight out of the army. Fascinating young bloke now flying 737s.

He said he missed the discipline and structure the army gave him.

(Continued on page 22)

www.twtmag.com

21

Masons in the News (Continued from page 21) '' Freemasonry gives you that structure but without religious connotation. That's why the world needs Freemasonry now more than ever. I want to open our doors even wider than before."

That is not to say everything is transparent. The secret handshakes and signals remain as a simple test of selfdiscipline, measuring a man's trustworthiness and reliability, but these days it is rather academic. ‘'You can find them all on the internet anyhow,'' concedes Jones.

“Councilor defends right to be a Mason” http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/Councillor-defendsright-Mason/story-15991070-detail/story.html North Devon Journal

THE leader of Torridge District Council has defended his However, there is more to the Freemasons than male bonding. They raise around $1 million a year for charitable decision to become a Freemason after a councilor resigned from the authority's Conservative group. projects in Victoria, provide 1100 aged-care beds, educational scholarships and coaching.

Barry Parsons sees no problem with his affiliation with the Freemasons.

The surge of new and younger Victorian members would appear to be just in time - Mr Jones says the average age of He spoke out after Kenwith ward councilor Kathy the 13,000 Victorian masons until recently had climbed to Murdoch quit the Tory group, saying she could not 69. continue under the current leadership.

Jones, a third-generation Freemason, is a comparatively The row kicked-off at Torridge's annual full council young 59 and father of two sons 30 and 32. You may meeting on Monday, after the roles of leader and deputy recognize his name from his car-racing days when he was leader had been voted on. a top privateer, a driver not connected with any motor company. At wife Kerry's request, Mr Jones turned in his Conservative group leader Mr Parsons was voted to lead racing helmet in 2000. the council for another year.

"I'm afraid I have seen a slow degeneration in the community outside Freemasonry," says Mr Jones, who started life as an apprentice panel-beater. "I now run a transport-repair business with several hundred employees and have seen life from the working side. ''To get one apprentice today, I have to hire four because the other three don't last. It is too easy not to work. They can get more money working at McDonald's. ''In my day at school a lot of us started off as tradesmen, with only a few academics wanting to be rocket scientists.

Today everyone wants to be a rocket scientist, no one wants to be a tradesman."

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/melbourne-life/secretsociety-opens-its-doors-201204231xh8z.html#ixzz1uQJnIKSR

TWT

After the vote was taken Mrs Murdoch stood up, gathered her papers, and said: "Under this current leadership I cannot continue. I am handing in my resignation. Sorry I have got to go."

After she left Mr Parsons addressed the council.

He said: "About 12 months ago I was asked to go to a Freemason meeting. I went along out of interest for community groups.

"I enjoyed the evening and was asked to go again.

"I joined the Masons, although I have only been to three meetings in the last 12 months because I have been busy.

"If that offends people, well there is no politics involved and I have not used it to my advantage.

"The organization generates more funds than any other charity in the country, other than the lottery."

Mr Parsons, who represents Forest ward, said he was aware that a Freedom of Information request had been made to the council about his membership of the Freemasons.

(Continued on page 23)

www.twtmag.com

22

Masons in the News He said he was saddened by Mrs Murdoch's remarks.

Speaking after the meeting Mrs Murdoch confirmed she was resigning from the Conservative group but not standing down as a councilor.

Mr Parsons had no idea Mrs Murdoch was going to resign.

He said: "Kathy said that she could not work with a 'Mason controlled' council.

"As leader of the council and of the largest political party on the council, I felt it right to respond, giving my reasons for becoming a Mason.

"I have never kept my membership a secret and I am sad about what was said at the meeting."

South Australia and Northern Territory Grand Lodge Grand Master Robert Parsons and Deputy Grand Master Stephen Michalak say that far from being a secret society, the Freemasons simply has an image problem.

They are now focusing on ways to attract younger members keen to give back to their community.

"In the past, going back 10 or 15 years, I believe, in our attempts to attract men to Freemasonry, we've been too oldfashioned," said Mr Parsons, who has been a Freemason since 1968.

"We have not kept up with the times inasmuch as the way to go about it," he said.

"Now we are experiencing a good influx of men, both young and older, who are joining and it's because we have changed our ways with technology.

"It's about time that we did and up until about three years ago we were struggling - we're still struggling as far as membership goes - but it has increased quite considerably over the past couple of years."

Five Conservative district councilors are Freemasons, Building foreman Jarrod Acres, 25, who joined two months according to the register of members' interests. As well as ago, said he wanted to give back to the community.

Mr Parsons there is Andrew Eastman, David Fulford, Andy "One comment that really resounded with me was that it Boyd and John Himan. makes good men great," he said. "It's the reason I joined a football club or the reason anybody joins any group is just because they want to be a part of something bigger than TWT themselves."

“Ancient group casts web wide for young blood�

By Tom Bowden Adelaidenow

Disability employment service worker Peter Berekally, 29, said Freemasonry was not a religion but a secular and inclusive group of men.

"You've got this mentality where you want to help and I think that's why many of us are attracted to masonry because it gives us the opportunity to channel that," he said.

Freemasons have existed in South Australia since 1836.

Prominent members have included former governor Sir Eric Neal, chief justices such as the first Grand Master, Sir Samuel Way, and business leaders Owen Redman and Allan Scott.

At its peak, there were more than 27,000 registered South GOOGLE "Freemasonry" and you're likely to find a host of Australian Freemasons. websites about conspiracies, secrecy and the illuminati.

So exactly what are Freemasons and what do they do?

But the truth, according to the Freemasons, is that the group is about symbols, rituals, allegories and metaphors that help "We're normal people," Mr Parsons said. men live a better life.

"It's just being with people that you know are like-minded they have the same principles, (Continued on page 24)

www.twtmag.com

23

Masons in the News (Continued from page 23) the same family values and you know when you meet a Freemason that he's an honest and upright person."

While Mr Parsons said it was not a secret organization, there were some things they kept to themselves.

The set square reminds masons of the importance of squaring actions away, the chisel to smooth off a person's rough edges and the compass represents a person's "circle of attainment".

As they graduate from the degrees they earn an apron, which represents their status and reflects the teachings.

"We are an organization that has a few secrets, and that sort of expression has been used a great deal, and we keep that While the craft has long attracted businessmen and people within our organization," Mr Parsons said. of social influence, Mr Parsons says any man can apply to become a mason - they simply need to be over 18, believe "Those secrets are mainly methods of recognition and some in God or a "supreme being" and be of good character; and signs that we use and, yes, there is that mystique." no man with a girlfriend or wife can join without their blessing.

Mr Parsons said Freemasonry's mystique was a blessing and a curse.

To minimize any potential for conflict, members are forbidden from discussing religion and politics.

"This doesn't do us any harm as long as we make it clear we're not behind closed doors doing stupid things," he said. Far from just teachings and rituals, the Freemasons is a recognized charity and has raised $4.5 million since 1989 "Our organization is about 300 years old and there have for medical research, men's health, community projects and been rumors about Freemasons doing the wrong thing. educational scholarships.

"But a lot of the religions of old regarded us as a religion and therefore competition for them.

"There's no truth in any of the things that you hear from time to time, as far as I'm aware - going back 200 years it might have been something, but I don't know."

The "craft" of Freemasonry involves ceremonial rituals allegorical teachings of how to be a better father, husband and member of society.

Last year the SA Freemasons organized a national Movember members challenge, raising $12,000 in SA and $67,000 in total.

Oh, and I almost forgot the secret handshake ...

"The handshake certainly does exist and is used when we meet a brother, and it is not a funny thing like you see on The Simpsons - it's nothing like that," he laughs.

Masons study three ritualistic degrees - the entered apprentice, the fellow craft and the master mason degrees.

Each degree relates to a step of character development, says Mr Michalak, who has risen to the role of Deputy Grand Master in just 12 years.

"The first ritual talks a lot about the basics of life ... and in the second degree we talk more about the intellect - the things that we as adults get involved in," he said.

"The third degree is really about preparations for our last moments of life ... and it reminds us to live our lives as best as we can as a preparation for that moment."

Mr Michalak said the principles of Freemasonry were simple. "We use the symbolic tools of the stonemasons of old and these are metaphors of how we should live," he said.

Grand Master Robert Parsons, seated, with Deputy Grand Master Stephen Mikalak in the Grand Lodge on North Tce. Picture: Naomi Jellicoe.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/ancient-group-casts-webwide-for-young-blood/story-e6frea6u-1226360627259

www.twtmag.com

24

u t a e F

s r e ir t W d e r The Working Tools

www.twtmag.com

25

“The Online Mason”

By Bro. Cory Sigler Separately, in another post you are openly cursing, talking about about how you hate so and so.

You post a picture of a half naked girl or a explicit I am on Facebook almost all day long checking video clip with content not suitable for all . All these the status of my family and friends , seeing what is messages are posted on all your friends walls and going on in the Masonic world and interacting with when they respond to you it then gets shown on their The Working Tools readers. You can say I’m a wall. Now you have the probability of hundreds or Facebook power user. thousands of people seeing what you wrote.

“Manners on Facebook”

Overall, I am connected online 24/7. My iPhone is, for all intents and purposes, surgically attached to my body. You email me and I get back to you right away, I think that is the most polite thing to do. I try to watch my manners and present myself as well as possible to all people at all times.

Put those two paragraphs together and you have the basis of my article. “Manners on Facebook”

Why does this matter besides tarnishing our reputation? What if one of those people who saw your post was thinking about joining a Lodge? What kind of message are you sending out to him? You now potentially ruined the chance of a great member from asking for a petition. That first impression is something you can never get back.

I’m not a saint, I’ve posted some out there messages but I’m working on being very conscious of Increasingly, I have seen behavior that makes my actions and thinking about what I wrote before me shake my head in disbelief. I understand that we all hitting the send button. It’s a practice I think we can have lives outside of the Lodge but we represent the all afford to adopt.

Craft all day long, 365 days a year (yes even when we go dark for the summer months).

Try to imagine if this is something you would say in an open Lodge meeting. Would you be embarrassed Allow me to give you a real-life example. to stand up and say what you wrote on your wall for You have the Square and Compasses license plate the world to see? If the answer is “yes” you need to square your actions and act appropriately. on your automobile, on the back windshield are emblems for Scottish Rite, York Rite, Shriners..etc.

(Stepping off my soapbox) You’re driving way too fast and are cutting people off.

The first thing the other drivers are thinking are “The Freemasons are real Jerks (Trust me – they called you worse names but I cleaned it up to keep it nice). I know I’ve done it before when I see a bumper sticker for an organization and the driver is all over the road.

Now let’s look at this type of reckless behavior online.

You have a profile picture of the Square and Compasses. You often post when you are at a Lodge meeting or appendant body event. You talk about all the good Freemasonry does raising money for sick children and how proud you are for that.

TWT

www.twtmag.com

26

What is Freemasonry?

by Bro. Shawn M. Gorley

How often do we get asked, "What exactly is Freemasonry?" After being asked this myself, and giving a very general answer, I thought about how complex a true and complete answer to this question really is.

Here is the answer I came up with, and I hope you like.

Freemasonry is a wonderful place where men of all ages and backgrounds can come to meet as brothers in the truest sense of the word, it is a place where a man's word is still law and a handshake means more than one can explain.

It is a place where men help each other no matter what the task, and the goal of a man is the goal of the group, and the goal of the group is the goal of a man.

It is a place where the good become better, the wise become wiser and the givers give more.

It is a place to help and give, yet you will will receive more from it than you could ever put in, but only if you heart is pure and your intentions unselfish.

It is a place of peace and understanding and a place to learn, grow and build yet you never take on these tasks alone.

It is a place of friendships and fellowships that in other circumstances may have never been possible, where equality is the key, and we call each other brother and mean it.

It is a place of secrets and knowledge that others confuse, yet those secrets and knowledge are so easy to understand.

It is a place where we use symbols, philosophies and history to learn and remind us to stay on the right path.

It is a school of life and a school of love and understanding, where men are taught to live a better way, a just way, and a more understanding way.

It is a place with out judgement or cliques and you are never judged by material possessions, political or social status and you really are equal.

It is a place of enlightenment and acknowledgement, where you can educate and research, or just arrive and eat a good meal in great fellowship.

It is never ending in the sense that nothing built is ever truly finished.

Most of all it is not just one place, not a mere building with four walls and a roof, it is on this place we call earth and it opens it's arms and welcomes you in with a huge heart and a caring and understanding soul.

So the next time someone asks you what Freemasonry is, see if they have a few minutes to spare, you never know, you may, make a new friend or your next new brother, but, when you answer this question. take some time yourself to reflect and remind yourself just what it is you are a part of.

TWT

www.twtmag.com

27

“Membership Has Its Benefits”

By Bro. Jason Bryce never know it was a lodge were it not for the We’ve all heard or seen this “S & C” on the front. Upon entering with phrase, whether it’s been brother Brown, I immediately noticed that for a credit card company, a being from the states, I was the only brother health club, or a museum. with a simple white lambskin, and it was even assumed for a moment by Roger that I was an However, the phrase rings EA! The lodge was full of officers, past especially true for our Fraternity, in more masters, Right Worshipful's, and District ways than we might realize. In my opinion, Grand Masters from throughout the Bahamas one of the greatest benefits of a membership in and Turks & Caicos, including the Provincial Freemasonry occurs while traveling to other Grand Inspector of the Provincial Grand lodges, where we are invited to witness ritual Lodge of Jamaica & Bahamas. The aprons and work and meet our brothers. sashes were extremely varied, colorful, and ornate. I felt, to say the least, a little I travel to other lodges as often as I can, and “underdressed”. was extremely fortunate when I was recently able to attend a lodge installation at Lodge The installation itself was lengthy and unlike Fort Nassau No. 1819 S.C., under the Grand anything that I had seen, lasting several hours, Lodge of Ancient, Free & Accepted Masons changing degrees numerous times with of Scotland.

Brothers retiring and being admitted throughout the ceremony. The small lodge Before our family vacation, I contacted our room was packed wall to wall with Brothers.

Grand Lodge of Michigan, and informed them of my travels. They in turn sent me both a list Unfortunately, it was unbelievably hot. This of recognized lodges in the Bahamas and my however did not deter the brothers from being “letter of recognition,” should I need it. I then more than kind and friendly with their visitor contacted the secretary of the lodge nearby the from North America. One brother even gave hotel, Brother Roger Brown, and was excited me a lapel pin depicting the Bahamian flag, to learn of the installation being held during which I proudly wear. Being over twelveour stay. hundred miles from my house, I nonetheless felt at home that afternoon.

On the afternoon of the installation in the beautiful Bahamas, Brother Brown picked me Yes Brothers, membership certainly does have up from our hotel. Approximately twenty its benefits. minutes later, we arrived at the Scottish Masonic Temple located in Stapleton Gardens.

The building itself was small and indiscreet.

TWT Tucked away in a neighborhood, one would www.twtmag.com

28

“The Grand Object of Freemasonry�

by Bro. Matt Johnson Freemasonry? Studying ritual, giving lectures, writing books and articles and preserving our traditions ....these are VERY important things. But why are we doing all of this? To make the world a better place. The world is an organism made up of As a Master Mason, what does the above quote by atoms. Those atoms can become diseased and George Washington mean to you? I think it means spread their disease or they can become healthy exactly what it says. I think Brother George and strong and produce more atoms of like quality.

Washington knew as much about Freemasonry or Such is the "conspiracy" of Freemasonry. perhaps a lot more than anyone living today. He was alive and raised as a Master Mason just a few Freemasonry builds men up who go on to become legendary by helping humanity. We must be the decades after the third degree was invented. He inventors, entertainers, educators, scientists, lived, made history and died before the great leaders and captains of industry. Not for fortune Albert Pike was yet born. and glory, but for the advancement of the human A small group of Freemasons gathered together in race. Learn the Craft well. And then get to work London in 1717 and hammered out the details for building a New Atlantis. That is what George the first Grand Lodge and set modern Washington did. Our calling is no different.

Freemasonry on it's course. They invented the third degree. They made Freemasonry a nonsectarian organization. I believe they had high hopes of changing men who would in turn change the world slowly over time. Amazingly enough, it didn't take long. In just 59 years, a nation ...the most enduring, free and advanced nation that has ever existed ...was created by Freemasons using Masonic concepts. That nation went from slave owning nation to putting an African-American in the White House. That nation went from horses to trains to automobiles to planes to spaceships on the Moon.

"The grand object of Freemasonry is the happiness of the human race"---George Washington

That nation has been a vehicle for progress and freedom. Is that nation, America, perfect? Of course not! Is Freemasonry perfect? No! But its grand object is the happiness of the human race.

And with such a goal in mind, great things will surely follow. Are more people happy today because of that nation which was formed and built up by generation after generation of Freemasons?

I think so. How many people receive medical care because of Freemasons? How many men have become better husbands and fathers because of www.twtmag.com

29

“Who Was John the Baptist?”

By Bro. Tony Montengro John the Baptist is one of the Holy Saints John to whom our to Thomas Smith Webb’s The Lodges are dedicated. Who was this man, and why is he Freemason’s Monitor, or Illustrations one of the patron Saints of Freemasonry? of Freemasonry, and retained the explanation of the parallel lines around In the Old Testament book of Malachi, it is foretold that a the monad representing the Holy Saints messenger will come to prepare the way for the Messenger John. In England, after the Union of of the Covenant. It is supposed that John is this messenger, 1813, the lines were said to represent with Jesus being the Messenger.

Moses and Solomon, and the Lodges dedicated “to God and His service.”

Isaiah spoke of one who would prepare in the wilderness, for the coming of the Lord. John the Baptist lived outside John the Baptist represents passion, and we as Masons are the towns, in the Jordan valley. He ate locusts and honey, taught to keep our passions within due bounds, within the and was clothed in a camel’s hair garment. He baptized circle made by the Compasses. people, immersing them in the river, forgiving them their sins.

John was a man of integrity, like our late Grand Master. He was aware of his duties to the world, and did not overstep In order to be forgiven for sin, the candidate for baptism his own boundaries. He was devoted to God, and his would need to repent, to make a change in his outlook on message to his followers was that they needed to sincerely life. repent – to dedicate themselves to God, not with words, but with action.

Regarding the connection of Saint John to Freemasonry, he is mentioned as early as the Old York Lecture in 1770, as Another man linked to our Fraternity, with such a high level part of the EA Catechism. of integrity, also martyred, was Jacques De Molay, last Grand Master of the Knights Templar. One of the charges "Q. To whom were the lodges dedicated during the Mosaic of heresy leveled against this order was that they had dispensation?"__" abandoned the teachings of the Church, and venerated the head of John the Baptist, perhaps considering him the true A. To Moses, the chosen of God, and Solomon, the son of messiah.

David."__ "Q. And under what name were the Masons known during that period?"__ "A. Under the name of Dionysiacs, Geometricians, or Masters in Israel."__ "Q. But as Solomon was a Jew, and died long before the promulgation of Christianity, to whom were they dedicated under the Christian dispensation?"__ "A. From Solomon the patronage of Masonry passed to St. John the Baptist."__ "Q. And under what name were they known after the promulgation of Christianity?"__ "A. Under the name of Essenes, Architects, or Freemasons."__ "Q. Why were the lodges dedicated to St. John the Baptist?"__ "A. Because he was the forerunner of our Saviour, and by preaching repentance and humiliation, drew the first parallel of the Gospel."__ In American Freemasonry, our ritual developed from William Preston, through his Illustrations of Freemasonry,

The first Grand Lodge met in London on Saint John’s Day, 1717. This day was celebrated as one of the most important days in Masonry. June 24th is also close to the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. This was an important day to our rural forebears, one of the more important days to a farmer.

As Freemasons, we must be mindful that actions speak louder than words, and to be a truly good man is an ongoing process. Constant striving to be a just and upright man and Mason will ensure that one is a better man.

Sources Harvey, Rev. Jill E. “In Search of John the Baptist,” accessed at http://web.mit.edu/dryfoo/Masonry/Essays/baptist.html on June 9, 2011.

Hodapp, Chris. “St. John the Baptist Day”, accessed at http://freemasonsfordummies.blogspot.com/2009/06/st-john-baptistday.html on June 9, 2011.

Jackson, Wayne. “Who was John the Baptist?,” accessed at http://www.christiancourier.com/articles/266-who-was-john-the-baptist on June 9, 2011.

Ward, W. Harvey L. “…And dedicated to the Holy Saints John”, accessed at http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/ward.html on June 9, 2011.

www.twtmag.com

30

Be seen by Freemasons all around the world.

Reach your Target Audience!

Contact us at twtmag@yahoo.com

www.twtmag.com

31

abilities beyond their self-imposed limitations.

Such empowering actions are in themselves irresponsible.

The Coaches Coach: Degrees of Separation (Part 6 – Ashlar Selection)

What is his nature?

It should be enough to point a man toward what he must do.

Unfortunately, such prescriptions only apply to men who take Responsibility for their lives.

Cultures that worship rote and learn by rote filter out such prescriptions. Men raised in these cultures rarely focus upon anything other than retaining instructions. Such training never focuses upon intent or understanding. Form takes precedent over substance. Beauty is never manifested beyond an image projected upon darkened walls. Those thus trained have eyes that see nothing more than reflecting surfaces.

These are the unfortunate and sad realities for many men. Be it by nature or nurture, they rarely understand en-richening instructions much less execute what these lessons prescribe. As a result, the very outcomes – the end in mind – that such “instruction sets” espouse never come into being.

Never being realized, wonderful possibilities are harbored quietly undisturbed and unrealized within unknowing bone boxes and only reveal themselves cloaked in mystery to present and future generations.

It is a purposeful cloak. Irresponsible men should never be handed anything that empowers their

Empowering irresponsible men gives means that only amplify their irresponsibility. Empowering outcomes bring forth harmful chaos toward the empowered and all they influence. Furthermore, with irresponsibility come efforts to disown liabilities. Rare are irresponsible men who willfully hold themselves to account for the chaos they’ve wrought. This is simply not their nature.

Sanctioning such folly should be proscribed. Such chaos must be avoided.

There’s a difference?

This pairing of irresponsibility and nonaccountability is the norm for these men. They do not realize that there’s a major difference between “Responsibility” and “Accountability.” While the former reflects tasking, the latter reflects outcomes.

Taking Responsibility upon one’s shoulders is different from accepting Accountability for results.

A Responsible man is one who takes on tasks that need to be done. An Accountable man is one who subjects himself to an accounting for the choices and the results of actions taken. This may be for result that are self-produced or for those results produced by those in his Charge. Irresponsible men rarely take upon themselves those things that are beyond what is minimally required of them. Being motivated by superficial things, they rarely look beyond the surface and into the substance behind their doings. They seek Light for only superficial reasons.

Assumptions abound within such men. Many of them assume that one can show them Working Tools and, from that moment forward, they believe that they both own and (Continued on page 33)

www.twtmag.com

32

(Continued from page 32) know how to use them. They live assuming that when they possess something special it empowers them in some magical way. This magical thinking is because they do not truly know how it empowers them. Not knowing does not prevent them though from fabricating what they believe to be viable explanations that justify their assumed empowerment. Unknowing Brothers may believe these rationalizations and thus provide unjust support to these irresponsible men. Knowing Brothers who have done the Work recognize this Trumpery and the men who produce it. Their very looks betray them.

Rare are men who ask how they must take and apply the concepts that Working Tools represent.

They Work diligently and purposefully to instill them within their very being. Responsible Men see clearly that the Words and deeds of irresponsible men are not One. The Trumpery of these men is evidence that they do not understand the basis behind what they are shown. Actions beyond taking possession are seldom enacted unless they are required to maintain possession. Eagerly thinking they have accomplished something of significance, they move on to gathering “other” things thought equally if not more empowering.

The have no idea how burdened they make themselves. If only these men would reflect upon the Work designed to benefit them.

Likewise, such men would also benefit to reflect upon revealed Principles beyond the moment these valuables are put before them. They may engage in memorizing them though so that they may hand them over to the next generation. If this is all that is required of them, that is all that they “might” do.

And in doing so, another generation has Lost that which was preserved for their benefit.

Would you please provide an example or two?

Show a Twenty-four Inch Gauge to such men and tell them what it represents. Do they likely take that information and apply it? Do they take it and explore how it will benefit them once applied? They will not, unless some external driver forces them

into compliance. Do the same with the Common Gavel. Show it to these men and let them know its purpose. Will such men Perpend upon it past the moment it is shared? Will they investigate what Vices and Superfluities are? Will they develop an action plan for divestment? Furthermore, will they instill an accountability base? Will they assure that they both properly endure all necessary tasks and do them well? Such men are highly driven by what they are forced to do and what they might desire in the moment. Discipline beyond what is expected from them is not likely. Compulsory adherence will hold neither their heads nor hearts.

Coaches and Mentors know that for men to press forward upon the Masonic Road, they must first be Prepared within and it will always start with their Hearts.

No other driving force will bring to fruition that which must be in place for Work to occur Rightfully.

Do you know who to Coach or Mentor?

If you’re like most Freemasons, the only Work that has ever been discussed with you is that which is associated with performing Ritual, memorizing Catechism and reciting back your Obligations.

There might be the occasional bits and pieces of Work related to learning about Traditions, Etiquette and Digest Law. There might be other activities involving Lodge functions and perhaps Grand Lodge Functions too. These activities pale in significance to the major Work pointed toward by Ritual. The only Work that Ritual ever intended you to do.

Nevertheless, this is not the focus of the Rote Machine. The likelihood of any of this changing is slim to none. These are (Continued on page 34) www.twtmag.com

33

(Continued from page 33) well-entrenched trends. What’s more, they shouldn’t change. These activities are needed to keep the allimportant Code preserved. Unfortunately, because preserving the Code is so imperative, most Brothers will only obtain just enough support to perform Ritual and to pass it down to the next generation. Within most circles, they will never be given any opportunity to break free of the Cave Wall and move toward the light this Code reveals. The machine though will continue to preserve the Code and those Brothers fortunate enough to see this will Recognize, Understand and Execute it on their own. And this is how it is meant to be.

Remember, your current “Brotherly” example attracts only those of similar ilk. This is a known fact. You attract who you are and vise a versa.

Look around you and ask if those who surround you are the type of men you want to be and reflect well the type of man you profess to be. Knowing this should indicate what you should be into your future.

Should you want more of the same or something different, your Heart will drive either want.

There is much that you are up against should you want more though. You must already know what you must do. You must break free of the group-enforced chain without harming those wanting its cold rigid hold. You must explore that which will not be provided by the preserving machine without disturbing its operation. You must Recognize, Understand and Execute the preserved Code and respect those who elect not to do the same. You must Seek out and Coach and Mentor those who earnestly want the Light toward which Ritual points and respect the chosen blindness of others. Most of all, if that first person whom you approach to Coach and Mentor is not you, then please disregard this writing and forget all that was implied by it. Such efforts are not for the faint at Heart or the misguided. Any change, for better or worse, starts with you!

Points to Perpend: 1. What are the Signs of a responsible man?

2. What are the Signs of an irresponsible man?

3. What Signs show a man is prepared in his heart for the Masonic Journey.

4. Is willingness enough to start the Masonic Journey?

5. Where does readiness come into play? What part does ability have in this?

6. With the number one indicating ill preparation and ten being Proper Preparation, how would you rate yourself?

How would others rate you? If less than ten, what’s missing?

7. What must be your next Steps?

Part 1-6 of this series was first published in the Living Stones Magazine.

TWT

www.twtmag.com

34

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 www.twtmag.com

35

Featured Writers- Scott Schwartzberg & Michael Gambarrotti

Exploring the Pillars Part One: BOAZ

Michael Gambarrotti "AND he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz." (KJV II Chron. 17.)

Boaz, Ruth’s second husband, the father of Obed, the father of Jesse, the father of King David (KJV Ruth 2:1) and represents strength as in Scripture, wherein God has declared, "In strength shall this house be established."

Each detail of King Solomon’s Temple holds an important esoteric meaning. Boaz and Jachin are the gateways to the Mysteries and are featured proximately on ALL that is masonic, from rings, to buildings, to letterhead.

Albert Pike describes Boaz as “The word Boaz is Baaz which means Strong, Strength, Power, Might, Refuge, Source of Strength, a Fort.”

Replace the name of the pillar of Boaz with strength and establishment of Jachin, one active,

the other passive, earth & fire, a Yin-Yang if you will.

Boaz carries the globe of Earth representing the element earth or strength, while Jachin carries the globe representing the stars and constellations, the element fire. These elements, the lowest and highest, respectively, are thought to be the productions from the Monad.

If this symbolism is carried over, the use of Boaz and Jachin within Masonry is even more appropriate, as you have the Square, representing the earthly, or material, coexisting and contrasting with the Compasses, representing the spiritual.

W\ Br\ Rev. Rosenbaum translates the name slightly differently, as “in Him is Strength,” that He (Deity) is “all Mighty,” or “almighty,” as in the Divine name Shaddai.

Exploring the Pillars Part Two: JACHIN

Scott Schwartzberg Jachin – the right hand pillar in the Porch of King Solomon’s Temple. The name means “He [Jah] shall Establish.” In Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible, we are told that the (Continued on page 37) www.twtmag.com

36

Featured Writers- Scott Schwartzberg & Michael Gambarrotti (Continued from page 36) names of the pillars were surely emblematical, as they apparently did not support the structure of the building. Gill said that this referred to the house (of the Lord) to which this was the entrance. As long as the worship of God was pure and continued, it would be a permanent edifice. Another interpretation of the name, from Rabbi David Kimchi, was that it signified “let this Temple stand forever.”

If the significance of the name is taken to mean symbolically, then in my opinion it better fits our ritual, as we know that the physical Temple did not last. If it is referring to the spiritual kingdom of God, then it still stands within good men and Masons.

Sources http://bible.cc/ accessed on May 11, 2012 Badillo, Tony. The Secret of Solomon’s Pillars, accessed at http://www.templesecrets.info/pillars.html on May 11, 2012.

Pike, Albert. Morals and Dogma of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.

Rosenbaum, W\ Br\ Rev. Morris, Masonic Words and Proper Names, accessed at http://www.grandlodgescotland.com/index.php? option=com_content&view=article&id=366:mas onic-words-and-propernames&catid=55:masonic-articles&Itemid=200 on May 11, 2012.

W\ Br\ Rev. Rosenbaum enlightens us that in ritual, we are informed that the pillar was named after the assistant High Priest who officiated when the Temple was dedicated. I Chronicles 24:17 tells us that Jachin was of the 21st out of 24 orders of Priests. Why an assistant, and not the actual High Priest? Rosenbaum suggests that possibly the High Priest had been defiled by contact, or close proximity to a corpse, and was unable to officiate when the Temple was complete. Rosenbaum also agrees that the pillars probably were not used to support the structure, but were typical of the Phoenician obelisks used at the entrances to buildings.

If one pillar was said to be the “King’s Pillar” and the other to be the “Priestly Pillar,” it would stand to reason that the one named after a high ranking priestly official would be the Priestly Pillar.

It is possible to interpret the names as referring to Kings David and Solomon as well, according to Tony Badillo. David was a warrior king, but was in I Chronicles 17:1, he is promised by God that his line would “establish” a dynasty and kingdom. His son Solomon is the builder of the Temple.

TWT www.twtmag.com

37

Featured Writers- Scott Schwartzberg

“Further Light in Masonry”

By Bro. Scott Schwartzberg

Masonry IS education. This is explicitly stated during the Fellow Craft Degree, but it can be gleaned throughout all the degrees of Masonry. The Fraternity developed at a time when very few people had a formal education. Operative stonemasons were taught to think and to use their brains to create stunning edifices. Speculative Freemasons were also taught to think.

Albert Mackey famously wrote an essay, “Reading Masons, and Masons who do not Read.” He describes three types of Masons – those who joined to improve their businesses, or to personally benefit in some way, those who join because they believe that through Initiation alone they are made a Mason, who will spend money on Jewels of office or rank, but not on books, and those who join, prompted, as the ritual requires, "by a favorable opinion conceived of the Institution, and a desire of knowledge."

In the Fellow Craft Degree, the seven liberal arts and sciences are elucidated. These are the subjects a free citizen was expected to learn, study, and be proficient in.

The Latin word liber, from artes liberals, can be translated both to mean “free” and “book.” These subjects were to be distinguished from the artes illiberales, vocational studies, which would also include, ironically, that of stonemasonry. 1 The Mason who wants more Light has many ways to receive it. He can start with the ritual he learned in his Symbolic Degrees. There is much to learn concealed within it. The Bible is another source, and can be consulted. Study of the Liberal Arts – Grammar, Rhetoric, Logic, Arithmetic, Geometry, Music and Astronomy – is to be encouraged.

Magazines, such as the very one you are reading, are a source of education. Whether you agree with the author or not, you should be inspired to ask questions. I encourage people to read things that they disagree with in particular. Studying the questions that arise and determining answers can cause one to either rethink his position, or to more fully realize that which was already believed.

There are numerous discussion groups available in online forums, where one can communicate with Brethren from

around the world. Two that I use on Facebook are ‘The Philosophical Freemason’ http://www.facebook.com/groups/philosophicalfreemason/ and ‘Esoterically Inclined Freemasons’ http://www.facebook.com/groups/254283737939032/. The Supreme Council of the Scottish Rite has the Freemason Network, www.freemasonnetwork.org which requires prospective members to provide information about their Masonic affiliation, acting as a Tyled network.

The Scottish Rite Research Society http://scottishrite.org/about/masonic-education/srrs/ is open to everyone, not only Scottish Rite Masons. For the annual fee of $52, a member receives the annual publication Heredom, a collection of papers presented, The Plumbline, a quarterly newsletter, and, if dues-current, a bonus book each year. Members who were current as of December 31, 2011, received The Most Secret Mysteries of the High Degrees of Masonry Unveiled, a 1766 expose translated and edited by Arturo de Hoyos and S. Brent Morris. Prior bonus books included Albert Pike’s Masonic Formulas and Rituals, and Light on Masonry. Members also get a 10% discount on most books purchased from the Scottish Rite, SJ. For Scottish Rite Masons, the Supreme Council of the Southern Jurisdiction has prepared the Master Craftsman program http://scottishrite.org/about/masoniceducation/srmc/. This is a guided course through the degrees of the Scottish Rite. The (Continued on page 39)

www.twtmag.com

38

Featured Writers- Scott Schwartzberg (Continued from page 38) first program consists of six multiple choice quizzes, and an essay on each quiz. The second program consists of nine quizzes, with a multiple choice quiz and an essay for each degree. The cost for these programs is $35 each, and the first one includes Arturo de Hoyos’ Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor and Guide, the text for the course, which costs $65 if purchased separately.

After completing the second Master Craftsman program, there is another avenue of study – the College of the Consistory. This free program, run by the Scottish Rite Valley of Guthrie, Oklahoma http://www.guthriescottishrite.org/default.aspx?pg=d3b248 1b-c418-497b-bcf9-86b9f55ed23e, involves a detailed journey through the 29 degrees of the Scottish Rite. There are essays or research papers for each of the degrees, in order. This program exists because the Scottish Rite has labeled itself “The University of Freemasonry,” and those who explore through the degrees can indeed receive more Light.

For York Rite Masons, a similar program to the Master Craftsman has finally been implemented. The Companion Adept of the Temple program has been introduced by the York Rite Sovereign College of North America yrsc_na@yahoo.com. This $30 course includes five exams on the bodies and degrees of the York Rite, Companion Adept of the Temple The Grand College of Rites http://www.grandcollegeofrites.org/index.php, is a "regular" Masonic body, dedicated to preserving the history and rituals of defunct and inactive Masonic orders. Any Master Mason of a Symbolic Lodge recognized by the majority of Grand Lodges in the United States can petition for membership. The application fee is $20, with annual dues of $15 in the United States. The annual publication, Collectanea, is “[d]edicated to the preservation and study of Masonic, quasi-Masonic, and disused ritual.” Every year, various rituals not currently worked under any of the mainstream Grand Lodges in the United States are reprinted in that annual volume of transactions. Previous volumes have included the Rite of Memphis, the Swedenborgian Rite, and the Blue Degrees of Atwood’s Cerneau Supreme Council. The current Grand Archivist is Arturo de Hoyos, who is also the Grand Archivist and Grand Historian for the Supreme Council, Scottish Rite in the Southern Jurisdiction in the United States.

Another group is The Masonic Society http://www.themasonicsociety.com/. This organization seems to me to have been set up as a York Rite parallel to the Scottish Rite Research Society, although it is not limited to York Rite Masons or to those degrees. Membership is

limited to those members of Lodges whose Grand Lodges are in amity with the Conference of Grand Masters in North America, although non-members can still subscribe to the quarterly publication, The Journal of the Masonic Society.

Dues are $39 annually within the U.S. and Canada.

Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076 (UGLE) http://quatuorcoronati.com/ is known as the “Premier Lodge of Masonic Research.” Membership in the Quatuor Coronati Correspondence Circle is open to all students of Freemasonry. Members of the Correspondence Circle become “Associate” (non-voting) members of the Lodge.

The annual transactions, papers presented to the Lodge, are known as Ars Quatuor Coronatorum and are sent to members. The joining fee is $12, with a softbound copy of a past volume of the transactions, or $15 for a hardbound copy. The annual subscription fee is $40 for a softbound copy, or $45 for hardbound.

The oldest independent Masonic research society in North America is The Philalethes Society http://freemasonry.org/, established in 1928. Membership is for Master Masons, although others can subscribe to the quarterly journal for the same $50 annual fee within the United States and Canada.

The American Lodge of Research http://www.americanlodgeofresearch.org/, also offers an annual transactions book. The cost to join this organization is $10 to petition, and $25 annually for Corresponding Members, $35 for Active Members.

Most Grand Lodges have a Lodge of Research, or possibly more than one. These organizations usually have relatively low annual dues, and offer members a printed magazine.

I encourage every man and Mason to do what he can to improve himself in Masonry. Education is one way to accomplish this.

Sources Mackey, Albert G., “Reading Masons and Masons Who Do Not Read,” accessed at http://orindalodge.org/article_reading.php on May 10,

2012.

Marcus, Richard D., “A Stroll Through the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences,” accessed at http://www.masonicworld.com/education/files/artjan02/m arcus/sevenliberalartsandsciences.htm on May 10, 2012.

Footnotes 1. Adapted from Marcus www.twtmag.com

TWT 39

Featured Writer- Bro. David Browning “Leadership in the Lodge” In our Masonic Lodges we have a progressive line. This means that if you do your duty once you enter the line there is a high likelihood that you will progress through the line and in due time ultimately be elected the Master of the Lodge.

There are appointed and elected officers. The appointed officers in the progressive line are the Junior Steward, Senior Steward, Junior Deacon, and Senior Deacon. The elected officers in the progressive line are the Junior Warden, Senior Warden, and the Master of the Lodge. The other appointed officers who do not progress through the line are the Tyler and Chaplain. The other elected officers who do not progress through the line are the Treasurer and Secretary. In fact, the Treasurer and Secretary offices are often filled by the same person for many consecutive years. In addition to those listed here, some jurisdictions may have additional officers that are not listed above.

The beauty of the progressive line is that it ensures that everyone with a desire is afforded the opportunity to rule and govern his lodge in due time. This opportunity is afforded to every Brother regardless of his social status, occupation, or education. This serves to eliminate or at least minimize the politics in play in the Lodge as well as reemphasize what we learn upon entering the fraternity, that “it is the internal and not the external qualifications of a man that should recommend him to be made a Mason”.

Serving the Lodge as the Master can be a real challenge for the Brother who has progressed through the line without fully learning the lessons of the proceeding stations and places due to a lack of interest or even worse, a complete lack of effort on his part. When this happens, it most likely will not only will be a rough year for the elected Master, but it also has the potential to negatively affect the morale and well being of the Lodge. This situation can be avoided if leadership is learned and practiced by each brother during their Masonic career in his journey to the East and by effectively seeking the good counsel of the Lodges’ most valuable resource, the Past Masters.

I would venture to say that leadership starts the day that we enter the Lodge and will continue until the day that we are called away to meet the Supreme Architect of the Universe.

As newly made Masons we start to learn our catechisms, signs, due guards, tokens, and words, completely unaware that we are taking the first steps that will allow us to someday sit in the East as the Master of the lodge. How our coaches and mentors work with us is the first lessons that we are taught in leadership and will hopefully be a good lesson of how we will learn to lead and teach others. Thus, it is incumbent on the Lodge leadership, coaches, and mentors to lead by example and ensure that a new brother is learning not

only those things that they must learn, such as the catechisms, but also the ins and outs of how the lodge operates.

In general, people have high expectations of leaders and it is proven that people will go out of their way for leaders with a proven track record and for those that are not afraid of rolling up their sleeves and getting things done. I believe the same to be true of us as Masons. We want our Master to show us that he really wants to be our Master not only during his time in the East but during those years leading up to the East. There are several ways to demonstrate this desire to lead while progressing through the line. A few that quickly come to mind is to be active in Lodge fund raisers, planning dinners, performing degree work, visitation of other lodges, funerals for departed brethren, and other activities of the Lodge.

It is the duty of all officers, both appointed and elected, to have a firm grasp of their duties. This includes their parts in opening and closing the Lodge as well as knowing their parts in any degree work. Whether it is fair or not, a visitor often make quick judgment on quality of the leadership in the Lodge based on how crisp the opening and closing of the lodge is and whether or not the officers are professional in the performance of their duties for any degree work. That is why it is imperative that every officer know their part and know it well.

At a minimum each officer should know not only his parts in any ritual, including opening and closing the Lodge, but also those of the officer above and below their current position. Staying current on the parts of the officers that are coming through the line behind them will allow them to assist them as they need coaching and mentoring. Knowing the parts of the officers in line ahead of you will allow you to move up if there should be a void to fill which often happens due to unforeseen circumstances.

Another element that should not be overlooked is the valuable resource that Past Masters are to the Lodge, the elected and appointed officers, and more importantly to the Master of the Lodge. These experienced Brethren have a wealth of experience that they can share and they can help the Master effectively navigate challenges and obstacles. In addition, the Past Masters can offer different perspectives on issues that those who are new to Masonry may not have at this point in their Masonic careers. Overlooking or not utilizing these extremely valuable resources will only make a year in the East more difficult than it has to be.

TWT www.twtmag.com

40

Advertisement

http://www.themasonicsociety.com/

2012 semi-annual meeting in Philadelphia July 28, 2012 The Masonic Society meets in semi-annual session during the summer months at various locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. We have chosen Philadelphia for our 2012 semiannual meeting in part so that we can tour the beautiful Grand Lodge Temple. Our meeting will be in Philadelphia, on Saturday, July 28, with a tour in the morning and a program of speakers in the afternoon. We will also hold a banquet with guest speaker in the evening. The program and banquet will be held at the historic Union League in Philadelphia.

Speakers for our afternoon session include Thomas Savini, Director, Livingston Masonic Library Grand Lodge of New York Presentation of the Robert R. Livingston Library Ben Hoff, PM, New Jersey Lodge of Research - Presenting a paper on the original Ahiman Rezon Howard Kanowitz, New Jersey Lodge of Research - Presenting a very unique talk on the Battle of Gettysburg Ray Thorne, current WM of the New Jersey Lodge of Research - Who has a work in progress suitable to our Pennsylvania audience.

Our Banquet speaker will be R. W. Thomas W. Jackson, Past Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, and Executive Secretary of the World Conference of Regular Masonic Grand Lodges.

For more information about this event and for links to the registration page and accommodations, please go to: http://themasonicsociety.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=60&Itemid=80

www.twtmag.com

41

York Rite News & Information

www.twtmag.com

42

York Rite - Featured Writer The Royal Arch, The Royal Secret�

By Matt Johnson I wrote a series of articles asking the question, "what is the 'ne plus ultra' of Freemasonry?" I came to the conclusion that while the 3rd degree is truly the highest, the "ne plus ultra" can be different for different people. Your "ne plus ultra" could be the 3rd degree, the Royal Arch, the Master of the Royal Secret (32nd degree of the Scottish Rite), the Knight Templar degree, joining the Shrine or Grotto or becoming the master of your lodge. Wherever you find what it is you want or need from Freemasonry, that is your final degree.

There is a secret in all of this. It is in all of our degrees. I think I know what it is. I do not think you need to be a Mason to know it. It is safe from the unworthy. Many, many people living now and in the past have found the secret and not all of them have been or are Masons. The reason why ritual is so important is because it is not something that can be simply read. The holy things are for the holy. It takes time. Time spent in study, time spent in contemplation.

You could read it out loud to someone and they still will not understand. Their mind is not yet ready to receive it.

Pharisee. What were the Hermetic philosophers who founded Freemasonry trying to teach us?

They were trying to teach us many things and it is fairly obvious from the lectures of the three degrees.

Morality, self-improvement, faith in God, prayer, the afterlife, integrity, honesty, long suffering....these lessons are all there and obvious and told plainly.

Other lessons are more veiled in allegory. Not so veiled that we cannot find them. Sometimes antiMasons find them or think they have and are repulsed because their minds are narrow and unprepared or even unworthy.

Brother Mason, study and memorize the three degrees you have. The Art of Memory is vital to your growth. The three degrees contain everything. They contain all the secrets of the Royal Arch and the Royal Secret. Read the Trivium, the Quadrivium, the Corpus Hermeticum, the Fama Fraternitatis Rosae Crucis, the Confessio Fraternitatis, the Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosencruetz, the New Atlantis, Ecclesiastes and Euclid's Elements. Read Morals and Dogma. Read the Bible, the Koran, the Bhagavad Gita and the Tao Te Ching. I also strongly recommend "The Origins of Freemasonry" by David Stevenson. Read and meditate Some say Freemasonry has no more secrets. You can read every ritual that has ever been written online. on what you have read. Then you will know the This is true. Some say you need the Royal Arch or the message of Free masonry...the message of the three degrees. If it helps, take part in the Chapter degrees or Royal Secret to be complete in your Masonic education. You may need them. You may not. You can the Scottish Rite. Whatever it takes. Seek further light and you will be given more. Once you have reached get the secret in your lodge or you can get it in a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons or in the Scottish Rite. the summit, then you will be able to lead those who are Or you can read Morals and Dogma and meditate on it. willing to it. Not everyone will receive it. Not everyone can. For those who can and do, spend time It is all there for anyone to read for free online. Some with them. Do the great work of Freemasonry. Peace. get caught in up in minutia, studying every last detail of what Albert Pike had to say instead of looking at the "You have not because you ask not. Ask and you broad, glaring message. It is the same message that is will receive and your joy will be complete."---Jesus in the three degrees for anyone who takes the time to study. It is the same message in the Royal Arch or in the degree rituals Pike wrote for the Scottish Rite.

Getting caught up in the details is the mistake of the T T W

www.twtmag.com

43

York Rite News & Information Featured Writer Bro. Jacob Lucas

As in the earliest versions of the Scottish Rite Secret Master Degree (March, 2012 issue), advancement to the “higher” degrees, including the Royal Arch, originally required that one have been Worshipful Master of a Lodge. In order to allow more Masons to participate, the Past Master (Virtual) Degree was instituted in the Chapter. Not having sat in the East, so not having received the secrets of the Chair, I am told that this Degree is substantially similar to the Past Master Degree of the Symbolic Lodge. It is an honorary degree, however, and does not confer any privileges on the recipient other than being able to advance further in this body.

He informs us that, historically, only those who had proven worthy of leadership in the Lodge were able to progress to the Royal Arch. While the Royal Arch was under the jurisdiction of the Symbolic Lodge, this was not an issue, but as it was separated to the Chapter, it was felt necessary to continue to make the investment of the secrets of the chair a prerequisite towards being exalted to the Royal Arch. As not everyone would be able to advance to the East, the virtual degree was created.

Thomas Smith Webb, in his Freemason’s Monitor, explained that this Degree should be studied and understood, as it describes in detail the “disposition of our rulers; and illustrates their requisite qualifications.” This exact wording was retained in Jeremy Ladd Cross’s True Masonic Chart. Both writers also include the installation of all Officers in a Lodge in their ritual, as for them, this is the “Present, or Past Master’s Degree,” and do not make the later distinction that this is a symbolic degree.

The stations in this Degree as worked today are the same as those in the Symbolic Lodge. The presiding officer is styled Right Worshipful Master. The Candidate for this Degree is a Mark Master who seeks to be inducted into the Oriental3 Chair.

Over time, the ceremony became ever more elaborate. There was a concentrated effort to restore it to its original simplicity, and in 1856, the General Grand Chapter adopted a resolution “to abridge the ceremonies now conferred in the Past According to W\B\ Neville Cryer, the original secrets of this degree were essential to the working Master’s degree within the narrowest constitutional of a Master Stonemason. These secrets could only limits, only retaining the inducting of the candidate into the Oriental Chair, and communicating the be communicated to those who had sat in the Master’s chair. means of recognition.”2

In Albert Mackey’s Book of the Chapter, he discusses the changes made in this Degree as it evolved from an actual Past Master Degree to virtual. While the other degrees of Masonry “involve the duties and obligations of the various stages of human life, this degree confines itself to the considerations of only one aspect of these many duties. It is symbolic of the good, the wise, and the just ruler…” 1

After being Obligated, the new Past Master is conducted to the East, where he has a hat placed on his head by the Right Worshipful Master, and is given the Working Tool of this Degree, the Gavel, the Master’s emblem of authority. In Mackey, the Past Master is given the Book of the Law, the Square, the Compasses, the Rule, the Line, the Book of Constitutions, the Charter, and By-Laws, and their uses explained.

In the Charge, the Past Master is informed that he must be a Ruler of the Craft, and is told of the duties required to be a just and wise Master. He is at the same time both (Continued on page 45)

www.twtmag.com

44

York Rite News & Information Featured Writer Bro. Jacob Lucas (Continued from page 44) subject and King, servant and Master, craftsman and Ruler of the Craft.

With great power comes great responsibility, and the wise Master will realize that when he serves the Craft.

In the mid-nineteenth century, this Degree was conferred upon the recipient almost before he was aware of it. Through some ruse, the Right Worshipful Master would be required to either leave the Lodge for some urgent business4 or would resign amidst charges of corrupt behavior5.

The Candidate is then hastened to the East, where he first assents to the ancient regulations of a Master and then receives the obligation of this Degree.

In the version of the ritual in use in the middle of the twentieth century in Indiana, there was a lengthy section which continued the story of the third Degree. The Candidate represented Levi, a Craftsman of the Temple, who was the one who found a sprig of acacia. K\S\ is aging, and realizes that he will need to confer the distinction of the Past Master Degree, in order to continue the Order after his passing.

In the version of the ritual in use a decade ago in Iowa, the hat of a Worshipful Master was explained as emblematical of the royal crown of K\S\, and was to be worn when presiding over a Lodge.

Sources Blaisdell, Ron, P.M., “The Rituals of American Freemasonry,” June 16, 2001, http://www.themasonictrowel.com/ebooks/fm_free masonry/Blaisdell__The_Rituals_of_American_Freemasonry.pdf accessed on February 20, 2012.

Blaisdell, Ron. Personal communication.

Cryer, Neville Barker., The Royal Arch Journey.

Denslow, Ray V., A Handbook for Royal Arch Masons.

Degrees, http://yorkrite.com/degrees/ accessed on February 21, 2012.

Degree Ritual, General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International. 1996.

Duncan, Malcolm C., Duncan’s Masonic Ritual and Monitor. 1866.

Richardson, Jabez. Richardson’s Monitor of Freemasonry. 1860.

Ritual for Degree of Past Master, Indiana. 1952.

Ritual for Past Master, Iowa. 2003.

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.

Footnotes 1. Mackey, p. 47 2. Ibid, p. 50, quoting the General Grand Chapter resolution.

3. Meaning “Eastern” 4. In Richardson’s version of the ritual 5. In Duncan’s version

TWT

www.twtmag.com

45

York Rite News & Information - Featured Writer- Bro. Barry Newell

http://travelingtemplar.blogspot.com/

“Saint Thomas of Acon�

Introduction Officially known as the Commemorative Order of Saint Thomas of Acon and in America it is led by the Grand Preceptor's Council for the United States of America. This Order, while only 10-years old in the US, was established in 1974. Membership in this Order is by invitation-only with the prerequisite that they also be a member of a recognized Commandery of Knights Templar. There is also a membership restriction for each Chapel. The basic organization, the constituent body of the Order is called a Chapel and is led by a Worthy Master while the presiding officer over the Grand Preceptor's Council for the USA is called the Provincial Grand Preceptor

History of the Order Here is an essay on the history: That we have a revival of this very English Order of Chivalry is due to the untiring efforts of our first Grand Master, Sir John of Dorking (the late John Walker who was Secretary General of the S.R.I.A. for many years).

John spent more than twenty years searching the archives of the Guildhall Library for information about the Order of St. Thomas of Acon, intending initially to write its history. Happily, he discovered the report of the Installation of the Master in 1510, an account so unusual and so typically

English, that he felt compelled to revive the Order, albeit Masonically, rather than attempt to compete with the many histories of these Islands - some, alas, more lurid than accurate- which vie for public attention.

In former times, few could read or write so that memories were better developed than ours. Pythagoras forbade all writing, considering it "the destroyer of all memory"; fortunately most people were more tolerant.

It was not necessary to record what was to be spoken, nor to give more than headings of the order of events; such clues as have survived require imaginative interpretation. Good stories, on the other hand,(such as those of Becket, father and son), were written down for use as homilies by priests.

The Third Crusade begin in 1189 A.D., and on the 8th. June 1191 King Richard I (Richard Coeur de Lion) arrived with his forces, before the seaport of Acre, and captured the city in 5 weeks. Amongst the English force was one, William, the Chaplain to the Dean of St. Pauls, who when he saw the corpses of the Christians about the walls of Acre, had compassion on them. With the aid of a few helpers he buried a large number of the (Continued on page 47) www.twtmag.com

46

York Rite News & Information - Featured Writer- Bro. Barry Newell (Continued from page 46) dead, and tended the wounded. Seeing that his actions were being appreciated, William formed an Order for the express purpose of burying Christian Knights who fell in battle in the Holy Land. To this first purpose he added a second, the raising of monies to redeem ransomed captives captured by the Saracens. The Order being formed at Acre its name was incorporated in the title (the Anglicized version of Acre being Acon). The Order was so successful that William was able to build a church and churchyard which he dedicated to St. Thomas `a Becket, thus the Order became entitled the Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon. Through disease and death of the other knights fighting in the Holy Land, this Order of English monks was pressed into service as replacements, and became an Order of military monks, (it was also at this time circa 1279 that the Prior lost his pre-eminent position, this being accorded to the Master), fighting alongside the Knights of the Temple, the Knights of the Hospital of St. John the Almsgiver, the Knights of the Hospital of Lazarus and the Teutonic Knights of the Hospital of St. Mary. King Richard I rewarded their valour by according them the status of an Order of Chivalry. Of all the five noble Orders of knights in the Holy Land at this time, only this Order had a purely English foundation - a fact of which we should be justly proud.

Lentern period in 1173) , and in view of the association of his father, Gilbert, with their trade, the Worshipful Company of Mercers purchased it. The Chapel in Cheapside was destroyed in the Great Fire of London and the present Mercers Hall and Chapel were built on the site. This is a matter of historical record, lengthy articles have been published in the "Historical Review" ,which is available in most public libraries and in several books. All that remains today to remind us of that building is the recumbent statue of Christ which lies at the entrance of the new Mercers' Chapel.

Additionally, the Church of St. Thomas, in the City of London, was built in honour of St. Thomas `a Becket, and the Mayor, on the day of his Installation, always attended Mass in that church, before proceeding to St. Pauls.

Essays Other papers on St. Thomas `a Becket: Order of St. Thomas of Acon The Order of St. Thomas of Acre The Golden Legend

In England the Order acquired the property of the Becket family in Cheapside where they built a Chapel and a headquarters. Following the battle of Acre, the Order of St. Thomas of Acon merged temporarily with the Order of the Temple. When the knights were subsequently driven out of Cyprus, the Chapel of the Order of St. Thomas was the only church on the island permitted to ring its bells. Remains of this church can still be visited.

Old records are sparse, the last admission into the Order being recorded on the 2nd. February 1367, but that the order continued is not in doubt as the records of the Installation of a Master in 1510 mentioned above demonstrate and it was listed as one of the Orders dissolved by Henry VIII. At the dissolution of the monasteries in 1538, he offered the Chapel of the Order for sale, and, in memory of St. Thomas (Thomas `a Becket being canonized barely two years after his death during the

Bronze escalope shell worn by Knights of the Commemorative Order of St. Thomas of Acon.

TWT www.twtmag.com

47

Convent General KNIGHTS of the YORK CROSS of HONOUR

DESCRIPTION The Order was formed in Monroe, North Carolina on March 13,1930.

On June 6,1930 the Convent General of the United States of America was formed to administer the Order.

Requirements for membership are that each proposed candidate for membership must have presided over a Lodge as a Master, over a Chapter as High Priest, over a Council as Illustrious Master and over a Commandry as Commander.

Knights of the York Cross of Honour is a Honor Group of York Rite Masons who are dedicated to serving the Masonic Fraternity as a Labor of Love.

No individual should aspire to membership in KYCH, when he has done the required work, and done it well, he will be invited to membership. Those who labor will be rewarded by being invited.

After a Mason has fulfilled the requirements of membership, his name may be proposed for membership by a member of the K.Y.C.H.. The prospective member should not know that he has been proposed. When a Priory receives a proposed, such proposal must be held over until the next stated meeting of the Priory before it is Balloted on. Some of the Ballot rules vary in different Jurisdictions, to comply with Grand Lodge Rules and Regulations. In this Jurisdiction the prospect must receive a unanimous vote by secret Ballot. The prospective proposal should not know that his name was proposed until he is official notified that he is elected to be invited to petition to membership. If this rule is followed, no one that is proposed and rejected should ever know that he was proposed and rejected, thereby saving much embarrassment to everyone.

A member of K.Y.C.H. who has served any of the Four Grand York Rite Bodies as presiding Officer is thereby a Knight Grand Cross of Honour, with one Quadrant for each of the Grand Bodies he has served. This means that if he has served any of these Four Grand Bodies, before he is inducted into K.Y.CH. , he would be a Knight Cross of Honour upon being inducted into membership.. If he serves any of these Four Grand Bodies after he is a K.Y.C.H, member, then he gets a Grand Quadrant when his term ends for each of those Grand Bodies. When a member becomes a Knight Grand Cross of Honour, he is entitled to a Certificate from Convent General showing the distinction, i.e., Knight Grand Cross of Honour with, One Quadrant, Two Quadrants, Three Quadrants, or Four Quadrants, as the case may be. These certificates are available from the Grand Registrar - General at no cost. Lapel emblems are available to indicate Knight Grand Cross of Honour. Each Quadrant is represented by the appropriate color of the order served, i.e., Blue for Lodge, Red for Chapter, Purple for Council, and White for Commandry, if the member is a Past Prior the background of his emblem should be Purple, if he is a Knight Grand Cross of Honour, but not a Past Prior, the background should be White.

The meaning of membership in K.Y.C.H. can best be explained by a closing statement of Most Eminent Knight Donald E. Friend, Grand Master General, at his Convent General Session in 1995 , "As a Knight of the York Cross of Honour, you are a proven servant of the Masonic Fraternity , your inspiration has came from your Past, your duty is in the present , your Hope is in the Future, I ask you always to remember—In all you do , In all you say, In all of your actions, take a good look at yourself, you are someone impression of Freemasonry ".

This information prepared by Ivan D. Rinck, Personal Representative No, 18 April 3, 1999. http://www.k-ych.org/info.html

www.twtmag.com

48

Scottish Rite News & Information

www.twtmag.com

49

“Celebrating the Craft” The First Ever Supreme Council Web Event

On Saturday May 19th from 6:00 PM to Midnight the Supreme Council held their first ever live webcast hosted by Bro. Norm Crosby 33°.

The event took place in the House of the Temple which is the headquarters for 35 states that make up the Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction. Donations made will be split 50-50 to rebuilding the Temple which is in need of repair and the other half to Orient and Valley organizations.

The webcast was styled in the same fashion as the Jerry Lewis Memorial Day telethons I grew up watching. since I was a child. Combing music, interviews and videos showing different aspects of the House of the Temple and Scottish Rite Freemasonry.

The goal for the evening was to raise 1 Million dollars. They didn’t quite make it to the top but around $400,000 was collected. I say that isn’t so bad in a 6 hour timeframe. You can still catch the replay on the website at www.scottishrite.org

I am pleased to say that on behalf of The Working Tools Masonic Magazine, $100 from the proceeds made by selling the printed copy of the May issue was donated to the cause.

I congratulate the Supreme council for taking on this massive initiative. The amount of work to make this happen could not have been easy. Everyone involved deserves much praise.

Illustrious Brother Norm Crosby 33°

See the page 51 for The Southern Jurisdiction’s wrap up article.

TWT www.twtmag.com

50

“Successful Event Supports House of the Temple” As seen on: http://scottishrite.org/2012/05/successful-event-supports-house-of-the-temple/ After months of preparation and hype, the first ever “Celebration of the Craft” web event premiered! The six hour event hosted by Brother Norm Crosby, 33° Grand Cross, not only successfully supported the Rebuilding the Temple Campaign and Valley 501(c)(3) organizations, but allowed for an opportunity to celebrate the Scottish Rite and Freemasonry.

Viewers laughed, learned, and generously pledged their support throughout the evening. We were amazed by the contributions and participation that came in from all across the Southern Jurisdiction. The phones never stopped ringing.

More than forty Orients and Valleys held an event surrounding the web event even reaching as far as the Panama Canal Scottish Rite Bodies. We also grabbed the attention of brothers in the Northern Jurisdiction as we had the Worshipful Master Moises I. Gomez from the Atlas Pythagoras Lodge No. 10 in Westfield N.J. attend the show. Our gratitude for the overwhelming enthusiasm of our members cannot be put into words. We can proudly say that we managed to pass $400,000 in our fundraising efforts.

In addition to the tremendous involvement of our members, the hard work was palpable of the House of the Temple staff, the incredible Carlin Company who produced the web event, and the 150 plus volunteers including local K.S.A.s.

Excitement flowed through the building from the start of set up on Friday to the end of the web event Saturday night. The commitment of everyone to this monumental and innovative show has been greatly appreciated.

Support during the event was kicked off by S.G.I.G. Leonard Proden, 33° of D.C. with the first pledge of the evening. After Proden’s pledge, handfuls of pledges and challenge gifts started coming in. The show was also improved with the valued assistance and appearances of S.G.I.G.s James Cole, 33° of Virginia and Jack Yost, 33° of West Virginia. James Cole, his wife Mary Ann, Jack Yost, and his wife Kris stayed throughout the entirety of the event and helped out whenever they could. Some of you may have even had the pleasure of speaking to Mr. or Mrs. Yost when they manned the phones for a couple of hours. A special thank you also goes out to one of our guests Rusty Garrett, chief weather anchor of KWTXTV since 1987 and member of the Valley of Waco, Texas, for his devotion to the web event. In addition to making an appearance during the show alongside Norm Crosby, Garrett put his anchor skills to work by leading interviews at our outdoor street party held for the event behind the House of the Temple. All of our special guests went above and beyond to ensure the success of the “Celebration of the Craft.”

Norm Crosby led the web event from 6pm to midnight and did not fail to remind us why we were all taking part in the “Celebration of the Craft.” Crosby stressed the significance of the fraternity and the importance of preserving its ideals of brotherly love, fellowship, compassion, tolerance, truth, and

charity. His humor and good heart were infectious and truly pulled the show together.

Crosby introduced the plethora of House of the Temple staff as they shared their talents with the viewing audiences. The Grand Commander, Ronald A. Seale, 33° made a handful of appearances and encouraged support. Managing Editor of The Scottish Rite Journal, Brent Morris, 33° Grand Cross, performed a variety of card magic tricks while Masonic scholar Art de Hoyos, 33° Grand Cross, shared with audiences the original copy of Albert Pike’s Morals and Dogma. Grand Executive Director of the Supreme Council, Admiral Sizemore, 33° Grand Cross even graced viewers with a song.

Inspirational videos regarding our philanthropic efforts (like the Rebuilding the Temple Campaign, RiteCare, scholarships, and disaster relief), fraternal history, and membership were also shown featuring many of the House of the Temple staff and local Scottish Rite Freemasons.

In addition to the tune performed by Admiral Sizemore, the band Rendezvous played their renditions of popular songs such as “Crazy” by Patsy Cline, “Dancing in the Dark” by Bruce Springsteen, and “September” by Earth Wind and Fire.

Throughout the evening various videos prepared for the web event were shown featuring Masonic celebrities like Ill. Ernest Borgnine, 33° Grand Cross and Brother Brad Paisley, 32°.

Dan Brown was also shown saying a few words about the importance of the House of the Temple as a landmark and symbol to Freemasonry.

Every single donation that was made during the event was a great source of pride for us here at the Temple. We would especially like to thank the Miller Trust for their $100,000 donation and the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children for their $100,000 donation. We are truly grateful for their great generosity.

Gifts are continuing to pour in and pledges are still being made. The opportunity for new gifts to be made is available to those who would like to support our cause. Our toll-free number used during the event is still active and we would love to hear from you. Additionally, you can still text HOT (for House of the Temple) to 50555 and make a ten dollar donation or make donations online through our site or Facebook. The show will be available in full online for ninety days following the web event for those who did not have the chance to view it live or those who did not get enough of the celebration the first time around.

We look forward to making this an annual event and making it even bigger and better next year. Be on the lookout for details regarding our 2nd annual web event in 2013 and be sure to send us your questions, feedback, and critique of our May 19th show.

www.twtmag.com

51

Scottish Rite News & Information

- Featured Writer- Jacob Lucas

Editors Note- In the April 2012 issue of The Working Tools, Bro. Lucas inadvertently omitted the sources from his article. As much as Jacob apologized for this error he is not the only one at fault. As Editor of TWT, I should have picked up on it and brought it to his attention. With that said I would like to personally apologize to Bro. Arturo de Hoyos for not mentioning him as a major source for Brother Lucas’ article. - Cory Sigler, Editor

Although the fifth Degree in both jurisdictions in the United States is called Perfect Master, the ritual in each Jurisdiction is completely different. The ritual in the Southern Jurisdiction has had relatively less changes, beginning as that Degree in the Rite of Perfection. In the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, the current Perfect Master ritual was previously the 23°, Chief of the Tabernacle. It was transferred to this Degree with the Tentative Ritual of 1988.

The Francken manuscript of 1783 has the basic ritual of this Degree which was developed over time.

The presiding officer is the Thrice Respectable Master, representing Adoniram. The sole Warden in the West represents Stolkin 1. The Candidate’s obligation requires him to keep secrets, holding himself to the penalties of his previous obligations.

The lecture given after the obligation describes the time after the murder of G \M\H\A\. In one of the tokens for this Degree, there is a word exchanged that is familiar to anyone Raised in a Symbolic Lodge in the United States2. The lecture describes the funeral service and tomb for G\M\H\A\. At this time, there was no philosophy contained in the ritual, instead emphasizing revenge for the murder.

In Dalcho’s 1801 ritual, the title of the presiding officer was changed to Right Worshipful Master,

and the Warden represents “Stokin.” The ritual follows closely to that of Francken, but there are some additions. When the Jewel for this Degree is discussed, the Perfect Master is charged to act within measure and to always be attentive to Justice and Equity.

In the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, the ritual followed closely to that of the Francken manuscript. In 1960, the Degree had been expanded to include a lengthy funeral service for G\M\H\A\, with messages of comfort for those who are bereaved, and the historic lesson to “pay due respect to the memory of a deceased worthy brother.” There was a criticism in this jurisdiction regarding the use of degrees that continued the Hiramic legend, especially since portions contradicted that which we experience in the majority of Symbolic Lodges in the United States.

The Committee on Rituals and Ritualistic Matter ended up transferring Old Testament-based ritual from later Degrees to those of the Lodge of Perfection. The former 23° was the first of these, and now formed the basis for the new 5°, retaining the title of the discarded degree, Perfect Master.

The Secret Master Degree manuscript given to Albert Pike in 1854, although in English, comes from a source other than the Francken and Dalcho manuscripts.

(Continued on page 53) www.twtmag.com

52

Scottish Rite News & Information (Continued from page 52) The presiding officer is styled “Right Worshipful Master” represents the “Noble” Adoniram, as in those earlier rituals, with the second officer representing Stolkin. The lecture informs us that this Degree was created by K\S\ to incite the Craftsmen to find and contend with those responsible for the death of G\M \H\A\. The wording in this version of the ritual was similar to that of a French catechism of this Degree, dated 1797, also given to Pike.

- Featured Writer- Jacob Lucas The Candidate is informed that the Lodge is commemorating the anniversary of the final interment of G\M\H\A\, and it is time to reflect on the state of humanity. A funeral ceremony follows, with Most Illustrious K\S\ and H\, K\ of Tyre participating, after which the coffin is deposited in the monument crafted for that occasion.

The obligation consists of the Brother pledging himself to truth and honor in all things, vowing not to benefit through the vice of dishonesty. The lecture discusses how at each anniversary of the burial of G In Pike’s Magnum Opus, the presiding officer is styled \M\H\A\ the ceremony would be reenacted, one Thrice Honorable, and represents Adonhiram, who we candidate would represent the slain G\M\, and be are told was in command of the workmen on Mount designated a Perfect Master. The lecture ends with instructions relating to the obligation, and similar to Lebanon, and after the death of G\M\H\A\, was that of the Mark Master Mason Degree in the York appointed Chief Architect of the Temple. The sole Rite, that the craftsman should not receive wages not Warden in the West represents Zabud, a friend of the due him.

King. In this Degree, the Deacons have roles elaborated on from the Symbolic Degrees; the Junior In Morals and Dogma, the third sentence in the Deacon making the Lodge aware of those worthy chapter on Perfect Master informs us that the Master Brethren in need, and the Senior Deacon making known the claims of the widow and orphan. The Khūrūm (also known as our G\M\H\A\) was so Secretary, Treasurer, and Orator all have the purpose honest that “[h]e received no wages that were not his of charity in their job descriptions. due.” This chapter also discusses how St. Ambrose divided his day into three equal parts of employment – The Candidate for this Degree is given a paper, in the eight hours in the necessities of nature and recreation; preparation room, with five questions for reflection eight for charity, including time spent correcting the and answering. The questions deal with Deity and vices and errors a man has, and instruction of Duty. The Candidate may retire without answering the ignorance; and eight hours spent in study and prayer. questions, but will not advance to this Degree. After Pike writes that in order to best imitate the Master answering, he is to write his last will and testament, Khūrūm, we should sleep little, and study much; say after which both the answers and the will are to be little, and hear and think much; learn, that we may do presented to the Lodge, read by the Thrice Honorable whatever duty requires of us3. A Perfect Master should Master. The Brethren assembled vote by show of be able to truthfully say, at the end of his life, that no hands, which must be unanimous to allow the man is poorer because he is richer, that he has honestly Candidate to continue, and his answers and testament earned all that he has, whether it is wealth, rank, filed by the Secretary. influence, reputation, or affection.

McClenachan’s version of the Perfect Master Degree is primarily concerned with the funerary arrangements of G\M\H\A\. The presiding officer is the Senior Grand Warden, styled Right Worshipful, and representing Adoniram, with the Junior Grand Warden, representing Zabud and styled Grand Inspector, sitting in the West.

(Continued on page 54) www.twtmag.com

53

Scottish Rite News & Information

- Featured Writer- Jacob Lucas

(Continued from page 53) The ritual is sparse, primarily consisting of prayer and lecture.

grave. The Legend of this Degree explains to us that each Perfect Master is required to be, in character and conduct, a representative of the Master H\A\, “whose place he had occupied in the coffin, and whose clothing and jewel he had worn.”

In the Southern Jurisdiction Perfect Master Degree in use in 1955, we learn that the Supreme Council made the preparation of an Aspirant’s (one who aspires – the Candidate for this Degree) will as a part of the ceremonies of this Degree to be optional.

Whether or not he prepares a will, he is urged to give serious thought to this subject. He is informed of the wisdom of providing for the protection of his dependents, and that the prior obligatory preparation of the will made it a duty of the Lodge and every member to see that it was faithfully executed.

In the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, the ritual of the former 23°, which is now the 5°, teaches the lesson “that impure thoughts and selfish, unworthy ambitions are corruptive and destructive, and that a man who forgets his duty to family, country, and God will be morally and spiritually destroyed.” The earliest complete ritual used in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction was that presented by Albert Pike to Charles McClenachan, dated Anno Mundi 5627 (1867). Previous versions were fragmentary, with summaries of the ritual, signs, and Tokens given. The presiding officer, styled The ceremony then followed similarly to that in Most Excellent High Priest represented Aaron, with Pike’s Magnum Opus, with a reenactment of the the Wardens, styled Excellent Priests, representing burial of G\M\H\A\, with the Aspirant carried his sons, Eleazar and Ithamar. The Pike version was into the Lodge room in a coffin. Both K\S\ and H followed closely as the basis of this ritual until 1908, \, K\ of Tyre enter to perform last honors to their when the ritual was changed to have the presiding officer represent Moses instead of Aaron. fallen comrade.

In the current Perfect Master Degree, the Candidate is representing G\M\H\A\, on the anniversary of his final burial, and during the ritual is brought into the Lodge room in a coffin. The presiding officer is styled “Venerable Master,” and represents Adoniram, with the lone Warden representing Zabud. We are told that each thought we thing, each word we speak brings us closer to our deaths, and should make the best preparation for a peaceable death by living as virtuous a life as possible. When K\S\ and H\, K\ of Tyre enter, we are informed as to how to perform our duty to the dead – speaking of all that they deserved well, and leaving the rest unsaid. We are admonished that the Square, Compasses, Gavel, and Rule are emblems of the virtues and authority of H A , and that by acting basely, or by sloth, when wearing or using them, we would become an impostor in the ranks of honor.

The Master, Adoniram, informs us that the influences of the virtuous dead live beyond the

The Degree is based on the story of the sons of Aaron, some of whom, through selfish inattention and a neglect of duty, allowed the sacred fire in the Tabernacle to be extinguished.

I was able to access an older Dutch version of this Degree from the 19th century, which is not currently used. In this ritual, the presiding officer, styled Thrice Mighty Worshipful Master, represents Adoniram. There is only one Warden, representing Stolkin. The lecture describes the funeral and tomb of G\M\H\A\, while the catechism explains the three Words given in the Symbolic Degrees in the United States.

Footnotes 1. Also sometimes referred to as Stokin or Satolkin, the avenger of H\A\, who will be encountered in other Lodge of Perfection Degrees. In the Elu Degrees, he is one appointed to search for the criminals commemorated in (Continued on page 55) www.twtmag.com

54

Scottish Rite News & Information

- Featured Writer- Jacob Lucas

(Continued from page 54) the legend of the Third Degree. This name is not found in the Bible, and the

etymology of the name is unknown.

2. The explanation given for the use of this word is that he was intendant of K\S\ and a great friend of H\A\.

discovered manuscript rituals in a private collection.

Claimed to be transcribed from rituals

belonging to Giles F. Yates, 33°, member of both the Supreme Councils for the Southern Jurisdiction and the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

Rituaal voor de Graad van Volmaakt Meest

3. Pg. 116.

Sources De Hoyos, Arturo, 33°, G\C\. Scottish Rite Monitor and Guide, 3rd Edition – Revised and Enlarged, 2011.

Washington, DC. The Supreme Council, 33° De Hoyos, Arturo, 33°, G\C\. Masonic Formulas and Rituals Transcribed by Albert Pike in 1854 and 1855. 2010.

Washington, DC. Scottish Rite Research Society Hutchens, Rex R., 33°, G\C\. A Bridge to Light, 3rd Edition, 2006. Washington, DC. The Supreme Council, 33° Francken, Henry A., Francken Manuscript, 1783.

McClenachan, Charles T., 33°, The Book of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, 1867.

Partridge, Irving E., Jr., 33°, The Rituals of The Supreme Council, 33°, AASR for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, United States of America, 1976. Supreme Council, 33°, AASR, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

Pike, Albert, 33°, Magnum Opus or The Great Work, 1857.

Pike, Albert, 33°, Morals and Dogma, 1871.

Schwartzberg, Scott, 32°, “The Scottish Rite: Southern and Northern Jurisdictions,” 2011, unpublished. Forwarded to me by W. Bro. Cory Sigler, and used by permission of the author.

Trexler, C. DeForest, 33°, The Degree Rituals of The Supreme Council, 33°, AASR for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, United States of America, 2008. Supreme Council, 33°, AASR, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

Rituals of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, USA. 4° - 32°, August 2011. Supreme Council, 33°, AASR, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

Ordo ab Chao: The Original and Complete Rituals, 4th-33rd Degrees of the first Supreme Council, 33rd Degree at Charleston, South Carolina, 1995. Transcribed from newly

TWT

www.twtmag.com

55

“Published since 1970, The Northern Light is the premiere magazine of Scottish Rite Masonry in America. The magazine is delivered quarterly to every member of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction and distributed world-wide to other Supreme Councils and subscribers.

If you are not a member of our jurisdiction and would like to receive The Northern Light please contact editor@supremecouncil.org Or mail your request to: Supreme Council, attn: The Northern Light, P.O. Box 519, Lexington, MA 02420-0519.”

You can read past issues going back to the 1970’s of this great magazine. I always look forward to receiving it in the mail, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. - Cory

http://www.scottishritenmj.org/TheNorthernLight.aspx

“Inspired by Fashion:American Masonic Regalia” A new exhibition at the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library in Lexington, MA, “Inspired by Fashion: American Over the past 50 years or so, popular television programs Masonic Regalia” (opening in June), aims to trace the and movies frequently poke fun at Masonic groups by fashionable inspiration behind traditional Masonic costumes featuring characters that belong to made-up fraternities with and regalia. Using garments and images from the museum’s goofy names and even funnier hats and costumes. Think of collection, the exhibition explores four different muses for Mr. Cunningham, the “Grand Poobah” of his Leopard Masonic garments – contemporary fashion, the military, Lodge on Happy Days; Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble Orientalism, and theater – to show the connections between who were members of the “Royal Order of the Water everyday style and Masonic fashion over the centuries.

Buffaloes” on The Flintstones cartoon, and Masonic costume draws from a vast number “Raccoon” member Ralph Kramden on The of styles and sources, often mixing them Honeymooners. Members and non-members together to create something different – and alike have often perceived Masonic costume as bizarre. While the rituals performed by the weird, funny or outlandish. group usually set the theme for the costumes And, indeed, Masonic regalia can have an worn, the rituals themselves were inspired by element of wackiness. An 1890s photograph of a long list of places, things and events. A a Royal Arch degree team from Kansas shows a partial list of influences might include places rather weird and wild mix of costumes. But, we such as France, ancient Greece and Rome, may think the same thing about the clothing we Egypt, India, Persia and Scandinavia; forms see in historic prints, paintings and photographs of dress such as 1700s fashions, military from the 1700s and 1800s. Even people of the uniforms, medieval dress, college regalia and era reacted to what they perceived as the millinery, as well as Gothic architecture; the extremes of fashion by publishing cartoons and Bible, Druids, and historical pageantry. satires. Then, as now, fashion itself was as wacky, if not more so, than the regalia worn by Masonic When it was organized in the early 1700s, Freemasonry groups. offered a way for upper-class men to meet together, socialize and share views. Over the centuries, American However, when we start to look more closely, comparing Freemasonry has continually adapted its aims and activities Masonic costumes and photographs with clothing and to reflect the interests of its members. During the mid- and images from the same time periods, we can see that regalia late-1700s, the fraternity experienced a tremendous upsurge manufacturers often took their cues from fashion houses. in popularity, in part because its values echoed those of supporters of American (Continued on page 57)

By AIMEE E. NEWELL, PhD

www.twtmag.com

56

(Continued from page 56) independence. Mid-1700s fashion trends for men mirrored this cultural interest in equality and found men wearing relatively simple and unornamented clothing, whether merchant or artisan. The clothing worn in the lodge followed the principles of equality and Brotherhood that guided all Masonic lessons. Yet, Freemasons still wished to set themselves apart by what they wore and the materials used. Their regalia demonstrated a familiarity with genteel style and resonated with its gentleman founders. For example, Masonic aprons were made from soft, supple lambskin, rather than the durable cowhide of most workmen’s aprons.

Early Masons are exemplified by the appearance of Mr. J. Hull, who sat for a portrait, with his wife, around 1815. He wears the traditional Masonic costume – apron and sash – which would have been quickly understood by almost all who saw this image.

military coat. This image resonates with some of the early portraits of Freemasons.

By the late 1800s, menswear had become extremely standardized, offering little room for individuality. Men, regardless of profession or location, became somewhat indistinguishable from each other, as illustrated in fashion plates from the time. Following this trend, large regalia houses offered mechanically-manufactured aprons, sashes and uniforms. Materials, colors and styles were similar throughout the country. But, even as regalia became more standardized, it still offered men a way to dress expressively, particularly during degree rituals and public processions.

While the exhibition focuses on male dress, since Freemasonry is a fraternity for men, there is a section that explores the inspiration for Order of the Eastern There are also a number of print sources to Star regalia. Like Masonic Brothers, the illustrate Masonic costume of the early and mid-1700s, as members of Eastern Star chapters wear three types of the fraternity gained popularity. One of the best known is an regalia depending on whether they are serving as officers, engraving by William Hogarth titled Night. One of four performing a ritual or attending an installation. Officers are engravings in Hogarth’s satirical series, The Four Times of distinguished at meetings with sashes, jewels and badges. the Day, shows an alley scene outside the Rummer & Participants wear special costumes for initiation rituals, and Grapes Tavern in London, which was the meeting place for the installation of chapter officers and other special events one of the city’s lodges. Two Masons are depicted. One call for white gowns, like the ones in a 1930s photo of the wears an apron, collar and square jewel (emblem of the presiding officers of one of Georgia’s District Grand Master’s office). The man assisting him carries a sword, Courts. The installation gowns draw on contemporary probably signifying his role as the lodge Tyler. styles, as well as classical robes and wedding dresses.

This print shows how Masonic regalia was worn over one’s street clothes, while also suggesting how these basic elements fit with contemporary dress. They do not look

out of place, yet are noticeable.

The Masonic apron comes from the traditional garb of working stonemasons who wore protective aprons. In the 1700s, Masonic aprons retained their animalistic shape, but over time, they became more geometric, eventually becoming smaller and rounder or square.

Sashes were worn by the Master of the lodge, as well as by officers of the state’s Grand Lodge. Like aprons, which were often seen in workplaces, ribbon sashes were also a common accessory in non-Masonic life – in this case, upper-class men wore them as part of formal dress. Men also wore baldrics to carry their swords and these baldrics show similarities to Masonic sashes. A print of Revolutionary War Major General Benjamin Lincoln shows him wearing a sash with his sword over his vest and

The Civil War profoundly affected all aspects of American culture and society, including fashion. As thousands of men turned out in uniform, military style was in vogue from the 1860s through the end of the century. Masonic regalia – and even women’s fashions – followed the trend, incorporating elements of military uniforms including epaulettes, piped seams and tailored silhouettes.

After the war, many Freemasons joined the Knights Templar. The group’s explosion in membership following the Civil War is not coincidental. There were no more local militia units which had provided an outlet for male sociability. Joining a fraternity, particularly one with a militaristic uniform and activities, filled the void for many men. The group also offered the promise of order during a chaotic time. For those men who didn’t serve (or couldn’t serve) in the military, the Knights Templar offered the chance to wear a uniform and have a military-like experience. Other (Continued on page 58)

www.twtmag.com

57

(Continued from page 57) Masonic groups also formed “military” sections and adopted regalia with martial styling. The regalia built on a contemporary fashion that was widely understood in American society.

worn by the French Foreign Legion during the Crimean War in the mid-1850s.

While the Knights Templar are marked by military style and the Shrine adopted exotic Orientalist costumes, the Scottish Rite is known for its theatrical degree rituals. After Historic photographs, from the museum’s collection, such the Civil War, the Scottish Rite began to rewrite their as the 1860s carte-de-visite of Georgia’s Grand Commander earlier rituals, turning them into theatrical productions with George S. Anderson, show us what the Knights Templar costumes, make-up and props. uniform looked like – black chapeau-de-bras style hat with The degrees often took place in specially- constructed plume, black or white velvet sash, large gauntlet-style gloves, sword and prominent medals. Practicality drove the spaces. This change may have been partially inspired by the craze for historical pageantry during the early 1900s. Towns development of the Knights Templar uniform in the years across the country put on elaborate plays about their following the Civil War. Regalia makers were able to buy up surplus Civil War uniform materials and adapt them for history. Like the Scottish Rite degrees, these productions offered a shared sense of values, built a collective story of fraternal uniforms – this is particularly evident in the the community and helped create an identity for participants epaulettes and braid trimming seen in regalia catalogs and and audience alike. Frank A. Stockwell, of the Valley of on extant uniforms.

Buffalo, captured a backstage scene at one Scottish Rite The Ancient Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine was degree ceremony in his late 1930s painting, Degree Night at founded in 1872 in New York city when William J. the Robing Room.

Florence and Walter M. Fleming organized Mecca Temple.

As we’ve seen with blue lodge regalia in the 1700s and the Over the course of the fraternity’s existence, Freemasons Knights Templar uniform in the 1860s, the Shrine costume developed and retained their regalia to suit both the organization’s needs and prevailing fashion styles. For was strongly based on contemporary fashions of the era of Freemasons, Knights Templar, Shriners and others, the its founding – in this case, the vogue for Middle Eastern traditional costumes are part of their identity, reflecting the costume. values of the organization and helping to maintain the As more Americans traveled to and read about the Middle group. In the 1700s and 1800s, employing contemporary East after 1865, Islamic-inspired design and clothing fashion elements was reassuring. Later, the reassurance became increasingly fashionable. Even those who could not evolved into tradition, adding meaning to membership and make the trip could achieve the “feel” by wearing Middle communicating that the wearer is part of a sartorial Eastern-styled clothing or by joining the Shrine. Middlebrotherhood.

Eastern culture, with its aura of pleasure and opulence, Today, Masons still wear aprons and sashes in their lodges. offered a respite for Americans who were increasingly These items have become a type of “fossilized fashion.” confronted by the changes that industrialization and Now, members think of this regalia as traditional and often emerging capitalism brought to their lives. Joining the greet any change with resistance. These garments help to Shrine gave men a place to try out new roles, to foster identify members and to inspire pride amongst them. supportive friendships and to explore a new world of Masons continue to adapt contemporary garments to fit the fashion. fraternity – even Hawaiian shirts and bathrobes.

Elements of Shrine regalia include baggy pants, bolerostyle jackets and the fez. One highlight of the exhibition is a “Inspired by Fashion: American Masonic Regalia” opens on Saturday, June 4, 2011, at the Scottish Rite Masonic brown velour bolero-style jacket with Shrine emblems Museum and Library in Lexington, MA. If you have embroidered on the sleeves. While the colorful Shrine questions, would like to know more about the exhibition, or regalia seen today seems anachronistic at best, it was adopted in the 1870s at a time when, Shrine member or not, make a donation of objects to the museum, please contact a man might don a smoking jacket and fez to relax at home Aimee E. Newell, Ph.D., director of collections, at anewell@monh.org or 781-457-4144. or to visit a gentlemen’s lounge and “play Eastern.”

Combining the interest in Middle Eastern fashion with the vogue for military style, Shrine regalia took inspiration from the well-known Zouave uniforms, which were adopted by some Union and Confederate units during the Civil War. Marked by their couched braid decoration, jackets and trousers, these uniforms were originally inspired by those

TWT www.twtmag.com

58

The Last Page

Final Words

Thanks to Bro. Benny Ty

www.twtmag.com

59

The Largest Independent Masonic Magazine.

Spreading the Most Light to Masons Worldwide

www.twtmag.com

60