Kansas Mason - SUMMER 2021

The Voice of Kansas Masonry

THE KANSAS MASON

Volume 59, Issue 2

Summer 2021

A publication for Kansas Masons in partnership with the Grand Lodge of Kansas and Local Masonic Lodges

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K SLO R .o rg The Kansas Mason is published two times a year by the The Grand Lodge of Kansas, A.F. & A.M. The views and opinions expressed in the Kansas Mason are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of the Grand Lodge of Kansas or its' officers.

All inquires or submissions should be sent to Editor@KansasMason.org

Dates to Remember Sept 4:

Old Oak Tree Lodge - Little River

Sept 10-11:

Leadership Academy - Topeka

Sept 24:

Masonic Unity Trip to Scotland departs

Sept 25:

Silverdale Quarry Lodge event

Oct 1:

Lodge Awards nominations open

Dec 27:

St. John's Day

March 17:

1963 Ford Thunderbird Drawing - Topeka

Grand Master:

Mikel J. Stoops De Soto Lodge No. 40

Deputy Grand Master:

Mikel D. Johnson, II Peace Lodge No. 243, Louisburg

Grand Senior Warden:

Robert D. McClarty Lindsborg Lodge No. 397

Grand Junior Warden: Douglas L. Wilkinson Belleville Lodge No. 129

March 18-19: Annual Communication - Topeka

Check the online calendar for the most up to date information and details.

KansasMason.org 2

Grand Secretary:

Tracy L. Bloom, PGM Salina Lodge No. 60, Salina

Grand Treasurer:

B. Cole Presley, PGM Millbrook Lodge 281, Hill City

To Bee or Not To Bee Mikel J Stoops, Grand Master or Masons in Kansas 2021-2022 Saying that the beehive represents industry is an oversimplification. It is true that within the colony of honeybees that lives in the hive, most facets of what we term industry are represented. The bees gather raw materials in the form of nectar and pollen. They manufacture products such as honey, wax, and royal jelly. They provide services by cleaning and protecting the hive and by regulating its temperature. They even distribute their products to the brood and the queen.

But, that is not the definition of industry that is implied in our teachings. Masonry teaches being industrious or diligent in our labors to support our fellow man and our society. Even still, there is so much more that we can learn from the honeybees and their community.

When we talk about honeybees, there is a clear distinction between the physical structure in which the organisms exist and the group of organisms. The structure is called a hive, and the group of bees is called a colony. Take the colony out of their hive, and they will build a new one allowing the colony to live on. Maybe that is the first lesson we can learn from the study of bees. The temple is the structure in which Masons meet, and the Lodge is the group of Masons. I know that we have come to use the term lodge interchangeably for the building and the group, but maybe we have done so to the detriment of both.

In a colony, there are three types of honeybees. There is a single queen, a few hundred drones, and tens of

thousands of workers. The queen has two prominent roles. She is responsible for producing all the bees in the colony and producing and secreting a pheromone or scent chemical that keeps the colony intact. When a queen dies, the lack of this pheromone signals the worker bees to create a new queen. The workers do this by feeding a larva an exclusive diet of royal jelly. Royal jelly is a high nutrition substance produced by the bees, enabling the queen to grow into a mature insect capable of reproduction. Once the queen begins to reproduce, every new bee in that colony will be her offspring. Like the queen's pheromone production, Masonic leaders and mentors need to provide education, support, charity, and fellowship that keeps our lodges intact and provide for our Craft's survival by producing enlightened and educated Masons. Masons need to ensure that we are giving our members the knowledge and skills required so that they can step up and be our future leaders.

The drones have only one purpose, and that is to mate with the queen. Though theirs is a vital role in the survival of the colony, they are a drain on the group's resources. This is illustrated in two ways. First, the execution of their only purpose causes their death. Yes, the act of mating kills them. Second, winter is a time when bees cannot forage for food. So, the colony must conserve its resources within the hive. When the colony is preparing for winter, the worker bees kick the drones out of the hive and allow them to die. New drones will

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not be allowed in the hive until the spring hatching when they are needed once again for mating. Drones are only permitted in the colony when they can serve their purpose, and at no time are they allowed to be more than about one percent of the colony population.

Have we not already been educated about drones by our Masonic teachings? The drone, being a useless member of society, is unworthy of our protection. I am confident that understanding the lesson of the drone and putting it into practice would benefit Masonry.

Of the worker bees, St. John Chrysostom said, "The bee is more honored than other animals, not because she labors, but because she labors for others." The worker bees do everything needed for the survival of their colony except produce offspring. Everything they do is for the good of the colony and, in turn, themselves as part of that colony. They exemplify service to others for the good of one's self. But more interesting than this to me is something peculiar only to honeybees. When a worker bee returns to the hive, having found a rich food source for the colony, she can communicate the location of these resources to the other bees. She does this through dance consisting of circles and shakes.

It is speculated that this dance developed early in the honeybee's evolution and was vital in allowing them to form their colony system. Karl von Frisch, who won a Nobel Prize in part for his study of this dance, described it as "the only known form of symbolic communication in the invertebrates." So, worker bees use an ancient form of symbolic communication to pass vital knowledge from one bee to another. No matter what bee in which colony or hive, this form of communication is the same. What a valuable lesson that is for Masons.

Freemasonry offers lessons in philosophy, spirituality, and morality. Many of our lessons are communicated through symbols. Symbolic communication is how we pass on our valuable knowledge. It is how we enlighten our initiates. It is, in part, how we become more spiritually aware, charitable, and civically minded.

Our symbolic communication should be maintained, unaltered from generation to generation, unaltered from person to person, and unaltered from temple to temple.

In contemplating the condition of the modern honeybees, I see many parallels with modern Freemasonry in the United States. The populations of 4

both are in decline, and many speculate on a possible extinction. For centuries, the honeybees lived and thrived. Their way of life supported their species and supported their greater ecosystem, which benefited greatly from their work. They pollinated plants that are the food supplies for many other species, including humans. They produce sweet honey and fine wax that we use to enhance our lives. So too was it with Freemasonry. The work of our Brothers paid benefits not only for Masons, but those benefits reach into our communities and greater society. Freedom of thought, freedom of religion, charity, civility, equality, and so many more are the fruits of the labors of Freemasonry.

But yet, the honeybees are in decline. The outside world has impacted them and disrupted their colonies.

Mites, fungus, and other invaders from outside the hive attack the colony and cause death. Pesticides alter the bees' ability to navigate and to perform their dance.

When they can not perform their dance, they lose their ancient form of symbolic communication to pass on vital knowledge, and the colony has trouble finding the food sources it needs to sustain its existence. Is that not also the case with Freemasonry? Outside influences have come into the temples and altered the workings of the Lodge. Things that are not Masonry have been applied to our Fraternity, causing a decline in our Lodges. These have impaired our ability to communicate the lessons of philosophy, spirituality, and morality, which are vital to the existence of our Craft.

It is now time for us, as Masons, to emulate our friends, the honeybees. It is time to make sacred our temples so that our Lodges can live on. It is time to engage in education and mentorship, for those are the things that keep our Lodges intact and perpetuate membership for our future success. It is time to set aside drones within our society and waste no more of our resources on them. It is time that we commit to serving the greater good of our Lodges and our communities. It is time that we pledge to stay true to the ancient designs of our Craft, passing its practices, tenets, and principles unaltered from generation to generation. And most importantly, it is time to discard the outside influences that have become detrimental to our Craft. We must stay true to Masonry, and Masonry will survive.

Social Meida: Whoa! or Giddy-Up! ?

By Tracy Bloom, Grand Secretary

These days, Facebook and other social media mediums have added a great deal of flexibility in communications between our Lodges and their member and between the Grand Lodge of Kansas and its lodges and members.

Once somewhat of a novelty, Facebook has become a vital tool to reach our members in a broader, more effective way than we could ever imagine just a few short years ago. This publication is an excellent example of that; a survey done five years ago showed those reading a few articles in this printed publication was abysmal at best, and even worse for the number reading from cover to cover. Thus, the decision to only print two editions annually and the others in an electronic format that we call the Kansas Mason Pulse. (So, if you are reading this article, thank you!)

When posting to Facebook or other social medial platforms, especially as Masons or on Masonic topics, be especially careful and not post things that might reveal any of the secrets of Freemasonry. Sometimes I know it is a fine line, but I have seen conversations on social media platforms open to the masses that could border on a masonic offense. Private Facebook groups are better, but I would still proceed with an abundance of caution.

While the Grand Lodge of Kansas tries to moderate and monitor such postings and conversations, we cannot catch them all. When we do, we kindly ask that the

poster reconsider his post and how it might violate our obligations, laws, rules, and regulations.

Additionally, to consider, and I know this can become quite controversial indeed, are the things you post on your own pages or social media accounts, or even actions taken by you on your own time away from the lodge environment. Yes, this is a free country, and you are protected by the First Amendment concerning free speech and all, but remember, those who know you to be a Mason will also associate your posting and actions, at least in some context, with Freemasonry. Because like it or not, you are not just a Mason when it is convenient, or only in a tyled meeting. You are a Mason 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.

If you doubt that you are a 'full-time' Mason, I would kindly refer you to the obligations you have taken and the several lectures that reinforced those obligations.

Masonic education in that context is always a good thing. I am positive the brothers of your lodge would welcome some discussion on the topic. If not, I certainly would, should you have any questions, concerns, or need clarification.

So, to expand from the mainstream social media platforms, your Grand Lodge invested in the Groupable M2 Database system, which I have previously talked about in these pages and spoken on in person many 5

times, including several Leadership Academies.

Through this system, every active lodge in Kansas automatically has its own Web Page. Yes, no matter how large or small, and at no cost to the lodge, every lodge in the jurisdiction of Kansas has its own web page. Additionally, each member of every lodge in Kansas has access to a program called OLP (Our Lodge Page), a variant social media page designed specifically for your lodge, its members, and you. Our Lodge Page is available to you right now and has been for about two years. If you have not created an account, you can do so by simply going to www.ourlodgepage.com and create an account. You will need basic information to create your account, such as your member number (from your dues card), birthday, cell phone number, and email address. If you have any trouble setting up your account, contact me, and together we will get you going.

Our Lodge Page is very similar to Facebook in its functionality. Why would you want to use Our Lodge Page as opposed to Facebook? Simply, because of the privacy it can offer, especially in the context of Freemasonry. Your posting can be private with only the members of your lodge, or you can expand them to the jurisdiction of Kansas, or you could open them up to the public if you really wanted to. As with other

social media platforms, you choose your audience when posting on Our Lodge Page.

Further, Our Lodge Page generates automated reminders of your upcoming meetings or events, reminds brothers if they still owe dues, plus the lodge or Grand Lodge can create calendar events that then become visual reminders of forthcoming Masonic events, whether it is inside or outside of the lodge.

There are many other features too, such as contact sharing, text communication with your members, the ability for your secretary to send you an electronic statement for dues, and you now can pay via electronic payment methods. New features are coming very soon to expand payment methods in the Our Lodge Page. If your lodge is not using the Our Lodge Page, please ask why? This is not "new" anymore. Again, Our Lodge Page has been available for several years. It is such a great tool, easy to use, powerful, and most importantly to many lodges, there is no cost to the lodge.

In conclusion, please be careful what you post on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and other popular public social media platforms. Consider using Our Lodge Page. If you find your lodge resistant, let's figure out why because it simply must be a matter of poor communications on our part!

Use on your computer: OurLodgePage.com

Stay informed in real time.

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See upcoming events and RSVP in the app.

Add the event to your calendar and map it.

Communicate in real time.

Individual and group chat participation.

Favorite members you contact frequently.

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Membership Committee Activity

By Douglas L. Wilkinson, Grand Jr. Warden, Membership Committee Chairman The Membership Committee is always working on new and potentially exciting ideas on how to inform those men who inquire about Freemasonry, particularly Kansas Freemasonry, about who we are and, more importantly, what we stand for! Additionally, we want to ensure through our efforts that the world at large learns to know Kansas Freemasonry and the good that we do through our community involvement activities and charitable endeavors. Even though this communication is focused on some of our newest materials, we must never lose sight of our current members by ensuring positive mentoring and establishing retention activities.

We should do everything in our power to avoid at all costs a revolving door situation simply because we don’t take care of our current Brothers.

Our most visible new addition is our Kansas-branded Not Just A Man, A Mason materials. These materials have been integrated with our Discovering Freemasonry program, thus creating a refreshed, vibrant, and more efficient Discovering Freemasonry experience for everyone involved. Attendees at the Annual Communication this past March had the opportunity to see many of these new materials on display. If you haven’t seen these new graphics, please check out our website, KansasMason.org. You will also notice the “Interested in Joining” tab/button on the website has been relocated to the top of the landing page and is one of the first things an interested person will see along with the new graphics. If a person clicks on the “Interested in Joining” button, they are prompted to enter basic information which is immediately sent to your Membership Committee for follow-up.

Another exciting addition has been connecting the Membership Committee with the BeAFreemason.org website hosted by the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite. This site/webpage is very similar to ours with one huge difference. When individuals enter their information indicating they are interested in, no matter where they are from in North America, they are referred to the proper state for further action. If they are from Kansas, someone from our Membership Committee reaches out to the inquiring individual

the same as they would if the information had come from our website. There is a short vetting process to determine if the person is legitimate and, at least on the surface, based on the questions asked, appears to be a potentially worthy candidate for Kansas Freemasonry.

If the individual has a specific Lodge he is interested in, we try and set him up with that Lodge for a visit. If he doesn’t have a particular Lodge in mind, we try and match him up with a Lodge close to where he lives.

So what has this meant for Kansas Freemasonry?

While it is, obviously, too early to tell what the longterm impact will be, we already see what we feel to be significant results. Since starting in March of 2020, we have received “I’m interested in Kansas Freemasonry” inquires from 240 men. One hundred five of those inquires have come since our Annual Communication this past March. Of those 105 showing interest, 68 came from our Kansas Grand Lodge webpage and 37 from the Be A Freemason page.

continued on page 28

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Kansas Masonic Foundation Highlights Kansas Freemasonry Charitable Endeavors At the Kansas Masonic Foundation, our mission is to benefit Kansas communities by funding various academic, scientific, and charitable endeavors. Through the Kansas Masonic Foundation, our Kansas Masons have provided more than $50 million to local philanthropic initiatives over the years.

To share the outstanding contributions of our Brothers and generate a great awareness of Kansas Freemasonry throughout the state, we have set a new goal of spreading the word of our Kansas Masons in the communities in which they serve. It’s time for individuals outside of our organization to understand what we do!

On April 1, 2021, the Kansas Masonic Foundation launched our newest marketing plan with the help of Cassandra Bryan Design in an attempt to bring awareness to Kansas Freemasonry and highlight specific Lodges’ community involvement. To spread awareness of the great contributions of our Kansas lodges, we are actively writing and distributing press releases to local publications, publishing them to the Newsroom of our website, and promoting them through social media campaigns. Not only do these social media posts provide additional promotion to our Lodges and Kansas Freemasonry, but they are a great way to stay up to date with the Kansas Masonic Foundation and the ongoings at local Lodges. We appreciate all of our Brothers who have already interacted with us on social media, creating a positive atmosphere for our lodge members to come together online, and we look forward to connecting with more Lodge members moving forward.

Since the launch of our marketing campaign, we have reached almost 200,000 new individuals between Facebook and LinkedIn, helping increase awareness of our charitable contributions and our mission. With this newfound social media exposure, we encourage all of our Brothers involved in Kansas Freemasonry to interact with us online through Facebook comments, likes, and shares, to spread further awareness of the excellent work of our Brother Masons. With your help, we believe we can soon increase this exposure to well over one million views and continue to inform community members of our mission!

Spread the Word

Help generate greater awareness of Kansas Freemasonry charitable endeavors and participate in the advancement of Freemasonry throughout Kansas by following us on Facebook and sharing the accomplishments of our Kansas Masonic Lodges with your friends and family.

To follow us on Facebook: 1. Click the following link:https://www.facebook.com/KansasMasonicFoundation 2. Click the “Like” button near the top of the page, underneath the blue “Send Email” button.

3. Once you have liked the Kansas Masonic Foundation on Facebook, you will begin to see our most recent posts!

To share specific posts with your Facebook friends: 1. Navigate to the specific post you would like to share. 2. At the bottom of the post, click the “Share” button.

3. From the menu that appears, choose “Share now.” 4. Once your post is shared on your Facebook wall, your friends will be able to view the post and comment on it!

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2020-2021 Grand Lodge Officers PGM - Past Grand Master

Grand Master........................................................................................ Mikel J. Stoops De Soto Lodge No. 40, De Soto

Deputy Grand Master.................................................................Michael D. Johnson, II Peace Lodge No. 243, Louisburg

Grand Senior Warden......................................................................Robert D. McClarty Lindsborg Lodge No. 397, Lindsborg

Grand Junior Warden...................................................................Douglas L. Wilkinson Belleville Lodge No. 129, Belleville

Grand Treasurer..........................................................................B. Cole Presley, PGM Millbrook Lodge No. 281, Hill City

Grand Secretary.......................................................................... Tracy L. Bloom, PGM Salina Lodge No. 60, Salina

Assistant Grand Secretary..........................................................Robert F. Nelson, OM Emporia Lodge No. 12, Emporia

Grand Chaplain.................................................................................Robert P. Jeselnik Wyandotte Lodge No. 3, Kansas City

Grand Orator...............................................................................Vernon J. Clark, DSM De Soto Lodge No. 40, De Soto

Grand Senior Deacon.................................................................Derik L. Hockett, DSM Ulysses Lodge No. 435, Ulysses

Grand Junior Deacon........................................................................ Steven E. Songer Easton Lodge No. 45, Easton

Grand Marshal................................................................................... Earl E. Genter, Jr. Hancock Lodge No. 311, Leavenworth

Grand Sword Bearer.........................................................................Richard V. Stoops De Soto Lodge No. 40, De Soto

Grand Senior Steward...........................................................................Daron J. Woelk Russell Lodge No. 177, Russell

Grand Junior Steward........................................................................... Glenn O. Davis Hutchinson Reno Lodge No. 124, Hutchinson

Grand Pursuivant....................................................................... Raymond C. Gottstein Palmyra Lodge No. 23, Baldwin City

Grand Flag Bearer............................................................................Michael A. Kupsch Wyandotte Lodge No. 3, Kansas City

Grand Standard Bearer....................................................................... Jeffrey L. Staten Stanley Lodge No. 444, Overland Park

Grand Musician.....................................................................................Dennis L. Reed Topeka Lodge No. 17, Topeka

Grand Tyler........................................................................... David W. Hendricks, DSM Emporia Lodge No. 12, Emporia

Assistant Grand Tyler...................................................................... Jeffrey D. St. Peter Newton Lodge No. 142, Newton

OM - Grand Master’s Order of Merit receipient

DSM - Distinguished Service Medal receipient

PGM - Past Grand Master 10

Hockett appointed as Senior Deacon

By Kansas Mason Staff Hours before the 2021 Grand Lodge Annual Communication was to open, Deputy Grand Master Mikel Stoops and the Council of Administration were guests at a private breakfast with the Past Grand Masters of Kansas.

During that breakfast, Brother Stoops announced and introduced Derik Hockett as the 2021-2022 appointee for Grand Senior Deacon. The Past Grand Masters were most delighted to be the first to hear the official announcement and promptly requested Brother Hockett to give remarks so that they might get to know him better.

Derik Hockett, an Area Deputy Grand Master, is the current sitting Master of Ulysses Lodge No. 435 and a Kansas Lodge of Research member. You will frequently find him attending Hugoton Lodge No. 406, and he is a member of Ulysses Chapter 471 OES and a new member of the Scottish Rite. Derik has served as Master

of his Lodge multiple times and previously served the Grand Lodge of Kansas as a District Deputy Grand Master and Grand Standard Bearer. He was awarded the Grand Lodge Distinguished Service Medal, one of the highest awards in Kansas Freemasonry, in 2018 Derik, his wife of 16 years, Tricia, and their two sons Jalynn and Deacon, live in the country

west of Satanta. He works for DCP Midstream as a Maintenance Planner/Scheduler and has been working in the natural gas compression industry since 2006.

Currently, Derik is the DCP West Midcon risk management committee chairman and the DCP West Midcon Culture champion.

Hockett is a current Grant County Home Products Dinner Committee member and actively helps Ulysses Boy Scout Troop 186.

“It took several days before I came to realize what MW Stoops had asked of me if I were to accept the Grand Senior Deacon appointment.

It wasn’t until I was visiting with my good friend, Bro Chris Collins, that I fully realized what could lay ahead of me. I am so humbled to be called to serve Kansas Freemasons and their lodges in this role.”

If elected, Hockett would serve as Grand Master of Masons in Kansas in 2025-2026.

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A Rock Solid Foundation For The Future Michael D. Johnson II, Deputy Grand Master I know it has been said many times, but it is indeed an exciting time to be a Kansas mason! Lodges are starting to turn out a tremendous amount of work again and are striving to strengthen their long-term viability for the future of the Craft. The refreshed strategic plan was created and implemented for just this very reason. Lodges are embracing the Grand Lodge Vision Statement and are striving to provide an “ideal” Masonic experience in their lodges.

This year’s Leadership Academy will focus on tools and concepts involved with the strategic plan. Every participant should be able to take home something that will help them further strengthen their lodge. After a lengthy time apart, the Leadership Academy will also answer the call for a renewed statewide fellowship event that we couldn’t adequately provide at the Annual Communication due to health and safety concerns.

The weekend will start on Friday evening with a Table Lodge that has always provided an exceptional time and a highlight for many Leadership Academy attendees.

Saturday will be an excellent leadership training (learning) opportunity for every Master Mason. There will be presentations about the three strategic lanes: Membership, Esoteric Work, and Communication.

Moreover, there will be a group session on the strategic plan, particularly on the lodge accreditation portion, which has been the topic of much discussion and excitement around the state. As the day ends, we will explore what exactly an “ideal Masonic experience” means, which should bring parts of the entire day’s topics together.

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I feel it is essential that all Lodges are represented at the Leadership Academy to experience and better understand that Kansas Freemasonry is moving forward and how it is occurring. The Mission statement that guides everything we do in this grand jurisdiction was created by lodge leaders and members from around the state, not the elected Grand Lodge leadership. The elected leadership is simply in place to enforce the by-laws adopted by the Craft, to develop programs or tools to achieve the Mission and Vision statements, and lead according to the strategic plan created to guide the decision-making process.

The Leadership Academy offers every Master Mason the chance to come together and truly learn and understand what it means to be a Kansas Mason and how to best encourage postive experiences in our home lodge. This is the joy and beauty of opportunites such as those offered at this year's Leadership Academy in Topeka.

The newest programs we have will be re-introduced and discussed in detail. The Kansas Masonic Foundation, which works diligently to ensure that Kansans know Masons by their charitable work, will also deliver a presentation so that you and your lodge are fully aware of the multitude of opportunities available every year. How exciting will it be to share and discuss the information you learn at this year’s Leadership Academy with your lodge members? Dispersing that information into their hearts and minds and watching them become invigorated is precisely what is supposed to happen.

Then, the real work and fun begin.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 2021 Table Lodge - meal/beverage & toasting cannon included (advance registration required)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 8:00 Check-In Opens (advance registration is required) 9:00 Welcome and opening remarks by Deputy Grand Master 9:15 "We Have a Plan?" - An overview of the Strategic Plan 10:00 Breakout Sessions

Membership, Masonic Funerals, Groupable:m2 11:15 Breakout Sessions

Ritual & the Strategic Plan, Lodge Communications,

Groupable:m2 (your lodge database & so much more) 12:00 Lunch (included in advance registration fee) 1:00 "Knowing Kansas Masons" - a KMF presentation 2:00 Breakout Sessions

Roundtable with Grand Lecturers, Mentoring Leaders,

Being a Secretary or Treasurer 3:00 "What is the Masonic Experience?"

4:00 Closing 13

SNEAK PREVIEW of some exciting early items secured 9th Annual Charity Auction during Grand Lodge 2022 Annual Communication th C har 9 en t ities E n d o w m

CHARI

T Y AU C T I O N

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OTHER EXCITING ITEMS: th Antique Ansonia Masonic C h a ritie s w men t d E n Clock with CameloNovelty, CHAR ITY AU C TI O N Beautiful Vintage Diamond Masonic Ring, Two 100-year old M.C. Lilley Co. Masonic Swords w/Sheaths, Antique Masonic Civil War Medal with Ribbon, Beautiful Scottish Rite 32-Degree Diamond & Gold Ring, Fancy Leather Masonic Apron, Branson Vacation Package, Trane Furnace & A/C Package Installed, Guided Coyote or Bobcat Hunt for Two, Kansas City Royal’s Tickets, Two Premium Dallas Cowboy’s Tickets, Historic Home Getaway on the Shores or Spirit Lake, Ruger Mini 14 Rifle, Vintage Solid Silver Masonic Omega Pocket Watch, Rare Antique Chicago Masonic Temple Iron Bank (1890’s), KU & K-State Football and Basketball Packages, KANSAS MASONIC FOUNDATION

All Bikes are in excellent original condition!

1938 Shelby Flying Cloud Airflo – 1953 JC Higgins 26” Street Cruiser 1952 26” Schwinn Step-Through Hornet Deluxe 1953-54 Schwinn Panther Cruising – 1939 Hawthorne Zeppelin 1947 Schwinn Henderson 26” Red, White and Blue Parade Cruiser

March 17-18, 2022 Grand Lodge Annual Communication 14

Just to name a few!

Who will give it?

By Dale R. Morrow, PGM, Ritualistic Committee

Our initiation into the Masonic fraternity is emblematic of our Masonic birth. We travel our Masonic journey through symbolic youth, manhood, and age. Though the wisest knows not how soon our death will come, we know that the young may die, the old will die, and it is only through the gateway of death that we experience that higher existence toward which we are continually advancing.

Just before our apron was placed into our hands, when we made a Mason, we were informed that our apron would be buried with us. It is an obligation that has been made to every Brother. Ancient usages and customs of the Fraternity have been part of this rite since time immemorial. As we are there for a Brother’s Masonic birth, our obligation is also to be there for his Masonic symbolic passage. His widow and children are, by obligation and ancient usage, our family in the Fraternity as well. We owe it to our Brother to communicate to his family and friends at his final tribute the respect, brotherly love, and honor we had for him during his life with us.

There are few Masonic rituals which the general public can ever be exposed to. The public installation of officers, dedications or cornerstone ceremonies, and Masonic funeral rites are the only parts of Masonic rituals that the general public can ever see. It is oftentimes one of these ceremonies or “rites” where the general public may form their only first-hand opinion of our Fraternity. The Masonic funeral rite can be moving and has even prompted some to join the Fraternity.

Renowned Masonic historian and author Christopher Hodapp tells a most compelling story of his Masonic

journey beginning with the death of his father-in-law and the experience of his Masonic funeral. That first experience prompted Brother Hodapp to join the Masonic Fraternity.

At one point in time in this Grand Jurisdiction, nearly every Lodge had at least one Brother that could perform the Masonic funeral service. Many of these Brothers have traveled on to the Celestial Lodge Above. With their loss comes not only the void left in a Lodge by the passing of one of its members, but also likely now gone is the only person in that Lodge who could perform the Masonic funeral ceremony. Few of the generations that came after those Brothers, who served in their capacity so well, have taken the time and put forth the work necessary to learn the funeral ceremony. Many Masonic Districts are now without anyone who can deliver the funeral rites. In several of the 10 Masonic Areas that Kansas is divided into, there is a constant struggle to locate someone that can provide a Brother’s very last Masonic ritual. The burden becomes extremely heavy on the few who know and give this ritual, and finding someone to give it often becomes difficult after the Brother’s family requests it.

The basic funeral ceremony is not difficult to learn. The ceremony is found in Shaver’s Monitor and Ceremonies and is all written out; it is not in a cipher format. A handout with the ceremony printed and put in an attractive cover, designed to be given to the Brother’s widow or family after the Masonic service, is available from the Grand Secretary’s Office. The basic graveside

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Perplexities of the Perpetual Life Membership Program Submitted by Rick Reichert, PGM, Hancock Lodge No. 311 Twas a noble cause, the idea that a Mason could provide for himself and his lodge, in perpetuity, his annual obligations. How lofty the concept that a moderate sacrifice in one’s working years could provide a handsome return in one’s leisure years. Such was the promise of the Grand Lodge Prepaid Perpetual Life Membership (PPLM).

According to the Grand Lodge website, “PPLM is a means of perpetual investment income to participating lodges generated by income from prepaid membership fees. This prepaid membership fee will continue to return accumulated dividends from fund investments to the member’s lodge long after the prepaid perpetual life member’s death. Any Master Mason, in good standing, holding a current dues card can elect to become exempt from paying annual dues to his lodge by purchasing a ‘prepaid perpetual life membership.’ All prepaid perpetual life membership fees are placed in a special Masonic prepaid perpetual life membership account. This fund will be a permanent fund solely for the benefit of the participating constituent lodges.”1 Notice the term “investment”? As with any investment, there is always a disclaimer, or should be. We’ve all heard it. “Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results, and investors may not recover the full amount invested." This is true for PPLM. The fact is, PPLM is a losing investment that was doomed from its inception. PPLM investors are left with two dilemmas: How should Masons react and how can the Perpetual Life Membership Plan Fund, Inc.2 remedy the situation.

PPLM was initiated when interest rates were well above the 5% range. Certificates of Deposit were all the rage. The math was simple: If a member pays 20 x annual dues (including per capita), interest rates would allow the fund to regenerate annually the dues and per capita taken out. Using this model, the program could continue indefinitely. It made the following assumptions, whether expressed or implied: • • • • •

Lodge dues would never go up Per capita would never go up Their investment would earn at least 5% every year above fees, taxes, losses, etc.

There would be no cost to the Grand Lodge or the lodges to administer the program A member would never outlive their investment

A break-down of any assumption in any year would cause the program to fail. It turned out that every assumption proved false. The fund would never recover, especially since any excess returns in the early years were passed on to the lodges. We all know that high-interest savings rates have gone the way of the dodo. This is not to impugn the current PPLM committee. They inherited this hairball.

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Grand Lodge web site: https://www.kansasmason.org/about-grand-lodge/grand-lodge-programs/ Bylaws of the PPLM Fund, Inc. can be downloaded from the Grand Lodge web site at: https://www.kansasmason.org/cms/images/PPLMByLaws2020-8x11-1.pdf

The Craft passed a bylaw change at the 2021 Annual Communication that provides : # 2020-5 4-313. Voluntary Prepaid Perpetual Membership--A member in good standing may purchase a Perpetual Membership from his Lodge. The Cost will be calculated at twenty-five times the rate of dues for his Lodge, but never less than $1000.00 $500.00.

Even with the adoption of this change for future participants, PPLM is still on perpetual life support for those already in the program. There is simply too much to overcome to right this ship. So, let’s look at how each assumption failed.

Lodge dues would never go up.

Apparently, inflation never entered the minds of PPLM architects. Quite frankly, we know that, as a minimum, dues should be in the $50 range for lodges to prosper. That’s $50 per month, not per year. I won’t say our lodges are cheap, but even with the monumental effort to keep dues on par with rates that existed in the Nixon era, obligations for taxes, utilities, and staples have followed market performance which continues to march upward over time. Lodges simply had to increase dues, albeit begrudgingly.

Grand Lodge per capita would never go up.

As membership goes down (see “quality issues” in the immediately preceding paragraph), Grand Lodge requirements remain relatively constant. To compensate for the decreasing number of per capita payers, the needed amount of per capita tax necessarily increased. The Council of Administration continues to downsize commensurate with resources, but there is a minimum expenditure requirement to keep the organization going. Per capita increases in the past and future are inevitable.

Investments would perpetually earn 5% annually without fail.

When the goose stops laying golden eggs, do you (1) wait to see if the goose will recover, (2) get another goose, or (3) call a goose expert to fix the goose? It’s a trick question. All the golden egg-laying geese are dead. Interest rates plummeted to sub 1%. No interest-bearing instrument has been worth much for a long time. By the time the investments were switched to a different vehicle with some upward value movement, the irreparable harm was done.

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No fee to administer the program.

When dealing with people’s money, volunteers, no matter how well-intentioned, are no match for the financial management landscape. There are too many moving parts. I won’t say as Masons we are cheap, but we are certainly frugal to a fault. PPLM knows that a minimum of 5% after all other expenses are taken out is a must. Had part of that expense been a professional firm hired to attain the needed return, likely the investment would have been made in a constantly evolving array of managed assets that, over time, would have matched or outperformed the market. Where is the market now? At an all-time high.

A member would never outlive their investment.

If a PPLM member passes away, the requirement to pay per capita ceases. This reduces pressure on the PPLM overall and may benefit the lodge in the long run if the member’s PPLM account has investment returns greater than lodge dues. Fortunately for the member, Masons live as much as ten years longer than their non-Mason counterparts.3 If the PPLM has a hiccup year or two, the deficit payments to cover dues and per capita will continue longer than for average male Kansans. Thus rings the fifth death knell for PPLM. The moral dilemma.

To cheat means to act unfairly to gain an advantage. To defraud means to illegally obtain gain by deception.

When the PPLM was established, both lodge and Mason were promised that once paid, the Mason would never need to pay again, AND the lodge would continue to receive the Mason’s required obligations of dues annually.

Through no fault of the Mason or the lodge, PPLM has broken the promise. The assumptions were well known and available to all parties participating. With the promise broken, on whom then does the burden of closing the gap fall?

The burden falls on the individual who participated in the scheme. Because he used a faulty third-party program does not absolve him of what he owes his lodge. To do so makes him a cheat. Good intention does not pay the bills. Real money does. To fix this, each PPLM Mason should determine what he owes his lodge and pay the difference. To avoid this restitution puts the burden on the non-PPLM lodge member to cover the difference.

That, my PPLM brothers, is knowingly committing fraud. The lodge did not get to vote on reduced dues for PPLMs. The burden falls on the PPLM Committee to figure out how much more is needed from each PPLM member to get the program back on track. Then, hat-in-hand, the committee needs to work with the Council of Administration to write the rules that will make the PPLM solvent going forward, with the lodges to get the word out, and with the PPLM members to be partners in making PPLM work as intended. Indeed, not one new PPLM membership should be accepted until this matter is corrected.

The burden falls on lodges to make their future dues structure well known to their members and calculate what PPLM members owe to be “on the level” with the rest of the lodge. Knowing future anticipated dues increases, even if simply tying increases to a cost of living index, will go far to help the PPLM committee right-size future PPLM buy-ins.

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Derived from a 2010 study by the author of average age of Kansas Masons when they die compared to government-produc tables of death per capita by age by year.

A solution.

I offer the following model for the establishment of a reasonable figure for its candidate participants. As with any endeavor where there are odds regarding returns, the rules should be set so the house always wins. Calculate the candidate fee on an INDIVIDUAL BASIS as follows:

• Using Social Security Administration data, determine the estimated end of life date.

• Add the “Masonic Factor” that Masons in Kansas live, on average, ten years longer than their non-Mason counterparts. Prorate based on current age (percentage of adult life left) and calculate a member’s modified end of life expectancy date.

• Calculate the amount needed today to cover total known per capita and lodge dues through end of member’s modified end of life expectancy date.

• Add inflation to the annual amounts based on US Government inflation tables for Kansas. Calculate the average 10-year inflation rate and project this number forward for all remaining years of the member’s modified end of life expectancy date.

• Factor in any known, planned per capita or lodge dues increases.

• Discount the annual amounts calculated above by the expected rate of return on the invested amounts.

Use a rolling average to project estimated returns forward to member’s modified end of life expectancy date.

• From the data above, calculate the PPLM fee so that there is twenty years’ worth of lodge dues remaining in his account on the member’s modified end of life expectancy date.

This calculation ensures that PPLM buy-in covers dues and per capita during the member’s lifetime and his lodges dues perpetually thereafter. The “Masonic Factor” is real, based on average age at death of Kansas Masons (Grand Lodge data), compared to Kansas males average age of death by year. Adding the Masonic Factor to the model ensures that the member’s PPLM account does not become depleted during his lifetime, even if there are wrinkles in investment returns in the interceding years.

The new PPLM buy-in amount is a very large number compared to the bargain rates currently listed. However, a PPLM recipient should have no stigma that he short-changed his brothers and left a debt that can never be repaid. Instead, PPLM should be a special, high-level attainment that goes well beyond normal obligations. To be PPLM means a Mason has established a legacy that supports his lodge from now to the end of his earthly life and then continues thereafter. This is the real intent of PPLM and a promise that can be kept.

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3 dots in a triangle, in a triangle.

–A very “Masonic” mark

By Bro∴ James A. Marples, Mulvane Lodge No. 201 Many people often wonder about images such as 'The All-Seeing Eye of Almighty God" inside a triangle and wonder if it is a Masonic emblem? The answer is both 'Yes" and "No." Although various cultures, countries, and fraternal groups (such as the Independent Order Of Odd Fellows) have utilized the emblem, it is not a Masonic emblem exclusively. However, the 'context' in which the emblem is placed usually is. The 'AllSeeing Eye' emblem is also called 'The Divine Eye of Providence,' reminding us that a Supreme Creator watches over all mankind at all times.

However, anytime three distinct dots are placed within a Triangle, it is 99% of the time, with a Masonic connotation. Many Masonic Brothers of the late 19th Century (and continuing to this day) officially sign their names preceded by "Bro∴" Interestingly, in Europe, even in casual situations, a Freemason may uniquely place the 3-dots-within-a-Triangle WITHIN his surname. That was a subtle clue to fellow Masons, that a "fraternal friend" was in their midst without being ostentatious.

The noted Masonic scholar, Bro∴ and Dr., Albert G. Mackey used the phrase "THREE POINTS" instead of the modern terminology of three dots. The following is how he defines it: THREE POINTS Three points in a triangular form (∴) are placed after letters in a Masonic document to indicate that such letters are the initials of a Masonic title or a technical word in Freemasonry, such as G∴ M∴ for Grand Master, or G∴ L∴ for Grand Lodge. It is not a symbol but simply a mark of abbreviation. The attempt, therefore, to trace it to the Hebrew three yods, a sign of the Tetragrammaton, or any other ancient symbol, is futile. It is an abbreviation and nothing more, although it is probable that the idea was suggested by the sacred character of the number three

German Kreuzer as a Masonic number. These three dots also might refer to the position of the three officers in a French Lodge. Ragon says (Orthodoxie Maçonnique, page 71) that the mark was first used by the Grand Orient of France in a circular issued August 12, 1774, in which we read "G∴ O∴ de France." A common expression of anti-Masonic writers in France when referring to the Brethren of the Craft is Fréres Trois Points (Three Point Brothers), a term cultivated in their mischief which survives in honor, reminding the brotherhood of cherished association and symbols. The abbreviation is now constantly used in French documents and, although not accepted by the English Freemasons, has been very generally adopted in other countries. In the United States, the use of this abbreviation is gradually extending.

In my opinion, the 'Three Points are very special indeed and allude to the Mystic Tie of Masonic Brotherhood. Even I have been known to adopt the custom of 19th Century Brethren by incorporating the 'Three Points' after my surname if the word 'Brother' isn't feasible to print. Usually, I do it among wellknown Masonic friends, immediately using it as an abbreviation for the word 'Brother" as in Bro∴ James A. Marples.

We must use this abbreviation only in prudent continued on page 29

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The Lost “Lodge” Submitted by Alex Powers, DSM, Kansas Lodge of Research Director Even in speculative Masonry, we tend to be known to the world for our prominent structures. Be that our historic temples, monuments, and even impressive structures within cemeteries somewhat bridging the gap between our living brethren and our deceased.

Monuments of both the celestial and the terrestrial.

But as we know all too well, our mortal workings do not stand stronger than the test of time or the test of the perception of the profane. Today we will explore some not so long ago history uncovering a Lost Lodge.

Grand Secretary Tracy Bloom recently shared a story with me about traveling with the Council of Administration a few years back to a Masonic conference and making a pitstop in Illinois to visit the grave of Abraham Lincoln. While there, they ran across a Masonic section of the cemetery. M ∴ W∴ Cole Presley proclaimed, “Hark! This is strange….” no, not really... but close enough. He had spotted a Masonic lodge room formulated within the cemetery with the correct furniture in place made out of stone. How cool is that? Actually, there are quite a few awe-inspiring

Masonic monuments within the cemeteries throughout our nation, but sadly you do not see much of this here in Kansas. At least, that is what I thought. Now, that is not to say that we do not see impressive graves with Masonic markings because we do indeed. Such monumental grave markers include our first Grand Master, Richard Rees, which I covered in the previous issue.

The truth is, between my research efforts and stone cleaning, I end up spending a fair amount of time in the local cemeteries around me. It has also become somewhat of a pastime for me to stop into various ones when traveling just to see what Masonic stones I can find and leave a small memento for our deceased Brothers. One local cemetery that I spend a fair amount of time in for non-Masonic reasons is the Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Overland Park.

There are indeed Masons interred there, but that is one cemetery that the bulk of my local family has ended up being buried in. Over the recent Memorial Day weekend, as I regularly attended services to pay my

21

respects to our fallen soldiers, I also made the most of the opportunity. I stopped by the graves of my family members while we were there to spend a few minutes with them in memory and reflection. This year I had also noticed in some cross research that a Past Grand Master is buried in that cemetery as well. I am speaking of M∴ W ∴ Ben Graybill (1963), author of the History of Kansas Freemasonry book. This stood out to me for two reasons: 1) I have a personal affinity for my fellow Masonic history nerds who carried the torch before my time. 2) I am currently working on bringing the History of Kansas Freemasonry up to date. So I decided that while we were there, we HAD to find his grave.

After speaking with a woman at the information booth, I was given a detailed map of where to find the grave I was seeking. She even pointed out a close landmark, an “altar.” Being in a religious cemetery, I did not think much unusual of this reference. However, when we arrived in the spot alluded to on the map, we did not find an altar, so we were quite thrown off.

My family split up and we covered the area until my wife finally found our Most Worshipful Brother’s final resting place. It was an honor to spend a few minutes with him and, of course, leave a small memento to thank him for his Masonic labors during life. My wife suggested the “altar” mentioned must be this stone a few rows up. Not exactly where the map depicted it to be, but close enough I supposed. It did not appear to be a headstone and read ”CHANG” with a decorative

bowl filled with sand and many burned-out incense sticks. One other thing caught my attention to an alarming level. We struggled in our search for Brother Graybill's grave because when I told my kids to look for one with a Masonic symbol, they replied, “but they ALL have Masonic symbols.” I laughed, thinking they just saw several in a row but then quickly noticed they were indeed correct. They were ALL Masonic graves around us in that area.

Now I have, of course, heard of Masonic sections in cemeteries, but I never knew of one in this particular cemetery and had been here over a hundred times in the past without ever knowing. I have been to that cemetery over a hundred times, and knowing what I know now, that frustrates me even more, but I will get to that part shortly. So naturally, this stuck with me, and I wanted to find out more about this apparent Masonic section of this cemetery I have been in so many times yet never knew it was there. At home, I immediately scoured through the Annual Proceedings for any mention of it. Page after page, book after book, and nothing. Then all of a sudden, there it was. I found it! In 1981 there was a special communication included in the annual proceedings that included the following information:

SPECIAL COMMUNICATION Old Mission Lodge No. 153, Shawnee Mission, Kansas, October 25, 1980 The M:.W:. Grand Lodge of A.F. & A.M. of Kansas convened in Special Communication in the Hall of Old Mission Lodge, No. 153 for the purpose of dedicating the Symbolic Altar in the Masonic section of Johnson County Memorial Gardens at 10:00 a.m. on the 25th day of October, A.D. 1980, A.L. 5980.

M:.W:. F. Warren Starns, Grand Master, had delegated M:.W:. Ben W. Graybill, Past Grand Master, to act for him in this ceremony as Acting Grand Master, with authority to name the other Acting Grand Officers from lodges in the immediate area.

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The M:.W:. Grand Lodge was opened in Ample Form on the First Degree of Masonry with the following Acting Grand Officers in their stations:

M:.W:. Ben W. Graybill, PGM, Lodge No. 153 W:. Paul E. Murphy, PM, Lodge No. 4 36 Joe C. Lowe, PM, Lodge No. 34 Fred AHenbrand, PM, Lodge No. 135 John W. Quinn, WM, Lodge No. 153 Robert L. Tomlinson, Sec'y, Lodge No 54 H. Don Kingery, PM, Lodge No. 436 Paul Clingenpeel, SW, Lodge No. 153 Harold H. Baldwin, WM, Lodge No. 4 36 Roger S. Seigel, PM, Lodge No. 153 Ronald D. Warrender, WM, Lodge No. 19 Eldon G. Nicholson, PM, Lodge No. 19 Lloyd A. Newsome, PM, Lodge No. 54 Gerald F. Wisthoff, WM, Lodge No. 54 Oscar D. Smith, PM, Lodge No. 19 Robert J. White, Sec'y, Lodge No. 153 Clyde O. Engle, PM, Lodge No. 153 Carl B. Sherrick, PM, Lodge 333

as Grand Master as Deputy Grand Master as Grand Senior Warden asGrand Junior Warden as Grand Treasurer as Grand Secretary as Grand Chaplain as Grand Senior Deacon as Grand Junior Deacon as Grand Marshal as Grand Sword Bearer as Grand Junior Steward as Grand Senior Steward as Grand Pursuivant as Assistant Grand Tyler as Assistant Grand Tyler as Bearer of Great Lights as Bearer of Book of Constitutions

Following instructions from the Acting Grand Master and Acting Grand Marshal, those serving as Grand Officers and approximately 50 others who were in attendance for the opening drove to the Johnson County Memorial Gardens and formed procession at the northeast corner of the Masonic section and proceeded to the path leading to the Altar from the north.

R:.W:. Glenn E. Blackburn, District Deputy Grand Master, representing the Craft in the Area read an informative prologue as the procession moved into the Symbolic Lodge Hall. Granite chairs, properly placed on appropriate steps of three, two and one levels, had been erected by the operators of the cemetery for the Master's and Wardens' stations. These chairs and the Altar are permanently located in the center of the Masonic section. Three tapers representing the Three Lesser Lights have been ordered, but not yet delivered.

All of which have been constructed of granite.

Chairs had been provided for the use of the other Grand Officers for this occasion. After the officers arrived at their stations, the Acting Grand Master seated the assemblage. Two hundred additional chairs had been provided for those who had braved the extremely chill winds that swept across the site which is located on the highest point in the area. It was estimated that between 125 and 150 were present despite the unpleasant weather. Three microphones had been placed at convenient points so that the public could hear the words of the dedicatory ritual.

W:. Paul E. Murphy, Acting Deputy Grand Master, asked for the approbation of the Grand Lodge in these 23

endeavors and requested that the Dedication be held.

The Grand Master ordered W:. Roger S. Seigel, Acting Grand Marshal, to uncover the Altar and W:.H:.

Donald Kingery, Acting Grand Chaplain, to invoke the Divine Blessing.

The Grand Master then ordered the Elements of Dedication to be presented as he moved to the Altar and was joined by W:. Paul Murphy and the Grand Wardens, W:. Joe C. Lowe and W:. Fred Allenbrand, who explained the significance of the Grain, Wine and Oil which was poured on the Altar by the Acting Grand Master.

At the close of each presentation one of the three odes was sung by Dan Sturdevant, a successful attorney and professional singer, whose grandfather, W:. Dean E. Davis, was Master of Rosedale Lodge, No. 333, almost 60 years ago. M:.W:. Graybill proclaimed the Dedication in the name of the M:.W:. Grand Lodge by striking the stone of the Altar 3 times. The ceremony was concluded by the singing of the Lord's Prayer by Dan Sturdevant.

His voluntary contribution enhanced the dignity and beauty of the ceremony and all were grateful for his contribution. The acting Grand Officers were then introduced.

M:.W:. Graybill then read a copy of a letter from M:.W:. F. Warren Starns addressed to Mr. David L. Newcomer,IV, thanking him and his companies for providing this meaningful and beautiful site of internment for the members of our fraternity and their families. M:.W:. Graybill then introduced Mr. Newcomer who made a few appropriate remarks and revealed that further improvements were planned for this section. He invited all to inspect the plaque displayed on the west side of the Altar which stated that it was dedicated by the M:.W:.

Grand Lodge of Kansas on October 25, 1980.

The officers then returned to the Lodge Hall and the M:.W:. Grand Lodge was closed in Ample Form on the First Degree of Masonry.

This was the first time the All Purpose Dedication Ceremonies, adopted in 1975, has been used for this purpose. It was necessary to adapt this ritual for this specific purpose. Copies have been forwarded to the Grand Master; the Chairman of the Committee on Ritualistic work and to the Grand Secretary, for the purpose of placing it in the receptacle with the adopted work of this Grand Lodge for potential use in the future.

Ben W. Graybill Acting Grand Master ATTEST: Robert L. Tomlinson, Acting Grand Secretary

So we learn here that this well-known cemetery in Overland Park, Kansas, indeed had a Masonic lodge room within its once known and dedicated Masonic section. Historically this was a common practice for Freemasons as they would then use the stone furniture to open their lodges of sorrow before a Masonic 24

funeral. Let that sink in and realize how deep and touching that would make that experience. Even opening and closing our lodges of sorrow annually as we now commonly see, this being done in the midst of a cemetery would be a surreal experience to not only perform that honor with your lodge Brethren but with

all of the deceased Brethren around you as well.

From here I immediately contacted the cemetery, which I will admit have been reluctant to talk to me concerning the matter. In their lack of information, I took to the county’s GIS mapping system and pulled the historical overlays of satellite images, and without a doubt, you can see that the monuments did in fact once exist. You might be surprised to know that according to the satellite images in the GIS database for Johnson County, we see that this outdoor lodge room stood in place up until as recently as 2018.

This very fact made me second guess and think that maybe I missed it somehow. Immediately after work, I drove back out to the cemetery again and verified the monuments had been removed.

Upon sharing this data and image with the cemetery through multiple contacts that were ignored, I finally received back a very reluctant message that someone would be contacting me, giving me the person's name but would not give me their direct contact. More of a “we will contact you” situation. That did not happen for a few more weeks, but as I continued to press for answers, they opened up and found some for me.

It ends up that there was a significant management and staffing change in the last few years, just after the removal of the lodge furniture. They found that the items were entering a state of disrepair due to weather-related damage. They stated they made contact for assistance in repairs, but due to the management change, they did not have a record of who was contacted, but we know that it was never received on a Grand Lodge level. Due to a lack of response,

the cemetery decided to remove the items from the grounds out of respect.

I was pretty sure this pursuit would die here as the communication again stopped. I kept pressing regardless to get answers on what exactly was done with the items that were removed. Were they trashed? Sold?

I needed to know for my mind to rest. To my great surprise, after another few weeks, I received an email that the Masonic items had been located and were still on the grounds. Upon removal, the grounds staff placed them in the back of a storage building onsite.

This was great news to hear! Even better news was that the items were reported to be in better condition than they had expected due to being stored inside, which prevented further damage from occurring.

I still have my questions as to the motivation behind the removal and have not received any photos of the items that I have requested to backup the damage. I have suspicions they were removed for other reasons, being a very religiously motivated cemetery and with the unfortunate misunderstandings some have about Freemasonry. Still, nevertheless, we are at a point now that the cemetery has stated that if repaired, they will return the items to their original place within the cemetery. The reason I have my questions is because, as I said previously, I have spent a fair amount of time in cemeteries. Monument pieces placed in the 1980’s already having a state of damage purely weather-related to the point of needing removal doesn't add up to me.

But regardless, if the cemetery is willing to put them back in place, I think that is what really matters here.

I have delivered my findings to the Grand Master and Council of Administration in hopes that we can take care of the repairs needed and restore this bit of our history and this monument to our passed Brethren who chose to be buried here next to this monument.

Historically, Freemasons take care of their dead, and I think this situation falls directly in that responsibility that if we can right this wrong for our Brothers, we indeed should. I hope to report back in the future with information that this task has been completed, but for now, we wait.

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So, you want to be a Gardener?

Submitted by Herbert F. Merrick, DSM, Hancock Lodge No. 311 This is not an essay on raising tomatoes or even oriental shrubs.

Instead, this article is about a friendly society much like our gentle Craft, the Order of Free Gardeners.

The earliest known records of the Order are found in the minutes of a meeting dated August 16, 1676, held in Haddington, Scotland.

Haddington is located east of Edinburgh in an area known as East Lothian. The town was chartered in 1139 by David 1st of Scotland, and it would grow to be the fourth largest city in Scotland by the late Middle Ages before it stopped growing. The minutes included the fifteen rules of the order called the “Interjunctions for ye Fraternity of Gardiners of East Lothian.” Its members were mainly small landowners and farmers who gardened for pleasure and not profit.

Because of its primarily rural membership, these “operative” gardeners were not recognized or formed into anything that might look like a guild. It might have looked more like a primitive union. There is an exception, the incorporation of the gardeners and greengroceries of Glasgow in 1626. But still, there is no record of a lodge being formed as was founded in Haddington.

The Haddington Gardeners spent their efforts providing their members with skill training, but also mixed in were instructions on how to live a moral and ethical life. They also began work to support the widows and orphans of their members as well as efforts to reduce the suffering of the poor. The membership grew but, oddly, rather than create new lodges, they 26

just worked within their own local structures. By the end of the 18th century, the Haddington Gardners had ten thousand members. It was forty years before another lodge was formed in Dunfermline across Firth of Forth. Formed in 1715, the earliest lodge records show they were different as their membership included those who were not actual gardeners. In effect, their membership included “speculative” members. The Dunfermline lodge was supported by at least two members of the minor nobility, the Earl of Moray and the Marquess of Tweeddale.

They also operated differently as they practiced charity and sponsored horse races and an annual horticultural fair.

By 1796 three additional lodges had formed; these were located in Arbroath, Bothwell, and Cumbnathan.

Each lodge covered a whole constituency, the British equivalent of a congressional district. The Gardener lodges were very large when compared to their Masonic counterparts. Their membership model focused on simple administration with a large membership focused on the lodges' founding purposes. It was the middle of the nineteenth century before the idea of a Grand Lodge was seen as necessary. The first meeting of this body was held in 1859 and consisted of over 100 lodges, including three from the United States. So, while in some aspects the Gardeners do not look like Freemasons, in others they are almost identical.

The early records make no mention of any form of conferral of membership; however, in a set of minutes from January 28, 1726, there is discussion

of a member’s complaint about the manner in which the words and signs were given. There is another mention of words and secrets in a series of documents from 1772. In 1848, there is yet another mention of Signs, Secrets, and Grips in the teachings of a lodge. A careful reading of the records indicates that the simple transmission of a word eventually transitioned into what would be a complete three-degree system by the 1930s. This is two hundred years after the secrets of Masonry were “exposed.”

In the 1930s, copies of a ritual describe how the degrees were performed in, at least, the early 20th century. From these we learn that the three degrees of the Gardeners were the Apprentice, Journeyman, and the Master Gardener. Each degree uses lessons from different biblical stories. Apprentices learned lessons from the story of the Garden of Eden taught by Adam. The Journeyman learned from Noah and the ark and focused on the working tools of the gardener.

The Master’s lesson came from Solomon and the establishment of temple gardens and vineyards. Each degree had its own obligation or catechism. There are examples of aprons, squares, compasses, and pruning knives, all of which formed the order's regalia and may have been copied from Masonry.

The Gardeners did not grow in the way Masonry grew. The lodge structure may have been the reason, or it could have been the focus on local membership that did not attract nobility but stayed in the emerging middle class that limited the expansion of the Gardeners. That did not mean that they did not grow. There were 50 lodges in Lothian in the latter half of the 19th century. During this period, it added mutual insurance as one of its principal activities which might have led to the twentieth-century decline as the need for “friendly” or mutual aid societies lost out to commercial activities with the passage of the National Insurance Act of 1946. During the post-World War II period, the Gardeners lost membership in Scotland to a point where, in 1956, the Grand Lodge transferred its headquarters to Cape Town, South Africa. An examination of the rolls shows that it was the Great

Depression that started the decline when the number of deaths exceeded the number of new members. In 1939 the Haddington lodge minutes stopped. There is an active lodge in Scotland, but it was formed in 2002 as a preservation society by Free Gardeners visiting from South Africa. In 1980 only one lodge was meeting in Great Britain, and that was in Bristol. There is a Victorian Grand Lodge #1 that still holds meetings in Victoria, Australia.

The question has become how a fraternal society transitioned from a solid and steady group of men dedicated to self-improvement and mutual assistance into a footnote of history. There are several possibilities to consider. The first consideration was the change in focus from fraternal relations and self-development to mutual aid (insurance) in the late 19th century made them a one-trick pony. This option is supported by timing in Great Britain of the Depression and the Second World War, but the decline had already started by the 1930s, and unlike Masonry, there was no post War growth. It had no reason to exist, so it did not. A second possible cause is that the very closed membership structure that can be traced to its founding meant that the Gardeners reach a tipping point much faster and that, even when it discovered it needed to change in 1946, it just did not have the base to overcome the downward curve. It could be that any organization needs to be many things to many different people in order to survive. An organization needs to look forward and anticipate what its members need not today but in five or ten years. In a period of change, there has to be a willingness to change to adapt to be more. As Freemasons, we have done that, we are doing that, and we will continue to stand the test of time.

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Membership Committee Activity Continued from page 7 The next step, currently in development, is to establish a tracking tool that shows how many inquiries end up as candidates and, further, become Master Masons. One prospect initially came from the Be A Mason website was directed to Belleville Lodge No. 129. He received his Entered Apprentice degree in June. I would note that before the, now, Brother was given a petition, he met with a host of the lodge members on two different occasions at the Lodge to ensure he would not only be a worthy Candidate but a good fit for the Lodge.

In closing, I should point out that many of those inquiring about Freemasonry do not have a specific Lodge in mind initially; they are just interested in learning more about us first. It is essential that every Lodge keep their “Our Lodge Page” and contact information current. When that curious researching person decides they may want to join our fraternity, the Membership

Committee will quickly direct them to your Lodge and make contact with the contact person listed. Prospective members, and the curious public, look at the website generated for your Lodge by the Our Lodge Page program.

As we continue to develop other programs to aid membership, don’t forget about the power-packed Discovering Freemasonry program. If your Lodge would like to host a Discovering Freemasonry event (and every Lodge should annually), your Lodge designee just needs to contact the Grand Lodge office to get the materials and be put into contact with the Membership Committee to assist with your event. As with all Grand Lodge programs, Discovering Freemasonry is free to your lodge.

Together, Kansas Freemasonry is growing stronger!

Who Will Give It Continued from page 15 funeral ceremony, excluding the prayer, is shorter in word count than the Master Mason’s obligation.

Our Fraternity, in this Grand Jurisdiction and many others, is in desperate need of Brothers willing to learn and perform this most needed ceremony. I feel that it should be as it once was; at least one Brother in every Lodge should be able to perform this ceremony with great proficiency. Our Brothers who have passed on must be given the Masonic rites that they were promised at their entry into our great Craft.

Over the past five-years this Lodge Raffle Program has returned $1.0+ million to Kansas Masonic Statewide Lodges.

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If you know and perform this ceremony, and are willing to give it when called upon, you are urged to call the Grand Secretary’s Office to ensure that this fact is marked in your Masonic record in the database. If you do not know this ceremony, won’t you please consider taking a few minutes out of your schedule each day to commit this ceremony to memory? When I demit to the Grand Lodge above, my family will request a Masonic funeral service for me. Who will there be to give it? Will you be able to? Will it be you?

Drawing is on Thursday, March 17, 2022 at 6PM

Did you miss these?

June 2021

May 2021

July 2020

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Digital only editions KansasMason.org

3 Dots Continued from page 20 situations. Still, as with birthday-cards, Christmas cards, or even "guest-books" ---- it proves to be a convenient way whereupon one Brother might know a Brother, when otherwise they might not be aware of each other's fraternal affiliations and thus becomes an implied fraternal greeting to all who recognize the symbolism behind it.

As for the Frankfurt, Germany coin minted in 1773 with the 'Three Points' inside the Holy Triangle, it should be remembered that Frankfurt was a very Masonic-oriented town (despite some erroneous claims to the contrary). The Kreuzer was the basic unit of currency in Germanic countries before the introduction of the German Gold Mark or Deutsche Mark.

The 'Three Points' on the Kreuzer was indeed a Masonic reference. The symbolism may look ordinary to non-members, yet to the Masonic observer, it has the added allusion to the Three Great Lights of Masonry. It was never claimed that the Kreuzer was 'Masonic money.' Likewise, our United States dollar bill containing the All-Seeing Eye isn't 'Masonic money' either. It is mainly a sign of reverence to our Creator, Almighty God. However, I feel it was very fortunate that Masons helped design both the German Kreuzer and the American paper dollar. It's not Masonic money, yet it does remind us to be thankful for the Blessings that money buys us and that the bottom line is that we owe everything to the Glory of Almighty God. SOURCES / RECOMMENDED READINGS: - "Mackey's Encyclopedia of Freemasonry" by Dr. Albert G. Mackey, M.D., 33º, K.T., and an IXº.

Keyword: 'Three Points.'

- "Pietre Stones," The Perfect Points of Entrance by Bro∴ Prof. Dr. U. Gauthamadas. Lodge Prudentia #369.

Grand Lodge of India.

-"Masonic Abbreviations." A reference for Masonic Education and analysis. webpage: http://freemasoninformation.com/masonic-education/ freemasonry-in-general/masonic-abbreviations/ 29

2021 Schools of Instruction Date Aug. 21 Sept. 4 Sept. 18 Sept. 18 Sept. 18 Sept. 18* Sept. 25 Sept. 25 Sept. 25 Sept. 25 Sept. 25 Oct 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 9 Oct. 9 Oct. 9 Oct. 9 Oct. 16 Oct. 16 Oct. 23 Oct. 30 Oct. 30 Oct. 30 Nov. 6 Nov. 6 Nov. 6 Nov. 6 Nov. 6 Nov. 6 Nov. 20 Dec. 4 Dec. 11 Dec. 11 Jan. 8 Jan. 15 Jan. 15

Host Lodge

Union 7 Wellington 150 Hutchinson Reno 124 Alta Vista 357 Mystic Tie 74 Baxter 71* Hays 195 McPherson 172 Old Mission 153 Palmyra 23 Marvin A. Armstrong 187 Salina 60 North Star 168 Haysville 112 Iola 38 Wyandotte 3 Inner Quest 456 Emporia 12 Henri 190 Rising Sun 8 Cedar 103 Lake 50 McKinley 41 Mound City 33 Goodland 321 Newton 142 Lawrence 6 Hoxie 348 Ulysses 435 Cosmos 278 Marysville 91 Active 158 Peace 243 Ensign 413 Hoisington 331 Belleville 129 Orient 51 Fidelity 106 Winfield 110 Keystone 102

District 3B 4E 4A 6A 7B 10D* 1C 3D 8D 9A 10B 3C 4C 4D 6C 8B 8C 6B 8A 10A 10C 5C 6D 9D 1A 4B 9B 1B 2A 2C 5A 5B 9C 2B 2D 3A 5D 7A 7C 7D

Lodge Location Junction City Wellington Hutchinson Alta Vista Augusta Baxter Springs* Hays McPherson Praire Village Baldwin City Pittsburg Salina Wichita Haysville Iola Kansas City Prairie Village Emporia Tonganoxie Fort Scott Chanute Silver Lake Pomona Mound City Goodland Newton Lawrence Hoxie Ulysses Kiowa Marysville Atchison Louisburg Ensign Hoisington Belleville Topeka Eureka Winfield Coffeyville

*Baxter School of Instruction starts at 1:00 p.m. All others start at 9:00 a.m.

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Importance of a School of Instruction

By Vernon J. Clark, DSM, Grand Orator, Grand Lecturer

Brothers of the Craft, as all of you know this past year has been very difficult for everyone. We, as Masons, know this better than most. COVID-19, state and local health/safety guidelines, and a Grand Master’s Edict ensured that no Schools of Instruction were held in 2020. While a few Lodges did invite Grand Lecturers to come and go over parts of the Ritual, a lot more Lodges could, and probably should, have taken advantage of the situation for a more intimate one-on-one learning experience.

Now that we are getting back to some kind of normalcy, you and I know that most of us are a bit rusty (or should it be dusty?) in our Ritual. So that everyone has plenty of notice, the 2021 Schools of Instructions are listed on the next page and were published previously in the Kansas Mason Pulse and on the Grand Lodge Facebook page. Further, they are also on the Grand Lodge Trestle Board calendar.

Let me outline just a few advantages and importance of going to a School of Instruction.

1.

Fellowship – Seeing your brothers that you have not seen in the last six months to a year and also getting acquainted with new members.

2.

Instruction – This is done by Grand Lecturers, Assisted by Assistant Grand Lecturers and Top Ritualists who know the work and see that it is performed correctly.

3.

Vision – You get to view the work first hand and how the Ritual is performed by our Lodges and overviewed by our Grand Lecturers.

4.

Questions – You can get answers to those parts of the work that you might not understand and how to do it more proficiently.

Now brethren, Hear Yea, Hear Yea, Hear Yea, mark your calendar of the schools you would like to attend, do not wait until your school comes around.

Get out and attend as many as you can. Let us all dust off the dust that has accumulated in the past year on our Ciphers, Manual of Floor Movements, and Floor Rules and Instructions, and get back to what we do best, our Ritual.

The importance of a School of Instruction is pointed out in our Floor Rules; “This instruction if received largely through the spoken word - what we Hear; but it is through our Floor Movements – what we SEE – that the full, rich beauty of our Ritual is developed and its lesson impressed on our minds and hearts” which impresses not only our Candidates but also those on the sidelines as well.

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GRAND LODGE OF KANSAS 25 W 5TH AVENUE EMPORIA, KANSAS 66801-4035

This issue, previous issues, and special digital-only issues are always available online at KansasMason.org