Kansas Mason - Winter 2018

THE KANSAS MASON

Laying a Strong Foundation

Greetings from the Grand East!

Iwant to lead these comments with an expression of my appreciation and echoing the sentiments of the many people who have provided great reviews and good feedback on the Leadership Academy held in September. This annual event has become nationally known and continues to be a discussion point in other Grand Jurisdictions we visit. This event would not be possible without the dozens of people involved and all playing a strategic role. From planners and Grand Lodge office staff to the presenters, vendors, and volunteers; caterers, room captains, and wine pourers to all the Brother and wives that showed up to support their Lodge, their Grand Jurisdiction and their Fraternity. Major thanks to Deputy Grand Master Dale Morrow and his wife Sherrell who were at the forefront of planning this major event and engaging the craft to help you. Well Done!!!

Building Your Lodge Foundation:

This time of year brings very notable transitions in Kansas; a transition of seasons and the transition of Brothers who make up your lodge leadership team. As was noted in the Spring issue, local Lodges must have a multi-year leadership plan that spans the yearly election cycle. A couple of thoughts for incoming Masters and Wardens as you select your leadership team; these came right out of this year’s Leadership Academy. Leadership and being an officer in a Masonic lodge includes some different facets than leadership in other organizations do. Being a volunteer organization, leading from the front, has to be set as the mantra, early on. A command structure starts to show flaws pretty quickly if the example is not set at the top. Here are some other items that I feel are steps to success:

• Proficiency matters – Are you picking officers that challenge each other and the new Brothers on ritual or are you just picking the “next guy in line?” To expect new Brothers or even newer officers to sign-up and learn key parts when the more tenured members and officers are not doing the same sets the tone

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

Robert C. Talbott, Grand Master of Masons 2018-2019

for lack of confidence and trust in the leadership. While we have some good leaders that may not be the best ritualists, every Master must understand that he is responsible for ensuring his lodge can execute the work.

• A mix of tenured and newer Brothers is key. Throughout history, every generation has had to bridge the generation gap and find ways to leverage young and old, experienced and newer members for the betterment of the lodge.

• Accepting an officer appointment or being elected to office must be defined with expectations that go well beyond how to open/close lodge in that position. Incoming Worshipful Masters should set expectations for ritualistic requirements/parts, lodge roles (cooking meals, cleaning, etc.) and who will be driving what key programs. Nothing is more important than mentoring new Brothers to give them knowledge and get them involved.

• Set and communicate short & long-term goals and

expectations for your lodge and officers, including your membership goals, for the year.

• Put as much effort and expectation into your committee appointments as you make your officer appointments. Committees are where the fertile ground of Past Masters & newer members can come together. Put your new Brothers to work early on committees and pair them with seasoned Past Master. Get them on your investigation committees with more seasoned Brothers; the potential candidates will be able to relate to the newer member while you are teaching him the ropes of investigating.

• Lastly, and what ties this all together, is having goals for your lodge that meet the needs of your Brothers and communities.

Thanks for your work in maintaining & growing the heritage of Kansas Masonry!

MW Robert C. Talbott Grand Master, 2018-2019

Dates to Remember

December 1

Scholarship Applications Open

December 27 St. John’s Day (the Evangelist)

January 31 2019 Outreach (Cancer) Clinic host application deadline

February 2 2019 Area & District Deputy training – Wichita

March 15 Scholarship Applications Close

March 15-16 Grand Lodge Annual Communication – Wichita

September 14 2019 Leadership Academy

Grand Master:

Deputy Master:

Grand Secretary:

Grand Treasurer:

Grand Senior Warden:

Grand Junior Warden:

Robert C. Talbot

Albert Pike Lodge No. 303, Hope Lodge No. 155

Dale Morrow, DSM

Belle Plaine Lodge No. 173, Tuscan Lodge No. 460

Tracy Bloom, PGM

Salina Lodge No. 160, Clay Center Lodge No. 134

L. Kent Needham, PGM

Great Bend Lodge No. 15, Henri Lodge No. 190

Tony W. Borum, GMOM

Parker Lodge No. 341, Tuscan Lodge No. 460

Mikel J. Stoops, DSM

De Soto Lodge No. 40, Palmyra Lodge No. 23

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

The Kansas Mason is published four times a year by the Grand Lodge of Kansas A.F. & A.M. The views expressed in the Kansas Mason do not necessarily reflect those of the Grand Lodge of Kansas or its’ officers. Inquiries should be sent to Editor@KansasMason.org

Our Lodge Page

A quick update on a couple of things as we approach the end of the 2018 calendar year and then the end of the 2018 Masonic year in March. Our new Grand Lodge database system, called MORI, is up and running. While normal databases are probably only of interest to lodge secretaries, MORI has some features for all members. A member interface allows you to update your personal member information, address, phone number(s) and email address. The easiest way to access it is by downloading the mobile app from your App Store, Our Lodge Page (OLP) , once downloaded all you need to do is create your account. You will need to know your Membership number and your birthdate to add/open your account. You will also need to have already associated with your account a valid cell phone number or email address. If you do not, contact the secretary of your lodge so he can enter that information and you can get logged in. Your member number is located on your 2019 dues card in the lower right corner above the barcode and begins with the letter “M” followed by six digits.

In addition to being able to manage your personal information using the Our Lodge Page (OLP) app, you can also receive notifications of lodge meetings and events. The OLP app is very powerful and, eventually, you will be able safely and securely pay

your dues with it if you so choose.

If you haven’t received your 2019 dues notice yet, you should let your secretary know just in case it was lost in the mail, or there was a change of address that didn’t get recorded properly. Dues notices were slightly delayed this year due to the changeover to the MORI system. So, please don’t blame your local lodge secretary. Progress doesn’t always move as swiftly as we desire and he couldn’t control what he didn’t have. Everyone knows that they need to pay their dues by 12/31/2018, and if you don’t have a new plastic dues card for 2019, I urge you to check with your lodge secretary as soon as possible. If you have created your member account in the Our Lodge Page app, you can log in to it, and easily find the name, email address and phone number of your lodge secretary. As always, don’t hesitate to contact him with any questions you might have. Your lodge secretary is a fountain of information.

I look forward to seeing you in March at the Annual Communication in Wichita.

GRAND LODGE: By Tracy Bloom, Grand Secretary

Rare Franklin & Penn signatures found in Kansas archives

– On display in March

2019’s Annual Communication will be in Wichita and, for that occasion, the Kansas Masonic Library and Museum will be displaying some special and unique exhibits. Along with exhibits on Grand Masters and Masonic bodies from Wichita, the Kansas Masonic Library and Museum will be displaying two rare Pennsylvania land deeds, one signed by John Penn and the other by Benjamin Franklin.

These two deeds were re-discovered in a case on the third floor of the Grand Lodge by a Mason volunteering his time. The only contextual information attached to the two documents was that they were donated to the Library by Past Grand Master (1911-1912), Alex A. Sharp. While that is not much to go on, digging into the two pieces of information we do know sheds some light on what may have happened to have these two deeds from Pennsylvania end up on the third floor of the Grand Lodge of Kansas. Both deeds are for lands that are in Cumberland County Pennsylvania - one for a 250-acre tract of land to be called Letterkenny and a 158 and 5/8 acre tract of land referred to as Sullivan. This particular county shares one thing in common with Past Grand Master Sharp, and that is the town of Carlisle. Carlisle is the county seat in Cumberland, and it is also the

home of St. Johns Lodge No. 260, the Lodge where Sharp took his degrees in 1887. Alex Sharp was born in Newville, PA but moved to Carlisle, PA when he was 12 years old. Not too long after he took his degrees in 1887, he moved to Larned, KS where he eventually affiliated with Larned Lodge No. 167 in 1889.

This line of connecting the deeds of Cumberland County to Past Grand Master Sharp via the town of Carlisle is the only connection we have. We may never have the full story of how Alex Sharp came to possess these documents. Perhaps he had some family connection to the lands that are included in the deeds and, thus, they were passed down to him? Maybe he simply bought them at auction. We may never know. Though digitally enhanced to make the writing as legible as possible, the pictures here cannot convey the feeling of actually seeing the famous signatures in person. To experience the originals and get all the details, make sure to come to the Kansas Masonic Library and Museum display at the 2019 Annual Communication on March 15 and 16 in Wichita.

GRAND LODGE: By Dylan Sweyko-Kuhlman, Archivist, Kansas Masonic Library and Museum

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Tentative Schedule

163rd Annual Communication

Hyatt Regency, Wichita

March 14, 15, & 16, 2019

(* indicates the event is open to non-Masons)

Thursday 1:00 – 5:00 Early Registration

*KMF Welcome Reception

Friday 7:00 – 3:30 Registration

Events:

*Public Grand Opening

Formal Opening of Grand Lodge

*Family Luncheon

6:00 pm

*All-Masonic Banquet

*Awards & Special Presentations

*“Fulfilling Our Obligation” capstone ?

Saturday 8:00 am Call to Labor (if needed) 8:30

*Necrology Service 10:00

*Installation of 2019-2020 Officers

Other: Reserve Room @ Hyatt Regency, Wichita

316-293-1234

(ask for Grand Lodge of Kansas rate)

Masonic Titles of the Blue Lodge

On almost every Masonic form there seems to be a space for “Masonic Title.” Being involved with the registration process for Grand Lodge events, I have seen that there is quite a bit of confusion as to what the correct Masonic titles are when we refer to ourselves, let alone talk about other members in our Lodges. There are only four Masonic titles that are in common use in Kansas. They are Brother, Worshipful, Right Worshipful, and Most Worshipful. That is all of them. When asked for your Masonic title you are not being asked to provide the office which you currently hold or previously held. You are being asked to provide one of those four previously listed titles so that you may be properly introduced or otherwise identified.

So who is entitled to which of these four?

A Mason can ALWAYS be referred to as Brother.

Sitting Masters, Past Masters, and appointed Grand Lodge floor officers are given the title of Worshipful. If a Brother is not a Past Master and is appointed to a Grand Lodge officer position, he is only given the title of Worshipful during his time of service.

Except those who have served as Grand Master, current and past elected Grand Lodge officers are given the title of Right Worshipful. Area Deputies,

District Deputies, Grand Lecturers, and Grand Representatives are also afforded the title of Right Worshipful during their time of service. Some Grand Jurisdictions recognize positions such as Past Grand Lecturer or Past District Deputy. Kansas does not. Only the current and past Grand Masters are given the title of Most Worshipful.

Those are the basic hard facts regarding blue lodge titles, but here is my take on it. Though these titles are nice to use in more formal settings or when making official introductions, we should not get hung up on them. Remember that we are told that being a Master Mason is the highest achievement of a Mason and that a simple white lambskin is the highest honor that we can receive. So then, does it not stand to reason that the title of Brother is as good, if not better than, any other we could use?

We should never take offense to the title of Brother when anyone, ourselves included, is introduced. “Brother” is how we were addressed by the Master of the Lodge moments after being obligated as an Entered Apprentice. “Brother” will be the last word our fellow Brothers use as they bid a final farewell at our Masonic funeral and place the evergreen with our remains. Alas, my Brother!

GRAND LODGE: By Mikel J. Stoops, Grand Junior Warden

I have read numerous books and magazines and watched several media specials which use The Great Seal of the United States of America as a basis for an alleged conspiracy theory which propounds the notion that dubious groups, such as the so-called Illuminati or we Freemasons, are trying to infiltrate and somehow control the world. I have been a Freemason for almost 40 years. I am a member of both the York and Scottish Rite bodies as well as many invitational Bodies within Masonry. As of this printing, to my knowledge, I have never met an actual member of the “Illuminati” in my life. My friends and acquaintances in and out of Freemasonry haven’t met any either. That should speak volumes. Conspiracy-mongers have always tried to “prove” their ideas by concocting wild theories using whatever means necessary and twisting normal and everyday objects grotesquely into something they were never intended to be. The Eye of Providence, or All-Seeing Eye, atop an unfinished pyramid on the back of the American dollar bill along with the motto “In God We Trust” on all our currency is often a target of the rumor peddlers trying to tie Freemasonry, the Illuminati to something much larger. Maybe they should start by looking at the basic background.

In the conceptual designing of the Great Seal of the United States in 1776, the first draft contained the Eye of Providence as part of the design, allegedly suggested by a Swiss artist. The unfinished pyramid came later in subsequent drafts. It seems that many pot-stirrers of the last threescore years cannot seem to fathom that the unfinished pyramid represents the unfinished work of building the United States and its potential for future growth. A healthy and vibrant country is always building and growing. The United States is not a dormant nation, and we have continually strived to build ourselves to be a better nation and better people. The unfinished pyramid allegory is just as accurate today as when it was adopted along with the Eye in 1782 for the Great Seal of the United States. However, neither was placed on our

money for quite some time.

Money has a long history. What first started as a barter system, such as trading chickens for a bushel of wheat or a handful of beads for fresh meat, soon evolved into something more easily understandable. Money, based on the backing of precious metals such as gold or silver and having some set criteria as a unit of measurement was found to be more convenient, was easier (and less messy sometimes) to carry in one’s pockets and was easily exchanged for other purposes. There is nothing wrong with money. The admonishment of greediness, selfishness, the miser, and money hoarders is addressed in many religious texts, including the Bible in I Timothy, which suggests that the love of doing good for others should come before money and that people should engender prosperity and economic stability by the flow of money among any populace.

The United States Constitution, Article 1, Section 8, gives our government the power to, “coin money and regulate the value thereof.” It seems, however, that there have been some unique workarounds to currency used or accepted in the United States. “Bitcoin” and other quasi or crypto-currencies that aren’t tied to any precious metal, nor anchored to any government have come into wide usage. They are invisible, digital, fungible, and highly vulnerable to money-laundering. I suspect the American Government will intervene at some juncture. It seems to this writer that such methods cannot legally be used as a medium of exchange or as legal tender. Granted, a few merchants may accept bitcoin purchases, yet it is really bartering in the Digital Age. Additionally, it is an economic ‘bubble’ that can burst at any time. That is why gold and silver have been trusted for centuries as money.

Gold and silver have retained some type of value for millennia. Coins, and by extension paper money, are something you can hold in the palm of your hand. Based on the backing of real gold or silver, somebody

Connecting honesty, the Eye, and money throughout history. (It’s not just in the U.S.)

GRAND LODGE: By James A. Marple, Mulvane Lodge No. 201

somewhere will have enough trust to trade it as real money. Anything less is Monopoly Money.

In 1934, one hundred fifty-eight years after the adoption of the Great Seal, President Franklin D. Roosevelt at a Cabinet Meeting directly asked Postmaster General and Roman Catholic James Farley if he thought the Catholic people might have any objection to The AllSeeing Eye as a symbol of Deity being on the One-Dollar Bill? Farley reportedly replied: “No, there would be no objection.” President Roosevelt, like many prominent of that era, was a Freemason.

The cries of conspiracists started being heard more after 1934. It seems they forget conveniently, or more likely didn’t do the research to know, that the Eye of Providence was used on coinage before the United States existed. The very year the colonists declared independence from England, Germany minted a silver monetary One Thaler (dollar) coin commemorating the dedication of a bridge. It was a real coin and used for everything from buying bread to tithing at Church. Loosely translated, the inscription on that coin said, “From God and Caesar.”

Our national motto “In God We Trust,” was officially adopted in 1956. What many don’t realize is that it was first put on an American coin in 1864 (a 2-cent piece) and has been in continuous use since 1908. It has been struck on gold coins, silver dollars, half-dollars. It has been printed on all of our paper money since 1957.

Religious freedom was the driving force in the founding of our country. The All-Seeing Eye of Providence is an ancient symbol that seems to fit with an exact nicety that of the core beliefs of our founders. They placed their trust in God to watch over them, protect them, and guide them in their new life in a new land. That trust in God continues today. Trust in God, or diety, is not a uniquely masonic “thing.” It has been and continues to be a way of life for most of the world’s population.

What about a monetary or ocular connection to the Illuminati of which people don’t seem to freely proclaim to be members? I might suggest researching their alleged founding date and the possibility of any widespread recognition that would relate to being in widespread “positions of influence.” Of note, the Illuminati/

Freemason conspiracy connection may stem from the fact that the Illuminati founder Adam Weishaupt joined a Masonic lodge in Germany a year after starting his organization.

The closest I have come, I think, to meeting an Illuminati is conversing with those who have the AllSeeing Eye and “Illuminati” inked onto their body. Upon conversation, they all say they like the look of the unfinished triangle and the eye. That’s it. Disappointing, yet satisfying.

As Masons, we are charged to be courteous to our Fraternity’s detractors. I feel that we should also be, and generally are, well educated enough to dispel silly rumors about not only ourselves but the Illuminati “connection” also. But we don’t. Silence can cause interest and intrigue. In today’s society, it seems only to make suspicious people think we are holding back information. By our sheer silence, have we Freemasons continued to fuel unfounded notions and suspicions? Nothing in our Order prevents me from sharing my pride in membership, our core values, and our rich history.

What about a connection with the alleged Illuminati of which nobody seems to have ever met a member of? Real or imagined by others, we must continue to distance ourselves from the Illuminati and any conspiracies that might surround them or us. We must proclaim loudly that our ancient and honorable fraternity is not connected in any way to them or other “secret” organizations. Any possible common symbols such as The All-Seeing Eye can be traced back to into antiquity. Perhaps the one single virtue inculcated by the All-Seeing Eye on currency is the virtue of honesty in all dealings with mankind. Whether we exchange friendships or exchange coins for sustenance or shelter, honesty is paramount and we are reminded that diety or a “higher power” is looking at us at all times. The All-Seeing Eye could be likened to an added measure of conscience, and to make sure that we are upright in our all our conduct.

SOURCES: “How The Pyramid Side of The Great Seal Got On The One-Dollar Bill in 1935” by Henry A. Wallace; webpage: http://www.greatseal.com/dollar/hawfdr.html; Mackey’s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry and its Kindred Sciences. Topic: The AllSeeing-Eye; The All-Seeing-Eye Design and Coin Values and History. webpage: http://coinhelp.net/all-seeing-eye-design/

2019 Grand Senior Deacon Appointment Announced

the current Junior Warden for Justice Lodge No. 457, Kansas’ first affinity lodge, and is a Past Master of Lindsborg Lodge No. 397 and McPherson Lodge No. 172. A lover of the Craft and always questing for more light, McClarty is heavily involved in both the York and Scottish Rites, Grotto, Shrine, as well as many other Masonic bodies.

Robert McClarty has been announced as the 20192020 Grand Senior Deacon appointment. Deputy Grand Master Dale Morrow made the announcement on November 10 at a Table Lodge event in Lindsborg jointly hosted by the Lodges of Lindsborg and McPherson that immediately followed a meeting of Justice Lodge. McClarty is a member of all three lodges. Morrow said, while the final decision was technically his, the entire Council of Administration has given their approval to McClarty’s upcoming appointment which traditionally starts the progression towards the Grand Master’s chair.

A current Area Deputy Grand Master, McClarty is

Robert, and his wife of 32 years, Jana, live in McPherson where he is the Chief of Police. With over 27 years in Kansas law enforcement, he has worked his way up and is recognized as a leader and a resultsdriven, dedicated professional with excellent public speaking abilities. He actively participates on several professional and civic boards and is actively involved in a variety of law enforcement organizations. Robert earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Central Christian College of Kansas, is a graduate of the KU Public Certified Public Managers Course and the FBI National Academy.

In his remarks, McClarty stated, “I am truly humbled to be asked to serve the Craft. Though I am not in any way close to a perfect ashlar, I strive to apply the lessons of Freemasonry to my daily life, as a Christian, husband, father, grandfather, and leader as well as in service to my Lodges, my Area, and the State as a Mason. I will do my best to continually serve Kansas Masonry.”

If elected by the Craft, McClarty will serve as Grand Master of Masons in Kansas in 2023-2024.

2019 Grand Master elect Dale Morrow and Robert McClarty

GRAND LODGE OF KANSAS

320 SW 8TH AVENUE

TOPEKA, KANSAS 66603

Stay updated with your Lodge by keeping your personal information current.

Helping Our Future Leaders

Over the past three-years alone Kansas Masons have awarded, through its Kansas Masonic Foundation, more than $1 million in scholarships.

Asked And Answered

The Grand Lodge of Kansas received a request from the Masonic Services Association to help in the disaster relief effort from the devastation experienced recently in Florida, California, North and South Carolina.

Your Kansas Masonic Foundation answered the call for help and sent $5,000 to each state in the name of the Grand Lodge of Kansas and ALL Kansas Masons. The Kansas Masonic Foundation Board of Trustees is proud to help others and provide the philanthropic support that Kansas Masons have enabled us to do.

On December 1st the Scholarship application online process opened through the Kansas Masonic Foundation Website (KansasMasonic.Foundation) and will close on March 15, 2019.

All Kansas Masons are encouraged to visit with high school seniors, as well as those in college today, that are going to a Regents Kansas University, a Kansas Junior College or a Kansas Trade College and encourage them to apply.

It is as simply as going online and completing the application which normally takes about ten minutes to complete. After the deadline, those scholarship applicants that will receive a scholarship are directed to the Lodge for follow-up and presentation.

Do your part and help us award almost $400,000 in scholarship this year!