Hiram's Words - October 2014

The Offical Publication of the Grand Chapter of Illinois

Volume XIV, Issue 4

Hiram’s Words

ON PAGE 3 Most Excellent Grand High Priest’s Message

ON PAGE 12 A Small Gesture

ON PAGE 17 The Charges to a Lodge of Mark Masters

Hiram’s Words

Grand Officers

Volume XIV, Issue 4

In this issue 3

Most Excellent Grand High Priest’s Message

by Companion William J. Hussey, MEGHP

Most Excellent Grand High Priest

4

William J. “Bill” Hussey

by Companion Sean P. McBride, REDGHP

Right Excellent Deputy Grand High Priest’s Message

Right Excellent Deputy Grand High Priest

5

Sean P. McBride

by Companion James M. Tome, REGK

Right Excellent Grand King’s Message

Right Excellent Grand King

6

James M. “Jim” Tome

by Companion Randy Vawter EGRAC

Right Excellent Grand Scribe

7

Code 6-41 Update

8

RAMCF Foundation picks new charity

Jerald H. Starks

Right Excellent Grand Treasurer Mark Donnell

Right Excellent Grand Secretary Dale L. Corrice

Excellent Assistant Grand Chaplain Patrick J. Robin

Excellent Grand Captain of the Host Dean Clark, Sr.

Excellent Grand Principal Sojourner Byford O. “Bo” Cook

Excellent Grand Royal Arch Captain Randy Vawter

Excellent Grand Webmaster & Hiram Words Editor Timothy J. “Tim” Ward

Contact If you have any questions about one of our publications, please email us at grandwebmaster@ram-il.org

Excellent Grand Royal Arch Captain’s Message

by Companion James M. Tome, REGK

10

Grand Chapter School of Instruction

by Companion Sean P. McBride, REDGHP

11

Pekin Chapter #25 Degrees

by Companion Charles Robertson, DDGHP 4E, Sec Pekin Chapter

12

A Small Gesture

by Companion James M. Tome, REGK

13

DeKalb Chapter hosts 7th annual Chapter Day

by Companion James M. Tome, EHP DeKalb Chapter No. 52

14

Keystone Chapter U.D.

by Companion Patrick J. Robin, EHP Keystone Chapter UD

14

RAMCF Fundraising Event

by Companion Patrick J. Robin, Chairman RAMCF Fundraising Committee

15

RAMCF Brewery Tour Fundraiser

by Companion Scott Dayton, DDGHP 1S

16

Keystone Quest

by Companion Paul Scheeler, PHP

17

The Charges to a Lodge of Mark Masters

by Companion Bill Wojtas, EGM2V

20

A Piece of Mail; Long Lost, Now Found

by Companion Paul Scheeler, PHP

22

Putting Members First

by Companion John Loayza, PHP LaFayette Chapter No. 2

25

Capitular Crossword

Answers will be provided in the next edition

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From the Editor

by Companion Tim Ward, EGWebmaster, Editor Hiram Words 2

Hiram’s Words

Volume XIV, Issue 4

Most Excellent Grand High Priest’s Message

by Companion William J. Hussey, MEGHP Staying Alive As we get older it seems we need to go to the doctor more and more. If we have an illness we try to take the doctor’s advice and follow his treatment. If you had a serious illness would you do something about it or just let it go? What about your Lodge or Chapter? If they had serious problems will you just sit back?

We have a few Lodges and Chapters that need help or face merging or closing. I mention Lodges in my article because they are just as important, they are our life blood. We must work together to get new members and keep the ones we have.

Your Grand Chapter has been sending newsletters and letters to your Chapter sharing ideas. We have several Chapter days scheduled around the state to help you do your degrees. We will also be having state schools of instruction around the state for you to learn the work. We can do all of these things but we need YOU to get involved.

Your Grand officers are out making Chapter visits and learning about our Chapters. We will be sharing success stories and the not so good stories. We can provide tools for the workmen but we have to get them to show up in the Vineyard to receive their Penny.

We need all of the York Rite Bodies- Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery to work together to make our house stronger.

Upcoming Chapter days: DeKalb Oct 4th -4th Degree at 9am.

Illinois/Indiana Degree Day Nov. 22nd At the Danville Masonic Center. 4th degree starts at 9am Please have candidates there no later than 8:30. Registration starts at 8am for both days.

Schools of Instruction: Champaign Oct 25th – 9am to noon

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Volume XIV, Issue 4

Right Excellent Deputy Grand High Priest’s Message

by Companion Sean P. McBride, REDGHP Looking to the Future Companion’s, I would like to take a few moments to discuss a subject that is usually never a popular one…Chapter finances…Many of our Chapter’s in Illinois have seen a decline in membership over the course of the last several decades, in some case, a very dramatic decline. While this decline has taken place, many of our Chapter’s dues and fees have remained the same. In the case of my home Chapter in Champaign, until recently our annual dues were set at $15.00 per year. From that $15.00, $8.00 went to the Grand Chapter, $7.00 for per capita and $1.00 for the Veil Fund, which left the Chapter with only $7.00 from each member to operate with. As a Chapter, we determined we could not continue to operate with that kind of income. The first thought was to simply propose a dues increase, but after careful consideration and some discussion, we realized that would not cover us on future per-capita increases. As a result, we decided to propose an amendment to our By-Laws that would set each members annual dues at $15.00, plus the amount of the annual percapita, which made what each member currently pays to the Chapter $23.00. As a result, the Chapter now keeps the full amount of the membership dues of $15.00, rather than retaining only $7.00 after the per-capita payment and each member is now responsible for covering his own per-capita cost along with his annual dues payment to the Chapter. This has more than doubled the amount the Chapter previously had to operate with and according to the way the amendment was written, automatically covers the cost of any future per-capita increases, without the need to amend our By-Laws. We have also done this with our local Council and Commandery, which has improved their financial stability as well.

In my opinion, every Chapter, as well as every Council, Commandery and Lodge should consider pursuing the same course. During the 2014 Grand Convocation, the membership voted overwhelmingly in favor of our Grand Chapter remaining as a member of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International, to which we currently pay per-capita of $1.00 per member annually. In a separate resolution, it was approved that beginning in 2015, each Chapter would be responsible for the cost of the per-capita for each of their members to General Grand, with the exception of 50-year members and perpetual life members of the General Grand Chapter. I would strongly encouraged each Chapter to take a look at their By-Laws and consider amending them to reflect what Champaign Chapter has already done and add all per-capita costs to what each member pays with their annual dues. Every Chapter needs to look to the future and position themselves for financial stability.

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Volume XIV, Issue 4

Right Excellent Grand King’s Message

by Companion James M. Tome, REGK Companions, I hope this issue of Hiram’s Words finds you doing well. I’ve been out visiting many Chapters this late summer and early fall and have many more on my schedule ahead of me before winter arrives. Let me tell you a bit about some of the things I’ve experienced.

For the most part, our Chapters are attended by Companions who have a love of the Craft and continue to seek a Royal Arch brand of More Light. There continues to be hopes that their Chapters will grow and they will welcome new Companions into the fold.

I’ve experienced some disappointing meetings and events but also a good number of great times, conversations and a sincere desire to improve situations. I’ve been awestruck by stories of fellowship and caring. I’ve also been nearly put to sleep by meetings where all that is done is reading minutes, voting on bills and doing everything possible to get back home. I’ve seen Chapters that talk about upcoming events, programs and degree days and then also those that I don’t think even plan for next month, much less farther out.

Companions, I ask you one question: What came you here to do?

You joined the York Rite and the Royal Arch for a reason. You sought something more. You had a desire to experience something different. Your Masonic journey lacked a component that you hoped the York Rite could fulfill.

If you’re not finding this, if you can’t answer why you are here, then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. If you’re a current or upcoming leader in your Chapter, think beyond the typical and expected structure of what you have experienced in the past. Why not have every meeting be a Table Chapter? Try holding meetings at different locations or at different times of the week (get that dispensation, though!). Seek out your newest members and ask what they expect or would like to see.

If you’re not a current leader but maybe just a rank and file member, think about why you joined Chapter. Go to your Chapter’s leadership and see if they can meet your expectations, desires and wants. Find like- minded Companions who can help your Chapter’s leaders to change the experience for the better.

And if your Chapter is fantastic and everything you could always want, that’s great! I look forward to visiting and seeing for myself.

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Volume XIV, Issue 4

Excellent Grand Royal Arch Captain’s Message

by Companion Randy Vawter EGRAC Congratulations to our elected officers and in particular to our newly elected Most Excellent Grand High Priest, William Hussey, Jr. Also, congratulations to Bo Cook for being a newly elected officer serving in the capacity of Grand Principal Sojourner. I look forward to working closely with Companion Cook and I know all of our Grand Chapter officers are excited about the future of Royal Arch Masonry in Illinois. Those of us who are on the lower end of the Grand Chapter line understand that we have the best of opportunities. The experience being shared by our seasoned (I mean that in a good way) Grand Officers benefit Companion Cook and I. Being elected as your Grand Royal Arch Captain is truly a humbling experience. We have so many qualified companions who can fill the role of GRAC and that say’s a lot for this York Rite body. However, some of you may be wondering who I am.

Or perhaps, you are wondering what I can bring to the “table” of this Grand Chapter body. I suppose it depends on who you ask. I plan to share my thoughts in future publications. But for now, I think we need a broader awareness of the need for new Royal Arch Masons and the leadership skills they can bring to help us.

For many years we have heard the ranks of Masonry is declining in Illinois. Our MEGHP gave us some statistics in the last publication. There are nearly 70, 000 men who belong to Illinois Lodges and roughly 4000 of those men are Royal Arch Masons. My mathematical skills are not always accurate but this is basic math. That’s over 5% of Master Masons in Illinois who are members of the Royal Arch. To be more exact… 5.7%. That’s it! Yet, we know where to find our potential new candidates. So why is it so difficult to promote Royal Arch Masonry to a captive audience? It shouldn’t be. How many of you have heard a newly raised Master Mason say, “I have should have joined the lodge way before now”? I think the same thing can be said about joining the Royal Arch body.

I have to wonder if we are helping ourselves. Are we not talking to lodge members about Royal Arch Masonry? We can’t be. Either we are not discussing Royal Arch Masonry to potential members or we lack some serious talent in “closing the deal”. Do you think Master Masons are satisfied in knowing a TEMPORARY word?

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Our Most Excellent Grand High Priest tells us that he has been successful in visiting lodges promoting Royal Arch Masonry.

Maybe we all should listen to him. Ask the Worshipful Master of your lodge if you can have a few minutes at your next meeting so that you can talk about Royal Arch Masonry. If you need help with that please contact me or another Grand Chapter officer. We will make ourselves available to come to your lodge and help you.

As I stated earlier, you can expect me to tell you more about who I am. However, its important for me to hear from you too.

The only way your Grand Chapter officers will know what you are thinking is if you tell us. We can’t help your chapter if we do not know what your concerns are. We want to hear everything. We want to know what you need and what your ideas are. One member recently told me that Grand Chapter Officers do not get out to the Chapters. He wanted to ask questions.

My response was, “Invite them”. Our Grand Chapter Officers email addresses are on the Grand Chapter Web Site. Send us a note.

Hope to see you at the many scheduled Chapter Days and schools around the state. Please stop me and introduce yourself. I want to hear from you! Tell me what I should be planning for the future.

Code 6-41 Update Companions, At the Grand Session July 25th our membership voted overwhelmingly to stay in the General Grand Royal Arch Masons.

Also a motion was made and passed to amend Code 6-41: Every chapter in this jurisdiction, on or before the first day of June each year, shall pay into the treasury of the Grand Chapter through the Grand Secretary, as dues, the sum of Eight Dollars (Seven Dollars general fund, One Dollar Gr. Chapter Veil Fund) in addition to the Annual Member Per-Capita Fee payable to the General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons International for each Royal Arch Mason belonging to such chapter at the time of submitting the annual returns. No chapter shall be required to pay Grand Chapter dues upon any member who has been declared legally insane or who is a member of the Illinois Masonic Home or the Illinois Knights Templar Home for the Aged Infirm, or who has been a Royal Arch Mason in good standing for fifty years or more, not upon members whose dues have been remitted because of ill health or poverty; provided that no chapter shall pay less than thirty-five dollars as Grand Chapter dues each year.

Please check this out because this affects your Chapters per capita. You may want to adjust your Chapter by laws accordingly.

William J. Hussey Jr. Most Excellent Grand High Priest 7

Hiram’s Words

Volume XIV, Issue 4

Royal Arch Masons Charitable Foundation Picks New Charity

by Companion James M. Tome, REGK

After a banner year of fundraising where over $18,000 was raised and $15,000 donated to the autism program at

Illinois Advocate Medical Center, the Grand Chapter’s Fundraising Committee – with the blessing of our Most Excellent Grand High Priest – has chosen a new charity for the coming year.

Members of the Fundraising Committee considered many options and finally centered on MarcFirst of Normal,

Illinois after spending an afternoon touring the facility, meeting patients and their families who use MarcFirst’s services and speaking with the staff and administration. MarcFirst is designed to assist children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. Started in 1955, the organization by a group of families of children with disabilities in order to provide support to each other and to their children during a period in American history when children with disabilities were often excluded from the public school system.

Marcfirst established group homes for adults and children, apartment buildings, H/IP (Home/Individual Program)

homes and other alternatives based on the needs of the individuals we supported. Our goal has always been to provide an array of housing options that will enable families to remain close to their adult children and yet provide the adult child with the opportunity to maintain their independence and choice in where and with whom they live.

Another challenge historically faced by families and their adult children was how to support adults with

developmental disabilities in having a meaningful day. Originally, people with disabilities were sent to sheltered workshops or developmental training centers. These environments did not allow for individuals to integrate into the community. In 1995 Marcfirst closed its sheltered workshop and began to assist people with developmental disabilities develop vocational skills and gain employment in our community by providing supports for the persons in the community or in their work environment. Our focus is to help individuals with developmental disabilities develop natural supports in our community as part of a meaningful life.

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Volume XIV, Issue 4

Today, Marcfirst provides a continuum of services and supports for families, children and adults throughout their

lifetime including residential, vocational development, employment, and therapeutic supports for children. SPICE (Services for Parent, Infant and Child Education) Pediatric Therapies provides therapeutic services including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, counseling services and developmental therapy to children from birth to age fourteen who have a developmental disability or delay, or who are at risk of delay.

The RAMCF and members of the Fundraising Committee chose MarcFirst as our charity partner due to its central

location, the fact that our fundraising dollars could have a greater impact than at a larger institution and the opportunities for “boots on the ground” assistance that our local Chapters could offer the organization. The cause of the RAMCF remains autism but now focuses on helping children become productive, independent adults.

This year, the RAMCF will be running a number of fundraising programs, including the Red Envelope Donation

Campaign, the Raffle for the Cause 50/50 raffle, as well as many local fundraising events designed to not only provide entertainment to local Companions, but also provide another venue for raising funds. In April 2015, a large-scale fundraising dinner will be held at the Medinah Temple in Addison (details to be released soon).

Companions, be proud of the work you and your Grand Chapter have done to serve this worthy cause. With all of

our help, we will raise more funds this year and be able to provide more relief to a needy organization.

Marcfirst’s vision is to become a bridge to a community where all people can pursue and achieve their dreams throughout their lives.

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Volume XIV, Issue 4

Grand Chapter School of Instruction

by Companion Sean P. McBride, REDGHP

The Grand Chapter is pleased to announce that a “Grand Chapter School of Instruction” will be held on Saturday

October 25 at the Champaign Masonic Center from 9:00am to Noon. The School will cover the Mark Master and Past Master Degrees and will focus particularly on the floor work and the proper manner to present these highly meaningful degrees.

Several Companions from the central part of the State, most of which have been Royal Arch Masons for less than a

year, and in some cases, less than 6 months have volunteered to learn the ritual in these degrees and have been assigned the various parts. These Companions are working towards the goal of learning the verbal ritual, then receiving proper floor instruction at this School. Does your Chapter have new members anxious to get involved?

Does your Chapter have who may like to be more involved or take a part in a degree, but have never been asked?

Why not work towards assembling a team of Companions from your Chapter to start learning the work in the Mark Master and Past Master Degrees, then have them come to Champaign on October 25 and receive Instruction? If you cannot get quite the number of Companions you need from your own Chapter, consider partnering with another Chapter near your area.

This may seem like a daunting task, and for some Chapter’s, a near impossible one. But consider the story of

Sullivan Chapter. Just a year ago, it seemed that Sullivan Chapter would soon be on the brink of closing or merging with another Chapter. Then a few Companion’s who had been Royal Arch Masons for only a few short years, decided that was not going to happen, so they began learning the work and started talking to their friends who then became interested in Royal Arch and York Rite Freemasonry. Before you knew it, several Master Masons wanted to become Royal Arch Masons.

It had been years since Sullivan had put on the Degrees, so members from other area Chapters, as well as several of the Grand Chapter Officers traveled to Sullivan for a full Chapter Day in November 2013, where Sullivan, as well as other Chapters welcomed several new members.

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Volume XIV, Issue 4

Because of the work from the members of Sullivan Chapter, there were able to confer the Past Master Degree with a cast entirely made up of their own members, something that only a few months before seemed impossible. Since that time they have continued to progress and learn the work, not only of the Chapter, but are also working to improve and revitalize their local Council and Commandery. What was a very short time ago considered a Chapter that would not be around much longer, has now become a “shining star” in Illinois Royal Arch Masonry.

I truly believe that every Chapter in Illinois, no matter how small, has the potential to be vibrant thru working together as a Team and taking pride in what we do. If you cannot attend the School in Champaign on October 25, watch the Grand Chapter website for dates of future Schools in various areas of the State being planned for early 2015. The Champaign Masonic Center is located at 14 Bel-Air Court in Champaign. If your schedule permits, please get a car load of Companions together and come join us for a great morning of fellowship.

Pekin Chapter #25 Degrees

by Companion Charles Robertson, DDGHP 4E, Sec Pekin Chapter

Above is a photo of the cast and candidates for the Royal Arch Degree that was held Wednesday, August 20 at Pekin Chapter #25. Companions from Pekin, Peoria, Eureka, and Jacksonville Chapters worked together perform the 6th and 7th degrees and to exalt 5 new companions: 3 from Pekin Chapter and 2 from Eureka Chapter.

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Volume XIV, Issue 4

A Small Gesture

by Companion James M. Tome, REGK

At a the end of a long Chapter Day this late summer, one of our Most Excellent Past Grand High Priests, Companion Everett Campbell, got up and placed a top hat on the alter. He asked that all who were there – if they were able in any manner – reach into their pockets, pull out some spare change or a few bills and place them into the top hat at the end of the event.

The proceeds would go toward the Royal Arch Masons Charitable Foundation. That day, we collected $64.52.

Since then, your Grand Officers have been talking about this small gesture of charity as they visit Chapters around the state. In my home Chapter, we routinely do this now and while the amount collected isn’t large, over a year of meetings we should have a nice donation to give to our Foundation.

Remember, Companions, those three principal moral virtues of our fraternity – Faith, Hope and Charity.

“CHARITY is the brightest gem that can adorn our Masonic profession. Happy is the man who has sowed in his breast. the seeds of benevolence, the produce thereof is love and peace: he envieth not his neighbor; he listeneth not to a tale, when reported by slander; revenge or malice has no place in his breast; he forgives the injuries of men, and endeavors to blot them from his recollection. The objects of true charity among Masons are, merit and virtue in distress; persons who are incapable of extricating themselves from misfortunes in their journey through life; industrious men, who, from inevitable accidents and acts of Providence, have fallen into ruin; widows, who are left survivors of their husbands, by whose labors they subsisted; orphans in tender years, left naked to the world; and the aged, whose spirits are exhausted, whose arms are unbraced by time, and thereby rendered unable to procure for themselves that sustenance they could accomplish in their youthful days. This is Charity, the Keystone to our mystic fabric.”

At your next Chapter meeting, lay out the Master’s hat onto the alter. Call the Companions to give freely and benevolently.

And know that you have done your good, Masonic deed for the evening.

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Volume XIV, Issue 4

DeKalb Chapter hosts 7th annual Chapter Day

by Companion James M. Tome, EHP DeKalb Chapter No. 52

For the seventh year in a row, DeKalb Chapter No. 52 in DeKalb helped to exalt 16 new Companions into the York

Rite. On Saturday, November 4th, the Chapter once again hosted their annual Chapter Day, an event that the Chapter begins planning for in the summer.

This year, the Mark Master and Past (Virtual) Master Degrees were conferred by members of DeKalb Chapter

and Fox River Chapter No. 14 of Geneva, while the Most Excellent Master Degree was put on by Illinois’ newest Chapter, Keystone U.D. (Under Dispensation), which meets out of the Medinah Shrine Temple in Addison. This was the first degree Keystone Chapter has conferred and it went off without a hitch. The Holy Royal Arch Degree was conferred by officers of the Grand Chapter.

Later in the afternoon, the Orders of Red Cross and Malta were conferred by members of the Illinois No. 15 York Rite

College and grand officers of the Grand Commandery.

As in previous years, it was a fantastic day for York Rite Freemasonry and we welcome these new Companions into

the Royal Arch.

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Volume XIV, Issue 4

Keystone Chapter U.D.

by Companion Patrick J. Robin, EHP Keystone Chapter UD Keystone Chapter U.D.

I would like to welcome the 5 new Companions of Keystone Chapter U.D. that received their Royal Arch Degrees today in DeKalb.

I would also like to invite everyone to our Stated Meeting on Monday October 27th. We will be having dinner at 6:30pm. We will open the Chapter for a short business meeting at 7:15pm. Once the Chapter is closed we will adjourn to the patio where you will have the opportunity to witness the Cigar and Scotch Degree. The dinner and degree are open to all Master Masons. The cost to attend is $35.00 and includes dinner, a cigar, scotch, a certificate for the degree, and a lapel pin. Reservations are due by Monday October 20th. This is an event that does not happen very often! A good time will be had by all!

RAMCF Fundraising Event

by Companion Patrick J. Robin, Chairman RAMCF Fundraising Committee SAVE THE DATE!!

On April 25th the RAMCF Fundraising Committee will be hosting our MEGHP William Hussey and 250 of his friends for a great night of FUN and FUND raising at the Medinah Shrine Center in Addison Illinois. Will you be one of the 250? We hope so. Stay tuned there will be many more details to come. This event will be open to any and all so start telling your friends and family to save the date as well.

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Volume XIV, Issue 4

RAMCF Brewery Tour Fundraiser

by Companion Scott Dayton, DDGHP 1S TOUR THE REVOLUTION BREWING COMPANY’S BREWERY & TAP ROOM Craft beer fans! The Royal Arch Masons Charitable Foundation is offering a private tour of the Revolution Brewing Co. production brewery facility on the northside of Chicago on November 9, 2014. We’ll be in the Revolution Brewery tap room at 3340 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL from noon to 3:00, with two private brewery tours scheduled for us at 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm.

The event includes: •

Private brewery tours - 40 minute tours of the Revolution production

facility with samples of Revolution’s beers at the start and end of the tour.

•

Dues Drawing – if your name is drawn we’ll pay your 2015 Chapter

dues! If you’re already a Life Member we’ll donate that amount to your Chapter’s charity fund.

•

50/50 Raffle - Prizes include half the pot, Revolution Brewery

merchandise, and… a mystery prize that you’ll be starkly jealous if you don’t win.

•

Enjoy the tap room – a variety of Revolution Brewery beers and merchandise available for purchase.

Cost is $20 per person with all proceeds going to our Royal Arch Masons Charitable Foundation. Watch the Grand Chapter website and Facebook page for online reservations, or contact Scott Dayton at dsdayton@gmail.com for additional information.

This event is open to all Royal Arch Masons, their families, friends, and candidates.

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Keystone Quest

by Companion Paul Scheeler, PHP LaHarpe Chapter No. 111 earns Keystone Quest State Championship Three Omnific Champions squared off on July 25 at the Grand Convocation in Normal in the third round of the 2014 Keystone Quest, with LaHarpe Chapter No. 111 of Monmouth posting a perfect 27-point score in a very fast time of 1:26, the first time this chapter has clinched the top award.

Warren Chapter No. 30 of Monmouth finished a close second with a perfect score of 27 and time of 1:29. First-time participant Aurora Chapter No. 22 took third place, also with a perfect score of 27 in 3:28. The third round is a “lightning round” featuring nine different questions for each chapter with three points per correctly answered question.

Questions are based on entries in the Encyclopedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences by Albert G. Mackey. For the 2013-2014 competition, first round questions featured entries under the letter T, second round the letter U, and the third round the letter V. First round packets for 2014-2015 will be mailed starting in September to secretaries based on their mailing address on file with the Grand Secretary. First round questions will be taken from entries under the letter W. Postmark deadline for returning completed materials is Dec. 31. Chapters participating in the first round qualify for one of the requirements in the Arch of Excellence program.

Grand High Priest Alan M. Hubble said: “The Keystone Quest is a fun and educational program that all chapters should participate in. As LaHarpe Chapter proved, even smaller chapters can compete effectively and take home the state championship trophy.”

Results, rules and instructions are posted to the Keystone Quest page of the Grand Chapter website. For more information or to obtain replacement materials for a lost or undelivered first round packet, contact Paul Scheeler, Keystone Quest Chairman at: keystonequest@msn.com.

Chapters that wish to participate in the 2014-2015 Keystone Quest, who have not participated in at least the last two years, have until October 31st to register. The following Chapters are already registered: 2, 8, 13, 14, 18, 21, 22, 25, 26, 30, 32, 37, 38, 41, 46, 47, 50, 52, 59, 78, 96, 98, 106, 111, 144, 160, 164, 177, 180, 182, 196, 206, 207, 221, 233, 237, 242, 248, 253, Keystone UD. TTo register, send an email with your Chapter number and Secretary mailing address to coordinator Paul Scheeler at: keystonequest@msn.com

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The Charges to a Lodge of Mark Masters

by Companion Bill Wojtas, EGM2V “To change the metaphor, you come to him, as living stones to the immensely valuable living stone (which men rejected but God chose), to be built up into a spiritual House of God, in which you, like holy priests, can offer those spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

There is a passage to this effect in scripture, and it runs like this: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on him will by no means be put to shame’.” (First Epistle of Peter CH2:4-6) The Charges of the Mark Master Degree are very important messages to those of us who have taken the obligation. Albert Mackey wrote the first charge (read at the opening of the Lodge) in his work, The Book of the Chapter and it states: Wherefore Brethren, lay aside all Malice, and guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings.

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious, to whom coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious; ye also as living stones, be ye built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God. Wherefore also, it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion, for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; he that believeth, shall not make haste to pass it over.

Unto you, therefore, which believe, it is an honor; and even to them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner.

Brethren, this is the will of God, that with well doing, ye put to silence the ignorance of foolish men. As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honor all men; Love the Brotherhood; fear God.

Why, Brethren! Do not consider the desire to cause harm to another person, deceitful cunning, feigning to be what one is not, the feeling to have what others have, and speaking ill of others.

These are all things which we as men of good moral character should already subscribe to, but may need to be reminded of from time to time. Often real life consumes us and we are not consciously aware of the obligations we took and the 3 charges we have received prior to this fourth. Reading it, the first thing that comes to mind is that these words are just plain common sense, but to we keep them in the forefront of our minds as we live our lives and deal with our fellow man?

As a man of moral character, we often do, but it never hurts to be reminded of it, especially in times of stress or hardships.

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Hiram’s Words Although we have come to know that the Lord

Volume XIV, Issue 4 capable of being stones in the building of the temple. We

is gracious, coming to Him as a living stone, not

must still honor them as fellows. We must also work to honor

accepted by men, but Chosen by God, and precious

our fellow brethren by setting the example for them to receive

to HIm. All of us as living stones, are all used to build a

light completely, by honoring the tenets and morals of our fra-

spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices

ternity. We do this by living our lives, using the tools given to us

acceptable to God.

by the Great Architect, an allegory for “fearing God”.

Knowing that God is good, we all come to him as his precious creations. All of us are a part of the Temple not built by human hands, dedicated to Him. All of us giving up of ourselves to our Creator.

The second charge, which is given at the conclusion of the degree is much easier to read and understand.

Brother : I congratulate you on having been thought worthy of being advanced to this honorary degree of Masonry. Permit

Since it is written in Isaiah 28:16: “So the Lord

me to impress it on your mind, that your assiduity should ever be

Yahweh says this, ‘Now I shall lay a stone in Zion, a

commensurate with your duties, which become more and more

granite stone, a precious corner-stone, a firm foun-

extensive, as you advance in Masonry. In the honorable char-

dation-stone: no one who relies on this will stumble.”

acter of Mark Master Mason, it is more particularly your duty

Hence to those of you who believe, it is an honor, and

to endeavor to let your conduct in the lodge and among your

even to those of us who do not, to those of us who are

brethren be such as may stand the test of the Great Over seer’s

not yet perfect, may still be a part of that temple.

square ; that you may not, like the unfinished and imperfect

Brethren, The will of God teaches us that by living

work of the negligent and unfaithful of former times, be rejected

our lives doing good works, we set the example which

and thrown aside, as unfit for that spiritual building — that

may cause those who have yet received our light

house not made with hands — eternal in the heavens. While

completely, to do so. As a free and accepted man, not

such is your conduct, should misfortunes assail you, should

using your position to cover any wrong doings, but

friends forsake you, should envy traduce your good name, and

living as servant of God.

malice persecute you, yet may you have confidence, that among

By living as a servant of God, following the moral

Mark Master Masons you will find friends who will administer

treatises established in the volumes of sacred law, we

relief to your distresses and comfort to your afflictions, ever bear-

are the craftsmen, by our example, creating perfect

ing in mind, as a consolation under all the frowns of fortune,

ashlars out of those of us who have yet to become

and as an encouragement to hope for better prospects, that the

perfect. But even those who are yet perfect, are still

stone which the builders rejected, possessing merits to them

accepted in the Creator’s eyes and are still

unknown, became the chief stone of the corner.

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The message which is taught in the Mark Master degree is one of great importance throughout your Masonic life. The symbolism of this parable teaches an important lesson.

In Masonry, the most humble Mason shall receive as much reward as the haughtiest, provided he has labored at the task of seeking the truth as wisely, effectively and faithfully as possible.

Mackey tells us that the wages of a Mason’s labors is truth and that the youngest Mason, laboring to seek that truth with great earnest over a short period, more so than the older Masons slowly laboring over the years, will thus receive more light in Masonry as the reward for his earnest labor.

The quarries of our Craft are open to everyone, but it is the one who works the most diligently and in the smartest way, though he began at a later time, shall receive no less than those who have labored longer, but with less heart put into the task.

We will have to endure the heat of the day in our search for truth if we do not do so wisely and with a true goal in sight.

If our enthusiasm is not tempered with sound judgment it may take us longer to achieve the same goal as those who arrived after us, but wrought with wisdom and earnest.

Albert Mackey is quoted as saying, “ It is not the time that you have been a Mason, but the way in which that time has been employed that will secure the prize of intellectual light.”

Seek well that prize, use the lessons of the craft to work with wisdom and earnest to receive your wages, without bearing the burden and heat of the day.

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A Piece of Mail; Long Lost, Now Found

by Companion Paul Scheeler, PHP Grand Secretary’s unopened mail from 1890s discovered in archives A pair of unopened letters sent some 120 years ago by then-Grand Secretary Gil W. Barnard from Chicago to the Secretary of a Chapter in downstate Mason, Illinois, have been discovered in the Grand Royal Arch Chapter archives. The letters were found in the back of a ledger from long-defunct Mason Chapter No. 76, which was located in the town of that same name, near the city and in the county of Effingham.

Mason Chapter No. 76 was chartered shortly after the end of the American Civil War, on October 6, 1865, but had its charter arrested August 22, 1903, purportedly for extended periods of inactivity and eventual dormancy, according to Grand Chapter proceedings. Their charter was restored fourteen months later on October 28, 1904, at nearby St. Elmo. Mason Chapter merged January 10, 1974, into Vandalia Chapter No. 136, which consolidated October 14, 2009, with Hillsboro Chapter No. 197.

Both envelopes bear postmarks from Chicago with return addresses: “Return to Gil W. Barnard, Grand Secretary, Masonic Temple, Chicago.” Gilbert Wordsworth Barnard (1834-1908) was one of the most prominent brethren in the history of Illinois Freemasonry. Among his numerous titles, in 1877 he served as Excellent High Priest of Corinthian Chapter No. 69, which later merged with La Fayette Chapter No. 2.

The postmark on the No. 10 envelope, mailed c.1894 and mostly illegible, is over a one-cent Columbian Series stamp, one of a set of sixteen issued by the United States to mark the 1893 World Columbian Exposition held in Chicago. These were the first commemorative stamps issued by the U.S., depicting various events during the career of Christopher Columbus and today highly prized by collectors. The postmark on the No. 6-3/4 envelope is November 15, 1894, over a one-cent Benjamin Franklin stamp. A Mason, Illinois receiving office postmark is on the back of the smaller envelope.

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“It is extraordinary to find something like this so well preserved from so long ago, which takes us back to a time before automobiles and even radio,” said Paul Scheeler, PHP and Historian of La Fayette Chapter No. 2, Chicago. “And we can only wonder how Companion Barnard might have felt had he had known that his correspondence wouldn’t be opened until the middle of the second decade of the twenty-first century.”

As for the contents of the letters, it was possible to gently open both without tearing the envelopes, due to the weakening of the adhesive during the past twelve decades. In the smaller envelope were three officer installation forms to be submitted by the Secretary (which obviously never were, possibly an indication of future problems).

In the larger envelope was a roster of Grand Chapter officers, along with the date and location of the 1894 Grand Convocation in Chicago. Also included was a resolution dividing the state into districts by county, indicating respective Chapters and assigned Grand Chapter officers, a precursor to today’s District Deputy Grand High Priests.

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Putting Members First

by Companion John Loayza, PHP LaFayette Chapter No. 2

How do we maintain our small chapter agility while trying to become a bigger and more efficient chapter

organization? To answer this question, we need to do a self analysis and invest our efforts in our most important asset, namely, our members.

The development, retention or motivation of our members and their talents are very important to all chapter

officers and should be given high priority for chapter growth. We all should give it top priority and consider it the product that we are selling to our members. However, to sustain the growth we may have already experienced, we need to continue to make that investment, and develop both the chapter leaders and individual contributors to even higher levels.

LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP

The focus on members and their development begins with the dais officers and should permeate through the

entire corps of officers. The positive values that we instill in others contributes to future chapter and member successes, and makes for united team work efforts. Basically, we then become a tight-knit group who value each other and the unique culture we have worked hard to establish.

PROPEL FOR FUTURE GROWTH

While keeping members as our No. 1 priority, our goal should be to implement a change initiative that allows us to

effectively manage our growth and position ourselves for future chapter expansion. Simple steps can design or streamline and improve processes while further defining chapter officer organizational roles. This includes four key objectives: •

Drive more role specialization and understanding of what is truly required as one progresses through the

officer lines •

Adapt processes to develop and implement best business practices within our chapters

•

Continue to leverage modern technology and move out of the past

•

Strategically develop and utilize any positive business intelligence tools while adapting them to chapter situations

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Through role specialization, team members who feel they are wearing too many hats are freed up to work more effectively.

Chapter leadership teams should identify and work on, at least, four core areas of development on which to focus: •

Give the chapter leaders a tool for ongoing coaching conversations

•

Adapt for varying coaching abilities and styles

•

Communicate face-to-face more often with the members

•

Develop more skills in coaching through change

Chapters need to invest in key messages to support leaders and their programs with various means of modern

communications. Their next goal should be to build up leaders’ coaching skills to support their chapter teams when chapter officers get stuck or are unsure of the next steps to implement.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

One of the biggest challenges facing chapters is how well they adapt to the 21st Century with their own chapter

teams. Any chapter officer needs to have important soft skills to coach others in developing the concept of team work and the corps of officers who will follow him.

It’s a recognized fact that change often creates a great deal of ambiguity, and ambiguity often evokes uncertainty.

This becomes an additional challenge and opportunity for chapters. I.E., how do we get a corps of chapter officers to develop the soft skills needed to support this fundamental shift in our chapter environment? One approach is:

THE INSIDE OUT APPROACH

Chapter officers need to search for a simple coaching process that is adaptable, yet efficient enough to address

the four core areas of the previously mentioned development focus. This is a process that would allow our chapter leaders to work through tricky issues in a more comfortable and consistent way. In working with a chapter team, there are four key areas: •

Understanding human performance

•

Coaching for breakthrough

•

Coaching for engagement

•

Planning a way forward

There are three core elements in this process of human performance, namely, faith, fire, and focus. When faith,

fire, and focus are high, interference is reduced and members are freed up to act. It’s getting those ideas or thoughts that members have inside themselves, out into the public. In business, this is a method of brainstorming.

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There are three core elements in this process of human performance, namely, faith, fire, and focus. When faith,

fire, and focus are high, interference is reduced and members are freed up to act. It’s getting those ideas or thoughts that members have inside themselves, out into the public. In business, this is a method of brainstorming.

Additionally, we can also help our chapter leaders experience a simple but effective process that can help chapter

officers and teams create performance breakthroughs by coaching conversations and increasing the focus of both the coach/chapter officer and the individual or chapter members. This model is also effective for engagement. The purpose of coaching for engagement isn’t to solve a performance issue, but rather to engage the individual. This way, the performer owns the work; and the chapter leader is just a resource or facilitator due to his years of experience leading to his progress through the chapter officer lines.

By removing interference and allowing chapter officers or members to access their knowledge, experiences, and

talents, our chapter leaders develop how planning a way forward could happen more easily. To be able to move forward together and adopt change, officers or members need to know what they are moving toward and the common goal.

The complexity of human interactions can make coaching conversations difficult to have. Many of our leaders feel

unsure of how to approach an individual or member and start a coaching conversation without it feeling forced. In order to overcome the challenge, we should use transparency as a best practice. No one should be afraid to say that I have learned about a new tool or idea that I think will help us make progress, and I would like your joint effort in this process. This method is really an ongoing change process.

UPHOLDING OUR VALUES

Getting the right coaching program in place is significant but growth can bring uncertainty and fear of the

unknown for anyone. However, those feelings can be mitigated when chapter leaders are empowered with the right approach. By consistently implementing the “Inside Out Coaching Process,” we should see more chapter leaders having more conversations that move work forward and make a meaningful difference to our chapter business results.

As chapter leaders set their sights on excellence, they need to look to both the past and the future. Moreover,

they recognize that the key to ongoing chapter success lies in carrying on the values we, as Masons, always embraced.

I.E., a culture of development and investment in our members. If local chapter officers can uphold those values, they can maintain their small company agility no matter the growth that comes their way.

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Capitular Crossword Answers will be provided in the next edition

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From the Editor

by Companion Tim Ward, EGWebmaster, Editor Hiram Words

Well, we have reached the last publication of the calendar year. Time sure has flown by. We have seen a lot of changes this year and will continue to make more as we continue to grow Hiram’s Words magazine into a premier publication for Royal Arch Masons. Hey, did you catch that? That’s right, the name has changed slightly (but still readily identifiable), and we are now considering this a magazine rather than a newsletter since we are publishing a level of content that the Grand Officers agreed was well beyond that of a mere newsletter.

Our goal for next year is to begin adding more articles from established Masonic authors in the State, more fun (but educational) items, as well as provide you, the reader, with a chance to have your voice heard in a “Letters to the Editor” section.

In an effort to reach more Companions in the state, I am asking you to spread the word to your Companions and urge them to sign up for notices when new editions of the magazine become availabe. They can sign up from the Hiram’s Words page on the Grand Chapter website at: http://ram-il.org/news-and-events/hiramswords-magazine. Please reset assured that email addresses will not be given out nor used for anything but communications from the Grand Chapter.

As always Companions, your feedback is not only appreciated, but necessary so we can continue to

improve the publication. What do you like about it, what don’t you like? What would you like to see more of?

Please send all feedback as well as contributions to: GrandWebmaster@RAM-IL.org

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Application for Perpetual Life Membership in the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International Please print or type Name _____________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________ City _______________________________________________ State ____________

ZIP _________________________

Phone _____________________________________________ E-mail _____________________________________________ I am a member in good and regular standing of ________________________________________________ Lodge No. _______________, located in the city of _____________________________________________, in the Grand Jurisdiction of ____________________________ and a member in good standing of ______________________________________________ Royal Arch Chapter No. _____________ located in the city of ________________________________________________ in the Grand Jurisdiction of _____________________________.

The sum of US$25.00 submitted this __________ day of ___________________________ , 20______.

I understand that, should I forfeit my membership in my lodge or chapter for any reason, that the fees for Perpetual Life Membership are not returnable.

Signed ____________________________________________ Mail to: General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons Intl PO Box 128 Greenfield IN 46140-0128

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