Volume 1 Issue 2
Welcome Introduction from President and Creator of the MAE
Content. Here we are already at issue two of our newsletter, as I have been working and communicating with many people over the last month I have forged new friendships and strengthened existing ones. When I started this group on Facebook only two months ago I never expected it to take off so fast and grow so rapidly, it is now the evening of Saturday 1st August as I type this introduction and the group stands at a massive 1,099 members and I would not be surprised if it hadn’t grown by the time you are reading this. My first duty is to thank Martyn for all his continued assistance with this project and I am delighted to introduce to you (many will know him already) our new Articles Editor Bro. Kevin Noel Olson. I won’t go into his background and credentials but you will get a ‘taste’ of him later in the newsletter as he presents some of his work and that of one of the brethren in his Lodge.
Page 1:
Introduction and contents.
Page 2:
Skulls & Gold: Creating Knight Templars Aprons. A brief outline of the story behind The Knight Templar Apron and the beautiful creations of Ginger Wood Smyrl
Page 3/4:
“Et in Arcadia Ego” Bro. Nathan M. Glover shares with us the symbolism found in the ‘Et in Arcadia Ego’ paintings
Page 5/6:
Famous Freemasons in Art Part 1. Brother George Washington.
Page 7:
‘Travelling Man Of The Old West’ A wonderful poem by Bro Kevin Noel Olson
Page 8/9:
‘A Hobo Freemason’ Off a Westbound train alighted, A man in a worn, threadbare coat. In a cafe he spent his last dime, For cup of Joe and piece of toast.
Page 10/13:
Picture This: The art of the Lodge room.
Page 14:
‘Synthetica’: The work of Brother Shawn Crowe.
Page 15/16:
Long Distance Information get me......: A brief introduction to his home town by Bro. Kendall Jewell.
Page 18:
Sample page: A small sample of some of the art found in the group on Facebook.
Page 19:
Farewell: Here lies the end with two ‘recommended’ places to visit.
We have articles from many people from different walks of life but whom all have one thing in common, a love for this Craft. The theme as you know for our group is Masonic Art and I hope you will enjoy this small sample presented to you today, I would absolutely love to get your feedback on this and upcoming issues, just to keep you informed as the new ‘Masonic Season’ approaches the newsletter (after September) will become bi-monthly until next June when it will go monthly again over the summer. As always I am in constant need of contributions to the newsletter and leave it up to you to define Art (I wouldn’t be so presumptuous). I am also very happy to let you all know about the Masonic Art exchange webpage (which most if not all of would have passed through on your way here) Finally, thank you all for taking the time to support this project and look forward to hearing from many of you soon. Yours Fraternally
David Naughton-Shires Ormonde Lodge #201 (IC)
info@masonic-ae.com www.masonic-ae.com
http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/masonicmuseum/romantic_masonic_postcards.htm
SKULLS AND GOLD
:CREATING KNIGHT TEMPLAR APRONS
Early History
Ginger Wood Smyrl was born and raised in NE Oklahoma and has been sewing since she was 8 years old. Her mother and grandmothers taught her how to sew and she learned how to engineer a project from her Dad. She became a member of the International Order of Rainbow Girls (IORG) in 1979, received her Grand Cross of Colour and became a member of the Order of Eastern Star (OES) in 1985 upon reaching the age of majority in Rainbow Girls. She has no formal training as an artist or seamstress, but art and beauty are in the eye of the beholder. She says her love of history has helped pave the way for her ability to recreate items without a true pattern. Ginger’s husband initially asked her to remake some old costumes and other regalia a few years ago for several Masonic bodies. After that task, he asked if she would make him a Knight Templar apron similar to the “old style” worn by Commandery #1 in the District of Columbia. She has also made custom aprons for Past Masters of Blue Lodge which are very personalized to their requests. Sewing is a passion for her and seeing the joy on someone’s face when they receive their apron is priceless. Sources: (1) "The Freemason's Monitor; or Illustrations of Masonry in two parts", Thomas Smith Webb, Cushing and Appleton Publishers, Salem, Mass., 1821, p236. (2) "Proceedings of the General Grand Encampment Knights Templar of the United States 1816 to 1856", New Orleans, 1860, p309. (3) "The Scull and Cross Bones", William Brown, Past Grand High Priest ‐ Virginia, Curator, George Washington Masonic Memorial
The first written "standard" for the Knight Templar apron was published in Thomas Smith Webb's "Monitor" of 1797. (Interesting side note: Webb was only 26 years old when this work was published!). In this volume (and subsequent reissues) Webb describes the apron as "White, with a black border; or black, with a white border. The flap black, and a skull and cross bones embroidered in silver thereon." (1) It is to Webb that the first standards of Masonic ritual and ceremony are attributed as his "Webb work" recast some of the degrees, and completely reconstructed others. Webb's "standard" was accepted by the early Templars, and it was not until after the formation of the Grand Encampment, and its subsequent publishing of the general statutes of 1839, that a new permanent design was agreed upon. In Chapter 4 of the General Statutes of the Grand Encampment, the following description can be found of the Templar Uniform: Article 1.a black velvet apron of triangular form, having on the centre a patriarchal cross, and on the flap a skull and cross bones all in silver. The edging of the aprons and collars shall be gold for Grand Bodies, and of silver for Subordinate Commanderies. (2)
The Symbolism of the Knight Templar Apron Deeply rooted in the heritage of the ancient Templars, the Knight Templar apron draws its symbolism from the past, to create a tie between those ancient Templars and the modern Masonic Knight Templar. The black of the apron reminds the Sir Knight of the martyrdom of Jacques DeMolai, and the central, and most striking emblem of the apron the skull and crossed bones ‐ the symbol of the last of mortality.(3)
Bro. Nathan M. Glover, KT; has been interested in Philosophy and History from a very young age. He is currently a Master Mason belonging to Lexington Lodge #1 in Lexington, Kentucky and also Macmillan Lodge 141 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is also a Companion and Sir Knight in the Lexington York Rite bodies. He's 28 years old and has a beautiful wife and two children. He's originally from Cincinnati, Ohio.
his great seductive virility and his prowess with the pan flute. The God Apollo who defeated Pan in a contest of musical ability is also connected with Arcadia as a protector of herds and flocks. Apollo could also inflict plague and pestilence on his enemies.
This article first appeared as a thread on ‘The Masonic Society’ forum on Saturday June 20th 2009. It is by kind permission of Bro. Nathan M. Glover that I reprint it here for you all to read, if you have any comments about Bro. Nathan’s article please contact me at info@masonic‐ae.com
“Et in Arcadia Ego”
I felt this topic deserved it's very own thread as it was mentioned in another one. This subject has seen a resurrection of sorts with the DaVinci Code phenomena. However, this does not take away from its historical reality relevance to Freemasonry. The underground Arcadian current is thought to be the underground philosophies or occult traditions that would have been considered heretical in those days and those caught would have been subjected to torture or worse. It appears many artists preserved those times and symbolism in their art for those with an eye to see them. Some have theorized that these paintings represent a physical place in the South of France. Others think that they represent a more ethereal symbolism. Below, are a few paintings from this era and each are tied to this "Arcadian underground" as well as a sketch by one of the "ET IN ARCADIA EGO" painters which bear an unmistakable resemblance to Masonic ritual. Arcadia is a Utopian world of bliss reminiscent to the golden ages of Islam, Hinduism the Kingdom of heaven of Christianity 'and the Elysian Fields in Greek mythology, the resting place of virtuous and heroic souls. The Greek poet Hesiod 8th century B.C, wrote about life in Arcadia:
Curious is that in the first painting of the Shepherds of Arcadia by Guercino painted around 1620 A.D. a blowfly is visible on the skull resting on top of the tomb with the engraving Et in Arcadia Ego. Furthermore a mouse is visible beside the skull. Apollo sometimes took the form of a mouse: Apollo ‐ Smintheus. It seems that Guercino could be alluding to the tomb of Virgil.
“They lived like gods without sorrow of heart, remote and free from toil and grief, miserable age rested not on them; but with arms and legs never failing they made merry with feasting beyond the reach of all evils. When they died, it was as though they were overcome with sleep, and they had all the good things; for the fruitful earth unforced bore them fruit abundantly and without stint. They dwelt in ease and peace upon their lands with many good things, rich in flocks and loved by the blessed Gods”. In Greek mythology Arcadia is the realm of Pan the Greek horned God with the hindquarters of a goat. In the actual region of Arcadia in the Peloponnese of Greece, Pan was worshipped by the rural shepherds and farmers. He was the God of the fertile earth but also renowned for Et in Arcadia Ego – Nicolas Poussin Continued on page 4
Continued from page 2... Shepherds of Arcadia paintings by Nicolas Poussin 1630 The two Shepherds of Arcadia paintings by Nicolas Poussin both portray Arcadian shepherds pointing towards the inscription Et in Arcadia Ego engraved upon a tomb. The elder painting (1630) depicts 3 men and a woman. Two of the men and the woman are intensely occupied with the apparent discovery of the tomb, it seems the inscription has an unsettling effect. . The other man seems unconcerned and is” flowing '' water from a amphora onto the ground next to where he is sitting. It is possible that he is the river God Alpheus symbolizing the underground stream what flowed from Arcadia and surfaced at the fountain of Arethusa in Sicily. (Legend). Another explanation could be that he represents Aquarius. His depiction could symbolize the precession from the age of Pisces to the Age of Aquarius. Nicolas Poussin and Jacopo Sannazaro. The second and younger painting (1637) depicts 3 shepherds and a shepherdess reading the inscription; Et in Arcadia Ego this time the atmosphere is serene and 'pastoral '. The poet Jacopo Sannazaro born 1458 in Naples and author of the pastoral work “Arcadia “ is considered by many art critics to be the source where Nicolas Poussin found his inspiration for his 2 paintings of the Shepherds of Arcadia. In his epic poem “Arcadia “he writes of a tomb built by Meliseo for his beloved Filla; this section of the poem is reminiscent to the lament of Phyllis who had married Demophon on his return from the war with Troy. When he left Phyllis to help his father she gave him a coffin containing the sacrament of Rhea. The tomb was only to be opened if he was unable to return. Rhea is the mother of the Gods and was later strongly associated with Cybele (mother goddess) and Gaia (earth Goddess) her main centres of worship were in Arcadia and Crete. Her name means flow and ease; she represents the eternal flow of time and (re)generation (Time was measured in ages, the eternal cycle when every 2150 years the sun would “die” and then rise once more in a new constellation.) In Arcadia she is connected to several rivers, where she bathed after giving birth to Zeus.
Et in Arcadia Ego – Nicolas Poussin
Barcinio recites from memory a verse : “ I will make thy tomb famous and renowned among rustic folk. Shepherds shall come from the hills of Tuscany and Liguria to worship this corner of the world solely because thou hast dwelt here once. And they shall read on the beautiful square monument the inscription that chills my heart at all hours, that makes me strangle so much sorrow in my breast “ “She who always showed herself so haughty and rigid to Meliseo now lies entombed, meek and humble, in this cold stone”. The poems persona, Sincero, had left Naples to nurse in Arcadia his intense hurt of a disappointed love, only to be haunted by the sad melancholic tales of the shepherds. After experiencing a bad nightmare he returned by way of a tunnel to Naples (tomb of Virgil)? to find that his beloved had died. In real life this had happened to Sannazaro when he returned to Naples to mend a rift with his beloved, only to discover that during his absence she had died. Ascribed to Guercino, this sketch incorporates the compasses as well as themes in Masonic ritual. Italian painter and draughtsmen, Barbieri Giovanni Fransesco (called Il Guercino), was born in Cento on February 2, 1591(?), and died in Bologna on December 2, 1666(?). Earlier use of compasses as a symbol for the act of creation can be found in medieval manuscripts and early Bibles. Also note Albrecht Dürer’s Melencolia, and Astronomer. Further information regarding Guercino and this sketch can be found in Ars Quatuor Coronatorum vol. 103 (1990). The drawing, in the possession of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland, Edinburgh, is available for viewing. ref: The Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon. Ref: " ET IN ARCADIA EGO" http://www.et‐in‐arcadia‐ego.com/html/Arcadia0C.php
“Et in Arcadia Ego”
Et in Arcadia ego – Guercino Also see http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/art/guercino.html
Near to the source of the Alpheios river is a temple of Rhea. In the 12th shepherds song of Sannazaros Arcadia a tale unfolds of two shepherds, Barcinio and Summonzio, who lament the tragic tale of their friend Meliseo, who mourns the loss of his beloved Filli who had died nearby. Summonzio tells that Meliseo had engraved her name on countless stones in the woods and finally builds a tomb for his beloved.
Timeline of George Washington's Masonic Activities
1752 November 4 Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 Initiated as Entered Apprentice 1753 March 3 Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 Passed to Fellow Craft August 4 Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4 Raised to Master Mason 1778 December 28 St. John the Evangelist Day ‐ Marched in Masonic procession 1779 June 24 St. John the Baptist celebration ‐ Marked with American Union Military Lodge at West Point, NY December 27 St. John the Evangelist Day ‐ Celebrated with American Union Military Lodge at Morristown, NJ 1781 October Reportedly visited Lodge No. 9 at Yorktown, VA with General Lafayette after defeat of British General Cornwallis 1782 Brothers Watson and Cassoul of Nantes, France present Washington with exquisite silk Masonic apron, acknowledged by letter dated August 10 June 24 St. John the Baptist celebration ‐ Marked with American Union Military Lodge at West Point, NY. December 27 St. John the Evangelist Day ‐ Celebrated with Solomon's Lodge No. 1, Poughkeepsie, NY 1784 June 24 St. John the Baptist celebration ‐ Marked with Alexandria Lodge, Alexandria, VA June 24 Made an honorary member of Alexandria Lodge No. 39 (Now Alexandria‐ Washington Lodge No. 22) Alexandria, VA August Presented a Masonic apron made by Madame de Lafayette to General and Bro. de Lafayette 1785 February 12 Walked in Masonic funeral procession for Bro. William Ramsay at Alexandria, VA
Famous Freemasons in Art Part 1
Brother
George Washington his will not be an in depth history of the Masonic career of Bro. George Washington but just a brief outline of some of the many paintings of arguably our most famous brother in which we see him attired in several forms of Masonic regalia. Without doubt George Washington is and probably always will be the most famous Freemason in the world, the first President of the United States of America joined the Masonic Lodge in Fredericksburg, Virginia at the age of 20 in 1752. At his first inauguration in 1791, President Washington took his oath of office on a Bible from St. John's Lodge in New York and presided over the cornerstone ceremony for the U.S. Capitol in 1793. In retirement, Washington became charter Master of the newly chartered Alexandria Lodge No. 22, sat for a portrait in his Masonic regalia, and in death, was buried with Masonic honours. There are far too many paintings of George Washington to include them all but what I have tried to is show a varied collection of images of the 1st President of the US and have limited myself to paintings depicting Bro. George Washington in a Masonic setting.
I am sure there are many more images of George Washington I have not included which any of you will think I should have so please feel free to contact me with your comments. Where I have been able I have credited the artist but if I have missed one you know please drop me a line.
1788
This portrait of George Washington by William Joseph Williams of Philadelphia was made near the close of Washington’s career. It was painted for the Alexandria Washington Masonic Lodge No. 22, where it now hangs, and shows Washington wearing a past master’s Masonic regalia.
Painted by lauded German American artist Emanuel Leutze (1816‐1868), ‘George Washington as a Master Mason’ portrays America’s first president as if he is presiding over a lodge meeting.
April 28 Named charter Worshipful Master of Alexandria Lodge No. 22 when a new charter from the Grand Lodge of Virginia was issued. Unanimously re‐elected Master December 20, 1788 for one year 1789 Elected honorary member of Holland Lodge No. 8, New York, NY April 30 Inaugurated President of the United States using Bible from St. John's Lodge No. 1, New York, NY 1791 April 15 Welcomed by members of St. John's Lodge No. 2, New Bern, NC May Received the greetings of the Grand Lodge of South Carolina by General Mordecai Gist, Grand Master, Charleston, SC 1793 September 18 Acting Grand Master ‐ Laid the cornerstone for the United States Capitol, Washington, D.C. 1794 Sat for William Williams, portraitist, in Masonic regalia at the request of Alexandria Lodge 1797 March 28 Received a Masonic delegation from Alexandria Lodge 1798 April 1 Attended Alexandria Lodge No. 22 Proposed a toast at the banquet that followed 1799 December 18 Buried at Mount Vernon with Masonic rites as well as those of the church, conducted by Alexandria Lodge. Source: www.gwmemorial.org
This painting from 1921 by Peter Plotkin and called “George Washington the Mason” was acquired by masons in 1927 and has hung in Faith Masonic Lodge No. 1158 Wichita Falls, Texas since 1955. This image is much like the earlier painting by Emanuel Leutze
This painting depicting Washington once again attired as a past master of a Lodge with the maul of office firmly gripped in his hand and shows an austere man comfortable in his setting. I have unable to find the artist of this painting but would love to hear more of its history.
Travelling Man
Of The Old West
Kevin Noel Olson is an accomplished Author of children's fantasy and retro adventure fiction he is a Past Master of PM Butte Lodge #22 A.F. & A.M. – Montana, and a member of Mullen Pass Historic Lodge #1862 and 32nd Scottish‐Valley of Butte York Rite. He has written many pieces of poetry some of which he has kindly said we can present in coming months. These first two are entitled, ’Travelling Man of The Old West’, and ‘A Hobo Freemason’ http://www.myspace.com/kno4skull
By Kevin Noel Olson
The sun glinted off, The pistols at their sides. Fine horses frothed, As to the East they ride. Hats keep off the sun as, Scarfs keep out the dust. I only see their eyes, These eyes, I can trust On their fingers worn, Rings of Masons true. I offer a gesture, They offer one too. They ask if I'd seen riders, I added numbers to the equation. "They rode for the border," I said without evasion. Asked if they made it, My throat dry, I answered, "No. Their horses would not make the desert, They journeyed toward home." The riders thanked me, And rode toward sunset. To find the truth, That is why I came out West. Every man unjust, Will not escape his crimes. Truth will find out, Every hole in which they climb. For every claim to freedom, Requires that we act responsibly. To abuse the rights of others, Is just a new tyranny. I met again in town, A man I now call brother. The ring I recognized On a day before the other.
Available from: www.lulu.com/content/45781
as a download or in print. Springheeled Jack, the terror of Victorian England, accosts the American Wild West with his peculiar brand of justice. Riding a stygian horse, Jack's constant companions are his own madness and Cerberus, a mysterious black dog. With a pair of peacemakers and a frightening visage, Jack fights for justice on the frontier. Mr. Tragic's gang runs rampant, and the unusual villain has plans of his own. Dark and deadly designs are placed against good people, and Jack is the only one who stands in the way of tragedy!
The criminals captured, Tried and now in prison. Me, the tried and did not deny, And now I am a Mason. I believe in what is right, I believe in what is true. The Brothers stand beside me, The Big Sky, an inspiring blue. "Treat all men fair," Is the motto and how we act. When all are free, From tyranny, And fealty becomes a fact. Is when all men will come forward, Be it day or night. To stand together as brothers, And all shall know the RITE.
A Hobo Freemason
Off a Westbound train alighted, A man in a worn, threadbare coat. In a cafe he spent his last dime, For cup of joe and piece of toast. His shoes had holes as did his soul. A laborer with no place to work. He took his hat, a hole too in that, And stepped in the cold mountain dirt.
The mining town bustled with workers, Weary and dirty from hours and depths. He walked up the hill and took a right, Entering the Temple with no option left. "I'm a Mason from Tennessee," said he. He showed his card to the brethren. "I can work, and I can paint art. Where you can use me I will fit in." "In the second lodge room, "We have use for your skills," A kindly Master said to help, Paint the Holy Land with its hills."
“On the fourth floor of our lodge, [Butte Lodge #22 A.F. & A.M. – Montana]the paintings were done by a brother travelling the trains during the great depression, and the story, as I was told, is like the one in the poem offered here‐with extrapolations added for effect.” Kevin Noel Olson
They offered a stipend; not much, Yet they could offer not more. Food and a place to stay, Thankful, he set at the chore. People with turbans and camels, And children at play in the sun. Flourished over time counted, It was beautiful when he was done. The wages, meager food and coin. He slept and worked the night away. A humble and talented brother left, A gift enjoyed this very day. Let us be not hasty my brothers, To judge a good man in need. For when we help and aid another, We plant a powerful seed. We know not the name of the brother, Who offered to create us some art. That leaves such a wondrous impression, So deeply impressed in our hearts.
More images on the next page
‘Synthetica’
The work of Brother Shawn Crowe
Top: desert nymph, Middle left: daphne, Middle right: voices of forever, Bottom: charging ox.
Brother Shawn Crowe is a Master Mason in Butte Lodge #22 in Butte, Montana and Education Director of the Butte Silver‐Bow Art Foundation. He started creating artwork as a child. His interests as a youth travelled toward history and include the tales of the Vikings and Medieval Knights. He also carried an interest in mythology from his childhood, a fact intrinsic to his recent art series entitled ‘Modern Myth.’ The series presents engaging representations of Greek myths, which he believes represents the apex of humanity through its stories. Brother Shawn is very aware of education implicit in his artwork, which suggests a path toward interest in mythology through its abstract designs and bright colors. “Mythology represents truth in human condition,” Shawn says. The pieces represent various levels beneath the paint, and can be appreciated on the simplest level to the more sublime and personal.
’Synthetica’, another art series created by Shawn, is about creation and creativity. (See the included piece, Voices of Forever as an example of this series.) Shawn muses how, though created before becoming a Freemason, the series ‘sythesizes’ with Masonic ideals taught in the Fellow Craft Degree such as the tessellated pavement. One of the Masonic lectures Shawn takes to heart is the 24‐inch gage. Its lessons concerning how to use our time effectively in life is something Shawn works to apply to daily life. Freemasonry offers a set of tools, and Brother Crowe likens this to the tools of art. “A brush can be used in many different ways,” Shawn said. The message of Masonry partially attracted him a way to continue his spiritual journey. “The spiritual has a lot to do with a long search for understanding and my place with God.” This led Shawn to research other religions and paths. Brother Crowe’s artwork has many different levels, much like Masonry. “In both Freemasonry and art there is much more beneath the surface.” Our Masonic journey is symbolically much like a painting. It can be appreciated for its surface representation and colors, but beneath lies a world of meaning.
Interviewer
W. Bro. Kevin Noel is an accomplished Olson author with many books available from cornerstonepublishers.com one title is Entopia with illustrations by Jamison Challeen.
ENTOPIA started out simply enough. A young bee named ItWilliam wanted to pollinate some flowers. The flowers were in the office of a candy factory, and
when the factory's janitor sucks William into his shop vacuum, the bee begins an incredible adventure. Inside the vacuum he discovers a town of insects living together peacefully. Soon the insects will be forced to give up their wonderful town. William's beehive is in danger, and they must help it survive a sugar-ant invasion. Their adventures take them on an incredible journey, and will bring them new hope for their community of misfits. An adventure tale with friendship and family, Entopia is sure to entertain and delight readers of all ages and sizes!
Long distance information give me......
......Memphis Tennessee. When most people hear of this city and state they first think of several things, first and foremost is the title “King”. We have more kings in this city than around the world. Memphis is home to Kings such as Elvis the King of
Rock n’ Roll, Jerry “The King” Lawyer (king of wrestling WWE) B. B. King (king of the blues). Memphis is also home to the World Championship BBQ contest every year during “Memphis in May”. And Memphis almost every other year (the same team can’t win two years in a row) wins the competition and it is either: Corky’s, Neeli’s or the Rendezvous. Memphis is home of BBQ and King of it too.
Bro. Kendall Jewell hails
And if any Texans or someone from Chicago wants proof just come on down for some pork that just falls off the bone. And yes brethren I even have my own secret sauce. But if you want Ribs (pork ribs the only way to go) then order them Memphis Dry Rub style and you are guaranteed to get a taste of the south in your mouth. This is a picture[left] of Graceland that appeared in Business Week magazine. For those that don’t know Graceland was the Home of Elvis Presley. Memphis is also home to the Stax Museum where artist like Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and other Rock n’ Roll greats got their start. Speaking of Johnny Cash the very place they filmed the movie about him called “Walk The Line” was filmed in the Memphis Valley of the Scottish (“Accepted” to you European brethren) Rite Temple. This is a Picture of me standing in the very place that they filmed the movie. By the way this is a picture of me [left] after being dubbed a 32nd degree Master of the Royal Secret. And to my British brethren yes at the time of this occurrence I was 21 years of age. But just th nd because I went from 4 to 32 in 2 days does not mean I will neglect the fact I have a lifetime of study ahead of me. Anyways brethren 2 weeks after this picture was taken, I was at home unloading a handgun (S&W Model 60 .38Spcl snub nose) when I accidentally shot myself in the thigh and pretty much blew my leg off. I am recovering well thanks to the Doctors at the Elvis Presley Memorial Regional Medical Center in Memphis (also known as The Med) who managed to save my leg and my life several times. I am walking on a walker and my wounds have healed but I am going to have a lot of physical therapy for years to come. Prayers are more than welcomed and are the only thing that have gotten me this far. A picture [left] of me and my walker sitting next to my rd Maternal Grandmother, a 3 cousin and my Mother at the church and cemetery where most of the people buried there are related to me and yes are in fact masons. (By the way it was my right leg that sustained all the damage, didn’t want anybody seeing all that mess ☺).
from Batlett, TN and is a member of DeMolay 2nd degree (senior), and a Master Mason in Bartlett Lodge #211 ( Grand Lodge of Tennessee F&AM).and also a 32* A.&.A.S.R Valley of Memphis Orient of Tennessee. His interests include philosophy, religion, astronomy, history, and exploring the unknown.
Inside of Raleigh lodge #770 in Memphis This is a Picture [right] of me the afternoon I was Raised at Bartlett Lodge #211 F&AM in Bartlett Tennessee. That’s me on the left. To my left is the MWGM of Tennessee Jerry Hanson who is now PGM. To his left is one of my best friends Bro. Bryan Price PM of Eastern Star lodge #151 F&AM in Winnfield Louisiana and owner of www.fraternalunion.com. And my friend Bro. Rev. John Wright of Right Angle lodge #233 F&AM, Winchester, Kentucky. The two visiting brethren said that my degree was the best Master Mason degree they had ever seen. And if you really want to know why they say this then you come see my lodge put on the second section. ROTFL. Now European Brethren please take notice of the Rainbow to the right of the “G”. That is the emblem of one of the Masonic Youth Groups for girls ages 10‐20 known as the International Order of Rainbow for Girls. Other Masonic Youth orders of which include the Order of DeMolay for Boys for boys 12‐21 (of which I spent 9 years as an active member in). These first 2 Masonic Youth groups require a belief in a Supreme Being but have no requirements of relation to a Master Mason unlike the third Masonic Youth order known as Job’s Daughters which requires the girl between 10‐20 and to be related to a Master Mason. There are other smaller Masonic Youth orders but these are the big three. I do not have any idea why there are not to my knowledge any DeMolay chapters or Rainbow assemblies in Britain or other European countries…? Every city here in the U.S. has some landmark that sticks out and this is ours. Here in our city we have the Pyramid arena sitting on the Mighty Mississippi River (the longest river in North America and the 2nd longest river in the world) and the Memphis Bridge linking the Eastern U.S. to the West, via this bridge between Tennessee and Arkansas over the river. So brethren I leave you with this great scenery. If you’re ever in the Memphis area give me a shout at kendallinbartlett@yahoo.com and I’ll show you around and maybe even let you witness some Masonic Youth order ritual work (as long as you are a Master Mason that in good standing that is).
Normal “University” lodge #722, Memphis
info@corinthian‐design.com website coming soon www.corinthian‐designs.com Corinthian Design & Print are delighted to offer a 10% discount on all design projects to members of the MAE quote ref: MAE‐1/2
With the forthcoming publication of its 5 Journal The Masonic Society has entered it’s second year. For more information on this great publication see their website: www.themasonicsociety.com
In this second issue we have a lot of new images to choose from in the Facebook group and I have decided to limit it Masonic posters.
To the left are some of those images and below are the rules just for your own information particularly if you have been forwarded this from a friend in the group and haven’t popped in yourself. If you have not and you’re not a ‘facebooker’ there is the option of joining the forum that can be found at:
www.masonic‐ae.com The Rules: POSTERS 1. The work MUST be yours (if you post someone else’s work as yours you will be removed) the work remains yours. 2. If you post you must be prepared for others to use the artwork. USERS 1. If you use someone’s work you MUST inform them where it is being used. 2. CREDIT them 3. If required provide a copy of the publication i.e. Tresleboard it's being used in. 4. The work is to be used for non-profit publications etc unless agreed with the artist. If you want to request artwork please leave a request in the discussion wall or via email to create@theimagedesigns.com (subject line must include MAE) but bear in mind it then becomes 'public domain'
PUTTING/LINKING/POSTING YOUR ARTWORK TO THIS GROUP CONSTITUSES THE AGRREEMENT THAT YOU AGREE TO THE ABOVE RULES
These wonderful posters and many more can be found in the Masonic Art Exchange Group found in Facebook and are courtesy of Robby Giudice.
THE ARTWORK CAN NEITHER BE USED FOR NOR DEPICT ANYTHING CONSIDERED TO BE DEFLAMITARY TO FREEMASONRY OR SOCIETY IN GENERAL. THE ADMINS DECISION IS FINAL IN ANY DISPUTE. PLEASE CHECK BACK OFTEN FOR UPDATES. FINALLY
_____________________________________ The opinions expressed on in this newsletter represent those of the individual authors and, unless clearly labelled as such, do not represent the opinions or policies of any Masonic Lodge, Grand Lodge or recognized Masonic body. Take the time to pop along to the web site at
www.masonic-ae.com
Each newsletter we will highlight one facebook group you may be interested in joining all you need to do is go to your groups (click the group’s icon on the menu bar at the bottom of the page) and search for the groups by name in the search bar in the group’s area.
Total Number of Videos Available and Counting: 123
Freemason Videos provides video resources for Masons to help others understand the philosophy, purpose and history of our Noble Fraternity. Before you provide a link to a video, please make sure it's not already posted. MEMBERS will be sent a periodic message notifying them of group updates and new media that's available.
Most if not allof the videos posted in this group can be found on the net in sites such as youTube however this group takes out the time of searching for the particular video you wanted with comments posted with each video giving you an idea of ‘if they’re worth watching’ THE SEARCHWORD FOR THIS GROUP IS Freemason Videos Or type the following into the address bar: http://www.facebook.com/groups.php?id=519860977#/group.php?gid=5966856094 At the time of the creation of this newsletter their membership stood at 1336 members,
Each newsletter we will also aim to highlight a website which may be of interest to the members of the MAE their friends and colleagues if you have any recommendations for sites to appear here or on the forum contact me at create@theimagedesigns.com please remember to include MAE in the subject line.
I think it can be agreed by many hundreds if not thousands of Masons who regularly surf the world wide web that one of if not the greatest resources available on the internet is the website of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon. I can’t imagine anyone not being able to at least start their quest for information on this website. Providing a huge array of information on subjects ranging from Famous Freemasons, to the Lodge Goats, Anti‐masonry to the All Seeing Eye you will be able to spend hours upon hours just delving into the vast knowledge base available here. This an invaluable resource for the Masonic researcher and those just interested in finding out a little more. Where to star on this great site is a difficult decision so how about at the site map.
Well this brings us to the end of the second Masonic Art Exchange Newsletter I hope you’ll agree that the contributions in this issue were of a very high standard, you will have seen throughout the issue the varied subject matters really enable anyone to contribute, the next issue will be due to go to ‘press’ on the 4th of September [at this point I will be making the newsletter bi‐monthly due to Lodge pressures etc] and I hope many of you will take a few moments to put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard and send something in even if it’s just a letter of comment everything is received with great thanks. On this final page I am again going to place a few links to ‘good’ sites, and other groups in Facebook that may be of interest and contact details. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE get in contact whether it is to tell us how fantastic the newsletter was or alternatively to give us much needed critique on how to improve what we are doing after all that IS what we are here for. We will see you on the web and pray the Great Architect watches over you. Sincerely and fraternally,
David & Martyn.
http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/sitemap.html
create@theimagedesigns.com
(please remember to put MAE in the subject line) Contact details: info@masonic‐ae.com