The Working Tools Masonic Magazine - February 2013

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The Working Tools Magazine

February 2013 Issue #60 $7.95Your source for Masonic articles,news and information covering

all aspects of Freemasonry.

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Regular Communications Every 2nd & 4thThursday Except July and August

The Working Tools Masonic Magazine

has been brought to you by HawthorneFortitude Lodge No. 200

in Ramsey NJ.

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Staff

Editor in ChiefCory Sigler

Assistant EditorScott Schwartzberg

Design

Conrad Frankowski

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Published monthly as bothElectronic and Printedformats.

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Subscriptions available forSingle Issue, Lodge 3 Pack orLodge 5 Pack At $7.00/Copy(US)

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Authors retain full rights oftheir published works.

Editorial Disclaimer

Editor reserves right to edit allsubmissions for space, clarity,errors or changes as needed.

Postal Master

Send address changes to TheWorking Tools Magazine. PoBox 72. Allendale, NJ 07401

The Working Tools Masonic Magazine


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As I sit here on the eve of my son Ryan’s 15th birthday andwrite my monthly message I’m reminded of how fast timegoes by. It seems like just yesterday I was just bringing himhome in a basinet as a newborn. My Brothers, spend thetime you have with your children to the fullest before it getstoo late and they have packed up and gone off to college. Thedays we have with them are so valuable and are too preciousto waste.

OK…. Enough preaching for the time being.

The Working Tools Masonic Magazine continues to grow andgrow. We are now over 11,000 “Likes” on our Facebook page. There you’ll finddaily posts with inspirational messages, news, current events, magazineinformation, TWT Store sales, and other fun items. Find us atfacebook.com/twtmag

Over at the website we added a new section to the store for Masonic Art printswith several beautiful reproductions. Very soon a whole line of T-shirts and hatswill be available. As with everything we do it will be priced affordably soeveryone can enjoy them.

Sorry, I know I said I was done preaching but I want to leave you with one morething. When you are online please be good to all people you meet regardless ofreligion, race, sexual orientation, political stance, disabilities and especiallyother Masonic affiliations. Just because your Grand Lodge does not recognizethem it is not an excuse to forget the Obligations you have promised to uphold.There seems to be an overwhelming practice lately of forgetting Freemasons areto act on the Square. Ok that’s really it for the preaching for now.

Until next month,

Cory Sigler, Editor In Chief

Past Master, Hawthorne Fortitude #200

The articles and opinions in “The Working Tools Masonic Magazine (TWT)” are not necessarily that of theEditor-Publisher. The author of any article or submission found in TWT does not represent the Grand Lodge or anyAppendant Body of the Editor-Publisher. TWT is an Independent Masonic Magazine that reports on current news andInformation regarding Freemasonry and Appendant Bodies of Masonry.

Brethren,

Cory Sigler

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The Working Tools is published monthly by Corsig Publishing & Cory Sigler, It is not affiliated with any GrandLodge. Letters or inquiries should be directed to Cory Sigler, Editor, at E-mail: [email protected] All let-ters become the property of the Working Tools. Photographs and articles should be sent to the attention of theEditor. Every effort will be made to return photographs but this cannot be guaranteed. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope. The Editor reserves the right to edit all materials received.

Click on the page numbers toquickly jump to that page

Con

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Did U Know 10

MasonPost.com 11

Book Review 12

Word of the Month 13

Da Vinci Code Church 15

Reader Art 16

Old Tyler Talks 17

General

Appendant Bodies

York Rite

Masonic Week 2013 42

Richard Vickery 43

Barry Newall 46

Scottish Rite

Matt Johnson 49

Jacob Lucas 50

Featured WritersTroy Smith/Ruben Bazan 19

David Browning 20

The Square/David Harrision 21

Cover -The Widows Son 24

John Nagy 28

Gregg Knott 30

Kevin Wardally 31

Michelle Snyder 32

Shawn Gorley/Shawn DIgnazio35

Kyle Ferguson 37

William Stephey 39


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Scott Schwartzberg Raised in 2007 at USS New Jersey No. 62 in Cherry Hill, NJ, Scott is currentlyMarshall of Boynton Lodge No. 236, Boynton Beach, FL. He is one of the founding members of BoyntonLodge Esoteric Research Group (B.L.E.R.G.), a member of the SR Bodies at the Valley of Lake Worth, andYR Bodies of Ft. Lauderdale.

Matt Johnson is an active member of Pioneer Lodge #82 of Arizona and the Scottish Rite. He is theauthor of "The Freemason Conspiracy" available only at twtmag.com.

Dr. John S. Nagy is a Master Mason and author of the “Building Series” of Masonic Education books.His books and his workshops cover aspects of Masonry designed to Build Better Builders. You can findout more about him, his books and his workshops through his website at: http://www.coach.net

Barry Newell was raised in Oriental Lodge #60 in 2006. I have presided as Worshipful Master of myhome Lodge and the Idaho Lodge of Research, Excellent High Priest of a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons,and Illustrious Master of a Council of Cryptic Masons. I currently preside as Eminent Commander ofIdaho Commandery #1. I am also a member of the Eastern Star, Scottish Rite, Grand College of Rites,Red Cross of Constantine, and York Rite College, and involved with the Job's Daughters.

Jacob Lucas is interested in the history of the Craft and its ritual. He is an officer in his Symbolic Lodge,as well as his Scottish Rite Valley and York Rite Bodies. He provides Masonic Education at meetings.

William Stephey Jr. Is currently the Senior Steward of Ionic Lodge #31 Newport DE. Very active inboth York Rite and Scottish Rite Masonry, also he serves as Captain General, of St. Johns Commanderyand is Master of Entrances on the Council of Sovereign Princes of Jerusalem in the Valley of Wilmington. His real treasures; however, are found in the love his Brothers have shown him.

Michelle Snyder, MPhil. is an officer at OES Palestine 114 and a member of Aurora Chapter 9. She isan author, teacher, columnist, and blogger. Her post-graduate degree is from the University ofWales. She lives outside Boston, teaching art and symbolism classes in her studio. Her artwork,inspired by her love of symbols, has appeared in galleries from Massachusetts to California. She isco-owner of White Knight Studio with her husband Jay, a MM and officer at Meridian Lodge 77,member of Naval Lodge 87, officer of OES Palestine 114, and member of OES Aurora Chapter 9. Hiswork with Dr. Duncan-Enzmann’s translations of Ice Age language is the subject of several booksand seminars they produce. Website: whiteknightstudio.blogspot.com.

Shawn M. Gorley is the Junior Warden of Wilmington #804 in New Wilmington, PA. He is a memberof the Pennsylvania Lodge of Research, The Masonic Society, The Philalethes and is a level one certifiedscholar in the Pennsylvania Academy of Masonic Knowledge.

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David Browning David Browning is a Master Mason and is installed as the Junior Warden ofSelma Lodge 320 in Selma, North Carolina. He is a Certified Lecturer and is currently serving as theDistrict Deputy Grand Lecturer for the 16th Masonic District. He resides with his wife and threechildren in NC.

Paul C. Smith is P.M. of Rockingham Lodge No. 76 in Candia, NH the Founding Master of GeneralCourt Lodge No. 1784 (America’s only special, legislative lodge) and is the Founding Master of PhoenixLodge No. 105.; New Hampshire’s first TO lodge. He is a trustee of NH MasoniCare, is a member ofseveral other Masonic bodies and is currently serving as a Grand Steward.

Kevin Wardally In Masonry Kevin follows his Grandfather Henry Blakeley who was raised inAdelphic Union Lodge #14 in 1951. Currently Elected Grand Lodge Trustree - MWPHGL of NY,Past Master - Adelphic Union Lodge #14. MWPHGL of NY. Past Grand Lodge Librarian –MWPHGL of NY (Prince Hall Grand Lodge of New York State). Member of : The Phylaxis Society,Scottish Rite Research Society, The Masonic Society, The Philalethes Society.

Shawn P. D'Ignazio Member of Columbia Lodge No. 91 and George Bartram-Paul Sand Lodge No.298 where I am the Treasurer, Committee member Pa Academy of Masonic Knowledge,Pennsylvania Lodge of Research - Chaplain RAM, R&SMM, KT, Scottish Rite Valley of Philadelphiawhere I am a 32°


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A Whole New Look

As I look thru the January issue ofTWT, I am blown away that the qualityof this magazine takes another giantstep forward. You seem to raise thelevel of production, graphics, layout, aswell at the writers and contributors,each and every month. I don't knowhow you do it all, but keep up the goodwork.

And BTW, you have my subscription,'cause I can't wait to see the tattoo!

'Ken Bauer via Facebook

In the January issue of TWTM, Brother Browningposes the question: “Is one day really enough toteach the lessons of the three symbolic degrees of theBlue Lodge?” While I can only offer an opinionbased on my own experience, I will attempt to answerthis question.

I was initiated in February 2012, raised in June 2012,and all of my memory work was turned in by August.Looking back, I would say that was a bit too fast.Due to my work schedule and an upcoming construc-tion project, I wanted to have all of this out of the waybefore my schedule became too hectic. Lookingback, I am not so sure that it was the very best ap-proach. Certainly, if 5 – 6 months is “fast”, then allthree degrees in a day could be considered unmanage-able.

When I was an EA, I was taught a deeper meaning ofcharity and to rightly divide my time, but I did not im-mediately realize that I was supposed to circumscribemy mouth before engaging an argument. Fortunatelyand through the careful counsel of brothers, I pickedthat up while I was learning my memory work. WhenI was passed, the Master of the Lodge presented theFC working tools to me so carefully that I caught 80%of his words on the first pass. It was a good thing Idid, because when I faced a critical problem at work Ifound it necessary to apply the plumb tomy words and actions before even making an attemptat a solution. The MM degree left such an impression

on me that I will likely draw from it for the rest of mylife.

If a man is made a Mason and raised on the same day,does he really have time to divest himself of any-thing? Has he made an attempt to chip away at even asuperfluous word in his vocabulary? If he is evenaware of his trestle board, does he have anything rest-ing upon it? Even if he has been duly prepared in thefirst place, one cannot expect him to have done hiswork anywhere else. If we were setting out to grow amembership in a boy’s club we could pop them out asfast as ink can dry on a petition. But we are supposedto be making good men better, or at least that is thestated mission, and it is safe to say that the lessons ofa life-long pursuit cannot be given or received in aday.

I would submit that raising a Mason in a single day isneither fair to the man nor good for the craft. A betterapproach might be to offer a full day event for thenew Master Mason, where he can carefully examineall three degrees in detail. Certainly there is morelight to be received ifwe there for it, and acareful examination ofall three degrees inhindsight may be whatwe need to help the pro-cess.

Daryl LinkousHouston, TexasHolland Lodge No. 1

Mai

l Bag

Send all your comments or questions [email protected]

Spreading Light

Dear Brother Cory, through my daily pain Ilook forward to reading your magazine. Feelslike a Christmas present every month. Keepspreading light!

LETTER OF THE MONTH

Bro. Sean Hanneywinner of bestbeard of the month!

Bro Linkous asbeing selectedLetter of theMonth we aresending you a freeartistic print foundon page nine

mailto:[email protected]


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“This is a dream come true to work with Brother Richardin a project this large in scope”, said Cory Sigler, Editorand Publisher of The Working Tools(TWT). “It’s aboutspreading as much Masonic light as possible.” TheWorking Tools is the largest monthlyindependent Masonicmagazinefound in theUnitedStates.“Combiningall aspects ofFreemasonryfor all levels ofFreemasons in afun andenlighteningway is ourpassion.” BrotherSigler added.

The Square, theindependentMasonic magazinebrought to you bythe world's oldestMasonic publisher,brings you in-depthand thoughtprovoking articles onall aspects of Freemasonry written by the leadingMasonic writers in the world.

Masons and non-Masons alike will find something ofinterest in the wide variety of articles and specialfeatures, which cover the whole spectrum ofFreemasonry, including historical, social, charitable,esoteric, other Orders, collecting, ephemera, philately,book reviews, poetry, news and events, and on a lighternote Masonic humor.

Richard Gan, the Editor of The Square, said “I amdelighted to be involved with this very excitinginitiative, which will help increase understanding and

interest in Freemasonry on both sides of the‘Pond’.”

The partnership consists of sharingof articles, resources,

and talents.Each issueof the twopublicatio

ns willfeature

articles foundin the

respective titles.Both

publications canbe found as print,

digitally and on theApple ITunes

Newsstand.

Find The Working Toolsat www.twtmag.com

and on ITunes athttp://tinyurl.com/twtm

ag. The Square can befound at

http://thesquaremagazine.com and on ITunes at

http://bit.ly/TheSquareApp

“The Working Tools Masonic Magazine” and “The Square”

form new partnership”

The Working Tools Masonic Magazine and The Square Magazine have come together to form a new partnershipbringing the Fraternal ties between the Atlantic ocean closer than ever.


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NOW AVAILABLE IN THE WORKINGTOOLS MAGAZINE STORE

FINE ART PRINTS

“The Structure of Freemasonry”

From Darkness To Light 2013 Masonic CalendarAlbert Mackey

“Encyclopedia of Freemasonry “

Available Online

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Mas

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ADVERTISEMENT

was bornJanuary 1, 1904in Cincinnati,

Ohio. He passed away September 15, 1993 at theage of 89 in Brookings, Oregon. He was a centerfielder in Major League Baseball from 1926 to1938. He played for theCincinnati Reds (1926–30), NewYork Giants (1930–32), St. LouisCardinals (1932–33), PhiladelphiaPhillies (1934–36), Chicago Cubs(1936), and St. Louis Browns(1936–38). He played baseballfor and was an alumnus of theUniversity of Cincinnati. In 1,123professional games he compiled1,325 hits and 47 home runs,with a batting average of .300,on base percentage of .336 andslugging average of .410. EthanAllen was the motion picturedirector for the National LeaguePublic Relations departmentfrom 1938 to 1942. Allen becamethe baseball coach at YaleUniversity, serving from 1946 until 1968.Reaching the College World Series finals in both1947 and 1948, his players included future U.S.President George H. W. Bush. Allen also didsports announcing and wrote several books onbaseball.

Allen remained well-known long after hisretirement as a player as the inventor of theCadaco-Ellis board game "All Star Baseball", whichentered production in the early 1940s andremains available, with few changes, today. AllStar Baseball and Strat-O-Matic Baseball are thetwo most popular baseball board games of thesecond half of the 20th century. Designed byformer major league player Ethan Allen andintroduced in 1941, All-Star Baseball became oneof the most popular sports games of all time. Thegame is essentially a batting simulation of majorleague baseball, built around a spinner and

player disks that are divided into sections in sucha manner that a hitter has the probability ofreproducing his real-life statistics in suchimportant categories as home runs, triples,doubles, singles, walks, and strikeouts. Ingeneral, the game follows the basic rules of

major league baseball. Teams arecreated from the player diskssupplied with the game (often amix of current players and all-time greats such as Babe Ruth)and from player disks for otherseasons published separately.The team at bats places theappropriate player disk on thespinner, spins, and reads off theresulting number. The gamedoes not attempt to realisticallysimulate pitching and defense.Thus a hitter's result from a timeat bat is not affected by theopposing pitcher or thedefensive prowess of the fielderto whom the ball may be hit,although the player in the field

on some play outcomes is required to spin asecond spinner to determine the advancementof base runners and other certain details. Resultsof each play are recorded on the field usingplastic pegs for the base runners, while runs andouts are tallied on a rotating scoreboard.Cumulative runs scored are tallied on paper scoresheets. Strategy discs are included that enableplays like sacrifice flies, stealing bases, bunting,hit and run, etc. The team with the most runsafter nine innings (or extra innings, if needed) isthe winner.

Brother Ethan N. Allen was a member ofYeatman Lodge No. 162, Cincinnati, Ohio. Hewas also a Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner.

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Currently, about 1/3 of the States are populated with BlueLodge information, with short term plans to add more asthe information is collected. I am very pleased with whatI found for the seventeen states that already haveinformation.

Placing my mouse over New Jersey, the mouse animateswith a preview of how many Lodges are found and thestate becoming an outlined darker shade of blue. A verynice touch that clearly shows theweb designer cares about the littlethings.

When you click on the state itdrills down to a county level thenonto the Lodge listings. Goingfurther into a particular Lodge youthen find even more detailedinformation like: stated meetingtimes and days, address withGoogle map ability, website anddistrict. I was impressive with the note found on our pagethat assures you that you are not looking at a clandestineLodge, the note reads “Regular and recognized,Hawthorne Fortitude Lodge #200 is a Regular andRecognized Masonic lodge located in Ramsey, NJ, havinga charter through the Grand Lodge of F&AM of NJ, whichis recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England.

There is no need to complain about the details that arenot yet included because the website owner is fully awareof them and is working on bringing data entry fields oneach page to correct or add more pertinent info.

· Additional State Coverage

· Blue Lodge Info Submission Forms to allowmembers to submit lodge particulars.

· Lodge History Submission Chartered Data andparagraph formatted information.

· Image Placement Lodge profile picture (shot oflodge), Officers group picture,ddgm/ddgl pictures, etc.

· Improved Lodge Search (Zipcode) Zip code search will do a locationlookup and then locate lodges by cityor county based on zip code requested.

· Improved Lodge Search (Radius)- Ultimately, geographical searches bycity and zipcode will do lat/longdistance math to provide a 50 mileradius results in "distance" order.Thus, answering the question, what

blue lodges are in my area and which one is theclosest.

· PHA Lodge Profiles Data is being collected.

· District Group Calendar This will allow visitors tosee in a calendar format all lodge statedcommunications scheduled within a district.

Overall, I am very excited about the possibilities thiswebsite holds for the Craft. It can be a great toolsespecially if it is formatted for Smartphones and Tabletsfor the Mason on the go.

“Masonpost.com Communication Network”By Bro. Cory Sigler

Created by Bro. Don Butto, a Freemason from North Carolina and a professionalwebsite consultant, Masonpost.com is a great asset a traveling Brother.



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Thisbook goesinto theprehistoryand originof classicimages. Intheintroduction, Snyderdefinessymbolism.Sheinforms us

that an image alone is not a symbol – it becomes asymbol when it is endowed with meaning.Symbology is a fitting subject of study for anyFreemason. We use symbols to explain meaning thatcannot be explained using words.This book shows us the evolution of some familiarsymbols, and how they developed over tens ofthousands of years. We can categorize symbols bysubject matter, such as alchemical, mythological, orreligious. They can also be sorted by the culture to

which they belong. Heraldry is discussed. Thevocabulary of symbols is introduced and explained,which leads the student to a better understanding.Snyder gives us a chapter on archetypes, another onthe symbolism of animals. These are all interestingto the student of Freemasonry, especially whenstudying the degrees of the appendant bodies.The encyclopedia chapter (nearly half the book) andthe glossary were enough for me to be happy tohave added this book to my library. Many majorthemes are touched on, and explained. The book iswell sourced, with image credits and a lengthybibliography.

I have enjoyed reading Michelle Snyder’s columns inThe Working Tools, and thoroughly enjoyed thisbook. I think that I now have a slightly greaterunderstanding of symbolism, which will make myfuture learning that much greater.

Book Review

UnderstandingSymbology

Symbology: Decoding Classic Images, byMichelle Snyder. 2011, White Knight Studio.138 pages, softcover $29.95 at Amazon.com.


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Light is an important wordin the Masonic system. Itconveys a far morerecondite meaning than it isbelieved to possess by thegenerality of readers. It is infact the first of all thesymbols presented to theneophyte, and continues tobe presented to him invarious modificationsthroughout all his futureprogress in his Masoniccareer. It does not simplymean, as might besupposed, truth or Sodom, but it contains within itself a far moreabstruse allusion to the very essence of SpeculativeFreemasonry, and embraces within its capacious signification allthe other symbols of the Order. Freemasons are emphaticallycalled the Sons of Light, because they are, or at least are entitledto be, in possession of the true meaning of the symbol; while theprofane or uninitiated who have not received this knowledgeare, by a parity of expression, said to be in darkness.

The connection of material light with this emblematic andmental illumination, was prominently exhibited in all the ancientsystems of religion and esoteric mysteries. Among theEgyptians, the hare was the hieroglyphic of eyes that are open,because that animal was supposed to have his eyes alwaysopen.

The priests afterward adopted the hare as the symbol of themoral illumination revealed to the neophytes in thecontemplation of the Divine Truth, and hence, according toChampollion, it was also the symbol of Osiris, their principaldivinity, and the chief object of their mystic rites thus showingthe intimate connection that they maintained in their symboliclanguage between the process of initiation and thecontemplation of divinity. On this subject a remarkablecoincidence has been pointed out by Baron Portal (LesSymboles des Egyptiens, 69) in the Hebrew language. There theword for hare is arnebet, which seems to be compounded ofaur, tight, and nabat, to see; so that the word which among theEgyptians was used to designate an initiation, among theHebrews meant to see the light.

If we proceed to an examination of the other systems of religionwhich were practiced by the nations of antiquity, we shall findthat light always constituted a principal object of adoration, asthe primordial source of knowledge and goodness, and thatdarkness was with them synonymous with ignorance and evil.Doctor Beard (Encyclopedia of Biblical Literature), attributes thisview of the Divine origin of light among the Eastern nations, tothe fact that:

Light in the East has a clearness and brilliancy, is accompaniedby an intensity of heat, and is followed in its influence by alargeness of good, of which the inhabitants of less genialclimates have no conception.

Light easily and naturally became, in consequence, withOrientals, a representative of the highest human good. All themore joyous emotions of the mind, all the pleasing sensations ofthe frame all the happy hours of domestic intercourse, weredescribed under imagery derived from light. The transition wasnatural from earthly to heavenly, from corporeal to spiritualthings; and so light came to typify true religion and the felicitywhich it imparts. But as light not only came from God but alsomakes man's way clear before him, so it w as employed tosignify moral truth and preeminently that divine system of truthwhich is set forth in the Bible, from its earliest gleamings onwardto the perfect day of the Great Sun of Righteousness.

As light was thus adored as the sourceof goodness, darkness, which is thenegation of light, was abhorred as thecause of evil, and hence arose thatdoctrine which prevailed among theancients, that there were twoantagonistic principles continuallycontending for the government of theworld. Duncan (Religion of ProfaneAntiquity, page 187) says:

Light is a source of positive happiness:without it man could barely exist. Andsince all religious opinion is based onthe ideas of pleasure and pain, and

the corresponding sensations of hope and fear, it is not to bewondered if the heathen reverenced light. Darkness, on thecontrary, by re-plunging nature, as it were, into a state ofnothingness, and depriving man of the pleasurable emotionsconveyed through the organ of sight, was ever held inabhorrence, as a source of misery and fear. The two oppositeconditions in which man thus found himself placed, occasionedby the enjoyment or the banishment of light, induced him toimagine the existence of two antagonistic principles in nature,to whose dominion he was alternately subjected.

Such was the dogma of Zoroaster, the great Persianphilosopher, who, under the names of Ormuzd and Ahriman,symbolized these two principles of light and darkness. Such wasalso the doctrine, though somewhat modified, of Manes, thefounder of the sect of Manichees, who describes God the Fatheras ruling over the kingdom of light and contending with thepowers of darkness. Pythagoras also maintained his doctrine oftwo antagonistic principles. He called the one, unity, light, theright hand, equality, stability, and a straight line; the other henamed binary, darkness, the left hand, inequality, instability, anda curved line. Of the colors, he attributed white to the goodprinciple, and black to the evil one.

The Jewish Cabalists believed that, before the creation of theworld, all space was filled with the Infinite Intellectual Light,which afterward withdrew itself to an equal distance from acentral point in space, and afterward by its emanation producedfuture worlds. The first emanation of this surrounding light intothe abyss of darkness produced what they called the AdamKadmon, the first man, or the first production of the Divineenergy.

In the Bhagavad-Gita, the Book of Devotion, a work purportingto be a dialogue between Krishna, Lord of Devotion, and Arjuna,Prince of India, and one of the religious books of the Brahmans,it is said:

Light and darkness are esteemed the world's eternal ways; hewho wralketh in the former path returneth not that is, he goethimmediately to bliss; whilst he who walketh in the latter comethback again upon the earth.

In fact, in all the ancient systems, this reverence for light, as anemblematic representation of the Eternal Principle of Good, ispredominant. In the Mysteries, the candidate passed, during hisinitiation, through scenes of utter darkness, and at lengthterminated his trials by an admission to the splendidlyilluminated sacellurn, the Holy of Holies, where he was said tohave attained pure and perfect light, and where he received thenecessary instructions which were to invest him with thatknowledge of the Divine Truth which had been the object of allhis labors.

- Source: Mackey's Encyclopedia of Freemasonry

Word of the Month FromMasonicdictionary.com

“Light”


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PENNSYLVANIA ACADEMY OF MASONIC KNOWLEDGE

Saturday, March 16, 2013MASONIC CULTURAL CENTER

ELIZABETHTOWN, PA

The 2013 Spring session of the Academy of Masonic Knowledge will be held on Saturday, March 16th,in the Deike Auditorium of the Masonic Cultural Center on the campus of Masonic Village inElizabethtown, Pennsylvania. Registration will open at 8:30 AM with the program beginning at 9:30AM. A lunch (voluntary contribution) will be served at noon and the program will be completed by3:00 PM. All Masons are welcome to attend. Dress is coat and tie.

The program for the day includes:

· Brother Alexandre Cleven, Most Worshipful Past Grand Master of the Regular Grand Lodgeof Belgium, speaking on Freemasonry in Belgium

· A Survey of Topics for the New Mason

o Shawn P. D’Ignazio A New Mason’s Perspectiveo Theodore W. Schick, Jr. Philosophical Roots of Freemasonryo S. Eugene Herritt, RWJGW The Mentoring Program / Aspects of Social Mediao Paul D. Fisher Historic Grand Lodge Leaderso Charles S. Canning Pennsylvania’s Unique Ritual / Worthwhile Bookso Thomas W. Jackson, RWPGS Freemasonry and Religion

The great objective in Freemasonry is to gain useful knowledge, and the Academy provides a greatopportunity for the Brethren to learn and to understand more about the significance of the Craft. Planto attend and bring a Brother or two along with you

Pre-registration is required.To pre-register, e-mail Brother Shawn D'Ignazio at [email protected] with your name,address, Lodge number, and telephone.

Please recognize that a cost is incurred to the program for your registration. If you pre-register andsubsequently determine that you will be unable to attend, please have the Masonic courtesy to cancelyour reservation by the same method and providing the same information.

We look forward to seeing you on March 16th.


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The Working Tools MagazineMasonic ‘Da Vinci Code’ church in

danger, warns charityBy John Bingham, Religious Affairs Editor, The Telegraph.

A CRUMBLING and abandoned Victorian church built as a “temple to Freemasonry” needs urgentrestoration work to save it for the nation, a charity has warned.St Edmund’s Church in, Falinge, Rochdale,is regarded as one of the finest but leastknown gems of ecclesiastical architecturein the country.

Although resembling a typical parishchurch on the outside, its elaborate exteri-or is packed with Masonic symbolismprompting comparisons with the medi-eval Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland, the set-ting for much of Dan Brown’s bestsellingnovel The Da Vinci Code.

Built in 1870 by the industrialist and bank-er Albert Hudson Royds, its cavings, win-dows, furniture and vaulted gothic ceilingare covered in masonic imagery.

And sited on the highest point in the sur-rounding area, it was constructed basedon the dimensions of King Solomon’sTemple in the Bible.

Hudson Royds himself appears in astained glass window as one of the ma-sons rebuilding the Temple after the exilein Babylon.

Although Rosslyn Chapel’s possible linksto the Freemasons or resemblance to theformer Temple in Jersualem have beenhotly disputed, enthusiasts have nick-named St Edmund’s “Britain’s greatest Ma-sonic secret”.

Hudson Royds, a pasionate Freemasonwho saw Rochdale as the "New Jerusa-lem", poured £20,000 into the project, theequivalent of £1.6 million today. It is re-garded as as a major example of the greatmunicipal beneficence of Victorian indus-trialists.

Although a grade one listed building, ithas been sealed off for three years since itclosed as a parish church.

Since then a colony of pigeons has takenover the tower and its grand ceilings havebegun to leak.

Although still consecrated for worship, thebuilding was recently handed over by theChurch of England to the Churches Con-

servation Trust which hopes to restore itfor use by the local community.

The charity is currently carrying out sur-veying work but expectes to have tospend several hundred thousand poundsto make it safe and usuable. It is preparingto launch a fundraising campaign nextyear.

Crispin Truman, chief executive of theTrust, said: “The suggestion that there aremore important things than saving heri-tage in areas where homelessness, pover-ty and unemployment are a daily concern,carries an implicit assumption that peoplein disadvantaged areas don’t care about –or maybe don’t even appreciate or under-stand – the history in their midst.

“That’s something you’ll never hear said inthe Cotswolds, and its wrong.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/architecture/9770012/Masonic-Da-Vinci-Code-church-in-danger-warns-charity.html


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Reader Art“The collage is an illustration I made after reading several articles about aMasonic Lodge in Tenerife Spain. It is the only one that is "alive" these days.

I've always loved the world of Freemasonry, this is my tribute.”

Illustrator: Ana Himes

Title: You will find

Technique: Handmade collage

website: www.anahimes.es


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"Old Tiler, I have made up my mind that there is a funda-mentalism and a modernism in Masonry, as well as in the church.And I am a Masonic Fundamentalist," began the New Brother.

"That's a fine mouthful of an expression," commented the Old Til-er. "'Masonic fundamentalist.' If I just knew what it meant, now, I'dgo spring it on someone."

"Don't make fun. This is serious!" protested the New Brother.

"Then be serious and tell me what kind of an animal, if any, a Ma-sonic fundamentalist is," begged the Old Tiler.

"Why, he is one who finds the ritual all-sufficient as a source ofMasonic light; one who doesn't hold with the higher criticism ofMasonic documents and the old charges and constitutions; onewho believes in the exact truth of the Masonic legends; one whocan bridge the gap between written history since Grand Lodgesand the time of King Solomon without a mental effort; in otherwords, one who has faith without proof in the reality of the con-tinuance of Masonry as a system ofmorality and philosophy right downfrom Solomon's time to now!"

"Guess I can't use the expression af-ter all," answered the Old Tiler. "Toomuch of a mouthful."

"Don't you agree that a Masonic fun-damentalist is the happier and bet-ter Mason than the modernistMason?"

"You ask me if I think the ignorantMason is happier than the educatedone!" returned the Old Tiler,vigorously."If a cow is happier than a philosopher, I'll agree. Butwhat is happiness? If it makes you happy not to use your mind, tobelieve legends and fairy tales, I suppose Masonic fundamental-ism is your proper meat. I am not built that way. I have found thereal story of Freemasonry, as it has been patiently unfolded fromthe mists of the dim past by earnest students, a great deal morefascinating than the legendary history. I have loved the legendsmore as I have been able to distinguish between legend and fact.Santa Claus and Hans Andersen's fairies are much more real to menow than they were when I was a little boy.

"Instead of being a Masonic fundamentalist, I like to think of my-self as a Masonic adventurer. And that reminds me of something Icut out of a magazine; maybe you'd like to read it." The Old Tilerproduced a well-worn pocket-book, from which he extracted aclipping. "Listen to this and see if it doesn't fit- almost." He readsoftly Marie LeNarl's beautiful verse, "The Adventurer."

"God, in the name of Jesus' blood and tears, Loose us from slavishbondage to dead years, To dogmas that, encrusted in mould Of age,no virtue have, save to be old. Lo! A new era has been ushered in.Lo! Now the new wine bursts the ancient skin. Then gird us, Lord,dispel our coward's fears, Give us the daring hearts of pioneers.What though in quest of truth we sometimes stray? Better to seekfresh morsels day by day Than feed, like swine, on husks before usthrown From which the inward nourishment has gone. Better tostray- and struggle back again If we far surpass our mortal ken- Oldpaths for sheep, but new-cut trails for men!"

"Old paths for sheep,but new-cut trails formen," repeated theNew Brother, softly, asthe Old Tiler finished. "That's rather fine, isn't it?

"It seems fine to me, whether we speak of religion, or Masonry, orscience, or knowledge, or politics, or government. That which isgood and also old, is not good because it is old, but because it isgood. If it isn't good in itself, we ought to throw it overboard, re-gardless of its age. To persecute those who think differently fromconstituted authority is an old doctrine. It was old when the In-quisition made it new. But it wasn't good, was it, just because itwas old? Slavish obedience to a king, regardless of right and jus-tice, was an old idea when the Magna Carta was signed; it wasolder when the Liberty Bell first rang in this country, but it wasn'tgood just because it was old.

"Brotherly love was known long before King Solomon; it is asgood today as it was then, but not because of its age, but be-

cause of its goodness.

"'Old paths for sheep.' I am nosheep! As best I can, I keep myfeet upon new-cut trails. But Ihold fast to the staff of the An-cient Landmarks, and all that isgood in our order; I try to castoverboard the superstition andthe slavish adherence to doc-trine. I do not, for instance, be-lieve that certain consequenceswhich we agree shall follow fail-ure to keep our obligations are

to be taken literally. If William Morgan was slain by Freemasonry,in 1826 (which he was not!) I don't believe it was right, eventhough it was deserved. Neither did the Freemasons of that agebelieve it was right. But a Masonic fundamentalist must takesuch things literally. I do not believe that Solomon establishedthe Grand Lodge, and met, as Grand Master, with two other Hi-rams, also Grand Master. Yet I believe in the essential truths con-tained in the Solomon legend, and in the essential truth andbeauty contained in the Hiramic legend.

"What difference does it make whether George Washington did,or did not, cut down a cherry tree, and refuse to tell a lie about it?Washington is an ideal, an embodiment of truth. If that ideal canbe taught to children with a story, then the story is true, whetherit ever happened or not. If men are taught fidelity and loyaltyand bravery and honor and honesty by the Hiramic legend, it istrue, whether it ever happened or not. Santa Claus is true,whether the children's saint be an actual fat old man living in atoy shop at the North Pole, or just a happiness in men's hearts.

"To my mind the more of the truth we know, the more we valuethe legends. Therefore, I try to be a student of the real history ofMasonry, that I may love its stories, its myths and its symbols themore. No sheep, the new-cut trail is under my feet and will be,while these old eyes can follow it- ." The Old Tiler's voice trailedoff into silence.

"I'm following after, if you give me a hand," answered the NewBrother gently. "'New-cut trails for men!'"

Old TylerTalks

By Carl Claudy


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Featu

red Writ

ers


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Many of my favoritemovies involve ajourney of some sort.Films like Paper Moon

and Central Station tell a story of somebody insearch of something and are conveyed byexperiences taken place on highways andstops along small towns.

Last night I became a Master Mason. I hadpetitioned for the degrees in 2011 and wasinitiated in June of that same year. My jobrequires much travel and therefore was notable to give my proficiency until the followingyear – the year I also passed to the degree ofFellowcraft. In the companionship of theBrothers, it was decided that on January 10 of2013 I would receive the light that I oncesought years ago. It happened last night.

The experience wasn't so much long as it wasfulfilling. There was much to take in and, justas with the preceding degrees, it was greatknowing that so many Brothers came to seeone of their own be raised. Some of the menhad been with me from the beginning, whileothers were relatively new to me. This madeno difference to me, however, knowing that

they all equally considered that Thursdayevening a special night for their Lodge.

I was lectured, of course. This was expected.There are many aspects of Freemasonry that Ihave yet to fully comprehend. Yet, everytraveling man knows that the journey is muchmore important than the destination. Therules, policies, and procedures are yet to belearned, as are the governing principles of myLodge and the protocols of our meetings. Asthe youngest Master Mason of my Lodge, it isnow up to me to live up to those qualities thebrethren saw in me and respond accordinglyto ensure the longevity of our belovedfraternity.

I thanked them all wholeheartedly –particularly because it literally took me acouple of years to get to where I wanted andthe brethren still welcomed me to the Lodgewith no judgment, all the time furthering mydesire to continue the work. In what was oneof the most special stops of my life journey, Iwas reminded of that passage we read of inCorinthians 1 that reads “Love is patient.”Brotherly love is no exception. I am proud to

stand next to these fine men and call them myBrothers.

My love for road trip films may have sproutedfrom the amount of traveling I do for work, orperhaps it is because I knew from the onsetthat life is one long road. Regardless, I take thewheel and now have a further desire to live bythis system of morality so precisely taught inthe lessons of the degrees. The road of life hasno real dead ends. It keeps going. One thing Ihave learned on this journey is to keeptraveling in search of wisdom, and to alwaysclear the path for those that are right behindyou. I hope to one day serve and teachyounger Masons who are also on theirjourney, just as the Brothers of my Lodge didfor me for so long.

Bro Ruben is a newly raised member of LaredoLodge #547

The United States has just seen another Presidentialelection come and go. One fact is Brothers in theFraternity can agree, disagree, and live with each other’sviews and opinions. Important thing is that we can allstrive to make our country, community, and each otherbetter. We live for the Fraternity; we seek more light.

One thing I noticed during this election, for many, theissues were overshadowed by racial tensions. As Masonswe see past color. We see our Brothers that took the sameobligation, kneeling before The GAOTU and our Brethren.Regardless of color and jurisdiction, we wish to serve ourcommunities to make them better.

One quote that constantly stands out to me is “KnowThyself”. It is present in scripture and in other placesthroughout time. So my Brothers, I ask you…as Masons, dowe set the standard? Are we setting a solid example forothers to follow? I mentioned the election and my opinionon the views and candidates. We would like to think werebigger and better than race but the reality is that a lot ofSouthern States Grand Lodges do not recognize Prince HallMasonry.

Brothers, to honestly make our communities better wemust fully better ourselves. We cannot talk about fullybeing united in Brotherhood when technically, we are not.Just like society, this will not apply to everyone that readsit but on the other hand, we all know that there are a fewreluctant to change. Change will not happen overnight, itnever does. We must constantly strive to be better. Weowe our best efforts to our Brethren who has come beforeus and who are yet to come. As a fraternity, we must trulybe “Our Brothers Keepers”.

Fraternally and Respectfully,Brother Troy Smith, JW

The Youngest MasterBy Bro. Ruben Bazan

Masonic America…Let US set the standard.By Bro. Troy Smith


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Masonry has and hopefully will alwayscontinue to be a self-governing body withlaws, rules, and regulations in place withineach jurisdiction to ensure that the will ofthe craft will prevail. The exception to thisis an edict, similar to a presidentialexecutive order in the US Political system,

which must be followed even though it did not take the normalcourse. With this goal in mind, I believe that there is anunfounded perception that exists today within many jurisdictionsthat the will of the subordinate lodges can be easily overriddenby the Grand Lodge. In my opinion this is only a misconceivedperception and is far from reality as you will see illustrated in theexplanation and examples below. This article speaks ingeneralities for the sake of clarity and brevity and is not meant tobe specific to any particular Grand Lodge as the laws, rules, andregulations are different depending on the jurisdiction.

We have all heard the “us” and “them” discussions when referringto Grand Lodge and there is a perception that the will of thelodges does not matter and that the Grand Lodgecontrols everything. This simply is not true. I have spenta lot of time researching this and based on the votingrules of the Grand Lodges which I could obtain online(approximately half of all US Grand Lodges) this does notseem probable or even possible when doing the math.Even in the most extreme case where all Grand Lodgeofficers (elected and appointed), all committeemembers, District Deputy Grand Masters, District GrandLecturers, and past Grand Elected officers receive a votethis would still only make up only a small percentage ofthe total vote and would fall short of even a simplemajority. In cases requiring a 2/3rd or 3/4th majority theimpact of the Grand Lodge portion of the total vote iseven less impactful.

Let’s assume a Grand Lodge has 15 officers (appointedand elected combined), 10 committees with 5 memberseach, 25 districts with 2 deputies each, and 10 PastOfficers entitled to vote. This gives the Grand Lodge atotal of 15 officers + 50 committee members + 50deputies + 10 past officers which entitles them to 125votes. In the same jurisdiction let’s assume that eachdistrict has approximately 8 lodges for a total of 200lodges which are each entitled to 3 votes each (one foreach principal officer) at Grand Lodge. This would givethe lodges a total of 600 votes.

Based on the math above there are a total of 725 votes availablewith the Grand Master entitled to a second vote in the event of atie. Assuming a simple majority is needed to pass an issue, therewould need to be 363 votes in favor. Even in an extreme situationwhere the Grand Lodge was in stark opposition to the will of thelodges there would be 125 votes for and 600 against. This is 238votes short of carrying even a simple majority and even furtherfrom carrying a 2/3rd or 3/4th majority.

Simply put, it is not “us” versus “them”; each subordinate lodgeis a part of the Grand Lodge and should ensure that it isrepresented, present, and voting when the Grand Lodgeconvenes. Remember that every vote counts!!

In summary, I believe we all have an obligation to promoteharmony in the craft. If we take perception issues like this oneand confront them head on with the facts I have full faith andconfidence that we can alleviate a lot of misperceptions andstrengthen the craft and the ties of our brotherhood for the Goodof Masonry and all mankind.

Every Vote Countsat Grand Lodge!!

By David L. Browning, Certified Lecturer


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Dr. David Harrison is the author of The Genesis ofFreemasonry, a best- selling work on the historyof English Freemasonry, which was the subjectof his PhD thesis at the University of Liverpool,a work which looked at the mysterious, magicalorigins of the Craft. He has written on the historyof Freemasonry for a number of magazines andjournals and has worked as a history lecturer forover ten years. His second work TheTransformation of Freemasonry follows on fromhis first work and was published in September2010.

Freemasonry seemed to attract anumber of influential occultists, magiciansand all manner of believers in the paranormalduring the Victorian period; the networkingand the search for hidden knowledge luringan array of gentlemen, such as Sir ArthurConan Doyle, Arthur Edward Waite, FrederickBligh Bond and Aleister Crowley. RiderHaggard was also a Freemason who wasinterested in the paranormal, and, like ConanDoyle, conveyed Freemasonry in his writings.Indeed, Masonic themes can be seen in RiderHaggard’s late Victorian works

and the wonderfully exoticnovel , a story which has obvious occultistleanings and deals with death and re-birth.Both of these works present the idea of theheroic explorer searching lost civilisations forhidden knowledge and testify not only to thepopularity of Freemasonry at the time, butalso the acceptance of the Craft in Victoriansociety, which, within these literary contexts,also conveyed an element of mystery and theoccult.

Henry Rider Haggard was also a closefriend of Egyptologist and occultist Ernest A.Wallis Budge – famous for his translation of

which was published in 1895; both of themhave been linked to the Hermetic Order of the GoldenDawn.i Conan Doyle also took a keen and almostobsessive interest in the occult, becoming deeplyinvolved with psychic research. Arthur Edward Waitewould become more famous for his cocreating of theinfluential Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot card deck, which,

when published in 1909, displayed elements of Masonicsymbolism embedded within the mysteriouspicture cards.

Waite had become a member of theHermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in 1891,an occult society which embodied the essencefor the learning of magic in Victorian society.It had been founded three years earlier byFreemasons Dr William Robert Woodman, DrWilliam Wynn Westcott and Samuel LiddellMacGregor Mathers. Waite’s search for thedeeper secrets of initiation led him to joinFreemasonry in 1901, Waite becoming arather prolific Masonic writer and historian,who seemed to be in constant search for themore magical origins of the Craft, writing

which,when published in 1921, part projectedWaite’s more mystical Masonic fancies.ii Ofhis initiation, Waite commented:

Indeed, Waite was anxious to explorethe more mysterious and exotic furtherdegrees which Freemasonry opened up tohim, and by 1903 he had achievedacceptance into various other Masonic‘Rites’ and Orders; having entered into theRosicrucian Society of England, the HolyRoyal Arch and the Knights Templar, eventravelling to Scotland to receive the ‘Early

Grand Rite’ and then on to Geneva to receive the‘Rectified Rite’. Waite was exploring all the furtherdegrees, quenching his thirst for deeper knowledge,seeing Freemasonry as a path of mysticalenlightenment, and in this respect, to Waite, Masonrywas almost similar to the Hermetic Order of the GoldenDawn; a society which would endow him with thehidden secrets of Nature and Science. He saw the

Freemasonry, Occultists, and the VictorianSearch for Hidden Knowledge

By David Harrison


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symbolism of Freemasonry as having the same originalsource as other esoteric pursuits, such as alchemy,Kabbalism and Rosicrucianism; all providing a pathwayto enlightenment through the search for hiddenknowledge. Waite referred to his experienceby saying that:

He believed he was special enough to beaccepted into the ‘Masonry which is behindMasonry’ – those more mysterious rituals which wouldonly be revealed to the chosen few. He was alsointerested in gaining enough secret knowledge andexperience to create his own rituals, Waite having plansat one stage to establish the more obscure ‘Rites’ inEngland. The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawncertainly offered a more ‘magical’ experience,practising ceremonial magic and using many Masonicsymbols within the ritual. The Order became extremelypopular and attracted writers and poets such as Waite,W.B. Yeats and Arthur Machen, though unlike manyof the clubs and societies of the era, themysterious and magical Hermetic Order of theGolden Dawn accepted women members.

The founding of the Golden Dawn can betraced back to 1887, when Dr William WynnWestcott, a Freemason who was constantly insearch for hidden knowledge and had joinedmany Orders and Rites such as the RosicrucianSociety of England, obtained a mysteriousmanuscript in cipher from fellow Freemason theRev A.F.A. Woodford. The cipher – ontranslation - turned out to be a series of rituals, andWestcott asked fellow Freemason and RosicrucianSamuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers to work on andexpand the rituals. Amongst the papers of the ciphermanuscript that Westcott had received fromWoodford, he had found the name of a certain FrauleinAnna Sprengel, a Rosicrucian adept from Germany, andafter writing to her, Westcott was ‘granted permission’to form an English version of the Golden Dawn.

The occult Order needed three Chiefs, so Westcottand Mathers brought on board fellow Freemason DrWilliam Robert Woodman, who was at the time theSupreme Magus of the Rosicrucian Society of England,and thus the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn wasfounded. Westcott even invited the elderly leader ofthe Southern Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite Albert Piketo join, but he declined. Nevertheless, the Golden Dawnbecame exceedingly fashionable, attracting the likes ofWaite and Yeats, and by 1896 there were five Templesand over three hundred members, and a Second Orderwas also thriving. Despite this success, there wasdisruption as the leaders began to fall out afterWoodman’s death in 1891; Westcott resigned in 1897after his work in the magical Order conflicted with hiscareer as Coroner and accusations of forging the paperswhich had led to the founding of the society byMathers followed.vi

The Victorian interest in the occult and the searchfor lost ancient knowledge was fuelled by manysources, such as developments in archaeology –especially in Egypt - capturing the imagination of many

intellectuals at the time. The founding ofthe Egypt Exploration Fund in 1882 and anarray of widespread publications on Egypt,such as Amelia Edwards’

in 1877,vii all assisted in stirringinterest in the lost civilisations of Egypt andof course, the hidden secrets of the ancients.Occultist, Rosicrucian and FreemasonKenneth Mackenzie – most famous for his

which waspublished in six parts between 1875 to 1877

- had previously edited and translated in 1852, a

work written by the German Egyptologist K.R. Lepsius.Mackenzie claimed to have secret knowledge ofobscure Orders and rituals, most notably the ‘HermeticOrder of Egypt’ and the ‘Order of Ishmael’, the latterof which was ruled by Three Chiefs, which was veryreminiscent of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.Indeed Waite, writing in his

, suggested that Mackenzie may have beenbehind the Golden Dawn ciphers.viii

Masonic interest in Egyptian mysterieswas nothing new; as early as the eighteenthcentury certain Freemasons, such as theinfamous occultist and alchemist CountCagliostro, were claiming to possess thesecrets of mysterious Egyptian Rites.ix

In England, the early Masonic interestin Egyptian mysteries can be seen in thenaming of the London based EgyptianLodge No. 27 in 1811, and as the nineteenth

century progressed, occultist Freemasons such asMackenzie and Waite vividly explored ideas of Egyptianmythology, trying to discover the lost knowledge ofthe ancients.x

The Victorian era also witnessed an explosion ingothic poetry and novels – most famously exemplifiedwith the publication of Bram Stoker’s in 1897,although this was not the first literary portrayal of thevampire. Dr William John Polidori, the personalphysician to the Romantic poet Lord Byron, became aFreemason in 1818,xi and was credited with thebeautiful evocative gothic short story ,written in 1816 during his stay at the Villa Diodati atLake Geneva in Switzerland. Polidori had stayed at theVilla with Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley and MaryWollstonecraft Godwin Shelley, and during a numberof days in which they were kept inside due to badweather, they recited ghost stories andand Mary Shelley’s gothic masterpiecewere written.

Polidori’s story was finally published in 1819 andfeatured the secretive ‘Byronic’ aristocrat Lord Ruthvenas the Vampire and followed his introduction intoLondon Society and his travels to Rome and Greece,the gothic and occultist themes of the story beinghauntingly evident.xii As the nineteenth centuryprogressed, Freemasonry increasingly attracted writers


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and poets such as Kipling, Conan Doyle and Rider Haggard, themysterious nature of the Craft and the status it provided as anetworking ‘club’ made it an essential element of their social sceneand presented an obvious inspiration for their work. Writers andpoets had been linked to Freemasonry since the early part of theeighteenth century, with Jonathan Swift and Alexander Pope beingfamous literary members who had also found inspiration in theCraft.xiii

Another Freemason and celebrated psychic researcher who, likeMackenzie and Waite, had also become involved in theRosicrucian Society of England, was Frederick Bligh Bond, anarchitect and a keen student of the occult. Bligh Bond knewConan Doyle and they shared similar interests in psychicresearch, Bligh Bond having used psychic mediums to assisthim in his famed excavation of Glastonbury Abbey inSomerset, which, he said, led to the discovery of the Abbeybeing built with sacred geometry. According to Bligh Bond,his mediums received information from dead monks whichassisted him in discovering archaeological remains of theAbbey. This rather unorthodox approach to hisarchaeological work eventually led him to be dismissed fromthe site by his employers, the Church of England. Bligh Bondwent on to write about the geometric cubit as a basis forproportion in the plans of medieval buildings and published hisaccount of the Abbey excavation in his celebrated work

in 1918.xiv

Conan Doyle had embraced psychic research after the death ofhis wife and several other close family members, and until his deathin 1930 he ardently supported spiritualism and constantly soughtproof of life after death, a curiosity which can be paralleled withwriter and Freemason Mark Twain’s interest in parapsychology inthe USA. Conan Doyle’s book in 1922 putforward his support for the infamous Cottingley Fairies, where twogirls, from Cottingley near Bradford in the north of England hadsupposedly taken five pictures of fairies.xv Decades later, the girls,then elderly women, admitted faking the photographs, but in 1922,Conan Doyle strongly supported their claims. His 1926 work

also lent his support to séances conducted byvarious psychics at the time and their supposed spiritualmaterialisations.xvi One of the spiritualists that Conan Doylesupported was Daniel Douglas Home. Fellow FreemasonLord Lindsay was also a supporter of Home, havingwitnessed the spiritualist mysteriously levitate out of athird story window only to return through the windowof an adjoining room.

Interest in occult philosophy grew during the laterVictorian period, not only amongst the of theperiod, best exemplified with Yeats and Conan Doyle,but with the prosperous and educated who wished toexplore the mystical esoteric belief systems, andFreemasonry became a fascination to many because ofthis.

An example of this is how Freemasonry stirred aninterest in the occultist Aleister Crowley, who, in the closing years ofthe nineteenth century, became involved in the Golden Dawn,joining in 1898, and from there went on to sample the hiddenmysteries of Freemasonry after joining an irregular ‘Scottish Rite’lodge in Mexico and the irregular AngloSaxon Lodge No. 343 in Paris.Crowley later joined the Ordo Templi Orientis, which like the GoldenDawn, admitted both men and women, having a Masonic influencewithin the ritual. Crowley’s closeness to Mathers added to growingtensions within the Golden Dawn, and it soon splintered into

different groups, with Arthur Edward Waite becoming involved inthe leadership of one particular faction.xvii

Freemasonry certainly attracted and influenced a desire tosearch for hidden knowledge, its ritualistic practices and itsmysterious symbolism providing inspiration to create new and moremagical orders such as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn andvarious other more magical societies. The Victorian occultists such asCrowley, Waite and Mathers certainly reveal a passion for exploringritual, magic and symbolism in an attempt to unravel ancient

mysteries, and Freemasonry provided a gateway on theirmystical journey. Other Freemasons such as Conan Doyleand Bligh Bond committed themselves to researching thesupernatural and paranormal, the search for the hiddenmysteries of nature and science being a driving force intheir quest to discover lost knowledge.

ENDNOTES i Thomas Michael Greene, ‘Clubs, secret societies andmale quest romance’ (The thesis looks at Rudyard Kipling and H.Rider Haggard’s Masonic associations and the Masonic themes intheir work), PhD thesis, School University of Massachusetts,Amherst, 2002. For a discussion on Rider Haggard’s links to theHermetic Order of the Golden Dawn see Chris Hodapp,Freemasonry for Dummies (USA: John Wiley & Sons, 2005), p.188.ii Arthur Edward Waite was initiated into the London based St.

Marylebone Lodge No. 1305, on the 19th of September, 1901. See also ArthurEdward Waite, A New Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry, Vol. I & II, (New York:Wings Books Edition, 1996) and R.A. Gilbert, ‘The Masonic Career of A.E.Waite’, AQC, Vol. 99, (1986). iii See Gilbert, op.cit.; also see Arthur EdwardWaite, Shadows of Life and Thought. A Retrospective Review in the Form ofMemoirs (London: Selwyn and Blount, 1938), p.162.

iv See Gilbert, ‘The Masonic Career of A.E. Waite’, AQC, Vol. 99, (1986). v SeeMary K. Greer, Women of the Golden Dawn; Rebels and Priestesses,(Rochester, Vermont: Park Street Press, 1995). vi R.A. Gilbert, ‘William WynnWestcott and the Esoteric School of Masonic Research’, AQC, Vol. 100, (1987),pp.6-20. vii See Amelia Edwards, A Thousand Miles up the Nile, (London:George Routledge and Sons, 1891). Amelia Edwards was the co-founder ofthe Egypt Exploration Fund. For a further insight into the late Victorianobsession of Egyptian archaeology see Ernest A. Wallis Budge, The Mummy,Funeral Rites & Customs in Ancient Egypt, (Guernsey: Senate Press, 1995),which was first published in 1893. viii Kenneth Mackenzie, The Royal MasonicCyclopaedia, (Worcester: The Aquarian Press, 1987), pp.viix, in which JohnHamill and R.A. Gilbert discuss Mackenzie’s life and work in their‘Introduction’ to the edition. Waite had put forward that Mackenzie mayhave partly invented the mysterious cipher, and partly been inspired by his

translation of ‘German Grade experiences’, Hamill and Gilbert alsosupporting Waite’s claims, mentioning that Mackenzie hadtranslated manuscripts on magic and astronomy. ix See PhilippaFaulks and Robert L.D. Cooper, The Masonic Magician; The Life andDeath of Count Cagliostro and his Egyptian Rite, (London: Watkins,2008). x See Mackenzie, Royal Masonic Cyclopaedia, pp.185-188,and Waite, Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry, pp.218-225. xi WilliamJohn Polidori was a member of the Norwich based Union LodgeNo. 52, Initiated on the 31st March 1818, Passed on the 28th April1818, and was Raised on the 1st June 1818. xii See William JohnPolidori, The Vampyre, (London: Sherwood, Neely and Jones,1819). xiii See David Harrison, The Genesis of Freemasonry,(Hersham: Lewis Masonic, 2009). xiv Frederick Bligh Bond was amember of the Bristol based St. Vincent Lodge No. 1404, beinginitiated on the 28th of November, 1889. He served as WorshipfulMaster of the lodge in 1894, although his membership ceased in

1914. He was a member of the Rosicrucian Society and the infamous GhostClub, a club which also had links to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and occultist andEgyptologist E. A. Wallis Budge. See Frederick Bligh Bond, The Gate ofRemembrance, The story of the psychological experiment which resulted inthe discovery of the Edgar Chapel at Glastonbury, (Kessinger Publishing Co.,1999). Also see Frederick Bligh Bond, Central Somerset Gazette IllustratedGuide to Glastonbury, (Glastonbury: Avalon Press, 1927). xv See Arthur ConanDoyle, The Coming of the Fairies, (Forgotten Books, 2007). xvi See ArthurConan Doyle, The History of Spiritualism, (Teddington: Echo Library, 2006).xvii Martin P. Starr, ‘Aleister Crowley: Freemason!’, AQC, Vol. 108, (1995),pp.150-161.


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Recently on the Working Tools Magazine Facebookpage we had a lively and informative discussion aboutMasonic Motorcycle Associations (We Do Not Call ThemClubs!!). Many of the readers asked if TWT couldprovide additional information about the Widows Sonsin an article. Never one to disappoint, we reached outto founder Bro. Carl Davenport.

For the non-motorcycle rider or for those unaware thatthis organization even existed, let’s start off with anintroduction.

As found on the official Widows Son website(widowssons.com) we find the following description:

●

●

●

●

One of the more frequently asked questions on theFacebook page was if there was a chapter in a certainstate or location. Here ‘s a quick listing:

The original patch orlogo is the "WidowsLogo" which wasdesigned by BrotherCarl Davenport. Theoriginal logo is used

by many of our founding chapters, as well as some ofour more recent chapters. (Continued on page 25)

The Widows Sons Internati

Alabama

Alaska

Alberta

Arizona

California

Colorado

Finland

Florida

France

Georgia

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Japan

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Manitoba

Maryland

Massachusetts

Mexico

Michigan

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Netherlands

New Brunswick

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

Nevada

Nova Scotia

New Zealand

Ohio

Ontario

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Quebec

Saskatchewan

South Africa

South Carolina

South Dakota

South Korea

UK & Scotland

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming


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�

The reason we have more than one logo is becauseas the organization started to grow, some brethrenand Grand Lodge officers within Freemasonryrequested that we introduce an alternative logowhich would be more symbolically representative ofFreemasonry. In response to this we introduced the"Modern Style" patch, and also a "UK Patch" which isbeing used by our brethren in England & Scotland.The UK Patch or logo was

requested by the Grand Master of the United GrandLodge of England and prominently displays theMasonic Square & Compass to illustrate to the publicthat Freemasons can also be "regular guys" who ridemotorcycles and are not necessarily "elitist" which is apopular misconception in Europe.

1. What made you decide to start a formal Masonicriding association?

2. Before the Widows Son was created was thereanything like it out there for Brothers to ride together?

I contacted a small group who had chapters in a fewstates but they weren’t interested in my thoughts onbeing a club to support widows as their priority, but Ican’t remember their name.

3. When you first formed the group was there anypublic misconceptions that you ran into? Can you giveus some examples?

(Continued from page 24)

(Continued on page 26)

Northern Jurisdiction Logo

UK Logo

Onal Motorcycle AssociationBy Bro Cory Sigler


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4. What about Grand Lodges? Were they receptive tothe idea of a Motorcycle association that consisted ofSquare & Compass wearing Brothers? Were there anyconditions that you had to follow that maybe wasn’t anoriginal part of your plans?

5. There are Chapters in almost every state and manycountries around the world, have you visited many ofthe Chapters? What were some of your morememorable experiences or favorite locations to ride?

6. There are some very catchy Chapter names out there,do you have a favorite?

7. If someone is interested in starting a new Chapter arethere special requirements that are necessary like aminimum number of riders or it has to be a certaindistance from another existing Chapter?

8. To aid and assist widows and orphans of MasterMasons is the number one goal of the organization.Why this cause over any another one that is alsoworthy?

9. How many motorcycles do you have? What is yourfavorite one to ride




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An Amazing Note:

I was working offshore in 2011, and was part of thecrew dragging a drilling rig from Del Carmen Mexico toBrownsville Texas. When we reached our 3 day restingpoint before going into the ship yard, the cell phonesfinally had signal.

I received a Facebook message from Teresa Mills inNewcastle, England. Teresa was the widow of Rob Millsof the Northumberland Chapter of Widow Sons. Robwas fatally injured in a motorcycle accident on June 5,2010. Teresa started a Motorcycle Awareness Group,called Dying to Ride, to make drivers of other vehiclesaware of motorcycles so what happened to her wouldnot happen to others. She asked me to join herorganization and to help her get support for it. I looked

at it, and it was a good cause, so I joined it, and sentnotice of it through my Masonic communication channelsand in two weeks Dying to Ride had over 1000 Facebookmembers. Not because of me, but what it stood for. All Idid was put it in front of Widows Sons and they evaluatedit and decided whether they wanted to support this causeor not.

Teresa and I stayed in contact and talked on the phonebecoming good friends. I invited her to Pensacola, FL inMarch of 2011, because I had a mandatory four weeks offfrom my accumulation of hours offshore. The choice forthe company was time off or a pay raise. You alreadyknow what choice was selected. Lol

She visited me inPensacola, and we weremarried on March 24,2011, and I joined her inEngland in April 2011.I’ve been here since. Wenow work together onDying to Ride setting upher talks aboutmotorcycle awareness atschools and military basesall over England. Wehave an annual ride inEngland on the secondSaturday of each June inmemory of fallen Bikers.Dying to Ride is at:http://dyingtoride.org


Bro. Carl Davenport

The Widows Sons Official International Website http://widowssons.com

The Official Widows Sons Forum http://international.widowssons.com

The Official Widows Sons Magazine is at http://wsmag.org

The Widows Sons Catalog is at: http://widowssons.ws/catalog

The Founder’s website is at http://widowssons.ws

Our Story http://www.widowssons.com/wsstory.htm


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The Coaches Coach

Mastery demands Brothers to developMaturity within themselves. Wisdom

reveals that Maturity cannot, shall notand will not be handed down from one

generation to another.– Dr. John S. Nagy

With Entry into the Craft, Candidatesare offered unique Opportunities tolearn, develop and practice Principleslong known to create better lives. Although many men havebeen given these Opportunities, not enough of them realize theFoundation these Opportunities make effort to Lay.

If you haven’t come to understand that the Craft’s end is toMature men, you might have missed some serious PerpendingOpportunities. Should you pause and ask yourself why it is thisspecific end, you might find that it is so that those Brothers thusengaged can, shall and will eventually take this Maturity andTravel, Work, Earn and Contribute Masterfully. None of thiscan be done immaturely, at least, not with any degree ofMasterful success.

Freemasonry’s Ritual cleverly directs Brothers to a MaturingProcess. The Progression they must go through toward Maturityis clearly spelled out within its Degrees. Freemasons know that theFirst Degree denotes Youth, the Second Manhood and the ThirdAge. There is no clearer or concise message given to those whoembrace the Craft than the importance of Maturing. All else,every Speculation, Elaboration, and Confabulation are meresupporting props and caste to this all-important main theme.

An important first step toward Maturity is making and keepingcommitments. This entails Establishing and Maintaining clearlydefined Standards and Boundaries. One specific Entry levelStandard is keeping inviolate within one’s chest specificKnowledge1. Another is involves Circumscription. A third iskeeping within Due Bounds2. Each of them exemplifiesStandards that must exist and be honored for Maturity to come tofruition. Without any one of them, Maturity withers.

Boundaries are different though. In the Masonic realm, aspecific Boundary would be how one goes about responding toquestions about that Knowledge, especially when asked bysomeone who clearly and without question has no Right to it. Ofcourse, those that have the Right to it are treated much differently.

Restriction

As a Master Mason, you have hopefully Progressed towardMaturity yourself. If you have succeeded, you might also be

making effort to aid in the Maturing of other Brothers who haveyet to gain suitable Mastery. To help them, you must providethem with Opportunities to test and develop their judgments untilPerfected. Establishing Standards and Boundaries is one suchway to provide these Opportunities to them. By offeringsomething that requires specific Restrictions, it challenges thosetaking these offers to exercise good judgments in keeping towhat was committed.

If you have not clearly voiced it before,Standards and Boundaries are aboutselective Restrictions that promote wellbeing and enrichment. Without theseselective Restrictions, Standards andBoundaries do not serve well. TheseRestrictions require the exercising of goodand sound discernment, something that isrequired should there be any hope ofeventually developing Wisdom. Having Brothers commit todeveloping and practicing discernment assists them towarddeveloping Maturity.

Standards

It is good to have a Working definition of Standards when youWork with others in assisting them toward Establishing andMaintaining new Standards. Such Working definitions help inbringing about better Understanding. From betteredUnderstandings come abilities to Recognize when Standards arethere, and when they are missing. Such Knowledge also aids indiagnosing when Standards have not been Properly Establishedor Maintained.

What is a Working definition for Standards? They are thoselimits to which a Mature man holds himself to account. They arehis Operating parameters3 when it comes to himself. A Matureman is responsible for both Establishing and Maintainingworthwhile and life enriching Standards. No one else should dothis for the man. To have anyone else do this for him wouldclassify him as immature.

Of course, Apprentices are given Standards to Operate bybecause they are considered Youths. They have yet to Matureenough to set their own Standards and hence are provided thosethat should assist them toward Maturity. Should they shirk theirResponsibility to honor these Standards and not do the Work toassure that these Standards are Established and Maintained, theyshall not bring about the Maturity that these Standards helpcultivate.

Boundaries


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: “Maturing Our Masonic Youth-Restriction”By Bro. John Nagy

It is also good to have a Working definition of Boundaries whenyou Work with others in assisting them toward Establishing andMaintaining new Boundaries. Such Working definitions help inbringing about better Understanding. From a betteredUnderstanding comes abilities to Recognize when Boundariesare there, and when they are missing. Such Knowledge also aidsin diagnosing when Boundaries have not been ProperlyEstablished or Maintained.

What is a Working definition for Boundaries? They are those limits towhich a man holds others to account. They are his Operatingparameters when it comes to how he conducts himself with others.A Mature man is responsible for both Establishing andMaintaining worthwhile and life enriching Boundaries. No oneelse should do this for the man. To have anyone else do this forhim would classify him as immature.

Of course, Apprentices are given Boundaries to Operate bybecause they are considered Youths. They have yet to Matureenough to set their own Boundaries and hence they are providedthose that should assist them toward Maturity. Should they shirktheir Responsibility to honor these Boundaries and not do theWork to assure these Boundaries are Established andMaintained, they shall not bring about the Maturity that theseBoundaries help cultivate.

Further Work

There are many Standards and Boundaries that are offered to theYouth of the Craft, especially when they first Enter. TheseStandards and Boundaries are right there within Ritual and theyare not veiled in any way. As Coaches and Mentors, it behoovesyou to ask the next generation of Craft Brothers what Standardsand Boundaries they remember from their Ritual experience.Although, you might want to start the conversation by askingthem what they know about Standards and Boundaries. Theymight just surprise you once you clarify definitions and provideto them an example or two.

Be ready for some challenging Discourse should you truly desireto assist them in Maturing. The insights and questions that youshare should stimulate their thinking. These should also helpdevelop their discernment quicker than had you not involvedthem in any challenge other than rote learning. ProperlyPreparing for this important task mightalso require that you reevaluate andpossibly Work upon your own Maturity. IfMaturing the next generation is important toyou, then you shall be motivated to do theright thing. If it is not, you shall continueto do what many Brothers before you havedone and merely pass down only what washanded to you and not help others cultivatewhat was developed by you.

Should you be a Coach or Mentor to this next generation ofBrothers, you have an important task ahead of you and this taskshould not be taken lightly. It’s been said many times thatApprentices are the life’s blood of the Fraternity. Keep in mindthat Good, honest and thoughtful Discourse is its oxygen! ComeProperly Prepared for it and don’t leave anyone suffocating orgasping for air.

Here are some conversation kickers that you can use to helpbring about quicker development: Circumscribing specificbehaviors, Divesting other behaviors and Cultivating differentbehaviors relate to the Standards and Boundaries offered byRitual to Craft Youth. Ask them what these behaviors are. Askthem what challenges they must face in Establishing newbehaviors, in stopping other behaviors and in limiting specificbehaviors. Ask them how important they think these actions areto them and others. Ask them how their behaviors reflect theirseriousness and commitment to the Craft and themselves. Thenbrace yourself for some tremendous Discourse!

Points to Perpend:

1) How do you define Standards and how do you defineBoundaries?

2) What distinguishes Standards from Boundaries and visaversa?

3) What Standards & Boundaries can you identify withinRitual?

4) What Standards & Boundaries list can you provide foryour Coaching or Mentoring sessions?

5) What new Standards & Boundaries have you Establishedand Maintained since joining the Craft?

Footnotes 1. Although this Knowledge is referred to as, “Secret”, a moreaccurate term would be “Confidential” as it is provided under thecondition that the knowledge will be only shared in restrictedand acceptable ways.2. These last two Standards are precursors to Establishing andMaintaining Boundaries.3. As is, “Window of Operation”

Dr. John S. Nagy is a Master Mason, Lodge Musician and Masonic Educationprovider for his two Lodges and for others who support his sharing. He isauthor of the “Building Series” of Masonic Education books. His books,Building Hiram, Building Boaz, Building Athens, Building Janus andBuilding Perpends, his Videos “The Coaches Coach: Building Builders”Parts 1 & 2 and his Uncommon Masonic Education Workshops coveraspects of Masonry designed to Build Better Builders. His materials are usedto instruct Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite and York Rite Candidates in SymbolRecognition, Understanding and Application. You can find out more about him,his books, his videos and his workshops through his webpage at:

http://www.coach.net/BuildingBuilders.htm


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I have long been fascinated by cemeteries,not for any morbid reason, but because of

the quest to learn the history of some of the people whosefinal resting place they contain.

One of the most historic cemeteries in the United States isCongressional Cemetery located on Capitol Hill inWashington D.C. This 35 acre site has over 55,000 burialsand contains some of the most prolific names inWashington D.C. and in turn our nation’s history. Amongstthe dignitaries buried at Congressional are President WilliamHenry Harrison, President John Quincy Adams, PresidentZachary Taylor and numerous members of Congress, cabinetmembers and military officers.

On my visit I was focused on finding outabout the Masonic connection to thecemetery. I didn’t have to look far as I saw aMasonic Flag flying in one section of thecemetery.

Beneath the flag was a granite monumentplaced by the Grand Lodge of WashingtonD.C. in memory of their fraternal dead.There were numerous gravemarkers in the vicinity withMasonic symbols on the

stones, providing a clue to some of the pastmembers of the DC Grand Lodge.

There were hundreds of grave markers withMasonic symbols on them. Some had merelythe square and compass while others hadScottish Rite, York Rite and other Masonicbodies on them. As I was walking down arow of graves, I stumbled upon Brother JohnPhillips Sousa, who was one of the most famous bandleaders in the world and composed many of the famousmarch songs still played to this day. Brother Sousa becamea member of Hiram Lodge No. 10, Washington D.C. on July15, 1881. He was also a member of Almas Shriners, the

York Riteand otherMasonicbodies.Upon hisburial onMarch 10,1932, theAlmasTemple

Band played in his honor.

Congressional Cemetery contains a chapel located in thecenter of the cemetery. I was given a personal tour of thefacility by the caretaker. The chapel was used for funeralsand holds approximately 75 people. Inside there are severalholding vaults that the caskets would have sat in while

awaiting their turn for afuneral. In its’ heyday therewere burials per day. Thecasket was placed through theoutside of the building andthere was a door on theinterior that opened when itwas time to be removed.

The chapel also had a Masonic connection. The three chairson the altar area had the symbols of the 3 principal officersof a lodge WM, SW and JW. I suspect because of the largenumber of fraternity members buried in the early days,these might have played a role in the Masonic funeralservice.

One of the most interesting stories I was toldis about former US Attorney General WilliamWirt who died in 1834. Mr. Wirt was the anti-Masonic party candidate for President of theUnited States in 1832. Some claim that Mr.Wirt was a former Freemason.

He is buried at Congressional and sometimein the 1970’s, his tomb was broken into andhis skull was removed. It was even noticeduntil sometime in the early 2000’s that it hadbeen stolen. An anonymous phone call setoff a series of events that eventually returnedit to the cemetery to be reunited with the rest of Mr. Wirt’sremains after verification by the Smithsonian Institute. Iwas shown the box that held the skull for many years.Perhaps another Masonic Conspiracy or Dan Brown novelwaiting to happen!

One of my final stops on the journey was to the grave ofPeter P. Pitchlynn who was a Native American member ofthe Choctaw Nation and a prominent Freemason. BrotherPitchlyn was a member of Washington Commandery ofKnights Templar, a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, andwas Chief of the Choctaw Nation and extremely active innational affairs serving as an advocate for his people.

It was incredible visit and time didn’t allow me to even seethe entire cemetery. I highly recommend a visit when youare in Washington D.C. Congressional has several walkingtours that you can take that help you undestand the hisotryof those there. The Cememtery is open daily.

I have made a gallery of many of the Masonic headstonesand monuments that I saw that day athttps://picasaweb.google.com/100541014602276671939/CongressionalCemeteryDC#

Edtors Note: Gregs’ article used with permssion from The MidnightFreemason Blog & Todd Creason found athttp://midnightfreemason.blogspot.com/2012/06/visit-to-congressional-cemetery-in.html

Congressional Cemetery – Washington D.C.By Bro. Gregg Knott


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In my previous article "My PersonalLetter to the WM to be" (TWT Dec2012) I wrote about some wishes for theWM to be and gave some thoughts onhow to carry yourself and how to be inthe right mindset to lead a lodge of men. This month's this article will follow upwith some practical organizational adviceto help the new WM organize himselfand have a smooth year in conductingthe business of the Lodge. I hope thisadvice helps, I know it helped me.

1. written Goal or Goals foryour year. It must be realistic andachievable but have one and share it withyour officers and your Lodge membersso everyone knows what you and themare trying to accomplish for the ensuingyear. Some ideas include: 1. Increaseattendance, 2. Better ritualistic work, 3.An improved program of MasonicEducation, 4. More social activity andbetter fellowship, 5. More concern forthe Sick and Distresses and Widows, 6.Improved fiscal conditions, 7. Closerattention to visiting Brethren, 8.Emphasis on Public Relations, 9. MoreLodge Visitations and 10. Bettercandidate instruction. And do notchoose more than 2 as that is unrealisticto accomplish in just one year, focus onone or two and do it or them well.

2. Keep one notebook for your entireyear and put everything in it.From your visitations, to events youattend, to causes you support. Also keeptrack of special visitors that attend any ofyour Stated Communications. When youwrite your Stewardship at the end of theyear you will thank me.

3 .

I promise you, it will come inhandy at some point in the year. Do itimmediately before or after becomingMaster. And separate the groups intothe following subgroups: Your Officers,Past Masters and brothers. Do this

because it will surely happen that you mayand will need to send different messages todifferent sets of brothers.

4. Immediately create a template foryour monthly communication so it willbe easy to re-create it and send it out ontime. Make sure it has the followingsections and it will be mostly completealready: WM’s message, Sickness andDistress, Next Meeting Notice, Officer’sContact Information, Upcoming Events,Glad Tidings, and some MasonicEducation material. Many members trulylook forward to their monthlycommunication and don’t give membersan excuse not to know what is going on, ornot to participate.

5. Talk to every brother in the Lodgebefore you become Master (or at leasttry to). I know this is a difficult task, butthe only way to get the maximumparticipation from most of your membersis to talk to them individually. There areno shortcuts to building good relationshipsand as Master you should seek to buildgood relationships with all of yourmembers. Before you assign any memberto any committee or project, ask themwhat they are interested in, by matchingmembers to what they like, you will get abetter product and a happier member.

6.. And share it at

least a day in advance with your Wardensand Secretary and Treasurer, that way noneof your officers are surprised by what isgoing to happen in the meeting and theycan remind you of anything that you mayhave forgotten. It will also help you makesure that your meetings do not wander andthat they move smoothly and nothing thatneeds to be discussed is forgotten.

7. Hold a regular Trestleboard or Clubmeeting the week before your StatedCommunication. It will help you plan outall the issues that may come before the fullLodge meeting with your officers and itgives you a chance to handle much of thebusiness discussions there, rather thanwasting time in the meeting.

8. Always open ontime. Respect the timeof the brothers, and getthem home early and they will be apt tocome back out for the next meeting.Keep meetings to no longer than 2 hoursand degree work nights to no longer than3. Have visitors salute the West whenthey come in, unless they are the WM ofa Lodge or Grand Lodge officers this willsave some valuable time. By keepingyour meetings to this time frame,members will be much more apt to comeout next month, because they know youwon’t be wasting their time.

9. Some Masonic Education at everymeeting. One of the things thatseparates us from every social andcharitable organization in the world isMasonic Education and Light. It is ourduty to dispense some light at everymeeting of the Lodge and at every studyclass no matter how small. Have alecturer come in and speak, invite yourDistrict Deputy Grand Lecturer, have aninformed brother come address theLodge, or just read a Masonic Educationpiece and have members share theirthoughts about it. If you are not doingdegree work, share some light with thebrothers, every meeting.

10 Fellowship after every meeting.Have a collation after every meeting, evenif it is just some pizza and soda, do it.The first Lodges met in Taverns andfellowship is just as important as lodgebusiness or Masonic light. It allowsMasons to meet socially and to be arefuge from the outside world; often thebusiness done there is just as important asin the Lodge.

My brothers, people come to Masonry fordifferent reasons make sure that everyreason that a brother comes for is met inyour Lodge at every possible occasionand meeting, and I promise you will havebetter meetings and better attended onesas well.

Things I AdviseFor

The IncomingBy Bro Kevin


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From Sundial to CircumpunctBy Michelle Snyder, Mphil. OES

"Circumpunct" means "encircled dot." "Circum" in Latinmeans "around." "Punct" in German can mean either "a dotin a circle," or "a point along a trail," or both. It's a timelessMasonic symbol that reveals and dates a prehistoric event,and locates the regions where it occurred. The eventmanifested around the Rhone, Loir, and Rhine Rivers, andin Southern England: the discovery and application ofoccultation (interruption of light from a celestial body) with

a plumb-bob and string. This event advancedmost everything we do so vigorously that itcompares with transistors, which led to today's cell phones.The circumpunct symbol reveals and dates only one of anumber of advances in proto-historic knowledge andtechnology.

Points along the trail to the circumpunct include:

One of the earliest uses of the circumpunct symbol isat the Loughcrew Giant Megalith, and depicts thehigh accuracy of azimuth measured by occultation.Here, imaged with other astronomical and calendric

symbols, it stands not just for the sun, but any celestialobject measured in this manner - using a plumb-bob anda string. We have included some translations of thesymbols on Loughcrew for your enjoyment.


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is simply the most unusualpublication about symbols ever. Prehistory and origin of symbols revealing a lost civilization, secrets about charactersfrom mythology and Fairy tales. By Symbologist Michelle Snyder. Color illustrations. You will pay only $1.95 monththrough Amazon and can cancel anytime, delivered by letter, keeping your info private.


33

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We note that occultation is so accurate, technical modificationsof it (crosshairs in a telescope site, instead of a plumb-bob anda string) used by today's astronomers reveal planets orbitingdistant stars. The circumpunct is a symbol of this accuracy.

Like most symbols from prehistory, the circumpunct hasgathered layers of meaning over time. It has become a symbolfor the solar orb and the universe, megalith observatories,Kether of the Sephirot, sun-gods such as Ra, gold, the sun, theeye, spirit or inner man, the Unmoved Mover, the Eye of God,

the center, the beginning, circumambulation, andothers. Masons use this symbol to represent living acircumscribed life, and sometimes it is imaged with avertical line on each side. Turned to horizontal, thetwo lines represent measurement of the top and

bottom of the sun's azimuth, Cancer and Capricorn.

Article © 2013 Michelle Snyder and Dr. Robert Duncan-Enzmann. Duncan-Enzmann spent decades collecting,examining, and translating Ice Age inscriptions. The amazingstories told by these translations expand our knowledge andunderstanding of prehistory. You can see some of thismaterial at Ice Age Language website: iceagelanguage.com.Ice Age Language: The Lady at the Loom is scheduled forpublication in 2013 by White Knight Studio. Visit Michelle'sOnce Upon a Time blog: whiteknightstudio.blogspot.com.Michelle has written several books which are available atAmazon. Visit her author page to order.


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The Benefits of Pennsylvania’sRejuvenation.By Shawn M. Gorley

When a man has been accepted toa Masonic Lodge, one of the firstthings he states that he desires ismore light and in Masonic terms weknow that light equals knowledge. Asa member of the Masonic fraternity aBrother is entitled to attain knowledgethat may not everywhere be foundand it is our duty as Freemasons togain this knowledge and utilize it in

our daily lives in order to become better men, citizens and tobe a benefit to our Lodges as well as to the outside world.Without education our fraternity becomes nothing more thana social and or charitable club with a little memorizationthrown into the mix. To borrow the idea from our esteemedBrother Andrew Hammer, “if you want a supper club

experience gather your friendsand go to Denny’s; if you want acharitable club join the Rotary”. Ihad the privilege of witnessingBrother Hammer speak as a resultof the Pennsylvania Academy ofMasonic Knowledge’s hard workand dedication.

Brother Hammer is just oneexample of the high caliber ofspeakers that the Academy hasgraciously booked for itsmembers to observe and learnfrom. Some other past speakershave been Brother’s Cliff Porter,Alton Roundtree, Chris Hodapp aswell as Thomas Jackson, RWPGSwhom we have the privilege of

being the chairman of our esteemed Academy. ThePennsylvania Academy provides these top notch speakers forits members to learn from in order to become top notchMasons themselves, and speaking as a scholar and student ofthe Academy I can say that the meetings are truly a wonderfuland educational experience that have helped me developpositively in to the man and Mason I am today; without theAcademy I most likely would have never even thought oftaking up writing for Masonic Magazines or speaking andgiving educational presentations like I do today not tomention the positive impact I have been able to take back tomy own Lodge to assist them in improving.

The benefits that a student of the Academy that I feel are of theutmost importance in today’s Freemasonry are the knowledge

and skills that the individual student learns that he can takeback to his Lodge and use to aid in the improvement of hisLodge. Let’s face it, history shows that over the past fifty yearsor so education in Lodges has taken a dramatic decline to thepoint where it is almost nonexistent if it is present at all, sadly Ihave visited entirely too many Lodges in my travels that haveno education whatsoever. To live up to our obligations asFreemasons, this fact is quite unacceptable. Ironically, if youalso pay attention to history you’ll notice that about the timeeducation began to disappear from our Lodge roomsattendance soon followed with a decline and with lowerattendance our Craft had less members overall out in theworld to be an example for the profane to see just whatupstanding and wonderful men Freemasons really are, thus itbecame harder to increase our membership numbers. This isexactly why our Masonic education is of utmost importance,let’s face it FREEMASONRY IS AN EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION,without it we become not much more than a social club. Thisis why it is imperative as Freemasons to further our educationby studying, reading and participating in activities andprograms like the Pennsylvania Academy of MasonicKnowledge makes possible, and they make it possible in themost convenient way possible with the courses designed to bedone at your own pace and in your own style whether it’sreading, speaking, writing or teaching others all while beingtaught yourself by a wonderful and knowledgeable board ofdirectors who truly enjoy helping Masonic students succeed.Brethren I cannot stress enough the importance of continuallybroadening your Masonic education, the benefits of this aretruly unlimited.

Thanks to the Pennsylvania Academy I have learned agreat deal about myself, been able to push myself to gofarther, be better and share the examples I have learnedfrom with not only my own Blue Lodge to help it growand thrive along with the help of my Lodge Brothers butwith Brothers from all over the world through writing andspeaking. Along with those benefits the one I am mostthankful to receive is the bond and friendships I havemade as a result of the Academy, I am truly blessed tohave met and befriended like-minded Brethren from notonly all over the state but the world as well and we allshare a deep respectful bond that can never be broken!Fiat Lux and may the G.A.O.T.U bless all of you myBrothers!

Rejuvenation inPennsylvania Freemasonry

By Bro Shawn P. D’Ignazio

It truly is an AMAZING time for Freemasonry in Pennsylvania, ourGrand Lodge is creating Masons unparalleled in generations. Due

Bro Tom Jackson RWPGS,Bro Shawn Gorley

Pennsylvania’s Rejuvenation


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AN EMBLEM OF OUR FAITH IN THE

When he who was weary, plucked atthings n

to The Grand Masterand his officers hardwork, listening ear,educationalopportunities andlove of the Craft.

The PennsylvaniaAcademy of MasonicKnowledge ,Chairedby Bro. Tom JacksonRWPGS, presents justone of thoseopportunities. Westrive to create anenvironment that willencourage Masons to

seek a greater understanding of the nature and purpose ofFreemasonry in all its many aspects-past, present, and future-andto share that understanding with others.

To this end, the Academy offers learning opportunities in whichMasons participate in dialogues with similarly inclined brethren,witness prominent Masonic scholars from all over the worlddiscussing various aspects of Freemasonry, and also pursue homestudy at their own pace and in their own areas of interest.

In addition to providing a learning experience , the Academy is avehicle affording recognition to Masons who share theirknowledge of Freemasonry with fellow Masons or the public by thewritten or spoken word.

• Study and gain an understanding of Masonic concepts

• You study in a self-paced format

• Maximum flexibility and freedom to explore your own thoughts,concepts, and ideas

• Opportunity to gain Masonic Education Units by participating inother scholarly activities

• Ascertain that you not only understand the materials, but canalso apply its concepts and ideas to your Masonic life and beyond

• Discern how the subject matter is related to you as a Freemason

• Expand your foundation of Masonic knowledge

• Succeed at every level!

The Academy has three Certification levels:

• Level One Masonic Scholar Certification

• Level Two Masonic Scholar Certification

• Level Three Masonic Scholar Certification: Master Masonic

MEU's (Masonic Education Units) are used as the standardmeasurement for recording achievement.

Each level contains basic and core information as its anchor.However, the requirements are formulated to allow you flexibilityto pursue individual interests. Many avenues are provided forearning certification in a variety of ways.

Pennsylvania is also home to one of the World's leading Lodges ofResearch. Unlike other LOR's, ours is an actual working Blue Lodge,with PA Ritual, Officers, appointed and otherwise, business, bills etc....but our main purpose is presenting Scholarly work, papers andpresentations which are then published in the "Transactions"volumes.

In addition, our Right Worshipful Grand Master Bro. Jay W. Smith,has implemented some wonderful changes and excitingopportunities along Masonic education lines. Consisting of onlinecourses, quizzes, communication, as well as increased support andevents for both the Academy and Lodge of Research.

It truly is WONDERFUL to have a Grand Master , along with hisGrand Lodge officers dedicated to Masonic Education, which isbecoming increasingly more, the mortar which holds our greatCraft together!

The Grand Master's current plans, along with things he and ourGrand Line have coming out, Pennsylvania TRULY is experiencing aRenaissance of learned dedicated leaders, philosophers, authors,men of action............FREEMASONS!

Please check out www.pagrandlodge.org, you will find more infofor both the Academy of Masonic Knowledge and thePennsylvania Lodge of Research.

Please let me know if I can help you my Brother.

FIAT LUX

Bro Jerry J. Hamilton PM, Bro FredPalmer, Bro Shawn D’Ignazio


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We are living in the age of technology. Everything we do inour lives revolves around technology. When you take yourcar to a mechanic, he plugs a computer into it. If you go tothe doctor to get medical tests done, they are done usingsome of the most technologically advanced equipment inthe world. Every organization that is succeeding in the 21st

century is doing so because they embraced technology.There is one very prominent organization that has yet toembrace this new technological world and thatorganization is our own.

Now, let me clarify this point a bit because some of you areprobably saying this is not true as I am sure there are agood portion of those who are reading this article aredoing so on some sort of computer, tablet, smart phone,etc. Individual Masons, especially those who were raised inthe age of new media, have embraced technology as a wayof communicating with otherMasons around the world.They have set up discussionsites, blogs, video educationseries, etc, which are allfantastic things.

Unfortunately our governingbodies, whether it be ourrespective Grand Lodges,Supreme Councils, etc, havenot. They have created websitesand created a basic internetpresence, but they are not usingthe technology that they have attheir disposal in the best possibleway. There are exceptions to this,such as the Supreme Council of theSouthern Jurisdiction, who created TheFreemason Network, which is a fantastic forum for Masonicsocializing, discussion, and education, but they are theminority.

Whether Brethren like it or not, the world around us isadvancing and evolving into a world of real time events.Every bit of information that any person needs is availableat their fingertips in a matter of seconds. The bestorganizations in the world have embraced this and peopleare flocking to the services these organizations providebecause of their ease of access. Now, Freemasonry is muchdifferent than all other organizations and businesses in theworld, but that does not mean we cannot learn from theirsuccess.

Freemasonry has been an organization that, for the mostpart, has been a month to month organization. Mostlodges have one stated meeting a month. Most districts

have one school of instruction a month. Most newerMasons who are learning the work are getting maybe oneor two serious instruction sessions a month. This month tomonth way of operation also applies to Masonic educationand the way we have been educating our new members.

Young men are coming to our doors and becomingmembers of our organization and are expecting us toeducate them. Our problem is that we are doing so in avery arcane way. We are meeting with them once or twicea month to teach them our philosophy. We think that ourMasonic education programs once a month at our statedmeetings are enough to fulfill the need for Masonicknowledge that the newly raised Master Mason is lookingfor. In this age of real time, at your fingertips world ofmodern technology, this is not enough, and it leaves manyof them going to the internet and social networks to look

for this “daily advancement in Masonicknowledge.”

Fortunately for the Masonic world,there are many great websites,forums, Facebook groups, and blogsto provide the young Mason withquality Masonic education.Unfortunately, there are manyterrible websites, forums,Facebook groups, and blogs toprovide them with awful

information. For everygreat Masonic

website orgroup,there is a

terrible one to counterthe advancement of the well intentioned.

This is where our lodges and Grand Lodges need to comeinto play.

As a Fraternity, we need to realize and accept that thenew, technologically advanced Mason, is going to belooking for Masonic education and discussion on a dailybasis. We like to think that our basic websites andFacebook groups are enough but that is not the case. Now,I am not saying that every lodges needs to start a Masonicforum or blog, but I think every lodge should look intowhat is available already and recommend them to theirmembers for education. I was lucky enough to have foundthese websites and groups early on in my Masonic careerbut most are not so lucky. Some find them long after theirmajor Masonic development period (which I personallydefine as last roughly one year after being raised) haspassed. It is the duty of every Mason to always make someform of progress throughout his lifetime but the first year

Using the Internet As a Medium to BetterEducate Our Members

Masonic Education At Your Fingertips:

By Bro. Kyle Ferguson


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post-raising is absolutely crucial. This is where we keep orlose our new members and if we continue to think thatwhat we are providing our new members in the form ofonce a month Masonic education is enough, then thinkagain.

There are many great Masonic forums and blogs torecommend to your membership (especially newmembership) to allow them to engage in a dailyadvancement of Masonic knowledge as their own leisure.The Sanctum Sanctorum(http://www.thesanctumsanctorum.com/) runs one ofthe best Masonic discussion boards I have seen. TheMasonic Society also has one for its members that is verywell run and moderated(http://www.themasonicsociety.com/). They do a greatjob of breaking out subject matter into appropriate areasand even have sections with posts relating to each degree(perfect for someone who is looking for additionaleducation throughout their initial mentor period). Thereare many Facebook groups who also succeed but in adifferent type of way (Esoterically Inclined Freemasons,ran by Bro. PD Newman, and The PhilosophicalFreemason, ran by yours truly, are just two examples).The Facebook groups do not break out the informationinto appropriate categories but it does allow informationto be put in front of you very quickly and without musttime spent searching for specific things. Just scrollthrough the wall of your chosen group and see whateveryone is talking about. These Facebook forums do agreat job of connecting new Masons with experiencedMasonic scholars and allow them to ask questions of themen who wrote the Masonic books that they may haverecently read. I know from my own perspective,Facebook has allowed me to connect with many Brethrenwho, at the time, were authors and scholars I hadadmired when my Masonic development was occurring,and now, because of our correspondence, we havebecome friends, and I can call of them personally when Ineed some information or advice. These open lines ofcommunication with respected Masonic historians,scholars, and philosophers, are changing the way weeducate our new Masons and we, as mentors to our newmembers, need to point them in the direction of these

invaluable resources of Masonic light. There are alsoMasonic blogs where Brethren can read the musings ofsome of their favorite Masonic authors about Masonichistory, philosophy, current events, etc. I personally writea blog entitled The Philosophical Freemason(http://www.philosophicalfreemason.com/) where I tryto post as much as I can and am a big fan of The MagpieMason (http://themagpiemason.blogspot.com/) writtenby Bro. Jay Hochberg who does an excellent job atposting about anything and everything to do withFreemasonry.

The challenge that we face is ensuring that we aresending our Brethren to good sources of Masonicinformation and not to Anti-Masonic sites posing as legitor Anti-Masonic sites that are just blatantly Anti-Masonic.There are just as many of these out there and this is thereason why I think that the Grand Lodges, Lodges, andAppendant Governing Bodies need to accept the factthat this is going to be a major facet of Masoniceducation and start pointing our members to the bestparts of the internet and social networking to allow themto develop into the Masons that they can truly be. If wecontinue to think that our current system of Masoniceducation is enough, then we are going to start losingmembers who do not know that these valuable onlineresources exist. The world is no longer month to month,it is minute to minute, and we need to adjust of methodsof education and development to correspond to themindset of those who are approaching our West Gate.

If you are interested in further information of this topic,please consider attending the 4th Annual MasonicRestoration Foundation Symposium in Manchester, NH onAugust 16-18, 2013. I will be giving a presentationentitled “The Potential for Advancement of MasonicEducation in the Age of New Media” that will focus onthis topic in much more detail than what is outlined inthis article. Check our my blog(http://www.philosophicalfreemason.com?/) for the listof other speakers and topics and more informationregarding registration, hotel booking, etc, will be madeavailable as they are released by the MRF and the hostinglodge.


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In our quest for Light, sometimes a person, a story, or an event inspiresus. Frequently these come to us through non-Masonic sources, yet theyhold lessons which are Masonic in nature. These Lessons are there forus all if we only choose to see them.The story which is about to unfold is just such a story, one that inspiresme. It is a story of Integrity; such an interesting word, to have it, onerequires Honor, Courage and most importantly, Humility. For whateverit is, in keeping your word or understanding a lesson, Integrity meanshaving Honor, to see and not to shun it, the Courage to accept it, andthe Humility to submit to it. Our story shows just this. It is a story ofintegrity and it shows the implications of what holding to your integritycan mean, not only to us but also to future generations. The best thingof the entire story it is true.

We begin over six hundred years ago. The Hundred Years War betweenEngland and France is raging, and England and her Alliance with theDuchy of Burgundy have reduced the Kingdom of France to a remnantin the south, with its Court seated at Chinon. On the sixth of January,1412 a child was born in the village of Domremy on the banks of theMeuse River. This child was destined to become one of France’s greatestheroines, a Saint in the Catholic Church, and perhaps the mostimportant a figure whose integrity shines as an example for all.

Jeanne d’Arc or as she is known in English, Joan of Arc was born toJacques d’Arc, a peasant farmer of local standing and a worthy andfrugal man, and to Isabelle, a kind and affectionate mother of fivechildren. Joan was raised with a great devotion to God and her faith,and as a peasant farmer’s daughter she learned the tasks of farm life andwas illiterate. In her fourteenth year, she experienced the earliest of hersupernatural manifestations, visions that guided her.

In 1428 the voices she heard lead her to the Captain of the French forcesin Vaucouleurs, Robert de Baudricourt. In her own words “When Icame to Vaucouleurs I knew Robert de Baudricourt, though I havenever seen him before. The voice told me that it was he. And I told himthat I must go into France.” She told de Baudricourt, “The Kingdomof France is not the Dauphin’s but my Lord’s. But my Lord wills theDauphin shall be made King and have the Kingdom in custody. TheDauphin shall be King despite his enemies, and I shall lead him to hisanointing.” Twice she was refused and rejected.

It was only after news of a French defeat that Joan had prophesied thatde Baudricourt relented and gave her men and arms for that hard winterride to Chinon. Joan was given three men-at-arms and she travelled, ather own request, in male dress for her own protection.

Joan arrived at Chinon on March 6, 1429 and was admitted into thepresence of the Dauphin, Charles on March 8th. Charles had disguised

himself and hid amongst the women of the court, Joan identified himat once and imparted a secret sign that her voices commanded to begiven to Charles alone. Many of the court thought her to be merely acrazy visionary or an imposter. Charles, needing evidence to thecontrary, sent Joan to Poitiers to be examined by an ecclesiasticaltribunal to determine whether or not she was an imposter.

For three weeks she endured the frustrations of first being examinedby women to determine virginity, which she was proved to be, and thenexamined by a body of over thirty priests and clerics. Learned and loyalmen declared that Joan was a virgin, pure and untouched, pious andtrue. Joan returned to Chinon where preparations went forward and anarmy was assembled. Joan was about to launch her first military campaign.

On April 27th the army left Blois, with Joan at its head dressed in whitearmor. When she entered the City of Orleans on the 29th of April it waslike a dose of adrenaline for the French. Within eleven days, all theEnglish forts surrounding Orleans had been captured and the siege ofOrleans lifted after Joan herself was wounded in the breast by an arrowand miraculously returned to the field.

Joan then undertook a campaign of the Loire, resulting in a crushingdefeat of the English forces under Sir. John Fastolf at Patay. The lastobstacle that lay in the path of the coronation of the Dauphin Charleswas the City of Troyes which unexpectedly surrendered at the approachof the Maid of Orleans. After great reluctance the French Leadershipdid follow Joan to the cathedral at Rheims where on July 17, 1429Charles VII, was solemnly crowned King of France with Joan standingat his side with her standard. This event completed her task her voicesfirst entrusted her with, and also marked the close of her military success.

Joan soon launched a bold attack against Paris, which failed due to alack of support that Charles promised. During the action Joan waswounded in the thigh by an arrow and had to be dragged from the fieldby Jean Duc d`Alencon. The relief of Compienge would be Joan’s lastmilitary action. On May 23rd 1430 while attempting to relieve the townfrom a Burgundian siege, Joan was captured and held by John Duke ofLuxemburg. Six months passed and there was no attempt by the Frenchto rescue her or obtain her ransom. She was sold to the English onNovember 21, 1430. This began Joan’s final months on this earth.

The English could not have her executed for defeating them in openwarfare, so they sought to have her tried as a sorceress and a heretic,two charges that would guarantee execution.


The Key to Light

By Bro. William D. Stephey Jr.

INTEGRITY:


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On February 21, 1431 she appeared for the first time what would be atorturous, ignominious three month trial consisting of six public andnine private sessions of examination and cross examination concerningher voices, visions, dressing in male attire etc.

This tribunal was headed by Pierre Cauchon Bishop of Beauvias, acorrupt man seeking English influence to be the Archbishop of Rouen.Three months of trial and ill treatment took their toll on Joan thoughshe held steadfastly to her word and belief that her voices and visionswere real, even when the English tempted her with torture and sheremained steadfast. Near the end of her ordeal a public spectacle wasmade of her.

At the cemetery of St.Ouen she was told that if she did not abjure hertestimony she would be turned over to the secular authority and thenbe burned at the stake as a heretic. Joan was at her limit, as burning byfire was her worst and greatest fear. Weak and sick she did recant andwas forced back to the prison where she had been promised to beremoved if she recanted.

Joan revoked her denial and resumed male dress, knowing full well thatthis very act would lead her to the stake. In her own words, “What Isaid, I said for fear of the fire. My voices have told me since that I dida very wicked thing in confessing that what I had done was not welldone. They told me that God, by St. Catherine and St. Margaret, gaveme to know the great pity of the treason that I consented to by makingthat abjuration and revocation to save my life, and that I was damningmyself to save my life. If I should say that God had not sent me, I shoulddamn myself. It is true that God had sent me.”

On Tuesday, May 29, 1431 the Judges, on Cauchon’s report, declaredJoan a relapsed heretic. They had her lead to the market square in thecity of Rouen and turned over to the secular authority which burnedher at the stake. Joan was not yet twenty years old and after her deathher ashes were contempously cast into the river Seine. Twenty threeyears later Joan’s mother and brother appealed to Pope Callistus IIIwho reopened the case and the result of those labors on July 7, 1456declared Joan’s trial of condemnation illegal, quashed the verdict anddeclared Joan the maid innocent. Finally over four hundred and fiftyyears later on May 16, 1920 Joan was canonized a Saint in the RomanCatholic Church. Her full history is too vast to include in one lonearticle, I do encourage you the reader to learn more.

Whether her voices and visions were from Deity or not is not the pointof this story or the lessons it holds, that is a matter of Faith. The lessonis one of Integrity .The facts are simply you have an untrained, illiteratepeasant girl in her teenaged years living in the fifteenth century, whowith a deep devotion to Deity followed what she perceived to be hisinstructions. Loving her country, she willingly went to its defense, andwas able to persuade the future King to support her cause, the cause ofFrance.

She successfully endured great scrutiny before she was even consideredto lead an army, was able to raise an army and bring France her firstreal victories, culminating into the actual coronation of the King. Whenshe was a captive she stood boldly against the English, even against thecorrupt clerics that sat in judgment of her.Joan of Arc had the honor to see her duty through and didn’t shun it.She had the courage to accept it, though she thought she couldn’t doit. And she had the humility to submit to it. Who would ever havethought that a 19 year old illiterate peasant girl could accomplish somuch? What a great Exemplar of Integrity

Integrity has its implications, and they echo in eternity. Joan of Arc’sIntegrity and actions have affected us to this day. By the crowning ofCharles as King, she re-established French sovereignty, allowing thatnation to grow to power. That nation is the very one who throughalliance in 1778 secured American Independence. Her victories perhapsallowed one of her companions a Marshal of France to live and livewith honor, one Gilbert III Motier de La Fayette, whose descendantproved to be a son of Liberty and a Freemason, our Late Brother GilbertMotier IV, the Marquis de Lafayette, whose very actions secured thatneeded French alliance.

By her Death England was ejected from the European continent. Inaccomplishing these acts she insured that there were two powerfulnations that twice in the last century preserved France and hersovereignty. It has been 601 years since her birth and 582 years sinceshe was put to death. In those 19 precious years what accomplishmentswere made, what purpose does the Great Architect of the Universehave?

Now we as Freemasons, if we choose, can learn a great deal from this.With Integrity, the seemingly impossible can be accomplished. We areto be builders, building our better selves, building better men, buildinga better world. We have seen what Integrity can do, and conversely whata lack of Integrity might prevent.

What we do now, will affect those centuries ahead of us. How manyfamous Freemasons do we highlight showing their contributions to theworld? George Washington, James Madison, and Benjamin Franklinare American examples we hold in high esteem. For our BritishBrothers, Sir Winston Churchill, King George VI and Horatio, LordNelson. What about the Prussian, Frederick the Great, the FrenchVoltaire, the Italian Giuseppe Garibaldi? All of these we can and shouldlearn from.

Our symbolism and esoteric thoughts are rightly prevalent in ourstudies. If, however, we ignore the lessons that we are freely givenoutside the perceived realm of Masonry, we do so at our own peril. Joanwas not a Mason, nor did our Fraternity in the modern sense exist, buther example ironically is Masonic. She kept her word, squared heractions, met everyone on the level. She even circumscribed her ownpassions and kept them in due bounds. She was true to her faith andserved God first, then her country and her neighbor, and never askedfor reward.

In this lifelong quest for light I believe that I do myself a great injusticeif I do not seek out these lessons and I do you a greater injustice if afterfinding these lessons I do not share them, after all they are meant foryou as well. If I can have the Honor to see this lesson and not shun it,the courage to accept it, and the humility to submit to it even thoughit comes from an untrained illiterate teenage peasant French farm girl,what other lessons and light are out there to be taken and shared? Howcan my Brothers benefit by them, and how can our Craft benefit bythem. After all Integrity is the key to Light.

SourcesButler’s Lives of the SaintsJoan of Arc in Her Own WordsCompiled and translated by Willard TraskTrial of CondemnationTrial of Rehabilitation



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News & Information

Appendant Body


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Wednesday, February 6th, 2013:

6:00PM Banquet sponsored by the MasonicOrder of Athelstan

7:30PM Opening of the Provincial GrandCourt of the United States of America forthe Masonic Order of Athelstan

Thursday, February 7th, 2013:

8:00AM Trinity Chapel #12,Commemorative Order of Saint Thomasof Acon

10:00AM Grand Preceptors Council of theCommemorative Order of Saint Thomas of Aconin the Province of the USA

12:00PM Festive Board sponsored by the CommemorativeOrder of Saint Thomas of Acon

2:00PM The High Council Societas Rosicruciana in CivitatibusFoederatis (SRICF)

6:00PM Social Hour sponsored by SRICF

7:00PM Annual Banquet of the High Council, SRICF

9:30PM Under 40's

Friday, February 8th, 2013:

7:30AM Breakfast sponsored by Convent General KYCH

9:00AM Grand Council Knight Masons, USA

Great Chief's Council "0"

Ladies Coffee

11:00AM Society of Blue Friars

12:00PM Lunch sponsored by the Knight Masons

2:00PM Sovereign Order of the Knights Preceptor

3:30PM Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests, GrandCollege of America

Grand Preceptor's Tabernacle "A

6:00PM Royal Society of Knights Occidenta

The Masonic Society Dinner

7:00PM The Great Priory of America of theRectified Scottish Rite

9:00PM Ye Antiente Order of Corks

Saturday, February 9th, 2013:

7:00AM Breakfast sponsored by theYork Rite Sovereign College of North

America

8:00AM Nine Muses Council No. 13, AlliedMasonic Degrees (AMD)

9:30AM Grand College of Rites of the USA

10:30AM AMD Ceremonies of Installation

12:00PM Lunch sponsored by the Philalethes Society

1:30PM Installed Sovereign Master, AMD

2:00PM Grand Council of the AMD of the USA and the GrandConclave of the Secret Monitor

6:00PM AMD Social Hour

7:00PM Banquet Sponsored by the Grand Council of the AMD

9:00PM Masonic Order of the Bath

Sunday, February 10th, 2013:

8:30AM The Worshipful Society of Free Masons, Rough Masons,Wallers, Slaters, Paviors, Plaisteres and Bricklayer

10:30AM Brunch

12:00PM W.Bro. William J. Glassmire, VI°, Conferring D.M.M.Open & Conferral of III° upon approved candidates UnitedStates of America Region

1:30PM Lodge of Menatzchim V°

3:00PM Lodge of Harodim VI

°http://www.yorkrite.org/MasonicWeek/

MASONIC WEEK 2013

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http://www.yorkrite.org/MasonicWeek/


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A Brief Application ofThe York Rite to DailyLife

By Bro. Richard Vickery

Currently being the High Priest and TriceIllustrious Master for my Chapter andCouncil, has its challenges, but it also bringsgreat rewards. Working to restore some ofour historical documents I came across apamphlet called "A Brief Application ofThe York Rite to Daily Life". The smallbooklet was written by R:E: Sam J Helmwho was the Most Excellent Grand HighPriest of Texas from 1923-1924. He was

born 1 April 1877 and died March 9th1940. The "book" itself is about 21pages, but it is really about half of that. While the book does cover all open

bodies of York Rite Masonry, it does go over every degree ofthe Royal Arch, while talks in general of the Blue Lodge, TheCouncil Degrees, and the Commandery.

R.E. Helm wrote the book, by his own accord "With the hopethat they (Masons) may encourage study the deeper meaningof Masonry." I personally believe that some ofthe most wonderful works of Freemasonry were written in the1910s and 1920s. Men at that time invested so much intoFreemasonry, that it was a full integration into their life. Their financial investment in itself is far more than most menin the Craft today invest, never mind the time, and practice ofthe tenants of Freemasonry.

The small booklet is broken down by Blue Lodge, the fourdegrees of the Royal Arch, a section dedicated to the counciland a section dedicated to the Commandrey.

The first section R:E: Helm warns the new Mason to notindulge in the study of the history of Freemasonry, but ratherthat the man should concern himself with the degreesthemselves and wrote:

"But the beginner does not need history; the degreesthemselves contain earmarks of antiquity which will beconvincing enough for the beginner."

R:E: Helm emphasizes that the elder mentors of a lodge mustemphasize the ritualistic work, as it will give the new Masonthe foundation necessary so that a man can have a meaningfuljourney forward in the degrees outside of the blue lodge. R;E: Helm discusses the balance between number andnumbers with knowledge, he has a line and a thought thatwould be ignored by an entire generation, to be later pickedup and sounded by a younger generations;

"...in making members our great fraternity will be atremendous power for good, a power made possible bynumbers and knowledge, but not by numbers alone. A uniformdoes not make a solider and a button does not make a Mason."

Mark Master's Degree

For the Mark Master's Degree R:E: Helm is instant that theonly way for a man to fully understand the teaching of thedegree, you have to have studied the Fellowcraft degree inearnest. The center of this degree is the teaching that eachworkman to place his mark upon his work. That a man'sreputation is his mark and it may be better or worse than whatthat man deserves. R:E: Helm addresses this directly bysaying:

"By his mark, the Mark master shall be known and he shouldrecord it in the keystone which binds the arch, the stonewhich is the work of a Greater Artist, and it is surrounded bttwo circular lines, enclosing a mystic sentence, which istranslated in plain English as follows: 'The Master Builderof God's hopes reserves this space for me to register mypledge of faith'".

Finally R:E: Helm discusses that this degree teaches us thatforgiveness after suitable punishment, usually causes a manto be more productive and regain what he has lost.

The Past Master's Degree

Most Masons involved in theYork Rite understand that thePast Master's degreewas conceived that men whocould only be exulted to theRoyal Arch after serving in theeast. This of course robbedthousands of very qualified

masons who have never served in the Eastfrom experiencing the Royal Arch and capillarity degrees.When you go through this degree, at first it seems likea practical joke, but later after reflection you can realize thatthemes that are taught in this degree is found throughoutYork Rite Masonry, R:E: Helm, makes it a point by writing:

"...the Past Master's degree usually demonstrates that evilconsequences may develop if we lose sight of a centralthought."


Sam J. Helm

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R:E: Helm goes on to discuss that men who are capable ofgreat things sometimes fail to live up to their achievementbecause of a particular sin, which prevents them from achiev-ing success. When summarizing this degree R:E: Helmwrote something that is very applicable today as we hear ofabuses and Grand Masters behaving badly:

"...the Past Master's degree brings out the thought that thisresponsibility increases in proportion to the power that isplaced in one's hands, and that the truly great man, whileoccupying the highest place of power, bears the responsibili-ty without forgetting for a moment that he is a brother tothe lowest."

The Most Excellent Mas-ter's DegreeTo be honest on this one, Ihad to go back and re-under-stand what this degree wasabout, I completely forgotthat it was conferred on meuntil I realized that it was aquick in and out, and wasn'tthat long. I actually thought

it was pre-amble to the Royal Arch Degree. Part of this wasthe degree team I had that conferred the degree, and their ap-proach, and part of it as R:E: Helm states, is that most mendon't know what is happening when the degree is going on:"As it is conferred in Texas, the candidate never gets any-thing out of it, because he does not comprehend it; he standsoff to one side and watches the processing, but it is meaning-less to him."

I don't think that this is meant to be a put down, but rather atruthful statement, the same statement could be made aboutmost of the Scottish Rite degrees. The issue is that this de-gree is conferred on men in their life, if they ever pursuedanything and completed the task at hand. High School grad-uation, getting married, having a successful career, are allinstances of this degree. When you put it in this proper con-text as R:W: Helm did, you start to see what this degree is, acongratulations moving beyond the Past Master's degree andseeing the temple completed.

The Royal Arch Degree

I was the lead candidate for the TheRoyal Arch Degree, and because ofthat, it absolutely cemented my lovefor the degree and for York Rite Ma-sonry. The degree itself is the closestthat rivals the Master Masons degreein the lesson it teaches you and when

put on properly is amazing to behold. The Royal Arch de-gree has a lot of information packed into it, and can't becomprehended by any man in one sitting. R:E: Helm agreedto this when he wrote:"Into the Royal Arch Degree is compressed more informa-tion, more food for thought, than any other degree, and itssheer greatness is shown by the variety of views of its vota-ries, each seeing it from his own angle, and its seriousness isimpressed upon each in proportion to his natural ability andhis knowledge of the degree."

The degree imparts to us the rewards to loyal service to a justand worthy cause, and that sometimes those rewards comemuch later or after ones life has ended. This degree is won-derful to behold for a man who has been raised, and has hada couple of years to understand Freemasonry. R:E: Helmwrote the following, which I think is very true for any manwho has earnestly gone through the degree:

"The reward given in this degree should be studied from ev-ery angle by every Royal Arch Mason, and he should striveto master its full meaning; he can get a very clear and dis-tinct idea of what Masonry really means to him by attemptingto fix a value upon the Recovery; his whole idea of Masonryis involved in the value he places upon it."

When I was separated from Freemasonry for so long, Ithought of this degree, I thought of the long journey the menhad to make in the degree from Babylon, and how honestly itis the story of every man, we all have to escape ourown Babylon. Now we come to the quote which I think isone of the most powerful statements that can be made in re-gards to the rituals of the Royal Arch and overall York RiteFreemasonry:

"..but the good Mason is justified in believing that he canpass the rough and dangerous places in that straight andnarrow path, refreshing himself in an occasional oasis, find-ing time and opportunity to render thanks for protection anddeliverance, and finally reach the goal where, by the signetof eternal truth may pass the thin veil which hangs betweenthe finite and infinite."

The Council DegreesBecause at the time of this writing R:E: Helm was sit-ting as REGHP, he does cover the Council and Com-mandery, I believe this was done as a greaterpromotion of York Rite craft and at the time all ofits bodies. Still he does offer some advice and his per-ception of the Council Degrees and their importance inFreemasonry. R:E: Helm promotes that a man mustlet the final Royal Arch Degree simmer onthe conscious before a man looks to enter the counciland receive the degrees. He says that the Royal Arch,



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while wonderful isn't thecomplete story and theCouncil degrees are neces-sary to complete the jour-ney. Interesting in thebooklet R:E: Helm de-fends the order that thedegrees are received andappears to be questioned alot as to why the councilisn't first:"Texas confers the Councildegrees at the right place. IfMasons were unwise enough

to demand chronological sequence, the Council degreeswould necessarily be conferred before the Master Mason'sdegree."

Really when you complete the the Council degrees, you havethe complete picture that was started during your journey inFreemasonry, R:E: Helm made this point:

"One passes the 'circle of perfection' in the Select Master'sdegree, which is one of great importance and relates a tradi-tion that is always remembered by the candidates."

The Commandery ofKnights Templar

The Commandery itselfhas become somewhat ofan enigma for manyyounger Masons. Somedon't understand its mili-tary uniforms, parade for-mations, andother pseudo military reg-ulations. Others, whileprofessing a faith in Christare fearful after hearing

stories of occult ceremonies, and blasphemous practices. Stillsome believe that the foundation of the Knights Templar is initself a Masonic offense, as it requires a prescription to a faithin Christ. R:E: Helm does an excellent job in addressingthese issues up front, and chooses to address these concernsup front, and wrote ..and the Order of the Temple is the verycapsheaf of Masonry."

In theory the Order of the Temple is the retreat for theChristian Freemason to reflect and interpret Masonry com-fortably to his religious belief. R:E: Helm also addressesthe need that some men have had to try and place JesusChrist in the blue lodge:

"Jesus Christ has no place in the Lodge, Chapter or Council,and the Mason who tries to place Him there is a supremeegotist."

Because Freemasonry is mainly a western organization, thatis found through out the world, the Christian apendent bodieswere a natural progression to be consecrated to allow men toreflect on their faith in Christ and their Masonic journey. Some of the greatest thinkers and contributors to our greatfraternity were Christians and endorsers ofa separate Masonic bodies focused on the eternal teachingsof Christ. The current Martinist movement in America ex-emplifies this attitude towards esoteric Christian orders. R:E: Helm, wrote the following in his closing paragraph re-garding The Order of the Temple:

"When the devout Christian, who is likewise a zealous Ma-son and Knight Templar, looks back upon Masonry in a con-templative mood, he seems to see the foot-prints of theCreator in every avenue, the Divine hand seems to havefashioned each setting, he beholds each scene illuminated bya new light, each degree has a new and deeper meaning. The Christian Mason closes his York Rite career with theOrder of the Temple, a ceremony so solemn, so beautiful andimpressive, so tender in allusion, so sublime in thought, thathe never forgets it, never regrets it, but enjoys it more andmore as he advances in learning and experience; then, aftera few years of earnest thought and patient study, he mustguard against overzealousness, or his reflections will bringhim perilously near the conclusion that Masonry is a divinescience."

I found the little book written by R:E: Sam J Helm to be awonderful little reminder of the teachings of the York Rite,and should that some of the concerns, and problems of Free-masonry will be timeless. I also found admiration for aGrand Officer to put this out, which is a change from theconstant asking for more money, or to give to that bodiessoul charity organization. He did what I would expect ourGrand Officers to do, to encourage all Masons to think criti-cally and reflectively on their Masonic journey. Iam grateful to have found this book, and to share a commonMasonic heritage with a man, such as Sam J Helm.



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http://travelingtemplar.blogspot.com/

“The Hieroglyphical Embl

The Chairman of the Grand Lodge Educationcommittee asked me to prepare an article on the EightClasses presented during the Master Mason degree.While I will quote a few times from the Masonicexplanation, I wanted to explain the history, andmeaning behind many of the symbols that can beoften overlooked due to the cultural change since thetime the rituals were written.

In the Lecture of the Master Mason degree, every oneis given at least a basic introduction and explanation ofthe Eight Classes of Hieroglyphic emblems withinstruction that the fuller explanation is to be found inour Blue Monitor. Even if one reads the fullerexplanation, how many have a strong understandingof what these symbols represent, why the representthese ideals, and the history behind them all?

While we are given the explanationin the Master Mason degree that theSteps represent the three PrincipleStages of Human Life, the ThreeSteps, and particularly the number 3,is seen throughout all three degrees.

The 3 Steps instruct us that while growing andadvancing through life, we must ensure before wetake the next step that our current step, ourfoundation, is well established, for without taking thenext step would be foolish and possibly disastrous toour moral and Masonic edifice.

Next our attention is directed to thePot of Incense, or sometimesreferred as a "censer", which is saidto be an acceptable sacrifice to theDeity. Now why is this? To manythe burning of incense is arepresentation of prayer as thesmoke ascended to Heaven. Theburning of incense is also animitation of the ancient practice ofsacrificing animals to God. In Psalms

141:2 it reads:

In Revelations 8:3 we also see:

Much of the focus of this symbol is on the incenseitself, but we must remember the vessel, the pot, inwhich this is all contained in has many interpretations.One can see it as the heart in which this fervor burns aswell as the manifold blessings we hope to enjoy bygiving these prayers to the Almighty.

What is a pure heart? A pure heart is one of sincerityand compassion. From the Masonic Dictionary, withoutsincerity there can be no real character. And as theincense should continually burn so should wecontinually grow, never being satisfied with our currentstandard, but ever willing to build his character.

The Bee-Hive, in my opinion, is probably the mostmisunderstood symbol. Immediately we are told that itis an emblem of industry, but this can be misleading asin this instance industry does not mean machinery, itactually means strength in numbers. Historically,industry meant employing a large number of men toaccomplish a project. For this definition of industry theBee-Hive is a perfect representation as we see thathundreds or thousands can accomplish a task mucheasier versus the employment of just one.

Strength in numbers and the Bee-Hive is also a greatsymbol for mankind as we are a social creature andrely upon our fellow man for aid, support, andprotection. This symbol ofindustry and cooperation alsowarns us against laziness,where in the fullerexplanation of this symbol wesee:


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The next symbols, in theexplanation we're told they

don't necessarily represent an ideal, but rather remind usof particular Masonic virtues, silence and circumspection.

First, let us look at these two values. While silence is notalways connected to secrecy, there is often a correlation.

Silence is connected with circumspectionwhich is a prudent, discrete observationof our actions to avoid embarrassmentor distress (also see caution). As goodMasons we must be wise as well asguarded in our thoughts, words, andactions, as we can see that throughouthistory that the enemies of Freemasonrywill use every little unworthy action to

damn the entire fraternity. With this symbol are wereminded greatly of the Four Cardinal Virtues lecturedduring the 1st Degree.

Now look at the symbols themselves, the Book ofConstitution and the Tiler's Sword, which will give us astronger understanding of why they are to remind us ofSilence and Circumspection. The Book is where we findthe rules, regulations, and how we are to be governed.From the Masonic World website, an unknown authortalked about how this book is a symbol of constitutionalgovernment (whether that of the US or of our venerablefraternity). The Tiler's Sword is a symbol of protectionagainst the cowan and eavesdroppers. From theMasonicWorld website:

Justice and the Deity are emblematically represented bythe Sword pointing to the Naked Heart and the All-SeeingEye. By the Sword pointing at the Naked Heart, we arereminded of our obligation and that justice will come toall who violate the laws that regulate their lives, whetherfrom secular or Divine authority. The All-Seeing Eye is asymbol of God's omniscience. The Naked Heart is todemonstrate that although we canhide our sins and crimes from theeyes of man, we cannot hidefrom the omniscience of God and his punishmentsymbolized by the Sword.

From Albert Mackey's "Encyclopedia of Freemasonry":

The Anchor and the Ark represent a well-grounded hopeand a well spent life. These symbols are seen as peculiarlyChristian as they do not appear to have belonged to theclassical system of symbols. In Hebrew 6:19 (KJV) it iswritten "Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul,both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into thatwithin the veil" For many in the ancient world, and eventoday in many places, life is a stormy passage. The anchorsymbolized that the voyage was complete and that onehad arrived safely in the port. It is thought that tombswhich had this symbol carved upon its walls were inspiredby the Biblical verse. Attached to this was the ship, thatsymbolized the vessel voyaging through the rough seas.In Freemasonry, the ship was replaced with the Ark, whichwas still to represent life. How appropriate it is for thesesymbols, the ark and the anchor, to be with the MasterMason degree whose teachings relate to life and death.

As we learn in the Fellow Craft, Geometry, the first andnoblest of sciences, is thebasis upon which thesuperstructure ofMasonry is erected.When we come to thedegree of Master Masonwe encounter yetanother reference to this noble science in the form of the47th Problem of Euclid, which is a formula use to find thelength of the hypotenuse of a right angle triangle. In thelecture, we hear:



ems of the Master Mason”


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To start off, a triangle is composed of three parts: aperpendicular, a base, and a hypotenuse. The right-angledtriangle in the center is surrounded by squares: one of threeparts which makes up the perpendicular, one of four partsmaking up the base, and one of five parts that is thehypotenuse of the triangle. With a triangle whoseperpendicular is 3, the square of that is 9; whose base is 4,the square is 16; and whose hypotenuse is 5, the square is25, which is the sum of the squares of the perpendicular andbase (9 and 16). This problem is also referred to as thePythagorean Theorem or Carpenter's Theorem as it is used inmaking many calculations particularly when drawing plansfor buildings.

This theorem is said to have been discovered by Pythagorasduring his travels through Egypt and taken it back to Greece.With the Egyptians we are told that to this triangle was asymbol of nature and attached to it were Osiris, Isis, andHorus. Osiris represented by the base, Isis by theperpendicular, and Horus as a product of the first two wasrepresented by the hypotenuse. This formula was used inmany projects and wonders that marked the landscape ofancient Egypt some of them that still stand today such as theGreat Pyramids at Giza.

It is curious to note that Euclid, the Father of Geometry,lived several hundred years after Pythagoras although thereis historic evidence that the Egyptians and Babylonians knewof this formula centuries before Euclid and Pythagoras.Euclid was a Greek mathematician who lived in Alexandriaaround the time of the reign of Ptolemy I. Euclid's Elementsof Geometry (a series of 13 books) is one of the mostinfluential works in the history of Mathematics, particularlyGeometry.

It's fitting that the last symbols brought to our attention areones that represent the mortality of man: the Hourglass andthe Scythe. These symbols are fairly young in Freemasonryand are said to have been added by Thomas Smith-Webb. Bythe Hourglass we are reminded that life is not to be wastedand we should make the most of it until the end of our days,represented by the Scythe. The use of these symbols thoughcan be seen throughout history, particularly the Scythe. Italso referred to as the sickle. Regardless of its design orname, the symbolic meaning associated with this instrumenthas always stood for the reaping of humanity and thecutting off of life.

The personification of death is often seen carrying a scytheor sickle. There are many legends, myths, and lore connectedwith this feared entity. Today it is known as the "GrimReaper", but depending on the time and culture, it has goneby many other names. The Scythe was not always seen asthe weapon of choice for the Reaper, with the agrariancultures we see the attachment. One of my favoritemythologies was the Greek mythologies. In it there arethree Fates or Moirai, named: Clotho, Lachesis, and Atropos.

While all of them were regarded as cruel due to theirinexorable duty, it was Atropos who was feared as she wasthe one wielded the shears that would cut the thread of life,while her sisters spun and measured the thread of life.

Looking in the Book of Revelations we see a similarreference to the scythe and reaping:

- Revelations 14:14-28

As we should learn in life and do learn in the Third Degree,death is a natural part of the passage of time and anintegral part of the renewal of life. Plants die to feedanimals and so must life cease to give way for other life.

1. Atropos. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atropos

2. Beehive. (n.d.). Retrieved from MasonicDictionary.com:http://www.masonicdictionary.com/beehive.html

3. Beehive. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beehive

4. Burkle, W. S. (n.d.). The 47th Problem of Euclid - The Veil Lifted. Retrievedfrom Review of Freemasonry: http://www.freemasons-freemasonry.com/euclid_unveiled.html

5. Euclid. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euclid

6. "Hammer". (2008, February 22). The Hourglass, the Scythe and the Sprig ofAcacia. Retrieved from The Sanctum Sanctorum blog:http://thesanctumsanctorum.blogspot.com/search/label/Hourglass

7. Harris, W. (n.d.). How the Grim Reaper Works. Retrieved from How StuffWOrks: http://science.howstuffworks.com/science-vs-myth/strange-creatures/grim-reaper4.htm

8. Hourglass. (n.d.). Retrieved from MasonicDictionary.com:http://www.masonicdictionary.com/hourglass.html

9. Mackey, A. (n.d.). Secrecy, Silence, Circumspection. Retrieved fromEncyclopedia of Freemasonry and its Kindred Sciences:http://encyclopediaoffreemasonry.com/s/secrecy-silence-circumspection/

10. Pot of Incense. (n.d.). Retrieved from MasonicDictionary.com:http://www.masonicdictionary.com/pot.html

11. Symbols of Death and Time (Western). (n.d.). Retrieved fromSymbolDictionary.net: http://symboldictionary.net/?tag=scythe

12. The Three Moirai. (n.d.). Retrieved from Wikipedia:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moirai#The_three_Moirai

13. Unknown. (n.d.). Book of Constitutions Guarded Over by the Tiler's Sword.Retrieved from MasonicWorld.com:http://www.masonicworld.com/education/files/artjan02/bookofconstgbytilersword.htm



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By

Bro

. Mat

t Jo

hn

son

This will be my first in a series of book reviews. Idecided to start with the one book I believe allMasons worldwide should own. It is the "Scottish RiteRitual and Monitor" by Arturo De Hoyos. You do nothave to be a Scottish Rite Mason to buy it. I wouldsuggest holding off on purchasingit until after you have become aMaster Mason because it has quitea bit of detail and I am not a fan of"reading ahead" before you takethe three degrees.

You will find a treasure trove ofwisdom from the likes of AlbertPike, Arturo De Hoyos and RexHutchens. That alone should getyou scrambling over toscottishrite.org to get a copy. Italso has an extensive section onthe history of early Freemasonryincluding information on theevolution of the three degrees andthe many high degrees thateventually became the York Rite,Scottish Rite and Swedish Rite.

It covers all of the degrees and their lessons from the4th degree to the 32nd degree and explains the caps,rings and various symbols and words of the ScottishRite. It also includes many rare illustrations from theearly days of the Scottish Rite, ciphers and alphabets.

If you really want to know just where Freemasonryactually came from, this book gives you a healthydose of that. As far as I know, the Scottish Rite of theSouthern Jurisdiction is the only Supreme Councilthat has created a work of this kind. Moreimportantly, this book contains so much wisdom andbeauty that will help any person who reads it andputs it to practice to truly became "made better".

To get the maximum benefit, I suggest reading itslowly from beginning to end. Don't skip around. Just

slowly go from chapter to chapter. It unfoldsbeautifully. If you have taken the Scottish Ritedegrees, you know what an amazing experience thatcan be. It is kind of like taking a sip from a firehouse.This book will give you lots of "ah ha" moments. As I

said before, you do not need tobe a Scottish Rite Mason to enjoythis book. It will be a tremendousresource and blessing to anMaster Mason that picks it up.

There are a lot of excellent booksa Mason can buy. I love this onebecause as a Mason interested inthe deeper meanings of ourrituals and symbols, it reallygives me the information I waslooking for or at least points mein the right direction. If you livein the Southern Jurisdiction, youreally should join the ScottishRite. If you can't or if you liveelsewhere, by all means, get thisbook!

“Scottish Rite Ritual”

Boo

k R

evie

w

The One Book All Masons Should Own: The Scottish Rite Ritual andMonitor


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The Eleventh Degree

Elu of the Twelve/

In the Southern Jurisdiction, this degree is Elu of theTwelve, while in the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, thedegree is Sublime Master Elected.

In the Elu of the Twelve degree, Jubelo and Jubela,captured in the preceding degree, are brought to justice.Twelve of the fifteen Elus in the preceding degree areappointed Governors, with the Candidate representingBen Dekar, who led the Fifteen in apprehending theruffians. The Candidate promises todeal honestly and fairly with allmen. The numbers of Elu in eachdegree are explained - the Elect ofthe Nine and Elect of the Fifteenrepresent the Upper and LowerHouses of Legislation which arefound in all free governments. Threetimes three, or nine is the number ofthe Masters, representing the UpperHouse, while the number of theApprentice (three), multiplied by thenumber of the Fellow Craft (five),gives the Lower House, morenumerous and popular. The Twelvein the Elect of the Twelve representanother branch of the government, afree judicial branch, and are thenumber of jurors found in a jury.

The Sublime Master Elected degreeportrays the story of abuse andfraud, perpetrated by one of KingSolomon’s tax collectors. As aresult of the wrongdoing being brought to light, the Kingappoints one of the victims and a group of his associatesas Sublime Masters, overseeing the collection of taxes.

In the Francken Manuscript of 1783, the degree is knownas a chapter of Sublime Knights Elected. We are informedthat this degree is considered superior and chief of thepreceding degrees. Those of the Elected who are the mostinstructed and most deserving, by their zeal, fervor, andconsistency, are rewarded by being elevated to thisdegree.

The presiding officer represents Solomon and is styledThrice Puissant. The Senior Warden is styled Inspector,while the Junior Warden is styled Master of Ceremonies.

In the ceremony to open the Chapter, the Knight Inspectoris asked if he is a Knight Sublime Elected. He answers,“Thrice Potent, my name will convince you.” He gives hisname as Emerk1, explained as meaning “a true man on all

occasions.”

A candidate for this degree waits inthe Chamber of Reflection while theChapter is opened and informed ofhis desire to have this degreeconferred upon him. The candidatedelivers a sword and compasses tothe Junior Warden, then is caused tokneel four times, at the West, South,North, and East, where he takes theObligation of the degree. After theObligation, the Thrice Puissantgives the new Sublime ElectedKnight the Sign, Token, and Wordof the degree.

The Pass Word is given as Stolkin2,with the explanation that it means“the running of water.” The GreatWord is given as Adonai.3

The lecture gives us the names ofthe twelve Masters Elect. The first

nine are those who went with the stranger in search ofAkyrop, with Zerbal, Benachad, and Tabor added to maketheir number twelve. These twelve were employed byKing Solomon to superintend the Masters duringconstruction of the Temple. Each was to be an Inspectorof or over the Masters of a specific Tribe.

The ritual as found in Yates’ manuscript is known asTwelve Illustrious Knights, or a Chapter of SublimeKnights Elected. Solomon, styled Thrice Puissant, is thepresiding officer, with the Wardens styled GrandInspector and Grand Master of Ceremonies. We areinformed that in all Lodges, (Continued on page 51)


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Chapters, etc. where King Solomon is presiding, he mustuse a royal scepter instead of the hammer of Hiram. ThisChapter is composed of only twelve Sublime KnightsElected.

As King Solomon gives the raps to open the Chapter, he isanswered only by the Grand Inspector, the Grand Master ofCeremonies refraining.

When receiving a candidate, the Grand Master ofCeremonies goes out to get the candidate, knocking on thedoor twelve times, answered by both King Solomon andthe Grand Inspector. The Grand Inspector goes to the doorto demand, “Who is there?”

He is allowed entrance, and conducted to the GrandInspector, who will examine him in all his degrees. TheThrice Puissant asks what the candidate wants, and isinformed that a Grand Master of Fifteen wishes to beadmitted to the degree of Illustrious Knight, and to berecompensed for his labor and travels. He is asked if hewishes to advance degrees for his own interest. He answersthat he has done his duty to the best of his ability, and haspunished all traitors at his own expense, and now humblyseeks this reward for his honor. He then takes theObligation, and is given the Sign, Token, and Word.

The Pass Word is given as Emeth, Hebrew for “Truth,”signifying “a true man on all occasions.” The Secret Wordis Adonai.4

The History of the degree tells us that King Solomonwanted to reward the zeal and constancy of the fifteenGrand Masters Elected by advancing them to a higherdegree, and that he can reward some other deservingBrethren from the lower degrees to that of Grand MasterElected. King Solomon advanced twelve of the fifteen, byballot, that he would not offend any. The twelve elected tothis degree were given the name Excellent Emeth, meaningthat they were to be true men on all occasions. He showedthem all the precious things within the Tabernacle,including the tablets on which the laws were given toMoses near the Burning Bush on Mount Sinai.

In the lecture, the Brother is told that Emeth is both hisname and his profession. We are given the names of the

first twelve Masters Elected. They include the nine whowent with the stranger in search of Akirop, with theaddition of Zerbal, Benachard, and Tabor. The duties of thetwelve are similar to those outlined in the FranckenManuscript.

In the French ritual printed in 1813, the degree is known asSublime Chevalier Élu, Sublime Knight Elected. TheChapter is presided over by the representative of KingSolomon, assisted by his Wardens, the Grand Inspector andthe Master of Ceremonies.

The Sacred Word is Adonai, and the Pass Word is Stolkin.Some add the word Emerek5, which is assumed to be thecharacteristic name of an Elu, and is translated as “TrueMan.” This ritual assumes that word to be insignificant,and replaces it with Amariah.6

There is no ritual presented, only the Signs, Tokens, andWords of the degree.

The version presented by Cross is Illustrious Knights, orSublime Knights Elected. He informs us that the Lodge ofthis degree is termed a Grand Chapter, that Solomon is thepresiding officer, decorated (of course) with a scepter, andthat the Wardens are styled Grand Inspector and GrandMaster of Ceremonies.

There is no ritual, just a brief history of the degree, similarto, but much shorter than in the Yates’ version. The list ofthe first twelve Illustrious Knights is given, along with thetribe that each was to superintend. Each Knight would givean account to King Solomon on a daily basis, of the workdone by the members of his respective tribe.

Allyn’s exposé of this degree names it Sublime KnightsElected, and it is even briefer. The Sign and Token aregiven, along with the Words. The Pass Word is given asStolkin or Stokin, though some Chapters use Emerh, ormore correctly Emeth, while still others use Amuriah. TheSacred Word is Adonai.

Albert Pike was given a version of the degree in 1854, an1802 manuscript known as Sublime Knights Elected, foundin de Hoyos’ Albert Pike’s Masonic Formulas and Rituals.The degree begins as in



– Scottish Rite

Sublime Master Elected By Bro. Jacob Lucas


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Cross, with the same titles for the Grand Chapter, and theofficers.

The Grand Master of Ceremonies retires to the antechamberto retrieve the candidate for this degree. The candidate isconducted to the Grand Inspector, who examines him in thepreceding degrees. The dialogue is similar to that in theYates’ ritual, although the Grand Inspector answers theThrice Puissant for the candidate. The candidate kneelsbefore the Altar to receive the Obligation.

In the lecture of the degree, the Sublime Knight Elected ofTwelve gives his name and profession as Emerh. He givesthe Sacred Word as Adonai, and the Pass Word as Sterkin.

In Pike’s Magnum Opus, the degree is called Prince Ameth,or Sublime Elu of Twelve. The presiding officer is styledThrice Illustrious Prince President, and the other officersand members (eleven only) are styled Prince. The Wardensare styled Inspectors.

When the Chapter is opened, the dialog between the PrincePresident and Senior Inspector informs us as to the meaningof the name of the degree, Ameth being the name of theBrother of this degree, signifying a True Man. We areinformed that the first Elus of Twelve provided supplies forKing Solomon and his household, each one for one monthin the year, and were also in charge of assessing andcollecting taxes.

The duties of the current Princes Ameth are to protect thepeople from illegal impositions, to contend for theirpolitical rights, and to see that those who reap the benefitsof the Government bear the burdens.

The ritual of this degree takes place in the court of KingSolomon, with the Thrice Illustrious representing KingSolomon, the Senior Inspector representing King Hiram,and the Junior Inspector Adonhiram. The candidaterepresents Bendecar, who discovered the last two murderersof the late Grand Master. The moral lesson that the last fewdegrees are to teach Masons is that God will not permitcrime to go unpunished, but that justice shall prevail.

The taxes due to King Solomon are causing distress amongthe people. In some areas, the tax collectors are collectingfees above and beyond what is sent to the treasury. Inothers, the wealthy pay bribes to ensure that their fair shareof payments is borne by the poorer. Some places force thepopulace to provide for men and horses illegally quarteredthere, and others force conscription upon the men, unless abounty is paid.

Hiram, King of Tyre, suggests that the population pay taxesbased upon their means, the wealthier among them sharinga larger proportion of the cost of government. He suggests

that Solomon appoint revenue collectors who will receive aset compensation, not be paid based on the amountcollected, or tempted to skim a portion of the proceeds, asystem he has been using successfully in his own kingdom.Solomon agrees to implement this system.

Sadoc, the Secretary, suggests that the fifteen Knights Elu,due to merit, be promoted to this greater honor. Joabertshall be appointed Minister of Finance, with Stolkin andZerbal his assistants, and the other twelve shall beGovernors, titled Princes Ameth, and direct representativesof the King within their respective provinces. They takeupon themselves an Obligation to collect the revenuesfairly, and are invested with the Sign, Grip, and Words ofthe degree. This will also allow deserving Brothers of alower degree to advance to become Knights Elu.

The degree is known as Sublime Elect of the Twelve, orPrince Ameth, in Morals and Dogma, with the alternatename of Elu of the Twelve. Pike expands upon the lectureof his Magnum Opus, suggesting that Masons work toconstantly advance society, laboring for social progress.McClenachan’s version of this degree was known asSublime Master Elected. The ritual seems to be acombination of the Yates’ version and that of Pike’s initialrevision. Twelve of the fifteen Master Elus are to beadvanced to this degree, and each created Governor andPrince Emeth over one of the twelve Tribes.

In the Southern Jurisdiction Elu of the Fifteen degree in usein 1955, Elu of the Twelve, is similar to, but greatlyshortened from the Magnum Opus. The class of candidatesare given the motto of the Elus, “Pro patria et Populo,” “ForGod and people,” that we must ensure that no harm bepermitted to befall either one.

It is explained that the Master Mason degree of the Scottishor French symbolic Lodge differs from the English andAmerican work. The assassins are representative ofTyranny, Ignorance, and Intolerance, and must be opposedby Masons. Our late Grand Master is for us all a symbol ofIntelligence, Liberty, and Truth, and we are tasked tofollow his example. The number of Elu in this degree,twelve, is explained. As the previous two degreesrepresented the Upper and Lower houses of government,twelve is representative of the members of a jury. A freeand impartial court system is a vital part of a free society.

The current Elu of the Twelve degree in the SouthernJurisdiction begins with the trial of the assassins. Zabud,Judge appointed in the seventh degree, has a vision of God,directing him not to judge alone, but to appoint a jury tohelp pass judgment impartially.

The second part of the degree consists of King Solomon,with his court, discussing the problems of collectingrevenue. (Continued on page 53)



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With the assistance of Hiram, King of Tyre, and Adoniram,Solomon sets twelve of the fifteen Elus above one of thetwelve provinces, proclaiming them Governors and PrincesEmeth. The three not chosen by lot will still be honored andrewarded for their faithful duty.

The Northern Masonic Jurisdiction version of the degree in1974 is a dramatic interpretation of the corruption incollection of taxes for King Solomon’s court. A trustedemissary is found guilty of overtaxing the people andretaining the excess for personal gain. As a result of this fraudand abuse, King Solomon entrusted the collection of revenueto twelve of the deserving Masters Elect of Fifteen.

The current Sublime Master Elected ritual of the NorthernMasonic Jurisdiction, the ritual of 2004, consists of fourscenes. The first scene takes place in the tax office of Nadab.Nadab, a favorite of King Solomon, has raised the taxes onpeople without the permission or knowledge of the King. Hestates that he has bought the right to collect taxes fromSolomon. He seeks to use his wealth to marry Tamar, thedaughter of Zibeon, who sees him acting with kindnesstowards those who cannot pay.

The second scene is at the Market Place in Capernaum.Nadab and his assistants come to collect increased taxes on

the people. Zibeon sees the greed of Nadab, and the joy hereceives from inflicting pain and suffering on others,including Jonathan, a Mason and potential suitor to Tamar.He decides to grant his daughter’s hand to Jonathan.

The third scene is on the road to King Solomon’s court, andcan consist of a wooden cart travelling in front of the curtainwhile the stage is set for the final scene. Nadab, and hisassistants meet with Ben Azariah, a rich merchant, and sharea meal, excusing his taxes in exchange for several jewels.

The fourth scene takes place in the audience chamber of KingSolomon’s court. Nadab owed a sum of three hundred talentsto the royal treasury, and has delivered an extra forty shekels,showing his service to the King. Hiram, King of Tyre, issuspicious of Nadab’s story that the people willingly paidtaxes. The people of Capernaum are present, and the Kingasks them to tell their side of the story. Jonathan is present,and tells that although the King’s taxes were set fairly, thecollection of them was not. We see that Solomon was alreadyaware of the fraud being committed, and he now seeks toamend his revenue collection system, appointing Jonathan asSuperintendent of the representatives to be appointed in eachprovince.

The degree serves to remind us that public office is a publictrust, and that public officials owe a special obligation tothose whom they are chosen to serve.

Supreme Councils in many other parts of the world followwhat was decided in Lausanne in 1875. The name of thedegree was given as Sublime Chevalier Élu, or SublimeKnight Elected. It is nearly identical to the 1813 version ofthe degree, with the Words being the same, althoughencrypted.

The Prince Hall Affiliated version of the degree from 1946 istitled Sublime Elect of Twelve. The moral teaching of thisdegree is to be earnest, honest, and sincere, and protect thepeople against illegal impositions and extractions. Thepresiding officer is Thrice Potent. The ritual of the degree issimilar to that of Pike’s Magnum Opus.

In the Dutch version of this degree from the 19th century,Rituaal voor de Graad van Verheven Uitverkorene, or ritualfor the degree of Exalted Chosen, the presiding officer isknown as Thrice Powerful, with the Wardens Grand Inspectorand Master of Ceremonies. The history of the degree issimilar to that of the French version of 1813, with the twelvemen exalted to this degree given the title Excellent Amariah.The catechism after the history indicates that the twelve wereeach given supervision of one of the twelve Tribes.

In the degree used in England and Wales, the title is SublimePrince Elect. The candidate represents Stolkin, one of theElect of Fifteen, and all members of the Chapter have thename and title of Nasia Ameth, Prince of Truth.

SourcesAllyn, Avery. Ritual of Freemasonry. 1865.Bridge, G. E. W., 33°, FSA. 33°, A. & A.R. The IntermediateDegrees 1° - 17° in the Jurisdiction of the Supreme Council33° of the Ancient and Accepted Rite for England and Walesand its Districts and Chapters Overseas. 1960.Cross, Jeremy Ladd. The Templar’s Chart, or HieroglyphicMonitor. 1852.De Hoyos, Arturo, 33°, G\C\. Scottish Rite Monitor andGuide, 3rd Edition – Revised and Enlarged, 2011.Washington, DC. The Supreme Council, 33°De Hoyos, Arturo, 33°, G\C\. Masonic Formulas andRituals Transcribed by Albert Pike in 1854 and 1855. 2010.Washington, DC. Scottish Rite Research SocietyDe Hoyos, Arturo, 33°, G\C\ and S. Brent Morris, 33°, G\C\. The Most Secret Mysteries of the High Degrees ofMasonry Unveiled: from the




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First Edition of 1766. 2011. Washington, DC. Scottish RiteResearch SocietyHutchens, Rex R., 33°, G\C\. A Bridge to Light, 3rd Edition,2006. Washington, DC. The Supreme Council, 33°Francken, Henry A., Francken Manuscript, 1783.Mackey, Albert G. An Encyclopedia of Freemasonry and itsKindred Sciences. 1879.McClenachan, Charles T., 33°, The Book of the Ancient andAccepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, 1867.Partridge, Irving E., Jr., 33°, The Rituals of The SupremeCouncil, 33°, AASR for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction,United States of America, 1976. Supreme Council, 33°, AASR,Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.Pike, Albert, 33°, Magnum Opus or The Great Work, 1857.Pike, Albert, 33°, Morals and Dogma, 1871.Schwartzberg, Scott, 32°, “The Scottish Rite: Southern andNorthern Jurisdictions,” 2011, unpublished. Forwarded to meby W. Bro. Cory Sigler, and used by permission of the author.Trexler, C. DeForest, 33°, The degree Rituals of The SupremeCouncil, 33°, AASR for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction,United States of America, 2008. Supreme Council, 33°,

AASR, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.Rituals of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, NorthernMasonic Jurisdiction, USA. 4° - 32°, August 2011. SupremeCouncil, 33°, AASR, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.Ordo ab Chao: The Original and Complete Rituals, 4th-33rd

degrees of the first Supreme Council, 33rd degree atCharleston, South Carolina, 1995. Transcribed from newlydiscovered manuscript rituals in a private collection. Claimedto be transcribed from rituals belonging to Giles F. Yates, 33°,member of both the Supreme Councils for the SouthernJurisdiction and the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction.

Thuileur des Trente-Trois Degrés de L’Écossisme du RitAncien, dit Accepté. Paris, 1813.Grandes Constitutions de 1786: Révisées par le ConventUniversel des Suprêmes Conseils Réunis a Lausanne etAdoptées dans la Séance du 22 Septembre 1875.Book of the Scottish Rite 4° - 32° (Prince Hall Affiliation).Revision of 1946. United Supreme Councils of the Ancient andAccepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (Prince HallAffiliation) for the Northern and Southern Jurisdictions of theUnited States of America.Rituaal voor de Graad van Verheven Uitverkorene (Dutchritual, 19th century)

Footnotes

1. Possibly a mistransliteration for the Hebrew word for truth,which would be “Emeth”. The History of the degree does ,תמאstate that this is indeed meant to be a Hebrew word.

2. This explanation is the first given for this word, but thelecture tells us that Stolkin is the name of he who discoveredthe body of Hiram Abiff.

3. Lord, Master. The lecture informs us that the use here ismeant to signify God.

4. Here signifying the Supreme Lord of the Universe.

5. Probably from the same source which mistransliterated theword prior to Francken.

6. From the Hebrew translated into Latin as ,הירמא eloquens,eloquent. This Hebrew word means “promised by God,” and isthe name of several priests in the Bible.



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My brother, let's go to Lodge tonight;

You haven't been for years.

Let's don our Lambskin Apron white

And sit among our peers.

I feel a kind of longing, see,

to climb those creaky stairs;

I know it'll be a thrill for me

to lay aside my cares.

We'll meet the Tyler at the door

and though he'll hesitate,

we'll hear him say just as before,

"Come in or you'll be late."

I'd like to get out on the floor--

Come on, let's get in line;

I want to face the East once more

And give the same old sign.

I want to hear the gavel rap

the Craftsmen to attention

and see the Master don his cap;

a night without dissention.

So come! Pass up that picture show,

or your wrestling bout or fight;

Switch off that TV set! Let's go!

Let's go to Lodge tonight.


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