Topeka Scottish Rite Bulletin V a l l e y o f T o p e k a - O r i e n t o f K a n s a s

Volume 86 Topeka, Kansas June 2011 Number 2

S o u t h e r n J u r i s d i c t i o n o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s o f A m e r i c a

The Topeka Valley of the Scottish Rite Proudly Supports the 4 RiteCare© Speech, Language & Hearing Clinics in Kansas

Page 2

Freemasonry is loaded with themes. One of its chief themes is the quest for light – the desire for knowledge and the search for truth and wisdom. Every Entered Apprentice is asked what he

desires, and his response is “light.” Beginning with the first degree, candidates constantly search for truth, knowledge, and wisdom. As Speculative Masons, we seek light. The Scottish Rite is often termed as the University of Freemasonry. Throughout its history, part of the Scottish Rite‖s mission is to provide its members with more light and further Masonic education. Today, the Order continues to focus on this goal. One way that the Scottish Rite is meeting this portion of its mission is by providing the Craft with the Master Craftsman program. The program has quickly grown in popularity and has already expanded into two parts. Master Craftsman I highlights the history of our Order and focuses on the symbols and lessons of the Scottish Rite degrees. Designed as a correspondence-based program, participants are provided with a copy of The Scottish Rite Monitor and Guide and required to complete a set of six lessons covering each of the Rite‖s bodies: Lodge of Perfection, Chapter of Rose Croix, Council of Kadosh, and Consistory of Masters of the Royal Secret. Each lesson involves a multiple-choice questionnaire and a reflective essay question. To purchase this program, simply go to the web site www.scottishritestore.org. The program costs $35 and includes a copy of The Scottish Rite Monitor and Guide, a book that retails for $75 by itself. The course also utilizes A Bridge to Light as a reference, a book that is provided to all Scottish Rite candidates during reunions. Your local valley is now including the Master Craftsman I program into the initiation fees. Master Craftsman II contains nine lessons and seeks to expand upon the moral lessons of the

Scottish Rite degrees. This series of lessons also aims at applying the teachings of the Rite to everyday life. Completion of the Master Craftsman I program is a prerequisite. Again, more information and purchasing ability is available online at the Scottish Rite store. Another educational program that may peak your interest is the College of the Consistory, which is coordinated by the Guthrie Scottish Rite. Like the Master Craftsman program, the student is given a multiple choice quiz over each of the Rite‖s bodies. The quiz is followed by a syllabus for each individual degree, which provides summary information and analysis of the degree along with a series of open-ended questions. Students choose one of these questions and compose an essay. The essays are reviewed by the Adepts of each college, a body composed of individuals who have completed all the requirements for each of the College‖s bodies. This program does not include a fee and is available to all Scottish Rite Masons in the Southern Jurisdiction. Information and an application are available at their web site, at www,guthriescottishrite.org. As members of the Topeka Valley, you have the opportunity to participate in a monthly educational discussion group. Held on the 2nd Saturday of each month, these discussions include a breakfast at 8:30 followed by a discussion at 9:00. Also, the Valley is launching a new mentor program, which will provide an opportunity for brothers to learn from one another. More information on this program is available in this bulletin. Truly, Scottish Rite Masons have numerous opportunities to discover the light all Masons seek. If one of the avenues mentioned here doesn‖t appeal to you, we encourage you to develop a new opportunity to offer to our members. When it comes to discovering light, there is no single “right” path. However, I can ensure you that the Rite will provide you with a path to truth and wisdom – a path from darkness to light.

From the cover: By K. Tyler Curtis, 32 KCCH From Darkness To Light

Page 3

Mentorship & Learning By Kelly D. Kraemer, 32 KCCH

I recently read an article online about learning w h i c h s t a t e d t h a t “learning to learn” is one of the best skills anyone can develop. The article incited me to think about

the process of learning. Why do some things seem so much easier to learn than others? In a nutshell, the article makes the assertion that learning is a fairly easy thing to do – that is, as long as you enjoy the subject matter. If you enjoy it, then all the time you spend doing it is actually part of the learning process; it just doesn‖t feel like it. If the subject isn‖t one you have an interest in, but is “required” for you to learn, that in itself may hinder your ability to grasp it. With this in mind, I began to reflect upon when I joined Freemasonry in 1978. After taking each degree, I was required to learn that degree‖s proficiency before I could advance to the next. My Lodge had coaches at the ready to assist Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts to do just that. These were dedicated men who did a wonderful job. Some candidates took longer than others, and these coaches were patient and allowed each man to become proficient at his own pace. At the time, my father was my defacto coach, and because of my background in DeMolay, I picked up on the memorization fairly quickly. For others though, memorizing those words was a constant uphill challenge. They could relate what they had been through; they could summarize their obligation, which by definition is “what makes (us) a Mason”, however memorizing those prescribed words often proved very difficult. The article also caused me to think of another type of memorization that many don‖t even think about as “learning”, because in general, it‖s pretty fun. Music, or more specifically the lyrics to songs, are routinely memorized without effort. How many of us can remember all, or at least most, of the words to a song that we like after very few exposures to the song? At some point we begin to sing along with it as it plays, matching the singer word for word. In this manner, we‖ve memorized a prescribed set of words. But we‖ve done so out of repetition and because we enjoyed it. There was no pressure and it seemed to just happen without us even realizing we were doing it. Ok, so now we know that the ease of learning

something is based on two things: 1. – our desire to know the material, and 2. – the delivery mode utilized to present the material. I would like to think there is also a third necessity for learning that goes beyond the first two: who, or what, is teaching us? An example of that would be the difference between mediums such as, books or videos, and an actual human being in the role of a teacher. Books and videos are great one-way communication devices. While they give you the information, their delivery is static and you can‖t engage them in a discussion if you have questions. A teacher, on the other hand, can also give you the information, but they can both tailor the delivery and the pace, as well as discuss it outside of their initial presentation. They can add to your motivation and your understanding. So how can we apply these ideas to the Scottish Rite? The short answer is Mentorship. In the Scottish Rite, our 29 degrees are heavily steeped in education. Each degree is performed, or communicated, so that you can take its lesson and see how to apply it to your life and your conduct. The authors of our Ritual wrote the words many years ago, and your brethren – (the actors) – recited them, but it is left to you, the candidate, to interpret their many layers. This is where a Mentor comes in. The Mentor, much like a Lodge coach, is there to assist you. They utilize their knowledge and experience to help you understand the nuances and lessons of the degree and apply them to your life. Like a teacher, they can vary the pace and tailor it for you, while you can enjoy the dialog that helps get you there. Together, you can refine the information so that it invariably wets your appetite for more. With the right pairing, learning the lessons of the Scottish Rite can be quite an enjoyable and enriching experience. The Topeka Valley is starting a Mentorship program for the expressed purpose of assisting our new members, as well as current members, in obtaining a deeper understanding of the Scottish Rite Degrees. Hopefully even the Mentors themselves can learn a thing or two along the way. So whether you prefer a one-on-one setting, or a small group, our goal is to make learning about the Scottish Rite informative and fun. As we learn, we experience those aspects of Freemasonry that we found when we first entered the Lodge – brother helping brother, the sharing of knowledge, and the creation of friendships that often last a lifetime.

Page 4

Orient of Kansas

Ill. Hugh W. Gill, III, 33° Sovereign Grand Inspector

General in Kansas

Ill. Donald A. Mahrle, 33° Valley Personal Representative of

the SGIG in Kansas

Topeka Valley Advisory Council

Ill. Donald A. Mahrle, 33°

Valley Personal Representative to the SGIG in Kansas

Ill. Martin L. Donaldson, 33° Almoner

Ill. John C. Dicus, 33° Treasurer

Paul R. Oldham, 32° KCCH Executive Secretary

Steven E. Crane, 32° KCCH Membership/Education Director

Kelly D. Kraemer, 32° KCCH Venerable Master

Topeka Lodge of Perfection

Jeffrey M. Hurst, 32° KCCH Wise Master

Topeka Chapter of Rose Croix

Sanford B. Bass, 32° KCCH Commander

Topeka Council of Kadosh

Mark W. Stephenson, 32° KCCH Master of Kadosh Topeka Consistory

The Topeka Scottish Rite Bulletin is the Official Publication of the Topeka Valley of the Scottish Rite, 2300 SW 30th Street Topeka,

KS 66611-1711, (785) 266-3191,Orient of Kansas, Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America, and is published 4 times a

year in March, June, September and December, at Topeka Kansas. Periodical postage paid at Topeka, Kansas USPS485700.

POSTMASTER: Please Send change of address to: 2300 SW 30th Street, Topeka, KS 66611-1711.

Paul R. Oldham, 32° KCCH Editor, secretary@scottishritetopeka.com, www.scottishritetopeka.com.

Allegiance

The Bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, sitting in the Valley of Topeka, Orient of Kansas, acknowledge the authority of, and yield allegiance to, the Supreme Council (Mother Council of the World) of the I n s p e c t o r s Ge n e r a l , K n i g h t s Commander of the House of the Temple of Solomon of the Thirty Third Degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States of America.

Our Departed Brethren Passed away or notified since our last bulletin

Richard Hugh Hamilton 91 02/19/2011 Larry Charles Gragg 70 02/24/2011 John Russell Jackson 89 02/25/2011 James Patrick Simpler 89 02/27/2011 Russell Claire Schwilling 84 02/27/2011 Glenn Eugene Vernon 83 02/28/2011 Marion Laverne Lane 80 03/04/2011 Mark Gilchrist Lyne 90 03/14/2011 Perry Edgar Feedland 87 03/21/2011 Dale Edwin Moorman 83 03/25/2011 Henry George Metz 93 03/30/2011 Donald Gene Fowler 80 04/08/2011 Donald Dean Stephens 71 04/15/2011 Eugene James Haughey 99 04/23/2011

WANTED

Current Scottish Rite members who would like to volunteer some of their time and knowledge to help mentor new and existing members. Knowledge of the Degrees and their meanings is helpful but not required. However an open mind and caring demeanor will be critical to your success. Mentors will bring enthusiasm to their students, helping them to gain a deeper understanding of the Scottish Rite and Freemasonry. They will foster a sense of brotherhood and encourage their students to actively participate in Valley functions. They must be able to lead by example. If you would like to find out what our Mentoring Program is all about, a Mentorship Seminar will be conducted on Saturday June 11th from 9:00am until approximately 10:00am at the Topeka Masonic Center. A free breakfast will be served from 8:30am until 9:00am and RSVP‖s will be required to be in the office by Friday June 10th so that enough food and seminar materials can be prepared. No greater honor can be bestowed upon a member, than to those who help lead others from darkness to light.

Scottish Rite Creed Human progress is our cause, liberty of thought our supreme wish, freedom of conscience our mission, and the guarantee of equal rights to all people everywhere our ultimate goal.

Page 5

As we begin to plan our vacations, (and at the current price of gasoline, we may be vacationing a lot closer to home), we begin to think of sunny days, warm nights and spending time outdoors with our families. Our Valley will be busy behind the scenes, even though we won‖t be having any meetings during June, July and

August. Our Valley RiteCare Golf Tournament will be held in August, the flyer for which is included in this bulletin. Our Degree teams will also be gearing up for the Fall Reunion in October. During this time, we will also be updating the Scottish Rite web site, sending out our Reminder Emails and placing calls, so that our members can have the latest information. Have a safe and happy summer, and we look forward to seeing all of you at the Golf Tournament and for our meetings in the Fall!

Topeka Lodge of Perfection By Kelly D. Kraemer, 32° KCCH Venerable Master

Our lodge was in charge of the Ceremony of Remembrance and Renewal on March 15th. We thank everyone who attended and participated. A special thank you to those members who filled in as “utility players.” We are hoping in the future to have more of our Masonic Widows

participate. Chapter members, please remember we obligated ourselves to assist with the Masonic Discussion Group on the second Saturday of the month. If there is anything you would like to see our Chapter or Valley do, please contact me.

Topeka Chapter of Rose Croix By Jeffrey M. Hurst, 32° KCCH Wise Master

Aaahh…. now that spring has sprung we can all forget the drudgery of winter and turn our attention to gardening, mowing lawns, spring house cleaning and other chores we have put off in anticipation of the lazy, hazy days of summer….and golf. Yes, golf! There is plenty of time for all you beginners, duffers, week-end golfers, semi-pro, and pros to get ready for the Fifth Annual “Rite Care Charity Golf Tournament” and banquet to be held at the Shawnee Golf Club on Friday August 12th, 2011. Imagine, not being able to communicate your thoughts or express yourself. This charity gives hope to those who can‖t. So…practice your swing and support this program…and the children too!

Topeka Council of Kadosh By Sanford B. Bass, 32° KCCH Commander

Congratulations to our newest members who joined the Scottish Rite at our recent Spring Reunion. Hope you take an active part in assisting our local Valley with its activities and programs. Speaking of programs, please let me and the officers of the Consistory know what kind of programs you would like for our closed and open meetings. This is your Valley so we want your input on what you would like to have presented. We know that Masonic education is important to what our members want and we hope to keep your interest in attending our meetings. Thank you all for your membership in the Scottish Rite and your interest in continuing your knowledge and understanding of the fraternity to which you belong.

Topeka Consistory By Mark W. Stephenson, 32° KCCH Master of Kadosh

Lodge Information & News

Page 6

We had a very successful reunion on April 15-16, even though we didn‖t reach the number of new members we had hoped to receive. Each time we do a little better and come away with ideas to improve the next reunion. For fear of omitting a name, I will just say to our regular cast and those who stepped up to the plate when asked – “Thanks!” For the first time in many years we presented the Thirteenth Degree -- a success. Please start working for a great Fall Reunion by asking your Masonic friends about becoming a member – Friday, Oct. 7, and Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011. While we are “dark” this summer – cast members please continue to work on memorizing parts. We are aware of time commitments, but please make an effort to attend all the rehearsals you are scheduled for; otherwise it is difficult to have a successful practice . If anyone desires to organize a cast for another degree presentation, contact us. The Valley has been very supportive of our reunions by purchasing several new items and since the Spring Reunion they have ordered more items. New members, welcome. We hope that you will become interested in participating in our cast, technical, costume, stage, prop, or kitchen departments. Everyone, have a safe and great summer!

Director of Work

In 2006 the Supreme Council developed a Strategic Plan for the future of Scottish Rite Masonry. There are five separate sections for the future program of the Scottish Rite: 1. Masonic Education 2. Public Image 3. RiteCare 4. Leadership 5. Financial Stability. All are directed towards the future success of Scottish Rite Masonry in the new Millennium. These objectives were first used at the Orient Level then filtered down to the Valley Level. The Kansas Scottish Rite Foundation has held several meetings with the help of the Supreme Council officers. During the past 18 months all local Valleys have been developing their own Strategic Plan for the future of Scottish Rite Masonry in their Valley. In March 2011, Hugh Gill SGIG, had all the Orient Valleys present a draft proposal for their individual Valley with some local flexibility for various Valleys based on unique circumstances. Our final meeting will be on July 23, 2011 at which time a final Kansas Strategic Plan will be produced and adopted. Following its printing it will be available to all members for their review in the Secretary‖s Office. It promises to be eye opening for some members, to see the depth, and detail of our future plans. It‖s exciting to see what we are forecasting for the future of Topeka Scottish Rite Masonry. If you find anything you would like to be involved in, please contact the Secretary‖s Office.

The Secretary‖s Corner

The Personal Representative‖s Desk

It does not seem possible, but we are approaching the midpoint of 2011 and entering a time of Darkness through August. I wanted to bring the membership “Up to Speed” on our current projects. We would like to communicate better with our membership in 2011. We have approximately 250 email recipients who have been receiving a monthly update on our SR Activities for about a year. In April we launched a new format for our emails and individualized them. We have received many positive responses to date. We still lacked a way to communicate on a regular basis with about 350 of our members who only have a phone. One of our members suggested we purchase an automatic phone system. We thought this was an excellent suggestion, and rather than pay for the system out of the SR general fund, we achieved the purchase price of $1129 through donations from our SR members. We installed the Roto-Phone System and sent our first messages in April. It was immediately successful and we received many positive responses. Orient Lodge #51 has also used the system once for notification of their pin presentation which took place on May 10th. The Supreme Council initiated a “Brother to Brother” program in 2009 which was, and still is, an Amnesty Program; where a demitted or suspended member who is current in his Blue Lodge dues, can pay the 2011 SR Dues of $100 and return to active status. He would only lose the time he spent away from the SR. In April we used our Roto-Phone System to call about 400 “B2B” members. We met with success here also, and we plan to call them on a quarterly basis. We are discovering a lot of the “B2B” candidates are older and dropped out because of health or financial reasons and they do not realize the Supreme Council will remit their per capita forever if they are over 80 and indicate to us they are having financial or health issues. Once they are current in their SR dues of $100 (2011) then they can request being “Remitted over 80”. So if you know of anyone who falls in this category have them call us at 785-266-3191.

Paul R. Oldham, 32° KCCH

Jeffrey M. Hurst, 32° KCCH

Ill. Donald A. Mahrle, 33°

Our Topeka Valley

Times Past 25 & 50 Years Ago

June 1986 Summer 1986 talked about the Fall Reunion on the Cover which was scheduled for October 23-25, 1986. The Spring Reunion for 1986 was named the “William E. ―Bill‖ Carey” Class. Twenty four deaths were reported in the Bulletin. Thirty “First Line Signers” were reported through Spring, 1986. They talked about “Dues are Due-Some are Past Due” They even had a poem especially for Dues. It went like this Some pay their dues when due. Some when overdue. Some never do. How do you do? There is an ancient Masonic Benediction on page 7 of the Summer 1986 Bulletin which is very worthwhile reading. Drop by and spend 5 minutes to read it.

June 1961 June 1961 brought an unusual occas ion . The Scot t i sh R i te announced a Special Reunion surrounding Missile Base Personnel and Air Force Personnel. The 4th through the 31st degree was communicated on June 6th and June 13th. The 32nd degree was conferred on June 20th . John Murray, the Grand Master was speaker for the Spring Reunion “John C. Weekes Class” of 69 new members on May 10th. The call went out for more new members and now was the time to start planning on the Fall Reunion which was scheduled for November 14-16, 1961. Eugene Parker became head of Rose Croix

Page 7

The Scottish Rite has a beautiful Rose Croix Funeral Service that is offered for our Membership on a per request basis. If someone should ask you to help them in their time of need please refer them to the Scottish Rite Office at 2300 SW 30th St, Topeka, KS 66611 or to please call our office at 266-3191 or conveniently email the Secretary at secretary@scottishritetopeka.com.

Saturday, June 11, 2011 Saturday Discussion Group

Free breakfast from 8:30-9:00 am Discussion - 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Saturday, June 11, 2011 Mentorship Seminar

Free breakfast from 8:30-9:00 am Discussion - 9:00 am to 10:00 am

Saturday, July 9, 2011 Saturday Discussion Group

Free breakfast from 8:30-9:00 am Discussion - 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Friday, August 12, 2011 RiteCare Charity Golf Tournament

Shawnee Golf Club 913 SE 29th Street

Topeka, Kansas Two Person Scramble@$90 each

1st place@ flight $300 2nd place @ flight $150 3rd place @ flight $75

Saturday, August 13, 2011 Saturday Discussion Group

Free breakfast from 8:30-9:00 am Discussion - 9:00 am to 11:00 am

Dates To Remember

This year the charity event for the Schiefelbusch clinic is on Friday August 12th, 2011. All proceeds of the golf tournament, of course, go directly to the Schiefelbusch clinic. You may say I do not play golf and that‖s okay; you can still participate. I invite all of you to help the Scottish Rite this year in some way, let‖s think of how to help? Donate funds, donate auction items, or just show your support by bringing your family to dinner on the evening of Friday August 12th. Everyone has to eat, why not plan your meal here and help increase the funds badly needed to help the children that count on the RiteCare clinics. Recently, my office was contacted by a local elementary school asking for a referral to the Schiefelbusch clinic for a ten year old child here in Topeka who needed to replace an augmentative communication device. This is the essence of the RiteCare Charity event, so we can say yes, and help a handicapped child. Yes, we try to make a fun day of the event but let‖s remember what it is really about. Imagine, for a moment how much it would mean to you as a parent who can‖t afford an augmentative communication device to have a great organization such as the RiteCare clinic deliver that device free of charge. Believe me they will never forget who helped! We may not always see first- hand the good this charity produces but you should all feel good knowing you are “making a difference” in the life of a child by supporting this charity. Have a great summer;!

The Assistant Secretary

Sherry G. Ward

Page 8

Sixteenth Degree - Prince of Peace Description of the Apron, Cordon, and Jewel

The apron is of crimson, lined and edged with the color saffron. On the flap is an equal balance, held by a hand of justice. In the middle of the apron is a representation of the Second Temple, on one side of which is a sword lying across a buckler, and on the other, a square and a triangle. On the left and right sides are the Phoenician letters equivalent to the Greek letters Alpha and Theta. The colors, crimson bordered with that of the dawn (saffron), are symbolic of faith in the justice and beneficence of God, and of the dawn of hope for the persecuted, proscribed and oppressed. The equal balance, held by the hand of justice, is a symbol of righteousness and impartiality in judgment and of that equilibrium which the Deity maintains throughout the universe. The square and triangle are the appropriate emblems of your Masonic character. Masons, in this and higher degrees, wear the apron in order that they may never forget that they attained their high rank and dignity by means of Masonic labor; and that, remembering their first estate, they may be courteous and kind, as well as just, to the brethren of the lower degrees. The cordon is a watered saffron-colored ribbon, four inches broad, bordered with gold. It is worn from the right shoulder to the left hip. On it are embroidered a balance, a hand of justice holding a sword, a poniard, five stars, and two small crowns. At the end hangs a small silver trowel. The cordon of this degree symbolizes, by its colors, the dawn and light. Many symbols are embroidered on the cordon. The balance is a symbol of judicial impartiality. The hand holding the sword of justice in an emblem of that stern severity which is sometimes necessary to repress crime. The poniard or dagger represents that with which Ehud slew the oppressor Eglon, King of Moab (See Judges 3:15-28). The five stars represent the first five Princes of Jerusalem. The two crowns, promised by the Prophet to Zerubbabel and Jeshua, are symbols of civil and religious authorities. The trowel is a symbol of the Mason-builders of the Temple. The jewel is a

medal of gold. On one side is engraved a hand, holding an equal balance, symbolizing the justice and mercy of God, held in equipoise by His single will and infinite wisdom. On the other is a double-edged, cross-hilted sword, with one star over the point and two on each side. The sword stands upright, hilt downward. On one side of the stars is the letter “D”, and on the other, the letter “Z”, the initia ls of Darius and Zerubbabel. Degree Commentary by Kyle Ferlemann, 32° The Prince of Peace: The 16th degree is the lesson of wisdom and resolution. This is a combination and reiteration of the lessons of the 10th and 12th degrees. Prepare to act upon your ability to judge right and wrong and be the wise and adept man who is prepared to be a leader among men. Student: This is a direct lesson in experience and knowledge. Take the lessons of the Lodge of Perfection and combine them to find new meaning within the lessons which are greater than the sum of the individual parts. Have you readied your mind to be a leader of men, and more importantly, are you personally strong enough to become one? Are you learned and wise enough to be chosen to lead? Mentor: Assist the student in understanding this second step forward. First was his decision to master himself. Now he must find both confidence and humility in order to use his new found wisdom for the greater good.

Seventeenth Degree - Knight of the East and West Description of the Apron, Cordon, and Jewel

The apron is of yellow silk, lined and edged with crimson; the colors are emblematic of the dawn. Its triangular shape is symbolic of the Deity in His first three emanations. In the center is a gold Tetractys formed of 10 Hebrew Yods. They represent the ten Sephiroth (or manifestations of Deity) on the Tree of Life in the Kabbalah. The order is a broad, white watered ribbon, worn from the right to left. It is crossed by a black one of equal width, worn from the left to right. The jewel is suspended from the latter. The two colors are symbolic of the two principles of good and evil as explained in the dualist doctrines of Zoroaster and Manes. The jewel is a heptagonal (seven sided) medal, half gold and half silver or mother of pearl. These two colors are emblems of the sun and moon, themselves symbols of the Egyptian deities Osiris and Isis, who represent the generative and productive powers of nature, illustrated in Masonic symbolism by the columns Jachin and Boaz as the active and passive forces manifested in nature (Morals and Dogma, p. 202). On one side are engraved, at the angles, the same letters as are on the capitals of the columns in the ceremony and possessing the same meaning, that of the last seven of the Sephiroth of the Kabbalah. A star is over each. In the center, on the same side, is a lamb lying on a book with seven seals, on which seals are, respectively, the same letters, though shown in this representation as the Roman equivalents. On the reverse side are two crossed swords, points upward; their hilts rest on an even balance. In the corners are the initials in Greek of the names of the Seven Churches (Revelation 2 and 3).

Page 9

Degree Commentary by Kyle Ferlemann, 32° The Knight of the East and West: The 17th degree is the lesson of acceptance and humility. In this degree the candidate is a lost soul wandering alone beside a sea of false philosophies. He is asked questions of his dedication to masonry and messages of repentance are recited to the candidate. Student: Seek to find the truth within yourself. The questions of the 15th and 16th degrees were academic: Is service greater than self? Am I prepared for service? As a Knight of the East and West, choices,must be made. Do you accept the truth of the philosophies you have learned and do you accept that service to those truths is nobler than service to yourself? Are you willing to become a teacher of these truths and to train to become a mentor to those who seek enlightenment? Mentor: As in the 5th degree this is a place to give the student room to reflect and make up his mind. The jewel of this degree is the lamb on the book of seven seals and is a powerful symbol upon which the student may focus his reflections. Ask the student if he is willing to become the lamb.

Eighteenth Degree - Knight of the Rose Croix Descriptions of the Apron, Cordon, and Jewel

The apron is white satin bordered with crimson on one side and black on the other. On the white side is embroidered the pelican side of the jewel. On the black side is a large red passion cross. The cordon, worn from left to right, is of velvet or silk, crimson on one side and black on the other; it is plain on the crimson side. A red passion-cross is embroidered on the black side and worn over the heart. The colors of the cordon and apron, white and crimson, are symbols of light and the dawn of day and represent Faith, Hope, and Charity. The jewel is the compasses with points opened to sixty degrees and resting on the segment of a graduated circle. On the lower part, on one side, is an eagle, with his winds extended and head lowered. Among the Egyptians the eagle was the emblem of a wise man because his wings bore him above the clouds into the purer atmosphere and nearer to the source of light, and his eyes were not dazzled with that light. Since the eagle also represented the great Egyptian Sun god Amun-ra, it is a symbol of the infinite Supreme Reason or Intelligence. On the other side is a pelican, piercing its breast to feed its seven young in the nest under it. The pelican symbolizes every philanthropist and reformer who has offered up his life for the benefit of humanity, and so teaches us an exhaustless munificence toward all men, especially the needy and defenseless. It also represents the large and bountiful beneficence of nature, from whose bosom all created things draw their sustenance. Thus, the pelican and eagle together are symbols of perfect wisdom and perfect devotedness. There is a crimson cross showing on both sides; at the intersection of its arms, on the pelican side, is a crimson rose in bloom. The cross, pointing to the four cardinal directions, and whose arms, infinitely extended would never meet, is an emblem of space or infinity. The cross has been a sacred symbol in many cultures from the earliest antiquity. The rose was anciently sacred to the sun and to Aurora, Greek goddess of the dawn. As a symbol of the morning light, it represents resurrection and the renewal of life, and therefore immortality. Together the cross and rose symbolize immortality won by suffering and sorrow. On the summit of the compasses is an antique crown. On the segment of the circle, on the pelican side, is the word of this degree in special cipher. The jewel is of gold; the pelican and eagle upon it of silver. Degree Commentary by Kyle Ferlemann, 32° The Knight of the Rose Croix: The 18th degree is the lesson of transformation. This is the place of epiphany to which we have led the initiate. But we can only lead him here. This is a critical turning point, a place of spiritual alchemy, which he must recognize on his own. The Perfect Elu, the reflective and humble spirit, recognizes the inherent power if truth and, when asked to join in the search with his brothers, must make the deliberate choice to assist in the seemingly hopeless quest of finding the Lost Word. The three pillars of Charity, Hope, and Faith appear and illuminate the way out of the wilderness. Student: Are you willing to use virtue for good? Are you willing to labor against vice and be tolerant of other views, seeking the truth within them? This is a great responsibility, for “the word once spoken, the act once done, is spoken or done forever, and its consequences, good or evil, are immortal.” Mentor: The power of knowledge is transformative. Use this time to review the meanings within tolerance, hope, faith, and charity. Explain to the initiate he is not yet ready to go forth and do great works. He must first enter the Council of Kadosh where he will learn the tenants and philosophies required to become a Bridge Builder. To further your Masonic Education concerning the Fourth Degree through the Thirty Second Degree please pursue the following sources: 1. “A Bridge to Light” by Rex R. Hutchens 2. “Scottish Rite Ritual Monitor & Guide” by Arturo de Hoyos 3. Joining the WSB (Wisdom, Strength, & Beauty) Club sponsored by the Supreme Council Membership Services C/O Jessica Griswold, 1733 16th Street NW Washington DC 20009

Fees $250 (For October 2011 Class)

(includes 2012 dues, 32Black Cap, 14°

Ring in Pyramid, Bridge To Light Book &

Master Craftsman I Course)

Make check payable to:

Scottish Rite Bodies of Topeka

2300 SW 30th St

Topeka, KS 66611-1711

Secretary - Paul R. Oldham

(785) 266-3191

Office Use Only

Fees Paid:

Presented:

Elected:

Notified:

PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE - FILL IN ALL SPACES

Full Name:

First Middle Last

Address:

City: State: Zip: Email:

Date of Birth: / / Place: Current Age:

Blue Lodge: Number: At:

First Degree: / / Second Degree: / / Third Degree: / /

Lady’s First Name: Your Hat Size:

Occupation: Work Phone: If retired, from what:

I have resided in this jurisdiction for: years, and months

Have you ever previously petitioned for the Scottish Rite Degrees?

I believe in the inculcation of patriotism, respect for law and order, and undying loyalty to the principles of civil and religious liberty,

the entire separation of Church and State, as set forth in the Constitution of the United States of America. I wholeheartedly believe in

the foregoing and I respectfully petition for the 4° through 32°

Date: / / Signature:

IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FIRST OR SECOND LINE SIGNER TO ACCOMPANY HIS CANDIDATE AT THE INITIATION

Recommended By: 1. Print Name Address City ST Zip Phone

Recommended By: 2. Print Name Address City ST Zip Phone

Home/Cell Phone:

I am now a member in I will be joining: Check One (Please include a photocopy of your current Lodge dues card)

Next Class - October 7 & 8, 2011

Grand Lodge ID #:

This is a reprint of the article about Hiram Dickson, written by Steve Fry, that ran in the Topeka Capital-Journal on May 28, 2007. We thank the Topeka Capital-Journal for permission to reprint this article in our bulletin

Local veteran: 'A wonderful, glorious life'

U.S. Navy ensign was a frogman during World War II A notice posted on a bulletin board seeking volunteers for "secret hazardous duty" drew Hiram B. Dickson, a U.S. Navy ensign from Kansas, to become a frogman during World War II. The frogmen swam to the shores of Japanese islands to gather information and clear obstacles. Before World War II ended, Dickson's landing boat would be shot from under him, he would be wounded, a typhoon would batter one ship he was aboard and a Japanese suicide plane would ram another, killing dozens of sailors and officers. On Memorial Day in May 1942, Dickson — now 86 and living in Topeka — had just graduated from college and would enlist the next month in the U.S. Navy. He entered as a chief petty officer but was commissioned six months later as an ensign. He had several assignments, including teaching pilots learning to ditch from their planes how to survive jumping 20 feet to 30 feet into water covered with burning oil. Dickson wanted to be assigned to a patrol torpedo boat, destroyer or battleship but lacked the engineering experience. Then he spotted the notice seeking officers and sailors to join the underwater demolition teams. The 22-year-old signed up and was sent in April 1944 to Fort Pierce, Fla., for six weeks to learn how to blow up metal and log obstacles on beaches, handle rubber rafts and scout enemy beach positions. He then was sent to Hawaii for advanced training. During the training, Dickson, who had learned to swim in Kansas farm ponds and never swam competitively, would swim five miles a day in the ocean. "I could hold my own with the best of them," said Dickson, who said he wore swim trunks, a face mask and swim fins. Dickson was part of Underwater Demolition Team 9, which was to gather intelligence for a landing in October 1944 in the Philippine Islands. But a typhoon struck, sinking two American destroyers and splitting the bow seams of the U.S.S. Brooks, the high-speed transport Dickson was aboard. "You couldn't see a block away," Dickson said of the ferocious typhoon. Three days later, on Oct. 19, 1944, Dickson and Platoon 1 were aboard a small landing craft headed toward the island of Leyte to measure the depth of the water, find obstacles, and map out sites

of machine gun nests and enemy guns. Dickson said his landing craft was about 150 yards from shore when Japanese mortars and cannon opened fire, sinking the craft. "The swimmer right beside me was killed with a direct hit," he said. Another sailor's arm was nearly amputated by gunfire, and another sailor's left thumb was shot off. Dickson saw plumes of water from exploding mortar rounds, and bullets from enemy machine guns and small arms fire resembled rain drops on the ocean water. Japanese tracers flashed across the water. "I can see those tracers today," he said. Dickson marked mines and other hazards in the water with buoys. When another craft became entangled in the buoy lines, he cleared the lines and eventually was picked up. He received the Silver Star for his actions in remaining "amidst the wreckage in the bullet-swept waters until his men had been assisted to safety," according to a Navy citation. About half of his platoon of 25 men were killed or wounded. When asked whether he wanted a Purple Heart medal for a flesh wound he suffered in the left calf, Dickson declined because

others suffered such serious wounds. Dickson's UDT team transferred from the damaged

Brooks to the U.S.S. Belknap, another high-speed transport. The team went ashore on Jan. 6, 1945, at Lingayen Gulf, seven miles north of Manila, and found the beaches were clear of mines and

obstacles for amphibious landings. Dickson had gone to the Belknap's ward room for some coffee on Jan. 12, 1945, after the ship had been on alert all night watching for Japanese suicide planes. General quarters sounded, and Dickson and Ensign Tony Malfeo scrambled out of the ward room when a Japanese kamikaze dove at the Belknap.

The plane's machine gun fire killed Malfeo, who was a step ahead of Dickson, and the kamikaze

hit the Belknap's right side, killing UDT members and some crewmen, he said. "We buried 38 guys over the (ship's) side that afternoon," including Malfeo, Dickson said. "That was a tough time." Forty-nine others were wounded. The team was transferred from the badly damaged Belknap to another ship, a history of the team said.

From there, the war wound down for Dickson as he made his way through Hawaii and assignments in the United States and Cuba. "It's something that needed to be done, had to be done," Dickson said of his UDT service in the war. "I've never regretted it, but I'm not sure I would do it again." Dickson's post-war careers included high school coach, investigator for the U.S. Civil Service Commission and a reservist in the U.S. Navy. "You talk about a wonderful, glorious life," he said. Hiram Dickson was born on November 8, 1920 and passed away at 89 years of age on March 27, 2010. He was raised in Belleville Lodge #129 on June 6,1951, and was initiated into the Scottish Rite on November 1, 1960. Hiram served the Topeka Valley of Scottish Rite for 49 years.

This is the seventh installment in a series of articles that recognize our Topeka Scottish Rite members and their involvement in World War II.

Spotlight on Our Veterans

Schiefelbusch Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic Support

Your $25 donation pays for one therapy session for one child or adult

Your $100 donation purchases teaching materials for children or adults.

Your $250 donation pays for special equipment for children or adults.

To support this Topeka Valley Philanthropic Program Send Check Payable To: “Kansas Scottish Rite Foundation” to

Topeka Scottish Rite Bodies

Tax Deductible Clinic Donation 2300 SW 30th St

Topeka, KS 66611-1711

Please include your name, address, and a brief note stating your desire to support this program. You will receive a return letter confirming your tax deductible contribution

Thanks for caring!!!

Are you moving, or have you already moved? We would like to know your new mailing address. Please call us at (785) 266-3191 or toll free at (877) 225-7258, or please email us at secretary@scottishritetopeka.com Thank you for helping us keep track of our valued members - you!!!

PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID AT TOPEKA, KANSAS

Topeka Scottish Rite Bulletin 2300 SW 30th St Topeka, KS 66611-1711

Would you rather continue to receive YOUR Scottish Rite Bulletin in this printed format, or download it electronically in PDF format via the Topeka Scottish Rite Web Site at http://www.scottishritetopeka.com? Email the Secretary at secretary@scottishritetopeka.com with your choice. Remember that each electronic version saves our Valley $1.50 per issue, or $6.00 per member, per year!