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THE SCOTTISH RITE JOURNAL
Volume CIV Number 7
July 1995
CONTENTS
----------
- It All Starts With The Father - C. Fred Kleinknecht
- Freemasonry And The Future Farmers Of America - John W. Boettjer
- A Journey Through Anti-Masonry - Charles E. Martin & Robert B. Hooks, Jr.
- Known Masonic Bulletin Boards - Gurnee K. Bridgman
- Striving, Learning, Achieving The DeMolay Way - Matthew T. Payne
- Four Steps To Masonic Renewal - Vernon B. Ingraham
- Johnny's "Learning Difference" - Donna Underwood
- How To Do Well And Do Good Also - J. Howard Rodman, Jr.
- Current Interest
New Visa Credit Card Supports Your Clinic
Masonic Relief Assists Oklahoma Bombing Victims
Iowa's Governor Breaks Ground For New Des Moines Facility
Examples Of Masonic Charity Sought
Alabama Lodge Helps Devastated Church
"No Sin In Symbols"
Rotary Helps Children
Hospitality In Scotland
Staying In Touch
Sign Up Now!
Joint Masonic Effort In Utah
- The Washington Monument - Alexander Martin III
- A Jewel Found In The Search For Light - Daniel L. Jensen
- Experiencing The Brotherhood - Dave Daugherty
- Nutrition And The Elderly - Caroline M. Annand
- Book Reviews: The Ones That Got Away - S. Brent Morris
- Supreme Councils - In Amity With The Mother Supreme Council
----------------------------------------------
It All Starts With The Father
C. Fred Kleinknecht
Patriotism (noun, from Latin pater, patria, meaning father), love and
loyal support of one's country.
It's deep within our minds, deep within our history, deep within even
our language_this association of our fathers with our nation. The
Latin word for "father" is the root not only of "patriotism" but also
of "patriot" and "patriotic." Nor is it only the Latin-derived English
words which follow the pattern. We also speak of the "fatherland."
Clearly, in nearly every culture on record, love of one's country is
an outgrowth and reflection of love of and respect for one's father.
None of this should suggest women are, in any way, less patriotic,
less filled with "love and loyal support of one's country." The great
women patriots, from ancient Sparta to those who served in Desert
Storm, are shining examples of the devotion of women to their native
land.
But sociologists tell us most children learn their attitudes toward
their country from their fathers. For Freemasons and members of the
Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, there are some important implications in
this fact.
The Scottish Rite has always stressed the importance of patriotism.
Albert Pike, for instance, wrote in Morals and Dogma: "Above all, the
Love of Country, State Pride, and Love of Home, are forces of immense
power. Encourage them all. Insist on them in your public men." Also,
again and again in the Degrees of the Rite, the candidate is reminded
he must love his nation and constantly seek to improve it.
But how? How can we serve our nation, especially in those happy times
when there are no major wars to be fought nor enemies to be defeated?
In wartime, patriotism is self-evident. One fights. Or one supports
those who have gone to fight. In peacetime, patriotism becomes a more
subtle virtue, and the question is how to demonstrate it on a
practical, day-to-day basis.
It all starts with the father.
If it is true young people learn their attitudes toward their county
from their fathers, then our most vital task is to be the fathers who
teach those attitudes. Even if our own children are long since grown,
we can still find ample opportunity to teach by the example of our
lives and by the respect we show for law and for individual freedoms.
These ideals, especially toleration, are the essence of our great
nation. If we cherish and live these values, so will our young people.
Similarly, they will value the nation which protects and represents
these values.
There are many such opportunities. We can work with the Masonic youth
groups as friends, Dads, and advisors. We can give volunteer time to
Scout troops, serve on community projects that benefit youth, and
teach the young in our houses of worship. We can serve as block
parents or assist in the schools.
Doing so, we become living examples of Masonry, of care and
compassion, of dedication to the rights of the individual. We can
teach more patriotism in ten minutes of living the values America
represents than we can in ten weeks of shouting at the young that they
had better love America or leave it.
Most men may not think of it as an act of patriotism when they help
the young to read, or resolve conflicts, or find the strength to do
what they know is right_but it is, perhaps, the purist act of
patriotism a man can perform. Whether with our own children or with
the youth of the community, we can serve as role models of the
attitudes America cherishes. We can inspire the young with our lives,
as thousands of generations of fathers have done before us.
It all starts with the father.
It all starts with you.
Freemasonry and the Future Farmers of America
John W. Boettjer
Today, as it has for 70 years, the Future Farmers of America (FFA),
now called the National FFA Organization, remains, with its over
400,000 members, on American's cutting edge in developing competent
and aggressive agricultural leadership among our nation's youths. Few
people know, however, that Freemasonry's relation with the FFA extends
back 70 years to the beginning of the organization in Blacksburg,
Virginia.
It was in 1925 that four men, who already were or were soon to become
Masons, gathered around a table at The Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University (VPI) in Blacksburg, Virginia, to discuss the
idea that eventually became the Future Farmers of America. Today a
plaque marks this table and commemorates the event stating: "At this
table in September, 1925, it was determined that boys studying
agriculture should have their own organization_now the F.F.A. Present:
Walter S. Newman, Edmond C. McGill, H. W. Sanders and Henry C.
Groseclose."
Lodge records note the following Masonic memberships: Walter S. Newman
(former President of VPI) was raised a Master Mason in 1925 in Purdie
Lodge No. 170, Windsor, Virginia; Edmond C. McGill was affiliated with
Hunters Lodge No. 156, Blacksburg, Virginia, having demitted from
Albert Pike Lodge No. 303, Wichita, Kansas, in 1929; H. W. Sanders was
a member of both Glen Allen Lodge No. 131, Glen Allen, Virginia, and
Tuckahoe Lodge No. 347, Richmond, Virginia (though no record exists of
his Blue Lodge Degrees); and Henry "Harry" Clayton Groseclose, Sr.,
was raised in Ivanhoe Lodge No. 235, near Wytheville, Virginia, in
1939
In 1925 all were members of the Agricultural Education staff at VPI
and very much concerned with reversing the trend of country youths
abandoning the land and moving to the city. Henry C. Groseclose, who
initiated the idea of bringing local youths into an agricultural
fraternity, expressed the mission of the group in these words:
In my opinion the farm boys of Virginia who are enrolled in vocational
agriculture are equal to any other group of boys in the state. But
somehow the boys themselves seem to have a feeling of inferiority.
Especially is this true when the farm boy goes to the city and has to
compete with his city cousin. This condition should not exist. I
believe that a strong organization of our boys in agriculture would
help them to overcome this handicap. Let's form an organization that
will give them a greater opportunity for self-expression and for the
development of leadership. In this way they will develop confidence in
their own ability and pride in the fact that they are farm boys.2
Henry C. Groseclose was chosen to devise the fledgling organization's
constitution and bylaws as well as its designation of officers and its
degrees of membership. The results of his effort were so worthy that
the FFA's constitution and bylaws have remained essentially unchanged
since that time.
Of greatest interest, however, are the original degrees and rituals of
the Future Farmers of America. They reveal a close similarity to like
elements in Freemasonry and clearly suggest that the founders of the
FFA modeled the new organization along Masonic lines. Consider these
following similarities.
As originally conceived, the members of the Future Farmers of Virginia
could aspire to three degrees-Green Hand, Virginia Farmer, and
Virginia Planter.
These, of course, parallel Freemasonry's Entered Apprentice,
Fellowcraft, and Master Mason. Originally, the founders did not
conceive of a national degree level. Today, however, the FFA degrees
number four-Greenhand, Chapter, State, and American.
Chapter officers (President, Vice President, Adviser, Secretary,
Treasurer, and Reporter) memorize set opening and closing ceremonies,
and a gavel is used by the President to control Chapter meetings: two
taps represent a call to order, three taps signal members to stand,
one signals members to be seated. Also, three knocks at the Chapter
door are used to gain entrance. All meetings close with the Pledge of
Allegiance to the flag. A Sentinel is stationed at the door to prevent
intrusions. In the earlier 1930 version of the FFA degrees, an officer
of this general role was titled the "Farm Watch Dog."
Various symbols represent each officer: Sentinel, a shield
representing Friendship; Treasurer, a picture or bust of George
Washington representing Thrift; Reporter, an American flag
representing Patriotism; Adviser, an owl representing Wisdom;
Secretary, an ear of yellow corn representing Plenty; Vice President,
a plow representing Labor; President, the rising sun representing
Progress, a "new day" for American farm youths through the FFA.
In each of the original degrees, as stated in the 1930 FFA Manual, the
candidate travels from one officer to the next, receiving from each a
specific charge. After accepting each charge, the candidate is ordered
to "Pass on!" to the next post where he receives another charge,
ending finally with the charge given him by the President.
During the initiation ceremony for Green Hands, as noted in the 1930
FFA Manual, the candidates are admitted_after proper qualification and
preparation_carrying a hay rope in their left hands and wearing a
cardboard green hand over their hearts. Two conductors carry either
end of the rope.
All candidates must be able to recite "The Country Boy's Creed" (see
p. 8) from memory and are "raised" from one degree to the next and are
"invested" with the degree.
During the Greenhand degree, candidates are initially blindfolded.
As the hooded Future Farmer degree candidate is guided around the
Chapter room by his conductor, he meets obstructions. At set points,
"each candidate is stopped by members representing Ignorance, Waste,
Indolence and Isolation, respectively by putting their hands on the
shoulders of the candidate as the latter approaches him. Each 'stop'
announces who he is. 'I am Ignorance. I block your progress,'" etc.3
Overcoming these blocks, the candidate continues on his journey and
receives charges from Wisdom (the Adviser), Thrift (the Treasurer),
Labor (the Vice President) and Co-operation (the President).
The following passage quotes the latter encounter in full from the
published 1930 Official FFA Manual:
(The conductor will lead the initiates to the feet of Co-operation. At
this place the blindfolds are removed and each candidate will be
handed a fiber of rope.)
(The Chapter President acts as Co-operation.)
Co-operation: Break the fiber which I have given you. (Candidates
break fibers.) Just so will you be broken if you remain in isolation
as your forefathers have been. I shall now give you a rope. Break this
also. (Candidates attempt one at a time to break the rope but, being
unable to do so, the rope is passed to the left until all have tried.)
Why were you unable to break this rope?
Conductor: You had several fibers bound together. It was impossible to
break the fibers when they were bound together.
Co-operation: You have spoken the truth. Our organization is bound
together even as this rope. Together we shall achieve great things.
Together we shall serve our fellowmen. My symbol is the rising sun.
(He shakes hands of candidates.) Remember that co-operation is our
fourth great ideal and that he who serves best must first learn to
work with others. Thousands of Future Farmers of America are ready to
co-operate with you in improving and enlarging our organization. The
spirit of Co-operation engendered in the Future Farmer Chapters of
America will live with us after we leave this school. When we are all
working together_in this community, in this state and in America_a new
day will, indeed, have dawned. Let us all work together and hasten the
coming of the Rising Sun.4
It may be argued that the above symbols and actions are not
exclusively Masonic and could have been derived from the formats of
other academic, professional, social, and agricultural fraternities
existing at the time. The fact remains, however, that all four
founders of what became the Future Farmers of America were or soon
became Masons. Also, at the time the FFA degrees were first written,
their content strongly suggests ties with Freemasonry in form and
content.
Clearly, Freemasonry had a key influence on forming the Virginia
agricultural boys' organization that by 1928 became the Future Farmers
of America.
Though considerable disagreement exists among Virginia teachers of
vocational agriculture as to where the first FFA Chapter was
organized, Rural Retreat, Virginia, claims to be the first. This claim
is made in spite of the fact that the Weyers Cave Chapter possesses
Charter Number One. This difference probably resulted from delays
involved in setting up each organization. Charters were not issued in
the same order as the applications were received. According to FFA
records, Rural Retreat was the first to organize and make
application.5
In any case, the movement grew quickly. An emblem was drawn by Brother
Henry C. Groseclose and R. W. Cline (a graduate student at Virginia
Polytechnic Institute) and then approved for the Future Farmers of
Virginia by the Virginia teachers of vocational agriculture at their
annual conference held in Blacksburg on July 12-18, 1927.6 With some
slight modification, it is the same FFA emblem used today and consists
of five symbols (see box on the facing page).
All Masonic Brethren can be proud of the role Freemasons and
Freemasonry have played in the founding of the Future Farmers of
America. It is a tradition we must continue to build on today and
extend to tomorrow. While we have been a part of the FFA's golden
past, Masonry can also be part of its bright future!
A Journey Through Anti-Masonry
Charles E. Martin
Robert B. Hooks, Jr.
Some years ago, I was talking to a friend from my Air Force days, and
the subject of Freemasonry came up. He abruptly expressed his
disapproval of the Craft and said, "I cannot be a Mason." I was struck
because I knew John was a fine and decent man. I asked him the basis
for his statement, and he said, "Because I am a Christian!"
I was stunned. A fervent lifelong Christian, I have sat in Lodges in
ten states with other devout Christians. I was raised a Mason in 1982
by a Christian, my father.
John sent me some tracts and loaned me three audiotape cassettes. I
read and listened. What I heard were uninformed opinions and gross
misinterpretations which some might describe as lies, even vicious
lies. It shocked me that people who profess the Christian faith would
beat up the Fraternity I cherish.
I resolved to learn more and went to a religious bookstore where I
asked the clerk, "What books do you have on Freemasonry?" She led me
to, of all places, the "cult" section of the bookstore. There she
pointed out a number of titles by John Ankerberg, Larry Holly, Jim
Shaw, Pat Robertson, and others. Reluctantly, since I hated to
contribute to the pockets of anti-Masons, I bought all the books and
proceeded to read them. Then I started listening to the local
Christian radio station and took down the addresses of all of the
groups noted. Soon, I had an address file, and I wrote each group
asking "Please tell me anything you can about Freemasonry." Soon, the
letters and tracts started pouring in.
One of the most intriguing newsletters was from a group called "Free
the Masons Ministries" in Issaquah, Washington. They had listed as a
goal to lead all men out of the Masonic Lodge. I got on their mailing
list, and I still get materials to this day.
In the spring of 1993, I received a newsletter announcing a conference
to be held in Knoxville, Tennessee. I wanted to attend, but I was
working that weekend. I resolved to try to attend the following year.
Sure enough, in 1994, I got a newsletter announcing an "Anti-masonic
conference" in St. Louis, Missouri. I thought, "Now is my chance to
see this phenomenon up-close and in person." I enrolled in the
conference, made hotel reservations for the weekend, and asked a
fellow Mason if he would like to attend in order to see anti-Masonry
firsthand. He jumped at the chance. My friend, Bro. Hooks, co-author
of this article, is a long-time Mason, a retired school teacher, and a
Baptist minister with 20 years service.
We drove to St. Louis and arrived just in time for the first session
of the conference. We filled out the registration card. As a recent
conference announcement states, "Masons are welcome." A $50
registration fee is required of all participants. The first thing to
strike me was the general appearance of the 37 participants (100 had
been expected). They wore all types of clothing, from $900 suits to
gym shorts. There was an ordained minister and a street-corner
evangelists from Las Vegas. Some conference participants were women,
the wives of the speakers.
The first speaker was a Baptist minister who claimed to have been run
out of his church in Florida because he opposed Freemasonry. The
second speaker used visual aids consisting of photocopied pages from
various publications including the Indiana Monitor. His talk rambled
on about a series of topics. Included in the jumble was Masonry as a
"Cabalistic religion" and the legend of Hiram Abiff. He asserted the
Lodge is a "religion" teaching Masonry as a means of salvation. After
asserting "the Masonic holy spirit is Lucifer," he concluded with a
plan for action to included the following: (1) Pray (2) Bind yourself
up for evil (3) Protect your families (4) Confront Masons with the
literature he had for sale and (5) Explain the plan of Christian
salvation.
The next speaker said he was a former high-level employee of the state
of Indiana. He claimed Freemasonry is part of a conspiracy to set up a
one-world government under something called the World Council of
Political Action.
Supposedly, this group has met five times and is developing a world
constitution to divide the globe into ten kingdoms. He claimed to have
discovered Masonry is part of this conspiracy and linked to
Luciferianism as well as the Theosophist Society of Elena Blavatsky, a
Russian noblewoman of the last century who researched various Eastern
religions and founded the Theosophist Society.
The man went on to claim Freemasonry is a branch of the World Council
of Churches and that, in some areas (horror of horrors!), 40% of the
Southern Baptist ministers are Freemasons. The talk spun on from there
claiming, for instance, that the Federal Reserve Board and the Council
of Foreign Relations were controlled by "the Masonic Lodge."
Furthermore, "the Satanic Church" controls the Masons, and a Thirty-
third Degree Mason is the anti-Christ. He concluded by stating the
Mormon Church is a "front" for the Masonic Lodge.
The next speaker was the most fascinating of the entire group. A young
woman, about 20 years old, spoke on the topic "Masonry for Women and
Children." She claimed to have been a Rainbow Girl who "renounced" the
organization last year. Her talk centered on how the Masons "recruit"
children in order to have "access" to them. To counter this
recruitment, she started an organization called ROOFTOP, an acronym
for Rescue Out of Freemasonry, Teens Own Program. The goal of ROOFTOP
is to "expose" and shut down all of the Masonic youth programs,
including Rainbow, Job's Daughters, and DeMolay. She made the first
statement I agreed with all day when she said "Masonry is always one
generation away from extinction." She also made the most hateful
statement I heard all day: "Masons set up the Shriners hospitals so
they can have 'access' to children." As a Shriner who has helped
transport children to the hospitals, I felt physically sick upon
hearing this lie.
Then an older woman spoke briefly. She claimed to have been abused in
a Masonic Ritual. Now she publishes a newsletter called "SOMAN," an
acronym for Survivors Of Masonic Abuse Newsletter, for individuals who
have been "abused" in Masonic rituals. If I did not see this woman, I
would not have believed such an organization existed.
That night I was so depressed about hearing my beloved Fraternity
trashed all day that I felt I had to attend a Lodge meeting, if only
to wash the lies out of my ears. I looked in the phone book and found
a nearby Lodge meeting that night. I drove over, stood the
examination, attended the meeting, rose in Lodge to explain why I was
in town, and urged all the Brethren to keep on guard against anti-
Masonry. I never cherished Freemasonry more than I did that evening.
My batteries recharged, I attended the next day's session which kicked
off with a man "proving" Freemasonry was a religion descended from the
ancient Zoroastrians and the Egyptians.
Following him was the "capper," a man who spoke on Freemasonry and the
Founding Fathers. He stated the creation of the United States
Constitution was a deed of the "International Masonic Conspiracy" and
that anyone who was not a Mason at the Constitutional Convention in
Philadelphia was ignored or shouted down.
He then went through a listing of Masonic presidents, with the names
projected on the wall. Harry S. Truman's name was projected in
capitals because HST was a 33 Degree Mason and the "most committed
Freemason of all of our presidents." He then showed a list of "anti-
Masonic" presidents. My jaw dropped when I read the name of George
Washington at the top of the list! The man explained that even though
Washington is identified as a Freemason and served as Master of his
Lodge in Virginia, there is "proof" Washington demitted from the Lodge
in later life. He claimed all of the portraits of Washington in
Masonic regalia are forgeries and concluded his talk with a discussion
of his new project, collecting copies of all of Washington's papers,
diaries, journals, and letters
in order to prove Washington "renounced" Freemasonry and died "free of
Masonry's clutches." During the break, I approached the speaker and
suggested he get a computer to make his task easier. He took the bait
and, no doubt, will spend much energy attempting his impossible task.
The following speaker was a man who claimed to be a "former Masonic
Satanist," even though he never joined a Lodge in his life. This
person was involved in an occultic religion and claimed the leadership
of the Satanic Church would not let him "progress" unless he became a
Mason. He is now dedicated to "leading others from the Lodge and
Satanism."
Other speakers talked about "taking a stand in your church against
Masonry," the "Scriptural response" to Freemasonry, the hidden Masonic
basis of the Star Wars films.
In this section and throughout the conference, the speakers kept
referring to various Masonic books by Pike, Hall, Mackey, Wilmshurst,
and others. Consistently, the passages were quoted out of context and
twisted to serve the speakers' ludicrous propositions. Taking careful
notes and tape-recording most of the sessions, I sat through all this
for two days, gritting my teeth as lie after lie hammered at
Freemasonry.
Before and during the conference, the participants set up a display
where individuals could buy their literature and audio tapes. I got a
shopping bag and scooped up one of everything available. I must have
appeared quite an avid anti-Mason!
Now for the big "Why?" Why would a group of Christians spend so much
effort to attack Freemasonry? I hit upon the answer in the acronym
PEG: Power, Ego and Greed. People attack Freemasonry for various
motives, but all of these, in my opinion, can be distilled to these
three basics.
POWER: Many of the attendees ran their own "ministries." They have
broken up churches and gotten pastors fired because of the pastor's
Masonic affiliations. One attender told me that she knew a man who has
led 15,000 men out of Freemasonry.
EGO: Some of the attendees told that they had received a "call from
God" to fight Masonry. They claimed "their way" is the only true
religion and that Masonry is a religion, and, therefore, God told them
to fight and destroy Freemasonry.
GREED: The old dollar sign. Some of the people there had published
books attacking Freemasonry and sold gospel tracts and audio tapes.
All an anti-Mason needs is a Post Office box and a cassette
duplicator. Sadly, a tolerable living can be made attacking
Freemasonry.
I have read volumes of anti-Masonic literature, listened to scores of
tapes, and talked with many anti-Masons. While their motives vary, it
all comes down to PEG: Power, Ego, and Greed.
The conclusion I reached via my journey through anti-Masonry is that
we ignore anti-Masonry at our peril. We have little to fear from 35
people shouting "Amen!" in a hotel basement. But we have a lot to fear
from the ideas promulgated by sadly misinformed or misguided people.
There were attendees at this conference from as far away as Washington
State, Las Vegas, and Florida. They shared information and went back
to their various ministries to churn out more books, cassettes, and
tracts. And they intend to meet annually to continue this process!
There was a repeat of this conference as recently as mid-June 1995 in
Atlanta, Georgia. (Also see a related item, "There Is No Sin in
Symbols," page 38.)
The goal of these groups is very simple, the elimination of Free-
masonry from the face of the earth. They want to "lead" all Freemasons
out of the Lodge. They want to close all of the Lodges. They want to
end all Masonic philanthropies, close all the Masonic homes, shut down
the Shriners Hospitals and Institutes, lock up our 112 Scottish Rite
Childhood Language Disorders Clinics, Centers, and Programs in the
Southern Jurisdiction, eliminate all Masonic scholarships, and remove
all Freemasons from positions of leadership in every Christian church.
Think of the thousands of deserving children, students, needy, and
elderly who will be left without support is such an effort is
successful! I repeat: the goal of these groups is nothing less than
the complete elimination of
Freemasonry. All Masons everywhere should accept this challenge for
what it is and face up to it directly.
The Supreme Councils of the Scottish Rite, Southern and Northern
Masonic Jurisdictions, as well as many Grand Lodges, took bold steps
forward in 1993 and 1994 regarding informing the Brethren and the
general public. We can and must continue to develop new ways to show
the world the truth about Freemasonry. It is my belief most people
will understand the truth when it is presented to them clearly and
emphatically.
If Freemasonry is to survive, that is our task, our challenge!
Striving, Learning, Achieving The DeMoly Way
Matthew T. Payne
DeMolay has been a major influence in my life. As a member for the
past several years, I have learned much about what it takes to make it
in our world. I am now able to understand why people need to work
together to fulfill their goals, and this organization has given me a
sense of self-pride in my Brothers. DeMolay, in fact, has touched my
life in three specific areas; striving to reach goals, learning to
work with others, and understanding how to succeed as a leader.
DeMolay has helped me learn how important goals are in a person's
life. Without goals, a person, just like an organization, would wither
and die. A person must set goals throughout his entire life to grow
and become a better person.
One of the most important goals I set for myself was to graduate first
in my class. Through hard work and dedication, I realized this goal.
This is just one example of goal setting I have learned from DeMolay.
My Chapter sets many goals each term, and the excitement of achieving
them is felt by each member. I am proud of the fact that I graduated
first in my class, but I realize the impact DeMolay had on me in even
setting such a goal.
I know that each goal I set for myself is for the best. Even though I
may not reach it, I haven't failed. I have succeeded in trying to make
myself the best I can be. DeMolay has shown me that the only way to
fail is not even to try. I believe if I do my best and do not obtain
my goal, I am still a winner. DeMolay has given me the opportunity to
strive for goals I thought I could never achieve.
Through DeMolay membership, I was able to understand the importance of
working with others. Each person is an individual with his own
feelings and thoughts which should not be ignored. Instead, they
should be expressed and combined to form a solid group.
DeMolay members form such a group. No one is more powerful than the
next. Everyone has good ideas that need to be acknowledged in
striving for the best possible organization. I have learned that in
order to get things accomplished, we must all work together. It is
just like a human pyramid; if one person were to move, the pyramid
would fall. In a DeMolay Chapter, as in all of Masonry everyone must
work together for the good of the organization. Petty differences must
be put aside to attain our goals.
DeMolay has given me the chance to work and get along with others.
This ability to work with people is something I will be able to use my
entire life. It will make things more enjoyable, not only for myself,
but for others. It is necessary to work as a unit in order to form a
strong, well-knit group.
I have moved through the ranks of DeMolay from Treasurer to Master
Councilor. Each office I have held has taught me something about being
an efficient and strong leader. But a leader is only as good as his
group of members. I felt I had a strong group of young men helping me
be the best leader I can be.
Each member helped me in his own way. It gave me a sense of pride
knowing that my peers had the confidence and trust in me to make me
their leader. I tried to repay them by being the best possible leader.
I listened to each person's ideas, letting him know I respected his
point of view. A member wants to work long and hard for a leader who
takes a personal interest in him. I can well remember my days in
DeMolay before I was in a position of leadership.
I always had a more active role as a member under a Master Councilor
who showed an interest in me as an individual. When I attained this
position, I attempted to work with each member in a unique and
personal manner. I wanted to give each DeMolay the quality attention
he deserved.
DeMolay has been one of the main inspirations in my life. I have had
wonderful experiences I could never put into words. I hope someday I
will be able to give to Masonry and other organizations some of what
DeMolay has taught me. I know I will always be able to use my
DeMolay: setting goals, working with others, and being an effective
leader.
Four Steps To Masonic Renewal
Vernon B. Ingraham
Masonic renewal is a term widely used in the Fraternity today. It is
derived from efforts to build a successful organization based on
concepts and practices taught in the Total Quality Management (TQM)
movement started by W. Edwards Deming in Japan several decades ago.
TQM practices have been adopted in many companies and government
agencies. In most cases, improvements are being achieved by focusing
on the customer, empowering employees to satisfy customer needs, and
revamping internal processes to facilitate customer service. Coupled
with this is strategic planning and implementation follow-up where
results are tracked and measured. This, in a nutshell, is what TQM is
all about.
However, in some organizations this movement has risen and fallen
because too much was expected without properly training and developing
the work force and improving human interrelationships. This led to too
much wasted effort and fanfare with too little in the way of
developing a social contract among and between individuals in the
organization.
In the Masonic Fraternity, we have a strong social contract. We have a
core set of principles which are based on upright and moral living. We
are charitable both in thought and deed. We practice tolerance and
believe in the brotherhood of man. Our social contract establishes a
solid foundation and a prescription for success.
Many men today are beginning to seek something more meaningful than
just the work-a-day world in their lives. They are starting to search
for a viable alternative to the declining moral and impersonal
environment of society. Freemasonry is in a key position at the right
time in history to offer what these men seek.
Yet, we are all very aware of our serious membership problem. A review
of some relevant statistics shows where we stand.
Between 1983 and 1993, Colorado Masonic membership declined by almost
34%, or one third. During this period we raised one Master Mason for
each four Masons we lost.
Between 1984 and 1994 nationwide membership in the Scottish Rite
declined by about 24%.
We are not alone. Membership in other fraternal and civic groups has
fallen as shown below:
- Lions: down 12% between 1983 and 1994
- Elks: down 18% between 1979 and 1994
- Jaycees: down 44% between 1979 and 1994
- Boy Scouts: down 26% between 1970 and 1994
- Red Cross: down 61% between 1970 and 1994
- National Federation of Women's Clubs: down 59% between 1964 and 1994
- League of Women Voters: down 42% between 1969 and 1994
- PTAs: down 42% between 1964 and 1994
The statistics show that people, whether male or female, do not
participate in organizations as they once did. Yet, there is growing
recognition by many that something is seriously wrong in our
society_that we are becoming socially and technologically isolated
from each other.
In the work place, for example, we now communicate impersonally by e-
mail and video conference, where once we met face to face. There are
advantages and economies to the electronic age of communication; it
has become a necessary and irreplaceable part of our lives, but there
is also a price to pay. Our discretionary or non-work hours are also
being dominated by the electronic age.
In the January 1995 issue of the Journal of Democracy, Robert D.
Putnam, a professor at Harvard University, states, "There is reason to
believe that deep-seated technological trends are radically
'privatizing' or 'individualizing' our use of leisure time and thus
disrupting many opportunities for social-capital formation."
Professor Putnam defines social capital as the "features of social
organization such as networks, norms, and social trust that facilitate
coordination and cooperation for mutual benefit." He and a growing
number of social scientists are promoting the theory that social
connections and civic engagement pervasively influence our public and
private lives_that they change the way we associate with one another
for good or ill.
In fact, beyond this group of social scientists, many are gaining in
awareness that our culture and our civil society are paying too high a
price for this attitude of non-involvement and self-centered action.
The period of relying on the government and others to solve our
problems and to substitute for the individual in "the pursuit of
happiness" is coming to an end.
The United States has embarked on a revolution calling for lesser
government and more local and private involvement. This will expand to
the citizenry in the form of more involvement in the community and in
organizations such as the Fraternity. We need to position ourselves to
be ready for this revolution in civic involvement.
Many Masons, including this one, are concerned about the declining
membership trends in worthwhile organizations. However, declining
membership is not the central issue upon which we in the Fraternity
should focus. Our primary concern should be focused on maintaining
high standards and in improving ourselves and our Fraternity. If it
isn't, the Fraternity will not be attractive to men searching for a
meaningful alternative.
All this is why Masonic renewal is so important. A major result should
be an eventual increase in membership. It must be remembered, however,
that this is a lengthy process_better characterized as a long-run
journey rather than a short-run destination.
So, what do we do?
- First, we need to reaffirm individually and with one another who
we are and what our purpose is. We need to be open with non-Masons
about who we are.
- Second, Masonic renewal discussion that is organized and well led
and facilitated is an excellent beginning to activate renewal. Younger
Masons under the age of 50 (preferably 40) need to commit to this
activity. Masonic leadership needs to do a better job at getting these
younger members involved.
- Third, we need to develop and implement plans that support Masonic
renewal. This will involve training, developing and implementing
plans, focusing work on specific goals and objectives, and learning
from successes and failures along the way.
- Fourth, we need to assert ourselves in a positive public awareness
program. Through such a program, we need to inform the public about
our charitable work and our work as a fraternity.
We need to be reinvigorated with a sense of excitement and enthusiasm
instead of despair and sadness about our situation. To use Brother
Norman Vincent Peale's words, we need a huge dose of "The Power of
Positive Thinking."
This means commitment and dedication, not to change for the sake of
change, but to advance the purposes of the Fraternity. Masonic renewal
is the vehicle for helping us to do this. We do indeed have what it
takes!
Johnny's "Learning Difference"
Donna Underwood
Hi! I'm Johnny. I'm the boy next door, the kid who built that great
tree house last summer. Did you see my woodworking project at the
school arts show or my prize drawing at the fair? I'm not stupid. I
work hard, but I daydream a lot. You know, wonderful things happen in
your head.
Gee, I'm pretty much OK! So why can't I read? They tell me I have a
"learning difference." They call it "dyslexia." They're not sure what
causes it. I function pretty well in the real world where I can use my
hands, eyes, and ears to learn. I just don't seem to have much talent
in that other world, reading.
I can't recall what I read. Once I studied for hours and hours for a
Friday spelling test. Guess what? I could recall only three words!
What a bummer! When I got my last creative writing paper back, it
looked like my teacher had died a horrible death there_red ink, like
blood, was everywhere! She says my brain just "processes" stuff
differently.
Mrs. Underwood, my teacher, says "dyslexia is a disorder of
constitutional origin manifested by a difficulty in learning to read,
write or spell, despite conventional instruction, adequate
intelligence, and socio-cultural opportunity." Wow!! This must mean
I'm smart, creative, talented, a kid from an OK home. It's just that I
have a "learning difference."
I'm in good company. Did you know that Tom Cruise, John F. Kennedy,
Winston Churchill, Cher, Greg Luganis, Whoopi Goldberg, Henry Winkler
(the "Fonz"), and General George S. Patton were all dyslexics? Our
group motto might be "We have overcome!"
In the past, for the most part, I've "faked it" when it came to
reading and prayed no one would notice. You'll be glad to know there's
hope for me. I know. I've been there. Because of a group of Scottish
Rite men who are dedicated to helping kids like me, there is a
wonderful place called the Scottish Rite Learning Center of West Texas
right near my home. This and other clinics, centers, and programs like
it were founded by the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry to help kids like
me.
They say my "retraining" will take two years. Whew! But, you know,
"training" is fun! At the center we play all sorts of games and watch
cool programs on TV. And somehow I come out reading, even
understanding! I like the routine. It includes ordered, daily
presentations, precise steps, rapid rotation, and periodic measurement
for a mastery level of 95%. Never thought I would make 95% in
anything! But I do here, though I may have to try a few times. Maybe
it is because of commitment by my teachers, my family and, most of
all, by me. Soon I'll be equipped to succeed as I continue my regular
education.
Well, that's me. And there are lots more kids like me. Now that my
family and teachers know about my "difference" and the Scottish Rite
is helping me, I hope others learn about "learning differences" and
help other kids succeed. Like them, I want a structured, safe, loving
place to learn_a place like the Scottish Rite Center of West Texas.
Even when I fail, bear with me. Praise my victories. Don't "rag" me
about my flops. Meanwhile, you can help me read, spell, speak. Show me
the world and love me. For you see, I may have a "language
difference," but I can learn, I am special, I am loved.
How To Do Well And Do Good Also
J. Howard Rodman, Jr.
In previous installments of this financial advice column, we have
discussed various techniques to "give tax bills away." Among the
financial arrangements to save you from expending needless tax dollars
while benefiting your present income are Charitable Remainder Trusts,
Gift Annuities, and Pooled Income Funds.
Traveling around the country and talking with groups of Masons and
non-Masons alike, I realized many people have fears of committing to
gifts of these types. This fear is much deeper than just the
reluctance to make a charitable gift. The major problem is uncertainty
of the future or the "I-may-need-the-money-someday" syndrome. The
anticipated need for the money often comes from one of four concerns:
"What if I fall ill? Will I be able to meet my medical expenses?"
"Will I outlive my resources?"
"What if I become incapacitated and need all my financial resources?"
"Will I die unexpectedly?"
Coming from a financial planning background, I fully understand the
need to plan for the future. One must have reserves in case of
emergencies, but I find many people are living in fear of the future,
a fear which sometimes paralyzes them into avoiding new
directions_even when such actions are beneficial. Also, doing nothing
is an easier route to take.
You may ask, "What has this to do with planned giving?" Well, planned
giving by definition involves a plan_formal or not. You must have a
clear idea of what you want to accomplish and what your resources are
capable of supporting. Yes, we all want to be comfortable now. Yes, we
want to have money "in case." And yes, we want to leave something to
our children and grandchildren. But have you really thought about what
these questions mean to you and how you can benefit yourself today and
others tomorrow? Only you can answer these questions correctly.
Once you have a level of comfort with your plan, then the Scottish
Rite can be of assistance by helping you increase your current income
through life income gifts. If you have done your planning and still
feel the desire to make a lasting gift to the Fraternity, but do not
feel as though you can commit to a gift now, there is another
solution, a Charitable Bequest.
The Fraternity that has meant so much to you for many years needs your
help. Decreasing membership and increasing costs are making it more
difficult to meet the goals of our very worthy Masonic philanthropies,
for example the children's hospitals, the academic scholarships, the
Scottish Rite's childhood language disorders clinics, centers, and
programs.
You can support these activities through a simple bequest. By naming
the Scottish Rite in your Will or Living Trust, you can help us
continue our work. The gift can come in the form of cash, or a named
asset, or a dollar amount or percentage of your estate. If you inform
us of your intent, we can honor your intentions today via an
impressive donor recognition program.
One of the best assets to leave as a charitable bequest is your
Retirement Account. These accounts, when left to your children, are
subject to three levels of taxation: Income Tax, Estate Tax, and
Excess Accumulation Tax (up to 85% total tax).
Please contact us with specific questions on any of the above-
mentioned ideas. If you already have the Scottish Rite in your plans,
please let us know. We would like to recognize your support.
CURRENT INTEREST
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New Visa Credit Card Supports Your Clinic
On May 2, 1995, Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht, 33, announced
the disbursement of $5,000.00 from the Scottish Rite Foundation, S.J.,
USA, Inc., to each of the 36 Orient foundations currently
participating in the Childhood Language Disorders Program. Each
contribution will be used locally to benefit America's children.
This disbursement of funds totaling $180,000.00 is drawn from moneys
made available by The Supreme Council's various fundraising efforts.
We expect future distributions from the new MBNA Visa Credit Card
Program. Your use of this distinctive and attractive credit card aids
local clinics, centers, and programs while also delivering outstanding
service and many benefits to you, the card's user. Among these
benefits are: No Annual Fee Up to $150,000 in Common Carrier
Travel Accident Insurance coverage with the Custom Visa card and up to
$500,000 coverage with the Gold Card Customer Service
representatives on hand to assist you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Best of all, these cards are backed by the commitment to Customer
Satisfaction that has made MBNA America one of the world's leading
issuers of bank credit cards.
You can get your no-annual-fee Scottish Rite Visa Card today by
calling MBNA toll-free 1-800-847-7378.
Be sure to mention the current Scottish Rite Priority Code NXGG. Note:
Priority Codes change periodically. If you already have a MBNA credit
card, you can obtain information about participating in our credit
card program by calling toll-free 1-800-421-2110.
Masonic Relief Assists Oklahoma Bombing Victims
The Masonic response to the bombing of the Federal Building in
Oklahoma City has been outstanding. Within hours of the attack, the
Scottish Rite in Oklahoma and the Oklahoma Grand Lodge worked together
to create a Family Relief Fund. It was decided, for ease of
administration, to operate the fund through the Masonic Charity
Foundation of Oklahoma. Even before the fund could be established,
however, Grand Jurisdictions, Lodges, Orients, and individuals were
calling to ask how they could help.
There are so many stories, but only a few can be mentioned in the
short space of this news item.
- Many contributions have come from women who start their notes with
some variant of "My father was a Mason, and I know the Masons will
handle the money honestly."
- Three Lodges of a county in Arkansas held a barbecue to raise
funds, and the Tyson Company donated enough chicken to feed 2,000
people at the barbecue.
- One Oklahoma Lodge found its Lodge-wide fundraising dinner soon
turned into a community-wide effort involving scores of non-Masons as
volunteers.
- All the motel and hotel rooms in Oklahoma City were filled, and no
more rental cars were available, so when additional teams of law-
enforcement personnel and mental health workers arrived, they were
housed in the Guthrie Scottish Rite Temple. Also, the Temple, the
Masonic Home for the Aged, and India Shrine Temple all provided vans
the workers could use for transportation to Oklahoma City.
- Ill. Paul T. Million, Jr., 33, S.G.I.G. in Oklahoma, wrote to Bro.
Ron Norick, Mayor of Oklahoma City and a member of the Guthrie
Scottish Rite Valley, to tell him of an offer by Ill. Sam E. Hilburn,
33, S.G.I.G. in Texas, for the Dallas Scottish Rite Children's
Hospital to provide free treatment for children hurt in the disastrous
explosion.
- The Masonic Service Association as well as the Scottish Rite,
Southern Jurisdiction, USA, put out an appeal for disaster relief
funds to which hundreds of Brethren generously responded.
- The Grand Lodge of New York wrote to all New York Masons residing
in Oklahoma and offered the assistance of the New York Grand Lodge for
those who might have been affected by the bombing.
- The Grand Lodge of Ohio communicated so effectively with its
constituent Lodges that in the early days of the relief effort nearly
a third of the letters and contributions were received from that
state.
The process of recovery, both for Oklahoma City and the nation, will
be long and slow, but it is truly heartening to see Masons respond
with spontaneous generosity and brotherly love in the face of such
senseless hatred.
Note: thanks to Ill. Jim Tresner, 33, Director of Work at the Guthrie
Scottish Rite Temple, for the above report and his personal
involvement in the Oklahoma City bombing relief effort.
Donations for Oklahoma's Families
On April 19, families living near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, became
innocent victims of a monstrous bombing attack. Please help by sending
donations from Almoner, Valley, and/or personal funds to the Scottish
Rite Foundation, S.J., U.S.A., Inc., 1733 16th Street, NW, Washington,
DC, 20009-3199. In turn, your donations will be forwarded to Ill. Paul
T. Million, Jr., 33, S.G.I.G. in Oklahoma, for distribution to
families requiring help. Your response will be greatly appreciated.
Iowa's Governor Breaks Ground For New Des Moines Facility
On April 25, 1995, Terry Branstad, Governor of Iowa, participated in
the ground-breaking ceremony for the new fitness center and
residential care facility of Scottish Rite Park in Des Moines, Iowa.
The $4 million addition to the Scottish Rite Park retirement residence
will include 19 more beds in its health-care facility, a swimming
pool, walking track, theatre, and exercise room.
Ill. Harry S. Barrows, 33, S.G.I.G. in Iowa, welcomed all attendees
to the ceremony, and Ill. William (Bill) Anderson, 33, President of
the Board of Scottish Rite Park, introduced the Governor who praised
Scottish Rite Park's 22 years of service to Iowa's seniors. The Hon.
Pat Dorrian, Mayor of Des Moines, also spoke at the ground breaking
and shared in the refreshments served in the Scottish Rite Park's
dining room after the ceremony.
The high-rise facility, which includes a heated parking garage, was
completed in 1973 and is constructed on ten acres of landscaped
grounds donated to the Iowa Scottish Rite Foundation by Bro. Sydney L.
Macmullen. A staff of 95 health-care professionals provides services
to 193 kitchenette apartments, a bed-care wing served by registered
nurses, a large dining room, and a penthouse social room that
accommodates groups in excess of 100, including the annual meetings of
the Iowa Scottish Rite Foundation.
Scottish Rite Park is only one of several philanthropies supported by
the Iowa Brethren. The new fitness center and residential care
facility mark a major step forward in Scottish Rite community service
in the "Hawkeye State."
Examples Of Masonic Charity Sought
Masonic Philanthropies: A Tradition of Caring is one of the most
successful Masonic books ever published. Over 85,000 copies have been
printed, and nearly every one has been distributed. Dr. S. Brent
Morris, 33, the author, is beginning work on a revised, updated, and
expanded edition scheduled for publication in early 1996. He is
interested, in particular, in adding more examples to the book's
"Vignettes of Masonic Charity" section where short, illustrated
articles give touching examples of how Masons help others.
If your Lodge, Chapter, Consistory, Temple, or other Masonic Body has
been involved in a noteworthy philanthropic effort, please share it
with Dr. Morris. He would like to have several color photographs and a
description of the activity. The description doesn't have to be very
detailed or polished, but the pictures need to be good color
photographic prints. Even if you've only heard of an activity
sponsored by another Lodge, share this information, and Dr. Morris
will track down the details. In the first edition (Oct. 1991), some of
the philanthropies included were the Masonic Memorial Auditorium and
Peace Chapel at the International Peace Garden, the Scottish Rite
Northern Masonic Jurisdiction's Museum of Our National Heritage and
research in schizophrenia, the
Grottoes' dentistry for the handicapped, the Des Moines Masonic
Community Christmas Dinner, the Prince Hall Masonic Youth Fund's Camp
Chicota, The Knights Templar Eye Foundation and many, many more.
Please take a minute to let us know about other Masonic charitable
efforts that should be highlighted in the new edition of Masonic
Philanthropies. Send your information to:
Masonic Philanthropies Update
C/O Scottish Rite Journal
1733 16th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009-3199
Alabama Lodge Helps Devastated Church
On Palm Sunday, April 9, 1995, about 300 members of Goshen United
Methodist Church left services with their voices lifted in songs of
hope as they joined a special procession through Piedmont, Alabama, of
5,500 other local church members.
The event commemorated March 27, 1994, the day a devastating tornado
struck Goshen United Methodist Church, totally destroying the building
and killing 20 church members, including the 4-year-old daughter,
Hannah, of the congregation's minister, the Rev. Kelly Clem. Since
that terrible day, United Methodist Church members have used Goshen
Lodge No. 97 for their services. Because of local and national
support, initial digging has begun for a new church which will be
ready, Rev. Clem hopes, for Christmas services this year. The floor
plan is in the shape of a butterfly, a symbol of resurrection. Until
that time, the Brethren of Goshen Masonic Lodge No. 97 are honored to
host the members of Goshen United Methodist Church as a sign of their
commitment to rebuilding the community and of Freemasonry's consistent
role as a handmaiden of religion.
"No Sin In Symbols"
The Masonic Information Center, founded by Ill. John J. Robinson, 33,
as a division of The Masonic Service Association, has just published a
new and important 16-page brochure, "There Is No Sin In Symbols."
Anti-Masonry has not diminished. It has, instead, taken a new
approach_attacking Masonic youth groups. At a recent anti-Masonic
conference, one participant noted, "Masonry is always one generation
away from extinction." Thus, anti-Masons are targeting their
propaganda on Rainbow Girls, Job's Daughters, and DeMolays. (For a
related article, see "A Journey Through Anti-Masonry," page 13 of this
issue.)
Often this approach focuses on alleging the symbols used in
Freemasonry are "Satanic." Vile anti-Masonic booklets containing these
charges are sometimes placed under the windshield wipers of cars
parked outside Lodges where Masonic youth groups are meeting.
The result is confused, distressed young people questioning their
involvement in Masonic youth groups. Loss of youth membership results
when Masons and parents are unable to respond informatively regarding
the issues posed by their sons and daughters. Consequently, The
Masonic Information Center developed this excellent illustrated
booklet explaining the origin and significance of many Masonic
symbols.
While focused primarily on young people, the new booklet is beneficial
to all Masons as well as others wishing to know more about our Craft
and its symbols. Masonic youth group leaders, in particular, and all
Lodges, Scottish Rite Bodies, and individual Masons, in general, are
urged to review this booklet and give it the widest possible
distribution. Individual copies are available @ $0.25 each (PPD) with
a 40% discount in lots of 50 or more copies, plus S/H. Contact:
Masonic Information Center, 8120 Fenton Street, Silver Spring, MD
20910-4785 Tel (301) 588-4010; Fax (301) 608-3457.
Rotary Helps Children
The Richardson Sunrise Rotary Club of Richardson, Texas, cares about
children! Aware of the tremendous Childhood Development Program, which
includes treatment of childhood language disorders, offered by Texas
Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas, Tom Dearing,
Secretary/Treasurer of the Richardson Club, decided to make the
members of the early-morning Rotary group more aware of the Hospital's
dyslexia program. Beginning first with information on dyslexia and the
programs at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, Dearing then
involved Rotary members by taking a tour of the Hospital's facilities
and learning firsthand what dyslexia is, how it can be diagnosed, and
what Texas Masons are doing about it.
The club members were so impressed that they made donations to this
program. Dearing says, "I hope other Rotary Clubs around the nation
will become aware of this special way to help children and will join
the Richardson Sunrise Rotary Club in contributing to the Scottish
Rite's Childhood Language Disorders Program."
Hospitality In Scotland
Bro. Frank D. S. Stafford was impressed. He had seldom seen such a
demonstration of the universality of Freemasonry. Since his group,
Scottish Masonic Veterans Association, was mentioned in the May 1994
Scottish Rite Journal, he has received letters from eight states and
Canada. Brother Thomas J. (Jeff) Coffey, Jr., 32, Scottish Rite
Bodies of San Antonio, Texas, was the first to write and the first to
accept the Association's invitation to visit. On July 15, 1994, a
delegation of Masonic veterans met with Bro. Coffey at the Hamilton,
Scotland, Temple of Lodge Ancient Sterling No. 30 whose first Master
was installed in 1740. Bro. Coffey was welcomed to Scotland and made
an honorary member of the Scottish Veterans Association. As Bro.
Stafford recently wrote to the
Journal, "The letters received from Masonic Brothers on the other side
of the Atlantic have far outnumbered our expectations and have proved
to me how widely the Scottish Rite Journal is read as well as how
worldwide the Masonic Brotherhood is." If you are sojourning in
Scotland, consider sharing in some Scot Masonic hospitality by
contacting: Frank D. S. Stafford, 81 Campbell Street, Wishaw,
Strathclide, Scotland. Have a bonnie time!
Sign Up Now!
Bro. Charles H. McGill, 32, K.C.C.H., was appointed the Huntsville,
Alabama, Scottish Rite's representative for the Citizens Flag
Alliance, and he's doing everything he can to fulfill the Alliance's
purpose_to pass a constitutional amendment stating "Congress and the
states shall have the power to prohibit physical desecration of the
Flag of the United States."
Assisted by other Scottish Rite Brethren, Bro. McGill signed up all
the candidates of the Huntsville, Alabama, Spring Reunion Class, April
22 and 29. Also, copies of the petition have been displayed in
business offices and workplaces throughout North Alabama. To become
part of this nationwide drive to stand by your flag, call 1-800-424-
FLAG today!
Joint Masonic Effort In Utah
The Scottish Rite, York Rite, and Shrine combined efforts in a two-day
event that proved very successful to all organizations involved.
Planning began last November for a joint statewide Scottish Rite
Reunion, York Rite Festival, and Shrine Ceremonial that was held on
April 21-22, 1995, at the Masonic Temple in Salt Lake City.
The Scottish Rite Reunion and York Rite Festival were held
concurrently and were then followed by the Ceremonial of El Kalah
Shrine Temple. The 32 was conferred on 49 new Masters of the Royal
Secret, the Order of the Temple was conferred on 22 new Knights
Templar, and 47 new Nobles were created for El Kalah Temple. The event
culminated with a "sold out" banquet which featured an address by the
M.W. Grand Master of Masons in Utah, Bro. James L. Murphy, 32.
Masonic Renewal activities in Utah have resulted in a significant
increase in Degree work in the Blue Lodges and, as expected, the whole
Masonic family is benefiting from the effort.
The Washington Monument
Alexander Martin III
The Washington Monument, rising majestically 555 feet and 5 inches
from level terrain, is the centerpiece of the Mall in our nation's
capital. It is of classic obelisk proportion, and like its smaller
Egyptian forebears (although they were monoliths, cut from one stone),
it is located near water. A ring of 50 U.S. flags, one for each state,
encircles the Monument's base.
This magnificent obelisk was formally dedicated to the memory of
George Washington on his birthday, February 22, 1885. Commencing with
a Masonic cornerstone laying on July 4, 1848, the monument was built
in two phases. Construction was interrupted in 1853, when donated
funds ran out, and resumed with federal funding over a quarter of a
century later in 1879. The capstone was set on December 6, 1884, also
in a Masonic ceremony. The lower base is 81 feet square, and the
base of the marble pyramid at the top is 55 feet square.
Inspiration to achieve a highly distinctive photograph of the Monument
(see the front inside cover of this issue) derived in part from
Masonry and from reading a book by Peter Tompkins, The Magic of
Obelisks (Harper, NY, 1981). This book is filled with fascinating
details of America's Masonic history. A related factor was shooting a
pair of award-winning posters for the Washington National Cathedral.
One featured a rare multi-colored, obelisk-shaped light projection on
a stone column. The light came from the remarkable abstract stained-
glass window in the Cathedral's nave, just next to the statue of
George Washington, a statue donated to the Washington National
Cathedral by the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction. This Washington
Monument photograph itself is totally natural and not composited. The
image occurred at the conclusion of an 18-month photographic adventure
with the Monument. Some of the picture's design elements were
carefully selected before shooting, i.e., the camera's location for
the shot, time of day, weather (the pure blue sky of the photograph is
a rarity in humid summertime Washington), and accurate control of
vertical perspective.
But two unplanned elements give this particular depiction a special
vitality. A large crowd was gathering for a benefit concert. The human
figures, especially so many, emphasize the height of the Monument. The
second surprise_truly a work of Providence_was the remarkable
appearance of the surrealistic, feather-shaped cloud behind the
Monument. It was created by a wind-sheared condensation trail from a
passing jet airplane. The cloud serendipitously drifted across the
scene during the exact five-minute interval when the brightness ratio
of the Monument's two faces viewed in the camera's lens reached a
preset value. The exact time of this unexpected and rare event was
12:22 P.M. EDT, on Saturday June 11, 1988. A color poster derived from
this photograph was produced by graphics designer Tom Walsh. For more
information, write me at the address which heads this article.
Capturing the Washington Monument on film has been one of the
highlights of my work in photography and Masonry. I have particularly
enjoyed photographing stained-glass windows and distinctive Masonic
architecture. As in all aspects of life, I have learned the Craft can
lead to new and fulfilling experiences_in my case through the camera's
lens as well as through personal experience.
A Jewel Found In The Search For Light
Daniel L. Jensen
Masons worldwide use the phrase "in search of light" as a motto to
describe Masonry's purpose. What does that motto really mean? How can
its significance be applied individually? We are, of course, taught in
Masonry that there is no one hard and inflexible answer to those types
of inquiries. Each Mason is encouraged to seek his own interpretation,
thereby answering his own question. Such was the course I found myself
on when I undertook my task. But first, allow me to regress for a
moment.
Three years ago, my wife and I chanced upon an antique shop. In
honesty, it was more of a store of other people's discards, a junk
shop. With the curiosity of pack rats, we invaded the store. Wandering
around, I was struck by the prices sought on many items similar to
ones I had once owned but then thrown away as trash. Meandering toward
yet another glass case, I felt it would contain nothing more valuable
than additional costume jewelry, like that worn by my late grandmother
and ladies of her era. But there, among an assortment of trinkets and
beads, was a curiously wrought jewel. More importantly, it bore
symbols familiar to me. O
They were Masonic symbols. A Square and Compasses to be sure, but also
the quadrant below the extended points of the compasses and a full
sunburst. It was a Past Master's jewel, and although I had been in
search of a Past Master's ring, what with my term as Worshipful Master
of Ponderosa Lodge No. 197, Klamath Falls, Oregon, at its midpoint,
this might substitute as a beautiful memento. I was jolted from my
reverie by the bright voice of the proprietor inquiring, "Can I help
you with something?" Not desiring to display my now heart-pounding
eagerness, I managed a strained, "Yes, perhaps." First, as a decoy
tactic, I asked to view a garnet-stoned Master Mason's ring.
The ring was very well worn, approximately a size 7, large enough to
settle somewhere on the first joint of my little finger. Then I went
after the true desire, to view the Past Master's Jewel up close.
Although the jewel was dirty and smudged with years of fingerprints
and grime, I immediately knew I held in my hands something unique, a
real work of art.
Cradling it, I became aware of its weight and color. Undoubtedly, it
was solid gold. Turning it over in search of hallmarks revealed
nothing. A small cardboard tag declared it to be 14 kt., which was
quite possible as witnessed by the several small, fresh scrape marks
on the back of the nameplate. Someone had tested this piece recently.
Returning to the face of the jewel, I began to examine it closely. I
was instantly impressed by the finely detailed hand engraving. In
addition to engraved numbers and divisions along its leading edge, the
Square had a shaded background to reduce glare. At the top of the
jewel was the engraved name Charles B. Clark bordered on either side
by the numbers 19 on the left and 07 on the right, 1907. On a separate
panel suspended by rings was So. Pueblo 31.
What a absolutely beautiful piece! To myself I asked, "Should I buy
this?" The price was startling, and I set about dealing the shop owner
down to a more reasonable figure. But to no avail. She wasn't about to
sharpen her pencil for me.
And so, dejected, I left the shop, still deeply impressed by the
jewel's beauty and imagining the pride its owner must have felt as he
wore it so many, many years ago.
Buried within my heart was a small regret that I would not possess
this special award and finely constructed emblem of our Craft. "Oh
well!" I said, "on to the other events of the weekend."
Soon thereafter, we left the city and headed up the beautiful Oregon
coast to enjoy the fellowship of an all-Masonic picnic. It was there
that this story took a fateful and unexpected turn.
Seated around a campfire with several Brothers, I mentioned my recent
discovery. I was asked if I had purchased this item. I replied
negatively and indicated the reasons: its high price and my
questionable need for the jewel in lieu of the ring I sought. One
Brother, in no uncertain terms, urged me to retake possession of the
jewel and thereby return it to within the Craft, where it rightfully
belonged.
I was convinced. All evening, amid the joyous sounds of brotherhood
and fraternity, I was only partially present. I was anxious to carry
out the "Mission" of reclaiming the Past Master's Jewel for
Freemasonry. The following morning, I returned to the same shop.
Another lady was manning the helm. I slowly sauntered to the glass
case in the back corner, silently saying a prayer that the jewel be
there. Arriving at the glass case, I breathed a deep sigh of relief
when my eyes beheld "my jewel" exactly where I had left it.
The shopkeeper volunteered her assistance in showing me anything I
desired. On this round, I wasted no time. I asked to see "that Masonic
medal." Another careful, reverent inspection followed, resulting in an
inquiry as to the bottom-dollar offer she would entertain. When I
countered that price, she remarked that she would have to make a phone
call, I presumed to the shop's owner. After another short bartering
session, the deal was struck, cash changed hands, and a piece of art
and an emblem of Masonry returned to the Craft.
Several days later, I came to a further conclusion. I would trace the
trail this Masonic heirloom had traveled and find out who Worshipful
Brother Charles B. Clark was. Referring to a recent directory of Grand
Lodges, I noted that So. Pueblo Lodge No. 31 still exists. Jotting
down the address and telephone number, I composed a letter to the
Grand Lodge of Colorado, seeking any history that might still exist
concerning Charles B. Clark, Worshipful Master of Pueblo Lodge No. 31,
Pueblo, Colorado, in 1907.
Several weeks passed, and then came the reply I sought! I rushed from
my mailbox into the house, retired upstairs to my study, settled into
my favorite chair and, I have to admit, with a slight tremble in my
hands, I opened the letter.
After the expected cursory information, the Secretary of South Pueblo
Lodge No. 31 began unraveling what became a wonderful journey back in
time. I quickly learned of Bro. Clark's early life, his various
residences, his father's untimely death, and the circumstances that
lead to his and his mother's eventual arrival in Colorado. Bro. Clark
was a civil engineer engaged in surveying a railroad line in Colorado.
That work must have struck a chord in his heart, for thereafter he
became a son of Colorado, never to leave the state, save one period in
his life.
On May 17, 1898, he embarked from the port of San Francisco aboard the
steamer S.S. China bound for a new adventure in an old quest, freedom
for all men. That adventure led him to new horizons and new challenges
in the Spanish-American War. For sixteen months and eight days, he
defended America's interests in the Philippine Islands, distinguishing
himself several times.
From the quill of the Pueblo Lodge Secretary, I learned Sgt. Charles
B. Clark was an American military hero. On August 17, 1898, as a
member of the First Colorado Volunteer Army, he was the first to carry
our beloved flag into Manila and the heart of rebel headquarters.
During the battle to take this heavily defended position, the First
Colorado Regimental Band played a song known to us all, a tune that
almost became a second national anthem at the time, "Hot Time in the
Old Town Tonight."
Bro. Clark later recalled, upon his return to the states, some details
of that fateful day. He gave a stirring oration, as only one who had
been there could, of how he felt with shot and shell exploding around
him. He related the pride in being an American in that place at that
time, watching the band's bass drummer wade the river, his drum held
high above his head, all the time beating in rhythm with the band.
I read on to learn of Bro. Clark's Masonic history, his ascension
through the chairs of the Lodge, culminating in his election as
Worshipful Master. Continuing on, the Secretary of Pueblo Lodge told
me in his letter of Wor. Bro. Clark's slate of officers, his personal
career, and of the honored public offices he served in his community.
Not surprisingly, Brother Clark was a charter member of Post No, 61,
Veterans of Foreign Wars. Such was befitting the man, considering his
patriotism and dedication to liberty, equality and fraternity,
principles so paramount to being a Master Mason.
Then, somewhat sadly, I learned the details of his death and the
Masonic memorial service his Brethren performed. He was survived by
several people, most notably by a man who lives in Enterprise, Oregon.
Did this relative become the next owner of this work of art, the
Master's Jewel of Wor. Brother Clark? He could well have been,
because Brother Clark had no children.
Whatever the case, this precious Masonic jewel ended up dirty and
nearly discarded among the broaches and hat pins I discovered that day
in June, 1993. How it got there still remains unanswered. Someone
reading this account perhaps, has more light on the subject, the final
clue. I truly hope so.
For the facts I now possess and happily share with you, I am grateful.
For the excellent counsel I received advising me to buy the jewel and
for the labors of the Secretary in Pueblo, I shall ever be indebted.
To him, I tip my hat and say "Thank you! Thank you for aiding in my
search of that which was lost. Although we have yet to personally
meet, I am proud to know you as a Mason and a Brother who aided in
this search for light."
Experiencing the Brotherhood
Dave Daugherty
I first recall talking about Freemasonry with a co-worker. I was
working a part-time job to put myself through college. There I found a
good friend who was a Mason, and I soon was off to seek membership for
myself. Suddenly, a new world opened for me as friends and professors
came out as Masons to me to help me pursue my desire for Masonic
Light.
Initiation struck me like a blow. I strongly remember mentally saying
to myself, "Ah-ha, I have finally found a group of men who think as I
do!" My new discovery was so pleasing that I wasted no time becoming
active in the Fraternity. I began reading everything I could lay my
hands on that had the word Masonry in it. My wife must have thought
this quite unusual for I had never before been a bookworm.
I joined the Scottish Rite and served as a ritualist. In the Shrine, I
become a clown. In Blue Lodge, I started through the chairs.
Freemasonry became a major part of my life.
Then my life really changed! I was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the
juncture of my brain and spinal column. The doctor informed me that I
had three months to live or about a five percent chance of survival on
the operating table. Then, if successful, there would be years of
therapy ahead without the promise of ever returning to full health.
Without hesitation, I chose the table. As this life-and-death
situation progressed, my thoughts turned more and more to my wife. To
whom could she turn?
My fears were calmed by the reassurance of Brethren. The operation was
some 14 years ago, and since that time my journey has made many
interesting turns. I owe a lot to the men who chose to become Masons
and who live that life. Thus it is important for me to share the story
of my recovery, a journey during which I was assisted by my Masonic
Brethren, and that is what I am doing by writing this account.
The surgery left me comatose for several weeks and dependent on life-
support systems. As I regained consciousness, my eyes could not move,
and I could communicate in only very minimal ways. However, I was
totally aware of what was going on around me. I could tell who came
in, what they did, and what they said. To some I was nothing more than
a hunk of protoplasm on a bed. While I was in this state, there were
two most memorable occurrences that I wish to share.
Every morning the nurses communicated with me by having me wiggle my
toes for them. One particular morning, the nurse who attended me must
have had a rough night. When she came in to change my sheets, she
threw me around like a sack of potatoes. To teach her a lesson, I
didn't wiggle my toes upon her command. Her reaction was perfect! When
I did not respond to her request, she ran out of the room screaming
for the doctor for whom, of course, I wiggled my toes.
The second incident took place during a visit by my wife and her
cousin. My wife was not taking the situation well, and her cousin was
determined to cheer her up by creating communication between the three
of us. As they gathered by the side of the bed, my wife's cousin was
talking a mile a minute and trying everything she could to stir me.
Finally, they decided to kiss me to see if any of the many monitors
registering my vital signs would be affected. They bent over to kiss
me and then bolted up to look at the monitors. Sure enough, the
monitors jolted with vigor! They continued kissing and looking up over
and over again. I thought my sides were going to burst with laughter!
When, finally, I was taken off life-support systems, "Damage Control"
began to report. My legs wouldn't move, and my head fell limp upon my
chest. I could not talk, and on the right side I was blind, deaf, and
had a useless arm. Life began again in a wheelchair.
Being 125 miles from home, I didn't expect to see my wife every day.
My Lodge, however, took care of her travel expenses so she could be
with me without great financial penalty. In my three months of
recovery in the hospital, I was visited almost every day by a local
Mason. Thank you so much Bro. Fred F. Bair! Many other Lodge Brethren
also made the long trip to come to visit. The Tiger Shrine Clown unit
came en masse and treated me to my first meal out of the hospital.
Going home was a scary time. The atmosphere of the hospital created a
sense of security. Could I survive in the world out there as the new
me? As I lay there in the hospital bed contemplating how I would be
accepted, the Lodge officers of Twilight Lodge No. 114 of Columbia,
Maryland, paid me a visit. They informed me that I had been elected a
Warden of the Lodge. My heart leaped from my chest. I am sure this
moment marked the beginning of my true recovery; a few friends and
Brethren had placed their faith in me, an invalid.
I was wheeled home on a Saturday only to be greeted by my Shrine Clown
Unit. They promptly dressed me up and whisked me off to a parade being
held that day in town. There they put me in the clown car, stuck a
prepaid dues card into my hand, and drove me, waving joyously, down
the street. Oh, what wonderful feeling of support I experienced that
day!
Now came the long road to recovery. To add to my many problems, the
right side of my face drooped as if it were melted wax. Finally, I had
a nerve graft off my tongue to give tension to my face. (It is quite
interesting to see me blink my eye by sticking out my tongue.)
Much of my dignity and common responsibility were taken away from me.
I became a second-class citizen, or at least I felt like one.
Sometimes, people refused to talk to me, addressing rather anyone else
nearby. On other occasions, persons would carry on a conversation
about me and ignore that fact that I was present hearing what they
said.
Nevertheless, support continued to flow from my Brethren. I served as
Master of my Blue Lodge and established a library in the Lodge.
Relearning to walk took place following a Shrine clown car in parades.
My gait was even imitated by other clowns. Little did they know it was
not an act. I was just trying to stay up! Other walking came as I
bounced off the walls in the corridors at the local V.A. Hospital as I
made my rounds for the Masonic Service Association's Hospital
Visitation Program.
Also, the Scottish Rite kept me on its stage. It was there that I
learned to talk again. I often wonder how many times I did my part
before they could understand me. Ill. Al Cerza, 33, and Bro. John
Black Vrooman became my very able mentors in advanced Masonic
education. I will never be able to repay these gifts of patience and
brotherhood. Because my Brethren said yes to me and allowed me to try,
I was able to move forward in this great journey of life.
Freemasons are taught that it is the internal not the external that
makes a man and a Mason. They are men who not only know how to read
about the Golden Rule, but how to live it as well. Thank you men of
Masonic ideals!
Nutrition and the Elderly
Caroline M. Annand
My ninety-nine-year-old grandmother doesn't drink red wine anymore. In
fact, her eating habits have changed considerably since she entered
her golden years. There are valid physiological reasons for this
change. What is important, however, is that her body continues to
function through the proper utilization of vital nutrients.
How is this being achieved?
First, let's discuss some of the changes our bodies undergo that
affect our eating habits. How many of you have suffered from a bad
cold whereby you lost your sense of smell and taste for a week or two?
You ate out of habit or survival, not pleasure. Unfortunately, for
many of our elderly, this is a way of life. Studies funded by the
National Institute on Aging reveal that our sense of smell and taste
start to decline in our seventh decade. In addition, certain
prescription and nonprescription drugs can adversely affect sensory
perceptions as well as nutrient absorption.
The first step in digestion begins in the mouth by chewing and
subsequent release of enzymes by the salivary glands. It is estimated
that 75% of Americans have lost all their teeth by age 75. As a
consequence, many elderly find it more convenient and less frustrating
just to avoid certain foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables.
Instead, they reach for a doughnut or soft sweet roll, replete with
excess sugar and saturated fats.
Appetite may diminish not only because of the problems just mentioned,
but also because there is at least a 10% reduction in the basic
metabolic rate as we enter our sixth decade. Concurrently, many
digestive enzymes, especially hydrochloric acid, begin to decrease,
resulting in poor absorption of nutrients, iron and folate in
particular. This can lead to chronic anemia and its effects of mental
and physical fatigue.
By our seventh and eighth decade, there is a decrease of blood flow to
the tissues. The healing of wounds and infections thus becomes a
difficult task as the body then demands more protein for recovery. The
National Academy of Science and The National Research Council
recommend the diets of elderly contain at least 12% protein.
Lack of activity and weak intestinal muscles can lead to a sluggish
bowel. Laxatives are often overused resulting in the loss of vital
nutrients, including water, causing malnutrition and dehydration.
Thus, the natural aging process can present many challenges in
achieving proper nutrition. What can the elderly or caregivers of the
elderly do to assure an adequate diet? Here are some practical ideas.
Make dinner time an enjoyable experience. In the words of an Italian
proverb, "May every day be a holiday, every meal a banquet."
Statistics show that a social atmosphere is more conducive for eating
than living or eating alone. Prepare foods in an appetizing manner. If
the sense of taste and smell are weak, perhaps sight will trigger an
appetite response. Researchers at Duke University are presently
working on taste enhancers that can be added to foods to spur appetite
in the elderly.
Also, prepare foods in a digestible manner. That involves boiling,
steaming, stewing, and baking. However, it is important not to
overcook any food since many vitamins can be lost in the process.
There are many supplemental drinks on the market which offer a
complete balanced diet. Juice extractors are also very useful and can
provide delicious, healthy drinks from fruits or vegetables. Having a
variety of foods is beneficial. Learn to listen to your body. Born in
Bari, Italy, Grandma still chooses pasta as her favorite dish. She
also enjoys legumes such as kidney and chick peas which are an
excellent source of protein. There are no assorted nuts on the table
at Grandma's home, but there is plenty of peanut butter, extra smooth
of course. She shuns milk yet enjoys mozzarella cheese, also high in
calcium. At least once a week, Grandma has a craving for rare roast
beef. Otherwise she prefers baked chicken prepared Italian style with
plenty of tomato sauce. A good cup of coffee in the morning with plain
toast is all she needs to get started.
Just as nutrition is important to an infant in developing the
foundation for a strong and healthy body, it should be of paramount
concern to the elderly who must maintain that foundation. So, although
my ninety-nine-year-old grandmother doesn't drink red wine anymore,
she still enjoys a fruitful and healthy life. Her advise to both young
and old is "Manga! Eat!"
Book Reviews - The Ones That Got Away
S. Brent Morris
You wouldn't think there's much in common about fishing and book
reviewing. Such is not the case! Each has the problem of the "one that
got away." Every fisherman can tell you a story about that spectacular
fish that almost made it to the frying pan or the trophy wall. In a
similar way, book reviewers have books that "got away." My column in
the Scottish Rite Journal usually is limited to about 1,000 words_just
about enough for three short reviews. Sometimes there's not enough
room for all the books I have on hand; sometimes I just forget a book
until its column "gets away." This month we'll rescue some of those
volumes that should have been included in some recent reviews.
Freemasons at Gettysburg, by Sheldon A. Munn, 1993. Paper bound, 92
pp., from Thomas Publications, P.O. Box 3031, Gettysburg, PA 17325.
This one should have been included in my column on heroes; it just
"got away." Bro. Sheldon Munn has done a great service for Civil Way
buffs and for our Fraternity with this fine little book. He begins
with the story of the Friend to Friend Masonic Memorial in the
Gettysburg National Cemetery Annex. Bro. Munn conceived building a
Masonic monument in Gettysburg in 1990. He sold the idea to the Grand
Lodge of Pennsylvania, and they in turn pursued the financial and
political support necessary for success. On August 21, 1993, the
imposing statue of Confederate General Lewis Armistead and Union Capt.
Henry Bingham was unveiled and presented to the United States as a
gift from the Freemasons of Pennsylvania. It depicts a touching
battlefield incident where Captain Bingham comes to the aid of his
fatally wounded Masonic Brother and Civil War enemy, General
Armistead.
The story of the statue has been told in many Masonic publications,
and it's only a small part of Bro. Munn's book. There is a brief
summary of the Battle of Gettysburg and then a collection of profiles
of the nearly sixty Masons who participated in the battle. Munn
includes many photographs with the brief biographies. A battlefield
map is included with names showing where the profiled Masons were
engaged. It is frustrating that there is no table of contents or index
to guide a researcher in reading about the soldiers. The last part of
the book details the dedication in 1869 by the Grand Lodge of
Pennsylvania of another Gettysburg monument, the Soldiers National
Monument.
Authentic or Distorted Hebraism in the A.A.S.R., by Sam Eched, 1994.
Paper bound, 95 pp., $20 airmail postpaid (international money orders
only), Sam Eched, Aaigemstraat, 9.000 Gent, Belgium.
This specialized, self-published dictionary would have been perfect
with my column on Masonic references books. Have you ever come across
a word or phrase or person's name in a Masonic Degree and wondered,
"Where did that come from?" In many cases, significant words in
Masonry have Hebrew origins, usually from the Old Testament. However,
by the time they have been transcribed and transliterated by well-
meaning Brethren who know nothing of Hebrew, something can get lost or
distorted. Bro. Eched is here to help us.
He presents each word as it appears in the Rituals used in Belgium,
spells it with Hebrew characters, and then spells the Hebrew letters
so there is no problem with knowing what it meant. For example Ben-
Deqer is beth, noun-daled, qof, resh, and means "Son of Deqer," from I
Kings 5:9. The serious student will find this material very helpful.
I've already used Authentic or Distorted Hebraism to help me in my
commentaries on my translation of Les Plus Secrets Mystres (see
Heredom, vols. 1 & 2, the transactions of the Scottish Rite Research
Society).
Bro. Eched is not a linguist, just a student of Hebrew and Masonry,
but his work is valuable to the scholar who is researching the origins
of Masonic words. His research should benefit anyone interested in
learning more about the origins of Masonic traditions.
Masonic Trivia and Facts, by Allen E. Roberts, 1994. Hard bound, 216
pp., $18.95 postpaid, Masonic Service Association, 8120 Fenton St.,
Silver Spring, MD 20910-4785.
I can't imagine why I didn't include Allen Roberts' latest book in my
column on Masonic references_I guess my brain was on holiday. Allen
Roberts is the most prolific modern American Masonic author. While his
interpretations of Freemasonry are his own (as are those of any other
Masons whom you may read), his facts about the Craft are for everyone.
Masonic Trivia and Facts is a collection of 625 questions and answers
that present solid, interesting reading about our Fraternity. Bro.
Roberts has several non-Masonic questions and answers (I would have
preferred only Masonic facts), but this is a matter of taste.
Just a few of the many questions and abbreviated answers will give you
a sense of the book. "What was the Baltimore Convention?" A gathering
of Grand Lodges that tried to produce a uniform Ritual for all
American Lodges. "How many theories can be found about the beginnings
of Freemasonry?" At least 24 have held credence at some time.
"What occurred during the first meeting to form a Grand Lodge [in
London]?" No one knows! "During the [Civil] War, wasn't Freemasonry
blamed for the draft?" It was in several places, but the reasons for
placing this blame on Freemasonry was never made clear. An example
occurred in Wisconsin where the Lodge Hall in Port Washington was
wrecked on November 10, 1862, by a mob that blamed Masonry for the
draft.
Masonic Trivia and Facts is a classic "nightstand book," easy to read
and easy to stop after a short while. It also will be a great aid to
any editor of a Lodge bulletin, because it is a gold mine of short,
interesting fillers. Finally, it is particularly well suited as a
presentation book for the newly raised Mason who is in search of still
further light.
COUNCILS AND OTHERS IN AMITY WITH THE MOTHER SUPREME COUNCIL, 33
------------------------------------------------------
ARGENTINA, republic of
Gabriel Jess Marin - Sov.Gr.Cmdr. - Pern 1242, 1038 Buenos Aires
Walter Marcelino White - Gr.Sec. Genl. - Tel/Fax 54-1-382-1980
AUSTRALIA
Andrew Watt - Sov.Gr.Cmdr. - P.O.Box A62, Sydney South, N.S.W. 2000
Kenneth R. McInnes - Gr.Sec.Genl. - Tel 61-2-267-2089 Fax 61-2-261-3908
AUSTRIA
Peter sterreicher - Sov.Gr.Cmdr. - Postfach 189, A-1014, Wien
Fritz L. Frhlich - Gr.Sec.Genl. - Tel 43-1-512-65-35 Fax 43-1-512-65-35
BELGIUM
George Kint - Sov.Gr.Cmdr. - M. Celpes, Rue Royale 265, 1210 Brussels
Jacques Van de Calseyde - Gr.Sec.Genl. - Tel 32-9-222-27-62 Fax 32-
9-223-16-65
BOLIVIA, Republic of
Milton Lopez y Lopez - Sov.Gr.Cmdr. - Casilla 580, La Paz
Armando Gallardo Prada - Gr.Sec.Genl. - Tel 591-2-342503 Fax 591-2-
392853
BRAZIL, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF
Venncio Igrejas - Sov.Gr.Cmdr. - Rua Barao No. 1317/1359
Praca Seca, Jacarepagua
21321-620, Rio de Janeiro
Artur Domingues - Gr.Sec.Genl. - Tel 55-21-390-3000 Fax 55-21-359-1361
CANADA
Harold E. Crosby - Sov.Gr.Cmdr. - 1002-6095 Coburg Road Halifax, Nova
Scotia B3H 4K1
John I. Carrick - Gr.Sec.Genl. - 152 George Street, Hamilton, Ontario
L8P 1E5 Tel 905-522-0033 Fax 905-572-1181
CHILE, Republic of
Victor Hugo Vsquez Daz - Sov.Gr.Cmdr. - Casilla 1412, Santiago
Hctor Hugo Acua Matus - Gr.Sec.Genl. - Tel/Fax 56-2-639-1052
COLOMBIA
Ramiro Arteta-Guzmn - Sov.Gr.Cmdr. - Apartado Aereo 52945,
Barranquilla
Jos Montes Hernandez - Gr.Sec.Genl. - Tel/Fax 57-58-453715 (Call
first.)
COSTA RICA, REPUBLIC OF
dwin Marin-Torres - Sov.Gr.Cmdr. - Apartado 6158, 1000 San Jos
Salomn Rubinstein Selcer - Gr.Sec.Genl. - Tel 506-222-1836 Fax 506-
233-4284
CUBA, republic of
Jess L. Armada Pena - Sov.Gr.Cmdr. - Apartado Postal 3021, C.P. 10300
Habana Juan Varela Alvarez - Gr.Sec.Genl. - Tel 506-222-1836 Fax 506-
233-4284
CZECH REPUBLIC
Jiri Sonka - Sov.Gr.Cmdr. - Na Kodynce 26, 160 00 Praha 6
Marian Stieber, Jr., 32 - Gr.Sec.Genl. - U zemepisnho stava 1, 160
00 Praha 6 Tel/Fax 42-2-54-08-31
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Jesus Milciades Batista - Sov.Gr.Cmdr. - Apartado 553, Santo Domingo
Rodolfo Silva Silva - Gr.Sec.Genl. - Tel 1-809-682-4378
NOTE: When calling from the United States, dial 1 before the listed
number in contacting Canada and the Dominican Republic; dial 011
before calling all other countries.
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be owned by BeYoND THe iLLuSioN. Most files at BeYoND THe
iLLuSioN are originally from public Bulletin Board Systems
(BBS) which were popular in the days before the Internet or
from gopher, web, and FTP sites from the early days of the
Internet which no longer exist today. Essentially, all files
were acquired from the public domain in one for or another.
However, there have been occasions when copyright protected
material has appeared on BeYoND THe iLLuSIoN without permission
of the copyright holder. In these instances, we have and will
continue to remove the copyright protected file as soon as it
is brought to our attention. This can now be done using our Report Copyright Material form. Fill
out the form, and the webmaster will be notified of the
situation.
There are also times when files found on BeYoND THe iLLuSioN
have a real home somewhere else on the Internet. In these
instances, we will gladly replace the file with a link to its
true home whenever it is brought to our attention. If you know
of the true home of any of these files, you can use our Report Original URL form to bring it yo our
attention.
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