tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46027325124809201162024-03-13T06:46:09.293-04:00The Work on the TrestleboardIt is said that Freemasonry is a secret society. That is not exactly true. What is true is that we are a society with a few secrets - the biggest of which is the inner transformation of a man as he undergoes the initiatory experience.Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-89576600754471972332013-11-09T13:23:00.001-05:002013-11-09T13:23:21.990-05:00Work on the Trestleboard soon to recommence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In less than one month I will complete my graduate studies and will be able to pick up my working tools again. I am looking forward to the chance to revitalize this blog.</div>
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I would like to thank all of you who have continued to visit here during my hiatus. </div>
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Coming soon...more Work.</div>
Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-50225934263303260672013-02-20T23:45:00.001-05:002013-02-20T23:45:27.142-05:00George Washington Letter Presentation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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On February 5, 2013 Enchanted Mountains Lodge #252 was honored by a visit from RWBro. Bill Thomas, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. He was accompanied by RWBro. Thomas Savini, Director of the Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library. RWBro. Savini gave a presentation regarding a letter written by WBro. George Washington. The letter also contained a lock of WBro. Washington's hair. The presentation was well attended.<br />
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For more information on the Livingston Library, please visit <a href="http://www.nymasoniclibrary.org/" target="_blank">The Chancellor Robert R Livingston Masonic Library of Grand Lodge</a>Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-28325900078546824282012-03-31T22:59:00.000-04:002012-03-31T22:59:24.098-04:00Building with living stones - Part 1The presentation at our recent 309
dinner sparked some interesting discussion with our Fellowcrafts last
Sunday. The statements that follow as well as the questions I may ask
are a result of those two events.<br /> <br /> When interviewing potential
candidates, many of us have been stressing that “You JOIN the Elks…you
are MADE a Mason.” In addition we discuss that the greatest secret of
Freemasonry is the inner transformation that should occur while one is
undergoing the initiatory experience of the three degrees. Research has
solidified that fact with me as a dissection of each degree illustrates
a deliberate sequence of events and a deliberate timeline of the
introduction of concepts and symbols.<br /> <br /> This brings me back to a
concept I had written about a few years ago – Masonic Formation (also
known as Applied Freemasonry). Just as a man cannot enter a religious
order (i.e. the Franciscans) without undergoing a process of formation,
it would seem that this type of process would be essential for the
proper formation of a candidate into a Brother. Our current work on
Masonic education of new Brothers is one aspect of our movement towards a
formative process – but it shouldn’t stop there. Further Light is
obtained (or should be) in an ongoing way. This cannot be done
passively, but must be done actively. <br /> <br /> I am currently
researching information which will (I hope) develop into a formal
presentation on the concept of Masonic Formation/Applied Freemasonry.
To that end, I have the following questions:<br /> <br /> 1) If a goal of the fraternity is “to make good men better”, how do we – as Master Masons – define “better?”<br /> <br />
2) The formation process would seem to develop over the course of
the three degrees (including some initial orientation). What do you
feel is important at each of these steps? How can a Brother show
himself to be “proficient” in a tangible way?<br /> <br /> 3) What for
you were important milestones on your journey so far? What would have
been useful to you while you were undergoing the formative process?<br /> <br />
4) What do you feel is the essential mission of Freemasonry? If
our purpose is to “make Masons,” what are your thoughts on how we go
about doing that?<br /> <br /> 5) What, in your opinion, would help to
spark some appropriate intellectual, physical or spiritual
Masonically-oriented debate in our Lodge? Why, in your opinion, is
there such a malaise among members to share their research?<br /> <br /> It
is my hope that I will get some feedback (more than just a “sounds good”
kind of reply) on these questions. We continue to complain that we
need to do something and yet, we make little to no effort to move
forward. As one who has been tasked with the responsibility of training
our new Brothers, it is essential for me to know how they should be
shaped – so that they may better fit our “spiritual building.”<br /> <br />
Please send me your thoughts - either to my email (on my profile) or post them here. If you feel that there might be other helpful questions, please note them as well. It is my intention to coordinate a Lodge gathering to
discuss my findings at a future date and will post my findings on this blog. Thank you in advance for your
time and assistance.<br />Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-4207976558253806652012-03-22T23:16:00.000-04:002012-03-22T23:16:51.082-04:00Dinner Lecture 03/21/12<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bnpC3YFJkQI/T2voMpzsw7I/AAAAAAAAAJE/73POH5ZHEWo/s1600/IMG00432-20120321-2134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bnpC3YFJkQI/T2voMpzsw7I/AAAAAAAAAJE/73POH5ZHEWo/s320/IMG00432-20120321-2134.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bro. Backhaus (L) & Bro. Di Natale (R)</td></tr>
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The 309 Society held its 4th Dinner Lecture on 03/21/12 at the Great Valley Masonic Temple in Great Valley, New York. The evening was a testament to brotherhood.<br />
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Our featured speaker of the evening was supposed to be WBro. Andrew Hammer, author of "Observing the Craft." Plane tickets were purchased, hotel reservations made, food purchased and reservations received. Like all best laid plans - this one had a twist. WBro. Hammer was forced to cancel at the last minute due to illness. Bro. John Backhaus, being the stalwart coordinator that he is, worked together with Bro. Daniel Di Natale of Harmonie Lodge #699 in Buffalo to ensure that the evening would go on as planned. Bro. Di Natale offered an interesting lecture that brought together elements of the work of MWBro. Dwight Smith, the Knights of the North and the work of WBro. Andrew Hammer. The subject was a need for an examination of the state of the Craft and a return to our traditional missions and objectives. <br />
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The gathering had representatives from two different states. There were two Pennsylvania Districts and three New York Districts represented. After the lecture, the Brethren had the opportunity to sit together and share a meal along with stimulating conversation.<br />
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The Society wishes to thank Bro. Di Natale for stepping in and helping to ensure the success of the evening. Stay tuned - the next lecture will be held in the Fall of 2012.Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0Great Valley, NY 14741, USA42.21444 -78.6366742.2026795 -78.656410999999991 42.226200500000004 -78.616929tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-73755687449409993982012-03-08T12:02:00.001-05:002012-03-08T12:04:39.144-05:00Untempered Mortar<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lA8UYxQDSDo/T1jl4S7RrHI/AAAAAAAAAI0/WQGVYb0KFFk/s1600/thumbnailCAKXOVPL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; height: 127px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; width: 200px;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lA8UYxQDSDo/T1jl4S7RrHI/AAAAAAAAAI0/WQGVYb0KFFk/s200/thumbnailCAKXOVPL.jpg" width="200" yda="true" /></a>In the several degrees of Freemasonry we are taught that the workmen of the Temple wore their aprons in different ways. Apprentices at the Temple were said to wear their Aprons in the peculiar manner that they might protect their clothes from being soiled by untempered mortar. This is mortar which has not been properly composed of the correct ingredients or in which these ingredients are improperly mixed. In operative Masonry this results in a weak and defective structure which will not properly stand. Therefore, untempered mortar, or improperly mixed mortar, was not to be used. The proper knowledge and understanding of how to properly mix the ingredients was essential if the apprentice wished to become a master of his craft.</div>
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For speculative Masonry, "untempered mortar" became a symbol of passions and appetites not duly restrained. This untempered mortar is also symbolic of improper mixtures in the building of one's character or the employment of bad materials in moral, ethical and spiritual architecture in the construction of the institution of Freemasonry.</div>
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Not tampering with untempered mortar is critical for the new Apprentice as well as seasoned Master Masons. It is imperative that we are creating a spiritual building - "that house not made with hands" - that can withstand the test fo time. In doing so we must ensure that our thoughts, words and deeds provides that cement which will contribute to building a spirtual ediface that is stable, beautiful, and lasting. Every action - every choice - we make either adds to the strength of the mixture, or weakens it. We must not only remain knowledgable, but use that knowledge wisely.</div>
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J.L. Haywood said:<br />
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<em>“The innocence of a Mason is his gentleness, chivalrous determination to do no moral evil to any person, man or woman, or babe; his patient forbearance of the crudeness and ignorance of men, his charitable forgiveness of his brethren when they willfully or unconsciously do him evil; his dedication to a spiritual knighthood in behalf of the value and virtues of humanity by which alone man rises above the brutes and the world is carried forward on the upward way.” The lambskin apron presented to the initiate during his entered Apprentice Degree should be for all his life a very precious possession; the outward and visible symbol of an inward and spiritual tie."</em></div>
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So, as the operative mason wears their apron to prevent soiling his clothes, the speculative Mason wears his to remind him of that rectitude of conduct, strength of character and spirit of unity that is imperative toward avoiding "daubing with untempered mortar" in the building of our inner temple and thus ensuring its stability and that it will stand the test of time.Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-60750180791373776952012-02-08T11:44:00.000-05:002012-02-10T16:23:39.392-05:00"Observing the Craft" Author Coming to Cattaraugus District<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Worshipful Brother Andrew Hammer, Past Master of Alexandria Washington Lodge #22 in Virginia and author of "Observing the Craft: The Pursuit of Excellence in Masonic Labour and Observance" will be coming to the Cattaraugus District courtesy of the 309 Society and Enchanted Mountains Lodge #252, F&AM in Olean, New York.<br />
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From the website <span style="font-family: Times-Roman;"><a href="http://observingthecraft.com/">http://observingthecraft.com/</a>:</span><br />
"Observing the Craft is a manifesto of sorts for the observant Mason, who seeks quality over quantity in every aspect of Masonry. It is a stringent argument for the Symbolic (Blue) Lodge as the ne plus ultra of the Craft, asking that Masons put actions behind their statements that 'nothing is higher than the third degree.' It is a book that calls for nothing but the utmost personal effort and commitment to be put into the operation of a Masonic Lodge, and the experience of a Masonic meeting, in search of the transformational experience which Masons define as 'making good men better'."<br />
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WBro. Hammer will be presenting his lecture at Great Valley Lodge in Great Valley, New York on Wednesday, March 21st at 7pm.<br />
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For more information, email <a href="mailto:The309Society@live.com">The309Society@live.com</a>.Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0Great Valley, NY, USA42.21444 -78.6366742.2026795 -78.656410999999991 42.226200500000004 -78.616929tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-7547296775558648772012-01-08T18:10:00.000-05:002012-01-08T18:10:01.213-05:00"The Thousandth Man" by Bro. Rudyard Kipling<strong>The Thousandth Man<br />
By Rudyard Kipling</strong><br />
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One man in a thousand, Solomon says,<br />
Will stick more close than a brother.<br />
And it’s worth while seeking him half your days<br />
If you find him before the other.<br />
Nine hundred and ninety-nine depend<br />
On what the world sees in you,<br />
But the Thousandth Man will stand your friend<br />
With the whole round world agin you.<br />
‘Tis neither promise nor prayer nor show<br />
Will settle the finding for ‘ee.<br />
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of ‘em go<br />
By your looks or your acts or your glory.<br />
But if he finds you and you find him,<br />
The rest of the world don’t matter;<br />
For the Thousandth Man will sink or swim<br />
With you in any water.<br />
You can use his purse with no more talk<br />
Than he uses yours for his spendings,<br />
And laugh and meet in your daily walk<br />
As though there had been no lendings.<br />
Nine hundred and ninety-nine of ‘em call<br />
For silver and gold in their dealings;<br />
But the Thousandth Man he’s worth ‘em all,<br />
Because you can show him your feelings.<br />
His wrong’s your wrong, and his right’s your right,<br />
In season or out of season.<br />
Stand up and back it in all men’s sight—<br />
With that for your only reason!<br />
Nine hundred and ninety-nine can’t bide<br />
The shame or mocking or laughter,<br />
But the Thousandth Man will stand by your side<br />
To the gallows-foot—and after!Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-63121149911029872032011-08-09T14:25:00.003-04:002011-08-09T14:30:21.192-04:00A Lost Art of Manhood - the Hat<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MjiUVbGSfIY/TkF8kXXz7kI/AAAAAAAAAHs/-JGPROm2_jM/s1600/1265592879237709329i4khxh-hi%255B1%255D.png"><img style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 154px; height: 200px; float: left; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638925172635594306" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MjiUVbGSfIY/TkF8kXXz7kI/AAAAAAAAAHs/-JGPROm2_jM/s200/1265592879237709329i4khxh-hi%255B1%255D.png" /></a><div>Several of us at #252 have rediscovered the style of wearing a hat with our formal wear. There is nothing like walking down the street with your Brothers, on the way to a local dining establishment, and tipping your hat at the ladies who pass you by. I don't know who feels better about it - them or us.<br /><br />I personally have take to the wearing of a bowler. Other Brothers prefer fedoras or Homburgs. There was a great posting in the Art of Manliness blog on the art of wearing a hat. You should check it out: <a href="http://artofmanliness.com/2008/03/01/bringing-back-the-hat/">Bringing Back the Hat.</a></div></div>Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-32415941218101433592011-04-29T22:56:00.001-04:002011-05-23T08:45:43.471-04:00Semi-Annual 309 Society Dinner Lecture - Spring 2011<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ojuG9c2j814/Tbt6bYS7XEI/AAAAAAAAAHI/bqIpPOvdCUQ/s1600/pic.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; WIDTH: 328px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 225px; CURSOR: pointer" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601205172362239042" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ojuG9c2j814/Tbt6bYS7XEI/AAAAAAAAAHI/bqIpPOvdCUQ/s200/pic.jpg" /></a><br />The 309 Society held it's third semi-annual dinner lecture on April 18, 2011 at the Great Valley Masonic Lodge in Great Valley, New York. The featured speaker was RWBro. Thomas Savini, Director of the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library of the Grand Lodge of New York.<br /><br />RWBro. Tom gave a lecture on a discussion of "Masonic Research Methods." It was kind of a homecoming for Bro. Savini as he is a Past Master of Great Valley Lodge #1178 and a Past AGL of the Cattaraugus District. Six out of 7 Lodges in the District were present and a great time was had by all.<br /><br />For more information on the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library, check out <a href="http://www.nymasoniclibrary.org/">www.nymasoniclibrary.org</a>.Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-54247593040645189792011-04-29T22:49:00.003-04:002012-02-10T16:26:16.510-05:00How Much is Too Much?<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rl7AxVv7p9U/Tbt6O7lm2rI/AAAAAAAAAHA/E0e-xxnLxpc/s1600/IMG00039-20110323-2226.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5601204958497528498" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rl7AxVv7p9U/Tbt6O7lm2rI/AAAAAAAAAHA/E0e-xxnLxpc/s200/IMG00039-20110323-2226.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 200px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 145px;" /></a> I was going through my jewelry box the other day and examined my ever-growing collection of lapel pins. It amazes me that over the course of 20 years I have amassed such a large amount. It got me to thinking about proper etiquette for the wearing of pins at Lodge functions. Over the years I have seen various Brothers wearing various numbers of pins. Some Masonic, some not. It got me to thinking. "How much is too much?"<br />
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While I will say for the record that it is the individual Brother's right to wear as many or as little pins (or none at all) as he wishes, I think that once one exceeds a certain amount, it borders on gaudy. <br />
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Most information I have found on the subject of wearing a lapel pin directs that the pin(s) should go on the left lapel, through the buttonhole. They may be worn on the lapel, but that they should be removed to avoid damaging the material on the jacket. I would agree with this philosophy. But how much is too much? <br />
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I would suggest that one, perhaps two should be the limit. I personally wear a Past <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">DDGM</span> pin and usually one pin of the organization that I am attending. I think that it was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">MWBro</span>. Edward <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Trosin</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">PGM</span> of New York who set me on that path. His directive to his Grand Lodge officers was that they may wear whatever pin they wished on their Grand Lodge uniform jacket, but only one. To me, that presented a clean look.<br />
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Every year at Grand Lodge I run into several Brothers who look like General Patton. They have every lapel pin of every organization (Masonic or not) on both lapels. To me, they look like a huge walking billboard. Why is that necessary?<br />
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So what do you think Brothers? "Spartan Conservative" or "General Patton?" <br />
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How much is too much?Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-13157673640774134982011-03-28T20:55:00.002-04:002011-03-28T20:59:24.133-04:00Foundations<p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Yet another gem I read on the </span></i><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><a href="http://artofmanliness.com/2011/03/26/manvotional-foundations/"><i><span style="COLOR: blue">Art of Manliness </span></i></a><i>blog. It's connections to Masonic thought are really mind-blowing.</i><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">"Foundations" - From "Traits of Character" (1899) By Henry F. Kletzing <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Don't risk a life structure upon a day's foundation- The government building at Chicago, a large, massive structure and apparently well built, so that it might stand for a century, was recently torn down, not because the superstructure was not firm, but because the foundation at several places was found faulty. Thus, at a great expense, the old building is removed and a new structure is erected, all because the foundation was not safe. Men fail of their best efforts because they are unwilling to prepare well in days when preparation was the one duty. <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">The foundation for greatness must be laid in youth. Young men frequently make a serious mistake here. They are content with following the pleasures of youth instead of improving early opportunities for preparation of life's great work. Wellington frequently said that Waterloo was fought and won while he was a schoolboy. It was what he learned then that prepared him for that great battle. Inattention to the foundation has mired many a structure. Inattention to the intellectual and moral development and preparation has ruined many a life. <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">See yon building rise. While men were engaged in laying the foundation there was nothing attractive about it. Dirt and stones and mortar are not sightly objects. It is only when the superstructure is rising that the attention of the passer-by is given to it. This is why not more attention is given to foundation work. Many a youth who has attracted attention by doing work successfully thinks that his foundation is sure, and looks only to the superstructure. Many a college graduate has dreamed of greatness while delivering his final oration as the applause of friends greets his ear: but too often he is never heard of afterward. Life consists of more real and earnest things than brilliant graduating orations. <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Georgia', 'serif'; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial">Do not mistake the applause of others as success. Avoid the idol which many worship - the love of notoriety and applause. Look to the foundations. <o:p></o:p></span></p>Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-39280692794803361942011-02-28T15:45:00.006-05:002011-02-28T16:24:56.095-05:00Whither are we traveling?<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c19eJcV59eY/TWwRzPzlH3I/AAAAAAAAAGo/MN7ilSuxCQc/s1600/cart%2Bhorse%2Bamaranth.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 172px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578853610519076722" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c19eJcV59eY/TWwRzPzlH3I/AAAAAAAAAGo/MN7ilSuxCQc/s320/cart%2Bhorse%2Bamaranth.jpg" /></a>Many years ago MWBro. Dwight Smith published a paper entitled <a href="http://vitruvian.org/papers/WhitherAreWeTraveling.pdf">"Whither Are We Traveling."</a> The paper, written over 35 or so years ago addresses the issues with the Craft at that time and spells out in plain English what the remedies were and dispelled many of the fallacies as to the decline in the fraternity. These issues are as true now as they were then. One of the addressed issues concerned membership. I bring this up because my Lodge Brothers and I read that paper about three years ago and took his message to heart. Now, we are seeing some change - some good and some painful - but the Lodge is hopefully in a positive transition. I am now looking at the possibility of becoming Royal Patron of my local Amaranth Court and I find myself looking into the same precipice as I did three years ago as I contemplated another run at the East. My worry is that I am not certain that my Brothers and Sisters of my Court have the motivation to deal with some hard issues.<br /><div></div><br /><div>After our Court meeting last month, a few of us gathered together and discussed what course of action we should be taking in the months ahead. We find ourselves divided into two camps: the first placing membership attainment as the primary issue, the other placing Court reorganization and improvement as the first goal. So, my question to all of you is which is more important? Both are essential, but if you needed to fix one as the primary and place the other in support of the first, which takes the lead?</div><br /><div></div><div>The membership camp places all the blame on a decline in membership. They cite the various causes - television, two-income households, the internet, and many others. They bewailed the same old comment lament, "Things just aren't how they used to be. I can remember when the sidelines were full. Now look. We need to get more members." They then go on to blame the Lodge. "You guys are raising a bunch of younger men. We need to get their wives involved. Why don't you guys support us and have them come up?" To this camp, it is all about numbers. It's the "quantity = quality" mentality of "fish-fry Masonry" all over again.</div><div></div><br /><div>Personally I am strong supporter of the other side. This is not just because I agree with MWBro. Smith, but because I am seeing it work. MWBro. Neal Bidnick, PGM of New York once told me that numbers aren't the issue. "I can make it possible so that you could raise 100 Brothers this year. But, if you don't offer them anything - none of them will likely stay." I have to agree. If the group is malfunctioning, if there is poor or undirected leadership, a myopic vision of direction, an unwillingness to consider alternatives and a complete lack of activity - why would anyone want to stay?</div><br /><div></div><div>I submit that reform needs to begin from within. For our Court to survive we must determine a direction and commit to that plan. We must all dig in do what we can. We must look at our current way of doing business and determine what we can and cannot change and decide if we are willing to change it. We must decide if we are willing to make the Court a priority in our lives for the short term in order to change the course. Lastly we must have the fortitude to stay that course, even in rough times, in order to really see if the reforms we instituted really worked. The Court must be a functioning, lively and positive environment, otherwise we are dooming ourselves to extinction.</div><br /><div></div><div>The question becomes whether or not the Court really has the drive and motivation to continue. If they do, it is worth a shot and who knows, we might actually start having some fun. If not, well...it might be better to euthanize this Old Yeller of a Court and spare it the slow painful death we are experiencing.</div><div></div><br /><div>So I put it to all of you. Which is a better course - membership with reform support or Court reform with a membership component? Or is there a third course of action?</div><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div></div>Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-24504851199392690622011-02-09T17:05:00.008-05:002011-02-09T18:14:16.983-05:00Maslow and Freemasonry's Hierarchy of NeedsIt is always interesting to me how sometimes some simple discussion sends my mind off to the strangest of places. As I may (or may not) have mentioned, I am currently working on my Masters Degree in Social Work. The discussion which led to this this posting happened awhile ago, but it has been banging around in my head for awhile, so here goes.<br /><br />There are many psychological theories out there and one of them was offered by Abraham Maslow. Maslow's <a href="http://psychclassics.yorku.ca/Maslow/motivation.htm">"Hierarchy of Needs"</a> was proposed in 1943. The basic theory holds that individuals have needs and that they have a motivation to satisfy these basic needs before moving on to others. The hierarchy is organized in a pryramidal shape, from the most basic to the more intellectual/spiritual needs. Maslow theorized that individuals need to satisfy base needs before moving to "higher" needs on the scale. The hierarchy is normally presented as such:<br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 302px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571817998496186850" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TVMS8ul-QeI/AAAAAAAAAGY/qfSwMdMvkEM/s320/1045104227_9931ccd549.jpg" /></p><p align="left">What began to interest me during the course of the discussion was how it might apply in a Masonic Lodge. People generally tend to join a Lodge to fulfill some need, and if the Lodge provides it - they stay. If not, they go. So looking at this hierarchy I began to try to link these needs in a real way to how Lodges operate and to see if there is a connection.</p><p align="left">The first level is PHYSICAL. Maslow defined these as biological - the need for oxygen, food, water and the like. He felt that these were the strongest, because they are the most basic and without them we could not survive. To me, that translates into a Masonic context in the physical atmosphere of the Lodge itself. Is it comfortable and inviting? Does it allow for adequate space for the needs of the Lodge? Is it well-kept and maintained? Does it provide refreshments for its members? To me, this is a very fundamental need. If a new member walks into a Lodge that is run down, does not provide for interaction, is not comfortable and provides no form of refreshment (or an opportunity for some), then a base need is not met.</p><p align="left">The second level is SECURITY. Maslow defined these as the needs for stability. Masonically, we could equate that to personal and fiscal security. Is the Lodge a place to have shelter from the troubles of life? Does it offer a safe haven to its members where they feel that they can find support and can depend on their Brothers? Is the Lodge fiscally sound so that there is security in being able to maintain this environment? It also may extend into a feeling that one can express grievances in an appropriate way and have their voice be heard and their concerns addressed.</p><p align="left">The third is SOCIAL. Maslow felt that people have a fundamental need for love, affection and belonging. He felt that people seek to overcome feelings of alienation. To me, this is a no-brainer. One of the fundamental aspects of Freemasonry is Brotherly Love and affection. We join together as one band of fellows and Brothers. Every well governed Lodge should have this spirit at the heart of their very being. Is your Lodge a place where Brothers feel that they truly belong? Are the bonds of Brotherhood strong? Does everyone feel included or that they have opportunities to do so?</p><p align="left">Fourth is EGO (aka ESTEEM). If the first three levels are satisfied, then the need for esteem can come to the forefront. This includes self-esteem and esteem that can be given by others. We all have a basic need for a level of self-respect and a feeling that we are respected by others. When this need is satisfied, people generally feel needed and valuable as a person. When it isn't, it is usually followed by feelings of worthlessness and inferiority. Does your Lodge work to make everyone feel needed? Does everyone have an opportunity for participation and are they recognized appropriately? What I am talking about is offering thanks, gratitude and recognition for efforts - not necessarily the offering of titles, medals or jewels. Does everyone feel like they are respected and needed as a member of your Lodge?</p><p align="left">The last level is SELF-ACTUALIZATION. Maslow has described this as a need to be and do that which a person was "born to do." He further stated that "A musician must make music, an artist must paint and a poet must write." While this last need can be difficult to identify, it can be noted when a person feels restless and expresses lacking "something." Masonically, I think I addressed this in an earlier post <a href="http://workonthetrestleboard.blogspot.com/2010/04/each-to-his-own-ability.html">"Each to his own ability."</a> It is important that we take into account that a Lodge consists of individuals and those individuals have talents and abilities. Does your Lodge offer outlets to allow Brothers to exercise them? In our efforts to fill our officer lines have we pressed Brothers into chairs that do not accentuate their strengths, but may set them up to fail? Have we presented educational opportunities that allow Brothers to research our Craft and find their niche within it? Do we allow our Brothers to develop into the Masons <strong><em>they want to be</em></strong>, or which <strong><em>we feel they should be</em></strong>?</p><p align="left">In closing, I offer this thought. Given these considerations, does your Lodge meet your member's basic needs? What are its strengths and weaknesses? How do you address your members' basic needs in Freemasonry?</p><p align="left"></p>Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-63411310374192988952011-01-25T13:09:00.006-05:002011-01-25T13:36:27.322-05:00Building Bridges<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TT8TXvcyjdI/AAAAAAAAAGE/2O_R-8itJLM/s1600/thumbnailCATQ9RN0.jpg"></a><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>An old man, going a lone highway,<br /></em></span><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>Came, at the evening, cold and gray,</em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>To a chasm, vast, and deep, and wide,</em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>Through which was flowing a sullen tide.<br /></em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>The old man crossed in the twilight dim;</em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>The sullen stream had no fear for him;</em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>But he turned, when safe on the other side,</em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>And built a bridge to span the tide.<br /></em></span><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>“Old man,” said a fellow pilgrim, near,</em></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>“You are wasting strength with building here;</em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>Your journey will end with the ending day;</em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>You never again will pass this way;</em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>You’ve crossed the chasm, deep and wide-</em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>Why build you this bridge at the evening tide?”<br /></em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>The builder lifted his old gray head:</em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>“Good friend, in the path I have come,” he said,</em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>“There followeth after me today,</em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>A youth, whose feet must pass this way.<br /></em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>This chasm, that has been naught to me,</em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>To that fair-haired youth may a pitfall be.</em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>He, too, must cross in the twilight dim;</em></span><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>Good friend, I am building this bridge for him.”</em></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#ffff33;"><em>By Will Allen Dromgoole</em></span><br /><br />I had the fortune to read this poem through an <a href="http://www.artofmanliness.com/">"Art of Manliness" </a>blog. It brought to mind a major theme which was a focal point of MWBro. Edward Gilbert's term as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of New York. He discussed the need for us to be "cathedral builders." Our ancient Brethren who worked on building cathedrals did not work for the instant gratification of their labor. More often than not, builders who began work on the building did not live to see their work completed. They labored with the image of the completed ediface in mind, knowing that some day, their labors would be useful to those who followed after them. It was MWBro. Gilbert's assertion that we should model that philosophy. Instead of working only toward the short term goal of membership numbers, we should also be looking at long term goals - financial stability, improved education and a useful and attractive Lodge building as some examples. It is important that we not only focus on the "right now", but also on the future and those Brothers who will follow after us. We must build with the future in mind, and not be hampered by little setbacks or the absence of short term payoffs.<br /><br />What will your Masonic legacy be?Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-56657928673035487052011-01-21T17:07:00.004-05:002011-01-21T17:17:17.369-05:00Are You a Relevant Mason?<em>Gotta love graduate school. It really hasn't given me adequate time to post to this blog. I have had some time to keep up with what's going on and I came across this on <a href="http://thesanctumsanctorum.com/">The Sanctum Sanctorum Education Foundation's forum</a>. It was written by WBro. Roger Tigner and it is reproduced here with the gracious permission of the author. Hopefully there will be more original stuff coming shortly. Enjoy!</em><br /><br />Freemasons, like everything in nature, have experienced ebb and flow like the swing of the pendulum. Our most famous mantra from the 20th century was the concept of “Making Good men Better”, but what do we really mean? We point to the famous masons of our past with both awe and reverence in the work they accomplished in changing the world, but what about today or more importantly – tomorrow?<br /><br />Our great Masonic leaders were not great simply because they were members of the fraternity. Some were great men before they ever became masons, while other became so after having joining the fraternity, but probably would have succeeded without our influences. What made them famous then is what we should be looking at today for the benefit of our future, not just the future of the fraternity, but of our country and all who inhabit planet earth. Many would argue that the American landscape has changed to drastically to be compared with the quaint colloquialism of our colonial past, or even the America of 60 years ago, but I would argue that is why the teachings of freemasonry are so great, its teachings are timeless and they gave our country the ability to have different views of social problems and taught us to keep the common good in sight while we discussed the merits and downfalls of solving a problem. That made our forefathers relevant to their friends and countrymen and created a nation envied for its freedom of thought, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. But what is relevant?<br /><br />Merriam-Webster defines it thus: RELEVANT<br />1 a : having significant and demonstrable bearing on the matter at hand<br />b : affording evidence tending to prove or disprove the matter at issue or under discussion<br />c : having social relevance<br /><br />Medieval Latin relevant –, relevans, from Latin, of relevare to raise up – First Known Use: 1560<br /><br />Relevant today means that we care about what is happening around us, and most importantly that we try to do something about it. Freemasonry today has seen one of its lowest ebbs ever, in membership, in education, in having lost sight of what a centuries old fraternity was meant to be. Freemasonry today is almost schizophrenic in the multitude of directions its energies drive our members. Our lust for membership drives many to say “Freemasonry is for dummies and idiots” supposing that all we need to do is pander to the profane and we will be perfect in no time. Others demand that we collectively agree to calm the fears of the profane, that “we have no secrets and everything you ever wanted to know about us is on the Internet”. While still others throw themselves against the ramparts of history trying to prove the un-provable, that our Freemasonry goes beyond 1717 that the roots of our fraternity make us descendants of the actual Knights Templar, Solomon’s builder, Egyptian Priests or beyond.<br /><br />While these are entertaining educational exercises they serve to do no more than distract brethren from more important endeavors. Becoming good men and relevant in their homes and community. I can be honest in saying that I had no idea why I joined freemasonry. I did know that the person who asked me to become a brother was someone I did (and still do) deeply respect as being relevant, his grasp of philosophy made him a good businessman, a good husband and father, and a great man in the eyes of many, me especially.<br /><br />I will be brutally honest that the good being promoted by the fraternity through our philanthropy is equally offset by something well within our control – ourselves. By allowing unworthy feet to pass the threshold, bigotry, clashes of economic classes, generational divides and all the while the pretentious demagogue rails within our sanctum. What effect does this struggle have? I would answer that the best way to evaluate your image is not to ask those within the fraternity, but to listen to how those outside the fraternity view us. Mr. Victor David Hanson was being interviewed on about the future of the European Union his answer was sad, "Well there will always be a European Union, it just won’t do anything. It will be sort of like the Masonic Lodge today in small town America. It’s still going to be there, but nobody is going to belong or do much to it.” If we are seeking to be better men and relevant is today’s society; that statement would demonstrate how really far we have fallen and how far we still have to go.<br /><br />So where do we go from here?<br /><br />Many would say, “who cares about him, we just be need to be nice to everyone, they can be our new members.” There is a reason we have called people outside the fraternity “profane” through our history, we do not do this to be degrading to others, profane means to treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contemp. I cannot speak for others, but my Blue Lodge, Scottish Rite and York Rite are very sacred meeting places and none but a Mason can begin to understand why, nor treat them with the proper respect. The fraternity cannot prove a negative, we cannot prove we do not worship Baphomet any more than we can prove that Freemasonry was actually created by the Egyptian priesthood, what we can do is guard ourselves as if anyone may be profane and study the best parts of all ancient mystical traditions and see how each of them, from time immemorial, has taken good men and made them better.<br /><br />Recent events in Tucson, Arizona and other places have shown the desperate need for men of deep philosophical understanding to become engaged in their community and their countries affairs. The birth of Freemasonry developed in the Age of Enlightenment as the path by which uncaring monarchs where forced from power and inspired democracies and republics based on freedom and equality were born. To these same efforts we should focus our own energies in becoming relevant masons.<br /><br />To this end we must make ourselves intimately acquainted with all the principles and obligations of our fraternity, and practice in our lives outside the lodge all its duties and requirements inculcated within it. We cannot be so preoccupied with our past that we ignore the present or the future. We must divest ourselves brethren, of coldness and apathy, so fatal to the best interests of Freemasonry – our nation – our world. Shun those affections and groveling passions unworthy of a soul that claims affinity with the “Sons of Light,” and put forth all your energies to grasp whatever is noble or elevating in thought, deed and action. Study the esoteric work of Pike, De Hoyas, Hogan, Hall and all who say greatness can be found in the philosophy of every age. Seek out what is good in everyone, not to try and be better than others, but to try and be better than ourselves, to learn how we can joins hands with those outside the fraternity and treat with them squarely, rather they allowing them always to remain at a perpetual distance. Seek daily whatever can reveal new and sublime ideas pertaining to our lofty destiny, not seeking to elevate ourselves beyond deserved greatness to date, but remembering each who did his duty as a Mason and seeking to emulate them in all our thoughts, words and actions. Guard against dissentions among ourselves that we may be united in the work we do, let no root of bitterness spring up to trouble you, we are all workmen in the quarries and each performs the duties he is best suited to perform, according to the designs laid out by the Supreme Architect of the Universe on his eternal trestlboard. Use all your exertions to preserve your Lodge pure, and prevent the introduction of vice or error in its thousand forms. Seek to practice true brotherhood, and if, in the frailty of mortality, a brother falls under the influence of unholy feelings and wanders into forbidden paths, seek the wanderer out, bring him back to the fold, and show him the superior loveliness of virtue, remember that deceit and hypocrisy should be unknown among us and frankness and fair dealing distinguish us, more especially with our brethren in masonry. For if we cannot speak plainly and affectionately to those we call brother, we will never be able to speak truthfully to our God, our neighbor or our country, thence we and they will all suffer. Much may be accomplished by the force of good example, and by offering good counsel in a friendly spirit, ever remembering that err is human, to forgive divine. Finally, brethren, be of one mind; live in peace. Let nothing disturb that pure, warm and holy love which our precepts enjoin.<br /><br />When we begin to live our ideals, because only by living them will people outside begin to take note that Freemasonry has indeed made you a better man and more importantly making you a Relevant Mason.<br /><br /><em>Therefore the master goes about doing nothing, teaching no talking.<br />The ten thousand things rise and fall without cease,<br />Creating, yet not possessing, Working, yet not taking credit, Work is done, then forgotten.<br />Therefore it lasts forever.<br /><br /></em>From the Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu Chinese Philosopher 6th Century BCE<br />Legend says Lao Tzu traveled from the East to the West after having attained light and knowledge.Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-52858109581974990192010-12-09T11:31:00.002-05:002010-12-09T11:41:11.422-05:00The Man in the Mirror<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TQEF7vIP2sI/AAAAAAAAAF4/RwJZAjjUQz8/s1600/selfargue%255B1%255D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548722739718642370" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 222px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TQEF7vIP2sI/AAAAAAAAAF4/RwJZAjjUQz8/s320/selfargue%255B1%255D.jpg" border="0" /></a>Why is change so difficult in the Craft? Is change necessary? Should we just weather the storm? All of these questions continue to be asked throughout the fraternity. Some Lodges are experiencing a renaissance and others fade from existence. Some experience success with change and other are holding firm with tradition. So what is the right answer? Perhaps there is no one right answer. The solutions of failing Lodges are as diverse as the Lodges themselves.<br /><br />The many issues at hand in keeping the Craft alive in many areas seem to be almost impossible to solve. Oftentimes we feel like the little Dutch boy trying to keep the dyke from breaking. For many the answer is to just stop trying – and they stop coming. For others, they become over-reactive and try to be everything to everyone and they burn out, often grow bitter and then stop coming. So what is the answer?<br /><br />I would suggest moderation and an honest assessment of your particular Lodge and its membership.<br /><br />One item that might be useful is to consider why your Lodge is where it is. Many Lodges formed because there was a basic need. Perhaps there was not another Lodge for quite some distance. Then consider what might have kept the Lodge going. Perhaps the factory which brought in members (and thereby forming a unifying social experience) is now closed. Each of our communities has its own unique story. An analysis of your Lodge’s history and its reason for creation as well as the socio-economic environment in which it exists might provide some useful information.<br /><br />The direction of the Lodge is also something which needs to be taken into consideration. Does your Lodge even have one? Taking a Lodge consisting of older Brethren who have been brought up with social Masonry and changing it into a Lodge with a full-blown esoteric emphasis might not be successful. What type of Lodge do you belong to? Would the Lodge and/or the area support the style of Lodge you would like to see created? Would the formation of a social or esoteric club provide the needed activity while preserving the current feeling of the Lodge’s purpose?<br /><br />Another frequently asked question is “How much is too much?” In the rush to provide activities and to appeal to the general membership are we exhausting ourselves? How do we appeal to everyone? My answer is that we can’t and we shouldn’t. There will always be a core membership who attends and many who don’t. To continue to cater to the absent masses without result, in my opinion, takes away time and energy from those who do. A balance in activities might be the best bet. Not everyone wants to attend family/children-friendly functions, or alcohol permitted stags, etc. Each is important, but in balance to allow for the inclusion of everyone. Pulling Brothers away from their families many nights a week may cause some family strife which may result in absenteeism. Balance is key.<br /><br />When I was a District Deputy, there was a constant grumbling among many of the Lodges in my district. “It’s all Grand Lodge’s fault”, they would cry, “Why don’t they do something?” The answer is, they can’t. They can provide programs and instruction, but they can’t make a Lodge successful. It is the Lodge’s responsibility to do so. So my Brothers, take a long hard look at yourselves. Be brutally honest. What makes your Lodges what they are? What would you like to change and what can you realistically change? Do you want to change?<br /><br />Only the man in the mirror can give you the answers.Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-48166512603764534882010-11-18T14:40:00.002-05:002010-11-18T14:51:23.757-05:00Resurrecting the Calling Card in the Modern Age<em>Sometimes life just gets in the way of fun. Grad school and its associated workload have made new entries to the blog a bit difficult. I offer the following from the Art of Manliness </em><a href="http://artofmanliness.com/"><em>website</em>.</a> <em>It could definitely be useful in a Lodge environment.</em><br /><br />When the household servants moved out, and Alex Bell’s new fangled talking machine moved in, the practice and etiquette surrounding the sending and receiving of calling cards suffered a slow death. The only place where calling cards survived was in the U.S. Armed Forces. Officers still carry on the tradition today. But quite happily for the modern day gentleman, they are now making a comeback in civilian life as well.<br /><br />While technology has opened up a legion of ways to communicate these days, something within us still craves the transfer of something tangible, something more civilized and refined.<br />Enter the calling card.<br /><br />Why not just use a business card?<br /><br />During the heyday of calling cards, using a business card for a social purpose was considered bad manners. Today, while business cards are great for making business contacts, they still aren’t really suited for social situations. They probably have your work number and work email, and not much else on them. Think of all the times you meet someone you’d like to see again. Handing them a business card is too stiff and formal. Ditto for simply having them put your digits into their phone.<br /><br />Oftentimes when meeting someone, the connection you establish is too new for your acquaintance to feel comfortable calling. Perhaps before pursuing more contact, they’d like first to check out your Facebook page or blog or send you an email. And how many times in a conversation does someone tell you about their website or their blog, and you swear to check it out, but then can’t remember its name when you get home? A calling card is the answer to all of these situations. A calling card can tell a new acquaintance more about you and help them better remember you. It provides a chance to enhance the first impression you make and gives your new acquaintances the ability to pursue a relationship with you in the way they feel most comfortable.<br /><br /><strong>Designing a calling card<br /></strong>As aforementioned, during the heyday of calling card use, the design of men’s calling cards were fairly spartan, just name and address. Today it is more acceptable to create a calling card design that gives you a chance for a bit of self-expression.<br /><br /><strong>How to design a card<br /></strong>Your calling card should reflect your personality. When someone puts your phone number into their cell, they may look at this entry some time later and fail to remember much about you. A calling card should include something to jog their memory (although in truth, currently simply giving someone a calling card should render you fairly unforgettable). Pick a color scheme, font, and design that convey something about you. But do remember, you’re still a gentleman, not a lady, so don’t make it too flowery or cartoony. You may still opt for simply having a traditional, plain card with only your name on the front. This of course, would likewise say much about your personality.<br /><br /><strong>What to include on the card<br /></strong>To call upon a friend in the Victorian age, there was only one option-drop by their house. In our modern society, technology has provided a myriad of ways for a new acquaintance to contact you, and your card should reflect this. In addition to your name and phone number, consider including some (but certainly not all-you don’t want it to be cluttered) of the following pieces of information:<br /><br /> - Blog or website address<br /> - Twitter username<br /> - Facebook or Myspace name (if it’s different than the one on the card)<br /> - Email address<br /> - Instant message name<br /><br />If you decide to go for a very traditional man’s design with only perhaps your name on the front, you can then tailor the information you wish to give to each individual you meet by simply writing on the back and making the desired additions. <a href="http://artofmanliness.com/2008/09/07/the-gentlemans-guide-to-the-calling-card/#ixzz15fHwSCLj">Read more</a><br /><br /><strong>How to Use the Card<br /></strong>A calling card can come in handy in any social situation in which you want to exchange information with someone. Remember, you may use the blank back of the cards to write notes and invite someone to meet up with you again. For example, you might write, “Join me for coffee this Saturday, 3:00pm. Starbucks on 51rst and Harvard.” Or use the back to invite someone over for dinner and write down your address for them. Here are some more situations where a calling card would particularly come in handy:<br /><br />- <strong>Class reunions</strong>. You’re going to run into a ton of people with which you want to exchange information. Instead of constantly busting out the pen and paper, just hand them your card.<br />Networking between jobs. You’re not currently employed, so you don’t have a business card. Or if you do, it has your old employer’s info on it. While you’re looking for work, have a calling card ready to present to potential contacts and leads.<br />- <strong>Parties.</strong> If you’re planning an informal party or get together, write down your address and the time of the party on the back. When you run into people you’d like to see there, give them one of your cards and invite them over. Sometimes calling cards also come with small envelopes, sized to fit your card. You can therefore always use your calling cards as traditional invitations sent through the mail. Also, if your calling card comes with an envelope, you can use them as gift cards.<br />- <strong>The classroom</strong>. It’s often hard to make the leap from being “in-class” friends to “outside of class” friends. Give someone you enjoy chatting with in class your calling card. They’ll probably start posting on your Facebook page and your friendship will take off from there. Or use the card to set up a study group.<br />- <strong>Dating.</strong> When trying to meet a lady, it’s nerve racking to ask for her number, and if you foist yours upon her, she may not call you. Giving a potential lady friend your calling card is a great third option. First of all, it’s non-threatening. She may be too shy to call you outright. She may rather start off with a casual email. And she may not be sure about what she thinks of you. Giving her your calling card lets her peruse your blog or Facebook page first. Second, giving her your calling card gives you a chance to give a two minute blurb about the history of the tradition. You’ll immediately be set apart in her mind from the usual cads she meets and she’ll think you a true gentleman. Finally, when she takes home your calling card, it’s something tangible that will remind her of you and make it more likely that she’ll reach out and contact you. <a href="http://artofmanliness.com/2008/09/07/the-gentlemans-guide-to-the-calling-card/#ixzz15fIdDq3U">Read more</a>Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-29082012510282415772010-09-28T08:02:00.004-04:002010-09-28T08:10:40.613-04:00In Search of Smooth Ashlars<p><em>The internet has afforded me the opportunity to meet a great deal of wonderful men that I am honored to call my Brother. Worshipful Brother Damien from Lodge Devotion #723 in Melbourne, Australia is one who is among the top of that list. This entry was written by Brother Damien and posted on the <a href="http://www.lodgedevotion.net/">Lodge Devotion website. </a> It is reproduced here by gracious permission of the author.</em></p><p>At our January meeting, Lodge Devotion was honoured to have W Bro Alex visit us and expertly deliver the First Tracing Board Lecture with a preamble on the history of the Tracing Boards of Freemasonry.<br /><br />I often notice additional and significant points within the Ritual of the Craft the more I hear it. Indeed it is said ours is a "progressive" system with interrelated and equally important parts - and that these must be understood with a keen bird's eye view of the entire ritual - although pieces of it do stand-alone. The more you listen and consider the Ritual of Freemasonry, the clearer it becomes that there is much to comprehend.<br /><br />Upon hearing the First Degree Tracing Board Lecture last meeting - certain points came to the forefront of my mind and deepened my understanding of our "progressive science". One was the section of this Lecture that speaks of the importance of the Smooth Ashlar. The Smooth Ashlar is often represented as the goal of the Freemason. He starts as an unrefined Ashlar. Rough and Irregular. Needing further work in order to be perfect himself. However, becoming a Smooth Ashlar it not just a goal. The Smooth Ashlar is also an important tool - and one often missed. As explained in the subject Lecture, the "experienced craftsman" uses the Smooth Ashlar to test his square on. The Square represents morality and conduct and in the simplest of terms should guide all our actions and "inculcate the purest principles of piety and virtue". It is also one of several tools to transform the Rough Ashlar, symbolising a Freemason whose personality and character can be further improved, toward becoming a Smooth Ashlar.<br /><br />The significance of testing your Square against a Smooth Ashlar should not be lost. Indeed, I think is often is. If the Ashlars represent the character of a Mason, rough moving to smooth, and the square is the tool to achieve perfect symmetry, then identifying the right "Smooth Ashlar" to test your Square on and emulate is critical. We must carefully choose the role models on which we copy ourselves. We must rigorously examine the example we strive to emulate.<br /><br />Today, it could be said the many of the stones held as exemplars are shiny rather than smooth. They are faulted, and in copying a faulted example, our work too is doomed to be faulted. Not Square. Not Regular. Not Perfect. Let's both be cautious in the Ashlars we attempt to copy, and in the Ashlars we offer to others to emulate and test their moral square on.</p>Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-67915440719539213752010-09-23T07:56:00.005-04:002010-09-27T08:03:44.488-04:00"Watch yourself, the task is hard"<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TJtB-i8G7NI/AAAAAAAAAFw/T2N_2IZdUyA/s1600/the_rough_ashlar_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520078311059287250" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 224px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 208px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TJtB-i8G7NI/AAAAAAAAAFw/T2N_2IZdUyA/s320/the_rough_ashlar_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><em>This was too good not to share. I am a member of the Masonic web-forum "The Sanctum Sanctorum" - a treasure trove of information. This exerpt was a web posting by a Brother in response to the topic "The Purpose of the Journey." </em><br /><br /><p>Working in stone is no easy task. </p><p>It takes years upon years of careful study and practice to develop the skill necessary to put chisel to stone and learn to chip away the flaws and imperfections which reveal the wondrous work of art within. During this time of practice, the apprentice will wear his hands to the bone, the delicate skin giving way to painful blisters, that in time will form the callouses possessed by Masters. </p><p>Many times he will contemplate the meaning of his toil. "Is all this agony really worth it?", he may ask. At times he'll miss his mark and whack his hand and cry out in pain, "Enough!", as he throws his tools across the room. He does not toil alone in his endeavors. No, he is always under the care of the watchful eye of the Master. When his tools go flying, the blood pours from his hand, the thought of giving up enters his mind, this is when he learns of the patient love of the Master. He binds the apprentices hand to stop the bleeding, picks up his tools, and says "Rest, I'll show you how its done". Then the Master approaches the stone and works the tools with a patient grace delicately removing every unwanted flaw and imperfection. </p><p>Upon the stone, the once hard and lifeless surface, the delicate features emerge. It is but an eye, the apprentice's eye, perfect in shape and form.The Master returns the tools to the apprentice, with a loving smile and says, "Watch yourself, the task is hard". With a caring nod of approval, he sets the apprentice back to work.</p>Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-72386608598401640572010-09-20T09:55:00.007-04:002010-09-20T11:12:56.654-04:00Another Thought on the Ashlars<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TJdrS-62OvI/AAAAAAAAAFo/u1KdikbBod4/s1600/IMG00025-20100812-1145.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518997842237471474" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TJdrS-62OvI/AAAAAAAAAFo/u1KdikbBod4/s320/IMG00025-20100812-1145.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />It has been awhile since I have posted and I have been feeling a bit guilty of late about that. I started graduated school a few weeks ago and I must be honest, my cable tow has never felt shorter. On the upside, in thinking about my studies I have been considering some of its connections to the Craft. The connections are more personally impacting to me, but I think that there may be some light from which other Brothers may benefit.<br /><br />It has been 20 years since I completed my undergraduate studies and I have decided that it was time (mostly because I am not getting any younger) to return and attain my Master's Degree. The process was a bit intimidating as I had to undergo some inspection before they would permit me to continue. You see, I am a student of the University of Pittsburgh's Social Work program and the process to become a part of it required some work. I am glad to say that I was found to be "true work" and was accepted.<br /><br />The process and subsequently some of my studies that followed have had me reflecting on the subject of the ashlars again. So, I went back and did some reading on their symbolism. The <a href="http://www.masonicdictionary.com/ashlar.html">Masonic Dictionary</a> had this to say:<br /><br /><em>"...[T]he general purpose of the symbolism has been the same throughout - a reminder to the Candidate that he is to think of himself as if he were a building stone and that he will be expected to polish himself in manners and character in order to find a place in the finished Work of Masonry."</em><br /><br />This is a pretty standard definition. As I read a little further down, I found this statement:<br /><br /><em>"The Ashlar is the freestone as it comes from the quarry. The Rough Ashlar is the stone in its rude and natural state and is emblamatic of man in his natural state - ignorant, uncultivated and vicious. But when education has exerted it's wholesome influence in expanding his intellect, restraining his passions and purifying his life, he then is represented by the Perfect Ashlar which, under the skillful hands of workman, has been smoothed and squared and fitted for its place in the building."</em><br /><br />Now, while I found that passage to be quite fitting (especially in the subject of education), it also made me think about things a little further.<br /><br />We have been taught that the ashlar is symbolic of a man in Masonry. The man is the stone - to be worked on and perfected by the proper application of the working tools. I have always thought that there is one ashlar (me) and that I was working to have it placed into the "building" (the Lodge/the Craft). But I have begun to wonder about our personal "building". Perhaps there is not one ashlar, but many - each with its own purpose and its own stage of readiness. Perhaps the quarry is our own soul and personality and that we select the proper stones to become ashlars in our own spiritual temple. Each of these stones whether they be education, happiness, anger control, becoming more spiritual or whatever else it is that we choose to include, are particular to each individual and each are necessary to the building of our own particular edifaces.<br /><br />So, my Brothers, I am off again to continue work on this rough ashlar. I would like to leave you with this thought:<br /><br /><em>“A designer knows he has achieved perfection not when there is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.” - Antoine de Saint-Exupery</em>Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-74380995305540478402010-08-13T12:15:00.000-04:002010-08-13T12:15:49.799-04:00The Trestle Board Cat (from "Zen Masonry) - Commentary<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TGVu9kF4VTI/AAAAAAAAAFY/aEbShabFkuM/s1600/633872882148613055-bondagecat%5B1%5D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5504928123469714738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 216px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 159px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TGVu9kF4VTI/AAAAAAAAAFY/aEbShabFkuM/s200/633872882148613055-bondagecat%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em>"When Hiram Abif spent time in the evenings working on the designs for the trestle board of the next day, a cat that wandered around the building often made such a noise that it distracted him. He ordered that the cat be tied up in the evening. After his death, the cat continued to be tied up during the evening planning. When the cat eventually died, another cat was brought to the work site and tied up in the evenings. Centuries later, learned and experienced Past Masters wrote scholarly treatises about the significance of tying up a cat before planning the work of the next day."</em> <div></div><br /><div>Brother Tom Accuosti's blog <a href="http://zenmasonry.wordpress.com/">Zen Masonry</a> presents an interesting look at Zen, Freemasonry and the use of koans as teaching tools. Br. Tom explains a koan as something which <em>"can be thought of as a riddle. Unlike a riddle, a koan does not necessarily have a logical or inferential answer. In fact, it may have no answer at all. The effect of a koan can be to break the student out of his “thinking” mind. Some koans can be obscure and impenetrable. Often, they are paradoxical and seem nonsensical. They may require long study and deep contemplation. Yet, some koans can trigger a very sudden and profoundly clear insight, knocking us backwards as if struck by a blow to the head. Just as koans are like riddles, they are also like fables. The difference is that a koan typically doesn’t tell you the moral to the story. Your task is to use whatever means you can to bridge the gap between the words and whatever meaning the koan may hold for you."</em></div><div></div><br /><div>This was the case for me with "The Trestleboard Cat." Recently, some of my Lodge Brothers and I have been discussing various projects that we would like to see happen over the next few years. One of the topics deals with some educational dinners we are planning and how to determine if they are a success or not. I suggested that every "tradition" started somewhere with some Brother who may have thought "Hey, I'd like to do this..." - and so it was. This was true with other things that our Lodge does or is starting to do - they are traditions or customs.</div><div></div><br /><div>This got me further thinking. Some of the things we currently do don't necessarily make sense. Oh, they may have at one time or another, but for some reason they just don't seem to now. You might be thinking, "Well, maybe they just don't make sense to YOU." You might be right. However, some of our practices might just be Trestleboard Cats. For instance, in New York there is a pretty strong sentiment toward alcohol. Now, I can understand why that might be in some instances, but is there a reason that we need to be such a dry fraternity? Was there a reason behind the legislation? There must have been - it's there. But is it important now? I can also see Trestleboard Cats in our Lodge - some outdated "custom" or "tradition" that may have made sense at the time, but just doesn't now or, like the koan, it was something that was done because that was how it needed to be done, but not so much now.</div><div></div><br /><div>There is another story I heard recently that concerned a mother and her daughter preparing Easter dinner. The mother took the ham out of the refridgerator, set it in the pan and cut both the ends off. The daughter asked the mother why she did that. The mother replied, "I don't know. I do it because that's how my mother did it." She reaches for the phone and calls her mother. "Mom, why did you cut the ends off the ham?" Her mother replied, "Because that's how my mother did it." Later, while everyone was gathered at the table for dinner, the ladies looked to the eldest matriarch at the end of the table. The mother asked, "Grandma, why did you cut the ends off the ham?" The matriarch answered, "I did it so it would fit in my oven."</div><div></div><br /><div>How about you, dear reader? Do you have any Trestleboard Cats in your Lodge?</div>Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-25150398875195415782010-07-28T10:35:00.005-04:002010-07-31T21:40:47.893-04:00The Little Dutch Boy - A Masonic Parable<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TFFs002iZvI/AAAAAAAAAFI/cM7ZHhsx_H8/s1600/dutchBoy%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 271px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 262px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499296274792474354" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TFFs002iZvI/AAAAAAAAAFI/cM7ZHhsx_H8/s320/dutchBoy%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a>Once there was a young Master Mason who discovered a problem in the Lodge.<br /><br />What should he do? From a single problem, a terrible result might grow. The whole Lodge could suffer, and all of his Brothers might be affected. So he did the only thing he could think of. He took up the task, and the problem stopped.<br /><br />Of course, now he was stuck. He couldn’t rest, because as soon as he did, the problem would start again.<br /><br />So he did the task for quite some time. He was rather tired, and he felt a bit numb from the effort of doing the task without help, but he knew he was doing his duty. At last a Past Master happened to pass by.<br /><br />“My Brother,” he said with a certain amount of sternness, “why are you doing what you are doing?”<br /><br />“I am addressing a problem,” the Brother explained. “I saw the issue, so I did something about it.”<br /><br />“Heroic!” the Past Master exclaimed. “You shall be rewarded! Meanwhile, keep doing it while I call the other Past Masters together.”<br /><br />So the Past Master called a meeting of the all the Past Masters and they agreed that the Brother had heroically saved the Lodge. “And now,” the Past Master asked, “what shall we do about the problem?” “It seems to me,” one of the other Past Masters replied, “that private enterprise has already found an admirable solution to the problem. The Brother has undertaken the task, and the problem has stopped. You might describe it as voluntary self-regulation. There is no need for expensive action.”<br /><br />So the Past Masters voted to award the Brother a Certificate of Appreciation, which the Past Master was delighted to be able to present to him the next day. “Thank you,” the Brother said politely, “but I still have to keep doing this to keep the problem under control.” “And we appreciate that,” the Past Master replied. “I may confidently speak for the whole group of Past Masters in saying that your heroic action is universally admired.”<br /><br />So the Brother continued laboring for a few more days.<br /><br />It was not long, however, before another problem appeared in the Lodge, connected to the first. “What shall we do?” the Past Master asked the other Past Masters. “There is another problem.” “As private enterprise has so admirably solved the previous problem,” one of the Past Masters responded, “the solution to this new issue is obvious. We need only persuade another heroic Brother to deal with it.”<br /><br />So they went into the Lodge meeting and found another Brother who, after much persuasion, was willing to deal with the problem.<br /><br />It was, however, only a few days later that two more issues surfaced. This time it was much harder to persuade Brothers to step forward and help; and when, a week later, half a dozen more problems appeared, no volunteers were to be found.<br /><br />“What shall we do?” the Past Master asked the other Past Masters. “Private enterprise seems no longer to be adequate. We may have to fix the problem itself this time.” “Nonsense,” said one of the Past Masters. “The solution that worked before will work again. We must simply force private enterprise into action.”<br /><br />So the Past Masters visited the Lodge and guilted a number of young Master Masons into dealing with the problem.<br /><br />But the Lodge, which was old and poorly maintained, continued to spring new problems here and there, so that it was all the Past Masters could do to find more young Master Masons to deal with the issues. At last the Past Masters compelled every young Master Mason in the Lodge to deal with an issue – without addressing the larger problem. All Lodge activity came to a halt, as it is well known that young Master Masons are very willing to participate, which the Lodge depended upon at that time.<br /><br />“What shall we do?” the Past Master asked the other Past Masters. “We have run out of heroic young Master Masons. At this rate, we may have to deal with the problems ourselves.”<br /><br />“That would be moderately inconvenient,” said one of the Past Masters.<br /><br />So the Past Masters decided to address the problem by ignoring it – for if they ignored it, it would go away. Several years have passed and the young Master Masons have moved away. The old Past Masters can still be found, in their crumbling Lodge, still ignoring the problem. And if you go by the Lodge right now, and look into the Lodge room, you will see a number of old Past Masters very busy complaining but not doing anything about their problem. It is lucky for them most people have mistaken the them for a group of crotchety old men talking about past glory, which has allowed them to continue their labor uninterrupted.Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-33124123557008072612010-07-13T11:21:00.008-04:002010-07-13T12:50:36.785-04:00Wizards Wackjobs and Wierdos - From "The Relevant Mason"<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TDyYmNbaimI/AAAAAAAAAEY/2Dgu0apdx3k/s1600/wizardpapers%5B1%5D.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493433427692259938" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TDyYmNbaimI/AAAAAAAAAEY/2Dgu0apdx3k/s320/wizardpapers%5B1%5D.gif" border="0" /></a><em>"They snickered when he walked by, the two Brothers, longtime past masters and longtime members of the lodge, both slightly deaf, thought they were whispering. 'Is he a wizard or just a wackjob?' the man had asked. Both giggled and snorted a bit, the other responded, 'I don’t see a wand in his hand, but nothing would surprise me with this lot.' The Wizards actions that brought such ridicule, the study of the esoteric areas of Masonry. He had read a paper the other day during good of the order and the paper was about speculative alchemy, since which time he was branded 'one of those.'”</em><br /><div></div><br /><div>This is the opening of Bro. Cliff Porter's blog, <a href="http://www.therelevantmason.com/">"The Relevant Mason"</a>. He is discussing an issue which, in my opinion, is slowly but surely coming to the forefront of many Lodges. There is a movement in the Craft which is demanding its time to be heard. No longer willing to accept being silent and watching as the status quo continues to send many Lodges into the downward spiral which leads to closure, these Brothers (yours truly included) are looking to reverse the trend by getting back to what many consider to be the basics of Freemasonry. The basics of Freemasonry involves looking to the Craft prior to the massive upswing in membership which followed World War II. This includes Masonic education and research into the more esoteric side of the Craft's traditions and ceremonies. This is often met with resistance by some of our more seasoned members and some even go to the extent of ridiculing those who try to introduce these concepts into the Lodge. Bro. Porter, in my opinion, sums up many of these statements quite well:</div><br /><div></div><div><em>“Just because you want Masonry to be mystical, spiritual, or include other hocus pocus, does not mean that it does.”</em></div><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>“What in the heck does alchemy have to do with Masonry at all?”</em></div><div><em></em></div><br /><div><em>“Pike, Wilmshurst, Hall and others were weirdoes or oddballs and don’t speak for the Craft. Heck, most men in Masonry are never going to read those crackpots anyway.”</em></div><div></div><br /><div>The fact of the matter is that our ritual does contain some very deep symbolic and philosopical overtones which extend beyond the normal fraternal intiatory experience. Men who come to Masonry are not just made "members" - they are transformed and created as Masons. To dismiss this fact as "hocus pocus" does a serious injustice to our fraternal system and tradition. As I tell many of our Lodge's new candidates, there is a reason behind everything you see, hear and do during your time in the Lodge. If Brethren choose to ignore that fact it does not deminish the truth that it is there.</div><div></div><br /><div>The post-World War II upswing in membership was a two edged sword for the Craft. On the one hand it brought in a large number of new members into the Craft. On the other it made our Lodges into degree mills where we force-fed new Brethren through questions and answers without educating them and allowing the West Gate to swing open with no real inspection of the material being allowed into the Lodge. The Craft changed - and not overnight - into a "quality=quantity" philosophy which changed the Craft and tried to mimic the Elks, Moose and many other more social fraternities. The result was, and my apologies for any who might be offended, a generation of poorly educated Brethren who in turn passed this watered down education to the next generation. It is difficult for these older Brethren because this is the only Masonry they have ever known and to challenge it is to defy their understanding of the Craft and its purpose. I cannot help but imagine what their older generation felt about their young selves as the fraternity changed. I am sure they were not happy about it either.</div><div></div><br /><div>But, times are changing and the Craft with it. As Bro. Porter puts it:</div><div></div><br /><div><em>"There is a shift in the Craft right now, a rent in the fae as it were. Like all transitions, even the initiatory one that all Masons are supposed to go through, there are ripples and currents and instabilities. There is always a death before a rebirth."</em> </div><div></div><br /><div>Our declining membership, our crumbling buildings and our loss of direction continue to reinforce that a change is necessary. It is not a re-invention of Freemasonry, but a return to more of the historical and "traditional" functions of the Craft. It will require us to stop looking outward and clamoring for members and to start looking inward and being critical of ourselves. If we cannot articulate intelligently about the ritual, symbols and philosophy of the Craft, whay would anyone want to join us? If you don't understand it, what's the point? Our method of doing business since the membership boom is no longer effective and it is obvious.</div><div></div><br /><div>It is time to look back, to study, to investigate and to educate ourselves. It is time to get back to the Freemasonry of our forefathers. We can make room on the trestleboard for the pancake breakfasts and charity events, but they should not be the dominant theme. Let's get back to being Freemasons and to doing Masonry - to shaping ashlars and to building spiritual temples.</div><div></div><br /><div>Bro. Porter ends by saying:</div><div></div><br /><div><em>"So it is, I must relegate myself to the denizens of the wizards, wackjobs and weirdoes that will study as the ritual begs, search as the charges recommend, and never stop trying to build the temple, hone the stone, and perfect the ashlar."</em></div><div></div><br /><div>With that I stand with him and state empatically that I too am one of the wizards, wackjobs and wierdos and I am proud to be known as such.</div>Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-45329978139900790662010-06-29T21:14:00.003-04:002010-06-29T21:20:16.757-04:00A New York great has passed<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TCqaz8zx48I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/kygXvi3QSA8/s1600/CalBond%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 150px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 244px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488369313191683010" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TCqaz8zx48I/AAAAAAAAAEQ/kygXvi3QSA8/s320/CalBond%5B1%5D.jpg" /></a>I just read that M.'.W.'. Calvin Bond, Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York has passed. I had the honor and pleasure of knowing MWBro. Bond and his presence will be greatly missed in The Grand Lodge of New York and the Craft.<br /><br />More complete information may be read at Bro. Richard Powell's site, "Ars Masonica."<br /><br /><a href="http://arsmasonica.blogspot.com/2010/06/past-grand-master-calvin-g-bond-has.html">http://arsmasonica.blogspot.com/2010/06/past-grand-master-calvin-g-bond-has.html</a><br /><br />"The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4602732512480920116.post-70365637397888337642010-06-22T20:38:00.005-04:002010-06-29T14:28:48.098-04:00Marking out the ground for the foundation<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TCFXrCPdQzI/AAAAAAAAAEI/2DSio8Kbkhw/s1600/skerritt.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485762217961669426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_anr8_lm-u9Q/TCFXrCPdQzI/AAAAAAAAAEI/2DSio8Kbkhw/s320/skerritt.jpg" border="0" /></a> <em>(The working tool pictured left -a Skirret - was handmade by Bro. Bearss from Palmer Lodge #372, Fort Erie, Ontario)</em><br /><br />One of the working tools of the Third Degree in the Emulation ritual is the skirret. For those of us used to the Preston-Webb tradition, this tool is not one which we are used to seeing, but it is one which is important for Master Masons to be familiar with and employ.<br /><p>As you can see by the photo, it is like a spool of thread with a handle. The loose end of the thread has a loop which will catch the center pin. The skirret's thread is allowed to unwind and held taut. Once the length is reached, a piece of chalk may be used to mark the foundation, the skirret's thread ensuring a straight line. The skirret's thread, when allowed to unwind, becomes longer than any practicable ruler or straightedge but it is just as true. It is similar to a modern-day chalkline.</p><p>The Emulation ritual explains that the skirret "is an implement which acts on a centre pin, whence a line is drawn to mark out ground for the foundation of the intended structure." This is the operative use of the skirret, and the ritual goes on to explain that, for the Speculative Mason, "the Skirret points out that straight and undeviating line of conduct laid down for our pursuit in the Volume of Sacred Law." We are instructed that the skirret is a tool specifically to be used in preparation for laying a foundation. </p><p>Bro. James Marple in his article "The Mason's Skirret" points out that what makes the skirret so special is "that it is used before the foundation of a building is laid; and, therefore, the skirret is generally used before the other working tools. A skirret allows a person to see the precise location for the foundation. Consequently, the surrounding ground can easily be designated for other purposes. Initial use of the skirret enables changes to be made to the mark rather than, later, to change a finished foundation of stone or concrete." </p><p>When we consider these qualities in relation to the Volume of Sacred Law, the skirret is the tool which helps us to understand how the Volume of Sacred Law applies to our own lives. We are instructed that the Volume of the Sacred Law is "the rule and guide of our faith." How do we apply this to our daily life? Through the straight and undeviating line as set by use of the skirret. It allows us to map out the foundation of our character and allow us to see the footprint upon which our Temple will be built.</p><p>For my American Brothers, take a moment and think about how important this missing, yet vital working tool is to a Master Mason - both in the construction of your own inner Temple and in the building of our new Brothers' Temples as well.</p><p><br /> </p>Quarrymanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17253925254847242067noreply@blogger.com0