4-17-04
A recent search on the internet revealed to me a great number of sites devoted to Masonic
Themes. One such site has a listing of most if not all of the appendant bodies of Masonry.
Herewith is that list.
Craft Masonry – Your Blue Lodge and the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, Degrees
The York Rite – Further Degrees in Masonic Teachings
The Royal Arch – 4 Further Degrees in Masonry & a part of The York Rite
Cryptic Masonry – 4 Further Degrees in Masonry & a part of The York Rite
Knight Templar – A Branch of Masonry that holds to the Christian doctrine
The York Rite College – Membership is by invitation to York Rite Members
Red Cross of Constantine – Highly honored invitational York Rite membership
The Scottish Rite – 4th, through the 32nd Degrees of Masonry
The Lodge of Perfection - the 4th through the 14th Degrees – Part 1 of the Scottish Rite
Chapter of Rose Croix – 15th through 18th Degrees - Part 2 of the Scottish Rite
Council of Kadosh – 19th through the 30th Degrees - Part 3 of the Scottish Rite
The Consistory – 31st and 32nd Degrees – Final portion of the Scottish Rite
Order Of The Amaranth – Composed of Masons and qualified female relatives
Daughters Of The Nile – A benevolent organization of female relatives of Shriners
Order of Demolay – Predecessor of the Masons for ages 12 ~ 21
The Order of the Eastern Star – Appendant Body to Masonry for Ladies and Men
The Grotto - There are about 201 Grottoes in the United States and Canada and
with an emphasis on the Craft Lodge field.
Knight Templar Priests - An invitational organization with membership limitations.
Jobs Daughters - The purpose of the Order is to band together young girls with Masonic
relationship.
Rainbow Girls - A junior organization for girls between the ages of 11 and 20
Royal Order of Scotland – Alludes to a group of 36 knights who may have been original
Templars and Freemasons
The Philalethes Society – Is a Masonic Research Society & means lover of truth
The Shriners – The Ancient Arabic Order of the Noble of the Mystic Shrine
Masonic Rosicrucianism – Membership, which is by invitation, is predicated on
Masonic affiliation and Christianity.
Tall Cedars of Lebanon – a Masonic-related organization - provide assistance to The
Muscular Dystrophy Association
For further elaboration on these appendant bodies of Masonry see;
http://www.thelodgeroom.com/bodies.html
4-20-05
From The “Pre-Degree Booklet”
‘Taking The First Step’
The Postulant
In Freemasonry, as was the case in the ancient mysteries, an individual desiring to
become a member is required at the beginning to assume the role of a postulant, meaning
one who asks for something, that is a searcher or a seeker. Thus the applicant for the
Masonic degrees comes “of his own free will and accord” seeking the light of knowledge
which Freemasonry has to offer. He agrees, in return for the privilege of becoming a
Mason, to submit to the rules and requirements of the Fraternity. He must recognize at
the outset that, in making such an agreement he is but following the example of countless
thousands who have gone before him. They, too, have been earnest seekers after the truth
and have been convinced in advance that their labors should not go un-rewarded.
In this frame of mind, with no other objective in view and possessed of no other motives,
the postulant should approach the Masonic sanctuary. Let him remember that Masonry
and each of its Lodges is dedicated to God, as the Supreme Architect of the Universe;
that we endeavor to make each Lodge a dwelling place of the Most High; and that every
Mason is bound, in the practice of his profession, to obey the moral law in the strictest
sense.
5-6-05
Masonic Symbolism
Reflecting on when you received the Sublime Degree of Master Mason a number of
Masonic Symbols were explained. In this series excerpts from the Manual of Work,
selected emblems will be reviewed in no particular order. Enjoy!
Today We Look at two more emblems from the Master Mason’s Degree
THE POT OF INCENSE
Is an emblem of a Pure Heart, which is always and acceptable sacrifice to Deity; and as it
glows with fervent heat,
so should our hearts continually glow with gratitude to the great and beneficent Author
of our existence,
for the manifold blessings and comforts we enjoy.
THE BOOK OF CONSTITUTIONS GUARDED BY THE TILER’S SWORD
Reminds us that we should ever be watchful and guarded in our words and actions,
particularly when before
the enemies of Masonry; ever bearing in remembrance those truly Masonic virtues,
silence and circumspection.
******************************
Please feel free to comment or offer suggestions for Masonic Moment.
Pass the word. Masonic Moment is not just for Manchester #14. It's for anyone that has
an interest in Masonry.
Remember Brethren, if the great and glorious Fraternity of Freemasonry is to survive, we
have to pass it on.
Give the good news of being a Freemason to your sons, nephews, grandsons, and others
who have something
to offer the Craft.
In the short time that I have been a Master Mason, I've already received more than I can
repay.
5-20-05
THE ANCHOR AND ARK
Are emblems of a well-grounded hope and a well-spent life. They are emblematic of that
Divine Ark which safely wafts us over this tempestuous sea of troubles, and that Anchor
which shall safely moor us in a peaceful harbor, where the wicked cease from troubling
and where the weary shall find rest.
THE FORTY-SEVENTH PROBLEM OF EUCLID
Was an invention of our ancient friend and brother, Pythagoras, who, in his travels
through Asia, and Europe, was initiated into several orders of Priesthood, and raised to
the sublime degree of Master Mason. This wise Philosopher enriched his mind
abundantly in a general knowledge of things, more especially in Geometry or Masonry.
On this subject he drew out many problems and theorems; and among the most
distinguished he originated this, when, in the joy of his heart, he exclaimed, “Eureka”
meaning “I have found it”; and upon the discovery, is said to have sacrificed a hecatomb.
4-23-05
Masonic Symbolism
Reflecting on when you received the Sublime Degree of Master Mason a number of
Masonic Symbols were explained. In this series excerpts from the Manual of Work,
selected emblems will be reviewed in no particular order. Enjoy!
THE BEE HIVE
Is an emblem of Industry, and recommends the practice of that virtue to all created
beings, from the highest Seraph in Heaven to the lowest reptile of the dust. It teaches us
that as we came into the world rational and intelligent beings, so we should ever be
industrious ones, never sitting down contented while our fellow creatures around us are in
want, when it is in our power to relieve them without inconvenience to ourselves
When we take a survey of nature, we view man, in his infancy more helpless and
indigent than the brute creation; he lies languishing for days, months and years, totally
incapable of providing sustenance for himself, or guarding against the attacks of the wild
beasts of the field, or sheltering himself from the inclemencies of the weather. It might
have pleased the Great Creator of Heaven and Earth to have made man independent of
his fellowman and all other beings; but as dependence is one of the strongest bonds of
society, mankind were made dependent on each other for protection and security, as they
thereby enjoy better opportunities of fulfilling the duties of reciprocal love and
friendship. Thus was man formed for social and active life, the noblest part of the work of
God; and he that will so demean himself as not to be endeavoring to add to the common
stock of knowledge and practical philanthropy, may be deemed a Drone in the Hive of
Nature, a useless member of society, and unworthy of our protection and respect as
Masons.
10-10-05
THE MOVABLE JEWELS OF A MASTER MASON’S LODGE
Are the Rough Ashler, Perfect Ashler, and Trestle Board.
The Rough Ashlar is a stone as taken from the quarry in it’s rude and natural state; the
Perfect Ashlar is a stone made ready by the hands of the Apprentice, to be adjusted by the
working tools of the Fellowcraft; and the Trestle Board is for the Master Workman to
draw his designs upon.
By The Rough Ashlar we are reminded by our rude and imperfect state by nature;
by The Perfect Ashlar of that state of perfection which we hope to attain by a virtuous
education, our own endeavors, and the blessing of God; and by the Trestle Board we are
reminded that as the operative workman erects his temporal building agreeably to the
rules and designs laid down by the master on his Trestle Board, so should we both
operative and speculative, endeavor to erect our spiritual building agreeably to the rules
and designs laid down by the Supreme Architect of the universe, in the Great Book of
Nature and Revelation, which is our Spiritual, Moral, and Masonic Trestle Board.
10-13-05
THE MEANING OF MASONRY
In all the rich symbolism of Ancient Craft Masonry two symbols, or
symbolic themes, predominate. One is the search for light; the other is the labor
of building. The source of light is the Holy Bible, and the grand representation of
the builder's art is King Solomon's Temple.
Searching persistently and building carefully, the candidate travels
slowly toward the East As he pursues his quest for light and more light and still
further light in Masonry, he learns by the way to use the working tools of the
stone craftsman, until at last he finds himself portraying the character of the
greatest of all legendary builders, the master architect of King Solomon's Temple.
Searching and building, light and the Temple - the two dominant Masonic themes
are distinct but not separate, complementary
rather than supplementary.
And the search and the labor are not completed by the candidate within
the Lodge. Light is revealed, and the sacred source of all light is clearly indicated,
but the search for complete illumination must be eternal. The Temple in the
Masonic ritual is almost but not quite completed; the allegory rises from a
physical to a spiritual Temple, "a house, not made with hands, eternal in the
heavens." Regardless of symbolic revelations in Masonic degrees apart from the
Lodge, the unending search and the labor toward perfection, begun in the Lodge,
must continue with the initiated Mason throughout his life.
10-18-05
I See You've Traveled Some
By Edgar A. Guest (1881-1959)
Wherever you may chance to be
Wherever you may roam
Far away in foreign lands,
Or just at home, sweet home;
It always gives you pleasure,
It makes your heart strings hum
Just to hear the words of cheer"I see you've traveled some"
When you get the brothers greeting,
As he takes you by the hand,
It thrills you with a feeling
That you cannot understand.
You feel the bond of brotherhood
That tie that's sure to come
When you hear him say in a friendly way,
"I see you've traveled some"
And if you are a stranger
In strange lands all alone
If fate has left you strandedDead broke and far from home,
Oh, it's a grand and glorious feeling
It thrills you - makes you dumb,
When he says, with a grip of Fellowship"I see you've traveled some"
And when your final summons comes,
To take a last long trip
Adorned with Lambskin Apron White
And gems of fellowship,
The tiler at the Golden Gate,
With square and rule and plumb
Will size up your pin, and say
"Walk-in — I see you've traveled some"
10-20-05
Boaz is the name of the left hand pillar that stood on the porch of King Solomon's Temple. It is
derived from the Hebrew and signifies "in strength." This pillar was broken into pieces and
carried away to Babylon with the other treasures of the Temple, by Nebuchadnezzar.
Reference KJV Bible Version 2nd Kings 25: 13
The name of the pillar on right that stood on the porch of King Solomon's Temple was Jachin.
Dividing the name Jachin into syllables, we find the first syllable is Jah, the name of Jehovah in
poetry, while the word "iachin" means to establish, therefore linking the two together we have,
"With God's help to establish."
Reference KJV Bible Version 1st Kings 7:21 2nd Chronicles 3:17
10-23-05
How do Masons compute the Masonic year?
A.L. - Between the creation of the world, according to sacred chronology, and the advent of
Christ, 4000 years intervene; thus A. L. 1957 added to 4000 gives the Masonic year, 5957. The
Masonic era commences with the creation of the world (Anno Mundi), or Masonically expressed,
(Anno Lucis), year of light or year of the Lodge. Biblical Reference: Genesis 1: 1
A.I. - How do Royal Arch Masons compute their year?
The Royal Arch Masons begin their computation with the year in which Zerubbabel began to
build the second temple, which was 530 years before Christ.So that 530 plus 1957 equals 2487
the Masonic year of the Royal Arch. Biblical Reference: Ezekiel 5: 2
10-27-05
What is 'the symbolism of the perfect ashlar?
A stone of a true square, which can only be tried by the square and compasses. This
represents the mind of a man at the close of life, after a well-regulated career of piety and
virtue, which can only be tried by the square of God's Word, and the compasses of an
approving conscience. Biblical Reference: Job 1:1, Genesis 6:9
What is the symbolism of the rough ashlar?
The entered apprentice who has not perfected himself in Masonry is symbolized by the
freestone in the quarries, that has not been smoothed by the Master Builder.
Biblical Reference: 1st Kings 5:18, 1st Corinthians 3: 9-12
10-29-05
Talking About Freemasonry
In the past Master Masons often didn’t speak of Freemasonry outside of the Lodge
setting. While it is not permissible to divulge the Secrets of Freemasonry it certainly is
necessary to speak of the advantages. Freemasonry builds character in a man – We take
good men and make them better men. It’s no secret among masons that it teaches many
positive lessons; Brotherly Love, Morality, Charity, & Rectitude of Life among them.
Many times when I speak of Freemasonry to someone they’ll say “my father” or “my
grandfather was a Mason, but they never talked about it”.
In order for our fraternity to survive and grow non-Masons need to be made aware of the
benefits offered. Many of you have sons and grandsons that you may have helped obtain
college degrees; Both through finances and through moral support.
Masonry offers another kind of education; Leadership, Teamwork, and Morality. For
substantially less money and only a fraction of the time required for college, they can
acquire three more important ‘degrees’ that will enhance their success! Look around you
at the civic and business leaders in your community. It’s no coincidence that many of
them are affiliated with fraternal and benevolent organizations. I submit that they did not
join because they are leaders. Conversely, they became leaders because of their
participation in these organizations.
You can’t ask them to join – but you can explain the advantages. Spread the good word
and ‘Live Freemasonry Daily’.
11-2-05
Many of the world's most respected men-including business, military, intellectual,
political and religious leaders-have been or are Masons. Below are a few. How many
names do you recognize?
Eddy Arnold *Roy Acuff * Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin * Gene Autry * Daniel C. Beard
Francis J. Bellamy * Irving Berlin * Simon Bolivar * Walter Boomer * Gutzon Borglum
Ernest Borgnine * Omar Bradley * James Buchanan * Arleigh Burke *Richard E. Byrd
B. H. Carroll * Mark Clark * William Clark * Dewitt Clinton * Ty Cobb * W. T. Connor
Jack Dempsey * James Doolittle * Arthur Conan Doyle "Duke" Ellington * Henry Ford
Gerald Ford * Benjamin Franklin * Clark Gable James Garfield * Arthur Godfrey
Wolfgang von Goethe * Barry Goldwater * Samuel Gompers * John Hancock * Warren
Harding * Jesse Helms * Sam Houston Burl Ives *Andrew Jackson * Andrew Johnson
John Paul Jones * Benito Juarez Rudyard Kipling * Marquis de Lafayette * J. B.
Lawrence * John Lejeune * Charles Lindbergh * John Marshall * George Marshall
Thurgood Marshall * Jose Marti Charles Mayo * Douglas MacArthur *Abner McCall
William McKinley * James Monroe * Wolfgang Mozart * Louie D. Newton
Norman Vincent Peale * J. C. Penney * John Pershing * James Polk * Paul Revere
Herbert Reynolds * Roy Rogers * Will Rogers * Franklin D. Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt * Thomas S. Roy * L. R. Scarborough * Jean Sibelius
"Red" Skelton * John Phillip Sousa * William Howard Taft * Danny Thomas
Lowell Thomas * Strom Thurmond * George W. Truett * Harry S. Truman
Joseph Warren *John Wanamaker * George Washington * John Wayne
11-5-05
The Lambskin
It is not ornamental; the cost is not great,
There are other things far more useful, yet truly I state
Tho of all my possessions, there's none can compare,
With that white leathern apron, which all Masons wear.
As a young lad I wondered just what it all meant,
When dad hustled around, and so much time was spent
On shaving and dressing and looking just right,
Until mother would say: "It's the Masons tonight".
And some winter nights she said: "What makes you go
Way up there tonight thru the sleet and the snow.
You see the same things every month of the year'
Then dad would reply: "Yes, I know it, my dear.
Fifty years I have seen the same things, it is true
And though they are old, they always seem new.
For the hands that I clasp, and the friends that I greet
Seem a little bit closer each time that we meet".
Years later I stood at that very same door,
With good men and true who had entered before
I knelt at the altar, and there I was taught
That virture and honor can never be bought
That the spotless white lambskin all Masons revere
If worthily worn grows more precious each year
That service to others brings blessings untold,
That man may be poor tho surrounded by gold.
I learned that true brotherhood flourishes there.
That enmities fade 'neath the compass and square
That wealth and position are all thrust aside.
As there on the level men meet and abide.
So, Honor the lambskin, may it always remain
Forever unblemished, and free from all stain,
And when we are called to the Great Father's love
May we all take our place in that Lodge up above.
11-7-05
From The Great Light In Masonry
THE APRON
What is the symbolism of the Apron?
There is no one of the symbols of Speculative Masonry more important in its teachings, or more
interesting in its history than the lambskin, or white leather apron. Its lessons commence at an
early period in the Mason's progress, and it is impressed on his memory as the first gift which he
receives, the first symbol which is explained to him, and the first tangible evidence which he
possesses of his admission into the Fraternity. The color of a Mason's apron should be pure and
unspotted white. The lamb has always been considered as an appropriate emblem of innocence,
and hence we are taught, in the ritual of the first degree that "by the lambskin," the Mason is
reminded of that purity of life and rectitude of conduct which is so essentially necessary to his
gaining admission into the Celestial Lodge above, where the Supreme Architect of the Universe
forever presides. Biblical Reference 1 Peter 1:19
11-1-05
BLUE LODGE
What is the peculiar characteristic of the color Blue?
The three degrees of symbolic Masonry are clothed in or ornamented with blue; it is a color of
truth or fidelity, and it is a remarkable fact that the brethren have ever remained true to the blue
degrees, while the authenticity of the other degrees have often been disputed, and in many places
altogether denied. This durable and beautiful color was adopted and worn by our ancient brethren
as the peculiar characteristic of an institution which has stood the test of ages, and which is as
much distinguished by the durability of its materials or principals, as by the beauty of its
superstructure. It is an emblem of universal friendship and benevolence; and instructs us that, in
the mind of a Mason, those virtues should be as expansive as the blue arch of Heaven itself.
Biblical Reference 2nd Corinthians 5: 1 - Psalms 8: 1, 3
11-13-05
THE BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE OF KING SOLOMON
What was the length of time taken for the building of the Temple?
In the fourth year was the foundation laid, in the month of Zif: and in the eleventh year in the
month of Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof,
and according all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it. During the time of
construction it rained not during the day. 1Kings 6: 37, 38.
What materials were used to build the Tabernacle?
Gold, silver, brass, and iron; silks, fine linen and a fabric of goats hair; rams skins, and
badger' skins; shittim wood or acacia timber; onyx stone, sardius, topaz, carbuncle,
emerald, sapphire, diamond, ligure, agate, amethyst, beryl and jasper; also, blue, purple
and scarlet dyes; all of these went into the construction of the Tabernacle. Exodus 25: 3;
35: 5-10
What was the quantity of the materials used?
A fair estimate of the of gold and silver used in the construction of the Tabernacle was:
Gold, 29 talents and 730 shekels Silver, 100 talents, 1775 shekels, 603,550 bekah. To this must be
added quantities of brass, precious stones, wood, linen, and other textile fabrics, skins of animals, etc.,
also oils, spices and incense which were supplied for the service.. Exodus 35; 38: 24-28
11-16-05
COWAN
What is. the difference between a Cowan and an eavesdropper?
An eavesdropper is an intentional listener. A Cowan may therefore be classed as an
unintentional listener in Speculative Masonry. It is a Scotch term of contempt. A drydyker,
one who builds dykes or walls without mortar. So therefore according to Speculative Science,
Masonry has no place for anyone that builds their symbolic walls without the cement of
brotherly love.
Biblical Reference Ezekiel 13:10-15
11-19-05
THE TWELVE ORIGINAL POINTS
What were these original points?
They were in the ancient English lectures, used in the ritual from 1738 till 1813, when they were
taken out, and the four perfect points, substituted. They constituted the basis of the system, and
without which no man ever was or can be legally and essentially received into the Order. Every
candidate must pass through these forms and ceremonies. They are — opening, preparation,
report, entrance, prayer, circumambulation, advancing, obligation, intrusting, investing, placing,
and closing. These points were symbolized by each one of the twelve tribes of Israel, the sons of
Jacob.
Biblical Reference Genesis 49
11-23-05
THE METAPHORICAL SUPPORTS OF MASONRY
What are the metaphorical supports of Masonry?
Wisdom, Strength, and Beauty; the three great pillars, or metaphorical supports, and it is a
singular coincidence and worthy of thought that the letters composing the English name of
Deity should be the initials of the Hebrew words wisdom, strength, and beauty; G.O.D.
Gorner, Oz, and Dabar.
Biblical Reference Psalms 111: 10, Job 12: 13, Psalms 27: 4
11-27-05
Masonic labor is purely a labor of love.
He who seeks to draw Masonic wages
in gold or silver will be disappointed.
The wages of a Mason are earned and paid
in their dealings with one another.
Sympathy begets sympathy,
Fondness begets fondness,
Helpfulness begets helpfulness,
and these are the wages of a Mason.
Benjamin Franklin
11-30-05
Freemasonry
What’s the difference between A.F.&A.M and F.&A.M.?
In a word, nothing (and in a letter, A). A.F.&A.M. is an abbreviation for "Ancient, Free,
and Accepted Masons" while F.&A.M. stands for "Free and Accepted Masons." There
are no significant differences in ritual or governance (except Pennsylvania ritual, but
that's another story). It is popularly believed that A.F.&A.M. lodges are descended from
the Grand Lodge of "Ancients" in England and that F.&A.M. lodges come from the
"Moderns." Such is not the case. Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia notes that the differences
between the Ancients and the Moderns "were not understood in America and none too
well in England, so that the significance of the names was often not observed; in addition
lodges of one variety often displaced or merged into lodges of the other variety, and a
name was adopted without thought of technical accuracy." Making it even more
confusing, South Carolina is A.F.M., "Ancient Free Masons," the District of Columbia is
F.A.A.M., "Free And Accepted Masons," and some Grand Lodges, North Carolina, for
example, originally called themselves A.Y.M., "Ancient York Masons." The only place
where there is some consistency of names is with Prince Hall Lodges. In the 1950s most
Prince Hall Grand Lodges renamed themselves, "Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand
Lodge, F.&A.M. of [State]," and thus nearly all Prince Hall Lodges are F.&A.M.
From the Scottish Rite Journal September – October 2005
12-3-05
I See You've Traveled Some
By Edgar A. Guest (1881-1959)
Wherever you may chance to be, Wherever you may roam
Far away in foreign lands, Or just at home, sweet home;
It always gives you pleasure, It makes your heart strings hum
Just to hear the words of cheer - "I see you've traveled some"
When you get the brothers greeting, As he takes you by the hand,
It thrills you with a feeling, That you cannot understand.
You feel the bond of brotherhood, That tie that's sure to come
When you hear him say in a friendly way, "I see you've traveled some"
And if you are a stranger, In strange lands all alone
If fate has left you stranded- Dead broke and far from home,
Oh, it's a grand and glorious feeling, It thrills you - makes you dumb,
When he says, with a grip of Fellowship - "I see you've traveled some"
And when your final summons comes, To take a last long trip
Adorned with Lambskin Apron White, And gems of fellowship,
The tiler at the Golden Gate, With square and rule and plumb
Will size up your pin, and say "Walk-in - I see you've traveled some"