November 23, 2011
KSA
I had the honor of being knighted into the Knights of St. Andrew for my Scottish Rite valley tonight. We had a small meeting where they were going to elect officers and they went ahead and knighted another brother and myself. The KSA is basically the working arm of the valley. They are responsible for serving meals and cleaning up, performing marshal duties if needed, helping with the reunion, helping with fundraisers, and anything else the valley might have a need for. It is a fun group to be involved with. After the knighting I was elected to be the Senior Deacon for the KSA for the coming year.
November 7, 2011
This past year
Looking back over the past year is very interesting for me. It was a month ago that I received my EA degree. During the past 12 months I have learned a ton about masonry and have grown much as a man. My wife has even noticed a big difference in me over this last year and our relationship is better than ever. It was said to me that you get out of masonry what you put into it. That is certainly true. Is freemasonry perfect? I believe that it is. It is the humans that get in the way.
I have enjoyed serving this past year as steward and have gained much from that experience. I was appointed tonight as Senior Deacon for the next year. What a great honor and humbling experience. That is a great honor to me and I only hope I can serve my lodge well. Attending the Grand Lodge session as a proxy was one of the highlights of the year for me. I was able to understand more of how freemasonry worked by doing so. It was also voted on tonight for the lodge to send me to Wilkerson College which is a school for deacons to prepare them for their year in the east.
This coming week we have the Scottish Rite meeting where we have a ring ceremony and elections. I have turned in my petition to the Knight of St Andrews which is a service unit within the Scottish Rite. I should be receiving that sometime this month as well. I have completed the Master Craftsman I program and would recommend it to anyone that goes through the Scottish Rite degrees. It brings a perspective and understanding to the degrees that you do not get at the reunions. I have also been fortunate to participate in a degree day during the early summer for a club doing the 17th and 18th degrees. During the fall reunion I was able to help with the 17th, 18th, 24th, and 26th degrees.
What a great experience this past year has been. I hope to stay active and learn as much during the upcoming years as I have this one. I am very honored to have been able to join such a fraternity of great men. I only hope that I can give back just a fraction of what the craft has already given to me. Thank you all for making this a great year. I look forward to many more.
I have enjoyed serving this past year as steward and have gained much from that experience. I was appointed tonight as Senior Deacon for the next year. What a great honor and humbling experience. That is a great honor to me and I only hope I can serve my lodge well. Attending the Grand Lodge session as a proxy was one of the highlights of the year for me. I was able to understand more of how freemasonry worked by doing so. It was also voted on tonight for the lodge to send me to Wilkerson College which is a school for deacons to prepare them for their year in the east.
This coming week we have the Scottish Rite meeting where we have a ring ceremony and elections. I have turned in my petition to the Knight of St Andrews which is a service unit within the Scottish Rite. I should be receiving that sometime this month as well. I have completed the Master Craftsman I program and would recommend it to anyone that goes through the Scottish Rite degrees. It brings a perspective and understanding to the degrees that you do not get at the reunions. I have also been fortunate to participate in a degree day during the early summer for a club doing the 17th and 18th degrees. During the fall reunion I was able to help with the 17th, 18th, 24th, and 26th degrees.
What a great experience this past year has been. I hope to stay active and learn as much during the upcoming years as I have this one. I am very honored to have been able to join such a fraternity of great men. I only hope that I can give back just a fraction of what the craft has already given to me. Thank you all for making this a great year. I look forward to many more.
October 27, 2011
Definition of a Freemason
The following was first published in 1823 in the Farmers Almanac that was published in Andover, Mass. This is as relevant today as it was the day it was written.
“definition of a Freemason"
The real Freemason is distinguished from the rest of Mankind by the uniform unrestrained rectitude of his conduct. Other men are honest in fear of punishment which the law might inflect they are religious in expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of the devil, in the next world.
A Freemason would be just if there were no laws, human or divine except those written in his heart by the finger of his Creator. In every climate, under every system of religion, he is the same.
He kneels before the Universal Throne of God in gratitude for the blessings he has received and humble solicitation for his future protection.
He venerates the good men of all religions. He disturbs not the religion of others. He restrains his passions, because they cannot be indulged without injuring his neighbor or himself. He gives no offense, because he does not choose to be offended. He contracts no debts which he is certain he cannot discharge. because he is honest upon principal.
“definition of a Freemason"
The real Freemason is distinguished from the rest of Mankind by the uniform unrestrained rectitude of his conduct. Other men are honest in fear of punishment which the law might inflect they are religious in expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of the devil, in the next world.
A Freemason would be just if there were no laws, human or divine except those written in his heart by the finger of his Creator. In every climate, under every system of religion, he is the same.
He kneels before the Universal Throne of God in gratitude for the blessings he has received and humble solicitation for his future protection.
He venerates the good men of all religions. He disturbs not the religion of others. He restrains his passions, because they cannot be indulged without injuring his neighbor or himself. He gives no offense, because he does not choose to be offended. He contracts no debts which he is certain he cannot discharge. because he is honest upon principal.
October 10, 2011
The Square
The [square] is an instrument made use of by operative masons .........to square their work.......... but we, as Free and Accepted Masons are taught to make use of them for more noble and glorious purposes; the plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and man, squaring our actions by the square of virtue........ (http://www.ncdistrict39.com/index_files/Page406.htm)
The square is a simple instrument of two legs forming an angle of ninety degrees. As used in freemasonry, the square is made up of 2 legs of equal length used for testing the accuracy of angles. It is not the carpenters square where one leg is longer than the other and marked of in measurements. Operative masons used the square in order to prove that stones were cut straight in order to place them. If the stones were not square, then the structure would be weekend and possibly fall. The squareness of the stones aided in the strength of the building.
The square is arguably one of the most important symbols in masonry. It is the emblem of the master of the lodge and one of the great lights in masonry. It is one of the first thing a candidate sees when the blindfold is removed.
Symbolically the square is an instrument of morality. As we develop our thoughts and actions shape our character. We are taught to square our actions in order to live a moral life. We test each of our thoughts and actions by the square. We should strive to live honest and upright lives. We should be truthful and honest in all of our doings. We should strive to build ourselves into a man that leads a moral life. For that to happen, we must fit our thoughts and actions into a form that is strong. By measuring them on the square, they will not easily fall.
The square is a simple instrument of two legs forming an angle of ninety degrees. As used in freemasonry, the square is made up of 2 legs of equal length used for testing the accuracy of angles. It is not the carpenters square where one leg is longer than the other and marked of in measurements. Operative masons used the square in order to prove that stones were cut straight in order to place them. If the stones were not square, then the structure would be weekend and possibly fall. The squareness of the stones aided in the strength of the building.
The square is arguably one of the most important symbols in masonry. It is the emblem of the master of the lodge and one of the great lights in masonry. It is one of the first thing a candidate sees when the blindfold is removed.
Symbolically the square is an instrument of morality. As we develop our thoughts and actions shape our character. We are taught to square our actions in order to live a moral life. We test each of our thoughts and actions by the square. We should strive to live honest and upright lives. We should be truthful and honest in all of our doings. We should strive to build ourselves into a man that leads a moral life. For that to happen, we must fit our thoughts and actions into a form that is strong. By measuring them on the square, they will not easily fall.
September 28, 2011
The Plumb
"The Plumb is an instrument made use of by operative masons to raise perpendiculars,..... but we, as Free and Accepted Masons are taught to make use of them for more noble and glorious purposes; the plumb admonishes us to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and man, ........" http://www.ncdistrict39.com/index_files/Page406.htm
We are called to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and man. The plumb reminds us that we should do our best to live our lives in a rectitude manner with uprightness, integrity, honesty, and justice. We should strive to have integrity in what we do. If we say we are going to do something, we should strive to do it. We should be honest with what we say. We should not cheat or lie to get ahead. We should walk on a straight path and not veer to the right or the left. The plumb is a simple tool but teaches us a most important lesson.
We are called to walk uprightly in our several stations before God and man. The plumb reminds us that we should do our best to live our lives in a rectitude manner with uprightness, integrity, honesty, and justice. We should strive to have integrity in what we do. If we say we are going to do something, we should strive to do it. We should be honest with what we say. We should not cheat or lie to get ahead. We should walk on a straight path and not veer to the right or the left. The plumb is a simple tool but teaches us a most important lesson.
September 24, 2011
Grand Lodge
Last weekend I was able to attend our states Grand Lodge Annual Communication. This was a great learning experience. Our Grand Lodge is made up of the Master, Junior and Senior Wardens of each lodge as well as the Grand Officers and a few others. Our Junior Warden was not able to attend so I went as his proxy. I was only able to attend the Friday session as I had a previous commitment Saturday. It was interesting to be in a room with 850+ other masons and watch how things were handled. I was able to meet other brethren from across the state and learn about their lodges as well. I am very glad that I was able to attend and learn a little more how freemasonry operates in my state. I would suggest that any master mason attend their jurisdictions annual communication at least once. It is a great time to meet and visit other brethren as sell as get some work done.
August 25, 2011
The Common Gavel
The Common Gavel is an instrument made use of by operative masons to break off the corners of rough stones, the better to fit them for the builders use.; but we as Free and Accepted masons are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of divesting our hearts and consciences of all the vices and superfluities of life, thereby fitting our minds as livings stones for that spiritual building, “that house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. (http://www.ncdistrict39.com/index_files/Page330.htm)
The common gavel is another working tool of the entered apprentice. Opertavely it was used to make stones smooth so that they could be fit into a building. We are building that "house not made with hands." which symbolically is ourselves. We are to improve our own lives by getting rid of the bad and replacing it with the good. Like the 24 inch gauge, the common gavel is an instrument not directly used in the physical building of a structure. It is used in the preparation of that building. The entered apprentice is a newly made mason that is preparing himself for the further travels in his masonic life. He has not yet been given all of the tools. He is learning and preparing himself for advancement to the next degrees at this point. It is the same in life. We are to prepare ourselves to be a just and upright man. We have the qualities to some degree or else we would not have been accepted into the craft. The same with the rough ashlar, it is somewhat square yet it is not yet in a position for the master's use. As we grow and develop in both our lives and masonic life, we shape ourselves into what we have now become.
The following is taken from the ritual used in Scotland. "" The Common Gavel teaches us that skill without exertion is of little avail , and that labour is the lot of man, the Heart may conceive and the Brain devise in vain if the Hand be not prompt to execute the design. The Gavel also represents the Force of Conscience which should keep down all vain and unbecoming thoughts so that our feelings and actions may be pure and unpolluted."
We need to put effort in what we do. Nothing is given to us. We should strive to make "that house not made with hands" into a perfect ashlar in order to serve our creator's purpose for our lives. We have the tools to do it. The rest is up to us.
The common gavel is another working tool of the entered apprentice. Opertavely it was used to make stones smooth so that they could be fit into a building. We are building that "house not made with hands." which symbolically is ourselves. We are to improve our own lives by getting rid of the bad and replacing it with the good. Like the 24 inch gauge, the common gavel is an instrument not directly used in the physical building of a structure. It is used in the preparation of that building. The entered apprentice is a newly made mason that is preparing himself for the further travels in his masonic life. He has not yet been given all of the tools. He is learning and preparing himself for advancement to the next degrees at this point. It is the same in life. We are to prepare ourselves to be a just and upright man. We have the qualities to some degree or else we would not have been accepted into the craft. The same with the rough ashlar, it is somewhat square yet it is not yet in a position for the master's use. As we grow and develop in both our lives and masonic life, we shape ourselves into what we have now become.
The following is taken from the ritual used in Scotland. "" The Common Gavel teaches us that skill without exertion is of little avail , and that labour is the lot of man, the Heart may conceive and the Brain devise in vain if the Hand be not prompt to execute the design. The Gavel also represents the Force of Conscience which should keep down all vain and unbecoming thoughts so that our feelings and actions may be pure and unpolluted."
We need to put effort in what we do. Nothing is given to us. We should strive to make "that house not made with hands" into a perfect ashlar in order to serve our creator's purpose for our lives. We have the tools to do it. The rest is up to us.
August 14, 2011
The 24 inch gage
The Twenty-four inch gauge is an instrument made use of my operative masons to measure and lay out their work, but we, as Free and Accepted masons are taught to make use of it for the more noble and glorious purpose of dividing our time. It being divided into twenty-four equal parts, is emblematic of the twenty-four hours of the day, which we are taught to divide into three equal parts; whereby are found eight hours for the service of God, and a distressed worthy brother; eight for our usual avocations; and eight for refreshment and sleep. (http://www.ncdistrict39.com/index_files/Page330.htm)
It is a guide to how we should measure out time in everyday life. It is saying, in a sense, that we should prioritize our time in the service of God and charity, our work, and ourselves in that order. There is time for us to do everything that is needed and we should not just waste our time idly. We pass through time from the time we are born to the time that we die. Once time is spent, we cannot reclaim it. If we wast time, it is gone forever, never to be reclaimed. Look at Ecclesiastes 3 (or the Byrd's song "To everything there is a Season") as an example. There is a time for everything. The only thing missing from there is the time to "waste". We are only given 1/3 of our time for rest and refreshment. That leaves us 2/3 that should be spent in active pursuit of our work, worship, and education. We should not waste time. What we do with it is up to us. We should make the most use of out time for the betterment of ourselves and man. I am not saying there is not time for watching football, for example, or having fun. That is a necessary part of our life if we are to stay sane. We should not only do things for amusement. We should make the most of our lives that we can.
July 29, 2011
Technology, the internet and Freemasonry
Freemasonry is considered the oldest fraternity in the world. It is based on an ancient tradition. We do many things the way they have been done for hundreds of years. It is steeped in tradition. But there is a huge difference today than the Freemasonry of our forefathers. Technology is available to us that was not in the past.
As we move further in the electronic age we need to embrace technology as a tool. More and more people are relying on the internet for their main source of information. As this increases it becomes more important for our lodges and grand lodges to have a strong internet presence. Ask yourself when was the last time you used a phone book? If you are like most of the people in the US it has probably been a while.
The internet plays a key role in the life of today's lodges. A web presence is becoming more and more important. Many candidates are using the internet to search for lodges and find information about them. I found my lodge by doing a simple web search and then emailing the secretary. A lodges website at the very minimum should list the location and when the meetings are held. It should also give a way for someone to contact a live person there. Most lodge websites list upcoming events and degrees as well. Many lodge websites offer a good bit of history and masonic info.
Grand Lodge websites can provide a lot of information to those looking at petitioning a lodge as well as those that are members in that jurisdiction. It can give an opportunity of brothers to find out what is happening throughout the state and give them opportunities to travel to other activities. Grand lodge websites can also keep members informed on what is happening at the Grand Lodge level. Information from the Grand lodges are reported in lodge meetings but if someone does not go to a particular meeting they might miss something. Online communications can reach many people in a fast and efficient manor.
Email communications can get information spread to lodge members as well. There is a lodge in our area that does not use electronic communications. There was a group of us going to visit that lodge and the majority of the information was sent by email. We were told after the meeting that they wanted to learn how to get information sent to brothers that way because it showed to be effective. Email can be used to keep brethren informed of meetings, emergent communications, degrees, fundraisers, deaths, and any other information that might be vital to the workings of a lodge.
Facebook and other social network sites give a place to spread the same type of information with the added benefit of members being able to post pictures and videos directly for others to see. Information can be sent in real time. People can keep up with each other and what is happening.
Another electronic means of communications are masonic forums. Forums give an opportunity for brothers from across the district, state, country, and even world to communicate with each other. There are forums for all types of masonic organizations at all levels. It is a great way to meet freemasons and establish friendships to those that we would most likely never meet otherwise. Forums make the world a much smaller place.
There are many other ways to use the internet that I have not even touched on. The marriage of ancient craft freemasonry with the modern use of computers and smartphones can continue to positively impact freemasonry today. It is how the technology is adopted that can make a difference. There are many sites online that those that have a vendetta against freemasonry espouse many conspiracies about us. We can use the same internet to show who and what we really are. The internet and technology is a tool. We need to embrace it and use it to our advantage.
As we move further in the electronic age we need to embrace technology as a tool. More and more people are relying on the internet for their main source of information. As this increases it becomes more important for our lodges and grand lodges to have a strong internet presence. Ask yourself when was the last time you used a phone book? If you are like most of the people in the US it has probably been a while.
The internet plays a key role in the life of today's lodges. A web presence is becoming more and more important. Many candidates are using the internet to search for lodges and find information about them. I found my lodge by doing a simple web search and then emailing the secretary. A lodges website at the very minimum should list the location and when the meetings are held. It should also give a way for someone to contact a live person there. Most lodge websites list upcoming events and degrees as well. Many lodge websites offer a good bit of history and masonic info.
Grand Lodge websites can provide a lot of information to those looking at petitioning a lodge as well as those that are members in that jurisdiction. It can give an opportunity of brothers to find out what is happening throughout the state and give them opportunities to travel to other activities. Grand lodge websites can also keep members informed on what is happening at the Grand Lodge level. Information from the Grand lodges are reported in lodge meetings but if someone does not go to a particular meeting they might miss something. Online communications can reach many people in a fast and efficient manor.
Email communications can get information spread to lodge members as well. There is a lodge in our area that does not use electronic communications. There was a group of us going to visit that lodge and the majority of the information was sent by email. We were told after the meeting that they wanted to learn how to get information sent to brothers that way because it showed to be effective. Email can be used to keep brethren informed of meetings, emergent communications, degrees, fundraisers, deaths, and any other information that might be vital to the workings of a lodge.
Facebook and other social network sites give a place to spread the same type of information with the added benefit of members being able to post pictures and videos directly for others to see. Information can be sent in real time. People can keep up with each other and what is happening.
Another electronic means of communications are masonic forums. Forums give an opportunity for brothers from across the district, state, country, and even world to communicate with each other. There are forums for all types of masonic organizations at all levels. It is a great way to meet freemasons and establish friendships to those that we would most likely never meet otherwise. Forums make the world a much smaller place.
There are many other ways to use the internet that I have not even touched on. The marriage of ancient craft freemasonry with the modern use of computers and smartphones can continue to positively impact freemasonry today. It is how the technology is adopted that can make a difference. There are many sites online that those that have a vendetta against freemasonry espouse many conspiracies about us. We can use the same internet to show who and what we really are. The internet and technology is a tool. We need to embrace it and use it to our advantage.
July 17, 2011
NC-TN mountain top degree
I was able to attend the NC-TN mountain top degree yesterday 7/16/11. When we made it to the top of the mountain it was in the clouds and raining. It was decided that the degree be moved to Greenville lodge #3 in Greenville, TN. This lodge has a very interesting history. It was chartered in 1801 as NC lodge #43 and became TN lodge #3. They have the charter from NC hanging on the wall in the lodge room. Andrew Jackson also served as SW pro tem in 1801 according to lodge records. There were approximately 18 members of TL lodges as well as 22 members from NC lodges. We had a wonderful meal provided by the brothers of Greenville #3 and had a great time visiting each other. After lunch we retired to the lodge where we raised a brother from Black Mountain #663 to the sublime degree of master mason. The brethren of NC put on a great degree. In attendance was the GM of TN, M.:W.: Mack Johnson along with the Deputy GM and Grand SW. I enjoyed meeting the brothers in TN and had a wonderful time. I plan on attending next year when TN puts on the degree. If anyone is close during July, it is well worth the trip. Hopefully next year the weather will cooperate a little better.
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