Masonic Travels

Ali Bongo ordained Grand Master of Gabon

2009-11-11T11:56:00.004-05:00

Brethren,

As we travel around the world, the perception of Freemasonry is not alway a positive one. The following article is in reference to the recent installation of President Ali Bongo, the newly installed Grand Master of Gabon, installed during the 11th World Conference.

This article states that to be in power you must be a Freemason and those who are not, will get no where and thrown out of the political arena. It is a rather damning article and somewhat reminiscent of how some western countries require their officials to declare membership in all organizations to which they belong.

With that said, I would be quite interested in your comments on this article. Additionally, what do you think can be done to positively change the public perception of Freemasonry in situations such as these?

S&F
Bro. Ken

Freemason Presidents in Africa:
Ali Bongo ordained [1] Grand Master of Gabon
TUESDAY 10 NOVEMBER 2009 / BY RENÉ DASSIÉ
Original URL: http://en.afrik.com/article16445.html

The grand master of the National Grand Lodge of France (GLNF) installed Ali Bongo as the head of Gabonese Freemasonry, a couple of weeks ago. The title was, until June this year, held by the former President Omar Bongo. About one thousand influential politicians practice freemasonry in Gabon. Just like his father, Ali Bongo is expected to mobilize the Masonic network in order to establish his legitimacy and authority in Gabon and the world.

Ali Bongo, the new Gabonese President, Wednesday, November 4, launched the World Conference of Regular Freemasonry in Libreville. His father, Omar Bongo, who kicked the bucket [4] on the 8th of June, 2009, had vehemently fought for the organization of the masonic forum to take place in the central African country and would have naturally jump for joy to welcome his "brethren" from all over the world. Ali Bongo, his heir, not only inherited the opportunity to hold the conference but also mount the vacant Gabonese Freemason throne.

According to the French weekly Le Nouvel Observateur, the cream of French Freemasons in Libreville, including Alain Bauer — former Grand Master of the Grand Orient de France (from 2000 to 2003) and special adviser for terrorism and crime at the French presidency, — after participating in Omar Bongo’s funeral ceremonies installed Ali Bongo as head of the two local branches of the lodge, which count some one thousand members.

Francois Stifani, the grand master of the National Grand Lodge of France (GLNF), one of the largest Masonic orders with 38 000 members, was in Libreville two weeks ago to ordain Ali Bongo, who until then occupied the rank of Assistant Grand Master, i.e.; at least three levels below the peak of the hierarchy. At age 53, Ali Bongo has become the grand master of the Grand Lodge of Gabon (GLB) and the Grand Equatorial Rite, the two predominant Freemason orders in Gabon.

Ali Bongo and his father

For Ali Bongo, this promotion is as important as his presidential title. Having gone through a difficult election, the neophyte President needs the "fraternal" networking machine to help consolidate his authority. The strategy was developed and successfully applied by his father, the late Omar Bongo. Omar established the Masonic order as an ante-chamber to serve as a recruitment unit for his key allies, and also as an infallible source of allegiance to consolidate his power.

Initiated first as a member of the Masonic Lodge in 1953, that is, fourteen years before becoming president in November 28, 1967, Omar Bongo, — also regarded as a religious chameleon who switched from Catholicism to Islam, and vice versa, not by virtue of whim but by hidden interests, founded two separate Masonic orders in Gabon to bind his "brethren" across the French political sphere: the Grand Rite Equatorial — affiliated with Great Orient (GO) which is left wing oriented, and the Grand Lodge of Gabon (GLG), linked to the National Grand Lodge of France (GLNF), closer to the French right wing. To gain Bongo’s trust, a politician was expected to adhere to at least one of the two orders. Almost the entire Gabonese ruling political class is part of the lodge.

Those who refuse to submit to these dictates are banished or ridiculed. Interviewed by Le Nouvel Observateur, Ernest Tomo, pastor of an evangelical church and an unsuccessful presidential candidate in August, accused the Gabonese "brethren" of orchestrating his low electoral score (308 votes, or 0.09% votes).

Standing as a candidate in the 2005 presidential elections against Omar Bongo, Ernest Tome withdrew from the race after a "divine" intervention, he was later invited to join the government, where the former President appointed him as Minister of State and a member of the Presidential Cabinet, responsible for religious affairs. He was neither given a service car, an office nor a staff to work with. During a public meeting, Omar Bongo gave his reasons: "If you’re not there, we do not see you. And we do not consider you for what you are." The man of God had blatantly refused to be initiated by the Freemasons.

Now holding the reins of Masonic power, Ali Bongo is almost certain to consolidate his power. Some of his fiercest opponents, like Andre Mba Obame, former presidential candidate and a childhood friend and a lodge member, may even come to their senses.

France-Afrique Freemasonry?

Just like in Gabon, Freemasonry is very present at the very top in many African states. Denis Sassou Nguesso, the Congolese president, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Congo – Brazzaville is linked to the National Grand Lodge of France; President Mamadou Tanja of Niger; Chad’s Idriss Deby and François Bozizé of the Central African Republic are among at least twelve African presidents linked to the “trois points” (three points) brothers.

Their adherence to this society is more often than not the cause of misfortune for their various countries. Their western counterparts on the other hand act differently. As their western counterparts do all in their power to consolidate democracy in their countries to enhance development, Freemasons within the African political circles mostly rule their countries with iron fists, while robbing the “widow and orphan”, contrary to the main objective of the Lodge, which seeks to protect the “widow and the orphan”.

After a 42 year rule in a country naturally blessed with oil resources, like one of the prosperous Gulf states, Omar Bongo left Gabon in economic shambles and among the very poor countries category (HIPC). His former father-in-law, Sassou Nguesso has also been accused of the same corrupt practices. Both appeared on a recent list which denounced African leaders with ill-gotten wealth.

Their godfathers from the French lodge, by virtue of their silence, have condoned these practices. The Nouvel Observateur article mentions how Omar Bongo, known for his generosity towards his friends showered his French "brethren" with gifts. Only a few years ago, a huge financial gift from Denis Sassou Nguesso to the GLNF was widely criticized. Equally linked to Masonic networks, although nothing is known of his adhesion to the Freemasons, Paul Biya of Cameroon recently donated a large sum of money to l’Ordre Souverain du Temple Initiatique, in a backdrop of poverty in his own backyard. Mr. Biya is known for his expansive generosity towards gurus and esoteric groups. Largesse made possible by Cameroonian taxpayers’ money.

Footnotes:

1 - GM's are not "ordained" -- I think most people would agree that the word ordained carries with it religious connotations and "installed" is far more accurate terminology.

2 - Comments by Brother TL -- In the article it said: "...Alain Bauer -- former Grand Master of the Grand Orient de France (from 2000 to 2003) ...installed Ali Bongo as head of the two local branches of the lodge, which count some one thousand members."

To the best of my knowledge and belief, The Grand Orient of France is not in amity with any of the US or Canadian Grand Lodges as well as the Grand Lodges of England, Scotland and Eire because of the GOdF's removal/disregarding of the Landmark requiring a belief in a Supreme Being. We are in Amity with the National Grand Lodge of France. If I am correct, then any Lodge in Amity with the Grand Orient of France, such as the one in Gabon, is automatically not in Amity with our Lodges, whereas the Congolese Grand Lodge you mentioned in your article as being "linked to the National Grand Lodge of France" would thus be in amity with us. Then toward the end of the article it mentions "huge financial gift from Denis Sassou Nguesso to the GLNF" which would seem to be in conflict with the earlier statement of Gabon's ties with the Grand Orient of France.

3 - For the record, Gabon's Grand Lodge is at amnesty with GLNF and is regular and Ali Bongo was installed by the GM of GLNF, GM of India (MWBro Devinder Gupta) was in attendance. -KD

4 - This comment helps to show the poor quality of this article - referring to the death of a previous president as "Kicking the bucket"

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WHO WAS HIRAM, KING OF TYRE?

2009-11-09T06:43:00.003-05:00

WHO WAS HIRAM, KING OF TYRE?
By: Lewis M. Parker, P.G.M., New Jersey

Our Masonic tradition tells us that our Craft had three original Grand Masters. The first of these, Solomon, the King of Israel, figures prominently in our Masonic story and is still known as a great personage thirty centuries after his time. The third of this trio is the centre and Source of our deepest teaching and to him all Masons are bound by a unique tie. But the second of our Grand Masters has only a passing reference in our Ritual and outside of a Masonic Lodge is known only to a few specialists in history. Hiram of Tyre was a monarch who ruled over a powerful kingdom at the peak of his greatness. He and his people deserve to be known better by the Masonic Fraternity. The kingdom of Tyre or Phoenicia, as it was more generally known, was located on the eastern shores of the Mediterranean north of Palestine [ 1 ]. Its principal city was the seaport of Tyre, which, because of its geographical location, became a converging point of the great trade routes. Tyre became one of the foremost commercial centres of the ancient world and grew rich and powerful.

Phoenicia has just two claims to high achievement. In the first place the Phoenicians were among the first known sailors of the world. It is said they were the first to navigate upon the open sea and to chart their course by means of the stars. Thus to the men of Tyre goes the distinction of being the fathers of modern navigation. They must have been an alert and venturesome race. It is known that Phoenician sailors travelled all over the Mediterranean - sailed through the Straits of Gibraltar, down the coast of Africa, up the coast of Spain and even as far as England. If we wish to romanticize history a little we can see in our mind's eye a sea captain of Hiram of Tyre sailing through the Pillars of Hercules and gazing out upon a vast ocean - not knowing that 3,000 miles beyond his sight lay a land where 3,000 years later the name of his Royal Master would be perpetuated in Masonic Lodges

As the Phoenicians went about the Mediterranian they founded colonies in various places, the most famous of which was Carthage on the northern coast of Africa. Carthage flourished, and as the parent Tyre began to decline, Carthage carried on the Phoenician tradition. It came into conflict with the rising power of Rome, and after years of furious struggles, known as the Punic Wars, Rome was triumphant and Carthage was destroyed. But Carthage also prevailed -her general Hannibal, one of the great military commanders of all time, took an army across northern Africa, through Spain and southern France, over the Alps and down to the very gates of Rome before he was stopped. It is interesting to speculate that if Carthage had conquered Rome, our civilization, which so largely bears the imprint of Rome, might instead have been influenced by the people of Hiram of Tyre.

In the second place, the Phoenicians may claim to a high place in the history of mankind because, they were the inventors of the first known alphabets We take the alphabet so much for granted that it is hard for us to conceive of a time when it did not exist. Hiram's people were certainly possessed of intellectual curiosity and skill to formulate a way whereby the thoughts of men could be transmitted through other than oral mean&. The Phoenician alphabet influenced the Greek, and the Greek the Roman. In reading these lines you are bearing a certain mute testimony to the genius of the people over whom our second Grand Master ruled.

Solomon's name and fame are still remembered today while that of his neighbour to the North has largely been forgotten. Solomon was fortunate in having adequate chroniclers (himself included) which Hiram lacked. Solomon did not equal Hiram in wealth and worldly power, but he did surpass him in the greater and more enduring values of wisdom and of the spirit.

King Hiram of Tyre has been saved from complete oblivion in the dusty tombs of history and is remembered by Freemasons because he gave freely of his resources to aid and assist a neighbour in a great and important undertaking.

Footnotes:
(1) This is factually inaccurate. The term Palestine, or rather a version of it, was not known until the Romans expelled the land's Jewish inhabitants in the year 70 A.D. This coincides with the destruction of the 2nd Temple, also a result of Roman destruction. The Romans chose to rename the land in an effort to obliterate the memory of the Jewish people's connection to the land of Israel. -- Added Nov 10 2009 -KD
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Interview with MWBro Justice Devinder Gupta - GM of India

2009-11-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

e-Interview with the MW Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India,
MW Bro. Justice Devinder Gupta, OSM.
November 2009

Brethren,

As most of my regular readers know, I have a special interest, fascination, and love for India. A passion that has drawn me there on several occasions and has given me some of my most fond memories of Freemasonry.

So it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to the current Grand Master of India, the Most Worshipful Brother Justice Devinder Gupta, OSM.

M.W. Brother Justice Gupta, Thank you kindly for taking time out of your busy schedule to have this interview with me today.

Q.:- Come November you will have been a Freemason for 36 years and during that time you have not only risen to the pinnacle of our glorious Craft, but also in your public service, as a Chief Justice. With such staggering personal accomplishments, how do you feel that Freemasonry has helped you to develop on a personal level?

Ans.:- Looking back I feel that there has been tremendous impact of freemasonry in my life. I was born in a family wherein we were taught to lead what in India we call a DHARMIC way of life. After joining freemasonry I found no difference in the masonic teachings and what we were taught in our family ‘to follow the straight and undeviating line of conduct as laid down for our pursuit in the volumes of the sacred law wherein the limits of good and evil are defined for our instructions. In order to follow the undeviating line of conduct, every Man is bound always to behave himself towards others, as in reason he would desire they should in like circumstances deal with him’.

On joining Freemasonry I learn that its mission is to engage and inspire good men, who believe in a Supreme Being, to live according to Masonic tenets of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. The mission is guided by the core values of the fraternity: Freemasons strive to be honest, truthful and reliable, living in a just and upright manner. Freemasons embrace diversity of opinion, religious, ethnic, cultural, social and educational differences. I continue to practice these principles.

During my profession as a lawyer for 23 years and later as a judge and Chief Justice for 15 years I continued to apply the principles learnt in Freemasonry. I found that in its essence Freemasonry, as a whole, is a way, a life, of values and morals integrated together and becoming a part of us. It is not morals and values thought of and practiced in isolation or in fragments but by being integrated into our lives. And such an integrated life goes by the popular terminology in India a DHARMIC way of life. My profession was such which gave me sufficient opportunity in my life to practice those high principles taught in Freemasonry. I think only Freemasonry could have moulded my life like that.

Q.:- At the Conference of Masonic Grand Lodges of Asia/Pacific you gave a speech on “Bringing about improvement to Freemasonry”, but more specifically about your vision of “Masonic Liberalization,“ in which you outlined an action plan in which you would implement during your tenure. I must say that I felt it was a very ambitious plan and I wonder now, several years later if you feel that the original plan was on track or if there is anything you would change in hindsight?

Ans.:- As a matter of fact, due to some unforeseen circumstance at the last moment, I was unable to undertake journey to Sydney to attend the annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of NSW & ACT and the Asia/Pacific Conference of the Masonic Grand Lodges. Any how I had sent my paper to be read in the Conference. I did not received any intimation whether the said paper was actually read or not, but for the benefit of my brethren, the article was made available to them.

Yes I did talk about my plan on Masonic Liberlisation saying –

“I am strongly of the view that in this era of Globalization and Economic Liberalization there is also need for what I would like to call as “Masonic Liberlisation”. When I took over as the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of India in October 2006 I suggested the following Vision and Mission Statement for Freemasonry in our country.

Vision:

Masonic Liberalization.

Mission:

Adopt “Each One Bring One” as a slogan so that we not only have more men in Freemasonry but also more Freemasonry in more men;
Spread the message and philosophy of Freemasonry widely to instil more Freemasonry in men;
Check dropouts by vigorous efforts at Lodge level;
Endeavour to make Freemasonry more vibrant and dynamic.

In fact Grand Lodge of India has issued a circular letter to all the Lodges under its jurisdiction suggesting some of the modalities that can be followed by which such Masonic Liberlisation can be achieved.

I feel that since the problems faced by the Grand Lodges all over the world are somewhat similar, the steps suggested to be taken by Grand Lodge of India, to bring about Masonic Liberlisation, may also be relevant to Grand Lodges elsewhere, of course subject not only to the actual condition of Freemasonry obtaining in the jurisdiction of the different Grand Lodges, but also on account of the cultural, ethnic, economic and other differences, that inevitably exist between jurisdictions. Nevertheless, I take this opportunity for sharing various steps which Grand Lodge of India has been advising the Lodges to implement, to bring about Masonic Liberlisation which I feel can bring about improvement in Freemasonry”.

During my tenure as the Grand Master I have tried to implement my strategy by adopting various means and mechanism. Initially I was under an impression that results might be available soon. But I was wrong. Now i realise that it is just like sowing seeds of a plant, which come to fruiting after a long gap and not at least before a decade or so. In any case the strategy has started working now. Though the results are not yet visible but I am clear in my mind and of the firm belief that I have been able to make a positive impact on the minds and outlook of the brethren which definitely will yield results the years to come.

Q.:- During your years in office, Freemasonry in India has indeed been thriving. I have had the great honour of partaking in several Grand Lodge functions and visiting numerous lodges around India and have found that not only were the Brethren especially hospitable and friendly, but they were very much involved and ambitious about Freemasonry. Why do you think that Freemasonry in India is so vibrant and refreshing?

Ans.:- I think it is the positive impact of the policies adopted to bring Masonic Liberlisation and spread the message and philosophy of Freemasonry as widely as possible by instilling more Freemasonry in men which has made Freemasonry vibrant in the country. As a Grand Master my effort has been to reach personally each and every Freemason and meet him on level. One to one contact with brethren and trying to remove or clarify their doubts, if any, by senior brethren has its own impact. My emphasis always has been to encourage younger masons and bring them in front to manage the affairs of the Lodge with Past Masters performing the role of advisors only.

Q.:- I have read some statistics you outlined in one of your previous speeches about the amount of lodges and their membership from year to year, and I believe that most countries would like to see the same results.

2006 – 342 Lodges, 16,500 Brethren
2007 – 351 Lodges, 17,229 Brethren
2008 – 356 Lodges, 18,004 Brethren

This massive increase I’m sure is the envy of many other Grand Lodges and I have several questions regarding them.

1 – What do you believe is the driving force behind new membership?

Ans.:- In the paper ‘Bringing about improvement to freemasonry’ I had mentioned about various circulars issued by the Grand Lodge of India to its Lodges and ways and means to be adopted and suggested that with some modification according to their own requirements the same could be adopted in various Grand Lodges. I mentioned:

In fact Grand Lodge of India has issued a circular letter to all the Lodges under its jurisdiction suggesting some of the modalities that can be followed by which such Masonic Liberlisation can be achieved.

I feel that since the problems faced by the Grand Lodges all over the world are somewhat similar, the steps suggested to be taken by Grand Lodge of India, to bring about Masonic Liberalisation, may also be relevant to Grand Lodges elsewhere, of course subject not only to the actual condition of Freemasonry obtaining in the jurisdiction of the different Grand Lodges, but also on account of the cultural, ethnic, economic and other differences, that inevitably exist between jurisdictions. Nevertheless, I take this opportunity for sharing various steps which Grand Lodge of India has been advising the Lodges to implement, to bring about Masonic Liberlisation which I feel can bring about improvement in Freemasonry.


Q.:- What advice would you give to other Grand Lodges to help foster growth within their jurisdictions?

Ans.:- In detail I had mentioned about 5-‘R’s Strategy to be adopted for bringing about improvement in Freemasonry and implementation of the Vision and Mission, which ultimately would help the other Grand Lodges to foster growth within their jurisdiction. For full details my paper be read, a copy of which I am sending to you separately.

Q.:- What are the statistics for 2009?

The statistics up to 30th September, 2009 are that there are 366 Lodges and 18,559 Brethren. Out of 366 Lodges only 361 lodges are functional. One stands merged and the other four sand erased.

Statistics as on 25.10.2009 of the membership within the Grand Lodge of India

EASTERN REGION
Lodges: 55
Members: 2322

NORTHERN REGION
  Lodges: 105
Members:  4777

SOUTHERN REGION
Lodges: 127
Members: 8722

WESTERN REGION
Lodges: 74
Members: 2738

TOTAL
Lodges: 361
Membership: 18559

Q.:- In the past few years Freemasonry in India has seen several media outlets discuss Freemasonry in the public eye. Most notably and perhaps the most well distributed was the Speaking Tree article in the Time of India. In the past Freemasonry had been mistakenly viewed as elitist or a closed society, as the Grand Master, how do you feel the perceptions of the Indian public have changed, or have they at all?

The Grand Lodge had, in order to demystify Freemasonry adopted a unique way in conducting Divine Service. Immediately after I took over as the Grand Master I attended the 8th World Conference of the Grand Masters at Paris from 2nd December, 2006. In that Conference I read a paper ‘DIVINE SERVICE - A UNIQUE INDIAN MASONIC CEREMONY’. The broad theme of the conference was “Spiritual Openness in the Modern World” and one of its sub themes was “Exchange of live experiences of Regular Grand Lodges of the World”. It is in this context, that I shared my experience of a rather unique Ceremony, which we Grand Lodge of India had adopted in our country, for public demonstration projecting the underlying principles of the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man, as propagated by Freemasonry and identifying common threads for linking these principles, with the teachings contained in the Religious Books of the Major Religions of the World. How the ceremony is conducted and what is the mechanism of making general public aware of the fundamental of freemasonry, you will find in the paper, a copy of which I am sending to you.

Since the media is also invited to attend the Divine Service, the event is often reported in the local newspapers with appropriate photographs and sometimes these Divine Services are also shown in Television by way of news clippings. The feed back so far received shows that the public is quite impressed by the Divine Service and at the end of it, are now better informed about Freemasonry and its objectives and laudable purposes.

After this step another major step was taken to allow the non-masons (families and friends of the Masons) to witness a ceremony in which Long Term Service Jewels are Presented by the Grand Lodge to those who have completed 25, 40,50 and 60 years of continued service to Freemasonry.

The Installation ceremony of the next Grand Master at Chennai will also be conducted, for the first time, in presence of non-Masons (by invitation).

The Website of the Grand Lodge is very informative also provide sufficient material of interest to a lay man.

Small cards like visiting cards are available to be given to a lay man when it is notice that he is showing some interest about freemasonry. It contains broad information about Freemasonry. Address of our Website, email and postal address with phone numbers of the Grand Secretary are mentioned therein.

Major or important masonic events are reported in the local news papers and on TV as well.

Various charitable projects are undertaken by almost all Lodges, which draws attention of the local population and then on further interest being shown by any member of the public he is made aware of the broad outliners.

The result of all these steps has been that slowly and gradually there is positive awareness about Freemasonry and in its principles resulting in number of people sending email requests asking more about it and expressing interest to join freemasonry. The concerned person is directed to contact a Mason in that Town and thereafter usual procedure is adopted to take him in, in case he is found to be worthy and fit.

This is how in a gradual manner we are trying to convey the message of Freemasonry to the society.

Q.:- During my last visit to India I visited the Masonic Public School, a school fully funded by the charitable endeavours of the Masonic Fraternity in India. I know there are several other projects that Freemasons fund and I wonder if you would outline some of them briefly.

Ans.:- Tsunami hit the Coastal Region of Southern India on 26th December 2004. In response to an appeal made by the Grand Lodge of India to provide relief to Tsunami victims, generous donations were received not only from the brethren and Lodges within the country, but also from Lodges and Grand Lodges abroad, for providing relief to the victims of Tsunami disaster.

It was left to the Grand Lodge of India to apply the funds so received, on suitable projects to provide relief to the Tsunami victims. Pallam Village in Kanyakumari District was one of the worst affected areas of Tsunami. With the efforts of brethren of Lodge Travancore No.329 and other well wishers and brethren in the vicinity of Pallam Village of Kanyakumari District and donation of land by the Parish Priest of Pallam, it was possible for the Grand Lodge of India to identify a project for construction of a Community Centre for the benefit and use of the villagers of Pallam at an estimated cost of Rs.45 lakhs.

The Foundation Stone for the Community Centre was laid on 1st May, 2007. It was possible to complete this project within a record time of less than one year. The Community Centre was inaugurated on 14th April, 2008, and a Divine Service was also conducted to mark the occasion.

The assistance to be provided to the Tsunami Victims of the Pallam Village did not end with the providing of the Community Centre. Some of the villagers were found to be without permanent living quarters, as their huts in which they were living had been washed away by Tsunami and they were not in a position to construct for want of sufficient funds. Their plea for providing them permanent living quarters was considered by The Grand Lodge of India therefore a new project was launched for construction of 59 houses for the villagers in two phases, by contributing 50% of the cost, On completion of 59 houses and handing over to the villagers in suitable phases the settlement has appropriately been named as ‘MASONIC NAGAR’ in A Commemorative function organised on 9th August 2009. I personally visited thrice the village, to lay the foundation stone in a masonic function, on inauguration of the Community Hall and on 9th August, 2009. The salient feature of this entire project, of which the freemasons of India are proud of, is that the Roman Catholics have been closely associated with the same. Land was provided for by the Parish Priest of Pallam, Acting Bishop was present at the time of inauguration and the Bishop himself was present when the Community Hall was inaugurated and handed over to the Village Community.

Q. Funding all of these honourable projects is done through numerous facilities, one of which is a wonderful plan called the Grand Masters Rupee Club, can you tell me a little more about that?

Ans.:- It is not the Grand Masters Rupee Club which funds the projects. Grand Masters Rupee Club is a separate scheme. This scheme called The Grand Master’s Rupee Club was established by Grand Lodge of India in 1999.

The premise on which the scheme was based is as follows:-

If M.W. the Grand Master were to knock at the door of a brother and ask for contribution to charity, the brother would certainly give to the Grand Master at least One Rupee as his contribution. If M.W. the Grand Master would knock at the door of the same brother the next day he would surely not hesitate to give another Rupee for a charitable cause. Therefore, if M.W. the Grand Master would call on every brother in the country on each of the 365 days of a year, M.W. the Grand Master was sure to collect Rs.365.00 from each brother towards the cause of CHARITY.

It was therefore proposed that a scheme of Grand Master’s Rupee Club be started to which every brother in the country may, if he is so charitable disposed of, contribute in one lump, during one calendar year, an amount of Rs.365.00 @ Rs.1 per day. The Grand Master’s Rupee Club also provides that a brother may become a Life Member of the Club by making one time lump sum payment of Rs.4000/-. The funds so collected in the Grand Master’s Rupee Club is intended to provide immediate relief to deserving causes at the discretion of M.W. the Grand Master up to a maximum of Rs.1 lakh per occasion.

The Scheme has now been in operation for about 10 years. The Grand Master’s Rupee Club is now an independent TRUST with Income Tax benefit under Section 80-G of Income Tax Act.

Funding of the other projects is by separate voluntary contributions by the members of various Lodges. The Brethren makes separate contributions to he projects undertaken by the Regions, as and when the said projects are announced. In addition to this each individual Lodge or group of Lodges also undertake various charitable Projects for which funding is by the Brethren of that particular Lodge or group of Lodges. Wives of Brethren have also formed associations at various places. They either help the Brethren in implementing the projects or executing projects at their own level. Some of the details are available with me, which are sent to you as a separate document.

Q.:- If people from outside India were interested in helping out with some charitable donations, how would they go about contacting the Grand Lodge?

Ans.- Protocol demands that outside Grand Lodges have to be contacted through the Grand Secretary alone. As such the Grand Lodges or its subordinate Lodges can contact the Grand Secretary.

Q.: Recently I have seen a buzz of Internet activity from Brethren in India, from Masonic Vibes, to you yourself partaking in the sharing of Masonic information on Facebook. I know from your biography that you had helped to spear-head the technological and computerization of the Judiciary, are you doing the same now to Freemasonry?

Ans.:- We must make fullest use of the Modern Technology. I also wish that each and member of the Grand Lodge could be computer savvy. It is very easy to interact and it enables the brethren to get information on any subject or aspect of freemasonry.

The internet has made the entire world as a small village within your reach. I have attended 8th and 9th World Conferences at Paris and Washington D.C respectively. I am already at LIBREVILLE - GABON- to attend the 11th World Conference at Libreville-Gabon from 3rd November to 7th November, 2009. During the last three years these world conferences and other visits abroad has brought me so many good friends with whom I am now in touch only by use of this technology.

The Grand Lodge will shortly undertake to update entire data about the brethren and have the date of the Regional Grand Lodges integrated so that communication is faster and details are available on tips. I went to Mauritius to install the Grand Master of Grand Lodge of Mauritius. I visited number of other Grand Lodges and have made good friends abroad. I want to remain in touch with them only to share experience and continue fraternal relations. After all we are taught to unite in the Grand Design of being happy and communicating happiness.

MWBrother Justice Devinder Gupta, I sincerely thank you for the interview and your time!

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Remembrance Ceremony Benediction

2009-11-04T01:29:00.004-05:00

Nov 3, 2009
General Business Meeting with Remembrance Ceremony

Centennial King George Lodge 171

Richmond, BC, Canada

Grand Lodge of BC and Yukon

Benediction read at Lodge for Remembrance Ceremony

They shall grow not old
as we that are left shall grow old.

Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun,
and in the morning,
we shall remember them.

May we ever pray :
Lord god of hosts,
be with us yet.

Lest we forget,
lest we forget.

"The Ode" from the poem "For the Fallen" by Laurence Binyon.

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Remembrance Day Grace

2009-11-04T01:25:00.004-05:00

Nov 3, 2009
General Business Meeting with Remembrance Ceremony
Centennial King George Lodge 171
Richmond, BC, Canada
Grand Lodge of BC and Yukon

As Chaplain I read the following at Grace for the festive board. I did not write this, but I thought it nice to share.

Remembrance Day Grace for Festive Board

Dear Lord,

Protect our sailors while at sea
Watch over them wherever they be

Protect our soliders while at war
We pray for peace for evermore

Let us remember the wars that passed
Where lives were lost for peace to last

Now while we eat and have our fun
We spare a thought for those with none

S.M.I.B.
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Arkansas Freemasonry - Another Grand Lodge in Court

2009-11-01T17:59:00.004-05:00

Brethren,

I would like you to read the following e-mail which outlines some controversy happening down in Arkansas. You can see more information and previous e-mails here. I think this story deserves to be shared and I would like to ask your help in passing it on to as many Brethren as possible. I feel that this letter sent to me has been presented in a thoughtful manner by a concerned Brother directly involved in the incident and that as a Fraternity we need to address these type of issues.

Please review the following letter Brethren.
S&F
Bro. Ken Dennis

Dear Brother Ken,

Here are the facts and you can decide why or why not the Grand Master (Grand lodge) may have taken the actions he (they) did.

I joined Nettleton Lodge #657 in 1995. At that time I was a Human Resources Manager for a local manufacturing company and well known in the community. I knew nothing about Freemasonry in Arkansas but shortly after joining I quickly realized that many of the Brethren, especially the older members, had a prejudice against blacks and felt black men should not be allowed in Masonry. This being in direct conflict with how I had been raised and in direct conflict in what I taught and practiced on a daily basis in my job, I decided that I had two choices---either to dimit out of Masonry or stay in and try to change the attitude of the fraternity. I chose to attempt the latter.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that there were no rules in our digest of Laws preventing a black man from joining. I quickly learned that the prejudice began at the very top (Grand Lodge) and filtered down to the subordinate lodges. Through education and "whispering good council" in a lot of my Brother's ears, I with the help of some others were successful in changing the attitude in our local lodge.

I moved through the chairs quickly, serving as Worshipful Master during the year 2000 and again during 2003. I also served as DDGM for four years and became well acquainted with many members of the Grand Lodge. As a matter of fact a fellow member of our lodge and a close friend of mine (MW O.C. Boyd) was Grandmaster of Masons in Arkansas during the year 2000. He would constantly tell me that you could not fight Grand Lodge. Whether they were right or wrong---they could do whatever they wanted because they had absolute power.

During my year as Worshipful Master I accepted a petition from a black man in Jonesboro. This raised a lot of concern with Grand Lodge officers. Brother Boyd told me he was directed by Grand Lodge to inform me that if I allowed a black man to join Freemasonry in Arkansas I would be expelled from the fraternity. I refused to back down and allowed the petition to proceed to a vote. The Committee of Investigation was also threatened and they reported "unfavorable" even though they confided in me that their investigation had turned up nothing that should have prevented the man from becoming a Mason.

My blood brother, Melvin Pickney, joined our lodge around 2000 and also became my Masonic brother. Melvin has a daughter who is married to a black man and they have a 10 year old son who is black. My daughter also has a 10 year old son but is white. We would bring our families quite often to open functions at the lodge, pancake breakfasts', etc. and we made it common knowledge that our personal goal was to have both of our grandsons become Free & Accepted Masons of Arkansas on their 21st birthdays. Our position on this matter seemed to cause some discomfort among Grand Lodge officials. All the while I continued to present educational programs at every opportunity stressing that Freemasonry should judge every man by what is in his heart, and not by his color.

In the spring of 2007 our lodge accepted a petition for the degrees from a man who worked with one of our well respected members, who was also a "Recommend-er" on the petition. The day of his scheduled Entered Apprentice initiation the Worshipful Master, who was Melvin Pickney, received an e-mail from a a Brother concerning the candidate's religion. As you well know Freemasonry does not consider a man's religion, just a belief in the one true and living God, and an Investigation Committee and the entire lodge had voted to accept this man. However, due to the concern that had been voiced, just prior to the initiation the Worshipful Master called a meeting of the following group of people: The Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Secretary, the candidate, the member voicing the concern, and the member that had recommended the candidate. The candidate was asked to explain how he practiced his religion (Wicca), and he convincingly expressed his belief in the one true and living God. The candidate was then excused from the meeting and the remaining members reviewed what had been discussed and agreed unanimously that they found no reason to not proceed with the degree. That night the candidate became an Entered Apprentice Mason in our lodge.

The Grand Lodge somehow became aware of the new EA and I personally had three conversations with the Grand Secretary (James Weatherall) about the matter. Mr. Weatherall conceded the fact that it was not a violation of the Digest of Laws to initiate a person of Wicca belief but insisted that the lodge, for the good of Masonry, should ask the new member to expel himself, which we did and he complied. The member who had recommended the new candidate, Brother John Smith, objected to the intrusion by Grand Lodge and he also expelled himself as a form of protest. The Arkansas Digest of Laws is very clear in stating that the Grand Lodge will not interfere with the subordinate lodges in any way in their selection of candidates. (Please note that this candidate expelled himself one week after he was initiated and never attended a regular meeting.)

The Digest of Laws in Arkansas has a section whereby a Mason, who admits he has committed un-masonic conduct, and wishes to avoid a trial, or "for personal reasons" can voluntarily expel himself for life without any recourse or appeal. This is the section under which Brother John Smith expelled himself. During the summer of 2007 our lodge made a request of the Grand Master to reinstate Brother Smith but he refused to even consider it. He stated that the Digest of Laws would not allow him to reinstate Mr. Smith but on many other occasions he has asserted that the Grand Master has the authority to do whatever he desires, irregardless of the Digest.

It didn't make any sense to me and other members of our lodge why Mr Smith, who was a good Mason and had done nothing un-masonic, was barred from the fraternity for life while at the same time a man who had committed un-masonic conduct, charged and found guilty by trial, and expelled from the fraternity, had language in the Digest that allowed him to re-petition his lodge after a period of time and be re-instated if the lodge so desired. We did not understand why self expulsion for personal reasons would carry with it a lifetime sentence more severe that an expulsion for un-masonic conduct, so the lodge submitted a resolution to be voted on at the next Grand Lodge session scheduled for February, 2008 requesting that the words "or for personal reasons" be stricken from the Digest.

Two relevant incidents happened in December, 2007. Early in the month Melvin Pickney(WM) and myself made a trip to Little Rock (Grand Lodge office) to research the section of the Digest that related to our lodge's resolution. We were trying to learn when the language initially went into the Digest, the intent or purpose of the language, and the number of good men who had self-expelled themselves in haste or without thinking it through and had wanted to be reconsidered but were trapped by the language. What we did find was very surprising. We found that the language had been copied from similar language in the Texas Digest and had been voted on and added to our Digest in 1999 upon the recommendation of then Grandmaster Marty Byers. What was surprising was that the words "or for personal reasons" did not exist in the original language and were never voted into the Digest by Grand Lodge delegates. The 1999 Proceedings include the section without the four words "or for personal reasons" and the best I can tell the words were added to the Digest a few years later during a reprint, but not by authority of Grand Lodge delegates.

When we discovered this discrepancy we questioned the Grand Secretary as to how it could have happened and he became visibly flustered and said he did not know how it happened. We also discussed it with several past Grandmasters and they knew nothing either. I telephoned past Grandmaster Byers to ask him but he refused to discuss it. I asked the Grand Secretary to research the "error" and let me know what he found out but he never got back to me.

Later in December, 2007 we installed new lodge officers at an open meeting where a multitude of friends and family (non-masons) were present. John Smith, the ex-member who was no longer a member for personal reasons only, attended the meeting to congratulate his longtime friend, Jerry Smith (no relation) who was being installed as the incoming Worshipful Master. No one objected to John Smith being present at the open meeting and no one even considered there might be something un-masonic by him attending.

I realize this has gotten kinda long but I have said it all to emphasize five points:

I have consistently expressed my thoughts on prejudice within the fraternity
A candidate of Wicca belief was initiated and self-expelled at the request of Grand Lodge
My brother and I discovered an error in our Digest of Laws
Our lodge submitted a resolution in an effort to correct the Digest error
John Smith attended a meeting that was open to the public

Nettleton Lodge #657 was the most active and progressive lodge in northeast Arkansas and is over 100 years old. Grand Lodge, prior to February, 2008 had never indicated in any way that Nettleton Lodge had any problems. When the Nettleton Lodge delegation of officers arrived at Grand Lodge in February, 2008 we opened our session packets and learned for the first time that Grandmaster MW R.L. Sheffield would be recommending that our charter be arrested. The reasons given were that Nettleton Lodge had initiated a candidate of Wicca belief in April of 2007 and had allowed an expelled Mason to attend a Masonic function in December, 2007. We were stunned to say the least. After arresting our charter the next order of business was considering resolutions. The Grand Secretary stated that the resolution submitted by Nettleton Lodge would not be considered because the lodge was no longer a lodge. (So much for explaining the illegal language,)

Now you have the facts and you have the reasons listed by Grand Lodge as to why they decided to arrest the charter of a 100 year-old lodge that was as active as any in the state. They made the decision to arrest the charter without even checking with the lodge officers to tell them what was about to happen or to even ask them if the reasons were valid.

I know that certain Grand Lodge officials do not agree with my position on the issue of race and I have been told by a third party that a certain Grand Lodge officer said my and Melvin's trip to Little Rock in December to do research on the Digest was the end of our Masonic careers. By the way, since Melvin was no longer an officer in 2008 he could not be expelled, as I was, for refusing to turn over the assets of the lodge so it is now alleged by Grand Lodge that he was expelled because he allowed John Smith to attend the open installation meeting. Forget the fact that the Digest of laws clearly states that no Worshipful Master can be charged with anything that occurred during his term of office after he has left office.

I hope this lengthly explanation helps you a little.

Fraternally,
Darrell Pickney

You can also view the previous e-mails here.
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Grand Lodge Arkansas and Nettleton Lodge Emails Lead-up

2009-11-01T17:58:00.001-05:00

Brethren,

I would like to share with you a series of e-mails between myself and a Brother in Arkansas, which are the lead-up to the main article. This is the initial e-mails explaining to me what is going on. Please read them and share them with other Brethren.

Thank you,
Bro Ken

Darrell D. Pickney:

Brother Ken,

There is a very similar situation happening in Arkansas that is happening in West Virginia. In February, 2008, the Grand Master of Arkansas pulled the charter of Nettleton Lodge #657 without justification or valid reason,then expelled the WM, JD, Treasurer, and Secretary for failing to turn over all lodge property and cash assets to Grand Lodge. Nettleton Lodge #657 filed suit to keep ownership of its property and in July of this year was victorious in that lawsuit,

At the same time the Grand Master slandered the expelled brethren throughout the state and a second lawsuit was filed. The slander lawsuit will be heard early next year. The Grand Lodge has tried to prevent Masons in Arkansas from even discussing the situation or lawsuits.

I would like to get this information on MasonicTravels.com to hopefully help keep Arkansas Masons informed as to what is going on. I can give you any additional information you may need as I am the secretary of Nettleton Lodge #657 that was expelled and am a party to the lawsuit.

Fraternaly,
Darrell D. Pickney

MasonicTravels.com:

Greetings Brother,

If you type up an article, and try to be as objective and unbiased as possible, stating facts then I would be happy to review it. I do carefully monitor the information I put on the site, because unlike some masonic sites on the internet, I try not to start up big controversy unless it is entirely justifiable, even then I prefer to do it from a mediator stand point.

If you are looking for shock value, I can recommend a few other places to post your information too .

S&F
Ken

Darrell D. Pickney:

Dear Brother Ken,

The reason I selected your site was because I could see that it was a serious site and very positive toward Freemasonry. My goal in asking you to post information concerning our situation in Arkansas was not to create controversy but rather to educate and inform brethren not only in Arkansas but across the United States that abuse of power at the Grand Lodge level does exist, unfortunately more often that we care to admit. I am not looking for "shock" value, however every true Mason who learns the truth about what is happening in Arkansas would be truly shocked. I don't know how much detail you want or need but I will as briefly as possible relate to you what has occurred. If you then need specific questions answered I would be glad to do that and provide whatever documentation you may need.

During Grand Lodge session in February, 2008, without any prior discussion or notice, the outgoing Grand Master (MW R.L. Sheffield) announced that he was arresting the charter of Nettleton Lodge # 657 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Two weeks later the new Grand Master (MW James Graham) without notice, trial, or any other due process expelled five leaders of Nettleton Lodge because they would not turn over the property and cash assets of the local lodge to Grand Lodge. Grand Lodge subsequently managed to take control of the lodge building by changing the locks and Nettleton Lodge filed suit in Craighead County District Court seeking to regain ownership of their property. The suit was filed in the spring of 2008 and went to trial in July, 2009. The court ruled in favor of Nettleton Lodge #657 as sole owner of the property and cash assets.

During the course of 2008 the Grand Lodge took several actions, including statewide communications to all lodges in Arkansas alleging that theft of lodge property had occurred at Nettleton Lodge then named the individuals who had been expelled. Grand Lodge has since admitted that they had no direct knowledge that theft had occurred when they communicated such information, and in fact no theft did occur. In order to put a stop to what we feel were slanderous and defaming actions of Grand Lodge, a defamation suit was filed against MW Graham and the Grand Lodge of Arkansas during the latter part of 2008. Discovery is ongoing for that lawsuit and a date is expected to be set for trial in the spring of 2010.

I will be glad to answer any questions you might have concerning the dilemma we are facing here in Arkansas.

Fraternally,
Darrell Pickney

MasonicTravels.com:

Greetings Brother Darrell,

Thank you for the information and I'm quite interested in learning more. What do you feel was the underlying reason for the GM to seize the assets of the Lodge? I find it difficult to believe that he just did it on a whim, he must have had some reason (misguided or otherwise seems to be up to the courts at the moment). Was this a personal feud between the GM and the Lodge in General or a Brother at the Lodge that sparked this harsh reaction?

I think your write-up is well done, and would like you to further elaborate as much as possible, expanding on your previous e-mail to me, write it as you would like to see it posted on the site and it sounds like something I would be very interested in reading and posting on the website.

Sincerely and Fraternally,
Ken

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FREEMASONRY AND THE ANCIENT MYSTERIES

2009-11-01T07:28:00.003-05:00

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FREEMASONRY AND THE ANCIENT MYSTERIES

Every man who joins a Freemasons Lodge has a natural curiosity to find out as much as he can about the origins and history of the Craft. When he reads the ritual he is struck by the many allusions to ancient mysteries and if this natural curiosity is not channelled in the right direction one of two things is likely to happen. He may give up, discouraged because what he has seen is incomprehensible or he may accept what he reads literally and as a result will draw many wrong conclusions.

The constant reference to biblical stories with excerpts from the Old Testament and other sources tends to lend credence to the myth that there is a direct link between Freemasonry as practiced in our Lodges and these Biblical sources. However plausible it may sound there is nothing at all to substantiate such a link!

No less a personage than M.W. Bro. John Ross Robertson, the founder of the Toronto Telegram, a Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the province of Ontario, an historian and classicist has left us this message: ‘From my research into this matter, I can find no substantive evidence that there is any evidence which would lead me to the conclusion that there is any evidence of a direct link between the Old Testaments and Freemasonry; which would substantiate a claim of direct descendancy to Masonry today and the workmen mentioned in “Holy Writ”.’

All things considered this line of research is in itself only of academic interest because there is more to Masonry than the dry bones of speculation.

For anyone studying Masonic literature and comparative religions, the remarkable presence of common factors, common beliefs, doctrines, practices and symbols whether they are ancient or modern, civilized or barbarian, eastern or western, Christian or Pagan is quite remarkable. Regardless of the separation by virtue of knowledge, morals or customs between the great religions of the world they employ or exemplify certain of these symbols in common with each other.

Masonic literature abounds with examples of the use of some of these symbols which are displayed prominently in Lodges. In fact, many authors take great delight in showing that a certain symbol is ancient and universal and at the same time fail to go further and explain the reason for this antiquity and universality. In other words, they are content to point out that a symbol is being used but there is no solid evidence that its use ties Masonry directly to the source of the symbol. Just because it is used does not automatically establish a viable connection to any one religion.

For instance, the symbolism attached to the construction of King Solomon’s Temple is said to symbolize perfect development of mind and character because tradition dictated that King Solomon’s Temple was the most perfect structure ever erected. Nowhere does it imply that Freemasons are directly linked to the workmen referred to in the Old Testament. It is used by Masons in order to illustrate the many moral lessons to be taught and consequently it has been used quite freely and effectively.

There is no question that we can trace, and obtain direct evidence of the founding meetings of modern Masonry and there is little doubt that these early Masons used symbols which were the popular currency of their day. These symbols were used to illustrate and highlight the lessons. They became much more relevant when they were tied to something or someone in antiquity to teach a lesson or illustrate a moral point. Unfortunately this connection is misunderstood and there is now confusion and irrelevancy to upset the brethren whereas there should be clarity and understanding.

Because this happens we should seek to have it clarified. On the contrary, Masters are enjoined when installed in the Chair of King Solomon that they will without exception adhere to the ritual of the Lodge as laid down by their Grand Lodge, and this includes the symbolic use of ancient mysteries as contained in the work. The ancient mysteries that Masons, among others, use are The Mysteries of Osiris (Egypt); of Mithras (Persia); of Adonis (Syria); Of Dionysus, Bacchic and Eleusis (Greece) and the Druids (Gaul and Britain).

The ancient mysteries, in general, were established by men of great moral fibre to teach purity, to ameliorate the cruelty of the human race, refine its morals and manners and to restrain society by the obligations of fraternity.

The link, therefore, between Masonry as we know it and practice it, and the ancients mysteries is both strong and yet also quite tenuous. There is no direct link, but when we start talking about the lessons taught by these mysteries we are then on much firmer ground. The philosophies set out by Freemasonry draw quite heavily from the lessons established for us by these ancient mysteries.

Although there is a relationship between Freemasonry and the ancient mysteries, we must be careful not to over-sentimentalize the situation and claim for this relationship something that is not. We must, therefore, always be cautious and thorough in our researches and accurate in the production of information about our gentle craft.

Observations by Bro. Francis Dowe F.C.F. Former Secretary, Centennial No. 684 G.R.C.

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QUALIFICATIONS OF A TRUE MASON

2009-10-30T07:17:00.001-04:00

THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A TRUE MASON

All true Masons know that their work is not secret, but they realize that it must remain unknown to all who do not live the true Masonic life. Yet if the so-called secrets of Freemasonry were shouted from the housetops, the Fraternity would be absolutely safe; for certain spiritual qualities are necessary before the real Masonic secrets can be understood by the brethren themselves. Hence it is that the alleged 'exposures' of Freemasonry, printed by the thousands and tens of thousands since 1730 down to the present hour, cannot injure the Fraternity. They reveal merely the outward forms and ceremonies of Freemasonry. Only those who have been weighed in the balance and found to be true, upright, and square have prepared themselves by their own growth to appreciate the inner meanings of their Craft. To the rest of their brethren within or without the lodge their sacred rituals must remain, as Shakespeare might have said, 'Words, words, words. 'Within the Mason's own being is concealed the Power, which, blazing forth from his purified being, constitutes the Builder's Word. His life is the sole password which admits him to the true Masonic Lodge. His spiritual urge is the sprig of acacia which, through the darkness of ignorance, still proves that the spiritual fire is alight. Within himself he must build those qualities which will make possible his true understanding of the Craft. He can show the world only forms which mean nothing; the life within is forever concealed until the eye of the Spirit reveals it.

Reprinted from 'The Lost Keys of Freemasonry 'by Manly P. Hall. Contributed by Bro. J.A. &ott, Edinburgh Lodge, No. 736, G.R.C., Ottawa, Ont.

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PLENTY

2009-10-28T07:14:00.001-04:00

In the second degree, we hear of the significance of the word 'plenty'. We symbolize it in Freemasonry by an ear of corn, or sheaf of wheat. Mackey informs us that in ancient symbolism, the goddess was depicted as a young nymph crowned with flowers and holding in her right hand the horn of Amalthea, the goat that suckled Jupiter; and in her left a bundle of wheat sheaves. Referring to the story told in the floorwork of the passes of the Jordan, he further quotes Burder, that, in Arabian countries dialectic differences of pronunciation are much greater between regional groups than they are in other parts of the world, thus making the pronunciation of the original work a much simpler distinction than might be at first expected. Mackey further quotes other similar incidents of pronunciation as a password in history. I refer the interested student to that entry for some food for thought.

My interests this evening, however, are more philosophical. Oxford defines the word 'plenty' as 'Abundance, as much as one could desire . . . ' In the second degree we are told of how the craftsmen were paid their wages and of their pleasant employment at the temple. I wish to juxtapose that image of well employed and well cared for workmen with the images in the first degree where we learn much of the Masonic art of charity. Benevolence has formed an important part of the teachings and organization of our craft and the committees of benevolence at Lodge, District and- Grand Lodge levels have an important role to play. We have all been reminded poignantly, in the first degree, of the role that this virtue is to play in our lives and in our Masonic character. Perhaps it is fitting to look at it in light of to how much 'plenty' we enjoy. A number of years ago, my neighbours helped me to erect a garden shed. We placed it carefully on a level, clean patio laid for the purpose. We congratulated ourselves on how weatherproof it was and snug, and that night I found myself reflecting gloomily that a very great portion of the world's people would thrill to have that small shed as their principal dwelling.

A provocative statistic came to me a year or so ago: that the very poorest earning Canadian, he who has the very lowest annual income of welfare, is still in the top 10% of the world's wage earners. Plenty indeed! We have it! A clerical brother once told me with a spark of fervour in his eye, that I should be careful when I pray 'Thy will be done’, for I was likely praying for a much lower standard of living when the world's income was equitable distributed by the will of the Grand Geometrician of the Universe. I have no doubt that he was right.

Let us not forget either, that the principal analogy of our gentle craft is that of work. Our talents are many. I look about our Lodge room and see an awesome array of abilities, skills, knowledge and influence. Do we share these? I know of a good number of Masons whose interests and involvements extend far beyond the walls of the Lodge and who contribute their talents with great vigour and energy to others in this world. There are others whose outreach is less extensive but who, through Masonic Art, extend knowledge of this philosophy to their younger brethren, influencing them to make contributions in the community and the world at large outside our portals.

What should a man do with the plenty that is his? I think that our brothers know that answer.

Masonic Education presented by W. Bro. Wm. M. White of Oakridge Lodge, No. 708, G.R.C.

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FREE BORN

2009-10-26T07:12:00.003-04:00

Canadian Masons have all heard the Inner Guard's reply to the W. Master's question: 'How does he hope to obtain those privileges', when he states on behalf of the candidate 'By being a man, free-born . . . etc.' The question begs others. Are we not all free-born. Is there more to this necessary qualification than the obvious?

Slavery has been an all too recently accepted practice, and was only abolished in England in the year 1772 (1), and was bitterly contested in the American Civil War (1861 -1865). Therefore, it was in earlier times considered necessary that a candidate must be able to swear, and to prove through investigation, that he was 'free-born'. These early regulations have been altered over time, and the changes have not been universal. There is much available on the subject going well back into the earliest portions of our history. It must be remembered that our modern rules are largely inheritances or speculative interpretations of rules laid down in the ANCIENT CHARGES as set forth with some variations in the GOTHIC CONSITUTIONS. Since they were not precisely the same originally and have not been interpreted with entire uniformity, there are some differences of opinion in the many jurisdictions as to what the 'exclusions' are. Most originated from the14th to the 17th century A.D. as follows: REGIUS M.S., c. 1390; COOKE M.S., early 1 5th century; GRAND LODGE M.S., dated 1583; HARLEIAN M.S., No. 1942, c. 1670; ANTIQUITYM.S.,17thcentury;andBUCHANANM.S., 17th century. All of the GOTHIC CONSTITUTIONS confined the qualifications for apprentices to two categories, those relating to family, political, or social position and those relating to physical capacity. As a sample of one of the texts in full, ANTIQUITY M.S. stated: * * * 'and that the Apprentice be free-born and of Limbs whole as a Man ought to be and no Bastard. * * * Thirdly that he that shall be made, be able in all degree that is free-born of good kindred true, and no Bondsman, and that he have his right Limbs as a man ought to have.'

The difference between FREE-BORN, meaning free at the time of birth, and NO BONDSMAN, meaning free at the time of entering the Fraternity, will be observed. All, except REGIUS, say FREE-BORN, and the COOKE, HARLEIAN, and ANTIQUITY stop there, while GRAND LODGE and BUCHANAN cover both aspects. This difference was brought into prominence by action of the Grand Lodge of England in the 19th century. On Sept. 1, 1847, the United Grand Lodge changed the requirement that the petitioner be FREE-BORN to read FREE MAN, not both. Literally, a petitioner before 1847 in England had to be born-free but might be in bondage but, thereafter, one might have been born in slavery, yet, would not be excluded if free at the time of his petition. Unfortunately these and other changes became mingled some years ago with those of ANCIENT LANDMARKS. Because there were in the Old Charges certain provisions relating to the admission of apprentices, the idea became pretty well disseminated in the United States that these were irremovable LANDMARKS. Mackey's 18th LANDMARK, which has been expressly adopted by 4 Grand Lodges and is followed more or less by 13 other Grand Lodges in the United States, provides that the candidate 'shall be a man -unmutilated, free-born, and of mature age. That is to say, a woman, a cripple, or a slave or one born into slavery, is disqualified.' Happily, present practice, common sense and civil statute have shaped today's practical application of requirements in each jurisdiction. (Returning combat veterans seeking admission to the craft are not refused on the basis of physical impairments.)

The disqualification of a slave seems to have been based on the reasoning that each candidate involves himself in a solemn moral contract, and that anyone not a free agent or master of his own will and actions could not undertake the necessary obligations. Even those who had originally been in a servile state and had later acquired their liberty were considered unsuitable because it was thought that having been born into slavery and the constant domination thus submitted to, would have made clear decisions difficult, as all slavery included such a degrading of mind and abasement of spirit that no subsequent freedom could render such a candidate qualified to perform his duties as a mason. It was even stated in the past that children could not inherit a free and noble spirit except they be born of a free woman. Such thinking does not find much place with us today, and for the uninformed, the question 'are you free by birth' comes as a mild surprise.

There is a reference in the Bible where Sara demanded of Abraham, asking that he cast out this bondswoman and her son, or ‘the son of this bondswoman shall not be heir with my son’. Also, at the Grand Festival at which Abraham celebrated the weaning of Isaac, it is said that he had not paid the same compliment in the weaning of Ishmael because he was the son of a bondswoman, and consequently could not be admitted to the Freemasonry of his Father which could only be conferred upon a free-born child of a free woman.

But what is free-born? Its definition is, 'to be in a state of exemption from the control of another'. The doctrines as taught by Masons are that one should enjoy unrestricted liberty and be free in all thoughts and actions. This is carried so far in Masonry that the Grand Lodge of England will not carry out the initiation of a candidate who is only confined temporarily or has only for a short time been deprived of his liberty.

From these definitions it can be seen that the word free-born as used today by Masonry has a different meaning than that of the original interpretations. We use it in a metaphysical sense, implying that, we should be free not to act only as we wish and possibly at the expense of another, but free from the domination of passion, pride and prejudice, and from all other follies of human nature. We should be free from the delusion that we need not be obedient to the laws of nature or the civil laws of our own Country. In this sense the word freeborn is equivalent in meaning to that of integrity.

The foregoing article was prepared from a presentation made by W. Bro. Larry Burke, Harmony Lodge, No. 57, G.R.C., Binbrook, Ont. for Masonic Education, Oct. 12/88. Additional historical information was taken from Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia. (Macoy Publishing and Masonic Supply Company, Inc.).

(1) Originally this article had a mistake, 1721 -- Updated to 1772. 26/10/2009 KD
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Solomon and the Temple - Beyond the Craft

2009-10-23T07:01:00.002-04:00

Masonic tradition informs us of the Temple of Solomon which was opened on Mount Moriah in the year of the world 2992 yet we never learn what became of Solomon or the Temple.

In the Second Book of the Chronicles, we discover that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years and was buried in the city of David. Solomon's son, Rehoboam, followed his father to the throne.

The Temple retained its original splendor for only thirty-three years. In the year of the world 3033, Shishak, King of Egypt, having made war upon Rehoboam, took Jerusalem, and carried away the choicest treasures. From that time to the period of its final destruction, the history of the Temple is but a history of damage, repairs, idolatry and subsequent restorations to the purity of worship. One hundred and thirteen years after the conquest by Shishak, Joash, King of Judah, collected silver for the repairs of the Temple, and restored it to its former condition in the year of the world 3148. In the year 3264, Ahaz, King of Judah, robbed the Temple of its riches, and gave them to Tiglath-Pileser, King of Assyria, who had united with him in a war against the Kings of Israel and Damascus. Ahaz also profaned the Temple by the worship of idols. In 3276, Hezekiah, the son and successor of Ahaz, repaired portions of the Temple which his father had destroyed, and restored pure worship. But fifteen years later he was compelled to give the treasures of the Temple as a ransom to the King of Assyria who had invaded Judah. Hezekiah is supposed to have restored the Temple after his enemy had retired.

Manasseh, the son and successor of Hezekiah, fell away to Sabianism which is the worship of the sun, moon, and the stars; and desecrated the Temple in 3306 by setting up altars to the host of heaven. Manasseh was then conquered by the King of Babylon, who in 3328 carried him beyond the Euphrates. Subsequently repenting of his sins he was released from captivity, and upon returning to Jerusalem he destroyed the idols and restored the Altar of Burnt Offerings. In 3380, Josiah, who was then King of Judah, devoted his efforts to the repairs of the Temple and replaced the Ark of the Covenant in the Sanctuary. In 3398, in the reign of Jehoiakim, Nebuchadnezzar, then King of Chaldea, carried some of the sacred vessels to Babylon. Seven years afterward he took away another lot; and finally, in 3416, in the eleventh year of the reign of Zedekiah, he took the city of Jerusalem, entirely destroyed the Temple, and carried many of the inhabitants captive to Babylon.

For the fifty-two years that succeeded the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar that city saw nothing but the ruins of its ancient Temple. In the year of the world 3468 or 536 B.C. Cyrus gave permission to the Jews to return to Jerusalem, and there to rebuild the Temple of the Lord. As soon as the Decree of the Persian monarch had been formally announced to his Jewish subjects, the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin, with the Priests and Levites, assembled at Babylon under the command of Zerubbabel and prepared to return to Jerusalem, for the purpose of rebuilding the Temple. (Zerubbabel, who in the Book of Ezra, iscalled Sheshbazzar, the Prince of Judah, was the son of Shealtiel and the grandson of King Jehoiakim, or Jeconiah, who had been deposed by Nebuchadnezar and carried as a captive to Babylon.) Some few other Tribes also accompanied him to Jerusalem but the greater number remained in Babylon; even of the Priests, who were divided into twenty-four courses, only four courses returned. Cyrus also restored to the Jews the greater part of the sacred vessels of the Temple which had been carried away by Nebuchadnezzar, and five thousand and four hundred were received by Zerubbabel, the remainder being brought back by Ezra many years later.

Only forty-two thousand three hundred and sixty Israelites, exclusive of servants and slaves, accompanied Zerubbabel, out of whom he selected seven thousand of the most courageous to act as advanced guards at the head of the people. Their progress homeward was not without danger for we are informed that at the Euphrates river they were opposed by the Assyrians. Zerubbabel, however, repulsed the enemy and most of the Assyrians were slain in battle or drowned in their retreat across the river. The rest of the journey was uninterrupted, and after a march of four months, Zerubbabel arrived at Jerusalem.

Scarcely had the workmen commenced their labours, when they were interrupted by the Samaritans, who asked to unite with them in the construction of the Temple. The Jews, who looked upon the Samaritans as idolaters, refused to accept their services. The Samaritans as a consequence became their bitter enemies and caused the ministers of Cyrus to put such obstructions in the way of the construction as to seriously impede its progress for several years. With such difficulty and danger were the works conducted during this period, that the workmen were compelled to labour with the trowel in one hand and the sword in the other.

As in the building of the Temple of Solomon, the Iyrians and Sidonians were engaged to furnish the timber from the forests of Lebanon, and to conduct it in the same manner on floats by sea to Joppa. The general plan of the Temple of Zerubbabel was similar to that of Solomon but it exceeded it in almost every dimension by one-third.

The manner of the death of Zerubbabel is not recorded in Scripture. We have, however, reason to believe that he lived to a good old age, since we find no successor of him mentioned until Artaxerxes appointed Ezra as the Governor of Judea, fifty-seven years after the completion of the Temple.

The Temple was not effaced again until after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans under the emperor Titus in 70 A.D. So began the Jewish exodus from Palestine which would not see them return to Palestine until the end of the 19th century.

Other Pictures of King Solomon's Temple

Sources of Information: Mackey's Encyclopedia of Freemasonry. King James Bible. Merit Students Encyclopedia.

Submitted by Bro. Brian Wilker, Tecumseh Lodge No. 144, G.R.C., Stratford, Ont.

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Invested as Chaplain

2009-10-21T02:17:00.004-04:00

Greetings Brethren,

I am extremely happy to announce that this evening at Centennial King George Lodge No. 171 under the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon, that I was invested as Chaplain. There was a wonderful turn out of about 40-45 Brethren which packed the Lodge room.

This is the first time I have taken a chair and I'm very proud to have this great honour, of which I will discharge to the best of my ability. In this photograph we have RWBro (SW) D. Stutt (Left), VWBro (WM) T. McKeown (Centre), and myself Bro. (Chaplain) Ken (Right).

I would like to thank all those Brethren who sent kind words and advice when I announced the appointment several weeks ago!

Most Sincerely and Fraternally,
Bro Ken Dennis

I am Freemasonry

2009-10-20T07:05:00.000-04:00

I was born in antiquity, in the ancient days when men first dreamed of God. I have been tried through the ages, and found true. The Crossroads of the world bear the imprint of my feet, and the cathedrals of all nations mark the skill of my hands. I strive for beauty and symmetry.

In my heart are wisdom and strength and courage for those who ask. Upon my altar is the Book of Holy Writ, and my prayers are to the one Omnipotent God. My sons work and pray together, without rank or discord, in the public mart and in the inner chamber.

By signs and symbols I teach the lessons of life and death, and the relationship with man and God and of man with man. My arms are widespread to receive those of lawful age and good report who seek me of their own free will. I accept them and teach them to use my tools in the building of men, and thereby find direction in their own quest for perfection so much desired and so difficult to attain.

I lift up the fallen and shelter the sick. I hark to the orphan’s cry, the widow’s tears, the pain of the old and destitute.

I am not a church, nor party, nor school, yet my sons share a responsibility to God, to country, to neighbours and to themselves. They are free men, tenacious of their liberties and alert to lurking danger.

At the end I commit them as each one undertakes the journey beyond the vale into the glory of everlasting life. I ponder the sand within the glass and think how small is a single life in the eternal universe. Always have I taught immortality, and even as I raise men from darkness into light, I am a way of life. I am Freemasonry.

Reprinted from the ‘New Zealand Freemason’, Vol. 15 No. 4, Summer 1988. Submitted by R.W. Bro. David C. Bradley

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Interview with Authour Bro Todd Creason

2009-10-17T07:00:00.004-04:00

Brethren,

Today I would like to introduce you to the Authour of Famous American Freemasons Volume I & Volume II. Brother Todd Creason and I have been in contact for approximately one year and over that time have fostered a wonderful relationship. Todd has been extremely kind as to provide our readership with interesting articles of historical interest as well as being a open and friendly conduit for helping other Brethren with their research projects. So without anymore of my banter, it is with great pleasure I introduce you to Bro Todd Creason.

Thanks for doing this e-interview for MasonicTravels.com and introducing yourself to our readership. Now, I am familiar with your Masonic affiliations, but would you care to share them with us here?

I haven’t been a Mason very long. I joined Ogden Lodge No. 754, in Ogden, Illinois in 2005, and I’m currently the Senior Warden. I became a 32º Mason in Spring 2006 at the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, Illinois (NJ), and most recently, in Spring of 2008, I joined the York Rite. I’m a member of the Champaign Chapter No. 50 Royal Arch Masons, and a member of the Knights Templar Urbana Commandery No. 16—both in Illinois. I enjoy membership in several Masonic research organizations as well—the Illinois Lodge of Research, the Philalethes Society, and the Scottish Rite Research Society.

People join Freemasonry for a variety of reasons, what made you knock upon the door?

I’d have to admit it was curiosity. I’ve been running across the occasional reference to Freemasonry in my studies of American history for years. But I’d have to admit, I became fascinated with it due to books like Dan Brown’s “The Da Vinci Code” and movies like “National Treasure.” So I began researching Freemasonry. Shortly after, I ran into a friend of mine who I knew was a Past Master of Ogden. I had no idea when I filled out that petition that I was making such an important decision, but without question, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

How did you first become interested in researching famous Freemasons and what made you decide to write two books on the subject?

Shortly after I joined the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, I was invited to take part in a historic degree based on actual events that took place during the American Civil War. It was an event I knew very well, and had read many accounts of over the years. But, what I didn’t know was that just about every major player on both sides of that conflict was a Freemason. It made me wonder how Freemasons had impacted history—not the Fraternity, but the individual men. What I found was fascinating, and I realized almost immediately it would make a terrific book. I was right, the first book found an audience, and so I wrote a follow-up.

With the recent popularity of Dan Brown’s latest book the Lost Symbol, many of our non-Mason readers might be interested in knowing if you have ever drank blood from a skull in your travels? If you did, would you tell me?

You know, I keep waiting to get summoned into that secret meeting where I’ll be told the location of the Templar treasure, learn that Elvis is still alive, and be given the key to Area 51. But it hasn’t happened yet. In reality, however, the secrets really aren’t that secret—I read recently the secrets were published about two seconds after the Grand Lodge of England was formed in 1717. But people always want to believe there is more. Dan Brown tapped into that idea so many believe—that there is way more hidden behind the veil of “secret societies.” Brown has made a great living exposing the “secrets” of mysterious groups like Opus Dei, the Illuminati, and most recently, Freemasonry. But remember, Dan Brown writes fiction.

Did you enjoy the Lost Symbol?

I really did. I’ve read all his books, and I’ve really been looking forward to this one—he’s a great storyteller. Dan Brown wove just enough about Freemasonry that is absolutely true to make the fictional aspects of his story believable. I think most people know the difference between fiction and non-fiction, but there are always those that get the two confused. I’m sure there will be those that believe everything they read in the book.

What do you think the impact on the Fraternity will be as a result of it?

I think Freemasonry is going to get a lot of attention, and I hope this attention makes people want to learn more about Famous American Freemasons! There are a couple good books I could recommend! But seriously, I hope the attention on Freemasonry makes people want to learn more about the fraternity. I’d like to think there will be those out there that want to learn more and knock on the door as a result.

Freemasonry, as you know from your research, has had some amazing members in its 300 years or so, what do you feel drew these fine men in to the Craft?

That’s a good question, and one I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about. There isn’t one answer. Men join for a variety of reasons, and each seems to get something unique out of it. In my opinion, I think one thing the fraternity shares with these remarkable men is industriousness—it’s been a recurring theme in researching the lives of the famous Freemasons in my books. These famous men were in constant motion, and I know a lot of regular non-famous Masons that are like that too. It’s almost an unwritten rule that Freemasons need to have at least three projects going at any given time. Freemasons are doers, and more often than not, the men that seek out the Fraternity are doers as well. I think that industriousness, at least in part, is why there are so many famous and successful Freemasons.

Freemasonry in the past 30 years has seen steady declines and aging membership, what do you feel are the most important points that we must address to remain strong in the coming years?

I can tell you what seems to work in the lodge I belong to, and several others in my area that are seeing growth—many for the first time in years. New members are encouraged from day one to participate. Those dedicated members that have kept the lodges open out of sheer determination as the membership dwindled over the years have gladly switched roles from being the leadership to being the teachers for “the next generation” of Masons. As a result, the new members have really gotten involved, they enjoy it, and they are dedicated to learning their ritual by the book (and there is no shortage of great instructors.) And word spreads to friends and family of these new members, and one new member becomes two, becomes four, and so on. In my lodge, with the exception of the Secretary, Treasurer, and Tyler, every officer in our lodge, including our Master, has been a Mason less than five years.

You have accomplished a lot in your Masonic career, and the question begs to be asked, what is next for you?

I’m going to take a break before I start a new book, and spend more time in lodge and less time in the library. It’s funny how it’s worked out. But the more successful the books become, the less time I have to do the things that originally inspired them. I’m going to get back to the basics for awhile, and I’m sure the next inspiration will strike—maybe another book in the Famous American Freemasons series, or perhaps it will be something completely different.

Todd, Thanks for joining me for this interview, and I appreciate you taking the time out of your schedule. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next, can you give us a hint as to what that might be?

I’ve got a collection entitled “A Freemason Said That? Great Quotes of Famous Freemasons” coming out in November 2009—just in time for Christmas. It includes quotes from Freemasons all over the world. It was a fun book to put together. And of course, I believe I promised Masonic Travels an article in the next few months.

Thanks for the interview, Ken!

Thank you Todd!

Todd Creason's Books:

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The Red Sea Crossing

2009-10-15T07:20:00.001-04:00

The crossing of the Red Sea has been known as such since the account was first written. However, in recent years, when Hebrew became a living language again, attention was drawn to the Hebrew words for the "Red Sea." The Red Sea is called the End Sea. In Hebrew the word for "sea" is "yam." The word for "end" is "soff." The word for "reed" is "suff." These words are written in the holy scrolls as "YM" and "SF," with no vowels. Hebrew is a consonantal language like all Semitic languages and normally does not need vowels to deliver the meaning. This is an exceptional case where the meaning is changed by the vowel used. In the one case the translation is "the Red Sea" and in the other "the Reed Sea." The confusion in the nomenclature occurred due to the absence of vowels in the holy scriptures. Having realized this, the scholars decided that the Reed Sea made more sense. It was situated where the Suez canal is presently and was very shallow and subject to frequent wind storms. It fitted the bible story quite nicely.

In recent years, Ron Wyatt, an archeologist, investigated the Biblical account and, during the course of those investigations found evidence of a different crossing. The critical finds are those of Egyptian chariot remains in the Gulf of Aqabar. The theory now is that the Israelites crossed through the mountains from Succoth via Wadi Watir, a narrow passage which ended at Nuweiba beach on the shore of the gulf of Aqabar. The wadi and the beach are the only ones of their kind in that region. The wadi is narrow and the beach could accommodate many people. There is a land bridge from that beach across the gulf to the other side which is Saudi Arabia. A land bridge may be described as a strip of the ocean floor which rises up almost to the surface of the water and is permanent unlike the typical sand bar. It is on and near the land bridge that the Egyptian chariot remains and coral covered long bones were found. These remains consist of coral covered axles and wheel spokes. The chariot wheels were gold foil covered and have been left alone by the coral. The wood has disappeared but the gold foil remains as fragile proof of the erstwhile presence of the Egyptian chariots. There are also some coral covered human long bones together with equine remains also covered with coral.

Response by R.W. Bro. White:

This is one of my favourites! My Hebrew and Old Testament professor at Huron Seminary, said that most archeologists and serious Biblical historians are now agreed that the Exodus did not happen. They base this consensus which is little known in popular circles and certainly not taught in Sunday School, on the lack of archeological evidence. Imagine a small picnic in a city park. A week later a serious detective could easily find evidence that it had happened, but there is apparently not a single broken wheel, rusted tool, or shard of pottery to be found in the desert where the huge number of Hebrews, having left Egypt are said to have spent forty years wandering around. This is not a sandy desert where such items might easily hide; it is a rocky desert where they would be exposed eternally, yet modern day Israel's best archeologists who might be said to have an obvious vested interest in proving the Exodus have not been able to find a shred of evidence. In this debate, my much beloved professor declares himself an unappreciated dinosaur. He is a linguist, not an archeologist, but he noted five reasons why, linguistically, Biblical Hebrew appears to have at least some Egyptian origins. The simplest of these (and I am sad to say, the only one I can remember) is that the name "Moses" is linguistically not Hebrew in its form. It is Egyptian, as in the Pharaoh "Thutmoses."

The comment on the linguistic similarity of the Reed Sea and the Red Sea has been noted before. Napoleon Bonaparte who is credited with first suggesting the Suez Canal, during his Egyptian explorations is said to have crossed the Reed Sea. An excellent discussion of this can be found online at www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2008/08/ "New Evidence from Egypt on the Location of the Exodus Sea Crossing Part I." This all being the case, I am excited by Michael's reference to Ron Wyatt in this regard, and will be interested to see if my professor has any comment on it when I speak to him.

Further comment by R.W. Bro. Diamond: The idea that the exodus never happened takes its root from the lack of artifacts in the Sinai desert. There are two responses here. First: A theory or hypothesis cannot be proven with a negative. Second: The departure from Egypt was a race against time. Hence the unleavened bread.

Also, apart from being short of time the Israelites were travelling on foot which brings us to the most important consideration regarding their possessions which was weight. Jars and plates were far too heavy to be carried being made of ceramic material. Foodstuffs and liquids would no doubt be transported in skin bags and the result of this is that the only detritus left would be biodegradable. Nothing would persist for nearly two thousand years. Add to this the discovery of appropriate artifacts in the gulf of Aqabar and we have the unfolding of a historic event.

CONCLUSIONS

R.W. Bro. Diamond:

I wish to address a suggestion that my worthy brother made in his opening remarks. That of accuracy in repetition. The ancient scholars recited the Hebrew bible word by word with great attention to detail because they believed that they were dealing with the word of G-d. They did this assiduously for hundreds of years until the scribes meticulously consigned the spoken word to print. These words have been carefully copied so that a Hebrew bible today will be the same as one written in the past. The variation occurs in the translation where there are not the same restrictions and a multitude of authors have translated from the Hebrew into all kinds of eg. English, so as to appeal to those of us who are averse to the archaic style of the past.

It is in these translations that changes from the original may be found. A number of instances have been presented suggesting that some of the writings have enough information to be scrutinized by current scientific authorities and be understandable in the light of present knowledge. Not only are they understandable but they are scientifically sound. What each individual does with the information is a personal decision but there is enough to stimulate some very serious thought in terms of the value to be placed on the V.o.S.L.

R.W. Bro. White:

I am impressed with, delighted by, and interested in my friend's investigations. They are of the sort that we all need to undertake when we study our V.o.S.L. Important questions are always of the sort I have suggested: "How did this get here?" "Why is it in here?" and, "What does it mean to us today?" I believe that God has revealed more of his will in the V.o.S.L. than in any other document. The issue for us when we try to understand it is always "How do we best obey that will?"

by R.W. Bro. Michael Diamond FCF, PGR and R.W. Bro. William White, Grand Chaplain for The Committee on Masonic Education

October 2009

JOSHUA'S LONG DAY

2009-10-13T07:03:00.012-04:00

Updated: 1-Nov-2009: Brethren, though the following article is rather interesting to read, it is indeed an urban-legend. I leave it on the site because it gives us a warm feeling, feelings of hope, feelings of the almighty. However it is indeed false and the attributions towards nasa and other "factual" information is false. The full detail of this urban myth can be viewed here.

The following paper was read at the Victoria Lodge of Education and Research Annual Banquet on April 15, 1986 by Wor. Bro. David Brown, Past Master of Britannia Lodge 73, Seaforth.

The hailing sign or sign of supplication took its rise from the time when Joshua was fighting the battles of the Lord. It was in this position that he prayed fervently that the Almighty would continue the light of day, that he might complete the overthrow of his enemies.

That is something that every Freemason has heard and seen time and time again. And I wager that each of you has given thought as to what was meant by ‘continuing the light of day'. I expect that you have, at some time, read the account of this in the V.S.L.; however, let me refresh your memory as I take a moment to read to you as it is written in the Book of Joshua, 10th Chapter, verses 12 - 14 (Living Bible). It reads:

'As the men of Israel were persuing and harassing the foe, Joshua prayed aloud, 'Let the sun stand still over Gibeon and let the moon stand in its place over the Valley of Aijalon!' And the sun and the moon did not move until the Israeli army had finished the destruction of its enemies! So the sun stopped in the heavens and stayed there for almost 24 hours! There had never been such a day before and there has never been another since, when the Lord stopped the sun and moon, all because of the prayer of one man.'

When they speak of the sun standing still, the one and only explanation that comes to my mind is that the earth stopped revolving. But to my limited intelligence at this moment, I don't believe that is possible. I have studied quite a bit of astronomy and there is one universally accepted fact to which I concur; that is, the definite relationship of movement among all heavenly bodies. One body cannot move off course, speed up or slow down, without effecting the whole system.

You and I can relate to what would happen if we tossed a monkey wrench into a high speed news printing machine while it was running. The chain reaction would be devastating and the whole machine would probably self destruct. Likewise, using our imaginations, if it were possible to throw a wrench into the cosmic machinery; well, I would probably be quite safe in saying that the consequences would be astronomical!

So if the prayer of one man, Joshua, was answered, and it said in the Sacred Volume that it was, did the Almighty Architect stop the cosmic machinery momentarily, or did He put his hand on this little speck of a planet called Earth and stop it from turning for about a day? What do you think, Brethren?

Over the years, I have read many passages in the Holy Book that I did not understand and I would pencil a question mark in the margin. A few years later I would find myself reading the same passages and wonder why I had put the question mark there. What had happened?

First, I did not understand and then later I did. What made the difference? Obviously more light had been revealed to me over a period of time which enabled me to understand. But I must admit that there still is a question mark beside the paragraph about the sun standing still. It has been there for several years and I expect that it will remain there for some time to come.

However, a few years ago, a book was given to me, entitled, 'How to Live Like a King's Kid'. Authored by Harold Hill. Whenever I obtain an unfamiliar book, it is my usual procedure to thumb through it to ascertain if I am interested enough to take the necessary time to read it in its entirety. As I was perusing through it, I was stopped by the caption of Chapter 13 which read,'How to find the missing day'. I immediately wondered it this bore any relationship to the prolonged day in Joshua's time. I soon found out that it did.

I have a copy of Chapter 13, and without taking anything out of context, I would like to relate a portion of that chapter. But first, in order to give you a better understanding of what is ahead, I shall read what it said about the author.

Harold Hill was born in New Hampshire in 1905. Until his recent retirement he was president of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore. During World War 2, he invented the ground energizer unit used on every American airfield for furnishing power to start airplane engines. As a man, he is a blend of imp and genius who takes delight in applying the jargon of his trade to describe his Christian experience. After emerging from a lengthy bondage to alcoholism, he has become noted as a colorful and often hilarious teacher of the deep truth of Bible experience. How to Live Like a King's Kid is Harold at his best.

He says in Chapter 13 that back in the sixties, NASA began to function to carry out the President's directive to land a man on the moon. The program got into gear at Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Maryland. 'I was involved from the start, through contractual arrangements with my company. Over the years, throughout the Mercury Gemini series of space missions, I visited the tracking station in Bermuda in a consulting capacity. My notebook soon became filled with much interesting data which I frequently shared when speaking to High School and College groups on my favorite subjects, Science, Philosophy, Evolution and the Bible. One of the stories I told often had to do with a part of the necessary ahead-of-time statistical preparation for the moon walk. The space scientists were checking the position of the sun, moon and planets out in space, calculating where they would be 100 and 1,000 years from now. In addition, they were looking into the trajectories of known asteroids and meteors so we would not send astronauts and satellites up only to have them bump into something. Satellite orbits have to be laid out in terms of where the heavenly bodies will be so that the whole thing won't become a head on traffic collision.

As they ran the computer measurement back and forth over the centuries, it came to a halt. The computer stopped and put up a red flag, which meant that there was something wrong, either with the information fed into the computer or with the results as compared to the standards. They called in the service department to check it out. 'Nothing is wrong with the computer', the technicians said, 'it is operating perfectly. What makes you think something is wrong?' 'Well, the computer shows there is a day missing somewhere in elapsed time.', the operators said. So they rechecked their data and found no answer, no logical explanation. They were at a baffled standstill.

Then one religious fellow on the team said, 'You know, one time when I was in Sunday School, they talked about the day the sun stood still.' He just about got laughed out of the room, because nobody believed him, but they didn't have anything else to try, so they invited him to show them what he was talking about. He got out a Bible and turned to the Book of Joshua where Joshua was called to battle against all the Kings of the Amorites. For the account, they found a pretty ridiculous statement for anyone who had an ounce of common sense. It said, 'There were some of the enemy left and Joshua prayed for the sun and the moon to stand still until the Israelites had finished avenging themselves upon their enemies. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, and hasted not to do down about a whole day. ''There,’ the Christian, space man said, 'is your missing day. Go ahead and check it out.'

Well, they checked it with the computer, went all the way back to the time when Joshua defeated the Kings, and found the explanation. It was close, but not close enough. The elapsed time in Joshua's day was only 23 hours and 20 minutes, not a whole day. There was still a discrepancy of forty minutes to be accounted for. Consulting the Bible record again, they found that it did not say that the sun had stood still for a whole day, but for 'about a whole day'.

So they were still in trouble. Forty minutes became extremely significant when they are multiplied many times over the orbits. Then the religious fellow remembered something else in the Bible where it said that the sun went backward. Naturally, the other space men told him he was out of his mind, but once again they had no real choice in the matter, so they went back to the Bible and read in 11 Kings, the 20th Chapter, how King Hezekiah on 'his deathbed was visited by the prophet Isaiah, who told him that he was not going to die, but that God would heal him so he would be well enough to go to the temple in three days. Furthermore, God promised to give him fifteen more years of life on earth. That was such good news that Hezekiah could not believe it. He asked for a sign as proof that it was God's word. 'Do you want the sun to go ahead ten degrees?', Isaiah asked him.

'No', Hezekiah said. 'It is too easy for the sun to go ahead ten degrees. It does that all the time. It goes ahead every day. But how about letting the shadow return backward ten degrees? That will be a new thing and then I can believe. 'And so Isaiah spoke to the Lord, and the Lord brought the shadow ten degrees backward.

Brethren, 10 degrees rotation of the earth is exactly 40 minutes. Twenty-three hours and twenty minutes accounted for in Joshua's day, plus forty minutes accounted for in Hezekiah's day, there was the whole twenty-four hours; the missing day that the space scientists had to make allowance for in the logbook.

I had given this account a number of times in schools and in meetings where I had been invited to speak, using it as just one example of how science is proving that some of the so-called 'preposterous' things in the Bible are true.

For further details, I refer you to a book called Joshua's Long Day, written by a Yale Uniersity professor, Dr .C. A. Totten, way back in l89O.Readingpartota book report of 'Joshua's Long Day' it said that Professor Totten computed the year, month, day and even the hour of this event, including the sequal event, the 40 minute longer day of Hezakiah. This tremendous mathematical work was completed and written up in his book in 1890, years before the computer was even a dream. He calculated that between Joshua's Long Day and Hezekiah's 40 minute longer day, there was a time lapse of 738 years.

My Brothers, if it took over seven centuries to complete the exact hours, it indicates to me that time, as we know it is of little significance in the plans of the Great Architect of the Universe. He has his own time schedule of which we have little or no knowledge.

These several points which I have brought to your attention this evening may all be found in the V.S.L., laid down for our persuit. I give it to you in strong terms of recommendation to persue it. Read it. Study it. Ask questions. When you encounter a statement that sounds ridiculous and you do not understand it, put a question mark in the margin. As time passes and when more light is revealed to you, even a 'preposterous' story like a missing day in elapsed time, will be viewed with greater understanding.

I do not profess to understand it. It states in the Sacred Volume that there is a missing day somewhere in the past. A mathematician has verified it, and now a modern computer has confirmed it, and I believe that there is a missing day. But how it was accomplished, I still do not know. I believe that we are not expected to know; at this stage. But the time will come when we will know; we will understand and the solution will probably be quite simple. That time will be when we all meet together in that Grand Lodge Above, where the World's Great Architect, in His infinite wisdom will reveal His incredible plan of life to us all.

Submitted by R.W. Bro. David C. Bradley.

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The Legacy Bequeathed by Freemasonry

2009-10-11T06:50:00.000-04:00

The legacy bequeathed by Freemasonry to the world has been and will continue to be a rich one. Its survival through its long period of history is due to the ever- lasting principles which run through all its operations.

Newton, in his book 'The Men's House', has a chapter on Practical Brotherhood. In it there are three headings;

1) Individual Brotherhood,

2) Organized Brotherhood, and

3) Applied Brotherhood.

In the section on Organized Brotherhood there is a paragraph which states; Masonry is organized patriotism. Neither a political party nor a religious sect, it nevertheless stands for just laws and the spirit of loyalty and co-operation without which the State cannot be stable and effective. Patriotism is the translation of private faith and individual righteousness into terms of public virtue and social service. Nothing less than this is worthy of the name. The crying need of today is to extend the spirit and principles of Masonry to the whole life and transactions of Masons. The failure to do this accounts for the deficit between private morality and public morality.

Freemasonry's greatest asset is in the type of member it is producing. What kind of a contribution is each one of us making of it? When a man makes his exit of life, the question is often asked, 'What has he left?' Unfortunately this often suggests property and money mentioned in his legacy, rather than the influence he has left for the enrichment of mankind by his intellectual, moral and spiritual gifts. Brethren, let us pause awhile to consider the vital question, 'When we are gone, what will be the nature of our legacy to Freemasonry and to the world?'

The V.S.L. being so realistic makes this statement: 'We brought nothing into this world and we carry nothing out'. Arising from that truth, we can reasonably ask, 'What have we done in between the entry and exit?' All of us are endowed with talents - those singular gifts which one has. Each one of us is or has been making some contribution, be it insignificant or great. These impressions are of tremendous importance. They reveal our character. Creating an image is not only a challenge, but a romantic adventure that will surely supply dividends of satisfaction beyond our fondest expectations.

A man doesn't 'join' Masonry. It is an act of will, a deep desire to be more than an 'ordinary' man and be willing to undergo close scrutiny of character. The act of will - his own free will - is the indication that something within has responded to a desire to become a Mason. No one asked, suggested, begged or promised some kind of inducement.

Masonry doesn't compete with anything, anyone at any time. It lives. It speaks. It challenges us. A Mason is never a negative force in the community. He is a positive power. A Mason will always aspire for the highest and best in life. If he settles for anything less, he has lost the spark, the fire, the very motivation of a Master Craftsman.

Fidelity Highlights summons, Lodge of Fidelity 231, G.R.C.

Reprinted from 'The Tracing Board of Saskatchewan'.

Editor: V.W. Bro. James A. Ham.

AS GREAT AS THE LIFE HE LIVES

2009-10-09T06:38:00.000-04:00

A man is as great as the dreams he dreams,

As great as the love he bears,

As great as the values he redeems,

And the happiness he shares.

A man is as great as the thoughts he thinks,

And the work he has attained,

At the fountain at which his spirit drinks,

And the insight he has gained.

A man is as great as the truth he speaks,

As great as the help he gives,

As great as the destiny he seeks,

As great as the life he lives.

Reprinted from the December 1987 summons of the Occident Lodge No. 346, G.R.C., Toronto, Ontario.

ECCLESIASTES Xii - INTERPRETATION

2009-10-07T06:18:00.002-04:00

These writings are poetical and figurative expressions alluding to life from youth to senility.

They cannot be forced into any single line of interpretation, and the meaning must be decided upon by the reader in the same manner as that of his impression of a Supreme Being. There could be several meanings or translations of most verses but the general interpretation is, according to the Bible, that 'The Fear of God is the Chief Antidote of Vanity.'

Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them:

'Serve, fear, and revere the Most High in the days of your youth while you still have the ability and stamina, before the troublesome times approach when you become weary with age and you will say; - "I have no pleasure in life, all desires and enjoyment of my youth have left me."'

While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain:

'While the eyesight is still good, the outlook on life is bright, and you have the ability to overcome difficulties that arise before the clouds of old age set in.'

In the days when the keepers of the house shall tremble, and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those that look out of the windows shall be darkened.

'When man becomes decrepit and feeble, and his spine shall bend with the weight of age, and the legs bow, and the teeth decay and are removed causing biting and mastication to become difficult, his eyesight is failing and he can no longer see or reason with accuracy'.

And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding is low, and He shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the daughters of MUSIC shall be brought low;

'He does not travel as he used to because of his feebleness, he has slowed down in movement and activities; he does not require the sleep that he did in his younger days and although he may not hear them, he awakens at daybreak with the birds, his hearing is failing badly and he does not receive all sound of voice or music, the treble scale goes first.'

Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall flourish, and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail: because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets:

'He cannot climb as he used to, hills are a concern and his equilibrium is failing, he is afraid of what he cannot do with the coming of old age; many of his physical pleasures and desires are no longer of interest, the hair turns to white like the blossoming almond tree, and any weight is a burden as is the burden of keeping and looking after himself. He knows he is going to die and his friends and mourners will be left to this mortal domain.'

Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern.

'The "silver cord" refers symbolically to the spinal marrow. Its loosening is the cessation of all nervous sensibility. The"golden bowl"could be the brain, which is rendered incapable of performing by the approach of death; the heart could be the “fountain” and/or the “cistern”,and the “pitcher” the great vein that carries the blood to the right ventricle of the heart, while the 'wheel' might represent the great artery which receives the blood from the left ventrical.'

Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

'We are taught that the body was created from dust and is returned to dust upon death. The spirit that was the gift of the Creator is returned from whence it came.'

Compiled from questions and answers on this topic and -from the 'Manual for Masonic Instructors and Students' as well as personal interpretations of the writer.

Submitted by V.W. Bro. George E. Zwicker of Corinthian Lodge No. 101.

Freemasonry in Canada and BC (1634-1871)

2009-10-05T07:05:00.001-04:00

Freemasonry in Canada and British Columbia

(1634-1871)

1634 – First record of a freemason in Canada, then known as New France. Lord Alexander, Viscount Canada, son of the first Earl of Stirling, Scotland, Master of Work to King Charles I, founded a colony of Scots on the banks of the St. Lawrence River. Lord Alexander was a member of Edinburgh Lodge No. 1 at Mary’s Chapel, which has records dating from 1599 and – tradition maintains – was in existence in 1491.

1738 – First Masonic lodge in Canada is instituted at Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia.

1843 – Fort Victoria is established to bolster Britain’s claim to Vancouver’s Island.

1854 – 25 October. Lieutenant Alexander Dunn is awarded the Victoria Cross for saving the lives of two men during the famous Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava. Dunn, a freemason, is the first Canadian to be awarded the Victoria Cross.

1858 – 10 July. A Victoria newspaper ad calls all interested freemasons to a meeting with the object of forming a Masonic lodge in Victoria. The publisher of the paper is Amor de Cosmos, a freemason who would later become the second premier of the province of British Columbia.

1859 – 7 September. The first Masonic funeral in the Colony was held for Samuel Hazeltine, Government Steamboat Inspector, who died from injuries received in a marine accident at Victoria.

1860 – Victoria Lodge No. 1085 is formally constituted in Victoria, in the colony of Vancouver’s Island. Robert Burnaby, for whom Burnaby, B.C. is named, installs the first officers. Russian born John Malowansky, a Victoria news agent and tobacconist, is the first person to be made a freemason in the colonies.

1862 – Thomas Harris, a freemason, is elected the first mayor of Victoria.

1867 – 1 July. The Dominion of Canada is established. Freemason Sir John A. Macdonald becomes Canada’s first Prime Minister.

1871 – United Colony of British Columbia joins Confederation and becomes the Province of British Columbia.

1871 – 21 October. The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of British Columbia is founded in Victoria, British Columbia. The Grand Lodge is consecrated and dedicated on December 26th, 1871. Israel Wood Powell is the first Grand Master while Robert Burnaby becomes the first Past Grand Master.

1871 – 13 November. John Foster McCreight, the first Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, becomes the first premier of the Province of British Columbia.

1871 – Israel Wood Powell, from whom Powell River, B.C. and Powell Street in Vancouver are named, refuses the offer to become the first Lieutenant-Governor of British Columbia and becomes the first Superintendent of Indian Affairs. Freemason John Jessop becomes the first Superintendent of Education.

The Freemasons – and the Masonic family of BC and Yukon Booklet pp. 6

Dr. William Dodd (1729-1777)

2009-10-04T00:30:00.011-04:00

Dr. William Dodd (1729-1777)

Quick Facts:

Born:

29 May 1729

Born In:

Bourne, Licolnshire, England

Died:

27 June 1777

(Execution by hanging)

Died In:

Tyburn, Middlesex, England

Became a Freemason:

1775

I’ve been reading “The Freemasons” by Jasper Ridley and in Chapter 8 “Troubles and Scandals” we find the interesting Dr. William Dodd. Previous to reading this book I had only seen a couple of references to Dodd, the first being this quote:

"Freemasonry is an institution founded on eternal reason and truth; whose deep basis is the civilization of mankind, and whose everlasting glory it is to have the immovable support of those two mighty pillars, science and morality."

The second being a small piece written by Bro Nelson King entitled, Infamous or Strange Masons: Reverend William Dodd.

This is the story of William Dodd…

William Dodd was born on 29-May-1729 and his father was the vicar of Bourne in Lincolnshire. Not much is known about his early years, but he attended the Claire Hall at the University of Cambridge from 1745 to 1750. During his years at Cambridge he attained a BA and honours in Mathematics.

After graduating he moved to London and became known to be extremely spend-thrift and was soon laden with debts. On April 1751 he was married to Mary Perkins, the daughter of a domestic servant, which left his finances in an even worse position.

At the urging of his father he took to the Priesthood and in 1751 was ordained a deacon and a priest in 1753. He served as a curate in a church in West Ham, then as a preacher at St. James Garlickhythe, followed by St Olave Hart Street. He also founded “Magdalene Home” in Streatham which was a home in which former prostitutes were reformed and rehabilitated.

During this time, he became a very popular preacher and was appointed in 1763 as one of George III’s chaplains and was appointed a Canon of Priory Church of St. John in Brecon.

In the 1750-1760s he authored several publications, Commentary on the Bible, Sermon to a Young Man and a rather sexually explicit novel called “The Sisters” which gained him no favours from the other members of the clergy.

During this time Dodd was a tutor to Philip Stanhope, later the fourth Earl of Chesterfield. Around 1765-1766 he won 1000 Pounds in a lottery and became known as “Macaroni Parson” (roughly: Fashion Priest) for his extravagant lifestyle and clothing.

Up until 1774 he seemed to be doing pretty well, until the debts started accumulate and his greed got the better of him. In February 1774 he heard that the vicar of St George’s, Hanover Square, had been appointed to Bishop of Bath and Wells. This very well paid position in Hanover Square was now available and he formulated a scheme to attain it.

The position was to be appointed by Lord Chancellor Lord Apsley, so Dodd wrote an anonymous letter to Lady Apsley offering to pay to 3,000 Pounds if she could persuade her husband to give the position to a person who would be named later.

This attempt to bribe Lady Apsley offended her and an investigation was launched to find out who would make such a ridiculous attempt to gain the Hanover Square position. Dodd, not having taken precautions to hide the origins of his attempted bribery was found out and the Lord Chancellor told the King, who insisted that Dodd be dismissed as a royal chaplain.

Despite the disgrace, his former student Philip Stanhope, the now Earl of Chesterfield helped Dodd by offering him vicarage of Wing in Bedfordshire. Though there was a lot of negative attention facing Dodd at the time, a stroke of luck would help to subdue some of those criticisms.

While returning in a carriage from Barnet to London, he and his wife were attacked near St. Pancras by a highwayman who shot at the carriage. The shots broke the glass, but no one was injured. The thief was caught and Dodd gave evidence for the prosecution which ended in the criminal’s death by hanging.

With the scandal of bribing Lady Apsley behind him, he decided to join Freemasonry, petitioning at a lodge in St Albans. The Freemasons did not hesitate to accept him and in fact the Grand Lodge gave him a special distinction as Grand Chaplain on 1 May 1775. On 3 June 1776 at the dedication of a hall on the site of the inn on Queen street, Dodd was reappointed Grand Chaplain for a second term.

Shortly after he started his second term he went on vacation to Paris. Rumours of his spending in Paris made their way back to England and when he returned in January 1777 he held a party which was reported in the Press. On February 4 1777 he contacted a money lender for a loan of 4200 pounds, offering a bond endorsed by Lord Chesterfield, his former student.

The money lender paid out the money, but was suspicious about the bond and took it to Lord Chesterfield who told him that the bond was fraudulent and the signature was not his own. Dodd quickly admitted to the fraud, offering to pay back the money, hoping to hush the situation. Lord Chesterfield however was understandably angry at Dodd for attempting to cheat him out of 4,200 pounds, after he so generously helped him after the Hanover Square scandal.

Dodd was tried for forgery in the Court of King’s Bench before three judges and a jury and was found guilty. He was sentenced to be hanged for forgery, a felony punishable by death.

Dr Johnson, a friend of Dodd’s organized a petition, signed by over 32,000 people in an attempt to seek a reprieve for Dodd. This petition however failed, as the judges recommended to the King, that if pardoned it may look as if favoritism had helped a prominent member of society escape the rule of law.

During the trial Dodd was imprisoned in Wood Street Compter and upon conviction was publicly hanged at Tyburn on 27 June 1777.

A large crowd came to Tyburn that day and several stories have since arisen. One being that after his body was cut down from the gallows, the Freemasons seized it and took it to a house where Dodd, who was not quite dead, was restored to life and that the Masons smuggled him to France to live out his days. The others said that thousands of spectators prevented the Masons from reaching the house in time to save the life of Dodd.

Bro. Ken Dennis

October 3, 2009

Famous American Freemasons: Volume II

2009-09-27T10:00:00.001-04:00

Famous American Freemasons: Volume II

Todd E. Creason

Available on Amazon.com

ISBN: 978-0-557-07088-6

Table of Contents

Not too long ago I did a review of Brother Todd Creason’s first publication, Famous American Freemasons Volume 1, a book which I thoroughly enjoyed. Todd has now released the second volume in that series with more excellently presented stories of the lives of some of the most interesting American Brethren in history.

Not only does Todd provide us with thirty inspiring new stories of our Brethren, but his presentation, formatting and layout of the entire book has been updated and looks absolutely fabulous, making for an enjoyable book that you don’t want to put down.

A special introduction by Brother James L Tungate describes to the reader about the continuity of life and how the Masonic fraternity is a continuance and ongoing legacy left by each of us.

It’s interesting how so many great men became a part of the same organization and leads you to wonder if they were drawn to Masonry because of their like natures or habits, or was it Freemasonry that helped to further develop and nurture them in to the great men they became?

This book, although Masonic, is not about Freemasonry. It is about famous men and the tales of their lives, men who also happened to be Freemasons. Todd strikes a lovely balance in his books, having interesting factual histories of individuals with only a slight Masonic twist at the end of each chapter.

I found this book difficult to put down and read it over a very short period of time, enjoying it immensely and recommend it to everyone, but especially to those with an interest in American History or Culture.

Both of Todd E. Creason’s books are available on Amazon.com:

Also check out Todd’s website:

http://toddcreason.org/

Who were they - Ruth

2009-09-26T16:09:00.006-04:00

Who were they - Ruth

Hebrew: Rut

"companion/friend" or "satisfied"

This great grandmother of King David is remembered as a gentle heroine in spite of the fact that she boldly approached the man she wanted to marry. Her story, recorded in the biblical book bearing her name, is one of an indigent widow who eventually remarried and gave birth to a family of kings. The four-chapter book is one of the most masterfully crafted works of Hebrew literature, moving from suspense to suspense before reaching a surprise conclusion. Interestingly, Ruth was not a Hebrew. In a nation that prided itself on being chosen by God and spiritually distinct from others, she was a foreigner from Moab, Judah's neighbor just east of the Dead Sea.

The story, which most biblical scholars say was passed on by word of mouth for generations before being written down, took place "in the days when the judges ruled" (Ru. 1:1). A famine throughout Judah led a resident of Bethlehem named Elimelech to move to Moab in search of food. With him he took his wife, Naomi, and their sons, Mahlon and Chilion. After the family settled in Moab, the sons took local women as wives; Mahlon married Ruth and Chilion married Orpah. But within ten years all three men died, leaving behind widows without children. In this male-dominated society, women without a father, husband, or son to care for them could quickly become destitute; they had few rights.

Naomi, hearing that the famine in Judah had ended, decided to return to her homeland. Perhaps she thought relatives would take pity on her and give her a place to live. But they would certainly not take in all three women. Moreover, Naomi pointed out, she was too old to bear other sons, even if the women were willing to wait until they were grown to marry them. So Naomi urged Ruth and Orpah each to return to her mother and begin looking for another husband. Both initially rejected the idea; but after Naomi reasoned with them further, Orpah agreed and left with a tearful goodbye. Ruth, however, absolutely refused to leave Naomi alone. "Where you go," Ruth insisted, "I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your God my God" (Ru. 1:16).

When the two women reached Bethlehem, the entire town was moved with sympathy for Naomi and, no doubt, with admiration for Ruth's unfailing loyalty toward her aging mother-in-law. Yet no one offered to take them in. However, according to Mosaic Law, the poor are allowed to collect any crops that were missed during the first pass of the reapers.

The barley harvest had just started, so Ruth decided to go gleaning behind the reapers. Fortunately, she chose the field of Boaz. This man had heard how Ruth refused to abandon Naomi, and he took an immediate liking to her. He even ordered that the workers leave extra grain for her and that the young men not both her. When Ruth returned to Naomi with more than half a bushel of grain and reported what happened, Naomi was elated. Boaz was not just a friendly neighbor, Naomi explained, "the man is a relative of ours, one of our nearest kin" (Ru. 2:20). The law obliged a man to marry his brother's widow, to produce children to carry on the dead brother's family name and --incidentally-- to claim the deceased man's property. Apparently, the rule could be extended to include relatives other than brothers.

Having observed the spark of interest Boaz had shown in the young widow, Naomi advised Ruth to act quickly. Ruth was to wash, anoint herself, and dress in her best clothes. Then she was to go down to the threshing floor, where Boaz and the workers were separating the grain from the chaff. "Do not make yourself known to the man until he has finished eating and drinking," Naomi instructed. "But when he lies down, observe the place where he lies; then go and uncover his feet and lie down; and he will tell you what to do" (Ru. 3:3-4).

However bold and out of character Ruth's action may appear, Boaz seemed to feel no pressure. When he awakened in the middle of the night and Ruth proposed by asking, "spread your skirt over your maidservant, for you are next of kin" (Ru. 3:9), Boaz responded with compassion. He assured her that he would do as she asked, then told her to lie at his feet the rest of the night but to leave before dawn so that no one would see where she had been. But in their clandestine conversation Boaz added a new element of suspense. He told Ruth he was not her closest relative and said he could marry her only if the other relative chose not to. Though the unnamed man had first choice, he waived his right.

Boaz married Ruth and together they had a son: Obed, the father of Jesse and grandfather of David. In one of the final scenes of the book Naomi holds her grandson on her lap and cares for him. And the women of the village praise Ruth as showing more love toward Naomi than would seven sons -- a number symbolic of perfection. These same women call the child Naomi's "restorer of life (Ru. 4:15). A thousand years later Jesus, a descendant of Obed, was born in Bethlehem; he is described as one who gives "life for all men" (Rom. 5:18). The genealogy of Jesus, recorded in Matthew 1, lists but four women -- and Ruth is one of them.

Biblical scholars are uncertain who wrote the book of Ruth. Nor do they know when or why it was written. A popular hypothesis is that the book was compiled sometime between the tenth and eighth centuries B.C., shortly after the time of David, and was written to trace the lineage of David. Likely, however, the story was preserved for many reasons. One may have been to allow future generations to learn from Ruth's inspiring example of love for Naomi. Jews today still honor Ruth by rereading her story during the annual Feast of Weeks that marks the end of the grain harvest.

Readers Digest 1994 - Who's Who in the Bible - p. 372-373

Who were they - Jephthah

2009-09-24T18:00:00.002-04:00

Who were they: Jephthah

(jef'thuh) Hebrew: YITAH "opened" or "opener"

As the child of a harlot, Jephthah was scorned by his father's legitimate sons, who drove him from the family home in Israelite Gilead when they reached maturity. With no personal resources or hope of an inheritance, he fled to the land of Tob, a border region far east of the Jordan, where he gathered about him a group of "worthless fellows" (Jg. 11:3). Small roving bands of disenfranchised youths like Jephthah were common from the early settlement period up to Roman times.

While making alliances with local inhabitants who felt overtaxed or mistreated by their nominal rulers, these lawless frontiersmen sustained themselves by plundering merchant caravans and raiding other settled communities. Jephthah, however, rose above these inauspicious beginnings to judge Israel for six years; he was the ninth in a series of primarily military heroes who led temporary armies summoned to defend Israelite villages under attack from enemy nations in the premonarchical period.

When their hostile neighbors the Ammonites sought to regain territory seized by the Israelites, the elders of Gilead turned to Jephthah -- obviously impressed with his martial skills despite their earlier disdain for him. But he responded angrily to their plea for help: "Did you not hate me, and drive me out of my father's house? Why have you come to me now when you are in trouble?" (Jg. 11:7). Nonetheless, he agreed to lead the fight after the elders promised to make him their ruler when "the Lord gives them [the Ammonites] over to me" (Jg. 11:9).

Upon taking command of the Israelite forces, Jephthah sent messengers to negotiate a settlement with the Ammonites. But the enemy demurred; they were determined to reappropriate territory that Israel had taken from them during their migration from Egypt to Canaan. In a lengthy speech Jephthah set forth Israel's right to the Transjordan region, pointing out that his people had been refused permission to pass peacefully through these foreign lands. Israel's possession of the territory, he argued, was sanctified by the Lord -- just as the earlier claim of the Ammonites had been endorsed by their deity.

With the collapse of these negotiations, Jephthah turned to God, vowing that he would sacrifice whoever first appeared at the door of his house if he were allowed to return in triumph from war. Jephthah may have expected to see an animal at the door, since the ground floor in dwellings of that period served to shelter livestock while people usually lived on the second floor of their houses. To Jephthah's horror, it was his only child, his daughter, who greeted his victorious return "with timbrels and with dances" ( Jg. 11:34). Although human sacrifice was repugnant and in violation of religious law, the warrior's oath apparently took precedence over the ban. In despair, Jephthah granted his daughter's request for two months in which to mourn her maidenhood, but subsequently fulfilled his vow to sacrifice her. The women of Israel later commemorated this tragic event with an annual four-day period of lamentation.

In the New Testament, Jephthah is remembered -- Along with Gideon, Barak, Samson, David, Samuel, and the prophets -- as one who "through faith conquered kingdoms" (Heb. 11:33). However, both Jews and Christians have expressed their ethical concerns about a story in which a father is willing to kill his own daughter in order to fulfill a vow.

Before his six years of judging Israel had ended, Jephthah had to put down an uprising by the men of Ephraim, fellow Israelites incensed by his failure to summon them to join the fight against the Ammonites. With apparent ease, he defeated the Ephraimite attack across the Jordan and cut off their retreat by stationing troops at the fords of the rover. Realizing that Ephraimite soldiers looked no different from his own, he told his men to demand that each person crossing the fords be asked to say "Shibbleth" (ear of grain). Ephraimites were unable to pronounce the sh sound, so the word came out "Sibboleth." Thus, the Gileadites were able to identify their enemy and, the Bible reports, slow 42,000 Ephraimites who failed to pass this simple verbal test. In modern English the word "shibboleth" has come to be a catchword devoid of an actual meaning but serving to identify a particular group of people.

Readers Digest 1994 - Who's Who in the Bible - p. 194