tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34617810303566463712024-02-19T10:03:46.719+05:30Freemasonry - Making Good Men BetterFreemasonry has no dogma or theology. It offers no sacraments. It teaches that it is important for every man to have a religion of his own choice and to be faithful to it in thought and action. As a result, men of different religions meet in fellowship and brotherhood under the fatherhood of God. A good Mason is made even more faithful to the tenets of his faith by his membership in the Lodge.Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-79794608719497946792011-08-04T19:07:00.000+05:302011-08-04T19:07:16.099+05:30Dr. Rob Morris - Poet Laureate of Freemasonry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><img src="http://img2.blogblog.com/img/video_object.png" style="background-color: #b2b2b2; " class="BLOGGER-object-element tr_noresize tr_placeholder" id="ieooui" data-original-id="ieooui" /> <style>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8_35suQSXqT6li6i8nsEsU-OcF8PSDkfD6lyfJMXCtjCng3nDFtX6kX-H-3NwMK0JfeNhz_QXobLxisbJ64Ga-mZgfdZGVc1T6D7V3-Y303hCUoVygRMZ5e_u20ic8-ro3wE2MARv8v2/s1600/morris_r.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP8_35suQSXqT6li6i8nsEsU-OcF8PSDkfD6lyfJMXCtjCng3nDFtX6kX-H-3NwMK0JfeNhz_QXobLxisbJ64Ga-mZgfdZGVc1T6D7V3-Y303hCUoVygRMZ5e_u20ic8-ro3wE2MARv8v2/s1600/morris_r.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Rob Morris</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. <b>Rob Morris</b> was a prominent American poet and Freemason. He also created the first ritual for what was to become the Order of the Eastern Star.</span></div><div> </div><h2 style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="mw-headline">Early life</span></span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many references state that Rob Morris was born on August 31, 1818, near Boston, Massachusetts. However, there is some evidence that he was born Robert Williams Peckham, in New York, and that he adopted the name of his foster parents after the death of his birth parents, later shortening his name to Rob to avoid confusion with another poet named Robert Morris. He grew up in New York, where he (apparently) also went to college.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">He worked as a teacher for 10 years before moving to Oxford, Mississippi, where he continued teaching at Mount Sylvan Academy, a school established by Freemasons. While living in Oxford, he met Charlotte Mendenhall, whom he married on August 26, 1841.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="mw-headline">Eastern Star</span></span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KHwh22s37eFfjzgijg5tSN_NXty5MvISYj4RMtxVDYJd-WAkDFC1PYJD6vxRUwRod_D4aUZiHCvxS0ed7YcJojjOih6X-8PGPED1sJAMcM0Ivc1lIfPFQR_U1hL-ngogEMV3ZmWhKV5F/s1600/220px-The_Little_Red_Schoolhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KHwh22s37eFfjzgijg5tSN_NXty5MvISYj4RMtxVDYJd-WAkDFC1PYJD6vxRUwRod_D4aUZiHCvxS0ed7YcJojjOih6X-8PGPED1sJAMcM0Ivc1lIfPFQR_U1hL-ngogEMV3ZmWhKV5F/s1600/220px-The_Little_Red_Schoolhouse.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Red School Bulding</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX35IZjrdR347Tg2l2O9uh5c9-nq6OmFp0ZXEteQ4q3KJhyphenhyphen1r199PHldgpiju8Z7N38cF6AMYcqcYr82J-yYeTh41Bgg535TU_9UUwR-MXnVX3XBrPWFq3-iShEHZTxV9FiOcCdtkfchL-/s1600/220px-OES_Birthplace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX35IZjrdR347Tg2l2O9uh5c9-nq6OmFp0ZXEteQ4q3KJhyphenhyphen1r199PHldgpiju8Z7N38cF6AMYcqcYr82J-yYeTh41Bgg535TU_9UUwR-MXnVX3XBrPWFq3-iShEHZTxV9FiOcCdtkfchL-/s1600/220px-OES_Birthplace.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Birthplace of OES</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">After he became a Mason on March 5, 1846, he became convinced that there needed to be a way for female relatives of Masons to share in some measure in the benefits of Freemasonry. While teaching at the Eureka Masonic College ("The Little Red Brick School Building") in Richland, Mississippi in 1849-1850, he wrote Eastern Star's first ritual, titled <i>The Rosary of the Eastern Star</i>. He organized a "Supreme Constellation" in 1855 to charter Star chapters. In 1866, because of his planned travel abroad, he handed over the organizational authority of Eastern Star to Robert Macoy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span>The "Little Red Brick School Building in Mississippi" is owned by the Grand Chapter of Mississippi and is maintained as a Shrine in honor of Dr. Morris' writing of the Ritual in Mississippi.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">He later served as Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky in 1858-9.Upon given a job as professor of the Masonic University, he moved to La Grange, Kentucky in 1860.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="mw-headline">Poetry</span></span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Over the years, he wrote over 400 poems, many of which were devoted to Eastern Star and Masonry. While traveling in the Holy Land, he wrote the words to the hymn "O Galilee". In 1854, he wrote "The Level and the Square", which may be his best-known poem.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h3 style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="mw-headline">Poet Laureate</span></span></h3><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Because of his many works on Masonic subjects, on December 17, 1884, he was crowned the "Poet Laureate of Freemasonry", an honor which had not been granted since the death of Robert Burns in 1796.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span class="mw-headline">Death</span></span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHtsZh54IfAgkLLkUtPPYapLBCKPZ1dCaG45_L8fUSEPg7bdln7jvZzTRyn1BDThEpzf0mYIT_ojM-JpkHuarOswZ8fenGmoqZfGjAAaIY3p2F2pb3LUIupNKxofRZVA_5oalb_ye3hDr/s1600/MorrisMonument.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirHtsZh54IfAgkLLkUtPPYapLBCKPZ1dCaG45_L8fUSEPg7bdln7jvZzTRyn1BDThEpzf0mYIT_ojM-JpkHuarOswZ8fenGmoqZfGjAAaIY3p2F2pb3LUIupNKxofRZVA_5oalb_ye3hDr/s320/MorrisMonument.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morris Memorial</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">His health began to fail in 1887, and in June 1888, he became paralyzed. He died on July 31, 1888, and is buried at La Grange, Kentucky. The Rob Morris Home is kept as a shrine to Rob Morris by the Kentucky Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. <span>When the news of his death was sent to all parts of the world, profound grief was expressed at his passing as his whole life had been devoted to the uplifting of humanity. He was buried in the cemetery in La Grange, Kentucky, where admiring friends from all over the world have erected a tall marble shaft in his memory. On one side of the shaft is the Square and Compasses and on the other side is the Five Pointed Star.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div></div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-52985078887614869182011-07-07T15:07:00.000+05:302011-07-07T15:07:54.609+05:30READING MASONS AND MASONS WHO DO NOT READ<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cfurCrQycGp6wRNAxDE1PKxHZRtbKqdfISAtA9zxqeKiM8roiaV0nGfBQoX85TVs1eIKmWxhkpm4tPuBPZSnLop3IW-iYq00Jf7XDjCZzk2rheSj4rtPj2obYTlvO_ov_9gDFCEWRjBZ/s1600/mackey_2-200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cfurCrQycGp6wRNAxDE1PKxHZRtbKqdfISAtA9zxqeKiM8roiaV0nGfBQoX85TVs1eIKmWxhkpm4tPuBPZSnLop3IW-iYq00Jf7XDjCZzk2rheSj4rtPj2obYTlvO_ov_9gDFCEWRjBZ/s1600/mackey_2-200.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ALBERT GALLATIN MACKAY</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><strong>I suppose there are more Masons who are ignorant of all the principles of Freemasonry than there are men of any other class who are chargeable with the like ignorance of their own profession. There is not a watchmaker who does not know something about the elements of horology, nor is there a blacksmith who is altogether unacquainted with the properties of red-hot iron. Ascending to the higher walks of science, we would be much astonished to meet with a lawyer who was ignorant of the elements of jurisprudence, or a physician who had never read a treatise on pathology, or a clergyman who knew nothing whatever of theology. </strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><strong>Nevertheless, nothing is more common than to encounter Freemasons who are in utter darkness as to everything that relates to Freemasonry. They are ignorant of its history -- they know not whether it is a mushroom production of today, or whether it goes back to remote ages for its origin. They have no comprehension of the esoteric meaning of its symbols or its ceremonies, and are hardly at home in its modes of recognition. And yet nothing is more common than to find such socialists in the possession of high degrees and sometimes honored with elevated affairs in the Order, present at the meetings of lodges and chapters, intermeddling with the proceedings, taking an active part in all discussions and pertinaciously maintaining heterodox opinions in opposition to the judgment of brethren of far greater knowledge. Why, it may well be asked, should such things be? Why, in Masonry alone, should there be so much ignorance and so much presumption? If I ask a cobbler to make me a pair of boots, he tells me that he only mends and patches, and that he has not learnt the higher branches of his craft, and then he honestly declines the offered job. If I request a watchmaker to construct a mainspring for my chronometer, he answers that he cannot do it, that he has never learned how to make mainsprings, which belongs to a higher branch of the business, but that if I will bring him a spring readymade, he will insert it in my time piece, because that he knows how to do. If I go to an artist with an order to paint me an historical picture, he will tell me that it is beyond his capacity, that he has never studied nor practiced the comportion of details, but has confined himself to the painting of portraits. Were he dishonest and presumptuous he would take my order and instead of a picture give me a daub. It is the Freemason alone who wants this modesty. He is too apt to think that the obligation not only makes him a Mason, but a learned Mason at the same time. He too often imagines that the mystical ceremonies which induct him into the Order are all that are necessary to make him cognizant of its principles. There are some Christian sects who believe that the water of baptism at once washes away all sin, past and prospective. So there are some Masons who think that the mere act of initiation is at once followed by an influx of all Masonic knowledge. They need no further study or research. All that they require to know has already been received by a sort of intuitive process. </strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><strong>The great body of Masons may be divided into three classes. The first consists of those who made their application for initiation not from a desire for knowledge, but from some accidental motive, not always honorable. Such men have been led to seek reception either because it was likely, in their opinion, to facilitate their business operations, or to advance their political prospects, or in some other way to personally benefit them. In the commencement of a war, hundreds flock to the lodges in the hope of obtaining the "mystic sign," which will be of service in the hour of danger. Their object having been attained, or having failed to attain it, these men become indifferent and, in time, fall into the rank of the non- affiliates. Of such Masons there is no hope. They are dead trees having no promise of fruit. Let them pass as utterly worthless, and incapable of improvement. </strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><strong>There is a second class consisting of men who are the moral and Masonic antipodes of the first. These make their application for admission, being prompted, as the ritual requires, "by a favorable opinion conceived of the Institution, and a desire of knowledge." As soon as they are initiated, they see in the ceremonies through which they have passed a philosophical meaning worthy of the trouble of inquiry. They devote themselves to this inquiry. They obtain Masonic books, they read Masonic periodicals, and they converse with well-informed brethren. They make themselves acquainted with the history of the Association. They investigate its origin and its ultimate design. They explore the hidden sense of its symbols and they acquire the interpretation. Such Masons are always useful and honorable members of the Order, and very frequently they become its shining lights. Their lamp burns for the enlightenment of others, and to them the Institution is indebted for whatever of an elevated position it has attained. For them this article is not written. But between these two classes, just described, there is an intermediate one; not so bad as the first, but far below the second, which, unfortunately, comprises the body of the Fraternity.</strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><strong></strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><strong>This Third class consists of Masons who joined the Society with unobjectionable motives, and with, perhaps the best intentions. But they have failed to carry these intentions into effect. They have made a grievous mistake. They have supposed that initiation was all that was requisite to make them Masons, and that any further study was entirely unnecessary. Hence, they never read a Masonic book. Bring to their notice the productions of the most celebrated Masonic authors, and their remark is that they have no time to read-the claims of business are overwhelming. Show them a Masonic journal of recognized reputation, and ask them to subscribe. Their answer is, that they cannot afford it, the times are hard and money is scarce. And yet, there is no want of Masonic ambition in many of these men. But their ambition is not in the right direction. They have no thirst for knowledge, but they have a very great thirst for office or for degrees. They cannot afford money or time for the purchase or perusal of Masonic books, but they have enough of both to expend on the acquisition of Masonic degrees. It is astonishing with what avidity some Masons who do not understand the simplest rudiments of their art, and who have utterly failed to comprehend the scope and meaning of primary, symbolic Masonry, grasp at the empty honors of the high degrees. The Master Mason who knows very little, if anything, of the Apprentice's degree longs to be a Knight Templar. He knows nothing, and never expects to know anything, of the history of Templarism, or how and why these old crusaders became incorporated with the Masonic brotherhood. The height of his ambition is to wear the Templar cross upon his breast. If he has entered the Scottish Rite, the Lodge of Perfection will not content him, although it supplies material for months of study. He would fain rise higher in the scale of rank, and if by persevering efforts he can attain the summit of the Rite and be invested with the Thirty- third degree, little cares he for any knowledge of the organization of the Rite or the sublime lessons that it teaches. He has reached the height of his ambition and is permitted to wear the double- headed eagle.</strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><strong>Such Masons are distinguished not by the amount of knowledge that they possess, but by the number of the jewels that they wear. They will give fifty dollars for a decoration, but not fifty cents for a book. These men do great injury to Masonry. They have been called its drones. But they are more than that. They are the wasps, the deadly enemy of the industrious bees. They set a bad example to the younger Masons - they discourage the growth of Masonic literature - they drive intellectual men, who would be willing to cultivate Masonic science, in toothier fields of labor - they depress the energies of our writers - and they debase the character of Speculative Masonry as a branch of mental and moral philosophy. When outsiders see men holding high rank and office in the Order who are almost as ignorant as themselves of the principles of Freemasonry, and who, if asked, would say they looked upon it only as a social institution, these outsiders very naturally conclude that there cannot be anything of great value in a system whose highest positions are held by men who profess to have no knowledge of its higher development.</strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><strong>It must not be supposed that every Mason is expected to be a learned Mason, or that every man who is initiated is required to devote himself to the study of Masonic science and literature. Such an expectation would be foolish and unreasonable. All men are not equally competent to grasp and retain the same amount of knowledge. Order, says Pope -Order is heaven's first law and this confest, Some are, and must be, greater than the rest, More rich, more wise. All that I contend for is, that when a candidate enters the fold of Masonry he should feel that there is something in it better than its mere grips and signs, and that he should endeavor with all his ability to attain some knowledge of that better thing. He should not seek advancement to higher degrees until he knew something of the lower, nor grasp at office, unless he had previously fulfilled with some reputation for Masonic knowledge, the duties of a private station. I once knew a brother whose greed for office led him to pass through all the grades from Warden of his lodge to Grand Master of the jurisdiction, and who during that whole period had never read a Masonic book nor attempted to comprehend the meaning of a single symbol. For the year of his Mastership he always found it convenient to have an excuse for absence from the lodge on the nights when degrees were to be conferred. Yet, by his personal and social influences, he had succeeded in elevating himself in rank above all those who were above him in Masonic knowledge. They were really far above him, for they all knew something, and he knew nothing. Had he remained in the back ground, none could have complained. But, being where he was, and seeking himself the position, he had no right to be ignorant. It was his presumption that constituted his offense. A more striking example is the following: A few years ago while editing a Masonic periodical, I received a letter from the Grand Lecturer of a certain Grand Lodge who had been a subscriber, but who desired to discontinue his subscription. In assigning his reason, he said (a copy of the letter is now before me), "although the work contains much valuable information, I shall have no time to read, as I shall devote the whole of the present year to teaching." I cannot but imagine what a teacher such a man must have been, and what pupils he must have instructed.</strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><strong>This article is longer than I intended it to be. But I feel the importance of the subject. There are in the United States more than four hundred thousand affiliated Masons. How many of these are readers? One- half - or even one-tenth? If only one-fourth of the men who are in the Order would read a little about it, and not depend for all they know of it on their visits to their lodges, they would entertain more elevated notions of its character. Through their sympathy scholars would been encouraged to discuss its principles and to give to the public the results of their thoughts, and good Masonic magazines would enjoy a prosperous existence.</strong></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Now, because there are so few Masons that read, Masonic books hardly do more than pay the publishers the expense of printing, while the authors get nothing; and Masonic journals are being year after year carried off into the literary Aceldama, where the corpses of defunct periodicals are deposited; and, worst of all, Masonry endures depressing blows. The Mason who reads, however little, be it only the pages of the monthly magazine to which he subscribes, will entertain higher views of the Institution and enjoy new delights in the possession of these views. The Masons who do not read will know nothing of the interior beauties of Speculative Masonry, but will be content to suppose it to be something like Odd Fellowship, or the Order of the Knights of Pythias -only, perhaps, a little older. Such a Mason must be an indifferent one. He has laid no foundation for zeal. If this indifference, instead of being checked, becomes more widely spread, the result is too apparent. Freemasonry must step down from the elevated position which she has been struggling, through the efforts of her scholars, to maintain, and our lodges, instead of becoming resorts for speculative and philosophical thought, will deteriorate into social clubs or mere benefit societies. With so many rivals in that field, her struggle for a prosperous life will be a hard one. The ultimate success of Masonry depends on the intelligence of her disciples</span>.</strong></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>by Albert G. Mackey 33rd Degree </em>*</strong>This essay was first published in 1875.</div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-82047383189533257222011-06-27T11:14:00.000+05:302011-06-27T11:14:58.953+05:30What is a Moon Lodge?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: black; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ur0IUdAghPpAYElexMCJ2KnTQDw1f_mNS4s20naBKA8RuRlKlx8kQH92-6SRd1TMyB6Oz1tqW28bThyDPSC1cy-T1Ox57NdsNSikcIDry9HpWOSU6QTn7l-snPZkil0X3OtbM-YrkyYW/s1600/MOON+LODGE+MOON.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ur0IUdAghPpAYElexMCJ2KnTQDw1f_mNS4s20naBKA8RuRlKlx8kQH92-6SRd1TMyB6Oz1tqW28bThyDPSC1cy-T1Ox57NdsNSikcIDry9HpWOSU6QTn7l-snPZkil0X3OtbM-YrkyYW/s320/MOON+LODGE+MOON.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In earlier times Maryland had a number of Moon Lodges - today Charity Lodge No. 134 is the only one left maintaining that tradition.</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">A check of Coil's Masonic Encyclopedia informs us that in the past, Moon Lodges: Population was more rural and there were no electric lights even in the cities. In the 18th century, the almanac was a common household authority and Freemasons, like others, measured their time and to some extent regulated their activities by it. Lodge By-laws often fixed the stated meetings on, just before or just after the Full Moon, thus, making 13 stated meetings per year. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">There was a very practical reason for fixing meetings around the night of a Full Moon for, in rural communities, which predominated n the 18th century, there would be no natural illumination to guide the members to and from lodge over several miles of rough road.' While many Grand Lodges have since legislated Moon Lodges out of existence, others have clung to the old custom, preferring the inconvenience caused by confusion as to just when the moon is full, to sacrificing what has had the force of an "ancient usage and custom." It is interesting to realize the first mention of Moon Lodges was in the Cooke Manuscript of 1410, one of the oldest documents belonging to the Masonic Craft. It is understood moon lodges were first mentioned in a ritual in "The Whole Institute of Masonry," published in 1724. By 1767 there were five numbered lodges governed by the moon operating under the Grand Lodge of England. By the year 1776, this amount had increased to nine of 499 lodges in England which included the Provincial Lodges located in the English Colonies abroad. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The Minutes of Aitcheson's Haven Lodge in Scotland, beginning in 1598 show frequent meetings at odd dates, and although some of them may well have been chosen because they were on or near the nights of the full moon, there are no surviving regulations to suggest that those nights were deliberately chosen for that purpose. The same applies to the Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary's Chapel) No. 1, whose minutes go back to 1599. Meetings of this lodge were also held frequently and at regular intervals. The only regular or fixed-meeting was on St. John's Day in winter to elect the Warden, which, at that time was then the Scottish title for the Master of the Lodge. During the Colonial days around 1717, Moon Lodges were noted to be operating in Philadelphia, Boston, and also in Tennessee. By 1825, of the 75 instituted Connecticut lodges, many were Moon Lodges of which a number were located near fishing and whaling harbors. In 1951 Grand Lodge of Missouri had 18 Moon Lodges within their Jurisdiction; Grand Lodge of Indiana listed nine; and, in 1972 Grand Lodge of Maryland boasted one Moon Lodge. Between the years 1946 and 1958 moon lodges dropped from 119 to 52 in Kentucky. By the turn of the century, there were over 3,000 moon lodges operating, but by 1972 the number had dwindled to less than 500 spread amongst 30 jurisdictions within the United States. During this period of time; in those old horse and buggy days, brethren were known to have walked eight to ten miles or more to attend meetings. Some traveled by horseback, horse and buggy, and even by boat. Some were unable to make the long trip home during the night were given shelter, allowing them to leave after breakfast to return home the next morning. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Occasions were experienced when the low time allowed brothers to walk to attend his lodge, and, after the meeting, because of high tide, had to await the next low tide. Bristol Lodge No. 25 celebrated its 200th Anniversary in 1980. It all began back in February 1780 with a letter signed by nine brethren and sent to the Right Worshipful Grand Master of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania asking that a Warrant be issued to hold a lodge in the Town of Bristol [or five miles around], and on the 15th March the Warrant was issued. In those days Bristol was a full days trip north of Philadelphia on the road en-route to New York. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Quite often we hear a remark about 'the good old days'. When moon lodges began, there were no illuminated two or four lane blacktop highways and very few gravel roads. Most consisted of two dirt ruts leading through bush and fields and seldom in a straight line. While the main roads may have been gravel, the side roads and towns roads had dirt roads. There was no train or bus service, nor any cars for that matter. After dark a candle or coal oil lamp was used for illumination: no electricity. If fortunate, everyone bathed in a galvanized wash tub on Saturday nights. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Iowa around 1870 every Masonic home had a Masonic moon calendar drawn by a brother from that state. The calendar was a 13-month one showing only the date and month of the full moon throughout the year. Occasionally the brothers realized there were times when there was no full moon in February: such as occurred in 1893, and this caused quite a bit of a storm. As lodges usually met on a specific day such as the last Saturday of the month, visitors in this particular month arrived to find no Lodge meeting taking place, and so, the various Grand Lodges began eliminating the Moon Lodges. </span></div><div style="color: black; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The present Secretary of Bristol Lodge stated: 'The continuance of this practice of meeting on Saturday evenings on or before the full moon, reminds us of our heritage and tradition, and does provide some distinction when conversing with other members of the fraternity.' One has to have a great deal of respect for our brothers who decided to get together and form a lodge under such conditions. No wonder they spent a few hours after the meeting enjoying a few beers and socializing with a sing-song. There were few occasions when they saw one another, except at Lodge meetings. As the Grand Lodges began to eliminate the moon lodges, it is interesting to realize the brothers would then began to open their lodges in the early afternoon, allowing their membership to arrive at their homes before darkness set in. It is also realized Moon Lodges were also held in various unnamed Canadian Jurisdictions.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-size: small;">This is an interesting article which is taken from the web page of Charity Lodge No. 134 in Maryland.</span></em> </div><div align="left"><em></em> </div><div align="left"><em><span style="font-size: small;">With Compliments</span></em> </div><div align="left"><strong><em><span style="font-size: small;">Bro Tofique Fatehi</span></em></strong> </div></div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-34885879322192615252011-06-24T18:27:00.000+05:302011-06-24T18:27:19.155+05:30Universal Brotherhood Day - 24th June<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfN23Izj9zKv6Hkoz4kITp4JFUcnfrczUwe_kcMzzTyDBRkL6oFcOeMHfTgbst-__m4c9Y6ZhoU-fZ6Gx6xYQ3eboldgoJcUHTIJvHvfS9z0CaC8zO0s5KAZzv9XucP9jC4ZLbXrKJ_Wh/s1600/brotherhood1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfN23Izj9zKv6Hkoz4kITp4JFUcnfrczUwe_kcMzzTyDBRkL6oFcOeMHfTgbst-__m4c9Y6ZhoU-fZ6Gx6xYQ3eboldgoJcUHTIJvHvfS9z0CaC8zO0s5KAZzv9XucP9jC4ZLbXrKJ_Wh/s1600/brotherhood1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><strong> </strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><strong>June 24 is quite significant Masonically.</strong><br />
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<strong> June 24 On this date in 1717, what is referred to as the premiere Grand Lodge was formed in London, at the Goose and Gridiron Ale-house. </strong><br />
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<strong> This date is the first entry, for 1731, of a Lodge meeting in the colonies that became the United</strong><br />
<strong> States, in an account book of St. John's Lodge in Philadelphia</strong><br />
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<strong> On this date in 1734, Benjamin Franklin became Grand Master of what would be known as the "Moderns" Grand Lodge in Pennsylvania.</strong><br />
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<strong> On this date in 1791, the African Grand Lodge of North America was organized in Boston. It later became the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Massachusetts.</strong><br />
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<strong> On this date in 1797, the second Grand Lodge for African Americans was founded in Philadelphia </strong><br />
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<strong> On this date in 1820, the Grand Lodge of Maine was formed. </strong><br />
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<strong> Sunrise Rituals (Stonehenge, UK) </strong><br />
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<strong> It is also UFO Day and St. John the Baptist's Day (patron of auto routes, candlemakers, health spas, road workers, wool workers) </strong><br />
<strong> </strong><br />
<strong> St. Jean Baptiste's Day (patron of Quebec) </strong><br />
<strong> </strong><br />
<strong>Fairy Day - Festival of Contagious Magic</strong><br />
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<strong> It is also National Forgiveness Day which is appropriate for the Reconciliation between the Several Constitutions in India</strong><br />
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<strong></strong></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </div><strong style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">With Compliments</strong><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> <strong>Bro Tofique Fatehi</strong></div></div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-38549273741569673222011-02-25T20:28:00.001+05:302011-02-26T08:57:53.922+05:30A Short Talk to an Entered Apprentice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8rcHEB2Drn4dZMr4ofTQdm7gVhhnb7c_SZ-SXyAJYpMClv0PnKkyDkBrpv6EXnzYOpTprdJFOc8zR3aCxd_uJ35MxdSAz0xgdLqiqxKkv0jR4EhdTf3Qlj-o3Kw7M08cbzlP4pwZ6wK5/s1600/tb1deg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF8rcHEB2Drn4dZMr4ofTQdm7gVhhnb7c_SZ-SXyAJYpMClv0PnKkyDkBrpv6EXnzYOpTprdJFOc8zR3aCxd_uJ35MxdSAz0xgdLqiqxKkv0jR4EhdTf3Qlj-o3Kw7M08cbzlP4pwZ6wK5/s1600/tb1deg.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Initiation is an analogy of man's advent from prenatal darkness into the light of human fellowship, moral truth, and spiritual faith.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">From the Latin "initium" a beginning, a birth, a coming into being. It is a very common human experience. We are initiated into a new world when we first go to school, adolescence is initiation into manhood, we undergo an initiation when we plunge into business or our professions' marriage is an initiation into a new experience, a new way of living, a new outlook on life' the acceptance of a religious experience is an initiation' a new book may initiate us into a new interest. Initiation is everywhere and in one or another form comes to every man. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">THE first, or Entered Apprentice degree of Masonry, is intended, symbolically, to represent the entrance of man into the world, in which he is after wards to become a living and thinking part. Coming from the ignorance and darkness of the outer world, his first craving is for light—not the physical light , but the moral and intellectual light which emanates from the primal Source of all things—from the Grand Architect of the Universe—the Creator of the sun and of all that it illuminates. Hence the primary object of the first degree, is to symbolize that birth of intellectual light into the mind, and seeking for the light which is to guide his steps and point him to the path which leads to morality.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">A candidate for the Entered Apprentice Degree who is not sincere will have a very disagreeable time in Freemasonry. But the hidden meaning of the rite is perhaps even more important than the explained meaning. The initiate must possess his soul in patience. He is not yet wholly admitted to the temple which is Freemasonry. He is not permitted to do as Master Masons do, or to know what Master Masons know. For the whole Masonic significance of the rite he must wait until it is his privilege to receive the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">The b f represents the inability of the candidate to learn the secrets of Freemasonry in an improper way. Essentially it represents a state of ignorance. In the first degree it is removed after the candidate declares his wish to seek the ‘light’ of Freemasonry. A further significant teaching of this symbol is its introduction to the idea of dependence. Masonry teaches us, simply but unmistakably, at the first step as at the last, that we live and walk by faith, not by sight; and to know that fact is the beginning of wisdom. Since this is so, since no man can find his way alone, in life as in the lodge we must in humility trust our Guide, learn His ways, follow Him and fear no danger. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">The preparations to which the candidate must submit, before entering the Lodge, serve allegorically to teach him, as well as to remind the brethren who are present, that it is the man alone, divested of all the outward recommendations of rank, state, or of riches, which Masonry accepts, and that it is his spiritual, or moral worth alone, which can open for him the door of the temple. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">The c t is representative of the bond to the fraternity. In early Freemasonry it was used as a symbol representing the candidates submission to the authority of Freemasonry, humility, servitude and even a possible penalty should the candidate betray the trust placed upon him. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">The initiate takes an obligation of secrecy; if he will carefully consider the language of that obligation, he will see that it concerns the forms and ceremonies, the manner of teaching, certain modes of recognition. There is no obligation of secrecy regarding the truths taught by Freemasonry, otherwise it would not lawfully have been written. </span><br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Sometimes the question is asked by people, "Why have any secrets? If what you know and teach is worth so much, why not give it to the world?" Secrecy is a common fact of everyday life. Our private affairs are ours, not to be shouted from the housetops. Business secrets are often of value in proportion to the success of keeping them. Diplomacy is necessarily conducted in secret. Board meetings of companies, banks, business houses, are secret. A man and his wife have private understandings for no one else to know. From all of us some things are secret and hidden that might be open and known - if we would take the trouble to learn. Fine music is a secret from the tone deaf. Mathematics is a secret from the ignorant. Philosophy is a secret from the commonplace mind. Freemasonry is a secret from the unworthy - and for the same reasons! </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The secrecy of Masonry is an honorable secrecy; any good man may ask for her secrets; those who are worthy will receive them. To give them to those who do not seek, or who are not worthy, would but impoverish the Fraternity. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">It is sometimes suggested that Freemasonry pretends to possess valuable secrets merely to intrigue men to apply for them through curiosity. He who seeks Freemasonry out of curiosity for her secrets must be bitterly disappointed. In school the teacher is anxious to instruct all who seek the classroom in the secrets of geometry, but not all students wish to study geometry and not all who do wish have the inclination. Freemasonry is anxious to give of her secrets to worthy men fit to receive them but not all are worthy, and not all the worthy men seek enlightenment. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">Freemasonry has been aptly described as "the gentle Craft." Its teachings are of brotherly love, relief, truth, love of God, charity, immortality, mutual help, sympathy. To the initiate, therefore, the penalty in his obligation comes often with a shock of surprise and sometimes consternation. The only punishments ever inflicted by Freemasons upon Freemasons are reprimand, suspension, and expulsion from the Fraternity. The initiate who violates his obligation will feel the weight of no hand laid upon him. He will suffer no physical penalties whatever. The contempt and detestation of his brethren, their denial of the privileges of Freemasonry, are the only Masonic penalties ever inflicted. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">There are three lights of Masonry the VSL, the Square, and the Compass. The VSL, our Great Light in Masonry, is opened upon our altars. Upon it lie the other Great Lights - the Square and the Compass. Without all three no Masonic lodge can exist, much less open or work. Together with the warrant from the Grand Lodge they are indispensable. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;">The charity taught in the lodge is charity of thought, charity of the giving of self. The brotherly hand laid upon a bowed shoulder in comfort and to give courage is Masonic charity. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">SUMMARY </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In the Entered Apprentice's Degree the initiate is taught the necessity of a belief in God; of charity toward all mankind, "more especially a brother Mason"; of secrecy; the meaning of brotherly love; the reasons for relief; the greatness of truth; the advantages of temperance; the value of fortitude; the part played in Masonic life by prudence, and the equality of strict justice. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">He is charged to be reverent before God, to pray to Him for help, to venerate Him as the source of all that is good. He is exhorted to practice the Golden Rule and to avoid excesses of all kinds. He is admonished to be quiet and peaceable, not to countenance disloyalty and rebellion, to be true and just to government and country, to be cheerful under its laws. He is charged to come often to lodge but not to neglect his business, not to argue about Freemasonry with the ignorant but to learn Masonry, from Masons, and once again to be secret. Finally he is urged to present only such candidates as he is sure will agree to all that he has agreed to. </div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><i>The above talk was given by me in Lodge Kohinoor #139 on 23 Feb 2011, Wednesday. I am not the author of this piece but have taken bits and pieces of various articles of many renowned masonic experts and joined them together. All errors are entirely mine.</i></div></div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-78708818379742878602011-02-05T21:41:00.000+05:302011-02-05T21:41:15.904+05:30Legend of the Quatuor Coronati<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGk3GRH0YHh8kfL767h_Lk6c8Yu4aGV_GpsEt-Jo3BfSKoVF7Xvb0Lm6bG-j8tn2HNSx0RNpxDse3t2dQVnKOV_lenbXnC2MQxbtKRf6se06I7i9rR423fr_JXwaB9K3FYPhLfYbWDd_7n/s1600/quatuorcoronati.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGk3GRH0YHh8kfL767h_Lk6c8Yu4aGV_GpsEt-Jo3BfSKoVF7Xvb0Lm6bG-j8tn2HNSx0RNpxDse3t2dQVnKOV_lenbXnC2MQxbtKRf6se06I7i9rR423fr_JXwaB9K3FYPhLfYbWDd_7n/s320/quatuorcoronati.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,Sans; font-size: small;">The Legend of the Quatuor Coronati is very interesting to Freemasons because in the legend, as in the Arundel MS.—a transcript of the more important portions of which follows—the Quatuor were originally four Craftsmen by name Claudius, Castorius, Simphorianus, and Nicostratus, <i>"mirificos in arte quadrataria,"</i> which though it is translated the "art of carving," is literally "the stone-squarer’s art," or the art of stone-squaring. They are distinctly called <i>"artifices,"</i> artificers, although as the legend shows us, to the four artificers are joined four <i>milites</i>; whilst one Simplicius, converted to Christianity by the four during the progress of events narrated by the legend, is added to the stone-squarers, making nine in all. They are declared to be Christians, <i>"occulte,"</i> secretly. Diocletian ordered an image of Æsculapius to be made, and after a contest and dialogue with <i>"quinque Philosophi"</i> Simphorianus, who appears to be the leader and spokesman, adds Simplicius to the number—now five—and refuses, on their behalf and with their consent, to make the image. They are brought before Lampadius the Tribune, who after reference to Diocletian orders them to be stripped and beaten with scorpions, <i>"scorpionibus mactari,"</i> and then, by Diocletian’s order; they were place in <i>"loculi plumbei,"</i> leaden coffins, and cast into the Tiber. <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3"><tbody>
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</tbody></table>Two years afterwards Diocletian ordered the soldiers to pay homage to a Statue of Æsculapius, but four <i>"Cornicularii,"</i> or wing-leaders of the city militia, refused. They were ordered to be put to death in front of the image of Æsculapius by strokes of the Plumbata, <i>"ictu plumbatarum."</i> and their bodies cast into the streets to the dogs, where they lay five days. <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3"><tbody>
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</tbody></table>The Arundel Legend is taken from a fine MS. of the 12th century, in the British Museum. Its proper reference is Ar: MSS., 91, f. 2186. There is another copy of the legend in the British Museum, Harleian MSS., No. 2802, f 99. There is also a short notice of the Quatuor Coronati in Regius MS., 8, c, 7 f 165, of the 14th century.<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="3"><tbody>
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</tbody></table>When in 298 A.D. the Emporer Diocletian was building his baths on the necks of the Quirinal and Virminal hills he included within its vast circuit a temple to Æsculapius, the god of health. He ordered the five sculptors, Claudius, Nicostratus, Sinforianus, Castorinus, and Simplicius to execute the decorative work and make the statue of Æsculapius. Being Christians they refused to fashion the statue of a pagan god, and in consequence they were put to death on the 8th November, 298. Three were beheaded and two were scourged to death. Other artists were found who executed the work for the Emporer. On the return of Diocletian to Rome in 300, finding the works completed, he issued an order for their dedication, and commanded that all the soldiers in Rome should be present, who, as they marched past, were to throw incense over the alter of Æsculapius. As soon as this command was propagated, four brothers, who were master masons, and held the position of <i>Corniculari,</i> or wing-leaders of the city militia, met to decide what they should do under the circumstances. These brothers were named Severus, Severianus, Carporferus, and Victorianus, who, besides being Masons, had embraced the christian faith. They all agreed to abstain from throwing the incense over the alter, it being against their principles to assist in any way at pagan ceremonies of a religious nature. This determination they made known to their centurion, who communicated it to the tribune, Lampadius, who reported the matter to Diocletian. The emporer ordered them either to sacrifice or suffer death. They, steadfast to their faith, suffered death by being scourged with leaden thongs. Their bodies were then enclosed in leaden cases and thrown into the river Tiber. A brother, Nicodemus, recovered their bodies from the river, and they were interred by the side of the five sculptors previously martyred, and other saints, in the catacombs on the Via Labricana, which from the four Master Masons are to this day known as the Catacombs of the Quattro Coronati.</span></div></div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-90906582781451863792011-01-11T13:53:00.000+05:302011-01-11T13:53:15.281+05:30SOS Village - Jaipur (Donation of Blankets by Lodge Kohinoor #139)<m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent> </m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8RVBe1H7jwQIHihV9xlbVB97cwScwdrF_hnx1bBllte5BsqK69onaYTP-m_p_kiKCXTrmMDtnRSSKVdILgUO0fCSX88F5ST6WvNL_3nXI07O5tc9uV796xIAUy4euw_XKYyy4AJGW7s3/s1600/logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP8RVBe1H7jwQIHihV9xlbVB97cwScwdrF_hnx1bBllte5BsqK69onaYTP-m_p_kiKCXTrmMDtnRSSKVdILgUO0fCSX88F5ST6WvNL_3nXI07O5tc9uV796xIAUy4euw_XKYyy4AJGW7s3/s1600/logo.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Due to the extreme weather conditions Brethren of Lodge Kohinoor #139 decided donating blankets to the children of SOS Village in Jaipur to which all the brethren of Lodge Kohinoor #139 donated with open hearts.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUH4ubSNLo5DS8EqB0DE0Ub1G4whIjm9DBbDhDw-KUsXxPY_B-8GPVOdeZTYAP1hwnDYu8uACbhgBxl4CSxPraJDPt5hZGubQ5YftZbJxqatceUuyn1b1pmskORiEV4AIgOA5KfCyQzjA9/s1600/DSC09031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUH4ubSNLo5DS8EqB0DE0Ub1G4whIjm9DBbDhDw-KUsXxPY_B-8GPVOdeZTYAP1hwnDYu8uACbhgBxl4CSxPraJDPt5hZGubQ5YftZbJxqatceUuyn1b1pmskORiEV4AIgOA5KfCyQzjA9/s200/DSC09031.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The blankets were procured and handed over to the management of the SOS Village for distribution amongst the children.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Visiting the village was an experience in itself which one cannot be compared to any other experience. It truly humbles you to see the way these children are being reared with whatever resources the management has to become responsible citizens of our country.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXsTwotfyWghH-ZGe47g0GXu3p1ja-e_1lQNznEnAP-l-Q96nvcQ2OJU_dHxEfoQS8Ah9KLVcyPrf6uFkPMv-W1ihm-C-j5jwyUqaARGzZH_kKc9YQqOHzJ0qJfhQYXJ8tlolgS9iOW2E/s1600/Donators.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcXsTwotfyWghH-ZGe47g0GXu3p1ja-e_1lQNznEnAP-l-Q96nvcQ2OJU_dHxEfoQS8Ah9KLVcyPrf6uFkPMv-W1ihm-C-j5jwyUqaARGzZH_kKc9YQqOHzJ0qJfhQYXJ8tlolgS9iOW2E/s200/Donators.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Village is situated on a vast piece of prime property very generously donated by the Atal family of Jaipur.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The atmosphere is very homely and all the children are divided into families of 10 each and supervised by a mother who is literally more than that for the kids. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Residential quarters for the children are very spacious and clean. Each family has a separate housing quarter with their separate kitchen, dining room and bed rooms. All the families join to form a huge communal group which is full of love and compassion for all the members of the SOS Village.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSBfcNbx63Z_aiPnhHE3Dmo9A-Uptd64BW1pWUgYFC8rSEWgqCjO27e6pUmXqAicbZOVZVUZ2eQ0HWy27jXRQZO3Y_Fl_r8MjPapOPZq0ii-VDSwNOiBeI9Tsflk6LcRDmO5f-4IdFmG0/s1600/Prayers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSBfcNbx63Z_aiPnhHE3Dmo9A-Uptd64BW1pWUgYFC8rSEWgqCjO27e6pUmXqAicbZOVZVUZ2eQ0HWy27jXRQZO3Y_Fl_r8MjPapOPZq0ii-VDSwNOiBeI9Tsflk6LcRDmO5f-4IdFmG0/s200/Prayers.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The children assemble every evening for prayers and are joined by all the caretakers and visitors are introduced to the children during this assembly. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsZYojsE7EDdx6HMI406F84y8m3hovAgtaX9ta-AqLrpplrrkWMPJ5sXiK-6GfkGG29ITxBgO9ZwBcWwn7KC5H9efDmAFQXq9j7gRH7dmpsph20_hwvfvr3SyPAXFKIk_xK5iCoSMYzYE/s1600/After+Prayers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYsZYojsE7EDdx6HMI406F84y8m3hovAgtaX9ta-AqLrpplrrkWMPJ5sXiK-6GfkGG29ITxBgO9ZwBcWwn7KC5H9efDmAFQXq9j7gRH7dmpsph20_hwvfvr3SyPAXFKIk_xK5iCoSMYzYE/s200/After+Prayers.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">After the prayers the children greet everyone courteously.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The visit was really an eye opener. The children are treated very very nicely and we really bow to the dedication and sincerity of the staff members who despite all odds bring up the kids with lots of love and care.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Village provides educational, recreational and professional facilities for children of all age groups. They guide the elder children skillfully towards professional courses and higher education which can make them face the world with dignity and professional skills.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lw5-oFiEaLH3vi9wyK_yPSUt6e1PjIB-P1i43YXD15AO3VkxiCgg-TTt_rM7BrPRPl2063j3Q53uIhVBq5UhkckWF7HIg2ZxXeskgIaucK-bhP7dHW0737_1wBZuKrbTGR-nV6zSRm4T/s1600/Team+Kohinoor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lw5-oFiEaLH3vi9wyK_yPSUt6e1PjIB-P1i43YXD15AO3VkxiCgg-TTt_rM7BrPRPl2063j3Q53uIhVBq5UhkckWF7HIg2ZxXeskgIaucK-bhP7dHW0737_1wBZuKrbTGR-nV6zSRm4T/s200/Team+Kohinoor.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lodge Kohinoor Members</td></tr>
</tbody></table>We from Lodge Kohinoor #139 would like to thank all of them very humbly and from the bottom of our hearts for providing us with an opportunity to help them in whatever small way that we could. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Some parting shots that left us speechless.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOc773FOabsKPXrDnBy6hIlkSgEkPcFTFTnUkDYCclA-00G1dvGSgs_OJQ87KUIeqV0Zy6PK6cJotHl5jcHSwujGl7TG9U4hLZGQ3STa3Xsme8VyDCd07vT9fWUt3pThEuoKmaR26-Onk/s1600/parting+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOOc773FOabsKPXrDnBy6hIlkSgEkPcFTFTnUkDYCclA-00G1dvGSgs_OJQ87KUIeqV0Zy6PK6cJotHl5jcHSwujGl7TG9U4hLZGQ3STa3Xsme8VyDCd07vT9fWUt3pThEuoKmaR26-Onk/s200/parting+shot.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See You soon Friends</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj497beIEonNrTFKHyet51dW8GbOib6faFP4egg8978SJil3703IjrbahFaOD_K0qrCiej7qWqDG5hWnQLBzo7fJElvqEm78df6kX268VsrrtA2k1H_p7B6At6KqGkOfJ02OBnjyHvZeLNB/s1600/Lovely+Child.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj497beIEonNrTFKHyet51dW8GbOib6faFP4egg8978SJil3703IjrbahFaOD_K0qrCiej7qWqDG5hWnQLBzo7fJElvqEm78df6kX268VsrrtA2k1H_p7B6At6KqGkOfJ02OBnjyHvZeLNB/s200/Lovely+Child.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gods Wonderful creations</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvT6cLrkGiLhEGYeOaQvETLDlB6GKGmDFTES23nh0udJGR8ynm3oYSFSWrc8RPHzspMblcpnUgoqVg9wouV7XSujDI1RNt3LMkz_ac_WVz2aaJiElMCKgGffvlyQNGnycUYcDfq6HcgUqr/s1600/parting+shot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-BpkNuJEJJ-j6Ab7_AlDRXMc-dIL2ltNQyIdtcCHu0OFtNimCBMvt67JHQfbF7Z07PGaBhIy5PSWmbe08FPU6Kq8Na1-Dg2BvKvRD5ap34v6n8eaAaMyCjkJdkyjFdobtuH_ydngu1DV/s1600/Lovely+Child.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4rQo8w8XjlK3gBhCKiuZOMm3MY_XT-gVv8SlMU5C7ZOx4dtpzfL67WcpEG1C6pPmdspom2RJpzZUWSq1FBmlXSfPhb6GXHjv5aV2ZhiPXvitMlwwRGUYnwYnjt1RgroMGPJNRFIYChN7/s1600/hermann_gmeiner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT4rQo8w8XjlK3gBhCKiuZOMm3MY_XT-gVv8SlMU5C7ZOx4dtpzfL67WcpEG1C6pPmdspom2RJpzZUWSq1FBmlXSfPhb6GXHjv5aV2ZhiPXvitMlwwRGUYnwYnjt1RgroMGPJNRFIYChN7/s1600/hermann_gmeiner.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><u><b> Hermann Gmeiner (Founder SOS Village International)</b></u></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">With just 600 Austrian Schillings (approx. 40 US dollars) in his pocket Hermann Gmeiner established the SOS Children's </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Village Association in 1949, and in the same year the foundation stone was laid for the first SOS Children's Village in Imst, in the Austrian state of Tyrol. His work with the children and development of the SOS Children's Village organization kept Hermann Gmeiner so busy that he finally decided to discontinue his medical degree course.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In the following decades his life was inseparably linked with his commitment to a family-centred child-care concept based on the four pillars of a mother, a house, brothers and sisters, and a village. Given his exclusive focus on the need to help abandoned children, the rest of his biography reads like the history of SOS Children's Villages themselves. He served as Village Director in Imst, organized the construction of further SOS Children's Villages in Austria, and helped to set up SOS Children's Villages in many other countries of Europe.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">By 1985 the result of Hermann Gmeiner's work was a total of 233 SOS Children's Villages in 85 countries. In recognition of his services to orphaned and abandoned children he received numerous awards and was nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize. However, he was always at pains to stress that it was only thanks to the support of millions of people that it had been possible to achieve the goal of providing abandoned children with a permanent home, and that still applies today.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Hermann Gmeiner died in Innsbruck in 1986. He is buried at SOS Children's Village Imst.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">SOS Children's Villages is currently active in 132 countries and territories. 438 SOS Children's Villages and 346 SOS Youth Facilities provide more than 60,000 children and youths in need with a new home. More than 131,000 children/youths attend SOS Kindergartens, SOS Hermann Gmeiner Schools and SOS Vocational Training Centres. Around 397,000 people benefit from the services provided by SOS Medical Centres, 115,000 people from services provided by SOS Social Centres. SOS Children's Villages also helps in situations of crisis and disaster through emergency relief programmes. The emergency clinic in Mogadishu (provides app. 260,000 check-ups and treatments a year) is one example of a huge long-term relief project.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-78295993608296387252010-12-31T23:07:00.000+05:302010-12-31T23:07:04.409+05:30Order of Women Freemasons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirpZCmLaf5TO5MdLFl0o8p_fqtstKHs47VFazX5feeCo8U19Z72k0XnOAM97GOLPS1zkp8K8VSIG1wVEwFqMc_LeZrbS7pJntMSOPJhBsEfbplR_7p3Ij7JKTmzIeUCxcqVjhUoozb3-x/s1600/OWF4.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirpZCmLaf5TO5MdLFl0o8p_fqtstKHs47VFazX5feeCo8U19Z72k0XnOAM97GOLPS1zkp8K8VSIG1wVEwFqMc_LeZrbS7pJntMSOPJhBsEfbplR_7p3Ij7JKTmzIeUCxcqVjhUoozb3-x/s1600/OWF4.gif" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <b>Order of Women Freemasons</b> is based in the United Kingdom and is the larger of the two Masonic bodies for women only. Its headquarters is at 27 Pembridge Gardens in London. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="History"></a> <u>History</u></span></h2><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Order was founded in 1908 as the Honourable Fraternity of Antient Masonry, and formed by a small group of men and women who seceded from the Co-Masonic movement. They disagreed with the theosophical precepts and the governance of the Co-Masonic organisation and wanted to return to the traditional workings of English Masonry. The leader and first Grand Master was W. F. Cobb, Rector of St Ethelburga’s church in the City of London. By the time he resigned from the Order in 1912, six Lodges had been consecrated. The second and all subsequent Grand Masters have been women.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The sanctions of United Grand Lodge of England against any of their members who associated with “irregular bodies” of Freemasons, including those admitting women, meant that there were few male candidates after 1910. In 1920 a petition was sent from the Order to UGLE for recognition as a bona fide Masonic body but this was refused. After that men were no longer accepted as candidates into the Order although there were still a few who, distancing themselves from their own Obedience, chose to remain in high office. In 1935 Peter Slingsby, the male Grand Secretary, died and the remaining male Grand Lodge officer, Deputy Grand Master Peter Birchall, was asked to resign. From this date the Order has been exclusively female. Relations with UGLE are now cordial.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 1913 a small group who wished to introduce the Holy Royal Arch degree in an unorthodox manner were expelled from the Order and founded their own female Order, the Honourable Fraternity of Ancient Freemasonry.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The degree of the Holy Royal Arch was legitimately introduced in 1929 and the Mark Degree in 1946. Other Higher and Further Degrees including the Chivalric Degrees were introduced in the late 1940s and the 1950s. All these are administered by the same Grand Lodge as the Craft Degrees.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Honourable Fraternity of Antient Masonry took as its subtitle in 1958 ‘The Order of Women Freemasons’, to make its single-sex nature more obvious, and it is by this name that it is known today.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Order currently comprises nearly 300 working Craft Lodges, based in the British Isles, Australia, Canada, South Africa, Spain and Zimbabwe. There are approximately 7,250 members, at last count. The workings and Constitution of the Order parallel those of the United Grand Lodge of England.</span></div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="Headquarters"></a><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Headquarters</span></u></span></h2><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The headquarters, Grand Lodge administration and Grand Temple are at 27 Pembridge Gardens, Notting Hill Gate, London. The building was given to the Order by a member in 1924. It is used as a headquarters and has an "extensive Grand Temple" plus "a second, smaller Temple".</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><u><b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></b></u> </div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><u><b><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="Grand_Masters"></a>Grand Masters</span></b></u></h2><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The current Grand Master is Zuzanka Penn.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkXvI2NrMKKwQDdclDEgEcFV_Ij-YQqVmaFRcL6Vv8UO77nBvGb9PcvZktXB0m0a_5a714Y2kIxEXIQ8zWk3n1KgKrL0iTmMlJmKYGZpEnJKuprxass6fWRQUqbo4bDtpYBTfChNAUrYQ/s1600/wardens3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkXvI2NrMKKwQDdclDEgEcFV_Ij-YQqVmaFRcL6Vv8UO77nBvGb9PcvZktXB0m0a_5a714Y2kIxEXIQ8zWk3n1KgKrL0iTmMlJmKYGZpEnJKuprxass6fWRQUqbo4bDtpYBTfChNAUrYQ/s320/wardens3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zuzanka Penn (in the center) with other office bearers</td></tr>
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</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Grand Masters of the Order:</span></b></div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">William Frederick Cobb 1908 – 1912 </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Marion Lindsay Halsey 1912 – 1927 </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adelaide Daisy Litten 1928 – 1938 </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lucy Bertram O’Hea 1938 – 1948 </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mary Gordon Muirhead Hope 1948 – 1964 </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mildred Rhoda Low 1964 – 1976 </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Frances Hall 1976 – 1989 </span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Brenda Irene Fleming-Taylor 1989 – 2010</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-size: small;">Zuzanka Penn 2010 -</span><br />
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</ul>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-18506897985403782472010-12-27T21:46:00.000+05:302010-12-27T21:46:28.383+05:30Grand Orient de France<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUWufU0KJEhqJhQDqWWpaTbqtdJYkpsbvIEBTo8FmFkJq4iCx_hOdNe_ONT2w0Ne6KspLZCob3zp03qGghQRkDzs_OfE5OVlbenkz6L5zolcbJ9b6NgbQ3csYA7XhtxLoXm7G61SVVKAR/s1600/GOdFlogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCUWufU0KJEhqJhQDqWWpaTbqtdJYkpsbvIEBTo8FmFkJq4iCx_hOdNe_ONT2w0Ne6KspLZCob3zp03qGghQRkDzs_OfE5OVlbenkz6L5zolcbJ9b6NgbQ3csYA7XhtxLoXm7G61SVVKAR/s1600/GOdFlogo.png" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <b>Grand Orient de France</b> (GODF) is the largest of several Masonic organizations in France and the oldest in Continental Europe, founded in 1733. </span></div><div> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Freemasonry in France started when English merchants started lodges, with the first lodge being started in Dunkirk. The Grand Orient de France was founded in 1733.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h3 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">French Revolution</span></h3><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Lodge Les Neuf Sœurs was a prominent lodge attached to the Grand Orient de France that was particularly influential in organising French support for the American Revolution and later in the intellectual ferment that preceded the French Revolution. Benjamin Franklin was a member of this Lodge when he was serving as liaison in Paris.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some notable French revolutionaries were Freemasons, including Voltaire, Marquis de Condorcet, Mirabeau, Georges Danton, the Duke of Orléans, and Hébert.</span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louis Philippe II</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Louis Philippe II, Duke of Orléans, a leader of the Liberal Aristocracy, was the Grand Master of the Grand Orient at the time of the French Revolution. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <i>Catholic Encyclopedia</i> alleges that the Masonic book <i>La Franc-Maçonnerie, écrasée</i> in 1746 predicted the program of the French Revolution, and claims to quote documents of the Grand Orient of France where Freemasonry claims credit for the French Revolution. However, the <i>New Catholic Encyclopedia</i> of 1967 says that modern historians see Freemasonry's role in the French Revolution as exaggerated.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 1804 it merged with the rival Grand Lodge, the Rite Ecossais.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">In France Napoleon III established a dictatorship over official French freemasonry, appointing first Prince Lucien Murat and later Marshal Magnan to closely supervise the craft and suppress any hints of opposition to the regime. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h3 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Differences with the United Grand Lodge of England</span></h3><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 1877, at the instigation of the Protestant priest Frédéric Desmons, it allowed those who had no belief in a Supreme being - which the United Grand Lodge of England (UGLE) and related Lodges regarded as a Masonic Landmark - to be admitted.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was this decision that has been the root cause of the schism between the Grand Orient (and those lodges that followed it), and the rest of Freemasonry. It is a schism in Freemasonry which continues to this day. It is argued that the definition is ambiguous, that Anderson's Landmarks are his own collection and interpretation of the historical landmarks, and that changes in both interpretation and practice have occurred before and since.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The decision was not universally approved in France. By 1894 many lodges had split off in protest and formed the Grande Loge de France (GLdF) In addition, a third Grand Lodge, the Grande Loge Nationale Francaise (GLNF) was founded by the United Grand Lodge of England in 1913 (GLNF is the only one of the three that is recognized as being "regular" by those Freemasons that follow the Anglo tradition of requiring a belief in Deity.).</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The GODF believes in freedom of conscience, which allows them to admit atheists. On the other hand, those Grand Lodges following the English tradition require their members to profess a belief in deity. The Anglo-Masonic Jurisdictions withdrew recognition from the Grand Orient over this issue, and they now deem the GODF "irregular".</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Grand Orient de France remained an important part of French society after the Second World War. One of the Grand Masters was Jacques Mitterrand, brother of the later Socialist President François Mitterrand </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h3 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="Politics_and_religion"></a>Politics and religion</span></h3><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="cite_ref-31"></a>Unlike the Anglo-Masonic Grand Lodges (especially those affiliated to the United Grand Lodge of England), the Grand Orient of France allows the discussion of political issues and religion in lodge. he Grand Orient itself takes political positions on certain moral issues. It sees as one of its missions protecting the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity (this also being the motto of the French Republic and the GODF). In addition, it expects its members who hold a public office to fight for its values. in order to forward its stated purpose of exerting an influence on ideas, the Grand Master holds regular talks with elected representatives, including the Prime Minister </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h3 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="Female_membership"></a>Female membership</span></h3><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">It was one of the first Masonic orders to allow some of its lodges to become adoptive (i.e. to admit women although it does not initiate them). In 1774, following the introduction of Rites of Adoption in several of its lodges, it issued an edict authorising them, the Duchess of Bourbon being elected first Grand Mistress of France.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">For many years, the Grand Orient would not allow its lodges to initiate women, but did recognize and receive women who were made Freemasons in other jurisdictions. This changed in 2010, and currently the Grand Orient is in the process of not refusing the initiation of women.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="Lodges_chartered_by_GODF_outside_France"></a> Lodges chartered by GODF outside France</span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The GODF has currently the following lodges outside of France:</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Atlantide Lodge, New York City-NY (1900)</span></div></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pacifica Lodge, San Francisco-CA (1986) </span></div></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lafayette Lodge no. 89, Washington, D.C. (1989) </span></div></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Art et Lumière Lodge, Los Angeles-CA (1990) </span></div></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Zora (Dawn) Lodge, Belgrade (Serbia) (1992) </span></div></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vernost (Fidelity) Lodge, Belgrade (Serbia) (2002)</span></div></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ujedinjenje (Unification) Lodge, Belgrade (Serbia) (2006) </span></div></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Harmonija (Harmony) Lodge, Serbia (2008) </span></div></li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Force et Courage Lodge, Montréal (Québec) (1999)</span></div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hiram Lodge, London (UK) (1899)</span></div></li>
</ul><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-15293643261453279272010-11-26T08:39:00.000+05:302010-11-26T08:39:31.327+05:30Order of The Eastern Star<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlaiT_ht257R6XahasKqccso9ZiUm_FUxLpB6TjIffC12qeF7man3oeIgwXiVy_5W8Da9QI6qxqZxsesvjDi_9-CHwR2pE0dcQYdv-1pSJsrFdCLcR_fG3SW4ofHHCC8rWVF79_ZJ_Uul/s1600/easternstar.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlaiT_ht257R6XahasKqccso9ZiUm_FUxLpB6TjIffC12qeF7man3oeIgwXiVy_5W8Da9QI6qxqZxsesvjDi_9-CHwR2pE0dcQYdv-1pSJsrFdCLcR_fG3SW4ofHHCC8rWVF79_ZJ_Uul/s1600/easternstar.PNG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Order of the Eastern Star is a fraternal organization that both men and women can join. It was established in 1850 by Rob Morris, a lawyer and educator from Boston, Massachusetts, who had been an official with the Freemasons. It is based on teachings from the Bible, but is open to people of all monotheistic faiths. It has approximately 10,000 chapters in twenty countries and approximately 500,000 members under its General Grand Chapter. Members of the Order are aged 18 and older; men must be Master Masons and women must have specific relationships with Masons. Originally, a woman would have to be the daughter, widow, wife, sister, or mother of a master Mason, but the Order now allows other relatives as well as allowing Job's Daughters, Rainbow Girls, Members of the Organization of Triangle (NY only) and members of the Constellation of Junior Stars (NY only) to become members when they become of age. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="History"></a><b>History</b></span></h2><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWd8T2cFDJevodUMQlZlanO4SjeRcRM2PO9sU2P4LS_qEc_rQY0EEgiSalUgVHRLod7rI3mkhyphenhyphenhv4G62Pw-N2Trvsvy6wu45aOcR1i1QfPxs8DHHqPzAQ5l-Z8okRHCWz9USYhyphenhyphennGAf81d/s1600/robmoris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWd8T2cFDJevodUMQlZlanO4SjeRcRM2PO9sU2P4LS_qEc_rQY0EEgiSalUgVHRLod7rI3mkhyphenhyphenhv4G62Pw-N2Trvsvy6wu45aOcR1i1QfPxs8DHHqPzAQ5l-Z8okRHCWz9USYhyphenhyphennGAf81d/s1600/robmoris.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Order was created by Rob Morris in 1850 when, while confined by illness, he set down the principles of the order in his <i>Rosary of the Eastern Star</i>. By 1855, he had organized a "Supreme Constellation" in New York, which chartered chapters throughout the United States.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 1866, Dr. Morris started working with Robert Macoy, and handed the Order over to him while Morris was traveling in the Holy Land. Macoy organized the current system of Chapters, and modified Dr. Morris' <i>Rosary</i> into a <i>Ritual</i>.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">On December 1, 1874, Queen Esther Chapter No. 1 became the first Prince Hall Affiliate chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star when it was established in Washington, D.C. by Thornton Andrew Jackson.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The "General Grand Chapter" was formed in Indianapolis, Indiana on November 6, 1876. Committees formed at that time created the <i>Ritual of the Order of the Eastern Star</i> in more or less its current form</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="Emblem_and_heroines"></a><b>Emblem and heroines</b></span></h2><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The emblem of the Order is a five-pointed star with the white ray of the star pointing downwards towards the manger. In the Chapter room, the downward-pointing white ray points to the West. The character-building lessons taught in the Order are stories inspired by Biblical figures:</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adah (Jephthah's daughter, from Judges) </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ruth, the widow </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Esther, the wife </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Martha (sister of Lazarus, from the Gospel of John) </span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Electa (the "elect lady", from II John), the mother </span><br />
</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="Officers"></a><b>Officers</b></span></h2><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are 18 main officers in a full chapter:</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Worthy Matron - presiding officer </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Worthy Patron - a Master Mason who provides general supervision </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Associate Matron - assumes the duties of the Worthy Matron in the absence of that officer </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Associate Patron - assumes the duties of the Worthy Patron in the absence of that officer </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Secretary- takes care of all correspondence and minutes </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Treasurer- takes care of the financial aspect of the Chapter </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Conductress - Leads visitors and initiations. </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Associate Conductress - Assists with introductions and handles ballot box. </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Chaplain - leads the Chapter in prayer </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Marshal - presents the Flag and leads in all ceremonies </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Organist- provides music for the meetings </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Adah - Shares the lesson of Duty of Obedience to the will of GOD </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ruth - Shares the lesson of Honor and Justice </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Esther - Shares the lesson of Loyalty to Family and Friends </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Martha - Shares the lesson of Faith and Trust in God and Everlasting Life </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Electa - Shares the lesson of Charity and Hospitality </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Warder - Sits next to the door inside the meeting room, to make sure those that enter the chapter room are members of the Order. </span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Sentinel - Sits next to the door outside the chapter room, to make sure those that wish to enter are members of the Order. </span><br />
</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Traditionally, a woman who is elected Associate Conductress will the following year be elected to Conductress, then the next year Associate Matron, and the next year Worthy Matron. A man elected Associate Patron will usually the next year be elected Worthy Patron. Usually the woman who is elected to become Associate Matron will let it be known who she wishes to be her Associate Patron, so the next year they will both go to the East together as Worthy Matron and Worthy Patron. There is no male counterpart to the Conductress and Associate Conductress. Only women are allowed to be Matrons, Conductresses, and the Star Points (Adah, Ruth, etc.) and only men can be Patrons</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="Headquarters"></a><b>Headquarters</b></span></h2><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQV6xse4QYHDmSjrpRWOTwdFkikXDTfXWslkeYxNLWXFfRLVHjLCPYpTvgIGLbCRodMGXXN3uVdUbmMUn7DAIoyCof-2VwEtnbUq2nYwAVPoOHtBz9P9DSB8-9BGqwQGJHZ75PFD0ZVpa/s1600/templeofstar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFQV6xse4QYHDmSjrpRWOTwdFkikXDTfXWslkeYxNLWXFfRLVHjLCPYpTvgIGLbCRodMGXXN3uVdUbmMUn7DAIoyCof-2VwEtnbUq2nYwAVPoOHtBz9P9DSB8-9BGqwQGJHZ75PFD0ZVpa/s1600/templeofstar.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The General Grand Chapter headquarters, the International Temple, is located in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C., in the former Perry Belmont Mansion. The mansion was built in 1909 for the purpose of entertaining the guests of Perry Belmont. This included Britain's Prince of Wales in 1919. General Grand Chapter purchased the building in 1935. The secretary of General Grand Chapter lives there while serving his or her term of office. The mansion features works of art from around the world, most of which were given as gifts from various international Eastern Star chapters. </span></div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-89461685087716603482010-11-24T10:10:00.001+05:302010-11-24T10:14:58.701+05:30Order of the Amaranth<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><div class="fullImageLink" id="file"></div><div class="fullImageLink" id="file"></div><div class="fullImageLink" id="file"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b1/Orderamaranth.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="File:Orderamaranth.jpg" height="176" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/b1/Orderamaranth.jpg" width="180" /></a><small></small><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Order of the Amaranth</b> is a Masonic-affiliated women's organization founded in 1873. As in the Order of the Eastern Star, members of the Order must be age 18 and older; men must be Master Masons; and women must be related to Masons as wives, mothers, daughters, widows, sisters, nieces, aunts, et cetera, or have been active members of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls or Job's Daughters International for more than three years and be recommended by a Master Mason.</span></div></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Amaranth was based on Queen Christina of Sweden's court. Christina had created the "Order of the Amarantha" for the ladies and knights of her court. In 1860, James B. Taylor of Newark, New Jersey drew upon this order to create a new fraternal society. In 1873, Robert Macoy organized Taylor's society into the Order of the Amaranth, part of a proposed Adoptive Rite of Masonry. Eastern Star was to be the first degree, and until 1921, Amaranth members were required to join Eastern Star first.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">In the Order's teachings, the members are emphatically reminded of their duties to God, to their country and to their fellow beings. They are urged to portray, by precept and example, their belief in the "Golden Rule" and by conforming to the virtues inherent in TRUTH, FAITH, WISDOM and CHARITY they can prove to others the goodness promulgated by the Order.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Amaranth is organized into Courts, under Grand Courts at the State level. The primary body is called the Supreme Council (which has some subordinate Courts directly under it, as well). Women members of the Order are addressed as "Honored Lady", while men are referred to as "Sir Knight"</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
<u><b><span style="font-size: small;">Officers</span></b></u></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The officers of a Court are:</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"></div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Royal Matron</b> - presiding officer </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Royal Patron</b> - enforces the rules of the order </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Associate Matron</b> - assumes the duties of the Royal Matron in the absence of that officer </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Associate Patron</b> - assumes the duties of the Royal Patron in the absence of that officer </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Secretary</b>- takes care the courts business </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Treasurer</b>- takes care of the courts money </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Conductress</b> - leads candidates through the degree of the order </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Associate Conductress</b> - assist the conductress </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Prelate</b> - leads the Court in prayer </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Historian</b> - keeps records of the court </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Marshal in the East</b> - escorts the royal matron, displays the flag of the country </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Marshal in the West</b> - assist the marshal in the east </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Musician</b> - provides music for the meetings </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Truth</b>- </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Faith</b>- </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Wisdom</b>- </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Charity</b>- </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Standard Bearer</b> - displays the banner of the order </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Chairman of the Trustees</b> - Revolving Committee a three year term, with a new trustee elected every year. </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>2 yr Trustee</b> - </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>3 yr Trustee</b> - </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Warder</b> - Sits next to the door inside the meeting room, to make sure those that enter the court room are members of the Order. </span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Sentinel</b> - Sits next to the door outside the court room, to make sure those that wish to enter are members of the Order. </span> </li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The order's philanthropic project is the Amaranth Diabetes Foundation. The flag of the appropriate country is prominently displayed at all meetings.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-54387375835105216642010-11-20T07:58:00.000+05:302010-11-20T07:58:43.575+05:30Lodge Liberté Chérie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZ9hJ7bhnS17Mb8dZI6RAGOm7r0bOc66eeo9elDE-KOyq-L8POsrSGDoJ9JXO6Y-y8orEkvfr6jDjq4-ANeyjNelWbWtRO14PJIoJAZ_hcVze5YFYAO9gKCo3NOk6IDTH1h98coDO09Wc/s1600/lc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlZ9hJ7bhnS17Mb8dZI6RAGOm7r0bOc66eeo9elDE-KOyq-L8POsrSGDoJ9JXO6Y-y8orEkvfr6jDjq4-ANeyjNelWbWtRO14PJIoJAZ_hcVze5YFYAO9gKCo3NOk6IDTH1h98coDO09Wc/s1600/lc2.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Liberté chérie</b> was one of the very few masonic lodges founded within a Nazi concentration camp during the Second World War. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="The_Lodge"></a>The Lodge</span></h2><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the 15 November 1943 - seven Belgian Freemasons and resistance fighters - founded the Masonic Lodge <i>Loge Liberté chérie</i> (French: "Beloved Liberty Lodge") inside Hut 6 of Emslandlager VII (Esterwegen). The name of the lodge was derived from <i>La Marseillaise</i>.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The original seven Freemasons of <i>Loge Liberté chérie</i> were:</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul Hanson, </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Luc Somerhausen, </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jean De Schrijver, </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jean Sugg, </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Henri Story, </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Amédée Miclotte, </span></div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;">Franz Rochat, and </span></div></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;">Guy Hannecart. </span><br />
</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">and they later Initiated, Passed and Raised Brother Fernand Erauw, another Belgian.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Messrs. De Schrijver and Story arrived well after the establishment of the Lodge and were not the founding members, but members only.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Paul Hanson was elected Master. The Brethren met for Lodge Work in Hut 6 around a table, which was otherwise used for cartridge sorting. A Catholic Priest stood watch, so that the Brethren could hold their meetings; and protected their secrecy.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hut 6 was used for foreign <i>Nacht und Nebel</i>, (German: "Night and Fog"), prisoners. The Emslandlagercamps were a group of camps whose history is represented by a permanent exhibition in the Documentation and Information Centre in Papenburg. Altogether 15 camps were established on the Netherlands border, with central administration in Papenburg.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Luc Somerhausen described Erauw‘s Intitiation, etc., as just as simple ceremonies. These ceremonies, (to whose secrecy they asked the community of Catholic Priests for assistance, "with their prayers"), "...took place at one of the tables... ...after a very highly simplified ritual - whose individual components were however explained to the initiate; that from now on he could participate in the work of the Lodge".</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">More than hundred prisoners were in Hut 6, and locked up nearly around the clock - allowed to leave only for a half-hour walk per day, under supervision. During the day half of the Camp had to sort cartridges and radio parts. The prisoners of the other half of the Camp were forced to work under dreadful conditions in the surrounding peat bogs. The nutrition was so miserable that the prisoners lost 4 kg body weight each month, on average.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">After the first ritual meeting, with admission of the new brother, further meetings were thematically prepared. One was dedicated to the symbol of the Great Architect of the Universe, another “The future of Belgium”, and a further, “The position of women in Freemasonry”. Only Somerhausen and Erauw survived detention, and the Lodge stopped “working” at the beginning of 1944.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="The_Lodge_members"></a>The Lodge members</span></h2><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lodge Master, Paul Hanson was moved, and died in the rubble of his prison, during an Allied air bombardment on Essen, 26 March 1944.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jean Sugg, and Franz Rochat, belonged to the "Philanthropic Friends" Lodge (Les Amis Philanthropes, Lodge No. 5 of the Grand Orient of Belgium).</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Franz Rochat, a University Professor, Pharmacist and director of an important pharmaceutical laboratory, was born on 10 March 1908 in Saint-Gilles. He was a worker in the underground press, and the resistance publication "voice of the Belgians". He was arrested on 28 February 1942, arrived at Untermansfeld April 1944, and died there on 6 April 1945.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jean Sugg was born at the 8 September 1897 in Ghent and was of Swiss German origin. He co-operated with Franz Rochat in the Underground Press, translated German and Swiss texts, and contributed to clandestine publications, including, <i>La Libre Belgique</i>, <i>La Légion Noire</i>, <i>Le Petit Belge</i> and <i>L'Anti Boche</i>. He died in a concentration camp on 8 February 1945.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dr. Amédée Miclotte was a High School Teacher. He was born on 20 December 1902 in Lahamaide, and belonged to the Lodge "Union et Progrès". He was last seen in detention, on 8 February 1945.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jean De Schrijver, was a Colonel in the Belgian Army. He was born on 23 August 1893 in Aalst, and Brother of the lodge "La Liberté" in Ghent. On 2 September 1943 he was arrested on charges of espionage and possession of arms, and died in February 1945.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Henri Story was born on 27 November 1897 in Ghent. He was a member of the Lodge "Le Septentrion" in Ghent. He died on 5 December 1944.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Luc Somerhausen, a journalist, was born on 26 August 1903, in Hoeilaart. He was arrested on 28 May 1943 in Brussels. He belonged to the lodge "ACSO III" and was Deputy Secretary of the Grand Orient of Belgium (Grand Orient de Belgique).</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fernand Erauw, an Assessor at the Audit Office, and Reserve Officer with the Infantry, was born on 29 January 1914, in Wemmel. He was arrested on 4 August 1942, as a member of the “Secret Army”. He escaped and was finally arrested in 1943.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Guy Hannecart (1903–1945) a lawyer and leader of "La Voix des belges". He was also member of the lodge "les Amis Philanthropes N°3"</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Survivors Erauw and Somerhausen met again in 1944 in the Oranienburg Sachsenhausen concentration camp, and remained inseparable from then on. In the spring 1945 they were involved in the “Death Marches”, and although Erauw was 1.84 m tall, he weighed only 32 kg on 21 May 1945 — in the Saint Pierre Hospital in Brussels.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">In August 1945 Luc Somerhausen sent a detailed report to the Grand Master of the Grand Orient of Belgium, in which he delineated the history of the "loge Liberté chérie". Luc Somerhausen died in 1982 at the age of 79. The last witness, Fernand Erauw, died at the age of 83, in 1997.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXe8wMJTiVz2Pk-KWjl2N5-o0kydkCGKkHcYyhbTjBrddcl4iTIDV8gfC3-lHLkj5u-gbZPGZhOSgB4LoArt5uL6vpAvNvGJ_bzYV37LKVnSLaCU5Jpjkfi399as3WYruHixJveAVbb0m/s1600/lc1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcXe8wMJTiVz2Pk-KWjl2N5-o0kydkCGKkHcYyhbTjBrddcl4iTIDV8gfC3-lHLkj5u-gbZPGZhOSgB4LoArt5uL6vpAvNvGJ_bzYV37LKVnSLaCU5Jpjkfi399as3WYruHixJveAVbb0m/s1600/lc1.jpg" /></a></div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="The_Memorial"></a> The Memorial</span></h2><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">A memorial, created by Architect Jean de Salle, was raised by Belgian and German Freemasons on Saturday November 13, 2004. It is now part of the memorial site of the Esterwegen Cemetery. Wim Rutten, the Grand Master of the Belgian Federation of the "Le Droit Humain" said during an address:</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">"We are gathered here today on this Cemetery in Esterwegen, not to mourn, but to express free thoughts in public." - "In memory of our brothers; human rights should never be forgotten." </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> <br />
</div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-25632272490716082702010-11-19T09:00:00.000+05:302010-11-19T09:00:00.375+05:30C L I P S A S<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZ7qbfJyqTmPvtJQGfqUEw28eQIikBGvoRN74gu3AS7ScxcF_MvHAmphXJq2iJPxr5CeKA9lZH2hVe4BL0GAlMt-tfMtn6qJfjZsRjymAq5MATYT1YcJdDQl_kBgR0Txupq3Eg5QkcNQ7/s1600/clipsas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioZ7qbfJyqTmPvtJQGfqUEw28eQIikBGvoRN74gu3AS7ScxcF_MvHAmphXJq2iJPxr5CeKA9lZH2hVe4BL0GAlMt-tfMtn6qJfjZsRjymAq5MATYT1YcJdDQl_kBgR0Txupq3Eg5QkcNQ7/s1600/clipsas.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">CENTRE OF LIAISON AND INFORMATION OF MASONIC POWERS SIGNATORIES OF STRASBOURG APPEAL</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;">It was founded on January 22, 1961 as an initiative of the Grand Orient of France and other eleven sovereign Masonic powers which, before the growing intransigence and the exclusivities of certain obediences, agreed to appeal to all Freemasons of the world to congregate, respecting their sovereignty, their faiths, their rites and their symbols, in a real and indissoluble Chain of Universal Union.</span> </blockquote><blockquote style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;">It is an association registered in Paris and ruled by the French law of July 1, 1901, for recognized associations.</span> </blockquote><blockquote style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;">CLIPSAS is an international liberal freemasonry organization from all over the world. Cohering with the ethics proposed by its founders, we are proud of submitting our fidelity only to the message of tolerance, fraternity and union.</span> </blockquote><blockquote style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <div align="justify"><span style="font-size: small;">Its objective is to congregate Freemasons, men and women, who consider that ABSOLUTE LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE is the humanity's great victory over itself.</span></div></blockquote><blockquote style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: small;">The most important advances in the recognition of the Absolute Liberty of Conscience, which comprehends by definition the liberty of association in the direction of reconciliation among different metaphysical conceptions of Freemasonry, CLIPSAS Member Obedience Lodges are free to open their works with or without the Bible, under the aegis of the Great Architect of the Universe or not. </span></div><span style="font-size: small;">CLIPSAS is the Center of Fraternal Union of the Freemasons who consider that the liberty of conscience is a victory of the humanity over itself and, far away from being a factor of disunion; it leads, thanks to the free confrontation of opinions, to the suppression of all barriers.</span> </blockquote><blockquote style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Surpassing the simple relations of fraternal connections, the Obediences of CLIPSAS felt the need of studying together the problems that determine the future of the man. For that reason, Clipsas organizes an annual Colloquium in order to discuss the subjects that worry the modern world after they have been discussed throughout the year in the Member Obediences.</span> </blockquote><blockquote style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <div align="justify"><span style="font-size: small;">Very constructive syntheses are produced from those common reflections done by Freemasons from different continents and varied cultures. </span></div><div align="justify"><span style="font-size: small;">The General Assembly is the supreme organ of CLIPSAS. It is composed by especially designated representatives, usually the Grand Master himself, and all the Freemasons can participate, men and women, even apprentices, from every Obedience. </span></div><span style="font-size: small;">To manage the association in Assembly meetings, every three years a Board of Directors composed by a President and six Vice-presidents is elected.</span> </blockquote><blockquote> <div align="justify" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Presidencies of CLIPSAS: </span></div><div align="left" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">GRAND ORIENT DE BELGIQUE 1961-1990<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Georges BEERNAERTS 1961-1962<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Charles CASTEL 1962-1964<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Walter HEINZ 1964-1966 <br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Paul VAN HERCKE 1966 <br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Robert DILLE 1966-1970 <br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Victor MARTINY 1970-1973 <br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Pierre BURTON 1973-1976 <br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Jaak NUTKEWITZ 1976-1979 <br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">André MECHELYNCK 1979-1982 <br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Nicolas BONTYES 1982-1985 <br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Silvain LOCCUFIER 1985-1987 <br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Guy VLAEMINCK 1987-1990 </span></div><div align="left" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">GRAND ORIENT DE FRANCE 1990-1993 <br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Jean-Robert RAGACHE 1990-1993 </span></div><div align="left" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">GRAND ORIENT DE LUXEMBOURG 1993-1996 <br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Marc-Antoine CAUCHIE 1993-1996 </span></div><div align="left" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">GRANDE LOGE FÉMININE DE FRANCE 1996-1998 <br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Marie-France COQUARD 1996-1998 </span></div><div align="left" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">GRANDE LOGE SYMBOLIQUE ESPAGNOLE 1998-2000 <br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Javier OTAOLA BAJENETA 1998-2000 </span></div><div align="left" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">GRAND ORIENT DE LUXEMBOURG 2000-2004 <br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Marc-Antoine CAUCHIE 2000-2004 </span></div><div align="left" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">GRANDS ORIENT ET LOGE ASSOCIÉE DU CONGO 2004-2007<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Gabriel NZAMBILA 2004-2007</span></div><div align="left" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-size: small;">GRANDE LOJA UNIDA DO PARANÁ 2007-2010<br />
Jefferson Isaac Joăo SCHEER 2007-</span><span style="font-size: small;">V</span><span style="font-size: small;">2007</span></div><div align="left"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">GRAND ORIENT DE LUXEMBOURG 2008-2011 </span><br style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;" /><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> Marc-Antoine CAUCHIE 2008-2011 </span> </span></div></blockquote> </div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-12815472210742672002010-11-13T09:08:00.000+05:302010-11-13T09:08:09.479+05:30Grand Orient Egyptian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdmkNvmyzpN3xjJMGUW3lr40GjtGAxQOGrfX09asFNmb3tagYOIC5__Zj7x5ooHZiHyVQZeO42bRp4t4e_GRjPH_jkEaAb_xfnxuN9LDw6iN9qmAbnugnN69Pp5QHlZ7caVojxm78XaKA/s1600/egyptian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdmkNvmyzpN3xjJMGUW3lr40GjtGAxQOGrfX09asFNmb3tagYOIC5__Zj7x5ooHZiHyVQZeO42bRp4t4e_GRjPH_jkEaAb_xfnxuN9LDw6iN9qmAbnugnN69Pp5QHlZ7caVojxm78XaKA/s1600/egyptian.jpg" /></a></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2TFMTQfktVDb1M_oLNL8MQWMiyFShCk4JSwqrEItbUisgetNQJWcwXLQaJGub7LDxUGPNkqwLtvmaOKcYMA3ho9uz0uh-OpPUsule0v63R_maB-YyRr_VFQs6bbnBctR8bNMS3h4Vbna/s1600/Egyptian+Alessandro_Cagliostro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2TFMTQfktVDb1M_oLNL8MQWMiyFShCk4JSwqrEItbUisgetNQJWcwXLQaJGub7LDxUGPNkqwLtvmaOKcYMA3ho9uz0uh-OpPUsule0v63R_maB-YyRr_VFQs6bbnBctR8bNMS3h4Vbna/s1600/Egyptian+Alessandro_Cagliostro.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="font-style: normal;">The creator of the Egyptian Freemasonry of Egyptian Rite was the Count Alexander of Cagliostro (1749-1796), born in Tunisi. He must not be identified with the mystifier Giuseppe Balsamo (1743-1795), the palermitano recruited by the Jesuits to personify and to throw the disrepute on the true Count of Cagliostro. <br />
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Alexander of Cagliostro was initiated to the secrets of the Egyptian Freemasonry by the mysterious Master Altothas in 1776, year of the foundation of the Illuminati Order. And few know that the summit of the Illuminati Order was constituted by six members: four were known (Weishaupt, von Knigge, Goethe, Herder) and two were secrets (Franklin and Cagliostro). <br />
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In effects a secret connection existed between the Illuminati Order of Weishaupt and the Egyptian Freemasonry of Cagliostro that was officially founded in 1785, year of the suppression of the Illuminati Order. Besides, Napoleone Bonaparte was initiated by Cagliostro to the Egyptian Freemasonry and the Masonic Rites of Memphis, of Misraïm and of Memphis-Misraïm come down from it. <br />
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Between 1810 and 1813, in Naples (Italy), the three brothers Bédarride (Michel, Marc and Joseph) received the Supreme Powers from the Order of Misraïm and they developed the Rite of Misraïm in France. They made it official in Paris in 1814. The Rite was composed of 90 degrees, taken from the Scottish freemasonry, from Martinism and other Masonic currents, and the last four degrees received the name of "Arcana Arcanorum." <br />
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In 1815, in Montauban (France), the Mother Lodge of the Rite of Memphis was constituted with the Grand Master Samuel Honis as head, whom followed, in 1816, Gabriel-Mathieu Marconis. In 1838, Jean Etienne Marconis de Nègre, son of this last one, took over the Rite of Memphis. The Rite, for J. E. Marconis de Nègre, was a continuation of the ancient Mysteries practised in the Antiquity, in India and in Egypt. The Constitutions of the Rite said: "... the masonic rite of Memphis is the continuation of the Mysteries of the Antiquity. The Rite taught the first men to pay homage to the divinity... ". The Rite of Memphis reached the 92 and 95 degrees. <br />
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In 1881, the Italian general Giuseppe Garibaldi reunified the Rites of Memphis and Misraïm and became the Grand Hierophante of both. After the death of Garibaldi, in 1882, the Rites entered in a "dark" period up to when, in 1890, various lodges of both Rites were federated and the Rite of Memphis-Misraïm appeared. In 1900, the Italian Ferdinando Francesco degli Oddi became Head of the Memphis-Misraïm and was replaced, by the English John Yarker, in 1902. The Rite reached the 97 degrees. <br />
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In 1902, the German Theodor Reuss established the Sovereign Sanctuary of Memphis-Misraïm in Germany and in 1913, after the death of Yarker, he became the International Head of the Rite. In 1924, T. Reuss passed to Eternal East and the succession was interrupted, except in the O.T.O. (Ordo Templi Orientis), the neotemplar order founded by Reuss, in 1905, in Germany. In reality, the O.T.O. had included the Rite of Memphis-Misraïm, although in a reduced version, where its principals degrees were incorporated.<br />
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In 1909, Theodor Reuss delivered a licence to the famous martinista Gerard Encauss (Papus). The successors of Papus were Charles Detré (Tedé), Jean Bricaud, Constant Chevillon, Charles-Henry Dupont and Robert Ambelain. In 1939, Jean Bricaud passed to the Eternal East and was followed by Chevillon. In 1944, Chevillon was murdered by the French collaborationists of nazional-socialism and was followed by Dupont. And, in 1960, Ambelain succeeded Dupont. <br />
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On November 14, 1973, the Italian Francesco Brunelli (1927-1982) was named by Robert Ambelain responsible for the Rite in Italy. On November 22, 1973, Francesco Brunelli (Nebo) - Grand Master of the Martinist Ancient and Traditional Order and of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm - was received with all honors in the Grand Lodge of Italy, to Palazzo Giustiniani. But the activity of the Rite in Italy and in the Grand Lodge of Italy was anecdotal in the seventies. <br />
<br />
In 1981, Francesco Brunelli contacted the known Italian initiate Frank G. Ripel to restructure the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm and the situation of the Rite was the following: 99º or International Head of the Egyptian Oriental Order of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm, 98º or Incognito Superior (from the degree VIIº to the XIIIº of the Order of the Rosa Mistica), 97º or Substitute of the International Head, 96º or National Head, 1º-95º or Operative Freemason (from the Iº to the VIº of the Order of the Rosa Mistica). In the renewed Egyptian Oriental Order of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm of which we are about to talk, from 1º to 95º, the 6 Alchemical Operations are found and associated to the degrees 1º-3º, 4º-33º, 34º-42º, 43º-63º, 64º-74º and 75º-95º. <br />
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Frank G. Ripel was at the head of the Egyptian Oriental Order of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm between 1981 and 1999, when he put it in "sleep." <br />
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At the end of March 2003, Frank G. Ripel, being Grand Master of the O.C.I. (Order of the Enlightened Knights) had a contact with the Spanish Gabriel López de Rojas, founder and Grand Master of the Illuminati Order, O.H.O. of the Societas O.T.O. (Ordo Templi Orientalis), 33º degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, maximum degree of a pair of Egyptian Rites. When Gabriel López de Rojas learned that the Egyptian Oriental Order of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm of Frank G. Ripel was in "sleep", proposed to Ripel "to wake it up again" and he accepted, making it to revive, on May 1, 2003, with the name of Egyptian Freemasonry of the Ancient and Primitive Rite of Memphis-Misraïm. </span></em></span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">by Galbix Red and Gabriel López de Rojas</span></span></em></span></div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: small;"><em><span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> </span></em></span> </div><div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-50902619563799631872010-11-11T10:19:00.000+05:302010-11-11T10:19:26.703+05:30Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpCBw3O-TnW7akZesFGRB2ut3fNKJ1Lz2fGNrX-kqFW5dH3l-4g2Kjowhn8Sd7CydaN-veDUSQei_OlbLglgdfgsOH4Bz_uXeAtWgH-WRTjMpHAWxYtMSvSzVHo8JhSDP1cMONnf_Ib8T/s1600/Shriners.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUpCBw3O-TnW7akZesFGRB2ut3fNKJ1Lz2fGNrX-kqFW5dH3l-4g2Kjowhn8Sd7CydaN-veDUSQei_OlbLglgdfgsOH4Bz_uXeAtWgH-WRTjMpHAWxYtMSvSzVHo8JhSDP1cMONnf_Ib8T/s1600/Shriners.png" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The <b>Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine</b>, commonly known as <b>Shriners</b> and abbreviated <b>A.A.O.N.M.S.</b>, established in 1870 is an appendant body to Freemasonry, based in the United States. The organization is best-known for the Shriners Hospitals for Children they administer and the red fezzes that members wear. The organization is headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Shriners International is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. There are approximately 340,000 members from 193 temples (chapters) in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Republic of Panama, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Europe and Australia </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="History"></a><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">History</span></u></span></h2><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0a2Hy8Ty1VJ2DCCWtw7tOj2PQkRAQ1KODGSYISAxWoq__6Nrt7ODw2_e7TWPlSluDPGKAve0wGB897X2iArypzkD42QdQTb6laUfchhHWC1POkghxmBHLhx-D92hWGGw9EZS3Olto-lB/s1600/shriner+Dr_Walter_Millard_Fleming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc0a2Hy8Ty1VJ2DCCWtw7tOj2PQkRAQ1KODGSYISAxWoq__6Nrt7ODw2_e7TWPlSluDPGKAve0wGB897X2iArypzkD42QdQTb6laUfchhHWC1POkghxmBHLhx-D92hWGGw9EZS3Olto-lB/s1600/shriner+Dr_Walter_Millard_Fleming.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dr. Walter M Fleming</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 1870, there were several thousand Masons in Manhattan, many of whom lunched at the Knickerbocker Cottage at a special table on the second floor. There, the idea of a new fraternity for Masons stressing fun and fellowship was discussed. Dr. Walter M. Fleming, M.D., and William J. Florence took the idea seriously enough to act upon it.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyDGds15RoXlBNMeZMUahmVkwDpzOuNCsGdltsnhIsq0glguYIfOVS6fbv5C13Aj7X18UUZmnfQwwY7GYogve1B8ZKvBvPfjUB1-9lXBXXxGHZUuhi9WHPyG1AgaEaD062ZywVZnNKC3G/s1600/shriner+William_J_Conlin_-_Florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyDGds15RoXlBNMeZMUahmVkwDpzOuNCsGdltsnhIsq0glguYIfOVS6fbv5C13Aj7X18UUZmnfQwwY7GYogve1B8ZKvBvPfjUB1-9lXBXXxGHZUuhi9WHPyG1AgaEaD062ZywVZnNKC3G/s1600/shriner+William_J_Conlin_-_Florence.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William J Florence</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Florence, a world-renowned actor, while on tour in Marseilles, was invited to a party given by an Arabian diplomat. The entertainment was something in the nature of an elaborately staged musical comedy. At its conclusion, the guests became members of a secret society. Florence took copious notes and drawings at his initial viewing and on two other occasions, once in Algiers and once in Cairo. When he returned to New York in 1870, he showed his material to Fleming.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fleming took the ideas supplied by Florence and converted them into what would become the "Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (A.A.O.N.M.S.)". Fleming created the ritual, emblem and costumes. Florence and Fleming were initiated August 13, 1870, and initiated 11 other men on June 16, 1871.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhCzJATQsd2Jj2I1S23ExdpwKx3q-4QcAaGLHu0nT3CyGNgzWH7aaBBV5y4AY6YT3dQPNuiKzg7CPDvhee5UlEKzMZR9fOh_lvnDO_AWsDBBm9chruWfz1Pe48sWpEveTtU2O9UXmyGIG/s1600/shriners+Fez_297339686.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIhCzJATQsd2Jj2I1S23ExdpwKx3q-4QcAaGLHu0nT3CyGNgzWH7aaBBV5y4AY6YT3dQPNuiKzg7CPDvhee5UlEKzMZR9fOh_lvnDO_AWsDBBm9chruWfz1Pe48sWpEveTtU2O9UXmyGIG/s1600/shriners+Fez_297339686.gif" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The group adopted a Middle Eastern theme and soon established Temples meeting in Mosques (though the term Temple has now generally been replaced by Shrine Auditorium or Shrine Center). The first Temple established was Mecca Temple (now known as Mecca Shriners), established at the New York City Masonic Hall on September 26, 1872. Fleming was the first Potentate.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 1875, there were only 43 Shriners in the organization. In an effort to spur membership, at the June 6, 1876 meeting of Mecca Temple, the Imperial Grand Council of the Ancient Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for North America was created. Fleming was elected the first Imperial Potentate. After some other reworking, by 1878 there were 425 members in 13 temples in eight states, and by 1888, there were 7,210 members in 48 temples in the United States and Canada. By the Imperial Session held in Washington, D.C. in 1900, there were 55,000 members and 82 Temples.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shriners often participate in local parades, sometimes as rather elaborate units: miniature vehicles in themes (all sports cars; all miniature 18-wheeler trucks; all fire engines, and so on), an "Oriental Band" dressed in cartoonish versions of Middle Eastern dress; pipe bands, drummers, motorcycle units, Drum and Bugle Corps, and even traditional brass bands</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></u> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><u><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="Membership"></a>Membership</span></u></h2><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Despite its theme, the Shrine is in no way connected to Islam. It is a men's fraternity rather than a religion or religious group. Its only religious requirement is indirect: all Shriners must be Masons, and petitioners to Freemasonry must profess a belief in a Supreme Being. To further minimize confusion with religion, the use of the word "Temple" to describe Shriners' buildings has been replaced by "Shrine Center," although individual local chapters are still called "Temples."</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Until 2000, before being eligible for membership in the Shrine, a person had to complete either the Scottish Rite or York Rite degrees of Masonry, but now any Master Mason can join.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="Architecture"></a><u><b><span style="font-weight: normal;">Architecture</span></b></u></span></h2><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some of the earliest Shrine Centers often chose a Moorish Revival style for their Temples. Architecturally notable Shriners Temples include the New York City Center, now used as a concert hall, Newark Symphony Hall, The Landmark Theater (formerly The Mosque) in Richmond, Virginia, the Tripoli Shrine Temple in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the Fox Theatre (Atlanta, Georgia) which was jointly built between the Atlanta Shriners and William Fox.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="Shriners_Hospitals_for_Children"></a><u>Shriners Hospitals for Children</u></span></h2><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Shrine's charitable arm is the Shriners Hospitals for Children, a network of twenty-two hospitals in the United States, Mexico and Canada. It was originally formed to treat young victims of polio, but as that disease was controlled, they broadened their scope. They now deal with orthopedic care, burn treatment, cleft lip and palate care and spinal cord injury rehabilitation. All treatment offered at Shriner's Hospitals for Children is offered without any financial obligation to patients and their families, and there is no requirement for religion, race, or relationship to a Shriner. Patients must be under the age of eighteen and treatable.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">In 2008, Shriners Hospitals had a total budget of $826 million and in 2007 they approved 39,454 new patient applications, attended to the needs of 125,125 patients</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="" name="Other_events"></a><u><span style="font-weight: normal;">Other events</span></u></span></h2><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Shriners are committed to community service and have been instrumental in countless public projects throughout their domain. They also host the annual East-West Shrine Game which is a college football all-star game. Shriners also hold the JT Shriners Open which is held in Las Vegas.</span></h2><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Once a year, the fraternity meets for the Imperial Council Session in a major North American city. It is not uncommon for these conventions to have 20,000 participants or more, which generates significant revenue for the local economy.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Many Shrine Centers also hold a yearly Shrine Circus as a fundraiser.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-45123863799587810162010-11-10T11:34:00.000+05:302010-11-10T11:34:24.766+05:30Brotherhood of David & Jonathan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT459tiRdmYg-z4YHarDZjKA19IBbL6jUSIeLIitIUzzTl7K4_8UmuXG1E_kj8Fn2Z7oe__c41cKTN0UM_NUoLPUDNcAivbOrHLXDB5yT-UfG_nwFi8qLjcJeghQ_SOcQjvLU3LpSTjEMA/s1600/david+regalia.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT459tiRdmYg-z4YHarDZjKA19IBbL6jUSIeLIitIUzzTl7K4_8UmuXG1E_kj8Fn2Z7oe__c41cKTN0UM_NUoLPUDNcAivbOrHLXDB5yT-UfG_nwFi8qLjcJeghQ_SOcQjvLU3LpSTjEMA/s1600/david+regalia.gif" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The first references to this Order are known to be of Dutch origin and there is an interesting document written in the last quarter of the Nineteenth Century which states that the Order of David and Jonathan was brought to the New World about the year 1658 by Dutch settlers of Jewish descent who settled in Newport, Rhode Island.<br />
<br />
Looking at the history of the Netherlands, the northernmost part of the Netherlands, Holland, was essentially Protestant in its religious persuasion in the 1550s but an unfortunate dynastic marriage caused first a strong Austrian and then a Spanish influence. Both Austria and Spain were strongholds of Roman Catholicism and in those days of extreme religious intolerance was consequently abhorent to the Dutch Lutherians. Inevitably this led to the formation of underground secret societies with the object of freeing the Mother-land from the fetters of their overlords.<br />
<br />
As we can read in the Old Testament books of Samuel, just as David was persecuted by Saul, so were the Dutch Protestants harassed by the Catholics. A revolutionary brotherhood was formed with modes of recognition suited to the hours of darkness as well as in daylight, and signs and symbols were chosen from the David and Jonathan story in the Bible.<br />
<br />
That was in the late 16th century; and it occurred again a hundred years later when Louis XIV of France invaded the Low Countries again in a Catholic crusade against the Huguenots; the same modes of recognition were employed to cause confusion amongst the invaders.<br />
<br />
Many Dutch Protestants emigrated to the New World to find a new life with greater liberty than seemed possible in Holland at that time and it is probable that the Order travelled with them. Any opposition to the way of life of the Dutch settlers immediately drew forth a resurgence of the David and Jonathan cult which had served the Netherlanders so well in the past.</span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1dXCZyadFG1egbjVNRs6SEPqZXQTgvAMMvoo7wLEhJU4lHygtzYRQ8M7p0mxuOMsnr-FQ7whQ35ZktJRIcmjkbK9HSEgRgV5nZq2c-zQCdOyWI4s7cs1Ik0cLqOM-vg2TjTmYGTzWQXi/s1600/Dr.Zacharie.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1dXCZyadFG1egbjVNRs6SEPqZXQTgvAMMvoo7wLEhJU4lHygtzYRQ8M7p0mxuOMsnr-FQ7whQ35ZktJRIcmjkbK9HSEgRgV5nZq2c-zQCdOyWI4s7cs1Ik0cLqOM-vg2TjTmYGTzWQXi/s1600/Dr.Zacharie.gif" /></a></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Secret Monitor grew in America as a side degree conferred by any Mason who had received it himself. It was brought to England in around 1875, by Dr. Issachar Zacharie when he returned from America following his service as Chiropodist-General to the United States Army during the Civil War. He settled back at 80, Brook Street, London, where he built up a busy and successful practice as an orthopedic surgeon. In London he became a member of the Bon Accord Mark Lodge and there he met a number of other brethren who had become Secret Monitors during their Masonic progress in other countries. At his invitation, they all met at his house on 5th. May, 1887 and resolved to form a Conclave to be called the Alfred Meadows Conclave </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>(Alfred Meadows was a distinguished surgeon).</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> Under the leadership of Dr. Zacharie a Grand Council was formed later in 1887 and the ritual was extended when a further two degrees were added, one of which pertained to the Chair of the Supreme Ruler.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">The degrees gained in popularity, but this success was to bring about a series of unfortunate events, for in the meantime the Grand Council of Allied Masonic Degrees had been empowered by an American body of similar name to confer their version of the degree. Regretfully a period of over 37 years elapsed, during which both orders were conferring a Secret Monitor degree, but the matter was finally resolved in 1931 when C.W. Napier-Clavering was in the favourable position of being Grand Supreme Ruler of the Secret Monitor and also Grand Master of Allied Masonry. He then implemented an agreement transferring all rights to the Grand Council of the Order of the Secret Monitor and the degree was removed from the list of degrees of the Allied body.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">The Order comprises the following degrees:<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">1. Secret Monitor</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-size: small;"> 2. Prince</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Supreme Ruler<br />
</span><span style="color: #260050; font-size: small;"><b>Structure and Qualification.</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">In this Order, assemblies are termed Conclaves, each with a Supreme Ruler at its head. The Visiting Deacons (of which there are four) are Officers with a special function peculiar to this degree. It is laid down that they should afford assistance and support to a brother in time of sorrow and distress and they should also search out and warn him if he is exposed to danger, secret or apparent. This duty is no sinecure as each of the members of a Conclave has a number between 1 and 4 against his name in the Conclave list and the appropriate Deacon is required to contact his members prior to each meeting and is called upon to report on that Brother if he is not present at the Roll Call.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">The structure is as follows:<br />
</span><span style="color: #260050; font-size: small;"><b>First Degree</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">1. Supreme Ruler</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Councillor</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Guide</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Chaplain</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. Treasurer</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. Secretary</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">7. Director of Ceremonies</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">8. Visiting Deacons </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>(Four)</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">9. Assistant Director of Ceremonies</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">10. Organist</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">11. Assistant Secretary</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">12. Scroll Bearer</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">13. Guarder</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">14. Stewards</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">15. Sentinel<br />
</span><span style="color: #260050; font-size: small;"><b>Second Degree</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span><span style="font-size: small;">1. David </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>(Supreme Ruler of the 1st Degree)</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">2. Jonathan </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>(the Immediate Past S.R.)</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Abishai </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>(Guide of the 1st Degree)</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">4. Adino </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>(1stVisiting Deacon)</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">5. Eleazar </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>(2ndVisiting Deacon)</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">6. Shammah </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>(Guarder of the 1st Degree)</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">7. Lecturer </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>(A Past S.R.)</i><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">There is only the single qualification of Master Mason for prospective Candidates for this Order.<br />
</span><span style="color: #260050; font-size: small;"><b>Regalia</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">The Regalia of the First Degree comprises a jewel in gilt, being of two equilateral triangles interlaced with three arrows and charged with the letters D and J. It is suspended from a ribbon in the colours of the Order, i.e. purple-orange-purple.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Officers wear a crimson sash, four inches wide and having a gold fringe below the frog, which also features two interlaced triangles in metal gilt.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">In the Princes </span><span style="font-size: small;"><i>(Second)</i></span><span style="font-size: small;"> Degree an identical jewel is worn but it is suspended from a ribbon of equal stripes, orange-purple-orange.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">A Supreme Ruler wears the jewel of the Order suspended from a collarette in the colours of the Second Degree, together with the appropriate sash bearing the initials SR in silver. He also wears a purple robe with orange or gold facings.<br />
</span><span style="color: #260050; font-size: small;"><b>The Degrees</b></span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">The legend of the First Degree is narrated during the Induction Ceremony and tells the story of the remarkable friendship which existed between David and Jonathan. During the ceremony the Candidate is instructed in a certain course of action to be adopted when a brother is about to do anything which might prove injurious to himself and it teaches a beautiful lesson on Friendship and Fidelity.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">The Admission ceremony to an Assembly of Princes is also derived from the Book of Samuel and narrates how Saul sought the life of David. It further relates an interesting legend of the methods contrived to thwart the efforts of the jealous King.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">By reading the Old Testament books of Samuel, all the names of the Conclave Officers fall into place.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">The last named degree is unusual when compared with the other Orders of Freemasonry, in that the ceremony of Installation constitutes the Third Degree of the Order pertaining to the Kingship of David and is fundamentally concerned with the headship of a Conclave. Embodied in the ritual of this degree, however, is the ceremony of commissioning, which gives rank and status within the Order as a whole, a certificate being issued to that effect.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">The full title of the Order is "The Order of the Secret Monitor, or Brotherhood of David and Jonathan, in the British Isles and its Districts and Conclaves Overseas". It has its headquarters at Mark Masons' Hall, 86, St. James's Street, London, and the head of the Order is termed the "Grand Supreme Ruler".<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">There are now over 500 Conclaves spread between some 30 Provinces or Districts. Each Province or District has a Provincial or District Grand Supreme Ruler at its head.</span><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div align="LEFT" style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-91925222089481049142010-11-06T11:38:00.000+05:302010-11-06T11:38:21.580+05:30Freemasonry in Thailand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2i56ibvqLJH3nBxg0kfO6dzeWSen08_e5xvnB_hHudyV96talkOiZvqsVSW49LR0RYasfF4vLcBTYjvXKInw0g8Fa-YFcvMT__3EUGaud1xRbuzupixbsGlTs61odYJBJs7u1dniJbZF/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF2i56ibvqLJH3nBxg0kfO6dzeWSen08_e5xvnB_hHudyV96talkOiZvqsVSW49LR0RYasfF4vLcBTYjvXKInw0g8Fa-YFcvMT__3EUGaud1xRbuzupixbsGlTs61odYJBJs7u1dniJbZF/s1600/11.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 1in; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">T<span style="font-size: small;">hailand began to open up to the west in the late 19th century. King Chulalongkorn (Rama V) was the first Thai king to travel abroad and to begin to understand the importance of the west as a trading partner. As a result, westerners began to arrive in the kingdom as part of diplomatic and commercial missions. History has shown that these are the necessary seeds for the growth of Freemasonry.</span></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 1in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Unfortunately Thailand proved rocky ground for the Craft. Perhaps it is due to the fact that unlike most other nations in the region, Thailand was an absolute monarchy that had never been colonized. It had (and still has) distinct and rigid classes of society. The central Masonic concepts of democracy, treating men of all social class on the level, and the Judeo-Christian basis for the Craft’s legends must have seemed unnatural and strange to the devoutly Buddhist local population.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 1in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Between 1878 and 1905 there were four failed attempts to start an English lodge. The brethren in Bangkok faced the most amazing string of bad luck. The individual failures are too painful to detail here. The reasons ranged from waning interest on the part of the few founding members in the first attempt to the death of the Master-elect in the final attempt.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 1in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;">In 1907, a new generation of brethren petitioned and was granted a warrant from the Grand Lodge of Scotland. But of course the troubles hadn’t ended yet. Expatriate lodges are renowned for high turnover as assignments end and new ones begin. Thus when the charter eventually arrived from Edinburgh, several of the officers had left and the charter had to be reissued. Lodge St. John was finally consecrated on January 24, 1911 with the reissued charter.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 1in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;">The lodge attracted a very international following including British, Thai, German, Swiss, American and other brethren. This diversity was shortly to become critical to the fate of the brethren in Bangkok. In World War II, Thailand remained neutral. Shortly after the Japanese entered Thailand at the start of World War II, the Japanese secret police raided the rented premises where the lodge met. Records, regalia and other items were seized and brethren from Allied countries were interred. Thankfully the international flavor of the lodge enabled the neutral Thai and Axis German brethren to save some of the early records. They were also able to help the interred brethren better cope with their incarceration.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 1in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;">A growth spurt hit Freemasonry in the kingdom between 1991 and 1997, when five lodges were formed. A second Scottish lodge, Lodge Pattaya West Winds was opened in Pattaya in 1991, more than 80 years after Lodge St. John. This was followed by the kingdom’s first Irish lodge, Lodge Morakot. The National Grand Lodge of France (GLNF) founded <span lang="EN-US" style="color: black;"> Lodge 7 Niveaux de la Sagesse </span></span> <span style="font-size: small;">in Chiang Mai in 1994 and Lodge Tantawan Fleur du Soleil in Bangkok in 1996. </span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 1in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;">After the recovery from the 1997 financial crisis, a second growth spurt occurred and seems to still be in progress. Lodge Lane Xang was a Scottish lodge originally formed in Laos, but that went dark in 1976. The brethren of Bangkok reopened the lodge in Thailand in 2000. In 2001, the English finally succeeding in establishing a beach head with Chula Lodge in Bangkok a mere 123 years after their first attempt. This was followed by the opening of Light of Siam Lodge in Phuket in 2004. </span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 1in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;">In 2005, the GLNF formed a second Lodge Hoa Sen Lumière d’Asia in Bangkok while the Irish branched out to southern Thailand with a lodge in Songkla. </span> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 1in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;">The Dutch established their first lodge in South East Asia with the consecration of Loge Erasmus, No. 297 in Bangkok on January 7, 2006. The lodge works in English and includes brethren from The Netherlands, Thailand, and assorted other countries. It has become a focal point for Dutch masons from all over southeast Asia and even Australia.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 1in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;">In February 2006, the Scottish founded the first Thai language lodge. Lodge Ratanakosin, No. 1833 SC refers to the name bestowed upon what is now Bangkok by the first king of the Chakri Dynasty in 1782. The name translates as “Bejeweled City of the God Indra.” The Standard Scottish ritual is being translated by a team of very distinguished Thai brethren. The lodge works in Thai and English.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 1in; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Now Thailand supports lodges from six Grand Lodges offering ritual in three languages. Freemasonry may have had a rocky start in Thailand, but we hope that the strong and very diverse system in place continues to grow and flourish for years to come.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin: 6pt 1in; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b>Article taken from www.thaifreemason.com</b></span></div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-64316308874128912872010-11-04T09:50:00.000+05:302010-11-04T09:50:23.679+05:30The Grand Lodge of Ireland<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhHhLDZmrkP38cfgA1i5TO96WF-Q-u6CNRt1MJmK0DFlJCpmrOWMr4LaLUpRJ8_esXPdDNKL0nTYxr60-0dJ6hNwEa_G_sCKxyG_P7iBTJeCx8xx0zc0UTh2s9Ux6XDWizlNL7FlcPnMb/s1600/GLIlogo.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEhHhLDZmrkP38cfgA1i5TO96WF-Q-u6CNRt1MJmK0DFlJCpmrOWMr4LaLUpRJ8_esXPdDNKL0nTYxr60-0dJ6hNwEa_G_sCKxyG_P7iBTJeCx8xx0zc0UTh2s9Ux6XDWizlNL7FlcPnMb/s1600/GLIlogo.png" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The <b>Grand Lodge of Ireland</b> is the second oldest Grand Lodge of Freemasonry in the world. 1725 is the year celebrated in Grand Lodge anniversaries, since the first evidence for its existence comes from the Dublin Weekly Journal of 26 June 1725. This describes a meeting of the Grand Lodge of Ireland to install the new Grand Master, the 1st Earl of Rosse, on June 24. The Grand Lodge has jurisdiction over 13 Provincial Grand Lodges covering all the Freemasons of the island of Ireland, and another 12 provinces worldwide.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEciundJKrlHsuhbQ76CbHCSvNO9Ki60rCM8D7VH6GIpE2sZfB989zEgLlGEKK9YOSgrY_ylgcNGJSWQ-7cs4EKRFebjrIpooqwqM5HvH7p41sHIbEDXJMbX71Pxr_-T_ZyOdzHB6MF-Y/s1600/Baals+Bridge+Square_small.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEciundJKrlHsuhbQ76CbHCSvNO9Ki60rCM8D7VH6GIpE2sZfB989zEgLlGEKK9YOSgrY_ylgcNGJSWQ-7cs4EKRFebjrIpooqwqM5HvH7p41sHIbEDXJMbX71Pxr_-T_ZyOdzHB6MF-Y/s1600/Baals+Bridge+Square_small.jpg" /></a>There is considerable evidence of Masonic Lodges meeting in Ireland prior to the 18th century. The story of the "Lady Freemason", Elizabeth St Leger, dates to a time prior to the existence of the Grand Lodge, also there are records of a Lodge meeting in Trinity College, Dublin as far back as the 1680s. The oldest artifact of Fraternal Masonry in Ireland, and one of the oldest masonic artifacts in the world is the Baal's Bridge Square, which dates from 1507. The brass square was recovered from Baals Bridge in Limerick during excavations and is inscribed with the phrase, <i>"I will strive to live with love and care, upon the level and by the square."</i></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">During the 18th century most Lodges met at inns, taverns and coffee houses. The meetings of the Grand Lodge however, generally took place in civic and guild buildings. During the early 19th century the Grand Lodge was leasing No. 19, Dawson Street in Dublin which is the current home of the Royal Irish Academy. From Dawson Street, the Grand Lodge moved to Commercial Buildings on Dame Street until Grand Lodge along with most Metropolitan Lodges moved to a new, purpose built facility on Molesworth Street. In 1869 the current, purpose built headquarters of Irish Freemasonry, Freemasons' Hall on Molesworth Street, opened, housing dramatically decorated Lodge rooms, a library, museum, offices and dining areas.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="" name="Provincial_Grand_Lodges_in_Ireland"></a>Provincial Grand Lodges in Ireland</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Antrim </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Armagh </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">North Connaught </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">South Connaught </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Down </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Londonderry & Donegal </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Meath </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Midland Counties </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Munster </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">North Munster </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">South Eastern </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Tyrone & Fermanagh </div></li>
<li>Wicklow & Wexford <br />
</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="" name="Provincial_Grand_Lodges_Overseas"></a>Provincial Grand Lodges Overseas</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Bermuda </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Far East </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Ghana </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">India </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Jamaica </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">South East Asia </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Natal </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">New Zealand </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Nigeria </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">South Africa Northern </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Southern Cape Province </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Sri Lanka </div></li>
<li><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Zambia </div></li>
<li>Zimbabwe <br />
</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><h2 class="western" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><a href="" name="Grand_Masters"></a>Grand Masters</h2><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; width: 495px;"><tbody>
<tr align="justify"> <th width="59"> Election<br />
</th> <th width="427"> Name<br />
</th> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1725<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Richard Parsons, 1st Earl of Rosse<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1731<br />
</td> <td width="427"> James King, 4th Baron Kingston<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1732<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Nicholas Netterville, 5th Viscount Netterville<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1733<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Henry Barnewall, 4th Viscount Kingsland<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1735<br />
</td> <td width="427"> James King, 4th Baron Kingston<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1736<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Marcus Beresford, 1st Viscount Tyrone (later Earl of Tyrone)<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1738<br />
</td> <td width="427"> William Stewart, 3rd Viscount Mountjoy<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1740<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Arthur St Leger, 3rd Viscount Doneraile<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1741<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Charles Moore, 2nd Baron Moore of Tullamore<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1743<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Thomas Southwell, 2nd Baron Southwell<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1744<br />
</td> <td width="427"> John Allen, 3rd Viscount Allen<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1747<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Sir Marmaduke Wyvill, 6th Bt<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1749<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Robert King, 1st Baron Kingsborough<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1751<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Lord George Sackville (later Viscount Sackville)<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1753<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Hon. Thomas George Southwell<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1757<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Brinsley Butler, Lord Newtown-Butler<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1758<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Charles Moore, 6th Earl of Drogheda<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1760<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Charles Moore, 1st Earl of Charleville<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1761<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Sir Edward King, 5th Bt<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1763<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Thomas Nugent, 6th Earl of Westmeath<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1767<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Ford Lambart, 5th Earl of Cavan<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1769<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Edward King, 1st Earl of Kingston<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1770<br />
</td> <td width="427"> William FitzGerald, Marquess of Kildare<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1772<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Randal MacDonnell, Viscount Dunluce<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1774<br />
</td> <td width="427"> George Rochfort, 2nd Earl of Belvedere<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1776<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Garret Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1777<br />
</td> <td width="427"> William FitzGerald, 2nd Duke of Leinster<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1778<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Randal MacDonnell, 6th Earl of Antrim<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1782<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Richard Wellesley, 2nd Earl of Mornington<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1783<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Robert Deane, 1st Baron Muskerry<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1785<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Arthur Hill, Viscount Kilwarlin<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1787<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Francis Annesley, 2nd Viscount Glerawley (later Earl of Annesley)<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1789<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Richard Hely-Hutchinson, 2nd Baron Donoughmore<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1813<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Augustus FitzGerald, 3rd Duke of Leinster<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1874<br />
</td> <td width="427"> James Hamilton, 1st Duke of Abercorn<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1886<br />
</td> <td width="427"> James Hamilton, 2nd Duke of Abercorn<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1913<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Richard Hely-Hutchinson, 6th Earl of Donoughmore<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1948<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Raymond Frederick Brooke<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1964<br />
</td> <td width="427"> John Hely-Hutchinson, 7th Earl of Donoughmore<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1981<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Dermot Chichester, 7th Marquess of Donegall<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 1992<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Darwin Herbert Templeton<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="justify"> <td width="59"> 2001<br />
</td> <td width="427"> Eric Noel Waller<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="text-align: justify;" width="59"> 2006<br />
</td> <td width="427"><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">George Dunlop</div></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><div style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-35476070266890970062010-11-01T09:45:00.000+05:302010-11-01T09:45:19.281+05:30Cryptic Masonry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVia3N51mSFLsL63UU-_qa3MKJ3ukIDhyq9Tr8CYw7fe2FgZKme6hTyrt5b-tVb3xM348A1DVeM6r_pUrmEHOJzdR8E0MUKI2M7ki84Qqfe7U3rrcmvLlaeSPGTtZ7rhqYlYmiZ21KcSoy/s1600/Cryptic.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3hIMNNXxTzx_oPEKNaMiKERNpnXllUp-jXWAqVZjiWEeiPSCNTjQ-Gr61qNnAMJGWs6I1uKIy8zalXOwpzWpunCM3_pNQcZCC0DWXGebPf-DuUWR8FMUtGhqt3rFjwzfrmI0tCzqEZuc/s1600/Cryptic.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu3hIMNNXxTzx_oPEKNaMiKERNpnXllUp-jXWAqVZjiWEeiPSCNTjQ-Gr61qNnAMJGWs6I1uKIy8zalXOwpzWpunCM3_pNQcZCC0DWXGebPf-DuUWR8FMUtGhqt3rFjwzfrmI0tCzqEZuc/s320/Cryptic.png" width="303" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Cryptic Masonry is the term used to denote the second part of the York Rite system of Masonic degrees, and the last found within the Rite that deals specifically with the Hiramic Legend. The body itself is known as either the Council of Royal & Select Masters or Council of Cryptic Masons depending on the jurisdiction. Members of his body meet as a Council, and the Council confers three degrees: Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent Master. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Organization</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Council level</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">A Council is in many ways the same as a Lodge; it has officers and a ritual degree system, which in this case consists of three degrees: Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent Master. The various positions in the lodge are modeled directly after Craft Masonry and though the names are often different the duties are effectively the same.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div><table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="3" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; width: 481px;"></table><table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="3" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; text-align: left; width: 481px;"><tbody>
<tr align="center"> <th width="220"> Craft Masonry<br />
</th> <th width="242"> Cryptic Masonry<br />
</th> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td width="220"> Worshipful Master<br />
</td> <td width="242"> Thrice Illustrious Master<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td width="220"> Senior Warden<br />
</td> <td width="242"> Deputy Master<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td width="220"> Junior Warden<br />
</td> <td width="242"> Principal Conductor of the Work<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td width="220"> Treasurer<br />
</td> <td width="242"> Treasurer<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td width="220"> Secretary<br />
</td> <td width="242"> Recorder<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td width="220"> Chaplain<br />
</td> <td width="242"> Chaplain<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td width="220"> Senior Deacon<br />
</td> <td width="242"> Captain of the Guard<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td width="220"> Junior Deacon<br />
</td> <td width="242"> Conductor of the Council<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td width="220"> Senior Steward<br />
</td> <td width="242"> Senior Steward<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td width="220"> Junior Steward<br />
</td> <td width="242"> Junior Steward<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td width="220"> Associate Steward(s)<br />
</td> <td width="242"> Associate Steward(s)<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr align="center"> <td width="220"> Marshal<br />
</td> <td width="242"> Marshal<br />
</td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="text-align: center;" width="220"> Tyler<br />
</td> <td width="242"><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sentinel</div></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"> </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b></b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Regional level</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Every US State has its own Grand Council, which performs the same administrative functions for its subordinate Council as a Grand Lodge does for its subordinate Lodges. In other countries there are either national or state Grand Councils. The Council also has its own equivalents of Grand Lodge Officers, modified from the titles of the officers of a Council:</div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><li>Most Illustrious Grand Master </li>
<li>Right Illustrious Deputy Grand Master </li>
<li>Right Illustrious Grand Principal Conductor of the Work </li>
<li>Right Illustrious Grand Treasurer </li>
<li>Right Illustrious Grand Recorder </li>
<li>Right Illustrious Grand Chaplain </li>
<li>Right Illustrious Grand Captain of the Guard </li>
<li>Right Illustrious Conductor of the Grand Council </li>
<li>Right Illustrious Grand Marshal </li>
<li>Right Illustrious Grand Sentinel </li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In jurisdictions that have them, there are also District Deputy Most Illustrious Grand Masters appointed by the Most Illustrious Grand Master to oversee the districts of the jurisdiction as the representative of the Most Illustrious Grand Master. Grand Representatives are appointed to keep in contact with their counterparts in other jurisdictions.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Grand Councils also contribute to specific charities which differ from state to state.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">General Grand Council</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Many of the Grand Councils around the world are members of an umbrella group called General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International, founded August 25, 1880. It publishes a quarterly magazine called The Cryptic Freemason and supports the Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation, Inc.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>History and Development of the Cryptic Degrees</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The degrees of Royal and Select Master were not originally combined into one system, each having been conferred by separate parties and initially controlled by separate Councils. As near as may be determined from conflicting claims, the Select degree is the oldest of the Rite. It was customary to confer the Royal degree on Master Masons prior to the Royal Arch, and the Select degree after exaltation to the sublime degree. This accounts for the fact that control of the Cryptic degrees vacillated back and forth in many jurisdictions, even after the formation of Grand Councils. To this date, the Royal and Select degrees are controlled by Grand Chapter in Virginia and West Virginia, and conferred by subordinate Chapters in those jurisdictions.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Royal degree appears to have been developed primarily in New York under direction of Thomas Lownds, whereas the Select was vigorously promulgated by Philip Eckel in Baltimore. It is claimed by Eckel that a Grand Council of Select Masters was formed in Baltimore in 1792, while it is definitely known that a Grand Council of Royal Masters (Columbian No. 1) was organized in 1810 in New York. It remained for Jeremy Cross to combine the two degrees under one system, which occurred about 1818, and this pattern was adopted in most jurisdictions as the degrees became dispersed beyond the eastern seaboard.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The degree of Super Excellent Master is not allied to the other two degrees of the Cryptic Rite, so far as its teachings and traditions are concerned. The records of St. Andrews Chapter in Boston indicate that a degree of this name was conferred during the latter part of the eighteenth century. The earliest positive reference to the Super Excellent in connection to the Cryptic Rite is December 22, 1817, when a "Lodge" of Super Excellent Masters was organized by Columbian Council of Royal Masters in New York. The incidents, teachings, and ritualistic format of the Super Excellent degree bear no resemblance in any former degrees so named, which appears to justify the claim that it is American in origin. This degree has been, and to some extent still is, a rather controversial subject. It is conferred as one of the regular Cryptic Rite degrees in some jurisdictions, whereas the others confer it as an honorary degree only; in some instances, separate Grand Councils of Super Excellent Masters have been formed.</div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-19014294287693201662010-10-30T10:20:00.000+05:302010-10-30T10:20:38.679+05:30DeMolay International<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDaAXiovP26KHVICS4IxlU68V_gTU4WOmeebn_B_Ac8ctz8WzzsSEN6q1g0R0lHxHRI7o9PFN6QObFDDllP3Z83GuRYP21AHiwX_Ff6M1sIuobG7shQ2SdFPrdxo1C8hQ7oE3rO5gS2Ru/s1600/Demolay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkDaAXiovP26KHVICS4IxlU68V_gTU4WOmeebn_B_Ac8ctz8WzzsSEN6q1g0R0lHxHRI7o9PFN6QObFDDllP3Z83GuRYP21AHiwX_Ff6M1sIuobG7shQ2SdFPrdxo1C8hQ7oE3rO5gS2Ru/s1600/Demolay.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">DeMolay International (properly known as the Order of DeMolay), founded in Kansas City, Missouri in 1919, is an international youth organization for young men. DeMolay derives its name from Jacques De Molay, the last Grand Master of the Knights Templar. It is a Masonic-sponsored youth organization for boys ages 12–21. DeMolay was incorporated in the 1990s.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">DeMolay is open for membership to young men between the ages of 12 to 21, and currently has about 18,000 members in the United States and Canada and several thousand more world wide. It uses a model of mentoring; adult men and women called advisors, often past DeMolay members or fathers and mothers of DeMolays, mentor the active DeMolay members. An advisor is referred to as 'Dad Smith' instead of 'Mr. Smith', in respect of Frank S.Land and his fatherly role to the founding members. The mentoring focuses on the development of civic awareness, leadership skills and personal responsibility.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Founded by a Freemason, DeMolay is closely modeled after Freemasonry. With the sponsorship of a Lodge, the chapters normally meets in a Masonic Lodge room. DeMolay is considered to be part of the Masonic Family, along with other youth groups such as Job's Daughters and the Rainbow Girls. Like the Rainbow Girls, a young man does not need to have a family tie or sponsor in a Masonic organization to join DeMolay.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">DeMolay has seven Cardinal Virtues, which are the sole structure of what its members follow. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">These Cardinal Virtues are:</div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><li>Filial love (love between a parent and child) </li>
<li>Reverence for sacred things </li>
<li>Courtesy </li>
<li>Comradeship </li>
<li>Fidelity </li>
<li>Cleanness</li>
<li>History</li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">DeMolay was founded in 1919 by Frank S. Land, a successful businessman in Kansas City, Missouri. During World War I, Land had become concerned with the plight of boys who had lost their fathers in the conflict. He decided there was a need for an organization where they could associate with others of their age and learn responsibility and other important life skills. A fatherless boy named Louis Lower and eight of his friends became the first DeMolay members.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Frank S. Land first met with Louis Lower in January 1919. The original founding date of the order was February 19, 1919. That was later changed to the official launching date of March 18, 1919 to commemorate the death of Jacques DeMolay.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The organization is named after Jacques De Molay, a knight and crusader who was the 23rd and last Grand Master of the Knights Templar. He was taken prisoner by King Philip IV of France, who wanted to seize the Templars' wealth. De Molay was tortured repeatedly to force him to admit to charges of heresy. However, he later recanted his statements and declared both himself and his Order innocent. He was therefore executed by being burned at the stake. Members are encouraged to model their conduct after Jacques De Molay's example of loyalty and fidelity.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The organization grew rapidly, and by the end of 1921, Land realized he had to devote full time to it. Interest developed in the Masonic fraternity, and official recognition and approval by Masonic groups began in many states. Today, many members of DeMolay go on to become Masons when they are of legal age.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">DeMolay continued its growth, initiating new members and instituting new chapters in every state of the USA. It then went international and now exists around the world, including chapters in Mexico, Canada, Australia, Germany, the Philippines, Portugal, Paraguay, Italy, Serbia, Japan, Aruba, Brazil, Panama, and Bolivia. There are also chapters which have no Supreme Council, including those in England and France.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Original Members</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Order Of DeMolay originally had nine members. The crest of the order contains 10 rubies. Each represent one of the original nine or Dad Frank S. Land. A pearl denoted one of the original ten who was living. When one of the original founders died, that pearl was changed to a ruby. Today, all of the original founders have died and all pearls are rubies.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Ivan M. Bentley</b> - He lived in Louis Lower's neighborhood. Created a Chevalier in 1920. Died in an accident in 1921. His death made him the first ruby in the emblem.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Louis G. Lower</b> - The first DeMolay and the first Active DeMolay Legionnaire (LOH). Created a Chevalier in 1920. He was gunned down by an intoxicated security guard on July 18, 1943. He was the second of the original nine to die, became the second ruby.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Dad Frank Land</b> - The third ruby on the DeMolay crest was for Frank Land himself. Doctors diagnosed his disease as scleroderma. Doctors advised Land to slow down but he continued to work at his frenetic pace telling them, "My work must go on. DeMolay must go on." Although he had begun to show signs of fading, Frank Land's death on November 8, 1959 came as a shock, especially to his beloved organization. The fraternity successfully made the transition to new leadership but mourns his passing to this day. Every DeMolay around the world honors Dad Land's memory every year on November 8.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Edmund Marshall</b> - He lived next door to Elmer Dorsey. Created Chevalier in 1920. Graduated from University of Missouri. President of the Kansas City Board of Trade. He died on November 8, 1966 and became the fourth ruby.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Clyde C. Stream</b> - Cousin of Gorman McBride. He was a technical engineer with the Sagano Electric Company. Retired to Bradenton, Florida. He died on May 3, 1971 and became the fifth ruby.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Gorman A. McBride</b> - He lived in the neighborhood with Louis Lower. Second Obligated DeMolay. First Master Councilor of Mother Chapter. Created a Chevalier in 1920. Became an Active Member of the International Supreme Council. Received the Founder's Cross from Dad Land, the only one of the original nine to do so. He was a lawyer by profession and was Director of Activities at ISC Headquarters in the 1960s. He died on November 10, 1973 and became the sixth ruby.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Ralph Sewell</b> - He lived in the home of Louis Lower and became the credit manager for H. D. Lee Mercantile Company, makers of Lee jeans. Mr. Sewell was a skilled pianist and organist. He died in July 1976 and became the seventh ruby.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Elmer V. Dorsey</b> - He lived just behind Louis Lower. He became a successful businessman and moved to Texas and became an Advisor to Richardson Chapter. He died in November 1979 and became the eighth ruby.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>William W. Steinhilber</b>- He lived in the neighborhood with Louis Lower. Mr. Steinhilber became a successful stock and bond broker. He was captain of the first DeMolay baseball team. He died on October 28, 1992 and became the ninth ruby.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Jerome Jacobson</b> - He lived one block from Louis Lower. Mr. Jacobson graduated from University of Kansas, admitted to the Missouri Bar as a lawyer, and had an outstanding career in law and finance. He lived in Kansas City all his life. He died in May, 2002 and became the tenth and final ruby.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Structural Organization</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">A local DeMolay organization is known as a Chapter and is headed by the Master Councilor. The Master Councilor is elected by members of his Chapter and is usually among the older members of the group. The Master Councilor is assisted in his duties by a Senior Councilor and a Junior Councilor. The Senior Councilor is usually considered to be next in line as Master Councilor and Junior Councilor to follow, though two people can run against each other. The remaining officers of a Chapter, which are appointed, are done so by the Master Councilor, except for the Scribe, who is appointed by the Chapter's Advisory Council.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Senior DeMolays (former members now 21 or older), Masons, or other adult mentors supervise the Chapter and are usually referred to by the moniker "Dad," a term harkening back to one of the first members, who thought of founder Frank Land as the father he never knew and called him "Dad Land." In recent years, women have also served as advisors for the group and are referred to as "Mom".</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Above the individual Chapter, the DeMolay organization has an officer structure at the state level. A State Master Councilor or Jurisdictional Master Councilor is the head of a statewide DeMolay organization. In countries outside of the United States, DeMolay may have a national level organization, headed by a "National Master Councilor". There are also other state or jurisdictional positions, based on the officers of a chapter, which vary for each jurisdiction. The lead advisor (always a Master Mason and a member of the Supreme Council) in a state, jurisdiction, or country, is called an Executive Officer and the lead advisor (always a Master Mason) internationally is known as a Grand Master who governs the International Supreme Council. There are also Active DeMolay officers at an international level as well; the International Master Councilor and International Congress Secretary are the heads of the International DeMolay Congress and serve on the Board of Directors. These officers are always past State Master Councilors.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In some countries outside of the United States, the International Supreme Council of DeMolay has ceded control to an independent Supreme Council created to govern DeMolay in that country. Such a Supreme Council has its own Grand Master and officers. (Examples are Australia, Brazil, and the Philippines.)</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Honors and Awards </b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jU5Wn4jBEx66YqMDEr3kqO1JxPbvdAt58YLVE5fndwsMez4pKez9_K7nmPAb7xNKXUxeRuxQhSI00AZ1yqKsbYy-pBVvtV2RGXqv1IdLvo4fvIfFG05-FFdBhIyGJJFX5tfy7W9Jgmex/s1600/demolay+chevalier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jU5Wn4jBEx66YqMDEr3kqO1JxPbvdAt58YLVE5fndwsMez4pKez9_K7nmPAb7xNKXUxeRuxQhSI00AZ1yqKsbYy-pBVvtV2RGXqv1IdLvo4fvIfFG05-FFdBhIyGJJFX5tfy7W9Jgmex/s1600/demolay+chevalier.jpg" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-jU5Wn4jBEx66YqMDEr3kqO1JxPbvdAt58YLVE5fndwsMez4pKez9_K7nmPAb7xNKXUxeRuxQhSI00AZ1yqKsbYy-pBVvtV2RGXqv1IdLvo4fvIfFG05-FFdBhIyGJJFX5tfy7W9Jgmex/s1600/demolay+chevalier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>The Degree of Chevalier</b> is the highest honor an active DeMolay can receive. It may also be granted to a Senior DeMolay. The degree is granted for outstanding DeMolay service and activity. To receive the honor, a DeMolay must be at least 17 years old on January 15 of the year nominated, have been a member for at least two years as of that date, be nominated by his chapter's Advisory Council, and have the approval of the Executive Officer of his jurisdiction, and of the of the Supreme Council.<b> </b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJo-Iw1Rp5SuzfdLiIC8hvjiW50l4Z_RQuxALy9GfYjKZMUVe_KxokrZN6zUKkdvVRdEsMP8VlqBdY0WQRo6OAK4c-Sw-eo2QPpmxRWpSnYxTDvbyATILDrYHZZ2N80BLXqN9BylklNPk/s1600/demolay+loh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWJo-Iw1Rp5SuzfdLiIC8hvjiW50l4Z_RQuxALy9GfYjKZMUVe_KxokrZN6zUKkdvVRdEsMP8VlqBdY0WQRo6OAK4c-Sw-eo2QPpmxRWpSnYxTDvbyATILDrYHZZ2N80BLXqN9BylklNPk/s1600/demolay+loh.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>The Legion of Honor Degree</b> is the highest honor conferred by the DeMolay Supreme Council. The award was approved in 1925 and first conferred upon Louis Lower. With amendment of the Supreme Council's statutes in 1985, the minimum age for nominees for the Legion of Honor was dropped from 20 to 25 as of January 15. The Supreme Council may confer the Legion of Honor upon a Senior DeMolay for outstanding leadership in some field of endeavor, for service to humanity, or for success in fraternal life, including adult service to the Order of DeMolay. The Supreme Council may also confer it upon a Freemason who was not a DeMolay, but who has performed unusual and meritorious service in behalf of the Order of DeMolay, or who has evidenced a spirit of cooperation and appreciation for the Order of DeMolay.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcMl9WWCkB6IJiwP3PCfpstWMZHZFUyul3pGwDXBFpWJGKj5CQsMn6DActH0nUsmZft2RcwywvPuabMJhxKp81PJv9v3wINDm0IKb0F6N7zlTl1-VWrWOBYRfxRyvy5wArV5LL9cAyqVy/s1600/demolayrep.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcMl9WWCkB6IJiwP3PCfpstWMZHZFUyul3pGwDXBFpWJGKj5CQsMn6DActH0nUsmZft2RcwywvPuabMJhxKp81PJv9v3wINDm0IKb0F6N7zlTl1-VWrWOBYRfxRyvy5wArV5LL9cAyqVy/s1600/demolayrep.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>The Representative DeMolay Award</b> is the highest self-achievement award active and Senior DeMolays can earn. It's a self-assessment program where the member progresses toward goals set for him by himself. The member completes a detailed survey of his interests, achievements, general knowledge, and habits. Land said it was his dream that every DeMolay should be a Representative DeMolay. The "RD" program was first established in 1924, and for many years was a competition to select outstanding DeMolays. In 1935, the program was redesigned to fill a growing need for self-evaluation by every DeMolay.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Order of Knighthood</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrYNzgEXLWyJaeGgq_PbHUEeLDO5g9xZsIuCiOUOG9jsnSeRNt9Pc_8w0lu3ZXw755zxBSMC2_CGU6377PcqQSN37wGq-4Y81_ezjdWZQbQd_A5pKQVfrV4BWDVtEWHrODSQA_zoLspBI/s1600/demolay+ook.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVrYNzgEXLWyJaeGgq_PbHUEeLDO5g9xZsIuCiOUOG9jsnSeRNt9Pc_8w0lu3ZXw755zxBSMC2_CGU6377PcqQSN37wGq-4Y81_ezjdWZQbQd_A5pKQVfrV4BWDVtEWHrODSQA_zoLspBI/s1600/demolay+ook.JPG" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Order of Knighthood (KT) is an appended organization of older DeMolays. The Knighthood program is for active DeMolays between 17 and 21 years of age. A Knighthood Priory has its own ritual and officers, separate from the chapter system.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The official name of the Order is The Chivalric Knights of the Holy Order of the Fellow Soldiers of Jacques DeMolay. It is not an honorary degree or award, but a working body whose purpose is to extend fellowship and serve the Order of DeMolay.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Order of Knighthood made its debut in 1946, when Dad Land wrote the Knighthood ritual. This ritual was not exemplified before the Grand Council, now known as DeMolay International's Supreme Council, until 1947, as Dad Land held off on its implementation.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Through the years, the Knights' activities have consisted of social and educational programs geared to older DeMolays, with a special emphasis on career planning and coed activities.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The main functions of a Priory are to:</div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><li>Extend and assist the Order of DeMolay and its Chapters. </li>
<li>Maintain the active interest of older DeMolays. </li>
<li>Provide an interesting program for the Priory members. </li>
<li>Above all to provide and maintain a proper example for all DeMolays. </li>
</ul>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-60210943843401783152010-10-29T07:47:00.000+05:302010-10-29T07:47:54.804+05:30THE ROYAL ARCH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7QmKBYXSdqXHYBvnrGd2Xuj0GaeNWLtwcH9SggmVpbYrLTssJGS7DTrkJoJQd9bplcIEsXsPTtBq72jJOpf7gX4OTmLwr8XzqK9oEGmj8xwRzKosicXw7EMTaXVQnoXo_9qk05mnygJn/s1600/Triple_tau.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7QmKBYXSdqXHYBvnrGd2Xuj0GaeNWLtwcH9SggmVpbYrLTssJGS7DTrkJoJQd9bplcIEsXsPTtBq72jJOpf7gX4OTmLwr8XzqK9oEGmj8xwRzKosicXw7EMTaXVQnoXo_9qk05mnygJn/s320/Triple_tau.JPG" width="303" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Holy Royal Arch is a degree of Freemasonry. It is present in all main masonic systems, though in some it is part of 'mainstream' Freemasonry, and in others it is an 'additional' degree.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In the United States, Canada, Brazil, Germany, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Paraguay, Philippines, and parts of Scotland & Western Australia the Holy Royal Arch degree forms part of the York Rite system of additional degrees. In England it is a stand alone degree, but mainstream, being defined as part of "pure ancient Masonry" along with the three Craft degrees; a candidate for Exaltation into an English Holy Royal Arch Chapter is required to have been a Master Mason for four weeks or more. In Scotland the candidate must also be a Mark Master Mason, a degree which can be conferred within the Chapter if required. Once exalted a candidate becomes a companion, with Royal Arch meetings being described as a convocation.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The exact origins of the Holy Royal Arch are unknown except that it dates back to the mid 18th century. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>History</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The precise history of the Royal Arch is unclear, but from historical documentation it can be shown that Royal Arch existed in London, York and Dublin in the 1730s. At that time the degree was an appendage of the Master Mason's degree, but as with the Craft Freemasonry of the time, the Antients and Moderns held very different views on the Royal Arch. The Antients then regarded it as a fourth degree and conferred it as such together with various other degrees within their Lodges, maintaining that a Lodge Charter or Warrant empowered them to carry out any Masonic work.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Moderns, however, regarded it as being separate from Craft Freemasonry and as early as 1766 constituted the Grand and Royal Chapter of the Royal Arch of Jerusalem, parent of the present Supreme Grand Chapter.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>The First Grand Chapter</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Earliest records indicate that HRA members of the premier Grand Lodge of England formed the first Grand Chapter by signing the Charter of Compact at its meeting on 22 July 1766. The Grand Chapter became The Excellent Grand and Royal Chapter of the Royal Arch of Jerusalem, the first Grand Chapter in the world.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>The Oldest Chapter</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">According to Supreme Grand Chapter of England, the oldest surviving Chapter in Royal Arch masonry is Chapter of Friendship No 257 (originally number 3), in Portsmouth, warranted in 1769.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Orders and Degrees</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Holy Royal Arch is affiliated to many different constitutions worldwide, many of which place different emphasis on the order.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>England, Europe and Australasia:</b> A Holy Royal Arch Chapter is required to be sponsored by a Craft Lodge and bears the same number (and in almost all cases the same name); however, the HRA is a separate Order from Craft Freemasonry. Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter is governed from the headquarters of the United Grand Lodge of England, but the administration remains distinct - though many officers of the Grand Lodge hold the equivalent office in the Grand Chapter. In these countries the Order of the Royal Arch consists of a single 'Royal Arch' degree, although there are three related ceremonies, one for the installation into each of the three Principals' chairs. As a compromise, at the union of two rival Grand Lodges in 1813 (one of which considered the Royal Arch a 'Fourth Degree', whilst the other almost totally ignored it) English Freemasonry recognised the Royal Arch as part of "pure, ancient masonry", but stated that it was not an additional degree, but merely the "completion of the third degree". However, this was merely a compromise position, and one which was in opposition to normal masonic practice, and consequently on 10 November 2004 (after much deliberation by a special working party) the Grand Chapter (at its regular meeting in London) overturned this compromise position, and declared the Royal Arch to be a separate degree in its own right, albeit the natural progression from the third degree, and the completion of "pure, ancient Masonry", which consists of the three 'Craft' degrees, and the Royal Arch. Words in the ritual which propounded the earlier compromise position were removed, by mandatory regulation. The English system of Royal Arch Masonry is found in most European states (outside Scandinavia, which has a unique system), and is currently being introduced to many eastern European states, including Russia and Serbia. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Scotland:</b> The degree is conferred in a Royal Arch Chapter which is within a wholly different administrative structure (the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland). Due to a difference in ritual, Royal Arch Masons exalted in England may not attend Scottish Royal Arch Chapters without completing the Scottish exaltation ceremony. Before receiving the Holy Royal Arch Degree the Candidate must first have the Mark Degree and the Excellent Masters Degree. However, those Exalted in Scotland may attend Chapter in England, or indeed any Chapter, provided it be in Amity. Although English Royal Arch masons may also hold the Mark Degree, it is not guaranteed; the Excellent Master Degree is not practiced in England. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Organisational Structure</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Chapters are ruled over by three Principals, who conjointly rule the Chapter, sitting together in the east of the assembly.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Chapters in England are grouped as either a Metropolitan area or Provinces (based on the old Counties), and Chapters overseas are grouped in Districts. Metropolitan, Provincial, and District Grand Chapters are ruled over by a Grand Superintendent who is appointed by the 'First Grand Principal' (see below) as his personal representative for the particular area. The Grand Superintendent is usually assisted by a Deputy, and always rules conjointly with a Second Provincial Grand Principal and a Third Provincial Grand Principal (the word 'Provincial' being replaced with the word 'Metropolitan' in a Metropolitan Area such as London, or the word 'District' in an overseas area controlled from England).</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The Supreme Grand Chapter is ruled over from London by three Grand Principals, with a Pro First Grand Principal when the First Grand Principal is a Royal Prince, as is currently the case.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><b>Chapter Officers</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">In addition to the three Principals, who rule conjointly, a Holy Royal Arch Chapter has elected and appointed officers with individual responsibilities within the Chapter. Similar offices exist at the Supreme Grand Chapter (national) level, and also at the intermediate level (Metropolitan, Provincial, or District), with appropriate prefixes to the titles.</div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><li>Zerubbabel - Prince of Jerusalem </li>
<li>Haggai - the Prophet </li>
<li>Joshua - the High Priest (Josiah in Bristol and Irish Chapters) </li>
<li>Scribe Ezra </li>
<li>Scribe Nehemiah </li>
<li>Treasurer </li>
<li>Director of Ceremonies </li>
<li>Principal Sojourner </li>
<li>1st Assistant Sojourner </li>
<li>2nd Assistant Sojourner </li>
<li>Assistant Director of Ceremonies </li>
<li>Organist </li>
<li>Steward (there may be several Stewards)</li>
<li>Janitor </li>
</ul><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-77934842789969375782010-10-27T14:15:00.000+05:302010-10-27T14:15:57.171+05:30What does Freemasonry Offer the World ?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZIQvzjPqez0qQkGVIrrNHtWzyBHHznebGb0hUKatFuA8VhRPqWRAQ4H_1VVJ9xQ1Tg5vd779XADTboksrlZyXUql7qWbN3xP49rF9u90FKJvUFBnGy4fcF11JCLo2QLtShp3v4VFDYQt/s1600/sc_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZIQvzjPqez0qQkGVIrrNHtWzyBHHznebGb0hUKatFuA8VhRPqWRAQ4H_1VVJ9xQ1Tg5vd779XADTboksrlZyXUql7qWbN3xP49rF9u90FKJvUFBnGy4fcF11JCLo2QLtShp3v4VFDYQt/s320/sc_2.JPG" width="284" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">While Freemasonry in its present form has existed less than 300 years, there have always been associations resembling this great Fraternity. Such groups were formed at various times and in many places because man is fundamentally a social creature; he has an inherent need for friendship, love, and association with others. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> What is Freemasonry? A brief definition is: an organization of men believing in the Fatherhood of God and the Brotherhood of Man, using the builder's tools as symbols to teach basic moral truths, thereby impressing upon the minds of its members the cardinal virtues of Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth which threy should apply to everyday activities. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> If this description seems out of place in the cynical world of today, let us remember that "Man does not live by bread alone." There is a real need for what is derisively called "the old-fashioned virtues." </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Rosco Pound, one of the great men of USA, laid down the working tools of life after ninety-four years of distinguished labor on this earth. Many years ago he made a significant observation: "Masonry has more to offer the twentieth century than the twentieth century has to offer Masonry." </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Why did he make this statement? </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> At the dawn of history man was confronted with many problems: hunger, the elements, disease, and other dangers. But God gave him memory so that he could profit from his experiences; later came the gift of communication which enabled him to pass on his experiences from generation to generation. Over the intervening centuries we have increased our means of producing food, conquered many diseases, and solved most of the problems concerning the practical things of life. Yet with all this progress in technological skills man has not kept up his moral advancement. In spite of all the comforts afforded us in this modern world, we do not find happiness, peace, and tranquillity. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> As we look around us today, what do we find? Frustrated individuals, unhappy people, everyone demanding more "rights", everyone seeking more "security", a desire for more gadgets, an increase in community problems and undeclared wars in many places. Everyone thinks "BIG" about the production of things, accomplishing a program, or handling community matters. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> What can we learn form Freemasonry which will help the modern world? </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> First, Freemeasonry is not a "mass medium". It works with and through the individual member. We do not have group initiations; each member is taken alone and taught the lessons of a good life. Each new member is prepared as an individual; he is the one important person who is initiated, then passed to the higher grades as he acquires proficiency in the tasks at hand. Certain members spend time with him alone so that he may learn the lessons exemplified by the degrees. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> In Freemasonry the individual is all important. We consider the individual member the most important thing in the world. Bear in mind that in every community we have plural persons; you cannot have a happy community unless the individuals who form that community are individually happy. Under our form of government the individual is glorified; he is part of the nation's governing body. Unlike other political ideologies which preach that the person is merely a means of serving the government, we as Americans and as Masons say that the government exists to serve the people. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Freemasonry offers to the world today the basic ideal that is being slowly forgotten: that each individual is important and that his personal welfare counts. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Second, Freemasonry is among the agencies which offer the world the prin- ciple of the Fatherhood of God. In too many places God is the forgotten element. Many of the prevailing "isms" cast aside the idea of God as oldfashioned, superstitious, an opiate. Freemasonry has God as its sole foundation stone. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Freemasonry does not concern itself with the dogmas, forms of worship, or the theology of any church. A Mason must profess a belief in God and immortality; but Freemasonry does not teach him how God manifests himself to man or how man is reconciled with God. It is true that Freemasonry tries to enrich a member's belief in God by instructing him in the moral law and the hidden secrets of nature and science. It tries to do that for every member. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Freemasonry therefore offers a tolerance for the religious beliefs of all men,to the point that they can meet and pray together in complete harmony. There is only one God, no matter what name we give Him. Freemasonry has for centuries afforded men of all creeds a chance to meet together and to understand each other's belief in the Fatherhood of God. It is the only world-wide organization where there is no political or religious discussion permitted. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Third, Freemasonry also offers the world the principle that follows logically from what has just been said, "The Brotherhood of Man". If we have a common Father, are we all not brothers? Today we hear too little about this ideal. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> At every turn we hear of demands for "rights" of one kind or another. How often do we hear of duties or obligations? Freemasonry teaches the duties we owe to others; it teaches obligations that its members owe their families, their communities, and their country. With every "right" there is a corresponding duty or obligation. The world today is emphasizing its demands for "rights", but is conveniently forgetting its corresponding duties. Freemasonry says nothing about "rights", but has much to say about the duties and obligations that each member owes. If all of us do our duty, all will profit; and there is no need to discuss "rights' where men do their duty, because justice will prevail. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Fourth, Freemasonry evolved from the builder's guilds of the Middle Ages, and therfore the word "work" plays an important part in our philosophy and our ceremonies. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Today, there seems to be too much desire to get something for nothing. We have trading stamps, quiz programs, horse races, and other gambling activities catering to this desire. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Wealth is the result of working with natural resources and creating something useful. Wealth is not something which comes from the government. This may sound like a modern heresy to many of you. All the government does is collect its money from the taxpayers and then distribute it; and the handling charge is enormous! </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Our immediate ancestors, the operative masons, were workers with their hands. They built structures of wood and stone. The had an apprentice system to teach young men to work and develop their natural skills. The idea of" work" is woven into the very fabric of Freemasonry. The world today needs to be taught all over again that work is honorable, that work is necessary, and that work makes for happiness. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Freemasonry takes this idea of work from the operative Masons and converts it into a symbol.No longer do Freemasons build structures that are visable, but we build a symbolic structure of character, that house not built with hands, eternal in the heavens. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Our Constitution assures us that we are entitled to the pursuit of happiness. Too many people overlook the word "pursuit" and place the stress on the word "happiness."This great charter of government does not guarantee happiness;that is an individual matter. It merely guarantees the "pursuit"; or to put it in a different way,it offers opportunity to use your God-given skills so that you can work with them and secure happiness.This also is the aim of Freemasonry. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Fifth, Freemasonry offers the world an opportunity for social contacts and the development of friendships. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> The feeling of "belonging" is a vital part of every man's being. No one can be an island unto himself. To be happy, we must belong to a family, a community, a country club, or a large number of associations. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Freemasonry is the best group for this purpose because of its glorious past, the great men who have been Masons, the lessons it teaches to its members, and the opportunity it affords to the service of Mankind. The constant bringing together of its members in worthwhile activities helps to promote this feeling of "belonging". </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Related to this element is what psychologists call the feeling of importance. In order to be happy each person must feel "important" to someone to something. Freemasonry affords many opportunities for the development of this feeling, not only from the pride of belonging to the greatest fraternal organization in the world, but also from the many, many opportunities to serve as officers, to do charitable work, to visit sick members, etc., all of which gives the member a sense of being important to his fellow members and the organization. Here again we are stressing the importance of the individual rather than the group. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> This is one of the intangible, subtle, but necessary elements of Freemasonry in making individuals happy. As it has already been observed, if the individual is happy, the community is happy. If communities are happy, the nation is happy; and if nations are happy, the world will be at peace. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Sixth, Freemasonry offers the world the philosophy of life. The Masonic degrees are designed to teach each member certain basic moral truths. No man ever became a Mason without becoming a better Man. The lessons are taught in a unique manner which makes the principles more effective. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Sometimes we are presented with a pertinent question: if the lessons of Freemasonry are so beneficial, why are they taught behind closed doors? The answer lies in the nature of man himself. That which is open to constant view becomes commonplace and attracts no attention. That which is hidden is sought, is searched for, is attractive and creates interest. The idea is illustrated by the detective story; who dunnit? </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Added to this is the fact that all the lessons are taught with symbols. This is an effective teaching method; it causes the student to learn more easily. A moral lesson can be told in a few effective words describing a symbol. With the use of the builder's tools Freemasonry teaches moral lessons. Many Masonic expressions have found their way into everyday conversation. We use the square to illustrate honesty in our dealings with one another: "He's on the square," or "He is a square dealer." Teenagers have a different conception of the word "square" today, but that is a passing phase. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> Each candidate for the degrees receives this philosophy of life in a most impressive manner. Suffice it to say here that this Way of Life contains all the lessons or rules adopted by all good men. It covers the Golden Rule. It teaches us that we are our Brother's keeper. It teaches that we can best worship God by renderring service to our fellowmen. We are taught tolerance in all things. We are taught that honesty is the only policy. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> It is true that these moral lessons are taught in the schools and in the churches, but the method of teaching used in a Masonic lodge is unique. Furthermore, these lessons can be taught without reference to sectarian creeds or dogmas. Masonic teaching is not restricted by practical considerations such as exist in a political organization. Freedom of thought and expression can be taught and practiced without any reference to the results of the next election. Freemasonry has blended together many of the characteristics of churches, schools, social clubs, and ethical societies; but while resemblances with such organizations can be noted, none is exactly like the great organization the world knows as Freemasonry. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> To summerize all this in just a few words, let us answer the question in the title as briefly as possible. Freemasonry offers to mankind an emphasis on the importance of the individual, the belief in the brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of God, the concept of the dignity of work and its necessity for the pursuit of happiness, the opportunity to realize one's social aspirations in a morally contructive way, and a philosophy of life which can lead to individual, and therefore community happiness. And the twentieth century really needs what Freemasonry offers. </div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>A talk given on the 100th Anniversary of </u></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>Burns Lodge #173, Monticello, Iowa June 15, 1965 </u></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u>by W Bro Alphonse Cerza </u></b></span></div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-21485404757503769202010-10-17T16:59:00.000+05:302010-10-17T16:59:13.134+05:30What Is A Mason?<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><b><span style="font-size: 18px;"><b> </b></span></b></b><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">This question is asked by those who are not yet freemasons and often by those who have been in Lodge for some time. This question is often a difficult one to answer. We know that we enjoy being Masons but do not know how to explain this.<br />
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Before we can we need to understand that the number one thing that people ask about any organization in which they may become involved is: "What's in it for me?" This is one of the things that is always the same in life. No one wants to become involved in something unless they benefit from it. This question must be answered because if we do not know what we want and can obtain from the organization then nothing else matters.<br />
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If each of us thinks back to when we petitioned the Lodge we will find that there are striking similarities in the reasons that we did so. Some of these are: </span></div><ul style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">
<li> Many of our male relatives were Masons and it was the family thing to do. </li>
<li> Many of the men we worked with and associated with were masons. </li>
<li>People that we admired and respected were masons and we wanted to emulate them. </li>
<li>We wanted to belong to the most respected fraternity in the world. </li>
<li>We researched the aims of the Fraternity and wished to become part of it and learn with like minded men</li>
</span></ul><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Freemasonry affords men the opportunity to be with others who have the same interests. These men support one another. This applies, not only to the activities of the Lodge, but also, to the activities of daily life. The first degree teaches that we should "Promote each others welfare and rejoice in each others prosperity." When brothers meet away from the Lodge at an impromptu gathering we see much of this type of activity. The friendliness and genuine feeling we have for one another is evident at these affairs.<br />
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Freemasonry is one of the few places that we can gather in confidence that we will leave with all that we arrived with. An example that is easily understood on this subject is that we would never take advantage if one of our ladies leaves her purse unattended or one of us loses his wallet. They are never bothered and if a freemason finds them they are quickly returned intact. <br />
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How many places can this occur in todays world? Not very many. We are selective and do not, knowingly, accept any man who would take advantage of others.<br />
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The teachings of Freemasonry afford the member a better chance to live a happy life, with his chosen mate, without joining the ranks of the throw away spouse society. We learn how to work through our tough times and make our lives better and more productive.<br />
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If disaster should befall us we can turn to our fraternity in the hope that help will be given. If financial aid is needed there are avenues open to the membership that are not available elsewhere. The Lodge will help to the best of its ability. If this is not enough there is the Grand Lodge and it will do all that it can for the distressed Brother.<br />
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Occasionally, one of our widows will need assistance. All she needs to do is call the Secretary of the Lodge and the Brothers will do all that they are able to do for her. This affords a measure of security for the mates of our departed Brothers.<br />
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Freemasonry does not promise anyone any kind of aid or financial assistance but the membership cares about the welfare of one another. freemasons feel good when they can help.<br />
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These are some of the things about Masons that make them different from members of many other fraternal organizations. These things are good to know but most of these are peripheral to what and who we are.<br />
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Freemasonry is a story of life. It carries joy, heartache, failure and triumph. In books one can read its teachings, symbols and ambitions. We do not practice our craft in the dark, but rather in the full light of day. We are required to practice the teachings and love we are taught by the lights of our Fraternity. No greater thing can be said of the Fraternity that that it is an ideal way of life.<br />
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No other Fraternity offers the lessons contained within our ritual. Every word and act in our ceremonies carries a lesson to each of us. If we will just open our eyes, hearts, and ears as we are taught to do by the second degree of Freemasonry.<br />
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We can study Freemasonry for years and each time we think about the things we see and hear we will find new meaning and inspiriation. Each time this happens we see more of what Freemasonry is and for what it is intended. Great men have devoted many years to the cause of Freemasonry and when their work is finished they have realized that they have only begun to see the light and that they have only started to uncover the truths contained within our ritual. I do not believe that any man has fully understood all of the lessons that it teaches.<br />
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The meaning of being a Mason rests in education and character forming. While it may be accepted as an innermost desire, followed by obligations that makes us members, yet in a larger sense, a man is never a Freemason until he truthfully and loyally lives up to his obligations. He cannot do this until he understands them and begins to learn their scope and meaning.<br />
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There is something inherently good about being a Mason. Freemasonry has stood through the years with the shining light of its membership as a beacon to the world. The greatness of the fraternity is not due to secret teachings, mysteries, or deeds. It is due to the lessons taught to its members by its ritual and the comfort, inspiration, and enlightenment brought to all who will study it.<br />
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Through this study men learn more about how to live up to the obligations that they have taken when they became members of the Fraternity. They learn to better control their passions, prejudices, angers, and tongues. The Freemason is different than most of the people around him for he has the lessons of the Fraternity within him as he walks through life. He must truly learn who he is and what he is on this earth for.<br />
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Freemasonry offers comfort to those who sorrow, hope for those who despair, counsel for those who err, and joy and contentment to all who genuinely practice it. The philosophies of the Fraternity provide a simple, but profound, solution to the problems of human relationships. It is accepted that it is a way of life to the Master Mason who is interested enough to appraise and value what is his, and his alone, simply because he is a Master Mason.<br />
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Freemasonry has a solid foundation in unchanging principles. It is an excellent training ground for ethical living and moral behavior. The true Mason's word is his bond. What he says, he means. He practices fairness and honesty in all his dealings.<br />
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There are three kinds of honesty practiced in this world. Cash register honesty, business honesty and personal honesty. The Master Mason makes no distinctions. He only knows one honesty. That is the lesson taught by all religions: Do unto others as you would that they do unto you. This makes the Mason different from most people in this world. He is respected and revered by those around him. It matters not whether he is a maintenance worker or the president of the company. the actions are the same.<br />
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This is important to the Mason as the world around him has no clear sense of purpose or firm spiritual foundation. To many people, the Mason's vision of life is ludicrous. These modern times seem to be seeking the lowest common denominator where the only question people want answered is: "What can we get away with?" this society is fast going toward self regulation. Self-seeking is becoming increasingly prominent. Allegiance is becoming secondary to the selfish pursuits of the individual. In other words, society is falling apart.<br />
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We see around us high unemployment, people who are worried about holding on to their jobs, shrinking buying power, continual warfare in the streets, commercialized sex, drugs being sold in every neighborhood, crimes of every kind are on the rise, rampant consumerism that works on people to buy things they do not need that put them into debt and homeless people are in every major downtown area. We are living in a throw away society where values count for less and less.<br />
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We see people more and more who do not think of the dignity and feelings of others. They have forgotten the virtues of temperance and prudence. These virtues can not be legislated but must be practiced for the good order of society. Good men practice them in Freemasonry.<br />
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Justice seems to take a back seat to rights in our society. Without justice our way of life is doomed also. We must get our society back to the basics of doing good to one another and working together to build a better tomorrow.<br />
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My brothers, if you listen closely you will hear the good men in our society calling out: "Masonry, where are you?" Freemasonry can help good men to withstand the pressures of our run away society. Freemasonry can help good men to renew the values that are needed to rebuild our society. Freemasonry can help good men to gain the knowledge to make our cities safe again. Freemasonry can help good men to become better men.<br />
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Freemasonry teaches that the road to happiness is found in the journey towards perfection of spirit, intellect and soul. Freemasonry teaches men to reach their fullest potential. The Freemason works toward these goals each day of his life. to aid in his journey he studies the book of religion, the history of man, and the philosophy of life. He cares for his family and his church. He puts forth his best efforts for the payment he receives in the workplace. He helps his neighbor and his community and he attends his Lodge so that he may fellowship with others with the same aims and goals.<br />
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From the time the Entered Apprentice Mason stands in the Northeast corner of the Lodge and is told that he "Now stands as a just and upright Mason," he becomes a worker on the building of Freemasonry and a guardian of the foundation stones. As society digs the earth from under the stones of civilization he stands, ever watchful, guarding the foundation of Freemasonry so that the fraternity will always stand tall for what is right and good in the world.<br />
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The Freemason is a builder. The building he works on is never finished. With every stone he lays there is another to be shaped and set. We work together as a Fraternity to build a strong building. The more men work and learn together, the better the building. We must impress upon the young men of today that this building is in danger of crumbling from age and may collapse without the labor of their hearts and hands.<br />
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We offer them brotherhood, understanding, help, encouragement and moral support. Unless men are properly influenced and guided by principles there is no hope for a brighter tomorrow. Not for society, not for freedom, not for democracy, and certainly not for Freemasonry.<br />
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Our fraternity is a bastion of morality. perhaps the last one outside of the secular churches. We have an advantage over them because we cross all religious boundaries and bring together men of every country, sect and opinion in peace and harmony. We enjoy each other and the families of one another. We have family get togethers to promote the togetherness of our Fraternity.<br />
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When we were young and going to school, most of us had a circle of friends with whom we did and shared everything. As we grew older and the concerns of the world began to hem us in we became distant from this sharing. Freemasonry affords the opportunity to regain this important part of life. To have friends with whom we can share our innermost secrets without fear of ridicule or reprisal is something that we can not get in most places. We can get it from our Brothers for Freemasonry truly regards the whole human race as one family. As we progress through life with our brothers we find that our lives are richer, better and more fulfilling.<br />
</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;"> When we put all of these things together we arrive at the bottom line. This is the simple explanation that a Mason is a good man who, by the teachings of the Fraternity, is working to become a better man. And the Fraternity is all the members working, one with the other, toward the same goal. </span><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b>By W Bro Charles H. Tupper</b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b>St. John's Lodge No. 9</b></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: 20px;"><b>Seattle, WA</b></span></b></div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-9231974090565321072010-10-14T09:59:00.000+05:302010-10-14T09:59:34.201+05:30What Do Masons Do?<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;">To really answer the question, "What do Masons do?," we need to answer the seldom asked question, "Why do Masons do what they do?" Then perhaps we go on to those other journalist questions, "where" do we do it, "when" do we do it, and "how" do we do it?</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"> Why are we Masons? Freemasonry for a long, long time has attracted men to the fraternity who want to "subdue" their passions. We want to exert a control over our own attitudes, thoughts, and actions. We want to do right by others, because it is the proper thing to do. We relish our association with one another, with men who have the same desire to subdue their passions, who want to be a part of a greater humanity, who are children of the same God and therefore true brothers who not only ought to, but want to "aid, support and protect each other."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"> Why are we Masons? Because we want to "improve ourselves in Masonry." Through Masonic principles and tenets, we can learn to be better men When we examine and re-examine those principles, we stretch our imagination. We challenge our attitudes. And when we challenge our attitudes, we can more easily challenge our thoughts, words, and deeds. We become better men because we have associated with others who also want to become better men. Our fraternity lets men associate with other men of honor and integrity who believe things like honesty, compassion, love, trust, and knowledge are important.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"> Yes, "guilt by association" can also be "enrichment by association!"</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"> Why are we Masons? Because in Freemasonry we are able to do things in the world that most of us cannot do alone. Masonry teaches that each person has a responsibility to make things better in the world. Together, we do that. Masonry is deeply involved with helping people. It spends more than $1.4 million every day in the United States just to make life a little easier for those who are sick, handicapped, or crippled.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"> Why are we Masons? Because Freemasonry enables us to spend time with friends. We enjoy being together with men we like and respect. While much of a lodge activity is spent in works of charity or in lessons in self-development, much is also spent in fellowship. We have picnics and golf outings and many events for the entire family.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"> So, "What do Masons do?" We identify where efforts are needed to make this a better world. We identify how our efforts can make a difference. And we work at making life a little better for those who are afflicted in a greater measure than ourselves.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"> And if we improve ourselves a little in the effort, we are better for it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"> "Where" do we do what we do? In the lodge and in our hearts.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"> "When" do we do it? Once a month and every day.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"> "How" do we do it? By being ever watchful and guarded in our thoughts, words, and actions. By being alert to the needs of our neighbors and wider community. By working together to make good things happen.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"> "What do Masons do?" We exercise Brotherly Love. We extend welcome Relief. We promise to be honest and reward Truth in our daily quest for eternal Brotherhood.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"> That's just what we do. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 20px;"> </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">By VWBro. James Russell</span></u></b></span><br />
<b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></u></b><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><b><u>St. John's Lodge No. 9</u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span></div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3461781030356646371.post-34025862257472571182010-10-12T08:08:00.000+05:302010-10-12T08:08:59.767+05:30What does Freemasonry stand for ?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqbA7LMrXeyz893StfI38uq88uHfl4sX4w1TfJ5n20XLoPP8Z_uoz6doTE7QY0Yyb70blAgdsD5jAa-wQN_F-3W2OIacbheKm29kc80HZ5IQizgW6xWQIpagde5lLQAlQK5F5CR5bUnql/s1600/pillars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwqbA7LMrXeyz893StfI38uq88uHfl4sX4w1TfJ5n20XLoPP8Z_uoz6doTE7QY0Yyb70blAgdsD5jAa-wQN_F-3W2OIacbheKm29kc80HZ5IQizgW6xWQIpagde5lLQAlQK5F5CR5bUnql/s1600/pillars.jpg" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Freemasonry, as we know it today, is so complex so many sided, so varied in its activities, presents itself in so many different ways, may be viewed from so many different stand points, that it is well, now and again, to ask the question "What does Freemasonry really stand for?" and endeavor to find some answer to the question, in order that we may ascertain its position in human society, and properly estimate the influence for good which it has exerted, and still exerts in this great and wonderful world in which we live.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I think it may be taken for granted, that Freemasonry does not present itself in exactly the same manner to any two Masons. Each one has probably a slightly different idea of what it is generally, and of what it means especially to him. To one man the outer aspect is the most prominent and the most important, the Lodge and its activities taking the first place in his regard; to another it is the inner meaning of Freemasonry, the spirit that underlies all the outward forms and ceremonies, which appeals most strongly, and which fascinates him most intensely.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">To some the Lodge is a haven of rest, whither they may retire for an hour's quiet, from the rush and turmoil of everyday life, and I know of no better place for the proper restoration of body and mind, except perhaps some sacred edifice, than an orderly, well regulated and harmonious Masonic Lodge. To others Freemasonry affords an opportunity for social intercourse, for the making and strengthening of human friendships, and indeed, no truer friends can be found anywhere, than those which may be obtained by a judicious selection from the members of the Masonic fraternity. To others, again, it is the symbolism of Freemasonry which proves the most attractive. They find in the Masonic ritual and ceremonial ample food for thought and reflection, which prompts them to apply the tenets and principles therein inculcated, to their own betterment and for the uplift of those among whom they live and labor.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">But whilst this diversity is apparent to every Mason, there are certain features, certain principles, certain distinguishing characteristics, which are perhaps not evident to all, but which, when pointed out, are acknowledged by all and appeal to all, and it is to a few of these that your attention is here directed.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Freemasonry stands for many things besides Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth, although these must ever occupy an important place in its activities, as the Grand Principles upon which the Order is founded. Indeed, the beneficent work and influence of Freemasonry may now be seen in very many spheres of life and labor, and the Masons have left numerous marks in the world besides those made with mallet and chisel. For it may be truly said, that there is no Society in the universe, except perhaps those that are of a purely religious character, whose influence is as worldwide, and whose ramifications are as extensive, as those of the Society of Freemasons, or whose fundamental principles are as noble, as beautiful, as sublime, as those upon which the Brotherhood of Masons is established.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Amongst other things. Freemasonry stands for Patriotism, the love of one's native land, devotion to its interest and welfare and a determination to spend one's self in its service if necessary. Those who possess this Masonic virtue to the fall are willing to sacrifice all personal interest, to go out and do all that is possible to establish and maintain the rights of their native land, against any other power whatever, whether it be the internal power of corruption in high or low places, or the power of a foreign aggressor. Masonry has ever stood for that kind of patriotism and, we believe, will ever stand for it.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Freemasonry stands for Tolerance for the opinions and views of others, for each one has a perfect inalienable right to form his own opinion, and to hold it tenaciously. It demands mutual respect for each others feelings, mutual regard for each others rights, mutual desire for each others welfare, and mutual regret for each others misfortunes.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">It stands for Equality, for there is probably no more democratic body in the world than the Masonic fraternity, alike in its constitution, laws and government. It draws its members from every rank, and from every honorable occupation in which men engage, while every Installed Master and Warden can vote annually for a Grand Master, and even the youngest Entered Apprentice has a voice in the annual election of a Master for his Own Lodge.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Freemasonry stands for a Self-respecting Manhood, a manhood that rejoices in its freedom, while knowing and accepting willingly the limitations and responsibilities which freedom brings.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">It stands for Friendship, for all mankind, no matter what country, language or color, provided only that, upon examination or inquiry, they are found to be good men and true, obedient to the moral law, and observant of the golden rule.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Freemasonry claims Civil and Religious Liberty for all men. Perhaps in no respect has the Masonic influence been exerted in days gone by to better and nobler purpose, than in the age-long struggle for liberty and freedom in the world. The Masons were ever champions of the oppressed individual, people and nation, and for centuries past every movement which has had for its object the emancipation of mankind from every form of tyranny, whether civil or religious, has received encouragement and support from the members of the Masonic fraternity. The consistent Mason will never be found engaged in plots or conspiracies against any government based upon the Masonic principles of liberty and equal rights. But (declares Albert Pike, the great American Freemason), "with tongue and pen, with all our open and secret influence, with the purse, and if need be, with our personal service, we will strive to advance the cause of human progress, labor to enfranchise human thought, to give freedom to the human conscience, and equal rights to the people everywhere. Wherever a nation struggles to be free from an intolerable tyranny of either body or soul, wherever the human mind asserts its independence, and people demand their inalienable rights, there shall go, not only our warmest sympathies, but also our personal help."</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Again, Freemasonry stands for a true 'Brotherhood. This is one of the words which to-day is on everybody's lips. There is a universal craving, a deep seated urgent longing for a real, genuine Brotherhood of Peoples, which shall promote and establish good-will, peace and harmony in this sorely troubled world. Now Freemasonry stands for Brotherhood, both within and without the Order. But what do w-e mean by Brotherhood, and what does it involve? It means putting on one side the primary thought of self, and ceasing to struggle exclusively for our own individual interest and welfare recognizing that others have rights as well as ourselves. It means that we acknowledge it as a duty to others, to act upon the square in all our dealings with them, never to take advantage of their ignorance to our own profit, but to deal with them in as honest and straightforward a manner, as we would wish others in similar circumstances to deal with us, ever remembering that we are all members of one family, whose father is the G.A. of the U. Brotherhood means that we must be just, but must temper justice with mercy, that we must be merciful, but must supplement mercy with justice. Brotherhood involves taking the Masonic Principles, inculcated and nourished in the quiet, serene atmosphere of the Lodge, out into the busy world, right into the turmoil of the daily life of humanity, and promptly and intelligently applying them to the uplift of the needy, the oppressed and the downcast, by assisting the weary to carry their heavy burdens, by raising those who have been beaten down in the battle of life, by bringing hope to those who have lost what little hope they once had, and by directing some rays of warm and cheery sunshine upon all who sit in the darkness. True Brotherhood is all this, and it is more, infinitely more, for when Brotherhood and Charity encompass the earth, then indeed will the true spirit of Freemasonry prevail, and humanity be well on its way to ultimate perfection.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Freemasonry stands for Systematic Benevolence. Benevolence may not be a natural feeling of the human heart. By nature man is more prone to be selfish than generous, more inclined to get for himself than to give to others, more ready to claim help from others than to sacrifice himself on their behalf. But from our very first introduction into Freemasonry, the duty, the necessity, the praiseworthiness of systematic giving is so constantly impressed upon us, that at length Benevolence and Charity have come to be considered the distinguishing characteristics of a Freemason's heart. Although the Order is not, strictly speaking, a Benevolent Society, yet Benevolence is really the very breath of its nostrils, while Freemasonry and Charity are almost synonymous terms. It is, I think, an indisputable fact, that no organized body of persons, of equal numbers, gives or has of late years given so much time and money, towards charitable and philanthropic objects, as the Freemasons of English-speaking Grand Lodges. There are no institutions anywhere, which can put into the shade those established by the Masonic fraternity, and supported by the Brethren with a generosity which knows no bounds save those of prudence. Nor is the benevolence of the Brethren by any means confined to what are designated "the Masonic Charities," but recognizing the duty of helping all who are in want and distress, the Masons' charity breaks down every barrier of nation, language, color or creed, and flows in a generous stream even to the very ends of the earth.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Freemasonry exemplifies the Dignity of Labor. The whole of our ritual and ceremonial has always been, and still is, referred to and spoken of as "work." The duties of the Master and his officers, which are carried out in the regular routine of a Lodge, are as truly their "work," as "squaring stones" and building churches was the work of the Masons of long ago. We are proud to acknowledge our descent from the operative masons of centuries past, who beautified and adorned the world with many stately and superb edifices, and we still retain the outward and visible sign of our connection with them, in the apron which we wear. For although we decorate and adorn it with ribbons and emblems, almost out of all recognition, we would ever remember that its foundation and basis is the leather apron of the worker, the badge of the man who does things. Labor is honorable in all men, and the aprons we wear as Masons are the outward symbol and expression of our faith in work, and our participation therein, for without work there would be no progress, all arts and crafts would stand still and die. The world would then be no place for living folk, for an idle world would be a dead world.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Freemasonry stands for a Simple Religious Faith. We have but one dogma, a belief in God, but this is so firmly established as the principal foundation stone of the Brotherhood, that no one can ever be admitted a member of an English speaking Lodge, without a full and free acceptance thereof. In all references to the Deity, God is reverently spoken of as the G.A. of the U., the creating and preserving power of all things in heaven and earth, the omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent father of all mankind. Upon this foundation stone we construct a simple religious faith, viz., the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of Man, and the Immortality of the Soul, — simple but all-sufficient. By reason of this simple creed. Freemasonry has been able to attract as members of the Order, adherents of every religious faith in the world, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Mohammedans, Parsis, Buddhists and others are freely admitted to the Fraternity — atheists alone being rigidly excluded. If any member of the Order honestly acknowledges his faith in a Supreme Being, whose law is his guide, and to whom he looks up for inspiration and guidance in all times of difficulty, danger and doubt, and strives honestly to live by his faith, we care not what the other articles of his creed may be, for we believe that when summoned from this sublunary abode, he will be received into the all-perfect, glorious and celestial Lodge above, for he will, by his life, have made of earth the porch-way entrance into heaven.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Freemasonry stands for a "Bright Outlook on Life. If looked at aright, the Masonic allegory of the Master's death is an incentive to keep a bright outlook in all the checkered experiences of life. In all our changing circumstances, whatever inspires hope and courage, and enables us to face all the problems of life with a quiet mind and an enduring fortitude, should be welcomed with gratitude and thankfulness. And the Master Mason's degree, properly viewed will, I think, be a means of lessening the anxieties of life, and inspiring us with an abundant hope. We see, in our beautiful Masonic Allegory, the Master smitten, the Builder slain, the work arrested, and the emblems of mortality in evidence. But at the close there is the sprig of acacia, the emblem of immortality, and a promise of final reunion. In the gloom there is grief and distress, but afterwards there come joy and exultation. Now Freemasonry stands for a bright outlook. It teaches that in men there is something that cannot die, that this "something" is akin to the divine, that it can be given the rule of a man during his earthly pilgrimage, and that it is the purpose of Freemasonry to discover and to crown this divine element in human life. Call it by what name you please, it is the life of the G. A. of the U. in the soul of man, lived in the bounds of rime and space, and under human conditions. Of all this the sprig of acacia is the symbol. Should not these thoughts, deeply rooted in the mind, enable us to keep life's horizon bright?</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">And lastly, but by no means of least importance, Freemasonry stands for the exercise of Faith, Hope and Charity, the three cardinal virtues in the Freemasons' creed. These are the principal rounds of that many-staved ladder, of which every stave represents an active virtue, which links earth to heaven, and which, though invisible, is a reality to the true Mason. Indeed, no man can be a true Mason without the exercise of these virtues in his daily life, for having Faith in God and His promises, he has the Faith which banishes doubt. He has also Faith in himself. Faith in his fellow-man. Faith in the boundless possibilities for a regenerate humanity, Faith in the ultimate happiness of all mankind, Faith in the enjoyment of perfect bliss throughout an endless life. With this Faith in his soul, the consistent Mason has hope. Hope for that in which he has Faith, Hope for himself. Hope for his fellows, Hope for all mankind—Hope for the present, Hope for the future — a Hope so firmly rooted in his soul, that it is steadfast, immovable, enduring to the end. And Charity, that perfection of all virtues, the choicest, rarest of all the jewels which adorn the life of a perfect Mason, that too Freemasonry stands for, although each Brother well knows the difficulty of its full attainment in this world of conflict, error, sin and tears. To bring help to a suffering humanity, to relieve the distressed stricken in body or mind, to shelter those whom a censorious world has cast out, and to throw a veil over the faults and failings of all weak and over- tempted souls—that is the Charity placed before us in a Freemasons' Lodge.</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;">And now. Brethren, I have enumerated some of the things for which Freemasonry has stood, and still stands, and I am sure we shall all agree that they are worth living for, and worth working for, with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>By Bro. John. T. Thorp</b></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><b>St. John's Lodge No. 9</b></div>Lodge Kohinoor 139http://www.blogger.com/profile/03712135420193262875noreply@blogger.com1