A Window for Freemasonry Vol
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THE A Window for Freemasonry Vol. 37 No. 3 AUGUST 2006 THE A Window for Freemasonry AUGUST 2006 Volume 37 No. 3 Features 4 Communicating Masonic Principles by Richard H. Curtis, 33° Carry the message beyond the lodge room. 6 Approaching A New Renaissance 10 by Jay M. Hochberg, 32° 4 Scholar predicts bright future for Scottish Rite. 8 Restoring the Center 10 A Mason At the by Wayne T. Adams, 33° Brickyard Organizations that prosper find what they do best and focus on it. Bro. Sam Hornish Jr. wins the Indy 500. 12 Two Thousand Stories by Alan E. Foulds Columns Harry Brahmstadt’s First-Day Cover 12 Collection. 3 Sovereign Grand Commander 18 Notes from the Southern Jurisdiction 19 Brothers on the Net 20 Scottish Rite Charities 14 Making the Grade 21 The Stamp Act Dr. David Winters visits the learning centers. 22 Book Nook Also: 24 HealthWise 10 Why the Brickyard? • 11 Indy 500 and the Indy Racing League • 15 32° 26 Views from the Past Masonic Learning Centers for Children, Inc. • 16 Walk or Run to Help Children 28 Today’s Family with Dyslexia • 16 Sponsor-A-Child • 16 Masonic Word Math • 17 Na- 29 More Than Just Books tional Heritage Museum Online • 17 In Memoriam: Ill. Terry D. Bentzel, 33° • 25 Twain Award to Honor Lodge ‘Awareness’ Program • 25 Deyo Appointed 30 Readers Respond to Fill Vacancy 27 Quick Quotes 30 Hiram 30 On the Lighter Side • • • 31 Footnotes EDITOR SUPREME COUNCIL, 33° Richard H. Curtis, 33° Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Mailing Address: ASSISTANT EDITOR Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U.S.A. PO Box 519, Lexington, MA 02420-0519 Alan E. Foulds SOVEREIGN GRAND COMMANDER PRODUCTION ASSISTANTS John Wm. McNaughton, 33° Editorial Office: Sonja B. Faiola & Beth E. McSweeney THE NORTHERN LIGHT (ISSN 1088-4416) is published quarterly in February, May, 33 Marrett Road (Route 2A) August, and November by the Supreme Council, 33°, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Lexington, Massachusetts 02421 MEDIA ADVISORY COMMITTEE Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U.S.A., as the official publication. Printed in U.S.A. 781-862-4410 Stephen E. Carpenter, 33°, chairman Periodicals postage paid at Boston, MA, and at additional mailing offices. Richard V. Travis, 33° Fax: 781-863-1833 Donald D. Thomas, 33° POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Northern Light, PO Box 519, Lexington, e-mail: [email protected] William Fox Jr., 33° MA 02420-0519. Lawrence D. Inglis, 33° Copyright © 2006 by Trustees of the Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Internet: William L. McCarrier, 33° Scottish Rite of Freemasonry for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U.S.A. www.supremecouncil.org Frank R. Preble, 33° 2 THE NORTHERN LIGHT / AUGUST 2006 “We must not lose sight of the fact that we have a message to convey.” — John Wm. McNaughton, 33º Examining the Basics As our organization undergoes another period During the middle of the last century, the of transition in leadership, there is always a Masonic fraternity was overwhelmed with such an concern among the membership about the increase in membership that lodges were finding it jurisdiction’s future course. What can one expect difficult to keep up with the demand. Our lodges from a new Sovereign Grand Commander? Will were faced with a situation of conferring degree there be immediate changes? What kind of after degree to keep pace. There was little time for challenges lie ahead and how will they be han- anything else. As the pace subsided and lodges dled? found the need for fewer degree conferrals, many Throughout every leadership transition — could not adjust to the extra time on their hands. whether it be at the local lodge level or at a state Grand Lodges have provided a platform for or national headquarters — there is one common exceptional degree presentations through special thread. Our Masonic roots are firmly implanted statewide classes, but unless the local lodge finds with core values that will not change. There may a way to reinforce the lessons exemplified in the be many distractions in life, yet the moral princi- degrees, a candidate is left with little knowledge ples expressed through our ritualistic ceremonies of the deeper understanding of Freemasonry. must continue to serve as the basis for a successful A similar situation has existed within the existence. Scottish Rite, where reunions once welcomed an Each new Mason is asked a simple question. “In overwhelming number of candidates and now whom do you put your trust?” We may come greet much smaller classes. How do we compen- from different backgrounds with a wide variety of sate for this shift? We must not lose sight of the interests, but we have all answered in the same fact that we have a message to convey. Perhaps manner. We have all based our Masonic career on we can strengthen our degree conferrals with that answer. discussions so that not only candidates but also Recently a broadcast journalist was discussing the entire membership can attain a better under- paradigm shifts and made the simple observation standing of the depth of the lessons expressed in that with every paradigm shift there are winners the ritualistic work. and losers. If Freemasonry is to continue to main- We can all benefit from the reminders of these tain a viable presence, it needs to be a winner. moral lessons. The net result is both individual How can we do that? improvement and a stronger membership. That For any fraternity to survive in a changing world, combination provides a greater opportunity for us it need not change the basic principles of the to carry out our fraternal, social and charitable organization. But it must continually examine the endeavors. way in which it expresses those principles not only to the membership but also to the public at large. Sovereign Grand Commander AUGUST 2006 / THE NORTHERN LIGHT 3 Communicating By RICHARD H. CURTIS, 33° Masonic Carry the message Principles beyond the lodge room better than others — and members Mason to recognize another Mason he don’t hesitate to flash rings and pins. can use those means of communication. Yet for all the exposure the Masons at- But what about the philosophical tempt to display, there are so many non- principles and the moral lessons? Cer- Masons in this country who know little tainly Freemasonry holds no exclusive or nothing about the Masonic fraternity. rights to the lessons exemplified in the In fact, a moviegoer leaving the theater ritualistic ceremonies. There are basic after viewing “National Treasure” was principles portrayed that would make overheard commenting to his friend, “I the world a better place if everyone fol- wonder if the Masons are still around.” lowed them, but they are not exclusive References to Freemasonry in recent with Freemasonry. films and Dan Brown’s novels have in- spired a sense of curiosity among many people who have not been familiar with the fraternity. The curiosity factor has created a renewed interest among those who are seeking what Freemasonry has to offer. Once the curious bystander eventu- ally locates a Mason, there is frequently an awkward pause, because the Mason n many parts of the world, Freema- does not feel comfortable answering a sonry survives without public Masonic question from an outsider. Irecognition. There are no signs or Perhaps it is because he feels he has symbols on the exterior of the build- been sworn to secrecy that he will not ings, and Masons do not wear a square reveal “anything.” If such is the case, we and compasses pin in their lapel. To the have done a very poor job of educating average non-Mason in many of these the member. countries, Freemasonry does not exist. What is secret, and what is not? Cer- The fraternity in the United States, tainly the grips, words and signs are in- however, has taken a different ap- tended to be shared only with Masons. proach. Masonic buildings are easily There is a reason for it. There is a bond The emblems can make the moral les- identified for all to see — perhaps some of trust among Masons, and for one sons easier to understand, but occa- 4 THE NORTHERN LIGHT / AUGUST 2006 ONE ON ONE ONE ON ONE Non-member: You’re a Mason? Tell me more about it. Member: Oh, I can’t tell you. It’s a secret. Non-member: I understand that you’re a Mason. What’s it all about? Non-member: I see that symbol with a letter G in the middle. What is that? Member: Well, Freemasonry is a fraternity Member: I can’t tell you. Only Masons know what that based on trust. We all agree to live by means. certain principles, and that gives us a common bond. Non-member: That big eye on the dollar bill — does that have anything to do with Masonry? Non-member: It’s a secret organization, isn’t it? Member: I don’t know. Member: Absolutely not. If it were secret, Non-member:The apron that Masons wear — do they wear you wouldn’t know I was a Mason, and that in the kitchen? you wouldn’t know where Masons Member: No. meet. Non-member: Non-member: What’s the ballot box that they talk about? But I can’t go into a Masonic building, can I? Member: Oh, you’ll have to join to find out. Member: Of course you can. I’d be happy Non-member: What are the benefits of being a Mason? to show you around. The only time it is Member: There aren’t any. restricted is when a meeting is taking place. Non-member: But what will I be allowed to see? sionalX reminders of their signifi- sociation with the fraternity.