CTFM Color 0110.Indd

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

CTFM Color 0110.Indd CConnecticutonnecticut FREEMASONS JANUARYJANUARY 20102010 Emblems of Authority Wallingford, CT 06492 CT Wallingford, Box 250 P.O. 69 Masonic Avenue Grand Lodge of Connecticut, AF & AM PAGE 5 PAGE 14 PAGEPAG 19 Pierpontt EdwardsEdwards Honorary SpecialSpec Medal awardedwarded toto Membership for NightNigh in Fred W. SchmalzSchmalz “Widow” Creator DanburyDan TABLE OF CONTENTS CConnecticutonnecticut FFREEMASONSREEMASONS Grand Master’s Message ........................................4 OES holiday party ...............................................14 Volume 5 - Number 8 Fred Schmalz Pierpont Edwards Medal ...............5 Bro. Jack Johnson ................................................15 Grand Chaplain’s Pulpit .......................................6 2009 Festival of Trees ..........................................16 Publisher George Washington Masonic Memorial ..............7 Gift giving tradition continues ...........................17 THE GRAND LODGE Grand Historian’s Corner .....................................8 District News .......................................................18 OF CONNECTICUT AF & AM Masonicare employees recognized .......................9 “Facebook” is a useful tool .................................23 Editor-in-Chief The Masonic “secret Santa” ..................................9 DeMolay helps Stuff-A-Bus .................................23 SIMON R. LAPLACE “Holiday for Giving” helps ...................................9 Our Departed Brothers .......................................24 Associate Editor On being brought to Li... .................................10 It’s for the candidates ..........................................24 CARL G. EK Welcome .............................................................10 Curious Masonic words ......................................25 Correspondent John Morgan: Confi dence in Masonicare ..........11 MSA reaches out ..................................................26 MICHAEL L. CASTROLL RAM 49 Sing-Along .............................................11 Bea Coulombe joins MHH .................................26 Design Valley News ..........................................................12 Deborah Hazzan-Dudzik joins MAN ................26 CHARLENE D. ROWE Letter to the editor ..............................................13 York Rite Opportunities ......................................27 GWEN M. ROCHETTE Nutmegger Reunions planned ............................13 Craft at Labor ......................................................28 Contributors Thank you Steve ..................................................13 Organ and tissue registration check-up .............28 TOM ACCUOSTI CARL H. ANDERSON Congratulations...................................................13 Craft at Refreshment ...........................................29 BRUCE R. BELLMORE “Widow” creator honorary member ..................14 Boosters ...............................................................30 DAVID R. BLYTHE, SR. Did you vote? ......................................................14 Declaration of principles ....................................31 TOM BURKE ARTHUR H. CARLSTROM MARJE CHICK DAVID COLE Grand Lodge of Connecticut, AF & AM RICHARD F. DENNO 69 Masonic Avenue • P.O. Box 250 • Wallingford, Connecticut 06492 MICHAEL B. DODGE Offi ce hours: 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Monday through Friday DAVID R. EDMAN LORRAINE FELICIANO First Saturday of the month: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon TONY FOOTE 203-679-5903 • 800-529-4161 (in-state only) • Fax: 203-679-5996 CHARLES B. FOWLER, JR. e-mail: [email protected] • www.ctfreemasons.net CHRISTOPHER T. GOULD PAT KALINAUSKAS GARY A. LITTLEFIELD JIM MCBETH WILLIAM L. MINNIX, JR. ADAM RAIDER FRANK RICH GRAND MASTER’S WALTER S. RISSO SCOTT SHERRICK TRESTLE BOARD CHARLES TIRRELL Connecticut Freemasons is the offi cial publication of the Grand Lodge of Arthur H. Carlstrom - January 2010 Connecticut AF & AM. All original articles are subject to editing. All checks for payments and donations should be made out to Grand Lodge Publications and mailed to the DATE/TIME EVENT/LOCATION PUBLIC DINNER ATTIRE Grand Lodge offi ce at PO Box 250, Wallingford, CT 06492. Friday, January 1 Happy New Year Connecticut Freemasons Volume 5 Monday, January 4, 7:30 p.m. Federal Lodge No. 17, Watertown N Ref S Number 8 January 2010 is published monthly except August by The Grand Tuesday, January 5, 7:30 p.m. Olivet Chapter No. 29, OES, Plainville N Ref S Lodge of Connecticut AF & AM, Wednesday, January 6, 4:00 p.m. By-laws Committee Meeting, Wallingford N N S 69 Masonic Avenue, P.O. Box 250, Wallingford, CT 06492-0250. Periodicals Wednesday, January 6, 7:30 p.m. St. Paul’s Lodge No. 11, Litchfi eld N Ref S Postage Pending at Wallingford, CT and additional mailing offi ces. Saturday, January 9, 1:00 p.m. Frederick-Franklin Lodge No. 14, Plainville Y N F POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Grand Lodge of Connecticut AF Installation & AM, P.O. Box 250, Wallingford, CT Monday, January 18, 7:30 p.m. Federal Lodge No. 17, Watertown N Ref S 06492-0250. Wednesday, January 20, 7:30 p.m. St. Paul’s Lodge No. 11, Litchfi eld N Ref S Letters and advertisements may be sent to the Editor-in-Chief at Thursday, January 21, 6:30 p.m. Friendship Tuscan Lodge No. 145, Manchester N Y F [email protected]. or Table Lodge 860-526-4021. All submissions are required by the 15th of the month Saturday, January 23, 9:00 a.m. District Deputy School of Instruction N N S prior to the next issue. Please note: The Grand Lodge of Connecticut, Ashlar Village, Wallingford AF & AM, does not endorse any of the products or services contained Saturday, January 23, 12:00 noon Awards Committee, Wallingford N N S herein nor imply any warranty of the Wednesday, January 27, 5:30 p.m. Grand Lodge offi cers meeting N Y C goods, services, or claims advertised. While every effort is made to ensure Friday, January 29, 7:30 p.m. District 3 Blue Lodge Council N Ref S the accuracy of all advertisements, Connecticut Freemasons will only be King Hiram Lodge, Shelton liable to reprint, at no charge, any correction due to typographical error. Page 2 Connecticut Freemasons January 2010 “The Duties of a Master of a Lodge…” by Simon R. LaPlace and Carl G. Ek The goal of all Masters is to see “who can best The fi rst Grand Lodge congregated in 1717, Every year, hundreds of Worshipful Masters work, and best agree.” Personal disagreements and now there are hundreds of Grand Lodges and Wardens promise to submit to the fi fteen must be set aside so that all may labor for the recognized as truly Masonic. Masters must “ancient charges and regulations of Free and common good. realize that any deviation from current broadly Accepted Masons” before being installed. These A Master is obliged to see that brothers and accepted principles must be carefully scrutinized charges “point out the duties of a Master of a guests take care to avoid excessive indulgence and formally approved by the Grand Lodge to Lodge,” and are deemed so important that they after closing or at a table lodge. avoid a loss of recognition. are read to ensure accuracy. 7. You agree to be cautious in carriage 12. You promise a regular attendance What do these charges mean? Here is some and behavior, courteous to your brethren on the committees and Communications of food for thought. and faithful to your Lodge. the Grand Lodge on receiving proper notice 1. You agree to be a good man and true As a Master wields great power, so too must and to pay attention to all of the duties of and strictly to obey the moral law. he use restraint both in his demeanor and Masonry on convenient occasions. Every Mason should follow the guidance in his infl uence. A pound of honest A lodge is a constituent of the Grand Lodge of his own Volume of Sacred Law, but more praise can be undone by an ounce when in session. In order for a lodge especially a Master of a lodge. A Worshipful of undue criticism. to be an indispensible component it Master is one who can be emulated and serve 8. You promise to respect must be represented. Thus its presence as a model for other’s behavior. genuine brethren, and to is mandatory, either personally or by 2. You agree to be a peaceable citizen discountenance impostors proxy. and cheerfully conform to the laws of the and all dissenters from 13. You admit that no new Country in which you reside. the original plan of Lodge shall be formed without 3. You promise not to be concerned in Masonry. permission of the Grand plots and conspiracies against government, Once satisfi ed that Lodge and that no but patiently to submit to the decision of an unknown man is a countenance the Supreme Legislature. Mason, he should be be given 4. You agree to pay proper respect to treated with the same to civil magistrates, to work diligently, to live kindness and concern any irregular creditably and act honorably by all men. as a member. Those seeking Lodge or to any Charges 2, 3, and 4 all relate to the duties of fi nancial gain, power over others, or person clandestinely Masters to be law-abiding citizens who respect personal honors – never Masons in their hearts initiated therein, being contrary – even when disagreeing with – specifi c laws or – eventually disappear from the fraternity when to the ancient charges of the Order. individuals in government. Masters must see they realize that few are hoodwinked by their To benefi t from Masonry’s reputation, some that the divisive topics of politics and religion inappropriate desires. men (and women!) improperly
Recommended publications
  • June 2020 No
    Grand Lodge Office: 478-742-1475 Please send changes of address to the Grand Secretary MASONIC MESSENGER at 811 Mulberry Street, Macon, GA 31201 Vol. 116 June 2020 No. 1 on your lodge secretary’s monthly report. The editor does NOT keep the list of addresses. Table of Contents Grand Lodge Officers Grand Lodge Notices and Events From the Desk of the Grand Secretary....................................3 Grand Master Johnie M. Garmon (114) Freemasonry Around Georgia.................................................4 Deputy Grand Master Jan M. Giddens (33) Grand York Rite News...........................................................5 Grand Orient of Georgia News..............................................6 Senior Grand Warden Donald C. Combs (46) Articles Junior Grand Warden Michael A. Kessler (216) “History of Dallas Lodge No. 182”......................................7-9 “Operative, Speculative, and Oline”..................................10-11 Grand Treasurer Larry W. Nichols (59) “Crypta Podcast Interview”..............................................12-14 “The 50 Year Mason: A Cut Above”.................................15-17 Grand Secretary Van S. McGee (26, 70) “The Freemasons & the Catholic P...”...............................18-20 “Pakistan’s Freemasons”........................................................21 Review of Georgia Grand Masters and their Tokens.............22 Grand Chaplain James R. Harris (205, 758) “Relevancy to the Community”............................................23 From the Archives “Consolidation (1931)..............................24
    [Show full text]
  • Masters of Truth Fathers of Lies
    MASTERS OF TRUTH FATHERS OF LIES 1 This book is dedicated to all those brave folk who made the ultimate sacrifice to maintain justice, truth and freedom in a world riddled with corruption, and to those equally brave people who continue the fight no matter what the cost - they are indeed few in number. Unless justice, truth and freedom are maintained, the world will not survive the onslaught of the corruption and greed of mankind. “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8 v 44. “The first wrote, ‘Wine is the strongest.’ The second wrote, ‘The king is strongest’ The third wrote ‘Women are strongest: but above all things Truth beareth away the victory’.” 1 Esdras 3 v 10.. For every book sold, £1 will be contributed to the funds of “FAME’97” 2 NOW AVAILABLE ON MULTI-MEDIA INTERACTIVE CD “THE TRUTH” A REVELATION IN VIDEO, SOUND, GRAPHICS AND TEXT - HOW AND WHY THE HISTORY OF THE 20TH CENTURY WAS PLANNED AND BY WHO. WHY TWO WORLD WARS? WHY THE RUSSIAN REVOLUTION? WHY THE COLD WAR - WAS IT REALLY COLD? WHY INJUSTICE, DEBT AND INFLATION? WHAT IS THE LINK BETWEEN THE DEATHS OF JFK AND DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES? WHAT IS THE LINK BETWEEN ANCIENT BABYLON AND WASHINGTON D.C.? WAS PEARL HARBOUR ALLOWED TO BE ATTACKED? WHY STALIN WAS NEVER PORTRAYED TO BE A WORSE TYRANT THAN ADOLPH HITLER? WHY THE BRITISH TAXPAYER WAS DUPED INTO SUBSIDISING EVERY TON OF WHEAT SOLD TO THE USSR BY £100? THESE AND MANY OTHER FACTS REVEALED FOR YOU TO JUDGE THE TRUE TYRANTS OF THE 20TH CENTURY.
    [Show full text]
  • Reasoning-Masons.Lwp
    Book Review: Ron Rhodes: Reasoning from the Scriptures with Masons A Review by David S. Julian © 2004 David S. Julian DAY JEWEL PUBLICATIONS 16052 - 46th Ave S Seattle, WA 98188 (206) 246-6460 www.dayjewel.com 1 Reasoning from the Scriptures with Masons The author of the book On the book’s back cover, Ron Rhodes, Th.D., correctly states that “Masons establish and maintain Children’s Hospitals, provide free medical treatment to needy children, work actively in their communities, and promote high moral standards.” The author is identified as the President of Reasoning from the Scriptures Ministries, whose own website describes itself as a “nonprofit corporation.” But nothing on the RSM website even remotely resembles the generosity of Freemasonry quoted above. The website actually appears to be nothing more than an online bookstore for Rhodes’ books and newsletter, run out of a P.O. Box in Frisco, TX, a north Dallas suburb. According to the book, however, RSM is run out of a P.O. Box in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, a south Los Angeles suburb near Mission Viejo. The book’s cover also identifies Rhodes as a “noted researcher and Bible scholar” but most of his premises turn out to be just another recycling of the same anti-everybody-but-us phoney-baloney from Harvest House, the publishing arm of the John Ankerberg Show. To get the potential book-buyer’s attention, the back cover displays the usual “secret name for God”, “Baal and Osiris”, “occultic”, and “hidden rituals” buzzwords. The back cover also claims there is an “easy to follow guide ..
    [Show full text]
  • Faith Hope and Charity
    "FAITH, HOPE, AND CHARITY" In the Entered Apprentice lecture we learn that the covering of a lodge is a clouded canopy, or starry-decked heavens, where every good Mason hopes at last to arrive. We learn about that spiritual ladder Jacob saw in his vision, from Genesis Chapter 28: "And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it." Masonic tradition informs us the three principal rungs are labelled Faith, Hope and Charity. But interestingly, those words do not appear in Genesis, but rather 1 Corinthians Chapter 13: "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity." The men who crafted our ritual saw fit to unite these ideas, and they work together well, if separated a bit biblically. Let us expand on these virtues, how they relate to Freemasonry, and how to pursue them in our daily lives. FAITH Faith and religion are often confused; religion has been defined as: 1 "The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods." While faith is defined in Hebrews 11: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." You might say, faith is trusting in something you cannot explicitly prove. You must have faith in God to be a Mason. But how you exercise that faith, the doctrine you follow, the means of expressing it, may rightly be called your religion, and that decision is left to the individual Mason.
    [Show full text]
  • Hiram's Lighthouse-June 1, 2015 Page 1 of 32
    Hiram’s Lighthouse PROVIDING MASONIC LIGHT FROM TORONTO EAST DISTRICT SINCE 2003 Grand Lodge Merit Award Winner for District Newsletter - 2008 D.D.G.M.: R.W. Bro. Peter J. Sialtsis Email: - [email protected] District Secretary: W. Bro. Charles E. Frankland Email: - [email protected] Toronto East District Website: - www.torontoeastdistrict.com This Week in Toronto East (TWiTE): - 289.482.1294 Grand Lodge Website: - www.grandlodge.on.ca June 1 2015 Contents Page We can no longer have our survival depend upon the Events Calendar 3 claims of how great we were and point with pride to Around and About 5 the greatness of our past brothers. Freemasonry (News & Notices) needs an age of Renaissance in America today to lift Grand Lodge Communication 27 the veil of ignorance of our membership. ... by the Lighthouse Beam 30 - Bro. Thomas W. Jackson, speech to GL of Canada in the Province of Ontario-2011 Administration 32 (It‟s all about US!) From the desk of the D.D.G.M. Greetings Brethren of Toronto East District, As we head into the month of June we can finally embrace the slowly warming weather, the blooming of the flowers and our gardens; and we look forward to the end of what I feel has been a wonderful and productive year of brotherhood in the Toronto East District. As our Masonic year draws to a close, please remember that our labours are nowhere near an end. First and foremost, I want to encourage all of our brethren to attend the upcoming 4th annual Black & White District Gala & Awards Night to be held on June 13, 2015 at the Ajax Convention Centre.
    [Show full text]
  • A Guide to a Mason's Actions Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of Pennsylvania
    A Guide to a Mason’s Actions Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of Pennsylvania A Guide to a Mason’s Actions Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of Pennsylvania by William A. Carpenter Right Worshipful Grand Master Copyright 1985, 2019 by the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Right Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Pennsylvania. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 85-62079 Printed in the United States of America Reprint November 1995 Edited and updated 2019 DEDICATED TO Dorothy (Wally) Roberts Carpenter My First Wife and A Masonic Widow Par Excellence Contents Title page Copyright page Contents Dedication Foreword 1 Preface 2-5 Chapter I Masonic Manners 6-22 Ahiman Rezon 8-10 … to govern ourselves accordingly 11-18 What Do Masonic Manners Mean to Masons? 20-23 Chapter II Glossary 24-61 Chapter III Masonic Symbols 62-81 Appendix What is the Grand Lodge? 82-89 Bibliography 90 Illustrations Frontispiece of the 1783 edition of the Ahiman Rezon 6 Point Within a Circle 19 A.S.K. 24 Trestle Board 62 Approved and authorized by the Right Worshipful Grand Master Original Foreword I am flattered to have been asked to write the foreword to this volume authored To My by the Right Worshipful Grand Master, Brother William A. Carpenter, because Brethren in I know it represents his legacy to the Craft in Pennsylvania.
    [Show full text]
  • Volume XLIX (49) Part 3
    IMPORTANT NOTE While the cover of this volume shows it to be Volume XXXXXI (Ostensibly 51) Part 3 - 2007 It SHOULD HAVE BEEN LABELLED AS Volume XLIX (49) Part 3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If citing this volume, please be sure to use the Volume 49, Part 3 ONLY THE COVER WAS INCORRECT ALL INTERNAL INFORMATION IS OK! Ed King, Grand Librarian – 3/2015 THE ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL COMMUNICATION Grand Lodge XXXXXI 2007 Part III of Maine HELD AT PORTLAND, MAY 1 & 2, 2007 One copy of this Book of Proceedings and one cd-rom are mailed to the Secretary of every Lodge in the Jurisdiction. They are the property of the Lodge for the use of the Brethren. One copy should be handed to the Worshipful Master of the Lodge as soon as received and the Worshipful Master should arrange for all portions of the address of the Grand Master relating to the procedure, or conduct of the brethren, to be read in open Lodge at an early date. He should delegate a member of the Lodge to study the report of the various committees and other reports and have him bring in a detailed study for discussion in Open Lodge. One copy should be on the Secretary's desk at every meeting. Additional copies will be sent upon request GERALD S. LEIGHTON GRAND MASTER 2007-2008 ELECTED GRAND OFFICERS 2007-2008 APPOINTED GRAND OFFICERS 2007-2008 580 Proceedings of the [May GRAND LODGE OF MAINE, A.F. & A.M. SPECIAL COMMUNICATION A Special Communication of the Grand Lodge of Maine, A.F & A.M., was held on Friday, June 30, 2006, for the purpose of conducting a Cornerstone Ceremony at the new Calais Hospital.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Answers to Commonly Asked Questions on Freemasonry
    Answers to commonly asked questions on Freemasonry Hiram Abif--is the story true? When did he live? If by true is meant "factual", the answer is no. If by "true" is meant "containing a great truth" then the answer is yes; it is true as is the story of Santa Claus which tells a truth to children in words they can understand. The Legend of Hiram as told in the Master Mason degree is one of the oldest legends in the world but Freemasonry's legend is peculiarly her own. The three who encountered Hiram at the gates of the Temple are themselves symbols of error, evil, and sin; and the story as a whole is of the ultimate weakness of such forces against the power of the Great Architect. The word Abif is translated both "his father" and "my father" with "father" used in these senses as a patriarch, a teacher, a source of wisdom, and not as the actual father of a family. "Hiram, my father" is thus a title of honor and respect. (See Quest Book No. 5) [Some say that "avihu," meaning "my father is he," and rendered in Masonic usage as Abif or Abiff, was the Hebrew equivalent of "jr.," meaning that "Hiram Abif" was the son of a man also named Hiram.] When did Santa Claus start to manufacture Christmas toys? Myth and legend are alike silent on early Masonic dates. As the Temple was begun by Solomon in the fourth year of his reign, legend, if there was such, would have to place the death later.
    [Show full text]
  • The Trestleboard
    The Trestleboard A publication of Sun City Lodge # 72 F&AM Remember...You Can “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as you can.” - anonymous June 2018 june 2018 Calendar of Events Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Nile Club: 10:30A DeMolay Dance 4P-7A LOP: 1230P Job’s 8A-3P Boy Scouts: 6-8P 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Lodge Trustee10A St. Andrew SC-OES: 730P SCL#72: CMDY: 9A Officers 7P SCL#72: 7P Church MSCRICF 1- 10A-12P Hi-12 8am LOP 12:30P 6PM DeMolay 4-7PM Boy Scouts: 6- Job’s 1-8P 8P 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Church Trust-Trustee 4P Past Mast: 830A Peoria OES SCL#72: 7P Oasis #15 6:30p Private Rental 7:30P 10A-12P Amaranth: 6P Job’s Daughter’s Boy Scouts: 7PM 6-8P Peoria #59 1-3 Amaranth 4-6 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Church Peoria OES Boy Scouts: Skull & Bones Peoria OES 7:30p 6-8P 7P 10A-12P All Day DeMolay 4-7PM #72 Awards 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Job’s 7P Peoria OES Church Stewart Council SC#72 3rd 5P 6:30p Lg Dining Rm 10A-12P Boy Scouts: 6-8P 11-4 SUN CITY # 72 LODGE Your Lodge at a Glance Worshipful Master Craig Montgomery 623-521-5580 [email protected] Senior Warden Mark Nelson 480-253-0969 [email protected] Junior Warden Kevin Baver PM 602-793-4584 [email protected] Secretary Richard Flinton PM 623.972.2217 [email protected] Treasurer Michael Kennedy 623.972.2217 [email protected] Chaplain Arizona Milke Senior Deacon Michael Rial Junior Deacon Corey Chavez Senior Steward Ed Tannheimer Junior Steward Brian Arrowood Marshal Matthew Link Tyler Charles Hardy PM Lodge Trustees - Chairman, Pat Hayes PM Members Steve Wieters PM, Earl Paasch PM, Jan Lilly PM, James Almrud Building Manager Jack Daniel PM 623.972.2217 [email protected] Audit Committee Doug Robertson, George Coxey Banquet / Event Committee, Frank Visceglie Candidate Mentoring Pat Hayes PM, Steve Wieters PM Trust Fund Trustees Chairman Randy Sturdevant Members David Miller, PM, Doug Robertson, Bryan Cooper-Keeble PM.
    [Show full text]
  • District Education Officer's Manual for Training of Subordinate Lodge Officers
    DISTRICT EDUCATION OFFICER’S MANUAL FOR TRAINING OF SUBORDINATE LODGE OFFICERS Authorized by Most Worshipful James Dean Cole Grand Master of Masons in Virginia Published by The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Committee on Masonic Education and Publications 4115 Nine Mile Road, Richmond, Virginia 23223-4926 1 March 2001 1 2 Chapter 1 Introduction This manual has been developed for District Education Officers to use in the training of subordinate Lodge officers. The success of Freemasonry in the Commonwealth of Virginia is rooted in the success of the three hundred and thirty Lodges located in every part of the state. While this manual is a living draft, intended to be a compilation of educational ideas from many sources, its overall purpose is to serve as an arsenal of educational materials which can be used, in whole or in part, by the DEO as he serves Freemasonry by educating our local Lodge officers and members. Freemasonry over the centuries has been an institution whose members continually sought further education. This manual represents but one source, one step, on the long road of Masonic education. May every Virginia Mason begin to grow in knowledge by stepping forward on the path of education. JAMES D. COLE Grand Master March 1, 2001 3 THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK. 4 MESSAGE FROM THE GRAND PROVOST 1. Dedication The Officers of the Grand Lodge of Virginia recognize that without the dedicated service to and support of the elected and appointed Officers of the Craft Lodges, the Craft Lodges and the Grand Lodge of Virginia could not continue to exist.
    [Show full text]
  • The Volume of Sacred Law (VSL)
    VSL Three Small Letters, One Big Concept The VSL, or Volume of Sacred Law, one of our Three Great Lights, has not always been a part of Freemasonry. The term seems to have been adopted around 1723. There was no edict or instruction from the first Grand Lodge of England, but like much of what we now consider established Freemasonry, it probably came from James Andersons’ “The Constitutions of the Free-Masons” written in that year. Before then, in England and all other Christian countries, it was the Holy Bible. But even that book only takes us back less than two hundred years as the Bible, especially an English language one was not even published until 1526, by William Tyndale, and then it was only the New Testament. The use of this book in a Masonic Lodge would have been hazardous as, and I quote, “One risked death by burning if caught in mere possession of Tyndale's forbidden books.” The earliest manuscripts that relate to Masonry and contain references to ritual simply refer to it as “the book” or “a book”, and that was probably their book of Constitutions and Charges. Why the change to Volume of Sacred Law rather than just saying The Holy Bible, after all, that’s what is on all of our altars today isn’t it? One of the great changes that came into Speculative Masonry with the formation of the Premier Grand Lodge and Anderson’s Constitutions was the removal of religion from the Craft. In part it reads “… though in ancient times Masons were charg'd in every country to be of the religion of that country or nation, whatever it was, yet 'tis now thought more expedient to oblige them to that religion in which all men agree, leaving their particular opinions to themselves …” Masons were no longer required to be of the one religion of their country, but rather to share a belief in a Grand Architect of the Universe or a Supreme Entity, by whatever name you wished to use.
    [Show full text]
  • Enigma of Freemasonry by Ralph Omholt
    Enigma of Freemasonry by Ralph Omholt http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/enigma_of_freemasonry/text.htm Dedicated to W. Bro. Richard Roberts 1 of 132 11/30/13 10:43 AM Enigma of Freemasonry by Ralph Omholt http://www.phoenixmasonry.org/enigma_of_freemasonry/text.htm Warrior, Brother, Friend and Mentor Freemasonry is a topic which is encompassed by literally tens of thousands of books and hundreds of years of tradition. Thus, it is naïve to expect the entirety of the “Craft” to be expressed between two covers. Freemasonry evolved from a time when such a society would attract inquisitors, dungeon masters and executioners. Whether one cares to cite simple obscurity or true secrecy, Freemasonry emerged from a bizarre set of shadows; it is NOT a secret society. What you read here is an effort to concisely present not only the essence of Freemasonry, but also an understanding as to the function of Freemasonry in its role of a social enigma, as well as a functioning social and charitable unit in the world’s cultures. Freemasonry maintains a low profile, for a variety of reasons, primarily to evade the power lust of obsessive-compulsive detractors. In the United States, at the time of this writing, the various units of Freemasonry contribute approximately two million dollars per day to charities, which are characterized by their direct application to the needy, versus an income source for the charity managers. Beyond being a social outlet, Freemasonry maintains a standard of morality in time. So often the world witnesses a set of rationalizations which attempt to subvert morality for various reasons from raw emotionalism to the seizure of money and power.
    [Show full text]