volume 82 •number 4 printed on recycled paper December 2010 From the Grand East Brothers, irst of all I hope everyone had a happy freely and are blessed with freedom of thought. These Conner and Dee Patton were volunteering that day and Thanksgiving! Next I hope you have a very are luxuries that are not enjoyed in much of the world. the way those two Masons light up a room with their Fmerry Christmas! Finally I hope you have a This feeling of presence was truly heartwarming. great New Year the whole year through. patriotism has always I was so proud of those two for all Might I suggest that we look at our lives and be been a part of our they do for the Veterans in need. thankful for all that we have. I think we are extremely great fraternity. In Their unselfi sh and helpful actions fortunate to be able to celebrate these joyous occasions the beginning of the really made a difference in the lives of with our family and friends. As Americans we are truly American Revolution, those people they helped. blessed with all the freedoms we have. We enjoy this Freemasons from So as the Holiday Season rains lifestyle only because of all the Men and Women that different Lodges down upon us let’s not forget the make up our National Defense. These brave soldiers served within the reason we celebrate Christmas and that are willing to make the ultimate sacrifi ce for their Sons of Liberty. the promises of a New Year, but country and fellow Americans. It’s easy to see when we This act of rebellion please remember those brave souls pass by a national cemetery that freedom has never been was a movement that made it all possible for us to free. toward American enjoy. Next year just maybe our It seems to me that when the “Holiday Season” independence. celebrating can begin a little earlier begins in November that most Americans have forgot to Freemasonry was on the 11 day of November, Veterans incorporate the most important day of remembrance. in harmony with Day. Election Day is not to what I am referring. Veterans Day the ideals of the is when citizens need to show just how grateful we are new republic. Our Fraternality for all the sacrifi ces the American solders have made for fraternity’s principles us. Without their sacrifi ces our freedoms and liberties were incorporated would be limited. into the early Never forget we do have the freedom to choose our American culture John J. Mangan, Grand Master religion, choose our leaders, choose our employment, and symbols started and choose our fraternity. As Americans we can travel appearing on public buildings and furniture. General George Washington knew that Masonry and patriotism should be synonymous. He made that point clear by having our U.S. Capitol’s Masonic cornerstone dedication done with President Washington wearing his Masonic regalia. Last month when I was in Helena we visited the Masonic Service Association at Ft. Harrison. Brothers Bill ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED SERVICE ADDRESS t Organization t fi NonPro Helena, MT 596241158 MT Helena, Helena, MT Helena, Permit No. 197 No. Permit PO Box 1158 Box PO US POSTAGE PAID POSTAGE US Montana Masonic News Masonic Montana 2 MONTANA MASONIC NEWS DECEMBER 2010 What Are We Going to Do with Masonry? What are we going to do with Masonry? group of volunteers (subjects) and ask them to perform that is expected to solve a problem sees the object I have been pondering a potential comparison to the some task utilizing the objects set before them; none as having only one specifi c function (sometimes due now often heard question of “what are we going to do of which on the surface appeared appropriate. His goal to repetitive exposure of a singular use and with a with Masonry?” I, like many of you am just a rough ashlar was to see if the subjects could determine other possible repetitive singular understanding) and it becomes much that spends my days working in the Masonic quarries. As uses for the objects and under what conditions. more diffi cult for the subject to see any other use or such, I have come to realize over these many years the In the fi rst experiment, the subjects were asked to function for the object. Duncker considered this a very repetitive nature of all things that we do. mount three small candles on the wall at eye level. important discovery (not quite as valuable as discovering This made me think about a little known psychologist Duncker had placed on the table; tacks, paper clips, the lost word; however, maybe close in our situation). in the early 1900’s by the name of Karl Duncker. paper, string, candles, and three small boxes. After Duncker explains that this is why, in many situations, Duncker was one of the early psychologists that pondering the situation all of the subjects realized that the most knowledgeable people in any subject are the performed experiments that dealt with problem solving. they could attach the boxes to the wall and use them as least likely to deduce a good solution to a new problem Of course, many of you might ask, what does problem platforms for the candles. in their fi eld of expertise. In a similar fashion, education solving have to do with Masonry? We don’t have any In the second experiment, utilizing the same materials can create expertise but also functional fi xedness. The problems; at least we wouldn’t if people would just do and instruction, Duncker fi lled the three boxes with the experts see their tools in terms of functions that they things the way we use to do them. Back when our halls other items that had previously been placed separately know they serve. He suggests that neophytes may, while were full; when brothers fought to get in line for the on the table. This time very few of the subjects were coming up with uninformed and even absurd suggestions, chairs (and that wasn’t dinner chairs); you know, back able to solve the problem. This time the subjects see them more creatively. In addition, he suggests that it when, well…when all was well. viewed the boxes as serving a specifi c purpose, simply is no accident that most scientists generally make their Well let me tell you a little more about Mr. Duncker’s because they were holding the other items. Therefore, most original and important contributions early in their experiments, and then maybe you can let me know what the subjects had a hard time seeing another use for the career before suffering, “functional fi xedness.” you think. Mr. Dunker use to set a table in the middle boxes. So, is Masonry suffering from functional fi xedness? of a room and place a wide assortment of seemingly Duncker coined this impediment to problem solving Here are your three boxes, now tell us “what You are unrelated objects on the table. He would then call in a “functional fi xedness.” This happens when someone going to do with Our Masonry.” W. Brother Ronald D. Martin, 2nd Vice President – A description of Freemasonry The Philalethes Society (Reprinted from the SoCal Research Lodge publication) reemasonry has been defi ned in many ways. Most its altar; arts and sciences unnumbered have contributed Fof the defi nitions are accurate, but insuffi cient. to its symbolism. Freemasonry is a worldwide Many of those seeking to enter our portals today university, teaching the liberal arts and sciences of the Our Vision are looking for and expecting more than simple moral soul to all who will hearken to its words. Its chairs principles. To be able to explain Freemasonry to them are seats of learning and its pillars uphold an arch of The Masons of Montana will be as fully as possible is important. universal education. Its trestleboards are inscribed recognized as a relevant and respected The following from the pen of Manly P. Hall could with the eternal verities of all ages and upon those Fraternity, committed to attracting, be copied and presented to them. It is: “The sanctum who comprehend its sacred depths has dawned the sanctorum of Freemasonry is ornamented with the realization that within the Freemasonic Mysteries lie developing and retaining all men of high Gnostic jewels of a thousand ages; its rituals ring hidden the longlost arcane sought by all peoples since quality who strive for self improvement with the divinely inspired word of seers and sages. A the genesis of human reason.” and the opportunity to make a positive hundred religions have brought their gifts of wisdom to Jack R. Levitt PGM(CA) #6 & 18 difference in their community, and in the lives of those around them. 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