volume 82 •number 3 printed on recycled paper SEPTEMBER 2010 From the Grand East Greetings Brothers, contributed to making men great, it is undeniable that so is succeeded by death. Humans rarely take time to It is indeed an honor to write my fi rst address to many of the historically signifi cant fi gures who lead this embrace an understanding and an appreciation for the the Masons of Montana as your newly installed Grand country’s struggle for freedom, liberty and equality were natural rhythms of life. My challenge to you is to think Master. Past Grand Master Thomas Lund will indeed infl uenced by the philosophy of our craft. The Executive about the rituals within the Masonic Body; why they be a tough act to follow. However; I promise I will Secretary of the were formed, why they remain, and what do my best. I possess a sincere belief the offi ce of the world Conference implications do they have on you as an Grand Master is of utmost importance. Although I am of Masonic Grand individual. a common mason, it is my belief this offi ce deserves Lodges, Thomas In closing I would like to suggest that concern and respect from all masons; myself included. Jackson is quoted by implication and atmosphere, Masonry Brothers, I do have a “short” plan for my year as Grand as saying “Quantity brings its adherents into the very Master (pun intended). will follow quality, presence of God and because of that First, and a point of most importance I would like to but it doesn’t work spiritual basis, Freemasonry has survived extend a reminder of the words we all professed when the other way and become the force it is today. May receiving our apron, “Let the pure and spotless surface around.” Frankly, every Mason rededicate himself to the be to you an ever present reminder of a purity of life some of them high ideals of our Order and the pledges and rectitude of conduct a never ending argument for are not up to the he took when entering into Masonry, nobler deeds, for higher thoughts for purer actions”. If high standards of especially “in whom do you place your we follow these teachings of freemasonry and our goal is the past. Masonry trust.” To the wardens remember self improvement through God, it will indeed make us a isn’t dying – we “what you have seen praiseworthy in thriving fraternity of a privileged few. are killing it, our others, you should carefully imitate, Second, be proud of your Masonic membership and fraternity will and what in them may have appeared our fraternity. Are we benefi tting anyone, ourselves not be measured defective, you should in yourself amend.” included, when we strive for merely number of in history by its And to every Master of a Lodge forget members? We must set our goals to desire high quality quantity but by not those words “you should cling to the candidates, obtain their petitions and do a complete its quality. As our old landmarks, and be sternly opposed investigation, in addition to assisting their entrance 33rd President of to their infringement.” Please keep in into our fraternity. We need to provide real value for the United States, mind the duties we have been taught their investment of time and money and challenge their Harry S. Truman so graciously said, “We represent in Masonry, and thereby prove to the world the happy intellect. We need to have brothers with the intelligence a fraternity which believes in justice and truth and and benefi cial effects of our ancient and honorable to learn, understand and appreciate the work. They honorable action in your community...men who are Institution. need to have the moral qualifi cations and good character endeavoring to be better citizens...[and] to make a great to fi t our lofty goals for the order and its individual country greater. This is the only institution in the world Fraternally, members. Above all where we can meet Masonry must never “Let the pure and spotless surface be to you an ever on the level all sorts be too easy or too of people who want present reminder of a purity of life and rectitude of John J. Mangan, Grand Master cheap. The most to live rightly.” conduct a never ending argument for nobler deeds, senior members of our Third, renew order have sacrifi ced for higher thoughts for purer actions” your understanding with honorable of our rituals and results while the their respective later generations appear to have made Masonry an meanings and how those apply to the Masonic fraternity afterthought. We have reduced the effort and cost today. How many of you have memorized Profi ciencies associated with entrance into our order in an effort or duties only to have the words become second to attract those who may be intimidated by either the nature in which the meaning is no longer thought time or effort required to learn the work or modest about when professing the statement? This is human cost associated with membership. We are seeking and nature. Mankind thrives on rhythm and repetition. The accepting members whose qualifi cations fall short of sun sets and gives way to the moon, winter leads to our traditional group. Our focus needs to change from spring, seed time and harvest come and go, and birth membership to moral excellence. In our nations’ early years, whether Freemasonry attracted great men or ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED SERVICE ADDRESS t Organization t fi Non-Pro Helena, MT 59624-1158 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 SEPTEMBER 2010 New Background Checks Guarding The West Gate Brothers, n today’s society, there exists the necessity to Waiver” which is required to accomplish the background Mail- in a secure envelope to: Grand Secretary, Imaintain the integrity of our fraternity for future check. The form also adds a statement that the $15.00 Grand Lodge AF&AM of Montana, PO Box 1158, generations. Due to the transient nature of our society, background check fee and that the candidate information Helena, MT 59624-1158. it has become increasingly diffi cult, if not impossible, to must be provided to the Grand Secretary and the possess more than a casual knowledge of a Candidate’s report retuned to the Lodge prior to balloting upon the The background check obtained will be returned background. We also know that in many lodges the Candidate. to the applicant and the social security number will be investigation of a candidate tends to be more of a When a petition for degrees is received by a lodge, redacted. The report will be delivered to the petitioner welcome than that of an investigation. Experience has the Secretary shall, within fi ve days after presenting at the conclusion of the investigation process. The also shown that a short or one time meeting with and reading in open lodge at a stated communication, Petitioner will sign receipt of the report on Page 2 of the a candidate is not long forward a copy of petition Petition for Degrees/Initiation. enough to know or learn Due to the increasing number of petitions to the Grand Secretary. Lodges have been mailed copies of the new Petition about them. Due to the being received as a result of the renewed The cost of the background For Degrees/Initiation and it is available at the Grand increasing number of interest in our fraternity, the character and check is $15.00 which shall Lodge website. petitions being received be paid by the Candidate After review of the background check process, as a result of the renewed quality of candidates is paramount to our prior to the background I have found that this action is consistent with the interest in our fraternity, future existence and reputation. check. The Grand Secretary Constitution and Code and is in the best interest of the character and quality shall order a criminal Montana Masonry. Therefore, as Grand Master and in of candidates is paramount to our future existence and background check of the petitioner and return the reference to Code Section 1 060.U., I have directed the reputation. A standardized approach to an in-depth report to the Lodge within fi ve days. It is possible to Grand Secretary to facilitate updates to the Petition for investigation of prospective candidates is required not complete the background check process in less time if Degrees/Initiation under Code Section 2040. M. only to insure the character and quality of candidates, necessary and if the Secretary communicates the need but to assist the individual lodges with the process of with the Grand Secretary. After review the report it is John J. Mangen, Grand Master investigations. In addition to the Investigation Committee to be delivered to the applicant. as assigned by the Master of each Lodge, all candidates Secure Electronic Submission: If the petitioner/ shall be required to undergo a criminal background applicant has the capability and would prefer to investigation as approved by and conducted through the electronically submit the required information he Our Vision Grand Lodge Offi ce at the expense of the candidate. may do so by a secure transmission by connecting The Masons of Montana will be Our existing Petition For Degrees/Initiation, Form to the link at www.grandlodgemontana.org If the recognized as a relevant and respected 2 Revised 01/2003 has contained an explanation that petitioner does not have the capability to submit is to be read by and signed by the candidate that he the required information electronically he must Fraternity, committed to attracting, authorizes an investigation into his background.