112 Magazine - March 2020

112 On The Level Masonic Magazine for St. John Fisherrow No.112

Issue No.8

March 2020

From the Editor Hello Brethren, and welcome to another edition of “On the Level”. We hope you will find this issue No. 8 inspiring as well as educational and most importantly FUN.

For this magazine to prosper, your involvement as well as interest is necessary. This is for you not only for learning but also to share. We are all students of the “Craft” and should share and learn with each other in Brotherly Love, and Friendship. We are taught to spread the cement of Brotherly Love and affection binding us to each other just the same as cement to stone to create one common mass. So let Brotherly Love and Friendship unite not only the brethren of 112 but our wonderful fraternity as an edifice of knowledge and understanding. Let us learn from each other by sharing our interests to enrich our masonic experience.

May I take this opportunity to thank the Brethren who have contributed to the magazine and look forward to further contributions from the brethren. Back issues of the magazine can be found on Issuu.com: 112 Magazine, then click on my name and the back issues will appear.

Got something you want to say about your Lodge, or just Freemasonry in general ~ Why not submit an article to “On The Level”and see it printed here?

(The Editor reserves the right to refuse to publish any article deemed by himself to be offensive).

Website/facebook: stjohn112.co.uk

THE THREE GREAT PILLARS

The three great pillars that support the lodge are Wisdom, Strength and Beauty. Wisdom to contrive, strength to support and Beauty to adorn. The Right Worshipful Master in the E - Wisdom, The Senior Warden in the W- denotes strength, and the Junior Warden in the S - Beauty. The pillars also represent Solomon King of Israel, Hiram King of Tyre and Hiram Abiff. Solomon, King of Israel, for his wisdom in building, completing and dedicating the Temple at Jerusalem to God’s service; Hiram King of Tyre for his strength in supporting Him with men and materials; and Hiram Abiff for his curious and master workmanship, as seen in the incomparable beauty of the same.

As there are no noble orders of architecture known by the names of Wisdom, strength and Beauty, the Freemason refers them as the most three celebrated - Ionic, Doric and Corinthian.

The Ionic column represents Wisdom, because it wisely combines strength with grace.

The Doric column represents Strength, as it is the strongest and most massive of the orders, and the Corinthian represents Beauty, because it is the most beautiful and ornamental.

The Universe is the Temple of the living God whom masons serve, Wisdom, Strength and Beauty are all about His Throne and the Pillars of His Work. His Wisdom in infinite, His Strength omnipotent, and His Beauty shine forth through all His creations. The Heavens He has stretched forth as a canopy, He has planted the Earth as His footstool. He has crowned His Temple with stars as with diadem. The Sun and the Moon are messengers of His divine will, and all His laws are concord.

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The Right Worshipful Master

Brethren, it cannot be taken for granted, but surely the true life blood of any Lodge, is without doubt, a supply of good, strong candidates. In modern life this has become especially difficult, as many former entrants have been distracted by outside influences, and have chosen not to join our ranks, simply because they cannot find the time in a cluttered and fast-paced life. Some will think seriously about joining, and perhaps even say that they postpone their decision until later, when thinks have settled down a bit, and they’ll be sure to take the opportunity then. Some do, but it is becoming increasing difficult for Lodges to get the correct message across, and offer ‘gentlemen from the outside world’ an attractive alternative to all the things that go on today.

For many years Lodges have taken it for granted that candidates will come along at a steady pace and join something that they know absolutely nothing about. That sons will dutifully follow their fathers, and perhaps grandfathers, in to the Lodge. The truth of the matter is a rather harsh lesson to many Lodges, who have found it extremely difficult, if not impossible to attract new people.

What is obvious to many is that if we are to reverse the current trend, and attract candidates to our institution, we are going to be forced to sit down and think long and hard about what we have to offer, and the best way that we can possibly get this across to people. It will be a ‘hard sell’ and we will need to ensure that we have the correct approach to tempt prospective candidates, by letting them know what we stand for, and what we actually do within modern society.

In recent times it has become slightly easier, as we do not require to wait until approached by individuals interested enough to take the plunge and approach a Freemason. We can take the first step, but we need to have done our homework beforehand, and have a good case to put forward. There are undoubtedly candidates for our Craft out there, but we need to handle the first step very carefully, and in a considered manner.

May I also take this opportunity to thank all who attended our Ladies Night on 28th February, a night of great food, a great band and most importantly great company. It was a delight to see Brother Alan Williams P.M. there following his operation and few days in the hospital.

I also had the pleasure of leading a deputation to our dear friends, the Lodge of Edinburgh (Mary’s Chapel) No.1 where we were warmly welcomed and witnessed an excellent 1st Degree, and again may I thank the brethren who accompanied me on that evening.

On Sunday 15th March (weather permitting) we have our first golf outing of the year and if any of our golfers fancy a hack round the Old Course please add your name (s) to the sheet on the notice board.

Brother Brian Ritchie RWM

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public at large. the wise and thoughtful decisions enables us to direct our efforts and resources in a prudent and beneficial way emphasising a masons attainment of this virtue.

Prudence

2: In 1 Corinthians 13, the King James version of the Volume of the Sacred Law it refers to charity, but in the revised edition it changes to love. As we consider love in relation to prudence it can cause masons to begin considering a wider range within the virtue of charity such as the love of man, country, spouse and brotherly love.

As a mason begins to think these variables, he requires a great wisdom in discerning the correct path to address these issues. Thus, my brethren, the mason who is thoughtful and who exhibits wisdom may be considered to have attained the Cardinal Virtue of Prudence

In the first degree charge to the candidate, the Right Worshipful Master recommends that in private and public life that he is to practice the cardinal virtues “Let Prudence direct you” This charge has virtually remained unchanged since 1735. It’s longevity is an indicator of how important the practice of this virtues is to Masons.

We now have brethren in possession of Temperance, Fortitude and Prudence who exhibits self-control, strength of character as well as thoughtfulness and wisdom. As we begin to start thinking of the last Cardinal Virtues of Justice, which will be in the next edition of the magazine, we begin to see those characteristics which are a mason.

In the First degrees lecture a “Masons Charity should know no bounds save those of Prudence” indicates the importance that we attribute to this virtue.

In an examination of the Theological Virtues, a Mason is considered to have arrived at the summit of Masonry when he is in possession of the theological virtue of charity. We learn that the only limitation on charity is prudence.

Don’t Worry

If charity is to be limited, it must wisely and thoughtfully done because when we examine charity we note that:

1: Charity refers to benevolence to our fellow masons and charity to towards the

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Do not be troubled because you have not great virtues. God made a million spears of grass where He made one tree. The earth is fringed and carpeted, not with forests, but with grasses. Only have enough of little virtues and common fidelities, and you need not mourn because you are neither a hero or a saint.

SEEK AND YOU SHALL FIND

provide that simple but profound solutions to the problems of human relationships. May it be accepted that Freemasonry is a way of living to the Master Mason who is interested enough to appraise and value the wealth that is his, and his alone by the virtue of his Masonic membership. The best informed Master Mason is the Master Mason who reads and studies.

The making of a Freemason is a continuing course of education, of training and of character forming. While it may be accepted that it is an innermost desire, followed by obligations that makes us one of the members of the craft, yet in a truer form and better sense, a man is never a freemason until he truthfully and loyally lives up to his obligations. And whats more he cannot do that until he understands them, and he knows the real meaning.

Consequently, if we want Freemasonry to be of practical usefulness and cultural attainment, we, as Freemasons must not neglect our Masonic reading, studying and our search for more Masonic light.

Freemasonry can well be divided up into various phases. It’s landmarks, it’s customs, it’s constitutions and laws, just to mention a few, if studied and mastered, can provide a more interesting course for the Master Mason seeking Masonic knowledge. It’s historical background can provide an interesting programme of investigation to the member attracted to a desire for research.

The Covering

One strange thought on freemasonry is that it will stand investigation. The deeper the research, the more extensive the knowledge of it’s hidden art and mysteries the more it is appreciated. A member of the craft who merely takes his degrees in a listless, careless sort of manner, will then become a spectator at lodge meetings, may hold to the opinion that Freemasonry differs from other societies. To the Master Mason we delves deeply into Masonic literature takes a lively interest in every part of the ritualistic and lodge work, and learns the origin, and meaning, and moral bearing of it’s symbols cannot possibly fall into such an error. To him Freemasonry has a refining and ever lasting influence not to be found in any other organisations.

The philosophies of Freemasonry, when discovered and then accepted and practised

The covering of a freemasons Lodge is a celestial canopy of divine colours, even the heavens. The Sun, moon and stars adorn it are emblems of the power, goodness, omnipresence and eternity of God. The way by which Freemasons hope to arrive at it is by climbing the ladder which in scripture is Jacob’s Ladder.

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The Ladder is composed of many staves and rounds which points out many moral virtues.

The three principal rungs are Faith, Hope and Charity which teaches us to have Faith in God, Hope in immortality and Charity to all mankind. The Ladder which reaches to the heavens, rest on the V of the S. L. because within that work the Great Architect of the Universe has set out those holy truths by the patient study of which we are enabled to ascend step by step towards the immortal mansions where the Grand Master rules and reigns for ever.

SMIB

Masonic Myths & The Outrageous

must be something very similar, and order, an hierarchic organization of secular priesthood?

This naturally means that something similar opposing us may not exist. It is either us, the Freemasons or the Church but never two side by side. The Catholic Church has made its position clear, at least in regard to the Freemasons. Now we are the strongest and, there, we shall eliminate both the Church and the Freemasons."

Myth No1: Masonic myths and outright falsehoods are continually spread concerning Freemasonry.Throughout the centuries Freemasonry has taught its valuable lessons through allegory and symbols. The man from Galilee used parables extensively and well.

Many historians and better speakers constantly employ anecdotes to illustrate the points they want to make. These methods emphasize the search for truth in an interesting and factual manner.

Myth No.3: Freemasonry did not operate during World War II in the countries controlled by the Nazis.

Myths on the other hand, can be innocent or dangerous. They can be outright lies or the perpetuation of distortions handed down through the generations. Many of these were invented by Masonic writers and speakers to enhance the image of Freemasonry. Some of these corruptions have caused the Craft problems with creditable historians because they were outrageous lies.

Fact: As we all know it did, but not openly.

(Even today there are countries in which Freemasons must meet in secret.) In the infamous Buchenwald concentration camp the Masonic population reached close to 100 in October 1944, According to M. Jattefaux, a French Freemason, the known Masons met daily. By occupying the minds of these men with Masonic ritual and lessons helped relief them of their anxieties. Masonic subjects were selected and by word of mouth transmitted from one prison block to the next prison block.

There quiet discussions would take place.

Then block by block the results of their debate returned.

Freemasonry, actually, requires no exaggeration to magnify its greatness. The simple truth is all that is required to tell its story. This is the reason for this speech is to attempt to destroy the myths that have been prevalent, often for centuries, by telling the truth.

Myth: Adolf Hitler hated and feared Freemasonry.

Myth No.2: Fact: Not exactly. Oral histories (or accounts) can easily be fabricated, this is especially true when publication comes after the subject's death. With this in mind I will tell you of such conversation recorded from Gesprache Mit Hitler was reported to say.

"Freemasonry has always been harmless in Germany." It achieves the fruition of fantasy through the use of symbols, rites and magic influence of emblems of worship.

Herein lies the great danger which I have taken in hand. Don't you see that our party

Myth No. 4: The Boston Tea Party was organised in St. Andrew's Lodge in Boston and its member participated in tossing the tea into Boston Harbor.

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Fact: So well has the secrecy surrounding the Boston Tea Party been kept that to this day not a single participant can be truthfully named!

It's true that St. Andrew's Lodge didn't meet on the night of the "party." This proves nothing. The "T" that has been claimed is part of the minutes of the Lodge is actually an indistinguishable scroll. By no stretch of the imagination can it be called a "T" or any other letter.

Masonry has it’s own Rewards

THE KING WHO AUTHORIZED THE KING JAMES VERSION OF THE HOLY BIBLE WAS A FREEMASON

The matter of attendance is perhaps the most frequently discussed topic within the Masonic groups. How can we increase our attendances at Lodge meetings ‘is the question being constantly asked’. It is perfectly normal for the office-bearers of the lodge to give some thought to the ways and means to interest more members. However, there is always the danger of becoming too engrossed in the matter of attendance, and thereby losing something that is vastly more important.

King James VI of Scotland (1567-1625) also known as King James I of England and Ireland (1603-1625), widely known and remembered for commissioning the King James Bible or Authorized Version of the Holy Bible, was a Freemason!

The oldest existing record of Lodge Scoon and Perth No. 3 in Perth, Scotland called "The Mutual Agreement" of December 24, 1658, reveals that James was "Entered Apprentice Freemason" and "Fellow Craft Freemason" in April 15, 1601.

Why do we go to Masonic Meetings? To learn, to seek camaraderie with our brothers. Yet, is a large attendance indicative of the fact that more members are eager to learn, or does it mean a promised feature on the programme has attracted a greater number.

Records show that James appointed William Schaw in 1583 as Master of the Work and Warden General with the commission of re-organizing the masonic craft. Schaw's first two statutes deal with the duties of Masons to their Lodge and to the public; and the esoteric knowledge within the craft of stone masonry.

Masonry is the greatest opportunity for selfdevelopment. It has within in the glamour of romance, the magic of history, and the comfort of philosophy. It is refreshing and inspiring that wherever we can travel on the this planet we can take with us, into foreign lands. We have witnessed the degrees, and with each portrayal unfolds a new thought. You have taken part in the business of the lodge, and whenever the lodge give to the poor,sustains the widow in the hour of need, gives shelter and food to the children, you have the satisfaction that goes with being a benefactor.

You can but disguise masonry for a moment, but you can never change it.

He is the only son of Mary, Queen of Scots, and her second husband, Henry Stuart, Lord Damley. Born on June 19, 1566, he was baptized "Charles James" in a Catholic ceremony... but he was brought up as a member of Protestant Church of Scotland, in compliance with the religious beliefs of the Scottish ruling class.

At the age of thirteen months he was crowned King of Scotland on July 29, 1567, when his mother, Queen Mary, was forced to abdicate.

We should attend the lodge, always with the knowledge that ‘Masonry has its own rewards’.

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He married fourteen-year-old Ann of Denmark, younger daughter of Frederick II of Denmark, in November 23, 1589 at the age of 23. about the age of 50, James suffered increasingly from arthritis, gout and kidney stones. In early 1625, James fell seriously ill with tertian ague, suffered a stroke and finally died on March 27 during a violent attack of dysentery. He was 58.

Famous Scottish Freemason

Thomas Telford FRS, FRSE

(9 August 1757 – 2 September 1834) was a Scottish civil engineer, architect and stonemason, and road, bridge and canal builder.

In A History of Craft Freemasonry in Shropshire, by Harold Templeton, there was just one paragraph, and no mention of him in the History of Salopian Lodge No. 262 by George Franklin. In Alexander Graham’s 1892 history of Shropshire Freemasonry he is only recorded in the list of members.

Thomas Telford was born at Glendinning, near Dumfries in Scotland on 9 August 1757, in a shepherd’s cottage beside the Megget Water. His father John was a shepherd, but died aged 33 only two months after Thomas was born. It was to his mother, Janet that the responsibility fell to bring up Thomas on her own.

As she was living in a tied cottage, six months after the death of her husband, Janet was forced to move with her infant son to a small cottage at the Crooks, situated in the Megget Valley, a mile below Glendinning. They occupied only one of the cottage’s two rooms, another family living in the other half.

Life must have been extremely hard. Her brother and neighbours helped out financially, which allowed Thomas to attend the local parish school at Westerkirk. At a very early age, Thomas was required to work on neighbouring farms, herding cattle and sheep, living for weeks on end with shepherds in their lonely shelters on the hills, which shaped his character and built up his self-confidence.

On leaving school, Thomas took up an apprenticeship to be a stonemason at Lochmaben, but his new master ill-treated him, so after a few months he was back living with his mother at the Crooks. Janet’s nephew Thomas Jackson came to the rescue and persuaded a Master Mason he knew in Langholm, Andrew Thomson, to take the boy as an apprentice. Telford gained great experience both as apprentice and a fellow of the Craft under Thomson’s guidance and tuition.

The young Duke of Buccleuch succeeded to the family estates in the area and put in hand an extensive programme of improvements. Tracks were paved, bridges constructed to ford rivers and stone construction farm houses began to replace the older ones, which were made from thatch and mud. This was a time when even the town houses had mud walls and again this made work for the team of Thomson and Telford to reconstruct in stone.

The world famous Menai Bridge started in 1818 and completed in 1826 designed by Thomas Telford

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In Langholm, it was Andrew Thomson, with his fellow craft assistant, who built the bridge over the river Esk to connect the new town with the old. Telford’s Mason mark can be found on the bridge on the blocks in the western abutment. At this time he became a firm friend with a fellow Mason, Matthew Davidson, who was to play an important part in his life.

Telford left his native Dumfriesshire at 23 and made his way to Edinburgh, where his talents had greater scope with the building of the noble Georgian streets and squares around Princes Street in the new town. Eighteen months later he travelled to London to find both fame and fortune.

However, Edinburgh could not fulfil his ambitions and in February 1782 he left for London where he met a prosperous merchant, John Palsey a relative of Miss Palsey who ran the little library in Eskdale Telford. In London obtained the influential patronage of the MP William Pulteney, fifth baronet (1729–1805) and superintended several large building projects in the south of England. Part of his time was spent in Portsmouth at it was here that he was Initiated into Freemasonry in the Lodge of Antiquity, No.18. Telford was of necessity very mobile and there are no records of how long he remained a member of this Lodge which was erased from the Roll of the Grand Lodge of England in 1838. Whist in Portsmouth Telford joined another Lodge – Phoenix Lodge, No,485 (now No.257) and is recorded as being of the first members the entry being dated 20th May 1786. This would appear to suggest that he was a Founder Member of that Lodge. It was whilst he was overseeing works at Portsmouth Dockyard that he was he was promoted, in 1788, to the post of Surveyor of Public Works for Salop and he promptly joined Salopian Lodge, No.525 in July 1788.

In 1793 he was engaged not only as agent and engineer but also architect for the construction of the Ellesmere Canal. Rather than using locks Telford designed cast iron aqueducts at Chirck and Pont Cysylltau which maintained the water level throughout that section. This won him great acclaim for what was considered to an inspired solution a difficult engineering problem.

This success brought him to the attention of a variety of bodies requiring engineering expertise and in 1796 he was appointed engineer to the British Fisheries Society. In 1801 the government wanted a comprehensive communications survey of the Highlands, they appointed Telford. The surveys he produced were considered excellent and as had been the case of General George Wade (1673-1748) in the 18th century, he was the automatic choice to implement his own proposals. In the 20 years after 1804 he constructed over 900 miles of roads at the direction of the British parliament and 120 bridges in the Highlands in addition to harbours and jetties for ferry and fishery use, plus the Caledonian Canal.

He also built roads, bridges, canals and harbours in Wales, England and was even invited to Sweden to provide advise on various public works. As an example of his prodigious work rate, in 1818 he was engaged in the construction of the Menai Bridge, Holyhead Harbour, the London to Holyhead road (the A5), the Glasgow to Carlisle road, the Caledonian Canal, the Gloucester Canal, Harbours at Dundee and Lynn, and did a survey of a road from Glasgow to Portpatrick, at which time he was also the first President of the Institute of Civil Engineers.

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Telford is considered to be one of the most versatile and innovative civil engineers of all time.

He had the ability to combine functional durability with acceptable aesthetics in structures such as the Mena Bridge, Froncysillte Aqueduct, the Dunkeld and Craigel lachie Bridges and the Caledonian Canal. He continued to act as consultant and engineer for road, bridge and canal projects until the end of his life, and was associate with improvements to the river Clyde, the construction of St Katherine's Dock in London, the Dean Bridge Edinburgh, the was again in Sweden to assist in the construction of the Gotha Canal and many other works. Like Wade, his military predecessor in Scotland, he is buried in Westminster Abbey.

Telford clearly enjoyed being a Freemason and becoming a member of three Lodges that we know of and it is more than likely that he visited other Lodges whilst on his extensive travels.

Telford was set to work on the new Somerset House, squaring and levelling the great blocks of the rusticated Portland stone. It was during this time that he qualified as a Master Mason – in the operative sense.

Through his contacts he became acquainted with William Pulteney, who through marriage had succeeded to great estates in Somerset, Shropshire and Northamptonshire. They became firm friends and many commissions resulted from this friendship, such as alterations at the vicarage of Sudborough in Northamptonshire, followed by building at Portsmouth dockyard.

By 1786 Pultney had become MP for Shrewsbury, so Telford found himself ordered to the town to superintend a thorough renovation of the castle, where living quarters were found for him.

Within six months, and probably due to the influence of the local MP, he was appointed the Surveyor of Public Works for the County of Shropshire. Soon after his appointment he was to supervise the construction of the county gaol and the alterations to the old Salop Infirmary. The prison is still in use at the Dana, and the front entrance particularly has been little altered from Telford’s original design. The bust of John Howard, the prison reformer, who was instrumental in getting Telford the commission, is in prominent position directly above the main entrance. Telford also designed and supervised the building of the Laura Tower at Shrewsbury Castle and the excavation of the Roman City of Uricronium near Wroxeter was another of his undertakings.

It was around this time that he was consulted by the churchwardens of St. Chad’s Church about the repairs to the church roof. After an inspection of the premises he told them that it was pointless thinking of repairing the roof until emergency measures were taken to secure the walls due to poor foundations. He was scoffed at and dismissed out of hand, the churchwardens making pointed remarks about professional men making jobs for themselves and saying that the cracks he had pointed out had been there for hundreds of years.

His words were prophetic, because just three days later in the early morning as the clock began to strike four, the entire tower collapsed with a tremendous roar and crashed through the roof of the nave, completely demolishing the northern arcade. This did Telford’s credibility in the town no harm at all! Although not involved in the restoration of St. Chad’s, he did later go on to design and build a church elsewhere in the county – St. Mary’s in the High Town of Bridgnorth.

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George Washington

by Thomas Jefferson

His mind was great and powerful, without being of the very first order; his penetration strong, thought not so acute as that of a Newton, Bacon or Locke; and as far as he saw, no judgment was ever sounder. It was slow in operation, being little aided by invention or imagination, but sure in conclusion. . . .

Hearing all suggestions, he selected whatever was best; and certainly no General ever planned his battles more judiciously. But if deranged during the course of the action . . . he was slow in readjustment. . . . He was incapable of fear, meeting personal dangers with the calmest unconcern.

Perhaps the strongest feature in his character was prudence, never acting until every circumstance, every consideration was maturely weighed. . . . His integrity was most pure, his justice the most inflexible I have ever known, no motives of interest or consanguinity, of friendship or hatred, being able to bias his decision. He was, indeed, in every sense of the words, a wise, a good, and a great man.

His temper was naturally irritable and high toned; but reflection and resolution had obtained a firm and habitual ascendancy over it. If ever, however, it broke its bonds, he was most tremendous in his wrath.

Although in the circle of his friends, where he might be unreserved with safety, he took a free share in conversation, his colloquial talents were not above mediocrity, possessing neither copiousness of ideas, nor fluency of words. In public, when called on for a sudden opinion, he was unready, short and embarrassed. Yet he wrote readily, rather diffusely, in an easy and correct style. This he had acquired by conversation with the world, for his education was merely reading, writing and common arithmetic, to which he added surveying at a later day. His time was employed in action chiefly, reading little, and that only in agriculture and English history. . .

His agricultural proceedings occupied most of his leisure hours within doors.

On the whole, his character was, in its mass, perfect, in nothing bad, in few points indifferent; and it may truly be said, that never did nature and fortune combine more perfectly to make a man great, and to place him . . . in an everlasting remembrance.

The North

The north is Masonically called a Place of Darkness. The sun in his progress through the ecliptic never reaches farther than 23 28' north of the equator. A wall being erected on any part of the earth farther north than that, will therefore, at meridian, receive the rays of the sun only on its south side, while the north will In his expenses he was honourable, but exact; be entirely in shadow at the hour of meridian. liberal in contributions to whatever promised The use of the north as a symbol of darkness utility; but frowning and unyielding on all is found, with the present interpretation, in the visionary projects and all unworthy calls on early instructions of the eighteenth century. It his charity. His heart was not warm in its is a portion of the old sun worship of which affections; but he exactly calculated every we find so many relics in Gnosticism, in man's value, and gave him a solid esteem Hermetic philosophy, and in Freemasonry. proportioned to it.

The east was the place of the sun's daily birth, His person, you know, was fine, his stature and hence highly revered; the north the place exactly what one would wish, his deportment of his annual death, to which he approached easy, erect and noble; the best horseman of his only to lose his terrific heat, and to clothe the age, and the most graceful figure that could be earth in darkness of long nights and dreariness seen on horseback. of 11 winter.

The name Solomon may be divided into Walking Together three syllables, SOL-OM-ON, symbolizing In thought, word, and deed, light, glory, and truth collectively and We too are agreed, respectively. The Temple of Solomon is, therefore, first of all "the House of From the same Fount Of' Knowledge Instructed; And by the same hand Everlasting Light," its earthly symbol being We'll travel or stand, the temple of stone on the brow of Mount To the same Goal of triumph conducted.

Moriah. According to the Mystery teachings, there are three Temples of Solomon--as there Through the same open door, are three Grand Masters, three Witnesses, and We lame, blind, and poor three Tabernacles of the transfiguration.

Undertook the same mystic endeavour; Through the same grave at last, The first temple is the Grand House of the When death's trial ls past, Universe, in the midst of which sits the sun We'll share the forever and ever.

(SOL) upon his golden throne. The twelve signs of the zodiac as Fellow-Craftsmen Our friends are the same, gather around their shining Lord. Three lightsWhatever their name, -the stellar, the solar, and the lunar--illuminate Whatever their station or nation; this Cosmic Temple. Accompanied by his The same are our foes, retinue of planets, moons, and asteroids, this Whose malice but shows Divine King (Solomon), whose glory no Their hearts black with coming damnation. earthly monarch shall ever equal, passes in stately pomp down the avenues of space.

We too, then, can walk, Whereas Hiram represents the active physical Sit, stand, work, or talk, · light of the sun, Solomon signifies its invisible In union make sign or give token, but all-powerful, spiritual and intellectual efAnd while life remains fulgence.

With its losses and gains Let's see that the tie be not broken!

The second symbolic temple is the human body-the Little House made in the image of the Great Universal House. "Know ye not," asked the Apostle Paul, "that ye are the Temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelled in you?" Freemasonry within a temple of stone cannot be other than speculative, but Freemasonry within the living temple of the body is operative.

The third symbolic temple is the Soul House, an invisible structure, the comprehension of which is a supreme Freemasonic arcanum. The temple of the human soul is built by three Master Masons personifying Wisdom, Love, and Service, and when constructed according to the Law of Life the spirit of God dwells in the Holy Place.

POLE TO POLE

When Brothers Richard E. Byrd and Bernt Balchen first flew over the North and South Poles, they dropped a Masonic flag on each Pole. Then, in the 1933-35 expedition, Brother Balchen tossed his Shrine Fez on the North Pole.

Do you know what is meant by ‘A Regular Step’

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Regular, in this case, means recognised or correct. The world implies it must be made in the manner which the candidate has been instructed. Indeed the step is part of the mode of recognition that follows it: hence the emphasis of the word of Regular

Freemasonry Around The World MEXICO

Mexico is probably the most diverse country in the Masonic world, possessing almost 30 Grand Lodges, most of which are not widely recognised. The exception being the York Grand Lodge of Mexico, founded in 1862, which has approximately a dozen Lodges and a combined membership of over 600 Brethren. Today, the Masonic population is difficult to quantify, due to the high number of irregular lodges, but it is accepted that it exceeds 30,000.

The history of Freemasonry in that part of Central America is extremely complex and is undoubtedly linked to the varied politics of the country. Since Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1810, it has suffered approximately 100 revolutions with about 80 different governments resulting from the turmoil and it is no surprise that the Craft has was greatly affected as a result.

Whilst legend states otherwise, the earliest Lodges for which evidence exists, were chartered in the early part of the last century by lodges from several American jurisdictions such as Louisiana. Pennsylvania and New York. The newly-formed Lodges were soon disowned by their US cousins, due to the extreme political nature of Mexican society in those days which had found itself entrenched in Freemasonry and indeed the two factions who battled for control of the country in the 1820’s were largely comprised of Masons ! The battle lines were drawn between the York Rite Masons on the one hand and the Scottish Rite on the other with the respective Grand Masters actually coming up against each other in the fight for the Presidency of Mexico in 1827 with the Scottish Rite winning on points in a contest which cost many men their lives.

Shortly afterwards several well-intentioned masons attempted to unite the two factions, creating the Mexican National Rite and although they failed and Mexican Freemasonry lapsed into darkness in 1833, a Grand Lodge still exists in Mexico today practising this irregular rite.

Masonry lay dormant for almost thirty years until Scottish Rite Lodges were established at Mexico City and Vera Cruz in 1860. In keeping with earlier days, it soon factioned and by 1878 a whole proliferation of differing governing bodies existed with Grand Lodges, State Grand Lodges, Grand Orients, Supreme Councils and even a Grand Diet ! All claiming to be wholly independent from each other, with some even offering “cutrate initiations” in an attempt to woo prospective candidates away from their competitors. The craft continued to prosper well into the 20th century with mostly English and Spanish speaking Lodges, although the great division between York Rite and Scottish Rite continued unabated. Only after the end of the Second World War in 1945 did the two bodies begin to come together when agreement was reached on inter-visitation treaties. These treaties, certainly novel in Freemasonry, allow members from either allegiances, under certain conditions, to visit each others lodges and although stopping short of actual recognition they are a great step forward in the somewhat difficult relationship that had previously existed and give hope that, in time, it might be possible for amity to exist throughout Mexican Freemasonry.

13

Sprig of Acacia

To Freemasons, the symbolic significance of the Acacia has a double aspect, as the tree is the symbol Both of Innocence and of Immortality of the Soul. Its character as a symbol of Innocence is dependent upon the two-fold meaning of the Greek word for Acacia as that word signifies both the Acacia and the moral quality of innocence or purity of life. Symbolically, the sprig of acacia is said to be emblematical of “our faith in the immortality of the soul,” and this on account of the fact that the acacia happens to be an evergreen, meaning that its leaves are suffered to fall neither in summer nor in winter.

But, perhaps there is still yet something more to this humble yet potent symbol.

Albert Pike said that the acacia is “the same tree which grew up around the body of Osiris.

It was sacred among the Arabs, who made of it the idol Al-Uzza, which Mohammed destroyed. It is abundant as a bush in the Desert of Thur: and of it the “crown of thorns” was composed, which was set on the forehead of Jesus of Nazareth. It is a fit type of immortality on account of its tenacity of life; for it has been known, when planted as a doorpost, to take root again and shoot out budding boughs over the threshold.”

For at least two hundred years and probably much longer the sprig of acacia has held Freemasonry’s premier teaching. The grave is not the end. Bodies die and decay, but something “which bears the nearest affinity to that which pervades all nature and which never, never, dies,” rises from the grave to become one of that vast throng which has preceded us. 14

Error can slay, as can evil and selfish greed, but not permanently.

That which is true and fair and fine cannot be destroyed. Its body may be murdered, its disappearance may be effected, the rubbish of the Temple and a temporary grave may conceal it for a time, but where is interred that which is mortal, there grows an evergreen or ever living sprig of acacia - acacia none the less that it may be a spiritual sprig, a plant not of the earth, but earthly.

The Mosaic Pavement

The mosaic pavement is the beautiful flooring of a Freemason’s Lodge. By reason of it being chequered and variegated it points of the diversity of objects which decorate and adorn creation, alike in its animate and inanimate parts. The Great Architect of the Universe out of his bounteous Liberality has spread the earth with a beauteous carpet. The mosaic work is an emblem of the world chequered with good and evil, pain and pleasure, grief and joy.

Mosaic work was introduced into Freemasonry to remind the brethren of its uncertainty of all earthly things. To-day man may tread in the flowery meads of prosperity; tomorrow he may totter along the uneven path of weakness, temptation, and adversity. By such an emblem the Freemason is taught not to boast of anything, but to give heed to his ways, and walk uprightly with humility before God.

The Steven Stars

The seven stars which form so prominent a figure in a Masonic Lodge alludes to as many regularly made Masons, which without no number is perfect, nor can any candidate be legally initiated into the Fraternity.

By representing the perfect lodge they are emblematical of the etheral mansion above which is veiled from mortal eye by the starry firmament.

Did Ye Ken......

A New Day

A new day is dawning for Freemasonry. From the insufficiency of theology and the hopelessness of materialism, men are turning to seek the God of philosophy, In this new era wherein the old order of things is breaking down and the individual is rising triumphant above the monotony of the masses, there is much work to be accomplished.

The East; is masonically styled the place of light, a figure that is too obvious to require illustration. It is in the East, that the “golden doors of sunrise” open. Thence the God of day comes forward to lavish the silence, coldness and the darkness of night. The benighted wanderers with night dews and melancholy with its ghostly stillness, turning his eyes towards the East whilst anticipating dawn. So those who feel loneliness and darkness turn morally to the heavenly East, the source of illumination.

The "Temple Builder" is needed as never before. A great reconstruction period is at hand; the debris of a fallen culture must be cleared away; the old footings must be found again that a new Temple significant of a new revelation of Law may be raised thereon. This is the peculiar work of the Builder; this is the high duty for which he was called out of the world; this is the noble enterprise for which he was "raised" and given the tools of his Craft, By thus doing his part in the reorganisation of society, the workman may earn his "wages" as all good Masons should.

Divested of All Metallic Substances

The given in the ‘Charity Lecture’ are adequate and complete. The reason for this deprivation from an ancient superstition of ‘Polluting by Metals’ as shown in the account of building King Solomons Temple.

There was neither a hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house whilst building it. The proof or test is required, because all other points in preparation of the candidate are readily visible during the perambulations, but the absence of metals would not be visible, hence the special test.

A new light is breaking in the East, a more glorious day is at hand. The rule of the philosophic elect-the dream of the ages-will yet be realized and is not far distant. To her loyal sons, Freemasonry sends this clarion call, Arise ye, the day of labor is at band; the Great Work awaits completion, and the days of man's life are few, Like the singing guildsman of bygone days, the Craft of the Builders marches victoriously down the broad avenues of Time.

Here Is My Creed Benjamin Franklin

Here is my Creed. I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That he governs the World by his Providence. That he ought to be worshipped. That the most acceptable Service we can render him, is doing good to his other Children. That the Soul of Man is immortal, and will be treated with Justice in another life, respect[ing] its Conduct in this. These I take to be fundamental Principles of all sound Religion, and I regard them as you do, in whatever Sect I meet them.”

Their song is of labor and glorious endeavour; their anthem is of toil and industry, they rejoice in their noble destiny, for they are the Builders of cities, the Hewers of worlds, the Master Craftsmen of the universe

15

The Philosophy of Masonry

PHILOSOPHERS are by no means agreed with respect to the scope and subject matter of philosophy. Nor are Masonic scholars at one with respect to the scope and purpose of Freemasonry. Hence one may not expect to define and delimit Masonic philosophy according to the easy method of Dickens' editor who wrote upon Chinese metaphysics by reading in the Encyclopedia upon China and upon metaphysics and combining his information. It is enough to say at the outset that in the sense in which philosophers of Masonry have used the term, philosophy is the science of fundamentals. Possibly it would be more correct to think of the philosophy of Masonry as organized Masonic knowledge--as a system of Masonic knowledge. But there has come to be a well-defined branch of Masonic learning which has to do with certain fundamental questions; and these fundamental questions may be called the problems of Masonic philosophy, since that branch of Masonic learning which treats of them has been called commonly the philosophy of Masonry.

These fundamental questions are three:

1. What is the nature and purpose of Masonry as an institution? For what does it exist? What does it seek to do? Of course for the philosopher this involves also and chiefly the questions, what ought Masonry to be? For what ought it to exist? What ought it to seek as its end?

2. What is- and this involves what should be-the relation of Masonry to other human institutions, especially to those directed toward similar ends? What is its place in a rational scheme of human activities?

3. What are the fundamental principles by which Masonry is governed in attaining the end it seeks?

This again, to the philosopher, involves the question what those principles ought to be.

Four eminent Masonic scholars have essayed to answer these questions and in so doing have given us four systems of Masonic philosophy, namely, William Preston, Karl Christian Friedrich Krause, George Oliver and Albert Pike. Of these four systems of Masonic philosophy, two, if I may put it so, are intellectual systems. They appeal to and are based upon reason only. These two are the system of Preston and that of Krause. The other two are, if I may put it that way, spiritual systems.

They do not flow from the rationalism of the eighteenth century but spring instead from a reaction toward the mystic ideas of the hermetic philosophers in the seventeenth century. As I shall try to show here-after, this is characteristic of each, though much more marked in one.

Summarily, then, we have four systems of Masonic philosophy. Two are intellectual systems: First that of Preston, whose key word is Knowledge; second, that of Krause, whose key word is Morals.

Two are spiritual systems: First that of Oliver, whose key word is Tradition; and second, that of Pike, whose key word is Symbolism.

Comparing the two intellectual systems of Masonic philosophy, the intrinsic importance of Preston's is much less than that of Krause's. Krause's philosophy of Masonry has a very high value in and of itself. On the other hand the chief interest in Preston's philosophy of Masonry, apart from his historical position among Masonic philosophers, is to be found in the circumstance that his philosophy is the philosophy of our American lectures and hence is the only one with which the average American Mason acquires any familiarity.

William Preston Website/facebook: st.john112.co.uk