What Kind of Man Are You? on Vimeo

What Kind of Man Are You? on Vimeo






What Kind of Man Are You? from Legitimate Films on Vimeo.

The First Wayfarers Worshipful

Dr. George F. Tyson

The first Worshipful Master of Wayfarers Lodge was Dr. George F. Tyson of 845 Chicago Ave, Evanston Illinois.  Dr. Tyson was a prominent North Shore resident and a published author.  He was married to Ms. Lulu Woodman of Janesville Wisconsin.  According to the Lake Shore News (Wilmette, IL) on 01 January, 1914,

As the culmination of a pretty romance which started when Miss Lulu Woodman, a nurse of Janesville, Wisconsin, was called by Dr. George F. Tyson of Evanston about a year ago to nurse a case. Dr. Tyson and Miss Woodman were married at the latter's home in Janesville, Christmas eve. They will reside in Evanston.

Different versions are given of the physician nurse romance. Some claim that because of Mrs. Tyson's beauty, it was a case of love at first sight and that it took but a short time for the spark o flove to be fanned into a flame of considerable proportions. Others declare that the courtship between the two ripened into a love match when the well-known physician began to note the many charming qualities of Miss Woodman. At any rate they were married Christmas eve and after a short trip will return to Evanston to reside.

Dr. Tyson met his bride just about a year ago when he called her from Chicago to take charge of Raymond Bristow, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Bristow, 1138 Sherman avenue, who was suffering with a serious illness. Due to the tender care given by Miss Woodman, the Bristow child recovered. Then she nursed several cases for Dr. Tyson.  

(http://history.wilmettelibrary.info/1420925/data )

According to the Chicago Daily Tribune, 21 November 1922, Dr. Tyson was affiliated with St. Francis Hospital in Evanston and was a noteworthy surgeon and specialist in certain diseases, including Small Pox.  (Homeopathic Recorder Vol. 18, 1903). 

Dr. Tyson was well travelled for the time and was credited as travelling to Europe, including Scotland (JAMA, V62 Part 2, 1913) (Illinois Medical Journal V24, 1913)

Not much more could be found about the first Worshipful Master of Wayfarers Lodge, but considering this was 98 years ago, he must have been a rather prominent figure to have this much information in various archives.  I was not able to find an image or photograph.  His last known address of 845 Chicago Avenue is now an open field at the corner of Main and Chicago. 

In February of 1916, Dr. Tyson was elected as the chairman of the committee to establish a new Lodge in Evanston, Illinois and later became its first Worshipful Master.   

Lodge Motivation via the PTSD Project Video

Phenomenal Lodges attract Phenomenal men.  Phenomenal is earned, it does not come easy.  But if you sit on the sidelines and expect someone else to make your lodge phenomenal, it will not happen.  If you wait for those older or more experienced brothers to come up with the plan or ideas, you will wait forever.  YOU are the key to your Lodge's success.  YOU are the key to attracting phenomenal when you take the drivers seat and press the gas pedal to move things forward.  Your momentum, your motivation will motivate others who may need that subtle nudge.

You need to use the difficulties and adversities, turn them into strength and motivation to succeed.  There are so many opportunities in front of you.  You need to make that sacrifice, to sacrifice  you time and your effort to make it happen.  You have to be willing to fight for it and to make it happen despite the naysayers.  You have got to start saying YES to the goals of your Lodge and leave no opportunity behind you.  If no one shows up to your event, plan another.  You can not quit, you have got to make it known that you want to succeed and that energy, that motivation, over time, will be contagious.

The beginning of a Lodge in 1916

A new Lodge in Evanston

In February of 1916, a number of Masons got together to start a new Lodge in Evanston.  The Lodge was yet to be named, but the work was set in motion to make their dream a reality.  The record book was opened and their work was written.  The first minutes as printed in the records are as follows:

Evanston, Illinois

February 5, 1916

On February 5^th, 1916, the following Masons met at the Masonic Hall, 810 Davis Street, Evanston, Illinois.

Brothers              Geo. F. Baker

                                Wm. Balhatchet

                                Wm. D. Barnes

                                H. E. Bent

                                E. J. Brown

                                W. A. Carauagh

                                Carl M. Cooley

A.      W. Copeland

Chas. W. Davidson

E. D. DeMoe

Wm. D. Dickson

A.      G. Fraser

E. G. Gross

Wm. P. Gunthorp

A.      W. Hoffman

D. R. Hopkins

Marvin C. Hull

Chas. C. Kanin

Brothers              E. H. Merchant

                                S. A. Poe

                                T. S. Roberts

                                Lester Soule

C.  K. Thomson

Geo. F. Tyson

T. J. Williams

Meeting called to order by Brother Tyson

Motion made and seconded that Brother Tyson be made temporary chairman.  Motion carried

Motion made and seconded that Brother Cooley be made temporary secretary.  Motion carried

Motion made and seconded that meeting be held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month.  Motion Carried.

Motion made and seconded that a committee of three be appointed by the chairman to consider a name and report on same at the next meeting.  Motion carried. 

Brother Geo. F. Baker, Wm. P. Gunthorp and Chas. C. Kamin selected by chairman to act as this committee.

Motion made and seconded that a committee of three be appointed by the chairman to suggest officers and report at the next meeting.  Motion carried

Committee appointed was Brothers T. J. Williams, S. A. Poe and D. R. Hopkins. 

Motion made and seconded to appoint a committee to secure more members.  Carried.

Chairman appointed all present as active members of this committee. 

Motion made to rescind motion making meeting nights the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.  Motion seconded.  Motion carried.

Motion made and seconded to make the first and third Wednesdays of each month, meeting nights.  Motion Carried

On advice of the Grand Lodge Committee, each brother present gave his experience in Lodge work as follows:

Brother                     Bent                      held no office

                                Thomson             Chaplain

                                Balhatchet          Deacon

                                Brown                   No active work

Brother                    Hull                        No active work

                                Merchant            Floor work

                                Gunthorp            No active work

                                Hopkins                No Active work

                                Copeland             No active work

                                Dickson                Instruction

                                Carauagh             No active work

                                Poe                        Stewart and assisted in team work

                                DeMoe                 No active work

                                Davidson             No active work

                                Baker                    Wardens & Secretary

                                Kamin                   No active work

                                Barnes                  Floor work

                                Hoffman              Master

                                Soule                     Junior Warden & Team work

                                Fraser                   No Active work

                                Gross                   Wardens             

                                Roberts                No active work

                                Williams               No active work

Motion made and seconded to extend a note of thanks to the Grand Lodge Committee.  Motion carried

A call for volunteers to attend school of instruction on Wednesday night, the following Brothers responded, Baker, Balhatchet, Brown, Carauagh, Copeland, Davidson, Fraser, Gross, Hull, Kanin and Soule.

Motion made and seconded to adjourn until Wednesday, February 16^th, 1916.  Motion Carried.

Meeting Adjourned.   

                               

Foundations of Obligation

And to keep me steadfast in the due performance of the same...

Brethren, We are men with one thing in common, we have all placed our hands upon a Volume of Sacred Law a minimum of three times, some of us many more, and have taken a solemn oath and obligation in the eyes of the Great Architect to live by a certain moral and ethical code. 

We have made a pact with the Creator that we will abide by a set of rules, which in my eyes, is supposed to set me a step above men that are yet uninitiated.  Why do I say that?  Because, the profane can live by those same moral codes.  I say that because we MUST live by that morality we have sworn to abide by.  We do not have a choice, lest we break that pact with the Creator.

We as Masons, of our own free will and accord, have obligated ourselves to lead a life of chivalric value.  In a nutshell, what are those values that we have so often heard while at the alter?  They are similar to the codes and values to the Knights of history. 

The Knights Code of Chivalry and the vows of Knighthood

The Knights Code of Chivalry described in the Song of Roland and an excellent representation of the Knights Codes of Chivalry are as follows:

·         To fear God and maintain His Church

·         To serve the liege lord in valour and faith

·         To protect the weak and defenseless

·         To give succour to widows and orphans

·         To refrain from the wanton giving of offence

·         To live by honour and for glory

·         To despise pecuniary reward

·         To fight for the welfare of all

·         To obey those placed in authority

·         To guard the honour of fellow knights

·         To eschew unfairness, meanness and deceit

·         To keep faith

·         At all times to speak the truth

·         To persevere to the end in any enterprise begun

·         To respect the honour of women

·         Never to refuse a challenge from an equal

·         Never to turn the back upon a foe

Of the seventeen entries in the Knights Codes of Chivalry, according to the Song of Roland, at least 12 relate to acts of chivalry as opposed to combat.  (http://www.lordsandladies.org/knights-code-of-chivalry.htm, 8/14/2014)

While the vows we took in our three degrees, or 7, 13 or 32 degrees, are not verbatim, the basis or the foundation are similar. 

This is not a code that is exclusive to western civilization, what we as westerners know as Chivalry, those with a knowledge of Eastern history, know an evolution of behavior existed concurrently with the age of chivalry, on the other side of the world.  The Code of Bushido a strict code that dsemanded:

·         loyalty ·         devotion ·         obedience ·         duty

·         filial piety ·         respect ·         self sacrifice ·         honor to the death

The code embraced seven virtues, which were:

·         Gi - Rectitude

·         Yu - Courage

·         Jin - Benevolence

·         Rei - Respect

·         Makoto - Honesty

·         Meiyo - Honor

·         Chugi - Loyalty

Samurai Bushido can be summed up in four main principles of a strict military code of honor and devotion:

1. Frugality - Living simply no matter of your wealth nor stature in life.
2. Loyalty - Devotion and obedience to your lord
3. Martial Mastery - Learning to fight with weapons and without
4. Honor to the Death - A dishonored warrior's only redemption was seppuku

(http://www.bigbearacademy.com/bushido-code.html)

The concept even existed within early 15^th century (and earlier) Albanian / Islamic cultures as the pillars of Kanun suggest (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanun_(Albania) ):

·         Honour

·         Hospitality

·         Right Conduct

·         Kin Loyalty

And the bebouin concept of Diyafa (hospitality):  a virtue closely linked to sharaf. If required, even an enemy must be given shelter and fed for some days. Poverty does not exempt one from one's duties in this regard. Generosity is a related virtue, and in many Bedouin societies gifts must be offered and cannot be declined. The destitute are looked after by the community, and tithing is mandatory in many Bedouin societies. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honor_codes_of_the_Bedouin)

The concept of Chivalry and Honor transcend the vastness of the globe and evolved concurrently across cultures.  Why is it so foreign to us as men in the 21^st century?

If we are to survive as an organization, we need to get back to the basics and embrace the oaths and obligations we have sworn to live by.  We need to set aside our petty differences and embrace each other as brothers.  We need to set aside the politics which we encounter and learn to find resolutions though the subduing of our passions.  We need to use these obligations to improve ourselves as men thus improving ourselves through Masonry.  We need to show the new people that come to our light, that we actually live by these obligations and not just go through the motions.

We as the Masters form the perfect ashlars through example.  Young men are impressionable and look to their elders as role models.  If they see that we, as the leaders of the Craft, do not take our obligations seriously, they quickly learn by that example and soon follow suit.  Many of the men that come to us, may not have had strong male role models in their lives, many may have been the product of single parent households.  They look at what the veteran members do and often follow our lead by the examples we set. 

I can reasonably say, I may not believe that the wrath of God will come down upon you for not being true to the obligations which you took, but the honor you keep as a man may wane if you yourself do not take that honor seriously.   

Look deep into yourself, re-read some of the many obligations which you swore before your Creator that you would keep and perform the same, and ask yourself, is that me?  Am I living by those furthermores? 

Read the charges of each of those degrees.  The charge, a duty or a responsibility laid down and entrusted to you by the Craft, just as beholden as the obligation itself.  Read that Charge and ask, am I living that life?  Do I deserve to wear that ring which I have placed on my finger?  The ring which serves to remind me of my Masonic vows, just as a wedding band serves to remind a man of the vows which he took to his life partner? 

We are, or rather should be, that League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.  We should be looked upon as men of honor, men who are solemn to their vows, who can be trusted unconditionally on their word.  We once were, if we are to survive, we need to regain some of that valor. 

I am not perfect, I stray from living in the light as I have vowed to do, none of us are.  But to make the attempt, to try is all one can ask for.  To try would symbolically be the common gavel, stripping away the superfluities and vices of life, thereby making our minds, the living stones we have become, to better fit into the foundation of the temple which we strive to lay down as leaders.  Without those foundational stones, fitting perfectly, the foundation cannot be built.  Without the foundation, how do we as Masons, as Masters,  even begin to build a Temple?  

To Heal or Hail, Confusion Worshipful!

At one point in my life, I recall promising to hele something.  The first thing which ran through my head when I heard that I would always “hail” secrets, was, “huh”?  Hail the secrets?  What does that mean? 

For the most part, I can deduce what it means from the context of the paragraph in which it is found, but does that suffice?  Not for me, I see through my travels as a Master, that most people have an inkling of it’s meaning but do not have a command of it.  Furthermore, I have found extensive Masonic papers written about this one word, so I thought that I would throw my two cents in to the kettle. 

The Oxford English Dictionary indicates that the verb “hele” comes from the base Old English word “helan”.  Both the Oxford and the Bosworth-Toller Anglo-Saxon Dictionary indicate that the word and its root mean to conceal, hide or cover.  This is what I had deduced from the context. 

In its earliest transitive form, it meant, “to cover with”, “to conceal”.  This was noted from the period between 825 and 1200 AD.  Masonically, it is found in the second oldest Masonic manuscript, the Cooke MS of about 1450AD.  “…he can hele the councell of his fellows in logge and in Chambre…”.  According to research done by Brother Yoshio Washizu of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia and Yukon, in his paper, Notes on “hele”, the word is subsequently found numerous times in Masonic texts which allude to the same meaning.  However, the spelling of “hele” varies from dialect and location.  It is often seen as “hele”. “heal” and “hail” depending on who wrote the text and where.   

How it is pronounced is just as varied under the same circumstances, depending on period and location.  According to masonicdictionary.com, modern English dictionaries indicate that the correct pronunciation is HEEL, though this may be contradictory to common pronunciations used in the west of England and in the Cornish Country where it is pronounced as HALE.  Confusion Worshipful!

The primary thing to keep in mind is that the English language has gone through significant changes over the past few centuries.  Hele, being such an archaic word, it is possible that the pronunciation has changed over the centuries.  Quite often Old English words were spelled phonetically, which is noted in the writing styles of the 15^th – 17^th centuries. 

The Oxford English Dictionary, being an authority in pronunciation of English words, has hele being pronounced as “Hi:l”  or HEAL.  Though in early Masonic text, the spelling of the word attributes to the pronunciations of HEEL and HAIL, which according to the Wright English Dialect Dictionary was not uncommon, depending on when and where the texts were written.  Certain locations in England were known to pronounce the word as such. 

Confusion continued with the pronunciation of the word throughout the United Grand Lodge of England during the early 19^th century with most Masonic Scholars and Ritualists preferring to use the HAIL pronunciation, but without formal written edict from any source.  Because of this, up to the late 19^th century, a Mason would still see and hear both. 

At this point, up to the early 20^th century, it seems that both pronunciations were sanctioned based on a number of variables such as the scholar you talk to, the Lodges, the locations and the context in which is it used.  For Example, in many modern Masonic rituals, rhymes were often employed to assist in the mnemonics. 

In the works of Bro. Washizu,

It seems that originally the three words, "hele," "conceal" and "reveal," used in our ritual were likewise meant to rhyme. "A practical purpose was intended-that of making a special mark on the hearer’s mind, and fixing the three words in his memory," says Bro. Bernard E. Jones.

If the original intent is to be maintained, therefore, they should be pronounced to rhyme, whether with "heel" or "hail." "But," he continues, "if they are to be intelligible, then the old pronunciation ['hail'] is quite out of the question. 'Hale, consale and never revale' would either be meaningless, or would invite a smile at a point in the ceremony where least desired."

Bro. E. H. Cartwright is of the opinion that it should be pronounced "heel" and that if a Master likes to affect the archaic form of the word, "he should at least be consistent and say, 'hale, consale and never revale,' thus preserving the jingle that with little doubt had its attraction for our predecessors of two hundred years ago." 

Bro. Harry Carr is also inclined to support the pronunciation "heel" given in the Oxford English Dictionary. He says, "We use an archaic word, out of sentiment perhaps, but I see no reason for maintaining the archaic (or doubtful) pronunciation, when all the rest of our ritual is in modern usage."

To sum up, the word "hele" may be sounded "heel" or "hail." But if we are to have the three words, "hele," "conceal" and "reveal," rhyme in our present-day working, it should be pronounced "heel."

So there you have it, the confusion continues with that tiny little four letter word.  HEEL (HEAL) or HALE (HAIL), both seem to be correct depending on the variables in the context and environment.  The one thing that we can but sure of, is that in our ritual texts, it is spelled HELE and the meaning is still of the utmost important to us in the Craft.  

Chicago Shakespeare Theater: The Magic Flute

Chicago Shakespeare Theater: The Magic Flute



Fall 2014



South Africa's Isango Ensemble has mesmerized audiences worldwide, unearthing fresh, new context from Western classics. This acclaimed production effortlessly relocates Mozart's magical, mysterious kingdom to a contemporary township, encompassing various African languages. With a score faithfully transposed for an orchestra of marimbas, drums and percussion, thirty actors and musicians fill the stage with sheer exuberance, celebrating the spirit of contemporary Africa. London's The Times declared it "leaves you with a rare sense of life-enhancing joy." - See more at: http://www.chicagoshakes.com/plays_and_events/magicflute#sthash.xKZqhDlS.dpuf

Mozart Meets The Masons: 'The Magic Flute' : NPR

Opera lovers have long been in the same position when it comes to The Magic Flute. Both Mozart and the opera's librettist, Emanuel Schikaneder, were devoted Freemasons, at a time when the Masonic order was frowned upon by the authorities and mistrusted by the public. 



Mozart Meets The Masons: 'The Magic Flute' : NPR

Creating the Environment

One of the biggest topics that has hit the Masonic boards is the problem of Clandestine Freemasonry. In the Chicago Metro area, it is prolific and is not limited to certain areas or ethnicities/races. It is literally everywhere.

 Most recently, another group was found trying to recruit in Evanston. It is a Co-Masonry group and they have a very convincing program that would lead the un-initiated to believe that they are legitimate.

We, as Masons, have a solid definition of legitimacy, but to the uninformed, our definition may seem irrelevant. We indicate that your charter must trace back to the mother Lodge or UGLE, which is perfectly clear and easy to understand. You must have mutual recognition with the “regular” institution or amity as some call it. Pretty simple.

 But to the lay person, the honest response is, who cares. For generations, the Catholic Church tried to indoctrinate their follows that the Roman Catholic Church was the only “regular” Christian Church in existence due to belief known as Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus or “outside the Church there is no salvation”. This was the Roman Catholic doctrine which declares a  person could not gain salvation if you were not a follower of “the Church” because of the idea that Christ created only one church, which lineage has proven to be the Roman Catholic Church.

 Pretty simple, huh? The problem is that the notion that one institution owns the teachings and philosophies of Christ proved to be less than popular amongst the followers as well as the outsiders. The result is that over the years, the Church has relaxed it’s doctrine to a point where it indicates that: "those who have not yet received the Gospel are related to the People of God in various ways.". In the year 2000, the church made the Dominus Iesus Declaration which states,

"for those who are not formally and visibly members of the Church, salvation in Christ is accessible by virtue of a grace which, while having a mysterious relationship to the Church, does not make them formally part of the Church, but enlightens them in a way which is accommodated to their spiritual and material situation. This grace comes from Christ; it is the result of his sacrifice and is communicated by the Holy Spirit; it has a relationship with the Church, which, according to the plan of the Father, has her origin in the mission of the Son and the Holy Spirit."

So what does this mean and how does it relate to the topic? The Roman Catholic Church, being over 2000 years old and also being known as an organization that does not change easily, has accepted the fact that it is possible to receive the light of the church and gain salvation, even if you or your church are not necessarily a part of what they justify as the “regular” Church by the grace of Christ. You are not “regular” but you can receive light, provided you have faith in Christ and you live his principals.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am not advocating clandestine Masonry nor am I expressing a movement to open the doors and accept them with open arms. What I am saying is that there are men out there who are attracted to the Light of Masonry and who have accepted the light into their hearts. They truly believe themselves to be Masons, despite not belonging to “Regular” Masonic institutions.

The protestant churches and all their subsequent “split-off” churches, all believe they have Christ in their hearts and they all profess to live a life devoted to his teachings. In their hearts they are Christians and as thus can receive salvation. They are accepted by the Church and often meet with Church leaders on the level to discuss interfaith or inter denominational matters.

My point, these are good men. We as Regularly initiated Masons, should treat them as good men, Good Fellows.

Regardless of their faith, race or ethnicity, we are all men under the eyes of the creator. We are all due equal respect as such. As a Catholic, would you spur or mistreat a fellow because he was a Lutheran? The answer is, no. As a Christian, does Christ teach you to shun a man because he is a Muslim? Absolutely not, Christ teaches us to treat him with love and respect as a fellow man, with Brotherly Love, a tenet of Freemasonry. 

Men join organizations because they feel comfortable, they feel at ease and they feel as if they are amongst friends and brothers. Inherently, as human beings, we are different and we each have a culture which we are most at ease in. We tend to gravitate toward the group which most closely fits our culture. Would you join a group which conflicted with your beliefs or which you did not feel comfortable in? Most likely not. 

Clandestine Masonic organizations may not be open with their members that they are not “regular” or they may be open with it, the fact is that men join them because they like the men they meet and they feel comfortable amongst them. To them, the fact that a piece of paper can be traced to an institution is more or less irrelevant. They feel and believe what they know to be the light, even if it is slightly different from ours. Just as the doctrines of the Baptists differs from the Catholics, they are Christians none the less.

How do we resolve the issue of Clandestine Masonry? We start off by being the benevolent institution which we profess to be. We treat all men with respect and with brotherly love. We create the environment that all men, despite their race, creed or ethnicity, would want to become a part of. Freemasonry is not a White or Black institution, it is not a Christian organization, it is an organization for all men created by the Great Architect under the canopy of Heaven.

Once we establish that image, we make it known that we exist and we call the men back home. The Roman Catholic Church created a campaign called the Catholics Come Home campaign. They openly worked on creating that image which would attract followers to return to the church and to some extent is has been successful. We as regular Masons, reach out as a mission to those who are not regularly initiated and we show them that we truly are that benevolent institution and that they and all men are welcome to take a part in our organization.

When we attack men because of their affiliation, when we look down at them because of their race or their religion, we create an atmosphere of adversity and it becomes obvious that we are an institute of hypocrisy rather than benevolence. We do not create an atmosphere conducive to rebuilding our institute and we will in essence feed the fire that is clandestine masonry. Truth, Charity and Brotherly Love, the age old tenets of our ancient institution are the key to our future success.

 In conclusion, I want to leave you with a particular thought to keep in mind.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”

Were there stipulations put on these words? There are not and the meaning of these words ring true, that all men are created equal and all men are due the pursuit of happiness. We can be the organization to facilitate that pursuit for all men who desire the Light of Freemasonry, it is just up to us to make that happen.

Our Symbolic Wages: The Elements of Consecration in Freemasonry

From www.freemasonry101.com

Our Symbolic Wages: The Elements of Consecration in Freemasonry:



"Corn, wine and oil. These three substances are well known to Freemasons everywhere as symbolic wages."



'via Blog this'

Wayfarers Lodge - DDGM Official Visit & Trestleboard

Pride is one word that comes to mind.  

I am proud of how the Lodge turned out in support of the DDGMs official visit.  Once again we had a fine turn out for our special night.  The Lodge officers opened the lodge on the second degree and although we didn't get any points toward the Grand Master's Award of Excellence, we were able to pull it off quite nicely.  

We have four petitions and several men who are works in progress, future Wayfaring men.  Financially, we are in the best position we have been in for a long time.  Thanks to the efforts of our Secretary, who has put many hours in to our books.  

We had a visiting brother from a Scottish Constitution Lodge in Nairobi Kenya give us some insight on the craft in Africa.  We installed a new Junior Warden as well!  Wayfarers  we are moving forward and it is all because of you!  

TRESTLEBOARD

19 March - 1st Degree - 630pm Dinner, 730pm Degree
26 March - 3rd Degree - 700pm - no Dinner.  

02 April - Stated Meeting, 630pm Dinner, 730pm Meeting

16 April - Past Masters Night and Past Masters Degree, 630pm Dinner, 730pm Degree

07 May - Stated Meeting, 630pm Dinner, 730pm Meeting

21 May - Cup of Brotherly Love Presentation / Discussion on Truth, Charity and Brotherly Love, 630pm Dinner, 730pm Presentation

FELLOWSHIP

28 March - Fellowship Friday.  Ward 8 Cocktail Lounge  629 W. Howard St. 7PM  Friends, Wives, Girlfriends, Fellows, all are welcome!  Easy Parking on Howard.  Cover your own tab!

Asking for help is the manly thing to do.

Making a good man better ...

It takes a real man to ask for help.  As men, in my generation, we were taught that men suck it up and deal with their problems.  We had images of John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Charles Bronson and their super macho swaggers shown to us over and over.  I remember being told, boys dont cry or if you want to crt, ill give you something to cry about, all common sayings in my era.  If you were in the military, it was re-inforced, almost to the point where you become un-emotional.  You are the stoic rock that can be depended on under stress.  You learn to control...or rather suppress your negative emotions very well so that you can function under pressure.

Years of bottling this stuff up has a very negative effect over time and in men, it is even more difficult to diagnose.

One of the biggest things a man can do is seek help.  Veterans, seek out a brother veteran that knows what you have been through.  Brother Masons, seek out a true and trusted brother.  Anyone, EAP at work is a great option, programs at your local medical center, etc.  There is no reason to not seek out that help.

It isnt about sucking it up, it IS about dealing with it, in the proper way.  Hiding from it, denying it, just makes the monster bigger and harder to deal with.

Andrew Solomon: Depression, the secret we share | Video on TED.com:



'via Blog this'

Wayfarers Lodge #1001 AF & AM

In November of 2013 I was blessed by being elected as Worshipful Master of Wayfarers Lodge #1001 AF&AM.  To date, it has been a great experience with some of the best Brothers, a man can ask for.

We started off the year with a brilliant installation ceremony that was open to friends, family and the community.  Doric hall was a buzz of activity and the formal installation was well received by all those in attendance.

from that point, we have been quite busy as a Lodge and Brothers are coming out to support their Lodge, Brothers who we haven't seen in some time.  We have put on some quality degrees and have had a great time with Carson's days at the last sale day, and one more to come in March!

January, we kicked off some Masonic Education, featuring Brother Charles Harper Sr., author of Freemasonry in Black and White.  We had a full house and a discussion that lasted until 11pm and could have gone longer.  I was impressed with the turn out and didn't think we could top that.

February, we hosted Sigma Chi Fraternity from both Loyola and Northwestern Universities.  Dinner was put on by Justin Langwell and got rave reviews by all those in attendance.  After dinner, we moved up to Doric Hall, our home, as Wayfarers.  It was standing room only.  Brothers Frank Welter and Russ Schlosser educated us on Masonry and the Knights Templar, which was a treat.  Once again, another successful event, put on and attended by our Lodge and visitors from the area.  Thanks to members from Oriental Lodge, Evans Lodge, Bloomington Lodge, and even Sigma Chi members who are Brothers from Lodges out of state, who we have invited to visit!

Coming up!  March we need to focus on Degrees.  We need to put on a third degree, we have some new petitions, so some firsts for sure.  Dave Woods has his work cut out for him.

April, we will host a Past Masters and Awards Night.  The showcase will be the Illinois York Rite College #15 putting on the Society of Past Masters Degree for all our Past Masters.   This is a new chair degree, open for all to see, just approved by the Grand Master and written by the Grand High Priest.  

May, we will host the New Presentation of the Cup of Brotherly Love.  To introduce the Masonic tenets of Truth, Charity and Brotherly Love to the new Masons who have yet to experience the Cup and its tremendous story.

June and July, I can assure you that we will have degrees and programs to keep the momentum going and to give you as Wayfaring men value for your membership.  To feed your enquiring Masonic Minds, that education which you have been seeking.  August, we will not go dark, I intend to maintain consistency and hold Special Meetings on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, I am certain we will need to put on degrees.

Not too long after that, My Masonic year will be over.  The time flies by, but we will not let up.  I assure you that we will continue to host Masonic Education and discussion, put on quality degrees and then pass the torch to s Senior Warden who is just as motivated to keep and maintain this momentum.  My hope is to make Wayfarers the premier Lodge on the North Shore.  To be the Lodge in the area that brings brothers together in unity, through our diversity.  To take all the good we each have to offer and  do what the Craft preaches, to make good men better, by sharing all our best qualities as Brothers with Brothers and Fellows. To bring Brotherhood back to the Lodge and walk the walk as we travel to the light, together as Wayfaring Men.

The First Degree and the Path of the Mythological Hero

  As I reflected on my recent initiation to the First Degree in Masonry, I remembered a book I had read years ago. In Joseph Campbell’s magnum opus, The Hero With A Thousand Faces, the eternal path of the hero in mythology is laid out. Campbell wrote, “The standard path of the mythological adventure of the hero is a magnification of the formula represented in the rites of passage: separation—initiation—return." In the First Degree initiation, the candidate follows that well-worn path of the mythological hero.   

  Like all the great heroes of folktales, myth, and religion, the candidate being initiated into Masonry travels out of the sphere of the familiar into an expanse of the supernatural. Extraordinary responsibilities are taken on and a significant triumph is won. The hero returns from his mystifying journey with a great boon.

    The story of the Great Struggle of the Buddha is a representative example of the typical hero adventure that recurs in cultures all over the world.  Prior to setting out on his quest, the young prince dressed himself in the robes of a monk. He then left his fortune behind and began his adventure as a beggar. A candidate begins his quest for light in Masonry neither naked nor clad. Like the Buddha donning humble robes, this is done because Masonry regards no one for his worldly wealth or honors. Just as the Buddha left his fortune behind, a candidate is first divested of anything of a metallic nature, having any intrinsic worth. Like the Buddha and other heroes, the candidate begins his journey in an extremely poor and penniless state – entirely destitute.

  A candidate in Masonry prepares himself to leave the mundane world and enter the “Ground Floor of King Solomon's Temple“. This preparation is done in a room adjacent to a regularly constituted lodge of Masons.  “There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors.” The candidate first meets with resistance at the doors, but afterward gains admission to a supernatural space. The space is not of the work-a-day-world, but rather it is a space erected to God. This ends the separation portion of the hero’s journey and the initiation phase begins.

  As the moment of the Buddha’s enlightenment drew near, Kama-Mara, the force of love and death, met him with the points of a razor-sharp instrument – a discus. The Buddha responded by reaching out and touching the ground in a prayer to the Divine. His trust being in God, his faith was well founded. His antagonist was overcome and the Buddha could proceed fearing no danger. The parallels in this part of the story are obvious and clear.

  Following this success, night fell. In total darkness, the Buddha sat with a firm and steadfast resolution on the Immovable Spot beneath the Bo Tree. He had undergone a strict trial and he had not been moved. As the first light of the sun crept over the horizon, the Buddha experienced perfect enlightenment. The candidate being initiated to the First Degree in Masonry, hoodwinked in darkness, must also obligate himself to be steadfast and unmovable. Following the solemn oath, the candidate is brought to light.   

  It was not enough for the Buddha to have enlightenment; he then had to “return to the cities of men where he moved among the citizens of the world.” After receiving light, an Entered Apprentice Mason is reconducted to the place whence he came. The return of the enlightened hero to the mundane world is the concluding part of the adventure.

  The Buddha’s story is only one of many that detail the hero’s quest. The myth of the Greek Titan Prometheus stealing and returning with fire or the familiar tale of Moses ascending the mountain to receive the rule of his faith are but two more examples. All Entered Apprentice Masons have shared an experience with each other and with the immortal heroes of myth, legend, and the great religions. The path of the hero - separation, initiation, and return - is one that is familiar to all who have been introduced into the first principles of Masonry.

Sources:

·         Campbell, Joseph. The Hero with a Thousand Faces. 2nd edition, Princeton University Press, 1968.

·         Duncan, Malcom.  Duncan's Ritual and Monitor. 1.0 edition, Evinity Publishing Inc, 2009.