MOST EXCELLENT MASTER DEGREE

MOST EXCELLENT MASTER DEGREE

By Bill Wojtas PHP, EGM2V

As the lesson of the Mark Master Degree is ties to that of the Blue Lodge Fellowcraft Degree, the Most Excellent Master Degree is tied to the Master Mason Degree.  The Master Mason degree touches on the concepts of death, resurrection and immortality of the soul in its allegories.  The sixth degree’s symbolism represents the man preparing himself to take on that journey.  

In our current degree, we are taught that the Temple which we have just built, represents our present life. 

The foreign country into which, after its completion a Mason is expected to travel, is that undiscovered country from whose bourn no traveler returns.  The wages he is to receive are the rewards of a well spent life and a knowledge of divine truth which the Grand Architect of the Universe will bestow upon all who faithfully perform their task. 

This alludes to the idea that we need to perfect our craft, “… who faithfully perform their task”.  We need to prepare ourselves for that journey to immortality by performing the good works leading to a life well spent. 

…that if we have erected the temple of our inner life by square, plumb line and rule, its foundations shall never fail and its fabrics shall never crumble nor decay.  Then let us, my Brother, take care that we so labor in the erection of our temple here, that when we shall leave this for that far distant country, whence we shall never return, we may there receive the wages of faithful craftsmen. 

How we as Most Excellent Masters prepare ourselves for that journey is found in the history of the degree and the charge. 

From a historical standpoint, the Most Excellent Master Degree was an honor which was established by King Solomon to bestow upon craftsmen who have distinguished themselves and have proven themselves to be masters of their profession.  It was an order of merit bestowed upon those craftsmen who were worthy of praise due to their merits. 

When the temple was completed, we are taught that King Solomon received and acknowledged the most distinguished craftsmen by bestowing the honor of Most Excellent Master.  With that honor came the privilege of the ability to travel to foreign countries to seek employment.  They were also charged with bringing light and truth to those who are yet uninformed. 

The historical charge of the degree admonishes us to be completely familiar with the preceding degrees so that we have the ability to dispense that truth.  If you are not, you are expected to apply “double diligence” in making that so.  We are charged with making ourselves intimately familiar with the lectures of all the preceding degrees so that we ourselves are true experts in our craft and able to dispense light and truth to our brethren who are yet uninformed.  

We must strive to perfect our craft so that we may dispense that light.  So that we live our lives in accordance with the teachings of all our degrees thus performing the good works necessary for a life well spent to become worthy of our wages.  We are obligated to live in the light so that we dispense that light by example and that we help those who have imperfections by providing good counsel, discretely. 

This is how we prepare ourselves for that journey we call life to eventually meet our own mortality, so that when we take on that next stage, we may receive our wages in a glorious immortality.

The Lodge of Past Masters

The Lodge of Past Masters

By W. B. Wojtas PHP

The Past Master Degree is an Honorary degree and it’s earliest reference is noted in Anderson’s Book of constitutions, written in 1723.  Originally, Royal Arch Masonry was under the governance of the Symbolic Lodge where the Royal Arch Degree was conferred.  At that time, the regulations mandated that the Royal Arch Degree was only conferred upon a Brother who has sat in the Oriental Seat of his Symbolic Lodge.  This was done because it was accepted that the Royal Arch Degree was too important of a degree to be conferred on a Master Mason who has yet sat in the East. 

Of course, over time, this restriction became a hindrance to progress and exceptions were made on occasions, and later, more often.  Eventually, the degree became a part of the Chapter, its own entity, but the tradition remained to signify the importance of this undertaking. 

Mackey writes in The Book of the Chapter,

While as masons we admit the general equality of men in their relation to their common Creator and acknowledge with proper humility that we are all traveling on the level of time to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns we do not deny the advantage and propriety of distinctions in society based on a difference of talent and position and we know that while some must rule govern others must of necessity be called upon to obey is to this view of the gradations of society that the fifth degree alludes in its ceremonies and instructions

The charges of this degree impress upon the mind of the Master Mason the importance of the qualities which a man needs to possess to lead his life in the light of Royal Arch Masonry.  Even if he has yet to seat in the East, he must consider and reflect on how he interacts with the men around him. 

We are reminded of the need to possess the qualities of judgment, discretion, wisdom, firmness and determination, which are symbolic of good leadership.  We must also be comfortable as one who can navigate under constituted authority employing obedience to those in charge and to promote good order and discipline. 

During the degree the Master Mason is asked to signify his assent to several charges, which are similar in nature to the charges given during the installation of an Actual Worshipful Master of a Lodge.  Most of which pertain to the qualities previously mentioned, inculcating within the man, those necessary qualities of Masonic leadership. 

Some ritual uses the Parable of the workers in the vineyard, Matthew 20:1-17 to impress on us the ideals of this degree.  It ties in to what is taught in the Mark Master degree. 

The allegory assumes that the Land owner represents Christ.  It is a very simple story, without any heavy theology that teaches an important lesson.  Since the landowner represents Christ, the vineyard represents his kingdom.  The concept here is that the story represents people working in the Lord’s kingdom, doing good works.  The wages being God’s gifts or rewards granted as a result, perhaps salvation.  However the length of service or amount of work does not determine the wage.   

In the story, the overseer paid those that came last and paid them a day’s wage for laboring just an hour or two.  The workers that had been there all day assumed that they would get more, because they labored all day.  However, their assumption was wrong and it upset them.  They in turn, complained to the Landowner, who reminded them of the agreement. 

He reminded them that he paid them exactly what he promised, so there was no need to complain.  Additionally, since he was the land owner, he was free to pay workers whatever he saw fit.  He told them to accept their wage and go.  There was no changing his mind and there was no law that would cause him to pay proportionately. 

The final point made it that the last will be first and the first will be last, a concept seen elsewhere in the Gospel. 

Knowing that the Landowner represents Christ, the allegory alludes to the fact that the Lord cannot be held to restrictions or customs on how He rewards people as we would be held to.  Additionally it states that His agreement with each group is fair and generous since without it that same agreement, they would have nothing.  In other words, it is by grace that He rewards the workers, just as it was by grace He offered them the place.  (www.bible.org)

How does this tie in to the allegory of the Mark Master Degree?  In a Symbolic Lodge, The Worshipful Master is sovereign and is has the ability to deal with the brethren in his Lodge in whatever way he deems necessary.   He is free to give some people more than others in relationship to their service or contribution to the Lodge.  He alone can make the decision of what wage give brethren for service, how to use them (all day or not), and how to reward their dedication to the Craft.  He can pay the same wages to those that labor long in the Craft as he would to those that work a shorter time, but more efficiently to achieve the same goal.  The Worshipful Master is charged and obligated to treat everyone fairly and with jurisprudence. 

The story starts out with a conventional plot, hiring day workers. But it turns at the end to what is totally unconventional, so that the people who worked the least got equal pay. How is it possible that the last shall be first? Not by agreement and not by contract--but by grace and grace alone. As 19:30 reminded us, with God all things are possible, and especially this work of grace that the last is first. If God extends grace to people at the eleventh hour, and they respond, trusting in His goodness, they will also receive what He promised others. If God calls people into service in His vineyard, and they serve Him faithfully, both the calling and the reward is by grace, especially if their work was not a full day. (https://bible.org/seriespage/workers-vineyard-matthew-201-16)

“This is good law” we all respond after the passage is read by the Worshipful Master.  When you receive the calling to the Craft, whether it was 50 years ago or last month, the reward is the same.  What is the labor of a Mason and what is his wage?

Our ritual admonishes us to be more mindful of our obligations.  We are all quick to kneel at the altar and take an obligation to perform and act in a certain way, but often forget what we swore or fail to understand what the obligation meant.  We overlook that an obligation is a pact with our Creator to do or perform what was contained therein.  We often behave as if that obligation was never made and this degree contains the warning.  Adherence to our obligation is the labor we have agreed with the Worshipful Master to perform as a part of his Lodge in the eyes of our Creator.  Our wage is the Light we receive in Masonry, the knowledge, the gift of greater morality as a just and upright Mason.  If we labor long and hard or quick and more efficient, our wage remains the same and it is good. 

It is the Worshipful Masters’ charge to guide his brethren to believe in and perform according to the solemn obligation by setting the example through his own conduct. 

This is, in my opinion the lesson taught in the 5^th degree.  We as Actual or Virtual Past Masters are admonished to live our lives and set the example to our brethren.  We live our lives in the Light of the Craft and all work toward a common goal, receiving the same wages as a Master Mason.  We must perform as Past Masters with a firm and steadfast resolution to our obligations, without fail, to give credibility to our position as a 5^th Degree Mason, as a just, amiable, discreet and virtuous man. 

The Charges to a Lodge of Mark Masters

The Charges to a Lodge of Mark Masters

By W. B. Wojtas PHP

“To change the metaphor, you come to him, as living stones to the immensely valuable living stone (which men rejected but God chose), to be built up into a spiritual House of God, in which you, like holy priests, can offer those spiritual sacrifices which are acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. There is a passage to this effect in scripture, and it runs like this: 'Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on him will by no means be put to shame'.”  (First  Epistle of Peter CH2:4-6)

The Charges of the Mark Master Degree are very important messages to those of us who have taken the obligation.  Albert Mackey wrote the  first charge (read at the opening of the Lodge) in his work, The Book of the Chapter and it states: 

Wherefore Brethren, lay aside all Malice, and guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings.

If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious, to whom coming as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious; ye also as living stones, be ye built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God. 

Wherefore also, it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion, for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; he that believeth, shall not make haste to pass it over.  Unto you, therefore, which believe, it is an honor; and even to them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner. 

Brethren, this is the will of God, that with well doing, ye put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.  As free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.  Honor all men; Love the Brotherhood; fear God. 

Why, Brethren! Do not consider the desire to cause harm to another person, deceitful cunning, feigning to be what one is not, the feeling to have what others have, and speaking ill of others.  

These are all things which we as men of good moral character should already subscribe to, but may need to be reminded of from time to time.  Often real life consumes us and we are not consciously aware of the obligations we took and the 3 charges we have received prior to this fourth.  Reading it, the first thing that comes to mind is that these words are just plain common sense, but to we keep them in the forefront of our minds as we live our lives and deal with our fellow man?  As a man of moral character, we often do, but it never hurts to be reminded of it, especially in times of stress or hardships. 

Although we have come to know that the Lord is gracious, coming to Him as a living stone, not accepted by men, but Chosen by God, and precious to HIm.  All of us as living stones, are all used to build a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God. 

Knowing that God is good, we all come to him as his precious creations. All of us are a part of the Temple not built by human hands, dedicated to Him.  All of us giving up of ourselves to our Creator. 

Since it is written in Isaiah 28:16:  “So the Lord Yahweh says this, 'Now I shall lay a stone in Zion, a granite stone, a precious corner-stone, a firm foundation-stone: no one who relies on this will stumble.”   Hence to those of you who believe, it is an honor, and even to those of us who do not, to those of us who are not yet perfect, may still be a part of that temple. 

Brethren, The will of God teaches us that by living our lives doing good works, we set the example which may cause those who have yet received our light completely, to do so.  As a free  and accepted man, not using your position to cover any wrong doings, but living as servant of God. 

By living as a servant of God, following the moral treatises established in the volumes of sacred law, we are the craftsmen, by our example, creating perfect ashlars out of those of us who have yet to become perfect.  But even those who are yet perfect, are still accepted in the Creator’s eyes and are still capable of being stones in the building of the temple.  We must still honor them as fellows.  We must also work to honor our fellow brethren by setting the example for them to receive light completely, by honoring the tenets and morals of our fraternity.  We do this by living our lives, using the tools given to us by the Great Architect, an allegory for “fearing God”.

The second charge, which is given at the conclusion of the degree is much easier to read and understand. 

Brother : I congratulate you on having been thought worthy of being advanced to this honorary degree of Masonry. Permit me to impress it on your mind, that your assiduity should ever be commensurate with your duties, which become more and more extensive, as you advance in Masonry. In the honorable character of Mark Master Mason, it is more particularly your duty to endeavor to let your conduct in the lodge and among your brethren be such as may stand the test of the Great Over seer's square ; that you may not, like the unfinished and imperfect work of the negligent and unfaithful of former times, be rejected and thrown aside, as unfit for that spiritual building — that house not made with hands — eternal in the heavens. While such is your conduct, should misfortunes assail you, should friends forsake you, should envy traduce your good name, and malice persecute you, yet may you have confidence, that among Mark Master Masons you will find friends who will administer relief to your distresses and comfort to your afflictions, ever bearing in mind, as a consolation under all the frowns of fortune, and as an encouragement to hope for better prospects, that the stone which the builders rejected, possessing merits to them unknown, became the chief stone of the corner.

The message which is taught in the Mark Master degree is one of great importance throughout your Masonic life.  The symbolism of this parable teaches an important lesson. 

In Masonry, the most humble Mason shall receive as much reward as the haughtiest, provided he has labored at the task of seeking the truth as wisely, effectively and faithfully as possible. 
Mackey tells us that the wages of a Mason’s labors is truth and that the youngest Mason, laboring to seek that truth with great earnest over a short period, more so than the older Masons slowly laboring over the years, will thus receive more light in Masonry as the reward for his earnest labor.
 
The quarries of our Craft are open to everyone, but it is the one who works the most diligently and in the smartest way, though he began at a later time, shall receive no less than those who have labored longer, but with less heart put into the task. 

We will have to endure the heat of the day in our search for truth if we do not do so wisely and with a true goal in sight.  If our enthusiasm is not tempered with sound judgment it may take us longer to achieve the same goal as those who arrived after us, but wrought with wisdom and earnest. 
Albert Mackey is quoted as saying, “ It is not the time that you have been a Mason, but the way in which that time has been employed that will secure the prize of intellectual light.” 

Seek well that prize, use the lessons of the craft to work with wisdom and earnest to receive your wages, without bearing the burden and heat of the day. 

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.