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Morality & McDonalds

by MasterMason

Judgement of Morality

Presented by Bro. Ken Jarabek Victoria-Columbia Lodge #1 B.C. & Y.R. (2001)

Morality seems to get a lot of attention these days. More specifically, it is the alleged “lack of morals” in our society that seems to rouse people. According to many individuals who are unhappy with our society, all our troubles stem from the unethical and immoral behaviour of others. But is this true? What exactly is morality and who has the right to set standards for it? These are difficult questions to answer because it is difficult to define or conceptualize morality.

The gentle craft of Freemasonry is based on morality as by the following examples quoted from The Grand Lodge of B.C. and Yukon:

What is a Freemason?

– He is a man of Faith, who uses tools of moral and ethical principles to serve mankind.

– He believes that there is such a thing as honour, and that a man has a responsibility to act with honour in everything he does.

– He becomes involved in the problems and needs of others.

– He believes that every person should strive to be a good citizen and that he has a moral duty to be true to the country in which he lives.

In the First Degree prove up, the Brother being examined is asked the question: “What is Freemasonry?” He answers: “It is a peculiar system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.”

Our Constitution is a moral document, a statement of principles and the voice of Brotherhood.

It is as old and as modern a Truth because it was written by men who knew that Freedom was not granted by government but was granted by the Wisdom of God and that as long as government did not check that relationship between man and his Creator, the Constitution was performing its rightful function and as well men could be free to walk their unobstructed paths with God.

Freemasonry is a system of morality in the sense that it offers the accumulated experiences of man in his centuries of effort to arrive at a decision “Having principles” means being consistent, non-hypocritical and having your morals ingrained into your psyche. In other words, you do not have to advertise your morals; they speak for themselves.

Morality is a large part of our integrity of character and man reaches towards a high moral condition through his ability to decide upon a course in life. The choice is a personal one, accepted by one who has in him both sides, “the moral and the immoral.” In any system that is honestly trying to teach morality, both right and wrong must be fairly presented. Without the two sides we would not understand or even recognize the accuracies of where moral boundaries begin and end.

However, morality isn’t that simplistic. In fact, if we use that logic, then no one is truly immoral because no one believes they are immoral. Even in our free-and-easy society, you know when an action is immoral and when it isn’t. No one can tell you that molesting a child, under any circumstances, is a moral act. Nor can anyone argue that donating bone marrow to save a stranger’s life is wrong. We definitely know what is right and what is wrong but we can choose to ignore our moral code when it suits our purpose.

For example, if you see someone in distress, in which direction do you run toward the victim or away from them or do you just stand where you are and take pleasure in the person’s suffering? There can be no question of where morality lies. Vegetarians may say that, eating meat is immoral, the deeply religious say that, atheism is wrong, while neo-conservatives think that socialists are evil and vice-versa. Morality in these cases seems to suggest that whatever we choose to do and believe is moral, while those individuals who do not conform to our beliefs are immoral. But what exactly does it mean to be moral? Could it mean that being moral is having the courage to carry out what we believe in, even if we are uncertain of the consequences?

Isn’t it funny how simple it is for people to trash different ways of living and believing and then wonder why the world is going to hell. People can send a thousand jokes through e-mail and they spread like wildfire but when one starts sending messages regarding life choices, people think twice about sharing. How the lewd, crude, vulgar and obscene pass freely through cyberspace but public discussion of morality is often suppressed in school and workplace. When you go to e-mail this type of message, you may not send it to many on your address list because you are not sure what they believe or what they will think of you for sending it to them. Funny how we can be more worried about what other people think of us than what we think of ourselves! So therefore, do we arrive at our opinions and decisions by being “free thinkers” or by the leverage of peer pressure to be in agreement or in disagreement with what others think?

We say that we profess to love others, which is a demonstration of the truth and freedom of our individuality and at the same time is a reflection of our unity with another. Even so, our troubles may arise when we see only half of the picture. This leads us to our next question: who should decide which actions are considered right and proper and which are thought wrong in our society; the government, the church, our parents or society in general?

History has shown us that not one of these institutions is infallible or invulnerable to bigotry or abuse. Laws do not necessarily reflect morality; only what is practical for society at that point in time.

An explanation of “Courage” as quoted by the R. Rev Richard C. Chartres, Bishop of London is:

“Courage is an expression of our deepest being, what is most deeply true about our common humanity.”

Indeed, in numerous things and ways we see sometimes that others should not be commended but condemned and their methods of how they live life should be avoided. But because of this, we should not close our eyes to the many good things in their lives. Our reasoning would be useless to us unless it teaches us what to accept and what to reject. We would be kin to a fool for refusing to accept good from a man or a race, unless everything of that man or race is perfect. There is no perfection in man at least on earth. All the good that we have ever received from other human beings has come from imperfect men and women. So, we would better be served to recognize the imperfections of those around us while taking lessons from them in those things that go to make a life fuller, richer and better while keeping in mind that people are not all alike.

If we feel critical or judgemental to any degree, we can be sure of one thing. Either we are envious of the person in question for having a quality or circumstance that we feel we lack, or we are seeing something that we do not like in ourselves. When we see our image in a mirror, that image is “only an image.”

That image in the mirror is the source of my actions and dependent on given circumstances and can go hand in hand with moral thoughts. The image in the mirror is a painful thing as well as a pleasant surprise. When we look, we shall see that the truth is more than we thought and the more we look, the more the truth will grow. While the institutions of government, church, parents and society can show what is right and wrong by example, we as individuals alone must decide on our own moral code.

By extension, morality is a form of bravery. It means being confident with your actions and beliefs, even if the whole world is screaming that you are wrong. It is also easier to make decisions in life when you are certain of and comfortable with the boundaries you set for yourself. When you are truly moral, there is no question of what you can and cannot do, you never need justifications, excuses or extenuating circumstances. Your morals are just a part of who you are and you set your own standards and live by them. Is it really that simple?

In conclusion my Brothers, morality is a beautiful part of Freemasonry and both are carried in men’s hearts. This is where Freemasonry lays the foundation to build its Temples. In the hearts of men is where you will find not only the beauty of the Temple but also the beauty of “Morality” that makes Freemasonry what it was, what it is, and what it will always be

 

Breakfast at McDonalds

This beautiful story was shared with me this morning and I cannot help but share it with you.

Having been assigned a Sociology Project to go out and smile to a least Three People, and write their reactions, one woman wrote:

“Soon after we were assigned this project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonalds one crisp March morning. It was just our way of sharing playtime with our son. We were standing in the line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did. I did nor move a inch….An overwhelming feeling of panic welled up in me as I turned to see why they had moved. As I turned around I smelled a horrible “dirty body” smell, and there behind me were two poor homeless men. As I looked  down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was “smiling”. His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God’s Light as he searched for acceptance.

He said “Good Day” as he counted the few coins he had been clutching. The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue eyed gentleman was his salvation. I held my tears As I stood there with them. The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted. He said “Coffee is all Miss” because that was all he could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant they had to order something. He just wanted to be warm). Then I really felt it- the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.

That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action. I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray. I then walked around the corner to the table where the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the Table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman’s cold hand. He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes he said “Thank you”

I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said “I did not do this for you, God is working through me to give you Hope”  I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled and said to me “That is why God gave you to Me, honey to give me hope” We held hand for a moment, and at that time, we knew that only by the Grace of God that we had been given, were we able to give.

My Thanks go out to John McIntosh and Stephen Godfrey for sharing.

Comment  God works in many ways his wonders to perform and it is my hope and prayer that you and your families are beneficiaries of his Love.

Peggy (my proof reader) and I treasure the opportunity to be able to share with you.

Have a wonderful day & God Bless.    Norm

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The Festival of Chanukah

by MasterMason

The following is another piece from the Masonic Service Bureau of North America (Dec 2008) and, I believe, presents another opportunity to share the light on a celebration which I had previously known little or nothing about.

The Festival of Chanukah (the story of light)

Every year, approximately during the month of December, people of the Jewish faith observe what is called Chanukah.  It wasn’t an important holiday in the Jewish calendar but is one to remember and to celebrate, if for no other, because it commemorates an important time in the life of the Jewish people and has significance also for those who are not of the Jewish faith since without the story of Chanukah, probably there would be no Temple of Solomon nor would there be a resulting Masonic fraternity based upon the story of King Solomon.

Let’s go back a bit and see what it is all about.  The year was about 165 B.C.E. and Antiochus Epiphanes was the king of Syrian-Greeks.  He bore down upon his Jewish subjects ruthlessly, having previously occupied what was Israel.  He defiled the Holy Temple by filling it with pagan idols and sacrifices of pigs.  He forbade the Jews to observe the Commandments of circumcision, the New Moon and the Sabbath.  He wanted the Jews to lay aside their Torah and substitute it with Hellenistic Greek culture, including idols of which the Greeks had many.

Then, one courageous old man names Matisyahu turned the tide.  He saw someone bowing down to the idols set forth by the Greeks rather than refusing to do so as most of the Jews did.  He struck the errant Jew and knew that he now had to run away and with the rallying cry of “Whoever is for God, come to me!” he called the people to rebellion.  A pitifully small number responded at first but his five sons led the way.  They fought the Syrian-Greeks, retreated to the mountains and began a guerrilla war against them.  Soon their father passed the leadership to his second son, Judah the Maccabee, mighty warrior and charismatic leader.

Outnumbered a hundred to one, Judah and his men won many battles.  More Jews came to join him.  In a few years he had defeated the mightiest armies that Syria could send against them.  Victory belonged to the Jews, the pure, the righteous and the loyal defenders of the Jewish world.

The 25th day in the Jewish month of Kislev, the fighters made their way to the Holy Temple where they beheld the idols strewn with the filth and impurity the Greeks had left behind.  They rummaged through

the ruins seeking at least one flask of pure olive oil with which to light the makeshift menorah they had hastily put together, representing the “Eternal Light”.

Flask after flask—they found every one of them defiled, until finally, a small jug, sufficient for only one day was found with the purity seal intact.  It would be eight days before they could manufacture more oil for the next lighting, but meanwhile they lit what they had.

But the flames of the menorah did not go out the first day.  The flames of the menorah burned, and burned, and burned.  For eight days they burned, until more oil was brought.  And those eight days were  chosen as the eternal symbol to commemorate the miracle of Chanukah, the eight-day long Festival of Lights, when Jews light the Menorah each evening, publicizing the miracle of light our Great Creator performed for us 2000 years ago.

The Chanukah lights shine their radiance into the street, reflecting our task in this world.  Each of us, Jew or not, must bring light, morality and holiness, not only inside our own homes, but also outward into the world.

“But,” one may claim, “the problems out there are so vast and global: terror, environmental damage, natural disasters, countries and continents afflicted by poverty and disease.  The impact we can make feels inadequate due to the sheer scale of these tragedies.  How then can you and I make a difference?”

To this, Chanukah has something simple but quite significant to say.  We repair the world in small steps, light by light, act by act, day by day.  Our Creator asks us to do what we can, when we can.  Each act mends a fracture of the world.

“A little light” said the Jewish mystics of old, “drives away much darkness.”  When light is joined to light, mine to yours and yours to others, the dance of the flames, each so small yet so beautiful together, begins to bathe the world in the glow of the Divine Presence.  You and I can make a difference.

As I suggested, Chanukah is an eight day holiday—each day beginning at darkness the previous night, as is the custom for Jewish holidays.

We easily define each night by a different word and a different action.  The Festival of Chanukah is about overcoming darkness, both physical and spiritual.  The Talmud relates that the beginning of any struggle is strenuous.  Would it not be easier to simply avoid the darkness and let it be?

The first night is called the Challenge. The inner calling of each Jew is to illuminate the world.  For only by meeting the challenge do we tap our inner source of light and fulfill our potential.

Another lesson of this night: dispelling darkness begins with one candle.  The smallest act of good is enough to overcome a world of night.

For the second night we use the word Increase.  One could technically fulfill the Chanukah obligation by lighting a single candle each night, but the universal Jewish custom is to light an additional candle each

night.  This teaches that if man is spreading light it is not enough to fulfill the minimal obligation.  Our darkness is overcome with a constant increase of light.  As long as even one corner of the world remains concealed in darkness, our mission is not complete.  The second night’s candle teaches us not to reserve the light of Chanukah for ourselves.  Light must increase and spread over the entire earth.

The third night is Consistency. We did it once because we were inspired; the second time, because it felt good; this third candle we do because we are committed.  In Jewish Law, permanence and consistency are established by repeating an act three times.  In geometry and physics, three is the number of stability and balance.  A one-or two-legged table can’t stand without an external support, but a three-legged table stands on its own.  The third night’s inspiration is consistency.  Upon lighting the third candle we express our persistence and our commitment to dispel darkness with light.

Upon lighting the fourth candle, we are halfway through the Chanukah process of conquering darkness.  As in any process keeping an eye on the goal is imperative.  Along the way, secondary opportunities may sidetrack us.  At each stage of the journey we should ask ourselves, “does this help me achieve my goal?”

The four candles teach us that we remain focused on our goals, and that is the word for the day, Focus, the details along the way will not bog us down.  Moreover, the feeling of gaining ground fills the traveler with the joy and energy to overcome obstacles along the way.

Majority is the word for the fifth night of Chanukah, representing the epitome of the darkness of exile.  As such, the fifth night never falls on the Sabbath evening, a “taste of the Messianic Era,” which overshadows all darkness.  Thus, the lighting of the Chanukah candles on this night is especially significant.  Tonight we express our ability to bring light to the darkest of realms where negativity and darkness seem to have a stranglehold.  The fifth night also is the first night that a majority of the eight candles are lit; signifying that most of the journey toward our goal is complete.

The word Infusion is our word for the sixth day.  We are told in the Holy Word that the world was created in six days, “Six days shall you labour and do all your work,” we are told.  Six represents the labour of working and perfecting the world.  Upon lighting the sixth candle, we articulate that the world and all its mundane workings must be infused with spirituality.  When the Deity is brought into every aspect of our lives, each act becomes of importance,  each act becomes something of which to be proud.

The seventh day is the Sabbath of Creation when “the heaven and earth were completed.”  Just as there is a time to create, there is a time to reflect, and that is the word of this day, Reflection. The Sabbath is when we rest from our labour to reflect its purpose, thus allowing the labours of the preceding week to actualize their potential.  When lighting seven candles, we allow the illumination of the six previous candles to fulfill their potential and fill all of creation with purpose and meaning.

Then the eighth and last day, the day of Miracles.  Eight represents that which is higher than nature.  This is why the symbol for infinity is the figure eight.  On this eighth night the true essence of the Chanukah observance shines, for the greatest teaching of the Chanukah holiday is that miracles can and do happen, and that in the future, the miraculous will become the commonplace.  The ultimate miracle is the fusion of the finite physical world with the infinite light of our Creator.  This is why the last day of Chanukah is

called Zot Chanukah, meaning “this is Chanukah.”  As we light the eighth candle, let us pray for the ultimate era of peace and light, the era of our redemption when “the earth will be as filled with knowledge of our Father as the waters that cover the sea.”

Indeed, this is a holiday of light, but the lights as they shine into the street, remind each one of us that our task is to bring light, morality and holiness, not only within our homes or our lodges, but also out into the world.  But as we indicated in the beginning, the problems out there are so vast and global, consisting of terror, environmental damage, natural disasters to countries and continents afflicted by poverty and disease, we, each of us, can make an impact, even though it is the sheer scales of these tragedies that seem to make it impossible.

How can we make a difference?  Just by being brothers, one to each other, recognizing that we have the same heritage from the beginning of time, that we, Jews, Christians, Muslims or something else, have the same Father, however we may recognize Him and pray to Him.

I wish for you our brothers of all faiths, that just a little light will drive away much darkness and you and I and all of us together can make a difference.  We are Masons.  We are the children of the Great Creator.  We have a definite pattern to follow and that is the life and love of Freemasonry.  At this time of the year, some of us observe Chanukah, others observe Christmas, and still others Kwanza.  Whatever your faith, whatever your tradition, we wish you a happy holiday as brothers and as children of one Creator.

Comment

Personally I have found this a very beautiful story and once again emphasizes that magnificent principle of Freemasonry namely “{The Universality of Man)” We are all more alike than sometimes we care to acknowledge.

Leadership This is from a little book called “Bits and Pieces” and written by Catherine Zeeb (Therapist)

“Illuminator”

Radiate the light from within into your work and into the World.

Experience the light within you and then shine it out for all to see.

They may not know what is hitting them, but they will like it.

They don’t have to know where it is coming from or why, but they will like it.

Go now into service.

Smile laugh and know that everyone, everything you touch is enlightened by the light from within you.

Norm

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Bible Openings

by MasterMason

 Bible Openings

A Brother recently asked me what were the “Proper” openings when using the Bible as the V.O.S.L

I promptly give him my personal opinion, then went to the Bible on our Altar and found it to be different.

The shock on my face was evident and made me immediately seek out an answer which could be shared with others in the same position.

This paper will relate the results of my research, which has included my own library, plus a few phone calls to recognized authorities, however material on this subject has been very hard to find and the only author I have found who dealt with this subject has been Harry Carr.   I now share his opinions with you:-

Bible Openings  Question #60  “Freemason at Work” by Harry Carr  (1977)

Customs vary considerably in different parts of the country, and the following notes are designed to show some of the best-known procedures. I have added a brief note, in each case, indicating the essential Masonic significance of the passages quoted.

The earliest French exposure of the Ceremonies, Reception d’un Frey-Macon, states that the E.A. took his obligation with his right hand on the Gospel of St John, and this is confirmed by the next oldest French Version, Le Secret des Francs-Macons, of 1742.

Several later documents of this period indicate that the V.S.L was usually opened at St John 1 Chapter 5.    In the beginning was the word etc.

Three Distinct Knocks, an English exposure of 1760, gave different pages for all three Degrees:

First Degree        The Second Epistle of Peter, with its reference to brotherly kindness and charity

Second Degree  The story, from Judges, 12, of the test of the Ephraimites.

Third Degree       I Kings Chapter 7.  the final details of Solomon’s Pillars

Cartwright, in his Commentary on Freemasonic Ritual, cites the procedure on Old Yorkshire Lodges where the following is customary:

First Degree         Psalm 133, ‘ Behold how good etc.

Second Degree    Amos, Chapter 7 Verse 7  The Lord stood upon a wall made by a plumbline etc.

Third Degree        Ecclesiastes, 12, Then the dust shall return to the Earth as it was etc.

The Bristol Working is unusual in that the Master actually quotes, during the Three Opening Ceremonies,

the full texts from the pages on which the V.S.L. has to be opened i.e.

First Degree         Ruth, 2, Verse 19. The Story of Ruth and Boaz

Second Degree    Judges, 12, Verses, 5&6   The test of the Ephraimites.

Third Degree        Gen, 4 Verses 5-22   The Birth of Jabal & Jubal who are mentioned in the Old Charges.

Of course there is no official Grand Lodge Ruling on this question, and few of the “named” rituals prescribe any particular page-openings for the three Degrees

Cartwright states that the Perfect Ceremonies, in their Editions from 1918 onwards, specify Second Chronicles. Chapter 6, as a standard ‘opening’ for all Degrees; it deals with Solomon’s prayer at the consecration of the Temple.

Generally, Cartwright agrees with the widespread practice, in English Lodges, where a haphazard opening of the V.S.L. suffices, but if a particular page is to stay open through all Degrees, he favours, Second Corinthians  2, which is prescribed in the English Ritual.

That passage deals with the preliminaries to the building of the Temple, and of Solomon’s first embassage to Hiram, King of Tyre, asking for timber, etc, and a “man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass etc.”

A German correspondent writes to say that many Lodges in that country use the following:

First Degree      John, 1,1.  In the beginning was the word etc.

Second Degree Matthew 22, Verse 39.  Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself etc.

Third Degree     2nd Chronicles. 6. Solomon’s dedication of the Temple.

Comment

My sources indicate that English Emulation practice is simply to open the V.O.S.L. at random, rather than to specify any CORRECT opening.

As to individual Lodges, wherever located, it would appear, from the wear and tear of the pages in their Bibles, that decisions were made many years ago as to what the appropriate openings would be and for reasons that were important to those Brethren at that time.

My conclusion is that the actual opening is vastly secondary to the use we make of the teachings within.

PS.  From a personal information, and educational aspect, may I suggest that the next time you are in your own Lodge, why not investigate the Bible openings, and if possible, determine WHY.

This could lead to some very rewarding findings and possibly an excellent topic for discussion.

Another Note

A few years ago my Lodge, Victoria Columbia #1, made a decision to become more inclusive as to the VOSL’s on our Altar and in doing so provide an even greater comfort & welcome to Brethren among us, who may not be of the Christian faith.  We now have FOUR VOSL’s on our relatively small altar, representing the Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and Christian Brethren who may be in attendance.

We have seen this as just one small step in recognizing that we really are a Universal Brotherhood.

Have a wonderful day & God Bless you and yours.            Norm.

 

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Fellowcraft Working Tools

by MasterMason

Fraternal Greetings Brethren

In preparing this month’s edition I have been grappling with the length of the paper I have chosen to share with you, feeling it was rather long , however, I have come to the conclusion that to split it would lessen it’s message and impact on each and every one of us.  As such, it is now presented in its entirety.

THE WORKING TOOLS –

The working tools in the Fellowcraft Degree, so it appears to me, the Square, the Level, and the Plumb-rule, are intimately related one with the other, and all concern themselves with one basic moral quality – honesty.  In the field of activity of the operative builder, architect, or engineer, these three implements are also intimately related one to the other, and concern themselves with a single technical quality – namely, accuracy, precision, or truth.

Lacking their aid it is not possible, so it seems to me, for the engineer to assemble a structure, or the builder to execute the design of his architect.  Similarly, lacking these symbolic moral tools, and the standards of rectitude they represent, it is not possible for the Free and Accepted Mason to bring into reality in his life the great design laid down for us by the Grand Geometrician of the Universe.

For, just as the physical instruments represent adherence to standards, the horizontal standard, the vertical standard, and the angle of ninety degrees contained between them, so the symbolic working tools of the Fellowcraft degree represents the inseparable moral standards of level steps, upright bearing, and square conduct, which we are enjoined to maintain.  Let us, then, look at these tools individually.

THE SQUARE

The Square, as we are taught, and as we all well know, is an instrument having an angle of ninety degrees – exactly ninety degrees, not “about” ninety degrees, for no approximations are allowable in this instrument of precision.

That which is not square is crooked, and that which is not honest is dishonest, for we cannot place our reliance upon a partially-honest man. The value of this basic instrument, the square, lies in its accuracy, and the value of our standard of honesty depends wholly upon uncompromising strictness in maintaining it.

THE LEVEL

The level is, in some ways, the most interesting symbolic instrument of all.  The modern operative builder thinks naturally of the level in terms of the spirit-level.  But this is a device of quite modern introduction, not known to our Ancient brethren.

In the tool which we see and handle in our Masonic work, the level surface of reference is derived from the plumb-rule, and the device itself is, in fact, a plumb-rule supported between two squares, and the level surface thus depends upon a combination of the infallible plumb-rule and the uncompromising accurate angle of ninety degrees, being the fourth-part of a circle.  In this way are these three instruments of precision, symbols of uncompromising truth, intimately related to one another.  The Level, derived from the Infallible Plumb rule and the Angle of Ninety Degrees.

THE PLUMB-RULE

In that long and very beautiful lecture, the Plumb-rule is referred to as “The Infallible Plumb-Rule.”  Why “infallible”?  Infallible because the Laws of Nature are infallible, and immutable, and decree that a plumb-line, hanging free with its bob at rest, can take no other position than a true vertical position, and any other position, for a plumb-rule, is a distorted or false one.

Thus, the standard of uprightness is, again, an uncompromising one, whether in a physical structure or a moral edifice.  The man whose outlook is slanted, by expediency, as well as the man who “leans over backward” is not upright.  There are no degrees of uprightness.

The precepts laid down in the lecture accompanying the presentation of the Fellowcraft working tools, are of a somewhat general nature regarding the Square, enjoining truth and moral rectitude, and concerning the Level, exhorting the candidate to fairness, justice, and equality of treatment towards people in different stations of life.  But their message is clear and unmistakable.  For who that is human has not had to resist the temptation to bend, just a little, the exact truth  of a statement or action, to present the facts a little more in his own favor?  But our Masonic conscience says, “No, this is wrong”.  The angle must be 90 degrees, not a little more or a little less!”  Or again, who has not felt the temptation to pander, or toady a little to those who are in some position of authority over us, or to adopt a slightly haughty or condescending attitude towards those who, for one reason or anther may be regarded as our subordinates.  But, here again, our Masonic teaching tells us that such an attitude is tilted, and in adopting it we are not observing the principle of the Level.

Concerning the Plumb-rule, however, the lecture deals specifically and at length with the many kinds of departure from Masonic uprightness which we are directed to shun.  Each denotes a “slant” of one kind or another.  In the “enthusiast” and the “persecutor”, a slant towards bigotry; in the reviler of religion the very opposite, a slant towards atheism; in slander, malice, revenge, and contempt of our fellow creatures, a slant towards bitterness and hatred; and in envy, avarice and injustice, a slant towards greed and self-seeking.  The Mason who does not “slant” in any of these directions is an upright Mason, and the lecture sums it up in a beautiful metaphor  –  “to steer the bark of his life over the seas of passion, without quitting the course of Rectitude, is the highest perfection to which human nature can attain.”

And the lecture continues, “As the builder raises his column by the Level and the Plumb-Rule, so ought every Freemason to carry himself uprightly in this Life.”

Thus, in the Fellowcraft Degree, we contemplate our great Masonic column, the Right-Hand Pillar, Jachin “God will Establish”.  To “establish” means “to render stable”.  The edifice whose columns are upright, whose foundations are level, and whose angles are square, is a stable edifice; the man whose bearing is upright, whose actions are square, and whose steps are level is a stable person,  fit to be a Freemason; and our Craft will be, and will remain, the stabilizing influence in the community which we all desire, so long as we, its Craftsmen, are respected as upright citizens, square in their dealings, and strictly on the level.

Let us, then, Brethren, pursue our good works with honesty softened by modesty but without “an angle”, (unless it be the true angle of ninety degrees, the fourth part of a circle), so that none shall be justified in saying, concerning us  –  “I fear the Greeks when they bring gifts!”

By: Bro. Phil J. Croft, King David Lodge No. 93, West Vancouver, B.C.;

Published in MASONIC BULLETIN, B.C.R.; December, 1972 and January, 1973.

COMMENT

On many occasions I feel it important to add comment to something that may be just a little unclear. In this instance I firmly believe that Bro. Croft’s words are perfectly clear and totally adequate.

FRIENDSHIP

“One is taught by experience to put a premium on those few people who can appreciate you for what you are.”  Gail Godwin

“When a friend speaks his mind you fear not the “nay” in your own mind, nor do you withhold the “ay”.

And when he is silent your heart ceases not to listen to his heart; for without words, in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared, with joy that is unacclaimed.

When you part from your friend, you grieve not; for that which you love most in him may be clearer in his absence, as the mountain, to the climber, is clearer from the plain”           Kahil Gibran.

IN CLOSING

Thank you all, once again, for the privilege of allowing me the opportunity to share these papers and my research with you.  I feel deeply privileged.

Have a wonderful day & God Bless You and Yours.

Norm.

 

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The Common Gavel etc.

by MasterMason

The Common Gavel.

Pursuing the same metaphor, it might be said that the second great gift with which we are endowed at our birth is the gift of energy.

Healthy children simply bubble and boil with it (as we grandfathers know all too well!) and if it be true that, in the words of our ritual,

“labour is the lot of man”,

then it is also true that our God-given energy is the means whereby we accept that lot, and wield the Gavel of our allotted tasks in life.

To conserve the sources of our energy by right-living and temperate habits seems to me to be a duty implied, if not explicitly stated, by the charge concerning the Common Gavel.

As we pile on the yeas of our age, our energy becomes less overflowing, and sapped by normal fatigue, we become a set-up for one of the “Seven Deadly Sins” – Sloth, – or as we should now call it, Laziness, a tendency to procrastinate, to put off, or to neglect moral tasks which should go to the building of our character into

“a stately and superb Edifice, perfect in its parts and honorable to the builder.”

Say, we have a kindly impulse to write a letter to a distant or lonely relative or friend, whose spirits we know would be lifted by a message from us.  But – oh, well, I’m a bit fagged this evening and there’s a very good program on the television.  Or, say again, there is a meeting of some organization to which we belong, at which some special knowledge we possess would be a valuable help to the committee if we did but attend the meeting as we should; but, oh well, it’s been a rough day at the office, and it’s not a very nice night out, and anyway I might get stuck with a job to do!

So, we let it go, and our reputation for dependability suffers!  Which of us, alas, does not recall some good, kindly or helpful action which on first impulse we might have taken, but we have let time slip by, and the opportunity is lost.  The Gavel was in our grasp, but we did not wield it!

Truly, the road to Perdition is paved with good intentions.

“For the heart may conceive and the head devise; in vain, if the hand be not prompt to execute the Design”!

Editor’s Note:  Brother Phil J. Croft ,of King David Lodge No. 93, West Vancouver, B.C. where the Canadian Ritual is followed, gave in Lodge a series of lectures on the working tools.  His talk on the Entered Apprentice Tools appeared in the March and April 1972 issues of the MASONIC BULLETIN, B.C.R.

 

God is the Answer

We read the headlines daily and we listen to the news, We are anxious and bewildered with the World’s conflicting views.

We are restless and dissatisfied and sadly insecure, and we voice our discontentment over things we must endure.

For this violent age we live in, is filled with nameless fears, that grow as we discuss things that come daily to our ears.

So instead of reading headlines, that disturb the heart and mind, let us open up the Bible and in doing so we’ll find.

That this age is no different, from the millions gone before, But in every hour of crisis, God has opened up a door, for all all who sought his guidance and trusted in his plan.

For God provides the ANSWER that can not be found by man. And although there’s hate and violence and dissention all around, we can always find a refuge that is built on “ Solid Ground”

If we go to God believing that he hears our smallest prayer and that nothing can befall us, when we are in his care.

For only by believing in the things we cannot see, can all the Nations be United in a Peace that makes men Free.

For the skill of man can conquer new worlds in Outer Space,  but only our Creator, can endow mankind with grace. And only Grace, that is divine, can unite us with each other and make our enemies our friends and.

EVERY MAN A BROTHER.    Helen Steiner Rice from “Loving Thoughts” (published 1985)

 

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Obedience

by MasterMason

Obedience

Obedience Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary

1. (a) an act or instance of obeying  (b) the quality or state of being obedient.

Obedience Lexicon of Freemasonry    Albert G. Mackey (1908)

Submission to the constituted authorities, both in state and the Craft, is a quality inculcated upon all Masons.

With respect to the State, a Mason is charged to be a “peaceable subject” to the civil powers, wherever he resides or works, and never to be concerned in plots or conspiracies against the peace and welfare of the nation, nor to behave himself undutifully to inferior magistrates.

And with respect to the craft, he is directed “to pay due reverence to his Master, Wardens, and Fellows, and to put them to worship”.(respect)

And another part of the same regulations directs, that the rulers and governors, supreme and subordinate, of the ancient Lodge, are to be obeyed in their respective stations, by all the Brethren, with the humility, reverence, love and alacrity (eagerness)

The spirit of obedience runs through he whole system, and constitutes one of the greatest safeguards of our Institution. The Mason is obedient to the Master ; the Master and the Lodge to the Grand Lodge; and this , in it’s turn, to the old landmarks and ancient regulations of the Order.

Thus is a due degree of subordination kept up and the Institution preserved in its pristine purity.
Comment

Personally, I find it worth noting that Mackey wrote this definition in 1908, and I cannot help but wonder how he would word his definition in light of today’s society. One can only ponder what his definition might be!!!!!.

This being the last paper in this series I have been drawn to the writings of Bernard E. Jones and offer his comments re the Temple of God.

“ In the Temple of God, the Foundation is Faith, which is conversant with unseen things ; the roof is Charity, which covereth a multitude of sins. The door is Obedience… The pavement is humility, of which the Psalmist saith “My Soul cleaveth to the pavement” The four sides are the FOUR Cardinal Virtues—justice, fortitude, temperance, prudence.

Hence the Apocalypse saith “ The City lieth four-square”

Norm

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