Justice 06/01/08

T.F.S.

Three, five, and seven

3 5 7

By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.

Number 124 – June 01, 2008

This publication, while it is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota, contains the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus and is not in any way the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

“Life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as you go along.” Unknown

Justice

“Justice is that standard or boundary of right, which enables us to render to every man his just due without distinction. This virtue is not only consistent with Divine and human law it is the very cement and support of civil society; and as justice in a great measure constitutes the real good man, so should it be the invariable practice of every Mason never to deviate from the minutest principles thereof.”

There is an important lesson hidden in that paragraph from the degree work of he First Degree of Freemasonry; it’s in plain sight, but sometimes overlooked.

Recently in a phone conversation one of my Lodge Brothers[i] mentioned a rhetorical question about justice; since then the cardinal virtues, and especially the virtue of justice has been on my mind. Because of this I began some enjoyable research for personal satisfaction, but as I got into it - the germ of an idea, to do more research, and following up with an article about it, began to grow. Hopefully what follows will give us all a reason to study and ponder justice a little more than we have in the past. The following is some information, and my ideas on the cardinal virtue of justice; I hope it is helpful to you in clarifying what you understand about the cardinal virtue of justice.

One of the first places to look for information on justice is in the ‘Great Light’ of Masonry; The Holy Bible: Isaiah 28:17 says something that might catch the eye of every Freemason; “I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line.”[ii] One Bible Commentary says about that scripture, since Isaiah is quoting God; God will test men’s response by the standard of justice and righteousness.[iii] There are numerous passages of scripture in the Great Light of Masonry where references to justice can be found: An enjoyable time might be had if one will take the time to look them up and read the commentaries relating to them; a good study bible is helpful, (I like the Life Application Study Bible,) but ‘on-line’ www.searchgodsword.com is a very good place to go for comprehensive study bibles, concordances and bible dictionaries.

Another place to look for information, in addition to the ritual of Freemasonry, is the dictionary. Cardinal (with a small ‘c’) is described as meaning; prime importance, chief, principle, or fundamental, as in the cardinal virtues; looking further for the word virtue, as found in one old dictionary, the four cardinal virtues are listed in this order; justice, prudence, temperance, and fortitude, these are followed by the theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity.[iv] Looking still further under the word justice we find it includes the quality of being just, which includes, the qualities of righteousness, equitableness, moral rightness, and lawfulness. Also included in the definition are truth, correctness or propriety, and the moral principle determining just conduct.[v]

The study of this cardinal virtue is enjoyable. Many times, when people think of ‘justice’, they will connect it with judgment followed by consequences; I, however, look at it differently: To me the cardinal virtue of justice is different from the bar of justice, and while it is in the make-up of our human nature to be critical and to use good judgment in the various situations in our life, it seems, to me at least, that it is not possible to talk about justice, as a cardinal virtue, without also considering ‘giving and receiving.’

It is advisable in the study of this virtue to consider the tenets of Freemasonry; Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth. To render, (as in the Masonic paragraph about justice, above,) is to give; to give back or to restore. To render justice means to give, or give back, to everyone what is his[vi] just due without distinction, which means without division or separation: That is, Masons won’t see their fellowman receive his just due differently, because of the Mason’s personal opinion or who the recipient appears to be. Whether friends, acquaintances, or strangers, Masons employ the virtue of justice equally, with brotherly love towards all. It is similar to the teaching of “Give and it shall be given unto you,”[vii] meaning if we are critical instead of being compassionate we will be likely to also receive criticism from others when receiving our due. If this kind of attitude were to prevail in Freemasonry then maybe our fraternity would not be the kind of fraternity that it is. Justice is, most certainly, a standard and boundary of right; when we read some of the definitions of it - we will notice that justice is not separate from the tenets of Freemasonry; Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth: they are interconnected.

“Experience is the hardest kind of teacher. It gives you the test first and the lesson afterwards.” Unknown

From the Great Light of Masonry: “Do not pervert justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and posses the land your Lord your God is giving you.” Deuteronomy 16:19-20 NIV

Juris præcepta sunt hæc, honesta vivere, alterum non lædere, suum cuique tribuere = (Latin) = These are the precepts of the law, to live honestly, to harm no one, to render to each his due.

“Experience is a good school, but it’s not very strong on vacations.” Unknown

Please remember: if you would like to participate in the latest Masonic Monday Question, please go to http://www.lodgebuilder.org and click on the Lodge Education forum. Past Masonic Monday Questions and the current one may also be read on the Web Site for the G.L. of MN at www.mn-masons.org under Masonic Monday Q&A When you have an answer send it to masonicmonday@gmail.com the Masonic Monday Question for the week of 06/02/08 is: The Trowel – we are told in symbolic Lodges that we, as Freemasons, are to use it to spread the cement of brotherly love and affection. How is this to be done? What is the significance of this metaphor?

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by Email at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to erhmasonic@gmail.com with Subscribe in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publications.

Some past issues of Ed’s publications can be read on the Web at: http://www.halpaus.net some past issues of T.F.S. can be viewed on the web site for the Grand Lodge of Minnesota at: http://www.mn-masons.org

With “Brotherly Love”,

Ed Halpaus

Grand Lodge Education Officer

“Always two there are, a master and an apprentice.” Yoda

---

[i] Brother Elliott Saxton, a member of our G.L. Education Committee and avid Masonic Student

[ii] New International Version [NIV]

[iii] The Interpreter’s one-volume Commentary on the Bible – page 348

[iv] New Century dictionary 1948 edition Volume 2 page 2152

[v] Ibid Volume 1 page 888

[vi] This is the generic his – meaning both male and female.

[vii] From the Holy Bible – Luke 6:38 the commentary connected with this verse and the one preceding it says we are to love others and not judge them.

Charge at Closing 06/20/08

T.F.S.

Three, five, and seven

3 5 7

By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.

Number 125 – June 20, 2008

This publication, while it is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota, contains the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus and is not in any way the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

“Masonry is not ‘speculative,’ nor theoretical, but experimental; not sentimental, but practical. It requires self-renunciation and self-control.” Brother Albert Pike

A while back I had an article in my publication Mehr Licht called “A Moment in time” by R.W.B. Paul Alexander of the Grand Lodge of Ohio.[i] I received a lot of feedback on that issue; both in agreement with what was written and in opposition to what was written.[ii] If you don’t recall the particular article by Brother Alexander here is a part of what he wrote: “He explained that he had been thinking of dropping out of Lodge for several years. Not for financial reasons, but that a problem had been bothering him for a good while. He went on to explain that while in lodge everything was so serious and proper with teachings from the Bible and the Masonic code of conduct, then as soon as lodge was closed we went out for fellowship, then he would hear FOUL language and off color jokes, and since he was a Christian this type of fellowship did not appeal. So he thought his money would be better spent in supporting his church, so therefore he would not be paying his dues any longer. What a moment in time that was for me.” What Brother Alexander was referring to was the reason a Mason was resigning from his Lodge.

I think it is good for a Brother to ask another why he no longer attends Lodge, but when we do, we may not like to hear the reason. Also by asking the question we also assume a responsibility to try to correct a problem, (perceived or actual,) that we hear as the reason for his inactivity. For these reasons, many times, it is easier not to ask.

Witnessing what we could say would be conduct unbecoming a Freemason is, to say the least, sad; we are Freemasons and should act as such, but Freemasons assembled together in a Lodge are first men, and products of our environment as well as our past; possibly we bring too much of that part of ourselves into our Lodges with us. Brother Pike wrote in Morals and Dogma: “Many a man earnestly desires to be a good Mason. He says so, and is sincere. But if you require him to resist a certain passion, to sacrifice a certain indulgence, to control his appetite at a particular feast, or to keep his temper in a dispute, you will find he does not wish to be a good Mason, in that particular case; or, wishing, is not able to resist his worst impulses.”[iii] ‘His worst impulses,’ to me, implies what we have all learned outside of Masonry and our houses of worship, and which we don’t shed when we walk into a Masonic Lodge.

The beautiful ceremonies and lectures of our fraternity, and especially the opening ceremony of the Lodge, are to help each of us to put behind us those parts of our nature that are not in Harmony with what we learn in Masonry and in our houses of worship. It is the hope that what we learn in studying the lessons of Freemasonry will help us to be better men and Masons in all aspects of our life.

You may notice I include the lessons and values learned in both Masonry and in houses of worship: It seems nearly impossible to separate the two when it comes to the lessons we, as Masons, would want to learn to become better men.

One thing that can be done in our Lodges, (which seems to be done on a sporadic basis,) that would help us in remembering the lessons we have learned in Masonry, similar to the purposes of the opening ceremony, is to include in the closing ceremony of the Lodge – the Charge at Closing. Possibly, if we hear that charge often enough, (i.e. at the close of every communication of our Lodge,) take it to heart, and then study it some, we might all notice an improvement in the conduct of Masons in Lodge and elsewhere, and if we do notice something from time to time we will ourselves be more inclined to not contribute to an infraction, but to truly whisper good counsel in a Brotherly fashion.

One of the best ways for a Masonic Lodge to assure its members of the purity of life and conduct expected of us, as Freemasons, is to include the ‘Charge at Closing’ as often as possible in our Lodges. Most Masons are familiar with this Charge; in the book ‘The Freemason at Work,’ by Brother Harry Carr, there is a small section about the ‘Charge at Closing.’ The various charges in Freemasonry are always worth hearing, learning from, and studying. It seems we don’t hear them often enough to keep them fresh in our minds: For this reason, the charge at closing is actually looked forward to and enjoyed, and having this Charge read doesn’t add significant time to the Lodge Communication.

In Brother Carr’s commentary about the Charge at Closing he mentions a question in the [iv]proceedings of the ARS Quatuor Coronatorum, (AQC,) volume 82 (1969.) The answer to the question was supplied by Brother R.H. Brown, who was at the time the editor of the Transactions of the American Lodge of Research, saying the earliest copy of the Charge at Closing he knew of was from 1792. He included a copy of it along with the information he had about it. I will reproduce the information he had here: “. . . The earliest appearance of it, I find, is in Thaddeus Mason Harris's Constitutions, published under the sanction of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, in 1792. Coil's Encyclopedia calls Harris a writer of 'high but not wide reputation'. The Constitutions is monitorial in form and contains a great deal of material from Anderson. Entick and Preston, with some original work by Harris himself. It includes a 'Charge at the Closing of a Lodge" which is credited as 'by Brother T.M.H.' (Also, the quotation in the penultimate paragraph is here credited to Isaiah xlix, 4[v]; this does not appear in later printings.) This, I believe, is the first appearance of this piece of work. Slightly amended, it was included in Frederick Dalcho's Ahiman Rezon (Charleston, S.C., U.S.A., 1807). and Dalcho's version appears in many later American monitors; Cole's Ahiman Rezon, Baltimore 1817, Sickels's Ahiman Rezon NY. 1864; (Ahiman Rezon was a popular American title for monitors in the 19th century—no debt to Dermott, save the name...). When I became a Mason in 1921, the Simons-Macoy Monitor was a popular book, and the 'Charge' appears therein. It is still included in some Grand Lodge monitors, including Florida, Pennsylvania, and the State of Washington, so it has been far-flung. ... it has never been used in New York during the fifty years I have been a Mason and so far as I am aware it is never obligatory' in any of the jurisdictions where it is allowed.”

I thought you might like to know a little bit of the history of the Charge. Some will ask if the Charge at Closing is part of the official ritual in a Grand Lodge, and the answer is, as far as I know, no. In most jurisdictions I am aware of the Charge is not printed as part of the closing of a Lodge, but it may be included at the discretion of the Master.

As far as having it read during the closing of a Lodge is concerned, the Master of the Lodge, if he wishes, could have it read by a Past Master of his Lodge. In one Lodge I am familiar with, the Master; wanting to involve as Many Masons as possible, asks a Past Master to deliver the Charge at Closing at each Lodge Communication.

A CHARGE AT THE CLOSING OF A LODGE - By Brother T.M.H.

Brethren, you are now about to quit this sacred retreat of friendship and virtue, to mix again with the world. Amidst its concerns and employments, forget not the duties you have heard so frequently inculcated, and forcibly recommended in this Lodge. Be. therefore, diligent, prudent, temperate, discreet. And remember also, that around this altar you have solemnly and repeatedly promised to befriend and relieve, with unhesitating cordiality, so far as shall be in your power, every Brother who shall need your assistance: That you have promised to remind him, in the most tender manner, of his failings, and aid his reformation: To vindicate his character when wrongfully traduced; and to suggest in his behalf the most candid, favorable, and palliating circumstances, even when his conduct is justly reprehended. That the world may observe how Masons love one another.

And these generous principles are to extend farther. Every human being has a claim upon your kind offices. So that we enjoin it upon you to "to do good unto all', while we recommend it more 'especially to the household of the faithful'.

By diligence in the duties of your respective callings, by liberal benevolence, and diffusive charity, by constancy and fidelity in your friendships, by uniformly just, amiable, and virtuous deportment, discover the beneficial and happy effects of this ancient and honorable institution.

Let it not be supposed that you have here "Labored in vain, and spent your

strength for naught; for your work is with the Lord, and your recompense with your

God.'* (*Isaiah 49:4)

Finally, Brethren, be ye all of one mind, live in peace, and may the God of love and peace delight to dwell with, and to bless you.

When you hear this charge in your Lodge, or in one you happen to visit, know that you are hearing a reminder that has been important to Freemasons for over two hundred years.

“Most men have sentiments, but not principles. The former are temporary sensations, the latter permanent and controlling impressions of goodness and virtue.” Brother Albert Pike

From the Great Light of Masonry: “Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.” Proverbs 16:32

Words to live by: “Masonry is action not inertness. It requires its Initiates to work, actively and earnestly, for the benefit of their Brethren, their country, and mankind.” Brother Albert Pike

“A man has honor if he holds himself to an ideal of conduct though it is inconvenient, unprofitable, or dangerous to do so.” Walter Lippmann

Please remember: if you would like to participate in the latest Masonic Monday Question, please go to http://www.lodgebuilder.org and click on the Lodge Education forum. When you have an answer send it to masonicmonday@gmail.com the Masonic Monday Question for the week of 06/16/08 is: What does the term ‘Masonic Father’ mean to you? Do you have one? If so how did he become your Masonic Father? Are you someone’s Masonic Father? If so, what makes you a Masonic Father?

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by Email at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to erhmasonic@gmail.com with Subscribe in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publications.

Some past issues of Ed’s publications can be read on the Web at: http://www.halpaus.net

To read this paper in PDF click here: http://www.halpaus.net/TFS125.pdf

With “Brotherly Love”,

Ed Halpaus

Grand Lodge Education Officer

“Always two there are, a master and an apprentice.” Yoda

---

[i] Mehr Licht #173 May 22, 2008

[ii] If you would like to read that issue of More Light in PDF here is the link: http://www.halpaus.net/ML173.pdf

[iii] Morals & Dogma page 151L

[iv] Thaddeus Mason Harris is the TMH listed as the author of the reproduced Charge at Closing.

[v] Isaiah 49:4

The Duties of a Mason

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 111 – November 20, 2007

“None of us are responsible for our birth. Our responsibility is the use we make of life.”
Joshua Henry Jones

This publication, while it is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of A.F. & A. M. of Minnesota, contains the writings and opinions of Ed Halpaus and is not in any way the opinion of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota.

“The only prize which is infallibly gained by performing one duty well is the power of performing another duty.” F.H.W. Myers

What are the Duties of a Mason?

The answer to this question can be found in booklets most Grand Lodges provide to men who are elected to receive the degrees of Freemasonry. These booklets will vary slightly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but they are not that different from each other, in the messages they convey.

The reference for what follows is from a booklet called “Your quest for Masonic Light: Some background for the Aspirant.” [This is what the GL of MN calls Quest Book #2.] Other references are noted below.

Your Duties

You will become a member of this Lodge when you have received the three degrees, proved your proficiency in them, and have signed the bylaws. It will always be your duty to be loyal to the Fraternity, faithful to your superior officers, and obedient to Masonic law. You will be expected to pay your dues promptly and regularly, to stand ready to help a worthy brother Mason in sickness or distress, and to support the charities of the Lodge as your conscience shall direct and your means permit. You are also expected to attend the communications as regularly as possible, and to discharge promptly and efficiently such specific Masonic duties as may be assigned to you.

Being a Mason means being a good citizen, loyal to your government, and conducting yourself as a wise and upright man, charged with an individual responsibility for maintaining the world's respect for Masonry.

From Quest Book #3 – You are now an Entered Apprentice.

Duties, Privileges, and Limitations of An Entered Apprentice.

As an Entered Apprentice you have an immediate and personal interest in this subject, but you should also realize that it has a permanent interest for every Mason, however long it may have been since he received the First Degree. In a sense we always remain Entered Apprentices: the teachings of the degree remain always in effect; its obligations and charge, subject to additions in the succeeding degrees, continue to be binding. As Masons we associate with Apprentices, work with them, perhaps are sought by them for counsel. Therefore, it is important for us to have as clear an understanding as possible of the duties, privileges and limitations of Apprentices.

Duties

Complete faithfulness to his obligation and implicit obedience to the charge are among his important and lasting responsibilities.
It is also the duty of the Entered Apprentice to learn the required portions of the degree with thoroughness, not only because he must prove himself proficient in order to advance, but also because it contains Masonic teachings of fundamental importance that remain forever binding on every Mason. In a measure, the degree is complete within its own field, and its teachings should be permanently incorporated as a part of his Masonic life.

Reference; Charge of the Second Degree and Quest Book #4

Duties of the Fellow Craft

The duties of this degree are similar to the duties mentioned above as the duties of a Mason in general and that of the Entered Apprentice, and he is admonished to adhere to them. However, a Fellow Craft, who represents a man in his prime, carries maximum responsibilities, and he must equip himself with the tools that will help him prove equal to his tasks; these tools are: Experience, Education and Wisdom. Thus the Fellow Craft has the obligation to study and to endeavor to have a regular and daily advancement in knowledge – Masonic knowledge, and self knowledge.

Duties

Freemasonry’s Laws and Regulations you are strenuously to support; and be always ready to assist in seeing them duly executed. The Fellow Craft is not to palliate or aggravate, the offenses of his brethren; but in the decision of every trespass against our rules, he is to judge with candor, admonish with friendship, and reprehend with justice.

Reference; quest book #5

Duties of the Master Mason

A Master Mason has greater rights and privileges, but also greater responsibilities. The Master Mason is obliged to abide by the Constitution, Laws, and Edicts of his Grand Lodge, and by the by-laws of his particular Lodge. Also he must maintain and support the Landmarks, and the "ancient usages and customs of the Fraternity." He is also subject to the laws of the jurisdiction in which he may be at the moment, and also to the laws of his home jurisdiction.

He is to guard himself against committing a Masonic offense, which has been defined as being, "Any act unbecoming a good man and true." Being found guilty of a Masonic offense a Mason may be punished in any one of four ways: by reprimand; by definite suspension; by indefinite suspension; or by expulsion, which constitutes "Masonic Death."

Among a Master Mason’s duties are strict compliance with his obligation; loyalty to his Lodge and the Fraternity; paying his dues promptly; obedience to the laws, written and unwritten, of Freemasonry, and always to maintain an affiliation with a lodge – that is, to remain a member in good standing.

Rights and Privileges of a Master Mason

Among the many rights and privileges are these:
The privilege of visiting other lodges;
The privilege of being vouched for;
The right to ask for Masonic relief;
The privilege of demitting and affiliating with a different Lodge;
The right to trial by your peers should you transgress the laws of Masonry;
The right of appeal if found guilty of Masonic misconduct;
The right of Masonic burial;
The right to appear in public Masonic processions;
The right to join in the discussions in his Lodge, to vote, and to hold office;
The right and privilege of giving Masonic service;
The right to be taught all that Masonry includes, and to enjoy all the privileges it offers to the spirit, the mind, and the heart.

It is also his privilege to recommend a man for Masonry, but once more the Master Mason is cautioned not to recommend someone for the degrees or for membership unless he is satisfied that he will conform to the principles of our Fraternity and be a credit to the Craft.

A Mason's Responsibilities

The most valuable contribution of Freemasonry to the world is to be found in the lives of its individual members. If Masonic ideals are eventually to reach the legislative halls of our country, the houses of commerce and trade, and the shops of industry, they must be carried there by individual Masons; and whatever good Masonry may accomplish in the world will be the sum of the worth of its individual members. Look not at a brother's failure to live up to our high ideals – look well to thyself!

“I slept, and dreamed that life was beauty; I woke, and found that life was duty.”
Ellen Sturgis Hooper

From the Great Light of Masonry: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13 NIV

Faites voire devoir et laissez faire aux dieux = [French] = Do your duty, and leave the issue to the gods.

“What we must look for here is, 1st, religious and moral principles: 2ndly, gentlemanly conduct: 3rdly, Intellectual ability.” Dr. Thomas Arnold

Please remember: if you would like to participate in the latest Masonic Monday Question, please go to http://www.lodgebuilder.org/ and click on the Lodge Education forum. Past Masonic Monday Questions and the current one may also be read on the Web Site for the G.L. of MN at http://www.mn-masons.org/ under Masonic Monday Q&A When you have an answer send it to masonicmonday@gmail.com This weeks question is: “Is Freemasonry the One Surviving Medieval Craft Esotery?”

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publications.



With “Brotherly Love”,
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer

Masonic Open House - July 20, 2005

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 55 – July 20, 2005

This publication is issued with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A.F. and A.M. of Minnesota.

“I know that’s a secret, for it’s whispered everywhere.” William Congreve [1670-1729]

There are times when the question will come up in Masonic gatherings about just what can we, as Masons, discuss about Freemasonry with a non-Mason. Or at an open house for the Lodge, what could the speakers talk about, or not talk about.

Well we can talk about many different things regarding Freemasonry with non-Masons, and if a Mason is speaking at an open house or some other gathering where non-Masons might be, he can speak freely without worries about spilling the beans, so to speak.

First maybe I should mention the things we would not talk about. The things we, as Masons, would rather not talk about with the uninitiated fall into only 5 areas.

What is discussed in Lodge
How a Mason votes, what was voted on.
The Treasurer’s and Secretary’s reports.
The manner in which the degrees are conferred.
The means whereby one Mason may make himself know to another Mason.
The signs, words, grips, passwords, and tokens are considered essential to keep private, and shared and known only to the initiated.

So there you have a good outline. The things we in Masonry want to keep private are not much different from what businesses, corporate boards, families and individuals want to keep private, or to share with only those who have a need to know.

“There are secrets in all families.” George Farquhar [1678-1707]

Freemasonry is the largest and oldest fraternity in the world, and because of this there is a lot of interest and curiosity about what Freemasonry is. It is interesting to me, that it is our critics and the entertainment industry; who for the most part are the ones furnishing information to the general public about what they think Freemasonry is and stands for. It is my belief that it should be the Masons, either individually or through their Lodges and Grand Lodges, who are the best men to give the public the information they so desperately need about Freemasonry. There is no need to be secretive or bashful to answer almost any and every question an uninitiated person might ask us, and especially about the principles and values of Freemasonry.

“The pure voice need not whisper.” Dominus Structor

If we were at an open house where non-Masons were visiting or touring our Lodge building, we can be comfortable explaining that the Lodge room is ritually a representation of King Solomon’s Temple, and that in the Lodge Room we refer to where the Master sits as the east end of the Lodge Room, and then to mention about the Senior Warden and Junior Warden and their respective stations, and mention that directions often referred to in Lodge are East, West, and South. These are the Stations where the principal officers of the Lodge sit. The directions are not always true points of the compass, but represent the directions ritually inside the Lodge Room. We could also explain about the risers their chairs sit upon, representing the three degrees, and the three stages of human life; youth, manhood, and age. We could explain that there are three degrees conferred in our Lodge called: Entered Apprentice (first degree = 1°), Fellow Craft (second degree = 2°), and Master Mason (third degree = 3°)


We can explain that some, if not many, of the terms we use are from old English and are not heard in many places, but they are heard in some places other than Masonry. For Instance the term ‘Worshipful’ is used as a salutation to the Master or Past Master of a Lodge, which means honored, and that that term is also used in the English Commonwealth also as a salutation of honor for some elected government officials, and some protestant churches have officers of the church with the title Senior Warden, and almost all churches have Deacons just as we have offices in the Lodge for a junior and senior deacon.

We could also explain that further degrees are conferred by the Scottish and York Rites of Masonry for those who have a desire for more knowledge and instruction, but that that is optional for each individual Mason to decide.

We could mention that every Lodge of Freemasons must have the Holy Bible, Square and Compass placed and displayed on the altar when the Lodge is in session. We say that the Lodge must be furnished with these three important items and we therefore use a word for this, which is its original definition, as Furniture of the Lodge. They are called Furniture in the original sense and definition of the word, which is “The act of furnishing, or the state of being furnished.” And that a Lodge of Masons cannot open their Lodge without being furnished with, or having on the altar the Holy Bible, Square and Compass.

We can tell the uninitiated that the Apron is a symbol of Freemasonry, and that Aprons are worn at all Lodge Communications, and also at Lodge functions such as cornerstone laying's and Masonic Memorial Services, which is called at times, a Masonic Funeral. We could mention that any Mason who has taken the Three Degrees of his Lodge can if he wishes have a Masonic Memorial Service at the time of his death by just making his wishes known to his Lodge ahead of time, or his surviving family can request one too.

We could mention that when they observe a Mason at prayer at a Masonic function he will place his hands in a peculiar position, and that particular ‘Attitude of Prayer’ is called the ‘Sign of the Good Shepherd,’ and explain that is the position a good shepherd would use when he would be carrying a lost lamb back to his flock.

Finally we could again remind them that Masonry is not a secret society. Rather is a fraternal society, which keeps some things private, much the same as other organizations and families do. Most Fraternities, and other organizations, have things similar to these they wish to keep private, and we agree with them.

We could also remind them not to be afraid to ask questions about something they don’t understand and would like clarified and that we will do our best to give them an answer.

We could close with the fact that Masonry exists openly in the free countries of the world, and that is encompasses all races and religions. Then we could tell them the slogan we have here in Minnesota:

“Political Freedom, Religious Tolerance, Personal Integrity; Freemasonry – it’s not for everyone. “

“For secrets are edged tools, and must be kept from children and from fools.” John Dryden [1631-1700]

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to ed@halpaus.net with Subscribe and the Title in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

Lux in tenebris lucet = [Latin] = The light shineth in darkness.

From the Great Light of Masonry: “No, we speak of God’s secret Wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.” 1 Corinthians 2:7 NIV

With “Brotherly Love,”
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer

“Be not what you are not.” Yoda

Petitions - July 01, 2005

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 54 – July 01, 2005

This publication is issued with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge A.F. and A.M. of Minnesota.

“Almighty God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise, that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them.” Prayer of St. Chrysostom

In each issue of the Minnesota Mason newspaper the Education Committee has an announcement about the Question Box; telling Masons that if they have a question about Freemasonry to feel free to send me an E-mail and someone on the Education Committee will research and provide an answer for him. We, on the education committee always enjoy getting questions, because even if we think we know the answer it’s always fun to verify what we think we know before we provide the answer, and if we don’t have the answer at the ready it’s always enjoyable doing the research to find the answer.

A question that comes up from time-to-time is: “Can an Entered Apprentice sign a petition, or should he have a Master Mason sign them?”

In Minnesota, the short answer is all Petitions, whether for membership or degrees, must be signed by Master Masons who are in good standing. The particulars on petitions can be found in Section G14.01 of the Minnesota Masonic Code. I will reproduce it in part below and will highlight particular parts that might help with this question. However, depending on your computer the yellow highlight may or may not show up in the E-mail.

SECTION G14.01 A Lodge is authorized to receive five (5) types of petitions: For degrees; for affiliation; for plural membership; for reinstatement; for restoration.

A petition for degrees must be accompanied by an amount not less than one-third (1/3) of the whole fee for degrees, at the time of election, and must be the free and voluntary act of the petitioner, without improper solicitation.

It shall clearly express a belief and trust in God, a favorable opinion of Masonry, a promise, if accepted, to conform to the usages and customs of the Fraternity and the Constitution and General Regulations of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota.

It shall state the place of his birth, the present residence, with street and number, if there is one, his present occupation and, if not self-employed, the name and business address of his employer and the specific nature of their business.

It shall further state the length of his consecutive residence in this State and in the Jurisdiction of the Lodge to which the petition is addressed; whether ever rejected by any other Masonic Lodge anywhere and, if so, when and by what Lodge or Lodges, and the post office address thereof.

It shall show the petitioner's age to be no less than eighteen (18) years.

It shall be signed with the full name of the petitioner and must be recommended by two Master Masons in good standing, at least one of which must be a member of the of the Lodge petitioned and the other may be a member in good standing of a Lodge recognized by this Grand Lodge.

No petition can be legally received which does not contain all of the foregoing data.

I think this question about can an Entered Apprentice Sign a Petition will come up in a Lodge from time to time, or if it doesn’t I believe it will silently be wondered about by our newest Brothers especially after the are made Masons in the Entered Apprentice Degree.

One of the reasons for this, in my opinion, is that what he is told in the interrogatories could be construed that he is about to become a member of the Lodge, i.e. “This institution of which you are about to become a member is one etc…….” Also in the Charge of the First Degree the new Brother is told “If, in the circle of your acquaintance, you find a person desirous of being initiated into Masonry, be particularly attentive not to recommend him, unless you are convinced he will conform to our rules; that the honor, glory, and reputation of the Institution may be firmly established and the world at large convinced of its good effects.”

So we Masons in good standing of the Lodge do imply that it will be fine with us if our new Brother, as a new member of the Brotherhood, would recommend a friend of his whom he feels would be a good candidate for Masonry. It is O.K. with us, and it is always good when a new Mason will bring in other good men. However, since the new Mason does not pay dues to the Lodge until after he has received the third degree and signed the by-laws of the Lodge, he is not a member in good standing until then. In Minnesota only Master Masons can be members in good standing.

There is nothing wrong, however, to note in the minutes of the Lodge that a certain Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft was instrumental in obtaining the petition of his friend, and there also is nothing wrong with the new Brother participating in the Entered Apprentice Degree for his friend for the parts that he knows, such as the questions or answers of the first section of the lecture.

“An ability that distinguishes successful from unsuccessful living is the ability to do what we should do when we should do it whether or not we desire to do it.” Walter A. Heiby

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to erhmasonic@ncis.com with Subscribe and the Title in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

Licht, Liebe, Leben = [German] = Light, Love, Life. (Motto of Brother Johann Gottfried Von Herder: August 25, 1744 to December 18, 1803)

Brother Herder was born in Prussia, when he was a child he began learning from his father by reading in the Bible and in songbooks. In 1762 he went to University in Königsberg. In 1764 he went to teach in Riga, and it was in Riga that he was made a Mason in Lodge Zum Schwert in 1766[i]

It was about 1770 he traveled to Strassburg, and this is where he met Brother Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe. They developed a friendship and Herder became a mentor to Goethe. In 1771 Herder took a position as Head Pastor and Court Preacher at Bűckeburg under Count Wilhelm von Schaumburg-Lippe. During this time Herder and Goethe continued to work on their literary works. By the mid 1770’s Goethe was a well known author, and he used his influence to help Herder secure a position as General Superintendent in the court of Weimar. Toward the end of his career Herder endorsed the French Revolution, which earned him the enmity of many of his colleagues, and at the same time he and Goethe had a split in their friendship. Herder emphasized that his conception of the nation encourages democracy and the free self-expression of a people.[ii]

From the Great Light of Masonry: “We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: The Lord fulfil all thy petitions.” Psalms 20:5 KJV

With “Brotherly Love,” Ed Halpaus - Grand Lodge Education Officer

[i] 10,000 Famous Freemasons, volume 2, by William R. Denslow
[ii] Wikpedia

Communications - April 01, 2005

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 48 – April 01, 2005

“If God were to hold out enclosed in His right hand all Truth, and in His left hand just the active search for Truth, though with the condition that I should ever err therein, and should say to me: Choose! I should humbly take His left hand and say: Father! Give me this one; absolute Truth belongs to Thee alone.” G.E. Lessing 1729-1781

One of the features I like that our Education Committee in Minnesota has in each issue of the Minnesota Mason is the Question Box. And over the past months a question has been asked from various parts of our jurisdiction. These questions all had to do with stated communications and if the Master of a Lodge can open his Lodge only on the Master Mason degree to conduct the business meeting of the Lodge, or if he can open his Lodge on the Entered Apprentice or Fellow Craft Degree to conduct business.

Well, here in Minnesota the Master of a Lodge can open a stated communication on any of the three degrees to conduct the business of the Lodge. When this is done there must be at least seven Master Masons present to constitute a quorum, and when there are the Lodge can be opened on any of the three degrees. If the Lodge is opened on either the First or Second Degree only Master Masons who are members of the Lodge will be able to vote, if indeed there is something to vote on, but any Mason attending the communication can speak in Lodge.

The Masters and Wardens, as well as other members of our Grand Lodge, who were present at the Annual Communication of our Grand Lodge in April of 1999, voted to make a change in our code that would allow a stated communication to be opened on any of the three degrees. The change can be seen at SECTION G13.10 in the Minnesota Masonic Code.

“The Communications of a Lodge shall be Stated and Special.”

“A Stated Communication may be opened on any degree at the discretion of the Master of the Lodge and seven Master Masons must be present. All Masons who have attained the degree upon which the lodge was opened may be present, including Entered Apprentices and Fellowcrafts, and shall have voice, but only those who have attained the degree of Master Mason shall be considered members and have a vote in the business of the Lodge. (4/99)”

In the paragraph above, (the italics are mine,) it mentions only those who have attained the degree of Master Mason shall be considered members and have a vote in the business of a Lodge. There is something interesting about that part of the preceding paragraph, and that is only Master Masons who have signed the by-laws of the Lodge are officially members of the Lodge. Sometimes when a Brother affiliates with a Lodge or has completed his third degree the signing of the Lodge by-laws is overlooked. Technically if a brother does not sign the by-laws he is an un-affiliated Mason until he does sign the by-laws of that Lodge or another. Under that status he can petition another Lodge for affiliation if he chooses, but as an unaffiliated Mason he pays no dues and cannot attend a Lodge until he is affiliated. However, while it sometimes happens that signing the by-laws is overlooked it is quite rare for it to happen – the Secretaries of our Lodges generally stay on top of things like that.

The reason that Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts cannot vote in Minnesota Lodges is that Masons of those degrees are not members of the Lodge where they are taking their degrees. As a Fellow Craft or Entered Apprentice they are members of the Masonic Fraternity, but not members of a Lodge. That, as far as I can tell, is kind of an American thing. In England, Canada, and Lodges in the European Continent for instance, as I understand it, a man becomes a member of his Lodge when he completes his Entered Apprentice degree; he is then a dues paying member who gets to take part fully in the business of his Lodge, including being able to vote on questions.

While the Grand Lodge of Minnesota does not authorize Entered Apprentices or Fellow Crafts to pay dues it does by the change in our code in 1999 encourage our constituent Lodges to open on the lowest degree possible to allow all the Masons of the Lodge to attend Lodge Communications and to become involved in the activities of the Lodge. This is a good way to make our new Brothers feel a part of our Fraternity, and I would hope by getting them involved in this way, (much earlier than the old system,) there will be less Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts drifting away and not completing their degrees, and thus not becoming members of our Lodges.

We all know there are certain benefits that come to a Mason when he completes his Third Degree, and there is an article to this effect on our Grand Lodge Website at http://www.mn-masons.org/gleo if we would like to refresh our memory.

You may also find it interesting to recall that our Annual Grand Lodge Communication must be opened on the Master Mason Degree, and only Master Masons are admitted. This is important to know, so that no Entered Apprentices or Fellow Crafts experience disappointment by showing up at our annual communication and not being admitted. However, they certainly are welcome at all public portions such as the open installation of officers. Here it is, again with my emphasis in italics and bold.

SECTION C6.01 The meetings of the Grand Lodge are styled Communications and may be
either Annual, Special or Occasional.

(a) Annual Communications
(2) The Grand Lodge shall be opened on the Master Mason's Degree, and when opened by
the Grand Master he shall declare it opened "In Ample Form;" if by the Deputy Grand Master, "In
Due Form"; and if by anyone else, "In Form." The same manner shall be observed in the closing of a Communication.

CHAPTER III. GENERAL REGULATIONS
ARTICLE I. Grand Lodge Communications

SECTION G1.01 The Grand Lodge shall be opened on the Master Mason's Degree, or in such
other form as the Grand Master may direct, and when opened by the Grand Master he shall declare it opened "In Ample Form"; if by the Deputy Grand Master, "In Due Form"; and if by anyone else, "In Form." The same manner shall be observed in the closing of a communication.

SECTION G1.02 Only members of the Grand Lodge, and members of other Grand Lodges with
whom it is in fraternal relations have the right to be admitted to its communications, but any Master Mason in good standing may be admitted as a visitor upon proper registration, unless objection is made, in which case a majority vote by the usual sign is required.

All this restates that it must be Master Masons at the annual communication of the Grand Lodge, but in a Constituent Lodge the Master can open it on the 1° or the 2° as well as the 3°. In my opinion if a Lodge has Fellow Crafts or Entered Apprentices they should be invited to attend and Lodge should be opened on the lowest degree to admit all Masons. But it is up to the Master of the Lodge to determine on what degree he will open Lodge.

While sometimes it is considered easier and faster to open on the 3°; it really is just as easy and doesn’t take that much longer to open on the 2° or the 1° once you get used to it.

“Attempt the end, and never stand to doubt; nothing’s so hard, but search will find it out.”
Robert Herrick 1591-1674 in Seek and Find

More Light – Mehr Licht ©, Masonic Matters © and T.F.S. ©, are sent out by E-mail at no charge to anyone who would like to receive them. If you enjoy these publications please share them with others. To subscribe to any one or all of these publications just send an E-mail to erhmasonic@ncis.com with Subscribe and the Title in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

Tempora mutantur, et nos mutamur in illis = [Latin] = “Times change, and we change with them.”

From the Great Light of Masonry: “Listen as wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! Proverbs 8:1 NLT

With “Brotherly Love,”
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge Education Officer