Forget-Me-Not

T.F.S.

Three, five, and seven

3 5 7

By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.

Number 127 – July 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.

“The sweet forget-me-nots that grow for happy lovers.”

Lord Alfred Tennyson - The Brook

I recently heard about a government official who was taking the degrees of Freemasonry, the Brother who told me about it asked that this official’s name and where he hails from should be kept mum, for his Masonic membership was not to be publicized.

He’s not alone in wanting to keep his membership in the Craft to himself. We don’t need to look very far into the history of the world to see some of the reasons a Mason might want to keep is being a Mason on the private side. Masons have been shunned, ostracized, put on trial, incarcerated, and even put to death because of their Masonic affiliation by dictators and despots. Sadly these kinds of things were happening as recently as the mid 1900’s in Europe and in Spain: The Masons of Europe were persecuted, along with millions of other people, because of their being Freemasons. Fortunately in the free world Freemasons have not faced such persecution. However, there are some Masons who have been chastised and discriminated against, in various ways, because of their affiliation with the Sons of Light. Thankfully this kind of thing does not happen very often, and it is non-violent, (unlike the treatment of Mason by dictators throughout history,) but it is, nevertheless, hurtful to the Mason and detrimental to the Craft.

It is each individual Mason’s own decision whether or not he will reveal himself as being a Freemason, and every other Freemason should respect the decisions of our Brethren. Men petition a Lodge and take the degrees of Masonry for perfectly personal reasons; not for any publicity, but for personal growth and bonding with other, like minded, men.

In North America it seems many, if not most, Masons display their Masonic affiliation in some manner by wearing some Masonic jewelry, or placing an emblem on their car or home, but some prefer to refrain from that.

Displaying a Masonic emblem of some kind on our person, home, or automobile, is referred to, by our Brethren affiliated with Prince Hall Freemasonry, as ‘wearing light.’ When some of us ‘wear light’ we do so with the familiar Square and Compasses, while others might display an emblem that is less familiar to the general public, such as the an emblem depicting the name of a historic and Biblical character from Genesis 4:22, or a Scottish or York Rite emblem, maybe the 14^th or 32^nd degree S.R. Ring, or maybe a simple flower; the Forget-Me-Not. The Forget-Me-Not is worn and loved by Masons world wide as an emblem of their affiliation with the Fraternity. It is also a way to express the remembrance of the persecution many of our Masonic Brethren have suffered for being Freemasons.

The story of this very simple and pretty flower and how it became an emblem of Freemasonry is an interesting one: Briefly, during the Nazi Party’s rise to power in Germany many groups of people were eventually arrested and put into concentration camps where millions of them were murdered. Freemasons, being termed ‘political prisoners’ were also kept in concentration camps; political prisoners wore a inverted red triangle on their prison garments, in contrast to the Jews who were identified by a yellow Star of David on their garments.

The Forget-Me-Not was first used by one of the Grand Lodges operating in Germany in 1926 as a Masonic emblem. However, in 1938 a similar pin of the Forget-Me-Not was used by a Nazi ‘charitable group’ to raise funds that would permit other ‘state funds’ to be used for rearmament.

This “Coincidence” of the Blue Forget-Me-Not being used first by a Grand Lodge and later by the Nazi Government permitted the Masons to wear that pin, or the actual flower, as an emblem or sign understood by other Masons, as to their affiliation with the Sons of Light.

However, once the Freemasons who had been arrested and incarcerated were in prison garb it is highly unlikely that they were allowed to posses any jewelry at all - let alone to wear it on the clothes of a prisoner. If you have seen photos of the grounds of the concentration camps you might have noticed that it was unlikely there was much growing there, but being the ‘forget-me-not’ is a wild flower it is possible a Masonic political prisoner might have plucked one when available to put on his person if he could.

The name of the Forget-Me-Not in German is Vergessmein-nicht, and simply translated, as Worshipful Brother Roger Firestone was kind enough to do for me, means "forget mine not," which he commented is “not much difference from the name for the flower in English.”

That brings to mind something interesting about the flower’s ‘English’ name: One Encyclopedic Dictionary says that the flower was given its English name by the 19th century poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge in his poem “The Keepsake.” The dictionary gives us this information: [Coleridge] gave this Eurasian and North American wildflower its common English name. In his poem 'the keepsake', published in 1802, he described it as “This is the common forget-me-not Myosotis arvensis.”

I looked for quite a while for this poem and I finally found it, so I thought I would reproduce it here, for your reading enjoyment. This poem is a bit over 200 years old now, and it could be called a part of the history of the flower, and lapel pin many of us wear as a sign of our being a Freemason.

The keepsake

By Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The tedded hay, the first fruits of the soil,

The tedded hay and corn sheaves in one field,

Show summer gone, ere come. The foxglove tall.

Sheds its loose purple bells, or in the gust,

Or when it bends beneath the uprising lark,

Or mountain-finch alighting. And the rose

(In vain the darling of successful love)

Stands, like some boasted beauty of past years;

The thorns remaining, and the flowers all gone.

Nor can I find, amid my lonely walk

By rivulet, or spring, or wet road-side,

That blue and bright-eyed floweret of the brook,

Hope’s gentle gem, the sweet forget-me-not!

So will not fade the flowers which Emmeline

With delicate fingers on the snow-white silk

Has worked, (the flowers which most she knew I loved,)

And more beloved than they, her auburn hair.

In the cool morning twilight, early walked

By her full bosom’s joyous restlessness,

Softly she rose, and lightly stole along,

Down the slope coppice to the woodbine bower,

Whose rich flowers, swinging in the morning breeze,

Over their dim fast-moving shadows hung,

Making a quiet time of disquiet

In a smooth scarcely moving river pool.

There, in that bower where she first she owned her love,

And let me kiss my own warm tear of joy

From off her glowing cheek, she sate and stretched

The silk upon the frame, and worked her name

Between the moss-rose and forget-me-not –

Her own dear name, with her own auburn hair!

That forced to wander till sweet spring returns,

I yet might ne’er forget her smile, her look,

Her voice, (that even in her mirthful mood

Has made me wish to steal away and weep,)

Nor yet the entrancement of that maiden kiss

With which she promised, that when spring returned,

She would resign one half of that dear name,

And own thenceforth no other name but mine!

“One of the names (and meriting to be the only one) of the Myosotis Scorpioides Palustris, a flower from six to twelve inches high, with blue blossom and bright yellow eye. It has the same name over the whole Empire of Germany (Vergissmein Nicht), and, I believe, in Denmark and Sweden.”

“A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you, and were helped by you, will remember you when forget-me-nots are withered. Carve your name on hearts, and not on marble.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon - 1834-1892, Baptist Minister

From the Great Light of Masonry: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 NKJV

Words to live by: Live your life so you don’t need to hide your diary.

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 07/21/08 is: “Define each of the following and give its relationship to Freemasonry: a) Jacobean; b) Jacobin; c) Jacobite; d) Jacobian”

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.

To read this paper, (or past issues,) on the web go to: http://www.halpaus.net and click on the publication you would like to read.

With “Brotherly Love”,

Ed Halpaus

Grand Lodge Education Officer

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

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

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[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

Masonic Code of Conduct

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 117 – February 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.

“All men have their frailties, and whoever looks for a friend without imperfections will never find what he seeks.”’ Cyrus the Elder

A fine Mason I am associated with, (the Master of my Lodge,) refers to the Book of Constitutions, which is better known as ‘the Masonic Code,’ in our jurisdiction, as the Code of Conduct: (His choice of words for the Code caused me to think, and I’m glad they did; thanks Worshipful.) On reflection it is an apt name to use because the Masonic Code certainly contains information a Mason should become familiar with, and those who have will attest that there is valuable information in it that will direct a Mason to proper action: A Code of Conduct.

Another part of Freemasonry that could be referred to as a Code of Conduct would be our degrees. The degrees I am primarily referring to are the three degrees of the Blue Lodge, but all the degrees of Freemasonry, (i.e. the Scottish and York Rite degrees,) are also lessons in proper conduct for a Freemason. For those who may not be aware; the degrees of the Rites are all built (more information, if you will) on the degrees of the Blue Lodge. It is important to study the three degrees of the Blue Lodge, but it is also important to become familiar with and study the other degrees, (of the Rites,) as well. Masonic Study is truly a productive hobby that will last and be enjoyable for a Mason’s entire lifetime.

The way to study a degree is to take a part of it and learn about all the symbolism and the meaning of any allegory that is contained in that part; doing it this way is much more interesting and effective that trying to learn about the entire degree, and if it is done in, and by, parts of the degree, before you know it you will have studied and learned a great deal about the entire degree. Studying Freemasonry can be done in small amounts of time when the time is available. I began to study in this way was when I was put into a position in my company where I needed to do some traveling: Business travel might seem exciting to some younger men, but I’m here to tell you that is isn’t all that much fun being away from your family to be somewhere to do a job. Spending time in a hotel or motel, no matter how nice it is, does not compare to being in your own home with your family close at hand. After my first day and night of business travel, with hotel/motel life, which consisted of constant business, a strait back chair, a desk, and a TV; I learned I needed something better to do with my small amount of free time. I went out to my car and got my Masonic Bible, luckily I had the habit of always having it in my car, also luckily since I was going to be on the road for a while I had also tossed a Masonic book into the car, ‘just in case.’ Sharon always kids me about how I pack for any emergency. This is how and when I began to become a Masonic Student; I found I really loved studying Freemasonry and I still do.

I have always maintained that the first place to go and look for the lessons of Freemasonry is in our degree work, that doesn’t mean one needs to become a ritualist; you can learn about the degrees of Masonry without becoming expert at the memorization of them.

When it comes to a Code of Conduct one of the best places in ritual to look is at the Ashlars, especially the Perfect Ashlar. Most of us, when we go into our Lodge Rooms, don’t seem to pay much attention to the Ashlars, much less ponder about them. Thankfully some Masons have, and we can learn from them. One such Mason is our late Brother Charles C. Hunt, who was the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Iowa from 1924 to 1945; he was also quite a Masonic scholar, many Masons are familiar with his work. One of the books he wrote/edited is the Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible: this book was reprinted in 1984 by the Masonic Book Club; this is a good book club to be a member of.[i]

Another good book to have is a good dictionary; you can find information on the Ashlars in a dictionary; not the perfect and rough as such, but ashlars, and if you read in a Masonic book about the Perfect Ashlar you’ll find another name for it is - Perpend Ashlar, and Perpend is in the dictionary:[ii] “Perpend: In Masonry, a large stone passing through the entire thickness of a wall so as to show on both sides, and forming a bonder.” Brother Hunt tells us that the word ‘Perfect’ is not used in the early Masonic lectures, as it is today, but that the word ‘Perpend’ is, so the Perpend Ashlar is worth knowing about. Since it is a binding stone the Operative Mason needs to know the nature of the building and the wall it is to be placed in, so he can prepare it properly;[iii] i.e. all the exposed surfaces need to be finished properly and the stone needs to be plumb, square, and level.

Speaking of the Ashlar and Operative Masonry I remember the first time I heard part of a talk on it from a Grand Lodge line officer years ago when he mentioned that Speculative Masonry, like Operative Masonry, cannot make a Perfect Ashlar out of an imperfect specimen: Speculative Masonry admits only good men; just as the Operative Mason will work only with good stone; flawed material cannot be made perfect. ‘A rough stone can be made smooth, but it must be capable of taking the polish or the work will be in vain.’[iv] Making a stone perfect, much like perfecting a man, or carving a statue, is not done by adding something; it is done by taking away: Removing the superfluous, brings out what is within and thus is found what is closer to perfection; this takes time and patience. Mentoring a Masonic Brother takes our time and patience too.

I don’t know if you’ve attended many Masonic Cornerstone Ceremonies. When we’re attending one it’s easy to just enjoy it, but it does pay to learn about it. When we think about it, and what we are told in the degree about the Perfect Ashlar, we will recall that the ‘Perfect’ is made ready by the hands of the workman to be adjusted by the tools of the Fellowcraft. The cornerstone ceremony is partly to verify that the stone has been prepared properly. In fact, one of the lines repeated by the Masons in the positions of the Grand Senior Warden, Grand Junior Warden, and the Deputy Grand Master, when they make their report to the Grand Master[v] regarding the stone and the tools they have and use on the stone, (the Level, Plumb, and Square, respectively,) say: “The Craftsmen have done their duty.” It is after the cornerstone ceremony is completed that the Perfect Ashlar is symbolically and sometimes actually, placed in the corner. Brother Hunt says that it is when the Perpend Ashlar is finally made ready to be placed in the building that it gains the name of the ‘Perfect Ashlar.’

A Bible reference to the Perfect Ashlar as a Cornerstone can be found in the different translations of the Holy Bible; of the translations I have the one I like better is found in the New King James version where in Isaiah 28:16 it says: “Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; whoever believes will not act hastily.” The verse that follows says in part: “Also I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plummet;” etc. The rest of that verse and the rest that follow are worth reading as well. One Bible commentary tells us that one of the meanings of Isaiah 28:14-22 is that a man of faith will not be alarmed and that God will test men’s response by the standard of justice and righteousness.[vi] Brother Hunt, Masonically, describes this passage of scripture in this way: “The plumb, square and level try it; the working tools fashion it; the checkered pavement illustrates it; the Great Architect calls for it. When the craft has fashioned it, it is complete, perfect.” Now that description gives the Masonic Student much to study, and think about.

To understand the Masonic symbolism of the Perfect Ashlar we need to keep in mind the original term as it came to the Speculative from the Operative; the Perpend Ashlar becomes Perfect “only because it is completely adapted to its purpose, namely to exactly fit into [its] place in the building and act as a binder for the other stones.”[vii] To become perfect it must posses certain attributes and “through these attributes we are reminded ‘of that state of perfection at which we hope to arrive by a virtuous education, our own endeavors, and the blessing of God.”[viii]

The Perfect Ashlar since it extends through the wall has two faces exposed, and both need to be perfect: “It does not have one standard for the world and another for the home.” This symbolically teaches the Mason that our same ‘fair face’ with our same ‘square and true’ attitude and actions is presented in all areas of our life; our home, our work and business life, as well as to the rest of the world. The lesson of the Perfect Ashlar teaches us that ‘we should not have one code of conduct (morals) for one place and another for another.’[ix]

The symbols of Freemasonry are tools by which we can learn as we, with the help of our brethren, strive to become better men than before we entered the Lodge for our first degree; by becoming the better men we are capable of becoming we help to fulfill the purpose of Freemasonry. The purpose of Freemasonry is striving towards perfection so that we can fit our bodies as living stones for that spiritual building not made with hands eternal in the heavens, ‘which is to be our eternal home.’[x]

As Brother Hunt says: “we are concerned with our Brother’s welfare as well as our own, and only when we perform this function well can it be said that our work is good work, true work, square work.”[xi] Being concerned about our Brethren we should be mentoring each other. I think that is what Brother Hunt is talking about when he says that ‘only when we perform this function well can it be said our work is then good, true, and square.

“A man would do nothing, if he waited until he could do it so well that no one at all would find fault with what he has done.” Cardinal Newman

From the Great Light of Masonry: “From Judah will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler.” Zechariah 10:4 NIV

Lapis philosophorum = [Latin] = The Philosopher’s stone.

“When a man imagines, even after years of striving, that he has attained perfection, his decline begins.” Theodore Martin

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 02/18/08 is: "When was the use of gloves by Masons confirmed by documentary evidence?"

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] Masonic Book Club P.O. Box 1563 Bloomington, IL 61702-1563 - $20. annual dues Robin Carr Secretary rlcarr1@msn.com 309-452-4769
[ii] New Century Dictionary
[iii] Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible
[iv] Ibid
[v] Cornerstone Ceremony – Masonic Manual of Minnesota
[vi] Interpreter’s One-Volume Commentary
[vii] Masonic Concordance of the Holy Bible
[viii] Ibid
[ix] Ibid
[x] Ibid
[xi] Ibid

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

The Ballot

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 108 – October 01, 2007

“It is quality rather than quantity that matters.” Lucius Annaeus Seneca

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.

“Quality, without quantity, is little thought of.” James Kelly

The Ballot
By Ed Halpaus, MPS (Life)

Do you have an after Lodge with the Brethren of your Lodge and your visiting Brethren? Some Lodges do and they are great get-together’s where Brethren enjoy each others company and discuss things Masonic in a convivial manner. In these get-together’s there are many things about Freemasonry discussed in a most friendly manner; knowledge and insight is shared among Brethren. These after lodge gatherings of some of the Brethren are a fine way to cap of Lodge Night.

One discussion that came up at an ‘after lodge’ I happened to be attending was about a Mason who once visited a Lodge where there were a number of Masons visiting; it was a fine time for everyone. It was a stated communication of the Lodge, so while it was not a social event it certainly was a sociable and enjoyable experience. Being a stated communication the visitors sat through the business of the Lodge as it was being conducted. The officers of the Lodge were proficient with the opening ceremonies; the Master was doing a good job in supervising the communication and the business of the Lodge. One part of the Lodge’s proficiency was that the Tyler actually remained outside the door during the communication; in many Lodges the Tyler, after the Lodge is opened, will open his door and either move inside and sit right next to the door or pull a folding chair into the doorway and sit there until it is time for to perform one of his duties, which many times is just prior to the closing of the Lodge, and then he will go out again and close the door. A Tyler staying the Lodge room to perform his duties is a key part of a Lodge’s proficiency.

There came a time in the communication where the Master asked for the second reading of a petition, which was done, after which the investigation reports were read, and then the Master asked for the ballot box to be prepared. The Senior Deacon prepared the ballot box as the Master made the announcement about the ballot. With that the balloting began; the Master inspecting the ballot box, and voting first, followed by the Wardens, and then the Brethren. This is when something unusual happened; a Mason who was not a member of the Lodge, but another visitor, as the Senior Deacon was getting the ballot from the Brethren on the south, got up from his seat walked past the Junior Deacon, without going the altar to salute the Master, opened the Tyler’s door and said to the Tyler something to the effect of “You go in and vote, I’ll sit out here and then after you’ve voted we’ll trade places again.” This was said loud enough for all to hear, and the Tyler did come in and vote, and then went back out.

This was unusual because in many jurisdictions there is a rule, custom, or law, that no one enters or leaves the Lodge room during balloting. There are some very good reasons for this rule: One is; every member present must vote.[i] No member of the Lodge who is present, (meaning in the Lodge room,) is allowed to shirk his duty when it comes to voting on a petitioner’s petition for the degrees of Freemasonry, or for membership if the petitioner is a Master Mason. Another is; once a petitioner’s name is read, no one can leave or enter the Lodge room until the ballot is completed.[ii] If someone was to enter the Lodge room during voting, and then vote, he most probably would not know who, or what, he is voting on, so his vote would not be based on all the information he should have to cast an intelligent vote on the petition.

A brother once asked me why some jurisdictions require that there be more than one black ball to reject a petition while others say only one is sufficient. The rule that requires more than one black ball or cube to reject a petitioner is not universal in all Grand Lodges. For instance in some jurisdictions it is very easy for a Lodge member to reject a petitioner: if a Black Ball or cube is cast on the first ballot on a petitioner the Master can ask for another ballot to make certain no mistake has occurred, if there is still one black ball or cube on the second ballot the Master would then declare the petitioner rejected. If more than one black ball or cube is cast on the first ballot then it is felt that no mistake has occurred. Also in some jurisdictions a Lodge member, whether present for the ballot or not may object to the petition of a man by contacting the Master in person, or by letter, saying he objects to the petition and his objection has the same effect as a black ball in the ballot; this can be done any time prior to the petitioner’s petition being voted on, or prior to his first degree if his petition survived the ballot. If this were to happen then the Master at the next stated communication, before the petition is voted on, or before the first degree, the Master will announce that the petition has been rejected by objection.

It is un-Masonic and un-Masonic conduct, to declare that there shall be no more petitioners accepted, or to blackball a petitioner for spite. I suspect some Grand Jurisdictions put in the rule of more than one black ball or cube to avoid a petitioner being rejected because of a Mason voting out of spite, which as Masons we should not do.

For those readers who are members in a jurisdiction where more than one black ball is required to reject a petitioner it might be interesting to find out why two or more are required: One way to begin to search out the reason is to look up the portion of the Masonic Code in your jurisdiction that spells it out, and then look in the past proceedings to see when the motion to make two negative votes necessary was made; your Grand Secretary might be able to help you in this search by directing you to a year fairly close to when the motion was made, so you can narrow down the proceedings you might need to look in. Lodge Secretaries and Grand Secretaries can be a big help to a Mason who is involved in Masonic research, doing Masonic research is an enjoyable pastime. In addition there is usually a lot of extremely good information in the proceedings of your Grand Lodge.

I am in agreement with the practice that one black ball is enough to reject a petitioner. My reasoning is because a Lodge of Masons is like a family. An individual Mason’s lodge building ought to be his home away from home just as his Lodge, meaning his brother Masons ought to be his shelter – his home – ‘where the wicked cease from troubling and the weary can find rest;’ given that - each Mason should have a say in who is admitted into his home or to become a part of his family. If admitting someone with whom he is not going to be comfortable sharing experiences and time, he should have the right to reject him. If admitting a petitioner will mean one of our brothers will be so uncomfortable that he will no longer attend our Lodge, or demit, or move to another Lodge, then is it right to require more than one black ball to reject a petitioner?

This brings to mind something from the proceedings of the Grand Lodge North Dakota where the then Deputy Grand Master,[iii] in his report to his Grand Lodge, said regarding membership; “There are primarily two reasons brothers stop coming to, or quit Lodge. The first, which accounts for 85%, is not feeling welcome. The second is not getting a sense of value for time invested.”



Why Masons don’t feel welcome in their own Lodge, and why they feel attending Lodge is not worth the time it takes is most likely a wide and varied number of reasons and also would be a good subject for another article, but not for now. However I am reminded about an old poem I remember from when I was much younger; it’s called ‘Friends Old and New.’

Friends Old and New
By an unknown poet

Make new friends, but keep the old,
Those are silver, these are gold,
New-made friendships, like new wine,
Age will mellow and refine.

Friendships that have stood the test –
Time and change – are surely best;
Brow may wrinkle, hair grow gray,
Friendship never knows decay.

For ‘mid old friends, tried and true,’
Once more we our youth renew;
But old friends, alas, may die,
New friends must their place supply.

Cherish friendships in your breast;
New is good, but old is best;
Make new friends, but keep the old,
Those are silver, these are gold.
“We should not judge of a man’s merits by his great qualities, but by the use he makes of them.”
Francois de La Rochefoucauld

How old is voting? For a glimpse of how long voting has been common you could read in the Great Light of Freemasonry: Acts 26: 9-11

From the Great Light of Masonry: “At the king’s command they removed from the quarry large blocks of quality stone to provide a foundation of dresses stone for the temple. The craftsmen of Solomon and Hiram and the men of Gebal cut and prepared the timber and stone for the building of the temple.” 1Kings 5:17-18

Naturam expellas furca, tamen usque recurret = [Latin] = You may drive out nature with a pitchfork, yet will she always return.

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 This weeks question is: “Must all three chairs be occupied throughout the Craft ceremonies?”

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, or ‘all 3,’ in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

To view this paper in PDF: http://www.halpaus.net/TFS108.pdf

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

[i] Section G 14.06 of the Minnesota Masonic Code
[ii] Masonic Manual of Minnesota – Method of Balloting
[iii] R.W. Brother Ed Samuelson, Jr. as quoted by the Southern California Lodge of Research 15 May 2007

A Charge to be given to Brethren

Mehr Licht!
More Light!

Number 138 – September 24, 2007

The following is found in a book I highly recommend to the Masonic Student: “The Freemason at Work” by Brother Harry Carr & revised by Brother Frederick Smyth; published by Lewis Masonic. It’s a good book to read for enjoyment as well as learning. It is written with Freemasonry in England in mind, so to me it is even more interesting. The Charge that follows is found in this book; it was for printed in 1735 in W. Smith’s Pocket Companion.

A SHORT CHARGE to be given to new admitted BRETHREN.

You are now admitted by the unanimous Consent of our Lodge, a Fellow of our most Antient and Honorable SOCIETY; Antient, as having subsisted from times immemorial, and Honorable, as tending in every Particular to render a Man so that will be but conformable to its glorious Precepts. The greatest Monarchs in all Ages, as well of Asia and Africa as of Europe, have been Encouragers of the Royal Art; and many of them have presided as Grand Masters over the Masons in their respective Territories, not thinking it any lessening to their Imperial Dignities to Level themselves with their Brethren in MASONRY, and to act as they did.

The World's great Architect is our Supreme Master, and the unerring Rule he has given us, is that by which we Work.

Religious Disputes are never suffered in the Lodge; for as MASONS, we only pursue the universal Religion or the Religion of Nature. This is the Cement which unites Men of the most different Principles in one sacred Band, and brings together those who were the most distant from one another.

There are three general Heads of Duty which MASONS ought always to inculcate, viz., to God, our Neighbors and ourselves.

To God, in never mentioning his Name but with that Reverential Awe which becomes a Creature to bear to his Creator, and to look upon him always as the Sumum Bonum which we came into the World to enjoy, and according to that View to regulate all our Pursuits.

To our Neighbors, in acting upon the Square, or doing as we would be done by.

To ourselves, in avoiding all Intemperances and Excesses, whereby we may be rendered incapable of following our Work, or led into Behavior unbecoming our laudable Profession, and in always keeping within due Bounds, and free from all Pollution.

In the State, a MASON is to behave as a peaceable and dutiful Subject, conforming cheerfully to the Government under which he lives.

He is to pay a due Deference to his Superiors, and from his Inferiors he is rather to receive Honor with some Reluctance, than to extort it.

He is to be a Man of Benevolence and Charity, not sitting down contented while his Fellow Creatures, but much more his Brethren, are in Want, when it is in his Power (without prejudicing himself or Family) to relieve them.

In the Lodge, he is to behave with all due Decorum, lest the Beauty and Harmony thereof should be disturbed or broke.
He is to be Obedient to the Master and presiding Officers, and to apply himself closely to the Business of Masonry, that he may sooner become a Proficient therein, both for his own Credit and for that of the Lodge.

He is not to neglect his own necessary Avocations for the sake of MASONRY, nor to involve himself in quarrels with those who through Ignorance may speak evil of, or ridicule it.

He is to be a Lover of the Arts and Sciences, and to take all Opportunities of improving himself therein.

If he recommends a Friend to be made a MASON, he must vouch him to be such as he really believes will conform to the aforesaid Duties, lest by his Misconduct at any time the Lodge should pass under some evil Imputations. Nothing can prove more shocking to all faithful MASONS, than to see any of their Brethren profane or break through the sacred Rules of their Order, and such as can do it they wish had never been admitted.

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 week’s question is: Which is correct; Compasses or Compass, and why?

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, or ‘all 3,’ in the subject line and you will be added to the list to receive the publication you want.

Fraternally,
Ed Halpaus

Standards of Right Conduct

T.F.S.
Three, five, and seven
3 5 7
By Ed Halpaus, Grand Lodge Education Officer.
Number 96 – April 01, 2007

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.

“When we are asked further, what is conduct? – Let us answer: Three fourths of life.”
Matthew Arnold 1822-1888

This paper is on the long side, but it can be read in 20 minutes or so, at least I can and I’m what I consider a slow reader. You may want to print this out and read it over lunch. I hope you enjoy reading it.
Standards of Right Conduct
By Ed Halpaus, MPS (Life)

“To be honest, to be kind – to earn a little and to spend a little less, to make upon the whole a family happier for his presence, to renounce when that shall be necessary and not be embittered, to keep a few friends, but those without capitulation – above all, on the same grim condition, to keep friends with himself – here is a task for all that a man has of fortitude and delicacy.”
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894)

It appears to me, in today’s world, that there seems to be a serious loss of ethics in the everyday business of living. To paraphrase an old saying ‘I know what ethics is; and I’m happy when I see it and experience it.’

We do recognize ethics when we see or experience it; we would know what it is even if the name ethics had not been assigned to it. Ethics is a system setting forth standards of right conduct.[i]

Freemasonry has always honored ethics from its earliest documents such as the Regius Poem;[ii] where in Lines 497 to 531 this poem refers to the Four Crowned Martyrs. There has been much written about the Four Crowned Martyrs[iii], so I don’t intend to recount their whole story here, but let me quickly relate the gist of the story, it is interesting.

There were four Operative Masons, who in the last quarter of the third century, were working as Masons along with hundreds of others under the emperor Diocletian. These four Operative Masons were Christians, and in the course of their work they refused to work on a sculpture of a pagan god[iv]. When asked why, one of the four, Claudius answered; ‘because we cannot offend our creator and commit a sin, whereof we should be found guilty in his sight.’ These four were then caused to work on another sculpture and at the end of 31 days it was completed. The Emperor was pleased with the results and praised these men for their skill, but his philosopher, Lampadius, then said to him; ‘Most mighty Caesar, know that these men whom your majesty has praised for their skill in Masonry, namely Claudius, Symphorianus, Nichostratus, and Castorius, are Christians, and by magic spells or incantations make men obedient to their will.’ Diocletian then ordered that if the charges were true that they should be punished and if they continued to refuse to work on the statue of the god they should be scourged by scorpions. For 5 days the philosopher Lampadius did what he could to get them to do what they were ordered to do, but they continued to refuse. Lampadius became enraged and ordered them stripped and scourged. In that same hour Lampadius died while sitting in his seat of judgment. Diocletian being informed of this, ordered leaden coffins be made, and the four Operative Masons along with one other, Simplicius who they had converted from paganism to Christianity, were placed in them, then the lead coffins were sealed while they were still alive and they were thrown into a river[v] to die.

There were other Operative Masons who completed the statue the five had refused to work on, and when it was completed it was to be dedicated. It was ordered that there be offerings of incense to the god. But four Master Masons; Severus, Severianus, Carpoforus, and Victorianus[vi]who were also Corniculari,[vii] which means ‘Wing Leader in the City Militia, refused to offer incense to the god because they were Christians. They too were executed, but the method of their execution was to be beaten to death in front of the statue with whips weighted with leaden balls, called a plumbata.[viii]

Besides the fact that these early Operative Masons were Christians, who believed deeply in their faith, I think it was the fact that they had a standard of correct behavior, as far as their religion was concerned, that they just would not violate no matter how severe the consequences of their actions. They possibly were demonstrating an early good example of religious ethics.

Another example of men walking the walk as far as having standards of right conduct, or ethics, is concerned is the example of another group of four men: The Four Chaplains. They were four U.S. Army Chaplains who became friends when they were attending Chaplain’s School at Harvard University in November of 1942. These four Friends were clergymen: George L. Fox was a Methodist Minister, Clark V. Poling was a Dutch Reformed Minister; John P. Washington was a Catholic Priest; and Alexander D. Goode was a Jewish Rabbi.

These four wound up on the same Troop Ship, the U.S.A.T. Dorchester. When the Dorchester set to sea from New York Harbor on January 23, 1943 it was filled to capacity. There were 920 souls on board that ship including some civilians, a Merchant Marine crew, and men and officers of the United States armed forces. Every available space on the Transport Ship was filled with men and gear. With so many on board and packed in so crowded a condition the Chaplains had plenty of men to help and console being that many were young, away from home and on the sea for the first time. After being at sea for 10 days and near Greenland the ship was in hostile waters, the captain ordered the men to sleep in their clothes and in life jackets just in case they were attacked, but being that the life jackets were hot and bulky many men had them near by, but did not wear them during the night.

During the early morning hours of February 3, 1943 a German U-Boat torpedoed the Dorchester hitting it in vital spots and killing one hundred or more men with the two torpedoes. Men, gear and life jackets were tossed about. Surviving men headed topside as best they could, some with and some without their life jackets, and some clad only in their skivvies.

The Chaplains Rabbi Alexander Goode, Rev. George Fox, Rev. Clark Poling and Father John Washington made their way to the deck too, and were doing what they could to keep the men calm and to help them. The ship was quickly tilted at an unusual and perilous angle and was sinking rapidly. One instance of note was that Petty Officer John Mahoney turned and was headed back below decks when a calm voice asked “where are you going?” and the answer was “to get my gloves.” Rabbi Goode said “here take mine,” after a protest from Petty Officer Mahoney the Rabbi convinced him to take the gloves because the Rabbi told him; “Never mind, I have two pair.” “Mahoney slipped the gloves over his hands and returned to the frigid deck, never stopping to ponder until later, when he had reached safety, that there was no way Rabbi Goode would have been carrying a spare set of gloves. As that thought finally dawned on him he came to a new understanding of what was transpiring in the mind of the fearless Chaplain.”[ix] He later said those gloves made it possible for him to survive.

The Chaplains did what they could for the men. They helped tend to the wounded and gave last rights to the dying. In only 20 minutes the Dorchester was almost gone. Waves from the frigid sea broke over the rails, washing across the deck and tossing men into the sea, many of them without life jackets. “In the last moments of the transport's existence, the Chaplains were too occupied opening lockers to pass out life jackets to note the threat to their own lives”[x] In less than a half hour the Dorchester was about to sink below the surface. All the lockers had been opened and all the life vests distributed by the Chaplains. The men who were remaining on board now knew their fate, then the Chaplains did what everyone remembers; all four Chaplains began taking off their own life jackets, and began putting them on the men around them. “Together they sacrificed their last shred of hope for survival; to insure the survival of other men - most of them total strangers. Then time ran out. The Chaplains had done all they could for those who would survive and nothing more could be done for the remaining men on the Dorchester - including themselves.”