Raper Commandery No. 1 Levant Preceptory In Templar Documentary

The Sir Knights of Indianapolis Raper Commandery No. 1's medieval period degree group, Levant Preceptory, are featured in a new documentary to air on Canadian television, "Templars Last Stand." Levant's knights were interviewed and then shown performing a special public ceremony written by Sir Knight James Dillman commemorating the night before the arrest of the medieval order in France in 1307.



The filmmakers from Nova Scotia's Arcadia Entertainment traveled to Jerusalem, Rome, Syria, England and Indianapolis, and staged battle scenes in Morocco in this quite lavish and well-produced show. It explores new archeological discoveries of Templar remains in the Holy Land, and the recent release of long-lost Vatican documents that reveal the Templars were secretly exonerated of heresy by Pope Clement V. The program is expected to air in the United States on the National Geographic Channel later in the year.



On-camera interviews included Sir Knights John Bridegroom, Jim Dillman, Al Martinez, Gary Messer and Chris Hodapp. Scenes featured the 7th floor Commandery Asylum at Indiana Freemasons' Hall, as well as the gothic Tyler's Room of the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral.



Levant Preceptory was formed in 2008 as an informal Knight Templar degree team within Indianapolis' Raper Commandery No. 1, specifically to confer the Order of the Temple in chainmaille, steel helmets, broadswords and other medieval period accouterments. Levant's knights have performed around Indiana, in Illinois, and are hoping to travel to Detroit later in 2011. Participation is warmly welcomed from any Indiana Knights Templar.



(Images courtesy Arcadia Entertainment)

How Boston Rockers Grew Up and Became Freemasons

There's a terrific article in the Boston Phoenix today about "How the Boston rock scene grew up, got real jobs, and became — Freemasons?" by Eugenia Williamson. Featuring the brethren of Boston's Amicable Lodge, like J. R. Roach, former drummer for Sam Black Church, who toured with KISS, Ted Nugent, Motörhead, Black Sabbath, and Dio.

"I think a lot of people's misconception of the fraternity is that it's a bunch of stodgy old men," says Master Mason J.R. Roach. Roach, 41, is a big dude with black hair and a couple of tattoos that he keeps covered up. . .

Roach is at the vanguard of the Masonic resurgence. Membership — like that of all fraternal orders — declined after the salad days of the 1960s. But something changed in the mid-2000s: young men became interested in the Masons once more. Gen-Xers settled down and needed a night away from the wife and kids, and Gen-Yers rebelled against navel-gazing, Baby Boomer parents.

Or maybe they read Dan Brown's 2003 thriller, The Da Vinci Code, or saw Nicolas Cage's star turn in the 2004 film National Treasure. Both narratives placed Masons at the heart of international conspiracies upon which hinged nothing less than the fate of the world.

Or maybe it was the exposure. Lead by Massachusetts lodges, the Masons began to open the doors of their temples of the public and offer guided tours of their facilities. Whatever the reason, the number of men who joined the Masons began to increase dramatically. And with it, the number of young creatives.

Nick Batzell, a 25-year-old sculptor's apprentice, got interested in Masonry when he saw a picture of Czech printmaker Alphonse Mucha in full Masonic regalia. "I studied Romanesque and Gothic architecture in [art] school," Batzell says. "William Hogarth was a Mason, and Paul Revere — he was the most famous silversmith, ever."

Roach spent 18 years on the road as a musician. "Record labels, promoters, club owners — sometimes you meet the sweetest people in the world and sometimes not so much," he says. "I really wish, with all the traveling I did, that I had been a Mason." Now, as a professional Mason, Roach spends his days in the headquarters of the Supreme Council, 33rd Degree, of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite.

Several of these brethren were also featured in a Boston Herald article back in 2008. Nicely done, brothers.

A Gathering Storm In Arkansas

Why are so many Arkansas brethren trying to slide tales of suspensions, charter revocations, lodge asset confiscation and worse through my mail slot with increasing frequency over the last few months? It's coming on an almost daily basis now. The Masonicleaks website has aired some of these anonymously, but there's growing distress and disgust bubbling over from longstanding Arkansas Masons.

Every grand lodge has the right to solve its internal arguments as it sees fit, and grand masters certainly have the right to exercise the powers granted by their own jurisdictions' constitutions. But every day I am sent truly heart wrenching messages from Masons in that state. Some mention threats of lawsuits. Some want to leave the state and affiliate elsewhere. Some are just plain giving up and walking away. They are excited young men, and old established members, alike.

That is a tragedy.

The GL of Arkansas F&AM website has been dark since last summer, with no electronic contact available, no email, no phone numbers, no addresses, and effectively no public face of the fraternity in the state. The Internet has made it impossible for any group to keep scandals, fights, strong-arm tactics and hurt feelings secret anymore. It's only a matter of time before stories from within Arkansas Freemasonry start hitting the public media. Reporters love allegations of racism, censorship and financial shenanigans, and it draws them like flies to the swine barn at the county fair. That won't be good for the Grand Lodge, the Grand Master, Arkansas Masonry, or the fraternity as a whole. Masons need to start whispering good counsel, because the gathering storm will blow wreckage on us all. And the good Masons of Arkansas will ultimately be the ones who will suffer.
======================

UPDATE
I got curious, because brethren keep throwing statistics around—one message I received said GL of Arkansas membership is down 84% since 1990. The earliest trustworthy figures on membership I can track down for Arkansas, according to the MSA, are from 2002, showing 20,791. In 2009, they reported 15,027.
====================

UPDATE 2/21 from Brent Morris:

"I agree you entirely about checking numbers. Why throw around bogus
statistics when you can just check the facts. Based on their annual
Proceedings, here are several years' data on the GL of Arkansas. I wish I
had a more compete database."

S&F,

Brent


     - Lodges - Inits -  Total
1970 - 375 - 1,034 - 51,323
1975 - 367 - 1,079 - 49,249
1980 - 361 - 876 - 47,628
1985 - 350 - 627 - 42,635
1990 - 342
1995 - 330 - 375 - 26,688

Help: Estate Giving For Lodges

I'm not in the habit of asking for free professional advice, and especially not from attorneys. But I'll make an exception in this case, because I am certain somebody, somewhere has boilerplate wording for this kind of thing just sitting in their drawer gathering dust, right next to the slip-and-fall questionnaires and the mesothelioma class action forms.

I keep saying that lodges and temple buildings don't ask to be remembered in members' estate planning anymore. They used to. But as the appendant bodies and retirement homes took an ever widening bite out of Masonic charitable giving, and since fraternal institutions, for the most part, do not qualify as full-fledged tax exempt 501(c)3 charities, the blue lodges have suffered from financial neglect. Lodges rely on dues alone, for the most part, or on the largesse of brethren who passed away years ago.

One organization I belong to has a substantial fund that has not had a single contribution to it for over three decades.

So the free advice I'm asking for is legalistic boilerplate phraseology to put in newsletters, brochures and appeal letters for brethren to include in their wills in order to leave cash, insurance, retirement proceeds, property or other estate gifts to their local lodge.*

Or perhaps a lodge or grand lodge has already created a planned giving set of guidelines. If so, please pass it along, either as a comment to this entry, or to me at hodapp@aol.com

Thanks.

*Obviously, each state is different, and lodges may have aspects that are 501(c)3 eligible, so any such advice would include the admonition to actually speak to your lawyer.
I am a non-attorney spokesman.

Indiana Grand Lodge Library & Museum Work Day Sunday 2/20

There will be a work day in the Grand Lodge of Indiana Library and Museum on Sunday, February 20th from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.. on the 5th floor of Indiana Freemasons' Hall, located at 525 N. Illinois Street in Indianapolis.

Coffee and doughnuts on the second floor at 8:30. Mmmm. Doughnuts.

We will continue unpacking boxes and determining what goes up to the 6th floor and what needs to be put on shelves, along with getting the shelved books in their proper order. The last few work days like this have put a major dent in the unpacking, and we appreciate everyone who has turned out to help in this massive project.

The hope is that this Sunday will be the last of the book unpacking and archival sorting sessions. Once we have the floor cleared, we can next move to unpacking, sorting, cataloguing, photographing and finally displaying artifacts. The Grand Master would like very much for us to be open for the Annual Communication in May, so that is our goal.

Please feel free to join us.

California Symposium & Masonic Society Dinner 6/25

Each year, the Grand Lodge of California F&AM and the California Masonic Foundation sponsor the Annual California Masonic Symposium. This event, open to both Masons and the public, addresses a topic of historical and philosophical relevance to Freemasonry in an academic setting.

The 2011 California Masonic Symposium, "Morgan Affair: The kidnapping that changed American Masonry," will be held June 25 at the Pasadena Scottish Rite Masonic Center.

Attend the 2011 Symposium for a discussion of the fact and fiction surrounding the Morgan Affair, the public outcry that nearly wiped out Masonry in this country, and why Freemasonry in the United States would never thereafter be the same.

Henry Wilson Coil Lecturer Mark A. Tabbert, director of collections at the George Washington Masonic Memorial, will discuss the impact on American lodges. His keynote presentation will detail how Freemasonry changed following the Morgan Affair, including new lodge practices designed to regain public trust and guard against infiltration.

The 11th California Masonic Symposium will be held June 25 at the Pasadena Scottish Rite. More information about presenters and registration will be available in the coming weeks.

Registration is free. For questions, contact Kim Hegg, program coordinator, at 415/292-9111 or khegg@freemason.org.

An archive of past papers presented at the Symposium in 2010 is available here.

==========================

Following the Annual California Masonic Symposium on the Morgan Affair please join the Masonic Society's California Second Circle for a wonderful meal and fascinating presentation. Their speaker will be Adam Kendall and perhaps one or two more as the event gets nearer.

5:30pm - 8:30pm

Location:
The Barkley Restaurant
1400 Huntington Drive
South Pasadena

Price: $25 includes meal and gratuity with a choice of 5 entrees including beef, chicken, fish, pork and vegetarian options. No Host Bar available. Seating limited to 35 - make... your reservation early as this event will sell out. Contact Simon McIlroy for reservations or more info through either Facebook or at simon.mcilroy@gmail.com.

Adam Kendall, P.M. of the Henry W. Coil Library and Museum of Freemasonry at the Grand Lodge of F. & A.M. of California will present his paper: "Klad in White Hoods and Aprons: Freemasonry, Fraternalism and the Ku Klux Klan in California, 1921-1928."

This essay, which formally debuted at the 2009 International Conference on Masonic History in Edinburgh, details the conflict that arose when the revived Ku Klux Klan dominated the American landscape in the 1910s and 1920s and recruited amongst other fraternal orders, especially Freemasonry, in the United States. It offered itself as a truly American organization—the greatest of all fraternities—and appealed to the fears and nativist patriotism endemic in pre and post WWI America. Based on primary sources found within the archive of the Grand Lodge of F. & A.M. of California, the essay gives a personalized view of a little-known chapter in California history and illustrates the commitment the Grand Lodge of California had in refusing to accept the Klan’s overarching and, ultimately, corrupt influence. Furthermore, what is also explored is the compulsion people have to join groups that uplift their normal sense of identity—especially in an era struggling to define just what it meant to be an American.

This essay will also be published in the forthcoming edition of the Journal for the Research into Freemasonry and Fraternalism. http://www.equinoxpub.com/JRFF

A 1914-1918 prequel to the events described in the essay will be presented at the May 2011 International Conference on Masonic History in Alexandria, Virginia

Adam Kendall is a Past Master of Phoenix Lodge No. 144 in San Francisco, a founding member of Academia Lodge No. 847 in Oakland, and an employee of the Grand Lodge for nine years. For the Henry Wilson Coil Library and Museum as its Collections Manager, he is in charge of the care, inventory, and interpretation of the items contained within the vast archives. He has also written and curated the exhibits featured within the museum and online: www.masonicheritage.org

In addition to his long-standing work with Masonic-oriented educational committees, research societies and museums, he is a frequent international lecturer on the history, symbology and material culture of the Craft--lately concentrating on American and Californian fraternal themes that have had a wide social impact during the early 20th century. He is also published in several venerable Masonic journals, namely The Philalethes, Ars Quatuor Coronati, Journal for the Research into Freemasonry and Fraternalism; and Ahiman: A Review of Masonic Culture and Tradition. Several other upcoming works will be published within and without the fraternity during 2011-12.

WEOFM.ORG: "Origins of Royal Arch Masonry" by Yasha Beresiner

The sixth video presentation from the Worldwide Exemplification of Freemasonry is up and running, presented on Vimeo in Flash format.

This week's program is Origins and Development of Royal Arch Masonry by Yasha Beresiner

The previous presentation was "The Foundation of the Premier Grand Lodge in 1717" by WBro. Christopher Powell.

The Worldwide Exemplification of Freemasonry 2011 Lecture Series is a free presentation by the Grand Lodge of Indiana F&AM, beginning January 1, 2011 and running through December 31, 2011. At the conclusion of each presentation you will usually have an opportunity to join with the speakers in a live conversation on Facebook at the "Worldwide Exemplification of Freemasonry 2011 Lecture Series" page.

Next week's program will be "Why “Ancients & Moderns?" by Trevor Stewart. It will posted on Saturday evening, 2/26.

I have been asked to present on March 26th on the subject of "The Evolution of the Ritual."

New Idaho Lodge of Research Magazine

The cover of the latest edition of the new and improved quarterly magazine for the Idaho Lodge of Research No. 1965, edited by Bro. Daniel Gardiner.

"Yeah, we kicked it up a notch, and yes, that's Socrates gettin' ready to lay the beatdown on DeCartes. I think he needs a "mom" tattoo..."

The lodge has adopted the motto:

To Learn, Read
To Know, Write
To Master, Teach

For information, contact the lodge at IdahoLoR1965@gmail.com

Pennsylvania DeMolay Blog

My friend Seth Anthony and the Pennsylvania DeMolay have been running a blog for quite a while that focuses on working with youth groups, usually with a Masonic twist. They also discuss some history of the Templars, Masonic History, and general knowledge items. Seth is a tireless worker for DeMolay, Rainbow and Job's Daughters in Pennsylvania, and is one of those tireless brethren who seem to pop up everywhere.

That's Seth with me at the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Pennsylvania's Division Commander's Seminar, on the Patton Campus of the Masonic Village in Elizabethtown, PA, earlier this month.

Check out Pennsylvania DeMolay News and Views.

In his capacity working for DeMolay in Pennsylvania, Seth has designed a limited edition DeMolay fez as a fund raiser, spreading his fuzzy fez fetish to another generation. And drop in and visit his Virtual Museum of Fezology.

QCC Lodge No. 2076 Announces New Members

Congratulations to Alain Bernheim, Dr. James W. P. Campbell, Arturo de Hoyos, Trevor McKeown, Andreas Rizopoulos, Dr. Andreas Onnefors, Christopher Powell, Brian Price and Mark Tabbert on their election last November as full members of London's Quatuor Coronati Lodge No. 2076. It was announced in the QCC newsletter awaiting me in my stack of mail when I got back from Masonic Week last night.

The lodge was established in 1884 as a lodge of research and publishes its annual transactions as Ars Quatuor Coronatorum. Anyone may join the Correspondence Circle and receive AQC.

Sunday, February 20th: International Pipe Smoker's Day.

Roger VanGorden and I freezing ourselves on the patio in Alexandria, VA

last week, for the sake of reveling in the Brotherhood of the Briar.

"A pipe is the fountain of contemplation, the source of pleasure, the companion of the wise; and the man who smokes, thinks like a philosopher and acts like a Samaritan."

-Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton

This coming Sunday, February 20th, is International Pipe Smoker's Day. Raise your pipe in celebration!

According to the IPSD Website,

WE ENVISION A WORLDWIDE COMMUNION
of pipe-smokers that is bound together by a shared love for pipe-smoking, mutual respect, and goodwill • We envision a society that respects the informed choice and adult use of smoking tobacco • We envision a world where governments act in good faith and integrity, and have the political will and personal courage to express their values appropriately through legislative means • This means that as a group we are united and strong in our beliefs, have understanding, patience, wisdom, enjoy the philosophical aspect of pipe-smoking, and seek to promote pipe-smoking as part of a lifestyle that can be thoroughly enjoyable to adults through the responsible use of tobacco.

MISSION
To foster links across the globe in honor of friendship, benevolence, and tranquility; and to celebrate the fraternity of pipe-smokers across all borders.

PURPOSE
On this day we will take a breather and celebrate the noble art of pipe-smoking and the noble spirit which pervades the brother/sisterhood of the briar. We will put into practice the time-honored and ancestral traditions of raising our pipes in toast to each other in the evening in unison and, thus, share a bowl together.

PHILOSOPHY
Today’s hectic environment almost dictates that we run on full efficiency, have total involvement in our work, our families and in every aspect of what we do to survive and achieve in a world set at high speed.• With ever-changing values it is the intent that The International Pipe-Smoking Day will allow us, the Brothers and Sisters of the Briar to step back and appreciate our rich historical value. • For pipe-smokers and pipe-smoking everywhere the day will be emblematic of our shared values, history, traditions, and aspirations.

For those of you who have long admired the art of the pipe, but didn't know where to start when it comes to partaking of the joys of the leaf and briar, The Art of Manliness website features a Pipe Smoking Primer, written by Jason Mills.

The 1979 Surgeon General's Report on Smoking and Health (Table 7, Section 13, page 17, or page 637 in pdf form) shows that, in one study (H. A. Kahn), pipe smokers of 1-4 bowls a day actually have a lower mortality rate than non-smokers. Table 8 of a second study (E.C. Hammond), shows pipe smokers who smoke more than 9 bowls a day, again, had a lower mortality rate than non-smokers.

That's because a pipe keeps us calm and free from hysterics. In fact, messing with a pipe allows the experienced puffer to avoid answering a direct question for as long as 45 minutes.

"The pipe draws wisdom from the lips of the philosopher, and shuts up the mouth of the foolish; it generates a style of conversation, contemplative, thoughtful, benevolent, and unaffected..."

-William Makepeace Thackeray, from The Social Pipe

Article in the Phylaxis Magazine

Many thanks to Brother Ralph McNeal and Brother John B. Williams, Editor of the Phylaxis Magazine, for inviting me to expand my article "Freemasonry's African Image Problem" which appears in the 4th Quarter 2010 issue (Vol. 37, No. 3).

The Phylaxis Society was established as an international research organization that concentrates on the history of Prince Hall Freemasonry. Membership is open to any Freemason whose grand lodge is recognized by the Conference of Prince Hall Grand Masters, or recognized by the United Grand Lodge of England. Their quarterly magazine has been published since 1974.

2011 Masonic Week Wrap Up

I am home after 10 days of traveling, first to the Masonic Village in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, where I spoke at the Pennsylvania Grand Commandery's meeting on Saturday, followed by six days at Masonic Week in Alexandria, VA. Last year's event was bedeviled by an apocalyptic snowstorm, dumping 4 feet of global warming on the area around Washington DC and much of the East Coast.

Not this year. And there was much rejoicing.

Nathan Brindle and me. Loitering. Lowering property values.

Photo by Roger VanGorden.

The Indiana Masonic Mafia was represented at Masonic Week, with myself, Nathan Brindle, John Bridegroom, Jim Dillman, Roger VanGorden, Duane Vaught, Larry Gray and more. One of the longstanding presences at Masonic Week has been Tennessee's Sid Dorris. Brother Sid passed away in 2010, and he is missed by all who had the distinct pleasure of knowing him. And Pennsylvania's Tom Jackson was there, in spite of a recent bout with a serious infection that had kept him hospitalized in isolation for over a week. It was good to see him up and around.


It's the down time between events that makes Masonic Week so much fun for us true Masonic junkies. The Masonic Society hospitality suite was the place to be all week—at one point on Thursday, I saw authors Pete Normand, Brent Morris, Art DeHoyos, Mike Halleran, Rex Hutchens, Andrew Hammer, John Palmer (editor of the Knight Templar Magazine), along with another 25 brethren crammed into its cozy confines. I don't think we were able to close the doors of the suite before 3AM all week. Thanks to Jim Dillman for again being our unofficial bartender.

The Masonic Society banquet featured WBro. Bryan Toye of Toye, Kenning & Spencer in England as our speaker. His talk was fun, entertaining and informative, and a good time was had by all. Masonic Society Founding President Roger VanGorden was presented with two engraved Glencairn whisky glasses, and appropriate to his home state, a bottle of W. H. Harrison Governor's Reserve Batch No. 1 Indiana Bourbon. Yeah, Indiana bourbon. The first distilled here since Prohibition.


We had just around 70 in attendance at our dinner. For those keeping track over the years, this is similar in size to our previous banquets, and encouraging this year especially, as there were many, many people shy about purchasing a pocket full of expensive meal tickets after 2010's 4-foot snow drifts kept them away. Also, our banquet has always taken place at the same time as the Royal Society of Knights Occidental dinner, which features a belly dancer. Seriously. So if attendees go for that, they miss ours. We think we provide a good counterbalance to that event, and Billy Koon must agree, as he jokingly complains that we're robbing his potential "new members" every year.

John Palmer and Michael Halleran

The Masonic Society booth in the dealer's area was a popular place to hang out during the day, and we had a steady stream of new signups and renewals, even after Nathan's laptop computer was destroyed by an unforeseeable catastrophe involving a Pepsi.

There were 37 brethren initiated into the newly formed Grand Masters’ Prefecture of the Grand Priory of the Reformed and Rectified Rite of the US (CBCS). In spite of the controversy over the formation of the Priory under the auspices of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the US, this has the potential of being a huge and positive development in bringing the degrees of this very old system, which has been long-moribund in the US, to light in this country at last. The Martinism influenced degrees are almost unknown here, and the hope is that will now change. (Please note that, in the interest of full disclosure on my future discussions about this issue, I have joined this body.)

The Philalethes Society held their annual meeting Friday, and TMS Member Terry Tilton will be staying on another year as President. Brother Shawn Eyre's labors at remaking that society's magazine into a well-designed and respected journal are to be commended. Their breakfast (despite the barmy and uncivilized hour of 7AM!) was well attended, and the guest speaker was Brother Michael Halleran from Emporia. Kansas, who spoke about Masonry during the American Civil War. They are planning their 2010 Semi-Annual meeting in San Francisco as a joint meeting with the Phylaxis Society, a first for those two organizations.

As was previously posted, Brother Alton Roundtree was named the 100th Blue Friar.

S. Brent Morris was the speaker at the Scottish Rite Research Society luncheon Saturday, after getting snowed in to his home last year. He spoke about how to create and organize a well-written Masonic research paper.

In the manner of whispering good counsel in the ears of would-be writers everywhere: Strunk & White. And Chicago Manual of Style. 'Nuff said.

The Grand College of Rites named Martin P. Starr as Most Illustrious Grand Chancellor for 2011-12. The current issue of Collectanea that was handed out this year to members presents the ritual of the Craft degrees for the Rite of Strict Observance. The Rite of Strict Observance is the forerunner of today's CBCS, as well as the Swedish Rite. In addition to the RSO degrees, there are also two 18th century French high degrees in the book, with Rosicrucian similarities. They were translated from the original French into German, and then into English. According to Art DeHoyos, these particular rituals were saved from being confiscated by the Nazis in their campaign to destroy German and occupied Masonic lodges. If you are a member of the GCofR, and weren't in Alexandria, it will be mailed to you.

Janet Wintermute and friends assembled Friday for an annual unofficial luncheon of Masons from jurisdictions whose obligations keep us Masonically at arm's length. Janet is an Indianapolis girl transplanted to the East Coast, and a female Mason. It was good to spend some time with Joi Grieg and Jenna Line, as well. Joi is organizing several sessions for the Maryland Masonic Research Society this year. As one fellow said to me, "If you're troubled by irregularity with these folks, go see a doctor."

In the Allied Masonic Degrees, I did not attend those meetings, but I understand the convention contract with the hotel ends next year, and the sense of the membership was that the Washington DC area remains the popular location for Masonic Week, just not at the Hilton Mark Center. Too far from restaurants and services, and/or sightseeing attractions in the District have long been the complaints ever since the program moved out of the Hotel Washington, when that venerable hotel was sold and remodeled. I also heard a rumor that there is talk of the Scarlet Cord degrees being folded into the AMD umbrella of degrees. Again, I wasn't there and I may be incorrect, so perhaps someone else knows more.

Paul Newhall was honored with the Marvin E. Fowler Award from the Grand Council of AMD of the USA. Congratulations, Paul! If you don't know him, Brother Newhall does the tedious, mind-numbing heavy lifting of actually organizing Masonic week, dealing with the hotel, Masons, vendors, big egos, hurt feelings, and answering angry 4AM security phone calls about happy, lost revelers running through the halls. BTW, thanks to the wisenheimer who stuck the card on my door in the predawn hours Thursday, ordering a 6AM breakfast for three people, and marking everything on the menu. Great gag. Wish I'd thought of it. Luckily I don't go to bed before 5AM, you little miscreant.

John Bridegroom. Photo by Roger VanGorden.

Masonic Society Member John Bridegroom designed the new official logo for Masonic Week, that sold very well as a pin design during the week, as well as our 3rd annual Masonic Society commemorative pin given to attendees of our banquet Friday night. John continues to produce excellent artwork professionally, and the Masonic world is discovering his talents. Please remember, brethren, he does this for a living.

Congratulations are in order to other members of the Masonic Society: Founding Fellow Aaron Shoemaker for his appointment to the officer line of the Grand College of Rites, and to Mohamad Yatim upon his appointment as Grand Superintendent for New Jersey in the Allied Masonic Degrees. Founding Member Reed Fanning and Fellow Glen Cook are the Deacons of Grand Master's Council, AMD.

Saturday evening, several of us fled the hotel and enjoyed dinner in Alexandria, followed by a private tour at the George Washington Masonic Memorial, thanks to Bro. Mark Tabbert. In previous years, a group of us have had an unofficial "Friends of the Knights of the North" dinner at Old Town's Gatsby's Tavern, organized by WBro. Andrew Hammer, but between the expanding range of official meetings, degrees and activities, with the challenges of weekend crowds, it didn't happen this time. There's always next year.

It is my understanding that Masonic Week this year had the highest attendance ever in its history. Thanks to everyone who came. Come join the fun next year!

H/T to Jay Hochberg for some of the events I missed. And check out my friend Jim Dillman's blog for his own tales of the weekend.

Of course, the great thing about going to the Washington area is the other stuff you can do. Like staging this photo where I am most definitely not attempting to be Brad Meltzer.

Alton Roundtree Named 100th Blue Friar

Blue Friars Richard Curtis, Tom Jackson, Alton Roundtree,
S. Brent Morris, Rex Hutchens, Art de Hoyos, Pete Normand, Mark Tabbert

The Society of Blue Friars was established in 1932 to honor and recognize Masonic authors. The Friars meet annually in Alexandria, Virginia as a part of the Masonic Week festivities. Their meeting is open to the public, and it traditionally takes place on Friday at 11AM. Each year, a new Friar is named by the Grand Abbot, and the announcement is always a pleasant surprise. Following the announcement, the new Friar is generally expected to present a paper at the meeting.

On Friday, February 11th, Grand Abbott S. Brent Morris announced Brother Alton G. Roundtree has been named the 100th Blue Friar.

Brother Roundtree is the co-author with Paul M. Bessel of Out Of The Shadows: The Emergence of Prince Hall Freemasonry in America, published in 2006. He is a Past Master, a 33rd Degree Mason, a fellow of both the Phylaxis Society and the Masonic Society, and has served as editor of the Masonic Globe Magazine, and the Prince Hall Masonic Digest.

His newest book is the most heavily documented work ever produced on the subject of the "National Compact" period of Prince Hall Freemasonry, and the struggles between what are generally referred to as Prince Hall Affiliated (PHA) and Prince Hall Origin (PHO) grand lodges. The National Grand Lodge and Prince Hall Freemasonry: The Untold Truth is an exhaustive study of this subject, filled with documentation that has never been collected together in one volume before.

Brother Roundtree's paper was a recounting of events that led to the split between the two groups.

Congratulations, Alton for the well-deserved honor!

Live From The Floor Of Masonic Week

Nathan Brindle and myself at Masonic Week in Alexandria, VA.

Sickness & Distress: Michael Poll

Brother Michael Poll, President of the Masonic Society and proprietor of Cornerstone Book Publishing, was hospitalized Saturday with a mild heart attack. Based on a message from Mike's nephew, a statement was issued today by John R. "Bo" Cline, PM, 1st Vice President, The Masonic Society:

Brother Michael Poll suffered what has been believed to be a mild heart attack this past weekend. He is in the hospital and they have been giving treatment and taking tests since then. As of now they do not believe that surgery will be necessary. He did not lose consciousness and there does not seem to be any major blockages. He is stable and if the tests all turn out well he could be going home soon. The doctors have said that it seems it was caused by high blood pressure and hypertension.

It is a major wake-up call for him. The family thought that he was going to have another heart attack when they told him that there was no way that he could be in Washington, DC this week for the annual meeting of The Masonic Society.

Currently Mike is on two weeks of total rest, which means he is not receiving visitors, monitoring the internet, or taking phone calls. Good wishes may be sent to Mike at:

Michael Poll
1151 Homestead Ave.
Metairie, LA 70005

Please keep Mike and his family in your prayers.

He is home as of this morning. Mike's family is requesting that folks refrain from calling his home number, and that if you have Mike's cell phone, understand that they are keeping it out of his eager grasp for a while until he gets stronger.

We will miss him at Masonic Week in Alexandria, but he's engaged in a far more important mission right now. Get well soon, Mike!

2011 Midwest Conference on Masonic Education in Detroit 4/8-10

The 62nd Annual Midwest Conference on Masonic Education will be held in Detroit, Michigan April 8-10 2011.

The program topics wil include:

• Freemasonry in the Military
• Discussion Panel of Young Master Masons
• Expectations of our Younger Brothers

More to be announced. Plus a special program and events for the ladies.

Main Meetings will be held at The Henry Hotel (formerly the Ritz-Carlton – Dearborn), located at 300 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, Michigan 48126-2712 and the phone number is 1-888-709-8081

There will be tours available of the Detroit Masonic Temple, and the grand banquet will be held in the Temple's beautiful Norman-style Commandery Asylum. The Detroit Masonic Temple is located at 500 Temple Avenue, Detroit, Michigan 48201.

More information by email available from DeviceCat@att.net

Or contact Donald E. Mosier, PGM, Executive Secretary

Blog Glitch Fixed

My apologies to all today. I am on the road, but received several notes informing me that the blog site was redirecting to an expired domain name.

Blogpoll.com is a free service I was using to create poll questions over on the right side of the page. Obviously the trouble with "free" is the owners make no money. Apparently they lost ownership of the domain name today, which was creating havoc for the code on my page.

It's fixed now.

UPDATE
Blogpoll.com has been repaired. It's a simple and free Java-based service, and doesn't put ads on your site. And the owners have responded almost instantly both times I have contacted them this week. If you need a poll for your blog, toss them your business.

Old Masters Scotch Available in Indiana

A special note for my Indiana brethren.

Indiana is one of those states that does not allow legal mail order liquor sales, so I have just been pleasantly informed that Lombard's Old Masters Scotch Whisky can now be ordered from:

United Package Liquors
Geist Location
Attn: Jim Gooley
9908 East 79th. Street
Indianapolis, IN.
255-9463

On The Road Again!

Heading out tonight for the Masonic Village in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, where I'll be speaking at the Pennsylvania Grand Commandery's meeting on Saturday . Then I'll have a day or two to knock around before I have to be in Alexandria, VA for what promises to be a bang up time at Masonic Week.

Stop in at the Masonic Society's hospitality suite or at our table in the dealer's area and say hello.

Connecticut Freemasons Magazine

Many thanks to WBro. Simon LaPlace, the editor of Connecticut Freemasons magazine, and to the Grand Lodge of Connecticut for running a full page article in their January 2011 issue about the Masonic Society.

The Masonic Society is the fastest growing research organization dedicated to Freemasonry, with over 1,300 members in 17 countries around the world.

The Four Chaplains

The two Scottish Rite jurisdictions in the United States have decidedly different philosophies about the 28 degrees they regularly confer on their members. The Southern Jurisdiction has largely kept to the degree rituals (with modification over the years) penned by Albert Pike in the 1800s. These are predominantly based upon biblical-era or medieval stories, drawing their inspiration from antiquity.

In contrast, the Scottish Rite Northern Jurisdiction has long had a maxim, that its degrees should be constantly changing to remain timely and relevant to be effective lessons for its members. A case in point is the The 23rd Degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry (Northern Jurisdiction), "Knight of Valor," based on an incident from World War II. That incident, the sinking of the ship USAT Dorchester and the selfless sacrifice of four military chaplains aboard her, happened 68 years ago today.

The Dorchester was a coastal liner that had been converted to a troop transport for World War II. It was traveling in a convoy off the coast of Newfoundland in the North Atlantic on the morning of February 3, 1943 when it was torpedoed by the German submarine U-223. As the ship sank, the four chaplains—two Protestant, one Catholic and one Jewish—gave their life jackets to other men.

The chaplains, who all held the rank of lieutenant, were the Methodist Reverend George L. Fox, Rabbi Alexander D. Goode, the Roman Catholic Priest John P. Washington and the Reformed Church in America Reverend Clark V. Poling.

In all, just 230 of the 904 men aboard the ship were rescued.

From a story in Stars and Stripes today, Heroism of 4 chaplains during sinking of WWII ship inspires today's corps
By Ashley Rowland:

After the torpedo hit, they worked on the ship’s darkened deck, passing out life jackets, comforting troops and helping some into life boats. When the ship’s supply of life jackets ran out, they gave away the ones they were wearing.

The four chaplains were last seen praying together on the ship’s slanting deck, arms linked, as the USAT Dorchester quickly slid into the frigid waters off the coast of Greenland.

Sixty-eight years later, the four, all lieutenants — George Fox, Alexander Goode, Clark Poling, and John Washington, remain heroes to a chaplain corps that, like the rest of the U.S. military, has been strained by repeated deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. And their story is particularly resonant, chaplains say, because of their differences.

The Scottish Rite's dramatization of this degree is to teach "that faith in God will find expression in love for our fellow man, even to the ultimate personal sacrifice." Rabbi Dr. Alexander Goode, Lieutenant, U.S. Army, as dramatized in the Knight of Valor Degree, says the following:

“The things that unite us are far more fundamental than those that divide us. We can never hope to have absolute uniformity in belief. Men will always differ as long as men think. This difference need not lead to hatred or ill will or the shedding of blood. Let us respect each other, enrich each other and look for the best in each other. Let Christians be truly Christians and Jews truly Jewish, and let the good and the noble of both faiths unite for the realization of common ideals and aspirations for the glory of God and the redemption of humanity.”

A special presentation of this degree occurred last May aboard the USS New Jersey, performed by New Jersey Scottish Rite Masons. See Jay Hochberg's story about it here.

Those Darn Masonic Cops

A Connecticut murder case has had its trial date delayed. The alleged murderer, Larry Corbett, made a partial confession to a 2008 shooting, and his attorney has asked for more time to prepare.

It seems Corbett thinks he got a raw deal from a Masonic police officer.

From the ctpost.com "Federal Murder Case Pushed Back To March":

Corbett was indicted by federal authorities in February 2010 in the shooting death of George McPherson, of the Bronx, N.Y., whose bullet-riddled body was discovered in January 2008 on Sterling Road in the backcountry. During a December 2008 interview with police, Corbett spoke with detectives about what happened that night after noticing a detective wore a Masonic ring. The detective told Corbett's grandfather, who is part of the Masonic fraternity, that he would treat Corbett like a brother Mason. Corbett then admitted that he shot McPherson in the hand during a drug deal gone bad, but denied fatally striking him. Corbett said that after an unidentified man shot McPherson in the chest, he drove the body to Greenwich and dumped it.

The federal judge ruled that Corbett made the confession knowingly and voluntarily and that police tactics did not constitute coercion.

Funny the dumb ideas you can get about Masons from TV and comic books.

A Book of Burns

The Internet will pauper me yet. A stack of books arrived through the miracle of Abebooks that would have taken months if not years to track down just ten years ago. Now life is all just instant gratification and two-day shipping.

One of the acquisitions was Robert Burns: The Complete Works and Letters Masonic Edition. It was published in London by Collins Clear Type Press, but oddly no clue as to the publishing date. An ornate leather edition appeared in 1909, and this cloth bound version was published up into the 1930s. I'm not collecting, I just wanted the book. In addition to Burns' works, it has a lengthy chapter in the beginning about Burns' Masonic life.

His poem "No Churchman Am I" (which was set to the tune of "Prepare My Dear Brethren To The Tavern Let's Fly") often doesn't include the final stanza written for use in a Masonic lodge. I think of it when I lament my own jurisdiction's banishment of liquor from the lodge halls in the 1870s:

Then fill up a bumper and make it o'erflow,
And honours masonic prepare for to throw;
May ev'ry true Brother of the Compass and Square
Have a big-belly'd bottle when harass'd with care.

Poll Results: How Old Were You?

Certainly, the poll was partially skewed by the ages of Internet users and blog readers, but interesting results, nonetheless.

Alberta's Masonic Spring Workshop April 15-17, 2011

For more than four decades, Masons have met in the Canadian Rockies each spring for a weekend of fellowship, education and fun. This year’s 46th Annual Masonic Spring Workshop, hosted by the Grand Lodge of Alberta AF&AM, will be April 15-17, once again at Delta Lodge resort in Kananaskis, Alberta.

This year's theme is "Drawing Aside the Veil."

From the Workshop's website:

The ability of Freemasonry to keep secrets from the rest of the world is legend. But how well do we communicate them amongst ourselves? What ‘are’ our Masonic secrets? Are they universal? Are they unique to the Craft? When we vow not to communicate our secrets to the profane, precisely what have we sworn not to reveal? When we vow not to communicate masonically with a clandestine Mason, do we fully understand the meaning of that commitment? Most of us are comfortable with the definition of regularity, but how do we define clandestine? Moreover, exactly what is Masonic communication? Isn’t it all readily available on the Internet anyway? Or is it?

Many questions. Many different answers. That’s good! When there’s more than one ‘correct’ answer to the same question the result is often stimulating, thought-provoking discussion. When that discussion takes place in an atmosphere of earnest enquiry and tolerance of others’ opinions, it inevitably leads to enlightenment and personal growth. And that’s the objective of the Masonic Spring Workshop.

The Masonic Society is a proud sponsor of this event. TMS members dominate the lineup this year. Keynote speaker is Founding Fellow S. Brent Morris, and the featured author is Fellow Timothy Hogan. Other speakers include Fellow Randy Williams and Member Bruce Zawalksky.

For more information see www.masonicspringworkshop.ab.ca

I had the happy honor of speaking at the workshop back in 2008, and there is nothing like it anywhere else in North American Freemasonry.

Montana, Alberta and Saskatchewan Joint Mtg in August

The Second Annual Trijurisdictional Outdoor Lodge, promoting Masonic friendship and fraternity between the Grand Lodges of Montana, Alberta and Saskatchewan will be held August 26-27, 2011 at Helena, Montana. A joint outdoor meeting will take place at the site of the Mullan Pass Historic Masonic Site.

The event is sponsored by Grand Masters of the Grand Lodges of Montana, Alberta and Saskatchewan. All Master Masons from jurisdictions recognized by the GL of Montana are invited.

Program and hotel information will be coming soon. Join their email list for updates by contacting 2011trijurisdictional@gmail.com And sign up for the Facebook page here.

Rose Circle Research Foundation Conference Feb. 26th

Rose Circle Research Foundation Conference
Saturday, February 26, 2 p.m.
Masonic Hall (Grand Lodge of New York F&AM)
71 West 23rd Street, Manhattan

Presentations:

• Dr. Christopher McIntosh - The Rose Cross and the Age of Reason
• Steven Burkle - Alchemy and Magick Under the Three Globes and Other Contemporary Jurisdictions
• Additional speakers to be announced soon.

Brother (and Dr.) Christopher McIntosh, of Pilgrim Lodge No. 238 in London, is a scholar in the study of esoteric movements' importance to 18th century European history. He is a faculty member at the Centre of the Study of Esotericism, University of Exeter, England. His long out of print book, "The Rose Cross and the Age of Reason," is being republished this month by SUNY Press as part of its Western Esoteric Traditions series. Bro. McIntosh rarely lectures in the United States.

Brother Steven Burkle is a Mason in both Ohio and New Jersey lodges who has written college textbooks and more than 50 journal articles. Steven's interests include Alchemy, Astrology, Kabbalah, Tarot, Ceremonial Magick and Masonic symbolism.

This event is open to all interested in Esoteric studies. No affiliation with any particular order or body is required.

Admission only: $30 each.
Admission plus a copy of "The Rose Cross and the Age of Reason" signed by the Bro. McIntosh: $80 (the book is very rare, and is being reprinted this month by SUNY Press, so consider this to be a whopping bargain)

Reserve tickets here. Be aware that seating is very limited.

H/T to Jay Hochberg

Dennis Miller Discovers the Fez

Dennis Miller has adopted Morocco's humble headgear, the iconic fez made fashionable by the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, as de rigueur sartorial accouterment, apropos for wearing while listening to his radio program.

He charges $27.95.

When I listen, I wear my real one.

Even in the car. Especially in the car.

GM of Spain Insists French Invasion Not True

The Spanish online publication El Confidencial has reported a story that has been picked up by bloggers around the world, in the wake of the current very public meltdown of the Grande Loge Nationale Française and its Grand Master, François Stifani. The Spanish tale is that 10,000 French Masons are fleeing the GLNF and are seeking membership in lodges of the Gran Logia de España (Grand Lodge of Spain).

From "Unos 10.000 masones franceses quieren afiliarse a la Gran Logia de España" (Google translation):

[A] sector of the GLNF Masons have initiated contact with their Spanish counterparts of the Grand Lodge of Spain to probe the possibility of leaving the institution militancy in French and Spanish to join the lodges, especially those found in areas near the country neighbor as Catalonia, Aragon, Navarra and the Basque Country. Between the French and Spanish organization there are strong links, both are considered "regular lodges, which depend on what is known as English obedience," the oldest and largest in the world.

Sources of the Grand Lodge of Spain consulted by El Confidencial suggest that "what has been, so far, are some contacts of the brothers of France to see if the Grand Lodge of Spain would open its doors, as the organization in that country has suffered hit hard by the actions of its Grand Master. " These sources emphasize that "the crisis in the GLNF is very strong and many members have sent us their intention not to be affiliated with the organization since they are very disappointed by the political manipulation that has been made of the institution. One thing that may have Masons in policy and quite another to put such an institution serving some interests, which is prohibited. Stifani Freemasonry has betrayed. "

In Spain, the GLE is currently headed by lawyer Oscar Alfonso Valencia, which has been calm the waters within the organization after a turbulent period for some actions of the former Grand Master, Joseph Carter Tarragona. The number of Masons affiliated with GLE is about 2,500. Still, is the largest of the lodges that exist in our country. Therefore, a massive influx of members from the neighboring country could open a doubt about the future of the organization, as they could clearly dominate the caucuses. "While ultimately not the 10,000 who escaped from France, yes there are several thousands who are willing to take the plunge. But first we need to see how they could integrate without endangering the stability of the GLE. The limitation of the vote or certain conditions of eligibility could be the solution to accommodate this major injection of human capital.

An emphatic message of denial of this supposed French invasion of disaffected GLNF Masons has been posted today by Oscar de Alfonso Ortega, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Spain (Google translation):

In relation to information published in the secular press of Spanish, I say:

It is completely untrue that 10,000 French Brothers want to join the Grand Lodge of Spain. As of today, January 31, 2011, the number of French brothers who have applied for membership of the Grand Lodge of Spain that I have the honor to lead is ... zero. Again, zero. Indeed, there has been no request to that effect, contrary to what has transpired in the secular press. The contents of the article in a digital media does not correspond to reality and can only be understood as a sort of trial balloon launched by someone, I fear that a Mason in lower case, which is still far from certain polish stone to heat up the atmosphere and create an environment conducive to that possibility. But reality is stubborn and, as I said, there has been no movement of French Brothers to join the Grand Lodge of Spain. In this regard I must reiterate that, in my opinion, every Grand Lodge is sovereign and independent, so that should be resolved internally the events that occur within it, and no other Grand Lodge should interfere or meddle in matters that concern them.

I take this opportunity to make some publicity: on March 12, 2011 held in Barcelona (Spain) Great Regular Meeting of the Grand Lodge of Spain and would be a great honor for Spanish Brothers have the assistance of our Latin American Brothers. So far seven Great Masters of Europe and Latin America have confirmed their attendance, with their respective delegations. Hope to see you soon if your time and possibilities permit.

A fraternal hug,

Oscar de Alfonso Ortega
Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Spain