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Post by windtimber on Jul 4, 2007 14:05:54 GMT
...We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security...
After 231 years we're still working on it and don't yet have it quite right. but as a whole aren't we better off for the Great American Experiment?
Happy 4th of July!
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Post by windtimber on Mar 13, 2006 2:14:51 GMT
I'm in the USA , not that old [just past 50], fairly well connected and a Freemason for over 15 years. I haven't heard a thing about what you describe. Where is this suposed to be going on?
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Post by windtimber on Mar 21, 2006 22:50:56 GMT
In South Dakota [North Central USA - just a North Dakota width south of Canada] we have all the "blood curdling" penalties in each degree. Some years back a GM decreed that, during his term, the word "symbolically" would be inserted before "binding myself to no less an obligation than...". As was discussed in a Board of Custodians of the Work meeting a few months ago, that only lasted for the year of that GM's decree. Now we're doing the work without the "symbolically" included.
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Post by windtimber on Feb 22, 2006 2:38:40 GMT
Perhaps I'm being mundane here, but we have some white wands [known in our practice as a "staff"] simply because the varnish was getting bad and it was easier for somebody to paint them than properly varnish them!
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Post by windtimber on May 15, 2006 17:09:29 GMT
In Oregon, in fact, it's referred to as " craft" beer. I don't think that's an accident. "Craft" beer...ahhhhh THAT explains the origin of the beer I found a few months ago was which brewed in Bend, Oregon, and packaged under the name of " Jubelale!" Unfortunately, I drank it all rather than saving some for the end of the 2nd section of the MM degree. It was darn good, by the way...
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Post by windtimber on Jan 31, 2006 18:46:06 GMT
NC USA here.
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Post by windtimber on Jan 10, 2006 4:14:23 GMT
I don't know squat about the United Grand Lodge of America - first I'd heard of it was in the initial post in this thread.
I do know that several years ago there was a brouhaha in the deep south, Georgia maybe, about a brother being stripped of his membership due to his involvement in the liquor industry. Many years ago a number of U.S. Grand Lodges prohibited membership to men involved in the liquor trade - don't ask me why - but, as far as I know, and for certain in my own jurisdiction, that prohibition has been removed. However, it still existed someplace in the south. As the brother was "drummed out" of the Lodge he maintained his membership in a local Shrine Temple. A prerequisite to being a Shriner is being a Master Mason. There then ensued an ugly dispute between the Shrine [on a local level] and the Grand Lodge. [There were a variety of websites referring to this a while back - sorry I haven't a clue what the addresses might be - an zealous researcher may turn up a few.] I think it might have gone so far as a Grand Master threatening to "excommunicate" any Brother who maintained his Shrine membership. Now, I may have that wrong but you get the idea.
Judging by the references to Georgia/Alabama, etc. in the "Masonic Declaration of Independence" I wonder if that whole mess isn't one of the precursors to this website. I want to reiterate, that is JUST A GUESS on my part.
Regarding Prince Hall Lodges, a post up above someplace noted that Prince Hall Lodges have a strong and proud history and heritage. That is certainly correct. However, I am no expert on Prince Hall Masonry by any stretch. Be assured, however, that I do know that there is no prohibition on a person of color petitioning for, or being accepted, into my lodge. He would be considered no differently than anyone else - our current and active Native American brothers being obvious examples. Perhaps there is some carry over of old bias in some places. Personally, I have not observed such reprehensible behavior but I am not so naive as to doubt it's continuing existence.
Finally, some of the information on the United Grand Lodge of America also echoes concerns expressed in some quarters about "McMasonry" [Drive up McDonald's Restaurant reference - no disrespect to anyone of Scottish heritage!] resulting from one-day classes, communication of degrees rather than full participatory work, and the growth of large administrative arms of some grand bodies. There is some merit to those concerns...but I can hardly believe that some new masonic organization will help. We've got so darn many now - 50 Grand Lodges, a plethora of local, state, national, and international affiliated Masonic bodies - adding more to the mix seems counterproductive. Then again - there's always room for more debate!
Have a great day, my Brothers!
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Post by windtimber on Jan 5, 2006 19:33:13 GMT
Regarding Masonic burials/funerals - they are, in my humble opinion anyway, genuinely moving and a true tribute to a brother at the end of his life. Most importantly, again to me anyway, Masonic funeral rites are a welcoming, non-sectarian celebration of the immortality of the human soul; and a true reflection of the esteem in which every Freemason holds his brothers. After participating in Masonic funerals I have, on several occasions, been advised non-Masonic relatives and friends of a departed brother that the message of tolerance, peace, hope, and reunification expressed in the service was as comforting and meaningful as the traditional religious services which either followed or preceeded the Masonic rites. It is certainly not a substitute or replacement for appropriate religious ceremonies, is not intended to be, nor should be. But Masonic rites do offer universal comfort to the Mason, the family, and those who are "churched" or not.
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Post by windtimber on Jan 5, 2006 19:21:32 GMT
Well...at least in my experience there's no directive in my jurisdiction, and several others I'm familiar with, not to wear your apron. Yes, it is to be buried with you - but there is no prohibition or instruction not to wear it. Nonetheless, every lodge I've been in has a supply of "loaners" since hardly anyone brings their own apron. They are cloth and periodically require cleaning, starch, and ironing. I suspect the paper aprons are precisely for what was indicated - special occasions when a large gathering is expected, an outdoor activity, or other special lodge where by virtue of numbers or circumstances use of the regular "loaners" won't work well.
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Post by windtimber on Jan 31, 2006 19:17:29 GMT
Stepping out on a limb, and perhaps sawing it off while I stand there, and perhaps I'm naive and uninformed, but maybe the biggest problem is the proliferation of Grand bodies and hidebound institutional policy.
In another thread I participated a bit in a discussion that we were too overwrought with dignitaries, Grand institutions, formal introductions, and the trappings of organizational politics. Seems the same issue is at work here. Maybe we all need to step up in our Grand Bodies and start the slow and cumbersome process of changing direction. Inbred institutional bias doesn't go away on its own - particularly in Freemasonry where nothing is supposed to change! Consequently, it's the duty of concerned, dare I say enlightened, Brothers to come forward and agitate for institutional change.
My lodge is under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of South Dakota. And NO, that IS NOT in the southern USA. We're almost to Canada. Generally I understand that GLSD "recognizes" Prince Hall. What Prince Hall does it "recognize"? Heck if I know.
Does that matter to me? Not at all.
If a man is black, white, red, or any other color or ethnicity, if he has kneeled at the altar and obligated himself to the substantially the same principles as I have, he is my Masonic Brother. Period.
Vitalizing Freemasonry on the basis of Brother-to-Brother relationships is the beginning. I'm not going to worry about what Grand body recognizes what Grand body. If the Brothers in a local lodge will sit with me, I'll sit with them. If they are stuck on some formal recognition problem, well, my companionship becomes their loss! If I get in trouble with my Grand Lodge because I've sat in a lodge it doesn't recognize...well, I'll deal with that as need be! I believe that Freemasonry is inherently about the individual. Therefore, let's take individual responsibility and, with any luck and over a long time, we can drag the recalcitrant Grand bodies along - or to the devil with them. Either way is fine with me!
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Post by windtimber on Dec 13, 2005 4:03:43 GMT
Not being judgmental here - just wondering. How many of you have been in a disaster where public services were interrupted for days, natural catastrophes precluded immediate transportation of goods, wood and coal substituted for electricity and gas distribution, and otherwise you had to depend upon yourself and your neighbors? Some of us have...and we've seen man's BEST nature arise. Don't confuse real life with movies, overblown CNN reports, and micro-examples on the evening news.
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Post by windtimber on Dec 5, 2005 16:32:15 GMT
Well, we had a huge ice storm and blizzard last week. 70,000 people over about 6000 square miles lost power, heat, etc. Some like me for 7 or 8 hours. Others are still without a week later. Guess what? There were no riots, civil unrest, etc. At least in rural America man's better side has prevailed, everyone is pulling together, being patient, sharing resources, and it was surprisingly peaceful to sit for a while by candle or lamplight and then go to bed early!
In the greater, theoretical catastrophe you describe I firmly believe that man's inherent better nature - led by those of us who are in closer touch with the better man - will prevail!
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Post by windtimber on Nov 27, 2005 14:23:02 GMT
Ritual, initiations, meetings, mundane business, charitable works, introspection, personal development, self-definition, personal belief & faith, living a Masonic life - yup - we do all that. But most importantly, we are each others friends, bound by indissoluble bonds. We trust each other, we respect each other, and we care for each other, and we are truly ready to help each other.
How's that sound?
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Post by windtimber on Nov 15, 2005 22:26:20 GMT
Brother John -
This is more of an observation than an answer - take it for what it is worth. A couple years ago I vacationed in your home state and decided to take in a few Lodge meetings as a guest. Visiting a certain lodge I was "grilled" by the examining committee in minute detail. I learned thereafter that they were being examined that evening by a Grand officer to ascertain if they would qualify for some award recognizing for perfect work. The work was absolutely amazing, rote recited, martial movements on the floor, etc. They got their qualification and everyone was very pleased. I also learned that annual qualification for the perfect work recognition was an extremely important, long time object of this lodge.
Perhaps you find yourself in a lodge that has a long record of recognition of perfection in the work. There's not necessarily anything wrong with that - as stated above well done work is always a joy to behold - but substituting rote and nit-picking ritual perfection for a full understanding of our craft is truly a mistake. A balanced approach to perfect work is, like in all things, very important.
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Post by windtimber on Nov 11, 2005 17:13:34 GMT
Thanks for your responses! I hadn't thought of meetings consisting of only degree-work [What I assume the "ceremonies" reference relates to.] as being a problem. We meet 10 times per year [once a month except in July and August] for dinner and then open a tiled meeting to consider various official lodge business and announcements. Our degree work is done on other nights or in weekend festivals. Each regular tiled meeting includes a presentation from our "Education Officer" who's duty is to provide some enlightenment on Masonic history or philosphy. That invariably sparks some discussion, both during the meeting and at coffee afterwards.
The primary aegis of my original post was a concern that, perhaps, our various bodies are duplicating efforts and need to cooperate for the betterment of Freemasonry as a whole - concentrating on improving local Blue Lodge life rather than spending so much time and money and large "Grand" meetings. Thanks for the alternate points of view. You raise very appropriate questions!
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Post by windtimber on Nov 10, 2005 14:11:19 GMT
After long reflection, and years of hearing about the decline of Freemasonry in both numbers and "quality," I'm beginning to feel it's not that we're short in numbers, but long in general administration, perhaps too concerned with showering "dignitaries" with honors and titles, and, dare I suggest, having large formal meetings for the sake of meeting - even though there is no work to do.
Rephrasing that, has Freemasonry elevated form over substance? Do we need to concentrate on what it means to be a Mason, as opposed to "meeting like Masons?"
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Post by windtimber on Nov 7, 2005 21:40:17 GMT
Here on the north central U.S. prairie our dress code is fairly relaxed - to the chagrin of some and the cheers of others I might add! "Business casual" is pretty much the rule with most officers at least wearing a necktie, but that's not always the case.
By and large we accept a broad array of dress - keeping in mind that it's the inner, not the outer, man who is important - and keeping in mind we have lots of very small, very rural lodges out in farm and ranch country. We prefer to have members actively participate rather than stay away because they don't have the right "duds." In our Grand Lodge proceedings things are more formal. Business suit/slacks, tie, conservative coat or blazer for meetings. Formalwear [either black tie or white tie] for dinner.
By the way - I signed onto this forum about a year ago and promptly forgot about it. THANKS to whomever sent me the email reminding me (1) I was a member and (2) to post something or my membership would likely be terminated!
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Post by windtimber on Nov 10, 2005 13:55:30 GMT
I've always assumed electronic/CD/tape versions would only be a tool to assist/complement learning the "script." The specifics of floorwork, scenes, grips, etc. is certainly only adequately learned through practice and participation.
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Post by windtimber on Nov 9, 2005 14:26:22 GMT
OK gentlemen - how in the world did you get the proper authorities to approve distribtution of the ritual in electronic format? Or is it an "unapproved" distribution?
We struggled with officially distributing an unciphered text edition of the work to lodge secretaries, only, so each lodge would have a resource and tool for an official prompter. That was met with some degree of resistance by memorization purists.
Now the same problem seems to be arising with very preliminary discussions on distributing electronic versions of the work on a very limited basis. [Only to certain Grand Lodge committee members.] Too easy for the work to get into "the wrong hands" appears to be the argument.
Personally, I think carefully produced, accurate, and officially "sanctioned" audio CDs or tapes would be a wonderful learning tool. There's nothing particularly secret about our work anymore - it's available all over the internet and on ultra-conservative fundamentalist TV shows already - albeit in value laden and sometimes rather inaccurate form.
Maybe you guys in the UK have a more realistic approach than some of us in the US? Appreciate your reports on this subject.
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Post by windtimber on Nov 11, 2005 17:44:53 GMT
I've participated in "High Vale" and "Low Vale" lodges a number of times. I'll describe the one in particular which I hope a few of you may find interesting.
Some years ago I travelled to Wisconsin and participated in raising my brother-in-law in a memorable "Low Vale" lodge. We gathered just before sunset at a predetermined central location and then walked down a winding woodland trail to a clearing along a river. The lodge was prepared with large cut logs for benches on either side, with separate "stumps" for the three officers and a rustic wooden table for the altar. Lodge opened using three kerosene lamps as the tapers. As night fell bonfires were lighted behind the east and west to illuminate the entire area. Between the fires, lamps, starlight, and the reflection of the lights on the river, it was an absolutely striking experience. I particularly remember an elderly gentleman portraying the wayfaring man coming in from the dark woods, carrying a lantern like Diogenes on his search for the truth, reporting his information, and disappearing again like a wraith into the night. The whole evening had an almost supernatural aura and, at least to me, hearkened back to our fraternity's roots - independent, God fearing men having to pass on their revolutionary and, perhaps, heretical beliefs in covert locations under cover of darkness.
Another memorable "High Vale" lodge has been conducted from time to time by my brothers in western South Dakota. In August a lodge is opened on a point overlooking the Badlands National Monument. The location is essentially only accessible by 4WD high clearance vehicles but results in a breathtaking view, gorgeous sunsets, and, again, a link back to our ancient brethren. Similarly, a Low Vale lodge, which I have not yet been able to attend, is opened every summer in Rowen's Gulch near Wessington, SD.
These are, indeed, special experiences. If you have the opportunity, don't it up!
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