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Post by windtimber on Apr 13, 2006 14:21:59 GMT
I particularly like American praire poet Carl Sandburg's description. From Honey and Salt published in, oh, the mid-1950's: God gets up in the morning and says, "Another day?"
God goes to work every day at regular hours.
God is no gentleman for God puts on overalls and gets dirty running the universe we know about and several other universes nobody knows about but Him.
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Post by windtimber on Mar 24, 2006 19:42:22 GMT
Can't relate any burial instances - but there are a few folks who are convinced our temple is haunted. Personally, it's a spooky place late on a dark night when you're there alone. But things usually have a perfectly normal explanation - at least in the light of the next day!
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Post by windtimber on Jan 23, 2006 18:06:34 GMT
The Shrine adopted ersatz middle eastern regalia and ritual [including names of temples] late in the 19th Century. You'll find the history of the organization at www.shrinershq.org/shrine/shorthistory.html including how one of the founders, Billy Florence, hit upon the mid-east theme. The Shrine knocked around as a Masonic social club for a number of years, then found its real legs in building hospitals for crippled children and giving away care at absolutely no charge. We still do today, to the tune of a couple million dollars [U.S.] every single day of the year. Thank you for that most interesting - How do you find time for both your Freemasonry and Shriners You've hit on what has sometimes been a bone of contention. All Shriners are Freemasons. Some Shriners view the Blue lodge merely as a pre-requisite to the Shrine and their shadow never darkens the lodge door again. Others, perhaps like me, try and maintain a healthy balance. We realize that without the work of the Blue lodge raising Master Masons there wouldn't be any Shrine and we recognize that the high public profile of the Shrine is a great tool for the advancement of Masonic education and philosophy. The philanthropy of the Shrine is well known, well promoted, and very public. The Masonic connection has, for some years, not been so well known or at least not quite so clearly acknowledged. That's improving markedly on the national scale and has always been fairly good locally. Here in South Dakota the Shrine and the Blue Lodges, the Rites to a certain extent, and the Grand Lodge have taken to working together to promote the entire "Masonic Family." We're fortunate because though South Dakota is physically large [something like 76,000 square miles] there aren't that many of us [about 750,000 total state population and about 6,800 Masons] so there's a significant overlap between local, Grand, Rites, Grand Rites, and Shrine officers. That goes far to encourage cooperation! It is not uncommon at all to find members of different Blue lodges travelling to other lodges fill a part in meetings or assist with degree work. El Riad Shrine has a travelling "degree team" that will, as a courtesy to local lodges which may have some difficulties with their work, put on the MM degree. In just the last year El Riad's officers have taken to doing the EA work in several lodges as well. My local lodge, Resurgam #31, annually hosts a Masonic Festival in February and we have ritualists from all over the place come in to undertake work for our lodge and courtesy work for many other lodges. I guess we try to keep in mind that "Harmony is the strength and support of all institutions, and most especially of ours." As far as time is concerned - when you live your Masonic obligations you're exemplifying our philosophy and beliefs by action and word. Working with the entire Masonic family just becomes part of everyday life!
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Post by windtimber on Jan 23, 2006 1:40:53 GMT
The Shrine adopted ersatz middle eastern regalia and ritual [including names of temples] late in the 19th Century. You'll find the history of the organization at www.shrinershq.org/shrine/shorthistory.html including how one of the founders, Billy Florence, hit upon the mid-east theme. The Shrine knocked around as a Masonic social club for a number of years, then found its real legs in building hospitals for crippled children and giving away care at absolutely no charge. We still do today, to the tune of a couple million dollars [U.S.] every single day of the year.
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Post by windtimber on Jan 23, 2006 1:32:28 GMT
El Riad? I suppose you mean al-Riyadh. Heck if I know. I was informed "el riad" means "luxuriant garden." Latin and English I can handle. Arabic - sorry!
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Post by windtimber on Jan 20, 2006 0:37:30 GMT
I'm guessing you mean me - windtimber? Since I don't see a "windjammer" in the members list... Our North American members will recognize the hat as the red fez worn by members of the Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. Every Shriner is first a Master Mason. It's all covered, probably better than I can here, at www.shrinershq.org. The big fancy rhinestones spell out my Temple [or "Shrine Center" in p.c. language!] - El Riad. Take a look at www.elriad.com for some more details. The smaller line of sparklers say "Divan" which identifies me as a low ranking officer of the Temple. Thanks for the question!
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Post by windtimber on Jan 23, 2006 1:59:38 GMT
In my lodge there's a piano in NE corner...but I suppose that just confuses the issue! As far as the SW corner of both our lodge rooms are concerned, in the "big" room there's a hefty and very hot steam radiator. In the small room there's a set of electric light and ceiling fan controls. The U.S. flag is also placed in the SW corner when the lodge is closed - and presented and placed to the right [North] of the WM in the East when the lodge is open. The pictures aren't the best but take a look at www.hiram.net/webs/MASONIC/windtimer/MasonicTempleInterior.html and you'll get the idea. I've been in a number of U.S. lodges with an organ/choir loft - usually on the west end. I always figured that was because if the loft and stairs to the loft were on the east end, the various musicians comings and goings would be disruptive.
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Post by windtimber on Feb 13, 2008 17:56:32 GMT
We use an "investigating committee" of 3 lodge members. The purpose is to meet with the candidate, ascertain he is indeed interested, has some idea of what Freemasonry actually is, inquire as to his true interest and motivation in petitioning, meet his family - as family support seems to be a key to active successful membership, and get a sense of the individual. The last point is somewhat vague...but kind of works along the lines of the Supreme Court justice's comment on pornography "I know it when I see it." If the investigating committee and the candidate all get along, it's a pretty fair bet he'll fit into the lodge as well.
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Post by windtimber on Jan 20, 2008 19:04:42 GMT
Section 4 of the U.S. Flag Code [4 U.S. Code Chpt. 1] states, in part "The Pledge of Allegiance...should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute."
The Flag Code, and as far as I know the U.S. Code for that matter, are - as they should be - silent regarding a non-citizen's posture during the plege. A Google search of "flag etiquette" organizations showed an almost universal, uncodified, rule that a non-citizen should stand at attention, arms at the sides, as a matter of respect. Incidentally, there are no penalties for violation of the Flag Code.
Non-citizen visitors to our lodge are few and have, in my 20 or so years experience, always been from Canada. We do not expect our Canadian brothers to salute the U.S. flag anymore than they, I presume, would expect us to salute the Maple Leaf. We also ask our Canadian brothers, in advance, if they wish to present any patriotic homage to their nation. Some do, some don't, but uniformly we are graciously thanked for the request. At our Grand Lodge and other Masonic festivities where both U.S. and Candian brothers are attending and national songs are presented, both the "Star Spangled Banner" and "O Canada" are performed and the flags of both nations are displayed.
Due respect by standing at attention during the presentation of other nation's national songs and symbols seems absolutely appropriate.
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Post by windtimber on Jan 6, 2008 23:38:05 GMT
The Masonic Service Association of North America is legitimate, valid, and long standing. Take a look at www.msana.com/ The Executive Secretary, Richard Fletcher, is PGM of Vermont. He's spoken at our Grand Lodge Communication, I've met him personally, and he and the organization of which he is the Executive does outstanding work. There is a longstanding "hospital visitation" program which you may have confused with "setting up hospitals." The website will answer your questions.
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Post by windtimber on Mar 13, 2008 23:51:23 GMT
Had a nice nap Tuesday evening - day before yesterday - during a particularly long discussion on a subject I had already decided was a fine activity. Didn't care when it was to be held, so I "checked out" for that part of the debate. If you can't snooze in the safety of your Brothers, where can a guy catch a few winks?
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Post by windtimber on Dec 14, 2007 17:41:43 GMT
Antoninus9 - THANKS for the excellent lyrics, slightly different than translations I've seen in the past and better to my taste. The 9th Symphony has long been a personal favorite and the 4th movement particularly uplifting. Add the fact that Beethoven was stone-deaf when he wrote the thing it really is an awe inspiring piece of work. As I recall the liner notes from the Reiner/Chicago Symphony recording report that upon the premier of the work Beethoven conducted and at the conclusion did not realize the tumultuous response of the audience - until he was turned around by the concertmaster and could see the crowd on its feet. Amazing...such a gift...
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Post by windtimber on Mar 13, 2008 23:57:08 GMT
The closest I know of was my daughter's wedding which was performed at our Masonic Temple. The ceremony was in our lounge on a glorious fall afternoon with windows open and the couple standing at a huge fireplace flanked by open balcony doors. The celebrant was my good friend, pastor, and a former Grand Chaplain. The non-Masons in attendance were suitably impressed and several inquiries, and petitions, resulted!
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Post by windtimber on Nov 25, 2007 16:51:42 GMT
It's a small city - 15,000 [Though the 8th largest in the state!] so I never really thought about how far it is to the Masonic Temple. Let's see, 1 block north and 8 blocks east. In our town city blocks are about 100 yards and the streets are about 44' curb to curb. So, 9 x 300'+ 8 x 44' = 3,052' or 0.58 mile. That's just under 1 km, I think. Now, my Scottish Rite Center is about 90 miles south and my Shrine Temple is about 70 miles east. But that's not too bad either!
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Post by windtimber on Oct 8, 2007 19:17:24 GMT
I'm a USA Freemason and a member of both Scottish Rite - Southern Jurisdiction, and the York Rite. Previous posters are absolutely correct, the idea that US SR is Jewish and US YR Christian is simply wrong. Yes, joining a Commandery of Knights Templar in the YR requires profession of Christian faith. Royal Arch Chapter and the Council of Cryptic Masons certainly do not. There is nothing, in my opinion, necessarily incompatible with my Christian faith in the Scottish Rite. I joined the York Rite bodies first largely because they are locally organized and the work and administration are done in my local Masonic Temple. The organization of the Scottish Rite required me to leave town for 3 days to attend a semi-annual degree granting reunion. Several years later I joined Scottish Rite and maintain active membership in "both" branches. Unduly simplifying things, I often say the the York Rite provides a wonderful vehicle for historic Chivalric Freemasonry. Scottish Rite Freemasonry provides a a wonderful philosophic journey through wide and varied disciplines. Each is very worthwhile and well worth your time. Good luck and good journies!
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Post by windtimber on Jul 27, 2007 22:21:50 GMT
This is merely a test - I have an image on my profile now...albeit a littly "squattier" than I like. Suppose it will show up here?
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Post by windtimber on Jul 26, 2007 22:17:27 GMT
Hey, does anyone know where my picture went?
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Post by windtimber on Jul 26, 2007 22:16:50 GMT
I for one would love to read a fuller description of what went on. It seems so alien to what i'm used to here in England, what with degree masters, 5 candiates, etc In our jurisdiction we don't have Degree Masters as a specific title or office, but generally there's an expectation that the JW will sit in the East and preside as WM for the EA; the SW does the same for the FC; and the WM presides for the MM. The idea being that with a progressive line you get plenty of practice in all the work before you sit in the East as the elected WM. We also have a few Degree Teams that specialize in a given degree. For example, the sitting officers of our Shrine Temple will handle the EA for Blue Lodges on invitation. There is another team from our Shrine Temple that does the 1st Section of the MM upon invitation from a Blue Lodge. There's a plan afoot to have either the current Grand Lodge officers, or perhaps it's a group of PGMs, form a team for the 2nd Section of the MM and travel by invitation to put on the work at constitutent lodges. Additionally, though we have a huge geographic area but a fairly small population, lodges help each other out all the time, swapping ritualists, bringing candidates over for "courtesy work," and generally being more than willing to fill a role in the work as needed. When there are multiple candidates [And we've handled up to 15 at a time, though that was a heck of a long Saturday.] we either take them through in small groups - 3 to 5 together - or take each one individually. Even with the smaller sub-groups - 3 to 5 - certain portions of the work are always done 1 to 1. There are "natural breaks" in our work allowing the uniquely individual aspects to be handled individually and the more mundane lectures can be done in larger groups.
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Post by windtimber on Jun 6, 2007 22:47:09 GMT
Bro Windtimber, could you please refrain from using red colour? It's like a finger in the eye... Yellow is far better. Thanks. Sorry. It rather differentiated the question from the response. I'll stick with yellow if the opportunity arises in the future...
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Post by windtimber on Jun 6, 2007 0:50:31 GMT
I don't know where you're from, but in the Grand Jurisdiction of South Dakota here are the straight answers:
Can I tell friends and family that I am going to masonic meetings? Absolutely. We have signs on the buildings and the times and dates of our meetings are posted on the bulletin board by the front door!
Or going to initations?Of course. Same reason as above.
Or that tonight is our EA or FC or MM degree? Sure. By and large they won't know what you're talking about and it may inspire some curiousity and you'll find yourself signing a petition at some point.
Right now I have been very vauge and just say I am going to a meeting, because I don't know exactly what to say. Tell them you're going to your Lodge meeting. If they inquire further, tell them your Masonic Lodge meeting!
My uncle dean though who has been a mason for over 40 years told my mom when I had my my master mason and that it was something special and meant a lot to the family. He's right and sounds like a fine and caring relative!
He didn't mention anything further but informed her I should have a gift so he presented me that night with gifts from my my and myself on becoming a master mason. Outstanding! I wish more people took notice and appreciated the accomplishment of being raised a Master Mason.
That is another thing can I tell friends or family that I am a mason or is it something I shoul keep secret to myself? I recognize that in some countries Masons are persecuted. Here we wear rings, pins, and display our Masonic affiliations openly and with pride.
Everyone in our lodge seems to openly tell people they are masons, so I am quessing that is ok. It is OK. Masonry is not, imho, a "secret society" it is merely a "society with secrets." I might add - as I've stated on this forum before - the real secret of Freemasonry may be that we have no "secrets" at all.
Carry on and be proud to be a Mason. Those who criticize you are only diminishing themselves.
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