Grammar - What does it mean to you?

[Doug Freyburger]

Masonic ramblings,

The first in the list of the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences is
grammar. Most of us took grammar in the years of elementary school so
it seems strange to see that topic in the list of studies for a well
educated man.

What is grammar for our purposes? I think it is the skill of making
oneself understood. The man who can convey ideas clearly and
understandably has an advantage over the man who can not. Our ritual
is filled with varied sentence structures, formal phrasing and it reads
a bit like a legal document. To learn to speak in the style used in the
ritual is to sound professional.

Grammar is also the process of organizing our thoughts into words.
Grammatical speech is organized speech. Grammatical thought is
organized thought. Since Freemasonry teaches free thought it is
important to be able to organize our thoughts and to convey them so we
are understood.

Grammar can be simple and brief. Grammar can be as convoluted as
sentences strung together with multiple phases and subjunctive clauses,
the better to fit them to the writer¢s purpose and limit their meaning
thereby strengthening their structure. In fine, grammar is like
architecture.

Phrased accurately, grammar demonstrates wisdom. Phrased forcefully,
grammar asserts strength. Phrased eloquently, grammar describes beauty.

To understand and to be understood, those to me are the goals of
grammar. Understanding is the foundation of education.

Fraternal regards,
Doug Freyburger
PM 2007/8 Arlington Heights 1162 Illinois AF&AM
PM 1999 Pasadena 272 California F&AM

[Rob Sandilands]

Post by Doug Freyburger
Masonic ramblings,
The first in the list of the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences is
grammar. Most of us took grammar in the years of elementary school so
it seems strange to see that topic in the list of studies for a well
educated man.
What is grammar for our purposes? I think it is the skill of making
oneself understood. The man who can convey ideas clearly and
understandably has an advantage over the man who can not. Our ritual
is filled with varied sentence structures, formal phrasing and it reads
a bit like a legal document. To learn to speak in the style used in the
ritual is to sound professional.
Grammar is also the process of organizing our thoughts into words.
Grammatical speech is organized speech. Grammatical thought is
organized thought. Since Freemasonry teaches free thought it is
important to be able to organize our thoughts and to convey them so we
are understood.
Grammar can be simple and brief. Grammar can be as convoluted as
sentences strung together with multiple phases and subjunctive clauses,
the better to fit them to the writer¢s purpose and limit their meaning
thereby strengthening their structure. In fine, grammar is like
architecture.
Phrased accurately, grammar demonstrates wisdom. Phrased forcefully,
grammar asserts strength. Phrased eloquently, grammar describes beauty.
To understand and to be understood, those to me are the goals of
grammar. Understanding is the foundation of education.
Fraternal regards,
Doug Freyburger
PM 2007/8 Arlington Heights 1162 Illinois AF&AM
PM 1999 Pasadena 272 California F&AM

... nicely put, Doug ... it's one thing to speak properly ... any fool
with a teleprompter can do that ... or anyone who can basically read
from a page .... but to be able to understand what is being said, either
by others or yourself, is a blessing ...

... at the time when the Craft was in formation, education in grammar
and its associated subjects of rhetoric and logic, was usually only
available to a few ... in many cases, even the simple versions of
'reading, writing and arithmatic' were not even considered to be of any
benefit to people other than those few ...

... sadly, in today's society, it's reverting to that again in some ways
... text and email abbreviations ... and so on ...

[David Simpson]

[Default] On Fri, 16 Apr 2010 14:49:57 CST, Doug Freyburger

Post by Doug Freyburger
Masonic ramblings,
The first in the list of the Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences is
grammar. Most of us took grammar in the years of elementary school so
it seems strange to see that topic in the list of studies for a well
educated man.
What is grammar for our purposes? I think it is the skill of making
oneself understood. The man who can convey ideas clearly and
understandably has an advantage over the man who can not. Our ritual
is filled with varied sentence structures, formal phrasing and it reads
a bit like a legal document. To learn to speak in the style used in the
ritual is to sound professional.
Grammar is also the process of organizing our thoughts into words.
Grammatical speech is organized speech. Grammatical thought is
organized thought. Since Freemasonry teaches free thought it is
important to be able to organize our thoughts and to convey them so we
are understood.
Grammar can be simple and brief. Grammar can be as convoluted as
sentences strung together with multiple phases and subjunctive clauses,
the better to fit them to the writer¢s purpose and limit their meaning
thereby strengthening their structure. In fine, grammar is like
architecture.
Phrased accurately, grammar demonstrates wisdom. Phrased forcefully,
grammar asserts strength. Phrased eloquently, grammar describes beauty.
To understand and to be understood, those to me are the goals of
grammar. Understanding is the foundation of education.
Fraternal regards,
Doug Freyburger
PM 2007/8 Arlington Heights 1162 Illinois AF&AM
PM 1999 Pasadena 272 California F&AM

I couldn't agree more. It is such a shame that schools today do not
seem to teach grammar.

[Torence]

Post by Doug Freyburger
Our ritual
is filled with varied sentence structures, formal phrasing and it reads
a bit like a legal document. To learn to speak in the style used in the
ritual is to sound professional.

I am not comfortable ascribing to this theory. Modern Legal
documents do not read like our ritual and I think that if a lawyer
went into court saying to the judges such phrases as “The court be
now open” that he would be setting himself up to sound more like his
clients than a professional.
Just today, I was at a Grand Lecturer’s school (Yes on a Sunday, Oh
my!) with R.W. Bob Fisher. R.W. Bro. Bob had a little something to do
with the Book of Standard Work that we use in Illinois, drafted in
1986. After reading your posting here, Bro. Doug, I could not help but
poke a little fun with him at the refreshment table reminding him that
he must have forgotten that grammar was one of the seven liberal arts
and sciences when the BoSW was put together.
I then brought up the subject of the 1914 revisions, as I often do,
and how when the old work was edited, we lost elements. I stated that
I would like the alternative opening prayers brought back. Immediately
R.W. Bro. Bob and the other members of the Board stated that they
would like to see other elements reintroduced, such as the old
Historical Lecture and Bob is trying to have it put through, now, that
we do stated meetings on the younger degrees, that a purpose gets
stated just as we have done in the Master Mason degree and other
variations.
But the style of grammar in use by our Modern work is patterned off
Bill Tynsdale’s Book that was later revised 80 years after his death
by King James. Even by King Jams’s time the use of words such at
“Thee” and “Thou” was an affectation. The people of the street used
our familiar “you.” He used “Thee” and “thou” or “wildst thou” instead
of “will you” to make the work seem older and by deduction more true
than it was. As for word order, the “be now” or habit of putting the
verb at the end of a sentence is from that adopted style. William
Tynsdale used German printers and that is how these word orders and
other confusions crop up. Some of it is the fact that ol’ Bill
translated much of his work from Greek while Wycliffe used Latin text.
So the employed style is really a bit of a jumble. When I am Grand
Master, I will allow Lodges the flexibility to speak in a style more
natural for our century or to use plural forms during multiple degrees
which is, now, prohibited.

Post by Doug Freyburger
Phrased accurately, grammar demonstrates wisdom. Phrased forcefully,
grammar asserts strength. Phrased eloquently, grammar describes beauty.

Here we are together in thought. Like the floor work, when the work
is done to the instruction there is a certain respect and hidden
communication going on between the performer and experienced members.
It is a good quality about us when done right. And leads to you last
point. “To be understood.”
Good grammar is more of an art then a science. Though to assist
you, Bro. Doug, in your discourse I would suggest that we explore in
this newsgroup its application as either art “or” science.
Any thoughts, anyone?

Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary – Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 – Crete, Illinois
PM – Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 – Lansing. Illinois
AM

[Doug Freyburger]

Post by Torence

Post by Doug Freyburger
Our ritual
is filled with varied sentence structures, formal phrasing and it reads
a bit like a legal document. To learn to speak in the style used in the
ritual is to sound professional.

I am not comfortable ascribing to this theory.

I find it interesting that your objection is based on specific errors

Post by Torence
So the employed style is really a bit of a jumble.

I will respond that it's a collage that ends up artful when viewed at
several distances once the errors and obsolete usage are corrected.
There are symbolic and allegorical alusions. There are lists of
alternate words that all cluster around an intended meaning like wagons
circling for defense. There are carefully qualified conditions. There
are historical and mythical references. The vocabulary is rich and
expressive - Variations on "vile and impieous wretches, thus to have
embrued your hands ..." can be viewed as teaching a love of expressive
vocabulary.

Post by Torence
When I am Grand
Master, I will allow Lodges the flexibility to speak in a style more
natural for our century

Routine updates should be just that. Routine.

Post by Torence
or to use plural forms during multiple degrees
which is, now, prohibited.

Nonsensical detailed restrictions should be viewed as such. The ritual
need not be restricted to singular forms. As the Worshipful Master is
supposed to give instructions then the ritual should allow that.

Post by Torence

Post by Doug Freyburger
Phrased accurately, grammar demonstrates wisdom. Phrased forcefully,
grammar asserts strength. Phrased eloquently, grammar describes beauty.

Here we are together in thought. Like the floor work, when the work
is done to the instruction there is a certain respect and hidden
communication going on between the performer and experienced members.
It is a good quality about us when done right. And leads to you last
point. “To be understood.”
Good grammar is more of an art then a science. Though to assist
you, Bro. Doug, in your discourse I would suggest that we explore in
this newsgroup its application as either art “or” science.
Any thoughts, anyone?

This weekend I was out with my wife for our anniversary. Among other
sights and sites we went to The House on the Rock near Madison, WI. The
house has many collections including old automated muscial machines. I
started one up and stodd enraptured listening to it. It played "Nearer
My God to Thee". Some lodges used to perform that piece during third
degrees. I could almost sing the words as the machine played the notes.
It was wonderful.

But song is a different of the liberal arts and sciences ...

[JHorvath]

I believe there is a very different reason the seven liberal arts and
sciences are mentioned in our Ritual. A foundation in them is critical
to having the esoteric teachings (that is, the inner, hidden
teachings; as opposed to the exoteric teachings - i.e. our operative
allegories and working tools) revealed to you. The exoteric teachings
of masonry may allow a good man to make himself a better man; but it
is these esoteric teachings that will make the better man a Good man.
One set allows you to transform yourself, the other transforms you
directly and is given by God by those he Elects to receive it.

Fraternally,

Bro Jonathan Horvath
JW Nunda Lodge #169 AF&AM
Crystal Lake, IL
GL Committee on Masonic Education

[Doug Freyburger]

Post by JHorvath
I believe there is a very different reason the seven liberal arts and
sciences are mentioned in our Ritual. A foundation in them is critical
to having the esoteric teachings (that is, the inner, hidden
teachings; as opposed to the exoteric teachings - i.e. our operative
allegories and working tools) revealed to you. The exoteric teachings
of masonry may allow a good man to make himself a better man; but it
is these esoteric teachings that will make the better man a Good man.
One set allows you to transform yourself, the other transforms you
directly and is given by God by those he Elects to receive it.

By the esoteric do you mean what many would call the mystical or do you
mean what many would call the alegorical, symbolic, historical? It is
very good to see a brother interested in not just the surface meanings
but some amount, any mount, under the surface. There's more to it than
the sort of secrets that can be shouted from the rooftops and still
remain secret (we actually do treat each other as family). There's the
sort that is secret because few think about it.

There are historical items that Bro Torrence likes to focus on.
References to kosher animals, family lineages that give a lot more
context and thus meaning to points of the ritual.

There are alegorical items like the third degree being an alegory for
the immortality of the soul. There are symbolic items like the location
of the sideliners during a first degree obligation (all degrees in many
jurisdictions) being living stones building that house not built with
hands.

There are mystical items that might have to be demonstrated in person.
If you know about chakras from the Hindu tradition consider how that
theory works to give meanings to the positions and movements of our
hands at certain times.

[Torence]

Post by JHorvath
A foundation in them is critical
to having the esoteric teachings (that is, the inner, hidden
teachings; as opposed to the exoteric teachings - i.e. our operative
allegories and working tools) revealed to you.

I have always taken the terms esoteric and exoteric, as they relate
to Masonry, a bit more crudely. By my definition, Exoteric are those
ceremonies that we do for the outside world such as the laying of
cornerstones and public installation of Officers. (FYI: As an
historical point, In Illinois, since 1895, the Grand Lodge can also
lay capstones, though I do not know of an incident of the service
being used again since the Auditorium Theatre that is now home to
Roosevelt University was finished.) Esoteric are those ceremonials
that we do just for ourselves such as degree work, or opening and
closing.
In Illinois, I would ascribe degree work to be esoteric and the
funeral service to be exoteric. But both are administered to a
brother. I do not think that I could reconcile categorizing the taking
of the obligation or performing the funeral services, for instances,
to both be exoteric because both activities are dispensed services.
So, I shy away from implying spiritual qualities by using the two
terms.

Post by JHorvath

Post by JHorvath
One set allows you to transform yourself, the other transforms you
directly and is given by God by those he Elects to receive it.

Because of our trouble with the Mormons at Nauvoo, we have in our
funeral service that we leave the spirit to Him who gives it. Those
fellows ascribe to a notion that the dead can be baptized. That
religion, when its prophets were alive, determined that our Grand
Lodge was like the original 12 Apostles after the death and
resurrection of Christ, invested with certain secrets but in denial.
Our work was then taken and built into their Temple Endowment with the
creation myth being substituted for the story of our Great Architect.
M. W. Bro. Ben Nye, our first Honorary Grand Master and a Past Grand
Master from New Hampshire assisted us in our trouble with the Saints
and Nauvoo. His definition of esoteric and exoteric is the basis of my
opinion on the two terms and seems to me to be the most comfortable
method to describe things in Masonry.

Post by JHorvath
There are historical items that Bro Torrence likes to focus on.
References to kosher animals, family lineages that give a lot more
context and thus meaning to points of the ritual.

It is all about covenants, IMHO.
The original authors of our work were steeped a little longer in
their daily lives in Old and New Testament lore. One of the causes of
omission in certain explanations in our ritual was the streamlining
done by past generations; but another was the fact that those stories
were more familiar to eighteenth and nineteenth century men. There was
less need to go into them at lodge because their active church life
made these accounts so much more recognizable to those men.
For an example we have the two pillar discussion in the second
degree. While we allude to the Old Testament account in Ruth to
explain the naming of one, and go on to tell the story of the one
pass, we omit, in Illinois, the meaning and origin of the name for the
second pillar. That is why, if you wish to develop yourself along
Masonic lines, you have to take the time to read this old book by
William Tynsdale. After all we are told to do so and our Chaplains are
instructed to read to us from it from time to time.

Post by JHorvath
There are mystical items that might have to be demonstrated in person.
If you know about chakras from the Hindu tradition consider how that
theory works to give meanings to the positions and movements of our
hands at certain times.

All I know is that well done turns and right angles give me a raging
perpendicular.

Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary – Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 – Crete, Illinois
PM – Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 – Lansing, Illinois

[JHorvath]

  I have always taken the terms esoteric and exoteric, as they relate
to Masonry, a bit more crudely. By my definition, Exoteric are those
ceremonies that we do for the outside world such as the laying of
cornerstones and public installation of Officers. (FYI: As an
historical point, In Illinois, since 1895, the Grand Lodge can also
lay capstones, though I do not know of an incident of the service
being used again since the Auditorium Theatre that is now home to
Roosevelt University was finished.)  Esoteric are those ceremonials
that we do just for ourselves such as degree work, or opening and
closing.

I use exoteric to be those teachings that one can you to transform
themselves, i.e. studying the ritual as it is (reading the other texts
in the Bible that support it, etc...) those are all exoteric

Esoteric are those teachings that, if studied and learned properly,
transform you. I would say that through history most masons never
learn these lessons and today probably 90% aren't even aware they are
there

Frat Jonathan
Nunda #169
Crystal Lake, IL

[Torence]

Post by JHorvath
I use exoteric to be those teachings that one can you to transform
themselves, i.e. studying the ritual as it is (reading the other texts
in the Bible that support it, etc...) those are all exoteric
Esoteric are those teachings that, if studied and learned properly,
transform you. I would say that through history most masons never
learn these lessons and today probably 90% aren't even aware they are
there
Frat Jonathan

The question, then, is where in the fraternity does a newly made
Mason go to acquire that information? We have talent among us, such as
yourself and Brother Freyberger who have made extensive study and are
on the road to learning more. What happens when that data is then
returned to the lodge? My theory is that we have men among us in
Illinois who would enjoy that aspect of lodge work but who get stifled
by certain obsessions such as the degree to which we flare our rods or
the minutia of going to and from the door. What can we do to create
the right atmosphere by which we can begin to provide that sort of
discussion as part and parcel to the life of the lodge?

Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary – Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 – Crete, Illinois
PM – Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 – Lansing, Illinois

[JHorvath]

Post by JHorvath
themselves, i.e. studying the ritual as it is (reading the other texts
in the Bible that support it, etc...) those are all exoteric
Esoteric are those teachings that, if studied and learned properly,
transform you. I would say that through history most masons never
learn these lessons and today probably 90% aren't even aware they are
there
Frat Jonathan

     The question, then, is where in the fraternity does a newly made
Mason go to acquire that information? We have talent among us, such as
yourself and Brother Freyberger who have made extensive study and are
on the road to learning more. What happens when that data is then
returned to the lodge? My theory is that we have men among us in
Illinois who would enjoy that aspect of lodge work but who get stifled
by certain obsessions such as the degree to which we flare our rods or
the minutia of going to and from the door. What can we do to create
the right atmosphere by which we can begin to provide that sort of
discussion as part and parcel to the life of the lodge?
Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary – Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 – Crete, Illinois
PM – Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 – Lansing, Illinois

you are very, if partially, correct. there are lots of Brethren
interested in studying the esoteric lessons of masonry. so many in
fact that i was able to start a research council of cryptic masons
here in illinois - we have members from IL, ID, TX, CA and Australia;
with interest from several other states.

to an extent we have, a a fraternity, become crippled by our focus on
administration. i did a paper on masonic education around the world
last year and one thing that stood out was that for the first time in
our history we place more emphasis on administration than we do on
education - and we wonder why we struggle to get and keep members???

even though there are variations from jurisdiction to jurisdiction
there are still reasons for almost every element of our ritual and
floorwork - many of them come from alchemy - for example what is on
top of the Steward rods here in IL and what has it to do with
operative masonry????? there are those who understand why you have to
hold you arms in certain positions, hold the rods at certain angles
etc... there are some who couldn't care why. but in order to preserve
the lesson, the floorwork needs to be taught and learned with great
precision so that those who can know, will know.

some are writing these things in texts, some go around talking about
them (Rex Hutchens, myself and a few others from the Collegium)... i
see this trend growing and believe it will be good for the Craft in
the coming decades.

i know there is a focus on numbers now, for the sake of administration
and finances. but those focuses are greatly misplaced. you can do more
with fewer good man than you can with all the average (or bad) men in
the world.

Frat,

Bro Jonathan
Nunda #169

[Doug Freyburger]

Post by JHorvath

Post by JHorvath
I use exoteric to be those teachings that one can you to transform
themselves, i.e. studying the ritual as it is (reading the other texts
in the Bible that support it, etc...) those are all exoteric
Esoteric are those teachings that, if studied and learned properly,
transform you. I would say that through history most masons never
learn these lessons and today probably 90% aren't even aware they are
there

I originally learned exoteric as the ritual written out in the monitor
and the esoteric as the ritual in cipher. That only works in
jurisdictions that use ciphers (authorized, though I suppose it works as
an ad hoc technical term for those with unauthorized ciphers. I have a
collection of unauthorized cipher books).

Based on that Br Jonathan's distinction might even be called open versus
occult. No there's a politically incorrect option! Sigh.

I've never read the entirety of Pike's Morals and Dogmas commentary on
an obsolete version of the Scottish Rite degrees. I have gone through
the version just before the Southern Jurisdiction rewrote them just
under a decade ago. The idea that there is meaning that few learn and
that has to be acquired by reflection is a part of those older degrees.
It's a lesson I thought important.

Post by JHorvath

     The question, then, is where in the fraternity does a newly made
Mason go to acquire that information? We have talent among us, such as
yourself and Brother Freyberger who have made extensive study and are
on the road to learning more. What happens when that data is then
returned to the lodge? My theory is that we have men among us in
Illinois who would enjoy that aspect of lodge work but who get stifled
by certain obsessions such as the degree to which we flare our rods or
the minutia of going to and from the door. What can we do to create
the right atmosphere by which we can begin to provide that sort of
discussion as part and parcel to the life of the lodge?

That's why I started writing my "Masonic Ramblings" series for the local
"Temple Topics" newspaper and why I started giving Masonic Education
speeches at any Stated meeting. When visiting I offer the WM to do one.
It's almost always well received.

I also like to sit with EAs, FCs and recently raised MMs at refreshment
after meetings to tell them various meanings to be found in the ritual.
Most are very interested in giving meaning to what they recently went
through.

How mystical I get strongly depends on how interested the brother is. I
recall spending an entire evening chatting about the influence of
ancient religions with a brother interested in the topic and I ignored
the dinner that evening. Mystics are rare among the brethren. But
giving degrees meaning need not delve deeply into the mystical.

Post by JHorvath
you are very, if partially, correct. there are lots of Brethren
interested in studying the esoteric lessons of masonry. so many in
fact that i was able to start a research council of cryptic masons
here in illinois - we have members from IL, ID, TX, CA and Australia;
with interest from several other states.

I have not previously been interested in the York Rite. Now I'm
tempted just to join your research council. Hmmm. I see that I may end
up with yet another stack of membership cards in my wallet. I'd like to
visit you at craft lodge, Bro Jonathan. What night is Nunda's Stated
and what's the dress code? I've looked up your location in the past to
discuss Scottish Rite valley coverage so I know approximately where you
are - Shopping district in Crystal Lake IIRC.

Post by JHorvath
to an extent we have, a a fraternity, become crippled by our focus on
administration. i did a paper on masonic education around the world
last year and one thing that stood out was that for the first time in
our history we place more emphasis on administration than we do on
education - and we wonder why we struggle to get and keep members???
even though there are variations from jurisdiction to jurisdiction
there are still reasons for almost every element of our ritual and
floorwork - many of them come from alchemy - for example what is on
top of the Steward rods here in IL and what has it to do with
operative masonry????? there are those who understand why you have to
hold you arms in certain positions, hold the rods at certain angles
etc... there are some who couldn't care why. but in order to preserve
the lesson, the floorwork needs to be taught and learned with great
precision so that those who can know, will know.
some are writing these things in texts, some go around talking about
them (Rex Hutchens, myself and a few others from the Collegium)... i
see this trend growing and believe it will be good for the Craft in
the coming decades.
i know there is a focus on numbers now, for the sake of administration
and finances. but those focuses are greatly misplaced. you can do more
with fewer good man than you can with all the average (or bad) men in
the world.
Frat,
Bro Jonathan
Nunda #169

[JHorvath]

Nunda meets at 7:30pm (dinner from time to time at 6:30pm) on the 2nd
and 4th Tuesday of the month beginning with the 4th Tuesday in August
and ending with the 2nd Tuesday in June. No real dress code per se
although most of the officers wear a jacket and tie or a suit; but we
have people wearing pants and polos too.

Jonathan

[Torence]

Post by Doug Freyburger
That's why I started writing my "Masonic Ramblings" series for the local
"Temple Topics" newspaper and why I started giving Masonic Education
speeches at any Stated meeting. When visiting I offer the WM to do one.
It's almost always well received.

I get more of a mixed reaction when I show up. Half the room glad
hands and smiles, the other winces in constipation.

Post by Doug Freyburger
I also like to sit with EAs, FCs and recently raised MMs at refreshment
after meetings to tell them various meanings to be found in the ritual.
Most are very interested in giving meaning to what they recently went
through.

We owe it to them to answer that demand for privilege with
something more tangible then to point to a dusty shelf of old books
and say “help yourself.”

Post by Doug Freyburger
I have not previously been interested in the York Rite. Now I'm
tempted just to join your research council. Hmmm. I see that I may end
up with yet another stack of membership cards in my wallet.

When I am Grand Master, I will remerge the York Rite work back
into the Craft Lodges, at least to some degree, (no pun intended) as
we were organized in the first Grand Lodge in Illinois.
But that discussion would be “administrative” and good for another
thread.

Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary – Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 – Crete, Illinois
PM – Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 – Lansing, Illinois

[Doug Freyburger]

Post by Torence

Post by Doug Freyburger
That's why I started writing my "Masonic Ramblings" series for the local
"Temple Topics" newspaper and why I started giving Masonic Education
speeches at any Stated meeting. When visiting I offer the WM to do one.
It's almost always well received.

I get more of a mixed reaction when I show up.

A couple of months ago I posted my presentation on The Intersection of
Faith and Logic. It tells of my struggles to justify being a man of
science and a man of faith at the same time. When I presented it at a
Stated meeting at Arlington Height 1162. One of the senior PM mentors
made a comment several sentences in. Turns out he said "Well, he sure
lost me with this one". ;^)

[Torence]

Post by JHorvath
to an extent we have, a a fraternity, become crippled by our focus on
administration. i did a paper on masonic education around the world
last year and one thing that stood out was that for the first time in
our history we place more emphasis on administration than we do on
education - and we wonder why we struggle to get and keep members???

The Politics of Administration has been illustrative of the
fraternity’s seedier underbelly during my twenty five years of service
in Illinois. Local Lodges in the late twentieth century pulled for
their material a certain type of man who was indicative of the stuff
of our area. Here in the Northern and North East areas we mostly had
for our fabric, the third generation descendants of Industrial
Unionists and Aldermanic Boodlers. Demographically, IMHO, the best men
among them were driven by the capacity to administrate that comes out
as the obsession to control the angle of our steps and flares the
rods, yes, but also in the complexities of the book officer’s task
work and naming of committees that will never meet, and the propensity
for rigid regulation. That generation called these manifestations
“discipline.”
But the root word of “discipline” is the Latin word “disclipina – to
teach.”
When I was at work in Masonry in New Jersey, the flavor of Masonry
was much the same. But at Vaux Lodge in Hamburg Pennsylvania and
Norfolk Lodge No. 1 in Norfolk VA where I worked in the mid-nineties
the emphasis was loftier.

Post by JHorvath
for example what is on
top of the Steward rods here in IL and what has it to do with
operative masonry?????

In Illinois, the SD rod bears the Sun, the JD rod a crescent moon
both within the Square and Compasses. But the finials on top of the SS
and JS rods are the cornucopias within a framework of a Pine Cone. My
understanding is that the Moon on the JD rod is a “Wet Moon,” being
bowl shaped it holds the rain. The thought behind them being that the
rain, illuminated by the light of the blazing sun produces the
cornucopias and that the Pine Cone, by “the exuberance of its seed,”
also denotes plenty. Nineteenth Century Illinois was mostly an
agrarian society and we used to honor the image of the noble farmer in
this and other ways.
Hopefully all of this talk of things in Illinois hasn’t turned away
our English Readers who could correct me here. But my understanding of
the administration of the English Grand Lodge the most powerful,
influential or controlling positions are not found in the Principle
Officers, Book Officers or Deacons. The most exclusive club among the
English Grand Lodge has always been the Stewards Lodges both Country
and City. The group of Brothers that got together in 1717 did so for
one purpose, to put on the annual feast. A Brother would have to be a
very accomplish man outside the fraternity to afford to be counted
among the membership of the Steward’s Lodges who essentially control
the finances associated with the feast and with the charities.
When these lodges were established and these officers given rods,
the Athol Lodges had the Pine Cone as finials on top of blue rods, and
the Moderns had black and white rods adorned with Squares and
Compasses. U.S. paraphernalia houses merely married these elements
when the started selling rods over here. The use of Doves in other
jurisdictions goes to Dermot’s position that Masons are “Noachims” or
descendants of Noah and the Ark Mariner Tradition. The Winged figures
of Mercury used elsewhere, identifies the duties of these Officers to
be messengers but also to a Mason’s affinity for freedom of thought.

Post by JHorvath
there are those who understand why you have to
hold you arms in certain positions, hold the rods at certain angles
etc... there are some who couldn't care why. but in order to preserve
the lesson, the floorwork needs to be taught and learned with great
precision so that those who can know, will know.

Try this experiment. If you have well trained rod officers put a
light on the tip of the rod and darken the lodge room. Observe them
from the East, West and South as they perform their maneuvers. Look
for the right angles, horizontals and perpendiculars.

Post by JHorvath
some are writing these things in texts, some go around talking about
them (Rex Hutchens, myself and a few others from the Collegium)... i
see this trend growing and believe it will be good for the Craft in
the coming decades.

I know that Crystal Lake is a quite a haul to Crete. But I think
that my good friends in Crete Lodge (with a few of our guys from
Auburn Park) would enjoy such a talk. Crete meets on Mondays and
Auburn Park meets on Tuesdays. Of course, we could probably find a
half way point between the lodges and attract even more who are
interested in studying more.

Fraternally,
Torence Evans Ake
Secretary – Auburn Park Lodge No. 789 – Crete, Illinois
PM – Arcadia Lodge No. 1138 – Lansing, Illinois

[Doug Freyburger]

Post by JHorvath
there are lots of Brethren
interested in studying the esoteric lessons of masonry.

The word "occult" applies in its surface meaning - When I look for
brothers interested in the topic they are well hidden and/or few and far
between.

Post by JHorvath
to an extent we have, a a fraternity, become crippled by our focus on
administration. i did a paper on masonic education around the world
last year and one thing that stood out was that for the first time in
our history we place more emphasis on administration than we do on
education - and we wonder why we struggle to get and keep members???

There are also obstacles to discussing the mystical. When I read the
submission guidelines for Illinois Lodge of Research it appeared to me
to state that such topics were off topic. I've since discussed that
with folks who publish the proceedings and they said I should go ahead
and submit.

Post by JHorvath
even though there are variations from jurisdiction to jurisdiction
there are still reasons for almost every element of our ritual and
floorwork -

Without getting into foot placement and walking like a drill team, each
word and movement has multiple layers of meaning.

Post by JHorvath
many of them come from alchemy - for example what is on
top of the Steward rods here in IL and what has it to do with
operative masonry?????

The surface meaning of the cornicopea is the Stewards are charged with
preparing the meals under the supervision of the Junior Warden. The
corn of nurishment also suggests it is a symbolic reference to the
plenty in the tale of the fellowcraft pass. As the Stewards escort the
new candidates in and out of lodge during degrees and the candidate is
the next generation of Masonry that's symbolic of another type of plenty
and another type of seed. I was able to figure out three levels of
symbolic meaning in the time it took me to type this paragraph and I
have done little study of alchemy.

Post by JHorvath
there are those who understand why you have to
hold you arms in certain positions, hold the rods at certain angles
etc... there are some who couldn't care why. but in order to preserve
the lesson, the floorwork needs to be taught and learned with great
precision so that those who can know, will know.

I have learned the floorwork in California and Illinois so far. The
exact details of the due guards and signs are subtly different and so it
the angle of the rods as they are carried. The older why has either
been lost by one or both or it doesn't need to be all that exact.
Symbols are inexact so I'll go with not needing to be all that exact.

Post by JHorvath
some are writing these things in texts, some go around talking about
them (Rex Hutchens, myself and a few others from the Collegium)... i
see this trend growing and believe it will be good for the Craft in
the coming decades.
i know there is a focus on numbers now, for the sake of administration
and finances. but those focuses are greatly misplaced. you can do more
with fewer good man than you can with all the average (or bad) men in
the world.

It's interesting how Masonry is both elitist and egalitarian at the same
time without conflict. Draw on the noblest interpretation of ideas and
they work like that.

[JHorvath]

Bro Terence

yes there is alchemy all over our ritual it is undeniable that there
is a connection, a purposeful one.

you are also right that the IL Lodge of Research does not accept
esoteric papers, which is why I started the Collegium Alchemicum
Council of Research - this is a research cryptic council focused on
the esoteric topics of the cryptic rite and masonry in general.

i did get your email last night but haven't read it yet... will do so
sometime today, taking care of breakfast duties with the kiddies now.

Frat,

Bro Jonathan
Nunda #169

[JHorvath]

I am referring to those teachings of freemasonry that are not obvious,
even to the initiate, and are illustrated by what some might call the
"true" symbols of freemasonry; they are symbols from traditions such
as alchemy (which has nothing to do with literally trying to turn lead
into gold) and kabbalah.

Jonathan

Post by Doug Freyburger

Post by JHorvath
I believe there is a very different reason the seven liberal arts and
sciences are mentioned in our Ritual. A foundation in them is critical
to having the esoteric teachings (that is, the inner, hidden
teachings; as opposed to the exoteric teachings - i.e. our operative
allegories and working tools) revealed to you. The exoteric teachings
of masonry may allow a good man to make himself a better man; but it
is these esoteric teachings that will make the better man a Good man.
One set allows you to transform yourself, the other transforms you
directly and is given by God by those he Elects to receive it.

By the esoteric do you mean what many would call the mystical or do you
mean what many would call the alegorical, symbolic, historical?  It is
very good to see a brother interested in not just the surface meanings
but some amount, any mount, under the surface.  There's more to it than
the sort of secrets that can be shouted from the rooftops and still
remain secret (we actually do treat each other as family).  There's the
sort that is secret because few think about it.
There are historical items that Bro Torrence likes to focus on.
References to kosher animals, family lineages that give a lot more
context and thus meaning to points of the ritual.
There are alegorical items like the third degree being an alegory for
the immortality of the soul.  There are symbolic items like the location
of the sideliners during a first degree obligation (all degrees in many
jurisdictions) being living stones building that house not built with
hands.
There are mystical items that might have to be demonstrated in person.
If you know about chakras from the Hindu tradition consider how that
theory works to give meanings to the positions and movements of our
hands at certain times.