Knocking

By Rudy Olano
15July06

“The idea that an organization would recognize everyone and every faith as equal and as a brother or that while they are praying the one next to them is sending praise to another God or differently perceived God is simply blasphemy.”

Your inquiry whether the preceding statement is correct in regards to complaints against the Fraternity can be viewed as partially correct. Our Craft is composed of multitude of men who joined for multitude of reasons. Brethren stayed, left and come back for motivation as diverse as the number of membership throughout the world. If you allow me to hazard an opinion, the statement was not the first time it was used to rationalize for dropping off from active participation and a bullet to discredit our Order.

“The idea that an organization would recognize everyone and every faith as equal and as a brother or that while they are praying the one next to them is sending praise to another God or differently perceived God is simply (blasphemy) a Tenet Freemasonry.”

“The idea that an organization would recognize everyone and every faith as equal and as a brother or that while they are praying the one next to them is sending praise to another God or differently perceived God is simply (blasphemy) a religious tolerance.”

Changing the last word with “a Tenet of Freemasonry” to be an accurate statement, will not change or entice those who left and those who cling to their dogmatic belief. Moreover, replacing the last word with “a religious tolerance” will still not make a difference with those who left and those with deep-seated passion of what other people should believe. Fundamentalists exist in every faith including Christians. This is a reason why some well established organized religious entities have some rather perplexing issues against Freemasonry.

If you allow me to remove the word “all” in the last paragraph of your original posting, I would agree in that nicely composed thought. Your description of what the Fraternity means to you is a very good vision especially coming from one who is not yet a member. Hold on that thought for it will serve you right whether you are a Mason or not. What you described is a notion that every human being in this planet ought to consider---- a nebulous dream in our time but then again we mortals can only dream of such things.

Don’t be annoyed if no one rushes to your doorstep or shoot a priority email to your basket. Remember that it is you who is asking a favor and not the other way around. Although through your writing, you seem to be in a right frame of mind to be considered for investigation. You will be contacted in due time. I will leave you with words that are familiar to all the Brethren of the Craft and who knows, that you might hear it again someday, “ …wait the time with patience…”

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For Men's Only

by RmOlano

1Mar08

In 1888 response to Albert Mackey's Landmarks, Albert Pike wrote that Freemasonry's "true definition is that it is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." Like defining beauty, Freemasonry can be seen, and interpreted in many ways limited only to the eyes of beholders. Some it can be a social or fraternal group, for others it can be a way of life. If we subscribed to the notion that this Craft is about social interaction then there is a merit in grouping the members according to gender. Specific or mixed does makes sense as long as nobody is forced to join a group, be it may specific or combination thereof. If men can form our own group then women should have all the rights to form their own. While “mixed company” has its merits and roadblocks, in my own myopic view, it will take time for the mainstream Freemasons to accept this format. We don’t have to look far to see the present issues the Fraternity is dealing with all-male Fraternity, let alone all-female Masonic Lodges.

Although, we are witnessing some progress or at least not outright refusal to acknowledge the existence of the regularity of all-female Freemasonry, it is amazing to be an eyewitness reactions of some Brethren who albeit their position, and stature within the Fraternity continue to defy the very same Tenets of the Craft. In our lecture, we are reminded that Justice is “that standard or boundary of right which enables us to render unto every man his just due, without distinction.” Without understanding justice how can we find Truth, which brings to the dilemma of the kind of Brotherly Love we practice if we are hoodwinked from the Truth?

Freemasonry does change. It was said to evolve from operative to speculative. Operative, from actual builders of magnificent edifices to memorialize human offerings to Deity to speculative---we are now erecting “temples not made by hands.” The Fraternity was also postulated to originate from all male warrior-monks---Templar nevertheless, in our contemporary times; defending ones faith is not a gender selective domain. The Degree of Master Mason was relatively “new” addition. The institution of Grand Lodge was also a change. Even the popular square and compass as Masonic emblem was a result of change. As to our Obligation, it seems strange to hold ourselves only to selected part because we abhorred a portion thereof. We all know that like all other corporeal part of the Craft, the Obligation which some of us hold so dearly is also but a symbol of the Freemasonry. Something not to be taken literally but to interpret and study it as one of the Mysteries/Lessons of the Craft.

If we see the Craft through Albert Pikes vision in 1888 that the ideal is about "building a temple not made by hands, but eternal in heaven," who in this world can claim that the notion of practicing morality and improving oneself through Freemasonry is only reserved for male gender? Who can rightfully claim that the slogan "making good men to a better man" only applies to human being classified as male? What can be used as a reference or justification that only man is allowed, "to improve himself in Masonry?"

Ms Laurel Bergren recently inquired what makes her gender be not worthy to learn the “secret” of subduing passion and improving oneself through Masonry. Is there any Justice and Truth that only male can practice the “system of morality veiled in allegories and illustrated by symbols?” Like Ms Bergren, I am waiting for someone to answer her question, “Are women any less deserving of God’s Grace?”

I commend the Brother from GLNY for a very nice exposition of the fallacy of self-induce masculine superiority complex. Having acknowledged the intrinsic advantage of women with “far greater extent than men of our species ever will have,” then in a round-about way the answer to Ms. Bergren question is obviously "No, women are not less deserving of God's Grace." Having that issue settled, we then can continue to discuss Bro/Doc Paul original article of "Why Masonry should remain a men’s club." As WB Ken noted, the crux of the dialogue is not about women joining male Masonic Lodges but facing the inquiry of why it seems strange to many Brethren to allow the opposite gender to practice a “system of morality veiled with allegories and illustrated by symbols?” To non-Masons especially to women who are reading this exchange of opinions, the hollowness of speaking about men’s task to protect and nurture that “God gift” to humanity is undeniably transparent. Anyone who views Freemasonry as a way of life will be hard pressed to defend this issue unless one would take a myopic view that Freemasonry is nothing but a “good old boy” network masquerading as fraternity.

Let us not kid ourselves that even with long years of the Craft existence, there are still members of the Craft who don’t recognize other duly made Masons because the colors of the skin, religious belief, jurisdiction territorial jealousy, and other petty excuses. Before we really start tooting our own horn, let us look deeply into our heart and ask the question---what are we really in search of? And maybe in the bowels of darkness buried deep within the crypt of cold calculating human emotion, we can find a flicker of light just enough to understand what the word “tolerance” really meant.

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Early Royal Arch & Cryptic Degrees in America

Freemasonry in the United States of America has an unusual early history. Imported from Europe - England, Ireland, Scotland, France, and Germany - it quickly became one of the most important colonial organizations. It remained an exclusive organization through the revolution, and began expanding its membership base into the middle class.

Masonic historians have safely set 1730 as the date of the beginning of American Masonry. Whatever Masonic meetings may have been held before 1730 they were not recorded. Although activity after 1730 rapidly increased and is documented. Traveling British military Lodges spread Masonry through much of North America as they initiated civilians in towns where they were stationed.

Royal Arch

The first "high degree" to appear in America was the Royal Arch Degree first recorded in December 1753 at Fredericksburg Lodge in Virginia. The degree began to spread through the colonies.

The earliest Chapters were:

1758 - Jerusalem Chapter in Philadelphia
1769 - St. Andrew's Chapter, Boston
1790 - Cyrus Chapter, Newburyport, Mass.
1792 - A Chapter in Charleston, SC
1793 - Harmony Chapter, Philadelphia

In 1795 the first Grand Chapter was organized in Pennsylvania, and on October 24, 1797 the first national American organization was created in the General Grand Chapter of the New England States, which is today the General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons International.

Cryptic Council

The Degrees of Royal & Select Master seem to have originated as "side degrees" available from itinerant Masonic lecturers. They are known collectively as the Cryptic Degrees, or the Cryptic Rite. The Secret Master Degree was conferred at Charleston, SC, in 1783, and the Royal Master Degree in New York City in 1804.

In 1810 the degrees became permanently associated together with the formation of Columbia Grand Council of Royal & Select Masters in NYC - even though "Grand" is in the name, the body was only local.

The earliest Councils were:

1810 - New York City
1815 - New Hampshire
1817 - Massachusetts, Virginia, Vermont
1818 - Rhode Island, Connecticut

By 1830 there were Grand Councils in 10 states. Under the influence of the well known ritualist Jeremy Ladd Cross's Chart and other monitors, the Select Master's Degree came to be viewed as the culmination of 'American Craft Masonry', even if Councils were found in only a few metropolitan areas and their degrees available to only a few. The General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International was organized on August 23, 1890 and is the ruling body.

It all started in 1730 and the later growth of the Royal Arch and then eventually Cryptic Degrees was probably what lead to the super structure of the American York Rite system consisting of the Craft Lodge, the Royal Arch Chapter, the Royal & Select Council, and the Knight Templar Commandery.

*** posted for Ill Allan Miller. 25Jan08

Not 4 Everybody

Letters and Figures
By RmOlano
21Jan06

More often than not, success is always measured in numbers. In the context of declining membership, most of the letters or articles I have seen and read were the expressions of concern of a “dying Fraternity.” Because the Order loses X number due to passing away or disinterest compared to X number of raised to Master Mason degree with its collateral result of amount of paid membership dues. This writer tends to lean in favor of the camp of those who believe in quality rather than quantity. Like many of the current members, this humble traveler will be extremely glad if more good men flock to join our Fraternity in a hope of making themselves a better man. However, reality dictates that the Craft is not the only group that offers that notion. Freemasonry does not have the monopoly of self improvement while respecting other beliefs. Our Craft will always have “competition” to the pool of good men and to dream of taking them all is just like that word---dream.

An argument could be advanced that the Fraternity was never conceived to be a large group. All the indications to limit the membership were still being practiced and observed despite of the attempt of those craved for change to adapt to modern times. It seems that adaptation means a way to reverse the downward slope of membership issue and the mathematical answer to the problem is to increase the production. Many ideas that floated around and some were actually implemented were designed to bring more individual “to participate in our privileges” as in one-day conferrals and ease off usual requirements such as writing an essay instead of “committing to memories certain parts of the lecture.” How many of us do not even pause to discard something we consider cheap, easy to replace and of little value if not outright worthless?

Men used to flock in our Fraternity because they expect that the Craft were “above” or rather, not like other organizations. The Order used to attract men who are not “ordinary” people; they may be living better than familiar folks, possess skills that are not common or engaged in a profession that pays a notch or two higher than average. The fact was that during the Golden Years of Freemasonry, members of the Fraternity were not your everyday “ordinary” men. One could ask why does “exclusive” country clubs have a year-long waiting list for membership. Despite of expensive membership fees, men who can barely play golf lined up to get in? Why? Because they expect quality; be it may in service, using real glass instead of Styrofoam cup, real sit down dinner instead of being catered by amateurs or kids, or maybe the need to be associated with people and environment that is not “ordinary.” An assembly with room full of attendees wearing open neck shirt and jeans feels different than with a gathering of people wearing coat and tie and/or tuxedo. Men who understand quality dressed up for important events, they “adorn great and important undertakings.”

This humble writer submits that our Fraternity is not for everybody and limited only to those who qualifies. Just like military or religious vocation, our Craft is NOT for general population. Not everybody can get in; there are requirements to be met such as capability to meet financial obligations, mental aptitude to tackle what are needed for the rituals, availability of time for the Craft without concern for second job, etc. The lowering of standards such as requirements to be more financially “affordable,” and taking anyone who ask without regard to the issue of “bringing honor to our ancient institution” are some of the reasons why members dropped off and some of unintended consequences of quantity approach and not to mention an unpleasant result in the coffers of those who depend on it. A Master once said that he rather have a membership roll with nine names of brothers who regularly shows up in meetings and conferrals listed than one hundred names on the roster including names of those regular nine. People showed up because they like to and not because they have to. Numbers seems irrelevant in the context of maintaining “those truly Masonic ornaments, Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.”

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Printed in Ventura County York Rite Bulletin May-June 2007