Showing posts with label Allied Lodge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Allied Lodge. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

‘Lodges unite for Burns Supper’

     
Click to enlarge.

The graphic above has all the information currently available (tickets not yet on sale), but I’m going!
      

Robert Burns, Scotland’s most beloved historic Freemason, was born January 25, 1759. Among his most famous works is “A Man’s A Man for A’ That,” wherein he speaks of virtues in terms every Mason can understand—despite the Scots Gaelic tongue! It is dated 1795, the year before his death at age 37.


A Man’s A Man For A’ That
by Robert Burns

Is there for honest poverty
That hangs his head, an’ a’ that
The coward slave, we pass him by
We dare be poor for a’ that
For a’ that, an’ a’ that
The rank is but the guinea’s stamp
The man’s the gowd for a’ that

What though on hamely fare we dine
Wear hoddin grey, an’ a’ that
Gie fools their silks, and knaves their wine
A man’s a man, for a’ that
For a’ that, an’ a’ that
Their tinsel show an’ a’ that
The honest man, though e’er sae poor
Is king o’ men for a’ that

Ye see yon birkie ca’d a lord
Wha struts an’ stares an’ a’ that
Tho’ hundreds worship at his word
He’s but a coof for a’ that
For a’ that, an’ a’ that
The man o’ independent mind
He looks an’ laughs at a’ that

A prince can mak’ a belted knight
A marquise, duke, an’ a’ that
But an honest man’s aboon his might
Gude faith, he maunna fa’ that
For a’ that an’ a’ that
Their dignities an’ a’ that
The pith o’ sense an’ pride o’ worth
Are higher rank that a’ that

Then let us pray that come it may (as come it will for a’ that)
That Sense and Worth, o’er a’ the earth
Shall bear the gree an’ a’ that
For a’ that an’ a’ that
It’s coming yet for a’ that
That man to man, the world o’er
Shall brithers be for a’ that



     

Monday, March 16, 2015

‘The slender thread of life’

     
Mortality is a huge subject in Freemasonry. Maybe it’s not the dominant topic or theme, but death looms almost everywhere in Masonic ritual and symbol; in tenet and teaching. The thing is, death is discussed as the natural inevitability that follows long life. As the Master Mason Lecture of your lodge might phrase it, give or take a word: “The tender hopes of youth, the blushing honors of manhood soon vanish, and are succeeded by the withering frosts of age; and the sands of life, whether slowly or rapidly, will surely ebb away.”


Magpie file photo

W. Bro. Tony Brown, Master of historic Allied Lodge No. 1170 in New York City, lost his life Friday night unpredictably and unbelievably. He was 33 years old. The lodge will meet tonight for its regular communication, with Grand Master Bill Thomas sitting in the East, to eulogize its Worshipful Master. In Craft Masonry there isn’t much to prepare the bereaved for the loss of one so young.

Masonic funeral services: Guarino Funeral Home of Canarsie. Saturday, March 21. Brethren assemble at 2 p.m. Masonic service at three oclock. Viewing 4 to 7 p.m. Service at seven o’clock. Attire is black (or dark) suit and tie with plain white apron and gloves.


Courtesy Cliff Jacobs
Grand Master William J. Thomas with W. Bro. Tony Brown.
I had the privilege of sitting in lodge with W. Tony only once or twice that I recollect. I didn’t know him personally, but saw him here or there in Masonic Hall. Masons die all the time of course, but the news typically concerns an elderly brother who practically was unknown to most who are active in lodge currently. Some kind words are spoken, and maybe a team can be sent to the funeral to present the Masonic obsequy before the mourners, but generally there often is a visible distance between mortality’s centrality to Masonic culture and the reality of how the death of a brother is absorbed by his lodge. That will not be the case tonight.

I will be with my lodge elsewhere in the building conferring the Fellow Craft Degree this evening, but my thoughts will be with Allied Lodge at this time of mournful disbelief. Alas, my brother.
     

Thursday, September 30, 2010

‘Allied Lodge’s lecture series’

    

W. Bro. Hans Momplaisir, Master of Allied Lodge No. 1170, has announced the curriculum of the lodge’s lecture series for 2010-11. All Master Masons in good standing are welcome.

Monday, October 4 – Brother-Bring-a-Friend Night and a discussion on “Time.”

Monday, October 18 – “Egyptian Mysteries and the Development of Consciousness.”

Monday, December 20 – “First Degree Tools, Emblems, and Prayer.”

Monday, January 3, 2011 – “Secrets of the Sphinx.”

Monday, March 7, 2011 – Fellowship Night with Shakespeare Lodge No. 750 and Boyer Lodge No. 1. Discussion: “Second Degree Tools, Emblems, and Prayer.”

Monday, April 4, 2011 – “The Seven Liberal Arts and Sciences.”

Monday, May 2, 2011 – “The Sprig of Acacia and Walk about the Lodge.”

Monday, May 16, 2011 – “The Kabbalah.”

Chartered in 1975, Allied Lodge is the daughter lodge of historic Alpha Lodge No. 116 in New Jersey.

Masonic Hall, of course, is located at 71 West 23rd St. in Manhattan. Allied Lodge meets in the Colonial Room, which is located on the tenth floor.