‘Meet Act and Part podcast is on’

     

Masonic Education is the topic of the first podcast of Meet Act and Part. I do a terrible job of keeping current with the podcasts concerning Freemasonry, but this looks like another great one. Our hosts are Bill Hosler, Greg Knott, and Darin Lahners. They divulge their Masonic credentials on air, so I won’t transcribe them here. The discussion concerns their respective efforts in education.

This was published on Podomatic Thursday. It runs 30 minutes, so check it out. Click here.
     

‘Masonic studies to begin at Portugal university’

     
Lusophone University of Humanities and Technologies (Universidade Lusófona) in Lisbon, Portugal, will offer coursework on the subject of Freemasonry beginning next month. If I understand the website, it is not necessary to be a college student currently to participate in this. Evidently, you would have to speak Portuguese though. Total course hours: 120.

From the publicity (as translated by Google and me):

The ideal of a brotherhood of philosopher-builders has influenced diverse cultural developments to this day. Freemasonry, as a fraternity of men interested in Gnosis and in the elevation of souls to the celestial region, is one of the main and most influential movements of spiritual aspiration in the West. Knowing and understanding the philosophical and spiritual sources of the Masonic movement, and the way they enhanced individual human creativity, is the objective of this course, that will focus on the impetus which gave spiritual and ritualistic philosophical substance.

The main objectives of this course are to know the sources and traditions that flow into the so-called Modern Freemasonry, be it the myths and initiation rites of antiquity, or medieval mystical and knightly ways. We will give special weight, not to a diachronic reading of movements, landmarks, and characters, but to the history of ideas, looking for the lineages of content and hermeneutics that result in Speculative Masonry. Students will see the intersection of Portuguese culture with the so-called Arte Real, be it with regard to literature and poetry, be it in art and even in urban art.

Knowledge, skills, and competencies to be acquired will include the identification and critical analysis of the main currents and movements that were, and are, used in Speculative Masonry as part of its rituals and worldviews.

Program:

Ancient Mysteries

and Philosophies

Section 1: Mystery and Initiation
Section 2: The Hellenist Mysteries and Philosophy

Mystics, Worldviews,

and Abrahamic Anthropologies

Section 1: Templarism and Templars
Section 2: Rosicrucianism
Section 3: Judaism, Kabbalah, and Freemasonry
Section 4: Manichaeism and Freemasonry
Section 5: Freemasonry and Mystique

Freemasonry

and Modernity

Section 1: History and Origins of Speculative or Modern Freemasonry
Section 2: Modern Philosophy and Science in dialogue with Freemasonry
Section 3: New anthropological views: Feminine and Mixed Masonry
Section 4: Freemasonry in Portugal

Freemasonry as

contemporary reading

Section 1: Freemasonry, Symbolic and Art
Section 2: Freemasonry and Portuguese thought


Syllabus

• Freemasonry as Contemporary Reading
• Freemasonry and Modernity
• Ancient Mysteries and Philosophies
• Mystics, Worldviews, and Abrahamic Anthropologies

Teachers:

António Balcão Vicente
Arnaldo Gonçalves
Cátia Mourão
Fernando Marques da Costa
Paulo Mendes Pinto
Renato Epifânio
Rui Lomelino de Freitas


Guest Speakers:

António Ventura
Armindo Azevedo
Felipe Corte Real Camargo
José Eduardo Franco
José Manuel Anes
José Manuel Pereira da Silva
Maria João Figueira
Maria José Tavares
     

‘The unforgettable Journal No. 47’

     

There are merely two and a half weeks to go until the annual meeting of the Masonic Society, which takes place amid the Masonic Week festivities in Virginia, and there will be news coming from that busy night.

In the meantime, Issue No. 47 of The Journal of the Masonic Society is out, and while each issue is a treasure worth leaving to your posterity, this one is unique for its cover art by Bro. Ari Roussimoff. A highly skilled, imaginative, and seemingly fearless artist, Ari (a New York Mason) paints Masonic subjects and themes in ways you’ve never seen. I published some photos of his work on The Magpie many years ago—click here—so you could see the powerful colors and bold technique that characterize his images. He is profiled on Page 17 of this Journal issue, where he explains part of what actuates his brushes:


“Painting Masonic subject matter is always a challenge. Much of what I depict emanates from my subconscious, from my heart. The experience is like being on a journey of discovery, depicted on canvas. And I never really know where this journey is taking me until I get there. It is said in Freemasonry that each person can find meanings that are personal and speak directly to them. This is something I very much believe. And I like to think that in my paintings, I show some of the ways in which Freemasonry has spoken to me.”


Bro. Samuel S. Laucks, II of Pennsylvania gives his “Thoughts About Writing a History of Your Lodge” in which he guides us through the research process. Laucks was lucky. He easily located lodge minutes, financial documents, trustees reports, and other solid sources of facts collected inside his lodge’s safe. Also photographs, correspondence, published programs, and other memorabilia were secured therein, making his research convenient. Elsewhere about the lodge, inside file cabinets, desks, bookcases, and inevitable cardboard cartons, Laucks found more of what he needed. Without the temple, he advises checking with local libraries and historical societies and periodicals. If there aren’t records specific to Freemasonry or to your lodge, you still can gain a contextual understanding of what was going on locally through history, because those events impact the fraternity too. Beware the search engines! Mentions of your lodge in news media most often will consist of obituaries. Naturally, our grand lodges retain troves of information. Taking down oral histories can provide color not seen in formal records. “It was fascinating to hear not only their memories and anecdotes,” he explains, “but also to hear their impressions of why men sought to join the fraternity and participate in its activities during those different time periods.”

An experienced researcher will tell you that the Who, What, When, and Where are not sufficient in relating a history, but the Why is essential; Laucks is in agreement. He concludes: “I believe that a lodge history should not be a purely static document but should provide a sense of optimism and anticipation for that which is to come. The audience should not only be proud of their lodge’s history, but should also be inspired and energized by it as they plan for the future.”

Also on the theme of the sweep of history, MW Bro. David J. Cameron, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario, writes “Change 2019.” In this piece, Cameron explains how change is a constant in Freemasonry (despite what we ritually say in our ceremonies about the Craft’s unyielding continuity). He traces growth and decline in membership rolls for the context to explain the need to reconfigure his jurisdiction’s bureaucracy. “Our membership peaked in 1960 at 136,000 members,” his research shows. “Now we have 34,000. But we have a Grand Lodge structure created for over 100,000 members and geared to continual growth.” The downsizing is needed at the macro level also, he observes, relating the comment of a young Mason who balked at being told to take away more time from his family and business in order to visit other lodges in his district. “I was taken aback, and I realized he was right,” Cameron recalls. “We are asking too much.”

Citing an exit poll given in 2013 to Apprentices who quit the fraternity, more than half of the respondents said the time commitment was too much for them. Looking for a way forward, Cameron figures “not less is more, but maybe ‘less often, but more intense’ is more.”

Fellow Canadian Joseph Hatcher, of Winnipeg, intrigues with his title “The Kaleida Code.” In this article, the writer leads us through a small local church where “Masonic symbolism from the nineteenth century also abounds.” Near the village of Kaleida stands an Anglican Church erected in 1892 and originally named St. Mary’s, in honor of the English origins of the family of Bro. William Winram, a historical figure in Manitoba. This church’s cornerstone was laid with full Masonic pageant, and its design, says Hatcher, is laden with Masonic symbolism. That cornerstone, and an arched gateway, and Masonic symbols on headstones in the cemetery are obvious clues, but there are others perhaps apparent only to the initiated eye. You’ll want to read his findings to see what he means.

In biography, Bro. Billy Hamilton of Fort Worth Lodge 148 in Texas writes of Bro. John M. Allen, a considerable man of action indeed. He served in the Navy, then fought for Greece in its war for independence, was present at the death of Byron(!), then fought for the independence of Texas, and played a seminal role in bringing Freemasonry into Texas from Louisiana. I’m tired just from typing that, but the story doesn’t end anywhere close to there. Allen was the first mayor of Galveston, a charter member of the first lodge there—Harmony 6—and was a prominent businessman. A mysterious conflict that involved Masonic jurisprudence arose caused by political divisions of the city, and charges were brought against Allen. What happened? Join the Masonic Society and read all about it!

There’s a lot more for your education and enjoyment. Bro. Raul Sarmiento, also of Texas, writes of “Alchemy in Masonry.” Bro. Alan Schwartz of Illinois treats us to “Conceptual Metaphors in Masonry.” Bro. Brendan Hickey of Pennsylvania submits for your approval “That Good Men Do Something: A Defense of Freemasonry.”

Standard features round out the book. Editor-in-Chief Michael Poll exhorts Master Masons to make absolutely certain they are achieving a thorough and diverse Masonic education. “We should objectively examine ourselves to find our weak spots and do the work necessary to improve in Masonry wherever needed,” he explains. “If, however, we feel that we have learned all that can be learned and need no further education, then I suggest we start over at the beginning of our studies.”

How often does anyone tell you something like that?!

In the “Masonica in Review” feature, we introduce Bro. Michael Moran of Pennsylvania: the new book reviewer. Reviews of useful books and podcasts follow. In pictorials, Bro. Greg Knott takes us across the Golden Gate Bridge, and Bro. John Bridegroom’s “Masonic Treasures” on the back cover decodes a highly illustrated jewel from an invitational order appended to the York Rite.

Stop depriving yourself! Join the Masonic Society. Click here to get started.
     

‘Joppa Lodge singing, performing, and informing’

     
Today is Martin Luther King Day, an apt time to tell you about Joppa Lodge 55’s upcoming special event. From the publicity:

Black History Program

Joppa Lodge 55, PHA

Saturday, February 22

3 to 5 p.m.

Masonic Temple

454 West 155th Street

New York City

Please join the Brothers of Joppa Lodge 55 as we have our annual Black History Program in our 100th year of existence. The Brothers of Joppa will be singing, performing, and informing.

This event is free of charge and open to the public. Make reservations here. We ask only that you bring one toiletry, which will be donated to a homeless shelter.
     

‘Washington’s birthday bash at DeWint House’

     

Magpie file photo

DeWint House historical site in Tappan, New York.

New York Freemasonry will commemorate the birthday of Bro. George Washington with an event at DeWint House next month.

DeWint House is the historical site in Tappan, owned and operated by Grand Lodge, that served as Gen. Washington’s headquarters several times during the Revolutionary War.

For Sunday, February 16, the George Washington Historical Site at Tappan Committee has planned a celebration featuring entertainment by the Sons of Liberty Living History Organization.

DeWint House is located at 20 Livingston Street. Start time is 1 p.m. Attire: casual. Light collation to follow. Snow date: TBD.
     

‘Bro. Homer’s silver anniversary’

     

Courtesy Gracie Films/20th Century Fox Television

“Why won’t those stupid idiots let me into their crappy club for jerks?”

Homer J. Simpson


Somehow this anniversary slipped past me. It was 25 years ago—on January 8, 1995—when Homer Simpson was initiated into the Stonecutters and was hailed as The Chosen One!

I know the feeling.

IMDB offers insight into how this episode (No. 12 of Season 6) came about:


Although the episode was written by John Swartzwelder, the story was suggested by David Mirkin. Mirkin did not have enough time to write the episode and asked Swartzwelder to do it. Mirkin came up with the idea while driving home from a rewrite early in the morning and listened to a religious radio station where they were talking about Freemasonry. Mirkin decided it would make a great episode, where everyone in Springfield was a member of a Masonic society and Homer was left on the outside and felt neglected.

The Stonecutters are a parody of the Freemasons. The Freemason symbol of the Square and Compass can be seen on the walls of the Stonecutter Hall, and on the Sacred Parchment. All members of both societies are men.

The legible words on the Sacred Parchment are a line taken from Publius Vergilius Maro: Aeneid, book 2, line 774: obstipui steteruntque comae et vox faucibus haesit

The translation is “I was dumbstruck, (my) hair stood up and (my) voice was stuck in (my) throat.” Fleeing the burning Troy, Aeneas has lost his wife, Creusa, and is about to look for her when her shadow appears and talks to him. In line 774 he describes his sensations when seeing this shadow. There does not seem to be a reason why the makers chose this line.

Regular Springfield characters shown to be Stonecutters: Lenny, Carl, Moe, Dr. Hibbert, Burns, Smithers, Grampa (Abe Simpson), Jasper, Herman, Principal Skinner, Mayor Quimby, Chief Wiggum, Leopold (Superintendant Chalmers’ Assistant), Krusty, Kent Brockman, Apu, Barney, and of course, Homer, after his initiation. Barney is never actually seen wearing Stonecutter robes, but he is seen working at the Stonecutters’ daycare center.

The song “We Do” was not included in the original script and was suggested by Matt Groening. It was written by the writers’ room, who threw in as many things that annoyed them as they possibly could.



When Homer is being paddled for initiation into the Stonecutters, he mentions The Wreck of the Hesperus, a poem by Longfellow published in 1842.

Courtesy Gracie Films/20th Century Fox Television

So popular is this episode, it inspired a line of action figures!

Available from Amazon: The Homer Stonecutter
action man with paraphernalia.

And Number One.

And, in the quotations department:

Marge: Homer, a man who called himself “you-know-who” just invited you to a secret “wink-wink” at the “you-know-what.” You certainly are popular now that you’re a Stonecutter.

Homer: Oh, yeah. Beer busts, beer blasts, keggers, stein hoists, AA meetings, beer night. It’s wonderful, Marge. I’ve never felt so accepted in all my life. These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined.


In many Masonic jurisdictions, after a quarter-century, Homer would be a Past Grand Master by now—and many Masonic jurisdictions could do a lot worse!

Grampa Abe Simpson action figure with fez.

     

‘MMRS meeting dates for 2020’

     

Maryland Masonic Research Society has five dates scheduled for the year:

Saturday, March 7

Mount Hermon Lodge 179

Hyattsville, Maryland

Saturday, May 2

Naval Lodge 4

Washington, DC

Monday, August 3

Festive Board

Kings Contrivance

Columbia, Maryland

Saturday, October 10

Election of Officers

Location: TBA

Saturday, December 5

Installation of Officers

Grand Lodge of Maryland

     

‘Library lecture: Washington’s bicentennial’

     

Courtesy Coin Trackers

The Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library’s first lecture of the year will bring RW Bro. Bill Maurer to the lectern to present “George Washington and the 1932 Bicentennial.”

That’s Thursday, January 30 at 6:30 p.m. at the library, located on the 14th floor of Masonic Hall (71 West 23rd Street in Manhattan). Photo ID is required to enter the building.

From the publicity:


This month, the Livingston Masonic Library is proud to welcome C.F. William Maurer to speak about George Washington and the celebration of the bicentenary of Washington’s birth in 1932. In addition, he will touch on the contributions of Bro. Sol Bloom, who served as director of the United States George Washington Bicentennial Commission.

C.F. William Maurer, MPS is a Past Master of Athelstane Lodge 839 in Pearl River, New York, and is a dual member of Cincinnati Lodge 3 in Morristown. He is the First Vice President of the library’s Board of Trustees.


Admission is free and is open to the public. Doors open at six o’clock. Book your seat here.
     

‘Help with this survey on contemplative practices’

    

Bro. Chuck Dunning, author of Contemplative Masonry, is researching the availability of meditation and similar practices in Masonic meetings. Maybe you could help him.

Complete this survey.

I know you’re out there. When I spoke on this subject five years ago at the Masonic Restoration Foundation in Philly, I was surprised and delighted to see the hands raised when asked who follows a mindfulness exercise, and if it was part of lodge life.

The confidential survey asks only eight questions.

     

‘Azim’s January social at The Campbell’

     

And speaking of bars and drinking (see both most recent posts below), Azim “Home of the Mokanna” Grotto will gather for its January social at a place I have wanted to visit for a long time. (I drive everywhere, so I don’t use train stations.)

Inside Grand Central Terminal, in what had been the offices of Roaring Twenties financier John Campbell, is The Campbell—a pretty swank bar.

Wikipedia says between the days of Campbell’s office and The Campbell Bar, the space was used as a jail by the MTA, which might explain Azim’s affinity for the joint.

Enjoy these photos borrowed from all kinds of websites, and resolve to become an Azim Mystic Prophet on Saturday, March 21—National Grotto Day.

Courtesy New York Times

Courtesy 6sqft.com

Courtesy thrillist.com

Courtesy acuteinflections.com

     

‘Save the White House!’

     

“We shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us.”

Winston Churchill

1943

At Magpie Headquarters, Professor Pan's portrait of Winston Churchill looms above my desk, reminding me of my inadequacies in perpetuity.

And speaking of beer (see post below), there is a movement in Bladon, England to preserve, protect, and defend the White House.

That’s the local pub where Bro. Winston Churchill is said to have learned to drink—like he wouldn’t have figured it out anyway—and that had been purchased by these guys, arousing neighbors’ fears that the historic site could be closed and the land converted to another use. Bladon is a village of less than a thousand inhabitants, and this pub, dating to the 16^th century, is the center of activity there. The White House is listed for sale now, and the neighbors are attempting to raise the needed money to purchase it and operate it as a community resource. They have until March to raise half a million pounds, but it is not looking favorable.

Supporters have the options of buying shares (£50 each) and/or donating money toward the effort.

The share buy-in closing date is January 31. Click here to read the prospectus.

To donate, click here.

Courtesy Art Daily

Winston Churchill’s Masonic apron.

Bro. Churchill was initiated into Studholme Lodge 1591 (now United Studholme Alliance Lodge 1591) on May 24, 1901. He was passed to the second degree July 19, and was raised a Master Mason on March 5, 1902.

Courtesy UGLE

Bust of Sir Winston Churchill by Jacob Epstein. In 2019, the United Grand Lodge of England received the loan of this sculpture for an initial five-year period, and it can be seen inside the Tower Entrance of Freemasons’ Hall, near the ground floor cloakrooms. Between 10 and 16 casts of the bronze are believed to exist, including one given to the White House (the one in Washington, DC!) in 1965.

     

‘Craft beer for the Craft’

     
“Ah, good ol’ trustworthy beer. My love for you will never die.”

Homer J. Simpson


I will be amid the revelries of Masonic Week in Virginia that day, but there’s no reason why you can’t get to Cooperstown to enjoy this charity event. From the publicity:

Craft from the Craft

Saturday, February 8

4 to 6 p.m.

Otsego Lodge 138

77 Main Street

Cooperstown, New York

Join the members of Otsego Lodge 138 of Free and Accepted Masons in a tasting of quality craft beer (some even brewed by our members!) for a nominal, and to be determined, cost. Gross proceeds will go to Masonic charities in New York State.

Tours of the building will also be given. Celebrate our 100th year in our current building!

2020 is the 225th year of Otsego Lodge serving Cooperstown. Come learn about our history in the village, as well as information on Freemasonry as a whole.

Must be 21+ to be served.
     

‘This Scotsman walks into a lodge on St. Patrick’s Day’

     
No, not a joke! Bro. Bob Cooper will visit an area lodge March 17 to speak on the subject of the Edinburgh Register House Manuscript. From the publicity:

Robert L.D. Cooper

Deciphering the Edinburgh

Register House MS of 1696

Tuesday, March 17

Clifton, New Jersey

Hailed as the world’s oldest Masonic ritual, the Edinburgh Register House Manuscript of 1696 starts with a catechism for proving a man, who has the word, is really a mason. Among other things, the person seeking entry is expected to name his lodge as Kilwinning, which is reputed to be the oldest Lodge in the world. A Fellow Craft is further expected to know and explain a Masonic embrace called the Five Points of Fellowship.

Lessing-Passaic Lodge 67 is proud to present this world-acclaimed Masonic speaker. Bro. Cooper has been the curator of the Grand Lodge of Scotland’s Museum and Library for 20 years, and is a Past Master of Quatuor Coronati Lodge 2076. Not only has he written books and articles on Masonic matters, but he also has appeared on television and radio programs around the world on the subject of Freemasonry. He has an abiding interest in all matters relating to Freemasonry prior to the Grand Lodge era, with a particular interest in manuscript rituals, including pseudo-Masonic rituals from the 17th century.

All those who RSVP will receive an advance copy of this manuscript. Reservations are required. No walk-ins can be accommodated. RSVP here. This will be a regular communication of Lessing-Passaic Lodge 67, and our program will be as follows:

Social hour at 5:30 p.m. Dinner at 6:30. Lodge Opening at 7:30, and the presentation at eight o’clock.

To accommodate the anticipated number of brethren who will likely attend, Clifton Lodge 203 has allowed us the use of their temple to hold this program. 1496 Van Houten Avenue, Clifton, New Jersey.

This meeting will be free of charge and open to all Master Masons because Lessing-Passaic Lodge would like to spread Masonic Light and knowledge to as many of the brethren as possible.

We expect this program to fill up quickly, so we suggest that you RSVP without delay, but no later than February 25.
     

‘One Mason’s Civil War story published’

     

Bro. Robert Jordan, of Sylvan Lodge 303 up in Jamestown, New York, published a book on Wednesday, Alvah: A Thread of Red, chronicling an ancestor’s travails during the Civil War. Bro. Jordan’s familial and Masonic brother Tom explains:


My brother, and our Sylvan Lodge Brother, Robert Jordan has recently published a Masonic themed book about our ancestor and Civil War veteran Alvah Jordan. Alvah provided a written account of his Civil War experiences in March 1910, after being pestered by relatives, friends, and neighbors to write it down before it was lost forever.

Alvah’s written account includes being captured at the Battle of Plymouth, North Carolina; being briefly imprisoned at Andersonville and taking part in the prisoner trials; then being transferred and subsequently escaping from various confederate prisons, including the prison at Florence, South Carolina. Alvah’s written account includes details of his and his comrade’s attempts to make their way northward to rejoin the 85th New York Infantry, and his interesting interactions with his Masonic and non-Masonic captors. My brother takes Alvah’s written account, with other historical information we’ve accumulated over the years, and uses his gift for story-telling to create a very interesting historical novel.


From the publisher:


Take a tour of duty with a man who survived the American Civil War. Based on the personal writings of Alvah Jordan, Alvah: A Thread of Red is a riveting story passed down through generations until Robert Jordan, his descendent, decided to fill in the gaps and create a page-turning biography of a man who lived a fascinating life. In many cases, the information Alvah Jordan left out of his writings speaks louder than that he included. He was a complex man born in simpler times, under the Victorian constraints based on faith and morals. A man of integrity, ingenuity, and humor, he had the innate ability to take the edge off of adversity. Follow him as he explores the importance of character, learns to use his God-given resources, learns about Freemasonry, and copes with life's trials.
     

‘Washington Lodge and the death of Hamilton’

     
The Master of historic Washington Lodge 21, which will reach its 220th anniversary on March 5, announces a fascinating historical lecture scheduled for next Thursday. From the publicity:

Courtesy New-York Historical Society

The Hamilton-Burr duel pistols.

Washington Lodge No. 21

and the Role its Members Played

in the Hamilton-Burr Duel of 1804

Thursday, January 16 at 7:45 p.m.

Presented by Historian Andrew Kozinn

and Senior Warden Ali Fateh

Masonic Hall, 10th floor

71 West 23rd Street, Manhattan

Photo ID required to enter the building

Learn the role of Freemasons in creating our political system after the Revolutionary War. Learn the reasons for the formation of Washington Lodge in 1800! Learn what caused one Washington Lodge Brother to threaten another Brother’s life! Decide for yourself which Masonic Brothers acted most appropriately to preserve the integrity of the Craft!

All Brothers and interested gentlemen are invited. Attire: business casual. Collation to follow. RSVP to Bro. Kozinn here.