1
00:00:04,700 --> 00:00:07,500
Thank you for downloading this 
episode of our podcast. 

2
00:00:14,500 --> 00:00:17,100
Hi and welcome to the podcast 
for Solomon staircase. 

3
00:00:17,100 --> 00:00:20,900
Masonic lodge, number 357, where
we talk about all things related

4
00:00:20,900 --> 00:00:23,700
with Freemasonry including 
hermetic teachings. 

5
00:00:23,700 --> 00:00:27,500
Philosophy reason spirituality 
and much more we're located in 

6
00:00:27,508 --> 00:00:30,000
Buena Park. 
Southern California, tuned in as

7
00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:32,800
we continue to update our 
podcast with informative talks 

8
00:00:32,900 --> 00:00:35,000
and articles for Mason's 
worldwide. 

9
00:00:35,000 --> 00:00:43,700
And those who would like to 
inquire within The following 

10
00:00:43,700 --> 00:00:47,200
article is from the October 
2006, fraternal review. 

11
00:00:48,000 --> 00:00:52,000
How does Freemasonry add value 
to our lives by Tim Bryce, past 

12
00:00:52,000 --> 00:00:55,000
master? 
Undoubtedly, the most visible 

13
00:00:55,000 --> 00:00:57,800
benefit associated with 
Freemasonry is the Friendship, 

14
00:00:57,800 --> 00:00:59,300
morality and brotherly. 
Love. 

15
00:00:59,300 --> 00:01:02,200
We learn simply by attending 
Lodge and interacting with the 

16
00:01:02,200 --> 00:01:05,200
members. 
It is not unusual for Freemasons

17
00:01:05,200 --> 00:01:08,200
to develop lifelong, friendships
and bonds with other Mason's. 

18
00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:11,500
This should not be surprising as
the fraternity represents a 

19
00:01:11,500 --> 00:01:13,400
society. 
Consisting of men with common 

20
00:01:13,400 --> 00:01:18,100
interests and such commonality 
is comforting to us all aside 

21
00:01:18,100 --> 00:01:20,300
from this. 
How does Freemasonry add value 

22
00:01:20,300 --> 00:01:23,800
to our lives? 
Frankly there are several Ways 

23
00:01:23,800 --> 00:01:26,200
we are affected personally and 
professionally by our 

24
00:01:26,200 --> 00:01:29,100
participation. 
In the fraternity, some examples

25
00:01:29,700 --> 00:01:33,600
socialization skills through the
structured, decorum of our 

26
00:01:33,600 --> 00:01:36,500
formal meetings and the 
informality of others, we learn 

27
00:01:36,500 --> 00:01:39,400
to respect, cooperate, 
participate in network, with 

28
00:01:39,400 --> 00:01:42,200
other people. 
In other words, it influences 

29
00:01:42,200 --> 00:01:45,100
our behavior in terms of how we 
interact with our neighbors 

30
00:01:45,100 --> 00:01:47,400
friends, co-workers, customers 
and vendors. 

31
00:01:48,100 --> 00:01:50,900
This tends to make us more 
socially adjusted and proactive 

32
00:01:50,900 --> 00:01:52,300
in our communities and 
companies. 

33
00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:58,000
Speaking and memorization skills
are catechisms and degree work. 

34
00:01:58,000 --> 00:02:01,000
Although trying to times helps 
sharpen our brains as well as 

35
00:02:01,000 --> 00:02:03,600
our tongues. 
Although our terminology may 

36
00:02:03,600 --> 00:02:06,500
seem somewhat archaic. 
It is useful for improving one's

37
00:02:06,500 --> 00:02:09,900
vocabulary. 
Further returning catechisms and

38
00:02:09,900 --> 00:02:12,900
delivering degrees and lectures 
helps overcome the human fear of

39
00:02:12,900 --> 00:02:17,200
audiences and materially assist 
in making us better public 

40
00:02:17,200 --> 00:02:19,300
speakers. 
Something that is particularly 

41
00:02:19,300 --> 00:02:22,300
needed in our professional lives
regardless of our occupation. 

42
00:02:23,000 --> 00:02:26,200
Dress again because of the 
decorum of our meetings, we 

43
00:02:26,200 --> 00:02:28,700
learned the value of dressing 
appropriately to cultivate a 

44
00:02:28,708 --> 00:02:31,500
positive image. 
I have met several brothers who 

45
00:02:31,500 --> 00:02:34,000
have cleaned up their act simply
by their association with the 

46
00:02:34,000 --> 00:02:37,200
fraternity. 
Thereby turning a slovenly image

47
00:02:37,200 --> 00:02:40,800
into one that is more positive 
and Professional Organization 

48
00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:44,000
and Leadership for those members
who become Lodge officers. 

49
00:02:44,000 --> 00:02:46,500
It is not uncommon to learn 
basic organization and 

50
00:02:46,500 --> 00:02:49,900
Leadership skills, such as 
planning and scheduling managing

51
00:02:49,900 --> 00:02:52,000
records and finances. 
Building maintenance. 

52
00:02:52,800 --> 00:02:55,800
And persuasion. 
All of this is useful to us in 

53
00:02:55,800 --> 00:02:59,000
both our personal and 
professional lives history. 

54
00:02:59,500 --> 00:03:01,800
As the world's oldest fraternal 
organization. 

55
00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:04,700
We impress, the need for customs
and traditions on all of our 

56
00:03:04,700 --> 00:03:07,400
members. 
But beyond this, many basins 

57
00:03:07,400 --> 00:03:10,400
become fascinated with our 
history and learn to research 

58
00:03:10,400 --> 00:03:12,500
and write on a variety of 
subjects related to the 

59
00:03:12,500 --> 00:03:15,500
fraternity Mason's. 
Therefore, appreciate the 

60
00:03:15,500 --> 00:03:18,500
lessons of history and develop 
effective writing skills which 

61
00:03:18,500 --> 00:03:20,500
also help us in the outside 
world. 

62
00:03:21,100 --> 00:03:24,400
Volunteerism. 
Our philanthropy is legendary 

63
00:03:24,600 --> 00:03:27,200
and it is impressed on every 
Mason to help others as 

64
00:03:27,200 --> 00:03:30,700
generously as their ability 
permits, aside from the monies, 

65
00:03:30,700 --> 00:03:33,700
we donate Mason's learn to 
volunteer their time to assist 

66
00:03:33,700 --> 00:03:35,800
others. 
Knowing if they help another 

67
00:03:35,800 --> 00:03:38,100
they may expect assistance from 
others in return. 

68
00:03:39,100 --> 00:03:42,700
This concept alone is in sharp 
contrast to today's dog-eat-dog 

69
00:03:42,700 --> 00:03:45,700
corporate culture. 
Basically Mason's learn a little

70
00:03:45,700 --> 00:03:50,100
kindness, can go a long way. 
Negotiation skills, in order to 

71
00:03:50,100 --> 00:03:52,500
persuade people to move in a 
specific Direction. 

72
00:03:52,500 --> 00:03:55,200
Lodge officers must learn how to
negotiate with others. 

73
00:03:55,700 --> 00:03:59,000
Such skills are vital, not only 
in our professional lives, but 

74
00:03:59,000 --> 00:04:00,800
also in our personal lives as 
well. 

75
00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:06,800
The following article is from 
the October 2006, fraternal 

76
00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:10,300
review, the nature of masonry by
Jerry W. 

77
00:04:10,300 --> 00:04:13,100
Carter. 
The third, what is masonry 

78
00:04:13,100 --> 00:04:15,400
really? 
Is it simply immense eating and 

79
00:04:15,400 --> 00:04:18,200
drinking glove or is it 
something more significant? 

80
00:04:18,800 --> 00:04:22,500
How could 18th century masonry? 
Be understood by Mason's then or

81
00:04:22,500 --> 00:04:25,900
now, as not much more than an 
innocuous men's club. 

82
00:04:26,300 --> 00:04:29,200
This perspective is the source 
of a nagging question for some 

83
00:04:29,200 --> 00:04:32,600
contemporary Masons, can it 
really be taken seriously? 

84
00:04:33,300 --> 00:04:36,300
It seems inconceivable that 
Mason's could step back from a 

85
00:04:36,308 --> 00:04:39,600
past of high standards, divine 
inspiration and intellectual 

86
00:04:39,600 --> 00:04:42,700
preeminence to become an 
inconsequential and self-serving

87
00:04:42,700 --> 00:04:46,500
social organization. 
Masonry without doubt was once 

88
00:04:46,500 --> 00:04:49,400
the most productive, informative
human force in the destiny of 

89
00:04:49,407 --> 00:04:52,100
mankind. 
When the Reverend dr. 

90
00:04:52,100 --> 00:04:54,600
James Anderson published The 
Constitution's of the Freemasons

91
00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:59,200
in 1723, the idea began to 
emerge that Masonic bodies were 

92
00:04:59,200 --> 00:05:03,000
only men's eating and drinking 
clubs, rather than accept that 

93
00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:06,500
as We might wonder whether it 
was not an exaggerated criticism

94
00:05:06,500 --> 00:05:08,800
intended to hide the serious 
work of masonry. 

95
00:05:09,600 --> 00:05:12,500
Whether it was a criticism or 
not, that appears to apply to 

96
00:05:12,500 --> 00:05:15,400
present-day masonry. 
How often have we heard great 

97
00:05:15,400 --> 00:05:18,300
food trumpeted as the only 
description of a Mist lodge 

98
00:05:18,300 --> 00:05:21,600
meeting there. 
Appears indeed to be a glaring 

99
00:05:21,600 --> 00:05:24,200
incongruities between masonry of
the past. 

100
00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:27,900
And what masonry is today it 
appears to some to be little 

101
00:05:27,900 --> 00:05:30,000
more than a Social Club for Men 
were easy. 

102
00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:33,200
Charity is exercised investment 
in the future of humanity. 

103
00:05:33,300 --> 00:05:36,600
It is limited and Urgent matters
of national and World Health are

104
00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:40,900
either not discussed or glibly. 
Brushed over current practices 

105
00:05:40,900 --> 00:05:43,900
in most cases, do stand at odds 
with the spiritual values, 

106
00:05:43,900 --> 00:05:48,300
mindset designs, and actions of 
the past standing in stark 

107
00:05:48,300 --> 00:05:51,100
contrast to the concept of 
immense Social Club. 

108
00:05:51,200 --> 00:05:54,600
Anderson's constitutions was the
most important statement masonry

109
00:05:54,600 --> 00:05:58,700
had made about itself up to that
time years of collection, and 

110
00:05:58,700 --> 00:06:01,400
Analysis of ancient secret 
Masonic documents were 

111
00:06:01,400 --> 00:06:05,200
synthesized into one volume. 
The Constitution's was a guide 

112
00:06:05,200 --> 00:06:08,900
to Masonic wisdom in history, a 
consolidation of wisdom of 

113
00:06:08,900 --> 00:06:13,000
eminent scientists Scholars and 
theologians, considering the 

114
00:06:13,000 --> 00:06:15,400
quality and the source of the 
information contained in the 

115
00:06:15,400 --> 00:06:19,200
Constitution's, it is indeed 
curious that such a bland men's 

116
00:06:19,200 --> 00:06:22,600
club picture remains for many 
the image of masonry. 

117
00:06:23,200 --> 00:06:26,000
It is also curious that 
Anderson's constitutions is 

118
00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:29,600
still unknown to most longtime 
Mason's and for those who have 

119
00:06:29,600 --> 00:06:32,400
heard about it at least in the 
Americas and Europe it is 

120
00:06:32,400 --> 00:06:35,800
regarded merely as As a historic
curiosity, which few have read 

121
00:06:35,800 --> 00:06:39,300
or understand. 
Now about three, centuries after

122
00:06:39,300 --> 00:06:42,400
the publication and distribution
of Anderson's constitutions. 

123
00:06:42,900 --> 00:06:46,300
The main concern of contemporary
masonry is focused on the sharp 

124
00:06:46,300 --> 00:06:48,400
decline of membership and large 
closings. 

125
00:06:48,800 --> 00:06:52,300
It is mystifying an alarming, 
too many Masons that only a few 

126
00:06:52,300 --> 00:06:56,000
men, enter masonry. 
And of those who do still fewer 

127
00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:58,600
remain to fill in every 
declining number of lodges. 

128
00:06:59,300 --> 00:07:02,600
The fact is, there are a growing
number of men in our society who

129
00:07:02,600 --> 00:07:06,300
are obviously, Unsatisfied 
Seekers with their interest 

130
00:07:06,300 --> 00:07:09,400
piqued by recent scholarly and 
Theatrical presentations about 

131
00:07:09,400 --> 00:07:13,100
masonry, they enter into our 
lodges with high expectations as

132
00:07:13,100 --> 00:07:15,500
they work to reach their 
objective to become a part of 

133
00:07:15,500 --> 00:07:18,300
masonry that is Rich with 
meaning and significance. 

134
00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:21,800
These new members however soon 
learned that masonry has become 

135
00:07:21,800 --> 00:07:25,000
more and more bland and less 
relevant and increasingly 

136
00:07:25,000 --> 00:07:26,900
stressful contemporary 
conditions. 

137
00:07:27,700 --> 00:07:31,200
Moreover contemporary Masons are
encouraged not to compare the 

138
00:07:31,200 --> 00:07:33,200
masonry of history with masonry 
now. 

139
00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:36,600
Some apparently fear that in 
this comparison, we would suffer

140
00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:39,100
greatly for. 
The masonry of late has not been

141
00:07:39,100 --> 00:07:42,200
able to attract or support the 
modern equivalents of disa. 

142
00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:46,600
Golly a DaVinci Newton or 
Mozart, instead of embracing our

143
00:07:46,600 --> 00:07:49,400
past, we turn away from our 
greatest asset and in the 

144
00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:52,300
process discourage, the very 
unusual Minds that could 

145
00:07:52,300 --> 00:07:57,100
tremendously benefit both our 
society and Masonry Time Rushes 

146
00:07:57,100 --> 00:08:00,600
by now is the moment for 
American masonry to look more 

147
00:08:00,600 --> 00:08:04,100
closely at the totality of 
masonries achievements and then 

148
00:08:04,100 --> 00:08:06,300
to honestly evaluate our 
relevance today. 

149
00:08:07,100 --> 00:08:10,400
We should look at ourselves in 
masonry, not in terms of just 

150
00:08:10,400 --> 00:08:13,100
our current state, but in light 
of the foundation, our 

151
00:08:13,100 --> 00:08:16,800
predecessors laid out for us 
half shrouded in secrets and 

152
00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:20,200
code for us to discover again. 
So we may rebuild the Temple. 

153
00:08:21,000 --> 00:08:24,200
To assess of our own relevance. 
We must first realize that are 

154
00:08:24,200 --> 00:08:26,600
spectacular. 
Present-day, technological and 

155
00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:30,400
materialistic progress has 
mesmerised us and has obscured 

156
00:08:30,400 --> 00:08:33,000
the Glorious and profound 
achievements of man's mind. 

157
00:08:33,000 --> 00:08:37,400
Over past Millennia, our now, 
which consumes our attention is 

158
00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:39,299
actually, but a small segment of
a time. 

159
00:08:39,299 --> 00:08:42,900
Continuum comparable to the 
fulcrum of a limitless timeline 

160
00:08:42,900 --> 00:08:46,900
balanced upon the Apex of a 
pyramid in this Continuum, our 

161
00:08:46,900 --> 00:08:50,400
past Masonic accomplishments of 
the mind, which were translated 

162
00:08:50,400 --> 00:08:53,800
into A concrete reality that has
indelibly shaped the world in 

163
00:08:53,800 --> 00:08:57,000
which we exist today. 
Consider for instance, the 

164
00:08:57,000 --> 00:08:59,900
important construction of 
Mason's in the centuries past 

165
00:09:00,000 --> 00:09:02,700
such as the perfectly aligned 
and symmetrical pyramids. 

166
00:09:03,200 --> 00:09:05,700
The Magnificent Cathedral 
soaring to have in with stone 

167
00:09:05,700 --> 00:09:09,600
spires the numerous and 
widespread magnificent castles 

168
00:09:09,600 --> 00:09:12,100
and great Mansions. 
Consider the system of 

169
00:09:12,100 --> 00:09:15,700
constitutional democracy, which 
Masons had such a strong hand in

170
00:09:15,700 --> 00:09:19,900
creating and maintaining within 
the Ageless Masonic presence, 

171
00:09:19,900 --> 00:09:22,300
there exists to support. 
In commitment for genius, to 

172
00:09:22,300 --> 00:09:25,400
convey a Divine expansion of 
consciousness to mankind. 

173
00:09:25,800 --> 00:09:29,500
The light referred to in masonry
is the inexplicable inspiration 

174
00:09:29,500 --> 00:09:32,900
and transmission of the Divine 
into artist who received light 

175
00:09:33,100 --> 00:09:36,300
and translated it into concrete 
experiences, which could be 

176
00:09:36,300 --> 00:09:39,400
shared of with attuned audiences
in the conventional world. 

177
00:09:40,100 --> 00:09:43,400
This perception that there is a 
Divine force acting in all of us

178
00:09:43,700 --> 00:09:46,500
though, more strongly in some is
unbelievable, too many. 

179
00:09:46,800 --> 00:09:50,500
However, there is historical 
testimony to divine inspiration 

180
00:09:50,500 --> 00:09:53,500
in The Renaissance and several 
hundred years that followed it 

181
00:09:53,800 --> 00:09:57,000
during that period science art 
and the Divine were not 

182
00:09:57,000 --> 00:09:59,700
distinguishable as separate 
entities as they are today. 

183
00:10:00,400 --> 00:10:03,800
They existed in the Renaissance 
mind as one and Inseparable. 

184
00:10:04,700 --> 00:10:07,200
It is important for Mason's 
today to recognize the 

185
00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:10,300
significance of both masonry and
our brethren in the quantum 

186
00:10:10,300 --> 00:10:11,900
jumps that were made in the 
past. 

187
00:10:12,300 --> 00:10:15,100
It was the unique and 
imaginative minds of Mason's who

188
00:10:15,100 --> 00:10:18,100
are allowed to nurture, and 
practice their special craft who

189
00:10:18,100 --> 00:10:20,600
led civilization forward in 
great Leaps and Bounds. 

190
00:10:21,300 --> 00:10:24,400
It was masonry that provided the
opportunity for the blossoming 

191
00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:28,300
of this tremendous potential. 
It is easy to forget the Masons 

192
00:10:28,300 --> 00:10:32,000
of bygone time, who invented the
foundational information vision,

193
00:10:32,000 --> 00:10:34,800
and tools required for the 
development of modern society 

194
00:10:34,800 --> 00:10:38,100
that we enjoy without the 
contributions of Mason's of the 

195
00:10:38,100 --> 00:10:40,000
past. 
Many of the conveniences of 

196
00:10:40,008 --> 00:10:43,000
Modern Life would not be 
available without the work of 

197
00:10:43,000 --> 00:10:45,000
masons. 
In the past, we might not have 

198
00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:47,900
the educational system. 
We have benefited from feudal 

199
00:10:47,900 --> 00:10:50,900
States might still battle one 
another and democracy might it 

200
00:10:50,900 --> 00:10:54,900
only be a footnote in history, 
the success of masonry and his 

201
00:10:54,900 --> 00:10:58,200
contributions to humanity are so
great that it is nearly 

202
00:10:58,200 --> 00:11:01,200
impossible for the human mind to
step back far enough to see the 

203
00:11:01,200 --> 00:11:05,300
entirety of its significance. 
Masonry has had long periods. 

204
00:11:05,300 --> 00:11:08,300
When significant material wealth
fed the greatest intellectual 

205
00:11:08,300 --> 00:11:12,500
and aesthetic achievements. 
With the backing and partnering 

206
00:11:12,500 --> 00:11:15,900
of masonry small groups of 
individual Brothers, working in 

207
00:11:15,900 --> 00:11:19,000
obscure, areas of research, 
created unimaginably, 

208
00:11:19,000 --> 00:11:21,600
successful, physical 
manifestations of masonic 

209
00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:25,300
presence and provided the basis 
of much, that we know and rely 

210
00:11:25,300 --> 00:11:28,700
on in our modern lives. 
Now is the right time to 

211
00:11:28,700 --> 00:11:32,000
re-establish Masonic relevance, 
it is time to open up those 

212
00:11:32,000 --> 00:11:35,000
books, discussions and ideas 
that so much concerned. 

213
00:11:35,000 --> 00:11:39,000
Our Masonic predecessors today 
masonry can move from Easy 

214
00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:42,100
charity to the more meaningful 
Of investing in the most 

215
00:11:42,100 --> 00:11:44,400
valuable resource Humanity has 
ever had. 

216
00:11:44,800 --> 00:11:48,100
The genius of the human mind. 
The choice is ours. 

217
00:11:48,300 --> 00:11:51,000
We can make masonry relevant. 
If we are determined to give 

218
00:11:51,000 --> 00:11:54,000
priority to the intellectual and
spiritual resources of our best 

219
00:11:54,000 --> 00:12:04,800
minds and we'll share that, 
which we surely will find the 

220
00:12:04,800 --> 00:12:09,300
following article is from the 
October 2006 fraternal review. 

221
00:12:10,700 --> 00:12:12,500
Written by normally / the 
editor. 

222
00:12:13,800 --> 00:12:16,900
How often have we sat in Lodge 
during a degree and wondered 

223
00:12:16,900 --> 00:12:18,300
about the thoughts of a 
candidate? 

224
00:12:19,200 --> 00:12:21,800
The first thing that comes to my
mind, is the wonderment that 

225
00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:24,600
must be going through his head, 
especially in the first degree. 

226
00:12:25,300 --> 00:12:28,000
Anyone who has ever served as a 
marshal or Steward. 

227
00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:30,800
Must have observed, the tension 
in the eyes and face of the 

228
00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:32,800
candidate. 
And this is only the beginning 

229
00:12:33,500 --> 00:12:35,900
to say that the candidate is 
concerned is really an 

230
00:12:35,900 --> 00:12:40,400
understatement of fact, then 
comes the degree itself lofty. 

231
00:12:40,400 --> 00:12:42,600
And prayerful words are 
delivered in a language from the

232
00:12:42,608 --> 00:12:46,100
time of Shakespeare. 
A noble intent to be sure but 

233
00:12:46,100 --> 00:12:49,300
under the circumstances of the 
candidate one must Wonder at the

234
00:12:49,300 --> 00:12:52,400
questions. 
Flooding the initiates mind much

235
00:12:52,400 --> 00:12:55,300
is made clear to the candidate 
at the end of the degree, but 

236
00:12:55,300 --> 00:12:58,100
just about the time he is 
feeling comfortable, he is sat 

237
00:12:58,100 --> 00:13:02,300
on a chair and lectured in 
similar language as before now 

238
00:13:02,300 --> 00:13:05,300
think about what's going on in 
the candidates head, truly think

239
00:13:05,300 --> 00:13:07,700
about it. 
The candidate has just had an 

240
00:13:07,700 --> 00:13:11,000
extraordinary experience words 
and Concepts have been told to 

241
00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:14,800
him and they fast and puzzling 
Manner and Pollination is given 

242
00:13:14,800 --> 00:13:18,200
him in an unusual manner in 
fashion and after about an hour,

243
00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:20,400
he is seated among his new 
friends eating pie. 

244
00:13:21,200 --> 00:13:23,600
We have all gone through the 
same thing and as far as I know,

245
00:13:23,600 --> 00:13:25,200
none have suffered the worst for
it. 

246
00:13:25,600 --> 00:13:28,700
Our experiences are our own. 
And while we are pleased to 

247
00:13:28,700 --> 00:13:31,300
become a Mason and proud to be a
member of the fraternity. 

248
00:13:31,600 --> 00:13:34,700
What happens next? 
What is the candidate obtained? 

249
00:13:34,700 --> 00:13:36,800
Besides good feelings that he 
can take with him. 

250
00:13:37,700 --> 00:13:40,500
It is after the pie and coffee 
that the lessons of Freemasonry 

251
00:13:40,500 --> 00:13:43,800
are taught to the candidate if 
these lessons are delayed if 

252
00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:47,200
Tact with the candidate is not 
maintained if a strong program 

253
00:13:47,200 --> 00:13:49,500
of masonic education is not 
implemented. 

254
00:13:49,600 --> 00:13:52,700
Then the chances of losing that 
candidate are greatly increased.

255
00:13:53,300 --> 00:13:55,900
Let's face it. 
The initiate experience is the 

256
00:13:55,900 --> 00:13:59,500
Cornerstone of Freemasonry 
education is the superstructure.

257
00:13:59,500 --> 00:14:03,100
Erected after the Cornerstone 
education is the time to 

258
00:14:03,100 --> 00:14:05,700
assimilate the new brother into 
the lodge and into their 

259
00:14:05,700 --> 00:14:09,400
fraternity, the superstructure 
of a Mason's Masonic edifice 

260
00:14:09,400 --> 00:14:13,000
must not be left to chance, it 
is the duty of the lodge far 

261
00:14:13,000 --> 00:14:15,600
greater than laying the The 
Cornerstone to implement the 

262
00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:19,200
building of that superstructure,
it may even be more important 

263
00:14:19,200 --> 00:14:22,400
than the conferral. 
The words that were so profound 

264
00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:25,300
when spoken at conferral must be
explained and discussed with the

265
00:14:25,308 --> 00:14:31,500
candidate, it's time to form and
shape the Mason. the following 

266
00:14:31,500 --> 00:14:35,400
article is from the April 2008 
Southern California, research 

267
00:14:35,400 --> 00:14:40,900
Lodge magazine the warrior Poet 
by G Cliff Porter, 32nd degree, 

268
00:14:42,300 --> 00:14:45,200
Remember a time when a man could
dance, the tango quote, 

269
00:14:45,200 --> 00:14:48,300
Shakespeare hold the door for a 
lady and hold his own in a 

270
00:14:48,300 --> 00:14:51,500
fight. 
I don't I'm a Gen X or the 

271
00:14:51,500 --> 00:14:54,400
generation of fatherless sons 
who have learned mixed ideas 

272
00:14:54,400 --> 00:14:57,500
about manhood being either that 
of a man who wears pink polo 

273
00:14:57,500 --> 00:15:01,800
shirts and cries at lots of 
movies or some hyper machismo 

274
00:15:01,800 --> 00:15:04,100
Blockhead who goes through life,
kicking and punching. 

275
00:15:05,400 --> 00:15:09,800
So in Comes The Lost Art of 
masonry chisel and Malin hand 

276
00:15:09,900 --> 00:15:13,600
speculative, craft seeks to hone
men from the rough Stone of 

277
00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:18,200
Youth uncertainty and 
intolerance masonry raises 

278
00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:21,300
warrior poets. 
A man that can hug his brother 

279
00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:23,700
pray with a widow and wield, a 
sword. 

280
00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:26,700
The man who received little in 
the way of training and 

281
00:15:26,700 --> 00:15:29,900
discourse is taught to stand up 
and Lodge provide a detailed 

282
00:15:29,900 --> 00:15:33,100
plan and make a motion for an 
idea that he believes could 

283
00:15:33,100 --> 00:15:37,000
benefit the lodge in his others,
he practices rhetoric and 

284
00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:38,700
explaining the progression of 
his theory. 

285
00:15:39,100 --> 00:15:42,500
He practices logic and refining 
his theory when presented with 

286
00:15:42,500 --> 00:15:45,500
obstacles that proved correct 
and help to improve the idea. 

287
00:15:46,300 --> 00:15:49,200
He moves through the chairs and 
one day wields the gavel of 

288
00:15:49,200 --> 00:15:53,400
authority and in doing so he 
learns the necessity of humility

289
00:15:53,400 --> 00:15:56,500
and discretion. 
The obligations are not for 

290
00:15:56,500 --> 00:15:59,600
those of a weak spine. 
They teach the necessity for a 

291
00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:02,900
gentle spirit and caring for 
widows and orphans at the same 

292
00:16:02,900 --> 00:16:04,900
time. 
Recognizing the necessity for 

293
00:16:04,900 --> 00:16:07,700
Action allowing that we should 
not strike an anger. 

294
00:16:08,100 --> 00:16:11,400
Providing the whispered message 
that the ability to strike is 

295
00:16:11,400 --> 00:16:12,900
one of the working tools of a 
Mason. 

296
00:16:13,800 --> 00:16:16,700
We are taught that strengthen 
spirit, and courage and faith. 

297
00:16:16,700 --> 00:16:19,700
Hope and charity are more 
powerfully, wielded by a man of 

298
00:16:19,708 --> 00:16:23,500
his word that the sort of metal 
by a despotic man or government.

299
00:16:24,300 --> 00:16:27,500
We learn to appreciate art and 
recognize the downfalls and 

300
00:16:27,500 --> 00:16:30,000
pleasures of power. 
As we are faced with the dangers

301
00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:34,300
of mob rule, organized Orthodoxy
and misguided Desires in our 

302
00:16:34,300 --> 00:16:37,100
Master Mason degree. 
At the same time. 

303
00:16:37,200 --> 00:16:39,800
The road is perilous and we are 
confronted with the need for 

304
00:16:39,800 --> 00:16:42,100
real courage. 
In the face of physical danger, 

305
00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:45,400
we are taught of the need for 
physical consequences, for 

306
00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:48,300
weakness of spirit, in the 
penalties inflicted upon these 

307
00:16:48,300 --> 00:16:50,800
unjust and uncaring fellows of 
The Craft. 

308
00:16:51,300 --> 00:16:53,500
We learned that an apology is 
correct. 

309
00:16:53,500 --> 00:16:56,300
But that it does not negate the 
requirement for justice. 

310
00:16:57,400 --> 00:16:59,500
We are taught the art of the 
warrior poet. 

311
00:16:59,500 --> 00:17:03,300
My friends educate yourselves, 
so that we can educate others, 

312
00:17:03,700 --> 00:17:07,000
Arma Society with a sort of 
Truth and public education 

313
00:17:07,000 --> 00:17:10,200
against the tyranny of 
despotism, whether material or 

314
00:17:10,200 --> 00:17:14,400
spiritual, and this article was 
originally published in the 

315
00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:20,200
April March 2008, Scottish Rite 
Journal, The following article 

316
00:17:20,200 --> 00:17:23,500
is from the January 2006 
fraternal review. 

317
00:17:24,599 --> 00:17:27,700
Happy New Year. 
May the year 6006, Al be the 

318
00:17:27,900 --> 00:17:30,800
best ever. 
The Masonic expression of the 

319
00:17:30,800 --> 00:17:33,200
year is to add four thousand to 
the current year. 

320
00:17:33,600 --> 00:17:36,800
Thus, it will be 6006 come 
January 1st. 

321
00:17:37,500 --> 00:17:40,900
This number is followed by the 
designation, Al meaning the year

322
00:17:40,900 --> 00:17:43,400
of Light, which in turn 
references, the creation of the 

323
00:17:43,400 --> 00:17:45,400
earth, some six thousand, six 
years ago. 

324
00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:48,900
Reflecting on this led me to 
think of past events. 

325
00:17:49,100 --> 00:17:51,600
I became captivated by the 
thoughts of syndicated 

326
00:17:51,600 --> 00:17:54,800
columnist, David Brooks where 
the thrust of his column was 

327
00:17:54,800 --> 00:17:59,400
that we as a people are moving 
into an age of skepticism, World

328
00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:01,900
War 1 destroyed. 
The old social order in Europe 

329
00:18:01,900 --> 00:18:06,300
and disillusion to generation of
Americans WWII brought unity and

330
00:18:06,300 --> 00:18:10,200
self-confidence to America. 
The greatest Generation Vietnam 

331
00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:12,800
triggered, a counterculture of 
which we are still feeling the 

332
00:18:12,800 --> 00:18:14,900
results. 
The jury is still out on the 

333
00:18:14,900 --> 00:18:17,000
effect. 
Iraq may have on Americans, but 

334
00:18:17,000 --> 00:18:19,500
one thing seems clear. 
We just don't have the same 

335
00:18:19,500 --> 00:18:22,500
trust in our institutions. 
That we older folks, are used to

336
00:18:23,200 --> 00:18:26,700
pick a subject, medicine law, 
politics education, government 

337
00:18:26,700 --> 00:18:29,900
media, no matter. 
We accept what we have to, but 

338
00:18:29,900 --> 00:18:33,000
more likely than not, we aren't 
sure where secure with what we 

339
00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:34,700
see and hear in everyday 
matters. 

340
00:18:35,300 --> 00:18:38,200
I think David Brooks is right, 
we are getting to be a bunch of 

341
00:18:38,200 --> 00:18:41,300
Skeptics. 
And isn't the fundamental reason

342
00:18:41,300 --> 00:18:44,400
for this General doubt the 
feeling that knowledge is right 

343
00:18:44,900 --> 00:18:47,300
that maybe our Is like the same 
ethics. 

344
00:18:47,300 --> 00:18:50,700
We expect of ourselves and 
therein lies the point. 

345
00:18:50,900 --> 00:18:53,300
Freemasonry has a certain moral 
standard. 

346
00:18:53,500 --> 00:18:56,100
It is a constant. 
Having stood the test of time 

347
00:18:56,100 --> 00:18:59,400
for hundreds of years, its 
principles are very definable 

348
00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:01,900
yet applicable in different ways
to different Mason's. 

349
00:19:01,900 --> 00:19:04,700
As each individual Endeavors to 
emulate the lessons, he has 

350
00:19:04,700 --> 00:19:08,200
taught, maybe our craft, gives 
us a conscience to keep our 

351
00:19:08,200 --> 00:19:10,000
Compass heading in the right 
direction. 

352
00:19:10,600 --> 00:19:13,200
It is my belief that we are 
beginning to see a Revival of 

353
00:19:13,200 --> 00:19:16,000
Ethics in America. 
It is apparent in the increased 

354
00:19:16,200 --> 00:19:19,200
Agree work in our lodges. 
What is refreshing is that we 

355
00:19:19,200 --> 00:19:21,900
are seeing younger men applying 
for admission into our order. 

356
00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:25,000
I also believe that it is a 
reaction to the feeling of 

357
00:19:25,000 --> 00:19:29,100
skepticism American culture is 
far too optimistic to be pushed 

358
00:19:29,100 --> 00:19:31,200
down by the cynicism of the 
skeptic. 

359
00:19:31,500 --> 00:19:34,300
We are a positive people and 
that is what makes our culture. 

360
00:19:34,300 --> 00:19:37,900
So desirable to others. 
Freemasonry 2 is a positive 

361
00:19:37,900 --> 00:19:40,200
force. 
It is perhaps one of the few 

362
00:19:40,200 --> 00:19:43,500
forces available to challenge 
the public angst, to do battle 

363
00:19:43,500 --> 00:19:46,600
with a concept. 
So, alien to our society, That 

364
00:19:46,600 --> 00:19:49,400
of a secularized culture that 
lacks respect for the 

365
00:19:49,400 --> 00:19:51,500
institutions that have made 
America great. 

366
00:19:52,200 --> 00:19:55,300
Perhaps the way we as Freemasons
Express the date is another 

367
00:19:55,300 --> 00:19:58,600
example of the symbolism of 
masonry, could it be that the 

368
00:19:58,600 --> 00:20:01,500
principles of masonry put us 
four thousand years ahead of the

369
00:20:01,500 --> 00:20:04,900
rest of the world written by 
normally bird past Master 

370
00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:14,300
editor? 
Thank you for listening. 

371
00:20:14,400 --> 00:20:16,700
If you like what you heard, 
Please Subscribe and leave us a 

372
00:20:16,708 --> 00:20:18,700
comment. 
We enjoy hearing from our 

373
00:20:18,700 --> 00:20:20,300
listeners. 
If you really like what you 

374
00:20:20,300 --> 00:20:23,200
heard, share this podcast with 
your friends and Lodge members. 

375
00:20:23,500 --> 00:20:26,700
Visit us online at Salomon 
staircase, dot-org