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And those who would like to inquire within The following
article is from the September 2004 fraternal review, Faith,
religion, and Freemasonry by Grand Chaplin Rady.
Heil born. And this is a reprint from the
January. 2004 Wisconsin, Masonic Journal.
In recent weeks, a number of inquiries have come across my
desk. Relative to questions of Faith
where Works in religion conservative or liberal
Christianity, fundamentalism, radio, preachers, and other
areas of concern to persons actively engaged in religious
Faith or knowledge. Most particularly has been how
all this relates to Freemasonry first of all, let me emphasize.
Once again, Freemasonry is a voluntary fraternity of men of
all faiths and religious practices.
We're not a religion or a cult of faith.
We as Mason's, do not espouse any religion, nor do we deny any
of our members, the right? And privilege to practice,
whatever Faith, he may desire s, every Freemason is required to
acknowledge his faith, in a Supreme Being in whatever
manner. He accepts his version of deity,
Freemasonry does not sit any standards of Faith or belief
each member must make. That choice for himself third.
I remind you that religion is one subject.
We do not discuss, nor do we debate.
The matter in any of our lodges were Masonic meeting.
He's outside of the lodge or away from a masonic meeting, any
member May conduct his faith or find disagreement with any other
Faith, how he may choose. Without any doubt, there are
members of Freemasonry who acknowledged deep friendship and
harmony with each other in a masonic lodge setting, but who
may be in a sharp disagreement over matters of faith and
religion outside of the lodge, that is not only acceptable, but
Mason's are encouraged to be true to their individual faiths
forth. There are very few adequately
trained and dedicated religious scholars in any of our face, but
those who are are finely tuned Scholars.
I suggest that we leave it in their hands to debate the finer
points or variations and differences that exist within
the fields of religion. I must admit that after all my
years of scholarly research, I find that there is so much more
that I do not know as compared to what I do know about
religion. That I'm very reluctant to make
any absolute statements in the areas of faith and religious
practices. Fifth in our Masonic rituals, we
make references to certain portions of sacred writings, but
they are purely for ritualistic purposes.
They do not in any way manner or form indicate that Freemasonry,
accepts them as statements of Faith or practice.
They are used as examples for guidance and consideration.
Only, they are never to be construed.
As Masonic statements of faith. We are a fellowship of men
endeavoring to make the world a better place for all of
humanity. Finally, my brother's.
I will say that there is not and there should not Not be any
connection or relationship between Freemasonry and the
religion but that we encourage each of our members to be
faithful to his faith. Whatever that may be for, that
is surely part of the measure of the quality of man.
The following article is from the September 2004 fraternal
review and is a reprint of an article from the October 2003 in
November 2003, Wisconsin, Masonic Journal.
The Monument of the broken column and then there's an
editor's note in this paper Brother, Richard Demarcus will
take readers on an in-depth. Look at the different levels of
meaning carried within Freemasonry is most treasured
symbols and allegories brother Marcus is an associate professor
at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, School of Business,
enjoy My brother, Richard Demarcus George Washington 1776.
Lodge number 337 Freemasonry uses symbols and allegories to
teach lessons about Brotherly. Love relief and Truth are most
familiar symbol. Of course, is the square
overlaid with the compasses. Speculative masonry or symbolic
masonry as it is sometimes called transforms.
Seemingly common craft tools into symbolic devices intended
to teach higher lessons of morality.
The first degree teaches us to square our actions with virtue
and that the compasses are to keep our Behavior within do
bounds. To each tool, there is both a
literal use for a Craftsman and a higher meaning.
But if we stay particularly attentive to the historic
lectures and Lodge, we are often treated to two or more higher
meanings of the same symbol. The frequency of finding
multiple meanings for the same object is astonishing.
For example, the letter G is literally a letter, but we
learned that it denotes geometry which is viewed as a synonym for
masonry at a higher level, the letter G, also turns our
attention to God, the great architect of the universe levels
of meaning, Literary critics call the use of multiple levels
of interpretation for that. Same symbol policy me originally
Aristotle pointed out in his book on Poetics that symbols and
words have the simple or a double meaning four levels of
meaning were introduced in. Medieval times Thomas Aquinas
analyzed scriptures and four levels in his Summa theologica
the four levels had various names but they were typically
called the descriptive allegorical Trope, illogical and
anagogical meanings. While these terms seem
excessively, technical, they merely help us.
Look at symbols art or literature with an eye, to
finding richer or higher, meaning at the descriptive
level, which Aquinas called the historical or literal level.
We find the meaning that most would see, in the context of the
term, or symbol at the descriptive level.
A square is a tool for finding right.
Angles, the allegorical level refers to an understanding of
the symbol representing. Another concept or idea, this
square is seen as the square virtue.
The Trope illogical involves the moral, or biblical
interpretation of the image, a Mason seeks to live on the
Square and is associated with right living.
The highest level is the anagogical which seeks a
spiritual or mystical meaning in Greek.
And agogic. Literally means to lead to more,
which is the highest sense of meaning.
The square is the jewel given to the master of the lodge to
designate his authority in large matters.
This fourfold classification, system was expanded to five
levels by the Spaniard Juan Perez.
De Maya, it has philosophic Secrets, 1585 he added a
physical or natural level below the for Medieval levels.
Most English-speaking users learned of the fivefold policy -
levels in Northrop phrase influential 1957 book anatomy of
criticism. Nevertheless, we will revert to
the fourfold medieval levels. The monument to the master
builder. Masonic tradition holds that
there was erected a marble Monument to commemorate the
death of the master builder, the monument consisted of many
symbols which are explained in the historical lecture in the
third degree. But if we spend a little more
effort in examining the collection of symbols, and how
they relate to each other, we find multiple meanings even
Beyond. Those told us this effort of
concentration, has its rewards on a visit to an art museum.
We could walk briskly through the Landscapes impression.
In modern paintings and still enjoy their beauty.
Alternatively, we could sit quietly examining a work of art
to taken all that it has for us today.
Let us also take in the Paula tzimmes meanings presented in
the marble Monument of the beautiful virgin weeping over a
broken column. Weeping over a broken column.
Death is sad, it is sadder. Still, when a person is struck
dead in the prime of his life at the descriptive level, the
central figure is the beautiful. Girl in morning, we feel the
sadness of the young girl weeping.
It is compelling to Men Who find tears hard to ignore at her feet
lies a broken column, which is an image of premature death in
the symbolic. Language of cemeteries, we are
informed of several allegorical meanings contained in the
monument. The broken column suggests the
unfinished date of the Temple of Solomon.
It also alludes to the untimely death of the master builder of
the temple. The Tropa logical meaning of the
broken column reminds us of the grief and mortality that comes
to all of us. The monument is itself, a
commemorative grave marker if there is still a higher-end
agogic meeting, Perhaps it is the overwhelming sorrow of the
beautiful virgin who's weeping that touches our hearts, as the
third degree reminds us of our own mortality the marble
Monument embodies this meaning for us The open book before the
Weeping, girl lies an open book a descriptive level.
It may simply be any book. The allegorical meaning of the
book we are told is that the master-builders virtues there,
lie In Perpetual record books, symbolize learning.
They Remain the primary method to convey information or records
overtime books. Continue to be used in churches
and synagogues to record births marriages and deaths of their
parishioners that book is known as the book of life and death.
At the trouble. Logical level of interpretation,
we can easily visualize an open book before us as an image of
the Holy scriptures lying open on an alter.
The book is set on part of the broken column as the altar
itself. At the end of gajak level, The
Book of Life is an image of profound ultimate judgment with
the Divine whose name will or will not appear is not in our
hands. The sprig of Acacia.
The marble Monument prominently draws our attention to the sprig
of Acacia in the girls, right hand.
The bow appears to be a branch of any kind of plant at the most
basic level, the branches and element from our natural world.
But we are reminded of the allegorical, meaning of a cedar
tree. It is used to conceal the grave
and also to Mark the location of the Grave if ever it were to
become necessary. Have the trouble, logical level,
there exists, a higher meaning of the timely, discovery of The
Hidden, Grave luck often AIDS, those who persevere in the, we
research for their goals, the anagogical meaning May refer to
the clear symbolism, in the choice of an evergreen Acacia
within the scene of a stone monument, the Evergreen reminds
us of the immortality of the Soul.
The urn in her left hand, whereas one hand holds a branch
of Acacia from the natural world.
The other hand holds a distinctly man-made object, this
isn't the descriptive level yet in the context of a grave marker
and earn is likely used to Stow ashes of The Departed, indeed
allegorically, this urn holds the ashes of the master builder,
the historical lectures, give a higher possibly tropical
logical. Meaning that reminds us of the
three times at the master builder was buried our buried
bodies, ultimately turned to Ash whether cremated or not, whether
the Departed is safely, deposited in a grand Temple or
buried on the brow of a hill, we continue to remember and honor
our loved ones at an anagogical level we sense the tension
between the Evergreen and one hand as the symbol of life and
the ashes of death held. In an urn in the other, the
monument causes us to contemplate the mysteries of
life and death Father time the most unsettling of the symbols
in the marble. Monument is the figure behind
the girl at the descriptive. We see an old man playing with
the hair of the girl allegorically.
The old man is unfolding and Counting her ringlets, like the
years of Our Lives or the ring was found in the cross section
of a tree. The old man symbolizes, Father
Time, perhaps he has Chronos the Greek god of time, who stands
behind the young girl, with this Sinister side in the crook of
his arms and his imposing Wings overarching the Montage.
Judge lest we be uncertain that the figure symbolizes time, an
hourglass frequently appears at the old man's feet.
The moral interpretation or tropical logical.
Meaning is less obvious, but we are told that time persistence
and perseverance will accomplish all things.
Just as Ichi Subs, Fable has a moral lesson, the marble
Monument teaches us to maintain hope that with time and
perseverance, we shall reach our goals.
The anagogical, meaning emphasizes mystery Father.
Time reminds us that we know not the Brevard years.
Nonetheless, a symbolic deity stands behind us all in
everything we Endeavor to do. The whole Tableau, the
arrangement of a lodge is focused towards the east, the
arrangement of the Tableau of figures appears to mimic the
compass points of a lodge. If we imagine the girl at an
altar with a book open before her, she faces the Rising Sun,
the branch of Acacia and her right hand is closest to the
South, which is the beauty and glory of the day, they earn held
at her left. Hand is in the north, where
there is no light time stands behind her in the west where the
sun sets in myth and literature traveling, west is an
expression, suggests Eating the end of our days as we Fade Into
the sunset contemplating this Monument.
We are reminded of the tension between the limits of our
Earthly time and our ultimate belief.
In the immortality of the soul, the Weeping is for the Earthly
death. We are surely all going to meet.
There is also the reassurance of the father-like figure counting
every hair on our head, Matthew 10:30, Historical issues, the
marble monument that we have been examining could not have
been constructed at the time of King Solomon as Masonic short
talk bulletin on the broken column volume 34, February 1956
number two pointed out there were no Vellum or Papyrus books.
At that time there were only Scrolls No Jewish Builder would
have been cremated at that time. Furthermore monuments, that
included, a Greek god. And the image of a human would
not have been accepted at all. The idea of a visual.
Depiction of a foreign God. At the time of Solomon's Temple
is preposterous the generally accepted view of this Monument
is that it was created in 1819 by Jeremy cross.
The illustration was done by Amos, do little brother cross
felt as we do that, when great men died, they must have a
suitable Monument. The symbol of a broken column
was widely used. In 1813, the grave of commodore
Lawrence, who fell in battle was marked with a broken column in
Trinity Church graveyard in New York City.
This famous grave was known to Jeremy cross.
The rest of the figures in the monument were designed to tell a
story. And to point out moral ideas, we
find that the story is profound with polysemous meetings, we
need not apologize for the evidently non historical
elements in the story of this Monument.
We learn only that Masonic tradition, informs us that a
marble Monument. Mark, the grave of the master
builder. And in conclusion, the language
of symbolism is one of the oldest deepest, and richest
means of communication by seeking deeper meanings embedded
in our symbols. We Help along life's path.
We grow in our understanding and appreciation Masonic symbolism
teaches us valuable lessons at the descriptive allegorical
trouble, logical, and ultimately the anagogical level if we.
But look for them, the monument to the broken column reminds us
of the Lessons Learned when we were raised to be Master Masons.
The following article is from the September 2004 fraternal
review and is a reprint from the Masonic voice volume 3,
fall/winter 2003 Hiram, a different look by Daniel L
Mathews. What images do you have in mind
when you use the word lead? How do you see yourself in your
future role as a masonic leader? If the position is a prominent
one, you will probably be tempted to attach to leadership
some of the same features that popular culture attaches to it
glamour toughness and power. You would like to see yourself
as respected by your enemies admired by your friends and
colleagues you will in short want to savor the benefits of
leadership before counting the cost wch Prentiss said, in the
Harvard Business Review, in 1961 attempts, to analyze leadership,
tend to fail because the would be analyst Miss Seems his task.
He usually does not started leadership at all.
Instead, he studies popularity, power, Showmanship or wisdom,
and long-range planning. So from this, we can arrive at
the following definition as per dr.
John H haggai leadership is the discipline of exerting special
influence within a group to move it, toward permanent beneficial
goals. That fulfill the group's real
needs. This has three implications for
you as a potential leader. First leadership is not the same
as dominance. You don't force others to do
what you want. You motivate them.
Second you operate in the context of a group, a collection
of individuals who share, certain characteristics, or
interests, and whose cohesion depends on Unity of purpose.
It is the ability to mobilize Unity Often by visualizing goals
and visible to others, which sets you apart as a leader.
Third. The goal is, you ain't for must
be high quality goals. They must establish changes that
are both beneficial and permanent and enhance the future
of the group, the importance of the definition is clear.
If you remember what happens to leadership once the restraints
have been removed, The Paradox of leadership is taught in the
Bible. Nowhere in the New Testament.
We find any approval for the power concept of leadership.
The Lord Jesus made himself of no reputation taking the form of
a servant, Philippians 2:7. Thus laying down a pattern of
leadership for his disciples which is totally at odds with
the one commonly practiced in the secular World in order to
lead, effectively he says, You must regard yourself in relation
to your group as a servant most mothers will relate to this.
However, even leaders of multinational.
Corporations will see immediately in Jesus's words,
the closely can leadership between love and humility.
It's a combination that is fatal to the ego but great for group
cooperation. As man began to comprehend his
place and purpose. In the universe, the spiritual
aspects of his existence began to exercise, his ability,
articulate speech became an Ever more pressing.
Necessity has man sought to communicate his thoughts and
wishes to others, and his mind strive to Fathom the
significance of his mortal existence in an Endeavor to
express his thoughts, man. Drew on his experiences and
devotion of time and energy to acquiring great leadership,
capability, recognizably dependent on access to that
array of Thoughts has the impact of those influences accumulates
over time and makes us the leaders.
We are at any point in our lives.
The qualities of leadership need to be brought to life and given
meaning, they can be made alive through the personalities of
well known and proven leaders. They can also be brought alive
for us through our own dedicated.
Identification of our personal role models from the pages of
every chapter of Our Lives. Most importantly, for each of us
individually, Masonic leadership.
Qualities must be, brought alive and given meaning by Some
measure of devoted personal study from such study, we can
each draw our icons and thereby gain the necessary, stimulation
to bring Masonic leadership to a higher pedestal where it
belongs. Masonic leadership contains many
elements but passivity is rarely among them life.
And our great fraternity can be dynamic, it could move with or
without Direction its leadership provides Direction by
influencing events toward a particular end action.
Therefore constitutes an essential element of leadership
action, not confined to physical activity, but words alone is
usually not enough to sustain Masonic activity for long.
Generally, the most effective form of action is that which
provides an Example for others to follow.
Well, clearly indicating that they were expected to follow it.
Examine for a moment, the career and records of three individual
leaders from the building of Solomon's Temple three.
That knew the importance of assembling a strong Inner
Circle, knowing the talents skills and weaknesses of the
working class and matching those to the demands of the job.
Each of these leaders was a master of change, King Solomon
might be identified as a coalition Builder or an imperial
strategist. King Hiram as a master campaign
designer and Brilliant Warrior and Hiram Abiff was known for
his organizational. And Active abilities, as well as
his ability to teach. All came from essentially the
same generation. All had great dedication and
Limitless work ethics, however. All had very different types of
leadership. The building of King Solomon's,
Temple required International cooperation on a large scale.
King Solomon already. Had 70,000 haulers in 80,000
Quarry men, besides 3300 Foreman in charge of the work who
superintended the laborers. However, in order to facilitate
the Work. He would have to enter into a
covenant with the king of Tyre. For this would be the only way.
The king of Tyre would permit King Solomon to obtain Cedar,
and Cypress Wood and blocks of Stone from Lebanon.
Furthermore, King Solomon's workmen would be permitted to
fell the Timber and to query the stones Hiram king of Tyre
provided that cooperation, whatever the circumstances,
certainly King Hiram, aided Solomon in every facet of the
construction of the temple. Without King Hiram Furnishing
workmen and material for this great project.
It would have been more Or strenuous, if not unattainable,
most importantly, he sent the master Craftsman, educator, and
supervisor Hiram Abiff in the future.
He would take charge of the castings fabricate valuable
furnishings and would be able to work with King Solomon's own
skilled Craftsmen to execute any design submitted to him.
King Solomon. Knew he would need an individual
with such talents Solomon wrote to Hiram of Tyre.
Now, send me a man with skill and Engraving in working gold,
silver bronze, and iron, and it making blue Purple and red
cloth. He will work with the Craftsman
of Judah and Jerusalem. Who my father David selected
from 2nd Chronicles 27, Hiram replied.
I am sending you a wise and skillful Master Craftsman named
Hiram. His mother was a member of the
tribe of Dan and his father was a native of Tire.
He knows how to make things out of gold, silver bronze Iron,
Stone and wood. He can work with blue, purple,
and red cloth, and with linen, he can do all sorts of Engraving
and can follow any. Design suggested to him, let him
work with your skilled workers and with those who worked for
your father King David. So now send us the wheat.
Barley wine and olive oil that you promised second chronicles
to 13 through 15. So Hiram starter for the place,
the Great temple was to be built.
Hiram was fully aware that the construction of this.
Great temple would be no easy task.
It became his duty to implement King Solomon's Vision
quarterback, the workmen and examine the reports of the
foreman to ensure that they met certain Hiram also understood
that providing Direction was critical to communicating the
new designs from day-to-day, any neglect to provide the Forum in
with them, on each consecutive morning, would have impeded the
labors of the whole body of workmen for that day.
Without this coordination of activities between elements
external and internal circumstances would be so
overwhelming that they would produce disorder and confusion
externally. He created units and teams at
understood his vision and could respond with the necessary
skills to accomplish Accomplish certain tasks without
supervision and assist in the development.
In the classification of the workmen.
Such Arrangements, were made by his advice as to avoid any
Discord or confusion. Although about 200,000 Craftsmen
and laborers were employed. So complete were his
Arrangements that the general consensus was never once
Disturbed internally. He could articulate.
The problems positions, ethos, and philosophy of the workmen so
that the activities received the necessary support.
In the character of the Chief Architect of the temple, one of
the peculiarities, which strongly deserve attention was
the methodical manner in, which he conducted all the extensive
operations that were placed under his charge Hiram
possessed, numerous executive, qualities and abilities to
perform and to cause others to perform, effectively his Clarity
of vision, inquisitive mind, and determination linked with
flexibility, as well as the goal to be attained.
These qualities also allowed Hiram to foresee the obstacles,
likely to hinder its attainment, and the methods needed to
overcome them. Hiram was constantly
demonstrating value through his ability to understand the big
picture, his energy and focus would be centered on goals and
objectives. Instead of self-preservation,
there must have been a kind of Amity between the two kings and
their Chief Architect. It is likely that in the
communal life of King Solomon's kingdom.
Hiram Abiff was one of the inner circle of friends with whom the
two kings encircled themselves. Leadership has sometimes been
described as taking people to a place, they would not normally
go on their own. Once a sound strategic planning
process has determined what that place should be.
It is the leaders Prime and fundamental responsibility to
assure that the full resources of the organization are
effectively brought to bear to achieve that destination.
Hiram believing in King Solomon's Vision.
Regardless of how passionately was not enough.
Hiram must have been able to communicate that Vision
frequently and effectively he needed to be capable of
articulating it in different ways to different
constituencies. He needed the ability to take
something complicated and make it simple.
A comparison between two kings, King, Solomon and Hiram.
King of Tyre is appropriate Solomon while generally
uninvolved in the details which is considered to be a most
inspiring leader due to his Mastery at conveying Vision in a
way. People could understand.
On the other hand, some would believe that Hiram king of Tyre
was the most intelligent and best informed.
Yet he is not thought to have been an effective leader because
he wasn't skillful and communicating his vision.
Hiram could never assume that the vision of the temple was
fully understood by all he understood that he had to be
almost missionary in style as he continually and consistently
preached. The gospel in doing, so this
would allow him to change the perception of workers as to what
was important for them and the building of the Temple.
Strength and durability of the Great temple found in its
foundation was through Hiram's leadership.
What he accomplished in the effect he had on those around
him is not only in what he was but who he was.
In fact, if we look Beyond certain signs and tokens in what
we do in masonry, it's driven by who we are, what we believe in
the values that we live. By in Masonic ritual, Hiram
Abiff personifies, a large, and vital part.
In the way, we should conduct ourselves through our Masonic
Endeavors, especially when it comes to Leading.
He embodies and exemplifies all the virtues that Mason's should
strive to achieve. But above all he symbolizes
Integrity, he adhered to a code of conduct that embodied all
Masonic virtues and gave his life rather than break the
obligation of that code Masons have honored him for this, and
use his example to illustrate. The moral lessons of the
degrees, the life and death of Hiram Abiff could be said to
constitute the underpinning of Freemasonry.
The following article is from the August 2004 fraternal
review. It is written by Ralph her bold
Brethren, I read an editorial comparing presidential
candidates by Jack Walsh, former chairman and CEO of General
Electric company and one who could be considered an expert on
leadership as he sure was successful as leader to him.
The four essential traits were energy, energized, Edge, and
execute It should go without saying that one who aspires to
the station is Master of the lodge should and must have a
boundless amount of energy to guide a launched through a
successful. And I don't mean the number of
degrees conferred here, he must be a tireless worker as we
sometimes say in the quarries, brings a thought to mine.
What could be a greater task than that of making Freemasons
out of members? It should also go without saying
that he must be able to energize his fellow officers for without
their work. And cooperation he would not Be
up to accomplishing his goals, he cannot do it alone as does
the Energizer Bunny. He must also be able to energize
the Brethren of his lodge and at the risk of sounding redundant,
what better goal than energizing those Brethren?
It could be coming, true Freemasons so they can go out
into the world. Fully able to communicate the
wonders of our craft to their friends and other contacts. he
cannot leave this up to the catechism coaches as they can
only lay the foundation on which to build to be blunt.
Catechism coaching alone does not make Freemasons out of
members. The master should have the edge,
the ability to make tough decisive decisions and then
execute do in this gives others the confidence that he is more
than up to the task of leading, his lodge Welch.
Goes on to say that if the candidate has the for he's look
for a final treat Passion by that.
I mean a heartfelt deep and authentic excitement about life
and work people with passion care.
Really care in their bones about neighbors employees, colleagues,
and Friends winning. They love to learn and grow
themselves and they get a kick when people around them, do the
same repeated for emphasis learn to love and grow for.
You cannot be enthusiastic about something, you know, little
about I'll paraphrase Welsh's conclusion, but I'm enough of a
realist to know that no matter who gets elected at the end of
the day, we all win. If he could move this great
fraternity, forward only a real leader can do that.
Return Lee Ralph a her bold. Thank you for listening.
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