cross keys september 2013

18
Cross Keys Sept. 2013 The Cross Keys The Monthly Newsletter of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone Walking the Road / Seeking the Light September 2013 Number 168 In this issue: Freemasonry at Work So Mote it Be The ICHF The White House & Solomon’s Seal Silverstone Lodge The Sprig of Acacia A Fantastic Donation

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Scottish masonic magazine with articles relating to the Craft around the world.

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

The Cross Keys The Monthly Newsletter of Lodge Houstoun St. Johnstone

Walking the Road / Seeking the Light

September 2013 Number 168

In this issue:

Freemasonry at Work

So Mote it Be

The ICHF

The White House & Solomon’s Seal

Silverstone Lodge

The Sprig of Acacia

A Fantastic Donation

Page 2: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

Brethren, very rarely do we hear about good news, but here is a great story from a dis-

tressed brother in Orlando, Florida last May.

“I was accepted to the Motor Mechanics Institute in Orlando to start on May 13th. I had every-

thing set up with an apartment that we found on the internet. My fiancé and I packed up every-

thing we owned in a rental truck and moved down here to begin our new life and career in sunny

Florida .

We got down here on Wednesday, only to find that the apartment was not what it said it was. The

pictures we saw of the place must have been taken 10 years and 300 break-ins ago.” Due to some

credit issues from a previous marriage, it was impossible to arrange decent accommodation (in

other words in a neighbourhood that didn’t involve drive by shootings) having been let down

badly. “ We are not asking for a hand out. We were wondering if anyone has a rental house or an

apartment to rent. We are able to pay around 850-900 a month. We would like a safe neighbour-

hood, please. I am a veteran and am in the VRAP (Veterans Retraining Assistance Program )

where the VA sends me a check to go to school and my fiancé is disabled and receives Social Secu-

rity Disability. We have 2 small dogs. If anyone could help, it would greatly be appreciated.”

I am forever indebted to you. As a Mason, I have always thought that when a brother needs help it

is just one of those things that you do and makes you feel good inside knowing that you have

helped someone and you go on about you're daily life, but when you are on the receiving end of

that help it is so amazing. I am so grateful for all the support and encouragement from our won-

derful fraternity. Words cannot describe how this experience has affected me.

A wonderful brother, WB John Curry, has offered me his home . It is about an hour from Orlando .

My fiancé and I went to see it today and it is better than anything we could have hoped for. He is

truly the miracle that we have prayed for. He has gone above and beyond and we are so grateful.

Several brothers from the Widow's Sons , also students from UTI/MMI have been so supportive

and encouraging. They encouraged me at just the right time when I was about to throw in the

towel. I am very thankful to them, they may never know what a difference they made in my life.

You ARE Masonry in action and our great fraternity is truly blessed to have you and the many

women and men on your email list. There are so many people to thank and I am so overwhelmed.

I will keep you updated as things progress. For the first time in over a week, I can finally breathe

and concentrate on doing well in school and making everyone proud of me. I have new student ori-

entation in the morning and I can finally get excited.

I’m sure everyone is delighted about the outcome and the brother will keep us up to date

with his progress. It is great to see the Craft and our brethren make a real difference to

someone’s life—that’s what brotherly love is all about.

Freemasonry at Work

Page 3: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

So Mote it Be

How familiar the phrase is. No Lodge is ever opened or closed, in due form, without using it. Yet

how few know how old it is, much less what a deep meaning it has in it. Like so many old and

lovely things, it is so near to us that we do not see it. As far back as we can go in the annals of the

Craft we find this old phrase. Its form betrays its age. The word MOTE is an Anglo-Saxon word,

derived from an anomalous verb, MOTAN. Chaucer uses the exact phrase in the same sense in

which we use it, meaning "So May It Be." It is found in the Regius Poem, the oldest document of

the Craft, just as we use it today.

As everyone knows, it is the Masonic form of the ancient AMEN which echoes through the ages,

gathering meaning and music as it goes until it is one of the richest and most haunting of words.

At first only a sign of assent, on the part either of an individual or of an assembly, to words of

prayer or praise, it has become to stand as a sentinel at the gateway of silence.

When we have uttered all that we can utter, and our poor words seem like ripples on the bosom

of the unspoken, somehow this familiar phrase gathers up all that is left - our dumb yearnings,

our deepest longings - and bears them aloft to One who understands. In some strange way it

seems to speak for us into the very ear of God the things for which words were never made.

So, naturally, it has a place of honour among us. At the marriage Altar it speaks its blessing as

young love walks toward the bliss or sorrow of hidden years. It stands beside the cradle when we

dedicate our little ones to the Holy life, mingling its benediction with our vows. At the grave side

it utters its sad response to the shadowy AMEN which death pronounces over our friends.

When, in our turn, we see the end of the road, and would make a last will and testament, leaving

our earnings and savings to those whom we love, the old legal phrase asks us to repeat after it:

"In The Name Of God, AMEN." And with us, as with Gerontius in his Dream, the last word we

hear when the voices of earth grow faint and the silence of God covers us, is the old AMEN, So

Mote It Be.

No Mason ever enters upon any great or important undertaking without invoking the aid of De-

ity. And he ends his prayer with the old phrase, "So Mote It Be." Which is another way of saying:

"The Will Of God Be Done." Or, whatever be the answer of God to his prayer: "So Be It - because

it is wise and right. What, then, is the meaning of this old phrase, so interwoven with all our Ma-

sonic lore, simple, tender, haunting? It has two meanings for us everywhere, in the Church, or in

the Lodge. First, it is assent of man to the way and Will Of God; assent to His Commands; assent

to His Providence, even when a tender, terrible stroke of death takes from us one much loved and

leaves us forlorn.

The other meaning of the phrase is even more wonderful; it is the assent of God to the aspiration

of man. Man can bear so much - anything, perhaps - if he feels that God knows, cares and feels for

him and with him. If God says Amen, So it is, to our faith and hope and love; it links our per-

plexed meanings, and helps us to see, however dimly, or in a glass darkly, that there is a wise and

good purpose in life, despite its sorrow and suffering, and that we are not at the mercy of Fate or

the whim of Chance.

Page 4: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

So Mote it Be (ctd)

Today men are asking the question: Does it do any good to pray? The man who actually prays

does not ask such a question. As well ask if it does a bird any good to sing, or a flower to bloom?

Prayer is natural and instinctive in man. We are made so. Man is made for prayer, as sparks as-

cending seek the sun. He would not need religious faith if the objects of it did not exist.

Can man by prayer change the Will of God? No, and Yes. True prayer does not wish or seek to

change the larger Will of God, which involves in its sweep and scope the duty and destiny of hu-

manity. But it can and does change the Will of God concerning us, because it changes our will

and attitude towards Him, which is the vital thing in prayer for us.

For example, if a man living a wicked life, we know what the Will of God will be for him. All evil

ways have been often tried, and we know what the end is, just as we know the answer to a prob-

lem in geometry. But if a man who is living wickedly changes his way of living and his inner atti-

tude, he changes the Will of God - if not His Will, at least His Intention. That is, he attains what

even the Divine Will could not give him and do for him unless it had been effected by His Will

and Prayer.

The place of Prayer in Masonry is not perfunctory. It is not a mere matter of form and rote. It is

vital and profound. As a man enters the Lodge as an initiate, prayer is offered for him, to God, in

whom he puts his trust. Later, in a crisis of his initiation, he must pray for himself, orally or men-

tally as his heart may elect. It is not just a ceremony; it is basic in the faith and spirit of Masonry.

Still later, in a scene which no Mason ever forgets, when the shadow is darkest, and the most pre-

cious thing a Mason can desire or seek seems lost, in the perplexity and despair of the Lodge, a

prayer is offered. As recorded in our Monitors, it is a mosaic of Bible words, in which the grim

facts of life and death are set forth in stark reality, and appeal is made to the pity and light of

God.

It is truly a great prayer, to join in which is to place ourselves in the very hands of God, as all

must do in the end, trust His Will and way, following where no path is into the soft and fascinat-

ing darkness which men call death. And the response of the Lodge to that prayer, as to all others

offered at its Altar, is the old, challenging phrase, "So Mote It Be!"

Brother, do not be ashamed to pray, as you are taught in the Lodge and the Church. It is a part of

the sweetness and sanity of life, refreshing the soul and making clear the mind. There is more

wisdom in a whispered prayer than in all the libraries of the world. It is not our business to in-

struct God. He knows what things we have need for before we ask him. He does not need our

prayer, but we do - if only to make us acquainted with the best Friend we have.

The greatest of all teachers of the soul left us a little liturgy called the Lord's Prayer. He told us to

use it each for himself, in the closet when the door is shut and the din and hum and litter of the

world is outside. Try it Brother; it will sweeten life, make its load lighter, its joy brighter, and the

way of duty plainer.

Source: Short Talk Bulletin June, 1927

Page 5: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

The ICHF

On 24th to 26th May, the Grand Lodge of Scotland in Edinburgh was the host to The In-

ternational Conference on the History of Freemasonry. The conference was open with

Bro. Andrew Mushet (Director of Supersonic Events) and then by the GMM Bro. Charles

Wolrige Gordon. There were over 150 delegates from more than 25 countries providing

a real international flavour. This year Bros. Iain McPhee SPGM and Grant Macleod PG

Secretary had their talk accepted by the academic panel of historians earlier this year and

then gave a talk about Freemasonry and the Military. Despite the limited number of

Scottish brethren present, another Cross Keys’ reader, Bro. David McLean PM (below

right), gave an excellent talk about Piping and the Craft.

Overall, the conference was a great success and hopefully the next time Edinburgh hosts

the event, more Scots will deliver talks. The next conference in 2015 will be in Canada.

The battle of Gettysburg happened 150 years ago. Minnesota had a small population at

the time and could not send that many men to fight the war. One group that did respond

was Pacific Lodge No. 10 of Saint Paul. Thirty of their thirty one members signed up. All

were killed except one at a place called "the Bee Hive" at the Battle of Gettysburg. The

Lodge had to close and their Lodge number has never been used again in the state.

Commitment!

Page 6: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

Dropping Masonic Titles

Harmony is an essential ingredient to any Masonic Lodge. It is one of the main reasons

men gravitate to Lodge; to escape the harsh realities of the world and sit among men who

enjoy the company of others and respect the dignity of each other. To this end, it is for-

bidden to discuss religion and politics, be it related to government or the fraternity. Even

during Masonic elections, campaigning is rebuked as it may offend someone. Despite our

best intentions though, politics creeps into Masonry, particularly at election time. It is not

uncommon to have Masons whisper behind the scenes to garner votes, to seek endorse-

ments, and run a political machine to maintain control. Far too often we have seen people

elevated to a level of responsibility, yet accomplish nothing of substance during their ten-

ure, whether it is a Worshipful Master of a Lodge, a District Deputy Grand Master, or a

Grand Master. In such cases, people are looking for nothing more than recognition to

feed their ego. This is why such things as aprons and titles are coveted, thereby repre-

senting badges of recognition.

It has become customary to recognize Masons as "Worshipful," "Right Worshipful," "Very

Worshipful," or "Most Worshipful." Further, in correspondence we recognize ourselves as

PM, PDDGM, PDI, PGM, etc. I have been guilty of this myself, but have been having sec-

ond thoughts about such pompous titles. It is my belief Masons meet upon the level; that

equality is of paramount importance in a Masonic Lodge; that each member's voice

weighs no more than another. Unfortunately, this is no longer true and we bow to men of

title instead.

Wouldn't it be an interesting experiment to drop the titles completely, particularly those

no longer in office? Instead, we just refer to each other as "Brother" such as, "Bro. Bryce,"

"Bro. Smith," "Bro. Jones," etc. Allow sitting officers to carry the title of their office, but

when finished, revert back to the "Brother" moniker.

Some might resist and complain, "But I worked too hard for that title!" For whom did you

work? A fraternity that promotes meeting upon the level or for your personal glory?

Eliminating such titles could very well help defuse the politics of Masonry and encourage

those people who truly have the best interests of the fraternity in mind.

By Bro. Tim Bryce

I would be delighted to hear your views about this particular topic—many young people

now laugh at some of the tongue twisting names especially in some side orders. Luckily

in Scotland we are all Bro X rather than having various grades of brother.

Page 7: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

Mendocino Lodge No.179

A perfectly normal looking lodge building until you look up at

the chimney and see a symbol common to masonry in the US,

but not in the UK. The symbol is shown on the cover page., but

a close up is:

The Badge of Innocence Described as a Mason's "badge" and an emblem of innocence, the apron provides a link to

Freemasonry's historical roots. This video documentary short(less than 10 minutes), pro-

duced by the Masonic Grand Lodge of California and the Henry Wilson Coil Library and

Museum of Freemasonry, offers new insight into one of Masonry's most treasured ritual

garments.

Click on image to go to Youtube clip.

Page 8: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

The White House and Seal of Solomon

The President's home in Washington has undergone extensive

repairs and alterations this summer. In process of the work the

famous, designs known as the "Seal of Solomon" or "Shield of

David“ was discovered carved on the base of one of the key-

stones of the arches, under the floor of the north portico, of the

White House.

The device in the centre of the star, which looks something like,

the letter "n" with a small character at the upper right corner, is a

Hebrew character representing one of the sacred names of Deity, which the ancient Jews

were forbidden to pronounce.

The inscription of the sacred name within the triangle was supposed by them to give to

the design certain talismanic powers, such as safeguarding their houses from fire, and, if

carried on the person, to prevent wounds in battle.

The belief that the design was a protection against fire or other damage to a building led

to its general use. It has been found in the Cave of Elephants, in India; in Western Bar-

bary; in numerous places throughout. Europe, where it appears on medallions, made at a

very early period, on the breasts of recumbent effigies of the dead as they lie in their

tombs, and in churches, where it is either carved on the walls or painted in the windows.

No one knows who carved this design in the foundations of the White House, when it

was carved or by whose orders. Tradition has long associated Masonic ceremonies with

the Building of the White House, but it is only tradition. But it is at least a matter for

speculation as to whether this old design was carved in the foundation prior or subse-

quent to the burning of the structure in 1814.

It is at least possible that it was placed in position by some Chapter Mason, who thought

thus to protect the structure from future destruction by fire. Note that to the ancient

Jews it was a talisman preventing fire.

The "Seal of Solomon," of course, was a magic symbol long before any Masonry known,

to-day came into, existence; it is one of the hundreds of symbols sung in story and legend

(in the "Arabian Nights" the "Seal of Solomon" was used to confine the geni in the bottle!)

which Masonry' has taken unto itself. But its finding in the White House seems definitely

to connect that structure with some Masonic interest and activity in either its original

building or in its repairs after-the ravages of the British in 1814.

Victorian Craftsman 1936 (GL of Victoria, Australia)

Page 9: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

From the Columns

The May meetings of 242 were FC and MM conferred on Bro. Craig Andrew

Chambers followed at the end of the month by the MMMD in which the following were advanced:

Scott William Graham, Craig Andrew Chambers, Darren Alistair Coyle and Joseph Scott

Drennan

The Vatican is to publish a book which is expected to shed light on the demise of the

Knights Templar, a Christian military order from the Middle Ages. The book is based on

a document known as the Chinon parchment, found in the Vatican Secret Archives six

years ago after years of being incorrectly filed.

The document is a record of the heresy hearings of the Templars before Pope Clement V

in the 14th Century. The official who found the paper says it exonerates the knights en-

tirely. Prof Barbara Frale, who stumbled across the parchment by mistake, says that it

lays bare the rituals and ceremonies over which the Templars were accused of heresy.

In the hearings before Clement V, the knights reportedly admitted spitting on the cross,

denying Jesus and kissing the lower back of the man proposing them during initiation

ceremonies. “The Pope was obliged to ask for pardons from the knights - the document

absolves them.” However, many of the confessions were obtained under torture and

knights later recanted or tried to claim that their initiation ceremony merely mimicked

the humiliation the knights would suffer if they fell into the hands of the Muslim leader

Saladin.

The leader of the order, Jacques de Molay, was one of those who confessed to heresy, but

later recanted. He was burned at the stake in Paris in 1314, the same year that the Pope

dissolved the order. However, according to Prof Frale, study of the document shows that

the knights were not heretics as had been believed for 700 years.

In fact she says "the Pope was obliged to ask for pardons from the knights... the docu-

ment we have found absolves them". Details of the parchment will be published as part

of Processus contra Templarios, a book that will be released by the Vatican's Secret Ar-

chive on 25 October.

Vatican lied over KT Accusations!

Page 10: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

Saturday 28th September —PGL Fund Raising Lunch 1.30pm in Barrhead

Monday 14th October, 2013—PGC at 7pm in Barrhead: all reps expected to attend

Friday 14th October—Tri-Annual Communication of the PGL in Barrhead at 7.30pm

PGL News

GL News

The Grand Master Mason informed the Committee that at a recent meeting in Bar-

celona the Depute Grand Master of the GLNF had made a presentation regarding

the present situation in the GLNF. Apparently over 20,000 Masons had left the

GLNF and some had joined a new Grand Lodge Alliance de Francais. The Grand

Master of the Alliance, Brother Alain Juilliet wished to meet the Grand Master Ma-

son and Grand Secretary in Edinburgh to explain their position. Overall the situa-

tion in France is still confusing.

Guides who lost their tents in bad weather earlier this year have been presented with

hundreds of pounds to help get them go camping again. Freemasons from the Olicana

Lodge in Ilkley were approached by the 5th Ilkley Girl Guides after disaster struck when

their tents were blown away or damaged during bad weather – which meant they would

be unable to hold camps for some time while funds were raised for new ones.

Thirteen-year-old Hannah Wellock, who was in one of the damaged tents on the night,

mentioned this to her father Andrew. He approached his fellow Masons, who approved a

donation of £350 to buy new tents.

Girl Guides Help

Page 11: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

In light of PGL forming a library for the Province

with a list of recommended reading for new can-

didates, it is interesting to note a reading list for

members from 1955 which still has some very

good material.

Every mason should endeavour to make that

“daily advancement” in masonic knowledge to

better himself and the Craft.

Thursday 12th—EAD by OBs

Thursday 26th—FCD by 205

Sir William Wallace RAC -

19th —AGM at 7.30pm

September Events in 242

Page 12: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

Silverstone Lodge

The Silverstone Lodge No 9877, believed to be the first

motorsport-related Freemasons’ Lodge under the

United Grand Lodge of England, was launched in

Northampton on Saturday 11th May 2013 by Right Wor-

shipful Brother Max Bayes, Provincial Grand Master of

Northamptonshire and Huntingdonshire. The Lodge is

for those with an interest in motorsport and the commu-

nity of Silverstone.

The Lodge will meet in Silverstone on four Friday eve-

nings each year to coincide with race weekends; which

are the Vintage Sports Car Club Pomeroy Trophy in February, the Silverstone Classic in July, the

British Superbike Championship round in October and the Walter Hayes Trophy in November.

The first Master of the Lodge is Dermot Bambridge (centre) whose involvement in motorsport

includes working for Goodyear Racing’s Formula 1 Team, Silverstone Circuit and the World Su-

perbikes organisation. He said, “There are many Freemasons who share the love of motorsport

but until now there has been no specific Lodge to cater for their interest. We hope that by meet-

ing on Friday evenings on specific race weekends we can attract Masons visiting Silverstone for

those races and in particular encourage new and young members who might otherwise have dif-

ficulties finding the time to attend weekday meetings.” He continued, “Charity is an integral part

of Freemasonry and one of the charities we will support is the Grand Prix Mechanics Charitable

Trust. We were delighted to receive a personal letter from three-times Formula 1 World Cham-

pion, Sir Jackie Stewart, founder of the charity, wishing us every success.”

Special Degree

The old Fort Niagara which is a forti-

fication originally built to protect the

interests of New France in North

America was witness to a MM de-

gree by some NY masons in period

dress. It is located near Youngstown,

New York, on the eastern bank of the

Niagara River at its mouth, on Lake

Ontario. The last degree at the fort

was in the late 1700's.

Page 13: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

Civil War Truce for a Burial

For a brief time during the Civil War, hostilities at St. Francisville, Louisiana stilled while

Masons from the Union Navy and Confederate Army buried one of their own — a 38-

year-old Union gunboat commander who shot himself.

Last June, Masons and history buffs held a 3-day commemoration for the 150th anniver-

sary of the June 1863 truce called to bury Lt. Cmdr. John Hart of the USS Albatross. There

was a parade, a funeral re-enactment and talks about Civil War medicine and funerals,

Hart and Confederate Capt. W.W. Leake, a Mason who approved the truce and put flow-

ers on Hart's grave three times a year long after the war had ended.

Hart's death on June 11, 1863, came during the sieges of Vicksburg, Miss., and Port Hud-

son, La., during Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's campaign to cut the Confederacy in two.

"It's significant in the turmoil ... that they were able to become civilized to some degree.

Here was an enemy of their country, so to speak, and they decided they would bury him

with not only the Masonic service but the Episcopalian service," said Frank Karwowski,

historian of the Masonic lodge in Schenectady, N.Y., where Hart entered freemasonry

and rose to the rank of master six years before his death.

Initiation

A term used by the Romans to designate

admission into the mysteries of their sacred

and secret rites. It is derived from the word

initia, which signifies the first principles of

a science. Thus Justin (Liber or book xi,

chapter 7) says of Midas, King of Phrygia,

that he was initiated into the mysteries by

Orpheus, Ab Orpheo sacrorum solemnibus

initiatus. From the Latin, the Freemasons

have adopted the word to signify a recep-

tion into their Order. It is sometimes spe-

cially applied to a reception into the First

Degree, but he who has been made an En-

tered Apprentice is more correctly said to

be Entered.

Page 14: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

The Sprig of Acacia

The Ashlar was first published in September, 1855 in

Detroit, USA produced many fine articles, one of

which is given below.

Page 15: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

Some Points

ACTIVE MEMBER

Q. What is meant by an Active Member?

An active member is one who maintains his membership in a Masonic Lodge by the pay-

ment of his regular dues and who takes part in the work and responsibilities of the Order.

One who fails to do these things may remain a Mason in heart, but deprives himself of the

benefits of membership.

ALARM

Q. What is a Masonic Alarm ?

An Alarm in Freemasonry means “a notice of the approach of someone desiring admis-

sion,” given by the Tyler by three distinct knocks (of the degree), on the door. An alarm of

a different character given by the Tyler signifies the desire for communication with the

Lodge for some other reason.

ALDWORTH, the Honorable Mrs.

Q. For what was she famous ?

She is known as the “Lady Freemason,” because it appears quite certain that she received

the first two Degrees of the Blue Lodge while a young woman. She was the daughter of

Lord Doneraile of Doneraile Court in County of Cork, Ireland, and was married to Richard

Aldworth Esq. in 1713. By some ruse she observed and heard a Lodge confer these two de-

grees.

ALEXANDRIA, SCHOOL OF

Q. What connection has Freemasonry with this school ?

When Alexander the Great built the city of Alexandria in Egypt which he planned to make

the seat of his world-empire, he established a school of philosophy which became, most

probably, the greatest institution of its kind of world history. There was the commingling

of the greatest philosophers and religionists of Oreintalism, of Jews, Egyptians, Arabians

and Greeks. There was a heterogeneous mixture of the opinions, philosophies and relig-

ions of Egyptian priests, Jewish Rabbis, Arabic teachers, and of the disciples of Plato and

Pythagoras. Both Aristobulus and Philo, most noted philosophers of this school with

nearly a century separating their services, maintained that the sacred writings of the He-

brews were, by their system of allegories, the true source of all religious and philosophic

doctrine, impregnated with esoteric or hidden meaning. From the Alexandria School of

Philosophy Freemasonry has drawn many of its sublimest allegorical, symbolic and ritual-

istic forms of instruction.

ALLEGIANCE

Q. To whom does a Mason owe Masonic allegiance?

First of all, to the Lodge in which membership is held; and second, to the Grand Lodge un-

der which the Lodge is chartered. Should there be a conflict between the regulations of the

Lodge and the supreme body, then allegiance to the supreme body is mandatory.

Page 16: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

Thought of the Month

Pythagoras taught his method of obtaining the Divine laws of purifying the soul, of searching for

truth, & practicing virtue; thus imitating the perfections of God. His system taught to expel vice

& introduce virtue into the mind; including the two most excellent things, to speak the truth &

render benefits to one another. Particularly he inculcated Silence, Temperance, Fortitude, Pru-

dence & Justice.

Fantastic Donation

After an anonymous donor generously contributed the entire outstanding balance of

$142,000, the Detroit Masonic Temple has paid off its back tax bill to the city of Detroit.

The anonymous identity of this individual has led to rampant speculation with the media

and folks throughout the country trying to figure out who

this mysterious person is and why they were so generous.

We are proud to announce that Jack White is the anonymous

person who paid the outstanding taxes for the Detroit Ma-

sonic Temple.

Jack White has not only performed on stage on several occa-

sions at the Temple, but Jack grew up at the Detroit Masonic

Temple being that his Mother was employed here as an

usher.

In announcing Jack White's identity as the anonymous donor, Detroit Masonic Temple

Association President, Roger Sobran stated: "Jack's magnanimous generosity and un-

flinching loyalty to this historic building and his Detroit roots is appreciated beyond

words. In light of Jack's generosity and belief in the importance of a strong, vital Temple

that should and will be available to future generations of Detroiters, the Masonic Temple

Association will be naming, in Jack's

honour, our Cathedral Theatre the

'Jack White Theatre.' The Jack White

Theatre is a magnificent 27,878

square feet of historically rich archi-

tecture and design with a seating ca-

pacity of 1,586. We could not be

more humbled to bestow this hon-

our on Jack."

Page 17: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

In Memoriam The dead are like the stars by day … withdrawn from mortal eye… yet not extinct that hold their way

In glory through the sky… .Spirits of bondage thus set free… .Vanish amidst immensity… While hu-

man thought… .Like human sight… .Fail to pursue…. Their trackless flight.

It is with deep sadness and much regret that we have to inform you of a loss sustained to the

craft in Renfrewshire in the passing to the Grand Lodge above of the following Brother:

Bro.

Masonic Notices 1982

Page 18: Cross Keys September 2013

Cross Keys Sept. 2013

Thanks to Bro. Allan Stobo WSW for proof reading.

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