The First Temple was built by King Solomon and was the most important place in ancient Judaism. It was destroyed when the Babylonians sacked
The ninth of Av also happens to be the day that Jews were expelled from
Bloomington Lodge held its last Hiram Award dinner tonight. If plans go as expected, Bloomington Lodge will merge with Minnehaha Lodge in November.
Masons accept into our fraternity only just and upright men who have a belief in a Supreme Being. Not only do we do an investigation and elect our candidates by unanimous ballot, we each take an obligation acknowledging that we are subject to Masonic discipline should we violate our vows.
Prior to becoming Grand Master, I served for several years as Chief Trial Commissioner for the Grand Lodge of Minnesota. The powers, duties and procedures of the Trial Commission are clearly set forth in the Minnesota Masonic Code, available to all to read.
There are several ways in which a Brother may be disciplined. The most streamlined method is when a Brother is convicted of a felony offense. Certified copies are delivered to the Chief Trial Commissioner, who then sends notice to the Brother offering an opportunity to respond to the facts. These situations almost always result in the expulsion of the offending Brother.
A more complicated and involved process is when a Mason is accused of unmasonic conduct, not amounting to a felony criminal offense. The Code provides for a trial in front of three past masters, who render a verdict (that is, whether or not unmasonic conduct was committed) and also set the penalty – reprimand, suspension or expulsion.
The accused has the right to appeal the decision of the Trial Commission, which first goes before the Committee on Grievances and Appeals, which makes a recommendation to the Grand Lodge. I do not recall ever having a trial at the Grand Lodge annual communication, but that is where the appeal would lie.
As Grand Master, I have the power to arrest the jewel of an officer (effectively, removing the brother from office) and to suspend a brother until the next annual communication. I have not had to do either of these duties, and sincerely hope I never will.
Over the years, I have found that cases of Masonic discipline are very rare. You could look at the reports I made to the Annual Communication for the past several years to confirm this. By and large, we come close to our goal of being a society of just and upright men.
I took a break from Masonic activities last night and caught up with some dear friends from the Arlington-Green Isle class of 1967. We missed our 35th and 40th reunions, so a few of my classmates decided we should throw ourselves a 60th birthday bash. You can see a photo of those attending.
On Tuesday night, I had the privilege of attending the awards dinner for Excelsior Lodge No. 113. They are located in a very attractive building in downtown Excelsior. The lovely exterior of the building was more than matched by the warm reception I received inside the lodge building.
40 years ago, Brother Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin was on the moon, along with Neil Armstrong. The photo was taken seven months earlier by the crew of Apollo 8.
Forty years ago this evening, I was in my girlfriend’s living room, watching the black and white television with her family as Neil Armstrong took the small step for man. (Tonight, after a lodge visit, I'll be back in the living room of that same girlfriend...)
Last night, I attended the joint meeting between Cataract Lodge No. 2 and Minnehaha Lodge No. 165. What a great night! Over 60 brothers in attendance. A great steak dinner was followed by the joint stated communication and the presentation of the Bronze Lodge Recognition Program award to the Masters of each of the lodges.
The Scottish Rite of Masonry has several degrees that specifically relate to the issue of Tolerance. For instance, in the 20th Degree, the following is found:
The Zuhrah Ho Ho Shrine Club Classic Car unit invited me to participate in their parade at the Winthrop Farm City FunFest parade. I managed to keep the car between the curbs and not collide with any of the "professionals" of the unit.
Patty and I have returned from the Shrine Imperial Session in
Zuhrah and
Tuesday I marched along with Zuhrah 1.5 miles in 95 degree heat. The Drum Corps was fantastic! The reception from Shriners and San Antonians alike along the parade route was phenomenal. It was such a thrill.
Back at the hospitality room, there was a temporary shortage of glasses, so a magic marker was employed to put names on the plastic cups. I said, just put my initials: TGM. “Ah,” said one of the wags present, “The Grand Master!”
Patty and I had a great time. Thanks,
Last night, Patty and I attended an event at the Minnesota Masonic Home celebrating the successful conclusion of the Masonic Charities/Cancer Center Fund Campaign for Life campaign. The campaign goal of $10 million dollars has been reached to finance the construction of a new Cancer Center Pavilion on the campus of the
This contribution, together with the pledge of $65 million over the next 15 years and the approximately $25 million that has been given over the past 50+ years puts Minnesota Masons in the proud position of claiming partnership with the Masonic Cancer Center at the University of Minnesota in the fight against this dread disease.
I have commented often that I dream of the time when my grandsons are my age and they can reminisce about how concerned their parents and grandparents were about cancer, and how proud they are that their Grandpa and their Dads were Masons and part of the effort that wiped that disease from the face of the earth.
Dreams can come true, especially if they are placed in the hands of dedicated, talented and skilled doctors and researchers. People like those at the
There are many hospitals, including the Twin Cities Shrine Hospital, that are in negotiations with universities or medical centers to share facilities to better serve the patients of both. The
Let us each do what we can to support this effort, which will be a new and exciting way for Shriners to continue our long-standing efforts to bring orthopedic, burn and cleft-pallet relief to deserving children.
"You know that being an American is more than a matter of where you or your parents came from. It is a belief that all men are created free and equal and that everyone deserves an even break. It is a respect for the dignity of men and women without regard to race, creed, or color. That is our creed." Harry S Truman, October 26, 1948.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Texas-the-Alamo-and-Freemasonry&id=1089975
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Lodge_of_Texas
http://www.freemasonrytoday.com/44/p12.php
http://freemasonrytoday.com/46/p17.php
Freedom – Freemasons champion the liberties and values outlined in the founding documents of the
Freedom is one of the core values that guide our Mission Statement. Along with (Personal) Integrity and (Religious) Tolerance, Freedom encapsulates the essence of Freemasonry in
It has been legitimately claimed that the foundations of a republican form of government, the secret ballot and nascent democracy itself had its origins in the lodge halls of speculative Freemasonry.
Whether that is based in fact, or merely wishful history on the part of the brotherhood, it is and must be clear today that Freemasonry stands for Freedom, and it is the Duty of the brothers to protect and promote this fundamental Right of Man.
On this holiday before Independence Day, I quote MWB Harry Truman. On July 29, 1951, Truman stated
"Now listen to this one. This malicious propaganda has gone so far that on the Fourth
of July, over in Madison , Wisconsin
Declaration of Independence. A hundred and twelve people were asked to sign a petition
that contained nothing except quotations from the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights.
One hundred and eleven of those people refused to sign that paper-- many of them because they were
afraid that it was some kind of subversive document and that they would lose their jobs or be called
Communist. Can you imagine finding 111 people in the capital of Wisconsin
Declaration of Independence
I wonder how many today would refuse to sign… Not because they would necessarily be afraid of being called a communist, but simply would not recognize language from our Country’s founding documents.
Masons were at the forefront of our fight for
In 1986, master hosta breeder Paul Aden registered a new cultivar: Hosta Grand Master.
PGM Steve Johnson located one of these hard to find plants and delivered it to me Sunday. I’ll be finding a place of honor at my home to plant it!
I am not able to find any information on the web as to why the plant was named “Grand Master”. If anyone has information on that, please send it along to me!
I attended the Public Opening and Memorial Service for the York Rite bodies annual communication last evening. In my visits this year, I get the impression that there is a renewal in interest and participation in the York Rite bodies. This bodes well not only for the York Rite, but for Blue Lodge Masonry, too.Why should I join the York Rite? I have been asked this many times and you may have even asked yourself that question. All blue lodges in
In the third degree we lean that the master’s word is lost. The brothers who continue on with their York Rite education know this is not the case. Through the four degrees of the Chapter the blanks in the story of the third degree are filled in. The Chapter degrees cumulate with the beautiful and moving Royal Arch degree where candidates learn the true word!
A Mason must have completed the chapter degrees before being eligible to receive the Cryptic Council degrees. In the two degrees of the Cryptic Council, Cryptic Masons learn of other incidents at the building of the first temple and why the word was lost and how it was preserved. The council degrees will help you better understand the Master Mason degree as well as the Royal arch degree.
A Mason must also have completed the chapter degrees before being eligible to receive the three Knight Templar degrees or orders as they are called in the Knight Templar Commandery. These degrees portray beautiful and impressive lessons and explain the Christian interpretation of freemasonry.
Please keep in mind you do not have to be a Christian to join or receive any York Rite degrees. Along with finishing your York Rite education, seeing the impressive degrees performed and experiencing more great Masonic brotherhood why wouldn’t you join?
Last evening, I attended my first Job's Daughters meeting at Bethel 76 in White Bear Lake. I was most warmly welcomed by Kellie Jackson, the Honored Queen, and all the girls and adults at the meeting.
