Hal enlisted at 19 years
of age when
a University of Toronto student. Within two years he would be
directing a team of Canadian artillery gunners as they fired 25-pound
shells at the enemy in Italy.
He and his fellow recruits made the trip across the Atlantic in about
six days in the summer of 1941 -- a few thousand excited Canadian boys
crammed like cattle into sweaty troop ships. They slept in the same
rooms they were served food in; the few lucky ones had hammocks, others
napped on top of the mess tables b
ut most slept on the floor in
the
pitch black. Moving in a zig-zag pattern to avoid detection, the naval
convoy travelled in a complete blackout.
Training, marching and sleeping in unheated tents in England might have
been uncomfortable, but nothing could have prepared him for Italy's
Adriatic coast where he landed in March 1944. That campaign seemed like
an endless series of battles to gain control over the country's vast
valleys, he said.
Pitched battles would often go day and night, and artillery gunners
would take shifts to sleep, or go without.
Copeland is proud of the rôle he played in the Allied
victory.
But he makes no bones about who made the biggest sacrifice among all
the men who donned a uniform.
"The guys who were the real heroes didn't come back. They're still over
there."
Photo by:
Nicki Corrigall - Guelph Mercury
Editor’s note: The
photo at the right shows R.W. Bro. Hal
Copeland saluting at the Remembrance Ceremonies in Guelph 11Nov.2005 -
at the top left of that picture you will notice V.W. Bro. Morley Hunter
also in
attendance.
A thousand words will not
leave so deep an impression as one deed
- Bro. Benjamin Franklin
|
Non-Violence
Dr. Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi and founder of the M.K.
Gandhi Institute for Non-violence
(http://www.gandhiinstitute.org/) in
a lecture at the University of Puerto Rico shared the following story
as an example of "non-violence in parenting":"
I was 16 years old and living with my parents at the institute my
grandfather had founded 18 miles outside of Durban, South Africa, in
the middle of the sugar plantations. We were deep in the country and
had no neighbours, so my two sisters and I would always look forward to
going to town to visit friends or go to the movies.
One day, my father asked me to drive him to town for an all-day
conference, and I jumped at the chance. Since I was going to town, my
mother gave me a list of groceries she needed and, since I had all day
in town, my father ask me to take care of several pending chores, such
as getting the car serviced. When I dropped my father off that morning,
he said, 'I will meet you here at 5:00 pm and we will go home together.'
After hurriedly completing my chores, I went straight to the nearest
movie theatre. I got so engrossed in a John Wayne double-feature that I
forgot the time. It was 5:30 pm before I remembered. By the time I ran
to the garage and got the car and hurried to where my father was
waiting for me, it was almost 6:00 pm.
He anxiously asked me, 'Why were you late?' I was so ashamed of telling
him I was watching a John Wayne western movie that I said, 'The car
wasn't ready, so I had to wait,' not realizing that he had already
called the garage. When he caught me in the lie, he said: 'There's
something wrong in the way I brought you up that didn't give you the
confidence to tell me the truth. In order to figure out where I went
wrong with you, I'm going to walk home 18 miles and think about it.'
So, dressed in his suit and dress shoes, he began to walk home in the
dark on mostly unpaved, unlit roads. I couldn't leave him, so for
five-and-a-half hours I drove behind him, watching my father go through
this agony for a stupid lie that I uttered.
I decided then and there that I was never going to lie again. I often
think about that episode and wonder, if he had punished me the way we
punish our children, whether I would have learned a lesson at all. I
don't think so. I would have suffered the punishment and gone on doing
the same thing. But this single non-violent action was so powerful that
it is still with me as if it happened yesterday. That is the power of
non-violence."
http://www.peacemakersguide.org/peace/Peacemakers/Mahatma-Gandhi.htm
The term - “Right Angle”
On a Masonic email list a brother recently posed the question: why do
we use the term "right” angle to describe a 90°
angle?
- are the rest of the angles "wrong" angles? - or
are they
"left" angles?
A brother from Grand River Lodge #151Waterloo, Ontario, provided the
following answer which he found on the internet at
http://www.pballew.net/whyright.htm :
Why RIGHT
Angles?
Mathematicians commonly use three different terms (other than
perpendicular) to represent the idea of perpendicularity; orthogonal,
normal, and right, but they all come from a common idea.
Ortho was the Greek root for erect, or vertical, hence something is
orthogonal when it is vertical (in terms of some other base which is
the ground). We see this root preserved in "orthocenter" for the point
where the altitudes of a triangle intersect, "orthodox" for an accepted
practice, and "orthopteran", an order of insects characterized by
"straight wings".
A recent thread on the Historia-Matematica discussion group pointed out
that Euclid did not address the concept of the orthocenter in the
Elements.
Archimedes did address the concept, although not by that name, in Lemma
5 of the Liber Assumptorum. Dick Tahta suggested that Lemma 12 is a
more appropriate source for the Orthocenter.
A posting by Emili Bifit provides a quote from an article by John
Satterly that gives credit for the creation of the name "Orthocenter"
to Besant and Ferrers in 1865.
"Note_: As a matter of historical interest our readers may be reminded
that the term ‘Orthocentre’ was invented by two
mathematicians, Besant and Ferrers, in 1865, while out for a walk along
the Trumpington Road, a road leading out of Cambridge toward London. In
those days it was a tree-lined quiet road with a sidewalk, a favourite
place for a conversational walk."
From
Mathematical Gazette, Feb 1962, pp 51:
Norma was the Latin word for what we now call a carpenter's square. It
was used to construct lines which were at right angles to another line,
so the created line was said to be "normal". The norma was also used as
a
standard to compare if objects,
like a wall, might be erect
(perpendicular to the ground) and so those that met the standard were
called "normal" and this use extended to the "typical" element of any
type of set. Eventually normal came to mean anything that "met the
standard".
The Latin word for the Greek term ortho, was rectus which was also used
to mean both straight and erect. We see the imprint of rectus in many
math words and common language with both the straight and erect
meanings. The rectum is so called because it is the "straight
intestine", while a rectangle is a parallelogram with an "erect angle".
In fact, the word rectangle was sometimes used for a "right angle" into
the 19th century.
The latus rectum in a parabola is the side (latus) through the focus
that is straight (rectus - parallel to the directrix). Latus rectum is
the Latin translation of the Greek orthea pleura for erect side which
was the term Apollonius used in his books on the conic sections. As
languages blended in the middle ages, rectos became "recht" and
eventually became our word for "right" and for the right angle. The
idea of vertical as the "right" position led to the use of right as
proper or good. We see this in words like correct, which means,
literally, to make straight (or right). The person who is reckless
(less right) makes hasty decisions without regard for consequences.
As words changed in the middle ages lots of blending of tones led to
various modern spellings of older terms. Many words beginning with the
reg prefix are variants of rectus, such as regular (straight) and
regent (the one who makes the regulations). The word perpendicular
itself might be translated into English as "very hanging down". It
comes from the Latin name for a plumb bob perpendiculum.
The three roots are per which is used to give an emphasis of
thoroughness or extremeness (hence my "very"), pend which is related to
the hanging or weighing and is related to the word for pound and the
obvious pendulum. The third root is culum which was an instrumental
suffix.
The use of the (inverted T) symbol for perpendicular, according to
Cajori, was in 1634 by Pierre Hérigone in his cursus
matematicus.
from:
www.pballew.net/whyright.htmFun with Words
Fun With Words
The Washington Post's Mensa Invitational asked readers to take any word
from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing of
one letter, and supply a new definition.
Here are
this year's (2005) winners:
Cashtration (n.): The act of buying a house, which renders the subject
financially impotent for an indefinite period.
Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a tax refund, which lasts until you
realize it was your money to start with.
Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly.
Bozone (n.): The substance surrounding a stupid person that stops
bright ideas from penetrating. The bozone layer, unfortunately, shows
little sign of breaking down in the near future.
Foreploy: Any misrepresentation about yourself for the purpose of
getting _ _ _ _.
Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted very, very high.
Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person
who doesn't get it.
Inoculatte: To take coffee intravenously when you are running late.
Hipatitis: Terminal coolness.
Osteopornosis: A degenerate disease. (This one got extra credit.)
Karmageddon: It's like, when everybody is sending off all these really
bad vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth explodes and it's like, a
serious bummer.
Decafalon (n.): The gruelling event of getting through the day
consuming only things that are good for you.
Glibido: All talk and no action.
Dopeler effect: The tendency of stupid ideas to seem smarter when they
come at you rapidly.
Arachnoleptic fit (n.): The frantic dance performed just after you've
accidentally walked through a spider web.
Beelzebug (n.): Satan in the form of a mosquito, that gets into your
bedroom at three in the morning and cannot be cast out.
Caterpallor (n.): The colour you turn after finding half a worm in the
fruit you're eating.
| .
. . a dyslexic man walks into a bra |
A
CRUISE BOAT . . . docked near a Mexican
village.
A tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish
and asked how long it took him to catch them.
"Not very long," answered the Mexican.
"But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the
tourist.
The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his
needs and those of his family.
The tourist asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"
"I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta
with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends,
play the guitar, and sing a few songs... I have a full life."
The tourist interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard, and I can help
you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell
the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger
boat."
"And after that?" asked the Mexican.
"With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second
one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of
trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then
negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your
own plant.
You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los
Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new
enterprise."
"How long would that take?" asked the Mexican.
"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the tourist.
"And after that?"
"Afterwards? Well my Friend, That's when it gets really interesting,"
answered the tourist, laughing. "When your business gets really big,
you can start selling stocks and make millions!"
"Millions? Really? And after that?" said the Mexican.
"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the
coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a
siesta with your wife and spend your evenings doing what you like and
enjoying your friends."
"That is exactly what I am doing now" said the Mexican.
And the
moral is:
Know
where you're going
in life... you may already be there.
An
invisible man marries an invisible woman
. . . the kids were nothing to look at either. |
EMULATION LODGE
OF
IMPROVEMENT 1823-1973
"Ritual
will be better done for being done
properly"
Emulation Lodge of Improvement first met in London on
2nd October,
1823. It has since met every Friday for 150 years, every month for
nearly half that time and thereafter with a three-month summer break.
Its sole Purpose was to rehearse ritual and it has given its name to
that ritual. 'Emulation' ritual is worked by more lodges all over the
world than any other single form of ritual.
At present (1973) there are no less than 111 'recognized' Lodges of
Instruction throughout the country and, in addition, 16 'affiliated'
lodges overseas. The brethren who do the work are volunteers
recommended by Preceptors of other Lodges of Instruction. They must be
capable of performing the work of Master in any one ceremony with not
more than about five words in error. In addition, signs and movements
must be made accurately. A volunteer begins as candidate and, in
successive weeks, proceeds through the ch
airs of Inner Guard, Deacons,
Wardens and finally that of Master. In this capacity he must perform
all the Master's work himself. This includes the Charge after
Initiation and the Tracing Boards in the 2nd and 3rd Degrees.
A suitably inscribed silver matchbox is presented to a brother who
performs the whole of the Master's work in any one of the four
ceremonies (including Installation) without a single error. A further
inscription is added in respect of any similar performance of any one
of the other ceremonies. 101 brethren have each worked all four
ceremonies without a single error in 75 years.
editor’s
note: foregoing excerpts taken from an article
published
in MASONIC BULLETIN, B.C.R., December, 1973; author unknown.
|
I keep six honest
serving-men
(They
taught me all I knew);
Their
names are What and Why and When
And How
and Where and Who.
- Bro. Rudyard
Kipling 1865 - 1936 |
CHARITY
"But the third,
and last being Charity, comprehends the whole . . "
Have you been charitable lately? I don't mean by that,
have you given
any money to the needy, or bought a raffle ticket, or contribution to a
worthy cause. That is the easiest, and often times most insincere form
of charity that can exist. This is not to say that such isn't needed or
helpful to someone else. But this form of Charity is seldom personal or
with any real depth of meaning to the donor or the recipient.
The charity which comprehends the whole is the charity of love, which
itself is an extremely complex word, with a myriad of meanings. Masonic
love, or Masonic Charity (to my way of thinking, interchangeable terms)
is that essence of spirit within us which makes us yearn to give relief
to the suffering of others; to provide comfort and support to those
experiencing personal crises in their lives; to be understanding rather
than condemning another's shortcomings; to attempt to bring out in
another person his strengths and his best qualities.
Looking back over the years of my life, the things which have brought
me the most happiness and fulfilment have been precisely those where I
have been able to have been of some help and support to somebody else;
conversely, my greatest sense of failure and disappointment are those
instances where I have felt I have not done all I could to make
another's road a little easier, or perhaps I have turned my back rather
than faced an awkward or difficult situation.
Being charitable in the Masonic sense is often times one of the most
difficult and personally challenging experiences we can face. It can
mean having to swallow one's pride, admit ones' own deficiencies or
deny oneself some transitory pleasure which may seem important or
desirable at the time.
But it is precisely that element of personal sacrifice which gives the
act its depth, its meaning and its value to not only the recipient, but
to the donor.
Author Unknown
St. Francis of Assisi
wrote this prayer, which in many ways sums up the
concept of Masonic charity:
"Lord, make me
an instrument of your peace, Where there is hatred, let
me sow love; where there is injury, pardon;
where there is
doubt,
faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
Grant that I may not so
much seek to be consoled as to console; to be
understood as to understand;
to be loved as
to love; for it is in
giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and in
dying that we are born to eternal life."
We Get Older
An elderly couple has dinner at another couple's house. After eating,
the wives leave the table and go into the kitchen. The two elderly
gentlemen are talking, and one says, "Last night we went out to a new
restaurant, and it was really great. I recommend it very highly."
The
other man asks, "What's the name of the restaurant?"
The first man
knits his brow in obvious concentration, and finally says to his
friend, "Ah, what's the name of that red flower you give to someone you
love?"
His friend replies, "A carnation?"
"No, no. The other one," the man says.
His friend offers another suggestion, "The poppy?"
"Nah," growls the man. "You know, the one that is red and has thorns."
His friend asks, "Do you mean a rose?"
"Yes, yes that's it. Thank you!" the first man says.
He then turns toward the kitchen and yells, "Rose, what's the name of
that restaurant we went to last night?"
Founder of
Osteopathy
William Denslow's
biographical dictionary, 10,000 Famous Freemasons,
v.4, says:
"Andrew T. Still (1828-1917) Founder of osteopathy. Born
Aug. 6, 1828
in Jonesboro, Virginia. He moved to Kansas in 1853, where he busied
himself with farming, doctoring Indians, and studying anatomy. He lost
three children in an epidemic of spinal meningitis in 1864, and soon
thereafter devised the treatment known as osteopathy. He was a surgeon,
and major of the 21st Kansas Volunteers in the Civil War. Began the
practice of osteopathy on June 22, 1874. He moved to Kirksville,
Missouri in 1875, and developed a large practice. Here he founded the
American School of Osteopathy in 1892, and published the Journal of
Osteopathy. Was raised in Palmyra Lodge No. 23 in Baldwin, Kansas. Died
Dec. 12, 1917."
"Two Kinds of People"
There
are two kinds of people on earth to-day;
Just
two kinds of people, no more I say.
Not
the sinner and saint, for it's well understood
The
good are half bad and the bad are half good.
Not
the rich and the poor, for to rate a man's wealth,
You
must first know the state of his conscience and health.
Not
the humble and proud, for in life's little span,
Who
puts on vain airs, is not counted a man.
Not
the happy and sad, for the swift flying years
Bring
each man his laughter end each man his tears.
No;
the two kinds of people on earth I mean
Are
the people who lift and the people who lean.
Wherever
you go you will find the earth's masses
Are
always divided in just these two classes.
And
oddly enough, you will find, too, I ween, 
There's
only one lifter to twenty who lean.
In
which class are you? Are you easing the load
Of
overtaxed lifters who toil down the road?
Or
are you a leaner who lets others bear
Your
portion of labor and worry and care?
by "Ella Wheeler Wilcox"
(1850-1919)
- an American poet,
journalist
& free-thinker
–
first published in "The Charlotte
Democrat"
(10 Jan 1896)
GOLDEN FLEECE
"I n the lecture of the First Degree, it is said of the Freemason's
apron, that it is 'more ancient than the Golden Fleece or Roman Eagle,
more honorable than the Star and Garter.' The reference is here
evidently not to the Argonautic expedition in search of the Golden
Fleece, alluding to the Greek myth in the ship Argo, nor to the deluge,
of which that event is supposed to have been a figure as Doctor Oliver
incorrectly supposes (Dictionary of Symbolic Masonry), but to certain
decorations of honor with which the apron is compared.
The eagle was to the Romans the ensign of imperial power; the Order of
the Golden Fleece was of high repute as an Order of Knighthood. It was
established in Flanders, in 1429, by the Duke of Burgundy, who selected
the fleece for its badge because wool was the staple production of the
country.
It has ever been considered, says Clark, one of the most illustrious
Orders of Europe. The Order of the Garter was, and is still considered,
the highest decoration that can be bestowed upon a subject by a
sovereign of Great Britain.
Thus, the apron is proudly compared with the noblest decorations of
ancient Rome and of modern Europe. But the Freemasons may have been
also influenced in their selection of a reference to the Golden Fleece,
by the fact that in the Middle Ages it was one of the most important
symbols of the Hermetic philosophers."
from: Mackey,
Encyclopaedia of Freemasonry
Sounds the
Same (but
a different meaning)
I
remember when I was a child hearing of an American millionaire who
paid for the restoration of an historic British church which had been
damaged in the Blitz.
During the reconsecration ceremony, which the millionaire attended, the
vicar was expressing to God his gratitude for the American's aid, but
the words he chose were unfortunate: "Lord, how we thank Thee for this
succour from abroad."
The American stood up and walked out of the
church, deeply offended.
Whether or not it actually happened just that way, it's a good story!
David Tuggy
from: A.Word.A.Day
succor refer: http://wordsmith.org/words/succor.html
PYTHAGORAS
What do we really know about Pythagoras. In the J.W.’s
lecture we
are informed that he, along with certain Egyptians was a philosopher.
That they were a society with secrets and were bound by oath never to
reveal them.
Pythagoras was born in the Greek city of Samos. He is often described
as the first pure mathematician and is an extremely important figure in
the development of mathematics. Yet we know very little about his
mathematical achievements. Unlike many later Greek mathematicians,
where at least we have some of the books which they wrote, we have
nothing of Pythagoras's writings. The society which he led, half
religious and half scientific, followed a code of secrecy.
As a child Pythagoras spent his early years in Samos but also travelled
widely with his father. He was well educated, learned to play the lyre,
studied poetry and could recite passages from Homer. Around 535 BC
Pythagoras went to Egypt, there he was accepted into the priesthood. It
is not difficult to relate many of Pythagoras's beliefs, to the customs
that he came across in Egypt. For example the secrecy of the Egyptian
priests, their refusal to eat beans, their refusal to wear clothes made
from animal skins, and their striving for purity. These were all
customs that Pythagoras would later introduce to his followers. Under
the Egyptians, Pythagoras furthered his knowledge of geometry.
In 525 BC Cambyses II, king of Persia, invaded and captured Egypt.
Pythagoras became a prisoner and was taken to Babylon. While there he
associated with the Magi, was instructed in their sacred rites and
learned about a very mystical worship of the gods. He also reached the
height of perfection in arithmetic, music and the other mathematical
sciences taught by the Babylonians. In about 520 BC Pythagoras left
Babylon and returned to Samos where he founded a school which was
called the Semicircle of Pythagoras. This was a forum in which the
Samians held political meetings.
Outside the city he made a cave the private site of his own
philosophical teachings, spending most of the night and daytime there
and doing research into the uses of mathematics.
Around 518 B.C.,Pythagoras left
Samos and went to southern Italy, there
he founded a philosophical and religious school in Croton. Pythagoras
became the head of the society with an inner circle of followers known
as mathematikoi. The mathematikoi lived permanently with the Society,
had no personal possessions and were vegetarians. They were taught by
Pythagoras himself and obeyed strict rules. The beliefs that Pythagoras
held were as follows: (1) that at its deepest level, reality is
mathematical in nature, (2) that philosophy can be used for spiritual
purification, (3) that the body has a soul and can rise to union with
God, (4) that certain symbols have a mystical significance, and (5)
that all members of the order should observe strict loyalty and secrecy.
Both men and women were permitted to become members of the Society. The
outer circle of the Society were known as the akousmatics and they
lived in their own houses, only coming to the Society during the day.
They were allowed their own possessions and were not required to be
vegetarians. Of Pythagoras'
s actual work nothing is known.
His school
practiced secrecy and communalism making it hard to distinguish between
the work of Pythagoras and that of his followers. Certainly his school
made outstanding contributions to mathematics. First we should be clear
in what sense Pythagoras and the mathematikoi were studying
mathematics. They were not acting as a mathematics research group.
There were no 'open problems' for them to solve, and they were not in
any sense interested in trying to formulate or solve mathematical
problems. Rather Pythagoras was interested in the principles
of
mathematics, the concept of numbers, the concept of a triangle or other
mathematical figures and the abstract idea of a proof. Pythagoras
believed that all relations could be reduced to numbers. This
generalization stemmed from Pythagoras's observations in music,
mathematics and astronomy.
Pythagoras noticed that when vibrating strings of say, a lyre, produced
harmonious tones that the ratios of the lengths of the strings resulted
in whole numbers, and that these ratios could be extended to other
instruments as well. In fact Pythagoras made remarkable contributions
to the mathematical theory of music. He was an accomplished musician,
and used music as a means to help those who were ill. Pythagoras
studied the properties of numbers which would be familiar to
mathematicians today, such as even and odd numbers, triangular numbers,
perfect numbers etc. However to Pythagoras numbers had personalities
which we hardly recognize as mathematics today. Each number had its own
personality - masculine or feminine, perfect or incomplete. Ten was the
very best number as it contained in itself the first four integers -
one, two, three, and four [1+2+3+4 = 10] - and 1-2-3-4 written in dot
notation formed a perfect triangle.
This school, after existing for thirty years, was brought to
destruction by a wealthy inhabitant who was denied admission. In
revenge he excited the citizens against it. A lawless mob attacked the
scholars while at an assembly. They set fire to the building and
dispersed the disciples, burning forty in the process. After the
destruction of his school at Croton, Pythagoras fled to Metapontum
where he sought asylum from his enemies in the temple of the Muses
where tradition says that he died of starvation at age eighty.
Even today Pythagoras, in all his mystery still remains a fascinating
character in a long line of mystics and primitive scientists.
compiled &
edited by Bro. Barry D. Thom, Lodge Mackay #1129 SC
Small Room in Ireland
The Premier Lodge of
Connaught No.14, in County Galway Ireland, claims
to have the smallest lodge room.
Santa
Comes to Lodge!
'Twas the Night before Christmas, and down at the Lodge
Not a gavel was stirring, and in the hodge-podge
Of aprons and jewels and chairs East and West,
You could savor the silence, most gladly divest
All metal and mineral, it mattered not,
Since Christmas was nigh and the coals were still hot
In the hearth of your homestead, all Masons abed,
As visions of trestleboards danced in their head;
When up on the roof there arose such a clatter,
Our Tiler jumped up to see what was the matter!
He picked up his sword and ran fast to the door,
Three knocks shook the panels-he wondered "What for?"
He answered the knocking with, raps of his own,
And once the door opened he saw, with a moan
Of delight, it was Santa, all jolly and red
Except for one notable feature instead!
Upon his large finger he wore what we knew
Was Compasses and Square on a background of blue!
"Why Santa!" he shouted and lowered his blade,
"I see you're a Mason!" the Tiler relayed.
He looked toward the Master's most dignified chair
And said, voice near trembling, "Most Worshipful, there
Is a gentleman properly clothed at the gate!"
The Master replied,"Let's allow him-but wait!
You tell me a Gentleman, but I don't see
His apron beneath that red suit, can it be
Our visitor hasn't been properly raised?
Must we offer a test that is suitably phrased?
"I do beg your pardon," ol' Santa said quick,
As he pulled up his coat and displayed not a stick
But a cane with, engraving, two balls did appear
And oh, what an apron, he wore and held dear!
Adorned like the Master's complete with a sign
Of "Lodge Number One, the North Pole" on one line!
"Now let him enter," the Master declared,
And once in the Lodge room the Brethren all stared,
For Santa was wearing a jewel not seen
For many a century-there in between
The fur of his coat and the splendid red collar
Gleamed two golden reindeer that shone like a dollar!
"It's Donner and Blitzen, who, I must confess,
Are actually images brought from the West
By my Warden, a craftsman like none in the world!"
And with a great laugh from his bag he unfurled
An ear of fine corn, and some oil from the East,
"My friend I have plenty, tonight we will feast
On all that is good! We are Masons, kind sir!"
A murmur went throughout the Lodge, quite a stir.
As presents and promises flew from his sack
This Santa, a Mason, showed he had a knack
For making this Christmas the best you could glean,
And soon even Deacons were laughing, they'd seen
On this very night only happiness reigned!
This jolly Saint Nicholas quickly explained
That only a Mason could be so inclined
To make all kids happy, make all people find
A Christmas so special, yes, Santa was right!
Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!
By: Harvey W.
Burgess, Past Master of St. Andrew Lodge No. 702,
Charlotte, North Carolina(published in the Scottish Rite Journal,
Southern Jurisdiction).
MASONIC COIN
AS LEGAL TENDER
In
1794 a Masonic token was minted in honour of the Prince of Wales in
England. A son of George III, he later became George the IV. From 1790
to 1813 he served the Grand Lodge of England (Moderns) as Grand Master.
The ordinator of the coin was Brother James Sketchley of Birmingham who
created the co
in to commemorate the election
of the Prince as Grand
Master.
These coins were so superior in their copper content that they readily
became tender.
In 1817 they were withdrawn from circulation by government order.
Brother Judson L. Parker, editor of Masonic Temple Topics, Chicago, has
been collecting these coins and presenting them to distinguished
Brethren. More than 350 have been distributed.
|
Too late for love, too
late for joy,
Too late,
too late!
You
loitered on the road too long,
You
trifled at the gate.
― Christina Rossetti (1830 -
1894), The Prince's Progress
|
MARK TWAIN
said:
"I notice that you use plain, simple language, short words and brief
sentences.
That is the way to write English - it is the modern way and
the best way. Stick to it; don't let fluff and flowers and verbosity
creep in.
When you catch an adjective, kill it. No, I don't mean
utterly, but kill most of them - then the rest will be valuable. They
weaken when they are close together. They give strength when they are
wide apart. An adjective habit, or a wordy, diffuse, flowery habit,
once fastened upon a person, is as hard to get rid of as any other
vice."
Josephine
Baker 
(real name Freda Josephine McDonald) [1906-1975] was
initiated in Paris in 1960 by Lodge « Nouvelle
Jérusalem
No.2 » Grande Loge Feminine de France.
SHORT SHRINERS
Make
it Big
Vertically challenged
members carve out niche
excerpted from the
Concord Monitor on line Dec.14/05
article by: SARAH
LIEBOWITZ
After years of suffering in silence while towering
Shriners poked fun
at their diminutive stature, the group's more petite members have
banded together, laying the groundwork for a vertically challenged
Shriner revolution. And it all started here, at Concord's Bektash
Temple.
"We keep saying we're going to be big one day," said Edmond Daneault,
who comes in just under 5'5, the Short Shriners' secretary and one of
the group's founders.
Whether it's the group's top hats, their gold medallions or simply the
fellowship of like-heighted men, the Short Shriners have taken off.
Since the group's inception two years ago, approximately two dozen
Shriners, all under 5'6, have become card-carrying members. (In homage
to the group's mission, even the membership cards are pint-sized.) And
Short Shriners believe the movement may spread to other Shrine temples.
"International" was added to the group's moniker when a Canadian
Shriner joined. A Floridian and members from throughout New England
have further expanded the group's geographic diversity. Members meet
for occasional dinners and show up in coordinated outfits for large
Shriner functions. "There's strength in numbers," said Ted Dooley, the
group's governor.
But of all the Shriner chapters, only Bektash had the honor of granting
the Short Shriners' charter. At Shriner gatherings, the Short Shriners
come out in force, proudly parading their 65 inches (give or take a
few). They may be short in stature, but their sense of fashion turns
heads.
"I said if we're going to have Short Shriners, we're going to be
something special," Daneault said. The result: outfits that out-dazzled
non-Short Shriners at Sunday's Bektash Christmas party.
No red fez for these Shriners. Nearly half the group's members arrived
decked out in tuxedo pants and shirts, black vests with decorative
buttons, top hats and canes. Daneault screwed glass doorknobs into the
top of each cane, emphasizing the dandy look. The group's officers
sported gold medallions and vests trimmed with gray-and-black floral
fabric. The top hat gracing the head of the group's president, Biff
Jackson, rose several inches above other members' toppers.
A sense of humor about the tribulations suffered by the short seems a
prerequisite for Short Shriner membership. Their theme song is "It's a
Small World." The Bektash band is their back-up.
But the Short Shriners refuse to relax their standards. "If I have to
look up at you, you're too big to get in," Jackson said. "Guys are
showing up barefoot, saying I'm only 5'6. It ain't going to work."
ExcerptsFrom:http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051213/REPOSITORY/512130309/1031
AN OPEN AIR LODGE MEETING
Published in Masonic
Bulletin-BC-June 1954
Golden Rule Lodge, No. 8, Grand Lodge of Quebec, holds
a Dispensation
that may be unique in the history of Freemasonry in Canada. This
Dispensation grants permission to hold a Meeting in the open air on the
top of a mountain known as The Owl's Head, on the shores of Lake
Memphremagog, in the Province of Quebec. The location is roughly 90
miles south of Montreal and close to the American border.
The Dispensation reads:
“Dispensation,
Owl's Head Meetings
William
M. Wilson, G.M GRAND LODGE OF CANADA To all to whom these
presents shall come :-
Whereas
an application has been made to us by Golden Rule Lodge, No.8,
to open and hold a Lodge for the purposes of Freemasonry once in every
year, on the top of a mountain known as the Owl's Head, on the shores
of Lake Memphremagog:
Be
it known, therefore, that, by virtue of the authority vested in us,
We do hereby grant this Dispensation for holding the said Meeting, of
which all our loving Brethren are required to take notice.
Given
under our Hand, and the Seal of the Grand Lodge, this fourteenth
day of July, 5857, at Hamilton, C.W.
(Signed)
Thos. B. Harris, G.S.
(Endorsation)
Endorsed and Confirmed. John H. Graham, L.L.D., etc.,
G.M. G.L. of Q., AF. and A.M., Montreal; Dec. 27,I869"
Golden Rule Lodge dates back to 1803. It was known originally as Lively
Stone Lodge and the Lodge Room was astride the Border between Canada
and the United States. The American Brethren entered from a door on the
U. S. side and the Canadian Brethren from a door on the Canadian side -
thus obviating Customs inspection, etc. This arrangement was disturbed
by the War of 1812.
In the new Hall of the Memorial Temple in Montreal there is a large
mural depicting the first Lodge Meeting at Owl's Head.
The first Meeting held on Owl's Head Mountain was on 10th September
1857 with an attendance of twelve.
The Minutes of the Meeting read:
"Twelve faithful and
true Masons ascended the steep incline and at the
top of the Mountain their eyes rested upon a panoramic scene of
unrivalled splendour. Crossing to the western side of the summit and
descending somewhat they entered a hollow basin in the rock which forms
a natural Lodge Room.
The portal of the
basincan be securely guarded
and here, for the first time in the history of the Craft in America a
Lodge was opened on the top of a high hill and in a deep vale thereof.
like the meeting place of the Brethren of old. Work on the First Degree
was exemplified, and this inscription, commemorative of the Meeting was
ordered cut on the face of the rock ‘Golden Rule Lodge. No.8,
Freemasons of Stanstead, held communication here Sept. 10th, AL.
5857..................’Then a list of the Officers.
The second Communication held in this place was June 24th, 1858.
Elaborate preparations for the meeting were made and this time 75
Masons made the ascent. Visitors were present in goodly number from
nine sister Lodges.
Meetings were held frequently - but not every year-up to the turn of
the century, but now they are held regularly on the Saturday nearest to
June 24th. The attendance usually averages about 100, depending on the
weather.
The mountain is 2480 feet high and very steep.
On the occasion that I attended this Lodge, I started climbing about
ten a.m. in order to attend the opening of the Lodge at one p.m. On
this occasion the Master Mason's Degree in the Ancient York Rite was
exemplified. I may add that the "floor" of the "Lodge" is rough and
stony - so the Candidate had to be of rugged material.
Supplied by RW. Bro.
Sidney C. Robson, P.D.D.G.M., Brome Lake Lodge,
No. 35, Grand Lodge of Quebec.
Submitted by: W. Bro. Geo. Rennison, P.M., Emulation Lodge, No. 125,
Trail, B.C.
50 years of
community, Masonic work honoured
Dec 20, 2005 Chris
Traber, staff writerYork Region Economist &
Sun
Kamil Sadiq's lifetime of community service, already acknowledged by
heads of state and royalty, was further recognized last week by the
Masonic Temple of Toronto on the occasion of his 50th anniversary as a
member.
A long-time Markham resident and founder of the Canadian Federation of
Intercultural Friendship, Mr. Sadiq, 74, was honoured for his
contributions towards cultural harmony and tolerance by s
everal York
Region dignitaries, including York Regional Police Chief Armand La
Barge.
As man of the hour at the Masonic Lodge, Mr. Sadiq was piped in to
receive accolades and awards, including the prestigious Jubilee
Certificate from the Grand Lodge of Scotland. Chief La Barge presented
him with a desk clock and a certificate.
Greetings and congratulations were also sent by Canadian Prime Minister
Paul Martin and mayors from York municipalities.
A 2002 inductee into the Markham seniors hall of fame and a recipient
of the Golden Jubilee Medal, Mr. Sadiq believes giving back is its own
reward.
"Community service means we are connecting different cultures
together," he said. "The Canadian Federation of Intercultural
Friendship works to stop hate crimes and racial intolerance. Our goal
is to educate people and promote peace and harmony among various
cultures. We need to appreciate other cultures because Canada really is
a microcosm of the United Nations."
Mr. Sadiq's community benevolence began early in life. At age 24 in
Pakistan he founded the Attock People's Associa
tion, which grew to
5,000 members. The organization dedicates itself to the poor and serves
as an facilitator in social and civic issues.
"I am very humbled," Mr. Sadiq said. "I have found great satisfaction
in being able to do what little I could for the community."
from:http://www.yorkregion.com/yr/yr4/YR_News/Newscentre/Economist_and_Sun/story/3228707p-3737552c.html
submitted by: Ashok Mahbubani,
member of Scottish & English
craft
lodges in India, who writes: "I thought you might enjoy
reading this
upbeat story about a Moslem brother who was initiated in 1954 in
Pakistan in a lodge under the jurisdiction of the GL of Scotland (but
unfortunately all masonic lodges in Pakistan are now closed) and who
recently celebrated his jubilee in Markham Ontario Canada".
|
"I'm not going to
buy my kids an encyclopaedia. . .
Let
them walk to school like I did."
|
FREEMASONRY IN SEPTEMBER
By Bro. Leonard J. Humphrey, Nanaimo Lodge, No. 110, G.R.B.C.
September is a magic month for Freemasonry because it is a month of new
beginnings. Holidays are over so that, fresh and invigorated after our
recess, we meet with new eagerness, new resolution, new friendliness,
new appreciation of one another and of the Craft within whose
benevolence we enjoy labor and refreshment. Appreciation that is the
keystone of happy Freemasonry. Let us this September begin to practise
the art of appreciation, because appreciation will do so much to raise
us from the dead level of passive to the living perpendicular of active
Freemasonry.
If we are old in membership we will know the value of September's new
beginning, this yearly resurgence of life, having many times observed
with cumulative satisfaction its good effects in the benefits of
awakened interest, enthusiasm, re-dedication. If we are young members
ours will be the joy to witness it with all the fascination of a fresh
experience rich in promise of good to come, which, of course, is
precisely what it is. We will thrill to a quickened sense of the value
of the Craft in our lives and the lives of others; of the Brethren
whose generosity admitted us; be imbued with a desire to render
ourselves more extensively serviceable to our fellowmen in a
willingness to place our talents at the disposal of the Worshipful
Master, and possessed of an urge to prepare ourselves so that we will
be ready to fill an office should such a privilege be offered.
If on the other hand we prefer to support our Lodge by regular
attendance, but have no desire to hold office-a perfectly legitimate
and worthy position. September's new beginning will re-awaken us to the
personal development consequent upon a quiet contemplation of the
degree work performed with gracious dignity, and give us a fresh
conception of our individual responsibilities so that we will look
forward to and participate in regular business.
Thus by these means and the many others opened to our reawakened
perceptions may we be aware of and suitably respond to the opportunity,
the charm, the sheer magic of Freemasonry in September.
Published in Masonic
Bulletin-BC-September 1954
See
you later Brother
Cal
Christie - editor
