News: From the Cabletow
March 2009
Headlines:
From the East: Missive from the Master
News You Can Use...
From the East
WM Joseph Rothenberg
January and February were busy months for Heights-Lion Heart Lodge. In the past 4 meetings we have completed 3 Entered Apprentice degrees, and our 4th Enter Apprentice completed his examination and was advanced to the degree of Fellowcraft. It is difficult to express the gratitude I feel towards these fine men and this lodge for the excellent work they have done.
As Speculative Masons we are passing on a philosophy, a way of thought, and a plan of action from the present to the future. We are living time capsules preserving and protecting basic ideas in a format that stimulates intelligence and action. The forms of these degrees are a frame work for the study of civilization. Not just our civilization, but the organizing concepts of civilized thought and behavior.
At the last meeting in January WB Jack DeVrieze and RWB Charlie Cole presented and discussed the basic outline of the “Traditional Observance Lodge”. While many of the practices outlined for this type of Lodge require discussion and guidance form our Grand Lodge, the serious and solemn approach to the conferral of degrees and a peaceful atmosphere at stated meetings has obvious value for us. The use of classical music beginning with our February meeting will make lodge more enjoyable for all of us.
In the month ahead we will honor the dedication of our 25, 50, 60 and 65 year masons (Awards night Friday March 13, 2009), open the Lodge to the public for a statewide open house (Saturday March 21, 2009) and of course continue with our degree work. I hope you will join our new brothers in continuing the valuable work of our fraternity.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
The most common question and comment I have heard from newer masons is the interest in and curiosity about Masonic tradition and philosophy. Denis V. Chornenky wrote: “Members of Traditional Observance lodges believe very strongly that the foremost purpose of Freemasonry is to provide an atmosphere where good men can unite together in a common pursuit of virtue in service to God. The "work" of a Traditional Observance lodge is not to review minutes or bills, or plan social or philanthropic activities, but rather to create an atmosphere where the members can learn the lessons of Freemasonry and how they can be inculcated into their daily lives.
This is referred to as Masonic Formation, which is the ever continuing process of spiritual and intellectual formation that all Freemasons must undergo in order to improve themselves in Masonry. This term differs from Masonic Education in that it refers to a process of growth concerned with much more than intellectual faculties. Masonic Formation is the process of fitting the rough ashlar of the imperfect being into the perfect ashlar fit for the divine temple. It is a constant transformation through the use of Masonic symbols, rituals, and teachings.
Everything that occurs in a Traditional Observance lodge is undertaken within this context. Success is viewed as effectively imparting the traditional teachings hidden within Masonic symbols and the spiritual unification of the brethren in such a pursuit.”
This is not to say that we should ignore business, social or philanthropic activities, but to recognize that these things occur best in an atmosphere of constructive interpersonal and spiritual growth.
