Wednesday, September 21, 2005

The Spirit of Freemasonry

This past weekend I began the Individual Development Course. This is a management course developed by the Grand Lodge of New York along the lines of those of Franklin-Covey. While talking to few of the participants, it became clear that many were interested in the esoteric side of the Craft and were looking for a place to study these aspects. During our discussions, many of us agreed that there were alot of Brothers in the Craft today that completely unaware of Masonry's esoteric side and only see the Craft as a charitable organization.

While reading "The Meaning of Masonry" by W.L. Wilmhurst, I came across the following:

"What seems now needed to intensify the worth and usefulness of this great Brotherhood is to deepen its understanding of its own system, to educate its members in the deeper meaning and true purpose of its rites and its philosophy. Were this achieved the Masonic Order would become, in proportion to that achievement, a spiritual force greater than it can ever be so long as it continues content with a formal and unintelligent perpetuation of rites, the real and sacred purpose of which remains largely unpercieved, and participation in which too often means nothing more than association with an agreeable, semi-religious, social institution. Carried to its fullest, that achievement would involve the revival, in a form adapted to modern conditions, of the ancient Wisdom-teaching and the practice of those Mysteries which became proscribed fifteen centuries ago, but of which modern Masonry is the direct and representative descendant..."

That was written around 1922, and yet it seems that is what many within Masonry today seek.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Ars Masonica Ring

Gordon Spurlock of Gordon's Masonic Rings has created a new ring using the Ars Masonica Logo. I think that it has come our very nicely. Please visit his site for this and many other fantastic Masonic Rings made in Stainless Steel.

Friday, September 02, 2005

GLoNY Responds to Katrina

Grand Lodge of the State of New York
September 1, 2005
To all members of the Masonic Community in the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons in New York State:
Brethren ...
We must all be aware of the magnitude of the National disaster which has impacted our nation and fellow countrymen by Hurricane Katrina. Words are simply inadequate to describe the extent of the human misery we have been viewing for the last number of days since this storm of the century impacted on the Florida and Gulf coastal regions. We have yet to fully comprehend the extent of this calamity...some have called it an American Tsunami. Nevertheless, we must react now and begin our efforts to help, aid and assist those whose lives may have been changed forever.
Once again I am calling upon our Masonic fraternity, our families, friends and business associates to respond as generously as their finances permit to help alleviate the suffering of our fellow citizens. Our fraternity has a long and distinguished history of rising to the occasion when the need has been there ... from Valley Forge to 9-11 and as recently as the devastating Tsunami earlier this year.
As your Grand Master I am asking you to please respond now to this appeal and make a generous tax-deductible contribution to the Masonic Brotherhood Fund earmarked for...
"Hurricane Disaster Relief."
Let us count our blessings and thank the Great Architect that we are in a position to donate personally as well as through our businesses and Lodges and District Associations. Thank you in advance for your consideration and generosity. God Bless you and yours and...
God Bless America!
Fraternally,
EDWARD R. TROSIN
Grand Master