A Fresh Mixture of Mortar and Light

Masonic Etiquette --Learn the Do's and Don'ts of Masonic Etiquette

2010-04-18T12:49:00.001-04:00

What a fantastic refresher for old as well as new Masons in regards to proper etiquette in Lodge

This is brought to you by the website with lots more info to enjoy: Masonic Lodge Of Education WEBSITE

More about "Subduing Ones Passions"

2010-04-17T12:07:00.002-04:00

"Only a life lived in service of others is worth living." -Albert Einstein

After I read this today, I decided to look a little more into it, especially "The Golden Rule"

The Golden Rule in the World Religions

Christianity	All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:1
Confucianism	Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state. Analects 12:2
Buddhism	Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful. Udana-Varga 5,1
Hinduism	This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you. Mahabharata 5,1517
Islam	No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself. Sunnah
Judaism	What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary. Talmud, Shabbat 3id
Taoism	Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss. Tai Shang Kan Yin P’ien
Zoroastrianism	That nature alone is good which refrains from doing another whatsoever is not good for itself. Dadisten-I-dinik, 94,5 ________________________________________________________ I personally have taken a real liking to the Taoism version. "Regard your neighbor’s gain as your gain, and your neighbor’s loss as your own loss" This gets you where you need to be in regards allowing the answers / solutions to come to you and help someone in needs and or the same is true in regards to enjoying someone good fortunes. In Freemasonry, the use of the "common gavel"...... ......represents the force of conscience. It is our will power, through which we govern our actions and free ourselves from debasing influences. It requires repeated exercise of our will power to subdue our passions. Will power is common to all and it is fittingly symbolized by the "common" gavel, but just as the gavel is of no worth unless it is used, so is our will power.

The Common Gavel

2010-04-16T23:21:00.000-04:00

Within the Lodge room, we learn of three hammers, namely the common gavel, the setting maul, and the gavel held by the Worshipful Master. Each has a special purpose and application in our ceremonies and rituals. Each carries both an operative and symbolic message.

The gavel held by the Worshipful Master is not a “common gavel”, but rather a “mallet” used to preside at the meetings of the Lodge and allows him to conduct its business with decorum and harmony. As the principal officer, the Worshipful Master uses his gavel to represent his authority and position. Through it we are taught to rise, sit, and finalize our business during the course of our labors. The many gavels seen at the annual convocations of grand lodge range in size and frequently are more “mauls” than gavels. Their size would better suit them for “setting” large stones, than governing a meeting, but as symbolic of our Grand Master’s power and office, they are considered “gavels”.

The “setting maul” carries great significance in our Third Degree and is a symbol of death. In ancient times this maul was a heavy wooden hammer used to “set” stones in the construction of buildings. Through its use, stones were hammered into place to close tolerances and, if needed, small quantities of cement used to unite them. In addition, mauls were used to drive chisels and wedges into stones, breaking them for the builder’s use. The setting maul would be a formidable weapon if used as such.

The “common gavel” is in fact a true gavel. Its shape has a “gable” on one end and a flat surface on the other. As noted in the Entered Apprentice degree, its purpose is to break off the rough parts of stone, found on the Rough Ashlar, and preparing it to become a finished stone or Perfect Ashlar, which then can be used in building a structure.

As an Entered Apprentice, we are reminded of our personal “rough and imperfect” state and of the need to gain education, understanding, and control of our many imperfections. It is through reflection and effort each Mason forms the foundation and building of his personal temple. Becoming a better Mason comes through divesting our minds and consciences of the vices, habits, desires, and unnecessary wants so common in our youth. Each of these imperfections appears as a rough point on our character and the common gavel calls us to pay due attention to them and smooth them away, always preparing for the Spiritual Temple in our future.

While a “common” implement of the Mason, the gavel is a constant reminder of our need for self-improvement and watchfulness. Perfection in conduct, like that of a perfectly flat surface or perfect stone, comes through work and constant vigilance. Placed in our hands as Entered Apprentices, the gavel is a symbol of that responsibility and opportunity to be better men and Masons.

This article is from the website: The Masonic Trowel

A Worthy Brother from the 518

2010-04-14T16:38:00.001-04:00

A man I am proud to call my Brother.......Joseph Evans from Van Rensselaer Lodge #87 F. & A.M.

A fairly new mason, Brother Joe has really landed at a great lodge over in East Greenbush, NY Website

He maintains a blog right here called "Worthy Brother" as well as another blog at his Lodge called "Brother2Brother". He has gone above and beyond to connect with other lodges in the 518 and has done a awesome job doing so. Using Facebook, he has brought together many lodges into areas that they would normally not visit and has kept everyone informed of degrees and events going on in the 518 area.

He also helped get Chris Hodapp here (author of "Freemasons For Dummies") to speak at the Albany Masonic Lodge. What a fantastic lecture too.

Brother Joe is a awesome person and Mason and I as well as others appreciate everything that he so enthusiastically does for the Craft.

My Lodge

2010-04-13T16:05:00.006-04:00

Queensbury Lodge #121

This is the wonderful Masonic lodge that I belong to. It's located in Queensbury, NY (about one hour north of Albany). WEBSITE

We also have a fantastic historical society.....the Queensbury Masonic Historical Society. There you will be able to explore some of the research contributions of R.W. Allan Bryant and other members of the Queensbury Masonic Historical Society pertaining to the rich Masonic history of the greater Glens Falls area. WEBSITE

I went through my degrees last year and was raised in November 2009 with five other Brothers.

I am so very grateful and appreciative of the great job the Line did during the degrees and and enjoy the camaraderie that i now benefit from.

History of the Lodge:

1847

January 16: Glens Falls 121 was the first Lodge organized in Warren County after the Morgan Affair. Area Masons petitioned Grand Lodge to form a new Lodge on January 16, 1847. Charter was granted on June 8th of that same year.

1858

January 20: Avery Tiffany, the first Master of Glens Falls Lodge 121, Enoch Rosekrans and others submitted a petition to form another Lodge in Glens Falls.

1859

June 11: Senate 456 Glens Falls (1859) Charter was granted on June 11, 1859, and met on the third story of the Fonda & Numan Building on Warren Street.

****

In 1865 Glens Falls 121 moved to the 3rd floor of the Glens Falls Bank Building, where they remained until 1874.

1867

February 4: Senate Lodge 456 moved to the 3rd floor of the D.H. Cowles & Co. Building on the corner of Ridge & Warren Streets.

1874

May 18: Senate Lodge 456 moved into the 3rd floor of the new Sherman Building, occupying the same Lodge Rooms with Glens Falls Lodge 121.(Glen Street) until May 28

1897

February 11: New quarters in the Crandall Block were dedicated on February 11, 1897, occupied by both Glens Falls 121 & Senate 456 Lodges. That same year both Lodges formed a Masonic Hall Association to seek a permanent home.

1913

May 15: Saw the dedication of the new Temple in Glens Falls acquired from the Glens Falls Insurance Company..

1967

Glens Falls: after occupying the Glen Street Temple for 54 years, the property was sold to the Church of the Messiah for the site of a larger Parish House and Educational Center

1968

June 1: The Pearls Street Temple in Glens Falls was dedicated.

1984

August 29: At a joint summoned communication of 121 & 456 held on August 29, 1984, it was decided to sell the Pearl St Building to Kamtech and purchase property to erect a new Temple

1989

June 13,: The Masonic Hall Association of Glens Falls Inc. was given the approval to construct the new Temple at its current location at 15 Burke Drive in the Town of Queensbury.

2000

Glens Falls 121 & Senate 456 consolidate to form Queensbury Lodge 121. Dispensation granted February 29, 2000. Charter presented by M:. W:. Carl J. Smith, Grand Master on August 13

Albany Masonic Lodge

2010-04-13T07:50:00.002-04:00

The Albany Masonic Temple stands on the corner of Corning and Lodge Street. The temple stands within sight of the New York State Capitol building.

The Albany Temple is built on the same site, where, on May 12th, 1768, the cornerstone was laid for the first lodge house built and owned by a Masonic lodge in North America. (Master's Lodge No.5)

Since that time, this property has remained continuously vested in the hands of the Masonic Fraternity, the oldest such property known to exist in the world.

To subdue one's passions.....

2010-04-12T09:08:00.002-04:00

From: The North Eastern Corner blog

Subduing My Passions
While coaching an Entered Apprentice recently I began reflecting anew upon one of the ideas expressed in the degree, subduing my passions.

I feel sometimes this very important instruction to the new brother gets lost among working tools and the whole experience of the first degree. Being bent upon esotericism like I am, I feel this is probably one of the utmost instructions that we all receive and I constantly remind myself the importance of it.

Passion is a powerful feeling that we all have definitely felt at one time or another for something or someone. It's a chord struck in our soul that cant be silenced. I have, without a doubt succumbed to the spark of passion and let it burn bright, almost to the point of outshining all aspects of my life at one point or another. If you have never been passionate about something you have not lived. It is the spice of life. Passion though, like all spices, if overdone can overpower the the senses to the point of missing what is lies beneath. If we let the chord struck by passion to grow ever louder we cannot hear the rest of the music. That is a great lesson to be had.

It is impossible and undesirable to remove passion from our lives, but it is quite wise to learn to subdue it. By subduing our passions we can hear what is going on around us. If we were to go into lodge overcome with passion we would not be able to bring ourselves to the level needed to labor for the craft. I had many passions that prejudiced everything that I heard around me before I was a Freemason. I would go into a discussion and never really hear what the other people were saying because I would proselytise from my passions. I now am more aware of my passions and try to subdue them, and believe me it is not an easy thing to do, but I labor on.

What come you here to do?

To learn to subdue my passions and improve myself in Masonry.

Have you?
From: The North Eastern Corner blog

Time to start at the basics......

2010-04-12T09:06:00.000-04:00

I've been a Mason for over 4 months now and have learned a great deal thus far.

I'd like to start at the basics which is completely normal for me.....

I'm gonna start at the EA degree and all its parts and lessons

All the "Guess My Degree" clues in one spot......

2009-10-05T14:31:00.009-04:00

There are all the clues in one spot to review...........I'll post a spot on Facebook on Oct. 6th where you can post your "guess"

THE CLUES:

Clue #30: FINAL CLUE...Harry Houdini, John Glenn, and I will have this in common......

Clue #29: Many brothers but only a very few sisters...

Clue #28: For this degree, I haven't stepped one foot on a college.........

Clue #27: Combine a navigational device, a shape, & a letter.....& it's STILL not what it seems

Clue #26: I have "accepted" the fact that this degree was nearly "free".......

Clue #25: Lots of 3's involved.

9/30/09

Today is my 37th birthday and a week from now on Oct 7th , I will reveal my "Guess My Degree" answer by changingmy Facebook page.....;-)

Clue #24: The setting of the cornerstone is vital.

Clue #23: A continuous increase of light as I go....

Clue #22: Last night, along with 5 others, was the last bit of education before our degree.

Clue #21: #121

Clue #20: Lots of landmarks created

Clue #19: The working tools are not what they seem.......

Clue #18: over 5 million of the like worldwide

Clue #17: 1st, 5th, 7th, 11th, 15th, 17th, 20th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 29th, 32rd, 33rd, 36th, 38th

Clue #16: I should have my "Master" degree by Nov 4th.

Clue #15 Bro.

Clue #14 G

Clue #13: Irving Berlin would be pleased.

Clue #12: Mozart would be pleased.

Clue #11: 2 more degrees to follow after my initial one.

Clue #10: 8 others will get there degree that night too...right here in Queensbury.

Clue #9: EA.

Clue #8: Been around since the early 1600's.

Clue #7: Has a certain "ring" to it....but not yet.

Clue #6: The moon will be full on Oct 6th.

Clue #5: Navigational device.

Clue #4: Level

Clue #3: Its the oldest known of it kind.

Clue #2: A craft.

Clue #1: A square

"Guess My Degree" questions.....

2009-10-01T07:50:00.000-04:00

I'm gonna list all the hints from my Facebook / Twitter account here soon......the answer will be revealed Oct 7th on my Facebook page

Major changes coming Oct 6th

2009-09-24T14:26:00.000-04:00

.......more to follow.......very exciting stuff