Category Masonic Education

by V. Wor. Bro. I. J. Nathan G. L.

This is a question that has concerned a number of members but a simple answer cannot be given. There has been a suggestion made that the plural form came into common use when the mariners compass was invented.  The word compas has been recorded as having been used in the 14th century.  Three examples are: 1340 “craftily casten with a compas”; 1387 “made the first compas”; and in 1391 by Chaucer who wrote of the “poynt of my compas”.  In 1551 this sentence was recorded “haue a payre of compasse aptelye made for to draw the circles.” In 1570 a mathematical text had “geometrie teacheth the vse of the Rule and cumpasse.” Swift wrote in 1745 “to fix one foot of their compass wherever they think fit...

To those of us who work at Mount Vernon, it is commonly accepted that a Mason—whether he represents the local lodge in Alexandria, Virginia, or a faraway state such as Texas or California—is well-informed about George Washington. I have never met a Mason who was not able to offer at least one new story or fact about “The Father of Our Country.”

As Washington’s 259th birthday approaches, it is indeed a privilege—and a formidable challenge— to relate a side of George Washington that may not receive as much attention as his military and political achievements, but was much closer to his heart...

SHORT TALK BULLETIN – Vol.XI October, 1933 No.10
by: unknown

The genius of Franklin was so overwhelming, and manifested in so many different directions, that no short paper can even list his achievements; the American Philosophical Society requires twenty large book pages merely to catalog his inventions, discoveries, accomplishments, and the events in which he was intimately concerned. Printer, author, editor, inventor, scientist, diplomat; founder of schools, postal systems, government; ambassador, wit, speaker; philosopher, politician, and Freemason, he was not only the amazing intellect, the Voltaire of Colonial America, but one of the most complex and gifted men of all times...

SHORT TALK BULLETIN – Vol.XIII   March, 1935   No.3
by:  Unknown

What one symbol is most typical of Freemasonry as a whole?  Mason and non-Mason alike, nine times out of ten, will answer, “The Square!” Many learned writers on Freemasonry have denominated the square as the most important and vital, most typical and common symbol of the ancient Craft.  Mackey terms it “one of the most important and significant symbols.”  McBride said:

“-In Masonry or building, the great dominant law is the law of the square.”  Newton’s words glow: “Very early the square became an emblem of truth, justice and righteousness, and so it remains to this day, though uncountable ages have passed...

A Masonic calendar is based upon the date of an event or a beginning.

Craft Masons and different appendant bodies within Freemasonry utilize different Masonic calendars to celebrate an historical inception date such as the creation of the world or an historical event specific to that Masonic order or body.

These dates are used upon official Freemason documents.

The historical dates are symbolic of new beginnings, and should not be misconstrued as Freemasons believing that there was a Masonic lodge in the Garden of Eden.

Symbolically, they connect the creation of physical light in the universe with the birth of Masonic spiritual and intellectual light in the candidate.

The only idea intended to be conveyed is that the principles of Freemasonry are as old as the existence of ...

A young man passed a pawnbroker’s shop. The money lender was standing in front of his shop, and the young man noted that he was wearing a large and beautiful Masonic emblem. After going on a whole block, apparently lost in thought, the young man turned back, stepped up to the pawnbroker, and addressed him: “I see you’re wearing a Masonic emblem. I’m a Freemason too. It happens that I’m desperately in need of $25 just now. I shall be able to repay it within ten days. You don’t know me; but I wonder whether the fact that you are a Freemason and that I am a Freemason is sufficient to induce you to lend me the money on my personal note.”

The pawnbroker mentally appraised the young man, who was clean-cut, neat and well-dressed...

“A WHITE ball elects, a BLACK cube (or ball) rejects.”
STB-NO29    November 1929

This, or some similar statement, is usually made at a lodge prior to voting on the application of one who would be an initiate of Freemasonry.

In all jurisdictions in the United States, the ballot on an applicant is taken secretly–that is, with no brother knowing how another may vote. In most Jurisdictions it is an infraction of Masonic law–in all, it is a serious infraction of Masonic ethics–to endeavor to ascertain how another brother will vote or has voted on an applicant or to disclose how he voted or will vote.

The “secrecy of the ballot” and the universal (in this country) requirements that a ballot is unanimous to elect are two of the greatest bulwarks of the Fraternity...