Freemason Wisdom: Harry S. Truman On Meeting On The Level

by Midnight Freemasons Contributor

Michael Shirley

Truman and Bess return to White House (Alonzo Fields to right)

 Alonzo Fields, who served four presidents as the White House Chief Butler, wrote that Harry Truman was the only one who took the trouble to understand him as a person. Truman said in response, “I’ve never understood how to do anything except try to understand the other fellow, and most of the time I’ve succeeded….” That interest in others made him a lifelong reader of history and biography, and helped account for his political success. We tend to like those who are interested in us, and Harry Truman was interested in everyone he met. He looked for common ground, and, as often as not, found it. He met everyone on the level. You might say he was a natural Freemason.


~MS

W.B. Michael H. Shirley is Past Master of Tuscola Lodge No. 332 and Leadership Development Chairman for the Grand Lodge of Illinois. He's also a member of the Illinois Lodge of Research, the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, Eastern Star, and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon. He's also a member of the newly-chartered, Illini High Twelve No. 768 in Urbana-Champaign. The author of several articles on British history, he teaches at Eastern Illinois University.

The Gift

by Midnight Freemasons Guest Contributor 

W. B. Steve Harrison

The port closest to London, Clacton-on-Sea, served as a major shipping channel in 19th century England.  Weather, rocks and shifting conditions made it an especially treacherous place to navigate and, as might be expected, the waters there claimed many ships and human lives.  In 1875, Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of England and later King Edward VII (1901-10), voyaged to India.  Thankful for his safe return eight months later at Clacton-on-Sea, the Grand Lodge of England decided to make the port safer by donating a lifeboat in his name.  With more than 4,000 spectators in attendance, they dedicated and launched the Albert Edward Lifeboat on July 10, 1878, amidst pomp and circumstance fit for the future King.  An unknown poet immortalized the event with an official poem which said, in part:

Built from henceforth life to save,

Manned by crew so strong and brave-

Launch the boat with ringing cheer!

Honour the name to all now dear!

Honour the dead in the living son!

Honour the love so justly won!

“ALBERT EDWARD," aye to be

The sailor’s friend on this Eastern Sea!

Honour “the Craft,” whose generous thought

So much of sterling good has wrought!

Honour the gift that they have given,

To save man’s life, if willed by Heaven!

Honour the true hearts ever found,

When storms and tempests rage around,

To leave their homes, where loved ones weep,

And brave the perils of the deep!

By the day of the dedication, the Albert Edward had already proven its worth.  Delivered to Clacton prior to the official launching, the lifeboat saw its first action on May 23, when the ship Garland, on a voyage from Shields to London, ran aground and broke up.  The crew rowed for three grueling hours to reach the stranded vessel and saved the lives of six men and three boys on board.

No one will ever know how many crewmen, most of whom were likely Freemasons, lost their lives in this dangerous service.  However, the 1884 proceedings of the United Grand Lodge of England made note of the following:

"That the sum of 50 guineas (about $4,800 today) be granted to the family of the late James Cross and a similar sum to the family of Thomas Cattermole, two of the crew of the Albert Edward lifeboat at Clacton-on-Sea, which boat was presented to the National Life Boat Institution by Grand Lodge.

These two men, after having assisted, the first in saving 116 and the second 33 lives, having lost their own in the discharge of their duty on the night of the 23rd January last, whilst in their boat endeavouring to rescue the crew of a vessel in distress, leaving their families consisting of a widow and six children and a widow and three children entirely destitute."

For over a half century, from 1878-1929, the Albert Edward and its two successors of the same name, guarded the port of Clacton-on-Sea and saved countless lives.  Today, Freemasons still take part in rescues there and at other ports.  In addition the Fraternity regularly donates funds to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, which oversees the lifesaving operations throughout Great Britian.

~SH

W.B. Steve Harrison is a Past Master of Liberty Lodge #31, Liberty, Missouri.  He is the editor of the Missouri Freemason Magazine, author of the book Freemasonry Crosses the Mississippi, a Fellow of the Missouri Lodge of Research and also its Junior Warden.

Todd's Note:  If you enjoyed this piece as much I did, I have good news for you!  Steve is working on a book which he plans to publish next year.  A version of this piece, and a few he plans to share on the Midnight Freemasons in the future may very well show up within the pages of his new book.  In the meantime, you might want to check out a piece he published here A Fine Paradox: Christianity and Freemasonry and definitely check out the Missouri Lodge of Research on Facebook--many of Steve's short pieces you'll find there.   ~TEC 

John Wayne Trivia: The Duke's Favorite Co-Star

by Midnight Freemasons Contributor

Todd E. Creason

John Wayne as J. B. Books in The Shootist.  His last film in 1979.

Bad guy:  "Yuv kilt me!"


John Wayne (as J.B. Books) "You ain't kilt, but your gonna have a bellyache all winter, ya boob."

You ask any John Wayne fan who his favorite co-star was, and just about everyone will agree it was Maureen O'Hara.  He said it himself, and they made five movies together--one of my favorites is McLintock (1962), one of the only comedies he made.  They were terrific together. But there was another who also made five movies with John Wayne, an actor the Duke had great respect for and asked for by name.  His name was Dollor, and he was a big sorrel with a white blaze on his face, and white stockings.  John Wayne and Dollor were also terrific together.

John Wayne and Dollor (1969)

It would surprise most people, but John Wayne wasn't that passionate about horses. He was a good rider, and he knew his way around horses, but he saw horses as an essential part of his on scene personality.  He was a big man, and he liked tall horses that were dependable, predictable (lots of gun fire), and reliable on the film set.  And there were certain types he knew he looked good riding on screen.  Dollor fit all the things Wayne looked for in a horse perfectly when they first worked together on True Grit (1969).  So fond of that horse, John Wayne drew up exclusive movies rights on Dollor that said in no uncertain terms that nobody rode Dollor on film but John Wayne.  He went on to ride Dollor in the last four Westerns he made, including his last film, The Shootist.

Perhaps one of John Wayne's most iconic scenes with Dollor was the showdown at the end of True Grit--the role that won John Wayne his Oscar.  You know the one.  One of the greatest Western showdowns in screen history. "I mean to kill you in one minute, Ned.  Or see you hanged in Fort Smith at Judge Parker's convenience.  Which'll it be?"  Ned Pepper calls back, "I call that bold talk from a one-eyed fat man."  That leads to one of the greatest lines ever delivered on screen.  "Fill your hands you son of a . . ."  Well, you know how it goes.  Guns blaze as they charge each other.  John Wayne spin cocking his rifle (the same way he had decades earlier in 1939's Stagecoach) as he blasted away with his Colt .45.  Dollor falls in battle, but John Wayne comes out on top--with the help of his friends.

Wayne was so fond of Dollor, he had the screenwriter of The Shootist rewrite the script so that Dollor could be mentioned by name--in fact, little Ron Howard got in a little jam with J. B. Books in the film over Dollor.  John Wayne died in 1979.  Dollor went on to star in a couple more movies after the Duke's death, and finally lived out his remaining days on a ranch near Dallas, Texas.  Dollor lived a long life, and died in 1995.

In case you couldn't tell, I'm a huge John Wayne fan.  People often ask me what the first chapter I wrote in the Famous American Freemasons series was.  It was Bro. John Wayne.  If you're a John Wayne fan, this would be a good time to visit your local magazine stand.  American Cowboy Magazine has a collector's edition out that features John Wayne--100 beautifully illustrated pages.  I got the essential facts for this piece about Dollor out of that collector's edition, and it's just crammed full of great articles about "The Duke." A life-long fan, I found a lot of interesting details I didn't know.  It will only be available until September, so you better go look for it today.

~TEC


Todd E. Creason, 33° is the author of several books including the Famous American Freemasons series (in which John Wayne is included).  Todd is the Past Master of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), and a member of both the Scottish Rite, and York Rite. He's also a member of the Ansar Shrine (IL) and Charter President of the Illini High Twelve in Champaign-Urbana (IL).  

The Masonic Art of Subtlety

by Midnight Freemasons Contributor

S. K. Robert Johnson

It’s time to get up, get dressed, run a comb through your hair and then pick your sign. What am I talking about? Your Freemasonic clues! Admittedly most of us wear a ring, whether square and compasses or skull and crossbones, a triangle, the list is almost endless. I however do not have the opportunity to wear a ring most of the time since I work with my hands in dangerous places most of the day. I wear a lapel pin. It’s neatly pinned to my left collar and lays over my safety vest. I choose a pin with the 47th problem of Euclid on it.

Why? I just love math and Freemasonry. But what are some other things we wear? How subtle are your accoutrements? Sometimes I am as subtle as wearing a black and white checkered tie or most recently a tie with Forget-Me-Nots on it. You would be surprised how many people walk by me and say things like “Nice tie Brother” and then they just keep on walking. It takes me a moment to realize what has just happened sometimes. As we walk the Earth in our day to day lives we are almost our own works of Freemasonic artwork or a living tapestry with living symbolism written all over us.

I visited a special Mother's Day breakfast at the Curio Home in Vernon HIlls Illinois one year and as I was walking around the premises and in the home I noticed  a huge tapestry of King Solomon talking with Hiram King of Tyre holding a blank scroll, and both were looking very sombre. Aside from the obvious implication that all Freemasons will pick up on here, there were all sorts of symbolic references to the craft strewn about like a logical playground for a Freemasonic mind. Which, is indeed a beautiful mind!

All the best,

SK R. Johnson

Sir Knight Robert Johnson is a Freemason out of the First North-East District of Illinois. He belongs to Waukegan Lodge No. 78. He is also a member of the York Rite bodies Royal Arch, Cryptic Council and Knights Templar. Brother Johnson currently produces and hosts a weekly Podcast (internet radio program) Whence Came You? which focuses on topics relating to Freemasonry. In addition, he produces video shorts focusing on driving interest in the Fraternity and writes original Masonic papers from time to time. He is a husband and father of three. He works full time in the safety industry and is also a photographer on the side as well as an avid home brewer. He is also working on two books, one is of a Masonic nature.

Mason Or Freemason: Which Is Correct?

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Todd E. Creason

I overheard a long conversation recently on which term was appropriate to use--Mason or Freemason.  I decided to look into it.

Both the term "Mason" and "Freemason" are used today, but "Mason" is more commonly used.  According to an article I read on Pietre-Stones, the first use of the term Freemasons appeared in a London publication in 1376 as two words Free Masons.  During the 15th and 16th centuries the term Mason and Freemason were used interchangeably, however, the term "Mason" was most often used to denote all workers in stone, and "Freemasons" were those that crafted and set the stones in a structure.

What's correct today?  There's a good chance you're either a F. & A.M. or A.F.& A.M. and were raised a Master Mason. Grand Lodges identify themselves as "Masons."  As we were all raised Master Masons, that's probably the most acceptable term.  However, I never found anything to indicated that the use of the term "Freemason" was incorrect.

So unless you're told by your jurisdiction otherwise, I think it's up to you whether you're a "Mason" or a "Freemason."   I tend to prefer "Freemason."  I sure hope I'm not wrong--if I am, I'll have to rename three of my books.

~TEC

Todd E. Creason, 33° is the author of several books including the Famous American Freemasons series, and started The Midnight Freemason blog in 2007. Todd is the Past Master of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), and a member of both the Scottish Rite, and York Rite. He's also a member of the Ansar Shrine (IL) and Charter President of the Illini High Twelve in Champaign-Urbana (IL)

Midnight Freemasons Contributor Judy Gordon: Recipient of the Royal Purple Degree

by Midnight Freemasons Contributor

Todd E. Creason

Royal Purple recipient Judy Gordon

"The Degree of Royal Purple is awarded as the highest honor in recognition of outstanding, continuous and dedicated service of a Majority Member to the International Order of Job’s Daughters. It is intended to recognize a Majority Member who has given to the Order in the capacity above and beyond the call of duty. Those who have been selected as recipients of the Degree are held in high esteem by all others, as they are truly outstanding contributors to this organization."

I'm pleased to share that Midnight Freemasons contributor, Judy Gordon, received this distinguished honor yesterday 6/21/12 at the Illinois Grand Session.  She's dedicated, she's hardworking, and she never misses a chance to promote the Job's Daughters.  In fact, I didn't know about Job's Daughters or the work they do before I met Judy.  And of course, many of the posts she's done on here, including the one earlier today, have talked about Job's Daughters. I can't think of anyone more deserving of this recognition. 


Congratulations!

~TEC 

P.S.  I just received a note from Ray Gordon.  He commented that this was only the second time he's ever known Judy to be speechless.  I should add that Ray & Judy celebrated 20 years of marriage this week as well.  There should be a medal for that, too, huh Ray...

What Is Job's Daughters?

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Judy Gordon

It isn’t sufficient just to want—you’ve got to ask yourself what you are going to do to get the things you want.

~Franklin D Roosevelt

There is an organization that is very near and dear to my heart. I’ve spoken of the group many times, but I have not actually told you about it. First of all, let me begin by asking you, what have you gotten out of Freemasonry? What has Freemasonry given you? Perhaps FRIENDSHIP, SELF-CONFIDENCE, LEADERSHIP SKILLS, PUBLIC SPEAKING ABILITY. Well, I ask you, why not give a young lady between the ages of eleven (10) and twenty (20) the same opportunity to gain these important skills by exposing them to our fabulous organization, JOB'S DAUGHTERS?

Photo by : Alison Malone of
 http://www.alisonmalone.com 

Obviously, you continue to be a member of your Lodge because you have found something rewarding about your involvement in the Masonic Fraternity and have a strong commitment to your organization. I too share the same commitment to Job's Daughters. It is a privilege to help create a greater awareness of our Order, because I believe Job's Daughters offers valuable lessons in life to the young women of today.

Job’s Daughters is the only youth group that has to have a Masonic relationship in order to join this group. These girls plan and execute their own projects and fun activities. They help those who may not be able to help themselves. They offer scholarships to further their education, and they meet other young ladies from around the world and will make friendships that will last a lifetime. Personally I can attest to that statement as I am still friends with the young lady that was initiated with me.

Without the Masonic relationship, the females in my family would not have had the opportunity to have been affiliated with this wonderful youth organization …At the end of the meeting, the girls say the Mother’s Father’s and Guardians prayer—“Bless and protect, we pray Thee, the Master Masons who give us heritage.”15 And in all the land were no women found so fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. Job 42:15 (KJV)

For more information www.iljd.org or www.jobsdaughtersinternational.org/index.html

Judy Gordon considers herself a York Rite Child. She's very active in Job's Daughters. She's the Past Honored Queen, and Bethel Guardian of Bethel No. 55, Pekin (IL). She received the Cryptic Masons Masonic Youth Leadership Award along with her husband, Ray Gordon in July 2007. She's also Past Matron of the Morton Chapter No. 974 (IL) of the Order of the Eastern Star and Historian of the Emblem Club No. 424 of Pekin (IL) Ray and Judy have two (soon to be three) grandkids, and a very spoiled dog, Reggie (who incidentally volunteers as a Therapy Dog at local hospitals and nursing homes.)

First Day: Original Poetry by Michael Shirley

First Day

On the day we arrived at camp,

a snapping turtle, looking for a place to lay her eggs,

rested on the dirtpack by the wash house,

lying down like something from the deep past,

her ridged back unaltered from dreams of my childhood,

when first I saw her.

My son, on eager feet, halts panting at my side,

eyes wide at this new wonder,

as I hear my own father calling me, his voice eager.

"Look here," he says, pointing down,

and I, hand firmly held,

standing where memory and childhood meet,

inhale an air of water, trees, and sky,

as the turtle, ignoring us, moves scabrously toward the lake.

We finish unpacking the car,

ready for summer,

my daughter splashing in the shallows by the dock ,

calling for her brother to join her

as I untangle the fishing gear.

This is where I learned to fish,

sitting on one side of the boat,

my father on the other,

our lines still, waiting for perch or walleye to show themselves

in nibbles from the deepest part,

then bites, the rod tips pulling quickly down.

We set our hooks by feel

and reel in, one of us passing the net to the other

looking over the side to see what rises from the dark.

My son is not yet ready for deep water.

He casts his line from the bridge,

Where he can see the bottom

hoping a bluegill will strike the worm I've put on his hook.

I fish with him, memories of my father green around us,

in this first year without him.

W.B. Michael H. Shirley is Past Master of Tuscola Lodge No. 332 and Leadership Development Chairman for the Grand Lodge of Illinois. He's also a member of the Illinois Lodge of Research, the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, Eastern Star, and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon. He's also a member of the newly-chartered, Illini High Twelve No. 768 in Urbana-Champaign. The author of several articles on British history, he teaches at Eastern Illinois University.

A Visit To The Congressional Cemetery in Washington D. C.

by Midnight Freemason Regular Contributor

Gregory J. Knott

I have long been fascinated by cemeteries, not for any morbid reason, but because of the quest to learn the history of some of the people whose final resting place they contain. 

One of the most historic cemeteries in the United States is Congressional Cemetery located on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.  This 35 acre site has over 55,000 burials and contains some of the most prolific names in Washington D.C. and in turn our nation’s history.  Amongst the dignitaries buried at Congressional are President William Henry Harrison,  President John Quincy Adams, President Zachary Taylor and numerous members of Congress, cabinet members and military officers.

On my visit I was focused on finding out about the Masonic connection to the cemetery.    I didn’t have to look far as I saw a Masonic Flag flying in one section of the cemetery.

 

Beneath the flag was a granite monument placed by the Grand Lodge of Washington D.C. in memory of their fraternal dead.  There were numerous grave markers in the vicinity with Masonic symbols on the stones, providing a clue to some of the past members of the DC Grand Lodge. 

There were hundreds of grave markers with Masonic symbols on them.  Some had merely the square and compass while others had Scottish Rite, York Rite and other Masonic bodies on them.    As I was walking down a row of graves, I stumbled upon Brother John Phillips Sousa, who was one of the most famous band leaders in the world and composed many of the famous march songs still played to this day.  Brother Sousa became a member of Hiram Lodge No. 10, Washington D.C. on July 15, 1881.  He was also a member of Almas Shriners, the York Rite and other Masonic bodies.  Upon his burial on March 10, 1932, the Almas Temple Band played in his honor. 

Congressional Cemetery contains a chapel located in the center of the cemetery.  I was given a personal tour of the facility by the caretaker.   The chapel was used for funerals and holds approximately 75 people.  Inside there are several holding vaults that the caskets would have sat in while awaiting their turn for a funeral.  In its’ heyday there were burials per day.  The casket was placed through the outside of the building and there was a door on the interior that opened when it was time to be removed. 

The chapel also had a Masonic connection.  The three chairs on the altar area had the symbols of the 3 principal officers of a lodge WM, SW and JW.   I suspect because of the large number of fraternity members buried in the early days, these might have played a role in the Masonic funeral service. 

 One of the most interesting stories I was told is about former US Attorney General William Wirt who died in 1834. Mr. Wirt was the anti-Masonic party candidate for President of the United States in 1832.  Some claim that Mr. Wirt was a former Freemason.  

He is buried at Congressional and sometime in the 1970’s, his tomb was broken into and his skull was removed.   It was not even noticed until sometime in the early 2000’s that it had been stolen.   An anonymous phone call set off a series of events that eventually returned it to the cemetery to be reunited with the rest of Mr. Wirt’s remains after verification by the Smithsonian Institute.  I was shown the box that held the skull for many years.  Perhaps another Masonic Conspiracy or Dan Brown novel waiting to happen!

One of my final stops on the journey was to the grave of Peter P. Pitchlynn who was a Native American member of the Choctaw Nation and a prominent Freemason.  Brother Pitchlyn was a member of Washington Commandery of Knights Templar, a 33^rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason, and  was Chief of the Choctaw Nation and extremely active in national affairs serving as an advocate for his people.

It was incredible visit and time didn’t allow me to even see the entire cemetery.  I highly recommend a visit when you are in Washington D.C.  Congressional has several walking tours that you can take that help you undestand the hisotry of those there.  The Cememtery is open daily. 

I have made a gallery of many of the Masonic headstones and monuments that I saw that day at https://picasaweb.google.com/100541014602276671939/CongressionalCemeteryDC#

~GJK

WB Gregory J. Knott is the Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No. 970 in St. Joseph (IL) and a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), and Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL). He's a member of both the Scottish Rite, and the York Rite, and is the Charter Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club in Champaign-Urbana. He's also a member of the Ansar Shrine (IL). Greg is very involved in Boy Scouts--an Eagle Scout himself, he serves the Grand Lodge of Illinois A. F. & A. M. as their representative to the National Association of Masonic Scouters. 

Freemason Wisdom: Rudyard Kipling On Love

Rudyard Kipling

by Midnight Freemasons Regular Contributor 

Judy Gordon 

“Heaven grant us patience with a man in love.” 

~Rudyard Kipling

Hope and Esperance Lodge No. 782, India

Ray and Judy Gordon--then and now

Remember last week’s Blog I wrote, “Have you ever received a reward that made you speechless?”

This is in regards to me being speechless. I ALWAYS have something to say…Well, on 2/1/91, I was speechless…yes I was. All I could do was nod my head..”YES” I will marry you. 

Ray had it all planned out to have someone say the proposal speech in front of about 100 people at a Jaycee event. Ray was sitting next to me just grinning from ear to ear with a diamond ring. Going forward... two kids, two (soon to be three) grandsons, and one very spoiled dog later, we will be celebrating 20 years of marriage on 6/20/12. 

Happy Anniversary Ray! Ray has certainly earned the patience award for being with me over 25 years.

~JAG

Judy Gordon considers herself a York Rite Child. She's very active in Job's Daughters. She's the Past Honored Queen, and Bethel Guardian of Bethel No. 55, Pekin (IL). She received the Cryptic Masons Masonic Youth Leadership Award along with her husband, Ray Gordon in July 2007. She's also Past Matron of the Morton Chapter No. 974 (IL) of the Order of the Eastern Star and Historian of the Emblem Club No. 424 of Pekin (IL) Ray and Judy have two (soon to be three) grandkids, and a very spoiled dog, Reggie (who incidentally volunteers as a Therapy Dog at local hospitals and nursing homes.)

Todd's Note:  I'd like to congratulate my friends Ray and Judy on twenty years of marriage!  I often tell the story about my wife Valerie.  I told her when I became a Mason it would be one meeting a month and the occasional pancake breakfast.  Then there was the Scottish Rite, then the York Rite, then a book, then four more...  I always expected at some point I was going to reach the end her patience.  So I finnaly asked why she never got upset with me.  And she told me quite simply, "because I get something out of it to.  I wound up with a much better product than the one I married."

Trivia: A Few Fun Facts About Famous Freemasons

by Midnight Freemasons Regular Contributor

Todd E. Creason

Originally posted 9/15/10

Here's a few interesting facts you may not know about famous Freemasons: 

General George Washington

-Although George Washington seemed reluctant to accept the commission as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, he had done very little to try and stop the nomination, and had taken to wearing his buff and blue military uniform every day when the Second Continental Congress met.

John Philips Sousa

-As a boy, John Philips Sousa accompanied his father to Gettysburg with the Marine Marching Band, where he witnessed Abraham Lincoln give his famous speech. He would later grow up to conduct that same band, and would spend his life writing patriotic marches.

Roy Rogers & Trigger

-Roy Roger's famous horse Trigger had a job even before he met Roy.  He was horse ridden by Olivia de Haviland in the Errol Flynn classic film Robin Hood.  Back then, Trigger's name was "Golden Cloud."

Harry S Truman

-Harry S Truman cheated on his eye exam in order to qualify for military service. He once joked that his weak eyesight had always been a problem, in fact, he was unable to play baseball as a boy until his teammates found him a job he could do that didn't require good vision--umpire.

John Wayne

-John Wayne's nickname "Duke" came from his boyhood when he used to run around around town with the family dog--a giant Airedale.  The local firemen used to call the two "Big Duke" (the dog) and "Little Duke" (the boy).

Now wasn't that interesting?

~TEC



Todd E. Creason is the author of several books, including the Famous American Freemasons series. He is the Past Master of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), and a member of the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, and a Shriner

If you enjoyed these, many more little known facts about famous Freemasons can be found in Famous American Freemasons

We're moving!

Over the next week or so, The Midnight Freemasons are moving from toddecreason.blogspot.com to midnightfreemason.blogspot.com.

Please take due notice and . . . well, you know the rest . . .   We hope to see you there!

~TEC

Lake Reflections: Memories That Last Generations

by Midnight Freemasons Regular Contributor

Michael H. Shirley

Big Crooked Lake, Wisconsin

It’s just dawning outside, the dogs are quiet, and the kids are still asleep. My wife and I are drinking coffee, resting a bit before throwing the last few things in the van, save the kids, and heading north for our annual vacation to Wisconsin’s north woods. We’re going to YMCA Family Camp Nawakwa, on Big Crooked Lake. My family’s been going there on and off since 1967, when my mother, up too late, won a week’s stay there for thirty-five dollars in the Channel 11 auction. Actually, she came in second, but the guy who won couldn’t go, so we loaded up the station wagon and drove north, where we fished, swam, canoed, and generally had a wonderful time. We kept going back every year until my siblings and I were grown and busy. Truth to tell, the camp had gotten shabby in those last years, and we were too old to overlook it. We moved on.

In 2005, my brother, sister, and I were looking for a way to celebrate our parents' fiftieth wedding anniversary, and discovered the camp was still in business and had been fixed up nicely, so we booked a week there in June. With parents, kids, grand kids, outliers, and attendants, we swarmed into camp, dispersed, unpacked, and met for dinner at our parents' cabin. We talked, and laughed, and listened. And were transported. It was then and there, sitting at the campfire on that first night back, that I discovered it was possible to become a child again if you have a child of your own. Watching my son, then five,  discover the lake and the trees and the fish and the quiet, as I had nearly forty years before, was to become both my father and my young self. Teaching him to fish, as my father had taught me, made me realize that I could only hold on to the past by living in the present.

And here we are again, the kids awake and eager, the van over-packed as usual, ready for the nine-hour drive. Things are different now, with Wi-Fi at the lodge and bathrooms in the cabins, but the lake will be the same, and the memories my children create will be their own, as mine are mine. 

My father's gone now, but he is still in this place, his spirit and my memories of him alive in my children's joy.

~MHS

W.B. Michael H. Shirley is Past Master of Tuscola Lodge No. 332 and Leadership Development Chairman for the Grand Lodge of Illinois. He's also a member of the Illinois Lodge of Research, the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, Eastern Star, and the Tall Cedars of Lebanon. He's also a member of the newly-chartered, Illini High Twelve No. 768 in Urbana-Champaign. The author of several articles on British history, he teaches at Eastern Illinois University.

Freemasonry: The Next Generation

by Midnight Freemasons Regular Contributor

 Bro.Robert H. Johnson 32°

As a father of three boys, it is of course my deepest wish that they too become Freemasons. And even more important to me is that they go into the York Rite together and then become companions. If you are well versed in the York Rite you will remember that there is a heavy significance with the number three, which is why it's so important to me.


The question is, when the time comes, what do I say? Do I wait until they are all 18 or of legal age? Or do I approach them individually? What do I say? Can I "solicit" for lack of a better term?

As a Freemason who really adheres to the "old school" tradition, I would rather not solicit. An interesting paper I once read said that "A father may say to his son, 'If you ever decide to become a Mason, I’ll be proud to sign your petition.'" Another quote from that paper was "A darker shade of gray may be the classic story of a grandfather’s discussion with the grandson on his 21st birthday. He said, 'Son, now that you’re 21, whose lodge are you going to join - your father’s or mine?'" And finally this take on the situation from the same article "The final kind of solicitation may be by the indirect method. Mothers may be responsible for encouraging sons to petition lodges for membership."

My view is of course a man with sons, however if I had had daughters, I believe I would have the same yearning for her to join a Masonic group such as the Rainbow Girls or Jobs Daughters. And as I dive deeper that eventually I would ask she be married to a Freemason. Freemasonry is just that important to me, and so many others. My son regularly compliments me on my Masonic ring. He asks if he can put it on. I tell him that he can't--not yet anyway.


No matter what happens, it goes without saying I'll always be proud to be a father to my children. Perhaps the right decision is the easiest. This is to just be a positive influence, attend meetings and when your kids ask where you’re going and what you do there is to just say hopefully one day you’ll find out.

~RJ

Bro. Robert Johnson 32° is a Freemason out of the First North-East District of Illinois. He belongs to Waukegan Lodge No. 78. He is also a member of the York Rite bodies Royal Arch, Cryptic Council and Knights Templar. Brother Johnson currently produces and hosts a weekly Podcast (internet radio program) Whence Came You? which focuses on topics relating to Freemasonry. In addition, he produces video shorts focusing on driving interest in the Fraternity and writes original Masonic papers from time to time. He is a husband and father of three. He works full time in the safety industry and is also a photographer on the side as well as an avid home brewer. He is also working on two books, one is of a Masonic nature.

Masonic Photography: The Art Of Gregory J. Knott

by The Midnight Freemason

Todd E. Creason

Final resting place of the March King
Sir Knight John Philip Sousa

Over the last several years, I've had an amazing resource for this blog--the photographs of WB Greg Knott.  He's allowed me to borrow from his massive photo archives, and his photos have enhanced the posts on here for years.  It's not easy finding unique art for blog posts.  Greg's photos have been a great resource for original art.

Greg and I have known each other for over twenty years, and since we've both become Masons, we travel in the same circles--same lodges, same Scottish Rite Valley, same York Rite Chapter, Council & Commandery.  And Greg was recently my sponsor in becoming a Shriner.

I think the thing Greg and I are most proud of recently is chartering a new High Twelve Club in Champaign/Urbana (IL)--the Illini High Twelve No. 768, which is the largest newly-chartered High Twelve in the United States in the last decade.  Greg is the Secretary of that organization, and I'm the President.  We just received our charter last month with all due pomp and circumstance.  It's something we've been talking about for a long time finally realized.

Greg is  now a regular contributor on The Midnight Freemasons, and his pieces are very popular with the readers of this blog.  You can find all of Greg's pieces thus far by clicking here.

Just look at the subtle Masonic detail on this stone

And the good news is, he sent a piece to me this week about his visit to the Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C. (including about a dozen of his remarkable photos).  Be sure and watch for it--it's scheduled for June 18th.

The photos in his upcoming piece are remarkable, and I got looking through all the photos he took at the Congressional Cemetery this evening, and decided I'd share a few more he hadn't included in his article--he took nearly 500 photos that day.

The broken column...

It never ceases to amaze me how many Masonic symbols you'll find in cemeteries.  I first noticed it shortly after I became a Mason and visited Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, GA.  I've taken a lot of photos of these myself (not as good).  Greg also has an interest in history, and visits cemeteries like I do.  Masons sure aren't shy about advertising the fact they were Masons, even after they are gone.  You don't have to look very far to find a Mason in just about any cemetery you decide to visit.  It's there, if you're looking for it.

I visited a local cemetery a few months ago, and found a square and compass on one of the stones--a Master Mason that passed to the Celestial Lodge in 1938.  I knew he had probably been a member of my lodge. So I wrote his name down, and checked the register for my lodge--a book every Mason signs when they become a Master Mason.  The same book Greg and I signed just a few years ago.  And there was his signature--he'd signed that same book about eighty years before we did--in 1925. And that's what I love about history--we're all a part of it.  What we do today will become part of history tomorrow, and what we're doing today is because of all the things that happened yesterday.

So I hope these photos whet your appetite for what's to come in the next few weeks. There are a few more of Greg's photos from the Congressional Cemetery below.

~TEC

His name has faded away, but his
affiliation sure hasn't--Sir Knight!

Another Sir Knight decided to memorialize his affiliation in bronze, now green with verdigris

This was obviously an "Illustrious" member 

Again, much about who he was has faded away over time,
but there's no question about what he was--a Master Mason

Freemason Wisdom: Harry S Truman On Reward

by Midnight Freemasons Regular Contributor

Judy Gordon

"It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."

~Harry S. Truman

PGM of Masons in Missouri

DEFINITION OF REWARD: "A thing given in recognition of service, effort, or achievement."   That is what happened last night at our Job's Daughters meeting.  Every month we have a Job's Daughter of the month.  The girls attend meetings, Bethel functions and fun events.  Last night at our installation, the "Jobie of the Month" was announced.  It obviously took her by surprise--the look on her face was priceless.  The reward is a certificate, with her name and a Masonic quote on it.

. . .where we get the quotes!

It's nice to be acknowledged when you've done a good job, and very often, those who do the most in an organization are the most surprised when they do receive that much-deserved reward.  They are surprised because reward was never their motivator--for them, working at the things they feel are important is reward enough. 

Is there somebody in your life that deserves a little credit where credit is due?  Have you ever received a reward that made you speechless?  

I have . . . (to be continued)

~JAG 

Judy Gordon considers herself a York Rite Child. She's very active in Job's Daughters. She's the Past Honored Queen, and Bethel Guardian of Bethel No. 55, Pekin (IL). She received the Cryptic Masons Masonic Youth Leadership Award along with her husband, Ray Gordon in July 2007. She's also Past Matron of the Morton Chapter No. 974 (IL) of the Order of the Eastern Star and Historian of the Emblem Club No. 424 of Pekin (IL) Ray and Judy have two (soon to be three) grandkids, and a very spoiled dog, Reggie (who incidentally volunteers as a Therapy Dog at local hospitals and nursing homes.)

From Light to Darkness: Losing Our History One Lodge at a Time

by The Midnight Freemason

Todd E. Creason

reposted from 4/15/11

The Masonic Lodge my great-grandfather was a member of closed recently—another victim of poor attendance and declining membership. I was fortunate to have had a chance to visit the lodge where he was raised a Master Mason, and where, nearly a century ago, he attended lodge meetings with several of his brothers. That lodge is forever dark now, and its long tradition in that community is now a part of history never to return.

It’s a sad thing to see a lodge close. Here in the Midwest, there is a lodge in just about every small town, and in most cases, the history of those lodges go back to the beginnings of the community itself—in fact over the last few years, I’ve found a few instances where the Masonic Lodge was chartered before the community itself was.

Masonic Lodges were important to growing communities. Masonic Lodges provided leadership training for its members. It taught values and encouraged good character traits. It raised and donated money that helped those communities grow in many ways. You don’t have to look very far to see the deep marks that Freemasons have made in the communities they serve.

And do you know what?

Nothing much has changed. We still do all these things. So why are lodges closing and merging?

There are a lot of bad reasons this happens, but very few good ones. Mostly, it seems to be the result of lodges falling into a rut. They stop growing. They get comfortable with the way they do things. They forget that as Masons, they meet in the lodge, but their work is done in the community. And slowly, the light burns low, and the lodge membership fades.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. I’ve seen some remarkable success stories in the last few years. I’ve seen lodges come roaring back from the brink of extinction. One of our fastest growing lodges in the area was but a couple meetings away from turning in their charter just a few years ago. In fact, there are several now in our area that have come back to life again, and are stronger than they have been in decades.

It will happen for your lodge too, but it takes hard work and determination. The members have to put their foot down and refuse to let those doors close. They have to be willing to put themselves out there in their communities and re-engage themselves with what is going on outside the lodge walls.  They have to get back to the reason most of us became Masons to begin with--to grow, and to give of ourselves.

The solution isn’t with the members we already have—that's only a small part of it.  The continuation of the fraternity ultimately lies with the members we don’t have yet.  You can't pass down a long tradition if there's nobody there to take it up.

~TEC