The Art of the Shave

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bro. Robert H. Johnson 32°

Some standard equipment.

       I was thirteen years old when I had to shave for the first time. I had a little mustache growing, Tom Selleck I was not. Looking back it was comical. But my step-dad, before he passed away, taught me a few things. One of them was how to shave. My grandfather picked up where he left off and my uncle even threw in some tips and tricks.

       I learned on a straight razor, but I wasn't allowed to use it on my upper lip. In it’s place I used a safety razor. Similar to the super expensive systems of today, with the main difference being that it has but one blade and it was two sided. When I got to be about 18 shaving was a daily chore. So, I felt I might as well enjoy it. 

      This is when I discovered the art of shaving. A time honored tradition of taking pride in the shave. Taking care of a blade that takes care of you. Of course by now at 18, I was back to using a straight razor. All of my friends were using pricey refill systems, and there I was with this old badger brush and hollow ground blade. 

      My life became more busy at the end of high school, and I eventually went to those toss away refill blade systems that are so popular today. It was because I could quickly hack away at my face and get out of the house quickly. For some reason I just lost sight of taking your time and getting a good shave. 

      So, when I was surfing the web one day I came across an article completely by chance that was about how much money straight razor shaving saved you. I clicked the link and remembered the “old days” and I thought I should go ahead and start using my straight razors again. But for some reason, I had lost the knack. I couldn’t get the angle down. 

The first time I'd shaved with a blade after
watching Lynn's videos. 

      I did what any 21st century kid does when they can’t tie a neck tie or a bow tie. I looked it up on YouTube. There was this guy, explaining everything, more  than any elder in family ever did. While watching this older gent, I noticed a flash which happened every few minutes when his hand went in front of the camera. Not wanting to be killed by curiosity and also being at that time, a newly raised Master Mason, I said to myself “Is that a Masonic Ring?”. I freeze framed the video, until I could get a clear shot. The answer was “Yes it was!”. Needless to say I contacted the Brother and it turns out he was from a lodge in my county. Who is this Brother? Brother Lynn Abrams, who is behind several projects involved in Shaving, including Straight Razor Designs, The Straight Razor Place, which is a forum for all things involving the “wetshave” and has tons of how to videos on YouTube. It’s truly a small world.

       I started to notice something about Freemasons at that point. We all had a propensity to seek out “Classic” stuff, we enjoy gentlemanly things, and we enjoy quality things. We do things the right way, the smart way and never cut corners (Masonic significance implied). That means taking your time in what you do, and in this case it was shaving. I now have a small collection of straight razors, some of which are even Masonic, two in fact. 

       How many times do we look at the tools of Masonry? How many of them do we all use? Sure some of us use  those tools, but you know what working tool virtually every man uses in some respect or another? A good blade. Perhaps a new working tool to be examined or considered . 

       I contacted Brother Lynn again recently to let him know I was going to write a little something about him. I also will be having him on the podcast, “Whence Came You?” for an interview about all kinds of things. Happy shaving Brothers!

~RHJ

Bro. Robert Johnson, 32° is the editor of the Midnight Freemasons blog. He 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, and a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Chicago. 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.

The CLI Exam

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

R.W.B. Michael H. Shirley

        

                                                                                                                                                                            

I have four graduate degrees, two of them doctorates, and have been a teacher for twenty-seven years. I have taken more than my share of quizzes, tests, and exams in my life, and have some understanding of how to structure them. I say that not to brag, but to give some context to this statement: the Certified Lodge Instructor’s exam I took and passed in May was the hardest and most nerve-wracking exam I have ever taken. The exam covers opening, closing, and the first section of all three degrees in every chair, both ritual and floor work. All nine of us who took the exam that day were proficient in everything we were supposed to know, but an eight-hour exam under the eye of four very nice but very intimidating Grand Examiners was by turns exciting, unnerving, and exhausting. I had been studying for over a year with Right Worshipful Brother Ken McDonald, a Grand Lodge Instructor, and I knew my stuff, but by the end of the day if you had asked me my name I’d have second guessed myself enough that I might have remained mute.


So why do it?

I can’t speak for anyone else, but it’s simply unacceptable to me to be unable to teach something that is so central to my life. I don’t think there’s a man who decides to study for the exam who doesn’t love the Work, but certification isn’t just about love of the Work and exemplifying it properly: it’s about passing it on to other Masons, exactly as that Work is supposed to be. And it’s also a challenge. There’s something about being certified to teach that make it important to keep studying, to refine things even more, to work until you’re nearly as good as you’re supposed to be. There’s always more to learn. 

In my case, that means studying for the Grand Lecturer’s exam. I have more lectures to memorize, more floor work to figure out, more catechisms to work through. Right Worshipful Brother McDonald won’t sign my petition until I’m ready, and I don’t know how long that’s going to take; the rest of my life, both Masonic and otherwise, is kind of busy. But I’ll get there. Failure is not an alternative.

Note: Those of us who are certified by the Grand Lodge of Illinois to teach the Standard Work are not to volunteer corrections. We are to teach only if asked. So if you want to improve your Work, and there’s a CLI or a Grand Lecturer at your next stated or special meeting, ask him to criticize your Work. He’ll be glad to do so, and even happier to help you improve. 


~MHS

R.W.B. Michael H. Shirley is the Assistant Area Deputy Grand Master for the Eastern Area for the Grand Lodge of Illinois A.F. & A.M.  He is the 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.

I'm a Curmudgeon ... and proud of it

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Steven L Harrison, PM, FMLR

      There is a picture that hangs in my home Lodge.  It is a portrait of George Washington looking stately in his finest Masonic attire.  It's a reproduction of a painting you've probably seen.  In it Brother Washington stands erect with a trowel in his right hand, wearing his Master Mason's apron, and the Worshipful Master's jewel around his neck.

      I sometimes look at that picture and wonder what it would have been like to sit in Lodge with him.  I imagine the other Brothers similarly dressed in the fine attire of the day, conducting business and fluent in ritual.

      So I attended a Lodge meeting last night.  I went to a Lodge which had the same picture hanging on its wall.  There stood George, attired in a manner which reflected a seriousness of purpose and respect for his Brothers and the fraternity.  I imagined sitting there as he called the Lodge to order; and then suddenly, almost ruthlessly, I popped back to reality as the Master of the Lodge I was attending did the same.

      "BRETHREN," he boomed, "you will say the pledge of... uh, no... you will join in the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance to... is that right?"  Making up for the fact that he couldn't even stumble through the first line in the opening ritual was the uninspiring fact that he was dressed in cut-off jeans and a T-shirt.  Adding a pork-pie hat to his ensemble, along with his slight frame, he had me convinced I was staring at Pee Wee Herman in his skivvies.  

      Now, don't get me wrong.  It was 95° outside and that Lodge's air conditioning was struggling.  I'm not advocating we should all be standing there in tuxedos suffering starch-induced prickly heat; but I couldn't help wondering what George would think.  For the record, I was wearing a golf-shirt and dress slacks.  That's a far cry from formal attire, but at least, given present day fashions, I don't think it was insulting to the Brethren or the fraternity.  (When I wear a golf shirt, the only thing it really insults is the game of golf itself).

      I know all Lodges aren't like the one I was attending; but at the expense of sounding like the curmudgeon I proudly am, couldn't we at least upgrade to business-casual?  Maybe a new pair of jeans instead of the ones you inherited from you grandfather?

      In case you're still with me and still in agreement, I think there was something even more unsettling about last night.  That first line of the ritual was one of the WM's better efforts.    The Brother stood in the East and butchered almost every line as others in the Masonic Peanut Gallery, asked or not, called out the proper wording — or close to it — to help him plod along.  The opening and closing went excruciatingly slow, extending what should have been an efficient meeting well into the evening.

      And we wonder why Lodge attendance is down.

       I guess, Brothers, if we can't dress in somewhat appropriate attire for meetings, maybe it's just a sign of the times and we shouldn't worry too much about it.  But, for God's sake, and for the sake of accelerating meetings beyond a snail's pace, learn the ritual.  Were he with us today, I'm sure WB George would recommend it.

~SLH

Steve Harrison, 32° KCCH, 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 Senior Warden.  He is a dual member of Kearney Lodge #311, St. Joseph Missouri Valley of the Scottish Rite, Liberty York Rite, Moila Shrine and is a member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor.

A Crazy Weekend

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

R.W.B. Michael H. Shirley

     
      The end of last week was a little crazy. On Thursday, we had a first degree at my home lodge (Tuscola No. 332) in Tuscola, Illinois. On Friday morning, I helped my wife and son finish packing for DeMolay’s Illinois State Conclave, held at Eureka College, saw them off, and then took off for Bloomington, Illinois, for the York Rite Grand Sessions, where I gave a presentation on leadership. On Saturday at 6:45 am, I piled into a car with four other Brethren to drive to Danville for a Blue Lightning, where, with about ninety other Brothers in the space of six hours, we helped fifteen Entered Apprentices receive their second and third degrees. Then on Sunday morning, I drove out to Eureka for DeMolay’s installation of officers.  By the time I got home on Sunday, I was a little tired.

      I also learned, or was reminded of, a few things. First, Grand Lodge officers are far busier than I am and never seem to flag. One of these days I’ll have to ask them how they do it. Second, windshield time is great for reviewing ritual in your head. Third, no matter how cramped the car, when you’re going somewhere with your Brethren, the trip is fun. Fourth, when you have scads of Brothers helping with a Blue Lightning, being appropriately serious and light-hearted, and the coordinator and his assistants are good at their jobs, the candidates will have a meaningful experience. Fifth, DeMolay is the world’s greatest organization for boys and young men, and I wish I’d known about it when I was a teenager.

      Finally, Masonry is many things—a duty, tiring, puzzling, fun—but it is always a joy. Even with the exhaustion I felt on Sunday night, I was spiritually energized, and given the choice between sitting at home doing nothing and exhausting myself with Masonic work and travels, I’ll take the latter. I would not trade the privileges of Masonry for anything in the profane world.

~MHS



R.W.B. Michael H. Shirley is the Assistant Area Deputy Grand Master for the Eastern Area for the Grand Lodge of Illinois A.F. & A.M.  He is the 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 Cr

Theodore Roosevelt And His Bear

by Midnight Freemasons Contributor

Todd E. Creason

In 1902, President Teddy Roosevelt was invited by the Governor of Mississippi, Andrew Longino, on a bear hunting trip.  Roosevelt was known as a keen hunter, and quite a competition broke out amongst the hunters in the party. But while many of the competing hunters had already managed to kill a bear, Roosevelt hadn't.  There was obvious concern about how that might appear--the new President and great hunter coming home empty handed.

Roosevelt's guide and several of his attendants were able to track down a bear, and tied the exhausted animal to a tree.  They brought the President to the site where they had the bear tied up, expecting him to shoot the bear and therefore save his reputation.  But Roosevelt refused to shoot the badly beaten and exhausted animal.  He said simply is was unsportmanlike, and he wouldn't do it.

Radar and his Teddy Bear

The story soon got out, and cartoonist Clifford Berryman drew a famous cartoon of Roosevelt and his bear that became very popular.  In many Berryman cartoons to follow, the little bear (drawn to look smaller and cuter) was always present somewhere in the cartoon.

The public, however, didn't see Roosevelt's actions that day in Mississippi as a sign of weakness at all--but a sign of strength and character.  It actually bolstered his reputation as a moral man, and a decision maker.

Not long after the incident, and the popularity of the cartoons, a man named Morris Michtom got the idea for a new toy--a stuffed "Teddy Bear."  It soon became hugely popular, and has remained so to this day.  And while not fond of being called "Teddy," Roosevelt himself seemed to enjoy having the popular bears named after him.  He gave away many of them during his campaign as he ran for another term as President.

~TEC

Todd E. Creason, 33° is the founder of the Midnight Freemasons blog and continues to be a regular contributor.  He is the author of several books and novels, including the Famous American Freemasons series.  He is member of Homer Lodge No. 199, and a Past Master of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL).  He is a member the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, the York Rite Bodies of Champaign/Urbana (IL), the Ansar Shrine (IL), Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees, and Charter President of the Illini High Twelve in Champaign-Urbana (IL).

Scottie Pippen and the "Illuminati's Favorite Number"

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Steven L. Harrison, PM, FMLR

      Most people, even non-basketball fans, remember NBA standout Scottie Pippen and his instrumental role, along with Michael Jordan, in leading the Chicago Bulls to six National Basketball Association titles.  In addition to the 6 titles (1991-1993 and 1996-1998)  Pippen was a seven-time NBA all-star and in 1994, won the All-Star Game's Most Valuable Player award.  In 1995, he led the NBA in steals and was named to the NBA 50th Anniversary All-Time Team.  After a stellar career, he is one of only four Chicago Bulls players who has had his number retired.

      And it is that number that has led to a bit of controversy.  Scottie Pippen is one of the country's highest profile Prince Hall Masons and his number as a player was 33.  This fact has drawn the attention of conspiracy theorists who claim he insisted on that number because of his membership.   Thirty-three, after all, is "the Illuminati's favorite number."

      Over the years conspiracy groups have speculated that Brother Pippen's membership has been behind some of the things he has done.  Most recently, Pippen suggested LeBron James, who is not a Freemason, might be the greatest NBA player ever.  Accusations claimed he did this because James had flashed "Masonic signs" prior to one of the playoff games when he made hand gestures, not resembling anything Masonic, after the playing of the National Anthem.

      The simple fact is Brother Pippin's number has nothing to do with the fact he is a Freemason.  He also wore the number 33 in college, before he ever joined the fraternity.

~SLH

Steve Harrison, 32° KCCH, 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 Senior Warden.  He is a dual member of Kearney Lodge #311, St. Joseph Missouri Valley of the Scottish Rite, Liberty York Rite, Moila Shrine and is a member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor

A West Coast Raising

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bro. Robert Johnson 32° 

Bro. Lewis was Raised to the Sublime Degree of Master
Mason on July 9. Pictured above are the officers,
members and visitors with Bro. Lewis.

      It was a big secret, not to the world, but for just one person. In this age of Facebook, checking in at locations, and sharing photographs, I couldn't do any of these things because if I had the person I was trying to surprise may have seen any of the updates. This was really hard for me, I'm a digital guy, I embrace the ability to share what I'm doing with my friends, brothers and family.

      So there I was flying at 36,041 feet, writing this blog entry. The reason for the flight and the surprise? Well, a good friends of mine, who listens to my podcast, had become a Freemason, and he was about to get is third degree. Every Freemason knows this is a big deal. Sure the coronation of a 32nd degree AASR, or the Holy Royal Arch or even the Knight Templar degrees are big, but the Master Mason degree is THE degree. 

Worshipful Master
André D. Harrell, P.M., with Bro. Lewis.

      I had alluded at some point that I might be able to come out for his 3rd degree, but as time got closer, I was more elusive about it when he would ask. I didn't do this to be a jerk, I did it to surprise him. In today's culture, what weight does a mans word have? How important is it that friends (who are Brothers), lodge officers and members actually attend the lodge for a Brother's raising? My answer? It is of the most importance. What example do we set when we do not visit? A Master is to travel in foreign countries, work and receive those Masters wages. 

      When I started planing this trip, I hesitated about going, and for what reason? My wife, said "What would you do if you were home?". The answer was nothing unusual. You know that saying "Life begins a little outside your comfort zone."? Well, not that I was uncomfortable visiting another lodge, after all, I had done this many times, but I hadn't gone this far. This trip is kind of a personal reminder to how long the cable tow is. In the age of electronic communication, we need to reevaluate how long it is. In my case it was about 2,000 miles.

A good friend and brother of Bro. Lewis, Robert Johnson
(left), Junior Warden of Waukegan Lodge #78,
Waukegan, Illinois, made a surprise visit to
attend Bro. Lewis’s raising.

     Who was this Brother? Well perhaps you listened to an interview with Todd E. Creason on the Far From Centered Podcast hosted by Brother Robert P. Lewis. It was in fact Robert P. Lewis' 3rd degree. When Rob Lewis walked into the dining room at the L.A. Masonic Center I heard a familiar chuckle as he walked up behind me and greeted me.  It was a great moment. 

      Energy was so positive, the Brothers were so friendly and they made me feel like I was part of the family. I can't thank the Brothers of L.A. Lodge 42 enough, including the Worshipful Master Bro. Andre` Harrell. The night of course hit its high point when Bro. Robert Lewis was Raised. The whole lodge was proud. Afterword we all went out for a sandwich at Izzy's, a deli in Santa Monica which was 24 hours.

      The table was filled with smiles, good conversation, Masonry and good will. I reflected for a moment while siting there in front of my "Super Hamburger" on what this trip really did. It set an example for younger Brothers, and it helped me understand a great deal more about a Masters ability to travel and visit other Lodges. This trip was just amazing. I thank everyone who was involved. 

~RHJ

Bro. Robert Johnson, 32° is the editor of the Midnight Freemasons blog.  He 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, and a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Chicago.  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.

      

For Every Boy Who's On The Level...

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Steven L. Harrison, PM, FLMR

      

I found myself wandering through an antique shop in Creve Coeur, Missouri a while back with my wife Carolyn.  It's not my favorite thing to do but... not a problem, since she was having enough fun for both of us.  My mind was about to implode when I suddenly saw something that set me back a bit.  It was a somewhat nondescript piece of sheet music featuring a drawing of a young woman on its cover.  That's standard enough, but it was the title of the song that struck me: "For Every Boy Who's On The Level There's A Girl Who's On The Square."

"You've got to be kidding me," I thought.

      Closer inspection confirmed the title.  It turns out this was a popular song in the 1920s, with lyrics and music by Harry Pease, Edward G. Nelson and Gilbert Dodge.  I happen to be one of those guys who does believe in coincidences but, face it, one or all of those guys was a Freemason.  None of them have a listing in Denslow's 10,000 Famous Freemasons, however, and I can't otherwise confirm any link to the fraternity.  

      Edward G. Nelson (1885-1969) was an early 20^th century songwriter with credits in several movies and television shows, most recently a rendition of his composition "Pretty Kitty Kelly" in a 2010 episode of HBO's Boardwalk Empire.  Dodge was also a composer of the same period who primarily worked with Nelson. Pease was the Lyricist in the group.

The words don't have much to do with Freemasonry:

I was a pal to my daddy, and Dad was a pal to me.
This is the story he told me one day,
And it lingers through my memory.

(Refrain) For every boy who's on the level,
There's a girl who's just the same.
When you gamble with a heart
Remember from the start,
It always pays to play an honest game.
Everyone was meant for someone,
And they'll meet that someone sometime, somewhere.
For every boy who's on the level,
There's a girl who's on the square.

Each one was meant to be happy
To have and to hold and to love
Follow the straight road and keep to the right
And abide in our Maker above. 

(Ending) Dear old girl, of loving things above you,
Dear old girl, It speaks of how I love you.

      Perhaps the song's title speaks to a greater prevalence of Masonry in society in the 1920s than today.  It may be that people in general back then would recognize its Masonic connection, or maybe it reflects the fact that Masons of the era comprised a larger percentage of the population.  Today, the song's title would probably only have significance to our Brothers.  I have a feeling the origin of the terms "on the level" and "on the square" was more familiar to people nearly a century ago than today.  Perhaps a century or so from now, people looking back at our time will have lost the connections in our cultural references to Star Wars, James Bond and countless Internet memes in the same manner.

      A recording of the song as released in 1921 is available on the YouTube website at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcScgDqzMAQ — or just search for "For every boy who's on the level."  Sung by Victor Herbert and the Harmonizers Quartet, it is, by our musical standards of today, a listening experience for only the most adventurous among us.

~SLH

Steve Harrison, 32° KCCH, 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 Senior Warden.  He is a dual member of Kearney Lodge #311, St. Joseph Missouri Valley of the Scottish Rite, Liberty York Rite, Moila Shrine and is a member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor.

Masonry in the Digital Age

by Midnight Freemason Guest Contributor

Bro. Jeremy Bennett 32°

     Technology is a beautiful thing.  Especially in the 21^st century world of Masonry.  When my Grandfather died in December 2011, my Masonic journey began.  He was a 32⁰ Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret in the Scottish Rite, but you would never know by looking or talking to him.  He stopped attending lodge years ago and sold all of his jewelry.  The only way I knew him to be a Mason was stories from my Grandmother.  Then he passed away and several Brothers from the local lodge came to his funeral to show their last respects. The wheels of curiosity were set in motion that day, but the journey didn’t really begin until I started coaching my son’s ball team that summer.  A fellow coach was Senior Warden of what is now my home lodge and he was able to get me a petition and submit it for me at the next business meeting.

      That is where technology came into play. Since my Grandfather never talked about the lodge experience I had only a small clue of what being a Freemason really meant.  My local lodge has a website and on that website there are links to the Grand Lodge and many other resources that I soon found very useful.  The Grand Lodge has a list of recommended reading.  Brother Hodapp’s book “Freemasons for Dummies” seemed like a fitting title since I was totally ignorant on the subject. I was able to research the book, order it from Amazon and read it before my initiation. This type of research has proven to be very beneficial during my Masonic journey, also very enlightening.  Facebook is a treasure trove of Masonic links, book recommendations, blogs, and podcasts.  I have also found Masonic libraries, research societies, and service organizations.

      There is a new generation of men that are taking to Freemasonry. A generation of men who are finding Masonry, not from their fathers, but from the word of mouth of friends and the imagery of movies and other pop culture references.  Whether we are called “Generation X”, “Generation Y” or “Millennial”, we all have one thing in common; we grew up with computers, and we are very good at using them. How wonderful it is to know that for every ignorant conspiracy nut, there is an avalanche of legitimate masonic research and resources out there to show the true light. We are working to build better communities by building better men and in the 21^st century we have some new working tools to aid us in our labor.

~JB

Bro. Jeremy Bennett, 32, is a Member of Tuscola Lodge #332, the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, and the Illini High Twelve No 768 in Champaign-Urbana (IL). He is a husband and father of two. He is very active in the Villa Grove children's  summer rec. program, where he and his wife live, and he is a full time Account Representative for Ricoh USA.

Aleister Crowley: Freemason Or Not?

by Midnight Freemasons Contributor

Todd E. Creason

Aleister Crowley (1875 - 1947)

Aleister Crowley was an English occultist and mystic who was responsible for found the religious philosophy of Thelema.  As a young man he became a member of several essoteric groups including the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and the Ordo Templi Orientis. 

Crowley was a recreational drug experimenter and a social critic. In many of these roles he "was in revolt against the moral and religious values of his time", espousing a form of libertinism based upon the rule of "Do What Thou Wilt".  Part of his philosophy of Thelema was the use of "sex magick" and the speculation about the sexual rituals that were practiced by the followers of Thelema has been a subject of fascination for many.  Because of this, he gained widespread notoriety during his lifetime, and was denounced in the popular press of the day as "the wickedest man in the world."

Crowley has remained an influential figure and is widely thought of as the most influential occultist of all time. References to him can be found in the works of numerous writers, musicians and filmmakers, and he has also been cited as a key influence on many later esoteric groups and individuals, including Kenneth Grant, Jack Parsons, Gerald Gardner, Robert Anton Wilson and, to some degree, Austin Osman Spare.

He is also frequently referred to as a Freemason, and it has been the subject of debate for many years.  He was a member of many "Masonic-like" groups, including the Ordo templi Orientis, but the Grand Lodge of England does not recognize him as a Freemason because none of the organizations he belonged to were recognized Masonic bodies or lodges.  All of the groups in which he was a member were irregular (clandestine) organizations.

Aleister Crowley was not a Freemason.

~TEC 

Todd E. Creason, 33° is the founder of the Midnight Freemasons blog and continues to be a regular contributor.  He is the author of several books and novels, including the Famous American Freemasons series.  He is member of Homer Lodge No. 199, and a Past Master of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL).  He is a member the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, the York Rite Bodies of Champaign/Urbana (IL), the Ansar Shrine (IL), Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees, and Charter President of the Illini High Twelve in Champaign-Urbana (IL).

Jack the Ripper Murders: Masonic Ritual Killings?

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Steven L. Harrison, PM, FMLR

      It seems almost any high-profile mystery brings conspiracy theorists out of the woodwork with at

least one angle pointing to the Masons.  From the street patterns of Washington, DC, to alleged Masonic symbolism on the dollar bill to the Kennedy assassination there are those who would put the Freemasons behind it all.  Not surprising, then, is the belief by some that the Jack the Ripper slayings  of the late 19^th century , also known as the Whitechapel murders, were a devious Masonic plot.

      There are varying accounts as to how the Masons were involved, as is usually the case when speculators don't let facts get in the way of their theories.  They all, however, identify Sir William Gull as the infamous Ripper.  Gull appears as Jack the Ripper in books, movies and countless Internet posts including  the 1988 TV adaptation Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution by Stephen Knight and the 2000 graphic novel (roughly a novel in comic book form) From Hell written by Alan Moore and illustrated by Eddie Campbell.  Subsequently the Hollywood Movie From Hell starring Johnny Depp was loosely based on the novel.

      William Withey Gull was a respected physician credited with many significant contributions to medicine including advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of Bright's disease, myxoedema and paraplegia.  He also named the devastating eating disorder anorexia nervosa.  

      He became personal physician (Physician-Ordinary) to Queen Victoria and the Royal Family.  The conspiracy theory and premise of the movie (which parallels most of the Ripper Masonic theories) begins with the historical inaccuracy of Prince Edward Albert contracting syphilis.  This allegedly tarnishes Gull's reputation as the Prince's physician because Gull was unable to treat him.  Gull, portrayed as a Freemason in the film, takes it upon himself to eradicate the prostitutes that caused the Prince's affliction.  He does this by murdering the prostitutes with the implication they are ritual killings associated with the Freemasons.

      Not to leave any stone unturned, the movie also depicts the Prince as taking on the identity of Walter Sickert.  Sickert, rather than being an alias of the Prince, was in fact a 19^th century painter.  Some believe he once lived in Jack the Ripper's apartment, a speculation likely due to the fact one of his paintings was titled, "Jack the Ripper's Bedroom."

William Gull

      To be sure, historically Prince Edward Albert and Sickert were separate individuals, but in the movie, the Prince becomes Sickert and marries Ann Crook, taking her away from her life as a prostitute.  Together, the Prince and Ann have a daughter, Alice.  By English law therefore, Alice becomes an heir to the throne and the film surmises Queen Victoria ordered that this problem be eliminated.  Gull, as the Ripper, takes it upon himself to do so in a far more grisly way than Queen Victoria had intended.

      In the denouement, Depp portrays Frederick Abberline, the actual Ripper case investigator, confronting Gull, and taking some off-the-wall liberties with the Masonic ritual, not to mention the actual facts of the case:

Abberline: "The arrangement of the coins at Dark Annie's feet and also the locations of the bodies form a pentacle star.  The pentacle star is a symbol of the Freemasons is it not, sir?"

Gull: "Yes"

Abberline: "And the way all these women were killed... throats cut left to right, organs removed... they're reenactments, aren't they, sir?"

Gull: "Reenactments of what?"

Abberline: "The Jews.  The traitors who killed Hiram Abiff, founder of the Masons, that's how they were executed."

Gull: "Ah, yes... so the great book tells us."

Abberline: "So, Jack the Ripper isn't just merely killing whores. He's executing traitors. He's a Mason, fulfilling a duty."

Gull: "Yes, I'm afraid, Inspector, that you won't be permitted to arrest him."

Abberline: "I don't want to arrest him.  The Ripper has one more traitor yet to kill; and I will stop him.  Did they come to you, sir, as a loyal Mason?  Did they ask you to help and cover up the Prince's secret marriage?"

Gull: "That's how it started, yes."

Abberline: "And then you discovered the Prince had syphilis."

Gull: "He's going to die of it, Inspector.  Would you like a tour of the syphilis wards?"

Abberline: "You're a physician, an Ordinary to the Queen, entrusted with the well-being of the heir to the throne.  Only you had reason to believe that these unfortunates, these whores, these traitors destroyed your life's work."

Gull: "Below the skin of history are London's veins. These symbols... the miter... the pentacle star... even someone as ignorant and degenerate as you can sense that they course with energy and meaning.  I am that meaning.  I am that energy. [Scream and killing scene].  One day men will look back and say I gave birth to the Twentieth Century."

      Although paragraphs could be written about it, the pentacle star, an Eastern Star symbol, is not generally accepted as a Masonic symbol: "[The five-pointed star] was a Pythagorean symbol, but is not mentioned in the Masonic ritual  and seems never to have been a Masonic emblem. There was and is a Blazing Star in the center of the Mosaic Pavement, which is a different symbol." (Coil’s Masonic Encyclopedia (1961), s.v. “Five-Pointed Star; Pentalpha”).  Added to this is the fact that the locations of the Whitechapel murders were not in the form of a five-pointed star.

      Jurisdictional details may differ, but in most the method of execution of the traitors in the Masonic ritual is not completely specified, except that in most depictions it is assumed they were beheaded.  As all Freemasons know, symbolic references to throats being cut and disembowelments appear elsewhere in the ritual.

      The movie's reference to the Jews derives from a chalk graffiti found at the scene of one of the murders saying (with variations), "The Juwes [sic] are the men that will not be blamed for nothing."  The movie and other conspiracy theories claim the misspelling in the message to be an illusion to the three ruffians who killed Hiram Abiff, Jubela, Jubelo and Jubelum.  Masons do not refer to the ruffians as such and originally, until 1760, they were unnamed.  The names of the ruffians were not used in English rituals at the time of the murders and there is no reason to believe Masons at the time knew them.  It is more likely the note is nothing more than a misspelling and the connection was made later, after the names were known. (The Three Ruffians, Grand Lodge of British Columbia http://Freemasonry.bcy.ca).

      Finally, there is the issue of Dr. Gull himself.  In the movie, he is portrayed by Ian Holm, who was, at the time of filming, 68 years old and in good health.  His character is spry enough to carry out the brutal and physical murders.  The five murders attributed to the Ripper happened between August and November, 1888, when Gull was 72.  The previous year, Dr. Gull's health began to decline.  He suffered a series of strokes and a heart attack that, by the time of the murders, had rendered him unable to commit the crimes.  The London Times reported Gull's first stroke paralyzed him and he was never able to resume his practice.

      Even the movie's fictional Gull makes an issue of the physical nature of the murders when Abberdine suggests the Prince could be the murderer, "The disease [syphilis] is far enough along that the Prince's hands tremble uncontrollably.  He's very weak; and the killings of Jack the Ripper require sure hands and considerable vigor."  The stricken Gull, at the time, did not have "considerable vigor." 

      At the end of the movie, the exposed Gull disavows the Freemasons, a fact that may be lost on viewers and conspiracy theorists alike, "I have no peers present here... No man among you is fit to judge the mighty art that I have wrought.  Your rituals are empty oaths you neither understand nor live by.  The Great Architect speaks to me.  He is the balance where my deeds are weighed and judged... not you."

      Dr. Gull died of a final stroke January 29, 1890.  The final Whitechapel murder occurred after his death, although authorities did not conclusively attribute it to Jack the Ripper.  Whether or not that final killing was his or not, the facts are certain that Gull was not Jack the Ripper, nor were the murders some sort of Masonic ritual.

     One final thing: there is not a shred of evidence that Dr. William Gull was a Freemason.

~SLH

Steve Harrison, 32° KCCH, 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 Senior Warden.  He is a dual member of Kearney Lodge #311, St. Joseph Missouri Valley of the Scottish Rite, Liberty York Rite, Moila Shrine and is a member of the DeMolay Legion of Honor.

The Lost Ring

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

R.W.B. Michael H. Shirley

      

      My wife once took a survey that asked what her husband’s hobby is or would be. She answered, “collecting Masonic bling.” She’s probably right. I have a box full of pins, tie tacks, cuff links, and name badges that is beginning to get too small. But I’m not given to wearing them all at the same time. I generally stick to a ring, the current Grand Master’s pin, and cuff links when I’m wearing a suit, and a ring at all times. It seems to be the one common thing Masons have when it comes to jewelry: I don’t often meet a Mason who isn’t wearing a Masonic ring. I haven’t been without one since I was raised. I even have a beat up ring I call my “fishing ring,” which I have taken on vacation for the past several summers, except this year.

       Foolishly, I decided that I’d been overly cautious, and didn’t bother changing. So of course, I lost the ring I’d been wearing for years. I don’t know what happened; it apparently just slipped off my hand somewhere. Fortunately, it had no sentimental value, so I wasn’t heartbroken so much as I was annoyed. 

      I also discovered that I just didn’t feel right without a Masonic ring. So when we got back home I went straight to the computer and started hunting on eBay. I knew what I wanted: gold, with a solid back. I figured there’d be a few out there, and there were. After a few days of only mildly obsessive searching, I found an excellent ring at a good price, paid for it, and received it in a very short time. It fit better than the one it replaced, and is in even better condition. I was happy, of course, but what I found surprising was my relief when I put it on. I knew I’d missed my ring, but what I hadn’t figured on, and didn’t really realize until the new one came, was how much a part of me it had become. It wasn’t the particular ring I’d missed: it was the constant external reminder that I am a Mason. 

      Being anonymous can lead to the temptation to try to cut corners, to get away with things; it can lead, in other words, to acting un-Masonically. When I wear my Masonic ring (or drive my car with its Masonic license plates, or wear a lodge polo shirt), I am putting myself out there as a representation of our fraternity. As Most Worshipful Richard L. Swaney, Past Grand Master of Masons in Illinois, put it, “a Masonic license plate makes you a more polite driver.” 

      So my Masonic ring matters. Yes, it’s a nice piece of jewelry, but it’s more than that: it’s a sign to others that I’m trustworthy, a good man. So I’ll keep wearing it as a pledge to myself that I’ll remember what my obligation means and act accordingly. 

~MHS

R.W.B. Michael H. Shirley is the Assistant Area Deputy Grand Master for the Eastern Area for the Grand Lodge of Illinois A.F. & A.M.  He is the 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 Stanley Cup Comes Back To Chicago!

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bro. Robert Johnson 32°

Lord Stanley

      

       Well it happened again, my home state of Illinois brought back the Stanley Cup! That’s right, the Chicago Blackhawks went on to beat the Boston Bruins in the sixth game of the seven game series and to top it off it all happened in 17 seconds. 

If you missed it live, I am sure you have seen all the replays by now. Where was I when the Chicago Blackhawks won the 2013 Stanley Cup? Well, I was in Flint Michigan celebrating with a few of my Lodge Brothers and the Worshipful Master of Fellowship Lodge #490 at a local Tavern over a few pints of Centennial Ale. We were celebrating St. Johns Day and the Festive-board we had just finished. It was a great night indeed.

I am sure you may be thinking why on Earth am I talking about Hockey? Well, to lay it out there, its less about Hockey and a bit more about the Stanley Cup. You see, the cup was actually given by Sir Franklin Arthur Stanley, who was the 16th Earl of Derby, as an award for Canada’s top ranking amateur hockey team. And guess what....?

The Statue of Lord Stanley in
Stanley Park, Vancouver Canada

That’s right, Lord Stanley was a Brother. Besides being a great sportsman, Colonial Secretary and Governor-General of Canada, he was also a member of Royal Alpha Lodge #16 in London England. In his last few years, Lord Stanley dedicated an overwhelming amount of his time to philanthropy. A statue of him is in Vancouver Canada and is located in Stanley park.









~RHJ

Bro. Robert Johnson, 32° is the editor of the Midnight Freemasonsblog.  He 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, and a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Chicago.  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.