We Forgive You

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Steven L. Harrison, 33°, FMLR

I stood curbside at Chicago's O'Hare Airport waiting for my ride. I was there to speak at a Masonic event and another one of the speakers walked up to me and introduced himself as a Brother from Tennessee. I told him I was from Missouri. As we shook hands he said, "Steve, we forgive you."

I knew exactly what he meant. The story, the Missouri side of it, anyway, had come to me in a sort of bull session I had with the Grand Secretary of Missouri at the time, RWB Ron Miller:

Back about 200 years ago… in fact, exactly 200 years ago, the territory that would soon become the state of Missouri had about 100 Brothers who were members of three Lodges spearheading an effort to form a Grand Lodge. The three Lodges were Missouri Lodge 12, Joachim Lodge 25, and St. Charles Lodge 28, all chartered through the Grand Lodge of Tennessee.

Today, the process of creating a new Grand Lodge might be a formal event accompanied by pomp and circumstance. Back then, however, when communication was a lot slower, things were different. The Brothers from those three Lodges got together, decided the time was right, and, presto chango, declared themselves to be a Grand Lodge. No pomp, no circumstance, no muss, no fuss.

When you stop to think about it, any group today could do the same thing; just get together and announce to the world, "Hey, guys, look at us… we're a new Grand Lodge!" There is one catch. The key to becoming a Grand Lodge is not declaration. It's recognition.

Missouri's uppity declaration did not sit well with the Grand Lodge of Tennessee. It responded to Missouri's claim with a resounding, "Oh, no, you're not a Grand Lodge." It seems the three Lodges combined owed their mother Grand Lodge a total of $17, and it refused to recognize them until the debt was paid. Missouri disputed the claim.

In the meantime, other Grand Lodges granted recognition to Missouri, which ultimately settled the issue and gave Missouri the backing to respond to Tennessee, "Oh, yes we are a Grand Lodge." Subsequent correspondence indicates Missouri did not follow its response with, "Nyah, nyah, na nyah, nyah," but the urge to do so may have been strong.

So at least between me and my new friend from Tennessee this two centuries old dispute now appears to have been settled and the Grand Lodge of Missouri and Grand Lodge of Tennessee can let bygones be bygones.

We're still not paying the $17, though.

~SLH

Bro. Steve Harrison, 33°, is Past Master of Liberty Lodge #31, Liberty, Missouri. He is also a Fellow and Past Master of the Missouri Lodge of Research. Among his other Masonic memberships is the St. Joseph Missouri Valley of the Scottish Rite, Liberty York Rite bodies, and Moila Shrine. He is also a member and Past Dean of the DeMolay Legion of Honor. Brother Harrison is a regular contributor to the Midnight Freemasons blog as well as several other Masonic publications. Brother Steve was Editor of the Missouri Freemason magazine for a decade and is a regular contributor to the Whence Came You podcast. Born in Indiana, he has a Master's Degree from Indiana University and is retired from a 35-year career in information technology. Steve and his wife Carolyn reside in northwest Missouri. He is the author of dozens of magazine articles and three books: Freemasonry Crosses the Mississippi, Freemasons — Tales From the Craft and Freemasons at Oak Island.

 

Why I am a Shriner

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bill Hosler, PM

 

WB Bill Hosler as Webmaster of Mizpah Shrine
 

I know this won’t be my most popular piece. I know many Brethren have issues with the Shrine. I have too over the years. After a few years of being involved with the inner workings and the politics of a Shrine Center, I left for a few years. But as they say time heals all wounds, and as I began to get to the foundations of our Craft, I finally remembered why I became involved in the Shrine. 

When I first became a Mason, I hadn’t really thought about becoming a Shriner. I thought that maybe someday in the future, but not for a long time. One night after a lodge meeting, I was having dinner and drinks with the Brothers of my lodge in the restaurant of Mizpah Shrine. One of the brethren asked me: “When are you going to become a Shriner?” I laughed and said: "Maybe one day." I had just joined both the York and Scottish Rite. The idea of spending more money to become a Shriner seemed a bit crazy at the moment. After that, I excused myself to use the men’s room. When I returned to me seat there was a signed petition sitting at my place of the table.

One of the Brothers saw me look at the piece of paper, which was a signed petition, and said “We heard you, but we really think you would make a good member. We took up a collection and we paid for your invitation fee. We already turned it in so there is no backing out.” So a few weeks later, I became a Noble of the Mystic Shrine.

I wasn’t an active Shriner by comparison to some Nobles. I joined the “Yoshi” or Young Shriner's group, as well as a local county Shrine club. But majority of my time I served Mizpah Shrine as their webmaster, magazine editor and as a member of the temple’s Public Relations committee. So majority of my work was done sitting at the computer of my home.

The first time I visited a Shriner's hospital I was invited to speak to a group of Shrine Public Relations people at the hospital in Chicago. I had created the first Shriner's email newsletter and I was asked to explain to others how it worked and how the Nobles could start one for their Shrine Center. 

I remember the first time I signed a referral. I was the webmaster for the Shrine. I got a desperate email from a Grandmother. Her eight year old Grandson was playing with a lighter and accidentally set his bed on fire. His parents luckily put out the fire before their trailer burned down and the boys’ brothers and sisters perished in the fire.

The boy was rushed to the local hospital. All of the time he was in the burn unit, the nurses continually scolded this boy, telling him “How bad he was” and “He should be ashamed of himself.” At the same time, his parents were forced to give the hospital money they couldn’t afford before the hospital would even consider treating him. Both parents were making minimum wage, had no insurance and were barely able to feed their kids.

His Grandmother emailed the site begging to see if there was anything the Shriners could do. Within minutes, I, along with the Potentate of the Shrine, was on the phone with that lady. Within a week, that little boy and his parents were on his way to Cincinnati to the Burn hospital. His parents were apprehensive because they were not sure if their old, non-air conditioned van would make it there, let alone find the gas money. We told them we would drive them there in one of our vans and even feed them on the trip. You could tell they were relieved.

The boy was treated and recovered. Didn’t cost his family a cent, because men in funny hats raised money for just such an occasion. I got to meet him a few months later at a Patient Appreciation day. His Mother and Father sought me out and wanted to introduce me to him. He was a skinny little kid with blonde hair and a big smile, He was playing with his siblings. The little guy came up and give a big hug. He had that big smile on his face and he simply said “Thank You”. Being able to impact that child's life (and many other children's lives) in a positive way is the reason I am a Shriner.

~BH

WB Bill Hosler was made a Master Mason in 2002 in Three Rivers Lodge #733 in Indiana. He served as Worshipful Master in 2007 and became a member of the internet committee for Indiana's Grand Lodge. Bill is currently a member of Roff Lodge No. 169 in Roff Oklahoma and Lebanon Lodge No. 837 in Frisco, Texas. Bill is also a member of the Valley of Fort Wayne Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite in Indiana. A typical active Freemason, Bill also served as the High Priest of Fort Wayne's Chapter of the York Rite No. 19 and was commander of the Fort Wayne Commandery No. 4 of the Knight Templar. During all this, he also served as the webmaster and magazine editor for the Mizpah Shrine in Fort Wayne Indiana. 

 

Banned Masonic Education

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Robert H. Johnson

Not too long ago, let’s call it nine years. It was, at least in my Masonic experience, impossible to get Masonic Education within a Lodge. Granted, over the years, I was able to work diligently to change the direction of my Lodge so that we could get some Masonic Education at every meeting. The evolution of going from just a business meeting— a bad one, to a meeting rife with Education has a series of development stages. I’ll outline the stages in another post.

What I want to express in this piece is the recent frustration that I had experienced. One that had not reared its head in several years. Looking back on my Masonic involvement, there were several times where I would bring about a proposal for Masonic Education at a meeting and I would be met with disinterest. As I pushed on, because as we know, the squeaky wheel gets the grease, I found myself pushing even harder out of necessity to be heard. This is because there were members who felt vehemently that Masonic Education was of no interest, and took too much time for a stated meeting.

I would assume that many of you reading this have seen this happen, or have experienced it firsthand. You might attempt to read a five minute MSA bulletin, and halfway through it, you’re already getting eye rolls, yawns, and people tapping the faces of their watch. As much as to say, “Hurry up, Bro.” You push on, planning perhaps a Festive Board night, blending the social aspect, with toasts and intellectual responses. In this, you think, “This should fire on all cylinders. It’s social for those non-intellectuals and intellectual for those who are looking for some discourse.” The Festive Board probably goes wonderfully. But it was not without its headaches and pushback. Over the years, the responses of the toasts are dropped, and now the Festive Board is just an annual Lodge spaghetti dinner. The lazy got their way.

But what about the Internet. What about the sharing of educational content in various groups within social networking sites? Something can be posted, and people can react to it or comment on it. It’s not a Lodge, and it’s passive. You can scroll past it if you’re not interested. Education is available to the masses at the click of a mouse. One would never think you would find opposition to the presentation of Masonic Education in an online forum. But that’s just what happened to me recently.

Whenever a particularly interesting Midnight Freemason article comes out, or a relevant episode of a Masonic podcast or an excellent Masonic Education presentation becomes available, I typically will share it. I bounce from Grand Lodge Facebook group to Grand Lodge Facebook group sharing all I can. Recently, however, I was banned from a Grand Lodge Facebook group because of what I posted, a link to a Masonic convention to see Brother Steven L Harrison 33°. I can only assume that this post interrupted the standard stream of generic Masonic postings. You know the kind. If there was a word that meant Meme and Platitude...Platimeme? Anyway, God forbid that Freemasonry be interesting.

If being banned wasn’t enough, the Brother who reported the content, had it deleted, and me banned from the page, decided to send me a message, and interrogate me over my motives for sharing the content. It was something else. 

So, my Brothers, there is no letting down your guard. If you’re going to fight for Masonic Education, never put away your sword. I plan to attempt to rejoin that Facebook group and post even more Masonic Education than ever before.

In an age where the movers and shakers in this Fraternity are also the ones who demand education, my toast tonight are three Latin words – Ut vox populi.

~RHJ

RWB Johnson is the Managing Editor of the Midnight Freemasons blog. He is a Freemason out of the 2nd N.E. District of Illinois. He currently serves as the Secretary of Spes Novum Lodge No. 1183. He is a Past Master of Waukegan Lodge 78 and a Past District Deputy Grand Master for the 1st N.E. District of Illinois. Brother Johnson currently produces and hosts weekly Podcasts (internet radio programs) Whence Came You? & Masonic Radio Theatre which focuses on topics relating to Freemasonry. He is also a co-host of The Masonic Roundtable, a Masonic talk show. He is a husband and father of four, works full time in the executive medical industry. He is the co-author of "It's Business Time - Adapting a Corporate Path for Freemasonry" and is currently working on a book of Masonic essays and one on Occult Anatomy to be released soon.

Freemasonry used as Pseudoscience

by Midnight Freemasons Contributor

WB Darin A. Lahners 

 

A first degree tracing board not unlike the one used by Dr. Travis Taylor

It saddens me when I watch a television program and Freemasonry is painted in a negative light, especially in cases where our gentle craft is linked to false theories or concepts. Recently I have seen two instances on two programs which deal with subjects where pseudoscience was used and the theories were linked to Freemasonry.  Pseudoscience consists of statements, beliefs, or practices that are claimed to be both scientific and factual but are incompatible with the scientific method.  It doesn’t help our craft, but because we’re a “secret” society it’s easy to sensationalize our “secrets”. What saddens me more is that on both programs, there are well known brothers who should have known better, or at the very least done their research.

The first instance of this was observed on the program: “The Curse of Oak Island” on the History Channel. In this episode, Marty Lagina brought in Astrophysicist, Dr. Travis Taylor to provide insight into some “megalithic” stones on Oak Island. Dr. Taylor theorized that because many of the individuals involved in the Oak Island Mystery over the years were Freemasons, there’s obviously a connection between the “megalithic” stones and the Freemasons. He points a “3rd” Degree tracing board which has the symbols of Jacob’s Ladder, the Holy Grail and the Pleiades. This led him to conclude that the constellation Taurus (since the Pleiades are part of the constellation of Taurus) was overlaid on the island as a star map, using the Hermetic principle of “As Above, so Below.” Lo and behold, when they do this, they seem to find massive boulders which seem out of place on the island by following the map.

There are more than a few issues with this theory. First and foremost, the chart that Dr. Taylor references is a 1st degree tracing board, not a 3rd degree. Secondly, while I will concede that all 1st degree tracing boards have a representation of Jacob’s Ladder, only some 1st degree tracing boards have seven stars and also show a cup, but they do not represent the Pleiades nor the Holy Grail. The board shown on the program and referenced by Dr. Taylor is used in emulation ritual which is commonly used in England among other places. In emulation ritual Jacob’s ladder is explained as: “The covering of a Masonic Lodge is a celestial canopy of divers colours, even as the heavens. The way by which we as Masons hope to arrive at it, is with the assistance of a ladder, in scriptures called Jacob’s ladder. It is composed of many staves and rounds, which points out as many moral virtues, but there are three principle ones. Faith, Hope and Charity. Faith in the Great Architect of the Universe, Hope in our salvation and to be in Charity with all men.”

Furthermore both the seven stars and the cup are representative of the Masonic virtue of Charity. The seven stars are explained as such in Emulation ritual: “But the third and last being Charity, comprehends the whole and the Mason who is possessed of this virtue in its most ample sense, may justly be deemed to have attained the summit of his profession: figuratively speaking an ethereal mansion, veiled from human eyes by a starry firmament, emblematically depicted here by seven stars, which is an illusion to as many regularly made masons without which number no Lodge is perfect, neither can any candidate be legally initiated into the Order.” The cup which represents Charity because charity is associated with a cup in the Holy Bible. The cup is usually shown as having no handles to imply that while you can drink from any side, you can also fill it up from any side. This is because Charity blesses him who gives as well as receives.

Let’s not fail to mention that every 71.6 years the position of the stars change roughly one degree in the sky due to the procession of the equinox. So if the Freemasons really did create a map using the constellation of Taurus overhead to match below, it would have been based upon the location of the stars when the map was made (assuming such a theory is correct), so the map would be good only for the brief period of time while the stars were aligned properly. After that, it wouldn’t be correct again for another 25700 years.

However, the most frustrating thing surrounding the whole idea is that the show’s resident Freemason, Charles Barkhouse, didn’t stand up to tell Marty what a load of manure the whole theory was. Of course, maybe he did, and/or Charles decided that promoting the narrative on the show (and receiving a paycheck) was more important than blowing holes in Dr. Taylor’s theory. I can’t speak to what happened behind closed doors. I don’t know his Masonic resume (or if he’s even a Freemason). I make the assumption based upon him wearing a square and compass on his hats and shirts. Unfortunately by keeping silent, he gave credence to the theory. For the casual observer, the idea that we have a “Masonic” star map conspiracy laid out and the resident Freemason didn’t object must mean that the whole thing is true right? I had to explain to my younger brother who is a fan of the show that the whole thing was absurd. 

The second program to frustrate me was a recent episode of “America Unearthed.” Bro. Scott Wolter, who is a Freemason, investigated a sensational new theory about the identity of Jack the Ripper, and a connection between the ritualistic patterns of the murders and the Freemasons. In a rehash of the Freemason was obviously Jack the Ripper theory put forward in the book: Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution by Stephen Knight. However, instead of Dr. William Gull being the Ripper, the Ripper is purported to be Arthur Conan Doyle.

Of course, this isn’t the first time Arthur Conan Doyle has been named as a suspect. He ticks a few boxes, since he was a MD, he knew how to commit and more importantly get away with a crime due to his authorship of the Sherlock Holmes character. Several anecdotal pieces of evidence are presented. According to Bro. Wolter, the way in which the victims were killed alluded to various Masonic symbols. For example, the V carved into the victim Katherine Eddows is a Masonic Symbol referring to the ancient feminine. While he’s correct that it’s a symbol used to represent that idea, the symbol isn’t a masonic one, and in most cases, it’s a triangle pointing down. I wrote a whole article about the idea here: http://www.midnightfreemasons.org/2018/01/sacred-feminine.html. He also reiterates the idea that the Ruffians, Jubelo, Jubela and Jubelum are known as the Juwes. Wolter goes on to remind us that he’s a Freemason and that’s what we call the ruffians, even though the idea is a pure fabrication and invention of Stephen Knight. Thankfully, both a test for blood on Conan Doyle’s Masonic apron housed at the Newberry Library in Chicago, as well as a handwriting analysis seemed to prove Doyle’s innocence. It’s still within the realm of possibility that he could have been the Ripper, as much as it’s possible for any citizen of London to be the Ripper at that time. Quite frankly, we will never really know who the murderer was.

My broader point here is that a brother is using his association with Freemasonry to give credence to theories that are or have been proven to be false, such as the three ruffians being called the Juwes.  However, with these "facts" being said on television, it lends credence to them being true for the average individual, even if they are not.  For the record, I don't know Bro. Wolter nor Bro. Barkhouse. This isn't a personal attack upon them, but rather I am using them as examples. They have a powerful platform which could be used to promote Freemasonry in a positive light, not spread disinformation to the general public in order to gain television ratings.  So allow me to whisper wise counsel to them, and anyone else that would use their relationship with the craft to propagate false information. 

 

I am reminded of one of the secretaries interrogatories from the First Degree.  It goes: "Do you seriously declare upon your honor, in the presence of these gentlemen, that unbiased by friends or and uninfluenced by mercenary motives, you freely and voluntarily offer yourself as a candidate for the mysteries of Masonry?"  If they answered this affirmatively before their 1st Degree, then they should remember that Freemasonry should never be used for personal gain. 

 

I would also remind them of our Masonic tenet of Truth, which leads me to a final point. "Truth is a divine attribute, and the foundation of every virtue. To be good and true is the first lesson we are taught in Masonry. On this theme we contemplate, and by its dictates endeavor to regulate our conduct. Hence, while influenced by this principle, hypocrisy and deceit are unknown amongst us, sincerity and plain dealing distinguish us, and the heart and tongue join in promoting each other's welfare and rejoicing in each other's prosperity."  So while I will be happy for both Bro. Wolter's and Bro. Barkhouse's success, I feel that I should also be able to question it as the price of that success is balanced against potential damage to the Fraternity due to the false information that it spreads.  

 

~DAL

WB Darin A. Lahners is a Past Master of and Worshipful Master of St. Joseph Lodge No.970 in St. Joseph. He is also a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), and of Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL), where he is also a Past Master. He’s a member of the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, a charter member of Illinois Royal Arch Chapter, Admiration Chapter No. 282 and is the current Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club No. 768 in Champaign – Urbana (IL). You can reach him by email at darin.lahners@gmail.com

Free Will & Accord: Did We Lie? - A Thought Experiment

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Robert H. Johnson

The title of this article is, of course, reminiscent of one of the first questions we are asked upon arriving at the threshold of Freemasonry. "Is it of your own free will and accord?" The answer? "Yes."

Have we ever heard someone answer this question with a "No."? I haven't. And I bet you haven't either. For many of us, the question doesn't even seem to be relevant. It's just one of those antiquated pieces of ritual, which may have meant something in the past but is no longer truly applicable to the world of the 21st century.

Let's ask ourselves what the question really means. Did we come to Freemasonry through our own drive? Our own want? Did we have our own inklings about this ancient Craft that just wouldn't leave us alone until we contacted a Masonic Lodge, or perhaps a Grand Lodge? Or, were we told about Freemasonry? Were we urged to join?

Think about a concept such as the "Masonic Lewis." This term is defined in the following manner: "A "lewis" is a Freemason's son, who has not yet been initiated into Freemasonry." It is supposed that such a person, a son of a Freemason who is yet to be initiated, possesses all of the requisite qualifications to become a Freemason. But was he influenced? Where do we draw the line on free will and accord?

One of my friends, Brother Drew, has regaled me with the following tale more than once.

"You see, Robert, I had been going to Masonic meetings since I was five years old. When I turned 18, my father and both my uncles approached me while I was sitting at the kitchen table. They pushed an application in front of me. It was all filled out. They said, "Just sign your name, son." So I've often asked myself, did I join of my own free will and accord?"

So my Brothers, what do you think? There are many concepts within our lives that are more "holistic" in nature then things that are supposed to be taken literally. I'm often reminded of the "spirit of the law versus the letter of the law." Is "free will and accord" one of them?

We often take so many elements from our ritual as literalism. To be "freeborn,"--that is, not born into indentured slavery. "Of good report"-- to have a reputation of goodwill that precedes you. Or perhaps even a clear background check in the 21st century. To be "well recommended"— that your peers put their reputations at stake in their recommending you for the great honor of becoming a Freemason.

"Have committees forgotten to report whether these have sufficient education and intelligence to understand and value the doctrines and tenets of Freemasonry? Was it demanded of them if they came unbiased by improper solicitation and un-influenced by mercenary motives? When they answer the inquiry, did they know that truth is a divine attribute in the foundation of every virtue? Has not bitter experience yet taught us that it is better than no workmen be added to the role than ever one unworthy foot allowed to cross the threshold?"

The above quote comes from a book called The Master's Lectures, which was published by Evans Lodge of Evanston, Illinois. It is a collection of essays that are truly remarkable. I chose the above quote because it touched on the idea of who we let into this fraternity. It also touches on the issue of our investigation committees, and that they aren't going far enough. The previous page to this quote above has another quote which can be directly attributed not to the investigation committee's failures, but to the individuals to whom they investigate—our potential members.

"The results of our failure in this respect are manifest first we have what may be called Masonic illiteracy. There are a great many who have received our degrees who have no clear idea as to what a Freemason actually is. Surely Masonry either stands for something definite--or it does not. If it does mean anything distinctive, then every member of the Lodge should have a clear idea on the subject."

So why is free will and accord so important when considering joining Freemasonry? Can it be said that those who do not join of their own free will and accord, those who join because of influence or bias from friends and family, might never actually have an organic passion for Freemasonry? Do we want people in our fraternity who have no passion for it?

"Trooping through the doors of our preparation rooms we find an ever-increasing company composed of those from whose faces are missing the stamp of high intelligence, in whose eyes the torch of education has lighted no fires, and whose halting steps are led by friendly suggestion or quickened by the hope of gain."

The above quote also comes from the same book. Pay attention to that last sentence in the quote. "… whose halting steps are led by friendly suggestion…" Does this not speak of a person who joins not of his own free will and accord?

There are a great many members within our fraternity who have joined because their fathers, uncles, mothers, or some other familial connection had a tie to Freemasonry. It's impossible to say whether or not the members who join this way have more passion or have less passion. That they should be here, or should not. That they answered the question of their own free will and accord correctly, or not.

I still wonder, however, what state our fraternity would be in today if we only let those in who asked? We always hear tales of our older members, and how their family members never talked about Freemasonry.

Perhaps, Freemasonry should be found by minds ready to see it. What about ad campaigns? What about the fraternity's larger efforts to appeal to the modern man, through the "Not Just Man" campaign? Let's think even smaller. Signs on your building. Lodges with Facebook pages and websites. Instagram feeds and blogs like this one on Freemasonry. Surely they help men find Freemasonry, but I'm still left wondering if Freemasonry would be better if it's members and existence were more like legends.

Imagine a world that exists where becoming a Freemason is like a dream. In communities, it's revered, somewhat secretive, but everybody knows that the Freemasons are here and that they have an invisible hand in uplifting the community and ensuring liberty and equality for everyone.

Imagine walking down the street, and your best friend points to a building with no markings and says, "I think the Freemasons meet in there." Imagine that world where our deeds go noticed but with plausible deniability at every turn. A world where you join because you really want to, not because somebody mentioned it, or you saw an ad or your best friend asks you to go to a festive board.

"But what about all those men who joined because of the aforementioned efforts?" I just don't have an answer for that. Perhaps Freemasonry would've taken a different trajectory. What those trajectories are, is probably not a prudent subject to get into here. But if you're smart, I think you know what they are.

The point of this short essay was not to cast a shadow or throw shade on anyone. My question in this entire essay was one of self-reflection. What do free will and accord mean? In the acute sense--that is, in the singular instance of joining a Lodge. What does it mean when we are asked "...of our own free will and accord?"

Perhaps, you have an answer already. But if not, ponder on my Brothers and Sisters. The truth lies in our contemplation.

~RHJ

RWB Johnson is the Managing Editor of the Midnight Freemasons blog. He is a Freemason out of the 2nd N.E. District of Illinois. He currently serves as the Secretary of Spes Novum Lodge No. 1183. He is a Past Master of Waukegan Lodge 78 and a Past District Deputy Grand Master for the 1st N.E. District of Illinois. Brother Johnson currently produces and hosts weekly Podcasts (internet radio programs) Whence Came You? & Masonic Radio Theatre which focuses on topics relating to Freemasonry. He is also a co-host of The Masonic Roundtable, a Masonic talk show. He is a husband and father of four, works full time in the executive medical industry. He is the co-author of "It's Business Time - Adapting a Corporate Path for Freemasonry" and is currently working on a book of Masonic essays and one on Occult Anatomy to be released soon.