"Lead From The Front"

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Judy Gordon

 
     It’s the most wonderful time of the year….no it’s not Christmas. It’s Installation time. It’s Jobie Time!!! These young ladies have been elected and/or appointed by the Bethel to serve it for the ensuing term of office, which is six months.

     Job's Daughters has five elected officers: Marshal, Guide, Junior Princess, Senior 
Princess and Honored Queen

Honored Queen - leads meetings, initiations, installations, events, etc. Presides over Third Epoch of initiation.

Senior Princess - assists the Honored Queen in her duties. Presides over Second Epoch of initiation.
Junior Princess - assists the Honored Queen in her duties. Presides over First Epoch of initiation.
Guide - guides pilgrims through initiation.
Marshal - assists the Guide in her duties. In charge of paraphernalia and escorts National Emblem during meetings.

Appointed
Senior Custodian - assists the Marshal with paraphernalia, assists the Senior Princess during initiation, and performs any duties assigned by the Honored Queen.
Junior Custodian - assists the Marshal with paraphernalia, assists the Junior Princess during initiation, and performs any duties assigned by the Honored Queen.
Recorder - record notes during meetings, receive bethel funds, and turn them over to the Treasurer.
Librarian - gives a report on literature, the arts, and/or sciences at each meeting.
Chaplain - leads prayers during meetings.
Treasurer - receive bethel funds, keep an accurate record, and turn them over to the Guardian Treasurer.
First Messenger - assists the Junior Princess during initiation.
Second Messenger - assists the Junior Princess during initiation.
Third Messenger - assists the Senior Princess during initiation.
Fourth Messenger - assists the Senior Princess during initiation.
Fifth Messenger - assists the Honored Queen during initiation.
Inner Guard - responds to Outer Guards warnings from outside and gives the Honored Queen's instructions to the Outer Guard.
Outer Guard - prevents interruptions during meetings.
Musician - leads songs and music, usually plays organ or piano
Bethel Choir

For more information on meeting times, please contact: iljdwebmaster.com
Or check out the website www.illinoisjobsdaughters.org

Bethel #14 Barrington

Meetings: 2nd & 4th Fridays

312 S. Cook Street

Barrington, IL

Bethel #20 Fairview Heights

Meetings: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays

9950 St. Clair Ave.
Fairview Heights, IL

Bethel #24 Belleville
Meetings: 2nd & 4th Thursdays
225 E. "A" Street
Belleville, IL

Bethel #29 Millburn
Meetings: 2nd & 4th Wednesdays
38710 N. US Hwy 45
Millburn, IL

Bethel #49 Decatur
Meetings: 1st & 3rd Mondays 
224 W. William Street
Decatur, IL

Bethel #52 Ottawa
Meetings: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays
916 Columbus Street
Ottawa, IL

Bethel #55 Pekin
Meetings: 1st & 3rd Mondays
338 Elizabeth Street
Pekin, IL

Bethel #57 Love's Park
Meetings: 1st & 3rd Tuesdays
6780 N. 2nd Street
Love's Park, IL

Bethel #63 Western Springs
Meetings: 1st & 3rd Wednesdays
1215 Chestnut Street
Western Springs, IL

Bethel #65 Columbia
Meetings: 1st & 3rd Mondays
1207 N. Main Street
Columbia, IL

Bethel #66 DeKalb
Meetings: 2nd & 4th Mondays
(Intersection) 
S. 4th Street and Fairview
Dekalb, IL

Bethel #67 O'Fallon
Meetings: 2nd & 4th Mondays
122 E. State Street
O'Fallon, IL

Bethel #82 Quincy
Meetings: 2nd & 4th Tuesdays
428 Jersey Street
Quincy, IL

Bethel #98 Crystal Lake
Meetings: 2nd & 4th Thursdays
200 Ellsworth Street
Crystal Lake, IL

Bethel #111 Elmwood
Meetings: 2nd & 4th Thursdays
3819 N. Prospect Rd.
Peoria Heights, IL

These young ladies love to have company and would welcome any Master Mason to their meeting. I challenge YOU to lead from the front. 

"Lead from the front" ~Audie Murphy, The most decorated soldier to ever serve the USA.

~JG

Judy Gordon is 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) Judy is the recipient of the Degree of Royal Purple (2012) and elected as the Grand Marshal for Illinois Job's Daughters (2015-16). Ray and Judy have three grandkids, and a very spoiled dog, Reggie (who incidentally volunteers as a Therapy Dog at local hospitals and nursing homes.)

Being A Lodge Officer Is More Than Just A Title

by Midnight Freemasons Contributor

Todd E. Creason

This is the time of year in my corner of the globe when Lodge Officers are elected and installed.  It's a privilege to be asked to take a chair in the lodge, and not a responsibility that should be taken lightly.  It's a leadership position and with it comes responsibility.  It's not just a title. 

First of all, if you're going to take the role, then learn the chair, don't just warm it.  In fact, if you take a chair you should already know it.  I had a Mason tell me a few years ago after moving up into the next chair he "had a year to learn it."  No, that is incorrect.  You've got a year to learn the next chair.  You should already know the chair you're in if you're in line.  Officers shouldn't be learning chairs "on the job" while the lodge is trying to open and close.  I've seen that too many times--Past Masters feeding ritual and giving instruction to an officer that has no idea what he's doing during a regular meeting.

It's the responsibility of the officer to learn his chair.  Most jurisdictions have regular officer training meetings--take advantage of them.  If you want the job, you have to do the work.  If you need help, then ask for it.  I've spent a lot of time over the years in my garage practicing ritual.  I've never been great at ritual, but it's not for a lack of trying.  In Freemasonry, when it comes to ritual, we seek perfection in our work, but at the very least if you prove competent, you'll get few complaints as long as you're making the effort. 

Second, if you're going to take the chair, come to the meetings.  You have accepted responsibilities when you take a chair.  If you can't be there, then don't take the chair.  Family and work responsibilities should always come before lodge.  If your work life, or your family life makes it difficult to attend, then don't take on the additional responsibility of being an officer in your lodge. 

When I was elected Master, I had to make a decision about one of our chairs in the lodge  Our dais officers and Secretary and Treasurer are elected, and the other officers are appointed by the Master.  As the newly elected Master, I took one of our members out of line.  He'd only made a couple meetings in the last year, and we had several new Master Masons interested in being more involved in the lodge.  It was the right decision to make, and I explained to him why it was the right decision.  Fortunately, he wasn't too upset about it.

And how do I feel qualified to talk about this subject?  It's because I've been there a few times over the years.  I should have been pulled out of line on more than one occasion--I'm guilty of all the same things I've talked about here.  I can't seem to say no, I wind up stretched far too thin, and wind up not knowing the work as well as I should and wind up doing a sloppy job at it.

And I'm not the only one that finds themselves in this situation.  Many Masons find themselves in over their heads with their Lodge, the York Rite, Shriners, Scottish Rite, Tall Cedars, Research Lodge, etc.  I did an interview for a podcast a few weeks ago and joked I had a nice red Shriner's fez in my closet that I've worn exactly once--the day I received it.  I have fifteen membership cards in my wallet--I just counted them.  I've taken chairs I shouldn't have because I should have known at the time by just looking at my calendar I didn't have the time to dedicate to it.  Over the last year, I've been learning to focus my energy a little more narrowly on just one or two things.  As Abe Lincoln said, "Whatever you are, be a good one."  That's my new rule. 

As Masons we have a tendency to get involved in a lot more than we should at times--always with the best possible intentions.  It's a big fraternity and for some of us, it offers a lot of irresistible new experiences, and of course we want to sample it all.  But there's nothing wrong in being "just a member."

If you're offered a chair, really think about it first.  Do have have the time to perform the duties right?  Are you able to attend regularly?  If you can't, then do everyone a favor and decline.  They wouldn't have asked you if they didn't really need somebody to do all aspects of the station well.

~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).

A Mason At Sight — More Than A Snap of the Fingers

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Steven L. Harrison, PM, FMLR

     On December 3, 2011, Most Worshipful Brother Terry L. Seward, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Illinois, exercised an authority unique to Grand Masters and made Brother Clifton Truman Daniel a Mason at sight.  Brother Daniel is the oldest grandson of Most Worshipful Brother Harry S. Truman.  It has happened many times before to dozens of men who have become "true and faithful" Brothers among us. Milton Eisenhower, Charles W. Fairbanks, Andrew Mellon, Booker T. Washington, William Howard Taft... all were made Masons at sight.  A couple of years ago basketball standout Shaquille O'Neal and Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss became Masons at sight.  It might be said a full list of Masons at sight reads like a Who's-Who of Masonry. Yet many Masons have reservations about the practice, feeling it dilutes the experience of becoming a Freemason and somehow indicates the Mason at sight Brother somehow lacks enthusiasm for or knowledge about the fraternity.

Clifton Truman Daniel, Harry Truman's grandson, 
was made a Mason at sight and received his Masonic 
Degrees On December 3, 2011, 
at  Matteson Lodge #175 in Joliet, Illinois.

     The conventions for making a Mason at sight, as most everything else in the Craft, vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.  In some jurisdictions, including mine — Missouri, the making of a Mason at sight is prohibited.  In general, however, the procedure employs some form of ritual and obligation and has guidelines for how many Brothers must be present.  According to Mackey, "The mode of exercising the prerogative is this: The Grand Master summons to his assistance not less than six other Freemasons, convenes a Lodge, and without any previous probation, but on sight of the candidates confers the Degrees upon him, after which he dissolves the Lodge and dismisses the Brethren."

Of course, not everyone does things according to Mackey.  Still, some Brothers hold the general conception that the process of making a Mason at sight is almost literal: The Grand Master snaps his fingers and, voilà! A new Mason.  It doesn't work that way.  "In this case," said MWB Seward, "it means there was no petition, no investigation and the ceremony was slightly shorter. I made every effort to ensure Brother Daniel was comfortable doing things this way because I didn't want him to miss anything and didn't want him to feel he wasn't getting the full experience."

Brother Daniel receives instruction from 
MWB Terry L. Seward, 
Grand Master of Illinois.

And so it was.  Brother Clifton was obligated in the Entered Apprentice and Fellowcraft degrees and received an impressive and full Master Mason degree.  Whatever he missed he could easily pick up by viewing the first two degrees.  The entire ceremony was solemn, well-orchestrated and beautifully conducted — far more than a snap of the fingers.  

The group of Brothers who witnessed Brother Daniel's raising were virtually unanimous in complimenting the ceremony after it was over.  They overwhelmingly congratulated the Grand Lodges of Illinois and Missouri for the work. And Brother Clifton expressed the same sentiments.

To look at it from another point of view, every one of those fortunate to be in attendance in that packed Lodge room in Joliet can now say something very few can claim, "I saw the making of a Mason at sight."

Note: The accompanying pictures are from Brother Daniel's actual degree ceremonies and were taken and published with the joint approval and permission of the Grand Masters of Illinois and Missouri, Terry L. Seward and John W. Hess.

~SLH

Steve Harrison, 32° KCCH, is a Past Master of Liberty Lodge #31, Liberty, Missouri.  He is the editor of the Missouri Freemasonmagazine, 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.

In the Steps of Pythagoras

by Midnight Freemason Contributor

Bro. James E. Frey 32°

    “We must avoid with our utmost endeavor, and amputate with fire and sword, and by all other means, from the body, sickness; from the soul, ignorance; from the belly, luxury; from a city, sedition; from a family, discord; and from all things, excess.” (Pythagoras)

My Brethren, within the Masonic system Pythagoras is one of the most prolific, yet unexplored influences on our fraternity. Within the Ancient Craft Pythagoras is mentioned as our “Ancient Brother” and is credited with the Pythagorean theorem, but other than this instance no reference to the Masonic connection to Pythagoras is explored in ritual. Who is this man we hold in such high esteem but is never incorporated further in our system? 

It is the goal of this series to explore the fundamental similarities of the Masonic philosophy and Pythagorean teachings. How is it compatible, and why do we consider Pythagoras to be one of the most influential Brothers in our mystic circle? But before we look at the man’s teachings we must first understand the Man. 

The life of Pythagoras is in obscured by the mists of time and is often overshadowed by the myth of his persona. The legend begins in the city of Delphi, while Pythagoras’ Parents, who were traveling merchants, found themselves traveling there on business. As was the custom they decided to consult the oracle of Delphi as to whether the Fates were favorable for their return voyage to Syria. When the Pythoness, the prophetess of Apollo, took her seat on the golden tripod she told Mnesarchus that his wife was with child and would give birth to a son who was destined to surpass all men in beauty and wisdom.  

The child was born at Sidon in Phoenicia between 600 and 590 B.C. just as the oracle had predicted and named the child Pythagoras, after the Pythian priestess. The legends of Pythagoras preserve that he was no mortal man; but one of the gods who had taken on a human form to instruct the human race. The mother of Pythagoras, was said to also have had a vision of a Apolloniacal ghost, which afterward appeared to her husband, and told him that he must have no sexual relations with his wife during her pregnancy.

During his young life Pythagoras traveled the known world and studied under a variety of teachers and went through the initiations of many mystery schools. It is said that the Rabbins instructed him in the secret traditions of Moses. He also went through the Mystery School of the Essenes, which instructed him in the mysteries of the Kabbalah and Jewish mysticism. Pythagoras then was initiated into the Babylonian, and

Zoroaster in the School of Athens
by Raphael 1509 CE

Chaldean Mysteries, which taught him advanced methods of astrology and mathematics. It also is believed that he was a disciple of one of the last Zoroasters, who was the primary teacher of a group of Persian mystics known as the Parsees. The record of Pythagoras’ studies is still preserved in the records of the Brahmins as Yavancharya, the Ionian Teacher. (Manley P. hall, 1928)

        “After having acquired all which it was possible for him to learn of the Greek philosophers and presumably, become an initiate in the Eleusinian mysteries, he went to Egypt, and after many rebuffs and refusals, finally succeeded in securing initiation in the Mysteries of Isis, at the hands of the priests of Thebes. Then this intrepid ‘joiner’ wended his way into Phoenicia and Syria where the Mysteries of Adonis were conferred upon him, and crossing to the valley of the Euphrates he tarried long enough to become versed in, the secret lore of the Chaldeans, who still dwelt in the vicinity of Babylon. Finally, he made his greatest and most historic venture through Media and Persia into Hindustan where he remained several years as a pupil and initiate of the learned Brahmins of Elephanta and Ellora.”  (Frank C. Higgins, 32°, Ancient Freemasonry)

During his teenage years Pythagoras was a disciple of Pherecydes and Hermodamas. It was at this time he became distinguished for the clarity of his philosophic concepts. He was tall and resembled the God Apollo himself and caused those in his presence to feel humbled. There is a story that Pythagoras sat with a group of disciples teaching them the mysteries. He praised those who understood filling his disciples with ecstasy, while one caused the Master to become irate and scold him. It is said this disciple committed suicide that night. Pythagoras was so moved by this tragedy that he never again spoke unkindly to or about anyone.

Upon his return from his travels, Pythagoras established a university at Crotona, a Dorian colony in Southern Italy. This caused his wisdom and advice to be sought by local leaders and teachers of the area. As his reputation as a philosopher spread across the land, though he only gathered around him a small but dedicated group of disciples. It was these disciples whom he instructed in the secret wisdom of the world, which was founded on the fundamentals of occult mathematics, music, and astronomy, which he considered to be the triangular foundation of the arts and sciences.

Pythagoras being known for his outspokenness incurred both political and personal enemies. It is said one who was denied initiation to their mysteries became determined to destroy his philosophy. The man used false propaganda against Pythagoras and turned the minds of the common people against the philosopher. Then one night a band of murderers descended upon the university and burned it to the ground.

Upon escaping from Crotona with a small band of followers Pythagoras became trapped in the burning building. His disciples threw themselves atop the flames so that Pythagoras could escape using their bodies as a bridge. It is said that he later died as the result of grieving over his lost efforts to serve and illuminate mankind.

After his death his wife and surviving disciples attempted to perpetuate his doctrines, but they were persecuted by the local governments and his school gradually disintegrated. Little remains today as a testimonial to the greatness of this philosopher and teacher, but those builders who benefit by his teachings revered the memory of the great philosopher, if only in shadows. 

        “Pythagoras’ teachings are of the most transcendental importance to Masons, inasmuch as they are the necessary fruit of his contact with the leading philosophers of the whole civilized world of his own day, and must represent that in which all were agreed, shorn of all weeds of controversy. Thus, the determined stand made by Pythagoras, in defense of pure monotheism, is sufficient evidence that the tradition to the effect that the unity of God was the supreme secret of all the ancient initiations is substantially correct. The philosophical school of Pythagoras was, in a measure, also a series of initiations, for he caused his pupils to pass through a series of degrees and never permitted them personal contact with himself until they had reached the higher grades. 

        According to his biographers, his degrees were three in number. The first, that of ‘Mathematicus,’ assuring his pupils proficiency in mathematics and geometry, which was then, as it would be now if Masonry were properly inculcated, the basis upon which all other knowledge was erected. Secondly, the degree of ‘Theoreticus,’ which dealt with superficial applications of the exact sciences, and, lastly, the degree of ‘Electus,’which entitled the candidate to pass forward into the light of the fullest illumination which he was capable of absorbing. The pupils of the Pythagorean school were divided into ‘exoterici,’ or pupils in the outer grades, and ‘esoterici,’ after they had passed the third degree of initiation and were entitled to the secret wisdom. Silence, secrecy and unconditional obedience were cardinal principles of this great order.” (Frank C. Higgins, 32°, Ancient Freemasonry)

~JEF

James E Frey, 32° is a Past Sovereign Prince and current librarian of Valley of Danville AASR. Founder of the R.E.B.I.S Research Society he sits on two Blue Lodge Education committees as well as a guest lecturer on Occultism and Esoteric studies in masonry. He is also a Member of the Oak Lawn York Rite, Medinah Shriners, and Golden Dawn Collegium Spiritu Sancti. He also works as a counselor with emotionally and behaviorally challenged children.