Coconut Grove Lodge No.258 F.&A.M.

I have been inundated with Masonic news groups and some new Masons whom seem to think that they have a need to write articles on Freemasonry. There are several so called Masonic Yahoo Groups asking Masons (and non Masons) to join their Group and read their articles and contribute to their Group.

Like it or not I would like all my brothers to know my feelings on this subject. I have been a Mason just short of 36 years and if I learned only one thing that is we don't need the so called pre-mason intellects to come into our beloved fraternity and spouse their need to show what they seem to think is Gods gift to the greatest fraternity in the world their intellect. OK yes I am talking about Brothers who, for the most part, have not spent but very few hours in a Blue Lodge learning, or teaching Masonic principles and Masonic etiquette.

It brings to my mind these so called researchers of Freemasonry who write books and articles on Freemason as to where they receive all this information, and to what their intention are I can only guess that they want to stand out in and among Masonic circles. I can't believe any one these authors are over a hundred years old or more, and talk from experience. Brother if you are doing research from old books, please get involved in your Blue Lodge, after all Freemasonry stood alone for many, many years before append 'ant organizations were formed. My gung-ho Brothers you can and will spend your life time being completely involved in your Blue Lodge.

Please think of your Blue Lodge, as it was formed and intended to be, your Masonic family. Remember you have taken three different oaths and obligations to help and support your Blue Lodge. You either are or your not part of the foundation what keeps your Lodge in operation. There is nothing more you can give to a new Brother at his degrees then to see Brothers on the side lines. Spend more time with and in your Blue Lodge and support all its principles. Show what your intentions were in asking for a petition for the three degrees in the first instance. Over the years I have been a Master Mason I have listened to Brothers by the dozens lament on the subject of deceasing membership, its my contention that Freemasonry has been prostituted by trying to fill our membership rolls with bodies. How many times I have heard the phrase "WHERE ARE ALL THE NEW BROTHERS WE RAISED" well I say that your Blue Lodge has not given new members anything to want to come back to, that is if these new members had hopes of joining the most prestigious fraternity in the world. Sorry Brothers those of you how think its cute to sit on the sidelines and during meeting and talk to another when only the Master of the Lodge has the right to recognize a Brother to stand and speak.

Blue Lodge Masonic education is so beautiful and so deep it takes many years to learn. In 36 years I have not learned all there is to offer a serious Brother. I feel sure that this open letter will not make it into any Yahoo Group, nor any other printed news letter/paper. And yes my Brothers your Blue Lodge only offers you the number of third degree Master Mason, please take it from me you have attained the highest degree number in Blue Lodge Freemasonry. If this so called letter offends any of my Brothers I am sorry, I only know what I have learned and have a need to say this in an open letter.

Last but not least brothers visit your Blue Lodge and notice the incompetence of the Officers sitting in chairs in which they can't show any proficiency in their part of opening the Lodge, let alone exemplify a degree, yet we continue to advance through the appointed and elected chairs these same Brothers. This has caused a very serious breakdown in most all of our Blue Lodges. I guess I have said enough to cause those Brothers who don't feel a need to contribute to their Blue Lodge if only by attendance due their obligation.

W. Brother John E. Gardner
9070 S.W. 69th. Terrace
Miami, Florida 33173
Home 305-596-5259
Cell 305-801-3924
Email JGARD40022@AOL.COM

Last Night I knelt where Hiram knelt.

By

Pat M. Armstrong

Last night I knelt where Hiram knelt

and took an obligation

today I'm closer to my God

and I'm a Master Mason

Tho' heretofore my fellow men

seemed each one like the other

today I search each one apart

I'm looking for my brother

And as I feel his friendly grip

it fills my heart with pride

I know that while I'm on the square

that he is by my side

His footsteps on my errand go

if I should such require:

His prayers will lead in my behalf

if I should so desire

My words are safe within his breast

as though within my own

his hand forever at my back

to help me safely home

Good counsel whispers in my ear

and warns of any danger

By square and compass, Brother now!

Who once would call me stranger

I might have lived a moral life

and risen to distinction

Without my Brothers helping hand

and fellowship of Masons

But God, who knows how hard it is

to resist life's temptations

knows why I knelt where Hiram knelt

and took that obligation.

Special thanks to W:. John Gardner.

 The Brotherhood

 Masons describe their fraternity as a brotherhood that teaches moral lessons through allegory and secret rituals. It spells out a structured code that Masons are to live by ? truth, honor and charity. Masons pledge to take care of one another and their families for life.  

There are at least 200 Masonic charitable foundations or programs in the United States.

 They fund everything from hospitals to charter schools. Overall, Masons donate millions of dollars each year to charities.

 It's not a religious organization, but Johnson says Masons have to profess a belief in a higher power.

 "Masonically, we talk about God as the architect of the universe," he says. "It really doesn't matter how a brother defines his faith, as long as he believes in a deity."

 That universality has put Masonry at odds with organized religion for centuries. The Roman Catholic Church has long considered Freemasonry to be an anti-Catholic cult.

 But Alan Patterson, a church-going man himself, says all of that stuff about undermining religion is just bunk; at its core, he says, Masonry is something really simple.

 "We get together, we turn the phones off, we turn the pagers off, we close the doors, and we dedicate ourselves to bettering ourselves as men," Patterson says. "It's quaint, but it's appealing to a younger group of people."

Changing Member Profiles

 In its glory days in the 1940s and '50s, the Masons had 4 million members in the United States, and 50,000 lodges. Now, they have about 1.8 million members. But many lodges ? including the Naval Lodge in D.C. ? say their average age is going down. Why?

 Mark Tabbert, 43, is the director of collections at the George Washington Masonic National Memorial in Alexandria, Va. Tabbert is the former grand master of his lodge in Massachusetts; he's also a Masonic history buff. In his office, a plastic action figure is propped on a bookshelf with a little piece of paper stuck to him; it reads "Masonic superhero."

 Tabbert says that when membership plummeted during the counterculture movement of the 1960s and '70s, the Masons accepted virtually anyone who knocked on the door.

"In the quest to be larger and to do more good and to have more fun," he says, "they let in a lot more people, and it dropped the standards of the fraternity."

 He says the current renewed interest in Freemasonry has brought in men who take a more serious approach to the ritual than older generations did, and who want to tighten initiation standards and raise dues. But he says the fraternity must watch out for men who sign up because of misguided theories linking Freemasonry to "divine secrets."

 "Once you get through the romanticism of a quest that doesn't exist, or foolishness about the Knights Templar or the Arc of the Covenant or the Holy Grail, you find out that there actually is a quest," Tabbert says. "And the quest is the inner journey, the self improvement, to be useful in society and improve yourself."

Masonic Treasures

 While the Masons may not have any big secrets, they do have treasures ? including the gavel that George Washington used to hammer in the cornerstone on the Capitol building in 1793. The head of the gavel is made from the same marble used in the original interior of the Capitol, the handle made from native American cherry wood.

 It's one of the most treasured Masonic artifacts, guarded by a lodge in the Georgetown neighborhood of D.C. Longtime Mason Dean Klatterbach says the gavel represents a bridge to the past and to Washington himself, the quintessential American Masonic hero.

 It's a powerful connection for Klatterbach, who becomes visibly emotional when discussing the gavel.

 "He still stands as a man of indisputable integrity," Klatterbach says of America's first president. "It's pretty nice to be associated with someone of that stature."

 But for many new, younger members, Masonry's attraction lies less in historical icons and artifacts than in its sense of fraternity. Johnson, the junior warden of Naval Lodge 4, says what bonds Masons together is oral tradition: passing knowledge, experience and wisdom from generation to generation.

 "It takes another brother to show you the way and take you down the path to get to the enlightenment that we offer," he says.

This article was published in The Grand Lodge Florida Mason magazine, 2003.

Special thanks to W:. John Gardner.

MASONIC EDUCATION,

OPINIONS & POETRY.

NOVEMBER 2003 THE FLORIDA MASON

"THE PIGEON DEGREE"

******

This is a true Masonic story of what happened at one Masonic Blue Lodge.

A few years ago, the Lodge was having trouble with flocks of pigeons roosting on their roof.

These pigeons caused the worst smell from their droppings, which were bringing insects to borrow into the droppings.

The Worshipful Master, and other elected officers of the Lodge became alarmed at this situation and formed a committee to take

care of this pigeon problem.

Well the Lodge committee, on removal of pigeons, met to study and talk about a solution, and what matters to take to bring about the permanent removal of the pigeons. The first thing the committee did was to go up on the Lodge building?s roof and tie several strips of cloth in various areas to scare the pigeons away. These efforts did not work and the pigeons remained there.

The committee then, as was planned, bought several decoy Owls and placed the Owls in several areas of the

roof, again in an attempt to scare the pigeons away. Again these efforts brought no relief and the pigeons had covered the roof by now.

When after several fruitless attempts were made for the removal of the pigeons the committee then, as was planed, hired a professional pigeon removal company who advertised and guaranteed in writing the permanent removal of the pigeons or they would refund all monies to anyone having this problem if they failed to cause the permanent removal of the pigeons. Well this company came to the Lodge building and after several weeks, and several attempts, to cause the permanent removal of the pigeons, and all attempts failed, the company refunded all of the Lodge money.

My Brothers, I am happy to report to you there was not a sad ending to this pigeon problem. It so happened that the following month the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons of Florida was in Miami on Masonic business, and the Grand Master came to Coral Gables Lodge on an unofficial visit. After the business of the Lodge had been conducted, and the Lodge was closed, the officers, members, and visitors retired to the Lodge dining room where the Lodge Stewart's had prepared and served dinner for all.

While the Brothers were sitting eating and talking in general, and near the end of dinner the then Most Worshipful Grand Master, whom was sitting next to the then Worshipful Master of Coral Gables Lodge, asked the Worshipful Master how the business, and Masonic work, of Coral Gables Lodge was going on under his Mastership of the Lodge. The Worshipful Master then told the Grand Master that all of the Lodge business and degree work were being held and preformed in all Masonic principles in due respect and honor of Freemasonry. The Master then said to the Grand Master that there was only one problem the Lodge was having and that was the pigeon problem the Lodge was experiencing for seven months and of all the attempts which were made to relive the problem. The Master also told the Grand Master this pigeon problem was becoming out of control and that the Lodge could not find a solution to end this problem.

My Brothers all this will perhaps sound strange to you, but there are those Brothers who will confirm what you are about to read next as it is all true and it did happen in Coral Gables Lodge. Upon hearing this tale of woe from the Worshipful Master about the pigeon problem, the Grand Master stood up and told the Lodge?s Master that he could solve his problem for the Lodge then and there. The Grand Master asked the Master to show him the stairway to the roof and the Master led the Grand Master, with the pigeon committee, up and onto the Lodge roof. The Grand Master seeing the thousands of pigeons then and there raised his hands skyward toward the starry-decked heavens and the Grand Master said these words.

?By the power in me invested I now declare all pigeons Past Masters.?

And lo and behold, all of the pigeons disappeared and never came back to the Lodge.

Thank you my Brothers all for your attention in reading and consuming this very important Masonic knowledge.

I know by now you believe, and understand this Past Masters Pigeon Degree.

Yours in Brotherly Love, and Masonic Education.

W:.John E. Gardner, PM, Secretary Coconut Grove Lodge No. 258

jgard40022@aol.com

In the Second degree lecture, we learn that there are five orders of architecture. These, we are told, are the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite. These five types of pillars are often found either depicted, or actually standing in many lodges around the world. However, how many of us really know the difference of these pillars, and why they are so important?

It is firstly important to state that there are many sorts of architectural orders. The five mentioned above, refer to the Greek/Roman orders, but there were also Egyptian, Hindu and other orders.

Most buildings made by ancient Greece and later by Rome, ranging from temples to baths, used one of these five orders of architecture. No matter which order was used, the basic purpose was the same - that is, to impress whoever shall use the building of its importance and the wealth spent to build it. The Greeks used only three orders of architecture, namely the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. The Romans borrowed these three, and added two of their own, the Tuscan, which was made simpler than the Doric, and the Composite, which was made more eloboratly than the Corinthian.

A collumn is actually made up of three parts. The top portion is called the Cornice, or top horizontal portion. The middle long straight section (or shaft) is called the Frieze, and the base of the collumn is called the Architrave.

It is said that the Greeks viewed the plain but sturdy Doric order as the male, whereas the slimmer, and often fluted, Ionic represented the female. The flower decorations seen on the Corinthian are said to represent acanthus leaves. Tuscan, the simplest, always has non-decorated straight collumns.

Symbolically the pillar can have several meanings. In heraldrly, the pillar signifies fortitude and constancy. Fortitude was also the reason that many pillars were erected, such as in ancient Egypt, to commemorate important events, with esoteric secrets engraved on them. We read in the Book of Judges (ix. 6) of Abimelech, that a ?pillar was erected in Shechem? when he was made king; and (2 Kings xi. 14) it is said that a pillar was raised when Joash was made king, ?as the manner was?, indicating that this was common practice. Thoth, the father of all wisdom, was said to have concealed his books by burying them under a pillar. A pillar is said to represent the bridge between heaven and earth.

We learn in the first degree lecture, that EA?s serve their Masters with ?Freedom, Fervency and Zeal?, symbolized by chalk, charcoal and clay. Why charcoal?

In many cultures, charcoal was seen as a wondrous substance, for it made possible the use of metals. Its fervency, or great heat, was critical to refining progressively harder and harder metals, from lead to copper, brass to bronze, and iron to steel. In the lecture we learn that ?Nothing is more fervent than Charcoal, to which, when well ignited, the most obdurate metals will yield.? It is interesting and instructive that the term ?obdurate? carries the meanings ?hardened in wickedness?, ?persistently impenitent?, and ?resisting or insensible to moral influence?. Thus a second service is expected of our Brother, namely to ignite himself in his search for a better moral foundation and strive to fit himself for the Builder?s use.

The Romans marked festive days on their calendats with lime (or white chalk) and unlucky days with charcoal, perhaps herein lie one association often made in many cultures that black=unlucky, white = lucky.

A Korean tradition is to wait twenty-one days before visiting a new mother and child. All visitations are restricted during this time period, and ropes are hung across the gate to keep people out. These ropes, called kumchul (or geumjul), are decorated according to the sex of the child. Charcoal, white paper, and pine needles let people know that a girl has been born; charcoal and red paper (sometimes peppers) signify that a boy has been born to the family. The charcoal symbolizes cleanliness, red symbolizes the male, pine needles symbolize chastity in women, and white is to prevent impurities from entering the house.

Charcoal is also a symbol of absorption, coming from the same physical properties it possesses, and hence was often used as a symbol of quick absorption of thoughts and lessons. It is the porosity of wood charcoal that explains why it floats on the surface of water, although it is actually denser. This also accounts for its ability to readily absorb gases and liquids; charcoal is often used to filter water or absorb odors. Its pharmacological action depends on the same property; it absorbs the gases of the stomach and intestines, and also liquids and solids (hence its use in the treatment of certain poisonings). Charcoal filters are used in some types of gas mask to remove poisonous gases from inhaled air.

To dream of charcoal unlighted, denotes miserable situations and bleak unhappiness. If it is burning with glowing coals, there is prospects of great enhancement of fortune, and possession of unalloyed joys.

In the third degree lecture, as well as on many versions of trestelboards of this degree, we see a sword pointing to a naked heart. Masons, and non-masons alike, often put their hand over their heart while praying, as a sign of respect, or when speaking in Lodge.

The heart in modern times, has come to be seen as the center of feelings. However, many ancient civilizations regard the heart as the center of intellect and intuition, which we in modern times associate with the head. Even Pascal once remarked "great thoughts come from the heart."

The Egyptians believed that the god Ptah conceived the world in his heart before creating it through his spoken words. To the Egyptians, the heart was the core of an individual?s life, will, and intellect and hence it was the one internal organ left in the mummy so that it could be weighed (compared to a feather, symbol of Ma?at, the god of justice) at Osiris? judgment seat, to ensure it has not been made heavy by misdeeds. Perhaps the phrase ?to have a heavy heart? derives from such beliefs. It was the one organ responsible for a person?s actions, as the following ancient inscriptions show ?What the arms do, where the legs take us, how all the parts of the body move - all of this the heart ordains?.

It was also believed that the heart was the first organ to be created within a mother?s womb, and as it also the first organ to die, therefore ?to love with one?s whole heart? often meant until one?s last breath. It was also believed that dreams came from the heart, hence the phrase ?I sleep, but my heart wakes.? Spirit and heart are often intertwined, as can be seen from the phrase ?a new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you? (Ezekiel 36:26). As such it is the heart that is associated with the spirit, not the soul.

The Aztecs believed that the Sun, through its journeys through the underworld (night) would loose its strength unless the blood in the hearts of ritually sacrificed humans was offered.

It was only in the Middle Ages that the heart became associated with love, especially in poetry.

The heart, being in the center of the body, has been closely associated with the number five. The body has five parts, the torso, two arms and two legs. The world, according to Diodorus, was also comprised of by 5 elements, earth, fire, water, air and spirit. The symbol of the heart, can be seen first used on a Greek amphora dating back to 500 BC. Th Roman number for 5, V, looks like much like a heart. Five is also a symbol of marriage, because it is the first sum of the first even number (2 - female) to the first odd number (3 - male).

In the second degree lecture, we learn that “By Speculative Masonry, we learn to subdue our passions, to act upon the square...”. What does this phrase mean?

We know that the square is the Worshipful Master’s jewel. We also know that it is an integral part of our apron, where a square (the apron) is “covered” by a triangle (the flap). Indeed, in European masonry we are taught that the flap represents the mind or the intellectual, whereas the apron itself represents the material.

The notion that the square represents material is the fact that a square often represents the earth, whereas the mind represents the heavens. A square is geometrically perfect, and it being static, denoted straightforwardness. Squares were also simple tools used to check whether angles were correct, and hence came to represent honesty. In heraldic emblems, the square is taken to mean constancy.

Balance is also a central theme. A “square meal” which means a well-balanced meal. “On the square” means to be honest.

The reason why it is significant that the words “act” is included in “Act upon the square”. As there are no perfect squares to be found in nature, it is up to man must create it. Hence, to act upon a square also infers that we must work hard to be able to be honest, stable and straightforward.

The first thing most of us do when encountering a new word, is reach for the nearest dictionary. Although other variations, such as Cable-length and Cable-laid were found, the word Cabletow, could not been found outside of Masonic publications, despite trying different spellings and different (older) dictionaries.   Breaking cabletow down, we find the word cable and tow. Webster?s lists three words in this context, namely tow-line, hawser, and cable. It defines a tow-line as ?A small hawser, used to tow a ship?, a hawser as ?A small cable; or a large rope, in size between a cable and a tow-line?, and a cable as ?A large strong rope or chain, used to retain a vessel at anchor; composed of three strands; each strand of three ropes; and each rope of three twists. A ships cable is usually 120 fathom, or 720 feet, in length. ? Furthermore, the encyclopedia of knots describes a cable as three hawsers, twisted so that they spiral to the left. In any case, it is clear that the one of the main purposes of a tow-line, hawser and cable is to pull and secure heavy objects, and is an essential piece in construction. Ancient builders used cables extensively, and although it is unclear exactly when the term cabletow came to be used in Masonry, it is no stretch of the imagination to suggest it came from terms and equipment operative masons were using which speculative masons then adopted.

Symbolism of ropes around a neck:

Other religions and societies have used a device similar to a cabletow in their religious ceremonies, commonly referred to as a halter, or a rope put around a candidate during religious ceremonies, presumably as a symbol to indicate the mercy of the candidate to whatever was awaiting him after an initiation.

However, the main symbolism of having a rope around one?s neck, is submission. Many cultures put halters, or collars, around prisoners and slaves, an example of which can be seen in the illustration below.

Usages in Masonry:

It seems that the first time the word Cabletow came in use was 1730, when it was described as a cable rope, and also as a tow-line. Part of the FC obligation is that ?wi an al du si an re su se me fr a Lo of Fe Crs or gi me by a Br of ths de, if wi the le on my ca-to?. This usage probably stemmed from the fact that Medieval Masons were required to attend their annual or triennial ?assemblies? except in case of sickness or ?in peril of death?. Others have said that certain assemblies specified what that distance was, ranging from 3 to 50 miles.

What is interesting is the term is used as ?my cabletow?, implying that it is an individual thing, and hence unique. If so, many have said that the length of ones cabletow, and hence the ability to attend Lodge, depends on the individuals circumstances, like work obligations, family, distance and the like.

It is also interesting to note that in some Masonic ceremonies, the number of times the cabletow is bound around a candidate increases as the candidate progresses higher in the degrees, symbolizing the increasing importance of the lessons therein taught. The opposite also exists, where the number of times a candidate is bound decreases, signifying the increased "trust" the candidate receives as he progresses.

Illustration of an ancient Mayan vase using a cable-tow, Late Classical age 550-950

The axe is one of the most prominent symbols of the 22nd Degree of the Scottish Rite (Knight Royal Axe, Prins of Libanus). Such axes were said to have been used to cut down cedars used in the building of King Solomon's Temple, The Ark of the Convenant, and even Noah's Ark. The initials on the axe are those of Solomon and Noah, whereas the initials on the handle are those of Libanus and Tsidun, Libanus referring to the area where the cedars were found (Lebanon), and Tsidun, the city whose people helped cut down the trees. The initials on the one side of the blade are said to be those of Shem, Ham, Japheth (The three sons of Noah), Moses, Aholiab, and Bezaleel (who together led a large group of workers who worked in fine metals, rare wood, and precious stones). Initials on the other side of the blade are those of Adoniram (civil servant responsible for acquiring laborers), Cyrus (original issuer of decree allowing the rebuilding of the Temple), Darius (who re-issued Cyrus's decree and provided for all costs from royal revenue to rebuild the Temple), Zerubbabel (credited with the Temple's reconstruction), Nehemiah (who rebuilt Jerusalem's walls) and Ezra (who collected contributions from the Babylonian Jews). These initials, hence, all appear to represent the prominent people who, in their own ways, helped rebuild the Temple.

The axe is also one of the oldest tools of modern man. As with so many symbols dereived from tools, it has an dualistic association, in this case representing both destruction and creation.

In pre-historic times, axes were made from stone, which sometimes created sparks when struck on other rocks. Many ancient cultures associated sparks with thunder, which in turn was known to have great powers. American Indians, the Chinese and even the Celts called axes "thunder stones". As such, axes became closely associated with power, both the power of destruction, and the power of creation.

As such, the axe often became an important symbol of power. Axes were often depicted on Chinese robes worn by top officials, representing the Emperor’s power to guide the nation through tough times if need be. Similar usage is often also seen in European heraldry, where a lion or other powerful animal is shown holding an axe as a symbol of the nations, or its leader’s, powers. Other flags prominently show an axe, including those of the Royal Standard of Norway, Telemark (also Norway), Santa Isabel Province (Solomon Islands), and Toporiv in the Ukraine.

Of all the symbolic meaning of the axe, it is most often used as a symbol of creation. As axes were closely associated with thunder, it also naturally became associated with rain, another important giver of life. Axes were also an essential tool in spreading civilizations. This is the context in which the symbol is used in the 22nd Degree.

The axe also represents the spreading of civilizations, by the many types of wooden structures essential for civilizations to spread, such as buildings, boats and the like. Use of the axe in this context can also be seen in flags. For example, the coat-of-arms of Brazilian municipality of Brusque shows an axe, added there to remember the "pioneering work of the first settlers and explorers". It is also a German tradition to strike a blow with an axe at the site of a new building. This custom originated from the legend of St. Wolfgang, who after having selected a solitary spot in the wilderness, prayed, and then threw his axe into the thicket; the spot on which the axe fell he regarded as the place where God intended he should build his place.

An example of a double-axe

On the other hand, the axe is also a symbol of destruction, as it can be used as a weapon, as was often the case with a weapon known as a battle-axe. This was probably an older usage of the symbol, as the earliest axes must have been double sided stones attached to an end of a piece of wood to serve as a tool.

As axes were often used for killing large animals, some cultures associated the axe with sacrifices. This especially grew since martyrs such as Barnabus, Matthew, and Matthias were executed with an axe, and were later often portrayed with one.