The Path Forward, and Be a Freemason
In the Meet, Act, and Part show, brother Bill Hosler and guests explore the current state of Freemasonry and the new website which is part of the path forward campaign: https://beafreemason.org.
Death
An article in the Midnight Freemason this week reflects on the lessons about death that are found in the Masonic funeral service.
In Danse Macabre, WB Darin A. Lahners discusses the Illinois Ritual and delves into its meaning, prompting brothers to think about how it applies to them, and what it means for our use of symbols like skulls and chambers of reflection in the craft.
We go on from design to design, add hope to hope, and layout plans for the employment of many years. The messenger of death comes when least expected, and at a moment which to us seems the meridian of our existence. What are all the externals of human dignity, the power of wealth, or the charms of beauty when nature has paid her just debt? View life stripped of its ornaments and exposed in its natural weakness, and we see the vanity of all earthly things save those which go to the growth and perfection of individual character. In the grave all fallacies are detected, all ranks are leveled, all distinctions are done away. Here the scepter of the prince and the of the beggar lie side by side.
Illinois Masonic Funeral Ritual
The Square and Compasses on a Fire Truck
London Freemasons donated £2.5 million to the fire brigade, but with the condition that the fire trucks carry Square & Compasses on the actual truck. Paul Embery, of the Fire Brigades Union said there were concerns over donations from “secret societies”.
History
On March 2, 1484, King Richard III signed the Royal Charter for the College of Arms, which granted the Mark Master Mason’s patent for its coat of arms. The motto translates as “The stone which was rejected has become the head stone of the corner”.
New Lodge Officers
An interesting discussion on whether or not a new form of lodge officer (Lodge Communication Officer, or LCO) should be recognized with collar jewels, and how the structure of lodges evolve over time.
Forthright 