Masonic Minute
You’re Wearing Your Ring The Wrong Way!
Tue, 12/23/2008 - 13:32A few months ago I was at another Scottish Rite Reunion happily enjoying the degrees and taking in the beauty of an amazing Temple that I had never been to before. After the candidates were presented their 14th Degree ring one of them came up to me and asked how he should wear his new [...]
Fundamentalist Beatdown
Wed, 12/17/2008 - 15:45Whenever I come into contact with walk-up Christian fundamentalists, I usually humor them for a couple of minutes and then go on my merry way without giving the person much thought, but the other day was different for me. I was sick, exhausted, late and not in the mood to humor anybody. As I was [...]
Can we?…or…Must we?
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 22:48I was disturbed recently to hear about the following conversation (all of this, by the way is hearsay from an incredibly reliable source)… Mason 1: Now that Obama won, and since our jurisdiction has regular relations with our Prince Hall brothers…do we have to hang his picture in our Lodge? Mason 2: I’m not certain…I mean…he IS [...]
The Youngest…
Thu, 11/13/2008 - 17:35When I was initiated, the Master of the Lodge referred to me as the Youngest Entered Apprentice. Indeed I was. I went on to become the youngest Fellowcraft and Master Mason as well. Now, roughly six years later I am not only the youngest Master Mason in my Lodge, but will also be the youngest [...]
The Old Side-Liner
Sat, 10/11/2008 - 00:07This is not a blog. It is a story. Not a work of fiction but rather an amalgamation of things I have experienced in my short time in Masonry. I am of the “New Generation”, one of the “Young Turks”, full of “piss and vinegar” ready to jump in with both feet. Quick to learn, [...]
On Money…
Fri, 10/03/2008 - 12:07Most Lodges don’t have enough. Not enought commitment from their Brothers to make ends meet. There is a myth in Freemasonry…that it should be “affordable”…like Walmart. This is the single issue that separates the Men from the Boys. The Men know how much VALUE there is in Freemasonry. The Men understand that personal commitment requires some sacrifice. The [...]
Past Master: Tyrant (or…How I am Avoiding Becoming One)
Thu, 09/25/2008 - 12:45Too many Lodges have one of those guys. You know, the Past Master who lords over the Lodge with his smooth talk and popular sway. He runs the place. It’s his Lodge. Some of them do it from the Secretary’s desk. Some of them do it from the Chaplain’s seat. Some just sit on the sidelines, [...]
On YOUR Topic…
Mon, 09/22/2008 - 21:42As we are not fearful of change here at MasonicMinute, I have accepted a challenged by a Brother to write about what he wants me to write about. The only problem is that he has not gotten back to me yet on the topic, and so I will ask the rest of you to [...]
The “Poor Man’s” Lament…
Wed, 09/17/2008 - 23:08About a year ago, an article appeared in a local Masonic publication. I wrote the following in response, but never posted it. I am glad I held-back. Now that I have re-read it, I think it is appropriate to publish it. My judgment is still the same as it was, but I have changed some names and [...]
The Re-Evolution of Masonic Charity
Mon, 09/15/2008 - 22:10Ever since the Craft felt like it needed to cease the purge of members after the Morgan Affair, Masons all around have continued to pretend that we are a “charitable” organization. Many of our brothers still feel that giving away money is more important than learning and making great Men…building those temples. What we forget [...]
The Blame Game…(an “Ode” to The Widow’s Son)
Fri, 09/12/2008 - 17:01I told myself I would not do it. I promised myself a long time ago that I would not engage in the typical blah-blah-blah of the blogosphere…but I must respond. Within the last few weeks, an not-so-old blog of mine (see VIGILANCE below)(I’d like to link to it, but I don’t know how) got some props from [...]
Lodge Revolution: How we did it.
Fri, 09/12/2008 - 02:13Within the Masonic blogosphere there is much commentary between men regarding the state of Freemasonry as it is today. Many are dissatisfied with the condition that the craft is in. Some have left and formed new organizations in an effort to embody those elements which they feel are Masonically fitting. Everything from shifting the focus [...]
