Masonic Altar
July 20, 2001
District # 8 Masonic Matters
This publication is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge
Of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota.
Dear Brother,
Well here we are enjoying the good life here in the 8th District of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota. (Minnesota is a great place to live, and District 8 is a wonderful part of Minnesota, but we try to keep that a secret.)
What’s going on in District # 8 you ask, well let me fill you in on all the Masonry you can take part in, around the district, and elsewhere.
July is soon at an end but there are Masonic functions to participate in yet this month, and at the beginning of August.
First Degree – July 24th at Helios Lodge, Cambridge, MN. The Degree will begin at 7 P.M. and supper will be at 6 P.M. This will be a special supper. W.B. Dale Dordal will be grilling fresh Salmon from his Alaska trip. This is a fine and generous thing for Brother Dale to do, and a head count is definitely needed, because of the construction around the Lodge building this will be held out doors in the yard of the Lodge, in case of rain plans will change. For information and reservations call W.B. Roger McNear at 763-689-3602
First Degree – July 26th at Mora Lodge, Mora, MN. The degree will begin at 7:30 P.M. and Supper will be at 6:30 P.M. here again a head count is needed. For information and reservations call W.B. Jim Slaikeu at 320-679-0264
National Night out -- Helios Lodge, Cambridge, MN This will be going from about 5 P.M. to 9 or 10 P.M. Helios Lodge has this as an annual outing to get to know and be known in the neighborhood. Helios Lodge was the first organization in Cambridge to get this going, and now its spreading to other organizations and groups in the community. National night out is a good project for a Masonic Lodge to participate in. There will be plenty of eats and good times with the Masons, their families, and the neighbors of the Lodge. There is no charge for anything at the event, it is totally sponsored by the Brothers of the Lodge, so if you’re in the neighborhood drop by and say hello, have something to eat and drink on a warm night, and have a good time.
Relay for Life -- August 10th at the Isanti County Fair grounds. Helios Lodge will have a “camp” set up and the Brothers from Helios will have a team walking all night to raise funds to aid cancer patients in the community. This is always a pleasant night for the Brothers of the Lodge and their Families.
Third Degree -- August 15th Fraternal Lodge # 92, Princeton, MN. I’m not exactly sure of the time, but I think it will be at 7 P.M. for details call W.B. Ferdinand Trebesch, Master of the Lodge, at 763-389-2419
Golf Outing – Fraternal Lodge # 92. August 25th. This is an Annual Golf outing for Fraternal Lodge and others who would like to join in the fun. You can sign up for golf or just the supper, and there is fun for everyone. For information Call W.B. Ernie Trebesch at 763-389-2105
School of Instruction, Third Degree (First Section.) – Friday evening, Helios Lodge # 273, at 343 S.W. 2nd Ave. Cambridge, MN on September 14th
Third Degree – Mora Lodge # 223 800 south Union Street, Mora, MN on September 15th The Degree will begin in the afternoon, there will be a break for supper and the degree will continue with the second section in the evening. For exact time and reservations for supper call W.B. Jim Slaikeu at 320-679-4670
Pig Roast – Mora Lodge, Mora, MN September 16th at the Lodge it will begin at 11 A.M. and go till? W.B. Jim Slaikeu, Master of Mora Lodge is the one to contact for specifics.
The Minnesota Grand Lodge has a web page at: http://www.mn-mason.org It is a very interesting web page, and if you haven’t visited it lately you might want to do it, there is some real good information on it. There are also some files that are of interest that may be hard to find from the page, R.W. Brother Doug Campbell, our Grand Secretary has put together a list of these addresses and I thought I’d reproduce them here for you.
Installation of Officers; http://www.mn-mason.org/install.html
Investigation Committee report and assignment; http://www.mn-mason.org/invest.html
Officers Duties Booklet; http://www.mn-mason.org/duties.html
Minnesota Masonic Manual; http://www.mn-mason.org/manual.html
French Military Table Lodge Script; http://www.mn-mason.org/table.html
Petition for affiliation; http://www.mn-mason.org/miscpeti.html
Petition for degrees; http://www.mn-mason.org/petition.html
Fifty Year Pin “Form;” http://www.mn-mason.org/fifty.html
Degree Prologues; http://www.mn-mason.org/prolog.html
Minnesota Masonic Code; http://www.mn-mason.org/code2000.html
So, if you would like a copy of the booklet on “Duties of Officers” you can print in out from the site above. Same with the MN Masonic Manual, (this is a real good manual to have and refer to,) You can just print it out, if you don’t want to buy a printed hard bound pocket version from the Grand Lodge. (Which by the way is only $7.50 – just write the Grand Secretary at Grand Lodge A.F. & A. M. of MN – 200 East Plato Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55107)
The Minnesota Masonic Code can be searched by using the “word” you are looking for, this is a real nice feature and we can thank our Brother Doug, Grand Secretary, for it, So thanks R.W. Brother Doug.
Well take a look at the site for the GL of MN, and the files above, I know you will find some interesting Masonic information and education there.
I came across the following information on the Philalethes List server, in a piece written by W.B. Eric Schmitz, I was so impressed with what Brother Eric wrote I asked if I might put a quote from his article in Masonic Matters, and Brother Eric gave his permission.
So here is what he wrote, I’m sure you will like it.
“Our Christian detractors have often made the assertion that "Freemasonry is incompatible with Christianity." Christian Freemasons have vehemently denied this allegation. With all due respect to my brethren who have repeatedly stated; "Freemasonry is not incompatible with any religion," I must say the following:”
“If your religion, as you practice it, makes it impossible for you to peacefully coexist with anyone of a different faith than yours, under the spirit of universal religious tolerance, or to show respect for another's faith by reciting a non-sectarian prayer that does not name any specific Deity, and to which a brother of a different faith may readily add his "Amen;" if your religion, as you practice it, requires that you always be allowed to proselytize your beliefs to others, no matter what the forum; then Freemasonry is indeed incompatible with your religion, whatever it may be.”
“Here, it seems appropriate to quote one of my favorite authors:
"The major offense of Masonry to orthodox churches is that it, like our First Amendment, encourages equal tolerance for all religions, and this tends, somewhat, to lessen dogmatic allegiance to any one religion. Those who insist you must accept their dogma fervently and denounce all others as devilish errors, correctly see this Masonic tendency as [inimical] to their faith."- Robert Anton Wilson, Everything is Under Control: Conspiracies, Cults, and Cover-Ups, HarperCollins, 1998.
“But Freemasonry does not have to be incompatible with your (or anyone's) religion. Whether it is so is up to you, not us.”
The complete article that the above is excerpted from may be found at:
http://www.indianamasons.org/imoanti/detract.html
The Masonic Altar – Coils Masonic Encyclopedia says; the presence of an Altar in a Masonic Lodge is difficult to account for, and it is difficult to place the time of, or occasion for, its introduction into American Lodges.
In the book Masonry Defined, by Albert Mackey, it says; the most important article of furniture in a Lodge Room is the Altar. He goes on to say that Altars were erected long before Temples, and that Altars, of the ancients, (both Jew and Gentile,) were of two kinds – for incense and for sacrifice. Altars for sacrifice were erected outside of the Temple in the open air, Altars of Incense “only” were permitted within the Temple walls.
The Masonic Altar, which like everything else in Masonry is Symbolic, appears to combine the character, and uses, of both of these Altars.
It is an Altar of Sacrifice, for on it a candidate is directed to lay his passions and vices as an obligation to the Deity, while he offers up the thoughts of a pure heart as a fitting incense to the Grand Architect of the Universe.
An interesting comment in his article about the Altar is that the Altar in the French and Scottish Rites is in front of the Worshipful Master, and therefore, in the East. In the York Rite, the Altar is placed in the center of the Lodge Room, or more appropriately a little to the East of the center of the Room.
So while in Coils it says it is difficult to account for the use of the Altar in a Masonic Lodge, I think it is because it comes from the York Rite, at least here in MN and other jurisdictions where the 3 degrees on the Blue Lodge are York Rite Degrees. Its kind of a mystery all right, almost like in the lecture of the second section, of the second degree, by the S.D. where he says it also represents the first three degrees of Masonry. It’s the First 3 degrees because the 3 degrees practiced are of York Rite origin, the exception being some Blue Lodges in Louisiana, which are from the Scottish Rite in origin.
Masonic Matters is produced on a need to do basis, but about Monthly, for all the Masons of District # 8 of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, and for all Masons who would like to receive it at no cost.
If you know of a Mason who would like to receive Masonic Matters free of charge just send an e-mail to subscribe at erhmasonic@ncis.com
If you are receiving Masonic Matters and wish to un-subscribe send an e-mail to un-subscribe at erhmasonic@ncis.com
With Brotherly Love,
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge District Representative #8
District # 8 Masonic Matters
This publication is printed with the permission of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge
Of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota.
Dear Brother,
Well here we are enjoying the good life here in the 8th District of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Minnesota. (Minnesota is a great place to live, and District 8 is a wonderful part of Minnesota, but we try to keep that a secret.)
What’s going on in District # 8 you ask, well let me fill you in on all the Masonry you can take part in, around the district, and elsewhere.
July is soon at an end but there are Masonic functions to participate in yet this month, and at the beginning of August.
First Degree – July 24th at Helios Lodge, Cambridge, MN. The Degree will begin at 7 P.M. and supper will be at 6 P.M. This will be a special supper. W.B. Dale Dordal will be grilling fresh Salmon from his Alaska trip. This is a fine and generous thing for Brother Dale to do, and a head count is definitely needed, because of the construction around the Lodge building this will be held out doors in the yard of the Lodge, in case of rain plans will change. For information and reservations call W.B. Roger McNear at 763-689-3602
First Degree – July 26th at Mora Lodge, Mora, MN. The degree will begin at 7:30 P.M. and Supper will be at 6:30 P.M. here again a head count is needed. For information and reservations call W.B. Jim Slaikeu at 320-679-0264
National Night out -- Helios Lodge, Cambridge, MN This will be going from about 5 P.M. to 9 or 10 P.M. Helios Lodge has this as an annual outing to get to know and be known in the neighborhood. Helios Lodge was the first organization in Cambridge to get this going, and now its spreading to other organizations and groups in the community. National night out is a good project for a Masonic Lodge to participate in. There will be plenty of eats and good times with the Masons, their families, and the neighbors of the Lodge. There is no charge for anything at the event, it is totally sponsored by the Brothers of the Lodge, so if you’re in the neighborhood drop by and say hello, have something to eat and drink on a warm night, and have a good time.
Relay for Life -- August 10th at the Isanti County Fair grounds. Helios Lodge will have a “camp” set up and the Brothers from Helios will have a team walking all night to raise funds to aid cancer patients in the community. This is always a pleasant night for the Brothers of the Lodge and their Families.
Third Degree -- August 15th Fraternal Lodge # 92, Princeton, MN. I’m not exactly sure of the time, but I think it will be at 7 P.M. for details call W.B. Ferdinand Trebesch, Master of the Lodge, at 763-389-2419
Golf Outing – Fraternal Lodge # 92. August 25th. This is an Annual Golf outing for Fraternal Lodge and others who would like to join in the fun. You can sign up for golf or just the supper, and there is fun for everyone. For information Call W.B. Ernie Trebesch at 763-389-2105
School of Instruction, Third Degree (First Section.) – Friday evening, Helios Lodge # 273, at 343 S.W. 2nd Ave. Cambridge, MN on September 14th
Third Degree – Mora Lodge # 223 800 south Union Street, Mora, MN on September 15th The Degree will begin in the afternoon, there will be a break for supper and the degree will continue with the second section in the evening. For exact time and reservations for supper call W.B. Jim Slaikeu at 320-679-4670
Pig Roast – Mora Lodge, Mora, MN September 16th at the Lodge it will begin at 11 A.M. and go till? W.B. Jim Slaikeu, Master of Mora Lodge is the one to contact for specifics.
The Minnesota Grand Lodge has a web page at: http://www.mn-mason.org It is a very interesting web page, and if you haven’t visited it lately you might want to do it, there is some real good information on it. There are also some files that are of interest that may be hard to find from the page, R.W. Brother Doug Campbell, our Grand Secretary has put together a list of these addresses and I thought I’d reproduce them here for you.
Installation of Officers; http://www.mn-mason.org/install.html
Investigation Committee report and assignment; http://www.mn-mason.org/invest.html
Officers Duties Booklet; http://www.mn-mason.org/duties.html
Minnesota Masonic Manual; http://www.mn-mason.org/manual.html
French Military Table Lodge Script; http://www.mn-mason.org/table.html
Petition for affiliation; http://www.mn-mason.org/miscpeti.html
Petition for degrees; http://www.mn-mason.org/petition.html
Fifty Year Pin “Form;” http://www.mn-mason.org/fifty.html
Degree Prologues; http://www.mn-mason.org/prolog.html
Minnesota Masonic Code; http://www.mn-mason.org/code2000.html
So, if you would like a copy of the booklet on “Duties of Officers” you can print in out from the site above. Same with the MN Masonic Manual, (this is a real good manual to have and refer to,) You can just print it out, if you don’t want to buy a printed hard bound pocket version from the Grand Lodge. (Which by the way is only $7.50 – just write the Grand Secretary at Grand Lodge A.F. & A. M. of MN – 200 East Plato Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55107)
The Minnesota Masonic Code can be searched by using the “word” you are looking for, this is a real nice feature and we can thank our Brother Doug, Grand Secretary, for it, So thanks R.W. Brother Doug.
Well take a look at the site for the GL of MN, and the files above, I know you will find some interesting Masonic information and education there.
I came across the following information on the Philalethes List server, in a piece written by W.B. Eric Schmitz, I was so impressed with what Brother Eric wrote I asked if I might put a quote from his article in Masonic Matters, and Brother Eric gave his permission.
So here is what he wrote, I’m sure you will like it.
“Our Christian detractors have often made the assertion that "Freemasonry is incompatible with Christianity." Christian Freemasons have vehemently denied this allegation. With all due respect to my brethren who have repeatedly stated; "Freemasonry is not incompatible with any religion," I must say the following:”
“If your religion, as you practice it, makes it impossible for you to peacefully coexist with anyone of a different faith than yours, under the spirit of universal religious tolerance, or to show respect for another's faith by reciting a non-sectarian prayer that does not name any specific Deity, and to which a brother of a different faith may readily add his "Amen;" if your religion, as you practice it, requires that you always be allowed to proselytize your beliefs to others, no matter what the forum; then Freemasonry is indeed incompatible with your religion, whatever it may be.”
“Here, it seems appropriate to quote one of my favorite authors:
"The major offense of Masonry to orthodox churches is that it, like our First Amendment, encourages equal tolerance for all religions, and this tends, somewhat, to lessen dogmatic allegiance to any one religion. Those who insist you must accept their dogma fervently and denounce all others as devilish errors, correctly see this Masonic tendency as [inimical] to their faith."- Robert Anton Wilson, Everything is Under Control: Conspiracies, Cults, and Cover-Ups, HarperCollins, 1998.
“But Freemasonry does not have to be incompatible with your (or anyone's) religion. Whether it is so is up to you, not us.”
The complete article that the above is excerpted from may be found at:
http://www.indianamasons.org/imoanti/detract.html
The Masonic Altar – Coils Masonic Encyclopedia says; the presence of an Altar in a Masonic Lodge is difficult to account for, and it is difficult to place the time of, or occasion for, its introduction into American Lodges.
In the book Masonry Defined, by Albert Mackey, it says; the most important article of furniture in a Lodge Room is the Altar. He goes on to say that Altars were erected long before Temples, and that Altars, of the ancients, (both Jew and Gentile,) were of two kinds – for incense and for sacrifice. Altars for sacrifice were erected outside of the Temple in the open air, Altars of Incense “only” were permitted within the Temple walls.
The Masonic Altar, which like everything else in Masonry is Symbolic, appears to combine the character, and uses, of both of these Altars.
It is an Altar of Sacrifice, for on it a candidate is directed to lay his passions and vices as an obligation to the Deity, while he offers up the thoughts of a pure heart as a fitting incense to the Grand Architect of the Universe.
An interesting comment in his article about the Altar is that the Altar in the French and Scottish Rites is in front of the Worshipful Master, and therefore, in the East. In the York Rite, the Altar is placed in the center of the Lodge Room, or more appropriately a little to the East of the center of the Room.
So while in Coils it says it is difficult to account for the use of the Altar in a Masonic Lodge, I think it is because it comes from the York Rite, at least here in MN and other jurisdictions where the 3 degrees on the Blue Lodge are York Rite Degrees. Its kind of a mystery all right, almost like in the lecture of the second section, of the second degree, by the S.D. where he says it also represents the first three degrees of Masonry. It’s the First 3 degrees because the 3 degrees practiced are of York Rite origin, the exception being some Blue Lodges in Louisiana, which are from the Scottish Rite in origin.
Masonic Matters is produced on a need to do basis, but about Monthly, for all the Masons of District # 8 of the Grand Lodge of Minnesota, and for all Masons who would like to receive it at no cost.
If you know of a Mason who would like to receive Masonic Matters free of charge just send an e-mail to subscribe at erhmasonic@ncis.com
If you are receiving Masonic Matters and wish to un-subscribe send an e-mail to un-subscribe at erhmasonic@ncis.com
With Brotherly Love,
Ed Halpaus
Grand Lodge District Representative #8
Labels: Symbolism