Rough Ashlar: Stones from the Quarry
Sorted in no particular order...
A Story
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted each to learn not to judge things too quickly. So he sent them a quest, each in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away. The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall.
When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen. The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son countered by describing it as covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed, claiming it was in full blossom and was the most beautiful tree he’d ever seen. The last son disagreed with all of them, noting that it was covered with ripe fruit and full of life and fulfillment.
The man explained to his sons that each was right, because they had each seen but only one season in the tree's life. He told them not to judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence and meaning of life can only be measured at the end of all the seasons. If you give up when it's winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfillment of your fall.
This lesson teaches us not to allow the pain of one season to destroy the joy of all the rest and not to judge life by one difficult season alone. Rather, we should persevere through the difficult stretches, as better times are sure to come. Life is, after all, a journey, rather than a destination. Enjoy your journey!
Masonic Education
There can be little doubt as to the value of Masonic Education, both to a Lodge and to individual Masons. In addition to the programs of Lodge Education conducted at stated meetings, there are numerous resources which Masons can consult to expand upon their knowledge about the Craft. Some of the more popular ones are listed below:
Printed resources:
“The Builders: A Story and Study of Freemasonry”, by Joseph Fort Newton, Revised and Enlarged Edition (ISBN: 0880530456). This is a classic which is highly recommended to all Masons, and new members in particular. It contains a wealth of information about the development and purposes of the Craft.
“The Craft and Its Symbols”, by Allen E. Roberts. (ISBN: 0880530588). An outstanding introductory treatise on the three degrees of Masonry. Highly recommended reading for all newly raised Master Masons.
“The Symbolism of Freemasonry”, by A.G. Mackey (ISBN: 1654594696). An excellent book expanding on the symbolism of the three symbolic degrees. A must read.
“American Freemasons: Three Centuries of Building Communities”, by Mark Tabbert (ISBN: 0814782922). An excellent book tracing the history of the Fraternity and its contributions to the foundations of our society.
“A Pilgrim’s Path”, by John J. Robinson (ISBN: 087131732X). Noted Masonic researcher and author John Robinson published this book before becoming a Mason himself. It provides excellent information for Masons who may be confronted by uninformed outsiders as to several important aspects of our Fraternity.
Of course, we have another fantastic resource right here in the Cleveland Masonic Library and Museum at 3615 Euclid Avenue. It contains a wealth of materials and is open on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m until 3:00 p.m., and also from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month through May of 2006.
The Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite is a branch of Freemasonry in which a Master Mason may progress through 29 degrees which enlarge upon the great truths and lessons taught in the Symbolic Blue Lodge. The conferral of each Scottish Rite degree is impressively portrayed within a professional-type theatrical setting. These inspiring degrees make an impressive and lasting experience for the discerning Mason who is desirous of more light in the great fraternity. All Scottish Rite degrees in our area are conferred at the Cleveland Masonic and Performing Arts Center at 3615 Euclid Avenue.
As with all Masonic organizations, the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry is engaged in a wide array of charitable and benevolent activities.
These include:
- youth scholarships;
- an extensive research program into Schizophrenia which has provided
millions of dollars in grants to leading universities and hospital laboratories;
- and the widely heralded Scottish Rite Masonic Learning Centers for Children
with its related programs for the study and treatment of childhood language
disorders in over 150 clinics throughout America.
The Scottish Rite is composed of four coordinate bodies:
- a Lodge of Perfection (4th through the 14th degrees);
- a Council of Princes of Jerusalem (15th and 16th degrees);
- a Chapter of Rose Croix (17th and 18th degrees);
- and a Consistory (19th through 32nd degrees).
These coordinate bodies work together in our area to form the Valley
of Cleveland of Scottish Rite Masonry.
As a Master Mason, you are encouraged to petition for the degrees of the Scottish Rite. The degrees are conferred at reunions, the next of which will take place this November. For more information, contact the Scottish Rite Office at 216-432-2370, or speak to one of the many Scottish Rite Masons who are active members of our Lodge.
Etiquette & Decorum - Some gleanings...
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Heights Lionheart Masonic Lodge
Lyndhurst
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Lyndhurst, OH 44124 [map]
