Morals and Dogma

First published in 1871, Morals and Dogma was written by Bro. Albert Pike. Bro. Pike wrote many more books but this perhaps is his most well known. He wrote Morals and Dogma as a philosophy based on the teachings of the degrees of the Scottish Rite, the 4th through the 32nd. It is a further understanding for the degrees, not the ritual itself. However it is very hard to understand the writting. You have to have an higher education then most to fully understand the format in which it was written. This is typical of the style of writting of the time from 1871. A printed copy of Morals and Dogma used to be given to every Scottish Rite Mason once he completed the conferal to the 32nd Degree. That has since changed and new Scottish Rite Masons are now given a book called A Bridge to Light, written by Bro. Rex R. Hutchens. It is not a summarized version of Morals and Dogma but a summarization of the 4th through 32nd Degree.

Though I was given a copy of A Bridge To Light I also have a copy of Morals and Dogma. I have tried to read it and it is very difficult to understand.

Recently a new book has been published called Morals and Dogma for the 21st Century. What I have learned about it is it is an easier understanding of Bro. Pike's writting of Morals and Dogma. After reading an excerpt from Chapter 14 on the Morals and Dogma for the 21st Century web site and comparing it to Pike's writting I have to agree. It is easier to understand but delivers the same message with out a lot of the style of speaking/writting common from the late 19th Century.

But do not just take my word for it. Compare and see for yourselves. The first link is the word for word transcritption of Bro. Pike's writting onto a web site. The second is the excerpt from Chapter 14 from the new book, Morals and Dogma for the 21st Century. It is recommended people who compare the 2 open up the links in 2 browsers. The comparison can be done how ever you want but what I did was read page 228 from Bro. Pike's work, then compared it the newer writting that matches up to page 228 from the original text. In the excerpt from Morals and Dogma for the 21st Century the pages it matches up to from Pike's work is in the left or right margin. It covers pages 228 to 232. When you click on the first link you will need to scroll down to find page 228.

Here are the links:

Morals and Dogma by Albert Pike

Morals and Dogma for the 21st Century

Triangle Lodge No. 643 Blog site.

I have created a new blog site for Triangle Lodge No. 643. Here is the link:
Triangle Lodge No. 643

The Three Great Pillars

A poem about the Three Great Pillars of Freemasonry: HOPE, FAITH and CHARITY.

"Fair beyond e'en the midday sun: resplendent WISDOM-truth divine, whose lips pour knowledge, as rivers run, into the souls which do enshrine -true FAITH.

Virtue's STRENGTH, it has oft been said, ne'er abandons (though dark the night) the aspirant, with [penitent head, who bows beneath its visions bright -of HOPE.

The Moral Sense and Reason are the voice of BEAUTY; heed the call! And grant your Brother help, aid, and care, who was laid low by setting maul -with CHARITY."

Scottish Rite Creed

This is the Scottish Rite Creed. It is part of what the members of the Scottish Rite are taught and what we believe in.

"Human progress is our cause, liberty of thought our supreme wish, freedom of conscience our mission, and the guarantee of equal rights to all people everywhere our ultimate goal."

I humbly accepted.

Last night at the stated meeting of my lodge, Triangle #643 the Brethren saw fit to elect me as Worshipful Master for 2010. I humbly accept this honor. The Worshipful Master or WM, is the leader of the lodge. It is through his direction and under his leadership that a Masonic Lodge will succeed or fail during that year.

The term Worshipful Master does not imply any sort of and is not any type of religious title. The honorific title of "Worshipful" simply means the Master of the lodge presides over the meeting of Masons. His duties in the functioning of a lodge is quite similar to that of the President of the local chapter/branch of any other state or provincial organization.

Here is more info. and a description of a Master's duties:
Masters Duties

There are 5 elected officers of a Masonic Lodge and typically 3 elected Trustees. The offices usually serve a term of one year, the trustees serve a term in accordance of the by-laws of the lodge. The 5 elected officers are: Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer and Secretary. The remaining officers, Chaplain, Senior and Junior Deacons, Senior and Junior Stewards, Tyler and Marshall are appointed by the incoming Master. I have my appointed officers selected for 2010.

I am working on my installation date and will have an installation practice. In accordance with the Iowa Masonic Code I have to be installed by the Feb. 2010 stated meeting. I am going to have my installation in Jan. either the 3rd or 4th Saturday. I will be sending invitations out within a month.

I also have a plan/program for Triangle Lodge. I will post more about that later.

I look forward to serving Triangle Lodge #643 and only hope to do half as good a job as the Past Master's before me. I will be drawing on their support, learn from their successes and even their failures. I hope to lead my lodge down the right path in the coming year.

Grand Master's Program.

Every year the Grand Master of Mason's in Iowa has his own program. Since I have been a member, 2005, it has always been focused on improving ourselves, the fraternity and Masonry in Iowa. The Grand Lodge of Iowa Officers are installed every September at the Annual Grand Lodge Communication. Mason's across Iowa and other Grand Lodge jurisdictions are encouraged and invited to attend if they so wish. The most recent Grand Lodge Communication was no different. Craig C. Hummel is the Grand Master of Masons in Iowa for the 2009 - 2010 year. In 2010 I, if the brethren of my lodge, Triangle #643 elect me, will serve as Worshipful Master. The Worshipful Master, Master or WM is the leader of the lodge for the year he is elected for. The local Blue Lodges, such as Triangle, operate under the guidance of and with a Charter issued by the Grand Lodge. I look forward to serving as Worshipful Master of Triangle Lodge #643 in 2010 under Brother Hummels leadership as Grand Master.

Grand Master Hummel's program is titled:
Masonry 2.1 The Journey Continues...

The new incoming Grand Master also designs his own Masonic logo or emblem for the year he serves. Here is the 2009 - 2010 logo:


Grand Master Hummel describes the reason for this emblem as such:
The Bicycle and Masonry
· Requires energy and effort for use
· Moves forward only, not backward
· Continuous guidance necessary
· Coordinated movement and balance essential
· Speed changeable but controlled
· Regular maintenance required
· Improvements possible and probably
· Makes the journey fun

Part of this philosophy is:
Masonry is a Journey, not a Destination
Some days we pedal up the hills, other we coast down;
Make sure we’re going in the right direction;
Focus on progress, not perfection.

The Grand Master also has the belief that Freemasonry:
· It’s the Relationships!
· Fellowship
· Friendship
· Leadership
· Communication
· Education
· Self-Improvement
· Family-Friendly
· Community Involvement
· FUN s Fundamental

As a Freemason and a cyclist I understand and appreciate the similarities and understand why Brother Hummel choose the symbol of the bicycle as part of his logo for the 2009 - 2010 year.

I have been a cyclist for far longer then I have been a Freemason. I have ridden some very challenging rides and experienced some tough challenges in cycling. Everything from fighting for and struggling with the right to use public roadways to dealing with aggressive dogs wanting me for a meal. While a bicycle ride always has an end destination it is the journey and what is experienced along the way that is most important. Often there is no one at the end of a ride to tell me well done, you've accomplished another successful bike ride, and that is ok, I don't need validation because I know what I accomplished and how I feel about it. It is the same way in Freemasonry.

I believe as Freemasonry teaches, it is the journey along the way that is the most important. That journey is the experiences we all encounter through our lives. It has not been, and is not always easy. Life is full of challenges. Freemasonry teaches and provides the tools its members need to live good productive lives and how to deal with challenges. We teach our members through symbolism and allegory. Freemasonry also give its members the choice as to whether or not to use what is taught for the greater good and a greater purpose and teaches if a member does not lead a good and productive life that there are consequences for making bad decisions.

I also believe there is a destination myslef and my Masonic Brethren eventually will obtain. But that destination is not until our earthly remains are all that is left and our work on earth is finished and we are standing before the Great Architect of the Universe and the Supreme Being says to us: "Well done my good and faithful servant, I accept and approve your labors." Only then will we have reached our destination and will fully understand what our work on earth accomplished.

Links to the Grand Lodge of Iowa, Grand Master Craig C. Hummel and his program:
The Grand Lodge of Iowa, A.F. & A.M.
The Grand Master of Iowa Masons A.F. & A.M.
Craig C. Hummel, Grand Master
More about the Grand Master

Funny Masonic joke

This is funny:

A Mason told his wife that he had to go to Lodge that night because the Master had called a special meeting. His wife said:

"I declare! Whenever your Lodge Master snaps his fingers, you're there! I wish I were Master of your Lodge!"

"So do I," said the husband,"as we get a new one each year."

He slept on the couch for a month, but it was worth it.

Cornerstone Laying Ceremony

On Saturday August 29, 2009 there was an Cornerstone Laying Ceremony at the new Mid America Transportation and Aviation Museum in Sioux City, Iowa. The ceremony was performed by the Grand Lodge of Iowa.

Laying of the cornerstone of a building goes back centuries when ancient operative masons would lay the first stone in the NE corner of a new building, that being the cornerstone. From which all other stones of the building would be laid based on its location and quality of construction. If the cornerstone of the new building had any defects it would affect the way the rest of the stones were laid. The ancient operative masons used working tools, a square, level and plumb to ensure the cornerstone was perfect, resulting in the rest of the building being perfectly constructed. The buildings the Grand Lodge of Iowa conducts Cornerstone Ceremonies for include any public building like; a museum, government building, school, church, hospital, library, police dept, fire station etc. and is done by invitation. Usually someone affiliated with the new buildings construction will invite the Grand Lodge to come and conduct the ceremony, typically close to the completion of the building. Cornerstone Laying Ceremony's are public events. The public learns something about Freemasonry and get to witness one of our more beautiful ceremonies.

At the ceremony in Sioux City there was a very nice picnic lunch served and a lot of the Mason's pitched in to help set up for the ceremony. Typically the public events/ceremonies are conducted by the Grand Marshall. He is responsible for elading public events such as this.
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In Iowa, when the Grand Lodge conducts this ceremony the Grand Lodge officers are escorted in by the Knights Templar of Iowa who are part of the York Rite Bodies, one of the appendant bodies of Freemasonry. The officers, knights, those that bear the items used in the ceremony and any Freemason that wishes to join enter the ceremony in formal procession lead by a flag or standard bearer, in the United States and in most cases the American Flag.
Photo's of the procession;
















Typically the Grand Master is already in the procession. But for this Cornerstone Ceremony he made a differant entrance to join the procession. He flew in by helicopter as seen here;






After the procession there are opening remarks by the Grand Master, a prayer by the Grand Chaplain and the Grand Tyler was then called to explain about this ceremony and provide some insight about Freemasonry to the public.
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Today the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons use the square, level, plumb and trowel to symbolically lay the cornerstone of the public building. This is done by the Grand Master, Grand Senior Warden, Grand Junior Warden and another Grand Lodge officer the Grand Master selects.
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After it is declared the workmen did a good job at constructing the cornerstone and it is square, level and plumb and the cement ahs been symbolically applied by the Grand Master the stone is then symbolically annointed with corn, oil and wine.
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After the corn, wine and oil are used to annoint the cornerstone the books of education are presented in support of public education.
Photo's;


After the books are presented the Grand Stewards are called to symbolically adjorn the stone with flowers.
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The Grand Master then presents the working tools used in the laying of the cornerstone to the representative of the architect.
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A proclimation is then made by the Grand Marshal to the North, South, East and West that the cornerstone is faithfully laid.
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The orator is then called to give his remarks on the new building. A closing prayer is conducted, th eGrand Master declares the ceremony closed and the Grand Lodge officers process out.
Photo's;








Here are photo's of the cornerstone for the museum and the program for the ceremony;





The interesting thing about Cornerstone Ceremonies in Sioux City, Iowa is this is only the 3rd one in 107 years. The first was in 1902, the second in 1987 and now this one in 2009. The last one in the area was 2005, but that was in South Sioux City, Nebraska, thus conducted by the Grand Lodge of Nebraska at the South Sioux Public Library.

Links about this and other cornerstone ceremonies;
Capitol Cornerstone Cermemony
Aviation Museum cornerstone ceremony Saturday
Helicopters Away! Cornerstone in Sioux City
Cornerstones A Masonic Tradition of Dedication