THE NEW AGE--ARTICLE--JANUARY 1990--ARTJESSE.JAN

Report of the Committee on Publications


    The mind is a powerful resource.  By influencing the way
people think, great changes can occur.  For example, our Nation was
established when good men cared enough to promote the ideas of
freedom in the minds of many others.  Freedom of expression
continues to remain today as a landmark of our American government. 
Conversely, in totalitarian nations there is no such freedom as
citizens are bombarded only by government propaganda.
    The comparison between a free and totalitarian government
illustrates the importance of the printed word.  To present an idea
to millions of minds is quite a goal.  Yet, this goal can still
become a reality through the printed word.  Despite the increased
impact of television and radio, many magazines continue to be
published.  Newsstands have not vanished, and mail order promotions
abound.  In actuality, an abundance of magazines exist in the
marketplace today!  Similarly, newspapers are becoming popular
again.  Where a large city daily may die, two or three smaller ones
arise to fill the needs of readers.  The written word continues to
remain as a powerful and important medium.
    However, in the world of publications, profits and half-truths
are often the rule rather than the exception.  There are few
publications which are intended solely to help their readers define
their thinking.  Instead, they tell their readers what to think. 
The New Age, in contrast, is a magazine for thinkers.  Facts are
presented; then each reader must decide how to apply them.  Through
our monthly circulation, some 600,000 individuals have the
opportunity to enlarge their outlook.
    This number increased as The New Age is shared among family
members, friends and associates.  In fact, some of our most devoted
readers are wives of Brethren who often write to us with their
comments.  An article in The New Age can have such influence that
it might be responsible for a decision that will ultimately have
a great social impact.  Further, it is not unusual for speakers to
extract ideas from its pages.  Requests are constantly being
received for reprinting from Masonic, as well as non-Masonic
publications.  So, you know the impact of The New Age is far
greater than that of just another magazine which arrives monthly
in your mailbox.
    America's premier Masonic magazine, The New Age, began in 1903
as a continuation and expansion of the Scottish Rite Bulletin
written by Albert Pike.  As such, the magazine has a noble heritage
and a high mission.  For all these years, The New Age has achieved
its goals of informing and inspiring the Brethren of the Southern
Jurisdiction.  How can one improve on such an established and
outstanding publication?
    It was not easy, but new times do demand new methods.
Realizing this, Sovereign Grand Commander Kleinknecht began a
renovation of the magazine that has truly brought The New Age into
the modern era.  While keeping the handy digest size, the Grand
Commander has virtually transformed the magazine by adding full-
color covers that capture the reader's immediate attention, not
only because they are in themselves attractive, but also because
they picture people and events that are of real interest to the
Brethren.
    The New Age is unique.  Although published by the Mother
Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite, the pages are not strictly
Scottish Rite or Masonic in scope.  The masthead clearly indicates
that our editorial interests further involve Americanism,
patriotism, history, public education, and the separation of church
and state.  Along the same lines, there is a strong emphasis on
articles which are philosophical and inspirational in nature, and
during the last biennium, The New Age has continued along this
path.  We are especially proud of the September 1987 issue which
was dedicated to the United States Constitution.  At the workshop
in San Diego last October, Brother Robert Miller, 33, presented
to Grand Commander Kleinknecht and then managing editor, Brother
Chris Pouler, the Freedoms Foundation George Washington Honor Medal
for excellence in the category of public communications.  It should
be noted that The New Age has received other awards from the
Freedoms Foundation which date back to the sixties, also that this
particular September issue of The New Age was reprinted, and some
40,000 extra copies were distributed to non-Masons and to public
schools.
    Hardly a day goes by that The Supreme Council is not asked for
additional copies of the June 1988 issue of The New Age which was
devoted entirely to "Old Glory."  This special flag issue featured
articles by the Brethren on the history and significance of our
flag, poems to inspire patriotism, and the United States code on
how to display the flag with appropriate dignity and pride.  This
issue has won recognition by the American Legion, and has been
reprinted for numerous military and patriotic organizations, and
still remains very popular with the general public.  The original
order, though much larger than normal, was quickly distributed, and
newly reprinted copies, available as of late June 1989, are already
in brisk demand.  There can be no doubt that the Star-Spangled
Banner issue of The New Age is already a modern classic that
promises to remain popular for many, many years to come.
    In reading A Bridge to Light by Rex R. Hutchens, 32,
K...C...C...H..., [now 33] one cannot help but recall Emerson's famous
dictum:  "To be simple is to be great."  Brother Hutchens has used
simplicity to achieve great ends.  His lucid, concise descriptions
of each Degree in Scottish Rite Freemasonry compel attention and
clarify what otherwise might be obscure or confusing.  Step by
step, he summarizes each Degree.  First its ceremony and symbols
are appropriately outlined and explained.  In each case, color
illustrations picture the Degree's symbols and short comments
underline historical highlights.  Clear language captures the
appropriate costumes, forms and colors of each Degree.  Then the
lecture from Albert Pike's Morals and Dogma is briefly explained.
    Allowing one of America's greatest masters to speak for
himself, the author has included memorable short quotations from
Albert Pike to assist every reader's understanding of the Degree's
duties, lessons, subjects for reflection and important symbols. 
One benefit of this fine method is to convey a sense of Albert
Pike's great eloquence and keen insight.  An avid member of the
Southern Arizona Research Lodge, Brother Hutchens has not fallen
into the academic practice of preferring obfuscation to
communication.  In contrast, A Bridge to Light is a truly
remarkable book--fascinating, informative and inspiring while also
simple, direct and clear.  Through this work and through
Freemasonry, to quote Brother Hutchens himself, we can "learn the
simple lessons of practical morality and the sublime teachings of
religious philosophy, then live them, that our light may so shine
before men that they will continue to desire our fellowship and
join in our assemblies."  Quite an order for any book, but one that
is amply fulfilled in A Bridge to Light!
    Bicentennial publications are numerous.  Americans rightfully
wish to celebrate all the aspects of our Nation's 200th year. 
Among these many books, however, there is one that stands out both
for its significance and the ability of its author.  As every Mason
must know, that book is The Anchor of Liberty, and its author is
Sovereign Grand Commander C. Fred Kleinknecht.  In a scant 116
pages, Grand Commander Kleinknecht has caught the essence of the
United States Constitution, America's "Anchor of Liberty," and at
the same time sketched a colorful portrait of the times and the men
that formed this epic document.
    Nearly every page glows with vibrant illustrations, and hardly
a paragraph goes by that does not include some fascinating anecdote
or moving observation.  It is clear enough why this book has become
a best seller among Masons and non-Masons alike when you add to the
above this work's closing, solid chapters that describe each
signer, present the Constitution itself and then chronicle
important dates in the forming and the passing of America's
"blueprint for Freedom."  In writing the Anchor of Liberty, Grand
Commander Kleinknecht has penned a work that will continue to be
studied by readers everywhere for generations to come.  It is truly
a landmark achievement both for Freemasonry and for America.
    Last March, our managing editor, Dr. Chris A. Pouler, 33,
resigned to accept a position in government service.  This ends a
tradition which began with his father, Brother Aemil Pouler, 33,
Grand Cross, who was the long-time editor of The New Age and
Archivist of the Supreme Council.  The high standards that were set
will continue with the appointment of Dr. John W. Boettjer, 32,
K...C...C...H..., which became effective April 1st of this year.
    Before closing, your committee, as a whole, has two very
important recommendations to make for your consideration.
    First, the rewording of our Scottish Rite Creed.  During the
last biennium, the Supreme Council received from the Brethren
numerous requests and suggestions for the rewording of the Creed.
    We feel the request comes from a desire, not to alter the
meaning and significance of our Creed, but to express in modern
terms, using simple, clear and direct language, the essence of
Scottish Rite philosophy as it relates to the important issues
addressed by the creed.
    After considerable thought and study given to each suggestion,
our managing editor, Dr. John W. Boettjer, recommends to your
committee; and we, in turn, recommend to you that the Creed now
read as follows:
"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."
    Secondly, your committee strongly recommends the changing of
the name of our magazine.
    The Supreme Council has received numerous complaints from our
readers and some of our members, that the general public is
confusing our magazine with that of the New Age Journal, and with
various unsavory fringe groups that gather under the rubric of "the
New Age movement."
    Our legal consultants inform the Supreme Council that it would
not be practical or profitable to pursue our prior claim to the
name, The New Age, which we have used since 1903.  Also, via legal
advice, The Supreme Council is completing its application to make
the new title a registered trademark.
    It is our recommendation that the name of our magazine by
changed to "The Scottish Rite Journal, Southern Jurisdiction, USA".
    In closing, your committee members wish to express their
sincere appreciation to our Grand Commander, to the staff of The
New Age, to our past managing editor, Dr. Chris A. Pouler, and the
newly appointed managing editor, Dr. John W. Boettjer, for the
excellent issues of The New Age that have been produced during the
last biennium.
_________________________________________________________________
A Bridge to Light is a truly remarkable book--fascinating,
informative and inspiring while also simple, direct and clear.

In the world of publications, profits and half-truths are often the
rule rather than the exception.  There are few publications which
are intended solely to help their readers define their thinking. 
Instead, they tell their readers what to think.  The New Age, in
contrast, is a magazine for thinkers.

Editor's Note:  Illustrious D. Walter Jessen, 33, Sovereign Grand
Inspector General in Louisiana, delivered this report before The
Supreme Council during the Biennial Session on October 16, 1989.
