Fraternal Review

Editor - Ralph A. Herbold        (4-15-94)                        No. 690

THE CRAFT AND ITS SYMBOLS
The members of Southern California Research Lodge can be justly proud af their
accomplishments in Entered Apprentice education.  The 3,000th copy of the book
was presented to Brother J. Daniel Miller of Antioch-Brentwood Lodge No. 175,
California, by our member Daniel Halstead.

It is our earnest hope that this program, together with that of placing the 
new candidates on our mailing list for 5-6 months, will in some manner give 
them an incentive to complete their work and, not only that, become interested
Freemasons.

We are seeing an increasing interest in this program for we have, as this is
written, shipped 201 copies to be presented since the first of the year.  And
the program is also gaining acceptance in other jurisdictions for 79 of these
were for out of state Entered Apprentices.

Have to say this again as every mention brings new requests, the book program 
is only for members of our Lodge for candidates in their Lodge.

POTPOURRI
R.G. Ryckman, member of our Lodge, Past Master, Past Treasurer, Past Secretary
of the Lodge #134, G.R. Manitoba, Canada.  His father, G.O. Ryckman is a Past
Master, his son-in-law Glen Taylor is Junior Warden, son Grant is Junior
Deacon, son-in-law Wayne Johnson is Organist, brother H.O. Ryckman is Inner
Guard and another son, Douglas, is Director of Ceremonies.

In another Masonically active family, note in our new roster that John W.
Gaddis III, son-in-law of our Past Master Milton Ammann, is Master of Long
Beach Lodge No.327 while son, Bryant W. Gaddis, is Senior Warden and another
son, John Gaddis IV, is Junior Warden.

TOLERANCE
One of the more dedicated brothers I have been privileged to correspond with 
is Herbert G. Gardiner who just competed one an a half years as Assistant 
Grand Secretary and three years as Grand Secretary for the Grand Lodge of 
Hawaii.  In their Autumn 1993 Grand Lodge Bulletin we found this under his 
authorhship:

TOLERANCE

We are told that tolerance means "A lack of opposition for beliefs differing
from one's own."  Given the conflicts presently raging in many parts of the
world due to religious, ethnic, political and racial differences, one may very
well ask, is there any hope of mankind practicing universal tolerance?

Strange as it may seem, in the midst of the enmity and hostility that exists
between certain people, there are some bright sparks of hope, and they exist 
in places where we would tend to believe tolerance would be virtually 
impossible to attain.

In spite of the antagonism and tension that exists among certain people in 
India and Israel, we find an oasis of peace and harmony in each of these 
troubled countries.  These havens of goodwill and brotherhood are found 
within the Masonic Lodges in each of these two countries.

In India one finds Lodges that have five Volumes of the Sacred Law; the Bible
(for Christians and Jews), the Avesta (for Zoroastrians), the Bahgavad Gita 
(for Hindus), the Koran (for Muslims), and the Granth Sahib (for Sikhs).

The Seal of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Israel
contains the Star of David for its members of the Jewish faith, the Cross for
its Christian brethren, and the Crescent for its Muslim members.  Brethren of
all three religions belong to Israeli Lodges.  The larger meaning of combining
these three symbols is to demonstrate the reverence the Grand Lodge of Israel
has for these three religions, and that IsraeIi Freemasonry transcends 
religious and political differences.  So we find that in some places where 
bitter hatred and distrust exists among men, Freemasonry has provided a way 
for men to assemble and inter-act in harmony.

In essence, Freemasonry has shown men not only what tolerance means, but also
the many benfits that result from practicing tolerance.  Yes, my brethren, it 
is all found within our Craft.

ANTI-MASONRY
"Is It True What They Say About Freemasonry?" by Art de Hoyos & S. Brent 
Morris has been published by the Masonic Service Association, 8120 Fenton 
Street, Silver Spring MD 20910.

This 59 page soft cover book does a wonderful job of debunking statements made
by many of the anti-Masonic writers of our time, taking their statements apart
and literally dissecting them word for word.

You can do no better than send them a check for $3.50 for a copy as it can be a
useful tool when the subject comes up and it does come up quite often at the
present time.

LODGE ATTENDANCE
Have seen reference to this in various Grand Lodge publications but can't
recall seeing it here so here it is:

"101+ Ways to Improve Interest & Attendance in Your Masonic Lodge" is 
available for $10.00 postpaid from The Masonic Renewal Committee of North 
America, 2108 North Charles Street, Baltimore MD 21218.

Now you can get the help you need with this easy-to-use workbook written by
Masons for Masonic lodges.  Suggestions offer specific heIp with fellowship,
planning a perfect evening, communication, using time more effectively and
getting the ladies on your side.  There's also help with planning better 
meals, putting the phones to work and creating involvement and fellowship.

At only $10 per copy, the lodge can afford a copy for each of the important
committee chairman.  A Personal Workshop section and special planning tools 
help those using the book to put the ideas to good use today and for the 
future.


