This file is copyright (c) 1997 The Philalethes Society and all rights
including any redistribution rights are reserved by the copyright holder.
Permission to quote from, redistribute or to otherwise use these materials
must be obtained from the copyright holder directly by contacting The
Philalethes, Nelson King, FPS, Editor, 2 Knockbolt Crescent, Agincourt
Ontario Canada, M1S 2P6. Tel: 416-293-8071 Fax: 416-293-8634 or
nking@freemasonry.org or nking@onramp.ca





                        THROUGH MASONIC WINDOWS

                       -by- Allen E. Roberts, FPS



Hiram's Oasis is a computer bulletin board sponsored by Kena Temple of the 

Shrine in Fairfax, Virginia. It's board number is 703/938-4990. The board is 

open to the public. It is now carrying many items from The Philalethes. Donald 

Robey's 1989 Lecture can be downloaded from the board. Membership information 

is available by calling the board through your modem. Another board has 

received Hiram's Oasis Masonic files. It's located at North Pole, Alaska. The 

number is 907/488-9327. The computer age is reaching into Freemasonry. 

Excellent!

                                  oOo

A young man, eight-year-old Warren H. Ard, III, was honored by Liberty Lodge 

No. 111 of Maine. According to The Maine Mason Warren saved to younger 

brothers and their dog from their burning home. The house was destroyed but 

thanks to Warren no lives were lost. The Lodge presented the young man with a 

plaque and $200 bond. A heart-warming story indeed. Liberty Lodge is to be 

congratulated for showing it cares. It's a tale many other Lodges could 

emulate.

                                  oOo

Writing in The Northern Light the SGC Francis G. Paul says: "As long as we 

remain on the defensive, we are ready victims for the purveyors of mistruth. 

As long as the public does not know us for what we really are, it is easy to 

believe anything they are told." He wisely added: "What are we doing to 

stimulate a man's continued interest in Masonry? Are we really challenging our 

members? How can we do a better job involving the entire family? What 

contributions should we be making in the communities where we live? All this 

requires three elements: Leadership, planning, and action."

                                  oOo

In the same excellent periodical the preliminary results of a professional 

survey were published. This had been reported during the Conference of Grand 

Masters in February. The presentation was video-taped. It's available from The 

Masonic Service Association for $16. This survey learned what many of us have 

known for years: Not many people know anything at all about Freemasonry. It 

concluded from its polling, however, that 16 million men may be interested in 

joining some fraternal organization. Masonry's "secrecy" was found to be a 

substantial barrier to obtaining new members.

                                  oOo

Several Grand Lodges are attempting to do away with the "secrecy" of 

Freemasonry. New York has been spending large sums on this venture for some 

time. So has Pennsylvania. Oklahoma has joined the battle. It has established 

an intensive program to make the public aware of the benefits of Freemasonry. 

Advertisements are appearing continuously in newspapers. Spot ads are being 

aired throughout the state on radio stations. A toll-free number has been set 

up for men to call if they want more information about the Craft. "Masonic 

Messengers" make personal visits to those responding for more details. The 

theme is "Masons Make America Work."

                                  oOo

EMESSAY NOTES from The Masonic Service Association for May featured (not 

intentionally) Masonic assistance for youngsters. Tampa and Philadelphia 

Shriners Hospitals for Crippled Children admitted four and two young 

earthquake victims from Armenia. The Grand Lodge of Michigan has joined forces 

with Children's Hospital of Michigan to work with diabetic children. The great 

aim is to help these children to be able to lead normal lives. Masonic 

activity in the National Masonic Foundation for Prevention of Drug and Alcohol 

Abuse Among Children is growing rapidly. 

                              -oOo-

THE GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF HAWAII has been established! 

The deed was done on May 20, 1989. William K. McKee, Jr., was elected Grand 

Master. The Grand Lodge officers were "unofficially installed"; the "official" 

installation took place July 1, 1989 and Stanley L. Channon, California's 

Grand Master, will be the installing officer. The California Masonic Code was 

adopted and so was the California ritual. CONGRATULATIONS!

                              -oOo- 


The verdict will be in when this is read, but time restraints cause this to be 

written earlier. Many, if not all, Masonic leaders are as concerned as Grand 

Master Stanley L. Channon of California with the July meeting of Shrinedom in 

Toronto. He has learned, according to his message in the California Freemason, 

that Potentates in his state have been informed by the Imperial Council of the 

Shrine that Shrine law supersedes Grand Lodge law!! This will be true -- if a 

resolution to dissociate the Shrine from Freemasonry is adopted. Of course it 

will also mean the Shrine will be independent of all organizations. Its many 

relationships to the Craft will be lost. Let us hope that the wisdom 

supposedly acquired by Masonic and other leaders will prevail. Look for the 

latest information on this controversy in the October issue.

                               oOo 

A Wheelchair Degree Team has been formed in Massachusetts. This team recently 

worked in Overseas Lodge in Rhode Island where the excellence of the Team's 

work was highly praised. This is another example of the principles of 

Freemasonry being put into action.

                               oOo

Congratulations to the few Grand Lodges and Research Lodges that are 

encouraging the sale of legitimate Masonic books. Too often we forget THERE IS 

NOTHING MORE EXPENSIVE THAN IGNORANCE. 

                               oOo

Please note: If you find any item you feel should be reported in this column, 

send it along. 

                              -30-


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