                         THROUGH MASONIC WINDOWS

                        -by- Allen E. Roberts, FPS

Richard H. Curtis, FPS, edits The Northern Light, the official 

publication of the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the Scottish Rite. 

It has always been and exceptionally excellent Masonic publication 

(that's why he's a Fellow of The Philalethes Society). The August 1988 

issue is full of material that should be digested. Roy H. Shepherd's 

"Tribute to the Flag," along with Dick's accompanying article is must 

reading. "The 'Morgan' Incident' and its Aftermath" by Roger L. Crouse, 

and Dick's "The Anti-Masonic Party and the Election of 1832" shed more 

light on that infamous period. The winning essay in the SJ's DeMolay 

10th grade essay contest was won by Charles Stafford of New Mexico. "Why 

Should Anyone Aspire to be a Leader," his winner, is also must reading. 

And we must thank Dick for publishing our article entitled "Seeking 

Truth" so more Master Masons might learn of the goals and services of 

The Philalethes Society. There is more, and also see below. To subscribe 

to this quarterly publication (it's $2.00 for one year; $5.00 for 

three), send your check to: The Northern Light, P.O. Box 519, Lexington, 

MA 02173. 

                                   oOo

Francis G. Paul, head of the NMJ, writing for The Northern Light, 

believes "The Bottom Line is Leadership." Within his article he noted: 

"At its root, the membership problem is a leadership problem, or to put 

it more bluntly, a lack of leadership problem!" (I've put it much more 

bluntly than that, but he's a diplomat.) He suggests the leaders: 

"Instead of focusing on upcoming meetings, rituals, and ceremonies 

[should] provide a vision of the future, effective long-range planning, 

and ideas that capture the minds and hearts of our members." He wants 

the leaders to discover what is occurring throughout Masonry; to get out 

of our little corner. He strongly suggests the leaders of the appendant 

bodies and the Grand Lodges work closely together "to present Masonry to 

America as a unified, cohesive force for good." Bravo!

                                   oOo 

Bruce A. Christianson, MPS, in his first message as Grand Master, said 

in The Wisconsin Masonic Journal: "It is time we, as Freemasons, step 

forth and are counted. Through our efforts, let us demonstrate that the 

tenets of Freemasonry -- 'Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth -- are vital, 

living and breathing things, not merely meaningless words."

                                  oOo

Signs of the times. In the 1850s the abolitionists convinced the Masonic 

leadership that temperance had to be abolition, so spiritus fermenti was 

abolished from our Lodges. This gave rise to "fun-loving" appendant 

organizations within and without Freemasonry to the detriment of Ancient 

Craft Masonry. Even today there are Grand Lodges that prohibit a man who 

merely works where legal alcoholic beverages are sold from petitioning a 

Lodge. At least one Grand Lodge has now bowed to the anti-smoking craze 

and has abolished another legal substance from the lodge rooms of its 

subordinates. This proposition was once left to the disgression of the 

Lodges.                         

                                  oOo

The Librarian of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, the jurisdiction with one of 

the greatest Masonic libraries in the world, had a dismal report. Its 

collection had grown by about 40,000 books BUT "the number of people 

reading those books has greatly decreased." Another sign of the times.

                                  oOo




Grand Master Earl L. Wunder, MPS, of Arizona, quoted a 1787 paper on 

anti-Masonry in the Arizona Masonry. The paper was by the Reverend 

Daniel Turner of England. Turner approved of Freemasonry but spoke at 

length of the persecution the Craft was suffering. This, and hundreds of 

other accounts dating back to the early 1700s, prove Masonry isn't being 

attacked anew. Our forefathers have suffered even greater slander than 

the bigots are throwing at us today.

                                  oOo

Jack Kelly, FPS, did a masterful job as the 1988 Philalethes Lecturer. 

He not only pointed out many of Freemasonry's short-comings, he offered 

several solutions. Those who have replayed his address on our video tape 

have been highly impressed. The Masonic Editors who have seen the wisdom 

of reprinting Jack's address as it appeared in the April issue of The 

Philalethes have been amazed at the favorable remarks from their 

readers. Among them was Sally Spohn, Editor of The Oregon Scottish Rite 

Freemason. She has bombarded with plaudits; so has our Editor and 

officers. Many of her readers learned of The Philalethes Society for the 

first time. Several hastened to join us. Excellent. 

                                  oOo

An important note to Editors of Masonic publications. In Seekers of 

Truth (page 90) William R. Denslow, FPS, long-time editor of The Royal 

Arch Mason, said (among other things): "The featuring of local 

personalities and minor events can be the 'kiss of death' to any Masonic 

publication on a state level." Too true. Good Editors have found, as did 

Mrs. Spohn and many others, that quoting articles from The Philalethes 

(giving the magazine and writer credit, of course) will increase the 

prestige of their publications. Many Lodges and appendant organizations 

are doing it. If you haven't, give it a try. You may be surprised at the 

favorable reaction. 

                                  oOo


Here's the first strong pitch I've ever made in this column for new 

members, and here are a couple of reasons. We don't want to end each 

year with a monetary "profit." The non-profit organization that 

accumulated large savings isn't doing what it should be doing for its 

members. Wouldn't it be good to increase the size of our magazine to 32 

or more pages? Wouldn't it be wonderful to give each member excellent 

Masonic books periodically? It can be done, and without an increase in 

dues, but you've got to help. Our membership has grown to 3,800. At 

5,000 we can increase the size of our magazine; at 7,500 we can provide 

bonuses; at over 10,000 it's possible to go with a monthly publication! 

Is it worth the slight effort on our part? It is if you consider, as I 

do, that The Philalethes Society has done more to improve our Masonic 

leadership than has any other group. But we can, and should, do more. 


                                  oOo

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