                                                           1070 words
                        THROUGH MASONIC WINDOWS

                       -by- Allen E. Roberts, FPS

Donald E. Meseth, MPS, suggests each member of The Philalethes Society 
present each new member of his Lodge with a year's membership in the 
Society. He believes a "spark of interest will be kindled" in them for 
Freemasonry. He has put this into practice with the last several members 
to enter his Lodge.

                                  oOo

The Wisconsin Masonic Journal carried an important announcement on its 
front page. The Grand Lodge nominating committee is searching for Master 
Masons "with special backgrounds and areas of expertise to serve on the 
several" committees. It listed the categories needed, every field 
imaginable. An excellent idea that isn't new but rarely used. Now that 
Freemasonry is finally entering the computer age there's no reason why 
the members interests shouldn't be cataloged. The Craft is rich in 
talent that has never been asked to work for the benefit of the whole.

                                  oOo

A 35-year Master Mason wrote of his concerns. He listened to a young 
lady preach in a "Brethren Church" on "Humanism." She claimed humanists 
believe that each is his own God. Among those she named was Gorbachev 
and "The Masonic Organizations." This upset our Brother. He asked her 
for her documentation. She name a "Brethren Revival News Letter," Edward 
Decker, Manley Hall. The news letter quoted John Ankerburg and his 
lackey Jack Harris, a renegade past master (lower case letters 
intentional), Albert Pike and Albert Mackey. The inventive statements of 
these men have been covered at length elsewhere. The greatest "sin" 
appeared to be that Freemasonry is a secret organization. Yet every 
person with a smattering of common sense knows that in no way can 
Freemasonry be classed as a secret organization. Certainly it has 
secrets. So does every household and every association. How can we ease 
the mind of this Brother and others who must listen to the anti-Masonic 
diatribe of would-be "Christians?"

                                  oOo

In 1985 a member of the Society, acting in his capacity as Grand Master, 
removed the penalties from the obligations in his jurisdiction. This has 
"created a greater expression of opinion, both pro and con, than any 
other change in Pennsylvania Freemasonry," writes Thomas W. Jackson, 
MPS, Grand Secretary in The Pennsylvania Freemason. He said he would not 
express his opinion but noted "a change has been instituted. Change for 
the sake of change will never serve a viable purpose, but refusal to 
make a change when deemed necessary is dooming any organization to 
extinction. This decision was based upon analysis of some of the 
greatest minds in Freemasonry." He closes by saying that even if we 
don't agree, "it is important for us to recognize that when changes do 
take place our acceptance and support is necessary to maintain our 
strength. Freemasonry has always been and will always be greater than 
any of its component parts."

                                  oOo 

EMESSAY NOTES of The Masonic Service Association informs us that the 
Grand Lodge of Minnesota is engaged in "an extensive public relations 
effort." There are state-wide open houses; continuing radio spots; 
newspaper ads; a new logo; bumper stickers and Masonic stamps. 

                                  oOo

Stardust, an independent monthly magazine, started in December running 
serially Seekers of Truth, the 60-year history of The Philalethes 
Society. The Prince Hall Sentinel, official publication of the Prince 
Hall Grand Lodge, F. & A.M., of New York, carries one or more articles 
from The Philalethes in each issue. It has received blanket permission 
to reprint anything it likes from our magazine. Many, many Lodge 
bulletins reprint our items, so do periodicals. Most credit the source, 
but far too many don't. 

                                  oOo 

A note about the controversy (by the opponents of Freemasonry) of the 
penalties. For the past four years wherever I have made a talk or 
conducted a seminar, I have asked how many were disturbed by a 
recitation of those old-time penalties. I don't really know how many 
thousands I've addressed but in no audience as more than two hands been 
raised. I went out on a limb during my keynote address at the Conference 
of Grand Masters in February and asked the same question. One hand was 
raised! (but I was later told there were two!!). I asked then and I ask 
now -- what's going on in those areas where leaders are claiming this is 
a problem within the Craft?

                                  oOo

Writing for The New Mexico Freemason Grand Master Ernie Hazelwood tells 
his members to "Be Different! Do It!" He says: "Your Grand Master is a 
firm believer that the By-Laws of your Lodge and the Grand Lodge should 
be strenuously obeyed. He also believes that the business of your Lodge 
is YOUR business and should not be infringed in so far as you obey our 
laws. He also knows that no one person has all the answers. By the fact 
that he has been elected Grand Master does not suddenly make him all 
knowing. No Lodge should be restricted from trying new and innovative 
ideas." He then notes how several Lodges and individuals have been in 
the forefront of progressive acts that have borne fruit. Wonderful!

                                  oOo

The Reverend Dr. Luther G. Baker, Sr., of Florida wrote "Masonry and 
Religion" for The Indiana Freemason. Within his closing paragraphs he 
said: "My years as a pastor reveled to me that deacons and elders that 
wore the Square and Compass [sic] were men devoted to their church and 
their God, men that took very seriously their vows of fidelity.... 
Masonry and religion? They are totally different, but they are also the 
same. Both teach men to use their talents and wealth so that ignorance 
and want may be overcome; to love so that hatred and bigotry may be 
eliminated, to revere God so that family and country may live in 
security and peace. Masonry is not a religion, but it is composed of 
religious men who strive to do all they can to make our world into what 
we believe the Supreme Architect intended it to be."

                                  oOo

The Wisconsin Masonic Journal tells us the "Square and Compasses Show 
Choir" is now in its eighth year. Sometime ago The Philalethes published 
a feature article on the work of these young men and women. They are 
continuing to represent the best of Freemasonry through music. Since its 
beginning over 150 have participated in this excellent program.

                                  oOo
