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Philalethes, Nelson King, FPS, Editor, 2 Knockbolt Crescent, Agincourt
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nking@freemasonry.org or nking@onramp.ca




                     THROUGH MASONIC WINDOWS
                   -by- Allen E. Roberts, FPS

"Fear is one of the great inhibitors of success," writes Elmer 
Shumacher for The Wisconsin Masonic Journal. "All people tend to 
fear the unknown.... We must remember that he who tries nothing 
new will never fail -- neither will he progress." He suggests 
Masonic leaders be receptive to new ideas, weigh them, and if 
they are feasible make plans to put them into effect. It's no 
secret that FEAR is the enemy of progress in any organization; 
Freemasonry is no exception.
                               oOo
Bureaucracy and bungling Congresses are nothing new we learn from 
a recent AP report concerning William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody. He 
had been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his valiant 
service as an Indian scout. He had served in this capacity during 
the nonsensical American Civil War, then again from 1868 to 72. 
In was in this latter year he led a cavalry charge against a band 
of Souix Indians. He was awarded the medal for bravery beyond the 
call of duty. But he was a civilian! An ever botching Congress 
decreed in 1917 that only military men were eligible for the CMH. 
And the decree was made retroactive. Cody, who had died on 
January 10, 1917 (his Masonic birthday) was stripped of the 
award. In July 1989 the medal was restored to Cody. The famous 
"Buffalo Bill" became a Master Mason in Platte Valley Lodge No. 
32, Nebraska, on January 10, 1871.
                               oOo
No greater honor can come to any man than to be applauded by his 
peers. Frank S. Duling, Jr., MPS, Police Chief of Richmond, 
Virginia, during a retirement dinner in his honor, received high 
awards from every law enforcement agency in the state. The FBI 
and Secret Service were among those praising him highly for his 
45 years of service to his city, state and country. Thanks to the 
help of Robert G. Davis, MPS, President of Oklahoma Chapter, I 
had the privilege of presenting Frank with a document from the 
Governor of Oklahoma making the Chief "a Territorial Marshal of 
Oklahoma." He then received the Distinguished Service Medal of 
The Philalethes Society. Among the many Masonic offices he has 
held was that of the first President of Virginia Chapter of the 
Society.
                               oOo
More signs of the times? The Grand Master presented "Throat 
Medallions" to four men according to The Pennsylvania Freemason. 
One "has been responsible for bringing in sixty-one petitions, 
and his son has brought in thirty petitions." We are informed: 
"This award is given to those Brethren who have brought twelve or 
more men into the Fraternity." 
                               oOo
The Phylaxis reminds us how fragile life and freedom can be. It 
recalled the murder of the leaders of Prince Hall Masonry in 
Liberia on April 12, 1980. It graphically described the 
mutilation and death of a Past Grand Master. Other Prince Hall 
Masons were stripped to the waist, lashed to poles, and shot. The 
Masonic temple was heavily damaged. It would be eight years 
before reason prevailed and Prince Hall Masonry could become 
active in Liberia again. The report concluded: ". . . though the 
pain of the past will ever be present, it is our prayer that the 
banners of Freemasonry will continue forever."
                               oOo
In an attempt to involve the community with Freemasonry a small 
Lodge has added a Masonic and Community Library. It hopes to 
become one of the better Masonic and reference libraries in its 
county. It will gladly accept Masonic periodicals, books and 
other items suitable for Freemasons and the general public. All 
monetary donors receive a beautiful certificate suitable for 
framing. Their names also appear on a plate attached to a master 
plaque that will hang in the library for perpituity. These may be 
sent to: Babcock Lodge No. 322, 1 1/2 S. Holly Ave., Highland 
Springs, VA 23075. 
                               oOo
A new Masonic publication is on the scene. Louis A. Cashmere, a 
new MPS, is attempting to develop his interesting newsletter into 
a national Masonic magazine. He's using the now famous computer 
software approach: Shareware. If you like it, send a donation; if 
you don't, ignore it. Interested? Send your name and address to:
BLN News, P.O. Box 3163, Ann Arbor, MI 48106.
                               oOo
Richard H. Curtis, FPS, reports in The Northern Light that the 
Shrine met in July in annual session in Toronto. He noted the 
delegates the matter of removing membership in the Shrine from 
Masonry "was soundly defeated." As he said, this is excellent 
news. He didn't mention, however, that the Shrine hierarchy 
tabled a festering sore. A suspended Freemason can appeal to the 
Imperial Potentate and may be able to remain a Shriner. More 
later.
                               oOo
The Northern Light also tells us that the House of the Temple of 
the Scottish Rite, Southern Jurisdiction, will house J. Edgar 
Hoover memorabilia. This will be housed in "the J. Edgar Hoover 
Law Enforcement Room. It's good to know this much maligned Master 
Mason is still being honored by those who appreciate his 48 years 
of dedicated service to the United States. It also recognizes the 
dedication of the members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
                               oOo
Here's a puzzle(?) from The Pennsylvania Freemason. "Take the 
number of your Lodge and double it; add 5; multiply this number 
by 50; add your age (no cheating!); add the number of days in the 
year [365]; subtract 615; The last two figures of the result is 
your age, and the other numbers are your Lodge number." For me it 
works out: 322 x 2 = 644 + 5 = 649 x 50 = 32450 + 71 = 32521 + 
365 = 32886 - 615 = 32271.  
                               oOo
Grand Master Ernie Hazelwood, writing for The New Mexico 
Freemason is disturbed. It pains him to hear: "If it ain't broke, 
don't fix it." He believes that Lodges, and Freemasonry in 
general, should periodically have maintenance checks, just as we 
do with our cars and appliances. He urges his members to listen 
to new ideas and give them a try. He says: BE DIFFERENT! DO IT! 
'Tis a wonderful idea!
                               oOo
Freemasonry should have paved the way, but it was the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks that did. The 
Elks have removed the ballot box! No longer will its 
petitioners be subjected to the tyranny of one man 
controlling who is accepted or rejected. I am not privy to 
the rules and regulations of the Elks, but I assume it has a 
method whereby undesirables will continue to be rejected. 
   Long have I advocated Freemasonry remove the ballot box 
-- an instrument of tyranny -- of one-man control. The 
Master is supreme in his Lodge. When a legitimate objection 
is made, he can reject a petitioner. Undesirables can still 
be kept out of Freemasonry. Most important, though, good men 
won't be stopped by one tyrant. Isn't it worth considering?
                            oOo  

Addendum to my October Windows column.

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                            oOo
Freemasonry should have paved the way, but it was the 
Benevolent and Protective Or
