THE BUILDER JUNE 1915

HOW TO STUDY MASONRY
A SYMPOSIUM

(For this last installment of our Symposium we are indebted to the
Masonic Study School of Cincinnati, Ohio, and to the kindness of
Dr. Stewart and other members. This School was organized in 1910,
and adopted a constitution and by-laws identical with those used by
the Fargo, North Dakota, Masonic Study School organized in October,
1908. A copy of the constitution and by-laws may be found in Dr.
Stewart's interesting and valuable book, "Symbolic Teaching, or
Masonry and its Message," chapter four. In the following letters we
learn, first, from Dr. Stewart, what methods of study have been
tried by the Cincinnati Masonic School, and with what results, as
well as the plan finally adopted as most profitable and workable.
Second, a committee from the Society of Past Masters of Cincinnati
and vicinity tell of the efforts of that body to extend the
influence of the School, and to deepen the interest of Masons in
the deeper aspects and purposes of Masonry. Here we have the
results, not of theoretical suggestion, but of practical experience
in a company of busy men and Masons who undertook the study of
Masonry; and we believe it reveals a point of contact with the
problem, and also a method of beginning, which will be found useful
to other groups who may wish to make a start. Elsewhere in this
issue we sum up the findings of this symposium with certain
reflections suggested by each contributor.)

THE STUDY-CLUB
By Dr. T. M. Stewart
Cincinnati, Ohio

Not until the Masonic Study School came into the field in February,
1910, was any definite effort made systematically to try out
different plans of work. These plans were as follows: (1) Question
and answer meetings. They were not satisfactory and therefore not
continued, because very few had read enough to make it interesting.

(2) Essays written by students and read to a general meeting of
Masons. This plan also failed be cause the students were too few
and the audience seemed to desire a variety of topics as well as of
speakers.

(3) The reading, and discussing as read, of one or more books
during the season. A splendid plan, but only reaching a few,
because in this city, with thirty-one Lodges scattered over a wide
territory--not counting the Lodges across the Ohio in Kentucky--it
is quite a task for members to get home and later return to the
city for study. To meet in any one suburb does not change the
condition, as regular attendance at the meetings is necessary or
the thread of thought is lost. The problem, so far as the Masonic
Study School has been able to formulate it, is as follows:

(a) The need of Masons, and especially of the younger men, for a
more general knowledge of the origin, nature and genius of our
ancient and honorable fraternity. To meet this need a book was
selected and questions on its contents were prepared by the Study
School. Following each question was the number of the page of the
book--in many instances of the paragraph--where the answer may be
found. The best results are obtained by the student writing the
answer thereto in a small blank book, and meeting with others doing
the same work at stated intervals, so that the questions and
answers may be read--fixing the answers in the mind. Notes are
taken of questions in regard to matters on which the student
desires further light, and these are the basis of work after the
School has finished with that particular book. The personal effort
required in such a method is the secret of its success.

(b) To enlighten the Craft generally with regard to what Masonry
has done for the world, for this country, and for this city; and
thus to formulate the basis of what Masonry can and should do for
coming generations. To this end several lecturers should talk on
the same topic, handled much in the same manner, to several Lodges
in a jurisdiction. In this way all the Lodges are reached in a much
shorter time, than where one lecturer tries to fill dates with many
Lodges. This plan will be elucidated by its originator, Brother P.
J. Cadwalader, who has gladly agreed to outline the plan for this
Symposium.

* * *

The Past Master's Society

The Society of Past Masters of this vicinity have undertaken to do
some work to try and bring to the minds of the Craft at large some
matters which every Mason ought to know, and thus lead up to the
work which Dr. Stewart and the Masonic Study School are interested
in. With this idea in view, the Society has undertaken to make
Masons realize that there is a greater work for the Fraternity than
has been accomplished in the past.

The better to assist in this work, it has been deemed advisable to
have addresses made by selected speakers to the members at large,
and to the different Lodges at such times as may be convenient, and
to try to bring home to each Mason the tremendous work we awaiting
us, if the Fraternity is to retain its present high standing in
this country. A committee has been appointed systematically to take
up this work. For the first general meeting April 13th, 1915, at
the Scottish Rite Cathedral, the following live subjects have been
selected:

First--"The Position of Masonry in this Country, Past and Today,
What has been accomplished? Looking Backward," by Dr. J. D. Buck,
33rd degree.

Second--"The Position of Masonry in this Country, Tomorrow and the
Future, What can be Accomplished? Looking Forward," by Brother Rev.
A. B. Beresford, 32nd degree.


The first subject selected to be presented to all the Lodges by
different speakers is:--"After the Petition, then what?" The idea
being that the speaker should try to address himself to the
character of the candidate before and at the time of asking the
"recommendation of a friend." That is, the care which the
investigating committee should take, whether or not their report
should simply be "favorable" or "unfavorable," or whether the
committee should try, in its report, to picture to the Lodge the
character of the candidate as he has impressed himself upon them;
keeping in mind all the time that our object is "the Universal
Brotherhood of Man."

Other subjects to be presented in the same way to the individual
Lodges, and which have been favorably considered, are:--"After
Raising, Whither Bound ?" and "Our Duty to Unfortunate Members,"
that is, how long and how far shall we protect them, not
financially, but as to moral character. These subjects will cover
three months of work, and will reach forty-four Lodges, with a
membership of fifteen thousand.

The committee feel that all these subjects are very broad, and that
properly treated, as we hope to have them treated, they will reach
the heart of the Craft, and perhaps start the fire burning which
will make the individual feel that there is something in Masonry
more than making candidates and seeking office.

Fifteen thousand Masons in a community like ours, if they exert
their influence for the highest and best things, can do much. The
fraternity must stand for the highest morals, not only as a
fraternity, but as individuals; so much so, that while it does not
as an order enter politics, its influence may be so felt that
politicians will have regard for the better interests of the city.

While this condition is being brought about by the Craft as a unit,
each individual member should feel and know of his interests
therein, and begin to learn that "the house not made with hands" is
his own spiritual individuality, and that perhaps the "lost word"
may be found in himself by a proper exercise and the guidance of
others who may be able to point out the way, to which he must apply
his efforts and make out of himself the real and true Mason which
our fraternity demands.

Committee of Past Master's Society.
John H. Dickerson 
James N. Ramsey
Orin N. Littell 
Chas. A. Stevens
Pierce J. Cadwalader

