The Pursuit of Light

This from the Brothers at The Grand Lodge of Oregon...Enjoy

Masonic Skis?

I was traveling in the car the other day on a beautiful Minnesota snowy winter day. When I noticed the car next to me waiting for the traffic light had a ski rake on top their car. The skis on the rake had very colorful graphics and I could have thought I saw a Masonic symbol in the motif. So I did some research and take a look at the photos below and see for yourself.

The skis are made by the Volkl Corporation which is the largest ski manufacture in Germany. The company was started by George Volkl in 1875 in Bavaria. He was a Master Cartwright and built wagons, and Carts. In 1923 in Strasberg Germany they began making skis and have ever since.

The company actually started the concept of bold graphics designs on skis. Their first design was the legendary zebra pattern in 1973. They have continued the innovation as you can see in the designs in the photos.

What I thought was the Compass and Square design on the skis is actually part of the Company’s trademark. Now I am not one of those Wing Nuts who sees a Masonic symbol in every company logo, or in a bowl of alphabet soup.I did look on the Volkl Company's website and it did not give any explanation of its logo.

 It doesn't matter I think the skis are cool, and if I skied Id buy a pair just for their logo. Maybe I could find a tee shirt?

Masonic Skis no but cool yes

Happy Birthday Albert Pike

December 29th Happy Birthday Albert Pike!

I think that there isn't much to say about Albert Pike that hasn't been  already written extensively about. But I think to take a moment to recognize his his birthday is in order.

He was born in Boston Massachusetts on December 29, 1809. During his life he was an Attorney,Soldier,Writer,Poet, Philosopher, a member of the Oddfellows, and noted Freemason.

He died on April 2, 1891 in Washington D.C. at the Scottish Rite Temple.

Albert Pike is the only Civil War Confederate Military Officer with a statue in Washington D.C.
The statue is located near the Judiciary Square Metro Stop.

To learn more about Brother Pike I recommend the Book: "A life of Albert Pike By Warren Lee Brown.



"Ya Albert Pike certainly was a man who was an imaginative Tinker"

Mark Master Quiz

                                                                               

Royal Arch Quiz Night

Mark Master

P.G.M. Tom Hendrickson

1.    How Did the Craftsman carry their work?

a)    On their left shoulder

b)    Between the thumb and fingers of the right hand

c)    In front of them in both hands

d)    In the right hand

2.    What tool did the Overseers use to test the work?

a)    24-inch gage

b)    Plumb line

c)    A Square

d)    Compasses

3.    How did the Overseers dispose of the rejected stone?

a)    Threw it to the ground at the Candidates feet

b)    Over their left shoulder

c)    Over their right shoulder

d)    Into the air

4.    When did the Craftsman receive their wages?

a)    The first hour of the first day of the week

b)    The third hour of the third day of the week

c)    The fifth hour of the fifth day of the week

d)    The sixth hour of the sixth day of the week

5.    What are the working Tools in the Mark Master Degree?

a)    Engravers Chisel and Mallet

b)    Wedge and Mallet

c)    Compass and Chalk

d)    Trowel and Sword

6.    What is the name of the rejected stone?

a)    Cornerstone

b)    Capstone

c)    Perfect Ashlar

d)    Keystone

7.    How many letters are upon the Keystone?

a)    Five

b)    Seven

c)    Eight

d)    None of the Above

8.    What are the letters that are upon the Keystone?

a)    H  T  M  L  A  T  K  S

b)    H  T  W  S  S  T  K  S

c)    H  T  B  S  K S  T  P

d)    H  T  T  F N  B  R  O

9.    To whom is the Lodge Mark Masters erected and dedicated to?

a)    God and the Holy St John

b)    God and King Solomon

c)    God and Hiram Abiff

d)    God and Zerubbabel

The Chapter Penny and Book of Marks

The Chapter Penny and Book of Marks

By Tom Hendrickson-P.G.M.

The Mark Master degree is the first of the Royal Arch Degrees. It is the completion of the Fellow Craft Degree, adding considerably much more insight and detail about our ancient craft.

There are many valuable lessons in the Mark Master Degree, but this paper will cover the areas surrounding the Chapter Penny and the Book of Marks.

The Mark Master degree is believed to have been originated by the ancient operative masons as a ceremony whereby the craftsman selected his unique personal mark which was recorded in the Chapters Book of Marks.  This unique mark would be the masonic signature for the mason’s lifetime and the operative stone mason would place his mark on the stones he prepared.  The mark would identify his work, served as a means of quality control and allowed the mason to receive his wages for the work he performed.

During the building of King Solomon’s Temple there were two classes of Fellow Crafts. The advanced masons were promoted based upon their diligence and skill level to the Mark Master. The Mark Master was paid in coin by the Senior Warden instead of being paid with corn, wine or oil. A week’s wages were a Penny or a half-shekel.

It is tradition in the Royal Arch Chapters that they create their own uniquely designed Chapter Penny. Each candidate who completes the Mark Master Degree is presented with the Chapter Penny as a worthy token of the rites of friendship and brotherly love. No, it’s not just another piece of Masonic Bling.

The new Mark Mason then selects a distinctive mark that he will keep for his lifetime and register’s the mark in his Chapter’s Book of Marks. This mark is then inscribed on his Chapter Penny within the Keystone side of the coin.

The remainder of this paper will examine many of the common characteristics of various Chapter Pennies and half-shekels from Minnesota Chapters.

I will also review some registered marks from various the “Book of Marks” from Royal Arch Chapters and look at the designs from the simple to ornate and beautiful works of art.

Now let’s take a look at some examples of Penny’s and Marks.

The most common Chapter Penny is having the obverse side-the front of the coin (in Minnesota we call that heads) is divided into three spaces by two circles. The inscription found in the outer most consisting of the name, number and location of the Chapter. The middle space contains the date when the charter was granted. The center space contains the word One Penny using two lines.

The reverse side(tails) will have the keystone bearing the letters H.T.W.S.S.T.K.S arranged in a circle. The center of the keystone is reserved for the Mark of the owner.

The letters represent the Mark of our ancient Grand Master. On the right a mallet, on the left a chisel.

  

This version of the Chapter Penny is fashioned to appear like an ancient half Shekel. The Chapter information is contained on the reverse side. 

Each Royal Arch Chapter maintains a Book of Marks. This is the master registry of all of the members Marks or their masonic signatures. As our ancient brethren before us. It is very possible to leaf thru the pages and gaze upon the marks of all of your Chapter members going back to the very founders themselves. This is a great place to look at what your Father or Grandfathers Mark may have looked like.

These books come in all shapes and colors. From the handmade leather bound to a three-ring notebook.

   

When you examine the individual Marks you will see, some were made by an artist directed by the member or some scratched out by the member himself.

I have elected to show you a few ordinate Marks from the mid-1800s.

The form that each Mark Master is presented with to complete.

 Completed Forms.

  

                                                                                

The Chapter Penny and the Chapter Book of Marks are just a few of the interesting and valuable lessons in the Mark Master Degree.

The lessons in the Royal Arch completes and fulfills the degrees that we received in the Blue lodge. It is often said that the Master Mason doesn’t fully grasp the whole story until he has completed his journey through the Royal Arch.

If you are interested in learning more about your ancient craft and wish to participate in its long traditions the Royal Arch is the only place where you can do that. 


I would like to say Many Thanks to the Minnesota Masonic Heritage Center and Doset Mark Anderson for helping me with this project

Honoring All Who Served

Some thoughts about my Dues Card

                                                                                   

Its about that time of the year when we are all getting our dues cards. He is a poem that I have published before. The poem also is attached to my dues card every year. I hope you enjoy it.

Masonic Membership Card
Author Unknown

I hold in my hand a little scrap of paper
2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches in size.
It is of no intrinsic worth,
not a bond, not a check or receipt for valuables,
yet it is my most priceless possession.
It is my membership card in a Masonic Lodge.

It tells me that I have entered
into a spiritual kinship with my fellow Masons
to practice charity in word and deed;
to forgive and forget the faults of my brethren;
to hush the tongues of scandal and innuendo;
to care for the crippled, the hungry and the sick,
and to be fair and just to all mankind.

It tells me that no matter where
I may travel in the world,
I am welcome to visit a place where good fellowship prevails
among brothers and friends.

It tells me that my loved ones, my home,
and my household are under the protection
of every member of this great Fraternity,
who have sworn to defend and protect mine
as I have sworn to defend and protect theirs.

It tells me that should I ever be overtaken
by adversity or misfortune
through no fault of my own,
the hands of every Mason on the face of the earth
will be stretched forth to assist me in my necessities.

And finally, it tells me
that when my final exit from the stage of life has been made,
there will be gathered around my lifeless body,
friends and brothers who will recall to mind my virtues,
though they be but few,
and will forget my faults,
though they may be many.

It tells me that, and a great deal more,
this little card,
and makes me proud yet humble,
that I can possess this passport
into a society of friends and brothers
that are numbered in the millions.