We all shine on: Bro. Trevor Twining

This is our 21st installment of "This Is Who I Am," our never-ending series of essays by and about readers of "The Burning Taper."

My name is Trevor Twining. I'm 35, and I am a father, husband, and Freemason.

I work for a Drupal consulting firm called CivicActions. My current project is a pending redesign of Amnesty International.

I came into Freemasonry after learning about it from my father-in-law. While not married at the time, my then-to-be wife and I were quite serious. During a conversation about 'my intentions' towards his daughter, the subject came up of how he came to be the man I respected (seriously, it happened like that, I wasn't schmoozing).

Growing up in a single-parent family, I didn't have much in the way of male role models, and I had made a promise long ago to make sure I succeeded in raising my family where my father had neglected those responsibilities. My father-in-law told me that Freemasonry was a big part of who he was, and I got interested at that point. When I get involved in something, I go whole-hog, and so the time demanded of an involved mason was such that I decided I wasn't ready to get involved at the time, but I kept involved by attending various socials, picnics, and other functions as I was able, so that I could meet the men involved and learn more about them.

Five years later my first son was two when I finally decided that the time was right. I did some digging online about Freemasonry, and immediately cast aside any of the anti-masonic information, as it just did not fit the view of the men I had already come to know and respect.

I was initiated into Adoniram Lodge No. 573, in Niagara Falls, ON, under the Grand Lodge of Canada in the Province of Ontario on May 13, 2004.

My story continues like many others my age that are finding their way through the Craft. Learning a lot online about the classic works of Mackey, Wilmshurst, and reading more controversial Masonic Authors like Lomas and Knight, and seeing all the media interest in the Fraternity at the time made one feel really excited to be a mason. Culture clashes abounded however as many younger masons' ideas of the Craft conflicted with the experiences of the older brethren. I started reading up on many of the staples we all have, and in some ways became more confused than clear on many of the issues.

At first I contributed to this strife, headstrong and opinionated that my way was the only way. This helped me learn one of the great lessons of Masonry. Harmony. Not the "gloss over the argument" kind of harmony, but that 'my way,' even if I feel it's the best way, doesn't need to be the only way. I learned that one could be 100% correct, and still be an a--hole.

Over the last two years, however, I have begun work to eliminate this in my lodge and in the Craft in general, however small and localized the effort might be. I look for ways that we can work together, and dreams and ideas that we hold in common, and then promote activities that highlight those attitudes.

Our most successful activities have been what we term 'Lodges of Exploration.' These are walkthroughs of symbolism in each degree and provide as much of an opportunity to discuss the 'why' in Freemasonry as Lodges of Instruction serve to explain the 'how and when.'

This year, I'm the Worshipful Master of my lodge. I'm passionate about showing them the Masonry that I've come to love; the development of an inquisitive mind, ever searching for answers, and discovering in his researches the Wisdom, Strength and Beauty that the Great Architect has spread throughout the physical and spiritual world. I've learned about the many paths to the Divine in the form of different expressions of faith, and my own journeys are richer for having learned of them. I've learned what it means when we say that when a brother joins our ranks, he never again walks alone in this world. I've watched other men flourish from the humbling exposure to the light that I've found in Masonry, and with them I've found my companions in the Light. I know, however, that many brethren might not be ready to experience this kind of Masonry, and so if only I can help them consider the many facets of a Masonic life, then I'll have discharged my duties to employ and instruct the Brethren in Masonry.

Here are some basic thoughts about the craft and its direction that clarify the objects of my researches over the next two to three years.

• Freemasonry and open source. Open source software will have as much societal impact as Gutenberg's press did. The ideas of the open source movement fit nicely with those of the Fraternity, and as builders of code and data, the symbolism of the Craft still strikes a note with those who use their brains to build new ways for us to communicate with each other. Concepts like agile development, code as law and commons-oriented licensing can all serve to inspire and strengthen future generations of Freemasons worldwide. Similarly, organizational structures being developed by people to communicate effectively across distances can provide many opportunities for learning.


• Freemasonry and Darwinism. It can be argued that Freemasonry is in a decline because its leaders refuse to adapt in the name of preserving the heritage of the order. Using the theory of evolution, we can highlight the traits we want to keep that preserve the identity of the order. But we can also identify which traits are undesirable and discard them or change them to become a stronger entity. This isn't the archetypal "Survival of the fittest" evolution so many people associate with Darwin, but a series of slow, iterative improvements that allow us to survive and adapt.


• Masonic Mutations. One of the main principles of Evolution is that of mutation. Once a mutation is introduced, it must either give the organism an advantage or fall into obscurity. As Freemasons, we need to establish more lodges with a greater degree of frequency than we do now, in order to really put these ideas in the crucible of real life. The only way we can generate sufficient diversity to save the craft is through a mass spawning of new, small, adaptable lodges.

It has been great to learn about so many of you. I hope some of these words might help you find something new and beautiful, or even rediscovered, about the Craft we all love.

Yours in Service,
W. Bro. Trevor Twining

Bro. Twining operates the Masonic blog "Square. Level. Plumb."

To submit your own "This is Who I Am" essay, read this. You do not have to be a Mason to participate.

Masons | We All Shine On | This is Who I Am | Freemasonry | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

We all shine on: Bro. Mike Moore

This is our 20th installment of "This Is Who I Am," our never-ending series of essays by and about readers of "The Burning Taper."

"Who am I?"

I am Mike Moore. Besides being a Mason, I am a staff writer for the history magazine On The Trail, have for the last eleven years written four non fiction books on the early American West, have been on the History Channel, am a father, husband and an elder in the Presbyterian Church. I am presently a Junior Deacon in Englewood Lodge 166 (in Colorado) and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite 2008 Fellow.

It was my interest in history that started my search for answers on what goes on at a Masonic lodge and who are the people in it. I kept seeing prominent historical figures who were Masons, and always having to crop pictures I took for my articles and books to keep out Masonic markers or symbols. Plus having to pass over mentions of the group when writing about these men.

Then I found out my father in law and many of his family were are Masons and I asked him a few questions. Travis Irby answered each question as best he could (remember I wasn't a Mason at the time), gave me his feelings on the Masonic world in general (great group, only wished he had joined earlier in life) and encouraged to always ask questions and seek knowledge of the group.

That was my start in this organization. I must say, it was at the time and still is a pleasant shock to see how great a group of men I have been associated with by joining. Good men, who for the most part have only one thing on their mind — to help you be better in all aspects of your life. The levels of insight and thought that are found in the ritual, writings and conversations I have with various brothers keep me humble, always seeking for more and looking for opportunities to promote our group to others.

Our lodge is bucking the trend of the day and slowly growing, bringing in new members from all ages, races and backgrounds. The officers in charge have embraced the challenges the younger members have put to them.

We now have power points as part of the educational times, used the computer to reduced time taken for reading of minutes and budgets, developed a decent web site that draws visitors from different states and around the metro Denver area to us and have tried to inspire the members to be involved and have pride in what we do. We showed a positive increase in members, found a new vision of what Masonry can and are have fun doing it.

The other members of the church I attend, don't seem to find it odd that I wear different Masonic pins, serve lunches in a Masonic cooking apron or when helping with various aspects of worship (including communion) that I am unreservedly a Mason. I did not know until I started asking around that my pastor, various older gentlemen and many of the women's husbands, uncles and dads were Masons too.

I have not hidden from my girls that I am Mason and have openly discussed what where I go and what I do on nights I am at lodge. They smile and nod, their husbands seem to place that in the section of the mind that that say, if I ever need to find out more, I know who to talk to. But that is fine. This year I was able to attend lodge meetings from El Paso to Seattle, see the differences and similarities and note the same Masonic spirit I see in the men around me in some of them.

So who am I? A <50 year old man, who recycles, thinks and votes independently, listens to NPR, does lectures on history, am active in my church, flies flags on holidays (writing this on Memorial Day weekend, I have six flags out representing vets from five different wars — so many only think the present and recent conflicts on these days), actually reads the books I have on my shelves and a Mason.

As a historian, I see most of the better historic figures to be multi layered and complex in their thoughts and actions. They are not simple in who they are and why they did things. And today, it is easy to see their counterparts in our present day world. They stand out. In a one dimensional world, so easily labeled, and pigeon holed; complex individuals brake the mold. Something we need to remember today. Don't be afraid to stand out.

— Bro. Mike Moore

To submit your own "This is Who I Am" essay, read this. You do not have to be a Mason to participate.

Masons | This Is Who I Am | We All Shine On | Freemasonry | Mike Moore | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

We all shine on: Bro. Fred Milliken, aka Squire Bentley

This is our 19th installment of "This Is Who I Am," our never-ending series of essays by and about readers of The Burning Taper.

My name is Frederic L. Milliken, a/k/a Squire Bentley. More about that pseudonym later. Yes I am a Freemason, but that is only one of my many interests even though it is the most compelling. I am also a history buff and a political junkie, and a dabbler in economics. I guess that follows having a BA in Government & History with a minor in Economics.

I was born in the town of Lexington, Massachusetts, the birthplace of the American Revolution. The battles of Lexington & Concord, the midnight ride of Paul Revere and the shot heard ‘round the world was something that influenced me from an early age. Growing up as a boy I became a member of Battle Green DeMolay which met at Simon W. Robinson Lodge, AF & AM beside the Lexington Green, eventually becoming Master Councilor. My first church was also bordering the Green as was the famous Buckman Tavern where my mother took a weekend job as a tourist guide explaining the Lexington battle. Years later I would return to Simon W. Robinson Lodge with the Paul Revere Colonial Degree Team.

I also have a powerful interest in religion and all things spiritual. My religious journey looks like the stock market, up and down. I was raised a Unitarian (before the Universalists horned in), in college I joined the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod. In just a few years I was a confirmed atheist and an Objectivist, a disciple of Ayn Rand. After twenty years as a non believer, I reversed myself again and joined a new church start up In the Presbyterian Church, PCUSA. I became a part time Presbyterian lay preacher. After ten years as a Presbyterian I converted to Catholicism where I am today. I am a frequent Lector at two churches.

Many say that you can tell a lot about a person by what he reads. I am an avid reader. In spirituality I love the Conversations With God series by Neale Donald Walsch. Dr. Walter Dyer is another favorite. 90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper was an interesting recent read. In Economics, as a devotee of Hayek, Von Mises, Hazlitt and Milton Friedman, the latest read was Applied Economics by Thomas Sowell. A recent history read was Pearl Harbor by Newt Gingrich. My political reading has been recently The Connection by Stephen F. Hayes and I am just starting War and Decision by Douglas J. Feith. I also just completed Immediate Fiction by Jerry Cleaver. I'm trying to learn how to write good fiction. My goal (and dream) is to write a salable murder mystery. Oh, for light reading I devour murder mysteries, most especially courtroom drama. I have a complete collection of Earle Stanley Gardner at the house. In Masonry my latest reads are The Knights Templar Revealed and Founding Fathers, Secret Societies.

Besides these interests I am a bicyclist doing ten miles every other day and I am a devotee of Contract Bridge when I can find a partner. I love music, my favorites being bluegrass and jazz. There is nobody better than Alison Krauss and Dianna Krall.

I decided early on in my Masonic career that I was going to do great things with large numbers; that I was going to rejoice, celebrate and enjoy being a Mason. I was raised in Plymouth Lodge in historic Plymouth, MA where the Pilgrims landed in 1989, Master in 1994. Soon after I affiliated with Paul Revere Lodge in Brockton, MA, Master in 1999 & 2000. I immediately joined the Paul Revere Colonial Degree Team which performed the second and third sections of the Third Degree in colonial dress and afterwards the Team's Historian added a patriotic message about the flag and the sacrifice of colonial Masons. The Historian had each of us rise and introduce the Revolutionary War Mason we represent, as we each take a name of a Colonial Mason who fought for this country. When I joined all the famous names were taken so researching on my own I took the name of William Munroe, a Sergeant in the Lexington Minutemen. Brother Munroe was station on the Lexington Green on the night of April 18, 1775 on an all night watch for any British. He welcomed Paul Revere into town early the next morning with the news, "The British are coming." Later he was to petition Grand Lodge for a charter for Lexington's first Lodge and he its first Master. In 1791 he was received in the East of Grand Lodge with his petition by Most Worshipful Paul Revere. For the Colonial Degree Team I performed the charge and my favorite was one we call in New England, though it has many other names, "The Canadian Charge."

I took the Paul Degree Team to Lexington, MA where we participated in a Communication of three Lodges at the same time. After the performance we retired for a Tri Table Lodge with over 100 Masons present. We celebrated the Craft with great gusto that night. We made another trip to Connecticut with a similar crowd in attendance. But the best trip was our performance in Bloomington, Indiana in 2001 where we were billeted at the state DeMolay chateau and driven around in a luxury mini bus by a Past Grand Master. We celebrated afterwards there also at an Irish Pub. I have been on many other trips with the Colonial Degree Team and found each and every one to be a night of inspiration.

Celebration became the defining word of my two years in the East at Paul Revere Lodge. We participated in a District outdoor degree and I held a Masonic Roast a la Dean Martin style for a beloved Past Master who was the Don Rickles of our District. I also held special awards banquets for three other Past Masters, one being for our Colonial Degree founder and Historian in an authentic Colonial Tavern, all of us participating with our wives in colonial costume.

But the greatest joy and inspiration came when I was asked to join the "Fellowship Players," a Masonic drama club. At that time we were performing the Carl Claudy play A Rose Upon The Altar and I took the part of Squire Bentley — hence the pseudonym. We had been given dispensation from the Grand Master to perform the play before the general public after removing all Masonic modes of recognition from the performance. I performed in many moving renditions of this emotional and inspiring play. Two I remember quite well. One was for a Council of The Knights of Columbus and their wives and the other was before visiting Masons from England and their wives.

After stepping out of the East for the second time I thought my celebrating days were over, but I went on to becoming a moderator on the Lodgeroom.com Forum and then a featured regular writer for Stephen Dafoe's magazines The Fourth Part of a Circle and Masonic Magazine. That led to an invitation from the Yellowhead Masonic District of Alberta, Canada for a speaking tour. They flew me and my wife up for an all expenses paid week in Alberta where I addressed Lodges with two papers I had written for the occasion, World Peace Through Brotherhood and Native American Rituals and the Influence of Freemasonry (can be read on www.phoenixmasonry.org). One presentation was before a large group of Brothers at a restaurant in Edmonton where we also took part in a special Festive Board. It was a great week and we got to tour the area and its beautiful scenery. I had never been to the Rocky Mountains before.

I was just getting comfortable in my Pastmastership when all of a sudden we upped and moved to Texas. I spent a year in the Grand Lodge of Texas before transferring to Prince Hall Texas. They say if you have nothing good to say shut up, so that is what I will do on that score. But I was surprised that after a year in Prince Hall the Grand Master contacted me and asked me to address a Grand Lodge Session. I did so but the most rewarding part for me personally of that Grand Session was the charge I gave to a mass Grand Lodge raising of 81 Fellowcrafts to the sublime degree of Master Mason. I gave the Canadian charge with over 400 delegates also present and not one had ever heard that charge done before. Wow, did I have people's attention!

And so I go on celebrating. I write two blogs. The political blog is called The Northeast Corner and the Masonic blog is The Beehive. My latest project has come about from reading Deepak Chopra and Larry Dossey's book Space, Time and Medicine. I seek to reconcile science and religion by showing how Quantum Physics and religion come together. And along with that I am researching Sacred Geometry and showing how that intersects with Freemasonry. Finally I hope to show how all four are melded together. A most interesting book I have just started in this quest is The Self-Aware Universe by Amit Goswami. It looks like this will be a project of many years.

I have been a big critic of Mainstream Masonry, feeling that American Mainstream Masonry needs to come together and operate more on common ground. I am not talking about a National Grand Lodge or adding another layer of bureaucracy. But I do think the basic cornerstones of our fraternity — who we are and what we stand for — should be very similar, while at the same time allowing much diversification of ritual and practice. We need not express our Masonry in the same manner but the building blocks and principles should be similar. I also lament the dumbing down of Masonry and its being turned into a Service Club.

I believe that I have a unique point of view in life, a perspective gained from living in many different communities or worlds so as to speak and getting to know and understand how these different styles and beliefs think and feel. I am a blue collar worker in the Dallas Transit System but I am equally comfortable in the more intellectual world. I have been a Protestant, an atheist and a Catholic. I have practiced Northern formal Masonry, Southern redneck Masonry and Prince Hall Masonry.

I want very much to say that life is short and that great, joyous moments are food for the soul. But you have to seek them out. So do great things with your Masonry and be all you can be.

— Bro. Fred Milliken

To submit your own "This is Who I Am" essay, read this.

Masons | Fred Milliken | Squire Bentley | Freemasonry | This is Who I Am | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

We all shine on: Bro. Greg Stewart, AKA Masonic Traveler

Here it is, the 18th installment of "We All Shine On," The Burning Taper's never-ending series of essays from online Freemasons and other readers of this blog. Today's is from Bro. Greg Stewart, also known as Masonic Traveler. Thanks for writing, Bro. Greg!

The title of this makes me think of the Moby song, "We are all made of Stars."

People they come together
People they fall apart
No one can stop us now
'Cause we are all made of stars

My name is Greg Stewart. I go by the moniker of Masonic Traveler. I post when I can to my blog of the same name at MasonicTraveler.com. I also edit and own a website called FreemasonInformation.com.

As you can probably guess, I am a Freemason. I fall by habitation under the Grand Lodge of California, where I live with my wife Diane and my two sons. I have been a Freemason now for 11 years, with varying degrees of activity and participation. When I became a Mason, I did not know anything of what the organization was about. I had a good friend who was one, and after a lot of conversations on the subject with him at work, I asked him that fateful question that we all come to: "...How do you join?"

For the record, I should probably state my affiliations and memberships. I am a 3rd degree Master Mason, raised at Burbank Lodge, No. 406. Today, I am an active member of Hollywood Masonic Lodge No. 355 in Tarzana, California. In that lodge I play several roles including its Communications Chairmen, Masonic Formation Officer, and Symbolism/Education instructor. Monthly I host in our lodge library a symbolism class that talks about and tries to put shape to the myriad of symbolic images and allegories that Masonry immerses us into. Doing this has given me a tremendous opportunity to think about and try to correlate them into a practical way to what their meanings are, but suffice it to say that I am still learning new ways to look at and interpret them.

I also am a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Freemason in the Valley of Pasadena, in the Orient of California, and play a part in the 27th degree as the Prince of Mercy. Also, this year, I am the last in the line of the Consistory as the Captain of the Guard. Sadly, I don’t make many Rite meetings as they meet on Fridays, and with two adolescent boys, it's better time spent with them.

I have petitioned the York, but keep getting waylaid in my taking of the degrees. Most likely I will have that under my belt soon though. In some ways it feels like I'm collecting merit badges like the Boy Scouts, but I am genuinely interested in the varying allegories that that the different traditions have to teach.

Some other bits that would fit into this long bio is that I have memberships in "other" secret societies that are similar in tone to Freemasonry, I flirt with the idea of looking into the OTO, I have belonged to 5 brands of Christianity, schooled under one, baptized under another, and at this juncture find myself with more in common with United Unitarians than any other. The irony in all of this is that when I take the little social networking quizzes, invariably, I come out as a "Neo Pagan." Go figure. Lately I've found some resonance with Hinduism and have just been creeping into the pages of Theosophy.

My thoughts on Masonry are many, the most profound I think is that I see Freemasonry as a religion. I've argued with many on the net about it and will likely continue to. The position is a fair one in that I see Freemasonry as the practice of carrying forward a set of proscribed ritual that is meant to convey a particular message. Make special note here that this does NOT mean it is a faith, as each man (or woman) who comes to the fraternity should already have that part of himself taken care of. Simply, what we do we have done for centuries, and for that same period of time its been done in the near same way and for the same reason, which is fundamentally the definition of what religion means. But this is topic for another time and place....

Outside of freemasonry, and something I seem to cycle back into every few years is art. My background is in fine and digital art, as I went to college for it, and I have drawn and painted for most of my life. Embedded in this article are some of my visual creations for various projects or times. My passion was pastel on paper in which I have created some of my most visceral work. But, like moods, mine at the present has shifted from this as most of my attention is focused on Masonry. Still pulling from my artistry, I have applied my digital skills to assemble two Masonic Tracing Boards Presently I am working on the third.... If you want to see more of the art I've made, I have a website as a portfolio piece at GregoryStewart.com.

Needless to say masonry is a big part of my being, maybe because it is something I treat as a religion that I see it as such. I want to see Masonry restored to its former incarnation, in that I would love to see lodge rooms filled with men (and maybe one day women) who all have a passionate interest in community, specifically as it applies to brotherly love, relief, and truth. It's this part of me that has just recently started looking at ways to help some of the local charities here where I live, and that's the project in the wings.

Philosophically, I defer to Moby...


Growing in numbers
Growing in speed
Can't fight the future
Can't fight what I see

People they come together
People they fall apart
No one can stop us now
'Cause we are all made of stars

Efforts of lovers
Left in my mind
I sing in the reaches
We'll see what we find

People they come together
People they fall apart
No one can stop us now
'Cause we are all made of stars



Thanks for this opportunity to shine!

Greg Stewart
Masonic Traveler
MasonicTraveler@gmail.com

Image 1: Bro. Greg Stewart
Image 2: A street painting, chalk on pavement, shown at Absolut Chalk Fest 2005 titled "Birds." Winner of event for "Most Colorful"
Image 3: Pastel on paper, framed, titled "Hell"
Image 4: Digital composite titled "Mary"

To submit your own "This is Who I Am" essay, read this.

Masons | Masonic Traveler | Art | Freemasonry | Grand Lodge of California | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

We all shine on: Timothy Bonney

This is our 17th installment in the series "This is Who I Am." The series is made up of short essays from Burning Taper readers telling us about themselves.

Over the past several weeks the Widows Son and I have had some private conversations about our agreements and past disagreements on issues related to the Craft. While we differ on views at times related to the Craft, its future, and how it should be changed we do agree, I believe, in a couple of very important areas. Whatever we may disagree about, as Masons we are brothers and our commitment to Masonry should out way our differences. And, second, that the Craft is in an ever changing society and needs to find ways to grow and improve itself. Brotherhood isn’t based on agreement but on respect. That is why I accepted WS’s invitation to be a part of his “We Shine On” series.

I’ve been part of the Craft for seven years having been raised to the sublime degree on December 10, 2000. I was made a Mason in Phoenix Lodge No. 62 F&AM under the Grand Lodge of Indiana. In 2004 I moved to Iowa and joined Daylight Lodge No. 660 A.F.&A.M. where I am a Past Master and now Chaplain.

For me, Masonry has been a journey that began early in my life noticing the activity of men in my family who were Masons. If genealogical research proves to be true, I am likely at least a fifth generation Freemason.

I began to do serious study of the Masonic fraternity while serving as a Pastor of a Southern Baptist congregation in the 1990s during the anti-masonic controversy in that denomination. During that time I read every piece of Masonic literature, both pro and con, that I could get my hands on. And, as I read through the volumes of material it became clear to me that the Masons were telling the truth about the origins, activities, and principles of the fraternity and anti-Masons primarily were twisting facts to suit their own often self-serving aims.

Several years later as pastor of another congregation, now American Baptist, I petitioned for admission into the Masonic fraternity. The signers of my petition were all members of my congregation.

As a Mason I have found that Freemasonry compliments my values, my faith, and my interests in helping my fellow human beings. In the short time I’ve been a Mason I have found opportunities to join both Scottish Rite and York Rite as well as several other Masonic research and fellowship organizations. I have benefited more than I can say from my fraternal relationships. I have made friends all over the world through Masonic internet discussion. I have developed friendships with men of many faith and national backgrounds that I might never have met had I not become a Mason. I have had opportunities to learn, grow, and study.

Are all things rosy in the Masonic fraternity? Of course not! The fraternity needs to deal with the demographic and societal change that is causing the Craft to lose membership. We need to balance new ideas with our very ancient and honorable philosophy. We need to make tough decisions about what to change, what must never change, and how we can make Freemasonry beneficial for future generation.

The Internet has been both a boon and a detriment to the Craft. It has allowed us to share in the widest communication possible with Masons all over the world. But, it has also led to huge misunderstandings between brethren and led to rifts that need not have been there. Masons have a lot to learn, myself included, on the best way to communicate our values in this new medium.

Thank you, Brother WS, for encouraging me to share.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Timothy Bonney, PM
Past Master - Daylight Lodge No. 660 A.F.&A.M.
Dual Member - Acanthus Lodge No. 632 A.F.&A.M.

To submit your own "This is Who I Am" essay, read this.

Masons | Masonic
Profiles | Tim
Bonney | Freemasonry | We All Shine On | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

We all shine on: Jeff Peace

Longtime Freemason Bro. Jeff Peace tells us about himself in this our 16th glimpse into the lives of our readers in the series "This is Who I Am." Thanks for writing, Bro. Peace.

I was entered into the brotherhood of Free-Masons on August 3rd of 1987 after having Petitioned my father and grandfather’s lodge on my 21st birthday three months earlier. The Masonic Temple was a rather stately old building with a limestone façade. It was a little worse for the wear but still quite serviceable. To me it was a magical placed filled with all sorts of secrets awaiting discovery. It had trap doors in the floor and a large walk-in vault filled with books, files and papers.

I memorized the first catechism after sitting with the Master of the lodge three or four times and was then passed to the degree of Fellow-Craft. In March of the following year I was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason and was immediately put in the position of Senior Deacon. Sadly, my mother lodge’s membership had declined to the point that only Past Masters filled the chairs. Within a few months I was promoted to Junior Warden and performed the first degree on a new candidate.

At the next reunion of the Scottish Rite I received my 32nd degree. It was a unique and confusing experience. The day began around 7 A.M. and lasted until 8 P.M.. I had expected the degrees to be similar to what I had witnessed in my lodge but they were very different. I remember the darkness of the fourth degree coming as quite a shock. This experience left me filled with curiosity.

I was attending the university when I became a Mason and started searching through the library for books about Free-Masonry. Unfortunately, the university had few books on the subject. I then discovered that the Scottish Rite had a large Masonic library, and I began borrowing large quantities of books. The books left me asking even more questions to which no one seemed to have any answers.

My senior term paper was about the history of Free-Masonry. Looking back at this paper today I realize how weak my understanding of the subject had been.

Upon graduating from school I took a job with a company in Texas and moved away from my mother lodge. I joined a lodge in Texas but never attended. I spent most of my time reading and researching. Eventually I moved to Georgia and became active in a local lodge serving as Secretary. As I visited other lodges I began to realize that membership in the fraternity was declining rapidly. There had been about ninety brothers at my Scottish Rite reunion but Atlanta was lucky to get thirty.

I began thinking more seriously about the problem and started speaking with other younger brothers about it. We all felt the same: lodge meetings were boring, Scottish Rite meetings were even more boring, and the Knights Templar was similar to attending a funeral. Making changes to anything within the system was difficult and usually resulted in someone saying “we’ve always done it this way!”

The lodge I had been attending was very old-fashioned so I moved my membership closer to the city and a more progressive lodge. Sandy Springs Lodge was a truly inspirational Masonic experience. It gave me hope in the future of the Craft in Georgia. Here was a group of older brothers who saw the need for change and were willing to work with the younger members to make Masonry enjoyable for all.

At this time I was also a member of the Scottish Rite Membership Committee and was traveling around to all of the Districts with Grand Master Simmons giving talks and PowerPoint presentations about membership and lodge management. The Grand Master has asked me if I would give these talks in hopes that some of the lodges would see the wisdom in what I had to say about the different wants and needs of older and younger brothers. I felt these were quite productive because afterwards I would spend hours talking to the lodge Masters that had attended. It was clear that they were equally concerned but didn’t know how to help resolve the problems.

As a result of these presentations I was invited to a couple of lodges that were in serious financial trouble. I remember the lodge down at Griffin, GA specifically because of how many brothers showed up for the meeting. We didn’t even meet in the lodge room but the dining hall. It was a mixed group of older and younger brothers who truly wanted to save their lodge but had trouble agreeing on the proper course of action. After a few hours of discussing the issues and getting everyone to open-up and reveal their thoughts, they all realized the same thing: they would have to raise the dues and make changes in the way they ran the lodge. I spoke with the Past Master who had invited me to the lodge a few years later and he was very happy with the progress they had made. They were no longer going out of business but growing.

I met with the Scottish Rite Membership Committee weekly but we never really accomplished anything. Everything we presented to the Personal Representative of the S.G.I.G. was dismissed out of hand but we continued to meet anyways. Eventually, I grew frustrated with this and suggested that we write a detailed report showing the impact of membership decline on the finances of the Valley, along with a detailed plan of renewal. This took several weeks of hard work. We began by getting a list of all the members who had been suspended for non=payment of dues over the past ten years. Each of the were contacted by letter. Roughly 1/3 of the letters were returned as non-deliverable so I started searching through the phone records at AT&T. In the end I was able to contact about 80% of them. Next we gathered the statistical data and created pie charts and graphs predicting the impact of continued decline on the finances of the valley. In the end we came up with a “magic” number; when the membership dropped to this level a death spiral would begin. The magic number indicated the point at which dues would rise to over $100 per year in order to balance the budget.

This lengthy document met with no better results. Unfortunately, the predictions it contained have come true.

Back at Sandy Springs things were progressing rapidly. The lodge building was being renovated by the brothers and we installed a new JBL sound system along with a digital projector as a part of the effort. After much debate it was decided to put in a black and white tiled marble floor in the lodge room. Pride in the lodge and Free-Masonry was beginning to blossom.

For all of my efforts I was offered membership in the Royal Order of Scotland. I felt honored by this but not truly worthy. While I had worked very hard there was so little to show for it. It was like running up a sand dune; one step forward, tow steps back.

While all this was going on I was working with brothers across the country on a radical new idea. This has been discussed with the Grand Master who felt that the idea could work. We would create a new appendant body that was designed to help get and retain Generation-X Masons. It would be a lodge-oriented body that would help local lodges. After two years of research we created the Rite of the Rose Cross of Gold (RRCG) and began testing it at Sandy Springs. Within a few months we had doubled the number of young Masons at the lodge and I showed the results to the Grand Master.

The following year Bro. Brian Roper was elected as the leader of the Rite and he petitioned the Grand Lodge of Georgia for official recognition. Unfortunately, this was met with obfuscation and ultimately resulted in all of us being expelled without charges or even a trial.

While this was not the most positive thing that could have happened, it was not the worst either. This provided me with the opportunity to explore other forms of Free-Masonry around the globe. It was then that I discovered Grand Orient of France. They were far more progressive and open to new ideas than the American Grand Lodges. I began serious discussions with them about the possibility of the creating a new Grand Orient in the United States and eventually we began working on the Grand Orient of the United States.

Creating a new Grand Orient has kept my occupied for the last couple of years but the results have been very rewarding. I don’t know what the future holds for me in Free-Masonry but I’m sure that it will be equally exciting as the past.

— Bro. Jeff Peace

You are invited to tell the Masonic world about yourself. To submit your own "This is Who I Am" essay, please read this.

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We all shine on: Sister Kelly

My thanks to Sister Kelly for giving us the following, our 15th installment of "This is who I am."

Last night I took part in a special Masonic gathering hosted by a Grand Orient of France lodge working here in the U.S. The intent of the meeting was to strengthen fraternal ties in our local Masonic community, and in attendance were representatives of the Women's Grand Lodge of Belgium, the American Federation of Le Droit Humain, and the George Washington Union. Our entire agenda that evening was dedicated to reading and discussing architecture (papers) contributed by the participating lodges. These papers ranged in subject from initiatic continuity, to the decline of the American empire, to "remembrance duty": the obligations of nations to remember wrongdoings.

I sat among fifty Masons from diverse backgrounds, bound by our ideals, all listening to the presenters intently and commenting on the work with that distinctive Masonic thoughtfulness and insight that I've come to cherish. The energy created by this level of concentration, underpinned as it was by our mutual respect and fraternal love, was palpable, and powerful.

About half of the Masons present were women. There was no mention of the GAOTU. For these reasons I expect that some people reading this will say that this was not a Masonic meeting at all. My purpose is not to convince those people that it was, but to provide Taper readers with a snapshot of what's going on in the so-called Irregular world.

This is my world, and this forms a large part of who I am.

I cannot give you much in the way of typical biographical information, because the Masonic tradition I come out of encourages discretion. I am an American, however, and have that American impulse toward openness and self-revelation. I would love to tell you all about myself, but by exposing myself in this public forum, I would run the risk of outing my brothers and sisters by association.

All I'll say for now is that I'm an artist and a writer, and that my husband is a Mason as well. I can speak more freely about my Masonic biography.

I am a member of Le Droit Humain. This is a co-masonic organization (meaning men and women working together on equal footing) that is more than 100 years old. I was initiated in 1998. Our degree requirements center around producing architecture, and as is traditional for us, I spent a full year in each of the first two degrees, writing and studying, before being raised to the 3rd degree in 2000.

Last month my brothers and sisters installed me in the East as WM. I am honored by their trust — and still reeling under my new responsibilities. Each office holds its lessons, but this one is definitely going to change my life. I know I have gifts to offer my Lodge, but I also know that serving as master will force me to confront my weaknesses head on. This is frightening, but exhilarating too.

A question that keeps my wheels turning now that my view is due West, is how to inspire my brothers and sisters to bring their best to Lodge. Because we are a small Lodge, and because our working style demands not just attention to ritual, but also constant contribution in terms of architecture, discussion, and service to the lodge, every member must participate whole-heartedly. No one can be a bench sitter. Complicating this, our demographics skew young: we have no time-blessed retirees in our lodge to pick up the slack. All of my brothers and sisters balance the obligations of Freemasonry with their busy careers and home lives.

Sometimes I feel like our Lodge is a lab. In it Freemasonry does not exist as a "love it or leave it" proposition. Our members are constantly questioning, "What is this thing called Freemasonry? Why do we do it? Is it worth it?" This does not mean that we are re-inventing Masonry to suit our whims, but it does mean that nothing is taken for granted.

To give you an example, a few years ago, during a period of intense questioning, each of us presented architecture titled, "Why the %$&* am I a Freemason?" The answers were as individual as the writer, but one common theme emerged from all of them: love. Our love for one another.

That's a strong base to build on, but my challenge is to create agendas which will inspire them, and keep them coming to lodge — not out of obligation, but out of passion.

I have these questions for Taperites: How do we keep this bright flame of the18th century relevant in 2008? How does a craft so subtle a craft, compete with the more flashy, "me" oriented forms of philosophy popular today? How do we balance tradition with our revolutionary spirit? I would be delighted to talk about these ideas in the comments, or privately at lodgeunification at sbsglobal.net.

Note on the illustration: As I can't send you a picture of myself in my snazzy new apron, I'm sending you all a valentine. Made it myself! Other candy slogans I considered: "square 4 U", "3 kisses", "luv my L:." and "pleg'd my heart".

— Sister Kelly

To submit your own "This is Who I Am" essay, read this.

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We all shine on: D.W. Brown

Bro. D.W. Brown, who runs the "The Blue Lodge" online forum, tells us about himself in this our 14th glimpse into the lives of our readers in the series "This is Who I Am." Thanks for writing, Bro. Brown!

Fraternal Greetings Brothers and Sisters,

Please allow me to introduce myself: my name is Brother D. W. Brown and I reside in the United States of America. I officially became a Freemason just over two years ago, but thanks to my father, also a Freemason, and in my heart, I have been a Freemason all my life.

I was a member of the U.S. Air Force during the first Gulf War and accumulated approximately 2500 hours flying cargo and troops between the U.S., Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. I also flew on many humanitarian relief missions all over the world during my almost six years of service. I began my civilian career as a Systems Engineer in the early 90s and worked for many companies including General Electric, AutoZone and CIGNA Healthcare. Currently, I am the Chief Executive Officer for a pharmaceutical research company.

I began my official Masonic journey late in life, mainly because I did not live near my father for much of my 20s and 30s. My wish was to have my father take part in my joining but unfortunately by the time I returned home, my father was not physically able. Although, he was aware of my doing so before his death, which meant the world to me.

If I can sum up the teachings of my father, in just a couple of words, it would have to be that he taught me to always be a Man of honor. This to him meant, to always keep your word, when given, and to always do what you knew in your heart to be honorable.

My Masonic travels during the past two years have been a roller coaster of highs and lows. I first joined a mainstream Blue Lodge located in Alabama and quickly passed my first three degrees, being raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in just three months. Shortly afterwards, I joined the Scottish Rite and in a mere 10 hours was bestowed with my 32°.

After joining, I quickly began to see that the Freemasonry I had joined lacked many of the qualities that I had dreamed of growing up. I saw and still see blatant racism, corruption and a lack of basic democracy, even within the local lodges, not to mention the mainstream Grand Lodges. I could not, in good conscience, stand by and let this fester any longer. Given my background in technology and the voice that the Internet affords all free people, I made the decision to start The Blue Lodge and fight to bring back the Freemasonry that had been lost.

After beginning my personal crusade to correct many of the injustices I saw, I found out to my delight I was not alone. I found a group of Brothers to which I could not only truly meet on the level but I could aspire to become like. I found a group of Brothers who against all odds banded together, in the tradition of our forefathers, to take on a monolithic system that had hijacked our Freemasonry. I found intellectual and stimulating conversations and a passion to do the right thing, no matter the cost, I was finally home. Today I stand shoulder to shoulder with these Brothers, as the Founding Fathers did so many years ago, to take back what rightfully belongs to the just and upright Mason, our HONOR.

— Bro. D.W. Brown

To submit your own "This is Who I Am" essay, read this.

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We all shine on: Tom Coste

W. Bro. Tom Coste, of Cleveland's Halcyon Lodge, writes in to tell us "This is Who I Am." Thanks, Bro. Tom!

Greetings, Brethren!

I bring salutations from the North Coast of America. I was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason in Sept on '01. By June of '02, I had entered the Order of Knight Templar, which meant that I had received the Royal Arch degree's between November and March, then traveled to Pennsylvania to receive the first two degrees in Cryptic masonry; select master and royal master in one day, where Pennsylvania and Ohio companions put on the first two degrees. It was a beautiful experience to take part in the first two council degrees in such a manner. I then received the final degree of Council and then it was off the Commandery. In amongst all the York Rite degree's, Ohio, in '02, held their first one day class. My Lodge brought in 12 men in that first one day class, and I mentored a couple of guys for this, and at the end of the MM Degree, the Scottish Rite conferred the 32nd degree for all Master Masons who wanted it, then off to the Shrine to become a Shriner.

So, by June of '02, my daughter was born, my father had gone through 4+ surgeries (I live next door to my parents; my father is wheelchair-bound from his surgeries), I was sitting in the JD seat, I was a Knight Templar, a 32nd Degree and a Shriner! Wow!

I also got roped into a Masonic Bowling League that met every Wed as well.

So, I had Blue Lodge every Thursday, bowling every Wed, Shrine 1 Monday a month, Chapter 2 Friday's a month, council 1 Monday a month, Commandery 1 Tues a month and learn officer material for Blue Lodge. Oh, yeah, and run and operate a family business that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

By December of '04, I was installed as Worshipful Master of my Lodge. I donated time and product to various Masonic bodies and functions. I was known and accepted in all the Masonic circles. When I was inspected as Master, we were inspected in the Master Mason degree. We had over 100 masons present, a PMWGM and many Past and Present DDGM's were in attendance. I did the whole degree from beginning to end, played King Solomon and then handed the Lecture off to our Lecturer. We had a huge dinner, a retirement party for our DDGM John Whitehouse and a standing ovation for our Fellow Craft Team. It was the highlight of my Masonic experience thus far.

Since retiring from the East, I have joined another Blue Lodge that was lacking Masonic experience and education, so I dove into helping any way I could in the development of this Lodge. I tried to instill some tradition and focus on masonry that I had learned in my fast travels through the masonic bodies. It was a joy to be involved in the instruction and the raising of young men with no Masonic history. At this Lodge, none of us had Masonic lineage, so our ideals of masonry were fresh and new. We were open to new things and had the initiative to bring the Lodge forward into the 21st Century. It was a hard task that also involved the rehabbing of the Temple that was left to ruin. So, the revitalization of a Lodge and a Temple was another satisfying experience with Brothers all on the same page with a common goal.

A common desire and goal amongst a group of men can accomplish many things. Even things that seemed impossible to some others can be possible to the right, motivated group of men and Masons. Plus, the young men of this Lodge were not racists or bigots, whereby initiating men of all colors and faiths into their Lodge, before it was really practiced. The young men were also excited about associating with the Prince Halls in our area. We attended many of their rituals and they helped out with ours. The Prince Hall Masons were some of the most polished Masons and took Brotherhood to another level.

With my new involvement in this Lodge, I focused all my time and energies into this, and dropped my associations with the Scottish Rite (it was a bunch of bad plays to me and no real further Light), dropped out of the Shrine (bad management and too much backstabbing amongst Brothers), dropped out of Commandery due to differences in integrity. I also do not believe that "Christian Orders" serve a place in Freemasonry.

I dropped out of Council because it was basically in need of rehabbing in my area and I had no energy for that. I loved their degrees, but believe that this material and the Royal Arch should be Educational Material for Blue Lodge instead of Title-bearing bodies. I dropped my involvement in my other Blue Lodge due to a resistance in helping Brothers in need at my other Blue Lodge. The brothers at my second Blue Lodge were having troubles and reached out to my original Blue Lodge for help and counsel, but were turned down and that really bothered me that masons and men would turn their backs on Brothers in need? It was not a difficult decision for me, especially when I was approached by a Past Master who warned me that my Masonic Career would be in "jeopardy" if I continued to get involved in this other Lodge's issues.

First, I did not join masonry for a career; second, I did not join masonry to turn a blind eye to potential shenanigans. Then, by the small threat of not getting into the Royal Order of Jesters (alluding to my Masonic Career) that operates out of the Shrine, I was more determined to get to the bottom of this situation and not be deterred, especially if it has Masons trying to discourage me from getting involved. I am glad I did get involved, because myself and a group of young, industrious Freemasons saved a Lodge and a Temple from being discarded into a rubbish heap. A ton of hard work, education and fortitude carried us onward in the face of perceived, intentional subterfuge by the leaders of our area. Without any outside help from our Brothers in the area, we battled for our rights and stood our ground on the principles of right and seem to have landed on our feet, for now.

The future looks bright, especially when one opens the Doors of the Temple to finally allow Light into it! We are going to make a difference in the community and it is exciting to actually have a plan on how to go about it. By helping the community to raise its consciousness level about "all of mankind" and how important the exposure to the Arts and Sciences are for the less privileged youth in your community, we can all transmute ourselves into higher evolved beings, which will make the environment in which the Temple resides one of education and enlightenment for all; not just the Masons who reside within the Temple. And that, my Brothers, is hopefully the application of Freemasonry upon your environment.

— Brother Tom Coste
Past Master of Rocky River No 703
Treasurer of Halcyon 2

To submit your own "This is Who I Am" essay, read this.

Masons | Masonic Brotherhood | Halcyon Lodge | Freemasonry | We All Shine On | This is Who I Am | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

We all shine on: David Rafalski

A new Masonic blogger, Bro. David Rafalski of Texas, writes in to say "This is who I am." Thanks, brother.

Dear Widow's Son,

My name is David Rafalski. I was initiated into Masonry 6-11-07 and Raised to MASTER MASON on 11-12-07. I am a MASON. I wanted to become a Mason for several years. I knew my father in-law was and it was out of respect for him and the craft, I waited until my mind and heart were at a place that I could undergo such a great honor. I wake every morning and am thankful that I have put my self in a place of constant learning and personal growth. I have been so taken by all the wealth of information and knowledge that is contained within my Lodge. The elder brethren open my eyes and heart every time I attended. But, yet this is only the beginning for me. I plan to take in all the knowledge I can and apply it to my everyday life and to the lives of those around me and with who I may come in contact. I have started my own blog site Texas Mason and hope to communicate to other brothers in a friendly, open minded, brotherly love format.

I want to teach! I want to learn! I want to be every part of what it means to be a MASON.

— Bro. David Rafalski

To submit your own "This is Who I Am" essay, read this. You do not have to be a Mason; all readers are welcome!

Masons | Masonic Brotherhood | We All Shine On | Freemasonry | This is Who I Am | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

We all shine on: J.L.M. from the North-East Corner

Bro. J.L.M. from Utah writes in to tell us about himself and his new blog. Welcome, brother!

Dear Widow's Son and Brethren,

What a wonderful opportunity for me to introduce myself to all of you. It is a great honor to do this and be focused on such a distinguished blog site.

I am J.L.M. from the North-East Corner. I live in Midvale, Utah just south of Salt Lake City. I am recently married and enrolled in Salt Lake Community College and am on-track to become an Elementary School Teacher, and currently working as a teacher in a school for Autistic Children. At 22, life is go, go, go and it is a rare pleasure just to be able to sit down a read or write a comment.

After many years of philosophical and historical study, I decided to petition Canyon Lodge #13 for the chance to receive the three degrees of Masonry. My journey officially began on May 8th, 2007 where I first knocked on the lodge's door and I was raised to the sublime degree on October 16th, 2007. I have recently been installed as the Junior Steward of my lodge. With the installation of our new Worshipful Master, our lodge is working on a lot of new activities and I am more than happy to be involved in these. We are involving more esoteric activities into our lodge meetings as well as more fellowship activities, such as a Dutch Oven Cook-off and dinners for the wives.

I began my blog after seeing the discussion levels that were capable through the blogosphere, and then realized that I almost copied verbatim the wonderful blog of our Brother M.M.M. at the NorthEastern Corner. I believe that the duty of the Worshipful Master is to give his lodge good and wholesome instruction in pursuit of their labors, and that our labors are to take good men and make them better. Unfortunately I do not see this taking place so much in the Lodge room, and that is one of the things that drew me so much to the Fraternity was the use of symbols and their esoteric and philosophical merit.

I'd like to end this before I begin to ramble on even more, but, carry on my Brothers.

Sincerely,

J.L.M. from the North-East Corner

To submit your own "This is Who I Am" essay, read this.

Image: That's J.L.M. playing the pipes.

Masons | Masonic Brotherhood | We All Shine On | Freemasonry | This is Who I Am | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

We all shine on: Brian Napier

Scottish brother Brian Napier writes in to tell us "This is Who I Am." Thank you, Bro. Brian.

Dear Widows Son,

My name is Brian, I came to the U.S. just over 5 year ago from SCOTLAND, (Brian is my real name by the way, I see no reason what so ever why I should hide or gloss over it, I am a child of the ever living GOD and proud I am of it, KNOW ME BY MY NAME.) My Surname is NAPIER.

I have been a proud and very busy Mason now for nearly 25 years, not a second in time in all that time have I regretted, I have the distinction of having been a Master of two Lodges on two different continents, I dare say there must have been others who have achieved this, I have just not spoken to, or know of any.

Anyway, I have found as regards Freemasonry, as with lots of others things in life, what people don't understand, (especially Americans) is that, if they don't understand it, or can't fathom out how it works, apart from what you hear or read from others, LET'S MOCK IT FIRST THEN KILL IT.

Now I want to make it perfectly clear that I am not just a Blues Masonic Mason, I spent a lot of years climbing the rungs within Freemasonry over a long period of time, nothing like the way they do here in America, I chose to learn my Craft, I chose to educate myself as best I could on my Craft, I am not one of those nuts who go to the library grab a book then go and tell the world we are all Satanists or that I know how the world turns, when I have absolutely have no idea what I'm talking about other than what I just read over a weekend.

I have done nothing but do my utmost to enhance the way I treat and conduct myself within the realms of my fellow man, those same fellow men maybe totally against my affiliation to Masonry, but you know it matters not, I have a way of treating my fellow man that will not be swayed by the nuts and the agitators, MY GOD taught me this. At the end of the day, I cannot claim to be the all knowing and the all powerful, but I absolutely know who is.

Now it matters not off what creed, colour, or faith you are, we ALL acknowledge that the every living GOD already knows the person I/we are, now just for talking's sake, lets say I have spent an entire adulthood belonging to a Fraternity that turns out to be sinister, as some would have it, My GOD, your same God, knows I did what I done through genuineness, I tried to be the best I could be in his eyes knowing that I would be judged by HIM and by HIM only, if I got it wrong he will forgive me for I am only flesh and have the right, HIS right, to get it wrong, I am not perfect, the last person who was perfect in my eyes got crucified remember, and he did nothing wrong.

We all belong to something, even if it turns out we only belong to ourselves, or at least true to ourselves, we make the calls, ultimately he (GOD) makes the final JUDGEMENT about our calls in life, if my God has seen me go through life making life as comfortable for my fellow man, (as he wished) as comfortable as my standing in life warrants then that's all I can do, at least I have the consolation of knowing it, and I know he does too.

I will only pass by this way once, if I feel I have not made, or at least tried to make a difference upon my fellow man, Mason or not, then why should God have granted me the space on this earth, HIS EARTH in the first place.

While in this country, I have endeavored to assist numerous American Legions, Veterans Homes, Church groups, my neighbours, children's outreaches, in fact while I do these things, the country men of this America would much rather sit and criticize me for being a Mason rather than get up off their asses and assist me to assist their fellow country men and children, they are in no position to judge or condemn me for being what I am, I am just a humble man doing the best I know how, the fact that Freemasonry has shown me the way to go about it in the past twenty five years means no less, yes I was a good person to begin with but like I said we all belong to something.

Like Benjamin Franklin said, Any Fool can criticize, complain and condemn and most fools do.

While we're on the subject of Franklin, it's not a myth, it's fact that the Franklin's, the Washington's, the Jefferson's, the Hancock's, and the Monroe's of this world, all got round a table and yes, with a beer in their hands, (And all MASONS)and discussed the birth of a new nation, that NATION was to be THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, did they in all honesty make such a bad job of it?, I think not, the fact that since those days certain individuals have gone on and made an absolute mockery of it beggars belief.

If nothing else they gave you...... WE THE PEOPLE..... They made it about YOU..... They gave you a voice, the same voice that does nothing but berate everything they were about as regards the birth of a nation, your nation, you stand at memorial services and thank the people who gave their lives so you may live freely today, and so you should, these same founding fathers gave you everything that you have ever lived, loved, and come to know about this great country.

When these founding Fathers gave birth to this great Nation (and it's not even my nation I'm SCOTTISH remember,) they gave up everything that they possessed, wealth, land, even family, look at the wealth of some of the individuals you have today, name me ten men made of the same materials or calibre as those great men, who would be willing in this day to give up the same, you couldn't find me two.

In ending, before you start opening your mouths in ignorance, remember this, for it is fact, without the Morals, without the Foresight, without the Forward Thinking, in essence without Freemasonry, this country would never have become the force within the world it has become, good or bad, be thankful that Freemasonry help conceive what you have all enjoyed ever since, and will continue to enjoy, remember the old saying, DO NOT BIT THE HAND THAT HAS FED YOU,...... AND YOUR CHILDREN'S CHILDREN

Brian N. - Being - B.ETHLEHEM N.AZARETH

WE ARE THE PEOPLE. NO SURRENDER.

— Bro. Brian Napier

To submit your own "This is Who I Am" essay, read this.

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We all shine on: M.M.M. from the North Eastern Corner

I would like to say first off that is an honor and a pleasure to introduce myself on the blog that inspired me to create my own source of Light in the Masonic blogosphere!

I am M.M.M. from The North Eastern Corner. I am a happily married 33-year old father of three living in a coastal city in Connecticut. I became a Freemason after a life long love of history, philosophy, and reading led me to knock upon the door of the West Gate during a very difficult time in my life. I was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason over a year ago, and it has been a whirlwind ever since. After a year as Senior Steward, I have been honored by my brethren by being elected to serve as Junior Warden in the upcoming year.

I started blogging after following a link on Brother Greg Stewart's Freemason Information website that led me smack dab in the middle of "Small Town Freemasonry" and the Widow's Son. I thought to myself, "I think I could do that," and started The North Eastern Corner. I am sure many astute Masons want to know why I write from the North Eastern Corner and not the North East Corner, like in our ritual. Well, that explanation is pretty simple; some woman in Carmel, California already had taken that name and since I reside in the North Eastern part of the United States, I thought it had a witty double meaning.

I am staying somewhat anonymous because I don't want my blogging to be affected by having to ask for permission or be afraid of offending the brethren of my lodge (although there are not many in my lodge who even know what a blog is!).

I love the symbolism and esoteric aspects of Freemasonry and that is what I write about, in a Blarney Stone enhanced kind of way. I want to convey to masons and non-masons the great abundance of enlightenment available to brothers if they just do a little deeper investigation into themselves and what is available to all via the treasure that is the World Wide Web. I found all the information I needed to help me with my decision to join Freemasonry on the Internet. We are truly lucky to be alive during such an exiting time.

— Bro. M.M.M.

To submit your own "This is Who I Am" essay, read this.

Masons | Masonic Brotherhood | North Eastern Corner | Freemasonry | We All Shine On | This is Who I Am | Burning Taper | BurningTaper.com

We all shine on: Chris Garlington

Here is a special holiday episode of "This is Who I Am," where readers tell us about themselves. Thanks for writing, Bro. Chris.

It’s late on Christmas day and, after the party people and elderly aunts and conspiratorial teenagers have all said their Merries and vamoosed, I’m left here in a sea of wrapping paper and cracker crumbs. My kids won’t fall asleep; and Santa keeps walking into the living room and giving me the hairy eyeball because the kids are calling each other room to room arguing about whether or not he’s real; I hear “Sarah’s on Eye Em” rejoined by “Am Not!” which begats “Are So!” and on and on and I’m seriously considering kicking the presents out into the snow. But I’m waiting on the room-to-room to die down and I have to do something so I’m telling you who I am. Grab some nog and read on.

I’m a writer. This means that I’ve written this sentence about eight times, getting about [here] in every iteration before deleting the thing and starting over. I can’t tell you how happy I am merely to get past that second bracket with some kind of idea about what it is I want to say about being me. I spend most of my time doing that, knocking out seven or eight words then deleting them, then getting another nine down and deleting six of them, and so on until an hour or so into my day I’ve got a good half a paragraph of correctly spelled, well-placed nouns and verbs on a page which, sometime around two, I’ll delete.

I’m married to a hotshot attorney which is very much like being a single parent. I get them to school, clean, write, do laundry, get them home from school, wrack my brains over 5th grade math, cook supper — picture your mom but with a killer vocabulary and backhair (if your mother actually had back hair, I extend to you my sincerest apology — I meant no offense). I’m kind of like Erma Bombeck but with testicles and beer which means I might miss a meeting once in a while to take a kid to basketball, play practice, singing lessons, math club, anime club, Scouts, the library, soccer, drum lessons... The list is nearly infinite. I do find time to write my lodge’s blog, their articles for Temple Topics, and somehow threw together a passable Christmas party this year.

I find Masonry to be a brilliant idea. Regardless of whichever historical point of origin you subscribe to, some time way back when, someone laid down this system by which good men are received to become great men. A lot of crazy people on the internet spend a little too much time trying to figure out what great occult secret we have going on, what magic ring we all get to wear that unlocks the door to the deep and dazzling rooms full of treasure that makes us all rich and I can only respond to them by asking them, politely, to wear less tinfoil under their clothes and, please, take me off their spam lists.

I think what is most brilliant about Masonry is the expectations that are clearly laid out in the first degree. I might be prejudiced because this is the first thing I learned for ritual work and I treat it like my little baby but it is amazing when you think it through. It is such a simple idea: brotherly love, relief, truth; and anybody with access to the internet or a library can find these ideas expressed in countless systems and institutions throughout recorded history. And a good man might decide to live his life this way and I am certain that many do, and do it well. For me, however, it is the charge to live my life under this simple code that makes the difference. It is one thing to decide to be good. It is quite another to formally promise that behavior.

That, my tinfoil wearing friends, is the nut of it. No occult tricks are going to make anyone’s life sparkle with gold. No secret handshakes are going to get us that much farther than we’d go otherwise. It isn’t the rings or the jewels or the coded phrases at the company Christmas party that make Masonry such a successful program. It’s the work you do to follow those simple three ideals, the humility that comes from subduing your passions, that makes you able to wisely step around the pitfalls that some men fall prey to. That and the spaghetti dinners before lodge.

— Bro. Chris Garlington

To submit your own "This is Who I Am" essay, read this.

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We all shine on: Thomas Munkholt

Fellow blogger and Danish brother Thomas Munkholt introduces himself in our latest "This is Who I Am" essay. Welcome, Bro. Thomas. Thanks for writing.

I've followed this blog from its inception, and have been blogging since 2005, mostly in Danish, but this year branched into an English blog as well.

Briefly, outside of freemasonry I work as a freelance translator and editor, although I was educated to become a teacher. I am 37, a citizen of Copenhagen, Denmark, currently staying in Dublin, Ireland.

I was Initiated into the Danish Order of Freemasons in 2005, lodge Hafnia in Copenhagen, and am a "Worthy Master of St. John", which is the title used for a Master Mason in the Swedish Rite (SwR). SwR has no progressive officers' line, so I haven't held an office, and it will be some years yet before I am liable. There are other ways of keeping busy, though: I have helped form a group for new members of Hafnia and another lodge in Copenhagen. Its purpose is to create stronger social bonds, to the benefit of the lodges (as there is now a tradition of visiting each other and sharing lectures etc.) and in the hope that we can improve retention – it takes time to build an understanding and full appreciation of the ritual, but if we can make the new brethren come back for the social aspect, the ritual and symbolic side will have time to grow on them. Nobody gets left behind – that's the philosophy. I have petitioned a lodge of St. Andrew, which is the next rung in the SwR ladder, and expect to be advanced in a year or so. When I return to Copenhagen, I also plan to start "understudying" an office.

As detailed on my blog, Grail Quest, I am traveling for a year with my wife and son, and this is also an opportunity to see ways of doing freemasonry in other countries. Denmark has a very strong tradition with its SwR (which I think is a wonderful ritual), and as it is also something of the odd man out on a global level, seeing as it is strictly Christian, there is perhaps a tendency to be slightly insulated, satisfied with what we have. But I hope to bring home awareness of what's going on elsewhere. The blogosphere is part of that, with all its highs and lows.

The most important lesson in freemasonry for me has been this: I entered it with expectations of what the ritual would be, and be capable of doing, and some reservations about the kind of people I would meet — I probably still had some of the most common bias, and frankly, I didn't know them. The SwR ritual was everything and more than what I had hoped for. But the real gem in the crown was the people I met. Now, when I go home from lodge, the ritual is what has massaged my soul, but the smile on my face, that's all down to the brethren.

Sincerely & Fraternally,

Bro. Thomas Munkholt

To submit your own "This is Who I Am" essay, read this.

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