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"Ad Astra is a well-organized Lodge well versed in the Masonic teachings whose members strive for perfection through a professional and intellectual approach to their Masonic work. Involved in various projects Ad Astra is well known throughout the Masonic community."
"It is not enough to be positive in our
approach to Freemasonry - understanding Freemasonry and attitude are
essential elements to progress. Understanding comes with education.
Attitude is developed from understanding. Without both, we are mere
ritualists."
The Three An
Address Before Keith
Chapter Rose Croix
A Man’s Masonic stature is not to be measured by
the number of degrees he has or the offices
There are only three degrees in Masonry;
some never get beyond the first degree; some do reach It
is a source of much interest to many outside the Craft as to why men
join the Order. There is a Such
men seldom mean anything to the Order; they get their degrees, attend
a few meetings; Some
of them have their eyes on other goals —we seldom see them again—but
we often find Some
few go on and attain high office; they love the titles by which they
are addressed and the But
there are others—sincere in their declaration that they “solicit our
privileges, prompted by a In
their hearts they come—with a desire to ally themselves with all that
is good, a desire to Before
considering the Mason who has attained to the Sublime degree of Master
Mason, let us Each
of us well remembers the occasion when we first stood outside the door
of the Craft lodge
Later we were told that Faith, Hope and Love were valuable aids to us
in our search.We were What is this Lost Word?
Shall we find it if we explore other Masonic orders? Or go higher in
the Scottish Rite? Brethren I In
all ages and everywhere there has been this search for that which was
lost. It is as old as man On
a clay tablet recently recovered from the ruins of a city upon the
Euphrates they found a hymn It
is symbolized in the Egyptian mysteries; in those of Eleusis and
Mithras; in those of Scandinavia After his death
“the times grew evil and the holy cup was caught away to Heaven and The Knights of
King Arthur see it in their hail covered and they leap to their feet
and swear that, The vision comes to each according to the soul of each. Sir
Galahad, virgin in body and soul, alone achieves the Quest and goes
with it into the City of Another
example is the German legend of the Blue Flower, so well retold by
Dr. Henry Van Dyke;
Then there is that other beautiful story of
the other Wise Man, the fourth Magus led by a star on He
joins the crowd on that first Good Friday—hoping to catch a glimpse of
Christ, but is turned
In Alpine climbing there always seems
to be another peak in the distance which appears to be the
In Masonry there is no finality because the virtues it teaches know
no limit of development short We must go on; impelled to go on; guided by the virtues we profess to practice until we reach the summit, the humanly unattainable summit— until we find the Lost Word. All through the pages of that wondrous book upon our altars, through the smoke of Sinai, through psalm and proverb, through prophecy and parable, is heard the everlasting truth of one God who is love—who requires of men that they love one another, do justly, be merciful, keep themselves unspotted from the World and walk humbly before Him in whose hand they stand.
Our place as Masons is unique. We set ourselves high standards of
conduct, are we not expected If I am consistent, then the obligations I have assumed at our altar must materialize into action for the good of others. Masons are no longer ordinary men—content to grub along in the ebb tide of social responsibility. Masonry has failed in each one of us if it leaves us as it found us—content and satisfied with old standards.
We must be pioneers—with a vision of new and exalted standards, for
the truths inculcated here,
William Booth—the valiant founder of the Salvation Army, once sent an
Easter message to his
The life that counts is the life that serves. Let us by our service to
others demonstrate that Freemasonry includes men who exert by the
lives they live those benign influences of absolute
After all, the Sermon on the Mount and the Golden Rule are the
rockbed of Freemasonry and only
What is a Masonic Temple? Is it only a pile of bricks and mortar,
concrete and stone? Is it
Only the consecration and dedication of ourselves to its cause and its
ennobling influences will
Such men, energized by the wondrous teaching of Freemasonry, radiate
their influence into
If one-tenth of the members of the Craft in this city; if just those
of the Scottish Rite, were to
"As King Arthur says;
Let me recall those great words of Dr. Joseph Fort Newton, who speaks
of the true Mason as one” Such a man has found the only real Secret of Masonry and the one which it is trying to give to all the world. Only such a man has found the Lost Word; only such a man has attained to the Sublime degree of Master Mason.
Reginald V. Harris 33* - Biography Brother R. V. Harris is one of the bright lights of Nova Scotia Masonic lore. He was born in March 21, 1881. He was
initiated into St. Andrew’s Lodge No.1 on August 5, 1913, Dr. Harris was active in both the Scottish
Rite and York Rite. He was also very active in the Grand Dr. Harris passed to the Grand Lodge above
on August 2, 1968. He was buried in the family plot Dr. Harris was widely known throughout
Canada in several fields of work and service. He He wrote extensively. His publications
included: Catalogue of Portraits of The Judges of the Supreme Dr. Harris led a full life and was very
active in the fields of Community and Public Service. He made
FUNCTIONS OF A MASONIC LODGE
It is not the primary function of masonry to initiate candidates,
or to enlarge its membership. Were it so, there would be no basis
for our laws against proselytizing. The ordinary function of a
Masonic Lodge indeed, the primary function of our Craft, is to train
its members to an understanding of the truths which its ritual and
its ceremonies are calculated to inculcate, to develop its members
as benevolent men, to cultivate the social virtues among men, and to
propagate the knowledge of the art.
MASONIC TRIVIA Ad Astra's Education theme is being extended by the publication of Masonic Trivia questions each month with the answers supplied the following month. Please keep your own score
April 2008 Question 302 Preston in his "Illustrations of Masonry" states,"....they entered
into a disquisition of the origin, laws, and properties of matter, the
forum and magnitude of the universe and even the most sublime and
hidden secrets of nature. Who were they? The answer is ....C .... The Source is: Illustrations of Masonry, pp. 164-165 Question409 In 1732 the ‘Lodge de Bussy’ was founded and was the first in
France under the English Constitution. It was registered as "No. 90
King’s Head at Paris". An earlier record exists of a Lodge in Paris in
the premises of the Restaurateur Hurc. Which year? The answer is ....B .......The source is: The Freemasons, p. 66 Question 72 A 17th Century English book collector owned a vellum
manuscript of about 4 by 5 inches which was listed in a catalogue at
Oxford in 1697. It was purchased for the King and was included in a
1734 Catalogue as "A Poem of Moral Duties". What is its common name? The answer is ...B . ...... The source is: More About Masonry, p. 11 Question 25 One of the four cardinal virtues. A Masonic virtue of the highest
order, the practice of which is inculcated to the Entered Apprentice
in the first degree. It demands, not abstinence, buy moderation in the
satisfaction of physical wants. What is it? The answer is ....A ...... The source is: The Royal Masonic Cyclopaedia, p. 718
March 2008 Question 458 This church was built by the
Templars and consecrated on February 10th,
1185 by Patriarch Heraclius of Jerusalem in a
ceremony attended by royalty. This church still
stands but is difficult to find in the lanes. In
which city does this church stand ? The answer is ....D .... The Source is: Beneath the Stone, pp. 161-16 Question 142 German poet philosopher was made a Mason on 23rd June
1780 in the Amalia Lodge at Weimar when aged thirty-one. He never took
office in the Lodge but in 1830 he celebrated his Masonic jubilee in
the temple at Weimar at which event he recited a Masonic Poem. Who was
he ? The answer is ....A .......The source is: Masonic Poems and Queries, p. 99 Question 252 A tribute to achievement in a truly ancient Lodge. A toast to your
election with the wine of brotherhood, King Solomon you represent in
all pride and power, your craftsmen render homage in your ascendent
hour. WHO ? The answer is ...D . ...... The source is: Within My Sacred Lodge, p. 16 Question 169 ‘Offspring of Cain, fit but for darkest hell – Your doom was swift – your retribution sure; O’er your base ashes rang no funeral knell, Your hearts were too impious and impure.’ Choices: The answer is ....D ...... The source is: Masonic Musings, p. 156
PREVIOUS MONTHS' QUESTIONS & ANSWERS JANUARY - February 2008 Question 555 This word is derived from the Anglo-Saxon and means "to cover or conceal". The word was used by Chaucer and even much earlier writers but was not used by Shakespeare. It was used in 1946 in Sussex to mean a house "roofed" in a certain way. What is it? Choices: The answer is .... B.... The Source is: Freemasons’ Guide and Compendium, p. 287Question 120 In 1783, this brother was arraigned for ‘making Masons in a clandestine manner in Kings Bench Prison’ He said he had done so as Master of the itinerant Royal Military Lodge and having the warrant he had the right to hold lodge and make Masons. He lost. Who was he?. Choices: The answer is .... B.......The source is: The Pocket History of Freemasonry, p.101Question 58 In certain rituals not derived from York, Ancient or American rituals, this is one of the working tools of a Master Mason. It points out the straight and undeviating line of conduct laid down for a Master Mason in the Volume of the Sacred Law. What is it? Choices: The answer is .... A...... The source is: The Royal Masonic Cyclopaedia, p. 677Question 104 Provincial Grand Master of NINE Provinces during his time in Freemasonry. The first official emissary for Freemasonry to Canada. Illegitimate son of King George 11 of England. In 1786 was conferred with the rank of Past Grand Warden. Who was he? Choices: The answer is .... A...... The source is: Thomas Dunckerley A Remarkable Freemason
DECEMBER 2007 Question 463 In an early Masonic Catechism, the Master’s clothing was stated to be "yallow jacket and blue breeches". However, for many years now, in North America, Australia and some other parts, it is the custom for Masons to wear a Tuxedo. Who invented the Tuxedo? Choices: The answer is .... A .... The Source is: http/members.delphi.com/sincerity120/Question 157 The Grand Master shall, by certain significant ceremonies and ancient Usages, install him (the Master), and present him with the Constitutions, and the Instruments of his office....." The 1st reference to an official installation ceremony. When and Where? Choices: The answer is .... B .......The source is: English Masonic Exposures, p.40Question 481 At the Institution of this Grand Lodge only 33 of approximately 100 existing Masonic Lodges attended and not all of this 33 participated in the new Grand Lodge. Due to the number of lodges existing at formation. Many unique rules exist here. Where? Choices: The answer is .... C ...... The source is: grandlodgescotland.com/website/grand/Question335 The Landsdowne Manuscript states that he was made a Mason at Windsor. He obtained from his father a Charter to hold a Masonic Assembly once every year. He "made Masons and gave them the Charges and taught them the Manners and Commands" at York in 926. Who? Choices: The answer is .... B ...... The source is: Masonic Problems and Queries, p. 72
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