Visit to the 309 Society

Dear Brothers,

What an amazing visit. We are so lucky to have such amazing men and Brothers in our grand Order. The Brothers of Harmonie planned on going down to to visit the 309 Society and hear our first Patron, W:.Bro. Andrew Hammer, speak on his book. Sadly, Brother Hammer got very ill the day of and was unable to travel. In a pinch, Bro. Daniel Di Natale was invited to fill Brother Hammer's very big a deeply missed shoes. A lecture was presented on what Brother Hammer's work has done to inspire Harmonie Lodge in building New Janusian Masonry.

Though far from the orator that Brother Hammer is, the night went very well. We even made a few new friends! I want to thank Brother Backaus and Right Worshipful Brother Joyce for their amazing hospitality. The Brothers of Harmonie look forward to visiting you at Olean Lodge some time very soon. Brothers, if you look to the side bar I have added R:.W:. Joyce's Blog to our list of "More Light". Take a look it is a killer blog (there is an article about our visit there). Any Brother that missed the lecture, a copy of it will be made available on the Harmonie website for your review.

The Old Master's Wages

I met a dear old man today
Who wore a Masonic pin.
It was old and faded like the man
Its edges were worn quite thin

I approached the park bench where he sat
To give the old brother his due
I said, "I see you've traveled east."
He said, "I have, have you?"

I said, "I have and in my day
Before the all seeing sun
I played in the rubble of Jubala
Jubilo, and Jubalum."

He shouted, "Don't laugh at the work my son.
It's good and sweet and true.
And if you've traveled as you have said
You should give these things a due.

"The word, the sign, the token,
The sweet Masonic prayer,
The vow that all have taken
Who have climbed the inner stair.

"The wages of a Mason
are never paid in gold.
But the gain comes from contentment
when you're weak and growing old.

"You see I've carried my obligation
for almost fifty years.
It has helped me through the hardships
and the failures full of tears.

"Now I'm losing my mind and my body.
Death is near but I don't despair.
I've lived my life upon the level
And I'm dying upon the square."

Sometimes the greatest lessons
Are those that are learned anew
And the old man in the park today
has changed my point of view.

To all Masonic Brothers
The only secret is to care.
May you live upon the level.
May you part upon the square

Concordia Collegium Presents R:. W:. Richard C. Friedmen

When is a Man a Mason? By Bro. Rev. Joseph Fort Newton

When he can look out over the rivers, the hills, and the far horizon with a profound sense of his own littleness in the vast scheme of things, and yet have faith, hope, and courage-which is the root of every virtue.

When he knows that down in his heart every man is as noble, as vile, as divine, as diabolic, and as lonely as himself, and seeks to know, to forgive, and to love his fellowman.

When he knows how to sympathize with men in their sorrows, yea, even in their sins-knowing that each man fights a hard fight against many odds.

When he has learned how to make friends and to keep them, and above all how to keep friends with himself.

When he loves flowers, can hunt birds without a gun, and feels the thrill of an old forgotten joy when he hears the laugh of a little child.

When he can be happy and high-minded amid the meaner drudgeries of life.

When star-crowned trees and the glint of sunlight on flowing waters subdue him like the thought of one much loved and long dead.

When no voice of distress reaches his ears in vain, and no hand seeks his aid without response.

When he finds good in every faith that helps any man to lay hold of divine things and sees majestic meanings in life, whatever the name of that faith may be.

When he can look into a wayside puddle and see something beyond mud, and into the face of the most forlorn fellow mortal and see something beyond sin.

When he knows how to pray, how to love, how to hope.

When he has kept faith with himself, with his fellowman, and with his God; in his hands a sword for evil, in his heart a bit of a song-glad to live, but not afraid to die!

Such a man has found the only real secret of Masonry, and the one which it is trying to give to all the world.

15 Qualities of a Master Mason - By Bro. Steve Grant

I saw this posted on our good Brother John Paul Gomez's facebook and had to share. I love what Brother Grant has to say. Being so close to our 3rd Degree and with other events that have happened around our quarry, I think it good food for thought of our Fellowcrafts and Master Masons alike. Enjoy my Brothers!

15 Qualities of a Master Mason

1. Master Masons do not have selfish interests. All they do, say, and think is for the welfare of others.

2. Vanity is dead for them. They see themselves as they are and do not pretend to be something other than what they are.

3. Anger is no longer their master. They have found that anger is a defense mechanism of the ego.

4. They are not the slaves of possessions. Money, homes, cars, clothes, books, TV's are not evil in themselves; it is being a slave to them that is a problem.

5. Master Masons are not afraid to act with courage in their convictions. If they have a fear, they act to overcome it.

6. A Master Mason is always a real person. He does not care what others think of him, but he constantly cares for the welfare of others.

7. He sees the viewpoints of others. He listens and thinks about what others are saying so as to understand them.

8. His emotions are always positive. If hate or anger try to control him, he finds love and understanding and lets them bloom instead.

9. He uses his imagination for creative, not destructive purposes. He imagines how he is going to respond instead of react to events.

10. He does not belittle or slander others. His job is to see that anything that comes from his mind, emotions, or mouth is the highest it can be for him.

11. Each day he aligns himself with his inner teacher. He does this by spending a few quiet minutes to allow himself to be healed of his vices and shortcomings.

12. All his actions have as their basic animating energy the power of Love. Even when he acts as a warrior to destroy darkness and evil, it is with the support of love and freedom.

13. He always has a vision. His vision comes from his heart, and because this is so, it always includes humanity.

14. His actions, feelings and thoughts are in harmony with the teachings of ageless Wisdom. He is always acting in the best interests of all concerned, and his daily life is an example of sanity and balance.

15. He is never fanatical. He is sane, normal, and healthy. The most interesting idea about the Master Mason is that he is one who is an example of integration. Integration means that his mind, emotions, and body all work together and not against each other. A true Master Mason has glimpsed the eternal and unchanging reality of life. He sees all things as necessary in the Great Plan for unfolding the hidden potential of all creation. As such, mortality and its illusion are overcome by him. As he lives in the eternal, his life reflects that eternal consciousness.

SO MOTE IT BE