The Philalethes February 1954

They Seek The Goal

There went before us those who showed the way

And taught us how to strive with heart and soul.

From labor they were called - too brief their day -

Still they press on and seek to reach the goal.

The torch which they laid down reluctantly

Was barely raised in time to save its flame.

Dying, its embers shed a sweet incense

As though to bless the memory of their names.

Yet one faint spark - that far-off star of Hope

Shone dimly through the long and darksome night;

Came then the angel, Faith, with rustling wings

And fanned the dying embers into light.

Now flames the torch! Come, Brothers, fire the forge

And set the anvils clanging as of old;

Let ring the hammers' sharp staccato blows,

For, like the hammers, dormant works grow cold.

We seek the light - to give and to receive;

We seek to build cathedrals for the soul.

When from these earthly labors we are called,

May we, like them, press on to seek the goal.

Albert L. Woody, F.P.S.

Berwyn, Illinois

(Written especially for this issue.)

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THE PHILALETHES

Volume 7 FEBRUARY, 1954 Number 5

PUBLISHED BY THE PHILALETHES SOCIETY

3637 Linden Boulevard - St. Louis. Missouri

Lee E. Wells - President

P.O. Box 111 - Canoga Park, Cal.

Alphonse Cerza - First Vice President

130 Akenside Road - Riverside, Illinois

Arthur H. Triggs - Second Vice President

2117 Funston Place - Oakland, California

Lawton E. Meyer - Executive Secretary

3637 Linden Boulevard - St. Louis, Missouri

John B. Vrooman - Treasurer

P.O. Box 402 - St. Louis, Missouri

The Philalethes is the official publication of The Philalethes Society, founded on October 1, 1928. All articles appearing in its columns express the ideas and opinions of their contributors only, and in no way need they express the opinion of the Society.

No advertising in any R form is solicited or accepted.

All communications relative to the magazine should be addressed to Alphonse Cerza, Editor, 130 Akenside Road, Riverside, Illinois.

Membership to the Society is by recommendation only. Inquiry relative to membership should be addressed to the president.

The joining fee is $2.00; the annual fee is $5.00.

A limited number of subscriptions are available to non-members of the Society, lodges, study clubs, research lodges, and similar groups at $3.00 a year in the United States, elsewhere $4.00 a year, payable in advance.

When requesting a change of address, please give the old as well as the new address, including zone number if there is one.

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THE CALL TO LABOR

There is a tradition of the Craft that tells of the confusion and chaos in the Temple caused by the untimely death of the Master Workman. The trestleboard was empty of design, nor was there the sound of tool, the building stopped. Then, the tradition continues, a craftsman was appointed to take the place of the Master Workman and eventually the Temple was completed and dedicated to the service of the Grand Architect of the Universe.

In the past two years, unfortunately, the Philalethes Society has followed a similar course. Our beloved brother and President, Walter P. Quincke was called to the Supreme Lodge above and he was succeeded ably by Bro. Harold H. Kinney. The work of the Society continued without interruption. Then Bro. Kinney also died, very suddenly.

The work of the Society stopped. There were no designs upon the trestleboard, and there was confusion and chaos. Bro. Allister McKowen, then Secretary-Treasurer, recovered all the Society's files, records and possessions from Mrs. Kinney and still has them in his possession. The First Vice President, because of pressing personal problems, could not assume the executive position, and, in fact, did not know if he should, awaiting word from the Secretary. The Second Vice-President was a resident of Canada and in no position to take over the work so abruptly left by Bro. Kinney.

Time passed, a period during which no one Fellow or Member felt that he, personally, should take the initiative. Then, in April of 1952, Bro. Wells and Bro. Bede held a conference with an idea of exploring the means of re-activating the Society once again. Later, in May, Bro. Wells conferred personally with Bro. Harold Voorhis in New York and Bro. Alphonse Cerza in Chicago. It was the opinion, as expressed by Bede, Voorhis, and Cerza, that the Society definitely should be re-activated. They knew that many members and Fellows had written to Bro. McKowen and received no reply. Each of them had in turn received queries and could not answer them. Their own questions to Bro. McKowen went without answer.

The task of reviving the Society was, and is a tremendous one. After repeated requests and directives, Bro. McKowen has not given a report on the files, records, possessions, and monies of the Society that he has received. Bro. Wells had, fortunately, a duplicate membership list, but it dated from just before the death of Bro. Quincke. The immediate problem, therefore, was to appoint pro tem officers, contact each and every Fellow and member as shown on the old membership list to confirm address, membership, and willingness to continue within the bonds of the Society.

To this end, Bro. Wells assumed the Presidency. By directive, he immediately appointed Bro. Alphonse Cerza of Chicago as First Vice President with the duty of contacting all members in the Central and Southern sections of the United States. Bro. Arthur Triggs of Oakland was appointed Second Vice President with the duty of contacting all members in the West and Southwest. Bro. Lawton E. Meyer of St. Louis was appointed Secretary.

As the work of reorganization went on, word was received that Bro. William Major Brown of Oklahoma City was duplicating this work calling for re-activation and apparently soliciting for and collecting dues. Bro. Wells had, wrongfully, assumed that he worked with Bro. Vrooman and Bro. Meyer in this laudable effort. Bro. Brown had also offered to print the first two issues of the magazine at his own expense. Therefore, Bro. Wells appointed him Treasurer and Editor pro tem.

It quickly developed that Bro. Brown intended to publish the magazine as a supplement to his MASONIC REVIEW. There were immediate protests from all over the country in which the president concurred, feeling that our magazine should be independent of all other publications and organizations, as it has been from the beginning. Therefore, he asked Bro. Brown not to publish the PHILALETHES as a "supplement" and transferred editorial duties to Bro. Cerza and an editorial board in Chicago.

In the meantime, Fellows and members had been contacted and funds had been sent to Bro. Brown. Upon the transfer of editorial and publication duties to Chicago, Bro. Brown stated he would release none of the Society's funds for the purpose of publication in Chicago. Thereupon, and most regretfully, Bro. Wells sent a directive to Bro. Brown which read in part:

"It is therefore with deep regret that I must ask for your resignation as Treasurer of the Philalethes Society. The funds in the Oklahoma Bank may remain there until transferred to some other institution. You will take steps to release the funds.

"I further, regretfully, request that you cease and desist all activities for and in the name of the Society, including correspondence and Publication."

This order was sent registered with return receipt to Bro. Brown on December 12, 1952.

Now, all Fellows and Members within the United States have been contacted and there are many outside the Society who have stated their eagerness to affiliate with us. With this issue of the magazine, we are called from enforced refreshment to new labor and it is certain that each and every one of us will do his share in making the Society strong again, retaining its national and international standing and honors.

Bro. Wells has appointed Bro. Elbert Bede chairman of a constitutional committee. It has always been a weakness of the Society from its very inception that it was a "one man" organization. This is basically the cause of its near collapse following the sudden death of Bro. Kinney. It is the thought of the pro tem officers and of the membership as a whole that this should be avoided at all costs in the future.

Therefore, Bro. Bede and his co-workers will present to us a Constitution and By-Laws and YOU will be asked to indicate your approval or disapproval thereof. This will come in the very near future. Once we have a body of law, a nominating committee will be appointed and a slate of permanent officers will be presented to YOU.

The President and the Executive Committee have worked hard and long that the Society may function again. They have worked always aware that they were "pro tem" a necessary bridge between the permanent organization of the past and the changed and strengthened organization of the future. They have worked under great handicap of lack of records and with unexpected problems. They hope that within a short time this interim period will be finished when YOU have stated your will and desire, named the officers that YOU wish to have guide your Society.

So with this issue the Society takes its first step in a new life. Whether this life will be long or short, constructive or weak, depends upon your work and your interest. The fate of the Philalethes Society is in your hands.

This is your personal call from refreshment to labor. Heed it.

Lee E. Wells, President.

* * *

Canoga Park, California October 26, 1953

TO ALL FELLOWS AND MEMBERS OF THE PHILALETHES SOCIETY:

WHEREAS within the last few years the Philalethes Society has suffered grievous loss in the sudden deaths in quick succession of Brothers Walter P. Quincke and Harold H. Kinney, and,

WHEREAS these sudden deaths have left the Philalethes Society without a president and the Society is threatened with extinction, it has therefore become imperative that certain actions be taken within the present framework of the government of the Society that the Society may not die but may be revived to become once again an influential power in the promulgation of Masonic light, information and understanding through the world.

WHEREAS Lee Wells, Fellow of the Philalethes Society, does remain First Vice President of the Society, the executive power once held by Brothers Quincke and Kinney do revolve upon him; and,

WHEREAS the Executive Committee did act only as advisors to the President of the Society and is now dormant and not functioning,

I, Lee E. Wells, Fellow of the Philalethes Society and the highest ranking officer of that Society having the full authority of that office, do hereby order and direct:

1. That since the sole authority rests now in me that I shall act and assume the office of President of the Philalethes Society for the sole purpose of issuing certain executive orders that the Society may be reorganized, a committee appointed to formulate a new constitution for the Society and that officers pro tempore be appointed until such time as the Fellows and members express their will and pleasure as to the form of the new constitution and elect by due process those permanent officers who will be their choice.

2. That all offices of the Society existing at the present date except that of President are hereby declared vacant.

3. That Brothers Alphonse Cerza of Riverside, Illinois, and Arthur Horace Triggs of Oakland, California, now members of the Society, hereby assume the honors and the responsibilities of Fellows of the Society.

4. That Brother Lawton Early Meyer of St. Louis Missouri, now a member of the Society, does hereby assume the honor and the responsibilities of Fellow of the Philalethes Society.

5. That the said Brother Meyer also assume the duties of Executive Secretary pro tem of the Society, his term of office extending from the time I have received his acceptance of this office to that time when, under a new constitution, election shall be held to name his permanent successor.

6. That Brother William Major Brown, Fellow of the Philalethes Society, assume the duties and responsibilities of Executive Treasurer pro tem of the Society and also Editor pro tem of the magazine of the Society, his term to extend to such time as the Fellows and Brethren may elect his permanent successor.

7. That the said William Major Brown will publish this directive whole and complete in the Society’s magazine not later than the second issue and that the said Brother Lawton Early Meyer will send copies of this directive to all Fellows of present record.

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Dormit In Pace

HAROLD HILE KINNEY

Brother Harold H. Kinney was born on December 4, 1894, at Madison, New Jersey. He was educated in the public schools of Pennsylvania and California; he attended the University of Southern California preparing himself for a career in journalism. He served in World War I and upon his return engaged in many types of businesses. He went to his eternal reward, after a short illness on July 21, 1952, at Santa Monica, California At the Lime of his passing he was President of the Philalethes Society and editor of its magazine.

Brother Kinney was initiated, passed, and raised in the year 1921, in Ocean Park Lodge No. 369, located at Ocean Park, California. He served his Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1946. He was a Past High Priest of Santa Monica Bay Chapter No. 97; a Past Conductor of Alpha Council No. 39 R. & S. Masons; and Generalissimo of Santa Monica Bay Commandery No. 61. His service to the Craft covered many years and it was faithfully and skillfully performed.

For many months prior to the passing of our later Brother Quincke there appeared a need to hove someone help the President of the Society. Brother Kinney was selected to aid Brother Quincke. Upon the passing of Brother Quincke, the affairs of the Society found themselves in able hands. The Philalethes magazines which followed were in keeping with the high standards of the Society and displayed the rare gift of Brother Kinney in this type of work. His sudden passing was a terrible blow to the Society and all who knew him.

To a beautiful garden this friend has gone -

To the land of perfect rest.

His work is done, and the setting sun

Has sealed his life's long quest

He has left this earthly garden

For a home beyond the sea.

Though he is gone, he still lives on

In the garden of memory

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8. That since Brother Allister McKowen has all records and files of the Society to the time of Mr. Kinney's death, that he make a report of the membership lists, files and library to Mr. Meyer and of the financial condition of the Society to Mr. Brown.

9. That Brother Alphonse Cerza assume the duties and responsibilities of First Vice President, assisting the Secretary and Treasurer to contact those Fellows and Members within his area and elsewhere as he may be directed, this office to be pro tempore.

10. That Brother Arthur H. Triggs assume the duties and responsibilities of Second Vice President, assisting the Secretary and Treasurer to contact those Fellows and Members within his area and elsewhere as may be directed, this office to be pro tempore.

11. That all Fellows and Members of the Society are hereby directed and requested to cooperate fully with these officers pro tempore until such time as a Constitution can be adopted and elections held in due form for permanent officers elected by the Fellows and Members.

12. That these newly appointed officers pro tempore do hereby form the Executive Committee of the Philalethes Society under its present system of government and that they do act as advisors to the President until such time as the Society is duly reorganized, elections held and the Society is once again fully functioning.

The above twelve directives constitute the first Executive Order and others will follow from time to time as the reorganization of the Society progresses and takes form, these steps being necessary to insure that the Philalethes Society once more take its rightful place in the Masonic world.

This executive order is signed in humbleness of spirit and with the request and prayer that all Fellows and Members of the Philalethes Society will abide by this instrument and cooperate in the spirit of Masonic Brotherhood with the officers pro tempore herein appointed.

(Signed) Lee E. Wells F.P.S.

President Philalethes Society

cc/William Major Brown

Alphonse Cerza

Lawton Early Meyer

Arthur H. Triggs

Allister McKowen

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The Illinois Committee on Masonic Information has re-issued its candidate information booklets in a new form. This committee has recently published an excellent pamphlet entitled "Suggested Social and Educational Programs."

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In recent years there has been an increased interest in research lodges. Several years ago one was formed in Iowa. Within the last year one was formed in Colorado. Several have been established in California. This interest in Masonic information and study is significant.

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YOUR EDITOR'S MESSAGE

This issue of The Philalethes, in keeping with the plan of the re-activated Society to have a greater participation in the work of the association, has been prepared under the auspices of an editorial board consisting of the following:

Alphonse Cerza, F.P.S., Editor, Riverside, Illinois;

William H. Knutz, F.P.S., Evanston, Illinois;

Albert L. Woody, F.P.S., Berwyn, Illinois;

Ralph S. Davis, M.P.S., Oak Park, Illinois.

These brethren from the Chicago area were selected to assist the Editor until such time as the permanent Society has been established. When this is done there will be no need of the editorial board being in one locality. As a matter of fact, they should be selected from every part of the world so that each section may be represented on the board.

It is regretted that the usual pictures of the authors of the articles were not published. The reason is that the pictures and "cuts" were not made available by Brother Allister McKowen, former Secretary-Treasurer of the Philalethes Society.

In the next issue of The Philalethes we hope to publish the Constitution and By-Laws recommended by the Constitutional Committee consisting of: Elbert Bede, F.P.S., Dr. William Moseley Brown, F.P.S., and Laurence R. Taylor, M.P.S. The Fellows and Members are urged to communicate with this committee and offer their suggestions so that the Constitution and By-Laws submitted may reflect the wishes of the majority of the Fellows and Members.

The present rules of the Society make the president the supreme authority; consequently, the present officers are legally and properly appointed and have the authority to act. But all of your present officers have assumed their positions with the understanding that they will act only long enough to get the Society re-activated, a Constitution and By-Laws established, and a complete slate of officers elected by the vote of all the Fellows and Members of the Society. The Constitution and By-Laws will undoubtedly provide for periodical election of officers and provide for a democratic organization with a wide distribution of the work of the Society. In line with this new policy, it is hoped that a slate of officers will be presented before too long so that each Fellow and Member may vote for the officers of his choice. It is suggested that the Fellows and Members suggest the names of Fellows and Members for specific offices. Anyone who wishes to serve as an officer and have his name on the official ballot should not hesitate to send his name to the members of the Constitutional Committee.

The present officers of the Society are of the opinion that the annual dues should be $5.00, and that the joining fee should be $2.00. They believe that with 300 paying Fellows and Members it will be possible to publish six or seven issues of the magazine each year plus a number of brochures or special subjects. The officers of the Society serve without compensation. All money received by the Society will be used for publishing the magazine, cost of mailing, postage for correspondence, and stationery. Up to this point the present officers have paid for the stationery and postage out of their own funds. The sole aim of the officers is to place the Society again in its honored position in the Masonic World.

Each Fellow and Member is invited to send manuscripts to the Editor for presentation to the editorial board. Let us maintain the high standards established by the Society for these many years.

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A Letter From Washington

January 18, 1954

Mr. Alphonse Cerza,

130 Akenside Road,

Riverside, Illinois

Worshipful Sir and dear Brother Cerza:

No news that I have had recently gives me the satisfaction incident to learning of your willingness to take over the editorial duties of the Philalethes Magazine.

The Society should not be allowed to die. Too much hard work and Masonic work went into it; too much good was done by it; too much inspiration flowed from the pages of the magazine.

If you and those who will work with you can keep it alive and rebreathe into it the spirit of service in which it was conceived, you will perform a great and important task for those brethren to whom the study of Masonry and the real understanding of its principles are an important aim in life.

With all my heart, I wish you well; I am happy to offer whatever cooperation will be helpful, and I have high hopes that under the administration of the new officers, Philalethes will continue to provide 'more light" to the students of the Ancient Craft.

Sincerely and Fraternally yours,

(Signed) Carl H. Claudy

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Indiana has inaugurated a new system of Masonic education called the "Mentor Plan." This has been explained in a number of issues of the Indiana Freemason. Brother Laurence R. Taylor, editor of the magazine, and a Member of the Philalethes Society has done an excellent job in this method.

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The proceedings of the Mid-West Conference on Masonic Education will be available to the members of the Conference early this spring.

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He that hath no brother hath weak legs.

Japanese Proverb.

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MAUNDY THURSDAY

By Ralph S. Davis, M.P.S.

Oak Park, Ill.

"A New commandment I give unto you -"

John 13 :34

The Passover was an important event in the history of the Jewish people. Year after year it was celebrated to commemorate the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage, the culmination of the revelation of God to Moses at the burning bush.

Maundy Thursday is the day of the new commandment, the Thursday in Holy Week. (Maundy is from - the Latin Mandatum - to command). Jesus, in the evening of this day, with his twelve disciples, was celebrating the Feast of the Passover, which became His Last Supper with His disciples. The supper being ended and Jesus knowing that His hour to depart this world was near, arose from the table, laid aside his garments and took a towel with which He girded himself. He then poured water into a basin, and washed the feet of the disciples. The labor of washing the feet was considered menial. No servants being present no one was inclined to do it and they had sat down to the table with unwashed feet.

Jesus, in performing this effort of washing the feet, was emphasizing the lesson of service which he had taught them; also to prepare them for the forthcoming announcement of his new commandment.

Now the old commandment was to love our neighbors as ourselves. This was a human standard; the new one is divine. Thus the new commandment given us by Christ is a new standard. The new commandment, according to Saint John (13:34) says: A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

What does this mean to us as Masons?

Are we not in search of the "Lost Word" which of course, is but the loss of the knowledge of God? We search for the light, for the truth. Do we not believe that God is light? "He that loveth his brother abideth in the light" but "He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother is in darkness, even until now."

Due to events which came shortly after the Last Supper the light of the new commandment was darkened and the "Word" continued to be lost. The crucifixion and death of Christ, the Redeemer, by those whom he had sought to save, symbolizes the death of truth, freedom of speech, tolerance, and liberty of conscience, also the victory of superstition, bigotry, ignorance, intolerance and fanaticism. But just as Easter Sunday follows Maundy Thursday and the resurrection followed the crucifixion, light follows darkness and the truth will prevail and is and always shall be victorious.

In our ceremonies and in the practice of the Christian faith, the letter of the new commandment has been obeyed, but have not most of us failed to carry out the spirit of it? Let us strive to be of service to our fellow men, so that we may not become as "Sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal." Let the Masonic lessons be practiced in our every day life. Darkness may be around us today and we must continue to search for that which was lost. The light of dawn is coming and life eternal is within our reach. We, as Masons, must work to complete the temple and acquire the Master's Word.

(Editor's note: the author has presented us with a fine article with the point of view of a Christian. Fellows and Members of the Society that may wish to present the view of another faith are cordially invited to do) .

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A Word of Encouragement

Members of the Philalethes Society are showing by letters and deeds they appreciate the work being done to re-activate the Society. They recognize the excellent job being done by Lee E. Wells, F. P. S. at the helm and know his task is not easy at this critical moment in our history.

All of us, I am sure, felt pangs of regret when our great magazine, filled with the best Masonic thought, stopped visiting our homes. Now the void is filled, the gap breached, and we greet our publication again, this time under the able guidance of Bro. Alphonse Cerze, our First Vice-President.

May I say to all our members it is an honor and a pleasure to assist in the work of re-activating the Society, a work which you are called upon to aid.

Sincerely and fraternally,

Arthur H. Triggs, F.P.S.

Second Vice-President.

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The Kansas Committee on Masonic Education will soon issue a second edition of its booklet "From the East and to the West," a short history of Freemasonry and how it came to Kansas.

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Brother Harry L. Haywood, Fellow Emeritus of the Philalethes Society, has recovered from his recent illness. He is about to start work on a one volume edition of the History of Freemasonry in the United States. It will be the first book of its kind published.

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The Life of The Therapeutae

By M. A. SHAW

Sherman Oaks, Cal.

The vocation of those philosophers is at once made clear from their title of Therapeutae - a name derived from a Greek verb "to cure" or "curing the soul." This is based upon artificial symbolism. Nature and the sacred laws have schooled them to worship the Self-existent who is better than the good, purer than the One and more primordial than the Monad. Who among those who profess piety deserve to be compared to these? They were a sect of monks and nuns and were last known to have lived in the neighborhood of Alexandria, Egypt, over two thousand years ago. This description is important because it shows one of the roots of later Christian monasticism. They never built their houses close to each other, since living at close quarters is troublesome and displeasing to people who are seeking to satisfy their desire for solitude, nor yet at a great distance because of the sense of fellowship which they cherished and to render help to each other if attacked by robbers.

In each house there is a consecrated room which is called a sanctuary or closet, and closeted in this they are initiated into the mysteries of the sanctified life. They took nothing into it, either drink or food or any of the other things necessary for the needs of the body, but laws and oracles delivered through the mouths of prophets, and psalms and anything else which fosters and perfects knowledge and piety. They keep the memory of God alive and never forget it, so that even in their dreams the picture is nothing else but the loveliness of divine excellence and powers.

Twice every day they pray, at dawn and at eventide. The interval in between early morning and evening is spent entirely in spiritual exercise. They read the Holy Scriptures and seek wisdom from their ancestral philosophy by taking it as an allegory, since they think that the words of the literal text are symbols of something whose hidden nature is revealed by studying the underlying meaning.

They have also writings of men of old, the founders of their sect, who left many memorials of the form used in allegorical interpretation and these they take as a kind of archetype and, imitate the method in which this principle is carried out. For six days they seek wisdom by themselves, these mystical recluses, in solitude in the closets mentioned above, never passing the outside door of the house, or even getting a distant view of it.

But every seventh day they meet together as for a general assembly and sit in order according to their age, in the proper attitude with their hands inside the robe, the right hand between the breast and the chin, and the left withdrawn along the flank. Then the senior among them, who also has the fullest knowledge of the doctrines which they profess, comes forward and with face and voice alike quiet and composed gives a well-reasoned and wise discourse. All the others sit still and listen showing their approval merely by their looks and nods. This common sanctuary in which they meet every seventh day is a double enclosure, one portion set apart for the men, the other for the women. For Women, too, regularly make part of the audience with the same ardor and the same sense of their calling. The wall between the two chambers rises up from the ground five to six feet, while the space above, up to the roof is left open. This arrangement serves two purposes. The modesty becoming to the female sex is preserved, while the women sitting within earshot can easily follow what is said since there is nothing to obstruct the voice of the speaker.

They lay self-control to be as it were the foundation of their soul, and on it build the other virtues. None of them would eat nor drink before sunset, since they hold that philosophy finds its right place in the light, the needs of the body in the darkness, and so they assign the day to the one, and some small part of the night to the other.... But to the seventh day as they consider it to be a sacred and festal, in the highest degree, they have awarded special privileges as its due. Still they ate nothing costly, only common bread with salt for a relish, Navoured further by the daintier with hyssop, and their drink is clear spring water. The festal meetings of those who have dedicated themselves to knowledge and the contemplation of the varities of nature follow the sacred instructions of the prophet Moses. So then they assembled, white-robed and with cheerful faces, recline at a signal from a member of the Rota, the name commonly given to those who perform these services, their hands and eyes lifted up to Heaven . . . and pray to God that their feasting may be acceptable and proceed as He would have it. After the prayers, the seniors recline according to the order of their admission. The feast is shared by women also, most of them aged virgins, who have kept their chastity of their own free will in their ardent yearning for wisdom.

The order of reclining is so apportioned that the men sit by themselves on the right, and the women by themselves on the left. They do not have slaves to wait upon them, as the ownership of servants is entirely against nature. For nature has borne all men free. In this sacred banquet, the services are rendered by free men who perform their tasks as attendants not waiting for orders, but with deliberate good will, eagerly and zealously do their work. For it is not just any free men who are appointed for these offices, but young members of the order, chosen with care for their special merit, and their good character. They give their services gladly and proudly like sons to their real fathers and mothers, judging them to be the parents of them all in common, in a closer affinity than that of blood, since to the right-minded there is no closer tie than noble living. And they came to do their office ungirt and with tunics hanging down, that in their appearance there may be no shadow of anything to suggest the slave. No wine is brought (abstinence from wine is enjoined to them for their lifetime), but only water of the brightest and clearest, cold for most of the guests, but warm for such of the older men as live delicately. The table, too, is kept pure from the flesh of animals, the food laid on it being loaves of bread with salt as a seasoning, sometimes also flavored with Hyssop as a relish for the daintier appetites. Such are the preliminaries.

After the members of the order have sat down and the attendants have taken their stand with everything in order, the president of the order then discusses some question arising in the Holy Scriptures, or solves one that has been propounded by someone else. His instruction proceeds in a leisurely manner; he lingers over it and spins it out with repetitions, thus permanently imprinting the thoughts in the soul of the listeners. . . His audience listens attentively.... The young men who wait on the tables, standing by, show no less attentiveness than the members that are seated.

To the members of the Therapeutae the whole law book seems to resemble a living creature with the literal ordinances for its body and for Its soul the invisable mind laid up in its wording. It is in this mind especially that the rational soul begins to contemplate the things akin to itself, and looking through the words as through a mirror, beholds the marvelous beauties of the concepts, unfolds and removes the symbolic coverings and brings forth the thoughts and sets them bare to the light of day, for those who need but a little reminding to enable them to discover the inward and hidden through the outward and visible.... Then the head of the order rises and sings a hymn composed by poets, who in earlier days left behind them many hymns. All the rest listen in complete silence except when they chant the closing lines of refrains, for then all take part, both men and women.

They then ate the truly purified meal. After this meal they held a sacred virgil which is conducted as follows. . . All rise up together and form themselves into two chains, one of men, one of women, the leader for each group being the most honored and the most musical. Then when each chain has separately done its own part in the feast, having drunk as in Bacchus rites of the strong wine of God's love, they mix and both together become a single chain. With hands and feet keeping time in accompaniment, reproduce sometimes the lyrics of the procession, and at times halting, wheeling and counter-wheeling of a choric dance. (The dancing of the Therapeutae is a kind of re-enactment of the Passage of the Red Sea.) This they continue to dawn, drunk with this drunkenness in which there is no shame. Then, not with heavy heads or drowsy eyes, but more alert and wakeful than when they came to the feast, they stand with their faces and bodies turned to the East and when they see the sun rising they stretch their hands up to heaven and pray for bright days and knowledge of the truth.

After the prayers they depart each to his or her sanctuary once more to ply the trade and till the field of their philosophy. So much then for the Therapeutae who have taken to their hearts, the contemplation of nature and what it has to teach, and have lived in the soul alone, citizens of Heaven and the world, presented to the Father and Maker of all, by their faithful sponsor Virtue, who has procured for them God's friendship, and added a gift going hand in hand with it, true excellence of life, a boon better than all good fortune and rising to the very summit of felicity.

(The Therapeutae as a sect existed over two thousand years ago, and are no more. As you have read they had women as members of their order, but the Essenes, who existed about the same period of years as the Therapeutae at no time had a woman as a member.)

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ZERUBBABEL

By Harry E. H. Grant, M.P.S.

Los Altos, California

Mere contemplation of characters and of conduct we admire is commendable, but the endeavor to emulate this preferred guidance, to in this wise be most practicable in according honor where honor is due, is of far greater value and import. Vital principles are evident in such admiration and valuable lessons may consequently be learned; and it is in this light that some important phases of the Zerubbabel story are here presented for your personal consideration and profit.

The story of Zerubbabel, the son of a governor of Judah and the grandson of King Jeconiah, is a story of purposefulness and of achievement in the face of opposition and of adversity. The Zerubbabel story, "based upon historical truth and authentic tradition" contains a wealth of symbolism in addition to guidance for practical living. It is a fine example of fidelity to obligation in the face of great difficulties and discouragement. After many tests, Zerubbabel proved true. After providing a temporary place of worship, he rebuilt the Temple; and although not erected in its original grandeur, the project increased his stature and that of his followers.

The building of the second Temple under the leadership and inspiration of Zerubbabel was redemptive of prior pledges and of a people. Although accomplished by comparatively few, it evidenced faithfullness and fulfillment of obligation and hence was a means of grace for all.

Unlike the quiet Operations in the building of King Solomon's Temple the builders of the second Temple had such obstructions to their task that they were compelled to labor with the trowel in one hand and the sword in the other, to be firm in establishing friendships, and to be willing to labor or to fight in the case of God.

Symbolically, Zerubbabel built anew upon the ruins of the old; but the cornerstone was the same Refusing the bribes of liberty, of power, of high office, and even under the threat of the loss of those greatly beloved, Zerubbabel refused to divulge the secrets of that which had been entrusted to him. Adhering strictly to principles and to purpose he braved the wrath of a mighty king and at the end of these trials received the cooperative aid of those who had opposed him, and was honored by them.

Zerubbabel gained a moral victory for pledged purpose; not by might nor by power, but by that majority had by but one holding communion with and having the aid of the Spirit which is God.

Before Zerubbabel the mountains of conflict, of obstacles, and of opposition were levelled as a plain. The plummet in the unshackled hands of Zerubbabel was uprightness; his leveling was by Truth; his squaring was done through faithfulness; and his spirit of constancy encompassed the building of the edifice of perfection.

Tradition and historical records may vary but the symbolic teaching is constant.

As in ancient days we, too, live in a world in which the general rule appears to be to obstruct instead of to aid the accomplishing of right purpose; a world in which political, physical, and material means to achieving ends have first consideration; and still we have a wealth of recorded illustrations of Divine intervention in human affairs; which is particularly true when, as was the case with Zerubbabel, faithfulness and constancy persist despite diverse difficulties, discouragement, and adversity, and perseveres to in time achieve its purpose, and to fulfill its obligations to self, to family, to country, and to God.

Obedience is a pre-requisite to Divine Aid.

Zerubbabel is of record as having obeyed the voice of the Lord, his God, a voice expressed to him through The Word.

"Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit saith the Lord."

"Who hath despised the day of small things? They shall rejoice and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel; and those seven which are the eyes of the Lord, which run to and fro through the whole earth."

Zerubbabel was very human, but also very fine. Born to the purple he none the less experienced adversity. Despite the expectations of his ideals he knew the disillusionment found in the failure of friendship. Throughout his trials he kept the faith; and difficulties were surmounted in the persistent endeavor to perform his obligation; until the voice of the Lord was heard by him direct and he was thereupon enabled to fulfill his destiny.

This is a brief statement of the intriguing Zerubbabel story of the building of the second Temple as it appears to the writer. To you it may have far greater implications and much additional to that which is herein stated. The story recalled may induce you to continue its unfoldment, for even this one chapter is not complete. You must conclude it for yourself; and maybe to your benefit through emulation.

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None can love freedom heartily but good men; the rest love not freedom, but license.

John Milton

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Freedom is conceivable only of intelligence.

J. G. Fichte

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I am wealthy in my friends.

Shakespeare

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Revive Your Masonic Education

By V. M. Burrows, M.P.S.

Education is the great panacea for human troubles. Everybody should become educated.

Education is learning the rules of the mighty game of life. It is the instruction of the intellect in the laws of nature - not merely things and their forces, but also men and their ways. It is the fashioning of the affections and of the will into an earnest and loving desire to move in harmony with the laws of nature and of human nature.

How do we gain education? We gain it as the result of thinking. No matter how much we read or how much we hear from speech or conversation, the net result depends on the manner in which we read between the lines, or reconsider the spoken words of others.

It is just so in our contact with Masonry. The ear by which we hear the words of our ritual should be the attentive ear. That is, we should hear with a background of desire to realize the true meaning of that which is said. The true meaning can be only the result of our own thinking and mature consideration. Reading Masonic magazines or books, and conversation with wellinformed brethren will bring light to the coming light and hasten the personal gratification of better individual understanding.

The instructive tongue should be used so as to deliver the words of the Ritual in a properly effective manner. The coaching of candidates should be done so that suitable assistance is actually provided. Which means that the candidate should be induced to ask questions, and that the coach should be qualified to answer those questions in a Masonically intelligent manner.

Unless the behavior of the individual candidate becomes the expression of a deep inner improvement, initiation is nothing but an artificial, conventional, and momentary set of restrictions which will be swept away at the first provocation. Masonry is intended to appeal to the thinking man.

It is remarkable as a fact of Freemasonry, that it is so universal in its philosophy. Almost all who seek something therein will find that which they seek.

In the search for truth, man opens an ever more satisfying avenue into effective living. By Speculative Masonry we learn to subdue the passions, act upon the Square, keep a tongue of good report, maintain secrecy, and practice charity. The net result is, that greater knowledge of the teachings of Masonry will give us a better understanding of our fellow men.

Practically everyone goes through life using but a small portion of his abilities and resources. It takes a solid jolt, a stroke of lightning, as it were, to wake us up. That stroke of lightning, to us as Masons, is in the sudden realization that a considerable proportion of our individual members do not live according to the teachings of Masonry.

Let us then awaken to the need of reconsideration of the teachings of Freemasonry. Let us do it for love, rather than for duty alone. Let us reconstruct our reverence for those things that are Holy. Thus may we clarify the conscience and proceed logically to revive our individual Masonic education.

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WHY THE NEEDLESS CONFUSION?

In the month of January many of the Fellows and Members of the Society received a copy of a magazine called The Philalethes. The mail has also brought many communications that must have caused some confusion among the brethren. The Fellows and Members have a right to ask: how does this confusion come about?

Many months ago while Brother Wells, as President of the Philalethes Society, was communicating with various Fellows and members relative to the ways and means of reactivating the Society it was discovered that William Major Brown, F.P.S., of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was soliciting some of the Fellows and Members for the sum of $10.00 each for the purpose of reorganizing the Society. Apparently this sum was to be the amount of dues for one year. He stated that he would publish two issues of the magazine free. Brother Wells thereupon appointed William Major Brown, F.P.S., to be the Treasurer pro tem of the Society. It was later discovered that the magazine was to be printed as a supplement to Brown's Masonic Review. All the officers objected to this plan, but Brown replied that this is the way it was planned and he was not changing his plan. He also sought to 'write-off’ the name of one of the officers for alleged lack of co-operation without consultation with the other officers. All the officers tendered their resignations; Brother Wells thereupon asked Brown to resign as Treasurer. Brother John B. Vrooman, was appointed Treasurer pro tern in the place of Brown.

The Philalethes was published as a supplement to the Masonic Review.. The readers of that magazine in January received the Masonic Review with its pictures and advertisements, as usual, but in the center was something new: "The Philalethes". If you will examine your copy of The Philalethes, mailed to you in January from Oklahoma City, you will find that on the bottom of page two is the number "10" and that each page has a number that follows in proper order. The first eight pages were the Masonic Review; the last eight pages also were the Masonic Review.

The Fellows and Members are advised that this publication was without authority and against the wishes of your temporary officers. Each of your present officers were strangers to each other (with the exception of Brown, Meyer, and Vrooman who knew each other), yet they have been able to work in complete harmony. Each has done his part; the Fellows and Members who have been contacted for help and suggestions have answered the call with enthusiasm.

Some of the members have written to the editor suggesting that the readers be told something about the new officers.. Brother Lee E. Wells, is a professional writer, and lives in Canoga Park, California; at the time of the passing our later President, Harold H. Kinney, Brother Wells was First Vice-President; consequently, he automatically became President. Brother Alphonse Cerza is a lawyer and a part-time instructor in a law school in Chicago; he has been a Member of the Society for many years and has contributed a number of articles to The Philalethes. Brother Arthur H. Triggs, is in the advertising and photoengraving business and is very active in Masonic education in California. Brother Lawton E. Meyer is a lawyer and an active Masonic worker in St. Louis. Brother John B. Vrooman is at present a Hospital Visitor for the Masonic Service Association and for years has been writing for Masonic journals.

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NOTICE

TO ALL FELLOWS AND MEMBERS.

In order to re-establish the Society on a democratic basis and to insure its continuous existence, the present officers are proposing that Constitution and By-Laws be adopted, and election of officers be held, and that the work of the Society be divided among as many Fellows and Members as possible. These objectives can be accomplished only if each Fellow and Member will cooperate in the following respects:

1. Fill the enclosed application blank and mail it to the Executive Secretary, Lawton E. Meyer, 3637 Linden Bldg., St. Louis, Mo. Bro. Allister McKowen, the former secretary-treasurer, has failed to make the records in his possession available to the officers, has made no replies to letters sent to him, and has failed to give any help whatsoever. Therefore, the need for information on the new application from each Fellow and Member.

2. Send to the Executive Secretary the names and addresses of Masons who would be interested in becoming members of the Society. The enclosed recommendation form may be used. The joining fee is $2.00 and the annual dues are $5.00.

3. Send your suggestions relating to the Constitution and By-Laws to the committee preparing the draft to be submitted to the Fellows and Members for adoption. The following brethren constitute this committee:

Elbert Bede, F.P.S.,

Woodlark Building,

Portland, Oregon

Dr. William Moseley Brown, F.P.S.,

P. O. Box 276,

Elon College, N. Car.

Laurence R. Taylor, M.P.S.,

c/o Indiana Freemason,

Franklin, Indiana

4. Send to the Constitution and By-Laws Committee the names of Fellows and Members that should be considered as candidates for the various officers of the Society.

5. If you wish to serve the Society in any way, please communicate your wishes to the Constitution and By-Laws Committee.

6. If you have any manuscripts that are suitable for publication in the Society's magazine, please send them to the editor pro tem: Alphonse Cerza, 130 Akenside Road, Riverside, Illinois.

7. In order that the Executive Secretary may have a complete record of the money paid in 1953 by the Fellows and Members for the work of the Society, each of you are requested to send him your name, the amount paid, the date of payment, and to whom paid. Recent payments made to the Executive Secretary need not be reported as he has a record.

8. The Fellows and Members who have not made their financial contribution to the Society are urged to send their checks to the Executive Secretary. While the officers have established the joining fee at $2.00 and the annual dues at $5.00, in the past many Fellows and Members have made voluntary contributions in excess of the amount established. Those who wish to continue this laudable custom are encouraged to do so. Inasmuch as the officers serve without compensation and the money received is spent entirely for printing the magazine, the cost of mailing, and for stationery and mailing it is apparent that the work of the Society can be expanded by the issuance of more printed material if each Fellow and Member makes as ample a contribution as he is able to afford.

9. This is your Society and it should be conducted in accordance with your wishes. You can help bring this about by writing your officers and giving them constructive suggestions.

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And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

1 Corinthians: 13:13

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BUREAU OF MASONIC INFORMATION

A CLEARING HOUSE FOR MASONIC STUDENTS

Conducted by JOHN BLACK VROOMAN, F.P.S.

What Shall We Seek In Freemasonry?

The revival of the "Bureau of Masonic Information" after a lapse of more than twenty years is in the hope that it may serve as a means whereby Masonic students have an available clearing house in which to discuss their problems, get assistance in ways and means of finding Masonic material, and secure the personal guidance which is so necessary to avoid wandering through the labyrinth of material.

Masonic information can be described as a pantry or storehouse of food into which a hungry child enters seeking to satisfy his hunger, yet not knowing how to get the food that he sees nor prepare the meal that will give him tasty nourishment.

We nave enough Masonic material in our Masonic libraries, and in the minds of brilliant Masonic students, to satisfy every need but we have neither the means of satisfying that need adequately nor the method of stimulating the newly-made Mason to do his own research under the guidance of someone who can see what the individual need is and satisfy it.

The best method is to have a place where Masonic students can exchange their views, ask for advice, seek suggestions from others, and offer their help if needed. It is hoped that this page may be such a place.

At the very beginning of this program we must recognize that it is necessary to get back to FUNDAMENTALS, to return to the A B C's of the Craft. We need a primer rather than an advanced text, and to admit that we must by necessity crawl before we can walk.

We will all agree that Freemasonry is a Way of Life. All of us want to know more of that Way of Life, practice it, and dig into its background, its meaning, and its interpretation. The subject is intriguing and lends itself to many years of diligent study. And there are other subjects that invite attention: Masonic history, symbolism, ethics, jurisprudence, and a hundred more. Each of these subjects point to intellectual paths over which a Mason could walk a lifetime in studying and enjoyment.

It may be inferred that this venture is for the new Mason or the young man. Far from it. One need be only young of heart and spirit to join the crowd Of Masonic students which increases every year. Age can be no barrier. Nor need one be endowed with college degrees or much formal education to be a successful Masonic student. The field of Masonic study is so broad that everyone can pick his particular field of study and derive much benefit and also be able to add something for the benefit of others.

At the very beginning of association together on this page, it is suggested that we start our study with a familiar part of the Craft. WORDS are very fundamental in Freemasonry. They are the vehicle of the instructive tongue and the attentive ear. Our ritual, our histories, our laws, everything transmitted orally or in writing, require the use of words. Why should we not start our study with WORDS?

As we start in our journey towards more light, let us pick out some words which have special significance to Freemasons, and make these words the basis of our first studies. The study of each word will suggest other words which we can study later on; thus one word leads to another which we may study. And the study of words will mean that we are studying ideas also because the analysis of words necessarily means that you must consider some ideas.

The study of Masonic words can be beneficial only by being careful. In studying these words, always get the EXACT meaning of each word. Consult several dictionaries and also Mackey's Encyclopedia of Freemasonry. Check the definitions given in the little booklet published by the Iowa Committee on Masonic Education entitled "Fifty Words in Freemasonry." Read the "Pocket Masonic Dictionary" published by the Masonic Service Association of the United States. Finally, be sure to check the large edition of the Oxford English Dictionary.

After you have read this material and noted the different meanings you will notice that you are gathering ideas. You may end up with a better definition than any you have found and that this study of a word has given you new ideas.

There is a large list of words that suggests itself for this preliminary study, such as: Apprentice; Entered; Candidate; Hele (pronounced hail); Fellow; Fellowcraft; Token; Art; Points; Communicate; Equivocation; Penalty; Emblem; Cable-tow; Circumscribe; Free; Accepted; and Divested.

In studying words we must not overlook their historical aspects. The word "Ancient", for example, lends itself to the historical approach. Aside from its common everyday meaning it has a definite Masonic historical meaning connected with the Ancient of Antient Grand Lodge of England (1751-1813).

Readers of this page who wish to take an active part in the matters to be discussed are urged to send in their suggestions, ideas, and questions to Brother John B. Vrooman, F.P.S.