TfleDENVER CONSISTORY htE\IYS VOLUN{E XTX.ISSUE II April-June 2012 I370 GRANT STREET DENVER. CO 80203 (303) 861-4261 Editor's Note: Brother Ben Williams, 32o, from the Grand Junction Consistory, has graciously given his permission to reprint his recent article from their joumal. The topic is particularly germane to us all. Operative and Speculative Masonrlz - Ben williams, 32" All conform with cheerfulness" means a smiling "A man is the origin of his action " - Aristotle Much consideration is given to the difference between operative and speculative Masonry in our work, and with good reason. However, there remains a common misconception unintentionally transmitted alongside this distinction. The prevalent take, among Masons of the present age, is that operative Masons were simply rendering work in stone, while speculative Masons render their work symbolically upon their consciousness. The great date espoused for this division is 7777, the founding of the Grand Lodge of England. While the latter interpretation regarding speculative Masonry is correct, the former one is incorrect. Operative Masons certainly applied their trade to stone and the construction of many remarkable edifices. But their labors were wrought as the physical rendering of a higher philosophy. Let us not forget, King Solomon's Temple, the archetype of Masonic allegories, was not just a building. The word Temple comes from the Latin, "Templum" - meaning a division from the surrounding world where communion with Deity is possible. The Craft of the High Middle Ages practiced both operative and speculative Masonry as one and the same art. This is confirmed in the opening portion of the Lecture on the Middle Chamber (commonly referred to as the Stair Lecture), when the Senior Deacon informs the candidate "our ancient Brethren worked in both operative and speculative." Our earlier Brothers learned the mathematics necessary to render in stone the representation of the microcosm, a reflection of the macrocosm - the macroprosopus, or "large face" of God. Every edifice symbolically bespoke a philosophy - when expending such efforts across so many lives, nothing was performed by accident. And the high degree of aesthetic structure incorporated into these edifices was never accidental or arbitrary. Every image in stone was made for a lasting impression. And, with good reason. This is not to say that every craftsman was a philosopher. But the Master of the Work most certainly was - a natural philosopher with knowledge of remarkable engineering concerns - to create a flying buttress remains a feat of unparalleled ability - yet he was also a philosopher of the hidden ideas; aligning and orienting the structures to the movements of the heavens, he was an esoteric philosopher communicating in stone a language that defies words. There are many examples of this fact. Firstly, records of speculative Masons - as in Masons who were not operative Masons - are extant in early Scottish Lodges. A good example of this is the initiation of Dr. William Maxwell in 1647 into Mary's Chapel Lodge in Edinburgh. As a physician, he was not likely cutting stone or
Transcript
TfleDENVER CONSISTORY
htE\IYSVOLUN{E XTX.ISSUE IIApril-June 2012
I370 GRANT STREETDENVER. CO 80203(303) 861-4261
Editor's Note: Brother Ben Williams, 32o, from the Grand JunctionConsistory, has graciously given his permission to reprint his recentarticle from their joumal. The topic is particularly germane to us all.
Operative and SpeculativeMasonrlz - Ben williams, 32"
All conform with cheerfulness" means a smiling"A man is the origin of his action " - Aristotle
Much consideration is given to thedifference between operative and speculativeMasonry in our work, and with good reason.However, there remains a common misconceptionunintentionally transmitted alongside thisdistinction. The prevalent take, among Masons ofthe present age, is that operative Masons weresimply rendering work in stone, while speculativeMasons render their work symbolically upon theirconsciousness. The great date espoused for thisdivision is 7777, the founding of the Grand Lodgeof England.
While the latter interpretation regardingspeculative Masonry is correct, the former one isincorrect. Operative Masons certainly applied theirtrade to stone and the construction of manyremarkable edifices. But their labors were wroughtas the physical rendering of a higher philosophy.Let us not forget, King Solomon's Temple, thearchetype of Masonic allegories, was not just a
building.The word Temple comes from the Latin,
"Templum" - meaning a division from thesurrounding world where communion with Deity ispossible. The Craft of the High Middle Ages
practiced both operative and speculative Masonry as
one and the same art. This is confirmed in theopening portion of the Lecture on the MiddleChamber (commonly referred to as the StairLecture), when the Senior Deacon informs thecandidate "our ancient Brethren worked in bothoperative and speculative."
Our earlier Brothers learned themathematics necessary to render in stone therepresentation of the microcosm, a reflection of themacrocosm - the macroprosopus, or "large face" ofGod. Every edifice symbolically bespoke a
philosophy - when expending such efforts across so
many lives, nothing was performed by accident.And the high degree of aesthetic structureincorporated into these edifices was neveraccidental or arbitrary. Every image in stone wasmade for a lasting impression. And, with goodreason.
This is not to say that every craftsman was aphilosopher. But the Master of the Work mostcertainly was - a natural philosopher withknowledge of remarkable engineering concerns - tocreate a flying buttress remains a feat ofunparalleled ability - yet he was also a philosopherof the hidden ideas; aligning and orienting thestructures to the movements of the heavens, he wasan esoteric philosopher communicating in stone alanguage that defies words.
There are many examples of this fact.Firstly, records of speculative Masons - as inMasons who were not operative Masons - areextant in early Scottish Lodges. A good example ofthis is the initiation of Dr. William Maxwell in 1647
into Mary's Chapel Lodge in Edinburgh. As a
physician, he was not likely cutting stone or
erecting buildings. Lodge Killwinning minutes
record the initiation of the Earls of Cassils and
Eglington in 1670 - two nobles unlikely to break
their backs squaring ashlars. There are many other
examples.It is important to understand that the
learning required to create these edifices was
considered something akin to magic; at least toilliterate contemporaries, the ability to create a rose
window and hang it in a florid circle of solid rock in
such a manner that the setting sun would illuminatethe altar in the vivid colors of stained glass (some ofwhich glass remains inexplicable to modemscientists), it must have seemed so. It is also
important to understand that the pursuit of this
knowledge was not based around material gain, butrather spiritual understanding. The knowledge ofthe operative Masons enabled them to travel, to be
free men, become the friends and companions ofkings and nobles, unbounded from the fiefs of the
era. Ability, not birth, was the right of passage.
And to learn this art took great discipline and skill'It's also important to note that, in the era of
the High Middle Ages, every major edificeemploying Masons was religious in character. Infact, the oldest structures in the world have
something similar associated with them; each
silently maintains the secret philosophy of the
knowledge of God, in stone. The proof of this isscattered through the ages - be it the mystery of the
pyramids, the obelisks of ancient Egypt, Stonehenge
or other grooved-ware sites. There is something
mysterious about these places. They were built, and
they've lasted millennia.Perhaps my favorite example of this
operative-speculative connection is from Boileau'sCode of the Usages and Customs of the Masons, the
Stonemasons, the Plasterers, and the Mortarers,
compiled ca. 1260 in Paris. In 1258, King Louis IXappointed Stephen Boileau as Provost of the
Corporations of Paris. Boileau records, in TitleXLVIII of his book, that: "Anyone may be a Mason
at Paris, provided that he understands the mystery,
and that he works according to the ancient usages
and customs of the mystery."What "mystery" is Boileau referring to?
Ancient usages? Yes, indeed, the operative Masons
of the high Middle Ages - and earlier still - were
speculative Masons in every sense of the word.
To be an operative Mason, then, is to be aspeculative Mason first. To be a speculative Mason
is to enjoy the benefits of a society where men can
be employed in numerous trades, or remain
independently wealthy. A speculative Mason
doesn't necessarily know how to build in stone. But
an operative Mason knows how to apply the
working tools to his consciousness, as well as buildin stone, because, to him at least, the act of squaring
The February Stated Meeting continuedthe flurry of reports that summarize our results from20ll;' including the Life Membership report, theAlmoner's report, and the Membership Report (wehad 2,852 at the end of the year). If you have anyquestions about the reports, phone the Secretary inthe Consistory office at 303-861-4261. We alsorecognized several accomplishments :
Personal Representative David W. Powell presented
the blue hat of a 50-year member to Ralph T.Warehime, 32", with assistance from his wife,Grace, who also helped with the lapel pin.
John E. Thompson,32"; Mark W. Ralston, 32";Scott A. Bates, 32o; Robert A. Salazar,32"; DarrenR. Klinefelter,32"; Bart D. Wegner, 32"; and JarrodN Abel, 32o - all received the Consistory Jewel fortheir service to Scottish Rite Freemasonry.
Not to be outdone, several members of the lastreunion class were present to receive their patents,
class pictures and name badges. Welcome brethren,let us help each of you find a way to becomeinvolved in the upcoming Scottish Rite RegionalReunion to be held at Denver Consistory 10-12May.
"O1' Ramrod", portrayed by Ill. Brother JohnRussell, 33o, provided the enteftainment with a veryinteresting presentation that traced the history of theexploration of the west in the early 1800's,embellished with props and stories of mountainmen.
The 9Health Fair will be located at DenverConsistory on Saturday, April 14 from Tamto noon.Plan now to get that neglected medical checkup ortests at attractive prices.
Open Doors Denver will include DenverConsistory on Sunday, April 15. When we were
last invited to participate two years ago, we hadover 700 visitors. You can see that we will need alot of volunteer guides to conduct tours of ourbuilding. Come learn about the story of our historicbuilding and answer questions from the publicabout Scottish Rite Freemasonry.
Our Stated Meeting in January was an openmeeting with our ladies and guests that willincluded important announcements plus the annualmeetings of SRP Inc., Scottish Rite Masonic Center,Scottish Rite Cathedral Association and CentennialLodge of Perfection. Each of those shorl meetingsincluded financial reports for 2011, comments onaccomplishments, election of directors/officers andpresentation of budgets for 2012. This is the mostimportant meeting of the year for members tounderstand what is being accomplished by each partof our extensive organization. Installation of theofficers for the four Scottish Rite bodies in theValley of Denver followed. We need your support.
,THE GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP''
Of all the treasured gifts on EarthI sincerely do believe
That friendship in its truest formls the greatest gift one can receive
Gold and silver and all they can buyAre qold material things
Friendship is warm and spiritualAnd oh the comfort and joy it brings
When the sun shines bright and times are goodFriends seem to be at their best
But when tragedy and hard times comeTrue friendship is put to test
From the depths of a heart that is most sincereThis warm offer to you I extend
My friendship is yours for just the takingPlease accept it and be my friend
My friendship I give free and gladlyIt is a gift straight from my heart
And I promise to be true and faithfulWhether we are near or far apart
I highly treasure my friendshipsIt is the only real wealth that I own
I feel secure in having friends like youAnd I will never feel alone
(Jess Johnson, USS Rochester, CA-124, 12JAN2004)
*S*WBrother
Ralph Herbert Arnold, 32o
Charles Edward Berry, 32"Milford H. Brinkerhoff, 32'Walter Leroy Coven, 32o
William Erwin Evans, 32o
Charles Marvin Grieves, 32o
Jack William Hagood, 32o
Leroy Edward Herdt, 32o
William Dean Hewit, 33o
Dallas Vernon Howard, 32"Kenneth Holmes Johnson, 32o
Walter Robert Madison, 32o
Roger Hornsby McCarty, 32o
Hugh Bower McHugh, 32o
Llewellyn Charles Nuttall, 32o
Lynn Pierre Pew, 32o
William John Rickard, 32"Richard B. Roquemore, 32"Charles William Sawyer, 32o
Milton R. Schachterlc, 32"Lowcll E. Sonnenberg. 32o
Donald Ray Starnes,32oLeon Charlton Sutton, 32o
Robert Shanklin Wham, 32'KCCHVernon Claire Whiting, 32'
There is only one thing more painful than learningfrom experience, and that is not learning fromexperience.
-Laurence J. Peter
I am still learning.
-Michelangelo (born March 6,1475), said in his80s.
If you change the way you look at things, the thingsyou look at change.
Dr. Wayne Dyer
Let me never fall into the vulgar mistake ofdreaming that I am persecuted whenever I am
contradicted.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson
Human beings, who are almost unique in having the
ability to learn frorn the cxpcriencc of othcrs, arc
also remarkable for their apparent disinclination todo so.
Douglas Adamsa
If you always give, you will always have.
-Chinese proverb
Whoever desires constant success must change his
conduct with the times.
-Niccolo Machiavelli (1469 - 1527) & Discourses
[1s17]
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to
see every problem as a nail.
-Abraham H. Maslow (1908 - 1970)
Things ain't what they used to be and probablynever were.
-Will Rogers
Between the ColumnsBy Michael D. Moore, 32o
CyclesMarch is here and this time of the year
always makes me think of cycles. Winter isgone, Spring is not quite here and we look witheagerness to the Eoming of life, where green isseen everywhere and warrn weather arrives.
Cycles are a very Masonic theme, onewhich everyone should be familiar with and itcan be seen many ways:
- In the cycle of life and death
- With the orbits of the planets within our
solar system
- The circulating of a candidate around the
lodge room floor- In the symbol of the snake eating his tail- Moisture in the form of rain that falls
from the sky, runs to the oceans, is
evaporated, turned into clouds, whichwhen heavy enough falls as rain
- And lastly - reaching the last degree and
finding yourself with the key in hand to
open the gate and realizingthat you nowneed to revisit all degrees that you havejust gone through and apply that whichwas learned to the principles found there.
So, it should not surprise us when we see
Spring come once again to a cold, dead earth.
The cycles of nature mirror what goes on lneach of us, in the world and the uttermostextremes of the galaxy. The life principle ofcycles or rhyhms and is a simple theme foundall around you. If you have not realized thisyet, it is time that you should get to know moreabout this principle. Cycles give us hope whenwe die, knowledge that Spring or renewal willcome once again after the coldest days of winterand that love once started will always returnfrom whence it came.
One cycle or rhythm we all know of is thecycle of Reunions we have. We feel them as
they get close; once past - are thankful and thenanxious for the next one that is ahead.
When we stop and think about it, motion inall forms show life or a living principle withinit, no matter how small or large the object. If itmoves, chances are there is life of some form init. There is one item in our Masonic life thatshould not be cyclic - service and charity. Theyshould be found in us and our actions allthrough the Masonic year. So the question nowarises; are you moving and live (Masonically)?
Scottish Rite Creeclttllunran progl'css is oul'causc, liberty, of tlrought
our suprenre rvish,lrccdonr ofconscienccour nrission, and theguarantee ofequalrights to nll pcople
eve ryrvhcre our ultirnatcgotl."
pENvD4
col\,s15l",oB{
The Modern vs. Historic MasonBy Bro. James K. Chisholm
Corinthian Lodge #96 - Barrie, ON
The Mason of today is not like hishistorical equivalent. The reality in whichthe modern Mason lives and thechallenges he faces is much different fromhis counterpart of not that long ago.
Today's world in which we as Mason's live,is a fast paced environment. We areconstantly bombarded with electroniccommunication, each demanding ourundivided attention. From television andthe internet he is aware of topical andinternational events of interest on a daily,any time he wants it, basis. The modernMason is now instantly aware of theevents or information that are importantto him. He can be an5rwhere - inside,outside, in the air, tt doesn't matter; he'splugged in.
The Mason of oid did not have all thesedistractions. His routine basicallyconsisted of a dawn to dusk existence.Despite added hours of candle-light, hisproductivity basically ended with thedimness of the twilight. His perception oftime and events, depending on the era,could be calculated in years, months orweeks. Rarely, unless it was somethingvery local, could he find out newinformation on the same day. There wasno electronic communication. Most ofwhat mattered to him was translated bymouth, passed around from person toperson. Not exactly the most accurate wayfor individuals of old, from a modern daypoint of view, to communicate. Try the 10people in a circle exercise, tell the firstperson a short story, fact or phrase. Havethat person pass it on to the next until itreaches back to you and see how it'schanged or embellished.
By-gone era Mason's may not have beenable to read or write, therefore the mouthto ear instruction was the only way totransmit this information to the newMason. It also served to keep inviolate thetraditions and rituals lest the cowan oreavesdropper become aware; there wasnothing written down.
The Mason of today however, is now a 24-hour Mason. By that I mean Masonrymust now compete for his limited time.Today's worker is not restricted to therising or setting of the sun. A Mason maywork the night-shift, graveyard shift or beon call. He is not restricted to the daily 9-5grind of past generations. He is not boundonly to work Monday to Friday; his non-work days may be any day of the week, ifhe gets any days off at all. The modernMason may not even have a work-place.For some, he works and travels where heis directed or required remotely by cellphone, iPad, or computer. His duties mayrequire him to be available 24 hours aday, 7 days a week; daytime, night-time,even on vacation in another country. Inthis day and age, time is money. If he hasto stay late to finish the job, well that'swhat's expected and agreed to in his jobdescription.
Our modern Mason arrives home to anempty house. His spouse will not be homefor another hour from her job. She has acareer too - both must work to help paythe bills. The children are at swimminglessons and then home for dinner, beforeleaving again for other activities. Thatreminds him, it's his turn to drop off thekids before attending Lodge.
Our modern Mason wants to attend Lodgetonight at 7:30pm. It's his escape from thegrind. He loves the ritual, thecamaraderie, the edicts espoused by theCraft, but couldn't commit to goingthrough the chairs when he was asked by
the Master. Job requirements makeability to attend Lodge regularly justunreliable in his own opinion.
The Mason of old also wants to attendlodge tonight. His spouse will be homewith the kids; besides, she doesn't work;never had to. Over dinner his wife hascooked for the family, he tells her he'slooking forward to finding out the latesttown news at Repast and meet uP withsome of his fellow brothers who he hasn'tseen since the last meeting. After all, mostlive over 3 miles away, and it's sometimesdifficult to walk ail that woy, just to keepin touch. He doesn't worry about thedishes being done, or what he's going towear. His wife has set out his good clothesfor him already. No hurry to get to Lodgethough, there's always plenty of time.
Our modern Mason has to get dinnerready before the kids and his wife gethome. She'll be expecting it. Then hedresses for Lodge after dinner, beforepiling the kids in the car to drop them offat soccer. On the way, there's a trafficaccident ahead. He hopes it doesn't makehim late for Lodge. His wife calls him onhis Bluetooth headset while waiting intraffic. She asks him to pick up somegroceries on his way home from Lodge.There's a 24l:rour grocery store on his wayhome, so it should not be a probiem forhim. She has to go to her other jobshortly, so the babysitter will be homelooking after the kids when he returns.Can he give her a drive home so shearrives safely?
The Mason of old arrives to Lodge early.He socializes with the other Brethrenbefore casually entering the Craft roombefore the Tyler's knock. Lodge is openedand business is being conducted, wherethe I.G. reports an alarm - a late brotherrequesting to be admitted. The Mastercontinues with the Lodge business. Finally
after 20 minutes, the Master orders thelate-comer be admitted. The late Brotheradvances to the altar, profuselyapologizing for his tardiness, much to thechagrin and derisive stares of the Masterand the remainder of the brethrenpresent. He gives no good excuse. He istold to take his seat by the Master. Heknows he will hear it from the others, ifnot the Master, after Lodge closes.
Our Modern Mason arrives for Lodge late,due to the traffic backup. The alarm isgiven requesting admittance. He isadmitted almost immediately. He advancesinto the Lodge and apologizes for hislateness due to traffic. The Master says heis pleased the brother could still make it tothe meeting. Nothing is made of his latearrival. He is told to be seated by theMaster. During Lodge, an occasional lowbuzzing could sometimes be faintly heardby some brethren, close to the buzzing.Sometimes pockets could be seen movingon the pant-legs or jackets of variousbrethren. During a call-off of the Lodge, amad dash is made by various brethren toget outside the Craft room. Half thebrethren are checking their phones andreturning texts or making phone calls. TheMaster tells our Mason he was almost latetoo.
Some of our older brethren strictly protestany change in Masonry. That is not a badthing, when it comes to Ritual, theLandmarks and traditions of Masonry.
However, Masonry must change in otherregards if it is survive. Masonry mustcompete for the time and attention of themodern Mason. There are just too manyother pressing responsibilities or otherinterests for the modern Mason toconsider.
DENVER CONSISTORY OFFICE(303) 861-4261 FAX (303) 861-426e1 -877 -861 -21 23 Toll-Free Long DistanceDenver Consistory News is published four timesa year (Jan, Apr, Jul, Sep). Deadline for articlesubmissions is two weeks prior to the first of
the month of publication.
CENTENNIAL LODGE OF PERFECTIONDENVER CONSISTORYClaud E. Dutro 33", Secretary1370 Grant StreetDenver, CO 80203
