Friday, November 16, 2007

Euclid Lodge

To all Masons, wheresoever they may be dispersed throughout the world
Fraternal greetings
We have formally constitued Euclid Lodge, to the Glory of the Grand Architect of the Universe and to Glory of Free-Masonry Universal. We labor under traditional Free-Masonry as described and prescribed in Anderson's Constitutions 1723 in Grand Rapids, Michigan (USA).
Our lodge offers a distinctive education in the philosophies and esoteric understanding of Free-Masonry. Euclid Lodge supports the original meaning of a "liberal education" with the understanding that reason is the only tool that humanity has to survive, prosper and improve in this world. To this end Euclid Lodge initiates men into the mysteries of Modern Free-Masonry and has dedicated itself to the betterment of our civilization.
This betterment is accomplished by an education in the philosophies of the Enlightenment period and modern philosophy. We reject completely the mis-guided beliefs that lead to the subjugation of the human spirit and any intellectual dissonance that destroys our ability to construct that Temple made not with hands.
Throughout human history there have always been those that raised men up to higher levels. We endeavor to be those type of men. Included in our ranks are PhD's, engineers, business leaders and professionals of several types. We are a philosophical order that addresses the "questions of the day" such as the moral implications of our scientific revolution and the relationship between the individual and society. Partisan politics and sectarian religion have no part of what we do. We labor for the greater good. We accomplish this by aiding our Brothers to become better men, more informed men, more educated men, and more capable men. Through our process to total education we aid in the development of "liberated" man.
The founders of Euclid were once members of the Antient system of Free-Masonry, which has degenerated into a social club that denies its own roots. We have separated ourselves from that decayed root and planted our minds in fertile ground. May the Light of Free-Masonry (which is reason) extend to every corner of the globe and every aspect of civil society. We have taken up the working tools of such luminaries as Brother Benjamin Franklin, Brother Voltaire, and Brother Lafayette and have placed the proper application of the Craft above the base desires of men who are slaves to their egos. We labor as one small lodge of great men who carry a portion of Light forward in the 21st Century. All true and worthy seekers of Masonic Light will be welcome at our door.

Wor:. Bro:. Brandt Smith
Worshipful Master, Euclid Lodge #3

52 comments:

Tony said...

So mote it be.
Bro. Tony Melton
Sr. Deacon
Euclid Lodge

Christopher Hodapp said...

Was the Grand Lodge of Michigan holding you back somehow from accomplishing your goals? Just asking.

Everett Sayre P.M. said...

If you all are seekers of the Truth as you say, then why in the world are you breaking your Obligations you took at the Alter of Freemasonry? You know what you said about obeying your Grand Lodge and its Edicts.I myself had no trouble whatsoever with being able to understand mine. Fraternally, W.B. Everett Sayre P.M. Six Mile Lodge #412 Hayden, Indiana

John Galt said...

Brother Chris,
I hope all is well for you and yours.

We actually had discussed many things in detail before we decided to do this.
Yes, we were being held back. We had made a list of what we really wanted in Masonry. We got rid of stuff on that list was clearly not permitted by the Grand Lodge. We did not have much left.
So we set about building a new edifice that allowed the Masonry that we wanted. We also found out in this work that we were not alone in Michigan.
We could have pursued our goals anywhere. Rather or not we had much of chance of success is in question. We did not feel that we would have much of chance to succeed in the former administrative structure, so we removed ourselves from it. Now they won't be bothered with us.
This is important for everyone to know. There is no ill that we feel to the Grand Lodge of Michigan. They are a fine group for what they do. We are quite different, and we are a fine group for what we do.
This was not a rash decision. It took a lot of time and "discussion." Then there was all the time that we discussed what this lodge should be like. Then we did it.

Brandt

John Galt said...

Brother Sayre,
I used to be in the military, while I was there I followed the orders of my commanding officer, not only because of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, but because I had taken an oath.
I am not in the military any more and that former commanding officer of mine has no legal authority to give me orders and I don't have to follow them. Of course, he and I would be friends and comrades now.

Brandt

Everett Sayre P.M. said...

Then I take you have broken your obligation as I thought. That is your prerogative.........Good Luck Ev Sayre P.M.

Royce Myers said...

I would love to see the list of what you wanted to do in Masonry, but were prohibited from doing by our Grand Lodge.

Everett Sayre P.M. said...

I was not kept from doing a thing and neither were any of my Lodge Brothers and we are still thriving and practicing Freemasonry. A very contented Mason from Indiana. Ev Sayre P.M. and keeping my Obligations and Masonic Morals intact.

Unknown said...

Who is John Galt. Certainly you are not pretending to have the qualities of Ayn Rand's character in Atlas Shrugged...

John Galt said...

If I only could be as strong as the character John Galt I would have done this sooner. You will allow me to aspire to loftier goals though will you not?

Here are a couple of items:
1. Different ritual, Preston-Webb just doesn't do it for us.

2. Time for education rather than MICHIPS. There is nothing wrong with the CHIPS program, it is just not our cup of tea.

3. Atheists

etc etc

These are differences in philosophy only. Frankly, nothing that we are doing has anything to do with the Grand Lodge of Michigan. They do things their way and they seem quite happy with it. We do things our way and we are quite happy with it.

Why the rancor Brothers? I don't recall doing something to any of you?

Brandt

Widow's Son said...

Bro. Sayre,

What obligation are you suggesting has been broken by Bro. Brandt and other members of the newly-founded Euclid Lodge No. #3?

Widow's Son
BurningTaper.com

Everett Sayre P.M. said...

If you have to ask you forgot yours too Bro. Do not play ignorant,please it does not suit you. Stand to and abide by all the laws,rules and regulations just for one. Ev Sayre P.M.

Unknown said...

"Stand to and abide by all the laws,rules and regulations just for one." -Sayre

That's all well and good if you are a member of that organization but you are told when joining it that nothing in it will interfere with what you owe to God, your self, your family, etc. If you find anything in mainstream Masonry to be in violation of any of the above then you are free to leave of you own free will and accord.

If you are claiming that the oath and obligation eternally binds you to Freemasonry then you must also agree with everything the anti-Masons have said all along. Do you agree with the antis? Are Masons not free to leave without harassment from Masons wanting to force them back into the organization? Is the oath eternally binding? Does it take away an individuals ability to simply walk away at any time?

I'd like to know the answer to these questions because it resolves the issue of whether or not the antis have been telling the truth and the Masons lying.

Thanks

Objective Observer

Everett Sayre P.M. said...

You take an oath It doesn't just go away or change at your whim or pleasure.........sorry Ev Sayre P.M.

Unknown said...

Thank you for your honesty Sayre. At least now I know that I was lied to by the Masons over at the Lodgeroom. They told me that Masons are Masons "of their own free will and accord." Now I understand that Masons are eternally bound by their oaths even if they disagree with Freemasonry.

I don't see why anyone would want to be eternally bound to something they have to join before they are told what it is all about.

If I join a church I can visit and learn what they believe before I join. They don't require any oaths or obligations. I'm free to come and go as my conscience dictates.

If Freemasonry were open and free like this then I would have no problem with it, but according to you it's not. At least you were honest with me where other Masons were not.

Thank you for your honesty.

Candide said...

"You take an oath It doesn't just go away or change at your whim or pleasure.........sorry" Ev Sayre P.M. if that Washington chap had not turned his back on his oaths you'd all be speaking English now!

LVX said...

Objective:

You weren't lied to, nor is the other poster correct in his statement.

The problem is that you are both looking for simple answers to a question that is anything but simple. Everett's interpretation is that once you make an oath that you are bound no matter what.

My interpretation: When one makes a an Oath or an Obligation to any person or organization, one expects that the party who requested said Oath/Obligation will honor their end of the bargain. For example you make an oath before God and Man that you will love, honor and obey your wife until death when you get married. Now, assume that 3 days after you are married, your new bride tells you that she intends to sleep with every man or woman that she meets and there is not a damn thing that you can do about it. Are you now breaking your oath by leaving her once you start seeing strangers lounging around in your bedroom? No - she has voided her end of the contract. You have every right to walk away from that obligation.

As for Masonic Oaths...

There is no Masonic goon squad that is going to round you up and force you back into the lodge. In my lodge, the books are full of entries of people who have demitted, been suspended or expelled from Masonry. They are not contacted or harassed in any way. They moved on and American Masonry moves on. No one is maimed, and eternal damnation is not awaiting you. You are merely left to find a different path (masonic or otherwise) than the one you were on - and believe me, there are many paths to choose from.

The actual Oath and Obligation binds you to the organization, as long as you CHOOSE TO BELONG to the organization. Anyone who tells you different is simply wrong. However, no obligation or oath should be entered into lightly.

Fraternal organizations are human constructs. As human constructs, they are only as worthy as the people running them. Staying true to your path to the supreme being is the only obligation that is unbreakable.

You seem to be coming from a place that dictates a black and white answer. You would do well to step away from such a limiting mindset.

Unknown said...

"There is no Masonic goon squad that is going to round you up and force you back into the lodge." lvx

Forgive me being naive but it sure looks like Sayre and others are being a "goon squad" by pressuring people in public about their oath and obligation.

If I became a Freemason I sure wouldn't want to be pressured in public by Masons like Sayre.

My view may be "black and white" but you can't have it both ways. Either men can freely join and leave at any time, or they can't.

Based on what I am seeing posted by some Masons it is evident that they are not free to leave without verbal harassment. How can you or anyone deny this? It's been repeated several times on a couple of different blogs.

John Galt said...

Mister Objective Observer,
We would never even attempt to hold a man beyond his capacity or desire. It is wrong headed to attempt it. We are all here of our own free will and accord. Though I would not like to see one of my brothers leave our lodge I would ask him why and try to understand. Regardless of his affiliation or lack thereof, he would still be brother and my friend, for precisely the same reasons that he was before.

I have a theory as to why the obligation mantra appears but it is only a theory at this point and I have not had the time to develop a truly scientific acquisition of the data to make a decision on the matter.

No, no organization can hold one beyond his capacity or desire.

Please feel free to ask all the questions that you want. All of the Brothers here appear to be quite bright and willing to answer questions. I will try to answer any questions that you might have as well.

Brandt

LVX said...

Forgive me being naive but it sure looks like Sayre and others are being a "goon squad" by pressuring people in public about their oath and obligation.

Actually, they are only individuals who are expressing their personal feelings about the matter - nothing more. They do not speak for Freemasonry, they are only speaking for themselves - much like I am doing.

The Grand Lodge will accept peoples ID cards and demit request and that is that.

If I became a Freemason I sure wouldn't want to be pressured in public by Masons like Sayre.

Again, opinions are opinions. I have a different opinion than Br. Sayre and do not feel pressured in the slightest. Perhaps Br Sayre is reacting to the potential loss of people he respects. People react in very different ways when confronted with topics that are uncomfortable to them.

My view may be "black and white" but you can't have it both ways. Either men can freely join and leave at any time, or they can't.

Men can freely leave. Grand lodges provide the means for leaving - a demit. Anyone who tells you otherwise is completely wrong or deliberately misleading you.

Royce Myers said...

I wonder if Mr. Objective has been married. Or if he knows anyone who has had a marriage dissolved.

There are those who believe that Marriage vows cannot be broken under any circumstances prior to death. There are others who feel this is a mutual obligation, and that if one partner fails to live up to his or her vows the other one is no longer bound. There are those who believe (and I am not making this up) that "wedding vows do not cross state boundaries".

The point is, the seriousness with which you take your vows is your own business. We are all obliged to each other, but if someone opts out, that's their decision and not ours to judge.

Mr. Objective -- are you truly interested in becoming a Mason? If so, why? If not, why do you pretend otherwise?

Unknown said...

Yes, I am married.

Freemasonry claims to be a fraternity. Why is their a need for such extreme obligations in a fraternity?

I'm interested in Freemasonry because my grandfather was a Mason. I was ready to drop by the local lodge and ask for a petition until I saw all of this talk of obligations on the blogs.

It seems to me that Masons don't agree on the obligations or whether or not Masons can leave Freemasonry without breaking them.

I read Chris Hodapp's Dummies book and got even more interested in Masonry. I thought he was an good example of a Mason but I was let down by his attitude towards John Galt and Euclid.

I simply don't understand why these men can't be free to form their own lodge. If this is about a difference in religious beliefs then that presents an even bigger problem for me. I was told that Freemasonry isn't a religion but yet you seem quick to condemn John Galt for ideas on atheism. If Freemasonry isn't a religion then why should Masons care about a man's religion?

I think these are valid concerns that many people have about Freemasonry and it's difficult to get a straight answer. One Mason tells you one things while another says something else.

I'm confused by it all.

Glen Cook said...

The following items were given for leaving the GL of Michigan:

1. Different ritual, Preston-Webb just doesn't do it for us.

2. Time for education rather than MICHIPS. There is nothing wrong with the CHIPS program, it is just not our cup of tea.

3. Atheists

etc etc

I would ask the following:

A. Did the Gl of Michigan refuse to allow education to the brethren?
B. Are you indicating you admit atheists to your body?

John Galt said...

Brother,

A. Did the Gl of Michigan refuse to allow education to the brethren?

No, they have not, nor would they. The problem is that there is just no time in the extant lodges.

B. Are you indicating you admit atheists to your body?

Yes, we will address that on a case by case basis. So we may.

Brandt

Everett Sayre P.M. said...

Mr. Sayre to some and Brother Sayre to others would not spend 5 seconds trying to pressure anyone to stay in the fraternity that wished to leave of their on free will and accord. That is the way they came in. They know in their own minds if they broke their obligations and oaths to others and they don't need me or my goon squad to tell them.:-). That's just my humble opinion. If it frightens you sorry. The leader of the goon squad has spoken .....lol. Ev Sayre P.M.

Unknown said...

Does Euclid and Halcyon use a goon squad too? If not I would consider joining them, even if they are far away. I want to be a Mason but I also want to feel free to leave at any time without being harassed.

Everett Sayre P.M. said...

The question would be do they want you?
Your every post hinges on leaving. Why bother trying to join in the first place?
I feel as if you really need to look for another vocation that has several exits available to you. I will add that the person that said I was wrong on the obligation was the one that was wrong IMHO. His explanation was rather weak in why you could break them. Ev Sayre P.M. and still have not broken my obligations and will not. Oh, and by the way I would not trust and Atheist as no obligation would be binding on them. Any........That again is just my opinion and you are entitled to yours. Ev Sayre P.M.

John Galt said...

Brother Sayre,
You are okay in my book. I don't care if you call me "brother" or not. Yeah, I may not agree with some of your ideas. So what. The brotherhood of all humanity is more important than all of this tripe anyway.
If you ever make it over our way, drop me a line, I would love to buy you a beer and discuss just about everything.

Brandt

Unknown said...

Sayre,

I think it's unreasonable to expect a person to take make an obligation to something that is unknown. It's not the same as getting married. This is not a apple for apple comparison. When I obligated myself to my wife I had know her for several years. I knew what I was obligating myself to.

If I become a Freemason I don't have the opportunity to be one without first obligating myself.

I have no problem with agreeing to keep the secrets but I cannot in good conscience agree to obey the orders of a Grand Master or any other person unless I find them to be moral and just.

Masons seem to just do whatever they're told and I'm not willing to that without first understanding why.

If that keeps me from becoming a Mason then I guess I was never meant to be one.

Everett Sayre P.M. said...

OBJECTIVE,
I see you are missing the whole concept of freemasonry so I will just let you fly with your new wings. Brother John you are right on the whole concept of it.
Perhaps you can help out objective as he seems lost as he thinks a Mason blindly obeys orders be they good or bad. :-)I would have made one hell of a Master of a Lodge always wearing a hoodwink.
Oh well maybe you and I will get together one of these days for that beer and Masons can always agree to disagree as you and I are well aware of.
I will leave it to you to help objective find his way as he is totally lost and misses all concepts of Freemasonry. Ev Sayre P.M. Six Mile Lodge #412 Hayden In. Mason of the year 2006-2007.

Unknown said...

Brother Brandt/John Galt, and I say Brother because you are and remain my Brother; I WISH YOU WELL. Freemasonry in North AQmerica certainly need some renewal, especially in the so-called 'fun degrees'. Let's get back to square one and renew the old principles. I wish I could join you somehow. The hypocrasy is begining to be the norm.

John Galt said...

Old Wolf,
I wish that you could join with us also.

Brandt

The K.N.O. said...

Just a comment about some things here:

1.) A Mason, be he Grand Master of the State, or the youngest Entered Apprentice in the North East corner, is the same. If they are not judged s 'worthy' by me or they try my cable tow to harshly, they will not receive from me acclamation to their wishes. This is from a Mason and Past Master of a UGLE lodge in good standing. That being said, I need a lot more information before I can judge the gentlemen from Euclid as worthy. I have never been held back in my education by the GL or my lodge.
As to the atheist discussion, I think that's a matter of interpretation. The HSJ can be admired by anyone of any religion or lack thereof, just as anyone can admire Gandhi or Rumi, though they be Christian or whatever religion they profess. The Perennial Philosophy is the religion I live by. No one has questioned me on this or even bothered to ask. I feel sorry that Euclid lodge felt it necessary, rightly or wrongly, to cause a rift in the spot where peace and harmony might have prevailed. I would likewise be interested in knowing how Euclid felt it was enslaved by the GL of Michigan. Not saying they are wrong in their feelings. It would be nice to have them spread some further light on this matter. Knowledge of the circumstances would help us better judge the situation.

Candide said...

"I feel sorry that Euclid lodge felt it necessary, rightly or wrongly, to cause a rift in the spot where peace and harmony might have prevailed. I would likewise be interested in knowing how Euclid felt it was enslaved by the GL of Michigan. Not saying they are wrong in their feelings. It would be nice to have them spread some further light on this matter. Knowledge of the circumstances would help us better judge the situation." the UGLE Mason. I don't think the Brothers of Euclid lodge wanted to cause a rift or disrupt the peace,hence they formed a lodge were their opinions and beliefs could be heard without disrupting the sleep of others.

John Galt said...

Brother Candide,
We were not enslaved by our former Grand Lodge at all. We were just restricted in what we could and could not do. Some of the restrictions got in the way of what we believe Masonry to be. I happen to like the Grand Lodge of Michigan and consider several of the grand line and PGM's to be friends.
This is not a revolution in any way, shape or form. This is just a few sharp Brothers that decided that Masonry is more important than administrative structures.
There are two aspects of Masonry. The first is a definitive initiatic lineage from initiator to initiated since the inception of our noble order. Then there is the administrative structure. Masonry can exist without the administrative structure. We have to keep things in perspective. No man or organization owns Light.
I hope that answers your question or at least engenders some further discussion of the philosophy. I look forward to hearing from you again.

Fraternally,
Brandt

The K.N.O. said...

"...hence they formed a lodge were their opinions and beliefs could be heard without disrupting the sleep of others."

Or, the just wanted to be left in peace to their sleep. I can't tell, because I can't seem to get a straight answer except the constant reiteration that everyone who disagrees with them is wrong, and everyone who agrees with their every statement is silly. Everyone is free to agree, as long as they all agree-is that it?

Candide said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
The K.N.O. said...

All things considered, I do not have anything intrinsically against Euclid lodge. I know very little about the circumstances resulting in this move, and still after reading much material here know very little of the circumstances. It is unfortunate that others have taken it upon themselves in your defense to claim everyone that is a Mason 'asleep'. In our jurisdiction, we do sometimes have conflict with the GL. It is usually solved, and invariably goes with the wishes of the brethren at large rather than the GL if the two viewpoints are juxtaposed. Just like everyone has expressed, I obviously wish you the best in your travels.

The comment about 'everyone being equal, but some are more equal than others' is true. If I need a heart operation, I will select a surgeon over a garbage man. If someone wants to allow a butcher to cut him open, that is their prerogative. For me, some people are better suited for the tasks given. On the other hand, I am more likely to give a destitute man money for a meal than I am to purchase dinner for a wealthy Grand Lodge officer out of empathy. That really is the point of Masonry, is that we can trust our brothers. I do not know that I can trust someone who thinks I am asleep because he is prejudiced against me merely for being a Mason under a Grand Lodge.

John Galt said...

Brother Olsen,
Nobody can speak for us but us. Tehr are some that support us that may at times be extreme in their support. I assure that Euclid is only interested in the good of the Craft and Euclid in particular. We are not a tool of any particular group.
We did as we did, because we had to. No matter what certain talking heads have had to say about our "dispicable blog" we are doing what we believe to be right.
I have explained out position to the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Michigan and things are in motion that may or may not be in our favor. That is just the way it is.

Fraternally,
Brandt

Saul Rosenbaum said...

Should we judge the equality of people based on knowledge, wisdom, or anything else? We all live and die Bro. Kevin. In the end we are all equal.

Masonry should act as a common ground upon which we can all meet and work together with the humbling knowledge of just how equal we are as fellow human beings.

I have nothing against any man or Mason. You would be welcomed in my lodge as a brother and equal. It is for this very reason that I left the Grand Lodge system. I wanted to be free to work with all Masons, and I could not bring myself to view another brother as clandestine or irregular based on a piece of paper. What we call “Free-Masonry” is merely and allusion to something much more profound that runs like an invisible thread through the universe creating an implicate order of all things. It would be the ultimate hubris to assume that something so frail as a man could ever control or manage it.

It is when we come to the realization of the interconnectedness of everything that we receive that first ray of Light.

Saul
Sirius Lodge No. 7

The K.N.O. said...

I have nothing against any man, and any man or woman is at least my equal. To me, it is irrelevant to those solemn oaths I took. Those oaths are to my brethren, but most especially they are to myself. A Kiwanian is not allowed into lodge, even though it is a philanthropic group. We are similar to the boy scouts and girl scouts as well. I admire all these groups, but they would not allow me in their meetings, although our goals are similar. I don't hate them because they won't let me join. They don't hate me, I assume, because they won't let me a member. Why would a Mason be any different? Your lodges are obviously different than ours on key points. We can meet on the level and part upon the square without meeting in a tiled lodge, and that is how I live my life. The world is my lodge, but my oath belongs to no other person than this spiritual being called by my name and that ground of being in which all things are together. I make no distinctions between the value of an atheist or the value of a brownie. They are all children of the same divine ground of being. I'm certain of backlash from this post, but that's fine. I understand it is not easy to remain objective. The point being is I don't go to a Mosque, but I love Muslims. I don't go to Domino's Pizza, but I love the pizza delivery person. I don't go to the strip club, but I have heartfelt compassion for the workers and attendees there, and wish them their highest and best good. Nothing about equals or inequal. My oath is solemn. Whether I agree 100%, it does not conflict with my duties or take away my personal freedom. I took those oaths of my own free will, and I practice them according to my own free will. Call that hatred if you like even though I do no harm to others who are not Masons. I call it integrity. Do you hate madmen? I do not. Do you allow them into your lodge to damage things? How about five-year-old children? Why not? Do you hate them?

Candide said...

Ask anyone in the USA what Notre Dame means and the anwser most likey would be "The Fighting Irish,college etc." Ask someone outside the USA the same question would have a different answer,"a French Cathedral,a building in Paris etc'. Neither is wrong.This is how I view Masonry in the USA.

Saul Rosenbaum said...

Bro. Kevin,

My oath is to be good and kind to everyone I meet, to aid those in need, and educate those who seek understanding.

It's an oath to be a brother to all people, even if they don't recognize me as such.

Saul
Sirius No. 7

The K.N.O. said...

"Bro. Kevin,

My oath is to be good and kind to everyone I meet, to aid those in need, and educate those who seek understanding.

It's an oath to be a brother to all people, even if they don't recognize me as such."

A good oath, brother. It's the idea our oaths in lodge hold in them, and gets back to Nietzsche's idea to not love your neighbor, but those farthest from you. An idea I don't completely agree with, as Nietzsche is taking the easy way out with his glib comment. It's far more difficult to love your closest neighbor. The oaths I took do NOT exclude my acting Masonically to the rest of the world, and I do so at any rate. I would NOT allow it to interfere with my obligations to the other areas of my life that I deeply love. Despite women not being allowed in lodge, I respect women deeply, some women being better Masons than some Masons I know. I recognize that the comasonry is valuable to members of either gender, and that, without knowing the particulars of their degrees I am willing to take it on their honest word that it is Masonry. I also accept that the Elks club is Masonry and the KC. The groups are different, but not necessarily wrong. It does not encompass the scope of my journey to judge them one way or another, but only to recognize they are all a part of the same divine ground of being and deserve my fealty. Before him or any of them, I will prove my oaths by living up to them. Some day, because of my faith in the Grand Architect and in my brothers, things will change if they are in error. I will not judge my brothers in Masonry or in my Grand Lodge unless or until they fail to act Masonically and display damaging and malicious intent to the brethren. Purportedly, some Grand Lodges have acted out of line. If this be the case, I feel empathy for the injured brethren both in Grand Lodge and in the lodges they are meant to serve. Our Grand Lodge has eliminated the one-day classes, and I applaud the effort to improve Masonry.
Our lodge is moving along quite well. We just raised a Fellow Craft brother last night and I was proud to sit in the East for the raising. We are raising another Fellow Craft in two weeks, and both will be raised to Master Masons in December. We also have two Entered Apprentices next month. Yes, we are moving quickly, and arguably too quickly for some tastes. However, the intention is to create a meeting of instruction and education for all three lodges in our town. These are not candidates to slide on into the Shrine, although they are free to do so if they wish. Personally, I have been a Mason for seven years and have not been sufficiently attracted to join the rites or the Shrine just yet, although I am not excluding the possibility. Just saying this to explain that not all GLs act as all other GLS, and Masonry is not failing, it is thriving. It can be made to do so under the auspices of a GL, although perhaps not under the auspices of all GLs. Travel well.

Candide said...

Sleep was a metaphor.Does that make me untrustworthy? But then I don't claim to be anything more than a figure from a Frenchmans imagination.

The K.N.O. said...

That would be up to you to decide. I can't, as I must be metaphorically asleep because I belong to a group that disagrees with yours on metaphorical matters and no other reason. I wish I wasn't metaphorically sleeping, or we might have an interesting discussion on one of my favorite French Masons.

John Galt said...

This is the beauty of the basic concepts of liberty. No person has to agree with me, all they must do as a citizen of this free nation is not interfere with our fundamental inalienable rights which were endowed upon us by our Creator. Allowing of course that the exercise of said rights do not interfere with your exercise of those same rights.

Fraternally,
Brandt

The K.N.O. said...

Presupposing you don't think I'm asleep. Dreams are nice, but not always to be trusted. If you think I'm metaphorically asleep because I belong to a regular lodge, then there is not much use in talking. This is all mentioned facetiously and not to be taken seriously.

John Galt said...

Brother,
You seem to be under the impression that we (Euclid) believe all that disagree with us to be in the wrong. That is not the case. There is no reason that brothers cannot be in disagreement and still be Brothers. If it was required that all men in Masonry had exactly the same views on everything I for one would never be part of the organization.
You don't have to agree with us as we don't have to agree with you. Please understand Brother. We are not working from an "us against them" paradigm.

Fraternally,
Brandt

The K.N.O. said...

The comments is not about Euclid lodge or its members at large; only a response to comments presented here. I do take exception at having my brothers called 'sleeping', a generalization that is clearly not the case to one who sits in lodge with these intelligent and dedicated brethren. It is clear the 'offending' comment was meant humorously, and I apologize if my comments were not likewise recognized as a humorous illustration of a point. Voltaire did this better, and I am no Voltaire. Travel well.

John Galt said...

I am no Voltaire either. He was much more drôle than I. I have been accused of a very dry sense of humor, it is a dirty lie though. Everything else may be true.

Brandt

Anonymous said...

Brandt,

I must apologize for coming to the discussion a little late. I've only recently had a chance to read all the blogs. I'm a Michigan Mason and I was very curious in comparing and contrasting the differences between your efforts and the men of Halcyon lodge in OH. From my readings I can see some very clear differences and was interested to know if you and other members had also withdrawn your membership from the GLofMI? In your case I don't see you 'returning a charter and striking out' as they did in OH (arguably severing their relationship with that GL). You have started anew. That leaves me curious as to what has become of the disposition of your membership in the GLofMI? Have you taken a withdrawl individually? Do you continue to attend your lodge (The Burning Taper alluded to Doric in GR)? Has your lodge or the GL responded in anyway to you individually or as an entity? I saw the reference you made to the MI blue book concerning what jurisdiction the GL exerts and what it does not. Just wondering if that is the end of it. Sorry for all the questions. Just generally curious for more light.