Tuesday, January 31, 2012
New Website
The website is currently under construction. Please bear with us as we get it up and running.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Clarification and Farewell
It has come to my attention that rumors are circulating in some circles that Euclid is allied or affiliated with specific Martinist Orders and/or the Gnostic Church. Let me be very plain here, Euclid is not now, nor will it be in the future, allied or affiliated with any religious or non-Masonic fraternal organization.
There are members of Euclid who are Martinists. There are members of Euclid who are Gnostic clergy. But that does not establish a link between Euclid and those groups any more than our members belonging to the VFW or American Legion establish a link with those groups.
I hope this puts to rest, once and for all, these rumors and clears up Euclid's position on the matter.
Again, I wish Brother Chad and his slate of officers the very best in the coming year and look forward to seeing what they can achieve. I anticipate it will be another great year for Euclid.
For the last time from the East,
Tony Melton
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Affiliation: Part II
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Tony Melton
Master, Euclid Lodge
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Affiliation
Fraternal Greeting.
Let It be known that Euclid Lodge hereby severs all ties with the Grand Orient of the United States.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Anthony S. Melton
Master, Euclid Lodge
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day
Brandt
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
sorrow
This is not a message that I want to write, I would prefer to build a statue to this Brother. I feel like my guts are on the floor. A dear Brother and dedicated friend has passed on to his reward.
Worshipful Brother Charles Kramsvogel. There is nothing that I could possibly write that would express the quality of Mason that he is. He held pretty much every degree that a man can get. None of that is important. What is important is that he was a true Mason in every regard. He will be sorely missed.
Frat.·.
Brandt
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Looking Back and Looking Forward
Brethren,
Let me start by offering my thanks to Brother Brandt for his service as Venerable Master. Being Master of any lodge is large undertaking, but being the first Master of a brand new lodge is a huge responsibility. Brother, you did a great job. Euclid Lodge will forever remember you as its first and best leader. Well done Brother! You have set the bar high; I only hope I can live up to the standards that you set.
I want to thank the brothers of Euclid Lodge #3 for giving me the opportunity to serve the lodge as Venerable Master. I look forward to a great year. To my officers, I look forward to working with each of you. Out of respect for your privacy, I will not post a list of officers here, but if you wish to post a comment with your new position, you are welcome to.
This year promises to be another great year for Euclid. We have petitions to vote on, candidates to investigate, Entered Apprentices to Pass, and much Light to acquire. I look forward to learning, growing, and laughing along side the brethren of Euclid and of the Grand Orient of the United States of America.
May we do it all to the glory of Universal Freemasonry.
Sincerely and Fraternally,
Anthony S. Melton
Venerable Master
Euclid Lodge #3
Grand Orient of the United States of America
Last Post from me as Master
I have had an interesting time in the East. I am quite happy though to be stepping down. I will turn over the ownership of this blog to the new Venerable Master of Euclid Lodge #3
frat.·.
Brandt
Saturday, January 3, 2009
2009
2008 has proven to be a tough year in Michigan and it appears that 2009 will be tough as well. So be it. I am certain that our Nation will pull through our current troubles. I am interested to see what our President-elect will do and the effects that it will have on our society. I wish him the best of luck.
Luckily in Michigan we were able to pass Prop 1 and Prop 2 which are good things in principle. I wonder how they will be enacted.
Euclid has done well. We have grown and it appears that we will continue to do so. The Grand Orient of the United States is doing fine and it is growing stronger.
Over 2008, I was married - for those that care married life has been good to me - and a close Brother and friend of mine was married not long after I was and his life is doing quite well also. We all experience ups and downs, particularly in this economy, but all is well. I take great joy in my Brothers and Friends, in their triumphs and blessings. Their families have grown and lives have improved.
Another year down Brothers. Many more to go.
I wish you all a happy and enriching New Year
Brandt
Sunday, November 2, 2008
The Great Instauration
There is much work to do in the world. We must rededicate ourselves to the Great Work, the Great Instauration, The Six Days Work. The City of the Sun awaits.
Set aside your pain and differences, there are things far greater than any of us.
Under the shadow of thy wings,
Frat.·.
Brandt
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Policy
All posting is on a moderated status now. If a post is irrelevant or just pointless it will be rejected. Speak to the subject at hand or don't waste your time. Remember Brothers, we are Masons. Act like it. If you can't then get your fingers away from the keyboard.
Brandt
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Grand Rapids Masonic news
I have also heard "rumor" of a Memphis-Misraim lodge developing in the area possibly under the auspices of the Sovereign Sanctuary, United States. More to follow on this as information is available. The ground work for a lodge working under the George Washington Union in Grand Rapids. There are also developments in Detroit and Lansing.
Interesting times that we live in and I am excited to see the face and function of Masonry changing in the United States.
Frat.·.
Brandt
Friday, September 19, 2008
Bridge Building
One can maintain a clear sense of the Divine and the un-answered questions related to that in secular world. What is needed, in my unlearned opinion, is primitive view of spirituality. Some things can exist without being seen or measured, ask any astro-physicist or particle physicist. What I mean by “primitive view of spirituality” is one that comes to grips with the concept of the “bridge builder.” This Pontiff builds the bridge, or at least shows the way, to bridge the divide between that which is base to that which is divine. One will begin to understand the hierarchy in man. I shy away of the verbal gymnastics that some like to apply to this subject as they all amount to ego gratification or mental masturbation.
Superstition has no place in a thinking man’s religion or politics. Reason has an important place in a thinking man’s religion (or lack thereof) and politics.
So what is religion? It is not faith. It is a collection of ethnic and cultural items that form a tradition. This tradition is melded to a dogmatic view of faith and an organized religion is born. Spirituality on the other hand is a personal journey. The two are not mutually exclusive or mutually dependent upon each other. One can have both religion and spirituality or just spirituality or just religion. Spirituality I have learned can sometimes look like atheism. That is an odd situation to view but it is there.
Frat.·.
Brandt
Monday, September 1, 2008
Freedom of Conscience
That being said there are certain rites of Masonry that lend themselves well to Brothers who are atheist. The "Restored" Modern Rite for example is one of these rites. The Rectified Scottish Rite on the other hand leans a great deal more towards a mystical outlook which an atheist Brother may not be comfortable with.
Within the Grand Orient both hypothetical lodges could exist side by side. The secular nature of the central organization permits a vast diversity within the organization. One lodge could be wholly mystical in practice and outlook while another could be entirely secular in its works. The Grand Orient itself takes no part in that decision.
Freedom of Conscience does not encourage nor permit anti-social or dangerous behavior. The fundamental foundation of Free-Masonry prohibits anti-social and behaviors that are damaging to society in general. Those prohibitions are actually a part of a social contract to which all citizens do (or should) adhere to. Without this understanding and respect for the rights of others society tends to decay. It is necessary for one to be unhampered by dogma in order to explore and grow.
Frat.·.
Brandt
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
The Patent and questions
There have been many questions and rumbling about the patents granted to the Grand Orient of the United States and the Treaty of Amity with the Grand Orient of France. I hope that the following information is of some use to those that are interested.
http://www.grandorientusa.org/news/20080604GOdFPatent.asp
At this page you will see a photo of a dinner with the Brothers, including the Grand Master (now Past Grand Master) of the Grand Orient of France. Below that photo is a scan of the patent granting rights to the symbolic grades of the Scottish Rite and the Modern Rite. Also there is a copy of the Treaty of Amity.
Some noise, and very little Light, has been made about these documents. I have heard people say that the documents must be fake. I have also seen that there seems to be a problem with my signature not being on the document. I was unable, for personal reasons, to make the trip to France. Other Brothers of the Grand Orient were empowered to sign in my place. So that is settled now. I can promise you that it is not fake.
http://82.229.184.120/~adminspip/
Here you will see an article from the General Grand Chapter (Grand Orient of France) Modern Rite discussing the Treaty and Patent as well as the patent for the Order of Wisdom (high grades of the Modern Rite) to the Grand Orient of the United States. For those that don't read French or would just rather read it in English go here.
http://82.229.184.120/~adminspip/spip.php?article296
I hope that this puts to rest any theories of items being fake. If there are any other concerns contact your Grand Secretary and have him contact the Grand Orient of France directly. Or just take it as it is.
Frat.·.
Brandt
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Treaty and Patent
More information to follow and I am sure that pictures will be available soon.
Fraternally,
Brandt
Monday, June 2, 2008
What it is not
I just had a long talk with a Brother from another Lodge. He is not a member of a Grand Orient lodge. He is a member of a lodge under the Grand Lodge of Oklahoma. We discussed why some of the venom is being spewed and he suggested that I could perhaps clear the air a bit. That is the purpose of this blog post.
It does no good to describe what Euclid Lodge is. I will endeavor to describe what it is not. I hope that is good enough.
Euclid Lodge is not meant as a negation of the Grand Lodge or Grand Lodges which so many of my Brothers love. It is an entirely different approach to our Gentle Craft. Hypothetically if one of my Brothers from my former lodge were to visit they would not be entirely lost. They may have to adjust to a slight difference in ritual but that just adds spice. Different is sometimes good.
Many moons ago when I was teaching martial arts I was often asked about similarities between different martial arts. I think that view missed the point. Yes, there are similarities. That is the part that one already possesses. It is the differences that matter. I used the analogy of chicken. Most cultures in the world cook chicken. Thai cooking is great but it is substantially different from good decent fried chicken from the South. Yet, it is still chicken. Enjoy the spice.
Euclid Lodge is not a rejection of the Anglo-Saxon/American manifestation of Masonry. Far from it, we open our doors to our Brothers. Free-Masonry is most important when it works in the life of the individual Brother. The lodge is just a classroom.
Though I may be "forgotten" I promise that my Brothers are not forgotten. I remember you all clearly and fondly.
Frat.·.
Brandt
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Grand Master John Slifko
Euclid Lodge #3 sends our congratulations and support to the new Grand Master.
.......more news to follow in a relatively short time.
Frat:.
Brandt Smith
VM Euclid Lodge #3
Friday, April 4, 2008
Halcyon Lodge
Considering that I am from a similar background you may understand why I am sympathetic to the work done at Halcyon.
Fast forward a bit and we have the Grand Lodge of Ohio filing suit against the charity that runs the historic building and boxing club. They have targeted specifically the Brothers least able to defend themselves (meaning they targeted the Brothers with smaller bank accounts primarily) in an attempt to force a resolution in their favor without the full exposure of the facts. Let's allow truth to be truth and place the facts on the level to be judged by their merits. Not money but merits. I for one would love to see this resolved sooner rather than later.
This historic building is in jeopardy. More importantly the work that is being conducted in this building is in jeopardy. I request that you go to http://www.halcyoncharities.org/ and read what is being accomplished there. I also ask that you click on that donate button on the left side of their screen and support the good work of that charity. This is a real charity 501c3 that is doing remarkable work in their community. It is appropriate to support this cause. 5, 10, 20, 100 any amount will be appreicated.
I have had the pleasure of knowing several of the Brothers involved in this work. They are honest and strong Brothers that would drop everything to extend to you Masonic charity. They are in need now. They have given greatly and are now in need.
I just finished donating myself, I ask that you stand with me and support this.
Fraternally,
Brandt
Monday, March 17, 2008
Grand Lodge of West Virginia
To the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia, shame on you sir. You have brought shame upon the entire Grand Lodge of West Virginia. Stand up, be a true Mason and correct you clearly wrong actions. I offer you an example on how a Grand Master should act. PGM Walt Wheeler of the Grand Lodge of Michigan. Though he may not have always agreed he always tried to find a way for matters to work between Brethren with different ideals. You on the other hand have struck out with your brief little authority. Right Worshipful Brother Lewis, all eyes are upon you now. Do the right thing. Soon, you will be “elected” to the grand east of the Grand Lodge of West Virginia. I hope that you will do what is right and reinstate Brother Haas and all those that have been victimized by the current so called Grand Master. I call on you Brothers to do what is right, fulfill your proclaimed devotion to Freemasonry.
Fraternally,
Brandt